11 Games
5 Teams
12 Days
2 Venues
The 12th edition of the Asia Cup
In Bangladesh again like 2012
4th Asia Cup in Bangladesh
Been played since 1984
Been played every alternate year since 2008
A tournament in where 3 of the 5 World Cup holders participate
Biggest continental tournament in the game
3rd biggest 50 over multinational tournament after the World Cup and Champions Trophy
Includes, 3 of the teams that reached the semi final of the last World Cup and 2 of them reached the last Champions Trophy semi final with the other that didn't winning the last Asia Cup. The team that did not reach the final 4 in either the last World Cup or Champions Trophy reached the final of the last Asia Cup. Also, involves one of the best emerging associates who will feature at the World Cup in 12 months time.
A closely contested brief event
Current Winners = Pakistan
Most Titles = India x 5
Most Finals = Sri Lanka x 10
Pakistan have won the last 2 Asia Cups in Bangladesh? Can they make it 3 in 3.
Afghanistan will be making their Asia Cup debut.
Been 6 years since more than 4 teams have participated in the Asia Cup.
A competition where UAE and Hong Kong have also participated in, in the past
Useful preparation for the World T20 in March and the World Cup next year
Useful preparation for Bangladesh as hosting nation for World T20 weeks after
Shahid Afridi was player of the tournament in the 2010 Asia Cup and man of the match in the 2012 Asia Cup final
Coverage provided by Star Cricket unlike past Asia Cups, Star being the team that show all ICC events as well as IPLs and Champions Leagues
Never been an Indo-Pak final in the Asia Cup in 11 editions
Involves teams where ODIs are followed passionately
Asia Cup Winning Captains
2000 = Moin Khan
2004 = Maravan Atapattu
2008 = Mahela Jayawardene
2010 = MS Dhoni
2012 = Misbah ul Haq
Predictions
India Winners
Pakistan runners up
Bangladesh 3rd place
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka = Pakistan
Pakistan vs India = India
Pakistan vs Bangladesh = Pakistan
Pakistan vs Afghanistan = Pakistan
India vs Sri Lanka = India
India vs Bangladesh = India
India vs Afghanistan = India but close!
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh = Bangladesh
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan = Sri Lanka
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh = Bangladesh but close!
Monday 27 January 2014
Friday 24 January 2014
The Charm of the U-19 World Cup
The U-19 World Cup has been one of the most enjoyable ICC events. For starters it is a 50 over tournament, a proper competition between bat and ball. There was talk previously of turning it in to a 20 over event or introducing a 20 over one as well, but thankfully logic prevailed and that didn’t go ahead as a wider range of skills and roles are catered for the longer the format of the game. The tournament is short and sharp being only a two week event with 10 televised fixtures and the competition is held every alternate year in order to give maximum chance for young cricketers flourishing through the ranks to play in the event during their ages of U-19 eligibility.
Unlike the World T20, it is officially and formally a World Cup event in some capacity. The official 50 over World Cup current format is a long predictable qualifying drag as it takes 42 games before the knock out stages with over half the teams progressing to the next round with 4 main sides and 3 lesser sides in each group and that too in an event that is effectively and eventually a 3 match knockout. The Champions Trophy has been terminated. There is great uncertainty about the future of the World Test Championship. Hence, the U-19 World Cup has a USP for all to enjoy.
Firstly, I know there has been talk of U-19 cricket being difficult to compare with international cricket and the step up is a tough one with many influential people feeling that although U-19 cricket is fine in its own right, first class cricket or even List A domestic cricket is a closer step and better path to international cricket as Aakash Chopra has highlighted in the not too distant past. However, there is no doubting that world class cricketers that have played in the Under-19 World Cup tournament have gone on to play at the highest level soon after playing in the tournament. Virat Kohli skippered the 2008 Indian winning team in the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia that year and not long after was a permanent member of the Indian national side in the coloured uniform, as the most famous example. Kohli is not alone.
Michael Clarke played in the 2000 edition of the tournament as did Shane Watson and soon after made the transition to the top level. Yuvraj Singh was a leading name of the Indian team in the same tournament. Hashim Amla captained the South African side in the 2002 edition. Alastair Cook captained the England side in the 2004 edition and was awarded a Test cap 2 years later. Pujara and Rohit Sharma both featured in the Indian team in 2006 as did Ravi Jadeja. More recently, Ben Stokes and Joe Root represented England in the 2010 edition. Quinton De Kock was a graduate from the 2012 edition in Australia. It has clearly been a fast launching pad for some of the biggest names in the international game. Endless cricketers have gone on to play for their countries by initially participating or performing in the Youth World Cup. This will inevitably continue in the foreseeable future.
If they are good enough, get them in. Bad habits and complacent attitudes can be developed by being stuck in the domestic circuit as Ian Chappell alluded to when asked on whether Unmukt Chand or Harmeet Singh were ready for the step up. The former Australian Captain felt that they would only get worse by being stuck plying their trade within the domestic scene for the aforementioned reasons. He did not agree one bit with the idea of a cautious approach, that they were too young and needed time to develop.
Equally, many of the players will not make it and the U-19 World Cup will be the biggest stage they will play on in terms of national representation. The 2 week tournament will be the most memorable of their life. For example Tariq Mahmood who was being touted as ‘the next big thing’ in Pakistan’s spin bowling department after winning the 2004 U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, but for a variety of reasons his career did not materialise as an unorthodox off spinner. Therefore, it is the biggest platform they will reach in some cases and that gives the tournament added significance for the players. It means a lot to the players and that’s most evident with Unmukt Chand recently writing a book on his journey to U-19 World Cup glory in Townsville.
