Two matches in World T20 today

COLOMBO: Two matches will be played in the World Twenty20 gala today where New Zealand will take on Bangladesh in their opening Group D match while the other will be played between Afghanistan and England of Group A, Geo News reported. The match between New Zealand and Bangladesh will be played at Pallekele at 3 pm according to Pakistan Standard Time while the Group A match between Afghanistan and England will be played in Colombo at 7 pm. New Zealand’s build up to the event has been far from ideal as three of their key players, including inspirational former skipper Daniel Vettori and pacer Tim Southee, have been laid low by gastroenteritis. Bangladesh, on the other hand, are a sprightly mix which lost one and won one practice game heading into the big event. Most of the team’s players are in their early 20s and what could work to their advantage is the comfort of the playing in home-like conditions. The likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hold the key to their batting fortunes while Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzak will be leading the bowling department.

Suresh Raina’s links with bookies disclosedSuresh Raina’s links with bookies disclosed Updated at: 1422 PST, Sunday, October 24, 2010 Suresh Raina’s

Suresh Raina’s links with bookies disclosed

Updated at: 1422 PST, Sunday, October 24, 2010 MUMBAI: A British newspaper has revealed Indian cricketer Suresh Raina’s links with a bookmaker but the Indiana cricket board on Sunday described the report baseless while the International Cricket Council (ICC) refused to give any comment. The ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is probing why the Indian Board kept quiet about a report of its player Suresh Raina being seen in the company of a woman linked to an associate of an illegal bookmaker, a media report said in London. Making it clear that Raina was not suspected of any wrongdoing, 'The Sunday Times', quoting a senior ICC source, said the incident related to India's tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year. With the heightened security concerns following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan, the Sri Lankans deputed a former general to look after the Indian team. CCTV Cameras installed at the Indian team hotel showed that on more than one night Raina was in the company of a woman known to be an associate of a man allegedly linked to a bookmaker. A report, including the CCTV footage, was submitted by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to their Indian counterparts. BCCI keeping quiet on Suresh Raina accompanying a woman allegedly linked to bookies during the Sri Lankan tour as "baseless", saying that she was the agent of the Indian batsman.

Champions League Twenty20, 11th Match, Group B: Royal Challengers Bangalore v South Australia at Durban, Sep 17, 2010

Bangalore

South Australia

Match scheduled to begin at 17:30 local time (15:30 GMT)

Current time: 10:06 local, 08:06 GMT

	Royal Challengers Bangalore squad
A Kumble*, B Akhil, ND Doshi, R Dravid, D du Preez, JH Kallis, V Kohli, P Kumar, A Mithun, MK Pandey, DW Steyn, LRPL Taylor, RV Uthappa†, R Vinay Kumar, CL White

	South Australia squad
M Klinger*, CB Bailey, CJ Borgas, DT Christian, TLW Cooper, CJ Duval, CJ Ferguson, PR George, JA Haberfield, DJ Harris, TP Ludeman†, GA Manou†, AW O'Brien, GD Putland, SW Tait

Slovenia 0-1 Northern Ireland Substitute Corry Evans scored with his first touch as Northern Ireland made a fine start to the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Slovenia 0-1 Northern Ireland

Corry Evans slots in the only goal in the Maribor qualifier

Substitute Corry Evans scored with his first touch as Northern Ireland made a fine start to the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Slovenia squandered a host of chances in the first half with Milivoje Novakovic and Zlatan Ljubijankic posing a potent attacking threat.

The hosts dominated after the break but the visitors netted in a rare attack as Evans turned in Craig Cathcart's low cross at the backpost on 70 minutes.

Maik Taylor saved from Josip Ilicic as Northern Ireland held on for the win.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington saw his men show more urgency than their hosts in the early stages, hustling and quickly closing down the Slovenians.

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Scorer Corry Evans and debutant Craig Cathcart on Northern Ireland's 1-0 win in Slovenia

But they created nothing of note with Grant McCann firing his 25-yard free-kick against a defender in the fifth minute.

Slovenia were the first to threaten on 13 minutes as striker Novakovic failed to connect with Andraz Kirm's inswinging free-kick.

Chris Baird dragged his shot wide before debutant Craig Cathcart put in a last-ditch tackle to deflect Ljubijankic's effort over the bar.

David Healy was harshly booked as he struck a defender instead of the ball with an attempted overhead kick, two minutes before his weak curling shot was easily saved by Samir Handanovic.

Slovenia grew more dangerous as the half progressed and Novakovic squandered another opportunity, heading straight at Taylor from Kirm's cross.

Ljubijankic broke free on the right only to blast wide while there was no-one to turn Kirm's dangerous ball across the goalmouth into the net just before the break.

Slovenia assumed complete control on the restart but their pressure failed to produce a deserved goal.

606: DEBATE Well done Corry Evans. Well done Norn Iron - bring on Italy at Windsor yerman82

Valler Birsa's deflected volley flew just wide after 49 minutes as they mounted attack after attack.

Changes were needed and Worthington brought Kyle Lafferty and Evans on for Healy and McCann after 67 minutes.

The introduction of Evans, who was making his competitive debut, proved to be an inspired substitution as the visitor's took a surprise lead with their first meaningful attack three minutes later.

Cathcart supplied a low cross to the far post and the young Manchester United midfielder sneaked ahead of his marker to slot in from two yards.

