Tendulkar targets final glory

Tendulkar poses with his Man of the Match award after their win over Pakistan in Mohali.—AP Dawn News Updates

MOHALI: India’s Sachin Tendulkar led a charmed life to hit a crucial 85 in Wednesday’s semi-final win against Pakistan before targetting his first World Cup title in front of his home fans in Mumbai.

Tendulkar was dropped four times in his man of the match innings to anchor India to 260-9 against their arch-rivals before his team’s bowlers applied the pressure and the brakes to secure a 29-run win.

“The final in Mumbai will be a fantastic occasion. We will focus on the job in hand and try to get the job done,” said Tendulkar of Saturday’s title match against Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar again missed out on making 100 international centuries but had the satisfaction of having played in all five of India’s World Cup wins over Pakistan.Now he hopes to be at the forefront of Saturday’s campaign where India will look to capture a second World Cup title, 28 years after their first and only triumph.“It’s always memorable to play against Pakistan and to be on the winning side five times against them is a memory I will always cherish.“But it was a brilliant effort in the field and by the bowlers today. When we batted we had to make sure we got a fighting total. I thought 310 or 315 would have been a good par score.“Then the ball started stopping and spinning and something closer to 270 was par.”

Cricket mania evaporates after anti-climax

Pakistan Misbah-ul-Haq rests after batting at the nets during a practice session in Mohali, India, Sunday, March 27, 2011. Pakistan's prime minister will visit India to watch a World Cup semifinal between the two rival nations next week, the government said Sunday, adding a dollop of international diplomacy to what is already a highly anticipated cricket match. - AP Photo Dawn News Updates

MISBAH-ul-Haq of Mohali, Pakistan’s would-be champion, cast a tragic figure as his team’s World Cup campaign ended in a suffocating defeat at the hands of India. The biggest game in the history of World Cup cricket sent India to a home final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai and Pakistan home to an inquisition.

A 29-run defeat creates a false proximity between the two teams. When Umar Akmal was clean bowled by Harbhajan Singh in the 34th over, Pakistan’s World Cup dreams looked all but finished, leaving Misbah-ul Haq to supervise an excruciating run chase that was ill-paced and ill-conceived. It wasn’t the glorious final stand that Pakistanis had imagined.

The first World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan was an affair of low skill and high pressure. India prevailed because they succumbed less to the tension than their visitors. But they felt it too, as ably demonstrated by Sachin Tendulkar’s scratchy and fortunate innings, which bizarrely earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Pakistan’s hero and most people’s star performer was Wahab Riaz, a bounding and pacy left-armer who halted India’s charge with five thrilling dismissals, including the prize wickets of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. His place had been in question with Shoaib Akhtar lurking for final hurrah, but the young man bowled Pakistan into a match-winning position.

The batsmen were unable to capitalise, even on solid starts that were thrown away with rash stroke play. Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan — Pakistan’s top four — were all culpable. This was a reprise of Pakistan’s constant failings, along with their worst exhibition of catching of the whole tournament.

At the halfway interval Pakistan had the match in their grasp. At 100 for 2, they were within sight of a famous triumph, but it was not to be. The pressure of a World Cup run chase was too much for this Pakistan team, weary after many long months of exile from its own land.
A short-term view is clouded by the hollowness of defeat but a more reasoned perspective casts Pakistan’s tournament performance in a very different light. Afridi’s side entered the competition on the back of an unending controversy, with the shadow of spot-fixing dogging their every step. They lost their premier pace bowlers to that scandal and their opening batsmen.

Backed by an inadequate and accident-prone administration, Pakistan cricket had reached its lowest ever ebb by the end of last year. By the start of the World Cup, despite some reasonable one-day form and a hint of resilience in the face of adversity, Pakistan were dismissed as also-rans and no-hopers for the world title.

Instead, the team of Afridi and Waqar Younis thrilled the world at this tournament. They won the hearts of viewers all over the globe, reminded the world of the skill and the audacity of Pakistanis — a people of immense potential battling to overcome the most destructive of circumstances.

That Pakistan became serious contenders for the title is a measure of the success that the team achieved. Yes, there is sadness and heartbreak at defeat. Yes, Pakistan cricket is a flawed and disappointing enterprise. But the cricketers of Pakistan restored some much-needed pride to an embattled nation.

As well as pride, they also brought much joy. For that alone, Pakistan’s cricketers deserve our gratitude.

Pakistan fans blame Misbah for India loss

Misbah-ul-Haq plays a shot as Mahendra Singh Dhoni watches.—Reuters Dawn News Up Dates

ISLAMABAD: Disappointed Pakistani cricket fans on Wednesday blamed a sluggish Misbah-ul-Haq for defeat in the World Cup semi-final thriller with arch-rival India.
India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in a match dubbed the “clash of the titans” to set up a World Cup final showdown with Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Saturday, leaving fans across cricket-loving Pakistan deflated.“We lost because of Misbah, as he did not score well when it was most required,” a fan

Awais Shakir told AFP on Islamabad’s main Jinnah Avenue as thousands of disappointed fans were leaving for home.“He just wasted time on the pitch.” Fans in other Pakistani cities which ground to a halt for the game also criticised Misbah, who scored 56 from 76 balls.

For school teacher Hazrat Ali, it was disappointing —but not the end of the game. “Defeat and win is part of the game. Our team will win next time,” he said.In Karachi, engineer Mohammad Ali said: “It was a great contest all along and the day belonged to India. However Misbah and Younis Khan were very lazy.”

By the evening all major roads in several Pakistani cities were gridlocked with cars, motorcycles and jubilant revellers, but the festive atmosphere gradually turned tense as Pakistani batting line began to fall before India.

Power cuts sparked protests by hundreds of angry spectators who blocked a main highway in Muzaffarabad.

Dhoni keeps low profile ahead of big clash

Seven times Dhoni was asked about how the hype surrounding the game might affect his team, and on each occasion Dhoni was unequivocal: the only pressure on his team is the need to perform well.

MOHALI: Even as photographers, cameramen and journalists jostled for space at a packed news conference on Tuesday, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continued to maintain that the hype surrounding the World Cup semifinal against Pakistan will not affect his players.

A host of politicians _ including the Prime Ministers of both countries _ VIPs and celebrities will attend Wednesday’s match, which is expected to be watched by a record television audience exceeding 1 billion.Fans have been queuing outside the stadium for days in the hope of getting their hands on a ticket for the match, which has been sold out for a week. Reports persist of people paying exorbitant prices on the black market.

The high-profile semifinal is being seen as a possible first step toward improved diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan, which broke down following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.For Dhoni though, Wednesday’s match simply provides an opportunity for his team to reward its millions of ardent fans by moving a step closer to winning the World Cup on home soil.“We are not getting involved (in the hype),” he said.“We are expected to play good cricket _ all this has been part of Indian cricket for a long time.”

