Match Box (Pak. vs Sl. T20 International)

MATCH INFO CENTRAL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

• Match: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka Mobitel Cup Lone T20I.
• Date: August 12, 2009
• Venue: R Premadasa Stadium [Also Known as Colombo RPS]
• Type: Twenty20 International
• Series-at-a-Glance (ODI): Pakistan came back strongly to win the last two ODIs of the series with record margins. But despite these late heroics Sri Lanka won the series 3-2.
• Time: 07:30 pm PST, 06:00 pm local, 01:30 pm GMT
• Live Telecasters: PTV Home, Ten Sports, Super Sport 6, Star Cricket (Score Only)
• Live Scores: www.cricinfo.com, www.cricbuzz.com, www.star-cricket.com
• Live Streaming: www.action8cricket, www.justin.tv, www.ustream.tv
• Radio Coverage: City FM 93
• Live Views: cricket@mobitelnet.lk

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THE GROUND

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R Premadasa Stadium was involved in only one T20 International through the years, India vs. Sri Lanka (2009), from which India emerged victorious whilst batting second and chasing down a target of 171.

Pitch: As the pitches are for T20I(s), dry and flat, allowing even the poorest of batsmen to go at a 5-star balling attack with disdain. Thats what all the spectators expect, runs and runs. I think that this match would also not deviate from the conventional T20 and would be a high scoring one. Fingers Crossed.

As far as winning the toss is concerned, without doubt I would bat first if I had a side matching Pakistan's caliber. Then put up a good score of 150+ and you have won the match for good.

This T20 has created quite a stir in Sri Lanka as the Lankans consider it as a perfect opportunity to avenge the T20 World Cup final defeat from Pakistan. But I daresay that this will go down only as a dream for the Lankan Lions. ;-)

The key-man Dilshan will not be there for the Lankans, a serious drawback for them.

This match would also test the skills of Shahid Afridi as a leader. As he would be captaining Pakistan for the first time in his career after the retirement of Younus Khan from T20 Cricket. Although it is nothing new fro the seasoned allrounder who has previously lead teams like Habib Bank, Karachi Dolphins at the domestic circuit.

Shaid Afridi has to perform both with the ba tand the ball. As he is the cpatain now and a captain leads from the front!!!

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TEAM PERFORMANCES

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Pakistan: This is the first T20I fixture for Pakistan at this ground.

Sri Lanka: The Lankans have lost the only T20I they have played here, to India. Despite the fact that they posted a good score of 171.

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FINAL RECOMMENDED PLAYING 11 FOR PAKISTAN

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• Imran Nazir
• Kamran Akmal

The hard-hitting Imran Nazir and the flamboyant Kamran Akmal are an ideal opening pair for a T20 game against any opposition. With Imran Nazir's return to form and Kamran Akmall's good run in the limited-overs format, this opening jodi is one to keep an eye out for.

• Shahid Afridi
• Umar Akmal
• Misbah-ul-Haq
• Shoaib Malik
• Fawad Alam

Shahid Afridi should bat at number three as he had been extremely successful at this position in the T20 WC 2009. Followed by belligerent Umar Akmal who has superb hard-hitting capabilities and now with shorter boundaries he will clear the ropes more often than not. Misbah-ul-Haq has recently returned to form and this good nick should be put to use by Afridi by giving him a chance in this T20, as he has got tremendous capabilities in the shortest form of the game as shown in the first ediiton of the T20 WC. Shoaib Malik seems to have an unending bad patch, but for the sake of completing the batting lineup he gets a place too. In T20 cricket every single run counts and with a fielder like Alam, many-a-runs can be saved, which in the end will always make a difference. Alam has also got some hard-hitting capabilites lowe down the order.

• Mohammad Amir
• Naveed-ul-Hasan
• Rao Iftikhar Anjum
• Saeed Ajmal

Naveed-ul-Hasan has been impressive with his variations. Specially that slower one that bamboozles batsmen more often than not, coupled with his over-the-top hitting he is a worthy of inclusion in the playing eleven. Amer is also in good shape of late and should be in the side for the T20I. Rao Ifitkhar has also been pretty economical in the games he played so far on this tour so he should also be there in the Pakistani bowling attack. No questions about Saeed Ajmal being here, the spinner has delivered more often than not in the T20 WC 2009. And with an unpickable, doosra he can be a handful.

