Mazhar Majeed not to appeal against sentence

LONDON : The protagonist of the spot fixing case Mazhar Majeed has decided not to appeal against the sentence, He has been jailed for 32 months for conducting a fixing conspiracy on Thursday. According to sources, Mazhar Majeed, who was the agent of former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir, has decided not to appeal against his penalty. He had accepted the charges before the cricket corruption case was heard in the court.

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Pakistan's jailed Aamer 'shattered'

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan's brilliant young paceman Mohammad Aamer is shattered at being jailed for deliberately bowling no-balls but will come back a clean player and a good man, a former mentor said Friday.The 19-year-old left-arm bowler, once regarded as the hottest new talent in the game, was sent to the Feltham young offenders institute for six months for his role in fixing part of Lord's Test against England in August 2010.His Test captain Salman Butt was sent down for 30 months, fellow new-ball partner Mohammad Asif one year and agent Mazhar Majeed 32 months after they took money to set up deliberate no-balls during the match.Asif Bajwa, whose academy in the garrison city of Rawalpindi groomed Aamer in the early 1990s, said the youngster was "mentally shattered"."I told him that he should be mentally prepared for this, but once he comes I will hide him from this cruel world and make him a better human being and a clean cricketer," Bajwa told, saying he spoke to Aamer on Thursday."He is very worried about his future. I was talking to him on phone every day and I have told him that once he comes back I will not allow him to meet anyone, he needs mental peace," said Bajwa.Aamer was the only player to plead guilty, a step which Judge Jeremy Cooke said "took courage" and saved him a nine-month sentence.Bajwa, 43, said the verdict was inevitable after such damning evidence but "very, very sad for a youngster".But he refused to accept any blame for not better grooming the prodigy, instead pointing the finger at team management."As a young boy he was very disciplined and straight forward but once you come into the limelight, into international cricket, it's tough to handle yourself," said Bajwa."I think 80 percent of the blame goes to the management of the England tour. Has anyone called manager Yawar Saeed? Has anyone asked the security manager of the tour how unwanted people mixed up with the players? No one has done that," he said.I fear more players will fall in the pits if strict measures are not taken," said Bajwa. "When you send your kids to school, you know a strict teacher will take care of his every move, but not in the Pakistan team

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Nation demands cricket clean-up in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A furious Pakistan demanded Friday that cricket makes good on promises to clean up corruption, declaring prison terms for three disgraced stars a wake-up call for a game in crisis.The spot-fixing scandal surrounding the Lord's Test against England in August 2010 was taken personally in a country where cricket is a national obsession and a respite from the bitter realities of Taliban suicide attacks, recession and corruption.But when a British judge sentenced former captain Salman Butt to 30 months, fast bowler Mohammad Asif one year and Mohammad Aamer to six months, Pakistanis were left wondering if they were really watching sport -- or just greedy men lining their own pockets.The News, whose main headline was Cooked  punning on the name of the judge, Jeremy Cooke  said the sentences "should come as a big eye-opener"There should be no tolerance for cheats and thieves. They belong not on the playing field but in prison. It remains to be seen whether our cricket officialdom has learnt some lessons from the fiasco," it wrote. "We are made mugs for getting up in the middle of the night, lunatics for investing deep emotional attachment and fools for devising our own strategies," wrote The Express Tribune newspaper.Millions of fans want to see Pakistan implement a 2012 deadline from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to end political appointments in cricket -- one of only three countries in the world where this still happens.The Tribune said the lack of apology or resignation from officials over the scandal shows "the people who really don't get the point of sport are the ones who control our unofficial national game, our undisputed national obsession"."With money and mafias inching ever closer to the heart of cricket, what the trio needed was support and guidance," it said.Late Thursday, a few dozen local players and young men protested against the disgraced trio in the central city of Multan, setting alight portraits of the players and calling for a complete overhaul of Pakistani cricket."Pakistan should completely start afresh with a new set of players because there are still question marks over a few of the others," Tariq Neem-ullah Khan, a former local cricket player and political activist told the gathering.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has kept a low profile since new chairman Zaka Ashraf took over last week, said it was determined to eradicate corruption from the game after "a sad day for cricket in the country"PCB is determined to ensure that any form of corrupt behaviour from Pakistan cricket is stamped out," said spokesman Nadeem Sarwar in a short statement.After the scandal broke, the ICC came down hard on Pakistan, last year threatening them with suspension if reforms were not implemented.The PCB said it has taken serious measures to prevent future misconduct and that "more would follow" as and when the need arises."Ridding Pakistan cricket of any possible corrupt behaviour will remain a high priority," it said.Pakistan's greatest cricketing hero, Imran Khan, who led the country in 1992 to their only World Cup, said the verdicts would be a wake-up call.He said "in a way" he felt sorry for the players, who "must have thought crime pays" given corruption allegations stacked up against President Asif Ali Zardari and a host of top officials from all walks of life."The verdict is a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket and from now on we should be ultra careful," said Khan, a bitter critic of the government and head of his own political party -- Tehrik-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice)Former greats and experts of the game blamed the PCB for a lack of action while relatives wept and protested the innocence of their loved ones."My son is innocent and he did the no ball at the asking of the captain," said Nasim Akhtar, the mother of the 19-year-old Aamer, tears rolling down her cheeks, at her home in the village of Changa Bangial outside Islamabad.In the eastern city of Lahore, Butt's sisters spoke to reporters to defend their brother and claimed he had been made a scapegoat for a wider conspiracy."The punishment is unfair, it is shocking. Our brother is innocent," said Khadija, veiled and in her 30s, outside the family home."His crime is that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time," she added

