Total Pageviews

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Mother of all cricket, Grandpa of all rivalries

Preview of war, preamble of peace

When Pakistan and India meet on a cricket field, it is not cricket. I mean it is not just cricket. How can you watch a Pak-India match and relate it with cricketing expressions only forgetting about the aura and reverberation of emotions it exudes?

Tomorrow Kashmir will not be decided on the battleground of Mohali, but the build up is such that a war ultimatum has been issued and the forces across the border are lining up for the final showdown. Pakistan and India are neighbors and they are strange neighbors. At one hand they are fierce enemies of each other. On the other, they intermingle in such a manner that people from outside see them as one. Since their inception they are continuously fighting and, for the utter disbelief of an outsider, also talking constantly to resolve issues.

They are to each other what a co-wife is to her counterpart. They are co-wives married to a common denominator - fate. They curse each other, doubt each other’s intentions, and continuously find ways to downgrade each other. After fighting for a whole day relentlessly, they end up on the same side at the mercy of their common husband, the ‘fate’. They are two independent and to some extent unique nations but they are inseparable too. The border that separates them actually cannot separate them.

After fighting three wars and several mini-battles (and losing East Pakistan - now Bangladesh), a common Pakistani harbors a desire to avenge whenever a chance comes. He is happy when India loses. He supports two teams, one is Pakistan and the other one is any one playing against India. He gets angry when Pakistan loses on the cricketing field against any team but stomachs it in the end. But a defeat at the hand of India (India has 4-0 advantage over Pakistan in World cups), sticks to his mind for the rest of his life haunting him from time to time.

But what happens to a common Pakistani when India comes to Pakistan for a full tour after a long break of almost 15 years? India is welcomed in Pakistan with unprecedented hospitality and open arms in 2004. Indian team gets a standing ovation in Lahore after winning a test match. The Taxi drivers give their Indian guests free ride and hotels charge half the fare. India wins both the ODI and test series and Pakistanis continue to cheer, face-paint tricolor and chant for them. India goes home and Pakistanis start planning how to revenge all those defeats and why on earth India came and conquered Pakistan. Any outside observer will not fathom it and may feel befooled.

It happens across the border as well. The Chennai crowd gives a standing ovation to Pakistani team after they thump India in front of their eyes. Forget about fanatics on either side. They will dig the pitch or try to sabotage an event but they cannot win as common man despite their prejudices wants peace.

They have different religions, different world views and different ambitions, but people from both side of the border are tied with each other through a common bond. And that is cricket. India is and was always a batting powerhouse while Pakistan is a hub of World’s most exciting fast bowling talent. While India longs for a Pakistan-like fast bowler, Pakistan looks at India’s batting with jealousy. While Pakistan boasts with the fact that it has an edge over India in both tests and ODIs, Indians remind their arch-rivals of the victories they had over them in ICC tournaments.

The build-up of tomorrow’s semi-final at Mohali has been tremendous. It overshadowed the 4th quarter-final and 1st semi-final completely. Whether it equilibrates with the media hype only time will tell, but the players on either side will carry burden of expectations on their shoulders when they will step onto the field tomorrow.

As much this clash has raised animosity, it has brought a fresh hope of peace too. After being at loggerheads since Mumbai barbarism, Prime Ministers of both countries have decided to watch this epic encounter together. Everlasting peace between these two hostile neighbors may be a thing of far future but it is a reality for sure. The signs were always there and hope will always be.

In a high-voltage India Pakistan clash; form, momentum, class, pitch, weather and home advantage do not count. It is the pressure and luck that counts. The team which takes the pressure better will prevail tomorrow and the unlucky one would be left to the mercy of their fans and media.

Although what happens tomorrow would become history soon, it would surely have some everlasting effects on the lives of millions.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Pakistan Interior Minister oversteps, issues warning to his own team ahead of India match

Rehman Malik's faux-pas stuns Pakistan

In a startling statement, Pakistani home minister Rehman Malik has warned Pakistani cricket team not to indulge in any sort of malpractice ahead of their all-important high-voltage semi-final clash with arch-rivals India.

"I gave a warning that there should be no match-fixing. I am keeping a close watch. If any such thing happens, we are going to take action," Malik said. He elaborated “intelligence is being gathered on the Pakistani cricketers, including "who are meeting them and the position of their telephones".

He also said that he was sure that current team is free of any corruption but in his opinion it was important to keep a close watch on the team. "This is necessary because we can't take a chance after what happened in London," he said.

The former players and politicians have strongly condemned Malik over his statement terming it a howler. Former great Imran Khan said, "I am more worried about Malik than the cricket team. For all who might not know, Malik was absconding from justice until very recently. Therefore my worry is not with the team but with him."

"The minister does not have a very good command on the English language so hence he must have meant something else. If one wants to stamp out corruption, the boards and the ICC needs to get more vigilant. Spot-fixing is difficult to pick and the only way one can identify the same is when accounts of cricketers are disclosed," Imran said.

Another former cricketer Amir Sohail said, “The timing and the way the statement comes is not right. He should have told the players personally rather than telling it out in the media. However, there are fears of match-fixing in the semifinal.”

Former legend Zaheer Abbas also rubbished Malik's statement and said, "Rather than boosting the morale of the players, the interior minister is trying to demoralize them,"

Malik is interior minister in a government which is at loggerheads with the judiciary over corruption charges. He is not very popular among Pakistanis including the Pakistani polity because of his continuous failure to provide security to his fellow citizens which actually is his primary job.

Jamat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan has called Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik 'an agent of India and America’, although he was not referring to the above statement.

No doubt this irresponsible statement by a senior Pakistan politician will not go well as far as team’s morale is concerned. Current team is free of corruption and is gelling well under the leadership of Shahid Afridi. The response of Pakistan board or team management is yet not known.

As they say you do not need enemies when you are blessed with “friends” like Malik.
als India.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Pakistan hand Windies a thrashing to storm into semis

World Cup 2011 – Match report: 1st Quarter-Final, Pakistan v West Indies, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, 23 March 2011

A clash between two 'unpredictable' sides turned out to be an anti-climax as Pakistan breezed past West Indies endorsing the fact that they are no more predictably unpredictable. West Indies batting had no clue against Pakistan spinners after the explosive Gayle was nipped out early. It was simply no contest after-wards.

Gayle, Chanderpaul and Roach replaced Edwards, Benn and Andre Russell as West Indies made three changes. Pakistan continued to bench Shoaib but brought Saeed Ajmal for Abdur Rehman to counter West Indian left-handers. Darren Sammy could not hide his smile when he opted to bat first after winning the toss on a low and slow wicket.

