England on top as fixing still haunts cricket

LONDON : Cricket and controversy, never far apart, were closely linked in a year where England finally achieved their long-held objective of climbing to the top of the world Test rankings.

Nothing that happened on the field in 2011 rocked world cricket quite like the jail sentences handed down by an English court to former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif for their roles in a 'spot-fixing' scam during last year's Lord's Test against England.

But the fact the case came to light as a result of a newspaper investigation left many asking what was the point of the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit.

England had gone 21 years without winning a series in Australia but a 3-1 Ashes triumph sealed in January, with all three victories coming by innings margins, ended that barren spell in emphatic fashion.

Alastair Cook made a colossal 766 runs in the Ashes series and the Essex left-hander carried on during England's 4-0 home Test rout of World Cup winners India, including a monumental 294 at Edgbaston.

Australia's woes continued even after the Ashes, with their batsmen looking especially vulnerable against swing and seam bowling.

In November, Australia slumped to 47 all out against South Africa in Cape Town, with debutant fast-medium bowler Vernon Philander taking a stunning five for 15 in seven overs.

Then New Zealand, without injured all-rounder Daniel Vettori, enjoyed their first Test win on Australian soil in 26 years.

Seamer Doug Bracewell, took six for 40 as New Zealand won by seven runs in Hobart in a match where Australia had needed just 82 runs for victory with eight wickets standing,

Zimbabwe, after six years of self-imposed exile sparked by a race row over selection, returned to Test cricket in August with a 130-run win over Bangladesh -- a result that said as much about the losers as anything else.

In an age of few genuine fast bowlers, South Africa quick Dale Steyn's average of 22.82 stands comparison with the all-time greats.

In December he became the second fastest bowler in history to take 250 Test wickets, reaching the landmark in his 49th Test -- one more than legendary Australia fast bowler Dennis Lillee.

"There's no doubt for me that he's the best South African bowler we've seen thus far -- at least since readmission in 1991," said former Proteas seamer and captain Shaun Pollock. "His ability to swing the ball away with incredible pace is phenomenal."

West Indies cricket was overshadowed by the stand-off between Chris Gayle and Caribbean administrators which deprived a largely young team of a fine batsman.

But having gone 2-0 down in their series in India, they battled back in the Mumbai finale which ended in a draw with the scores level -- only the second time this had happened in Test history.

This year saw the deaths of several prominent cricketers including former India captain the Nawab of Pataudi, Australia's Sam Loxton and ex-England all-rounder Trevor Bailey, with Graham Dilley, one of the heroes of England's '500-1' win against Australia at Headingley in 1981, passing away aged just 52.

Meanwhile former Somerset captain turned cricket journalist Peter Roebuck leapt to his death in bizarre circumstances in South Africa.

But in terms of their impact on both world cricket and wider society, few could match Basil D'Oliveira, who died in November aged 80.

D'Oliveira became an England all-rounder after his path was blocked in his native apartheid-era South Africa, an impressive enough achievement in itself.

But he made front-page headlines in 1968 when he was included in the England squad for the tour of South Africa which was called off when the South African government refused to accept his presence.

It marked the start of South Africa's cricketing isolation, which would last until the early 1990s.

D'Oliveira was one of the few people to emerge with any credit from the incident, not least when it was later revealed he'd refused to accept a huge cash bribe to make himself unavailable for the 1968 tour.

"Throughout this shameful period in South Africa's sporting history, Basil displayed a human dignity that earned him worldwide respect and admiration," said Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola.

"His memory and inspiration will live on among all of us."

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Pakistan jump up to 5th in ICC Test team rankings – Cricket News Update

Pakistan jump up to 5th in ICC Test team rankings – Cricket News Update

Pakistan cricket team has jumped up one position in the ICC Test team rankings after comprehensively beating Bangladesh by 2-0 in a recently concluded series.

The Men in Green have been performing extremely well over the past one year and are improving in overall rankings day by day. They are now the number fifth Test team, leaving Sri Lanka behind in sixth.

One of the main reasons behind Pakistan’s success has been the splendid leadership skills of Misbah-ul-Haq, who was initially named as captain in the longest version of the game, but later took over from Shahid Afridi in One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 cricket as well.

There was a lot of criticism over Misbah, considering his age. However, he performed well both as captain and player during 2011, silencing all critics.

