PCB set to retain Afridi as skipper for World Cup

Updated at: 1526 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, in all likelihood, will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players are backing Misbah-ul Haq as the leader.

According to sources, Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the fact that some consider Misbah to be a better choice.

The scales seemed to have heavily tilted in favour of Afridi after the dashing batsman smashed 65 off only 25 deliveries during Pakistan's series levelling win against New Zealand on Saturday.

"Butt has come to the conclusion after discussing the captaincy issue with the team management and others that it would be unwise to change the captain at such a stage and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated.

He said the board would most likely end the captaincy debate by announcing the captain in next 24 hours.

There was plenty of debate in the cricketing circles after the PCB announced the World Cup squad of 15 players last month but did not name the captain.

Many former players consider Afridi to be too temperamental to be given the responsibility of captaining in the World Cup and others warning against changing the captain at such a late stage.

Former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik has also added his voice to the captaincy debate supporting Afridi.

"I don't think it is a good move to change the captain now. Since Afridi has been leading the team for the last year, it makes no sense to change him now," Malik said. "Changing captains frequently has already damaged the team in the past."

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Vettori, Ryder return to NZ squad

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
Skipper Daniel Vettori and opener Jesse Ryder have made a return to the New Zealand squad for the fourth ODI in Napier on Tuesday.
New Zealand selectors made two changes to the squad for the fourth One-Day International against Pakistan in Napier.Ryder and Vettori come back into the reckoning with Luke Woodcock and Kyle Mills heading back to domestic cricket.All-rounder James Franklin will remain with his domestic side Wellington.
The six-match series is currently tied at 1-1. Pakistan won the third ODI by 43 runs at Christchurch.Team: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.

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Afridi hints at limited role for Akhtar

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
Pakistan ODI captain Shahid Afridi has indicated a limited role for experienced fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the remaining matches in New Zealand and next month's World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.After Pakistan's win over New Zealand in Christchurch in the third ODI, Afridi said that Akhtar was left out of the matchas he still needed to work harder on his fitness and form."Shoaib might be given a chance to play if we manage to win the series in the next two games," Afridi said."He is working hard in the nets and our coach Waqar Younis is spending lot of time with him. It is clear he still needs to work hard on his fitness and form," Afridi added.The seasoned fast bowler played in the first one-dayer that Pakistan lost and was then left out in the next two matches indicating a reduced role for him in the coming Worl dCup.Pakistan preferred to play Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir in the second and third ODIs."Shoaib needs to be match fit and should train. [Coach] Waqar Younis is working hard with him," Afridi maintained.

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Ajmal, Tanvir rate India as favourites

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir feel that India will be the biggest threat for all teams including Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup.

"I think India, Australia and South Africa can pose big threat as they have very strong squads for the tournament," Ajmal told Pakistan's former captain and now well-known commentator Ramiz Raja on a television show.

Ajmal said hopefully if Pakistan managed to get through to the knockout stages it would have to contend with India in the crunch stage of the event.

"Matches against India are always played with extra hype and spirit and if such a match up takes place in the World Cup at any stage it would be great for the sport," the offie stated.

He also feels that he has been in the form of his life and would make an impact in the World Cup in which the pitches are expected to assist the slow bowlers.

"I want to come out of the World Cup with appreciable performances and with people saying Saeed bowled well for the team," he said.

His teammate Tanvir said, "Both India and Sri Lanka have strong one-day combinations and both can pose a challenge to any team in the tournament and in the knockout stage," he said.

"I am confident our team can perform well in the tournament and I see India or Sri Lanka as our main threats in the latter stages of the event," Tanvir said.

The all-rounder who has made a comeback to the national team after remaining out of action for nearly a year due to a major knee operation ruled out England as a major contender for the title despite their recent success in the Ashes and after winning the ICC World Twenty20.

Both also felt that the role of the captain and coach was crucial in getting the best performance out of their players.

"The captain and coach can do a lot to lift a player if he is going through a bad patch. A captain must back his player and tell him "I know you can deliver for me,"" Ajmal said.

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Windies elect to bat in Sri Lanka one-dayer

Updated at: 1008 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
COLOMBO: West Indies captain Darren Sammy elected to bat after winning the toss against Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international on Monday.

The remaining two matches will also be played in Colombo on Friday and Sunday.

West Indies: Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Carlton Baugh, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis.

Umpires: Asoka de Silva (SRI) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
TV umpire: Tyron Wijewardene (SRI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

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