Showing posts with label asia cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asia cup. Show all posts
Harbhajan’s last-gasp shot over the midwicket fence helped India past Pakistan’s 267 with one ball to spare in a heart-stopping finish at the Rangiri stadium in Dambulla.
India scored 52 runs in the last five overs after the sixth wicket had fallen at 219, with Suresh Raina making 34 off 27 balls and Harbhajan an unbeaten 15 off 11.
The exciting victory lifted both India and hosts Sri Lanka into the June 24 final with two wins each and rendered the last two league matches inconsequential.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have yet to win a game, play each other on Monday, while India and Sri Lanka clash on Tuesday in a dress rehearsal for the final.
Barely 2,000 Sri Lankan fans were on hand to watch a rare clash between the arch-rivals, only their second one-day encounter in the past two years.
Opener Gautam Gambhir hit 83 off 97 balls and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with 57 during a third-wicket stand of 97 which lifted India to 180-2 in the 36th over.
But Gambhir’s dismissal at that stage, bowled by Saeed Ajmal, triggered a middle-order collapse which saw four wickets fall for the addition of 39 runs.
Dhoni was bowled by Shoaib Malik and Rohit Sharma was trapped leg-before by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, before Ajmal removed Ravindra Jadeja to make it 219-6 in the 46th over.
Raina and Harbhajan then stepped in to lead a brilliant recovery and crush a valiant Pakistan side’s hopes of staying alive in the tournament.
For Pakistan, opener Salman Butt top-scored with 74 and Kamran Akmal hit 51 off 41 balls after Afridi won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night international.
India scored 52 runs in the last five overs after the sixth wicket had fallen at 219, with Suresh Raina making 34 off 27 balls and Harbhajan an unbeaten 15 off 11.
The exciting victory lifted both India and hosts Sri Lanka into the June 24 final with two wins each and rendered the last two league matches inconsequential.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have yet to win a game, play each other on Monday, while India and Sri Lanka clash on Tuesday in a dress rehearsal for the final.
Barely 2,000 Sri Lankan fans were on hand to watch a rare clash between the arch-rivals, only their second one-day encounter in the past two years.
Opener Gautam Gambhir hit 83 off 97 balls and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with 57 during a third-wicket stand of 97 which lifted India to 180-2 in the 36th over.
But Gambhir’s dismissal at that stage, bowled by Saeed Ajmal, triggered a middle-order collapse which saw four wickets fall for the addition of 39 runs.
Dhoni was bowled by Shoaib Malik and Rohit Sharma was trapped leg-before by Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, before Ajmal removed Ravindra Jadeja to make it 219-6 in the 46th over.
Raina and Harbhajan then stepped in to lead a brilliant recovery and crush a valiant Pakistan side’s hopes of staying alive in the tournament.
For Pakistan, opener Salman Butt top-scored with 74 and Kamran Akmal hit 51 off 41 balls after Afridi won the toss and elected to bat in the day-night international.