Devon Smith cracked first ball from Gul for a four but Gul came back strongly and gave nothing away after that. Mohammad Hafeez started from the other end against Chris Gayle and bowled within stumps. After hitting Gul for a boundary by coming down the track, Gayle tried to repeat the shot by going deep into the crease but to his horrors he found Afridi in the way. The ball was traveling like a tracer bullet but Afridi pouched it safely moving to his right at mid-off. It was a body blow for West Indies which lifted Pakistan and eased their nerves.

Hafeez who was bowling miserly got two wickets in the space of four deliveries to rock West Indian top order in the 6th over. Smith and Darren Bravo both played him for off-spin but the ball went straight on both occasions trapping them plumb in front. At 16 for 3, Chanderpaul and Sarwan started the rebuilding effort. They played extra-cautiously in order to keep wickets intact but this allowed Pakistan spin trio of Hafeez, Afridi and Ajmal to weave a web around them.

West Indies limped to 18/3 after 10 overs and reached 50 in 21 overs. Although Sarwan was reprieved by Gul off Afridi when he was on 13, he could not carry on to make a big score. After troubling him repeatedly, Afridi had his man caught at point for 24 off 68 balls. At the half-way stage West Indies were teetering at 60 for 4 as their big hitter Kieron Pollard arrived.

Pollard was the man who could have hit West Indies out of trouble but Afridi nipped the ‘evil’ in the bud by removing him for just one. Kamran Akmal took a good catch as pollard was sucked into a cut shot by Afridi as so often occurs when Afridi is on song. Next ball Afridi was on a hat-trick when Devon Thomas came right between Afridi’s faster one and the middle stump.

Sammy survived the hat-trick ball and then survived again in the next over against Ajmal when Younis spilled a tough chance at slips. But he was made to look a novice by Ajmal when he was wrapped on the pads in front of the stumps as he miserably misread a doosra. Ajmal produced a beauty three balls later when another doosra went between bat and pad and crashed into the stumps leaving Devendra Bishoo high and dry.

From 71 for 8, West Indies were slightly left off the hook by Afridi as he brought Wahab and Abdul Razzaq into the attack. Chanderpaul and Kemar Roach put 40 runs for the 9th wicket to ensure West Indies reach 100 and beyond. Abdul Razzaq removed Roach when he tried to break shackles after defending brightly for 40-odd deliveries for his 16.

Afridi came back to shatter Rampaul’s leg stump from round his legs and end the innings for West Indies for disappointing 112 in 43.3 overs, their 3rd lowest WC total. Embarrassingly for them they could not even take the batting powerplay as only three batsmen reached the double figures. For Pakistan, Afridi once again was the main destroyer with 4 for 30 while Hafeez and Ajmal took 2 wickets each. Hafeez only gave away 16 runs in his 10 overs.

West Indies needed to replicate some of their glorious fast bowling moments of the past if they were to deny Pakistan a likely win. On a wicket that had no bounce or lateral movement, their fast bowlers looked impotent against a confident Pakistan opening pair. Both Hafeez and Kamran had no trouble what so ever as they approached the target aggressively. Kamran hit some courageous shots but it was Hafeez whose shots all around the ground were a treat to watch for a jam-packed Mirpur crowd.

The crowd was backing Pakistan and for the whole duration of the match it never looked like Pakistan was playing away from home. Both batsmen gave a chance each albeit tough ones but never looked to be in trouble as West Indian fielders were reduced to spectators. The rout was completed when Kamran thumped the ball through point for a four on the penultimate ball of 21st over. Hafeez 62* (64 balls, 10 fours) and Kamran 47* (61 balls, 7 fours) remained not out as Pakistan won by 10 wickets.

Hafeez was named man of the match for his brilliant all-round performance as he opened both the bowling and batting for Pakistan in this match. West Indies were too shallow in their approach in this World Cup as they heavily depended on a few stars in their team especially against the superior teams. Pakistan, on the other hand, are on a roll here as they have their eyes set on the World cup trophy this time. This result means Pakistan are in the semi-final after a long time in a World Cup. It has also opened up mouth-watering possibility of an India-Pakistan clash at Mohali if India beats Australia tomorrow in the 2nd quarter-final.

Match Result: Pakistan 113/0 in 20.5 overs ( Hafeez 61, Kamran 47) beat West Indies 112/10 in 43.3 overs (Chanderpaul 44*, Sarwan 24; Afridi 4/30, Hafeez 2/16) by 10 wickets to qualify for the semi-final

Man of the Match: Mohammad Hafeez

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Pakistan top group, end Australia’s unbeaten run

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Pakistan v Australia, Group A, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 19 March 2011

Australia were dismissed for the first time in 28 innings and 12 years in the World Cups. Secondly it was their lowest total since 1992. Pakistan not only ended their remarkable unbeaten run of 34 matches but they did it in style. Against all odds Pakistan outplayed Australia in all departments, including the fielding, to win their last group match and top the group.

Ricky Ponting won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first on a slow wicket which had variable bounce and pace. Pakistan started with Umar Gul and Abdur Rehman and this move paid dividends as Aussies could not get a move on. Gul produced a beauty to remove dangerous Shane Watson for just 9 as he prodded half forward to an in-swinger which cannoned into the stumps after kissing the inside edge of the bat.

At the end of mandatory powerplay, Australia had just 36 for 1 on the board. Haddin powered a six off Abdur Rehman in a bid to erase some pressure. Although he and Ponting got advantage of some loose stuff from Wahab Riaz but the run rate was generally kept in check by Pakistan. Ponting looked determined to end his woes with bat especially after surviving a couple of lucky moments. After top-edging a bouncer for four off Wahab, Misbah reprieved Ponting when he spilled a difficult chance off Abdur Rehman at square leg.

After troubling him consistently with his accuracy and guile, Mohammad Hafeez sent Ponting towards the dressing room after he had stuttered to 19. Kamran Akmal took a sharp catch when Ponting, on 19, tried to cut but umpire turned down a raucous appeal. Review confirmed Ponting’s worst fears and he walked disgruntled as Pakistan fielders exchanged some harsh words with Haddin.

Ponting’s was an important blow as his association with Haddin yielded 63 runs which proved to be their highest partnership for the innings. The rest of the batsman could not come to terms with the wicket as well as the nagging line and length of Pakistan bowlers.

From 75 to 176 all out, Australia lost 9 wickets for 101 runs. First Wahab Riaz took out the top scorer Brad Haddin for 42 (80 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) who guided the ball straight back to the wicketkeeper and then Abdul Razzaq clean bowled Michael Clarke with a reverse swinging good-length ball. In between Cameron White was brilliantly run out by Misbah.

