TEAM PAKISTAN

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***(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 05 IN TEST)***

**(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 06 IN ODI)**

*(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 07 IN T20)*

Physical Address: Gaddafi Stadium, Ferozpur Road, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Postal Address: Same as above
Main switchboard:
+ (92) 42 571 7231 - 234
UAN 111 22 7777
General enquiry email: mail@pcb.com.pk
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

Contreacted Player

T20 | ODI | TEST

ABDUL RAZZAQ	ABDUREHMAN	ADNAN AKMAL
AHMED SHEZAD	AIZAZ CHEEMA	ASAD SHAFIQUE
AZAHER ALI	HAMMAD AZAM	IMRAN FARHAT
JUNAID KHAN	KAMRAN AKMAL	MISBAH-UL-HAQ
M. HAFEEZ	M. SALMAN	RAMEEZ RAJA (J)
SAEED AJMAL	SARFARAZ AHMED	SHAHID AFRIDI
SHOHAIB AKTER	SHOHAIB MALIK	SHOHAIL KHAN
SHOHAIL TANVEER	TANVIR AHMED	TAUFEEQ UMAR
UMAR AKMAL	UMAR GULL	USMAN SALAHUDIN
WAHAB RIAZ	YASIR SHAH	YOUNIS KHAN

 

History

Following the Partition of India in 1947, and the establishment of the separate nation state of Pakistan, it was not long before the latter was accepted into the Test fold at a meeting of the Imperial Cricket Conference in July 1952, after being recommended by India. Pakistan's first Test match took place in Delhi in October 1952 and its first home five-day encounter was held in Dacca (also against India) in January 1955.

International competition 

After three successive appearances in the semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup, Pakistan made it one step further in 1992 when Imran Khan led his side to a 22-run win. It reached the final again in 1999 but failed to get out of the group stages in the last two competitions. Pakistan did almost win the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 2007 but it fell agonisingly short in the final against India, although it managed to defeat Sri Lanka to win the 2009 event at Lord?s. Pakistan are a mercurial team in all forms of the game - capable of beating the best yet also slumping to humiliating losses when least expected. Security issues means it is currently unable to play matches in its homeland, meaning England played host to one-day and Test series against Australia and the home nation in 2010.

Domestic competition

The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is Pakistan's premier first-class competition and was first contested in 1953. A mixture of 11 regional teams and departments compete in two groups with the winners of each contesting the final. The Pentagular Cup is another first-class competition, this time contested by five teams. The premier one-day tournament is the ABN Amro Cup (played as four 50-over leagues followed by a Super Eight phase leading to semi-finals and a final) as well as a 20-over tournament.

All-time great

Imran Khan would almost certainly have deserved the accolade as Pakistan's greatest ever cricketer even if he had "merely" represented his nation as a rank and file servant. But when you add in the way he coaxed, cajoled and united a collection of potentially volatile individuals into a powerful unit there really is no alternative. Khan's greatest moment was leading his team to ICC Cricket World Cup glory in 1992 but the results his sides had previously achieved in the longer format should also not be underestimated. Not only was he one of the finest bowlers of his age - one of the pioneers of the reverse-swinging yorker - but he would also have merited a spot in the team purely as a batsman. His 362 Test wickets @ 22.81 and 3807 runs @ 37.69 need no further embellishment.

Women's cricket

Having appeared in the Women's World Cup in 1997, it earned a place in the ICC Women's World Cup 2009 after overcoming stiff opposition in the qualifying event - which was shifted from its home country to South Africa following political unrest. Going into the World Cup it was ranked eighth, and emerged as sixth in the world. The Pakistan women's cricket team is certainly heading in the right direction.

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TEAM BANGLADESH

 

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**(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 09 IN ODI)**

*(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 11 IN T20)* 

Physical Address: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
Postal Address: Same as above
Main switchboard: + (880) 2 803 1001 - 4
Website: www.tigercricket.com

 

History
Although cricket was introduced to Bangladesh under British rule two centuries ago, it was not until independence in 1971 that the game took hold with the masses. It became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1977 and quickly rose to prominence thanks to its results in ACC tournaments. Bangladesh qualified for its first ICC Cricket World Cup (England 1999) on the back of winning the ICC Trophy in Malaysia in 1997. It followed that up soon after by becoming the 10th Test nation in June 2000 (playing its first match five months later).

