Misbah praises Afghans' fighting spirit

SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq Saturday praised the Afghan team's fighting spirit despite their loss in a one-day international to his side, saying they could give other teams a tough time.

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first-ever one-day international between the two countries here on Friday.

Despite losing, Afghanistan put up a spirited show before a 15,000-strong crowd, hitting six sixes in their 195 and taking two early wickets when Pakistan batted.

Misbah said he was impressed by Afghanistan's performance.

"It was a good game. The way the Afghanistan team played I am really happy. They have some really good, exciting cricketers," he said, adding it was "a good beginning" for the Afghan side.

Afghanistan earned one-day status in 2009 and have since achieved several milestones, qualifying for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and finishing silver medallists in the Asian Games in China, both in 2010.

They also won the Inter-Continental Cup, meant for associate teams, in 2010.

"I think Afghanistan can give tough time to Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and even to better teams. It is all about experience and if they play more cricket against good teams in the world, they are going to improve."

Misbah said Afghanistan were a dangerous limited over side.

"T20 or for one-day, this is a dangerous side. They can still improve and they have excellent fighting spirit. They put in a lot of effort in fielding."

Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took 5-36 which kept Afghanistan to 195, still a good total in Misbah's opinion.

Paceman Dawlat Zadran then dismissed opener Mohammad Hafeez (eight) and Asad Shafiq (20) before Younis Khan (70 not out) and Imran Farhat (52) saw Pakistan through in the 38th over.

"Their fast bowlers bowled really well and their batting start was very good. I think on this wicket batting was not easy and the score of 195 was really good because even Sri Lanka had struggled on this wicket last year," said Misbah.

"They have many positives to take from this game."

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal said he was satisfied with his team's performance.

"Our start was very good. Unfortunately the middle order collapsed and that prevented us from making a big score but we got two early wickets and overall I am satisfied with my team's performance against a top side," said Mangal.

Mangal, 27, said there were several lessons for his team.

"We learned a lot from this game. The most significant thing which we learned from this game... is the maturity how to play a one-day game, especially against a tougher side."

Afghanistan will play in the World Twenty20 qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates next month.

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Shahzad’s 2nd fifty in a row steers Burners to 180-2

DHAKA: Pakistan opener Ahmed Shahzad made second consecutive half-century to help Barisal Burners post 180-2 in 20 overs against Duronto Rajshahi in the second match of the second day in the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

After captain Shahriar Nafees won the toss and decided to bat first in their second match of the tournament, the Burners openers Chris Gayle and Ahmed Shahzad again provided their team a solid start and made 82 in 8.1 overs.

Shahzad made an aggressive 67 from 40 balls with the help of six sixes and four fours while Gayle hit a brisk 39 off 23 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Later, Shahriar Nafees (38) and Brad Hodge (28) added 56 for an unbroken third wicket partnership to give the opponent team a rather difficult target of 181.

Geo Super is showing this match live form Mirpur, Dhaka.

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Guptill steers New Zealand to 7-wkt win over Zimbabwe

AUCKLAND: Martin Guptill's continued domination of the Zimbabwe bowling steered New Zealand to a seven-wicket win with 19 balls to spare in the opening Twenty20 match at Eden Park Saturday.

Guptill's imperious 91 not out off 54 deliveries was the backbone of New Zealand's 160 for three, and along with Kane Williamson (48), they overtook Zimbabwe's 159 for eight in the 17th over.

The New Zealand opener has seldom been troubled by the Zimbabwe attack and his 91 was his fifth successive half-century against the tourists following 51, 70, 77 and 85 in the Test and three one-day internationals.

His partnership with Williamson put on 137 for the third wicket after New Zealand made a shaky start to their run chase.

In an eventful second over, the first two deliveries from Kyle Jarvis were dispatched to the boundary by Rob Nicol before the bowler dismissed both Nicol and Brendon McCullum in two legitimate balls separated by a wide.

New Zealand were then in trouble at two for 15 but Zimbabwe were unable to cash in on the pressure and it was to be another 15 others before they were able to take a third wicket.

After 10 overs, New Zealand were 101 for two and the outcome was already assured. There was no sign of any respite for Zimbabwe in a nightmare tour where they have been thrashed in the one-off Test and three ODIs.

Guptill raced ahead hitting five fours and six sixes while a more circumspect Williamson reached 48 before he was run out taking an unnecessary single when New Zealand were then only eight runs short of their target.

Two balls later and the game was over with Guptill belting a six and a two leaving debutant batsman Colin de Grandhomme to have a brief time in the middle and not face a ball.

Jarvis was the only successful Zimbabwe bowler taking two for 32 after his side had won the toss and posted what should have been a competitive 159 for eight.

Hamilton Masakadza blasted 53 off 36 balls at the top of the innings and Elton Chigumbura finished off at the tail with 48 off 24 deliveries to contribute the bulk of the Zimbabwe runs.

Zimbabwe also had a rocky start to their innings with Brendan Taylor bowled by New Zealand debutant Michael Bates for three in the second over and Forster Mutizwa followed in the next over without scoring to be two for 16.

Bates, who also claimed Chigumbura in the final over, finished his first international bowling spell with an impressive three for 31 while Kyle Mills took two for 32.

The second Twenty20 match, and the final match of the Zimbabwe tour, will be played in Hamilton on Tuesday.

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Russell shines in Khulna victory against Dhaka

DHAKA: Allrounder Andre Russell displayed fine performance to help Khulna Royal Bengal defeat Dhaka Gladiators by 19 runs in the first Twenty20 match of second day in the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Winning the toss, Khulna batted first and made 175 runs for five wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan top scored with 42, followed by Andre Russell (37 not out) and Dwayne Smith (37).

Allrounder Azhar Mahmood claimed two wickets for 20 for Dhaka Gladiators.

In reply, Dhaka Gladiators batsmen could not resist against paceman Russell and managed 156 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Russell captured four wickets for 35 runs.

Geo Super showed this interesting match live from Mirpur, Dhaka

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Pakistan to launch more spin at England

ABU DHABI: Pakistan will once more depend on spin to maintain their dominance over England when the teams meet in a four-match one-day series starting here from Monday.

Misbah-ul Haq's men blanked England 3-0 in the Tests series with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal finishing with 24 wickets, left-armer Abdul Rehman taking 19 and allrounder Mohammad Hafeez five in a spin-dominated series.

Pakistan's spin repertoire will further be boosted by allrounder Shahid Afridi whose 5-36 helped Pakistan beat Afghanistan in a first-ever one-day between the two countries in Sharjah on Friday.

Even spinning allrounder Shoaib Malik, controversially included in the squad despite failures in the last six one-day matches, will pose problems for England who were routed 5-0 in India last year.

Pakistan captain Misbah acknowledged Afridi's heroics as leg-spinner.

Misbah, however, seeks improvement in his batting, especially in the top order

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Zimbabwe win toss, bat against New Zealand

AUCKLAND: Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Twenty20 international against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

Zimbabwe have been outclassed in every game so far on their New Zealand tour, losing the one-off Test by an innings and 301 runs, then falling short in the three one-day internationals by 90, 141 and 202 runs.

New Zealand have two international debutants, Michael Bates - whose brother Steven represented New Zealand with the All Blacks - and Harare-born Colin de Grandhomme, who played for Zimbabwe under-19 before emigrating in 2006

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Afridi, Younis help Pakistan devestate Afghans

SHARJAH, UAE: All-rounder Shahid Afridi took five wickets while Younis Khan and Imran Farhat both hit half-centuries as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the day-night international here on Friday.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi took five wickets while Younis Khan and Imran Farhat both hit half-centuries as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the day-night international here on Friday.

Afridi claimed 5-36 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 195 in 48.3 overs before Younis hit an unbeaten 70 and Farhat made 52 to help Pakistan reach their modest target in 37.1 overs in the first-ever one-dayer between the two countries.

