India V Pakistan 2011 Cricket World Cup: Live Stream and Match Preview

Start time: 09.00

Watch India v Pakistan: Live Streaming

Venue: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Chandigarh

Team News

India: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel.

Yusuf Pathan is likely to get the nod ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin because Pathan’s potential to hit a big score in the middle-to-lower will be key on a batsman’s paradise.

Pakistan: Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal.

Expect the same XI that destroyed the West Indies.

Prediction

India will expect a big score from any of Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir, Singh, Dhoni or Kohli. Even Pathan can be expected to deliver an innings reminiscent of his match-winning 123 off 96 balls against New Zealand in December.

India hold the mental edge heading into their fifth World Cup match against their sub-continent neighbours, having won all four previous clashes.

But Pakistan have beaten India the two times these countries met on this ground in the ODI format – in 1999 and 2007 – with the most recent fixture seeing Pakistan chase down India’s total of 321 to win with one ball to spare.

Pakistan’s bowlers have a mammoth task before them, but Gul, Riaz, Razzaq and Afridi have the potential to restrict the power hitting in the Indian top-order.

Plenty of runs, plenty of noise, plenty of drama. India to march on.

Key Men

Virender Sehwag – A proven big-stage performer, Sehwag can not only score runs but belt the cover off the ball to make batting easier for the stars to come in behind him. Sehwag averages 40-plus in World Cup matches with a strike rate of 104.95 – an ominous statistic for the Pakistan strike bowlers.

Shahid Afridi - Batsman, bowler, captain, talisman. There is very little that Afridi does not do in the Pakistan shirt and his team will be depending on him to produce the goods once more. He has taken 21 wickets (@10.71) and will need to add to this tally to restrict a strong Indian batting line-up.

Top 5 iPhone Cricket Games To Download On 2011 Cricket World Cup

Cricket has been sub-continent’s top most favorite game for as long as I can remember. This includes countries such as Srilanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and more. Now that the 2011 Cricket World Cup is going viral, fans would definitely be interested in anything that is related to their favorite sport.

I have gathered 5 awesome iPhone games that you should definitely download and enjoy this game of cricket. To start off I have

Stick Cricket

Out of all the Cricket games I have tried on my iPhone “Stick Cricket” has to be the best of them. The reason why I loved it is because I have already been playing the PC version on my computer before and I have to say that the gameplay of this game is simply brilliant.

Stick Cricket is all about shot selection and timing but only a master can hit every ball for six. Choose your team and face the world’s best bowlers as they try to get you out with some devious fast and spin deliveries.

Download Stick Cricket Here.

Cricket WorldCup Fever Deluxe

Cricket WorldCup Fever is considered as one of the most highly rated Cricket games on iTunes. It is the most complete cricket game for your IPhone/IPod/IPad of any generation.  To make full use of this app you can play the game in the standard One-day or Test match cricket rules. You even have the option to customize your game by selecting from different options – Difficulty settings, Venues and Match duration in the form of over’s.

Download Cricket WorldCup Fever Here.

Big Cup Cricket

Featuring somewhat cartoonish character Big Cup Cricket is still a fun multiplayer Cricket game you can enjoy with your friends. Big Cup Cricket let’s you play as anyone of 20 teams from around the world in cup competitions and challenge modes. Along with retina and game centre support, Big Cup Cricket is the ideal way to while away time between innings.

Download Big Cup Cricket Here.

Cricket T20 Fever

Cricket T20 Fever is an exciting cricket games that work on all the iDevices including the iPhone, iPod and iPad. It let’s you play in a variety of modes including tournaments, ODIs, T20 Matches and the exciting Powerplay style match. You can also upload your scores and challenge your friends to beat your highscore. Simply connect to Facebook and make your friends a part of your team in a ‘Facebook Match’ and share your achievements.

Download Cricket T20 Fever Here.

Little Master Cricket

Last but not the least we have “Little Master Cricket”. A brilliant Cricket game that is almost available in a PC version and can be played online. It is insanely addictive and intuitive batting challenge, using a ragdoll physics engine and a unique control scheme to put you in direct control of the bat.

Download Little Master Cricket Here.

Win a master class with Graeme Swann

The 2011 Cricket World Cup is being shown on Sky Sports this spring, and it has become one of the most keenly contested tournaments ever.

Will Australia retain the title, or can England transfer their brilliant Test form to the 50 over format? Can India lift the trophy on home soil? One thing is for sure, Sky Sports will be covering all the drama as it unfolds.

If bringing you the action wasn't enough, Rubicon, broadcast sponsors of ICC Cricket World Cup on Sky Sports, are offering cricket fans the chance to win a cricket master class with England bowler Graeme Swann, including photo and autograph opportunities.

And that's not all - the lucky winner and their guest will receive return standard class travel to London, 2 nights in a four-star hotel and a signed cricket bat.

