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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India vs Pakistan Twenty20 practice matches in 2009: Who will win the matches?

India is going to face Pakistan to play their second T20 practice match which will be held at Kennington Oval, London. This match will be played on 3rd June, 2009. Both teams are going to face each other after long time. So, this game has much acceptance to the fans. These two rivalry fans always bring a lot of TV ratings. It seems that people around the world always feel interest to see their fight whether it is inside or outside of stadium.

India has got much media coverage as the inaugural champion team. You should know that Pakistan was the runners-up team of the first edition. Both the champion and the runners-up teams could not win their first practice match. So, it will be a big challenge for both of them to win the final practice match.

Before the start of practice match, India got much coverage from different media coverage as the top favorite team and the team who has possibility to win the title again. The sad news is that they lost to New Zealand by 9 runs in their first practice match. Indian selectors and board members said that non-stop cricket can not make any harm of Indian cricket. I think this defeat will teach them a lesson.

I do not blame Pakistan team because they were out of cricket for long time. But I think their young players will try their best to clinch the trophy.
Source:www.cricket-news-bangladesh.blogspot.com

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India vs Pakistan T20 Practice Match 2009 live scores

It is really exciting to see a fight between two arch-rival teams India and Pakistan. Though, it is warm-up match but a lot of people will eagerly wait to see this match live on TV. You should know that Indian cricket team will take on Pakistan in the last practice match. This game is considered as one of the most exciting one. I want to remind you one thing that India was the inaugural champion team where Pakistan finished the tournament as runners-up team. Another reason to be the most attractive practice match is that these two teams will face each other after long time.

Teams: India vs Pakistan Practice Match

Date: June 3, 2009

Time: 16:30 GMT (17:30 Local)

Venue: The Oval

Live on: STAR CRICKET



India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is looking to get a consolation win against their arch rival Pakistan team in the warm-up match of ICC T20 World Cup 2009. Neither India nor Pakistan could make start in the opening practice match. India lost to New Zealand by 9 runs where South Africa defeated Pakistan by 59 runs. So, this match has equal importance for both India and Pakistan. I am sure they will struggle hard to get the victory in any how.

India is the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup champion team. They have got much coverage from media. Indian selectors and coach think that India will retain the trophy for the second time. They have impressed the cricket world with their form both in home and abroad. Recently, they have finished IPL 2. I think it will help them as the practice match for the up-coming ICC T20 World Cup 2009. Most of their players are in good form. Middle order batting line-up build with strong and experienced batsmen. MS Dhoni has been rejuvenated to hold the trophy with a bunch of experienced players. Some cricket experts say that because of non-stop cricket they may feel fatigue. I don’t think so. But I feel doubt about their performance in this format of cricket game. T20 is a game where no one is favorite and where anyone can beat the each other.

I am not optimistic about Pakistan cricket team. They are not strong like past. Most of their fans expect that board members will allow Imran Nazir and Abdul Razzak. However, it is not possible now. Only two days left to star the second edition of ICC T20 World Cup 2009. I think PCB will re-think about these two players again. Let us see how Younis Khan can lead this young side.

I know many people are passionately waiting to see this game live. This game will be televised live on STAR CRICKET in India. Indian people can enjoy live cricket on this channel. ESPN STAR Sports has the global broadcasting rights. So, people from another corner of the world can also enjoy this game live. Pakistani famous sports channel Geo Super can broadcast it live but I am not sure about it either. It is true that we can see a nail biting game between India and Pakistan. Fans will be busy thinking about who will win in this game.

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Smith wants to solve all major difficulty for ICC T20 WC

South African sports fans are spoilt for choice at the moment. No sooner has the IPL finished than the British and Irish Lions have started their tour and now their cricket team is in England preparing for the ICC World Twenty20.

Such is South Africa's passion for rugby the progress of Graeme Smith's side over the next three weeks may struggle to grab the attention. But they have the chance to cap off a period where they have caused some significant shifts in the world order.

They are now the No. 1 team in one-day cricket after taking that crown off Australia and also pushed them close for the top spot in Tests. With a host of their players having experienced the IPL first hand, they are primed to challenge in the ICC World Twenty20. But South Africa have a history of stalling on the big stage. Their continued success over the last year has helped loosen the chokers tag, yet it will linger until they conquer their World Cup problems.

