New Pakistan coach Whatmore geared up for first challenge

KARACHI: New Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has is looking forward to the challenge of taking charge of a third Asian team and is confident the side can improve their standing in world cricket.

The Australian agreed on a two-year deal last week and departed for Dhaka on Thursday to lead Pakistan on his first assignment with the team, the four-nation Asia Cup which starts on Sunday and includes India, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

"I see this tournament as the first of many challenges ahead of us. The other teams are good one-day sides and strong competitors," he told reporters at the airport.

Prior to his Pakistan posting, Whatmore led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 50-overs World Cup and had a stint at the helm of Bangladesh.

Whatmore, who was capped seven times by Australia as a player, said he did not need reminding that Pakistan would face arch rivals India at the Asia Cup but was also aware of the other fixtures at the event and not just the March 18 showdown.

"It is good for the sport when there is so much interest revolving around a match but as a team, we have to focus on all the matches not just one game," he said.

Along with Whatmore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brought in Englishman Julian Fountain as fielding coach to help improve Pakistan's performances following one-day international and Twenty20 series defeats to England last month.

Whatmore said Pakistan had an abundance of talent, as displayed in the 3-0 test series win over England prior to the one-dayers, and he was looking forward to studying the players up close.

"It is an exciting prospect for me as a coach looking at the future but right now the immediate task is to ensure Pakistan do well in this event," he added. AGENCIES

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Pak cricket team leaves for Asia Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team has left for Bangladesh to participate in Asia Cup, reported on Wednesday.

Pakistan will play its first match of the tournament against Bangladesh on March 11 (Sunday).

The national team will be playing for the first time under coaching of Whatmore and the fielding coach Julian.

The four-nation event includes defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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Mangal - "Kabir's return is a huge motivation for glory"

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal is hoping that the return of coach Kabir Khan will act as a motivation for his side at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier from 13- 24 March.

The 16-team ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 (WT20Q) will be staged across five venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. At stake in the UAE will be the two available places in the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 which will be played in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele from 18 September to 7 October.

A former Pakistan fast bowler, Kabir, was the man responsible for fashioning Afghanistan's qualification to the ICC World Twenty20 2010 in West Indies. That incidentally was Afghanistan's first appearance at a major ICC global event.

Kabir was replaced by another Pakistan player, former captain Rashid Latif, but late in 2011 Latif moved on from his job.

"We have prepared well and have played a few practice games. We have prepared with specific plans where Kabir has made a big impact. We have analysed other teams, we have talked about combinations and the specific roles for batsmen. Kabir's made a huge impact, yet again and it is good to have him for a new three-year term," said Mangal.

In his continuing assessment of Kabir, Mangal added that his advice was simple and yet covered all aspects of the Twenty20 format.

"He said that this format is about 120 balls which is a lot to score runs. He has spoken in detail about how and when to use spinners. So it has been fascinating having him back. He helped us get ODI status and helpedd us qualify for the last ICC World Twenty20," added Mangal.

The Afghanistan captain heaves a huge sigh of relief as he looked back on the brief period between Latif moving on and Kabir's appointment.

"We used to have a new coach on every tour. The combination and understanding was never really there. The benefit with Kabir is that he knows us, knows our psyche because he has been a player himself. This will help us forge a winning combination yet again," revealed Mangal.

Now, with the tournament just a few days away, Mangal is keen for his side to remember all the good tidings from the last qualifier in 2010, also held in UAE.

"We will try to use all the confidence from the fact that we have been champions from here back in 2010 in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. We will fight every inch because it is our mission and target for Afghanistan to qualify. We have to live up to our high standards," opined Mangal.

Two years is a long time in sport and Mangal confirms the same when he talks about the changes in the squad since the ICC World T20 Qualifier in 2010.

"Then we were not that experienced. We have had a few new faces added to the squad. So overall the squad is positive, but there won't be any pressure on us. I have also gained a lot experience as a player and captain," added Mangal.

The make-up of his squad is another cause for Mangal's optimism. He says that his side has a good complement of fast bowlers in Hamid Hassan along with the likes of Dowlat Zadran, Zamir Khan who have made it through good performances in domestic cricket.

Afghanistan played its first One-Day International against a Test playing nation, Pakistan, last month. According to Mangal that was the best experience his side could have before the global qualifier for the ICC World Twenty20 2012.

