My predictions & it’s outcome :)

As predicted by me earlier on a blog i.e. http://tinyurl.com/6jzfl58, Pakistan India match as once again put into hell of politics, on the name of cricket diplomacy and like always, Pakistan sacrificed….shame of zardari & company for using such filthy tactics and entering from back-door to justify it’s rule + an effort to strengthen the governance just before cabinet elections …..

but never ruled out the performance of Indians, my congrats to the indian team its a great day of victory for them because they played really really well through the world cup and had the most difficult matches and they played em really really well and because they weren’t willing to toy with their peoples emotion un like the paki’s selling out their people’s faith for just a pile of cash …

just like every time…

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Here’s the evidence 🙂

If you want more proof, then listen to this audio, in which you can hear same bookie’s voice.

Are you ready for a cracker ?

India has made to semi-finals of the cricket world cup 2011 to face Pakistan by defeating world champions Australia.

The semi final which is scheduled for 30th of March is one of the most awaited day for the people of sub-continent. Two days before the match takes place and the time has frozen on us. As much as I am excited, this is also making me nervous.

Unless you have been sleeping under the rock, you probably know about the big day that’s just 5 days away now: Pakistan-India semi final. Speculations of all sorts are in the air and the crowd is getting crazy.

Tennis star & wife of ex captain of Pakistan cricket team, Sania Mirza, says “The War is On”.

I know it’s weird that I actually thought about this but when they got married earlier in April, I thought to myself who will Sania be supporting in a Pakistan-India cricket match. Well, we have an answer and an interesting one.

Sania Mirza tweeted on her official account

I support India and @realshoaibmalik will support Pakistan as usual!the war is on..lol..hahah

To which Shoaib replied

@MirzaSania yes pls be ready baby its on lol hahaha

The craze is in the air. Pakistan vs India is all our twitter timelines and Facebook news-feeds read. 48 hours before it all begins, and this is trending worldwide on twitter. Pakistan has never beaten India a single match in the history of cricket world cup but has India beaten Pakistan a single match at Mohali? The history shall repeat but which one? Will you make a really good excuse to ditch college/work this day? Or would you just say Pakistan vs India! Who prevails in this game? Are you ready?

CLASH OF THE TITANS

Friends Not Foes

RIVALRY AND FRIENDSHIP GOES HAND IN HAND

So far 46 matches have been played in this World Cup but, there is one match for which over a billion people are anxious to see, still there are 4 more days to go and it seems like the time has halted and each day is the longest day of the year. Everyone is impatiently waiting for this Mega Event at Mohali.  Predictions, forecasts, betting, emotional statements, angry statements, taunting, sarcastic comments, sane and insane suggestions all are flying like kites on a Basant Day. The days are longer than ever, it seems there is no dusk, kids are women are asking when is the India Pakistan match starting? Four more days, ‘oh gosh why so long?’  Such is the anxiety, enthusiasm and excitement that some people are getting insomniac and spending sleepless nights already. Questions are being raised like, will this be a bigger match than the final itself?  Of course it is, and this is not just one voice of an individual but, it is one voice of a few hundreds of millions of people echoing together.

What is at stake, money? Definitely not, it is the pride and vanity of two nations that is at stake, these two nations are not just neighbours but, they are friends and foes, they are rivals as well as associates of peace and friendship. The rivalry on the cricket ground may be harsh and fierce yet it brings the people closer to each other. They love to hate each other and hate to love each other, it is a kind of relationship which is hard to find in the political arena or even in the diplomatic channels. It is cricket that bring the people of these two nations together.

The stage is set on Wednesday March 30, 2011 at Mohali and the two teams are already there practicing hard, planning and making strategies on how to tackle each others weaknesses and how to utilize the strengths they have. India has advantage of playing in front of home crowd at their home ground and on paper their batting supremacy is undoubtedly better than Pakistan. Yet, matches are not won on the basis of paper it is the mental strength of the teams that differentiates between a winning team and a losing team. This Pakistan team does not have heroes like Tendulkar the all time cricket legend from India, or even their own past heroes such as Javed Miandad the Pakistan batting legend, yet the team has players who can turn the tables in their favour on their day and it could be their day on March 30th.  In terms of bowling Pakistan team has an edge over Indian bowlers in all departments.  Besides both teams have good wins under their belt and are confident of beating each other.

Shahid Afridi the Pakistan team captain has so far silenced all his critics by leading from the front and he is the leading wicket taker in this tournament also by far the best captain who is aggressive and positive.  The team he is leading does not have any known heroes also Pakistan were underrated before the commencement of the tournament and they have surprised almost everyone by reaching to the semifinals and they are only two steps away from lifting the cup.