KARACHI: Pakistan will target India’s ‘strong points’ when they take on their traditional rivals in a do-or-die clash of the Asia Cup in Dambulla on Saturday (tomorrow).Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, told ‘The News’ from Dambulla on Friday that he has asked his bowlers to go all out for the scalps of India’s prolific openers — Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir — and his counterpart MS Dhoni in what is a mouth-watering clash between the Asian giants.The Flamboyant allrounder, who smashed a brilliant 109 in a lost cause against Sri Lanka earlier this week, said that he wants his boys to play aggressive cricket.“India’s strength is in their batting,” said Afridi. “In fact their openers and then Dhoni in the middle-order are their most dangerous players. They are India’s strong points and I want to neutralise them. We can beat them at their own game,” he added.While India began the quadrangular with a bang by crushing Bangladesh, Pakistan crashed to a 16-run defeat against the hosts in the tournament opener last Tuesday.Pakistan desperately need to beat India to stay alive and Afridi is confident that his unpredictable team can conquer MS Dhoni’s men.“It’s a do-or-die match and we have to play attacking cricket because that’s the only way we can stay in the hunt for the final,” said Afridi.It’s the first time that Afridi will be captaining Pakistan against India and the skipper is hoping to make it a memorable match.“It’s a huge match whenever we play against India and as captain it would be even more important one for me. I’m confident that we will raise our game tomorrow.”Most of Afridi’s key batsmen including vice-captain Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal flopped in the game against Sri Lanka, but the captain is hoping that they will bounce back against India.“Most of our boys played foolishly against Sri Lanka. They committed unnecessary mistakes but I’m sure that they will do much better against India.”Some critics have questioned Pakistan’s decision to play their opening game against Sri Lanka without any specialist spinner though they have Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman in the touring party.Afridi, however, made it clear that the team management will not come under any kind of pressure and will pick the line-up after closely inspecting the pitch and playing conditions.“We will decide the playing eleven tomorrow after inspecting the wicket. For the time being our options are open.”He hinted that Pakistan might replace Mohammad Asif with Saeed Ajmal for today’s match. “The (Dambulla) pitch is wearing out a bit and there is a good chance that it will offer more assistance to spinners in the coming matches.“We will take a look at the wicket tomorrow and may be go for Saeed Ajmal instead of Asif.”Afridi, who braved severe cramps on his way to a stunning century, said he is fully fit and will try to give his best against India.“Actually I was suffering from severe dehydration in the last match and cramps made batting really painful for me,” he said. “But I’m fine now and looking forward to giving my best against India.”
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s stunning century was in vain as Sri Lanka claimed a 16-run win on Tuesday in the opening match of the Asia Cup.After the Sri Lankans had made a competitive 242-9 from their 50 overs, Pakistan’s top order imploded to leave Afridi the difficult task of guiding his team home.
The allrounder fought off the effects of cramp — which forced him to limp for his runs — to make 109 off 76 balls before he was snared by offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who struggled to contain the inspired Afridi throughout his innings.
Lasith Malinga then cleaned up the tail to finish with figures of 5-34 off his 10 overs, with Pakistan falling just short of the victory target. It was the seamer’s maiden five-wicket haul.
Malinga gave the host the ideal start by bowling opener Sulman Butt (0) with an inswinger on the ninth delivery of the day.
Unrelenting pressure by the Sri Lankan seamers saw three more wickets go down — Shahzaib Hasan (11), Umar Amin (7) and Shoaib Malik (8) — to leave Pakistan on 32-4.
Afridi came to the crease and started the counterattack with two consecutive sixes off seam bowler Farveez Maharoof. Afridi and Umar Akmal (30) shared a 73-run partnership to raise the team’s hopes.
Afridi was particularly severe on Muralitharan, hitting him for five of his seven sixes, while he also hit eight fours in a sublime knock.
Muralitharan, the world’s most prolific wicket-taker, went for 71 runs in his 10 overs but did take the prized scalp of Afridi.
Afridi fell to the ground after playing some of his shots and the team’s medical staff had to attend to him at least three times on the field. Strangely, though, a runner was not used and it was not immediately clear if a request was denied by the umpires or the opposing captain.
After the departure of Afridi, Malinga wrapped up the innings by bowling Mohammad Aamer (5) and Mohammad Asif (0), and also had Shoaib Akhtar (1) caught.
Earlier, Akhtar celebrated his return to international cricket with 3-41 to help restrict Sri Lanka, who had good knocks from Angelo Mathews (55 not out) and former captain Mahela Jayawardene (54).
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara’s decision to bat first in the day-night encounter at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium paid off when his openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (18) and Upul Tharanga (11) got off to a promising start.
Akhtar, playing his first match for Pakistan in 13 months after injuries, then intervened to reduce the Sri Lankans to 36-2.
Sangakkara (42 from 63 balls) and Jayawardene salvaged the innings with a sensible 83-run partnership for the third wicket, off 103 balls.
Jayawardene was given out lbw but television replays showed the ball hit the bat before hitting his pads. His 53rd limited-overs half-century included three boundaries.
