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FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

DHARAMSALA: Indian officials walk on the pitch after it was covered at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA) during rainfall in Dharamsala yesterday. Australia plays against New Zealand in the world T20 cricket tournament today in Dharamsala. — AFP Australia begin quest England seek a ‘must for elusive T20 crown win’ against Proteas MUMBAI: England need a win against South Africa yesterday after defeat in their opening World DHARAMSALA: Australia begin their latest Steve Smith’s side top the Test rankings and have struggled in 20 over cricket and have match while the Proteas want to get their quest today to clinch the elusive crown of won their fifth 50 over World Cup last year by only once made the final of the World T20, bid for a first international trophy off to a strong World Twenty20 champions against a New crushing New Zealand in the final in the back in 2010 when they lost to England. start. ’s England side were Zealand side who are on a high after their Melbourne Cricket Ground. But for all their Veteran all-rounder Shane Watson said blown away by a Chris Gayle century at the stunning victory over tournament hosts India. dominance in the older formats, Australia Australia would not hold back from remind- Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday night ing their trans-Tasman rivals about the out- as the West Indies won by six . Morgan will come of last year’s World Cup when they be looking for more from his batsmen after they fell Rival India-Pakistan fans meet again in today’s match in Dharamsala. short of his target of 200, finishing on 182 for six, But he acknowledged the Black Caps would and from his attack who he said performed be no pushovers this time and would be full switch sides on Facebook at around 80-90 percent. The English skipper rued of confidence after their shock 47-run victory losing the toss to West Indies captain Darren over red-hot favourites India on Tuesday.”We NEW DELHI: Rival cricket fans from India cancellation of a visiting Pakistani singer’s Sammy, who opted to field, and Morgan feels the and Pakistan have switched sides on social concert in Mumbai. are going to have to play very well because they are going to be very confident leading game of chance will again play a big part today in media ahead of a hotly awaited World His changed his profile picture to one of Mumbai’s humid conditions. Twenty20 clash, in protest over long-run- himself holding a note that read “I don’t into this game,” Watson told reporters in the “It was a lot more dewy tonight and the ball got a ning tensions between the nuclear-armed hate Pakistan”. The trend comes after Himalayan hill town which is home to the lot more wet. But certainly we’re better for playing in countries. Fans from the cricket-mad Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi was criti- Dalai Lama. nations have swapped support for their cized over his declaration that Pakistan’s A 3-0 home defeat to India in January it,” he said following the opening Super 10 Group 1 teams on Facebook, with Indian and cricketers receive more love in India than underlined Australia’s frailties in T20 cricket defeat. “Even at the toss I said I was going to chase Pakistani users posting profile pictures with back home. The comments raised eye- although there were encouraging signs earli- so it could be a big part for me in the South Africa their rival’s colors. brows as Pakistan’s buildup to the tourna- er last month when they beat South Africa 2- game,” Morgan added. The captain said before the The hashtag “ProfileforPeace” was ment has been embroiled in controversy 1 away. In Johannesburg, Glenn Maxwell tournament that he would use all 15 squad mem- trending on Facebook ahead of tomorrow’s over whether they would be allowed to spanked a career best 75 off 43 balls in a bers at his disposal, and replacing with match, whose build-up has been mired in travel to India because of security concerns. world record fourth stand of 161 with powerful fast bowler Liam Plunkett is a likely switch controversy over security arrangements for They agreed to make the trip only after David Warner, highlighting the all rounder’s for today’s do-or-die contest. the Pakistani team. Facebook chief Mark negotiations with India over security growing importance to the team. “Glenn Morgan said he treated every match as “a must- Zuckerberg said he had been bowled over arrangements and the shifting of their Maxwell is a huge player in our team,” said win game” and the next encounter is no different as by the move. “Something pretty interesting match against the hosts to Kolkata from Watson. “The way he bats, whether the ball is a second defeat would all but end England’s is happening in India and Pakistan on Dharamsala. turning or whether it’s not turning, his array chances of progressing to the semi-finals. For South Facebook right now,” Zuckerberg said in a India and Muslim-majority Pakistan of shots when he gets into his innings is Africa the night match marks the start of their quest post. have fought three wars since independ- incredible. He hits the ball around the to once and for all remove the chokers tag that skip- “Hundreds of thousands of Indian crick- ence in 1947 and diplomatic relations ground.” Maxwell is also expected to be busy per Faf du Plessis admits has become “a monkey on et fans are putting the Pakistani frame remain tense. India suspended bilateral bowling his offbreaks against a side who the back” of their team. Since their readmission in around their picture. And Pakistani fans are cricket with Pakistan after the deadly 2008 struggled against India’s spinners. New 1991 after the apartheid era ban, the Proteas have doing the same thing-showing support for Mumbai attacks which New Delhi blamed Zealand spinners Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner been the nearly men of world cups in both T20 and India.” Mumbai-based artist Ram on militants based across the border. and Nathan McCullum shared nine wickets 50 over cricket, falling agonizingly short of the final Subramanian, who changed his colors to Ehsanullah Shah, a lawyer from Lahore, said against the Indians, leaving the selectors with on several occasions. those of Pakistan, said he hoped the trend changing his profile picture to India was a a headache over whether to bring back pace- Despite their failure to win a major trophy, South would make both governments realize that chance to promote peace. “I have a lot of men Trent Boult or Tim Southee. Coach Mike Africa are one of the tournament favorites and are many Indians and Pakistanis do not hate or friends who’re Indians, I love them to bits, Hesson has been trying to keep the team’s currently in third place in the T20 world rankings. mistrust each other. “India and Pakistan and I’m all for peace between us as coun- feet on the ground since the India win, telling “The only way you can get rid of that (the chokers’ need to have a conversation. How long are tries,” the 30-year-old said. “So if I was given New Zealand radio that qualification for the tag) is to perform under pressure,” du Plessis said they going to keep this (tension) going?” the opportunity to show these two things, semis in a pool that also includes Pakistan last week. “I think it’s fair but the only way you will the 37-year said. Subramanian said he start- my love for my friends and for peace; well and Bangladesh is a tough ask. “Great start ever get that monkey off your back is if you do win a for us but we know that even just getting out ed a ProfileforPeace trend last October I’m not one that lets these opportunities trophy,” added the 31-year-old batsman. — AFP after a right-wing Hindu group forced the get by.”— AFP of the pool is going to be incredibly difficult,” he told Newstalk ZB. — AFP