Despite Dravid brilliance, England on brink of whitewash

Rahul Dravid scored his 35th ton in the first innings

England finally saw off Rahul Dravid as they closed in on a 4-0 series rout of India at The Oval here on Sunday.

Dravid batted for more than seven hours in the fourth Test before England finally found a way to break 'The Wall'.

But India, following-on, were 129 for three at the close of the fourth day, still 162 runs behind England's first innings 591 for six declared built upon Ian Bell's Test-best 235 and Kevin Pietersen's 175.

Sachin Tendulkar, bidding for an unprecedented 100th international century, was 35 not out and nightwatchman Amit Mishra eight not out.

England though needed just seven more wickets on Monday's final day to complete a 4-0 clean sweep for the first time since a home whitewash of the West Indies in 2004.

India resumed Sunday in the desperate position of 103 for five.

Dravid was 57 not out and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni five not out.

But Dhoni, who never looked settled, was out for 17 when he pushed tentatively at a James Anderson outswinger and was caught behind.

Dravid, responsible for all three India centuries this series, sped through the 90s with three fours in four balls from off-spinner Graeme Swann, a sweep and a late cut preceding his elegant advance down the pitch to create a half-volley he clipped through mid-wicket A late cut two off Tim Bresnan then saw Dravid to his hundred.

Dravid's century was the second time this series he'd made a hundred while opening in the absence of regular opener Gautam Gambhir.

He had previously made 117, when Gambhir missed the second Test at Trent Bridge with an elbow injury, following his 103 not out at Lord's.

Dravid's 35th Test century took him in front of hero Sunil Gavaskar's mark of 34 and fourth in the all-time list behind Tendulkar (51), South Africa's Jacques Kallis (40) and Australia's Ricky Ponting (39).

India started the second session on 218 for six, with Dravid 109 not out and Mishra, who'd driven Swann for six off the last ball before lunch, 38 not out.

However, Mishra added just five more runs before he was brilliantly caught by a diving Bell at an unusually positioned short backward square leg off a pull against Bresnan.

The new ball did for Gambhir, who'd suffered concussion while fielding on Friday, when he fended at Stuart Broad and was caught by Pietersen at gully.

Bresnan struck twice in three balls as India were bowled out for 300 -- the first time they'd made the score this series.

Dravid had contributed nearly 50 percent thanks to a masterful 146 not out in 266 balls with 20 fours.

He was only the third Indian after Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag to carry his bat in a Test innings but India were still 92 adrift of avoiding the follow-on.

The selfless Dravid kept his pads on but his resistance ended controversially when, on 13, he turned Swann to Alastair Cook at short leg.

Umpire Rod Tucker said not out but England asked for a review and Tucker's fellow Australian Steve Davis gave Dravid out, although replays indicated the ball may have gone to Cook straight off the pad.

The India great, in what could be his last Test in England, walked off to a standing ovation from a capacity 23,500 crowd.

Sehwag made a typically dashing 33 before he was bowled between bat and pad by Swann -- a classic off-spinner's dismissal.

And England had one more wicket before stumps when VVS Laxman, who has had a wretched series, was bowled for 24 by a superb Anderson delivery that angled in and uprooted his off-stump.

Read More

Cook vaults into third position after career-best knock

Alastair Cook slammed 294 in the third Test

Opener Alastair Cook has vaulted into a career-best third position in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen after a man of the match performance in the Edgbaston Test which turned out to be the cornerstone of England's victory by an innings and 242 runs over India in the third Test which finished on Saturday.

Cook, who has been nominated for the Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards at the LG ICC Awards 2011, has claimed third position after rocketing eight places following a masterly 294 that came after 772 minutes of occupancy of the crease during which he received 545 balls off which 33 were converted into fours.

Cook took a jump of eight places after he was awarded 92 ratings points for a mammoth knock which not only gave him a career-best rating to date of 836 but has also put him just two ratings points behind Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara who currently occupies second position.

If Cook displays the same form he showed at Edgbaston in the fourth and last Test of the series, then he is all set to finish the series in second position. The 26-year-old left-hander had entered the series in fifth position but had slipped to 11th place after failures in the Lord's and Trent Bridge Tests in which he scored 12, 1, 2 and 5.

Cook is not the only England batsman who has moved in the right direction. Kevin Pietersen has gained two places and is now in 13th position after a score of 63, captain Andrew Strauss has earned one position and is now in 34th spot after a knock of 87 and Eoin Morgan has climbed 12 places to 52nd position after scoring his second Test century.

The news is not as encouraging for India's batsmen who, except for captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have slipped in the latest rankings which were released on Sunday morning.

Dhoni has moved up four places and is now in 36th position after scores of 77 and 74 not out while Sachin Tendulkar is in fourth position (down by one place), VVS Laxman in 12th (down by three places), Rahul Dravid in 14th (down by three places), Virender Sehwag in 17th (down by seven places) and Gautam Gambhir in 30th (down by three places).

Tim Bresnan is the biggest mover in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers. The 26-year-old from Yorkshire has broken into the top 20 for the first time in his career after he jumped nine places to claim 16th position following figures of 4-62 and 1-19.

Stuart Broad, who had match figures of 6-81, has also moved up two places to fifth position where he has been joined by team-mate Graeme Swann who has slipped one place after managing only two wickets in the Test which was dominated by the fast bowlers and Cook.

James Anderson has strengthened his second position after he broke into the 800-point mark for the first time in his career after figures of 2-69 and 4-85.

The 29-year-old Lancastrian earned 13 ratings points for his Edgbaston efforts which means he now trails number-one ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa by 96 ratings points and leads third-ranked Morne Morkel by 52 ratings points.

Broad and Bresnan have also achieved career-best rankings in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders which are led by South Africa's Jacques Kallis.

Broad has swapped places with Daniel Vettori while Bresnan has jumped four places to ninth position after he backed up his bowling figures of 5-81 with a breezy knock of 53 not out. His batting performance also earned him a career best ranking of 65th in the batting rankings. .

The Reliance ICC Player Rankings will now be updated after the fourth and last Test between England and India which starts at The Oval from Thursday.

Read More

India follow-on despite Dravid ton

 LONDON: Rahul Dravid's third century of the series could not prevent India following-on in the fourth and final Test at The Oval here on Sunday as England went in search of a whitewash.

Dravid carried his bat for a superb 146 not out in an India first innings total of 300 -- the first time this series the tourists had reached the benchmark score.

But that still left them 92 shy of avoiding the follow-on.

Although not an opener by preference, Dravid kept his pads on to be seven not out at tea on the fourth day.

The dashing Virender Sehwag, who'd previously managed just eight runs in eight balls this series, including a king pair in the third Test at Edgbaston, was 16 not out.

India still needed a further 266 runs to make England bat again after the hosts made 591 for six declared in a first innings featuring Ian Bell's Test-best 235 and Kevin Pietersen's 175.

India started the second session on 218 for six, with Dravid 109 not out and Amit Mishra, who'd driven off-spinner Graeme Swann for six off the last ball before lunch, 38 not out.

However, Mishra added just five more runs before he was brilliantly caught by a diving Bell at an unusually positioned short backward square leg off a pull shot against a looping Tim Bresnan delivery.

Dravid thrashed part-time spinner Pietersen for four and it was no surprise England took the new ball as soon as they could, with India 253 for seven off 80 overs.

It led to a breakthrough when left-hander Gautam Gambhir, normally an opener but batting down the order after suffering concussion while fielding on Friday, fended at Stuart Broad and was caught in the gully by Pietersen.

RP Singh thrashed his way to 25 featuring five fours before he was well-held by third slip James Anderson off Bresnan to leave India 300 for nine.

And two balls later India were all out when Shanthakumaran Sreesanth exited for nought when he drove at Bresnan, who took three for 54, and was caught at short extra-cover by Eoin Morgan.

Dravid -- the only India batsman to score a century this series -- was undefeated after six hours and 19 minutes at the crease, having faced 266 balls with 20 fours.

