Pakistan captain Younis drops to sixth position in ICC Test rankings : Sangakkara returns to the top: Daily Times

LAHORE: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has returned to the top of the ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen following his match-saving performance in the third Test against Pakistan in Colombo. “The 31-year-old compiled 130 not out in the second innings to go with his 45 the first time around and that was enough to lift him two places, above India’s Gautam Gambhir, who had been enjoying number-one position, and Pakistan skipper Younis Khan, who drops four places from second to sixth place in the latest rankings,” said a spokesman for the ICC.

This is not the first time Sangakkara has been the number-one-ranked Test batsman having risen to that level at the end of 2007 and again during 2008. Such has been his consistency with the bat, the left-hander has not been out of the top five since the end of 2006. There has been quite a bit of movement in the top 10 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies and Australia’s Michael Clarke both benefiting from Younis’s slip down the order.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan captain Younis drops to sixth position in ICC Test rankings : Sangakkara returns to the top: Daily Times

Pakistan's Yousuf moves to number one on return: Reuters

CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf moved to the top of the official test rankings for batsmen this week after his first test since being recalled on quitting the unofficial Indian Cricket League.

Yousuf struck 112 and 12 to give his side the upper hand against Sri Lanka before they dramatically collapsed to lose the opening test by 50 runs on the fourth day at Galle on Tuesday.

Yousuf toppled countryman Younis Khan to move to the top of the rankings for the first time in his career, a statement from the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan's Yousuf moves to number one on return: Reuters

Pakistan squad leaves for Sri Lanka today : Younis and his charges ready for challenge of men from Pearl Island: Daily Times

By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Led by Younis Khan, a 15-man Pakistan squad will leave for Sri Lanka on Saturday (today) to play a three-Test and five one-day international (ODI) series starting there from Monday. After having beaten Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 World Cup final, Pakistan will be under great pressure when they face the men from the Pearl Island. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets last Sunday at Lord’s to win their first World Cup title since defeating England in the final of the 50-over format in 1992 in Melbourne.

“Our countrymen want us to win every match – especially after success in the Twenty20 World Cup,” Younis Khan told reporters on Friday. “It can put pressure on us but we are ready for it. It is true that we have achieved a big victory, but a tour of Sri Lanka will be a big challenge for us,” he added. Younis said the celebrations became a matter of the past when the team embarked on the next tour. “So I hope players get into a different mood soon. We will have to leave our World Cup win behind and focus on what is a very tough assignment against Sri Lanka.” Pakistan have been bolstered by the return of middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. Both players have been welcomed back into international cricket after resigning from the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). “Yousuf is a quality player and gives strength to our middle-order batting,” said Younis of the 34-year-old Yousuf who scored a world record of 1,788 runs in 2006 – the most in Test cricket in a calendar year.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan squad leaves for Sri Lanka today : Younis and his charges ready for challenge of men from Pearl Island: Daily Times

Pakistan teenage quick Aamir eyes golden summer: AFP

By Shahid Hashmi – 8 hours ago

KARACHI (AFP) — When Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup, Mohammad Aamir was not even born.

But the country's newest pace sensation has a precious memento, a videotape of the glorious moments of Pakistan?s famous triumph in Australia and he knows what it takes to become a champion.

"I was born two weeks after Pakistan won the World Cup but I watched the 1992 World Cup on tape and especially Wasim Akram?s bowling," said Aamir, who modelled his style on the legendary left-arm paceman.

The 17-year-old is the latest addition to Pakistan?s pace armoury and has impressed everyone, including former skipper Wasim, with his pace and swing.

"I have watched him more than once and he's impressive with over 140kmh speed and can swing the ball both ways," Wasim told AFP, predicting the rookie paceman can be a "revelation" in the World Twenty20.

