Cricket in April/May 2011: Pakistan vs West Indies
by MairaS on June 19, 2011
in Concluded and future cricket series/events
The months of April and May provided cricket viewers with plenty of reasons to get stadium tickets in West Indies, and to keep themselves glued to their television screens in Pakistan and elsewhere. Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies was preceded with a very shaky start, with celebrated captain Shahid Afridi of Pakistani cricket team announcing his decision of withdrawal from the series based on a fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) following the recently held World Cup in India; this decision was later reversed as Afridi was also integrated into the squad. This series picked considerable momentum and eventually provided fans dismayed over Pakistan’s cricket team loss to India in the World Cup semifinal with a focal reason to rejuvenate themselves and relinquish their pride.
Pakistan steered to a very lustrous and seemingly effortless victory as they beat West Indies cricket team by seven wickets, with Ahmed Shehzad emerging as the newly hailed idol. Pakistan maintained their winning streak in the next two ODIs, grabbing victories by seven and three wickets respectively. However, their winning streak got tainted in the fourth ODI, when the Duckworth Lewis method awarded a very narrow victory to West Indies, the precedent for this decision being a mere one run. The fifth ODI enabled West Indies cricket team to further consolidate their success, as they beat Pakistan by a significant margin of 10 wickets. Yet, these two victories did not offer much of a reason to celebrate to the host nation, as the series sealed 3-2 in the favour of Pakistan. Proceeding the ODI series, the Test series constituting a test match each at Providence and Bassetere emerged to be a tie, as West Indies achieved a narrow 40 run victory in the first one, and Pakistan cruised to a 196 victory in the second. All in all, this tour provided a considerable boost to the Pakistani cricket team following their intense and shocking dismissal from the World Cup and prior to their tour of Zimbabwe in September 2011.
Analysis: India vs Sri Lanka cricket teams in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final
by MairaS on March 31, 2011
in Team records in ICC Cricket World Cups, World cup 2011
World Cup win/loss record of India vs Sri Lanka:
- Total matches played: 7
- India cricket team won: 2
- Sri Lanka cricket team won: 4
- No result: 1
One day international win/loss record of India cricket team against Sri Lanka:
- Total matches played: 128
- India cricket team won: 67
- Sri Lanka cricket team won: 50
- No result: 11
The Final of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be played between India and Sri Lanka on Apri 2, 2011 at Mumbai, India. Sri Lanka cricket team defeated New Zealand while Indian cricket team defeated Pakistan in the semi-finals. Both teams have advanced to Final without any difficulty. Here’s the analysis of strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
India’s Batting Strength and Weakness:
India has one of strongest batting line-up in the world. All of their batsmen are in good touch and are leading run-scorers in this tournament. Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh are the top-scorers of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Middle-order had been causing problems for India but it has started to click since the start of knockout round. India lacks pinch-hitters in the low-order which may become a problem if they need to get runs at high rate.
India’s Bowling Strength and Weakness:
India with its average bowling line-up has done tremendously well in this tournament. Skipper MS Dhoni has employed his bowlers well by rotating them. Zaheer Khan has taken 19 wickets and is the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He has been supported well by Munaf Patel and Harbhajan Singh. Yuvraj Singh has also been successful in getting wickets for India; he has taken 13 wickets.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Strength and Weakness:
We have seen outstand performance from the Sri Lankan batting line-up in this tournament. Three of their batsmen (Kumar Sangakkara, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Upal Tharanga) are leading run-scorers in the tournament. They have piled huge targets and they have chased too, this makes it the strongest batting line-up. If they bat first in the final then they will for scored 300+ for sure.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Strength and Weakness:
Sri Lanka has one of the most successful bowling line-up in the tournament. They offer great variety, from pacers to spinners; they have the ideal bowling for sub-continent pitches. Lasith Malinga has been devastating with his yorkers. Nuwan, Murali, Mathews, Perera, Mendis and Dilshan have contributed well in the bowling department. The only worrying thing for Sri Lanka cricket team is the fitness problems faced by legend bowler Muttiah Muralitharan and Angelo Mathews. Sri Lankans have confirmed that they will play with even half-fit Muttiah Muralitharan.
It’s the first time that two Asian countries are going to face each other in the final of ICC Cricket World Cup. India has the advantage of home ground but it can go against them as it will also create pressure on the players. Both teams are favorites for 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup so it will be hard to predict about the success of any team. But cricket viewers will remembers this mega ODI encounter for a long time.
India Beat Srilanka in the final of 2011 world cup to lift the trophy for the second time in an all Asian final.
India vs Sri Lanka- World Cup Records
by MairaS on March 31, 2011
in Team records in ICC Cricket World Cups, World cup 2011
- The two cricketing nations have met 7 times in world cup matches; Sri Lanka has won 4, India 2 while 1 match was washed away due to rain.
- Sri Lankan cricket team scored a big upset when they defeated India cricket team in the 1979 Cricket World Cup by 47 runs.
- The two teams met in the semi-final of 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup. Sri Lanka won the match by default by the match referee due improper behavior of Indian crowd.
- Indian batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid have scored a century apiece but there has been no century from the Sri Lankan side.
- Indian bowler Javagal Srinath is the leading wicket-taker with 8 wickets in 4 matches while Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has took 7 wickets against India in 4 matches.
- Indian star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar has scored 301 runs in 5 world cup matches against Sri Lankan.
- Chamara Silva, Harbhajan Singh, Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawerdene, Muttiah Muralitharan, MS Dhoni, Munaf Patel, Sachin Tendulkar, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Upal Tharagana, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan are the players who played in 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup match involving these teams.
