England Wins Ashes

Image by 6tee-zeven via Flickr

England has once again won the Ashes, against all odds. Though they were playing a significantly less strengthened Ozzie team this time around, yet however weak Australia is, they are still a strong enough threat with the likes of Ponting and Haden in the ranks.
BBC: "After losing 5-0 in Australia in 2007, victory in The Oval sun was reminiscent of England's famous 2005 Ashes win.
Australia resumed on 80-0 needing a further 466 for a world record win but twice lost two wickets in two overs."
(Victorious England regain Ashes)

Related articles

• The Ashes: Ricky Ponting insists it will be difficult for England to bounce back (telegraph.co.uk)

Future of pakistan Cricket is bright

Image by Pradeep Gururani via Flickr

There has not been much cricket in recent years in Pakistan. Most of the series were either moved out of Pakistan or cancelled altogether. Same is the plight with the upcoming world cup matches and the champions trophy. But Pakistan team has proved to the cricket pundits once and for all that Cricket does have a future in Pakistan and it's here to stay... with or without their blessings.

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• Pakistan cricketers return home (news.bbc.co.uk)
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Pakistan increases pace as the openers depart (65/2 10 overs)

ENGLAND : Both openers eventually departed at 63 when 74 were required at the Required rate of 7.40 per over.
Afridi and Shoaib Malik were playing with caution til last news.

Shahid Afridi Biography

Shahid Afridi Biography : "Sahibzaha Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi (born March 1, 1980) popularly known as Shahid Afridi is a Pakistani cricketer who has represented Pakistan since 1996 in international cricket. He made his ODI debut on October 2, 1996 against Kenya at Nairobi and his Test debut on October 22, 1998 against Australia at Karachi. He has scored over 4,500 ODI runs at a strike rate of more than 107 runs per 100 balls, and has taken over 160 ODI wickets. He was brought on the team as a legspinner at the age of sixteen. He then gained fame as a slugger and began opening with Saeed Anwar. He holds the record for scoring the fastest century (which he scored in 37 balls) in One Day Internationals. He also shares the record for the second fastest century (on 45 balls) in One Day Internationals with Brian Lara. He is known as one of Pakistan’s greatest all rounders. He is one of the biggest hitters of the ball, and has a higher strike rate than any batsman in the world.
A propensity for the unexpected, and a reputation for lacking patience while batting has meant that he has never been able to command a regular place in the Pakistan side. However, in the two games between Pakistan and India, contested in 2005, that he participated in, Afridi made a massive impact, recording the fastest test half-century, and dismissing Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar three times, in helping Pakistan register an unlikely draw with an under-manned side."
Incredible-people.com

Personal Information on Shahid Afridi: Afridi is a very flamboyant personality in the Pakistan cricket team. Along with Shoaib Akhtar, he enjoys a very notorious reputation. He has been linked with various Indian actresses and was also named in a recent 'sex scandal'.

Favorites of Shahid

Nick Name : Shah

First love : My parents

Music : Light music and folk songs

Singers : Backstreet boys, Spice Girls, Ricky Martin

Song: Quit playing games with my heart

Hindi Song : 'Hum Tumhe Chahate Hai Aise' (Qurbani) and 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan' (Tezaab)Movie : Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

Actor : Sharukh Khan

Actresses : Sonali Bendre & Twinkle Khanna

Cricket Heroes : Imran Khan, Javed Miadad, Wasim Akram

Colors : Blue, White and Red

Drink : Orange Juice

Food : Chicken Biryani & Kheer & Ice-cream

Fruit : MangoDress : Jeans & T-shirt

Cool facts on Afridi

Afridi owns a car showroom in Karachi and drives a Toyota Corola 98' model. He stands 5ft 11inches tall. He has a huge family with 9 brothers and sisters. Afridi is one of a kind. There is no point telling him to watch the length of the ball. The line of attack never bothers him because he hits the ball so hard. Even the best of fielders with strong palms would think twice before laying their hands on the ball. Unconventional characters like Afridi bring immense joy to the game which has always laid emphasis on tradition and technique. There are many who do not give much credence to the freedom that Afridi brings to the art of batting but there many more waiting to watch Afridi take on the bowlers.

Best Compliment

Cricket is not cricket without Shahid Afridi’, compliment given by - Michael Holding.

Funniest MomentIn his words,"During one of Pakistan’s tours abroad, I was told by the manager to catch the next flight home because they were replacing me with Mushtaq Ahmed.I was stunned, but got up the next day, checked out of the hotel and went to the airport with the manager. He was kind enough to tell me then, that it was All Fools Day".

Worst Habit

He has a very bad habit of forgetting things.

Achievements

He holds the record for the fastest 100 in One Day Internationals.
Yeh Hai Cricket

Pakistan starts T20 Final on a high note.(Sri Lanka 4/32, 6 Overs )

ENGLAND: Pakistani bowlers dessimate Sri Lankan to batting order with Dilshan the tournament's Top scorer and another one of Sri Lanka's top Player, Jehan Mubarak - both out for a duck inside the first 6 Overs.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka set for emotional clash in T20 final: "Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two teams linked by tragedy, have begun what promises to be an epic ICC World Twenty20 final at Lord’s on Sunday."
DAWN.COM

T20 World Cup Final Underway

England: The T20 World Cup Final is Under way between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This would be a rematch of the very first match from their pool. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan soundly in all disciplines of the game then. Though the faces have not changed for Pakistan team, yet this is a totally different team in terms of positivity, temperament, confidence and their strong will to win.
Sri Lanka started the tournament as one of the favourites so it's only logical that they are in teh final.
Pakistan on the other hand started on a bad note losing to to Sri Lanka in their very first pool match. Many people had written then off even before the tournament started. Their rise to the Final is nothing less than a fairy tale. They've come from strength to strength throughout their matches and dissimated arguably the best team in the tournament - south Africa. Their confidence is sky high, and I would not be surprised if they snatch this T20 tournament.
Players to Watch: Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Razzaq, Aamir, Saeed Ajmal, Sangakkara, Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, Mubarak, Angelo Mathews, Malinga, Mendis.
News Ki Duniya (This Blog :) )