COLOMBO: Pakistan's maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar, whose colourful career has been a heady mix of on-field brilliance and off-field controversy, has announced to quit international cricket after the World Cup.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Shoaib Akhtar announces to quit
COLOMBO: Pakistan's maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar, whose colourful career has been a heady mix of on-field brilliance and off-field controversy, has announced to quit international cricket after the World Cup.
England win toss, bat against West Indies
CHENNAI: England captain Andrew Strauss has won the toss and elected to bat in their crucial match against the West Indies in the World Cup Group B here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.Weary England could see their exhausting five-month global road trip end today in a do-or-die World Cup showdown against the Windies.Victory will keep England's hopes of making the quarter-finals alive but defeat will send their opponents, as well as India and Bangladesh, into the last eight.England have endured a rollercoaster campaign.They defeated the Netherlands and South Africa, lost to Bangladesh and Ireland and tied with India.They know that even a win on Thursday may not be enough if other results on Saturday and Sunday work conspire against them.Their problems have been compounded by illness suffered by Strauss, key spinner Graeme Swann and fast bowler Ajmal Shahzad.The form of Ashes spearhead Jimmy Anderson, whose four wickets have cost 282 runs at an average of more than 70 apiece, is another distraction.Strauss said he hoped the make-or-break nature of Thursday's contest would see England raise their game.West Indies captain Darren Sammy hopes to make the most of coach Ottis Gibson's inside knowledge of England.Gibson spent more than two years as England's bowling coach before taking charge of the West Indies in January 2010.West Indies have been bolstered for this match by the return of dynamic opening batsman Chris Gayle, who missed their 44-run win against Ireland last time out with an abdominal strain.Unlike Group B, where only South Africa have so far assured qualification, all four qualifying spots in Group have been wrapped up by Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Shoaib Akhtar career timeline
COLOMBO: Shoaib Akhtar's career timeline after the Pakistan pace bowler on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket after the World Cup.1996 Removed from the team for the Sahara Cup against India in Canada on grounds of indiscipline.1997 Akhtar makes his Test debut against the West Indies in November at his home ground in Rawalpindi, taking two wickets.February 1999 Akhtar dismisses Indian greats Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid off successive deliveries in the Calcutta Test, which Pakistan win to lift the Asian Test championship. Earns nickname of "Rawalpindi Express"December 1999 Akhtar's action called for the first time, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) allows him to carry as only his bouncer causes concerns.March 2000 Banned for one ODI and fined for reaching team hotel late in Pakistan2001 Akhtar's action called for second time after taking five wickets in New Zealand.November 2001 Action called for third time in Sharjah, after which Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) carries out examination at University of Western Australia which concludes his action is result of "unique physical characteristics" which form basis of him being cleared to continue.November 2002 Reprimanded for ball-tampering and banned for one ODI after throwing water bottle at a spectator in Zimbabwe.May 2003 Banned for two ODIs and fined 75 percent of match fee for ball-tampering during a tri-series in Sri Lank March 2003 Akhtar bowled at 100mph in Pakistan's match against England at Cape Town, becoming the first bowler in the history of the game to break the 100mph barrier.October 2003 Banned for one Test and two ODIs for abusing Paul Adams in the first Test against South Africa, after taking eight wickets in the match to help Pakistan win. In second Test against New Zealand, helps Pakistan win with seven-wicket burst (11 in the match).March 2004 Akhtar accused of feigning injury after Pakistan lost Test series to archrivals India 2-1. October 2006 Akhtar and Mohammad Asif test positive for banned steroid nandrolone. Akhtar banned for two years and Asif for one year, bans which were lifted on appeal.September 2007 Akhtar hits Asif with a bat, two days before the World Twenty20 in South Africa. A month later the PCB fine and ban him for 13 one-day matches January 2008 Excluded from list of central contracts. A fuming Akhtar criticises the PCB. A disciplinary committee bans him for five years. Punishment reduced to 18 months on appeal, but fine imposed May 2009 PCB drop him from World Twenty20 squad. January 2011 Selected in Pakistan's World Cup squad, despite coach Waqar Younis saying he is not 100 percent fit.March 2011 Akhtar announces he will retire after the World Cup.
