Ponting Call Afridi A Greedy Person

Sydney Ricky Ponting The Former Australian Captain Said Afridi Decision Of leaving International Arena is Very Good Decision For World Cricket And Pakistani Cricket the Former Australian Captain Also Said Afridi Was a very mean Cricketer And Person He only knows how to play for money and his own respect he never played for his country or team he was very much greedy for money i dint know  why he got that much fan following every where in this world where ever he go to play cricket thousands of fans from Pakistan and outside of Pakistan he do not deserve  that much Respect he got to much attitude and don't respect seniors his father is having cancer and he is in america and he gone to England To play County Cricket For money he Always use harsh! Words for Elders players them him Eg: Aamir Sohail Pcb did a right Decision for suspending his central contract i am happy that he is not allow to  play in Domestic Cricket  as well he  also dont know how to do captaincy i thing Shakib Al hasan is a better Captain then him...!

Pak manager urges warm team relations

Karachi: Pakistan cricket team manager Intikhab Alam on Monday expressed satisfaction over his team's ODI series victory over Ireland but stressed on a need for good relationship between the players and team management on tours.

A fallout between players or between players and management hurts the team and affects their performance, as has been seen so often. © AFP

Insisting that it is extremely important to have a good relationship between the players and the management on tours, Intikhab admitted that the team spirit during the most part of the West Indies series was not very high.
"Yes, there was very good spirit in Ireland as I would say there was for most of the time in the West Indies. I've always felt that it's very important that there is a good relationship between the players and the management on tours and a good atmosphere," Intikhab told a website.
According to the details, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt decided to sack Afridi after getting a report from Intikhab on the reported differences between the captain and head coach Waqar Younis on selection and other issues.
The differences apparently were so serious that Afridi had to be persuaded to play in the last two one-dayers that Pakistan lost, although it won the five-match rubber 3-2.
Intikhab, meanwhile, backed his players' performance in Ireland, where Pakistan won the two-match ODI series 2-0.
"The boys did very well in what I would call very trying conditions for Pakistan. It was extremely cold, especially having just arrived from a tour of the Caribbean, and the boys really felt the change in temperature.
"I was really pleased with the attitude, the guts and determination from the squad and it's heartening for the future," he said.
Intikhab also heaped praises on Cricket Ireland for their hospitality in hosting the Pakistan team in Belfast and also had some words of encouragement for the Irish cricketers.
"Ireland played some good cricket over the course of the two matches in Belfast. They've done very well and are an improving side.
"They demonstrated how good they are with their performance in the World Cup earlier this year and I would like to extend my thanks to Cricket Ireland for making sure that our stay in Ireland was a comfortable one," said Intikhab.

PTI

Butt reacts cautiously to Afridi's retirement

Lahore: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt has reacted cautiously to the flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi's announcement that he didn't want to play under the current board set-up.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said that if Shahid Afridi had decided to retire from all international cricket, it was his personal decision. © AFP

"It is his personal decision to retire. But we have not dropped him, neither did we tell him not to play," Butt said.
Afridi rocked Pakistan cricket on Monday night when he announced his retirement from international cricket, insisting he had been given no respect by the Board and that he didn't want to play under such "disgraceful" administrators.
The former Pakistan limited-over skipper, however, made it clear that if the board is changed and people wanted him to continue to play he would reconsider his retirement decision.
Afridi reacted after Butt sacked him as captain for the two-match Ireland ODI series on disciplinary grounds and in his place appointed Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq to lead the team in the One-dayers as well.
Misbah led the team to a 2-0 win over Ireland.
Butt said he would not like to comment in detail on the issue until the team returned home and he had discussions with the team management.
"Let the team return and then we will elaborate on lot of things," he said.
But the PCB chief clarified that the board had selected Afridi to play in the Ireland series and it was the all-rounder's decision to opt out of the series because of the illness of his father, who is undergoing treatment in the United States.
Butt said if Afridi had decided to retire from all international cricket, it was his personal decision.
Well placed sources in the board said that the Chairman had spoken to his senior officials and some members of the governing body on the Afridi issue but at present the board is unclear on what line of action to take after the scathing criticism they had received at the hands of Afridi.
Afridi even accused a particular group from Punjab in the board of scheming against him and turning the Chairman against him.
"There is no doubt he has violated the code of conduct with his utterly reckless comments on board and team issues.
We will release a proper official statement later today on this issue," an official said.

PTI

Strauss savours 'bonus' win despite Anderson absence

England's decision to field just four specialist bowlers against Sri Lanka provoked plenty of comment but they needed only three to pull off a win in what captain Andrew Strauss said was "one of the most extraordinary cricket matches any of us have played in". Sri Lanka were skittles put for just 82 inside 25 overs on the fifth and final day of the first Test at Sophia Gardens on Monday as England won by an innings and 14 runs.

Despite rain plaguing the entire match and injury to senior paceman James Anderson, England managed to bowl out Sri Lanka in just under 25 overs for an incredible win. © AFP

England's third successive innings Test victory, following their Ashes triumphs in Melbourne and Sydney, was remarkable on two accounts.
Firstly rain, which plagued this match throughout, seemed to have put paid to any chance of a positive result, especially when the whole of Monday's first session was washed out with England still to conclude their first innings.
By that stage England were already without senior paceman James Anderson, who on Saturday was told he could not bowl again in this match because of a side strain.
But neither Anderson's absence nor an understandably sparse crowd failed to dent England's self-belief, with Ashes revelation Chris Tremlett, once considered too 'soft' for Test cricket, troubling Sri Lanka's top-order with his pace and bounce.
The 6ft 7in fast bowler took four for 40 with off-spinner Graeme Swann following up with four for 16 and Stuart Broad, in his return to Test cricket after a side injury in Adelaide, collected the last two wickets to fall.
"I think it will go down as one of the most extraordinary cricket matches any of us have played in," said Strauss, after the opening fixture of this three-match series was turned upside down in under two hours.
"This (Monday) morning I was saying this was one of the drabbest matches I've ever played and suddenly it changes round so quickly.
"That is great credit to the guys."
"There's not a more remarkable finish I can think of.
"We showed quite a lot of ruthlessness in Australia and this was another example of that."
England will head to Lord's, where the second Test starts on Friday, in what their captain said was a "very buoyant" mood.
However, Strauss warned: "We've got sort of a bonus win, but it's all back to square one on Friday morning. We just have to hit the ground running again."
England are due to name their second Test squad later Tuesday and, unusually after such a crushing win, they face a selection poser with Anderson already ruled out.
Strauss's Middlesex team-mate Steven Finn, who played in the first two Ashes Tests, could return to the squad although the captain's talk of a "skiddier bowler" hinted at a call-up for Ajmal Shahzad.
"It was a big loss, Jimmy not being able to bowl because I thought he bowled outstandingly in the first innings," Strauss said. "It's obviously going to be a loss for us that he is not available for the second Test match."
Strauss declared on Monday as soon as Ian Bell became the third player in the hosts' innings to score a hundred after Alastair Cook (133) and Jonathan Trott (203) had carried on from where they left off in Australia.
Man-of-the-match Trott's Test average of 66.77 now puts him second only to Australia great Sir Donald Bradman in the all-time standings, not that the England number three was one for dwelling on his place in the game.
"I don't pay attention to my average, I just want to contribute to the team," Trott said.

AFP

Opportunity for fringe players - Raina

	The tour of the West Indies will be a test for India's stand-in captain Suresh Raina and new coach Duncan Fletcher © AFP

The absence of several senior players for the upcoming tour of the West Indies provides an ideal platform for fringe players to shine on the international stage, Suresh Raina, India's captain for the limited-overs leg of the Caribbean tour, has said.

"It's a great opportunity for the youngsters who have done well in domestic cricket," Raina told the media ahead of the team's departure for the West Indies. "I am happy with the side, as we have some very good batsmen in Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, S Badrinath and Shikhar Dhawan, all of whom have done well in first-class cricket."

Raina, has led a similarly second-string Indian side in the past, for a tri-series Zimbabwe in May-June 2010, though India performed poorly on that tour, losing both matches against the hosts and one against Sri Lanka.

This time, India are without the services of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Zaheer Khan, who have all been rested, in addition to the ill Yuvraj Singh, and the injured duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir for the lone Twenty20 and the five ODIs that follow. MS Dhoni will take over the captaincy from Raina for the Tests, and Zaheer will return, but the other seniors will miss the Test leg as well.

