Pakistan look to draw first blood

KARACHI : Buoyed up by their series-winning triumphs in all three formats of the game against Sri Lanka in the UAE, Pakistan will be eyeing a comprehensive win against Bangladesh in Dhaka on today when they open a month-long tour with a one-off Twenty20 International.Pakistan landed in Dhaka just a day after beating better-ranked Sri Lanka in the three-match series (1-0) and five-match One-day International series (4-1) before winning their one-off Twenty20 game in Abu Dhabi last Friday.Compared to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh are likely to be easier opponents but the Pakistanis are wary of the threat their lower-ranked hosts can pose at times to visiting teams.Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has warned his players against taking Bangladesh for granted."It would be a big folly on our part to think we can walk over Bangladesh. We are playing a full series in Bangladesh after a long time and I have told the players to treat the series as a top ones because there will be lot of pressure on us," said the seasoned batsman ahead of the series-opening Twenty20 encounter.However, the fact is that Pakistan will begin the match as overwhelming favourites. They have a hundred percent record against Bangladesh having won all the four Twenty20 Internationals played between the two teams.While Pakistan, who won the World Twenty20 title in England in 2009, are one of the top teams in the fastest format of the game, Bangladesh have never beaten a top-flight team other than West Indies in T20 cricket.The good news for Bangladeshi supporters is that the home team thrashed West Indies in a similar tour-opening Twenty20 game recently."West Indies were favourites against us as we don't usually play Twenty20s. At the end of the day, we bowled well and despite a hiccup in batting we finished as winners," said Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh captain.Rahim warned Pakistan that his team will go all out for wins rather than just respectable losses against them in the series."I think Bangladesh cricket has crossed that barrier where we aim for a respectable loss against a big team," Mushfiqur said. "That mentality is not there within this group of players. We play to win every game against whichever team. "They're the favourites no doubt but if we play our best cricket, it won't be easy to beat us in any of the formats," he stressed.Squads:Pakistan (likely): Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Umar Akmal (wk), Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Aizaz Cheema, Umar Gul, and Saeed Ajmal.Bangladesh (likely): Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Alok Kapali, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain & wk), Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, and Shafiul Islam.

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Yuvraj vows to return after lung tumour diagnosis

Crowd-pleasing batsman Yuvraj Singh has told cricket fans it is simply a matter of time before he is back playing again after being diagnosed with a non-malignant lung tumour.A wave of sympathy swept the country when his mother said in a statement at the weekend that the left-hander, who turns 30 next month, had a golf ball-sized tumour. Yuvraj played in the Delhi and Kolkata tests against West Indies this month but will be missing for the five-match one-day series against the same opponents that starts in Cuttack on Tuesday."Overwhelmed with your love and support. I am absolutely fine, just need to get match fitness and training, will be back soon," he said on his Twitter account."Need some more time to regain 100p (percent) fitness. Nothing serious, need to build up the lost stamina."One of the cleanest strikers of a cricket ball, middle-order batsman Yuvraj is not a regular member of India's test side but is an automatic choice in their limited-over teams.Yuvraj was instrumental in India's 2007 World Twenty20 victory in South Africa and hit England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in one of the matches.He was also named player of the tournament in India's successful 50-over World Cup campaign on home soil in February, March and April.The statement from his mother Shabnam Singh said Yuvraj suffered regular bouts of coughing and vomiting during this year's World Cup but ignored them.As the problem persisted he finally sought medical advice."Scans showed Yuvraj was dealing with something really serious. A golf-ball sized lump (was) found over his left lung and doctors advised us to go in for more detailed scans," his mother said."Everyone who knows Yuvraj knows he is a fighter and has been very strong and a pillar for the family through this trying period. We are sure that very soon he will be back on the cricket field in India colours.

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New Zealand can rise above the West Indies in Reliance ICC Test Championship

New Zealand can rise to seventh in the Reliance ICC Test Championship table with a 2-0 win over Australia in the series that begins in Brisbane on Thursday.A win in both Tests would earn Ross Taylor's team 10 ratings points and move it above the West Indies on the log. In that scenario Australia would drop level with Sri Lanka on 99 points but would remain in fourth position by a fraction.A win for Australia in the series would close the gap on third-placed South Africa but would not be enough to move ahead of the Proteas.Click here to use the predictor function on the rankings page of the ICC website to find out how future results could affect the Reliance ICC Test Championship table .Reliance ICC Test Championship (as of 29 November, ahead of Australia v New Zealand series)

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Steve Bernard named as ICC Regional Referee for East-Asia Pacific

The ICC has announced that former Australia team manager Steve Bernard has been appointed to the role of ICC Regional Referee for the East-Asia Pacific (EAP) region. The job will involve acting as referee for a wide range of development and women's internationals and tournaments throughout the region.Mr Bernard was the preferred candidate due to his broad cricketing knowledge coupled with his vast experience managing players, coaches and other team support staff. As a player, he was a successful right-arm fast bowler who represented New South Wales in first-class cricket from 1970 to 1978.He was a New South Wales selector from 1983 to 1995 and a national selector from 1993 until 1998 when he took over as the manager of the Australia team, a role he fulfilled until retiring earlier this year."I'm honoured to have been chosen to work in this role," said Mr Bernard. "I'm excited to be able to contribute to the game of cricket in this manner, particularly focusing on developing the game."I look forward to working with the ICC, and the stakeholders of the game within the EAP region," he said.The role of regional referee is to act as tournament referee for ICC regional tournaments and ICC World Cricket League events; remote referee for women's international matches and ICC Intercontinental Cup matches; and match referee for ODIs and T20Is involving Associate and Affiliate teams.The EAP region includes Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Indonesia, Philippines, Samoa, South Korea and Tonga.ICC Global Development Manager Tim Anderson said: "We welcome Steve to this important role and with his vast experience of cricket we have no doubt he will be an excellent referee. We were presented with an outstanding list of candidates and although we had a difficult job deciding, there is no doubt we have the right person for the role."It was encouraging to see the quality of candidates received for what is a part-time and essentially volunteer role. It is great for the ICC and for the development of cricket in the EAP region to have someone of Steve's calibre involved.Mr Bernard joins the ICC Regional Referee Panel which now consists of:

Dev Govindjee (Africa)
Adrian Griffith (Americas)
Graeme La Brooy (Asia)
Steve Bernard (EAP)
David Jukes (Europe)

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Pakistan keen to build on winning streak in Bangladesh

DHAKA : Misbah-ul-Haq’s Pakistan will look to continue their recent winning form when they open the tour of Bangladesh with a Twenty20 International here on Tuesday.The three-week visit, which also comprises three One-day Internationals and two Tests, is Pakistan’s first full tour of their South Asian rivals since 2002 Pakistan are buoyed by their emphatic success over Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates this month, where they beat their accomplished rivals in all three formats of the game.“This is a good period for us and I hope we will continue to win,” Misbah told reporters. “It’s all about team work. The guys know what is expected of them and they work hard to fulfil their responsibilities. It’s really good to have a team like this.”Pakistan have enjoyed overwhelming success over Bangladesh in the past, but Misbah cautioned his team-mates against taking the hosts lightly.“We will have to play good cricket to beat them because Bangladesh are a strong side at home. They are sure to put up a tough fight,” the Pakistan captain said. “We have to be more consistent in our batting. There is always room to improve the fielding and we must be more disciplined in our bowling.”When Pakistan last played a Test series in Bangladesh in 2002 they won both matches by heavy margins, the first by an innings and 178 runs in Dhaka and the second by an innings and 169 runs in Chittagong.Bangladesh have endured a wretched period at the top level, having lost nine of their last 10 Tests with one drawn game.The 1-0 loss at home to the West Indies in October was their 61st defeat in 71 Tests since they entered the big league in 2000.Bangladesh have won just three Tests so far, while seven matches were drawn.The hosts, now led by their gutsy wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, will look to push Pakistan hard when the two-Test series starts on Dec 9.Squads for Twenty20 match:BANGLADESH: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza, Nasir Hossain, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Elias Sunny, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain.
PAKISTAN: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Khalil, Sarfraz Ahmed, Aizaz Cheema, Abdur Rehman.
Schedule:
Nov 29: Twenty20 International (Dhaka, D/N).
Dec 1: First One-day International (Dhaka, D/N).
Dec 3: Second One-day International (Dhaka, D/N).
Dec 6: Third One-day International (Chittagong).
Dec 9-13: First Test (Chittagong).
Dec 17-21: Second Test (Dhaka).—Agencies

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West Indies eye upward movement in Reliance ICC ODI Championship

It's all to play for a resurgent West Indies team as it takes on world champion India in a five-match ODI series, which starts tomorrow at Cuttack. A good showing for Darren Sammy's men will move them above New Zealand in the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table.With confidence high after an encouraging Test series, coupled with the fact India will be without a number of key players, the men from the Caribbean will feel they have a chance to upset the odds.Click here to use the predictor function on the rankings page of the ICC website to find out how future results could affect the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table.In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings, MS Dhoni is certain drop to fourth place at best given he is not playing and a player loses one per cent of his rating for each of team's ODIs that he misses.But it should present an opportunity for India's next highest-ranked batsman, Virat Kohli, to perhaps break into the top three and above his captain, Dhoni.

