Smith says South Africa can win T20 title

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said his side were well-placed to triumph at the World Twenty20 after extending their unbeaten record at the tournament with a 20-run win over the West Indies.

That victory, coupled with a seven-wicket defeat of hosts England
earlier in the week, meant South Africa had won their opening two Super Eights matches.

The Proteas, who are within touching distance of the semi-finals, complete their second round programme against defending champions India at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

"I really believe we can win it," said Smith after South Africa's win over the West Indies at The Oval.

"But there is a long way to go, a lot of cricket to be played and a lot of good teams in this competition.

"It's been a successful week but a tough one. We get an extra day now before we play India and I'm comfortable with where we are, you can't argue with the performances or the results we have turned out in this competition so far.

"As a team we try to challenge ourselves. There are always things to improve but if we play our best and with our intensity, if we perform to our potential, then we will be difficult to beat."

South Africa made 183 for seven, Herschelle Gibbs top-scoring with 55, before holding the West Indies to 163 for nine in an innings where teenage left-arm quick Wayne Parnell took four wickets for 13 runs.

"You really need to be on top of your game against the West Indies, especially here at the Oval where the conditions suit them," explained Smith.

Parnell, 19, who took three wickets against England, said: "It's still a batsman's game but if you bowl well you can pick up wickets.

"I enjoy bowling at the death. I have developed my yorker in the last 10 months and I am adding other things to my game."

India went down to a seven-wicket loss to the West Indies at Lord's on Friday.

Before they play South Africa they face England on Sunday at Lord's and Smith said of his team's clash with the title-holders: "There is a lot of cricket in the group before that.

"India had not been really tested in the competition until Friday. I think they will have taken a lot of lessons from that.

"It was their first real competitive game so it going to be interesting to see how they go before Tuesday."
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Younis welcomes Razzaq's return

Pakistan captain Younus Khan is looking forward to welcoming back Abdul Razzaq into the fold after the all-rounder's late call up into the World Twenty20 squad in England.

Razzaq has been given his chance after Yasir Arafat was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

His return also marks his re-integration into the Pakistan side following an amnesty for former players in the Indian Cricket League - the rival Twenty20 event to the officially sanctioned Indian Premier League.

A hard-hitting batsman and lively reverse-swing bowling make the 29-year-old a potential match-winner.

Although Razzaq will arrive in England too late for Pakistan's opening match of the second phase Super Eights against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Friday, Younus believes he can still have an impact during the rest of the tournament.

"This game is not possible but I think he will manage the last two games," Younus told reporters at Lord's here on Thursday. "He is a good name in world cricket and in Twenty20 he is a fantastic all-rounder.

"He is a senior guy and his return will be good for Pakistan cricket - he would be in any team in the world," added Younus, who could have Razzaq available for Pakistan's second Super Eights match against New Zealand.

Pakistan lost to arch-rivals India by five runs in the inaugural final of the World Twenty20 in South Africa two years ago.

They looked a shadow of that side during a 48-run thrashing by hosts England first time out at this tournament but bounced back with a convincing win over minnows the Netherlands to book their place in the second round.

"People know that if Pakistan do things right at the right time we can beat any team," Younus stressed.

His refusal to take Twenty20 too seriously and generally relaxed, happy go lucky style of captaincy, have led to raised eyebrows in some quarters.

But Younus defended his approach by saying: "I am a simple guy, sometimes people think I am wrong because when we lose I am still laughing. You must look forward, if you lose or win.

"This is life," he insisted. "Sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days.

"We are focusing on the first two games of this Super Eights. If we win them then we will be in the semi-finals."
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India and Sri Lanka victorious

REIGNING champion India and fellow favourite Sri Lanka have wrapped up their World Twenty20 first-round assignments with convincing wins at Trent Bridge.

India warmed up for the second round Super Eights by crushing hapless Ireland by eight wickets on Wednesday, while veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 81 as Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by 15 runs.

Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan claimed 4-19, including three wickets in seven balls, to restrict Ireland to 8-112 in a match reduced to 18 overs a side due to rain.

Opener Rohit Sharma then hit an unbeaten 52 off 45 balls as India romped home with 15 balls to spare to end the preliminary league with two successive wins. Gautam Gamhir chipped in with 37 in a first-wicket stand of 77 with Sharma in front of a sellout crowd.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said there was still room for improvement. "The bowlers did very well … (But) we can do better in the field. It wasn't our best day."

The Irish, surprise qualifiers for the Super Eights after beating Bangladesh, never recovered from Zaheer's triple strike, which reduced them to 4-28 by the seventh over. Andrew White top-scored with 29 as four of the top six batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan hammered an opening stand of 124 as Sri Lanka eased past the West Indies. The duo lifted Sri Lanka to 5-192, a total the West Indies chased bravely despite the absence of explosive opener and captain Chris Gayle, who missed the match due to a knee injury.