"It would be lovely if we could be successful in this tournament or any ICC tournament that is coming up," Smith said. "We have had an incredible period in the last 16 months and the team has achieved so much. The confidence is good and we are excited about playing this tournament with the chance to go out and express ourselves. I think there is a lot more talent, flair and confidence among this team than ever before."

South Africa's preparations didn't get off to the best start when they arrived at Southgate, in north London, only to find they were not expected for a training session and had to relocate to Lord's. Smith said he would raise a few issues with the technical committee, but added that the way the team responded shows how focussed they are. "Even today with the not-so-great training facilities we have had all over the place the guys have still applied themselves. There's a good, mature attitude among the squad."

And Smith hopes the IPL experience will benefit his team, especially as a number of players were senior figures with their franchises. "A lot of our players had prominent roles in a number of the teams, which probably wouldn't have happened if it had been in India, and they had good leadership roles among their teams."

During the first World Twenty20 two years ago, in South Africa, one of the most controversial selections by the hosts was to omit allrounder Jacques Kallis. This year he is part of the squad and comes off the back of a useful spell at the IPL where he made 361 runs at 27.76 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"Jacques is the one player who arrives here with a point to prove," Smith said. "He had a decent performance in the IPL so is confidence his high and tactically how we use him is important. He's an allrounder and needs to contribute in all forms."

However, Smith himself didn't enjoy as productive a tournament managing 212 runs at 19.27 in his 12 matches for Rajasthan Royals. But he has masses of Twenty20 experience to fall back on including captaining Somerset to the English Twenty20 Cup title in 2005, winning the Pro20 with the Cape Cobras and last year's success with Rajasthan in the inaugural IPL.

"I have a few really good ideas on how to play the game," he said. "The experience as captain plays a key role and I think I have a good grip on the game."

This tournament is the final point in a marathon spell of cricket for the team which has included last year's trips to India and England, back-to-back series against Australia, plus six weeks at the IPL for many of its players, and Smith has called for one last effort from his squad.

"It's been a lengthy period and mental fatigue is probably our biggest challenge and something we have addressed as a team," he said. "Something that we've been really good on is responsibility and professionalism throughout this period. At different times you feel a little jaded, but I think we can find it within us to pick ourselves up for three more weeks."

Source: cricinfo.com
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John Blain replace to boost Scotland Cricket for T20 World Cup

The Scotland cricket team have been allowed to replace John Blain in the squad preparing for World Twenty20 after the experienced fast bowler walked out on the team following a training ground bust-up with Gavin Hamilton, the team captain, and Peter Steindl, the coach.
“John Blain decided he didn't want to be part of the squad,” Roddy Smith, the Cricket Scotland chief executive, said yesterday. “He is a grown man so we respect his decision and will move on to prepare for the tournament without him. It is entirely his decision.”

Calum MacLeod, the Warwickshire bowler who had been one of the controversial omissions from the original squad, joined the rest of the party yesterday as the replacement and could feature in today's warm-up game against England at Trent Bridge.

As far as Blain is concerned, it appears that matters came to a head after the match on Saturday against Bangladesh, when Scotland dropped catches during a sloppy fielding performance and lost with more than an over to go. Captain and coach, who have been demanding improvements from the players since their near-humiliation in South Africa earlier this year, were deeply unhappy with the performance in the field and made no secret of their anger in the post-match briefing.

Blain was among the worst culprits, his four overs disappearing for 43 runs, but he appears to have reacted badly to being one of those singled out for criticism after that performance. What is unclear - Blain could not be contacted yesterday - was whether he has retired permanently or may reconsider when Scotland's international programme resumes in the autumn.


This is the latest of a series of problems to hit the Scotland squad, who have gone backwards in status and results since 2005, when they were the best of the associate nations. While Ireland enjoyed a remarkable World Cup in 2007, Scotland failed to win a game and they have struggled since then on the county circuit. Earlier this year they capped it all by failing to qualify for the next World Cup and coming perilously close to dropping out of the international tier altogether.

In that period, they have gone through four coaches and last month Ryan Watson resigned as captain after a wretched run of personal form. Hamilton replaced him and has been quick to make his mark, demanding a more professional, hard-working approach and an end to the sloppy habits that had crept in. “The team don't need bringing together, they have never been apart,” Smith said. “They are working hard to improve and nobody else has got upset by any criticism.” The big task for Hamilton and Steindl is not to let this get in the way of preparations for today's game against England. They need a strong performance to boost confidence before their matches against New Zealand and South Africa at the weekend.

