1st Test - Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi, 18& 23 October

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Umar, Azhar, Hafeez guide Pakistan into lead

ABU DHABI  : Taufiq Umar hit his sixth Test century and fellow opener Mohammad Hafeez scored 75 as Pakistan took a firm grip on the first Test against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi stadium here on WednesdayThe left-hander made an undefeated 109 and added 118 for the opening wicket with Hafeez and another unbroken 141 for the third wicket with Azhar Ali (60 not out) as Pakistan reached 259-1 by stumps, a lead of 62 with eight wickets intact.If it was Pakistani bowlers' day, with Junaid Khan taking five wickets, on Tuesday it was batsmen's turn on Wednesday who further blunted an ordinary looking Sri Lankan bowling attack.Umar, Hafeez and Azhar batted without any trouble on an unresponsive pitch to frustrate the Sri Lankans who remained in a search for an elusive wicket in the first and thrid session.Azhar, who completed his tenth fifty in his 14th Test, ably supporting Umar.It was Umar who edged Herath towards third man for a couple to take Pakistan past Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 197.The ease with which Pakistani batsmen were coping, Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan immediately took the second new ball in the 81st over as their only chance to stage a fightback.But even that did not bring any luck for the Islanders as Umar hit three boundaries, two off Suranga Lukmal and then glaneced the same bowler for a single to bring up his hundred off 259 balls.Sri Lanka spurned a chance to get Azhar out, when experienced Mahela Jayawardene dropped a catch in the slips off Herath when the right-hander was only seven.Earlier it was Hafeez who anchored Pakistan's innings after they resumed at 27-0.Hafeez hit eight boundaries and a six during his confident knock.Umar reached his 12th half-century with a sharp single, and has so far hit only three boundaries as Pakistan scored only 59 in the second session.Umar was more cautious as Sri Lanka introduced spinners Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan from both ends. They bowled four maiden overs between them with tight line and length, but did not get much turn.Hafeez then broke the deadlock in scoring, jumping out of his crease to hit Herath over long-off for a six and then slashed towards third man to bring his fifth Test half-century.He then swept the same bowler for two to bring up Pakistan's 100. Hafeez has so far hit eight boundaries and a six during his 121-ball knock.Sri Lanka's three-pronged pace attack and spinners failed to give any trouble to the Pakistani openers on a pitch which had some grass on the first day.

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Proteas win toss, put Aussies into bat

CENTURION : South Africa won the toss and sent Australia in to bat in the first one-day international at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.South African captain Hashim Amla said the decision to field was influenced by the weather, with showers predicted during the evening. There were two sharp rain showers before the game but the weather cleared in time for the toss.Australia were without Shane Watson (hip injury) and Shaun Marsh (shoulder) and included two new caps in all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, 19, and fast bowler Pat Cummins, 18.Experienced players Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn returned to the South African team after missing the Twenty20 series between the two teams, which was shared 1-1.Wednesday's match was the first of a three-game series. Teams:South Africa: Hashim Amla (captain), Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Mark Boucher (wk), Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Ricky Ponting, David Warner, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, Pat Cummins, Doug Bollinger. Umpires: Johan Cloete (SA) and Ian Gould (ENG), TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND).

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Pakistan consolidate after Hafeez's fall

ABU DHABI : Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Taufiq Umar notched half-centuries to take Pakistan to 174-1 at tea on the second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi stadium here on Wednesday.The pair put Pakistan, replying to Sri Lankan first-innings score of 197, on the right track with a solid 127-run stand before Hafeez (75) fell in the second over after the lunch break, leg-before to left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.At the tea break, Umar was unbeaten on a sedate 65 and with him Azhar Ali on 26 not out during their snail-paced unbroken second wicket stand of 56. Pakistan trail Sri Lanka by 23 runs with nine wickets in hand.Hafeez and Umar frustrated the Sri Lankan bowlers and batted without any trouble after Pakistan resumed the day at 27-0.Hafeez hit eight boundaries and a six during his confident knock.Sri Lanka spurned a chance to get Azhar out, when experienced Mahela Jayawardene dropped a catch in the slips off Herath when the right-hander was only seven.Umar reached his 12th half-century with a sharp single, and has so far hit only three boundaries as Pakistan scored only 59 in the second session.Umar was more cautious as Sri Lanka introduced spinners Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan from both ends. They bowled four maiden overs between them with tight line and length, but did not get much turn.Hafeez then broke the deadlock in scoring, jumping out of his crease to hit Herath over long-off for a six and then slashed towards third man to bring his fifth Test half-century.He then swept the same bowler for two to bring up Pakistan's 100. Hafeez has so far hit eight boundaries and a six during his 121-ball knock.Sri Lanka's three-pronged pace attack and spinners failed to give any trouble to the Pakistani openers on a pitch which had some grass on the first day