Abdur Rehman got the prized scalp of Michael Hussey as he tamely handed a catch to Misbah at short midwicket. Umar Gul wiped out the tail with the help of Abdul Razzaq and Afridi. Australia were all out for a below par 176 in 46.4 overs. Gul was brilliant for Pakistan with figures of 3 for 30 in his 7.4 overs while Abdul Razzaq was the surprise package as he rocked Australian middle order by taking 2 for 8 in his 4 overs.

As Pakistan had a customary huddle in between the innings, Afridi must have told his boys that they had a golden chance to create history by toppling the defending champions. Australia came hard at Pakistan as openers Hafeez and Kamran looked nervous from the start while facing Australian pace duo of Lee and Tait.

Brett Lee bowled with ferocious pace on a tight line and looked more dangerous of the two as he got the ball to talk. Both the batsmen were beaten regularly on the off side. He got Hafeez in his second over caught and bowled as the batsman tried to play a straight ball on the leg side. He particularly troubled Kamran on the deliveries that nipped in after pitching as he was hit on the pads on a number of occasions.

Lee exploited Kamran’s weakness brilliantly as he thudded one on his back leg right in front of the leg stump. Umpire upheld his decision of giving him out as the batsman asked for a review in a desperate hope. Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan eased Pakistan’s nerves by putting a solid partnership of 53 runs for the third wicket. Asad in particular was neither overawed by the occasion nor by the opposition as he played well within himself.

This was Brett Lee’s 16th World Cup match and he was yet to taste defeat. As no other bowler gave Ponting breakthrough, he turned to Lee again who did not disappoint his captain. Younis who was well set was lured into the drive by Lee to be caught at the wicket for 31 (42 balls, 4 fours). Next ball Misbah poked at another one and had the same fate to bring Australia well and truly back into the game.

The match hung in balance as Australia went for the kill sniffing opportunity. But Umar Akmal gave good company to Asad and played a few daring shots including a huge six off Krejza. They took the score to 139 in the 32nd over when Asad Shafiq found one too hot to handle from Johnson and a rising delivery was fended to Watson in the slips.

Afridi came and instead of shutting the match for Australia almost gifted them victory by playing an irresponsible heave off Krejza straight down the throat of Lee at long on. Pakistan still needed 35 runs but calm head of Abdul Razzaq ensured Australians are kept at bay. Abdul Razzaq hit two back to back boundaries off Krejza as Pakistan won the match by 4 wickets in 41 overs.

Umar Akmal remained not out on 44 off 59 balls that included 4 fours and a six while Abdul made 20. Lee was the lone warrior with the ball as he took 4 for 28 in his 8 overs. Umar was named man of the match for his enterprising batting as it was he who took Pakistan to the victory after Asad had set up the match beautifully.

With this win Pakistan has signaled to the world that they are not to be discounted any more. Australia though look strong have many things to settle especially in the batting department if they want to win the title 4th time in a row. Pakistan in all likelihood head to Mirpur for their quarter final clash with West Indies unless the latter beat India tomorrow while Australia would either face India or West Indies depending on the above result.

Match Result:
Pakistan 178/6 in 41 overs (Asad Shafiq 46, Umar Akmal 44*; Lee 4/28) beat Australia 176/10 in 46.4 0vers (Haddin 42, Clarke 34; Gul 3/30, Abdul Razzaq 2/8) by 4 wickets

Man of the match: Umar Akmal

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Green Shirts - Time to experiment OR sticking to the plan

Pakistan, though, has qualified for the quarter-finals but their final group match against Australia is not an inconsequential one. If they beat the world champions they can top their group and face a lighter opponent in the QF.

Australia would have extended their remarkable unbeaten sequence to 34 after beating Canada tomorrow, barring a highly unlikely upset. Although yet to be tested in the real sense, they have looked a vulnerable side especially as far as their batting is concerned. Spin department is another chink in their armory.

Pakistan was the team that beat them the last time in a world cup match, in 1999 WC in England. Will Pakistan break their record by beating them again on Saturday? For me it is more than a possibility.

Coach Waqar has said that they would try their best to beat them to get momentum going into the knock-out stages. This means their is no time for experimentation. Probably they will go with almost the same team except replacing Ahmed Shehzad with Umar Akmal. But I think they should think broader for the sake of rest of the tournament.

To-date Pakistan's strategy has been too defensive in this WC. They are persisting with Abdur Rehman who is not a wicket taker. He is basically there to control the flow of runs. That strategy is defensive and has proved counter-productive in the past as we do not have the fielding to back it up. For Pakistan, controlling the run rate has always been achieved by taking wickets in the middle. We used to have aggressive spinners or good back-up seamers to do that.

Against strong batting line-ups, Abdur Rehman may not be able to do what he is supposed to do. Further, in the knock-out stage we will play in India or Bangladesh mostly ( except one QF and one SF in Sri Lanka) where wickets would be either road-like flat or heavily spin-friendly. So playing Saeed Ajmal in place of Abdur Rehman will benefit Pakistan immensely. With his variations he would be able to take a wicket or two in the middle overs on flat surfaces or he may run through a batting line-up on spinning tracks.

Pakistan should also try to play Junaid Khan. He may act as a surprise package for Australia and he may be required by the team later in the tournament in case Shoaib or any other seamer is injured. Throwing him at the deep end at that point would be costly for Pakistan.

I still believe Pakistan is playing a bowler short. We can drop either Ahmed Shehzad (unfortunately this exciting young batsman is out of form and short on confidence) or Abdul Razzaq (as he is useless at number 8) and play an extra bowler instead. In that case move Kamran Akmal (unfortunately he has to play as he is the lone wicket-keeper and dropping him would risk losing any part of Umar Akmal's body) up to open with Hafeez and play Younis at number 3. Then Asad Shafiq at number 4 should be followed by Misbah, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq and Afridi in that order. This will not be risky as is considered by the team management as we still use the time-tested Pakistani method of playing safe upfront and then going berserk at the end.

So Pakistan have room for a bit of little experimentation for the sake of a bigger goal. Lets see what they come up with.

Gul and Shafiq carry Pakistan home in rain shortened match

World Cup – Match Report: Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Group A, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, 14 March 2011

Arithmetically Pakistan needed a point from this match to make sure they qualify for the quarter finals even before their last group match against Australia. They won the rain shortened match without any hiccups riding on Umar Gul’s strikes and Asad Shafiq’s solid and stroke-full batting.

Pakistan rested Shoaib Akhtar in favor of Wahab Riaz while Umar Akmal’s aching finger allowed Asad Shafiq to play his first World Cup match. For Zimbabwe, Shingirai Masakadza replaced Mpofu while Vusi Sibanda came in for the injured Sean Williams. Under overcast conditions and with warnings of showers during the evening, Elton Chigumbura surprisingly opted to bat first after winning the toss.

