Inzamam blasts PCB over World Cup build-up

Updated at: 1607 PST,  Monday, January 24, 2011
KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq Monday accused the sport's authorities of creating factions within the national side by delaying the naming of a captain for next month's World Cup.

Pakistan is the only one of 14 competing teams to have failed to name a captain for the tournament, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

Inzamam, who played 120 Test matches for Pakistan scoring 25 centuries, said the delay had disrupted the team's preparations for the showpiece event and stoked divisions among the squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last week named a 15-man squad for the tournament but did not name a captain, fanning speculation that current one-day captain Shahid Afridi could be replaced with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

"With only three weeks left to the World Cup, Pakistan have no captain and the blame goes to the PCB for creating an impasse which has divided the team into two groups, supporting Afridi and Misbah," Inzamam said in an interview.

"In this scenario one cannot have high expectations for the team."

Inzamam was at the helm when Pakistan crashed out in the first round of last World Cup in 2007 -- a tournament overshadowed by the sudden death of coach Bob Woolmer a day after the side's shocking defeat against Ireland.

The team also tumbled out in the first round of the 2003 tournament.

But in 1992 Inzamam's inspired innings in the semi-final and final helped propel Pakistan to their only World Cup triumph.

"I am surprised, why does it always happen to Pakistan?" said Inzamam, who managed just 19 runs in the 2003 World Cup and was blamed for the team's poor performance.

"The PCB has failed to control the situation and if Pakistan fares badly in the World Cup, people will accuse the players and not the board."

Inzamam accused the PCB of in selecting the 15-man World Cup squad without consulting one-day captain Afridi or coach Waqar Younis.

"So if the team loses, the captain and coach will say that it was not their team and was selected without their consent. And they will rightly not accept responsibility for a poor showing," he said.

"When a team is without a captain how can a proper strategy be made? The team is playing a one-day series in New Zealand but they do not know who will be their captain in the World Cup which is very damaging."

Pakistan is in Group A of the World Cup and start their campaign with a match against Kenya at Sri Lankan resort of Hambantota on February 23.

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Refreshed Anderson returns to mount fresh challenge

Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, January 25, 2011
England's pace spearhead James Anderson is back after a break at home to spearhead the campaign in the remainder of the ODI series against Australia.Anderson returned home at the end of the five-match Test series, thereafter he missed the Twenty20 International series and the first three matches in the ODI series.Anderson will now feature in Wednesday's ODI at Adelaide."Hopefully I can bring a bit of experience and a bit of energy in the field. I'd like to think I bring some energy with both my bowling and fielding."He added: "I don't think we are that far away having seen the first three games. We aren't far away from a win and turning the momentum around," added Anderson.Despite the three reverses, Anderson is confident that England can turn it around."I know we are 3-0 down but the dressing room seems just as positive as when I left. They are still in good spirits. We know we are just one game away from turning the momentum around. We are looking to Wednesday to be a good all-round performance with both bat and ball," added Anderson.

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Miandad advises Pakistan players to learn from Tendulkar

Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Former captain and director-general of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Javed Miandad has urged Pakistan cricketers to learn from the achievements of India batting maestro, Sachin Tendulkar.

Rather than letting their on-field performance speak for them, Miandad feels that the players are happy to brag about their performance in media.

"We keep on reading and hearing about some of the players making claims about how they will deliver, but on field that is not happening and it is a big let down for the nation."

"I would advise them to just focus on their game and go for improvement and take every match seriously. The players need to realise cricket is played on the field.

"They should learn from Sachin who has had a wonderful career and scored century after century but one never hear him making tall claims about his performances or achievements. He is a proper professional and someone our players can learn from," the veteran of 124 Tests insisted.

Miandad also called on captain, Shahid Afridi to take more responsibility as a player and lift the team by example and said that the all-rounder has got enough amount of talent and he should channelise it properly.

"He shouldn't be playing the way he is. Imran Khan is a great example of how a captain should perform.

"Imran lifted the team in the 1992 World Cup. Afridi needs to start doing that himself. He did it during the ICC World T20 so he is perfectly capable of delivering," Miandad said.

