Thursday, March 31, 2011

Indian Advances into the Final of the Cricket World Cup!

In yet another magnificent win, India came closer to the World Cup by booking their final spot position against Sri Lanka to be held in Mumbai on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Beating their arch rival, Pakistan by 29 runs, the team India has proved their ability once again. Indian bowlers who were always been criticized for their inconsistency on the field, have come out collectively to bring the wonders for their country. In a neck-to-neck match yesterday, Indian seamers, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Ashish Nehra stopped the Pakistani side at the total of 231 runs in 49.5 overs.
Known for the level of competition and pleasure to watch out for, the cricket match between India and Pakistan is always been a subject of great interest for everyone. India started brilliantly with the skipper Virender Sehwag hitting boundaries all over the ground, creating moments of pleasure for the audience present over there. Soon with Sehwag’s fall, no one expect the cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar could manage to perform better. However, innings from Suresh Raina was indeed crucial for helping the Indian side to attain a decent total of 260.

Chasing the target of 260, Pakistani team looked comfortable and easy. They started on a good note with the openers Kamran Akmal and Mohd. Hafeez scoring 44 runs in the first nine overs. However, the team keeps losing wickets and could not get over that. There were few innings that sparked little hopes for the Pakistani team with Asad Shafiq making 30 off 39 balls and Umar Akmal knocking 24 runs in 29 balls, hitting sixes high enough to reach the sky. Even, Misbah-ul-Haq’s 56 runs in 76 balls could not help Pakistan to encash chances to making into the final.
The yesterday’s match has unveiled marvelous sights for cricket-loving fans. The Indian bowling prowess, team’s unity, disciplined approach, focused target and experienced performance. Who can forget the Wednesday, March 31, 2011?

PROFILE-Cricket-Anti-climactic end to Shoaib's intriguing career


A career that began so promisingly 14 years ago with Shoaib Akhtar refusing to take off his first Pakistan kit for three days, ended with a dressing down on Wednesday when the fast bowler was reduced to being a 'waterboy'.
The man who was nicknamed the "Rawalpindi Express" for his ability to bowl at high speeds had been hoping for one last hurrah in Wednesday's high-octane World Cup semi-final against traditional foes India.
However, Pakistan's defeat by India brought one of the most controversial careers in cricket to a screeching halt.
For Shoaib, there will be no more highs of taking wickets or winning matches for his country. When he wakes up on Thursday, all he will be left with is a sackful of memories.
"The best moment was when I got the first kit for the test match and there was a huge star on my chest," an emotional Shoaib told reporters after announcing his decision to quit two weeks ago.
"I wore that kit and I slept in that kit and I just couldn't believe that I was going to wake up in that kit. I didn't take if off for three days."
Luckily for Shoaib, his 46-test and 163-ODI appearances ensured he received a regular supply of team strips for almost a decade and a half but from Thursday, there will be no more new kits arriving on his doorstep.
But no one can deny the impact, good or bad, he made in the sport. The 35-year-old made his debut in a test match against West Indies in 1997 and immediately caught everyone's attention as the fastest bowler of his generation.
Considered by many as the heir to Pakistan fast bowling greats Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Shoaib disappointed most with a career blighted by injuries and controversies stemming from his indiscipline.
His tearaway pace was a threat to many a batsman around the world but his figures failed to justify his immense talent.
He finished with 178 test wickets and 247 ODI scalps -- a record he will not be too pleased with.
Ball-tampering allegations, numerous disciplinary issues, hitting team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat in 2007, doping accusations and several other controversies and injuries took the focus away from his often devastating bowling.
ANGRILY STAMPED TEAM MATE

Afridi sorry for cup exit


Skipper admits batsmen let Pakistan down in run chase

Captain Shahid Afridi apologised to Pakistan's cricket fans after his side suffered defeat in their semi-final against India at the World Cup.
Pakistan fell 30 runs short of clinching a place in Saturday's final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai after failing to chase down an Indian total of 260.
Afridi blamed his batsmen for failing to profit from a bowling performance that was highlighted by Wahab Riaz's career-best 5-46, but also blighted by dropped catches.
Sachin Tendulkar was dropped on four occasions in his game-high score of 85, but even then the co-hosts' total looked well within Pakistan's reach.
"He (Wahab) really bowled well, but we missed some opportunities - and in the end, they played better than us," Afridi said.
"We didn't build partnerships and played some irresponsible shots.
"Sorry to our nation. We tried our level best."
Afridi was notably gracious in defeat, after the high-profile contest in which partisan feelings inevitably ran high.