Pakistan seamers used the condition expertly making the new ball talk from the word go. Abdul Razzaq got Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe’s best batsman, caught behind in the very first over. Umar Gul nipped out the other opener, Regis Chakabva, in the next over. Vusi Sibanda too did not last long as he was caught brilliantly by Misbah in slips to make it 13 for 3 for Zimbabwe in the 6th over.

Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine rebuilt the innings somewhat by associating for 30-run partnership. Ervine had a life when Misbah dropped him in the second slip on the bowling of Abdur Razzaq. Solid looking Taibu was removed by Wahab Riaz and Zimbabwe labored to 50 after 15 overs.

They continued to meander along slowly as Pakistan spinners applied a tight noose on the scoring. Greg Lamb, deprived off free-scoring opportunities, tried to take liberty against Afridi but misread a googly and gave him a return catch. At 93 for 5 after 27 overs, rain halted the play. The match was reduced to 43 overs a side when play resumed after a delay of one and half hours. Ervine brought up his fifty and team hundred with a couple but his resistance was ended by a straighter one from Hafeez. He held the innings together making 52 runs (82 balls, 5 fours) in the process.

Captain Chigumbura put on vital 48 runs with Prosper Utseya for the 7th wicket. They made sure they had a reasonable target to defend. Utseya became second victim for Kamran Akmal who took a running catch off the bowling of Gul. Chigumbura remained not out on 32 when rain came again ending the Zimbabwean innings prematurely in the 40th over. They made 151 for 7 and Pakistan needed 162 in 38 overs according to D/L method. Umar Gul took 3 for 36.

Pakistan’s opening woes continued as talented but temperamental Ahmed Shehzad was stumped off Ray Price when he needlessly came out of the crease for an expansive loft. Asad Shafiq came to the crease and intelligently looked to ply out the new ball which was moving appreciably. Stylish but less classy than his compatriots, Mohammad Hafeez played some eye-catching pulls and drives. Both put on 82 runs for the second wicket and almost shut the door for Zimbabwe. Hafeez could not complete a well-deserved 50 when he was taken in first slip off Utseya for 49 (65 balls, 6 fours).

Afridi decided to promote himself probably thinking of getting some time in the middle and also improving the net run rate. But he was clean-bowled by a euphoric Price for just 3 creating some uneasiness in Pakistan’s dressing room. Younis Khan joined Shafiq who was now playing fluently exhibiting his array of strokes. Shafiq brought up his second ODI 50, becoming the eighth man to make 50 in his first WC match for Pakistan.

He hit the winning four on the first ball of 35th over to remain not out on a shining 78 on 97 balls with 7 fours. Pakistan won convincingly by 7 wickets and booked their place in the quarter-finals. Ray Price was the pick of bowlers with 2 for 21 in his 8 overs. Umar Gul was named the Man of the Match as he was the chief destroyer for Pakistan.

Lack-luster Zimbabwe are out of the race now but Pakistan still has another item on their agenda. That is to win against Australia and secure top position in the group. Will Pakistan be the team to end Australia’s remarkable unbeaten run in the World Cups? Remember they were the team who beat them last in 1999 WC. Come 19 March and the question will be answered.

Match Result: Pakistan 164/3 in 34.1 overs (Asad 78*, Hafeez 49; Price 2/21) beat Zimbabwe 151/7 in 39.4 overs (Ervine 52; Gul 3/36, Hafeez 1/11) by 7 wickets

Man of the Match: Umar Gul

Monday, March 14, 2011

South Africa shed choking tag, beat India in thriller

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: India v South Africa, Group B, Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur, 12 March 2011

The most keenly awaited game of the World Cup, between these two teams, produced a thrilling contest. On a road like surface India threatened to break free but South Africa clawed back in style to thwart Indian challenge in both batting and bowling. With the ‘C’ word lurking whenever they play a crucial game, the Proteas were up to the task this time. They matched India man by man, ball by ball and stroke by stroke.

South Africa rested Imran Tahir to help him recover from injury and played Johan Botha instead. While India played with three seamers leaving Chawla out. Dhoni had no hesitation in deciding to bat first after winning the toss.

On a wicket with average score of 290 while batting first, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar put South African attack to the sword from the word go. Sehwag was given a lucky reprieve by the keeper Morne van Wyk who did not move to catch a regulation edge on his right in the second over from Morne Morkel. Sehwag made South Africa pay the slip dearly as he started murdering the bowling. He was especially severe on Morkel whom he carted for 3 boundaries in one over. Kallis replaced Steyn who was proving expensive, but he too was not spared by these two.

Steyn returned to try his luck from the other end but Tendulkar greeted him with a powerful six over backward square leg. India were rollicking along after 10 overs having scored 87 runs, a tournament record thus far. Hundred was brought on in the 12th over as South Africa brought their spinners on from both ends. Van Wyk gave Sehwag another let off on 70 when he grassed a difficult chance off Botha. There was no respite for South Africa as both the batsmen continued to march on unabated and mercilessly.

Graeme Smith turned to Faf du Plessis in desperation more than expectation. Thankfully he did not add to his captain’s frustration as he got the prized scalp of Sehwag. He ended 142 run partnership by bowling Sehwag for a whirlwind 73 (66 balls, 12 fours). Gambhir took some time to settle in as India were scoring at more than 8 an over. At the half-way stage India were happily placed at 174 for 1 and a total in excess of 350 was on cards.

As Tendulkar neared his hundred, Gambhir upped the ante by improvising as well as using the long handle. Tendulkar completed his magnificent hundred, his 48th over-all and 6th in all world cups, off 92 balls that included 7 fours and 3 sparkling sixes. India took the batting powerplay after 38 overs with the score on 253/1. This was the moment when the game changed.

In a quest for quick scoring, Tendulkar lost his wicket to Morkel as he miscued an attempted loft to backward point where Duminy held on to the chance with both hands. He made 111 (101 balls 8 fours, 3 sixes). It opened a window of opportunity for South Africa which they took with both hands.

Sensing the opening, Smith brought back his main striker, Dale Steyn and got the reward immediately. Gambhir could not read a slower one and was caught at mid-off by Kallis. He made a useful 69 off 75 balls. India at this stage had two new batsmen at the crease, Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh, both on naught. They were the ideal men to make use of the batting powerplay, especially Pathan who was promoted to number 4.

As much as the power, the powerplay also demands some sense and planning. India shot on the foot as they continued to play in one gear without reassessing the situation. The pitch had slowed a bit and started turning but the Indian batsmen tried to blast their way from the outset. In doing so they fell in the trap laid for them by Smith as he placed his fielders perfectly where his bowlers bowled. Pathan was caught in the covers off Steyn, while Yuvraj holed out in the deep as he hit a full toss from Kallis straight to Botha.