The 37-year-old is yet to be defeated in any series until now. Pakistan have only lost one Test and ODI under the leadership of Misbah, who has now set his sights on the series against England in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), starting from Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

Many believe that Pakistan’s success in 2011 was only because of the weaker oppositions they played against. The team defeated West Indies, Ireland, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in different competitions.

However, the Men in Green also played against Sri Lanka, team which was better ranked before the start of the series against Pakistan.

Misbah and his men dominated the opposition in that series, as Sri Lanka only managed to win just one ODI on the entire tour.

Despite all that, critics rate Misbah as a defensive captain and expect him to struggle against the Poms, who are number one in the ICC Test and Twenty20 rankings. They only struggle in the 50-over format, but are competitive enough to trouble any opposition in the world.

The Pakistani captain will be against three different skippers, as England have a separate leader for every format of the game.

However, Misbah believes that his side can continue winning in every format if they stick together and play as one unit. He advised his players to continue focusing on the game rather than listening to the critics, who can never be satisfied.

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Haider still stands by decision of leaving team

Karachi : Out of favour Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has said he has no regrets over his conduct during the 2010 series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates, but admitted that he could have tackled the situation in a better manner.

“I still stand by my decision to leave the team in UAE. This was done for the betterment of Pakistani cricket,” PakPassion quoted Haider, as saying.

"In retrospect, I should have spoken to the ICC and this is what I will do should a situation similar to the one in Dubai arise again. Pakistani cricket is getting better due to the strict security policies of Mr. Zaka Ashraf and hopefully these problems [corruption] will be reduced or disappear completely,” he added.

Haider had fled from his team’s hotel in Dubai after allegedly receiving security threats from bookmakers just before the fifth and final One Day International match between Pakistan and South Africa.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, imposed a fine and reprimanded him for making false accusations after conducting a probe into the issue.

Haider is now looking forward to make a comeback to the international cricket after giving a spectacular performance in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam (QEA) Trophy.

“I am the best domestic wicket keeper at the moment, I am hoping that the new Chairman of PCB, Mr. Zaka Ashraf, will take note of my performances in domestic cricket. I am aware that the Board and selectors have their eyes on the best performers. So I am hoping that they will pay attention to my performance this season as well,” Haider said.

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Misbah says England tour won’t be easy

LAHORE : Pakistan cricket team skipper Misbah-ul-haq has said that harder work would be needed to face England in the coming tour, Geo News reported.

Talking to newsmen at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here, he said that Pakistan’s performance in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was more than satisfactory, which was a heartening thing to note.

He said, doubtless, England were tough cookies, but Pakistan were also alive to the fact that they would have to go extra miles to claim the tour.

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Kim Hughes and Kapil Dev preview Australia-India Test series

On this week's ICC Cricket World Radio Show, former captains Kim Hughes and Kapil Dev preview the four-Test series between Australia and India which starts in Melbourne on Monday next.

In a rare interview, the 57-year-old Hughes, who played 70 Tests and 97 ODIs for Australia, says: "India's record away from home has not been very good. They got slaughtered by England (earlier this summer) and England are a far better side than Australia.

"But I would have thought that given (Australia's) injury worries and that we are an average side now, yes, this would be India's best chance.

"Certainly, India's batting is far superior to Australia's. (Sachin) Tendulkar is still playing marvelously well, (Rahul) Dravid is in fantastic form, and (VVS) Laxman and (Virender) Sehwag have always done well in Australia.

"I think Sehwag is possibly Australia's biggest danger because he gets India off to such a good positive start and he likes playing well on our true wickets.

"Australia has got a young spinner in (Nathan) Lyon and it will be younger bowlers (James) Pattinson, (Mitchell) Starc and (Peter) Siddle who will have to carry the bulk of the bowling.

"Our batting has been very, very brittle as evident in South Africa and against New Zealand albeit I think the wickets will be more conducive to batting in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide."

Hughes, who scored 4,415 Test runs and also led Australia in 28 Tests, also talks about the pressures on Australia captain Michael Clarke and an out-of-form Ricky Ponting. "Clarke has played particularly well. I mean, his 150 at Cape Town was magnificent. Since he has taken captaincy, I think he has scored two or three hundreds.

"As far as Ricky Ponting is concerned, it's purely a technical thing. He is very fit and certainly has a desire but his technique is poor at the moment," he says.