He emphasised, "He (Afridi) has immense talent which he does not utilise properly at times."

Urging the players to take the current one-day series against New Zealand seriously Miandad said, "Unfortunately what I noticed was that the players didn't appear serious about their business in the first match in Wellington they took things lightly. In international cricket this is not acceptable."

Pakistan who are currently engaged in an ODI series against Kiwis failed to replicate their performance in Tests against the hosts and lost the series opener by nine wickets after being bowled out for just 124 runs in 37.4 overs.

Adding greater significance to ongoing series in view of the upcoming World Cup, Miandiad reiterated that losing it could have a big impact on their performances in the mega event.

"It is important for the players to realise that once they get into a losing streak it will be difficult for them to come out of it in a high pressure event like the World Cup," the former batsman cautioned.

"The players must realise they are fortunate to get such a series just before the World Cup," Miandad said while expressing his surprise at the relaxed attitude of the players in the first match.

"They need to realise the significance of the World Cup when every Pakistani is praying for their success. The tournament comes once in four years and everyone expects the team to fire in the World Cup."

"No excuses can be accepted and the players must also realise that if they perform well in the World Cup how much of a boost it would be for Pakistan cricket which is facing so many problems," he added.

"The players just need to get more serious about their performances. I believe they have the capability of winning the series in New Zealand and also doing well in the World Cup but for that they need to focus on their short comings and strengths and use them properly," Miandad said while pinning hope on the present ODI outfit.

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Dhoni wants batsmen to step up for CWC 2011

Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, January 25, 2011
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was disappointed that the batsmen failed to fire as a unit in the five-match ODI series against South Africa, which concluded on Sunday with the Proteas eking out a 33-run win in the final one-dayer to clinch the series 3-2.

"It's a disappointing series for the batsmen. Bowlers were getting the wickets, and the runs too. Overall, we haven't performed as a batting unit," Dhoni said.

"It was a good wicket but unfortunately, we kept losing wickets. We got out playing shots," Dhoni said of Sunday's match.

The series was significant as it preceded the World Cup, to be held in the sub-continent next month. "The learning before the World Cup is to keep wickets in hand for the last ten overs, the powerplay."

"Two warm-up games before the World Cup will be ideal," he said.

"It was a good learning before the experience, a good preparation, though, conditions will be different (in the sub-continent)," the India skipper said.

India were reeling at 119 for eight when Robin Peterson dismissed Piyush Chawla but staged a dramatic recovery through Yusuf Pathan's belligerent century and his 100-run partnership with Zaheer Khan.

"Any target is small if he gets going," Dhoni said of the marauder.

He also thanked the crowd in South Africa for turning up in large numbers.

"It's been spectacular. They come out to support good cricket everything, during our last visit here, during the IPL," Dhoni said.

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Smith lauds team's ability to fight back

Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, January 25, 2011
South Africa captain Graeme Smith on Sunday said that winning the ODI series against India was all the more commendable as they had fought back from 1-2 down and this victory would be a morale booster for next month's World Cup.

"It was lot more exciting than what I had thought. I think going in to Port Elizabeth match we were 1-2 down. We were the team under pressure and we were expected to do well under pressure. Obviously for me guys doing so well and we winning the series was very special," he said at the post-match press conference after his side beat India by 33 runs.

"We have learnt some important lessons from this series. We could have been 0-3 or even 0-4 going in to this game. Some of the decisions we have made let us down. It has been hard cricket throughout the series. You have to be at your best to win the series and that is what we did exactly.

"So we are feeling very good team spirit going in to the World Cup. To do well in the World Cup guys need to get some good rest. Then we can start preparation and we are going to play two warm up games. Keeping yourself fresh is going to be crucial," he said.

Asked about the prospect of his side in the World Cup, Smith said, "World Cup is going to be different proposition. It is nice to carry this confidence of series win. We will go to India with Jacques Kallis coming in the team. Because of that we will have many more combination to choose from. During the World Cup wickets will be more batting friendly and we need to adapt our mindset for that."

Smith praised India batsman Yusuf Pathan who threatened to single-handedly win the game for India with his brutal 70-ball 105.