Dhoni needed to take the things in his hand amid all this debacle but he was left stranded as wickets tumbled at the other end. Steyn and Peterson polished off the tail as India folded in spectacular fashion. They were all out for 296 in 48.4 overs losing last 9 wickets for just 29 runs. It was a frantic display of batting by India evening out the contest which had started with total Indian dominance.

For South Africa, Steyn was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 50 while Peterson took 2 for 52. Dhoni remained not out for 12 off 21 balls while four of the Indian batsmen got out without scoring. South Africa were elated and relieved at having restricted India below 300 after they were on course for 400 at one stage. Indians, on the other hand, were although devastated but fancied their chances on a wicket which had started to turn and had slowed down considerably.

South Africa chose the safer route when they came out to chase. Smith and Hashim Amla took the score to 41 in the 9th over when Smith once again got out to his nemesis Zaheer Khan. Amla who was playing fluently was joined by Jacques Kallis and both put on 86 runs for the second wicket. After 25 overs, South Africa needed 182 at 7.3 runs per over.

Amla was dropped by Yuvraj off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh but he could not cash on it and departed in his next over smartly caught by Dhoni. He made classy 61 runs (72 balls, 5 fours). AB de Villiers did not waste any time and got on with the things at pace. He used his feet brilliantly against the spinners who had threatened to squeeze the Proteas for a short while. Kallis too picked the tempo and swept Harbhajan for two consecutive fours. After surviving an LBW review off Zaheer, he was brilliantly run out by Harbhajan from the deep. His innings of 69 off 88 balls was good but he got out at the wrong time for South Africa.

South Africa took the powerplay at the end of 36 overs with the score on 173/3 and asking run rate approaching 9. Duminy and de Villiers batted cunningly and kept their team in the hunt by getting boundaries and not letting the asking rate go up. Harbhajan got rid of de Villiers through a diving catch by Kohli on the leg side in the deep. He made a quick-fire 52 off 39 balls with 6 fours and a six. Faf Du Plessis showed his intents by hitting Yuvraj for a six but lost Duminy who was clumsily stumped by Dhoni. The bowler again was Harbhajan who was pumped up and rightly so as it was a telling blow for South Africa.

Things got interesting when van Wyk was given out LBW off a review after he was dropped by Gambhir in the deep. India were ahead and sensing victory at this stage but the game turned once again. Johan Botha was the game changer this time for South Africa. He played few good shots and brought his team closer to victory. Munaf, after being hit for a four and a six by Botha, turned the match in India’s favor by getting him out in the 47th over. South Africa needed 17 runs from 2 overs with 3 wickets in hand but Zaheer bowled a stunning penultimate over to keep them at bay.

With 13 needed off the last over, Robin Peterson hit Nehra for 4, 6, 2 and 4 to win the game for South Africa in dramatic fashion. South Africa won by 3 wickets and for once they liberate themselves of the choking tag. Harbhajan took 3 for 53 while Munaf Patel gave away 65 runs for his 2 wickets. Dale Steyn was named man of the match for his brilliant bowling display.

The World cup continued to prove a good advertisement for the ODIs with another thrilling encounter. It was an engrossing contest between two evenly matched teams but South Africa held their nerves and came on top.

Match Result: South Africa 300/7 in 49.4 overs (Kallis 69, Amla 61; Harbhajan 3/53) beat India 296/10 in 48.4 overs (Tendulkar 111, Sehwag 73; Steyn 5/50) by 3 wickets

Man of the match: Dale Steyn

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Unforgiving Taylor slivers Pakistan on his Birthday rampage

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Pakistan v New Zealand, Group, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, 8 March 2011

It was a tale of two individuals. One stuck to his task and made use of the opportunities to inflict annihilation of such kind to the opponent which can hardly be matched. He is Ross Taylor who celebrated his 27th birthday by coming back into form in murderous fashion. The other carried on making juvenile gaffes as a result of continuous denial behaving like a buffoon. He is Kamran Akmal who not only dropped vital chances but became a model of indifference behind the stumps.

Pakistan who had won all their matches were tipped to win again but New Zealand mauled them in style to go top of the group. Pakistan brought back Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Rehman in place of Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal while for New Zealand Jamie How replaced unwell Jesse Ryder and Hamish Bennett made way for Jacob Oram. Daniel Vettori elected to have a bat after winning the toss on a dry surface with a little bit of grass on it.

The proceedings started dramatically, Brendon McCullum hitting a six on the 3rd delivery from Shoaib Akhtar which was a free-hit. Shoaib soon was aeroplane taking off as he pegged back McCullum’s off stump with a beautiful in-cutter. Jamie How joined Martin Guptill as Pakistan started with Abdur Rehman from the other end.

Shoaib though had cut down his pace a bit for accuracy, bowled two more no-balls, each costing Pakistan a free-hit boundary. Guptill had no problems negotiating the early swing and got off to a quick start. How, on the other hand, was ultra-defensive and after laboring for 4 off 29 balls was sent to pavilion by Umar Gul.

Ross Taylor was handed two gifts by Kamran Akmal on his 27th birthday when Shoaib, coming back for a new spell, induced two regulation edges in three balls. He let go of the first and grassed the next one which was so straightforward that even Boycott’s mother would have pouched. New Zealand were squeezed considerably as a result of some good captaincy from Afridi who rotated his bowlers intelligently backed by some good field placing. They reached 100 in 26 overs.

Guptill who had slowed down markedly was castled by Afridi, highest wicket-taker in the world cup so far, with a lovely drifter for 57 (86 balls, 6 fours). He and Ross had put on 57 runs. James Franklin was undone by Hafeez who had him LBW from round the wicket. Afridi would have had Styris early in his innings but Kamran did what he does best, dropped him.

Ross Taylor after reaching 50 was well and truly back in form with some solid batting and some help from Pakistan. He put on 62 runs for 5th wicket with Scott Styris. New Zealand were 163 for 4 after 40 overs and were thinking of reaching 250 at that stage.

They took batting powerplay after 41 overs but Styris departed after being LBW off Gul. Afridi and Gul bowled tightly and New Zealand scratched to 188 after 44 overs. Afridi was then taken to cleaners by Nathan McCullum and Taylor who both hit a six each to herald that something ominous was on cards. Although Gul removed McCullum after receiving a six in his next over, New Zealand had saved their brutality for the last 4 overs.

Shoaib Akhtar came back for his last spell but was plundered by Taylor who collected 28 runs from his over by hitting him for two fours and three sixes. When he bowled on the off, he hammered him for fours. His attempt to bowl yorkers went horribly wrong as Taylor spanked the full tosses out into the stands. The last ball was a length delivery which he pulled over mid-wicket to bring up his blistering hundred (117 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes).

