Asia Cup: Pakistan beat Bangladesh in thrilling opener

DHAKA: Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal bowled Pakistan to an exciting 21-run victory with eleven balls to spare in the sensational opening match of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Bangladesh, chasing a target of 263, were well set after Shakib Al Hasan (64) and Nasir Hossain (47) added 89 runs for the sixth wicket before Gul and Ajmal derailed their chase and the hosts lost their last five wickets for 17 runs.

The hosts were 224 for five when Gul bowled Nasir to end the partnership and in the next over Ajmal dismissed tailenders Abdur Razzak and Mashrafe Mortaza.

In Gul's next over, he trapped Shafiul Islam leg before and delivered the final blow when he bowled Shakib to finish with 3-58.

Spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal took two wickets apiece.

Opener Tamim Iqbal laid the foundation for Bangladesh's run chase with 64 off 89 balls before he dragged a low ball off Mohammad Hafeez on to his stumps.

Hafeez earlier made 89 and shared an opening stand of 135 with Nasir Jamshed (54) as Pakistan made 262-8 from their 50 overs after being put into bat by Bangladesh.

Shahadat Hossain triggered a mid-innings collapse by taking three wickets before Gul thumped a career-best unbeaten 39 with some lusty late blows.

He added 53 vital runs for the eighth wicket with Sarfraz Ahmed (19 not out) to help Pakistan cross the 250-mark in the day-night match.

India face Sri Lanka in the next game on Tuesday. The final will be held on March 22.

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Sangakkara, Dilshan and Chandimal aim for further improvements in Asia Cup

Sri Lanka's batting trio Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal will be aiming to carry their recent good form into the Asia Cup starting in Mirpur from Sunday.

If they can do that then it will help them maintain upward movement in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen after the trio stormed up the batting chart at the conclusion of the three-nation series which finished in Adelaide on Thursday.

Sangakkara has jumped five places to fourth position after finishing as the fourth leading run-getter with 420 runs, Dilshan has moved up four places to 10th place after ending as the leading scorer with 513 runs, while Chandimal has broken into the top 20 for the first time and lies in 18th spot after scoring 419 runs, success that saw him rise 18 places.

The latest rankings, which reflect player performances in the three-match ODI series between New Zealand and South Africa which finished on 3 March, were released on Friday.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena is the other Sri Lanka batsman to improve his ranking in the tri-series in Australia, which also featured world champion India. Jayawardena chipped in with 406 runs and has been rewarded with a rise of two places which has put him in 17th position.

Three Australia batsmen have also been rewarded for their consistent performances.

Captain Michael Clarke has moved up two places to eighth spot after scoring 331 runs in six matches, David Warner has been rewarded with a jump of 97 places which puts him in 53rd position after he aggregated 506 runs in the series and David Hussey has gained eight places and is now in 34th position after scoring 439 runs at an average of just under 55.

Other players to improve their rankings include New Zealand's Brendon McCullum 19th (up by eight places) and JP Duminy of South Africa in 22nd (up by two places).

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, South Africa's Lonwabo Tsotsobe has achieved the number-one ranking for the first time in his career.

The South Africa left-arm fast bowler took six wickets in his side's 3-0 win over New Zealand which has been enough to lift him ahead of Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal.

Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn are the other South Africa bowlers on a move in the right direction.

Morkel was the most successful bowler in the series with seven wickets which has helped him leapfrog England's Graeme Swann in third position while Steyn has moved up three places to 13th position.

Australia's trio Shane Watson, Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty have also improved their rankings. Watson has vaulted 15 places to 25th position, McKay has moved up six places to 28th position and Doherty has gained a place and is now in 29th spot.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders, Watson has dislodged Shakib Al Hasan from the number-one position. The Australia leads the former Bangladesh captain by three ratings points.

With the Asia Cup starting in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Sunday, India's iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar will be eyeing to score his hundredth international century and, in the meantime, also improve his rankings.

Tendulkar has scored 51 Test and 48 ODI centuries in an illustrious 23-year career but the 100th century has been eluding him since last year's ICC Cricket World Cup.

In addition to this, Tendulkar's current ranking of 29th is his lowest since December 1991, when he slipped to 31st position. The 38 year-old's highest career ranking is at the top of the listings, a mark he first achieved in February 1996.

In the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table, the main battle appears to be for the number two position as Australia has all-but-sealed top spot for the third successive year and ninth time in 11 years.

