Junaid eager to dismiss Tendulkar in World Cup

Left-arm pace bowler Junaid Khan, who replaced the injured fast bowler Sohail Tanvir in Pakistan’s World Cup squad, has said he is not overawed at the prospect of making his international debut on such a big stage. “I’ll treat it as just another game of cricket,” Junaid told media on Thursday. “I’ve represented my country at junior levels and Pakistan A, so I know what the responsibility of playing for your country is like. I don’t think I’ll have any nerves and I am confident I can handle the situation.” 

Junaid was selected on the basis of his consistent showing on Pakistan’s domestic circuit. In 35 first-class games, he has picked up 167 wickets at an average of just above 21. He was also the second-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan A in the unofficial ODI series during their recent tour of West Indies where he picked up five wickets in three games. “I’ve been working so hard over the last couple of seasons and I feel that I have consistently improved as a bowler, “Junaid said. “I’ve also been working hard on my batting and I feel that my call-up for the World Cup is warranted as I have done consistently well at all levels for Pakistan.” 

There have been several high-voltage clashes between India and Pakistan in previous World Cups and Junaid said he was looking forward to another such encounter. “Just getting a chance to play in the World Cup is a dream come true for me,” he said. “But if we get to play against India in the World Cup, it would be a blast to bowl at Sachin Tendulkar and get him out. It is an ambition for me.”

He said he was thankful to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and national selectors for reposing confidence in him. “God has been kind to me and I know this is a big opportunity. I don’t know if I will get a chance to play but I will do my best should I be given a chance,” he added.

Lawson doesn't regret being character witness for cricket cheat Butt

Former Australian fast bowler and ex-Pakistan cricket team coach Geoff Lawson has said he does not regret being one of the five witnesses for former cricket captain Salman Butt in the spot-fixing investigations launched by the International Cricket Council.
Fox Sports quoted Lawson, as saying that he had mixed feelings about cricket's spot-fixing scandal, but wanted to go into bat for Butt by supplying a character reference at the tribunal hearing.
"I have no idea what he (Butt) did, but I treat people as I find them. I had always found him fine. I've got sadness about the whole affair. I've got two different views on it. I feel for the people individually but we don't want this sort of stuff in the game and we need deterrents in the game," Lawson was quoted, as saying.
Disgraced former captain Butt has been banned for 10 years, but is set to appeal against the decision. He has stirred fresh controversy by landing a new job working as a television commentator in Pakistan during the World Cup starting this month on the subcontinent. 

Don't underestimate us, says Pakistan cricket captain

 Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi warned World Cup rivals not to underestimate his team, saying the players had turned a new leaf after the match-fixing scandal.

Afridi admitted Pakistan had been blown away by the scandal, which saw former captain Salman Butt and two leading pacemen, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, punished for their alleged involvement.

All three were banned for a minimum of five years by the International Cricket Council, which ruled them out of the World Cup, and also face criminal proceedings in England.

"I think we're really going through a very tough situation," Afridi told reporters in the Bangladeshi capital on Saturday, ahead of the marquee tournament opening on February 19.

"But I am very happy because we are trying to rebuild the team and keep the morale high. I am confident the team is in very good shape now.

"We all know how important the World Cup is for us and for our country. The message for other teams is that no one should underestimate us."

Afridi's team will play practice matches against Bangladesh and England in Dhaka over the next few days, before their first Cup match against Kenya in the Sri Lankan town of Hambantota on February 23.

The Pakistan captain said his team was "focussed and united" under his leadership.

"They feel hungry to win a big event and want to play good cricket," he said, adding recent wins in New Zealand had bolstered the team's morale.

"We have a very good bunch of youngsters and some experienced players," said Afridi. "It is good to see Kamran Akmal back in the team. Misbah-ul Haq is in good form and Younis Khan is also batting well.

"I am also very happy with our bowling. We have two genuine spinners and some good fast bowlers, especially Shoaib Akhtar."

Afridi said fans would see a vastly improved Pakistan in the World Cup. "Inshallah (God willing), we will achieve our goal," he said.

Afridi paid tribute to manager Intikhab Alam and coach Waqar Yunus for keeping the team in good spirits amid the controversy.

"They are really doing a very good job," he said. "They have assured the atmosphere in the dressing room is healthy. We are trying to keep the boys together as a unit."

