HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — High-flying South Africa batsman Hashim Amla said his team was ready for its African neighbor Zimbabwe in their Group C match of the World Twenty20 at Hambantota Thursday. Zimbabwe was smarting from a big 82-run defeat at the hands of host Sri Lanka, with mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis registering best figures of 6-8 in all Twenty20 internationals in the tournament opener here Tuesday. Amla, 29, said Zimbabwe would come down hard in its last chance to stay in the tournament. “Zimbabwe are a professional team, they must want to improve on their performance but we are coming well prepared so whatever they bring to the party, obviously we need to be better than that,” Amla said Wednesday. Labeled as perennial “choker” for its slumps in major events since being readmitted to international cricket in 1992, South Africa looks to end its 14-year title wait after winning the ICC's knock out tournament in 1998. For that, Amla thinks, a winning start was important. “I think we need to start well, each T20 game is different and getting a victory for a good start, that's what we are looking for. That has been our aim, fortunately we've had a good preparation coming here,” said Amla. England stuns Pakistan Reigning World Twenty20 champion England overcame a batting failure to bounce back and defeat Pakistan by 15 runs in a warm-up match in Colombo Wednesday. England, shot out for 111 after electing to take first strike, hit back to restrict Pakistan to 96-9 on a bowler-friendly pitch at the P. Sara Oval. Danny Briggs, a 21-year-old left-arm spinner, claimed three wickets for 15 runs after being asked to open the bowling by England's captain Stuart Broad. Seamer Jade Dernbach finished with three for 14 as Pakistan's batsmen faltered against both pace and spin. Asad Shafiq's 20 was the highest score as seven batsmen failed to reach double figures. England had itself failed with the bat, losing its last five wickets in the space of eight deliveries. Luke Wright's 38 off 36 balls was the only notable contribution as off-spinner Saeed Ajmal grabbed four for 14 and Raza Hasan and Yasir Arafat took two wickets each. England takes on Afghanistan in their first Group A match at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo Friday, before meeting India at the same venue Sunday. Pakistan will travel to Pallekele for its two Group D games against New Zealand Sunday and Bangladesh Tuesday. — Agencies
