Hashan: Will reveal names to the ICC

Colombo: Former Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillekaratne said he will reveal names of those involved in match-fixing only to the International Cricket Council (ICC) first.Tillekaratne claimed in a local TV programme last week that match-fixing has been rampant in Sri Lanka since 1992 and repeated his allegations on Tuesday to the Western Provincial Council, where he was elected to office.Tillekaratne said he will reveal the names of those involved in fixing matches “at the appropriate time.” He declined, for now he said, on legal advice. Within hours of his comments on Tuesday, he was questioned by police for an hour, without further detail.

“I made a statement to the provincial council, I said that I still maintain my stand on the (match-fixing) allegations,” Tillekaratne said.“After I came out with these allegations I have been getting a lot of nuisance calls, death threats, but definitely I will expose all those who are involved in a time to come.”When asked why he has not followed the established procedure of working with the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), Tillekaratne said, “I will do that in the days to come.” He said he’d been reluctant to voice his allegations until now over fear for his safety.Meanwhile, Muttiah Muralidharan, on Tuesday, felt Tillekaratne should stop making such allegations if he cannot produce any evidence as he might end up getting sued.“I don’t know why he has said this. If somebody is making such claims, he should first give enough proof to support them otherwise someone can sue him,” Muralidharan said.Muralidharan also said he was never been approached by any bookie during his career. “In any case I will tell this to ACSU only. There is a code and all the players follow that,” said Muralidharan.He also rejected suggestions that Tillekaratne’s allegations have tarnished the image of the Sri Lankan cricket. “Hashan has made allegations and only he is answerable for that,” he said.

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Malik hopeful of return to national team

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik remains hopeful of making his international return in spite of reports that he has been sidelined by his country’s cricket authorities because of match-fixing suspicions.Malik, who hasn’t played for Pakistan since the Test series against England in August 2010, said that he is working hard on his game and is confident of returning to international cricket soon.“Cricket is my passion and I am completely focusing on it right now,” said the all-rounder, who is reportedly on a PCB blacklist for suspected links to bookies.Malik, who is married to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, said he is also taking extensive yoga classes along with his wife to keep himself in shape.“I am keeping myself busy by playing club cricket to maintain my form and fitness. I have also attended 40-hour yoga classes recently and I am fit as ever.“I only believe in my game and I am hopeful I will win my place (in the national team) by proving my worth.”There have been reports that Malik has not been cleared for national duty by the PCB Integrity Committee. But the Sialkot-born player made it clear that he hasn’t been told anything about his case by the PCB.“There is no official version by PCB on my case and I cannot comment on it further. I did my job and now it is up to the board to decide my case,” he said.

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Pakistan ends fixing row with Australia

Find Hotels, Compare Rates, Read Reviews & More. Try TripAdvisor!Pakistan cricket authorities on Tuesday settled a row with Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland over comments he made in the wake of a damaging spot-fixing scandal that hit the South Asian team last year.Three leading Pakistan players, including former Test captain Salman Butt, were banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this year on corruption charges related to the Lord's Test against England last August.Sutherland blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for failing to take measures to curb the menace of corruption following a fixing scandal more than a decade ago.Sutherland's remarks angered the PCB, which wrote to the ICC to ask it to investigate.But the row fizzled out on Tuesday, with PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar telling AFP the sport's governing body had told Pakistan and Australia to sort the spat out between themselves."After that PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad talked to Sutherland on the matter," Sarwar said."James clarified that his comments on the Qayyum inquiry were not meant to put PCB in a difficult position."Sutherland explained that it was in response to a question during an interview and not intended to criticise anyone. PCB enjoys cordial relations with CA so we have decided not to pursue the matter any further."Sutherland last month said last year's spot-fixing scandal might not have happened had the PCB implemented recommendations made by a commission led by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum in 2000."Ask yourself whether PCB actually went through and implemented those recommendations," Sutherland said."I can't say for sure but I would have big question marks about whether those things would have happened last year if those recommendations had been fully implemented."Justice Qayyum, whose inquiry banned former captain Salim Malik and Ataur Rehman for life besides imposing fines on six other players including Wasim Akram and current Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, made 30 recommendations.They included a tighter code of conduct on players and that an independently-headed review committee be set up to investigate all cases of possible corruption in the future besides regular assessments of players' assets.Qayyum last year also criticised the PCB for not fully implementing his recommendations.