"He almost took the game away from us. We all know Yusuf's potential. Today he was incredible. He was timing the ball so sweetly. He was clearing the rope at will. All credit to Yusuf for fantastic knock he played," said Smith.

Asked why Imran Tahir was not played in the series, Smith said he has been shielded to make him a surprise package during the World Cup.

"It was tactical decision not to play Imran during the series. We think that there is enough time for Imran to play in India. We are going to play two games before the World Cup. He is someone we want to keep fresh for the Word Cup," said Smith.

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PCB says legal action from Zulqarnain futile

 Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, January 25, 2011
 LAHORE: Terming a much-hovering legal action from wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider against PCB, the counselor Tafazzal Rizvi Monday said, the former’s intentions are useless as “there should be a proper reason for lawsuit against PCB”, Geo News reported.

It may be mentioned that Zulqarnain Haider, currently staying in London, hinted at lodging a lawsuit against PCB on social networking website ‘Facebook’ that he was poised to serve on PCB a legal notice, reasoning that PCB had hurt his feelings by calling him ‘mentally retarded’.

Meanwhile, those who comprised board’s inquiry committee would also be served a legal notice, he further wrote on Facebook.

Board’s lawyer Tafazzal Rizvi, reacting over Zulqarnain’s threats, said there should be a proper reason to drag PCB in a court of law.

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New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 9 wkts

 Updated at: 1142 PST,  Saturday, January 22, 2011
WELLINGTON: New Zealand ended an 11-match losing streak in emphatic fashion on Saturday, crushing Pakistan by nine wickets in their first one-day international at Westpac Stadium.

New Zealand's opening combination of Jesse Ryder (55) and Martin Guptill (40 not out) made a mockery of the troubles Pakistan's batsmen had with the drop-in pitch as New Zealand raced to 125 for one in 17.2 overs.

Ryder and Guptill brought up the first 50 runs inside six overs and were then forced to take the scheduled tea break after New Zealand had earlier bowled the visitors out for 124 in 37.3 overs.

Tim Southee took a career-best 5-33, while wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum took five catches in an innings for the fourth time.

New Zealand coach John Wright had said before the match he wanted to trial some new batting combinations in the six-match series against Pakistan as they prepare for the World Cup, and that he would break up the normal opening combination of Ryder and McCullum and look at moving either down to the middle order.

McCullum, who has relinquished the gloves in tests, was scheduled to come in at number six but he was not needed as Ryder and Guptill savaged the Pakistani bowlers.

Ryder scored 32 of New Zealand's first 50 runs with three fours and two sixes prior to the break and continued afterwards bringing up his fourth one-day half century off 31 balls before he was caught on the boundary by Asad Shafiq off Sohail Tanvir.

Ross Taylor was 23 not out with Guptill at the end of the game.

Pakistan, who had won the toss and opted to bat, never looked comfortable with New Zealand's pace bowlers getting good bounce, shape and movement away, causing them to prod at deliveries.

Test captain Misbah-ul-haq was again the mainstay of Pakistan's batting effort with 50, though the rest of the side failed to build any meaningful partnerships, with both Hamish
Bennett and Jacob Oram flirting with hat-tricks.

Bennett finished with three for 26 and Oram two for 33.

The next match is on Wednesday in Queenstown.

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Pakistan bundled out for 124 against Kiwis

 Updated at: 0920 PST,  Saturday, January 22, 2011
WELLINGTON: Brendon McCullum made animpressive return to wicket-keeping duties with five catches while Tim Southee took five wickets as New Zealand bowled Pakistan out for 124 in their first one-day international at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

It is the fourth time McCullum, who has relinquished the gloves in Tests matches in an effort to prolong his international career, has taken five catches in a one-day innings.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, the visitors never looked comfortable on the drop-in pitch, with New Zealand's pace bowlers getting good bounce, shape and movement away from the batsmen, causing them to prod at deliveries.

Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder also took catches behind the wicket as Pakistan failed to build any meaningful partnerships, with both Hamish Bennett and Jacob Oram flirting with hat-tricks.

Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-haq was again the mainstay of his side's batting effort top scoring with 50 as he took to the New Zealand attack when last man Shahid Afridi joined him at the crease while Younus Khan was next best with 24.

Southee finished with career-best five for 33 off 9.3 overs, while Bennett took three for 26.

New Zealand have lost their previous 11 one-day internationals.

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Pakistan to bat first against New Zealand

Updated at: 0600 PST,  Saturday, January 22, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first in their one day international against New Zealand here Saturday as the two sides begin fine-tuning for the World Cup.

The tourists go into the six-match series holding the upper hand, coming off a 1-0 series victory over New Zealand in the two Tests and with a more impressive one-day record in recent times.

They were pipped 2-3 in their October-November series against South Africa while New Zealand are on an 11-match losing streak.

In an effort to turn their fortunes around, New Zealand have decided to break up their big hitting opening partnership of Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum with McCullum dropping down to number six.

New coach John Wright wants matchwinners in the middle order, rather than having to rely on on the openers, and all-rounder Jacob Oram has been brought back to follow McCullum at number seven.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said there would be a degree of experimentation as they search for a balanced lineup that gives them power at the top and at the end of an innings.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said his side has taken heart from the Test win and now want to dominate New Zealand in the ODIs.

"In the buildup to the World Cup, it would be good for our morale to win every game, every victory is very important now and that's what we want to do in this series."

Pakistan have brought in Abdul Razzaq who belted an unbeaten 109 in 72 balls in their second one-dayer against South Africa.

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND - Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan McCullum, Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett.

PAKISTAN: Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar

UMPIRES:Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Amiesh Saheba (IND)

TV UMPIRE: Barry Frost (NZL)

MATCH REFEREE: Alan Hurst (AUS)

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Pakistan seal series win with draw

Updated at: 1055 PST,  Wednesday, January 19, 2011 WELLINGTON: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-haq led from the front, scoring his second half century of the match, to ensure his side batted out the final day to draw the second Test against New Zealand on Wednesday and claim their first series victory since 2006.

Misbah finished the day on 70 not out, following on from his 99 in the first  innings, as Pakistan reached 226 for five at the close of play, 48 runs short of their victory target of 274.

Adnan Akmal was two not out as the visitors claimed their first series win since they beat the West Indies 2-0 at home five years ago.

Misbah had shared in an 118-run stand with Younis Khan (81) -- their second century-stand of the match -- after New Zealand had threatened to spoil the visitors' day when they reduced them to 42-3 in the first session.

Chris Martin was particularly aggressive in the first session, taking 2-24 off nine overs and had the Pakistani batsmen frantically trying to see him off.

New zealand captain Daniel Vettori also provided some concerning moments for the visitors, introducing himself in the eighth over and getting bounce from the harder ball and some turn out of the footmarks.

Misbah and Younis, however, slowly but assuredly ground down the attack and for long periods during the session between lunch and tea looked to have given up any pretence of chasing down the target before they slowly began to increase the scoring rate.

New Zealand were given the slightest hope of a final session victory when Younis was caught by Reece Young off Tim Southee in the final over before tea.

Misbah, who faced 172 balls and hit his fifth boundary to bring up his 50 after 255 minutes at the crease, and Asad Shafiq, however, continued to combine stoic defence and flirting with the possibility of launching a frantic final assault.

In the final hour, Vettori trapped Shafiq in front for 24 to leave Pakistan 215-5 and while the New Zealand bowlers attempted to rattle them with several vociferous appeals, Akmal and Misbah negotiated their way through until the close.

Completed scoreboard in the second Test between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday: New Zealand 1st innings

• M. Guptill c Adnan Akmal b Umar Gul 29
• B. McCullum lbw Umar Gul 2
• K. Williamson c Adnan Akmal b Umar Gul 21
• R. Taylor c Adnan Akmal b Wahab Riaz 78
• J. Ryder c Adnan Akmal b Tanvir Ahmed 0
• J. Franklin c Adnan Akmal b Abdur Rehman 33
• R. Young c Adnan Akmal b Tanvir Ahmed 57
• D. Vettori c Misbah-ul-Haq b Abdur Rehman 110
• T. Southee c Misbah-ul-Haq b Umar Gul 1
• B. Arnel lbw Umar Gul 1
• C. Martin not out 4

