NEWS ALERT

NEWS UPDATE : Asian Cricket Third Sri Lanka-Pakistan ODI abandoned due to rain COLOMBO: The third One-day International between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was abandoned due to rain here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday. The umpires made this decision after consulting ... Australia want to master all forms of game: Clarke SYDNEY: Australia's limited-overs tour of England and Ireland represents the start of a two-year campaign to make them the top nation in all three forms of the game, captain Michael Clarke said ... Bopara glad to be back for England SOUTHAMPTON, England: Ravi Bopara is eager to make up for lost times as he tries to revive his ... South Africa name unchanged squad for England series JOHANNESBURG: South Africa have kept faith with a winning formula by naming an unchanged squad for the three-Test series in England starting next month, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on ...


Friday, November 11, 2011

Sri Lanka bat in first Pakistan ODI


DUBAI : Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and decided to bat in the first day-night international against Pakistan at Dubai stadium here on Friday.Sri Lanka preferred leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna over the more experienced off-spinner Syraj Randiv, while they also gave debut to 26-year-old allrounder Kosala Kulasekara.As expected, Pakistan included Shahid Afridi but left out Shoaib Malik. Afridi was recalled for the series after he last month went back on his decision to retire decision.Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Abdul RazzaqSri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kosala Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dilhara FernandoUmpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA) and Ahsan Raza (PAK)TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
November 11, 2011
at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first.

SL 131 / 9 in 40.2 overs
Current Run rate: 3.24
Sri Lanka - 1st Innings




PAK                                                                                                                       SL




Sri Lanka - 1st Innings
Batting
RunsB4's6'sS/R
Upul Tharangac Aizaz Cheema b Mohammad Hafeez 25562044.64
Tillakaratne Dilshanb Aizaz Cheema 481050
Kumar Sangakkarac Sarfraz Ahmed b Abdul Razzaq 5241020.83
Dinesh Chandimallbw b Shahid Afridi 28311290.32
Mahela Jayawardenac Abdul Razzaq b Saeed Ajmal 24570042.11
Angelo Mathewsrun out (Abdul Razzaq) 10310032.26
Kosala Kulasekarac Umar Gul b Mohammad Hafeez 06000
Seekkuge Prasannast Sarfraz Ahmed b Shahid Afridi 5140035.71
Lasith MalingaBatting 11130184.62
Suranga Lakmalst Sarfraz Ahmed b Saeed Ajmal 02000
Dilhara FernandoBatting 01000
Extras (b 0, lb 5, w 13, nb 1, pen ) 19
Total(40.2 overs , 9 wickets )131   ( 3.26 runs per over)  
Fall of wickets: 1 - 12 (Tillakaratne Dilshan, 1.5), 2 - 36 (Kumar Sangakkara, 10.5), 3 - 66 (Upul Tharanga, 18), 4 - 77 (Dinesh Chandimal, 19.5), 5 - 104 (Angelo Mathews, 29.5), 6 - 107 (Kosala Kulasekara, 32.4), 7 - 120 (Mahela Jayawardena, 37.1), 8 - 122 (Seekkuge Prasanna, 38.5), 9 - 129 (Suranga Lakmal, 39.5)

Pakistan - Bowling
BowlingOMRWNBWDE/R
Umar Gul52110112.2
Aizaz Cheema51181013.6
Abdul Razzaq50251025
Mohammad Hafeez100242002.4
Shahid Afridi9.20273032.89
Saeed Ajmal60212013.5