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Kochi record easy 7-wkt win over Delhi

Updated at: 1520 PST,  Tuesday, May 03, 2011

DELHI: Kochi Tuskers Kerala posted an easy seven-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils, achieving a 141-run target with five overs to spare for their fourth win in nine games, here in a day-night match at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Monday.New Zealander Brendon McCullum put Kochi on course for victory with a 19-ball 37, including two sixes and as many fours in seamer Umesh Yadav's over. He also hit South African paceman Morne Morkel for three fours in an over.Parthiv Patel (37 not out) and Australian Brad Hodge (24 not out) completed the victory with an unfinished 52-run stand for the fourth wicket.Venugopal Rao top-scored for Delhi, who suffered their sixth defeat in nine matches.Brief scores:Delhi Daredevils 140-6 in 20 overs (V. Rao 40, T. Brit 27; V. Kumar 2-25, P. Parameswaran 2-29) lost to Kochi Tuskers Kerala 141-3 in 15 overs (B. McCullum 37, P. Patel 37 not out, B. Hodge 24 not out) by seven wickets

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West Indies finally win with help from rain

Updated at: 0311 PST,  Tuesday, May 03, 2011

BRIDGETOWN: Mohammad Hafeez made a century but West Indies restored some of their battered pride with a rain-affected win in the fourth one-day international (ODI) in Barbados on Monday.Dwayne Bravo struck a six in the final over before a downpour finished off the game, giving Darren Sammy's team victory by one run through the Duckworth-Lewis scoring method.Pakistan lead the five-match series 3-1.It is the first time West Indies have beaten a test side, other than Bangladesh, in an ODI since June 2009.Pakistan compiled 248 for nine in 50 overs, Hafeez smashing seven fours and three sixes as he hit 121 from 138 balls before being bowled by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.Bishoo was again the top wicket-taking threat for West Indies, snapping up three for 37 in 10 overs.The key partnership for Pakistan was a second-wicket stand of 153 from Hafeez and Asad Shafiq (71)."After the way Mohammad Hafeez and Asad Shafiq played on a difficult pitch I think we should have got 270-275. We didn't bat well at the end," said skipper Shahid Afridi.Rain meant West Indies chased a reduced target of 223 from 39 overs and they lost opener Kirk Edwards to the second ball of the innings, caught behind for a duck by Mohammad Salman off Junaid Khan.Lendl Simmons (76) then struck his third half-century of the series and was helped by Darren Bravo (21) and the recalled Ramnaresh Sarwan (28).With Marlon Samuels and Dwayne Bravo at the crease and rain closing in, instructions were given from the pavilion as Afridi bowled what turned out to be the 30th and final over.Bravo pulled a short delivery over mid-wicket for six which put the home side just ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis target and they played back two balls before the heavens opened and a total of 154 for four from 29.5 overs was enough for the win.The series concludes on Thursday in Guyana before the two teams meet in a pair of five-day test matches.

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Kochi record easy 7-wkt win over Delhi

Updated at: 1520 PST,  Tuesday, May 03, 2011

DELHI: Kochi Tuskers Kerala posted an easy seven-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils, achieving a 141-run target with five overs to spare for their fourth win in nine games, here in a day-night match at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Monday.New Zealander Brendon McCullum put Kochi on course for victory with a 19-ball 37, including two sixes and as many fours in seamer Umesh Yadav's over. He also hit South African paceman Morne Morkel for three fours in an over.Parthiv Patel (37 not out) and Australian Brad Hodge (24 not out) completed the victory with an unfinished 52-run stand for the fourth wicket.Venugopal Rao top-scored for Delhi, who suffered their sixth defeat in nine matches.Brief scores:Delhi Daredevils 140-6 in 20 overs (V. Rao 40, T. Brit 27; V. Kumar 2-25, P. Parameswaran 2-29) lost to Kochi Tuskers Kerala 141-3 in 15 overs (B. McCullum 37, P. Patel 37 not out, B. Hodge 24 not out) by seven wickets.