Hughes is convinced Tendulkar will score his 100th international century in Australia but suggests the champion batsman to use lighter bats.

"Tendulkar always looks in good form. Using heavy bats on flatter wickets are fine but when the wickets have got a bit of a pace and bounce, then I don't think heavier bats are a wise thing. I think lighter bats in Australia where you play more horizontal shots are a better option.

"You would think in four Tests, Tendulkar will get an opportunity (to score a century). We produce good wickets in Australia for the batsmen and I would have thought Tendulkar will certainly get one hundred in one of those four Test matches."

The show can be used in whole or part by radio stations that want free cricket content for editorial use, while the public can also download it straight from www.icc-cricket.com or from iTunes.

52-year-old Kapil Dev, one of the ICC Cricket Hall of Famers and a veteran of 131 Tests and 225 ODIs, says: "We are all getting excited about India playing in Australia.

"Earlier that was not the case because we were no match for Australia. Australia dominated world cricket and always bounced back. But this time we can go there thinking of not drawing but with a view to win the series.

"This time India has a better chance to win the Test series in Australia, there is no doubt about that. Australia were on top of the world cricket for 15 years. But now it is not the same team without (Glenn) McGrath, (Shane) Warne, (Adam) Gilchrist and (Matthew) Hayden. They are not as strong as they used to be.

"We still have Sachin, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. Then there are young talented fast bowlers and spinners. We are getting strong every day. We, therefore, have a better chance than ever before.

"It is a team game. I am not concerned about one or two players.

"Ricky Ponting is the most important player. He is an experienced player and if India can control him, then we can control Australia. Remember experience always comes in handy in the long run. He has scored enough runs against us and is due for a big score.

"Captain is the most important element in both teams. But equally important to note is that India needs to play like a team. Don't count on one or two. It is a team sport, after all."

On Tendulkar, Dev says: "Sachin has served India cricket so enormously that at this stage this talk of this 100th hundred is not important. If India can win the series, Sachin's 100th hundred will be taken care of."

Current and former Australia captains, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, also look forward to the Tests against India which will be played in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.

Finally on the show, Bangladesh coach Stuart Law and Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq reflect on the just concluded series in Bangladesh. Pakistan won the three-match ODI series 3-0 and the two-Test series 2-0.

Apart from these exclusive interviews, there is the usual round-up of cricketing news and an update of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings.

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Modest Dhoni leads by example for expectant India

Live in the moment, keep it simple and work hard.

It may not be the most sophisticated philosophy to come out of India but it is a concise mantra which has served MS Dhoni well in four years as captain of his country's cricket team.

As India's first skipper from outside the main urban centres, the 30-year-old has already delivered the Holy Grail of the World Cup and over the next month takes on the challenge of leading his team to a maiden test series triumph in Australia.

Hailed by master batsman Sachin Tendulkar as the finest captain he has played under in a career spanning more than two decades, Dhoni's leadership is not about rousing pep talks or even inspired gambles.

"The important thing is that he keeps things simple and not complicated," chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth said recently.

What Dhoni does display is leadership by example, no less so than when he promoted himself up the batting order and hit 91 not out to lead India to the World Cup triumph on home soil in early April, sealing the dramatic victory with a six.

The wicketkeeper-batsman cut his international captaincy teeth in the Twenty20 format by leading his country to victory of the inaugural World Cup in 2007.

There was immediate success too when he took the reins of the one-day side and led them to a series victory in Australia. He assumed the test captaincy in 2008.

"I love to be in the moment, I love to analyse things a bit," Dhoni said in a recent interview with CNN news channel.

"Very often what is important is to realise what went wrong, not only when you are losing a series or a game, but also when you are winning a series. You need to realise which are the areas you need to work on."

There have been calamities along the way, of course, including criticism of his wicketkeeping and his own poor form when India crashed out of the 2007 50-over World Cup in the first round.

Subsequently, the biggest setback of his leadership came when the test team where humiliated 4-0 in England earlier this year and relinquished the number one world ranking they had earned in December 2009.

One of Dhoni's great attributes, however, has been his ability to keep his head in the midst of the frenzy that often surrounds the sport in cricket-mad India.

"He is always calm and never shows his frustration," Tendulkar said after the World Cup triumph. "These are some of the human qualities which have made him such a good captain."

'COUNTRY BOY'

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was born in Ranchi, now the capital of the state of Jharkhand, and grew up playing cricket with a tennis ball on the red dirt of his home town.

