Story Pakistan:- Agony & Ecstasy - ICC World T20 2009 [Day 5, Game 7]

[BKB1991]

SA in command and outstanding bowling from Parnell

 

[Pakistani Army]

ICC World Twenty20 2009
Game 5: Scotland vs South Africa Live from The Brit Oval
7th June, 2009​

Smith & Kallis breeze past Scots​

A half-century from the captain Graeme Smith, followed by an unbeaten *48 from all-rounder Jacques Kallis ensured that the South Africans went past the 131 required in just 17.2 overs.

The Scots had gone out early during the interval to sharpen up some bowling and fielding. However when captain Graeme Smith and Herchelle Gibbs strode out onto the middle, the Scots looked a fraction nervous. The new ball was given to MacLeod, a young right-arm seamer who you could tell was nervous. As the umpire called "play" a miniture roar went about the ground as MacLeod delivered his opening ball which was left outside off-stump by Smith.

The South African run-chase got off to its usual biligerent and aggressive start with Smith showing no mercy on Gordon Drummond. Whereas at the Pavilion End, MacLeod's 2 overs had gone for only 2 runs! Gibbs was struggling a fraction with the late movement away and was beaten twice on consecutive deliveries. With the pressure building, Gibbs attempted to go on the offensive against Drummond whos opening over had gone for 10 runs courtesy of Graeme Smith. With MacLeod at fine leg, Drummond bowled a bouncer which ended up being the ideal height. The ball was racing down to fine leg with Drummond and captain Gavin Hamilton looking on. MacLeod steadied himself and took an easy catch which saw the end of Gibbs' painstaking 6 off 12 balls with the South Africans 19/1 after 4 overs.

Jacques Kallis joined his captain looking calm as a cucumber. It was this match-winning partnership which was to prove costly for Scotland. Smith continued his onslaught on some wayward Scottish bowling and kept picking the gap with ultimate ease as he raced to 40 off 32 deliveries before Kallis had started going. Kallis however was playing his natural game, taking his time going at just over a run a ball. This was due to some great variations from off-spinner Majid Haq who was getting some turn off the pitch.

Scotland did have a chance to remove the captain when he was on 45. With only 3-4 runs coming off Majid Haq per over, Smith attempted to reach his half-century in style by hitting a maximum. Majid Haq knew this and as he came into his delivery stride, he delivered a flatter and quicker delivery. Smith had already charged down the wicket and in a wild attempt to get contact with the ball he reached as far as he could go. Keeper Colin Smith was unaware of the fact that the ball was coming to him and thus had not anticipated it. A fumble allowed Graeme Smith to dive back in his crease as an furious Majid Haq looked on. To add insult to unjury, it was also called a wide.

After getting onto 46, Jacques Kallis was now facing medium-pacer Johan Stander. It was here that he showed what a class player he really is dispatching the half-volleys for elegant boundaries aswell as using his feet against Majid Haq attempting to get to the pitch of the ball. Smith did reach his half-century by pushing Kallis to come back for the second run. It had been a well played knock. With 31 runs required off just a run a ball, Smith finally fell for 59.

The final ball of Johan Stander's expensive spell did yield a wicket. As Stander charged to the wicket, he shielded the ball as if to say it was going to be a slower ball. Smith was oblivious to this. Stander rolled his wrist over the ball how a leg-spinner would. Smith attempted to heave the ball over backward square leg to attain a boundary. However, the cutter had caused him to play against the spin and thus there was a leading edge which caused the ball to go high into the sky. However since it was a top-edge there was not much force put onto the ball and Neil McCallum at extra cover took an easy catch which ended Smith's attacking innings of 59 off 48 balls aswell as Smith & Kallis's 85 run partnership.

This wicket brought AB de Villiers to the wicket with 31 runs required off 30 deliveries, a relatively easy task. de Villiers came all guns blazing as he smashed Ryan Watson for a 4 and a huge six down long-off before letting Kallis take the strike for the next over. With 11 runs required now, and Kallis on 38, he didnt let captain Gavin Hamilton settle. Hamilton's opening delivery was dispatched away for 4 by Kallis. And to add insult to injury, the second ball was called a height no-ball as Kallis took a single. de Villiers then loosened his arms and swung over mid-wicket for his second six to end on *16 not out off just 7 balls. Jacques Kallis on the other hand made a typically elegant knock of *48 not out off 37 balls.

