Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sri Lanka level series beating Pakistan in 2nd ODI
DUBAI : Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 25 runs
with 21 balls to spare after an interesting contest in the second
One-day International played here at the Dubai International Cricket
Stadium on Monday.Chasing 236 runs to win, Pakistan were all out for 210 in 46.3 overs despite a brilliant knock of 91 by young Umar Akmal Other
main scorers were Shahid Afridi (29), Sarfraz Ahmed (24) and
Misbah-ul-Haq (21) as no other batsmen could resist against the Sri
Lankan pacers.Lasith Malinga grabbed three wickets for 36 runs while Tishara Perera and Dilhara Fernando claimed two wickets each.Earlier, opener Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene notched fighting half-centuries to propel Sri Lanka to 235-7 Tharanga
scored 77 while Jayawardene returned to form with 50 as they shared a
fourth wicket stand of 85 to lift Sri Lanka, who won the toss and were
restricted in the middle overs by a disciplined Pakistan bowling.The
total reflected a big improvement in Sri Lanka's batting after they
were bowled out for a mere 131 during their eight-wicket defeat in the
first of a five-match series here last Friday.Tillakaratne
Dilshan and Tharanga gave a solid 56-run start to their team by the 12th
over when leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, man-of-the-match in the first
match for his 3-27, provided Pakistan with a breakthrough
Ashraf vows to lure world's best back to Pakistan
DUBAI : Pakistan's new cricket chief Zaka Ashraf Monday vowed to bring
international cricket back to the country, suggesting the game's
governing body could form a board to assess security before teams'
tours.International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan
since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009,
which left eight people dead and seven visiting players and their
assistant coach injured.Those incidents, coupled with
continued security fears in Pakistan, have led to refusals by
international teams to tour the troubled country, where the national
army is fighting militancy and a resurgency by the Taliban.Ashraf,
who replaced Ijaz Butt as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman last
month, said his first task is to bring international cricket back to the
country."We are doing our level best to bring international
cricket back to Pakistan," Ashraf, who met International Cricket
Council (ICC) officials, told AFP. "I have suggested the ICC should form
a board to assess security in Pakistan.After the terrorist attacks of 2009, the ICC was forced to strip Pakistan of its share of matches in the 2011 World Cup.Sri
Lanka also turned down an invitation to tour Pakistan after a military
base was attacked in Karachi in May this year, forcing them to play the
series in the United Arab Emirates.Ashraf, regarded as a
close friend of Pakistan president Asif Zardari, said he can take help
from the government on implementing security for international teams."Once
the ICC forms a security board we can also take help from the
government and implement the best arrangements for international teams,"
said Ashraf.Ashraf said Pakistani fans are deprived of international cricket.What
happened in Pakistan was disappointing and that left millions of fans
in our country deprived of international cricket and we now seek help
from the cricket world to restore activity so that our fans get to see
that," said Ashraf.International Cricket Council (ICC) chief
executive Haroon Lorgat, who met Ashraf on Monday, said the ICC was
doing its best to revive cricket in Pakistan."It was
something that could not get much time (for consideration) due to the
spot-fixing issue, but now in order to have some teams playing in
Pakistan the security situation has to be considered," said Lorgat.Ashraf said he has also written to Indian cricket chiefs to revive what he termed the "mother of all cricket" series.I
have written to Narayan Srinivasan (President of the Board of Control
for Cricket in India) to revive the series between the two countries
because it's a game and should be kept away from politics," said Ashraf.It is a move backed by Lorgat. India-Pakistan
is a seriously important fixture. It is also something which Ashraf has
uppermost in his mind and we will support that. We can make a request
to India, it is up to India to decide where they want to play.Ashraf said he has also met Bangladesh Cricket Board officials to break the ice.I
have also met Bangladesh officials and in order to break the ice. I
have invited them to tour Pakistan and I hope they reply in a positive
way
India on course for a big total against Windies
KOLKATA : Rahul Dravid cracked a brilliant 119 to put India on course for
a big total on the opening day of the second Test against the West
Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.