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Sangakkara takes Sri Lanka 1st innings to 300-4

SHARJAH : Kumar Sangakkara's unbeaten ton anchored Sri Lanka's innings as they moved to 300-4 at lunch on the second day of the third and final Test against Pakistan on Friday.Sri Lanka lost all-rounder Angelo Mathews in the last over before lunch, caught behind off left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for 17, but the 34-year-old Sangakkara was unbeaten on 140 to ensure Sri Lanka did not lose track.The stylish left-hander has hit 12 fours and two sixes during his stay at the crease, which began in the first over of the match on Thursday.Sangakkara put on 84 for the third wicket with Mahela Jayawardene (39) and another 39 with Mathews for the fourth as Sri Lanka aim to build a big total on a batting-friendly Sharjah stadium pitch.Resuming on 245-2, Sri Lanka batted watchfully as they tried to avoid a repeat of the middle-order collapses they suffered in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi and the nine-wicket defeat in the second Test at Dubai.Jayawardene managed to add just seven to his overnight score of 32 before being given leg-before off paceman Junaid Khan. Jayawardene hit two boundaries during his highest score of the series.Sangakkara and Mathews negotiated Pakistan's pace-spin attack with confidence, taking Sri Lanka past the 300-mark in the penultimate over before lunch.But Pakistan struck in the last over before lunch as they got the second wicket in the session, with Sri Lanka managing 55 runs in two hours.

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Players' chief says jail sends message

SYDNEY : The jailing of three Pakistani cricketers over a fixing scandal sends a clear message to all sportsmen that cheating will not be tolerated, players' union chief Tim May said Friday.A British judge on Thursday jailed former captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer for their part in a fixing scandal which has rocked the game to its core.Their corrupt British agent Mazhar Majeed was also locked up.May, head of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), which co-ordinates the activities of national players' associations, said it should be a wake up call to anyone contemplating cheating."The real possibility of spending time in prison is a further compelling argument for players to distance themselves from those who seek to profit illegally from the game," the Australian said in a statement.He said he had mixed emotions about the verdict in London's Southwark Crown Court, saying he was concerned that spot fixing still appeared to be prevalent despite cricket authorities spending millions of dollars to stamp it out.But he said he felt "satisfaction that the prosecution has been able to identify corruption and deliver a loud and clear message to players of all sports that if you are caught cheating the integrity of sport you will be prosecuted and face severe penalties".May called on the International Cricket Council and its member boards, as well as players and player associations, to take responsibility for weeding out corruption."We all need to review our roles in providing proper and regular education to cricketers, umpires and administrators at all levels of the game," he said."We need to ensure that cricket's Anti Corruption Unit functions effectively and has access to the respective tools and information that can identify those who seek to harm our game."The ICC is currently reviewing the role and functioning of the Anti Corruption and Security Unit.Butt received a 30-month sentence while Asif was jailed for a year on charges relating to the August 2010 Lord's Test match against England. Aamer was sentenced to six months in a young offenders' institution