Despite the loss, Afghanistan still put up an inspired display at Sharjah Stadium, justifying their rise in international cricket which saw them win the right to play one-dayers in 2009.

Younis, who hit 10 boundaries off 65 balls, added 57 for the third wicket with Farhat after paceman Dawlat Zardan dismissed opener Mohammad Hafeez (eight) and Asad Shafiq (20) in his first five overs to leave Pakistan at 42-2.

Even after Farhat's dismissal to spinner Samiullah Shinwari, Yonuis continued to excel, adding an unbeaten 99 with skipper Misbah-ul Haq, who scored 40 not out with three fours and two sixes, for the fourth wicket.

Misbah said Afghanistan surprised him with their spirit.

"I am really happy with the spirit of the Afghanistan players," said Misbah. "There were times in the match when they put us on the back foot and that was expected, so we did well to win in the end."

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal said his team put up a satisfactory show.

"This was our first-ever one-dayer against a top team and I am happy with the performance of the team," said Mangal.

"We couldn't put up a big total which was needed against a side like Pakistan."

Earlier Afridi derailed Afghanistan's progress who were set on track for a fighting total by opener Karim Sadiq (40) after they won the toss and decided to bat.

Afridi also became the second spinner with the highest number of one-day wickets (338) behind Muttiah Muralitharan (534), but surpassing India's Anil Kumble who had 333 wickets.

Despite Afridi's brilliance, the Afghan batsmen put up an excellent show and had they not lacked experience – playing their first one-day international against a top nation – they would have scored more.

There was plenty of fireworks on and off the field as the Afghan batsmen hit six sixes during their innings which delighted the bumper 15 000-strong weekend crowd – mostly Pakistan and Afghan expats.

Paceman Umar Gul provided Pakistan with the early breakthrough when he caught Noor Ali (nine) off his own bowling before Afridi dismissed Mohammad Shahzad (20), Mangal (11), Gulbadin Naib (seven) and Sadiq in his first spell.

Sadiq hit two boundaries and two sixes during his aggressive 47-ball knock.

Mohammad Nabi, who scored 37 with two sixes, added 46 for the sixth wicket with Shinwari who finished on 32, an innings studded with four boundaries.

Gul and Wahab Riaz took two wickets each.

Pakistan now play England in the first of four one-day internationals in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

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BPL match-2: Chittagong beat Rajshahi by 53 runs

DHAKA: Chittagong Kings defeated Duronto Rajshahi by 53 runs with a ball to spare in the second match on the opening day of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Friday.

Rajshahi could not reach the target and were all out for 153 runs in 19.5 overs.

Their main scorers were Junaid Siddique (42) and Shabbir Rehman (41 not out) while Dwayne Bravo and Enamul Haque Junior claimed three wickets each for 17 and 27 runs, respectively for Chittagong.

Earlier, Chittagong Kings plundered a mammoth total of 206 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs after they won the toss and decided to bat first.

Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed top scored with 56, followed by Mahmudullah (43 not out), Jason Roy (43) and Dwayne Bravo (38 not out).

In the inaugural match of the tournament played the same day, Chris Gayle’s thunderous century and Ahmed Shahzad’s fluent half-century made Barisal Burners thrash Sylhet Royals by ten wickets in the inaugural match of the tournament.

Both matches were telecast live from the venue on

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People throng Sharjah stadium for Pak-Afghan ODI

SHARJAH: Expats from both Pakistan and Afghanistan thronged the Sharjah Stadium for the first-ever one-day international here on Friday, with the fans uncertain who to support for a win.

Afghanistan, who rose to gain one-day status in 2009, have played 18 one-day games against fellow Associate teams, but Friday's match was their first against a top Test playing nation.

And for Pukhtoons, one of the major cast living in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan in the province of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, it was a dilemma who to support among a capacity holiday crowd of 15,000.

Pakistan's Umar Gul, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi also speak the Pushtoon language.

"It's no doubt an historic occasion," said Gulbadeen Salami. "I have lived half my life in Pakistan after fleeing there in 1979 so both are my countries.

Most of the Afghanistan players learnt the game while living in refugee camps in Pakistan after they had to flee their country following the Russian invasion in 1979.

Pakistan also helped Afghanistan in setting up their cricket infrastructure and allowed their teams to play in their domestic competitions.

Hundreds of fans started their journey towards the stadium early, taking buses to the stadium from the adjoining states of the United Arab Emirates home to millions of labourers from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Habibullah Khan, who works in a shop in Sharjah, said he will support Afghanistan.

"I love cricket and will support Afghanistan," said Khan, holding a tri-colour Afghanistan flag. "My favourite player is Mohammad Shazad, who hits sixes and is from my town -- Paktika (one of 34 provinces in Afghanistan)."

But overall, Afridi remains the top favourite player from either side.

"We are supporting both the teams," said Haji Malik from Kabul. "I wish Afghanistan win this match but my favourite is Afridi, who lives in the hearts of all the Pukhtoons."

Organisers hoped the sell-out crowd will induce more and more people to join the game in future.

"Sharjah has been home to cricket for many years now and this Pakistan-Afghanistan match will add to the charm, not only for the locals but also for the expats," said Mazhar Khan, secretary of Sharjah Cricket Council.

The Council started Cricket Benefit Fund Series in 1980s which also supported former cricketers with cash benefits and has staged 201 one-dayers before this match -- a world record in international cricket

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Afridi's 5-36 restrict Afghanistan to 195

SHARJAH: Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took his eighth five-wicket haul in one-day cricket but Afghanistan still managed 195 in their first-ever day-night international at Sharjah Stadium here on Friday.

The 31-year-old leg-spinner took four wickets in his first spell to derail Afghanistan -- who won the toss and batted -- from 54-1 to 101-5 before finishing with 5-36 in his 10 overs.

Afridi also became the second spinner with the highest one-day wickets (338) behind Muttiah Muralitharan (534), surpassing India's Anil Kumble who had 333 wickets.

But despite Afridi's brilliance, the Afghan batsmen put up an excellent show and had they not lacked experience -- playing their first one-day international against a top nation -- they would have scored more.

There was plenty of fireworks on and off the field as Afghan batsmen hit six sixes during their innings which delighted the bumper 15,000-strong weekend crowd -- mostly Pakistan and Afghan expats.

Paceman Umar Gul provided Pakistan with the early breakthrough when he caught Noor Ali (nine) off his own bowling before Afridi dismissed Mohammad Shahzad (20), Nawroz Mangal (11), Gulbadin Naib (seven) and Karim Sadiq (40) in his first spell.

Sadiq hit two boundaries and two sixes during his aggressive 47-ball knock.

Mohammad Nabi, who scored 37 with two sixes, added 46 for the sixth wicket with Samiullah Shinwari who finished with 32 studded with four boundaries.

Gul and Wahab Riaz took two wickets each

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Gayle ton helps Barisal thrash Sylhet by ten wickets

DHAKA: Chris Gayle’s thunderous century and Ahmed Shahzad’s fluent half-century made Barisal Burners thrash Sylhet Royals by ten wickets in the inaugural Twenty20 match of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Friday.

Chasing a modest target of 166 runs, both openers showered a rain of fours and sixes to complete the victory in just 13.1 overs.

Gayle, the West Indian batsman made an unbeaten 101 from only 44 balls with ten sixers and seven fours while Shahzad was 56 not out from 35 balls with nine boundaries and a six.

Earlier, Sylhet Royals scored 165 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs after being put into bat by Barisal Burners.

Captain Peter Trego (62) and Bangladesh international batsman Alok Kapali (56) were the main scorers for the Roylas while Pakistan’s paceman Yasir Arafat was the most successful bowler for the Burners with 2-33.

Geo Super showed the match live from Mirpur.

The second match of the tournament will begin from 5-30 between Chittagong Kings and Duronto Rajshahi at the same ground.

