Rain wipes out second one-dayer New Zealand v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Queenstown

 Updated at: 0807 PST,  Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Pakistan 31 for 0 v New Zealand Abandoned

Queenstown is the place for adrenaline-junkies but there was little excitement on Wednesday as persistent rain allowed only 4.2 overs of play in the second one-dayer between Pakistan and New Zealand.

There were showers early in the morning, but it cleared up before start of play, raising hopes of the fans who had gathered. The rains returned, however, soon after Daniel Vettori chose to field, as every international captain has done after winning the toss in Queenstown.

New Zealand stuck with their plan of giving James Franklin the new ball, ahead of the much quicker Hamish Bennett, and it didn't work as 19-year-old Ahmed Shehzad took 16 off his two overs, including a smash over square leg for six off the third ball. Shehzad, playing his first one-dayer in 20 months, also slapped Tim Southee for a couple of fours before the rains returned, and stayed through the day to cause the match to be abandoned.

The third one-dayer of the series is in Christchurch on Saturday, and the bad news is that rain is predicted during that game as well.

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Southee and Ryder crush Pakistan

Updated at: 0807 PST,  Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Shahid Afridi won the toss and batted. Daniel Vettori wanted to do the same. Both captains expected the drop-in pitch at the Westpac Stadium to have runs in it. Instead, Pakistan's batsmen faced a torrid examination of their techniques during an extravagant display of swing and seam bowling from Tim Southee. They were beaten innumerable times on both edges and five eventually succumbed to him. And the rest of the New Zealand attack, Hamish Bennett in particular, supported Southee by building pressure, giving away nothing. The outcome was a spectacular collapse that ended in the 38th over, leaving New Zealand with a modest target, which they overhauled with aggression.The same sequence of events, with different characters, played on loop. A bowler pitched on a good length, the ball angled in before seaming away, the batsman fished, and if he was lucky, he missed. Pakistan's run-rate dipped below 3.50 after the second over and it did not reach that height again. Of the six boundaries that were hit in the first 30 overs, only two were the product of fluent strokes. Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, who secured victory in the Test series, struggled but appeared to be guiding Pakistan out of the mire. Then Bennett, a fast bowler built like an All Black, ripped through the resistance with a double-strike in two balls. Amid the uncertainty over the identity of Pakistan's World Cup captain, Afridi failed while his deputy Misbah, defiant at one end, watched his team-mates come and go. Allan Donald, New Zealand's brand new bowling coach, looked on with satisfaction.

When New Zealand came out to chase, though, the Pakistan bowlers were unable to recreate the trouble their batsmen had suffered. Their lines and lengths were not bad initially, but the lateral movement was negligible, and Jesse Ryder, hurting after one duck too many in the Tests, went after them. He drove, hooked and slashed his way to a rapid half-century, and in the company of Martin Guptill, set up a nine-wicket victory with 32.4 overs to spare. The result continued the trend of New Zealand skittling teams cheaply at the Westpac Stadium, and chasing with relative ease.The afternoon had begun with Kamran Akmal threading a square drive through the narrow gap between two fielders in the point region - a false dawn. Southee's first ball was a wide outswinger that Kamran chased and missed. He then strayed on to the pads twice but wasn't punished by the openers. Southee was fine-tuning his line and length, and once he found it, he was swinging the ball into off and seaming it away. The one that cut back amid the outswingers only added to the confusion.

Mohammad Hafeez had struggled for eight scoreless deliveries before he poked at one that seamed away, edging Southee to Brendon McCullum. Kamran, who had shown patience and adequate technique for 22 balls, eventually chased another seaming delivery and watched Ryder leap to his left at point to take a sharp catch. Asad Shafiq was unlucky to be given lbw because the one that nipped back into him, after he had been beaten by several outswingers, hit him high on the back thigh. Southee's first spell was 6-0-16-3.