He was only the third Indian after Sunil Gavaskar and Sehwag to carry his bat in a Test innings.

Dravid's hundred was the second time this series he made a century while opening in the absence of Gambhir.

He had previously made 117, when Gambhir missed the second Test at Trent Bridge with an elbow injury, following his 103 not out at Lord's.

Dravid's 35th Test century took him one in front of childhood hero Gavaskar's mark of 34 and fourth in the all-time list behind India team-mate Sachin Tendulkar (51), South Africa's Jacques Kallis (40) and Australia's Ricky Ponting (39).

Read More

Dravid’s fighting ton keeps England at bay

 LONDON: Rahul Dravid's third century of the series kept England at bay as the hosts went in search of a 4-0 whitewash at The Oval.

India were 218 for six in reply to England's first innings 591 for six declared, still a deficit of 373 runs and 174 shy of avoiding the follow-on, at lunch on the fourth day of the fourth and final Test here on Sunday.

But at least Dravid, renowned for his concentration, was at the crease on 109 not out.

And this innings he at last found found a useful ally in Amit Mishra (38 not out), who drove off-spinner Graeme Swann for six off the last ball before lunch, in a seventh-wicket stand so far worth 81.

Dravid's hundred was all the more impressive as for the second time this series Dravid had made a hundred while opening, a position, he says he does not like, in the absence of Gautam Gambhir.

Left-hander Gambhir had been unable to bat in his usual position after suffering concussion while falling in a failed attempt to catch Kevin Pietersen on Friday.

Dravid, remarkably the only century-maker in a powerful India batting line-up this series, had previously made 117, when Gambhir missed the second Test at Trent Bridge with an elbow injury, following his 103 not out at Lord's.

His 35th Test century took him one in front of childhood hero and India great Sunil Gavaskar's mark of 34 and fourth in the all-time list behind team-mate Sachin Tendulkar (51), South Africa's Jacques Kallis (40) and Australia's Ricky Ponting (39).

Dravid's one moment of concern Sunday came when he was nearly run-out on 61 by Pietersen after a mix-up with India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

India resumed in the desperate position of 103 for five after a top-order collapse against James Anderson and Swann.

Dravid wad 57 not out and Dhoni five not out.

Dhoni, who never looked settled, was out for 17 when he pushed tentatively at an Anderson outswinger and was caught behind to leave India 137 for six.

Dravid sped through the 90s with three fours in four Swann balls, a sweep and a late cut preceding his elegant advance down the pitch to create a half-volley he clipped through mid-wicket.

A late cut two off Tim Bresnan took Dravid to a 168-ball century in three-and-three-quarter hours with 15 fours.

Read More

Bell hits double ton as England pile on runs against India

 LONDON: Ian Bell completed a maiden Test double century as England continued to pile on the runs against India in the series finale at The Oval here on Saturday.

Bell's 235 was the cornerstone of England's 591 for six at lunch on the third day of the fourth Test.

England, already 3-0 up and looking to complete a whitewash in this four-match series, lost three wickets in the session but that did them little damage, with the rain that fell at lunch more of a concern.

Ravi Bopara, in for the injured Jonathan Trott, was 44 not out after managing just seven in England's innings and 242-run win at Edgbaston last week that saw then replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table.

Matt Prior was unbeaten on 18.

Three India bowlers have conceded more than 100 runs each, with leg-spinner Amit Mishra (none for 170 off 38 overs) the most expensive.

England resumed on their overnight score of 457 for three.

Bell was 181 not out after sharing an England record stand against India of 350 with Kevin Pietersen (175).

James Anderson, bizarrely sent in as a nightwatchman, was three not out.

Bell played one of the best shots of his innings early Saturday when he on-drove paceman Ishant Sharma down the ground in classic fashion.

Anderson added a few boundaries too before he was caught by second slip Venkatsai Laxman off seamer Shanthakumaran Sreessanth for 13.

Sreesanth struck again when he had Eoin Morgan, caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

But England were still well-placed at 487 for five.

Bell, whose previous Test-best was 199 against South Africa at Lord's in 2008, went to his double century with a glanced four down to fine leg off Sreesanth.

But the 29-year-old Warwickshire's fifth Test century of the year came to an end when he was lbw to spinner Suresh Raina after missing a sweep.

That set the seal on a sublime innings of nearly eight-and-a-half hours where Bell faced 364 balls with 23 fours and two straight sixes off successive balls from Mishra.

It also meant Bell had become the leading run-scorer in Test cricket this year, with 950 runs at an average of 118.75 and, emphasising England's recent success, led team-mates Alastair Cook (927) and Pietersen (731) at the top of that table.

Read More

Waqar Younis resigns as national team coach

 LAHORE: Waqar Younis has resigned as the coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Geo News reported. During a news conference, Younis said Pakistan's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe would be his last as coach and that the Pakistan Cricket Board had accepted his resignation.

Citing medical reasons as the main factor behind his decision to resign, Younis said he did not have any differences with anyone.

Younis was appointed coach on March 3, 2010. He was Pakistan's coach during the controversial tour of England during which cricketers Mohammed Aamir, Salman Butt and Mohammed Asif were found to be involved in spot-fixing.

Read More

Bell, Pietersen plunder tons against India

 Updated at: 2340 PST,  Friday, August 19, 2011
 LONDON: Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen both scored hundreds to leave England in a position of utter dominance against India on the second day of the fourth and final Test at The Oval here on Friday.

England were 457 for three at stumps, with Bell 181 not out after Pietersen fell for 175.

It left England, whose run-fest delighted the bulk of a 23,500 capacity crowd, well-placed to complete a 4-0 series whitewash after replacing India as the world's best Test side with a crushing innings and 242 run victory at Edgbaston last week.

Bell and Pietersen put on exactly 350, surpassing England's previous best partnership against India, also for the third wicket, of 308 shared by Graham Gooch, the team's current batting coach, and Allan Lamb at Lord's in 1990.

It was also England's seventh largest stand for any wicket in all Tests.

But the pair were eventually separated when Pietersen, dropped on 102, fell to a fine return chance by part-time spinner Suresh Raina.

Pietersen's nearly four hour innings featured 27 fours.

England, with the score on 447 for three, then bizarrely sent in nightwatchman James Anderson, three not out at stumps.

Bell had batted for nearly seven hours, striking two sixes and 17 fours.

Both Bell and Pietersen scored their second century of the series Friday, with Bell having made 159 in a 319-run second Test win at Trent Bridge and Pietersen 202 not out in a 196-run first Test victory at Lord's.

Bell's hundred was his fifth in 11 Test innings and 16th in all.

Pietersen's 19th Test century took him level with team-mates Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook and left him just three shy of the England record of 22 shared by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott.

With Bell batting in classic fashion and Pietersen's innings featuring several unorthodox shots, the pair made the most of ideal, sunny batting conditions on a typically good Oval pitch.

India's attack were unable to sustain the improvement that saw openers Cook and England captain Strauss dismissed in Friday's morning session.

Ishant Sharma needed just five balls to make it 75 for one when he had Cook caught at first slip by Virender Sehwag off a good length ball as England failed to add to their overnight score following a first day where rain meant there was no play after lunch.

Cook, who made a career-best 294 at Edgbaston, was out for 34.

Strauss managed just two runs in an hour Friday against disciplined bowling before, chasing a wide half-volley from seamer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, he was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 40.

But England really took a toll of India's attack after lunch.

Bell started a sequence of four boundaries in five balls with the aid of a rare misfield by Sachin Tendulkar at deep square leg.

He later struck two cover-driven fours off successive balls, the second on the up, from seamer Sreesanth -- who embarrassingly tried to verbally intimidate Pietersen.

And in what is now a trademark stroke, Bell then late cut Rudra Pratap Singh, a replacement for injured medium-pacer Praveen Kumar -- one of India's few successes this tour.

India took the new ball but it made no difference and Pietersen, 98 not out at tea, went to his hundred off the first ball after the break when he pulled a Sharma long-hop for four

But next ball, trying to repeat the stroke, he got a top-edge only for Gautam Gambhir, running back at mid-on, to drop the two-handed chance.