International competition
Bangladesh's first participation in the World Cup, in 1999, was a great success when it shocked Pakistan in its last group match before making a creditable exit. Although its 2003 campaign went winless it bounced back in 2007 to achieve significant victories over India and South Africa. It also claimed a memorable scalp during the first ICC World Twenty20, when it beat West Indies to reach the Super Eights. Test progress has been slow, with its first win coming four years after its November 2000 bow against India - a victory over Zimbabwe in Chittagong. Its first overseas Test victory was quickly followed by a second as it completed a series triumph in West Indies in 2009. 

Domestic structure
First-class cricket only began in Bangladesh after it was awarded Test status, with the National Cricket League making its debut in 2000-01 (although the competition was actually set up the previous season on a non-first class basis). The National Cricket League features six teams (Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet). A national one-day league also began in 2000-01 - the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea One-Day League - which is played by the same teams on a home and away basis. A Twenty20 competition started up in 2005 and there is a competitive club-based Dhaka Premier League.

All-time great
Bangladesh's international cricket history is still short so there are many more deeds to be done before it establishes itselves at the top level. Nonetheless, Shakib Al Hasan has emerged as its first world-class cricketer since his international debut in 2006. The left-handed batsman and slow left-armer has already filled the number one spot in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship Rankings in both the all-rounder and bowler categories. In terms of Test cricket, Shakib has put in some fine performances against all-comers – recording several five-wicket bowling performances and making his first century against New Zealand in 2010. The all-rounder’s finest moment to date came in 2009 when he stood in as captain for Mashrafe Mortaze and led his side to its first-ever overseas Test victories and series win – against West Indies.

Women's cricketInternational women's cricket in Bangladesh owes its existence to hockey as, in 1982, it was 14 female hockey players who decided to switch to cricket, although at first they only had males as opposition. The following year, the group went to India to represent their country in women's cricket, and eventually they came to play cricket against women back home. Some of those dedicated pioneers now work in women's cricket for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, an organisation which has already provided financial assistance since taking the game on board in 2005. In 2008 and 2009 it has shown its potential, recording wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

 

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TEAM SRILANKA

 

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**(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 04 IN ODI)**

*(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 02 IN T20)* 

Physical Address: 35, Maitland Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
Postal address: Same as above
Main switchboard:
+ (94) 112 681601
+ (94) 112 681602
+ (94) 112 681603
+ (94) 112 681604
General enquiry email: info@srilankacricket.lk
Website: www.srilankacricket.lk

History
Cricket began to develop in Sri Lanka once the process of British colonisation was completed in the early 1800s. The earliest reference to the game in Sri Lanka was reported in the "Colombo Journal" on 5 September 1832 which was when the formation of a cricket club was recorded. The Colombo cricket club was formed soon after in November 1832 and played its first cricket match against the 97th British Regiment. Although the domestic first-class system was set up in 1937-38 it was not until 1981 that Sri Lanka became the eighth Test playing country (playing its inaugural Test the following year in Colombo against England).

International Competition
After winning just four games out of 26 during the first five ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, the next edition brought forth the most unlikely winner of a major international cricket tournament thus far. Sri Lanka's victory over Australia in the 1996 Final was the climax to an outstanding competition for Arjuna Ranatunga's men. Sri Lanka has since reached the final once more, when Australia exacted its revenge in West Indies in 2007. It was also joint-winners, with India, of the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil in 2002. Sri Lanka's participation in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 flattered to deceive as they were knocked out in the Super Eights. Meanwhile, the Asian nation continues to be a tough nut to crack on the Test circuit - particularly at home. 

Domestic Competition
A domestic first-class tournament began in 1937-38 as the Daily News Trophy and has since undergone five changes in name to reach its current guise of the Premier Trophy. Ten sides compete in each of two tiers, with Sinhalese SC historically the most successful team. The main one-day competition in Sri Lanka is the Premier Limited-Overs Tournament which began in 1988 and has existed under three different names. Finally, there is an Interprovincial Twenty20 tournament, contested between six teams. 

