| Venue | Allan Border Field, Brisbane on 18th July 2009 (20-over match) |
| Balls per over | 6 |
| Toss | Pakistan A won the toss and decided to bat |
| Result | Australia A won by 7 wickets |
| Umpires | SD Fry, BNJ Oxenford |
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Australia A v Pakistan A
PIETERSEN'S OFFERNING OF
Former England opener Geoff Boycott has blasted Kevin Pietersen for behaving like a 'spoilt child' by getting himself out with an ill-judged sweep shot in the drawn opening Ashes Test. Pietersen's offering of a gentle catch to Simon Katich off the bowling of Nathan Hauritz when on 69 infuriated Boycott, who vented his spleen in a Tuesday commentary for the Daily Telegraph.
"Pietersen is like a spoilt child, the family favourite who can get away with anything because he is the golden boy," Boycott charged.
"Until someone takes the trouble to discipline him he will keep making the same stupid mistakes over and over again."
And Boycott indicated England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower should sit down with the batsman and set him straight.
"My concern is that there is no one in the England set up who will go up to Pietersen and tell him that this is not good enough," Boycott said.
Pietersen loses his wicket while trying to play the sweep shot
England bowler Andrew Flintoff
 England bowler Andrew Flintoff at the first Ashes Test match in Cardiff, Wales Enlarge Image© AFP/File |
 England's Andrew Flintoff at the first Ashes test match in Cardiff, Wales Enlarge Image© AFP/File |
 England paceman Andrew Flintoff at the second day of the first Ashes test match in Cardiff Enlarge Image© AFP/File |
 © AFP/File |
Australia captain Ricky Ponting
 © AFP |
Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes England will recall fast bowler Stephen Harmison for the second Ashes Test here at Lord's.
The Durham quick has not played for England since being dropped in the Caribbean earlier this year and missed last week's drawn Ashes opener in Cardiff where Australia piled up a huge 674 for six declared.
Harmison has ostensibly been included as cover for Andrew Flintoff, who is struggling with a knee injury.
But Ponting, who still bears the scar of being hit on the cheek by a Harmison bouncer which drew blood during the first Ashes Test at Lord's in 2005, said he expected both fast bowlers to play come Thursday's start if fit.
"I reckon Harmison will play, yes," Ponting told reporters at Lord's on Tuesday. "I think he will play even if Flintoff is fit, they'll play them both if they can.
"I think these conditions will suit him more than what the ones down at Cardiff would have done. I had the feeling he was very close to selection down there," Ponting added.
 Harmison has ostensibly been included as cover for Andrew Flintoff |
Michael HusseY
Michael Hussey top scored for Australia with 51
A shell-shocked Australia was in damage control on Friday night after a string of batsmen went down swinging, leaving the tourists in deep trouble in the second Test at Lord's.
Five of the eight Australian wickets to fall on a dramatic second day came following reckless pull or hook shots as England's strategy of short-pitched bowling paid handsome rewards.
Michael Hussey, one of only three Australian batsmen not to fall victim to a cross-bat shot, could not explain how quickly the game swung in England's favour.
"I haven't had time to digest it all really but probably a mixture of everything really," said Hussey, who made 51 before being bowled shouldering arms to Andrew Flintoff.
"The pull shot's a very instinctive shot. You try and pick up the length as quick as you can and instinct takes over and your reflexes take over."
"Unfortunately today we had a few dismissals with the cross-bat shot but maybe it was a plan of theirs."
Australia need a further 70 runs to avoid the follow-on
 Australia need a further 70 runs to avoid the follow-on Enlarge Image© AFP |
 The Daily Telegraph said Australia's Ashes campaign is in tatter |
The Aussie team skipped the traditional Friday night reception
The Aussie team skipped the traditional Friday night reception much to the exasperation of the MCC officials
©AFP
The Australians argued that attending the reception was not on their approved list of commitments.
MCC committee and other senior club members attend the reception on Friday's of each Lord's Test.
The MCC had booked the Long Room, rather than the Committee Room as usual, for the reception.
"This is a traditional part of the Lord's Test and (England coach) Andy Flower, understands the value of tradition, so England agreed to attend. But the Australian manager just keeps turning us down," The Daily Telegraph quoted as saying an MCC source.
A spokesman for the Australian team said it was not obligatory for their players to attend the reception.
"We have a memorandum of understanding that lists all the functions that we are obliged to attend on this tour, and the MCC drinks reception is not on it.