Pakistan challenge excites Ponting
BANGALORE: Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he was looking forward to the champions being tested by Pakistan in their final group match of the World Cup.Australia already through to the quarter-finals, and bidding for a fourth straight title, made it 34 games unbeaten at the World Cup with a seven-wicket thrashing of Canada on Wednesday to go top of Group A.Now Ponting's men tackle a typically mercurial Pakistan in Colombo on Saturday."It's always a great challenge playing against Pakistan because, as everybody knows, you're just never really sure what they're going to turn up and do on the day," he said."They can be a very, very good side one day and, as we saw against New Zealand, they can be very, very ordinary the next. They have that sort of unpredictability about them"The last game they played in Colombo was against Sri Lanka and they upset them there so they'll know the conditions pretty well and, by the looks of things, they'll play the conditions there pretty well."After restricting Canada to 211 on Wednesday, Australia raced to 212 for three with more than 15 overs to spare thanks to a first-wicket stand of 183 between Shane Watson (94) and Brad Haddin (88).But non-Test nation Canada gave Pakistan and Australia's opponents in the knockout stages hope when after winning the toss, they plundered the fastest team fifty of the tournament, off just 29 balls.Teenage opener Hiral Patel defied Australia's pace trio of Shaun Tait, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson with a dashing 54, with his half-century coming off just 37 balls with three sixes and five fours.Ponting, however, was happy with the smooth conclusion of the match."I guess it's probably not ideal that we haven't been pushed right to the wire with many of the games that we've played," said Ponting, whose side are now the only unbeaten team at this World Cup."But I'm pretty confident in the players that no matter who we play in this tournament from here on, we'll be hard to beat."He did admit that Australia's new-ball bowling was a concern."Against better teams and deeper batting orders, we have to make sure we don't let teams get off to that sort of start," he said. "If you look at someone like (India's Virender) Sehwag, he plays similar to the way that guy (Patel) played and if we let him get off to a start like that in a big game, it will be a lot harder to peg them back."Ponting, who praised 19-year-old Patel for being "savage on us" and hitting "some amazing shots", lost his temper after taking a catch when, having seen Steven Smith nearly collide with him, he angrily threw the ball to the ground."We both actually called for it at exactly the same time, which was why there was some confusion around," Ponting explained."It wasn't a great reaction I guess. But it certainly wasn't designed to try to inspire the team or anything like that, or to make Steven look in any way in the wrong place or make him look silly."If it looked bad, then I apologise for it."
Shoaib Akhtar to quit after World Cup
COLOMBO: Pakistan's maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar, whose colourful career has been a heady mix of on-field brilliance and off-field controversy, will quit international cricket after the World Cup."Yes, I will quit international cricket after the World Cup" the 35-year-old said."I have taken this decision after much thought. Pakistan's last match in this World Cup will also be my last. I hope that will be the final on April 2."Akhtar made up his mind after Pakistan's 110-run defeat against New Zealand, in which he went for 70 runs in his nine overs. He was rested for the match against Zimbabwe on Monday and was thought to be an unlikely starter for Saturday's last Group A match against Australia.Akhtar, who made his international debut in 1997, took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, the last of which was against India at Bangalore in 2007. He is three wickets short of 250 in 163 one-day internationals and has taken 19 wickets in 15 Twenty20 internationals.Pakistan squad members hugged him in the dressing room on Thursday before captain Shahid Afridi embraced him as the players entered the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo for practice.Akhtar, known as the Rawalpindi Express during his tear away days as one of Test cricket's most feared if unpredictable talents, once cracked the 100mph barrier at the 2003 World Cup.At this World Cup, which was always likely to be his swansong, Akhtar looked neat and tidy with figures of 0-10 and 2-42 against Kenya and Sri Lanka respectively.He missed the win over Canada but was then smashed all over the park at Pallekele against New Zealand, with figures of 1-70, before being dropped for the game with Zimbabwe.His career will always be remembered for a series of fitness problems, discipline violations as well as a doping offence that put the brakes on achieving his true potential.Most recently he was fined $2,000 for breaching discipline after the defeat to New Zealand.Team manager Intikhab Alam confirmed the fine, which was levied after an on-field spat with wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who missed two chances off his bowling Akhtar and the now banned Mohammad Asif failed drugs tests in 2006 and were suspended for two years and one year respectively, both of which were lifted on appeal.Fitness problems forced him to miss the 2007 World Cup while he was fined heavily and banned for 13 ODIs after he hit Asif with a bat two days before the 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa.In 2008 he was banned for five years after publicly criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board following his exclusion from the list of centrally contracted players.The ban was reduced to 18 months by a tribunal, which levied a fine of 7.0 million Pakistani rupees ($105,000 at the time). His appeal against the ban is still pending. (AFP)