The only way Australia can slip behind second-ranked South Africa is in the highly unlikely scenario of it losing all the five ODIs against the West Indies. In other words, Australia just needs to win an ODI of the five-match series to retain the prestigious ODI shield and with it win a cheque of US$175,000.

However, battle for second position remains tight with South Africa leading India by just one ratings point.

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ICC to probe fresh fixing claims: report

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is investigating claims that Indian bookmakers are fixing the results of England county games and international fixtures, Britain's Sunday Times reported.

The newspaper said it had uncovered evidence that tens of thousands of pounds (dollars) was on offer to players to throw part or all of international matches, including last year's World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan.

It cited one Delhi bookmaker boasting that English county cricket was also a "good new market", as it involved "low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made there without any hassle".

The allegations come just weeks after former Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield became the first English cricketer to be jailed for corruption after admitting accepting money to fix a match against Durham in September 2009.

An ICC spokesman said it would investigate the new allegations.

"We are grateful for the information you have provided and will launch an inquiry into these serious allegations," he told The Sunday Times.

"Betting on cricket in the legal and illegal markets continues to grow rapidly and, with many, many millions of dollars being bet on every match, the threat of corrupters seeking to influence the game has not gone away."

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Australia experience gives rivals edge in Asia Cup: Misbah

DHAKA: The tough experience that India and Sri Lanka went through in Australia in their recent tour will give them an advantage over their rivals in the Asia Cup,Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said on Saturday.

The biennial four-nation Asia Cup begins in Dhaka on Sunday with Pakistan and Bangladesh vying for the top spot in the continent along with India and Sri Lanka.

India had just a few days break before flying to Dhaka after a tough Australia tour where they lost all four test matches and failed to qualify for the finals of the tri-series one-day
tournament.

Sri Lanka, beaten by Australia in the best of three finals of the tri-series, flew to Dhaka directly from Australia on Saturday.

"I think the way they have played cricket in Australia, it will always be difficult... to play against them as they have played tough cricket over there," Misbah told a news conference in Dhaka about their opponents.

"To compete with them we have to work very hard and have to improve our performance."

Pakistan toured Bangladesh in December and won both Test and one-day series by a clear margin.

They also beat England in a test series 3-0 in the United Arab Emirates before losing the one-day series 4-0 to the same opponents.

"Regardless of the situation that we have played here and have some advantage, but it will hardly matter as they have played some tough cricket. A lot of teams get mentally strong after playing over there (Australia)," he said.

Misbah said they want to forget the poor showing in the one-day series against England and take inspiration from the past good test results.

"Every game and every series is a different ball game. You can't just stick to the series that you have lost," said Misbah.

"If you look at the series before we won six series in a row, I think this is part of the game. What we want to do is just forget the one-day series and just look forward," he said. (Reuters)

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Cricket: South Africa set New Zealand record mark

DUNEDIN: New Zealand need to break their record highest fourth-innings winning total if they are to snatch victory from South Africa in the first Test on Sunday.

South Africa declared their second innings on Saturday at 435-5 giving New Zealand a 401-run target -- a winning fourth-innings total beaten only four times previously in cricket history.

At stumps, with one day remaining, New Zealand were 137-2 -- requiring a further 264 runs -- with Brendon McCullum on 58 and Ross Taylor on 48.

The Black Caps' current record fourth innings winning total is 324-5 against Pakistan in Christchurch in 1994.

The West Indies hold the record for the highest winning run chase when centuries by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan laid the foundation for their fourth innings 418-7 to beat Australia at St John's in 2003.

South Africa scored 414-4 to beat Australia at Perth in 2008, India scored 406-4 to defeat the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1976, and Australia were the first Test side to surpass 400 in a successful fourth-innings run chase when they made 404-3 against England at Leeds in 1948.

The highest unsuccessful fourth innings total is 654-5 by England when chasing a target of 696 to beat South Africa at Durban in 1939.

There should be 98 overs available on Sunday for New Zealand to score the runs or South Africa to take the last eight wickets, although morning rain is forecast in Dunedin.

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Cricket: McCullum, Taylor lead New Zealand run chase

DUNEDIN: New Zealand battled to 137 for two at the close of play on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa on Saturday after being set an imposing 401-run target to win.

The home side lost both openers cheaply before Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor came together and reduced the required total to 264 with eight wickets in hand by stumps.

When bad light stopped play four overs early, McCullum was not out 58 with Taylor unbeaten on 48.

