Canada in world cup 2011
And with star run-scorer Kevin Pietersen ruled out of the whole three-match series with an Achilles injury, Morgan's chances of playing for his adopted country increased greatly.
West Indies in Cricket World Cup 2011
New Delhi, Feb 12 The once feared West Indies are a struggling unit today. Champions in the first two World Cups, they are looking to merely cause a few ripples at the 2011 edition.The tussle between the administrators and top players has hit West Indies cricket hard. Though the issue got resolved and the likes of Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul are back in the side, performance wise the team has hit a new low.
The side has not a won a One-day International against a Test nation since June 2009. Their worst was when they were humbled by Bangladesh in a bilateral series that year.
Things should have changed with the return of star players, but that has not happened. They lost two matches in Sri Lanka in the run up to the mega event and they are now behind Bangladesh in the One-day rankings.
But newly-appointed team manager Richi Richardson sees the Word Cup as a platform to perform when the chips are down.
"I tell the players that we have to go out there and prove to the world that we can play cricket. Let's surprise a lot of people, because people at the moment are not thinking very highly of us. But we have got to just focus on what we have to do, believe in what we can do and create a few upsets," said Richardson, who led the team to the semi-finals of the 1996 edition.
Going by what the former captain says the team is certainly capable of upsetting a few big ones.
A batsman like Gayle is a huge plus for any team. He can provide a blistering start and can be useful with the ball in the middle-overs. If veterans Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan perform to their potential and support Gayle, the team will be able to post big totals consistently.
The team has two genuine all-rounders in Dwayne Bravo and captain Darren Sammy. Jamaican Andre Russell, who is yet make his ODI debut, is picked for a similar role. All eyes will be on maverick batsman Kieron Pollard, who is yet to replicate his T20 success in the 50-over format.
The bowling appears the weakest link. Too much is riding on pace sensation Kemar Roach as he is the only strike bowler. The two specialist spinners -- Sulieman Benn and Nikita Miller -- have been around for sometime, but have not been able to make a big impact in the international arena. The two left-arm spinners make the attack look a bit predictable. The dearth of wicket-takers means too much load on the shoulders of Roach and Bravo.
West Indies meet the formidable South Africa in their opening match in New Delhi Feb 24.
Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh (wicket-keeper), Andre Rusell, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Adrian Barath.
Fixtures: Feb 24 vs South Africa (New Delhi), Feb 28 vs Netherlands (New Delhi), March 4 vs Bagladesh (Dhaka), March 11 vs Ireland (Mohali), March 17 vs England (Chennai), March 20 vs India (Chennai).
West Indies Condition in Cricket World Cup 2011
India favourites to win World Cup: Lara
New Delhi, Jan 18 : West Indian batting legend Brian Lara Tuesday said India are the favourites for the World Cup, beginning Feb 19 in the sub-continent but cautioned them about the pressure of playing at home.
Lara, who was here for a cricket clinic, tipped South Africa as the second favourite team.
"India are the favourites to win the World Cup as they have the home advantage. But with advantage, there is also home pressure. In 1996 World Cup, hosted in the sub-continent, Sri Lanka, who were not really the favourites, won," he said.
"Australia, England and South Africa will keep the pressures while West Indies can cause a few surprises. Also, you always have to build your campaign in India. The teams who will slowly build themselves and then go all out towards the final stages are the one to be the most feared. But for a home team, it is going to be different. They have to start on top and end on top."
Lara said India have got a well-balanced side for the World Cup.
"India have always been a very good batting side and they are batting good in what was earlier considered to be not ideal conditions for them. The difference has been made by bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth taking early wickets."
Lara said that in the coming years no team would be invincibles like the West Indies of the past and most recently Australia.
"West Indies had their era of invincibility during 70s, 80s and early nineties. But cricket is a cycle and no team can always stay on the top. Every team which has put in the right infrastructure is bound to get to the top. The way Australia came up was very much like the way West Indies did," he said.
"India is travelling a lot around the world and producing results which no one expected. England have been very enterprising during their Ashes win. Now teams are more or less reaching the same level with the kind of awareness about technology and finess. The time of invincibility is gone now."