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BPL match-2: Chittagong amass 206-4 against Rajshahi

DHAKA: Chittagong Kings set a huge winning target for Duronto Rajshahi in the second Twenty20 match on the opening day of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Winning the toss, Chittagong batted first to pile up a big total of 206 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed top scored with 56, followed by Mahmudullah (43 not out), Jason Roy (43) and Dwayne Bravo (38 not out).

Earlier, Chris Gayle’s thunderous century and Ahmed Shahzad’s fluent half-century made Barisal Burners thrash Sylhet Royals by ten wickets in the inaugural match of the tournament.

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Aaqib Javed resigns as bowling coach

KARACHI: Aaqib Javed has resigned as the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Sources add that Javed is expected to join the UAE cricket team as coach.

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Pakistan-Afghainstan first-ever ODI today

SHARJAH: Pakistan and Afghanistan play a historic first-ever one-day international between the two countries here on Friday with both captains vowing to make the game a memorable one.

"It is a very important game for both countries and we will try to make the occasion memorable with some quality cricket," Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said.

"It is important for countries like Afghanistan to play a top team which will help them improve and we are going to play with our full strength team as they have some good players."

Friday's match in Sharjah Stadium -- which holds the world record of staging the most one-day internationals with 201 -- is fitting because most of the Afghan players learnt the game in Pakistan while staying as refugees after the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979.

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal thanked Pakistan for giving them chances.

"We thank Pakistan for allowing us to play this one-day and also giving us opportunity to play in their domestic competitions which raised our confidence," said Mangal, who led Afghanistan to one-day status.

"It is a history making match against a top team like Pakistan and we will try our best to put up a good fight in a contest which is a big challenge for us," said the 27-year-old Mangal, an off-spin bowler.

Mangal said his team had prepared well for Pakistan's spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman who were behind the 3-0 destruction of England in their three-Test series: Ajmal finished with 24 wickets while Rehman took 19.

"We have prepped well for Pakistan's spin duo and I am confident my batsmen will do their best," said Mangal, adding that paceman Hamid Hassan, who has 24 wickets in 14 one-day internationals, will miss the match through knee injury.

They still have Mohammad Nabi, an off-spinner who took five wickets while playing for an ICC Combined XI against England last month and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad who scored 51 and 74 in the same match.

Pakistan will be further boosted by the return of allrounder Shahid Afridi who will add variety to team's spin attack.

Mangal hoped a sell-out crowd of 15,000 largely Afghan and Pakistan expatriates, enjoying the weekly holiday here, will show their support.

"We want the public to share this historic moment with both the teams," said Mangal.

War-ravaged Afghanistan gained a notable foot up on the world cricket stage by finishing fifth in the 2011 World Cup qualifiers which earned them the right to play one-day internationals.

They also won the right to play the third edition of World Twenty20, held in the Caribbean in 2010, by winning the qualifying tournament and then finished with a silver medal in the Asian Games in China in November that same year.

Afghanistan, one of the 59 associate members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), are also the title holders of the Inter-Continental Cup meant for the Associate nations.

The ICC, which contributes approximately 700,000 dollars a year to help Afghanistan's development in cricket, has shown great delight in their progress, terming it as "a success story in cricket"

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Sri Lanka win toss and field in ODI

PERTH: Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and chose to field against Australia in the third tri-series one-day international at Perth's WACA ground on Friday.

The home side named an unchanged side after beating India in the rain-shortened series opener in Melbourne on Sunday.

Sri Lanka made one change from the side beaten by four wickets by India in Perth on Wednesday, promoting spinner Sachithra Senanayake.

Australia named Peter Forrest as 12th man, while Thisara Perera will carry the drinks for Sri Lanka.

Teams:
Australia - David Warner, Matthew Wade, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Dan Christian, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty. Peter Forrest (12th man)

Sri Lanka - Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sachithra Senanayake. Thisara Perera (12th man)

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Indian maestro Gavaskar inducted in Hall of Fame

SHARJAH: Former India captain and batting legnd Sunil Gavaskar was formally inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall of Fame, the ICC said Thursday.

The 62-year-old former opener was presented the Hall of Fame cap by former Indian captain Kapil Dev in the presence of Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive at a function held on Wednesday night, ICC said.

Sunil Gavaskar was the first batsman in Test cricket to get 10,000 runs and 30 centuries, finishing with 10,122 and 34 hundreds during an illustrious career which spanned from 1971-87.

"It is a huge honour because it is the peers in the game who decide who is going to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. It has taken some time to co-ordinate the presentation but finally it is there and I am delighted that I have been inducted," said Gavaskar.

"This (award) means that you are in select company and, therefore, it becomes all the more special. To be an original inductee is an even bigger honour."

Gavaskar is one of the initial 55 inductees in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame which was launched in January 2009 in association with the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) as part of the ICC's Centenary Year.

Gavaskar now joins a Hall of Fame that includes 72 male and female cricketers.

He was also a member of the India squad that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1983 in England, defeating the West Indies by 43 runs.

Gavaskar showed delight on getting the cap from his former captain.

"Dev and I have had some wonderful times. Being part of the World Cup-winning squad is a memory that will always stay with me. Dev lifting the Cup at Lord's is something that I will always treasure and, therefore, to receive the cap from him makes this occasion even more special."

Dev also acknowledged Gavaskar's contributions for India.

"It is a proud moment to be in the same group where Gavaskar is. In our time, we used to think and even till today we think he is one of the best-ever opening batsman and the greatest player in my era," said Dev.

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Saeed Ajmal set for second Worcestershire stint

LONDON: Worcestershire have re-signed Saeed Ajmal following the off-spinner's clutch of wickets for Pakistan in their Test series whitewash of England.

Ajmal will join the Midlands county as their second overseas player for the domestic Twenty20 competition, along with Australia batsman Phil Hughes who will be at New Road for the whole of the 2012 English county season.

The in-form Ajmal took 24 wickets in Pakistan's 3-0 rout of England in the United Arab Emirates, including a Test-best seven for 55 in the series opener.

He spent the second half of last term with Worcestershire and helped them avoid relegation from the First Division of the County Championship.

Ajmal also collected up 16 Twenty20 wickets for the county at an average of just over 11 apiece.

"Saeed showed last summer when playing for us what a quality bowler he is," said Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

"His recent performances against England only serve to back this up," the former England wicket-keeper added.

"We are delighted that he has agreed to return to New Road for a second time."

The 34-year-old Ajmal, in a Worcestershire statement, said: "I really enjoyed my time at New Road in 2011 and look forward to returning this summer to help inspire the club to Twenty20 success."

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BPL begins with colourful ceremony

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was opened with a grand colourful ceremony here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Bangladesh president was the chief guest at the ceremony who declared the event open.

All the six participating teams paraded before a large crowd in the stadium.

Famous Bangladeshi and Indian singers and artists performed at the stage amidst great applause.

Prominent among the players present on the occasion were West Indians Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq, Sohail Tanvir and Kamran Akmal besides Bangladeshi international cricketers.

The six-team league is to be played in Dhaka and Chittagong from February 10, with the final on February 29.

In all, 33 matches will be played during the 20-day tournament. Two matches will be played on the opening day in Mirpur, Dhaka: First between Barisal Burners and Sylhet Royals, and the second between Chittagong Kings and Duronto Rajshahi.

All the matches of the BPL will be telecast live on Geo Super.

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, the most expensive foreign player at last month's auction after being sold to the Dhaka Gladiators franchise for $700,000, is not taking part due to international commitments.

Pakistan begin a one-day series against England in the United Arab Emirates this week.

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Fixing claim hits Bangladesh's IPL-style event

DHAKA: Bangladesh's inaugural Twenty20 league opened on a sour note on Thursday when a leading player revealed he had received a spot-fixing proposition.

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said he had been approached by an unnamed player regarding potential spot-fixing when he turns out as skipper of the Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

"I have told my team management about the approach and I'm sure they will do the right thing," Mortaza told the Cricinfo website. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the report.

Dhaka newspapers reported that Mortaza said he would step down from the team captaincy if he suspected any irregularities once the tournament -- styled along the lines of the successful Indian Premier League (IPL) -- got going.