For your chance to win this fantastic prize courtesy of Rubicon, simply answer the following question.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 03rd April 2011

Timeline of the ICC World Cup problems

The Cricket World Cup has been plagued with problems in the build-up and during the Feb. 19-April 2 event which only started in India on Saturday.

Here is a timeline on the problems which have cropped up in the tournament so far.

Jan. 27: Eden Gardens is stripped of its only match involving the host nation (India vs England on Feb 27) because the International Cricket Council do not feel it will be ready in time after undergoing a construction facelift.

Feb. 18: Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is given a scare ahead of its preparation to stage the April 2 World Cup final, when the city's top fire chief says "the renovated stadium has many loopholes in its fire safety mechanism" and refuses to approve it.

Organisers hastily fix the problems and it is declared safe days later.

Feb. 21: KyaZoonga -- the official website selling World Cup tickets -- crashes before the site even goes live for the sale of 1,000 tickets for the final. The ICC later says that 10 million tried to access it in 20 minutes.

Feb. 24: Police launch a baton charge on fans who have spent the night queuing for tickets for the India-England match at Bangalore.

A leaked ICC letter criticises the Indian governing body, the BCCI, over its ticketing policy. It says that the competition sponsors are beginning to become concerned about the hitches. The BCCI responds that "these things happen in India".

March 2: BCCI writes an open letter to the ICC criticising its "inadequate" umpire decision review system and attacking the governing body's general manager Dave Richardson for comments about Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

March 8: Police launch baton-charge in Nagpur on fans seeking tickets for the India vs South Africa match on March 12. The police action is defended by Dhoni: "They (police) should not be projected in a bad light all the time."

Sri Lanka, Australia battle today in ICC World Cup

Mar 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka and the defending champions Australia will battle it out in the Group A match of ICC World Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka at the second position above Australia on the run rate is pumped up with the return of Lasith Malinga who set a record of second hat-trick in a World Cup match against Kenya on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka is also expected to use all their spinners - Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath - for today's clash, what may be a thrilling encounter.

However, Sri Lanka is cautious about Australia's pace attack. Aussies are expected to throw in their seamers Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait.


The match will start at 2:30 p.m. local time.

ICC Cricket World Cup LIVE: ENG vs SA

Both South Africa and England look anxious ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup Group B tie on Sunday.

The past World Cup encounters between these two teams suggest little as to who is the favourite going into the match. Out of the five encounters, the Proteas have come out on top on three occasions while England have emerged victorious twice. The overall head-to-head also fails to give any definite answer. Out of the 44 ODIs, the South Africans have taken 23 games as opposed to England's 18.

The Proteas captain Graeme Smith said ahead of the match on Saturday that his side won't make the mistake of taking the English team lightly.

"In this tournament, England have not been at their best but that does not make them any less threatening. We have had some great encounters in the past, and in the last couple of years they have been a better team than us. So we cannot go into the match with complacency."

"It's true their bowlers have not been doing as well as you would expect them to do but they all are top-class bowlers and can hit back any time, so we have to be cautious tomorrow," he added.

Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss, following embarrassing defeat to minnows Ireland earlier this week, admitted it was high time they did well in the bowling department.

"This has been the lesson for us in the last few days. If we do not bowl well we are going to lose," he said.

"James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been our best bowlers in recent times. They have not been impressive so far but we back them to do well on Sunday," he added.

The Chidambaram Stadium's pitch has no traces of grass and is hard and dry at the same time, leading many to believe that another run-fest is in prospect.

Undefeated in their first two matches, South Africa may again go in with three spinners, a strategy that has worked wonders for them so far. Their fast-bowling, spearheaded by Dale Steyn, too has been on the button.

However, it's a different story for England. They have won just once in their three encounters and the most worrying thing for them is that their bowling is at sixes and sevens right now. There cannot be a better time than this to change all that.

TEAMS

England (from): AJ Strauss (captain), KP Pietersen, IJL Trott, IR Bell, PD Collingwood, MJ Prior (wkt), MH Yardy, TT Bresnan, SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, RS Bopara, A Shahzad, LJ Wright, JC Tredwell

South Africa (from): GC Smith (captain), HM Amla, JH Kallis, AB de Villiers (wkt), JP Duminy, F du Plessis, RJ Peterson, J Botha, M Morkel, DW Steyn, I Tahir, MN van Wyk, WD Parnell, CA Ingram, LL Tsotsobe

Umpires: S Taufel (Aus) and A Saheba (Ind)

Third umpire: A de Silva (SL)

Match referee: J Crowe (NZ)

England vs South Africa in ODIs/World Cup

ODIs

South Africa have won 23 and lost 18 out of 44 played (NR 2 & Tied 1) against England - winning % 55.95. For England, the winning % is 44.04.

