US hails India-Pak cricket diplomacy

Updated at: 0407 PST,  Friday, April 01, 2011

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday praised the "cricket diplomacy" between India and Pakistan after their leaders met for a game, saying that better ties between the rivals were in the world's interest."The expansion of dialogue between India and Pakistan is a welcome and encouraging development for both countries, for the region and for the world," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.But while the United States voiced support for the dialogue, it said that future steps were up to the two countries."We continue to believe that talks should continue at a pace, time and scope of the two governments' choosing," Toner said."We applaud both leaders and their citizens for the creative initiative, warm spirit and friendly competition on display during the match," he said.Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh invited Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch a World Cup match between the two nations on Wednesday, the first time a top Pakistani leader has visited since 2001.India broke off official contacts with Islamabad in 2008 after the Mumbai attacks, which India blamed on Pakistani militants who wrought carnage in the city over three days, killing 166 people.The tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals have put the United States on a tight-rope.Washington is seeking a warmer relationship with India but also more stable ties with Pakistan, a frontline state in the global campaign on Islamic extremism.India won the match, played at a tightly guarded stadium in the northwestern city of Mohali.

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Afridi says he is thankful to nation

Updated at: 0719 PST,  Friday, April 01, 2011

KARACHI: Skipper national cricket team Shahid Khan Afridi said that he was thankful to entire nation from the bottom of his heart upon the high support extended to team from nation,He vowed to display a good show on continuous basis on the condition of this support from nation which team is enjoying at this point of time.“Players, hailing from all four provinces, were playing in the squad,” Afridi highlighted, detailing further that players’ goal was to play with unity and that, according to him, helped players reached semifinal of the mega event. We were the only team that forced India to get out at that low total,” Afridi mentioned lamenting that his side’s batting failed to click when needed the most.He said that senior players should be dropped from West Indies tour to give them a rest.I have yet to decide on West Indies tour,” he added.

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AFRIDI SAY PAKISTAN PEOPLE SORRY

I am sorry to my nation -Afridi.
Why sorry? You gave us a hope by reaching the semi final and bringing that beauty back to your nation.
Why sorry?A 6th ranked team beating and competing with the top class teams in their ground.
Why sorry? It was because of YOU that Pakistani National Anthem was sung in the Indian ground.
Why sorry? You raised Pakistani Flag in Mohali.
And for that, We are proud of you & to be a PAKISTANI. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD WE LOVE YOU.

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Aleem Dar, Simon Taufel to umpire WC final

Updated at: 1559 PST,  Thursday, March 31, 2011

MUMBAI: Pakistan’s Aleem Dar and Australian umpire Simon Taufel will supervise World Cup Final to be played between Sri Lanka and India on 2nd April in Mumbai, ICC announced on Thursday.Australian umpire Simon Taufel and Pakistani Umpire who is declared ‘Umpire of the year’ Aleem Dar will supervise this match however New Zealand's Jeff Crowe has been named the match referee with England's Ian Gould and Steve Davis of England being the third and fourth umpires respectively.

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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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