Sri Lanka win toss and bat in ODI

MELBOURNE: Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat in their decisive tri-series one-day international against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Australia are already through to the best-of-three final and Sri Lanka need one point from Friday's game to join them and end India's Australia tour.

Shane Watson was to lead Australia again after regular skipper Michael Clarke decided to rest a back injury.

Paceman James Pattinson returned to the Australia team at the expense of Brett Lee after recovering from a stress injury in his left foot which had sidelined him since early January.

Sri Lanka were without paceman Farveez Maharoof, who injured his back in the seven-wicket loss to India in Hobart last Tuesday.

Maharoof was replaced by offspinner Sachitra Senanayake.

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Amir’s appeal will be considered: Zaka

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf said on Thursday that bowler Mohammad Amir is Pakistan’s asset and his appeal against the ICC ban would be considered, Geo News reported Thursday.

While talking to media in Lahore, the PCB chief said that the decision regarding the team's coach would be finalized soon.

Zaka Ashraf earlier said that the PCB had appointed Iqbal Qasim as Chief Selector for one year.

Chief selector Mohammad Ilyas presented his resignation in a meeting with the PCB chief, which was accepted.

The other members of committee are Azhar Khan (Punjab), Farrukh Zaman (Khyber Pakhtwnkha), Saleem Jaffar (Sindh) and Asif Baloch (Balochistan).

Mohammad Ilyas was reported to quit the post over poor performance of the team against England and interference in selection matters.

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Amir will not appeal against ban: ICC

DUBAI: Pakistan's teenage paceman Mohammad Amir has decided not to appeal against a five-year ban imposed on him for spot-fixing during the 2010 Lord's Test against England, an official said on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Amir was released from a British prison last month after serving half of a six-month sentence for his part in the scandal during the Test between England and Pakistan in 2010.

His teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif are serving 30- and 12-month sentences respectively, handed down by a British court in November.

All three players were found guilty of corruption and receiving illegal money.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) also banned the trio for violating the players' code of conduct, with Amir receiving the minimum five-year punishment.

"Through his lawyer, Amir has informed us that he has no intention of filing an appeal against the ban," an ICC spokesman told AFP from Dubai.
Under the rules, Amir could have appealed against the ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland, but legal experts believe he lost that possibility after pleading guilty in Britain.
Amir, who returned to Pakistan on Sunday, has vowed to revive his career. After his debut in 2009 and until the scandal broke, he was considered the brightest new talent in international cricket.

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PCB selects Iqbal Qasim as new chief selector

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Iqbal Qasim, as Chief Selector for one year, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf said.

Chief selector Mohammad Ilyas presented his resignation in a meeting with the PCB Chief, which was accepted.

The other members of committee are Azhar Khan (Punjab), Farrukh Zaman (Khyber Pakhtwnkha), Saleem Jaffar (Sindh) and Asif Baloch (Balochistan).

Mohammad Ilyas was earlier reported to quit the post over poor performance of the team against England and interference in selection matters.

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Cricket: Chief selector Ilyas decides to quit

KARACHI: Chief selector Mohammad Ilyas has decided to quit the post over poor performance of the team against England and interference in selection matters,
The chief selector will present his resignation before the governing board today. Earlier, he was summoned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to attend today's meeting.

His son-in-law Imran Farhat was not made part of the team played in last ODI and T20 series. The PCB may also announce new selection committee.

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Cricket: Mohsin stumped at Pakistan slump

KARACHI: Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan appeared stumped Wednesday by his team's lack of form in limited over matches after routing England 3-0 in Tests, saying he had "tried everything".

Pakistan whitewashed England in the three Tests but slumped to a 4-0 defeat in the one-day series and lost 2-1 in the Twenty20s.

The 56-year-old Khan, who is likely to be replaced by former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore next month, said he did not understand what happened.

"Pakistan team's performance in the Tests was outstanding," Khan told AFP. "But the team was disappointing in the limited overs series and I am at a loss to understand how a team playing high-level cricket went down like that."

Khan refused to blame captain Misbah ul-Haq and also refused to comment when asked whether some players may have under performed to oust him as coach.

"I am happy with my efforts and my tenure. The win against England was special," said Khan, who played 48 Tests and 75 one-days as opener.

"We did not bat well in one-days and I am disappointed that the team failed in limited overs but this is the same team that was being lauded only a few days back and now everyone is so critical."

