Pakistan capable of winning World Cup, says Aravinda de Silva

COLOMBO: Former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva believes that if Pakistan play consistently then the 1992 champions can go on to win World Cup-2011.
Legendary Test batsman de Silva said on Thursday that Pakistan has the firepower to go all the way in the 14-nation tournament.
"I think Pakistan are capable of winning the World Cup," said de Silva, who was one of the architects of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup triumph.
"Their team has some good players but what Pakistan needs is to have more consistency in their game. I think if they can do that then they will have a very good chance of winning the title," he added.
De Silva, who scored 6,361 runs from 93 Tests and also amassed 9,284 runs from 308 One-day Internationals during an illustrious international career, stressed that there are no favourites in the World Cup.
"The results that we have seen so far in this tournament have made it clear that there are no favourites to win the World Cup.
"Any team that peaks at the right time and gives its best when it matters is going to win the title," said de Silva, who was Man of the Match of the 1996 World Cup final.
De Silva believes that a number of exciting matches in this tournament have proved that there is no danger to the one-day format.
"We have seen some really exciting matches in this World Cup and it's apparent that cricket fans are really enjoying this competition. It also shows that the one-day format is still very popular," he said

Pakistan vs New Zealand: Kiwis crush Pak by 110 runs

Pak vs NZ: Live scorecard
The Black Caps crushed Pakistan by 110 runs. Chasing a mammoth target of 303 runs, Pakistan was bowled out for 192 runs.
Pakistan, who was unbeaten in this World Cup, performed poorly with the bat, ball and fielding.
Abdul Razzaq was the top scorer with 62 runs. He made cruscial partnership with Umar Gul to reduce the defeat runs.
Birthday boy Ross Taylor smashed swashbuckling unbeaten hundred to guide New Zealand towards mammoth total of 302 runs against Pakistan.
Taylor scored unbeaten 131 off 124. His spectacular innings was studded with eight boundaries and seven massive sixes.
At one stage, New Zealand was struggling to reach the 240 total but it was Taylor, who was riding high on two drop opportunity.
Pak vs NZ: Live Commentary
Nathan McCullum (19) started the firework with Taylor after the dismissal of Scott Styris (28). After Nathan, Jacob Oram joined the party in middle. His 10 ball cameo also helped New Zealand to cross the 300 mark. Oram scored 25 runs.
Taylor was dropped by Kamran Akmal on duck and four. He whacked away Shoaib Akhtar and Abul Razzaq for 28 and 30 runs. New Zealand scored 92 runs in last four overs. Pakistan bowling attack shattered in the slog overs as New Zealand posted good target on the board.
Electing to bat first, New Zealand received first jolt in the very first over of the match when Shoaib Akhtar bowled out Brandom McCullum for six.
However, Martin Guptil was the architecture of Kiwis innings. He consolidated New Zealand with well composed 57 runs.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettorie won the crucial toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan here at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Kiwis have made two changes in the squad. Jamie How and Jacob Oram  are back in the side. Hamish Bennett and Jesse Ryder are out. Vettori said Ryder is unfit.

Paksitan has also made couple of changes for today’s match. Veteran pacer Shoaib Akhtar and spinner Abdur Rehman are  back in. Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal will have to sit out.
Teams:
NZ: Brandon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, James Franklin, Scott Styris, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Jacob Oram
PAK: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar

Cricket World Cup 2011: Pakistan Vs New Zealand

While many experts are criticizing Pakistan's death bowling and the bowling performance in general, I see the predicament that Pakistan is in to have generated from two basic components.
I feel that Pakistan had this coming in the wake of the constant absurdity displayed by their team selection and captaincy.
To top it all off, Kamran Akmal dropped the easiest catch he could ever made in his career off the bowling of an in form, steaming Shoaib Akhter, who now is ironically being blamed for the thrashing that Pakistan received. In terms of the selection and captaincy decisions made by Pakistan, there are a couple questions that remain.
One question has been bugging me since the start of this world cup. With the pitches turning as they are, why is a flat, quickish spinner like Abd-ur-Rehman getting selected constantly ahead of Saeed Ajmal? Ajmal is a match winner and one bad performance should never cause a team to lose trust in a match winner. Another issue that I have is Afridi's lack of assessment of a situation. He took the second slip out when Shoaib had the Kiwis in a fix and Guptil's catch went through that very region.
The worst and the most astonishing decision was to give the new ball to Rehman when one knew that Razzaq can only bowl with a new ball and is just a medium up and down bowler with an older ball. When Rehman opened the attack I instantly told an acquaintance that Razzaq would be murdered at some stage in the match.