"In order to develop the relationship between Cricket Australia and the MCC, we arranged for the team coach and manager, Tim Nielsen and Steve Bernard, to attend an MCC lunch on the Tuesday before the Test," the spokesman said.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Pakistan’s shocking defeat in first Test vs Sri Lanka
After outplaying Sri Lanka for the first three days, Pakistan cricket team was surprisingly all out on the fourth day when it lost their last eight batsmen for 46 runs, giving the visitors a dramatic 50-run victory in the first cricket Test at the Galle International Stadium.Chasing a modest target of 168, Pakistan were collapsed from a seemingly impregnable 71-2 to 117 all out in their second innings before lunch on the fourth day.
Pakistan’s astonishing defeat gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, the first between the two nations since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore on March 3.
A stunned Pakistan captain Younis Khan said the team's lack of Test cricket -- just three Tests in the last 18 months -- had proved costly.
The team who a few days ago emerged as the champions of the World Twenty20 Cup could not achieve an easy target despite dominating the game for three successive days.
What do you think were the factors behind this defeat?
How Pakistan can stage a comeback, after poor show in Lanka first test?
 Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 50 runs in the first cricket Test on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan, chasing a modest target of 168, collapsed from their overnight total of 71-2 to 117 all out just before lunch on the fourth day at the Galle International Stadium. Brief scores: Sri Lanka 292 and 217-- Pakistan 342 and 117.Pakistan losing so soon against Sri Lanka, one could never expect, especially when the euphoria of T20 victory had not yet died down. Yet, the poor performance of Pakistan squad particularly in the second inning of the first test gave Sri Lankan a chance to avenge their defeat at Lords. The second Test starts at the P. Sara stadium in Colombo on July 12. |
Shortening Test matches from five to four days
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering shortening Test matches from five to four days in a bid to revamp the game's traditional format and save it from the rise of the popular Twenty20 version.The idea of four-day Tests was raised in strategy discussions during ICC meetings in London last month.
ICC president David Morgan has floated the idea of having four-day Tests saying that Test cricket will have to be made more exciting through a series of steps.
Responding to this idea, some people feared that such steps would achieve little other than ruining the traditional format of the game.
"To have four-day Tests played with coloured balls and under floodlights will be the sort of experimentation, which Test cricket doesn't need," said Javed Miandad, regarded among the greatest batsmen of all time.
He also suggested that the ICC should form a think-tank involving the big names of world cricket, which should come out with comprehensive suggestions over issues like the survival of Test cricket.
You are invited to comment on this issue
Who is responsible for shifting of World Cup matches?
The government of Pakistan has blamed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s decision to shift 2011 World Cup matches from the country.Pointing fingers towards the PCB chief Ijaz Butt, Sports Minister, Pir Aftab Jilani said those who run the matters of PCB are responsible for losing the rights of hosting World Cup 2011 matches.
Of course, the one who is running the show of Pakistan cricket is responsible for this shift, media quoted Jilani saying.
The ICC had decided not to host any World Cup matches in Pakistan following the brazen terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March.
Later, the apex cricket committee awarded all the 14 matches, which Pakistan had to host earlier, to the other three host nations India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Pakistan revelled in its World Twenty20 triumph recently, as former cricket greats voiced hopes that the victory could help restore the strife-torn nation's place in international cricket.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Pakistan’s historic win in the final of the T20 World Cup
KARACHI: Pakistan’s historic win in the final of the T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka at Lord’s sparked jubilation across the country and worldwide.People took to the streets after the match in all major cities of the country including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta and expressed their joy in their own peculiar manner.
They distributed sweets and danced to the beat of drums to celebrate the much-needed victory. While some people resorted to aerial firing, others set off fireworks lighting up the night sky.
They also sang national songs and chanted slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’. Large screens were installed in all major cities for people to watch the match.
Theses were the scenes witnessed not only in Pakistan but also in every corner of the world wherever Pakistanis are living. Whether it would be streets of US or grounds of Britain, Pakistani flag flying high conveying the message of peace and expressed that Pakistani nation is a peace loving nation and fond of healthy activities.
Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi stood tall with a mature 54 to guide Pakistan home © Getty Images
It wasn't the edge-of-the-seat final that would have signed off the ICC World Twenty20 in style, but that won't matter to Pakistan who gave their nation a something to savour amid troubled times. From the moment Tillakaratne Dilshan, the tournament's top-scorer, fell in the opening over Pakistan had a grip on the match. Shahid Afridi, who emerged as their trump card, guided his team home in the 19th over with an unbeaten 54, and it was left to Younis Khan to raise the trophy in what he later announced would be his final Twenty20 international, in front of a sea of delirious Pakistan supporters.
