Briefly cricket

WADA sets time limit for ICC
New Delhi: The WADA on Tuesday gave ICC time till November 2011 to convince its member boards to accept the vexed 'whereabouts' clause. WADA director general David Howman also served a veiled warning to BCCI when he
indicated that India could be barred from participating in this year's Asian Games in Guangzhou, where cricket in the form of Twenty20 would make its debut in the multi-sport extravaganza if the stand-off continues. "It will be Olympic Council of Asia's decision," he said.

SA win despite Sammy's knock
Antigua: South Africa withstood a late West Indies fightback led by Darren Sammy's 58 from 24 balls to prevail by 17 runs in the second one-day international on Monday and take a 2-0 lead in the five match series.
Brief scores: South Africa 300 for 5 in 50 overs (G. Smith 37, H. Amla 92, J Kallis 85, AB de Villiers 41;Taylor 2/50, Pollard 2/39) vs West Indies 283 all out in 48.1 overs (D. Richards 51, D Bravo 74, D Sammy not out 58; Morkel 3/58).

ICC gives Sydney Test clean chit
Melbourne: The ICC has stopped investigating the Australia-Pakistan Sydney Test after finding no evidence of match-fixing, a Cricket Australia spokesman said. "The ICC has replied, saying it has seen no evidence of match-fixing and that there is no current investigation of match-fixing," CA spokesman Peter Young was quoted as saying by The Australian. "Haroon Lorgat has assured James Sutherland that Australia won the match on its merits," Young added.

Afridi to lead in all formats
Lahore: Pakistan on Tuesday named Shahid Afridi captain for next month's Asia Cup and the subsequent full tour of England, opting for a single skipper for all three formats of the game. "Afridi will lead Pakistan in one-day and Test cricket and is our best choice," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt told reporters.

Swann voted best English player
London: Off-spinner Graeme Swann beat competition from his skipper Paul Collingwood among others to clinch the 'England Cricket of the Year' award at Lord's. Selected by the British media, Swann claimed the award beating the likes of Stuart Broad, Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood and James Anderson. Swann played 45 matches in all formats of the game, taking 99 wickets at an average of 26.26.

India tour of Zimbabwe 2010 Cricket Schedule-Fixtures

Just after the twenty20 world cup in Caribbean, India will travel to Zimbabwe for ODI tri-series to be played between India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. In the Itinerary announced by Zimbabwe Cricket Board, they have confirmed that both India and Sri Lanka will tour Zimbabwe for tri-angular series as well as India will play two twenty20 internationals just after tri-series final.

The tournament will start with the game against India and Zimbabwe from 28^th of May 2010 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The same venue will host first three games of the tri-series while Harare Sports Club will host remaining games of tri-series.

In tri-series each team will play with each other twice and the top two teams from the table will move to play the Final of tri-angular series on 9^th of June at Harare Sport Club, Harare.

The two T20 internationals will be also played at Harare Sport Club on 12^th and 13^th of June 2010. India last toured the country in 2005 for two Tests and a tri-series, also involving New Zealand.

India v Zimbabwe 2010 Fixtures (All timings are mentioned in GMT+05:30)

Timing	Teams	Venue	Results
Fri 28 May 13:00 PM	1st Match – India v Zimbabwe	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Sun 30 May 13:00 PM	2nd Match – India v Sri Lanka	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Tue 1 Jun 13:00 PM	3rd Match – Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka	Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Thu 3 Jun 13:00 PM	4th Match – India v Zimbabwe	Harare Sports Club
Sat 5 Jun 13:00 PM	5th Match – India v Sri Lanka	Harare Sports Club
Mon 7 Jun 13:00 PM	6th Match – Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe	Harare Sports Club
Wed 9 Jun 13:00 PM	Final – TBC v TBC	Harare Sports Club
Sat 12 Jun 18:00 PM	1st T20I – India v Zimbabwe	Harare Sports Club
Sun 13 Jun 18:00 PM	2nd T20I – India v Zimbabwe	Harare Sports Club

Jayasuriya to play for Worcestershire in Twenty20 Cup

London: Sri Lanka star Sanath Jayasuriya has agreed to play for Worcestershire for part of the English county's forthcoming Twenty20 campaign.
Jayasuriya will replace Steve Smith at New Road after five matches of the Twenty20 competition as the Australian has been picked for his country's One-Day Internationals in England later this year.
The 40-year-old Sri Lankan all-rounder has played 110 Tests, 444 one-day internationals and 30 international Twenty20 matches and Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes was delighted to snap up such an experienced player.
"Sanath will bring a wealth of experience to the squad during a critical part of the forthcoming campaign," Rhodes said on Tuesday.
"He has gained this experience from playing all around the world including the IPL and the recent World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
"His left-arm spin and powerful batting can only benefit our efforts in this competition and there is no doubt he is still one of the most exciting cricketers in world cricket.
"He is a proven match winner and I have no doubt he will prove to be a great entertainer for our supporters."
The signing is subject to Jayasuriya obtaining clearance from the Sri Lanka Cricket board and a visa.