All-time great
It would be fruitless for any would-be cricketer to aspire to play the game like Muttiah Muralidaran - the Sri Lankan is inimitable. Nominally an off-spinner, the number of variations at his disposal make him difficult to define - which is why batsmen around the world continue to flail against the now veteran. "Murali" played his part in Sri Lanka's biggest team success - the 1996 World Cup - but his individual feats have largely eclipsed anything the side has achieved since. After tussling with Shane Warne for the title of leading Test wicket-taker, the Sri Lankan has now moved way out in front after the leg-spinner's retirement. Muralidaran then became the highest wicket-taker in ODIs as well when he went past Wasim Akram's record of 502 wickets in 2009. If that wasn't enough he has also shown himself to be a worthy hitter down the order. Who knows how much further he can go before flexing those fingers no more.

Women's cricketAlthough Sri Lanka women only played its first recognized international match just over a decade ago, in 1997, it has already run up a fair tally of one-day internationals, appeared in several ICC Cricket World Cups, and even played in a Test, a form of women's cricket which is increasingly less common. They owe much to Gwen Herath - the former president of the WCA of Sri Lanka - for her administration in the days before the men's board took over in 2005. In 2007, the ICC's High Performance Manager, Richard Done, created a further improvement strategy for Sri Lankan women's cricket, including introducing a schools-based competition. The aim was to increase their performances at such tournaments as the Asia Cup - where they have regularly made the final - and the 2009 World Cup, although they failed to win a match.

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TEAM INDIA

 

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***(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 03 IN TEST)***

**(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 02 IN ODI)**

*(THE GLOBAL CRICKET RATING 06 IN T20)* 

Physical Address: Cricket Centre, 2nd Floor, Wankhede Stadium, 'D' Road, Churchgate, Mumbai 400 020, India
Postal Address: Same as above
Main switchboard:
+ (91) 22 2289 8800
General enquiry email: bcci@vsnl.com, cricketboard@gmail.com
Website: www.bcci.tv

History
Cricket's arrival in India came courtesy of English colonialists in the late 1700s. Calcutta Cricket Club was the first club, formed in 1792 for Europeans only. Indians soon began to play, however, with the game taking prominent hold in Bombay. The Parsees beat the Europeans in 1877 and subsequently toured England, though won only one game. By the late 1920s, India was keen to play Test cricket but had to persuade the ICC it was ready - and it needed a national organizing body, so the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) was formed in 1928. India finally made its Test debut in 1932, after which a national competition followed in 1934, named the Ranji Trophy after KS Ranjitsinhji.

International CompetitonIndia's triumph in the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup is still talked about today. Its next success in a global tournament came in 2002 in the ICC Champions Trophy, when it was joint winners with Sri Lanka. Heavy rain forced the two finalists to abandon the game - the first such instance of a world cricket trophy being shared. India's cricketers were also heavily feted in 2007 when they won the first ICC World Twenty20 in their own right. They faced close rivals Pakistan in the final in a game watched by a global audience of 400 million people. Under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India repeated the feat achieved in 1983, by winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at home in Mumbai beating co-hosts Sri Lanka in the final, leading to wide celebrations across the country.

Domestic Competition
The premier domestic competition in India is the Ranji Trophy, founded in 1934, which has consisted of two leagues since 2002-03. It is the main first-class tournament, with teams largely from various states contesting the prize. The Duleep Trophy is also first-class, originally conceived to combat the predictability of the Ranji, while the Irani Trophy is held once a year, featuring a match between the Ranji champions and Rest of India. The Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophies are both one-day tournaments, while the Challenger Series comprises the top 36 players in India. The Indian Premier League (IPL) quickly established itself as the domestic tournament to play in for all of the world's leading cricketers, and aspiring young Indians. Rajasthan Royals were inaugural winners in 2008.

All-time great
Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly India's great. Tendulkar, aka The Little Master (he stands at 5' 5"), is feted the world over for his exceptional batting, not least in his home country of India where he graces billboards and TV advertisements, as well as owning a restaurant in his own name in his home city of Mumbai. Known as a complete batsman, his highest score in Tests is 248 not out and he has amassed more than 12,000 runs.

Women's cricket
India has always been Asia's strongest team - indeed, it is the only side from the continent to have reached the World Cup final, in South Africa in 2005 - and it has never lost an Asia Cup. India had the world's first professional female players, in a sense, for its premier players competed for such clubs as Railways, for whom they were also employees. Today, the game is run by the world's richest board - the BCCI - which offers both financial assistance and a high profile to its players.