Southee was not without support, though, for Franklin, Jacob Oram and Bennett were tight. There was pressure at both ends and wickets from one. Younis and Misbah nudged around for singles, unable to do much else. Younis, beaten several times, smiled in the knowledge that today, unlike most other ODI days, would not be a batsman's day. And then he was late in pushing off the back foot against a quick one from Bennett and edged behind. Umar Akmal came and went in a jiffy, edging a rising delivery to first slip. Pakistan were 57 for 5.They could have been worse off but Afridi's attempt to attack Vettori, a mis-timed loft to long-on, was dropped by Oram. Afridi was on 3. They were worse off soon, though, when Southee returned for his second spell and got Afridi to edge to McCullum, who leapt acrobatically across first slip to take his 200th catch. In the 30th over Abdul Razzaq, the last of the recognised batsmen, square drove Oram for four. It was only the second shot of authority of the innings. A ball later he hung his bat out to edge behind. Abdur Rehman did likewise next ball.Misbah, rapidly running out of partners, took the batting Powerplay in the 35th over and carted Oram over the midwicket boundary for the innings' only six. He attacked Southee too, lofting over cover and driving down the ground, desperate to add whatever he could to Pakistan's meagre total. He got to a well-earned half-century, but then walked too far across his stumps to play to leg and was bowled. Fittingly, Southee was the bowler and the final wicket was his fifth.Any hopes of Pakistan's bowlers triggering a collapse ended in the fifth over of the chase. Ryder took on Shoaib Akhtar, lofting over the off side for four, hooking for six and powering past mid-off in an over that cost 17. In the next over, Ryder carted Sohail Tanvir over mid-off and then swung a full ball over the square-leg boundary. New Zealand had raced to 50 after six overs, when the tea break was taken. Ryder fell after the resumption but New Zealand, steered by Guptill, stormed to an emphatic victory that ended a streak of 11 consecutive defeats. 

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John Wright hints at changing opening combination

Updated at: 0807 PST,  Wednesday, January 26, 2011

New Zealand coach John Wright has hinted at splitting the one-day opening combination of Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder for the series against Pakistan, as his side seeks to end a 11-match losing streak in the format. Wright hopes to use the six games against Pakistan to zero in on the right line-up for the World Cup, which begins on February 19.

"They [McCullum and Ryder] may not be at the top of the order," Wright told NZPA. "There may be only one of them at the top of the order. We really need to look at the way we have been playing and to consider where we have our firepower, particularly our impact batsmen. There is the opportunity to start with the Powerplay, and then who plays where when we get to the next Powerplay. We will have a look at that and make the decisions.

"It's something we just have to consider carefully. Dan [Daniel Vettori] will have some strong views on it and you look at the batting line-up, and if we can get players in form, and get our order right, then we should be able to do the job."

McCullum and Ryder formed one of New Zealand's most successful opening pairs, and Wright said the decision to move one of them lower down would be to beef up a misfiring middle order. "The one thing about New Zealand one-day sides is that they always appear to be at their strongest when you had great batting depth around Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8," Wright said. "When you played against New Zealand they were just a hard side to break down. We will be looking to bat as deep and with as much quality as we can around those areas."

Martin Guptill, who opened in the second Test in Wellington when Tim McIntosh was dropped, is likely to take the role in the one-dayers, if New Zealand decide to make the change. "Obviously the development of Martin Guptill has been a huge plus for us," Wright said. "He has played incredibly well in the Twenty20 series and he worked ever so hard in the Test series, and he looks ever so promising."

Despite the 1-0 defeat in the Test series, Wright was encouraged by New Zealand's show in the second Test when they stretched Pakistan for a hard-fought draw. "I was pleased with the improvement and quality of our play in Wellington. It was disappointing not to get a win, if we had broken that partnership [between Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan] we probably would have. I suppose we have got to learn to play sessions and we had a terrible session in Hamilton that cost us the series."

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Rain delays NZ-Pak second ODI

Updated at: 0323 PST,  Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Rain delays NZ-Pak second ODI QUEENSTOWN: Rain delayed the start of play in the second one day international between New Zealand and Pakistan in Queenstown on Wednesday.

Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Queenstown Events Centre, a venue where no side batting first has ever won.

The tourists, coming off a nine-wicket hiding in the first game of the six-match series, will field a rejigged line-up as they seek a winning combination ahead of next month's World Cup.

"We have time now to do some experimentation before the World Cup because you can't do experiments in the World Cup," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said.

Pakistan brought in batsman Ahmed Shehzad for Asad Shafiq, while bowlers Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul replaced Abdur Rehman and Shoaib Akhtar.

New Zealand, whose victory on Saturday ended an 11-match losing streak in one-dayers called up batsman Jamie How in the place of Nathan McCullum.

The Black Caps stayed with their new opening partnership of Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill.

Captain Daniel Vettori said conditions should suit paceman Tim Southee, who took five wickets in the first game in Wellington on Saturday. "It's overcast, it should assist the bowlers early on," he said.