Source : Timesonline.co.uk Read more

Australia vs New Zealand T20 Practice Match 2009 Live Score

Tomorrow Australia will take on New Zealand in a warm-up match. Both teams have got win in their first practice match. Australia got win against Bangladesh by 38 runs where India finished their inning 9 runs short from New Zealand innings. It will obviously be an exciting thing to see these two winning teams facing each other to play their last practice match. Both the champion team and the underdog team failed to show their best game. But I can still remember that these two teams got more focus as the top favorite team. It has been clear that T20 is a game where no one is favorite. Anything can happen in this format of cricket game.

Teams: Australia vs New Zealand warm-up match

Venue: The Oval

Time: 16:30 GMT (17:30 Local time)




It is sure that Australia faced a weak team Bangladesh. Then they had to struggle hard to make sure their victory. Match between these two teams became more competitive. On the other hand, New Zealand faced a tough opponent India. Their match was closely competitive. I am surprised to see that Indian players could not manage 9 more runs to clinch the victory.

However, New Zealand is not a good team either. But we can expect to see them performing well against Australia. Let us see if Ricky Ponting’s Australia can continue their good form against Kiwi.

Live Updates- ESPN STAR Sports has got the telecasting rights and it is telecasting most of the practice matches live on this channel.

If you are unable to enjoy this game live on TV then you can get live updates from some cricket related websites. Cricinfo.com is providing live online updates ball by ball. I am sure that you will enjoy the game live and keep in tough with it.

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South Africa vs Pakistan highlights

A complete performance from South Africa saw them hammer Pakistan by 59 runs in their warm-up match at Trent Bridge on Monday.

A complete performance from South Africa saw them hammer Pakistan by 59 runs in their warm-up match at Trent Bridge on Monday.

Pakistan never really looked like reaching a target of 187, even before a decisive flurry of wickets that saw them slump from 62-2 to 81-7.

Only young opener Ahmed Shehzad put up much resistance with 33 off 27 balls as a succession of experienced team-mates found a variety of manners to depart.

South Africa's opening attack of Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell kept a tight rein on proceedings after the former bowled Salman Butt with the third ball of the innings.

Slow left-armer Roelof van der Merwe sealed Pakistan's fate with wickets in each of his first two overs to remove Shehzad and Younis Khan (14).

Six of South Africa's seven-man bowling attack enjoyed success as only Shehzad topped 20 for the batting side in a display that will leave their captain, Younis, with plenty to ponder upon.

South Africa's top order laid the foundations for a substantial total of 186-7, after winning the toss, and Albie Morkel issued the coup de grace with 32 off 14 balls.

South Africa got to their 50 in the fifth over, helped in no small part by wides and no balls (with Sohail Tanvir the main culprit).

Captain Graeme Smith's half-century came off just 33 balls but when opening partner Jacques Kallis (26) tried to up the tempo himself he top-edged slow bowler Saeed Ajmal to third man.

Smith continued on his merry way, including a flat six of Shahid Afridi, before the spinner got his revenge. The left-hander advanced down the track on 70 and was deceived in the flight as he failed to get back into his crease before wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal removed the bails.

Herschelle Gibbs then took Afridi for 10 off consecutive balls before he bottom-edged an attempted cut and was bowled for 42 off 22 balls.

That only brought in Morkel, however, who hit Umar Gul for three successive sixes in the 18th over.

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India beat New Zealand in Twenty20 warm up game

New Zealand's unbeaten record against India in Twenty20s continued today by beating the world champions by nine runs in their warm-up outing at Lord's. Several New Zealand batsmen chipped in with aggressive contributions to post an imposing total which their bowlers, led by the reliable Daniel Vettori, defended tenaciously against a powerful Indian batting line-up.

Chasing 171 for a win, India rode on sterling knocks from Rohit Sharma (36), Suresh Raina (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (41 not out) to cruise to what seemed an imminent win before eventually managing 161 for six.