Seven times Dhoni was asked about how the hype surrounding the game might affect his team, and on each occasion Dhoni was unequivocal: the only pressure on his team is the need to perform well.

“The biggest, distinguished guests will be there to see the game, but they are here to enjoy cricket, so we have to be at our best,” he said.“When you talk about the hype and the pressure, whether you’re thinking about it or not thinking about it, it doesn’t really help you perform. What’s not helping you perform needs to be kept away. What needs to be done is topping up the skills. These are the vital areas we have been focussing on.”

With that in mind, Dhoni said the team hadn’t watched television throughout the tournament. If they had, they would have seen near-blanket coverage of the match being dubbed the “final before the final.”Instead, the players have been plotting how to deal with a Pakistan team including the tournament’s leading bowler in Shahid Afridi and one of the world’s best reverse swing exponents in Umar Gul.“Afridi has been bowling really well,” Dhoni said of the Pakistani captain and legspinner. “He has been the pick of their bowlers. Irrespective of the bowler, it is important to play the ball on merit.“They have a very good bowling attack. Bowlers who can bowl quick and spinners who’ve been doing well. They’ve also got part-timers, similar to subcontinental teams where part-timers are offspinners, left arm or leg spinners.”

Dhoni ended his news conference by posing for photographs with opposing skipper Afridi, prompting another flurry of frantic activity among the raft of photographers present.Before he left, Dhoni had a reminder for anyone who might be tempted to lose their sense of perspective on wednesday.“Somebody has to lose this game, irrespective of what happens about the political talking,” he said. “At the end of (tomorrow), you’ll have one team losing and one team going into the final. That’s part and parcel of sport, each and every sport.”

Team India all set to face Pakistan: Dhoni

 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said that his players are all set to face Pakistan in the semifinal match of World Cup 2011.

  Dhoni said everybody in the team seem to be fit.for the mega encounter.
Dhoni said Indo-Pak cricket matches tend to generate such media hype and it was important for the players not to get sucked into the frenzy and lose focus of the task at hand.

 "Well, we know the kind of hype media India-Pakistan matches generate. We are not getting involved in all this. We need to know what we are expected to do and focus on that," Dhoni said at the pre-match media conference.

"All this is part of cricket and we have to accept it.

But the key is not to get involved. We will have the biggest distinguished guests (referring to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani) to see the match, we have to be at our best," Dhoni said.

Asked whether the excessive hype would affect the Indians who are playing at home, the Indian skipper said, "It is not really affecting us. We all know it is a big tournament and we have prepared a lot. Our preparations have been the same like what we have done in the past few days."

Dhoni was not unduly worried about his batting form and reckoned that he had just not got opportunities to score big though he has been striking the ball well.

Asked specifically if pressure of captaincy was taking a toll on his batting, Dhoni responded: "It is only a cricketing aspect, nothing to do with form. I have been batting quite well. Sometimes the situations are not great to play flamboyant cricket. In the Bangladesh match, such a situation was there but I didn't get to bat."

 "If you are batting at No 5, 6, or 7, you don't get to bat much if the top order scores. I think the last game (against Australia) was ideal but it went straight to a fielder. It does not go your way always. Form has not been a worry," he added.

On whether this was his biggest match as captain, Dhoni said he did not believe in comparisons .

 "In a cricketer's life there will be many instances, this is no doubt an important match. After some time you forget. I have forgotten how we were feeling before the semi-final and final in 2007. Three years down the line, every game is different.

  "At the end of the day, it remains a 50 overs game, you have to be at your best. You have to maintain the intensity for 100 overs to win the game," the Indian skipper said.

Dhoni admitted that the presence of the Prime Ministers of both India and Pakistan and cricket being used as a tool for politics could serve as distraction.

 "That will be a distraction if I think of how we can help in bringing about a political change. I have been given job to lead the side and I have to do that to the best of my ability," he said.

The Indian captain said one team had to lose in the end and fans have to take the result of the match in the right spirit.

 "Somebody has to lose, irrespective of all the political talk and cricketing hype. At the end of 30th March, one team loses. It does not happen in cricket along, it happens in all sports," Dhoni pointed out.

"The good thing is we are all unaware of what is happening. Not watching the television is helping. It's a honour to lead the side. If you take it as a pressure job, you will find yourself in a pressure cooker," he said.

On the Pakistan team, Dhoni said they have a good bowling attack with their seamers and spinners doing a good job in the tournament.

 "They have a good bowling attack. Their seamers and spinners are doing a good job, the part-timers are also doing well. In sub-continental conditions, these players play a role. All-rounders like Abdul Razzak and (Shahid) Afridi give them the liberty to play extra bowlers," he said.

On the Mohali track, the Indian captain said he could not comment on the wicket as he has not seen the track yet.

 "Not seen the wicket, so I can't comment. In Mohali, most of the time it is in favour of batsmen," Dhoni said.

Dhoni also said that his Pakistan counterpart Afridi has been bowling really well in the tournament.

 "He has been bowling really well and has been the pick of their bowlers. But irrespective of the bowler, we have to treat the ball on merit and respect the good deliveries, he said.

Pakistan is dangerous side: Gary Kirsten

Team India coach Gary Kirsten on Tuesday said that Pakistan is the dangerous opposition.

On the eve of epic encounter between India and Pakistan at PCA ground in Mohali on Wednesday, Kirsten said that it might be dangerous to take Pakistan lightly in the 2nd semifinal of the World Cup.

Kirsten feels that Afridi-led Pakistan side is capable to lift the coveted trophy.

Coach Kirsten has prepared masterplan for the historical game against archrivals.

He said that master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is the biggest hero. He further said that Sehwag will have to play good knock.

Reacting on batting powerplay fumble, Kirsten said that Team India will have to sensibly use the powerplay to post the mammoth total.

Rain can spoil India-Pakistan semifinal

Cricket enthusiasts show victory signs to extend their wishes for Team India's victory in the CWC semi-final match against Pakistan in Mohali.

Dampening the spirits of cricket fans, rail can spoil the much awaited World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan at PCA stadium in Mohali on Wednesday.

"Partly cloudy sky will prevail over in the Mohali region on Wednesday. Thunderstorms and dust-storms along with light rain, by the evening, could also prevail in various parts of this region on tomorrow. Similar conditions are prevailing in this region for the last 24-hours," said a Met official in Mohali.

"However, it will be comparatively warm tomorrow. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 30 to 33 degrees Celsius whereas the minimum temperature will be around 17 to 18 degrees Celsius Wednesday," he added.