Lara, who is currently a batting consultant with the Zimbabwe team, said he is looking to work on the self confidence of the team and qualify for the second round of World Cup.
"I have done my research on Zimbabwe. The batting is my focus. They are not the fancied side but I hope they can spring a few surprises which would be important for them. As of now we are looking to qualify for the second stage."
West Indies Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
W. Indies' Sarwan dismisses critics for W. Cup
Recalled West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan declared Monday that his side was determined to silence critics who have predicted an embarrassing World Cup flop."We are focused on what we have to do, and that is to play well as a team, and if we do that everything will take care of itself."
The experienced Sarwan notched a match-wining 123 to guide the West Indies to a comfortable 61-run victory in a warm-up match against Kenya on Saturday after losing four early wickets.
They now take on Sri Lanka in their last warm-up match on Tuesday before the World Cup -- jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- starts on February 19.
The West Indies are placed in Group B of the 14-team competition and open their campaign with a tough match against South Africa, in New Delhi, on February 24.
"We are a good team, so discounting us doesn't bother us, we have to play well as a team and everything will be settled with that and I am sure we have the ability to do well," said Sarwan, who hails from Guyana.
Sarwan last played for the West Indies in a one-day series at home against South Africa in May and June 2010.
He was subsequently dropped due to fitness issues and indifferent form on the domestic circuit and wasn't offered a West Indies central contract.
But he was recalled for the World Cup for his experience and record, which shows 5,245 runs in 159 one-day internationals. He has also played 83 Tests for his country.
"Of course it was disheartening to be dropped and not being able to play for the West Indies," he said.
"But that's behind me now and it's important now to contribute and as a team able to play well in this World Cup."
Sri Lanka Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
S. Lanka bans laundry near WCup venue
Residents and shop owners around the R. Premadasa Stadium, which will host seven matches, were issued the orders by Colombo city authorities this week, the island's Sunday Times newspaper said.
"These include abstaining from hanging out clothes for drying in public view, putting out garbage on the roadsides and engaging in street games such as hopscotch and cricket matches," the paper said.
The 35,000-seater Premadasa stadium, which will be the venue for three Sri Lanka games and one semi-final, is surrounded by low-income housing schemes.
Sri Lanka has spent $8 million renovating the ground and has also built two new stadiums in the south and centre of the island for the World Cup.
The country, which emerged from decades of ethnic war in 2009 with the defeat of the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, is keen to promote a clean and efficient image during the tournament.
"Our country will get a lot of exposure from this event. So we have told the people to take special care during this time to keep their surroundings neat," Colombo special commissioner Omar Kamil told the Sunday Times.
The World Cup, hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, starts on February 19 and ends on April 2.
Sri Lanka Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Sri Lanka wary of World Cup minnows
Sri Lanka are in Group A with defending champions Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya, with the top four sides qualifying for the quarter-finals.
"Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, we know these teams, who the players are, and their form. But we don't know about Kenya, Canada and Zimbabwe and they can cause a surprise," Muralitharan, 38, told reporters in Colombo on Wednesday.
"We can't call these smaller teams minnows anymore, because they have surprised stronger teams in the past."
Record-breaking Muralitharan, who has retired from Tests and will leave one-day cricket after the World Cup, said he felt no additional pressure to do well in his last outing.
"Nothing extra. The pressure is always the same. Without pressure, we can't perform. It is always good to win," said Muralitharan, the world's leading wicket-taker in both Test (800) and one-day (519) cricket.
Sri Lanka, champions in 1996 and runners-up in 2007, are co-hosting the showpiece event with India and Bangladesh, with the opening match in Dhaka on February 19.
Skipper Kumar Sangakkara said the team was upbeat about playing most of its matches in front of home crowds.
"It's important for us to start off well. To build momentum, match by match. It helps the team relax and rest. The final goal is to be in Mumbai for the final (on April 2)," Sangakkara said.
He said the players were "raring to go" despite not spending much time at two new home venues in Pallekele in Kandy and Hambantota in the south. Persistent monsoon rains scuppered the team's plans to practise at the venues.
"We would have liked to have more practice under lights in Pallekele and Hambantota, but it's been raining," the wicketkeeper-batsman said.
