Peshawar Panthers successful against Islamabad Leopards

KARACHI : Peshawar Panthers started the tournament successfully by beating Islamabad Leopards by 28 runs in a T20 match here on Wednesday.Islamabad Leopards won the toss and decided to field. In a 20-year game, Peshawar Panthers managed to score 150 runs for 9 wickets down.The main scorers were Aftab Alam 36 and Raffatullah Mohmand 24 while Zohaib Ahmed from Islamabad Leopards took 3 wickets.Islamabad Leopards lost their four quick wickets in first over of their innings after which batting lineup failed to sustain. They managed to score 122 for all out.Naem Anjum was the high scorer from Islamabad Leopards with 40 runs while Noman Habib in his debut match took four wickets from Peshawar Panthers side.

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Bangladesh women to Tour India and Sri Lanka

Bangladesh women's cricket team will tour India and Sri Lanka in October 2011. The tour will act as Bangladesh team's preparation for the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier. Former India player Mamata Maben will be the coach of the side on the twin tours. Salma KhatunPanna Ghosh Ayesha Akter Suktara Jahanara Alam Shathira Jakir Farzana Hoque Pinky Lata Mondol

Rumana Ahmed

Sultana Yesmin Boishakhi

Chamely Khatun

Champa Chakma

Shohaly Akther

Tahin Tahera

Sharmin Akhter Supta

Sanjida Islam

Shamima Sultana

Khadiza Tul Kubra


TEAM MANAGEMENT

Abdullah Al Fuad - Head of Delegation

Dipu Rai Chowdhury - Manager & Technical Director

Mamata Maben - Coach

Suraya Akhtar - Physio


ITINERARY


04 Oct: Arrival in Saurashtra (Rajkot, India)

06 Oct: 1st one day match against Saurashtra women's team

08 Oct: 2nd one day match against Saurashtra women's team

10 Oct: Arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka

11 Oct: 1st one day match against Sri Lanka

13 Oct: 2nd one day match against Sri Lanka

14 Oct: 3rd one day match against Sri Lanka

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England announce 2012 summer schedule of Tests and ODIs

England have announced their 2012 summer schedule, with West Indies, Australia and South Africa touring.The Windies arrive in May for three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game, before Australia play five one-dayers in June and July.South Africa then play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20 internationals between mid-July and mid-September.Cardiff hosts the domestic Twenty20 finals day on 25 August, with the CB40 final at Lord's on 15 September.Meanwhile, Australia play Ireland in a one-day international in Belfast on 23 June, while England travel to Scotland for an ODI on 12 August.The second Test against South Africa, which takes place at Headingley between 2-6 August, is the only Test to directly clash with the 2012 Olympics in London, which run from 25 July until 12 August.2012 SUMMER TOURISTS Continue reading the main story    West Indies: 3 Tests, 3 ODIs, 1 T20 (27 May-24 June)Australia: 5 ODIs plus ODI v Ireland (29 June-10 July)South Africa: 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 3 T20s (19 July-12 Sept)The domestic international programme finishes on 12 September, a fortnight earlier than it did in 2011, to allow both England and South Africa to depart for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, which begins on 18 September.The venues for each of the international matches had already been determined.West Indies will visit Lord's, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston for Tests, with ODIs at the Rose Bowl, The Oval and Headingley, and a Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge.The Caribbean side will also take on Sussex, the England Lions, Leicestershire and Middlesex.Meanwhile, after playing Leicestershire, Ireland and Essex, Australia's five ODIs are at Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Chester-le-Street and Old Trafford.South Africa's tour features Tests at The Oval, Headingley and Lord's, with ODIs at Cardiff, the Rose Bowl, The Oval, Lord's and Trent Bridge, T20 internationals at Chester-le-Street, Old Trafford and Edgbaston, and warm-up games against Somerset, Kent, Worcestershire, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire.ECB chief executive David Collier said: "With England looking to maintain its position as the number one side in the ICC's World Test rankings and also preparing to defend the World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka next autumn, interest in next summer's international programme will be intense."A record number of people attended this season's international fixtures and with an exciting summer in prospect again in 2012, we would urge spectators to buy tickets early in order to avoid disappointment