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Warne to make comeback: Report

SYDNEY: Spin legend Shane Warne has been enticed out of retirement and will make a comeback with the Melbourne Stars in Australia's Big Bash Twenty20 League, a report said Friday.The 42-year-old apparently brought the curtain down on his stellar, two-decade cricket career at the Indian Premier League in May. But Fairfax media said he would be unveiled as the Melbourne Stars' marquee signing.Both the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age reported that a lucrative package was enough to see him sign up for the fledgling eight-team tournament from December 30 to February 5.Warne, who is from Melbourne, has been in the city this week with his British actress fiancee Liz Hurley.The champion leg-spinner has not played top-flight cricket in Australia since helping the country to a 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England in January 2007.Several overseas players have signed up with the eight franchises that will contest the tournament, including South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Collingwood of England, and Pakistani Shahid Afridi.

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Chairman PCB Ch. Zaka Ashraf hosted a reception in honor of Pakistan Team that won the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes Tournament

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Spot-fixing trial: Sentences awarded to trio, agent

LONDON : Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif and agent Mazhar Majeed were awarded sentences on Thursday in Britain for their role in fixing parts of a Test match against England.Cricket agent Majeed, 36, from Croydon in south London, was handed the harshest penalty with a sentence of two years and eight months by Judge Jeremy Cooke at London's Southwark Crown Court.Pakistan former Test captain Salman Butt, 27, received 30 months, fast bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, received one year in jail and 19-year-old Mohammad Amir was sentenced to 6 months detention at Feltham Young Offenders institution."These offences, regardless of pleas, are so serious that only a sentence of imprisonment will suffice," Cooke told the four in court.He added: "Each of you will serve half the time imposed in custody and then be released on licence."As he was led from the dock, Butt looked distant and aghast. Amir showed little reaction as he collected his rucksack, while Asif nodded to a friend in the public gallery before being the last to disappear down to the cells.Butt and Asif were found guilty on Tuesday of deliberately bowling three no-balls during the Lord's Test in August 2010 as part of a "spot-fixing" betting scam uncovered by Rupert Murdoch's now-defunct News of the World.Amir and Majeed had already pleaded guilty to involvement in the scam.The judge said the players had once been regarded as heroes but had betrayed their followers in Pakistan."In Pakistan, where cricket is the national sport, the ordinary follower of the national team feels betrayed by your activities," he said."You, Butt, Asif and Amer have let down all your supporters and followers of the game." The international game had also been tarnished by the scandal, he added."Now, whenever people look back on a surprising event in a game or a surprising result or whenever, in the future, there are surprising events or results, followers of the game who paid good money... will be led to wonder whether there has been a fix," the judge said."What was to be honest, sporting competition may not be such at all.Players were also ordered to pay compensation towards cost of prosecution. Butt - £30,937, Asif - £8120 and Amir £9389.

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PCB 'determined' to end corruption

