COLOMBO: Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam warned Canada Tuesday that his side is determined to finish top of Group A at the World Cup and will not be easing up when the two sides meet in Colombo. Having thrashed Kenya by 205 runs in its opening match, before spoiling the party for 35,000 home fans with an 11-run win over co-host Sri Lanka, Alam said that his side now has top slot in its sights. “That's the target now,” Alam said as he prepared the squad for Thursday's game. “We want to be on top in our group and we will play against Canada as any other big match.” “We want this momentum to continue and will not be relaxed against teams like Canada.” Alam's side is also wary that any let-up in the pressure it's been exerting so far on opponents could lead to a nasty upset at the World Cup. Pakistan has already been on the receiving end of just such a setback in the competition, having famously lost to ICC Associate nation Ireland in the group stage of the 2007 edition in the Caribbean. “Everyone knows whenever big teams had taken these associate countries lightly they have sprung a few surprises,” Alam said. Pak cricketers move CAS In Switzerland, the Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has received appeals by three Pakistan cricketers who were banned for spot-fixing in a match against England. CAS says Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt have filed challenges to their five-year suspensions imposed by the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption tribunal last month. Butt also got a further suspended five-year ban, and Asif a two-year suspended sanction. CAS says it will now work to set a date for their appeal hearings. Cricket's governing body found the three players collaborated to bowl no-balls at prearranged times during the fourth Test at Lord's last August. Sehwag to consult doctor Big-hitting Indian opener Virender Sehwag is seeing a doctor in New Delhi after being struck in the ribs during a net session last week, a report said Tuesday. “He is going to see a personal physician and is expected Wednesday,” Ranjib Biswal, the India team manager, said, according to the Hindustan Times. “There is no major concern as such, but it seems he doesn't want to take a chance.” Sehwag is also carrying a shoulder problem that has prevented him from bowling, the report said. Biswal said he had a “niggle in his shoulder.” Replacement approved The International Cricket Council has approved Devendra Bishoo as a replacement player for the injured Dwayne Bravo in the West Indies World Cup squad. Bishoo, a 25-year-old leg-spinner, has not been capped by the West Indies. He has played 21 first-class matches and 13 domestic Twenty20 games while the Guyanese-born bowler also played for the West Indies A team last year. Bravo is the 11th player to be replaced in the tournament and the third for the West Indies after Adrian Barath and Carlton Baugh. The eligibility of a replacement player is subject to approval by the ICC before he can be officially added to the squad. Quicks need to bowl ‘smart', says Steyn Variations in pace will be the key to success on subcontinental pitches, where batsmen have so far dominated, South African fast bowler Dale Steyn said Tuesday. “You've got to be street smart I suppose when you bowl in India. You can't bowl the same pace at the same place as the guys will work you out,” Steyn said. “In my second over (against the West Indies in the opening game), I was cut and then I changed my pace. You've got to have better understanding.” South Africa's spinners, led by Pakistan-born Imran Tahir (4-41), played a key role in their team's seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in Delhi, but Steyn's class was also evident as he grabbed three wickets. “In South Africa, you can get away sometimes because of the bounce. In India, it does not bounce and finds the middle of the bat and goes flying to point or extra cover for four. I had to look to change my plans (in the first match) and change my line.” The South African said the mandatory change of ball after 34 overs could help fast bowlers maintain pressure on the opposition.
