Sachin v Murali -- a farewell battle to cherish

Updated at: 1221 PST,  Thursday, March 31, 2011

MUMBAI: Legends Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan face-off in a mouth-watering duel for the last time when India and Sri Lanka clash in the World Cup final on Saturday. The contest between the world's leading batsman and highest wicket-taker in their final appearance in cricket's showpiece event will add spice to the big game at the Wankhede stadium. Muralitharan, who turns 39 next month, will leave international cricket after the World Cup with more Test (800) and one-day (534 so far) wickets than any bowler in history.Tendulkar's batting skills have not diminished even as he celebrates his 38th birthday next month, but he is unlikely to make a record seventh World Cup appearance in 2015.A World Cup title has eluded the Indian star despite being the sport's most successful batsman with a record 32,785 runs and 99 centuries in Test and one-day cricket Muralitharan tasted World Cup glory in his maiden appearance in 1996 when Arjuna Ranatunga's men stunned Australia in the final in the Pakistani city of Lahore. The ageing superstars have led from the front in this tournament to carry their teams into the final. Tendulkar's 464 runs in eight matches are just three behind Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan's record tally of 467, while the wily Muralitharan has claimed 15 wickets despite battling injuries. Muralitharan has soldiered on bravely over the past six weeks despite being afflicted by hamstring and groin injuries, a side strain and a troublesome knee. Tendulkar was 10 years old when India won the tournament under Kapil Dev in 1983, while five of his current team-mates -- Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla and Munaf Patel -- were not even born

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People gather around screens to watch Pak-India clash

Updated at: 2049 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Millions of people in Pakistan gathered on Wednesday around giant screens set up on streets and in playgrounds across the country to witness the World Cup semi-final thriller with rival India.
The government declared a half-day holiday in offices and schools to enable the cricket-mad population to enjoy a match dubbed the "clash of titans".Special prayers were offered in mosques and at homes across the country and people recited verses from the Koran praying to Allah to guide the Pakistani team to the victory.Motorists listened to the commentary on their car radios and shouted out the latest score to passers-by at a busy intersection in Islamabad.Young people were seen wearing the green T shirts of the Pakistani squad, their faces painted in the nation's green and white, in northwestern city of Peshawar while large national flags were hoisted on buildings, houses and cars.In the southern port city of Karachi there was a carnival atmosphere on the streets. Residents blocked many roads and set up giant screens to watch the live broadcast from the Indian town of Mohali.Even prison authorities in Karachi made special arrangements for the inmates to watch the match and gave Indian team shirts to some 200 Indian prisoners to support their team, prison officials said.We have set up screens in all jails and in Malir jail where there are some 200 Indian prisoners and given them the shirts of the Indian team," prisons chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo told AFP.In Rawalpindi people danced to drums in a market and shouted "Long live Pakistan team", "We will win" and "Give your best, we are with you".The state-run power company said there would be no loadshedding during the match.Excitement has been at fever-pitch with shopkeepers flogging green T-shirts, caps and souvenirs.Tribesmen in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan were even cleaning their guns and collecting explosives for celebratory fire in preparation for their beloved Pakistan beating India.Markets, schools and offices were closed in the region's main town Miranshah and many made special arrangements to watch the match on giant screens.

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Wahab Riaz shines with career best bowling

Updated at: 1947 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOHALI: Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz emerged from the shadows with a career-best five for 46 in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final as India made 260 for nine.The 25-year-old left-armer, who comes from the Pakistan side of the border state of Punjab, has often only played when others were injured, and all eyes focused on the likes of reverse-swing specialist Umar Gul and express quick Shoaib Akhtar.However, Pakistan's decision to keep the 35-year-old Akhtar on the sidelines put Riaz in the spotlight, especially as he would have been the man dropped if the 'Rawalpindi Express' had been recalled.The pressure on Riaz was intensified further when the normally reliable Gul saw 21 runs struck off his second over during a flurry of boundaries from Virender Sehwag.Riaz, on as first change, stopped the rot when with only his fifth ball he had the dangerous Sehwag lbw.The paceman, who made his debut three years ago and whose previous best was three for 22 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2008, later struck twice in two balls to get rid of Virat Kohli and dangerman Yuvraj Singh.When he bowled Yuvraj, man-of-the-match in India's quarter-final win over champions Australia, for a first ball nought, an elated Riaz sprinted away from the pitch in a semi-circle of delight.And his joy was there for all in a capacity crowd to see again when he kissed the pitch after having Zaheer Khan caught behind to complete his maiden five-wicket haul.

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Tendulkar takes India to 260-9 against Pakistan

Updated at: 1757 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOHALI: India set a modest target of 261 runs for Pakistan in the second semi-final of the World Cup here at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday After India captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bat first on a flat pitch, India made 260 runs for nine wickets in their 50 overs.India's total would have been considerably less had not Tendulkar been dropped four times on his way to top-scoring with 85 -- an innings that still left him one shy of a hundred international hundreds.Wahab Riaz kept Pakistan in the match with an impressive display of left-arm fast bowling on his way to a career-best five for 46.The 25-year-old's performance was all the more admirable as he would have been omitted had Pakistan recalled veteran fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.But Riaz, who took a wicket in his first over and later struck twice in two balls, was a constant threat as he surpassed his previous best of three for 22 against Bangladesh in Dhaka three years ago Virender Sehwag made a typically brisk start with 21 runs coming off Umar Gul's second over -- the paceman's eight costing 69 in all.However, a bowling change saw Riaz strike fifth ball when he had Sehwag, hitting across the line, lbw for 38 including nine boundaries.Later, on 27, Tendulkar pulled Pakistan captain and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi hard to short mid-wicket only for Misbah-ul-Haq to drop the two-handed catch.And Tendulkar was dropped again, on 45, when he mistimed a drive off Afridi and Younus Khan at mid-off failed to hold on.Tendulkar completed a 67-ball fifty with his eighth boundary, off Afridi, before Riaz struck again.He had Virat Kohli fending to Umar Akmal at backward point and next ball clean bowled Yuvraj Singh, the hero of India's quarter-final win over champions Australia, for nought on the batsman's home ground with a swinging full toss.Dhoni survived the hat-trick after the ball just missed his outside edge.Tendulkar was given a third reprieve by Pakistan on 70 when wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal failed to hold a tough chance off an edged Afridi leg-break.And he was on 81 when a leaping Umar Akmal at short mid-wicket dropped a checked drive against off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez.However, Afridi ended his innings when he took a sharp catch at short extra-cover off a hard-hit drive against Ajmal.When Riaz returned he had Dhoni lbw for 25 to leave India 205 for six before completing his five-wicket haul when Zaheer Khan was caught behind.The winner of this match will face Sri Lanka in Saturday's final in Mumbai.