Besides the hopes of so many cricket fans, many other things are at stake in this match. All the tickets have been sold out. Apart from Indian fans, around 200 Pakistani cricket lovers are also expected in the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur are also coming to witness the match. On the invitation of Manmohan Singh, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has also confirmed his presence for the marquee game.

"We do not want rain to spoil the game. We want the full action of 100 overs and nothing less than that. We would pray to God to postpone the rain," Parul Singhal, a young cricket enthusiast who has come from Delhi to see this match, said.

If the weather remains on the positive side, the PCA pitch curators are expecting a good clash.

"It is a good ODI wicket and would be batsman friendly. Though we are not expecting anything dramatic out of the pitch but it would be very entertaining for the crowd. Around 280 runs would be a good score for the side batting first," Daljeet Singh, chief curator of PCA Stadium pitch, said.

He added: "Pace bowlers would get some good movement and bounce out of the pitch. Spinners would also get help after 15 to 20 overs of play. Dew could be a problem but we have kept the grass low to tackle it. The outfield would be very fast."

Indian team captain MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten have had a close look at the wicket and also talked to Singh.

Read more at: http://english.samaylive.com/sports-news/cricket/world-cup-2011/676484675/rain-can-spoil-india-pakistan-semifinal.html?cp

Read more at: http://english.samaylive.com/sports-news/cricket/world-cup-2011/676484675/rain-can-spoil-india-pakistan-semifinal.html?cp

India vs Pakistan: Battle field is drawn in Mohali

Mother of all Cricket, India vs Pakistan, is all set to kickstart on March 30 at PCA ground in Mohali.

A cricket match between archrivals India and Pakistan is always considered as a high-voltage encounter. The prestige and pride of over billions of people at stake when both the nations lock horns in the cricket field.

Anyone can easily imagine the high intensity of Indo-Pak second semifinal game in the World Cup. Prayers and Yajna are being organised in both the countries.

Mad rush for India-Pakistan game forced the BCCI, ICC and government of India to make an appeal to watch the match on TV sets. Tickets are on sale for high rates.

Chandigarh Airport Authority has no more space for plane landing. There are still 35 requests are pending to land the aircraft. All the hotels are houseful. Entire city is jampacked with cricket fans.

All the news channels are flooded with India-Pakistan match stories. Cricket has taken complete grip at this moment. In one words, this is the real final for both the teams.

People are geared up to support their respective team. The entry at the PCA ground will start at 6.00 am for 2.30 pm game.

This is the brief status before the big clash. The players are also under pressure to perform in the crucial game. The winning team will become the overnight hero before the countrymen.

Ind vs Pak: Match preview

If history can infuse confidence in a team, then India can take heart from their unbeaten run in the World Cup against Pakistan. Neither captain referred to the past while exuding confidence on the eve of their semifinal game.

Going by the performances in the run-up to the high-intensity clash, it will be a battle between India's high powered batting line-up and the skilfully potent bowling of the Pakistanis at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium Wednesday.

India were voted the favourites by an overwhelming majority of fans and experts and soothsayers handed the cup to Mahendra Singh Dhoni long before the first ball was bowled in the competition.

Somewhere down the line, they all realised it is not going to be smooth sailing, seeing the odds-on favourites getting stretched by Bangladesh, struggling to tie with England and eventually losing to South Africa at the group stage.

The hysteria was back the moment India beat Australia in the quarterfinals. It is now at a crescendo.

The build-up has been intense and to cap it all, the prime ministers of the two nations are going to witness the game from the presidential box of the beautiful stadium.

Both sides have their own viewpoints on the much-awaited match. The Indians think they have their best chance of winning the Cup a second time, having won it in 1983. The Pakistanis, who won in 1992 under Imran Khan, want to tell the cricket world that their country deserves international cricket at home.

Both captains tried to play down the pressure factor on the eve of the match. India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni insisted that his team is aware what is expected out of it -- playing good cricket -- while his counterpart Shahid Afridi was equally vehement in saying that they were not expected to come so far and so there was no pressure on them.

The two teams won their quarterfinals in contrasting styles. India fought hard against Australia while the Pakistanis cantered to an easy victory against the West Indies.

The first thing the Indians have to address is their inexplicable batting collapse in three matches, losing nine wickets for 29 runs against South Africa being the worst.

Tendulkar (379), Sehwag (342) and Yuvraj (341) and Gambhir (269) are among the top ten scorers in the competition and they have been the mainstay of the batting, but the middle and lower order batsmen need to show consistency.

The last time Tendulkar played here against Pakistan he fell on 99, but this time, the crowd is expecting the great man to reach his 100th international century.

Yuvraj's performance has stood out in the brittle middle-order. Against Australia, it was he who held the innings together and with Suresh Raina, took the side to victory. Having received four Man-of-the-Match awards for his all-round performance, the local boy is a big hit at home.

In the bowling department, Dhoni will be relying on his chief pace exponent Zaheer Khan, who is the second highest wicket-taker in the current competition with 17 wickets, four short of Afridi's 21. Yuvraj also picked up 11 wickets with his left-arm spin.

But it is to be seen whether, Dhoni makes any change to the side that beat defending champions Australia in the quarters. Ashish Nehra could come in place of an erratic Munaf Patel, but Dhoni is a big backer of the Baroda pacer for his line and length.

Afridi realises what it means to win the Cup.

In the last two years, Pakistan cricket has gone through hell. They were ostracised by the international cricket community in the wake of Lahore terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 and then were dropped as World Cup co-hosts. The banning of their three cricketers -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer -- on charges of spot-fixing last year plunged Pakistan cricket into a deeper crisis.

Afridi is still keeping his cards close to his chest. He would not reveal whether he is thinking of playing fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who will retire after the World Cup, so that he could renew his rivalry with Tendulkar one last time.

Pakistan, however, have enough firepower in their attack to trouble the famed Indian batting. Fast bowler Umar Gul, who has 11 wickets,has led the pace attack with distinction. With the Mohali wicket known to aid fast bowlers, Gul could be the bowler to watch out for.

But it will be Afridi's leg-spin that needs careful watching. With offie Mohammad Hafeez and left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, Afridi will form a formidable trio of spinners.

