Borren fires early warning to competitors

Netherlands captain Peter Borren has fired an early warning to the rival sides by saying his side is aiming for nothing less than winning this month's ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 which will be played across the five venues from 13-24 March.

Borren, who took one for 31 runs and scored 30 in the Dutch side's four wickets victory over current ICC World Twenty20 champion England in the opening match of the 2009 event at Lords, says: "It is our goal to not only qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 but to win the qualification tournament outright.

"I believe we now have a side capable of doing that. In the past, maybe we didn't quite have that belief but this is a new team and I think other sides will be surprised to see by our improvement."

He adds: "The Netherlands team is on a rise and improving. Our results over the last year in all the competitions have been encouraging, particularly our season in the Clydesdale Bank 40 League in the English County Championship in the United Kingdom where we played 12 matches and won five and five.

"We have learnt how to win games. I think people can expect to see us a well-organised team in the field.

"We have a varied and disciplined attack with plenty of options available for me as a captain. We have a dangerous batting lineup which is nicely balanced between guys who have the ability to rotate strike effectively and guys who can find the boundary."

29-year-old Borren moved to Netherlands to pursue a career in cricket soon after representing New Zealand in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2002 where he played alongside current New Zealand captain Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder. Since then, he has since played in 49 ODIs, 10 T20Is and 16 first-class matches as a right-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm media-fast bowler.

However, the Dutch faces an uphill task as it will be without the services of Ryan ten Doeschate, the three-time winner of ICC's Associate ODI Player of the Year award. At the time of the qualifying tournament in the UAE, Doeschate will be busy in a domestic Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.

"Any team in world cricket would, of course, love to have a player of Ryan's class in its side. So, he will naturally be missed," admits Borren, adding that the Dutch side was used to playing without him and hoped the other senior players will rise to the occasion and fill the gap left by the phenomenal all-rounder.

"Given his commitments around the world, we are very used to playing without him. If you look at our top five batsmen in Michael Swart, Stephan Myburgh, Tom Cooper, Alexei Kervezee and Wesley Baressi, there should be enough runs there to cover in Ryan's absence," he says.

Netherlands has qualified automatically for this tournament on the basis of having T20I as well as ODI status which it earned in South Africa after finishing in the top six of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2009.

The Dutch side has been seeded third in this month's qualifier and has been bracketed with Afghanistan Canada, PNG, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark and Nepal. It opens its campaign against Canada on the first day of the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Reviewing his group, Borren says: "We have played reasonably regularly over the years against Afghanistan, Canada and Denmark and used to play a bit against Bermuda. We have a good record against these four sides. Whilst we absolutely respect them and are well aware of their capabilities, I am confident that we have the game to beat them.

"As for PNG, Hong Kong and Nepal, we do not know so much about them. We are going to have to do some early scouting at the tournament and learn how they play. I know that PNG has improved an awful lot and has some very dangerous players, Hong Kong I saw play in its sixes competition where it was excellent in beating major nations. Nepal has always had a very strong U19 side and must now be seeing the benefit of that in the senior ranks.

"These teams have also played quite a bit of T20 cricket and have been successful in qualifying those tournaments to have reached this stage of qualification. They will be very competitive and there will be upsets at this tournament. Whilst we will take no-one lightly, I am confident we have the team to win this group."

Borren says preparing for the tournament was itself a tough challenge due to the freezing winter in the Netherlands. "It has been very cold in the Netherlands over the winter, which makes training and preparing for such a big tournament a real challenge. During that time, the majority of the squad has been working indoors, which is never ideal.

"However, three factors are in our favour in regards to team preparations. Firstly, five of our guys have been playing regularly in the southern hemisphere and will be good to go, secondly we played in the Caribbean T20 tournament in January and thirdly we have a very intensive week of preparation in Cape Town planned prior to the tournament.

"The Netherlands hasn't played an awful lot of Twenty20 in the recent times. However, the makeup of our side means that it is a format which suits us. So, I am comfortable with where we are at."

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ICC Chief Executives' Committee to meet in Dubai

The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) will gather in Dubai on 5 and 6 March 2012 for a routine meeting. Among the topics for discussion are:

Independent Governance Review

Following publication of the Woolf report on the independent governance review of ICC, the CEC representatives will be given the opportunity to consider the 65 recommendations and its implications.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: "The CEC is an important grouping and it would be valuable for them to properly consider and express their views on the report and its recommendations."

T20 strategy

The CEC will hold a strategic conversation on whether the current strategies relating to T20 cricket are appropriate to best manage the balance and long term viability of all three formats of the game.

Mr Lorgat said: "Cricket is uniquely fortunate to boast three exciting formats at international level and we have recognised the inevitable need to strategically manage these formats for each to be successful in the long run.

"The discussion is intended to stimulate thinking on the volume and scheduling of T20 cricket, its role in developing the game further and the implications for cricket as a whole."

Cricket matters

Amongst other cricket matters, the CEC will consider the practical application of No Objection Certificates, the suitability of ICC Test and ODI ranking systems for determining qualification to ICC events and for promotion and relegation purposes, disability cricket and cricket in multi-sport games.

The CEC will also consider appointments to the ICC Cricket Committee in terms of the committee's Terms of Reference.

Mr Lorgat said: "Clive Lloyd has completed a successful three year term as chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee and the CEC will consider this position and make a recommendation to the ICC Board."

There will also be updates on the Future Tours' Programme (FTP) Agreement, domestic integrity matters (anti-corruption and anti-doping), anti-racism policy and international venue accreditation standards.

Cricket Development

The CEC will receive updated presentations on the progress with global development of the game including the new strategy to grow and integrate the women's game internationally.

"The development programme has a comprehensive strategy which includes improving performance standards and to have 1 million new participants from the Associate and Affiliate Member countries playing the game by 2015," concluded Mr Lorgat.

The CEC comprises the Chief Executives or nominated representatives of the 10 Full Member nations as well as three Associate Member representatives. The ICC Chief Executive chairs the meeting and, by invitation, the ICC President or the ICC Vice President may attend.

Haroon Lorgat	ICC Chief Executive (Chairman)
Sharad Pawar	ICC President
Alan Isaac	ICC Vice President
Subhan Ahmed	Pakistan
Nizam Uddin Chowdhury	Bangladesh
David Collier	England and Wales
John Cribbin	Associate Member Representative
Warren Deutrom	Associate Member Representative
Francois Erasmus	Associate Member Representative
Dr Ernest Hilaire	West Indies
Sanjay Jagdale	India
Gerald Majola	South Africa
Wilfred Mukondiwa	Zimbabwe (alternate for Ozias Bvute)
Nishanta Ranatunga	Sri Lanka
James Sutherland	Australia
David White	New Zealand

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Will write to ICC about Pak Tour: BCB Chief

LAHORE: The Chief of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Mustafa Kamal said that they wanted to tour Pakistan and would write to the ICC in this regard.

Kamal holding a news conference alongside PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf said he was satisfied with the security arrangements in Pakistan and was awaiting the return of international cricket to the country.

Zaka Ashraf said that Pakistan was a secure country for cricket and was hopeful that the ICC would not be a barrier in international cricket returning.

He said he would work with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf for getting permission from the ICC to bring back international cricket to Pakistan.

Earlier, the security team visiting Pakistan to review the security arrangements was briefed by the country’s officials and the BCB president was looking satisfied.

He expressed his willingness for sending Bangladesh cricket team here to play a series of One-day Internationals.

The delegation reviewed the security measures at the National Stadium in Karachi and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The delegation will go back to Bangladesh tomorrow to submit a report to its government on security arrangements in Pakistan for the matches.

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Whatmore announced as new coach

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that Dav Whatmore will be the national team’s new coach.

Prior to Whatmore’s appointment Mohsin Hasan Khan was serving the coach for the national team.

Whatmore will assume charge during the upcoming Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

According to the PCB, Whatmore has signed a contract to serve as the coach for two years.

Julian Fountain has also been appointed the fielding coach for the side.

