Friday 28 March 2014

Random Fact WC15

There were two 10 wickets defeats in 2011 QFs
England have lost two WC QFs vs Sri Lanka

CWC Final 2015

Exactly a year to go.
On this very day next year.
The 11th CWC final.
I'm backing England, NZ or SA to definitely play it.
Not ruling out a Southern Hemisphere victory.
The biggest ODI every 4 years.
The grand game.
For the second time a World Cup final at the MCG.

Great moments in WC finals

Joel Ganer's 5 fer in 1979
Lloyd leading from the front in 1975 
Wasim Akram's bowling in 1992
Mohinder Amarnath's all round performance in 1983
Ponting at his best in 2003
Gilly's brutal assault in 2007
Dhoni's ice cool finishing touches in 2011
Boon's dogged graft in 1987
Warne's heroics in 1999
De Silva sealing the deal in 1996

Random facts:
6 100s in WC finals - Lloyd, Richards, De Silva, Punter, Gilly, MJ
A home team has played only 2 WC finals
Lords has hosted four WC finals
Garner got the only 5 fer in a World Cup final
England lost the 1979 final at home, despite 100+ opening stand in a chase

Final Location By Year

1975 = Lords
1979 = Lords
1983 = Lords
1987 = Kolkota
1992 = MCG
1996 = Lahore
1999 = Lords
2003 = Jo'Burg 
2007 = Barbados 
2011 = Mumbai 
2015 = MCG 

Since Mid 2007-2015

Been 5 World T20s
Been 7 IPLs
Been 6 Champions Leagues
Been 4 Asia Cups
Been 2 Champions Trophies
Been 4 Under 19 World Cups
Been only 1 World Cup - hence the big one, does not came around often

Friday 21 March 2014

Wednesday 19 March 2014

ICC Womens World T20 2014

10 teams

15 days

23 Matches excluding play offs after elimination

2 Venues

The 4th edition of the ICC Womens World T20

Current World T20 Champions = Australia

Current World Cup Champions = Australia

England, New Zealand and Australia have played 2 World T20 finals each

Run simultaneously alongside the mens competition

The second biggest event in Womens international cricket

The premier womens Twenty20 international event

Embarrassment

William Porterfield got 2 first ball ducks in 2 games at the ICC World T20 of 2012
Irfan Ahmed of Hong Kong got 2 first ball ducks in his first 2 World T20 appearances

Ducks in Finals

Afridi was player of the tournament in the 2007 tournament - duck in the final
Dilshan was player of the tournament in the 2009 tournament - duck in the final

Dilshan also got a duck in the 2012 final

Pakistan Players in World T20

Shahid Afridi = Playing his 5th
Kamran Akmal = Playing his 5th
Sohail Tanvir = Playing his 4th
Shoaib Malik = Playing his 4th
Umar Gul = Playing his 4th
Saeed Ajmal = Playing his 4th
Umar Akmal = Playing his 3rd

Misbah ul Haq = Played 3
Yasir Arafat = Played 3
Fawad Alam = Played 3
Salman Butt = Played 3
Junaid Khan = Playing his second
Mohammad Aamir = Played 2
Imran Nazir = Played 2
Mohammad Asif = Played 2

Sunday 16 March 2014

Presentation Ceremonies

Nasser Hussain has conducted the presentation ceremony of the last 3 ICC World T20 finals

UV - Excellent One Day Cricketer

Only cricketer to play in each ICC tournament winning team:

U19 World Cup 2000
Champions Trophy 2002
World T20 2007
World Cup 2011

Analysing Pakistan's Chances 2014 WT20

Strengths

Spin
Positive experiences in the competition
Record in the competition
Conditions 
Tournament record in Bangladesh
Experienced T20 leader
Experienced World T20 players i.e. Gul, Ajmal, Hafeez, Afridi, Malik, Kamran, Tanvir, Umar Akmal  
Form since 2012 World T20 - only lost 1/8 series
Tackling groups of death in World T20 before

