World Cup Twenty20 Final, India Vs Pakistan

The two neighborhood of South Asian, all time rivals, the young guns of India and Pakistan will square off in the first ICC World Cup Twenty20 final at Johannesburg in South Africa.

After a clinical Pakistan performance saw off the challenge of New Zealand at Cape Town in the first of two semifinals on Saturday, India recorded a stunning victory in Durban against the previously all-conquering Australians.

Less than six months after both sides returned in disgrace from the main World Cup, they now have a perfect opportunity for redemption, albeit with vastly different line-ups since their early departure from the Caribbean.


Rookie Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik and incoming India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have the chance to lift a major trophy after a tournament that has packed in more thrills and close finishes in a fortnight than six weeks in the West Indies.

"India-Pakistan is always a huge competition. It's just like a dream for us," said Yuvraj after smashing 70 off just 30 balls.

On the way to the final, both teams have inflicted humiliating defeats on ODI and Test champions Australia and roared past other favourites like hosts South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

There is no Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly in the Indian line-up nor is Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Yousuf in the Pakistan team. But both sides have discovered new stars on way to the Wanderer's Stadium.

India has a new captain in Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is a refreshing contrast to his predecessors with straight thinking and a focus on the basics of the game.
"I told the boys, 'go out and do your best after which I don't care what happens,'" he said after humbling mighty Australia at Durban last night.

Both India and Pakistan find some real talent players. Dhoni himself, the team India has found new stars on the horizon such as Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa and a thinking bowler in RP Singh, who has joined the ever-aggressive S Sreesanth, comeback kid Irfan Pathan and the veteran Harbhajan Singh to deal mortal blows to the opposition.
Pakistan too has a new captain in Shoaib Malik, who has found match winners in newcomers batsman Misbah-ul-Haq and bowler Tanvir Sohail.

"Both teams are playing with a high level of skill. The Indian batting is so dangerous - and Pakistan are bowling beautifully ... So I can't pick a winner because it's that type of game," Gilchrist said after his side lost to India in the second semifinals last night.

In the end, which of the team runs away with the gleaming trophy will depend on who plays well about three hours of cricket on the day. Both teams are surprise finalists and undoubtedly both will give their best on the final night of a tournament that has caught the fancy of cricket lovers everywhere.

You can expect a healthy rivalry over there (against Pakistan in Johannesburg) and a tough game of cricket. The match India v Pakistan will be live at Sep 24, 12:00 GMT.

TEAMS
INDIA (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Joginder Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Rudra Pratap Singh, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Robin Uthappa.

PAKISTAN (from): Shoaib Malik (captain), Abdur Rehman, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Anjum, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Misbahul Haq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Hafeez, Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Younis Khan.

Yuvraj Singh's Six Sixes in an Over Against England

The most astonishing and sensational Six Sixes in one over made by Yuvraj Singh In the ICC Twenty20 world cup on September 19th against England, bowled by Stuart Broad. He also made the twenty20 world record of fastest fifty(half century) from just twelve (12) deliveries breaking Ashraful's earlier record which was from 20 balls.

Garry Sobers and Ravi Shastri did it in first-class matches, Herschelle Gibbs in the World Cup and now Yuvraj in twenty20.

The Semi Finals of ICC World Cup Twenty20

Two Semi Finals of ICC cricket World Cup Twenty20, South Africa will be held tomorrow. New Zealand And Pakistan will take part in First Semi final at Cape Town - Sep 22, 2007. Match scheduled to begin at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), 5.00pm BD and 5.30 India, Pakistan. The 2nd Semi Final will be at Durban where India and Australia will be face each other. And the Match will be begin at 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT), 10.00 BD and at 10.30 in India and Pakistan.

Earlier Pakistan beat all team in Super eight on their group. SO they will certainly get the mental advantages against NZ. In comparison to New Zealand and Pakistan both have some talent cricketer who can take the match on their way. In New Zealand McMillan and J. Oram are main hard heater and both are already in the top rank of highest sixes made as a individual batsman. So they will be Pakistan's Main target to check the run rate of NZ. If they can get them quickly NZ might be on trouble. And Pakistan already shown their brilliant performance on bowling in earlier match so they will be on top if they can continue that.

On the other hand Pakistan's batting is mainly depend on their middle order batsmen, like: Younus Khan, Shoib Malik, Misbah and Afridi and all are in top form. So New Zealand bowlers have to bowl accurately maintaining good line-length. NZ also have some good bowlers like Bond and vettory both have the ability to take some quick wicket which can change the match result.

In other Semi's inspired from previous match can through challenge to Australia. Yubraj(Rem. made six sixes on six balls) who is in injury he might be ok for this match which will increase their batting strength. In India's batting top order batsmen Ghambir and Sehwag have to start with brilliant knock so that the late order can show their highest performance. On over all India's Bowling is pretty good with good swinging line-length. But have to check extras, which may be their concern.

On the other hand Australia is always on the top gear without their bad day. They have very deep, nice bating strength, any one can take the match on the end leading their team. Hayden might be India's first target who is on top of individual batting average. On their bowling Lee and bracken can do the damage though they have some other good medium, slow medium and spin bowlers with their brilliant fielding all can be dangerous. So both need to be very cautious on all department to beat.

Lastly, Both the match will be highest contrast and exciting and hopefully will be. No way to talk leaving each other!

South Africa Won Against New Zealand By Six Wickets

Winning toss South Africa(SA) invited New Zealand(NZ) to bat first and NZ opener start as ideal as required. But when Morne Morkel cam into attack NZ batsman lost their way. As a result some quick wickets limiting to make runs.

At one stage NZ ware 68/0 after 8 overs. After then M Morkel shows his evidence came as a bowling action. In that over he took two wickets which divert NZ way. And he completed his bowling with a tremendous effort, just 17 runs from his 4 overs with 4 huge wickets. His brother A Morkel and Johan van der Wath saw South Africa storm back to restrict NZ to just 153 for 8 from their 20 overs at Kingsmead.

In NZ innings McMillan again play important role starting a huge six over cover off Vernon Philander. McMillan briefly hinted at a furious late inslaught, taking 24 in Albie Morkel's third over, including a massive six over midwicket. He was unbeaten 48 from sparing just 25 balls. M Morkel could have had the first five-for in twenty20 format but for Billy Doctrove calling no-ball after he had bowled Mark Gillespie.

Justin Kemp of South Africa took the main important part of SA's Inning and took the game on their way. Kemp was unbeaten 89* from 68 balls with six massive sixes. He was declared as Man of The Match fro his tremendous unbeaten knock.

So the point table is same for both SA and NZ. The will have to wait for India to pass through Semi Final.