Win over Afghanistan was good but not great: Dhoni

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that India were far from impressive in the 23-run win over minnows Afghanistan in their ICC World Twenty20 opener here today, terming their performance as "good but not great".

Put into bat, it was man-of-the-match Virat Kohli's half-century and an useful contribution of 38 from Suresh Raina which helped India reach a decent target of 159 for five in 20 overs. In reply, Afghanistan batsmen showed patches of brilliance in their strokemaking but their sheer inexperience saw them get all out for 136 in 19.3 overs.

"This format balances both teams, if one of the opposition batsman or bowler have a great day, it could change the result. A good performance but not a great performance from us," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.

"There are a lot of areas we have to improve on to be honest. People talk a lot about five bowlers, but what matters is on the day how they bowl, whether they are a part-timer or a specialist," he added.

Man-of-the-match Kohli, who scored a 39-ball 50, was happy to start their campaign on a positive note what if the win was not impressive. "Always good to get a start, good to start on a winning note," he said.

"It's always tough to play against a team with nothing to lose. They were in a situation where they could try a lot of things, we had to be more careful." Afghanistan skipper Nawroz Mangal was satisfied with the performance of his team against India, but was slightly disappointed with the shot selection of his batsmen and effort on the field.

"It was a good game for the boys, we could have done better, shot selection was a bit poor, that was why we have lost the game," he said.

"We could have done better in the field, but we are satisfied we restricted the mighty Indian batting to 160," Mangal added.

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India beat Afghanistan by 23 runs

Virat Kohli scored a 39-ball half century to help India beat Afghanistan by 23 runs in their opening Group A match at the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday.


In-form and reliable Kohli, along with Suresh Raina, helped India post a score of 159, sharing a 46-run fourth wicket stand off just 33 balls.

In Image: India's batsman Virat Kohli, right, plays a shot as Afghanistan's wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad looks on

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Australia starts T20 WC with a bang

Shane Watson's allround performance powered Australia to an easy seven-wicket victory over Ireland in their opening Group B match of the Twenty20 World Cup on Wednesday.


Opening the bowling, Watson claimed three wickets for 26 and returned to hammer a 30-ball 51 as Australia chased down the 124-run victory target with 29 balls to spare.

In Image: Australia's batsman Shane Watson, left, acknowledges the crowd after scoring a half century next to teammate Michael Hussey

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Javed Miandad to Motivate Pakistani Players

Former Pakistani cricket star, Javed Miandad has landed in Sri Lanka to uplift the morale of the Pakistani team.

“My main task is to go there and try to motivate the players and raise their confidence. If any player is having any technical issues he can come to me for advice.” Javed Miandad said.

Officials made it very clear the he is not going as a coach but as a person who will take care of the mood in the dressing room and will return back to Pakistan before 18th September.

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Be ready to watch Mendis Magic

Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis is all set to trouble the batsmen with all five of his bowling variations in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.

Mendis who got the fame as the mystery bowler due to his “Carrom ball” was out of action for more than 9 months but now he is all set to take the field and show all of his bowling variations.

Mendis holds the record of best figure of 6/16 in 4 overs against Australia in a t20 game and Sri Lanka will be relying on his performance to realize the dream of World Cup win.

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No New Jerseys for Indian Players

Even after showing the latest T20 jerseys few days back, Indian players will have to wear the same old jerseys in which they won the 50-over World Cup. The decision was taken by BCCI so that good luck favors team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2012.

“It’s our decision to ask the players to wear the jersey which they had used during the 2011 World Cup,” Indian cricket board official Ratnakar Shetty told the the Times of India newspaper.

Earlier Indian captain MS Dhoni has praised the new T20 jerseys and said it will help people differentiate between 50-50 overs and 20-20 overs games.

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Akmal snatches victory for Pakistan

Kamran Akmal’s speedy 92 gave Pakistan a five-wicket win over India in a practice game for the World Twenty20 2012 in Colombo. The result had a bit of history associated to it: it is Pakistan’s first win over their arch rivals at a World Cup-level event.

Akmal’s superlative knock in 50 balls and his 95-run partnership with Shoaib Malik saw Pakistan through after Ravichandran Ashwin had scythed their top-order picking up 4-23 with some clever variations.

Earlier, India had made an impressive 185-3. Virat Kohli continued with his rich form in making 75, but Rohit Sharma’s 56 was the more pleasing aspect for India, given his recent horror run in the ODIs in Sri Lanka. 

Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji disappointed, going for a total of 120 runs in under 12 overs combined without a wicket – figures which cost India the game. Ashwin was the only India bowler today to concede less than 10 an over. 

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Darren Bravo Back in West Indies T20 World Cup Squad

West Indies explosive batsman Darren Bravo was included in the 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka to be held in September.

