Shahid Afridi lifted Pakistan to a defendable total

Pakistan’s victory against South Africa in the semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup was certainly a team effort. But let’s be honest – one man stood out, and it was none other than Shahid Khan Afridi. The big fella had been excellent with the ball throughout the tournament and had shown several moments of brilliance on the field. But his power hitting with the bat had been missing for a long time.  Read more... (517 words, 2 images, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

Match facts

Thursday June 18
Start time 1730 local (1630 GMT)

Big Picture  Read more... (1208 words, 0 images, estimated 4:50 mins reading time)

Umer Gul became the first bowler in T20 internationals to grab five wickets as Pakistan thrashed the Black Caps by six wickets at the Oval in a match they had to win to stay afloat in the World cup.  Read more... (346 words, 1 image, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Sri Lanka survived a shocking mid-innings slump and a threatening 66-run partnership between Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq to ease to a 19-run win in their first game of the Super Eights at Lord’s. Chasing a modest 151 – after Sri Lanka were shackled by some superb bowling from the spinners – Pakistan’s fight was led by their captain, who made a well-paced 50, but three wickets in eight balls, including those of Younis and Shahid Afridi, sunk the chase.  Read more... (482 words, 1 image, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)

Pakistan team grabbed its first win at the ICC T20 World Cup 2009 at Lord’s by defeating Netherlands. Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal starred for Pakistan with the ball as the Test side ensured the end of the Netherlands’s fairytale performance at the World Twenty20 at Lord’s.  Read more... (217 words, 1 image, estimated 52 secs reading time)

ICC T20 cricket world cup is going on with surprises every day in England, whether win of Netherlands or two consecutive defeats of Aussies. Pakistan also lost to England unexpectedly. Pakistan’s captain, Younis Khan, may have dismissed Twenty20 cricket as just a bit of fun after their capitulation against England, but the defeat has had greater ramifications, with the resignation of Abdul Qadir after six months as chief selector.  Read more... (283 words, 1 image, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

India 159 for 1 (Rohit 80, Gambhir 52*) beat Pakistan 158 for 6 (Misbah 37*, Younis 32, Ishant 1-11) by nine wickets

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details  Read more... (274 words, 1 image, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

The Oval prepares for the battle between Pakistan and India today. While both teams lost their opening warm-up matches on Monday, with a poor turnout at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, this particular warm-up has witnessed the biggest demand for tickets. With an expected full-house this afternoon, security – for fans and players – remains a talking point, especially with recent matches involving either team in England culminating in pitch invasions.  Read more... (460 words, 2 images, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)