- The teams have not played any world cup match against each other in the world cups of 1975, 1983 and 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Semi final Analysis: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka cricket teams in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
by MairaS on March 27, 2011
in World cup 2011
World Cup win/loss record of New Zealand vs Sri Lanka:
- Total matches played: 8
- New Zealand cricket team won: 3
- Sri Lanka cricket team won: 5
One day international win/loss record of New Zealand cricket team against Sri Lanka:
- Total matches played: 73
- New Zealand cricket team won: 35
- Sri Lanka cricket team won: 33
- No result: 4
- Tied: 1
1st semi-final of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup is going to be played between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on March 29, 2011 at Colombo, Sri Lanka. In quarter-finals, New Zealand cricket team defeated South Africa in a close but low scoring match whereas Sri Lanka cricket team won its match against England to qualify for the semi-finals. Sri Lanka has always been the favorite for this world cup while New Zealand has made its way to semi-finals keeping itself under the radar. Let’s have an analysis of strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
New Zealand’s Batting Strength and Weakness:
New Zealand cricket team’s batting strength relies on the performance of its top ace batting players like Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor; these four players must perform if New Zealand wants to qualify for final of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Weak middle of New Zealand cricket team is concern for them and if it gets exposed early then Kiwis will find themselves in deep trouble. New Zealand has pinch hitters like James Franklin and Jacob Oram who can accelerate the run-rate at any time.
New Zealand’s Bowling Strength and Weakness:
New Zealand has a very average bowling line-up but it has been very consistent and hard-working in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Tim Southee is the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand with 15 wickets. Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum; the spinners have also done good job with the ball for New Zealand in crucial matches.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Strength and Weakness:
Sri Lanka’s top order is supreme batting form currently. Kumar Sangakkara, Tilakaratne Dilshan and Upal Tharanga are one of the leading run-scorers in this tournament. Sri Lanka has the capability of pilling huge targets and chasing targets too. Sri Lanka cricket team managed to win its quarter-final against England cricket team without losing any wicket. Sri Lanka might face problems if their middle-order is exposed early.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Strength and Weakness:
Sri Lankans is one of the best bowling sides in this tournament. They have great variety to offer. Legend off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is in top-form but he is struggling with fitness which might become a problem for Sri Lanka cricket team. Lasith Malinga has been very successful with his yorkers in this world cup; he can prove to be a magician with his reverse–swing deliveries. Other bowlers like Kulasekara, Perera, Mathews and Mendis have been contributing well for the winning cause.
Sri Lanka has the advantage of home ground but it will be creating pressure on them. New Zealand cricket team is in high morale as they have beaten world’s top side South Africa in the quarter-finals. So, it is very hard to predict about any team as favorites as both teams are equally balanced
Semi final Analysis: India vs Pakistan cricket teams in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
by MairaS on March 26, 2011
in Team records in ICC Cricket World Cups, World cup 2011
World Cup win/loss record of India vs Pakistan:
- Total matches played: 4
- India cricket team won: 4
- Pakistan cricket team won: 0
One day international win/loss record of India cricket team against Pakistan:
- Total matches played: 119
- India cricket team won: 46
- Pakistan cricket team won: 69
- No result: 4
Second semi-final of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be played between Pakistan and India on March 30, 2011 at Mohali, India. Pakistan cricket team defeated West Indies while India cricket team defeated current champion Australia in the 1st and 2nd Quarter-final respectively. Road to the semi-finals has been steady for both the teams. Here’s the analysis of strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
India’s Batting Strength and Weakness:
India possesses world’s best batting line-up. The top order has performed well in the Group round of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup but there had been middle-order collapses in earlier stages. With the start of knock-out stage, India’s middle-order has realized its responsibility and has done well in the match against Australia. Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh are the leading run scorers in this tournament and performances are expected from trio in the semi-final. India doesn’t have any recognized batsmen after 6th position, so Pakistan will be looking to expose Indian low-order earlier.
India’s Bowling Strength and Weakness:
Though, India doesn’t have the best bowlers in the world but their current bowling line-up is ideal for the sub-continent pitches. They have the much needed variety. They have fast bowlers (right hand/left hand), off-spinners and slow left arm bowlers. Zaheer Khan has been the most successful bowler for India in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup; he has taken 17 wickets in just 7 matches. Yuvraj Singh has also contributed well with 11 crucial wickets.
Pakistan’s Batting Strength and Weakness:
Batting has always been a problem for Pakistan in big matches. Openers have failed many times and then there is sudden collapse of middle order. Till Quarter-finals, Pakistan’s batting has been steady if not the best. There was a problem with openers but they were outstanding in the quarter-final match against West Indies cricket team. Chasing might be a problem for Pakistan but they will manage anything around 250 runs in the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s Bowling Strength and Weakness:
Bowling has been the main strength for Pakistan in this world cup. Shahid Afridi is the leading wicket taker in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup with 21 wickets. They have the best combination; they have Abdur Rehman, Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul in their bowling line up who can demolish any strong batting side. Moreover, Pakistan’s bowling has the capability of defending the target and also of restricting the side batting first to a low score. So, they won’t be hesitating in any situation they are put in.
The stage is all set for the match between the biggest rivalries of cricketing world. It will be jam-packed crowd there in Mohali. Pakistan has never won a match against India in the world cup till now, and Pakistan has never lost any match against India in Mohali. Pakistan cricket team will try their level best to stretch the winning streak at Mohali and to improve the world cup record books as well.