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Sachin’s fight goes on as India reach 182-4

Updated at: 1649 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOHALI: Sachin Tendulkar was still at the crease with 76 not out as India reached 182 for four in 35 overs against Pakistan in the second semi-final of the World Cup here at the Punjab Cricket Association ground on Wednesday.However, Tendulkar got two lives before completing his 94th one-day international half-century from 67 balls.He was dropped first by Misbah-ul-Haq and later by Younis Khan.The batsmen out so far were Virender Sehwag (38), Gautam Gambhir (27), Virat Kohli (9) and Yuvraj Singh nought).Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opened the innings against pacers Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq in aggressive style after India captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on a flat picth. .The openers made 48 in 5.5 overs as Sehwag blasted 38 off 25 balls. He smashed nine fours, five in an over from Gul.Then, captain Shahid Afridi brought in left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz who got rid off the dangerman, getting him out lbw.Later, Tendulkar along with Gautam Gambhir added 68 for the second wicket before off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez got Gambhir out stumped by Kamran Akmal for 27.India received serious blow when they reached 141 as Wahab Riaz struck twice in an over dismissing Kohli caught by Umar Akmal and then bowling out the in-form batsman Yuvraj Singh for first ball duck but Dhoni succeeded in avoiding hat-trick.Dhoni was batting at 15 and with Tendulkar added 41 for the unbeaten fifth wicket partnership.

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India 73-1 in 10 overs against Pakistan

Updated at: 1506 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOHALI: Virender Sehwag blasted 38 off 25 balls as India reached 73 in the first ten mandatory overs against Pakistan in the second semi-final of the World Cup here at the Punjab Cricket Association ground on Wednesday. After India captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on a pith which favours batting, Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar opened the innings against pacers Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq in aggressive style.They made 47 from the first five overs as Sehwag smashed five fours in an over form Gul.Then, captain Shahid Afridi brought in left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz who got rid off dangerman Sehwag, getting him out lbw after the pair provided a 48-run start.Now Tendulkar joined by Gautam Gambhir took the score to 73 when ten overs were completed.

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India win toss, elect to bat against Pakistan

Updated at: 1337 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOHALI: India captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan as the two cricket-crazy countries are heading for an epic World Cup showdown in the second semi-final here at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday.This clash will highlight the bitter rivalry and common bonds between the estranged nuclear-armed neighbours.The teams clash in the semi-final of the competition in a battle promising passion and drama, with more than a billion people, or a fifth of humanity, set to follow the much-hyped contest between bat and ball.Pakistan, who thrashed the West Indies by 10 wickets in their last eight clash, were unchanged and that meant there was no recall for erratic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.India made one change from the side that beat champions Australia by five wickets in the quarter-finals, with left-arm quick Ashish Nehra replacing off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as the hosts opted for a three-man pace attack. India batting great Sachin Tendulkar came into this match needing just one more century to become the first man to score a hundred international hundreds.The 37-year-old has 51 Test centuries and 48 one-day international tons to his credit.India have won all four previous World Cup matches between the arch-rivals.The winners of this encounter will face Sri Lanka, who beat New Zealand by five wickets in Colombo on Tuesday, in Saturday's final in Mumbai.All three remaining teams in the tournament have won the World Cup once, with India triumphing in 1983, Pakistan in 1992 and Sri Lanka in 1996.India: Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wk), Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Munaf PatelPakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wk), Asad Shafiq, Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal
Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG),TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SL)

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Perfect weather in Mohali after thunderstorm

Updated at: 1006 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MOHALI: Ahead of the crucial Pakistan-India semifinal, the skies cleared up on Wednesday morning after a thunderstorm followed by light rain in Mohali.Met officials said the skies would remain clear for most of the day. They added, however, that there was possibility of light showers towards the evening.The high-voltage semifinal clash between India and Pakistan starts at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium at 2.30 p.m. It will be a day-night encounter.

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Full day for Sindh, half day for rest to see semi-final

Updated at: 0707 PST,  Wednesday, March 30, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday announced Wednesday (March 30) as a half working day due to the Pakistan-India World Cup semi-final.All the offices will close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday so that the people could watch Pakistan-India cricket match, said a press release issued here from the Prime Minister House. All the things will come to a standstill at 2:30 pm in both the countries when the semi-final between the two archrivals will start at Mohali. Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced a public holiday in the province on March 30.However, the session of the Sindh Assembly would be held as per schedule on Wednesday from 9:am, says an official statement here on Tuesday.Earlier, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had appealed to concerned authorities to announce public holiday on March 30, keeping in view the aspirations of the people about watching the semi-final.

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Aamir to watch semifinal live in Mohali

Updated at: 0819 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MUMBAI: While the rest of the media have been reporting that Aamir Khan is taking on his archrival Shah Rukh Khan by throwing a cricket bash at his house at the same time when SRK is having a bash at Mannat. Fact is that Aamir has cancelled the shooting of Reema Kagti's untitled movie and is flying down to Mohali to see the high-octane India-Pakistan cricket match live. Shah Rukh has also cancelled all his appointments to watch the Indo-Pak match with his close friends. The guest list includes Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay and wife Maheep Kapoor, Chunky and Bhavna Pandey.

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Ponting quits as Aussie Test, ODI captain

Updated at: 1633 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ricky Ponting quit as Australia's Test and one-day captain on Tuesday, just days after the champions were knocked out of the World Cup, but said he remained available for selection.The 36-year-old, who led Australia in more than 300 Test and one-day matches, insisted he was "not tapped on the shoulder" to give up the captaincy, and endorsed deputy Michael Clarke as his successor.I have resigned as captain of both the Test and one day Australian teams," Ponting told a press conference. "I will continue to play and am available for selection in both the one-day and Test teams I have thought long and hard about what Australian cricket needs. Now is the right time for the next captain to assume the responsibility for both the Test and one-day teams," he added.Ponting said Australia's exit in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last week in India prompted his decision to stand aside.The fact that we went out of the World Cup when we did was the main reason," he said, while denying he had been forced out by Cricket Australia.Today is a new start for me and I am very excited about the future. I will give my complete support to our new captain and continue to do my best to set the best possible example for my team-mates and emerging cricketers alike.Cricket chairman Jack Clarke paid tribute to Ponting's "outstanding" leadership.Australia Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," he said.His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain.Those close to the team know his true worth in guiding his players and setting a personal example of commensurate professionalism, particularly in recent years following the retirement of so many great of the gamePonting captained Australia in 77 Test matches for 48 wins - the most of any Test skipper  16 losses and 13 draws.In his 228 one-day matches in charge, he returned 164 wins and 50 losses.Cricket Australia will meet later on Tuesday to discuss who succeeds him, with Clarke the overwhelming favourite.I fully endorse Michael Clarke as the next captain," said Ponting.The Australian team for the three-match one-day international series in Bangladesh will be announced on Wednesday.