Weaknesses

Selection - Kamran, Malik 
Batting
Fielding
Wicket Keeping

Friday 14 March 2014

Why You Need Associates in CWC 15

1) World Cup loses it's value with only a dozen or so sides
2) Associates have caused upsets over the years
3) Greater need to globalise the game and promote it to other parts
4) Through Twenty20 associates gaining greater confidence 
5) Cricket competing with some other sports in global market 

Sri Lanka in Last Two Asia Cups

Sri Lanka in 2014 Asia Cup
Won 5/5
Won the Asia Cup

Sri Lanka in 2012 Asia Cup
Lost 3/3
Finished last 

Why the World T20 is Every Alternate Year

1) Short, less than 25 days
2) IPL and CL held every year
3) They don't play much bilaterally in international T20

Imran Khan in World Cups

1975 = Played
1979 = Played
1983 = 100 against Sri Lanka and captained side to the semi final
1987 = Captained the side to the semi final
1992 = Captain the side to glory 
1996 = Commentated
1999 = Commentated
2011 = Provided expert analysis 

Pakistan Women Have A Genuine Chance in Bangladesh

The Women side are a growing force in the shortest format of the game. They are capable of causing upsets. Twenty20 is undeniably their forte. Reaching the semi finals in a group consisting of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and themselves, is not beyond them. If not, they should finish 3rd place. This is their best format and conditions in Bangladesh will suit their style of play. 

2010 Asian Games Winners - T20 format
2012 ICC World T20 beat India - T20 format 
2012 Asia Cup T20 Reached the final - T20 format
2013 ICC World T20 Qualifier Joint Winners - T20 format
2014 Tri Series in Qatar Winners - T20 format

Sana Mir's side have their best ever chance of success in an ICC Women's Event over the coming weeks in Bangladesh.

A) It's T20
B) In Bangladesh
C) Good recent form 

Aqib Javed's Coaching Accomplishments

2004 ICC U19 World Cup Winners
2006 ICC U19 World Cup Winners
2013 UAE Qualified for World T20
2014 UAE Qualified for World Cup

More on the Big 3

The big 3 came into existence because of a fear of a takeover of the ICC with the excessive power of the BCCI. The fear of a franchise based takeover as the IPL may have hinted already. A general fear of the future of international cricket. 

BCCI put ultimatums on the line by not participating in ICC Events and walking away from the ICC should the proposals be rejected. ICC is supposed to represent a global governing body. That is the central purpose of the organisation in charge with the responsibility of controlling international affairs for the betterment of the game. 

The big 3 does not fit in with what the ICC stands for and what it should represent as a global sporting body in areas such as governance and finance.

However, because the big 3 supposedly have the strongest teams and are putting a lot already in the running of the game, they feel they deserve the most attention in running the game and generating revenue. 

The proposals will take effect from 2015.

Rather than worrying on expansion of the game through globalisation, the proposals aims to ensure cricket is still running healthily in Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to name two, with enough being invested in maintaining interest levels in those nations already playing as opposed to trying to appeal to new markets in USA and China.

Giles Clarke keenly defended the proposals during the interval of the 1st one day international against the West Indies on Sky. Clarke and his counterparts have come under an enormous amount of criticism for their so called greediness, but one cannot argue with how well he spoke in that interview, in an attempt to defend his stance, as Ian Ward quizzed away. It was the type of interview, that made you appreciate the other side to some degree even if you were hell bent against it. 

Whilst a lot of the moves the Position Paper covers have been severely attacked on various newspapers and social media, there are some positives such as opening up an opportunity for Ireland to enter the test world in the nearby future and the restoration of the mini World Cup in the form of the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in a 4 year cycle. 

Pakistan Players in ICC Team of the Tournament Official

2011 World Cup = Shahid Afridi with 21 wickets 
2012 World T20 = Saeed Ajmal with 9 wickets 
2013 Champions Trophy = Misbah with 173 runs at 86.5 with SR of 70+

Only 1 for each of the last 3 major ICC senior mens team events

It's not a World Cup! ICC World Twenty20

1) Not officially, formally, technically a "World Cup"
2) After India won the first one to exaggerate the title, simplify the concept and because it had the word "World" in many fans and media people started calling it or referring to it as a "World Cup"
3) There can only be one World Cup in the major sports, played in a 4 year cycle once
4) Not recognsied by the governing bodies as a "World Cup". They are the ones that matter
5) Just because it is the only Twenty20 international trophy does not make it a World Cup
6) Just because it is one of the biggest limited over events does not make it a World Cup

Unofficially a World Cup only.