Oram joined the fun and carted Abdur Rehman for a four and six. As bowling disintegrated, Afridi too became clueless as a captain. It was a big mistake by him to finish off Gul’s spell so early. Seeing Shoaib being blown away by Taylor, Afridi turned to Abdul Razzaq for the penultimate over but the horror movie turned to a scary murder scene. Taylor continued his savagery and looted 30 runs from the over with 3 sixes and 2 fours. Oram added to Pakistan’s misery with two more sixes in the last over from Abdur Rehman before holing out. Black Caps ended with a mammoth 302 for 7 and Ross Taylor remained not out on superlative albeit fortuitous 131 off 124 balls including 8 fours and 7 sixes.

Although Pakistan bowled horribly but New Zealand lead by Taylor took full toll and mauled the bowling with unprecedented spitefulness. They made 139 runs in last 10 overs off which last 92 runs came off just 24 balls. For Pakistan Umar Gul stood out with figures of 3 for 32 in his 10 overs. At the half-way stage, Pakistan were demoralized and shattered while New Zealand were overjoyed and happily stunned.

With the wicket bound to offer assistance to the seam bowlers under the night sky, Pakistan’s task was made doubly difficult. The openers needed to give their team a brisk start. But they crumbled under pressure and had no answer to the hostility and swing of New Zealand opening bowlers, Tim Southee and Kyle Mills.

Ahmed Shehzad and Hafeez both got out cheaply getting LBW while trying to play across. Younis’s stumps were shattered by Mills with a gorgeous in-swinger while Kamran Akmal and Misbah were caught in the off-side cordon on the bowling off Southee. Shahid Afridi hit a few lusty blows but his desperation was ended by Oram who bowled him neck and crop. From a position as precarious as 66 for 6 in 17.1 overs, Pakistan were done and dusted by the Black Caps.

Abdul Razzaq threatened to bring Pakistan back in the game when he associated with Umar Akmal for a handy partnership of 36 runs. But departure of Umar Akmal made the task a near impossible one although Abdul Razzaq changed to an aggressive mode. Umar Gul played some handsome shots in a quick partnership of 66 runs for the 9th with Abdul Razzaq as they took the 3rd powerplay in the process. Dismissal of Abdul for 62 (74 balls, 9 fours) hastened the inevitable and Pakistan folded at 192 in 41.4 overs. Gul remained not out on 34 off 25 balls. Southee was the pick of bowlers with 3 for 25 while Mills, McCullum and Styris all took 2 wickets each.

New Zealand won comfortably by 110 runs. This result has given them belief to go far into the tournament. They will hope that Vettori gets fit as he hobbled out for a medical check up mid way through Pakistan’s innings. It was a thrashing for Pakistan who now have many issues to settle before their next match.

Pakistan must have realized the need for an extra bowler after this humiliation as they cannot rely solely on Afridi all the time. Openers need to step up too but the biggest hole they have to fill is the keeping. Kamran Akmal should either be shown the door or asked to play as a specialist batsman handing the gloves over to junior Akmal or even Asad Shafiq.

Match Result: New Zealand 302/7 ( Ross Taylor 131*, Guptill 57; Gul 3/32) beat Pakistan 192/10 in 41.4 overs ( Abdul Razzaq 62, Umar Akmal 38; Southee 3/25, Styris 2/17) by 110 runs

Man of the Match: Ross Taylor

Sunday, March 6, 2011

England win thriller despite Proteas’ spin riot

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: South Africa v England, Group B, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai, 6 March 2011

England needed to win this key encounter against South Africa, the best outfit of the tournament so far. They have always stretched South Africa and here again they conquered them in a nail-biter. On a spin friendly track, South African spinners had England on the mat but their batsmen found English bowlers too hot to handle and crumbled during chase.

South Africa went with an unchanged team while for England Ravi Bopara replaced Collingwood. Andrew Strauss chose to bat first after winning the toss. Graeme Smith started with left arm spinner Robin Peterson. This move proved to be a master stroke as Peterson removed both openers, Strauss and Kevin Pietersen in his first over. From that moment onwards England were always behind the eight-ball in their innings. Peterson then reduced England to 3 for 15 in his 3rd over when he had Ian Bell caught and bowled.

Jonathan Trott and Bopara rescued England with a 99-run partnership for the 4th wicket. England reached milestone of hundred runs in 26 overs before South Africa’s new trump card, Imran Tahir jolted England’s progress. After being dropped by Steyn, Trott was deceived by Tahir, three balls later, giving him a return catch. He made 52 off 93 balls with 3 fours.

The loss of set batsman, Trott opened the flood gates for England as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Morne Morkel after removing Matt Prior dealt a crushing blow when he trapped Bopara LBW for 60 (98 balls, 3 fours, 1 six). Steyn trapped Bresnan while Imran Tahir came back to polish off the tail. He used his googly efficiently to bamboozle Yardy and Broad while Swann was caught trying to hit out of trouble.

England were dismissed for just 171 in 45.4 overs. It was spin, not the customary seam-attack, which did the damage for South Africa. Robin Peterson (3 for 22 in 8 overs) shook the top order, while Imran Tahir (4 for 38 in 8.4 overs) mopped the tail.

England needed to get on top of South Africa by getting early wickets but Smith and Hashim Amla kept England at bay for 14 overs and 63 runs. England too started with spin of Michael Yardy but he could not get early breakthrough which his team dearly needed. Amla had no trouble negotiating the spin and seam alike but Smith faced problems against Graeme Swann who troubled him constantly. He scratched his way to 22 off 41 balls till Graeme Swann had him caught at the wicket with a vicious turner.

Stuart Broad then removed Amla (42 off 51 balls, 2 fours) and Jacques Kallis in quick succession to give hope to his team. They needed to run through South Africa but unlike South Africa, they had only one quality spinner in Swann.

The man in form for the Proteas, AB de Villiers, in company with Faf du Plessis, took the score to 124 in 32 overs. South Africa requiring just 48 runs at 2.66 lost three quick wickets at the score of 124. This short but captivating passage of play turned a docile encounter into an epic one. Woefully out of form Anderson clean bowled de Villiers as the batsman misjudged and left alone an in-coming delivery. Faf du Plessis then heedlessly ran himself out before Anderson came back to shatter Duminy’s stumps with a reverse swinging ball that moved in further after pitching.

England had their tail up as they required four more wickets to keep their world cup campaign alive. After Peterson was reprieved by Prior on a stumping chance off Pietersen, Yardy had him caught behind to make it 127 for 7. Morne van Wyk and Dale Steyn then put up a rearguard action. Despite some anxious moments, they kept the hopes alive and took the score to 160.