Raina said he has learnt a lot about the art of captaincy from Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Dhoni, and was prepared for the challenge.

"West Indies have players like Gayle missing, but it will be a challenge for us," Raina said. "There's always pressure and we have done well under pressure. It's for us as players to execute the plans of the coach well. We have to play our natural game."

The tour will be the first assignment for India's newly-appointed coach Duncan Fletcher, who said he was a supporter of the rotation policy. "While I was in England [Fletcher coached England between 1999 and 2007], I started the rotation policy resting senior guys," Fletcher said. "I was heavily criticised by the English authorities. It's important to do that considering the heavy schedule. We need to look into the matter as we go into the future."

He said he looked forward to working with the youngsters, but cautioned against complacency. " Any team playing at home is difficult to beat. We should not be complacent. There is a lot of talent in India and my job is to prepare these youngsters.

"Yes, we would like to beat England in England and Australia in Australia. But the first job is the tour of the West Indies. It's very important not to look too far down the road. India have a plan to stay at the top. The young players have the potential and this tour will show the depth of talent we have."

He also said that the club versus country debate is something that just has to be dealt with. "That's the way it is in modern day sports. We have to ensure that all the players are fit enough."

India's tour of the West Indies kicks off with a T20 game on Friday in Port of Spain.

Spin hard and believe, says Warne

	Terry Jenner's death has left a vast gap in Australian cricket's knowledge about slow bowling .

Belief, technique, and above all else, spin. Shane Warne encapsulated the desired legacy of Terry Jenner by saying that all Australia slow bowlers had to be implored to 'rev' the ball as hard as they could, and to a build a career from that most basic of tenets.

Jenner's final farewell was attended by more than 600 guests in an emotive memorial service at Adelaide Oval, where the speakers included his daughter Trudianne, Warne, fellow pupil Cullen Bailey and Jenner's long-time partner Ann. Aged 66, Jenner died on May 25 in his suburban Adelaide home a little more than a year after suffering a massive heart attack while coaching in London.

Other guests such as Ian and Greg Chappell, Rod Marsh, Ashley Mallett, Doug Walters, Martin Kent, Ray Bright, Bryce McGain, Darren Lehmann, Jason Gillespie and the Australian coach Tim Nielsen reminisced about Jenner's impact on many inside and outside cricket over the course of a life that saw hard times as well as good.

Warne, a pudgy youth with one expensive Test wicket to his name in 1992 when Jenner urged him to start making more sacrifices in the name of his art, said most of his advice to young spin bowlers was rooted in Jenner's teaching.

"Most of the stuff I pass on to spinners is mainly from TJ," Warne said before the service. "With 21 or 22 years of being involved with first-class cricket myself I've obviously learned a bit, but the major messages are exactly the same as what TJ was telling me 20-odd years ago. I'm passing on the same sort of stuff and have done for a long time.

"It's not so much a technical thing. As a spin bowler you've got to spin the ball, that's the most important message that TJ taught me, if I want to look at a fast bowler I'll watch him bowl fast, if I want to watch a swing bowler I'll watch him swing the ball, but if I want to watch a spin bowler I'll see him spin the ball. So that's the No.1 message to any spinner that I've always passed on.

"There's just little things, a little bit technically but it's more about the way you think, your attitude to it, and your captain being one of your best friends who you might share a beer with at the end, that might give you an extra over here or there too. [Also] field settings, what to look for in batsmen, how to approach different situations, Twenty20's impact."

Jenner's death has left a vast gap in Australian cricket's knowledge about slow bowling, something emphasised by the fact that a spin summit was taking place in Brisbane on the same day as his funeral. Warne said he would keep pushing to educate those that had followed him about the best way to bowl spin, and had already spoken with the new captain Michael Clarke about the strengths and weaknesses of various members of the modest Australian spin stable.

"I think we've got a lot of good spinners at the moment, it's just about getting them some confidence, making them believe, getting the captains to back them, giving them exposure at first-class level, and supporting them," Warne said. "Getting a process in place from CA, all the way down to grassroots cricket, and the same messages going out there all the time - that's the most important thing.

	"We had ongoing discussions about different things. One of the things was about the line you should bowl for a legspinner, it took probably 21 years for him to agree I could actually bowl leg-stump." Warne on his interactions with Jenner

"The spin bowling summits in Brisbane I've helped out the last few years, I've only just got back from India and I've got my kids for a couple of weeks. I haven't been able to get up there this time but I'm always available, I've spoken to Michael Clarke a few times about some of the spinners and things to work on and I'll keep giving back to Australian cricket like I have done for a while, and helping in any way I can."

In Brisbane, Jason Krejza emphasised the difficulties facing those who had followed Warne by discussing how confused he had been after being jettisoned from the Test team only one match after taking 12 wickets on debut against India in Nagpur in 2008.

"I was a bit of a mental case [after being dropped] and thought about things way too far ahead and too deep," Krejza said. "I just had to concentrate on how I was playing the next day, that's the simplest way to do it - it doesn't do your head in. I had to get back to being the attacking spinner that I always was and stay consistent. I won't stop being an attacking spinner now - I can't go the other way, I have to stay in that mindset."

Warne summed up Jenner's advice as often being of the kind that seemed obvious only after it had been suggested.

"I was very lucky to come under his guidance and tutelage to teach me so many wonderful things," he said. "Just some simple things you never really thought of but when he said it you'd be 'yeah, ok, that makes sense', and then we'd go away and work on them.

"We had ongoing discussions about different things. One of the things was about the line you should bowl for a legspinner, it took probably 21 years for him to agree I could actually bowl leg stump - let's call it a discussion rather than a debate - but we'll all miss him.

"I wouldn't have been able to do what I did for Australian cricket if it wasn't with his help."

Afridi's defiance big challenge for Butt

Karachi: Shahid Afridi's stunning retirement to protest his sacking as Pakistan's ODI captain could be the toughest test of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt's tenure so far, but he is unlikely to go back on his decision.

Although PCB gave no official reason for sacking Shahid Afridi as the captain, the word is that a report was sought from the manager after reported differences between Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis on many issues, including selection of teams. © AFP

"At the end of the day, Butt is a tough nut to crack and he has shown he can withstand media, public and government pressure," a PCB official said.
"But what he has to decide is whether to make Afridi an example or ease him back into the team and heal the wounds.
"Eventually, it all boils down to how soon this controversy dies down in Pakistan cricket," he added.
Afridi took everyone by surprise on Monday night when he announced he was retiring from international cricket as he could not play under the present board setup which didn't respect players and had some "disgraceful" people.
Afridi's decision to retire came few days after Butt had sacked him as captain of the national one-day team before the series against Ireland and replaced him with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq who led the team to a 2-0 series win over Ireland.
The board gave no official reason for removing Afridi, especially after he led the team to the World Cup semi-finals and also to a series win in the West Indies, although unofficially it was confirmed that Butt acted on a report from manager Intikhab Alam from the West Indies.
The word is that a report was sought from the manager after reported differences between the captain and head coach Waqar Younis on many issues, including selection of teams, and Intikhab informed the board that Afridi was at fault in the entire episode.
But now the flamboyant all-rounder has thrown the ball into the PCB court with his strong comments in which he also blamed a lobby in the board of working against him.
"Butt now has to come out with a clear statement and policy on this whole issue. He can't just diffuse the situation by meeting with Afridi, Waqar and Intikhab and sorting out their differences and laying down their job descriptions," one official source in the board said.
"The way Afridi has attacked the board, it is in clear violation of the code of conduct. Butt now has to decide what to do next as this issue is a direct threat to his authority and his philosophy that players cannot be allowed to dictate terms in the team. But at the same time, I don't think he has dealt with any player so far who is as popular with the people as Afridi is," the source said.
Former captain Zaheer Abbas agreed that the Afridi incident was a test case for the board.
"The board has in the past come down hard on other players for indiscipline and other issues. Keep in mind that Younus Khan was kept out of the team for eight months, Yousuf is gone while Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria are also no longer part of the team," Zaheer said.
Sources say that while Afridi had some genuine reasons to feel aggrieved as the Chairman didn't take him into confidence while stripping him off the captaincy, but he was also at fault in many ways.
"It is a case of things coming back to haunt you. First, he has refused to stop this habit of too much interaction with the media and Afridi played a part in creating circumstances that led to the forced or voluntarily ouster of Malik, Younus Khan, Muhammad Yousuf and finally Salman Butt as captains in the last two years," a source said.
"He has been a bit of a manipulator in the team and today he has been ousted as captain because there is a lobby in the team that supports Waqar Younis," the source added.
A board official, on condition of anonymity, said the board was considering issuing him a fresh show-cause notice and also reviewing the NOCs issued to Afridi to play in England and Sri Lankan Twenty20 leagues.
"We will take a decision today but clearly he has left us little options with his outburst, for which he will have to eventually apologise," he added.
From a cricketing point of view, the board has to decide whether it will make a difference to the Pakistan team if Afridi is in the team or not.
Because while he has played a motivational role as captain in recent months to lift a scandal-ridden team, his own performances have been inconsistent.
He took 21 wickets in the World Cup but failed with the bat, while in the West Indies he struggled with both bat and ball.
His career figures of 315 wickets in 325 ODIs with a batting average of 23.49 show his inconsistent nature as a performer but his supporters are likely to point out his strike rate of 113 in ODIs and his inspirational influence on the field in any role.