If New Zealand do pull off an unlikely victory they will have to post their highest successful fourth-innings run chase, or alternatively they could salvage a draw with the arrival of forecast rain.

The Black Caps' current record fourth innings winning total is 324-5 against Pakistan in Christchurch in 1994.

South Africa declared their second innings at 435-5 midway through the fourth day with Jacques Rudolph unbeaten on 105 -- the third centurion of the innings after Graeme Smith (115) and Jacques Kallis (113).

They then dismissed the New Zealand openers on either side of the tea break with Martin Guptill the first to fall for six, edging Vernon Philander to AB de Villiers in the slips. Rob Nicol was dismissed for 19.

Nicol had been at the crease for 90 minutes and weathered a torrid spell of pace bowling from Philander and Morne Morkel before losing his wicket to a full toss from leg spinner Imran Tahir which he lofted to Smith at mid-on.

At 55-2, Taylor joined McCullum in the middle and the pair set about rebuilding the innings, putting on an unbeaten stand of 82.

Until New Zealand's most experienced Test batsmen came together the day had belonged to South Africa, who resumed their second innings at 268-3 and added a further 167 for the loss of two more wickets before Smith declared.

New Zealand's hopes were boosted early with Kallis adding only six runs to his overnight 107 before he played an uncharacteristic lofted shot off left-armer Trent Boult and was caught by Nicol at midwicket for 113.

But de Villiers joined Rudolph at the crease and they built on South Africa's lead, adding 70 runs for the fifth wicket.

The partnership was broken when New Zealand turned to part-time spinner Kane Williamson, who had de Villiers caught at deep midwicket by McCullum for 29, leaving Mark Boucher (34 not out) to partner Rudolph until the declaration.

South Africa declared after Rudolph brought up his century, the sixth of his career, with a four off Daniel Vettori.

Doug Bracewell was the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers with three for 70 while Williamson finished with 1-16 and Boult 1-93.

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Rahul Dravid announces retirement

BANGALORE: Veteran Indian batsman Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from international cricket on Friday, ending a distinguished 16-year career.

"It is time to move on and let a new generation of players make their own history," Dravid, 39, told reporters at a crowded news conference in Bangalore.

The stylish batsman was the number two run-getter in Test cricket behind compatriot Sachin Tendulkar with 13,288 runs from 164 matches at an average of 52.31 with 36 centuries.

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Tendulkar hails Dravid as retirement nears

NEW DELHI: India's batting great Sachin Tendulkar added to growing speculation that Rahul Dravid will announce his retirement on Friday by paying rich tributes to his team-mate.

"There was and is only one Rahul Dravid. There can be no other," Tendulkar told the NDTV news channel. "I will miss Rahul in the dressing room and out in the middle."

Dravid is scheduled to address a joint news conference with Indian cricket chief Narayanaswamy Srinivasan in Bangalore at 12:30 pm (0700 GMT), amid speculation the player is set to end his 16-year career.

Dravid, 39, is the number two run-getter in Test cricket behind Tendulkar with 13,288 runs from 164 matches at an average of 52.31 with 36 centuries and 63 fifties.

He is also one of only 10 batsmen to score more than 10,000 runs in one-day cricket. His tally stands at 10,889 runs from 344 matches at 39.16 with 12 centuries.

Dravid, popularly known as "The Wall" for his immaculate technique, had already quit limited-overs international cricket last year to concentrate on prolonging his Test career.

Tendulkar, who made his debut seven years before Dravid, said he shared some of the "best moments" with him both on and off the field.

"Our many century partnerships are testimony to the hours we spent together in the middle," said Tendulkar. "For someone with a record like that, no tribute can be enough."

The famous, but ageing batting stars Dravid, Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Venkatsai Laxman are all under pressure after India endured a Test crisis following the victory in the limited-overs World Cup last year.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men crashed to identical 4-0 Test defeats in England and Australia, and failed to win the one-day series.

Dravid was one of few players to emerge with any credit after the disastrous tour of England where he defied the years to crack three centuries in four Tests.

But he managed just 194 runs in eight innings in Australia, where he was bowled six times, indicating perhaps that his reflexes were slowing down.

Dravid is expected to continue playing in the lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 event where he will lead Rajasthan Royals this year after the retirement of Australian spin legend Shane Warne.

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Cheema ready for honour of leading Canada

Canada's new captain Rizwan Cheema is confident of starting off his tenure by helping his side become one of the two sides to qualify from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 scheduled to be held in UAE from 13-24 March.