The coach said England deserved full credit for their comeback after being annihilated in the Tests.

"The way they came back after a demoralising defeat as world number one team was exemplary, we tried everything but they were too good and deserve credit."

Khan, who also guided Pakistan to wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, was appointed interim coach after Waqar Younis quit last September.

Khan said he is ready to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity.

"It's up to the Pakistan Cricket Board to talk to me and I am ready to serve my country, but my top priority is that it should be in a respected manner and with dignity, without which I will not hold any post," said Khan.

Pakistan's next assignment is the four-nation Asia Cup in Bangladesh from March 12-22.

Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to a 1996 World Cup win, is expected in Pakistan later this week to sign a contract likely to start with the Asia Cup.

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O'Brien hopes to make it count at ICC World T20 Qualifier

It is exactly a year today (2 March) since Ireland's Kevin O'Brien slammed a breathtaking 113 off 63 balls to turn the tables on England in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

On that day in Bengaluru, Kevin O'Brien revived Ireland's chase of England's total of 327-8 with his knock which featured 13 boundaries and six sixes. O'Brien's knock helped Ireland beat England for the first time.

A year on, O'Brien is still reliving those heady moments.

"That match brings back great memories. It is simply brilliant. When I look back at that game it was a great day for Irish cricket and for me personally," recalled O'Brien.

The knock helped O'Brien in a big way as he became a household name shortly thereafter and reaped rich rewards for it.

"I got a contract with Gloucestershire thereafter. I was also nominated for a few awards back home and my profile was raised in India. So it was great for me in every sense," revealed O'Brien.

But a year on, O'Brien is hoping that Ireland continues to build on the gains made on that eventful night in Bengaluru.

Currently, O'Brien is training with the rest of the Ireland squad to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13-24 March.

O'Brien and his teammates are training in Port Elizabeth, South Africa to prepare for the tournament.

Ireland is placed in Group B of the 16-team tournament alongside Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy and USA. Only two teams can qualify for the main event scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 18 September-7 October.

"It is a big tournament and a very difficult competition since only two teams can qualify. The boys are full of confidence. We are at our best when we are enjoying ourselves. We are confident of our abilities and back ourselves to win the tournament," said O'Brien.

The Ireland squad is expected to be in Port Elizabeth till 8 March.

"We have been training hard for the last few days during both morning and afternoon. We have at least four-five days of training to do before we head to UAE. It has been a good exercise. Now we need to start the tournament well," reckoned O'Brien.

Ireland had qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2010 in West Indies through the last qualifier held in UAE.

O'Brien believes Ireland has come a long way since the ICC World Twenty20 2010 mainly because of the fact that the squad has gained a lot more exposure and experience.

"Most of our boys have gained experience playing twenty20 cricket in England. We are generally more experienced than the last time. We know our game well now," opined O'Brien.

Ireland's biggest strength, according to O'Brien, is the presence of a number of seam bowling all-rounders.

"Twenty20 cricket is about all-rounders. We have four-five all-rounders who bowl seam-up and also there are some good spinners who can bat well. So we have a good balance in the set-up since twenty20 cricket is a game that can change in one ball," said O'Brien.

Apart from the camp, O'Brien and his teammates kept a close eye on the recent T20 series between Pakistan and England held in the UAE.

"We had one eye on the series (Pakistan v England). The scores have not been high with 140 proving to be a winning total. Even during the last ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in 2010, 140 was a winning score in Dubai, maybe Abu Dhabi affords a bit more. So we will have to get as many runs as we can to qualify," concluded O'Brien

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ICC announces details of Pepsi ICC WCL Championship, I Cup fourth round schedule

With four places up for grabs in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the top eight Associate and Affiliate sides go head to head in the latest round of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Championship in June and July.

In June, Namibia will travel to Nairobi to challenge Kenya, while in July, Scotland will host Canada in Aberdeen, the Netherlands and the UAE will square-off against each other in Rotterdam and co-favourites Ireland and Afghanistan will face-off in Dublin.

Ireland and Scotland currently share the lead on the WCL Championship table with eight points each, but the Scots have played one less round. The UAE is occupying third position on six points from two rounds, the Netherlands, Kenya and Afghanistan are sitting on four points each while Namibia and Canada are yet to open their account.

The WCL - including the Championship and the ongoing global divisions - is an important event structure on the calendar of the ICC Development Programme as it provides a dual pathway for all Associate and Affiliate Members to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2015 to be staged in Australia and New Zealand.