Afridi named captain for Asia Cup, tour of England

Lahore, May 25(ANI): Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been named the captain of the national team for the Asia Cup and the tour of England.
Announcing the decision, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt said that Afridi had the confidence of all players during the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, and that was the reason behind him getting the captaincy.
"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. Afridi has done all that," The News quoted Butt, as saying.
Butt further said that the names of the 30 players for the England tour will be announced after the upcoming meeting.
The Asia Cup will be played in Sri Lanka from June 15 to 25, while the series against Australia and England will be played between July and August. (ANI)

New Pakistan Test captain Afridi wants to focus on bowling

Karachi, May 25 (IANS) Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi wants to keep his aggression with the bat aside when he returns to Test cricket after four years.



Afridi, who was Tuesday named as Pakistan captain for the team's upcoming assignments - Asia Cup and the tour of England, said he wants to focus more on his bowling in Test matches.






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 this department than batting in the longer version of the game', said Afridi who reversed his self- exile from Test recently.






The all-rounder 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 youngster,' he said.






He said he returned to Tests because he wanted to help his national team which is in turmoil due to absence of senior players.






'The absence of senior players forced me to rethink my decision to play test cricket,' he said

Akhtar likely to return in Pakistan team

Karachi, May 25 (IANS) Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is likely to make another return to the national team for the Asia Cup and England tour.



The fast bowler convinced the top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brass with his fitness while performing in the last month's Pentangular Cup One-Day cricket tournament.






According to sources, the selection committee headed by former Test cricketer Mohsin Hasan Khan is considering the pacer for team's assignments later this summer.






Pakistan will take part in Asia Cup in Sri Lanka starting from June 15 before leaving for tour of England where the team will play against the home team and Australia.






Shoaib, who has not represented Pakistan since May 2009, returned to action in last month's domestic tournament where he impressed the selectors with his pace.






Following a knee surgery last year, the 'Rawalpindi Express' also underwent liposuction in November to remove excess weight from his body.






Akhtar said he has regained his fitness and can serve Pakistan for few more years.






Moreover, Shahid Afridi who will lead the side in England also wants the pacer in the side for upcoming tour of England where his side faces a stiff competition.






Sources say Afridi feels that the fast bowler could be a worthy inclusion in the team in tough English conditions where he holds a very good record.






Salahuddin Ahmed, Pakistan former chief selector has endorsed the idea saying a fit Shoaib is still an asset for Pakistan.






'If Shoaib Akhtar is fit he can prove fatal for opposition especially in English conditions, the team needs him for the tour,' he said.

1ST ODI: WI vs SA Statistical Highlights

West Indies won the toss and inserted the opposition in this game providing the 186th occasion of West Indies doing so in ODIs. West Indies lost this game after inserting the opposition providing the 78th occasion of West Indies losing a game after it has inserted the opposition. West Indies has lost nine games after inserting South Africa which includes this game.

HM Amla and AB de Villiers scored 102 runs each in this game providing the 1062 and 1063rd occasion of a batsman scoring a century in one day games. Their hundreds provide the 92nd and 93rd occasion of South African batsman scoring hundreds in one day games.

With HM Amla and AB de Villiers scoring hundreds in this game the number of hundreds scored by South African batsmen against West Indies stood at 14.

HM Amla's 102 and AB de Villiers's 102 in this game provides the 84th occasion of two batsmen scoring hundreds in the same innings in one day games. Their feat in this game represents the sixth occasion of South African batsmen performing such a feat in one day games. The six occasions are - DJ Cullinan (124) and JN Rhodes (121) vs Pakistan at Nairobi (Gym) on 29.09.96, G Kirsten (115) and HH. Gibbs (111) vs India at Kochi on 09.03.00, G Kirsten (124) and ND McKenzie (131*) vs Kenya at Cape Town on 22.10.01, HH Gibbs (102) and AB de Villiers (103*) vs Pakistan at Lahore on 18.10.07, JH Kallis (104*) and AB de Villiers (102*) vs India at Ahmedabad on 27.02.10 and HM Amla (102) and AB de Villiers (102) vs West Indies at North Sound on 22.05.10.

It is interesting to note that there are only two occasions of two batsmen scoring hundreds in an innings against West Indies in one day games. Apart from the South African batsmen's feat in this game, England batsman - AJ Strauss (100) and A Flintoff (123) had made hundreds at Lord's on 06.07.04.

