Sri Lankan Batsman Upul Tharanga in Deep Trouble for Pistive Dope Test during Cricket World Cup

Upul Tharanga to face ICC Inquiry for Dope Test

COLOMBO - According to ‘Sunday Times’ reports; International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to hold an inquiry into Upul Tharanga being tested positive for using a prohibited stuff during the recent World Cup tournament.

Reportedly, Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Upul Tharanga was tested positive for a prohibited substance, Prednisolone, during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. 

The substance in question is normally used for a wide range of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions such as asthma and the 26-year-old has a history of asthma.

Upul Tharanga has stated already that he used a medicine, containing prohibited drug, prescribed by a famous medical consultant who has treated Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra.

India Wins The World Cup to Lift Fake Trophy - - Original Trophy Under Custody of Customs Department

MUMBAI - - According to reports buzzing around Indian media; the ICC cricket World Cup trophy given to Indian Team was not original.

Reportedly, the trophy given to Indian team by Sharad Powar in the ceremony at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) was without ICC logo and winner’s name.  

The Indian media further reported that the original trophy is in the custody of the Mumbai customs who charged a tax of Rs. 2.2 million on it.

But the ICC decided to give away the bogus trophy to the Indian team after winning the final just to avoid the tax charged by Customs.

The original trophy of the World Cup would be sent back to Dubai today, tournament director Sauro Naik told media.

Video: Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) Family Dancing After World Cup Victory

CHANDIGARH - - Family of Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh couldn't stop themselves from dancing when MS Dhoni struck a six to lift the world cup after long wait of 28 years. 

Must see video of Bhajji's family doing traditional Punjabi dance "Bhangra".

Reportedly, now Bhajji and Yuvi will tie the knots very soon; while Punjab government has announced prize of one crore for Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj SinghYuvraj Singh.

Match Highlights: India v Sri Lanka (WC Final) - - India Become World Champ Second Time in History of Cricket

MUMBAI - ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

India v Sri Lanka (WC Final) - - Match Highlights

At Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on April 02, 2011 

Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni led India to the title after long period of 28 years; especially skipper MS Dhoni played an unforgettable innings of 91 runs off just 79 balls. 

MS Dhoni was named man of the match for the brilliant knock and cool, calm and motivating captaincy. 

Yuvraj Singh was named man of the tournament for his all round performance throughout the mega event.

Watch the exciting moments of the match that will be remembered for long time.

India Emerges as "The New World Champions" Beating Sri Lanka by 6 Wickets

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
India-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh
Feb. 17 -----------  Apr. 02
Compact Match Summary Report
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Match No.			49
Group			Final
Teams		Sri Lanka	v	India
Officials	On-Ground	Simon Taufel (Aus), Aleem Dar (Pak)
	Off-Ground	Ian Gould (Eng)
	Referee	Jeff Crowe (NZ)
Venue		Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
Toss		Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
1st Innings Score		274
			Avg.	5.48
Overs		50
Total Wickets Down		6
1st Best Batsman				Mahela Jayawardene
	Scores	103	*
2nd Best Batsman				Kumar Sangakkara
	Scores	48
1st Top Wicket Taker				Yuvraj Singh
	Wickets	2
2nd Top Wicket Taker				Zaheer Khan
	Wickets	2
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Target		275
			Avg.	5.5
Overs		50
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2nd Innings Score		277
Total Wickets Down		4
			Avg.	5.75
Overs		48.2
1st Best Batsman				Gautam Gambhir
	Scores	97
2nd Best Batsman				MS Dhoni
	Scores	91
1st Top Wicket Taker				Lasith Malinga
	Wickets	2
2nd Top Wicket Taker				Tillakaratne Dilshan
	Wickets	1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Match Result:	India	won by	6	Wickets

India Just 52 Runs Away From the Second Title of 'World Champions'

MUMBAI – India cruising along to the second title of World Champions needing just 52 runs off 54 balls.

Skipper MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir are firm on the crease to lead India to the title.

Gautam Gambhir played a memorable knock and just 3 runs away from his century; while Dhoni leading from the front playing a impressive knock and batting on 60 runs off 61 balls. 

Let’s see what the last nine overs will show us the final result.

After Losing to India Pakistan Team Reached Back Home on Friday Morning

KARACHI – Proud Pakistan cricket team reached Pakistan on Friday morning. They are not proud only being the semi-finalists of the mega event but because of the support they get from the nation even they loss to India in the semi-final.