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Call for Pakistan to rename its "Gaddafi Stadium"

It seems doubtful though the Libyan leader was ever much of a cricket fan.However, his downfall has left cricket-mad Pakistan with a rather sensitive problem – what to do with the Muammar Gaddafi Stadium, amid a growing online campaign to rename the 60,000 seat ground.Gaddafi Stadium is the home of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the site of the final of the 1996 World Cup for a reason: it is simply the best that Pakistan cricket has to offer," wrote columnist Farooq Tirmizi, kick-starting the campaign with a blog on a newspaper website.So why is it named after a brutal Arab dictator?All over Africa, impoverished nations have Gaddafi Conference Centres and Gaddafi Stadiums all paid for with Libyan oil money – not to mention the roads renamed in his honour.  The Lahore stadium was given its name by President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974 after Colonel Gaddafi's speech at a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, where he spoke in favour of Pakistan's right to develop nuclear weapons.The two countries remained close allies and Pakistan has yet to recognise Libya's new rulers.That has not stopped a growing campaign by grass roots fans to rebrand the stadium, which is home to the Pakistan Cricket Board.Online polls have suggested naming the stadium after Imran Khan, a son of Lahore who became the country's greatest all-rounder. His new career as a populist politician would probably make him too controversial a choice.Other proposals include commemorating Bob Woolmer, who died in 2007 while coach of Pakistan, or Aleem Dar, who has thrice been named ICC umpire of the year.Some nations have already begun the process of cleansing Gaddafi's name from their landmarks. In Sudan, Khartoum's Burj Alfateh hotel – named after the date of the 1969 Libyan revolution and known locally "Gaddafi's egg" - has quietly reverted to the name of its parent company, becoming the Corinthia Hotel.But so far the Pakistan Cricket Board has refused to consider the issue.Tariq Azim, a senator and keen cricket fan, said changing the name would mean turning away from historical connections."He's become a baddy now but if you go down that path we would have to change a lot of road names," he said

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Marlon Samuels' bowling action found to be legal

The International Cricket Council today confirmed that following significant remedial work, an independent test has found the bowling action of the West Indies' off-spinner Marlon Samuels to be legal and, as such, the player can resume bowling in international cricket.A comprehensive analysis revealed that his mean elbow extension was now comfortably within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the relevant regulations. During the original test on 11 February 2008, his mean elbow extension had been calculated to be in excess of 15 degrees.In the wake of that test Samuels was suspended from bowling in international cricket and subsequently underwent significant remedial work to modify his action. The 30-year-old from Jamaica was originally reported by umpires Aleem Dar and Simon Taufel following the third Test between South Africa and the West Indies in Durban from 8 to 10 January 2008.This latest independent analysis was performed by Prof. Bruce Elliott, member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists, and his team at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia (UWA), Perth, on 14 September.The regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions can be found by clicking here.It is important to point out that under this process, as with all bowlers, Samuels' action will continue to be scrutinised by match officials to ensure it remains legal.

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Pakistan ready to host international cricket, PCB sends signal to ICC

ISLAMABAD Sept 27 (APP): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made strict security arrangements for Faysal Bank Twenty-20 currently underway at Karachi, in order to send a strong signal to International Cricket Council (ICC) that Pakistan is ready to host international cricket.We want to ensure that no lapse occurs which could send out a negative message,” pakwatan.com quoted a PCB official as saying. “We are trying to build a strong image once again for the international cricket fraternity. All the stakeholders should fulfill their responsibility so that international cricket can be revived in Pakistan.However, the PCB official said that he is optimistic that the security efforts that have been put in place will help achieve fruitful results in future.“For now we can only fulfill the job on offer, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) is closely monitoring the security condition in Pakistan whenever a tournament of this stature is going on,” he added.The event is being televised and the whole world is watching.  Let the ICC decide whether we have done enough to build some confidence from the security point of view,” he said.For now police and security guards of a private company are operating but the official said that they have Rangers on board as well. He added that the Rangers could be deployed for the semifinals and final.