HM Amla's 102 represents his second one day hundred and AB de Villiers's 102 represents his eighth one day hundred.

Clarke retained as Australia's Twenty20 captain

Melbourne, May 24 (ANI): Michael Clarke has been retained as Australia's Twenty20 captain after his tenure was under review over his poor batting in the shortest version of the game, Clarke was named skipper when the two limited-overs squads were announced today for matches against Pakistan and England in Britain.

Clarke will need to show a marked improvement in his batting at the T20 level if he is to retain the post beyond the two T20 matches against Pakistan, The Herald Sun reports.

The one-day squad named today is the one, which won the ODI series in New Zealand earlier this year, except that Shaun Marsh has recovered from injury and returns to the side in place of Adam Voges.

Twenty20 Squad: Michael Clarke (Captain), Cameron White (Vice-captain), Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner and Shane Watson.

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in second Twenty 20

Melbourne, May 24 (ANI): Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 cricket international played in the United States.

New Zealand could not defend their inadequate target of 81 runs on a poor batting surface at Lauderhill in Florida as Sri Lanka cruised to victory in the 16th over.

Tillakaratne Dilshan led the way for Sri Lanka with a fine 33 not out off 49 balls while Thissara Perera made 24 off 17, The Age reports.

New Zealand, who won the first match in the two-match series by 28 runs on Sunday, were struggling on a low, slow and inconsistent pitch.

They could make just 81 runs off 17.3 overs after being bowled by seamers Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga and spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Kulasekara was reduced New Zealand to 13 for five inside the opening five overs as their top order collapsed.

He finished with the outstanding figures of three for four off three overs before Malinga collected three for 12 and Mendis two for 19.

Only two New Zealand batsmen reached double figures, with Nathan McCullum topscoring with an unbeaten 36 off 39 balls and skipper Daniel Vettori making 27 off 24

BCCI puts Team India sponsorship up for grabs

With its deal with Sahara coming to an end next month, the BCCI on Monday invited bids from companies through a tender notice for sponsoring four Indian squads, including the much sought-after men's outfit.
The tender notice, issued by BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, called for firms to bid for sponsorship of the men's, women's, India A and India under 19 teams, indicating the documents would be available from May 24 for a non-refundable payment of Rs 5 lakh.
It said all bidders need to fulfill the eligibility criteria set up by the Board as well as other requirements as mentioned in the bid document.
Submission of the bids also has to be done as per conditions outlined, the Board also reserved its rights "to cancel or amend the entire bidding process at any stage and to reject any and/or all bids without providing any reasons, including calling for a re-tender."
BCCI's deal with existing sponsors Sahara is set to come to a close next month.
Sahara, which has supported the Indian team for several years as its main sponsor, recently bid successfully for the new Pune IPL franchise for a staggering Rs 1700 crore.
Sahara will review its sponsorship to the Indian cricket team, Group chief Subroto Roy had said after winning the IPL franchise bid on March 23.
Sahara had bagged the sponsorship for the Indian cricket team for Rs 400 crore for a four-year period ending December 2009, and had agreed to continue for six more months as BCCI could not find any sponsors.
"No, it will not. Only thing we will see is our continuation of sponsorship to the Indian cricket team. We will sit on that and we will discuss on that. But on all other sports nothing will be affected," Roy had said on the impact of the Group's aggressive bidding to acquire the IPL's Pune franchise.
Asserting that the Group, which is also sponsoring the Indian hockey team, would seriously consider (limiting) exposure to the BCCI and the women's cricket, he said then that the Group "will take a conscious decision about it."

Marsh back for ODIs, Clarke captain of Twenty20

Opener Shaun Marsh has been selected in the Australia one-day international squad after recovering from injury while Michael Clarke will continue as captain of the Twenty20 side in matches against England and Pakistan over the next two months.
Marsh replaced fellow Western Australian Adam Voges while Clarke is in a 14-man squad which is the same, minus second wicketkeeper Tim Paine, as the one which lost the world Twenty20 title to England in the West Indies this month.
Australia is playing two tests and two Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in England due to security concerns in Pakistan. That series will be preceded by five one-day matches against England.
"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," Australia selectors' chairman Andrew Hilditch said Monday.
Australia opens its tour on June 17 with a limited-overs match against Ireland at Clontarf. It then plays English county side Middlesex at Lord's on June 19 in a one-day tour match, followed by five one-day matches against England _ June 22 at the Rose Bowl, June 24 at Cardiff, June 27 at Old Trafford, June 30 at The Oval and July 3 at Lord's.
The Pakistan series begins with Twenty20 matches on July 5 and 6 at Edgbaston, followed by a two-day tour match July 8-9 against Derbyshire. Australia plays tests against Pakistan beginning July 13 at Lord's and July 21 at Headingley.
___
One-day squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, James Hopes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Steve Smith, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
Twenty20 squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Cameron White (vice captain), Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.