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Younis, Gul recalled for WI Test series

LAHORE: Captain Younis Khan and pace bowler Umar Gul have been recalled for the two-Test series against West Indies this month.Younis and Gul were dropped for the one-day series in West Indies after the World Cup.The 15-man Test team was announced here on Monday.Experienced batsman Misbah-ul-Haq will captain Pakistan in the two- Test series. Wicket keeper Mohammad Salman Ahmed was retained in the Test squad after making his international debut in the one-day series.The first Test starts on May 12 in Guyana and the second on May 20 in St Kitts.Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Taufiq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Salman, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz,Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam, Tanvir Ahmed.

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Pakistan set 249 runs for Windies after Hafeez ton

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Pakistan stumbled, following Mohammad Hafeez's second career hundred, and his century second-wicket stand with Asad Shafiq in the fourth one-day International against West Indies here on Monday.Pakistan hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best of five series and are bidding for their ninth successive victory in one day matches between the two sides.Hafeez struck seven fours and three sixes in the top score of 121 from 138 deliveries to lead the Pakistanis to 248 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs, after they were sent into bat on a hard, true Kensington Oval pitch under overcast skies.The Pakistan opener reached his milestone from 128 balls with a flick through mid-wicket for a single off Ravi Rampaul in the 42nd over.Hafeez added 153 for the second wicket with Shafiq, whose 71 from 102 balls contained four boundaries, before leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo continued to bowl impressively, taking three for 37 from his allotment of 10 overs to trigger a batting collapse.The visitors lost their way in the last 10 overs, losing seven wickets for 66 runs, to slide from a comfortable 182 for two, with Dwayne Bravo taking two for 60 from his 10 overs, Kemar Roach two for 67 from 10 overs, and two run outs helping to undermine them.Ahmed Shehzad was brilliantly caught by the elder Bravo running back from mid-wicket off Roach for six in the fifth over to set the Pakistanis back early.Hafeez and Shafiq then gave backbone to the Pakistan innings before West Indies fought back with some late wickets.Shafiq was caught at long-on off Bravo in the 39th over, and Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was caught at mid-off off Roach for eight in the 41st over before the visitors reached the 200-run mark.Misbah-ul-Haq was bowled by Bishoo for five in the 44th over, as Pakistan added 45 runs in the Batting Power Play between the 41st and 45th overs. But three more wickets fell for one run in the space of seven deliveries. Hafeez was bowled in the 46th over by Bishoo, who had Hammaz Azam caught at fine leg before Mohammad Salman became the first of the two run-out victims.The Pakistanis were 220 for seven, and some lusty hitting from Tanvir Ahmed stretched their total towards the end.Both sides made two changes - West Indies brought Ramnaresh Sarwan and wicketkeeper-batsman Carlton Baugh Jr in to replace Devon Smith and fast bowler Andre Russell, while Pakistan Usman Salahuddin and Tanvir Ahmed came in to replace Umar Akmal and Wahab Riaz.The final ODI will be played on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium.

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ICC cannot intervene on Sutherland's comments

Karachi:in what is seen as a setback to the Pakistan

Cricket Board (PCB), sources say the International Cricket Council (ICC) has refused to intervene in the issue of Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland's comments regarding match-fixing.A top PCB source told IANS that the world body has rejected the impression that it has not replied to a complaint filed by the PCB over Sutherland's remarks, saying a reply was sent to Lahore April 27.ICC also told the PCB that it cannot intervene in an issue involving two cricket boards.Till last week, sources in the PCB were claiming the board is yet to receive a reply from the ICC over its complaint against comments made by Sutherland that last year's spot-fixing scandal might not have happened if it had implemented all the recommendations of a pivotal report into match-fixing.Angered by the comments, the PCB asked ICC to carry out an investigation.Sutherland was quoted as saying in an interview last week: "In the context of what happened last year I think it is really important to read his (Judge Qayyum's) full report but also his recommendations.""If you have a look at the recommendations, ask yourself whether Pakistan Cricket Board actually went through and implemented all those recommendations. Well, I can't say for sure but I would have big question marks about whether those things would have happened last year if those recommendations were fully implemented."He spoke about the need for all countries to remain vigilant over fighting corruption, a decade after the Qayyum report recommended punishment, including a life ban for Salim Malik, along with long-term measures to ensure Pakistan never again fell into the hands of corrupt cricketers.PCB called Sutherland's comments inappropriate."As a member country of the ICC and holding an important position in Cricket Australia, such kind of public statement against another ICC member is highly objectionable and the PCB wants the ICC to take action against Sutherland according to the prescribed rules," PCB wrote to the ICC.Justice Qayyum himself last year said the PCB had not been strong enough in implementing some of his 30 recommendations on curbing match-fixing.