Describing someone from a place with a population of two million people as a 'country boy' might sound absurd to non-Asians, but that was the reality for Dhoni and his path from India's outback to the cricketing elite was one that had been travelled by very few.

"When I was playing for my school, the only thing I wanted to do was get selected for the under-16 or the under-19 district teams," he said.

"Frankly, I never thought that I would represent my country one day. Now I'm leading my country, so it's like a fairytale.

"I never thought I'd do all these things. I lived in the moment, I kept working hard."

Away from the cricket pitch, Dhoni keeps a low profile and enjoys nothing better than returning to Ranchi to be with his three dogs and collection of motorbikes.

Australia will present him new challenges as captain, including an often hostile reception from local media, crowds and even the players, but Dhoni has shown in the past that he has the cool temperament to deal with them.

"I believe that he's the best captain in world cricket today. He's a leader by example," South African Gary Kirsten, who was coach of India from 2007 until after the World Cup, said upon his departure from the job.

"He expects his troops to be ready for battle. He's calm and level-headed. I have never seen him lose his temper. If things don't go well, he takes the responsibility."

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Shakib becomes number-one ranked Test all-rounder

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has become the number-one ranked all-rounder in the Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings after stellar performance with the bat and the ball against Pakistan in the Mirpur Test which finished on Wednesday.

Shakib become the first Bangladesh player to score a century and take five-for in the same Test when he scored 144 and took 6-82. This performance not only earned the 24-year-old man of the match award but has also gave him a jump of four places in the all-rounders' rankings which puts him on top of the tree.

Shakib has also improved his batting and bowling rankings.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, Shakib has vaulted seven places to claim a career-best 31st position while in the bowling chart he has claimed seventh position after gaining two places.

The other Bangladesh batsmen to improve their rankings include captain Mushfiqur Rahim (up by one to 44th), Shahriar Nafees (up by eight to 61st) and Nasir Hossain (up by 32 to 96th).

Pakistan players have also made the best of the Mirpur Test with one-down batsman Azhar Ali and left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman achieving career-best rankings.

Azhar Ali, who scored 57 and 34, has moved up four places to 23rd position while Abdur Rehman, who took four for 51 in the second innings, has broken into the top 20 for the first time in his career and is now in 19th position.

Other Pakistan players improving their rankings include opener Taufeeq Umar (up by seven to 42nd) and fast bowlers Umar Gul (up by one to 18th) and Aizaz Cheema (up by five to 45th).

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Australia's Marsh to test back injury in Twenty/20

Australian batsman Shaun Marsh will test his fitness in a Twenty20 match on Thursday evening and is confident he will be ready to go for next week's opening test against India.

The 28-year-old lefthander, who has been struggling with a debilitating lower back injury, was named in Australia's squad for the Boxing Day test on Wednesday with uncapped all rounder Dan Christian included as back-up.

After taking part in a three-day training camp for Australia's batsmen, Marsh said his back had improved considerably and should allow him to play his first test on home soil at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Monday.

"I'm hitting the ball well, I've had a really good two or three days and I feel that I haven't lost too much of my touch since South Africa and playing tonight will give me a bit more indication of where I'm at," he told reporters on Thursday.

"I'm confident that if I can get through tonight and, with what I've done over the last (few) days, that I will be right and ready to go."

Marsh, who made his test debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year and injured himself in his third test against South Africa last month, will turn out for the Perth Scorchers against the Melbourne Renegades at the Etihad Stadium later on Thursday.

Pencilled in to replace dropped Usman Khawaja at number three in the batting order should he prove his fitness, the Western Australian said it would fulfill a lifelong ambition to play in such an iconic test match.

"To play in front of 75,000 plus fans on Monday is certainly going to be a dream of mine," said Marsh, whose father

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Australia drop Hughes, Khawaja from Test squad

SYDNEY : Batsmen Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja were dumped from Australia's squad named Wednesday for next week's opening Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Selectors named a 13-man squad with Shaun Marsh, Ed Cowan and Ben Hilfenhaus included, but there was no place for injured allrounder Shane Watson and fast bowler Ryan Harris.

Chief selector John Inverarity said the size of the squad was due to the continuing uncertainty about the fitness of Marsh, who has been troubled by a back complaint.

"Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja have been omitted from the Australian team that played against New Zealand in Hobart and Marsh, Ed Cowan and Ben Hilfenhaus have been added to the squad," Inverarity said.

"Shane Watson was not considered for selection as he has not recovered sufficiently from his (hamstring/calf) injury, while Ryan Harris has not yet achieved the volume of bowling required to be available for consideration for Test selection."

Cowan was included on the strength of his 109 against India playing for a Chairman's XI in Canberra on Tuesday along with two centuries in this season's domestic Sheffield Shield and one for Australia A against the touring New Zealanders.

The Australian squad assembles in Melbourne from Thursday ahead of the Boxing Day Test start.

Australia - Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (vice-capt), Dan Christian, Ed Cowan, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner

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Pakistan moves into fifth position on Test Championship table

Pakistan has gained a place on the Reliance ICC Test Championship table and is now in fifth position following its 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in the two-Test series which finished in Mirpur on Wednesday.

The series victory earned Pakistan one ratings point which has put it at par with Sri Lanka on 99 ratings points. However, Pakistan has been placed above Sri Lanka after the ratings were calculated beyond the decimal point.

This is Pakistan's best rankings since March 2009 when it had claimed fifth position for a couple of months.

Pakistan now trails fourth-ranked Australia by four ratings points. Australia goes head to head with India in a four-Test series in Melbourne on Monday next. The only way Australia can drop behind Pakistan is if it loses all the four Tests of the series.

Pakistan's next Test assignment is against number-one ranked England. The three-Test series will start at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on 17 January.

England leads Pakistan by 26 ratings points and as the rankings system is weighted to reflect this difference, England's failure to win the series comfortably will mean it will drop points.

To find out exactly how the forthcoming Test series will affect the Championship table, please click here. The Test Championship table, unlike the ODI Championship table, is updated only after the end of the series

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ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 schedule announced

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the schedule for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012 which will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13 to 24 March, 2012.

Sixteen sides from across the globe will feature in the 12-day tournament which will be played at five venues - Dubai International Cricket Stadium and ICC Global Cricket Academy grounds No.1 and No.2 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium and the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The 16 teams have been divided into two groups with Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark and Nepal forming Group A and Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy and the USA comprising Group B.

The tournament winner will join Australia and the West Indies in group B of the ICC World Twenty20 2012 in September 2012 while the losing finalist will complete Group A which also includes defending champion England and 2007 winner India.

ICC's Global Development Manager, Tim Anderson, said: "This is one of the most important and prestigious events on the Pepsi ICC Development Programme's calendar in which 16 leading Associate and Affiliate Members will vie for the two available places in the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Sri Lanka.

"This final qualifier is the last step of a pathway that comprised 13 ICC regional tournaments during 2010 and 2011 and saw the involvement of over 90 ICC Associate and Affiliate members. The 72-match format has been designed to give the best sides every chance of making the final."

This will be the third ICC World Twenty20 qualifier. When it was last staged, also in the UAE in 2010, Afghanistan and Ireland claimed the qualifying spots.

Tournament format

According to the tournament format, the sides that top the two groups will feature in the 1st Qualifying Final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday 22 March at 1400 (local time) with the winner sealing a place in the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 to be staged from 18 September to 7 October.

Meanwhile, the sides that finish second and third in the two groups will play cross-over matches. The two winners of those matches will progress to the Preliminary Final to be played on 23 March at 1000 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The 2nd Qualifying Final - for the second spot in the ICC World Twenty20 2012 - will take place on the morning of 24 March at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium between the loser of the 1st Qualifying Final and the winner of the Preliminary Final.

The winners of the two Qualifying Finals will play in the tournament final on the evening of 24 March at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Background of ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier

The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier has grown in stature since it was first held in Belfast, Ireland, in August 2008. That event comprised the then six top Associate Members - Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland.

Ireland and Netherlands shared the trophy when the final was washed-out without a ball being bowled. The two sides, along with Scotland which replaced Zimbabwe, qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2009 which was staged at Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge in England. Pakistan won the tournament.

The UAE hosted the second edition in February 2010 which was contested by the top six Associate and Affiliate sides? Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland - as well as hosts UAE and United States of America (USA) who were specially invited by the ICC.

After 17 matches over six days at two venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan and Ireland reached the final and qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2010 which was staged in the West Indies and won by England. Afghanistan won the qualifying tournament when it defeated Ireland by eight wickets.