PTI

England on course to reclaim second spot in ICC Test rating

Dubai: England's stunning victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Cardiff has kept them on course to reclaim second position on the ICC Test Championship table for the first time in more than three years. =

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka in Cardiff saw players from both the sides go up the ICC Player Rankings for their performances. © AFP

Although the Test Championship table will be updated only at the end of the series, a 3-0 series win will put England one ratings point ahead of South Africa. England last occupied the second position in November 2007.
England players Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, who engineered the stunning an innings and 14-run victory over Sri Lanka, also achieved their career-best rankings in the list released on Tuesday.
Swann, who bagged 4/16 in the second innings to finish with figures of 7/94, has strengthened his second position on the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, which is still headed by Dale Steyn of South Africa.
Tremlett, who claimed 4/40 in the second innings to earn match figures of 5/121, has gained seven places and is now on a career-best ranking of 27th.
Among the Test batsmen, man of the match Jonathan Trott, who scored 203, has moved up one place to join former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in third position.
Ian Bell was also rewarded for his innings of 103 not out with a jump of three places to the 18th position for the first time in his career.
Skipper Alastair Cook also earned 15 ratings points for his innings of 133 which has put him on 818 ratings points and just 38 points behind the pair of Trott and Sangakkara.
Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavithana and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardena moved up one place to 44th spot and six places to 51st position respectively.

PTI

PCB suspends Afridi contract

The PCB has responded to Shahid Afridi's retirement by suspending his central contract and putting together a showcause notice detailing several breaches of the code of conduct, which he will be expected to respond to within a week.

The announcement of retirement to a TV channel, the board said in a press release, is in itself a breach of the code. "By announcing his retirement in the manner that he did Shahid Afridi is in breach of Clause 2.1.4 of the Central Contract dealing with Covenants of the Cricketer," a press release read.

Afridi's criticism of the board officials in the same interview to Geo TV also constituted a breach. "In passing disparaging remarks about the board and its officials, Shahid Afridi is in breach of Clause 4.4 dealing with Media obligations.

"A showcause notice has been issued to him seeking his explanation on these comments. Afridi has been asked to respond to the letter within 7 days. His Central Contract has been suspended with immediate effect. Consequently, all NOCs granted to him have been revoked. All payments on account of Central Contract have been suspended."

A day after Afridi's outburst against the administration on TV, and his decision to not play international cricket under this board, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he was "disappointed" by the remarks and that the "retirement" was not an issue at all.

"It was disappointing to hear what he said," Butt told ESPNcricinfo, "and it wasn't correct or true. It was wrong of him to do that. If he doesn't want to play under this administration, then he's welcome. We've detailed several instances where he has breached the code of conduct and will issue a showcause notice to him, which he has seven days to respond to."

Senior board officials spent much of the day in a budget meeting, but the issue of Afridi was a live one throughout. The board took legal advice before acting on the suspension of the contract, as well as the withdrawal of the NOCs given to him for a T20 stint with Hampshire, and one for his participation in the upcoming Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL).

Afridi was sent a separate showcause notice earlier this month for comments he made on his return to Pakistan from the Caribbean about the team management, remarks which landed him in trouble in the first place. Disciplinary action, if any, is pending on that notice as well.

Dejected Afridi quits international cricket

Karachi: Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has announced to quit international cricket in protest of his removal from the captaincy of the national one-day team and said he will not consider to return till the present board under the chairmanship of Ijaz Butt is in place.

Shahid Afridi has said that till the present Pakistan cricket board under the chairmanship of Butt is in place, he will not play international cricket. © AFP

"The people have given me lot of respect and love and I don't want to waste that working with this board who don't know how to respect players," an angry Afridi said.
In a scathing attack on the Pakistan cricket Board, Afridi, 31, described the current set of administrators as "disgraceful people".
Afridi, who announced to quit international cricket to protest the board's decision of removing him as the captain of the one-day team, told Geo News channel that nothing is greater to him than his self-respect.
The experienced all-rounder said till the present board under the chairmanship of Butt is in place, he will not play international cricket.
"I want to make it clear that till this board is there I will not play international cricket. When it goes and if people want me to play on I will consider a comeback."
However, Afridi said he will continue to play in domestic and league matches.
"I will continue to play domestic and league cricket but not international cricket... It is not worth my while under this board which gave me no reason nor did it bother to hear me out before sacking me as captain," he said.
"I don't want to work with such disgraceful people. I don't know on what grounds they sacked me as captain. I worked hard on building up a broken team and turned it into a fighting combination. We played in the World Cup semi-final and yet they sacked me without hearing me out."
The retirement follows on the heels of Afridi's sacking as ODI captain despite Pakistan's 3-2 success against West Indies. Though the board did not any give official reason for the removal, it was believed to be the result of growing differences Afridi had with coach Waqar Younis, in particular over matters of selection.
Afridi also claimed there was a group of people belonging to the Punjab province in Lahore who had always been against him. "This group has always kept on working against me.

They are the ones who keep on filling the Chairman's ears against me. Maybe they don't want me to play because I get in the way of their plans."
The all-rounder also alleged that as the captain he was never consulted in selection of teams, nor was he sure about his captaincy before a series till the last moment.
"This board never gave me a feeling of assurance that I would be captain. I would not know before a series until the last few days whether I was going to be captain and I can't continue to play under these circumstances."
Afridi also made it clear that he had spoken to some of his elders and seniors before taking his retirement decision and they supported him.
It was after returning from the West Indies that Afridi ruffled the board feathers when he told the media he did not like people interfering in his work - an obvious reference to row with head coach Waqar Younis over selection issues.
After issuing him a notice for speaking to the media on team issues in contravention of the players code of conduct, the board, while announcing the squad for the one-day series against Ireland, replaced Afridi as captain with test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who on Monday led Pakistan to a 2-0 win over Ireland.
Afridi, after he was sacked for captaincy, pulled out of the series against Ireland telling the board he wanted to stay with his father who was under treatment in the United States, but he reached England from the US and on Monday made his retirement announcement from London.
He also defended his statement, saying he had only spoken the truth and nothing else.
"I didn't speak against anyone nor did I criticise anyone by name. What I said was for betterment of team. But if they don't want me to speak the truth than I can't accept working with such people," he said.
"I didn't want any problem what I said was keeping in the benefits of the team. I can't continue to play under a board that does not respect senior players," he added.
Afridi last year had already retired from Test cricket after losing the first test to Australia at Lords.
Afridi, in the 325 ODIs he played, has scored 6695 at an average of 23.49, but at a staggering strike rate of 113.82.
He also bagged 315 wickets at an average of 34.22. He holds the record of the fastest ODI century in 37 balls.

PTI

Dernbach gets England call for 2nd Test

Cardiff: Uncapped Surrey seamer Jade Dernbach was called up into a 12-man England squad on Tuesday for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's starting on Friday after James Anderson was forced out with injury.

