LA Lakers Rumors – Dwight Howard Ready to Start Regular Season Opener?

The biggest news this summer in the NBA was Dwight Howard and his trade to the LA Lakers, but the All-Star center missed the playoffs last year, and questions have surrounded the big man and when he could begin playing in the 2012-13 season.

Yahoo! Sports has reported that Howard himself is targeting opening night on October 30, but the team has yet to decide on his status for the opener. Howard told reporter Adrain Wojnarowski that he is at about 85% and he would like to play the opened against Dallas, but the medical staff won't rush the center back to the court and will wait until they are comfortable with his injured back before they make any decisions.

The LA Lakers have made enough roster moves to allow Howard ample time to heal, but fans want to see this team at full strength, and that includes Howard starting at center. With chemistry playing such a large role in success in the NBA, look for both parties to reach a mutual decision that won't affect the team negatively.

Cricket-India v Pakistan - scoreboard

Scoreboard from the Twenty20 World Cup
match between India and Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday
    
       India beat Pakistan by eight wickets
        
 Pakistan innings
 Mohammad Hafeez b Kohli                   15
 Imran Nazir lbw b Pathan                   8
 Shahid Afridi c Raina b Balaji            14
 Nasir Jamshed c Dhoni b Yuvraj Singh       4
 Kamran Akmal c Dhoni b Yuvraj Singh        5
 Shoaib Malik c Sharma b Ashwin            28
 Umar Akmal c Raina b Ashwin               21
 Yasir Arafat run out                       8
 Umar Gul c Dhoni b Balaji                 12
 Saeed Ajmal c Dhoni b Balaji               1
 Raza Hasan not out                         0
 Extras (lb-1, w-10, nb-1)                 12
 Total (all out; 19.4 overs)              128
    Fall of wickets: 1-17 2-35 3-43 4-49 5-59 6-106 

    7-115 8-115 9-128 10-128


Bowling: Zaheer Khan 3-0-22-0 (3w), Pathan 3-0-30         -1 (1w),
Balaji 3.4-0-22-3, Ashwin 4-0-16-2 (1w), Yuvraj Singh 3-0-16-2,
Kholi 3-0-21-1 (1nb)
     
 India innings
 G.Gambhir c & b Raza Hasan            0
 V.Sehwag c Umar Gul b Shahid Afridi  29
 V.Kohli not out                      78
 Yuvraj Singh not out                 19
 Extras (w-2, nb-1)                    3
 Total (two wickets, 17 overs)       129
    Fall of wickets: 1-1 2-75
    Bowling: Raza Hasan 4-0-22-1 (1w), Umar Gul 3-0-30-0 (1nb,
1w), Saaed Ajmal 4-0-25-0, Shahid Afridi 4-0-34-1, Yasir Arafat
1-0-11-0, Mohammad Hafeez 1-0-7-0

Cricket-India coast past Pakistan to keep World Cup hopes alive

India, led by a superb unbeaten 78 from Virat Kohli, kept their Twenty20 World Cup hopes alive with an empathic eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the Super Eights on Sunday.

Having dismissed their neighbours for a paltry 128, with Lakshmipathy Balaji taking three for 22, Kohli laid into the Pakistan bowling and compiled his match-winning innings off 61 balls.

Kohli was supported by Virender Sehwag (29) and Yuvraj Singh with an unbeaten 19 as India cruised home with three overs to spare.

India and South Africa were facing the exit door after Australia's win over the South Africans but India's victory kept Group Two wide open.

Australia look virtually certain to reach the last four and the other three teams all still have a chance of progressing

Live score

Old rivals India and Pakistan face-off in this Super Eight contest which promises to be nothing short of a thriller.

India need to win this match for any chance of proceeding into the semi-finals and will be riding high on the fact that Pakistan has never defeated them in the T20 World Cup tournament.

Pakistan on the other hand will be on a high with their win over South Africa recently.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat against India in a Super Eight match of the World Twenty20 tournament on Sunday.

India replaced Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla with Virender Sehwag and Laxmipathy Balaji in the playing eleven.