Proud

"I want to congratulate the Indian cricket team and all the Indian nation for this great victory and wish them well for the final," he told Sky Sports.
"We have played really well in this whole tournament, and the boys did a great job. I am very proud to be captain of these guys."
Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar have been selected as the on-field umpires for Saturday'sWorld Cup final.
Dar, who is standing in his third World Cup, will be participating in his second consecutive final, having overseen the 2007 final which was marred by a farcical situation regarding bad light.
It is also Taufel's third World Cup, but until now he has been unable to officiate in a final because Australia, his native land, have been in the final on every occasion he has been involved.
England's Ian Gould will handle the third umpire's duties, while Steve Davis of Australia has been selected as the fourth umpire.
New Zealand's Jeff Crowe will be the match referee for the clash.

Pakistani comedian dies during Indo-Pak cricket show

Karachi:  A Pakistani comedian died while participating in a TV show organised for the Pakistan-India World Cup semifinal match that India went on to win, a media report said Thursday.

Daily Times reported that comedian Liaqat Soldier, 55, died due to heart attack here Wednesday.

The comedian was taking part in a special show of a local TV channel when he suffered the heart attack and died on his way to hospital.

India beat Pakistan by 29 runs at the match held in Mohali which was witnessed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh. The meeting between Gilani and Manmohan Singh has been dubbed cricket diplomacy.

India will now play against Sri Lanka in Mumbai Saturday in the finals.

Liaqat started his career as an actor in 1973 and performed in over 250 television plays, besides numerous stage dramas across the globe during his 38-year career. 

His first movie was "Qaid" while his first drama was "Tum Kia Jano". He also worked in several parody movies.

Liaquat, who performed in different countries, including India, also wrote and directed about 50 dramas.



Taufel and Dar to umpire World Cup final


Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar have been named as the on-field Umpires for the World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka on Saturday. Ian Gould and Steve Davis will be third and fourth umpires, respectively, while Jeff Crowe will perform match referee duties for the game.
The DRS has played a strong role in this World Cup - sometimes controversially - but both Taufel and Dar have had largely flawless tournaments, while Gould and Davis have also been generally accurate in their decisions.
Two of the younger umpires on the ICC's elite panel, Taufel and Dar's umpiring careers have run almost concurrently. Taufel officiated in his first one-day international in January 1999, while Dar's first international came just over a year later, and since then both have earned reputations for consistently accurate decision-making.
Taufel was named Umpire of the Year for five consecutive years from 2004 to 2008, and when he finally lost the title it was to Dar, who won the award in both 2009 and 2010.
Both have stood in two previous World Cups, and in 2007 Dar was one of the on-field umpires for the final between Australia and Sri Lanka - although he came in for some criticism after the farcical finale of that match for his role in misinterpreting the rules regarding bad light.
Taufel officiated in the final of the 2004 Champions Trophy and as the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa, where he was an on-field umpire in the thrilling India v Pakistan final. He once joked "if Ricky and the boys slip up eventually I might get the chance to do a [World Cup] final", and with Australia having crashed out of this tournament after three consecutive World Cup triumphs, he will finally get his chance.

India v Pakistan: Shahid Afridi plays underdog as Shoaib Akhtar remains a doubt for Cricket World Cup semi-final


Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes his team have punched above their weight to reach a World Cup semi-final in which India are favourites, especially as paceman Shoaib Akhtar remains a doubt for the eagerly anticipated contest.