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Foreign Freshness vs Homegrown Experience

Should Intikhab Alam and his team search the globe for an illustrious foreign coach or juggle the bag of locals? Ashar Zaidi bats on this soggy wicket to target the right formula.To the naked eye Mohsin Hasan would appear to be the ideal coach for the Pakistan cricket team. Smartly groomed, proudly donning the green shirt, and scrutinizing each ball while sipping freshly brewed Arabic coffee, Mohsin Khan has a Test, ODI & lone Twenty20 victory in his pocket. Have a closer look, however, and you will see a different picture.The team had refused to go for the kill in the Sharjah test. Batsmen on average posted just two solid scores in the six test innings. In the field, especially in the area of catching, no one managed to make us proud. Apart from the third ODI we don’t have a mentionable opening stand or a single century in five outings. Sadly, Umar Akmal still hasn’t learned the art of finishing. Had it not been for the magic of boom boom’s wrist and the deadly doosras of Ajmal, the block buster hit could have easily turned into a disaster. Most of you reading this piece would brush away my analysis as absolute rubbish, arguing that despite the level of the team’s performance, both series have been pocketed. Let me remind you though, that this is not Ranatunga’s world conquering squad, instead these are Dilshan’s innocent angels that have allowed six of their last eight series to slip away. In the coming year we are to face the terrorizing Englishmen and this series is bound to be a back-breaking test for our boys.So while there is still time, Pakistan cricket needs to find someone experienced enough to do the fine tuning that is required for our team. After Waqar’s departure, we are hunting for the right head to fit the cap. The question is where to go shopping, home or abroad?This is a furious debate with no dearth of arguments on both sides. The homegrown would contend that a local understands the system, culture and conditions better as he himself has walked the same wire. Others would stand behind a foreigner, favoring the technological advancement, zero tolerance to indiscipline, unbiased selection and exciting coaching methods that would come along with the package.Keeping these arguments in mind, what would be the right way to go about it?For me India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka and Bangladesh fall in the same league as we all are similar in more ways than one. We love our cricket and hate defeats, we all have dead wickets and love spicy food. We cry over national corruption and selection and won’t mind walking on fire to grab a free pass. Living with matching attitudes, we should observe the choices of our neighbours on the matter of selecting the right coach.Sri-Lanka brought in Watmore in the mid 90’s and he managed to turn them into a fearsome bunch. John Wright and Gary Kirsten gave India the habit of winning. Bangladesh also depended on foreign aid and this surely helped them leave a mark. We too had our own fair share with Richard Pybuss, Bob Woolmer and Jeff Lawson, but there were no major achievements to their names. Woolmer met a tragic end, and the others were never really given a fair run. You can’t expect any coach to turn your fortunes over-night. It’s a slow and painstaking process which demands bundles of patience, something we always fall short off.Waqar claims he had a successful stint only because he came up through the system and hence understood it quite well. To this I would ask the Burrewala express: In the end wasn’t he himself bitten by this very system? Till today we are unsure as to why he quit. Explanations referred to conflicting reports on his health, demands in selection and differences with Afridi. Will another homegrown coach face similar obstacles or will he be able to sail with them?Our formers have a funny way of defining patriotism which comes alive only in talk shows or when offered the lucrative national post. I still dream of the day when one would see Jawaid Bhai adjusting youngsters' foot-work at Annu Bhai ground, M. Yousuf showing kids how to middle the ball in model town or Inzi fixing grips in Multan; all free of cost and for the love of the game and country.The Pakistan cricket team of today is any coaches’ dream. With one match winner after another, our current boys know their game well. We don’t need someone to teach Afridi how to grip a bat or show Gul the right seam positioning. What Pakistan needs is a sensible mind that could keep them gelled together, give and gain respect, adjust minute follies and enrich them with game plans. Observation reveals that locals haven’t been good at doing that.Ask me and I will continue to bat for a foreign coach. With our complex cricketing culture, only a powerful, yet neutral person can bring justice to all areas. Of course he would replace experience with something fresh, but that’s too small a price for shinning accolades.

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India bank on youth in Windies ODI series

World champions India will count on their young stars to deliver when they take on fast-improving West Indies in a one-day series starting in Cuttack on Tuesday.The hosts have rested batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the five-match series, picking instead young batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.Kohli scored half-centuries in each innings of the drawn third and final Test in Mumbai last week that helped India clinch the series 2-0.India, with explosive opener Virender Sehwag as stand-in captain, will look to extend their excellent run at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack where they have lost only four of their 14 one-day internationals.Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar said he was excited by the new-look home team. "We now move our focus to the young batsmen in the team," Vengsarkar wrote in the Times of India."With Sehwag all set to lead India, the one-dayers should provide for more entertainment, what with the West Indies having gained a lot of positives from the Test series."The man in the spotlight will be newcomer Ravichandran Ashwin, who grabbed 22 wickets with his off-spin in his debut Test series and also scored a century in Mumbai.The West Indies showed much improvement in the last two Tests at Kolkata and Mumbai, but skipper Darren Sammy wanted his side to be more consistent in the one-dayers.The tourists scored 463 in their second innings at Kolkata and 590 in the first innings at Mumbai, with young Darren Bravo smashing centuries in both matches to announce his arrival on the big stage. "As a team we are making some strides, but we still need more consistency," said Sammy."We did some good things earlier this year against Pakistan and India at home and we beat Bangladesh in Bangladesh last month. We came here and competed in the Tests against India, but did not capitalise on the key moments."Hard-hitting all-rounder Kieron Pollard returns to the West Indies squad where batsman Jason Mohammed and off-spinner Sunil Narine are the new faces. The remaining matches will be played in Visakhapatnam (December 2), Ahmedabad (Dec 5), Indore (Dec 8) and Chennai (Dec 11).India (from): Virender Sehwag (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul Sharma.West Indies (from): Darren Sammy (capt), Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Danza Hyatt, Anthony Martin, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons

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Afghanistan chases World T20 dream with India camp

Afghanistan captain Nowroz Mangal is confident that his team's batsmen will be able to make the most of a training camp in India ahead of the ACC Twenty20 Cup, to be held in Kathmandu from 3-11 December.Afghanistan's batting group is in Pune and have been training at the Poona Club to get themselves attuned for the upcoming tournament which is a build-up to the ICC World Twenty20 2012 qualifier in Dubai, to be held in March 2012."We have been in a camp at a first class ground from 19 November. We have an experienced coach like Umesh Patwal of the Global Cricket School working with us to iron out our flaws. This is a good opportunity for our batsmen, who have been either out of form or injured, to get a hit out. This has been most beneficial for us as a group," informed Mangal.Afghanistan has already booked a berth in the ICC World Twenty20 2012 qualifier, but Mangal is keen for the side to make a statement at the ACC Twenty20."We have been the champion of this event in 2009. So even if we may have been booked our place for the qualifier, the focus of the side is to be a champion at the end of the tournament in Kathmandu. We will try to use every opportunity available to make a strong statement. The boys are working hard for that target," said Mangal.Afghanistan's batting group of seven players will be in Pune till 29 November and then head to Nepal for the event. Afghanistan played the UAE in an Intercontinental Cup game in Sharjah in October and thereafter also participated in the SAARC tournament in Maldives. Mangal believes the team is in the best frame of mind right now."Few of the boys were injured and few others are coming back after a well-deserved break. Shadir Noori, Najib Zadran are some of the boys to watch out for. We need to focus on team work to continue winning. We are preparing with that plan in mind," reckoned Mangal.Afghanistan has featured in the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010. In the event held in West Indies, Afghanistan played against India and South Africa and captured the imagination of everyone."Our dream is to play in an event like the ICC World Twenty20 2010 again. We will try very hard to make it to the ICC World Twenty20 2012. It will be a dream come true if we happen to play in Sri Lanka next year," concluded Mangal