South Africa thrash Windies by 66 runs in ODI

ORTH SOUND, Antigua (Reuters) - South Africa eased to a 66-run victory over West Indies thanks to centuries by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers and some aggressive bowling in the first one-day international on Saturday.

West Indies' batsmen wilted to 215 all out from 44.1 overs as they chased the tourists' total of 280-7 from 48 overs which was powered by Amla and de Villiers who both scored 102.

Amla registered his second career ODI century while de Villiers struck his third ODI ton on the trot as they put on 129 for the third wicket to lay the foundation for a big total.

Amla struck eight fours at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds from 109 deliveries while de Villiers hit five fours and two sixes off 101 balls.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo bowled with control to finish with figures of three for 40 from 10 overs.

In the run chase Chris Gayle top scored for the hosts with 45 from 39 balls including eight powerful fours while Kieron Pollard blasted 44 from 37 deliveries with five fours and a six.

Their efforts were not nearly adequate enough to threaten South Africa's total as lanky pacer Morne Morkel captured three for 40 from eight overs. He was supported by Dale Steyn and Ryan McLaren (both two for 37) and Johan Botha (two for 47).

The second game in the five-match series will take place on Monday at the same venue before the teams move to Dominica for a double header and Jamaica for the final game.

Afridi no automatic choice for ODI captaincy: Butt

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to decide on the ODI captaincy and Shahid Afridi is not the automatic choice to lead the national side in next month's Asia Cup, chairman Ejaz Butt said on Saturday.
Afridi, current Twenty20 captain, was being tipped to lead Pakistan in the June 15-25 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka but Butt said a decision would be taken on May 25.
"We will announce the captain for the Asia Cup on May 25 after a meeting of the selection committee. Until now we have not decided or discussed any names as yet for the captaincy, Butt said.
Butt said the captaincy issue would be decided after taking into account report of the manager and coach on the performance of the team in the recent ICC World Twenty20.
He said the selectors had been told to finalise a list of 30 players for the Asia Cup and a full tour of England this summer.
Sources said the 30 players would be asked to attend a conditioning camp before the final squads are announced for the Asia Cup and England tour.
Chief selector Mohsin Khan also made it clear that nothing has been decided as yet on the captaincy or selection of players.
"We will only meet on May 25 with the Board chairman to take these decisions," he said.
The governing board the PCB has also been called for a meeting on May 23 in which the performance of team in the ICC World Twenty20 and other issues would be discussed.
"The concept of having two separate captains or one captain for the coming one-day and Test matches will be discussed at this meeting," one source said. Opener Salman Butt is being tipped to be named captain of the Test side.

Younus wants his appeal to be heard on camera: Qayyum

Karachi: Younus Khan wants his appeal to be heard in front of the media even though appeals judge Irfan Qadir on Saturday said that other Pakistani players, facing PCB bans and fines, were in favour of a closed door hearing.
Abdul Qayyum, the legal advisor of Younus, who is serving an indefinite ban imposed by the cricket board, today said his client''s appeal was a separate one and has nothing to do with pleas of other players.
"These are separate appeals and Younus's appeal has nothing to do with the others. If the other players don't want their hearings on camera fine but Younus wants his hearing before the media as we feel there is no ground for the ban to be enforced on him and he has nothing to hide from anyone," Qayyum said.
Justice (retd) Qadir, hearing the appeals of six cricketers against their bans and fines imposed in March by the PCB, had earlier today said that players didn't want their hearings to be made open to the media as they thought it would result in more controversies and scandals.
"I personally feel there is no need to conceal anything but the players felt that if the hearings are on camera than they will be further scandalised," Qadir said.
Meanwhile, the legal advisor of the Pakistan board Talib Rizvi, has said that players were afraid of an open hearing because they didn't want their names to be further spoilt and entangled in controversies.
"We ourselves are keen to dispose of these appeals as soon as possible because we want to clear this wrong impression of the players in the eyes of the public," Talib said.
The PCB lawyer added that the board wants the appeals issue to be settled soon so that the players can concentrate on their cricket.

Twenty20 international spices up Florida suburb

LAUDERHILL, Florida (Reuters) - With the smell of Jamaican jerk chicken and Indian biryani wafting through stands, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first official international between two test playing nations in the United States.

The Twenty20 match on Saturday provided an unusual sporting atmosphere for the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale, the flags and shirts in the crowd revealing supporters from Indian, Pakistani, English, South African and Caribbean backgrounds.

