Pakistan go through.

Pakistan are through to Super Eights with Kamran Akamal contradicting his skipper that the t20 is not fun cricket.

Aussies crash out; India retain their world cup; 1983 isshtyle

First time when Aussies were out in first round of a World cup was in 1983 in England. That was the first time when West Indies didnt win the world cup. That was the first time India won the world cup.

So that says it all. India's claim to the defence of its World championship just got stronger :)

Will YK stick to "T20 is fun" statement?

Would Younis Khan stick to his "T20 is fun" statement if Pakistan qualify for Super Eights, something which they look good right now? Or would he do a typical Pakistan ishtyle flip flop.

Real motives in replacement of injured Sehwag

Sehwag returns home with a shoulder injury. Thats a big blow to India, but then he was not being missed in the 3 games India has played on this tour.

What stumps me for words is his replacement. Dinesh Karthik. Cant they think beyond this man?

Selectors not only plant a TN man in the squad, but also they name a "make shift" opener in England (the lad did have some success in Eng 07) n also a backup in case Dhoni gets injured or fakes injuries.

Good move Srikanth. Live example of return of quota system to Indian cricket.

Predictions for the day

Today's games I fancy :

Netherlands surprise Pakistan

South Africa demoralize Kiwis.

Life without Aussies

Ozzies are out. They were Gayle'fied on Saturday and today they were Malinga'ed and Mendis'ed. And then Kumar'ed. In short dumped out of the World T20. Critics having a field day, fans a bit disappointed and more disgusted. The Australia we knew or i should say I knew was nowhere on the display.

They just didnt show their true colors. One eye on Ashes and half a eye on world t20. This approach didnt work. And this caps off a horrendous time they have had in limited version of the game in 2009. In a way India's way eased out to the title defense.

The big names flopped, the returning stars ran out of the steam. Ponting seemed to be in a Test mode while captaining a T20.

In short, the Aussies have been drained out of the T20 world series and it would be SL who would be in India's group. Mendis vs Indians. Wow. Delightful propositions.

Aussies now get to the Test mode and they would want to now win the Ashes by the same margin as they won in 2006-07, so that we could see Ponting retire and Sachin's supremacy in Test cricket sealed forever.

Aussies Struggling

Its most prolly good bye to Ozzies from the world cup T20.

One thing stumps me. Why do people hate to see Aussies win or love to see them lose ? Is it hatred or out of racism ? Is it out of hate for Punter's antics or over the top means to win ? Why does Homer criticisiesesese everything Aussie ? Only reason I know is the hatred s not based on facts. Rest may be you can help me discover.

Australia vs Sri Lanka

Ireland and India get into super 8 stage. Now its 5 teams who have made it.

India
Ireland
England
NZ
SA

3 more. 5 contenders.

BD
Scotts are out

WI are almost through. Australia are on the brink. Sri Lanka are yet to play their 1st game. pakistan most prolly wont make it. Netherlands are on brink of history.

Key for Australia is to bat 2nd and win with a huge margin. SL are feeble in batting. Exploit the weakness and bat mighty to win the game to improve their NRR. Players to watch out for :

1. Shane Watson
2. David Hussey
3. Peter Siddle
4. Kumar Sangakara

Update is SL have won the toss and they would bowl first. Old Blighty has not been so good for Ponting, the skipper. 2005 proved it. 2009 proving it again.

A good contest in hands.

Ireland favorites

The way Ireland are going by, i fancy Ireland thump Deshis who like their former brothers in Pakistan have no plans and no objective, just mindless slogging.

World T20 thus far.

I was away from the world of cricket and internet travelling to a distant land. So missed the LIVE action of World T20. However, the excitement is just about unfolding with the 7 games being over and results being a mixed bag. 4 teams have almost made it to the Super 8 stage and 2 would be decided almost today. Not an open format though, the IPL was more closer than this when the final 4 were decided in the last league game. The minnows have had it, the stronger teams have been punched hard on their face, the world champs have began emphatically and the runners up are in the dangers of being knocked out in the first round itself.

The world t20 began with a very exciting result when Netherlands beat England by 4/6 wkts in the tourney opener. English media was quick to rub the loss as the worst ever and blackest day in the history of 195 years of Lord’s. Too quick though, when in their next do – or – die league game, England thumped Pakistan by 48 runs, which is a big margin in T20. This result means England are through to the super 8s. And today Pakistan would need to win big against Netherlands. So that’s two fold a task. Win and win big.

SA and NZ had no difficulty in brushing aside Scotland who began well surprisingly in the rain shortened game on Saturday. This 2 sides are through to the next round and the winner of the tie between this 2 teams would decide the groups, the teams go in. SA have looked the most convincing team in the tournament thus far, though they played against a weak side. That has been the SA story. Start well, win all the games and then choke when it matters the most. Hope that this time, Graeme Smith would have different script for his team.

India beat Bangladesh convincingly by 25 runs though the critics would have their share of Dhoni bashing when he struggled to hit the ball. Ojha looked strong and Bhajan deceived. Zaheer was rusty. The way India played as a team sounds warning to the other teams in Super 8 stage that it would be very tough to beat this team. The only matter of concern is when Sehwag returns, who goes out?

Australia have suffered a great deal with the loss of Roy and perhaps they should have thought if sending back Roy was a wise move or it was an battle of egos between Roy and Pups. They face a do or die situation tonight and if they lose, they would be out for the first time in 17 years in the first round itself in any ICC tournament. (1992 World cup being the last). Ponting and Watson disappointed in the batting, Lee was treated like a school kid by Gayle during his 50 ball 88. Australia still might get through the Super 8 stage given they play SL who have been lackluster in the run up to the tournament. Australia have very little time in their hands to turn around the things. If SL lose, they still have a game to go against WI to make up for the loss.

One word on Pakistan. You cannot expect a team which has not won a single game in the tour to scamper through and go to the finals. Be it for cricketing reason or be it the emotional reasons. Pakistan have been simply rubbish over the tour. They have had no plans, they have had no will to play through. Emotional outbursts over Lahore wont always buy them a cover for their shabby performance. If they have to show their might, they have to show in the cricketing paradigms. “I have no idea why our fielders are unable to field properly. Maybe they are under certain pressure. It is not as if we are not working hard but we are not just getting it right for reasons unknown to me.” This kind of answers are lamentable. And then this one “"Even if Butt scored 28 as an opener we'll have to think about him [for the next game] because of his fielding,". Public outcry no no. He has demotivated the opener. And then this one “Kamran Akmal is a senior batsman but he can't somehow take the responsibility. We need a senior guy in the top order who can play the anchor role”. Rustiness and lack of cricket won’t be an excuse to cover their below par performances for long. Another loss and the entire Pakistan team could be renewed including the ouster of selection committee and the PCB management. That’s how it’s always been across the border. For me they were never the side who looked good to go to semis. Why doesn’t Younis Khan go up the order at 3 and anchor the innings. # 5 is bit too low for this man, who is unfortunately the best batsman of the team. Will he take the leads ?

I fancy Ireland beat Bangladesh and Australia beat Sri Lanka.