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N Zealand's Ryder equals innings record for most sixes

BRISBANE : Australia: Jesse Ryder and captain Ross Taylor hit a century each as New Zealand tuned up for next week's opening Test with a high-scoring draw with Australia A in a four-day tour match in Brisbane on Sunday.Ryder equalled the record for most sixes in a first-class game with 16 in his free-hitting 175 off 137 balls, while Taylor hit a more sedate 138 off 171 deliveries, with seven sixes.The Black Caps were 467 for six in their second innings and holding an overall lead of 495 runs when stumps were called early on the final day.Ryder's six-fest equalled the feat of Australian Andrew Symonds and England's Graham Napier.Ryder shared in a 108-ball, 122-run fifth-wicket stand with Dean Brownlie, who contributed only 19 runs as the big left-hander ran amok. Brownlie went on to score an unbeaten 53.Australia A were content to largely rest the three young quicks selected for Thursday's first Test at the Gabba - Ben Cutting (2-61), Mitchell Starc (1-45) and James Pattinson (0-31).Joining the three Test debutant fast bowlers is another newcomer opener David Warner in an injury-ravaged Australian squad to take on New Zealand.The Australians will field an inexperienced side after injuries ruled out Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Patrick Cummins, Ryan Harris and Shaun Marsh.Eighth-ranked New Zealand will play fourth-ranked Australia in two Tests in Brisbane and Hobart.

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Yuvraj recovering from lung tumour

NEW DELHI : Cricket star Yuvraj Singh has been battling a golf-ball sized non-malignant lung tumour which first affected him during India's triumphant World Cup campaign, his family revealed on Sunday.Yuvraj, 29, who was declared the man of the tournament after the World Cup win at home in April, had opted out of the upcoming one-day series against the West Indies for health reasons."During the World Cup, Yuvraj found himself constantly troubled by bouts of coughing and vomiting," his mother Shabnam Singh said in a statement.She said Yuvraj initially ignored the problem, assuming it was due to stress and did not want anything to distract him."When the problem persisted after the World Cup, we decided to seek medical advice... scans then showed us that Yuvraj was dealing with something really serious. A golf-ball size lump (was) found over his left lung," she said."Further reports have indicated that the tumour is non-malignant and non-threatening and can be treated through proper medication and therapy... Yuvraj is now in a much better state and on his way to a full recovery.The aggressive left-hand batsman and spin bowler had gone through "a very hard time" but was now focused on returning to the field, Shabnam added.Yuvraj wrote on his Twitter page that he was "overwhelmed" by the support he had received. "I am absolutely fine, just need to get match fitness and training. Will be back soon," he said.Yuvraj, who played in two of three Test matches against the West Indies this month in Delhi and Kolkata, was not picked for next month's Test series in Australia.He hopes to be back in action for the subsequent one-day tri-series Down Under, also featuring Sri Lanka, which begins on February 5.Yuvraj, who made his international debut in 2000, has played 37 Tests, 274 one-day internationals and 23 Twenty20 matches for India.He was part of India's champion team at the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, where he smashed England fast bowler Stuart Broad for six sixes in one over.The explosive hitter has been the lynchpin of India's middle-order in limited-overs cricket, although he has not met with the same success at the Test match level.During the World Cup campaign this year, Yuvraj scored 362 runs and grabbed 15 wickets in nine matches to carry off the man of the tournament award.At the Test level, Yuvraj has scored 1,775 runs at an average of 34.80 with three centuries and 10 fifties

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Pakistan blind team claim historic win

Muhammad Fayaz excelled as Pakistan whitewashed India in three-match One-Day International series. The hosts won the third and final match by eight wickets at the Shalimar Cricket Stadium, Islamabad on Saturday.Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. India got the first shock when their in-form batsman Parkash was bowled by Anees. Venkateish and Vikas Patel gave stability to the Indian innings.Venkateish scored 67 runs while Vikas Patel supported him with a knock of 60. Ganesh played an innings of 64 to help India cross 300 run mark. India in their 40 overs posted competitive 330 runs on the board for the loss of nine wickets.Anees was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan taking two wickets, Muhammad Waqas and Jameel shared a wicket apiece.Pakistan, in reply, were guided home by Muhammad Fayaz. He played a brilliant unbeaten innings of 186 not out with the help of 29 boundaries and one six off 108 balls.He hammered the Indian bowling and took the game away from India. Pakistan chased the target on 32.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.The other major scorers for Pakistan were Anees Javeed (43 n.o.), Masood Jan (42) and Muhammad Zafar (40).Hetish took one wicket. Pakistan with this win whitewashed India and won the series by 3-0.This was also the 27th consecutive one-day internationals win for Pakistan and the seven successive ODI series triumph.

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Ramiz Raja answers your questions