The West Indians ended at 5-177, fired by a spectacular counter-attack by Dwayne Bravo and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who put on 77 off 59 balls for the fifth wicket.

Bravo hit a 38-ball 51 that included five fours and two sixes, while Sarwan remained unbeaten on 28.

"I'm happy with the way the guys played," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

"Sanath is a genius and he was ably supported by Dilshan. They proved that with a good start you can put up a very defendable total."

Left-handed Jayasuriya, at 39 the oldest player in the 12-nation tournament, smashed 81 off 47 balls, studded with 10 boundaries and three sixes.


THE SUPER EIGHTS

GROUP ESouth Africa

India

England

West Indies

GROUP FSri Lanka

Pakistan

New Zealand

Ireland
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Zaheer's back in swing of things

Indian left-arm-seamer Zaheer Khan has had a raw deal with injuries during big tours and major events. He had to return from
Australia in 2003 and 2007. He also had to come back from Pakistan during that momentous tour in 2004 after playing in just the first Test in Multan.

He missed India's victorious campaign in South Africa during the 2007 World Twenty20 because of a heel problem. So when he got injured during the IPL while playing for Mumbai Indians, just a month before the 2009 World T20 began, he must have been thinking, "Oh, no. Not again!"

Zaheer was worried when he suffered the shoulder injury on May 3. "When I fell, I was a bit scared till the scan results were out. I didn't know whether the injury was serious or not. Once the scan results were out, I was pretty confident," the left-arm-seamer, who won the Man of the Match award for his four wickets for 19 runs in three overs against Ireland at Trent Bridge here on Wednesday, said.

Apart from confidence, the 31-year old could also be justified in feeling relieved.

"It was a narrow escape for me. It could have been worse. I was lucky to miss just four weeks of action. The good thing is there is nothing serious that has happened to the shoulder," Zaheer said.

Zaheer has enjoyed his time out in England. His career underwent a renaissance during the county season of 2006, when he plied his trade for Worcestershire. He rediscovered his zeal for cricket after being poorly treated and managed during the Greg Chappell regime.

In July 2007, he bowled India to a famous victory at Trent Bridge in the second Test of the three-match series. India won that series 1-0 and Zaheer was also Man-of-the-Series for picking up 18 wickets. What is it about England and Trent Bridge that brings out the best in him?

"I really enjoy bowling in England, especially on this wicket. There is always something in it for the fast bowlers here. You have favourite grounds and favourite venues which bring back happy memories. It helps you perform better at those venues," was Zaheer's reasoning.

The game against Ireland was Zaheer's second of the tournament. Fans who watched him apply ice packs on his left shoulder during practice on Monday will now be relieved and confident that he is back to full fitness. "It was the second game for me and it was important for me to pick up wickets. I feel confident after this performance," he said.

He ran in, extracted movement and troubled the top-order. If he continues this kind of form and fitness, his dream of playing in a World championship winning XI will be fulfilled.

While Zaheer was part of the side that reached the final of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, he hasn't really been a part of a World Cup-winning side.

Does he regret not going to South Africa in 2007 as he was in great form in the series preceding the tourney, in England? "There's no use thinking about that. It was unfortunate that I opted out of the last World Cup. But that was the right decision at that moment and I am happy to be a part of this team this time," Zaheer said.
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T20: Younis advises Dhoni to keep his cool

Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan Thursday had a word of advice for his Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni: 'Keep your cool man.'

Asked to comment on Dhoni's recent tussle with the Indian media during the ICC World Twenty20, Younis said that it would be great for Dhoni if he just focuses on his game and his team.

'I personally believe that nobody comes after you if you are playing well,' said Younis. 'You should focus on your game and your team and forget about everything else,' he added.

Speaking at a press conference here at Lord's ahead of his team's Super Eights match against Sri Lanka, Younis said he has great expectations from his team.

'Sri Lanka are a good side. But it's also a good chance for us because I believe that if we make the right things at the right time, we can beat them easily.'

The Pakistan captain is hoping that his players will be able to counter the threat posed by Sri Lanka's spin duo of Muttiah Muralidaran and Ajantha Mendis.

'We are used to the Sri Lankan spinners now,' said Younis, whose team bounced back from a crushing 48-run against England to beat the Dutch by 82 runs and qualify for the Super Eights.

'I hope the batsmen will play well against them (spinners). Because of cold conditions the ball might not break here at Lord's. But that said, if you play your shots against a bowler like Mendis, there is always a chance that you might give away your wicket.'

Younis ruled out the inclusion of seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, saying that it would be difficult for the player to take the field against Sri Lanka after arriving here just before the Super Eights match.

'I don't think it's possible for him to come here after 16 or 17 hours of travel and then take part in the match right away.'