Wasim came across Aamir in a talent-spotting programme, paving his way for selection for the Pakistan Under-19 tour to England in 2007.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan teenage quick Aamir eyes golden summer: AFP

Clarke, Afridi fly up ICC ODI Player Rankings: Daily Times

LAHORE: Stand-in captain Michael Clarke has been rewarded for inspiring Australia to a 3-2 series win over Pakistan by rocketing up the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI Player Rankings. Clarke, who led the four-time world champions in the desert cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the absence of Ricky Ponting, has climbed nine places and now sits in 11th position after scoring 235 runs in the series, including 100 not out in the fourth match. Shane Watson is the other Australia batsman on the charge. The 27-year-old Queenslander has vaulted 27 places to 46th spot after finishing the series as the leading run-getter with 271, including 116 not out in the last match of the series at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Andrew Symonds’ comeback series brought no joy for him as he has now dropped out of the top 20. The 33-year-old all-rounder has slipped three places in the batting chart to 23rd spot after scoring 82 runs in four outings. Michael Hussey and Ponting have also slipped in the latest rankings after missing the series. A player loses one per cent of his rating for missing every match and as such both the batsmen have dropped three places each and are now in third and 18th positions.

There is no good news for Pakistan in the batting chart except for Kamran Akmal, whose 116 not out on Sunday has helped him jump 10 places to 47th, and Misbahul Haq who has climbed four places to 30th. Shoaib Malik has slipped one place to 19th position, Salman Butt has dropped four places to 22nd spot while captain Younus Khan has stayed in 24th place after managing only 73 runs in the series. The batting table is still headed by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni while Hussey’s slip has benefitted the West Indies pair of Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul who have risen one place each to second and third.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Clarke, Afridi fly up ICC ODI Player Rankings: Daily Times

Cricket Pakistan needs some friends to restore order: Dean Jones: The Age

DO I get this right? Pakistan recently had eight people tragically killed when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team and officials and consequently everyone has decided not to tour Pakistan again for years to come.

And last year, more than 200 people were killed in India through the Mumbai terrorist strikes and England returned three weeks later to finish the tour with ramped-up security. So please tell me: what is the difference?

Is it for commercial reasons? Is it because India has more money than anyone in the cricketing world? If the same thing happened in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe or Bangladesh, would England have returned so quickly?

Please, don't get me wrong. I admire how both boards reacted for each other and for cricket. Great courage and conviction was shown by all. All I'm saying is that it's time for cricketing countries to show the same respect to Pakistan, because the game needs the Pakistanis.

Admittedly, Pakistan cricket has had some problems over the past five years.

In that time, it has had four chairmen, four chief executives, five coaches, five captains, and five players reported for throwing. Pakistan players have had bombs going off nearby regularly in that time, its coach, Bob Woolmer, died during the World Cup and its team has had the worst over-rate breaches throughout this time. It is obvious that there is instability throughout the Pakistan Cricket Board. Pakistan cricket needs good leaders and it needs some friends badly.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Cricket Pakistan needs some friends to restore order: Dean Jones: The Age

Malaysia, Ireland and Scotland among Pakistan's offshore options: Cricinfo

Alex Brown

April 9, 2009

Malaysia, Ireland and Scotland have emerged as surprise contenders to host future Pakistan "home" series. Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, confirmed that those nations, along with England and the United Arab Emirates, could become the Pakistan team's foreign base while the domestic security risk remained high.

While stressing his desire for cricket to make a prompt return to Pakistan, Butt said his board would announce in the next month neutral venues for impending international series. Butt has already held discussions with Giles Clarke, chairman of the ECB, regarding the feasibility of England hosting next year's Test series between Pakistan and Australia, and will soon decide where other matches will be based.

"We have a number of alternatives before us, and we are investigating their suitability as host venues," Butt told Cricinfo. "We have spoken with the ECB, and we will speak again with Giles Clarke when we all get together for the next ICC meeting in Dubai. There are other alternatives too. Kuala Lumpur, Ireland and Glasgow are among those. Nothing has been finalised at this stage but we will hope to make a decision in the next month."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Malaysia, Ireland and Scotland among Pakistan's offshore options: Cricinfo

Imran Khan sees 'foreign element' in cricket attack: AFP

ISLAMABAD (AFP) — Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan believes a "foreign element" could be involved in this week's attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, according to an interview published Saturday.