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja took time out of his schedule this week to answer questions from the ICC's Facebook and Twitter followers.He spoke on a variety of topics including the present state of Pakistan cricket and world cricket in general.Watch out for upcoming Facebook and Twitter chats with other leading players and officials.Aamil Dharani: Why are Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali not given the chance ahead of Younus Khan and Misbah in limited-overs cricket?I think the reason could be that Pakistan still want to win desperately, so as a result they want to take as less a risk as possible. That I think could be one thinking behind not shifting the seniors from the middle order. I have always maintained that Pakistan can at times be neutralised because their middle-order is quite predictable. Some of the other middle order line ups in the world can be quite unpredictable with their shots and the tempo at which they score. As a result most middle orders can clearly outwit the opposition and surprise them. Pakistani middle order is one paced and not threatening. May be just to set up the unpredictable threat, it is important to get in the younger players. Asad has improved his one-day shots. Azhar Ali is in good form. I remember my own Test form was used to blood me in to the one day side. That is how you make the one day team. You can learn on the job about adjusting to the one day format. Azhar Ali has the technique and so he can adjust to the one day format as well.Pratik Aryal: Is Pakistan settling down as a consistent team?I would like to think that way. But it is still early days. The performance has been solid thus far. The squad seems to have gelled well together and have bonded well. I think they have a very good reliable captain in Misbah who is taking the team in a certain direction. This may not be popular but he is setting a pace. He has allowed the squad to create their own pace and create their own method of winning games, which may sound jaded and archaic, but it is working for Pakistan. I think the next year will be much better for Misbah and his team. They will gain confidence from the last 12 months. They will be a lot more aggressive and win more times.Muhammad Saad Nawaz: What is the reason that Pakistan team has not found a consistent pair of openers for over a decade? Would you open with Shahid Afridi or promote Abdul Razzaq to number three? I think opening is not considered or given importance as a specialised field in Pakistan. I got picked as a middle order batsman. I spent a little while in the middle order and then shifted upwards. That trend seems to have continued. We need to give special importance to the field of opening. In India at school from a very young age kids are taught to occupy the crease and not worry about big shots. There is a rich tradition. It's also important to have openers to look upto historically. Pakistan have had very few quality openers over the years. It is about consistency. Hafeez looks settled at the top. In the Tests, Taufeeq Umar looks quite shoddy with his footwork and technique. I would stick with the two as an opening pair in Tests for now. In the one dayers you can always rotate the pair because it's a sifferent ball game. In the one-dayers even if you are technically half cooked you can be drafted as an opener.Razzaq can be a good choice provided he rotates the strike. Even after so many years he gets stuck as he looks only for big shots which stops the flow of the innings completely. So it's a case of horse for courses I guess.Afridi is not too convinced that his batting is still at the top of the mark. He is now happier lower down the order. Pakistan can use him at number six and not rush him up the order. He can be a floater at this stage of his career. Now he is more of a bowling than batting all-rounder. But if he is used as a batting all-rounder he will add a lot more balance. But I would rather have him bat lower down the order Swagat Kurankar: Why don't you become the coach of the Pakistan team?It requires a temperament of a different kind as it is a specialised field. We have experimented with quite a few coaches. But they have all gone through the mill of coaching. Some are trained as coaches, some are not, yet they have done a satisfactory job. You need a special temperament to be the coach. I would rather work with the young talent and be a mentor to them than getting involved in full time coaching. At the under 19s level, talent is a given, it is about how mentally strong you are to weather the storm of international challenges. I would like to contribute to the younger generation as a mentor somebody who would be there in times of crisis. When I am in Lahore, I go to the National Cricket Academy and talk to some of the younger guys just to let them know they have it. It's a only a matter of time and about encouraging talent.Rehan Rules: Don't you think Pakistan need to move forward (for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015), so why don't we name Mohammad Hafeez as an ODI captain instead of Misbah-ul-Haq? I think that time will eventually come. Pakistan should not rock the boat. Under Misbah after a long time they are being regarded as a threat. Let us enjoy these successes while it lasts. We need to plan for the future. But at this stage, we should not just muck up the mindset, by encouraging a future leader. Pakistan can just carry on at the same level under the same captain for time being.Hassan Javed: Do you think that Pakistan's bowling attack is world's best?I would safely say the spinners have performed well and their performances speak for themselves. Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez form a potent spinning attack. There is room for improvement in the fast bowling department. For Pakistan to be regarded the best attack, they need a tearaway fast bowler a la Shoiab Akhtar or someone of that quality or pace. Unless that bowler comes along, this bowling is not that great yet. Wajeeha Abbasi: Who do you think is a better newcomer: Pat Cummins or Junaid Khan? How do you see their future?Both are very talented. One, Cummins, bowls at a rapid pace is off to a great start. Junaid Khan is still medium pace who thinks like a fast bowler. Junaid bowls in good areas and challenges the batsmen. What he did to Sri Lanka bating line up on the UAE tracks was tremendous. He is still work in progress. I am quite happy with the progress he has made. Both are great for the game. Cummins has provided energy to the Australians with his pace. Junaid is a hard working individual. His fitness is good as well. He is a dream bowler for a captain in that you can throw the ball to him deep in the afternoon on a hot day and he will still give you his best. That is how Pakistan can become a good and challenging side if youngsters get involved in such a manner. The environment is healthy and has been impressive. There is merit based selection and some wise decisions have been taken.Hafiz Shahbaz: Do you think that the present team is one of the best sides ever from Pakistan?Well, I think in terms of consistency and their form this side has been impressive. I would not say it is the best. We have had more individually gifted players in the past. But I wish that the present players do something so sensational that you forget about past heroes. You have got to create present day heroes. There have been some good players. I would still like to see big names emerging like Afridi. We need a future Afridi, who can create an impact or be charismatic, or even someone like a Shoaib Akhtar. These are the sort of players you stop and watch while surfing your television channels. Whether it is a Akhtar burst with the ball or an Afridi knock, it is this that draws you to a television.Sana Gillani: Can Pakistan beat England in the upcoming Test and ODI series? Well they can upset them. Remember England was beaten in Pakistan after they had won the Ashes in 2005. Pakistan had won 2-0 then. So it can happen again. Pakistan must not play on England's reputation. It is all about maintaining pressure. The conditions will suit Pakistan more than England. A good series against Bangladesh will put Pakistan in a strong, mental state of mind. That will get them to think that they can beat England. It is going to be a close series.
Baachaa Jan: Who do you think is the best wicketkeeper for the Pakistan team: Adnan, Sarfaraz, Usman or Salman? I think I would prefer Adnan Akmal to be the full time choice even though Sarfaraz has shown good temperament. Adnan may not be a big hitter, but his replacement, Sarfaraz is also in a similar mould. I have not seen Sarfaraz take the opposition apart. If Kamran Akmal is not selected or if he is out of form, his brother has to come in as he (Adnan) is a fighter. He is safe behind the stumps and can bat a bit also.
Akhil Jain: I am from India, please suggest what should BCCI do to produce genuine fast bowlers like Pakistan? As far as I am concerned fast bowlers are born to bowl fast. You cannot turn a medium pacer into a tearaway fast bowler. You can increase pace and become sharp, but to be an outright sharp bowler, with the skills is very difficult. You have to create the environment at the first class level. Some of the rough diamonds who do not play in major towns are the players to target by talent scouts. Maybe there is somebody who is really special and who has been overlooked who can get better with direction. It's just that we were fortunate to have those genuine fast bowlers. We have also gone through lows and highs in that department. At the moment we don't have anyone who bowls at 147-148 kmph regularly. But the dip in India has been longer than in Pakistan. It has also got to do with temperament. It has got to do with how we have been fortunate to get good fast bowlers. There have been some role models for the younger generations. In Pakistan medium pacers are considered less of a human in cricketing terms. Every bowler wants to bowl fast and is encouraged to do so instead of maintaining line and length. It is also a histrorical thing. Coaches need to be aggressive and tell their wards to bowl quick, who knows which bowler can develop that fast arm speed. If the body gets a little of strength, a bowler can be sharp. I feel and this is a view from a distance having not watched domestic cricket in India, that coaches there prefer line and length over speed. That is how Kapil Dev became a great bowler, whereas Imran started the fashion of fast bowling in Pakistan with his reverse swing and pace off a good long run up. So it has to be at the academies and grassroots that bowlers need to be encouraged to bowl quick. Line and length can be added later on to the armoury.
@Ashenr2: What is your opinion about Dilshan's captaincy?
I think he has been under resourced. He didn't have his best and favourite original playing XI, so he was a bit hampered. Having said that, he made a few tactical mistakes by dropping himself down the order in the Test matches. When he opened the batting, it was all too easy to dominate for Sri Lanka and easier for him to lead. Also he was not in good form. A captain who is in good form is helped in his captaincy and also in the dressing room. Dilshan himself was out of touch so that transferred onto the side also. The negativity was not helped by the fact that the batting let them down. There was also question mark regarding their bowling. With Chaminda Vaas, Malinga and Murali no longer there, the batting had to do well. Even then in one Test they were good, but in the other two Pakistan could have won and made it 2-0. Tactically at times they didn't make use of conditions. Their left arm spinner, Ranaga Herath, was used as a stock rather than a strike bowler. Even in their batting they were conservative. Dilshan kept searching for the leader in the bowling, but didn't find any. The two ex captains (Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara) need to rally around him, sit down with him and discuss captaincy and tactics, so that he can still get education. It is never easy to be at the receiving end and lose all the series you have captained. Overall, I was expecting Sri Lanka to be more competitive because they are still highly ranked.
@Dwayneeeboy: Who according to you is the most dedicated player in the Pakistan team?
It has got to be Younus Khan. His work ethic is terrific. He is the perfect role model for all international players let alone Pakistan players. He is a team player who gives his 100 percent on the field. I like him very much. He is intense, but only when he bats. He lets a smile out, every now and then, mingles with the opposition. He is a good role model. He has sportsman spirit as well. He pouched a catch twice in this series (v Sri Lanka) and still asked the umpire to refer it. He is a good solid individual.
@faisalyorker: You tweeted that the low ranked Test teams should not travel and play on their home turf only. I am from Bangladesh and want two know the reason for this?
It's true. The lower tier teams need to play higher ranked teams in their own territories. It is otherwise a bad advertisement for Test cricket and even for one day cricket. If the lower ranked teams host highly ranked teams at home they can gain I think a good tight contest or even a win will give confidence to a a lower ranked team. Getting thrashed is no way to learn. I feel you should earn the status to play at Lord's or at the MCG or Cape Town for example. Or else what happens is that you know the result before hand in case a lower ranked team travels to play a higher ranked team. This can kill the passion for five day cricket. I am not stopping the lower ranked teams from travelling. They can, but when they are ready, when they have the confidence.
@mdismailbins: Why do some international teams have one captain for ODI and another captain for Test and also one for T20?
I think it is complicating the game. The basic principles of the game has not changed. It is a simple game, but the modern tutors with the laptop mentality are taking it away. It is still about bat and ball. I think problem starts because teams really do not give importance to Test matches. You can become a big one-day and T20 player from the experience of playing Test cricket. When teams start to categorise certain players for formats that becomes a problem. Even if you are technically inefficient you can pull off a one day game. I think it is a lot to easier to manage for a captain who plays all formats. It helps in building bond between players and in strategising. When you see new players in the dressing room it gets just a little difficult at times as a leader because you have to work with new faces after the old ones have gone away. It is about starting from scratch and it takes a lot out of you as captain. These are the modern way of doing things which I don't entirely agree

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Misbah rewarded for match winning performance

Misbah-ul-Haq's match winning innings against Sri Lanka on Friday has seen him rise four places to 22nd in the Reliance ICC T20I Batting Rankings.His innings of 48 not out, from just 38 balls, has seen him be on the verge of reaching the top twenty in the standings, while Dinesh Chandimal's half century has risen to joint 64th, a rise of 53 places .Pakistan's Umar Akmal's first ball dismissal has resulted in him dropping out of the top ten of the batting rankingsUmar Gul's 2-16 has seen him re-enter the top twenty in the bowling rankings, while Mohammad Hafeez has risen five places to 25th.Aizaz Cheema is now 113th in the world, having gone up 40 places, having taken 4-30.Sri Lanka is now joint third in the team rankings, alongside New Zealand, while Pakistan remains seventh.

