Rejuvenated India to take on Pak

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After the 3-day break, India takes on arch rivals Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday, fully aware that a victory will ensure them a berth in the final. More... Recharged India gears up got must-win Pakistan match in Asia Cup The Associated PressPublished: July 1, 2008 KARACHI, Pakistan: A rested India will take on neighboring rival Pakistan in a crucial Super Fours match at Asia Cup on Wednesday, with a victory likely enough to lift the four-time winner into the final against defending champion Sri Lanka. "Hopefully we will play two games against Sri Lanka," India coach Gary Kirsten said Tuesday. "Like Sri Lanka, Pakistan is a tough opponent, but we are playing some good cricket." India will play its last Super Fours game against Bangladesh on Thursday, and a victory in either of its remaining two matches would be enough for them to book a berth in the July 6 final . Unbeaten Sri Lanka is already through to the final with six points after registering two victories — against Pakistan and Bangladesh in Super Four stage, and carrying forward two points from the group matches. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team got three days rest after playing three games in four days last week. Dhoni criticized the format of the tournament in which his team had to play two back-to-back matches in hot and humid conditions. "It was important to give players some time off from cricket as three games in four days in this heat took its toll on the players," said Kirsten, a former South Africa test opener. "It's unfair to expect players to play that amount of cricket in such a short space of time in 35 degrees (Celsius; 95 degrees Fahrenheit) heat," he said. Left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan is expected to play his first game of the tournament Wednesday after fully recovering from a side strain. "He is fit and available for selection," Kirsten said. India carried forward two crucial points from its group stage victory over Pakistan, then defeated Bangladesh in its first Super Fours match. All India's top order batsmen — Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni — are in top form on flat batting wickets as India scored the tournament's highest ever total of 374-4 against Hong Kong in the group stage. They also successfully chased targets of 301-4 against Pakistan and 284-3 against Bangladesh. "The wickets are very flat, it's not easy for seamers to strike," Kirsten said. Pakistan's bowling attack — already without frontline pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif — was further weakened when Umar Gul was ruled out of the tournament with a rib cage injury during the group match against India. In the absence of three frontline fast bowlers, Pakistan has struggled to contain strong the batting lineups of India and Sri Lanka. Although left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir claimed five wickets against Sri Lanka, the defending champion still made 302, which was enough to defend with the likes of experienced Muttiah Muralitharan and new spinner Ajantha Mendis. Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik was suffering from dehydration after Sunday's game against Sri Lanka, in which he scored 52 off 79 balls. "He is feeling weakness, but we hope he would recover in time for tomorrow's match," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said. Pakistan, yet to earn a point, is in a tight corner to qualify for the final. It must win its next two games — against India and Bangladesh — and hope India loses to Sri Lanka on Thursday.

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Shoaib Malik doubtful for Wednesday's match against India The embattled Pakistani team may have to take the field in Wednesday's do-or-die Asia Cup match against India without captain Shoaib Malik, who has been laid low by dehydration. More... Shoaib Malik doubtful July 01, 2008 16:45 IST The embattled Pakistani team may have to take the field in Wednesday's do-or-die Asia Cup match against India without captain Shoaib Malik [images], who has been laid low by dehydration. Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said Malik had been in a bad state during the side's loss to Sri Lanka [images] in their previous super-four stage match. Malik did not participate in the team's net session on Tuesday. "His hotel room is like a hospital ward and when he came off the field against Sri Lanka he was very ill. It is not something to joke about, athletes have died of dehyderation so we can't take a risk with his health," Lawson said. "Only the doctors will decide whether he can play against India or not. That is for them to decide," he stated. Already mired in controversies related to selection, the team may leave out all-rounder Shahid Afridi [images], who has so far come a cropper with bat, for Wednesday's match. "We are going to make changes in the team because it is a must win situation for us against India. Shahid Afridi, whose batting has not worked, and pacer Wahab Riaz will probably be dropped to accommodate opener Nasir Jamshed and pacer, Abdul Rauf," one selector conceded.

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Kirsten says Pathan fit to play against Pakistan tomorrow Irfan Pathan has recovered from a nagging side strain and would be available for selection for India's crucial Asia Cup match against Pakistan on Wednesday, coach Gary Kirsten said in Karachi. More... Kirsten says Pathan fit to play against Pakistan tomorrow Press Trust Of India Karachi, July 01, 2008 First Published: 14:11 IST(1/7/2008) Last Updated: 14:13 IST(1/7/2008) Irfan Pathan has recovered from a nagging side strain and would be available for selection for India's crucial Asia Cup match against Pakistan on Tuesday, coach Gary Kirsten said in Karachi. Kirsten said Pathan has recovered from the side strain that forced him out of all the three Asia Cup games played by India. "Irfan has worked very hard with the trainer for the last few days to make a comeback and his availability is a definite plus point for us," Kirsten told reporters after the Indian team's nets session. Tomorrow's game is crucial for Pakistan who face a do-or-die situation as a defeat would put them out of the final. India is in a much better position and a win would put them in the title clash against Sri Lanka, a repeat of the 2004 final in Colombo. The Indian players enjoyed a two-day break from cricket after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni complained that the tournament schedule was too tight and had left the players tired. Kirsten said it was very important to give the players some time off from cricket. "We are now back to cricket, but it is very important to give guys some time off the cricket so that we did that and now guys are back and focusing on next two games," he said.