Teams:

India:
V Sehwag, G Gambhir, V Kohli, SK Raina, Yuvraj Singh, RG Sharma, MS Dhoni*†, IK Pathan, R Ashwin, Z Khan, L Balaji

Pakistan:
Mohammad Hafeez*, Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal†, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Raza Hasan, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal

WC T20: Pakistan set India 129-run target

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and elected to bat against India in a Group 2 Super Eights match of the ICC World Twenty20 in Colombo on Sunday. India have made two changes in their playing eleven from last match. Virender Sehwag and Laxmipathy Balaji have been drafted into the side in place Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have fielded an unchanged side.




Scorecard

Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt) , Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Laxmipathy Balaji.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Raza Hasan, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal.

nd vs Pak: India bundle out Pakistan to modest 128 in Colombo

NEW DELHI: Pakistan lost Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal inside 50 runs against India after opting to bat in their crucial Super Eight game in the World Twenty20 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

Ravichandran Ashwin too joined the party as he struck twice to dent Pakistan's brief recovery.

Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal added crucial 47 runs for the sixth wicket to give some respite to Pakistan after early jolts.

Ashwin first got rid of the perilous Shoaib Malik, who played a decent cameo of 28 runs with the help of 3 boundaries. Malik was caught at midwicket by Rohit Sharma while trying to drive.
Soon after dismissing Malik, Ashwin claimed his second wicket in the form of Umar Akmal after the right-hander was brilliantly caught deep in the field by Suresh Raina.

Virat Kohli got rid of skipper Mohammad Hafeez as Pakistan lost half of their side at the score of 59 in 9.5 overs.

Yuvraj Singh's double strike gave denting blows to Pakistan after getting early blows from the seamers.

Yuvraj first dismissed Nasir Jamshed behind the wicket and then picked up his second wicket in the form of Kamran Akmal, who in an effort to strike a slightly offside pitched ball through covers could only find the gloves of MS Dhoni.

Paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji gave India second breakthrough in the form of dangerous Shahid Afridi.

Seamer Irfan Pathan gave India crucial early breakthrough as he dismissed dangerous Pakistani opener Imran Nazir in their Super Eight game.

Earlier, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and decided to bat first against arch-rivals India.

Dashing opener Virender Sehwag returned to the playing XI after missing last two matches against England and Australia.

Seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji also made his way back in to the team. Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh were left out for today's match.

On the other hand Pakistan have retained the same playing XI which beat South Africa in their first Super Eight game.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Raza Hasan, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal

ICC T20 World Cup 2012 live score: India vs Pakistan

India Innings

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 2 I Score: 9/1

Umar Gul bowled the second over and conceded just 3 runs off the over. 3 singles.
..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 1 I Score: 6/1

Interesting ploy by Hafeez as he started off with Raza Hasan and he immediately got the wicket of Gautam Gambhir for 0, caught and bowled. It was tossed up delivery Gauti went early with the shot, a leading edge to Raza Hasan. Kohli walked in and he got a boundary courtesy an edge which landed safely wide of first slip and ran away to third man for boundary.

Gambhir c and b Raza Hasan 0(2)

Pakistan Innings

In a crucial ‘do-or-die’ fixture, India bowled out Pakistan for 128 runs with Balaji taking three wickets (3.4-0-22-3) and Yuvraj and Ashwin chipping in with two wickets each. Kohli and Pathan also got a wicket each. For Pakistan, Shoaib Malik top scored with 28 runs.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 20 I Score: 128 all out

Balaji with the last over of Pakistan innings and gave a juicy full toss to Gul, Gul obliged with a massive six over deep square leg. But the very next ball, Gul departed trying to heave the short of length ball but a top edge landed in Dhoni's gloves. Saeed Ajmal was also out trying a paddle sweep, Dhoni with the catch again.

Umar Gul c Dhoni b Balaji 12(10) [4s-1 6s-1]

Ajmal c Dhoni b Balaji 1(2)

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 19 I Score: 122/8

Direct hit from Yuvraj Singh from point and Yasar Arafat found himself short of the crease. Next ball, Gul crashed a short delivery from Zak towards fine leg. 6 runs off the over.

Arafat run out (Yuvraj) 8(11) [4s-1]

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 18 I Score: 116/7

Ashwin produced the breakthrough in the form of Umar Akmal as he departed trying to hit a short length ball over deep square, Raina took an easy catch. Another excellent over as the offie conceded just 2 runs off the over.