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Ojha breaks into top 15 bowlers

India spinner Pragyan Ojha has broken into the top 15 of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers for the first time in his career following a high-quality performance in the third Test in Mumbai, which concluded yesterday.Slow left-armer Ojha took seven wickets in the match, including 6-47 in the second innings, and as a result has earned himself 11 places on the rankings and now sits in 15th place, just ahead of Australia's Peter Siddle.The news is not so good for Ojha's team- mate Ishant Sharma, who has slipped three places to 20th position after taking just one wicket in the match.In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, Darren Bravo has moved up 14 places and now sits just outside the top 20 in 21st position, thanks to his knocks of 166 and 48 in the match, which concluded in a thrilling draw .Meanwhile, India has closed the gap on England at the top of the Reliance ICC Test Championship table to seven points after the series win over the West Indies. India, who are ranked six places above the men from the Caribbean, gained one ratings point for the 2-0 series win and moves up to 118 ratings points, compared to the 125 points of England.West Indies remain on 88 points despite the defeat, reflecting the weighting given when playing teams those who are higher up on the table.

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Chandimal and Hafeez breach ICC Code of Conduct

Dinesh Chandimal of Sri Lanka has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee and Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez has been reprimanded for Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during their teams' Twenty20 International at Abu Dhabi on Friday.In separate incidents, both players were found to have breached Article 2.1.3 of the code which relates to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision".After play concluded, the players admitted the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions offered to them by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for formal hearings. The charges had been laid by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Zameer Haider.In both cases, the charges related incidents that took place when they were out lbw. Both players showed the bat towards the umpire in displays of dissent"Accepting an umpire's decision is an essential feature of cricket and part of the game's unique spirit," said Mr Pycroft."These players' behaviour was not acceptable in any form of cricket and they must take responsibility for what they do. Chandimal has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee while Hafeez has received an official reprimand. The difference in penalty is due to the degree of dissent displayed," he said.All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a reprimand up to a fine equivalent to 50 per cent of a player's match fee

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Bravo doing well: Lara

Brian Lara has said that the talented Darren Bravo will have to play with more maturity from now since he will be the main target of rival teams due to his sheer batting talent.Bravo, whose style of batting is being compared to Lara's, has scored three centuries in his last four Tests - one in Bangladesh and two in India.Bravo seems to be going from strength to strength. It took a bit of time before he got his first hundred, but now he's had a taste of it, he's going to carry on.""He's got to understand now that a lot of the opposition will start looking at him - the Australians, the English - because he's now a recognised player, and he will come under a bit of pressure. Hopefully, he has the maturity to come out of it," Lara was quoted as saying on a website.Bravo's 136 against India at Eden Gardens in the second Test gave him the same run aggregate and average as Lara had after 12 Tests (941 runs at 47.05).Talking about the ongoing series against India, Lara said the young players have done a great job so far despite conceding the three-Test rubber 0-2."We haven't won any Test matches in India but I still believe that the young players have done a great job," said Lara

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Ashraful dropped, Reza returns to Bangladesh squad

DHAKA : Bangladesh dropped former captain Mohammad Ashraful and recalled all-rounder Farhad Reza on Friday for the limited overs series against Pakistan beginning next week. Vice-captain Mahmudulla also returned to the side, having missed the home series against West Indies through illness and injuries, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a statement. Reza, who last played for Bangladesh in 2008 before joining the rebel Indian Cricket League, has been rewarded for his performance with Bangladesh A team in the ongoing West Indies tour. Pakistan will arrive in Bangladesh on Saturday to play a Twenty20 International on Nov. 29, followed by three one-day internationals and two tests. Bangladesh squad:Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Nazmul Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Elias Sunny, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees. reuters

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Pakistan upstage S.Lanka for T20 clean sweep

ABU DHABI : Pakistan put up another clinical performance to win the only Twenty20 by five wickets against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi stadium on Friday, blanking their rivals in all three forms of the game.Paceman Aizaz Cheema took 4-30 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 141 in 19.3 overs before skipper Misbah-ul Haq kept his nerves with a fighting unbeaten 48 to help his team chase down the target with three balls to spare.The victory capped a remarkable performance by Pakistan who won the preceding three-Test series 1-0 and the five-match one-day series 4-1.Misbah, who hit three boundaries and a six off 38 balls, added 46 for the fourth wicket with Asad Shafiq (33) after Pakistan lost their way in persuit of the target. They lost Mohammad Hafeez (13), Imran Farhat (13) and Umar Akmal for a first ball duck.Shafiq hit three boundaries during his run-a-ball knock before he was bowled by Lasith Malinga.Misbah hit Dilruwan Perera for a huge six and when 43 needed off the last four overs, the Pakistani captain hit three boundaries in Dilhara Fernando's 17th over of the innings.When Pakistan needed 23 off the last two overs Afridi hit Fernando for two sixes over deep mid-wicket before the paceman had him caught behind.Pakistan needed nine off the last over bowled by Malinga whose first ball saw two taken by Misbah but the ensuing throw went for four before Shoaib Malik knocked off the winning runs.Earlier Cheema took 4-30 in a superb display of swing bowling to derail Sri Lanka who had looked set to put up a big total on the back of maiden Twenty20 half-century by Dinesh Chandimal.Chandimal had looked threatening during his 44-ball 56, hitting six boundaries and added a firey 31 for the second wicket with skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (28) before Cheema came into his own.Sri Lanka were off to a flying start of 30 by the third over before losing opener Upul Tharanga, bowled by Cheema for 12.Dilshan miscued a drive off spinner Saeed Ajmal in the sixth over but Sri Lanka still had a ten run average by the sixth over.Pakistani bowlers led by Cheema, playing only his second Tewnty20 match, checked Sri Lankan innings as they lost their last seven wickets for 54 runs.Chandimal brought up his maiden half-century in the shortest form of the game off 40 balls before Cheema had him in the 19th over of the innings, trapped leg-before.Cheema also had Thissara Perera (nought) and Malinga (one) to finish his four-over spell.Sri Lanka's poor batting was not helped by two run outs of Angelo Mathews (14) and Chamara Silva (four).Umar Gul polished off the tail with 2-16

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Wellington woo Zimbabwe star

Wellington have signed Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor and Surrey skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown as the remaining overseas imports for their domestic Twenty20 cricket campaign.The province's director of cricket Robbie Kerr confirmed the signings this morning.Batsman Taylor will play the full 10-match campaign, starting on December 18, and possibly also some 50-over matches for the Firebirds in mid-December.The 25-year-old had a remarkable run of form in the recent series against New Zealand, scoring 128 not out, 107 not out and 75 in the ODIs and 50 and 117 in the one-off test in Bulawayo.''He caught our eye in Zimbabwe and seemed to find the New Zealand bowlers quite enjoyable,'' Kerr said.Taylor's stint with Wellington will serve as a lead-in to his country's tour of New Zealand which starts in late January.Hamilton-Brown is a batting all-rounder, who also bowls offspin. The former England under-19 player was recommended by England coach Andy Flower.The 24-year-old will play the second half of the competition, replacing Sri Lankan star Muttiah Muralitharan when he departs after the round five game against Northern Districts in Mt Maunganui on January 4. Hamilton-Brown's debut will be the home match against Canterbury on January 6.World Test wicket recordholder Muralitharan is only available for the first five games as his wife is due to give birth to their second child in early January.Wellington's T20 opener is against Auckland in Auckland on December 18.