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Pakistan coast to 115-0 in first Test

ABU DHABI : Pakistani's openers remained unseparated to take their team to 115-0 by lunch on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.Pakistan, who bowled out Sri Lanka for 197 in their first innings on the back of a five-wicket haul by paceman Junaid Khan, blunted the Sri Lankan attack at Abu Dhabi Stadium.At lunch, opener Mohammad Hafeez was unbeaten on 73 and Taufiq Umar was on 35 with Pakistan only 82 runs behind with all their wickets intact.Resuming at 27-0, Pakistan found the going easy against the Sri Lankan pace duo of Nuwan Pradeep and Chanaka Welegedara, with Hafeez smacking a boundary through covers off the debutant Pradeep in the first over of the day.Umar was more cautious as Sri Lanka introduced spinners Rangana Herath and Tillakaratne Dilshan from both ends. They bowled four maiden overs between them with tight line and length, but did not get much turn.Hafeez then broke the deadlock in scoring, jumping out of his crease to hit Herath over long-off for a six and then slashed towards third man to bring his fifth Test half-century.He then swept the same bowler for two to bring up Pakistan's 100. Hafeez has so far hit eight boundaries and a six during his 121-ball knock.Sri Lanka's three-pronged pace attack and spinners failed to give any trouble to the Pakistani openers on a pitch which had some grass on the first day.The remaining two Tests in the series will be played in Dubai (October 26-30) and Sharjah (November 3-7). The Tests will be followed by five one-day and a Twenty20 international.

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Pakistan to resume innings today

ABU DHABI: Pakistan will resume its first innings against Sri Lanka here Wednesday,Pakistan's seamer Junaid Khan Tuesday claimed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, helping Pakistan to gain the upper hand in the first Test while Sri Lanka was all out for a mere 197 total.Pakistan finished the day at 27-0, with Mohammad Hafeez on 17 and Taufiq Umar unbeaten on eight. Pakistan management will be hoping that openers could see out at least the first hour of second day's play.Sri Lanka are without a win in their last eleven Test matches.

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Junaid puts Pakistan on top in first Test

ABU DHABI : Left-arm paceman Junaid Khan chipped in with a maiden five-wicket haul to help Pakistan bundle Sri Lanka for a mere 197-run total on the first day of the opening Test here on Tuesday.The 21-year-old, playing in only his second Test, with 5-38 and was ably supported by pace partner Umar Gul (2-37) and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (2-56) after Pakistan put Sri Lanka into bat on a greenish Abu Dhabi stadium pitch.Pakistan finished the day at 27-0, with Mohammad Hafeez on 17 and Taufiq Umar unbeaten on eight.Sri Lanka, who were confidently placed at 51-1 at lunch, could never recover from the loss of six wickets for 65 runs between lunch and tea, as Khan produced a burst of three wickets in the space of just five deliveries.Vice-captain Angelo Mathews cracked four boundaries and a six in a fighting unbeaten 52 to avoid total disaster, putting up innings' highest partnership with Suranga Lakmal of 54 after Sri Lanka were tottering at 114-7.Paceman Aizaz Cheema (1-51) had opened the gates by dismissing former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (two) in the second over after lunch, forcing an edge off the left-hander which was smartly held by a diving keeper Adnan Akmal.Opener Tharanga Paranavitana then gloved a short-pitch delivery off Gul to Akmal to leave the Islanders struggling at 79-3. Paranavitana hit three boundaries during his patient knock of 37.Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan, who demoted himself to number five against Australia last month, hit the first ball he faced for a boundary and added 33 with Paranavitana before Sri Lanka lost the way.Dilshan was unlucky to be given out, caught behind off Ajmal by New Zealand umpire Tony Hill when replays showed he clearly missed the ball.Khan then ripped through the middle-order, dismissing Mahela Jayawardene (28) with the third ball of his ninth over, had Parasanna Jayawardene (nought) three balls later and then Rangana Herath (nought) off the first ball of his next.Khan, who took only one wicket in his debut Test against Zimbabwe last month, returned for his third spell to take the last two wickets, getting Chanaka Welegedara (11) and debutant Nuwan Pradeep (one) to wrap up the innings.Before Khan's final acts, Gul had dismissed Lakamal (18) to end Sri Lanka's resistance.Khan, preferred over more experienced Wahab Riaz, justified his selection as both Pakistan and Sri Lanka decided to enter with three pacemen and one specialist spinner, with the Islanders giving debut to Nuwan Prasad.In the first session Sri Lankan openers were cautious, as Misbah brought on spinner Hafeez in the eighth over. But it was Ajmal who gave the breakthrough dismissing opener Lahiru Thirimanne for 20 before lunch.The three Test series was shifted to United Arab Emirates after Sri Lanka refused an invitation to tour Pakistan in the wake of terrorists attacks on a military base in Karachi in May this year.