Many of the players are playing in front of the cameras for the first time and how they handle the challenges and pressures that come with it is intriguing viewing. Quality coverage and commentary is provided by Star Cricket as with every ICC tournament event. Big names are present in the commentary box, too. For example Wasim Akram has commentated in the 2010 and 2012 edition. Ian Chappell commented in the 2012 edition. Asia’s most famous non playing cricketing celebrity in Harsha Bhogle confirmed through Twitter last month that he will be commentating in the forthcoming edition in the UAE. This can only be an incentive to perform for the players in the knowledge that big names are following them and will potentially sing their praises.
It's most fascinating in assessing players we see for the first time and how far they may go in terms of a potential international career right up to Test level by first impressions judgement. This is a unique experience for the viewer or indeed the commentator.
Minnows also have their chance at this level. Nepal instrumentally managed to finish the 2006 tournament as 3rd place winners. Bangladesh finished in 7th position in the 2012 edition, ahead of Pakistan. The fact that 5th place and 9th place encounters take place once a side has been eliminated much like Hockey tournaments give it greater opportunity for the less well known sides to make their mark. They have more to play for as opposed to just filling the numbers. Minnows are also strengthened with the fact that age limit is extended to 20 years of age for non ICC full members. We saw George Dockrell lead the Irish side in Australia 2012 as a result.
Another charm which this multinational carnival brings is low scoring games and low scoring thrillers. I'm always one who has preferred games where ball has dominance over bat. Seeing 180 all out play 140 all out as opposed to 320 being chased with 4 overs to spare. Seeing 220 chased in the final over rather than a team racking up 280 and the chasing side falling 10 short. Bowlers are not seen as servants and not anyone can make runs for fun.
Registering a gritty enduring 50 in small scoring games against tight bowling is worth more than a ton in a high scoring run feast against lesser bowling. Batting is not as straightforward as power and innovation, hitting through the line with ease. There is a greater range of styles and roles welcomed to play such as the Sheet Anchor as opposed to just stroke makers and swaggers all the way down. It is a mini Test Match like we saw in majority of the games at last year's final ICC Champions Trophy as opposed to an elongated T20 like in India-Australia 7 match ODI rubber last year. Of course, the primary objective in limited over cricket for a batter is to make runs, but in small scoring games there is more methodology to it with batters building an innings and accumulating runs through survival and wicket preservation first. The scoring ranges and rates of these games are like Pakistan ODIs, mostly in the 160-240 range because of the strength in bowling and brittle nature of the batting; either chasing a score in that range or setting and defending it. It makes box office entertainment. Why are the games low scoring at U-19? 50 overs of batting is an art and a long time at this level for first generation T20 cricketers.
Imperatively, the rules and regulations mirror international cricket. 2 new balls, 5 fielding in the circle at all times including non powerplay overs, batting powerplay enforced in the 36th over if not already taken. This best prepares the participating players for a taste of what is to come should they make it.
Looking ahead to the coming weeks, it is the first time the UAE are hosting an ICC event outside qualifiers. Sami Aslam and Sanju Samson are the two names I have picked out to keep an eye out for. The Pakistan Captain Sami Aslam has the highest number of centuries and runs in Under 19 ODIs ever. Sanju Samson is well known through his exploits for the Royals in the Champions League final during Rahul Dravid’s final game of professional cricket. India are the current title holders and joint most successful in tally of titles for this championship. They recently won the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE last month.
Pakistan on the other hand, have won 19 of their last 21 matches including 2 tri nations tournaments in different conditions, defeating their England counterparts in all eight games they contested in 2013. The tournament historically has been played 4 times in Asian conditions before with Pakistan and India sharing two titles each during the 4. Both of these sides have what it takes to go the distance and both can deservedly hold the tag of favourites going into the 10th edition of the biggest teen sporting event or under age sporting event. Their form guide and familiarity with conditions make them the powerhouses.
16 days, 16 teams, 4 venues, 240 squad players. Many teams, yet still a short tournament with minimal venues used. This is what makes this event appealing, even if many of the players are unknown to you as a result of virtually any U-19 international coverage being shown outside this. But, on the plus side of that, quantity brings quality. The fact that we only get to see U-19 teams play after 2 years create greater interest. Yet another advantage of this underrated gem.
By Abdullah Haider
Abdullah is currently an LLB Student who likes to analyse and write on the game he follows with great enthusiasm. He has particular interest in the longer form of the game, England and Pakistan internationals and youth cricket. Whether it is discussing the game from a technical, mental, statistical or administrative viewpoint in the past or present, he is a keen follower of events in the cricketing world at a number of different levels let it be international, domestic or associates.