Akhtar, who has announced he will retire after his side’s ongoing World Cup campaign comes to an end, has been widely tipped to spearhead Pakistan’s attack at Mohali.
Underdogs: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi admits India are favourites in their Cricket World Cup semi-final
The 35-year-old has played only three games in the tournament so far, taking three wickets at an average over 40, and has not featured since the group-stage loss to New Zealand.
‘’Shoaib is not 100 per cent. He is trying his level best to play and we will decide on him in the evening,’’ said Afridi.
When asked about his side’s preparations for the match, the all-rounder said: ‘’This game is very important for both the sides. We have prepared well for this game and we are confident.’’
The 31-year-old, who is the tournament’s top wicket-taker with 21 at 10.71, added: ‘’We are not the favourites for this competition. India are the favourites and we have played above expectations.
‘’We are enjoying our cricket. If you know how to handle it, there is no need to panic. I think we will enjoy playing here.’’
Pakistan beat West Indies in their quarter-final, while India saw off a weakened Australia to set up a dream semi-final encounter which continues one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries.
This is the first time they have met in a World Cup semi-final, while India have won all of their four previous World Cup meetings.
Tomorrow’s game has also drawn considerable political attention, with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani having accepted his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh’s invitation to attend the event in Mohali.

India v Pakistan: Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman ever to play cricket


It may be sacrilegious to say this, especially to Australians, but Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman who ever took guard.

His versatility, longevity and productivity are so far ahead of his closest rival in the game. Just as Don Bradman’s Test average of 99.94 was more than 50 per cent better than anyone else, so Tendulkar’s tally of 99 international hundreds is similarly out of reach of his nearest competitor, Ricky Ponting, who has 69.
Master: Sachin Tendulkar has a strong claim to be ranked more highly than Sir Donald Bradman
When you factor in Tendulkar’s prowess in all countries and all conditions – averaging around 50 in every major country apart fromPakistan – and the burden of expectation of a billion people, he must be regarded as the best ever.
Bradman was extraordinary, but he only ever played in Australia andEngland. Bradman watched Tendulkar bat, famously saying that the way he fashioned runs reminded him of himself. There are similarities – the short stature, the stillness at the crease, the compactness, the control, the total insatiability.
It was often said that Bradman seemed inherently to know where the bowler would direct the next delivery, and Tendulkar appears to have the same gift. Often he seems to be in position to play a shot earlier than his peers. Perhaps that is just because his reflexes are sharper.
Tendulkar is blessed with exceptional balance and timing. He never seems hurried at the crease: a 90mph Brett Lee delivery was calmly upper-cut almost for six in the quarter-final in Ahmedabad. He glides smoothly into position, his bat and body perfectly aligned, the bat apparently an extension of his arms. He strokes, or occasionally punches the ball, rarely assaults it. With deft wrist work, he angles or flicks the ball into space. He dissects bowling attacks rather than destroying them.

Cricket World Cup 2011: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni says team unity was key to victory over Pakistan


India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes even the intensity of a Cricket World Cup Final against Sri Lanka won’t be able to top the pressure his side felt in their semi-final victory over Pakistan, a victory that was built on team-unity and togetherness.