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CWC 2011 proves that 50-over cricket has a future: Haroon Lorgat

Updated at: 1633 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat told the Sri Lanka Press Institute Press Club meeting in Colombo today that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 had demonstrated that 50-over cricket has a long and successful future ahead of it.Speaking before an audience of diplomats, business leaders and journalists, Mr Lorgat said: "I had confidently predicted to the media on 1 February that this ICC Cricket World Cup would be the perfect showcase for the 50-over format to answer the critics and I had proclaimed that 'ODI cricket is alive and well'I am pleased - and naturally relieved - to say that so far the statements I have made have proven to be correct.The evidence to prove that 50-over cricket is far from finished has been plentiful. The television audiences have been the biggest in history and the India v England match in Bengaluru on 27 February is the most watched game in the history of ODIs… and it doesn't take a genius to predict that when India faces Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday that record may well be smashed.And the crowds have been outstanding. Most of us would have been at R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday to watch a full-house celebrate as Sri Lanka cruised into the semi-final. No one that night was questioning the future of 50-over cricket nor will they in Chandigarh on Wednesday and nor were they in Bangladesh where the stadiums continued to be packed even after the home team went out of the competition.Mr Lorgat added that research conducted by the ICC had shown that there was still enormous support for 50-over cricket but had also demanded more context and content for ODIs.He said: "This World Cup clearly has context and we also have great content. The scoring-rate of more than five runs an over has been the highest in history. Records have tumbled and heroes continue to be made at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.The meaning of the World Cup is building. Can any one of India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka repeat the glory of their predecessor teams or will New Zealand make an even greater narration by writing its name boldly into the history of the game. Who will it be?There is something hugely significant at stake - not only for the teams but also for their countries. Can you just imagine what the reception would be like here in Colombo and across this island if Kumar Sangakkara and his team brings home the CWC trophy from Mumbai?It would be one of those moments when breath is taken away - not just for the players but for everyone in this country.And the same would apply to the other three countries. There is nothing quite like nation v nation cricket when national pride is at stake on a global stage.In Mohali, there will be another massive factor that would add to the context. I personally hope to see the mighty power of sport and in particular the Great Spirit of cricket providing a platform for the governments of India and Pakistan to come together around an ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final.I heard someone say yesterday that 'cricket diplomacy is better than no diplomacy', and another said that 'cricket will create harmony'.A part of the ICC vision is to 'build bridges between continents, countries and communities'. If this happens it will truly be fantastic and just reward for a sport that has Great Spirit. He added: "When we started this ICC Cricket World Cup our promotional campaign talked of 14 teams competing in 49 matches for one trophy.That trophy - for players, administrators, spectators alike - is The Cup that Counts - a 50-over competition.

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India under pressure ahead of big clash

Updated at: 1633 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MOHALI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi insists that the pressure and expectation will all be on India's shoulders in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final blockbuster.With the prize of a place in Saturday's final at stake, a fever-pitch mood is expected with the 30,000 capacity Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium sold out days ago for the crunch clash. We are not the most favourite team for this competition. India is the most favourite and we have played above expectations. We are very confident and we are enjoying our cricket," said Afridi. But India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni shrugged off the hype surrounding a match which has also taken on huge diplomatic and political significance."It's an honour to lead the side," said Dhoni. "If you take a pressure job, you will find yourself in a pressure cooker. When you talk about hype and pressure, what does not help you needs to be kept away. "You need to top up on the skills aspect - vital areas we are focusing on.The match will be a clash between Pakistan's well-balanced bowling attack and India's star-studded top order, including opener Sachin Tendulkar who needs just one more century for a hundred international hundreds."We believe we have the strongest bowling attack in the world," said Pakistan opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez, who took the new ball with his off-spin in the quarter-final win over the West Indies. "That's the key." Pakistan's Umar Gul is arguably the best reverse-swing bowler at this tournament while Saaed Ajmal's off-spin a potent weapon. And then there is the leg-spin of Pakistan captain Afridi who is the tournament's top bowler with 21 wickets at an average of just 10.71 apiece. Meanwhile fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who will retire after the World Cup, waits in the wings. Akhtar has played just three games at this tournament but the suspicion remains that India's batsmen can be troubled by high-class fast bowling. "Shoaib is not 100 percent but I think he is trying his level-best and we will decide (on his selection) this evening," Afridi said. India did manage to overcome champions Australia's three-pronged pace attack in a five-wicket quarter-final win in Ahmedabad but that was on a pitch favouring spin. Even then, India collapsed to 187 for five chasing 261 for victory, and it needed a composed 57 not out from the in-form Yuvraj Singh, now back on his home ground, to see the co-hosts to victory. Traditionally, the Mohali pitch has always offered plenty of pace and bounce and that could yet see Pakistan give Akhtar one last shot at India. Pakistan's ability to make early inroads into a top order featuring Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir could be decisive. India's bowlers, notably left-arm quick Zaheer Khan and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, did a good containing job against Australia. India will look for similar results in a bid to book a place in the April 2 Mumbai final against either Sri Lanka or New Zealand. "I think it's a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together," Afridi said. Pakistan, who've yet to register an individual hundred at this event, have lost all four of their World Cup matches against India. However, Hafeez said: "Pakistan has not defeated India in the World Cup but in the last 12 years, Australia also had not lost a single World Cup game. But then they lost to us (by four wickets) and to India. "There is no point thinking about the past. We think about the day; whoever the opponent is, we try to win the day."

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World Cup-1st SF: Sri Lanka restrict Kiwis to 217

Updated at: 1803 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka bowled out New Zealand for 217 runs in the first semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.After captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and decided to bat, none of the Kiwi batsmen could score freely against fast bowler Lasith Malinga and spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Asantha Mendis and were all out in 48.5 overs Muralitharan took a wicket with his final ball on home soil as he dismissed New Zealand's top scorer Scott Styris (57) with the last ball of his 10th over.The 38-year-old world record holder for Test and one-day wickets will retire from international cricket after the tournament.Lasith Malinga took wickets at key stages, yorking opener Martin Guptill (39) and Kane Williamson (22) and deceiving Nathan McCullum (9) with a slower delivery which the batsman edged to Kumar Sangakkara behind the stumps.Asantha Mendis also took three wickets, dismissing New Zealand's last two batsmen Tim Southee and Andy McKay for ducks.Styris added 77 from 106 balls with Ross Taylor (36) to take New Zealand to 161 for four from 39.1 overs.The pair found run-scoring difficult against the variety and accuracy of the Sri Lankan attack, with Styris getting some relief with a hook and drive for four off a Malinga over.The stage was set for a New Zealand run charge but Taylor hit Mendis straight to Upul Tharanga on the leg-side boundary and the New Zealanders never recovered.

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World Cup-1st SF: Kiwis elect to bat against Sri Lanka

Updated at: 1422 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

COLOMBO: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the first semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was declared fit to play and he was included in an unchanged side which beat England by 10 wickets in the quarter-final on Saturday.The 38-year-old spinner was doubtful for the game after hurting his knee and aggravating a quadricep injury.New Zealand brought in Andy McKay for left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock in the only change from the team which beat South Africa by 49 runs in the quarter-finals.McKay was a replacement in the 15-man squad for injured Kyle Mills.Teams: Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.