"It could be India, Afghanistan, the Tamil Tigers," Khan was quoted as saying in an interview published online by The Times of London.

"The motive is to damage the state of Pakistan and end cricket here. The shocking thing is that there was so little security for the players," Khan said.

Khan said that he now feared that Pakistan would be treated as a pariah by the rest of the world and that it was already being described as a "failed state" and a breeding ground for terrorists.

"This attack was guaranteed front-page news everywhere in the world," Khan said.

"The perpetrators wanted to portray Pakistan as a chaotic state in the Dark Ages. Yesterday, the stock market took a nosedive. Pakistan is a resilient country but we have gone from crisis to crisis."

Khan's belief that foreigners may be involved in the cricket attack echoes Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik, who told reporters Friday that, "I cannot rule out (involvement of a) foreign hand in the incident."

Khan said that almost all the terrorism taking place in Pakistan since 2004, when its army was sent into the tribal areas, had been suicide attacks.

He said that last year there were over 100 suicide attacks "but they have a pattern. They are always in retaliation."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Imran Khan sees 'foreign element' in cricket attack: AFP

Umps urged to cool criticism of Pakistani forces: The Age

INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council boss Haroon Lorgat claims Australian umpires Simon Taufel and Steve Davis need time "to be more rational" about the Lahore terrorist attack.

Taufel, Davis and English match referee Chris Broad have all been scathing of the Pakistani security forces after feeling they were left for dead in last Tuesday's ambush by heavily armed gunmen.

They felt deserted by the security escort as they lay stranded on the floor of their van with their driver shot dead and a colleague wounded as the Sri Lankan team bus ahead in their convoy drove away.

But ICC chief executive Lorgat, their boss, said they needed time to calm down and consider what had happened.

"I am mindful of the experience they have gone through and I think it is a difficult time for them," Lorgat said at a press conference in Sydney yesterday.

"I guess if you or I had gone through something we might have reacted in a similar fashion. We must just allow them to settle down and be more rational in their assessment of what has transpired."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Umps urged to cool criticism of Pakistani forces: The Age

ICC chief defends security in Lahore: The Australian

INTERNATIONAL Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat was satisfied with the security plan for the umpires and match officials who escaped being killed during a terrorist attack in Lahore last Tuesday.

Match referee Chris Broad claimed they were "sitting ducks" during the attack and his anger was matched by Australian umpires Steve Davis and Simon Taufel, who claimed "we were promised nine (out of 10 security) and got two out of 10".

"We were satisfied with the plan," Lorgat told The Australian yesterday. "I'm waiting for reports from that incident which will either substantiate what Chris Broad is saying or perhaps give us a different view on what has transpired.

"Initially, we had interchanged with the Pakistan Cricket Board on that plan. We shared it with the match officials.

"They had provided some input into it and we had signed off on the plan."

Six policemen and the match officials' bus driver were killed while five Sri Lankan players, an assistant coach and a reserve umpire were injured when a dozen heavily armed gunmen hijacked the convoy on its way to Gaddafi stadium.

Lorgat was speaking at picturesque North Sydney Oval yesterday while watching the women's World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand, which was a world away from the rising tide of terrorism across the subcontinent.

Before the match, he stood on the field with both teams and the match officials for a minute's silence to acknowledge those who suffered in the attack.

Lorgat is waiting on a report from the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit about the incident, which will be discussed at the ICC's next board meeting on April 16.

Broad may be invited to the meeting to give his account of the issue, along with security experts.

Not surprisingly, the ICC will review its security measures for match officials in future.

"It's certainly something we're going to have to look at very carefully," Lorgat said. "It might even include ensuring we've got close protection officers with match officials in certain if not all locations. We will have to change the way we deliver the security arrangements."

He would not comment on the outrageous attack that PCB president Ijaz Butt made on Broad last week, when Butt called Broad a liar over the failure of Pakistani security.

"I don't want to be emotional about it," Lorgat said. "At a time like this, it's a very difficult period for all those who are faced with it.

"We have to be cool, we have to be correct about what we say and I'd rather wait for that report to come through to see exactly what happened on that fateful morning."