PAKISTAN NEEDS A FAST BOWLER NOT A RAMBO ACTOR

What Shahid Afridi needs to do now is to focus on his own batting as well as his own decision making, he should not worry about what Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja are saying?  They will not be accountable if Pakistan loses the semifinal against India, the people, media and even the officials will blame him for anything that went wrong.  They are all pressurizing him to include Shoaib Akhtar in the team by saying he should be given ONE LAST CHANCE.  This is not a charity organization it is a national team and the selection is based on performance and fitness.

It is very clear to everyone that Shoaib is a spent force, he cannot bowl his allotted quota of 10  overs, he is neither mentally nor physically fit. Therefore Shahid Afridi should not pay heed to their blabbering and big mouthing. They had their day when they were captain and they never bothered to pay any attention to anyone’s advise, especially Imran Khan who was a dictator captain.  Wasim Akram was and still is morally corrupt and dishonest so why should anyone listen to him now?  Ramiz Raja was a mediocre player and on top of that he has become very biased and his suggestions, comments and statements are always jingoists, hence Afridi should not even care to listen to this sinister old man.

He should play Wahab Riaz, rather he should play the same team that beat West Indies in the quarterfinals and Waqar should talk to Riaz about his line and length and sort out the anomalies that he has and 3-4 days should be enough to work out these small niggles that he has, otherwise he is a young strong man and he bowls at a very good speed and has the ability to take wickets. Secondly, against India he would be a new weapon and Tendulkar has the tendency to get out at the bowling of new bowlers, so Riaz has a chance and if he gets Tendulkar’s wicket  his morale would be sky high.

PLAYBOY, DICTATOR, POLITICIAN, NEGATES HIS OWN STATEMENTS EVERYDAY

Afridi must also think out of the box and must be brave enough to come out and open the innings at Mohali where the wicket is flat and bouncy, it is the right kind of wicket for him to play shots during the first mandatory overs where there is field restrictions and even his miscued shots will go over the top of the infield fielders. Historically, Afridi has scored more runs as an opener and he can do that. Besides, Indian fast bowling is not like the express pace of Shaun Tait and Brett Lee, he also faced the spin bowlers in the earlier stage and Kanpur innings is an example of that. He scored 22 runs of Balaji’s over followed by 23 of Kumble and another 23 of Dinesh Mongia and a couple of sixes and a few fours to frustrate Zaheer Khan who is the most dependable and reliable Indian bowler.  Therefore, Afridi should keep this in mind and must not hesitate in opening the innings.

I know that the traditionalists and conservatives will hate this idea and if it backfires they will murder him through the media but, realistically speaking his utility as number 7 or 8 is zero, considering him as an opener is like playing a wild card, yes it is a big gamble but, that should be the plan that they can sacrifice his wicket without taking any pressure if he gets out.  If he stays for 15 overs then the match is over. He demoralizes the opposition so much that it becomes impossible for them to lift the game after that carnage. Once again the same slogan is being used here   GO AFRIDI GO.   And, remember don’t listen to these so-called ex-greats.

 

Go Lala Go !

Amn ki Aasha cum Cricket Diplomacy or dignity of a Nation ?

PM’s invitation, involvement of Higher ranks in Semi Final, talks on foreign secretaries level just when only 2 days left for that all important match, Imran khan’s prediction about India’s chances, and inside reports of clash between 3 captain’s playing for Pakistan in world cup 2011…..heated promotion of “Amn ki Aasha on media”, green top wicket,

Seems something’s cooking …..:S

Like always, Pakistan has to pay the price of peace, brotherhood, between two countries ? Like always, do we need to sacrifice, and put our dignity on risk, throw the efforts of Team Pakistan in trash, just to initiate peace talks with India who always betrayed us ?

I am looking forward for few aspects of the game :-

1) Attitude of Pakistani players on Indian soil

2) Attitude of management with political individuals from both sides

3) Pressure of Indian media

4) Gilani’s approach on game

5) Afridi’s tactics before, during and after the game

6) Performance of Younus, Misbah & Kamran Akmal that is still a question mark, specially Misbah & younus as both of them were strong contenders of captaincy before the series.

7) Pakistan’s batting abilities

8) Shoaib’s inclusion

There are many aspects on which we need to focus on before the match, but in my opinion, above quoted are core issues which Afridi needs to look at, ow to tackle. And most importantly, how Pakistani players performance in immense pressure.

I am 100% confident on Pakistan’s capabilities to beat India in India, but i doubt Politics will took over just like before on account of “Amn ki Aasha” and “Cricket Diplomacy” ?

A game to savour and forget

What a strange kind of win this is for Pakistan. It is an impressive one; there should be no mistaking that. The first team to beat Australia in a World Cup in 35 games and 12 years was always going to have to play a big game to do it. To top the group, with just one loss, is something very few would have predicted before the tournament began.