"It was nice to see so many Sri Lankans here, I know they have flown down from many different places in the States, unfortunately we couldn't do them justice with our performance here," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

The only element that would have jarred with supporters well used to watching cricket on television was scantily-clad cheerleaders entering the field of play, dancing at third man while the bowler was at his mark.

But there was no complaints from the fans, including a noisy contingent of Sri Lankans who had travelled down from the northern part of the United States.

"It's fantastic to see the team playing here in the States and to see people enjoying cricket," said Adusha Kotuwegoda from New York.

'SUB-CONTINENT FEEL'

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori felt the event had been a success.

"Obviously with a lot of Sri Lankans here it had a kind of sub-continent feel but it was a crowd that was entertained.

"I thought the entertainment off the field was good for the game and whilst it wasn't as high scoring as people wanted it was still a thrilling game," he said.

A slow and low surface and large field at the only ICC certified cricket stadium in the United States meant the crowd got to see few boundaries, with just two sixes and 13 fours.

New Zealand made 120 with Ross Taylor striking 27 and skipper Daniel Vettori a crucial 21 not out at the back end of the innings.

Sri Lanka never really got going in reply with New Zealand seamer Kyle Mills removing openers Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan cheaply.

Angelo Mathews top scored for Sri Lanka with 27 as they stumbled to 92 all out with two balls remaining, Scott Styris taking three wickets 10 ten runs in three overs.

The two teams meet again on Sunday at the same venue with a bigger crowd expected for a double-header featuring a clash between the United States and Jamaica.

Akmal threatens to sue Pakistan coaches over fix claims

KARACHI (Reuters) - Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has threatened to sue former Pakistan coaches Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed for defamation unless they apologise for suggesting his performance in Australia may have been linked to bookmakers.

Akmal said on Saturday Alam and Javed should substantiate their allegations or make a public apology to him.

"I am fed up with these allegations. My family is disturbed. I go out and people hoot me and I am mentally disturbed. I want to clear this unwarranted stigma with my name," he told Reuters.

"I want an apology from these people. I will be speaking to the chairman of the board about this as they are employees of the board. If they don't apologise I intend to go to court in my personal capacity."

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit said on Thursday it was examining Pakistan's dismal tour of Australia this year when they were whitewashed in the test and one-day series.

However, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters the board had informed the ICC they had found no evidence of match-fixing by any player on the Australian tour.

Pakistan slumped to defeat in the second test in Sydney after they appeared to have victory in their grasp with Akmal dropping three catches and missing a run out.

His performance came under scrutiny during a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe into the team's poor tour with the two former coaches suspecting Akmal may have links with bookmakers.

The pair's statements caused an uproar in Pakistan when video recordings of the inquiry committee proceedings were leaked to a television channel this week.

"The point is (if) these people suspected me of deliberately under-performing why did they keep on selecting me for other matches?" Akmal said.

Akmal said it was about time someone took action against people making baseless allegations of match-fixing or the ordeal for Pakistani players would never end.

Alam and Javed were removed as team coaches after the Australian tour but given top positions in the national cricket academy by the board.

Furious Pak Senators demand action against 'match fixing' players

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Two angry Pakistan Senators on Saturday demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take immediate action against players involved in match-fixing, failing which, they warned that the PCB could be disbanded to save the sport.

"The present management has failed to take any action against players involved in match-fixing and they must be removed to save Pakistan cricket," the Dawn quoted Senator Haroon Akhtar as telling reporters at the national cricket academy here.

Akhtar specifically called for the removal of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.

"Butt is running the PCB as a one-man show and we appeal on President Asif (Ali) Zardari to remove him to save Pakistan cricket otherwise it will be destroyed by this management," he was quoted, as saying.

Butt, who took over in October 2008, has survived previous calls from senators and MPs for his dismissal as he has enjoyed the confidence of Zardari.

Senator Tariq Azeem said PCB should throw out match-fixers.

"We should not leave the matter to the ICC or anyone else. We should throw the tainted players ourselves," said Azeem.

Lawmakers have summoned Butt, former captain Younus Khan, former coach Intikhab Alam and former manager Abdul Raqeeb to discuss match fixing on Monday.

Their parliamentary committee is also planning to appoint a panel of judges to investigate the latest match-fixing allegations.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match in Australia from December to February, but their defeat in January's Sydney Test has raised doubts about match fixing

Sri Lanka tour of Australia 2010/11 Schedule-Fixtures

Sri Lankan cricket team will travel to Australia for a short tour of three ODI and only one twenty20 international in the later part of October 2010.

