Pakistan will be desperately looking to ensure the painful defeat to India becomes a distant past when they run into an in-form New Zealand in Mohali on Tuesday with an aim to bounce back into the World Twenty20 and pacify their bitter fans back home. Pakistan are coming into the Group 2 Super 10 game having suffered their 11th defeat to the arch-rivals in ICC's world events. The 2009 champions entered the tournament after an early elimination in the Asia Cup. On the other hand, the New Zealanders are on a roll with two massive wins over hosts India and Australia, making them one of the strong contenders to lift the coveted trophy on April 3. Another win and they will be in the knockout stages of the mega-event. New Zealand have emerged as the team to beat after the stunned tournament favourites India first up, before getting the better of traditional rivals Australia in a trans-Tasman battle.
Kane Williamson's gamble to compromise on speed and pick three specialist spinners paid off as New Zealand humbled hosts India by 47 runs in a spin-dominated Super 10 contest of the World Twenty20 in Nagpur, on Tuesday.
The tournament-proper of the World T20 gets underway on Tuesday, March 15, with hosts India taking on New Zealand in Nagpur. Ahead of the tournament, here are five players who may not be counted among the big names just yet, but could prove match-winners on their day.
With the Eden Gardens set to host the country's first day-night match with a pink ball in club cricket, an expert panel, comprising Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Dean Jones, strongly feel the innovation is here to stay.
India captain Rahul Dravid said he wouldn't be too critical of his inexperienced side.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday
West Indies captain Brian Lara won the toss and elected to field in the first ODI against India in Nagpur.
The left-hander said the senior players in the England team must ensure captain Andrew Flintoff does not overexert himself with the ball during the Ashes.
New Zealand's bowlers kept chipping away at the wickets to reduce India to 239 for seven on Day 1 of the second Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on Friday. The 24-year-old from Christchurch, who replaced Ish Sodhi, dismissed Shikhar Dhawan (1) and Murali Vijay (9) in the first 50 minutes in his brilliant first spell of 6-2-14-2 as the Kiwis seamers utilised the grassy condition to full effect after Kohli opted to bat.
New Zealand will have their tails up and eye another upset when they resume the trans-Tasman rivalry with a strong Australian side.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expecting to play atleast six home and away Test series against India in the next eight-year FTP cycle between 2015 and 2023 which will also include an "off-shore" home series in the United Arab Emirates.
India will face Great Britain in the quarter-finals on Thursday after the British drew 3-3 with Belgium to top Pool A in the Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium in Raipur on Tuesday.
The hosts take on Olympic champions Australia in their opening match of the December 10 to 18 hockey tournament.
India and Taiwan blanked China and Philippines 3-0 respectively in the opening group ties of the Asian Hopman Cup.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Wednesday
Hosts India might have outplayed them in the first three ODIs but Sri Lankan team management is keen to include experienced spinner Ajantha Mendis in the playing XI for the fourth ODI scheduled on Thursday.
Is the team stocked with the right personnel, or are there people on the outside looking in, who could add value to the squad?
'Our defence system starts with our first four and that's why we have a solid defence. People look to Brazil and always try to find players who score or dribble but we have many other qualities. With our goalkeeper and defenders, we have a solid defence' 'It's pretty exciting for us and we are looking to do something great here'
Tiny Guam beat Turkmenistan 1-0 to record their first ever World Cup qualifying victory.
The Indian ace was shocked by Chen Shih Hao of Chinese Taipei in the Asian Badminton championships.
Jayawardene said his team had adapted well to the conditions of the wicket here as they were exposed to similar conditions in the warm-up match at Bangalore.
If the tri-series takes place, then South Africa would be left with no other option but to host India for two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 international from December and ending with the New Year's Test.
Australia successfully retained their title beating hosts India 5-3 via the tie-breaker in the final.
The former All-England champion will lead India in the Asian satellite badminton tournament in Hyderabad.
Gautam Dasgupta said that the tournament would help teams prepare for next year's U-19 World Cup
Jaipur will host 'India Stonemart 2005' to showcase fabulous range of stones being offered by Rajasthan.
Virat Kohli's woeful form continued as India 'A' were shot out for a paltry 135 by Australia 'A' in the second unofficial 'Test' in Chennai on Wednesday.
Minnows Austria continued to impress in the ongoing men's Junior Hockey World Cup as they spanked declining Asian powerhouse Korea 5-2 in Lucknow on Saturday to remain in contention for a surprise quarter-final berth from Pool A in the 16-team tournament.
The South Africa captain said his team would not start the second Test match with a draw in mind.
Fleming knows how tough the Aussies are to beat following his team's experience at this year's World Cup.\n\n
The Australian middle order batsman is suffering from an ankle injury. Michael Clarke is taking his place.
Hosts India would look to do an encore by putting England through another rigorous spin test when the two teams square off in the third Test starting in Mohali, on Saturday.
Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa have confirmed participation in the tournament, to be played in Hyderabad.
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be gunning for the No.1 spot in the ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers as an interesting contest promises to develop with Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who wrested the top spot following a 10-wicket haul in the Lord's Test that ended on Sunday.
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