And to draw, potentially, the weakest of the qualifiers from Group B – that is just a numerical reality in this most-open tournament, not a comment on whichever side it eventually is – means Pakistan could have asked for nothing more. Yet, as much as the win should mean, it might mean nothing at all by the next game. It is that kind of an in between triumph.

From the evidence of six games, from the evidence of this win, there is enough to suggest that Shahid Afridi’s pre-tournament target of a semi-final spot is eminently achievable. It was before the tournament began as well, but deeds are achieved on the field, not on paper.

Pakistan’s bowling won them this game. It is what always wins them games and what always makes them a contender. It is why they don’t go the way of West Indies or New Zealand, because they always have an attack that can do a job; bowl sides out in Tests, defend targets in ODIs.

Umar Gul again led the way and he is increasingly becoming a pivotal figure in the campaign. Waqar Younis’ presence as coach is no coincidence, as it wasn’t when Gul went through an earlier phase of success in 2006, with Waqar as bowling coach at the time. “He’s improving day by day,” Waqar said, with a hint of pride. “He’s found his right length and he’s not only bowling straight but with some pace. He’s attacking areas where it’s hard to hit, so he’s getting better and better, which is great for the team.”

There was no let-up behind him. Abdur Rehman used defence smartly as attack; Wahab Riaz recovered after an iffy start and even Abdul Razzaq clocked in. Mohammad Hafeez’s batting has hit a dip again, but his bowling has assumed greater importance and his spell at the Premadasa was the one that really took the life out of Australia’s innings.

It would have been nothing without a fielding display about as sharp as any Pakistan has put together under Afridi and Waqar. Hafeez was operating a kind of Sri Lanka-like choke, darting them in but turning them also, forcing batsmen to play to short midwicket – a crucial position in any strangle – who would swoop in, stop the single and throw back to Hafeez for it to be repeated all over again, on loop.

Runs and boundaries were given up only grudgingly. There were direct hits, a run-out and generally the impression that stealing singles within the circle or doubles out to big boundaries was a risk. “It’s going to get better,” Waqar said. “It makes a difference when you are playing against a bigger team and we still need to improve. But definitely today was a much better performance. We took our catches and we stopped boundaries. We did our job so we must give credit to the fielding.”

The batting has more promise than before, though it remains prone to jitters. The surface wasn’t the easiest and Australia’s quicks will test most sides, but Pakistan will take particular delight in their two youngest batsmen taking them home. It is the blend in their batting through the middle that is their strength. There is experience in Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq and freshness in Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal. Younis and Misbah set up the Sri Lanka win, Shafiq and Umar this one.

Umar’s hand was worthy of the Man-of-the-Match award, for he counterpunched just when Pakistan could have been knocked out, and he finished the game. But Shafiq’s 46, like the unbeaten 78 against Zimbabwe last week, caught the eye for its quiet sense and method, always full of intent but not averse to caution.

Waqar didn’t hold back in his praise. “He’s becoming more and more mature every day, not only this series but even if you go back to the New Zealand series where he played some really good knocks. He’s very steady, not a big hitter, he manoeuvres the ball here and there, picks up the odd boundary. At No. 3, he’s done a superb job in the last match [against Zimbabwe] and he’s done a job today [Saturday] as well.”

It is a big win, “a real achievement,” concluded Waqar. But every win from now will, unavoidably, be bigger. They will enjoy it now, Waqar said, before waiting on the permutations of who they play. They will also have to “forget it.” It’s not often Pakistan have been able to say that of a win against Australia recently, which tells, if you think about it, its own story of what this team has done and could yet do.

 

Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of ESPNcricinfo

Cricket World Cup – How this Mega-Event progressing …

By Mushtaq A Subhani

The ICC World Cup was introduced in 1975 and since then, this biggest one-day cricket tournament has been held every fourth year. A brief history of these World Cups, played so far on nine occasions in various countries, is given below:

1st World Cup-1975

The first ever edition of the World Cup was staged in England where all the 15 matches of the tournament were played at Test match venues.

Eight countries participated in the tournament. Six of them were the then Test-playing nations and were joined by East Africa and Sri Lanka who were associate members of the ICC.

All teams were divided into two groups of four, each playing the other one. England, New Zealand, India and East Africa were in Group-A while the West Indies, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were in Group-B.

Almost 200,000 people witnessed 15 matches, most of which ended in easy victories but the final, played between Australia and the West Indies, provided a befitting finale to the tournament.

The West Indies, after defeating New Zealand by five wickets and Australia after beating England by four wickets in the semi-finals, faced each other in the final. Batting first, the West Indies piled up 291-8 with the help of their captain Clive Lloyd’s devastating hundred and Rohan Kanhai’s brilliant fifty. In reply, Australia put up a tremendous effort through Ian Chappell’s dashing 62 but they fell just 18 runs short of their target before a capacity crowd at Lord’s on June 21, 1975.