Jayawardene’s dismissal made it 150-4 and triggered a mini-collapse, Sri Lanka losing four wickets for 18 runs.
Mathews joined tailender Nuwan Kulasekara (14) and repaired the innings with a 43-run partnership. He faced 61 balls and hit four boundaries.
Sri Lanka is looking for a third consecutive Asia Cup title, having won the previous two editions — in 2004 and 2008. Pakistan was last crowned Asian champion a decade ago.
India and Bangladesh are the other teams participating in the tournament. -AP
Scores: Sri Lanka 242-9 in 50 overs (M. Jayawardene 54, A. Mathews 55 not out; Shoaib Akhtar 3-41) v Pakistan 226 all out in 47 overs (S. Afridi 109; L. Malinga 5-34)
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Shoaib Akhtar.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan.
Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZL) and Billy Doctrove (WIS)
TV umpire: Sanjay Hazare (IND)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
“Football is huge, but I hope after the 90 minutes of excitement (of a World Cup game) fans will give cricket its due attention and follow the Asia Cup,” Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi told AFP before his team left for Colombo.
The tenth Asia Cup will be played from June 15-24 in Dambulla, in central Sri Lanka, about 150 kilometres northeast of Colombo, coinciding with the month-long football tournament that opened in South Africa Friday.
Besides Pakistan, the Asia Cup will also include India, Bangladesh and hosts and defending champions Sri Lanka.
Afridi said that his team will follow the football World Cup while in Sri Lanka, but mostly on rest days.
“Like millions of Asians I also follow football and my favorite team is Brazil, so like my teammates I will follow World Cup matches as and when we have time, but the focus remains the Asia Cup,” said Afridi.
The 13-man team first flew to Dubai from where they will reach Colombo later Saturday. Fast bowler Mohammad Asif will fly via Doha, Qatar because of a ban on visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a drug offence.
Asif was deported from the UAE in June 2008 after a 19-day detention for possession of a banned drug while returning home from league cricket in India.
Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq will travel to Colombo from England, where he is playing county cricket.
Afridi said he hoped his team will be in form after a turbulent three months for Pakistan cricket which saw senior players banned and fined for disciplinary violations and poor performance.
“What happened in the past is behind us,” said Afridi, who was made captain for all three forms of the game last month. “We have a blend of seniors and juniors who all know their duty well.”In March the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned and fined seven players, including Afridi, following their December-January tour of Australia.
They lost all three Tests, five one-day internationals and the only Twenty20 match of the tour, which was also marred by discipline violations.
However, the board later lifted the bans on former captain Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik and reduced the fines on appeals. Afridi's three-million-rupee (35,000-US-dollar) fine for ball-tampering was revoked.
Another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, did not appeal and instead retired in protest. All-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's appeal against a one-year ban and fine is pending.
Malik was recalled for the Asia Cup squad, while Younus is favourite to return for the tour of England which follows the Asia Cup.
Afridi said both the Asia Cup and England tour would be important for the revival of the Pakistani team.
“It is a good chance for the players to turn the fortunes of the team, so this is very important phase for our cricket,” said Afridi.
Express paceman Shoaib Akhtar is also back in the team after being sidelined since May last year because of a knee injury.
Captain of national cricket team Shahdi Afridi vowed that team will perform well and clinch the victory in Asia Cup which will be held in Sri Lanka.Talking to media before departure to Sri Lanka, Afridi said Pakistan is fully capable to lift the title and comeback of seniors will not create any problem. It has been made clear that there is no compromise on discipline. Asia Cup will provide good practice for England tour, he added.
DHAKA: Bangladesh on Thursday named a 15-man squad for the four-nation Asia Cup limited-overs tournament to be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from June 15-24.
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the other three teams in the tournament. Bangladesh squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Jahurul Islam, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Suhrawadi Shuvo.
LAHORE: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis claimed on Wednesday that all the national team players are fully fit and will fight victory in the forthcoming matches of the Asia Cup. Addressing a joint press conference here after the conclusion of a short training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, Afridi said that all the boys were fully prepared for the contest. 
