Pakistan vs Australia 2nd T20 Match, Edgbaston, Birmingham, On Jul 6, 2010 from 16:00 GMT | 21:30 IST Onwards

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is hoping that curators in England will make pitches that suit the team’s Test series against Australia this month. Due to security fears, Pakistan is hosting the series against Australia in England and Afridi is looking for spinner-friendly tracks for the two Tests at Lord’s and Leeds later this month.

“It’s supposed to be our home series, so naturally we believe that we can get pitches that suit us,” Afridi told The News. “As the host team, you can exploit home advantage which at times can play a big role in the final outcome of the series,” he added. However, Pakistan’s initial bid to get ‘suitable’ pitches prepared the series was rejected a few days back.

According to the report, soon after Pakistan arrived in London late last month for a marathon tour of England, its coach Waqar Younis met with curators at Lord’s to discuss the nature of the wicket at the prestigious venue for Pakistan’s opening Test against Australia starting there from July 13.

Waqar, a former Pakistan Test pacer, wanted to discuss the possibility of making a track that could assist spinners and in the meantime tried to make it sure that batting won’t be too difficult in the series-opening Test.

Pakistan has three specialist spinners – Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman – in their touring party. However, Abdur Rehman is just a part of Pakistan’s Twenty20 squad. In addition, Pakistan also has two additional spinners in Afridi and former captain Shaoib Malik. Both of them are all-rounders with creditable bowling records in international cricket.

Pakistan vs Australia 1st T20 Match, Edgbaston, Birmingham, On Jul 5, 2010 from 16:00 GMT | 21:30 IST Onwards

Mitchell Johnson believes Australia will be able to overcome the loss of fellow pace bowler Ryan Harris in their series with Pakistan.

Harris has been ruled out of the remainder of Australia’s tour with a knee injury suffered in a 42-run win in the fifth and final one-day international against England at Lord’s on Saturday.

That means the 30-year-old will miss the two Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan at Edgbaston here on Monday and Tuesday and the teams’ subsequent two Tests at Lord’s and Headingley. The matches being played in England because of concerns about the security situation in Pakistan.

Australia arrived in England without pacemen Brett Lee, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle, as well as Johnson, who missed the one-dayers against England with an infected elbow. But Johnson is now fit to resume and with Shaun Tait, only drafted into the tour after off-spinner Nathan Hauritz was ruled out with a foot injury, having hit the 100mph mark at Lord’s, Doug Bollinger in good form and teenager Josh Hazlewood also featuring against England, Australia have several pace options.

Afridi allayed concerns over a side injury with a typically dashing 42 off 14 balls in Pakistan’s final warm-up match, a six-wicket Twenty20 win over Northamptonshire on Saturday.

Australia Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke (Test skipper Ricky Ponting has long since retired from international cricket’s shortest format) is expected to be fit after a back injury ruled him out of the fifth one-dayer at Lord’s.

India vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T20 Match, Harare Sports Club, Harare, On Jun 13, 2010 from 11:00 GMT | 16:30 IST Onwards

The host team, which lost the tri-series final to Sri Lanka, would be plotting another shocker for the Indians on Sunday.The break that followed their tri-series ouster has given Suresh Raina’s men enough time to chalk out their plans to avoid another stunner from Elton Chigumbura’s fighting side.

The key to India’s success is batting and the line-up is desperately missing the heavyweights, who were rested from the series.

Dinesh Karthik and M Vijay are not exactly the ideal opening pair for Twenty20s as both the batsmen are known to take their time in settling down at the crease before attempting strokes.

In fact, the duo couldn’t make much of an impact in the ODI series failing to score any memorable knock.Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Raina himself are the men in form and would look to continue their run in the two Twenty20s.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are high on morale despite the tri-series final loss to Sri Lanka. The team has shown the stomach for a fight and they would be looking to continue just that.

Their batsmen showed decent form in the ODIs and would be looking to be slightly more aggressive in the shortest format of the game. Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu and Charles Coventry are proven performers and the Zimbabweans would be hoping to get some explosive knocks from them to surprise the Indians once again.

India vs Zimbabwe, 1st T20 Match, Harare Sports Club, Harare, On Jun 12, 2010 from 11:00 GMT | 16:30 IST Onwards

After the humiliation they suffered in the ODI tri-series, India will look to make amends and take revenge against giant-slayers Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International here on Saturday. Here with a second-string team, India were dumped out of the just-concluded tri-series after suffering back-to-back defeats against the spirited Zimbabweans.

The host team, which lost the tri-series final to Sri Lanka, would be plotting another shocker for the Indians on Sunday.The break that followed their tri-series ouster has given Suresh Raina’s men enough time to chalk out their plans to avoid another stunner from Elton Chigumbura’s fighting side. The key to India’s success is batting and the line-up is desperately missing the heavyweights, who were rested from the series.