The tournament will see 16 teams from across ICC's five regions competing for the remaining two places at the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 which will be staged from 18 September to 7 October in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele.

All-rounder Cheema, who averages 30 with the bat, took over the mantle from Khurram Chohan who was injured during the team's recent training camp in Sri Lanka ahead of the tournament in Dubai but the big-hitting Cheema is confident that he can lead his side to one of its stated goals for 2012.

"We've had good preparation as a side having been away at the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament where we played a number of matches against good quality sides.

"We've also learnt a lot on our recent training camp in Sri Lanka while I've also been a part of the Bangladesh Premier League which has provided me with a good preparation. I feel things are very much coming together for the side.

"We have a strong bowling attack with both pace and spin which are important for games in the UAE, plus we've got good batsmen to put the runs on the board. Having watched plenty of the Pakistan v England series in the UAE, I've been looking at how the pitches behave and I think we've the full pack of what's needed on these surfaces," said Cheema.

Canada will take the field in the tournament without its former captain and one of its most experienced campaigners, Ashish Bagai. Cheema believes his side can make up for Bagai's absence.

"Ashish Bagai led our team to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, he is not only an amazing player but a good person and there is no doubt that he is a very important player. But I have total confidence in Rustam Bhatti who will be keeping wicket this tournament," opined Cheema.

It will be a fresh start for Canada in many ways as the side also has a new coach in Michael Deighton who took over the job recently. Cheema believes his bowling attack is key for this event, with two of his most senior bowlers coming in the form of Henry Osinde and Harvir Baidwan, the latter claiming 13 wickets for the side in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

"Harvir and Henry are definitely two of our key bowlers, they are strong in the attack and I will be looking to both of them to lead from the front as they are now also both senior players in the side. That said, we have the likes of the talented and exciting Nitesh Kumar who experienced the ICC CWC 2011 last year and has also performed well in Twenty20s who is always keen to go that extra mile for the side," commented Cheema.

Canada is placed in Group A of the 16-team event alongside Afghanistan, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark and Nepal, it automatically qualified for this event since it is one of the top six Associate and Affiliate teams in the world. Cheema is confident that his side will measure up to the challenge.

"This side is a bit different to the side that featured at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, but sides need to differ. Different players play different formats of the game better and I think the players at this tournament are going to do well and I have faith in their abilities.

"We've obviously played Afghanistan and Netherlands before, while Bermuda is a side we have faced in the ICC Americas region, however the other teams we've not played before in our group so we have been sure to research the opposition we will be facing. You can't take anyone lightly in this format of the game, we will play with our strengths, it's a fast format so we need to be on our toes."

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Bangladesh recall Tamim after fitness row

DHAKA: Fit-again opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, at the centre of a selection row earlier this week, was recalled to the Bangladesh squad on Thursday for the four-nation Asia Cup that starts at the weekend.
"Tamim has been included after passing a fitness test," said selector Minhajul Abedin.
The batsman, who has had a groin injury, was picked in the original squad earlier this week but Bangladesh Cricket Board president AHM Mustafa Kamal then elected to drop him.
Tamim's uncle, chief selector Akram Khan, resigned in protest at Kamal's decision.
Hosts Bangladesh play Pakistan in the first match of the biennial tournament on Sunday. India and Sri Lanka are the other competing teams. AGENCIES

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Smith, Kallis lead South Africa fightback

DUNEDIN: Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis steered South Africa out of trouble after early setbacks against New Zealand on the third day of the first Test at University Oval on Friday.

At tea South Africa were 175 for two in their second innings, leading New Zealand by 140 runs with Smith unbeaten on 80 and Kallis not out 66.

The New Zealand first innings was wrapped up early in the morning session for 273 after some powerful hitting by tailender Trent Boult, giving the home side a 35-run lead.

Shortly after the visitors knocked off the deficit, Doug Bracewell removed Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla in the same over, bringing Smith and Kallis together with the score at 47-2.

But the South African captain and the veteran all-rounder were seldom troubled by the New Zealand attack as they methodically added 87 runs in the middle session.

Bracewell has been the only successful New Zealand bowler.

Petersen was a soft dismissal, with the opener lofting the ball straight to Tim Southee at mid-off when on 25.

Amla, who starred with the bat in the recent one-day series and made 62 in the first innings, was quickly gone for two, brilliantly caught by a diving Martin Guptill at second slip.

