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.

India should beat Pakistan in semi final: Ricky Ponting

AHMEDABAD: Rubbishing the theory that it was an end of an era in Australian cricket, skipper Ricky Ponting said the superior Indian side they lost to in Thursday's World Cup quarterfinal should beat their arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinals.

Having lost to both India and Pakistan, Ponting said it was hard to pick between the two, but gave his vote to the co-hosts.

"It is hard to chose between the two teams. They have a very similar bowling attack but I think India will beat Pakistan in Mohali," said Ponting, after his side's five-wicket loss to India.

The Australian captain admitted losing to a better Indian team and felt they were 15-20 runs short of a winning total.

"Today we lost to a very good Indian team. I think we were some 15-20 runs short and we lost wickets at regular intervals. It forced us to delay taking the batting Powerplay. Our bowlers also gave away too many wides and fours," said Ponting.

"We needed more wickets in the middle of the innings. With 15 overs to go, it was touch and go, but Yuvraj and Raina played really well. It's disappointing to bow out, we are a better team than we have played."

Ponting said the loss doesn't indicate the end of an era in Australian cricket that saw them winning four World Cup titles, including two under his captaincy in 2003 and 2007.

"I refuse to believe that it is an end of an era of Australian cricket. It is too early to say," said an emotional Ponting.


Asked if he was the tragic hero of the loss, as he struck a century but couldn't stop his team from exiting the tournament, Ponting said: "I don't have an answer. But probably this is my last World Cup match and I am happy to have scored a century. I am not a stats man, but probably after I hang up by boots I will look into it."

"We came into the tournament with a lot of expectations. We found it difficult as the tournament progressed. It takes a couple of moments to change the course of the game, but we couldn't do that," he said.

On his pace spearhead Brett Lee , Ponting said: "Brett had a lot of expectations from this tournament. He walked into this team hoping to be a part of a World Cup winning squad. He would be shattered."

Resource:economictimes.indiatimes.com

India should beat Pakistan in semi final: Ricky Ponting

AHMEDABAD: Rubbishing the theory that it was an end of an era in Australian cricket, skipper Ricky Ponting said the superior Indian side they lost to in Thursday's World Cup quarterfinal should beat their arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinals.

Having lost to both India and Pakistan, Ponting said it was hard to pick between the two, but gave his vote to the co-hosts.

"It is hard to chose between the two teams. They have a very similar bowling attack but I think India will beat Pakistan in Mohali," said Ponting, after his side's five-wicket loss to India.

The Australian captain admitted losing to a better Indian team and felt they were 15-20 runs short of a winning total.

"Today we lost to a very good Indian team. I think we were some 15-20 runs short and we lost wickets at regular intervals. It forced us to delay taking the batting Powerplay. Our bowlers also gave away too many wides and fours," said Ponting.

"We needed more wickets in the middle of the innings. With 15 overs to go, it was touch and go, but Yuvraj and Raina played really well. It's disappointing to bow out, we are a better team than we have played."

Ponting said the loss doesn't indicate the end of an era in Australian cricket that saw them winning four World Cup titles, including two under his captaincy in 2003 and 2007.

"I refuse to believe that it is an end of an era of Australian cricket. It is too early to say," said an emotional Ponting.


Asked if he was the tragic hero of the loss, as he struck a century but couldn't stop his team from exiting the tournament, Ponting said: "I don't have an answer. But probably this is my last World Cup match and I am happy to have scored a century. I am not a stats man, but probably after I hang up by boots I will look into it."

"We came into the tournament with a lot of expectations. We found it difficult as the tournament progressed. It takes a couple of moments to change the course of the game, but we couldn't do that," he said.

On his pace spearhead Brett Lee , Ponting said: "Brett had a lot of expectations from this tournament. He walked into this team hoping to be a part of a World Cup winning squad. He would be shattered."

Resource:economictimes.indiatimes.com

*Imran hints at India having an edge over Pakistan*

Kolkata: Former captain Imran Khan today hinted that India have an edge over Pakistan in the much-anticipated World Cup semifinal but said that past
history will have no bearing in the clash between the arch rivals.

Imran conceded that based on recent form, India are the favorites to win the World Cup. He also rates Mahendra Singh Dhoni as better captain than Shahid Afridi.

"Favorites not always win the World Cup. Home team has never ever won so far. But there is always a first time. Obviously I want Pakistan to win. But at the same time, if ever India had a chance. This is their best chance," said Imran.