Dinesh Karthik and M Vijay are not exactly the ideal opening pair for Twenty20s as both the batsmen are known to take their time in settling down at the crease before attempting strokes.In fact, the duo couldn’t make much of an impact in the ODI series failing to score any memorable knock.Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Raina himself are the men in form and would look to continue their run in the two Twenty20s.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are high on morale despite the tri-series final loss to Sri Lanka. The team has shown the stomach for a fight and they would be looking to continue just that.Their batsmen showed decent form in the ODIs and would be looking to be slightly more aggressive in the shortest format of the game. Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu and Charles Coventry are proven performers and the Zimbabweans would be hoping to get some explosive knocks from them to surprise the Indians once again.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 3rd T20 Match, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, On May 23, 2010 from 16:00 GMT | 21:30 IST Onwards

Cricket history will be made in Florida this weekend when New Zealand play Sri Lanka in two Twenty20 internationals. It is the first time two full members of the International Cricket Council have contested a series in America.

New Zealand Cricket has a partnership with the USA Cricket Association and matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday in Lauderhill, near Miami.

The Kiwis are without injured Jesse Ryder and the now retired Shane Bond so Andy McKay comes into the squad. McKay, a 30-year-old left-arm seamer who has played three one-day internationals, has recovered from a foot injury that kept him out of the series against Australia and the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

Sri Lanka are without Muttiah Muralitharan, who has a groin injury. “It’s something different,” Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene said. “We’re excited to be here, it’s a great experience and great exposure to play under different circumstances as well as different conditions.”

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 2nd T20 Match, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, On May 22, 2010 from 19:00 GMT | 00:30 IST Onwards

T20 International Match will be first time played in the US. This move by ICC is to get into US Market. If the response of Cricket in USA is good then, we may see more and more Cricket in US in the future. New Zealand and Sri Lanka, both have failed to reach the Semis of recently concluded T20 World Cup. Both will be hoping to start this new T20 Series on a good note.

Both T20 Matches will be played at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida. The stadium is near to the Miami.

For now, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will settle for a bit of cricket history in a land where baseball is the national pastime, basketball and American football rule and cricket is seldom found on the sport pages or telecasts. “Our team and nation is honored to be one of the first two ICC Full Members to be involved in this historic series,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

Clearly USA Cricket has some work to do. But cricketers are ready for the effort.”The Blackcaps are really excited,” captain Daniel Vettori said. ”We know the series against Sri Lanka will be a great advertisement for international cricket to US fans.”

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st T20 Match, Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, On May 20, 2010 from 20:00 GMT | 01:30 IST Onwards

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will stage the first cricket matches on US soil between two ICC full members this weekend, a move officials hope will launch a US boom for the sport. “The historic event will provide great exposure,” USA Cricket Association president Gladstone Dainty said.

Saturday and Sunday afternoon matches will be staged at Lauderhill’s Central Broward Regional Park, the only ICC-approved venue in the United States. But with an India property developer sponsoring the Pearls Cup T20 matches and Indian Premier League officials talking about staging US events as early as 2011, the US breakthrough could be only a hint of greater things to come.

For now, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will settle for a bit of cricket history in a land where baseball is the national pastime, basketball and American football rule and cricket is seldom found on the sport pages or telecasts. “Our team and nation is honored to be one of the first two ICC Full Members to be involved in this historic series,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

Clearly USA Cricket has some work to do. But cricketers are ready for the effort.”The Blackcaps are really excited,” captain Daniel Vettori said.  ”We know the series against Sri Lanka will be a great advertisement for international cricket to US fans.”

Australia vs England, Final T20 Match, Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, On May 16, 2010 from 15:30 GMT | 21:00 IST Onwards

Another chapter will be added to the old Ashes rivalry between England and Australia when the two cricket giants take each other in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup here at the Kensington Oval on Sunday. England have had a terrific tournament so far, winning all their Super Eight matches convincingly and strolling past Sri Lanka in the semifinal, while Australia survived a scare against Pakistan with Michael Hussey’s match-winning knock in the second semis on Friday.

England have looked like a well-knit side throughout the event. Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter and left-hander Michael Lumb have given solid starts to the Paul Collingwood led-team in most of the matches, while the hunger for runs shown by Kevin Pietersen makes him the most important asset for the English side.

With Collingwood at number four, they have a captain who could take the innings forward with his calm and composure. And Eoin Morgan is just like a ‘pocket dynamite’, who can change his gears depending upon the situation of the match. Luke Wright and Tim Bresnan provide the right balance to the side with their medium-fast bowling and hard-hitting at the depth while Graeme Swan’s positive attitude and Michael Yardy’s experience have strangled the batsmen with their spin bowling in the middle overs.