A large crowd of cricket lovers swelled at Jinnah airport to welcome and to extend congratulations over a great performance displayed by Pakistan cricket team in World Cup.

Some of the cricket fans on the Jinnah Airport talking to media representatives said that they were pleased to see Pakistan cricket team playing like a one unit.

Shahid Afridi, Skipper national cricket team, talking to Geo News said that he was pleased to whole nation from the core of his heart for the tremendous support extended to team during the tournament and even after the loss to India.

Afridi mentioned that their bowling was up to the mark throughout the tournament while Pakistan’s batting failed to click when needed the most.

“We were the only team that forced India to get out at that low total,” he said.

Pak-India Semi-final fever in Faisalabad - - Torch Rally, No load-shedding, Collective Prayers and Big Screens Across the City

FAISALABAD – As no single person in Pakistan is unaware of the importance of the semi-final match between Pakistan and India; a torch rally was arranged in Faisalabad Tuesday night. The rally started from Ketchehry Bazaar and ended in clock-tower square (Ghanta Ghar Chowk) after travelling through all the eight bazaars of city. 

Hundreds of Cricket fans were chanting ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (Long live Pakistan), Jeetay ga bhai jeetay ga Pakistan jeetay ga (the ultimate winner will be Pakistan). They were doing ‘Bhangrra’ (traditional dancing) on the beat of drums. 

In the end a collective prayer ceremony was held and all the participants wished Pakistan ‘Good Luck’. 

Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) is all set to meet the demand of electricity across the country during Pak-India cricket semi final on Wednesday (today).

“There would be no load-shedding during the match hours all over the country,” said PEPCO Director General Muhammad Khalid while talking to media on Tuesday.

“Power plants of Muzaffargarh and Faisalabad will be operational during the semi final,” he further told.

Other than few multiplexes screening live semi-final match between India and Pakistan, quite few big screens have been installed in Faisalabad to watch the high-voltage match collectively to extract the enjoyment at the maximum. Few of the spots to watch the match on big screen are given here:

1.    Tajmaham Cinema, GTS Square Faisalabad

2.    Lasani Park Street, Faisalabad

3.    Regency Plaza Square, Opposite Chenab Club, Faisalabad

4.    Serena Hotel, Faisalabad

ICC World Cup -- Facts That Will Remain Unchanged Irrespective of Remaining Results

MOHALI – Big match between Pakistan and India is just hours away right now and millions of cricket fans in both the countries are already stick to the TV screens praying for their teams’ success. 

The winner will be decided today night; but I got few interesting facts to share with all of you that will remain the same, irrespective of today’s match result. 

·         World Cup will be remained in Asia: Sri Lanka already qualified for final thrown away New Zealand, the last team in the world cup outside Asia, resulting in three teams survived in the world cup and that all from Asia. Therefore, Pakistan wins today or India, the world cup will remain in Asia.

·         Second World Cup Title for Asian Team: All three remaining teams in the World Cup have won the title once in the World Cup history. India won the title back in 1983, Pakistan got the triumph in 1992 and Sri Lanka emerged as world champions in 1996; therefore, whichever team will win the title in 2011 it will be their second world cup title.

·         World Cup in Asia after 15 Years: Last time any Asian team won the World Cup back in 1996; when Sri Lanka emerged as the third team from Asia to grab the title after India and Pakistan. Therefore, whichever team wins in 2011 world cup will return to Asia after 15 long years.

ICC Cricket World Cup (4th Quarterfinal) - - Sri Lanka v England: Live Score Updates

COLOMBO – In the last quarterfinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be played tomorrow (Sat/Mar 26) between co-host Sri Lanka and patchy England at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Sri Lanka finished second in Group ‘A’ while England was placed on third spot in Group ‘B’. Although Sri Lanka are favourites to advance to the next round beating England but the way England managed to get into the quarterfinal; they will never want this chance to be wasted that easily. Individual brilliance is there for England as far as their batting concerns but their bowling let them down quite often in this World Cup. Michael Yardy also left the team in the way and Adil Rashid will probably replace him.  

The match will start on 14:00 PST (14:00 local time, 14:00 IST, 09:00 GMT). As ICC has already announced the match officials, therefore the will be officiated by Billy Doctrove and Simon Taufel will be on-field umpires while Tony Hill and Shavir Tarapore will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively.  