Pakistan appeared to be suffering the nerves of the occasion more than their hosts as errors in the field contributed to India posting a less than unconvincing score of 260 that Pakistan were nonetheless always struggling to chase down under lights.
However, India still required a steady calm in the broiling atmosphere of Mohali and Dhoni praised his side for handling the expectation of over a billion people.
“I think of the pressure like I do fast bowling,” Dhoni said.
“Once it goes past 150kph you don’t notice whether he is bowling 155 or 160. Before the finals the pressure won’t grow now, it will be static and hopefully that will really help us.”
He might have cause to revise that opinion when Saturday and Sri Lanka come round, but the captain insists that the tension of facing Pakistan will only help them in the final.
“The format has really helped us because we have had quite a few games where we have really been tested, and now we are getting into a groove” he said.
“Sri Lanka are a very good side, they have done really well, but we have been tested more often than not in the games that we have played.
“We have also had individuals who have stepped up and said ‘I will be the person in this particular game’, but overall everybody has contributed in bits and pieces. And if somebody is having a bad time on the field we make sure that he still feels wanted.
“Everybody is helping each other and that’s what really counts in team sport, you want everyone to be at their best, you want all 15 guys to be in a very good space mentally.”
Dhoni did confess to slightly misreading the Mohali pitch but claimed his side were smart enough to react when wickets fell. And grateful to the steady presence of Sachin Tendulkar to anchor an innings that proved enough.
“The wicket got slower as the game progressed, that’s why the new-ball game was very different,” he said.
“After losing two wickets, what was important was to bat 50 overs. In big games you shouldn’t always look to score 300 runs. You see the wicket is behaving in a different way and readjust your target.
“When he [Tendulkar] is there he makes it easy for the others to score with him, because he guides them really well.
“When you are batting with him you know this is a wicket where 260, 270 runs can be enough, because he judges things so well. He really guides the young guys.”
Tendulkar, who has the tantalising prospect of finally reaching his 100th hundred in international cricket in a final on home soil, is grateful for such home comforts.
“Going back to Mumbai for this event is a wonderful occasion. I just hope we can get the job done,” he said.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh admitted that he had felt the pressure of the occasion against Pakistan but that the result was the right one.
“Obviously this was like a final – when Pakistan play the pressure is double. Today was a big match not just for us but for the Pakistani team,” he said.
“We fielded very well and deserved the win.
“We played some good cricket and we are very happy and excited to be going to Mumbai for the final. Thanks to everyone for supporting us and giving us the blessing to win this important game.”

Pakistan prime minister in India for cricket diplomacy


New Delhi, India (CNN) -- Pakistan's prime minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, arrived in India Wednesday to watch a Cricket World Cup match between the two archrival teams as the nuclear neighbors try to repair ties wounded by the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai.
"We all must enjoy cricket," Gilani told reporters after landing at Chandigarh, near Punjab's Mohali city, which is hosting the semifinal between India and Pakistan.
The Pakistani leader was watching the high-pitched match with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, who had invited him last week to Wednesday's game.
The South Asian rivals, which have fought three wars since the blood-soaked partition of the Asian subcontinent in 1947, have in the past too used cricket as a platform to ease relations.
When cricket means more than just a match
In 2005, Singh and then-Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf saw a cricket match at a New Delhi stadium.
In 1987, Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Pakistan Gen. Muhammad Zia ul-Haq attended a similar game in Jaipur.
Gilani's visit came a day after his country agreed in principle to allow a tour by an Indian commission in connection with the investigations into the Mumbai assault blamed on Pakistani militant groups.
In their talks Tuesday in New Delhi, Indian and Pakistani home secretaries also pledged to set up a "hotline" on terror threats.
"Both sides agreed to set up a hotline between (the) home secretary of India and (the) interior secretary of Pakistan to facilitate real-time information-sharing with respect to terrorist threats," said a joint statement issued at the end of their talks.
More than 160 people were killed in the November 2008 siege of Mumbai that derailed a fragile peace process between the two nations. According to the joint statement, India also promised to host a Pakistani judicial panel to study the trial proceedings related to the case.
"Dates for the visit of the judicial commission from Pakistan in connection with (the) Mumbai attack trial will be conveyed by India within four (to) six weeks," the statement read.
A Mumbai court has imposed a death sentence on Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving Pakistani gunman from the three-day terror siege of the city. Kasab's lawyers say their client plans to challenge the sentence in India's supreme court in New Delhi.
In their discussions, Indian home secretary Pillai briefed the Pakistani side on his country's investigations into a deadly bombing of a Pakistan-bound train, about 80 kilometers from New Delhi, four years ago.
Some Hindu nationalists are now the key suspects in the 2007 firebombing on the Samjhauta (Friendship) Express train that left 68 passengers dead. The attack was initially believed to be the work of Islamist militants.
"Both sides reiterated their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed the need to bring those responsible for such crimes to justice," the statement said.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Cricket: India and Pakistan gripped by World Cup clash


