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
Source:www.theage.com.au
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ICC approves Razzaq as Arafat's replacement

The International Cricket Council has approved former rebel Indian Cricket League player Abdul Razzaq as a replacement for injured Yasir Arafat in the Pakistan squad for the remainder of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.

The ICC said in a statement that the event technical committee of the ICC World Twenty20 has approved Razzaq as Arafat's replacement and the confirmation has been conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Arafat suffered a hamstring injury during the group stage of the Twenty20 World Cup and was advised 12 days rest.
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PCB inquire about Younis' T20 commentary

Pakistan captain Younis Khan has been asked to explain his comments about Twenty20 cricket being nothing more than fun and entertainment for the crowds by the PCB.

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has confirmed that the Pakistan Cricket Board had inquired about Younis' remarks about twenty20 not being real cricket.

Yawar told the Pakistani media in London that the board had sent an email to him regarding the comments made by Younis at the press conference following the defeat to England at the Oval.

"We have sent the reply. I don't think Younis has committed any breach of the players code of conduct with his remarks. Australian captain, Ricky Pointing has said similar things about Twenty20 cricket. These are personal views," Yawar said.

Younis had surprised many by stating that Twenty20 was like WWE wrestling -- just fun and entertainment for the crowds.

He said it would not be a disaster if Pakistan failed to qualify for the super eights stage which they eventually did after beating the Netherlands.

Yawar insisted Younis had not violated any code of the International Cricket Council with his remarks.
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West Indies fined for slow over-rate

West Indies was fined for slow over-rate during their 15-run loss to Sri Lanka in the final Group C match of the Twenty20 World Cup at Trent Bridge here.

ICC Match referee Chris Broad of England imposed the fines after the Denesh Ramdin-led side was ruled to be two overs short of its target at the end of the Sri Lanka innings yesterday when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, stand-in skipper Ramdin was fined 20 per cent of his match fee while the West Indian players received 10 per-cent fines.

Notwithstanding the defeat, West Indies had qualified for the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup along with Sri Lanka from Group C.
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Poulton powers Australia to victory

Leah Poulton powered Australia to an exciting 5-run victory against England in the final warm-up match in Taunton on Tuesday.

Poulton's 66 contained three towering sixes and helped her side to a challenging 142 for 5 which proved just enough of an edge in a useful warm-up.

Caroline Atkins and Katherine Brunt took England close to the target with a thrilling last-wicket partnership after their team had looked dead and buried on 92 for 9. England ended up only five runs short following the duo's battling and an earlier 42 from Claire Taylor.

Ellyse Perry dismissed three of the top four batsmen. She had Charlotte Edwards caught at deep gully for 1, Claire Taylor caught behind and then the catch of the day came when Lisa Sthalekar dived hard to take Beth Morgan's pull to midwicket.

Sthalekar also took three wickets as the spinners took hold and checked England's batsmen. The Australia bowlers kept up the pressure throughout and were backed up by tidy fielding. In contrast, England was guilty of unusual errors, including putting down Poulton on 28.

Karen Rolton brushed off the significance of Australia's win, instead emphasising the usefulness of the practice. "The result didn't really bother me," Rolton said. "We couldn't ask for a better hit-out going into Friday's second game against the Kiwis."

She was not concerned, either, about how England's last-wicket pairing came back at them late on. "To have a close one that comes down to the last couple of overs, I would rather that sort of hit-out than having an easier win."

England coach Mark Lane said he was disappointed with a couple of areas. "Our ground fielding wasn't too good, our middle order didn't perform as well as I wanted. But there were some solid performances.

"We've had such a successful time everyone wants to beat us. We have to make sure that we don't ever have a bad day. The fact we're playing more and more cricket means there are more opportunities to have a bad day. Today wasn't a bad day for us, it was an average day and we will get better."
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Ricky Ponting tells Australia to hone up after loss to West Indies

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said his side would have to raise their game after a seven-wicket loss to the West Indies in their opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 at the Oval.

Although not a shock on the scale of hosts England's four-wicket loss to the Netherlands, the result was certainly far from expected and left Australia effectively needing to beat Group C rivals Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge on Monday to have a chance of getting through to the second phase Super Eights.

“We'll have two weeks in Leicester if we have an early exit here - that won't be good for anybody,'' said Ponting, who is set to lead Australia in the Ashes Test series in England starting in July.