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Matthews, Dilshan fit to lead Sri Lanka: Sangakkara

Outgoing Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara has reaffirmed that his successor should be given enough time to adjust to the role and picked Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Matthews as suitable for the job.
Sangakkara resigned from captaincy in the One-day Internationals and Twenty20 last week following Sri Lanka's defeat by India in the World Cup final in Mumbai. He is currently in India captaining the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.Sangakkara asserted that the Sri Lanka Cricket must look at the long-term benefit of the team while choosing the next captain."You have to look long term. Not just what is good for now. If you want to go for Dilshan, give him the confidence for a long term," Sangakkara was quoted as saying by Inside Cricket.
"Don't give the captaincy to Dilshan and say, 'You are just going to be captain for a year and half'. It's not going to be good for him, for he is going to think, 'My days are numbered anyway'. And so it won't be good for the team.""Both Dilshan and Angelo are suitable. If they think Angelo is too young, then Dilshan will do a good job because he has these little touches for success. Anything he does on the field, he has this little knack. I don't know whether he will be the long-term candidate with his age, but if he keeps himself fit he can easily play the next World Cup."The left-hand batsman pointed out that the selectors will have a tough time in deciding between the two players."They (selectors) can also take the plunge with Angelo. That is where the selectors have to really make a call. Pressure will have to be shared, if they make a call and if things don't go well in the first or second year, they will have to be strong that they made a good decision."They will have to put everything in possible to make the captain has everything to do a good job. If it doesn't go well even after that, maybe you can re-evaluate. But if the team itself doesn't expect miracles, but expect steady intelligent guy who does things in his own way and good for the team, then this could work. To expect too much right away will be a real danger.Sangakkara said his decision to quit from the post was partly selfish but said it was the right time to make way for a young leader.No matter how much I try to deny it, there is a lot of 'me' in that decision. I have also done what is best for me. But having said that, there is also a large part of the decision of what I think is the way forward for the team. The way forward is not as difficult as people make it out to be. Players come players go and so do captains. Yet team progresses. That is the natural progression," he said.

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Sri Lanka recalls players from IPL

Updated at: 1820 PST,  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's sports authorities on Tuesday ordered its cricketers playing in the ongoing Indian Premier League to return home for training ahead of next month's tour of England. Sports Minister Mahinadananda Althugamage said he wanted team members to prioritise the national side over the IPL, which is financially lucrative for players. "In future, national cricket players can participate in foreign tournaments only in a manner that will not affect practices of the Sri Lankan national team," the ministry said in a statement. It said those who are selected for the three-Test series in England will have to return home for practices despite their commitments in the ongoing IPL T20 Tournament.Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara and his deputy Mahela Jayawardene are among 11 Sri Lankan national players in the IPL and at least five of them are tipped to be included in the squad for England. The statement did not say how the players will be penalised if they did not attend practices as required under a new sports ministry decree, but official sources said they were likely to be dropped if they did not comply. Sri Lanka cricket has seen a spate of resignations following the side's defeat in the World Cup final against India earlier this month.

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Sending 5 coaches with team ‘futile’: Miandad

Updated at: 2147 PST,  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director General Javaid Miandad Tuesday assured that it is no use sending five coaches at a time with team. Whoever holds this opportunity; he should be a ‘full-time’ coach, Geo News reported.Talking to media here at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Miandad said that everybody’s job is no body’s job.He said he always demanded his proximity to cricket in order to benefit Pakistan team with over 40 years of experience.Team’s selection should be performance-based and its structure should be strong, he urged.

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IPL: Rajasthan thrash Delhi by 6 wkts