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Shakib stars in Bangladesh victory over Windies

CHITTAGONG : Shakib Al Hasan bagged four wickets to set up Bangladesh's consolation eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third and final one-day international on Tuesday.The tourists were dismissed for their second-lowest total of 61 after being put in to bat, with left-arm spinner Shakib finishing with a career-best 4-16 off five disciplined overs.The West Indies' lowest total in one-day internationals was 54 against South Africa in Cape Town in 2004.Bangladesh, who had lost the first two one-dayers, achieved the small target with 30 overs to spare. Opener Tamim Iqbal top-scored with an unbeaten 36 The West Indies earlier lost their last nine wickets for 28 runs in a dramatic collapse, with man-of-the-match Shakib, off-spinner Nasir Hossain (2-3) and paceman Shafiul Islam (2-21) doing the maximum damage.Opener Kieran Powell (25) and debutant Carlos Brathwaite (11) were the only batsmen to reach double figures in West Indies' dismal batting performance.The West Indies, who had dismissed Bangladesh for 58 in a World Cup match in Dhaka in March, were at the receiving end this time as their innings lasted just 22 overs.Their batting woes began in the 11th over when Shafiul had in-form Marlon Samuels caught by Suhrawadi Shuvo in the covers for his first victim. Samuels, who scored half-centuries in the last two one-dayers, could make just five.Nasir, wicketless in his six one-dayers before this match, was on hat-trick when he bowled Powell and then held a return catch to dismiss hard-hitting Kieron Pollard off successive deliveries.The West Indies made three changes from the side that won the second one-dayer by eight wickets in Dhaka last week.Powell, Anthony Martin and Brathwaite came in place of Devendra Bishoo, Ravi Rampaul and Lendl Simmons.Bangladesh replaced Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain with Shuvo, Shuvagata Hom, Shahriar Nafees and Nazmul Hossain

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Sri Lanka slump to spirited Pakistan bowling

ABU DHABI : Sri Lanka slumped against some spirited Pakistan bowling to struggle at 115-7 at tea on the opening day of the first cricket Test at Abu Dhabi stadium here Tuesday.Sent into bat by Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq, Sri Lanka were 50-1 at lunch but lost six wickets with the addition of just 65 runs in the second session as Pakistani bowlers justified the decision to field first on a greenish-brown pitch.At tea Angelo Mathews was on three and Suranga Lukmal unbeaten on nought.Pakistan's three-pronged pace attack justified Misbah's decision as left-arm paceman Junaid Khan (3-21), also proving his elevation over another left-armer Wahab Riaz corect, produced a burst of three wickets off just five balls.Paceman Aizaz Cheema had opened the gates by dismissing former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in the second over after lunch, forcing an edge off the left-handed batsmen which was smartly snapped up by a diving keeper Adnan Akmal.Sangakkara managed just two.Opener Tharanga Paranavitana then gloved a short-pitch delivery off fast bowler Umar Gul to Akmal to leave the Islanders struggling at 79-3. Paranavitana hit three boundaries during his patient knock of 37.Skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan, who demoted himself to number five against Australia last month, hit the first ball he faced for a boundary and added 33 with Paranavitana before Sri Lanka lost the way.Dilshan was unlucky to be given out, caught behind off Ajmal by New Zealand umpire Tony Hill when replays showed he clearly missed the ball.Khan then ripped through the middle-order, dismissing Mahela Jayawardene (28) with the third ball of his ninth over, had Parasanna Jayawardene (nought) three balls later and then Rangana Herath (nought) off the first ball of his next.In the first session Sri Lankan openers were cautious as their first boundary came only in the 14th over when the left-hander Paranavitana drove Hafeez to the cover boundary.Misbah brought on spinner Hafeez in the eighth over, and he came close to trapping Thirimanne in his first over.Sangakkara brought up the fifty with a single, as Pakistan's pacemen toiled hard under a scorching sun.