"We learnt that at the highest level you cannot be hitting every ball out of the ground. You need to look for single and play each ball on its merit. On pitches in UAE we need to play sensibly. It was a good experience for us because it has given something for the boys to plan," said Mangal.

Much like the other sides, Mangal too kept an eye on the recent Pakistan v England T20I series. Mangal believes the series gave an indication of how sides should approach the qualifier.

"It was a good to watch them play. These are not pitches for 180-200. On the pitches in UAE, even 130-135 is fine. So we have to sensible when thinking of a target to set," said Mangal.

Afghanistan's travelling supporters in the UAE is another reason why Mangal and his squad can hope to have a good time during the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Qualifier. Afghanistan made headlines worldwide by qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 2010. Now if it repeats that feat in 2012, it will be another talking point worldwide.

"If we qualify it will have a big impact on our cricket. It is our mission. If we play well, then it is all up to our fate. We hope we can do it again," concluded Mangal.

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Sri Lanka restrict Australia to 231 in ODI final

ADELAIDE: Sri Lanka dismissed Australia for 231 with three balls left to be in a strong position to win the tri one-day international series at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and sent the Australians into bat and his bowlers rewarded him by restricting Australia's run chase and leaving the World Cup finalists around 4.6 runs an over to win the third final and the series.

Opening batsman Matthew Wade topscored with 49 off 74 balls and batting partner David Warner hit 48 off 45 balls for the home side, who were without their injured skipper Michael Clarke (hamstring) and paceman James Pattinson (strained buttock).

Farveez Maharoof claimed three for 40 off 10 overs, while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath picked up three for 36 from his 10 overs as well as taking a brilliant low catch to dismiss Australia's stand-in skipper Shane Watson for 19.

The Australians got away to a breezy start with Wade and Warner scoring 75 off the opening 14 overs, but their progress stalled as Sri Lanka's bowlers and fielders, coupled with Jayawardene's imaginative captaincy, reeled in Australia's run-rate.

The home side were 115 for one in the 21st over but fell away losing five wickets in the next 12 overs.

Veteran paceman Brett Lee hit 32 off 54 balls and Clint McKay 28 off 32, but Australia's total looked under par on the same pitch that yielded 545 runs in Tuesday's ODI, which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with 34 balls to spare

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Rahul Dravid to announce retirement: reports

NEW DELHI: Indian batting superstar Rahul Dravid, the second-highest runscorer in Tests of all time, is set to announce his retirement from international cricket on Friday, reports say.

The Press Trust of India and the Cricinfo website both said the 39-year-old was set to end his career in the national team after his wretched tour of Australia, where India were whitewashed 4-0 in the Test series.

Dravid, popularly known as "The Wall," scored only 194 runs in eight innings and was bowled out in six of them as Australian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus repeatedly breached his defence with ease.

India's once-formidable but now ageing batting stars Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar are all under pressure after the team's performance in India.

Dravid is to address a press conference in Bangalore on Friday alongside the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, N. Srinivasan, the Press Trust of India reported, citing a statement.

The one-time India captain retired from short formats of the international game last year, but had vowed to continue in Tests.

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New Zealand 243-9 v South Africa 238 at close

DUNEDIN: New Zealand were 243 for nine at the close of play on the second day of the first test against South Africa at University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

New Zealand were 40 for one at lunch on the second day of the first after bowling out South Africa for a first innings total of 238.

Opener Martin Guptill was not out 16 and Brendon McCullum was unbeaten on 18, with Vernon Philander claiming South Africa's only wicket, Test debutant Rob Nicol, for six.

South Africa resumed at 191 for seven, adding 47 to their overnight total as New Zealand wrapped up the lower order in the first 45 minutes of play

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Bangladesh series: 'non-neutral officials in case of unsafe circumstances'

DUBAI: The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has taken some important decisions in it's meeting held here regarding various aspects of the game.

The ICC has given the green light to Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan. The Chief Executive Committee (CEC) of the ICC determined that decisions regarding a particular tours taking place was for the participating countries to decide.

The CEC also noted that in the event of the participating countries deciding that the tour should proceed and the ICC determining that it was unsafe to appoint match officials to the tour, a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.


