Pakistan in New Zealand 2010/11

	26 Dec 2010	1st Twenty20		New Zealand v Pakistan	Eden Park, Auckland	IT20
	28 Dec 2010	2nd Twenty20		New Zealand v Pakistan	Seddon Park, Hamilton	IT20
	30 Dec 2010	3rd Twenty20		New Zealand v Pakistan	AMI Stadium, Christchurch	IT20
	07 Jan 2011	1st Test		New Zealand v Pakistan	Seddon Park, Hamilton	Test
	15 Jan 2011	2nd Test		New Zealand v Pakistan	Basin Reserve, Wellington	Test
	22 Jan 2011	1st ODI		New Zealand v Pakistan	Westpac Stadium, Wellington	ODI
	26 Jan 2011	2nd ODI		New Zealand v Pakistan	Queenstown Events Centre	ODI
	29 Jan 2011	3rd ODI		New Zealand v Pakistan	AMI Stadium, Christchurch	ODI
	01 Feb 2011	4th ODI		New Zealand v Pakistan	McLean Park, Napier	ODI
	03 Feb 2011	5th ODI		New Zealand v Pakistan	Seddon Park, Hamilton	ODI
	05 Feb 2011	6th ODI		New Zealand v Pakistan	Eden Park, Auckland	ODI

ICC Awards 2010

We were at the 2010 ICC Awards at the Grand Castle in Bangalore.

Cricketer of the Year: Sachin Tendulkar Here’s what the master blaster said about his first ICC Cricketer of the Year award: Better late than never. He was happy that the team achieved the number one Test team ranking in Decemeber and have maintained it since then. He gave credit to all his fans for the support he has which continues to egg him on.
Test Cricketer of the Year: Virender Sehwag- Sehwag who has had a spectacular past 12 months in the longer format of the game rated Tuesday’s win against Australia as the best win of his career. He said it was privelege to part of the team and that the Indian team has set their sights on winning the ODI World Cup in the coming year.
ODI Cricketer of the Year: AB de Villiers – We asked AB if he thought the ODI format was still relevant. He said he loved playing all three formats of the game, and that it was up to the ICC to make changes in the format to keep interest alive.
World Test Team of the Year: Lead by MS Dhoni
The team: Virender Sehwag, Simon Katich, Sachin Tendulkar, Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Dale Steyn, Doug Bollinger.
India’s skipper took the opportunity to speak about his team and said he was proud of his team’s exploits. When quizzed about what India could improve on Dhoni said ground fielding was one area they weren’t brilliant at and could do with some improvement.
World ODI Team of the Year:  Lead by Ricky Ponting –
The team: Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, AB de Villiers, Paul Collingwood, Ricky Ponting, MS Dhoni, Daniel Vettori, Stuart Broad, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris
Ponting was quite surprised to get this one. He said he came to the awards not expecting to win anything.
LG People’s Choice Award: Sachin Tendulkar
Spirit of Cricket Award: New Zealand
Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Shelley Nitschke
Twenty20 International Performance of the Year: Brendon McCullum for his unbeaten 116 against Australia.
Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year: Ryan ten Doeschate from the Netherlands
Emerging player of the year: Steven Finn from England- Steven spoke of how England were confident of winning the upcoming Ashes even though they would be underdogs in Australia.
ICC Umpire of the Year: Aleem Dar – The Pakistani umpire won the award for the second year in a row. He said that the UDRS system for reviews should be implemented
West Indies fast bowlers Courtney Walsh and Joel Garner, along with Bishan Singh Bedi and the late Ken Barrington of England joined the 60 male members of the Hall of Fame, while England’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint becomes the first woman to be inducted.

Pakistan 2010-2011 Cricket Schedule

Oct-2010
Tue 26 16:00 GMT, 20:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 1st T20I - Pakistan v South Africa Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Wed 27 16:00 GMT, 20:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa Only T20I - Pakistan v South Africa Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Fri 29 11:00 GMT, 15:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 1st ODI - Pakistan v South Africa Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Sun 31 11:00 GMT, 15:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 2nd ODI - Pakistan v South Africa Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Nov-2010
Tue 02 11:00 GMT, 15:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 3rd ODI - Pakistan v South Africa Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Fri 05 11:00 GMT, 15:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 4th ODI - Pakistan v South Africa Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Mon 08 11:00 GMT, 15:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 5th ODI - Pakistan v South Africa Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Fri 12 - Tue 16 06:00 GMT, 10:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 1st Test - Pakistan v South Africa Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Sat 20 - Wed 24 06:00 GMT, 10:00 local	Pakistan v South Africa 2nd Test - Pakistan v South Africa Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Dec-2010
Sun 26 01:00 GMT, 14:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 1st T20 - New Zealand vs Pakistan Eden Park, Auckland
Tue 28 06:00 GMT, 17:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 2nd T20 - New Zealand vs Pakistan Seddon Park, Hamilton
Thu 30 06:00 GMT, 17:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 3rd T20 - New Zealand vs Pakistan AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Jan-2011
Fri 07 - Tue 11 22:00 GMT, 11:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 1st Test - New Zealand vs Pakistan Seddon Park, Hamilton
Sat 15 - Wed 19 22:00 GMT, 11:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 2nd Test - New Zealand vs Pakistan Basin Reserve, Wellington
Sat 22 01:00 GMT, 14:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 1st ODI - New Zealand vs Pakistan Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Wed 26 22:00 GMT, 11:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 2nd ODI - New Zealand vs Pakistan Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown
Sat 29 01:00 GMT, 14:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 3rd ODI - New Zealand vs Pakistan AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Feb-2011
Tue 01 01:00 GMT, 14:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 4th ODI - New Zealand vs Pakistan McLean Park, Napier
Thu 03 01:00 GMT, 14:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 5th ODI - New Zealand vs Pakistan Seddon Park, Hamilton
Sat 05 22:00 GMT, 11:00 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 6th ODI - New Zealand vs Pakistan Eden Park, Auckland
Wed 23 09:00 GMT, 14:30 local	Pakistan v Kenya 6th match - World Cup 2011 Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Sat 26 09:00 GMT, 14:30 local	Pakistan v Sri Lanka 10th match - World Cup 2011 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Mar-2011
Thu 03 09:00 GMT, 14:30 local	Pakistan v Canada 17th match - World Cup 2011 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Tue 08 09:00 GMT, 14:30 local	Pakistan v New Zealand 24th match - World Cup 2011 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Mon 14 09:00 GMT, 14:30 local	Pakistan v Zimbabwe 33rd match - World Cup 2011 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Sat 19 09:00 GMT, 14:30 local	Pakistan v Australia 40th match - World Cup 2011 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Pakistan vs Somerset ODI Tour Match (2010)