Squads:

India: M.S. Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Virender Sehwag,
Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh,
Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Yusuf Pathan,
Suresh Raina, S.Sreesanth, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur
Rehman, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal
(wicketkeeper), Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar
Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (Australia) and Ian Gould (England)
Third umpire: Billy Bowden (New Zealand)
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

2nd Semifinal: Ind vs Pak
Venue: PCA Ground Mohali
Timings: 14.30 hrs (IST)
Live commentary: english.samaylive.com

Read more at: http://english.samaylive.com/sports-news/cricket/world-cup-2011/676484691/india-vs-pakistan-battle-field-is-drawn-in-mohali.html?cp

Brazil will host the 2014 football World Cup

Micah Richards will be out for six weeks. —File Photo Dawn News Updates

LONDON: Manchester City defender Micah Richards is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks by a hamstring tear, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

“It is likely that he will miss four to six weeks of action though he is determined to press ahead with plans for an oxygen tent in his house in a bid to speed his recovery,” City said on their website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

Richards, who suffered the injury playing for the England under-21 side last week, will miss the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on April 16, as well as most of the Premier League run-in.

“It is not what I wanted to hear at all,” Richards said after a hospital scan revealed a Grade Two tear in his hamstring.“I felt sick when I was told. I knew from experience when I did it that it felt like a bad one but I was hoping for the best.”

City are to seek a second opinion on the knee injury suffered by defender Jerome Boateng while training with the German national team.“Initial reports from the German camp suggested Boateng will need surgery but the Blues will seek a second opinion once the club’s own medical staff has made an assessment,” City said.

Manager Roberto Mancini’s options in defence have been further hit with Pablo Zabaleta away on compassionate leave in Argentina.With Kolo Toure suspended, Mancini is considering calling up youngsters Dedryck Boyata and Wabara Reece to face Sunderland on Sunday.

2014 World Cup preparations: ‘Brazil behind Africa’

Brazil will host the 2014 football World Cup. -Photo by AFP Dawn News Updates

GENEVA: FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday urged Brazil to speed up its 2014 World Cup preparations, warning that Rio and Sao Paolo might not be ready to host Confederations Cup matches a year beforehand.

“If you make a comparison between the state of play in South Africa and Brazil three years before the World Cup, Brazil is behind Africa. It shouldn’t be said but it’s a fact,” the head of world football’s governing body told journalists.“If they carry on working like that when we have the Confederations Cup…a year before the World Cup as a rehearsal, there won’t be matches in Rio and no matches in Sao Paolo,” he added.“The World Cup stadiums are still not ready.”

Blatter said he was waiting for “a bit of effect” from the five time World Cup winners “because it’s not moving forward, it’s not moving forward very fast.”“What they should do in Brazil is put a little bit more speed in the organisation,” he added.Work on almost all of the 12 World Cup venues in the country is behind schedule, while airports in 

Brazil are also saturated with flight delays and cancellations a common daily occurrence.

Retired Brazilian soccer legend Pele claimed last month that Brazil was “running the risk of being red-faced in the way it is managing the World Cup.”

Andy Murray parts ways with coach Corretja

Andy Murray has seen a slump in form since January. —File Photo Dawn News

LONDON: British tennis star Andy Murray has parted company with coaching consultant Alex Corretja as he seeks to halt a form slump stretching back to January, it was confirmed Tuesday.
World number five Murray said he had agreed a mutual split with former Spanish professional Corretja, who he regarded as a friend and mentor.

Corretja has been part of Murray’s coaching team since April 2008, offering specialist advice on the Scot’s clay-court season, where he has struggled to emulate his success on other surfaces.
“I’ve had a really good relationship with Alex over the past three years. I have learned so much from being around him and I want to thank him for his hard work, enthusiasm, dedication and support,” Murray said.
“He has been a great friend as well as a mentor to me and we’ve shared lots of success and good times both on and off the court.”Corretja meanwhile offered Murray support in future.
“Helping Andy has been a great experience for me, he’s got great talent and can be one of the best on any surface,” Corretja said.“I wish Andy, his family and all his team all the best both personally and professionally.”
Murray, 23, has seen a huge slump in his form since his straight sets loss to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final in January and he lost early to qualifiers in the Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Those defeats have prompted Murray to rethink the makeup of his coaching team which also includes old friend Dani Vallverdu as well as his mother Judy.Among those touted as a possible new coach has been Czech great Ivan Lendl, who went through a similar spell of Grand Slam misery before coming good with eight titles.“Andy could do with some advice from the right person,” Murray’s brother Jamie, best known for his doubles play, told The Times.“He is good enough to get to that next level, but he needs that something extra that’s missing. He needs to find it from himself more than someone else.“It’s a mental thing, he has all the ability in the world.
“Maybe it’s his approach to tennis. If he does go a different route, you have to give your trust to that person. You have to let your guard down a bit, listen to the guy and accept he’s giving his opinion.”

The trends emerging ahead of the Indo-Pak clash

Indian cricket fans wear masks of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, second right, and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, right. -Photo by AP  Dawn News Updates

So, is everyone ready for the semi-finals and final matches of the Cricket World Cup? The India-Pakistan match at Mohali has captured the imagination of the entire Subcontinent. In sports terms, this match has variously been described as “The Mother of All Matches”; the South Asian equivalent of a Red Sox-Yankees game; and the Indian-Pakistani version of El Clásico. In allegorical terms, the match is being seen by political commentators as more significant than India-Pak peace talks, Partition, and a South Asian nuclear war combined.

“We don’t care who wins or loses, South Asia/cricket/the bookies will be the real winner!” declaim the peaceniks. “The Green cloud is coming to Mohali!” shout the eco-warriors. “Please just let this be over soon,” groan the rest of the world. Bad puns and dirty SMSs abound, all meant to whip up patriotic fervour and galvanize national team spirit. And yet, to some, tomorrow’s India-Pakistan semi-final match just seems like the equivalent of a really bad fight in divorce court: two people who once were one, now fighting over the division of property and who gets to keep the family dog, while extended families on both sides gloat and eat popcorn in the stands.

Still, there are those who claim the match is a harmless way of working out the tensions that continuously buffet India and Pakistan; better to send twenty-two men out to a cricket pitch with a bat and ball than twenty thousand men onto a battlefield with guns and bombs. Yet Pakistan-India matches are never truly without their own tensions. Analysts are already looking ahead: should Pakistan do the unthinkable and beat India tomorrow, they’ll go on to play the final against either Sri Lanka or New Zealand in Mumbai. The thought of a hostile crowd, stirred up by ultra-nationalists Shiv Sena, is not a pleasant prospect, but it hasn’t stopped five thousand extra Pakistanis from trying to get Indian visas and go across the border to witness the match. “At least the Pakistanis will be used to all the guns,” as the popular SMS joke goes.

There’s another interesting, and somewhat disturbing, trend that’s emerged from the prospect of the India-Pakistan semi final: Pakistanis’ taunting of the Indian team by using the metaphor of claiming Indian women as their own personal booty. “Get out your Sheilas and your Munnis,” crow the Pakistani supporters to their Indian counterparts on Twitter. “Prepare the dolis!” “Lock up your daughters!” And on and on and on. People are using this opportunity to express the fact of their sexual repression and their deepest imperialist fantasies at the same time. It’s as if the Pakistani men think of themselves as marauding Moghul invaders, ready to swoop in on the helpless Indians and take away their choicest models and Bollywood actresses should Pakistan win the match tomorrow.

