‘Tough for sub-continent bowlers’
Melbourne: Having represented Pakistan in five cricket World Cup campaigns, Wasim Akram feels that it will be a challenge for sub-continent bowlers to perform in this edition of the 50-over showpiece event in Australian and New Zealand. Akram, who was instrumental in Pakistan’s 1992 triumph, said that bowlers, especially pacers, should be extra fit to handle the conditions Down Under. “I’m not trying to create any fear, but the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be a big challenge for the bowlers, especially those from the sub-continent,” Akram wrote in his ICC column. “They need to be extra fit to cope up with the pitches in Australia and by that I mean that they will need to have a strong back. The first impact of the tremendous workload is felt by your back and so my advice to all the fast bowlers is to go to Australia a fortnight before the World Cup starts and as part of your training just run, run and run. Once you attain the needed fitness, that’s half the job done,” said the former captain.
India a dangerous side: Hazlewood
Melbourne: Notwithstanding India’s awful form in the run-up to the cricket World Cup, Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood feels the defending champions are a very dangerous side and that it was “just a matter of time” before their batting order clicks. “It’s just a matter of time until their batting order clicks,” Hazlewood told reporters here on Tuesday. “They’ve got some outstanding players and they’ve all got great records. I think it’s just a matter of time before they get going...They’re a very dangerous side,” he said.
Sohail develops calf muscle strain
Karachi: The beleaguered Pakistan team in Australia is facing another injury scare with just days remaining before the start of the World Cup 2015. The latest player to suffer a fitness problem is fast bowler, Sohail Khan who has developed a calf muscle strain after bowling just six overs in the warm up game against Bangladesh. “Doctors have advised him 2 to 3 days rest and he should be okay but we are monitoring him closely,” a team spokesman said.
Junaid still hoping to play in WC
Karachi: Pakistan pacer Junaid Khan, who got married in his hometown of Swabi on Monday, is still hoping to play in the World Cup, despite being ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Junaid said he was making a quick recovery from his injury. “When I was ruled out of the tournament last week I was at 50 percent fitness but the rehabilitation and recovery has been very good after that and presently I am at 70 percent fitness,” he said. “I just want to regain my fitness as soon as possible so that if a chance comes up to play in this World Cup I can be considered as a replacement player,” he said.
Maqsood wants to do an Inzy ‘92
Sydney: Pakistan’s newest batting star Sohaib Maqsood on Tuesday said he hoped to emulate the heroics of Inzamam-ul Haq by playing a key role at the World Cup. Maqsood said he still watched footage on YouTube of Inzamam smashing Pakistan to victory in 1992. “Inzamam was a great player and if I come close to what he did in 1992 I would be a proud man,” said Maqsood. “I grew up watching him as a great batsman,” he added. “I still watch his World Cup knocks on YouTube whenever I get time and it always inspires me to match his knocks. It’s my desire to do what he did in his career, especially in the 1992 World Cup.” In 1992 Inzamam, then 22, blazed a match-turning, 37-ball 60 to help Pakistan beat New Zealand in the semi-finals of the World Cup, also held in Australia and New Zealand.
Ajmal wants win against India
Karachi: Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has said that he was disappointed at not playing the World Cup but he wanted to see Pakistan change history by defeating India in the mega event. “Who doesn’t want to play in a mega event like the World Cup. I feel the same way. But even from here I would love to see our players finally beat India in a World Cup,” Ajmal said on Tuesday. “I have a feeling this time history will change because this Indian team is undergoing lot of problems and don’t appear to have adjusted as yet to conditions in Australia,” Ajmal said.
ICC plays down ‘bat sizes’ talk
Melbourne: ICC says it has no immediate plans to restrict bat sizes after some players objected to suggestions the sport’s governing body would impose limits. ICC chief David Richardson last week forecast the ICC will look at placing restrictions “on the depth of a bat in particular” saying the larger size of modern bats favour batsmen. His statement triggered a backlash from the likes of big-hitting West Indies star Chris Gayle and England captain Eoin Morgan. He labeled the move “ridiculous.” On Tuesday, Richardson said it is too early to know whether any restrictions will be imposed. “We need to consult with the manufacturers, whether any attempts to limit the size and the depth of the bats will be effective.” Bigger and heavier bats have become widespread as limited overs cricket has become more popular, with pressure on batsmen to entertain with huge six shots into the crowds.
De Villiers fit to play warm-up
Christchurch: South Africa skipper AB de Villiers should be fit and ready to face New Zealand in the World Cup warm-up fixture here on Wednesday. De Villiers missed the Proteas’ first warm-up game against Sri lanka after complaining of a stiff right hip. However, South Africa is not worried that the injury would prove to be a cause for concern at the World Cup. “Our medical team examined him and the decision was made not to risk him. His omission was was merely a precautionary measure to ensure he doesn’t suffer any further discomfort,” lerato Malekutu, the team’s spokesperson, was quoted as saying by sport24.co.za.
Afghan to win World Cup: robot
Canterbury: A robot here has predicted that Afghanistan will win the cricket World Cup 2015. Afghanistan are 1000-1 in betting odds to win the tournament and are very much the minnows among the cricketing nations. They are clubbed with Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Sri lanka in Pool A. The prediction was made by University of Canterbury’s robot, named Ikram, after viewing the 14 competing countries’ flags. After narrowing the field down to India, the West Indies, Scotland, New Zealand and Afghanistan, the robot decided that Afghanistan would be champions. Eduardo Sandoval, a University of Canterbury HITlab PhD student, has developed the robot’s prediction software. “Of course, this is very unlikely, but with cricket the outcome can always be unexpected,” Sandoval was quoted as saying by nzherald.co.nz on Tuesday.