Tuesday 14 January 2014
World Cup 2015 Build Up + Predictions
The oldest current ICC World Competition
The richest current ICC World Competition title
Repeated competition format of 2011
49 Games
44 Days
14 Teams
14 Venues
2 Countries
210 squad players
The 11th ICC World Cup
The 7th ICC World Cup of 50 overs cricket coloured clothing white ball use
The 8th ICC World Cup of 50 overs cricket
After 23 years it returns to Australia and New Zealand
Current Holders = India
Most Titles = Australia times 4
Last winners in Australia and New Zealand = Pakistan
A competition that 5 countries have won
Australia x 4
India x 2
West Indies x 2
Pakistan x 1
Sri Lanka x 1
England, New Zealand and South Africa have never won it
England have played in 3 World Cup finals and lost all
New Zealand and South Africa have never played a final
Australia have played in 6 finals
India have played in 3 finals
Sri Lanka have played in 3 finals
West Indies have played in 3 finals
England have played in 3 finals
Pakistan have played in 2 finals
New Zealand and South Africa have played in 0 finals
Australia won 3 World Cups in a row between 1999-2007
An Asian team has played in the last 6 World Cup finals
A hosting nation has only won one World Cup with India in 2011
Sri Lanka have played in 3 of the last 5 World Cup finals
Afghanistan will be playing their first World Cup
Ricky Ponting and Clive Lloyd have both won the World Cup twice as captain
Javed Miandad and Sachin Tendulkar played in a record 6 World Cups
Pakistan have had a different captain for each World Cup since 1999 as have England
Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Akram consider the World Cup win as the ultimate defining moment of their career
Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia have played the most World Cup semis with 6/10
England have hosted 4 World Cups which is the most and do again in 2019
2015 is only the 3rd time the ICC World Cup has a quarter final system in place, 2nd consecutive one
Sri Lanka are the only team to reach the last 4 in the last 3 ICC World Cups this century
Australia played in a record of 4 consecutive World Cup finals between 1996-2007
Glen McGrath holds the record for the most wickets in a World Cup campaign in 2007
Biggest Games
Pakistan vs India
India vs South Africa
Pakistan vs West Indies
South Africa vs West Indies
Australia vs Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs England
England vs Australia
New Zealand vs Australia
Predictions
Group Games First (Big Ones)
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand = Sri Lanka
Australia vs England = England
Pakistan vs India = India
New Zealand vs England = England
Pakistan vs West Indies = Pakistan
India vs South Africa = India
Pakistan vs South Africa = Pakistan
West Indies vs India = India
England vs Sri Lanka = tie!
West Indies vs South Africa = South Africa
Australia vs New Zealand = New Zealand
Sri Lanka vs Australia = Sri Lanka
Afghanistan will beat Bangladesh and qualifier 3
Ireland will beat Zimbabwe and qualifier 4
India will score 400+ vs Zimbabwe at Auckland
QFs
England vs West Indies = England
Sri Lanka vs South Africa = South Africa
Australia vs India = India
Pakistan vs New Zealand = New Zealand
SFs
England vs New Zealand = England
India vs South Africa = South Africa
Winners England
Runners Up South Africa
Semis: India and New Zealand
Most Likely to win
1) England
2) India
3) New Zealand
4) Pakistan
Where I think they will finish
1) England
2) South Africa
3) India
4) New Zealand
5) Pakistan
6) Sri Lanka
7) Australia
8) West Indies
9) Ireland
10) Afghanistan
11) Bangladesh
12) Zimbabwe
13) Scotland
14) UAE
Biggest potential upset
England vs Bangladesh
West Indies vs Ireland
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
Zimbabwe vs Ireland
The richest current ICC World Competition title
Repeated competition format of 2011
49 Games
44 Days
14 Teams
14 Venues
2 Countries
210 squad players
The 11th ICC World Cup
The 7th ICC World Cup of 50 overs cricket coloured clothing white ball use
The 8th ICC World Cup of 50 overs cricket
After 23 years it returns to Australia and New Zealand
Current Holders = India
Most Titles = Australia times 4
Last winners in Australia and New Zealand = Pakistan
A competition that 5 countries have won
Australia x 4
India x 2
West Indies x 2
Pakistan x 1
Sri Lanka x 1
England, New Zealand and South Africa have never won it
England have played in 3 World Cup finals and lost all
New Zealand and South Africa have never played a final
Australia have played in 6 finals
India have played in 3 finals
Sri Lanka have played in 3 finals
West Indies have played in 3 finals
England have played in 3 finals
Pakistan have played in 2 finals
New Zealand and South Africa have played in 0 finals
Australia won 3 World Cups in a row between 1999-2007
An Asian team has played in the last 6 World Cup finals
A hosting nation has only won one World Cup with India in 2011
Sri Lanka have played in 3 of the last 5 World Cup finals
Afghanistan will be playing their first World Cup
Ricky Ponting and Clive Lloyd have both won the World Cup twice as captain
Javed Miandad and Sachin Tendulkar played in a record 6 World Cups
Pakistan have had a different captain for each World Cup since 1999 as have England
Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Akram consider the World Cup win as the ultimate defining moment of their career
Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia have played the most World Cup semis with 6/10
England have hosted 4 World Cups which is the most and do again in 2019
2015 is only the 3rd time the ICC World Cup has a quarter final system in place, 2nd consecutive one
Sri Lanka are the only team to reach the last 4 in the last 3 ICC World Cups this century
Australia played in a record of 4 consecutive World Cup finals between 1996-2007
Glen McGrath holds the record for the most wickets in a World Cup campaign in 2007
Biggest Games
Pakistan vs India
India vs South Africa
Pakistan vs West Indies
South Africa vs West Indies
Australia vs Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs England
England vs Australia
New Zealand vs Australia
Predictions
Group Games First (Big Ones)
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand = Sri Lanka
Australia vs England = England
Pakistan vs India = India
New Zealand vs England = England
Pakistan vs West Indies = Pakistan
India vs South Africa = India
Pakistan vs South Africa = Pakistan
West Indies vs India = India
England vs Sri Lanka = tie!
