PROVIDENCE: Pakistan will be looking to give unshakeable proof that the West Indies were fortunate to gain a victory in their One-day International series, when the final match is contested on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium.
The Pakistanis were upstaged by rain and a blistering innings from Lendl Simmons to lose the previous match last Monday at Kensington Oval by one run under the Duckworth-Lewis Method.
The visitors have an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the series, following victories in the first three matches, but they will want to sign-off with a strong performance to knock West Indies back down a few notches, particularly with the two-Test series looming.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said that though the conditions they contested the previous match were difficult, his side should have still performed much better.
“We started on a difficult pitch, but the way Mohammad Hafeez batted, we thought we would have scored 270 to 275,” he said.
“But I think we missed that chance, and we did not bat well in the end. It was disappointing because we missed an opportunity to score a big total, and we have to do much better, and show more consistency in the future.”
Afridi said though the Pakistanis wanted to give some of the less experienced players an opportunity to play, he still felt that they were good enough to help the side finish the series on top.
“I am pretty happy with our boys, and the way they have played in this series, so I think we can be proud,” he said.
“We set a total in the previous game, and in the conditions, and with our attack, I felt it was a decent target, but the weather played a role, and we lost.”
West Indies Darren Sammy was relieved to get a victory over a Test-playing nation other than Bangladesh for the first time in two years, but he is looking forward to the final match, and hoped there are no interruptions to prove that the hosts are the genuine article.
“It has been a long time since we have beaten a top side, but we took the opportunity, and came through in the end,” he said.
“We needed that victory, and it was good to win against a top side, and the guys will take the positives from this game, and we will look to take confidence from it, and put it into play here.”
BANGKOK: Thailand have been kicked out of the 2012 men’s Olympic qualifying competition round for fielding an ineligible player, local media reported on Tuesday.
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) told the Bangkok Post they would appeal after being thrown out following a first round penalty shootout victory over Palestine.
The Thais were set to face Bahrain in the next round of regional qualifiers for next year’s London Olympics before the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stepped in, according to the paper.
The AFC punished Thailand for fielding suspended player Sucharit Chanthakul during the first leg in February, the report added.
“We have been formally informed by the AFC about the matter,” FAT secretary general Ong-art Korsinkha told the paper.
“We are appealing.”
Neither the AFC or FAT were immediately available for comment.
Soccer’s governing body FIFA would not confirm or deny Thailand’s expulsion but said an investigation was under way.
“FIFA has a case open with Thailand,” FIFA told Reuters in an email, adding that it could not comment further
BANGKOK: Thailand have been kicked out of the 2012 men’s Olympic qualifying competition round for fielding an ineligible player, local media reported on Tuesday.
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) told the Bangkok Post they would appeal after being thrown out following a first round penalty shootout victory over Palestine.
The Thais were set to face Bahrain in the next round of regional qualifiers for next year’s London Olympics before the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) stepped in, according to the paper.
The AFC punished Thailand for fielding suspended player Sucharit Chanthakul during the first leg in February, the report added.
“We have been formally informed by the AFC about the matter,” FAT secretary general Ong-art Korsinkha told the paper.
“We are appealing.”
Neither the AFC or FAT were immediately available for comment.
Soccer’s governing body FIFA would not confirm or deny Thailand’s expulsion but said an investigation was under way.
“FIFA has a case open with Thailand,” FIFA told Reuters in an email, adding that it could not comment further