Sri Lanka will begin their tour with three practice game. The first game they will play against Queensland on October 22^nd, and two against New South Wales on October 24^th and 27^th before playing the twenty20 international on 31^st of October at WCG, Perth.

Sri Lanka will play their first ODI at MCG on 3^rd of November, second ODI at SCG on 5^th of November and last ODI at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane on 7^th of November 2010.

Here are the complete Sri Lanka v Australia Series 2010 Fixtures (All timings are mentioned in GMT+05:30)

Timing	Teams	Venue
Fri 22 Oct 05:00 AM	Tour Match – Queensland v Sri Lanka	Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane
Sun 24 Oct 05:00 AM	Tour Match – NSW v Sri Lanka	Sydney Cricket Ground
Wed 27 Oct 05:00 AM	Tour Match – NSW v Sri Lanka	Sydney Cricket Ground
Sun 31 Oct (D/N) 14:00 PM	Only T20I – Australia v Sri Lanka	Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth
Wed 3 Nov (D/N) 08:45 AM	1st ODI – Australia v Sri Lanka	Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fri 5 Nov (D/N) 08:45 AM	2nd ODI – Australia v Sri Lanka	Sydney Cricket Ground
Sun 7 Nov (D/N) 08:45 AM	3rd ODI – Australia v Sri Lanka	Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth

Indian Squad for Zimbabwe Tri-series | Suresh Raina to lead Indian Team

Senior players are resting and the young Indian team will go to African nation of Zimbabwe for a Tri-series. The Tri-series featuring India, Sri Lanka and Host Zimbabwe will reset from the 28th of March till 9th June. Further in 12th and 13th of June India will play 2 T20s against Zimbabwe.

Suresh Raina will be leading the Indian side whereas as the 21 yrs old Virat Kohli will be the Vice-Captain of the side. The side have no Dhoni, Sachin, Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Zaheer or other senior pros. Here's the young Indian squad:

***M Vijay, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suresh Raina (capt), Virat Kohli (vice-capt), Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Pankaj Singh, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Naman Ojha

Looking at the current form of Zimbabwe in West Indies and T20 world cup, it will not be easy for the young Indian legs. Apart from this, its not sure how Sri Lanka will react with their squads. So, tough time for India after the T20 horror in West Indies and new captain Suresh Raina.

Day/night Tests on way, says ICC president

World cricket's top administrator is convinced it 'won't be too long' before day/night Tests are being played in either Australia or India.

Bridgetown: World cricket's top administrator is convinced it "won't be too long" before day/night Tests are being played in either Australia or India. David Morgan, the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), in an interview, also said a "context" for Test and One-Day International matches was on its way. While Tests in England are generally sold out and England or South Africa Test tours of Australia also attract large crowds, elsewhere other series in the five-day format struggle to attract spectators. Ever since floodlit fixtures were pioneered in Australia more than 30 years ago as part of the 'rebel' World Series Cricket, there have been suggestions day/night Tests could draw in spectators who are at work during normal playing hours. But so far, in part because of concerns the white ball used for floodlit cricket won't stand up to the wear and tear of a five-day match, they have yet to become a reality. Morgan, speaking ahead of an ICC meeting at Lord's this week, insisted day/night Tests were on the horizon. "I talked to administrators in Australia whom I expected to be so conservative as to be against day/night Test cricket but they are very much for it and I believe it won't be too long before we see day/night Test cricket in Australia or India," he said. One complaint is that too many Tests, as well as One-dayers, lack "context". Although the ICC has introduced a Test table, its complex rating system has so far failed to excite much interest. Morgan, perhaps concerned by promising something leading countries - who organise series between themselves within minimum ICC guidelines - won't let him deliver, has repeatedly refrained from using the word 'championship' or 'league' in connection with Tests and ODIs. But Morgan, a former chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said: "Our chief executives' committee has been looking at producing a context for both ODI cricket and Test match cricket so watch this space. "Enriching ODIs and Tests are two major opportunities, and I have little or no doubt the game will embrace those fairly quickly." Morgan added the biggest regret of his term as president, which expires within weeks, was Pakistan becoming a no-go area for international cricket following the armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore last year. "I feel sad for the people of Pakistan and for the cricketers in Pakistan," he said. "Pakistan has produced some of the most stylish cricketers in the last couple of decades - Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. "It's a country we need to continue to be producing fine cricketers, a bit like the Welsh (rugby union) 'outside-half factory," the 72-year-old Welshman added. "When these things cease to flow, the game is a great deal poorer." Morgan though was buoyed by the upcoming Tests between Pakistan and Australia in England in July - the first neutral Tests since England staged the 1912 triangular tournament involving Australia and South Africa. "With those Test matches at Lord's and Headingley, there will be huge interest and just the shop-window Pakistan needs," Morgan said. Reflecting on the World Twenty20, where England beat Australia by seven wickets in the final here on Sunday, he added: "I think this tournament has gone wonderfully well." A key to its success was that home fans were not priced out of matches, as happened at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, he explained. "Accessibility for local people is important. It's absolutely crazy to be pricing tickets in excess of a week's wages for people and that was the sort of thing that was happening at the last World Cup." Morgan, a former commercial director of Electrical Steel and an ex-chairman of Cariff-based county side Glamorgan, said he would "not go back" to any of his previous roles within cricket or business. Asked what he would do when no longer ICC president, a deadpan Morgan replied: "Maybe I'll see if I can get a press pass."

