ICC T20 WC 2009 in News

Coverage of ICC T20 WC 2009 in News Papers

Dhoni to The Indian Express:

Even though an in-form Suresh Raina seems the more logical choice for the slot, Dhoni has been coming at one down in the Twenty20 World Cup but with little success. After India's eight-wicket triumph over Ireland, the Indian captain was asked if he plans to continue occupying the slot for the remainder of the tournament to which Dhoni replied, "Not really." Dhoni said the team was experimenting with the batting order and hence he was coming at number three. "We are trying a few things. I think we have to see what combination we are playing with and decide depending on that," he said.

Bravo to Jamaica Observer:

Propelled by Bravo's stirring unbeaten half-century and four-wicket haul, the West Indies secured victory when they restricted India to 153 for seven off their 20 overs and then marched to 156 for three off 18.4 overs, Bravo finishing the game with a huge six off pacer Zaheer Khan over extra-cover. "This is what we wanted and we got it today; I am very pleased with the way we performed," captain Chris Gayle said. Set 154 to win, the West Indies stuttered at the start when Irfan Pathan dislodged Andre Fletcher for a "duck" in the second over.

Razzaq gets ICC clearance, says joining ICL was a 'mistake' in The Indian Express:

His international career resurrected with the surprise call up in the Twenty20 World Cup squad, Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq reckons joining the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League was perhaps a mistake on his part.

"Perhaps it was an error on my part but those two years are behind me now and I want to enjoy my remaining cricketing years playing for Pakistan," Razzaq said on Thursday.
Razzaq thus became the first ICL player to be allowed to play for his national team once again after resigning from the rebel league.

"When I joined the ICL in 2007, I was frustrated at being dropped from the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup and by the behaviour of the board and some officials. But now those two years are behind me and it is like a dream come true for me to be able to represent my country again," the 29-year old said.

Anil Kumble in The Hindustan Times:

The first round of the World T20 is over and we are into the Super8s. With no points being carried over, the past is history and all teams will have to begin afresh. As per the seedings, India were to meet Australia but the team from the Caribbean, just like cricket itself, is an unpredictable one and on their day can do just about anything, like they did to the Aussies. Spin, for sure, will continue to play a big part. On Tuesday, we saw South Africa’s Roelof van der Merwe spin it a lot at Lord’s against New Zealand and it is a factor the Indians are well placed to exploit.

I don’t see any reason for them not to go in with two specialist spinners in the Super8s as well. Should Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma step up as can be expected, the bowling will not be too easy to handle.

Younis Khan in The Dawn:

Good starts, by the looks of things is what Pakistan is dearly missing, an absence of which throughout the tournament seems to worry the Pakistan camp as well. ‘We have the potential but our players seem to miss out on good starts, both while bowling and batting,’ Younus Khan, Pakistan’s captain, said after the 19-run loss. ‘In this match, for example, we had a poor first over by Sohail Tanvir who gave away 18 runs including a few extras. Then again with the bat we lost Salman Butt in the very first over. So obviously that is something we need to work on.’

Shahid Afridi in The Dawn:

His career-best four for 11, the fourth best bowling figures in international Twenty20, was labelled as the difference between the two sides by the Dutch captain, and spared Pakistan’s blushes of exiting yet another tournament in the group stages. Showing no signs of complacency after a thumping victory, Afridi vowed to deliver an improved performance in the next three matches against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Ireland. ‘Judging by the performance on Tuesday, I think a lot will depend on my performance in the next round,’ Afridi told Dawn after a training session on Wednesday at The Oval. ‘The team needs me and I’m fully aware of that and that is why I will be focussing a lot on improving my individual performance in the next round.’

Tillkaratne Dilshan to Deccan Herald:

After playing a big role in Sri Lanka’s 19-run win over Pakistan in a Group F Super Eight match, Tillkaratne Dilshan said his side was confident of defending the target. “We thought 140-plus would be a good total on this wicket. The ball was seaming and bouncing in the first few overs. They gave us an opportunity by bowling wides and no-balls in the first few overs. We carried on that momentum and were very happy we got to 150,” Dilshan said.