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 Adam Gilchrist, others back Ponting | Australian Gilchrist, others back Ponting

Adam Gilchrist, others back Ponting: Adam Gilchrist has added his name to the list of former and current players rallying to support Ricky Ponting, saying the beleaguered captain is Australia’s best batsman since Sir Donald Bradman.

Australian Gilchrist, others back Ponting

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday quoted an unnamed but allegedly senior Cricket Australia official saying Ponting’s days as Australia’s limited-overs captain were likely numbered.

Gilchrist, who was Ponting’s vice captain before retiring after the 2007 tournament, said the 36-year-old batsman had “earned the right” to discuss his future with Cricket Australia after the World Cup.

Australia, coming off a loss to Pakistan which ended its 34-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup, plays co-host India at Ahmedabad in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Gilchrist remembered when Steve Waugh was under similar pressure to win the 1999 World Cup or lose the captaincy, and said it worked out very well for Australia.

“But I do know that in 1999 when there were rumors that Steve Waugh was told he would lose the captaincy if we bowed out of that World Cup, he scored one of the great World Cup hundreds ever against South Africa and we went on to win the World Cup,” Gilchrist told Australian Associated Press. “Maybe this is the inspiration Ricky needs.”

In Ahmedabad, veteran batsman Mike Hussey and paceman Mitchell Johnson said Ponting had the full support of the squad.

Ponting has been involved in three winning World Cup campaigns, and Johnson said the squad needed him at the helm.

“He’s a guy we all look up to,” Johnson was quoted as saying. “He’s copped a fair bit lately and he’s dealing with it in his own way. He’s got that experience to be able to deal with it.

“I don’t think he’s thinking about it too much, he’s just worried about this next game.”

Hussey also tipped Ponting to end his bad run of poor form with the bat, which has trigged some angry moments on and off the field, against India.

“It’s just amazing sometimes how champions just rise to the occasion at the right time,” Hussey said. “Against India in the World Cup is one of those times where I think we’ll see the best of Ricky Ponting.”

 

Pak vs WI | live Cricket Score | Pakistan vs West Indies | Quarter final cricket world cup 2011

Pak vs WI live Cricket Score: Pakistan will face West Indies (Pak vs WI) of ICC Cricket world cup 2011 on 23rd March 2011. Both Pak vs WI match is really exciting for both teams and Cricket fans who want to see their teams heros in live Action. This first Quarter Final will be played at Bangladesh.

Pakistan vs West Indies live score

Pakistan vs West Indies

Pak vs WI live Cricket Score updates

23 March 2011  , 08:30 GMT | 14:30 local 13:30 PKT  (Day /Night)
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Pakistan vs West Indies Live Quarter Final Cricket World Cup 2011 will be live from Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur Bangladesh. All live score and other essential updates will be provided here on asportsnews and ball to ball commentary also enjoyed here. Pakistan qualified for playing the quarterfinals in the World Cup 2011, defeating Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the rain-shortened Group A match here at the Pallekele International Stadium on Monday. This time Pakistan team looks well established with some minor mistakes and flaws but well on ground. West Indies have best squad for world Cup with better in Bowling and Batting. Pakistan Bowling do very well in whole World Cup like Captain Shahid Khan Afridi on top with 17 Wickets in 6 matches on score board.West Indies will hope for another of such performances like the one that New Zealand doled out. Other side West Indies in good position. West Indies in good batting lineup his fielding side also well and bowling side in good position. WI bowlers in good perform and they can control any situation. West Indies batting line very good but some time they pressurize against some teams.

Pakistan vs West Indies quarter final cricket world cup 2011

Pakistan have a good Combination in Bowling and Batting side. Pakistan reach in Semi final after the beating West Indies because of his Bowling. if West Indies want to clinch this match then they can benefited from inconsistent batting form of Pakistan team.Other wise Pakistan have better combination from West Indies team in Bowling and Batting.