World Cup

South Africa have won three and lost two out of five played against England. Winning % for South Africa is 60.00.

The last three games have been won by South Africa - one each in 1996, 1999 and 2007.

Overall World Cup

South Africa have won 27 and lost 13 out of 42 contested (Tied 2) - winning % 66.66.

England have won 37 and lost 23 out of 62 contested (Tied 1 NR 1) - winning % 61.47.

Approaching milestones

- Abraham de Villiers, in case of a hundred against England, would create history in ODIs as well as World Cup.

- Having posted hundreds in his previous two innings in the present competition, he would be the first to register three centuries in successive innings in the world cup in case he registers another hundred.

- Cricket history would be created in case of his hundred. Having already accomplished the feat last year by scoring 114 not out against India at Gwalior on February 24, 102 not out against India at Ahmedabad on February 27 and 102 against West Indies at North Sound on May 22, he would be the first batsman to register three successive centuries twice in ODIs.

- Jacques Kallis (929 at an average of 46.45) needs 71 runs to become the second South African to complete 1,000 runs at the world cup. Herschelle Gibbs (1067) is the only South African to register 1,000 runs at the WC.

- Ian Bell (2959) needs 41 runs to complete his 3,000 runs in ODIs.

Big Game today of ICC World Cup 2011 Group B : England vs South Africa

After Ireland’s heroics against England on Wednesday night, English team would be hoping to come over it when they meet strong South Africa who are on the top of their game and have just thrashed Netherlands to a 231 runs defeat.

England would be looking to gain the lost points against India and Ireland as West Indies have beaten Bangladesh by a huge margin which takes them on the second position in the Group B point tally with 4 points and impressive net run rate of +2.67 where England is sitting on the fourth position after playing 3 games.

On the other hand, Smith of the other hand is quite confident to get into the next round as his team performing upto the expectation, however he expressed his feelings after the Ireland win over England which was the biggest upset of the world cups so far. He said, “ I saw the game last night and didn’t sleep for an hour after that. We know Ireland can beat the big sides and it was good to see the spirit of the World Cup come alive,”

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who impressed in his debut against the West Indies, also put a good show against Netherlands would be looking to continue with his good form as he took three wickets for 19 against Dutch team with the tail-enders especially struggling to read his variations.

Amla and de Villiers are two of the best batsmen in the world and and batting very well. England bowlers would not want to work in bowling department as as South African batsmen are in top form which makes their team probably the strongest and most balanced side in the competition. De Villiers’s after his second successive hundred against Netherlands would be keen to cash in on his good form.

England team would require Kevin Pietersen to stay longer on the crease because if he stays for 40 overs mammoth score is guaranteed and along with that Strauss would be hoping their bowlers to get into the rhythm specially James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

India vs England live - coverage stream cricket world cup 27 feb 2011

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Minar Travels announces special packages for 2011 Cricket World Cup in India

Minar Travels having its main office in Delhi, Connaught Place, has announced special packages for tourists visiting India during 2011 World Cup. The tours are focused at Cricket matches as well as an enjoyable holiday experience in India for their customers. The General Manager stated that “We are expecting a huge crowd this year during the 10th World Cup. Minar Travels has always been keen in promoting destinations at highly competitive rates our mote has always been that we need to keep our clients satisfied”.

He also added, “We have made special efforts in arranging the rooms and local sightseeing for our tourists visiting the World Cup”. This company is keen to pamper the guests with tour packages like exploring the land of Buddha, Golden Triangle tour, tour to the Heart of India, Wildlife tour, Yoga tour, Luxury Trains tour etc.

The 2011 World Cup will be played in three countries India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starting from 19th Feb continual till April 02 2011 and there will be 14 teams contesting this year’s World Cup. The 14 teams have been divided into two groups with the top four from each qualifying for the quarter-finals. This company is arranging exclusive deals for the tourists visiting India for all the 8 matches of World Cup.

Offering million experiences, countless roads to wander on, and many doorways to walk through in your explanation of the land India is the hub on this trip with flights throughout the country as needed depending on World Cup tickets secured. This company guides you with a travel partner who knows the where and how and what and who of making a visit to India - a journey into the multitudes of sights, colors, customs interactions - a true discovery. So visit the unique aura of India with the special packages catered by Minar Travels during this festive season of World Cup 2011.

Minar Travels is one of the leading ISO Certified Aviation Management Company. Their target is to accomplish tourist’s combat every time they excurse with them. Minar Travels swirls ahead as the most ideal organization marked by a technology focus, coupled with being a business oriented travel service provider. With almost two decades of service, and expertise in every area of travel, tourism, aviation services and conferences, Minar Travels is India’s inaugural aviation and travel company that travelers and associates turn to for everything.