2nd World Cup-1979

The West Indies repeated their success in the second World Cup, defeating England by 92 runs in the final at Lord’s on June 23, 1979. First, they made 286-9 and then bowled England out for 194 runs in 51 overs.

This tournament was also held in England on the same pattern as it was in the first, with eight teams playing 15 matches. However, one match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.

Sri Lanka and Canada were added to the six Test-playing nations on the basis of their performance in the ICC Trophy, which was introduced to determine the non-Test playing participants of the World Cup.

The West Indies, New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka were placed in Group-A while England, Australia, Pakistan and Canada made up the Group-B.

The Windies again qualified for the semi-finals along with England, New Zealand and Pakistan. Australia, this time, could not reach the semis as their cricket board picked up a depleted side due to conflict with Kerry Packer, who organised a big circus for cricketers of the world.

Pakistan despite displaying good performance in the semi-final were again beaten by defending champions – West Indies – by 43 runs while in the other semi-final which was also a closely-contested game, England won by just nine runs against New Zealand.

3rd World Cup-1983

India, who were an under-rated side, created the biggest upset by overwhelming the mighty Windies by 43 runs in the third World Cup final.

They began on a sensational note as they in their very first match in the tournament humbled the West Indies, who remained unbeaten throughout the first two World Cup competitions and won the championship on both occasions.

For the first time, each of the all eight teams won at least one match in the tournament which involved 27 matches instead of 15 played in the earlier editions.

This tournament was played on double-league basis enabling the teams within a group to tackle each other twice.

Group-A comprised England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka while the West Indies, Australia, India and Zimbabwe constituted Group-B.

The West Indies, England, India and Pakistan qualified to play semi-finals which proved one-sided affairs as India unbelievably outplayed England while the West Indies beat Pakistan.

However, supremacy of the West Indies’ in one-day cricket, spanning over eight years, finally ended as India dethroned them in the final.

4th World Cup-1987

The World Cup was played for the first time outside England where all three previous World Cups were staged. This time, it was held in the sub-continent of India and Pakistan as the two countries jointly organized it in October-November 1987.

It was the longest tournament, taking six weeks, and involving 27 matches at 21 venues all over the subcontinent. All matches were of 50 overs each side.

The format was the same as of the World Cup 1983 as four teams in the two groups faced each other twice on double-league basis before the semi-finals. In all, 27 matches were played – 17 in India and 10 in Pakistan. They included two semi-finals ( one each at Lahore and Bombay) and the final in Calcutta.

India and Australia had no difficulty in reaching the semi-finals from Group ‘A’ while Group ‘B’ saw Pakistan and England qualifying for the semis. But India, the defending champions and Pakistan, both the co-hosts could not reach the final as it was earlier expected.

However, Australia, led by Allan Border, overcame their old rivals, England, in the final before a huge crowd of over 80,000 people at the Eden Gardens and for the first time, they emerged World Cup champions.

5th World Cup-1992

After three semi-final defeats in previous World Cup tournaments and a disastrous start in the fifth World Cup, Pakistan for the first time in the history won the prestigious mega event, defeating England in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was a glorious moment for Pakistan emerging champions in front of over 87,000 people.

This was Pakistan’s first appearance in the World Cup final and they won in their first attempt whereas England played in the final for the third time but they never win in the coveted Cup.

This time, the World Cup was jointly organized by Australia and New Zealand. It was the largest ever, involving 39 matches – 25 in Australia and 14 in New Zealand, 10 of the latter being day/night games. This was the first World Cup to involve floodlit cricket with coloured clothing, white ball and dark sightscreen. Matches were again of 50 overs per innings.

Besides the eight countries who participated in the earlier tournaments, there were South Africans who for the first time took part in the World Cup. They marked their Cup debut by reaching the semi-final with an outstanding performance by their young and united squad. But they failed to win the semis against England as the crucial rules for rain-affected matches made it impossible for them.

In the other semi-final, Pakistan toppled New Zealand and ended their Cup record of seven consecutive victories.

Instead of being divided into two groups, each of the nine teams in the tournament played the others once before the top four in the qualifying table played off in the semi-finals. The whole event continued for 33 days.

6th World Cup-1996

Sri Lankans, the then underdogs, won the sixth World Cup and became the world champions. They came of age at Lahore on March 17, 1996, exactly afrter making their international debut in the inaugural World Cup in 1975.

The World Cup’96 was organised jointly by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In all, 37 matches were scheduled to be played in three countries but two games could not be held as Australia and the West Indies refused to go to Sri Lanka due to security fears.

