12 years ago
That's all from today's action at the Premadasa stadium.
It was a warm up game, but nonetheless an India-Pakistan game. A great starter to the World T20.
"To beat India is very motivating for the team and for me as a captain," Hafeez winds up.
"Chasing and winning is always special to the team."
"Kamran was exceptional."
"Everyone was sure if we chase well, we can get their," says Mohammad Hafeez.
Dhoni: "Good to get Rohit Sharma back into form."
Akmal during his match winning knock today.
"We have to take a call whether we want five bowlers or an extra batsman," says Dhoni.
Pakistan showed why they one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
16 runs off the 19th over by Balaji proved crucial.
Shoaib Malik (37 in 18 balls) gave Akmal good support.
Kamran Kamal was brilliant as he never let Pakistan lose momentum after initial jolts.
Bowling let India down. Only Ashwin could manage wickets as he got 4/23.
First ball from Zaheer and a soaring six over extra cover boundary from Akmal. Pakistan win by 5 wickets.
Six off six balls now.
Malik seals it for Pakistan as Malik sends one soaring over Balajis head.
Pakistan has never beaten India in a world cup match. But this is a warm up.
It looks easy now for Pakistan.
Akmal moves towards off stump and lifts Balaji for a six to the fine leg boundary. Brilliant.
A single off the first ball.
Balaji gets to bowl the 19th over -- a very crucial one that too.
Ashwin has kept it tight in the 18th over. It went for only seven runs.
Malik is batting on 28 from 14 balls.
Here, Ashwin gets the ball to put the brakes on Pakistan's scoring.
New Zealand ends at 177/8 as South Africa win by 9 runs.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's brilliant chase is halted by Dale Steyn picking up three wickets in the 19th over.
Balaji's over fetches 15 runs as Pakistan need 29 from 18 balls now.
A wide. The pressure seems to be getting on Balaji. 32 from 20 now.
Outside off stump from Balaji and Akmal slashes hard at it. Thick edge and it flies off to third man boundary.
Akmal is batting 69 from 40 balls.
Balaji gets the ball, and is hoisted in to the deep midwicket boundary by Akmal. Stunner.
Pak need 45 from 24 balls with wickets in hand.
Malik breaks off and sends the last ball over the long on fence for a six.
Bhajji has kept Akmal and Shoaib Malik quiet in the first three balls.
Harbhajan comes his last over in to bowl at a crucial stage.
Another one off Zaheer. A four this time. This is a big over for Pakistan.
Kamran backs it up with another big hit.
Kamran reaches 52 in style with a six off Zaheer Khan.
West Indies beats Afghanistan comprehensively by eight wickets in 15.5 overs.
Ashwin has picked up three wickets already.
Pakistan in trouble now with 95 runs needed off 51 balls.
Ashwin is having some birthday celebrations on the field! He took a great diving catch of own bowling to send back Umar Kmal.
In the other match, Ross Taylor is turning on the heat on South Africa. He has hit six sixes already as New Zealand need 53 more from 32 balls.
It's now up to the Akmal brothers -- Umar and Kamran too see Pakistan through.
Afridi goes for a duck in the second ball itself while trying to clear Ashwin over extra cover boundary. Zaheer takes a well-judged catch.
That brings Shahid Afridi to the middle.
Ashwin picks up his second wicket as Hafeez goes for 38.
Hafeez tries to clear the field but lands in the safe hands of Rohit Sharma at long on.
At this stage, India were 64/2.
Hafeez sends Pathan to the fence. Pakistan need 104 from 66 balls to win.
Dhoni appeals successfully for a run out.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are 95/3. They need another 92 from 47 balls.
Beautiful shot from Akmal again to glide Harbhajan to the third man boundary.
Second over from Bhajji, and the first ball goes for four through the gully region. A half chance for Balaji.
Short one outside off stump, and Akmal cuts Yuvi through point for another boundary.