For more information, please visit www.minartravels.net (or) 
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ICC Cricket World Cup: ICC livid over ticketing fiasco

BANGALORE: The World Cup ticketing fiasco which came to light on Wednesday (February 23) has left the ICC red faced. With just 4000 tickets put on general sale by the tournament organisers.

The ICC's legal head David Becker wrote to ICC's president Sharad Pawar on behalf of the ICC's CEO Haroon Lorgat. The ICC has asked Pawar to intervene after a rush for tickets saw the ticketing site crash moments after tickets for the final were put on sale.

The BCCI appears to have reserved the bulk of the tickets at the final for their own members, leaving the ICC furious with the state of affairs. The ICC also raised questions about the tickets not having reached the fans, despite the fact that some of them had purchased tickets as long as six months ago.

In a letter dated February 23, the ICC's legal head David Backer wrote, "We have received many complaints from fans who purchased tickets but are yet to receive them despite having paid for these tickets more than six months ago. Apart from threat of claims for compensation, this is causing a significant public relations issue for the ICC."

"With the significant demand and little availability (i.e. after 20,000 reserved for MCA & 7,900 for ICC partners) there is potential for chaos & physical injury when the box office sales open. We strongly recommend the sale of tickets be cancelled & tickets sold to defined fans."

"We have not received any tickets for Wankhede Stadium. We have received numerous complaints from our commercial partners, who have paid millions of dollars to receive rights & benefits which include the timely provision of tickets and hospitality. This is placing our sound relationships at breaking point."

"ICC is being seriously challenged and is bitterly disappointed by the above state of affairs, which threaten to undermine everything that all of us have worked so hard to achieve over recent months. We will be grateful for your intervention and assurance that the above issues will be addressed as a matter of urgency."

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - Day 6: Preview & Prediction

Trivandrum: When South Africa and West Indies clash in a Group B clash on Day 6, the spotlight might well drift away from the players. The eternal chokers in world cricket cross swords with the unpredictable Carribean Kings in what should be the first real tough match to predict in the tournament. And for once the spotlight might not be as much on the players as it is on how the pitch performs.

The pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi has been under the scanner for the last year or so, ever since the December 2009 ODI between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned as a result of unfit pitch.

‘Unfit and a disgrace to the sport’, was how many sections of the media portrayed the track after that match, and since then the ICC has been keeping a close eye on the re-laying of the turf at the Kotla. While a few domestic games and T20s have been played at this venue, the results have been mixed.


With Hashim Amla proving himself as a class opener even in ODI cricket, and with AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith and JP Duminy in imperious form, the Proteas have a quality batting line-up that will send shudders down the spines of the best bowling attacks in the world. Faf du Plessis, even though he only made his debut during the India series, has loads of experience under his belt in domestic cricket and Colin Ingram is an exciting prospect.

In the bowling department, Dale Steyn is the premier fast bowler in the world by a distance and is backed up well by Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe. And the crucial thing about this particular South African outfit is that for the first time, they have a few quality spinners in their ranks. Johan Botha the vice-captain and Robin Peterson have been around for a while and are handy spinners as well as decent bats lower down the order.

But the real dark horse could be Imran Tahir, the former Pakistan A player, who comes into this tournament for his adopted nation as a real unknown. It will be interesting to see how and when Tahir is employed by Smith and whether the legbreak bowler can make use of the opportunities thrown his way.

With this side, South Africa will once and for all look to dispel the chokers tag. With 11 players of this side making their Cup debut, the ghosts of the previous tournaments should not hang heavily on the exuberant new crop.

Coming to the Windies, Chris Gayle will hold most of their fortunes, even though the side led by Darren Sammy has other potential match-winners in their ranks. All-rounder Dwayne Bravo, with his experience of subcontinent conditions during his stint with the Mumbai Indians, will be a crucial figure. But also to watch out for will be his younger half-brother, Darren, a stylish left-hander, who has already drawn comparisons with Brian Lara, and happens to be his first cousin.

The Windies batting is packed with powerful hitters and Keiron Pollard is a name familiar to all IPL followers. This six-hitting machine will be part of a middle-order that will feature the two Bravos, Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and the captain Sammy. However, the injury-forced ouster of in-form opener Adrian Barath and first-choice keeper Carlton Baugh, will be a blow for the side and may force Chanderpaul to open the innings with Gayle.

The bowling is heavily reliant on pace with Kemar Raoch and Ravi Rampaul leading the attack backed up by medium-pacers Bravo and Sammy. It will be a close tussle between Suleimann Benn and Nikita Miller for the lone spinner slot.

The match can swing either way and a lot could depend on the toss. Dew might be a factor later on in the second innings but then under lights, the fast bowlers will find some swing with the new ball. So winning the toss might in many ways be a double-edged sword as the conditions can play havoc.

But overall, South Africa should be able to hold off the Windies but the volatile nature of Gayle, Pollard and co, makes them a deadly opposition. It just takes one of them to click and the momentum can soon swing in a matter of minutes.

