Ireland Win ICC World T20 Qualifier

Ireland today won the ICC World T20 Qualifier in Abu Dhabi where they defeated Afghanistan in a high scoring game. They successfully managed to retain the title and win it for a 3rd time. There will be eight Asian teams competing in the world finals in Bangladesh next year, a championship record in the sport across all global competitions. Trent Johnston was playing his final limited over match for Ireland at the age of 39 and thankfully for Ireland they won it for the senior veteran of Irish cricket as he bowed out on a high. It was a fairy-tale finish. There was some terrific ball striking on show and it certainly was not an easy game to be a bowler in. Earlier in the day, UAE lost the 3rd place play off to Nepal and there was great support for the Nepal side which is a reflection of the passion for the game in that part of the world. Star Cricket televised the climax stages of the all important associates trophy with the likes of Waqar Younis commentating.

6 Associates to Qualify for Bangladesh

Ireland
Afghanistan
Nepal
UAE
Holland
Hong Kong

ICC World T20 Qualifier Winners

2009 - Ireland and Scotland
2010 - Afghanistan
2012 - Ireland
2013 - Ireland

Cook Influencing England Batsmen to play Like Him?

There is a significant decrease in England's scoring rate since Cook became captain in 17 tests.

This is the type of rubbish that is written against Misbah on here.

They score at 2.94 an over under him despite having:

- KP Factor
- Less turgid wickets like in UAE
- Strong attacking lower order

3 times from memory under Cook in last 12 months Eng have batted out a first innings day where 80+ overs been bowled and added under 220

Just imagine the abuse Misbah would be getting if they were

199/5 from 97 overs like England were in Nagpur last year on day 1
160/4 from 80 overs like England were at Lords this year vs Kiwis on day 1
247/4 from 116 overs like England were at the Oval in the final Ashes Test on day 3

And Misbah as a batsmen is much much less cautious and more versatile than Cook if you look at:

Calculated hitting
Aerial hitting
Gear Changing
Ball Striking
Power Hitting

You would never see Cook hitting 74 6s at all levels in a year like Misbah has done this year

Ashes Down Under, England's 1st test overseas nightmare

Slow Starters.

Lost/drawn their last 13.
I'm not counting the Bangladesh tour in 2010.

Last won one in 2004.

Can they turn this around in Brisbane? 

2013

New Zealand – drew first test

2012

India – lost first test
Sri Lanka – lost first test
Pakistan in Dubai – lost first test

2010

Australia in Brisbane – drew first test

2009 

South Africa – drew first test
West Indies – lost first test

2008

India – lost first test
New Zealand – lost first test

2007

Sri Lanka – lost first test

2006

Brisbane – lost first test
India in Nagpur – Drew first test

2005

Pakistan in Multan – lost first test

4th ODI Half Way Point

Why do Afridi Fans act as if Reaching World Cup Semis was a Miracle?

Why do Afridi Fans act as if Reaching World Cup Semis was a Miracle?

1) Kenya reached 2003 Semis in a much tougher and more intensive tournament format where there were super sixes with points carried over as opposed to just quarter final ties after the first round
2) New Zealand even reached 2011 semis after being in turmoil with 4-0 loss in Bangladesh in 2010 and 5-0 in India in 2010
3) Pakistan historically have played the most World Cup Semis along with Australia and New Zealand
4) It was in Asian conditions
5) The tournament format suited Pak as it was about easing your way into the tournament
6) It was an Open World Cup
7) All major test playing nations reached the knock out stages; Pak just went 1 game further
8) Pakistan had the advantage of playing all their pre quarter final games in one country unlike other teams
9) Harsha Bhogle and Nick Knight even had Pakistan down as favourties
10) Pakistan’s white ball form had been decent. World T20 winners in 2009 and the last 3 series they played leading up to 2011 WC were won or lost by a 3-2 score line
11) In those conditions they always stood a better chance than England, West Indies and New Zealand for example and teams like Australia and England were suffering from injuries with batsmen like Hussey and Morgan
12) Pakistan were not in the harder group in the qualifying stages
13) Spot fixing scandal did not have huge effects on the one day team like the hole it filled in the test team. Butt was hit and miss in one day matches. Asif was not a one day bowler unless wickets suited him. Amir was a lesser bowler in one day matches than he was in test matches as his record showed and Gul/Akhtar could easily fill in here.

3rd ODI Half Way Point

ET Comment in April 2012

Backing M Despite 3-0 Whitewash That Month

February 28, 2013 4:32 pm

Support the captain that:

Beat England 3-0 in a test series

Beat Sri Lanka in all 3 formats 2011

Won the Asia Cup

Beat India in India ODIs 

Won a test series outside Asia in New Zealand 

Drew a test series vs number 2 ranked SA side in UAE

Has been clinical against associates and minnows 

Won Presidents Trophy as captain 

Led a weak Faisalabad side to final of domestic T20 

Support Captain Misbah

 +
Had to revive a broken side after spot fixing scandal 

Had to cope with 3 different coaches

Had to cope with 2 different chairman

Had to cope with 3 different chief selectors 

Has not captained in a proper series at home

Had to start with a completely fresh team in the test arena

Had to take a side forward that hadn't won a test series in 4 years

Had to turn the tables after the shambolic year of 2010

Had to cope with many former captains in the one day side

Had to re-instate Afridi as a player after months of dispute @PCB

50

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Womens Cricket History in Loughborough | 5th July 2013 | My PCT Status

PCT Status June 17th

South Africa ODI Status By Me on PCT in April

Emerging Left Arm Pacers

Wayne Parnell, pictured above, is currently playing against Pakistan in the ODIs in UAE

Tymal Mills, pictured above, is currently in Australia training with England ahead of the 2013/14 Ashes in order to give them some preparation for facing Mitchell Johnson

2nd ODI Half Way Point Verdict