Following are the decisions as released by the ICC in a statement:

Independent Governance Review
The CEC received a presentation on the independent Woolf report on ICC Governance. The presentation was to allow the CEC, an important grouping, to better understand or to seek clarification or explanations of any proposals contained in the report. The CEC noted that Member Boards and the ICC Board of Directors in particular will need to consider the recommendations in detail, a number of which were already work in progress.

Proposed Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
The CEC recognised that the ICC Board had determined that a decision as to whether a particular tour should take place or not is one for the participating countries and the ICC's role was limited to considering the safety and security of the match officials after a tour had been confirmed and a security plan produced.

The CEC also noted that in the event of the participating countries deciding that the tour should proceed and the ICC determining that it was unsafe to appoint match officials to the tour, a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.

While acknowledging that the granting of such dispensation must involve a wide range of important considerations, the CEC agreed to recommend to the ICC Board that, from a cricket perspective only, the granting of the special dispensation would be justified.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: "Bearing in mind that safety and security is the sole responsibility of individual Member Board's for bilateral matches, the CEC regarded this as an exceptional circumstance in which the appointment to matches of non-neutral match officials could be justified but stated clearly that it should not to be regarded as a preferred option or precedent if the dispensation were to be granted."

T20 strategy
The CEC held a strategic discussion on Twenty20 cricket and agreed to recommend the following to the ICC Board:

- three additional Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) should be allowed in the year in which the ICC World Twenty20 is being played (the current regulations permit a maximum of 12 T20Is for each Full Member in any one year). This would allow teams the opportunity to prepare for the event;

- the next ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2014 in Bangladesh should be increased to 16 men's teams;

- the Associate and Affiliate Members should consider submitting a detailed proposition to host a future ICC World Twenty20 event in a developing country or region; and

- the ICC World Twenty20 should continue to be a joint event for men's and women.

Haroon Lorgat said: "It was an important discussion and the CEC agreed that further conversations to strategically manage T20 cricket and also to promote all three formats would be beneficial."

ICC Cricket Committee
The CEC has reappointed Ravi Shastri for a second three-year term as the media representative and has appointed David White, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, to replace Justin Vaughan as the CEC representative on the ICC Cricket committee.

The CEC also supported the women's committee chairperson, Clare Connor, to continue as a representative of the women's game on the Committee and also noted the nomination of John Stephenson to replace Keith Bradshaw as the MCC representative.

The ICC Board will consider nominations for the role of chairman of the committee as Clive Lloyd's term has expired.

International venues
The CEC approved a framework for revised regulations dealing with the required standards of venues staging international matches.The revised regulations will include a consolidated list of the current minimum requirements complimented by best practice guidelines.

Haroon Lorgat said: "Ensuring the best world-class venues is essential to produce quality cricket and also attract spectators to the game."

Other cricket matters
The CEC confirmed that the existing ICC Test and ODI ranking systems are fit for purpose and recommended to the ICC Board that they be retained to determine qualification to ICC events and for promotion and relegation purposes in due course.

The CEC also recommended the new Future Tours Programme (FTP) agreement and a revised Anti-Racism Policy to the ICC Board for approval.

The CEC were pleased to note a marked improvement in the quality of pitches that has led to a much better battle between bat and ball in Test match cricket. Only 10 per cent of Test matches in 2011 ended in a draw as compared to 38 per cent in 2010.

In order to share experiences and to seek continuous improvement, the ICC will host a workshop for curators in Dubai on 11 and 12 April 2012, covering a wide range of issues in pitch preparation.

Mr Lorgat said: "Curators and groundsmen around the world deserve credit for preparing pitches which have produced exciting Test match cricket."

The CEC also acknowledged the improvement in over-rates and gave credit to the umpires for their positive interpretation of bad light and weather regulations, which has led to more cricket being enjoyed by spectators."

Mr Lorgat said: "Overall the ICC match officials have been excellent and the notable improvement in standards of officiating needs to be acknowledged."

The CEC also received an update on the research project which the ICC has been supporting (together with the MCC) to develop technology which can be used to monitor bowling actions in match conditions. The technology which uses inertial sensors has been successfully evaluated and now is entering the next phase of development.

Cricket development
The CEC received update presentations on the progress with global development of the game which included the strategies to grow and integrate the women's game internationally. The CEC agreed to explore a Future Associates Tour Schedule to investigate whether a programme of matches can be designed for Associates/Affiliates and the Full Member National or 'A' teams.