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a matches deatails

Pakistan vs West Indies 2011

Cricket Schedule of Pakistan vs West Indies 2011. Fixtures of Pakistan vs West Indies 2011 has been announced. The first schedule match of Pakistan vs West Indies 2011 between Pakistan vs West Indies begins Apr 23, 2011 onwards. Keep viewing CriSchedule for latest updates on Cricket Schedule and Fixtures of upcoming Pakistan vs West Indies 2011.

Pakistan will tour West Indies in the month of April 2011. After taking some rest from World Cup 2011, both team will participate in bilateral series which will include 1 T20I, 5 ODI and 2 Test matches spanned over a month.

If we go by pure ratings, the two teams do not have a great distinction with them being just two points apart in ODIs and separated by one point in Tests. But the difference in the confidence of the two outfits is what matters. Pakistan have just completed a decent world cup campaign by reaching the semi finals and being beaten by the eventual winners of the tournament won't dent them too much. West Indies on the other hand have had anything but a smooth time of it in international cricket. A fresh squad and resting of veterans for the initial two matches of the ODI series suggests the emphasis of team management on exposure of young players. Pakistan has also made some changes in their armory by axing the inconsistent Abdul Razzaq and Mr Butterfingers Kamran Akmal but have preserved most of the stars of their WC Campaign.

This will be an exciting series because even though the Windies have the home advantage, Pakistan on their day can be a formidable lineup and have the ability to crush the opposition by mere individual brilliance. The pitches in WI have recently been low and slow which almost makes teams from the subcontinent feel at home and the small grounds signals party time for the big hitters. In my opinion, the ODIs will be a little more competitive but WI will want their seniors (Gayle, Chanderpaul and Co) to perform if they need to be anywhere close to Pakistan for the Tests.

Download Pakistan vs West Indies 2011 Fixtures in PDF Format. 

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Handling media will be Fletcher's biggest challenge: Vaughan

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan feels that newly appointed India coach Duncan Fletcher's "biggest challenge" will be to handle the media in a cricket crazy nation.Vaughan wrote on his Twitter account that Fletcher will make good use of the talent available in the Indian team but being in the limelight is something he has never "understood"."Duncan will work well with all the talent.. His biggest challenge will come from the media..he has never really understood how it works..!!" tweeted Vaughan, who captained the side that won the Ashes in 2005 after 18 years and under the supervision of Fletcher.

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Coaching World champs India a challenge for Fletcher: Simons

India's bowling coach Eric Simons is keenly looking forward to working with Duncan Fletcher and says that for the former Zimbabwe captain, coaching the World champions will be a big challenge.The 49-year-old South African, whose contract was extended by the Indian board on Wednesday, said that he expected Fletcher to bring in fresh ideas like the way he did when he was in charge of the England team. Fletcher coached England for eight years (1999-2007) and also led them to an Ashes victory after 15 years in 2005.Simons will now be in charge of the Indian team for next month's tour of the West Indies as the 62-year-old Fletcher, now a British citizen, will join the team only after the series due to prior commitments."I have never worked with Duncan, so I am looking forward to working with him. I am sure he will bring in some fresh ideas to the team like he did during his English stint. But I think coaching the No.1 team in the world will be a real challenge for Fletcher," said Simons, who was appointed the bowling coach in January 2010.Simons and his compatriot Gary Kirsten, the former India coach, forged a successful partnership that saw India becoming the No.1 Test team and winning the 2011 World Cup after 28 years. Simmons also played a key role in India's success in South Africa, where they drew the Test series for the first time. On his extension, Simons said: "I had agreed in principle to continue as the bowling coach. Now that they have agreed to give me an extension, I have to sit down with them and discuss the nature of the contract and the tenure." Simons admitted that looking at India's stature in world cricket, his job will only get tougher. "These are exciting and tough times for me. The last one year has been great for me and now the job has become tougher. The challenge will be to keep the team on top. The expectations are always high from World champions and living up to them will be a challenge for this Indian team," said Simons, who coached the South African team for two years (2002-04). Simons, however, is concerned about the form of the fast bowlers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of a hectic international calendar that also involves a tour to England for four Test matches in July-August. "Conditions are tough for Indian bowlers on pitches which heavily favour batsmen. I think we have to ensure that we have enough bench strength ahead of the two series so that we can rotate our bowlers. In the modern era, you always need a group of bowlers since you can't always rely on your main bowlers to be fit," said Simmons. Asked if his bowlers need to cut down on the amount of cricket they play to stay fit, Simons said: "That is a personal choice, I can't say much about it. My job is to give them confidence. When you're confident you can run in and bowl quickly in good areas, they can play as much as they want."