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Sanath Jayasuriya blames poor batting for loss against Pakistan – Cricket News Update

Sanath Jayasuriya blames poor batting for loss against Pakistan – Cricket News UpdateFormer Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya blamed poor batting display for his side’s Test and One Day International (ODI) series loss against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Sri Lanka toured UAE with high hopes to deliver against the Men in Green, who are known to be inconsistent in international cricket.However, the visitors failed to make an impression and have won just one game out of the total eight played until now, three being Tests and five ODIs.Jayasuriya was extremely disappointed with the outcome of the series and said, “It's a bit disappointing to lose both the series. It would have been ideal had we won at least one. I think sometimes in Tests we batted well and sometimes we just got stuck and did not look for runs and bogged down. Batting was poor and the only batsman in form was Kumar Sangakkara.”The legendary all-rounder said that the team needs to work out some plan in order to get out of the current crisis.The 42-year-old added, “You need three or four batsmen to be among the runs. I didn't see others chipping in with runs and that's what Sri Lanka is lacking in and they should have a chat and discuss what went wrong because this is the third series ending in this manner.Jayasuriya further went onto say that the team should not still panic and give time to the youngsters to settle down. He added that this phase can come at any team where senior players are leaving and the youngsters are struggling to cope up with the pressure of international cricket.Earlier, the Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan echoed the words of Jayasuriya, saying that his batting was not up to mark in the UAE series.The 35-year-old said that he was proud of the bowlers, who were considered as a weakness before the start of the series against Pakistan.However, things turned out to be entirely different once the series kicked off and the Sri Lankan batting started failing regularly.Dilshan will now be hoping to win the only Twenty20 of the tour, which is scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday, November 25, 2011Tagged in: Twenty20, Dubai, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, ODI, Test, Sanath Jayasuriya, Abu Dhabi, UAE Test your Cricket knowledge by placing free betting on cricket matches. Get most accurate Cricket betting odds and picks for successful betting.

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Ponting confronts his cricket mortality

Ricky Ponting has conceded he does not have much time left in the game, saying he will quit as soon as he considers himself incapable of improvement, and will not wait for a "tap on the shoulder. However Ponting believes he is not yet ready to retire because he has not felt the same loss of drive common to the greats he once shared a dressing room with.In Ponting's time as captain, Justin Langer, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist all related the same drain of enthusiasm for the work required to keep playing international cricket. Ponting said he was yet to feel similarly empty, and was flushed with further enthusiasm by his 62 in Australia's memorable win over South Africa."If I keep doing all the work that I'm doing and then not getting the results then maybe it's time. But at the moment I don't feel that time is here just yet," Ponting said in Sydney. "I feel there's enough there still to keep working hard. I was captain when Langer, Warne and Gilchrist and all those guys stood down so I know the things that were going through their mind having spoken to them."A lot of them, what they said about it they just didn't have the drive and the desire to work as hard as they needed to work to get their games back on track again. With me, there's no doubting that at all. You can ask all the other players, all the other coaches and the things that I've been doing and putting myself through over the last few months it' s been about trying to get every little last bit out of myself and giving myself the best chance to perform."I'll continue to do that but there's only a certain amount of time I can keep that going for as well. If it is that I've reached a point where I can't get better then it might be time.Ponting is clearly preparing himself for the possibility this may be his last summer in Australian colours, even though the possibility is hurtful to a man who has known the inside of the dressing room for 16 years. His recent struggles in South Africa, brightened partially by the final innings, gave him plenty of time to consider his own technical fallibility."When you have three dismissals that I've had in that Test series I had to have a look at where things were going wrong," Ponting said. "I was seeing the ball clear enough, I felt I was moving early enough but I was moving into the wrong positions. Head position was one thing I had to look at and I was locking myself off with my front foot, straight ball was hitting me on the pads.I did a lot of work leading up to the second Test match and got out the same way in the first innings of the second Test. I noticed some differences with my own batting in the second innings of the second Test. It's probably been highlighted as well. I saw some footage on the big screen when I was batting showing things were a little bit different in that innings."I know if I get some time in the middle then all those things will start coming back. It's when you're deprived of time in the middle you wonder how long it's going to take for that stuff to come back again. I couldn't bat more in the nets than I have over the last few months and it's about now getting myself in the same frame of mind as I was for this last Test match then hopefully start the summer really well in Australia."Though he has been the subject of unstinting criticism and analysis over the past year, first for his captaincy and latterly his batting, Ponting said he understood the reasons why, and did not need to hear his captain Michael Clarke say he needed to contribute more often."I don't have to ask questions to know I have to make runs," Ponting said. "We're in a professional game and if you're not making runs you'll arrive home and you'll answer questions that I've been answering the last few weeks, that's just part and parcel of what we do."I totally understand why I'm being asked the questions I'm being asked, but by the same token I believe I'm good enough, one, to be in the team and I'm good enough to win games for Australia. Hopefully in the next little bit I can start doing that again.

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World Twenty20 plans begin here

Twenty20 might have become the origin of everything that is bad (or good, depending on your affiliation) about cricket, but the international Twenty20 game has had almost no role to play in that development. Consider these stats: we have had 32 Tests so far in 2011 and 139 ODIs - a number inflated by the World Cup, no doubt - but only a piddling 19 Twenty20 internationals. Comparing that number against the 74 fixtures IPL 2011 alone had, gives you even better perspective of the space T20Is occupy.T20Is have been reduced to irrelevant one- or two-match series, shoe-horned at either end of long bilateral tours. The stakes are so low that teams don't take these games seriously. A part of the reason is the quirky scheduling of the World Twenty20. Initially planned as a biannual event that would lend context to the format, it made three London-bus appearances in four years, before hibernating out of our conscious. The next edition will be held in September 2012 in Sri Lanka, and teams will want to start drawing up plans now, after a year dominated by the World Cup and a clutch of marquee Test series.Sri Lanka haven't looked like winning anything in the longer formats since the World Cup. Indeed, they have lost all their Test and ODI series since then. However, in that same period, they have been unbeaten in Twenty20s, and are in the middle of an impressive sequence of five successive wins. They will be desperate to extend that run and build momentum in the lead-up to the World Twenty at home, even as they seek succour from their reversals in the other formats.Pakistan have always impressed in Twenty20s, a six-match losing run last year notwithstanding. They have won the World Twenty20 once, and made the final and the semi-finals on the other two occasions. Their fortunes next year will hinge on how the team responds to Misbah-ul-Haq's leadership. His safety-first method has been an unequivocal success in the Test and ODI versions, but it remains to be seen whether it will work in Twenty20s. Watch out for Misbah-ul-Haq is now known for his equanimity as much as his poetic forward defence. He has moulded the Pakistan side in his own image, leading to the increasing popularity of the hash-tag #TeamMisbah on Twitter. When he first announced himself, Misbah was anything but the obdurate middle-order milker that he has become now. He lit up the inaugural World Twenty20 with a bunch of audacious innings that took Pakistan to within a shot of glory. Which version of Misbah will be on display in this game?At various points during the tour Tillakaratne Dilshan has looked tired, indignant, sad and frustrated. By the end of the ODI series, with his form and his side's fortunes in a seemingly terminal slump, his dominant expression seemed to suggest resignation. The chance to thrash it around in the shortest format should lift his spirits; on Friday, no one will question his shot-selection if he gets out playing those loose on-the-up heaves.Team newsIn Mahela Jayawardene's absence, Sri Lanka might be forced to open with Dinesh Chandimal, unless Upul Tharanga gets a look in. Given his poor ODI form, that is unlikely.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), 2 Dinesh Chandimal, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Chamara Silva, 5 Dimuth Karunaratne, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Dilruwan Perera/Kosala Kulasekara, 9 Thisara Perara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 10 Dilhara FernandoPakistan have 14 fit players in their squad, of which Abdur Rehman and Sarfraz Ahmed are almost sure to miss out.Pakistan (possible): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Farhat/Asad Shafiq, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Akmal (wk), 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Aizaz Cheema, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Saeed Ajmal Stats and triviaThere's a Pakistan traffic-jam at the head of the list of leading wicket-takers in the format. Shahid Afridi has 53, followed by Umar Gul (47) and Saeed Ajmal (45). How Sri Lanka would have loved to have No. 4 on that list - Ajantha Mendis - fit and available.Dilshan is one of only five T20I centurions. Jayawardene is another, but like Mendis, he isn't around for this game Quotes"It will be a new game on Friday and a change of format, so I hope the players lift themselves.Tillakaratne Dilshan hopes a change in format will lead to a change in fortunes"He still has a lot of cricket in him and just needs one innings to get back in touch.Misbah-ul-Haq backs Shoaib Malik to come good soon

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Paceman Junaid Khan out of Pakistan's Bangladesh tour