It was a case of hanging on as Slovenia searched for an equaliser, with Taylor saving from Ilicic before Ljubijankic blasted into the side-netting.

Northern Ireland players and fans celebrated at the final whistle in what was an unlikely success on the road and the first win in 11 games.

Andy Murray sees off flamboyant Dustin Brown at US Open

Murray has not dropped a set in his opening two matches

By Piers Newbery

Andy Murray overcame the unorthodox style of Jamaica's Dustin Brown to reach the third round of the US Open.

The British number one coped well with Brown's mix of big serving, volleys and constant drop shots to come through 7-5 6-3 6-0 in New York.

It was another impressive display from the Scot in blustery conditions at Flushing Meadows.

Murray goes on to face Swiss 25th seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who beat Juan Ignacio Chela 7-5 6-3 6-4.

"I'd never played him before so at the start of the match it was very interesting," Murray said afterwards.

"He went for his shots huge and was hitting fun shots so I was glad to get off in straight sets. I kind of knew what to expect coming into the match. I've been told he likes to put on a bit of a show beforehand.

It's not bad losing to Andy Murray, I'm definitely not upset Dustin Brown

"The crowd obviously enjoy watching that but it went from being a great atmosphere at the end of the first set to just pretty quiet because there wasn't a whole lot going on out there.

"I started well, I didn't really give him many chances. I've not really ever seen him play before. He has a very fast service action, so it took a few games to start to read the serve a little bit.

"I just had to focus on playing solid and making as many returns as possible. When you play as high-risk tennis as that, it's difficult over five sets to keep it up."

Brown, ranked 123 in the world, had become the first man from his country to reach the second round of a Grand Slam since 1974.

And the dreadlocked Jamaican certainly made his mark with his unusual playing style and on-court eccentricities, such as insisting on using the same ball throughout his service games and choosing not to sit down at the changeovers.

The match had something of a false start, with a 20-minute rain delay interrupting proceedings after three games, but once the action resumed it was the flamboyant Brown who gripped the attention of the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

And as the heavy serves and huge groundstrokes pounded down, there were moments of real hope for the Jamaican contingent in the early stages.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Murray's victory

However, Murray remained calm under the onslaught with some solid serving of his own and and earned his first break point at 5-4, but Brown saved it with a heavy first serve and screamed his delight.

The Scot was beginning to get the measure of his man though, and two games later a breathtaking half-volley forehand winner took Murray to 15-40 before he sealed the set with a backhand arrowed down the line.

Brown's resistance might not have been broken but it had been dealt a heavy blow and Murray capitalised on his advantage, taking total control with successive breaks at the start of the second set as he moved 5-0 clear.

The world number four needed that cushion as Brown's radar kicked back into life in the latter stages of the set, but after dropping three straight games Murray focused well to close it out at the second opportunity.

A double-fault and a regulation volley into the net did for Brown at the start of the third and, with Murray increasingly keen to attack the net, the outsider was left with nowhere to go.

A blistering backhand winner helped Murray move 5-0 up for the second set in succession and this time he made no mistake to seal victory in one hour 24 minutes.

"It's not bad losing to Andy Murray," said Brown. "I'm definitely not upset, that's why it was a good first set. The other two sets he started getting more comfortable and definitely returning really well.

"I only know him from watching him on TV. I wasn't worrying about him too much, I just tried to play my game and make sure that I'm doing the things I'm supposed to do.

"I wasn't trying to go out there and worrying too much about the opponent. If you do that, then you're just going to go nuts out there. I lost 5, 3, and 0. It happens."

فکسنگ الزامات، سب سے گرم موضوع

انگریزی اخبار ڈان نے اسے پاکستانی کرکٹ کے لیے ایک اور شدید دھچکا قرار دیا ہے

پاکستان میں آج لوگوں کے درمیان سب سے گرم موضوع میچ فکسنگ کے وہ الزامات ہیں جو پاکستانی کرکٹرز پر لگائے گئے ہیں اور پاکستانی میڈیا چاہے وہ الیکٹرانک ہو یا پرنٹ ہو اس کی ترجیح بھی یہی خبر ہے۔

پاکستان کے زیادہ تر اردو اور انگریزی روز ناموں نے اس خبر کو شہ سرخی کے طور پر شائع کیا ہے۔

انگریزی اخبار دی نیوز نے پاکستانی ٹیم کے مینجر یاور سعید کو نیوز آف دی ورلڈ میں میچ فکسنگ کی خبر پڑھتے ہوئے تصویر کے اوپر لکھا ہے، ’داؤ پر لگی ٹیم۔‘

انگریزی اخبار ڈان کی سرخی ہے پاکستانی کرکٹ کو ایک اور شدید دھچکا۔

ڈیلی ٹائمز نے اس خبر کو سب سے اوپر بہت زیادہ نمایاں طور پر شائع کیا ہے۔

اخبارات نے اس قضیے کو لے کر ان کا پس منظر بھی شائع کیا ہے جیسے روزنامہ خبریں نے اپنی پیشانی پر لکھا ہے کہ میچ فکشنگ کا اعتراف سب سے پہلے عمران خان نے کیا ’اپنی جیت پر رقم لگائی تھی۔‘