New Zealand resumed on the third day with a five-run lead. Lusty hitting from Boult saw 34 runs put on for the last wicket with Chris Martin, who was the final wicket to fall, caught by Amla off Dale Steyn for five.

Boult finished unbeaten on 33 with 22 of the runs coming off one over by Vernon Philander, who was the pick of the South African bowlers with four for 72.

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Cricket: McKay helps Aussies snatch tri-series win

ADELAIDE: Paceman Clint McKay bowled Australia to a 16-run victory over Sri Lanka to capture the one-day international tri-series in the third final at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Man of the match McKay claimed five wickets for 28 off 9.5 overs to go with his 28 off 32 balls in Australia's innings as he proved the winning difference over the World Cup finalists.

Australia looked as though their total would not be enough when they were dismissed for 231 with three balls left of their 50 overs.

But inspired bowling by McKay, backed up by veteran paceman Brett Lee's three wickets, squeezed the home side across the line.

The Australians head to the West Indies on Friday buoyed by their victory, which came on top of a 4-0 thumping of India in the Test series to complete an arduous international season at home.

McKay helped rescue Australia following a middle-batting collapse that ruined hopes of a big total after Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene had won the toss and sent the home side into bat.

The Victorian paceman, mixing it up with deceptive slower deliveries out of the back of his hand, snared his best one-day figures in a match-winning performance.

McKay bowled Jayawardene for 15 and trapped the dangerous Dinesh Chandimal leg before wicket for five, before claiming the wickets of Chamara Kapugedera, Rangana Herath and last man Lasith Malinga.

A fired-up Lee snared the initial two victims -- man-of-the-series Tillakaratne Dilshan (eight) and the experienced Kumar Sangakkara (19 off nine balls) before later taking the key wicket of big-hitting Nuwan Kulasekara for 15.

Upul Tharanga, batting at number six, hit a resilient 71 off 122 balls before he was caught behind off stand-in captain Watson in the 46th over.

Watson took over the captaincy after Michael Clarke was ruled out with an injured left hamstring, which will also see him miss Australia's ODI series against the West Indies next week.

Earlier, opening batsman Matthew Wade top scored for Australia with 49 off 74 deliveries and batting partner David Warner hit 48 off 45.

The home side got away to a breezy start with Wade and Warner scoring 75 off the opening 14 overs, but their progress stalled as Sri Lanka's bowlers and fielders, coupled with Jayawardene's imaginative captaincy, reeled in the Australians' run-rate.

They were 115 for one in the 21st over but fell away losing five wickets in the next 12 overs.

Farveez Maharoof claimed three for 40 off 10 overs, while left-arm spinner Herath picked up three for 36 from his 10 overs as well as taking a brilliant tumbling catch to dismiss Watson for 19.

Australia won the opening final in Brisbane by 15 runs with Sri Lanka taking the series into a decider after an eight-wicket win in Adelaide on Tuesday.

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New Pakistan coach Whatmore geared up for first challenge

KARACHI: New Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has is looking forward to the challenge of taking charge of a third Asian team and is confident the side can improve their standing in world cricket.

The Australian agreed on a two-year deal last week and departed for Dhaka on Thursday to lead Pakistan on his first assignment with the team, the four-nation Asia Cup which starts on Sunday and includes India, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

"I see this tournament as the first of many challenges ahead of us. The other teams are good one-day sides and strong competitors," he told reporters at the airport.

Prior to his Pakistan posting, Whatmore led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 50-overs World Cup and had a stint at the helm of Bangladesh.

Whatmore, who was capped seven times by Australia as a player, said he did not need reminding that Pakistan would face arch rivals India at the Asia Cup but was also aware of the other fixtures at the event and not just the March 18 showdown.

"It is good for the sport when there is so much interest revolving around a match but as a team, we have to focus on all the matches not just one game," he said.

Along with Whatmore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brought in Englishman Julian Fountain as fielding coach to help improve Pakistan's performances following one-day international and Twenty20 series defeats to England last month.

Whatmore said Pakistan had an abundance of talent, as displayed in the 3-0 test series win over England prior to the one-dayers, and he was looking forward to studying the players up close.

"It is an exciting prospect for me as a coach looking at the future but right now the immediate task is to ensure Pakistan do well in this event," he added. AGENCIES

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Pak cricket team leaves for Asia Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team has left for Bangladesh to participate in Asia Cup, reported on Wednesday.

Pakistan will play its first match of the tournament against Bangladesh on March 11 (Sunday).