Mortaza was asked to provide information on whether he would play certain matches and even whether he would be wearing his sunglasses or a cap when he takes the field.

In exchange, he was told, he would be paid 15-20 percent of the earnings from the spot-betting.

BCB officials said Mortaza has been asked to reveal the name of the player who made the approach.

"This is a very serious offence," BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP. "We have zero tolerance towards these things and will do whatever is needed to nail it down quickly.

"Mortaza has to disclose the name of the player. It needs to be addressed very seriously."

Mortaza will be speaking to officials of the International Cricket Council's Anti-orruption Security Unit before the matches get under way on Friday, Yunus said. (

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New Zealand cap Zimbabwe whitewash

NAPIER: New Zealand crushed Zimbabwe by 202 runs in the final one-day international in Napier on Thursday to complete a 3-0 series whitewash over the out-classed tourists.

Zimbabwe again failed to fire as New Zealand, inspired by a man-of-the-match century from skipper Brendon McCullum, plundered 373-8 in their 50 overs and then routed the Africans for 171 with six overs to spare.

Captain Brendan Taylor, whose brisk 65 off 62 balls was the high point of the Zimbabwe innings, was left looking for positives from a series in which the gulf between the teams progressively widened.

"We've got to just keep trying to climb that ladder and become better players," he said.

"We've got a lot to learn and we'll be better for it after this tour."

Returning to the ground where they suffered a humiliating defeat by an innings and 301 runs in a one-off Test last month, Zimbabwe let themselves down with loose bowling and shoddy fielding on a flat wicket.

New Zealand capitalised after winning the toss and electing to bat, with a 153-run opening partnership from Martin Guptill (85) and Rob Nicol (61) laying the foundation for their side's third-highest one-day international total.

McCullum piled on the agony with a swashbuckling 119 from 88 balls, including five sixes, as Zimbabwe's Brian Vitori suffered the indignity of becoming only the fifth player to concede more than 100 runs in an ODI.

Vitori haemorrhaged 105 runs in nine overs for just one wicket, at one point conceding three sixes in three balls to Nathan McCullum, the New Zealand skipper's brother, in a horror over that yielded 26 runs.

Zimbabwe have two Twenty20 matches remaining on the tour, the first in Auckland on Saturday, in which to salvage some pride.

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Gambhir to make way for Sehwag in second ODI

PERTH: Virender Sehwag's arrival for the media briefing at the WACA on Tuesday raised a few eyebrows. His presence, though, was meant to clear the air over a few festering issues.

Sehwag, after all, had been dropped from the first game in order to play Rohit Sharma, but now it seems he will be back in the opening slot against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

The dashing opener made it clear there was a rotation policy for seniors, meaning there is a policy of grooming youngsters in place now.

"We are giving breaks to the top three batsmen. So, I think, tomorrow it could be somebody else's turn (to be rested). Either Tendulkar or Gambhir will take a break so that I can come into the side," said Sehwag.

Having taken the first beating from Australia in the opening game, India cannot afford to take things easy. It has been learnt that Tendulkar and Sehwag will open on Wednesday, with Gambhir being 'rested' this time.

Interestingly, Sehwag also talked about the benefits of taking a break.

"Break does you good. It can help you recover from the physical and mental fatigue and that is why we decided that the top three players can be rotated."

Apart from Sehwag, veteran pacer Zaheer Khan also missed out on the opening match. Like Sehwag, Zaheer Khan too is expected to be back for the game.

With India's top stars in the twilight of their careers, it looks like some guidelines have been issued to the team management.

"We want to give chances to the youngsters because the next World Cup is going to be held here. It will help them get used to the conditions," explained Sehwag, who himself endorsed the idea saying, "I guess it's good thinking."

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IPL auction in 2009 was rigged in favour of CSK, claims Lalit Modi

NEW DELHI: Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Tuesday claimed that the auction for the 2009 edition of the cash-rich T20 tournament was "rigged" in favour of Chennai Super Kings whose owner, N Srinivasan, is now the president of the Indian Cricket Board.

Srinivasan, however, rubbished Modi's claims by stating that there is "absolutely no substance or truth" in what he is saying.

Modi, who was the IPL chief at the time, has alleged that the rules were tweaked to allow former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to remain with Chennai.

"Flintoff auction was rigged. I made it clear that time. That onus was on me and as chairman I should have not allowed that to happen then. I was arm-twisted to allow Andrew Flintoff to go to Chennai Super Kings.

"I'm to blame for that. It's a fact. Similar problem happened with the Pakistani players. Arm-twisting happened by senior BCCI officials that nobody should pick them," Modi told CNN-IBN on Tuesday.

Srinivasan, who was the BCCI secretary at the time, said it was surprising that Modi was making these allegations after three years.

"I haven't watched the television programme where he has said all this. All I can say is that there is absolutely no substance or truth in what he is saying. If he is talking about 2009 why is he saying all this in 2012," Srinivasan said.

Modi's allegations come close on the heels of Sahara India announcing its decision to pull out of its sponsorship of the Indian team and ownership of the Pune Warriors IPL franchise.

"Subrata (Roy, Sahara Group chief) is right when he says there is no level playing field. Over past few seasons we have seen rules being changed to benefit one team or the other. The IPL was built on the premises that there should be a level playing field.

"That's why we had auction, the capping - the maximum money one can pay and there should be no side trading. But over the years the auction rules have changed and it's to the detriment of some teams," Modi said.

Modi said that the BCCI stands to lose close to Rs 10,000 crore as a result of the Sahara pull-out and the terminations in recent times.

"With Kochi, Sahara, Nimbus and Sony contracts going down it's close to ten thousand crores loss to BCCI."

Asked about the conflict of interest with Chennai team and the favours to the two-time defending champions and Mumbai, Modi said, "The accusations are justified. We changed the rules in Champions league where we allowed five players to play. You should make rules for all teams that everybody benefits out of it.

"What Subrataji is saying regarding Yuvraj is not right. This problem should have been resolved prior to that. Not only two teams but also few more teams wanted to keep their key players. A lot of teams wanted their players to go back but more powerful teams could get the clause retain."

And about the chances of returning to India, he said, "The ED and other authorities are just throwing charges but in last two years they have not come up with any thing. I've been answering the questions but not a single allegation has turned into fact.

"I will be very happy to return to India but what about the witch hunt. All agencies would go after you without any proof. I will comeback if there is guarantee that there will be no witch hunt."

While raising doubts over the sustainability of IPL, Modi also hit out at the present management for lack of transparency.

"If you change the rules the business model won't work. I've been saying from the beginning that the rules have to be equal. BCCI has done certain things which are going to hurt cricket in long run.

"Why everybody is going away from the IPL today. There is lack of transparency now. Stick to the formula and we have a golden goose to cash on."

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Indian cricket star being treated for cancer

Yuvraj Singh is undergoing chemotherapy to treat a cancerous growth that may have been bothering him even while he produced his World Cup heroics last year.
The growth in his chest was originally thought to be benign, but has recently been diagnosed as malignant, and he traveled to the United States on Jan. 26 to seek treatment.
"It is a rare tumor and is cancerous, but it has been detected in stage-one," Singh's physiotherapist, Jatin Chaudhary, was quoted as saying Monday by the Press Trust of India.
"Doctors had to decide whether to continue medication or go for chemotherapy, but since parts of the tumor are just above the artery of his heart, there was a danger that while running it could burst. But it is 100 percent curable," he said.
Dr. Nitish Rohatgi, an oncologist in New Delhi's Max Hospital who has been co-ordinating with Singh's doctors in the United States, said the cricketer had been responding well to treatment.