I sympathize with Shoaib Akhtar who was absolutely unplayable in the beginning and was robbed off of Taylor's wicket by the incapable Kamran Akmal.

I fear that this performance would result in Akhtar being dropped, which is really not the right way to go. I hope that the management sees how Pakistan needs Saeed Ajmal as an integral part of the team. Kamran Akmal should be left out and Umar Akmal should keep for the rest of the cup.

Afridi wants ICC to use UDRS more

Pakistan's One-day captain Shahid Afridi wants the International Cricket Council ( ICC) to consider increasing the number of Umpire decision review system (UDRS) appeals allowed to a particular team.
Unlike his Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is not happy with the UDRS, Afridi said the system had worked well for most teams in the World Cup.
"The use of the UDRS is a positive development and it would not be a bad idea if its use is increased in the remaining matches of the World Cup and even after that," said Afridi in his show 'Captain's corner' on a news channel.
Afridi pointed out that the system has ensured minimum errors on the field and most teams are satisfied with it.
Pakistan benefitted immensely from the use of the UDRS system during their tight game against Canada yesterday as many of the decisions taken by on field umpires, Darrel Harper and Nigel Long, were turned down on review.
The allrounder, who has taken 14 wickets in three matches in the tournament, said while he was happy to be playing a leading role as a bowler but added that he would like to see the other bowlers fire as well.
"They have bowled well but have been unlucky. I just think I am more lucky to have got the wickets. It feels good to be taking wickets for your team.
"I am pretty confident that as the others would also start taking wickets as the tournament progressed," he said.
Afridi admitted that Pakistan still needed to bring more consistency in its performances.
"I don't think the Canadian bowlers bowled any outstanding stuff we gave away our wickets and if we want to reach the final of this tournament we need to bring consistency in all three departments of our game," he said.
Pakistan's fielding was shoddy against Sri Lanka and against Canada they came up with dismal show with the bat.
Afridi said fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had a slight groin problem and had decided to rest for the Canada game.
"We need to improve further to do well in the remaining matches, which are expected to be much tougher. I think the quarter-final will be the toughest test for the qualifying teams in this competition."
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said while he was happy that Afridi was taking wickets but he also wants others to chip in.
"I don't think we can keep on relying on one bowler to take wickets all the time. I hope in the next games the other bowlers will also step up," said Waqar.

Ricky Ponting describes Pakistan as a very dangerous side, similar to Australia

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has described Pakistan as a very dangerous side, predicting that the team will get better by the day as the 2011 World Cup progresses.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, Ponting drew comparisons between Pakistan and his own team, which is looking for a record fourth consecutive World Cup crown.
“They have some good bowlers. Their fast bowers have done well here. They have Shahid Afridi who is in terrific form. Then they have (Mohammad) Hafeez, who can bowl. Rehman is there and also Saeed Akmal. So in a way they are similar to Australia,” The News quoted Ponting, as saying.
He said Pakistan are a well-balanced side, and have made their presence felt at the World Cup by beating co-hosts Sri Lanka, one of the favourites for the title.
After Australia’s Pool A match against Sri Lanka was washed out by rain at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Ponting hoped that his team would be fully prepared to face Pakistan in their last group game on March 19 at the same venue.
Speaking on his team’s abandoned match against Sri Lanka, Ponting said that he was ‘surprised’ by the slowness of the wicket at the R Premadasa Stadium, adding that more than the players, he was disappointed for the crowd after the match was rained out.

I have put the controversies behind me, says Kamran Akmal

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal feels that an allegation of his involvement in the spot-fixing saga is a thing of the past and he is now just trying to give his best in the ongoing World Cup.
"Those things are behind me now and I don't want to talk about those things. The fact that the selectors considered me good enough to play for Pakistan again in itself answers a lot of questions," Kamran said.
Kamran like Shoaib Malik and Danish Kaneria was not considered for the series against South Africa in UAE and the Test tour to New Zealand last year but made a comeback in the World Cup squad after being cleared by the integrity committee of the PCB.
The glovesman who has been given the responsibility of batting at no. 3 in the tournament said he was enjoying the challenge of batting up the order.
"I know I can still contribute bigger innings to the team. As the tournament progresses, I will try to bat for longer period as batting at no. 3 gives me a that time to settle down in a 50-over encounter."
He also refuted the suggestion that because of his batting responsibility, his keeping was being affected after he missed two stumping chances against Sri Lanka leaving spinner Abdul Rehman distraught.
But Kamran said there is no additional pressure on him to perform as he has earlier batted up the order in three formats of the game.
When asked about his shoddy show behind the stumps, Kamran reasoned, "Every player commits a few mistakes and faces difficulties during his career. I'm trying to get through this phase and improve my performance."

