Hafeez reckons Pakistan have an edge over India – Cricket News Roundup – Part II – September 30, 2012
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez has said his side has an edge over Dhoni’s Men in Blue as the two sides gear up for a high-voltage clash, in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing World T20, in Colombo, on Sunday.
Pakistan had won the pre-tournament practice match against archrivals India by five wickets, and Hafeez said that warm-up win over Dhoni and Co. had been a real morale booster for his side.
“Since we’ve won against them in the warm-up game, it’ll give us confidence going into the match,” said Hafeez at the pre-match press conference on Saturday. “That victory has been a real morale booster for us and the boys are upbeat and raring to go against India,” he added further.
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has vowed to play attacking cricket against Pakistan, in their must win World T20 Super Eight match, at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, today, September 30, 2012.
Whilst Pakistan will be brimming on confidence after an enthralling win over South Africa in the Super Eight opener on Friday, India will be facing a must win situation after being soundly beaten by Australia, with a nine-wicket margin, after scoring just 140 for 7. Dhoni admitted their performance against Australia was disappointing, and assured his side will play better cricket against Hafeez and men.
"We’ll go out there and express ourselves without thinking too much about the result,” said the Indian skipper. “Obviously, we can't do worse than what we did against Australia, so we should go out there and play freely. Since we’ve to win two matches, we have no room for complacency,” he insisted.
Robin Peterson’s late blitz helped South Africa put a respectable total of 146 for five on board, in their must win World T20 Super Eight match against Australia, being played at Colombo.
After putting the Proteas in, Australian spinner Xavier Doherty struck early to remove opener Richard Levi and veteran Jacques Kallis in his first two overs, to leave the Proteas 8 for 2 in the third over. JP Duminy (30) and AB de Villiers (21) provided the side with some stability in the middle, before Farhaan Behardien (31*) and Robin Peterson (32*) buckled down to add 60 runs for the sixth wicket stand to take the Proteas to 146 for 5.
Xavier Doherty, who replaced Daniel Christian, was the pick of Australian bowlers with 3 for 20 in four overs, while Shane Watson returned with two scalps conceding 29 runs in his four-over spell.
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