Pakistan keeps their champions tag intact: DailyNews

Chris DHAMBARAGE
Pakistan kept their reputation as the World Champions while defeating Sri Lanka by 52 runs in their only Twenty20 International worked off under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
Pakistan successfully defended their total of 172 runs as they dismissed the home side for just 120 runs from 18.1 overs.
Even then they were under tremendous pressure at one stage with skipper Kumar Sangakkara threatening to take the game away from them.
The stylish left hander batting at number four showed promise with a 31 ball 38 which was studded with one six and two boundaries. Along with Chamara Kapugedera they set about their task in style as Sri Lanka remained well on course to a morale boosting victory.
However the dismissal of Sangakkara in the 14th over certainly brought a dramatic change to the game with Pakistan crawling their way back into the game through some accurate bowling and splendid fielding.
In fact Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for the addition of just 20 runs within the space of 29 deliveries. Opening bowler Naveed Ul Hasan and Saeed Ajmal claimed three wickets each with Mohammed Aamer, Ifthikao Rao and Shahid Afridi providing the back up support.
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Pakistan 'to pocket 2.75 mln dlrs from Trophy': AFP

LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan will still pocket 2.75 million dollars from the Champions Trophy despite the event being shifted to South Africa for security reasons, a top cricket official said here Tuesday.

South Africa was approved on Monday as the new host of the biennial tournament in September-October by the board of International Cricket Council (ICC) after the decision last month to take it out of troubled Pakistan.

However the ICC board decided that Pakistan will keep the hosting rights, ensuring a significant windfall for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the sport's governing body here.

"The decision of giving the Champions Trophy to South Africa hasn't changed the picture," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf told reporters in Lahore.

"If the ICC gives South Africa financial assistance, it would still have no impact on the PCB's share, which is 2.75 million dollars."

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