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Stats Source: www.cricinfo.com

Photo (c) AFP

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Operation FC (Manchester United)

An English Football heavy-weight, Manchester United, is a force to reckon with. Founded in 1872 as a meagre work-team of a railway depot, Man U, went through all the ups and down in its history to emerge, perched on the highest cloud of fame. May it be the 1958 Munich Air Disaster in which United lost nine of their first-team players [Winger Johnny Berry survived, but the sustained injuries brought his football career to a premature close] or the yo-yo years (1911-1939) during which the club had the taste of almost every type of position in the First Division [except the top-three!], not to mention the constant relegation.

The appointment of Matt Busby as manager in 1945 finally revived the club, and his infrequent approach of giving new-found-talent a chance in the 'A' team payed off quite well when Man U won 5 First Division titles and 2 FA Cups during his term as manager. Busby's uncommon tactics blessed United with rare talents like Bobby Charlton [leading goal-scorer, 249], Denis Law [2nd leading goal-scorer, 237] and George Best [known as Quick Feet with the capability of giving passes through the narrowest of gaps].

No one managed to fill the gap Busby's departure left until the 1986 appointment of Scotsman Alex Ferguson, under whose guidance Man U finally won their first League title in 26 years. There was no looking back afterwards as United went on to win eleven Premier League titles and five FA Cups including two Doubles and a sparkling Treble [1998-1999]. Star signings like Eric Cantona, Robby Keane, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and David Bekham ensured the flourish of Man U from 1993 onwards.

Manchester United's trophy cabinet seems rather full with eighteen English League Championships, eleven FA Cups, three League Cups, three European Cups and seventeen Community Shields being the most prominent.

Popularly known as the "Red Devils" which led to the popular Man U crest which comprises of a devil holding a trident in a shield in the centre and the words Manchester and United are vividly represented above and below the shield respectively.

The traditional home-kit of the club remained from 1902 onwards [with the exception of 1909 UEFA Cup final and early 1920s] as red shirts, white shorts and black socks. AIG, an insurance company, is the chief shirt sponsor of United until the 2009-2010 season. Aon, an American reinsurance firm, will take over from AIG at the beginning of the 2010-2011 season with the most lucrative sponsorship deal in football history, i.e, £ 20 million-a-year! The lengthiest shirt sponsorship deal in English Football also has to do with Man U [Sharp Electronics, 1982-2000].

Manchester United had played in shabby grounds until 1902 when tycoon J. H. Davies bought the club. Subsequently, in 1910 the 76,000+ capacity Old Trafford was opened which remains the official stadium of the club ever since. The stadium was also partially rebuilt after bombings during WW II destroyed much of its Major Stand.

The most prominent rivalries of Man U are with Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds United. Rivalries, to a lesser extent, also exist with Chelsea and Arsenal.

MAN U QUICK FACTS:

• Founded: 1878
• Ground: Old Trafford (Capacity: 76, 212)
• Owner: Malcolm Glazer (USA)
• Co-chairmen: Joel and Avram Glazer (both from USA)
• Manager: Alex Ferguson (Scotland)
• League: Barclay's Premier League
• Last Season Position: 1st
• Captain: Gary Neville (UK)
• V. Captain: Ryan Giggs (Wales)
• Did You Know: Manchester United is involved in one of the greatest comebacks ever-witnessed in football history. Going 1-0 down in the injury time of the 1999 UEFA Champions League's final against Bayern Munich, Man U went on to score two goals that helped them win a Treble and the European Cup!
• Official Site: www.manutd.com
• Current Squad:
• GOAL KEEPERS:
  • Edwin van der Saar (Netherland)
  • Ben Foster (UK)
  • Tomasz Kuszczak (Poland)
  • Ron-Robert Zieler (Germany)
  • Ben Amos (UK)
  • Tom Heaton (UK)
• DEFENDERS:
  • Gary Neville (UK)
  • Patrice Evra (France)
  • Rio Ferdinand (UK)
  • Wes Brown (UK)
  • Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)
  • Fabio (Brazil)
  • Rafael (Brazil)
  • John O'Shea (Ireland)
  • Jonny Evans (UK)
  • Danny Simpson (UK)
  • Craig Cathcart (Northern Ireland)
  • James Chester (UK)
  • Ritchie De Laet (Belgium)
• MIDFIELDERS:
  • Owen Hargreaves (UK)
  • Anderson (Brazil)
  • Ryan Giggs (Wales)
  • Park Ji-Sung (South Korea)
  • Zoran Tosic (Serbia)
  • Michael Carrick (UK)
  • Nani (Portugal)
  • Paul Scholes (UK)
  • Darren Fletcher (Scotland)
  • Daron Gibson (Ireland)
  • Sam Hewson (UK)
  • Tom Cleverley (UK)
  • David Gray (Scotland)
  • Davide Petrucci (Italy)
  • Cory Evans (Northern Ireland)
  • Daniel Drinkwater (UK)
  • Matthew James (UK)
  • Antonio Valencia (Ecuador)
• FORWARDS:
  • Michael Owen (UK)
  • Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria)
  • Wayne Rooney (UK)
  • Danny Welbeck (UK)
  • Federico Macheda (Italy)
  • Fabian Brandy (UK)
  • Gabriel Obertan (France)