The top two teams from the WCL Championship will automatically join ICC's 10 Full Members in the ICC CWC 2015. The bottom six teams then join teams from WCL Divisions 2 and 3 in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ) in early 2014, where the final two qualifiers will be determined.

Except for Afghanistan, which will open its tour of Ireland with the WCL Championship matches, the matches between Kenya and Namibia*, Scotland and Canada and the UAE* and the Netherlands will be played at the back of ICC's four-day first-class ICC Intercontinental Cup 2011-2013 matches.

Former champion Ireland leads the ICC Intercontinental Cup points table with 54 points from three matches, followed up Scotland (36 points from three matches) while the UAE and defending champion Afghanistan share the third spot on 23 points each.

The fixtures are as follows:

Kenya v Namibia

6-9 June - ICC Intercontinental Cup, Gymkhana, Nairobi

11 June - WCL Championship, 50-Over, Gymkhana, Nairobi

13 June - WCL Championship, 50-Over, Gymkhana, Nairobi

15 June - Twenty20, Gymkhana, Nairobi

16 June –Twenty20, Gymkhana, Nairobi

Scotland v Canada

4-7 July - ICC Intercontinental Cup, Mannofield CC, Aberdeen

9 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Mannofield CC, Aberdeen

11 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Mannofield CC, Aberdeen

Netherlands v UAE

16-19 July - ICC Intercontinental Cup, Salland CC, Deventer

21 July - WCL Championship, 50-Over, VOC, Rotterdam

23 July - WCL Championship, 50-Over, VOC, Rotterdam

24 July - Twenty20, VOC, Rotterdam (T20 on 24 July will only be played if Reserve Day for 23 July 50-Over WCL Championship match not required)

25 July - Twenty20, VOC, Rotterdam

Ireland v Afghanistan

3 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Clontarf CC, Dublin

5 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Clontarf CC, Dublin

9-12 July - ICC Intercontinental Cup,The Hills CC (TBC), Dublin

*Matches between Kenya-Namibia and UAE-Netherlands will not be classified as ODIs as Namibia and the UAE don't have ODI status

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England dominates Reliance ICC T20I Rankings

Current ICC World Twenty20 champion England has continued its domination of the Reliance ICC Twenty20 International (T20I) Rankings after winning its series against Pakistan by 2-1 in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

While England successfully retained its number-one position, which it could have lost had Pakistan won all the three games, Kevin Pietersen has replaced team-mate Eoin Morgan as the number-one batsman and Graeme Swann has taken over the coveted number-one bowling spot from Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka.

England, after dropping one ratings point, leads its closest rival South Africa by 10 ratings points. ICC World Twenty 2009 winner Pakistan, which could have jumped to second position had it won all the matches of the series, now stays in seventh position, 22 ratings points behind England.

Pietersen, who was the player of the tournament in the West Indies two years ago, has moved up one place to the number-one spot after scores of 33, 17 and 62 not out. For contributing 112 runs in the series, Pietersen has earned 31 ratings points.

Martin Guptill of New Zealand is the other batsman to jump in the latest rankings. The opener has vaulted 14 places to second position after scoring 151 runs in the recently concluded series against South Africa.

Richard Levi of South Africa, who clubbed the fastest T20I century by belting five fours and 13 sixes (the most sixes in a T20I to date) in a 51-ball 117, has entered in 22nd position.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for T20I bowlers, Swann finished as the most successful bowler with six wickets at an economy rate of 4.16 runs per over. For this good performance, the 32-year-old bowler was been awarded 49 ratings points which has helped him leapfrog Mendis, Saeed Ajmal, Johan Botha and Shahid Afridi into the top spot.

Other bowlers to storm up the chart include Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan, who has vaulted five places to seventh spot, England?s T20I captain Stuart Broad, who is in 12th spot after rising five places, Pakistan?s Umar Gul has claimed three places and is now in 15th position and Jade Dernbach of England who has moved up 15 places to 30th spot after picking up four wickets in the series.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for T20I all-rounders, Australia team-mates Shane Watson and David Hussey share the number-one spot while JP Duminy of South Africa has broken into the top 10 for the first time after rising nine places following a decent performance against New Zealand.

The T20I Championship table is updated after every match.