But, joking aside, Australia could well be spending more time in the English Midlands than they would like should they turn in a similar performance against Sri Lanka to the one they produced at the Oval.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle's breathtaking 88 off just 50 balls - featuring four towering sixes including one off fast bowler Brett Lee that went over the top of the pavilion and out of the largest ground in England - saw his side to their victory target of 169 with more than four overs to spare.

Australia, without the hard-hitting Andrew Symonds, sent home on the eve of the tournament following an “alcohol-related incident'', had been on the back foot from the start with Jerome Taylor removing Shane Watson and Ponting for ducks in the first over.

“We've just got to win on Monday,'' Ponting said.

“We were sloppy and they were a bit sharper than us.''

Reflecting on the West Indies match, he added: “We spoke about getting the first over of each innings right.

“As it turned out we lost two wickets in our batting innings and they took a lot off our first bowling over as well.

“I thought 169 was going to be a competitive total if we could take wickets up front with the new ball but they took us on, hit some early boundaries and got the momentum going their way. They outplayed us for sure.''

Gayle and Andre Fletcher (53) took the game away from Australia with an opening partnership of 133 - the third highest stand for any wicket in the history of Twenty20 internationals.

“We didn't under-estimate them,'' insisted Ponting.

“We know how dangerous a side they can be and in this format of the game I don't think you can afford to take your foot off the accelerator against any opponent as we saw last (Friday) night with the Holland-England game.

“The shorter the format of the game, the closer it brings teams together and when the opposition have players like Chris Gayle they can beat anybody.

“This form of the game can change very quickly. We know there's nowhere else we can go now and we will work on our skills in this form ahead of the Sri Lanka game.''
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Australia things for must-win Sri Lanka quarrel

Ricky Ponting's Australia must perform or face an uncomfortable early exit from the World Twenty20 when they take on emotionally-charged Sri Lanka on Monday.

The Australians, stunned by a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of the West Indies on Saturday following Chris Gayle's explosive 88 off 50 balls, cannot afford another loss.

Even if they emerge winning, Ponting's men are not assured of advancing to the Super Eights because a Sri Lankan win over the West Indies on Wednesday will throw up a three-way tie to be decided by net run-rate.

The loss to the West Indies with 4.1 over to spare could spell further blow for Australia, who must not only beat Sri Lanka, but do so by a big margin to improve their net run-rate.

"It all lies ahead of us," Ponting said ahead of the group C match at Trent Bridge.

"We know exactly what we have to do and if we are good enough, we get it done."

The defeat against the West Indies was Australia's fourth Twenty20 loss in a row.

The shortest version of the game has not been particularly kind to the undisputed kings of Test and one-day cricket, who have won only 11 of their 22 games so far.

Ponting, however, was quick to stress that all was not lost for his team.

Australia suffered a shock defeat by Zimbabwe in the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, but still managed to reach the semi-finals where they lost to eventual champions India.

"This form of the game can change very quickly," Ponting said. "We're in exactly the same position as we were last time.

"I guess some of the guys that were in the tournament last time will know what we have to do. There is nowhere else where we can go now."

Sri Lanka will be charged up for their first international match since the horrific terror attack on their team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore in March while on their way to resume a Test match.

Seven Sri Lankan cricketers and an assistant coach were injured in the attack, which left eight Pakistanis dead.

Kumar Sangakkara, leading Sri Lanka for the first time after good friend Mahela Jayawardene quit the job after the Pakistan tour, said the team looked forward to the game against Australia.

"The pressure will be on them, but we are not taking victory for granted," said Sangakkara. "They will come hard at us and we have to be ready to stand tall.

"We know a side must win at least one game to stay in the race. We have just got to take our chances."

Sangakkara wanted his team to qualify for the semi-finals after being stuck in the Super Eights stage in 2007.

"We have a great mix in both batting and bowling, but at the end of the day it all depends on executing your plans well," he said.

"I am not sure Twenty20 is only a slog. One still needs to plan an innings to ensure you get a good total on the board."
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Smith heeds Scottish notice

Early-morning rain left the game at the Oval in doubt but conditions had brightened up considerably by three hours before the scheduled 1.30pm start.
Scotland got in a seven-over-per-side match in between the showers on Saturday, with their batsmen giving New Zealand a real fright (compiling 89 from their allocation) only for a below-par fielding display to let their opponent off the hook.
Nonetheless, the South African skipper saw enough from the Scots to guard against complacency.
"It was a good thing to remind us how important Sunday is," said Smith.
"At the end of the day we are a talented team, we are a strong team and the level we play at should be higher than the level that Scotland can manage.
"They can have good performances on the day but we must make sure that we are operating at a higher level than Scotland.