Prediction: Proteas to win a close encounter.

Pak keen to start with a bang against Kenya

Keen to re-establish their reputation dented by the spot-fixing scandal, unpredictable Pakistan will look to launch their cricket World Cup campaign on a rousing note when they take on minnows on Wednesday. Having suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Ireland, which eventually resulted in
their first round ouster the 2007 edition, Pakistan would be wary of taking their opponents lightly this time around.

In fact, captain Shahid Afridi has already warned his team to take every opponent seriously.

"There have been so many upsets in the World Cup in the past, like the one against Ireland four years ago. So we have that in mind and we will be on our toes in every match, be it Kenya or Sri Lanka," said Afridi.

Going into the match, Pakistan would take heart from their recent 3-2 ODI series victory over New Zealand in New Zealand just before the World Cup.

And even though they had mixed fortunes in the their two warm-up games -- a win against Bangladesh and a defeat against England, Pakistan are well aware that if they play as a unit, they have enough firepower to go a long distance in the tournament.

Pakistan's batting consisting of the likes of Mohammad Hafeez, former captain Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Akmal brothers -- Kamran and Umar, has the reputation of creating quite a flutter in the opposition camp.

In the absence of their banned opener Salman Butt, Pakistan would be banking on Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad in the opening slot, followed by the more experienced middle-order.

Veteran Younis Khan is expected to bring in stability with all his experience of playing international cricket, followed by Test skipper and in-form Misbah and the two Akmals.

And with captain Shahid Afridi and allrounder Abdul Razzaq coming down the order, Pakistan should not have any trouble blowing the Kenyans away in their inaugural match.

As far as bowling department is concerned, Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul would be looking to go for the kill from the very first ball. This match will also give both the pacemen an opportunity to get back to their peak form.

Even Saeed Ajmal would get a chance to experiment with his doosra before his team face bigger names during the course of the tournament. Allrounder Afridi's fast-wrist spin is also expected to come in handy against the African nation.

Source:hindustantimes.com

Pakistan gear up for Kenya challenge

There are still denials about his demise, and understandably, his family want to put it all behind them. Four years on it is still a harbinger Pakistan need to face along with players who have records with body enhancing drugs and tales of how to get rich though spotfixing.

For Kenya, shuttled in from Chennai after a fearful hiding by New Zealand in their first game, it is not an outing where they will feel any comfort. Jimmy Kamande, a re-invented spinner, put a brave face on it again when he faced a curious media and suggested there would be a 100 per cent improvement against Pakistan.

"It is hard switching venues and hard on the players to adjust as it is a young side. Yes, we were nervous against New Zealand," he said. "It was their bowling and our inexperience which in part let us down.

"We have to learn from that game and at least play like we know we can and offer a bigger challenge to a side which we know from experience is always competitive," he added.

Kenya in 2011 is not the Kenya of 2003 and living on past memories is a matter of drawing on the legacy of that side reaching the semi-finals through boycotts by England (playing Zimbabwe in Harare) and New Zealand (Kenya in Nairobi). It cannot be forgotten either how Kenya played and beat Sri Lanka in 2003. They were well prepared for the game and took their chances.

For the sake of the image of the associates, Kenya need to shake the dust off the Chennai defeat and think ahead.

Pakistan come into the event with an easy enough game before their bigger challenge on Saturday where they meet Sri Lanka at the reshaped Premadasa Stadium. They need to get this game against Kenya behind them, which for reasons of their own peace of mind, they will be anxious to display the sort of form which helped them beat New Zealand 3-2 (a series Waqar admitted they were lucky to win and not tie).

Reflecting on the past few months, he acknowledged it has been far from easy fore the team. They have lost three players and injuries have not helped.

"We have been through some tough times in the recent past," he said. "What it does not mean is that we don't have talent that it does not mean we are not good enough. I feel we are a very good team to beat any team on a given day.

"I don't think anybody is now dwelling on past matters such as match-fixing or spotfixing. It has happened and it is behind us. It is why we are looking forward to playing in this tournament. To us it is a huge tournament.

"I think the big games and real start will be after the quarter-finals as we are looking to play in those. But before that, you have to make sure that you take the momentum forward and take the rhythm with it. Once you are in quarter-finals, it's a different ball game," he agreed to a question.

"We have faced so many controversies in the past. Some days are harder than others, but we know the motivation is there trying to wake them up everyday, every morning and make sure that we keep delivering the goods is important.

"Younis Khan is in good form, Umar Akmal is a youngster who will do probably well in this tournament, we have a lot of hopes for Wahab Riaz and have a good mix of pace and spin. All we need to do is click and click at the right time," Waqar commented.