However, 17 matches were staged in India, 16 in Pakistan and two in Sri Lanka. Some of the matches were held under floodlights.

Under the new format of the World Cup, 12 teams were divided into two groups. For the first time in World Cup history, three ICC associate member nations – Keneya, The Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – participated in the competition.

For the first time, a quarter-final round was introduced in which Pakistan, the defending champions, and South Africa, who did not lose any league match, went out. Pakistan lost to their traditional rivals India at Bangalore while South Africa lost to the West Indies. Other two teams ousted were England and New Zealand.

Sri Lanka won their semi-final against India at Calcutta, by default after crowd trouble had prompted match referee to award the match to Sri Lanka. Australia gained a thrilling five-run victory over the West Indies.

The main feature of the sixth World Cup was the last appearance made by veteran cricket star Javed Miandad who played in all the six World Cup competitions – a record which has not been equaled for the last 15 years.

7th World Cup -1999

The seventh edition of the World Cup was staged in England who had earlier organised the first three tournaments of this event. This time, 42 matches were played during a long period of seven weeks.

Again, a record number of 12 teams participated in the tournament. Netherlands and the UAE were replaced by Bangladesh and Scotland on the basis of the performance in the qualifying ICC Trophy and, thus, both played for the first time in a World Cup event.

The 12 teams were divided into two groups of six teams each. Group ‘A’ consisted of England, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya while Group ‘B’ comprised Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Bangladesh and Scotland.

8th World Cup – 2003

The eighth World Cup was hosted by South Africa, for the first time in the history of the tournament. Two other African nations, Zimbabwe and Kenya also joined South Africa as co-hosts.

This World Cup was the largest so far in duration, number of participating teams and matches. In all, 14 teams took part in the tournament which continued for 44 days and overall 54 matches were played. Six of them were scheduled to be played in Zimbabwe and two in Kenya.

Ten of the matches were played under flood-lights – five each in Cape Town and Durban.

All teams were divided into two groups where all matches were played on round-robin league basis. Three top teams from each group – Australia, India and Zimbabwe from group ‘A’ and New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Kenya from group ‘B’, – reached the Super Six stage from where four teams qualified for the semi-finals on the basis of points or net run-rate.

Australia defeated Sri Lanka and India ousted Kenya in the semi-finals but the final proved to be one-sided as Australia thrashed India by 125 runs to win their second successive title and the third over all.

9th World Cup – 2007

The West Indies for the first time hosted the World Cup for which various Caribbean countries joined together. This time, a record number of 16 teams participated in the mega event.

The ninth World Cup was the largest tournament so far which lasted 48 days during which 51 matches were played.

All teams were divided into four groups for the first time. Each team played against other three teams in its group. Then, two top teams from each group moved into the Super Eight stage, introduced for the first time in the World Cup history.

The teams who reached the Super Eight stage were Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, West Indies, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In the first semi-final, Sri Lanka defeating New Zealand and Australia beating South Africa qualified for the final. However, Australia became the World Cup champions for the third time in a row and the fourth time overall.
Pakistan went through an embarrassing defeat at the hands of underdogs Ireland. Their coach Bob Woolmer could not survive this shock and was found dead in his hotel room.early in the morning other day. His sudden death marred the ninth World Cup.

10th World Cup – 2011

Now, the World Cup has entered into its 36th year. The Cup has so far been played on nine occasions in various countries.

The tenth World Cup was scheduled to be organized jointly by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but Pakistan has been deprived of staging the matches of this mega event due to security reasons.

However, the tenth World Cup will be played from February 19 to April 2 and 49 matches will be held during the period of 43 days. This time, 14 teams are taking part in the tournament and they have been divided into two groups of seven each.

Group ‘A’: Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
Group ‘B’: England, South Africa, West Indies, India, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Ireland.

Every team will play against other six teams in its group from which four teams will qualify for the next stage where quarter-finals will be played instead of Super Six or Super Eight.

The matches will be played at eleven venues – eight in India, three in Sri Lanka and two in Bangladesh. The first semi-final will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka while the second will be staged in Mohali, India and the final will be played in Mumbai, India on April 2.

Ajmal Shahzad – New Asian sensation in England Squad

England’s Ajmal Shahzad: My debt to

Pakistan legends Waqar Younis and Wasim

Akram

England’s new seam-bowling livewire Ajmal Shahzad has revealed his debt to Pakistan greats Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram as he sets his sights on a one-day international debut against Bangladesh on Sunday.

The Yorkshire quick believes his best chance of a long-term international career will be to master reverse-swing – a skill perfected by the Pakistani duo when they blew England away in 1992.