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Asia Cricket Cup 2012 is starting from March 11

 all the matches would be played in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A very rigorous schedule indeed. As the name suggests only teams from Asia take part in this cup viz. India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. India will play its first match on March 13 against Sri Lanka and the match of all matches India vs. Pakistan would be on March 18 and we would be streaming it live with live score card update. There will be total seven matches and final ODI will be played between top two teams which is on March 22.
Well, for both India and Sri Lanka there is tight schedule ahead as both these Asian teams would be flying to Bangladesh, where along with Pakistan, these four teams from Sub Continent would be playing to lift Asia Cup 2012, and the live streaming of this Asia Cup would be available at International Reporter as well. I am sure that you guys will enjoy the live coverage of the same as well.  It is also India will try to turn it around in the forthcoming Asia Cup. Really there is no rest for our players, ah, some might be rested for long including Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar.
Asia Cup 2012 fixture:
March 11:  Bangladesh Vs Pakistan
March 13: India Vs Sri Lanka
March 15: Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka
March 16: Bangladesh Vs India
March 18: India Vs Pakistan
March 20: Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka
March 22: Final

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Cricket: Pakistan looking for venue for Australia ODIs

LAHORE: Pakistan are looking for a suitable venue to stage their one-day series against Australia later this year, an official said Saturday.

Pakistan have been forced to play their home series at the neutral venues of United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and England since international cricket was halted in their country after attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

The terrorists attacks in Lahore, which left seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach injured and killed eight people, suspended all international cricket in Pakistan.

Even before the attacks Pakistan had been a 'no go' zone for international teams since the 9-11 attacks on the United States which sparked security fears in and around Pakistan.

Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forcing them to play in Sri Lanka and Sharjah (2002) and in England in 2010.

They have five one-day matches scheduled for August this year and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad said three venues were under consideration.

"We are looking out for a suitable venue for the five one-days against Australia as it would be very hot to play in the UAE in mid-August," Ahmad told AFP.

The three available options are South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and we are looking at these venues, Ahmed said.

The PCB is also seeking the return of international cricket to their country and have invited Bangladesh to play a one-day series in April.

A Bangladesh delegation is expected to tour Pakistan to assess security before deciding on the series.

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BPL: Imran, Azhar guide Dhaka to 5-wkt win over Barisal

DHAKA: A third wicket 92-run partnership between Imran Nazir and Azhar Mahmood helped Dhaka Gladiators defeat Barisal Burners by five wickets in a Twenty20 match here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest total of 157, Dhaka completed the victory with ten balls to spare.

Imran Nazir made 65 off 40 balls with six fours and three sixes while Azhar Mahmood hit 42 from 30 balls with seven boundaries.

Kieron Pollard also blasted an unbeaten 35 off 17 balls with four towering sixes and a four.

For Barisal, Kabir Ali and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, sent into bat by Dhaka Gladiators, Barisal Burners scored 156 for six in the allotted 20 overs.

Ahmed Shahzad top scored with 51 with seven fours, followed by 33 by Peter Mustard, who hit two sixes and as many fours.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan took two wickets for 22 for Dhaka.

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Pakistan to take on England in 2nd T20 today

DUBAI: After an eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England on Thursday, Pakistan will take on England in the second match today, Geo News reported.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said he hoped Pakistan will carry the momentum in the next two Twenty20 matches, which would take place in Dubai today and Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The win in the Twenty20 series can lift Pakistan to fourth position that currently rests at fifth.

On the other hand, England captain Stuart Broad also hoped to fight back strongly in upcoming matches.

Pakistan routed England in the three-Tests 3-0 but suffered a 4-0 reverse in the following one-day series, prompting former cricketing greats and media commentators to call for changes in the team and captaincy.

The Pakistan captain said the country had under-performed in the past because of such a response to defeats, insisting that his side had not become bad players overnight just because of the loss of the one-day series.

Misbah has not lost a Test series since taking over the Pakistan captaincy in October 2010 and the defeat against England was his first since taking charge as one-day captain in June last year.

Pakistan had won the preceding two one-day series before he took over.

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South Africa cruise to victory on de Villiers ton

WELLINGTON: South African captain AB de Villiers compiled a superb century to lead his side to an easy six wicket win over New Zealand in the opening one-day international at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

De Villiers, in deft touch, was not out for 106 with Faf du Plessis on 66 as South Africa overhauled New Zealand's 253 for nine with 28 balls to spare.

