Pakistan, who are forced to play home matches on neutral territory because of security fears, start a two-Test series against Australia at Lord’s on July 13. The Marylebone Cricket Club, which owns Lord’s, is sponsoring the series.

“We have certainly thought about future matches but I can’t say we have had any formal discussions,” MCC secretary and chief executive Bradshaw told Reuters.

“India are touring here next year so the prospect of an India-Pakistan neutral Test (at Lord’s) is certainly an attractive one but it’s not one we have had any official talks on to this point.

“It’s probably not for the MCC to be involved in the negotiations, I guess they would be between India, Pakistan and the ECB (England’s board), but I would say our doors are open and we would love to see that cricket come here.”

India were scheduled to tour Pakistan early last year but refused to travel because of security concerns. They were replaced by Sri Lanka who were victims of an armed attack in Lahore in which six of their players were wounded.

“The United Arab Emirates has been our only neutral venue to date but the Pakistan Cricket Board is looking for other venues,” Pakistan Cricket Board marketing manager Tariq Hakim said.

“This particular series in England is a Test case as a neutral venue and the indications are that we have succeeded and that we will use England in future matches also because of the huge expatriate crowds.

“The early indications are that the two test matches and Twenty20 internationals (against Australia) are going to be jam-packed.”

Asked about a Pakistan-India series in England, Hakim replied: “The boards have to decide about that but, yes, there has been a willingness that they would love to see Pakistan play over here in England.”

Bradshaw said Lord’s had bid “a high amount” to stage the test but added he did not expect to lose money.

“The MCC, we feel, has a global role and it’s not just about the domestic game here in England,” he said. “I would like to think there would be more neutral tests played here in England and, of course, at the home of cricket at Lord’s.

“We are always willing to open our doors to neutral tests and we looked at how we can help cricket in Pakistan in a more tangible way so the decision to sponsor the series was twofold.”

South Africa meet Pakistan in Nottingham on Thursday (1630) followed by Sri Lanka against West Indies at the Oval on Friday (1630). The final will be staged at Lord’s on Sunday (1300).

A Sri Lanka-Pakistan final would provide an emotional climax to the tournament following the armed attack on the Sri Lanka team in Lahore in March. Captain Kumar Sangakkara was one of six Sri Lanka players wounded by a small group of heavily armed men who killed six Pakistani policemen and the driver of the bus carrying the match officials.

The more likely outcome is an enticing clash of cultures and styles between the innovative and intelligent Sri Lankans and the rigorously drilled and athletic South Africans.

After grinding their way to a narrow victory over New Zealand in the first round, South Africa have gone from strength to strength.

They cover all bases in attack and defence with high pace from Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell, effective spin from Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe, sharp fielding and lengthy batting headed by Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

Kallis epitomises the team’s ambition and spirit. Derided as too conservative for one-day cricket, he has proven an effective opening partner for captain Smith and at 34 he is bowling with the zest of a man 10 years younger.

Sri Lanka, as they did in the 50-over game at the 1996 World Cup, are setting the pace in Twenty20 cricket.

Bewildering Variety

Lacking power hitters, once thought essential, they have compensated with artistry and invention. Leading the charge are Tiilakaratne Dilshan with the scoop shot over his head and Mahela Jayawardena, who has discovered a bewildering variety of ways to score runs including a reverse sweep with the back of his bat.

Their bowling is equally effective. Lasith Malinga has demonstrated a masterly command of bouncers, yorkers and change of pace and Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis both contain and attack with their unorthodox spin.

Pakistan, the most mercurial team in world cricket, have improved dramatically since losing to England in the first round.

Their strength lies in the bowling where Umar Gul destroyed New Zealand with reverse swing. Shahid Afridi’s batting has fallen off but his brisk leg-spin has been a constant danger backed up by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and his dangerous doosra.

West Indies look the most fallible of the semi-finalists but, after losing two tests and two one-day internationals to England last month, they feel they have the most to prove.

If the sun shines and their supporters continue to turn out in force they have the talent in Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Fidel Edwards to emulate their heady Lord’s triumphs of 1975 and 1979 in the first two One-day World Cups.

India vs West Indies Live Scorecard

This is the first real test of India’s defence of the ICC WorldTwenty20 crown whilst West Indies are a side that need things to fall their way, but their early form has been good.