Cricket WC: Now or never for Eng Cup dream
NEW DELHI: Weary England could see their exhausting five-month global road trip end on Thursday when they tackle a resurgent West Indies in a do-or-die World Cup showdown.Victory will keep England's hopes of making the quarter-finals alive but defeat will send their opponents, as well as India and Bangladesh, into the last eight.England captain Andrew Strauss dismissed the effects of fatigue on a squad which has been on the road virtually non-stop since October's departure for their successful Ashes campaign."Fatigue is the last thing on our minds," Strauss insisted ahead of the match in Chennai. "We know what the prize is and we are determined to make the most of our opportunity." England have endured a rollercoaster campaign. They defeated the Netherlands and South Africa, lost to Bangladesh and Ireland and tied with India. They know that even a win on Thursday may not be enough if other results on Saturday and Sunday work conspire against them. Their problems have been compounded by illness suffered by Strauss, key spinner Graeme Swann and fast bowler Ajmal Shahzad. The form of Ashes spearhead Jimmy Anderson, whose four wickets have cost 282 runs at an average of more than 70 apiece, is another distraction.Strauss said he hoped the make-or-break nature of Thursday's contest would see England raise their game. "We have done well in big matches over the last couple of years. The equation is very simple and this isn't a time to go into our shells -- we have to go out there and take the West Indies on." West Indies captain Darren Sammy hopes to make the most of coach Ottis Gibson's inside knowledge of England. Gibson spent more than two years as England's bowling coach before taking charge of the West Indies in January 2010. "He has a lot of information and has worked in a successful English team," said Sammy. "Obviously we've been analysing the opposition. We'll be looking to go out and exploit the weaknesses."It's a good time to play England," added Sammy. "They've been on the road for a long time. Apparently, they've been home for four days in five months. In order for them to stay, they've got to win or maybe some of them will want to go home to their families.West Indies have been bolstered for this match by the return of dynamic opening batsman Chris Gayle, who missed their 44-run win against Ireland last time out with an abdominal strain Unlike Group B, where only South Africa have so far assured qualification, all four qualifying spots in Group have been wrapped up by Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he was looking forward to the champions being tested by Pakistan in their final group match in Colombo on Saturday. Australia, bidding for a fourth straight title, made it 34 games unbeaten at the World Cup with a seven-wicket thrashing of Canada in Bangalore on Wednesday.(AFP)
We’ve no fear playing in India: Afridi
COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi denied on Wednesday that he feared playing a World Cup quarter-final in India, insisting a potential clash between the two neighbours can help ease strained relations."I have never said anything along the lines that we don't want to go to India. I never said that," said Afridi, hitting back at media reports that Pakistan wants to avoid playing their last-eight game in India."We are here to play the World Cup, so wherever we have to play we will go and we have no fears over going to India," said Afridi of the possibility of a mouth-watering quarter-final against their South Asian rivals at Ahmedabad."I think a cricket match has always brought the people of both countries together and has the capacity to improve the relations between the two," said Afridi.The relationship between the nuclear rivals has been at breaking point since the terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008, which New Delhi blamed on extremists based in Pakistan.Those attacks also forced India to stall bi-lateral cricket series with Pakistan, although both countries played against each other in the Champions Trophy in South Africa in 2009.Afridi said he and his team-mates have always enjoyed playing cricket in India."I have always enjoyed cricket in India, never enjoyed anywhere more than in India, I get maximum enjoyment there," said Afridi, whose first Test century came at Chennai in 1999.He also hit one-day cricket's fourth fastest century off just 45 balls, against India at Kanpur in 2005.Pakistan have eight points from their five matches and could top Group A if they beat defending champions Australia in their last match on Saturday.Afridi says his team fear no opposition."The kind of cricket we are playing we fear no venue and no opposition, so India in India, and Australia in the last group match are no problems," said Afridi, who played down threats from extremists groups in India."What ever is the response, we will get to know it when we go there because we will be going there after a long time," said Afridi."We have played in India in worse situations," added Afridi, referring to Pakistan's tour in 1999 where Hindu militants dug up the pitch in New Delhi."For both teams, the pressure is always there and whoever handles the pressure wins the match. But before that we have an important match against Australia and I think we have the capacity to beat them," said Afridi.
