ICC World Cup 2011

**DexteR** · 02-01-2011, 08:14 PM

ICC World Cup 20111 - ICC World Cup 2011

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salam1 - ICC World Cup 2011

Welcome to the SD Cricket World Cup 2011 Central. Here we are going to discuss everything related to the Cricket World Cup 2011 which is to be played in India - Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 12 to April 2, 2011 (Warm-up Matches start Feb 12th, 2011 and Group Matches start Feb 19th, 2011.)

I would like to bring all the news and happenings related to the ICC World Cup. You are also encouraged to share news, your knowledge and insight as we move along.

This Video below will help you know more about the schedule, venues and more about the ICC World Cup.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BSmMNN0BaQ"]ICC World Cup 2011[/ame]

**Sadaf Gondal** · 15-02-2011, 08:25 PM

Pakistan set 286-run target for Bangladesh

MIRPUR, Bangladesh: Brilliant centuries by opener Ahmed Shahzad and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq helped Pakistan to set a difficult target of 286 for hosts Bangladesh in their warm-up match here on Tuesday.

Pakistan piled up 285 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat on the slow wicket of the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shahzad provided a good start making 42 runs before Hafeez was dismissed for 21.

Later, Pakistan lost two more wickets for 16 runs as experienced batsmen Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan fell out cheaply.

Then, Shahzad was joined by vice-captain Misbah and both steered Pakistan to 210 before Shahzad departed. Both added 152 runs for the fourth wicket.

Ahmed Shahzad made 103 off 122 balls with nine fours and a six.

Misbah-ul-Haq also completed his hundred from 99 balls. He smashed four sixes and eight boundaries.

After the two centurions got out no other batsman could make any significant score.

For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain were the most successful bowlers taking three wickets each.

**Sadaf Gondal** · 15-02-2011, 08:26 PM

Clarke ready to lead Oz against spin
BANGALORE: Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has said he will have to lead the batting attack against the formidable spin of hosts India and Sri Lanka if Australia want to do well at the 2011 World Cup.
Clarke’s reluctance to dominate fast bowlers has been criticised, but the right-hander is Australia’s best hope against slow bowling.
The Australian vice-captain predicted slow bowling would be a weapon for teams throughout the upcoming tournament.
“I think the wickets will be quite slow and spin a bit, similar to what they were in the West Indies (in the 2007 World Cup). One of the good things about playing in the sub-continent is that so many guys have had experience here. With the IPL and the Champions League, plenty of guys have had opportunities to play in these conditions,” Clarke said.

**Sadaf Gondal** · 15-02-2011, 08:27 PM

Dhoni dismisses suggestions India are not ready
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CHENNAI: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday backtracked on his comments that the Indian team are "not ready" in the lead-up to the World Cup due to the
jam-packed calendar.

Dhoni had warned that India's preparation had been hit by the rigors of constantly switching between tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches in the run-up to the Feb 19-April 2 World Cup but just 24-hours later, he made a u-turn.

"It was not fatigue at all. It is the mental preparation level... to be in the same scenario... to be 100 per cent for a (warm-up) game," Dhoni told reporters ahead of India's warm-up
match against New Zealand on Wednesday.

"We are more used to preparing for an (official) game 100 per cent and all of a sudden you have to prepare for a warm-up game which I have not played many, right from the start of my career from school cricket or district (level).

"It was a different scenario and you have to prepare differently. That was the only difference and it had nothing to do with fatigue."

Dhoni has been universally criticised for his comments made after India beat Australia by 38 runs on Sunday, with some TV channels even running headlines suggesting "India not motivated for the World Cup."

The Indian batsmen, barring Virender Sehwag and Yusuf Pathan, failed to get going on Sunday against Australia, and the team needed a special effort from the spinners to carve out an unlikely victory.

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**Sadaf Gondal** · 15-02-2011, 08:28 PM

England out to make history: Prior
DHAKA: Matt Prior said on Monday that a buoyant England were using their barren run at the World Cup as a major motivation for glory this time around.
In spite of being one of the game’s major forces, England are yet to win cricket’s showpiece tournament — although they did manage to reach the final in 1979, 1987 and 1992.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Prior said England’s rediscovered confidence stemmed from their World Twenty20 triumph last year and the drubbing of Australia in the Ashes series Down Under after a gap of 24 years.

**Sadaf Gondal** · 15-02-2011, 08:32 PM

Pakistan beat BD by 88 runs in warm up match

**Sadaf Gondal** · 15-02-2011, 08:58 PM

Pakistan win by 88 runs against Bangladesh
MIRPUR: Centuries by opener Ahmed Shahzad and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq helped Pakistan to win their first warm up match against one of the World Cup 2011 hosts Bangladesh by 88 runs.

Earlier, Pakistan piled up 285 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat on the slow wicket of the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shahzad provided a good start making 42 runs before Hafeez was dismissed for 21.

Later, Pakistan lost two more wickets for 16 runs as experienced batsmen Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan fell out cheaply.

Then, Shahzad was joined by vice-captain Misbah and both steered Pakistan to 210 before Shahzad departed. Both added 152 runs for the fourth wicket.

Ahmed Shahzad made 103 off 122 balls with nine fours and a six.

Misbah-ul-Haq also completed his hundred from 99 balls. He smashed four sixes and eight boundaries.

After the two centurions got out no other batsman could make any significant score.

For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain were the most successful bowlers taking three wickets each.