Jade Dernbach has been called up into a 12-man England squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's after James Anderson was forced out with injury. © AFP

Anderson suffered a side strain during the course of England's first Test win and the swing bowler was not on the field when Sri Lanka were shot out for just 82 at Sophia Gardens here on Monday to give the hosts an innings and 14 run victory that left them 1-0 up in this three-match series. Dernbach was the only addition to the England squad, having seen off the challenge of the already-capped Ajmal Shahzad and Graham Onions and will now compete with Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn, left out in Cardiff, for a place in the side at Lord's.
The 25-year-old Dernbach has yet to play for any senior England team despite being called up to the one-day squad for the World Cup quarter-final against Sri Lanka in March.
Dernbach wasn't selected to for that match but starred for the second-string England Lions by taking nine wickets against Sri Lanka in a recent tour match.
His inclusion means five players in England's 12 man squad -- captain Andrew Strauss, batsmen Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen and wicketkeeper Matt Prior are the others -- were born in South Africa, with Trott, Pietersen and Dernbach all educated in the Republic.
England hope to have Anderson fit in time for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl, starting on June 16 and national selector Geoff Miller said: "It's obviously disappointing to lose Jimmy Anderson for the next Test as he is world-class and the leader of our attack.
"But we're fortunate to have a healthy stock of pace bowlers at present. We're hopeful Jimmy will be available for the third Test but in the meantime we're excited by Jade Dernbach's inclusion.
"Jade is a talented young bowler and after excelling with the England Performance Programme over the winter he enjoyed considerable success with the ball against Sri Lanka while playing for the England Lions prior to the first Test," former England off-spinner Miller added.
England 12-man squad:
Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn, Jade Dernbach
AFP

PCB clears partial dues to Haider

Lahore: The PCB has released a partial amount of outstanding to controversial wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider, who faces a grilling from the board's disciplinary committee for embarrassing Pakistan cricket last year.

The PCB had withheld all payments to Zulqarnain Haider and cancelled his central contract after he fled the team hotel in Dubai during the one-day series against South Africa last November. © AFP

A senior board official confirmed to PTI that the PCB had released around 40 per cent of money that was due to Zulqarnain for representing the national team last year.
The board is said to owe the runaway keeper around 1.9 million rupees as outstanding match fees, tour fees, allowances and share of logo sponsorship and bonus awards.
The board had withheld all payments to Zulqarnain and cancelled his central contract after he fled the team hotel in Dubai during the one-day series against South Africa last November.
The keeper, who fled to London and sought asylum there, claimed he was threatened by an unknown person of dire consequences for not cooperating in fixing the one-day series.
Zulqarnain returned home in late April after meeting with interior minister, Rehman Malik in London who assured him of full security.
The board has said that Zulqarnain has to face a disciplinary committee to clear his case before he can be given clearance to play cricket again at domestic or international levels.
Chief operating officer of the board, Subhan Ahmed said the partial payment was released to Zulqarnain because of his financial woes.
"He wrote to us informing us that his father was under treatment for a terminal illness and he required money for this purpose. That is why partial payment has been made to him but it will have no bearing on his case before the disciplinary committee," Subhan said.
He made it clear that the law would follow its course and the disciplinary committee, which is expected to meet after the Pakistan team returns from Ireland on June 2, would decide whether the keeper was justified in leaving the team hotel without seeking permission.
"The disciplinary committee will now look into the case and if a decision goes against Zulqarnain his remaining payment can be deducted as penalty," the official said.
The official also confirmed that the board had released partial payments to banned cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.

PTI

Dilshan promises to keep calm

Cardiff: Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said there was no point in reading the riot act after a stunning collapse to 82 all out saw his side lose the first Test against England.

Sri Lanka's trio of experienced batsmen - Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jaywardene - managed just 29 runs between them in the second innings. © AFP

A rain-affected match appeared destined for a draw after England declared their first innings on 496 for five -- a lead of just 96 -- with only 51 overs left on Monday's fifth and final day at Sophia Gardens.
But what had seemed a moribund match was sparked into life by England fast bowler Chris Tremlett who, maintaining an accurate line and length at sharp pace, ripped through the top order on his way to four for 40.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann (four for 16) followed up and Sri Lanka were bowled out inside 25 overs to go 1-0 down in this three-match series.
They do not have long to regroup before the second Test at Lord's on Friday and Dilshan said: "I am really calm, I can't be angry.
"It will be difficult to forget this Test match but we have to stick together as a team.
"We can regroup and come back for the Lord's Test in a positive mind and then we can play some good cricket there."
This was Sri Lanka's first Test outside the subcontinent since 2008 and this defeat, coming in the first match under interim coach and former Australia batsman Stuart Law, will confirm suspicions that while they remain a force in Asia, they are nothing like as effective away from familiar conditions.
Before this series began, it appeared bowling was Sri Lanka's biggest concern with star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, slingshot seamer Lasith Malinga and left-armer Chaminda Vaas having all retired.
Sri Lanka then suffered the double misfortune of seeing pacemen Nuwan Pradeep (cruciate ligament) and Dilhara Fernando (knee soreness) both ruled out of playing in Cardiff through injury.
Pradeep has since had to return home but Sri Lanka remain optimistic Fernando will be fit to play at Lord's.
But even if Fernando returns, that will do nothing to dampen fears regarding a Sri Lanka top order who so spectacularly slumped in Cardiff on a pitch that, while lively, was no 'terror track'.
Three of Sri Lanka's batsmen -- Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jaywardene -- came into this match each averaging over 50 in Tests. Yet the trio managed just 29 runs between them on Monday, with Samaraweera playing on to Swann for nought.
"It's very difficult to explain, I can't believe we got out in just 25 overs with such a good batting line-up like we have," Dilshan said after seeing Sri Lanka bowled out for their lowest Test total in England, beating their 141 in Birmingham five years ago.
"Our batting line-up has guys like Mahela, Kumar, Thilan and myself.
"We are experienced players and we need to regroup as soon as possible and come back for the next Test on Friday."

AFP

Dilshan stunned after Eng's surprise win

London: Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan was at a loss to explain his side's slump to 82 all out that handed England a stunning innings victory in the first Test on Monday.

Sri Lanka were bowled for a paltry 82 runs in their second innings, their their lowest total in England to date. © AFP

This first of a three-match series appeared to be meandering towards a rain-affected draw when England, after the final day's morning session was washed out, declared on 496 for five - a first innings lead of 96.
But Sri Lanka, whose strength would appear to be their batting, were then dismissed in under 25 overs to give England an innings and 14-run win. The experienced top-order trio of Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene managed just 29 runs between them.
"It's very difficult to explain, I can't believe we got out in just 25 overs with such a good batting lineup like we have," Dilshan told reporters after seeing Sri Lanka bowled out for their lowest Test total in England, beating their 141 in Birmingham five years ago.
"We lost the match because we batted really badly today," he added after England fast bowler Chris Tremlett (four for 40) and off-spinner Graeme Swann (four for 16) more than made up for the absence of James Anderson, who had been ruled out from bowling again in this match on Saturday with a side strain.
"Our batting lineup has guys like Mahela (Jayawardene), Kumar (Sangakkara), Thilan (Samaraweera) and myself.
"We are experienced players and we need to regroup as soon as possible and come back for the next Test (at Lord's) on Friday."
Former captains Jayawardene and Sangakkara joined the tour squad late after both played in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Dilshan, though, refused to blame the pair's IPL stints for their batting failures in Cardiff.
"Mahela and Sanga came here late but they can adjust quickly to this format of the game. Unfortunately, things went wrong.
"It was a very good wicket with a little bit of turn and a bit of bounce; it was a very good track. But we didn't bat well, that was the main issue.
"This was England's first Test since they completed a 3-1 Ashes series win in Australia in January.They have been playing very good cricket the last few years. In the last six or seven months they have beaten Australia in Australia and they have beaten Australia here," Dilshan said.
England are aiming to overhaul India, whom they welcome to the UK after the Sri Lanka series, at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings but Dilshan added: "You can't say from today's performance they are the best team. We will see what happens in the next couple of matches."
Meanwhile, Dilshan insisted now was not the time to let rip at his team.
"I am really calm, I can't be angry," he said.
"It will be difficult to forget this Test match but we have to stick together as a team. We can regroup and come back for the Lord's Test in a positive mind and then we can play some good cricket there."