"Recent form, recent track record, and they have a very balanced side. This is the best opportunity for the Indians to win the World Cup. Such are very rare chances and it`s a golden opportunity. It may not come in the next World Cup," he said.

Comparing the two captains, Imran said, "Dhoni got the advantage as he is the captain in all three forms. Afridi made a mistake by saying no to captaining Test side. Test match pressure is more than any other form”.

"If you don`t captain in Test cricket, it`s difficult to handle pressure in one-dayers. So Dhoni has a big advantage over Afridi," said the 1992 World Cup-winning skipper.

Pakistan have lost all their four earlier World Cup matches against India but Imran said they have the ability to break the jinx as the home side would be under more pressure at Mohali.

"There is an old saying that you only cross the river once. Purane cricketers beh chuke hain. Ab depend karega Mohali mein kya hota hai (It all depends what happens in Mohali, rest is past). Records are meant to be broken," Imran said.

"I am not trying to play mind games. But pressure would be more on India than Pakistan because of home conditions and the tag being favourites, which is a relief for us. It will depend which team handles pressure better. A team that has the killer instinct will win.

"Pakistan can come up with surprises which no one knows. They are completely unpredictable. Pakistan`s bowling is stronger than India`s but the hosts are a better side when it comes to batting," he said.

On a lighter vein, Imran advised the Indians to take sleeping pills on the eve of the clash.

"I advise Indian cricketers to take sleeping pills or else they would have sleepless nights," he quipped.
Imran said Pakistan would have been the favourites against India if the banned pace duo of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were with the side.

"They should have been punished before. But if they were there with the side we would have been the favourites and not India," he said.Imran was all praise for Sachin Tendulkar for maintaining top form after playing for more than two decades.
"Sachin is at the peak of his game. The combination of experience and his technique. With age you tend to have poor reflexes but he is made up with much better temperament. Sachin is formidable," he said.

He advised Pakistan team management to bolster the pace attack by including Shoaib Akhtar as Indians play spinners easily.

"If Shoaib (Akhtar) is fit then he should play. I don`t know the fitness status. If any team plays spin well that is Indian team. So I should go for the pace department. If I was a captain, I would have taken a chance (bringing Shoaib Akhtar)," he said.

He said Afridi should think of playing in-form batsmen higher up the order.

"Pakistan`s best batsmen are coming at No 4 or 5, they should bat at 3-4. It is much easier trying to avoid a pressure rather than playing without pressure. I don`t
understand the mindset of quality batsmen playing down the order. This could be Achilles Heel," he said.

"While chasing a total, if you lose wickets, run-rate goes up and it`s difficult to bat under those circumstances."

Imran is hoping that Afridi will also come good with the bat, after doing so well with the ball.

"It can be Afridi; so far he has failed. If he has one golden moment of 10 overs, it can make the match for us," he said.

Remembering about the pressure situation in 1987 series against India in India, he said, "It was a deciding Test in Bangalore and everything was shut down. If you multiply that by five times, that`s going to happen on Wednesday.

"When a match is of high pressure, things tend to even out because pressure plays a much bigger part. If some are highly talented, because of pressure they may not be able to perform. But other players who are not as talented will rise to the occasion. The more extreme pressure, great players become ordinary," he said.

Imran said dew factor could play a role in the day-night clash at Mohali.

"Afridi spoke to me before going to Mohali. He was especially concerned about dew and asked me when the dew falls and at what time. Dew can be a factor. That could make a big difference and then toss becomes crucial as bowling second becomes a huge disadvantage."

PTI

*Imran hints at India having an edge over Pakistan*

Kolkata: Former captain Imran Khan today hinted that India have an edge over Pakistan in the much-anticipated World Cup semifinal but said that past
history will have no bearing in the clash between the arch rivals.

Imran conceded that based on recent form, India are the favorites to win the World Cup. He also rates Mahendra Singh Dhoni as better captain than Shahid Afridi.

"Favorites not always win the World Cup. Home team has never ever won so far. But there is always a first time. Obviously I want Pakistan to win. But at the same time, if ever India had a chance. This is their best chance," said Imran.

"Recent form, recent track record, and they have a very balanced side. This is the best opportunity for the Indians to win the World Cup. Such are very rare chances and it`s a golden opportunity. It may not come in the next World Cup," he said.

Comparing the two captains, Imran said, "Dhoni got the advantage as he is the captain in all three forms. Afridi made a mistake by saying no to captaining Test side. Test match pressure is more than any other form”.

"If you don`t captain in Test cricket, it`s difficult to handle pressure in one-dayers. So Dhoni has a big advantage over Afridi," said the 1992 World Cup-winning skipper.