LAHORE : Pakistan cricket authorities Thursday said they were more determined to eradicate corruption from the game after three of their key players were sentenced to jail in a corruption case.Pakistan former Test captain Salman Butt, 27, received 30 months, fast bowler Mohammad Asif, 28, received one year in jail and 19-year-old Mohammad Amir was jailed for six months.Butt and Asif were found guilty on Tuesday of deliberately bowling three no-balls during the Lord's Test in August 2010 as part of a "spot-fixing" betting scam uncovered by Rupert Murdoch's now-defunct News of the World.Amir and agent Mazhar Majeed, sent down for 32 months, had already pleaded guilty to involvement in the scam.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which shied away from making any comments since a new chairman Zaka Ashraf took over last week, termed the incidents as "a sad day for cricket in the country.""The conviction and sentencing of players is a sad day for Pakistan cricket," PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar was quoted as saying in a release."Instead of having pride in playing for their country, these players chose to disappoint their supporters, damage the image of their country and bring the noble game of cricket into disrepute."There is little sympathy in Pakistan for the sorry pass they have come to."PCB said the case has made it more determined to fight the menace."PCB is determined to ensure that any form of corrupt behavior from Pakistan cricket is stamped out," said the spokesman.Since the spot-fixing scandal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) came down hard on Pakistan, sending them a list of directives in October last year, threatening them with suspension if they were not implemented.PCB said it has taken serious measures to save future misconduct."Training courses under PCB education program upgraded for all players and particularly younger entrants into international cricket to inform them of the law and spirit of the game, the inducements that may be offered to them by unscrupulous elements, and the pitfalls associated with deviant behavior.In addition, vigilance, stricter code of conduct and system to register new agents for players were also implemented, said the release."These are just some of the measures being contemplated by the PCB. More would follow as and when the need arises. Ridding Pakistan cricket of any possible corrupt behavior will remain a high priority for the PCB," said the release."PCB will also work closely with the ICC and its member Boards in ensuring that the game of cricket globally is made totally free from the taint of corruption," said the release.Former greats and experts of the game had blamed the PCB for a lack of action, resulting in the spot-fixing scandal.

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Sangakkara ton propels Sri Lanka to 245-2 in Sharjah Test

SHARJAH : Kumar Sangakkara notched his 27th Test hundred to propel Sri Lanka to an imperious 245-2 on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan on Thursday.The 34-year-old stylish left-hander ended the day on 112 -- his second hundred of the series after hitting 211 in the first Test, guiding his team during a 173-run second wicket stand with Tillakaratne Dilshan who made 92.That repair-damaging stand followed the early loss of opener Tharanga Paranavitana (four) who fell off paceman Umar Gul's fifth ball of the match after Sri Lanka decided to bat on a batting-friendly Sharjah stadium pitch.Sangakkara, who topscored with 78 during Sri Lanka's nine wicket defeat in the second Test in Dubai, also completed 9,000 Test runs when he reached 28, hitting a crisp boundary off paceman Junaid Khan.The former Sri Lankan captain is the 11th batsman in the world and only the second Sri Lankan behind Mahela Jayawardene (9895 runs) to cross 9,000 or more in all Test cricket.He jumped out of his crease to lift left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman for his second six to reach the three-figure mark -- his seventh against Pakistan  to show why he is currently regarded as the top batsmen in the world.He has so far hit 11 boundaries during his near six-hour stay at the crease. Partnering him was Mahela Jayawardene on 32.Dilshan, who had 38 runs in the last four innings, realised he belonged to the top of the order as he shrugged away the poor form, hitting 12 boundaries and a six during his 168-ball knock.Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets. The first Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.Dilshan's elevation to the top meant opener Lahiru Thirimanne was axed while paceman Suranga Lakmal was also left out to bring in off-spinner Suraj Randiv and 26-year-old paceman Kosala Kulasekara for his first Test.Pakistan were unchanged from the second Test.The change at the top did not help Sri Lanka to a flying start as Paranavitana edged the fifth ball of the innings from Gul and was smartly snapped up by Younis Khan in the slips, with the score at four.Two balls before his dismissal, Paranavitana was dropped at forward short-leg by Azhar Ali, but the opener failed to capitalise on the chance.Pakistan introduced spin at both ends after 10 overs, but the batsmen remained untroubled.Dilshan survived an easy catch off a short ball from Gul, which seemed to have hit the glove, but Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore remained unmoved.Pakistan also muffed a chance to stump Sangakkar, batting on 68, when the wicket-keeper missed a sharp Saeed Ajmal delivery.But in the seventh over after tea, Dilshan miscued a drive off spinner Ajmal and was caught in the lone slip by Younis.Pakistan took the second new ball after 82 overs, but Sangakkara and Jayawardene survived any further loss.

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Imran Khan reacts to spot-fixing sentences

LAHORE : Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan reacted to the sentences in the spot-fixing case and said he felt deep sorrow for the three players.Khan said he felt sorry for the family members of the three players and especially for youngster Mohammed Amir who he called a great talent wasted. “If they were guilty, they should be punished” Khan said, adding that Pakistan cricket had to move forward from this incident. The Pakistan trio were sentenced on Thursday, Butt received the harshest punishment of 30 months, Mohammed Asif was awarded one year while Mohammed Amir was sentenced to 6 months detention at Feltham Young Offenders institution.