Queenstown, a South Island ski resort town, has hosted only six one day internationals since 2003.

In each of them, the side that won the toss has elected to bowl first and gone on to win.

New Zealand: Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jamie How, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (captain), Tim Southee, Hamish Bennett.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz

Umpires:Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Amiesh Saheba (IND)
TV umpire: Barry Frost (NZL)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)

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Inzamam blasts PCB over World Cup build-up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Refreshed Anderson returns to mount fresh challenge

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

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Miandad advises Pakistan players to learn from Tendulkar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dhoni wants batsmen to step up for CWC 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Smith lauds team's ability to fight back

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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PCB says legal action from Zulqarnain futile

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

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

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

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

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New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 9 wkts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The next match is on Wednesday in Queenstown.

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Pakistan bundled out for 124 against Kiwis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Pakistan to bat first against New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TEAMS

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

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

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

TV UMPIRE: Barry Frost (NZL)

MATCH REFEREE: Alan Hurst (AUS)

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Pakistan seal series win with draw

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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New Zealand name squad for World Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Younis falls as 2nd Test reaches climax

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Pakistan retain Afridi as ODI captain for NZ tour

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

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

Former captain Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam were also overlooked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Donald appointed New Zealand bowling coach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Australia unveil next month's World Cup squad

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

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

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

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

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

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India name 15-man squad for World Cup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rehman double strike slows New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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New Zealand 181 for three at tea

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

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

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New Zealand 106 without loss at lunch

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

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

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Pakistan all out for 376

 Updated at: 0920 PST,  Monday, January 17, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan were all out for 376 runs in the 27th over after tea to take a first innings lead of 20 against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq made 99 and Chris Martin took four for 91.

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Pakistan all out for 376

WELLINGTON: Pakistan were all out for 376 runs in the 27th over after tea to take a first innings lead of 20 against New Zealand on the third day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq made 99 and Chris Martin took four for 91.

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Pakistan on top despite Vettori strike

 Updated at: 0906 PST,  Monday, January 17, 2011
WELLINGTON: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan combined for a 142-run stand to put Pakistan in a commanding position against New Zealand at tea on the third day of the second Test Monday.

New Zealand needed a poor umpiring decision to break the partnership with the last ball before tea, when Jesse Ryder caught Younis at short leg off a Daniel Vettori delivery that TV replays showed missed the bat.

Khan, whose 73 included 10 boundaries, departed shaking his head, the latest to fall in a spate of umpiring decisions in the two-Test series that replays have shown to be questionable.

However, there is no provision in the match rules for the captains to appeal to the third official.

Pakistan, looking to overhaul New Zealand's first innings 356, will take some comfort in the progress Younis and Misbah made after Azhar Ali (67) added only five to his overnight total.

After that breakthrough from Black Caps' paceman Chris Martin, the frustrated New Zealand bowlers toiled for little reward on a flat track at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

Making his fifth Test half century in five innings, Misbah offered no chances as he went into the tea break on 70.

Forecasters predict bad weather will threaten play on Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning a big total could secure the two-Test series for Pakistan after the tourists easily wrapped up the first Test inside three days.

Vettori's late strike gave him figures of two for 75 from 34 overs.

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Pakistan steady after early wicket

 Updated at: 0725 PST,  Monday, January 17, 2011

WELLINGTON: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan took Pakistan to 209 for three after New Zealand's Chris Martin made an early breakthrough on the third day of the second Test Monday. The pair came together after Azhar Ali (67) added only five to his overnight total, falling to a short-pitched Martin delivery that nicked the toe of his bat to provide Ross Taylor with a simple catch at deep extra cover. With Younis Khan also fresh at the crease after New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori dismissed Taufeeq Umar with the last ball of the previous day's play, the Black Caps mixed up their bowling attack in the search for more wickets. But the skipper and Younis rarely looked troubled in fine conditions on a flat track at Wellington's Basin Reserve, which offers the tourists the chance to comfortably overhaul New Zealand's first innings total of 356. Younis took the initiative in the 65-run partnership, hitting five boundaries in the fourth-wicket stand. Misbah, eyeing a fifth consecutive Test half century, was more conservative, content to occupy the crease and attack any loose balls. Forecasters predict bad weather will threaten play on Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning a big total could secure the two-Test series for Pakistan after the tourists easily wrapped up the first Test inside three days. Martin's wicket gave him figures of one for 47 from 18 overs.