Butt to complete tenure despite flak: sources

Lahore: Despite all the criticism heaped on Ijaz Butt for his decision to remove Shahid Afridi as captain of the ODI team, there is no possibility of his being sacked as Chairman of the Pakistan cricket Board in the near future.

Ever since he assumed office in October 2008, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has changed the Test and ODI captains at least 11 times. © AFP

Well-placed sources in the PCB and in the ministry of sports told PTI that Butt would complete his three-year tenure as board chairman that ends in October this year.
"He will complete his tenure and there is no indication at all that the government wants to change the board chairman despite the hue and cry raised in the media over Afridi's sacking," one source said.
Butt was appointed chairman by President Asif Zardari in October 2008 and since then, his tenure has been plagued with controversies and scandals and he has been the target of some scathing criticism by the media.
But the former Test player has survived despite all these controversies which hit Pakistan cricket, including the attack on the Sri Lankan team and the spot-fixing scandal.
"The President still has full confidence in Butt's ability to run cricket affairs and he will be in power at least until October this year, after which he can also try to get an extension if he wants from the President, who is chief patron of the board," the source said.
Butt, interestingly, has not only drawn criticism at home but also abroad but continues to thrive by taking decisions which normally one does not associate with the board.
"Like it nor not, Butt has shown and introduced a culture in Pakistan cricket where the players are no longer stronger than the establishment. The sacking of Afridi or the sidelining of seniors like Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, etc, is proof of this," another source said.
The PCB still runs on ad-hoc basis with the Chairman holding all the powers although there is a governing board and council in the PCB.
"But the fact is despite all talk of an amended constitution, Butt still holds all the veto powers including the right to overturn selections by the national selectors," the source noted.
Butt, during his tenure, has changed the Test and one-day captains at least 11 times and also sacked Australian Geoff Lawson as coach in 2008 and then brought in Waqar Younis instead of Intikhab Alam, who is now the manager.
More importantly, during his tenure, thrice the chief selectors have either resigned or been removed for disagreeing with him.

PTI

Pakistan win second ODI against Ireland

Pakistan completed a 2-0 one-day international series win over Ireland in Belfast with victory by five wickets at Stormont on Monday that rounded off eight months on the road.

Pakistan beat Ireland by five wickets in the second one-day international at Stormont to take the two-match series 2-0. © AFP

Pakistan, set a target of 239, won with eight balls to spare thanks mainly to half-centuries from Younus Khan (64) and Umar Akmal (60 not out). The World Cup semi-finalists have been unable to play any major matches at home since an armed attack on Sri Lanka's tour bus in Lahore in March 2009 made the country a 'no-go zone' for the world's leading teams.
But there were few signs of travel-weariness against Ireland.
Only Mohammad Hafeez, dismissed in the second over without scoring, failed but Taufiq Umar and Azhar Ali, in his first one-day international, shared 65 for the second wicket to put Pakistan back on course.
Younus Khan played the decisive innings with 64 from 74 balls, including four fours and a six.
He shared stands of 68 for the fourth wicket with captain Misbah-ul-Haq and 69 for the fifth with Akmal, who faced just 48 balls and hit six fours and a six.
The Ireland bowlers stuck to their task well with Boyd Rankin the most economical, conceding just 29 runs in his nine overs and also ending the innings of Azhar Ali, caught at slip by Paul Stirling.
It was Stirling who was named man-of-the-match after setting up the contest with a wonderfully entertaining 109, his first century against a Full Member nation, to follow ODI hundreds against Canada and, at the recent World Cup, the Netherlands.
At the interval, Pakistan would have been delighted to be chasing only 239.
Ireland, skittled out for 96 during Pakistan's seven-wicket win in Saturday's series opener, were on course for a substantial total while the 20-year-old Stirling was at the crease.
The batsman, who plays for English county Middlesex, made 109 off just 107 balls with four sixes and seven fours.
But when he was fourth out for 182 at the start of the 44th over, Ireland failed to kick-on.
The hosts lost momentum during the one rain interruption in the innings, after 37 overs, with Ireland on 159 for two.
Ireland took their batting powerplay two overs after the resumption but Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan bowled five excellent overs which brought two wickets and yielded only 23 runs.
Junaid, Saturday's man-of-the-match with four wickets, finished with two for 53 but the majority of those runs came in his first spell when Stirling was on the rampage.
The 21-year-old left-arm paceman got his revenge in the powerplay when he bowled Stirling and he followed up with wicket of Gary Wilson, in the last over, for 33.
Off-spinner Ajmal was Pakistan's most successful bowler with four for 35.
His haul included Kevin O'Brien, scorer of the fastest-ever World Cup century during Ireland's shock win over England in Bangalore in March.
AFP

Tremlett, Swann bowl Eng to thrilling win

Chris Tremlett inspired England to a sensational victory as they defied the elements to beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 14 runs in the first Test at Sophia Gardens on Monday.

Chris Tremlett inspired England to a sensational victory as they defied the elements to beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 14 runs in the first Test. © AFP

Sri Lanka were skittled out for just 82 in their second innings, with fast bowler Tremlett taking the first three wickets to fall on his way to a return of four for 40 in 10 overs on the final day. Off-spinner Graeme Swann followed up with four wickets for 16 runs in seven overs as Sri Lanka's dramatic collapse continued.
Stuart Broad finished off the match with two wickets in three balls, the tourists' second innings ending in the 25th over in under two dramatic hours.
"I don't think any of us thought it was hugely possible to get this result, but we knew we could have 50 overs to apply some pressure," England captain Andrew Strauss told Sky Sports.
"There was some outstanding bowling from Chris Tremlett with the new ball, Stuart Broad as well, with Graeme Swann backing them up," he added after England went 1-0 up in this three-Test series.
"We were on the receiving end of a similar result in Adelaide four years ago, and you can never relax in this game."
England's victory in their first Test since a 3-1 Ashes triumph on Australia was achieved despite rain, which fell throughout this match, washing out nearly a whole day's play in total.
And the win came despite England being without James Anderson, who was ruled out from bowling in the remainder of this match on Saturday with a side strain.
Tremlett struck sixth ball to have Tharanga Paranavitana well caught low down at first slip by Strauss.
But it was all the 6ft 7in Surrey paceman's own work when he caught and bowled Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan after a review confirmed the batsman had gloved a lifting delivery back to the bowler.

Graeme Swann followed up with four wickets for 16 runs in seven overs as Sri Lanka's dramatic collapse continued. © AFP

The experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene hung around until tea.
But both former captains fell shortly afterwards.
The hostile Tremlett removed Mahela Jayawardene with the aid of a Strauss slip catch before Thilan Samaraweera played on to Swann for nought.
Sangakkara was then held by Strauss off Swann and 43 for five soon became 43 for seven.
Prasanna Jayawardene, who had defied England with a century in Sri Lanka's first innings 400, fell for just three when he was given out on review, after gloving an attempted hook off Tremlett through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.
England then reduced Sri Lanka to 52 for eight when Rangana Herath, swinging wildly, was lbw to Swann.
Test debutant Thisara Perera, primarily a seamer, top-scored in the innings with 20 before he was brilliantly caught by a diving Ian Bell at short leg off Broad.
And two balls later Broad, whose Ashes tour was cut short by a side injury, had Suranga Lakmal looping a catch to Alistair Cook in the slips to complete an improbable victory in equally unexpected bright sunshine.
There seemed little chance of England forcing a win after rain washed out the whole of Monday's morning session and prevented play from resuming until 3.00pm local time (1400GMT).
England then added just five runs to their overnight total.
Strauss declared on 496 for five as soon as Ian Bell, who resumed on 98, completed a 159-ball hundred featuring a six and 11 fours.
Bell's was the third century of an England innings that saw his Warwickshire team-mate Jonathan Trott score 203 and opener Alastair Cook 133.
Trott, now second only to Australia great Sir Donald Bradman in the all-time Test batting averages, was named man-of-the-match.
"I don't pay attention to my average, I just want to contribute to the team," Trott said ahead of the second Test, whicn starts at Lord's on Friday.
Meanwhile a dejected Dilshan added: "I'm really disappointed. "We have to forget about it now and regroup and play some good cricket at Lord's."
AFP

Zimbabwe plan cricket arena at Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is set to be the location of the country's third Test cricket ground. If local authority approval is obtained, which Zimbabwe Cricket expects, it will be within sight of the mile long Falls with its 100 metres deep chasm straddling the Zambezi River.