Shahzad has impressed during his brief involvement with the senior squad, taking two wickets in a feisty first over in international cricket during last week’s second Twenty20 against Pakistanin Dubai, then bowling Bangladesh Test batsman Shahriar Nafees for only 12 during Tuesday’s tour opener in Fatullah. His short but extremely important role in last England Vs India match was vital for his team as he managed to take England out of trouble and they tied the match which was due to win by Indians.

And his admission that he asked Waqar for reverse-swing tips while in the Middle East and regularly watches internet footage of Wasim will do nothing to dispel the impression he is keen to stand out from the crowd.

‘I want to learn the art of reverse swing,’ he said. ‘Waqar was commentating in Dubai, so I thought I’d better grab five minutes of his time. He told me how to grip the ball. I love watching his dismissals, especially when he used to york Hicky [Graeme Hick]. That was top-drawer!

‘I was also watching Wasim on Youtube. Waqar was more slingy, but Wasim had a straighter arm, like me, and he could swing it at will without changing his action. They’re both heroes of mine.’

The 25-year-old from Huddersfieldhas been limited to 22 first-class games and only 15 one-day matches in a career blighted by injury and held up by the seemingly endless supply of fast bowlers that has come out of Headingley in recent years.

But he caught Andy Flower’s eye in the nets in Pretoriabefore Christmas while on duty for the England Performance Programme, and had the confidence in Dubai to try a slow leg-break to Pakistan’s rampant all-rounder Abdul Razzaq at a crucial stage of the match.

That particular delivery may have disappeared back over his head for six in an over costing 17, but it’s a mark of his self-belief that he said he would do the same thing again.

He said: ‘If I can show the selectors I’ve got something different going for me, a bit of extra pace, I’ll get a chance on Sunday to put to bed what happened in the last over on my Twenty20 debut. I had one of the best smashers of the game stood at the other end, but I’ve learned a lot from that. I’ll still bowl it.

‘International cricket is a big step-up, but not for me. This is where I’ve wanted to be and I’m happy to be here.’

Meanwhile, Indian Premier League supremo Lalit Modi has reacted strongly to reports that Australiacaptain Ricky Ponting has tried to persuade team-mates to pull out of next month’s IPL on security grounds.

‘I’ve been told Ricky is pressuring players not to come,’ Modi wrote on the Twitter website. ‘Maybe it was due to the fact he was dropped from KKR [the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise].’

England’s IPL players are believed to be still considering their options.

Top Ten upsets of World Cup History

10. Ireland beat Pakistan, 2007

This would rank very high in the list of greatest upsets in World Cup history:

The shock result meant that Pakistan, winners in 1992 and runners-up in 1999, were out of the tournament at the preliminary stage – an early exit no one would have bargained for especially as two of the four teams in the group were Ireland and Zimbabwe.

West Indies had defeated Pakistan and Ireland had tied with Zimbabwe in the earlier matches and a Pakistan win over Ireland was taken for granted. And yet Ireland’s part time cricketers won by three wickets on the Duckworth/Lewis method to make sure of a place in the Super Eight.

Put in to bat, Pakistan put up a shoddy show and were bowled out for 132 in the 46th over. That Kamran Akmal’s 27 was the top score underlines the irresponsible batting.

WB Rankin was the most successful bowler with three for 32 but Andre Botha was more impressive with two for five from eight overs, four of which were maidens.

Mohammed Sammi kept Pakistan in the game with some quick wickets but wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien stood firm and defied the varied Pakistan attack for a vital 72.

Light rain which slightly revised the target as 128 from 47 overs was not a dampener for Ireland who were home with three wickets and 5.2 overs to spare.

 

 

9. Kenya beat Zimbabwe, 2003

For a non-Test playing nation figuring in the Super Six was a bonus but Kenya went one better and qualified for the semifinals. This surprise victory over Zimbabwe clinched them a place in the last four and it was their third win over Test teams in the tournament.

They had earlier got the better of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. But this win was probably the sweetest. As captain Steve Tikolo enthused ”today is the biggest day in every Kenyan’s life”. The Kenyan safari had gone from strength to strength and this was their most convincing win.

Opting to bat, Zimbabwe were shot out for 133 in the 45th over. Medium pacer Martin Suji caused the early damage while leg spinner Obuya took care of the middle order – each finishing with three wickets.

Andy Flower played a lone hand with a patient 63 while Douglas Marillier scored 21 at No 9. With history beckoning Kenya they stuttered losing three wickets for 62.

But Thomas Odoyo (43) and Maurice Odumbe (38) had enough skill and experience and figured in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 73 runs to seal Kenya’s unexpected place in the semifinals.

 

 

8. Kenya beat Bangladesh, 2003

On the basis of their one-day record, Kenyans have often felt that they deserved to be elevated to Test status ahead of Bangladesh and this result only succeeded in augmenting that feeling.