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Salman Butt to go for appeal: lawyer

LONDON : Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt will appeal against his 30-month sentence for a match-fixing scandal handed down by a British court on Thursday, his lawyer said."On behalf of Salman Butt I simply want to confirm that we will be appealing the sentence and launching grounds of appeal against it in the next 24 hours," lawyer Paul Harris said.He was speaking outside Southwark Crown Court, where Butt had earlier been sentenced for his part in pre-arranging no-balls during Pakistan's Test match against England in August 2010.Butt was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for conspiring to accept corrupt payments, with a two-year sentence for conspiring to cheat at gambling to run concurrently.He was also ordered to pay #30,937 ($49,560, 36,050 euros) towards the costs of the prosecution, payable forthwith as it is already in the possession of the police.Butt's teammates Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were also jailed, as was their British agent Mazhar Majeed

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Sangakkara, Dilshan lift Sri Lanka in third Test

SHARJAH : Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan hit unbeaten half-centuries to help Sri Lanka recover from an early wicket to reach 170-1 at tea on the first day of the third Test against Pakistan on Thursday.Left-handed Sangakkara was batting on a gutsy 72 while skipper Dilshan  finally promoting himself to opener's spot was unbeaten 90 as the pair added 166 for the unbroken second wicket stand after electing to bat.Sangakkara, who smashed an epic 211 in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, also completed 9,000 Test runs when he reached 28, hitting a crisp boundary off paceman Junaid Khan.The former Sri Lankan captain is the 11th batsman in the world and only the second Sri Lankan behind Mahela Jayawardene (9895 runs) also playing in this match  to cross 9,000 or more in all Test cricket.Sangakkara has so far hit seven boundaries and a six.Dilshan was equally stubborn as he overcame a slump of form to score his first half-century in the series and only second in the last six games. He has so far hit five boundaries and a six.Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets. The first Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.Dilshan's elevation to the top meant opener Lahiru Thirimanne was axed while paceman Suranga Lakmal was also left out to bring in off-spinner Suraj Randiv and 26-year-old paceman Kosala Kulasekara for his first Test.Pakistan were unchanged from the second Test.The change at the top did not help Sri Lanka to a flying start as Paranavitana edged the fifth ball of the innings from Gul and was smartly snapped up by Younis Khan in the slips, with the score at four.Two balls before his dismissal, Paranavitana was dropped at forward short-leg by Azhar Ali, but the opener failed to capitalise on the chance.Pakistan introduced spin at both the ends after 10 overs, but the batsmen remained untroubled.Dilshan survived a confident caught behind shout off a short ball from Gul, which seemed to have hit the glove, but Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore remained unmoved.Pakistan also muffed a chance to stump Sangakkar, batting on 68, when wicket-keeper missed a sharp Saeed Ajmal delivery

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Spot-fixing case timeline

LONDON : Timeline of the spot-fixing case against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif and agent Mazhar Majeed:2010 August 29 The News of the World newspaper says it paid 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars) to agent Mazhar Majeed in return for details about the timing of three no-balls in Pakistan's fourth Test against England at Lord's. The report says Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif delivered blatant no-balls at the exact points in the match agreed with the alleged fixer.The bowlers and Test captain Salman Butt are interviewed by Scotland Yard detectives.- News of the World publishes photograph of Majeed counting wads of banknotes given to him by a reporter posing as a front man for a betting syndicate August 31 Butt, Amir and Asif summoned to meet the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt, and the Pakistan high commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, in London