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is set to be the location of the country's third Test cricket ground. If local authority approval is obtained, which Zimbabwe Cricket expects, it will be within sight of the mile long Falls with its 100 metres deep chasm straddling the Zambezi River. © AFP

Some 4,000 players and spectators would feel the spray. Matches will also be played under floodlights at the venue, which could take three years to complete.
Construction work is expected to begin early next year. At present the area is raw African bush.
Zimbabwe has two Test grounds. The main one is at Harare Sports Club in the capital. The other is in the second city Bulawayo -- Queens Sports Club -- which was established more than 100 years ago.
The move to build another ground right up against one of the great tourist destinations of the world follows close upon the International Cricket Council (ICC) approval last April for a return by Zimbabwe to Test cricket after a six years absence from the top level.
The Zimbabweans have been scheduled to host Bangladesh in August for one Test and a series of five ODI's, followed almost immediately by Pakistan, whose playing programme is not yet arranged. Then they will travel to New Zealand for a Christmas period series.
Victoria Falls, considered one of the natural wonders of the world, is a growing tourist destination, not least by cricket mad South Africans and visitors from England.
Alistair Campbell, a former Zimbabwe Test captain, now a senior official with Zimbabwe Cricket, said the ground arena and clubhouse grandstand could be completed in three years.
He said: "Zimbabwe is progressing now in every way and tourism is on the up. Victoria Falls could be an alternative venue to Dubai. There is also easy accessibility from Zambia across the river. We recently had 9000 people at a 20-20 tournament in Harare and we never saw anywhere near that when I was playing Tests, so it is an indication of cricket progress here."
Zimbabwe Cricket chief executive Ossias Bvute said: "Following the soccer World Cup in South Africa the eyes of the world are on Africa as a sports destination. Victoria Falls is a wonderful location. It has a year round sunny climate and the potential for big crowds.
Zimbabwe was forced to withdraw from Test cricket in 1995 when captain Heath Streak was sacked for complaining about selection policy and the entire professional squad went on strike in his support.
A second team was put up against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India, resulting in huge defeats, forcing chairman Peter Chingoka to withdraw from Test cricket, though Zimbabwe's status as full ICC member was retained.
A return to Tests was agreed after a meeting with the ICC in Harare last April that followed a triangular tournament between India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Architects in Harare are working on design details and these will go to the Victoria Falls council in a few weeks.
AFP

Delhi pacer Amit Bhandari retires

New Delhi: Former Delhi pacer Amit Bhandari announced his retirement from first-class cricket on Monday.

Bhandari, who will soon be turning 33, played two ODIs for India taking five wickets. © AFP

Bhandari, who will soon be turning 33, played two ODIs for India taking five wickets. The lanky Bhandari, however, spearheaded the Delhi and North Zone attack for over a decade claiming 314 first-class wickets from 95 matches. He also played 105 List A matches taking 153 wickets in the process.
"I have had a shoulder surgery and when I shifted to Goa, I missed a whole season due to dengue. At the start of this season, I wasn't being able to motivate myself. Therefore, this is an ideal moment to call it quits," Bhandari told PTI on Monday.
He did seem a touch sad that he couldn't make it to any of the IPL teams during the past four seasons.
"Even if you are out of national reckoning, you feel that IPL can keep you motivated as one competes with the best. I wasn't finding anything specific that would keep me motivated.
"I wasn't really enjoying the idea of playing anothet six or seven Ranji Trophy games. So it's about time that I don't block a junior's place," he added.
Having not played enough international cricket is something that hurts Bhandari even now.
"None of the coaches or captains ever told me that why I didn't play enough despite taking a lot of wickets. They talked about my lack of pace but then how many in India are tearaway fast bowlers?" he questioned.
Ask him about his finest moment, he feels that getting his 300th first-class wicket at the Feroz Shah Kotla was "a memorable occasion." So was his best figures of 7/92 in a Ranji match against Punjab in Amritsar.
Now that he has called time on his career, he will be concentrating on coaching.
"I would like to do all the NCA Level coaching starting from this year. I would definitely like to get involved into active coaching. There are a lot of subtle things about pace bowling that I still don't know. Getting involved into active coaching would give me a chance to pass on some knowledge to the younger generations," he concluded.

PTI

SL confirm Tharanga failed dope test

Opening batsman Upul Tharanga has become the first Sri Lankan international to fail a dope test after a random check during the cricket World Cup 2011, the country's sports ministry said on Monday.

Upul Tharanga failed a random doping test during the Cricket World Cup, the country's sports ministry said. © AFP

The left-handed player was informed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that he tested positive for a banned steroid, ministry spokesman Harsha Abeykoon told AFP, adding that a national inquiry would also be held. "The sports minister (Mahindananda Aluthgamage) named a three-member panel to launch a domestic investigation and as a first step they will record a statement from Tharanga at the earliest," Abeykoon said.
He said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the country's governing body for the sport, had not yet been formally informed by the ICC.
The blood sample was taken in Colombo during the World Cup, which was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Cricket officials in Colombo said no Sri Lankan player had ever failed a dope test before.
The embarrassing development comes amid allegations by a former skipper that Sri Lankan players have been responsible for match fixing since 1992.
Sri Lanka says the allegations of match-fixing are still under investigation.
A press report on Sunday said Tharanga had already retained a lawyer to defend himself at an upcoming ICC inquiry into his doping results.
It said Tharanga, 26, has claimed that he was given a steroid by a faith healer in Colombo who also treated other international players.
Medical sources in Colombo told AFP that tests were carried out on at least two Sri Lankan players for banned performance enhancing substances during the World Cup, which ended in April.
"There's nothing I can say at this stage," ICC spokesman James Fitzgerald told AFP in an email response to the local Sunday Times report.
There was no immediate comment from Tharanga.
Two medical doctors with extensive experience of sports medicine were included in the panel headed by sports ministry secretary Udaya Seneviratne to probe Tharanga's case, Abeykoon said.
Tharanga is not part of the Sri Lankan side currently on tour in England. However, he opened against England in their World Cup semi-final and went onto score an unbeaten century.
Sri Lanka won the match by 10 wickets, but lost the final to India.
AFP

Latif seeks more cricket in Afghanistan

Afghanistan coach Rashid Latif on Monday urged the nascent cricketing nation to develop more sporting infrastructure so that players can improve more quickly by playing at home.

Afghanistan coach Rashid Latif urged the nascent cricketing nation to develop more sporting infrastructure so that players can improve more quickly by playing at home. © AFP

"It is important that Afghan players play more on their home grounds," Latif told AFP. "The situation in the country is improving, so it is imperative that Afghanistan has grounds where the players play regularly and not in gaps." The 42-year-old former Pakistan captain took over as coach last year and was part of the touring squad blanked 3-0 in a three-match one-day series by Pakistan's 'A'.
Pakistan 'A' won the first match in Islamabad by five wickets, the second in Rawalpindi by 150 runs and the third at Faisalabad on Sunday by four wickets.
Latif said he was not satisfied with the performance after the Afghanistan team made rapid strides at international level in the last three years, including a silver-medal finish at the Asian Games in China in 2010.
"We did not perform to our potential," said Latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 one-day internationals for Pakistan. "We were capable of doing better than this, but the main reason of this is that we are not playing regularly.
"In the last 10 years, Afghanistan has not built a ground and because of that players have to go to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan to play, which comes about after big gaps, and players tend to get unfit."
Latif said grounds are a must for the next generation of Afghan players.
"I think its imperative that we have grounds in Afghanistan and with more playing facilities we can have players from the next generation and don't have to rely on this set of players for ever," said Latif.
Latif called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to give special attention to Afghanistan, where "unlike other associate countries a big majority play cricket".
Afghanistan's next assignment is the ICC Inter-Continental Cup, an event for associate countries.
Latif urged Test-playing nations to invite Afghanistan to tour.
"Countries like Sri Lanka, India, England and Australia need to give tours to Afghanistan so that they learn more and more," said Latif.
Cricket developed in Afghanistan through refugees who learnt the game in Pakistan after fleeing the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979.
AFP

Wade replaces Lynn for Australia 'A' tour

Wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade will replace injured Chris Lynn in the Australia A one-day squad for the tour to Zimbabwe in June and July, Cricket Australia said.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade will replace injured Chris Lynn in the Australia A one-day squad for the tour to Zimbabwe in June and July, according to Cricket Australia. © AFP

Lynn will require finger surgery later this week and cannot make the trip, Cricket Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said on Monday. "Chris will require a period of rehabilitation of two-three months which will make him unavailable for the Australia A tour to Zimbabwe," Sims said.
Selectors said Tasmanian swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus will only travel for the longer format games of the Zimbabwean tour.
Australia A one-day squad - Tim Paine (capt), Callum Ferguson, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Wade, Nic Maddinson, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Stephen O'Keefe, David Warner.