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Rehman excels as Pakistan make clean sweep

Abdur Rehman claimed 4-51 as Pakistan posted a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test in Dhaka on Wednesday to make a clean sweep of the series.

Pakistan, who won the first Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs, achieved their 103-run victory target off just 20.5 overs in the last session of the fifth day's play at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

Abdur Rehman celebrates the dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahim during the second Test.
Opener Mohammad Hafeez smashed a 52-ball 47 and Azhar Ali contributed 34, before skipper Misbah-ul-Haq finished the match with a six over long-off against Elias Sunny.

Bangladesh, trailing by 132 runs after the first innings, had been comfortably placed at 212-5 in their second innings but collapsed to 234, with left-arm spinner Rehman taking three wickets and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal two. Rehman's four-wicket haul was his best in 12 Tests.

Nasir Hossain (79) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (53) defied the Pakistani attack for more than a session, adding 117 for the sixth wicket before falling in the space of nine runs.

Rehman removed both the well-set batsmen in four overs before accounting for Shahadat Hossain (one) in the afternoon session.

Nasir, a 20-year-old playing only his fourth Test, cracked 11 fours in his maiden half-century before being bowled by Rehman. Rahim hit seven boundaries in his ninth Test half-century.

Rahim reached his half-century when he swept Rehman for a four, but soon lost his patience, stepping out to attempt a lofted shot off the spinner to be caught by Ajmal at mid-off.

Rehman got another wicket in his next over when he dismissed Shahadat, superbly caught by Younis Khan at first slip, while Ajmal bowled Sunny and had Robiul Islam stumped to complete 50 Test wickets in the year.

Nasir and Rahim had applied themselves well in the morning session to keep the Pakistani attack at bay as the hosts added 86 runs to their overnight total of 114-5 after a delayed start due to fog.

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Pakistan set for white wash against Bangladesh

DHAKA : Pakistan are looking in sight of second successive victory to make a clean sweep in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh when the play ended on the penultimate day of the second Test here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Bangladesh were reeling at 114 for five at stumps and they need further 19 runs to make Pakistan bat again.

Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan finished with 6-82 as Pakistan were bowled out for 470 in their first innings before tea in reply to the hosts' 338.

Shakib, who smashed a career-best 144 in the first innings, became the first Bangladeshi to score a century and take five or more wickets in a Test.

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Ellyse Perry named in the squad to face New Zealand

The Australia Women's National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today announced a 14-player squad for the Women's International Series next month against the New Zealand White Ferns.

The squad was selected by the new WNSP, comprising new Chair Julie Savage (replacing the outgoing Christina Matthews), coach Richard McInnes, captain Jodie Fields and Julie Hayes.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is:

NAME	STATE	AGE
Jodie Fields (c)	QLD	27
Alex Blackwell (vc)	NSW	28
Jess Cameron	VIC	22
Sarah Coyte	NSW	20
Rachael Haynes	NSW	24
Alyssa Healy	NSW	21
Julie Hunter	VIC	27
Jessica Jonassen	QLD	19
Meg Lanning	VIC	19
Erin Osborne	NSW	22
Ellyse Perry	NSW	21
Leah Poulton	NSW	27
Clea Smith	VIC	32
Lisa Sthalekar	NSW	32

Commenting on the squad, new WNSP Chair Julie Savage said; "The WNSP has named a very strong squad to face the New Zealand White Ferns next month.

"Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Julie Hunter all return to the squad, while Shelley Nitschke, Sharon Millanta and Annie-Rose Maloney are the players out of the team.

"Ellyse returns after having football commitments last series, Julie returns from a shoulder injury and Alyssa is back in the squad as a batter after some good performances in the WT20.

"Shelley has retired from cricket while Annie-Rose and Sharon make way for the experienced combination of Ellyse and Julie."