South African Batting Card

Scotland Bowling Card

This defeat for Scotland means that they will rely on the South Africans to beat the New Zealanders. If New Zealand suceed in beating the South Africans, then both New Zealand and South Africa will be through to the super eights stage and thus Scotlandwill be eliminated. However, if South Africa manage to beat New Zealand then the Net Run Rate (NRR) will determine weather New Zealand or Scotland will progress to the Super Eights. It is official though, South Africa are the first team through to the Super Eights.

Join us in approximatly 2 hours where we will have Game 6 of this ICC World Twenty20 tournament with the hosts England playing Pakistan. England need to win today if they want to progress through to the Super Eights. Will they suceed? Find out only on ESPN Star Sports!

 

[ZoraxDoom]

How you could stand to put so much effort into presenting such a dull match, I don't know.

Well done.

 

[Ollie_H]

A yellow ball and an interesting bat for kallis? Haha nice work mate, this doesn't get the comments it deserves! A very good story.

 

[BKB1991]

Responsible batting by the Saffers. Kallis and Smith took them home with ease. The Scottish didnt really have a chance tbh

 

[treva]

That a tennis ball Arslaan?

Comfortable win for South Africa as expected. Nice knocks from Smith and Kallis.

 

[Ollie_H]

That a tennis ball Arslaan?

Comfortable win for South Africa as expected. Nice knocks from Smith and Kallis.

Giving it a new meaning to 'tennis ball bounce'

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Kallis was brilliant in all aspects, time to drop Gibbs next match between Saffers vs Kiwis will be a lot of fun. Can the scots make into the next round Go Vettori :banana2 nice story and great presentation AC

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Easy win for the Saffers there, 135/2 was never gonna be difficult against the Scots but goood play by Smith and Kallis. Gibbs needs a bit rest now.

 

[rahuldravidfan]

Great work with the story. Like the presentation style

 

[Gaurav_7]

Saffers were too hot to handle there for Scottish boys.Presentation is top-notch.

 

[Dragon Fire]

Looks like a really good story - loving the presentation.

 

[Pakistani Army]

ICC World Twenty20 2009
Game 6: England vs Pakistan Preview
8th June, 2009​

England know the odds at stake​

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It was only 3 days ago that a below par England were handsomely beaten by an inspired Dutch team under the floodlights at Lords. Now, captain Paul Collingwood is in a sticky predicament. Win by a "decent" margin against an unpredictable Pakistan side and wait for the result of the final game of the group. Needless to say, it is a touch and go situation.
Pakistan on the other hand, are about to begin their T20 campaign with today's game. Despite England being under extreme pressure in order to secure a Super Eights spot, Pakistan will know that England will inevitably be coming hard at them, after all it is win or lose.

We were definitely below par against the Dutch the other night and now we need to up our game against a tough Pakistan unit. The boys have been training hard in preparation for this game, and we know that we do have some match-winners in Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann who will need to be at their level best in today's encounter.

"We do have some match-winners in Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann"​

Pakistan Captain Younus Khan was very relaxed in regard to his team's opening fixture of this competition when he spoke to the press.

Ya, we know that England are in a pressure situation and I think it will dampen the effect of such a huge game for our youngsters in our squad. We know that Twenty20 is probably our strength out of all the formats, so we can afford to take it easy and can be far more relaxed

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"We can be far more relaxed"
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The pitch is likely to be hard with some moisture deposited from the New Zealand vs Scotland game which led to being Abandoned. It is likely that there will be some seam movement aswell as additional pace and bounce for the pace bowlers whilst the ball is new. The amount of spin is not expected to be much in the first innings, however as the pitch deteriorates, then during the second innings the ball may start to hold up aswell as spin. For England, they will want to balance the two out. Bat first and face up to the young-gun Mohammed Aamer and Umar Gul, or bat second and face the dangerous spin combination of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi. In addition, the most heartening fact for both sides is that it is expected to be fairly Sunny with minimal clouds. Therefore, a full day's play can be expected. The following are the predicted line-ups for both the teams:-

England:- 1) +Foster 2) Denly 3) Pietersen 4) Bell 5) Morgan 6) *Collingwood 7) L Wright 8) Mascarenhas 9) Swann 10) Broad 11) Tremlett