Pakistan won by 8 Runs							Pakistanis innings (50 overs maximum)							R	M	B	4s	6s
Mohammad Hafeez						c de Bruyn b Turner	0	11	7	0	0
Shahzaib Hasan						c Turner b de Bruyn	105	164	120	10	2
Azhar Ali						c Gregory b Turner	0	2	3	0	0
Mohammad Yousuf						run out (Trego)	26	24	24	5	0
Fawad Alam						b Turner	97	140	107	7	2
Shahid Afridi*						c de Bruyn b Gregory	2	9	4	0	0
Abdul Razzaq						c Hildreth b Gregory	2	6	5	0	0
Kamran Akmal†						not out	12	19	10	1	0
Umar Gul						c †Buttler b Gregory	0	1	3	0	0
Saeed Ajmal						lbw b Gregory	0	1	2	0	0
Shoaib Akhtar						run out (Trego)	4	5	3	1	0
Total						(all out; 47.3 overs)	264

Statement by ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat today issued a statement in the light of the ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption during the England v Pakistan Test match at Lord's, which concluded on Sunday.

Mr Lorgat said: "The International Cricket Council (ICC), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to corruption in cricket. All allegations of betting irregularities or fixing of matches or incidents within matches are investigated thoroughly by the ICC's internationally respected Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and this case is no different.

"Currently, senior ACSU investigators are in the United Kingdom conducting enquiries into the allegations directed at some Pakistan players during the recently concluded Test against England at Lord's. That investigation has the full support and co-operation of the ECB and PCB. In addition, ACSU officials are assisting London's Metropolitan Police with their criminal investigation.

"Led by Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the ACSU is the most respected and experienced such unit in world sport and it has at its disposal a robust and far-reaching Anti-Corruption Code that all ICC Members support and are bound by.

"The integrity of the game is of paramount importance. Prompt and decisive action will be taken against those who seek to harm it. However, the facts must first be established through a thorough investigation and it is important to respect the right of due process when addressing serious allegations of this sort.

"Make no mistake ? once the process is complete, 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."

Trott and Broad save England with record stand

Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad hit centuries at Lord's on Friday to save England with a record eighth-wicket stand after Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir had blown away the early batting in the fourth and final test.

Trott batted all day to reach 149 not out, adding 244 with Broad (125 not out) to lead England to 346 for seven in their first innings at the close of the second day.

Broad, in an innings of genuine quality, scored his maiden test century and the first by an England number eight since John Murray against West Indies in 1966.

His partnership with Broad is an England record for the eighth wicket against Pakistan, and the second highest against any country.

The hosts, 2-1 up in the series, were reduced to 47 for five in the morning session after resuming on 39 for one. Only 12.3 overs were bowled on Thursday

Eighteen-year-old Amir picked up six for 73 in 23 outstanding overs. He took four wickets in eight balls without conceding a run from the Pavilion end, dismissing Alastair Cook (10) and Kevin Pietersen (0) caught behind from consecutive deliveries.

Paul Collingwood was then trapped lbw for a duck and Eoin Morgan was smartly caught at second slip by Yasir Hameed, also without scoring.

It was the first time the England number four, five and six had failed to score in a test innings.

Amir became the youngest player to capture 50 test wickets when Matt Prior was caught behind for 22 from the fourth delivery after lunch.

Graeme Swann was then caught in the gully by Azhar Ali off Amir for yet another duck.

England, on 102 for seven, were in danger of succumbing for fewer runs than their previous lowest score of 130 against Pakistan.

Instead Trott and Broad combined in a memorable partnership which flourished as the Pakistan bowlers tired and the sun finally broke through to sap any remaining moisture from the pitch.

Trott moved confidently on to the front foot to drive through the covers and the mid-wicket area while Broad played like a top-order batsman.