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Sri Lanka's brute batting force and shrewd bowling would be up against a sprightly New Zealand, aiming for a maiden summit clash berth in the World Cup, when the two sides clash in the first semifinal of the megaevent on Tuesday.Despite making the semifinals in six out of 10 World Cups, New Zealand have always been dubbed the underdogs who have never made the. But the Kiwis believe this could be their breakthrough tournament. New Zealand, after creating an upset in the quarterfinal by beating title-favourites South Africa, will be hoping to spring a similar surprise on the 1996 champions and 2007 runners-up.We are proud of our history of making semifinals, but looking at this team we want to make history and go one step further and make the final. We genuinely believe we can do that and we want to show that tomorrow," vice-captain Ross Taylor told reporters. New Zealand qualified last from Group 'A', but stunned South Africa, who qualified first from Group 'B', in Dhaka on Friday when they beat them by 49 runs. The spirited performance has created quite a buzz about the team which has a reputation of punching above its weight in major international events.We are taking a lot of confidence from our last game against south Africa. We have got an advantage that we have played against Sri Lanka in Group matches and we did a few things wrong there. Hopefully we can rectify that tomorrow," Taylor, who is also the highest run getter for the Kiwis in the competition told reporters.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are one of the leading contenders to win this year's World Cup.All four of their top order batsmen have scored hundreds in the competition so far but the lower half is a bit of a concern considering the number five, six and seven have just one half-century between them.Sri Lanka had a comprehensive 10-wicket win over England in their quarterfinal on Saturday where they beat them with 63 balls to spare, but captain Kumar Sangakkara said despite the easy win, his team wouldn't take the New Zealanders lightly.We can learn a few things from the England game and rectify a few things. New Zealand are a good side. Wheat I have seen them is that in big tournaments they lift their game. They are a united bunch and I think our semi-final will be a close encounter. We need to play hard without thinking too far ahead and I don't like to overrate us," Sangakkara said.Sri Lanka did beat New Zealand in a Group game in Mumbai, but Sangakkara said history hardly mattered in the knockout stage.Things like psychological advantage and all others takes a second place when it comes to proper cricket and good performance on the field. You can't think of what's gone before. Group stage games are long gone and I don't t think New Zealand are thinking about that," Sangakkara said.Sri Lanka are expected to again go with a three-strong spin attack, a ploy they used against England and Australia.
However, there are doubts over off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
The Kiwis, on the other hand, have no major injury and have in fact been boosted by the return to form imposing all-rounder Jacob Oram, who grabbed four wickets and a couple of athletic catches in the quarterfinal win over South Africa.
Teams (from):
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain and Wicketkeeper), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (Captain), James Franklin, Martin Guptill Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (Wicketkeeper), Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Kane Williamson and Luke Woodcock.
Umpires: Steve Davis (Aus) and Aleem Dar (Pak)
Third Umpire: Marais Erasmus (SA)
Match Referee: Chris Broad (Eng)

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Afridi dismayed over Malik’s assertion

Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Phoning the skipper national cricket team, Shahid Khan Afridi, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani late Monday wished that Pakistan cricket team might not let the nation go down and might leave no stone unturned to become victorious in semifinal match against archrivals India to be played Wednesday, 30 March, reported.According to sources, Shahid Afridi, on the occasion, complained PM about a controversial statement made by Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik on media.Also, the Premier Gilani extended all the best wishes for national side’s triumph in World Cup semifinal against India.Upon skipper’s complaint, PM Gilani urged minister to explain his statement to cricket team.Later, Abdul Rehman Malik, ringed captain Afridi and expressed excuse over his statement relating to spot-fixing on media.According to government’s statement, the Premier, concluding the discussion, said to Afridi that he would go to Mohali cricket stadium in person to encourage and express solidarity with national cricket team.

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Indian media to get response in arena: Afridi

Updated at: 1932 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team captain, Shahid Afridi repulsing the criticism of Indian media, said the national team will respond to the Indian media with its performance inside the arena, Geo News reported Monday.Rehman Malik (Interior Minister) should not have given a statement regarding matck fixing on the occasion of World Cup,” Shahid Afridi said while speaking in Geo News’ program “Score” via telephone. However, he added that players mostly prefer to speak with one another instead of listening to news or reading newspapers.He said Pakistani players are ‘quite satisfied’ in India in all respects. There is no security issue here, he added.We will respond to the Indian media’s criticism with our performance in the stadium,” the Pakistan skipper asserted.Shahid Afridi said the players are well aware of the significance of this match and the team is well-prepared to take on India in the semi final on March 30 in Mohali. “The team’s hopes are high to defeat India,” he added.With reference to Shoaib Akhter’s inclusion in the squad, he said a decision is yet to be made. “We want Shoaib who can pull out a strong 10-over spell and not one who can last for only three-four overs,” he added.

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Pak-India semi final: Players at the practice nets

Updated at: 1615 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011
MOHALI: With two days to go for the ‘mother of all matches” between Pakistan and India, the teams are trying their best to focus on the game at hand and to go about their practice as business as usual. The Pakistani players were out at practice for the big game at Punjab cricket stadium here Monday. Nearly all the players were seen practicing at the nets more than one-and-a-half hour.After two days of continue practice, the players also focused on physical fitness today, but Misbah and Younis carried out batting practice while pacemen Umer Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Wahab Riyaz and Abdul Razaq bowled with full rhythms

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Gul hopes Akhtar can ease pace burden

Updated at: 1458 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011
 MOHALI: Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul hopes Shoaib Akhtar is given one last chance to show what he can do against India in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.Akhtar, who will retire from international cricket after the World Cup, has featured in just three matches during Pakistan's run to the semi-finals.And it seemed his last outing at this level would be a wretched return of one for 70 in a 110-run group stage thrashing by New Zealand in Pallekelle three weeks ago.However, Akhtar's return -- and the result itself -- might have been decidely different had not erratic wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped the simplest of catches off the express quick when New Zealand's Ross Taylor, who made a match-winning century, was still in single figures.A clearly irate Akhtar never recovered his composure and a tournament return of three wickets at more than 40 apiece tells its own story.Nevertheless Gul, who has taken 14 wickets at an impressive average of 14.50 at this World Cup, said Monday he would welcome the return of the 35-year-old Akhtar for the winner-takes-all clash.Shoaib Akhtar is an experienced bowler who has performed well against India. If he plays, it will take some of the pressure off me. When he was not there, there was a lot of pressure on me.And he insisted Akhtar had not been sidelined.The team management is not angry with Shoaib Akhtar. He has been rested for a few games to find fitness and form but has been practising now for two to three days.However, the 26-year-old Gul -- one of the world's best reverse-swing bowlers -- said he'd been getting used to open the bowling at the urging of Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, himself once an outstanding fast bowler.For the last two to three years, Waqar Younis has been telling me to get prepared to use the new ball in the World Cup. I have returned to my best form by bowling with the new ball again," Gul explained.Gul could well have been the 'third seamer' if Pakistan had come into the World Cup with the new-ball duo of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.But the pair, along with former Test captain Salman Butt, were banned for their roles in last year's 'spot-fixing' scandal in England.The past five to six months have seen a lot of pressures and scandals," said Gul.We have done well against South Africa and winning both the Tests and one-dayers in New Zealand was a creditable effort.In the dressing room, players are supporting each other and there is a lot of unity Wednesday's match will be the first between the two Asian cricket giants on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and Gul said: "In both countries people want to see the teams play each other. Relations will be better if the teams play each other more often. Fans can't stand defeat but we have won six of seven matches so far and hope to play our best cricket against India."