West Indies vs South Africa = South Africa
Australia vs New Zealand = New Zealand
Sri Lanka vs Australia = Sri Lanka
Afghanistan will beat Bangladesh and qualifier 3
Ireland will beat Zimbabwe and qualifier 4
India will score 400+ vs Zimbabwe at Auckland
QFs
England vs West Indies = England
Sri Lanka vs South Africa = South Africa
Australia vs India = India
Pakistan vs New Zealand = New Zealand
SFs
England vs New Zealand = England
India vs South Africa = South Africa
Winners England
Runners Up South Africa
Semis: India and New Zealand
Most Likely to win
1) England
2) India
3) New Zealand
4) Pakistan
Where I think they will finish
1) England
2) South Africa
3) India
4) New Zealand
5) Pakistan
6) Sri Lanka
7) Australia
8) West Indies
9) Ireland
10) Afghanistan
11) Bangladesh
12) Zimbabwe
13) Scotland
14) UAE
Biggest potential upset
England vs Bangladesh
West Indies vs Ireland
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
Zimbabwe vs Ireland
My World T20 2014 Build Up + Predictions
The most popular international cricket tournament of the year
The premier international Twenty20 event
A major piece of one day cricketing silverware
One of the biggest Twenty20 carnivals let it be international, franchise or domestic
A world title to play for
22 days
16 teams
3 Venues
35 Matches
12 preliminary matches
20 group matches
3 knock out matches
240 Squad Players
The 5th edition of the ICC World T20, so far 4 winners in 4 editions
Held every alternate year as a short fast moving event, barring 2010 when an exception was made to hold it after just a 10 month gap
Eventually a competition that will be played every 4 years after 2016
The 2nd consecutive time the tournament is being played in Asia
The last 2 winners of the ICC World T20 have won it after hosting the previous one
First time in 10 years Bangladesh host an ICC World Event after the 2004 U19 World Cup
The longest World T20 in number of matches
The biggest World T20 in number of participants
Defending Champions = West Indies
Most Finals = Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Most Semi Finals = Pakistan
Winner by year
2007 = India. Finalists = Pakistan. SF = New Zealand and Australia.
2009 = Pakistan. Finalists = Sri Lanka. SF = South Africa and West Indies.
2010 = England. Finalists = Australia. SF = Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
2012 = West Indies. Finalists = Sri Lanka. SF = Pakistan and Australia.
Player of the final by year
2007 = Irfan Pathan
2009 = Shahid Afridi
2010 = Craig Kieswetter
2012 = Marlon Samuels
Player of the tournament by year
2007 = Shahid Afridi
2009 = T Dilshan
2010 = KP
2012 = Shane Watson
Biggest Games
Zimbabwe vs Ireland in preliminary round
India vs Pakistan in the super 10 opener
West Indies vs Pakistan in the final super 10 game
South Africa vs Sri Lanka from Group A
Predictions
Bangladesh and Ireland go through to the main round undefeated
Super 10s
India vs Pakistan = India
South Africa vs Sri Lanka = Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs England = England
Pakistan vs Australia = Pakistan
India vs West Indies = West Indies
South Africa vs New Zealand = South Africa
Sri Lanka vs England = Sri Lanka
West Indies vs Australia = West Indies
South Africa vs England = England
Pakistan vs Bangladesh = tie!
India vs Australia = India
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand = Sri Lanka
Pakistan vs West Indies = Pakistan
Group Standing
Sri Lanka
England
South Africa
New Zealand
Ireland
West Indies
Pakistan
Bangladesh
India
Australia
Semis
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan = Pakistan
England vs West Indies = West Indies
West Indies vs Pakistan = West Indies
Final Most Likely to be
West Indies vs Pakistan
West Indies vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh vs Pakistan
West Indies vs Sri Lanka
Most Likely to win
1) West Indies
2) Bangladesh
3) Pakistan
Where I think they will finish
1) West Indies
2) Pakistan
3) Sri Lanka
4) England
5) Bangladesh
6) South Africa
13) Afghanistan
14) UAE
15) Netherlands
16) Nepal
Player of the tournament prediction
Chris Gayle
Shakib Al Hasan
Mohammad Hafeez
Sunil Narine
Tamim Iqbal
Dilshan
KP
Saeed Ajmal
Rangana Herath
Imran Tahir
Raza Hasan
Marlon Samuels or Sunil Narine player of the final
Leading run scorer = Tamim Iqbal
Leading wicket taker = Sunil Narine
Leading catcher = Pollard
Top 3 leading wicket takers will be spinners!
The premier international Twenty20 event
A major piece of one day cricketing silverware
One of the biggest Twenty20 carnivals let it be international, franchise or domestic
A world title to play for
22 days
16 teams
3 Venues
35 Matches
12 preliminary matches
20 group matches
3 knock out matches
240 Squad Players
The 5th edition of the ICC World T20, so far 4 winners in 4 editions
Held every alternate year as a short fast moving event, barring 2010 when an exception was made to hold it after just a 10 month gap
Eventually a competition that will be played every 4 years after 2016
The 2nd consecutive time the tournament is being played in Asia
The last 2 winners of the ICC World T20 have won it after hosting the previous one
First time in 10 years Bangladesh host an ICC World Event after the 2004 U19 World Cup
The longest World T20 in number of matches
The biggest World T20 in number of participants
Defending Champions = West Indies
Most Finals = Sri Lanka and Pakistan
Most Semi Finals = Pakistan
Winner by year
2007 = India. Finalists = Pakistan. SF = New Zealand and Australia.
2009 = Pakistan. Finalists = Sri Lanka. SF = South Africa and West Indies.
2010 = England. Finalists = Australia. SF = Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
2012 = West Indies. Finalists = Sri Lanka. SF = Pakistan and Australia.
Player of the final by year
2007 = Irfan Pathan
2009 = Shahid Afridi
2010 = Craig Kieswetter
2012 = Marlon Samuels
Player of the tournament by year
2007 = Shahid Afridi
2009 = T Dilshan
2010 = KP
2012 = Shane Watson
Biggest Games
Zimbabwe vs Ireland in preliminary round
India vs Pakistan in the super 10 opener
West Indies vs Pakistan in the final super 10 game
South Africa vs Sri Lanka from Group A
Predictions
Bangladesh and Ireland go through to the main round undefeated
Super 10s
India vs Pakistan = India
South Africa vs Sri Lanka = Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs England = England
Pakistan vs Australia = Pakistan
India vs West Indies = West Indies
South Africa vs New Zealand = South Africa
Sri Lanka vs England = Sri Lanka
West Indies vs Australia = West Indies
South Africa vs England = England
Pakistan vs Bangladesh = tie!