AFP

Never got this sort of respect in Windies: Gayle

He came, saw and all but conquered the IPL but Chris Gayle, the face of this T20 season, is hurt that he is rarely treated with the warmth that he has been shown in India. The Jamaican, who bludgeoned the opposition into submission and literally carried the Royal Challengers Bangalore into Saturday's final against the Chennai Super Kings, was caught up in an ugly row with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) a few months back.

Chris Gayle was the highest run-getter in this season's IPL with 608 runs that included two centuries. © AFP

The WICB was annoyed when the batsman decided to head for India immediately after recovering from an injury that had restricted his game in the World Cup, where the twice former champions failed to reach the semi-finals.
“It’s amazing I can score no runs and still be loved and appreciated round the world. Never get this sort of love and respect in West Indies,” the Royal Challengers Bangalore player tweeted after the big game on Saturday in which he scored a duck.
Fellow West Indian player Dwayne Bravo, who plays for the Chennai Super Kings, hoped Gayle’s knock will shut his critics “May be we are not playing for the national team but the selectors will realise what they are missing,” Bravo said.
Interestingly, Gayle had gone unsold in the players' auction and was called in by Bangalore as an injury replacement. The explosive opener thanked Bangalore for giving him the opportunity.
“Well, everything got an end. Thanks again everyone, players, coach, boss, staff and all my fans,” he said in his tweet.

HT Content & Syndication Services

Will look to carry IPL momentum into WI Test series: Vijay

Basking in the glory of Chennai Super Kings' second successive IPL triumph, the team's batting hero in the finals, Murali Vijay, said he would now aim to carry his fine form into India's Test series against the West Indies next month. Vijay's 52-ball 95 was the cornerstone of Chennai Super Kings's mammoth total of 205 in the IPL finals which the Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to chase and lost by 58 runs.

Murali Vijay's 52-ball 95 against RCB in the IPL IV final helped CSK reach an imposing 205, which they successfully defended to win the title and retain their crown. © AFP

"I am enjoying this moment and looking to improve on all aspects of my cricket, batting and everything. I am looking forward to join the Indian team in the Tests in which I really want to carry the momentum and do well," said the opener who has been picked for the three-match series in the Caribbean starting June 20.
For now, Vijay said he was savouring the CSK's triumph.
"I really feel happy. It has been an absolute team effort. I am really happy to be part of the Unit," he said.
"I was confident about my tasks and did not worry much about anything. Everybody in our team was performing well. I raised hand and said to myself that this is going to be my day and I succeeded," he added about his knock which comprised four fours and six sixes.
About Saturday's match, Vijay said he just stuck to the basics and the rest fell in place.
"Actually, I was not trying to do anything differently. I was trying to see the ball and hit it. I know that if I bat well for the first six over, then I can take it from there. I was just working on the basics," Vijay explained.
"It was a crucial match for us and I wanted to grab the chance to do well. I am happy for my teammates because they really supported me. Without their effort it would not have been easy for me. My thanks go to the CSK members," he said.
Asked whether he was disappointed about missing out on a hundred, Vijay said the thought struck him only after he had finished celebrating the win.
"A bit now. But at that time I was trying to hit the ball. I am happy that the team has won," he said.
The 27-year-old said he was under pressure during the final.
"It a knockout game. That itself is a pressure on everybody. If I say that I was not under pressure, it is not right. As a professional, I have got to cope with it. That is a real challenge to me. I think we have done well as a team to retain the IPL trophy," he said.
Vijay praised CSK teammate, off-spinner R Ashwin, for his fine performance with the ball.
"Ashwin has been really bowling well for the last two months in the domestic circuit and for the Indian team. I hope he will keep doing well for the country. It has been really good for him and I am happy for him," he said.

Gayle left out of T20, first two ODIs against India

Antigua: At odds with the West Indies Cricket Board, explosive batsman Chris Gayle was, on Monday, left out of the squads announced for the lone Twenty20 and the first two one-dayers against India starting June 4.

Due to his differences with the WICB, Chris Gayle, who set fire in this year's IPL by becoming the top-scorer of the tournament, has been left out of the ODIs and the T20 matches against India. © AFP

"Chris Gayle will not be considered for selection to the West Indies team before an intended meeting with himself, the Selection Committee, the WICB Management and the West Indies Team Management," the WICB said in a statement.
"The Selection Committee views this meeting as necessary as a result of Gayle's comments in a widely publicised radio interview in Jamaica," it added.
Gayle, who was recently ignored for the series against Pakistan, has had a massive war of words with the WICB after claiming that he was left to fend for himself during recent injury problems.
An angry WICB retorted by saying that the batsman was well looked after and it was he who kept the Board uninformed while flying out to India to play in the IPL for eventual runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The 31-year-old Gayle was the star of the recently-concluded Twenty20 league finishing as the top-scorer with 608 runs, including a couple of hundreds, but even this destructive form could not fetch him a place in the two national sides to be captained by Darren Sammy.
Pacer Kemar Roach has been rested for the lone Twenty20 and the first two ODIs in Trinidad. Roach will, however, be available for selection for the third ODI of the five-match series.
"It is expected that other players with heavy workloads will also be rested and rotated from time to time throughout the West Indies v India Series 2011 and moving forward," the WICB said.
The explosive batting duo of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard were declared "not eligible to represent the West Indies in Twenty20 format as they did not take part in the last edition of the Caribbean Twenty20".
But both of them have made the squad for the first two ODIs.
"The WICB Selection Criteria outline that for a player to be eligible for selection to the West Indies team he must participate in the corresponding format of the game at the regional level," the Board explained.
Although he has been allowed to return to "low intensity cricket in Trinidad", young batsman Adrian Barath has been left out of the two squads as he is still undergoing rehabilitation.
"A decision on his return to international cricket will be taken following the assessment and it is hoped he will be available for the Digicel Test Series - West Indies v India," the WICB said.
Pacer Jerome Taylor, who like Gayle, has accused WICB of leaving him in a lurch during injury problems, has also been left out of the squad.
"Jerome Taylor is required to play a full season of regional cricket in order to prove his fitness to compete adequately at the international level before being considered for selection," the WICB stated.
The 12-man Twenty20 group has uncapped left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie as the lone new face. But apart from the 26-year-old Santokie, there is no other change in the side that beat Pakistan in St Lucia in April.
Twenty20 squad:
Darren Sammy (capt), Lendl Simmons, Andre Fletcher (wk), Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Danza Hyatt, Christopher Barnwell, Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Ravi Rampaul, Krishmar Santokie.
Squad for first two ODIs:
Darren Sammy (capt), Lendl Simmons, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Carlton Baugh (wk), Andre Russell, Anthony Martin, Devendra Bishoo, Ravi Rampaul.

