ESPN-Cricinfo announces best performances of 2010

Umar Gul 6 wickets for 42 in 3rd ODI at Oval: England were leading series by 2-0 and were chasing target of 242 in 3rd ODI. At one stage, England were 201-5 and there came Gul to bowl a shocking spell of English summer. The wicket of Bresnan was spook story for every Englishman. Gul ended up with 6-42. Pakistan won the first match after spot-fixing controversy. 

200 by Sachin Tendulkar at Gwalior: The most-awaited innings of ODIs came from bat for Sachin Tendulkar. Batsman who deserved it the most, became the first player to score 200 in ODIs. On his way to 200, Sachin hit 25 fours which is another World Record for an ODI innings.Tendulkar played like King Aruther in Gwalior. 

96 in 2nd Test at Durban: With 1 down in series, in 2^nd Test against RSA, India was once again stuggling and they needed a batsman who could drop anchor and set reasonable target. It came from bat of Laxman, he scored anchoring 96 and perhaps the best century he never got. From 93-5, Laxman took India to 228 in 2^nd  innings and India won the match eventually and also leveled the series.

7 wickets for 51 runs in Nagpur: Who says India has dead Wickets? Ask Dale Styen about it! You wont have this excuse if you have bowlers like Dale Steyn. The pitch where RSA scored 558 in first innings, Dale Styen came and bowled the spell of his life and rocked Indian batting line-up. India were bowled out on 233 and were followed on. South Africa won the Test. 

60 of 24 balls at St Lucia: Australia needed 48 from 17 balls to beat Pakistan in Semi Final. One of the most shocking knock came from Michael Hussey, he played freaking beautiful in St Lucia and scored 60 runs from 24 balls. It is perhaps best ever knock played in Twenty20 Cricket. 

 5 for 18 at Auckland: How often do you see a bowler taking 5 wickets in T20 Cricket. Southee did it against Pakistan in Auckland and bundled out Pakistan on 143. Southee’s 5 wicket haul also included a hat-trick.

Afridi hints at including an extra spinner in Pakistan team

DHAKA: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Monday hinted at playing an 'extra spinner' in the team during the World Cup which gets underway February 19.

The experienced all-rounder said Pakistan have several spin options and they are prepared to unleash them on turning tracks of the sub-continent.

"The playing conditions would be quite different to what we encountered during our tour of New Zealand," Afridi said.

Pakistan will play two warm-up matches before beginning its campaign in Pool A against Kenya in Hambantota, Sri Lanka on February 23.

"Here we can explore the idea of playing an extra specialist spinner," he added.

Pakistan has two specialist spinners - Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman - in its 15-man squad. Afridi and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez also add variety to its spin attack.

Afridi has also played down fears that Pakistan will be going into the World Cup with a depleted pace attack saying that his fast bowlers have the guts to shine in the megaevent.

"I don't think that there is any cause for concern," Afridi said. "Our team is shaping up well and the boys are all highly motivated to give their best in the World Cup," he stressed.

Pakistan will go into the World Cup after a morale-boosting ODI series triumph in New Zealand earlier this month.

Despite the good results, Pakistan are not counted among the top five title contenders because of their depleted pace battery. Pakistan's two most lethal pacers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have been banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on charges of spot-fixing.

Left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir, who was a surprise inclusion in the squad, was also dropped at the last minute due to fitness issues and has been replaced by rookie pacer Junaid Khan.

An ageing Shoaib Akhtar will be leading the pace attack that includes Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq. Akhtar is in the twilight of his international career while Gul has had more than his fair share of fitness problems in recent years.

But Afridi is confident of his fast bowlers.

"Let me tell you that Shoaib Akhtar is working really, really hard because he wants to be at his best in the World Cup. In terms of fitness, Shoaib may be a bit down but he is totally committed and is improving day by day. I won't be surprised if he is back at his brilliant best at the World Cup," said Afridi.

He also praised Umar Gul, saying that the lanky pacer will be one of his key men in the World Cup.

"Gul is a valuable player. He is a match winner," he said.

Afridi is confident that each of his players can be a match winner on his day.

"I have complete confidence in my boys because each and every one of them is a match-winner. They need to click and I'm sure they will do that in the World Cup."

Pakistan hurt but dangerous: Shoaib Akhtar

Dhaka: Veteran pacer Shoaib Akhtar Monday said Pakistan are a "dangerous and hurt" bunch, who are aware that they need to win the World Cup to revive the charm of cricket in the country.

Pakistan cricket has been hit by the suspension of three of its players - former skipper Salman Butt and quicks Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif - for spot fixing earlier this month.

"We are a very hurt side but very dangerous. I think the crowds, whatever the team has been through for the last six-seven months, that will inspire us. Pakistan need to gather themselves and we are motivated to play in India and Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals," Akhtar said.

Afridi banking on Akhtar to lead bowling attack

"We need to win at any cost, the team needs a situation, and what better situation than the World Cup. We need to win this World Cup to bring back cricket to Pakistan, the charm back to the country," Akhtar said.

"People at home are missing cricket, they are dying to watch players from all over the world playing against Pakistan."

Akhtar, 36, admits he is in the twilight of his career and wants to live every moment of the Feb 19-April 2 World Cup, which will be his last.

"Playing World Cup in the sub-continent is special. But I will try to make it full of memories. I would love to play every match and go home with the trophy."

"I have experience now but at the same time, and though I am 36 I'm still bowling very quick, easily touching 145-150 kph. I want people to know that still honourable people play for our country."

Akhtar said the reverse swing will remain Pakistan's strength in the World Cup even though the sub-continent pitches favour batsmen.

"I think Pakistan team's strength lies in reverse swing. We have the best combination of reverse swing and new-ball fast bowlers," he said.