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Chand, Vohra lead the way for India U19

India's under-19 captain Unmukt Chand (72 not out: 40b, 11x4, 3x6) and Manan Vohra (79 not out: 35b, 15x4, 2x6) shared an unbeaten opening partnership of 167 to lead the hosts to a win over Australia in the opening game of the under-19 Quadrangular series on Tuesday.Chand and Vohra overhauled the Australia target of 163 all out in just 12 overs to give the home team its first win at the Port Trust Diamond Jubilee Stadium.Earlier, Australia was bowled out for 163 in 41.1 overs. The only major contributor to the Australia score was wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (51: 59b, 3x4). Skipper Cameron Bancroft (26) and William Bosisto (27) provided handy contributions.For India, left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh (2-26) and off-spinner Baba Aparajith (5-38) were the main wicket-takers.In the other game at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka beat West Indies by two wickets in a tight contest.West Indies batted first and was bowled out for 146 in 47.1 overs. The key contributors with the bat for West Indies were Kavem Hodge (50: 86b, 4x4) and Justin Greaves (33: 74b, 2x4). Hodge-Greaves stand for the sixth wicket fetched 79 runs.For Sri Lanka, Sanitha de Mel (4-14), Gaurav Deva (2-31) and Lahiru Madushanka (2-26) were the key wicket-takers.In its chase, Sri Lanka lost wickets in a heap and slipped to 71 for eight. It required Madushanka (42 not out: 78b, 2x4, 1x6) and Tharindu Kaushal (30 not out: 81b, 3x4) to take Sri Lanka home Madushanka-Kaushal stand was an unbeaten worth 76 runs for the ninth wicket.For West Indies, Geaves (4-26), Ronsford Beaton (2-39) and Kyle Mayers (2-24) were the key wicket-takers

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Three matches in National T20 today

KARACHI : Three matches will be played Wednesday in Faysal Bank T20 tournament, Geo Super will broadcast all matches live.Islamabad Leopards and Peshawar Panthers will face each other in the ongoing event at 12 noon. Both the teams will be playing for the first time in the event.Second match is scheduled at 4pm where Faisalabad Dolphins will play Multan Tigers while the third and last match will be played between Afghan Cheetas and Rawalpindi Rams at 8 pm tonight

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Australia names ODI, T20 teams for SAfrica tour

MELBOURNE : Australia named the following Twenty20 and one-day international squads for the tour to South Africa starting in October. Australia will play two T20 matches and three one-day matches ahead of a two-test series.Twenty20 squad: Cameron White (capt), Shane Watson (vice-capt), Doug Bollinger, Patrick Cummins, Aaron Finch, David Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Stephen O'Keefe, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, David WarnerOne-day squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson (vice-captn), Doug Bollinger, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Steven Smith, David Warner
(Reuters)

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'Tendulkar is a god for the Indian public, not for me'

NEW DELHI : Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar answered Indian criticism over his autobiography and said he would not apologise to anyone adding that Sachin Tendulkar is a god for the Indian public and not him.During an interview to an Indian channel, Akhtar said his statements relating to Tendulkar concerned a specific series in which the Indian batsman did not perform well. He further added that if India is a democracy then the people of the country should have the courage to listen to the truth.

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Lions enter last-four as Zebras win last-ball thriller