Yuvraj Singh now comes to bowl. He too is sent for a boundary in the first ball by Akmal.
His first over goes for 11.
Harbhajan gets to roll over his arms. He's greeted with a six by Kamran Akmal.
Raina is in thick of things. He had earlier taken a superb catch to send back Imran Nazir.
A brilliant fielding and throw by Raina from the deep midwicket.
India strikes again with a run out to send back Nazir Jamshed.
Nazir falls to Ashwin for 13.
First wicket falls for Pakistan.
Now Hafeez takes on Zaheer Khan for two boundaries on the trot.
In the other warm-up game, New Zealand are 52/3 in 6.3 overs against South Africa.
Hafeez joins the party to send Pathan for a six in the last ball.
Pakistan aren't going quiet either. Imran Nazir takes on Irfan Pathan in the second over 11 runs.
Kohli during his knock against Pakistan.
India will be happy with their batting too.
Given West Indies' batting power, it shouldn't be a difficult total. But it's learning stage for Afghanistan in world cricket.
In their warm-up game, Afghanistan scores at 122-7 in 20 overs against. West Indies.
"I like Test matches, but T20 is also challenging," Ajmal adds.
"If openers can get in 70-80 runs, it'll be easy," says Ajmal.
"The pitch is good for batsman, asthe weather is hot. A total of over 150 is very good here," says Ajmal.
186 is an extremely good total.
Yuvraj gets four from the five balls he faced.
Kohli remains unbeaten on 75 off 47 balls.
India score 185/3.
Kohli finishes India's innings with a single.
Umar Gul bowling the 20th over.
Ajmal ends his spell with 22 for 2 wickets.
With just two overs left, it's good for him to get some match practice and come ahead of Raina.
Yuvraj Singh coming out at No. 5.
Ajmal strikes to dislodge Sharma's stumps. He goes for a well made 56 off 40 balls.
Next ball , KOhli sends him straight in to the stands over deep long-on.
Sami's ball had slipped from his hand and hit Kohli's helmet before going to the fence.
Rohit Sharma has also raced to his half century in 36 balls.
In the other match, Albie Morkel ends South Africa's innings with a six at 186/6. Not that's some target for New Zealand.
Bang. Down the ground over Tanveer's head. Kohli brings up his half century in style.
Rohit has taken over Virat in the race to complete a half century.
Now Sharma sends one from Umar Gul to the stands for a six. Massive shot.
Sharma gets ino the act now. Two fours and a six in Afridi's last over.
That's how Sehwag had started.
Virat Kohli continues his run-scoring spree as he sends another one down the ground to the fence. This time off Ajmal.
A full-toss from Hafeez, Kohli sends it over his head to the boundary.
It's been spin for Pakistan at the moment as Afridi continues.
Hafeez continues as he keeps the India batsmen quiet in the middle.
Four. Sharma send Afridi to the fence.
Afridi is the next to bowl.
A tidy five-runs over by the off spinner as Sharma and Kohli deal in singles.
Mohammad Hafeez comes in to bowl.
In the other match, South Africa are 123/4 in 15.1 overs.
Rohit Sharma is promoted up the order and sent in ahead of Suresh Raina at No. 4.
Sehwag goes for 26s.
Sehwag's gone in the next ball. Tries to cut Ajmal, but Afridi takes a good diving catch at the point.
Sami tries to catch it, but decides to pull it inside. It's a four as his feet touches fence.
Sehwag sends him soaring in the very first ball to the deep long-on boundary.
Saeed Ajmal comes in to bowl.
Virat Kohli walks in, and send the first ball racing to the deep mid-wicket boundary.
Umar Gul rattles Gambhr's stumps. He goes for 10.
In another warm-up game South Africa is on 79/3 in 11 overs against New Zealand.
14 runs in Sami's first over.
Another boundary, and this time through the extra cover region.
It's poor bowling, specially with fine leg up inside the circle.