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Pakistan consolidate to 134-2 in reply to NZ's 356

 Updated at: 1112 PST,  Sunday, January 16, 2011
WELLINGTON: Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali both stroked patient half centuries after the loss of an early wicket to guide Pakistan to 134 for two in reply to New Zealand's 356 at the end of play on the second day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.

Taufeeq blotted his copybook when he was dismissed on the last ball of the day, caught in close by Martin Guptill off Daniel Vettori for 70.

Azhar was not out 62 after he and Taufeeq had combined for a 132-run partnership following the early loss of Mohammad Hafeez for one, when he was given out caught by wicketkeeper Reece Young off Tim Southee to leave Pakistan reeling at 2-1.

Hafeez was unlucky to be given out as replays raised doubts as to whether he had hit the ball.

Taufeeq, however, was the beneficiary of not having the umpire review system in use during the series when he prodded forward to a sharply turning Vettori delivery and Young took a backhanded catch after juggling the ball four times.

Television replays showed he had got a large inside edge on to his pad before Young took the catch. It was the sixth possible decision that could have been overturned by the review system.

New Zealand's innings had been boosted by captain Daniel Vettori's sixth Test century, which was brought up amongst some tense moments at the Basin Reserve.

Vettori resumed after lunch on 79 but accelerated his scoring rate when he lost Southee (one) in the first over after the break and had just Brent Arnel and Chris Martin to come.

The New Zealand captain was on 96 when Arnel was trapped in front for one by Umar Gul and tension rose as the crowd wondered if Vettori would achieve the milestone with Martin striding to the crease to face three deliveries.

Martin's lack of prowess with the bat has attained cult status in New Zealand -- he only scored his 100th Test run in his 60th Test and 87th innings last week, however he survived the three deliveries, even deflecting one to the boundary.

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ICC hopes for return of Pakistan tours

 Updated at: 2135 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan needs to convince international teams that it is safe to resume tours to the country, an official of the sport's global governing body told reporters on Friday.

Dave Richardson, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) general manager, said he hopes international cricket will soon return to Pakistan but acknowledged teams will only agree to tour if they are given reassurances over security.

International teams have not toured Pakistan since March 2009 when seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach were injured and eight Pakistanis killed when attackers opened fire and hurled grenades at their team bus in Lahore.

Pakistan blamed the assault on the Taliban, and the national side has since been forced to play its home series at neutral venues.

"We are extremely hopeful that international cricket will return to Pakistan as soon as possible," said Richardson.

"It's a security related issue where Pakistan has to convince teams in particular and the international community in general."

Richardson, who played 42 Tests and 122 one-day internationals for South Africa before taking the ICC post, is in Karachi to watch the final of Pakistan's premier first-class tournament - Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Pakistan had already been a virtual no-go zone for foreign teams since the September 11, 2001 attacks, which put the nuclear-armed country on the front line of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and the war against Al-Qaeda.

When asked how far the ICC's Pakistan Task Team had got with a proposed World XI tour of Pakistan, Richardson said, "We have certainly not got to the stage where anyone has said that they want to tour Pakistan."

Richardson said a decision on any possible tour to Pakistan would be made by the country's cricket board. 

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Gul strikes early for Pakistan

 Updated at: 0609 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
WELLINGTON: Umar Gul struck twice for Pakistan to leave New Zealand at 80 for two at lunch in blustery conditions on the first day of the second Test at the Basin Reserve Saturday.

If not for the vagaries of umpiring, and the absence of the umpire referral system for this Test, New Zealand could well be three down after winning the toss and electing to bat.

After being humiliated in the first Test, which was all over on the third day following New Zealand's second innings collapse, coach John Wright and captain Daniel Vettori called for a more disciplined approach.

But the match was only six balls old when Brendon McCullum was out for two, trapped lbw by Umar Gul when he failed to play a shot to a delivery that pitched outside the offstump and was clearly swinging in.

Although TV replays showed McCullum was unlucky, and the ball could have gone over the stumps, fortune favoured New Zealand in Gul's next over which Martin Guptill appeared to edge the ball to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal.

With the wind blowing strongly, umpire Daryl Harper did not hear a nick and gave Guptill the benefit of the doubt.

But Harper was in no doubt at the start of Gul's seventh over when Kane Williamson was caught behind for 21 trying to fend off a rising ball off the back foot.