KARACHI : Fast-rising Rameez Aziz and seasoned Hasan Raza struck delightful fifties on Tuesday to help Karachi Zebras’ clinch a six-wicket victory in a last-ball thriller against Abbottabad Falcons, while Lahore Eagles became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of Faysal Bank T20 tournament at the National Stadium here on Tuesday.Chasing a target of 159, Zebras were in trouble at 4-28 in 4.4 overs. However, Rameez and Hasan took centre-stage in their quest to achieve what seemed like a gigantic task at that stage. Both players were finding it hard to keep up with the required rate until 10 overs were completed.Experts wrote off Zebras’ at that stage and were questioning the competence of talented left-hander Rameez. Zebras needed 103 runs off the last 10 overs when they stepped up on the gas with some wonderful strokes, finding the gaps with perfection.The duo completed their fifties and Hasan raised the bat towards the dug-out apparently trying to make a point that he still has what it takes to be a match-winner. It has been learnt that Hasan and the team management have not be getting along well after Zebras lost to Eagles in their first group match.In the end it all came down to the last ball when three runs were needed and Rameez was on strike. Junaid Khan ran in but lost his run-up and went back to bowl again, which was a clear sign of nerves.He ran in again and Rameez adjusted himself for a scoop at the fine-leg region, however, when he saw the ball was on the off stump, he adjusted his bat to guide it to third-man boundary for a four.Hasan remained unbeaten on 74 with the help of 11 fours, while Rameez, who represented Pakistan in the last U19 World Cup was unbeaten on 67 that included 10 strikes to the rope. They shared an unbeaten 132-run stand for the fourth-wicket. Zebras ended up with two wins from their three group matches and will have to settle with qualification in the next Super-Eights T20 tourney.Earlier, Falcons posted a total of 158-7 in 20 overs. Test opener Yasir Hameed continued his excellent form with a fine 73, while Younis Khan made 42.Zebras’ skipper Danish Kaneria took three wickets to end up with another good outing in the event.In the first match of the day, Eagles thumped Quetta Bears with a nine-wicket win.Batting first, Bears were all out for 125 in 20 overs. Mir Wais made 30, while Saeed Khan played a 26-run cameo. Leg-spinner Saad Naseem and Junaid Zia bagged two scalps each.In reply, openers Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar struck fifties to guide them to an easy sailing.On Tuesday night, Eagles won a thriller against Falcons thanks to superb bowling and fielding as they registered a 15-run win.The two Lahore outfits could possibly collide, as Eagles will play the winner of Sialkot Stallions and Lahore Lions.

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Sialkot Stallions outclass Lahore Lions by 6 wkts

KARACHI : Sialkot Stallions defeated Lahore Lions by six wickets in the day-night match on third day of the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.Chasing an easy target of 122, the Stallions lost four wickets to complete their second consecutive victory in the tournament.Their main scorers were Shahid Yousuf (47) and Shakeel Ansar (42) who assed 72 runs for the third wicket after the Stallions lost both their openers at a mere score of 12.Captain Shoaib Malik, who played the winning stroke, was unbeaten on 15.Earlier, Lahore Lions captain Abdul Razzaq won the toss and batted first but his batsman could not resist against accurate bowling and excellent fielding by the Stallions.Only four batsmen could get into double figures as all-rounder Abdul Razzaq top scored with 42 runs from 33 balls. He hit four boundaries and a six.Other main scorers were opener Nasir Jamshed (24) and Ahmed Shehzad (20).For Sialkot Stallions, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claimed three wickets for 30 runs while Raza Hasan, Abdul Rehman and Sarfraz Ahmed got two wickets each.

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Sialkot Stallions bowl out Lahore Lions for 121 runs

KARACHI : Lahore Lions were bundled out for 121 runs in 19.4 overs by Sialkot Stallions in the last match on third day of the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 here at the National Stadium on Tuesday night.After Lahore Lions captain Abdul Razzaq won the toss and batted first, his batsman could not resist against accurate bowling and excellent fielding by the Stallions.Only four batsmen could get into double figures as all-rounder Abdul Razzaq top scored with 42 runs from 33 balls. He hit four boundaries and a six.Other main scorers were opener Nasir Jamshed (24) and Ahmed Shehzad (20).For Sialkot Stallions, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claimed three wickets for 30 runs while Raza Hasan, Abdul Rehman and Sarfraz Ahmed got two wickets each.