"We should be producing better performances, we should be thinking better, we should be executing our plans better and we should be at the maximum of our intensity throughout the 20 overs."
South Africa go into their tournament opener without any injury problems while Scotland continue to suffer from the absence of seam bowling options following the withdrawals of John Blain (personal reasons) and John Blain (finger injury).
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India v Pakistan Twenty20 Warm-up Game at Lords

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would need pluck and luck in equal measure to score a consolation win against Pakistan in the warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20 on Wednesday.

Dhoni's men lost the first sparring match of the warm-ups to New Zealand on Monday and are up against an opponent who consider themselves unlucky to lose in two previous encounters between the two sides.

Both the previous ties were in the inaugural edition in 2007 and India could cross over the finish line by a matter of chance.

Indians prevailed In the first through a 'bowl-out' after the two sides had tied at the same score.

In the 2007 final match in Johannesburg, Pakistan were just a stroke away from victory when Misbah-ul Haq's scoop off Joginder Sharma landed in short fine-leg S Sreesanth's hands.

Pakistan would be determined to settle the score for they might not get another opportunity to get even with the Indians unless both sides make it to the finals this time also.

Indians would be resigned to leaving out Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag on the bench as both are battling shoulder injuries.

They would be keen though to play Yuvraj Singh who is just about coming to terms with a bout of food poisoning, as disclosed by skipper Dhoni last night.

Fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh could have another game to get himself sorted out after the pasting of the first match.

Irfan Pathan, too, would be hoping for a few more overs under his belt, as would be the ambition of bowlers Praveen Kumar and Yusuf Pathan also.

Ishant Sharma would look to build upon his superb success of the first game and so would be for batters Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina.

Opener Gautam Gambhir and Dhoni would have another opportunity to spend some time in the middle and be in a better frame of mind before the real stuff unrolls from Friday onwards.

Pakistan, who lost their first warm up match against South Africa, could field 17-year-old fast bowling sensation Mohammed Aamer who is tipped to be the 'revelation' of this tournament by fast bowling legend Wasim Akram.

Aamer, a tall and skinny lad from the Punjab province of Pakistan, regularly hits upwards of 140kmph in speed and he could make a formidable fast bowling trio with Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir.

Gul and Tanvir are star bowlers of this format. Gul was the highest wicket-taker in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup while Tanvir was the best bowler of the first Indian Premier League.
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Indian cricket team reach in London for T20 World cup

India's cricket team on Friday in London Heathrow airport on June 5 that has come to start the second World Twenty20 tournament to take part in the.

Earlier in the day from the Mumbai team before departure, Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the Cup in 2007, about keeping the title, as the current team of vast experience in 20-20 cricket had had faith?

India on June 6 with his opening match against Bangladesh, Ireland plays a Group 12 - team tournament in its second opponent is going.

The 15-member Indian team and a deep batting line-up is a strong pace and spin attack. Read more

Indian cricket teams performs at the T20 World Cup

India won first ICC world T20 on 2007. With the help of combination of all the players. That times all the player was in good form and because of this India won this cup. With guide of Dhoni all the players’ performance very well. TOl takes a peep at the supper strong 15-member group.

Best Man of Indian cricket team:

MS Dhoni (captain) Age: 27
Stats: Played for Team Chennai supper kings
M-13
Runs-304
HS-58*
Avg-43.42;
SR-131.60; 50s-2

No other Indian captain of the man as much as the fans have received the rent. Dhoni is a belief that almost anything, counting the impossible can. So much is written and the captain and his man management skills to talk about his batting and keeping that are onwards. Seriously, he is also good in these two departments.


Virender Sehwag Age: 30
Stats: Played for Team Delhi
M-11
Runs-198
HS-50
Avg-19.80
SR-143.47

IPL on fire with his performance was not set. Got to sit outside and injured and said that he was impressed with the rhythm. But players like him to effect a shift away from top form is returning. The only problem for her inspiration. India's first two games against Bangladesh and Ireland and the struggle against the minnows have a reputation.


