Ind v Aus T20 Series After High Scoring ODIs

#Ind v #Aus

#T20 Series, Game 1 - #AdelaideOval

After a super high scoring 5 ODI series, (300+ scores in all but one games), the centre-stage now moves to 3 T20 series starting at the Adelaide Oval on 26th Jan 2016.

26th Jan is India's #RepublicDay and #AustraliaDay too! So, its a great occasion for both teams facing off to determine the better T20 team. Given the team's batting strengths, its difficult to pick an outright winner although Aussie bowlers have held their own at crucial stages to snatch games from India during the ODI series. That could still be the deciding factor.

Having said that, the win at #SCG will give India renewed hope and much needed morale to take on the Aussies in their den and tame them as well. 

Both teams are packed with T20 specialists and games can change in matter of couple of overs. Thats how tight and close this one is going to be!

There was talk that #ViratKohli would be picked to lead India ahead of #MSDhoni considering his poor run of form. However, the Sydney win seams to have sealed MS his place as captain. His wobbly 40 in that chase were important too, especially that last over six against Mitch Marsh was very crucial before #ManishPandey sealed the game for them.

Australia will look at #DavidWarner and #GlennMaxwell to power their innings with some big hitting alongside #GeorgeBailey and #SteveSmith. Their Indian counterparts have even more firepower with likes of #RohitSharma, #ViratKohli, #MSDhoni, #SureshRaina and #YuvrajSingh (may be his last hurrah at world cricket stage .. if he fails to grab this opportunity).

#JamesFaulker, #MarkRichardson and #JohnHastings have bowled wonderfully at the death and  pulled things back for Australia in the ODIs. They will look to do the same here. For India, the death bowling remains a huge problem and that could just be the difference in the two sides at the end of it.

All eyes on the #AdelaideOval tomorrow when both teams line up for their respective #NationalAnthems and a cracking T20 game!!

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Part 4 - Top Moments Of The World Cup

From the giants dominating key encounters and moments in cricket matches throughout #CWC15, the minnows weren't going to just fill up the numbers. They were here to compete and showcase their talent and how well they did! Afghanistan's stunning win over Scotland, Ireland's daredevil run in the Pool stages to defeat West Indies and run the other biggies close while Zimbabwe's wonderfully spirited display all throughout got everyone's attention.

However, it was Bangladesh that won every heart when they beat England to knock them out of the cup and enter the knockout stages for the first time in a World Cup ever! They really looked like a team on a mission to achieve the unthinkable that day.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, #Mahmudullah produced a fine century to lay a good foundation and eventually a strong score of 275 for the Banglas.

The score, although good, didn't seem to be big enough to threaten England and their batting depth. England started steadily with Bell scoring well to put England on course. Bangladesh kept of chipping wickets to stay in the hunt.

It was all advantage England when Shakib threw the ball to #RubelHossain in the mid stages.
Rubel obliged by claiming Root and England skipper Morgan in the same over, Even-Steven.

Although Jos Buttler took the attack to Bangladesh, they sensed something special as England kept losing wickets at key moments. Starting with Butler, followed by Taylor and  Jordan.

Needing 15 runs to win in the last over, Shakib again handed over responsibility to Robel. With 8 wickets down, England needed to gamble well. Stuart Broad, who had just come in, was facing while Chris Woakes, well set o 42, was at the non striker'e end. They needed him on strike.

What happens next? CRAAAASH ... Broad's off stick is disturbed by a lovely delivery that held its line. England 9 down. Last man Jame Anderson walks in, pressure writ all over his face! He needs to give strike to Woakes desparately. But Robel had other ideas as he bowls a perfect yorker that squeezes past his bat onto base of middle stump! CRAAASHHHH again! All over

England fall short by 15 runs. Woakes stranded.
Robel and Bangladesh celebrate in frenzy, the Adelaide Oval erupts in joy and a knock-out entry has been achieved! 

Robel, the man of the moment, take a bow!

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CWC15 - Did Rahat Ali Drop The World Cup For Pakistan?