The national team will be playing for the first time under coaching of Whatmore and the fielding coach Julian.

The four-nation event includes defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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Mangal - "Kabir's return is a huge motivation for glory"

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal is hoping that the return of coach Kabir Khan will act as a motivation for his side at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier from 13- 24 March.

The 16-team ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 (WT20Q) will be staged across five venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. At stake in the UAE will be the two available places in the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 which will be played in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele from 18 September to 7 October.

A former Pakistan fast bowler, Kabir, was the man responsible for fashioning Afghanistan's qualification to the ICC World Twenty20 2010 in West Indies. That incidentally was Afghanistan's first appearance at a major ICC global event.

Kabir was replaced by another Pakistan player, former captain Rashid Latif, but late in 2011 Latif moved on from his job.

"We have prepared well and have played a few practice games. We have prepared with specific plans where Kabir has made a big impact. We have analysed other teams, we have talked about combinations and the specific roles for batsmen. Kabir's made a huge impact, yet again and it is good to have him for a new three-year term," said Mangal.

In his continuing assessment of Kabir, Mangal added that his advice was simple and yet covered all aspects of the Twenty20 format.

"He said that this format is about 120 balls which is a lot to score runs. He has spoken in detail about how and when to use spinners. So it has been fascinating having him back. He helped us get ODI status and helpedd us qualify for the last ICC World Twenty20," added Mangal.

The Afghanistan captain heaves a huge sigh of relief as he looked back on the brief period between Latif moving on and Kabir's appointment.

"We used to have a new coach on every tour. The combination and understanding was never really there. The benefit with Kabir is that he knows us, knows our psyche because he has been a player himself. This will help us forge a winning combination yet again," revealed Mangal.

Now, with the tournament just a few days away, Mangal is keen for his side to remember all the good tidings from the last qualifier in 2010, also held in UAE.

"We will try to use all the confidence from the fact that we have been champions from here back in 2010 in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. We will fight every inch because it is our mission and target for Afghanistan to qualify. We have to live up to our high standards," opined Mangal.

Two years is a long time in sport and Mangal confirms the same when he talks about the changes in the squad since the ICC World T20 Qualifier in 2010.

"Then we were not that experienced. We have had a few new faces added to the squad. So overall the squad is positive, but there won't be any pressure on us. I have also gained a lot experience as a player and captain," added Mangal.

The make-up of his squad is another cause for Mangal's optimism. He says that his side has a good complement of fast bowlers in Hamid Hassan along with the likes of Dowlat Zadran, Zamir Khan who have made it through good performances in domestic cricket.

Afghanistan played its first One-Day International against a Test playing nation, Pakistan, last month. According to Mangal that was the best experience his side could have before the global qualifier for the ICC World Twenty20 2012.

"We learnt that at the highest level you cannot be hitting every ball out of the ground. You need to look for single and play each ball on its merit. On pitches in UAE we need to play sensibly. It was a good experience for us because it has given something for the boys to plan," said Mangal.

Much like the other sides, Mangal too kept an eye on the recent Pakistan v England T20I series. Mangal believes the series gave an indication of how sides should approach the qualifier.

"It was a good to watch them play. These are not pitches for 180-200. On the pitches in UAE, even 130-135 is fine. So we have to sensible when thinking of a target to set," said Mangal.

Afghanistan's travelling supporters in the UAE is another reason why Mangal and his squad can hope to have a good time during the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Qualifier. Afghanistan made headlines worldwide by qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 2010. Now if it repeats that feat in 2012, it will be another talking point worldwide.

"If we qualify it will have a big impact on our cricket. It is our mission. If we play well, then it is all up to our fate. We hope we can do it again," concluded Mangal.

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Sri Lanka restrict Australia to 231 in ODI final

ADELAIDE: Sri Lanka dismissed Australia for 231 with three balls left to be in a strong position to win the tri one-day international series at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and sent the Australians into bat and his bowlers rewarded him by restricting Australia's run chase and leaving the World Cup finalists around 4.6 runs an over to win the third final and the series.

Opening batsman Matthew Wade topscored with 49 off 74 balls and batting partner David Warner hit 48 off 45 balls for the home side, who were without their injured skipper Michael Clarke (hamstring) and paceman James Pattinson (strained buttock).

Farveez Maharoof claimed three for 40 off 10 overs, while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath picked up three for 36 from his 10 overs as well as taking a brilliant low catch to dismiss Australia's stand-in skipper Shane Watson for 19.