Umar Gul's best in Twenty20 internationals
| Umar Gul's spell of 5 for 6 in three overs against New Zealand was the best in Twenty20 internationals |
Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik celebrate Pakistan's eight-wicket win
Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik celebrate Pakistan's eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's © AFP
Friday, June 12, 2009
South Australia keep steady squad
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A year after giving their squad a significant overhaul, South Australia have kept a steady course for 2009-10 with few changes to their playing group. The fast bowlers Chris Duval and Matthew Weeks have been added to the senior squad, while the opening batsman Tom Plant has been axed.
Weeks, 26, returned to South Australia's starting line-up last summer after a three-year absence. Duval is the only addition from outside the state, returning to his original side having spent the past four seasons with Tasmania.
The Redbacks now have three Cricket Australia-contracted players with Graham Manou and Callum Ferguson joining Shaun Tait on the national list. That opened up places for James Smith and Jake Haberfield to be promoted from the state's rookie list and both now hold full deals.
The rookie list has taken on a new look with only Michael Cranmer, Cameron Francis and Kane Richardson named at this stage. Of last season's rookies, Jake Brown, Andy Delmont and Jason Donnelly have slipped out of the group.
None of the changes are major and it is a far cry from South Australia's off-field dealings last year, when they raided four players from New South Wales and Victoria in addition to signing Pakistan's Younis Khan. All states must finalise their round one offers by next Friday prior to the player transfer pool opening.
Fulton to lead New Zealand Emerging Players
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Peter Fulton will captain a New Zealand Emerging Players team set to take part in a quadrangular tournament in Australia in July. Fulton and Tim Southee are the only players in the 15-man squad with international experience.
The group includes two men who have not yet qualified for full New Zealand selection but will do so within the next two years. Colin de Grandhomme, 22, has previously represented Zimbabwe A but having settled in Auckland he had a productive season with the bat in 2008-09.
The left-arm fast-medium bowler Neil Wagner has also been given the nod following a strong domestic summer for Otago. Wagner, 23, was born in Pretoria and last year played for the South African Academy side.
Other men picked for their first taste of New Zealand representative cricket include the Auckland batsman Anaru Kitchen and the legspinner Tarun Nethula. The squad will be coached by John Wright and Matthew Horne, and will take on teams from Australia, India and South Africa in Brisbane.
Squad Peter Fulton (capt), Nick Beard, Hamish Bennett, Te Ahu Davis, Colin de Grandhomme, Anaru Kitchen, Tarun Nethula, Jeet Raval, Lance Shaw, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson,
Younis happy to have Razzaq back
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Younis Khan, the Pakistan captain, has welcomed the return of allrounder Abdul Razzaq to the Pakistan side after a two-year exile caused by his decision to opt for the Indian Cricket League. Razzaq was fast-tracked into the national Twenty20 squad in England shortly after quitting the ICL, but his participation in the opening Super Eights match against Sri Lanka at Lord's today is highly unlikely as he arrives just hours before the game.
"This game is not possible but I think he will manage the last two games," Younis said on the eve of the game. "He is a good name in world cricket and in Twenty20 he is a fantastic allrounder.
"He is a senior guy and his return will be good for Pakistan cricket. He would be in any team in the world."
Razzaq was one of several former ICL players granted amnesty by the Pakistan Cricket Board a few weeks ago shortly after the Indian board took the initiative to allow players to return from the unofficial league. Razzaq was named in the original list of 30 probables the PCB had sent to the ICC in early April - before the BCCI announced the amnesty - but the board made a U-turn and scratched his name off because the ICC objected to his ICL status. However, when Razzaq confirmed that he had snapped ties with the ICL, the PCB named him as an emergency replacement for the injured seamer Yasir Arafat.
Razzaq is likely to play the next Super Eights match against New Zealand at The Oval on Saturday.
Younis also took the opportunity to clarify someunusual comments he had earlier made on Twenty20 cricket, comparing it to "WWF" and saying that it was better to take it easy and have fun in this format. He defended his comments and urged everyone not to take them too seriously.
"I am a simple guy. Sometimes people think I am wrong because when we lose I am still laughing," Younis said. "You must look forward, if you lose or win. This is life. Sometimes you have good days, sometimes you have bad days."