“All the players including Shoaib Akhtar and Shoaib Malik are quite fit and they have been asked to keep their focus on cricket as the dressing room atmosphere has changed,” Afridi said. “I have talked to both Shoaib and Malik to ensure that no wrong action should come from them as Pakistan cricket is on the revamping course,” he added. About the inaugural match of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka, Afridi said that a win in that match could give Pakistan a positive start in the tournament. “The Sri Lankan team is a tough opponent and will be playing at home. So a win in that match will raise the morale of our team, which will help us do better in the following matches,” the captain said. Afridi claimed that his side was a balanced one and the boys were quite geared up to deliver. He emphasised that better results in Sri Lanka would also help the national team to do well in future assignments in England. Afridi said all the teams were equally good and he would not judge them as weak rivals. About Shoaib Akhtar’s fitness, Afridi said he was fit and earned his selection. “If Shoaib Akhtar keeps himself fit, he is still an important player for Pakistan till the 2011 World Cup,” he asserted. Backing the younger players named in the squad, Afridi said they had a lot of potential and will definitely be given a chance in the Asia Cup. He asserted that collective efforts were the key to success and he would take all steps to maintain unity in the team. Meanwhile, coach Waqar Younis said the camp was of a shorter duration but he did his best to achieve maximum results in improving the skill of the boys in all departments of the game. “I am fully satisfied with the sessions in the camp and I am looking forward to a good performance from the team in Asia Cup,” the former fast bowler said. “A lot of focus was also on discipline in the camp.” Speaking about the key match against India in the event on June 19, the coach said it will without a doubt be a great contest as India had also announced a very tough team which could test any side. Waqar said the local conditions in Dambulla had been considered before preparing the Pakistan squad. He further said that he was expecting bouncy tracks there helping fast bowlers and it would be difficult to bat under lights on such wickets. To a question regarding the missing seniors Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf from the side, Waqar said both were great players but every team needed new blood and he had great hopes from the youngsters accompanying the team. When grilled about the team management’s strategy to keep the media away from the national training camp, Waqar said it was an attempt to avoid further controversies. “Pakistan cricket has been damaged a lot in the last three months due to controversies. The defeats we have faced in the past three months are more when compared to the last 25 years,” he said. Welcoming Shoaib Akhtar back to international cricket, Waqar said though the bowler was staging a comeback after a long gap, he would adjust quickly. “Shoaib is an experienced bowler and we desire that he plays all the matches. But we will use him in such a way that he becomes more effective in important matches.” Waqar dispelled the impression that he had any differences with assistant coach Aaqib Javed and said he was his old time friend. Asked since Aaqib had given a statement against some players before the PCB inquiry committee on which basis the players were heavily penalised, he said the dressing room atmosphere would not be affected due to such things. The players will reassemble in Karachi on June 12 to leave for Sri Lanka.
LAHORE: Maverick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was seen sporting a bandage on his left calf during the Asia Cup training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Monday. It was learnt that this was actually a precautionary measure taken by the bowler who had to bowl some extra overs on the first two days of camp. Knowing how injury-prone he is, he was only trying to avoid any mishap, the media persons were informed. But since Shoaib’s career is replete with fitness and disciplinary problems, one cannot rule out injury problems in his case. It is also learnt that Shoaib was not happy about being made to bowl extra overs in the camp since skipper Shahid Afridi had favoured his selection by saying that he would use him carefully and in short bursts. Sources said that head coach Waqar Younis, too, had been advised about the strategy devised for Shoaib as a result of which the bowler was not asked to bowl at all on Monday. Shoaib was selected for the forthcoming Asia Cup with hope that, if fully fit, he will make impact in short bursts to unsettle and dismiss the batsmen at crucial stages of the games. Meanwhile, team manager Yawar Saeed, who is also camp commandant continues to stay away from the ground during the camp with no senior official deputising to oversee the progress of the players. Yawar is often seen resting in one of the PCB’s air-conditioned rooms, while the players train on the ground in sultry weather. Moreover, it has been learnt that Yawar is not fully fit and he has been seen limping recently.