 

India Poised for Pakistan in semi-final World Cup 2011 | India poised for Pakistan Semi-final

India poised for Pakistan Semi-final: An India Poised for Pakistan in semi-final World Cup 2011 if India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final is the most appetising prospect to emerge from a month of preliminary matches which otherwise served primarily to confirm the identity of a predictable final eight.
Pakistan and West Indies open the quarter-finals in Dhaka on Wednesday with the winners drawn against the victors of the India versus Australia match in Ahmedabad on the following day.
South Africa and New Zealand meet in Dhaka on Friday before Sri Lanka host England in Colombo on Saturday in the battle for the second semi-final spot.
Anxious to avoid an early exit for any of the leading contenders after India and Pakistan flew home early from the 2007 tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) pitched the 14 teams into a round-robin first round format.
“We trying to ensure we give every team the best opportunity of remaining in the competition and not losing out just because of one bad game so that the best do go through,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said before the start of the tournament on Feb. 19.
The ICC, the television networks and the sponsors got their wish in a tournament which, after finally reaching the knockout stages, now looks the most open since 1999.
Australia, aiming for a fourth consecutive title, are not the force of previous tournaments, losing a World Cup match for the first time in 12 years when they were deservedly beaten by Pakistan in the first round.
India have a nation willing them to success in the Mumbai final on April 2. But their collective temperament has been questioned after they emerged with only one point from their matches against England and South Africa despite centuries on both occasions to the peerless Sachin Tendulkar.
BEST-BALANCED SIDE
South Africa’s belief that this may at last be their year after a history of underachievement in the tournament is based on a fine pace attack, able spin bowling, solid batting and their customary slick fielding. They are also the only team to have bowled out their opponents each time in the group stages.
Sceptics, though, point to their failure to overhaul a modest target against England as evidence of a continued fallibility under pressure.
England, who have looked at times physically and mentally spent since their Ashes heroics, lost to Ireland and Bangladesh but emphasised their fighting spirit under Andrew Strauss in a tie with India and victories over South Africa and West Indies.
Winning in Colombo against the 1996 champions still looks like a step too far after Sri Lanka did nothing in the first round to erode pre-tournament assessments that they have the best-balanced side in the competition.
With the weather getting hotter and the pitches starting to deteriorate faster, the sub-continental sides have an increasing advantage which Pakistan should exploit to West Indies’ cost in Dhaka.
Their swashbuckling captain Shahid Afridi has led from the front, emerging as a match winner with the ball by taking 17 wickets with his aggressive wrist spin.
The winners of the New Zealand-South Africa semi-final will play the victors of the Sri Lanka-England tie in Colombo on March 29. Mohali will stage the second semi the following day.

 

We want Foolproof Security in India said PCB | PCB wants Foolproof Security in India

We want Foolproof Security in India said PCB: latest from ICC cricket world cup 2011 news that PCB wants Foolproof Security in India. Pakistan Cricket Board has asked International Cricket Council to ensure foolproof security for its players if they qualify for the World Cup semifinals and final slated to be held in India.
If Pakistan beat West Indies in the first quarterfinal on Wednesday, they play the winners of the last eight match between India and Australia in the semifinal at Mohali while the World Cup final will be held in Mumbai.
“Given the threats made by the Shiv Sena party warning Pakistan about playing in Mumbai and also statements made by some other extremist elements, the board just wants to be sure everything is in place if the team has to play in India,” one reliable source said.
He said the PCB had contacted the ICC and asked the world body to ensure that Pakistan faced no problems playing in India.
India have not played Pakistan in any bilateral series since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. Pakistani cricketers have also not played in Indian Premier League after 2008.
“Pakistani players have not played in India since the first edition of the IPL in early 2008, so obviously the PCB wants to be sure the players are not uncomfortable going to India,” the source said.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had initially said that his team would prefer to play its quarterfinal or semifinal out of India because of the pressure involved in playing in front of Indian crowd.
Afridi later retracted his statement saying that Pakistan were willing to play at any venue including India as their main emphasis was on cricket and doing well on the field.
Sources said that Pakistan foreign and interior ministries had already been in touch with their Indian counterparts to ensure proper security for the Pakistani players if they have to play in India.
“The Indians have also issued visas to around 3000 Pakistanis wishing to travel to India for the World Cup semifinal and final and obviously their security is also a concern for the Pakistan government,” the source said.
Pakistan’s hockey team played twice in New Delhi last year — in the World Cup and Commonwealth Games — and faced no untoward incident although some players on returning home complained of some sections of the crowd exerting lot of pressure on the players.