Pakistan dismiss concerns about balance

Pakistan may have a 100% record halfway into the group stage of the World Cup but concerns about the balance of the side refuse to go away. On Thursday, they completed an ultimately comfortable, but mostly tense, 46-run win against Canada, but their batting flopped under grey skies as they were bowled out for 184 in just 43 overs. In the end, Pakistan were indebted to captain Shahid Afridi, who ripped through Canada's chase, ending with his second five-for in three games.
The opening pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad were separated early for the third straight game, but it was the inability of the lower middle order to rally that will be of greater concern. Pakistan have selected a deep batting line-up, with Abdul Razzaq coming in as low as number eight, to guard against precisely the kind of top order stutter they suffered against Canada. They have persisted with selecting only three specialist bowlers, relying on allrounders such as Razzaq and Hafeez to complete the fifth bowler's ten overs: so potent has Afridi been that he is increasingly a specialist bowler.
"Everyone has the right to give his opinion but we have not closed our eyes and ears," Intikhab Alam, the team manager, said on Sunday after a practice session. "The team management is doing its homework and whatever is in the best interest of the team they do it. In a cricket match 7-8 players do not perform every day. It is two, three players who get the job done."
The side takes on New Zealand in Pallekele on Tuesday and a win would all but ensure a quarter-final spot. The teams recently played a six-match ODI series in New Zealand, which Pakistan won 3-2 (one game was washed out) but conditions here will be starkly different to those in New Zealand in January. For one, the venue is at considerable altitude. "This place is 2000 ft above the sea level and altitude affects the breathing so we're working hard on that," Alam said.
"It's a tough game against New Zealand. We won the series against them but here the conditions are different. We will try to keep our 100 per cent record intact."
As has been the case through the tournament, Pakistan underwent another focused practice session. On Monday, Alam said, the team will do batting and fielding practice only in order to give some players enough recovery time. Abdur Rehman, who missed the game against Canada with a leg injury, did train with the side and will bowl on Monday, though Alam said, "It's too early to say with which combination we will go into the game against New Zealand."

Indian Parrot Predicted Pakistan as World Champion 2011-Times of India

Indian psychic Parrot who's name was Mali predicted Pakistan three times in a row as Cricket World Champion 2011.But his owner baba to make himself safe from Indian doggy party Shiv Sena killed his Parrot for predicting Pakistan.
It is also noted that Indian Media is hiding this Hot news which can show real image of Indian democracy to world.
Pakistani Nation is happy but mostly people express that they didn't belief on any Psychic.Mamu a psychic has also predicted in T20 World cup 2010 semis that Pakistan 'll win but Pakistan lost that match.So we only belief on self power and we will lift cup from Mumbai. And will beat any one except Shiv Sena with our bat.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: Pakistan vs Canada live streaming

Pakistan have registered another victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, with a 46-run victory over Canada. Here is the final scorecard (Pakistan 184 (43 overs) defeated Canada 138 (42.5 overs) by 46 runs)
Update: innings break – Canada have put up a good performance with the ball getting Pakistan all out for just 184 runs in 43 overs. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat first against Canada, in the 17th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 tournament.
An interesting game, where Canada need a victory, after having lost both their previous games. Pakistan have been so far undefeated, and are among the tournament’s favorites. But with South Africa vs Netherlands currently in progress, this game gets less attention. South Africa, labeled as the archetypal chokers in international cricket, need the victory today, as much as they need to end up this tournament as champions. Pakistan and Canada lined up the following teams:
Pakistan – Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Ahmed Shehzad.
Canada – Ashish Bagai (captain), Rizwan Cheema, Harvir Baidwan, Nitish Kumar, Tyson Gordon, Henry Osinde, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Khurram Chohan, Jimmy Hansra, Zubin Surkari, Balaji Rao.
Pakistan are the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992 champions, and they are also the ICC World Twenty20 2009 champions. Pakistan have been semi finalist 3 times in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000, 2004 and 2009. By comparison, Canada is hardly world cup material, but after yesterday’s surprise, when Ireland beat England, nothing seems impossible