Extras (b 7, lb 1, w 10, nb 2) 20
Total (all out; 127.1 overs) 356
Fall of wickets: 1-3 (McCullum), 2-46 (Williamson), 3-98 (Guptill), 4-98 (Ryder), 5-166 (Franklin), 6-180 (Taylor), 7-318 (Young), 8-322 (Southee), 9-338 (Arnel), 10-356 (Vettori)

Bowling: Umar Gul 32-3-87-4, Tanvir Ahmed 25-5-93-3 (1nb, 2w), Younis Khan 1-0-9-0, Wahab Riaz 16-3-46-1 (3w), Abdur Rehman 45.1-11-96-2 (1nb), Mohammad Hafeez 8-0-17-0. Pakistan 1st innings

• Taufeeq Umar c Guptill b Vettori 70
• Mohammad Hafeez c Young b Southee 1
• Azhar Ali c Taylor b Martin 67
• Younis Khan c Ryder b Vettori 73
• Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Martin 99
• Asad Shafiq c Taylor b Vettori 0
• Adnan Akmal c Martin b Vettori 22
• Abdur Rehman c McCullum b Martin 5
• Umar Gul c McCullum b Martin 19
• Tanvir Ahmed c Taylor b Southee 7
• Wahab Riaz not out 7

Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 2, nb 1) 6
Total (all out; 133 overs) 376
Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Mohammad Hafeez), 2-134 (Taufeeq Umar), 3-144 (Azhar Ali), 4-286 (Younis Khan), 5-294 (Asad Shafiq), 6-324 (Adnan Akmal), 7-333 (Abdur Rehman), 8-360 (Misbah-ul-Haq), 9-363 (Umar Gul), 10-376 (Tanvir Ahmed)

Bowling: Martin 32-7-91-4, Southee 28-7-102-2, Arnel 16-4-50-0, Franklin 9-1-30-0, Vettori 47-11-100-4, Guptill 1-1-0-0 New Zealand 2nd innings

• M. Guptill lbw Abdur Rehman 73
• B. McCullum c Tanvir Ahmed b Abdur Rehman 64
• K. Williamson c Adnan Akmal b Tanvir Ahmed 15
• R. Taylor lbw Umar Gul 52
• J. Ryder b Mohammed Hafeez 17
• J. Franklin c Younis Khan b Mohammed Hafeez 6
• R. Young c Azhar Ali b Abdur Rehman 20
• D. Vettori b Umar Gul 1
• T. Southee not out 22
• B. Arnel lbw Umar Gul 0
• C. Martin c Adnan Akmal b Umar Gul 1

Extras (b 2, lb 6, nb 13, w 1) 22
Total (all out; 90.5 overs) 293
Fall of wickets: 1-120 (McCullum), 2-166 (K. Williamson), 3-166 (M. Guptill), 4-192 (J. Ryder), 5-208 (J. Franklin) 6-268 (R. Young), 7-268 (R. Taylor) 8-275 (D. Vettori), 9-275 (B. Arnel) 10-293 (C. Martin)

Bowling: Umar Gul 20.5-4-61-4, Tanvir Ahmed 10-0-36-1, Abdur Rehman 39-6-119-3, Wahab Riaz 8-1-38-0 Mohammed Hafeez 13-3-31-2 Pakistan 2nd innings

• Mohammad Hafeez c Taylor b Martin 32
• Taufeeq Umar lbw Southee 0
• Azhar Ali lbw Martin 10
• Younis Khan c Young b Southee 81
• Misbah-ul-Haq not out 70
• Asad Shafiq lbw Vettori 24
• Adnan Akmal not out 2

Extras (lb 6, nb 1) 7
Total (5 wickets; 92 overs) 226
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Taufeeq Umar), 2-35 (Azhar Ali), 3-42 (Mohammad Hafeez), 4-160 (Younis Khan), 5-215 (Asad Shafiq)
Bowling: Martin 24-6-63-2, Southee 15-2-49-2, Vettori 34-13-57-1, Arnel 9-5-17-0, Franklin 5-1-6-0, Guptill 3-0-16-0, Ryder 2-0-12-0


Toss: New Zealand
Result: Test drawn
Man of the match: Masbah-ul-Haq
Series: Pakistan 1-0
Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS), Rod Tucker (AUS)
Third umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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New Zealand name squad for World Cup

 Updated at: 1125 PST,  Wednesday, January 19, 2011
 WELLINGTON: New Zealand cricket chiefs backed their struggling one-day team to reverse a dramatic form slump, avoiding wholesale changes in the World Cup squad named on Wednesday.