Waqar salutes Pak as Afridi fall-out looms

Belfast: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis praised his team for a "wonderful job" after they shrugged off the cold to complete a 2-0 one-day international series away to Ireland at Stormont.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has good talent under him but the retirement of Shahid Afridi could hurt the squad. © AFP

A much-improved batting performance by the home team gave Pakistan a victory target of 239 which the World Cup semi-finalists passed for the loss of five wickets with eight balls to spare on Monday.
"This game could have been dodgy for us but everybody chipped in," said the former Pakistan captain Waqar.
"Coming straight from the West Indies to such cold weather, it is never easy to change suddenly, with so little time, but the boys did a wonderful job and stuck to their task to the end of this last game," Waqar added.
"We are all looking forward to the rest which will do wonders for us, because we have had eight months on the road, then we will be ready to pick it up again against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and England."
However, Waqar himself may have to deal with the fall-out from the international retirement of Shahid Afridi first.
Afridi, who led Pakistan to this year's World Cup semi-finals, was replaced as one-day captain by Misbah-ul-Haq after publicly criticising Waqar during the 3-2 series win in the Caribbean.
He then withdrew from the two Ireland matches on account of his father's illness.
His retirement was confirmed well after close of play at Stormont, where another fast-scoring batsman had caused Waqar a more immediate problem.
Ireland opener Paul Stirling, a 20-year-old, who plays for English county Middlesex, hit 109, from 107 balls, with seven fours and four sixes, in an innings which even Waqar admitted to enjoying.
"All the spectators would have enjoyed that knock, one of the best I've seen for a while. He doesn't slog, he plays proper cricket shots and even I enjoyed every bit of it. He hits the ball far, he has good footwork, plenty of time and he's not scared of the short ball. He looks a promising player."
Pakistan, though, have a young batting talent themselves.
Umar Akmal, only three months older than Stirling, saw Pakistan home on Monday with 60 not out from just 48 balls.
"Umar is a very attacking batsmen, you can't stop him," Waqar said.
"If he sees it he hits it. I'm really pleased with the way he played and he got us home along with Younus Khan (64).
Younus's cool head was just what Pakistan needed after losing three wickets for 80 against Ireland, cricket's leading non-Test nation, who having beaten England at the World Cup in March, were stunned to be told the 2015 edition would be restricted to Test countries -- a decision that could yet be reversed.
As well as Umar, Pakistan have another promising youngster in fast bowler Junaid Khan, who followed up his success in the Caribbean with another good performance in helpful conditions in Belfast.
"Junaid couldn't get a game at the World Cup but he got his opportunity in the West Indies, bowled superbly in the ODIs there and in seaming conditions he got his chance here. He has a good head on young shoulders," said Waqar.
It was Junaid who ended the Stirling onslaught and he also claimed a second wicket in the final over when he had Gary Wilson caught for a quick-fire 33 which got Ireland up to 238 for eight.

Shahid Afridi quits international cricket

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan's captain at the 2011 World Cup, is reported by Geo TV in Pakistan to have announced his retirement from the international game. Afridi, 31, had quit Test cricket last year after leading Pakistan to defeat in the first Test in England, but remained an integral part of the limited-overs sides, which he continued to lead until the recent tour of the West Indies.

He was, however, axed as captain despite Pakistan's 3-2 success in the ODI series, and replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq who has been in charge of the Test side as well. Though the board did not give official reasons for the removal, it was believed to be the result of growing differences Afridi had with coach Waqar Younis, in particular over matters of selection.

"We had very solid reasons to remove Afridi and I will reveal them when the time is right," PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had said. "We haven't taken this action without any reasons."

On his return from the Caribbean, Afridi referred to the situation with Waqar, saying, "Although the differences in team management are not such which could not be solved, I feel everyone should do his job and need not interfere in other's work". That led to the board issuing him a showcause notice to explain his remarks, and presumably formed part of the reasons for his removal. Subsequently Afridi decided to pull out of the two ODIs against Ireland; speculation was that he was unhappy over his ouster, though he said it was because of his father's ill-health.

Afridi first announced a temporary sabbatical from Test cricket in April 2006, in a bid to concentrate only on ODI cricket in the lead-up to the 2007 World Cup. But, in a typically Pakistani twist, Afridi said that he would reconsider his 'retirement' from Tests after the World Cup. He later returned to the side, and even led Pakistan's Test side at the start of their tumultuous tour of England last summer. He however once again retired from the longest format, as soon as Pakistan lost the first Test against Australia. Afridi was out to a poor stroke, holing out against part-timer Marcus North who ran through the Pakistan line-up.

"With my temperament I can't play Test cricket," Afridi said then. "It is better a youngster comes in my place, probably a genuine batsman or even a genuine bowler. I wasn't interested in playing Test cricket but the board asked me to go and take a look as they didn't have a choice. But I wasn't really enjoying Test cricket but I tried. I wasn't good enough. A captain should lead by example which I did not."

Afridi was replaced by the then vice-captain Salman Butt, who held the reins until the spot-fixing scandal, before Misbah's hitherto successful regime began. Afridi stayed in charge in the shorter versions, and was in charge as Pakistan outperformed in the lead-up to and during the World Cup.

England claim stunning innings win

England 496 for 5 dec (Trott 203, Cook 133, Bell 103*) beat Sri Lanka 400 (P Jayawardene 112, Paranavitana 66, Anderson 3-66, Swann 3-78) and 82 (Swann 4-16, Tremlett 4-40) by an innings and 14 runs

Graeme Swann and Chris Tremlett bowled England to an extraordinary innings-and-14-run victory as Sri Lanka collapsed in a barely believable 24.4 overs on the final day in Cardiff. The pair shared eight wickets before Stuart Broad bounced out the last two batsmen to secure one of more remarkable wins in recent memory considering the amount of time lost to rain. Sri Lanka were shell-shocked and couldn't handle the pressure, losing eight wickets in the final session.

When Andrew Strauss declared two overs into the day, having given Ian Bell chance to reach his hundred - after play was delayed until 3pm by heavy morning rain - the summit of England's ambitions appeared to be taking some psychological points to Lord's on Friday. However, Tremlett removed both openers before tea to set the nerves jangling, and when Mahela Jayawardene became his third at the start of the final session, panic was beginning to set in the Sri Lankan ranks.

Only when they were eight down did the visitors try to erase England's advantage with any haste as Thisara Perera and Ajantha Mendis put bat to ball, but wickets were never far away against a pumped-up bowling attack. It didn't matter that Strauss only had three frontline options, with James Anderson suffering a side strain. Tremlett preyed on the batsmen's insecurities against the short ball, Swann found turn to force frazzled minds into playing loose shots, and then Broad hustled through the final resistance with 26 overs still to play.

The merits of Strauss allowing Bell to reach three figures would have been hotly debated had England run out of time at the end, but his bowlers ensured he didn't have to worry. The door was pushed ajar by Tremlett's new-ball burst, elevated to the role vacated by Anderson and one he'll be reluctant to relinquish. He struck with the last ball of his first over when Tharanga Paranavitana edged a low chance to first slip that was well held by the captain.

Tillakaratne Dilshan is a player who could have quickly erased the deficit and eased the pressure, but he got into a tangle against a shorter delivery from Tremlett and the chance lobbed back to the bowler. Dilshan was given out straight away but he went to the DRS and replays confirmed a glove. Mahela and Kumar Sangakkara survived until tea with Sri Lanka 33 for 2, yet they gave a false sense of security.

Although Tremlett changed ends after the interval, he maintained a probing length which left doubt in the batsman's mind as to whether to play forward to back. Mahela opted to come onto the front foot and Tremlett's extra carry ensured another edge carried comfortably to Strauss. England began to sense something could happen.

Swann then gave another example of why he's the world's best spin bowler. Thilan Samaraweera was caught playing back to one that didn't bounce and dragged onto the stump. Next, from round the wicket, a beautiful piece of bowling lured Sangakkara into an edge and Strauss snaffled his third edge - this time in the unaccustomed position of slip to the spinner.

There was no stopping England or Swann as Farveez Maharoof edged his third ball and again the DRS was fruitless as HotSpot showed a clear edge. However, TV evidence was less clear when Prasanna Jayawardene, the first-innings hero with 112, was given out off a gloved pull. This time it was England who called for the review and although HotSpot wasn't conclusive, Rod Tucker, the third umpire, went on the noise as he had with Sangakkara's first-innings dismissal. The subsequent use of Snicko proved he was right again.

Sri Lanka aided in their own demise, none more so than Rangana Herath who played a horrid sweep at Swann to be caught in front, leaving the visitors 52 for 8. Perera and Mendis quickly worked out the only chance was to get in front of England and the next two overs brought 20 yet, amazingly for a match were 139 overs were lost to rain, there was plenty of time left.

Broad was disappointing in the first innings but when Tremlett was rested he responded with a fierce spell to the lower order. He roughed up Perera who lobbed a chance between three fielders before being brilliantly caught, low down, by Bell at short leg. Two balls later Suranga Lakmal fended another short delivery into the slips. England, four months on from Sydney, were back in victory mode. In contrast, Sri Lanka's dressing room was full of blank faces and this will take some getting over.