The 38-year-old batsman hit two sixes and nine fours in his 36th Test hundred, and the fifth of the year, as the hosts reached 346-5 in their first innings at stumps after winning the toss on a good batting pitch. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar (51), South African Jacques Kallis (40) and Australian Ricky Ponting (39) have scored more Test centuries than Dravid.India lead 1-0 in the three-Test series following their five-wicket win in the opening match in New Delhi.Dravid never looked in trouble in his 207-ball knock, impressing with his shot-selection during his long stay at the crease to put India in a strong position with three valuable partnerships.He added 83 runs for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir (65), 56 for the next with Sachin Tendulkar and 140 for the fourth wicket with Venkatsai Laxman, who was unbeaten with a solid 73 when bad light stopped play.Dravid completed his hundred when he turned a no-ball from paceman Kemar Roach behind square-leg for a four before inside-edging part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite's delivery on to his stumps in the day's penultimate over.India lost one more wicket when nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was caught behind off Roach.Laxman, who made an unbeaten 58 in the last Test, has so far hit five fours in his second successive half-century.Tendulkar, who needs just one hundred to complete an unprecedented 100th international century, had been batting confidently before falling for 38, pulling leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo to Marlon Samuels at mid-wicket.Dravid continued to bat comfortably against both pace and spin, lofting Bishoo over long-off and part-time spinner Samuels over long-on for sixes.Tendulkar, who has also scored 48 hundreds in one-day internationals, looked in excellent form as he turned Fidel Edwards to fine-leg for his first four and then drove Roach through the covers for another boundary.He survived a confident appeal for leg-before on 25 while attempting to sweep Bishoo before being dismissed by the same bowler in the afternoon session, much to the disappointment of nearly 10,000 spectators.The West Indies struggled for success on a pitch which had little in it for the bowlers, with seamer Darren Sammy, Edwards, Bishoo, Roach and Brathwaite each taking one wicket.Gambhir fell to a loose shot, driving an Edwards delivery straight to Adrian Barath at short cover after adding eight runs to his lunch score of 57. He hit eight fours in his 17th half-century in 43 Tests.India got off to a solid start as Gambhir and aggressive Virender Sehwag (38) put on 66 in 12.1 overs for the opening wicket.Sehwag played some handsome shots against the West Indies pace attack, hitting eight fours in his brisk 33-ball knock before driving Sammy straight to Barath at short mid-wicket.
The 38-year-old batsman hit two sixes and nine fours in his 36th Test hundred, and the fifth of the year, as the hosts reached 346-5 in their first innings at stumps after winning the toss on a good batting pitch. Only India's Sachin Tendulkar (51), South African Jacques Kallis (40) and Australian Ricky Ponting (39) have scored more Test centuries than Dravid.India lead 1-0 in the three-Test series following their five-wicket win in the opening match in New Delhi.Dravid never looked in trouble in his 207-ball knock, impressing with his shot-selection during his long stay at the crease to put India in a strong position with three valuable partnerships.He added 83 runs for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir (65), 56 for the next with Sachin Tendulkar and 140 for the fourth wicket with Venkatsai Laxman, who was unbeaten with a solid 73 when bad light stopped play.Dravid completed his hundred when he turned a no-ball from paceman Kemar Roach behind square-leg for a four before inside-edging part-time spinner Kraigg Brathwaite's delivery on to his stumps in the day's penultimate over.India lost one more wicket when nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was caught behind off Roach.Laxman, who made an unbeaten 58 in the last Test, has so far hit five fours in his second successive half-century.Tendulkar, who needs just one hundred to complete an unprecedented 100th international century, had been batting confidently before falling for 38, pulling leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo to Marlon Samuels at mid-wicket.Dravid continued to bat comfortably against both pace and spin, lofting Bishoo over long-off and part-time spinner Samuels over long-on for sixes.Tendulkar, who has also scored 48 hundreds in one-day internationals, looked in excellent form as he turned Fidel Edwards to fine-leg for his first four and then drove Roach through the covers for another boundary.He survived a confident appeal for leg-before on 25 while attempting to sweep Bishoo before being dismissed by the same bowler in the afternoon session, much to the disappointment of nearly 10,000 spectators.The West Indies struggled for success on a pitch which had little in it for the bowlers, with seamer Darren Sammy, Edwards, Bishoo, Roach and Brathwaite each taking one wicket.Gambhir fell to a loose shot, driving an Edwards delivery straight to Adrian Barath at short cover after adding eight runs to his lunch score of 57. He hit eight fours in his 17th half-century in 43 Tests.India got off to a solid start as Gambhir and aggressive Virender Sehwag (38) put on 66 in 12.1 overs for the opening wicket.Sehwag played some handsome shots against the West Indies pace attack, hitting eight fours in his brisk 33-ball knock before driving Sammy straight to Barath at short mid-wicket.
Tharanga, Jayawardene lift Sri Lanka to 235-7
DUBAI : Opener Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene notched fighting
half-centuries to propel Sri Lanka to 235-7 in the second day-night
international against Pakistan at Dubai stadium here on Monday.Tharanga
scored 77 while Jayawardene returned to form with 50 as they shared a
fourth wicket stand of 85 to lift Sri Lanka, who won the toss and were
restricted in the middle overs by a disciplined Pakistan bowling.The
total reflected a big improvement in Sri Lanka's batting after they
were bowled out for a mere 131 during their eight-wicket defeat in the
first of a five-match series here last Friday.Tillakaratne
Dilshan and Tharanga gave a solid 56-run start to their team by the 12th
over when leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, man-of-the-match in the first
match for his 3-27, provided Pakistan with a breakthrough.Afridi
bowled Sri Lanka captain Dilshan with a sharp googley after he had
threatened to score big by hitting four attractive boundaries. He fell
for a 40-ball 28.Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 516 in the
preceding three-Test series which Pakistan won 1-0, managed just five
before paceman Abdul Razzaq caught him off his own bowling, leaving Sri
Lanka at 65-2 It became 3-94 when Dinesh Chandimal (15) fell
to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, leaving Tharanga and Jayawardene to give
the innings some respectability.Tharanga hit eight boundaries during his 120-ball knock before he was caught off Afridi.Jayawardene,
who was lacklustre in the Tests as well as in the first one-dayer, hit
five boundaries during his 57-ball knock before he was bowled by Ajmal.Ajmal finished with 3-61 while Afridi bagged 2-35.Pakistan
kept an unchanged side, but Sri Lanka brought in Thissara Perera and
Jeevan Mendis in place of Suranga Lakmal and Kosala Kulasekara.