He flicked Amir for a six over square-leg and played the shot of the day with a blazing off-drive from the same bowler.

Trott, who scored 226 in the Lord's test against Bangladesh this year, reached his century, courtesy of overthrows which raced to the boundary, in five minutes short of five hours with 13 fours.

Broad surpassed his previous highest test score of 76 and moved serenely to his hundred from 159 balls with nine

Ali packs a punch against England

Image via Wikipedia

Azhar Ali's Test-best 92 put Pakistan in a strong position against England at the close of the second day of the third Test at The Oval here on Thursday.

And before stumps there was still time for Pakistan to dismiss England captain Andrew Strauss (four), caught at second slip by Yasir Hameed off left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer.

England closed on six for one in their second innings, 69 runs behind, with struggling opener Alastair Cook nought not out and nightwatchman James Anderson unbeaten on two.

Ali's innings was the cornerstone of Pakistan's 308, which gave them a first innings lead of 75.

Pakistan's poor catching had been a key factor in their falling 2-0 behind in this four-match series.

But on Thursday it was England who paid the price for missing a routine chance when Strauss, at first slip, put down Mohammad Asif when the No 11 was on four and Ali on 66.

Pakistan were then 278 for nine but, with Ali seizing on anything either over-pitched or short from Stuart Broad, the last-wicket pair added 38 runs.

The 25-year-old Ali's second fifty in five matches at this level, after he made 51 in Pakistan's three-wicket win over Australia at Headingley last month, was not a lone hand.

Veteran batsman and former captain Mohammad Yousuf marked his return to international cricket with a well-made 56 before he became Graeme Swann's 100th Test wicket, having put on 69 with Ali.

Former captain Yousuf was playing his first Test since January following the overturning of an "indefinite ban" imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board after he led the side on their winless tour of Australia.

But shortly before tea he drove too early at a Swann delivery and was caught and bowled to end a 108-ball stay featuring eight boundaries.

It meant Swann had taken his 100th wicket in 23 Tests.

He was the third quickest off-spinner to the landmark behind India's Erapalli Prasanna (20 Tests) and South Africa's Hugh Tayfield (22).

Umar Akmal elegantly late cut medium-pacer Paul Collingwood for four to give Pakistan a first innings lead.

But next ball, setting off for a single that was never on, he was run out by Eoin Morgan's direct under-arm hit from cover for 38 featuring four fours and a straight six off Swann.

Ali and Umar Akmal put on 57 for the sixth wicket.

Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Aamer then both fell cheaply to Broad, bowling with the new ball.

Ali, on 62 when Asif came in, was left just short of a maiden Test hundred when the seamer drove Swann straight to Anderson at mid-off.

Swann led England's attack with four wickets for 68 runs in 27.2 overs.

Pakistan, bowled out for record low scores against England of 80 and 72 in crushing defeats by 354 runs and nine wickets in the first and second Tests respectively, had failed to add to their overnight score of 48 for one when recalled opener Hameed was caught behind off Finn.

Swann also struck with his second ball on Thursday when Pakistan captain Salman Butt, in at No 4 after previously opening this series, was caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior at the third attempt after edging an intended cut.

The off-spinner then removed stubborn nightwatchman Wahab Riaz for 27 when the impressive debutant, who took five wickets on Wednesday, was lbw on the sweep to the first ball of Swann's second spell.

But Ali and Yousuf made sure Riaz's two hours of resistance was worthwhile.

ICC World Cup 2011 Schedule

Mumbai: International Cricket Council's (ICC) World Cup Organising Committee, headed by former cricket board president Sharad Pawar, on Tuesday decided to shift the 2011 World Cup secretariat to Mumbai from Lahore, after Pakistan was stripped of their 2011 World Cup hosting rights by the ICC earlier this month due to security concerns.

India will host the final and one semi-final of the 2011 World Cup while Sri Lanka will stage the other semi-final, the tournament's organising committee decided in Mumbai on Tuesday. India will host 29 of the 49 matches across eight venues, Sri Lanka will host 12 in three venues while Bangladesh will stage eight at two grounds as well as the opening ceremony on February 18, 2011.

Bangladesh would host the opening ceremony of the 2011 World Cup as well as eight matches, which would be played on two venues, Lorgat said.

The 14 matches originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan have been redistributed with eight going to India, four to Sri Lanka and two to Bangladesh. The quarter-finals will be shared India and Sri Lanka one each while Bangladesh hosting two.

The ICC's decision has left India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as the three sub-continental co-hosts of the mega event.