نوائے وقت کی شہ سرخی ہے کہ ’میچ فکسنگ قوم کے سر شرم سے جھک گئے:گیلانی۔‘

روز نامہ ایکسپریس نے اپنے کھیل کے صفحے پر لکھا ’میچ فکسنگ سکینڈل سے پاکستانی کرکٹ کے درودیوار لرز اٹھے۔‘

”جنگ اخبار لکھتا ہے ’کرکٹ کے میدانوں سے طاقتوروں کی جاگیروں تک ہر جگہ کرپشن۔‘

بعض اخبارات نے عوامی سروے بھی شائع کیے۔ ان میں کرکٹ شائقین کے حوالے سے لکھا کہ ’سٹے بازی میں ملوث کرکٹرز کو سر عام کوڑے مارے جائیں۔‘

یعنی اخبارات میں اس قضیے کو لے کر ہر طرح سے بھڑاس نکالی گئی۔

اخبارات کے ادارتی صفحات نے میچ فکسنگ کے اس سکینڈل پر اداریے اور کالم شائع ہوئے۔ایک کالم نویس لکھتے ہیں، ’تین نو بالز جس نے کرکٹ کو ہلا کر رکھ دیا۔‘

کچھ پاکستانی اخبارات بے اس خبر کے حوالے سے دوسرا رخ دکھانے کی بھی کوشش کی ہے ۔

ایک روزنامے نے بک میکرز کے حوالے سے لکھا ہے کہ میچ فکسنگ سکینڈل پاکستانی ٹیم کے خلاف بھارتی سازش ہے۔ کرکٹ میں نو بالز پر جواء نہیں ہوتا۔

پاکستان کے نجی ٹیلی ویژنوں پر تو سنیچر اور اتوار کی رات سے ہی اس خبر کو لے کر ہنگامہ برپا ہے۔

تمام پاکستانی ٹی وی چینلز مختلف کرکٹ مبصرین سابق چئرمین اور سابق کرکٹرز سے ان کی آراء لینے میں ایک دوسرے کو مات دینے میں کے لیےایڑی چوٹی کا زور لگانے میں مصروف ہیں۔

چند گھنٹوں میں پاکستان میں کرکٹ کی تاریخ میں ہونے والی بے ضابطیگیوں اور اس سے پہلے ہونے والے میچ فکسنگ اسکینڈلز کا کچا چٹھا ایک بار پھر مختلف قسم کے ٹی وی فیچرز کی شکل میں ناظرین تک پہنچ رہا ہے۔

اس حوالے سے آنے والی تمام خبروں کو بار بار دکھایا جا رہا ہے۔خبریں پڑھنے والے ہر خبر چاہے وہ میچ کے نتیجے کی ہو یا پاکستان ٹیم مینجمنٹ کی پریس کانفرنس ہو دکھانے کے ساتھ ساتھ اس پر طنزیہ اور تضحیک آمیز تبصرے کر رہے ہیں

چند ٹی وی چینلز پر پاکستانی کرکٹرز کی کرائی گئی نو بالز کے پیچھے طنزیہ گانے بجائے جاتے رہے۔

Four Pakistan cricketers 'unlikely' to finish tour

Test captain Salman Butt is one of four players in the spotlight

Four Pakistan cricketers under scrutiny for claims of spot-fixing are unlikely to play again on the current England tour, the BBC understands.

The BBC's Pat Murphy said the four may lack the mental focus required to play.

The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit is preparing an urgent report, while police carry out a separate criminal investigation.

The four players being questioned are Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Kamran Akmal.

Murphy added that the ICC was concerned about banning the four players based on a newspaper expose and an incomplete investigation from Scotland Yard, and therefore wanted to receive the findings from the anti-corruption unit urgently. It is expected within days.

The anti-corruption unit's representatives are now in the UK, while the Pakistani government is sending its equivalent members to work with Scotland Yard. An ICC press conference has now been pencilled in for Thursday.

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Pakistan's team manager Yawar Saeed: "No allegations are true til they are proved"

Murphy told BBC Radio 5 live: "A conference call between Pakistan high commissioner [Wajid Shamsul Hasan] and chairman of the cricket board [Ijaz Butt], who are in London and sports minister [Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani] in Islamabad will take place on Tuesday.

"And given the importance of cricket in Pakistan, Prime Minister [Yusuf Raza Gilani] may also be directly involved in the discussions.

"Although the players will still be deemed to be innocent until proven guilty, it's almost certain they will taken out of the firing line and the formula of words citing mental pressure and a lack of necessary focus, will necessitate their withdrawal from the Twenty20 matches and the one-day series."

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told BBC Radio 5 live that the intention is to conclude the investigation before the start of the first of two Twenty20 internationals against England, in Cardiff on Sunday.

The ICC has also stated that Pakistan's tour of England will carry on - they are due to play Somerset in a tour match from Thursday - president Sharad Pawar said it was the "desire of the ICC and the cricket boards of England and Pakistan that the game should continue".

Lorgat added: "The reputation of the game has been tarnished and it is something we must make right. There is no question that people's confidence will have been swayed.

"We're busy with the Metropolitan Police and hope, before the weekend arrives, we can get to some sort of a conclusion.

"We are working hard, but it's important to remember that an individual is innocent until proven guilty.