2011-12 Women's International Series

Date	Match	Venue	TV/Scores
20 January	1stT20I v New Zealand	North Sydney Oval	ABC TV
21 January	2ndT20I v New Zealand	North Sydney Oval	ABC TV
22 January	3rdT20I v New Zealand	North Sydney Oval	ABC TV
25 January	1stODI v New Zealand	Sydney Cricket Ground	Cricket.com.au
27 January	2ndODI v New Zealand	Blacktown International Sportspark 1	Cricket.com.au
29 January	3rdODI v New Zealand	Blacktown International Sportspark 1	Cricket.com.au
1 February	4thT20I v New Zealand*	Sydney Olympic Park	NINE
3 February	5thT20I v New Zealand*	Melbourne Cricket Ground	NINE

* Double-header with men's T20I (Australia v India)

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Kohli scores half-century for India as stars miss out

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten half-century on Monday as India's batting stars failed on a rain-interrupted opening day of a three-day tour match against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The young right-hander finished the day unbeaten on 55 off 93 balls as the tourists reached 162 for four off 50 overs in their final match ahead of the opening Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne.

At stumps Rohit Sharma was 38 not out after being dropped on his first ball.

But while Kohli and Sharma shared an unbroken fifth wicket stand of 78 off 104 balls, India's front-line batsmen Virender Sehwag (12), Gautam Gambhir (24) and VVS Laxman (15) all missed out on a big score ahead of the MCG Test.

Sehwag smashed the highest score in one-day cricket with 219 off 139 balls earlier this month against the West Indies, but he only lasted 12 balls before falling in the day's fourth over.

He played back to paceman Peter George and was caught out in the gully.

Fellow opener Gambhir batted for 87 minutes before he was bowled out by Jason Behrendorff as he attempted to work the ball only to miss.

Laxman, who averages 55.58 in 25 Tests against Australia and has scored four centuries Down Under, was also out bowled after he tried to work a Jon Holland ball to the leg-side.

The incoming Sharma was dropped next ball in Holland's over as he pushed forward and edged to short leg.

Ajinkya Rahane was the fourth Indian wicket to fall for 15, caught by Australian Test batsman Usman Khawaja at slip off Josh Lalor for 15 off 35 balls.
India went into the final warm up game without key batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, while injured paceman Ishant Sharma was also missing.

George (1-42), Behrendorff (1-8), Lalor (1-9) and Holland (1-37) all kept things tight for the Chairman's team.

No play was possible before lunch after overnight and morning rain and there was another lengthy stoppage in the afternoon.

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Pakistan take 1st innings lead over Bangladesh in 2nd Test

DHAKA : Pakistan were 386 runs for five wickets at lunch on the penultimate day of the second Test against Bangladesh here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday.

They have so far gained a lead of 48 runs with five wickets in hand during the first innings against Bangladesh who were 338 all out on second day.

Pakistan resumed their first innings on 292-3 with veteran batsman Younis Khan (48) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (26) at the crease.

However, Younis could not get his fifty and was out, after adding just one run, off the second ball of the second over of the day. He was caught behind by captain Mushfiqur Rahim off Elias Sunny for 49.

Younis, who smashed an unbeaten double-century in the last Test, hit four boundaries in his 122-ball knock.

Then, Misbah joined by Asad Shafiq, succeeding not only in leveling the Bangladesh first innings total but also getting his 14th Test half-century.

Both added 66 runs for the fifth wicket stand before Misbah was caught by Mahmudullah off Shakib Al Hasan for 70.

Misbah played some attractive shots in his 123-ball knock, driving paceman Nazmul Hossain through the covers and then straight for two successive fours early in the morning.

He, however, was lucky to survive soon after completing his half-century as Robiul Islam dropped an easy catch at mid-on off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan.

Misbah continued to play strokes, twice reverse-sweeping left-arm spinner Elias Sunny for fours before he was caught by Mohammad Mahmudullah in the slips while attempting to sweep Shakib.

Shafiq, who scored a century in the opening Test in Chittagong, began impressively, cutting and flicking fast bowler Shahadat Hossain for two boundaries in an over.

Sunny had a chance to take another wicket but Mahmudullah dropped Shafiq on 36 a few overs before the lunch break

At lunch, Asad was batting on 42 along with Adnan Akmal (seven not out).

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Umar ton boosts Pakistan in second Test against Bangladesh

Taufeeq Umar cracked his seventh Test century to help Pakistan post 217-2 in their first innings at tea in reply to Bangladesh's 338 on the third day of the second and final Test in Dhaka on Monday.

The left-handed opener was unbeaten on 117 at the break with Younis Khan (14 not out) as the tourists added 130 runs to their overnight total of 87-1 after a delayed start due to fog.

The pair have so far put on 67 for the unbroken third-wicket stand.

Umar was also involved in a 127-run stand for the second wicket with Azhar Ali (57), who hit seven fours in his 12th half-century in 18 Tests before falling in the second session.