Apart from Bravo, Andre Russell and Leg-spinner Samuel Badree are the other players which have been included in the team.

West Indies T20 World Cup 2012 Squad – Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin and Dwayne Smith.

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Two New Faces in Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Squad

Unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis was recalled for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in Sri Lanka from September 18, 2012. The 15 member team will include two new faces, 19-year-old off-spinner Akhila Dhananjaya and Dilshan Munaweera.

Akhila Dhananjaya was rewarded with the position in team after his impressive performance in the ongoing Sri Lanka Premier League Twenty20 competition.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilshan Munaweera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga, Dinesh Chandimal and Akhila Dhananjaya.

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Kevin Pietersen omitted from T20 Squad

Stylish England Star Kevin Pietersen is out of England’s Twenty20 squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka next month. The career of Pietersen looks almost over after he admitted sending provocative text messages.

“He played superbly in our last Twenty20 World Cup, but the circumstances that exist at the moment mean that he can’t be selected for us,” England team director Andy Flower told Sky Sports television.

In 2010, Pietersen was awarded the player of the tournament and it was due to his superb performance, England won the T20 World Cup 2010. This time around, he will surely be missed.

England Twenty20 Squad for World Cup 2012: Stuart Broad (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ravi Bopara, Danny Briggs, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Tim Bresnan, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Steven Finn, Graeme Swann, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel and Luke Wright.

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Broadcasters of T20 World Cup 2012

You can enjoy the T20 world cup 2012 on following channels depending on your geographical location

STAR Cricket – India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan and Papua New Guinea.

Doordarshan – Doordarshan will be showing all India’s matches and then semi-final and final.

ESPN 3 – For audiences in US and the Caribbean.

Skysports For audiences in UK.

Foxsports – For audiences in Australia.

America One – Audiences in US and Canada can see only Highlights on this channel.

Star Hub – For audiences in Singapore.

PTV – For audiences in Pakistan.

Astro – For audiences in Malaysia.

PCCW – For audiences in Hong Kong.

Rogers Sportsnet – For audiences in Canada.

Setanta Ireland – For audiences in Republic of Ireland.

RTE – Audiences in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can see only Highlights on this channel.

Lemar TV – For audiences in Afghanistan. Will broadcast all the Qualifiers in Pashto.

Quipu TV – For audiences in Scotland. Will broadcast 14 group matches

Apart from that, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) will provide ball-to-ball commentary in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

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ICC Grants US$2.5million to Sri Lanka for T20 World Cup

Sri Lankan Cricket has received US$2.5million grant from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2012. ICC has given this amount to help Sri Lankan board to upgrade the stadium facilities.
“The required equipment includes new pitch covers, and supersoppers and rollers, which had been transported in between venues during previous tournaments but cannot be moved from place to place during the World Twenty20 due to the hectic match schedule. We want to make each venue self-sufficient.”SLC treasurer Nuski Mohamed said.

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T20 World Cup 2012 Teams Squad

Following are the final 15 member teams which will fight for ICC T20 World Cup 2012. Few teams have still not declared their final 15 and this will be updated once we get the required information.

Group A

Indian Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Laxmipathy Balaji, Ashok Dinda, Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla.

Afghanistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: – Nawroz Mangal (captain), Gulbadin Naib, Dawlat Zadran, Karim Sadeq, Hamid Hassan, Izzatullah Dawlatzai, Mohammad Jawed Ahmadi, Mohd Nasim Baras, Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Shapur Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari and Shafiqullah Shafaq.

England T20 squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Stuart Broad (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ravi Bopara, Danny Briggs, Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Tim Bresnan, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Steven Finn, Graeme Swann, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel and Luke Wright.

Group B 
 
Australian T20 squad for T20 World Cup 2012: George Bailey (c), Shane Watson (vc), Cameron White, Dan Christian, David Hussey, Pat Cummins, David Warner, Xavier Doherty, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.

West Indies T20 squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin and Dwayne Smith.

Ireland Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Max Sorensen, Trent Johnston, Boyd Rankin, Nigel Jones, Ed Joyce, Andrew White, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson and Gary Wilson.

Group C
 
South African Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Zimbabwe Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Brendan Taylor (captain), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Vusi Sibanda, Ray Price, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Malcolm Waller, Brian Vitori, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Richard Muzhange, Prosper Utseya, Forster Mutizwa.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilshan Munaweera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga, Dinesh Chandimal and Akhila Dhananjaya.

Group D
 
New Zealand Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Ross Taylor (captain), Martin Guptill, Doug Bracewell, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin, Roneel Hira, Rob Nicol, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Sami.

Bangladesh Squad for T20 World Cup 2012: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Razzak, Junaed Siddiqui, Elias Sunny, Jahurul Islam,Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Ziaur Rahman, Forhad Reza, Shafiul Islam and Abul Hasan.

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