Not in Thatta but in hot water

On February 12, eight Pakistan players, including maverick former captain Shahid Afridi, fined 300 Australian dollars for breaching a team curfew ahead of their crucial World Cup game against India and were warned that a repeat offence will see them kicked out of the tournament. However, Afridi plays down being fined for breaking the curfew, claiming he and his team-mates went out to eat and not to dance the night away. “Nothing happened that night. We went for dinner -- we are in Australia, not in Thatta or Larkana."

Hit by Indian
sixer

Pakistan lose World Cup opener to arch-rivals India by 76 runs at the Adelaide Oval. The defending champions make 300 for seven with Virat Kohli (107) and Shikhar Dhawan (73) sharing a second-wicket stand of 129 before Suresh Raina hits 74. Sohail Khan tok five wickets for Pakistan. In reply, Pakistan batting failed and they were bowled out for 224 with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq making 76. It was India's sixth win in six World Cup games against Pakistan.

Quarrel with
coach

Pakistan's campaign rocked by fresh allegations of unrest when reports claim that fielding coach Grant Luden was involved in a heated row with senior players. Initial reports in the Pakistan media claim Luden resigned after an argument with Afridi, Shehzad and Umar Akmal. "Luden had a serious argument with some senior players and out of frustration resigned," a source in the Pakistan camp told AFP. But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) deny Luden resigned after the India match although they admit he had offered to quit before the World Cup started.

Mock funeral
of cricket

Pakistan lose to the West Indies by 150 runs in Christchurch. Chasing 311 to win, Pakistan never recover from slumping to one for four, the worst start in one-day international history, and are all out for 160 in the 39th over with Umar Akmal top-scoring on 59. Pakistani fans in Multan hold a mock funeral after the record-shattering defeat at the hands of the West Indies. Residents organise a symbolic funeral procession, replete with a coffin with several cricket bats placed over it and many smashed their Televison sets.

Casino selection backfires

Pakistani cricket chief Shehryar Khan tells reporters chief selector Moin Khan has been recalled home to account for himself in person over his visit to a casino shortly before the team's calamitous defeat by the West Indies. "Moin told me that he had gone to casino for a meal with his wife and his friend and friend's wife. I have asked him to return and explain his position to the enquiry committee," chairman Khan said. "Pakistan team manager Naveed Cheema will chair the tour selection committee (from now onwards)."