[sandtest]

Dhoni is not known for complacency...so, obviously it's a cakewalk for India with Raina, Sehwag, Gambhir, Dhoni and now Yuvraj in red hot form. Pathetic Pak bowling and flat tracks will make sure that once again final nail will be put by India in the coffin of this joke of a team called Paki-satan.

[Sachinism]

we should kill them tomorrow hopefully send Lawson back to Aus

[DomainK]

The embattled Pakistani team may have to take the field in Wednesday's do-or-die Asia Cup match against India without captain Shoaib Malik [images], who has been laid low by dehydration.

Since when is heartbreak known as dehydration?

[Laaloo]

we should kill them tomorrow hopefully send Lawson back to Aus

now y would u want to do that?

[Guest dada_rocks]

oke their life is on line so expect improved performance.. but it still won't be enough unless someone plays out of his skin

[theguyinallblue]

and India have learnt the lesson in Kitefly cup.. so they will be more prepared to set the record straight.. Let india be the Reason for another ouster of pakistani team from a championship... Please some Wealthy people open the bet shop...

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Malik fit to play against India Pakistan will make two changes for the crucial Asia Cup match against India on Wednesday, replacing Wahab Riaz and Mansoor Amjad with Abdul Rauf and off spinner Saeed Ajmal. More... Malik fit to play against India July 01, 2008 21:22 IST Pakistan will make two changes for the crucial Asia Cup match against India on Wednesday, replacing Wahab Riaz and Mansoor Amjad with Abdul Rauf and off spinner Saeed Ajmal. Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed met with captain Shoaib Malik [images] and coach Geoff Lawson after the nets and announced that the changes had been necessitated for their do-or-die match. "The good thing is that Malik has also declared himself fit for the match despite suffering from some dehydration and fatigue," he said. It will be the first outing for 30-year-old Ajmal who bowls off-spinners and had a successful domestic season. Rauf, a tall and well built pacer has played just one international against Zimbabwe earlier this year. Pakistan manager Talat Ali said Malik was recovering well after taking a rest. "His blood tests have come out fine and there is no major problem with him. But he was dehydrated and needed rest. He is himself very keen to play the match because it is important for our survival," Ali said. Malik said he would do everything to play against India although he was still feeling weak. "This match is crucial for us and we will do our best to win it." Malik also called on the people and media to support the team and encourage it. "Support is very important to push us to giving our best. We will do our best but India is a good side so we have to do something special," he said.

[theguyinallblue]

OK..this is heights...This chap is suffereing from dehydration.. still declaring himself FIT for the game.. Now if a situation develops and Malik wants a runner for himself...Dhoni should flatly refuse... this cheating should not be allowed...

[DomainK]

He has no dehydration, just heart break. Then he remembered what happened to failed Pakistani captains in the past- from Akram to Inzi. Then he realized that it could be the last match of his career. So he jumped and said "I want to play".

[Yuvraj4Captaincy]

Pakistan will come back really strong. India will have to play their best cricket to beat them.

[Dravid]

we should kill them tomorrow hopefully send Lawson back to Aus

lol...even if we dont... one of these days lawson will go back to aus in a coffin:hysterical:

[THX_1138]

Pakistan will come back really strong. India will have to play their best cricket to beat them.

we dropped catches, had three appeals turned down, and bowled like we were sitting on our backyard porch waiting for the rain... and yet won with 8 overs to spare... i think we will be all right.

[flamy]

we dropped catches' date= had three appeals turned down, and bowled like we were sitting on our backyard porch waiting for the rain... and yet won with 8 overs to spare... i think we will be all right.

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: man, I cant wait for the SL match

[Yuvraj4Captaincy]

we dropped catches, had three appeals turned down, and bowled like we were sitting on our backyard porch waiting for the rain... and yet won with 8 overs to spare... i think we will be all right.

Sure and we won the KITPLY CUP FINAL, right? Just won one league game and talking all big..just liek after winning the kitply league game? Pakistan even when they are minnows, are going neck to neck with India...Check the records.

[flamy]

^^ Live in the present brother..

[Chaos]

Sure and we won the KITPLY CUP FINAL, right? Just won one league game and talking all big..just liek after winning the kitply league game? Pakistan even when they are minnows, are going neck to neck with India...Check the records.

u should rename to, Pakistanmerijaan

[jf1gp_1]

Sure and we won the KITPLY CUP FINAL, right? .

T20 Champs sounds great, Asia cup winner sound nice but did you really wanted us to be called KITPLY champs ? Bhai reputation bhi koi cheez hai.