More than a billion people are thought to have watched India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the World Cup cricket semi-final in the Indian city of Mohali.
Both countries largely ground to a halt during the match, which was attended by their respective prime ministers.
It was the first time the two sides had played on each other's soil since the 2008 Mumbai (Bombay) attacks.
The nuclear-armed neighbours' ties hit a low after the attacks, which were blamed on Pakistan-based militants.
India now play Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai on Saturday and celebrations have erupted around the country.
The BBC's Soutik Biswas in Delhi says the skies are alight with fireworks and it's like a rerun of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Cricket diplomacy
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was invited by his Indian Wednesday's semi was one of most keenly anticipated contests between the countries for years
counterpart, Manmohan Singh, in what is being described as "cricket diplomacy".
The two leaders shook hands with both sets of players before sitting down together to watch the game. Midway through, Mr Singh hosted a dinner in honour of his guest.
After the game, they were due to return to their respective capitals, Delhi and Islamabad.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirumpama Rao hailed what she called "the spirit of Mohali".
"An extremely positive and encouraging spirit... has been generated as a result of today's meeting. I would like to emphasise this is re-engagement between India and Pakistan," she told a news conference during the match.
Beforehand, Mr Gilani had said he hoped his visit would improve ties. "I am going to watch the match. It is too early to expect anything else," he told reporters.
The meeting comes a day after India and Pakistan agreed to let their officials visit each others' countries to investigate the Mumbai attacks.
The breakthrough followed talks between the two sides in Delhi. The attacks killed at least 174 people, nine of whom were the gunmen. One attacker was caught alive and has been sentenced to death.
Holiday
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Mohali says that with only half of the stadium's 28,000 tickets open to the public, there were none to be had except on the black market.
The BBC's Joe Wilson joined fans as they entered the stadium
Tickets were apparently selling for up to 10 times their original value, our correspondent says. Other reports put the figure much higher.
Pakistan declared a half-day holiday to allow fans to watch the match, while many offices in both countries said they would shut for the occasion.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and home of cricket captain and key player Shahid Afridi, says giant screens were set up at various venues across the city.
Before the match, fans hurriedly gathered at shops across the city to stock up on snacks. Everybody seemed to be bedecked in green shirts and cloaks - the colour of the Pakistani flag. Cars were also draped with flags and posters of national team members, our correspondent reports.
"This is a more important event than any other event in Pakistan this year," one fan, Karachi-based fund manager Omar Ehtisham Anwar, told Reuters news agency.
"There is no way I would miss even a second of this match - I will try to not even blink during the game."
In India, many returned home early as well. Giant television screens were installed in markets and restaurants for people to watch the match.
"We do not have any animosity towards the Pakistan team," Indian cricket fan Ravi Ansal told the AFP news agency before play began.
"They are a fine team and if India go on to lose the semi-final, I will cheer for Pakistan in the final."
The match was held amid tight security and authorities imposed a ban on flights over the stadium. Thousands of police and paramilitary forces were deployed around the venue.
"We are leaving nothing to chance. The security will be multi-layered," local police chief GPS Bhullar told reporters.
In February, the two countries agreed to resume peace talks "on all issues". Peace moves were put on hold after the 2008 attacks, although the sides have met a number of times in the past year.
Pakistan's foreign minister will visit India by July to review progress in the dialogue.
Are you in Mohali, India? Did you watch the game? Send us your pictures and comments using the form below.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

India vs Pakistan Semi Final Live Cricket Match Score,Updates and Predictions

A most awaiting match is finally comes to India's Mohali Stadium,India vs Pakistan Semi final match which is most amazing match of ICC cricket 2011 World cup and this match is also become very exciting as World cup Final Match.
A battle awaits finally arrives at Mohali Stadium in India, India vs Pakistan semifinal match, which is the most spectacular match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and this match is as exciting as the match World Cup Final.