With 12 needed from 22 balls, van Wyk dragged a Bresnan delivery onto his stumps to change the scenario again. Steyn, the man chipping away at the target, was next to go, removed by Broad’s reverse swinging in-dipper. South Africa’s last pair needed 8 runs but Morne Morkel nicked behind to hand England a stunning victory. Broad was the chief destroyer with 4 wickets but man of the match award went to Ravi Bopara for his solid batting.

England, after three close games, have won another by 6 runs. South Africa, who looked by far the form team, have choked again but thankfully it is not a knock-out game. The momentum for South Africa has been broken and they need to recharge themselves again before the all important clash against India. England, on the other hand, head to Chittagong relieved and with a positive frame of mind.

Match Result: England 171/10 in 45.4 overs (Bopara 60, Trott 52; Imran Tahir 4/38, Peterson 3/22) beat South Africa 165/10 47.4 overs (Amla 42; Broad 4/15, Anderson 2/16) by 6 runs

Man of the Match:
Ravi Bopara

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Rain spoils a promised show down between title contenders

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Sri Lanka v Australia, Group A, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 5 March 2011


This was a marquee contest which promised a lot. The Australians were to be tested for the first time in the tournament while Sri Lankans were hoping to show their mettle by bringing the defending champions down but rain happened to be the killjoy instead. The points were shared by both as the match was abandoned due to rain midway in the Sri Lankan innings.

Sangakkara opted to bat without pause after winning the toss. Sri Lanka played with 3 spinners as Kulasekara made way for Ajantha Mendis. Australia made no changes. It was an ideal opportunity for Sri Lanka to post a reasonable total on what looked like to be a dry pitch, under hot and humid conditions, for their 3 ‘M’ attack (Malinga, Murali, and Mendis) to strangle Australia during chase. There was, however, a forecast of rain later in the day.

Australian new ball pair of Shaun Tait and Brett Lee bowled with hostility upfront. After a short duel, Tait removed Dilshan who attempted a fierce swipe at an out-swinger and was caught at second slip. Sangakkara came and played with aggressive intent from the outset. Tharanga slashed high at a wider one from Lee but to his amazement Steven Smith threw himself to his left and plucked the ball in thin air. It was four all over written on it but Tharanga had to leave thanks to brilliant work by Smith.

Sri Lanka were 74 for 2 after 15 overs. Just when Mahela Jayawerdene and Sangakkara were taking their team to commanding position, they were pegged back. Smith again was the man. He ran well-set Mahela out by a direct throw when both batsmen hesitated before going for the run.

Sangakkara, averaging 49 against the Aussies, shrugged off the loss of his trusted partner and continued to play positively. The scoring rate was kept under check by spinners, Krejza and Smith. In company with Thilan Samaraweera he first brought his 50 (69b 5x4) and then team hundred in the 24th over.

After a few thunderstorms, rain started pouring down and at the score of 146 for 3 after 32.5 overs, umpires decided to stop the play. The covers came out and crowd waited optimistically in almost dark for the match to resume. Both batsmen were well-set and an intriguing battle was on cards but the match was eventually called off as there was no chance of rain ending any time soon.

The result ensured that Australia’s marvelous unbeaten run in the world cups continues. Sri Lanka needed this win more than Australia as they have only two matches left in the group stage. The battle for the top spot in the group has intensified as Pakistan sits comfortably at the peak. Hence Australia versus Pakistan encounter has become even more consequential.

Match Result: Abandoned due to rain; both teams get 1 point each. Sri Lanka 146/3 in 32.5 overs (Sangakkara 73*, Samaraweera 34*; Tait 1/23,

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Afridi shines as Pakistan consume stubborn Canada

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Pakistan v Canada, Group A, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 3 March 2011


A day after Ireland shocked England by chasing down record World Cup total courtesy of Kevin O’Brien’s stunning 50-ball hundred, Canada too came close to depose Pakistan. After dismissing Pakistan for a below-par 184, Canada were on course at one stage but Afridi blew them away with a magnificent spell of bowling.

Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss. Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Rehman were rested and their places were taken by Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal. When Pakistan openers strolled out to bat, they had overcast conditions but a dry pitch to bat. The Canadian seam bowlers Khurram Chohan and Henry Osinde got some help from the wicket and atmosphere and that was enough to disturb the Pakistan openers.

Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad started extra-cautiously which brought their downfall as Hafeez was caught in front by Osinde while Shehzad gifted his wicket softly by scooping a catch to mid-on off the medium pace bowling of Harvir Baidwan. Younis and Kamran Akmal also went cheaply and suddenly the cat was among the pigeons. Younis desperately went for a review as he was rapped on the pads by Baidwan but to no avail as he was plumb. Kamran played a rash shot and 16 years old Nitish Kumar (tournament’s youngest player) took it safely at backward point.

At 76 for 4 in the 16th over, Pakistan was looking embarrassingly shaken and needed a solid partnership at earnest. This was provided by Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal who dug deep into the crease and slowly dragged Pakistan out of the hole. They associated patiently for 73 runs in just under 20 overs. Misbah was holding one end up while Umar was playing an occasional shot here and there. The medium pacers were not threatening but proved difficult to get away as the pitch was slow and offering some help. The ball spun too and that helped Balaji Rao to make use of his leg spinners effectively.

Just when Pakistan looked to step up the gas, they lost both of their set batsmen. First Umar Akmal went after being trapped LBW by Rao followed by Misbah who was caught down the leg side off the same bowler. Umar was the top scorer with 48 from 64 balls with 4 fours and a six. After an unfinished venture, Misbah departed just when he was to change gears. He made laborious 37 off 68 balls.

Afridi who had hit two good fours in one over of Baidwan, slashed at a wide one from Rizwan Cheema straight to backward point. He was looking good for his 20 but with his departure Pakistan lost remaining four wickets for just 3 runs. This late capitulation was so dramatic that Pakistan could not make use of the batting powerplay (BPP). They were all out in 43 overs for just 184 runs, after consuming only one over of the BPP. Baidwan was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 35 while Cheema, Rao and Hansra all took 2 wickets each.

It was a disgraceful batting performance by a team full of in-form batsmen against an ordinary bowling line-up. They should have reassessed the total midway through their innings after seeing the pitch and losing early wickets. With the renewed approach they could have managed a score of 230. On the other hand, Canadians went off the field with a sense of disbelief and a hope for an upset.

Pakistan needed not only early wickets but consistent breakthroughs. Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul started well as both got some movement in the air and off the wicket. Umar got the first breakthrough when he trapped Gunasekera low and in front of the middle stump only to see umpire Daryl Harper shaking his head in negative. Third umpire, though, upheld the review.