Remarkably, he defended the ICC's attempt to try to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan last year.

Despite five countries, including Australia, refusing to attend on independent security advice, the ICC refused to move the event, which has now been postponed until later this year.

Lorgat claimed the ICC's security advice only changed early this year after the defeat of the Musharraf government at the general elections.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: ICC chief defends security in Lahore: The Australian

High-flying Younus lifts Pakistan cricket: AFP

KARACHI (AFP) — In two years Younus Khan has gone from shunning the captaincy of Pakistan's cricket to being hailed Thursday as its saviour after his epic 313 runs in the first Test against Sri Lanka this week.

The 31-year-old Younus's marathon innings of 12 hours and 48 minutes not only helped Pakistan draw the match but elevated him to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) batsmen's rankings.

But more than his batting, Younus's fearless attitude and positive approach suggests he is the man to lead Pakistan cricket out of a turbulent period.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif expressed great confidence in Younus.

"Younus taking the responsibility and leading from the front augurs well for Pakistan cricket. He doesn't demand respect, he commands it and this is the best quality for a captain," said Latif, widely regarded as Younus's mentor.

Wasim Akram, another former Pakistan captain, believes Younus can bring home the laurels.

"Younus showed that records matter less and team comes first. I think if he stays as captain, Pakistan can win the 2011 World Cup," said Wasim.

He was referring to two records that came within striking distance for Younus this week -- Hanif Mohammad's Test score of 337 runs for Pakistan in 1958 and Brian Lara's world record of 400 in 2004.

Many believed Younus would never lead Pakistan again after he turned down an offer of the captaincy following team's shock first-round defeat in the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies.

Pakistan also lost their admirable coach, Bob Woolmer, who died in the team's Jamaica hotel following their humiliating defeat against minnows Ireland.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: High-flying Younus lifts Pakistan cricket: AFP

Cork, Bayliss urge wavering nations to play in Pakistan: AFP

KARACHI (AFP) — Former England paceman Dominic Cork and Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss on Monday urged foreign teams to play in Pakistan, where three major events were cancelled over security fears last year.

Australia refused to go on a scheduled Test and limited over match tour in March last year.

They agreed to reschedule the tour and visit for one-day internationals in 2009 and Tests in 2010.

But earlier this month they forced Pakistan to play the one-day series at the neutral venues of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in April-May this year after the Australian government refused permission to tour.

Australia, who also played Pakistan in three Tests at neutral venues of Colombo and Dubai in 2002 over security fears, have not toured here since 1998.

India also refused to send its team across the border amid heightened tensions in the wake of attacks on Mumbai, which New Dehli blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) was forced to move out the Champions Trophy after three top teams pulled out, saying touring Pakistan was a high risk for their players.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Cork, Bayliss urge wavering nations to play in Pakistan: AFP

Captain Khan leads Pakistan comeback in first cricket test: Canadian Press

KARACHI, Pakistan — New captain Younis Khan led the comeback with a patient century as Pakistan reached 296-3 against Sri Lanka on the third day of the first cricket Test Monday.

Khan kept experienced Sri Lanka spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis at bay throughout the day in scoring an unbeaten 149 off 282 balls. Misbah-ul-Haq was batting on 20 at stumps.

The Pakistan captain's job is far from over as the home team requires a further 149 runs to avoid the follow-on. Sri Lanka declared its first innings at an imposing total of 644-7.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera both scored double-centuries Sunday and combined for a record-breaking 437-run partnership for the fourth wicket in the visitors' highest ever total in an innings against Pakistan.

"Last night before going to sleep I thought if Mahela could score a double-century, I should do the same for my team," Khan said. "It was actually good (to score a century) because if a captain performs like that the whole team follows him."

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Captain Khan leads Pakistan comeback in first cricket test: Canadian Press

Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka: The Hindu

KARACHI: Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes his team must quickly adapt to a new-look line-up as it prepares to play its first Test in 14 months when it takes on Sri Lanka from Saturday.