Updated at: 1951 PST,  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

JAIPUR: Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals thrashed Delhi Daredevils by six wickets to pocket their second successive victory in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.Chasing a stiff 152, Rajasthan rode on fine knocks by Rahul Dravid and Johan Botha to overhaul the target with nine balls to spare at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.The usually sedate Dravid struck a quickfire 38 off 31 balls and South African Botha continued his fine form with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 39 with four fours.Ross Taylor (18 not out) capped off a fine victory for Rajasthan with a four and a six in the penultimate over to delight a sizeable home crowd.Delhi slumped to their second defeat in as many matches after having lost to Mumbai Indians in their opening match.Delhi were in early trouble after skipper Virender Sehwag won the toss and elected to bat but opener David Warner and Venugopal Rao posted responsible half-centuries to pull their side from the pits.Sehwag was dismissed off the third ball of the first over when he edged Aussie quick Shaun Tait to Dravid in the slips.Tait returned to send back Aaron Finch (11) in his second spell before Warne dismissed Unmukt Chand and Naman Ojha in the same over to reduce Delhi to a shaky 36-4.Warner fought back with a 44-ball 54 and Rao top-scored with a superb 60 off 40 balls, containing four fours and four sixes to take Delhi to a competitive total.Australian spin legend Warne impressed the most among the bowlers, finishing with 2-17 but Tait proved expensive with his two wickets coming at the cost of 40 runs off four overs. Brief Scores:Delhi Daredevils 151-6 in 20 overs (V. Rao 60, D. Warner 54; S. Warne 2-17, S. Tait 2-40) lost to Rajasthan Royals 152-4 in 18.3 overs (J. Botha 39 not out, R. Dravid 38) by six wickets.

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Miandad declines to become batting coach: Intikhab

Updated at: 1616 PST,  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam said the national team needs a batting coach and Javed Miandad was approached for this assignment but he refused.While talking with media during the training camp here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Intikhab Alam said that fitness level of the team has improved while no controversy was found in discipline. He said efforts would be made to maintain the same standard in the team.The manager said that like the people, the players were also disappointed on defeat in the World Cup semi-final.He said that he is grateful to the people and the government besides media for getting a favourable response after being defeated in the mega event and this is a good tradition.Intikhab expressed hope that there are good chances for Pakistan to win against the West Indies.He said that a batting coach is a necessity of the team.

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Pak team training camp for WI tour

Updated at: 1448 PST,  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team has been attending a two-day short training camp here at the Gaddafi stadium, for the series in West Indies later this month.The short training camp has been named the ‘conditioning camp’ The team management said the players will take part in two practice sessions today while tomorrow there will be a day-long session.Along with physical training, the players will also be practicing in the nets under the supervision of coach Waqar Younis. The national team will leave for West Indies on April 14 to play one T20I, five one-day internationals and two Test matches on the tour beginning April 18.

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IPL: Kolkata’s thrilling 9-run win over Deccan

Updated at: 1418 PST,  Tuesday, April 12, 2011

KOLKATA: Jacques Kallis hit his second half-century in a row to set up a nine-run win for Kolkata Knight Riders against Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League on Monday.Kallis, 35, hit seven fours and a six in his 45-ball 53 as Kolkata piled on 163-4 before restricting Deccan to 154-8 off 20 overs on a slow Eden Gardens track.This was the first victory for Kolkata in the Twenty20 tournament after having lost to Chennai by two runs in their opening match last week.Kallis also picked up four catches to cap a fine day in the middle.Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdullah gave Kolkata an early breakthrough, removing Ishank Jaggi in the third over before Rajat Bhatia grabbed the key wicket of skipper Kumar Sangakkara (16) to reduce Deccan to 53-3 in the ninth over.Deccan could never really recover from the early setbacks, succumbing to their second defeat in as many matches despite a fighting 48 by Bharat Chipli.Abdullah finished with 3-24 while Bhatia and Jaidev Unadkat took two wickets each.Kallis, opening the innings, gave a flying start to Kolkata after captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to bat. The all-rounder raced to the 50-run mark with a six off his South Africa teammate JP Duminy but was out the next ball as he attempted to clear midwicket again.Gambhir, who batted at an unusual number six against Chennai, promoted himself up the order and shared 43 runs off just 26 balls with Manoj Tiwary (30 not out) for the third wicket.Gambhir (29) was bowled by leg-spinner Amit Mishra, the most impressive among Deccan bowlers with two wickets for 19 runs off his fours overs.Big-hitting Yusuf Pathan hit a typically aggressive 22 off 15 balls in a late assault to prop up Kolkata's total.Brief scores Kolkata Knight Riders 163-4 in 20 overs (J. Kallis 53, M. Tiwary 30 not out, G. Gambhir 29; A. Mishra 2-19) beat Deccan Chargers 154-8 in 20 overs (B. Chipli 48; Iqbal Abdulla 3-24, R. Bhatia 2-29, J. Unadkat 2-36)