Twitter convo in December


Dec 1
Remember from 2015 each format will have a premier comp played after a 4 year cycle with 1 each year. WC (15,19), WT20 (16,20), WTC (17,21)

Abdullah
Dec 1
Glad that after the 2016 edition the WT20 will be played every 4 years as opposed to 2 years. Every 2 years was eventually going to kill it.

Abdullah
Dec 1
WTC stands for World Test Championship by the way

Abdullah
Dec 1
Why do people confuse the World T20 with the World Cup?One is an official World Cup, the other is a global tournament, but not formally a WC

Abdullah
Dec 1
Don't like mixing the World Cup with the World T20 but fully expecting Indians to be bragging about going 10-0 up by Adelaide next February.

Official Fantasy Leagues for ICC Events

Fantasy Leagues are great fun of competing and challenging your selecting abilities, as fans not necessarily directly involved. It’s a way of applying your knowledge and earning some bragging rights at the end of it all. Not to mention, the possibility of gaining prizes should you win a private league or even the overall one! ICC have set up an official fantasy league for their major world events. It’s highly recommendable playing and thoroughly enjoyable. I played during the Champions Trophy last summer and am going to again with the World T20 upon us. In short, get involved.

2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final Results


Eden Park 14th March 2015

On this day next year India play Zimbabwe at Eden Park. I am not ruling out the defending champions posting a record target here. They have a destructive and mightily talented batting line up against lesser bowling, short boundaries and the possibility of needing to score their runs quicker because of NRR with this being the final group game they play from Group B. I feel group B is marginally the easier group of the two, though there is not much to pick between the two.

Post


Pakistan's Best Performers in ICC World Twenty20

Leading performers by tournament.
Pakistan in ICC World Twenty20. 
Most team wickets and runs by each edition. 

2007
Most runs = Misbah ul Haq
Most wickets = Umar Gul

2009
Most runs = Kamran Akmal
Most wickets = Umar Gul

2010
Most runs = Salman Butt
Most wickets = Saeed Ajmal

2012
Most runs = Mohammad Hafeez
Most wickets = Saeed Ajmal

Most Semi Finals in ICC World Twenty20

Pakistan = 4 
Sri Lanka = 3
Australia = 3
West Indies = 2
India = 1
England = 1
New Zealand = 1 
South Africa = 1 

Calls

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/443838980896063488

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/443839266477850624

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/443839763330904064

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/442330254540300288

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/442696584363782144

SKW in World Cups

1996 = MOM in semi final
1999 = MOM in semi final and final
2003 = Banned
2007 = Retired by then 
2015 = Will commentate 

Played 2 finals in both World Cups he played
Both were contrasting finals for him and the team

Dravid in World Cups

1999 = Leading run scorer in England
2003 = Wicket Keeper of Indian Side, reached the final
2007 = Captain of India, out before super eights
2011 = Not selected 

WC Final By Year

1975 = West Indies vs Australia
1979 = West Indies vs England
1983 = India vs West Indies 
1987 = Australia vs England
1992 = Pakistan vs England
1996 = Sri Lanka vs Australia
1999 = Australia vs Pakistan
2003 = Australia vs India 
2007 = Australia vs Sri Lanka
2011 = India vs Sri Lanka

Winner done first

Call in Mid 2012

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/219734184388853760

England Hoping to Break 40 year ODI Drought in 2015

World Cups

1975 = Semis and hosts
1979 = Finalists and hosts
1983 = Semis and hosts
1987 = Finalists
1992 = Finalists 
1996 = Quarter Finalists
1999 = Hosts 
2003 = First round
2007 = super eights
2011 = Quarter Finalists
2015 = Returning to land they last played a final and reached semis
2019 = Hosts 

Champions Trophies

1998 = First round
2000 = First round
2002 = First round
2004 = Finalists and hosts
2006 = First round
2009 = Semis
2013 = Finalists and hosts 

