Misbah backs Akhtar factor against India

 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. (AFP)

Misbah backs Akhtar factor against India

 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. (AFP)

Cricket-Afridi has brought Pakistan team together, says Misbah

(Reuters) - Captain Shahid Afridi has brought aggression and leadership to the Pakistan team at just the right time, senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said on Sunday.

The 1992 world champions have been unable to play international matches at home since the 2009 armed attack on the Sri Lanka cricketers in Lahore, and the recent spot-fixing scandal raised doubts about their players' integrity. The scandal deprived them of the services of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and there were few prepared to bet on Pakistan winning the World Cup for the second time.

But under Afridi they topped their group and then made short work of West Indies in the quarter-final to set up Wednesday's semi-final against rivals India in Mohali.

"What we needed was aggression, and Afridi, I feel, has shown enough aggression on the field. Most importantly, he leads by example," Misbah told reporters.

"He is taking wickets and coming out at the right moment to do what the team needs. He also stands by a player and encourages him to perform better."

Afridi is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 21 scalps from seven matches.

Pakistan have shown plenty of discipline and teamwork despite the presence of a couple of former captains.

"There is difference of opinion at times but we finally go by what the captain says," said Misbah, who led Pakistan in the last test series against New Zealand.

"At the same time, the captain discusses things with the coach and senior players before taking a major decision. There is a good coordination among us.

"We are a well-knit unit and everyone is chipping in at the right moment and every player is fulfilling his role in the side."

The World Cup final takes place on April 2 in Mumbai.

Cricket-Afridi has brought Pakistan team together, says Misbah

(Reuters) - Captain Shahid Afridi has brought aggression and leadership to the Pakistan team at just the right time, senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said on Sunday.

The 1992 world champions have been unable to play international matches at home since the 2009 armed attack on the Sri Lanka cricketers in Lahore, and the recent spot-fixing scandal raised doubts about their players' integrity. The scandal deprived them of the services of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and there were few prepared to bet on Pakistan winning the World Cup for the second time.

But under Afridi they topped their group and then made short work of West Indies in the quarter-final to set up Wednesday's semi-final against rivals India in Mohali.

"What we needed was aggression, and Afridi, I feel, has shown enough aggression on the field. Most importantly, he leads by example," Misbah told reporters.

"He is taking wickets and coming out at the right moment to do what the team needs. He also stands by a player and encourages him to perform better."

Afridi is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 21 scalps from seven matches.

Pakistan have shown plenty of discipline and teamwork despite the presence of a couple of former captains.

"There is difference of opinion at times but we finally go by what the captain says," said Misbah, who led Pakistan in the last test series against New Zealand.

"At the same time, the captain discusses things with the coach and senior players before taking a major decision. There is a good coordination among us.

"We are a well-knit unit and everyone is chipping in at the right moment and every player is fulfilling his role in the side."

The World Cup final takes place on April 2 in Mumbai.

Ind vs Pak: Taufel, Gould to umpire (semifinal umpire)

Australian Simon Taufel, a winner of five consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year awards, and England's Ian Gould were today appointed as the on-field officials for the high-voltage India-Pakistan World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle has been named the match referee with New Zealand's Billy Bowden and Australian Rod Tucker being the third and fourth umpires respectively.

For the first semi-final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Steve Davis and Aleem Dar will oversee the on-field proceedings with Chris Broad acting as match referee, the ICC said in a statement.

Marais Erasmus (third umpire), Billy Doctrove (fourth umpire) are the other two officials for the Sri Lanka-New Zealand clash.

Appointments for the final will be made later.

Ind vs Pak: Taufel, Gould to umpire (semifinal umpire)

Australian Simon Taufel, a winner of five consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year awards, and England's Ian Gould were today appointed as the on-field officials for the high-voltage India-Pakistan World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka's Ranjan Madugalle has been named the match referee with New Zealand's Billy Bowden and Australian Rod Tucker being the third and fourth umpires respectively.

For the first semi-final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Steve Davis and Aleem Dar will oversee the on-field proceedings with Chris Broad acting as match referee, the ICC said in a statement.

Marais Erasmus (third umpire), Billy Doctrove (fourth umpire) are the other two officials for the Sri Lanka-New Zealand clash.

Appointments for the final will be made later.

Watch Live England V/S Srilanka Match in Ahmedabad

England takes on Srilanka, this Saturday. And Pool Side Grill, Cambay Grand is all geared up for 

the occasion. Be there to witness live match, music, not to mention the sumptuous spread of grilled delicacies.

“Pool Side Grill, Cambay Grand once again will turn into an out-and-out cricketing stadium on Saturday. The restaurant specializing in grilled delicacies will showcase live, England V/S Srilanka match on a large screen. Then there is DJ and Delicious food that is sure to keep you absolutely occupied during the dull moments of the game,” informs Senior VP operations, Cambay Hotels & Resorts.

Since it is a quarterfinal stage, both the teams will be putting their best foot forward and will be performing their best. When Andrew Strauss & Co. takes on the might of Kumar Sangakkara & Co. you might as well be there at Pool Side Grill if you really wish to witness and analyze the game threadbare. With the huge set up planned for the occasion, you’d be able to do this with incredible ease.

Further, Cambay Chef has flexed their imagination to the maximum to come up with a special menu for the occasion, straight out of the tandoor, along with wide variety of mock tails. Besides, if you to unwind and relax at the same time, there is a one-of-its-kind spa pool. So you have innumerable things to enjoy at one go.

So, step in at Pool Side Grill and catch the England V/S England live with Unlimited Excitement, Unlimited Food at Pool Side Grill this Saturday, i.e., 26 March, 2011.

Watch Live England V/S Srilanka Match in Ahmedabad

England takes on Srilanka, this Saturday. And Pool Side Grill, Cambay Grand is all geared up for 

the occasion. Be there to witness live match, music, not to mention the sumptuous spread of grilled delicacies.

“Pool Side Grill, Cambay Grand once again will turn into an out-and-out cricketing stadium on Saturday. The restaurant specializing in grilled delicacies will showcase live, England V/S Srilanka match on a large screen. Then there is DJ and Delicious food that is sure to keep you absolutely occupied during the dull moments of the game,” informs Senior VP operations, Cambay Hotels & Resorts.

Since it is a quarterfinal stage, both the teams will be putting their best foot forward and will be performing their best. When Andrew Strauss & Co. takes on the might of Kumar Sangakkara & Co. you might as well be there at Pool Side Grill if you really wish to witness and analyze the game threadbare. With the huge set up planned for the occasion, you’d be able to do this with incredible ease.

Further, Cambay Chef has flexed their imagination to the maximum to come up with a special menu for the occasion, straight out of the tandoor, along with wide variety of mock tails. Besides, if you to unwind and relax at the same time, there is a one-of-its-kind spa pool. So you have innumerable things to enjoy at one go.

So, step in at Pool Side Grill and catch the England V/S England live with Unlimited Excitement, Unlimited Food at Pool Side Grill this Saturday, i.e., 26 March, 2011.