Chief selector Mark Greatbatch said the Black Caps had a point to prove after losing their past 11 one-day internationals, including series whitewashes against Bangladesh and India.

"We have kept faith with the bulk of the team which played the five-match ODI series in India and believe that, despite recent one-day form, the squad is very capable," he said.

"(They) owe it to themselves and the New Zealand fans to put in a huge performance at the World Cup."

Cricket's showpiece event in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka runs from February 19 to April 2.

Greatbatch said the squad, captained by Daniel Vettori, had an experienced core, with six players who helped New Zealand reach the semi-finals for the fifth time at the last World Cup in 2007.

All-rounder Luke Woodcock, 28, is the only uncapped ODI player in the squad, securing his berth with his strong domestic form for Wellington.

"He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the subcontinent," Greatbatch said.

Injury-prone all-rounder Jacob Oram was also named, with Greatbatch saying his domestic performances after returning from a stint on the sidelines made the fitness gamble worthwhile.

Greatbatch singled out Jamie How as a batsman who needed to improve after failing against India but said his ability to provide wicketkeeping back-up to Brendon McCullum had helped sway selectors.

"Some might think he's a bit lucky after the last few innings in India but over the last 15 months he's actually performed in the limited forms of the game at various levels," he said.

Bowler Daryl Tuffey was the highest-profile omission from the squad.

New Zealand's 15-man World Cup squad: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

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Younis falls as 2nd Test reaches climax

 Updated at: 0932 PST,  Wednesday, January 19, 2011
WELLINGTON: Younis Khan was dismissed in the final over before tea to leave the second test between Pakistan and New Zealand finely balanced on the last day on
Wednesday.

The tourists were 160 for four at tea and need a further 114 runs in the final session to win the two-test series 2-0, having won the first match in Hamilton by 10 wickets.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was on 37, having helped Younis (81) grind his way to a 22nd Test half century, to recover Pakistan's run chase after they had slumped to 42 for
three in the first session at a sun-drenched Basin Reserve.

Misbah, who had been batting for almost four hours and faced 122 deliveries, and Younis looked to have given up any pretence of chasing down the target between tea and lunch before they slowly began to increase the scoring rate.

The capture of the wicket of Younis, caught by Reece Young off Tim Southee, however, has given New Zealand the sniff of victory if they can strike early after tea.

The previous two days' final sessions have seen six wickets fall on each day.

New Zealand had made the perfect start when Taufeeq Umar was trapped in front by Southee for a duck on the first ball of the second over of the day, leaving the visitors at 4-1.

Martin then trapped Azhar Ali lbw for 10, then had Hafeez (32) caught by Ross Taylor at first slip in successive overs to leave Pakistan in trouble at 42 for three. Martin now has 199 Test wickets.

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Pakistan retain Afridi as ODI captain for NZ tour

Updated at: 0846 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011Pakistan on Wednesday retained flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi as captain while controversial wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was also recalled for the upcoming six-match ODI series against New Zealand starting January 22 in Wellington.The national selection committee met in Lahore today and announced a 16-member squad with no real surprises except the return of Akmal, who was recently cleared by the PCB for selection.Akmal was one of the three cricketers reportedly asked by the PCB to submit details of bank accounts and assets from the last three years to the integrity committee, probing charges of spot-fixing which led to the suspensions of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Misbah-ul-Haq, who led Pakistan in the two-Test series against New Zealand, will be Afridi's deputy. Experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who was included in the preliminary World Cup squad last week, has been left out for the series.

Former captain Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam were also overlooked.