It was tough on Sharma, who had decent figures of one for 81 in 27 overs at the close.

Bell straight-drove two sixes in as many balls from Amit Mishra and the leg-spinner's 29 wicketless overs thus far had cost 129 runs.

Read More

Bell, Pietersen leave England well placed against India

Updated at: 2250 PST,  Friday, August 19, 2011  LONDON: Ian Bell's purple patch continued with an unbeaten century against India that left England well placed on 296 for two at tea on the second day of the fourth and final Test at The Oval here on Friday. Bell was 114 not out and Kevin Pietersen not far off his 19th Test century on 98 not out. England's third-wicket pair had so far added 199 following a session where the hosts did not lose a wicket. It was just what England, who replaced India as the world's top Test side after their innings-and-242-run victory at Edgbaston last week, wanted as they pursued a 4-0 series whitewash. India had produced a much improved bowling performance to remove England openers Alastair Cook and skipper Andrew Strauss before lunch and leave the home side on 126 for two, with Bell 29 not out and Pietersen unbeaten on 18. But in near ideal batting conditions, the England duo upped the run-rate. Pietersen was the initial aggressor hitting two fours in an over then, Bell started a sequence of four boundaries in five balls. Bell completed his fifth century in 11 Test innings this year and 16th in all when he forced part-time spinner Suresh Raina off the back foot for his 12th four in 181 balls. India took the new ball in the last over before tea but it made no difference. Earlier, Ishant Sharma needed just five balls to reduce England to 75 for one when he had Cook caught at first slip by Virender Sehwag off a good length ball as the hosts failed to add to their overnight score following a first day where rain meant there was no play after lunch. Cook, who made a career-best 294 at Edgbaston, was out for 34. Strauss, Cook's fellow left-hander, struggled as India's bowlers performed with much greater discipline than on Thursday. But it was in chasing a wide-half volley from Sreesanth that he was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 40.

Read More

Kamran vows to make a comeback

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has expressed his disappointment at losing his central contract for the second half of 2011, but said he is determined to prove his worth in domestic cricket and make a comeback."I'm extremely disappointed," Kamran told PTI." I admit that it was my mistake but I think I deserve another chance. Somehow it's the board's decision and I don't want to say much. I've earned the contract for eight years and losing this one is not a big deal.Kamran was dropped after struggling in the World Cup and was replaced by Mohammad Salman for Pakistan's tour of West Indies. "The selectors were not satisfied with my performance but I just need to keep on playing domestic cricket and prove my form to them," Kamran said. "I'm 29 and fit so I feel that there's at least six years of cricket left in me."Everyone makes mistakes but the important thing is learning from them. I vow not to make them again. No wicketkeeper loves to drop catches."Kamran was not the only active player to lose his contract. Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf and Danish Kaneria, who were not picked for the World Cup, have been ignored. Malik and Kaneria are yet to be cleared by the PCB's integrity committee and Kaneria has not played for the national team since August 2010. The recently retired pair of Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar were also left off the list.

Read More

Swann tells England not to let ranking go to heads

LONDON: England spinner Graeme Swann says his teammates must not allow their impending ascension to the top spot in the world rankings to go to their heads as they seek to complete a 4-0 Test whitewash of India at The Oval this week.England will be confirmed as the best Test side in the world after the series but Swann believes the team must ensure they complete the job and see off the  demoralised tourists.He said: “It’s a nice feeling (to take over the top ranking) – but it’s not what we are focusing on.“We said before the series it didn’t matter if we got to number one in the world.“It’s about finishing the series well and that is what we are aiming to do at The Oval.“We want to do ourselves justice in the last game – we did that very well in the Ashes.Having retained them we gave our best performance of the series in Sydney in the last game and we are looking to emulate that here.“It’s the last Test match for a while and it’s a good chance for us to sign off on a winning note.“We have played some exceptional cricket in the last 18-24 months and it would be a shame if we ruined it all by cruising through this game so let’s make it a really good five days and see what happens.“It wouldn’t be much of a team if we just fell to pieces and threw it all away.Swann said England must not underestimate India in the final Test and stick to the game plan which has seen them land the series.“The best thing we have done all series is keep India below 300 each time we have bowled and we need to try and keep that up.“The Oval is a good batting pitch but if we can maintain the standards we have so far achieved then hopefully we can do that again.”

Read More

ICC lacks leadership: Flower

LONDON: England coach Andy Flower on Wednesday accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of lacking leadership over its failure to issue clear rules about the use of the Decision Review System.Under existing rules, either side in a series can veto the use of the DRS to determine lbw decisions, something India has elected to do in its ongoing series against England, who defeated the tourists at Lord’s on Monday.However the lack of the DRS during the first Test has cast the spotlight on umpiring in the game, with Billy Bowden twice denying Stuart Broad plumb lbw decisions which would have snared Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina.Although the decisions did not prove costly for England, Flower believes the absence of the DRS in the remaining three Test matches could fan the flames of controversy.Asked if he was concerned about the possibility of trouble in the remainder of the series Flower admitted: “Yes, I am actually. We almost saw it happen in this Test match.“It would have been wrong if the outcome of the game had been seriously affected by a couple of those decisions and it was quite right that, luckily, we did continue to create chances. It’s unsatisfactory the way it is, there is no doubt about that.”Flower pointed the finger at ICC chiefs for allowing the current situation to arise, where DRS is used in some Test series but not in others.“I don’t think there’s anything we can do, but I think the ICC should be stronger in taking a lead on these issues,” said Flower.“They are the world governing body and they should lead. I don’t think it’s unfair to say they haven’t led on this topic.“We all know that it is not going to be 100% accurate, but we also know you get more right decisions using it, so let’s not quibble about millimetres here when we know you get more right than wrong. That’s why most Test-playing nations want to use it.“(Umpiring) is a very difficult job. We all know that, and I think they would be happier with it too.

Read More

Straight talk: The unfortunate lot

On occasions like the one falling today the country’s 64th Independence Day it is customary to work out the dream team, pick up the best captain, locate the best all-rounder and so on.The who-might-have-been-what factor does not get too much attention, for traditionally it is an occasion for celebration, not for soul-searching. But it doesn’t hurt to be unconventional once in a while.So let’s pick up some contenders for the top three most unfortunate cricketers among the 206 who have donned the green cap in the 59 years since Pakistan got the Test status. Out of contention are many who had the potential to make it big but shot themselves in the foot like Younis Ahmed, Qasim Omar and Basit Ali. Also, out of the race are those who got too few opportunities to fully showcase their talent. For instance, Jalaluddin played just six Tests and eight ODIs in a three-year international career.Then there was this fellow Wajahtullah Wasti who scored two centuries in six outings, looked good, but was then dumped for no fault of his own. Hasan Raza was too good a talent to get just seven matches. Bazid Khan got just one. The unluckiest in this category would probably be Asim Kamal, who scored eight scores of 50-or-more in his 12-Test career. In a side that was notorious for being a pack of cards, his ability to stay on the crease should have been considered an asset, but that was not to be.