The Australians got away to a breezy start with Wade and Warner scoring 75 off the opening 14 overs, but their progress stalled as Sri Lanka's bowlers and fielders, coupled with Jayawardene's imaginative captaincy, reeled in Australia's run-rate.

The home side were 115 for one in the 21st over but fell away losing five wickets in the next 12 overs.

Veteran paceman Brett Lee hit 32 off 54 balls and Clint McKay 28 off 32, but Australia's total looked under par on the same pitch that yielded 545 runs in Tuesday's ODI, which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with 34 balls to spare

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Rahul Dravid to announce retirement: reports

NEW DELHI: Indian batting superstar Rahul Dravid, the second-highest runscorer in Tests of all time, is set to announce his retirement from international cricket on Friday, reports say.

The Press Trust of India and the Cricinfo website both said the 39-year-old was set to end his career in the national team after his wretched tour of Australia, where India were whitewashed 4-0 in the Test series.

Dravid, popularly known as "The Wall," scored only 194 runs in eight innings and was bowled out in six of them as Australian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus repeatedly breached his defence with ease.

India's once-formidable but now ageing batting stars Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar are all under pressure after the team's performance in India.

Dravid is to address a press conference in Bangalore on Friday alongside the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, N. Srinivasan, the Press Trust of India reported, citing a statement.

The one-time India captain retired from short formats of the international game last year, but had vowed to continue in Tests.

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New Zealand 243-9 v South Africa 238 at close

DUNEDIN: New Zealand were 243 for nine at the close of play on the second day of the first test against South Africa at University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

New Zealand were 40 for one at lunch on the second day of the first after bowling out South Africa for a first innings total of 238.

Opener Martin Guptill was not out 16 and Brendon McCullum was unbeaten on 18, with Vernon Philander claiming South Africa's only wicket, Test debutant Rob Nicol, for six.

South Africa resumed at 191 for seven, adding 47 to their overnight total as New Zealand wrapped up the lower order in the first 45 minutes of play

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Bangladesh series: 'non-neutral officials in case of unsafe circumstances'

DUBAI: The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has taken some important decisions in it's meeting held here regarding various aspects of the game.

The ICC has given the green light to Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan. The Chief Executive Committee (CEC) of the ICC determined that decisions regarding a particular tours taking place was for the participating countries to decide.

The CEC also noted that in the event of the participating countries deciding that the tour should proceed and the ICC determining that it was unsafe to appoint match officials to the tour, a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.


Following are the decisions as released by the ICC in a statement:

Independent Governance Review
The CEC received a presentation on the independent Woolf report on ICC Governance. The presentation was to allow the CEC, an important grouping, to better understand or to seek clarification or explanations of any proposals contained in the report. The CEC noted that Member Boards and the ICC Board of Directors in particular will need to consider the recommendations in detail, a number of which were already work in progress.

Proposed Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
The CEC recognised that the ICC Board had determined that a decision as to whether a particular tour should take place or not is one for the participating countries and the ICC's role was limited to considering the safety and security of the match officials after a tour had been confirmed and a security plan produced.

The CEC also noted that in the event of the participating countries deciding that the tour should proceed and the ICC determining that it was unsafe to appoint match officials to the tour, a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.

While acknowledging that the granting of such dispensation must involve a wide range of important considerations, the CEC agreed to recommend to the ICC Board that, from a cricket perspective only, the granting of the special dispensation would be justified.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: "Bearing in mind that safety and security is the sole responsibility of individual Member Board's for bilateral matches, the CEC regarded this as an exceptional circumstance in which the appointment to matches of non-neutral match officials could be justified but stated clearly that it should not to be regarded as a preferred option or precedent if the dispensation were to be granted."

T20 strategy
The CEC held a strategic discussion on Twenty20 cricket and agreed to recommend the following to the ICC Board:

- three additional Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) should be allowed in the year in which the ICC World Twenty20 is being played (the current regulations permit a maximum of 12 T20Is for each Full Member in any one year). This would allow teams the opportunity to prepare for the event;

- the next ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2014 in Bangladesh should be increased to 16 men's teams;

- the Associate and Affiliate Members should consider submitting a detailed proposition to host a future ICC World Twenty20 event in a developing country or region; and

- the ICC World Twenty20 should continue to be a joint event for men's and women.

Haroon Lorgat said: "It was an important discussion and the CEC agreed that further conversations to strategically manage T20 cricket and also to promote all three formats would be beneficial."