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Cricket: Australia beat Sri Lanka in sensational 1st final

BRISBANE: Australia beat a gallant Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the first tri-series one-day international final at the Gabba on Sunday.

After Australia made an imposing 321 for six, Sri Lanka replied with 306 in 49.2 overs.

The Sri Lankans were always going to struggle to reach the Australian total after David Warner blasted 163, the highest ever ODI score at the Gabba.

Warner was in magnificent touch as he smashed 13 fours and two sixes in his 157-ball innings, sharing in 50-run partnerships with Matthew Wade, Shane Watson and Michael Clarke.

For Sri Lanka it was an opening bowler, Nuwan Kulasekara, who starred with the bat, scoring 73 from just 43 balls with seven fours and three towering sixes.

Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan began well and attacked from the outset, scoring at a faster rate than the Australians had in their innings.

However, veteran pace bowler Brett Lee struck to remove both openers, before part-time spinner David Hussey enticed a false shot from in-form Dinesh Chandimal.

The match appeared as good as over when Lee struck again to get rid of Kumar Sangakkara for 42, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 115 for four.

But a highly entertaining seventh wicket partnership of 104 from only 70 balls between Kulasekara and Upul Tharanga (60) -- including 68 runs in the five-over batting powerplay -- saw Sri Lanka claw their way back.

When Hussey struck again to dismiss Kulasekara the Australians were back in control, holding on despite some late hitting from Dhammika Prasad (31 not out).

The second final will be in Adelaide on Tuesday

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Cricket: Warner ton helps Australia post 321-6

BRISBANE, Australia: David Warner scored a magnificent 163 to lead Australia to 321 for six in the first tri-series one-day international final against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Warner, whose previous highest ODI score was 74, smashed 13 fours and two sixes in his 157-ball innings to dominate the Sri Lankan attack.

The 25-year-old left-hander was in imperious touch as he became only the seventh Australian to pass 150 in a one-day international, batting through the entire innings until he was bowled on the last ball of the 50th over by medium pacer Dhammika Prasad.

Warner also passed Englishman David Gower (158) to record the highest ODI score by any player at the Gabba.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke earlier won the toss and had no hesitation batting first on an overcast Brisbane afternoon.

Warner and fellow opener Matthew Wade got the Australians off to a blistering start, smashing their first 50 runs from just 40 deliveries.

Wade brought up his 50 and the Australian 100 in just the 18th over as the home side continued to dominate. Wade's half century came off 52 deliveries and included three boundaries and a towering six over mid-on off Lasith Malinga.

Warner reached his 50 soon afterwards with the two powerful left-handers providing the platform for a massive score.

The Sri Lankans eventually broke through when Rangana Herath took a spectacular catch in the deep to dismiss Wade for 64 with the total on 136.

Wade smashed Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on, only for Herath to leap backwards, thrust out his left hand and snare the ball, somehow managing to hold on to it as he crashed into the ground just inside the boundary rope.

Shane Watson joined Warner at the crease and carried on where Wade left off. He and Warner put on 50 before the burly Watson skied a catch to Lahiru Thirimanne off Farveez Maharoof at deep midwicket for 21.

Warner hardly missed a beat, however, bringing up his 100 with an outside edge to the third man boundary during the same over.

The Sri Lankans slowed the run rate with quick dismissals of Dan Christian and David Hussey, but Warner and Clarke put on 50 off just 38 balls and Mike Hussey played a late cameo of 19 to ensure the visitors would be chasing over 300 under lights

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Broad completes double-century of ODIs as ICC match referee

Chris Broad has become only the second member of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees to complete a double-century of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) when he took the field for the toss in the first final of the three-nation tournament between Australia and Sri Lanka in Brisbane on Sunday.

The 54-year-old former England opener made his debut on 3 January 2004 in Dunedin in an ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan. And now after eight years, Mr. Broad stands as only the second match referee after Ranjan Madugalle to have officiated in 200 or more ODIs.

In addition to 200 ODIs, Mr. Broad has officiated in 51 Tests, which puts him third on the all-time list behind Madugalle (132) and Clive Lloyd (53), while his 41 T20Is places him in second position after Madugalle (46).

As an opener for England, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Orange Free State, Mr Broad played in 340 first-class matches, including 25 Tests, scoring 50 centuries (including six in Tests). In 34 ODIs, he scored 1,361 at an average of 40 with his only century being against New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier in 1988.

Reflecting on his achievement, Mr Broad said: "Obviously, I have an extra reason to be happy today. But at the same time, it is also an indication of the number of ODIs that have been played since I started my career eight years ago (1,180 ODIs have been played since Mr Broad made his debut as an ICC match referee).

"There have been a number of people who have helped me reach the figure of 200, notably my family, friends, my fellow match officials and my colleagues at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). I have been extremely privileged to have these people around me throughout my career."

Mr Broad said his love for his job hasn't lessened, adding his most memorable match as an ICC match referee was the famous ODI at the Wanderers in 2006 when South Africa chased down Australia's total of 434 to win by one wicket with one-ball to spare.

"It was simply an outstanding day of cricket which produced entertainment all through. The players played as hard as they possibly could, gave the utmost respect to their opponents and played the match within the Spirit of the Game.

"I am as passionate and loving of my job as I was on the day of my first game."

Mr Broad said he has not set any targets for himself: "I don't set any targets for myself. I like to see cricket being played in a competitive spirit with fairness and honesty."

In his tribute to Mr Broad, Vince Van Der Bijl, ICC Umpires and Referees Manager and a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1981, said: "This milestone signifies Chris' dedication to the game and match officiating.

"Chris' great passion for cricket and the way it should be played is embodied in his refereeing approach. He has a positive and professional drive that is deeply appreciated by his colleagues as well as the home boards across the globe. His sheer enjoyment in being a match referee is infectious."

Match referees (span) ODIs

Ranjan Madugalle (1993-to date) 265
Chris Broad (2004-to date) 200
Roshan Mahanama (2008–to date) 179
Jeff Crowe (2004–to date) 165
Mike Procter (2002-2008) 162
Clive Lloyd (1992-2007) 133
Raman Subba Row (1992-2001) 119
Cammie Smith (1993-2002) 118
Javagal Srinath (2006-to date) 111
Alan Hurst (2004-2011) 102

Also

Andy Pycroft (2009-to date) 48
David Boon (2011-to date) 11

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Cricket: Pak team for Asia Cup, Misbah retained as captain

LAHORE: Pakistan’s 15-man squad was announced on Saturday for the Asia Cup to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh later this month.

The four-nation event will include defending champions India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan and will run from March 11-22.

Misbah-ul-Haq was retained as captain while Shoaib Malik, Imran Farhat and Adnan
Akmal were dropped from the squad for the tournament.

Pakistan's defeats in the One-Day International and Twenty20 series to England prompted calls for a change in team management and captaincy, but the PCB opted to retain Misbah for the Asia Cup.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim said opener Nasir Jamshed and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed had been recalled for the tournament.

"We feel that since Nasir has done well in domestic cricket and in the recent Bangladesh Premier League he deserves a chance to play for the national team," Qasim said.

The PCB is also expected to announce the appointment of Australian Dav Whatmore as head coach later on Saturday. Mohsin Khan has been acting as interim coach for the England series.

Squad:
Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Hammad Azam, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Aizaz Cheema.

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Cricket: Herath dropped from Sri Lanka Asia Cup squad

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's cricket selectors on Saturday left out left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for the upcoming four-nation Asia Cup tournament in Bangladesh.

Herath, part of the Sri Lankan squad for the ongoing triangular one-day series in Australia, was replaced by leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna, who played his last one-day international in November.

The 14-man squad will be led by Mahela Jayawardene, with all-rounder Angelo Mathews as his deputy.

Sri Lanka will join defending champions India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 50-overs-a-side tournament, to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka from March 11 to 22.

Sri Lanka, who meet India in their opening match on March 13, also recalled fit-again fast bowler Suranga Lakmal who played his last one-dayer against Pakistan in November.