"We will read the pitches now, like any other team, as the game progresses. The main thing for us is to be consistent."
Sangakkara said the team was unlikely to make any major changes and the batting line-up would remain the same.
"In bowling, we will make one or two changes, but the rest will more or less remain the same," said Sangakkara.
Sri Lanka meet Canada in their first match on February 20 at the 35,000-seater stadium in Hambantota.
Sri Lanka Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Murali urges Aussies to turn to spin
"They (Australians) have to change their mindset. In Sri Lanka, every kid wants to bowl spin. It's the same in the sub-continent. Younger Australians must also mentally want to do that, like they focus on fast bowling," he said.
Muralitharan, the world's leading wicket-taker in both Tests (800) and one-dayers (519), is due to spend several weeks at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence for intensive training with the nation's rising spinners.
The dates for the programme have not been finalised, but it will take place after the Indian Premier League ends in May.
Muralitharan, 38, said Australian wickets favoured pacemen and conditions are challenging for aspiring spinners.
"They (Australia) need to train younger bowlers to bowl more spin," he said.
"I feel more programmes for spinners in cricket academies and perhaps at the state-level will nurture interest among younger players. Let's see how I can help them get there."
In addition to coaching, Muralitharan's technique will also be recorded and downloaded into the Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence "virtual bowler" machine.
This would allow batsmen to square-off against cyber-Murali in the nets, Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper said on Tuesday.
"It is not just Murali's obvious physical skill that will be a huge benefit for our young spinners," Australian selector Greg Chappell told the Sydney newspaper.
"It is also his physical toughness, his cleverness, his cunning and his ability to be able to set a batsman up and bowl 10-15 overs to a plan."
Muralitharan, who retired from Tests last year, will quit one-day cricket after the World Cup, which starts with India playing Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19.
Sri Lanka Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
S. Lanka beat Netherlands in cricket W.Cup warm-up
Hosts Sri Lanka proved far too strong for minnows Netherlands, posting a crushing 156-run victory in a morale-boosting World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.
Sri Lanka, runners-up at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, scored 351-5 off their allotted 50 overs even without prolific run-getters Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who did not bat.
The Netherlands, who have not beaten an ICC full member country in their previous three World Cup appearances, were bowled out for 195 in the 48th over at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo.
The highlight of their innings was a fighting 76 by Tom de Grooth, who cracked one six and 10 fours in his 96-ball knock. He added 80 for the fifth wicket with Bas Zuiderent (38) and 62 for the seventh with Atse Buurman (25).
Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando finished with 4-43 for Sri Lanka, while seamer Thisara Perera and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath bagged two wickets apiece.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (78), Thilan Samaraweera (60), Chamara Silva (54) and Chamara Kapugedera (50 not out) earlier made the most of a mediocre Dutch attack, each scoring a half-century after the hosts elected to bat.
Openers Dilshan and Upul Tharanga (47) put Sri Lanka on course for a big total with a 117-run stand before Silva and Kapugedera added 94 for the fifth wicket to help their team set a stiff target.
Paceman Mudassar Bukhari was the most successful Dutch bowler with 2-52 off 10 overs, while seamer Bernard Loots conceded 83 runs off nine overs and fast bowler Ryan ten Doeschate gave away 75 off nine overs.
The Netherlands also conceded 21 runs in wides.
Sri Lanka are in Group A with defending champions Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya, while Group B comprises India, South Africa, England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Four teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
The World Cup opens in Dhaka on February 19 with a match between India and Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Bayliss wants Murali fresh for World Cup
Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss stressed the need for veteran off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to be fresh for Sri Lanka's World Cup bid.
The record-holding wicket-taker in both Test and one-day cricket was rested for Sri Lanka's opening warm up match against the Netherlands on Saturday, which the hosts won by a comfortable 156 runs.
"Murali is getting towards the end of his career and we want to make sure that he is mentally and physically fresh to play the game we want him to play," said Bayliss of the spinner who has taken 800 Test and 519 one-day wickets.
Muralitharan has vowed to end his international career on a high at the end of the World Cup, which starts next week and is jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Bayliss, who has also hinted leaving the job after the tournament, called on his team to be clinical in every match.