Pakistan was initially due to co-host the tournament with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but were stripped of hosting rights after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team in March, 2009.

Afridi said he hoped international cricket would return to his country soon. "We are desperate to host the best teams. I am sure that will happen in the near future."

Pakistan, World Cup winners in 1992, have been drawn with reigning champions Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Canada in group A of the preliminary league.

Four teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Afridi said he wanted Pakistan to meet India in the April 2 final at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

"That would be the perfect final for the cricket-loving people in both countries," he said.

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's demolition man

KARACHI: Ignore Shahid Afridi at your peril. The 30-year-old Pakistan captain is widely regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen in limited overs cricket.

Coupled with his wicket-taking ability as a leg-spinner, he is a one-man demolition squad.

But the added responsibility of being captain could be make-or-break for Afridi.

His dashing style has made him one of the most popular players among millions of fans, many of whom leave the ground once he gets out.

Afridi's hitting knows no bounds.

In only his second one-day match, he smashed a strong Sri Lanka attack for a 37-ball century in Kenya in 1996 - still a world record.

Afridi also holds the record for hitting most sixes (288) in one-day internationals, three of the six fastest one-day hundreds and two of the three fastest limited overs fifties.

With his uncanny leg-spin and brilliant fielding, Afridi is a complete cricketer who is a role model for fellow players.

Former captain Imran Khan believes Afridi is the only man who can lift and unite the talented but unpredictable Pakistanis.

"Afridi is the only man who can motivate and unite the team and if he hits a purple patch during the World Cup he can guide Pakistan to the best finish," said Imran, who led Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph in 1992.

"He can win matches single-handedly."

Afridi said he wants to emulate the two Khans who have brought two world titles to Pakistan - Imran in 1992 and Younis Khan, who led Pakistan to the 2009 World Twenty20 crown.

Afridi starred in the World Twenty20 triumph and his responsible knocks in the semi-final against South Africa and in the final against Sri Lanka were crucial.

Being captain and motivator for the team at the same time will not be easy, but Afridi has been backed to excel.

"It's remarkable that his best comes when the going gets tough," said former left-arm paceman Wasim Akram, under whom Afridi played his first World Cup in 1999.

Afridi couldn't find a place in the powerful batting line-up as Pakistan finished runners-up to Australia.

Four years later in South Africa, he continued to warm the bench before things got even worse in 2007.

A month before the World Cup, Afridi was banned for two matches on charges of threatening to hit a spectator during a one-day match in South Africa.

He ended up watching Pakistan lose to Ireland from the sidelines before playing an inconsequential match against Zimbabwe.

That bitter history of disappointment could be all the motivation Afridi needs in 2011.

I think my squad is perfect: Afridi

Captain Shahid Afridi has desribed Pakistan's World Cup squad as perfect as it prepares for the start of the tournament next week.

Afridi, who was a late appointment as captain, said the team had the right blend to mount a title challenge despite seemingly constant off-field turmoil.

"We have a very good bunch of youngsters, very experienced players," Afridi said on Saturday.

"I think my squad is perfect." Pakistan, which will play the World Cup without three key players banned earlier this month for spot fixing, arrived in Bangladesh on Friday to play warm-up matches against Bangladesh and England.

The absence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and the destabilizing influence of their trial, had hurt Pakistan's chances in the World Cup, which had already been reduced by having the team stripped of its initial status as co-host.

Pakistan is in Group A, which includes three-time defending champion Australia, which is favorite to top the seven-member group, along with Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and also Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada.

ICC CWC Warm-Up: Previews

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is almost upon us and Bumper Saturday brings with it as many as five warm-up matches. Here are the previews.

By Rajarshi Gupta

Before you go on to read our previwes, here is where you get to know all you want to about the Teams, Star Players , Captains, Statistics, Factoids,History, Venues and of course the Fixtures of the ICC Cricket World Cup. 

South Africa vs Zimbabwe

One of the title favourites, South Africa start their ICC Cricket World Cup sojourn with a warm-up match against Zimbabwe, a match which is expected to help both teams assess their fitness and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the big one.

High on confidence after their ODI series win over India last month, South Africa will look to gain vital match practice in the day-night encounter at the refurbished M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Greame Smith-led Proteas, after a hard-fought Test and ODI series against India at home, have had two days of nets since their arrival in Chennai on Wednesday.