Pacemen Dhammika Prasad and Chanaka Welegedara, currently in Australia, also failed to find a place in the Asia Cup squad.

Sri Lanka will clash with Australia in the first of best-of-three finals in Brisbane on Sunday.

World Cup winners India, the third team, were knocked out of the competition following Sri Lanka's victory over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Sri Lanka squad:
Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Sachithra Senanayake, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal.

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Cricket: Kenya, Uganda meet in WCT20 warm-ups

NAIROBI: Kenya are to host regional rivals Uganda in five matches in their build up for this month's ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates, cricket officials said.

Both Kenya and Uganda will play in Group B at the March 13-24 tournament, which will also involve 14 other Associate and Affliate sides, after which only two teams will advance to the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.

Kenya played and lost all three T20 matches against Ireland, who will also compete in the same group in Dubai, when the two teams met in Mombasa last month and the hosts are keen for some victory ahead of the global qualifiers.

"We look forward to competitive matches against a strong Ugandan team that has performed well recently to help our team prepare for the qualifiers," said Cricket Kenya chief Tom Sears

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Cricket: South Africa sweep New Zealand ODI series

AUCKLAND: Paceman Marchant de Lange picked up four wickets on his one-day international debut as South Africa completed a 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand with a five-wicket victory in the third and final ODI in Auckland on Saturday.

South Africa's bowlers bundled out New Zealand for 206 in 47 overs after the visitors had won the toss and opted to bowl in wet and windy conditions at Eden Park.

Hashim Amla, who made 92 in the last ODI in Napier on Wednesday, continued his impressive form by scoring 76 as South Africa reached their target with 40 deliveries to spare.

The stylish right-hander, who was dropped on 30 by Nathan McCullum off Kyle Mills, added 80 runs for the first wicket with makeshift opener Wayne Parnell (27) and 58 runs with Albie Morkel (41) for the second to anchor the chase.

Amla hit seven sublime boundaries in his knock before he mistimed a pull shot to be caught by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, giving seamer Kyle Mills his 200th wicket in ODIs.

The visitors, who had also won the preceding three-match Twenty20 series 2-1, lost some wickets after Amla's dismissal but it was not enough for New Zealand to post an unlikely win.

South Africa pacemen Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe pegged New Zealand back with some hostile fast bowling at the start and the hosts struggled for momentum from there on.

The 21-year-old de Lange, who made his Test debut last December against Sri Lanka, also extracted good pace and bounce from the track as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals to be bundled out with three overs left in their innings.

The 55-run stand between James Franklin (36) and debutant Colin de Grandhomme (36) for the fifth wicket was the only half-century partnership in the New Zealand innings.

De Grandhomme, who hit three sixes and a four in his 36-ball knock, and Kane Williamson were run after some athletic fielding by South Africa while left-arm spinner Robin Peterson lopped off the tail with two wickets at the end.

The three-Test series between the two sides begin in Dunedin on Wednesday. (Reuters)

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New Zealand crumble to South African pace

AUCKLAND: New Zealand crumbled under the withering pace of the South African bowlers and were unable to bat out their 50 overs in the third one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday.

Not even the showers which swept over Auckland throughout the day could save New Zealand as they struggled to 206 all out in the 47th over with the umpires ruling not enough time was lost to reduce the number of balls.

With South Africa holding an unbeatable 2-0 lead going into the final ODI, New Zealand had only pride to play for but found that was not enough to combat the pace of Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Marchant de Lange.

Aided by heavy cloud cover, Tsostobe (one for 36) and Steyn (0-28) softened up the batsmen before De Lange ripped through the middle order to finish with 4-46 from nine overs.

Faced with a barrage of deliveries around 145 kilometres (90 miles) per hour, the New Zealand batsmen were not allowed to settle.

Martin Guptill was dismissed cheaply while fellow opener Rob Nicol played cautiously for 12 off 40 deliveries before he was back in the pavilion.

After 19 overs New Zealand were struggling at less than three an over when Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson tried to lift the pace by cracking 13 off a Steyn over.

That forced Steyn out of the attack only to introduce the express deliveries of De Lange, who had McCullum caught by Faf du Plessis for 47 off his second delivery to have New Zealand 74 for three.

The attempt by Williamson and James Franklin to consolidate the innings lifted New Zealand to 105 before Williamson was run out for 22.

Colin de Grandhomme celebrated his first one-day international with a six to get off the mark and blazed away at a run a ball until he was run out by Albie Morkel for 36 and New Zealand were in trouble at 160 for five.

In the 42nd over De Lange claimed two wickets, first removing Franklin for 36, caught at short cover by Hamish Amla, who then moved to first slip where he caught Andrew Ellis two balls later.

In the following De Lange over Amla was at midwicket where he caught Nathan McCullum for 10, leaving spinner Robin Peterson to wrap up the innings with the wickets of Kyle Mills and Michael Bates.

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Pakistan Team Squad For Asia Cup 2012 And Players List

Pakistan Cricket Board announce the Pakistan Indian Team Squad For Asia Cup 2012. In this Series Pakistan has to face India and that will be surely a great match after the World Cup 2011, where Pakistan lose from India. After the poor performance of the Pakistan team where they were whitewashed by 4-0 in the ODI matches and them also lose T20 matches by 2-1 now this is the time for Pakistan Team Squad to prove themselves that they are still the best because only this team in this whole series is a team on whom you can never bet. Pakistan team is the most unpredictable team of the world so nobody know what will gonna be happen in this thrilling series.

Pakistan Team squad has all the abilities that they can win this series and also this team is the most favorite team for this Asia Cup Series 2012 which will going to be start on 12th March and ends on 22nd March. The first match of this Series will played between the most favorite Pakistan and Bangladesh at Mirpur, as all the matches will be in Mirpur at Sher-e- Bangla Stadium. Pakistan team Player list for Asia Cup 2012 has a strong bowling side like Umer Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Boom Boom Shahid Afridi.

Junaid will not going to play this series as during the UAE series Junaid suffers a knee injury. Pakistan has all the capabilities to win this series, although the home ground advantage is with Bangladesh but this team is not so strong in front of the Giants like Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka but Pakistan team squad mostly players knows the Sher-e-Bangla stadium very well as by playing matches during the BPL so this team can also avail this advantage too.
Pakistan Team Squad For Asia Cup 2012 And Players List The decision of who will be in the team for this series is totally in the hands of Pakistan Cricket Board and now this time only we can suppose that who will be a part of those matches but Pakistan Cricket Board will going to be announce the full and final squad for this series today or tomorrow.  As Misbah-ul-Haq is the Captain of the Pakistan Team in the Asia cup but now cricket lovers do not want to see Misbah as a part of Pakistan Team Squad For Asia Cup 2012 because of his poor performance in UAE series which will cause an ultimate lose for Pakistan team reputation.

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Whatmore arrives in Lahore to sign contract

LAHORE: Former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore, who guided Sri Lanka to World Cup glory, arrived here to sign a contract to become Pakistan’s new cricket coach, an official said Friday.

The 57-year-old Whatmore, who played seven Tests and one limited overs international for Australia, coached Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996 and also helped Bangladesh reach the second round in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Whatmore was chosen by a three-member coaching committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after regular coach Waqar Younis left the post citing health issues in September last year.

Former Pakistan opener Mohsin Khan was appointed interim coach under whom Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and whitewashed England 3-0 in Tests before they went down tamely 4-0 in one-day series and 2-1 in the Twenty20 internationals last month.

The head of the coaching committee Intikhab Alam confirmed Whatmore will sign a contract.

“Whatmore and Julien Fountain (likely to take over as fielding coach) have arrived here and Whatmore will sign a contract as head coach of the Pakistan team,” Alam told refusing to give further details of the contract.

Whatmore’s first assignment will be to help the team in the four-nation Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Defending champions India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also compete in the March 11-22 event.