ABU DHABI : Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan was ruled out of the team's tour of Bangladesh after injuring his abdominal muscle during the fifth and final one-day against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.The 21-year-old left-arm paceman had a MRI scan after he felt pain during his three-over spell in the match, which revealed a partial tear."The scan revealed a partial tear of the abdominal muscle which requires six weeks of rest," said assistant team manager Naushad Ali. "He is out of the Bangladesh tour and needs rehabilitation."Khan's injury is the second blow to Pakistan after allrounder Abdul Razzaq was Tuesday ruled out of the tour with a shoulder injury.Pakistan have already announced a 16-man squad for the tour of Bangladesh where they play one Twenty20 match, three one-day internationals and two Tests, starting with the Twenty20 in Dhaka on Tuesday.Ali said Pakistan Cricket Board's selection committee would in time name replacements for the injured duo.Khan, who made his Test debut on the tour of Zimbabwe in September this year, has so far played four Tests, nine one-day internationals and two Twenty20s. AGENCIES

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England eyes 50-over domestic league

LONDON : English cricket is considering replacing its 40-over domestic one-day league with a 50-over tournament to replicate the international game, the ECB said on Wednesday.England are Twenty20 world champions and have risen to the top of the world test rankings but have struggled for years at 50-over one-day cricket."In order to compliment the Team England goal of mirroring success in the Test and Twenty20 formats at the forthcoming Cricket World Cups, the format of ODI cricket must be introduced within domestic cricket from 2014," a statement said following an extensive consultation."To support and strengthen the domestic County game, 14 T20 matches should be played, and to provide preparation time for high quality four-day cricket, the County Championship should be reduced to 14 matches."The ECB is also looking to reduce the number of four-day county matches on the calendar. AGENCIES

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Tendulkar again falls short of 100th century

MUMBAI : Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar fell short of his 100th international century once again on Friday after being dismissed for 94 in the third and final test against West Indies.Tendulkar, playing his 184th test at his home Wankhede Stadium, has scored 51 centuries in tests and 48 in one-dayers. He recorded his 99th century in March during the 50-over World Cup.He was caught by West Indies captain Darren Sammy and bowled by Ravi Rampaul. AGENCIES

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Pakistan eye clean sweep vs SL with T20 win

ABU DHABI : Pakistan will be looking to complete a clean sweep of all three forms of the game against Sri Lanka tonight after their comfortable three-wicket win in the final ODI on Wednesday night.Tonight the two teams meet in a one-off T20 international and, after having won both the Test and ODI series, Pakistan will be starting off as favourites in the game, which gets off to an 8pm start at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium.The Lankans will be boosted by the presence of Ajantha Mendis and newcomers wicketkeeper-batsman Kushal Janith Perera and opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as Tillakeratne Dilshan looks to reverse his team's fortunes in the shortest version of the game.On Wednesday night, Pakistan's young wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal scored an unbeaten 61 and also picked up three catches behind the stumps to emerge as Man of the Match.Giving him a helping hand was skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with an innings of 66 from 99 balls and he was involved first in a 62-run stand for the third wicket with Younus Khan and then added 84 runs for the fifth wicket with Akmal.Pakistan

, who lost Abdul Razzaq before the final ODI to an injury, suffered another blow on Wednesday night when their strapping young left-arm paceman Junaid Khan was ruled out of action for six weeks following a muscle tear in his abdomen.But Misbah's squad have had a fine run in this series, which was also reflected in Wednesday's win when Sohail Tanvir regained his form to finish with a four-wicket haul and then Akmal stepped in to finish the run chase on a confident note.Dilshan, who has been woefully out of form himself, will be hoping to get back in what is his favourite form of the game, while the Lankans will once again depend on Kumar Sangakkara.Vice-captain Angelo Mathews impressed with both bat and ball in the final ODI and much of Sri Lanka's chances will depend on him. The Islanders will also be looking to Lasith Malinga and Mendis to provide some firepower with their pace and spin respectively.Squads:Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malek, Sarfraz Ahmad, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Sohail Tanvir, Asad Shafiq.Sri Lanka:Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kushal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Kosala Kulasekera, Charmara Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne. AGENCIES

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Saeed Ajmal ranked number-one ODI bowler in the world

Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has rocketed to the top of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers following an impressive series performance against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.Ajmal took 11 wickets at an average of just 16.27 and an economy-rate of less than 4.00 to help his side to a 4-1 series win. That effort won him five places on the latest rankings and puts him at the top, just ahead of two other spinner, Daniel Vettori of New Zealand and England's Graeme Swann.In what has proven to be a very successful series for members of the Pakistan attack, two other bowlers - Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez - have shot into the top 10 with Afridi now occupying seventh position and Hafeez one place further back.And it's not just the Pakistan bowlers who are making moves up the rankings. With an average of 53.66 for the series, Umar Akmal has gained six places on the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen and now sits in 11th spot. There is no change, however, in the top 10 of the batting chart with South Africa's Hashim Amla still leading the way followed by his team-mate AB de Villiers in second.

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Five Australia players unavailable for selection for first Test vs New Zealand

Cricket Australia has today advised that Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Pat Cummins will be unavailable for selection for the first Test against New Zealand starting at the Gabba on 1 December.The squad will be announced tomorrow.Cricket Australia General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said:"We unfortunately suffered some injuries during the recent Test series against South Africa. With such a short turnaround time between series, five players who were involved in the series will not fully recover in time to play the first Test against New Zealand."Speaking about the individual players, Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said:Ryan Harris"Ryan Harris is recovering from the pelvis injury that kept him out of the second Test against South Africa. He is making good progress but has not returned to bowling as yet and is therefore unavailable to play the first Test against New Zealand. A decision on his return to training will be made early next week and will determine his return to playing. Shane Watson "Shane Watson has not fully recovered from a hamstring strain sustained in the second Test against South Africa earlier this week. He is making good progress and will be reviewed next week to determine his availability." Shaun Marsh "Shaun Marsh has made significant progress from the back injury he sustained in South Africa. He has not returned to training as yet and will continue to have intensive treatment. We are hopeful that he will return to training sometime next week and possibly be available for selection for the second Test."Mitchell Johnson "Mitchell Johnson injured his left foot while batting in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa earlier this week. His foot was considerably swollen and painful after the game but he is showing early signs of improvement. He will not return to training in time to be fit for the Gabba. His return to training and playing will be clearer in coming days after he is assessed by a foot specialist in Perth and the swelling has had a chance to resolve." Pat Cummins "Pat Cummins experienced left heel pain towards the end of the second innings in his debut Test match. He had scans that have cleared him of any serious injury but we don?t expect that he will fully recover in time. He will be reviewed early next week to determine his workload plan for the summer.

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Ireland and Bangladesh secure ODI status