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Mohali clash: Aisam, Bopanna divided

Updated at: 1350 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

NEW DELHI: India's Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani tennis doubles partner Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi insisted on Monday that the World Cup semi-final between their two nations will not shatter their friendship.Bopanna and Qureshi, who have used their on-court careers to also promote their "Stop War Start Tennis" campaign, hope the clash in Mohali won't spill over into their ongoing tournament commitments in Miami.It's easy to play tennis with him, but I hope we don't play a match on the same day as the cricket match," Bopanna said.It will be an interesting match. All of India will stop working to watch it. I'm backing India and I hope they go through to final in Mumbai.Qureshi, whose friendship with Bopanna stretches back 16 years, said that if they could watch the game on TV in the US, then they would sit together and watch it.I want Pakistan to win. They have never beaten India in a World Cup match but they have a better overall record," he said.Picking a favourite is not easy, but I have a gut feeling that Pakistan will cause an upset.Rohan and I have been friends for 16 years. Nothing against him, but I'll be supporting Pakistan and not his team.Both men insisted that whatever direction their two nations' political rivalries may take, tensions do not spill over into their relationship.I see him as another human being trying to do well in his career. He's helping me and I'm trying to do the same.Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who is married to former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, had already admitted that there was a domestic battle for supremacy going on.I support India and Shoaib will support Pakistan as usual! The war is on," Mirza wrote on her Twitter account from Miami.Mirza, 24, married Malik in Hyderabad in April last year amid huge hype surrounding the love-struck cross-border sport stars.The last time they played in Mohali I watched the match live. What a semi-final on the line. Wish I could be there," read another tweet.It's really exciting," Mirza said. "It's the blockbuster we were all hoping for. I wish I could be there. This would have been perfect as a final, but a semi-final is good enough.There are a lot of other things involved other than cricket. India-Pakistan is a battle. Maybe India has an edge.In Melbourne, meanwhile, Indian Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, a close friend of superstar batsman Sachin Tendulkar, was still revelling in India's quarter-final win over three-time defending champions Australia.At least we smashed the Aussies," said Karthikeyan.Members of the Force India team said they will be backing Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team in Wednesday's game.There is an exchange of communication with Dr Vijay Mallya (team owner) and the team during matches and, of course, our support is with India," said Bob Fernley, the vice-principal of Force India.We know a number of the Indian players through our association and our thoughts and best wishes will be with the team next week."

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Angry fans clash with police in Mohali

Updated at: 1334 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

MOHALI: Angry protestors hurled stones and clashed with police outside the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Monday in the run up to Wednesday's Pak-India Cricket World Cup semi-final. Baton-wielding police and security forces on horseback tried to push back an estimated 1,000-strong crowd as a protest outside the stadium turned ugly. Witness said seven people were arrested and taken away in a police van. Injured men were lying on the grounds after they tried to escape the police action while women dressed in traditional salwar kameez suits were seen running for cover. A heavy security presence has surrounded the 30,000 seat stadium ever since the two neighbouring countries set up the hotly anticipated showdown last week. Local police told the protest was unconnected to the shortage of tickets that has angered fans in several Indian cities over the past five weeks. Last month's violence in Bangalore erupted after tens of thousands of fans who had camped overnight outside the38,400-seat M Chinnaswamy Stadium were told all 7,000 tickets allocated for public sale for the Feb. 27 India v England game had been sold. Police also used batons to control the angry fans on that occasion and similar scenes were witnessed in Nagpur on March 8 in the lead up to India's group match with South Africa.Ticket sales for the Feb. 19-April 2 tournament have proven to be a major headache for Indian organisers, who are unable to meet demand for the high-profile matches, especially those featuring the home team as well as the April 2 final in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. (Reuters)

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Pak-India semifinal: Mohali declared no-fly zone

Updated at: 1301 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011
CHANDIGARH: With the fever touching the skies ahead of Pak-India semifinal, the mother of all matches, in Mohali, Indian government was taking all possible security measures to secure the Wednesday's encounter to be attended by the top leadership of both the countries.Anti-aircraft guns have been placed and Mohali has been declared a no-fly zone. Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are on standby for air surveillance and fighter jets at Ambala.A multi-tier security is in place involving special commandos and other Indian security agencies. An agency is tasked with air surveillance and it's expected to use Israeli-made unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).Close to 3000 policemen will patrol the area and anti-aircraft guns will be used. The city has been declared a no-fly zone.

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Police out in force for Pak-India clash

Updated at: 1256 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

MOHALI: Police were out in even greater numbers in and around the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium just 48 hours out from the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.An already high-profile encounter between the rivals was given added security status when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepted an invitation from India counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the match.It will be the first game between the two teams on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.It has since emerged that local police received anonymous tips claiming there was a bomb at the PCA Stadium, with the Hindustan Times reporting that a total of four calls were made from the same phone number on Sunday.Police, with anti-explosive equipment and sniffer dogs searched the ground while the India team trained on the outfield.Such inspections have become common ahead of major matches at cricket grounds around the world in recent years in response to perceived terror threats.India's training session, which finished with a game of volleyball, did not conclude until dusk on Sunday.Meanwhile Pakistan, who like India started their training session with an enthusiastic game of football, resorted to more traditional methods on Monday as their bowlers were put through their paces out in the middle.Noticeably, the two teams had trained on opposite sides of the ground, with one security officer saying: "This is Hindustan (India) and that is Pakistan.Around 3,000 police will patrol Wednesday's match with some 2,000 expected to be deployed in and around the 30,000-capacity PCA Stadium on matchday.An estimated 1,000 police have already descended on the luxury Hotel Taj in nearby Chandigarh where both teams are staying, a force which includes Indian army commandos.The game, which takes place in the border state of Punjab, has already sparked a flurry of political activity.Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq welcomed Gilani's attendance, saying: "It's a good thing, no pressure. He's helping to support us.And I think it's a good gesture from the Indian Prime Minister that he invites him to come here and watch the game.Elsewhere the frantic scramble for hotel rooms and tickets showed no signs of slackening, even though the PCA had insisted as early as last Tuesday that the 14,000 available tickets had been sold, with the rest in the hands of the ICC.However, there have been numerous reports of a thriving black market in tickets with prices rocketing so that a 5,000-rupee ($112) ticket was being sold for as much as 25,000 rupees ($560).Meanwhile there are also concerns that as many as 7,000 scanned or fake tickets could be in circulation, leading to fears that numerous fans could be turned away at the gates on Wednesday.For a match as big as this one, we cannot do anything about black market tickets," said PCA joint secretary GS Walia.As far as we are concerned, we only gave the tickets to those who stood in the queues and bought them.

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Tait to retire from ODIs

Updated at: 1209 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

SYDNEY: Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait on Monday announced his retirement from one-day cricket to concentrate on the Twenty20 form of the game.Tait, 28, who has just returned from the World Cup on the subcontinent, said he will step down from the national and South Australia one-day teams in an attempt to prolong his career.I have decided to retire from one-day cricket for both Australia and the South Australian Redbacks," Tait said in a statement released through Cricket Australia.This is not a decision I have taken lightly, but I believe it is one that will help me to prolong my cricketing career through the many Twenty20 avenues available.In reality, playing all year round for Australia and South Australia is not allowing my body to stand up as I would like and I do not want to be forced into retirement through career-ending injuries.Tait said his goal was to help Australia retain the ICC Cricket World Cup, currently underway in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.However, with our involvement now finished I feel it is the perfect time to move on in a new direction," said Tait, who was a member of Australia's 2007 World Cup-winning side.Cricket Australia's General Manager Michael Brown said Tait had been an important contributor to Australia's shorter version of cricket over the last few years.Bowling at the speeds he generates places an unusual strain on his body and Cricket Australia respects the decision he makes today," Brown said.Tait only played three Tests but in 35 ODI appearance he captured 62 wickets at 23.56.