South Africa beat Australia by eight wickets

Cape Town : South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla led their country to a remarkable comeback victory against Australia when the hosts won the topsy-turvy first test by eight wickets on Friday.Chasing 236 for the win after a bizarre second day in which 23 wickets fell and parts of all four innings took place, Smith (101 not out) and Amla (112) put on 195 for the second wicket to stun Australia.Smith hit the winning run just moments after completing his century to spark jubilant scenes at Newlands.The tourists had established a 188-run lead after the first innings but were then promptly bowled out for 47 - their lowest test total in 109 years - and only narrowly avoided the lowest test score of 26 when they were reduced to 21-9.Australia captain Michael Clarke, who scored 151 in their first innings, was extremely critical of his team's performance."We played disgraceful shots and our execution with the ball today wasn't great," he said during the presentation ceremony."We've got a lot of work to do before the next test on Thursday."(My century) was useless, it was a waste of time. You want to help your team win. I'll certainly forget about it very quickly. I guarantee you this is one tough time for that team up there.Australia's attack bowled well in the first hour as South Africa resumed on 81 for one, and were unfortunate not to separate Smith and Amla. But they lacked precision thereafter as South Africa's second-wicket pair seized control.Smith and Amla grew increasingly aggressive, hammering 36 boundaries between them as South Africa won in 50.2 overs, four minutes after the scheduled lunch break, which was pushed back due to the closeness of victory.Australia could have gained a foothold in the game, but Amla was dropped by Mike Hussey at backward point on 29 off the last ball of Thursday's play, and again on Friday at first slip by Shane Watson on 30. Seamer Ryan Harris was the bowler on both occasions.The two teams will now travel to Johannesburg where the second and last test of the series begins on Thursday

Pak-Sri Lanka first match of ODI series today

DUBAI :  Pakistan-Sri Lanka first match of the one-day series will be played here today,Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka Captain Misbahul Huque and Sri Lanka Captain Tilak Ratne agreed that the fast bowler Lasith Malinga would make the difference between the two teams during the ODIs, while Misbah added he would be applying a rock-solid strategy for victory. Malinga, 28 had played a major role in getting victory for Mumbai Indian last month in Champions League. Misbah said, “Malinga is a dangerous bowler, his role would be important in the series and Sri Lanka would have an upper hand in his presence. Malinga has taken 148 wickets in 94 one-day.”Dilshan declaring him an asset and a great bowler for the team said, “His come back is of great value. Pakis tan team with the inclusion of Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaque has been strengthened.Misbah said that the coming back of the all rounders has given his team an edge. Dilshan said that they would be winning the ODIs to take revenge of the test series defeat.Besides all rounders Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaque, Sohail Tanvir, young batsman Umar Akmal and wicket keeper Sarfaraz Ahmad have made a come back in the team. There seems to be stiff completion for getting into the 11-member national team for the first match, as ace players like Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaque, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Akmal are among the contestants.Probable Pakistan one-day squad for the first mach: Misbahul Huque (Captain), Muhammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Shahid Afridi, Yunus Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafique, Umar Gul, Abdul Razzaque, Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan.

Malinga holds key in one-day series

DUBAI : Rival captains Misbah-ul Haq and Tillakaratne Dilshan agreed sling-action paceman Lasith Malinga could make the difference when Pakistan and Sri Lanka play their first one-day international here on Friday.The 28-year-old fast bowler, who bowls with a round-arm action is fresh from his exploits in last month's Champions League where he finished as the player of the tournament in Mumbai's title triumph with ten wickets.Pakistan captain Misbah conceded Malinga could be vital."Malinga is a very good bowler, he makes a difference and everyone knows he is a good bowler," said Misbah on Thursday. "We have played very well against him but they have an edge with him in the side."Pakistan won the preceding three-Test series 1-0 when Sri Lanka were without Malinga who retired from Test cricket earlier this year because of persistent injury problems.Dilshan said Malinga, who has 149 wickets in 94 one-day internationals, is an asset for his team."Lasith is one of the assets for Sri Lanka," said Dilshan. "He is one of the great bowlers in the world and he can guide other bowlers as well and his comeback in the series is a good sign for the team."Malinga was also sidelined with injury when Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the group match in Colombo in this year's World Cup.But once Malinga returned, Sri Lanka finished runners-up to India. Pakistan lost to India in the semi-final of the World Cup.Pakistan were boosted by the return of allrounders Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq who both had turbulent periods since the World Cup.After the West Indies series in May, Afridi fell out with then coach Waqar Younis before being sacked as one-day captain. In protest he retired from international cricket and only took back his decision last month.Razzaq was sidelined after a poor World Cup, but was recalled after he led Pakistan to Super Sixes title in Hong Kong earlier this month.And Misbah hoped both the allrounders give Pakistan more strength."Both Afridi and Razzaq give strength to our team," said Misbah, who was appointed captain for all three formats in June this year. "We know Sri Lanka are a good side but we are ready for them."Dilshan also hoped his team remain focused and win the series."We know we have not won a series since the World Cup, so the players are determined to put that behind and play our brand of cricket to win the series," said Dilshan, who took over from Kumar Sangakkara after the World Cup.Sri Lanka need to win 4-1 or better to keep their second place in the ICC (International Cricket Council) one-day rankings intact. They drop one place even if they win 3-2 On the other hand Pakistan jump fifth to their current sixth place if they win 4-1 and in case they win 5-0 they go to fourth

