Misbah hopes for resumption of Pakistan-India Tests

ABU DHABI : Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq expressed his hope Tuesday that there could soon be a resumption of Test matches between his country and India, stalled after the terrorists attacks on Mumbai in 2008."Of course, we'd like to play against India," Misbah said. "It's a very important series for both players and fans.""It's always good fun to play in these contests. The interest is high, I hope it happens because for all fans and players it is a good occasion.Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf is due to meet Narayan Srinivasan, his counterpart in India's Board of Control for Cricket in India, in Chennai early next month to discuss the possibility of a resumption of ties sooner than later.Both countries are slated to play in International Cricket Council (ICC) Future Tours Programme but are hard pressed to find a slot because of India's hectic schedule.Misbah, speaking here ahead of Pakistan's fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka on Wednesday with an unassailable 3-1 lead, said the current Pakistan team was more mature than the one which lost to India in the Cricket ODI World Cup semi-final in March."That World Cup team wasn't so different to this side, maybe one or two changes," he said. "That also had teamwork and commitment in it."But this team is now more mature than before, we've won a few series since then and the confidence grows the more the you win."If these performnances continue and these players stay together, then definitely we can get better. It looks more improved basically because it has more experience.Misbah said his team would not ease off going into their final ODI against Sri Lanka."We want to win every game we play. The series win had its own importance but Wednesday's game we will play like a series decider, or the first match," said Misbah.If Pakistan take the series 4-1, they will jump to fifth in ICC one-day rankings, relegating England to sixth and Misbah said that was one of the goals.Of course to improve our rankings is a team goal. We have been playing for the last 18 months and through that we want to improve our ranking," said Misbah, whose team has won 22 of their last 33 one-day matches.Sri Lanka will be without their ace batsman Mahela Jayawardene who returned home after aggravating a knee injury. He is replaced by Chamara Silva

Read More

Defiant Asif files appeal against conviction, sentence

LONDON: Cricketer Muhammad Asif has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence after changing his legal defence team, can disclose.It can be confirmed that prominent defence Barrister Ravi Sukul of Balham Chambers, South London, has been instructed by Muhammad Asif to represent him in all matters that relate to the cricketer’s appeal against conviction  sentence Speaking exclusively to this correspondent, Ravi Sukul could only confirm that Balham Chambers will be responsible for the preparation and presentation of Asif's appeal against conviction & sentence. “My professional services would be provided under the Bar Council’s Direct Access rules. That means that there is no requirement for me to be instructed by a solicitor. I am solely responsible for all matters that relate to the appeal,” he added, confirming that appeal documentation has been filed with the Criminal Appeals Office at the Court of Appeal. Asif’s appeal hearing will be delayed by a short period by reason of the change of his legal representatives.This scribe expects the basis of Asif’s appeal would include the argument that the Judge may have fallen into error in some of the rulings he made during the trial. Other grounds would be filed in support of Asif’s appeal. Whilst the grounds of appeal are confidential at the time of this publication, they are expected to released in due course.The News/Geo has been reliably informed that Mrs. Savita Sukul, the principal solicitor and proprietor of SJS Solicitors in South London, has been instructed to act for, and represent Muhammad Asif in his immigration matters. Mrs Sukul has confirmed that she has been instructed by the fast bowler.The News has learnt that UK visas held by Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt have expired. Technically, they both could face deportation to Pakistan at the completion of their prison term. Any such application,learnt, would be met with formidable legal arguments from Asif’s representatives.A source told The News that Asif has already spoken to his new legal team and a meeting was held recently at Canterbury prison where he is in custody with Salman Butt.Mrs Sukul’s law firm SJS Solicitors is completely independent of Balham Chambers who are dealing with Mr Asif’s criminal appeal. SJS Solicitors are in conduct of Mr Asif’s immigration matters only. It is anticipated that the two legal services providers will engage in professional co-operation in the best interests of their mutual client