World Test Championship will be staged in 2017: ICC CEO Lorgat
DUBAI : ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat announced on Monday that the inaugural World Test Championship will be held in 2017.Earlier it was expected that the tournament would be staged in 2013, but that possibility has since been ruled out."I am afraid that's no longer going to happen in 2013. At the last board
meeting we decided that the first opportunity that we can play the
World Test Championship is at 2017. So I am disappointed that it is not
going to take place sooner,'' informed Mr Lorgat while speaking to the
media on the sidelines of the second One-Day International between
Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dubai.The ICC attempted to switch ICC Champions Trophy and tried to host the World Test Championship in 2013 in England."It is a reality of the commitments that we have got already through to
2015. We were tempted to switch Champions Trophy to become a Test
Championship but that's not going to be possible."We attempted to form the World Test Championship which I think would
have been a very good context to ensuring the primacy of Test match
cricket. But again we will have wait for 2017 to see that as a
reality,'' added Mr Lorgat.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Pakistan, West Indies, Netherlands and South Africa all win on opening day of ICC WWCQ 2011
ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year 2011 Stafanie Taylor and team-mate Juliana Nero both score centuries to defeat IrelandPakistan, West Indies, Netherlands and South Africa all claimed
victories on the opening day of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier in
Dhaka, Bangladesh today.Sana Mir's Pakistan defeated hosts Bangladesh by 73 runs in a
hard-fought game played in front of strong home support. Sher-e-Bangla
National Cricket Stadium saw over 4000 supporters fill the stands to
cheer on the Bangladesh women's side in its first round of the
tournament that could see it qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup in
2013.Elsewhere, centuries from West Indians Juliana Nero and ICC Women's
Cricketer of the Year 2011 Stafanie Taylor showed Ireland the Americas
side's intentions for the event are serious and a superior bowling
attack saw Isobel Joyce's side defeated by 213 runs at BKSP* 3. At
Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Sri Lanka had South Africa all out for 114
but fell short of reaching the target by just six runs after Sunette
Loubser took an impressive 5-27 to secure victory for the Africans.Meanwhile Netherlands defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets after putting on a
superior batting display led by Kerry-Anne Tomlinson and Miranda
Veringmeier at BKSP 2.In front of a lively crowd and playing live on national television,
Bangladesh lost the toss and were put into field first in Mirpur - a
decision that Mir may have regretted after some tight bowling from Salma
Khatun and her bowling attack. Khatun was instrumental in the dismissal
of the opener, Mir, after the 25-year-old mistimed a hit off the
bowling of Lata Mondol to give the captain a nifty catch.The rest of the Pakistan top order performed well with the bat, with the
standout performance coming from Bismah Maroof with her patient 79 off a
106 balls, the 20-year-old from Lahore was dismissed by in-form bowler
Khadiza Tul Kubra who had Bismah caught by Khatun. The Bangladeshi
captain had a strong game in the field, claiming two wickets and three
catches to see Pakistan 197 all out in its allotted overs.In reply, Bangladesh's batting attack failed to have a response to the
strong bowling from the Pakistanis, with the side managing to make just
99 runs, while Pakistan's bowlers gave away some 15 extras to give the
Bangladeshis a total of 114 all out in just 42.4 overs. Nida Rashid
proved to be the star bowler of the side with four wickets for just 29
runs however, Bismah also claimed 2-16 and was judged by the on-field
umpires to be most deserving candidate for Player of the Match award.Bangladesh's coach Mamatha Maben admitted that the Group B game had been
tough with some areas needing to be worked, especially the middle order
batting performance.We let too many extras go today which helped Pakistan in creating their
total and we missed out on some chances to have them on the back-foot,
whether it be with missed catches or poor fielding on our part. We let
the Pakistanis create a partnership in the middle with Bismah and also
Qanita Jalil showed some good batting which meant our bowlers couldn't
finish what they had started."There is no excuse for our poor batting, especially from the middle
order who perhaps came in earlier than they had expected but they did
not bed in as they should have. We need an improvement from Salma
(Khatun), Sukatara (Rahaman) and also (Fargana) Pinky tomorrow - they
can all bat but they played poor shots today and should have known
better. The tail were more cautious simply because they came in with a
mountain to do and currently the side needs to regain its confidence
after this innings and move on for tomorrow's crucial game against
Ireland."It's important to beat a team like Ireland, because realistically we
have a chance against them and Japan and we will give West Indies our
best effort but we know they are the strongest team in this group so for
now it's about ensuring we beat Ireland tomorrow.Pakistan's captain was pleased with her side's performance today but
admitted there was still room for improvement, she said: "It's great to
start with a win and it was very much a team effort out there today. We
bowled well, however we definitely gave away too many extras and that
needs to be improved before our next game and also we need to get our
fielding tighter."Some of our batters, including myself, made some poor shot selections
today which led to us getting out but with the likes of Bismah stepping
up to the plate I was pleased and we now all need to learn from this and
improve ahead of our next game."At BKSP 3, West Indies made its first major impact of the tournament,
with the side featuring two centurions in its innings - one from ICC
Women's Cricketer of the Year 2011 Stafanie Taylor and one coming from
Juliana Nero. The duo's opening partnership of 204 in the side's ODI
against Ireland is the sixth highest opening partnership in any women's
ODI - unfortunately it was broken when Nero departed in the 37th over
after the 32-year-old right-hander fell short of her mark and was run
out by Heather Whelan.Taylor made 107 in her innings, reminding all those in the tournament as
to why she is the ICC's top female cricketer at the moment, and the
side made an impressive 277-4 in its allotted overs. In response, Isobel
Joyce's team simply could not handle the West Indian pace attack in the
form of Pearl Etienne, Shanel Daley and Stacey-Ann King. The trio
claimed seven Irish wickets between them and reduced the team to a
miserable 63 all out in just 30.1 overs, with the top scorer being Kim
Garth with just 24 runs.At the adjacent ground, BKSP 2, Netherlands took on Zimbabwe with the
latter electing to bat first in its opening Group A encounter. Sharne
Mayers' side struggled to make runs against the European qualifiers, but
were helped by some sloppy bowling on the part of the Dutch team.