David Morgan Interviewed by AFP on Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Pak's entire 'dysfunctional' Oz tour under ICC scanner

The entire Pakistan tour of Australia in 2009-10 is under a cloud with the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit investigating the visiting team's performance during the series, and not just the 'controversial' Sydney Test.
Outgoing ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Paul Condon said that his department has been concerned about the entire tour and not just the New Year's Sydney Test.
"It is a series that worried us. The challenge is to find where the solid fact is, because what you've got there is a lot of internecine strife within the team and within Pakistan politics, with rival camps making allegations," The Australian quoted Condon, as saying.
"We are satisfied that that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistani point of view, and that dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, and maybe making them potentially underperform deliberately," he added.
Condon further said the ACSU was still inquiring into the series to establish facts.
"What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to (bring) down captains or potential captains, or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix," he said.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) has promised to co-operate, but chief executive James Sutherland has written to the ICC for more details of its investigation.
"We have no knowledge of any concerns and we'd have expected to have some knowledge if there were any," a CA spokesman said.
"If the ICC had any concerns, we would absolutely provide them with whatever support they needed. At this stage we believe we won that game on the merits of our performance," the spokesman added.
The Pakistan Cricket Board punished almost half of the Pakistan team for their performance in Australia. Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were suspended for a year, while Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, were fined and placed on probation for six months

'New look' England squad has potential to defend Ashes Down Under: Pietersen

London, May 22(ANI): England batsman Kevin Pietersen has said that the new look Three Lions squad has the potential to defend the Ashes in Australia under coach Andy Flower and captain Andrew Strauss.

England's last series Down Under had resulted in an embarrassing 5-0 whitewash, but Pietersen claims that the current team has the potential to give a tough fight to the Aussies in their own back yard.

"Words can't describe how I feel right now after the fortnight I've had. It's always good to beat Australia [Twenty20 World Cup final]. To do it away from England and on a flat wicket is something the boys can take a lot of positives from. I can't say we will do this or do that, win the Ashes and all, but I can say this team will keep improving all the time," The Sun quoted Pietersen, as saying.

"The team spirit in 2005 was special. We had an incredible side and the way the guys enjoyed each other's success was the key. And I can see that in this team. Everyone in this side is now dovetailing much like that great Australian side of a few years ago," he added.

The 29-year-old also dismissed reports emerging in the Australian press that branded the Twenty20 World Cup winning England squad as a team of 'imports'.

"People are entitled to their opinions of course, but I think it's time to move on from all that. It's the kind of heckling we're going to get at the end of the year in Australia though I guess. We get it here too, but to see England winning is the best thing," Pietersen said.

"I don't think there should be any negatives about what we've achieved over the last few weeks - it's all down to the year we've had under Flower and Strauss," he added.

"Pak's entire dysfunctional tour of Australia" under ICC anti-corruption scanner

Sydney, May 22(ANI): The entire Pakistan tour of Australia in 2009-10 is under a cloud with the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit investigating the visiting team's performance during the series, and not just the 'controversial' Sydney Test.

Outgoing ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Paul Condon said that his department has been concerned about the entire tour and not just the New Year's Sydney Test.

"It is a series that worried us. The challenge is to find where the solid fact is, because what you've got there is a lot of internecine strife within the team and within Pakistan politics, with rival camps making allegations," The Australian quoted Condon, as saying.

"We are satisfied that that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistani point of view, and that dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, and maybe making them potentially underperform deliberately," he added.

Condon further said the ACSU was still inquiring into the series to establish facts.

"What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to (bring) down captains or potential captains, or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix," he said.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) has promised to co-operate, but chief executive James Sutherland has written to the ICC for more details of its investigation.

"We have no knowledge of any concerns and we'd have expected to have some knowledge if there were any," a CA spokesman said.

"If the ICC had any concerns, we would absolutely provide them with whatever support they needed. At this stage we believe we won that game on the merits of our performance," the spokesman added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board punished almost half of the Pakistan team for their performance in Australia. Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were suspended for a year, while Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, were fined and placed on probation for six months.