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Match Box (Pak. vs Sl. 4th ODI)

MATCH INFO CENTRAL >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

• Match: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka Mobitel Cup 4th ODI.
• Date: August 7, 2009
• Venue: R Premadasa Stadium [Also Known as Colombo RPS]
• Type: Day/Night ODI
• Series-at-a-Glance: Sri Lanka have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match-series
• Time: 03:00 pm PST, 02:30 pm local, 09:00 am GMT
• Live Telecasters: PTV Home, Ten Sports, Super Sport 6, Star Cricket (Score Only)
• Live Scores: www.cricinfo.com, www.cricbuzz.com, www.star-cricket.com
• Live Streaming: www.action8cricket, www.justin.tv, www.ustream.tv
• Radio Coverage: City FM 93
• Live Views: cricket@mobitelnet.lk

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THE GROUND

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R Premadasa Stadium is an automatic choice for the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to host day and night fixtures. Equiped with the latest floodlights, this 35,000 capacity stadium is the by far the largest stadium in Sri Lanka.

A panaromic view of Colombo RPS.

The pitch here was designed to be neutral, allowing a good battle between bat and ball, but the frequent overcast conditions and moisture in the air spoil the party for the batsmen, with the bowlers getting heaps of swing and wickets ;-) .

Weather most-often-than-not goes harsh here, for cricket fans that is, with the frequent thunderstorms. Clouds menacingly hover over the ground and spectators have to keep an eye out of rain which often drenches them! This is shown by the fact that out of the 98 ODIs played here, 17 ended up being canceled/abandoned. Not to mention the regular drizzle/rain that interrupts play.

The dreaded cloud-cover at R. Premadasa Stadium

As far as my opinion is concerned, win the toss, bat first, put up a good score (240+) on the board for your bowlers to defend under-lights. The spinners will also be aided under floodlights through uneven bounce.

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TEAM PERFORMANCES

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Pakistan: Pakistan have remained pretty even-steven here. Playing 13 games and winning only 6 of them [one game ended in no result]. The highest score put up by Pakistan here was 319-5 [against Bengladesh, 1997] and the lowest one stands at 122-10 [against Sri Lanka, 2004]. The win percentage of Pakistan at the RPS is 50.00%

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka have played 73 fixtures here and winning 46 of them [five matches were cancelled/abandoned]. The highest total by Sri Lanka was 320-8 [against India, 2009] and the lowest one the could muster was 98-10 [against South Africa, 1993]. Their win percentage at the Premadas statium is 67.64.

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FINAL RECOMMENDED PLAYING 11 FOR PAKISTAN

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• Imran Nazir
• Kamran Akmal

The master-blaster has sat for too long as the 12th man in this series. This star player should be given a chance to make his comeback in this ODI. Kamran Akmal has shown some good temperment and technique in the last two ODIs and should be handed over the partnership with Nazir. Nasir Jamshed doesn't get a place in my team because of his poor batting technique. With scores of 0 and 1 in the two ODIs he featured in, Younus would be a madman if he now gave Jamsehd preference over Nazir.