"The development programme has a comprehensive strategy which includes improving performances and plans to increase participation by one million new players from the Associate and Affiliate Member countries by 2015," said Mr Lorgat.

The CEC also received an update regarding cricket for people with disabilities and agreed to work towards establishing a framework and criteria to recognize different types of disability cricket.

Multi-sport games
After discussing cricket's participation in multi-sport games, the CEC decided to further explore an invitation for cricket to take part in the Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast in Australia in April 2018.

The CEC also supported the key initiative in the ICC strategy to independently evaluate the pros and cons of participating in the Olympic Games.

"A preliminary high level evaluation is expected to be presented at the next CEC meeting," concluded Mr Lorgat.

The CEC comprises the Chief Executives or nominated representatives of the 10 Full Member nations as well as three Associate Member representatives. The ICC Chief Executive chairs the meeting and, by invitation, the ICC President or the ICC Vice President may attend.

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Cricket: Bangladesh chief selector quits over Tamim row

DHAKA: Bangladesh's chief selector Akram Khan resigned from his post on Wednesday, citing interference from the country's cricket board president in team selection for the upcoming Asia Cup.

Khan quit a day after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Mustafa Kamal rejected the inclusion of star opener Tamim Iqbal in the 14-man squad for the one-day tournament starting in Dhaka on Sunday.

"Tamim was in our team because he is one of the best batsmen we have in Bangladesh," Khan, a former national captain, told AFP. "But the president dropped him from the final list.

"His regular interference in team selection has made top players worried about their place in the national squad. I have resigned because I was not enjoying my job."

Tamim, a nephew of Khan, is widely regarded as Bangladesh's best batsman.
He won the Wisden Cricketer magazine's Test Player of the Year award in 2010.

Tamim, who turns 23 later this month, has scored 3,115 runs in 109 one-day matches since his debut in 2007. He also has 1,748 Test runs from 24 matches.

But he was stripped of the vice-captaincy after Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe last year, reportedly due to indiscipline and arguments with the team management.

BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus confirmed Khan's resignation. The board president, a ruling party lawmaker, could not be reached for comment as he is away in England.

Khan has been the chief selector of the national team for the last eight months.

The Asia Cup, seen as a symbol of cricket supremacy in the continent, features defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

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Asia Cup: Pak squad leaves today

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team will leave for Bangladesh today to participate in Asia Cup beginning from March 11 (Sunday), Geo News reported.

Misbah-ul Haq will lead the squad despite calls for his axing after he failed to win the last Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi when he was bowled off the final delivery, leaving England victorious by five runs.

The four-nation event includes defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will be held March 11-22.

New selection committee left out struggling all-rounder Shoaib Malik and opener Imran Farhat from the 15-man squad announced for Asia Cup.

Squad: Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Hammad Azam, Asad Shafiq, Shahid Afrid, Azhar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz.

Team management: Naveed Akram Cheema (Team Manager), Dave Whatmore (Head Coach), Julian Fountain (Fielding Coach), Faisal Hayat Khan (Physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (Trainer), Waseem Ahmed Shahid (Security Manager), Talha Butt (Analyst) and Malang Ali (Masseur).

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Bangladesh chief selector Akram Khan quits over 'interference'

DHAKA: Bangladesh's chief national selector Akram Khan resigned on Wednesday citing interference in the squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup by the country's cricket board.

Bangladesh board president AHM Mustafa Kamal omitted opener Tamim Iqbal, Akram's nephew, reducing the 15-man squad to 14.

Tamim, widely regarded as Bangladesh's best batsman, had been suffering from a groin injury.

Akram said he had selected Tamim after his fitness was cleared by the team's South African physiotherapist Bibhab Singh.

"This is not an isolated incident of interference," Akram told Reuters before submitting his resignation letter.

"He (Kamal) tried to interfere in our works many times in the past. We had to drop (Mohammad) Ashraful from the squad under his pressure," he said, referring to the middle-order batsman.

"Given these circumstances, it's very difficult to enjoy the work, so I decided to resign," he said.

Kamal, who is currently on a personal visit to England, could not be reached for comments.

Former captain Akram helped Bangladesh qualify for its first World Cup in 1999 following victory in the lower-tier ICC trophy in 1997.

He played eight tests and 44 one-day internationals, and has been a selector since 2007. He was made chief selector after the World Cup last year.