Alam said Whatmore would assist the newly-formed selection committee along with captain Misbah-ul Haq to pick the squad later Friday. Former spinner Iqbal Qasim was appointed head of the selection committee after Mohammad Ilyas resigned from the post on Thursday.

Whatmore will be Pakistan’s fourth foreign coach after Richard Pybus (South Africa), Bob Woolmer (England and South Africa) and Geoff Lawson served in the past.

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The hub of cricket’s development

DUBAI: Dubai’s status as an east-meets-west business hub is being rivalled in the world of sport with cricket’s state-of-the-art academy, also a home from home for Pakistan’s international brigade.

Set up by the International Cricket Council (ICC), in company with Dubai Sports City (DSC) in 2010, the Global Cricket Academy (GCA) caters for players from around the world.

Tim Anderson, the ICC global development manager, said the academy is the hub of the game’s development.

“The ICC’s vision, together with DSC, was to develop a world-class, multi-purpose facility, and then provide a wide variety of programmes that could see anybody from the global and local cricket community use them,” Anderson told AFP.

Maqbool Dudhia, general manager of DSC, said the academy is fulfilling those objectives.

“The idea is to be a cricketing hub for the world, something that suits it perfectly given the UAE’s geographical location in relation to the rest of the cricketing world, and we are delighted it has not only fulfilled that objective but exceeded it,” said Dudhia.

Since the academy opened, 24 of the ICC’s members – including Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, the West Indies, as well as a number of English county teams – have used the facilities for either camps, training or matches.

The GCA and the adjoining Dubai Stadium have also become home for the Pakistan team which is forced to play their international cricket in the UAE because of security fears back home.

In addition, over 1,500 children have participated in the junior progammes, while the facilities have hosted several UAE club competitions and a number of training courses for coaches, officials and groundsmen.

Former Australian wicket-keeper Rod Marsh introduced a multi-dimensional programme of education and coaching as the academy got off to a flying start.

Since Marsh returned to Australia last year, former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar is in charge of the coaching, alongside former New Zealand paceman Dayle Hadlee.

“I enjoy my role as it is an opportunity for me to pass on what I know about the game,” said Nazar.

“The enthusiasm and the will to learn is in abundance and I hope the talent unearthed at the academy will go places at international level.”

The facilities and the top-class coaching have attracted children of expats from not only India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka but also from European countries.

“My son was wasting his time watching television and playing computer games before I got to know about the GCA and now he is on cloud nine, learning cricket,” said Asif Kashodia, a Pakistani businessman.

To test skills there is Hawkeye, allowing coaches to highlight weaknesses, not only in players but in those who want to learn umpiring.

The ProBatter, which allows batsmen to simulate facing the world’s leading bowlers, is the main attraction.

Pitch Vision is a new plug-and-play coaching aid that allows analysis of players’ techniques.

There are various types of bowling machines all of which offer different and varied challenges, as well as numerous types of surfaces, both in the indoor facility and the outdoor practice and match pitches.

There are two full-sized cricket grounds, where warm-up matches and the first-ever cricket series between disabled teams of Pakistan and England was played.

And visiting school teams find the GCA a delightful place.

“Our lads are learning heck of a lot. There are different pitches like WACA and Asian wickets where you can play different lengths, and from cricket to catering we were taken well care of. We want to come again and again,” said David Fallows, director of Bromsgrove School in Birmingham.

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Supporters want India-Pakistan series: Gavaskar

ABU DHABI: Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday said he hoped a window could be found to accommodate an India-Pakistan series, as tight schedules were stopping the arch-rivals from playing each other.

India suspended all bilateral ties with Pakistan in the wake of the deadly 2008 militant attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on extremists based across the border.

But despite a recent thaw, with Pakistan declaring India “the most favoured nation” and both prime ministers vowing to improve relations, formal cricketing ties remain suspended.

Both countries are scheduled to play in 2013 under the International Cricket Council (ICC) Future Tours Programme (FTP) but India’s busy schedule has left no space for the ties to be revived.

Former India captain Gavaskar said his country’s tight schedule makes the imminent resumption of matches tough.

“Hurdles are very simply, the tight schedules which are there for India in particular are stopping the revival. India are absolutely tight up until 2014,” Gavaskar told

“I think if the ICC can convince other scheduled tours around India and Pakistan to be delayed then maybe it can create a window but honestly… it looks difficult even in 2014.”

Gavaskar, widely respected in both India and Pakistan for his superb batting, said any series between the two South Asian rivals needs proper time and length.

“Frankly, if you want to have a India-Pakistan series it can’t be one Test. It has to be a proper three Test, five one-day and two to three Twenty20. But I think the real connoisseur of the game wants India and Pakistan to play Tests,” he added.

People in both countries were missing the contest, while the cricketers were keen to play and prove themselves, he said, likening the contest to the age-old rivalry between England and Australia.

Gavaskar said the last match between the two countries in Mohali  the one day international World Cup semi-final in March 2011 — was memorable, not just for the electric atmosphere among the fans both inside and outside the stadium.

Pakistan’s prime minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, attended the match at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in a move seen as “cricket diplomacy” to improve fractured ties.

“There is that wanting on the part of the cricket supporters but their hands are tied for the reasons that the schedules are tight,” said Gavaskar.

“As former players we can only talk about it. It’s up to the administrators whose hands are tied because they need approvals from the respective governments.”

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International cricket to soon resume in Pakistan: Bangladesh

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Mustafa Kamal said that international cricket will soon be resumed in Pakistan,  Saturday.

BCB chief Mustafa Kamal was addressing a press conference along with Interior Minister Rehman Malik in Islamabad and said that both the countries enjoy cordial relationship with each other and Pakistan played a vital role in the International Cricket Council (ICC) for Bangladesh.

The BCB president along with 8-member delegation is in Pakistan to scrutinize the security situation in the country for the proposed one-day series. He hoped that the matters would proceed positively with time.

He invited Rehman Malik and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf to visit Bangladesh.

At the same occasion, Malik assured that the Bangladeshi team would be provided with foolproof security ‘everywhere’ and an effective strategy would be planned according to their wishes.

Stuart Law, Bangladesh’s cricket coach, has refused to tour Pakistan for a proposed one-day series because of security fears. According to reports, Law has told Bangladesh’s cricket board that he will not be available for the tour of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities are hoping to convince Bangladesh’s security experts over the next two days that it is safe for them to send their cricketers here for a series that will mark the return of international cricket in the country.

A nine-member team from Bangladesh arrived in Islamabad on Friday night to inspect venues ahead of the proposed trip of Bangladesh’s national team to play a series of one-day matches in Pakistan next month.

Zakar Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, and other senior Board officials held a series of meetings with top government officials on Friday ahead of today’s meetings with the Bangladeshi team.

After spending a day in Islamabad, the Bangladeshi team that includes Bangladesh Cricket Board officials and security experts, will visit Lahore on Sunday (tomorrow). PCB officials are hoping that the Bangladeshis will clear the visit of their national team to Pakistan, which has not hosted international cricket since Sri Lankan players were ambushed by gunmen in Lahore three years back. “We are confident that after reviewing our security plans, they (Bangladesh) will confirm their team’s visit,” said a PCB official.

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S.Africa to bowl first against New Zealand

AUCKLAND: South Africa won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat in the rain-delayed third and final one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday.

South Africa have already wrapped up the series 2-0 and captain AB de Villiers said the emphasis was not to ease up but to secure a clean sweep ahead of the Test series that starts in Dunedin on Wednesday.

From the team that won the second match in Napier on Wednesday, South Africa have replaced Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel and Justin Ontong with Wayne Parnell, Johan Botha and Marchant de Lange.

New Zealand have dropped Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell for disciplinary reasons and have left out Tim Southee and Tarun Nethula while Nathan McCullum and Michael Bates return to the side and Colin de Grandhomme makes his debut.

Rain in Auckland put the start of the match back by 20 minutes with further showers expected later in the day.

Teams:

New Zealand: Rob Nicol, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (captain), Kane Williamson, James Franklin, Andrew Ellis, Kyle Mills, Andy McKay, Colin de Grandhomme, Michael Bates, Nathan McCullum.