Kenya had performed well thus far: their victory over Sri Lanka confirming their above par showing. But few thought they were capable of toppling a second Test team within five days. Consistent scores down the order saw Kenya opting to bat to finish with 217 for seven in 50 overs. Maurice Odumbe top scored with a timely unbeaten 52 off 46 balls.

Bangladesh stayed in the hunt thanks to Tushar Imran (48) and Akram Khan (44) and at 151 for five with 12 overs remaining, victory was within their grasp. But Odumbe returned to haunt them this time with the ball.

He took four for 38 to cause a sharp late-order collapse and Bangladesh were bowled out for 185 in the 48th over with skipper Steve Tikolo chipping in with three for 14 from 5.2 overs.

With this Bangladesh lost all of their last 30 completed ODIs while Kenya’s qualification for the Super Six was confirmed. Incidentally Kenya recorded their sixth victory in seven games against Bangladesh.

 

 

7. Kenya beat Sri Lanka, 2003

Winning their first three matches comfortably, Sri Lanka set the pace in group B. Kenya on the other hand had gone down tamely by ten wickets to South Africa and had only beaten lowly Canada by four wickets.

They were given little chance against a supremely confident Lankan side and yet at the end of it all it was the Kenyans who had emerged winners by 53 runs.

Put in to bat, Kenya managed 210 for nine in 50 overs. Opening batsman and wicket keeper K.O. Otieno top scored with a bright 60 and there were some valuable contributions down the order.

But most of the batsman found it difficult to negotiate Muthiah Muralitharan who finished with four for 28. However, it hardly seemed the kind of total which would bother the batting might of the Lankans.

At 71 for two, they did seem to be on course. But leg spinner Collins Obuya triggered a middle order collapse and only Aravinda de Silva offered some resistance while top scoring with 41.

Left-hander Russel Arnold chipped in with an unbeaten 25 late in the order but it was too little too late and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 157 in 45 overs.

Obuya finished with five for 24 and the man of the match award. This result more than anything else saw Kenya join Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the Super Six from the group.

 

 

6. Canada beat Bangladesh, 2003

Nearly four years after upsetting the World Cup formbook when they surprised Pakistan, Bangladesh were themselves humbled by an associate member.

Canada were playing their first full international since 1979 and contained players born in eight different countries. Opting to bat, Canada were off to a decent start and were at one stage 70 for two.

Ian Billcliff top scored with 42 but thereafter there was a steady decline and Canada were bowled out for 180 in the last over.

Such a total should not have presented problems for Bangladesh, by now elevated to Test status but they started none too confidently. Still at 106 for four in the 21st over, they were on course but then they collapsed inexplicably losing their last six wickets for 14 off 44 balls amid a flurry of panicky strokes.

Canada’s hero was Austin Codrington, a 27-year-old apprentice plumber from Jamaica. He unplugged the Bangladesh batting with his wobbly medium pacers finishing with five for 27 – the third best figures by a player making his ODI debut.

The defeat ensured that Bangladesh would finish at the bottom of the table in the group.

 

 

5. Zimbabwe beat South Africa, 1999

If Pakistan were the ‘hot’ team in one group South Africa looked similarly unbeaten in the other group. They registered comfortable victories over India, England, Sri Lanka and Kenya to make sure of a place in the Super Six and along with Pakistan had emerged as one of the favourites for the title.

There remained one more group match against Zimbabwe who had started off well with victories over India and Kenya. But then they had faltered going down to Sri Lanka and England.

Moreover Zimbabwe had never defeated South Africa at any level and the odds were firmly stacked against them. Opting to bat they got off to a good start with openers Neil Johnson (76) and Grant Flower (19) putting on 65 runs in 14 overs.

Valuable contributions down the order saw Zimbabwe finish with 233 for six in 50 overs but few would have thought that the target would trouble an inform South African team.

However, Johnson and Heath Streak struck quick blows finishing with three wickets each and before one was aware of it South Africa were 40 for six.

Daryl Cullinan (29) and Shaun Pollock (52) shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 66 runs and Lance Klusener hit out boldly for a bright unbeaten 52 at No 9.

But the initial damage was too heavy to make up and South Africa were bowled out for 185 in the 48th over.

Zimbabwe joined South Africa and India in the Super Six.

 

 

4. Bangladesh beat Pakistan, 1999

As the group matches unfolded Pakistan were perhaps the ‘hottest’ team in the competition. They scored successive victories over West Indies, Australia, Scotland and New Zealand; had already made sure of a place in the Super Six from group B and were installed as one of the favourites for the title. There remained the formality of a match against Bangladesh.

Making their debut in the competition, Bangladesh had gone down tamely to Australia, New Zealand and West Indies and had only an unremarkable 22-run victory over fellow debutants Scotland on the plus side.

Moreover, Bangladesh had never defeated a Test side.