On a ground with a history of favouring the side batting second, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss, elected to bat first and never seriously threatened from there as his batsmen failed to gain momentum.

Although the target was not immense, South Africa wavered at the start of their innings with Hashim Amla (8), Graeme Smith (9) and Jacques Kallis (13) falling in quick succession to be 35 for three by the 10th over.

But from there de Villiers steadied the run chase and they slowly and surely reeled in the New Zealand total although the South African captain played down the comprehensive nature of the win.

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New Zealand 253 for nine against South Africa

WELLINGTON: New Zealand scored 253 for nine off their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first in the opening one-day international against South Africa at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Brendon McCullum top scored with 56 and Kane Williamson made 55 while Lonwabo Tsotsobe took two for 41 for South Africa.

Earlier New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat in the opening one-day international against South Africa.

The Wellington wicket traditionally favours the team batting second but New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said the pitch looked different and "we want to put a good total on the board".

The three-match ODI series follows the three Twenty20 matches won by South Africa 2-1.

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Cricket: Sylhet’s first BPL win, stuns Rajshahi

DHAKA: Sylhet Royals at last won its first match in the Bangledesh Premier League when it surprisingly defeated Duronto Rajshahi by a big margin of nine wickets here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 125 to win, wicketkeeper batsman from Pakistan kamran Akmal guided Sylhet to complete his team’s first victory in the tournament in only 16.3 overs.

He remained unbeaten on 72, providing an opening stand of 52 with Peter Trego (24) and an unbeaten second wicket partnership of 72 with Tom Maynard (22 not out).

Earlier, Rajshahi sent into bat by Sylhet, was restricted to 124 for nine in the 20 overs.

Pakistan opener Shahzaib Hasan was the top-scorer with 54 while only two other batsmen Abdul Razzaq (21) and Khalid Latif (14), both also from Pakistan managed to enter into double figures.

Paceman Sohail Tanvir, also from Pakistan, captured four wickets for 13 while Abul Hasan took three wickets.

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Cricket: Ireland clinch T20 series against Kenya

MOMBASA, Kenya: Ireland beat Kenya by two runs to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in their Twenty20 cricket series at the Mombasa Sports Club on Friday.

Batting first, Ireland made 107-9 and despite an impressive 4-14 from man-of-the-match Shem Ngoche, the Kenyans came too short of overhauling the target in the low-scoring match.

Skipper Collins Obuya top-scored with 42 and Indian Premier League-bound Tanmay Mishra contributed 37 as the hosts put up a more competitive contest than in the previous two matches of the series.

Fast bowler Boyd Rankin and spinner George Dockrell put the early brakes, taking both the Kenya openers, David Obuya and Alan Duncan cheaply in a fast opening spell.

All-rounder Andrew White weighed in with another two wickets and John Mooney grabbed the last wicket to ensure the narrow victory.

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BPL: Bravo shines in Chittagong’s 13-run win

DHAKA: A brilliant allround performance by Dwayne Bravo gave Chittagong Kings a thrilling 13-run victory against Dhaka Gladiators in a low-scoring Twenty20 match here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Sent in to bat by Dhaka, Chittagong were restricted to 120-6 in the allotted 20 overs.
Bravo top scored with an unbeaten 48 with two sixes and as many fours, followed by Jahurul Islaam’s 40.

For Dhaka, Elias Sunny captured three wickets for 23.

Chasing 121, Dhaka Gladiators could manage 107 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Their prominent scorers were Amanul Haque (22) and Mohammad Ashraful (20) while only three other batsmen could move into double figures.

Chittagong’s top scorer Bravo came as bowler again to take two for 21 while Kevon Cooper bagged three for 13 and Enamul Haque Junior took two for 15.

Geo Super showed this match live from Mirpur, Dhaka.

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Sri Lanka beat Australia by 3 wickets in ODI

HOBART: Sri Lanka beat Australia by three wickets with four balls to spare to go top of the tri one-day series at Bellerive Oval on Friday.

Nuwan Kulasekara hit the winning runs as Sri Lanka reached 283 for seven off 49.2 overs in reply to Australia's 280 for six off 50 overs.

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Spot-fixing: Mohammad Amir arriving on Sunday

LONDON: Mohammad Amir, one of three Pakistani cricketers jailed over spot-fixing charges, is arriving Sunday after spending three months of prison term in Britain, 

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