Experts said, calling the game of "Mothers of the final." India vs Pakistan match is a type of war that comes when every man who is a cricket fan, enjoy this game as final heartbeat.Every man wants to enjoy this match as World Cup and when the game started to take people and its position as a world war to see and enjoy this game.

Today's match is very important for both teams and both countries because their people will not see their team fan lost.a Cricket Fans just want to see this game and desided to see this game in all conditions.

Yesterday, the rain had fallen in Mohali today may therefore be falling.Today Mohali stadium became a wall of soldiers because people eventhough warning terrorist group wants to enjoy the match between such a warning.


ICC Cricket World Cup, 2nd semi-final: India v Pakistan Cricket match will be played at Mohali on Mar 30, 2011.
India's best players

Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina

Pakistan's best players

Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul

TOSS PREDICTION

India 52%, Pakistan 48%. People believe that India can win this match.

MATCH PREDICTION

India 52%, 48% in Pakistan. India could win the game that people's opinions.

The Match will begin at 14:30 local time (09:00 GMT)

India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, places Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Captain & WK), Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra

Pakistan: Kamran Akmal (WK), Hafiz Mohammad Asad Shafiq Khan Younis, Misbah-ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Misbah not worried by batting numbers


Misbah-ul-Haq is not impressed by statistics and he doesn't care about history either. That helps, particularly with an India-Pakistan match due to break out at the World Cup within three days.


One of the anchors of Pakistan's batting and the man with the team's top score in the World Cup so far - 83 not out against Sri Lanka - Misbah said numbers could be meaningless if they did not agree with the results column. Pakistan's certainly don't.


Umar Akmal is their heaviest run-scorer in this World Cup, but he is placed as low as 28th in the list of top run-getters. Never mind the batsmen from Test-playing nations, Umar follows players from Netherlands, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Canada in the table.


Umar has scored 211 runs from five innings, with a single half-century. Among his team-mates, he is followed by Misbah (192), Kamran Akmal (188), Younis Khan (172), Mohmmed Hafeez (172), Asad Shafiq (124 from two innings) and Abdul Razzaq (101). Of the batsmen, only Misbah and Younis have scored more than one fifty in the tournament, and the team have managed nine overall. When compared to India, those are paltry figures: India have five centuries, ten fifties and five India batsmen have scored more runs than Umar.


Yet Pakistan finished at the top of their group and, regardless of the weakness of some of its Associate opposition, had the more emphatic first four weeks of the tournament between the two teams. In Mohali, after a lengthy round of football, fielding and then the conventional nets, Misbah deconstructed the numbers down to their bare basics. "According to me, the most important thing for any team is winning. If we don't score a hundred and win the World Cup, then that is very good for us. If we score centuries and get knocked out of the tournament, then it's no use."


In India, Misbah's public persona is built on the image of the man who tried the scoop shot and failed, handing India the World Twenty20 title in 2007. In person, he carries himself with gravitas; he speaks slowly but certainly. He will be beaten in any words-per-minute contest by his captain Shahid Afridi or Younis. But should it last longer than fifteen minutes, Misbah would probably still be holding his own. Like he has done through his career, this is the man for the long haul. He has been central to Pakistan's progress in the World Cup, where their batting may not look like a flashy suit, but its main thread holds strong.


"It's really a plus for teams whose batsmen are in form, are scoring centuries and are in the top 20 run-scorers, but winning is important," Misbah said. "If you score a fifty or even a timely twenty or thirty that is vital for a victory, then that's good enough for the team." This under-the-radar cricketing approach has worked for Pakistan, particularly after the horrors of the England tour now called the 'spot-fixing series.' Pakistan have won 14 of their 31 ODIs since the 2010 Asia Cup, their batsmen have managed totals of more than 250 the same number of times, with Pakistan winning nine of those games.