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Thrills and spills in Pakistan-India Cup matches

Updated at: 1213 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

NEW DELHI: Excitement and pressure will go hand in hand when Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indians clash with Shahid Afridi's Pakistanis in Wednesday's high-voltage World Cup semi-final in Mohali.There has never been a dull moment ever since the two countries played their first World Cup match in 1992 at Sydney.Pakistan, playing impressive cricket in the ongoing tournament, will also be determined to overcome a jinx after having lost all of their four World Cup matches against their arch-rivals.All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, man of the match in Pakistan's quarter-final win over the West Indies in Dhaka on Wednesday, has said he is keenly looking forward to playing in Mohali.It will be really exciting to play India. The atmosphere will be really electrifying. Playing in front of an Indian crowd will be interesting," Hafeez recently told an Indian newspaper.I hope India and Pakistan play more matches in future.It will be the third one-dayer between India and Pakistan in nearly three years as the cricketing ties between the two snapped following the 2008 attacks on India's financial hub Mumbai.The World Cup matches between India and Pakistan have provided plenty of thrills.Top Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad was a photographers' delight in 1992 when he jumped up and down, apparently in imitation of Indian wicket-keeper Kiran More who had been repeatedly appealing.The 43-run defeat at Sydney did not affect Pakistan's chances as they rallied from the brink to win the World Cup under Imran Khan's inspirational leadership.But the next defeat in the 1996 World Cup did.Pakistan's 39-run defeat came in the quarter-final at Bangalore where many believed they had lost half the battle before the first ball had been bowled.Their captain and quality paceman, Wasim Akram, withdrew from the game due to an injury -- a decision the fans found hard to swallow. He was later widely criticised for pulling out of a big match.Pakistan lost the remaining half of the battle when well-set opener Aamer Sohail lost his cool and wicket after being involved in a verbal duel with Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad.Chasing a 288-run target, Pakistan were 113-1 before Sohail was bowled for 55 to become one of Prasad's three victims. It was all over when veteran Miandad was run out for 38 in what turned to be his last World Cup appearance.The third World Cup clash came at Old Trafford in England in 1999. It was again Prasad who troubled Pakistan, claiming five wickets to help India win by 47 runs in a Super Sixes fixture.The 2003 World Cup match at Centurion in South Africa was dubbed as a duel between superstars Sachin Tendulkar of India and Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar.Tendulkar won the fascinating battle, smashing a robust 98 before becoming the paceman's lone victim of the innings. Akhtar conceded 72 in 10 overs in his team's six-wicket defeat.Tendulkar is now just one ton short of completing 100 international centuries while Akhtar is retiring after the World Cup.

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New Zealand PM to miss World Cup semi-final

Updated at: 1211 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

COLOMBO: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key was "delighted" with an invitation to witness his country play Sri Lanka in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final, but logistics will keep him away.Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse, who invited Key on Sunday, said the New Zealand premier was keen to visit, but he had just returned to the capital and there was no possibility that he could make Sri Lanka by Tuesday.He has said that he was delighted with the invitation, but he is unable to make it in time due to logistical problems," the president told foreign correspondents at his residence Monday.The 1996 champions will tackle New Zealand on Tuesday for a place in the final. The Black Caps had knocked South Africa out of the World Cup by defeating them by 49 runs on Friday.Sri Lanka will meet New Zealand for a second time in the current World Cup after their 112 run victory over the Black Caps in their Group A match in Mumbai on March 18.The winner of Tuesday's semi-final will meet the winners of Wednesday's clash between India and Pakistan.

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Australia sets Ponting captaincy deadline

Updated at: 1209 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

SYDNEY: Under-fire Australia captain Ricky Ponting was given just three days to decide his future Monday as selectors said the next one-day squad would be announced on Wednesday.Ponting, who let slip Australia's 12-year grasp on the World Cup last week -- just three months after their heavy Ashes defeat -- has already hinted that he may step down.Cricket Australia said a squad for next month's three-match one-day tour of Bangladesh was expected to be announced on Wednesday, effectively setting a deadline for the veteran skipper.Ponting, 36, returned home on Sunday following Australia's quarter-final exit from the World Cup at the hands of India, saying he was considering his position this week.I'll have the opportunity over the next couple of days to reflect on where things are headed for me and certainly what direction I feel things are heading for the betterment of Australian cricket," the Test and one-day captain told reporters.I have to really decide what I think is right for me and the team going forward.Australia play three one-day matches against Bangladesh on April 9, 11 and 13, with Ponting previously stating that he wanted to lead the team on the tour.But Ponting has since suggested he could quit as captain, saying he was prepared to play on under the likely leadership of his deputy Michael Clarke and bat anywhere in the order.I see myself as a leader around the group, simple as that, whether I'm captain or not I still think I've got a lot to offer as far as leadership qualities go," he said.Though heartened by support of team-mates and senior officials, Ponting said he was "absolutely" prepared to drop down the order and step down as captain "if that's what they (CA) and I believe is the best way forward"Ponting, who has been under attack since the 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England, scored a fighting 104 but it was not enough to prevent India from knocking the champions out in last Thursday's quarter-final in Ahmedabad.He has now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions after his third Ashes series defeat as captain to England.Ponting, who has been captain for nine years, had a difficult World Cup, taking a reprimand from the International Cricket Council after smashing a dressing-room TV in a fit of fury after being run out against Zimbabwe.He was also criticised for angrily throwing the ball to the ground after colliding with team-mate Steven Smith during their victory against Canada, and for failing to walk in the group match defeat by Pakistan.

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Updated at: 0227 PST, Monday, March 28, 2011

Updated at: 0227 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

MOHALI: The India-Pakistan match to be held in Mohali in Punjab is keeping even the Delhi Police on its toes. According to recent intelligence reports, terrorists have formed several groups to launch an attack on the match. About 30 small groups have been formed by terror organisations like the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, Indian Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami.Sources said that several meetings to arrive at the final terror module have taken place in both sides of Kashmir.The Delhi Police on its part has intensified checking at all the borders, railway stations and inter-state bus terminals."This is one of the safety precautions we are taking. More people have been deployed at the city borders and we have also sought cooperation from the Uttar Pradesh police," said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.The police are conducting searches in the guesthouses of areas like Paharganj and Karol Bagh. After the attack on Jama Masjid right before the Commonwealth Games last year, the police are not leaving anything to chance.The Taj Hotel in Chandigarh's Sector 17 has already been converted into a fortress with more than 1,000 security personnel manning the whole compound.The Indian National Security Guard too has sent its personnel to look into the security arrangements and to provide cover to the whole match. (Online)

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Pak-India match tickets being blacked

Updated at: 1546 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

NEW DELHI: Cricket fans at Mohali are complaining about the unavailability of tickets at the counters on Sunday.The fans are angry and allege that the tickets are now being sold at a high price in the black market.However, there have been numerous reports of a thriving black market in tickets with prices rocketing so that a 5,000-rupee ticket was being sold for a price as high as 100,000 rupees."For a match as big as this one, we cannot do anything about black market tickets," said PCA joint secretary GS Walia.As far as we are concerned, we only gave the tickets to those who stood in the queues and bought them. We cannot keep track if they sell these in (the) black (market)."