South Africa: Johan Botha, Hashim Amla, Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers (captain), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Albie Morkel, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

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Cricket: New Zealand drop troubled Ryder for Test

WELLINGTON: Troubled New Zealand cricket star Jesse Ryder was dropped Friday from the squad for the first Test against South Africa but selectors said the move was due to form, and not his latest drinking bout.

The 13-man squad includes Rob Nicol and Andrew Ellis, yet to make their Test debuts, and marks the return of captain Ross Taylor who has been sidelined for nearly six weeks by injury.

The Test starts in Dunedin next Wednesday.

Ryder's exclusion was announced a few hours after he and pace bowler Doug Bracewell were dropped from Saturday's third and final one-day international against South Africa following a drink-fuelled bar incident.

Team manager Mike Sandle said the pair broke team protocols by going out drinking and had "verbally reacted to taunts from the public" about New Zealand's six-wicket defeat in the second ODI in Napier.

Bar patron Brendon Arkwright told the Rotorua Daily Post he had asked Ryder why he was "drinking like you've won the game when you didn't score any runs. He and one of his mates has taken offence to that and gone off on me."

Ryder, 27, has a Test batting average of 40.93 and an ODI average of 34.37 but his career has been marred by incidents involving alcohol.

Officially Ryder will miss the next ODI as punishment and the first Test because of form, but New Zealand coach John Wright told reporters standards had to be upheld.

"He's a talented cricketer and it's up to him and certainly everyone has the opportunity to play if they perform and are fit and abide by some of the rules that go with being in the team," he said.

"There are certain standards that have to be adhered to and there have to be consequences."

Asked if other players should be helping Ryder in social situations, Wright said: "That can be difficult. Most players at that time of night are in bed... the professional ones."

Meanwhile, New Zealand selection manager Kim Littlejohn said rookies Nicol and Ellis had performed well in the ODI series against South Africa and deserved their Test starts.

"Both Rob and Andrew have shown promise against South Africa in limited overs cricket and we believe they can transfer their form across to the Test matches.

New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Rob Nicol, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

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Cricket: Gayle remains in exile for Aussies visit

ST JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda: Former captain Chris Gayle was again overlooked by the West Indies when a 30-man training squad for the forthcoming one-day and Twenty20 series against Australia was announced on Thursday.

Gayle hasn't played for the West Indies since last year's World Cup and has been involved in a long-running dispute with the West Indies board.

The WICB said that 17 contracted players, along with 13 others who are under consideration for selection, will participate in a two-week training camp in Barbados from March 1 to 12.

The first one-dayer takes place at St Vincent on March 16.

The 17 contracted players are: Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh, Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Nelon Pascal, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford and Devon Thomas.

The 13 additional players under consideration: Samuel Badree, Tino Best, Nkrumah Bonner, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Shane Dowrich, Danza Hyatt, Garey Mathurin, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Krishmar Santokie and Dwayne Smith.

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Cricket: Sri Lanka record thrilling win over Aussies to reach finals

MELBOURNE: Sri Lanka beat Australia by nine runs to reach the finals of the tri one-day series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Sri Lanka held their nerve to win the thrilling game after dismissing Australia for 229 with five balls left in reply to their total of 238.

They now face Australia in the best-of-three match finals, starting in Brisbane on Sunday, while India's disappointing tour of Australia is over and they will head home this weekend.

It was a gripping finish with Australia needing 10 runs off the final over bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara, but David Hussey was caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan at long off with five balls remaining ending their hopes of a last-gasp win.

Hussey scored 74 off 74 balls and finished the tournament as the leading runscorer of all the three teams with 412 at an average of 82.40.

Lasith Malinga finished with four for 49 as skipper Mahela Jayawardene used eight bowlers to defend his team's modest total.

Match scores: Sri Lanka 238 (50 overs); Australia 229 (49.1 overs)

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Inconsistency behind defeat: Misbah

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq cited lack of consistency by the batsmen as reason for the debacle in ODI and T20 series against England,
In an tv interview , the captain noted that all the players are professional and they need to perform.

While responding to a question, he said that the team cannot be reformed overnight by appointing a new selection committee and Dav Whatmore as coach.

'Shoaib Malik was included in the team on past performances not due to friendship.'

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Sri Lanka win toss and bat in ODI

MELBOURNE: Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat in their decisive tri-series one-day international against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Australia are already through to the best-of-three final and Sri Lanka need one point from Friday's game to join them and end India's Australia tour.

Shane Watson was to lead Australia again after regular skipper Michael Clarke decided to rest a back injury.

Paceman James Pattinson returned to the Australia team at the expense of Brett Lee after recovering from a stress injury in his left foot which had sidelined him since early January.

Sri Lanka were without paceman Farveez Maharoof, who injured his back in the seven-wicket loss to India in Hobart last Tuesday.

Maharoof was replaced by offspinner Sachitra Senanayake.

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Amir’s appeal will be considered: Zaka

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf said on Thursday that bowler Mohammad Amir is Pakistan’s asset and his appeal against the ICC ban would be considered, Geo News reported Thursday.

While talking to media in Lahore, the PCB chief said that the decision regarding the team's coach would be finalized soon.

Zaka Ashraf earlier said that the PCB had appointed Iqbal Qasim as Chief Selector for one year.

Chief selector Mohammad Ilyas presented his resignation in a meeting with the PCB chief, which was accepted.

The other members of committee are Azhar Khan (Punjab), Farrukh Zaman (Khyber Pakhtwnkha), Saleem Jaffar (Sindh) and Asif Baloch (Balochistan).

Mohammad Ilyas was reported to quit the post over poor performance of the team against England and interference in selection matters.

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Amir will not appeal against ban: ICC

DUBAI: Pakistan's teenage paceman Mohammad Amir has decided not to appeal against a five-year ban imposed on him for spot-fixing during the 2010 Lord's Test against England, an official said on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Amir was released from a British prison last month after serving half of a six-month sentence for his part in the scandal during the Test between England and Pakistan in 2010.

His teammates Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif are serving 30- and 12-month sentences respectively, handed down by a British court in November.

All three players were found guilty of corruption and receiving illegal money.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) also banned the trio for violating the players' code of conduct, with Amir receiving the minimum five-year punishment.

"Through his lawyer, Amir has informed us that he has no intention of filing an appeal against the ban," an ICC spokesman told AFP from Dubai.
Under the rules, Amir could have appealed against the ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland, but legal experts believe he lost that possibility after pleading guilty in Britain.
Amir, who returned to Pakistan on Sunday, has vowed to revive his career. After his debut in 2009 and until the scandal broke, he was considered the brightest new talent in international cricket.

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PCB selects Iqbal Qasim as new chief selector

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Iqbal Qasim, as Chief Selector for one year, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf said.

Chief selector Mohammad Ilyas presented his resignation in a meeting with the PCB Chief, which was accepted.

The other members of committee are Azhar Khan (Punjab), Farrukh Zaman (Khyber Pakhtwnkha), Saleem Jaffar (Sindh) and Asif Baloch (Balochistan).

Mohammad Ilyas was earlier reported to quit the post over poor performance of the team against England and interference in selection matters.

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Cricket: Chief selector Ilyas decides to quit

KARACHI: Chief selector Mohammad Ilyas has decided to quit the post over poor performance of the team against England and interference in selection matters,
The chief selector will present his resignation before the governing board today. Earlier, he was summoned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to attend today's meeting.

His son-in-law Imran Farhat was not made part of the team played in last ODI and T20 series. The PCB may also announce new selection committee.

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Cricket: Mohsin stumped at Pakistan slump

KARACHI: Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan appeared stumped Wednesday by his team's lack of form in limited over matches after routing England 3-0 in Tests, saying he had "tried everything".

Pakistan whitewashed England in the three Tests but slumped to a 4-0 defeat in the one-day series and lost 2-1 in the Twenty20s.