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I am available for West Indies tour: Harbhajan

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today said that he would be available for the Indian cricket team''s forthcoming tour of West Indies but was not aware of the plans of other senior players."I have no idea from where the news (of senior players opting out of West Indies tour) have poured in. As far as I am concerned I am available for the tour," Harbhajan told reporters ahead of his IPL side Mumbai Indians' match against Rajasthan Royals here tomorrow."As far as others are concerned neither I have talked to anybody and nor any body has talked to me. We will be playing three tests there and I don't want to miss any of those," he said.Talking about the winning streak of the Mumbai Indians, Harbhajan said that he was happy the way things were going."I am happy with the way things have gone till now. We have been through rough patches but one or the other has been able to pull us through. Like in the last match Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symonds batted well to help us to reasonable score which could be defended," he said.Asked about the good form of Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne, Harbhajan said, "He is great cricketer and greatest spinner. I myself would be talking to him and get tips so that I can prolong my international career."Harbhajan praised his team-mate Ambati Rayudu, saying that the youngster is a "special talent"."It would also be a challenge for youngsters like Rayudu to face a great spinner (in Warne). He (Rayudu) is a special talent and we always knew that. He was unfortunately lost in between but lately he has been performing well. He is capable of filling in the big shoes of great Indian batsmen like VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid," he added.Talking about his own role in the side, Harbhajan said that it had not changed much. "I and seniors like Sachin try and build the team like a unit and instill confidence in the youngsters by telling them to be part of think tank," said Harbhajan.Asked about the sharp fielding of Mumbai Indians which has helped them win a few matches, Harbhajan said that the players have responded to the drills of fielding coach Jonty Rhodes"We have South African Jonty Rhodes as the fielding coach and boys have responded well. In the previous match it was the fielding rather my five wicket haul which had won the match for us."

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Fletcher is the best man for the job, says Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels the decision of BCCI to appoint Duncan Fletcher as the chief coach of the national team is a positive one. "After Gary Kirsten, Fletcher is the best man to be Indian team's mentor," Akram said on Friday. "He is very experienced and has vast knowledge. Waqar (Younis), who played in Glamorgan when Fletcher was coach, praised his coaching skills a lot." Akram feels most Indian players are experienced enough to handle situations on their own but Fletcher still had a role to play. "This Indian team doesn't need coaching, but Fletcher's excellent man management skills will surely help," said Akram. Former India captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev have spoken in favour of an Indian coach, post the Gary Kirsten era. In his newspaper column, Gavaskar mentioned the name of Mohinder Amarnath "because most players represent the Hindi belt." Akram says language is no barrier anymore. He feels a foreign coach is quite beneficial for the sub-continent teams simply because "he is a neutral guy." Having worked with foreign coaches like Richard Pybus in Pakistan, Akram does understand a bit about foreign coaches and their ways. "Our home-bred coaches have plenty of mood swings and preferences, but a foreigner will have no such things, no favorites. He just does his work, doesn't talk much with the media and remains focused on his work," explained Akram. A former Zimbabwean international, Fletcher will take charge of Team India from the England tour which starts in July. Akram feels Fletcher's work-experience in England will surely come in handy for Dhoni and team."Fletcher has done plenty of coaching in England, and he knows their players very well. Beating England at their backyard will be tough but Fletcher's presence in the Indian dressing room will be a huge advantage," feels Akram.

