KARACHI: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari urged the country’s cricketers to give of their best in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup against Sri
Lanka tomorrow and win the title for the nation.

The President called up captain Younis Khan in London and reminded him that the country was passing through a very difficult phase and victory for Pakistan could provide some cheer, media reports said.

“Give the nation a gift by winning the World Cup,” the source quoted the President as telling to Younis.

Zardari told Younis the team was in a unique position to bring smile on the faces of millions of people back home who are going through tough times.

Younis apparently assured the President the team would fight till the end to win the final and not let their countrymen down.

Following Pakistan’s progress to the T20 World Cup final, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ejaz Butt, met the the players over breakfast and exchanged views with them.

Butt also announced a cash prize of 50 lakh rupees for all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who was adjudged man of the match in the semi-final against South Africa.

Pakistan players were also assured of special cash prizes if they win the final which they had lost to India two years back.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former Test captain Javed Miandad believes Younis Khan’s player can win the Twenty20 World Cup final if the top order batsmen fire against Sri Lanka.

“I still say T20 cricket is very unpredictable and it is difficult to predict a winner. But from what I have seen those teams do well whose top three or four batsmen score big runs,” said Miandad, a veteran of 124 Tests said.

Miandad, who is not a big fan of T20 cricket, said Pakistan had done well to promote Shahid Afridi up the order to give him a chance to have a proper bat.
“I have worked with Afridi as the national team coach in the past and he has always delivered his best as a batsman when batting higher up the order. He has immense talent and is a proper match winner,” Miandad said.

He pointed out that the top order must take responsibility for giving the team a good start in the final.

“Sri Lanka is a very good side and unbeaten in the tournament. They have been given great starts by Tillekaratne Dilshan who has been their biggest plus point,” he said.

The former captain was confident that Pakistani batsmen could tackle the Sri Lankan spin duo of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan with confidence

http://www.cricinfo.com/countycricket2009/engine/current/match/382933.html

Although he performed well :
http://www.cricinfo.com/countycricket2009/engine/current/match/383005.html

And out of the gloom Azeem Rafiq hit a ton for Yorkshire : http://www.cricinfo.com/countycricket2009/engine/current/match/383005.html

Kaneria should not be in the squad for the test matches, period. Because, Afridi’s bowling has improved a lot and Ajmal too is bowling very well. The selectors need to give these two a chance to play in the test side to pump up their confidence, which at the moment is very high. And, Kaneria has not played since the last so many months and even when he played he was way too expensive. His overall utility in the team creates negative impact.

I agree with you that Malik’s place is guaranteed and so is Butt’s and they will drop Fawad Alam for sure. I have heard from someone that Ijaz Butt has once again tried to get Mohammad Asif in the team by asking the Patron in Chief (Asif Zardari) to intervene and pardon him. I am not sure if the PCB pardons him will the ICC accept that?

“Younus always really supports me, and that’s what I need from the captain. The coach (Intikhab Alam) is helping me as well,” Afridi admitted.

“I’m ready for the final.”

“In the last couple of games, I’ve tried to really build my innings,” Afridi said.

“But Younus told me before, ‘Just go and play your own game – don’t worry about anything. There is no pressure on you’.

“He said, ‘Just take your time. Every bowler is easy for you if you do that – take responsibility. You are my main player’.

“I’m trying to do all of that.”

West Indies conceded defeat in the very fist over of Angelo Mathews when 3 of their top batsmen including Bravo were out on ducks. Chris Gayle could have done something with the support of the famous duo, the middle order stalwarts Chanderpaul and Sarwan but, both were hopeless. Winning against England in 9 overs was not something they can boast about. They simply couldn’t play big shots.

I think Chris Gayle’s mistake was winning the toss and opting to field. He would have been better off batting first without any pressure. In big matches it is always better batting first. Younus Khan should take note of this. Don’t field if you win the toss.

Shahzaib is not learning from his mistakes he is playing airy fairy loopy shots and that too making half hearted attempts to push the ball over the inner circle. Like South Africa, the Sri Lankans are also good fielders and they will catch him. And, I don’t want to write again, I told you so.

I agree with khansahab‘s view that if the Sri Lankans are attacking the fast bowlers he should introduce Ajmal and not Afridi, because Ajmal is slower than Afridi. And Younus Khan should not make the calculation mistake again.

Malik, Afridi, Akmal and Younus have a good track record against Sri Lanka and we expect some real good innings from them. Also, Younus Khan should try to send Fawad Alam ahead of Abdul Razzaq. Remember Fawad Alam’s 3 sixes in a row against Sri Lanka that Pakistan won recently in Toronto?

1) In the first six overs the top 4 batsmen, whoever they are, should try and hit a boundary every ball.

2) Malik should not be sent before Afridi, Razzaq, Fawad, Younis and Misbah

3) Younis should be flexible and if the Sri Lankans are attacking Aamer and Razzaq, he should introduce spin.