India vs Australia = India
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand = Sri Lanka
Pakistan vs West Indies = Pakistan
Group Standing
Sri Lanka
England
South Africa
New Zealand
Ireland
West Indies
Pakistan
Bangladesh
India
Australia
Semis
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan = Pakistan
England vs West Indies = West Indies
West Indies vs Pakistan = West Indies
Final Most Likely to be
West Indies vs Pakistan
West Indies vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh vs Pakistan
West Indies vs Sri Lanka
Most Likely to win
1) West Indies
2) Bangladesh
3) Pakistan
Where I think they will finish
1) West Indies
2) Pakistan
3) Sri Lanka
4) England
5) Bangladesh
6) South Africa
13) Afghanistan
14) UAE
15) Netherlands
16) Nepal
Player of the tournament prediction
Chris Gayle
Shakib Al Hasan
Mohammad Hafeez
Sunil Narine
Tamim Iqbal
Dilshan
KP
Saeed Ajmal
Rangana Herath
Imran Tahir
Raza Hasan
Marlon Samuels or Sunil Narine player of the final
Leading run scorer = Tamim Iqbal
Leading wicket taker = Sunil Narine
Leading catcher = Pollard
Top 3 leading wicket takers will be spinners!
U-19 World Cup 2014 Build Up and Predictions
16 days
16 teams
240 squad players
31 games
10 televised games
4 venues
The 10th edition of the ICC U-19 World Cup
Defending Champions = India
Most titles = India and Australia
Most finals = India, Australia and Pakistan
The first time UAE are hosting an ICC tournament outside qualifiers
The biggest under age group tournament in sport
One of 3 ICC 50 over tournaments with World Cup, Womens World Cup and Champions Trophy in past
One of 3 official ICC World Cups with the World Cup and Womens World Cup
The only ICC 50 over World tournament of the year
Chance for some outside selections for 2015
A competition which has been a launching pad for some of the great talents of the modern game i.e. Kohli, Cook, Clarke, Amla, Watson, Pujara, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ahmed Shehzad, Jason Holder, Wayne Parnell, Quinton De Kock, Graeme Swann, George Bailey, Ravi Rampaul
2012 U19 World Cup players that have gone on to play at the top level = Quinton De Kock, Ashton Agar, Ehsan Adil
A brief 2 week tournament held every alternate year
Key Names to look out for in 2014 edition = Zia ul Haq, Sami Aslam, Zafar Gohar, Ben Duckett, Sanju Sampson, Vijay Zol
Match coverage provided by Star Cricket just like for other ICC tournaments
Winners
Australia 1988, 2002, 2010
India 2000, 2008, 2012
Pakistan 2004, 2006
England 1998
Group A
Pakistan = 3 wins
India = 2 wins
Scotland = 1win
PNG = 1 win
Group B
Australia = 2 wins
Bangladesh = 2 wins
Afghanistan = 2 wins
Namibia = 0 wins
Group C
West Indies = 3 wins
South Africa = 2 wins
Ireland = 1 tie
Zimbabwe = 1 tie
Group D
Sri Lanka = 3 wins
UAE = 2 wins
New Zealand = 1 win
England = 0 1wins
Above is in order of finishing predictions during the group stages
QFs
Pakistan vs UAE = Pak
India vs SL = Ind
Australia vs South Africa = Australia
West Indies vs Bangladesh = West Indies
SFs
Pak vs Ind = Pak
Aus vs West Indies = Aus
Final
3rd place = Defending Champions Ind
Final = Pak vs Aus
Leading Performers Verdict
Leading run scorer = Sami Aslam
Leading wicket taker = Zafar Gohar
Leading catcher = Hussain Talat
Most catches and stumpings = Saifullah Bangash
Player of the tournament prediction = Zafar Gohar
Other Facts
5th Under 19 World Cup in Asian conditions, Asian team winning each time in previous 4 ones in Asian conditions
There has been as Asian team in the final in the last 5 editions
Winning Captain by Year
2012 = Unmukt Chand
2010 = Mitchell Marsh
2008 = Virat Kohli
2006 = Safraz Ahmed
2004 = Khalid Latif
2002 = Cameron White
2000 = Mohammad Kaif
1998 = Owais Shah
Player of the tournament by Year
2012 = Will Bosisto
2008 = Wayne Parnell
2006 = Pujara
16 teams
240 squad players
31 games
10 televised games
4 venues
The 10th edition of the ICC U-19 World Cup
Defending Champions = India
Most titles = India and Australia
Most finals = India, Australia and Pakistan
The first time UAE are hosting an ICC tournament outside qualifiers
The biggest under age group tournament in sport
One of 3 ICC 50 over tournaments with World Cup, Womens World Cup and Champions Trophy in past
One of 3 official ICC World Cups with the World Cup and Womens World Cup
The only ICC 50 over World tournament of the year
Chance for some outside selections for 2015
A competition which has been a launching pad for some of the great talents of the modern game i.e. Kohli, Cook, Clarke, Amla, Watson, Pujara, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ahmed Shehzad, Jason Holder, Wayne Parnell, Quinton De Kock, Graeme Swann, George Bailey, Ravi Rampaul
2012 U19 World Cup players that have gone on to play at the top level = Quinton De Kock, Ashton Agar, Ehsan Adil
A brief 2 week tournament held every alternate year
Key Names to look out for in 2014 edition = Zia ul Haq, Sami Aslam, Zafar Gohar, Ben Duckett, Sanju Sampson, Vijay Zol
Match coverage provided by Star Cricket just like for other ICC tournaments
Winners
Australia 1988, 2002, 2010
India 2000, 2008, 2012
Pakistan 2004, 2006
England 1998
Group A
Pakistan = 3 wins
India = 2 wins
Scotland = 1win
PNG = 1 win
Group B
Australia = 2 wins
Bangladesh = 2 wins
Afghanistan = 2 wins
Namibia = 0 wins
Group C
West Indies = 3 wins
South Africa = 2 wins
Ireland = 1 tie
Zimbabwe = 1 tie
Group D
Sri Lanka = 3 wins
UAE = 2 wins
New Zealand = 1 win
England = 0 1wins
Above is in order of finishing predictions during the group stages
QFs
Pakistan vs UAE = Pak
India vs SL = Ind
Australia vs South Africa = Australia
West Indies vs Bangladesh = West Indies
SFs
Pak vs Ind = Pak
Aus vs West Indies = Aus
Final
3rd place = Defending Champions Ind
Final = Pak vs Aus
Leading Performers Verdict
Leading run scorer = Sami Aslam