Helmien Rambaldo's bowling attack gave away 26 extras, including 22
wides to help the Zimbabweans to their total.Esther Lanser's off-break bowling proved successful as did the medium
pace of Kerry-Anne Tomlinson, the latter proving deft with the bat after
she helped to seal victory for the Dutch, scoring 46 not out and
claiming Player of the Match in the Netherlands' opening game.Zimbabwe's bowling attack managed to claim four victims, including
Miranda Veringmeier, whose 47 runs proved crucial for the Dutch side in
chasing down the total, before she departed after being caught and
bowled by the athletic medium-pacer Audrey Mazvishaya.Finally, at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium, South Africa took on Sri Lanka
in a match that looked destined for Dilani Manodara's side to win but
Sunette Loubser's off-spin proved a negating factor for the Asian side
and they fell six runs short of the target set by the Africans.South Africa's opening batter, Shandre Fritz proved the most successful
of the team line-up with 61 runs, but the rest of her side failed to
sparkle in the ODI, with none of the top order, making more than four
runs. New captain Mignon du Preez managed just 14 runs, as the middle
and lower order collapsed to the bowling of the Sri Lankan duo Sherina
Ravikumar and Suwini de Alwis.In response, Sri Lanka's top order made slow progress on the reaching
its target of 115, Sandamali Dolawatte the pick of the batters with 29
not out, but with little to no support from her fellow team-mates.
South Africa's off-spinner Loubser was the key factor for the Du Preez's
side, claiming key wickets in both the top, middle and lower order to
make sure Dolawatte was left stranded as the side fell to 108 all out -
so close and yet so far from victory in its opening fixture.Tomorrow with see Sri Lanka take on The Netherlands in its Group A
fixture at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and Pakistan face
Ireland at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Group B. Meanwhile, fellow
Group B side Bangladesh will face Japan at BKSP 2 and USA will take on
South Africa at BKSP 3 in its Group A match.
Scores in brief - Day OneAt Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
Pakistan 197 all out, 50 overs (Bismah 79; Kubra 4-41)
Bangladesh 124 all out, 42.2 overs (Akter 19; Nida 4-29)
Pakistan won by 73 runs
Player of the Match: Bismah Maroof (Pak)
At Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium (ODI)
South Africa 114 all out, 37 overs (Fritz 67; de Alwis 4-21, Ravikumar 4-23)
Sri Lanka 108 all out, 48.2 overs (Dolawatte 29; Loubser 5-27)
South Africa won by six runs
Player of the Match: Sunette Loubser (SA)
At BKSP 2
Zimbabwe 145 all out, 49.5 overs (Nyathi 29; Tomlinson 2-34, Lanser 3-17)
Netherlands 148-4, 25.2 overs (Veringmeier 47, Tomlinson 36 not out)
Netherlands won by six wickets
Player of the Match: Kerry-Anne Tomlinson (Ned)
At BKSP 3 (ODI)
West Indies 277-4, 50 overs (Nero 100; Taylor 107)
Ireland 63 all out, 30.1 overs (Garth 24; Etienne 3-16)
West Indies won by 213 runs
Player of the Match: Juliana Nero (WI)
Points Table after Round One of first phase of games
Group A
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
| Netherlands Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.942 | 148/25.2 | 145/50.0 |
| South Africa Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.12 | 114/50.0 | 108/50.0 |
| Sri Lanka Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.12 | 108/50.0 | 114/50.0 |
| Zimbabwe Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2.942 | 145/50.0 | 148/25.2 |
Group B
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
| West Indies Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4.26 | 276/50.0 | 63/50.0 |
| Pakistan Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.46 | 197/50.0 | 124/50.0 |
| Bangladesh Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.46 | 124/50.0 | 197/50.0 |
| Ireland Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -4.26 | 63/50.0 | 276/50.0 |
Dravid ton puts India in control
Eden Gardens : Rahul Dravid cracked a brilliant 119 to put India on course for a big
total on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies at
the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.The 38-year-old batsman hit two sixes and nine fours in his 36th Test
hundred, and the fifth of the year, as the hosts reached 346-5 in their
first innings at stumps after winning the toss on a good batting pitch.Only India's Sachin Tendulkar (51), South African Jacques Kallis (40)
and Australian Ricky Ponting (39) have scored more Test centuries than
Dravid. India lead 1-0 in the three-Test series following their
five-wicket win in the opening match in New Delhi.Dravid never looked in trouble in his 207-ball knock, impressing with
his shot-selection during his long stay at the crease to put India in a
strong position with three valuable partnerships.He added 83 runs for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir (65), 56 for
the next with Sachin Tendulkar and 140 for the fourth wicket with
Venkatsai Laxman, who was unbeaten with a solid 73 when bad light
stopped play.Dravid completed his hundred when he turned a no-ball from paceman Kemar
Roach behind square-leg for a four before inside-edging part-time
spinner Kraigg Brathwaite's delivery on to his stumps in the day's
penultimate over.India lost one more wicket when nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was caught
behind off Roach. Laxman, who made an unbeaten 58 in the last Test, has
so far hit five fours in his second successive half-century.Tendulkar, who needs just one hundred to complete an unprecedented 100th
international century, had been batting confidently before falling for
38, pulling leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo to Marlon Samuels at mid-wicket.