If any players are found to be guilty, the ICC will ensure that the appropriate punishment is handed out Chief executive Haroon Lorgat

"I'm in touch with the investigators. It's likely I might have to come across to London. But this is a live issue which moves with the hour, every hour.

"At the moment, it is appropriate that the game continues. We shouldn't let everyone suffer because of a couple of individuals that might have got caught up in corrupt practices.

"The vast majority of players are not guilty of any such behaviour. They play the sport in the right spirit, and there are many fans who want to watch the game.

"We shouldn't let a couple of individuals, a few players, bring the entire game to a standstill."

Test captain Butt, fast bowlers Amir and Asif and wicketkeeper Akmal were questioned by police at the team's hotel in London on Sunday following a report that some Pakistan players had been bribed to fix incidents during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.

The allegations centred on three no-balls from Amir and Asif which the News of the World newspaper said had been bowled on purpose at pre-determined times to facilitate betting coups after a "middle man" accepted £150,000 in cash from an undercover reporter.

The man identified as the alleged go-between, cricket agent Mazhar Majeed, 35, has been released on police bail after being arrested on Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

Investigators from the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit are already in the UK conducting enquiries of their own as well as "assisting London's Metropolitan Police with their criminal investigation".

"If any players are found to be guilty, the ICC will ensure that the appropriate punishment is handed out. We will not tolerate corruption in this great game," said Lorgat in a statement earlier.

On Monday, the Pakistan team coach left London for Taunton ahead of the match against Somerset. Pakistan are then due to continue their tour with the two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals against England in September.

Test captain Butt - the one-day side is led by Shahid Afridi - boarded the coach with Amir, Asif and Akmal, plus the rest of his team-mates, despite calls from a number of quarters for the quartet to be suspended from the final part of the tour pending investigations.

There were audible, but isolated, shouts of abuse from at least one member of the public after a crowd gathered to watch the players leave London.

Somerset chief executive Richard Gould said he expected the team to receive a "warm welcome" on Thursday.

He added: "They have a net session booked in for Wednesday and if they want anything else we will be happy to provide it. This game has been looked forward to by many of our supporters and members and we think they will give the Pakistan team a warm welcome."

Pakistan's team manager Yawar Saeed revealed there were "sober feelings" in the dressing room, but added: "No allegations are true until they are proved."

Cricket agent Mazhar also owns Croydon Athletic Football Club who have released a statement saying they are "devastated and appalled to hear of the alleged match-fixing of international cricket matches by its owner Mazhar Majeed".

Pakistan embroiled in cricket 'match-fixing' probe

LONDON: Pakistan's embattled cricket team were embroiled in allegations of match-fixing on Sunday after British police arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

The controversy erupted after the News of the World alleged some members of the Pakistan team were involved in a betting scam in the ongoing fourth and final Test against England at Lord's.

Britain's biggest-selling newspaper claimed several blatant no-balls had been delivered by Pakistan bowlers.

The weekly tabloid said it gave 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) to a middle man who correctly told them in advance precisely when those deliveries would be bowled.

"Following information received from the News of the World we have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers," a spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said.

Despite the latest controversy swirling around the game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) insisted the fourth Test would continue as scheduled on Sunday, adding that no "players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident".

Pakistan tour manager Yawar Saeed added: "I can confirm we are aware of the allegations. Scotland Yard (Metropolitan) police are with us now at our hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries.

"This is as much as I can say at the moment."

The News of the World published images and dialogue from the encounter and a picture of what it said was one of the promised no-balls delivered on Friday.

It also ran a photograph of Pakistan captain Salman Butt standing with the man they claimed was the middleman, and one of their reporters.

The News of the World claimed their reporters had posed as front men for an Asian gambling cartel, paying 10,000 pounds to the alleged fixer as an upfront deposit.

They met again on Wednesday in a west London hotel room to hand over the rest of the money as their "entry ticket" into what they claimed was a "huge betting syndicate".

They claimed the middle man then correctly predicted when the no-balls would be bowled.

The newspaper showed the alleged fixer with piles of cash on a table.

Meanwhile, the ICC said the match would continue as planned on Sunday at Lord's, the spiritual home of the game.

"The International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been informed by the Metropolitan Police that a 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers," said an ICC statement.

"The Metropolitan Police have informed the ICC, ECB and PCB that their investigations continue and ICC, ECB and PCB, with the involvement of the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit, are fully assisting those enquiries.

"No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident and the fourth Test match will continue as scheduled on Sunday.

"As this is now subject to a police investigation neither ICC, ECB, PCB nor the ground authority, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), will make any further comment," it added.

Pakistan, who have been dogged by 'fixing' allegations since the 1990s, collapsed spectacularly yet again Saturday to leave England closing in on an innings victory.

At stumps, Pakistan, following on, were 41 for four in their second innings, having been dismissed for just 74 first time around.

That left them still 331 runs adrift of England's first innings 446 as the home team eyed a victory that would give them a 3-1 win in their final series before they begin the defence of the Ashes in Australia in November.

There was also a controversial finish to Pakistan's 2006 Test series in England.

They forfeited the final match at The Oval in south London, having refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day because they'd been penalised for ball-tampering.

Pakistan have been unable to play matches at home since an armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year effectively turned the country into a 'no-go area' for international cricket.