Pakistan have lost all their four earlier World Cup matches against India but Imran said they have the ability to break the jinx as the home side would be under more pressure at Mohali.

"There is an old saying that you only cross the river once. Purane cricketers beh chuke hain. Ab depend karega Mohali mein kya hota hai (It all depends what happens in Mohali, rest is past). Records are meant to be broken," Imran said.

"I am not trying to play mind games. But pressure would be more on India than Pakistan because of home conditions and the tag being favourites, which is a relief for us. It will depend which team handles pressure better. A team that has the killer instinct will win.

"Pakistan can come up with surprises which no one knows. They are completely unpredictable. Pakistan`s bowling is stronger than India`s but the hosts are a better side when it comes to batting," he said.

On a lighter vein, Imran advised the Indians to take sleeping pills on the eve of the clash.

"I advise Indian cricketers to take sleeping pills or else they would have sleepless nights," he quipped.
Imran said Pakistan would have been the favourites against India if the banned pace duo of Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were with the side.

"They should have been punished before. But if they were there with the side we would have been the favourites and not India," he said.Imran was all praise for Sachin Tendulkar for maintaining top form after playing for more than two decades.
"Sachin is at the peak of his game. The combination of experience and his technique. With age you tend to have poor reflexes but he is made up with much better temperament. Sachin is formidable," he said.

He advised Pakistan team management to bolster the pace attack by including Shoaib Akhtar as Indians play spinners easily.

"If Shoaib (Akhtar) is fit then he should play. I don`t know the fitness status. If any team plays spin well that is Indian team. So I should go for the pace department. If I was a captain, I would have taken a chance (bringing Shoaib Akhtar)," he said.

He said Afridi should think of playing in-form batsmen higher up the order.

"Pakistan`s best batsmen are coming at No 4 or 5, they should bat at 3-4. It is much easier trying to avoid a pressure rather than playing without pressure. I don`t
understand the mindset of quality batsmen playing down the order. This could be Achilles Heel," he said.

"While chasing a total, if you lose wickets, run-rate goes up and it`s difficult to bat under those circumstances."

Imran is hoping that Afridi will also come good with the bat, after doing so well with the ball.

"It can be Afridi; so far he has failed. If he has one golden moment of 10 overs, it can make the match for us," he said.

Remembering about the pressure situation in 1987 series against India in India, he said, "It was a deciding Test in Bangalore and everything was shut down. If you multiply that by five times, that`s going to happen on Wednesday.

"When a match is of high pressure, things tend to even out because pressure plays a much bigger part. If some are highly talented, because of pressure they may not be able to perform. But other players who are not as talented will rise to the occasion. The more extreme pressure, great players become ordinary," he said.

Imran said dew factor could play a role in the day-night clash at Mohali.

"Afridi spoke to me before going to Mohali. He was especially concerned about dew and asked me when the dew falls and at what time. Dew can be a factor. That could make a big difference and then toss becomes crucial as bowling second becomes a huge disadvantage."

PTI

BoOm BoOm Afredi TOP Bowlers Leading Wicket Takers In World Cup 2011

Boom Boom the surprise Leader

Currently its Shahid Afridi who is leading the pack after the two matches played in the Group Stages. He has won two Man of the Match in two devastating bowling performences which have already put him up their as the contender player of the Tournament. He would want to do the same with the bat but as long as his googlies are foxing oppostion batsmen, his fan wont mind. he has 9 wickets to his name so far and with the tracks supporting his leg spin he can surely get many more in the remaing group mathes.

Mitchel Johnson Picked up 8 wickets so far with the best bowling of 4/16. he will be keen to show what he has in store for his fans in the World Cup 2011. Here is the table showing top 5 bowlers who will be fighting it out for the best bowler award.

BoOm BoOm Afredi TOP Bowlers Leading Wicket Takers In World Cup 2011

Boom Boom the surprise Leader

Currently its Shahid Afridi who is leading the pack after the two matches played in the Group Stages. He has won two Man of the Match in two devastating bowling performences which have already put him up their as the contender player of the Tournament. He would want to do the same with the bat but as long as his googlies are foxing oppostion batsmen, his fan wont mind. he has 9 wickets to his name so far and with the tracks supporting his leg spin he can surely get many more in the remaing group mathes.

Mitchel Johnson Picked up 8 wickets so far with the best bowling of 4/16. he will be keen to show what he has in store for his fans in the World Cup 2011. Here is the table showing top 5 bowlers who will be fighting it out for the best bowler award.