Bangladesh will host the biennial four-nation Asia Cup from March 11-22 with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka competing. AGENCIES

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South Africa 86-1 at tea in New Zealand Test

DUNEDIN: South Africa were 86/1 at tea on a rain-shortened opening day in the first Test against New Zealand on Wednesday, as skipper Graeme Smith cruised to a half-century on a flat pitch.

Smith was 53 not out and Hashim Amla was with him on 22 after Trent Boult took New Zealand's only wicket in a session where the bowlers struggled, Doug Bracewell the best performer after conceding only nine runs off six overs.

With almost four hours of play lost to the weather, New Zealand captain Ross Taylor elected to bowl after winning the toss, hoping damp conditions would provide movement and produce early wickets for his four-pronged pace attack.

However, Chris Martin and Tim Southee failed to find any demons in the pitch with the new ball, with South African openers Smith and Alviro Petersen looking comfortable as they made a steady start.

The South Africans were content to take the shine off the ball and proceed cautiously, taking only nine runs in the first five overs before going after Boult and scoring 11 off his first over.

But the strategy of attacking Boult backfired when Petersen was dismissed lbw for 11, umpire Aleem Dar initially ruling not out but Taylor calling for a television review which confirmed the wicket.

Amla joined Smith in the middle and they brought up 50 runs for South Africa in the 13th over as New Zealand's bowlers failed to threaten on the placid pitch.

Taylor introduced Daniel Vettori to the attack in the 16th over in a bid to unsettle the batsmen, the spinner almost claiming a wicket when Amla shouldered arms against a ball that just missed the off stump.

New Zealand squandered two run-out opportunities in the session, one involving Smith, and the South African captain went on to reach his 31st Test 50 with a four off Tim Southee. AGENCIES

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Clarke, Pattinson out of series decider vs Sri Lanka

ADELAIDE: Australian captain Michael Clarke and young paceman James Pattinson were Wednesday ruled out of the tri-series decider against Sri Lanka, as coach Mickey Arthur demanded a new strategy.
  
Clarke scored a century in Australia's crushing loss to Sri Lanka as the visitors levelled the series 1-1 in Adelaide on Tuesday, but it came at a price.
  
He strained a hamstring which not only ruled him out of the final tri-series game on Thursday, but could also see him miss the start of this month's tour of the West Indies where Australia will play five one-dayers and three Tests.
  
"It doesn't look great for certainly the early part of the one-day series in the West Indies," Arthur told reporters of Clarke, who was due to have scans later Wednesday.
  
Clarke only returned to action last weekend from a strain to his right hamstring, which sidelined him for three games.
  
Pattinson will also miss the match with a buttock strain.
  
Sri Lanka blazed to an emphatic eight-wicket victory Tuesday with the World Cup finalists easily running down Australia's 271 for six to post 274-2 with 34 balls to spare.
  
Arthur was not happy with the scale of the defeat and said Australia needed to go back to the drawing board.
  
"It simply wasn't good enough. There was no excuse for it," he said.
  
"We need to play in a different way in these conditions which are totally different.
  
"We have had a couple of serious chats... we are looking at ways we can beat Sri Lanka in these conditions.
 
"We will have a couple of tricks up our sleeve tomorrow and hopefully they work for us. We have given a lot of thought to them."

Spinner Nathan Lyon is likely to replace Pattinson, with Peter Forrest tipped to take Clarke's place. AGENCIES

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Pakistan not to repeat England mistakes in Asia Cup: Younis

KARACHI: Experienced batsman Younis Khan said the mistakes committed in one-day series against England would not be repeated in Asia Cup.

Speaking to newsmen here on Tuesday, Khan said Pakistan-India contests are necessary for the development of cricket.

To a question on English language barrier with newly named coach Dev Whatmore, Khan said it does not make any difference, arguing
“All of us know the language of cricket.”

He said the upcoming match between Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup would be important. He said the match would be beneficial for players as well as cricket boards.

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Cricket: Sri Lanka thrash Australia by 8 wickets

ADELAIDE: Sri Lanka took the tri one-day finals series into a decider with an eight-wicket thrashing of Australia in the second final at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

Australia won the toss and scored 271 for six off 50 overs, but were easily reeled in by the Sri Lankans, who scored 274 for two off 44.2 overs.