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3rd ODI: Windies crash to 61 as Shakib strikes

CHITTAGONG : Shakib Al Hasan grabbed four wickets as the West Indies were dismissed for their second-lowest total of 61 in the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh on Tuesday.The left-arm spinner finished with 4-16 off five disciplined overs as the West Indies lost their last nine wickets for 28 runs in a dramatic collapse after being put in to bat in the day-night match.Shakib was superbly backed by off-spinner Nasir Hossain and paceman Shafiul Islam, who took two wickets apiece as Bangladesh boosted their chances of posting a consolation win after losing the first two matches.Opener Kieran Powell (25) and debutant Carlos Brathwaite (11) were the only batsmen to reach double figures in West Indies' dismal batting performance.The West Indies, who had dismissed Bangladesh for 58 in a World Cup match in Dhaka in March, were at the receiving end this time as their innings lasted just 22 overs.Their batting woes began in the 11th over when Shafiul had in-form Marlon Samuels caught by Suhrawadi Shuvo in the covers for his first victim. Samuels, who scored half-centuries in the last two one-dayers, could make just five.Off-spinner Nasir, wicketless in his six one-dayers before this match, was on hat-trick when he bowled Powell and then held a return catch to dismiss hard-hitting Kieron Pollard off successive deliveries.The West Indies made three changes from the side that won the second one-dayer by eight wickets in Dhaka last week.Powell, Anthony Martin and Brathwaite came in place of Devendra Bishoo, Ravi Rampaul and Lendl Simmons.Bangladesh replaced Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain with Shuvo, Shuvagata Hom, Shahriar Nafees and Nazmul Hossain.

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Bangladesh put Windies in to bat in final ODI

CHITTAGONG : Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim elected to field after winning the toss against the West Indies in the third and final one-day international on Tuesday.The West Indies, who have already gained an unbeatable 2-0 lead, made three changes from the side that won the second one-dayer by eight wickets in Dhaka last week.Kieran Powell, Anthony Martin and debutant Carlos Brathwaite came in place of Devendra Bishoo, Ravi Rampaul and Lendl Simmons.Bangladesh replaced Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Abdur Razzak and Rubel Hossain with Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shuvagata Hom, Shahriar Nafees and Nazmul Hossain.West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Kieran Powell, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Danza Hyatt, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Anthony Martin.Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Shuvagata Hom, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain.

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First Test: Pakistan win toss, put Sri Lanka into bat

ABU DHABI : Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and decided to field against Sri Lanka in the first Test match here at the Sheikh Zayed International Stadium on TuesdayPakistan entered the Test with three pace bowlers to take advantage of some grass on the pitch, playing Saeed Ajmal as the only spinner.Pakistan preferred left-arm paceman Junaid Khan, who made his debut against Zimbabwe last month, over the much experienced Wahab Riaz.Sri Lanka also followed the same pattern, giving Nuwan Pradeep his Test debut with Rangana Herath as the only spinner.Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan.Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep.Umpires: Tony Hill (NZ) and Rodney Tucker (AUS), Tv umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

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Shahid Afridi withdraws retirement decision

KARACHI : All-rounder Shahid Afridi on Tuesday reversed his decision to retire from international cricket, saying he wanted to play for Pakistan since the chairman of the cricket board has been replaced.President Asif Ali Zardari last week appointed banker Zaka Ashraf chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to replace Ijaz Butt, who had developed serious differences with Afridi in May."Since the board chairman has changed, I take back my retirement decision and am available to play for Pakistan," Afridi told reporters. "I had said I will never play with Butt as chairman, so things have changed now.The 31-year-old all-rounder announced his sudden retirement from international cricket after being dumped as one-day captain following a row over selection with team coach Waqar Younis on tour in the West Indies in May

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First Pak-Sri Lanka Test begins today

ABU DHABI : Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq is hoping his team can build on their recent good performance while Sri Lanka are looking to end their drought when the two sides meet here in the first of three Tests from today.The 37-year-old Misbah took over as Test captain following a spot-fixing scandal in England last year and has since batted superbly to help Pakistan draw series against a formidable South Africa and the West Indies.He also lifted Pakistan to away wins over New Zealand and Zimbabwe and hopes to carry on the good work against Sri Lanka, who have lost their last two series against England and Australia -- both 1-0  since Tillakaratne Dilshan took over earlier this year.Misbah hopes his team will continue their recent winning streak."The morale is good, and everyone knows his role," Misbah said on Sunday."Cricket is a team game and since everyone knows his role we have been consistent in Tests and building on.Misbah leads a batting line-up which is a mixture of youth and experience with veteran Younis Khan and talented players like Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.Since taking over as captain Misbah has scored 704 in eight Tests at 78.22 and will be Pakistan's mainstay against the Sri Lankan spin duo of Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv -- both trying to overcome the loss of legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Sri Lanka have not won a Test, losing three and drawing eight Tests, since Muralitharan bade farewell to Test cricket after taking a world record of 800 wickets.But Misbah said Sri Lanka were still a good team."Sri Lanka no doubt is one of the best teams, especially in these conditions so we have to play well to beat them," said Misbah.Dilshan, 34, is looking to improve his captaincy as well as his batting form after contributing just one half-century against Australia, an 83 in the final Test at Colombo last month."We have a very young bowling unit and I think they are getting experience, so I hope they are now ready to do their job and establish the team in the Tests," said Dilshan.