The 56-year-old Khan, who is likely to be replaced by former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore next month, said he did not understand what happened.

"Pakistan team's performance in the Tests was outstanding," Khan told AFP. "But the team was disappointing in the limited overs series and I am at a loss to understand how a team playing high-level cricket went down like that."

Khan refused to blame captain Misbah ul-Haq and also refused to comment when asked whether some players may have under performed to oust him as coach.

"I am happy with my efforts and my tenure. The win against England was special," said Khan, who played 48 Tests and 75 one-days as opener.

"We did not bat well in one-days and I am disappointed that the team failed in limited overs but this is the same team that was being lauded only a few days back and now everyone is so critical."

The coach said England deserved full credit for their comeback after being annihilated in the Tests.

"The way they came back after a demoralising defeat as world number one team was exemplary, we tried everything but they were too good and deserve credit."

Khan, who also guided Pakistan to wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, was appointed interim coach after Waqar Younis quit last September.

Khan said he is ready to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity.

"It's up to the Pakistan Cricket Board to talk to me and I am ready to serve my country, but my top priority is that it should be in a respected manner and with dignity, without which I will not hold any post," said Khan.

Pakistan's next assignment is the four-nation Asia Cup in Bangladesh from March 12-22.

Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to a 1996 World Cup win, is expected in Pakistan later this week to sign a contract likely to start with the Asia Cup.

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O'Brien hopes to make it count at ICC World T20 Qualifier

It is exactly a year today (2 March) since Ireland's Kevin O'Brien slammed a breathtaking 113 off 63 balls to turn the tables on England in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

On that day in Bengaluru, Kevin O'Brien revived Ireland's chase of England's total of 327-8 with his knock which featured 13 boundaries and six sixes. O'Brien's knock helped Ireland beat England for the first time.

A year on, O'Brien is still reliving those heady moments.

"That match brings back great memories. It is simply brilliant. When I look back at that game it was a great day for Irish cricket and for me personally," recalled O'Brien.

The knock helped O'Brien in a big way as he became a household name shortly thereafter and reaped rich rewards for it.

"I got a contract with Gloucestershire thereafter. I was also nominated for a few awards back home and my profile was raised in India. So it was great for me in every sense," revealed O'Brien.

But a year on, O'Brien is hoping that Ireland continues to build on the gains made on that eventful night in Bengaluru.

Currently, O'Brien is training with the rest of the Ireland squad to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13-24 March.

O'Brien and his teammates are training in Port Elizabeth, South Africa to prepare for the tournament.

Ireland is placed in Group B of the 16-team tournament alongside Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy and USA. Only two teams can qualify for the main event scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 18 September-7 October.

"It is a big tournament and a very difficult competition since only two teams can qualify. The boys are full of confidence. We are at our best when we are enjoying ourselves. We are confident of our abilities and back ourselves to win the tournament," said O'Brien.

The Ireland squad is expected to be in Port Elizabeth till 8 March.

"We have been training hard for the last few days during both morning and afternoon. We have at least four-five days of training to do before we head to UAE. It has been a good exercise. Now we need to start the tournament well," reckoned O'Brien.

Ireland had qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2010 in West Indies through the last qualifier held in UAE.

O'Brien believes Ireland has come a long way since the ICC World Twenty20 2010 mainly because of the fact that the squad has gained a lot more exposure and experience.

"Most of our boys have gained experience playing twenty20 cricket in England. We are generally more experienced than the last time. We know our game well now," opined O'Brien.

Ireland's biggest strength, according to O'Brien, is the presence of a number of seam bowling all-rounders.

"Twenty20 cricket is about all-rounders. We have four-five all-rounders who bowl seam-up and also there are some good spinners who can bat well. So we have a good balance in the set-up since twenty20 cricket is a game that can change in one ball," said O'Brien.

Apart from the camp, O'Brien and his teammates kept a close eye on the recent T20 series between Pakistan and England held in the UAE.

"We had one eye on the series (Pakistan v England). The scores have not been high with 140 proving to be a winning total. Even during the last ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in 2010, 140 was a winning score in Dubai, maybe Abu Dhabi affords a bit more. So we will have to get as many runs as we can to qualify," concluded O'Brien

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ICC announces details of Pepsi ICC WCL Championship, I Cup fourth round schedule

With four places up for grabs in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the top eight Associate and Affiliate sides go head to head in the latest round of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Championship in June and July.

In June, Namibia will travel to Nairobi to challenge Kenya, while in July, Scotland will host Canada in Aberdeen, the Netherlands and the UAE will square-off against each other in Rotterdam and co-favourites Ireland and Afghanistan will face-off in Dublin.

Ireland and Scotland currently share the lead on the WCL Championship table with eight points each, but the Scots have played one less round. The UAE is occupying third position on six points from two rounds, the Netherlands, Kenya and Afghanistan are sitting on four points each while Namibia and Canada are yet to open their account.

The WCL - including the Championship and the ongoing global divisions - is an important event structure on the calendar of the ICC Development Programme as it provides a dual pathway for all Associate and Affiliate Members to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2015 to be staged in Australia and New Zealand.

The top two teams from the WCL Championship will automatically join ICC's 10 Full Members in the ICC CWC 2015. The bottom six teams then join teams from WCL Divisions 2 and 3 in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ) in early 2014, where the final two qualifiers will be determined.

Except for Afghanistan, which will open its tour of Ireland with the WCL Championship matches, the matches between Kenya and Namibia*, Scotland and Canada and the UAE* and the Netherlands will be played at the back of ICC's four-day first-class ICC Intercontinental Cup 2011-2013 matches.

Former champion Ireland leads the ICC Intercontinental Cup points table with 54 points from three matches, followed up Scotland (36 points from three matches) while the UAE and defending champion Afghanistan share the third spot on 23 points each.

The fixtures are as follows:

Kenya v Namibia

6-9 June - ICC Intercontinental Cup, Gymkhana, Nairobi

11 June - WCL Championship, 50-Over, Gymkhana, Nairobi

13 June - WCL Championship, 50-Over, Gymkhana, Nairobi

15 June - Twenty20, Gymkhana, Nairobi

16 June –Twenty20, Gymkhana, Nairobi

Scotland v Canada

4-7 July - ICC Intercontinental Cup, Mannofield CC, Aberdeen

9 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Mannofield CC, Aberdeen

11 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Mannofield CC, Aberdeen

Netherlands v UAE

16-19 July - ICC Intercontinental Cup, Salland CC, Deventer

21 July - WCL Championship, 50-Over, VOC, Rotterdam

23 July - WCL Championship, 50-Over, VOC, Rotterdam

24 July - Twenty20, VOC, Rotterdam (T20 on 24 July will only be played if Reserve Day for 23 July 50-Over WCL Championship match not required)

25 July - Twenty20, VOC, Rotterdam

Ireland v Afghanistan

3 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Clontarf CC, Dublin

5 July - WCL Championship, ODI, Clontarf CC, Dublin

9-12 July - ICC Intercontinental Cup,The Hills CC (TBC), Dublin

*Matches between Kenya-Namibia and UAE-Netherlands will not be classified as ODIs as Namibia and the UAE don't have ODI status

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England dominates Reliance ICC T20I Rankings

Current ICC World Twenty20 champion England has continued its domination of the Reliance ICC Twenty20 International (T20I) Rankings after winning its series against Pakistan by 2-1 in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

While England successfully retained its number-one position, which it could have lost had Pakistan won all the three games, Kevin Pietersen has replaced team-mate Eoin Morgan as the number-one batsman and Graeme Swann has taken over the coveted number-one bowling spot from Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka.

England, after dropping one ratings point, leads its closest rival South Africa by 10 ratings points. ICC World Twenty 2009 winner Pakistan, which could have jumped to second position had it won all the matches of the series, now stays in seventh position, 22 ratings points behind England.

Pietersen, who was the player of the tournament in the West Indies two years ago, has moved up one place to the number-one spot after scores of 33, 17 and 62 not out. For contributing 112 runs in the series, Pietersen has earned 31 ratings points.