"His malignancy is curable and he has been responding well to chemotherapy that is being administered since the end of January," Rohatgi told a news conference in New Delhi on Monday. "The chemotherapy will continue till the end of March and we are confident he will be cured."
Yuvraj Singh's mother Shabnam said in November that her son probably carried the illness through the World Cup in March and April last year, saying that the allrounder suffered from constant "bouts of coughing and vomiting" during the tournament and medical tests revealed a "golf-ball size lump over the left lung."
India's sports minister Ajay Maken has promised help to Singh.
"Wish Yuvraj a speedy recovery! Asking officials to find the quantum and nature of help required. Government should and will help him," Maken posted on Twitter.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has wished Singh "a speedy recovery" in an e-mailed statement, in which it also asked the media to respect the privacy of Singh and his family members.
The 30-year-old Singh, man-of-the-tournament during last year's home World Cup-victory, last played for India during a home test series against the West Indies in November.
Singh has played 37 tests, 274 limited-overs internationals and 23 Twenty20 internationals.
He played a large part in India winning the World Cup for the first time since 1983, playing in all nine matches at the 2011 edition and contributing 362 runs at an average of 90 and taking 15 wickets at 25 with his left-arm spin.
Singh is also famous for striking six sixes in an over off England paceman Stuart Broad during the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007.
Singh's absence on India's current tour of Australia has been noticeable. India was trounced 4-0 in the test series and won just one of two Twenty20 matches before losing its opening one-dayer against Australia by 64 runs Sunday.

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Hilfenhaus steps in for injured Lee

SYDNEY: Australia called up swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus on Monday to replace injured paceman Brett Lee for the one-day international against Sri Lanka.

Hilfenhaus was instrumental in Australia's Test whitewash of India, where he was the top wicket-taker with 27 scalps for an average 17.22, and selectors said he would stand in for Lee at Friday's one-dayer in Perth.

"The bowling attack for Perth is likely to be the same as the one that did so well in Melbourne and Ben will be in Perth to provide cover," said national selector John Inverarity.

Lee has been ruled out of action for up to six weeks after fracturing the little toe of his right foot when he was struck by a ball against India in Friday's Twenty20 in Melbourne.

Australia opened the tri-nation ODI series with a convincing 65-run win over India on Sunday. India meet Sri Lanka on Wednesday and Australia and Sri Lanka square off on Friday.

Inverarity said Mitchell Marsh, who stepped in for the then appendicitis-afflicted Lee in Australia's ODI series against South Africa in October, had also been confirmed for Sunday's ODI against India.

Marsh, 20, has been playing domestic fixtures in his native Perth

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Shoaib Malik included in squads for ODI, T20 series

DUBAI: Discarded former captain Shoaib Malik was also included in the Pakistan squads for One-day International and Twenty20 International series.

"On the request of Misbah, the selection committee has agreed to send Malik
to join the one-day and T20 squads," Pakistan Cricket Board said.

Malik's inclusion comes as a surprise after he flopped in his last five one-day innings, scoring a mere 33 runs. He managed just 22 in three Twenty20 innings.

Following are the revised squads:

One-day squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Azhar Ali, Hammad Azam, Shoaib Malik.

Twenty20 squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Awais Zia, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam, Shoaib Malik.

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PCB, ICC clarifies confusion over Ajmal's bowling

DUBAI: Pakistan cricket authorities and the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday clarified the confusion over Saeed Ajmal's bowling action, saying the spinner had been cleared within the specified limits.

Ajmal himself created more confusion, by claiming he has special dispensation from the ICC to straighten his arm beyond the allowed 15 degrees.

The 34-year-old off-spinner, who took 24 wickets in the 3-0 Test series whitewash of England, claimed that the ICC has allowed him extra leniency, up to 23.5 degrees.

As per the ICC rules a bowler can only straighten his arm up to 15 degrees, beyond which his action will be deemed illegal.

"I don't know about my bowling action, but somebody was telling me your action is bad. ICC has allowed me 23.5 because my arm is not good because of an accident, that is why a problem," Ajmal told BBC television on Monday after being declared man-of-the-series.

"Otherwise no problem, straightaway cleared by ICC."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Ajmal was referring to elbow extension, and not the arm.

"Ajmal was referring to the angle of elbow abduction i.e. the angle of the upper arm to the forearm and not the degree of elbow extension. This angle is approximately 23 degrees in Ajmal's case," the PCB said in a statement.

"The ICC's level of tolerance of 15 degrees relates to the degree of elbow extension that is permitted in the bowling action i.e. the amount by which the arm is straightening," it added.

The PCB said the previous tests conducted on the action of Ajmal showed that the degree of elbow extension is well within ICC's tolerance levels.

ICC general manager cricket David Richardson also backed the PCB's stance.

"There is a big difference between the elbow carry angle (elbow abduction) and the degree of elbow extension. There is nothing preventing a bowler bowling with a bent arm, provided he does not straighten it beyond the permitted degrees of tolerance," said Richardson.

Pakistan won the third and final Test here by 71 runs.

Ajmal's bowling action, reported by match officials during a one-day series against Australia here in 2009 before it was cleared after remedial work by experts, once again came under suspicions following his career-best 7-55 in the first Test, also played in Dubai.

Former England paceman Bob Willis raised suspicions over his 'doosra' (second one) -- a ball which turns the other way than a normal off-break -- while England coach Andy Flower said he has his own opinion and left the matter to the ICC.

But after Ajmal's claim on relaxation, Flower on Tuesday showed surprise.

"If that's the degree, then there's a problem, said Flower when asked about Ajmal's claim of special dispensation. "That's ridiculous."

"That is an ICC issue, though. They are there to police the game, and make sure that it is played within the rules, so they've got to scrutinise his action.

"We've all got our own views, but our job is to combat whoever is put against us, and part of it is also to play the game in the right spirit."

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Azhar Ali joins Sachin Tendulkar in 10th position

Pakistan's young gun Azhar Ali has not only claimed a career-best ranking but has also achieved the distinction of sharing 10th position with India's iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen which were updated after the Dubai Test which finished on Monday.

Azhar Ali scored 157 in Pakistan's second innings score of 365 which set England a target of 324. England finished 71 runs short when it was bowled out for 252 to suffer a 3-0 whitewash - its first against Pakistan in 22 series.

For making his highest first-class score, Azhar was not only declared the man of the match but was also rewarded with a jump of 12 places in the batting table which has given him a place alongside Tendulkar.

For someone like Azhar Ali, who was first picked as a fast bowler in the Pakistan Under-19 squad in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2002, this is a huge turnaround in his career.

Azhar, who was shortlisted for the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year Award at the LG ICC Awards in London in 2011, featured in a match-winning 216-run third wicket partnership with Pakistan's most experienced batsman Younus Khan. Younus' contribution in that stand was 127, which was his 20th Test century.

For this, the 34-year-old has made a jump of five places which puts him back in the fifth position. Younus had dropped six places to 10th spot after the Abu Dhabi Test following scores of 24 and one.

England captain Andrew Strauss and Pakistan's other youngster Asad Shafiq have also made gains. Strauss has lifted five places to 28th position after scores of 56 and 25, while Shafiq, who scored 45 in Pakistan's first innings score of 99 all-out, has moved up four places to 43rd spot.

Batsmen losing ground include Alastair Cook in sixth (down by one), Misbah-ul-Haq in 12th (down by four), Jonathon Trott in 13th (down by seven), Ian Bell in 17th (down by five), Kevin Pietersen in 20th (down by one), Matt Prior in 22nd (down by one), Mohammad Hafeez in 33rd (down by three), Taufeeq Umar in 41st (down by six), Stuart Broad in 48th (down by two) and Adnan Akmal in 83rd (down by 11).

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, Pakistan's left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman has maintained an upward movement and has gained two more places after figures of five for 40 and two for 97. He now sits pretty in seventh position.

The 31-year-old from Sialkot had entered the series in 19th position and after finishing with 19 wickets, he has managed to gain 12 places in the bowlers' chart. Abdur Rehman alone earned 29 ratings points from the third Test and now trails England's sixth-ranked Graeme Swann by the smallest margin of one ratings point.