Politics in team not to be put up with: Afridi

Updated at: 2200 PST, Wednesday, June 09, 2010
LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team captain, Shahid Afridi has said he has made it clear to Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afidi that he will not tolerate any attempt to spoil the atmosphere of the dressing room while coach Waqar Younis said the players were kept away from media to avert disputes.

At a press conference in Gadafi Stadium here, Waqar Younis had to face some tough questions but he replied to them in a calm and composed manner.

He said the players are responsible for when they come and what they do but as far as their accommodation is concerned the it is the board’s responsibility. “What the players do at night is certainly not my responsibility,” he asserted.

Waqar Younis said the damage caused to the team over the past two-three months is much more compared to what the team lost during the last 20 years.


Shahid Afridi also answered to the piercing questions in a confident manner. He also appeared unhappy with the role of the media. He reiterated that he would not tolerate any attempt aimed at spoiling the atmosphere of the dressing room. “I have made it clear to Shoaib Akhter that the atmosphere of the dressing room is no longer they way it used to be,” he said.

Waqar Younis said Younis and Shoaib are big players but he sees the new players as the beacon of Pakistan’s future.

Australia T20 squad for Pakistan series, Clarke retained captain

Australia T20 squad for Pakistan series, Clarke retained captain

Updated at: 2054 PST, Monday, May 24, 2010 SYDNEY: Michael Clarke was Monday retained as skipper of Australia's Twenty20 squad for July's series with Pakistan in England despite his below-par batting performances in T20 cricket. Clarke admitted his place in the team was under threat after a poor run of form continued in a seven-wicket World T20 final loss to England in Barbados earlier this month. Clarke's top score was just 27 in the Caribbean tournament and he ended the event with 92 runs at a meagre average of 15.33. But selectors Monday stayed with Clarke as skipper of a 14-man squad to play Pakistan in two T20 internationals at Edgbaston on July 5 and 6. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was dropped from Australia's squad which played in the West Indies. "Paine has been omitted since the selectors felt it wasn't necessary to have a second keeping option for such a small number of matches," Hilditch said. "While it was disappointing to lose the ICC World Twenty20 final, Australia has made great progress in Twenty20 cricket in the last 12 months, winning an extremely high percentage of our games and of course being the only undefeated side in the tournament until the final." Opener Shaun Marsh was selected in the national one-day squad to play in England and Ireland in June-July, replacing fellow West Australian Adam Voges, after recovering from injury. Ricky Ponting will lead the ODI team after standing down from T20 cricket. The Australian squad for Tests against Pakistan at Lord's and Headingley in July will be chosen late next month.

Afridi to lead in Asia Cup, England series

Afridi to lead in Asia Cup, England series

Updated at: 1512 PST, Tuesday, May 25, 2010 LAHORE: All-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead the national side in Asia Cup and during England tour; thus, he will captain team in tests as well after captaincy sprint in Twenty20 and one-dayer. Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Aijaz Butt that Afridi will lead the team in all three formats in the Asia Cup and the English tour. He said that Afridi had the confidence of all players during the world cup and that is the reason he is made the captain now. "It is a quality of a captain that he fosters cooperation and good relations among the players while following the rules and regulations of the game. And Afridi has done all that," said Butt. He said that the names of the 30 players playing in the English tour will be announced in the upcoming meeting. The training camp for the preparation for the series will start from June 1 in Lahore. The Asia Cup will be played from 15th June to 25th June in Sri Lanka. The series against Australia and England will be played between July and August in England.

Yousuf likely to play England series

Yousuf likely to play England series

Updated at: 0926 PST, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 LAHORE: The prospects of Muhammed Yousuf’s comeback in international cricket has become brighter as a result of Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi, Geo News reported Wednesday. It is expected that Yousuf will take back his decision regarding retirement. According to sources, Afridi a day earlier contacted Yousuf and talked to his friends as well. Shahid Afridi said Yousuf’s elders assured that Yousuf would review his decision on retirement. The new captain Afridi said he wanted Muhammed Yousuf to be part of the Pak squad during England series. Meantime, middle order batsman Muhammed Yousuf said he made up his mind on retirement at the behest of his elders, adding, ‘If they want me to withdraw the decision, I may make a comeback in the cricket world.’

Scott McDonald omitted from Australia World Cup squad

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Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald is one of three players cut from Australia's World Cup squad after coach Pim Verbeek reduced the party to 28.

Also omitted are midfielder Nick Carle and Crystal Palace defender Jade North.

McDonald, 26, has not scored in 16 appearances for the Socceroos and also failed to find the target in Monday's 2-1 win over New Zealand.

It means the squad has only three strikers in Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell and Nikita Rukavytsya.

McDonald was a prolific goalscorer at club level for both Motherwell and Celtic but his struggles at international level meant Verbeek decided to leave him out.

"Scotty is a typical two-striker player, and that's where he feels happy also," said Verbeek.

"But we don't play with two strikers. We play with one striker up top and wingers, so Scotty doesn't fit in this system.

"He knows it, and he tried everything."

Brett Holman, who scored the winning goal against New Zealand, can also play as a striker which may be key with Kewell and Kennedy suffering from groin and back injuries.

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Verbeek has sought permission from Football Federation Australia to allow youngsters James Holland and Tommy Oar and keeper Eugene Galekovic to travel to South Africa.

But they will not be considered for selection unless another player is injured.