Dravid continued to bat comfortably against both pace and spin, lofting
Bishoo over long-off and part-time spinner Samuels over long-on for
sixes.Tendulkar, who has also scored 48 hundreds in one-day internationals,
looked in excellent form as he turned Fidel Edwards to fine-leg for his
first four and then drove Roach through the covers for another boundary.He survived a confident appeal for leg-before on 25 while attempting to
sweep Bishoo before being dismissed by the same bowler in the afternoon
session, much to the disappointment of nearly 10,000 spectators.The West Indies struggled for success on a pitch which had little in it
for the bowlers, with seamer Darren Sammy, Edwards, Bishoo, Roach and
Brathwaite each taking one wicket.Gambhir fell to a loose shot, driving an Edwards delivery straight to
Adrian Barath at short cover after adding eight runs to his lunch score
of 57. He hit eight fours in his 17th half-century in 43 Tests.India got off to a solid start as Gambhir and aggressive Virender Sehwag
(38) put on 66 in 12.1 overs for the opening wicket. Sehwag played some
handsome shots against the West Indies pace attack, hitting eight fours
in his brisk 33-ball knock before driving Sammy straight to Barath at
short mid-wicket
Sri Lanka bat in 2nd ODI against Pakistan
DUBAI : Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan won the toss and decided
to bat in the second day-night international against Pakistan at Dubai
stadium here on Monday.Sri Lanka made two changes from the side
which lost the first day-night match here on Friday, bringing in paceman
Thissara Perera and Jeevan Mendis in for Suranga Lakmal and Kosala
Kulasekara.Mahela Jayawardene recovered from a knee injury and was retained.Pakistan made no change from the team which won the first one-day.
Pakistan :
Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat,
Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Aizaz
Cheema, Abdul Razzaq
Pakistan aim for 2-0 lead over SL in 2nd ODI
DUBAI : The ambitious Pakistan team will look to win the second ODI here
on Monday and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series against Sri
Lanka,Pakistan thrashed their rivals in the first match on Friday by eight wickets where returning Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan displayed a winning show. Pakistan
bowled Sri Lanka out for 131 in 40.3 overs supported by off-spinners
Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal who took two wickets each. Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said that the win has not flattered them and the team will continue to strive to win the series.The
captain aimed for a clean sweep that will result in the improved
international ranking, moving up from sixth to fourth position.Former
captain Younis Khan said his team will continue to keep things simple
as they look to double their series lead in the second one-day match
against Sri Lanka
Teenage Quintyne surprised to be Windies player so soon
Fifteen year old West Indies Women leg spinner Shaquana Quintyne was surprised to have commenced her international career during her tender teenage years."I never thought I would play for the West Indies so soon, I was thinking more like when I was 19 or so but now that I have made the team it is a dream come true and I want to ensure that I do the hard work to maintain my position," the affable and eloquent teenager said.The West Indies Women's team departed the Caribbean yesterday for Bangladesh to take part in the Women's World Cup Qualifiers.Quintyne credits her athletics background with being able to cope more easily with the rigours of international cricket."The training and fitness is not hard for me because I am accustomed to hard training as an athlete," said Quintyne who represented Barbados at CARIFTA in sprints.She says she has been warmly welcomed by the team and have fitted in neatly into the unit."It's a good team unit, we are like a family, it is a nice group to work with the girls are all friendly and we are getting along well," said the cricket obsessed teenager who debuted for West Indies against Pakistan in St Vincent in September this year.She has so far played two One Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International.Ten teams will participate in the qualifiers and the top four teams will join top ranked sides, England, Australia, India and New Zealand in the Women's World Cup 2013 in India.The teams have been drawn in two groups for the qualifiers with West Indies in Group B along with Pakistan, Ireland, Japan and hosts Bangladesh. The qualifiers begin on November 14 and run through to November 25.The West Indies Women completed a two week preparatory camp at the Sagicor High Performance Centre in Barbados prior to leaving the Caribbean.