Having set the context thus, let’s move to the main business. Sikandar Bakht—Test Cap number 74—was the least unlucky of the top three in this rather unenviable category. Tall and slim—frail, actually—Sikandar was deceptively lively, if not quick, on most pitches. He was the perfect foil for the Imran-Sarfaraz duo, especially because Sarfaraz was an erratic soul and his availability was not always guaranteed. Sikandar was a true workhorse who could bowl longish spells to keep one end going.Sikandar’s highest point came on the 1979-80 tour to India where he had to bear the burden of being the lone functional fast bowler in the camp owing to captain Asif Iqbal’s decision not to have Sarfaraz on the tour, and the injury to Imran Khan. He bowled his heart out on placid Indian tracks for a series haul of 24 wickets. Imran, who had by then come into his own as a true fast bowler stood overshadowed by Sikandar’s performance.To everyone’s horror, the highest wicket-taker on the tour was dropped for the first match of the very next series. This must have been some morale-booster for the fellow who was all of 25 years at the time. By the looks of it, his peak turned out to be his downfall. From thereon, he was never given the confidence or selection consistency which brought his career to a premature end, just six years after it had begun in Karachi.Shoaib Mohammad Test Cap number 97 paid the price for being part of the Mohammad family. Everyone in the cricketing establishment who had a grudge with the Mohammeds tried to take it out on the young lad who, in any case, was under tremendous pressure of keeping up with the legacy of his illustrious father and uncles. He was constantly picked and dropped on one pretext or the other. Sometimes it was because he was considered too slow; sometimes for being reckless; sometimes for concentrating too hard; sometime for not doing so In 45 Tests that Shoaib played, he scored at an average of 44.34, which is a decent effort for an opener. In contrast, Ramiz, who was the preferred choice, played 57 Tests; at an average of 31.83, which is less than ordinary by any standard. Shoaib, despite always being on trial, scored seven centuries; Ramiz, despite his permanent place, scored two.The unluckiest of them all was Waseem Raja. In his elements, he was a sight to behold, taking on the might of the West Indians with the languid grace that few could match. And, by that very same token, what a wasted talent he represents in Pakistan Cricket. As the legend goes, he was a dissident in the camp. Mild-mannered and cultured to the core because of his educated background, he had the guts to stand up for what he believed. Pakistan Cricket has never been comfortable with such characters and never allowed him to settle down in the line-up. It is some indication of his strength as a player that he still ended up playing 57 Tests, but he was always on trial.Raja, with the kind of talent and potential he had, should have been counted among the legends of Pakistan Cricket, but the new generation hardly knows his name. What a pity.

Read More

Healthy competition among players crucial: Taufiq Umar

LAHORE: Worrying little about his place as opener, in the presence of two other openers  Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat Taufiq Umar on Wednesday saidh healty competition among players was vital in strengthening the team.Yes, there should always be competition [among players] and I believe impressive performance plays crucial role in giving one place in the team. And only those players who perform [well] will get the chance,” Taufiq told the media in response to a question prior to a training session at the national camp at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday.“In the presence of competition, every member of the squad wants to concentrate on his performance, and this creates a healthy competition among the players 30 year old Taufiq added.Hafeez and Taufiq have emerged as opening partners for Pakistan in the recent past after former captain Salman Butt was banned by the ICC for 10 years over a spot-fixing scandal that erupted in August last year.However, for the coming tour of Zimbabwe Imran Farhat has been recalled to the national side after almost one-year absence, resulting in a competition-like situation among the three openers.Taufiq reckoned the Pakistan team, selected for the Zimbabwe tour was well balanced, and hoped the team would earn good results.“We are undergoing strenuous training at the camp under head coach Waqar Younis and Ijaz Ahmed [yet to be officially announced as assistant coach] and hopefully all the boys will be in good shape before facing the Zimbabweans in their backyard,” the left-handed batsman who has featured in 31 Tests and 22 ODIs so far, stated.To a question, Taufiq did not agree to the impression that openers had failed to give Pakistan good starts in Test matches.“If you see record of the last seven Test matches or so you will say that openers have given a good starts to the team, which played important role in achieving big totals Taufiq remarked while admitting that naturally it was difficult to give a good opening stand in every innings

Read More

Tharanga, Malinga shape Sri Lanka's vital win

HAMBANTOTA: Upul Tharanga hit a century and paceman Lasith Malinga grabbed five wickets as Sri Lanka posted a crucial 78-run win over Australia in the third one-day international on Tuesday.Left-handed opener Tharanga made 111 for his 12th one-day hundred as Sri Lanka scored 286-9 before dismissing Australia for 208 in the must-win match, despite Michael Hussey's fighting 63Man of the-match Tharanga, playing his first series after serving a three-month drugs ban, also completed 4,000 runs in one-day internationals during his 139-ball knock, which contained 12 fours.Australia, who won the first two games of the five-match series, were struggling at 52-3 after debutant seamer Shaminda Eranga bowled Brad Haddin in his opening over and then held a return catch to dismiss Ricky Ponting (22).Skipper Michael Clarke (46) and Hussey steadied the innings with a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket before Malinga struck a vital blow.The Australian captain looked set for a third successive half-century before being caught by Mahela Jayawardene at mid-on. Malinga ensured the win when he dismissed Hussey to finish with 5-28, his fourth five-wicket haul.Sri Lanka were earlier strongly placed at 220-1 after 38 overs but paceman Doug Bollinger (4-42) bagged three wickets in two overs, including those of Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara (49).The hosts made their best start in the series when Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan (55) put on 139 for the first wicket in the day-night match, watched by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Nasheed.Jayawardene was the other main scorer with a 33-ball 36.The Australian bowlers, who set up their team's comfortable victories in previous games, had to wait for more than 25 overs for the first wicket.Bollinger provided the breakthrough when he had Dilshan caught pulling by Michael Hussey before Tharanga and Sangakkara added 81 in 13 overs for the second wicket.Sangakkara hit a 37-ball 49 before being trapped leg-before by Bollinger, who got his second wicket in the same over when he had Dinesh Chandimal caught by Clarke in the slips.Bollinger struck again when he had Tharanga caught behind in his next over.

Read More

Taibu steers Zimbabwe to 250-7 against Bangladesh

HARARE: A third wicket partnership of 142 between Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Mazakadza for Zimbabwe helped the home side set Bangladesh 251 to win the third ODI and stay in the series at Harare Sports Club here Tuesday.Taibu scored 83 including eight boundaries to claim his 20th ODI half century while Masakadza hit 74 with two sixes and four fours for his 17th 50.Zimbabwe had been put into bat by Shakib Al Hassan, who won the toss for the first time on the tour.Brendan Taylor was out for four runs, his third successive failure but Vusi Sibanda began a recovery with a patient 27.Zimbabwe consequently managed only 22 runs in the first 10 overs and were 60-2 after 20 overs. But in the next 20 Taibu and Masakadza scattered the fielders with another 116 runs, almost doubling the run rate Craig Ervine and Elton Chigumbura went after the bowling as well in the final stages, scoring 18 and 31 respectively, the latter facing only 21 balls for his contribution in which he hit two sixes.As Taibu tried with abandon to reach his hundred he was caught on the boundary and wickets fell in quick succession during the last two overs.Bangladesh batsmen face a run chase at just above five runs per over. If they fail they will have lost the series.

Read More

Bangladesh win toss and field against Zimbabwe

HARARE: Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field against Zimbabwe in the third of five one-day internationals at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday A win by the home team would give them the series, having taken the first two matches. The remaining two ODIs take place in Bulawayo on Friday and Sunday.Zimbabwe bring back Kyle Jarvis in place of Raymond Price. Bangladesh make three changes. Dropped are Mohammad Ashraful, Abdur Razzak and Shahriar Nafeez. In come Shobugoto Hom making his debut, Juniad Siddique and Nazimul Hossain.TeamsZimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (captain), Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Tatenda Taibu (wkt), Forster Mtizwa, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya,Kyle Jarvis, Christopher Mpofu, Brian VitoriBangladesh: Shakib Al Hassan (captain), Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mahmudulla, Nasir Hossain, Sofiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shobugoto Hom, Zuniad Siddique, Najimul HossainUmpires: Russell Tiffin (ZIM), Kumar Dahrmasena (SL), TV umpire: Jeremiah Matibiri (ZIM)Match referee Roshan Mahanama (SL)

Read More

Australia elect to field against Sri Lanka

HAMBANTOTA: Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat in the third one-day international on Tuesday.Sri Lanka, who trail 2-0 in the five-match series, will be without injured all-rounder Angelo Mathews for a game they must win to stay afloat in the series.Middle-order batsman Chamara Silva replaced Mathews, while debutant seamer Shaminda Eranga came in for spinner Rangana Herath.Australia retained the same side that won the second match on Sunday.Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Shaminda Eranga.Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty, Doug Bollinger.