Again on the pads by Sami, and the same treatment from Sehwag.
On the pats, and flicked to the fine leg boundary. Poor ball, and expect no mercy from Sehwag.
Md Sami comes in as change for Gul.
India going good at the moment at 9.00 runs per over.
It's a pretty empty stadium for a India - Pakistan match. But, then, it's warm-up game.
Outside off-stump from Tanveer. and Sehwag sends it over the cover boundary for a six.
Pakistan have always been a poor fielding side, and this time it was captain Hafeez's chance.
Lucky escape for Sehwag and poor fielding by Pakistan.
Brilliant bowling by Tanveer. Sehwag edges the very first ball as the ball goes in between wicketkepper and first slip to the boundary.
Sehwag finally faces the ball in the third over.
Sehwag is yet to face a ball.
And Gambhir his first ball to the cover boundary.
Umar Gul takes over from the other end for Pakistan.
Same is the case when it comes to India and Pakistan. Every exhibition or warm-up match has always been a brilliantly contested tie between these two.
Meanwhile, England skipper Stuart Broad tweets about their win: "No such thing as a 'warm up' game against Australia. Always tough battles so great to come out on top. Lads played really well in good heat!"
"How hot will this Warm-up be!?" tweets television cricket presenter Mandira Bedi.
Cut, and strongly. Gauti sends one to the fence.
The first run comes in form of a wide.
Sohail Tanvir starts for Pakistan with the new ball.
There's no such thing with Gambhir as he gets busy taking his guard to face the first ball.
Sehwag is greeted by his opponents, and he returns it with a smile.
It's a pretty hot afternoon as Sehwag and Gambhir walks out to open for India.
Shahid Afirid is seen giving the team a pep-talk in the huddle. With his experience, he surely has a lot to offer.
Pakistan players have walked onto the field even before the umpires went out.
T20 is a batsman's game. But India and Pakistan has great spinners in Ashwin, Harbhajan and Ajmal, Afridi respectively.
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The pitch looks good for batting, which prompted Dhoni's decision.
Ireland had proven in the 2011 World Cup that they are capable of big upsets. Today's win shows they are going to make World T20 interesting for sure.
Meanwhile, Ireland has beat Bangladesh in their warm-up match.
Tiwary, Dinda and Chawla weren't part of the playing XI in India's last warm-up match also.
India have left out Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Dinda and Manoj Tiwary from the staring eleven.
Gautam Gambhir, who was hurt in the last match, looks fine and should feature in the game.
Harbhajan bowled well in the last warm-up match against Sri Lanka. He had picked up one wicket for a tidy 17 runs in his four overs.
This will be the last chance for Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh to brush aside any hangover of the duration that they were away from international cricket.
India have chosen to bat after winning the toss.
Alex Hales during his match-winning knock against Australia.
Paul Stirling of Ireland scored 71 off 41 balls.
In another warm-up match of the morning, Ireland made 164-6 in its 20 overs against Bangladesh at the Moors Cricket Ground.
West Indies also play their second warm-up match today against Afghanistan at the Sara Oval in Colombo.
Michael Hussey's 71 off 51 balls wasn't enough to save Australia.
Alex Hales top-scored for England with a 38-ball 52.
In the meantime, England (172-6) beat Australia (163-6) by nine runs in their warm-up match in Colombo.
The teams have left for the stadium sometime ago. And Virender Sehwag was the first to board the India bus. Everyone knows how he likes to feast on Pakistan bowlers.
India-Pakistan is always a high-octane clash that has several mini contests brewing within. Here are some of those:
1. Battle of Commanders: MS Dhoni vs Mohammad Hafeez: The battle starts right from the top. This is one contest that can test the nerves of even the coolest captains. While we have seen MS Dhoni keep his calm and outwit his counterpart in the two WT20 matches played in 2007, Mohammad Hafeez might test his skills. Or will our Captain Cool get the things going in India's favour with his Midas touch?