West Indies squad: Merissa Aguilleira (Captain), Shermaine Campbelle, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Pearl Etienne, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor.
Team Management: Sherwin Campbell - Head Coach, Stephanie Power - Assistant Coach, Marjorie Thomas - Team Manager, Janel Springer-'Physiotherapist, Amena Highland - Strength and Conditioning Coach
West Indies group schedule
November 14 - West Indies v Ireland
November 17 - West Indies v Pakistan
November 18 - West Indies v Japan
November 20 - West Indies v Bangladesh
Play off matches: November 22-25
Steyn becomes only the 20th bowler in history to break 900-point mark threshold
South Africa's Dale Steyn has become only the 20th bowler in history to
break the 900-point mark barrier in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for
Test bowlers after claiming six wickets in his side's eight-wicket win
against Australia in Cape Town on Friday.Steyn began the Test on 899 ratings points and earned three ratings
points for his efforts of 4-55 and 2-23 to become only the second South
Africa bowler after Shaun Pollock to achieve the rare distinction.In rankings terms, 900 or more ratings points means a player is truly outstanding, a benchmark for the very top bowlers.A delighted Steyn said: "It is very special for me to join the 900-point
club. There are a lot of world-class players in that region and it is
an honour to be in their company."When I go out and bowl I hardly ever think of the rankings, for me it
is about representing my country and giving my best for the team so
sometimes it means a lot to receive the recognition."At 902 ratings points, Steyn is 17th in the all-time ratings list** with
an excellent chance of moving further up that list provided he puts up
another stellar performance in the second and final Test which starts in
Johannesburg next Thursday.Steyn has been holding the number one slot in the list for current
players since the Durban Test against England in December 2009, although
his first time at the top of that table came in April 2008. In 47
impressive Tests, the 28-year-old has taken 244 wickets.Such is Steyn's dominance in the bowling rankings that second-placed
James Anderson of England trails him by 91 ratings points, while his
team-mate Morne Morkel, who is the second best South Africa bowler in
third position, is 126 ratings points behind.Steyn lies in seventh position in the One-Day International bowlers'
list and 16th position in the Twenty20 International, facts that speak
volumes for his outstanding talent, brilliance, consistency and a high
level of fitness which has helped him succeed in all the three formats
of the game.While Steyn has achieved a career-best rating, Australia's Shane Watson
has earned a career-best ranking of 10th. Watson had figures of 5-2-17-5
in South Africa's first innings score of 96 to lift him 15 places up
the list.Debutant Vernon Philander, one of the architects of Australia's second
innings collapse for 47 with figures of 7-3-15-5, has entered the
bowlers' rankings in 49th position.In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, all three batsmen
who scored centuries in a sensational Cape Town Test have made upward
moves.South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who scored 37 and 101 not out, has
climbed eight places to seventh spot, Hashim Amla's contributions of
three and 112 have lifted him four places to eighth position - just
eight rankings points behind his captain - and Michael Clarke has
returned to the top 20 and lies in 17th position after gaining five
places following his scores of 151 and two.The Cape Town Test was a tough match for the batsmen, something that is
reflected at the top of the batting table with South Africa's Jacques
Kallis finding himself overtaken at the summit of affairs by Sri Lanka's
Kumar Sangakkara.Kallis had entered the match leading Sangakkara by three ratings points
but has now slipped seven ratings points behind him after scores of
nought and two not out. For Kallis to regain top spot he will now need
to put up a solid performance in the second Test.Other batsmen losing ground include Mike Hussey in 11th (down six
places), AB de Villiers in 13th (slipping three spots), Shane Watson in
30th (dropping four slots), Ricky Ponting in 34th (down two positions),
Brad Haddin in 42nd (falling five places), Mark Boucher in 48th (down
three spots) and Phil Hughes in 53rd (slipping four places).In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders, Watson has
moved into third position, ahead of Stuart Broad of England and
Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan. The list is still headed by Kallis with
Daniel Vettori of New Zealand in second spot.
