PAKISTAN WIN WORLD CUP 2009!!

[Moin91]

Greenshirts ready to take on SA: manager

Thursday, June 18, 2009
From our correspondent

NOTTINGHAM, England: Pakistan's cricketers arrived here from London on Wednesday afternoon, brimming with confidence ahead of their tough ICC World Twenty20 semifinal against South Africa at Trent Bridge this (Thursday) evening.

A couple of solid outings against Ireland and New Zealand in the Super Eights stage in London have catapulted Pakistan into title contention and according to team manager Yawar Saeed, the players are fully ready for what is their most difficult test in the tournament.

Yawar told 'The News' that all the Pakistani players were fully fit ahead of the semifinal and are looking forward to the big game against the Proteas.

"Everything is going fine in our camp," he said. "All the boys are fully fit and ready for tomorrow's match against South Africa."

Pakistan fielded the same playing eleven against Ireland and New Zealand and are likely to stick to the same combination that pulled them out of a difficult situation following a 19-run loss against Sri Lanka in a Super Eights match last week.

Yawar, however, refused to confirm. "It is most likely that we will retain the same playing eleven but will only take a final decision after having a look at the wicket (at Trent Bridge) later today."

Pakistan made a three-hour road trip from London to Nottingham in the first half of Wednesday.

They played a warm-up game here against the Proteas on June 1, losing it by a comprehensive margin. Since then, they've played all their matches of this tour either at Lord's or The Oval.

Greenshirts ready to take on SA: manager

 

[Moin91]

Pakistan vow to overcome Proteas test today

Thursday, June 18, 2009
From Khalid Hussain

NOTTINGHAM: Pakistan find themselves facing the most difficult task of their ICC World Twenty20 campaign as they meet unbeaten South Africa in the opening semifinal here at Trent Bridge on Thursday (today).

After a couple of poor results earlier in the event, Pakistan have managed to resurrect their title campaign and are now just two wins away from what would be one of their greatest achievements in international cricket.

But unlike the Netherlands, New Zealand and Ireland - the three teams Pakistan have beaten with an enviable ease to reach the last-four - South Africa will begin as hot favourites for a place in the final this evening.

Graeme Smith's men have won all their five matches of the tournament and were convincing winners against Pakistan when the two sides met at Trent Bridge on June 3 in a warm-up game. But Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam says his team is a completely different side from the one that lost against the Proteas by 59 runs in the practice game.

"Things have changed for us since we last played them (South Africa)," said Intikhab. "We played that game soon after arriving here and were not ready for the cold conditions after training in hot weather in Lahore," he added.

Intikhab said that in the last fortnight, Pakistan have fully adapted to local conditions and are now ready for any team including the formidable South Africans.

"The way our boys are playing no team is unbeatable," he said.

The Pakistan team management is counting on the trio of Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi to come out with yet another match-winning show. The trio has so far picked up 31 wickets in five games, making Pakistan one of the most potent bowling attacks in the tournament.

The Trent Bridge wicket offered a lot of spin in the last game played here on Tuesday with South Africa beating India in a low-scoring encounter. But the pitch to be used for today's semifinal is unlikely to be as spinner friendly.

However, Pakistan captain Younis was confident that his bowlers are prepared to do well on any surface. "It doesn't matter to us whether it will spin or not because we have to give our best in any case," said Younis.

Pakistan retained the same side for Monday's game against Ireland after beating New Zealand by six wickets at The Oval. They are unlikely to make any changes to the 'winning combination' for today's clash.

Apart from looking towards their bowlers, Pakistan will also be banking on the fact that South Africa are perennial chokers when it comes to winning a world title.

Graeme Smith, the South African skipper, however made it clear his team are not worried by that unwanted tag.

"I think we've come past that. This team has come a long way and I think we've proven that. Hopefully we can show that on Thursday, that's what is exciting about it," he said.

South Africa were confident they will extend their unblemished record in the tournament to earn a berth for Sunday's grand finale at Lord's.

Smith declared his team was perfectly ready for the game against Pakistan.

"For us to be in a final would be terrific but realistically we have to think about Thursday (today) first," he said.

"I think we've proven we have enough flair and enough options to be an all-round package and that's what we've played like. We've faced many different challenges, batting first, defending low totals, so I think we are a well-rounded team going into the semifinals."

He said Pakistan will have to play well to have any chance against South Africa.

"We played Pakistan in the warm-up game and beat them on the surface. We've got respect for their players, but if we play our game Pakistan are going to have to play well. That's our challenge, but we are a good enough team to adapt.

"This team has come a long way and we have proven that with the results we have put out over the last two years. Thursday is a semifinal and anything can happen, Pakistan are a talented team and

will arrive expecting to beat us. No matter who is favourite it's about who plays better on the day."

If Pakistan have proved themselves as a dangerous bowling side, South Africa have emerged as the event's best batters. But unlike Pakistan whose batsmen are yet to really fire, South Africa's bowlers have really backed their batsmen.

Pacers Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell have been in top gear while the spin duo of Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe has also delivered match-winning performances like the one they gave against India on Tuesday.

Pakistan vow to overcome Proteas test today

 

[Al-zakir]

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Luck is in our side Insh'Allah....

May pakistan win............

 

[Al-zakir]

What's the hurry? why losing wicket like there is no tomorrow........

 

[Al-zakir]

Pakistan 52/2 (7.2/20 ov)..........Not so good. Need boundaries

 

[Al-zakir]

My afridi is back in the business.......

 

[Al-zakir]

86/2 (11.0/20 ov)

 

[salman nedian]

Well played lala!

 

[Al-zakir]

126/4 (15.6/20 ov)........

 

[Jako]

Pak going great on a tough pitch to bat on(shoaib malik just said)......you guys are winning for sure......congrats in advance

 

[salman nedian]

bad finish.should have got 160

 

[Jako]

Yeah salman true,razzaq really messed up in the end overs.....but no worries,expecting him to make that up with the bowl

 

[ajpirzada]

man this was disappointin end
149 is too risky. match could be decided in frist 6 overs if no big wickets are taken

 

[SummerWine]

Yes the target is risky and yes we didnt hit in last overs but....

they bowled too good....not every ball can be hit for boundary and they didnt give any chance....

what we could have done was taken a few chances by leaving the crease etc....but whats done is done

 

[Al-zakir]

It's not a bad score against SA though I agree about the end result however the game can still be win if bowler do a good job. Let us hope for the best. Pakistan should be still proud if the tonight result is negetive for the fact that no one would have thought that Pak would made this far beginning of tournament.