Pakistan will be without Mohd. Yousuf — out of the side for signing with the Indian Cricket League — fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar (fitness problems) and Shahid Afridi, who was dropped from the squad for the first Test. The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Younis as captain, replacing Shoaib Malik, after last month’s one-day series against Sri Lanka.

“It’s true that few of the seniors are not with us but these seniors won’t be with us forever,” Moin said on Friday.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka: The Hindu

Pakistan achieve best ODI winning ratio during 2008: GEO SUPER

by Ghalib Mehmood Bajwa

Though India topped the One-day Internationals table during the year 2008 with most number of matches (29), Pakistan managed to make their presence felt by achieving the best winning percentage leaving behind all others in this competition.Pakistan, who spent a very wretched year with no Test match appearances, got an 85.71 winning percentage, more than the rest of the ICC member countries. World champions Australia remained runners-up in this race with a 76.47 winning ratio. South Africa and New Zealand both won their matches with identical percentage of 75.00.

Pakistan played three bilateral ODI series and two multinational tournaments during the just-ending year. Overall 26 bilateral ODI rubbers and six multinational events were competed among different countries during 2008.Pakistan won 18 out of the 21 ODI matches played during the last 12 months. The highlight of the season for Pakistan was winning the Kitply Cup by beating arch rivals India in the final. However, Pakistan could not maintain their winning sequence in the six-nation Asia Cup at home. They reached the last-four stage before being beaten by India.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan achieve best ODI winning ratio during 2008: GEO SUPER

Sri Lanka pads up for Pakistan: Herald Sun

SRI Lanka's cricket team will tour Pakistan next month in place of India, which cancelled the five-week series over the Mumbai attacks.

"We have a duty as a friendly neighbour in the region to help Pakistan when it is needed most," Sri Lanka Cricket head Arjuna Ranatunga said.

A Sri Lankan spokesman said it had agreed to take India's place and asked the host to scrap two Twenty20 games and replace them with one-day matches.

Sri Lanka is likely to play Test matches in Karachi, Lahore and Multan, while Karachi would host the two proposed one-dayers

Pakistan last played a Test match in December last year, against India in Bangalore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said it was set to lose at least $35 million as a result of India's cancellation.

IAIN O'Brien was rewarded with a career-best haul as New Zealand turned the screws on the West Indies at McLean Park in Napier yesterday.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Sri Lanka pads up for Pakistan: Herald Sun

A friendly game of cricket: Chicago Tribune

In Bolingbrook, Indians and Pakistanis have found a home for their cultures and their favorite sport

By Joel Hood | Chicago Tribune reporter
July 27, 2008

Baseball is still the great American pastime. But in Bolingbrook, legions of immigrants from Pakistan, India and elsewhere are making the internationally beloved sport of cricket the summer game of 2008.

Men and boys in jersey tops and spiked shoes scamper around grass fields. Bats crack and white balls soar against a high blue sky.

Call it a cultural riff on a summer classic.

Each weekend, dozens of players suit up for club matches on fields in southwest suburban Bolingbrook. And on Sunday, thousands of fans are expected for a free exhibition match between assembled teams representing India and Pakistan at Indian Chase Meadows Park. Organizers and village officials are calling the match a landmark event for a community richly flavored by transplants from two historic adversaries.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: A friendly game of cricket: Chicago Tribune

Pakistan beat India in tri-series final: IHT

Reuters
Published: June 14, 2008

DHAKA: Opener Salman Butt and Younis Khan struck centuries on Saturday to help Pakistan beat India by 25 runs in the final of a triangular one-day series.

Pakistan avenged their 140-run defeat to their old rivals in the group stages, bowling India out for 290 from 48.2 overs after amassing 315 for three from their 50 overs.

Pace bowler Umar Gul took four for 57 from nine overs.

Pakistan, who won the toss and opted to bat, got off to a slow start until Younis joined Butt after the departure of Kamran Akmal for 15.

The pair added 205 for the second wicket, a record against India, before Younis was caught for 108 at mid-wicket by Virender Sehwag off Ishant Sharma. Butt retired hurt for 129.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Pakistan beat India in tri-series final: IHT