Read More

Windies batsmen keep India at bay

MUMBAI : In-form Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo capped an impressive West Indies batting performance with unbeaten half-centuries on the opening day of the third and final Test against India on Tuesday Edwards (65 not out) and left-handed Bravo (57 not out) put on 117 for the unfinished third-wicket stand as the West Indies reached 267-2 at stumps in their first innings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.The tourists suffered a setback even before the first ball had been bowled when key batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was ruled out of the Test due to a calf injury.But the West Indies made the most of winning the toss on a good batting track, with teenager Kraigg Brathwaite (68) and Adrian Barath (62) adding 137 for the opening wicket to give their team a solid start.Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed the well-set openers in four overs in the afternoon session, but there was no respite for India as Edwards and Bravo executed attractive shots.India took the second new ball in the 85th over, but failed to break the Edwards-Bravo stand.Edwards, who scored a century on Test debut against India in Dominica in July, extended his impressive run in Test cricket as he has so far made two hundreds and three half-centuries in six matches.He has so far hit 10 fours in his 117-ball knock in the ongoing Test.Bravo, who cracked a brilliant 136 in the last Test in Kolkata, was lucky to survive on 33 when he was dropped by Rahul Dravid at lone slip off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. He hit seven fours in his seventh Test half-century.India struggled for success on a first-day pitch which had little in it for the bowlers as they went wicketless in the opening and last sessions.The hosts had to wait for more than three hours for their first wicket, with Ashwin having Barath caught behind. Barath, who scored 62 in the last match, hit eight fours in his second successive Test half-century.Ashwin struck again when he removed Brathwaite, with Virat Kohli holding a bat-pad catch at forward short-leg. Brathwaite cracked eight fours in his third Test half-century.Brathwaite, who turns 19 next month, was dropped on 57 by Venkatsai Laxman at backward short-leg off Ashwin, but failed to capitalise on the chance as he could add only 11 more runs.The West Indies openers batted patiently in the morning, with Barath playing some handsome shots especially against Aaron and Ishant Sharma in the opening hour.Barath fluently drove Aaron through the covers and turned him to fine-leg for fours before cover-driving Sharma for another boundary.He continued to punish loose deliveries, cutting and driving Ashwin for two fours in an over.The hosts lead 2-0 in the series after winning the opening Test in New Delhi by five wickets and the second match in Kolkata by an innings and 15 runs.The West Indies made two changes from the side that played in the last Test as they brought in batsman Kieran Powell and paceman Ravi Rampaul in place of Chanderpaul and Kemar Roach.

Read More

Sri Lanka's Jayawardene to miss fifth ODI

ABU DHABI : Injured middle-order batsman Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's last two matches against Pakistan and returned home, team manager Anura Tennekoon said on Tuesday.The 34-year-old batsman hit a half century in his team's 26-run defeat in the fourth match in Sharjah on Sunday, but played in some discomfort after injuring his knee.Tennekoon said Jayawardene has returned home to regain fitness ahead of next month's tour of South Africa."After Sunday's game Mahela's injury got worse so he has returned home," Tennekoon told AFP. "Chamara Silva was brought in as cover.Pakistan has an unassailable 3-1 lead in the one-day series with the fifth and final match to be played on Wednesday.The 31-year old Silva has played 11 Tests and 74 one-day internationals for Sri Lanka.Tennekoon said captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was okay after hurting his left thumb and if it does not get worse he will be available to play in the Twenty20 match between the two teams on Friday."Dilshan is okay and will play in the fifth one-day," said the team manager.Pakistan won the first match by eight wickets before Sri Lanka levelled the series with a 25-run victory in the second. Pakistan won the third match by 21 runs.Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said his team will put everything into the final match."We have to go all-out and win the last game as well and finish the series on a high," said Misbah, whose team will go fifth in the ICC (International Cricket Council) one-day rankings if they win the series 4-1