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Picture this!
Pakistan defending a small total of 213 against the might Aussies.
They have started wonderfully in their defence capturing top three wickets cheaply.
Shane Watson, under serious pressure to perform and stay in this Australian side at the crease
#WahabRiaz in midst of an unbelievable seam bowling spell has him ducking, hopping, poking and doing everything but middling the ball with the bat. A lip service in progress. Everyone in Watson's ears. 

Score precariously poised at 83 for 3.
Wahab, having Watson at his mercy, produces a peach of a bouncer that Watson hooks instinctively. 
Gone you think as the bowl soars up high in the air towards long leg and the fielder settles under the bowl. And Ouch ... bowl slips through his butter fingers ... Catch Floored! What a dolly!!!

All the pressure built over the past few overs evaporates. The Pakistanis are gutted and devastated. Reactions from players say it all. Wahab is distraught, Pak skipper Misbah cant believe it happened, Rahat Ali the fielder in question is utterly embarrassed. If he would have it, he would have dug a hole and buried himself. What a miss! A game changer event.

The opportunity missed. And Australia probably looking for that one moment to come back. They got it and went on to complete the run chase successfully. Shane Watson, ironically, remained unbeaten to guide his team through. Kudos to his courage fighting it out there and not throwing it away (he almost did)...

Steve Waugh had famously said to Herschelle Gibbs in the 1999 semifinals after spilling his catch at short midwicket, "You just dropped the World cup son...."

Did Rahat drop the World Cup for Pakistan?
Feel sad for him. He's a very good young bowler and must be groomed, not chastised back in Pakistan. Wahab was quick to support his colleague and did not put blame on him. Its just pressure of the situation, occassion and opposition that leads to events like these! 

If at all, the onus of this defeat rests with Pakistan batsmen completely.
Not only they missed a huge oppootunity to bat first and pile up a score, the way they got out to some really poor shots should hurt them  more.

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CWC15 LIVE - Wahab Heroics In Vain Due To Dropped Catches

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Its was case of two dropped catches as Pakistan tried to defend a low 213 against the mighty Australia at Adelaide.

At 89 for 3 and the match hanging in balance, Wahab was midst of a breathtaking bowling spell that would be the talking point for years to come. He had #Watson hopping, ducking and all over the place. Then he produced a superb bouncer forcing Watson to pull and the ball lobbed to long leg for an easy catch. And ... #Rahat Ali spilled a sitter! This was the moment ... had they grabbed it, the story could have been just a bit different.

Then again at 160 for 4, with #GlennMaxwell just in #Wahab again got him to play one of his inventive shots. The ballooned catch towards third man was dropped by another seamer #SohailKhan this time... a wicket there and Pak could have another crack at the Aussie lower order.

Game set match! No more chances after that. Maxwell and Watson then took the attack to Pak bowlers and crossed the line in style in 33.4 overs.

Australia stumbled for sure but their clinical execution came to fore yet again.
For Pakistan, it was a case of "Ifs and buts", another day four years from now maybe!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 213 all out
Aus: 216 for 4 (33.5 overs)

Man of the Match: #JoshHazlewood

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CWC15 LIVE - Wahab Stings Aussies With Wickets And Words

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

#WahabRiaz has stung the Aussies big time.
He is all over them .. with the ball and a few words too!

Brought one change into bowl, he's changed complexion through incisive pace bowling - speed, bounce, length .. all in one.

First he bounced Warner to hit down third man's throat
Then he bounced the skipper Michael Clarke to pop a simple catch at short leg.
Shane Watson was peppered with bouncers and some lip service, perhaps a taste of his own medicine.

Intensity at the Adelaide Oval has just gone up by 2 levels in the last 3-4 overs.
GAME ON....  

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Aus: 67 for 3, 13 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Steady Start But Openers Gone For Aus vs Pak

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Australia have started confidently in their run chase of 213 vs Pakistan.
These smallish totals can be nervy since it brings out indecision in approach scoring them.
But, the professional Aussies are masters at this.