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PCB waiting ICC response on CA statement

Lahore: The PCB is still waiting for a response from the ICC on the letter it sent to the world body over the statement made by Cricket Australia chief executive which blamed Pakistan for not doing enough to curb corruption in cricket."The ICC has still not sent us a reply to our letter in which we asked them to inquire into the statement made by James Sutherland recently," a senior PCB official said."Maybe because of the Easter holidays the offices are closed but we have asked the ICC to look into this issue as we have taken it very seriously," chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said.CA Chief Executive James Sutherland in a recent interview to an Australian newspaper said that he did not believe that the PCB had done enough to implement the recommendations of the Justice Malik Qayyum report in 2000 on match-fixing in Pakistan cricket.Sutherland had said that if the PCB had done enough the spot-fixing scandal last year involving Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer could have been avoided.The PCB official said the Board wanted the ICC to inquire from CA about the statement and find out on what grounds Sutherland had made it."The PCB has been in the forefront of fighting corruption in cricket and we have taken measures to discipline players.So Sutherland's statement came as a surprise to us," he said.Subhan said that the PCB would also take up the matter at the next ICC meeting scheduled in June in Hong Kong.He said that the PCB had avoided direct interaction with CA on the matter and wanted the ICC to look it.Butt, Aamer and Asif were all banned for a minimum of five years in February by the ICC anti-corruption tribunal after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the England tour last year.All three have appealed against their bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Switzerland.

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Pakistan eye clean sweep against Windies

Updated at: 1817 PST,  Sunday, May 01, 2011

BRIDGETOWN: Pakistan will look to stay on track for a series sweep when they face West Indies in the fourth one-day international on Monday at Kensington Oval but skipper Shahid Afridi has warned his team over complacency.the Pakistanis hold an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, following a three-wicket victory last Thursday at the same venue in easily the most competitive match of the series.The visitors won the first two ODIs at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in the neighbouring island of St. Lucia by the handsome margins of eight wickets and seven wickets, respectively before they almost stumbled in the third match.Pakistan have simply allowed West Indies first strike in each match, and used their spin bowling triumvirate of Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and captain Shahid Afridi to tie down the home team batsmen for low totals before undertaking relatively easy chases.This formula almost backfired on the Pakistanis in the previous match, leading Afridi to warn his side that they need to avoid complacency in the remaining matches.Chasing a modest 172 for victory from a rain-reduced allocation of 45 overs, the visitors were left reeling on 49 for four, following a new-ball blitz from Ravi Rampaul, and the visitors required a steady, unbeaten 62 from Misbah-ul-Haq to complete the job, after leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo threatened to wreak late havoc. "There are still some problems with our batting, and I'm sure the management and coaches will come at us hard in the meetings," said Afridi."The way the boys delivered in the series was good, but the batsmen need to spend some time in the middle. We all know we made mistakes."West Indies have moved to ease the pressure, recalling Ramnaresh Sarwan to their squad.Sarwan was one of three senior batsmen dropped from the squad for the first three matches following the World Cup.But the shoddy batting of their replacements -- including left-handed opener Devon Smith, who makes way for Sarwan, following three lbw dismissals for low scores to the off-spin of Hafeez -- have prompted the selectors to boost the experience in the side.Sarwan has played 166 ODIs since his debut 11 years ago, but he has scored only one hundred in the last five years -- against Ireland -- and managed just 155 runs at 25.83 during the World Cup. West Indies captain Darren Sammy recognised that his side has a serious problem, and hoped they could turn things around in the remaining matches, particularly ahead of the two Tests that follow the ODI series. "We as a batting unit, myself included, have to take more responsibility like Bishoo does with the ball," he said."It's about getting the formula right. We have had good starts, but we haven't capitalised on them."The way forward is to gain experience. This group is not short on talent, we need to play and get more consistency."Pakistan have now won their last eight ODIs against West Indies spread over the last four years.West Indies (from): Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh Jr, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl SimmonsPakistan (from): Shahid Afridi (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdur Rehman, Ahmed Shahzad, Asad Shafiq, Hammad Azman, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Salman, Sadaf Hussain, Saeed Ajmal, Tanveer Ahmed, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, Usman Salahuddin, Wahab RiazUmpires: Asoka De Silva (SL), Peter Nero (WI), TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WI), Reserve umpire: Norman Malcolm (WI)Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)

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Sarwan recalled to Windies squad

Updated at: 1844 PST,  Sunday, May 01, 2011

BRIDGETOWN: Veteran batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was recalled to the West Indies squad in place of opener Devon Smith for the final two matches of the series against Pakistan which has already been lost 3-0. The 30-year-old Sarwan has featured in 166 one-day internationals and has four centuries and 35 fifties. The fourth one-dayer takes place in at the Kensington Oval here on Monday with the fifth and final game in Guyana on May 5.West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons.