ICC Cricket Committee
The CEC has reappointed Ravi Shastri for a second three-year term as the media representative and has appointed David White, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, to replace Justin Vaughan as the CEC representative on the ICC Cricket committee.

The CEC also supported the women's committee chairperson, Clare Connor, to continue as a representative of the women's game on the Committee and also noted the nomination of John Stephenson to replace Keith Bradshaw as the MCC representative.

The ICC Board will consider nominations for the role of chairman of the committee as Clive Lloyd's term has expired.

International venues
The CEC approved a framework for revised regulations dealing with the required standards of venues staging international matches.The revised regulations will include a consolidated list of the current minimum requirements complimented by best practice guidelines.

Haroon Lorgat said: "Ensuring the best world-class venues is essential to produce quality cricket and also attract spectators to the game."

Other cricket matters
The CEC confirmed that the existing ICC Test and ODI ranking systems are fit for purpose and recommended to the ICC Board that they be retained to determine qualification to ICC events and for promotion and relegation purposes in due course.

The CEC also recommended the new Future Tours Programme (FTP) agreement and a revised Anti-Racism Policy to the ICC Board for approval.

The CEC were pleased to note a marked improvement in the quality of pitches that has led to a much better battle between bat and ball in Test match cricket. Only 10 per cent of Test matches in 2011 ended in a draw as compared to 38 per cent in 2010.

In order to share experiences and to seek continuous improvement, the ICC will host a workshop for curators in Dubai on 11 and 12 April 2012, covering a wide range of issues in pitch preparation.

Mr Lorgat said: "Curators and groundsmen around the world deserve credit for preparing pitches which have produced exciting Test match cricket."

The CEC also acknowledged the improvement in over-rates and gave credit to the umpires for their positive interpretation of bad light and weather regulations, which has led to more cricket being enjoyed by spectators."

Mr Lorgat said: "Overall the ICC match officials have been excellent and the notable improvement in standards of officiating needs to be acknowledged."

The CEC also received an update on the research project which the ICC has been supporting (together with the MCC) to develop technology which can be used to monitor bowling actions in match conditions. The technology which uses inertial sensors has been successfully evaluated and now is entering the next phase of development.

Cricket development
The CEC received update presentations on the progress with global development of the game which included the strategies to grow and integrate the women's game internationally. The CEC agreed to explore a Future Associates Tour Schedule to investigate whether a programme of matches can be designed for Associates/Affiliates and the Full Member National or 'A' teams.

"The development programme has a comprehensive strategy which includes improving performances and plans to increase participation by one million new players from the Associate and Affiliate Member countries by 2015," said Mr Lorgat.

The CEC also received an update regarding cricket for people with disabilities and agreed to work towards establishing a framework and criteria to recognize different types of disability cricket.

Multi-sport games
After discussing cricket's participation in multi-sport games, the CEC decided to further explore an invitation for cricket to take part in the Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast in Australia in April 2018.

The CEC also supported the key initiative in the ICC strategy to independently evaluate the pros and cons of participating in the Olympic Games.

"A preliminary high level evaluation is expected to be presented at the next CEC meeting," 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.

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Cricket: Bangladesh chief selector quits over Tamim row

DHAKA: Bangladesh's chief selector Akram Khan resigned from his post on Wednesday, citing interference from the country's cricket board president in team selection for the upcoming Asia Cup.

Khan quit a day after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Mustafa Kamal rejected the inclusion of star opener Tamim Iqbal in the 14-man squad for the one-day tournament starting in Dhaka on Sunday.

"Tamim was in our team because he is one of the best batsmen we have in Bangladesh," Khan, a former national captain, told AFP. "But the president dropped him from the final list.

"His regular interference in team selection has made top players worried about their place in the national squad. I have resigned because I was not enjoying my job."

Tamim, a nephew of Khan, is widely regarded as Bangladesh's best batsman.
He won the Wisden Cricketer magazine's Test Player of the Year award in 2010.

Tamim, who turns 23 later this month, has scored 3,115 runs in 109 one-day matches since his debut in 2007. He also has 1,748 Test runs from 24 matches.

But he was stripped of the vice-captaincy after Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe last year, reportedly due to indiscipline and arguments with the team management.

BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus confirmed Khan's resignation. The board president, a ruling party lawmaker, could not be reached for comment as he is away in England.

Khan has been the chief selector of the national team for the last eight months.

The Asia Cup, seen as a symbol of cricket supremacy in the continent, features defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

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