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More shame for the nameless

Tombs to unnamed soldiers are symbolic memorials to unidentifiable warriors who have died on the battlefield. Wisden’s withdrawn accolade to the unnamed Pakistan cricketer has heavy symbolism of its own: a memorial to the identified and unidentified cricketers who have brought dishonour to the game of cricket.Selection as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year is the ‘oldest honour in cricket,’ rarely awarded to Pakistanis. Englishmen, Australians, South Africans, West Indians, and Indians have all been more frequently honoured. Fazal Mahmood was the first Pakistani in 1955, and those who have followed include Asif Iqbal, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Hanif and Mushtaq Mohammad, and the two Ws.The editor, in this case Scyld Berry, takes the decision. There is no science to it, only a reasoned judgement, and to leave one of this year’s spots vacant is a measure of the impact the spot-fixing scandal had on last year’s international cricket. It is a moment of extreme frustration and deep shame.

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Allow Pakistan players back into IPL - Afridi

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, has said called on the IPL to include Pakistan players with relations between the two countries steadily improving. Pakistan played India in the World Cup semi-final in Mohali, a game watched by Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Gilani on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, who was also present."It is high time the Pakistani cricketers also get a place in the IPL. For three seasons, including the current one, we haven't been a part of the IPL. We have no problems playing in India as we have just played a World Cup semi-final there," Afridi told PTI.Players from Pakistan featured in the inaugural version of the IPL but, following the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and its diplomatic fallout, they weren't picked by any of the franchises for the subsequent two editions, and will also not be part of the tournament that starts on Friday."I am not saying I want to play the IPL but it could be a great platform for youngsters. They could make a mark for themselves," Afridi said.Afridi added the inclusion of Pakistan players in the IPL was an opportunity for both countries to improve relations. "Our PM responded positively to that invitation. Now IPL can be a platform to further ease the tension," he said. "We should play more against each other. This will not only ease the pressure but will also reduce the unwanted media hype surrounded with Indo-Pak matches."

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Miandad to assist Pakistan batsmen again

Javed Miandad is again expected to work with the Pakistan team on their batting skills, after having earlier helped them prepare for the tour of New Zealand and the World Cup. Shahid Afridi and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt have approached Miandad with a request to help a batting line-up that were largely inconsistent in the World Cup, and he has expressed his willingness to do so"We are trying to persuade Miandad to help the batsmen," Afridi said, according to AFP. "We realise there are batting problems so we have told Miandad that the country needs him, so hopefully he will accept that role."Miandad responded by saying that he was always ready to assist the players whenever the need arose. "I thank PCB chairman and Afridi for calling me and requesting help," Miandad told a private television channel.Miandad, the PCB director-general, has coached Pakistan three times in the past, each association ending in acrimonious circumstances. He was involved in a war of words last year with Ijaz Butt relating to the salary he drew as director-general. Though he worked with the side before the tour of New Zealand he declined to travel with the team, saying that he had full confidence in the abilities of coach Waqar Younis.Pakistan's batsmen mostly struggled in the World Cup, failing to chase stiff targets against New Zealand and India, and wobbling in their chase of 177 against Australia before prevailing by four wickets. No Pakistan batsman was among the top-20 run-getters in the World Cup, and their strong bowling attack was largely responsible for their run to the semi-final.Pakistan are to tour West Indies to play a Twenty20 international, five one-dayers and two Tests later this month.

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Law To Lead Sri Lanka On Tour Of England

Former Australian international Stuart Law is to assume head coach responsibilities for Sri Lanka's upcoming tour of England as the board begins its search for Trevor Bayliss's successor.Bayliss stood down following the World Cup, in which Sri Lanka reached the final before losing out to India, and he is now set to take over at New South Wales.Law has been assistant coach with Sri Lanka, who are 5/1 to win the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, since November 2009 having enjoyed a prolific career with Queensland, Essex and Lancashire.He played 54 One-Day Internationals and one Test match for Australia.The move comes after the board saw captain Kumar Sangakkara, vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene and the selection panel all resign following the World Cup.Sri Lanka's tour of England begins on 26th May when they play the first Test in Cardiff, before which they take on Middlesex and England Lions in tour games.