Schedule:

• Sat Feb 19  1st match - India v Bangladesh
• Sun Feb 20  3rd match - Sri Lanka v Canada
• Sun Feb 20  2nd match - Kenya v New Zealand
• Mon Feb 21  4th match - Australia v Zimbabwe
• Tue Feb 22  5th match - England v Netherlands
• Wed Feb 23  6th match - Kenya v Pakistan
• Thu Feb 24  7th match - South Africa v West Indies
• Fri Feb 25  9th match - Bangladesh v Ireland
• Fri Feb 25  8th match - Australia v New Zealand
• Sat Feb 26  10th match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka
• Sun Feb 27  11th match - India v England
• Mon Feb 28  12th match - Netherlands v West Indies
• Mon Feb 28  13th match - Canada v Zimbabwe
• Tue Mar 1  14th match - Kenya v Sri Lanka
• Wed Mar 2  15th match - England v Ireland
• Thu Mar 3  17th match - Canada v Pakistan
• Thu Mar 3  16th match - Netherlands v South Africa
• Fri Mar 4  19th match - Bangladesh v West Indies
• Fri Mar 4  18th match - New Zealand v Zimbabwe
• Sat Mar 5  20th match - Australia v Sri Lanka
• Sun Mar 6  21st match - India v Ireland
• Sun Mar 6  22nd match - England v South Africa
• Mon Mar 7  23rd match - Canada v Kenya
• Tue Mar 8  24th match - New Zealand v Pakistan
• Wed Mar 9  25th match - India v Netherlands
• Thu Mar 10  26th match - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
• Fri Mar 11  28th match - Bangladesh v England
• Fri Mar 11  27th match - Ireland v West Indies
• Sat Mar 12  29th match - India v South Africa
• Sun Mar 13  30th match - Canada v New Zealand
• Sun Mar 13  31st match - Australia v Kenya
• Mon Mar 14  33rd match - Bangladesh v Netherlands
• Mon Mar 14  32nd match - Pakistan v Zimbabwe
• Tue Mar 15  34th match - Ireland v South Africa
• Wed Mar 16  35th match - Australia v Canada
• Thu Mar 17  36th match - England v West Indies
• Fri Mar 18  37th match - New Zealand v Sri Lanka
• Fri Mar 18  38th match - Ireland v Netherlands
• Sat Mar 19  40th match - Bangladesh v South Africa
• Sat Mar 19  39th match - Australia v Pakistan
• Sun Mar 20  41st match - Kenya v Zimbabwe
• Sun Mar 20  42nd match - India v West Indies
• Wed Mar 23  1st Quarter Final at Mirpur
• Thu Mar 24  2nd Quarter Final at Colombo
• Fri Mar 25  3rd Quarter Final at Mirpur
• Sat Mar 26  4th Quarter Final at Ahmedabad
• Tue Mar 29  1st Semi Final at Colombo
• Wed Mar 30  2nd Semi Final at Chandigarh
• Sat Apr 2  Final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Tendulkar's double ton leads India's run feast

Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar hit 203 and debutant Suresh Raina made 120 as India bettered Sri Lanka's run-spree in the high-scoring second cricket Test on Thursday.

India, kept on the field for the first two days during Sri Lanka's massive 642-4 declared, responded by piling up 669-9 by stumps on the fourth day at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

With just 13 wickets having fallen on the placid wicket in four days, the batsman-dominated Test is heading for a draw with Sri Lanka enjoying a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Tendulkar and Raina, who came together on the third afternoon with India on 241-4 and struggling to avoid their second successive follow-on, put on 256 runs for the fifth wicket.

Tendulkar compiled his fifth double-century, adding another feather to a glorious 168-Test career marked by more runs (13,742) and hundreds (48) than any other batsman in history. He is also the leading one-day batsman with 17,598 runs and 46 hundreds, including the only double-century in limited-overs internationals.

The 37-year-old braved the stifling hot and humid weather in the Sri Lankan capital for more than eight hours to play a marathon innings studded with 23 boundaries and a six. Tendulkar reached the 200-mark, his first in six years, with a flick off Ajantha Mendis for two runs, earning warm applause from team-mates and spectators alike.

Left-hander Raina became the ninth Indian to score a century in his first Test innings, before holing out to short mid-wicket off Mendis shortly after lunch. Raina, just 23 and already a veteran of 98 one-day internationals, was awarded his Test cap only after Yuvraj Singh reported sick on the opening day of the match.

He hit two sixes and 12 boundaries, reaching his century with a fluent off-drive against seamer Dammika Prasad that raced to the fence. Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76) joined in the run feast after Raina's departure, adding 95 for the sixth wicket with Tendulkar and 51 for the eighth with Abhimanyu Mithun (41).

It was left to part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan to get rid of Tendulkar soon after tea as wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene held a bat-pad catch moving swiftly to the silly point area. Dilshan also dismissed Harbhajan Singh in the same over and later took a return catch off Dhoni to finish with three wickets.

Sri Lanka missed the wicket-taking abilities of the retired Muttiah Muralitharan and injured fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the young crop of bowlers failed to contain the Indians. Mendis finished with 4-157 from his 54 overs, while off-spinner Suraj Randiv failed to add to his two wickets on the third day and returned with 2-212 in 64 overs.

Muralitharan and Malinga had claimed 15 of the 20 Indian wickets in the first Test in Galle last week, which Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets.

Pakistan seal win over Australia to share Test series

Pakistan celebrate after Umar Gul hits the winning run against Australia

Pakistan completed their first Test win against Australia for 15 years with an edgy three-wicket triumph at Headingley to share the two-match series 1-1.