"It is a great feeling to be back in the national squad and my target is to impress the selectors with my performances and book a place in the final World Cup squad," Akmal said.

The keeper has not been selected since the tour of England which ended in September last year and was marred by spot-fixing controversy.

Akmal said it was great to be back in the national squad.

"I am looking forward to the series," he said.

The selectors and board have lifted a big burden off Afridi whose captaincy for the World Cup is also under scrutiny but gets another chance to show his credentials as player and captain in New Zealand.

Experienced fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul will be supported by three other pacers Wahab Riaz, Tanvir Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir.

The one-day series in New Zealand will be Pakistan's last international outing before the World Cup in the subcontinent to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

Squad: Shahid Afridi (Capt), Muhammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal.

Read more at: http://cricket.ndtv.com/storypage.aspx?id=SPOEN20110166516&nid=78976&keyword=News&cp

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Donald appointed New Zealand bowling coach

 Updated at: 0846 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Former South African paceman Allan Donald has been appointed as New Zealand's bowling coach on a short-term contract until the end of the World Cup, officials said Tuesday.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Donald's experience would be a positive for the Black Caps, whose support staff have been revamped since John Wright was appointed head coach in December.

"I know he is really looking forward to the challenge of returning to international cricket and working with the Black Caps," Vaughan said.

The 44-year-old recently finished a stint as head coach of Zimbabwe domestic side the Mountaineers and has previously worked with English county side Warwickshire and the England national side as bowling coach.

Vaughan said Donald, who took 330 Test wickets for South Africa, would join the squad in Wellington this week ahead of Saturday's first one-day international against Pakistan.

He will remain with the Black Caps through the six-match series and the World Cup, to be played in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.

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Australia unveil next month's World Cup squad

 Updated at: 0846 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011
SYDNEY — Defending champions Australia unveiled their squad for next month's World Cup, banking on the fitness of a pair of injury-prone pacemen and elder statesmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey.
Veteran Brett Lee and enigmatic short-form specialist Shaun Tait were both included in the 15-man squad for the tournament in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which they are trying to win for the fourth successive time.
Ponting was named as skipper, but is still recovering from a broken finger, while Hussey made the squad but is a major doubt after a severe hamstring tear in the six-wicket win over England at the MCG on Sunday.
Hussey is expected to be sidelined for at last six weeks, with Australia's first game on February 21, and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch conceded he was a doubt for the showpiece event.
"It is a severe injury and we will make a decision closer to departure date," Hilditch said on Tuesday.
Players can be replaced before the tournament.
By selecting Lee and Tait, as well as erratic duo Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger, Australia will rely heavily on their pace bowlers to be at their best.
Lee performed well in Australia's win over England on Sunday, but the 34-year-old and Tait are both on the comeback trail after serious elbow injuries.
Sunday's game was Lee's first one-day international for Australia since October 2009 and he missed the 2007 World Cup triumph due to injury.
Tait, who played in the 2007 final but mainly plays Twenty20 cricket these days, was ruled out of Sunday's game with a back problem.
The 27-year-old has only played three ODIs since February 2009, but taken eight wickets in those three matches.
Hilditch said the squad was perfectly balanced.
"One of the major decisions to be made in this squad was ensuring the balance was right in the squad to provide the best cover for all positions in the event of injury, illness or form issues that may arise," Hilditch said.
"It includes the experience of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, and also some young talent like Steve Smith.
"Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin were all also part of the victorious 2007 ICC cricket World Cup squad that went unbeaten in the Caribbean, so there is plenty of character in this group of Australian cricketers."
The shock selection was Victorian all-rounder John Hastings, who has played just two one-day internationals, while David Hussey, Mike's younger brother, also made the squad.
Tasmanian wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, touted by many as a future Australian captain, is part of the 15.
Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, who played on Sunday, was overlooked in favour of the returning Nathan Hauritz, who was ignored for the entire Ashes series but has been in top form in domestic first-class cricket this season.
Victorian paceman Peter Siddle was not included, despite being one of the better Ashes performers for Australia with ball and bat.
Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

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 Updated at: 0846 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Sources in the PCB told The Sports Encounter that currently there are two schools of thought in the PCB after a report from team manager national cricket team Waqar Younis, which is quite critical of Afridi’s performance as skipper and player in the team.Shahid Afridi

There are chances that Mohsin Hasan Khan-led selection panel of the PCB may keep Afridi as skipper but a great performance by Misbah-ul-Haq as Test captain has turned him into a strong contender for the ODIs captaincy as well.