Everyone knows how threatening Ryan Sidebottom can be if he gets a little help from the pitch. Stuart Broad too can keep the batsmen guessing with his change of pace and length. On the other hand, Australia too looked invincible till their bowlers were put to sword by Akmal brothers and their batsmen fell like a house of cards under pressure. But still, Australia, which was seeded ninth before this tournament, look a very formidable unit to challenge the mighty Poms. David Warner is tailor-made for this format of the game, while his opening partner Shane Watson has had a terrific last year in all forms of the game. With skipper Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Michael Hussey, they have got three most seasoned campaigners in T20 and both Cameron White and David Hussey are very capable of sending the ball well over the ropes. Both the Victorians, together with Steven Smith and Clarke give spinning options to the Aussie side. Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait, and Mitchell Johnson have got plenty of bounce from the Kensington Oval’s wicket so far and they will look for an encore.

Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Semi Final T20 Match, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia On May 14, 2010 from 15:30 GMT | 21:00 IST Onwards

After their miraculous entry into the last four stage, defending champions Pakistan face the uphill task of halting the Australian juggernaut in the second semifinal of the Twenty20 World Cup here on Friday.

Pakistan were pushed to the brink after their one-run defeat to New Zealand in their second Super Eight match but Shahid Afridi’s men bounced back to beat South Africa and with a stroke of luck sneaked into the semifinals.

Australia, on the other hand, have crushed whosoever have come under their wheels and remains unbeaten in the tournament so far but that reputation won’t count when they take on an enigmatic Pakistan on Friday. For Australia, their battery of lethal fast bowlers have knocked the stuffing out of the opponent batsman, While Pakistan have an array of spinners who have dominated on the slow wickets here.

For Pakistan, their spinners’ Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal — could pose many questions to the free-scoring Aussie batsmen on this deck and it will be interesting to watch who calls the shots in this crucial game. Will it be the Aussies pacemen or the Pakistani spinners. On a man-to-man basis, Australia are a superior lot. They can bat right up to number nine, which is something Pakistan lack. Their fielding too has been outstanding, something which Shahid Afridi’s men can’t match.

Australia have now learnt how to play T20 cricket. They have a strong batting and bowling line-up. As we have played them at this ground in the first round, we know the areas where Shane Watson and David Warner play their shots. We have plans for them,” said Afridi. “We will play to our strengths. We have three genuine spinners who could use the conditions here very well. Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal have been bowling well. We are confident that they will perform in this crucial game,” added Afridi.

We were in the same situation in the last World Cup in England. But we went on to win the championship. If we could return home with the title, it will be great victory for the people of Pakistan who love cricket and want to see us play home and away, said Afridi.

England  vs  Sri Lanka, 1st Semi Final T20 Match, Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia On May 13, 2010 from 15:30 GMT | 21:00 IST Onwards

Kevin Pietersen will be hellbent to ensure that the first game his newborn son witnesses has the KP trademark stamped on it. The out lander has single-handedly taken England to the semi-finals and after missing the last game, he will be back to take the juggernaut further in the ICC World T20 Championships. Pietersen will be up against a buoyant Sri Lankan outfit, who blighted India ruthlessly in their previous game.

Kumar Sangakkara’s men have been one of the most impressive sides in the tournament and barring their match against Australia, have played the perfect game. Their batting has been outstanding with the classy Mahela Jayawardene leading the pack. Jayawardene’s sublime form coupled with players like Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera makes them a formidable batting unit.

The slow St Lucia pitch will suit Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers. Though Muttiah Muralitharan will be missed, young Suraj Randiv has risen in the ranks and is making giant strides. Randiv troubled the Aussies and will be one of the key players England have to watch out for on Thursday. He will also be crucial in Keeping the in-form Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright in check during the middle overs.

To tackle Sri Lanka’s batting, England will turn to tweakers Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy, who have been terrific so far. But against strong players of spin like Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Dilshan, this will be the duo’s toughest test.

England’s most experienced bowler Ryan Sidebottom will have the responsibility of taking care of Jayawardene and Co. early in the innings. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would look to take early control by picking on Sidebottom.

Another lip-smacking contest will be between Pietersen and Lasith Malinga. Pietersen annihilated Dale Steyn and he will target Malinga as well to break the back of the Lankan bowling. The Lankan spearhead will look to send the champion batsman as soon as possible, in view of the destruction he caused against South Africa in a short span of time. Sangakkara has to be careful in rotating bowlers with Pietersen in the middle as apart from Malinga, they lack experience and Pietersen can make them bleed.