"The word clinical was one of the words used at the team meeting before the practice match," said Bayliss whose team faces the West Indies in their final warm-up match on Tuesday.
Hailing the victory over the Netherlands Bayliss, who took over in August 2007, said posting a big total of 350 was "pleasing"
Batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan (78), Thilan Samaraweera (60), Chamara Silva (54) and Chamara Kapugedera (50 n.o) looked in good nick, before paceman Dilhara Fernando (4-43) helped restrict the visitors to 195 all out.
Senior batsman Mahela Jayawardene was also rested -- and Bayliss felt happy at the strength of Sri Lanka's emerging talent as the side looks to a future without the talismanic Murali.
"There are some very good young players in the Sri Lankan line up and in the reserves as well. The future looks bright for Sri Lankan cricket.
Sri Lanka face Canada in their opening match at Hambantota on February 20, a day after the World Cup opens in Dhaka with a match between India and Bangladesh.
South Africa Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
South Africa no chokers, says de Villiers
Choking under pressure is a thing of the past for the new-look South Africa, wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers said on Friday as his team attempts to win the World Cup for the first time.
South Africa have been a formidable force ever since they made their World Cup debut in 1992, but have consistently fallen short on the biggest stage. They failed to clear the semi-final hurdle in the 1992, 1999 and 2007 tournaments despite starting among the favourites.
"We've shown recently that we can play in big situations and under pressure," de Villiers said in Chennai ahead of a warm-up game against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
"We are not focusing on what happened in the past. We have a different look now. In recent times, we have been the opposite of chokers. ICC tournaments are different, there is pressure in the knockouts but we will be ready for it."
South Africa's build-up to the event this time around has been encouraging, with hard-fought one-day series wins over Pakistan and India.
De Villiers put the recent success down to his team's ability to perform in tense situations.
"We have shown more than enough flair," he said. "I don't want us to be the unpredictable side of the tournament and I think we are at the level where we can read situations and adapt."
The 26-year-old also dismissed the need for a mental conditioning expert, given their failures in crunch situations.
"The team does not need any extra help," he said. "We are focusing on the small things and not worried about failing under pressure at all."
The Proteas are fielding a fresh-looking squad for the tournament with as many as 11 players set to make their World Cup debuts.
South Africa open their campaign against the West Indies in New Delhi on February 24, followed by games against India, England, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.
The World Cup, being co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, starts on February 19.
South Africa Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Cricket South Africa president ousted
Cricket South Africa President Mtutuzeli Nyoka was ousted by the federation's members in a vote of no-confidence Saturday morning, the organisation said on its website.
"With immediate effect, the position of Dr M. Nyoka as president of Cricket South Africa is terminated," the federation said.
Nyoka, who did not attend the meeting, was voted out by an "overwhelming majority" of Cricket South Africa's 11 affiliate presidents.
Nyoka had locked horns with the federation's chief executive, Gerald Majola, over more than one million rand (138,000 dollars, 102,000 euros) in bonus money paid out when South Africa hosted the Indian Premier League in 2009.
The federation's board cleared Majola in November of financial impropriety, accepting a review committee's finding that he had not deliberately failed to disclose bonus payments to federation staff.
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula had last month stepped in to urge Majola and Nyoka not to let their dispute disrupt the Proteas' preparations for the cricket World Cup.
Cricket South Africa said Vice-President AK Khan would act as president until a new election at the federation's annual general meeting in August.
South Africa Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Kallis, Morkel star in South Africa cricket win
Morne Morkel grabbed three wickets and Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten 49 as South Africa raced to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in a World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.
Paceman Morkel took 3-16 and Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir bagged 3-35 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 152 after electing to bat in the day-night match in Chennai.
South Africa achieved the target with more than 26 overs to spare in the one-sided contest, with Hashim Amla (45), skipper Graeme Smith (41) and Kallis being the main run-scorers.
All-rounder Kallis, who missed a recent home one-day series against India due to a rib injury, did not bowl but smashed three sixes and as many fours in his 39-ball knock.