Umar Akmal c Raina b Ashwin 21(18) [6s-1]

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 17 I Score: 114/6

Balaji started off with three dot balls with pressure mounting on Arafat. Balaji then bowled a slower bouncer that bamboozled the all-rounder. But in the fifth ball a big heave from Arafat earned a boundary as the top edge flew to third man. 5 runs off the over.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 16 I Score: 109/6

Ashwin struck with the wicket of Shoaib Malik with Rohit Sharma completing a sharp catch at mid-wicket. It was flighted delivery from Ashwin, Malik went down on one knee and tried to slog it over mid wicket but failed. Yasir Arafat came to the crease. 4 runs off the over.

Shoaib Malik c Rohit Sharma b Ashwin 28(22) [4s-3]

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 15 I Score: 105/5

L Balaji came back into the attack for his second over. The Pak batsmen got a two singles and a double. Malik then guided a leg-side delivery towards fine leg boundary with a deft touch for a four. 8 runs off the over.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 14 I Score: 97/5

Ashwin came back into the attack for his second over. Started off with a wide and a dot ball. Akmal got a single in the third ball dabbing the ball behind square. After two dot balls Malik got a double steering the ball to deep point and ended the over with a single towards long-on. 5 runs off the over.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 13 I Score: 92/5

Irfan Pathan [2.0-0-18-1] came back into the attack, as Malik and Akmal upped the tempo running between the wicket well. they got couple of doubles and a single in the first three balls. In the forth, Umar Akmal clobbered Irfan Pathan's slower one high over the cow corner for a SIX. 12 runs from the over.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 12 I Score: 80/5

Shoaib Malik got a boundary in the sweeper cover area in the free hit as Kohli bowled a low full toss. Malik then cut a wide delivery from Kohli past short third man for another boundary. The duo of Malik and Umar got 15 runs off the over.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 11 I Score: 65/5

Yuvraj conceded 5 singles in his third over as Malik and Akmal played the left arm spinner cautiously.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 10 I Score: 60/5

Virat Kohli clean bowled Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez as he played on the delivery to the leg stump. India tightened the screw on the run-rate as well. Kohli conceded 4 runs off the over. Umar Akmal walked to the middle.

Hafeez b Virat Kohli 15(28) [4s-1]

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 9 I Score: 56/4

Yuvraj with his second over and he scalps another dangerous player, Kamran Akmal this time around, again caught behind by Dhoni. Akmal went for a big heave, the ball spun away a bit getting an edge. Shoaib Malik came to the crease. Hafeez got a boundary off the last ball. It was short and wide and a welcome boundary for Pakistan and Hafeez.

Kamran Akmal c Dhoni b Yuvraj 5(6)

..........................................................................................................................................................


Over: 8 I Score: 47/3

Virat Kohli was introduced into the attack and the medium pacer bowled a good line giving away no room to work for the batsmen. He conceded just 3 runs.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 7 I Score: 44/3

Yuvraj came into the attack and Hafeez had a tough time moving on playing 2 dot balls. He got a single courtesy a long hop pulled through short mid wicket in the third ball. In the fourth ball Yuvraj got the wicket of Nasir Jamshed, caught behind by MS Dhoni, Jamshed looked stunned with the decision given by Richard Kettleborough. Jamshed went for a sweep seeing the flighted delivery, but got a faint edge to the keeper. Good over by Yuvi, conceded 2 runs and got the prized wicket of Nasir Jamshed.

Nasir Jamshed c Dhoni b Yuvraj 4(5)

..........................................................................................................................................................

Over: 6 I Score: 42/2

Spin into the attack as Ashwin was introduced in the final over of the powerplay. In third ball Raina misfielded at mid-off earning Pakistan 2 additional runs. Ashwin conceded 6 runs off his first over.

.........................................................................................................................................................................

Over: 5 I Score: 36/2

L Balaji came into the attack and he got the big wicket of Shahid Afridi. Afridi went for a pull shot where he was holed out in the deep mid wicket region by Raina.He had conceded just 2 singles in his first three deliveries and got the wicket in the fourth. In-form batter Nasir Jamshed came to the crease and was off the mark immediately with a gentle push to short mid. 3 runs off the over.