"We know Sri Lanka are a tough opponent and when it comes to Kenya we need to be very cautious. Minnows as they are can be dangerous on a given day. So we have to make sure that we deliver up continuously in every play.

"Afridi did a tremendous job in New Zealand that's why he has been given captaincy. He is getting better every day. He is doing a wonderful job and hopefully he will do a wonderful job in this series."

Confident Pakistan takes on Kenya

Given Kenya's recent run in the warm-up games and in the World Cup's opening match in India, the outcome of Wednesday's match to be played here seems pretty apparent — a win for Pakistan.

But that does not worry Team Kenya as it looks to salvage its reputation, hugely dented by the humiliating loss to New Zealand in Chennai.

“I thought the Chennai pitch played well, despite the fact that one or two deliveries kept low… It is not about us giving excuses. We played badly, we have to accept that and move on,” said the senior-most member of the Kenyan team, Steve Tikolo.

Describing the defeat in Chennai as something that happens when it is “not a good day,” he said that “the boys were very disappointed… and are ready to pick themselves up for tomorrow's game.”

Net session

Kenya had a longish session at the nets here and the focus was to look at areas where the team failed badly in the last game against New Zealand. “This morning's session was about rectifying those errors. Tomorrow we need to go out, believe in ourselves and play our best,” he said.

The Kenyan captain, Jimmy Kamande, took a nasty blow from a rising delivery on his right cheek during training and that side of his face has swollen up. But Kenyan coach Eldine Baptiste said that the injury was not serious.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi, said that he wanted to play a “full strength side” because it will be the first match for his team in the tournament. “I don't think it's an easy game for us. The first game is always important.”

Afridi said his team was in good shape. Asked if he would rate his team as the dark horse to win the tournament, he said that his side was capable of defeating any team. “I must say Pakistan will be a dangerous side,” he said.

The team is preparing hard to win the World Cup so that it would be able to bring some cricket back home.

Asked about cricket experts writing off the team from making it to the semifinals, he said that the challenges grew higher out of such assertions.

“I would definitely hope to see my team in the semifinals,” he added.

Pakistan has played Kenya five times in ODIs and has won on all occasions. The teams have never played each other in the World Cup, but when the two met in the ICC Champions Trophy at Birmingham in 2004, Pakistan had won by seven wickets.

Pakistan goes into the match with a lot of worries about the off-field activities of some of its former players and a convincing 3-2 series win over New Zealand.

The teams (from): Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt.), Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammed Hafiz, Junaid Khan, Younus Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafiq, Ahmad Shahzad, Misbah-ul-Haq.

Kenya: Jimmy Kamande (capt.), Tanmay Mishra, James Ngoche, Shem Ngoche, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, David Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Peter Ongondo, Elijah Otieno, Morris Ouma, Rakesh Patel, Steve Tikolo, Seren Waters.

Umpires: Tony Hill & Nigel Llong. Third umpire: Daryl Harper. Fourth umpire: Shavir Tarapore. Match referee: Chris Broad.

Match starts at 2.30 p.m .
Source:Hindu.com

Cricket-Pakistan and Kenya seeking chance to restore Cup pride

Pakistan, bruised by a corruption scandal and security issues which still deprive their fans of international cricket at home, launch their World Cup campaign on Wednesday against Kenyans with several problems of their own.

Shahid Afridi's men should have far too much firepower for the Africans who have had just three days to recover -- mentally more than anything else -- from a humiliating 10-wicket thrashing by New Zealand in their opening Group A match on Sunday.

Pakistan, the 1992 champions and runners-up to Australia seven years later, will miss Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir who were banned for organising deliberate no balls (spot fixing) in a test in England last August.

But the latter pair would have had their work cut out to thrive in any case in thankless conditions for quick bowlers in the sub-continent and Pakistan are hardly short of batsmen like Butt who can score quickly.

Pakistan's form leading up to the tournament has been somewhat mixed, recently seeing off New Zealand in a ODI series but losing badly to England in their final warm-up on Friday.

That latter defeat, however, was not a particularly good guide of their form since Afridi and a handful of others who could well play on Wednesday were rested.

Pakistan have an extra point to prove after crashing out at the first stage in 2007 following a shock defeat to Ireland in a tournament which will be remembered by many for the untimely death of their English coach, Bob Woolmer.

Kenya, meanwhile, will be initially looking to restore some respect after their inept display with the bat on Sunday when they were all out for 69.

Source: af.reuters.com

Pakistan vs Kenya live cricket score live streaming, can Kenya beat Pakistan

Pakistan vs Kenya live cricket score and live streaming, can Kenya do Netherlands against Pakistan when they meet later today at Hambantota

For Pakistan the World Cup is a golden chance to save its face from the spot-fixing saga. Having crucified from all nukes the team is also getting ready to replay with dazzling performance between Wickets. Pakistan had to abandon the tainted hands of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

Shahid Afridi will lead the reconstructed Pak team to take on Kenya in Hambantota tomorrow. He has every right to boast for leading a team that seized a rollicking ODI series against New Zealand. The team has all se to make its debut in 2011 World Cup against a minnow like Kenya.