Skipper Michael Clarke hit 117 and opening batsman David Warner 100 in Australia's innings but it was no where near enough as openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and captain Mahela Jayawardene came out blazing for Sri Lanka.

The pair had put on an opening stand of 179 runs by the 28th over with Dilshan hitting 106 off 119 balls and Jayawardene scoring 80 off 76 balls.

Their wickets were the only ones to fall as Sri Lanka coasted to victory with 34 balls remaining to set up a Thursday decider at the same stadium.

Kumar Sangakkara hit the winning runs to remain 51 not out with Dinesh Chandimal on 17.

Match scores: Australia 271 for 6 (50 overs); Sri Lanka 274 for 2 (44.2 overs).

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PCB must organise PPL if not in Pakistan then abroad: Rana

ISLAMABAD: With the influx of Twenty-20 tournaments around the world, former Pakistan pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan believes Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should also organise Pakistan Premier League (PPL) even if they have to host the tournament outside the country.

"I believe the PCB have been looking to organise a tournament similar to the BPL and IPL. Unfortunately the problem we have at the moment is that international teams are reluctant to come and play cricket in Pakistan and fans in Pakistan are being deprived of high quality cricket," Rana told PakPassion.net in an interview.

Rana said that once Bangladesh tours Pakistan this year in April than other countries will also start touring Pakistan.

"Once international tours start taking place in Pakistan, then that will pave the way for tournaments such as the PPL to commence.  If it cannot be organised in Pakistan, then yes the overseas option is also one to think about," he said.

Rana, who was a member of Dhaka Gladiators squad winners of the inaugural edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), praised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for a successful tournament.

"The BPL was very enjoyable, I had a really good time and it was good to be playing against a number of Pakistani cricketers.      Some of them performed really well in Bangladesh, including Mohammad Sami, Ahmed Shehzad, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir," he said.

Rana who is representing Wapda in the ongoing National One Day Cup division one, said it will be a high standard of cricket, a very tough competition. All of the best departmental teams are in Division One and I'm confident that Wapda can do very well this time around.

Rana said that Wapda reached the semi-finals last time around and he thinks the team can do better this season.

Rana last played for Pakistan 2 years ago in a Twenty-20 international in Australia. Given Pakistan's recent dismal performances in the shorter formats, some observers were keen for Rana to be given a recall.

"I was hopeful after the series in Bangladesh last year that I might be given a chance. My name was being mentioned but it never materialised, but never mind, I wasn't disheartened or disappointed."  "I know that if I am recalled I will perform to the best of my ability and I hope that I'm given another chance by the selectors," he concluded.

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Cricket: Clarke injury concern for tri-series and Windies

ADELAIDE: A hamstring injury is hampering Australian captain Michael Clarke's prospects of being fit for this month's tour of the West Indies.

Clarke will have scans on his left hamstring, which was strained while making 117 in Australia's loss in the second tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on Tuesday.

He is unlikely to be fit for Thursday's deciding final in the best-of-three series and could also be in doubt for the looming tour to the Caribbean.

The Australian players are due to fly to the West Indies on Friday with the opening ODI match at St Vincent on March 16.

"I have done something to my left hamstring, I don't know to what extent,"Clarke told reporters after Tuesday's ODI loss.

"But it's obviously not feeling good at the moment, that is for sure.

"We leave for West Indies in three days. I don't want to make a judgment until I make a scan, I think I would be silly to do that."

Clarke only returned to action last weekend from a strain to his right hamstring, which sidelined him for three games.

And the captain admitted he went against the wishes of Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris by returning so soon.

"It's a tough one, I pushed really hard to try and get back for this finals series," he said.

"And I tried my best not to give Alex much of an option, to be honest.

"So I feel for him as well as my left leg at the moment because I know he probably would have preferred me to take it easy.

"But I wanted to be part of this finals series.

"But after straining my right one, I probably favoured my left over the past couple of weeks, 10 days, and I have done a bit of damage there.

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Cricket: Asia Cup 2012 tickets go on sale

DHAKA: Tickets for Asia Cup 2012 cricket four-nation tournament went on sale Tuesday.

Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh compete in Asia Cup which starts on March 11 with match between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Final will be on March 22.