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World Cup 2011: SL president invites Kiwi premier to semi final

Updated at: 1358 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Sri Lankan president has invited the New Zealand prime minister to watch the semi final.President Mahinda Rajapaksa has extended an invitation to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to watch the World Cup semi final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand on Tuesday, March 29.Sri Lanka and New Zealand have already faced each other in the group stage when Sri Lanka defeated the Kiwis. Both sides have also encountered in the semi final of the 2007 World Cup that was also ended in the victory of the Asian side.

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Security stepped up as India-Pakistan clash nears

Updated at: 1358 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

MOHALI: Security was ramped up at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium on Sunday as India staged their first training session ahead of the high-profile World Cup semi-final against Pakistan.The match, the first between the arch-rivals on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, gained an added security headache Sunday when Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani confirmed he will attend Wednesday's clash.Police were out in greater numbers in and around the ground on Sunday and there were even "media security officers" escorting reporters into the ground.Meanwhile, the security presence was equalled only by the increaesed number of television trucks parked side by side outside the Stadium, all eager to beam back pictures of such stars as local hero Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar.India were due to train later Sunday but both television reporters and eager fans desperate for a glimpse of their favourites, could be disappointed if, as has happened before, some players decide to opt out of a practice session.Pakistan, the 1992 champions, were put through their paces once again by coach Waqar Younis in an early morning training stint that started with a lively football match.Coming back to the PCA Stadium was proving particularly pleasant for Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam, who earlier in his career coached a Punjab team featuring both Yuvraj and India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.I am nostalgic, I remember this place very well," former Test leg-spinner Alam told the Sunday Pioneer.The two years I spent here earned me friends for life. It feels great to come back.Alam's relaxed mood was in keeping with that of his team.Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez said on Saturday neither he nor his Pakistan colleagues had any qualms about security, saying: "We have no fear or a feeling of (any) shortcoming when it comes to security.That's not our job; our job is to play cricket. To provide security is the responsibility of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).We are very happy and we are enjoying ourselves very much.Around 3,000 police will patrol Wednesday's match with some 2,000 expected to be deployed in and around the 30,000-capacity PCA Stadium on matchday.An estimated 1,000 police have already descended on the luxury Hotel Taj in nearby Chandigarh where both teams are staying, a force which includes Indian army commandos.The game, which takes place in the border state of Punjab, has already sparked a flurry of political activity.Faharullah Babar, a spokesman for Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari responded to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's "cricket diplomacy".It was decided in response to the Indian Prime Minister's invitation that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will visit India to witness the semi-final cricket match," he said.Elsewhere the frantic scramble for hotel rooms and tickets showed no signs of slackening, even though the PCA had insisted as early as Tuesday that the 14,000 available tickets had been sold, with the rest in the hands of the ICC.However, there have been numerous reports of a thriving black market in tickets with prices rocketing so that a 5,000-rupee ($112) ticket was being sold for as much as 25,000 rupees ($560)For a match as big as this one, we cannot do anything about black market tickets," said PCA joint secretary GS Walia.As far as we are concerned, we only gave the tickets to those who stood in the queues and bought them. We cannot keep track if they sell these in (the) black (market

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Tickets not available for Indo-Pak tie

Updated at: 1546 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

NEW DELHI: Cricket fans at Mohali are complaining about the unavailability of tickets at the counters on Sunday.The fans are angry and allege that the tickets are now being sold at a high price in the black market.However, there have been numerous reports of a thriving black market in tickets with prices rocketing so that a 5,000-rupee ticket was being sold for as much as 25,000 rupees.For a match as big as this one, we cannot do anything about black market tickets," said PCA joint secretary GS Walia.As far as we are concerned, we only gave the tickets to those who stood in the queues and bought them. We cannot keep track if they sell these in (the) black (market)

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Misbah backs Akhtar factor against India

Updated at: 1522 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

MOHALI: Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq believes fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has a key role to play in the World Cup semi-final against India -- even if the paceman doesn't take the field.The 35-year-old Akhtar has said he will retire after the World Cup and has only featured in three matches at the tournament to date.But he remains capable of working up fearsome speed and may have one last shot at India when Pakistan face their arch-rivals on Wednesday.Shoaib Akhtar is a class bowler," said Misbah on Sunday.He has performed for Pakistan on a number of occasions including the 1999 World Cup (when the team lost to Australia in the final).And Misbah said that, at the very least, he would help Pakistan's batsmen get ready for the challenge of facing India's seamers.Batsmen get to prepare well against pace bowling when they face him at the nets. If he does play in the coming matches, I feel it will give us a psychological advantage.When it comes to India-Pakistan matches, Misbah is currently associated with the 2007 World Twenty20 final in Johannesburg The now 36-year-old Misbah rescued Pakistan from the depths of 77 for six and his 43 almost guided Pakistan to victory in the first World Twenty20 final.With three balls left, and six runs needed to win, he was last man out when he tried to lap Joginder Sharma over short fine leg and was caught by Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.Asked if he wanted to put that right, Misbah said: "Every game is a new game and it's not because of that, that this is a special game.This is a World Cup semi-final, I really want to play well.Misbah, one of two former captains in the side along with Younis Khan, praised skipper Shahid Afridi for the way he'd led the side to the semi-finals.Leg-spinner Afridi is the tournament's leading bowler with 21 wickets and Misbah said: "I think the important thing is his aggression and the other thing is that he has led the team by example.He is performing really well, just taking wickets at the right time, so that really helps the team when the captain is performing like that. Everybody is standing behind him at the World Cup.There were concerns that having two ex-captains in a Pakistan team traditionally renowned for its volatility could prove divisive but Misbah insisted: "I think there are always differences in opinion but we always talk to the captain about what he thinks. He's really good at that.He listens to the players, especially the senior players and the coaches, we just decide everything with a good co-ordination, and that's why everything is going well and the team is performing well.Misbah added it was also good to have veteran manager Intikhab Alam, the former Pakistan captain, on board given his experience in helping the team win the 1992 World Cup in Australia and the 2009 World Twenty20 in England.That's a positive thing we have, the last two World Cups, 50 overs and 20 overs, we've won when he was with the team so he has a good experience of how to perform in pressure situations.No Pakistan batsman has yet made a hundred this tournament with Misbah's unbeaten 83 in the 11-run win over Sri Lanka, who face New Zealand in the other semi-final, their highest individual score.Our batsmen not making big scores is not a concern because we are winning. We will be happy if we win the World Cup without a single individual hundred," Misbah insisted.

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Maldives releases cricket WCup terror suspect

Updated at: 1502 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

COLOMBO: Maldives police said Sunday they had released a man suspected of plotting an attack on the cricket World Cup taking place in South Asia.Maldivian national Iqbal Mohamed, 42, was arrested on March 10 as he arrived at Male International airport from Pakistan following a tip-off from the international police body Interpol.Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Interpol chief Ronald Noble announced the arrest last week, with Malik saying a "serious attempt" at an attack had been foiled.He (Mohamed) is no longer in our custody. He was released over the weekend on a court order," police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam said by telephone from the capital Male.Shiyam declined to give the reason, but local media reported that a court had refused to extend Mohamed's detention and ordered his release late Friday.Mohamed fled to Pakistan in 2007 after allegedly being involved in a bomb attack in Male. Maldivian police then sought France-based Interpol's help and issued a red notice for his arrest.At the time of his arrest, Interpol said their officers based in Sri Lanka's international airport had detected him while scanning passenger lists for terror suspects during the ongoing cricket World Cup.Police in the three World Cup host countries of Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh have thrown blanket security for the tournament, which ends in Mumbai on April 2.