Smith had already indicated that the team's sole aim this time around, is to bag the coveted trophy that has not only eluded them so far but also earned them the tag of chokers.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe, currently in a rebuilding phase, have nothing to lose and would look to cause an upset or two, like they did against Australia in a warm-up tie during the ICC World T20 in April last year.

Coached by former England batsman Alan Butcher, Zimbabwe have won just eight of 46 matches in seven appearances.

Skippered by all-rounder Elton Chigumbura, Zimbabwe are hoping their tour of Bangladesh last December and inputs from West Indian legend and consultant Brain Lara would stand them in good stead during the tournament.

The team has three seamers, as many specialist slow bowlers, and it would rely on them to make for the lack of firepower in fast bowling.

West Indies vs Kenya

West Indies kick off their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign against Kenya when the two sides clash in Colombo on Saturday. Explosive Windies opener, Chris Gayle has already sounded out a warning to some of the top teams in the mega-event and consequently the world will watch if they demolish Kenya in the warm-up match.

West Indies have struggled for the last 15 years at the ICC Cricket World Cup. They reached the last-four in the sub-continent back in 1996 before losing a tight one against Australia. On a rebuilding phase, the men from the Caribbean will look to live up some of their past glory against an African side, which has the potential to slay some giants.

Kenya had stormed to the semis of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003 and will certainly back their chances at the prestigious tournament eight years from then.

Led by Jimmy Kamande, Kenya will have more than a point to prove - all the backing from the ICC now needs to be justified. The West Indies have a relatively new skipper as well in Darren Sammy and the all-rounder will feel the heat even if it happens to be a practice game against a lower ranked side.

The warm-up tie will have lots to play for - both sides are capable of causing some upsets and the tournament heavy-weights will certainly have their eyes glued to the scorecard.

New Zealand vs Ireland

New Zealand have had a rough ride over the last year, losing to Bangladesh, India and then surrendering to Pakistan at home but have a chance to start off the ICC Cricket World Cup on a good note. Braced to play Ireland in their warm-up game in Nagpur, the Kiwis would want to iron out every flaw in their ranks.

However, Ireland are no push-overs as Pakistan found out, much to their peril in the West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007. Given what the Black Caps have gone through, skipper Daniel Vettori would like to take no chances - an upset against Ireland could be a major blow for a side that is already reeling from lack of confidence.

Jesse Ryder, on his comeback trail, has shown glimpses of the destructive batsman that he is while a lot will depend on Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum up the order.

Ireland skipper William Porterfield has indicated that he means business in the tournament and has reassured his country men that the team will not be pushovers. With the likes of George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Porterfield, the O-Brien brothers - Niall and Kevin, they have some quality in the team. New Zealand must not and will not take them lightly.

Sri Lanka vs Netherlands

Runners-up from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 will get things rolling when they take on the Netherlands in their first warm-up game of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the sub-continent.

Already touted as one of the pre-tournament favourites, Sri Lanka have a potent spin attack in the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan and the wily Ajantha Mendis. The pace line-up in the hands of Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando looks promising as well. Mahela Jayawardene, Tillekaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara form the crux of a class batting order and one which instils fear deep down the spines of opponents the world over. A line-up like that against the Netherlands does look like a huge mismatch.

However, the Dutch would not like to be found wanting on such a grand stage. Led by the feisty Peter Borren, the side have some rather promising players who can step on the gas. Bas Zuiderent and Tom de Grooth are stars in their own rights - the latter infact became the first Dutchman to bag a contract in the Indian Premier League when he was signed on by the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Islanders are tough to beat at home and will be more than a handful for the starry-eyed Netherlands.

Bangladesh vs Canada

Bangladesh have come a long way since the last ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 when they sent favourites India packing out of the tournament. As the Tigers prepare to play Canada in their first warm-up game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Shakib-al-Hasan’s boys will ride high on their whitewash of New Zealand late 2010 and some impressive performances which included triumphs in the West Indies.

Tamim Iqbal at the top of the order is a dangerous commodity while Shakib’s all-round abilities have only grown his stature in the international arena. Bangladesh have a compact side and the players appear ready to take a crack at at-least the quarter finals.

Canada may not be as talented yet but players like Rizwan Cheema and Balaji Rao have helped the ICC Associate Members climb up the ladders steadily and there is no reason why they cannot up the ante in what will be the most high-profile ICC Cricket World Cup in history.