Apart from Dilshan, Sri Lanka have the experience of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara -- both in the twilight of their careers and all-rounders Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana and Prasanna Jayawardene to put solid totals on the board.Ironically, bowlers from the both the sides will have to toil hard as wickets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been on the slower side, but could help spinners on the final two days.Pakistan have a better pace attack with Umar Gul (125 wickets) boosting the department after being rested in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, with left-arm pacemen Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan, and Aizaz Cheema in support.Pakistan will also look to Saeed Ajmal in the spin department.The remaining two Tests will be played in Dubai (October 26-30) and Sharjah (November 3-7). The Test series will be followed by five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match.Test squads:Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan.Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Kosala Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Kaushal Silva.Umpires: Tony Hill (NZL) and Rodney Tucker (AUS)Tv umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

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Akmal brothers involved in Afridi’s removal: Haider

KARACHI : Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Hadier said Monday that Kamran Akmal and Umer Akmal were involved in the removal of former skipper Shahid Afridi. Haider added that the Akmal brothers were involved in politicking in order to secure their place in the Pakistani side. The former wicket-keeper was Xclusive and alleged that Waqar Younis would also take part in lobbying against certain players. Commenting on Mazhar Majeed the agent at the center of the spot fixing controversy, Haider said Majeed would be seen with several players and he was interested in making him his agent but was stopped by senior players. Haider also thanked former sports minister Ijaz Jhakrani for including him in the team on the basis of performance.

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Butt says he ignored fixing requests

LONDON : Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt told a court in London on Monday that he had ignored requests by his agent to fix cricket matches against England.At his trial with fast bowler Mohammad Asif, Butt, 27, said he did not fulfil his duty to inform the cricketing authorities of an alleged corrupt approach by his British-based agent Mazhar Majeed.But he insisted that he had rejected the agent's suggestions to deliberately lose wickets at last year's Twenty20 World Cup and score no runs in an over in a Test against England last summer."Never in my whole life have I intended to do anything like that, play a match in a certain way. I always do what is required to the best of my ability," he told Southwark Crown Court.Butt said that the agent rang him late at night on the eve of the final day of the Oval Test in August 2010, in a conversation that was recorded by an undercover journalist for the now-defunct News of the World newspaper.The cricketer said Majeed had asked him, referring to a maiden over in which no runs are scored: "You know the maiden that we're doing for the first over? You know the third over you face, do one more maiden".Butt said he replied to Majeed: "Bro, just leave it, OK."He told the court: "I intended to say, 'that's enough, I've heard enough of that conversation'."When the agent again allegedly called Butt the following morning making a similar request the cricketer replied using the Urdu and Punjabi term "theek hai", meaning "OK".Butt told the jury this meant he was trying to end the conversation quickly."I was trying to get rid of the conversation, not to offend anyone... I was absolutely not interested in what he was talking about," he said.

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India thrash England again in huge win

NEW DELHI : World champions India rattled England once again with bat and ball to win the second one-dayer by eight wickets on Monday and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.Seamer Vinay Kumar returned with his best international figures of four for 30 as a lacklustre England were shot out for 237 in good batting conditions at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi.Virat Kohli then smashed an unbeaten 112, his seventh one-day century, and Gautam Gambhir made 84 not out as the under-strength hosts surpassed the modest target under lights in the 37th over.Tempers flared in the second session between England's fielders and India's batsmen, forcing the umpires to intervene on at least three occasions India, depleted by the absence of seven World Cup-winning stars due to injury or poor form, will wrap up the series if they win the third match in Mohali on Thursday.The hosts had won the first game in Hyderabad by 126 runs last Friday.A series win will help Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men make amends for the disastrous tour of England recently where they were blanked 4-0 in the Test series before losing the one-dayers 3-0.Kevin Pietersen's 46 was the top score for England as wickets tumbled at regular intervals after captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to bat on an easy-paced pitch.Fast bowler Tim Bresnan gave England a lifeline when he removed both openers, Parthiv Patel and Ajinkya Rahane, by the seventh over to make India 29-2.But Delhi team-mates Kohli and Gambhir delighted some 30,000 home fans with an 209-run winning partnership to take India home.England had made a disastrous start, losing openers Cook and Craig Kieswetter before a run had been scored.Cook slashed the fifth ball from Praveen Kumar to point, while Kieswetter edged Vinay to Kohli at slip in the second over.The shackles were broken when Praveen conceded 17 runs in his third over as Jonathan Trott smashed three consecutive fours and Pietersen also helped himself to a boundary.Trott made a fluent 34 with seven fours when he was caught behind off Vinay to reduce England to 48-3 by the 10th over.Ravi Bopara helped Pietersen add 73 for the fourth wicket before India hit back by removing both batsmen in the space of four deliveries.Bopara was leg-before to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for 36 and Pietersen was caught behind chasing a wide ball from seamer Umesh Yadav.Samit Patel and Jonathan Bairstow carried the total past the 200-run mark from a shaky 121-5, adding 86 for the sixth wicket before both fell in quick succession.Patel (42) was trapped leg-before by Yadav and Bairstow holed out in the deep off Ravindra Jadeja after making 35