Guptill, who batted throughout the session, was not out 24 with Ross Taylor also unbeaten on 24.

Gul had figures of two for 21 off eight overs.

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Pakistan hold advantage in second Test against NZ

 Updated at: 2135 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal took five catches as New Zealand's top order failed to capitalise on sound starts and battled to 246 for six at the close of play on the first day of the second Test at a windswept Basin Reserve on Saturday.

The hosts' wicketkeeper Reece Young, playing his second test match, was on 28 and captain Daniel Vettori on 38 having forged an unbroken 66-run partnership that ensured the visitors had not taken total control of the match.

Strong northerly winds, with gusts in excess of 80kph, played havoc with the Pakistani bowlers, who were forced on several occasions to pull out of their approach to the wicket
as they were blown off course.

Ross Taylor was the standout in the New Zealand innings, ending a barren run to notch his 11th Test half century, before he was dismissed for 78 just when it appeared his sixth
test century was on offer.

The 26-year-old's previous eight innings had brought a total of just 172 runs at an average of 21.5 with one score in excess of 50. Saturday's innings was his best test score since
he scored a century against Australia last year.

Taylor shared in a 68-run fifth-wicket partnership with James Franklin before both fell in short order in the final session.

Franklin had battled to 33 before he tickled an Abdul Rehman leg-side delivery to Akmal that broke the promising partnership and left New Zealand floundering at 166 for five.

Taylor followed with the score on 180 when he slashed at a full, wide delivery from Wahab Riaz, which was his first of a new spell, and Akmal took a diving catch to his right.

The pair had been forced to resurrect New Zealand's innings after an all too familiar mini-collapse had threatened to totally derail their innings after lunch.

New Zealand had been comfortably placed at 98 for two then Martin Guptill (29), who had left the majority of wide deliveries go through to Akmal, had a rash swipe at a wide
Tanvir Ahmed ball that only caught the edge of his bat to carry through to the wicketkeeper.

Jesse Ryder then followed when he nicked to Akmal on the next ball. It was Ryder's second successive golden duck after he was dismissed first ball in New Zealand's second innings in the 10-wicket loss in the first test in Hamilton.

Tanvir was unable to achieve the hat-trick, however, when Franklin kept out a full, swinging delivery and he and Taylor set about trying to rebuild the New Zealand innings.

New Zealand had chosen to bat after Vettori won the toss to make first use of a good pitch on a sun-drenched day.

The hosts, however, began disastrously with Brendon McCullum given out lbw to Umar Gul on the final ball of the first over for two.

Kane Williamson was the only other wicket to fall in the first session and had looked comfortable moving to 21 before he was caught by Akmal off Gul. 

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World Cup venues will be ready in time, says ICC chief

 Updated at: 1204 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
MELBOURNE: The subcontinent will be ready in time to host the World Cup though five venues were still undergoing work, the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat said on Saturday.

According to reports, the World Cup organisers have been racing against time to get the grounds ready for the Feb.19-April 2 tournament jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh.

"Five stadia are still to be completed but there are no alarm bells ringing and I'm sure they will be ready well before the World Cup," Lorgat told reporters.

Lorgat added that the Feb. 5 verdict on spot-fixing allegations against Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir would not tarnish the image of the
tournament.

"There's some time between when the verdict is released on the fifth of February. We were keen to have it well before the start of the World Cup," he said.

A British newspaper report had alleged that the trio had taken bribes to arrange for deliberate no-balls to be delivered at pre-agreed times in the fourth test against England at Lord's last year.

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Kiwis to bat first against Pakistan

 Updated at: 0301 PST,  Saturday, January 15, 2011
WELLINGTON: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and put his side into bat in the second Test against Pakistan Saturday, with the Black Caps seeking to square the two-match series.

The home side was thrashed inside three days by the tourists in the first Test and need to win in Wellington to draw the series.

They have made one change to their side, dropping out-of-form opener Tim McIntosh and bringing in left-arm swing bowler James Franklin.

"Sometimes if you can have that extra bowler in the likes of a Franklin then it allows Chris Martin or Tim Southee to be even more of a strike bowler," Vettori said.

The Pakistan side is unchanged and captain Misbah-ul-Haq said he would have elected to bowl first had he won the toss.

Vettori has described the Basin Reserve venue as the home of New Zealand cricket, but in recent years it has been anything but a fortress for Kiwi cricket.