The team needs a blaming victory to get more fuel to replay the critics who had written off the team for their poor performance in last 16 ODIs, winning seven and losing eight. Former player and incumbent coach, Waqar Younis has fingered towards this thunder spring emerging inside the team.

"We all know that we've been through tough times but that doesn't mean we don't have talent," Waqar Younis said. He expressed the confidence over his squad saying "We are good enough to beat any team on our given day. I don't think anybody is even thinking about match-fixing or spot-fixing.”

Yes, the team has been looking for a day to end the bad news and create a new world of fair play in and out the pitch. "Some days are harder than others, but the motivation is there and we try to make sure that we keep delivering," Younis said.

However, he didn’t spare the opportunity to remind the witch hunters that "If someone has that will to keep distance from us then it's his will. We will probably show it on the field."

Pakistan look to get in the groove vs Kenya

After the turmoil they have experienced recently, Pakistan should relish the chance to get into the groove and settle the nerves against a demoralised Kenya ahead of Saturday’s much sterner test against Sri Lanka. There may be only four survivors from that match against Ireland at the last World Cup, but Pakistan will be mindful of the dangers of taking Kenya too lightly, even if they have comfortably won each of their five previous games.

It helps that Kenya barely lasted 30 overs on Sunday against a New Zealand side that Pakistan defeated 3-2 earlier this month to record their first ODI series win in 26 months.

Even so, Wednesday’s game is Pakistan’s first since Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned for spot-fixing. Pakistan could have been playing at home had it not been for the 2009 Lahore bus attack, but the players will need to set aside those disappointments quickly. If instead, they can use those blows to fire them to greater heights, they could prove unstoppable. No team fares better in adversity; alas, none is more unpredictable and inconsistent.

Having said that, Pakistan have gathered something approaching momentum in recent months and have run England and South Africa close in ODI series besides beating New Zealand. Even more encouragingly, they have displayed fighting spirit and have refused to throw in the towel even when things aren’t going their way. It is perhaps no bad thing that there are only seven players in the current side with previous World Cup experience for the team has a freshness about it, for the first time at a World Cup since 1999.

That represents Pakistan’s finest performance since the 1992 Cup triumph but the rout in the final against Australia sparked such recrimination that few have pleasant memories of that campaign. Pakistan have also reached three semi-finals, but public attention tends to focus on the 2003 and 2007 disappointments; even the 1996 event is best remembered for the quarter-final loss to India.

If Pakistan needed any further motivation to do well, they need look no further than coach Waqar Younis. The champion fast bowler missed the 1992 triumph through injury, leaked runs against India in 1996 and was a peripheral member of the 1999 squad. When he captained the side in 2003, Pakistan crashed out in the first round.

However, Pakistan have been uncharacteristically consistent at recent ICC tournaments, reaching the semi-finals or better at the last four events. There is a real energy and buzz about the current outfit and since they are almost certain to reach the quarters, all they need from that stage are three good days to emulate Imran Khan’s ‘cornered tigers’. Will they? We shall find out over the next few weeks.

Kenya would happily settle for even one good day following Sunday’s humiliation, but even that seems unlikely. The African side has played every World Cup since 1996 but they are arguably the weakest Associate country at this tournament. They seem certain to finish bottom of the group as they have done each time other than in 2003 when they reached the semi-finals in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. With the 2015 tournament being pared down to 10 teams, it could be a while before Kenya are seen at the world stage again. Pakistan appear in no mood to make it a happy farewell.

Pakistan vs Kenya: World Cup Match preview

Putting the spot fixing scandal behind Pakistan will face Kenya at Hambantota in Sri Lanka on Wednesday, February 2011.

This would be the first match to be played by Pakistan in World Cup 2011.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis is confident that his team will crush Kenya and do well in the World cup.

Younis said that Pakistan’s 3-2 ODI win in New Zealand has boosted their confidence.

He added that the spot fixing scandal has not killed the spirit of his players.

Pakistan could not live up to the expectations in last World Cup. They had to move out of the game after losing a match to Ireland.

The next morning, their English coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in mysterious circumstances.

The death shocked the cricketing world and players were put under investigation by the Jamaican police for the death, which was initially seen as a murder.

The Pakistan team has just five survivors from the wreckage of the 2007 campaign - Younis Khan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi.

Waqar, a former captain, said past will not affect the team.

"Whatever happened last year is now history. This is a new place and an important tournament, so we want to be fully focussed and start the event like India and New Zealand did," said Waqar.

Afridi said the tragedy the team suffered in 2007 will always stay with them.