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Australian squad named for Test series in South Africa

SYDNEY  : Teenage quick Patrick Cummins could become Australia's youngest Test player in nearly 60 years after being called up Monday for their two-Test series in South Africa.The explosive 18-year-old has played just three first-class matches for New South Wales, taking nine wickets, but has impressed for Australia against South Africa in the current Twenty20 series.He replaces James Pattinson in the only change to the squad that defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 in their three-Test battle last month and if he makes his debut will become the youngest Australian to play a Test since Ian Craig in 1952-53Craig was 17 years and 293 days on debut, with Cummins to be 18 years and 185 days when the Test series against South Africa starts.The next youngest was Tom Garrett, who was 18 years and 232 days when he played in Australia's first Test match in 1877.Australia play two Tests in South Africa, the first on November 9 in Cape Town and the second in Johannesburg from November 17.The explosive Cummins took 2-27 off four overs in Australia's second Twenty20 international against South Africa on Sunday, opening the bowling and taking two for three in a two-over burst.For Hilditch, Monday's announcement is likely his last as chairman of selectors with Cricket Australia set to appoint a full-time selection chairman and new panel as part of a review earlier this year.Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Shane Watson (vice-capt), Michael Beer, Trent Copeland, Patrick Cummins, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle.

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Team morale high for Sri Lanka series: Misbah

ABU DHABI : Pakistan skipper Misbahul Haq says "morale of his players is very good as we have been playing very good Test cricket for the last year.Everyone knows their role. We are playing on a consistent basis," he said before the start of a three-Test series against Sri Lanka from Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan host three-Test matches in the UAE. "Sri Lanka is one of best teams in the world and especially in these conditions" Misbah said. On the subcontinent, they are a tough side. We really have to play well. It doesn't matter if Sri Lanka have not been winning as they were playing in England, different conditions," Misbah said.Mohammad Hafeez, emerged as a quality all-rounder with his top-order batting in all formats as has his off spin bowling. Batting will revolve around Hafeez, Misbah, Younus Khan while Shoaib Malik likely to get another chance to resurrect his career.Pakistan's bowling attack is on full strength with fast bowlers Umar Gul & Wahab Riaz expected to return to side. Spin spearhead is Saeed Ajmal with Hafeez lending support and Abdur Rehman offering variety. (PPI)

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Vinay shines as India bowl out England for 237

NEW DELHI : India bowled England out for a modest 237 in good batting conditions in the second one-day international at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi on Monday.Kevin Pietersen's 46 was the top score as wickets tumbled at regular intervals after England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night match.Vinay Kumar returned with his best one-day figures of four for 30, and fellow-seamer Umesh Yadav picked up two wickets in an impressive display by the under-strength hosts.India, missing seven World Cup stars due to injury or poor form, will chase a target of less than five runs an over for a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.The hosts had won the first game in Hyderabad by 126 runs last Friday.England made a disastrous start, losing openers Cook and Craig Kieswetter before a run had been scored.Cook slashed the fifth ball from Praveen Kumar to point, while Kieswetter edged Vinay to Virat Kohli at slip in the second over.The shackles were broken when Praveen conceded 17 runs in his third over as Jonathan Trott smashed three consecutive fours and Pietersen also helped himself to a boundary.Trott made a fluent 34 with seven fours when he was caught behind off Vinay to reduce England to 48-3 by the 10th over.Ravi Bopara helped Pietersen add 73 for the fourth wicket before India hit back by removing both batsmen in the space of four deliveries.Bopara was leg-before to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for 36 and Pietersen was caught behind chasing a wide ball from Yadav.Samit Patel and Jonathan Bairstow carried the total past the 200-run mark from a shaky 121-5, adding 86 for the sixth wicket before both fell in quick succession.Patel (42) was trapped leg-before by Yadav and Bairstow holed out in the deep off Ravindra Jadeja after making 35