#AaronFinch had yet another failure, trapped leg-before to #SohailKhan.
Aus 15 for 1

#StevenSmith walked in to join #DavidWarner and they started opening up scoring boundaries.

A bowling change brought about the fall of Warner. #WahabRiaz pitched one short that Warner tried to steer over third man but hit it straight down his throat. #RahatAli taking a very good catch.  

#MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith at the crease now.

Can Pakistan turn it around? or Australia will walk away with the game?

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 213 all out
Aus: 52 for 2, 9 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Clinical Australia Restrict Pakistan to 213

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Pakistan batsmen have dug themselves a hole alright!
But, the clinical efficiency shown by the Australian bowlers and fielders ensured Pak never came back in the game. Everytime a partnership developed, #MichaelClarke found a bowler to snuff it out.

#JoshHazlewood led the attack with 4 wickets followed by #MitchellStarc and #GlennMaxwell with 2 each. #JamesFaulkner and #MitchellJohnson took a wicket each. Wickets shared around, fielding was superb and overall a thoroughly professional performance.

For Pakistan, it was again a case of unknown entity syndrome.
Today they just came into the game trying to belt everything out of the ground and dug a hole for themselves. Eerily similar to how Sri Lanka imploded against South Africa.

Now its on the Pak bowlers to defend 213.
Can they do it? or Australia will just finish this off in a hurry..

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 213 all out, 49.5 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Loose Shots Derail Pak After Steady Batting vs Aus

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

A good consolidation period by #Misbah and #Sohail where they steadied things and put Pak on track to a good score. Then suddenly things changed.

In search of wickets, #Clarke brought in #Maxwell for another over to lure #Misbah to go over midwicket (he had already deposited two sixes off Maxwell earlier). He fell to the bait and could not contain his urge to go for another one and holed out to mid-wicket. Surprising shot considering his experience, stage of the match and considering all hard work was done already to steady the ship.

After this dismissal, it was #HarisSohail who had to take responsibility to bat through having settled down. What does he do? He wafts at a harmless delivery outside off to be caught behind.

The poor shot display didn't stop here. #UmarAkmal came in, played some fabulous shots and then .... pulled a rank long hop from Maxwell down mid-wicket's throat. O dear!

From 97 for 2, they were reduced to 124 for 5 through poor batting.
Australia wont mind this one bit. They haven't looked incisive but theie gambles have paid off thus far. 

Boom Boom Afridi at the crease, made a statement through some lusty hitting. But with him you can always hope he stays there for the next ball. And he didnt. He too pulled one straight to mid-wicket.
158 for 6 now.

#SohaibMaqsood has #WahabRiaz for company. 
Can they take Pak to 250? They need that minimum to give their       

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 158 for 6, 34 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Misbah Living A Charmed Life?

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

After initial setbacks, Pakistan are looking at #Misbah to dig in and bail them out.
And lady luck seems to be smiling on him too...

Playing just his 4th delivery from #Hazlewood, the ball, moving down the legside, caught his thigh pad moved in, clipped the legstump, the bails popped up (both stumps and bails lit up beautifully) and back in the groove! Not out ... (bails need to fall down to count as OUT)

Everyone seemed animated. Australians appealed, umpires explained them the rules, Misbah was sheepishly looking at the whole thing.

Is this the break Pak needed in a huge game?
Only time will tell ... Misbah should think that way and pile on a big innings. Perhaps a century? (missing from his ODI resume)  

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 50 for 2, 12.1 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Quick Wickets Put Australia On Top Early vs Pak

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Quick wickets by their opening seamers #Starc and #Hazlewood have put Australia on top very early in their knockout quarterfinal match vs Pakistan

After a decent start by Pak openers, Starc induced an edge from #Sarfraz to second slip where #Watson took a good low catch.

In the very next over, #Shehzad played away from his body to a swinging Hazlewood delivery edging to Australia skipper #Clarke.