Then there’s the people who think that a victory in Mohali, and by extension, the final match of the 

 World Cup, will avenge the affronts to our national honor that have been taking place with such audacious regularity. Never mind that Raymond Davis went home and that drones continue to attack our civilians – as long as we win the World Cup, this will prove our honor and dignity and sovereignty to the world! Never mind that we are South Asia’s economic basketcase – we’ll bring home the World Cup! All I can say to those people is that the trophy will make a very nice begging bowl…

But there’s another unaddressed aspect of watching our boys play and win honors on the cricket field, one which gives pleasure to the whole country in these difficult, troubled times. We can turn to sports psychology to help us understand it: the concept of team cohesion, which sports social psychologist Albert Carron defines as “a dynamic process which is reflected in the tendency for a group to stick together and remain united in the pursuit of goals and objectives.”  Not only do the members of a successful team put aside their differences, but they transcend their individual skills and abilities, turn to each other in liking and respect, and engender that elusive X factor that enables them to perform feats of sporting magic – such as winning the Cricket World Cup.

Examining this concept of team cohesion, the special appeal of this match suddenly falls into place for me and all my fellow Pakistanis, no matter how skeptical you are about the appeal of cricket in general. What happens on the field when our team wins a match is something we all desperately wish would happen in our country at large. Team cohesion is something that Pakistan could really use right now, and we’re looking to our boys in Mohali to teach us something about how to make it happen for us all.

Bina Shah is the author of Slum Child

Miandad urges India, Pakistan to build bridges

Shahid Afridi and his men will have to play with lot of unity and withstand a lot of pressure to win the match: Javed Miandad.—AFP photo Dawn News Updates

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad on Tuesday urged estranged rivals India and Pakistan to take advantage of their much-hyped World Cup semi-final clash and build bridges.

Both countries are expected to come to a standstill on Wednesday with millions of cricket fans glued to the match in Mohali, to be watched in person by the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers despite frosty diplomatic ties.Miandad, currently director general of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said it was a “golden opportunity” to increase understanding, two years after the 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 166 people and suspended peace talks.“We should send a delegation including our former great sportsmen and women and some people from the entertainment industry as a gesture of goodwill towards Indian people, that’s how people of both countries will come close.”

Miandad, who played 124 Tests and 233 one-day matches during an illustrious career, praised Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for inviting Pakistan’s prime minister and president to watch the match.“I have full praise for Mr Singh… I have always believed that people in both countries want to have friendlier ties and more understanding but at times circumstances have dictated something else,” said Miandad.

Miandad, who toured India as team coach in 1999 and who is remembered for his last-ball six which helped Pakistan beat India in a one-day in Sharjah in 1986, said cricket had again brought the arch rivals closer.“I have always believed that cricket has that power and it is something that is a passion in both countries and it can be used as a very positive tool to improve relations and remove misunderstandings,” said Miandad.

Miandad said having Pakistan cricket hero Imran Khan doing commentary in India was also a help.

“Imran is very popular in India and I am sure his presence can improve people to people contact. He along with many other Pakistani cricketers are household names in India, so they can play a part,” said Miandad.“It is tough to say who will win, but my heart says its Pakistan.“But Shahid Afridi and his men will have to play with lot of unity and withstand a lot of pressure to win the match and they are capable of doing this,” said Miandad, urging the teams to calm their fans.

“Players should appeal to fans not to overreact in case of their team is defeated. I also appeal to fans to take it as a game and don’t show anger.”

Shoaib unlikely for semi against India: reports

Shoaib Akhtar boxes as he trains during a practice session ahead of the semifinal match against India in Mohali.—AP Dawn News Updates

MOHALI: Paceman Shoaib Akhtar is unlikely to play in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal against archrival India, according to a source close to the Pakistan team.

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi raised expectations of a return for Akhtar when he said he knew the bowler wasn’t fully fit, but would to have him in the lineup to offer something different against the powerful Indian batsman.

But a source, who was not authorized to comment to media, told The Associated Press late Tuesday that Pakistan team management was not in favor of disturbing a winning combination.The 35-year-old Akhtar has already announced he’ll retire from international cricket after the World Cup, but has not played in four of the seven matches in the tournament.In his absence, Pakistan has defeated Zimbabwe, handed three-time champion Australia its first World Cup loss since 1999 and also thrashed the West Indies by 10 wickets in the quarterfinals.”The only likely change (for semifinal) from the quarterfinal team is that leftarm spinner Abdur Rehman might come in place of offspinner Saeed Ajmal,” the source told AP.

Several former Pakistan players have called for Akhtar to be reinstated in a bid to unsettle India’s batsmen, who are comfortable playing spin but could be vulnerable against all-out pace.

India vs Pakistan in World Cup History Analysis

The West Indian captain Clive Lloyd holding 1975 World Cup

One-day cricket was new, so new that Sunil Gavaskar played for a draw in the first ever World Cup match (he scored 36 not out off 174 balls). The South Asian giants didn’t progress to the semi-finals, only managing wins against minnows Sri Lanka and East Africa. Pakistan’s defeat from the jaws of victory against eventual winners West Indies was the high point for either nation. At that moment, one-day cricket and South Asia seemed ill-suited to each other. Pakistan had the better tournament but not by enough to gain a clear early advantage.

India 1 Pakistan 1

The West Indian captain Clive Lloyd holding 1979 World Cup winning second time in a row

India still hadn’t got the hang of one-day cricket, managing to lose all three matches and finish bottom of their group thanks to a defeat to Sri Lanka, who were still considered minnows then. Pakistan fared better, reaching a semi-final against West Indies that they threatened to win until Viv Richards ripped out the middle order with three wickets.
Pakistan were sowing the seeds of a reputation for unpredictability but they achieved much more than India in this tournament.
India 1 Pakistan 2
 

The Indian Captain with 1983 World Cup in Lords Balcony

India’s World Cup. Everybody expected West Indies to complete a hat-trick of victories and a loss to India in the group stages didn’t especially dampen those expectations. Both India and Pakistan progressed to the semi-finals, India more convincingly on the back of some fine batting. Pakistan’s stuttering World Cup ended with another semi-final exit at the hands of West Indies.

In the final at Lord’s, India's score of 183 was five runs less than Pakistan had scored against West Indies in the semi-final. That’s where the comparisons ended. India produced an incredible performance in the field. A towering, swirling hit from Viv Richards was held by Kapil Dev and forlorn hope became genuine ambition. India’s medium pacers were all over the two-time champions, Mohinder Amarnath taking 3 for 12.