The 28-man squad will fly out to South Africa on Wednesday with Verbeek set to name his final 23-man group on 1 June when Australia play Denmark in the first of two friendlies prior to their first World Cup group game against Germany at the new Moses Mahiba Stadium in Durban on 13 June.

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Australia squad:

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Adam Federici (Reading), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Eugene Galekovic(Adelaide United)

Defenders: Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Craig Moore (unattached), Scott Chipperfield (Basel), David Carney (Twente Enschede), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira)

Midfielders: Tim Cahill (Everton), Mark Bresciano (Palermo) Vince Grella (Blackburn), Brett Emerton (Blackburn), Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Mile Jedinak(Antalyaspor), Richard Garcia (Hull), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), Dario Vidosic (Nuremberg), James Holland (AZ Alkmaar)

Forwards: Josh Kennedy (Nagoya), Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente Enschede)

England World Twenty20 champions visit Downing Street

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World Twenty20 champions England arrive at Downing Street for a reception with Prime Minister David Cameron.

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Justine Henin and Britain's Katie O'Brien are in action early on day three at Roland Garros, ahead of the start of Rafa Nadal's title bid.

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ATP Tennis: Aisam, Bopanna into semis

ATP Tennis: Aisam, Bopanna into semis
Updated at: 1307 PST, Thursday, May 20, 2010

NICE: The pair of Rohan Bopanna of India and Aisamul Haq Qreshi made it through to the semifinals in Nice.Olivier Rochus of Belgium beat Robin Soderling by 2-6,6-4 and 6-4. Aisamul Haq and Bopanna made the semifinals beating the British pair of Fleming and Skupski 6-3,6-2. They will play Czech Leos Friedle and Serbian Dusan Vemic for place in final.Maria Sharapova beat Bulgarian Dia Evtimova by 6-3,6-0.

Tiger Woods rediscovers form at Players Championship

First round leaderboard:
-6 JB Holmes (US), R Allenby (Aus) -5 J Bohn (US), B Crane (US), H Slocum (US), L Donald (Eng), R Imada (Jap), K Perry (US), R Moore (US), L Westwood (Eng) Selected others: -3 R Fisher (Eng), S Garcia (Spa) -2 T Woods (US), P Mickelson (US) Level J Rose (Eng), I Poulter (Eng) +1 R McIlroy (NI), P Harrington (Ire), G Owen (Eng) +2 E Els (SA)

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An out-of-sorts Woods missed the cut last week at Quail Hollow

Tiger Woods fought back from last week's missed cut with a first-round 70 to lie four shots off the lead at the Players Championship in Florida.

Woods will be toppled as world number one for the first time in 258 weeks if Phil Mickelson, who was also two under, wins and Woods ends lower than fifth.

Australian Robert Allenby and American JB Holmes lead after six-under 66s.

England's Luke Donald and Lee Westwood both shot 67, but Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy was one-over after a 73.

McIlroy fired a course-record 62 at Quail Hollow last week to capture his first PGA title and become the youngest winner on the Tour since Woods in 1996, but he struggled on an overcast, humid day at Sawgrass.

You don't often get to see this course with hardly any wind and soft greens and it was nice to take advantage England's Luke Donald

"I found it quite tough to get anything going and struggled to read these Bermuda greens," said the 21-year-old.

"There was definitely a different atmosphere to Sunday. I hit it OK apart from a terrible shot on the eighth and it's so bunched that a good start tomorrow can get me into the top 20."

Woods, who missed the cut for only the sixth time in his career at Quail Hollow, carved his opening drive into trees on the left but battled hard to make birdies at the ninth, 11th and 15th before finishing with a bogey after finding water off the tee at 18.

"I hit some good shots and kept myself right in there," said Woods, who carded 74, 79 at Quail Hollow in his second tournament back after a five-month break following a sex scandal. "The difference is what can happen in a week - that's the way it goes.

"I've played six rounds of golf in seven months, so I think people need to be a little bit more realistic about where I am."

Masters champion Mickelson, who has never held the world number one spot, struggled to find his best form at the tournament widely considered the "fifth major" by the players.

"Shooting 70 today isn't the round that you want," said Mickelson. "There wasn't much wind, the greens were receptive, and there were a lot of low scores.

"The reason I think this was a good day for me is I just didn't have it... and yet I was able to shoot a couple under par. If I can come out tomorrow, get hot and shoot something in the mid-60s, I can get back in the tournament."

Donald, runner-up in Florida in 2007, had four birdies in five holes around the turn and after bogeying the 15th hit a superb approach to six feet on the formidable 462-yard last and made the birdie putt.

"You don't often get to see this course with hardly any wind and soft greens and it was nice to take advantage," said Donald. "At the 18th you'd take four pars every time."

Tiger Woods rediscovers form at Players Championship

First round leaderboard:
-6 JB Holmes (US), R Allenby (Aus) -5 J Bohn (US), B Crane (US), H Slocum (US), L Donald (Eng), R Imada (Jap), K Perry (US), R Moore (US), L Westwood (Eng) Selected others: -3 R Fisher (Eng), S Garcia (Spa) -2 T Woods (US), P Mickelson (US) Level J Rose (Eng), I Poulter (Eng) +1 R McIlroy (NI), P Harrington (Ire), G Owen (Eng) +2 E Els (SA)

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An out-of-sorts Woods missed the cut last week at Quail Hollow

Tiger Woods fought back from last week's missed cut with a first-round 70 to lie four shots off the lead at the Players Championship in Florida.