Amla played some handsome shots in his 33-ball cameo, hitting seven fours, while Smith hit one six and three fours in his 54-ball knock.
South Africa were earlier well-served by Morkel and Tahir, who did not allow Zimbabwe to build a big partnership with their disciplined spells.
The pair were backed by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who took two wickets, and off-spinner Johan Botha (1-18).
Opener Brendan Taylor top-scored with 40 in a disappointing Zimbabwean batting performance. Sean Williams (35) and Charles Coventry (21) were the other main run-getters.
South Africa are in Group B with India, England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands, while Group A comprises Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
Four teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
India meet Bangladesh in the opening World Cup match in Dhaka on February 19.
South Africa Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Steyn strikes as Australia all out for 217
Paceman Dale Steyn grabbed three wickets as South Africa restricted Australia to 217 in a World Cup warm-up match on Tuesday despite half-centuries from Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.
The fast bowler finished with 3-21 off eight probing overs after Clarke (73) and skipper Ponting (55) boosted their team's hopes of setting a challenging target with a 122-run stand for the third wicket.
But Australia failed to build on those impressive efforts, losing their last eight wickets for just 89 runs in the day-night match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
Steyn received strong support from left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who removed both top run-scorers before accounting for Steven Smith to finish with 3-45.
Clarke, who fell for a duck in his team's defeat at the hands of India in their previous practice game, made amends with a responsible knock under pressure, playing some handsome shots to outscore his captain.
Ponting fell soon after completing his second successive half-century, caught by Hashim Amla at long-off off Peterson. The Australia captain, who made 57 in the previous warm-up game, hit seven fours in his 84-ball knock.
Clarke was caught behind while attempting to cut Peterson after hitting six fours in a 96-ball innings but the remaining batsmen faltered against South Africa's spin-pace combination.
Australia earlier made a poor start as in-form opener Shane Watson fell for a fourth-ball duck, trapped leg-before by Steyn in the opening over.
Brad Haddin also failed to open his account before being run out, leaving Australia struggling with two wickets down and just six runs on the board.
Steyn tested the Australian batsmen in his disciplined four-over opening spell, conceding just three runs for one wicket before later dismissing John Hastings and Jason Krejza.
Four-time World Cup champions Australia open their campaign against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on February 21, while South Africa meet the West Indies in their first match in Delhi on February 24.
Australia are in Group A with Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya while Group B comprises India, South Africa, England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Four teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Pakistan Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
Afridi warns World Cup teams not to underestimate "hungry" Pak in tournament
Dhaka, Feb 12: Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has warned his World Cup rivals not to underestimate his country, saying that his team had turned over a new leaf following the spot-fixing scandal.
"We all know how important the World Cup is for us and for our country. The message for other teams is that no one should underestimate us," SAMAA TV quoted Afridi, as telling reporters in Dhaka on Saturday.
The flamboyant all-rounder said that the Pakistan team was "focused and united" under his leadership.
"They feel hungry to win a big event and want to play good cricket," he said, adding that the recent wins in New Zealand had bolstered the team''s morale.
"They feel hungry to win a big event and want to play good cricket," he said, adding that the recent wins in New Zealand had bolstered the team''s morale.
He admitted that Pakistan had been blown away by the spot-fixing scandal, which saw former Test captain Salman Butt and two leading pacers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, banned for at least five years for their involvement in corruption in the game.
"I think we''re really going through a very tough situation," said Afridi, adding, "But I am very happy because we are trying to rebuild the team and keep the morale high. I am confident the team is in very good shape now.”
He paid tribute to team manager Intikhab Alam and coach Waqar Yunus for keeping the squad in good spirits amid the controversy.
"They are really doing a very good job," he said. "They have assured the atmosphere in the dressing room is healthy. We are trying to keep the boys together as a unit."
"I think we''re really going through a very tough situation," said Afridi, adding, "But I am very happy because we are trying to rebuild the team and keep the morale high. I am confident the team is in very good shape now.”
He paid tribute to team manager Intikhab Alam and coach Waqar Yunus for keeping the squad in good spirits amid the controversy.
"They are really doing a very good job," he said. "They have assured the atmosphere in the dressing room is healthy. We are trying to keep the boys together as a unit."