Sammy, de Villiers, Porterfield and Misbah wish teams well for ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011
Ten women's teams are in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the ICC Women's World
Cup Qualifier 2011, which starts on Monday, and some of the men's team
captains have sent good luck messages to their female counterparts as
they strive to qualify for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2013Teams from South Africa, Ireland, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Zimbabwe are in Dhaka alongside Japan, Bangladesh, USA and Netherlands
to play at four venues from 14 to 26 November.West Indies' men's captain Darren Sammy hopes Merissa Aguilleira's side
qualifies for the 2013 event "I captained and played in my first ICC
Cricket World Cup this year in the sub-continent and it is an experience
that I will never forget," he said. "I truly hope that the West Indies
women's team gets the opportunity to play in the women's event in 2013."The women's side has been performing well of late and I wish their
coach, Sherwin Campbell, along with captain Merissa Aguilleira and the
rest of the squad the very best of luck in Dhaka."The conditions in Bangladesh will be different to what the side is used
to but I am sure they will acclimatise and hopefully they'll be back
playing in the sub-continent in 2013 and walking away with the most
important trophy in women's cricket." South Africa's ODI captain, AB de Villiers, reminded newly appointed
captain Mignon du Preez and her squad just how great an opportunity it
is to play in an ICC Cricket World Cup."It's an amazing opportunity to play in any World Cup and represent your
country on the global stage. I'd like to wish Mignon and the rest of
the women's side the best of luck for the tournament in Bangladesh."We are hoping they not only qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup 2013
but they also join us in Sri Lanka at the ICC World Twenty20 2012 if
they finish in the top two".Pakistan and Sri Lanka captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Tillakaratne Dilshan
are both keen to see their respective female teams head on from
Bangladesh and into the ICC Women's World Cup 2013."There is nothing like representing your country in a World Cup and the
chance is there for Sana Mir to take her side once again to the ICC
Women's World Cup," said Misbah."The tournament conditions in Dhaka should hopefully favour the side and
I'm sure the 14 women travelling to Bangladesh for the event will do
their very best for Pakistan and qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup
in 2013 and if all goes well, finish in the top two and therefore also
qualify to join us in Sri Lanka at the ICC World Twenty20 next year," he
said.Dilshan said: "To represent your country at cricket is something truly
special and even more so when it is at an ICC Cricket World Cup."I would like to wish Dilani Manodara, her squad and the Sri Lanka
women's coach Harsha Gurunanselage the very best of luck in Dhaka. I
hope the side finish in the top four and once again have the chance to
compete at the highest level in women's cricket in 2013 and hopefully
they will walk away with the silverware."Zimbabwe will also be travelling to Bangladesh and must be confident
that this year the team qualifies for its first ICC Women's World Cup.Brendan Taylor wished all the best to Sharne Meyers' squad. "Zimbabwe's
women's team have not had the opportunity to play in an ICC Women's
World Cup and I truly hope they finish in the top four this tournament
and qualify for the World Cup in 2013."I'm sure under the leadership of Sharne, this young side will do well
in Dhaka and do Zimbabwe proud. It's also nice to see Chamu Chibhaba's
elder sister competing in the tournament, I'm certain Julia will do the
very best for her family and Zimbabwe, just like her younger brother."Ireland captain William Porterfield also sent his best wishes to the
Irish squad: "I'd like to wish captain Isobel Joyce, coach Jeremy Bray
and the rest of the Irish squad all the best as they attempt to qualify
for the ICC Women's World Cup 2013."I know just how hard they've prepared for the competition and hopefully
their commitment and dedication will pay off. They're a very young
squad with a lot of talented players who I'm certain will do Irish
cricket proud at the qualifier in Dhaka."Notes:The ICC WWCQ 2011 will be played at four venues in Dhaka, namely
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium,
BKSP 2* and BKSP 3.The teams have been split into two groups and the full schedule can be on the ICC website here.
The two groups are as follows:
Group ASouth Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, USA.
Group B
West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, Japan, Bangladesh.
All games start at 0900 local time.
*BKSP is the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (Bangladesh Institute of Sports).
If you are interested in receiving information on the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2011 or wish to attend the event as an accredited member of the media, please contact Lucy Benjamin at lucy.benjamin@icc-cricket.com.
For more information on ICC WWCQ 2011 please visit www.icc-cricket.com.
David Warner named as replacement player
Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) today named New South
Wales batsman David Warner as a replacement player in the Australian
squad for the second Test against South Africa which begins in
Johannesburg on Thursday.Warner will replace Shaun Marsh in the squad who is continuing his
recovery from a back injury suffered while batting in the first Test
last week and will return to Australia as soon as possible NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:"David has been in tremendous form for New South Wales in all forms of
the game including a recent century for New South Wales in the Bupa
Sheffield Shield competition. We are certain that should the opportunity
present itself he will be ready to perform at Test level. Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said:"Shaun injured his back while batting during the first Test in Cape
Town. He was in considerable pain and was obviously restricted while
batting in the second innings. He is slowly improving but will return to
Australia for further investigation and treatment as he will not
recover in time to play the second Test in Johannesburg.Warner will depart Sydney tomorrow morning and join the Australian group in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.