Leading wicket taker = Zafar Gohar
Leading catcher = Hussain Talat
Most catches and stumpings = Saifullah Bangash
Player of the tournament prediction = Zafar Gohar
Other Facts
5th Under 19 World Cup in Asian conditions, Asian team winning each time in previous 4 ones in Asian conditions
There has been as Asian team in the final in the last 5 editions
Winning Captain by Year
2012 = Unmukt Chand
2010 = Mitchell Marsh
2008 = Virat Kohli
2006 = Safraz Ahmed
2004 = Khalid Latif
2002 = Cameron White
2000 = Mohammad Kaif
1998 = Owais Shah
Player of the tournament by Year
2012 = Will Bosisto
2008 = Wayne Parnell
2006 = Pujara
Thursday 9 January 2014
Pro Mohammad Hafeez ODI Post
Mohammad
Hafeez did not score a single half century in 5 ODIs against South Africa and
was previously dropped from the test squad. Hafeez at this point had 2 half
centuries in 18 innings excluding minnows this year in ODIs. He had gone 9
international innings without a half century. Later that week he bagged 2 ducks
in a T20 series against South Africa. Later that month he bagged two low scores in South Africa during an ODI series. Many were angry and calling for his
head.
Mohammad Hafeez had a struggling ICC Champions Trophy with the bat, averaging 12.66 from 3 innings. Earlier that year, he averaged 7 from 6 innings during the test series in South Africa and did not fare much better in the ODIs which followed. Hafeez also bagged a duck in the resumption of Indo-Pak ties during the 1st ODI in Chennai during the final fixture of 2012.
Wednesday 8 January 2014
Steve Waugh Gets His Assessment Right | England In the Last Decade, The Wider Picture
One must pay tribute to the sheer ruthlessness of the Aussies. They gained plenty in defeat during the away Ashes where they lost marginally. Over the course of the 10 tests, something that is unlikely ever to be repeated, they were the better side, losing respectably in England and then thrashing England when they visited. Neither side won an overseas test during the 10, but Australia got close in every game barring Lords whereas England had their best chance at the MCG, yet lost that by a comprehensive 8 wickets, too. They say, 5 tests is a true test on a test cricketer because failure cannot be hidden like it can in 2 or 3 tests, even if is modest rather than utter failure. In 10 tests there is no hiding. It is an even grander task, and the England side has been shaken up heavily and will inevitably have some changing in both personnel and composition before Lords this June. The pressure of a disappointing 3 tests took it's toll on Graeme Swann, despite him bowling brilliantly for the bulk of the year and his absence in the slow bowling department will be a severe blow. For the Aussies, the plaudits are out in abundance and the series in South Africa could not have come at a better time for them followed by Pakistan in the UAE later in the calendar.
England are going through a challenging questioning phase at present having been whitewashed for only the 3rd occasion in the history of the Ashes, however the England team have seen some real highs over the years and there is little doubting that the team is in a considerably healthier state than it was during the doldrums of the 1990s, much like the case for India.
England are going through a challenging questioning phase at present having been whitewashed for only the 3rd occasion in the history of the Ashes, however the England team have seen some real highs over the years and there is little doubting that the team is in a considerably healthier state than it was during the doldrums of the 1990s, much like the case for India.
England have won 9 of their last 10 home test series against 8 different sides. They were number 1 in all formats in 2012. They won 3 Ashes series in a row home and away before the latest debacle. They have won their last 3 Ashes series at home in 2005, 2009 and 2013. Michael Vaughan, a recent English Captain won more Tests than any other England Captain and Andrew Strauss even more recently won the second highest number of Tests by an England Captain. England were undefeated for 9 consecutive test series in 2009-2011 and won 6 series successively in 2010-2011. They even won 10 ODIs in a row in 2012. They won a rare world title in 2010. They reached the Champions Trophy final last year. They won 8 series in a row in ODIs between 2010-2012 at home.
England's all time leading run scorer and all time leading wicket taker across all internationals are currently playing. England's all time leading Test centurion is currently playing. Alastair Cook had the joint highest win/loss ratio in Tests historically last year after they won the Test at Durham to give him an astonishing personal 9-1 record as Captain.
But, there have been disappointments along the way and more than one may imagine. They have lost/drawn 3 consecutive home Test series against South Africa in 2003, 2008, 2012. They have failed to reach the semi finals of the last 5 World Cups in the ODI format. They have lost their last 2 red ball away series against Pakistan. They have been whitewashed twice in an Ashes series this century. They have been whitewashed 3 times by an Asian team in ODIs since 2006. They have lost an ODI series against Australia by a 4 match margin or greater twice since 2009. They lost 3 ODI bilateral series last year. They have also lost a home test series against India in 2007 and an away one in the Caribbean in 2009. In their last New Zealand tour they somehow by the skin of their teeth managed to draw the Test series whereby they could have easily lost it. Since being number 1 in the latter half of 2011 in the premier form of the game, they have lost 3 series and drawn 2 in comparison to 4 series wins with 3 of them coming on home shores.