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Lahore Lions win toss, bat against Sialkot Stallions

KARACHI : Lahore Lions captain Abdul Razzaq won the toss and elected to bat against Sialkot Stallions in the last match on third day of the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 here at the National Stadium on Tuesday night.Teams:Lahore Lions: Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal (wk), Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq (captain), Nasir Jamshed, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Imran Ali, Adnan Rasool, Raza Ali Dar, Sohail Ahmed.Sialkot Stallions: Shoaib Malik (captain), Shahid Yousuf, Imran Nazir, Ali Khan, Shakeel Ansar (wk), Naved-ul-Hasan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Abdur Rehman, Raza Hasan, Naved Arif, Faisal Naved.

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Abbottabad Falcons set 159-run target for Karachi Zebras

KARACHI : Despite a fine batting display by earlier batsmen, Abbottabad Falcons could not make a big score and were restricted to 158-7 in the allotted 20 overs against Karachi Zebras in the second match of third day in the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.After captain Younis Khan won the toss and decided to bat first, his openers Yasir Hameed and Fawad Khan provided a solid start of 50 runs and then Younis along with Yasir, added 70 runs for the second wicket before the collapse began and the Falcons lost five wickets for 38 runs.Yasir, their most in-form batsman, was again the top scorer with 73 runs scored from 51 balls with the help of nine fours while Younis made 42 off 32 balls with four boundaries.For Karachi Zebras, captain Danis Kaneria grabbed three wickets for 30 and Atif Maqbool claimed two for 31.Now Karachi Zebras require 159 runs to beat Abbottabad Falcons

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Abbottabad Falcons win toss, bat against Karachi Zebras

KARACHI : Abbottabad Falcons won the toss and elected to bat against Karachi Zebras in the second match of third day in the Faysal Bank National Twenty20 Cup 2011 here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.Teams:Karachi Zebras: Khurram Manzoor, Rameez Aziz, Akbar-ur-Rehman, Faisal Iqbal, Hasan Raza, Farhan Iqbal (wk), Anwar Ali, Danish Kaneria (captain), Azam Hussain, Uzair-ul-Haq, Atif Maqbool Abbottabad Falcons: Yasir Hameed, Fawad Khan (wk), Younis Khan (captain), Junaid Khan, Mir Azam, Wajid Ali, Adnan Raees, Yasir Shah, Asif Afridi, Khalid Usman, Ahmed Jamal.

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Kaneria frustrated at court delays

KARACHI : Former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria hit out Tuesday against another court-room delay putting back his bid to revive an international career embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal. A court on Tuesday again adjourned his appeal against the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) failure to clear him of fixing allegations. The new date set for the hearing in Sindh High Court in Karachi is October 20. Kaneria and fellow Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield were arrested last year on charges of spot-fixing during a Pro40 one-day match against Durham in 2009. Kaneria was later released without charge but Westfield faces criminal proceedings, prompting the PCB not to clear Kaneria for national selection. "I am frustrated at the delay which has kept me from playing," Kaneria said. "I don't know why the PCB is delaying the case.Kaneria said there was no proof against him."When there is no proof against me why is the PCB not clearing me? It's mental torture. Is it because I am from Karachi or because I have a different religion?" said Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan.PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the board would now write to Britain's Crown Prosecution Service with Kaniera's consent to ask for details of the British investigation.Kaneria was arrested so there were allegations against him and the PCB wants the transcript or the tapes of the investigation," Rizvi said. Kaneria, who has chalked up 61 Tests and 18 one-days for Pakistan, has not played internationally since being dropped on tour in England last year. The court delay means Kaneria will not be able to feature in Pakistan's three-Test series against Sri Lanka next month to be played in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan also play five one-day and a Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. Despite an international ban, Kaneria is allowed to play at home. He is leading a Karachi side in the ongoing Twenty20 tournament in Karachi.

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Lahore Eagles qualify for T20 cup semi-final

KARACHI : Lahore Eagles defeated Quetta bears to claim their third consecutive win of the National T20 cup,Quetta bears won the toss and elected to bat first. The batsmen however failed to make a substantial score and were all out for 125 runs. Junaid Zia, Mustafa Iqbal and Saad Naseem claimed two wickets each.In reply Lahore Eagles openers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umer got their team off to a flying start. Farhat scored 51 runs while Taufiq Umer completed his century. With their third consecutive win, Lahore Eagles has become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 cup

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