India's cricket chiefs on Monday allowed veteran Sachin Tendulkar to skip the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, while Yuvraj Singh was dropped from the 15-man squad.Mahendra Singh Dhoni will captain India in the four-nation limited-overs tournament against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in Dambulla from June 15 to 24.Tendulkar, 37, has not played for India since February 24, when he hit an unprecedented double-century in a one-day international against South Africa in Gwalior.The world's most prolific Test and one-day batsman turned out for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League in March-April, before being rested for a tri-series in Zimbabwe also featuring Sri Lanka."Tendulkar requested the board not to consider him for the Asia Cup as he wanted to spend time with his children in view of the hectic cricket season ahead," BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.Left-hander Yuvraj was axed after scoring just 74 runs in five matches in the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in April-May, where India failed to make the semi-finals.In five one-day internationals this year, Yuvraj has managed only 96 runs, 74 of them coming in one match against Sri Lanka in Dhaka.Six players who were rested for the Zimbabwe tri-series -- Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra -- are back for the Asia Cup.The second-string Indian team did not qualify for the final in Zimbabwe after losing twice to the hosts and once to Sri Lanka.Attacking left-hand batsman Saurabh Tiwary, 20, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, is the only new face in the squad.Indian squad:Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda, Ravichandran Ashwin, Saurabh Tiwary.
Pakistan included paceman Shoaib Akhtar and former captain Shoaib Malik in its 15-man squad for the Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka later this month, selectors announced Thursday.
The 34-year-old Akhtar was found fit for the June 15-24 four-nation tournament after selectors and top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials carried out checks on Wednesday. A medical report has also declared him fit.
Akhtar, whose 13-year career has been riddled with injuries and controversies, has not played for Pakistan since May last year because of knee problems but showed good form in a recent domestic one-day tournament.
The 28-year-old Malik had a one-year ban lifted last week, clearing his return to international cricket. He also passed a fitness test.
“Both Akhtar and Malik passed fitness tests and hence were included in the squad and it’s a balanced squad,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters.
Malik was banned for one year and fined two million rupees (24,000 dollars) in March after he was found breaching the players’ code of conduct during Pakistan’s tour of the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Australia. His fine was halved last week.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi was named captain for the Asia Cup and the following tour of England last week.
Pakistan, who have won the Asia Cup title only once, will face hosts and defending champions Sri Lanka on June 15 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 19 and Bangladesh on June 21.
The final of the 10th Asia Cup will be held on June 24.
Pakistan is already missing key fast bowler Umar Gul, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury for the last two months. Gul missed the World Twenty20 in the West Indies last month.
The 21-year-old left-handed batsman Umar Amin is also uncapped, while 20-year-old Shahzaib Hasan represented Pakistan in the second World Twenty20 in England last year and has yet to play a 50-over one-day match.
The 24-year-old Asad Shafiq, also uncapped, came after a strong domestic season.
Former captain Younus Khan, who was banned for an indefinite period over infighting in the team but named in the initial squad, was left out as his appeal is still pending.
Squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt (vice capt), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.
The 34-year-old Akhtar was found fit for the June 15-24 four-nation tournament after selectors and top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials carried out checks on Wednesday. A medical report has also declared him fit.
Akhtar, whose 13-year career has been riddled with injuries and controversies, has not played for Pakistan since May last year because of knee problems but showed good form in a recent domestic one-day tournament.
The 28-year-old Malik had a one-year ban lifted last week, clearing his return to international cricket. He also passed a fitness test.
“Both Akhtar and Malik passed fitness tests and hence were included in the squad and it’s a balanced squad,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters.
Malik was banned for one year and fined two million rupees (24,000 dollars) in March after he was found breaching the players’ code of conduct during Pakistan’s tour of the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Australia. His fine was halved last week.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi was named captain for the Asia Cup and the following tour of England last week.
Pakistan, who have won the Asia Cup title only once, will face hosts and defending champions Sri Lanka on June 15 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 19 and Bangladesh on June 21.
The final of the 10th Asia Cup will be held on June 24.