Read More

Netherlands defeat Ireland in hard-fought Women's ODI

The Netherlands beat Ireland in women's one day international when the 50-over phase of the European Championship got under way in Utrecht on Wednesday, winning a hard-fought match by two wickets with two overs to spare.Laura Brouwers got the match underway by bowling Rebecca Rolfe off the very first ball after Helmien Rambaldo won the toss, and that set the tone for a game in which the bowlers were always in command. Kim Garth gave Ireland a reasonably steady start, making 20 and sharing a third-wicket stand of 38 ? the best of the innings ? with Laura Delany, but the Dutch attack maintained the pressure throughout, and scoring was never easy.Spinner Esther Lanser was especially well controlled, and her ten-over spell produced just 13 runs and included four maidens, and Brouwers finished with one for 14 from nine overs, three of them in a second spell in which she conceded a single wide.The Irish batters were rarely able to escape their shackles, although Amy Kenealy showed a greater degree of enterprise in making an undefeated 32-ball 21, including one of only three boundaries in the innings. The last three wickets fell to run-outs, however, and the innings closed on 116 off 47.5 overs.The Dutch found runs equally hard to come by, but a patient knock of 38 from skipper Rambaldo, made from 94 deliveries, appeared to lay the foundation for a fairly comfortable victory. She received support from Carolien Salomons in a second-wicket partnership of 41 and then Lanser helped her take the total to 80 for two, and the Netherlands seemed to be almost home.But Kenealy had other ideas, removing Lanser, Rambaldo and Violet Wattenberg in the space of six deliveries to leave the Dutch reeling on 82 for five. Then 13-year-old leg-spinner Elena Tice took a hand with the wickets of Carlijn de Groot and Denise Hannema, and at 92 for seven it seemed as if the game had swung back Ireland's way.Esther de Lange held firm, however, and the Irish bowlers were unable to match the accuracy of their opponents, conceding a total of no fewer than 28 wides. Brouwers ran herself out with seven still needed, but Leonie Bennett joined De Lange and these two saw their side through to an historic victory.Kenealy finished with three for 17 and Tice two for 34, with Garth taking one for 12 in her ten overs.It had been a tough battle in conditions in which batting was never easy, and it gives the hosts a good chance of adding the 50-over championship to the Twenty20 title they claimed on Monday.Brief scores from today's matches:Kampong CC: Ireland 116, 47.5 oversNetherlands 117-8, 48 overs (H Rambaldo 38; I Kenealy 3-17)Netherlands won by two wickets

ICC European Women's Championship table

Read More

Fixtures announced for ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the schedule for the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011 (WWCQ).The event which is scheduled to be played from 14 to 25 November in Dhaka, Bangladesh will feature 10 teams playing in four venues across the city.Host Bangladesh will be joined by teams from South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, USA, West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Japan to battle it out for the four remaining spots at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2013 which will be hosted by India.England, Australia, India and New Zealand have already qualified for the event by virtue of finishing in the top four at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2009.The ICC WWCQ 2011 will be played at four venues in Dhaka, namely Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, BKSP 1* and BKSP 2.The teams have been split into two groups for the event and the full schedule can be viewed either in the PDF attached or on the ICC website here.
The two groups are as follows:
Group A
South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, USA
Group B
West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, Japan, Bangladesh
Notes:
*BKSP stands for Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (Bangladesh Institute of Sports)

Read More

Strauss promises no let-up for India

England captain Andrew Strauss insisted there would be no danger of his side relaxing now they had climbed to the top of the Test table and rid English cricket of its "laughing-stock" status.England attained their long-term goal of being declared the world's number one Test and simultaneously clinched an unbeatable 3-0 lead in their four-match series against former ICC table-toppers India with a crushing innings and 242-run success in the third Test at Edgbaston last week.They could be forgiven for easing up, as even the great Australia sides of the 1990s and 2000s sometimes did when a series was already won, in the fourth and final Test at The Oval, starting here on Thursday.But Strauss, speaking to reporters at The Oval here on Wednesday, said he was confident England would avoid succumbing to 'dead-rubber syndrome'."There's always that danger of taking our foot off the gas, but I hope and expect that we won't fall into that trap," he told reporters.Strauss cited the way England had won the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney by an innings in January, a victory achieved with the Ashes already retained after the tourists had gone 2-1 up in Melbourne, as an example of England's ruthlessness."I think we had a similar situation in Australia and reacted really well in Sydney," opening batsman Strauss explained."That's certainly what we're trying to do this week. I'm absolutely certain that India will want to finish the tour on a high note and we have to stop them doing that," Strauss said."Now is not a time to be satisfied with ourselves.""There's so many challenges ahead for us as a side. There's the subcontinent this winter, there's South Africa coming over and then India in the winter after that followed by the World Test Championship."f England beat India at The Oval they will have won as many Test matches - 20 - in the past two years as they did during the whole of the 1980s."I wasn't aware of that," said the 34-year-old Strauss, a childhood cricket fan in the 80s."English cricket's been through a long evolutionary cycle. Since the introduction of central contracts (a decade ago) the rate of improvement has gone up significantly.The days of English cricket being kind of a laughing stock have gone, hopefully for good.""There was a feeling that we weren't getting the best out of our players because we've always had very good players in England, there's no doubt about that," Strauss said."Now I think the structure and the set up make it easier for us to get the best out of our players."Once this series is over England, unusually, won't have another Test before Christmas, with the first of a winter programme where they face Pakistan and Sri Lanka, not until the new year.That means Strauss, who no longer plays limited overs internationals, is set for a five-month break."It allows me to prepare myself properly for what's going to be a tough winter and to sit down with (England coach) Andy Flower and be clear and thorough in our planning for the subcontinent, which is not an area we've traditionally performed well in," he said.Strauss denied suggestions he might fill his time by playing in Australian or South African first-class cricket."At this stage, playing in Australia or South Africa doesn't seem like the right preparation for playing in the subcontinent

Read More

EPT: AIS with battle ahead

The Australian Institute of Sport must fight to save their Emerging Players Tournament match as they trail India by 236 runs going into the final day.After bowling the AIS all out for 205 on Thursday, India resumed 1-191 at Endeavour Park, before pushing on to reach 534 all out.In response, the AIS made 2-93 by close of play in Townsville, a deficit of 236 runs, and must now aim to bat out the last day if they are to avoid defeat.India boasted three centurions on their way to the commanding haul.Ajinkya Rahane (100) and Ashok Menaria (112) both made a ton, but the most impressive knock came from Saurabh Tiwary, who notched 151 runs from just 148 balls.Mitchell Starc was the leading wicket-taker for the AIS, finishing with three wickets for 70 runs.Matthew Dixon, Sean Abbott and Glenn Maxwell all had two scalps apiece.Facing a determined India line-up on a flat pitch, paceman Abbott acknowledged the AIS suffered an onslaught early in the session.They come out at us pretty hard early," he said."Last night when Matthew Dixon was bowling I could see the difference from attacking the batsmen and giving them a few shorter balls that acted a bit differently."I tried to that a bit this morning and not really give them anything. I got one early luckily enough, took it away from the left hander, just tried to dot 'em up.The AIS suffered early blows in their run chase, with Nic Maddinson out for a duck and Alex Keath following for eight.Captain Ryan Carters, opening the batting, and second drop Maxwell will resume on Saturday, charged with remaining at the crease for as long as possible as the AIS attempts to salvage the match.Despite their precarious position, Abbott believes the team will have a straightforward mindset when they take to the field."Just get out and bat, play the ball as you see it, respect the good ball and try and save the match really," Abbott said."It's a very flat wicket, so I'm sure the guys are keen to get out there and get some batting time in and some practice under their belts.Also on Friday, South Africa reached 3-374 in their first innings, chasing New Zealand's total of 7-382 (declared).Farhaan Behardien made a century off 116 balls for South Africa before he was bowled by Brent Arnel, while Reeza Hendricks fared even better, finishing unbeaten on 184 by stumps on day two.Hendricks will resume alongside Richard Levi (17) on Saturday, with South Africa eight runs behind New Zealand.