That’s the moment the world changed. South Asia was now obsessed with one-day cricket and the World Cup. India had also outdone Pakistan.

India 2 Pakistan 2

 

The Australian Captain Allan Border with 1987 World Cup

The first World Cup held in South Asia, indeed anywhere outside England. The tournament was engineered for an India-Pakistan final, with Pakistan favourites on paper. All went smoothly until the semi-finals when both home nations were undone by upstarts England and Australia.

Both nations were equally traumatised and wounded. At least, India had their World Cup win in the bag. Pakistan had nothing except a run of semi-final appearances to soothe them. Imran Khan declared that defeat had made him understand what the World Cup meant to the people of Pakistan.

India 3 Pakistan 3

The Pakistani Captain Imran Khan with Benson & Hedges Cup 1992

Pakistan’s World Cup; the year of the cornered tiger. Coloured pyjamas and satellite television transformed the World Cup franchise when it reached Australia. None of the South Asian nations were expected to excel on bouncy pitches, but Pakistan squeezed into the semi-finals again. In the process, they were dismissed for 74 by England and lost their first ever World Cup encounter with India, made famous for a squabble between Javed Miandad and Kiran More.

Facing a near-impossible run chase in the semi-final against New Zealand, Inzamam-ul-Haq produced an iconic innings, allowing Wasim Akram to execute a thrilling final flourish against England. Pakistan had their World Cup win and Imran Khan had the keys to his cancer hospital.

Pakistan’s reputation as the most dangerously unpredictable one-day nation was firmly established.

India 3 Pakistan 4

The Sri Lankan Captain Arjuna Ranatunga with 1996 Wills World Cup

A return to South Asia produced a South Asian winner, but it was neither big beast. Instead, former-minnows Sri Lanka refined the art of pinch-hitting and stormed their way to victory at Lahore’s unfortunately named Gaddafi Stadium. The collapse of the podium at the winner’s ceremony and some worrying moments with floodlights added an air of farce and incompetence to the tournament.

Earlier, India and Pakistan had fought an emotional quarter-final at Bangalore. India won thanks to a late assault by Ajay Jadeja against Waqar Younis. Briefly, Pakistan looked in the hunt, with Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar giving India's bowlers some tap and rowing with them too. But once Sohail lost his head, Pakistan’s reply petered out. For the first time, India had directly eliminated Pakistan from a World Cup.

A few days later, it was India’s turn to feel pain, as a failed run chase and crowd disturbance ended their World Cup with a semi-final defeat to Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens.

India 4 Pakistan 4

Australian Captain Steve Waugh with Team 1999 World Cup

The World Cup returned to England and Wasim Akram’s Pakistan made it to the final. In the process, they lost again to India, as well as Bangladesh. India’s poor form in the Super Six stage cost them a semi-final place, while Pakistan’s equally poor form in the Super Six stage didn’t matter because of their success in the group stage.

Pakistan had beaten Australia in the group stage, but Australia were peaking as they reached the final and Pakistan had left their best form behind them. Akram urged his players to relax, and perhaps they overdid it as Shane Warne led a humiliating rout, Pakistan dismissed for 133.

Pakistan had now reached two World Cup finals and three semi-finals without ever beating India.

India 4 Pakistan 5

The Australian Captain Ricky Ponting with his Team holding 2003 World Cup

India rising, Pakistan collapsing. South Africa was a new venue for the World Cup and signalled a redefinition of the World Cup rivalry between India and Pakistan. Pakistan were in dreadful form, with too many players past their best. India, meanwhile, were experienced yet still hungry. Their batting order was beginning to look formidable.

When the two teams met in Centurion, Pakistan compiled a decent 273. Shoaib Akhtar had bowled the fastest recorded delivery earlier in the tournament. How would India’s batsmen stand up to him, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis? To answer the question, Sachin Tendulkar cut Akhtar for six over backward point, and India's first hundred runs in their chase came off 73 balls. Pakistan were demolished and dumped out of the tournament.

India reached the final but Australia were red-hot. India were never in the game, a variation on Pakistan’s defeat in 1999.

India 5 Pakistan 5

The Australian Team with Captain Ricky Ponting 2007 world cup

The tournament that never happened. Two wins between them, and those over Bermuda and Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan may as well have not turned up. This was especially true of Pakistan, whose coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room, and had to help the police with their inquiries into his death. Painful memories for all supporters of India and Pakistan, which makes both teams' revivals in World Cup 2011 even sweeter.

India 5 Pakistan 5

 

Inshallah Pakistan Will  Win World Cup 2011

   
The tournament’s best batsmen meet the tournament’s best bowlers in a World Cup semi-final in Punjab. It is the first time that India and Pakistan have faced each other at this stage of the tournament, and this World Cup analysis is neatly poised. The winner on Wednesday will shift history in their country’s favour.

Ricky Ponting steps down as Australian captain

The 36-year-old, who is expected to be replaced by Michael Clarke, resigned as the Australian skipper but will continue as a batsman with the team. —Photo by Reuters Dawn News Updates

SYDNEY: Ricky Ponting, the most successful captain in 134 years of test cricket, resigned as the Australian test and one-day skipper on Tuesday but will continue as a batsman with the team.  

The 36-year-old, who has led Australia in one day internationals since 2002 and tests since 2004, has been under increasing pressure after an Ashes defeat to England and a quarter-final exit as defending champions at the World Cup. “Today I’ve decided to stand down as captain of the test team and the one-day team as of now,” he told a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). “The main reason for me is I think it’s the right time, I wanted to make sure that I gave the next captain every opportunity I possibly could to make sure he has as much experience going forward in the next couple of big events that we will play.” “I will continue to play and am available for both the one day and test teams,” he said earlier in a statement.  

While Ponting’s batting record brooks no argument, his captaincy has often been criticised as Australia has declined as a force in world cricket, with three Ashes series defeats to England in particular damaging his reputation. 

Australia went to the World Cup as double defending champions but returned home after defeat to India in the last eight, their unbeaten run of matches in the tournament having been ended at 34 by Pakistan in the group stage. On his return to Australia at the weekend, Ponting acknowledged the pressure on him and said he would consider his position before the squad to tour Bangladesh was announced on Wednesday. 

Ponting bucked a poor run of form to hit a defiant century in the quarter-final defeat to India in Ahmedabad, which will only have increased his determination to continue playing international cricket. 