• Younus Khan
• Umar Akmal
• Mohammad Yousuf
• Shoaib Malik
• Shahid Afridi

This middle-order is the best I can think of in the current squad after Misbahs staggering fitness. Younus Khan as a captain cannot be left out O _ o!! Umar Akmal has shown quite some promise with the bat and also in the field, he should be given a chance as well. Mohammad Yousuf should also be back in the side now as a man of his calibre cannot spend the rest of the series among the reserves. Shoaib Malik should also be tried by Younus at the RPS, as his average is quite good here, 36.50. He also scored a crafty century here. Boom Boom is the catalyst in the side and should be utilized by Younus in the Batting PP. Although he struggled with his leg-spin throughout the whole series.

• Mohammad Amir
• Naveed-ul-Hasan
• Rao Iftikhar Anjum
• Saeed Ajmal

Naveed-ul-Hasan has been impressive at this ground, taking 3-23 in the only match he played here. Razzaq will be missed in this lower order, not because of his batting but his bowling. He is by far the best bowler for Pakistan at the RPS with 12 wickets in the 8 fixtures he featured in. Rao Iftikhar also has a good record at this ground bagging 2 wickets for 13 runs with an impressive economy of 1.85 in the only match he played here. With injuries to Gul and Razzaq he will get a chance, surely. Mohammad Amir is the new pace sensation of Pakistan he will be the one to lookout for during this match. Saeed Ajmal acts as the run-stopper with a superlative career economy rate of 3.89.

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The above overview holds true for the final ODI as well!!

Stats Source: www.cricinfo.com

Photo (c) AFP

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Operation FC (Liverpool)

An, English football club which has been through many disasters and controversies over the years. Founded in 1892, this eminent football club has done well to cement its name in the Premier League's "Big Four".

Nicknamed "The Reds", because of the all-red traditional kit they have been wearing since the early 1960s, Liverpool FC has gone through many-a-hard times during its Premiership. May it be an exemplary case of football hooliganism in the 1985 European Cup final, when charging Liverpool fans led to the death of 39 confronting Juventus devotees upon the collapse of a rickety stadium wall or the 1989 Hillsborough disaster which saw the death of 94 Liverpool F.C followers in a human stampede which would be remembered as one of the most gruesome disaster in football history. Another dark time in the football club's history was its relegation to Second Division for almost six years (1953-1959).

BillShankly is Liverpool's most celebrated manager, under whose leadership the club broke free from the Second Division, and ended the 17 year League title dought in 1963-64 followed by two FA Cups, another League title and the UEFA Cup [1972-73]. After retirement Shankly passed on the reins to his assistant Bob Prisley who was to be the most successful manager of Liverpool during whose tenure the club went on to win six League titles, three consecutive League Cups, five Charity Shields and three European Cups.

The club's badge consists of a central "Liver Bird", holding an olive branch and placed inside a shield. Above the shield, the title of Liverpool's anthem "You will never walk alone" is graphically represented. The two flames on either side of the crest symbolize an eternal fire that will burn in memory of the Hillsborough disaster victims.

Eighteen English League Championships (a shared record with Man U), seven League Cups, seven FA Cups and five European Cups are the highlights of Liverpool's trophy cabinet. The renowned club also bagged a 'cup treble' in the 2000-2001 season.

Liverpool has played at Anfield (45,000+ capacity) since its establishment, although a newer stadium (Stanley Park Stadium) is under construction a few yards away from the present one, which will be the official ground of Liverpool from 2011 onwards.

The current shirt sponsors of Liverpool are a Danish brewery company known as Carlsberg. Signed in 1992, this is the longest running, current shirt sponsorship agreement for a top-notch English football club.