Read More

Mickey Arthur appointed new Australia coach

SYDNEY : South Africa's Mickey Arthur was Tuesday appointed Australia's new head cricket coach two months after Tim Nielsen quit, completing a sweeping revamp of the way the team is run.The 43-year-old is the first non-Australian to take the job and will assume the reins for the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on December 1, promising to bring a "fresh, unblinkered eye" to the job."I am honoured and privileged to have another chance to coach an international team, particularly a team of the ilk of Australia," said Arthur, who coached South Africa from 2005 until 2010.Since then he has worked with Western Australia."I think I bring a fresh, unblinkered eye to the role after plotting against Australia when coaching South Africa and having now worked within the Australian system with the Western Warriors," he added."Australia has an abundance of cricket talent and I am confident the talent is there to ensure Australia is successful."The announcement came hours after the Australians chased down a target of 310 in Johannesburg to beat South Africa and share their two-match Test series, where Troy Cooley was in the role of interim coach

Read More

Sri Lanka and Pakistan qualify for ICC Women's World Cup 2013

Sri Lanka and Pakistan won its vital cross-over matches today in the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011 (WWCQ) in Dhaka, Bangladesh and by virtue of doing so have qualified for the ICC Women's World Cup 2013.The two sides will join West Indies and South Africa at the event in 2013 which also features current world champions England, along with Australia, India and New Zealand .Pakistan and South Africa have also qualified for the ICC Women's World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 by finishing in the top four of the event. West Indies and Sri Lanka are already qualified for the tournament which will be played in September next year.Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Netherlands will now head to play-offs for ODI status. The hosts will face USA in a bid to gain ODI recognition while The Netherlands will play fellow European ODI side Ireland in a bid to retain ODI status ? win or lose, Europe will finish this event with only one ODI women's side.In the ninth/10th play-off, Japan defeated Zimbabwe by six runs in a high scoring match at BKSP* 2, securing Ema Kuribayashi's side ninth place in the ICC WWCQ 2011 and its only win of the tournament.At Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS), watched by another fantastic crowd of local support, Sri Lanka took to the field as Bangladesh elected to bat first under the bright sunshine.Of the most recent meetings between the two sides, five in total, Sri Lanka have come out on top all five times and today looked to be no different in the showdown between the two Asia sides. Sri Lanka's opening bowler Udeshika Prabhodani had the hosts reeling at 13 for three, with the departure of key players Ayesha Akhter, Fargana Pinky and Suktara Rahaman.It was then up to Salma Khatun to lead from the front with the captain striking 32 before she was caught by the ever athletic Sherina Ravikumar. Things didn't get much better for the hosts as they managed to make just 100 in less than 50 overs as once again Sri Lanka's bowlers continued to hit the target and the side's fielding remained tight.In reply, Dilani Manodara's side stumbled in the beginning and struggled to secure runs thanks to some tight bowling by the hosts. Yashoda Mendis departed early but Inoka Galagedara and Sandamali Dolawatte ensured the runs were on the board and after their departure it was up to Shashikala Siriwardene to hit the side's winning runs and secure ICC Women's World Cup qualification for 2013."I'm delighted that we've secured a place at the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 and retained our ODI status, it was our main target when we came out to Dhaka. Now we have that, our next target is to win the tournament and improve our global ranking."We knew today that if our bowlers restricted the side to below 200 we would do well and the best score Bangladesh have against us in 190 which was in Sri Lanka. I do think they are a much improved side but today was our day in the field. It was disappointing that we lost wickets again early on but this can only be improved upon."We knew that it was a slow wicket and coming out second to bat it would only get slower and would take to the turn, but we finished the job and secured our win and a place at the World Cup," said Manodara at the conclusion of the game at Mirpur.Bangladesh captain Salma, was disappointed with the loss but still had ODI status in her sights for the side. The all-rounder secured Player of the Match from the on-field umpires, Richard Smith and Kathy Cross, for her all-round performance in a day which saw a team-effort by both sides."I'm obviously disappointed that we have lost out on ICC Women's World Cup qualification but we have to remain positive and make sure we qualify for ODI status which is our next task."Today our batting didn't perform and we should have made more runs but once again the Sri Lankans were very tight in the field against us. We should have batted better out there today, their bowling was good but runs were there to be scored and we didn't make them."The biggest difference I have found playing against the stronger sides in this tournament has been the fact that they have played a lot more cricket