Needing only 40 more runs with seven wickets left at the start of play, they soon lost Azhar Ali for 51.
And Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal then departed cheaply before Umar Gul finally hit the winning run.
It ended a run of 13 successive defeats by Australia and gave Salman Butt a victorious start as captain.
He was put in charge when Shahid Afridi gave up the job following Australia's win in the first Test at Lord's but had to endure an anxious 65 minutes as his side were made to struggle for almost every run by their opponents.
When Azhar was caught behind in the second over, Pakistan opted for a cautious approach, which was perhaps understandable given their past record against Ricky Ponting's side.
But poor shot selection and indecisive foot movement almost cost them dear before they reached the finishing line on 180-7.
Azhar's place in the team may be under threat if, as suggested, veterans Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf come back into the reckoning for the four-match series against England, which begins at Trent Bridge next Thursday.
He reached a maiden Test half century with a delightful cover drive to the boundary off a full toss from Doug Bollinger, but prodded forward at the next delivery and got an inside edge to the keeper to give the left-arm paceman a 29th birthday present.
Umar Akmal's streaky edge through the vacant gully area reduced the requirement to just 30 but he went for eight when he nicked low to the keeper in a Ben Hilfenhaus wicket maiden, bringing elder brother Kamran to the middle to join Shoaib Malik.
Former skipper Malik was then dropped by Michael Clarke diving full length to his right at second slip off Bollinger.
In the next over from Hilfenhaus, however, his sweetly struck drive was astonishingly caught by Marcus North standing only a few yards from the bat at short cover.
Malik went for 13, with his side still 19 runs short of their target, but Kamran guided a four through the gully region and struck a cover drive to the boundary to ease the pressure.

Ricky Ponting's face revealed his feelings about Australia's display

There was still time for controversy as he square cut Mitchell Johnson to gully where Mike Hussey claimed a low catch but Kamran stood his ground and umpire Rudi Koertzen sought help in making his decision from the TV official.
Replays were inconclusive, so Koertzen, who was given a guard of honour by the players as he made his way out to the centre for his final day of Test cricket, gave Kamran not out, much to the chagrin of the Australians.
The scores were level when Kamran drove uppishly at a wide one from Johnson and Hussey dived superbly to his left to take the catch, showing admirable restraint in the process, but Gul confidently struck his first ball through the covers to see Pakistan to their first Test win since beating New Zealand last December.
Popular South African Koertzen was presented with a large bronze statue of himself after ending an 18-year umpiring career.
"I thought I would have a nice and easy day then they started putting pressure on me to see if the old guy can handle it," said the 61-year-old after officiating in his 108th Test match.
"That's cricket. It's an amazing sport and I was so honoured to be part of it and I'll definitely miss it.
"I am really looking forward to retirement. I've got a few things in the pipeline but I am looking forward to taking a break and spending time with my family."

Ricky Ponting's head in the clouds as Australia are skittled out for 88 by brilliant Pakistan

By:Rayan Shah
Ricky Ponting has not inserted a Test side since he asked England to bat at Edgbaston five years ago and threw away the Ashes. How he will be wishing he broke that habit on Wednesday.
The Australian captain looked down at the pitch instead of up at the clouds at Headingley after winning the toss and, scarred by the consequences of his fateful mistake in 2005, condemned his side to two-and-three-quarter hours of abject misery in this second and final Test.

Take that! Mohammad Asif celebrates the wicket of Australia captain Ricky Ponting

With it should come a crushing defeat by Pakistan after an extraordinary opening day.
The facts make such unbelievable reading that they will bring joy not only to Pakistan but also to England as they look forward to their Ashes defence this winter.
Australia were bowled out for 88, simply blown away in 33.1 overs by a combination of magnificent seam and swing bowling and their own technical shortcomings at a ground where overhead conditions are paramount.
It was their second ever lowest score against Pakistan and their lowest against anyone for 26 years when a ferocious West Indian attack in their prime humiliated them for 76 on the world's fastest pitch at the WACA.
Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul are not in the class of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner and Michael Holding but they were a mighty potent combination yesterday, pitching the ball up and exploiting conditions expertly against an Australian line-up who kept pushing ineptly against the moving ball.

A Head start: Pakistan bowled Australia out for just 88 runs on Day One

Ponting clearly learnt nothing from the Ashes Test here in Leeds last year when Andrew Strauss elected to bat and saw England plummet to 76 for six at lunch and 102 all out.
On Wednesday, Australia were 73 for six at lunch and skittled soon after as the most promising young fast bowler in the world hurried them to a double figure total.
Aamer, an 18-year- old modern-day Wasim Akram, was on a hat-trick two balls after the interval after two superlative swinging deliveries cleaned up Steve Smith, middle stump, and Mitchell Johnson, off-stump.

Perfect start: new Pakistan captain Salman Butt

The teenager was simply unplayable and a whisker away from being the youngest bowler in Test history to take a hat-trick, Ben Hilfenhaus pushing nervously and just missing an outswinger.
And to compound Australia's misery, the sun came out when Pakistan batted, the pitch suddenly looked flat, Ponting's bowlers pitched too short and the 'home' side moved to 148 for three, a lead of 60, despite two late strikes from Shane Watson.
What an extraordinary turnaround from the most unpredictable team in world cricket.
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had appeared to be deserting a sinking ship when he quit after just one Test in charge at Lord's last week and nothing seemed more certain than Australia's 14th successive Test win over Pakistan.
Yet here Pakistan were, five days later and under a new leader in Salman Butt , suddenly transformed into world-beaters and showing England they will come up against a formidable bowling unit in the four-Test series that begins at Trent Bridge next week.