England Captains in World Cups After 1996

1996 = Michael Atherton
1999 = Alec Stewart
2003 = Nasser Hussain
2007 = Michael Vaughan
2011 = Andrew Strauss

5 finals
Hosted 6
Not won one in 17
Only one of the top eight not to have won one
Only team to have played WC finals without a win

Under New Proposals (2015-2023)

World Cup every 4 years
Champions Trophy every 4 years

Asia Cup - every 2 years
U19 World Cup - every 2 years
World T20 - every 2 years but after every 4 years after 2016

Women's World Cup - every 4 years
Women's World T20 - every 4 years (every 2 years without the men)

Test Championship - scrapped

Pakistan

One of 5 holders of the World Cup
One of 5 holders of the U19 World Cup
One of 4 holders of the World T20
One of 3 holders of the Asia Cup

England - World Cup Semis

England reached 5/5 semi finals or better at the CWC between 1975-1992
Since then they have not made the semi finals in 5/5 from 1996-2011

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Pakistan Captain to Work for Ten Sports at ICC World T20

Misbah ul Haq, the man that has led his country to 57 international wins; will be working for Ten Sports at the 2014 ICC World T20 as an analyst and expert. Similarly, he worked for them in the 2012 ICC World T20, which was also contested in Asian conditions. Sources say Sky were keen to get Misbah on board, but couldn't because of his availability.

Pollard

Pollard will be working for Sky during the ICC World T20. A member of the 2012 ICC World T20 winning team. Currently, out of action, due to injury. He brings with him a wealth of experience in various franchise leagues worldwide.

Brad Hogg

The left arm wrist spinner is set to become the oldest man to play an international T20 having been named in the Australian squad for the Bangladesh championship at the age of 43. Hogg didn't play any T20s in bilaterals between now and the last World T20 in Sri Lanka. However, his performance in the Big Bash final, the conditions the team will be facing in Bangladesh and his experience and sheer enthusiasm for the game; meant he was too good a prospect to resist for the selectors. 

Pakistan-Australia in World T20

2007 - Pakistan won
2009 - did not play
2010 - Australia won twice
2012 - Pakistan won

Overall 2-2
Pakistan have won more in head to heads overall at 6-4

They meet on the 23rd in Dhaka

Tipping WI

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/442696584363782144

Ties at the World T20

2007 India vs Pakistan group game (bowl off)
2012 Sri Lanka vs New Zealand super 8 game (super over)
2012 New Zealand vs West Indies super 8 game (super over)

Number of Teams+Matches by World T20

2007
12 teams
27 matches

2009
12 teams
27 matches

2010
12 teams
27 matches

2012 
12 teams
27 matches

2014
16 teams
35 matches

Dirk Nannes

Dirk played for Holland in the 2009 World T20 in England
Dirk played for Australia in the 2010 World T20 where he was the leading wicket taker in the Caribbean

In both campaigns, they were memorable for his respective teams. Holland beat England at Lords in the 2009 campaign whereas Australia reached the final in 2010.

Dirk will be part of Sky's team in the studio for the 2014 event.

Monday 10 March 2014

Harbhajan Singh to Work for Sky During World T20

Harbhajan Singh has over 400 Test wickets to his credit. He also has World T20 experience with India and was part of the side that won the 2007 event in South Africa, defeating Pakistan in a memorable and close final. Singh has led IPL franchise Mumbai Indians in the past and currently plays for them. He was man of the match in the 2013 Champions League final which completed the double for the franchise, allowing SRT to bow out with style in his limited over farewells.

Sunday 9 March 2014

Crowe's Take

Former New Zealand Captain and one of the greats of his time in Martin Crowe who led the Black Caps at the 1992 Cricket World Cup in Oceania to the semi-finals, feels Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies will make the semi-finals of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. He predicts a Southern Hemisphere victory in the 44 day mega event. The experienced observer of the sport, has stressed the importance of home advantage in today’s game.

Crowe feels sub continental sides will struggle in those conditions having watched India’s recent showings in New Zealand closely. It’s a year to ponder and as things currently stand this is his take on how the 14 team ODI trophy will pan out.