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Taufel, Gould to umpire India-Pakistan clash

Updated at: 1421 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

NEW DELHI: Australia's Simon Taufel and Ian Gould of England were on Sunday named as the umpires for Wednesday's highly-charged World Cup semi-final between India Pakistan.Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle will be match referee with New Zealand's Billy Bowden and Australian Rod Tucker acting as the third and fourth umpires respectively.For Tuesday's first semi-final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Steve Davis of Australia and Aleem Dar of Pakistan will be the on-field umpires.Chris Broad is the match referee with South Africa's Marais Erasmus and Billy Doctrove of West Indies, the third and fourth umpires respectively.The International Cricket Council said that officials for the final will be made later in the week

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Gilani, Manmohan meeting would improve ties: Indian HC

Updated at: 1530 PST,  Sunday, March 27, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal said the meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan in Mohali would help improve ties, Geo News reported He was talking to media during a friendly cricket match between Indian High Commission and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.He pointed that visas were being issued to Pakistanis for the match.Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani accepted the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh to watch the cricket World Cup semi-final match between Pakistan and India in Mohali on March 30.According to official sources, Prime Minister Gilani will informally meet Manmohan Singh during the match and a formal meeting will be held after the match in which bilateral matters will come under discussion.

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Sachin will have to wait for 100 international tons: Afridi

Updated at: 2113 PST,  Saturday, March 26, 2011

Karachi, (PTI): Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi predicted that Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar will have to wait until after the World Cup to reach the milestone of scoring 100 international centuries.Sachin will have to wait until after the World Cup for his 100th international century because we are not going to allow either him or any other Indian player to play a big innings," Afridi said.Tendulkar has been in prolific form in the World Cup and completed 18,000 runs in One-dayers in the previous game against Australia. He needs just one more hundred to complete 100 international centuries, the first by any batsman.Pakistan will take on India in the second semifinal of the World Cup to be held in Mohali on March 30 and Afridi said he was confident of his side beating India.It is a game of cricket and both teams can lay claim they will win the semi-final but given our current form I am confident we can beat India," Afridi said.Admitting that his team-mates wanted to face India in the semi-finals, the skipper said, "The players wanted this clash and we are looking forward to it. We know the expectations are high but at the end of the day I have told the players that the team, which controls and keeps its nerves in such a high tension match, will prevail.Afridi also felt that the pressure on India would be far more in the semi-final as compared to Pakistan, as they would be playing in front of their home crowd.Normally whenever both teams play there is great pressure because of the high expectations of the people but this time India are playing in front of their home crowd and the pressure will be greater on them," he said.Stating that his players were under no pressure because of the fact that Pakistan had never beaten India in a World Cup match before, Afridi said, "That is history and this team has a habit of changing history. More importantly the winning momentum we have got it allows the players to be better prepared for the big match.The flamboyant all-rounder also made it clear the players were not feeling the pressure of having to go and play in India after a gap of nearly four years"We have a young team and many of our players have not played in India before but it is not a problem for them because they have become used to playing even home matches abroad. I am confident they can handle the pressures of playing in India.Afridi, meanwhile, also appealed to the fans to treat this high-profile clash between the neighbours as just another cricket match.

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Sri Lanka demolish England to storm into semis

Updated at: 2113 PST,  Saturday, March 26, 2011

COLOMBO: Openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga powered Sri Lanka into semi-finals, hitting brilliant hundreds in a comprehensive 10-wicket triumph against hapless England in the last of the World Cup quarter-finals here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.Sri Lanka will now play the first of two semi-finals here on March 29 against New Zealand who knocked out South Africa in Dhaka on Friday while arch-rivals Pakistan and India meet in the second semi-final in Mohali a day later.Dilshan finished with a 115-ball 108 not out, spiced with 10 boundaries and two sixes, while Tharanga notched an unbeaten 102 off 122 deliveries, studded with 12 fours and one six, as the duo easily reached the 230-run target with 10.3 overs to spare.It was the second 200 plus partnership in the tournament as the pair also scored 282 for the first wicket against Zimbabwe in the group stages at Pallekele.Dilshan was the first to reach his hundred, his 10th in one-day cricket and second in this tournament, cutting Swann to the cover boundary for his ninth boundary.Tharanga completed his 11th century, and also his second in this World Cup, with the winning boundary off Chris Tremlett.Earlier, captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and decided to bat first on a slow, flat pitch.but England made a poor start losing both openers for 31 However, Jonathan Trott (86) rescued them with a cautious innings of 86, adding 64 runs for the third wicket with Ravi Bopara (31) and 91 for the fourth with Eoin Morgan (50) as England made 229 for six in their 50 overs.Trott’s 86 was his 11th fifty in one-day internationals and the fifth half-century in the tournament. But he was unable to lift the innings in the final overs as England managed just 23 in the batting power-play.Trott fell in the 49th over, caught off Muralitharan who finished with 2-54, after a 115-ball innings which featured just two boundaries.It will be Sri Lanka's third successive World Cup semi-final, having finished runners-up to Australia in the last edition held in the Caribbean four years ago.

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Updated at: 1945 PST,  Saturday, March 26, 2011

MOHALI: Mohammad Hafeez is confident Pakistan can overcome India when the arch-rivals meet in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday thanks to the "strongest bowling attack in the world Pakistan, the 1992 champions, possess a bowling line-up for pretty much all conditions despite missing the new ball duo of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, both banned following last year's spot-fixing scandal in England."We believe that we have the strongest bowling attack in the world at the moment," said Hafeez on Saturday.That is the key. Our bowling is our strength and our batsmen are just supporting them in whatever way is required.Umar Gul is arguably the most skilled exponent of reverse-swing at this tournament while Hafeez, who took the new ball alongside him in the 10-wicket quarter-final thrashing of the West Indies, is a more than handy off-spinner.Left-arm pace comes in the shape of Wahab Riaz, with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq providing seam support while Saaed Ajmal's off-spin is a potent weapon.And then there is the leg-spin of Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi who is the tournament's top bowler with 21 wickets at an average of just 10.71 apiece.Meanwhile fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who will retire after the World Cup waits in the wings."At the moment, we definitely rely on our bowling but we know we are capable enough as batsmen to achieve any total, whatever our bowlers give us," added Hafeez.The pitch for India's five-wicket quarter-final win over Australia in Ahmedabad offered plenty of assistance to spinners, an area where the co-hosts clearly had an edge on the beaten champions.But Hafeez said whatever kind of surface was prepared in Mohali would suit Pakistan."We really don't care about the pitch, whatever it will be, we are good enough to perform to the best of our ability."Matches between India and Pakistan are always special affairs.And the context of a World Cup semi-final in the border state of Punjab merely heightens the frenzied atmosphere, particularly as India-Pakistan fixtures have become increasingly rare for political and security reasons.

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