Surely even Pakistan cannot fail to record their f irst Test win over Australia in 15 years . . . can they?
Australia were almost as bad with the ball, their seamers under-performing again and Hilfenhaus reduced to grumpily sledging batsmen who refused to be as accommodating as the Australians.
Tim Nielsen, the Australia coach, said: 'We discussed bowling first but we were surprised how dry the wicket looked and we felt that if we could get through the new ball it would flatten out. They bowled beautifully but when you're bowled out for 88 you haven't had a good day.'
Bowler Gul said: 'It was a shocking decision by Australia to bat first . We would definitely have bowled if we had won the toss.'
What a shame there were not more people here to see it. Yesterday, no more than 5,000 wre present , and if people leave it to the weekend to turn up it may be too late.
Only the weather might extend the match, the players absurdly being taken off for bad light immediately after Umar Akmal had smashed Smith for an outrageous straight six.
No matter. There was more than enough action.

• Middlesex seamer Steven Finn, in contention for the first Test against Pakistan next week, conceded 115 runs for his two wickets in 27 overs against Sussex at Uxbridge yesterday.

Pakistan beat Australia, win series 2-0

Pakistan were unchanged from the team that won the first Twenty20 international against Australia by 23 runs here on Monday, when Afridi also won the toss and batted. -Photo by Rayan

BIRMINGHAM, England: Teenage quick Mohammad Aamer took three wickets as Pakistan beat Australia by 11 runs in the second Twenty20 international at Edgbaston here on Tuesday to complete a 2-0 series win.

Australia, chasing 163 to win, were dismissed for 151 with 18-year-old left-armer Aamer taking three wickets for 27 runs in his maximum four overs — the same figures as he returned during Pakistan’s 23-run win here on Monday.

The man-of-the-match struck early to remove openers David Warner and Michael Clarke before having Mitchell Johnson lbw late on to the delight of a pro-Pakistan crowd.

With just one wicket standing, a target of 19 off the last over proved beyond Australia and Shaun Tait was run out with two balls left.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and fellow spinner Saeed Ajmal kept the pressure on with three middle-order wickets.

As was the case in their dramatic Twenty20 semi-final win over Pakistan in St Lucia in May, Australia’s hopes, with 35 needed off the last three overs, rested with Michael Hussey.

But the left-hander, whose dashing 60 not out turned that match on its head, was lbw to paceman Umar Gul for 25, featuring four fours, when he missed an ambitious reverse sweep.

Australia’s bowlers had done a good job in holding Pakistan to 162 for nine with left-arm quick Dirk Nannes striking twice in two balls to remove dangermen Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi.

Nannes finished with three for 30 while left-arm spinner Stephen O’Keefe, on his international debut, took three for 29 including two tailend wickets.

No Pakistan batsman made more than Kamran Akmal’s 33 although Aamer hit two sixes late on as he finished on 21 not out.

But no Australia batsman made more than David Hussey’s 33.

Australia saw captain Clarke promote himself to opener in place of Shane Watson who, along with leg-spinner Steven Smith, was rested.

Clarke, who averaged just over 15 in Australia’s run to the World Twenty20 final where they lost to England, was in superb touch while making 30 as his side slumped to 33 for three.

Warner was lbw for one to Aamer, although replays suggested the ball was narrowly missing leg-stump.

Shoaib Akhtar then had Tim Paine skying to Umar Gul at mid-off for nought.

In between those dismissals, Clarke played some superb strokes including a cover-driven four off Aamer.

But having struck six boundaries in only 17-balls he played on to Aamer.

James Hopes and David Hussey staunched the flow of wickets and Australia were 78 for three at halfway, needing 85 off the last 10 overs.

However, a fifty stand was ended when Hopes, on 30, was smartly stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal off leg-spinner Afridi.

Australia were now 83 for four in the 12th over and in need of boundaries.

Earlier, Pakistan lost Shahzaib Hasan for his second duck in as many days, although as Australia’s ploy in opening the bowling with part-time spinner David Hussey was rewarded off the fourth ball when the opener was lbw sweeping.

Umar Akmal, the hero of Pakistan’s win on Monday with a career-best 64, struck Johnson for a superb ‘inside-out’ four high over extra-cover.

But that was topped by Afridi’s straight six off a near yorker-length ball from express quick Shaun Tait.

However, Nannes reduced Pakistan to 130 for six in the 17th over.

First he caught and bowled Umar, for 25, off a skied drive, that allowed the batsman to cross, and next ball he tucked up Afridi, on 18, for room and had him caught behind by wicketkeeper Paine. -AFP

Teams

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, David Hussey, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Tim Paine (wkt), James Hopes, Stephen O’Keefe, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait

Pakistan: Shazaib Hasan, Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wkt), Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal

Umpires: Asad Rauf (PAK) and Zameer Haider (PAK)

TV umpire: Nadeem Ghouri (PAK)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

Akmal inspires Pakistan to revenge win over Australia

Pakistan avenged their heart-breaking defeat in this year's World Twenty20 semi-final to beat Australia by 23 runs in the first T20 international in Birmingham on Monday.