The Pakistan captain termed the inclusion of Razzaq as a great sign for his team and said he would include the all-rounder in the playing line-up as soon as he is ready.
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Sehwag offered to play with painkillers

While confusion has reigned in England over the last five days over the status and exact nature of the shoulder injury suffered by Virender Sehwag, who was on Tuesday, ruled out of the World 20 championships, some clarity was provided on Wednesday by some of the his Delhi and Team India colleagues.

Sehwag's team mates in the IPL confirmed that the opener had suffered the injury during the tournament's semi-final match against Deccan Chargers in Centurion on May 22. "He dived to stop a shot from Adam Gilchrist off Ashish Nehra's bowling when he strained his shoulder," a Daredevils team mate, who did not wish to be identified, told The Indian Express on Wednesday.

Sehwag, he added, bowled an over after that but experienced slight pain once his body had cooled down after the match.

Another player close to Sehwag said he was advised rest so that his shoulder could heal in the two weeks leading up to the World T20 championships. Sehwag then proceeded to England with the Indian team, still in slight pain, and it was only after an MRI scan in England that a Grade I tear was revealed, the player said.

An Indian team source added: "Viru could still bat with pain-killer injections but there was a problem while throwing and bowling. He offered to get through this tournament if the team needed. But because he would've been a liability in the field, the management decided to ask for a replacement."

Zaheer Khan went through a similar injury in the days leading up to the World T20. He was initially ruled out until he Super 8s but recovered quicker than expected, in time for India's first match against Bangladesh.

Sehwag will now consult Dr Andrew Wallace, who had treated Sachin Tendulkar in the past, in London to decide his next course of treatment.

Dinesh Karthik, named as replacement for Virender Sehwag, will have to wait a little longer before officially joining his team in England.
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The world's best cricket teams

"ESPN STAR Sports and licensees will ensure it is the most watched cricket event in history, providing value to commercial partners and helping our great sport to grow stronger"

ICC President David Morgan today looked ahead to the ICC World Twenty20 2009, which starts on Friday, and said he believed it would be "a world-class event between the world's best teams."

The tournament begins on Friday when host England faces the Netherlands at Lord's (1730 BST start), the first of 42 matches over 17 days at four different venues, with The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton also featuring.

And for the first time women's and men's tournaments will run alongside each other, with the men's and women's semi-finals and final being staged back-to-back on the same days and at the same venues.

Looking forward to the action which will culminate with finals day back at Lord's on Sunday 21 June, Mr Morgan said: "The eve of any tournament is always an exciting time and that is certainly the case ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 2009.

"We have assembled the world's best teams together in one location for what I believe will be a world-class event of nation versus nation cricket.

"The inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 was a significant success and now, two years further on and with all the sides having had more experience of the format, I am sure we are in for more excellent cricketing action.

"I know the England and Wales Cricket Board, tournament director Steve Elworthy, his staff and the four venues Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton - have put in a tremendous amount of hard work ahead of this event and I am sure we will see the fruits of those efforts in the next few weeks.

"Ticket sales have been strong and the prospect of large crowds cheering on the teams will only add to the excitement of the occasion.

"And I am delighted that, for the first time, we have been able to incorporate the women's and men's tournaments.

"With the semi-finals and finals of those two tournaments being played on the same days at the same venues, it will provide women's cricket with a wonderful stage as we look to continue its development, following on from an extremely successful ICC Women's World Cup in Australia earlier this year.

"With large crowds expected I urge spectators to arrive at the venues in plenty of time ahead of the start of matches as the realities of the modern world mean enhanced security measures to seek to ensure everyone is safe and secure.

"The ICC World Twenty20 2009 is part of a fantastic year of cricket in all three formats of the game at international level during this, the ICC's centenary year, with high-profile Test cricket such as the Ashes series between England and Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa to follow.

"I want to wish the players of all sides and the match officials every success during the event and I look forward to the matches being played in the spirit of cricket, with passion but also with sportsmanship and enjoyment because that is what our great sport is all about.

"I am grateful to our global broadcast partners ESPN STAR Sports who, together with their licensees, will ensure that this is set to be the most watched cricket event in history, while extensive coverage via radio and the internet thanks to our partnerships with IMG and Yahoo! will provide people with every opportunity to stay in touch with the action.

"That level of coverage will also ensure recognition for our valued commercial partners Reliance Mobile, LG Electronics, Pepsi, Hero Honda, Emirates, Yahoo!, Reebok, Ultra Tech and Standard Chartered.

"Without the support of our broadcast and commercial partners the ICC could not stage an event of this scale that has the potential to capture attention, ignite interest in cricket and help our great sport grow stronger," added Mr Morgan.

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 involves 12 of the top men's teams and the top eight women's line-ups playing at four venues Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton in the pinnacle of international cricketing action.

The defending men's champion is India, which defeated Pakistan in the final of the inaugural event, in South Africa in 2007. This is the first staging of the women's tournament.
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