than we have, some of the sides here have had well established women cricket for over 20 years, whereas we have only been playing regularly for about five years," said Salma.At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (KSOAS), Sana Mir's Pakistan made sure runs went on the board to make it a tough task for Helmien Rambaldo's side when it came to chasing down the target.The Dutch were set a mammoth total of 278 after Sana, along with Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar and Javeria Wadood piled on the runs for the Pakistanis to help them on their way to qualification for the ICC Women's World Cup 2013.Javeria's 67 along with Nida's half-century were helped by in-form all-rounder Bismah who finished the game 66 not out as the side displayed some masterstrokes against the Dutch pace and spin attack.In reply, The Netherlands were once again undone by spin, with Bismah and Nida combining to take three wickets each while Sadia Yousuf claimed two wickets also. Qanita Jalil's pace took the early wickets of Rambaldo and Miranda Veringmeier and the Dutch batting line-up collapsed for 84, with only Denise Hannema and Kerry-Anne Tomlinson managing double figures.Sana was delighted to once again qualify for an ICC Women's World Cup, saying: "It feels great to qualify again for the ICC Women's World Cup again, I have to say though the competition has been much tougher this time round. We were in a group with the likes of Bangladesh, Ireland and West Indies all of whom have proven a tough opposition."Today's performance was great, we wanted to make at least 250 and we did that, with three of the team making half-centuries too. There was some good bowling which was really tight, the only thing I would like to improve upon ahead of our match against South Africa is the amount of extras that we bowled."Sana added that qualification for the 2013 event would mean even greater things for women's cricket in Pakistan: "After we won gold at the Asian Games recently, women's cricket has really taken off in the media in Pakistan and increased in popularity."With our qualification for the ICC Women's World Cup and the ICC Women's World Twenty20 it means two more years of competitive women's cricket for Pakistan which is great, it will mean the Pakistan Cricket Board can plan further about the women's game and develop women's cricket even more than it already has done."Rambaldo was disappointed to miss out on World Cup qualification but admitted it was now about learning from the past mistakes and focussing on the ODI play-off against Ireland with the victor retaining its ODI status.Rambaldo said: "It's obviously extremely disappointing to have missed out again on an ICC Women's World Cup qualification but we've now got to focus on the game against Ireland. We've made mistakes this week and now it's about rectifying those mistakes against Ireland, a side we know well."We've played Ireland many times before and in our most recent fixture against them we beat them. It will be sad to know that at the conclusion of Thursday's game there will only be one European side with ODI status but we have to remain positive and beat them.Rambaldo commented on today's loss: "I think Pakistan's win was down to a combination of batting well along with us bowling some bad balls. We gave them the opportunity to put runs on the board, even after we took early wickets; we gave them the chance to build partnerships."In our reply, they bowled well taking two early wickets and despite us getting some momentum with our partnerships we never managed to get going. We should have performed better against the spin, it's what we have been practising for in this event and there's no excuse for poor batting. The point of cricket and events like this is about accessing and adjusting to the conditions.In the final fixture of the day, Japan took on Zimbabwe in the ninth/10th play-off at BKSP 2. Neither side had secured a win in the tournament ahead of the fixture today but it was Japan's chance with Kuribayashi's side finishing the victors over their African opponents in a tight contest.Having won the toss, Sharne Mayers elected to field first for the Zimbabweans and the side's bowling attack took its time to get going, with Japan not losing its first wicket till it had posted 42 runs on the board after Mariko Yamamoto made a patient 38. However, Yamamoto departed after she was clean bowled by Sinikwe Mpofu.Kuribayashi led by example, the 28-year-old left-hander, was also patient in her innings, taking 98 balls to reach 47, her highest score of the tournament. Zimbabwe's bowlers did a good job with Japan's lower order, dismissing the last five Japanese wickets for 27 runs but not before Japan had posted its highest total of the tournament, 153.In reply, Zimbabwe's batters were undone by the quickness of the Japanese in the field and good bowling from Kuribayashi. The captain claimed one wicket but also caught both Christabel Chatonzwa and Privilledge Charumbira and was key in the run-out of her counterpart Mayers. Yamamoto also showed her agility by snaffling key middle-order batter Nonhlanhla Nyathi caught and bowled.As was the case against USA, Zimbabwe fell short of its target, although in this case by six runs and succumbed to fifth and final loss in the event. Audrey Mazvishaya and Sarah Dambanevana were well placed to score the remaining runs but the side ran out of overs after losing key wickets early on and victory was there for Japan to savour for the first time