Umar Akmal's sparkling 64 from 31 balls lifted the Pakistanis to a competitive total of 167 for eight and excellent bowling from Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul strangled Australia, who slumped to 144 all out in the 19th over.

Pakistan struggled with the bat after winning the toss and stumbled to 47 for four.

However, Akmal settled immediately and struck three huge sixes and seven fours to change the momentum of the match.

Pakistan looked on course for a large total but the return of Shaun Tait to the Australian attack held them back.

The fast bowler bowled Abdul Razzaq (7) with the first ball of his spell and deceived Akmal with a superb slower delivery as Pakistan struggled in the closing overs.

Australia's reply started badly when the consistent Shane Watson was trapped lbw by Aamer second ball and captain Michael Clarke fell for five.

David Warner and David Hussey added 52 for third wicket but both fell in quick succession and Cameron White and Michael Hussey, whose extraordinary innings lifted the Australians to an unlikely win in the World Twenty20 semi-final in St Lucia, also failed to build on solid starts.

Aamer completed figures of three for 27, Gul two for 13 and Ajmal three for 26 as Pakistan clinically dismantled the Australian tail.

The second and final match of the Twenty20 series takes place on Tuesday before the teams meet in two tests in England.

Afridi inspires Pakistan to big win in Asia Cup

Shahid Afridi © AFP

Skipper Shahid Afridi smashed a glorious 124 off 60 balls as Pakistan ended their Asia Cup campaign with a 139-run rout of Bangladesh on Monday.
Afridi plundered 17 boundaries and four sixes to lead Pakistan to their highest one-day total of 385-7, before Bangladesh replied with 246-5 in the day-night match.
Junaid Siddique top-scored for Bangladesh with 97 after sharing a second-wicket stand of 160 with Imrul Kayes, who made 66.
It was Pakistan's lone victory in the four-nation tournament and came after India and defending champions Sri Lanka had already qualified for Thursday's final with two wins each.
Bangladesh return home beaten in all three matches.
India and Sri Lanka clash in the last league match on Tuesday to prepare for the final at the Rangiri stadium in Dambulla.
Pakistan's total surpassed their previous best of 371-9 against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996, a match in which Afridi cracked the fastest one-day century ever off 37 balls.
Pakistan, who had lost narrowly to both India and Sri Lanka, used the game to display their batting power after openers Imran Farhat (66) and Shahzaib Hasan (50) put on 81 by the 13th over.
There was another half-century from Umar Akmal, who made 50 during a fifth-wicket stand of 136 with Afridi.
Pakistan hammered 120 runs in the last nine overs as the Bangladesh bowling wilted under the spectacular assault.
Pakistan's innings was marred by the bizarre dismissal of Umar Amin, who was run out by Mohammad Mahmudullah while moving from the off to the leg-side at the non-striker's end after completing a single.
Amin's bat was in the air as he walked across the popping crease and was clearly not trying to steal a single when Mahmudullah broke the stumps.
Umpires Billy Doctrove and Bruce Oxenford referred the decision to the TV umpire, who declared Amin run out.

Afridi inspires Pakistan to big win in Asia Cup

Asif is congratulated by his teammates after dismissing Tamim Iqbal.—AFP

DAMBULLA: Skipper Shahid Afridi smashed a glorious 124 off 60 balls as Pakistan ended their Asia Cup campaign with a 139-run rout of Bangladesh on Monday.
Afridi plundered 17 boundaries and four sixes to lead Pakistan to their highest one-day total of 385-7, before Bangladesh replied with 246-5 in the day-night match.
Junaid Siddique top-scored for Bangladesh with 97 after sharing a second-wicket stand of 160 with Imrul Kayes, who made 66.
It was Pakistan's lone victory in the four-nation tournament and came after India and defending champions Sri Lanka had already qualified for Thursday's final with two wins each.
Bangladesh return home beaten in all three matches. India and Sri Lanka clash in the last league match on Tuesday to prepare for the final at the Rangiri stadium in Dambulla.
Pakistan's total surpassed their previous best of 371-9 against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996, a match in which Afridi cracked the fastest one-day century ever off 37 balls.
Pakistan, who had lost narrowly to both India and Sri Lanka, used the game to display their batting power after openers Imran Farhat (66) and Shahzaib Hasan (50) put on 81 by the 13th over.
There was another half-century from Umar Akmal, who made 50 during a fifth-wicket stand of 136 with Afridi.
Pakistan hammered 120 runs in the last nine overs as the Bangladesh bowling wilted under the spectacular assault.
Pakistan's innings was marred by the bizarre dismissal of Umar Amin, who was run out by Mohammad Mahmudullah while moving from the off to the leg-side at the non-striker's end after completing a single.
Amin's bat was in the air as he walked across the popping crease and was clearly not trying to steal a single when Mahmudullah broke the stumps.
Umpires Billy Doctrove and Bruce Oxenford referred the decision to the TV umpire, who declared Amin run out.—AFP

Channels Telecasting Asia Cup 2010 Series Live

Channels Telecasting Asia Cup 2010 Series Live

Australia — Network Ten (Live)
Bangladesh – Ten Sports
Canada — Asian Television Network -ATN (Live)
Europe — British Eurosport on Sky Digital and Virgin Media (Live)(including France, Denmark, Algeria, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Monaco, Cyprus and Russia)
New Zealand – Sky TV
India — Neo Sports/Neo Cricket
Pakistan – Geo Sports
Middle East — Arab Digital Distribution (Live) in UAE, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan and Libya
South Africa — Supersport (Live)
United Kingdom — British Eurosport on Sky Digital
United States — Willow TV (Live)

Arch rivals India & Pakistan clash on 19th June, in Asia cup 2010.