Pakistan is already missing key fast bowler Umar Gul, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury for the last two months. Gul missed the World Twenty20 in the West Indies last month.
The 21-year-old left-handed batsman Umar Amin is also uncapped, while 20-year-old Shahzaib Hasan represented Pakistan in the second World Twenty20 in England last year and has yet to play a 50-over one-day match.
The 24-year-old Asad Shafiq, also uncapped, came after a strong domestic season.
Former captain Younus Khan, who was banned for an indefinite period over infighting in the team but named in the initial squad, was left out as his appeal is still pending.
Squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt (vice capt), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.
Pakistan to name 15-man squad for Asia Cup today.
In a bid to make their international return, Shoaib Akhtar and Shoaib Malik on Wednesday underwent fitness tests in Lahore a day before Pakistan name their 15-man squad for this month’s Asia Cup.Sources told ‘The News’ that Akhtar was unable to fully convince the national selectors about his ‘match fitness’ after bowling ten overs. But the controversial pacer, sources said, is still in with a ‘70 per cent chance’ of making the cut for the Asia Cup.Malik, on the other hand, passed the fitness test but his selection depends on whether he is able to get the required support from Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi at a crucial meeting to be held at the PCB headquarters in Lahore on Thursday (today).The former captain became available for the Asia Cup after a one-man appeal tribunal cleared him of a one-year ban imposed on him by the PCB last March for indiscipline. Malik has been blamed for hatching conspiracies against former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf.However, sources said that Afridi doesn’t want Malik back, at least not for the Asia Cup, which is why he is unlikely to be selected today.Sources said that the Board is under pressure from some influential quarters to bring Malik back in the team.“There is a lot of pressure on the PCB to pick Malik for the Asia Cup but Afridi wants him to stay away. The captain believes that Malik should get this message that unless he changes his approach, he won’t be welcomed back in the team,” said a well-placed source.Akhtar, in contrast, has Afridi’s support.“Afridi believes that Pakistan can field Akhtar in crucial matches and give him regular rests between matches. He is of the view that Akhtar can still be a wicket-taking bowler in one-day and Twenty20 cricket.”Sources said that there is a 30 percent chance that the national selectors might overlook Akhtar because of fitness concerns.Shoaib bowled ten overs during the fitness test at the Gaddafi Stadium but was unable to maintain his pace towards the end of the exercise. “His pace went down and there was also this slight limp which left the selectors unconvinced.”If Shoaib is overlooked, then the selectors and the team management are expected to select rookie fast bowler Mohammad Irfan in the Asia Cup squad. Irfan almost made it in Pakistan team for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and is now in contention for a place in the touring party for the Asia Cup.Meanwhile, there are at least three new faces with solid chances of making the cut for the Dambulla-bound squad.Shahzaib Hasan, the hard-hitting opener from Karachi, is expected to make the 15-man squad on the basis of his prolific form on the domestic circuit.Shahzaib was a surprise inclusion in Pakistan’s team for the 2009 World Twenty20 in England but the youngster justified his place in the side by hitting a couple of good knocks in the event.However, he was unable to retain his place in the team and was also overlooked for this year’s World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in spite of having the support of skipper Afridi.Another top-order batter in line for a call-up is the 20-year-old Umar Amin.National selectors and team officials believe that Umar deserves an opportunity and is likely to be a part of the Asia Cup squad. Also in contention is Karachi batsman Asad Shafiq.