Put in to bat they performed commendably to run up a reasonable total of 223 for nine in 50 overs. Akram Khan was the top scorer with 42 while opener Shahriar Hoosain got 39. Forty extras including 28 wides also helped in boosting the total.

In form Pakistan batsmen should normally have reached their target quite comfortably but they were rocked by Khaled Mahmud who removed Shahid Afridi, Salim Malik and Inzamam in a trice.

The run out of Saeed Anwar did not help matters and at 42 for five, Pakistan required a miracle. The late order fought hard with Azhar Mahmood and skipper Wasim Akram – both of whom got 29 adding 55 runs for the sixth-wicket and Moin Khan and Saqlain Mushtaq not succumbing easily.

But the shocking start was always going to make the final target insurmountable and Pakistan folded up for 161 in the 45th over leaving Bangladesh to celebrate their ”greatest day in cricket history.”

 

 

3. Kenya beat West Indies, 1996

An enthusiastic bunch of cricketers from Kenya came over to the sub continent to play in the World Cup for the first time but their performance initially did not match their keenness.

They went down to India, Australia and Zimbabwe and with group matches against West Indies and Sri Lanka still to come, it was taken for granted that they would return winless.

And when they were all out for 166 in 49.3 overs after being put in to bat, a victory for West Indies seemed only a matter of time. Steve Tikolo top scored with 29 while Hitesh Modi and Thomas Odoyo chipped in with 26 and 24 respectively. Courtney Walsh and Roger Harper took three wickets each.

What happened over the next couple of hours was quite incredible as the West Indians collapsed in a heap. Rajab Ali took the wickets of skipper Richie Richardson and Brian Lara while Maurice Odombe removed Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Jimmy Adams.

Keen fielding saw Keith Arthurton and Curtley Ambrose run out and the tail did not offer resistance. Only two batsmen Chanderpaul (19) and Harper (17) reached double digits as West Indies were shot out for 93 in 35.2 overs, leaving the jubilant Kenyans victors by 73 runs and with the right to compete with the major teams.

 

 

2. Zimbabwe beat England, 1992

Since their shock win over Australia in 1983, Zimbabwe had done nothing of note in the World Cup. They had lost the remaining five matches and then four years later in the sub continent, they lost all their six group games.

In 1992 in Australia and New Zealand their stock fell further and they lost their first seven matches. Their last group game was against England who had already qualified for the semifinals and the match seemed to be a mere formality.

This feeling gathered momentum when Zimbabwe were dismissed for 134 in 46.1 overs with Dave Houghton top scoring with 29 and Ian Butchart chipping in with 24.

Ian Botham and Richard Illingworth took three wickets each and the match seemed set for an early finish. It ended early all right but not in the manner almost everyone predicted.

Eddo Brandes brought Zimbabwe right back in the game with an opening spell of four for 16 as England slumped to 43 for five. Neil Fairbrother (20) and Alec Stewart (29) gave England a ray of hope by adding 52 runs for the sixth wicket but once this stand was broken, the tail offered little resistance and England sensationally were shot out for 125 in 49.1 overs to leave Zimbabwe shock winners by nine runs.

Brandes finished with four for 21 and played the starring role in shaping the biggest upset of the fifth World Cup.

 

 

1. Zimbabwe beat Australia, 1983

Not unexpectedly the bookies gave odds of 1000 to one on Zimbabwe winning the World Cup. After all they were making their debut and as the only non-Test playing nation among eight participating teams, it would have been great for them to even extend the teams in their group – reigning champions West Indies, Australia and India.

And yet by the end of the opening day of the World Cup the bookies were quivering with fear for Zimbabwe in the biggest shock in the competition’s short history – Zimbabwe beating Australia by 13 runs.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe were off to a bad start losing five wickets for 94. But skipper Duncan Fletcher and Kevin Curren (27) turned things around with a sixth-wicket partnership of 70 runs in 15 overs, and this was followed by an unbroken stand of 75 runs in 12 overs between Fletcher (69) and Ian Butchart (34) and Zimbabwe were able to post a reasonable total of 239 for six in 60 overs.

The fearsome pace quartet of Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Geoff Lawson and Rod Hogg were handled with a degree of confidence.

Still a target of 240 at four an over seemed within Australia’s reach but accurate bowling and keen fielding made their task tough. Even the star-studded batting line-up that started with Graeme Wood and Kepler Wessels and continued with Graham Yallop, Kim Hughes, David Hookes, Allan Border and Rod Marsh were not up to it – thanks in the main to Fletcher who followed his invaluable knock by bagging four for 42 off eleven overs.

Australia were restricted to 226 for seven in 60 overs and the World Cup had started not with a bang but an explosion. It didn’t matter that they did not win another match – Zimbabwe’s place in cricket history was assured.