The most prominent rivalries of Liverpool are: Everton, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

CHELSEA QUICK FACTS

• Founded: 15th March 1892
• Ground: Anfield (45,362)
• Co-owners: Geroge Gillett, Tom Hicks (Both from USA)
• Manager: Rafael Benitez (Spain)
• League: Barclay's Premier League
• Last Season Position: 2nd
• Captain: Steven Gerrard (UK)
• V. Captain: Jamie Crragher (UK)
• Did You Know: The product of Liverpool's intense rivalry with Everton is the Mereyside Derby, which holds the record of the most player sent-offs in any Premier League fixture.
• Official Site: www.liverpoolfc.tv
• Current Squad:
• GOAL KEEPERS:
  • Diego Cavalleiri (Brazil)
  • Jose Manuel Reina (Spain)
  • Charles Itandje (France)
  • David Martin (UK)
  • Martin Hansen (Denmark)
  • Peter Gulacsi (Hungary)
• DEFENDERS:
  • Glen Johnson (UK)
  • Daniel Agger (Denmark)
  • Fabio Aurelio (Brazil)
  • Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
  • Emiliano Insua (Argentina)
  • Jamie Carragher (UK)
  • Philipp Degen (Switzerland)
  • Stephen Darby (UK)
  • Martin Kelly (UK)
  • Martin Skrtel (Slovakia)
  • Andrea Dossena (Italy)
• MIDFIELDERS:
  • Steven Gerrard (UK)
  • Nathan Eccleston (England)
  • Albert Reira (Spain)
  • Xabi Alonso (Spain)
  • Yossi Benayoun (Israel)
  • Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
  • Lucas (Brazil)
  • Jay Spearing (UK)
  • Damien Plessis (France)
  • Nabil El Zhar (Morocco)
  • Steve Irwin (UK)
• FORWARDS:
  • Fernando Torres (Spain)
  • Andriy Veronin (Ukraine)
  • Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands)
  • Ryan Babel (Netherlands)
  • David N'Gog (France)
  • Krisztian Nemeth (Hungary)

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Operation FC (Chelsea)

Which football club comes to your mind upon seeing a crest bearing an upright blue lion, which is looking backwards and holding a staff? Yes! none other then Chelsea. The west London football club which has been making waves in the English Football circuit from its inception in 1905.

Also known as The Blues, because of the blue colour they appear to be so attached to. Although, the shades changed over the years, in the crests and Home/Away kits but the basic colour remained the same. This nickname was widely accepted among Chelsea's fan-following when the 1972 single "Blue is The Colour", rocked the UK Singles Chart with the voices of the then Chelsea's playing eleven.

This top-tier English football club has been English champions three times, and has won the FA Cup five times, the League Cup four times and the UEFA Winners' Cup twice.

The home ground of Chelsea is the 40, 065 capacity Stamford Bridge (although I always misunderstood it to be "Stanford Bridge").

Chelsea's traditional kit colurs are Royal Blue shirts and shorts with white socks. Their current shirt sponsors are "Samsung".

Chelsea's most prominent rivalries are; Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Man U, Leeds United and Liverpool.

CHELSEA QUICK FACTS

• Founded: 14th March 1905
• Ground: Stamford Bridge (40. 000+ capacity)
• Owner: Rowan Abramovich (Russia)
• Manager: Carlo Ancelotti (Italy)
• Chairman: Bruce Buck (USA)
• League: Barclay's Premier League
• Last Season Position: 3rd
• Captain: John Terry (UK)
• V. Captain: Frank Lampard (UK)
• 2009 Player of the Year: Frank Lampard (UK)
• Did You Know: C.F.C was initially founded for Stamford Bridge as the owners thought that such a big ground (it had 100,000 capacity then) required a club of its own!
• Official Site: www.chelseafc.com
• Current Squad:
• GOAL KEEPERS:
  • Petr Cech (Czech Republic)
  • Henrique Hilario (Portugal)
  • Ross Turnbull (UK)
• DEFENDERS:
  • Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia)
  • Ashley Cole (UK)
  • Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)
  • Jose Bosingwas (Portugal)
  • Paulo Ferriera (Portugal)
  • John Terry (UK)
  • Alex (Brazil)
  • Juliano Belletti (Brazil)
  • Sam Hutchinson (UK)
  • Michael Mancaienne (UK)
• MIDFIELDERS
  • Michael Essien (Ghana)
  • Frank Lampard (UK)
  • John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
  • Michael Ballack (Germany)
  • Florent Malouda (France)
  • Yuri Zhirkov (Russia)
  • Deco (Portugal)

• FORWARDS:
  • Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)
  • Franko Di Santo (Argentina)
  • Joe Cole (UK)
  • Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
  • Claudio Pizarro (Peru)
  • Scott Sinclair (UK)
  • Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast)
  • Daniel Sturridge (UK)
  • Nicolas Anelka (France)

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