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ABU DHABI : Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq is hoping his team can build on their recent good performance while Sri Lanka are looking to end their drought when the two sides meet here in the first of three Tests from Tuesday.The 37-year-old Misbah took over as Test captain following a spot-fixing scandal in England last year and has since batted superbly to help Pakistan draw series against a formidable South Africa and the West Indies.He also lifted Pakistan to away wins over New Zealand and Zimbabwe and hopes to carry on the good work against Sri Lanka, who have lost their last two series against England and Australia  both 1-0  since Tillakaratne Dilshan took over earlier this year.Misbah hopes his team will continue their recent winning streak."The morale is good, and everyone knows his role," Misbah said on Sunday."Cricket is a team game and since everyone knows his role we have been consistent in Tests and building on."Misbah leads a batting line-up which is a mixture of youth and experience with veteran Younis Khan and talented players like Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.Since taking over as captain Misbah has scored 704 in eight Tests at 78.22 and will be Pakistan's mainstay against the Sri Lankan spin duo of Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv -- both trying to overcome the loss of legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Sri Lanka have not won a Test, losing three and drawing eight Tests, since Muralitharan bade farewell to Test cricket after taking a world record of 800 wickets.But Misbah said Sri Lanka were still a good team."Sri Lanka no doubt is one of the best teams, especially in these conditions so we have to play well to beat them," said Misbah.Dilshan, 34, is looking to improve his captaincy as well as his batting form after contributing just one half-century against Australia, an 83 in the final Test at Colombo last month."We have a very young bowling unit and I think they are getting experience, so I hope they are now ready to do their job and establish the team in the Tests," said Dilshan.Apart from Dilshan, Sri Lanka have the experience of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara -- both in the twilight of their careers and all-rounders Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana and Prasanna Jayawardene to put solid totals on the board.Ironically, bowlers from the both the sides will have to toil hard as wickets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been on the slower side, but could help spinners on the final two days.Pakistan have a better pace attack with Umar Gul (125 wickets) boosting the department after being rested in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, with left-arm pacemen Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan, and Aizaz Cheema in support.Pakistan will also look to Saeed Ajmal in the spin department.The remaining two Tests will be played in Dubai (October 26-30) and Sharjah (November 3-7). The Test series will be followed by five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match.Pakistan had hoped to host Sri Lanka but an attack on a Karachi military base forced the Islanders to turn down the invitation in May this year and the series was shifted to UAE.International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009

Test squads:
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan.
Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Kosala Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Kaushal Silva.
Umpires: Tony Hill (NZL) and Rodney Tucker (AUS)
Tv umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

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Rugby Union legend Jeremy Guscott hails "spectacular" Dubai Sports City

England and British and Irish Lions rugby union legend Jeremy Guscott hailed Dubai Sports City (DSC) as spectacular after taking a tour last week.Guscott, in the United Arab Emirates as a media pundit during the ongoing rugby world cup in New Zealand, used the gap between the quarter- and semi-finals to visit DSC, which includes the 25,000-seater Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the 18-hole Ernie Els-designed championship golf course, the ICC Global Cricket Academy, Dubai Sports City Hockey and Athletics Stadium and artificial and natural turf rugby and football pitches, as well as a thriving residential community at Victory Heights and the Bradenton Preparatory Academy.And the man who won 65 caps for his country, a further eight Lions caps during three tours, and was one of the most gifted backs of his generation, was impressed by what he saw."It's an amazing place," he said. "The facilities already completed are spectacular and once the remaining ones, like the indoor pitch and academies, are ready then it will be even more impressive, if that's possible."The vision behind this project is remarkable and I can see Dubai Sports City being a place where people at all levels of sport, from the elite right through to recreational players, are going to want to come again and again.Guscott received a guided tour of the venues at DSC and was also shown the plans for the completion of the project by the General Manager Sports Business Macky Dudhia, plans that include a rugby academy.Mr Dudhia said afterwards: "We are delighted that Jeremy was able to take the time to visit Dubai Sports City and see for himself the world-class facilities we have here."It is also gratifying to get an endorsement of what we are doing at Dubai Sports City from a sportsman of Jeremy's stature."We already have a series of outstanding, world-class facilities in operation, including the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Ernie Els-designed championship golf course, the ICC Global Cricket Academy and a field hockey and athletics stadium.These facilities are already attracting sports stars and professionals from all over the world and that process will only continue and increase as Dubai Sports City develops further in the weeks and months to come.