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Wahab, Hafeez to be rested: Afridi

Updated at: 1712 PST,  Sunday, May 01, 2011

BARBADOS: A few changes will be made in the Pakistan cricket team for the remaining matches of the one-day international series.Captain Shahid Afridi said that he wanted to provide chances to young players while faults in batting line have to be removed.Talking with Geo News from Barbados, Afridi said that in the upcoming matches, fast bowler Wahab Riaz would be replaced by Tanveer Ahmed while opener Taufiq Umar would be played in place of Mohammad Hafeez.Regarding fast bowler Junaid Khan, the skipper said that the young pacer has begun his international career just now and he wanted to give him more chances.He said that middle-order batsman Usman Salahuddin may be included in the final eleven of the last match of the series.Afridi said that he was glad the national team has won two consecutive series under his captaincy and it shows that the team’s performance is being improved day-by-day.

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KKR crush Punjab by eight wickets

Updated at: 1548 PST,  Sunday, May 01, 2011

KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders scored an eight-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab, achieving a modest 120-run target with more than two overs to spare for their fifth win in eight games.The Punjab side, led by former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, struggled for momentum from the onset as the Knight Riders bowled and fielded brilliantly to restrict Kings XI Punjab to 119 for six after putting them in to bat first.Skipper Gautam Gambhir (45 not out) and Manoj Tiwary (34 not out) knocked off the runs with an unbroken partnership off 85 runs for the third wicket.The Knight Riders moved to the top of the table with their fifth win in eight matches in the tournament.Kolkata and Mumbai each have 10 points, followed by Bangalore (nine), Rajasthan (nine), Chennai (eight), Deccan (six), Delhi (six), Punjab (six), Kochi (six) and Pune (four).Brief scores:Kings XI Punjab 119-6 in 20 overs (D. Karthik 42, A. Gilchrist 26; Iqbal Abdulla 2-19) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 120-2 in 17.2 overs (G. Gambhir 45 not out, M. Tiwary 34 not out, E. Morgan 28) by eight wickets

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Delhi win as Sehwag masters tricky track

Updated at: 1504 PST,  Sunday, May 01, 2011

KOCHI, India: Virender Sehwag smashed a 47-ball 80 on a difficult pitch to set up Delhi Daredevils' 38-run win over Kochi Tuskers Kerala in an Indian Premier League match on Saturday.The skipper hit five sixes and eight fours as Delhi posted 157-7 before dismissing Kochi for 119 for their third victory in eight matches of the Twenty20 tournament. Delhi pacemen earlier did the maximum damage, with South African Morne Morkel emerging the most successful bowler with 3-18 off four overs. Seamers Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar each took two wickets.South African left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe completed the victory when he bagged the last three wickets in one over Ravindra Jadeja (31) and Australian Brad Hodge (27) were the main run-getters for Kochi, who suffered their fifth defeat in eight matches.Delhi were struggling at 35-3 after electing to bat on a slow track where the ball sometimes kept low, but opener Sehwag steadied the innings with a 56-run stand for the fourth wicket with Yogesh Nagar (22). Sehwag stepped up the run-rate after his team managed just 46 runs in the opening 10 overs, hitting left-arm spinner Jadeja for two successive sixes. He scored 49 runs off the last 15 balls he faced.The Delhi captain completed his half-century in style, pulling seamer Vinay Kumar over mid-wicket for a six. He fell in the 18th over attempting another big shot, caught in the deep off Kumar.Sehwag put on 41 for the fifth wicket with Australian Travis Brit, who contributed a 13-ball 20 with the help of one six and two fours.Fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth jolted Delhi with two wickets in his opening over as he bowled Australian David Warner and then trapped Naman Ojha lbw with deliveries that kept low. Brief scores:Delhi Daredevils 157-7 in 20 overs (V. Sehwag 80; Y. Nagar 22, T. Brit 20; S. Sreesanth 2-10) beat Kochi Tuskers Kerala 119 in 18.5 overs (R. Jadeja 31, B. Hodge 27; M. Morkel 3-18, R. van der Merwe 3-20, Irfan Pathan 2-27, A. Agarkar 2-23) by 38 runs.

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