England's Monty Panesar is the other left-arm spinner to head in the right direction. Panesar had figures of two for 25 and five for 125, efforts which were enough to earn him four places and 30th spot on the bowlers' chart.

Saeed Ajmal, who won the player of the series award for claiming 24 wickets in the series, has consolidated his second position while achieving his career-best rating of 835. Saeed had entered the series in 12th position, trailing number-one ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa by 190 ratings points. This lead has now been trimmed to 61 ratings points.

Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has gained one place on the bowlers' table and he is now in 15th position. While doing so, he has also achieved a career-best rating of 624 ratings points.

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ICC announces details of official travel and tour providers for WT20 2012

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the appointment of the official travel agents for the ICC World Twenty 2012 which will be staged in Sri Lanka from 18 September to 7 October.

Gullivers Sports Travel, Sport Abroad and Thomson Sport in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland as well as Australian Sports Tours (AST) in Australia and New Zealand have been appointed with more appointments expected in the coming weeks.

In a first for an ICC cricket tournament, Emirates Live, a collaboration between the Emirates Airline group of companies and TUI Travel PLC's Sport Division, has been appointed providing global reach and access to this exciting cricket event in beautiful Sri Lanka, Asia's equivalent of the Caribbean.

These official travel agents have been carefully selected by ICC Travel, ICC's official travel licensee till the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

ICC Travel will also donate US$10 from every package purchased to educational charity Room to Read who partners with the ICC to promote literacy and access to books.

ICC Travel have extensive experience of arranging tours for all budgets and requirements across a range of major sporting events but with unmatched expertise in cricket, having operated a similar function at ICC Cricket World Cups and the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC World Twenty20 tournaments.

If cricket fans would like to obtain information on official travel packages to the ICC World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka they should go to www.icctravel.net.


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Please note that the ICC will take measures, (including legal action if appropriate), to stop unofficial tour operators who trade in match tickets and travel packages or who otherwise use ICC trademarks or associate themselves with ICC events without prior authorisation from the ICC.

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England ODI, T20 squads named for Pakistan series

DUBAI: Experienced middle-order batsman Ian Bell was Tuesday dropped from England's one-day squad after struggling to find his form during his team's 3-0 Test defeat to Pakistan.

The 29-year-old managed just 51 runs in six innings and failed to cope against spinner Saeed Ajmal, who finished with 24 wickets in the series. Pakistan romped to a 71-run win in the third Test on Monday.

Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs and Somerset batsman Jos Buttler were included in the 16-man one-day squad for the first time.

Buttler made his international Twenty20 debut against India last year but is yet to play for England in the 50-over format.

Alastair Cook will lead England in the four-match one-day series which starts in Abu Dhabi on February 13.

Stuart Broad will captain a 15-man Twenty20 squad that includes Nottinghamshire's Alex Hales for the three-match T20 series against Pakistan.

Paceman Tim Bresnan is also included subject to fitness.

"Bresnan's inclusion in both squads is subject to a fitness assessment during the preparation period as he continues his recovery following an elbow operation," said the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Bresnan was forced to return home from Dubai last month, barely three days into the tour, after failing to recover from last year's elbow operation.

"We have selected two squads that include both experienced international players and younger players who have performed strongly for England Lions in recent months and deserve an opportunity," said national selector Geoff Miller.

Buttler, 21, hit two centuries and a half-century in his last five innings against Sri Lanka A, including one century from just 56 deliveries, while 20-year-old Briggs is one of three spinners in the 16-man squad.

England ODI squad: Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott

England T20 squad: Stuart Broad (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann

ODI fixtures:
1st ODI, February 13, Abu Dhabi
2nd ODI, February 15, Abu Dhabi
3rd ODI, February 18, Dubai
4th ODI, February 21, Dubai
T20 series:
1st T20, February 23, Dubai
2nd T20, February 25, Dubai
3rd T20, February 27, Abu Dhabi

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Saeed Ajmal creates confusion over bowling action

DUBAI: Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal on Tuesday created more confusion about his bowling action, by claiming he has special dispensation from the game's governing body to straighten his arm beyond the allowed 15 degrees.

The 34-year-old off-spinner, who took 24 wickets in the 3-0 Test series whitewash of England, claimed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allowed him extra leniency, up to 23.5 degrees.

As per the ICC rules a bowler can only straighten his arm up to 15 degrees, beyond which his action will be deemed illegal.

"I don't know about my bowling action, but somebody was telling me your action is bad. ICC has allowed me 23.5 because my arm is not good because of an accident, that is why a problem," Ajmal told BBC television on Monday after being declared man-of-the-series.

"Otherwise no problem, straightaway cleared by ICC."

Pakistan won the third and final Test here by 71 runs.

His bowling action, reported by match officials during a one-day series against Australia here in 2009 before it was cleared after remedial work by experts, once again came under suspicions following his career-best 7-55 in the first Test, also played in Dubai.

Former England paceman Bob Willis raised suspicions over his 'doosra' (second one) -- a ball which turns the other way than a normal off-break -- while England coach Andy Flower said he has his own opinion and left the matter to the ICC.

But after Ajmal's claim on relaxation, Flower on Tuesday showed surprise.

"If that's the degree, then there's a problem, said Flower when asked about Ajmal's claim of special dispensation. "That's ridiculous."

"That is an ICC issue, though. They are there to police the game, and make sure that it is played within the rules, so they've got to scrutinise his action.

"We've all got our own views, but our job is to combat whoever is put against us, and part of it is also to play the game in the right spirit."

Pakistan cricket team management said Ajmal was cleared by the ICC within the permissible limits and they will issue a further clarification shortly.

A spokesperson for the ICC has denied that any special exception has been made for Ajmal and that the Pakistani spinner is also bound by the 15 degree rule.

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Afridi in Pakistan one-day, T20 squad

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced 15-member one-day international and Twenty20 squads for the England series, Geo News reported.

T20 specialist Shahid Afridi and Hammad Azam have been included in the limited over formats. Misba-ul-Haq is retained as captain.

One-day squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Azhar Ali.

Twenty20 squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Awais Zia, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam.

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Mazhar Majeed working as cleaner in jail: UK paper

LONDON: The convicted former cricket agent of Pakistani players Mazhar Majeed has reportedly found himself a cleaner’s job in a jail in Britain.

The mastermind of the spot-fixing scam that involved Test match cheating by Pakistan’s then captain Salman Butt and two fast bowlers Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir gets £9.50 a week (about 1,350 Rupees per week).

Mazhar Majeed is serving his time at the Ford open prison in West Sussex.

The Sun newspaper reported on Monday that Mazhar also gets his own cell with freeview TV.

“He’s over the moon. He could have been given harder jobs,” a source told The Sun about the cricket agent who is serving two years and eight months jail sentence.

Captain Salman Butt, 27, and bowlers Mohammad Asif, 28, and Mohammad Amir, 19, were also locked up for the no-ball fixing scandal in 2010 against England.

The Prison Service said: "We do not comment on individual prisoners. Prisoners located in open conditions are rigorously risk-assessed.

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Playing spinners on turning pitches was a different challenge: Strauss

DUBAI: England captain Andrew Strauss stressed a 3-0 hammering inflicted by Pakistan was not all doom and gloom for his team, hoping they learn from their mistakes and move on.

Pakistan thumped England by 71 runs in the third and final Test here on Monday to seal an emphatic 3-0 win -- the first whitewash in all Tests between the two countries.

Strauss, under whom England had not lost a Test series since their 1-0 defeat in the Caribbean in February 2009, said analysis should be follow on the team's defeat.

"It's very important we debrief this tour very thoroughly, like we do on any tour and learn some lessons and don't walk away if that's staring at us in the face. But at the same time it's not all doom and gloom, you don't become a bad side overnight," Strauss said after the defeat.

England, who rose to number one in Test rankings in August last year after winning their last six series, continued to struggle in Asian conditions with Pakistani spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman destroying them in the series.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took 24 wickets while Rehman finished with 19.