Martin Guptill of New Zealand is the other batsman to jump in the latest rankings. The opener has vaulted 14 places to second position after scoring 151 runs in the recently concluded series against South Africa.

Richard Levi of South Africa, who clubbed the fastest T20I century by belting five fours and 13 sixes (the most sixes in a T20I to date) in a 51-ball 117, has entered in 22nd position.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for T20I bowlers, Swann finished as the most successful bowler with six wickets at an economy rate of 4.16 runs per over. For this good performance, the 32-year-old bowler was been awarded 49 ratings points which has helped him leapfrog Mendis, Saeed Ajmal, Johan Botha and Shahid Afridi into the top spot.

Other bowlers to storm up the chart include Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan, who has vaulted five places to seventh spot, England?s T20I captain Stuart Broad, who is in 12th spot after rising five places, Pakistan?s Umar Gul has claimed three places and is now in 15th position and Jade Dernbach of England who has moved up 15 places to 30th spot after picking up four wickets in the series.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for T20I all-rounders, Australia team-mates Shane Watson and David Hussey share the number-one spot while JP Duminy of South Africa has broken into the top 10 for the first time after rising nine places following a decent performance against New Zealand.

The T20I Championship table is updated after every match.

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Asia Cricket Cup 2012 is starting from March 11

 all the matches would be played in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A very rigorous schedule indeed. As the name suggests only teams from Asia take part in this cup viz. India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. India will play its first match on March 13 against Sri Lanka and the match of all matches India vs. Pakistan would be on March 18 and we would be streaming it live with live score card update. There will be total seven matches and final ODI will be played between top two teams which is on March 22.
Well, for both India and Sri Lanka there is tight schedule ahead as both these Asian teams would be flying to Bangladesh, where along with Pakistan, these four teams from Sub Continent would be playing to lift Asia Cup 2012, and the live streaming of this Asia Cup would be available at International Reporter as well. I am sure that you guys will enjoy the live coverage of the same as well.  It is also India will try to turn it around in the forthcoming Asia Cup. Really there is no rest for our players, ah, some might be rested for long including Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar.
Asia Cup 2012 fixture:
March 11:  Bangladesh Vs Pakistan
March 13: India Vs Sri Lanka
March 15: Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka
March 16: Bangladesh Vs India
March 18: India Vs Pakistan
March 20: Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka
March 22: Final

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Cricket: Pakistan looking for venue for Australia ODIs

LAHORE: Pakistan are looking for a suitable venue to stage their one-day series against Australia later this year, an official said Saturday.

Pakistan have been forced to play their home series at the neutral venues of United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and England since international cricket was halted in their country after attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

The terrorists attacks in Lahore, which left seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach injured and killed eight people, suspended all international cricket in Pakistan.

Even before the attacks Pakistan had been a 'no go' zone for international teams since the 9-11 attacks on the United States which sparked security fears in and around Pakistan.

Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forcing them to play in Sri Lanka and Sharjah (2002) and in England in 2010.

They have five one-day matches scheduled for August this year and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad said three venues were under consideration.

"We are looking out for a suitable venue for the five one-days against Australia as it would be very hot to play in the UAE in mid-August," Ahmad told AFP.

The three available options are South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and we are looking at these venues, Ahmed said.

The PCB is also seeking the return of international cricket to their country and have invited Bangladesh to play a one-day series in April.

A Bangladesh delegation is expected to tour Pakistan to assess security before deciding on the series.

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BPL: Imran, Azhar guide Dhaka to 5-wkt win over Barisal

DHAKA: A third wicket 92-run partnership between Imran Nazir and Azhar Mahmood helped Dhaka Gladiators defeat Barisal Burners by five wickets in a Twenty20 match here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest total of 157, Dhaka completed the victory with ten balls to spare.

Imran Nazir made 65 off 40 balls with six fours and three sixes while Azhar Mahmood hit 42 from 30 balls with seven boundaries.

Kieron Pollard also blasted an unbeaten 35 off 17 balls with four towering sixes and a four.

For Barisal, Kabir Ali and Suhrawadi Shuvo claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, sent into bat by Dhaka Gladiators, Barisal Burners scored 156 for six in the allotted 20 overs.

Ahmed Shahzad top scored with 51 with seven fours, followed by 33 by Peter Mustard, who hit two sixes and as many fours.

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan took two wickets for 22 for Dhaka.

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Pakistan to take on England in 2nd T20 today

DUBAI: After an eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England on Thursday, Pakistan will take on England in the second match today, Geo News reported.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said he hoped Pakistan will carry the momentum in the next two Twenty20 matches, which would take place in Dubai today and Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The win in the Twenty20 series can lift Pakistan to fourth position that currently rests at fifth.

On the other hand, England captain Stuart Broad also hoped to fight back strongly in upcoming matches.

Pakistan routed England in the three-Tests 3-0 but suffered a 4-0 reverse in the following one-day series, prompting former cricketing greats and media commentators to call for changes in the team and captaincy.

The Pakistan captain said the country had under-performed in the past because of such a response to defeats, insisting that his side had not become bad players overnight just because of the loss of the one-day series.

Misbah has not lost a Test series since taking over the Pakistan captaincy in October 2010 and the defeat against England was his first since taking charge as one-day captain in June last year.

Pakistan had won the preceding two one-day series before he took over.

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South Africa cruise to victory on de Villiers ton

WELLINGTON: South African captain AB de Villiers compiled a superb century to lead his side to an easy six wicket win over New Zealand in the opening one-day international at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

De Villiers, in deft touch, was not out for 106 with Faf du Plessis on 66 as South Africa overhauled New Zealand's 253 for nine with 28 balls to spare.

On a ground with a history of favouring the side batting second, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss, elected to bat first and never seriously threatened from there as his batsmen failed to gain momentum.

Although the target was not immense, South Africa wavered at the start of their innings with Hashim Amla (8), Graeme Smith (9) and Jacques Kallis (13) falling in quick succession to be 35 for three by the 10th over.

But from there de Villiers steadied the run chase and they slowly and surely reeled in the New Zealand total although the South African captain played down the comprehensive nature of the win.

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New Zealand 253 for nine against South Africa

WELLINGTON: New Zealand scored 253 for nine off their 50 overs after winning the toss and batting first in the opening one-day international against South Africa at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Brendon McCullum top scored with 56 and Kane Williamson made 55 while Lonwabo Tsotsobe took two for 41 for South Africa.

Earlier New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat in the opening one-day international against South Africa.

The Wellington wicket traditionally favours the team batting second but New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said the pitch looked different and "we want to put a good total on the board".

The three-match ODI series follows the three Twenty20 matches won by South Africa 2-1.

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Cricket: Sylhet’s first BPL win, stuns Rajshahi

DHAKA: Sylhet Royals at last won its first match in the Bangledesh Premier League when it surprisingly defeated Duronto Rajshahi by a big margin of nine wickets here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Chasing 125 to win, wicketkeeper batsman from Pakistan kamran Akmal guided Sylhet to complete his team’s first victory in the tournament in only 16.3 overs.

He remained unbeaten on 72, providing an opening stand of 52 with Peter Trego (24) and an unbeaten second wicket partnership of 72 with Tom Maynard (22 not out).

Earlier, Rajshahi sent into bat by Sylhet, was restricted to 124 for nine in the 20 overs.

Pakistan opener Shahzaib Hasan was the top-scorer with 54 while only two other batsmen Abdul Razzaq (21) and Khalid Latif (14), both also from Pakistan managed to enter into double figures.

Paceman Sohail Tanvir, also from Pakistan, captured four wickets for 13 while Abul Hasan took three wickets.

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Cricket: Ireland clinch T20 series against Kenya

MOMBASA, Kenya: Ireland beat Kenya by two runs to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in their Twenty20 cricket series at the Mombasa Sports Club on Friday.

Batting first, Ireland made 107-9 and despite an impressive 4-14 from man-of-the-match Shem Ngoche, the Kenyans came too short of overhauling the target in the low-scoring match.