Beaten Bangladesh desperate for Shakib recovery

DERBY: Bangladesh were desperately hoping captain Shakib Al Hasan makes a speedy recovery from chickenpox after his side lost by seven wickets to England Lions on Friday.
Only Jahural Islam showed the necessary application required on a Derby pitch that helped the seamer to score an unbeaten 58 off 153 balls and was the only Bangladeshi batsman to pass 50 in the game.
Bangladesh face England at Lord's in the first Test starting on Thursday, but this match was really decided on Thursday afternoon when the tourists lost wickets to a rash of ill-judged shots to collapse to 139 for nine, a lead of just 63.
Rubel Hossain dug in to see him to his half-century and made the Lions bowlers work for the last wicket on a hot, humid morning on Friday.
Jahural and Rubel continued the stand which had rescued their side from a two-day defeat and batted for another 11 overs before Ravi Bopara, pushing for an England Test recall, struck.
Bopara finished with four for 14 in the innings and seven for 23 in the match.
Lions skipper and England opener Alastair Cook then made an unbeaten 42 from 55 balls as his team easily chased down a target of 86.
Bangladesh's Australian coach Jamie Siddons said he was hopeful that Shakib would be fit for Lord's.
"He's much better. He bowled and batted today and walked some laps. I'm pretty confident he's pacing himself well and will definitely be putting his hand up to play," said Siddons.
"That's good news for us because he's an integral part of our line-up and balances our team out nicely."
On the Lord's Test, Siddons added: "We are hoping for a really good performance.
"We've played good Test cricket over the last six months and pushed England in Bangladesh and hopefully, all things being even, we will play really well at Lord's."

My Test career is over: Afridi

Karachi: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Friday made it clear that his Test career is over and will now concentrate only in one-day and Twenty20 cricket which he said is more suited to his attacking style.
Afridi, who is tipped to be named next week as captain of the one-day side for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, ruled himself unavailable for Pakistan's six-match Test series in England this summer.
"Some of my well wishers and supporters wanted me to return to Test cricket. But it's the end of Test cricket for me and it's my firm decision," Afridi said.
"Now my focus is forthcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, T20 and ODI series in England and next year's 2011 Cricket World Cup," he told a state owned news agency.
Afridi, who has not played a Test since 2006, conceded that his attacking style suited limited-over cricket more.
"To be frank, Test cricket has its own demands and it doesn't suit my style. I love to play in attacking manner and I get it from T20 and ODIs," Afridi said.
Afridi, who led Pakistan to the final of just concluded ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies, is expected to be given the ODI captaincy when Pakistan Cricket Board and selectors meet next week in Lahore.
Asked about next month's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Afridi said, "It's my dream to win this continental title for the country. It will be a good tournament."
"We need some solid batsmen in the middle order which is our trouble area," he said.
After the Asia Cup, Pakistan play four Twenty20 Internationals and five ODIs in England besides the six Tests. Afridi has made 1683 runs in 26 Tests at an average of 37.40 and taken 47 wickets at an average of 34.89.
Meanwhile, experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is still undecided about continuing to play Test cricket.
"The last time I played was three years ago so I really don't know but if the selectors feel I have a role to play in the Tests in England then I will give it a thought," Razzaq said.
Razzaq, however, made it clear that he wanted to continue his limited over cricket career for Pakistan.

Pollard, South Africa fined

Antigua: Explosive West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard was today fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching ICC Code of Conduct during his team's second Twenty20 International match against South Africa here.

South Africa were also fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their 13-run victory yesterday.

Pollard was charged with a Level 1 offence under article 2.1.8 of the code which relates to conduct contrary to the spirit of cricket.

The incident took place in the 18th over of the West Indies innings when Pollard ran towards the non-striker's end in such a way that he impeded the bowler's path to the ball. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Norman Malcolm and Clyde Duncan as well as third umpire Goaland Greeves.

The player pleaded guilty to the charge and accepted the proposed sanction offered to him by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama.

"A competitive attitude is to be promoted and cherished on the cricket field but players must also remember at all times to play within the spirit of the game," Mahanama said in an ICC statement.

"On this occasion Kieron has overstepped the mark and I have fined him 25 per cent of his match fee, a penalty that he has accepted," the statement added. Graeme Smith's side was ruled to be one over short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. As such, Smith has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players receive 10-per-cent fines.

"Smith was guilty of a similar offence in T20Is during the ICC World Twenty20 2010 and, under the terms of the ICC Code of Conduct, if he is guilty of three in total in this format of the game over a 12-month period, he will automatically receive a one-match suspension," the ICC statement said.