For England, Jonathan Trott remained top scorer in the series with 161 with Alastair Cook 159 and wicketkeeper batsman Matt Prior finishing at 150.

Strauss also managed 150 but key batsmen Kevin Pietersen (67), Ian Bell (51) and Eoin Morgan (82) were major let downs.

Strauss admitted playing spinners on turning pitches was a different challenge.

"Obviously, the challenges here are diffrerent, English sides generally have not played well in these sort of conditions in the past, we need to break that tradition and we are not going to do that by doing the same things," said Strauss.

England also have tours to Sri Lanka (April) and India (November) this year and Strauss hoped the batsmen learn fast.

"I have not been involved in any series where so many of our batsmen have had hard times as this one. We have all got some questions to answer individually, some soul searching and thoughts to put into on how we can do things better going forward.

"It is also important for the guys to start turning their attention towards Sri Lanka in the particular challenges. There may not be the same challenges as here, but they will be slightly different in terms of the conditions etc, so we need to learn lessons from this.

"If you are a good enough player you find a way, it may take you a week or so finding a way you don't make the same mistakes again. We haven't been good enough or quick enough to adapting our game, that's for sure," Strauss said.

Pakistan and England will now play four-match one-day international series, starting with the first in Abu Dhabi on February 13. That will be followed by a series of three Twenty20 internationals.

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Pakistan aim greater heights after England rout

DUBAI: Pakistan's cricket team put its numerous problems behind them through consistent performances as they wiped out the world's best team England 3-0 with captain Misbah-ul-Haq aiming to move on to further heights.

The victory, Misbah believes, will help Pakistan move on.

"It's a wonderful win but the most important thing in any sport or life is that whatever you achieve it goes in the past. If you stuck with it you can't move ahead and improve," said Misbah after beating England by 71 runs in the third Test.

Pakistan's resurgence is not only surprising but praiseworthy as they have not lost a Test series, winning nine of the 15 Tests, with one defeat and five draws - all under Misbah.

Moreover, there have been no problems off the field, something which have consistently derailed Pakistan's on-field progress.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja showered huge praise on the players.

"Sky is the limit for them because this wasn't an easy series. Now this win will help this team build in confidence," said Raja, who warned against complacency.

Misbah acknowledges the challenge of playing well on away tours.

"Only time will tell what you can achieve or what you can do. We just want to do well and that's what we are aiming for and youngsters are coming up, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Hafeez are doing well and seniors are supporting them," said Misbah.

Former captain and coach Waqar Younis also praised Misbah

"We have been ignored for quite some time, but our performance will help us get better scheduling and respect," said Misbah.

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England announce team for ODI, T20; Bell dropped

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced squads for one-day and Twenty20 series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

ONE-DAY SQUAD: Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott.

TWENTY20 SQUAD: Stuart Broad (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann.

Ian Bell has been omitted from the squad. He had passed 50 only once in his last 14 ODI innings and had looked uncomfortable against Saeed Ajmal.

Jos Buttler and Danny Briggs are uncapped in ODI cricket.

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Pakistan make historic clean sweep against England

DUBAI: Pakistan's bowlers sealed an emphatic 71-run win in the third and final Test against England here on Monday, wrapping up a humiliating 3-0 series whitewash in the process.

Set a daunting 324-run target, England were bowled out for 252 with paceman Umar Gul taking 4-61 and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal 4-67 to help Pakistan achieve a first-ever Test cleansweep against their opponents.
With the ball turning again it was always going to be a difficult task for England's batsmen, who have struggled to play the Pakistani spinners throughout the series, on a weary fourth day pitch at Dubai Stadium.

Pakistan won the first Test here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan have also become the first team to win a Test after being bowled out for under 100 since 1907 when England, shot out for 76, beat South Africa at Leeds.

It was England's seventh series whitewash, their first at the hands of Pakistan. Pakistan have now recorded five series whitewashes, their last coming in a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in 2003.

England's last series whitewash came in 2007 when they were routed by Australia 5-0.

So dominating have been Pakistanis spinners that Ajmal finished the series with 24 and Rehman with 19.

An elated Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq praised his team.

"It's a wonderful team effort," said Misbah, who now has won nine of the 15 Tests as captain, with one loss and five draws. "It's a big win against a big team, achieved through hard work."

England captain Andrew Strauss said the lack of run-making had left him disappointed.

"It's a bit of surprise as well as disappointment because we did not put scores on the board, and we must give credit to Pakistan," said Strauss who has lost his first series since losing to the West Indies in 2009.

"We have important lessons to learn from this defeat."

England, 89-2 at lunch, were still in with a chance with Alastair Cook (49) and Kevin Pietersen (18) batting well but they lost four wickets in the space of 84 runs.

They went to tea at 173-6.

Pietersen, who struggled for runs in the series, hit Abdul Rehman for a boundary and then hoisted him for a six to post England's 100. But Ajmal struck from the other end.

The off-spinner produced a beautiful delivery to bowl Pietersen through the gate for 18. He had a mere 67 runs for the series during which he was out to spinners on five occasions.

In his next over, Ajmal produced another sharp turning delivery which caught the edge of Cook's bat and was smartly held by a diving Younis Khan in the lone slip.

Ian Bell (10) and Eoin Morgan (31) added 37 for the fifth wicket but again failed to produce a big score in the series as Gul dismissed them in the space of just three runs.

Pakistan took the second new ball at 196-6 and the first ball saw Gul dismissing Stuart Broad (18) and then Graeme Swann on one.

Matt Prior remained not out at 49 when Monty Panesar was dismissed by Rehman for nine.

England had looked for big partnerships after resuming at 36-0 but that never transpired.

Pakistan could have wrapped the match earlier had they not dropped two crucial catches, the first off Strauss on 26 when wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal grassed a simple chance off Gul.

But that didn't hurt Pakistan as Rehman trapped the England captain in the very next over. Strauss challenged the decision by Australian umpire Steve Davis but his review failed.

Gul then let off Cook at 24 when he failed to hold a top-edge sweep off Rehman.

Cook had also benefited from a dropped catch on Saturday when Taufiq Umar let him off in the third slip off a miscued drive off Gul when he was four.

Ajmal then broke a dangerous looking 37-run stand between Cook and Jonathan Trott (18) by forcing a top-edge sweep which was smartly snapped up by Rehman at square-leg.

The teams will now play four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals

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India win toss and field in opening ODI

MELBOURNE: India won the toss and chose to field against Australia in the opening tri one-day series international at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and all-rounder Dan Christian will make their one-day international debuts while Peter Forrest was named 12th man.

India made one change to Friday's eight-wicket Twenty20 win over Australia, resting opener Virender Sehwag.

Sachin Tendulkar, searching for his elusive 100th international century, will open the India innings with Gautam Gambhir, while Manoj Tiwary was made 12th man

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Younis, Azhar put Pakistan in command against England

DUBAI: A dashing century by Younus Khan and a patient half-century by Azhar Ali helped Pakistan take a formidable lead of 180 runs against England on second day of the third and final Test being played here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Both batsmen first shrugged off the early loss of their openers to reach 120 for two at tea and then extended the score to 222-2 at stumps.

Younis made 115 not out, supported at the other end by Azhar who was on 75. The pair has so far added 194 runs for their unbeaten third wicket partnership.

Pakistan were 180 runs ahead of England with eight wickets remaining in the second innings.
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Pakistan, who lead 2-0 in the three-Test series, are hoping for a clean sweep by putting up a formidable total in their second innings to punish the tourists.

When Younis swept Monty Panesar for two runs, he reached his 20th Test hundred from 166 balls with eleven fours and a six.

This was the first hundred in the current Test series as no other batsman from Pakistan and England could so far make any three-figure score.

Earlier, Pakistan bowled out England's lower order to trail by 42 runs as the touring party made 141 in reply to Pakistan's first innings of 99.

Abdur Rehman's five-wicket haul ensured a half century by captain Andrew Strauss (56) only resulted in a modest lead for England.