His quote on Pakistan’s chances:

“Pakistan are clearly a mess, again. With no Imran, Wasim or Miandad to inspire them, they will frustrate many, including the odd opponent. They are fine cricketers, just not a fine team. I have never understood their thinking, ever. Correction, with the exception of Imran in 1992.”

More World T20 Facts

Winning Captain by year

2007 = Dhoni 
2009 = Younis Khan 
2010 = Paul Collingwood
2012 = Darren Sammy 

Host by year

2007 = South Africa 
2009 = England 
2010 = West Indies 
2012 = Sri Lanka
2014 = Bangladesh 
2016 = India

2020 = Australia
2024 = England 

Undefeated Champions. South Africa and Sri Lanka.

March 1st and March 8th
2 Saturday's
2 Finals involving Pakistan
2 Pakistan defeats
2 games where Pak batted first
2 games where Pak lost early wickets
2 one sided defeats

South Africa won the ICC U-19 World Cup with 6/6 wins
Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup with 5/5 wins
Both teams have a history of choking in finals

South Africa on their road to glory beat:
West Indies
Canada
Zimbabwe
Afghanistan (QF)
Australia (SF)
Pakistan (Final)

Sri Lanka on their road to glory beat:
Pakistan
India
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Pakistan (final)

All of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka have different captains for the World T20 than they did for the Asia Cup. 

Chandimal for Matthews
Hafeez for Misbah
Dhoni for Kohli 

Thursday 6 March 2014

Pakistan in Tournament Finals 2014

PCT reached the ICC U-19 World Cup 2014 final
PCT reached the Asia Cup 2014 final
Will they do the treble?
Can they reach the World T20 final, too?
Here's hoping Pakistan get over the line in at least 1 of the finals
Cricket needs it
They need it

4th March 2015


7th March 2015

Tuesday 4 March 2014

U19 CWC Random Fact

Pakistan are the only team to win back to back U19 World Cups.
Aqib Javed was coach on both occasions.
Both were held in the sub continent. 

2/2 Asia Cup Finals

Adelaide Next


4th October Post

Alan Wilkins To Commentate at 2014 World T20

Wilko will be at the event for Star India.

Shoaib in WCs

1999 = 3 wickets in the semi final at Old Trafford, all bowled
2003 = bowled the quickest ball in history to Nick Knight
2007 = Banned
2011 = Picked up 3 wickets in 3 games, all bowled

No Big 3 in Finals

No big 3 in ICC U19 World Cup final 2014
No big 3 in Asia Cup final 2014
I don't think there will be a big 3 in the ICC World T20 final 2014
Can Pakistan make it a treble in reaching finals?

The Two Ms

Both won it in Bangladesh too

Monday 3 March 2014

Pakistan-India in T20

At World T20s

Tied in 2007 with India taking the points
India winning the 2007 final
India winning in 2012 super 8 match

At World T20 Warm Ups

India won in 2009
Pakistan won in 2012

In Bilaterals

1-1 in December 2012 series

Overall: India 3 | Pakistan 1 | Tied 1 

World T20 Random Fact

The last 2 winners of the World T20 have won it after hosting the previous one. Chance for Sri Lanka to finally get over the hurdle of disappointments in finals at the 2014 one going by the above evidence?

World T20 Random Fact

The last 2 winners of the competition did not win any of their first two games. England or the West Indies. In 2010 and 2012 respectively. 

Group B - Group of Death at the World T20

Pakistan = 2009 winners
Australia = 2010 finalists
India = 2007 winners
West Indies = 2012 winners
Bangladesh most probably = Hosts 

3/5 eliminated
2/5 progress

Pakistan-West Indies at the ICC World T20

These two Twenty20 powerhouses have never met in the competition before. The first match between the two in the competition will be played on the 1st of April at Dhaka. Pakistan have a 2-1 record against them in this format, all three of the matches were contested in West Indies. They met in a 2 match series in this format in July with Pakistan running out as winners in both. It will be the final group game from Group B.

Nasser Hussain Won't Be Commentating in Preliminary Round of 2014 World T20

Nasser Hussain won't be covering the initial stages of the Bangladeshi carnival, but may join the team later.