 

Finishing with 250 wickets is a dream says Shoaib Akhtar | 250 wickets is a dream at finishing of  Shoaib Akhtar

Finishing with 250 wickets is a dream: 250 wickets is a dream at finishing of  Shoaib Akhtar. Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said finishing with 250 ODI wickets will be a dream come true but insists he would not have any regrets even if he is not given another match in the World Cup 2011. but Finishing with 250 wickets is a dream says Shoaib Akhtar.

Shoaib Akhtar Nicknamed ” Rawalpindi Express”, Akhtar, whose career was marred with injuries and controversies, didn’t play the match against Australia.

“I wanted to make way for the juniors, so even if I don’t get my 250th wicket it is fine. It will be a dream to reach that landmark, but if I don’t get picked, there is not much I can do. I still remain the fastest bowler in this World Cup,” Akhtar, who has 247 wickets from 163 matches, was quoted as saying.
“Pakistan winning the World Cup is far more important than reaching personal goals. For me, nation comes first. That’s the way I have been. So I will accept any team decision.”
Akhtar said he will be prepared in case the team needed him.
“There will be no sadness if I don’t play. I have had my time and it was my determination to play this World Cup which I have done. I was good enough to play for Pakistan again,” he said.

Pakistan Team to stick with winning Combination | Pakistan Team all set to win against West Indies

Pakistan Team to stick with winning Combination: In ICC cricket World Cup 2011 news that Pakistan Team to stick with winning Combination. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi indicated on Tuesday he would retain the side who defeated Australia in the World Cup group stages for Wednesday’s quarter-final against West Indies.
Pakistan Team all set to win against West Indies Pakistan took the field for the Australia match without fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and opened the bowling with left-armer Abdur Rehman as the defending champions were beaten for the first time at a World Cup since 1999.
“We want to go with the winning combination. We will see, but I think we are happy with this winning combination,” Afridi told a news conference.
Afridi said the victory over Australia had given the 1992 champions a welcome confidence boost before the knockout stages.
“We worked hard before this World Cup. We are taking the practice sessions very seriously,” he said. “I think we are feeling more confident now, it’s a good sign before the quarter-final.”
Afridi paid tribute to his bowlers, signalling out pace bowler Umar Gul for particular praise.
“He was struggling a little bit with his ankle before but I think he is 100 percent fit,” Afridi said.
“He is doing a great job with the ball, especially with the new ball.”

 

Ind vs Aus match Tendulkar and Ponting Get ready for final World Cup 2011 Duel | Tendulkar and Ponting Get ready for final of World Cup 2011