2. Abdul Razzaq vs Virender Sehwag: India wants Sehwag to fire against Pakistan and get some runs under his belt ahead of the tough battle ahead. But with Abdul Razzaq bowling from the other, will Sehwag be at his fiery best? Razzaq has dismissed him thrice in his career and he will test be today as well. Can Sehwag break the shackles and score big?
3. Shahid Afridi vs Gautam Gambhir: These two are not very cordial to each other on the field. And that promises to fire up the contest - just the way an India-Pakistan match should be. The only worry is that Gambhir injured his wrist in the practice match against Sri Lanka and is a doubtful starter today.
4. Irfan Pathan vs Shahid Afridi: The Indian bowlers led by Irfan Pathan have looked in good stead in the previous match and they just need to continue their positive run against Pakistan. Pathan, who is in good form, had picked five wickets to guide India to a comfortable 26-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first practice match. Afridi, on the other hand, is always a knock away from destructing the opposition. Who will have the last laugh?
5. Saeed Ajmal vs India's big hitters: It wouldn't be great idea if Indian batsmen took this Pak spinner lightly. He can entice you to dance down the track and go for bigger shots but that's just a well-rehearsed trap. India's big hitters like Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Dhoni need to give their respect to Ajmal but not get bogged down.
1. Battle of Commanders: MS Dhoni vs Mohammad Hafeez: The battle starts right from the top. This is one contest that can test the nerves of even the coolest captains. While we have seen MS Dhoni keep his calm and outwit his counterpart in the two WT20 matches played in 2007, Mohammad Hafeez might test his skills. Or will our Captain Cool get the things going in India's favour with his Midas touch?
2. Abdul Razzaq vs Virender Sehwag: India wants Sehwag to fire against Pakistan and get some runs under his belt ahead of the tough battle ahead. But with Abdul Razzaq bowling from the other, will Sehwag be at his fiery best? Razzaq has dismissed him thrice in his career and he will test be today as well. Can Sehwag break the shackles and score big?
3. Shahid Afridi vs Gautam Gambhir: These two are not very cordial to each other on the field. And that promises to fire up the contest - just the way an India-Pakistan match should be. The only worry is that Gambhir injured his wrist in the practice match against Sri Lanka and is a doubtful starter today.
4. Irfan Pathan vs Shahid Afridi: The Indian bowlers led by Irfan Pathan have looked in good stead in the previous match and they just need to continue their positive run against Pakistan. Pathan, who is in good form, had picked five wickets to guide India to a comfortable 26-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first practice match. Afridi, on the other hand, is always a knock away from destructing the opposition. Who will have the last laugh?
5. Saeed Ajmal vs India's big hitters: It wouldn't be great idea if Indian batsmen took this Pak spinner lightly. He can entice you to dance down the track and go for bigger shots but that's just a well-rehearsed trap. India's big hitters like Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Dhoni need to give their respect to Ajmal but not get bogged down.
Here are the two squads:
India: M S Dhoni (captain/wicket-keeper), Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Piyush Chawla, Ashok Dinda, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Yuvraj Singh.
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Sami, Nasir Jamshed, Raza Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat.
India: M S Dhoni (captain/wicket-keeper), Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Piyush Chawla, Ashok Dinda, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Yuvraj Singh.
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Sami, Nasir Jamshed, Raza Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat.
Both India and Pakistan are placed in two different groups, i.e, Group A and D respectively. The only way these two neighbours can play each other in the tournament is if India finish first in Group A and Pakistan finish second in Group D, or, if India finish second in Group A and Pakistan finish first in Group D. If none of these permutations materializes then today's match is all we have to enjoy the mother of all battles. So let's make the most out of it.
The two arch-rivals warm up against each other for the tournament while the lesser mortals like us are biting our nails, putting our bets and waiting in anticipation. After all who knows this could be the only India-Pakistan match we will have in this tournament.