Michael Clarke, who stood in for the injured Ponting in the final Ashes test and for the one-day series against England that followed it, is expected to replace his mentor as skipper. Australia will play three one-dayers in Bangladesh next month with trips to Sri Lanka and South Africa scheduled for later in the southern hemisphere winter.

semi-final cricket match between Pakistan and India

As the ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final cricket match between Pakistan and India inches closer, the sale of Team Pakistan’s jerseys is climbing higher than ever. According to one shop keeper, people have literally gone ‘mad’.

Afridi accuses Indian media of negative campaig

Shahid Afridi stretches during a training session in Mohali.—AFP Dawn News Updates

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi accused the Indian media on Monday of conducting a negative campaign against his team before Wednesday’s eagerly anticipated World Cup semi-final in Mohali.

“There is so much negativity in the Indian media. There is nothing positive to watch on the channels and we are just sticking together as a team and it is just the hotel and ground for us,” Afridi told a Pakistani news channel.“The only answer we can give is with our performance. We will try to give 110 per cent in this big match.“Everyone knows how big a match this is and the pressures that come with it. But we will just do our best whatever the result. After the match we just want to be content in our hearts we gave our best.”

Afridi also said Pakistan were considering playing their controversial fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar.

“I also want him to play but we have not taken a final decision as yet. And we have to take into consideration his match fitness and his form which we will see in the nets,”Afridi said.“We want him in such a high-profile match but we don’t want him for just four or five overs, we want him to bowl his full quota of overs,”

Pakistan have not played Akhtar, who has announced his decision to retire after the World Cup, since they lost to New Zealand in the pool matches.Afridi played down his remarks about not allowing Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar to score runs in the semi-final.“The Indian media has treated this negatively. There is never any doubt about Tendulkar’s greatness. But if someone approaches me and asks me about him (Tendulkar) obviously as Pakistan captain I will not say we will allow him to score runs I will say we will ensure he doesn’t get his 100th international century,” Afridi said.

The Pakistan skipper felt the dew factor would play an important role.“Yes, there is a lot of dew in the evenings but they are using chemicals to counter it. But it is a factor we will have to take into consideration at the toss,” he said.

He also expressed disappointment at remarks from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik about the government keeping a close watch on the players in the semi-final because of last year’s spot-fixing scandal.“I don’t think he should have said such a thing at such a time,” Afridi said.

Gilani calls Afridi ahead of Pak-India WC clash

Irrespective of the result, the team should demonstrate the best of sportsmanship and dedication to contest: PM Gilani.—AFP photo  Dawn News Updates

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani telephoned Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi on Monday and wished him and other members of team best of luck in the semi-final.

“Irrespective of the result, the team should demonstrate the best of sportsmanship and dedication to contest,” an official statement quoted Gilani as saying.

He added that while accepting the invitation of his Indian counterpart, “it was in his heart to be present on the occasion to express solidarity with the players of the Pakistani cricket team.”
“Afridi assured the Prime Minister that each member of the team would put in his best performance for a favourable result,” the statement said.

Tearful fans robbed of Mohali blockbuster

A policeman hits a protester with a stick near the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, March 28, 2011. — Photo by Reuters

MOHALI: Hundreds of eager fans stood in long queues at the Punjab Cricket Association ground on Monday in a final, desperate bid to find a ticket for the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final.

Sai Das, a resident of Mohali — the venue for Wednesday’s marquee clash between the bitter rivals — was on the verge of tears as he described his ticket travails.“I live in Mohali and to think that I have not been able to get a ticket kills me,” said the 22-year-old student as he walked away from the queue of hundreds snaking round the edge of the PCA Stadium.“I have been coming here for the last three days but the ticket counters open and close in minutes. They have no pity on us. The officials are only giving away tickets to VIPs.”

A group of school students described how they had defied angry parents and made it all the way from nearby Chandigarh just to be able to get the tickets.“My father scolded me but I didn’t listen,” said Rajan Kumar, 13.“I saw on a TV channel that some tickets will be put on sale today and I rushed here, giving school a miss.“Now we are told the report was wrong, no tickets are available. We have been waiting since eight in the morning for the counters to open and it is already close to one in the afternoon.“I was so excited about watching (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni hitting Pakistan’s bowlers for sixes. But I think I will have to make do with the TV.”

The PCA has maintained for days the match at the 30,000-capacity ground is sold out.

“We started the sale on March 21 and tickets were sold off the next day by noon,” PCA joint secretary G. S. Walia told AFP.“The whole idea was to sell the tickets before it was known whether India will play Pakistan here. That way the genuine cricket lovers got the tickets but those who wanted only to see India play Pakistan were left out.”

Walia expressed helplessness over the problem of black market tickets.“It is an individual problem. People came, stood in the queues and bought the tickets. We cannot keep track if they go back and sell these in (the) black (market).”

There are also concerns regarding forged tickets and Walia said: “We will ensure there are enough security checks to make sure the tickets are genuine.”One fan said a 500 rupee ($12) ticket was fetching up to 20 times its value.“I know it’s not fair,” said Vinay Gupta, 15.“But India is playing Pakistan on our soil after so long. I will put all the money that I have saved from my pocket money into this one.”

Among the crowds milling at the huge colonial-style gates of the stadium were also curious onlookers who had gathered just to “soak in the atmosphere”.“I came here to catch up on all the action,” said 30-year-old bank employee Ved Prakash.“I know there are no tickets to be bought. I just want to catch a glimpse of the bus which will carry the cricketers to the ground.”

Vettori stunned by decision to reuse wicket for semi

 “Playing a World Cup semifinal on a used wicket, we would have thought it would be mandatory to prepare a fresh wicket. But obviously not.” -Photo by AP   Dawn News Updates

COLOMBO: New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori was shocked when he discovered Monday that a used wicket is being prepared for the World Cup semifinal against Sri Lanka.

“They’ve told us we’re playing on the same one as England which is very surprising for us,” Vettori said on the eve of semifinal.“Playing a World Cup semifinal on a used wicket, we would have thought it would be mandatory to prepare a fresh wicket. But obviously not.”Co-host Sri Lanka has the advantage of having played on the wicket in 10-wicket quarterfinal demolition of England on Saturday.

New Zealand had an upset 49-run win over South Africa at Dhaka to reach the semifinals for the sixth time _ and the Kiwis are still aiming for their first win in the final four.Vettori takes inspiration from New Zealand’s run to the Champions Trophy final two years ago.“Everyone wants to talk about our record of making them (to semifinals) and not going on any further,” he said.“In the Champions 

Trophy we went one step further and made the final against Australia, so we can look on that and hope it’s a starting point for us going past the semis.”New Zealand was not rated by many to make it this far at the 2011 the World Cup, particularly after being swept by Bangladesh and India in limited-overs series in subcontinent last year.