"There have been so many upsets in the World Cup in the past, like the one against Ireland four years ago, so we have that in mind and we will be on our toes in every match, be it Kenya or Sri Lanka," Afridi said.

"If they had a bad day then they can come hard on us. We will be geared up as our main aim is to win all our group matches," said Afridi of Kenya's 10-wicket loss to New Zealand in a Group 'A' fixture in Chennai.

Pakistan have the perfect mix of youth and experience that carry the team to the knock out stages. Opener Ahmed Shahzad and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq hit centuries in the first warm-up match against Bangladesh while senior batsman Younis Khan scored 80 against England.

Younis and Misbah will be the pillars of Pakistan batting while Afridi, Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq can destroy any team's bowling in the death overs.

Though the absence of banned duo Asif and Aamer is a big blow, the Pakistan bowling is still capable of bowling out some of the best batting line-ups. Gul and a half-fit Shoaib Akhtar have the firepower to rattle the top order while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has the ability to take wickets even during Powerplays.

Meanwhile, veteran Kenyan batsman Steve Tikolo said that the African minnows have to lift their game if they want to avoid a successive loss in the World Cup. Kenya were bowled out for just 69, which was their lowest World Cup score and the fifth worst in the tournament's history.

"As a top professional, for me if you are down it's the way you pick yourself up, and obviously we can pick ourselves up for the game on Wednesday," said Tikolo.

Source: samaylive.com

Pakistan enjoys an emphatic record vs Kenya

Pakistan team enjoyed an impeccable record in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Kenya as they prepare to take on their opponents in the opening group “A” match in Cricket World Cup (CWC) at Hambantota on Wednesday. In their past five ODI meetings, Pakistan emerged victorious on all the five occasions after making debut against the Kenyans at Nairobi Gymkhana Ground in 1996.
Pakistan’s current Captain Shahid Afridi struck a sensational record breaking 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka which still remained the fastest hundred in ODI history.
Kenya who were shockingly crashed to 69 all in their opening match of CWC against New Zealand at Chennai three-days ago will be hoping to bounce back in the event with much better batting display.
1992 World Champions Pakistan met the host West Indies in their opening match in 2007 World Cup at Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica and lost the match under Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Pakistan highest total against Kenya is 286-8 at Sharjah in 2003. Former Pakistan Captain Younis Khan scored an unbeaten 87 off 91 balls with 11 boundaries and one six which the highest individual score by a Pakistan batsman against Kenya Abdul Razzaq produced the best bowling figures of four wickets 35 runs in the 4-nation event in Sharjah in 2002-03.
Kenya’s highest total of 179 all out in 38.4 overs was recorded at Gymkhana Ground Nairobi in 2002 and their lowest total against Pakistan is 133 at Gymkhana Club Ground Nairobi in 1996.
KO Otieno made the highest individual score of 59 in 2002 and his knock was spiced with five boundaries and three sixes.
TM Odoya with three wickets for 25 runs produced the best figures for Kenya in 1996.
Kenya got in their fold veteran Steve Tikolo, who had scored 3320 runs with three centuries in 126 ODIs while TM Odoya have scored 2264 runs with two centuries.

Junaid Khan looks to make for Pakistan at World Cup after Amir ban

Junaid Khan has long dreamed of bowling for Pakistan alongside Mohammad Amir — instead the youngster was selected for the World Cup only after his fellow left-arm paceman was banned from cricket for five years.

Khan, 21, could make his one-day international debut Wednesday against Group A opponent Kenya after an impressive three-wicket haul against England in a warmup match last week.

Amir was banned by an ICC tribunal on Feb. 5 in a judgment that saw former captain Salman Butt suspended for 10 years and Mohammad Asif for seven years. The trio were investigated following British newspaper allegations that they bowled no-balls at prearranged times during the fourth test against England in August.

"I wish we both could have played together, but that's not the case now," Khan said of Amir.

Like Amir, Khan bowls with a fiery pace and has been looking to make his mark in major event like the World Cup. Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in this southern town could be a perfect venue for Khan to start his international career.

The stadium hosted its first ever one-day international when Sri Lanka routed Canada by 210 runs in a Group A game Sunday, but at the same venue Khan has already shown his bowling abilities. He took nine wickets in Pakistan A's loss to Sri Lanka A in a four-day first class match.

"It's a lucky ground for me, so I am happy I am here again," Khan said. "If I was given an opportunity, I will do something special again."

Khan admires former captain Imran Khan and watched videos of Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning captain online on www.youtube.com.

"By the time I had started cricket, Imran Khan had retired from international cricket so I used to watch videos of him on the internet," Khan said.

Imran Khan, who took 362 wickets in 88 test matches and claimed 182 dismissals from 175 ODIs, retired from international cricket in 1992 after defeating England in the World Cup final at Melbourne.

Copyright © 2011 The Canadian Press.