Click here for live streaming of the match.

Live score updates here. 

Both teams will announce their final squads just before the match from the following squads:

England (From): Andrew Strauss(c), Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior(w), Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Ajmal Shahzad, James Tredwell, Luke Wright, Chris Tremlett

Sri Lanka (From): Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(w/c), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Chamara Kapugedera, Thissara Perera

Pakistan v West Indies (1st Quarterfinal) - - Government Announced No Load-shedding During Match

FAISALABAD – Pakistan is going to take on West Indies in the first of the four quarterfinals of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. 

This news may be not anything new for cricket fanatics in the world; but what I’m going to share is surprisingly good news for Pakistani cricket fans. Everyone knows that Pakistan is suffering from electricity shortfall which is resulting into log-hour load shedding from power distribution companies. 

PEPCO (Pakistan Electric Power Company) and KESC (Karachi Electric Supply Company) has announced that there would be no load-shedding during the match between Pakistan and West Indies which will start on 01:30 pm PST. 

The instructions were passed by Syed Naved Qamar, Federal Minister Water & Power, to Mr Rasool Khan (Managing Director PEPCO); while KESC sources has already announced ‘no load-shedding’ news during the match.

Today March 23; there is a public holiday in Pakistan as the nation is observing ‘Youm-ePakistan’, therefore a good chance to enjoy a big match without the disturbance of electricity failure.

India Provided 5,000 Visas to Pakistani Nationals to Watch World Cup Matches

NEW DELHI – ICC Cricket World Cup fervour is touching peaks as the tournament is heading towards quarterfinal stage starting from tomorrow by the Pakistan-West Indies clash at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka.

India has reportedly provided 5000 visas to Pakistani nationals for watching the big matches scheduled ahead in India including the tournament final scheduled on April 2 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

A senior official of Home Ministry told that visas have been given after following well-laid and tough process of security clearances. Further he said, “Most of them have been provided with up to 15-day duration multiple visas to facilitate travel to watch matches in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also.”

Cricket World Cup - ICC Announced Umpiring Panels for Quarterfinals

ICC has announced the panels to officiate the World Cup Quartefinals starting from tomorrow with the clash between Pakistan and West Indies at Dhaka; followed by India-Australia, South Africa-New Zealand, and Sri Lanka-England on March 24, 25 and 26 at Ahmedabad, Dhaka and Colombo respectively. (Follow the quarterfinal schedule here)

The details of match officials announced by ICC are as follows:

1.      Pakistan v West Indies (Wed/March 23) at Dhaka – Bowden and Steve Davis will be on-field umpires while Daryl Harper and Bruce Oxenford will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively.

2.      India v Australia (Thu/March 24) at Ahmedabad – Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould will be on-field umpires while Richard Kettleborough and Asad Rauf will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively. 

3.      New Zealand v South Africa (Fri/March 25) at Dhaka - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker will be on-field umpires while Kumar Dharmasena and Nigel Llong will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively. 

4.  Sri Lanka v England (Sat/March 26) at Colombo - Billy Doctrove and Simon Taufel will be on-field umpires while Tony Hill and Shavir Tarapore will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively.

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup - Top Five High Scoring Batsmen After Conclusion of Group Stage

MUMBAI – Pakistan reached quarterfinals of the ICC Cricket World Cup in great style by winning from defending champions. This victory ended the amazing winning streak of Australia in World Cups spread over almost 12 years.

Pakistan topped the Group ‘A’ with 10 points in six matches. They lost only one match against New Zealand in the group stage; but interestingly none of their batsman is in the list of top five high-scoring batsmen in this world cup.

Here’s the list of the most run scoring batsmen:  

Batsman                    Matches    Runs           Highest       Centuries
============================================
Kumar Sangakkara      6               363               111                 1
Jonathan Trott             6               336              92                    0
Andrew Strauss           6               329              158                  1       
Virender Sehwag         5               327              175                  1
Sachin Tendulkar         6               326              120                  2

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup - Top Five Most Wicket-taking Bowlers After Conclusion of Group Stage

MUMBAI – Although none of the Pakistani batsman is in the list of top five high-scoring batsmen in this world cup; but Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is on the top of the list of most wicket-taking bowlers.