City Bank Limited, ticketing partners of Bangladesh Cricket Board BCB, are responsible for selling and distributing tickets across Bangladesh. "Tickets are sold through 21 branches of City Bank in six divisions. We successfully completed ticketing operations of high-profile events like ICC Cricket World Cup and BPL. We hope to make entire process easier and more convenient for spectators at Asia Cup," said Dewan Shafiul Arefin, member secretary Asia Cup 2012 tournament committee.

Micromax Informatics Limited bagged title sponsorship for Asia Cup tournament for second consecutive year. Nimbus Sport & Micromax entered into agreement and event will be titled as Micromax Asia Cup 2012. Deepak Mehrotra, CEO, Micromax said, "We are proud to be part of Asia Cup 2012, which is one of most coveted cricket championship in Asia. Cricket is not just another sport, but a culture that connects youth beyond boundaries."

Itinerary:
11 March: Bangladesh v Pakistan
12 March: Reserve Day/ Rest Day
13 March: India v Sri Lanka
14 March: Reserve Day/ Rest Day
15 March: Pakistan v Sri Lanka
16 March: India v Bangladesh
17 March: Reserve Day/ Rest Day
18 March: India v Pakistan
19 March: Reserve Day/ Rest Day
20 March: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh
21 March: Reserve Day/ Rest Day
22 March: Final
23 March: Reserve Day for Final

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Cricket: Sri Lanka thrash Australia by 8 wickets

ADELAIDE: Sri Lanka took the tri one-day finals series into a decider with an eight-wicket thrashing of Australia in the second final at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

Australia won the toss and scored 271 for six off 50 overs, but were easily reeled in by the Sri Lankans, who scored 274 for two off 44.2 overs.

Skipper Michael Clarke hit 117 and opening batsman David Warner 100 in Australia's innings but it was no where near enough as openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and captain Mahela Jayawardene came out blazing for Sri Lanka.

The pair had put on an opening stand of 179 runs by the 28th over with Dilshan hitting 106 off 119 balls and Jayawardene scoring 80 off 76 balls.

Their wickets were the only ones to fall as Sri Lanka coasted to victory with 34 balls remaining to set up a Thursday decider at the same stadium.

Kumar Sangakkara hit the winning runs to remain 51 not out with Dinesh Chandimal on 17.

Match scores: Australia 271 for 6 (50 overs); Sri Lanka 274 for 2 (44.2 overs).

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Cricket: Watling injury gives van Wyk Test debut for NZ

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will give South African-born wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk his Test debut against the Proteas on Wednesday after a hip injury sidelined regular gloveman BJ Watling.

Black Caps physiotherapist Paul Close said a problem with Watling's right hip joint meant he was unable to play in the first Test in Dunedin.

"The nature of the injury is such that we were concerned about BJ's ability to get through the match, based on the high workloads required by a wicket-keeper batsman," he said, adding that it was unclear how long Watling would be sidelined.

The injury gives van Wyk, 32, who was born in South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 2006, an opportunity at the top level late in his career.

The Proteas have dominated the home team during their first trip to New Zealand in eight years, winning the Twenty20 series 2-1 and cruising to a 3-0 whitewash in the one-day series.

A whitewash in the three-match Test series would see them overtake England as the number one team in the ICC world Test rankings

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South Africa aim for clean sweep to claim No 1 ranking

South Africa will be aiming to carry the winning momentum from its ODI series into the three-Test series against New Zealand starting in Dunedin on Wednesday which will earn it the status of the number-one Test ranked side in the world in the Reliance ICC Test Championship table at the 1 April cut-off date for the first time since the Test rankings were introduced in 2001.

Second-ranked South Africa trails top-ranked England by just one rating point. And to move ahead of Andrew Strauss's side, Graeme Smith's men have to win all the three Tests. A 3-0 win will put South Africa one ratings point ahead of England on 119 while any other series result will not be enough to help the Proteas make history.

Though England and Sri Lanka go head-to-head in a two-Test series from 26 March in Galle, the series outcome will not affected the Test Championship table as the series will conclude on 7 April in Colombo.

If South Africa wins all the three Tests, it will celebrate the achievement by receiving the prestigious Reliance ICC Test Championship mace which is presented to the side which tops the Championship table at the 1 April cut-off date, along with a cash award of US$175,000.

However, if South Africa fails to achieve the desired series result, then England will retain the mace it won at The Oval last year after defeating India 4-0, as well as a cheque of US$175,000 whereas South Africa will once again have to settle with the runner-up prize of US$75,000.

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