Read More

Unburdened Ricky revelling

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said his batting has improved as a result of handing over the captaincy to incumbent Michael Clarke

Ponting made an unbeaten 90 from 106 balls in Australia's eightwicket win over Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Sunday  helping the tourists to a 2-0 lead in the five-match one-day international series -and the Tasmanian said his form, and his attitude at training, has changed for the better post-captaincy The World Cup on the sub-continent) didn't go to plan as I would have wanted, (but) the one-day series in Bangladesh that we had when I wasn't captain I felt like I played really well there, and I started this series really well," Ponting said."There's no doubt that for me to be able to turn up to training and focus on my batting and fielding only has been nice, I've been able to be that little bit fresher I think and I've felt in control in the two games I've played here so far, so hopefully that continues for the rest of the tour.The 36-year-old Ponting also quashed any doubts he would not continue playing for Australia having surrendered the captaincy, stating that he intended on not only batting for as long as possible, but also playing a major part in helping the side maintain the number one ranking in ODIs."I thought long and hard about the decision I made obviously, but once I'd come to the conclusion that I wasn't captain of the side anymore, it was up to me to be the best batsman I could be for the side, and another pair of ears for Michael if he wanted them," Ponting said."I've never put a finish line on my career at all. I'm still enjoying the game as much as ever, and the last few series' that I've played I've actually started to get back into a bit of touch again with the bat which is nice. I'll just enjoy it for what it is now, and as I said, the number three batsman in the side, the most experienced player, it's up to me to do what I can to win games for the team.Current skipper Clarke praised his bowling attack for setting up the two victories so far this series"I think our fast bowlers have done a really good job, they've executed their plans well, they've used the conditions, they've used reverse swing, they've bowled pretty straight when they've had to at the stumps," he said."I still think Sri Lanka have some very good spinners, they probably haven't put enough runs on the board to put us under pressure, or enough pressure."It helps when you've got two good opening batters as well that have got us off to pretty good starts. Brad (Haddin) missed out today, but Ricky come in and did a great job. I think credit where credit's due, I think our bowlers have done a great job, and we've played pretty well with the bat as well

Read More

ODI Preview: Sri Lanka v Australia

Australia can seal a series victory in Tuesday's third ODI against Sri Lanka at Hambantota.The visitors took a decisive 2-0 lead in the best of five-match contest with an authoritative eight-wicket win on Sunday.The success was built on yet another fine, disciplined bowling performance by Australia, who skittled Sri Lanka for a moderate 208.

In a positive sign, all six Aussie bowlers used by captain Michael Clarke enjoyed success, headlined by 3-35 from Doug Bollinger.

Bollinger bowled with genuine pace and control, rattling the Sri Lankans middle-order in the process.That was best evidenced by the bouncer that found out rising star Dinesh Chandimal.Evergreen spearhead Brett Lee claimed the key wicket of Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan on his way to 2-50, while Mitchell Johnson followed up his game one heroics with 2-34.Johnson and Bollinger have exploited a weakness by the home side's batsmen against quality left-arm pace bowling.Twice Dilshan has won the toss and batted in this series with disappointing results, so it will be interesting to see what decision the skipper makes if he calls correctly.Shane Watson chipped in with the final wicket of the home side's innings, while there were again encouraging results for Australia's spinners.David Hussey's off-breaks conjured the figures of 1-15 from five overs, but more importantly the key wicket of Kumar Sangakkara.Xavier Doherty also caught the eye with a spell of 1-43, highlighted by the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene.Australia's good work with the ball translated in its batting as they chased down the target with 70 balls in hand.Sadly Brad Haddin missed out again, but Shane Watson (43) played a good hand and shared a 94-run stand with a rejuvenated Ricky Ponting, who hit an unbeaten 90 to guide Australia home.Ponting says he is enjoying life post-captaincy."There's no doubt that for me to be able to turn up to training and focus on my batting and fielding has been nice," Ponting said."I've been able to be that little bit fresher I think and I've felt in control in the two games I've played here so far, so hopefully that continues for the rest of the tour.New captain Clarke is also in good touch, hitting his second unbeaten half-century of the series.But he expects the home side to fight back in game three, again being played in the southern coastal city of Hambantota."I still think Sri Lanka have some very good spinners, they probably haven't put enough runs on the board to put us under pressure, or enough pressure," Clarke said."Our fast bowlers have done a really good job, they've executed their plans well and used the conditions."They've used reverse swing and bowled pretty straight when they've had to at the stumps.

Read More

Misbah urges new players to take advantage of Zimbabwe tour

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Monday urged his team's new talent to take advantage of the tour of Zimbabwe to rebuild the crisis-hit national side.A new-look Pakistan play a two-day practice match in Bulawayo from August 28, then a Test at the same venue from September 1. They also play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s on the tour.Misbah will lead Pakistan in all three formats of the game after Shahid Afridi retired when he was dumped as one-day captain two months ago. Misbah said the new players must take their chances."All the new players who have taken the place of the seniors have performed at domestic level and this tour of Zimbabwe will give them a chance to show their ability at an international level," Misbah told a press conference.Pakistan have surprisingly rested frontline pacemen Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul, and dropped Tanveer Ahmed. The selectors recalled Sohail Tanveer and Sohail Khan, and included new fast bowlers Junaid Khan and uncapped Aizaz Cheema.Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, Pakistan's successful bowler in the West Indies on their last tour, is also rested in favour of uncapped leg-spinner Yasir Shah."After a long time a number of seniors have left together, so every team comes across such times and then replacements are found by trying out some new players who can play like those seniors," said Misbah.Besides Afridi, Pakistan have lost three key players in opener Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer banned this year in a spot-fixing scandal.The trio face criminal charges in Britain over charges stemming from Pakistan's tour of England last year.Senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf lost favour with the selectors, while wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, former captain Shoaib Malik and seasoned leg-spinner Danish Kaneria were left out over fixing suspicions.Misbah denied Pakistan were not taking Zimbabwe seriously."We are not taking any team lightly," said the 36-year-old."If we relax then we are in trouble and by giving chances to youngsters we are not experimenting because all these young players have come into the team on merit.Pakistan fly out to Zimbabwe on August 25.On their return to Test cricket after five years, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh in the only Test and are 2-0 ahead in the ongoing five-match one-day series.After Zimbabwe, Pakistan play Sri Lanka in three Tests, five one-dayers and one Twenty20 match in the United Arab Emirates in October and November

Read More

Malik, Kaneria appear in career revival bid

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and discarded leg-spinner Danish Kaneria appeared before a former judge Monday in a last-ditch effort to revive their international careers.Malik, 29, and Kaneria 30, have not been cleared for selection since last year, reportedly failing to convince an integrity committee that they were not involved in alleged fixing cases.Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt accused Malik and Kaneria last month of not telling the truth to the committee, headed by former supreme court judge Jamshed Ali Shah.Kaneria was arrested by British police last year over allegations of spot-fixing when his county, Essex, played against Durham in 2009, but he was released without charge.His colleague Mervyn Westfield, however, was charged and faces criminal proceedings.Kaneria has sought legal action over his non-clearance with the court due to reconvene on Thursday.PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said both players appeared before the committee but that a decision is pending.Both Malik and Kaneria appeared before the committee but the committee has taken no decision," Sawrar told Malik said he did everything he could I have given to the committee whatever I was asked to submit and it's up to them to clear me," Malik told reporters. He has reportedly failed to justify 90,000 pounds sterling in his bank account."If I am included in the team, then I am sure I will give a good performance as I believe I have a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket," said Malik, who was included in the tour to Zimbabwe subject to clearance.Pakistan plays one Test, three one-day internationals, two Twenty20 matches and a practice match on their tour of Zimbabwe starting later this month.Malik was appointed captain after Pakistan's first-round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, but was dumped in January 2009 after losing a one-day series against Sri Lanka.He has not played for Pakistan since last year's tour of England.There was no immediate comment from Kaneria.The International Cricket Council forced the PCB to form an integrity committee after a spot-fixing scandal in England last year resulted in lengthy bans for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Read More