Chief Selector Mohsin Hassan Khan will announce the 15-player squad for the ICC flagship event.
Sources further told TSE correspondent that the team will include Shahid Afridi (C), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Misbah–ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Younus Khan, Asad Shafiq, Wahab Riaz, and Sohail Tanvir.

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India name 15-man squad for World Cup

 Updated at: 1548 PST,  Monday, January 18, 2011
NEW DELHI: India on Monday selected a tried and trusted combination for the cricket World Cup despite injury worries over key players, including batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar, 37, the world's leading Test and one-day batsman, pulled out of the ongoing tour of South Africa after suffering a hamstring strain during the second one-dayer in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Tendulkar's absence for the remaining three one-dayers further depleted India, who are already missing the injured trio of Virender Sehwag (shoulder), Gautam Gambhir (elbow) and Praveen Kumar (elbow).

But all four were named in a 15-man squad for the World Cup, which opens on February 19 with India playing the first match against co-hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Tendulkar, who has a record 17,629 runs from 444 one-day internationals with 46 centuries, has played just four one-dayers over the past 12 months to preserve himself for Test cricket.

The selectors banked on players who have taken India to second place behind Australia in the official one-day rankings, ahead of Sri Lanka, South Africa and England.

The eight batsmen in the squad include wicketkeeper-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the hard-hitting Yusuf Pathan, but there was no place for Rohit Sharma.

The only surprise choice was 22-year-old leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who played the last of his 21 one-dayers more than two years ago, in July 2008.

Chawla, who has claimed 28 one-day wickets, will be joined by two off-spinners Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin, in a three-man spin department.

The squad includes four seam bowlers in Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel.

Srikkanth, who was a member of India's only World Cup-winning squad in 1983, was confident the current players would put up a good performance.

India's World Cup squad:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel.
Coach: Gary Kirsten (SA)

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Rehman double strike slows New Zealand

 Updated at: 0927 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011
WELLINGTON: Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman struck twice in the afternoon session as Pakistan slowed New Zealand's bid to build a big lead on the fourth day of the second Test on Tuesday

New Zealand went into the break at 181-3 in their second innings, with Ross Taylor on 4 and Jesse Ryder on 11, giving the Black Caps a 161-run lead.

Rehman broke a 120-run opening stand between Brendon McCullum (64) and Martin Guptill (73), with Pakistan claiming three wickets for 46 as the Black Caps chased quick runs to force a result to level the two-Test series.

The spinner tempted McCullum to try to drive him out of the ground shortly after lunch, with the batsman mistiming his shot and sending the ball to Tanvir Ahmed at long off.

He later trapped Guptill lbw to lift his figures to two for 65 off 25 overs.

It was the first time a New Zealand opening stand has reached 50 in the series.

It was also only the second time since 2004 that a Black Caps' opening pair has made 100, an encouraging sign for coach John Wright as he seeks to improve New Zealand's brittle top order following his appointment in December.

Tanvir Ahmed also claimed his first wicket of the innings as Pakistan bounced back from a frustrating morning session when Kane Williamson (15) edged to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal on 15.

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New Zealand 181 for three at tea

Updated at: 0731 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011
 WELLINGTON: New Zealand were 181 for three at tea on the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday.

Ross Taylor was on 4 and Jesse Ryder 11 in the second innings, with New Zealand leading Pakistan by 161 runs.

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New Zealand 106 without loss at lunch

 Updated at: 0500 PST,  Tuesday, January 18, 2011
WELLINGTON: New Zealand were 106 without loss at lunch on the fourth day of the second Test against Pakistan at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday.

Brendon McCullum was on 58 and Martin Guptill on 38 at the break after adding 97 to New Zealand's overnight total in the second innings.

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