They have lost three of their past four matches at the venue, while Pakistan have never tasted defeat in Wellington after drawing their first two matches in 1973 and 1985 and winning three Tests since then.

Fine weather is forecast for the opening day although Wellington's notorious gale-force winds are expected in the afternoon session.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Reece Young, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin, James Franklin.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz; Umar Akmal (12th man).

Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS), Rod Tucker (AUS)
Third umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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Strict security arrangements for QA Trophy final

Updated at: 1610 PST,  Friday, January 14, 2011

KARACHI: Due to tense situation in the city, security has been made high alert at the National Cricket Stadium and a heavy contingent of police has been posted at all its gates.The five-day final of the Quad-i-Azam Trophy is being played at the National Stadium from Thursday.This final is a historic match which is being focused by all cricket world but due to current situation in Karachi security has been alert in the stadium to avoid any unpleasant incident.Admission is free for the people to watch the match but the management has directed strict checking before allowing the spectators to go to the enclosures.ICC general manager Dave Richardson has come here specially to watch the final match.

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PCB to send QA Trophy final report to ICC

 Updated at: 1548 PST,  Friday, January 14, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will send a detailed report to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the final of the Quad-i-Azam Trophy being played between PIA and Habib Bank here at the National Stadium.

Sources told Geo News that the ICC had asked the PCB to send a report regarding the experiments during the match, captains and officials of the two teams and the TV viewership of the match.

The historic final of the Quad-i-Azam Trophy is being played under floodlights in which an orange ball is being used.

ICC general manager Dave Richardson who has come here to watch the final will give his comments on the match to the ICC.

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Pakistan, N Zealand play 2nd & final Test tomorrow

 Updated at: 1527 PST,  Friday, January 14, 2011
WELLINGTON: All eyes will be on the Basin Reserve pitch when covers are stripped off on the first morning of second cricket Test between New Zealand and Pakistan here Saturday.

Both teams say they would welcome some pace and bounce, and it appears that is exactly what they will get as tourists seek a rare series win and hosts a series-levelling result following their 10-wicket humiliating defeat at Hamilton.

The first Test pitch at Seddon Park was almost sub-continental in that it was slow, flat and largely lifeless, which suited Pakistan to a tee. Basin Reserve, however, should offer more of traditional New

Zealand surface with a good covering of grass and some movement for first few days.

"It looks pretty grassy. We wouldn't mind more sideways and bounce, it's good for us. It would be a good wicket," New Zealand coach John Wright said.

While New Zealand are hoping for familiar conditions, Pakistan's bowlers would also relish them and likely pose even more problems to a fragile home lineup that could not keep the tourists at bay even on a flat deck.

"I think conditions will be suitable for seamers, not only for us but also for New Zealanders as well," Pakistan quick Umar Gul said. "But I think we have good fast bowlers, myself, I bowl 140kmh-plus and Wahab (Riaz) is bowling 145kmh-plus, so I think at the moment we are a bit faster. This is a very good chance for us to win a series."

Wright's task this week has been straightforward - to get his batsmen in a frame of mind to play test cricket. But after they were frivolous in second innings of Hamilton Test in being bowled out for 110, that job may sound easier than it is.

If they could find away to survive, Wright believed they could threaten Pakistan and square the series. "Provided we get the runs and apply ourselves, we'll out a lot of pressure on Pakistan," he said.

"It is what it is, test cricket, there's no excuses. We don't need any explanations, if you're picked as a batter your job is to get runs.

It's about occupying crease and not giving your wicket away, it's not rocket science."

Wright said some harsh words had been spoken after Hamilton and he was confident they had hit home, though he warned that change may take ore than just a week. "They're in process of learning what it's like to play test cricket consistently," he said.

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Pakistan eye series win over N. Zealand

 Updated at: 1225 PST,  Thursday, January 13, 2011
WELLINGTON: Pakistan will set aside off-field controversies to chase their first series win for four years when the second Test begins in Wellington on Saturday, as hosts New Zealand struggle for form.

Unable to hold international matches at home due to security concerns and beset by corruption allegations, Pakistan have not won a Test series since defeating the West Indies in early 2007.

But after crushing the Black Caps by 10 wickets in the first Test, the tourists are in prime position to go 2-0 up and record a clean sweep in the two-match series.

Coach Waqar Younis paid tribute to his players for maintaining their focus on the pitch as team-mates Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer faced corruption hearings in Doha.