Arch rivals India & Pakistan clash on 19th June, in Asia cup 2010.

Fans are disappointed whenever their beloved team eats a defeat but they're angry, animated & aggressive when beaten by arch rival..

India and Pakistan, once part of same nation, are bitter rivals ever since partition in 1947 and hardly share anything these days, apart from a religion called cricket. now whenever there's a clash, enthusiasm is at it's peak.

19th June 2010 ~ Asia cup brings India and Pakistan up against each other after a gap of 8 months (last meeting = Champions Trophy 2009). Here are some frequently asked questions related to this upcoming high profile encounter :-

Head to head

124th India vs Pakistan one day international it will be on 19th June. Previously, Pakistan have won 69 while Indians have only 45 wins with no tied, 4 no results and 5 abandonded.

History

First ever India vs Pakistan cricket match happened in 1952, India won by 70 runs. 1st ODI was back in October 1978, at Quetta, won by India by 4 runs.

As far as history of asia cup is concerned, India have won 4 times (1984, 88, 90 & 95) out of 9 previous tournaments while Pakistan have just one trophy triump, in 2000.

Records

India v Pak in ODI = Saeed Anwar's 194 is still highest batsman score, 356 for 9 wkts by India is highest total, 231 between Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu is biggest partnership while 7 for 37 is best bowling, achieved by Aaqib Javed.

Squads

India asia cup squad is without two greatest match winners = Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, rested and dropped respectively. Captain MS Dhoni, openers Virendra Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir and experienced pacers Zaheer Khan & Ashish Nehra return after skipping Zimbabwean tour last week, along with champion spinner Harbhajan Singh. Saurabh Tiwary is the unknown identity, but his chances of playing this match are low.

Ind Squad = MS Dhoni (wicket keeper), Virendra Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Saurabh Tiwary, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Ashok Dinda, R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha.

Pakistan Asia cup squad, on other hand, is boosted by return of once world's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar, although no one's sure whether Rawalpindi express can still set speed guns on fire. Shahid Afridi has taken full time command of the team while in-form opener Salman Butt is his deputy. Left arm sensation Mohammad Aamer will take new ball with ever relaiable Mohammad Asif but spinners Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman are the once to put breaks during middle overs. Umar Akmal is young batter worth a watch.

Pak Squad : Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Mallik, Abdur Rehman, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Abdur Rehman and Saaed Ajmal.

Quotes

Pak captain Shahid Afridi ~ "I have always enjoyed playing against India because it is a special match and I have been saying we should play more often against each other, as it will only help improve relations".

Pak coach Waqar Younis ~ "It should be a great match as any contest between the two teams produces top quality cricket. It is unfortunate we are not playing against each other more often because Indo-Pak matches are watched by people all over the world and they are great for the sport".

India captain MS Dhoni ~ "It will be an important tournament for us as we will be figuring in an ODI after a very long time".

Asia Cup 2010 cricket schedule / fixtures

Asia Cup 2010 will be played in Sri Lanka. The Asian Cricket Council has announced the schedule for the tournament. 2010 Asia Cup will be started from 15th June, 2010 and final match on 25th June, 2010. Total seven ODI matches will be played in this cricket tournament.India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, this four Asian countries will take part in Asia Cup 2010.

Sri Lanka beaten India by 100 runs and became the champion of last Asia Cup 2008 tournament in Karachi. This year also Sri Lankan cricket team is hot favorite to win Asia Cup at its home ground.All matches will be played as per day-night schedule. Each team plays the other once in a league format after that top two teams will play the final match of tournament and one team will get the tile of Asia Cup 2010. Because of monsoon season there is three reserve days during the tournament and this is a good for every team.

Sri Lanka is a good for tourism where a lots of beautiful beaches, forest and other famous places. So book your air and match ticket and enjoy the cricket with lots of fun. Micromax Asia Cup 2010 match schedule and time table given below checkout.

2010 Micromax Asia Cup Cricket Match Dates And Schedule

Asia Cup Match time table as per Indian Standard Time (IST) give below :
Match : 1
Date : 15th June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm.
Team : Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan
Venue : Dambulla
Match : 2
Date : 16th June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm.
Team : Bangladesh Vs India
Venue : Dambulla
Match : 3
Date : 18th June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm.
Team : Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh
Venue : Dambulla
Match : 4
Date : 19th June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm.
Team : India Vs Pakistan
Venue : Dambulla
Match : 5
Date : 21st June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm.
Team : Bangladesh Vs Pakistan
Venue : Dambulla
Match : 6
Date : 22nd June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm.
Team : Sri Lanka Vs India
Venue : Dambulla
Match : 7
Date : 24th June, 2010
Time : 2.30 pm
Team : Final
Venue : Dambulla

Asia cup 2010 cricket tournament will be held in Sri Lanka