Skipper Collins Obuya top-scored with 42 and Indian Premier League-bound Tanmay Mishra contributed 37 as the hosts put up a more competitive contest than in the previous two matches of the series.

Fast bowler Boyd Rankin and spinner George Dockrell put the early brakes, taking both the Kenya openers, David Obuya and Alan Duncan cheaply in a fast opening spell.

All-rounder Andrew White weighed in with another two wickets and John Mooney grabbed the last wicket to ensure the narrow victory.

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BPL: Bravo shines in Chittagong’s 13-run win

DHAKA: A brilliant allround performance by Dwayne Bravo gave Chittagong Kings a thrilling 13-run victory against Dhaka Gladiators in a low-scoring Twenty20 match here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Sent in to bat by Dhaka, Chittagong were restricted to 120-6 in the allotted 20 overs.
Bravo top scored with an unbeaten 48 with two sixes and as many fours, followed by Jahurul Islaam’s 40.

For Dhaka, Elias Sunny captured three wickets for 23.

Chasing 121, Dhaka Gladiators could manage 107 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

Their prominent scorers were Amanul Haque (22) and Mohammad Ashraful (20) while only three other batsmen could move into double figures.

Chittagong’s top scorer Bravo came as bowler again to take two for 21 while Kevon Cooper bagged three for 13 and Enamul Haque Junior took two for 15.

Geo Super showed this match live from Mirpur, Dhaka.

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Sri Lanka beat Australia by 3 wickets in ODI

HOBART: Sri Lanka beat Australia by three wickets with four balls to spare to go top of the tri one-day series at Bellerive Oval on Friday.

Nuwan Kulasekara hit the winning runs as Sri Lanka reached 283 for seven off 49.2 overs in reply to Australia's 280 for six off 50 overs.

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Spot-fixing: Mohammad Amir arriving on Sunday

LONDON: Mohammad Amir, one of three Pakistani cricketers jailed over spot-fixing charges, is arriving Sunday after spending three months of prison term in Britain, 

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Forrest smashes 104 in Australia's 280-6

HOBART: Peter Forrest scored the first century of the tri one-day series to hoist Australia to 280 for six off their 50 overs against Sri Lanka at Bellerive Oval on Friday.

The newcomer, slotting comfortably into deposed Ricky Ponting's number three batting spot, hit 104 off 138 balls to steer Australia to an imposing total.

Sri Lanka will need to score a Hobart record to chase down Australia's total.

Forrest hit 10 fours and two sixes to take his tournament tally to 234 runs in four innings since his unexpected selection for the tri-series.

His hundred was his not only his first for Australia but also in any one-day match.

He brought up his century by dropping the ball into the off-side and darting for a quick single, before celebrating with fist-pumping jubilation.

He combined in a 154-run third-wicket partnership with skipper Michael Clarke (72) after the loss of openers Matthew Wade (5) and David Warner (7) for just 27 runs.

Forrest looked at ease against the Sri Lankan bowling before he was out in the 41st over holing out to deep cover off Angelo Mathews.

Clarke, in his first match back since hamstring-related trouble, struggled throughout with a stiff back in his 79-ball knock with five fours and two sixes.

The Australian skipper was out to a stunning catch by Thisara Perera in the 39th over for Mathews' second wicket of the innings.

David Hussey remained unbeaten on 40 off 28 balls and paceman Brett Lee 20 not out with Mike Hussey out five overs from the end of the innings to a crashing yorker from Lasith Malinga for 21 off 14 balls.

Australia, who won the toss, left out fit-again all-rounder Shane Watson and paceman Clint McKay, while the Sri Lankans, who were in second place in the tournament standings three points behind Australia, named an unchanged side.

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Cricket: Stirling stars with bat and ball for Ireland

MOMBASA :  Kenya: Paul Stirling starred with both the bat and ball as Ireland beat Kenya by eight wickets in the second Twenty20 international match at the Mombasa Sports Club grounds on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Middlesex player took two wickets in the Kenyan top order and pretty much single-handedly won the game for his team with his unbeaten 65 to give the hosts their second crushing defeat in the three-match series.

Spinner George Dockrell and pacemen Trent Johnston, John Mooney and Kevin O'Brien had each grabbed one wicket apiece as Kenya reached 131 for seven after being put in to bat.

The Irish victory served as a morale boost in their preparations for next month's Twenty20 World Cup qualifying tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

The third and final match in the series will be played on Friday.

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Cricket: Pakistan beat England in nail-biting finish

DUBAI: Paceman Umar Gul took 3-18 to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England at Dubai Stadium on Thursday.

England, the reigning Twenty20 world champions, were cruising at 120-4 after 17 overs, chasing 145 to win, but Gul took two wickets in the 18th over for just three runs to change the complexion of the game, eventually restricting England to 136-6.

Graeme Swann rocked the middle-order with a burst of three wickets off eight balls to restrict Pakistan, put into bat, to 144-6 with Shoaib Malik making 39.

Ravi Bopara (39) and Jonny Bairstow (22 not out) had added 33 for the fourth wicket but Gul dismissed Bopara with the fifth ball of the 16th over and then had Jos Butler (three) and Samit Patel (naught) in the next to bring Pakistan closer to victory.

With 18 needed off the final over bowled by Junaid Khan, England managed just nine.

England were set on the chase by Kevin Pietersen (33) as they reached 48 by the sixth over but Pakistan came back when Shahid Afridi dismissed the in-form Pietersen.

Pietersen, who made back-to-back hundreds in England's 4-0 win in the preceding one-day series, holed out to Shafiq.

Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, who finished with 2-18, chipped in with the wickets of Craig Kieswetter (14) and dangerous looking Eoin Morgan (14) to leave England at 80-3, a position from where they should have won but Gul's spirited bowling made the difference.

Pakistan too made a flying start with debutant Awais Zia hitting a four and six during his 12-ball 18 but Pakistan lost four wickets in the space of eight runs as Asad Shafiq (19) fell run out, Mohammad Hafeez (23), Shahid Afridi (seven) and Umar Akmal (nought) followed each other, with Swann taking the last three.

It was left to captain Misbah-ul Haq (26 not out) and Malik (39) to put on 71 for the sixth wicket to take Pakistan to a respectable total.

Malik hit four boundaries and six off 33 balls before he fell to a superb catch by Bairstow off Jade Dernbach off the last ball of the innings. Misbah gave Malik good support during his run-a-ball innings, hitting one four and a six. Swann finished with 3-13.

Pakistan brought in Zia and allrounder Hammad Azam while Bopara and Swann returned for England after missing the fourth one-dayer due to fitness problems.

The second match will be played here on Saturday, while the final match is in Abu Dhabi on February 27.

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Cricket: Sacking Ponting was tough, says Clarke

SYDNEY: Australian captain Michael Clarke has said he was partly responsible for the sacking of former skipper Ricky Ponting from the one-day squad.

Clarke wrote about how difficult the decision had been in a newspaper column on Thursday, while adding that the 37-year-old Ponting remained a "huge part of our Test team".

"I'm 100 percent part of the selection panel - that's part now of the captain's job," he wrote in a New Ltd column. "We've made this decision as a panel.

"It is tough not having the great Ricky Ponting out there... playing one-day cricket for us but that's the decision we've made."

Clarke replaced Ponting as captain after England completed a 3-1 Ashes series win on Australian soil in January last year, becoming part of the national side's selection panel.

Ponting's axing from the one-day side earlier this week as Australia build a side for the 2015 World Cup triggered fierce debate in the country.

Without peer in the 50-overs game, Ponting has racked up 13,704 runs in 375 matches at an average of 42, also winning three World Cups in his 17-year career, two as skipper.

After accepting his one-day international career was over, Ponting said he would continue in test cricket and hoped to play in the 2013 Ashes.

His Test place had also been under pressure at the end of last year but he responded with 544 runs at an average of 108 as hosts Australia whitewashed India 4-0. (Reuters)

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