Gautam Gambhir Age: 27
Stats: Played for Team Delhi
M-15
Runs-286
HS-71*
Avg-22.00
SR-102.87
IPL was a great season and then to a strange start to the boil was. But Twenty20 is very much his forte and his ability to run on the track at the top bowlers and hit them out psyches. In England, where the ball will swing in June, and sewing, this device will also prove it will be easier because it will negate the movement.

Best Bowler of Indian cricket team:

Harbhajan Singh Age: 28
Stats: Played for Mumbai Indians
M-13
Best-4/17
Avg-21.33
Eco-5.81
SR-22.0

As the top, but very smart Sachin Tendulkar was not used to. If the pitches in England in the form of moisture are expected that a bit, he will get some help. T20 for the well-done and is a rapidly adapted his bowling is a great tool. His big hit, which can come to work less, do not discount.


Ravindra Jadeja Age: 20
Stats: Played for Team Jaipur
M-13
Runs-295
HS-42
Avg-26.81
SR-110.90
Bowling: M-13; Wkts-6; Best-3/15;
Avg-25.16; Eco-6.47

Jaipur for a team was one of the mainstays. Breakthrough that can strike well and rotate the strike. His left-arm spin, but is underrated can cause havoc. Look for him in the field. Posts - closed class can trigger a run outs in their early - silver field. Is a safe catcher.


Zaheer Khan Age: 30
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Mumbai Indians
M-6
Wkts-6
Best-3/31
Avg-23.66;
SR-21.00
Eco-6.76

As a very good rhythm to be in great form and that an important time in the IPL was injured. He said that the bowling for the country where he rediscovered his zest and being treated shabbily by the government of the chapel after reinvented he will return. He said that in the power plays and death can strike at bowling Yorkers to squeeze apply. War also ordered the meat can strike down low.


Praveen Kumar Age: 22
IPL 2009 stats: Played for Royal Challengers
M-13
Wkts-13
Best-3/30
Avg-30.30;
Eco-7.93
SR-22.90

As a swing bowler in English conditions is love Will. In his first wicket has a habit of getting over. Is a slow and a good Yorker.

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Sachin says Dhoni’s team keeps crown the T20 title

India Batting great Sachin Tendulkar of the Twenty20 World Cup next month will retain Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team as the games most explosive is the best telling of the world believes.

"India is the world's most balanced team and we can protect the title no doubt," Tendulkar said on Thursday the DNA newspaper.

"We stand a very good cricketer and we want to prove that this is the deadliest combination to have," records added, the international Twenty20 game is not breaking batsman.

Dhoni's success in South Africa for a surprise two years ago, the shortest form of the game to ensure a young Indian cricket team was led by the popularity of the commercial center in the immediately found.

Head, a young wicketkeeper batsman Dhoni, second edition in England on June 5 to begin an active bunch. India and Bangladesh in Group A with Ireland.

"The good thing is that our team and the pressure of any amount can still get the performance," Tendulkar added. "In fact, the pressure on Team India thrives. In India, I would like to put your money."

However, Zaheer Khan smart India in England, an injury doubt for seaming conditions of exploitation, a five-man pace attack will be in the stomach.

"It is equal with the best," Tendulkar an attack spearheaded by the pacy Ishant Sharma said.

Zaheer, Ishant, Rudra Pratap Singh, especially in English conditions form a lethal combination.

We kind of attack, sew a lot, and that such work will be in a position. Is our day, we will destroy any batting side can do.

"We come as a package. I am certain that this package at this time is the best in the business. This package, which once again we are required to make the world champion is everything." Read more

Adil Rashid replaces Andrew Flintoff in T20 world cup squad

Andrew Flintoff well from knee injury, while the Chennai Super Kings for the 2009 IPL tournament, playing in her condition worsened, which is recovering from the fight. He said that the 15-man teams for the World Cup play, he Twenty20 World Championship for the English team a very important member can be allowed in the name of a miraculous recovery were considered. But the decision by the English Board with your surgeon made against him for the World Cup and is considered well-ash, for July 8 in Cardiff it will be ready to start back.

Andrew Flintoff all remember the West Indies Test and ODI the match and the next month's Twenty20 World Cup will miss.

With due permission from the ICC, the Board adil rashid in English for the World Cup in place of Andrew Flintoff pushed as a replacement. Read more