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West Indies Name New-Look Twenty20 Squad

The West Indies have named a new-look squad for the one-off Twenty20 International with Pakistan on 21st April with a number of uncapped players called up.Christopher Barnwell, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse and Krishmar Santokie are the uncapped members of the 13-man squad while there are recalls for Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels.Samuels, who was considered as a replacement during the World Cup for Dwayne Bravo, has recently returned from a two-year ban from the sport and last played an international in 2008.The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) decided to only pick players who had participated in the recent Caribbean T20 competition, which meant Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were ineligible.Clyde Butts, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chairman Clyde Butts said: "The squad includes players who have performed well in the Caribbean T20. We are looking to expose players as he build towards the next ICC World T20 Tournament next year. Samuels and Simmons have both played at this level before and performed consistently in the Caribbean T20. We believe they will be key members of this team“Hyatt, Santokie and Nurse played in the West Indies ‘A’ Team against Pakistan ‘A’ and they did well. We have decided to give them the opportunity in the senior West Indies team and we believe they will make the transition to the higher level. Barnwell also did well in the Caribbean T20 and he also had exposure for Guyana in the Champions League last year. He is a lively and enthusiastic cricketer and we expect good things from him as well.”“Hyatt is a hard-hitting batsman who has demonstrated his ability to be a match-winner when he played against Pakistan ‘A”. Santokie has been exceptional in the Caribbean T20 using the new ball for Jamaica. Nurse is a clever bowler, a hard worker and has the ability to make vital runs in the lower order as well.”West Indies Twenty20 International squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons

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Afridi upbeat ahead of WI tour

KARACHI: Shahid Afridi is confident that his team will put aside the bitter memories of its World Cup semifinal defeat against old rivals India to give its best on the tour of West Indies which will get underway later this week.“The World Cup is history now and we need to focus on the future,” Afridi told ‘The News’ in an interview on Monday. “We have to rebuild our team and for that it’s important that we do well in the series against West Indies and I’m confident that our team is perfectly capable of doing that,” added the flamboyant allrounder.Pakistan will leave for the Caribbean on April 14 after a brief, two-day camp in Lahore which begins from Tuesday (today). They will begin the series with a Twenty20 International against West Indies in St Lucia on April 21 that will be followed by five One-day Internationals and two Tests.Pakistan have included several rookies in their 16-man touring party and Afridi is sure that the youngsters will shine on the tour.“The youngsters we have on our team are really talented and I have great expectations from them,” he said.But in the absence of Umar Gul, Pakistan’s pace attack seems pretty raw with Wahab Riaz being its most experienced member.“The pace attack isn’t that bad considering that Wahab is in good form while others like Tanveer Ahmed, Junaid Khan and Sadaf Hussain have ample experience at the domestic level. It’s a perfect chance for these boys to prove their worth in international cricket.Afridi has been pushing for the appointment of a batting coach. He even tried roping in Javed Miandad for the job but the former Pakistan captain decided against it.“I personally believe that the only thing our team presently needs is a good batting coach,” said Afridi, who is himself going through a lean patch with the bat.“We need an expert who can help our batsmen in dealing with difficult situations. We don’t need a batting coach to just give us tips or show us how to bat in the nets. The idea is to have somebody who can train the batsmen to deal with pressure situations especially when playing in big games against the top sides,” he said.Meanwhile, Afridi and his teammates were honoured at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad on Monday. The premier awarded Rs1 million to each of the 15 players who represented Pakistan in World Cup 2011. Each member of the coaching staff was give Rs500,000.PM boosts team morale ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday feted the national cricket team which reached the semifinals of the World Cup, honouring them with cash awards and praise.“I praise the team’s manners, and although Pakistan lost the semifinal they won hearts,” Gilani said in his speech.“Because of this match, both the countries have been able to start the process of bringing our relationship onto the right track.“Despite a lot of problems faced by the team I think they performed very well and have made us proud. I hope they will keep doing that in future,” he said.

[Courtesy The News International]

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PM announces Rs 1 m each for Pak cricketers

Updated at: 1820 PST,  Monday, April 11, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced a cash award of rupees one million for each player of the national team for displaying good performance in the World Cup 2011 here on Monday.He announced this at a reception he hosted in the honour of the Pakistan team, the World Cup semi-finalists.Speaking on this occasion, the prime minister said that the team reached the semi-final this time and Insha Allah it will play the final in the next World Cup.He also announced a cash prize of Rs0.5 million each for the officials of the team.It may be recalled that prior to the prime minister’s reception, chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh, Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Syed Qaim Ali Shah, respectively, had also hosted separate receptions in which they announced cash prizes for the players of the team.