Bangladesh selector defends Twenty20 selections
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Rafiqul Alam, the Bangladesh chief selector, has defended the team selection for the ICC World Twenty20 where the side crashed out in the group stages. Alam's decision to pick batsman Raqibul Hasan was reportedly questioned before the team set out for England but Alam rushed to Raqibul's defence, saying he had the ability to stabilise the innings if the top order failed.
A rusty Bangladesh, returning from an international lay-off of nearly five months, lost both their group stage matches, including one to Ireland. Their only two wins on tour came during the warm-ups, against minnows Scotland and Netherlands. Raqibul managed only 29 runs in the two official games.
"Raqibul has been our best batsman internationally and he is a technically sound player," Alam told theDaily Star. "When selecting the team we had a choice between him, Mehrab Hossain jnr. and Ziaur Rahman. Zia was quite ordinary in this year's Premier League Twenty20 and 50-over version...
"It boiled down to Mehrab and Raqibul and the former's poor fielding and unhealthy strike-rate played against him. Also our top order is not very strong so we had players like Raqibul and Mushfiqur [Rahim] who can at least take the team to a respectable total if the top four batters fail."
PCB gave me no independence - Abdul Qadir
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Having maintained a steady silence since he abruptlystepped down from his post as chief selector earlier this week, Abdul Qadir finally let loose on the reasons behind his decision, blaming primarily a lack of independence in his role. Qadir also said had it been his choice, Pakistan's Twenty20 side would not be led by Younis Khan and that Shoaib Malik would not be in the side at all.
In particular, Qadir launched an attack on Intikhab Alam, Pakistan's coach, and Yawar Saeed, the team's manager, blaming them for interfering in selections and rendering his selectors "a dummy" committee.
"Why did I resign? If you do not get the respect, the justice or independence in your job it is better to leave," Qadir told Cricinfo. "If the PCB does not honour its contract then what is the point? I was told I would be given independence and a free hand in selection but that has not been the case."
The spark for the differences seems to have emerged from the ambiguous parameters assigned to the chief selector. The board's policy, for home games, is that the selection committee decides on a playing XI, in consultation with coach and captain. According to Qadir, 'consultation' allowed, effectively, the team management to finalise the XI without any input from selectors.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Chris Gayle goes downtown,
Chris Gayle goes downtown, Australia v West Indies, ICC World Twenty20, The Oval, June 6, 2009
© Getty Images . This image may not be reproduced without specific consent from Getty Images
'Spin is our strength' - Sana Mir
Sana Mir, the Pakistan women's captain, has said she is banking on her spinners to help her side put up a strong show in the women's World Twenty20.
"Our strength lies in our spin attack," she told reporters at Lord's. "We are planning to make full use of our plus point and do well in this tournament." Mir, a legspinner, has been Pakistan's best bowler in ODIs this year, taking nine wickets at 18.44 in seven matches, and offspinner Sajjida Shah has also turned in some decent performances.
Pakistan finished in a creditable sixth place at the women's World Cup in Australia earlier this year, and Mir hoped to build on that in the World Twenty20. "I believe we are among the favourites in this tournament."
Mir's side has two warm-up games - against West Indies on Monday, and South Africa on Tuesday - before playing their first match of the tournament against Sri Lanka on Friday. England, who were clinical during their World Cup win in March, and India are also in Pakistan's group for the league phase.
Sana Mir
PakistanFull name Sana Mir
Born January 5, 1986, Abbottabad, North-West Frontier Province
Current age 23 years 153 days
Major teams Pakistan Women, South Zone Women (Pakistan)
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Legbreak
Batting | Bowling | Career statistics | Latest Articles | Latest Photos
Batting and fielding averages
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | Ct | St | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 31 | 30 | 6 | 325 | 35 | 13.54 | 940 | 34.57 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| T20Is | 3 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 14 | 25.00 | 48 | 52.08 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling averages
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 31 | 30 | 1400 | 821 | 31 | 4/10 | 4/10 | 26.48 | 3.51 | 45.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 3 | 3 | 57 | 37 | 7 | 4/13 | 4/13 | 5.28 | 3.89 | 8.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career statistics
ODI debut : Pakistan Women v Sri Lanka Women at Karachi, Dec 28, 2005 | scorecard
Last ODI : Ireland Women v Pakistan Women at Dublin, May 26, 2009 | scorecard
ODI statistics :
T20I debut : Ireland Women v Pakistan Women at Dublin, May 25, 2009 | scorecard
Last T20I : Ireland Women v Pakistan Women at Dublin, May 29, 2009 | scorecard
T20I statistics :
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