Nigel Llong then gave Nitish Kumar out LBW which was turned down by the 3rd umpire on review. Kumar, however, was cleaned up later in the same over by Abdul Razzaq with a beautiful in-dipper. UDRS was again in play as Harper woefully misjudged another one and his LBW decision against Canadian captain Ashish Bagai was overturned.

Bagai and Zubin Surkari negotiated the storm patiently and took the score to 44 when Afridi, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament so far, came to bowl and struck in his 4th over getting Bagai LBW for 16. This decision too had to be reviewed continuing the trend in this match.

Surkari along with Jimmy Hansra tested Pakistan’s nerves by putting up a resilient batting display. They put on 60 runs for the 4th wicket and brought Canada back on top. They had few edgy moments but in between the dogged display they played some aggressive shots including a six by Hansra off Hafeez. Just when they looked like getting too close to comfort for Pakistan, Surkari (27 off 62 balls) was nipped out by Ajmal through a quicker one. Another Harper decision was reversed and Pakistan was back on track barring a late onslaught by the dasher, Rizwan Cheema, who strolled out to bat at number 6.

Then it was time for the Boom Boom show. First he clean-bowled the danger-man Cheema with a slow googly then in his next over removed Hansra and Baidwan on consecutive deliveries. Hansra played well for his 43 runs (75 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) but he needed to do a ‘Kevin O’Brien’ for his team which he failed to do. Afridi could not claim hat-trick but soon removed Tyson Gordon through a diving catch by Riaz. Afridi had claimed 5 wickets again and it was the first time any Pakistani bowler had taken 5 wickets on two occasions in a single WC. He also became the first man to get 4 wickets or more on 3 consecutive matches in a WC.

As if the 5-fer was not enough, Afridi struck another stunning blow when he ran out Balaji through a direct hit from mid-on. The celebration this time was typical but more relaxed. Wahab came back to bowl Osinde to bring the team into a huddle which dissolved after the customary morale-boosting slogans.

Pakistan won the match by 46 runs, a big margin in the end. Canada were all out for 138 in 42.5 overs. Shahid Afridi was again the chief destroyer with 5 for 23, while Gul, Abdul, Ajmal and Riaz took 1 wicket each. Although Canada gave Pakistan a scare but they lacked quality and discipline to be able to topple Pakistan who again showed their bowling strength. Bowling has saved Pakistan from ignominy on this occasion but they have to lift their batting mind-set if they want to go far into the tournament.

Match Result: Pakistan 184/43 overs (Umar Akmal 48, Misbah 37; Baidwan 3/35, Hansra 2/23) beat Canada 138/42.5 overs (Hansra 43, Surkari 27; Afridi 5/23, Abdul Razzaq 1/16) by 46 runs

Man of the match:
Shahid Afridi

Give Ireland the test status

Ireland is currently the ‘leading associate nation’ in cricket world. Despite the fact that they have no first class domestic structure and most of their players are not professional cricketers, they have had significant impact on the world stage. They have done more upsets than any other associate country in the past did. They have shown a spark in their game which has made them most exciting upcoming cricket team. They have done wonders with both bat and ball and have won matches on varied kind of surfaces.

If we compare with the exploits of other countries who have gained test status in the last 30 years or so, they have achieved everything required for a test membership. Ireland is ready for the next big step. The lack of proper first class domestic set-up can be compensated in part if they are given regular representation in the English county championship.

Although they have been recognized as a cricket playing nation since as early as mid nineteenth century, they played their first ever first class match in 1902 in England. They have always been giant killers. They beat South Africa in 1904 to record their first win against a test nation. They have been playing with Scotland annually for their first class cricket till late 20th century. They beat touring West Indies in 1928 in a 3-day first class match. They again defeated a West Indian side having players like Clive Lloyd and Clyde Walcott in 1969 by getting them all out for 25. In the latter part of 20th century they were competing with Sri Lanka and Scotland for the test status. Although Sri Lanka leapfrogged to become a test nation in 1981, Ireland were given associate membership by the ICC in 1993, a year ahead of Scotland.

After getting the associate status, they started competing in the ICC Trophy (now ICC World Cup Qualifier) from 1994. In 1997 they were beaten by Scotland in the third place play-off, hence missed a chance to play ICC World Cup 1999. The 2001 tournament was a nightmare for them as they finished a poor eighth. They hosted the next trophy in 2005, where they were the runners-up after losing the final to Scotland, thanks to the batting exploits of Ed Joyce. They qualified for the ICC World Cup which was held in West Indies in 2007 where they surprised every one with their resilience and cricketing skills. After playing a tie with Zimbabwe they upset Pakistan and then beat Bangladesh. They won the next tournament which was held in South Africa in 2009. They also won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2008 and hence qualified for the 2009 World T20 Trophy along with runners-up Netherlands.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup was introduced in 2004 for the associate nations so that they could play first class cricket on a regular basis. Ireland has won it three times consecutively between 2005 and 2008. They have the best over-all win loss ratio among all the Associate nations.

Ireland gained full ODI status in 2007 when they qualified for the 2007 ICC World Cup. They were beaten by England in their first ever ODI by 38 runs but got their first ODI win in their next match against the Scots in which Eoin Morgan top scored with 99.

Riding on a magnificent hundred by Jeremy Bray, they tied with Zimbabwe in the 2007 World Cup. In their next match on Saint Patrick's Day, they knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup by defeating them to record a stunning upset. They progressed to the Super 8 stage where they beat Bangladesh to round off a sensational tournament for themselves.

As a result of these results, Ireland were promoted to permanent ODI status, being given the recognition in ICC’s official ODI rankings. In 2009 ICC World Twenty20, they beat Bangladesh throwing them out of the tournament. In 2009, they became 10th ranked ODI team ahead of Zimbabwe when they beat Kenya 3-0 in an ODI series.

The continued success of the team resulted in Cricket Ireland handing central contracts to many of its players. As most of the players are still part-timers, the Irish Cricket needs a big boost from ICC as well as their big brother England so that they can progress and eventually get a full time test status.

The 2011 World Cup did not start well for them as they were beaten by Bangladesh but by upsetting a strong English team they have reminded every one once again that they are no more push-overs. The innings played by Kevin O’Brien has set the tone for them in the tournament and if they could somehow qualify for the quarter-finals, it will further strengthen their claim for the test promotion.

When Bangladesh beat Pakistan, Pakistani captain Wasim Akram had wished them best of luck and termed them ‘brothers’. With the help of the Asian Block, Bangladesh succeeded in getting the test status. Ireland needs the same support as they can do no worse than Bangladesh after being promoted. The time has arrived that Ireland is given the test status. It will help test crickets as well especially when ICC is contemplating a two-tier test championship. Cricket World needs Ireland as much as Ireland needs Cricket World.