Pakistan:- 1) Ahmed Shehzad 2) +Kamran Akmal 3) *Younus Khan 4) Shoaib Malik 5) Misbah-ul-Haq 6) Shahid Afridi 7) Fawad Alam 8) Abdul Razzaq 9) Sohail Tanvir 10) Umar Gul 11) Saeed Ajmal

That is all for now folks! Join us in a couple of hours time, where we will be LIVE with the action from The Brit Oval. Stay tuned to ESPN Star Sports!​

 

[Pakistani Army]

ICC World Twenty20 2009
Game 6: England vs Pakistan
LIVE! From the Brit Oval
8th June, 2009​

ESPN - Sky Sports Pre-Match Chat​

Hello and Good Afternoon to all our viewers around the globe. We are here again at The Brit Oval for a fascinating game on our hands. It is England and Pakistan who will be facing each other in this very crucial group game. This will be Pakistan's opening game in the tournament and would certainly like to get off to a winning start. On the other hand, we have an England side in deep trouble as they MUST win today's encounter in order to stay in the competition. Joining me today in the studio is England's own David Lloyd and Nasser Hussain. Good Afternoon gentleman.

Good Afternoon Harsha. Well we know about England and how they like to spring up surprises. It is needless to say that this is again one of them! But in the opening game at Lord's, they were thoroughly outclassed by a spirited Netherlands side. I feel England were too laid-back in their approach and that is something that they can not afford to do today against a tough Pakistan unit.

Definitely. They played some superb cricket in the inaugural tournament two years ago to reach the final so they will have a lot of confidence heading into this tournament. Who do you think the England players need to watch out for Nasser?

Pakistan are a tough unit. Despite what has gone on and off the field they still remain a fearful opposition in this format of the game. I think England will have to watch out for the leading wicket-taker in this format, Umar Gul late in the innings when the ball starts to reverse after fifteen overs. That, and his accuracy. If England are left chasing, they do not want to be leaving anymore than eight runs to attain off the last over, chances are they are not going to get it.

What about Shahid Afridi? Would you say his batting has deteriorated some what?

It goes without saying over the last two years, his batting has had a downward turn. However, as a bowler he has become a lot smarter and I feel he is one guy that is going to trouble he English batsman because he skids on to you. As a batsman, you must play him with a straight bat. If you go on the back-foot or go across the line it immediately brings LBW into question aswell as the possibly of being cleaned up.

And Nasser, what about England? Who do you feel is their dangerman?

To be honest with you Harsha, there is not a significant figure of the English side that can strike fear in the Pakistan line-up. If anyone, Kevin Pietersen as we know when he is on-song, he can destroy attacks to all parts of the cricket ground. Pakistan will have done their homework on him though. He tends to drift towards the off-side and "clip" the ball towards the leg-side. In saying that, Pakistan may well set an off-side field to him. It all depends on the initial ten or fifteen balls he faces. If he gets flustered, then he will throw his wicket away in a rash shot. If he battles and grinds it out then he may well attack later in the innings. Today he MUST be on form if England are going to stand a chance of winning.

Ok, let's leave it there for the time being. Right now we will join Ravi Shastri who is down alongside the pitch for the pitch report.

Pitch Report - With Ravi Shastri​

Thank you Harsha. This pitch is a mixed pitch. It has the attributes of both a Green and Hard pitch. The previous day's rain has caused some moisture to build just above the surface. This will cause the ball to move when the ball is new. However, there is something in for the batsman aswell. The pitch also looks fairly Hard and therefore the ball will come on to the bat nicely. As the second innings begins, small cracks will start to form as the moisture disintegrates. Therefore, England will have to wary of batting second as Afridi and Ajmal will be difficult to put away later in the game. Overall, it looks like 145-150 runs will be a par score here as the use of the floodlights will also have to be considered. If I was to win the toss, I would bat first.

Central view of the pitch

Aerial view of the pitch​

Thank you Ravi for that detailed pitch report. We will now take a short break, and when we return we will have the toss in the middle. LIVE! Only on ESPN Star Sports.

 

[The Rock]

So Pakistan will surely like to win the toss and bat first on this amazing batting turf! Nice write up there. Good presentation too. KIU and GL!