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Watson hits record 15 sixes against Bangladesh

Updated at: 1534 PST,  Monday, April 11, 2011

DHAKA: Australia opener Shane Watson hit a world record 15 sixes in his innings of 185 not out in the second one-day international against Bangladesh here on Monday.The previous record of 12 sixes was set by West Indian Xavier Marshall against Canada in 2008. DHAKA: Shane Watson smashed a record 15 sixes in a career-best 185 not out as Australia clinched a three-match series against Bangladesh with a nine-wicket win in the second one-dayer on Monday.The explosive opener gave a superb display of power-hitting as he also cracked 15 fours in his 96-ball knock to help Australia achieve a 230-run target with 24 overs to spare for an unbeatable 2-0 lead.West Indies' Xavier Marshall was the previous record-holder with 12 sixes against Canada in 2008.Watson's knock was also the highest by an Australian in one-day internationals, the previous best being 181 not out by Matthew Hayden.
He completed his sixth one-day hundred off just 69 balls, the third-fastest by an Australia after Hayden (66 balls) and Gilchrist (67 balls).The final one-dayer will be played in Dhaka on Wednesday.Watson looked in excellent touch from the eginning, hammering three fours in the opening over bowled by Shafiul Islam. He raced to his half-century off just 26 balls with the help of four sixes and five boundaries.He then reduced Bangladesh's bowlers and fielders to a state of helplessness with his onslaught, once hitting four sixes in an over from left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.Watson dominated an unfinished 170-run stand for the second wicket with former captain Ricky Ponting, who contributed an unbeaten 37.Bangladesh were earlier struggling at 88-5 before crossing the 200 mark, thanks to wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim's unbeaten 81 off 80 balls which contained one six and nine fours.Rahim's best came in the closing stages of the innings when he smashed two fours and a six off successive deliveries from paceman Brett Lee before hitting two boundaries in seamer Mitchell Johnson's last over.He played a major role in steadying the innings after Johnson (3-54) and leg-spinner Steven Smith (2-34) had put the hosts in trouble, adding 79 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Mahmudullah (38).Shahriar Nafees was the only top-order batsman to offer resistance, scoring 56 off 73 balls with six fours. He fell after completing his 12th half-century in one-dayers, offering a simple return catch to Smith.Johnson did the early damage when he removed openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes before paceman John Hastings accounted for Raqibul Hasan to reduce the hosts to 28-3 in the opening 12 overs.Smith bowled skipper Shakib Al Hasan for nine runs and then dismissed well-set Nafees to send the hosts reeling at 88-5.

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Rahim helps BD reach 229-7 against Aussies

Updated at: 1455 PST,  Monday, April 11, 2011

DHAKA: Mushfiqur Rahim and Shahriar Nafees scored half centuries to help Bangladesh reach 229 for seven in the second one-day international against Australia here at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.
Rahim led the scoring with an unbeaten 81 from 80 balls, containing nine boundaries and a six. He came to the crease when Bangladesh were in serious trouble at 65-4 after winning the toss and batting.Nafees contributed 56 from 68 balls before he was caught-and-bowled by Steve Smith.Mitchell Johnson took 3-54 to lead the Australian attack, with Smith claiming 2-34.Bangladesh's openers were dismissed cheaply. Tamim Iqbal (5) was caught at slip by Shane Watson off Johnson. The same Australian pair combined to remove Imrul Kayes. Johnson also claimed Sohrawardy Shuvo (16), caught by Smith.Rahim and Mahmudullah steadied the Bangladesh innings by adding 79 runs for the sixth wicket before Mahmuduallah was trapped lbw by Watson for 38.Bangladesh made one change to the line up which lost the series-opening match by 60 runs, bringing in Rubel Hossain for fast bowler Mashrafe bin Mortaza.Australia replaced Cameron White with Callum Ferguson for the second game of the three-match series.The series is the first for both countries since their disappointing World Cup campaigns.Bangladesh lost to the West Indies and South Africa and failed to advance out of the group stage.Australia, the three-time defending champions, crashed out in the quarterfinals for their worst tournament result in 19 years.Ricky Ponting resigned as test and ODI skipper following the World Cup, but agreed to continue to playing under new captain Michael Clarke

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