"It's not that we've been playing bad cricket, it's just that the controversy has just been following us," he said.

"It's very, very hard for the boys to keep going and keep hearing this but I'm very proud of these boys, they've stuck to the task and every morning they get up and keep positive."

Butt, Asif and Aamer are set to learn their fate when an anti-corruption tribunal into spot-fixing allegations resumes hearings on February 5.

New Zealand coach John Wright has labelled as "unacceptable" the Black Caps' performance in his first Test in charge in Hamilton, when the batting line-up was dismissed for a paltry second innings total of 110.

Critics, including former Test opener Mark Richardson, expressed concern that the focus on Twenty20 had turned New Zealand's batsmen into one-dimensional players prone to wild shots and poor decision making.

Skipper Daniel Vettori denied the accusation in the wake of the Hamilton loss but Wright later conceded the emphasis on short-form cricket could be a factor behind the batting failure.

"The talent's there but we've really got a bit of teaching to do," he told Radio Sport.

"I think the reality is that if you look at learning to bat, particularly in a Test match, we've probably been more exposed in other forms of the game."

Wright, a former Test batsman known for grinding out an innings, said his players should be desperate to occupy the crease and not give their wickets away cheaply.

Vice-captain Ross Taylor said New Zealand's batsmen "need to have a good look at themselves, myself included", suggesting Wright's passion for Test cricket made him a good role model.

"The way that John coaches and the way he comes across, he's very big on Test cricket," Taylor said.

"He had a very successful Test career for New Zealand and he was a very hard player, so hopefully that can rub off on us."

The Test series has been reduced to two matches, down from the customary three, to allow for an extended six-match one day series, which will provide a warm-up for next month's World Cup in India.

Test squads:

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Reece Young, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Chris Martin, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz.

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Pakistan disappointed at decision delay

 Updated at: 2152 PST,  Tuesday, January 13, 2011
 KARACHI: Former Pakistan players and fans on Tuesday expressed their disappointment after an anti-corruption tribunal against three cricketers ended in Doha without a decision.

The tribunal hearing allegations against Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer decided to continue its deliberations and hold a further hearing in Doha on February 5.

Pakistani media reported on Tuesday that Aamer's lawyer, Shahid Karim, had asked the tribunal headed by Michael Beloff to defer announcing its verdict.

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas criticised the delay in the decision.

"It's absurd," Abbas said. "The International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept the players hostage for the last five months and now they have deferred the decision, which is inexplicable."

Abbas said the three key players cannot participate in the World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

All 14 competing countries have to announce their final 15-man squad by January 19.

"Because the players will continue to remain suspended they cannot play at any level, cannot practice so they are virtually out of the World Cup," said Abbas.

Another former captain Asif Iqbal was also surprised at the delay.

"The ICC has taken so much time on this case and have spent so much money on it and yet could not take a decision... it is strange," said Iqbal.

"I am surprised at the delay."

Former spin bowler Iqbal Qasim, however, backed the decision.

"Since it is a high-profile case, so any judgment needed to be properly gauged and legal opinion is also required and that's why they have delayed the decision," said Qasim.

Fans also criticised the delay.

"It's a conspiracy from the beginning, they want our key players out of the World Cup," said Haris Hussain, who heard the news on television in downtown Karachi.

"Pakistan will badly miss these three players and it would have been better had a decision announced."

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Team for NZ ODI series named, Afridi retained as captain

 Updated at: 1718 PST,  Wednesday, January 12, 2011
LAHORE: Allrounder Shahid Afridi has been retained as captain of the Pakistan cricket team while batsman Misbah-ul-Haq has been made his deputy for the upcoming six-match One-day International series in New Zealand.

The selection committee kept Afridi on as captain in the finalised the 16-man squad, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) release said.

The squad for the World Cup is likely to be announced later for which the International Cricket Council (ICC) has set a deadline of January 19.

Veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf was left out, raising fears the 36-year-old will not make the final World Cup squad.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who was cleared by the PCB for selection after he too fell under the spotlight of the investigation into spot-fixing, was restored to the side for the New Zealand series.

Kamran has not been selected since the tour of England which ended in September last year and was marred by spot-fixing allegations which led to the suspensions of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Former captain Shoaib Malik and Fawad Alam were overlooked.

Squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Tanveer Ahmed, Ahmed Shahzad.

The six-match one-day series, which starts in Wellington on January 22, will be Pakistan's last before the World Cup which is to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

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