September 2
 Salman Butt, Amir and Asif dropped from the two Twenty20 matches against England.
The three vow to clear their names, according to Hasan, who adds they are pulling out due to the "mental torture" of the scandal. International Cricket Council (ICC) charges Butt, Amir and Asif with various offences under its anti-corruption code. All three provisionally suspended.
September 3
 Ronnie Flanagan, chairman of the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, tells reporters: "There is a really arguable case to answer".
September 4
 Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi apologises for the row, saying: "On behalf of these boys -- I know they are not in this series -- I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations."
September 5
News of the World releases footage of Pakistan Test player Yasir Hameed in which he claims team-mates were doing it (fixing) in every match".
September 17
Police pass "spot-fixing" file to the Crown Prosecution Service, England's state prosecutors.
November 4
Pakistan suspends the contracts of Butt, Asif and Amir.
December 13
 Butt denies the allegations, saying: "I have not done anything such as this in all my life or cricketing career".
2011
January 11
After six days of evidence, a three-man independent anti-corruption tribunal, meeting in Qatar, delays announcement of its findings until February 5.
February 4
British prosecutors charge Butt, Amir, Asif and Majeed with conspiracy to cheat at gambling and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments.
February 5
ICC bans Butt for 10 years, with five suspended, Asif for seven years with two suspended and Amir for five years straight after being found guilty of corruption.
September 9
Amir pleads guilty to British police charges against him at a pre-trial hearing.
October 5
Trial of Butt and Asif begins at Southwark Crown Court in London. The pair plead not guilty. Prosecutors say the case "reveals a depressing tale of rampant corruption at the heart of international cricket".
October 17
Butt takes the stand, telling the court he ignored requests by Majeed to fix matches. "I was absolutely not interested in what he was talking about," he said.
October 27
Jury sent out to consider their verdicts.
November 1
Butt and Asif found guilty by unanimous verdict of conspiracy to cheat at gambling and by majority verdict on conspiracy to accept corrupt payments.
November 2
It can be reported for the first time that Majeed pleaded guilty to his involvement in the scam in September after the judge lifts reporting restrictions on his admissions to conspiracy to cheat and obtain and accept corrupt payments.
November 3
Butt is sentenced to 30 months in jail, Asif to a year and Amir to six months. Majeed is jailed for two years and eight months. They are to serve half their sentences in prison before being released on licence.

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Sri Lanka steady after Gul's early strike

SHARJAH : Pakistan spearhead Umar Gul took a wicket in the first over of the match before Sri Lanka fought back to reach 75-1 at lunch on the opening day of the third and final Test on Thursday.Sri Lanka won the toss and batted, only to see Gul remove opener Tharanga Paranavitana for four, before Tillakaratne Dilshan (33) and Kumar Sangakkara (35) steadied the innings with an unbroken second wicket stand of 71.The experienced pair negotiated Pakistan's pace and spin attack without any trouble on a docile Sharjah stadium pitch.Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets. The first Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.Sri Lankan captain Dilshan returned to open the innings after deciding to drop opener Lahiru Thirimanne and paceman Suranga Lakmal, bringing in off-spinner Suraj Randiv and 26-year-old paceman Kosala Kulasekara for his first Test Pakistan were unchanged from the second Test.The change at the top did not help Sri Lanka to a flying start as Paranavitana slashed at the fifth ball of the innings from Gul and was smartly snapped up by Younis Khan in the slips.Two balls before his dismissal, Paranavitana was dropped at forward short-leg by Azhar Ali, but the opener failed to capitalise on the chance Pakistan introduced spin at both the ends after 10 overs, but the batsmen remained untroubled.Dilshan survived a confident caught behind shout off a short ball from Gul, which seemed to have hit the glove, but Indian umpire Shahvir Tarapore remained unmoved.

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Sri Lanka bat in Sharjah Test

SHARJAH : Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and chose to bat in the third and final Test against Pakistan at Sharjah Stadium on Thursday.Pakistan, 1-0 up after their nine-wicket win in the second Test in Dubai, kept the same combination of two pacemen and two spinners.Sri Lanka brought in 26-year-old paceman Kosala Kulasekara for his first Test and off-spinner Suraj Randiv, dropping opener Lahiru Thirimanne and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal. Dilshan was to open the innings.The first Test ended as draw in Abu Dhabi. The Test is the first to be held in Sharjah since 2002.Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan.Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Kosala Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Kaushal Silva.Umpires: Simon Taufel (NZL) and Shahvir Tarapore (IND)Tv umpire: Shozaib Raza (PAK)Match referee: David Boon (AUS

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ICC World Twenty20 2012 launch, Colombo, 21 September

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ICC WT20 2010 IN KARACHI HOTEL

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