The Pakistan batsmen could find the best batting conditions they have encountered so far in the tournament in Mohali, after spending five weeks grinding it out on slow, low tracks in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The lack of pace off the pitches has been, Misbah said, a "struggle". In some parts of the subcontinent, contrary to the stereotype, "runs don't come easy," Misbah said. "The ball is turning, the bounce is low, so just like when we go outside these conditions and struggle against bounce and pace, scoring runs here on these wickets is an art too. And those who know how to play on low-bouncing wickets, they can do well and score runs. But batting can be a struggle." It is why this has been far from a batsman's World Cup.


In Sri Lanka, Misbah said, batsmen required a "tightness" of play. "The new ball seams, the spinners get help later and you have to work as a batsman, because the tracks help bowlers of both types." In Bangladesh, he said, batsmen needed to be patient, to adjust. "Because of both low bounce and turn, batting requires you to really spend time and build an innings."


Pakistan's players have watched several of the World Cup matches held in India, and Misbah said the variety he saw across venues meant there never really was one defined 'type' of Indian pitch.


Once upon a time Mohali had a 'type': quick, bouncy and friendly for the fast men. That legend has faded and it is what India, in particular, will be pleased about, as batsman for batsman and numbers for numbers, they will believe they are better than their semi-final opponents.


Pakistan need not have bothered to haul over a slab of black stone to be put to use in the nets. The throwdowns given to every batsman on one of the practice pitches were made to pitch on the stone, Misbah explained, to generate bounce that the practice wickets did not quite contain. The real wicket probably won't contain it either.


Of the World Twenty20 final which he had all but snatched away from India before that last-over shot, Misbah said: "You can't just stick to the past. Every game is a new game, it's not like this game is important because of that match. To us every game is special. This one especially; this is the World Cup, it is a semi-final. I really want to do well."


Memory is a meaningless ghost for a cricketer like Misbah, who has had an up-and-down career, at one stage dropped from the Test and one-day squads only to return as Test captain. There was speculation that he may have been handed the role of one-day captain as well for the World Cup, but the selectors stuck with Afridi, who is never under the radar, but in this World Cup has not come through as the destructive batsman the world knows he can be. He has only 65 runs at 10.83 in the tournament, but the strike-rate monster that lurks within him may just light up at the sight of the handkerchief-sized ground in Mohali.


From being under the radar for over five weeks, Misbah and his team will now face the floodlights in a World Cup semi-final at a stadium which may have a low capacity, but will have a heavy-duty crowd.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

2,200 police officers deployed for India-Pakistan cricket World Cup semifinal

MOHALI, INDIA : Almost 2,200 Indian police officers were deployed on Sunday near the Punjab Cricket Association stadium in the city of Mohali ahead of the World Cup semifinal match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan which will be attended by Prime Ministers from both nations.
According to Press Trust of India, security personnel also positioned themselves on the rooftops in the adjoining buildings of the stadium to maintain strict vigil. Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said that anti-sabotage teams, mounted police, 150 CCTV cameras, bomb disposal and sniffer dog squads would also be in place for Wednesday's match.

Nearly 1,200 police officers were deployed around Hotel Taj, which is about 12 km from the stadium, where the two teams are staying.

Over 16,000 match tickets were sold in less than two days in the 28,000-capacity stadium while the rest were to be distributed to officials and guests.

Cricketing ties between the two countries were suspended in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Pakistan's official announced on Sunday that Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani will visit India at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh to watch the cricket match.

The invitation for the match came just ahead of the Interior Secretary-level talks between both countries, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. According to officials, the talks, the first since the attacks, will discuss terrorism, humanitarian issues, removal of visa restrictions and cooperation to fight drug trafficking.

The November 26 attack in Mumbai was executed by ten Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives which arrived by sea. The group divided in two and carried out an unprecedented attack for 60 hours at the Hotels Taj Mahal and Oberoi-Trident and Jewish outreach centre Nariman House in South Mumbai.

Overall, the terrorists killed 166 people and injured 238 others. Nine of them were killed by Indian security forces after the siege. The attacks caused damages worth around USD 34 million.