More than a year after last playing for Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar seems all set to make yet another return to international cricket on June 3 when Pakistan will name their 15-man squad for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.The enigmatic fast bowler, according to well-placed sources, has garnered enough support within the Pakistan cricket think-tank to earn a recall for the Asia Cup to be played in the central Sri Lankan city of Dambulla from June 15-24.Shoaib, 34, last played for Pakistan in a Twenty20 International against Australia in Dubai on May 7, 2009. After that he was overlooked for a number of important assignments including the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 championship in England, the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa and the twin tours of New Zealand and Australia.Dogged by injury and disciplinary problems it seemed that the Rawalpindi Express, as Shoaib is known in the cricket world, had finally derailed.But the fast bowler didn’t lose heart and made a spirited comeback to the domestic circuit earlier this season after reportedly undergoing liposuction to remove excess weight from his body last year. He bowled a few impressive spells during the Pentangular Cup one-day tournament in Karachi and was later included in a 35-man preliminary squad picked by the national selectors for the Asia Cup and a marathon tour of England.Sources said that there remains some skepticism within the Pakistan camp about the likely return of Shoaib Akhtar. The pacer has made a few unsuccessful comebacks in the last few years and his critics believe that Shoaib is now over the hill and is not good enough for international cricket any more.However, Shoaib has found an influential supporter in Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s Test and one-day captain.Sources said that Afridi believes that a fit-again Shoaib can be a potent weapon in Pakistan’s bowling arsenal for One-day Internationals and Twenty20 matches.“Having regained his fitness, Shoaib has proved that he still has that sting that can unsettle batsmen. Afridi is of the view that Shoaib fits in his game plan which is to play aggressive cricket. “He believes that if Shoaib bowls a fiery spell with the new ball and can get a few breakthroughs then other bowlers like Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir can capitalise on it,” said the source.Another fact that is favouring Shoaib is that Umar Gul remains highly unlikely to catch a flight to Sri Lanka. The lanky pacer is still recovering from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the World Twenty20 championship in the Caribbean.“Gul’s unavailability will mean that Pakistan will have a slot for a fast bowler for Asia Cup and that will create a place for Shoaib,” said the source.Sources close to Shoaib, meanwhile, said that the player is itching to return to international cricket. “Shoaib is fully fit and is in great form. He is confident of a successful return,” said the source.Chief selector Mohsin Khan, who will hold a meeting with fellow selectors besides consulting Afridi and Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, will name the 15-man touring party for the Asia Cup on Thursday.The team will then train for a few days from June 5 before leaving for Dambulla on June 12. Pakistan will face hosts Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh in the four-nation tournament.
LAHORE: (PAKISTAN) All rounder Shahid Afridi will captain Pakistan for the England tour and the Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced.
Pakistan reached the World Twenty20 semi finals under Shahid Afridi's supervision.
Afridi led the Pakistan team for the first time in 2006 and he will be leading the Test squad for the first time for the England tour and the Asia Cup.
Afridi ended his self exile from test cricket last week. Known for his outstanding batting performances, Afridi has scored five centuries in his Test career with the highest score being 156 runs.
Pakistan will play two Test matches against Australia and four against England during their three-month long tour of Britain.
The seasoned all-rounder who is better known for his explosive batting said he would like to bat on sixth position in the Tests batting line-up to focus more on his bowling.
“I will focus more on my bowling as I think I can contribute more in that department than batting in the longer version of game,” said Afridi.
Afridi who last played a Test in 2006 in Manchester made it clear he would not be hesitant to take a U-turn if he fails to shine in this format.
“If I would not be able to perform satisfactorily then I would prefer leaving my place for a younger player.”
He said he returned to Tests because he wanted to help his team which is in turmoil due to absence of senior players.
“Absence of senior players forced me to rethink my decision to play test cricket.
Afridi ended his self exile from test cricket last week. Known for his outstanding batting performances, Afridi has scored five centuries in his Test career with the highest score being 156 runs.
Pakistan will play two Test matches against Australia and four against England during their three-month long tour of Britain.
The seasoned all-rounder who is better known for his explosive batting said he would like to bat on sixth position in the Tests batting line-up to focus more on his bowling.
“I will focus more on my bowling as I think I can contribute more in that department than batting in the longer version of game,” said Afridi.
Afridi who last played a Test in 2006 in Manchester made it clear he would not be hesitant to take a U-turn if he fails to shine in this format.
“If I would not be able to perform satisfactorily then I would prefer leaving my place for a younger player.”
He said he returned to Tests because he wanted to help his team which is in turmoil due to absence of senior players.
“Absence of senior players forced me to rethink my decision to play test cricket.
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