The positives started to emerge in the New Zealand ranks when John Wright was appointed coach in December and the Kiwis lost a close one-day series to Pakistan 3-2.“Look, John’s been fantastic for us,” Vettori said.“I’ve loved working with Wrighty and he’s brought a lot of passion to the team. And his knowledge of people over here and grounds has been a tremendous help as well.”

“But the players took the blame for those losses (to Bangladesh and India) so I think the players have to take credit for the wins as well.”New Zealand has at least six survivors from the 2007 World Cup _ Vettori, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, James Franklin, Scott Styris and Ross Taylor, who all featured in an 81-run semifinal defeat to Sri Lanka at Jamaica.And Vettori expects another tough semifinal as Sri Lanka will be playing in front of its home crowd.

Mahela Jayawardene scored 115 and Upul Tharanga scored 73 in the semifinal in the 2007 edition and both batsmen are in prolific form in this tournament, too.Tharanga has scored two centuries while Jayawardene smashed the fastest World Cup century for Sri Lanka when he made 100 off 80 balls against Canada in the first group match.

New Zealand beat South Africa in the quarterfinals but it also had heavy losses to Sri Lanka and Australia in the group stage.“Whenever we’ve won well we’ve backed it up with a poor performance,” Vettori said.“We’ve had our up performance (against South Africa) so we’ve got to make sure we we’ve got another one in the bag because we know how strong Sri Lanka can be in their home conditions.”

Sri Lanka used all its three spinners in the quarterfinal against England and, with the same wicket to be used, Vettori said he was tempted but not entirely sure about using another spinner.New Zealand has flown in fast bowler Andy McKay in place of injured pacemen Kyle Mills and also has an option of playing seamer Daryl Tuffey.Sri Lankans “grew up playing spin,” Vettori said.“So for us we’ll have a good long hard look at McKay and Tuffey and see if they’re a good option to come in instead of the third spinner.”

Vettori will be stepping down from the ODI captaincy after the World Cup and said he was lucky to lead the side for four years.

“I’ll be 32 so I think it’s time for someone new to come in,” he said. “After four years, some fresh ideas and a different voice.
“I wanted to give as much as I could in that time, and then whoever the next man is, stick around and support them as much as I can.”

Sri Lanka sweat on Muralitharan’s fitness ahead of semi-final

 

Sri Lanka might risk playing Murali tharan in the semi-final, media reports say. —Photo by Reuters

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan faces a battle against time to get fit for Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Muralitharan, 38, the leading wicket taker in both Test and one-day cricket, will retire from international cricket after the tournament. He is suffering from both a bruised knee and a quadriceps injury sustained in the group stages.he winners of Tuesday’s match meet the victors of Wednesday’s semi-final between India and Pakistan in Saturday’s final in Mumbai.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara told a news conference on Monday the team management were not thinking of saving Muralitharan for a possible final.“This is the crunch game and, if he can play tomorrow, that will be great for us. But if that doesn’t work out for us we have got enough cover to make sure that we are still a solid winning side,” Sangakkara said.“We will have to just monitor how he goes and hope he is fit enough to play.”

Sri Lanka easily won their group match against New Zealand and overwhelmed England by 10 wickets in their quarter-final on Saturday.

Chemical sprays – a spinner’s friend in the subcontinent

“No Super Soppers or anything. We used to start our game in the morning when there was a lot of dew. And can you imagine Andy Roberts bowling in-swingers on a wet wicket? The ball bounces and comes right on your face. It was certainly very dangerous.” -Photo by AFP Dawn News Updates

MUMBAI: Organisers will spray a chemical to minimise the impact of dew during  Saturday’s World Cup final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, its curator said.

The evening dew has troubled many captains during the event and has forced them to opt to field first on placid wickets.The excess moisture on the ground during the evening makes it extremely difficult for the spinners to grip the ball and makes batting much more easier as the ball skids on to the bat.

World Cup organisers have mopped up grounds during the drinks intervals in day-night fixtures to get rid of the dew, which was in abundance during the Sri Lanka-New Zealand group match at the Wankhede Stadiun on March 18.“We had seen for nearly 10 days that the dew comes around 9.30-10 pm (IST) but unfortunately that day it started around 8 pm,” Sudhir Naik, the curator of the venue for Saturday’s final, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

It had no bearing on the outcome of that match since New Zealand, batting second, were skittled inside 35 overs to hand Sri Lanka a 112-run victory.However, the organisers are not taking any such chances for the most important day of the showpiece event.“The dew factor will be there. But for the final we are going to spray a chemical that will reduce the quantum of dew. We did not do that for the earlier match,” Naik, who has been preparing wickets since 1987, said.

The chemical will be sprayed on Friday and Saturday. The wicket for the final match will have a bit of help for everybody — be it batsmen, pacemen or spinners, the 66-year old said.“My wicket is already ready. I have already proved that my wicket has good bounce and good carry,” Naik, who played three tests for India, said.“It will be a good fight between batsmen and pace bowlers and spin bowlers. Both ways it is entertainment and I think that is the idea of a one-day game.“It should be a fair contest. If you prepare a flat wicket, batsmen will just walk in and dominate. At least I don’t enjoy that cricket.”

Preparing a pitch is a much easier job than handling the fiery pace bowling from West Indian Andy Roberts, feels Naik.The former test opener got out to Roberts in both innings of his last match for zero and six and it brought about a premature end to his international career.“We are covering the wickets these days so that it does not get wet due to dew. In our time, wickets used to be uncovered and there were no methods to dry the dew,” Naik reminisced.“No Super Soppers or anything. We used to start our game in the morning when there was a lot of dew. And can you imagine Andy Roberts bowling in-swingers on a wet wicket? The ball bounces and comes right on your face. It was certainly very dangerous.”

NO TIME

While most home teams request pitches to be prepared so that it plays to their strengths, Naik said he would be unable to heed any last-minute requests from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni should India reach the final by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday.“I (usually) try to prepare wickets that will be suitable to our Indian players,” he said.“But in World Cup there is no time because the second semi-final will get over on 30th night. Then only we will come to know if India is coming through.“After that there is no time for me to make any alterations. You can’t do any changes in two days.”

Sri Lanka play in the other semi-final against New Zealand on Tuesday in Colombo and the curator knows it would make no sense to prepare a spinning track for the title clash.“You can’t prepare a wicket which will suit spinners as I think Sri Lanka is 99 percent sure to come through from the other semi-final. They also have good spinners,” he said.“So as a former cricketer I have the brains and I know it is better to prepare a flat wicket. India has got much better batting line-up and they have much better chances if you give them a batting wicket.“So India can score more runs than Sri Lanka. In case India doesn’t come (through) let Pakistan and Sri Lanka play on a flat wicket. It doesn’t matter for us.”