Ajmal Targets Glory in England This Summer Author: Analyst Maaz; Views: 1516; Date: 26-02-2013, 08:28;

Saeed Ajmal targets glory for Pakistan in England this summer 

"The last four ICC events we have got through to the semi-final. This time with the ICC Champions Trophy coming, we want to win it. That is what we are dreaming,"

Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophies

1998 = First round, Captain Aamir Sohail

2000 = Semi finalists, Captain Moin Khan  

2002 = First round, Captain Waqar Younis           

2004 = Semi finalists, Captain Inzamam

2006 = First round, Captain Younis Khan

2009 = Semi finalists, Captain Younis Khan

2013 = Under Misbah ul Haq, Finalists surely?

9 ODIs left (4 against Scotland/Ireland) before the 2^nd biggest 50 over international world tournament, more than the result in the one day series against South Africa, getting the balance and combination of the side will be of most importance. The one day series win will mean nothing should they fail at the ICC   Champions Trophy.

8 teams

18 days

15 games

120 squad players

3 venues: Edgbaston, Oval, Cardiff

No minnows

No associates

Dress rehearsal for 2015

The 7^th and final edition of the ICC Champions Trophy

Previously known as the ‘mini world cup’ and ‘ICC knock out trophy’

Biggest group games:

1) Pakistan vs. India at Edgbaston on 15^th June

2) Australia vs. England at Edgbaston on 8^th June

Most titles = Australia

Most finals = West Indies

Most semis = Australia

Defending Champions = Australia

Last ICC Champions Trophy in England winners = West Indies (2004)

Last ICC tournament in England winners = Pakistan (2009)

Shane Watson has been man of the match in the final of the last 2 Champions Trophies

Apart from England and Pakistan, all participating teams have had at least 1 title, Pakistan have never even played a final unlike England

The only ICC men’s tournament Pakistan haven’t won

Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophies

1998 = First round, Captain Aamir Sohail

2000 = Semi finalists, Captain Moin Khan

2002 = First round, Captain Waqar Younis

2004 = Semi finalists, Captain Inzamam

2006 = First round, Captain Younis Khan

2009 = Semi finalists, Captain Younis Khan

2013 =???????

Hosts by year

98 = Bangladesh

2000 = Kenya

2002 = Sri Lanka

2004 = England

2006 = India

2009 = South Africa

2013 = England

Player of the final by year

98 = Kallis

2000 = Sanath

2002 = NA

2004 = Bradshaw

2006 = Watson

2009 = Watson

Player of the tournament by year

98 = Kallis

2000 = Sanath

2002 = NA

2004 = Sarwan

2006 = Gayle

2009= Ponting

Winners by year

98 = South Africa, finalists = West Indies, semi-finalists = India, Sri Lanka

2000= New Zealand, finalists = India, semi-finalists = South Africa, Pakistan

2002 = Shared between India and Sri Lanka, semi-finalists = South Africa, Australia

2004 = West Indies, finalists = England, semi-finalists = Pakistan, Australia

2006 = Australia, finalists = West Indies, semi-finalists = South Africa, New Zealand

2009 = Australia, finalists = New Zealand, semi-finalists = Pakistan, England

Prediction

SA vs Ind = SA
Pak vs WI = Pak
Eng vs Aus = Eng
SL vs NZ = NZ
SA vs Pak = Pak
WI vs Ind = WI
NZ vs Aus = Aus
Eng vs SL = Eng
SA vs WI = WI
Ind vs Pak = Ind
Eng vs NZ = Eng
SL vs Aus = Aus

Groups

Group A

1) England 3 wins
2) Australia 2 wins
3) New Zealand 1 win
4) Sri Lanka 0 win

Group B

1) Pakistan 2 wins
2) West Indies 2 wins
3) India 1 win
4) South Africa 1 win

These are the only possibilities of wins difference in a 4 team pool assuming there are no wash-outs:

3 1 1 1
2 2 2 0
3 2 1 0
2 2 1 1

Semi Finals

England vs West Indies = England
Pakistan vs Australia = Pakistan

Final

England vs. Pakistan = England

Player of the tournament prediction:

1)    Cook

2)    KP

3)    Swann

4)    Trott

5)    Finn

6)    Gayle

7)    Samuels

8)    Pollard

9)    Narine

10) Bravo

11) Ajmal

12) Hafeez

13) Misbah

14) Kohli

15) Starc