In their last 5 overseas Test tours they have won just the 1 series. Apart from a rare but remarkable series win in India after the best part of 3 decades, they have not won any of their last overseas Test tour against other countries with losses against Australia, Pakistan and West Indies with draws in South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. They have lost 10 of their last 17 overseas Tests with just 3 victories, one in Sri Lanka and 2 in India, just since the start of 2012 when they played a resurgent Pakistan in the Dessert. They have been whitewashed twice since the start of 2012, by Pakistan as well if you have already forgotten. They have not won any of their last 9 overseas Tests, losing 5 of them and losing the first innings in six of them. They have not won any of their first Test in an overseas tour in their last 14 if you don't count the last tour of Bangladesh. They lost 8 consecutive international games in 2011-12 when they were whitewashed 5-0 in India during ODIs and then were outspun by Pakistan which led to another whitewash in the 5 day version.
Winning 4 of their last 6 Ashes series doesn't sound all that flash now, when you consider the 2 series defeats were both 5 nil humiliations. Though the 2010/11 is the only anomaly since 2005 where an away side won the Ashes and that magnifies Strauss's achievement of managing to retain the urn down under and overcome a 24 year drought.
England have a tremendous Test Match tradition, excellent levels of professionalism and a thriving first class structure, however despite this and given this; it would not be wrong to say they are a heavily overrated Test Side, especially away from home, despite plenty of success namely at home in the last decade or so. Steve Waugh hinted at it before the Ashes 10 Test one off marathon got underway when he was quoted as saying 'England are not as good as they think they are.' The World Cup and Ashes winning Captain gave an accurate assessment in the chain of events which followed over the course of 10 Tests. The warning was provided in May.
England have a tremendous Test Match tradition, excellent levels of professionalism and a thriving first class structure, however despite this and given this; it would not be wrong to say they are a heavily overrated Test Side, especially away from home, despite plenty of success namely at home in the last decade or so. Steve Waugh hinted at it before the Ashes 10 Test one off marathon got underway when he was quoted as saying 'England are not as good as they think they are.' The World Cup and Ashes winning Captain gave an accurate assessment in the chain of events which followed over the course of 10 Tests. The warning was provided in May.
On a side note, the youth of English Cricket is not faring much better as they have failed to reach an Under 19 World Cup final since 1998 and failed to make the semi finals in the last 3 tournaments of the Under 19 World Cup. Additionally, they recently lost a game to the UAE in a tri nations series and lost against Bangladesh last summer. They lost 5-2 in a series against Bangladesh in 2011-12. They have lost 8 out of 8 against Pakistan in 2013, 4 in England and 4 in the UAE and were soundly beaten as well. Results are worrying. The quality is not coming through. Compared with Australia, Pakistan and India their youth record is not much to write home about at this level.
The 5 Test tussle with the Indian national side and the World Cup the following winter will be the next major challenges for the England side going forward before the next Ashes series comes around the English summer after next. But now is a time for reflection. England have had highs and lows in the last 10 years, but on balance they are an overrated team and a beatable one, without undermining impressive achievements along the way. Barring the 2010/11 Ashes and 2012 win in India, they are admittedly mediocre travellers.
England are bound to get back to winning ways in 2014, but the away assignments will be the tougher challenges and that is where they need to neaten up their record significantly if they are to remain a top force in the longest format of the game. Their next one is some way off, after the 2015 World Cup when they visit West Indies and later that year take on Pakistan in the Emirates before going to South Africa. The rebuilding process will start at home before a thorough examination of their progress is provided come 2015.
The 5 Test tussle with the Indian national side and the World Cup the following winter will be the next major challenges for the England side going forward before the next Ashes series comes around the English summer after next. But now is a time for reflection. England have had highs and lows in the last 10 years, but on balance they are an overrated team and a beatable one, without undermining impressive achievements along the way. Barring the 2010/11 Ashes and 2012 win in India, they are admittedly mediocre travellers.
England are bound to get back to winning ways in 2014, but the away assignments will be the tougher challenges and that is where they need to neaten up their record significantly if they are to remain a top force in the longest format of the game. Their next one is some way off, after the 2015 World Cup when they visit West Indies and later that year take on Pakistan in the Emirates before going to South Africa. The rebuilding process will start at home before a thorough examination of their progress is provided come 2015.
10 Highs Since 2003
Winning 4 out of 5 Ashes series since 2005
Number 1 Ranked Test Team in 2011-12
Winning an away Test series in India in 2012
Whitewashing India 4-0 in 2011 at home in Tests
Winning all 7 home tests against New Zealand and West Indies in 2004
Reaching Champions Trophy final 2004 and 2013
Drawing an away Test Series against South Africa in 2009/10 and winning in 2004/05
Winning the 2010 ICC World T20
Beating Pakistan in 2006, 2010 at home and West Indies in 2007, 2009, 2012 in Tests.
Whitewashing Pakistan and Australia in ODIs in 2012, 4-0.