PCB to decide on Malik, Kaneria today

LAHORE: Uncertainty still looms large over former captain Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria's future ahead of the Pakistan Cricket Board's integrity committee meeting here on Monday.Former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice (retd) Jamshed Ali Shah would chair the meeting. Chairman PCB Ijaz Butt and Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed are also among the committee members.According to sources in the PCB, Malik has confirmed that he would be appearing before the integrity committee today while the board was still awaiting a response from Kaneria.Malik would have to satisfy the committee with his explanation on the 95,000 pounds found in one of his bank accounts.However, going by recent indications Malik is expected to be cleared by the committee on Monday and could be included in the squad that leaves for Zimbabwe later this month.The selectors have even named the right-handed batsman among the reserves for the tour.Referring to Kaneria, the source said he had filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, which in turn had directed the leg-spinner to submit documents before the PCB to prove his claim that the Essex police have given him a clean chit on a spot-fixing charge in England last year.The next hearing of the court is also scheduled for August 18.The court had ordered Kaneria and his lawyer to submit details of the interview the Essex police conducted with the leg-spinner during the course of the investigations in England.Kaneria has already sent a clearance letter from the Essex police, which has cleared the leg-spinner due to lack of evidence.

Read More

England to reset goals for 'constant self-improvement', says Flower

England coach Andy Flower has said that his world No.1 ranked Test team will set fresh goals in an attempt to continue their upward curve.Flower said that the team has always had a goal of constant self-improvement, and insisted that it won't change because of their ranking points change.We used the goal to be No.1 as a motivational tool, but now we have achieved that what Strauss and I don't want to do is just to hang on to No.1 status," the Telegraph quoted Flower, as saying."That's not a very exciting way to go about our business. We are going to have to reset our goals and I'd like to do that not only with the captains, but with the team," he added. Flower further said that the new goals would include winning away against Pakistan (in the UAE), Sri Lanka and India, and targeting the World Test Championship in 2013."We've got the individual Test series which are very important in their own right. This winter we go to play Pakistan and Sri Lanka, two sides England lost to when they last toured those countries. Then we'll have the World Test Championship for the first time in 2013, which is in England," the coach said."That is certainly something we are striving for - we have to be in the top four to get into the semi finals - and we are going to be working hard between now and then to ensure that we are a strong unit ready for that semi-final," he added.England claimed the number-one Test ranking for the first time in 32 years after winning the Edgbaston Test against India by an innings and 242 runs, which has also given it an impregnable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series.To top the championship table for the first time under the current ranking system, which was introduced in June 2003, Flower's side needed to win the series by a 2-0 margin or better

Read More

PCB to decide on Malik, Kaneria on Monday

Lahore: Uncertainty still looms large over former captain Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria's future ahead of the Pakistan Cricket Board's integrity committee meeting here on Monday"Malik has submitted some replies and documents regarding questions over a heavy amount found in his accounts. But it is too premature to say whether he would be cleared by the integrity committee or not," a PCB source said.He pointed out that Malik would have to satisfy the committee with his explanation on the 95,000 pounds found in one of his bank accounts."He has submitted some documents but that does not mean he is cleared. There is a retired judge on the committee and he has to be satisfied first," the source said.However, going by recent indications Malik is expected to be cleared by the committee on Monday and could be included in the squad that leaves for Zimbabwe later this month.The selectors have even named the right-handed batsman among the reserves for the tour.Referring to Kaneria, the source said he had filed a petition in the Sindh High Court, which in turn had directed the leg-spinner to submit documents before the PCB to prove his claim that the Essex police have given him a clean chit on a spot-fixing charge in England last year."The court had told him to submit documents to the board but so far we have got nothing fresh from him. Perhaps, he will come with the documents himself," the source said.The next hearing of the court is also scheduled for August 18.The court had ordered Kaneria and his lawyer to submit details of the interview the Essex police conducted with the leg-spinner during the course of the investigations in England.Kaneria has already sent a clearance letter from the Essex police, which has cleared the leg-spinner due to lack of evidence

Read More

Cook vaults into third position after career-best knock

Opener Alastair Cook has vaulted into a career-best third position in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen after a man of the match performance in the Edgbaston Test which turned out to be the cornerstone of England's victory by an innings and 242 runs over India in the third Test which finished on Saturday.Cook, who has been nominated for the Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards at the LG ICC Awards 2011, has claimed third position after rocketing eight places following a masterly 294 that came after 772 minutes of occupancy of the crease during which he received 545 balls off which 33 were converted into fours.Cook took a jump of eight places after he was awarded 92 ratings points for a mammoth knock which not only gave him a career-best rating to date of 836 but has also put him just two ratings points behind Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara who currently occupies second position.If Cook displays the same form he showed at Edgbaston in the fourth and last Test of the series, then he is all set to finish the series in second position. The 26-year-old left-hander had entered the series in fifth position but had slipped to 11th place after failures in the Lord's and Trent Bridge Tests in which he scored 12, 1, 2 and 5Cook is not the only England batsman who has moved in the right direction. Kevin Pietersen has gained two places and is now in 13th position after a score of 63, captain Andrew Strauss has earned one position and is now in 34th spot after a knock of 87 and Eoin Morgan has climbed 12 places to 52nd position after scoring his second Test century.The news is not as encouraging for India's batsmen who, except for captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have slipped in the latest rankings which were released on Sunday morning.Dhoni has moved up four places and is now in 36th position after scores of 77 and 74 not out while Sachin Tendulkar is in fourth position (down by one place), VVS Laxman in 12th (down by three places), Rahul Dravid in 14th (down by three places), Virender Sehwag in 17th (down by seven places) and Gautam Gambhir in 30th (down by three places)Tim Bresnan is the biggest mover in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers. The 26-year-old from Yorkshire has broken into the top 20 for the first time in his career after he jumped nine places to claim 16th position following figures of 4-62 and 1-19 Stuart Broad, who had match figures of 6-81, has also moved up two places to fifth position where he has been joined by team-mate Graeme Swann who has slipped one place after managing only two wickets in the Test which was dominated by the fast bowlers and Cook.James Anderson has strengthened his second position after he broke into the 800-point mark for the first time in his career after figures of 2-69 and 4-85.The 29-year-old Lancastrian earned 13 ratings points for his Edgbaston efforts which means he now trails number-one ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa by 96 ratings points and leads third-ranked Morne Morkel by 52 ratings points.Broad and Bresnan have also achieved career-best rankings in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders which are led by South Africa's Jacques Kallis.Broad has swapped places with Daniel Vettori while Bresnan has jumped four places to ninth position after he backed up his bowling figures of 5-81 with a breezy knock of 53 not out. His batting performance also earned him a career best ranking of 65th in the batting rankings.The Reliance ICC Player Rankings will now be updated after the fourth and last Test between England and India which starts at The Oval from Thursday

Read More

England have worked very hard for the No.1 spot: Strauss

England captain Andrew Strauss Saturday lauded his team for working hard to become World No.1 Test team, replacing India.
England won the third Test by an innings and 242-run loss and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series that ended India's 22- month stay at top Getting to No. 1 has been a goal for a long time and it fills me with a lot of pride to know we have completed something very special. We have had to work very had and the guys have put a lot of hard graft to get to No.1,' said Strauss.The England captain was all praise for opening batsman Alastair Cook, who batted for 13 hours, for his career best 294. Strauss (87) and Cook set the tone of the innings with their 186-run opening stand.'It was fantastic to get runs myself and then sit on the sofa and watch Cookie bat for two days. He has amazing concentration and determination, he's in this patch at the moment where he's very clear what his game was and he's an example for us all,' he said.Asked about his decision to bowl, Strauss said: 'It wasn't a massive gamble to bowl first, there was probably less in the wicket than we thought there would be, and by the time we batted the wicket had gone flat. The wickets have been shared around the bowlers and the pressure they have applied has been relentless.Cook, who was adjudged as Man of the Match, said he was pleased with his efforts despite missing out on a deserving triple century.'The work put in over the week off has paid dividends for me. Over the last 12 months scoring big hundreds was what I needed to work at and I'm glad that's happened. You want the attacking middle order players to go at the tiring bowlers later in the day. I am very pleased but it's a huge team effort to bowl a team like that (India) out for less than 250 on a flat wicket in both innings,' he said