Pakistan keeping it simple, says Younis
DUBAI : Former captain Younis Khan said his team will continue to keep
things simple as they look to double their series lead in the second
one-day match against Sri Lanka here on Monday.Pakistan thrashed their rivals in the first match on Friday by eight wickets and Younis hopes the team sticks to the same plan We kept things simple in the Tests as well," said Younis of the preceding three-Test series which Pakistan won 1-0.Now
in the one-dayers we are doing the basics in a simple manner and
although there is no assurance of winning we want consistency in our
performance Pakistan bowled Sri Lanka out for a paltry 131
in 40.3 overs on the back of 3-27 by returning all-rounder Shahid
Afridi, ably supported by off-spinners Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal
who took two wickets apiece.They then chased down the target for the loss of only two wickets to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.Younis said Pakistan has more match winners than Sri Lanka."This
Pakistan team is one of the best I have played in," said the
34-year-old who hit an unbeaten half-century in the first match."Sri Lanka also have four to five match winners but we are doing well in both batting and bowling."Younis praised former coach Waqar Younis for putting the team on the right track."Waqar
did a wonderful job before the World Cup," said Younis of the event
where Pakistan lost in the semi-finals against eventual champions India."From that point Waqar stressed on our fitness and we were the only side who had no injuries during the World Cup."Waqar quit the post after the tour of Zimbabwe in September and was replaced by an interim coach Mohsin Khan.Younis
said the Pakistan team has been playing well since October last year,
two months after the spot-fixing scandal in England which ended in jail
sentences for former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif
and Mohammad Aamer."We were unlucky to lose the one-day
series against South Africa 3-2," said Younis of the series played in
the United Arab Emirates last year."Then we had series wins in New Zealand, Ireland and Zimbabwe so we have been doing well."Younis said he wanted to be a role model for the youngsters.Even
when I am not the captain, younger players listen to me and I am a role
model in the team, so its nice and I want to play for four-five more
years and my goal is that my team continues to win," said Younis.Younis led Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title in England in 2009 before he quit the post after clashes with several players.The
remaining matches will be played in Dubai (November 18), Sharjah
(November 20) and Abu Dhabi (November 23). Both teams also play a
Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on November 25
PCB chief urges BCCI to restore cricket ties
KARACHI : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf claims to
have told his Indian counterpart that Pakistan is willing to tour India
in a bid to restore bilateral cricket ties. Ashraf told the
media before leaving for Dubai on Saturday that he had sent a letter to
BCCI president N Srinivasan in which he had urged resumption of
bilateral cricket ties."I have said in the letter we are willing
to play in India next year and the BCCI should finalise details of the
tour as soon as possible," Ashraf said.Pakistan is due to tour
India in March-April next year under the Future Tours Program but so far
the BCCI is yet to confirm the tour or send any details to the PCB.The bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan have been frozen since 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks.Ashraf said details of the series need to be finalised soon so that Pakistan could start its preparations accordingly."In
the letter I have highlighted the importance of normalising cricket
ties between both countries and the impact it will have on cricket in
the region at a time when relations at the government level are also
improving," Ashraf added.He said he was also hoping to visit India soon to have direct discussions with BCCI officials.Ashraf
left for Dubai to meet ICC president Sharad Pawar and CEO Haroon Lorgat
and also officials of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.Ashraf is
hoping to convince the Bangladesh Cricket board officials to undertake a
tour of Pakistan next year in April as per the ICC FTP.No Test-playing nation has toured Pakistan since terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, 2009."Bangladesh
is scheduled tour visit Pakistan next year and we want them to play the
series in Pakistan," PCB COO Subhan Ahmad said
Sri Lanka's Atapattu praises Pakistan, Misbah
DUBAI : Sri Lankan batting coach Marvan Atapattu on Sunday praised the
Pakistan team as one of the best in the recent past and likened their
captain Misbah-ul Haq to his country's former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.Atapattu's
praise came after Sri Lanka were thrashed by eight wickets in the first
one-day here on Friday to go 1-0 down in the five-match series, which
followed Pakistan's 1-0 win in the three-Test series."They
looked very fesh from the start and they are a very good side, having
lots of allrounders and have options," said Atapattu. "This Pakistan
side is one of the best I have seen in the recent past having played
against their best teams in my days."Atapattu, a former
opener who played 90 Tests and 268 one-day internationals, was full of
praise for current Pakistan captain Misbah. Misbah is a very
cool and calm character and what I saw in the Tests was very
impressive, he handles things well and is somewhat like Ranatunga and he
has the patience to wait until he achieves what he wants to," said
Atapattu of the 37-year-old.Misbah appointed Test captain in
October last year -- two months after the spot-fixing scandal in
England has not lost a Test series since and is uniting a team known
for its erratic ways.Atapattu hopes his batsmen overcome the
lack of confidence in the second one-day match here on Monday after
being bundled out for a mere 131 runs in the first."I really
think it is nothing to do with the technique and application but its
about the confidence which they are lacking," said Atapattu of his
batsmen's failure to deliver."We have played so much cricket
and if it happens at a stretch then its important you get out of it,
when you get out for low scores, when you are not doing well as a
batting unit, then its a matter of confidence," said Atapattu.Atapattu hoped his bateman forget the past."You
cannot justify (failures) after looking at the personalities in the
dressing room, its just that they come out thinking that its a brand new
game and we are not continuing what we did on Friday or maybe two
months ago," said the batting coach.Atapattu apologised to the fans on behalf of his team.It's
disappointing what happened on Friday and on behalf of the team I
apologise to the public who came in numbers to watch us and hopefully
its a one off thing and I am sure that we do it right come Monday," said
Atapattu.Atapattu disagreed the recent criticism of the team by chief selector Duleep Mendis had had an adverse effect on the team."We
have always had issues starting from the cricket board and if you are
going into detail I don't think its the best thing to do and never in
the past has it affected players."I think our job is to play cricket, entertain the crowds and do well
