Afridi power steesr Pak to win against Canada

COLOMBO: Shahid Afridi made up for Pakistan's ragged performance with the bat by collecting his second five-wicket haul of the World Cup as the 1992 champions beat Canada by 46 runs on Thursday.

Canada looked as if they could produce the second shock of the tournament when they skittled Pakistan for 184 in just 43 overs and followed it up with some sensible batting from Zubin Surkari (27) and Jimmy Hansra to reach 104 for three.

But once leg-spinner Afridi (5-23) bowled Hansra for 43, the Canadians lost their way and were all out for 138, handing Pakistan their third successive win in Group A.

Ireland beat England in Group B on Wednesday to create the first upset of this year's event
COLOMBO: Shahid Afridi made up for Pakistan's ragged performance with the bat by collecting his second five-wicket haul of the World Cup as the 1992 champions beat Canada by 46 runs on Thursday.

Canada looked as if they could produce the second shock of the tournament when they skittled Pakistan for 184 in just 43 overs and followed it up with some sensible batting from Zubin Surkari (27) and Jimmy Hansra to reach 104 for three.

But once leg-spinner Afridi (5-23) bowled Hansra for 43, the Canadians lost their way and were all out for 138, handing Pakistan their third successive win in Group A.

Ireland beat England in Group B on Wednesday to create the first upset of this year's event

Pakistan won by 11 runs against Srilanka Pakistan 277/7 (50 ov) Sri Lanka 266/9 (50.0 ov) Congratulations to everyone !!! .

COLOMBO: Pakistan after a tough fight defeated Sri Lanka by 11 runs in a crucial Group A clash in the ICC World Cup here at the Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 278, Sri Lanka could make 266-9 runs despite a solid opening stand of 76 runs and later a 71-run fifth wicket partnership.

First, openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga provided a foundation before Sri Lanka lost four quick wickets for 20 runs, reeling at 96 for four.

Congratulations to Shahid Afridi ♥ for his 300 wickets.

Aussies record easy win against Kiwis

NAGPUR: Defending champions Australia overpowered New Zealand by seven wickets for a 25th straight World Cup victory in a dominant display here at the Vidarbha Cricket Ground on Friday.

Australia's fast bowlers, with Mitchell Johnson taking four wickets, led the way as New Zealand were bowled out for just 206 with nearly five overs of their innings left.

Left-armer Johnson finished with four for 33 and Shaun Tait three for 35.

That New Zealand even had the remotest chance was down to a battling fifty from Nathan McCullum and skipper Daniel Vettori's 44 with the duo combining well in an eighth-wicket stand of 54.

The Black Caps had earlier been in dire straits after their top order collapsed to 73 for six against the quicks from 66 for two.

Australia finished on 207 for three with a mammoth 16 overs to spare with Michael Clarke (24) and Cameron White (22) the not out batsmen as Australia also won the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Australia openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were rarely troubled during a century first-wicket stand.

However, Watson, on 10, did successfully challenge an lbw appeal from seamer Tim Southee, originally upheld by Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena, after replays showed the ball would have missed leg-stump.

Haddin, a fluent strokemaker, brought up his fifty in 39 balls with eight fours while Watson went to the landmark in 52 balls including a six off a Nathan McCullum off-break.

New Zealand's day appeared to be summed up when substitute Kane Williamson, at deep mid-wicket, dropped Watson on 59 off left-arm spinner Vettori.

But the Black Caps gave themselves a glimmer of hope when 133 without loss became 136 for two when fast bowler Hamish Bennett removed both openers in the space of three balls in the 19th over.

Haddin (55) hooked a looping bouncer to James Franklin and then Watson (62) inside-edged an intended square-cut onto his stumps.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting meanwhile could only manage 12 before he was brilliantly stumped down the legside by Brendon McCullum off Southee.

In a match played out against the backdrop of the Christchurch earthquake, Ponting won the toss and chose to field in overcast conditions.

Tait, following the economical Brett Lee, was erratic but removed dangerman Brendon McCullum for 16 when an attempted carve over the covers flew straight to Jason Krejza at third man.

Jesse Ryder hit six forceful fours but Johnson took two wickets in four balls in the 14th over to have the left-hander and Franklin edging to wicketkeeper Haddin as they both pushed limply at good length deliveries.

Tait then had Scott Styris caught behind for a duck and yorked Ross Taylor, who struggled to make seven off 22 balls.

One concern for Australia coming out of this match though would have been the way Nathan McCullum milked rival spinners Krejza and Steven Smith -- whose combined 18 overs yielded just one wicket for 91 runs.

Nathan McCullum top-scored for the Kiwis, completing a 72-ball fifty including three fours before he was lbw to Johnson for 52.

Pakistan zindabad .. JEET KeY GEoO!!

Congratulations!! Pakistan won the match by 205 runs against Kenya.

Sri Lanka eye return to Pakistan

HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan's cricketing isolation could end in October if Sri Lanka, who were targeted in a deadly terror attack in Lahore two years ago, agree to tour the troubled country.

Sri Lankan officials said Wednesday they were in talks with the International Cricket Council's Pakistan Task Team (PTT) to explore the possibilities.

"We are still discussing the option with the ICC and with all the other board members," said Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Somachandra de Silva.

"There are still some security concerns in Pakistan but if things improve, and Pakistan is a brotherly nation, we can consider it - all depends on the ICC's clearance," De Silva said.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour Pakistan in October this year under the Future Tests Programme.

According to reports in the Pakistani media, the governments of both countries are already in talks to hold the series in Pakistan.

The attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus on March 9, 2009, killed eight people and injured seven Sri Lankan players as well as their assistant coach, leading to the suspension of all international cricket in Pakistan.

Barely a month later, the ICC stripped Pakistan of its share of World Cup matches, forcing the team to play all their Group A matches in Sri Lanka, co-hosts with India and Bangladesh.

The suspension also meant Pakistan have been forced to play their home series in the United Arab Emirates, England and New Zealand for the last two years.

The ICC formed the Pakistan Task Team (PTT) with England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke to find ways of reviving international cricket in Pakistan and to help improve the disciplinary situation.

Even before the Lahore attacks, Pakistan was a no-go area for international teams because of security fears sparked in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the United States which sparked a "war against terror" in and around the country.

Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forcing Pakistan to play their home series in Sri Lanka and Sharjah in 2002 and in England last year.

Pakistan was also stripped of the right to host the 2008 Champions Trophy after Australia, South Africa and England refused to tour, forcing the ICC to move the tournament to South Africa, held in 2009.

Meanwhile, De Silva said he hoped Hambantota will become a major cricket venue in Sri Lanka.

"It was only Colombo for the last two decades, but with Hambantota coming up for the World Cup matches we have brought cricket to the poor people and we will develop this," said the 68-year-old former Sri Lanka international.

De Silva said the stadium - which became one-day cricket's 177th venue when Sri Lanka played Canada on Sunday - will also host a Test against Australia.

"We have decided to stage a Test in Hambantota against Australia when they tour in July this year and also one or two one-dayers in the same series. There is an option of staging World Twenty20 matches next year," said De Silva.

Sri Lanka will host the fourth edition of World Twenty20 next year. (AFP)