Shahid Afridi c Raina b Balaji 14(12) [4s-2]

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Over: 4 I Score: 33/1

Pathan with the 4th over, concedes a single in third and fourth ball after two dots. 2 runs off the fifth ball as Yuvraj dived to save a boundary down the ground. 5 runs off the over.

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Over: 3 I Score: 28/1

Zak with the third over, this time a much tidier one, much accurate. 4 dot balls and 2 singles. Concedes just 2 runs.

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Over: 2 I Score: 26/1

Irfan Pathan bowled the second over conceding a lucky boundary in the first ball but Imran Nazir was trapped Leg Before Wicket next ball. Afridi came in one down and heaved a full length ball down towards long-on boundary for four in the third delivery. Afridi got another boundary in the last ball muscling the short and wide delivery past the off-side cordon. 13 runs off the over.

Imran Nazir lbw b Irfan Pathan 8(5) [4s-2]

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Over: 1 I Score: 13/0

Zaheer Khan started off the proceedings for India with Mohammed Hafeez and Imran Nazir at the crease. First ball was a WIDE and Yuvraj stopped a certain boundary in the second ball diving to his left at cover. Third ball, a single by Hafeez. Fourth ball, Nazir slashed at a wide delivery, the ball flew past the off-side cordon for a BOUNDARY. Zak bowled another wide, this time down the leg-side followed by another wide, Dhoni with the misfield. In the last ball, Virender Sehwag dropped a tough catch of Imran Nazir at first slip. 13 runs of the over.

Frenzy catches on as fans head for India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

The frenzy of cricket has caught on to fans in India ahead of the India-Pakistan match in the ongoing Twenty20 Cricket World Cup in Colombo.

Cricket fans in different parts of the country will catch the on- field action on Sunday evening.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants his batsmen to throw caution to the wind and play their natural attacking game in crucial match against Pakistan to revive their stuttering World Twenty20 campaign.

In New Delhi, fans are enthralled and hope that India would win the match.

Cricketer Yuvraj Singh's fans are looking forward to watch his first match against archrival Pakistan after his comeback from the battle against cancer.

“You all know that everybody wants to watch an India-Pakistan match and there is lot of excitement. We are very excited to watch it this evening, and we all know that India will win it for sure. India will win the match. All the best India, Yuvraj you can do it man. And do give out six sixes,” Anuj Gupta, a Team India cricket fan, said.

India's performance in the tournament has been bleak, as they had lost to Australia in their opening match of the Super Eight series on Friday.

India's performance in earlier matches against teams like Afghanistan has also not been satisfactory and has raised questions on their campaign for this tournament.

The fans, however, are not perturbed by all this and are pinning their hopes on India for today's match.

“It does not matter. Everyone is hoping for India to win, so India is going to win,” said Shubhangi Singh, another Team India cricket fan.

India also lost the warm-up match against Pakistan in the tournament and Dhoni was aware of the weight of expectation from the country when they play their neighbours.

Pakistan also loaded their team with spinners against South Africa on Friday, but captain Mohammad Hafeez said that the team was yet to decide on its combination against India

Speaking to reporters, Bollywood actor Rahul Bose said that at the end of the day, one team has to lose while other emerges a winner.

“The system of T20 is a system of luck. All the teams are capable on almost the same level. But someone either wins or loses in a day. So I would appeal to the people not to take it emotionally. If India loses they are still trying their best. That is the nature of T20,” he said.

Another Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu wished Team India ahead of the game.

“All the best India. India rocks,” she said.

The India-Pakistan game frenzy has also caught on to fans in Dhoni's hometown Ranchi.

Fans and priests performed traditional fire sacrifice and offered prayers at a local temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Priest at Acharya Krishna temple said that the sacrifice was being performed so that India emerges victorious against Pakistan.

“This sacrifice will lead to a good start of the T20 World Cup. Today India plays against archrival Pakistan. Our Dhoni is the pride of Jharkhand and India. This is so that Dhoni's team wins and there is happiness everywhere,” he said.

Cricket matches between the two countries have always been a high voltage affair with emotions running high on both sides.

Compared to India's performance in the tournament so far, Pakistan has been fairing well with them crushing Australia in their last Super Eight series match.

India has never lost a match against Pakistan in any edition of the cricket World Cup or the Twenty20 World Cup version.

Between them, India and Pakistan won the first two editions of the T20 men's event in 2007 and 2009 respectively.