Onus is on Afridi to show maturity and lead from front: Abbas

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas reckons that the batsmen will have to fire consistently, and skipper Shahid Afridi will have to lead from the front, if the team harbours hopes of reaching the last four stage of the World Cup.

Reviewing Pakistan's batting line-up, Abbas said that Afridi needs to shed his "boom boom" tag and bat more consistently and sensibly.

"The World Cup is taking place in the sub-continent, so batting will play a key part in how Pakistan fare in this event," Abbas said.

Asked about Afridi, Abbas, without any hesitation, said that he has never regarded the pathan as a specialist batsman.

"He's a hitter. Some have opined that if he's pushed up the order, with the added responsibility of captaincy, Afridi would do better. However, I'm averse to this idea," he said.

"He can't control his natural instincts. He has never been able to do that in his career. Moreover, Afridi was a failure with the bat in all his three previous World Cup appearances. He did hit a wonderful century in Sri Lanka against the hosts in last year's Asia Cup but remains inconsistent as ever.

"Even as a hitter, I rate Abdul Razzaq higher than him in terms of reliability," he said.

The former captain hoped that Afridi bats with lot more responsibility during the mega event.

"He asked for the captaincy and got it. Now the onus is on him to show maturity and, for once, plan innings as per match situation. A captain has to lead from the front, and our batting is inexperienced compared to most teams," he noted.

On the opening pair of Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad, he felt they had performed reasonably well in New Zealand.

"Shehzad is quite raw and inexperienced but remains talented and has an array of strokes at his disposal. However, whether he stands tall at the biggest stage in world cricket remains to be seen. If he manages a big innings early in the tournament, I believe he should have a good World Cup."

As for Hafeez, Abbas observed that he has been around for quite some time without cementing his place in the team.

"However, his batting, of late, has shown increased consistency and maturity. The duo is definitely not an ideal choice for Pakistan but, in my opinion, the best among the available lot."

Abbas said the under-fire Umar Akmal might not have performed very well recently but he is capable of coming good in the tournament.

"He's now a senior player and has an excellent strike-rate. We need experience and class in the middle-order and that is where he can help."

He said the way Misbah ul Haq batted in New Zealand should be a lesson to all the other batsmen.

"He clearly demonstrated that even in ODIs, it is important that at least one batsman should strive to stay as long as possible. Hope the rest learn from him."

SHAHID AFRIDI HOPES SHOAIB AKHTAR WILL DOMINATE IN ICC WORLD CUP 2011

Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi, is expecting the ageing express pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, to be Pakistan’s trump card in the soon-to-start ICC World Cup 2011. The Boys in Green are looking to lift the coveted trophy for the second time in the history of Pakistan Cricket.

Afridi spoke to media reporters in Dhaka and commented that the speedster is working hard on his fitness because the 35-year-old wants to give his best in what could be his swansong World Cup. "Let me tell you that Shoaib Akhtar is working really, really hard because he wants to be at his best in the World Cup,” said Afridi. “In terms of fitness, Shoaib may be a bit down but he is totally committed and is improving day by day," he added.

The flamboyant all-rounder said that he would not be surprised if Akhtar delivers his brilliant best during the World Cup. The sensational new-ball pair of Pakistan, including Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, was banned from cricket earlier this month, following their involvement in a spot-fixing scandal. The depleted pace attack, according to quite a few cricket experts, might affect the team’s prospects in the tournament.

Afridi, however, played down the notion of a ‘depleted pace attack’ and said his fast bowlers have the potential to change the course of the game on any day. "Besides Akhtar, we have Umar Gul who is a valuable player and match winner. I don't think that there is any cause for concern. Our team is shaping up well and the boys are all highly motivated to give their best in the World Cup," he said.

The Akhtar-lead pace attack of Pakistan includes reverse swing bowler Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, all-rounder Abdul Razzq and the fresh pacer, Junaid Khan, who has been called in as injured Sohail Tanvir’s replacement.

The turning tracks of the subcontinent are best known for assisting spinners and Afridi said that his side is also considering the option of playing an extra spinner in the mega event starting in Dhaka on Saturday. "The playing conditions would be quite different to what we encountered during our tour of New Zealand. Here we can explore the idea of playing an extra specialist spinner," said the all-rounder who himself is a accomplished leg-spinner.

Pakistan is all set to kick-off the ICC World Cup 2011 tour officially by taking Bangladesh in the first of their two official warm-up matches at Mirpur, Dhaka tomorrow, 15 February.

Pakistan may prove to be surprise package: Wasim

 Downplaying the critics who believe that Pakistan lack in firepower to dazzle at the World Cup, former skipper Wasim Akram believes that if the Shahid Afridi-led side reaches the semifinals, there would be no stopping them.

“Although India, Australia and South Africa are favourites, I also consider Pakistan amongst the top contenders,” Wasim said on Sunday.

“I am very excited and I feel that for around five years Pakistan has not been in as good shape as it is now.

“I feel they would enthrall everyone at the World Cup.

“I think the team is a combination of the best possible lot. Afridi is doing well as a captain and the body language of the players is also very positive. These are the reasons that I feel that they have the potential to claim the title.”

And even though many critics consider England as possible contenders for the title, the legendary pacer feels the other way.

“I don’t see enough potential in England to claim World Cup title,” he said.

Wasim further said that the format of the World Cup is a good one. “It is a good format as every team would play six matches and each team has a chance to recover. From what happened in the 2007 edition, this time around teams like Pakistan and India would get a fair chance to bounce back if they fail to perform in one match.”

He advised the team to stay united and perform and if they manage to win the World Cup then they would always cherish the taste of World Cup victory.