Umar, 44 overnight, completed his second Test hundred against Bangladesh when he cut off-spinner Mohammad Mahmudullah for a four.

He played some aggressive shots after reaching his century, driving left-arm spinner Elias Sunny through the covers for successive boundaries. He has so far hit 16 fours in his 220-ball knock.

Bangladesh had a chance to dismiss Umar on 56, but wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim did not even try to effect a stumping off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan while confidently appealing for a catch down the leg-side.

Umar was lucky to survive on 66 when he cut the first delivery after the lunch break off paceman Robiul Islam, but Mohammed Nazimuddin dropped an easy catch at gully.

Bangladesh, who went wicketless in the opening session, got their first wicket in the fourth over after lunch when Shakib had Azhar caught behind with a delivery that turned away sharply.

Shakib was the most impressive bowler, conceding just 28 runs in his 18 tight overs.

Azhar, who hit fast bowler Shahadat Hossain for two fours in the opening over of the day, reached his half-century with a boundary off Sunny in the last over of the morning session.

Pakistan lead 1-0 in the series after winning the opening Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs

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Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final to be played with pink ball

KARACHI : Pakistan will experiment with a pink ball in the final of its premier first-class cricket tournament on Tuesday.

"The final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's premier first-class tournament, will be played with a pink ball, under floodlights", the Pakistan Cricket Board announced Monday.

Pakistan International Airlines take on Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd in the final, to be played from December 20 to 24.

Last year's final was also played under lights, but with an orange ball.

Pink is widely regarded as the most suitable colour under floodlights.

The Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodian of the laws of the game, has advocated the use of a pink ball for day-night Test cricket.

An English county championship match between Kent and Glamorgan was played with a pink ball earlier this year

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Pakistan need 47 runs to overtake Bangladesh’s 338

DHAKA : Taufiq Umar completed his seventh Test century as Pakistan closed in on a first innings lead by reaching 292-3 before bad light ended play on the third day of the second Test against Bangladesh on Monday.

Taufiq, who was dropped twice, hit 130 before paceman Nazmul Hossain broke through with the second new ball as the home side toiled for a wicket.

Shahriar Nafees took the catch at slip to end Taufiq's gritty innings that included 16 fours.

Former captain Younus Khan was unbeaten on 48 alongside skipper Misbah-ul Haq (26 not out) with Pakistan needing another 47 runs to overhaul Bangladesh's first innings total of 338.

The home were left ruing missed chances with three catches spilled.

Nazimuddin dropped Taufiq in the gully off the bowling of Robiul Islam with the first ball after the lunch break while Nafees grassed another catch at short-leg off Elias Sunny with Taufiq on 118.

Shahadat Hossain also put down Younus Khan off Nasir Hossain at midwicket when he was on 15.

The hosts made their only other breakthrough of the day when Azhar Ali fell in the second session after the morning's play was delayed by heavy fog.

Ali had shared a 127-run stand with Taufiq when he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim off the bowling of spinner Shakib Al Hasan for 57.

Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0 after a innings and 184-run victory in the first Test. (Reuters)

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Philander continues to rise in Reliance ICC Rankings

South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander continues to make an upward movement in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers after inspiring his side to an innings and 81 runs victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at Centurion.

Philander was not only adjudged man of the match for his maiden 10-wicket haul, he has also been rewarded with a jump of 12 places which has now put him in the 28th position. The man of the match award was 26-year-old's second in three Tests, who now has 24 wickets to his credit.

Other bowlers improving their rankings include Chanaka Welegedara (up by four to 41st), Imran Tahir (up by 17 to 93rd), Thisara Perera (up by 25 to 110th) and Angelo Mathews (up by seven to 111th).

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen, South Africa's AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher are the biggest movers.

De Villiers, who scored 99, has moved up six places to become South Africa's second best batsman after Jacques Kallis (second) in seventh position. Boucher, who scored 65, has gained two places and is now in 50th spot.

Notable batsmen to slip in the latest rankings are Hashim Amla (down by five to 10th), Graeme Smith (down by one to 12th), Mahela Jayawardena (down by one to 24th) and Tillekeratne Dilshan (down by three to 36th).

Kumar Sangakkara's rare double failure at Centurion means his lead at the top of the table has been trimmed from 29 points to just five ratings points.

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