ICC Cricket : Hosts of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011, Bangladesh, today secured One-day International status for first time for its women's side after Salma Khatun's side beat USA in a low-scoring fixture.Meanwhile, Ireland defeated fellow European qualifier and ODI side Netherlands, to retain its ODI status - the result means that Netherlands has lost its ODI status for the women's side. Bangladesh and Ireland will now face-off on Saturday in the 5th/6th play-off for the tournament at BKSP* 2.In order for all the ODI-qualified sides to maintain its statuses it must play three ODIs and three T20Is in any 12 month period and the statuses will be reviewed at the next ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017.In the semi-final fixtures between the ICC Women's World Cup qualified sides - Pakistan defeated South Africa to secure a place in the final which will be played on Saturday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS).Facing Pakistan will be Merissa' Aguilleira's West Indies after the Americas side beat Sri Lanka in a high-scoring showdown at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium by 58 runs.Sri Lanka will now play South Africa in the 3rd/4th play-off at KSOAS on Saturday.USA and Netherlands will now play each other on Saturday in the 7th/8th play-off at BKSP 3.At the most anticipated match of the day for the hosts, Bangladesh won the toss and Salma made the decision to send the USA into bat - a decision that paid off for the home side.Salma's bowlers proved difficult to score runs off. Doris Francis led from the front for the Americans, top scoring for the team with 23 runs, but the rest of the team struggled to make runs.In-form batter Shebani Bhaskar took 51 balls to make just 13 runs before she departed after being caught and bowled by Suktara Rahaman. Things didn't get much better for USA with Khadiza-Tul Kubra showing her great worth as a spin bowler - the 16-year-old claiming 4-20 in her allotted 10 overs.Kubra dismissed three of the USA's key middle-order batters, Durga Das, Nadia Gruny and Erica Rendler - tempting two of the three into striking the ball into the safe hands of Panna Ghosh and Suktara.Bangladesh's bowling once again proved the winner with the entire USA line-up being bowled out for just 78, but not before Francis' side had played some 47 overs.In response, Bangladesh lost a wicket early on after Ayesha Akhter was dismissed for just nine runs, the 27-year-old being declared leg-before off the bowling of Triholder Marshall. It was then up to Suktara and Fargana Pinky to secure another win for Bangladesh, in addition to a place in the fifth/sixth play-off and the ODI status for the first-ever time.A delighted Bangladesh captain, Salma said: "It feels fantastic to have gained ODI status and it means a lot for Bangladesh women's cricket, things can only get better from here."It was very much a team effort and hopefully we can continue this momentum and beat Ireland on Saturday in our first ODI and finish ninth in the global rankings.Salma's team coach, Mamatha Maben reiterated the team delight at gaining ODI status, "This is the culmination of three months of hard work with the women's side and it has paid off with us gaining ODI status for the country."There is now a minimum amount of cricket the team will have to play, which is great news for the women playing cricket here. I'm sure the BCB will continue its support of the women's game and things can only get better from here. I am very proud of how the whole side has played over the last few weeks and hopefully we can continue on this path and beat Ireland on Saturday," said Mamatha Maben, the Bangladesh coach.In the major European clash of the day at BKSP 3, Helmien Rambaldo's side took on old foes Ireland led by Isobel Joyce which would ultimately see one team walk away without its ODI status.Having won the toss, Rambaldo elected to bat first and the Dutch side managed to amass 139 in its 50 overs during an average bowling performance from the Irish side. Joyce's side gave away some 25 extras but also failed to bowl in the right areas to dismiss the Dutch for less in the first innings.Eimear Richardson claimed two wickets, but the 25-year-old gave away some 34 runs in the process, the most economical of the Irish bowlers being the young Elena Tice who claimed 1-22 in her 10 overs. The Dutch side never managed to get going and the innings never really took off.In response, Ireland's top order failed to fire, struggling against Kerry-Anne Tomlinson and Leonie Bennett and also laboured in reaching its target.That being said, Ireland still managed to finish proceedings off and retain its ODI status midway through the 32nd over. The side will now face Bangladesh in an ODI at BKSP 2 on Saturday.Joyce said: "Those were tough conditions today, the wicket got very slow and The Netherlands were able to take advantage of that with their slower bowlers. We aimed to retain ODI status today so I'm not too disappointed with the team's performance. That being said, we will have to improve if we are to beat Bangladesh and retain ninth place in the global rankings on Saturday."In the semi-final play-off at SBNCS, Pakistan created an upset, beating pre-tournament favourites South Africa. Having come into the tournament ranked fifth in the world, the South Africans are certain to drop down the global rankings after eighth placed Pakistan defeated the side by three wickets.South Africa put on one of its weakest performances in the field so far in the tournament, posting just 180 in its 50 overs, captain Mignon du Preez providing the most runs for the side. Asmavia Iqbal proved the pick of the Pakistani bowling attack as the fast bowler from Multan claimed three wickets for just 15 runs.Asmavia's run with the ball saw the 23-year-old dismiss opener Shandre Fritz, Kirstie Thomson and Sunette Loubser, while Pakistan showed its pace in the field as it ran out three of the South African middle-order.In reply, Pakistan played a patient innings to reach its target of 181, despite losing both Sana Mir and Nida Dar for ducks, the side ensured partnerships were made and Javeria Wadood's healthy contribution of 47 had the side well on its way to defeating Du Preez's team.Fittingly it was up to Asmavia, alongside Marina Iqbal to score the winning runs for Pakistan and secure it a place in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier. Win or lose, Pakistan are guaranteed a rise up the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings at the conclusion of the tournament. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Sana's team can rise to either fifth or sixth in the global rankings.In the other semi-final, at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOAS), West Indies took on Sri Lanka for a place in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier.West Indies took its time to get into the swing of things with the bat after winning the toss and electing to bat and it was a day for Stafanie Taylor, captain Merissa Aguilleira and top-scorer Deandra Dottin.Taylor took to the crease with her usual calm demeanour and to set the Americas side on its way to an impressive total of 235 for five in its 50 overs. Taylor provided early runs, but it was Dottin who put in the performance of the innings, the petite Barbadian hitting 73. Dottin has seen a return to form in this event after a dip in her batting prowess since she scored her maiden T20I century back in 2010 at the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in St Kitts.Aguilleira came down the order today but the batter from Trinidad didn't let that stop her scoring runs, finishing the innings at 52 not out.In reply, Sri Lanka's batters were always going to find it a tough task to chase down a high score and despite a valiant effort by opener Chamani Atthappathu of 47, the rest of the side failed to spark. Anisa Mohammed's off-spin proved key once again for the West Indies bowling attack, Mohammed claimed 3-29 and the important run-out of opener Yashoda Mendis. West Indies' unbeaten run in the tournament continued as Mohammed claimed the seventh wicket, top order batter Inoka Galagedara who came in down the order today and some tight bowling and fielding from the athletic side ensured that by the time the 50th over arrived Sri Lanka were still 58 runs short of the target, despite having wickets in hand.The victory will see West Indies play Pakistan on Saturday in the 1st/2nd play-off, as previously stated, the victor of the match will claim fifth place in the Reliance ICC Women's ODI Team Rankings which is currently topped by England.Tomorrow is a rest day, with the final matches being played on Saturday, fixtures are listed below.

Upcoming fixtures:


26 November


ODI - Pakistan v West Indies – 1st/2nd play-off - SBNCS

ODI – South Africa v Sri Lanka – 3rd/4th play-off – KSOAS

ODI – Bangladesh v Ireland – 5th/6th play-off – BKSP 2

50-over match – USA v Netherlands – 7th/8th play-off – BKSP 3


Scores in brief – Semi-finals day


At Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (ODI)

South Africa 180-9, 50 overs (Du Preez 41; Asmavia 3-15)

Pakistan 181-7, 47.5 overs (Javeria 47, Marina 28 not out, Asmavia 22 not out; Loubser 2-22)

Pakistan won by three wickets

Player of the Match: Asmavia Iqbal (Pak)


At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (ODI)

West Indies 235-5, 50 overs (Taylor 58, Dottin 73, Aguilleira 52 not out; Ranasinghe 2-31)

Sri Lanka 177-7, 50 overs (Attappathu 56; Mohammed 3-29)

West Indies won by 58 runs

Player of the Match: Deandra Dottin (WI)


At BKSP 2 – ODI status play-off

USA 78 all out, 47.3 overs (Francis 23; Kubra 4-20)

Bangladesh 79-1, 18.5 overs (Suktara 29, Pinky 27)

Bangladesh won by nine wickets

Player of the Match: Khadiza Tul Kubra (Bang)


At BKSP 3 (ODI)

Netherlands 139-9, 50 overs (Tomlinson 34; Richardson 2-34)

Ireland 140-6, 32.3 overs (Whelan 27, Richardson 22)

Ireland won by four wickets

Player of the Match: Eimear Richardson (Ire)

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Saeed Ajmal tops ICC ODI bowlers list

DUBAI : Pakistan’s spin bowler Saeed Ajmal has topped the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI bowlers ranking at the end of Pakistan-Sri Lanka series that ended with Pakistan’s 4-1 victory. Saeed Ajmal took 11 wickets in the 5-match series. Pakistan has strengthened its no. 5 ranking in the ODI list. Ajmal grabbed that position from New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori who has retired from ODI and T20 after the World Cup 2011.Shahid Afridi has secured no. 7 slot, Mohammad Hafeez no. 8 while Mohammad Hafeez is at no. 3 and Afridi no. 4 in All Rounder category.No Pakistani batsmen could make to the top-ten batting list

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(ICC) President and India’s Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawa

NEW DELHI : International Cricket Council (ICC) President and India’s Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was slapped by a man in New Delhi.According to Indian media: “The man identified as Harvinder Singh slapped Pawar shouting slogans against price rise and corruption cases. He has been arrested by the police and taken to Parliament Street Police Station”.On being asked why he slapped the minister, he said that he was tired of scams in the country. Speaking agitatedly, he also said he did not not do it for publicity and added, "I would have killed him if I had my kripan today."After slapping Pawar, Singh also brandished a small knife and threatened to kill politicians accused of being involved in corruption cases. He also said that he was not worried about the consequences

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Windies all out for 590 in third India Test

MUMBAI : The West Indies were bowled out for 590 in their first innings on the third morning of the third and final Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.The tourists added 15 runs off 3.1 overs to their overnight total of 575-9 before off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Devendra Bishoo to finish with 5-156

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Shakib Al Hasan on the ICC WWCQ 2011 and the upcoming series against Pakistan

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