Then Pakistan made a disastrous start again in the second innings losing their openers for 28 runs on the board..

James Anderson was the first to strike, dismissing Taufeeq Umar (6) for the second time in the match, this time caught at slip.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar trapped Mohammad Hafeez lbw (21) on the sweep.

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India's Jadeja lands $2.0 million IPL jackpot

NEW DELHI: Young India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was sold for $2 million at the Indian Premier League auction in Bangalore on Saturday, but a host of big-name stars missed out.

Reigning IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, owned by Indian cricket chief Narayanaswamy Srinivasan, bagged the 23-year-old Jadeja after an intense bidding war with Deccan Chargers.

Jadeja joins India colleagues Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, Robin Uthappa and Rohit Sharma in the $2-million-a-year bracket in the money-spinning Twenty20 league.

Just 17 of the 144 foreign and Indian players who had thrown their hat in the ring found favour with the franchises in the morning session of the auction, which was restricted to players not already aligned to any team.

Among the chief gainers were Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, bought by Delhi Daredevils for $1.4 million, and Indian seamer Vinay Kumar, who fetched $1.0 million from Royal Challengers Bangalore.

New Zealand wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum went to Kolkata Knight Riders for $900,000, while 41-year-old Australian spinner Brad Hogg was picked up by Rajasthan Royals for $180,000.

A bigger surprise, however, was the list of players who missed out.

There were no takers for England's James Anderson, Graeme Swann, Ian Bell, Matt Prior and Ravi Bopara.

Veteran Indian batsman Venkatsai Laxman, struggling to retain his place in the Indian Test team, was also unsold. Even in-form Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle was ignored.

Jadeja, Jayawardene, Kumar and McCullum belonged to the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers franchise, which played in last year's tournament before being thrown out of the IPL in September for non-payment of dues.

The franchises spent money to strengthen their line-ups ahead of the fifth edition of the IPL which will be played between April 4 and May 27.

Much depended on the availability of the players for the seven-week 76-match tournament.

England's international players will not be available for more than a month, since their tour of Sri Lanka ends on April 7 and is followed by a home series against the West Indies starting in mid-May.

The leading Australians can join the IPL only after their tour of the West Indies finishes on April 27.

The auction is being held in the shadow of the withdrawal of the Sahara group, sponsors of Team India and owners of the Pune Warriors franchise, from their association with Indian cricket earlier on Saturday.

Sahara, which cited a "one-sided emotional relationship" with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their decision, did not take part in the auction.

It remained to be seen if Pune's withdrawal will leave eight teams in the fray for this year's tournament.

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India beat Australia by 8 wickets in T20

MELBOURNE: India broke through for their first tour win with a convincing eight-wicket win over Australia in the second Twenty20 international at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Australia were dismissed for 131 with two balls left after winning the toss and India reached that target with 135 for two off 19.4 overs.

The Indians were always in control of the run chase, but tensions mounted in the final over as the Australians ringed the field around Gautam Gambhir before he pierced the circle for the winning runs with two balls to spare.

Gambhir remained unbeaten on 56 off 60 balls while skipper M.S. Dhoni, who promoted himself in the batting order to number four, was not out 21 off 18 balls.

Ravindra Jadeja was named man-of-the-match for his outstanding fielding effort of two run outs and a caught and bowled in Australia's innings.

India's win gives them some much-needed impetus in Sunday's opening match of the tri one-day series against Australia at the MCG also involving Sri Lanka in the tournament.

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PCB to conduct rehabilitation for Amir

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board will conduct a rehabilitation programme for fast bowler Mohammad Amir under the anti-corruption code, an official said on Friday.

Amir, 19, was released from a British prison on Wednesday after serving half of his six-month sentence for his part in a spot-fixing scandal.

Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said Amir's rehabilitation programme would begin soon.

"Under the ICC anti-corruption code a convicted player undergoes an official education session to the reasonable satisfaction of ACSU programme during his period of ineligibility, in Amir's case it is five years," Rizvi told AFP.

"Further Amir has to agree to such additional reasonable and proportionate monitoring procedures and requirements as the ACSU may reasonably consider necessary."

"PCB and ICC are on the same page in this matter and are already in contact over the official anti-corruption education session," Rizvi added.

Since the spot-fixing scandal, the PCB has introduced stricter clauses in players' contracts in a bid to clamp down on malpractice in the game, and it has established its own anti-corruption unit.

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Bowlers dominate first day in Pak-Eng final Test

DUBAI: Bowlers dominated the play as sixteen wickets fell on the opening day of the third and final Test match between Pakistan and England here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

At stumps, England were 104 runs for six wickets with a slender lead of five runs after they bowled out Pakistan for a low score of 99 in the first innings.

Captain and opening batsman Andrew Strauss was still at the crease with a fighting 41 along with night-watchman James Anderson who was not on three.

For Pakistan, left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman claimed three wickets for 23 runs while pace bowler Umar Gul took two early wickets for 28. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal got one for 40.

Strauss batted with determination and patience and hit four boundaries in his 120-ball innings.

Paceman Umar Gul led Pakistan's fightback by dismissing opener Alastair Cook (one) and Jonathan Trott (two) before Strauss added 57 for the third wicket with Kevin Pietersen (32) during their bids to overcome batting frailties.

Pakistani spinners Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal, who grabbed 34 of the 40 wickets in the first two Tests, then grabbed four more wickets, with Rehman dismissing Pietersen and Eoin Morgan (10) and Ajmal accounting for Bell (five).

Pietersen's dismissal made it 34 leg-before dismissals for the series, beating the previous record of 33 in the Pakistan-West Indies series in the Caribbean in 1993.

Rehman, who took 3-23, then bowled Matt Prior (six) with England just one behind Pakistan.

Earlier in the morning, England's pace duo of Broad and Anderson bowled well to expose Pakistan, who won the toss and batted. Asad Shafiq topscored with 45.

Pakistan were routed for a low score of 99 in their first innings by England pacemen Stuart Broad (4-36) and James Anderson (3-35).

Anderson struck in the first over, trapping opener Taufiq Umar for a duck.

Broad then clicked into gear, snaring Ali in his third over through a caught behind and Younis in his next, caught off a rising delivery, again by wicket-keeper Prior.

He then claimed Hafeez's wicket trapping him leg before. Australian umpire Simon Taufel initially turned down the appeal but changed the decision after England called for a review.

From the other end Anderson trapped Misbah-ul Haq for one in a decision challenged by the Pakistani skipper to no avail. That left Pakistan struggling at 21-5.

Shafiq and Adnan Akmal (six) added 18 for the sixth wicket before Broad changed ends to dismiss the wicket-keeper, again with a sharp incoming delivery which caught the batsmen in front of the stumps.

Graeme Swann then teased a miscued a drive from Rehman (one) gathered by a grateful Pietersen at mid-off, leaving Pakistan in danger of being bowled out for their lowest ever Test total -- 53 against Australia in 2002.

Shafiq hit his first boundary in the last over before lunch to take Pakistan to that lowest mark and then hit another off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar to avoid the ignominy.

But Panesar, who took 2-25, had the last laugh, breaking the 34-run stand -- the best of the innings -- between Ajmal (12) and Shafiq after lunch.

Gul made 13 before Anderson bowled him to wrap up the innings.

England resisted the temptation to change their line-up but Pakistan brought paceman Aizaz Cheema for Junaid Khan.

England, playing for pride after losing the first two Tests and the series, now hold a slight lead on a seemingly batting-friendly pitch.

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England 104-6 at close, Pakistan routed for 99

DUBAI: England were 104-6 at the close on the opening day of the third and final Test match, after Pakistan were bowled out for 99 in their first innings at Dubai Stadium here on Friday.

Andrew Strauss was unbeaten on 41 and with him James Anderson on three not out, as England lead by just five runs.

Stuart Broad took 4-36 and Anderson finished with 3-35.

Asad Shafiq topscored for Pakistan with 45

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