Woods will be toppled as world number one for the first time in 258 weeks if Phil Mickelson, who was also two under, wins and Woods ends lower than fifth.

Australian Robert Allenby and American JB Holmes lead after six-under 66s.

England's Luke Donald and Lee Westwood both shot 67, but Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy was one-over after a 73.

McIlroy fired a course-record 62 at Quail Hollow last week to capture his first PGA title and become the youngest winner on the Tour since Woods in 1996, but he struggled on an overcast, humid day at Sawgrass.

You don't often get to see this course with hardly any wind and soft greens and it was nice to take advantage England's Luke Donald

"I found it quite tough to get anything going and struggled to read these Bermuda greens," said the 21-year-old.

"There was definitely a different atmosphere to Sunday. I hit it OK apart from a terrible shot on the eighth and it's so bunched that a good start tomorrow can get me into the top 20."

Woods, who missed the cut for only the sixth time in his career at Quail Hollow, carved his opening drive into trees on the left but battled hard to make birdies at the ninth, 11th and 15th before finishing with a bogey after finding water off the tee at 18.

"I hit some good shots and kept myself right in there," said Woods, who carded 74, 79 at Quail Hollow in his second tournament back after a five-month break following a sex scandal. "The difference is what can happen in a week - that's the way it goes.

"I've played six rounds of golf in seven months, so I think people need to be a little bit more realistic about where I am."

Masters champion Mickelson, who has never held the world number one spot, struggled to find his best form at the tournament widely considered the "fifth major" by the players.

"Shooting 70 today isn't the round that you want," said Mickelson. "There wasn't much wind, the greens were receptive, and there were a lot of low scores.

"The reason I think this was a good day for me is I just didn't have it... and yet I was able to shoot a couple under par. If I can come out tomorrow, get hot and shoot something in the mid-60s, I can get back in the tournament."

Donald, runner-up in Florida in 2007, had four birdies in five holes around the turn and after bogeying the 15th hit a superb approach to six feet on the formidable 462-yard last and made the birdie putt.

"You don't often get to see this course with hardly any wind and soft greens and it was nice to take advantage," said Donald. "At the 18th you'd take four pars every time."

Kevin Pietersen fires England to Super Eights victory

Pietersen's half-century was his third in Twenty20 internationals

By Oliver Brett

Kevin Pietersen starred as England beat Pakistan by six wickets with three balls remaining in their first Super Eight match of the ICC World Twenty20.

Pietersen completed a brilliant catch in the deep before adding an unbeaten 73 off 52 balls as Pakistan's total of 147-9 proved inadequate in Barbados.

Michael Yardy (2-19) and Stuart Broad (2-25) both impressed with the ball.

Pietersen put on 60 with captain Paul Collingwood as England cruised home against the defending champions.

A victory on Saturday against South Africa at the same ground should now be enough to send Collingwood's men through to the semi-finals with a game to spare.

606: DEBATE Pakistan were woeful... four catches dropped, run-outs missed, comedy running between the wicket and you expect them to defend the title? I don't think so Amir Mir

After some tough times on slow wickets in rainy Guyana, England were greeted by a decent contingent of travelling supporters in Barbados, plus a wicket that was more conducive to their brand of cricket.

It had plenty of pace and bounce early on, although it had largely worn off by the time England batted, suggesting Collingwood did the right thing by electing to field first after winning the toss.

There were some early concerns, however, when Kamran Akmal pulled the first ball, bowled by Ryan Sidebottom, for six.

Sidebottom, along with Tim Bresnan and Broad, persisted in bowling short, testing the cross-batted shot-making of Pakistan's openers.

The run-rate did not get out of hand, and Broad had Akmal caught behind in the fifth over to give England an important foothold.

Nevertheless, after Yardy had been hit for 12 in his first over, Pakistan looked ominously poised at 60-1 after nine overs.

But the wicket of the other opener, Salman Butt, changed the game quite dramatically.

Butt speared Graeme Swann to short extra-cover, where Collingwood nonchalantly took a tough catch, and Yardy returned to devastating effect, taking two wickets in his last three overs - and conceding just seven runs.

Broad bowled well on a wicket with some pace and bounce

His accurate slow left-armers could also have brought a third wicket but Craig Kieswetter missed a straightforward stumping when Umar Akmal, Pakistan's top scorer with 30, had only reached five.

Yet England were working their way through the middle order effectively, and received a spectacular bonus when Pakistan's captain, the destructive Shahid Afridi, ran himself out from his first ball as he pondered taking a single to Luke Wright off Yardy that was never on.

When Umar, who struck a terrific six wide of long on off Swann, was brilliantly caught by Pietersen in front of the Pakistan dug-out following a 30-yard sprint along the boundary edge, Pakistan were 118-6 with barely three overs to go.

But there was a disappointing conclusion, or a very welcome one from a Pakistan point of view, when Bresnan missed an easy run-out chance to finish off the innings four balls early.

Bresnan compounded the error by giving up 14 runs from the last four balls of the innings to make England's task with the bat that bit harder.

But now it was the turn of Pakistan, and more specifically Saeed Ajmal, to toss the initiative back to Collingwood's men.