10 Lows Since 2003
Losing an Ashes Series 5-0 twice
Losing/drawing 3 home Test Series against South Africa in 2003, 2008, 2012
Losing an away Test Series against West Indies in 2009
Drawing an away Test Series against New Zealand in 2013
Whitewashed by Pakistan in 2012 in a Test Series
Lost 5-1 in ODIs and 6-1 in ODIs vs Australia in 2009 and 2010/11
Lost 5-0 against Sri Lanka in 2006, India in 2008 and India in 2011 in ODIs
Lost to Ireland and Bangladesh in 2011 World Cup
Losing a home Test Series against India in 2007
Failed to make the semi finals in 3/4 Word T20s
England in their Last Test Tour of that Country
Australia = Lost 5-0 (5) in 2013/14
New Zealand = Drew 0-0 (3) in 2013
Pakistan in UAE= Lost 3-0 (3) in 2012
Pakistan in Pakistan = Lost 2-0 (3) in 2005
South Africa = Drew 1-1 (4) in 2009/10
Sri Lanka = Drew 1-1 (2) in 2012
West Indies = Lost 1-0 (4) in 2009
India = Won 2-1 (4) in 2012
My England XI Moving Forward
Alastair Cook (C)
Nick Compton
Joe Root
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Adil Rashid
Matt Prior (WK)
Ben Stokes
Stuart Broad
Steve Finn
James Anderson
England in their Last Test Tour of that Country
Australia = Lost 5-0 (5) in 2013/14
New Zealand = Drew 0-0 (3) in 2013
Pakistan in UAE= Lost 3-0 (3) in 2012
Pakistan in Pakistan = Lost 2-0 (3) in 2005
South Africa = Drew 1-1 (4) in 2009/10
Sri Lanka = Drew 1-1 (2) in 2012
West Indies = Lost 1-0 (4) in 2009
India = Won 2-1 (4) in 2012
My England XI Moving Forward
Alastair Cook (C)
Nick Compton
Joe Root
Kevin Pietersen
Ian Bell
Adil Rashid
Matt Prior (WK)
Ben Stokes
Stuart Broad
Steve Finn
James Anderson
Saturday 4 January 2014
India to Play Pakistan in Opening Game in Next 3 ICC Tournaments
2014 Under 19 World Cup
15th February at Dubai
2014 World T20
21st March at Dhaka
2015 World Cup
15th February at Adelaide
India are due to play Pakistan in their opening fixture at the next 3 ICC World events, being the Under 19 World Cup in the UAE, the World T20 in Bangladesh and the World Cup next February at Adelaide. In both the World Cup and Under-19 World Cup Pakistan will be locking horns with India with the men in blue starting their respective campaign as the defending champions of the title, both on the second day of the competition. Both the World Cup and Under-19 World Cup match will be contested on the 15th of February, a year exactly apart from each other. However, at the World T20 5th edition India and Pakistan will not only be playing each other in their opening game but also the opening fixture of the tournament when the supers 10s commence on March 21st, as was the case at the 2007 World T20 in South Africa. Pakistan have never beaten India at a World Cup or World T20. At the Youth World Cup, Pakistan lost the last encounter between the two sides by a narrow difference of 1 wicket during the quarter final of the 2012 event in Australia. It seems that after the Champions Trophy game between the two last June which was an inconsequential dead rubber with India already through and Pakistan eliminated days before the game had even got started, the ICC have perhaps tried to prevent the occurrence of such a scenario by ensuring there is an Indo-Pak clash in a global carnival as early as possible.
Pakistan have lost their last six tournament fixtures against India:
2010 Asia Cup encounter
2011 World Cup Semi Final
2012 Asia Cup encounter
2012 ICC Under 19 World Cup Quarter Final
2012 ICC World T20 encounter
2013 ICC Champions Trophy encounter
15th February at Dubai
2014 World T20
21st March at Dhaka
2015 World Cup
15th February at Adelaide
India are due to play Pakistan in their opening fixture at the next 3 ICC World events, being the Under 19 World Cup in the UAE, the World T20 in Bangladesh and the World Cup next February at Adelaide. In both the World Cup and Under-19 World Cup Pakistan will be locking horns with India with the men in blue starting their respective campaign as the defending champions of the title, both on the second day of the competition. Both the World Cup and Under-19 World Cup match will be contested on the 15th of February, a year exactly apart from each other. However, at the World T20 5th edition India and Pakistan will not only be playing each other in their opening game but also the opening fixture of the tournament when the supers 10s commence on March 21st, as was the case at the 2007 World T20 in South Africa. Pakistan have never beaten India at a World Cup or World T20. At the Youth World Cup, Pakistan lost the last encounter between the two sides by a narrow difference of 1 wicket during the quarter final of the 2012 event in Australia. It seems that after the Champions Trophy game between the two last June which was an inconsequential dead rubber with India already through and Pakistan eliminated days before the game had even got started, the ICC have perhaps tried to prevent the occurrence of such a scenario by ensuring there is an Indo-Pak clash in a global carnival as early as possible.
Pakistan have lost their last six tournament fixtures against India:
2010 Asia Cup encounter
2011 World Cup Semi Final
2012 Asia Cup encounter
2012 ICC Under 19 World Cup Quarter Final
2012 ICC World T20 encounter
2013 ICC Champions Trophy encounter
Harsha Bhogle to Commentate at 2014 ICC U19 World Cup
India's most famous non playing cricketing celebrity will be in voice at the 10th edition of the ICC Under 19 World Cup next month.
India are the current title holders.
The tournament in the UAE will be the first time the UAE are hosting an ICC tournament outside qualifiers.
Today, India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final for U19s at Sharjah.
Nonetheless, with 17 wins in their last 18 matches and 2 tri nations triumphs in 2013; one can expect Pakistan to go the distance in UAE next month and repeat the stories of 2004 and 2006 whereby they won the U-19 World Cup, that too in Asia both times.
India are the current title holders.
The tournament in the UAE will be the first time the UAE are hosting an ICC tournament outside qualifiers.
Today, India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final for U19s at Sharjah.
Nonetheless, with 17 wins in their last 18 matches and 2 tri nations triumphs in 2013; one can expect Pakistan to go the distance in UAE next month and repeat the stories of 2004 and 2006 whereby they won the U-19 World Cup, that too in Asia both times.
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