Canada restricted to 211 after impressive batting
BANGALORE: Aussie bowlers restricted Canada to 211 runs all out in 45.4 overs after the minnows’ top-order batsmen fought bravely in their World Cup Group A match here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.The 19-year-old opener, Hiral Patel, faced Aussie pacers boldly, blasting a career-best 54 after Canada captain Ashish Bagai won the toss.But Brett Lee took four for 46 as the North Americans were bowled out with 26 balls to spare.Canada, unable to reach the last eight, were well-placed at 150 for two but Australia, already through to the quarter-finals and unbeaten in 33 matches at the World Cup since 1999, then took five wickets for 19 runs.The 19-year-old Patel square cut Lee for two fours before thumping express quick Shaun Tait high over extra cover for six.Canada had promoted 40-year-old off-spinner John Davison, playing his last match before international retirement, to open the innings.Davison looked good making 14 before fast bowler Lee out-thought him with a slow bouncer the batsman could only feather to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin as he attempted a hook.The undaunted Patel took Canada to the fastest fifty of any team this tournament -- in 29 balls -- when he miscued a six off Mitchell Johnson high over third man.But Patel, whose highest score in 13 previous one-day internationals was 43, made no mistake in hooking a Lee bouncer for six.Patel completed his personal fifty in just 37 balls, including three sixes and five fours.However, his blistering innings ended when he slashed medium-pacer Shane Watson to Johnson at third man, leaving Canada 82-2 in the 12th over.Zubin Surkari and Bagai kept Australia at bay with a stand of 68 until the captain, on 39, edged a cut off Tait to Haddin.Jimmy Hansra gifted off-spinner Jason Krejza only his third wicket of the tournament when he holed out to long-on and Surkari (34), one ball after being hit on the hip by a Tait full toss, was bowled by the speedster.
Canada win toss, elect to bat against Aussies
BANGALORE: Canada captain Ashish Bagai has won the toss and elected to bat against Australia in their World Cup Group A match here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday Defending champions Australia, already through to the quarter-finals and unbeaten in 33 matches at the World Cup since 1999, were unchanged from the side that beat Kenya by 60 runs on Monday.Canada, who are out of quarter-final contention, made two changes from the side that lost by 97 runs to New Zealand in Mumbai on Sunday, with Nitish Kumar and Karl Whatham coming in for Ruvindu Guneasekera and Khurram Chohan.This match marked 40-year-old Canada veteran John Davison's final match before international retirement.Davison set a world record the fastest-ever World Cup hundred in 2003, a mark which has been surpassed by Matthew Hayden of Australia and Ireland's Kevin O'Brien who hit a century off 50 balls at this World Cup against England.Australia: Brad Haddin (wk), Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Jason Krejza, Shaun Tait.Canada: Hiral Patel, John Davison, Zubin Surkari, Ashish Bagai (captain/wk), Jimmy Hansra, Rizwan Cheema, Nitish Kumar, Karl Whatham, Harvir Baidwan, Balaji Rao, Henry Osinde Umpires: Amish Saheba (IND) and Billy Bowden (NZ), TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).