West Indies were without Chris Gayle when they were beaten by Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Gayle took a blow during his demolition of the Australian bowling attack in their opening game but should return. He is they key man and although reports suggest he will be fit to return. 

West Indies came up 15 runs short of Sri Lanka’s impressive 192 but it was a pretty spirited chase considering their most potent batting weapon was unavailable. The bowling had suffered as Dilshan and a previously out of form Jayasuria set the platform for Sri Lanka by putting on 124 in the first 12.3 overs. Lendel Simmons, a part time bowler, took 4 wickets but the normally dangerous Fidel Edwards went for 36 from 2 overs. Any shortcomings in the West Indies attack will be seized upon ruthlessly by a powerful Indian batting line up. The level of performance West Indies showed when putting the Aussies away by 7 wickets will need to be repeated here. 

As for India, Sehwag is out of the tournament injured but with Rohit Sharma looking very comfortable opening with Gambhir, they have a very capable deputy. Sharma tops the India run charts and Ojha is leading wicket taker with 6, they look in good nick despite not facing a significant challenge thus far and it’s hard to add much more about them at this stage.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Live Scorecard

The tournament is well and truly under way now and Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be looking to get off to flyer in their first game in the Super 8 stage.

Having lost heavily to England, Pakistan overcame the Dutch and a poor net run rate to avoid an embarrassing early elimination from the tournament. Sri Lanka came through the “group of death” from which Australia were eliminated and have made an impressive start to their campaign with victory over both the Aussies and the West Indies.

Let’s take a look at the key men on both sides.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan is their leading run scorer with 82 from 2 innings though we have only seen glimpses of the real fireworks potentially provided by Shahid Afridi and Kamram Akmal. With the ball, the spin of Ajmal and Afridi with 9 wickets between them have been more successful than the seamers.

Sri Lanka’s strength has been their top order, Dilshan leads the way with 127 runs in 2 games at a strike rate of 160. Jayasuria returned to form when he smashed 81 against the West Indies and Sangakarra made 55 against the Aussies. Spinner Mendis and “Slinga” Malinga have 5 wickets a piece, surprisingly Murali has just the one to his name though he has been economical. 

On the team news front, Sohail Tanvir was struggling with an injury in the game against the Dutch and could be doubtful.

Persistent drizzle forced the organisers to do away with the ceremony so that the match could start in time at Lord’s.

ICC President David Morgan addressed the gathering before the match and expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the ceremony.

“As it is evident the weather has not been kind to us. The opening ceremony has been cancelled. However, the good news is that the opening match is going to start,” Morgan said.

The Duke of Kent then declared open the T20 extravaganza.

England vs Netherlands Live Scorecard

England won their first warm-up match against Scotland but it was far from a convincing display from the hosts.

Pietersen’s big-hitting saved England Talented batsman Kevin Pietersen arguably rescued England’s innings – hitting 53 runs from 40 balls, including two sixes.

At the other end of the scale, youngster Eoin Morgan hit a quick-fire 23 from 17 balls.

Skipper Paul Collingwood starred with the ball, taking two wickets at the cost of just 18 runs.

The Netherlands side should offer little threat to the hosts but with nothing to lose could cause an upset.

The “Oranje” lost out in a thrilling ‘eliminator over’ to Ireland at Lord’s on Monday.

Batting down the order, Peter Borren’s cameo 17 from 10 balls including two big sixes.

Spinner Pieter Seelar took three wickets, ripping out Ireland’s middle-order.

That’s all without mentioning first-class county experienced players like Dirk Nannes – who’s zippy pace caused Ireland trouble – and Essex’s Ryan ten Doeschate, a talented all-rounder.

The team arrived last night and hit the practice session without wasting time.

“Besides the training session, the team has no other programme today,” Anirudh Chaudhry, media manager of the team, said.

Before the team’s departure from Mumbai, Dhoni said he was confident about retaining the title as the current team had enough experience of Twenty20 cricket.

India play their opening match against Bangladesh on June 6 with Ireland being their other opponent in Group A of the 12-team tournament.

The 15-member India squad has a deep batting line-up and a potent pace and spin attack.

The team is scheduled to play two practice games against New Zealand and arch-rivals Pakistan before heading to Nottingham for their league games.