Here’s the list of the most wicket-taking bowlers:  

Bowler              Matches        Wickets     5-Wicket   Economy

========================================

Shahid Afridi               6             17               2               3.55

Zaheer Khan              6             15               0               4.37

Tim Southee               6             14               0               3.98   

Robin Petersen          6              14               0              4.02

Kemar Roach              5             13               1               3.90

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - - Quarterfinal Schedule, Dates and Venues

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Quarterfinal Schedule

March 23 - - March 26

==========================================
Fixture       Venue          Date/Day                     Teams
==========================================
QF-1               Dhaka             Wed - March 23            Pakistan v West Indies
QF-2               Ahmedabad   Thu - March 24             Australia v India
QF-3               Dhaka             Fri - March 25               New Zealand v South Africa
QF-4               Colombo         Sat - March 26               Sri Lanka v England

Can India be out of the World Cup …?? - - Yes (Interesting Analysis)

MUMBAI – Can India be out of the World Cup …??

I think ‘Yes’ it can be but a very low percentage is there for such result. Wondering how! The Group ‘B’match between Bangladesh and South Africa is underway and if Bangladesh beats South Africa and West Indies beats India in tomorrow’s match. 

Both results look quite unlikely but every one knows ‘cricket is by chance’ and if it happens then the Indian fans will regret for the whole of their lives. 

In this situation Net Run Rate will come into play to decide between England and India both will be tied on 7 points. Interestingly another tie between the same opponents after a group match tie. 

For reference see the points table of Group 'B' HERE.

Pakistan Eyeing Top Spot in Group 'A' Beating Australia on Saturday: Shahid Afridi

KANDY – Afridi’s men-in-green succeeded to gain their confidence taking down Zimbabwe by convincing margin of seven wickets. The win is not only a morale booster for Pakistan but it opened their way to quarterfinals of the mega event. 

  

Still few important results to come in this week for Group ‘B’ before four quarterfinalists can be finalized but all four qualifiers from Group ‘A’ are now decided, with Pakistan joining Australia, New Zealand and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the last eight.

Defending champions Australia and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in a keenly-anticipated final group clash in Colombo on Saturday (March 19) with loads of expectations and lots to be at stake.

Australia, the only unbeaten team in this World Cup, were expected to have little trouble overcoming Canada on Wednesday before taking on Pakistan with their sights also set on top spot.

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi is determined to go all out to beat Australia as his team eye the top spot in their World Cup group on Saturday.

'We will definitely play well against Australia. It's a match which we'll take very seriously,' said Afridi.

Sri Lankan Police Arranged Big Screens for Cricket Fans to Enjoy Free Cricket World Cup Matches

COLOMBO - February 25, 2011:  If you are in Colombo and can’t find the ticket for the upcoming clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan; just don’t get frustrated as police chief of the city has arranged to catch the action on a giant screen.

Police chief Mahinda Balasuriya told media yesterday that giant screens all over Colombo will broadcast the match live at no cost to the public.

The screens will be placed at the Galle Face Greens, Parliament Grounds, Nawaloka Ground and P.D. Sirisena Grounds.

Police brass bands, the police chief says, will provide music to add to the atmosphere.

He also urged fans without tickets not to swamp the venue, as all tickets have already been sold out.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan meet on February 26 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the 10th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

ICC World Cup: Summary of The Day With Team Standings in Group A on Feb. 21

AHMEDABAD – Australia came to bat first after winning the toss amid a state of over-cautiousness due to their batting debacle in the two warm-up matches against the spin attack of oppositions, India and South Africa. In a relatively slow started game; Australia managed to accelerate in the death overs with some crazy batting skills from Michael Clarke. Earlier in the innings Shane Watson smashed well-played 79 runs; enough to be claimed as Man of the Match. Eventually they finished 262/6 with some impressive spin bowling by Zimbabweans equally backed by agile fielding in the ground.     

Zimbabwe started off well with Charles Coventry playing a few sweet shots, but once he was trapped by Brett Lee, the Zimbabwean innings fell apart. Mitchell Johnson claimed a few quick wickets and from then on it was always going to be an uphill task and it proved to be in the end. Graeme Cremer played well along with Utseya, but it was only an effort to delay the unavoidable result. After ht e victory Australia have been unbeaten for 30 consecutive World Cup games.

The team standing in Group A, with all teams have played one game each, except Pakistan, New Zealand is on the top with staggering NRR of +7.62, followed by Sri Lanka and Australia. See the detailed Group A team standing in the table Above.