Pak skipper #MisbahUlHaq at the crease with #HarisSohail and they need to consolidate and build a big partnership to compete in this match. The good thing for them is they are batting first which is their strength (bowling at oppositions later in the day works best for them, thats their strength)

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Pak: 28 for 2, 8 overs

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CWC15 LIVE - Pakistan Win Toss, Bat First vs Australia

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Pakistan skipper #MisbahUlHaq has won the toss and elected to bat first on a beautiful Adelaide Oval pitch that should remain good throughout the day. It might seam and swing around early, so Pakistan batsmen need to get their eyes in and look to set up a platform.

Australia skipper wasnt too disappointed at losing the toss.

Pakistan openers #Sarfraz and #Shehzad to start proceedings while #MitchellStarc will open the bowling for Australia.

Let the game begin!!

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CWC15 - Precision Aussies vs Mercurial Pak At Adelaide In a Short While

#Australia vs Pakistan
#Adelaide Oval
20th Mar 2015

Its going to be a battle of the super precision oriented Australia vs the extremely unpredictable Pakistan in their quarterfinal at the #AdelaideOval.

Australia firm favorites to win this game and go all the way as well.
Pakistan batting not clicking at all, their bowlers have done the job with their bowling.

#Australia captain #MichaelClarke will be vary wary of the Pak bowling and needs his batsmen to show discipline and line. Pakistaan need their top order to perform to cause any disruption in the Aussie ranks.

Battle of the left arm seamers
Johnson and Starc for Aus while Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali for Pak.

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CWC15 LIVE - Ireland Bows To Sarfaraz Brilliance - Pak Wins

#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015

Sarafaraz brilliance was the deciding factor between a disciplined Ireland bowling and Pakistan's run chasing uncertainty. He produced a superb innings of showing patience, curbing natural instincts to attack and bat through to take Pakistan home.

However, to sour things he took too much time to get to his century and Umar's blocking to give him opportunity to score his hundred didnt go well with captain Misbah. He was seen waving to the batsmen to get it done! 

Ireland tried their best but their skill limitations were exposed and it looks they need some more time to challenge the full ICC members. but kudos to them for providing such entertainment and fun. They had their moments but this was asking too much off them.

Pool B standings after this result
India - 12 points
South Africa - 8 points
Pakistan - 8 points
West Indies - 6 points

Pakistan will play Australia in the third quarterfinal at Adelaide Oval on 20th Mar 2015.
What a cracker!!!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Ireland: 237 all out
Pakistan: 241 for 3 (46.1 overs) 

Sarfaraz - 101*
Umar Akmal - 20*

Man of the Match: Sarfaraz Ahmed

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CWC15 LIVE - Openers Push Pakistan Towards Quarterfinals

#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015

Pak openers #AhmedShehzad and #SarfarazAhmed have partially snuffed out Irish bowling challenge in their chase of 237.

Both batsmen started slowly but once they had their eyes in, they started dominating the bowling. 
Shehzad, who's been criticized for a lot of dot balls early in his innings putting pressure on others, has been very good so far and upped the ante ahead of Sarfaraz.

He has reached his 50 and now needs to go on to score a century (the first for Pakistan in this world cup). Just goes to show why they aren't performing in the batting dept. Their opening stands haven't been good at all. Thats why, this is so encouraging to see.

Sarfaraz meanwhile has completed his fifty too.
He's curtailed his aggressive instinct to steady down and score responsibly.

#LIVE #SCORE
Pakistan: 115 for No loss (21 overs)
Shehzad - 58*
Sarfaraz - 53*

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CWC15 LIVE - Pak Bowlers Wrest Advantage - Restrict Ireland To 237

#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015

Excellent #death #bowling once again from the #leftie #quick #army of Pakistan have pulled the match away from Ireland. They have restricted Ireland to 237 all out and given their batsmen a very manageable total to chase. Mind you Pakistan don't chase well, so this is going to be very interesting in the evening under floodlights.

For Ireland, skipper #WilliamPorterfield produced a magnificent century (107) but others were not able to support him with cameos as Pak bowlers snuffed them out as soon as they got in to play a big innings.