Court dismisses Kaneria petition against PCB

KARACHI : Leg spinner Danish Kaneria's hopes of playing for Pakistan were dealt a blow on Thursday when his appeal against the PCB's refusal to consider him for selection was dismissed by the Sindh High Court. The Pakistan Cricket Board has not selected Kaneria since his involvement in a spot-fixing investigation held in England last year which resulted in his contract with English county side Essex being terminated. Kaneria was questioned by Essex police over a Pro-40 match between Essex and Durham in 2009, but was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, the PCB have refused to consider him for international matches. "The court has said that it does not have the jurisdiction to rule on our petition. We have been told to seek redress from either the Lahore High Court or go to the Supreme Court," Kaneria's lawyer Faroog Naseem said. Kaneria, who has taken 261 wickets in 61 tests, last appeared for Pakistan against England in Nottingham in 2010. "I am disappointed over today's decision but I have still not given up my fight to get clearance for national selection," Kaneria told reporters. "It has been a hard last one year for me and I still want this stigma cleared from my name." Kaneria said he would consult his lawyer and decide whether to file a petition in the Lahore High Court or appeal in the Supreme Court. (reuters)

Watson sends South Africa crashing

CAPE TOWN : Shane Watson took five wickets in 20 balls to send South Africa crashing to 96 all out on the second day of the first Test against Australia at Newlands on Thursday.The Australian all-rounder enabled his side to take a 188-run first innings lead with a devastating spell in which he took five wickets for 17 runs.South Africa struck back, reducing Australia to 13 for three at tea after an extraordinary session in which 12 wickets fell for 60 runs in 18.1 overs.South Africa were 49 for one at lunch in reply to Australia's 284 but lost nine wickets for 45 runs in 11.3 overs after the interval.Australian captain Michael Clarke took his first innings score to 151 before he was last man out in a frustrating morning for the South Africans in which Australia reached 284 after starting the day precariously placed on 214 for eight.Tailender Peter Siddle made 20 and supported Clarke in a ninth wicket stand of 59, the second best of the innings, as the last two wickets added 70 runs.Watson struck with the second ball after lunch when the Australians successfully called for a review after umpire Ian Gould gave Hashim Amla not out after he was struck on the pad. Replays showed the ball would have hit the top of leg stump.Four balls later Jacques Kallis was out for nought, again after a review, caught at second slip when replays showed he had got a faint edge to an attempted pull which looped off his shoulder to Ricky Ponting.Watson made another double strike, bowling Graeme Smith for 37 off an inside edge and trapping Ashwell Prince leg before wicket with a full, straight ball before AB de Villiers became the third batsman out to a reviewed decision, lbw to Ryan Harris after being given not by umpire Billy Doctrove.Mark Boucher was Watson's fifth victim - with television umpire Billy Bowden again called into action, this time because the batsman queried Gould's lbw decision.Watson fell to the third ball of Australia's second innings, leg before to Steyn. Ironically if he had called for a review he would have survived because replays showed the ball would have gone over the top of his stumps. Ponting was leg before to Vernon Philander and Phil Hughes was caught at third slip off Morkel.Australian batsman Shaun Marsh did not bat at number three because he was off the field for the whole South African innings because of a back problem.

3rd Test Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Sharjah,