Earlier, New Zealand survived Ishant Sharma's four-wicket haul to post 170 for seven with useful cameos from Ross Taylor (41), Brendon McCullum (31), Scott Styris (29) and James Franklin (27 not out off 10 balls).

India were off to a flying start with Rohit wasting precious little time to assert his class even in his uncharacteristic opener's role.

Rohit carved Iain O'Brien for a boundary in the first over and worse awaited the right-arm pacer who bled 18 runs in his second with Rohit hitting him for two massive sixes and a four with class written all over the shots.

The opening stand had yielded 42 runs inside five overs when Gautam Gambhir (14) fell to Ian Butler but Rohit smote James Franklin for another six to signal he was not perturbed.

India, however, soon find themselves in a spot of bother with rival captain Daniel Vettori striking twice in his first over.

Coming at number three, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (6) had advanced so much down the track that even a fumbling Brendon McCullum had all the time in the world to dislodge the bails.

Two balls later, Rohit fluffed a shot and much to hi s dismay, the ball rolled on to hit the stumps, cutting short his 20-ball knock bejewelled with three sixes and as many fours.

Earlier, the Kiwis overcame a shoddy start and some hostile bowling from Ishant before reaching a modest total with Taylor (41), McCullum (31), Styris (29) and James Franklin (27 not out off 10 balls) shining with the bat.

Despite McCullum and Jesse Ryder (2), arguably two of the most hard-hitting batsmen in contemporary cricket, opening the innings, New Zealand had a rather subdued start after India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni put them in.

Ryder's poor form in the recent Indian Premier League continued here too and the left-hander had his off-stump uprooted by Ishant Sharma in the third over.

Brief Score: New Zealand 170 for seven (Taylor 41, McCullum 31, Franklin 27*, Ishant 4-25) beat India 161 for six (Raina 45, Jadeja 41*, Vettori 3-24) by nine runs.

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India vs New Zealand T20 Practice Match 2009 live score

Millions of fans around the world who eagerly played between India and New Zealand will wait to see the warm-up match. It is international practice or the game does not make any difference whether the match. People always interested to see India's match looks. It gets more media coverage. You know that India, New Zealand on his first Twenty20 match will take practice should know. It will take place at Lord's, London. You 16:30 GMT (17:30 local time) live in this match can enjoy. At the same time the Trent Bridge, Nottingham in between Pakistan and New Zealand will be another warm-up match. ESPN Sports STAT will be broadcast live all the practice matches. I also said that the cricket star and TV show will have heard it live.

It seems that India's strong team won the trophy once again think. The inaugural ICC Twenty20-winning team. Naturally they will be more focused. Indian captain MS Dhoni enough to continue their success is assured. I too beautiful of 2009 ICC Twenty20 World Cup in the second edition is sure about its success. Indian team is a group of experienced players is involved. So, they'll do well.

New Zealand is not in their analog form. They hard to get back their lost glory is fighting. This team still has not won a big cup. This time I have any chance of them for good performance can not see. Twenty20 cricket as it is too much, we want to win in this match, that can not. But I think that India's victory can be estimated.
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New Zealand Inning
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Pakistan vs South Africa T20 Practice Match 2009 Live Score

However, the practice match as part of the international match is not identified, but also as a scheduled match in the form of value is given. You already know that the heat was already between the countries having started matches. Each team can play two warm-up matches. T20 Pakistan their first practice on June 1 that Trent Bridge, Nottingham would be held in South Africa to play the match will face the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2009 from June 5 that its second version is not ready to kick that before.Sports channel ESPN STAT the match will be on live television.
Match: Pakistan vs South Africa, Warm up Match, ICC World Twenty20 2009

Date: 1 June 2009

Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

16:30 GMT (Local Time 17:30)


I think both teams know the strength of his team rather than the more attention will be given a hope of winning the match. South Africa in a good form of the game of cricket in all forms. Most of their players are performing consistently well. So, naturally the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup, it will try to continue.

Pakistan cricket team for a long time was one of international cricket. Their house in any field can not play international cricket. This they can suffer a lot. PCB to get the rebel players had thought, but the players' reluctance and board members because of the future can not happen for the future failed to guarantee them. However, the Pakistan selectors over the coming Twenty20 World Cup for a strong team have announced. You know that this is a team against Australia in a Twenty20 match, got to know can win. I think they win this tournament and this will lead to some tried to use it in hope.

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