Fielding at mid-on to the right-handed Kieswetter, and mid-off to the left-handed Michael Lumb, he proceeded to drop three catches in the first five overs, only one of which was at all difficult.

Pietersen enjoyed himself in England's first victory of the tournament

Lumb was playing particularly well, and both batsmen piled into the fourth over, taking 19 runs off Mohammad Asif.

Ajmal redeemed himself when he had Lumb stumped in his first over, before Kieswetter was caught at long-on off Abdul Razzaq two overs after driving Mohammad Hafeez for an enormous six which took a chunk of masonry out of the Sir Garfield Sobers pavilion.

Pakistan needed to make the most of any chances, but instead they did the opposite, Razzaq dropping a catch off his own bowling when Pietersen struck a drive straight back to the bowler.

England's number four was in the mood to make Pakistan pay, even though he hobbled through the middle part of his innings after hitting one ball against his own ankle.

He dominated the stand with Collingwood, and was able to put away all the bowlers with some ease, with sixes off Ajmal and Afridi and some perfectly-placed drives and pulls for fours off the seamers.

Collingwood (16) finally holed out in the deep, and for once Eoin Morgan was unable to play a significant hand.

But by the time the final over started only two runs were needed, and after a dot and a leg-bye Pietersen stroked Ajmal to the extra-cover boundary.

It was the England batsman's third half-century in T20 internationals, not far short of his best score at this level of 79 against Zimbabwe in 2007.

India beat minnows Afghanistan in ICC World Twenty20

ICC World Twenty20, St Lucia:
India 116-3 (14.5 overs) beat Afghanistan 115-8 (20 overs) by seven wickets
Match scorecard

Afghanistan showed glimpses of talent but were ultimately outclassed by India

By Harry Reekie

Afghanistan's hopes of a fairytale win in their opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 were denied as India cruised to a seven-wicket victory in St Lucia.

The minnows had stunned many to qualify for the tournament but managed just 115-8 after being put in, with Noor Ali (50) the only batsman to get going.

India lost Gautam Gambhir early on but never looked troubled in reply.

Murali Vijay (48) and Yuvraj Singh (23 not out) were on form as their target was reached with 31 balls to spare.

It was the result everyone expected, but Afghanistan certainly deserve credit after turning in a respectable display in the biggest game of their short history.

Coach Kabir Khan's side were playing the likes of Japan and Vanuatu in the lowest tier of the World Cricket League only two years ago and despite never troubling their mighty opponents on Saturday, they were never embarrassed.

Captain Nowroz Mangal said his team would take some valuable lessons from their first big-tournament experience.

"First of all, this is a big day for us, qualifying for and participating in the World Cup," Mangal said through a translator.

"This India team is the best team in the world, you can see that, but unfortunately we lost the toss and the ball was seaming a little bit in the morning.

They were not letting anything go when they were fielding and bowling and it is a really good sign to see them play the way they did Mahendra Dhoni praises Afghanistan

"If we want to play the big teams more we have to learn to play the international game. We want more international games."

India, meanwhile, will be glad to have easily chalked up their first win after coming into the tournament without a single warm-up game. A much sterner test against South Africa awaits the 2007 champions on Sunday.

"It's important to win, obviously, and especially against teams like Afghanistan because you're expected to win and that puts you under more pressure," Dhoni said.

"So I'm really happy with the win and also to see the kind of cricket that they played.

"They batted really well after losing the first three wickets, their middle order was really good.

"And they were not letting anything go when they were fielding and bowling and it is a really good sign to see them play the way they did."

In truth, Afghanistan's total was never likely to be enough to hold up a star-studded India line-up but there were glimpses of promise in their batting display - albeit after a shaky start.

Karim Sadiq lasted only four balls before wildly gloving behind off Ashish Nehra before the seamer removed teenage dangerman Mohammad Shahzad in almost identical fashion two overs later.

606: DEBATE Afghanistan are a decent team. They have some good batsmen and will definitely become a force one day TooFan09

Captain Mangal failed to steady the ship, chipping tamely to mid-off to hand Ravindra Jadeja his first wicket of the tournament but any thoughts of a total mismatch were wiped away as Ali and Ashgar Stanikzai held firm.

Stanikzai provided most of the aggression, heaving Harbhajan over midwicket for one of three huge sixes, while Ali chipped away to bring up a well-deserved half-century from the top of the order.

But the opener fell to his very next ball after reaching the landmark when another gloved delivery was snaffled by wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni and when Stanikzai top-edged to midwicket, the minnows had lost all of their momentum.

Indeed, Afghanistan's inexperience was cruelly illustrated in slipping from 97-3 to 115-8 in the space of three overs, meaning India were left with a comfortable target to chase in the sunshine.

Gambhir would have fancied his chances of a big score but fell early and cheaply when Mohammad Nabi took a sharp catch at cover off Dawlat Ahmadzai's medium pace.

Suresh Raina and Vijay were hardly rattled though and propelled the total towards 50 before the former was trapped in front by Samiullah Shenwari.

But that only served to bring Yuvraj to the crease and some predictably aggressive strokes punished the Afghan bowling.

India had passed three figures by the time Vijay was caught in the deep off Hamid Hassan and two successive straight sixes from captain Dhoni helped India wrap up an ultimately simple win.

Watch match T2o Between India And Afghanistan