Read More

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets

ENGLISH NEWS :

HAMBANTOTA: Australia defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second one-day international on Sunday to gain a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.Ricky Ponting top-scored with an impressive 90 not out and skipper Michael Clarke made an unbeaten 58 as Australia surpassed Sri Lanka's total of 208 with more than 11 overs to spare
URDU NEWS :
HAMBANTOTA : آسٹریلیا نے دوسرے بین الاقوامی ایک روزہ میں اتوار کو آٹھ وکٹوں سے سری لنکا کو شکست دی series.Ricky پانچ میچ میں 2-0 کی قیادت ایک شاندار 90 سے باہر نہیں اور مائیکل کلارک نے کپتان کے ساتھ سب سے اوپر رنز بنائے پونٹنگ کو حاصل کرنے کے لئے ایک ناقابل شکست بنا دیاآسٹریلیا کے طور پر 58 سے زیادہ 11 رنز کے ساتھ سری لنکا کے 208 کے کل کو پار کرنے کے لئے اسپیئر

Read More

Zimbabwe beats Bangladesh by seven wickets

ENGLISH NEW :
HARARE: Brian Vitori became the first bowler to take five wickets in each of his first two career one-day internationals as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the second one-dayer on Sunday to go 2-0 up in the five-match series.Vitori , who was named man-of-the-match after taking 5-30 in the first ODI on Friday that Zimbabwe won by four wickets, claimed 5-20 with another impressive display of swing bowling at Harare Sports ClubThe 21-year-old fast bowler again kept the Bangladesh batsmen off balance, removing Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain and Abdur Razzak to put the hosts in command. Naser Hossain led the Bangladesh batsmen with 63 from 93 deliveries Zimbabwe's chase was led by opening batsman Vusi Sibanda, who top-scored with 67 runs off 96 balls, sharing a crucial 83-run second wicket stand off 110 balls with Hamilton Masakadza (38) after losing captain Brendan Taylor (3) early.
UDRU NEWS :
ہرارے : برائن Vitori نے اتوار کو سب سے پہلے اس کی پہلی دو کیریئر کے ہر ایک کا زمبابوے کو شکست دے بنگلہ دیش کے طور پر ایک روزہ انٹرنیشنل میں دوسرا dayer میں سات وکٹوں سے پانچ وکٹ لے بولر سیریز پانچ میچ میں 2-0 تک بن گئےVitori،.، جنہوں نے پہلے ون ڈے میں جمعہ کو 5-30 لے کہ زمبابوے کو چار وکٹوں سے جیت کے بعد آدمی کے میچ نامزد کیا گیا تھا سوئنگ بولنگ کی ایک اور شاندار ڈسپلے کے ساتھ ہرارے کھیل ClubThe 21 سال میں 5-20 نے دعوی کیا ہےپرانے فاسٹ بولر کو دوبارہ توازن سے بنگلہ دیش کے بلے باز رکھا، تمیم اقبال، Imrul Kayes، Shakib امام حسن، ناصر حسین اور عبد Razzak اتارنے کمانڈ میں میزبان کے سامنے پیش کیا ہے. Naser حسین 63 کے ساتھ 93 گیندوں زمبابوے کا پیچھا بلے باز Vusi Sibanda، جنہوں نے 67 کے ساتھ سب سے اوپر رنز بنائے کھولنے کی قیادت میں کیا گیا تھا کی طرف سے بنگلہ دیش کے بلے بازوں کی قیادت رنز، 96 گیندوں پر اشتراک 83 چلنے والے ایک اہم دوسری وکٹ سے ہیملٹن Masakadza (38) کے ساتھ 110 گیندوں کھڑے کپتان برینڈن ٹیلر (3) ابتدائی کھونے کے بعد.

Read More

Zimbabwe win toss, put Bangladesh into bat in 2nd ODI

ENGLISH NEWS:
HARARE: Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor won the toss and elected to field in the second one-day international against Bangladesh at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.Bangladesh have lost three matches in a row since arriving - a three-day warmup, the one-off Test match and the first of five ODIs on Friday. Their new coach Stuart Law believes it is partly down to him not yet being fully familiar with the players. "But we will come out firing today(Sunay)he told The problem has been inconsistency and lack of commitment, according to captain Shakib Al Hassan. Bangladesh made one change, dropping Sohrawardi Shuvo after one appearance, and replacing him with all-round off-spinner Nazir Hossain, who is making his ODI debut.This will be Tamim Iqbal's 100th ODI appearance for Bangladesh, on the ground he made his debut six years ago. He has had an unsuccessful run here so far and will therefore be doubly determined to play well. Zimbabwe remain unchanged. TeamsZimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (captain), Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Foster Mtizwa, Elton Chigumbura, Ray Price, Prosper Utseya, Chrisopher Mpofu, Brian Vitori.Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hassan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shahriar Nafeez, Nazir Hossain.Umpires: Kumar Dharmasina (SL) and Russell Tiffin (ZIM), TV Umpire: Owen Chirombe (ZIM).Match referee:: Roshan Mahanama (SL)
URDU NEWS :
ہرارے : زمبابوے کے کپتان برینڈن ٹیلر ٹاس جیت اور Sunday.Bangladesh پر ہرارے اسپورٹس کلب میں بنگلہ دیش کے خلاف دوسرے ایک روزہ بین الاقوامی میدان میں منتخب پہنچنے کے بعد سے ایک صف میں تین میچوں کو کھو دیا ہے -- ایک تین روزہ warmup، ایکبند جمعہ کو ٹیسٹ میچ اور پانچ ون ڈے انٹرنیشنل میچوں کے پہلے. اپنے نئے کوچ اسٹیورٹ قانون کا خیال ہے کہ یہ اس سے جزوی طور پر نیچے ہے کھلاڑیوں کے ساتھ پوری طرح واقف ابھی تک نہیں کیا جا رہا ہے. لیکن ہم آج آئے فائرنگ گا (Sunay) انہوں نے بتایا کہ مسئلہ inconsistency اور عزم کی کمی ہے، کپتان Shakib القاعدہ بنگلہ دیش. حسن کے مطابق ایک تبدیلی کی ہے، ایک ظہور کے بعد Sohrawardi Shuvo گر رہی ہے، اور سب کے گول کے ساتھ اس کی جگہ اسپنر نذیر حسین، جنہوں نے اپنے ون ڈے debut.This کر رہا ہے تمیم اقبال نے بنگلہ دیش کے لیے 100th ون ڈے ظہور ہو جائے گا، وہ زمین پر ان کی پہلی چھ سال پہلے وہ ایک ناکام یہاں اب تک بھاگنا پڑا ہے اور اسی وجہ سے دوگنا ہو جائے گا تعین. اچھا کھیلتے زمبابوے میں کوئی تبدیلی نہیں رہ TeamsZimbabwe :.. برینڈن ٹیلر (کپتان)، Vusi Sibanda، ہیملٹن Masakadza، کریگ Ervine، Tatenda (ہفتہ) Taibu، فوسٹر Mtizwa، ایلٹن Chigumbura، رے پرائس، Utseya خوشحال، Chrisopher Mpofu، برائن Vitori.Bangladesh : Shakib امام (کپتان) حسن، تمیم اقبال، Imrul Kayes، محمد اشرفل، Mushfiqur (ہفتہ) رحیم، Mahmudullah، عبد Razzak، Shafiul اسلام، Rubel حسین، شہریار Nafeez، نذیر Hossain.Umpires : کمار Dharmasina (ایل) اور رسل ٹفن (ZIM)، ٹی وی امپائر :. وون (ZIM) Chirombe میچ ریفری : روشن (سری لنکن Mahanama)

Read More