Tendulkar and Ponting Get ready for final of World Cup 2011: The quarterfinal clash between Australia and India, Ind vs Aus match Tendulkar and Ponting Get ready for final World Cup 2011 Duel on Thursday, is not only about who stays in the hunt for the title but also about two of game’s modern day greats Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting squaring off in a World Cup game for what appears to be one last time.
The two ageing warriors would like to stamp their superiority and propel their side to the last four stage on March 24 at Motera’s Sardar Patel Stadium.
Neither of the two is expected to be around in 2015 when the next edition is scheduled to be held Down Under.
In the previous meeting between the two sides in the World Cup, that took place in the summit clash of the 2003 edition in Johannesburg, Ponting came out trumps with his unbeaten century took the game away from India even before the Men In Blue came out to bat.
Ponting’s blistering 140 not out, in only 121 balls with a staggering eight sixes and 4 fours, had propelled Australia to an imposing 359 for two.
Chasing the huge Australian total, Tendulkar could score only 4 and despite Virender Sehwag’s run-a-ball 82, India fell well short of the target and Australia walked away with cricket’s most coveted prize for the second edition running.
On Thursday, in front of a vociferous 50,000-strong crowd, the Indian master has the chance to make ample amends for what happened eight years ago and also step into the record books as the first batsman to have scored 100 centuries combined in both forms of cricket – Tests and ODIs.
Tendulkar has had a very good tournament individually, with superbly crafted tons against England and South Africa at the league stage, though both efforts could not power India to victories, with the first match tied and the second ending in a narrow defeat.
Ponting, on the other hand, has had a horrendous run with the bat. In six matches, he has mustered a miserly 102 runs with 36 being his best effort at a poor average of 20.40, less than half his 358-match career average.
Ponting’s ODI average in India against the hosts is also an impressive 44.86 from 24 games, but the second and last of his two hundreds in this country was notched eight years ago in Bangalore.
The Tasmanian has looked a pale shadow of his domineering style and is under tremendous pressure to keep his captaincy though teammate Michael Hussey felt otherwise.
Hussey brushed aside reports in Australia that Ponting’s captaincy was at stake, at a media conference here today and said the entire team was backing the struggling skipper.
“No worries at all. He has been fantastic, best man for the job and has been for a long time. He’s certainly got the full support of all team members,” Hussey said.
Ponting has also been lambasted in the media for losing temper on the field of play and off it too, as well as for not walking after clearly edging behind the stumps while Tendulkar did the exact opposite a day later and was hailed for his sportsmanship.
“He’s been criticized over minor things. They have been blown out of proportions. He’s been playing well and just like a champion rises to the occasion at the right time, on Thursday we will see the best of Ricky Ponting,” Hussey said in his skipper’s defence.
In five duels against Australia in World Cups, Tendulkar’s best effort thus far has been a splendid innings of 90 in a league game at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 1996, and his average against them is a modest 28.20 spread over four World Cups.
Thursday’s match provides both these stalwarts, among the all-time great batsmen in the game, a last chance to impose their stature in head-to-head battles in the premier ODI tournament.

Pakistan motivated to perform well against India | Pakistan vs India football match

Pakistan motivated to perform well against India: Pakistan and India will meet each other in a Group B match of the 4th AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers at the MBJP Stadium, Petaling Jaya on March 23.

Pakistan vs India football match

“We have idea about India’s strengths. They were among top 16 teams of Asia during Qatar’s event last Janaury. A big win is required for Pakistan football and the players are motivated to do that. All the boys are fit for the crucial showdown against the arch rivals,” a Pakistan Football Federation  (PFF) official told APP.

The top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the final round of the AFC Challenge Cup, which will be held next year. National team coach Tariq Lutfi said the tournament will be a tough one but will serve as good exposure for younger players.

Pakistan lost the first match of the group stage to 3-0 to Turkmenistan and will play its third match against Chinese Taipei on March 25.

Teams:

Pakistan:

Goalkeepers: Amir Gul (NBP), Muhammad Omar (KESC).

Defenders: Manzoor Ahmed (WAPDA), Alamgir Khan (Police), Atif Bashir Qureshi (Barry Town, Wales), Samar Ishaq (KRL) CAP, Zeeshan Rehman (Muangthong United FC, Thailand),

Midfielders: Faisal Iqbal (NBP), Syed Arif Hussain (WAPDA), Muhammad Adil (KRL), Mahmood Khan (KRL), Kashif Mumtaz Siddiqui (Fresno Fuego, USA), Abdul Aziz (NBP) VC, Nasr Ullah Khan (PIA), Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Aboomoslem FC, Iran),

Strikers: Jadeed Khan Pathan (WAPDA), Rizwan Asif (KRL), Kalim Ullah (KRL), Imran Niazi (WAPDA), Arif Mehmood (WAPDA), Muhammad Qasim (KRL).

Coach: Tariq Lutfi

India:

Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Gurpreet Singh, Jagroop Singh.

Defenders: Denzil Franco, Gourmangi Singh , Anwar , Mohan Raj, Nirmal Chhetri , Syed Rahim Nabi, Govin Singh, N.S.Manju, Raju Gaikwad.

Midfielders: Steven Dias, Joaquim Abranches, Baldip Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Rakesh Masih, Jewel Raja, Shilton D’Silva.

Strikers: Sunil Chhetri (Captain), Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth, Jeje Lalpekhulua.

Coach: Robert Douglas Houghton.