Afridi also expressed his satisfaction over his team for the mega-event, saying: "We have a very good bunch of youngsters and some experienced players."
“It is good to see Kamran Akmal back in the team. Misbah-ul Haq is in good form and Younis Khan is also batting well,” the captain pointed out
"I am also very happy with our bowling. We have two genuine spinners and some good fast bowlers, especially Shoaib Akhtar," he added.
"I am also very happy with our bowling. We have two genuine spinners and some good fast bowlers, especially Shoaib Akhtar," he added.
Afridi said that fans would see a vastly improved Pakistan in the World Cup, and added: "Inshallah (God willing), we will achieve our goal."
Pakistan was initially supposed to co-host the tournament with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, but was stripped of its hosting rights following a terror attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team in March 2009.
Afridi expressed the hope that international cricket would return to his country soon. "We are desperate to host the best teams. I am sure that will happen in the near future," he said.
Afridi expressed the hope that international cricket would return to his country soon. "We are desperate to host the best teams. I am sure that will happen in the near future," he said.
Pakistan Team in Cricket World Cup 2011 (News)
Pakistan bank severs links with tainted cricket trio
Pakistan's largest bank said Monday it had decided not to renew the contracts of three leading cricketers banned on corruption charges.
Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were on the National Bank payroll for playing on the institution's cricket team in domestic tournaments.
Butt was banned for 10 years with a five-year suspended ban, Asif for seven years with two-year suspended ban and Aamer for five years by an anti-corruption tribunal of the International Cricket Council.
The charges related to the Lord's Test between Pakistan and England last August when they allegedly took money to obey orders from a bookmaker.
"The contracts of the three players expired on December 31, 2010 and the bank has decided not to renew the contracts," National Bank's sports department head Iqbal Qasim told AFP.
Butt was a prolific performer for the bank's team for eight years, while Asif and Aamer were employed for three years.
Butt will appear as a commentator on a national television channel during the World Cup, jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
All three players have hinted they will appeal against the bans. They have 21 days -- from February 5, when the bans were imposed -- to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Switzerland.
Pakistan Team in Cricket World Cup 2011 (News)
Shehzad, Misbah hit centuries in warm-up
Shehzad, just 19, top-scored with 103 off 122 balls with nine fours and one six while Misbah cracked a 100-ball century with eight boundaries and four giant sixes at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Despite the pair's pyrotechnics, Pakistan's other batsmen failed to fire with the next best score being a modest 21 from opener Mohammad Hafeez.
Bangladesh used nine bowlers with skipper and slow left-armer Shakib Al Hasan taking 3-49 off his 10 overs.
Seamer Rubel Hossain also claimed three wickets, but his 10 overs cost 73 runs.
New Zealand Team in Cricket World Cup 2011
New Zealand down fighting Ireland
New Zealand posted a 32-run win after surviving a scare from a feisty Ireland in their high-scoring World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.Martin Guptill struck a fine 130 off 134 balls as New Zealand racked up 311-6 in the day-night game at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur before bowling out Ireland for 279 off 48.2 overs.
Ireland enjoyed a flying start to their chase, with captain and opening batsman William Porterfield hammering a 74-ball 72 containing eight fours and a six.
Left-hander Ed Joyce hit 41 off 53 balls to keep Ireland in the hunt after Porterfield's dismissal in the 23rd over but the total proved too much for his team in the end.Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori picked four wickets for 42 runs off his 10 overs and fast bowler Kyle Mills chipped in with 3-52.
Put in to bat, New Zealand lost attacking opener Brendon McCullum (one) cheaply to seamer Boyd Rankin, but Guptill ensured a huge total with his attacking knock, containing 12 fours and three sixes.
Guptill, set to play in his first World Cup, found strong support from the middle-order comprising Jesse Ryder (48), Ross Taylor (33) and James Franklin (49).
Ireland bowlers leaked 61 runs off the last five overs with Scott Styris hitting 29 runs off just 15 balls with the help of three sixes and one four.
New Zealand, placed in Group A, open their World Cup campaign with a match against Kenya in Chennai on February 20, and Ireland take on Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 25.