Read More

South Africa falls one place on Reliance ICC Test Championship table

South Africa has slipped to third on the Reliance ICC Test Championship table following its drawn home series against Australia, which concluded in dramatic circumstances in Johannesburg on Monday.The Proteas had been ranked in second position but the 1-1 series result against the lower ranked Australia meant it lost one ratings point and fell below India, which moves up to second place on the ladder.Meanwhile, Australia's thrilling and series-saving two-wicket victory in Johannesburg has earned it a point and it now sits 11 ratings points behind South Africa, in fourth place.The match was not a very successful one for some of both team's leading lights with Graeme Smith, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson all slipping down the respective rankings.SA skipper Smith loses five places and drops out of the top 10 of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen while Australia's Hussey concedes two places to number 14 in the latest rankings.Hashim Amla's second innings century earns him a place up the log to sixth position while team-mate AB de Villiers picks up two places and now sits in 12th spot.Johnson drops four places in the bowling charts and now sits in 13th position, equal with England's Chris Tremlett, while Watson loses two places on the same chart

Read More

Haroon Lorgat announces he will not seek to renew contract

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has informed the ICC Nominations Committee, chaired by ICC President Sharad Pawar, that he will not seek to renew his term of office which expires on 30 June 2012.Mr Lorgat became the ICC Chief Executive in June 2008 and will have led the ICC for a period of four years by the time he steps down after the 2012 ICC Annual Conference scheduled in Kuala Lumpur.Last year, the ICC President had offered Mr Lorgat a three-year extension to his initial three-year term which ended in June 2011. Instead Mr Lorgat had agreed only a one year extension to the end of June 2012."My sense is to step aside after having delivered a successful ICC Cricket World Cup and the new global ICC strategy which is now in place," said Mr Lorgat."In 2010, I felt there was much work for me to complete during 2011 which included protecting the integrity of the game and restoring the reputation and image of the ICC. Having dealt decisively with the spot-fixing issues, delivered a highly successful ICC Cricket World Cup and adopted a new global strategy, I feel the time is right to move on."I am hopeful that the independent governance review currently in progress and due to be published after the next Board meeting would find acceptable outcomes and thereby leave a legacy for future generations."Although disappointed that the Test World Championship will not be played in 2013, I am confident that with the strategic restructures we have undertaken, all three formats can be sustained at international level."Overall I feel personally satisfied with having successfully led the ICC through some difficult issues. I am especially grateful to have worked with our exceptional broadcast and commercial partners and the fantastic people who work at the ICC. I wish to thank each and every one of my staff for supporting me so loyally and ably. Their contributions are enormous in the face of many difficult challenges."The ICC Nominations Committee has decided to engage an executive recruitment agency to advertise and identify a successor to Mr Lorgat. The recruitment process will be managed by the ICC Vice-President, Alan Isaac, and will begin soon.Mr Isaac said: "I have been asked by the ICC Nominations Committee to manage the process. From a personal point of view I am extremely disappointed that I will not be able to work with Haroon during my term as ICC President. He has been exemplary in the way he has led the organization and deserves credit for his ethical leadership of the ICC."ICC President Sharad Pawar added: "During his time at the ICC, Haroon Lorgat has steered the ICC through some challenging situations, such as the rescheduling of the 2008 ICC Champions Trophy, the response to the Lahore attack, several doping issues, the three players spot-fixing trial and the highly successful ICC Cricket World Cup 2011."I am happy that his contribution to the ICC and cricket leaves us in a solid position. The game owes Mr Lorgat a debt of gratitude for his good leadership and we wish him well in his future plans and career endeavours

Read More