Eight Asian Teams in 2014 ICC World T20

Never been so many Asian teams before in an international cricket tournament. 4 of the 6 qualifiers of the 2013 World T20 qualifier were Asian side in the United Arab Emirates. The eight teams listed below.

Pakistan = 2009 winners
Sri Lanka = 2009 and 2012 finalists 
India = 2007 winners and 2016 hosts
Bangladesh = Hosts 2014
Afghanistan = 3rd ICC World T20 and runners up of 2013 Qualifier 
UAE = First World T20 
Hong Kong = First World T20
Nepal = First World T20, 3rd place in 2013 Qualifier 

Last 3 Asia Cup Meetings Between India-Pakistan

19th June 2010 
Venue Colombo
India won by 2 wickets in the last over

18th March 2012
Venue Dhaka
India won by 6 wickets chasing 320+ after Pakistan were 200/0 at one stage

2nd March 2014
Venue Dhaka
Pakistan won by 1 wicket with 2 balls left

All close games
All won by the chasing side

Next meeting in Adelaide. See Tweet below.

https://twitter.com/maza786/status/440029449380061185

Asia Cup's 30th Anniversary

The ongoing carnival in Bangladesh marks the 30th anniversary of the Asia Cup. India won the first edition in 1984. Sunil Gavaskar was skippering as a stand in choice.

Final Word on 2014 ICC U19 CWC

Team of the tournament. Personal one. 

Criteria: Performance, quality, team balance

1) Aiden Markram (VC)
2) Sami Aslam
3) T Chanderpaul
4) Ben Duckett
5) Will Rhodes (C)
6) Sarfraz Khan
7) Nicolas Pooran (WK) - best individual performance by a mile
8) Zafar Gohar
9) Kuleep Yadav
10) Matthew Fisher
11) Kasigo Rabada
12th man - Sanju Samson 

2 Seamers
2 spinners
Rhodes as all rounder
Sarfraz Khan as a 6th bowler

Players from each team

England = 3
Pakistan = 2
India = 2
South Africa = 2
West Indies = 2
(All the above teams finished in the top 6)

Notable Omissions

Imam ul Haq = No 50 in 3 TV games
Deepak Hooda = Just struggled to get him in

Disappointments

Kamran Ghulam = Duck in both semi final and final
Saif Bangash = 5 runs in 3 TV games
Vijay Zol = Struggled to lead from the front as Indian captain in conduct+form
Dominic Sibley = Struggled to keep his place in the playing XI, Surrey double centurion
Hassan Raza = Did not look up to it. Some frustrating dismissals

Side Note

Shoaib Akhtar was in attendance for the final of the 2014 ICC Under 19 World Cup on Saturday evening.

South Africa in ICC Events

1998 ICC Knock Out Winners
2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup Winners

Hosts of the 2003 World Cup
Hosts of the 2007 World T20
Hosts of the 2009 Champions Trophy

Also, won 1998 Commonwealth games in cricket, though not an ICC event.

South Africa's Dominance vs Pakistan

Pakistan have never beaten South Africa in an ODI World Cup
Pakistan have never beaten South Africa in a Champions Trophy
Pakistan have never beaten South Africa in the Under 19 World Cup, losing the final on Saturday

South Africa have a 12-4 record against Pakistan in Tests
South Africa have only lost 1 ODI series against Pakistan, the last one which was the 3rd of the year

Pakistan's bogey team? Undoubtedly 

Saturday 1 March 2014

South Africa

Number 1 ranked Test Side
ICC Under 19 World Cup Winners
Hong Kong Sixes Winners
ICC Under 19 World Cup 3rd place in 2012
Champions Trophy semi finalists

South Africa Win Their Second ICC Event

Where they finished in 2014 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup after completion of knock out matches and play offs. 16 teams competed, here are the top 8 in order. There are play offs if a side has been eliminated before the final for the next best position. Noticeably Pakistan, doing better than the big 3. 

1) South Africa 
2) Pakistan 
3) England 
4) Australia 
5) India 
6) West Indies 
7) Afghanistan 
8) Sri Lanka