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South Africa level T20 series against Australia

JOHANNESBURG : Tailenders Wayne Parnell and Rusty Theron snatched an improbable three-wicket win for South Africa in the second Twenty20 international against Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.Parnell (29 not out) and Theron (31 not out) put on an unbeaten 64 for the eighth wicket off just 27 balls to level a series which Australia had looked almost certain to win.Australia's youth brigade took their side to the brink of victory but in the end a lack of experience proved costly to the tourists. Teenage debutant Mitchell Marsh hit four sixes in the last two overs to give Australia's innings a late boost, taking them to a total of 147 for eight, which seemed more than enough when fellow teenager, fast bowler Pat Cummins, sparked a South African collapse.Marsh, 19, made 36 off 21 balls on the day he joined older brother Shaun and father Geoff as an international cricketer.Cummins, 18, opened the bowling and dismissed Colin Ingram and JP Duminy as he took two for three in a two-over burst. James Pattinson, 21, kept the pressure on, taking two for 17 in four overs.South Africa were reeling at 84 for seven with only 32 balls remaining when Theron joined his franchise teammate Parnell.There were still 37 needed off three overs when Australian captain Cameron White brought left-arm slow bowler Steve O'Keeffe on to bowl. The left-handed Parnell hit him for a four and two sixes in an over which cost 18 runs.Cummins bowled the 19th over and conceded 13 runs, including two wides. Six were needed off the final over and White turned to David Hussey instead of the inexperienced Mitchell Marsh. Theron the off-spinner's first ball high over midwicket to settle the match with five balls to spare.

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Pakistan’ll continue recent winning streak: Misbah

ABU DHABI : Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq is hoping his team can build on their recent good performance while Sri Lanka are looking to end their drought when the two sides meet here in the first of three Tests from Tuesday.The 37-year-old Misbah took over as Test captain following a spot-fixing scandal in England last year and has since batted superbly to help Pakistan draw series against a formidable South Africa and the West Indies.He also lifted Pakistan to away wins over New Zealand and Zimbabwe and hopes to carry on the good work against Sri Lanka, who have lost their last two series against England and Australia  both 1-0  since Tillakaratne Dilshan took over earlier this year.Misbah hopes his team will continue their recent winning streak.The morale is good, and everyone knows his role," Misbah said on Sunday"Cricket is a team game and since everyone knows his role we have been consistent in Tests and building on."Misbah leads a batting line-up which is a mixture of youth and experience with veteran Younis Khan and talented players like Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq.Since taking over as captain Misbah has scored 704 in eight Tests at 78.22 and will be Pakistan's mainstay against the Sri Lankan spin duo of Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv -- both trying to overcome the loss of legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.Sri Lanka have not won a Test, losing three and drawing eight Tests, since Muralitharan bade farewell to Test cricket after taking a world record of 800 wickets.But Misbah said Sri Lanka were still a good team."Sri Lanka no doubt is one of the best teams, especially in these conditions so we have to play well to beat them," said Misbah.The remaining two Tests will be played in Dubai (October 26-30) and Sharjah (November 3-7). The Test series will be followed by five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match.Pakistan had hoped to host Sri Lanka but an attack on a Karachi military base forced the Islanders to turn down the invitation in May this year and the series was shifted to UAE.International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009

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Debutant Marsh gives Australia late boost

JOHANNESBURG : Teenage debutant Mitchell Marsh hit four sixes in the last two overs to give Australia's innings a late boost in the second and final Twenty20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.Australia made 147 for eight in their 20 overs. Marsh hit 36 off 21 balls as the last two overs yielded 35 runs, breaking the shackles imposed by South Africa's bowlers for most of the innings.Marsh, 19, was handed his first cap, joining brother Shaun and father Geoff as Australian international cricketers, because fellow all-rounder Shane Watson was ruled out by what was described as a minor hip injury.Marsh joined skipper Cameron White when Australia were struggling at 87 for five with one ball remaining in the 14th over. He played a supporting role as White batted aggressively before being run out for 39 off 26 balls in the 17th over, then showed his potential as one of Australia's most promising young players.His first six was off Wayne Parnell in an over which brought 15 runs, then he thrashed three more sixes off Morne Morkel before he was bowled off the last ball of the innings.With Australia having won the first match by five wickets in Cape Town on Thursday, South Africa's bowlers dominated the early part of the innings, with Lonwabo Tsotsobe producing his country's most economical four-over spell by taking two for 11, including a first spell of one for six.Morkel and Rusty Theron also took two wickets each on a pitch which looked ideal for batting but which had some uneven bounce.

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