#WahabRiaz, #RahatAli and #EhsanAdil (the left handed battery) alongside #SohailKhan choked them into submission.

Now, its upto the Pakistan batsmen. Can they deliver and chase this target?
Ireland have to play out of their skin to challenge them.

Its 70-30 advantage Pakistan at half time.

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CWC15 LIVE - Both Pak And Ire Jostling For Upper Hand After 20 Overs

#Pakistan vs #Ireland
15th Mar 2015

Both teams are into a no-holds-barred contest trying to get on top of the other in a do-or-die contest at the picturesque #AdelaideOval to decide 3rd and 4th positions in Pool B.

Just when one team looks to get on top, the other one strikes.

Pakistan started confidently with #EhsanAdil trapped dangerous #PaulStirling leg before but a partnership between #EdJoyce and #WilliamPorterfield pulled it back for Ireland. Then against run of play #WahabRiaz got Joyce to top edge a pull and Pak back in it.

#NiallObrien then joined Porterfield to steady the ship once again with a 30 run partnership and were beginning to steady their sights on a big one. Then again, #RahatAli produced a short one that Obrien push to short midwicket. Game on even keel yet again.

Looks like it is going to be a game like that all through.
Its just a knockout game now. Unless its a tie or abandonment, West Indies seems to have qualified for the next stage.

Its all to play for here in Adelaide though

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
Ireland: 115 for 3 after 25 overs
Poerterfield - 75*
Balbirnie - 9*

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CWC15 LIVE - Ireland Win Toss And Elect To Bat In Crucial Tie vs Pak

#Ireland vs #Pakistan
15th Mar 2015

It couldn't get bigger than this.
Both teams need to win to qualify .. as simple as that ... the knockouts have begun already!

On a fabulous afternoon in #Adelaide, Ireland captain #WilliamPorterfield has won the toss and elected to bat first. A good move considering batting is their bigger strength. They will also be aware that Pak dont chase very well.

Ireland - Same team that played India few days ago.
Pakistan - Two changes - Mohd. Irfan replaced by while #YounisKhan replaced by #HarisSohail

Let the game begin... its all to play for!

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CWC 2015 LIVE - All To Play For, Heading Into Powerplay - Eng v Ban

#Bangladesh v #England

Its anyone's game as we enter the business end of this one day match between Eng and Ban at #CWC15. The #AdelaideOval has produced a cracker of a game and both teams have a great chance to win it.

The question once again is .. WHO WILL BLINK FIRST?

#Cricket LIVE SCORE
England: 163 for 5, 35 overs
#JoeRoot - 29*
#JosButtler - 22*

Both teams seem to be taking the initiative away just as one team begins to threaten. Wonderful to watch these teams go at each other to sneak through to the next stage....

Game ON...

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Knockout Time For England And Bangladesh

#Eng v #Ban,, #AdelaideOval

#Knockouts have arrived earlier than expected for Bangladesh and England in the league stage.
In the decider game today (for the 4th team to go through to quarter finals from Pool A), both teams need to be on top of their game to make the cut.

England have won the toss and elected to field first.
The English seamers (#JamesAnderson and #StuartBroad) vindicated that decision by bowling great lines upfront. Jimmy Anderson picked up two early wickets as well. He first had #ImrulKeyes edge to third slip and followed up with a beauty to #TamimIqbal, edged to first slip. 

At 9 for 2, Bangladesh were wobbling but #SowmyaSarkar and #Mahmadullah have steadied things since. They are now getting a move on with some crisp strokeplay pushing the England bowlers back.

#LIVE #Score
Bangladesh: 78 for 2, 17 overs (Drinks break)
Sarkar - 29*
Mahmadullah - 41*

Game on at the Adelaide Oval.
Who will blink first?

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CWC 2015 - True Cricket Fan - Ind v Pak

Spotted at the #AdelaideOval on 15th Feb 2015

The #TrueCricketFan - wearing a cap having both #Pakistan and #India flags. Salute to your spirit sir!!!

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