PCB has put Pak cricket at risk by revoking Malik's ban: Abdul Qadir

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Abdul Qadir has criticised the board for taking a 'U'-turn by revoking the one-year ban on all-rounder Shoaib Malik. Qadir said the PCB has once again put Pakistan cricket at risk by lifting the ban on Malik, who was banned and fined two million rupees for his poor show and creating a rift among players during the winless tour of Australia.

"It is not a good omen for Pakistan cricket. By taking such decisions, the board is only encouraging the players to move out of line," The Daily Times quoted Qadir, as saying. "But by taking a U-turn apparently because of political pressure, the board has once again put Pakistan cricket at risk," he added.

According to PCB insiders, board chairman Ijaz Butt was under tremendous pressure to lift the ban on Malik and also to reduce the fine imposed on him following the recommendations of an inquiry commission, which was formed to look into the reasons behind Pakistan's deplorable performance during the tour DownUnder.

"PCB chief Ijaz Butt, who is behind all this circus going on, was directed by the son, who has a close relation with Malik, of that top political leader to lift the ban. And Ijaz, who had no choice, complied with the orders," sources said.

Pakistan cricket board lifts ban on Shoaib Malik

Pakistan Cricket Board’s appeal tribunal Saturday lifted the one-year ban on former captain Shoaib Malik. Malik’s lawyer told the media that the one-man tribunal partially accepted his client’s appeal.

And that Malik’s ban was lifted and his fine of Rs.2 million halved. The decision was taken by Irfan Qadir, a retired judge, during a hearing in Lahore Saturday.

Malik was banned for a year last March because of disciplinary issues following an inquiry into Pakistan’s catastrophic tour of Australia in 2009-10, where they lost all their matches.

Mailk was one of seven leading Pakistan players who were slapped with penalties by a PCB inquiry committee. Except for former captain Mohammad Yousuf, who retired in protest, all six players appealed against the punishments.

Afridi says won't tolerate politics in team

Captain Shahid Afridi said that politics in the team would not be tolerated and those making dressing room atmosphere dirty would be kicked out. In an exclusive interview with Geo News, Shahid Afridi said that he cannot forcibly bring Mohammad Yousuf into the cricket ground but the team badly needs him.

Regarding Younis Khan, the captain said that his presence on the tour of England may be useful. Replying to former cricketers’ criticism on him, Afridi said that the former cricketers are good persons and it would be better if they encourage the players rather than criticize them.

Former Pakistan players hail selection of Younis, Malik

The inclusion of banned Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik in the preliminary Pakistan squad for the summer's Asia Cup and England tour, pending their clearance by the arbitrator, has been hailed by former internationals.
However, the appointment of Shahid Afridi as the Test captain received mixed reaction. While ex-players Abdul Qadir, Iqbal Qasim and Shoaib Muhammad backed Afridi's appointment, Zaheer Abbas, has expressed reservation over the all-rounder's selection as captain.

'It's surprising that the player who has not played a Test since four years has been selected as captain', said Zaheer, the only batsman to score century of centuries in first-class cricket. He said the all-rounder is not familiar with Tests and it does not suit his style of batting. Abdul Qadir, another former Test player and chief selector hailed the appointment of Afridi.

'When I was chief selector I floated the idea to name Afridi skipper for all three versions, it is good to see that my idea has been implemented finally', Qadir said.

The former leg spinner also expressed satisfaction on inclusion of banned Younis and Malik in the team.

'Both are experienced players and the team will be boosted by their presence', he said.

In contrast, Iqbal Qasim who is also a former chief selector said Afridi's selection as captain for all three formats is a good decision by the selectors.

However, the former left-arm spinner said Afridi will have to put extra effort in the Test cricket to prove his mettle.

Qasim also lauded the selectors for including the banned duo of former captains - Younis and Malik.

He said the players have learnt their lessons from the humiliating tour of Australia and have also served punishment for indiscipline in the team.

Shoaib Muhammad, former Pakistan opener and ex-member of the selection committee, said the selectors took the right decision on the captain's appointment and also by including Younis and Malik in the initial squad.

Pakistan squad:

Openers: Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Khurram Manzoor, Shahzaib Hassan, Azhar Ali, Azeem Ghumman.

Middle order: Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam, Hassan Raza, Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin, Aamir Sajjad, Muhammad Hafeez.

All rounders: Shahid Afridi (captain), Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat.

Fast bowlers: Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Sami, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad irfan, Tanveer Ahmed, Aizaz Cheema.

Pakistan cricket cannot afford more controversies, says Kamran Akmal

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has said that Pakistan cricket is passing through a difficult phase and it cannot afford more controversies. In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle Radio Urdu Service on Tuesday, he reminded that a difficult tour of England was on the cards and Pakistan had to participate in the World Cup next year. “I believe that in such a difficult situation when foreign teams are reluctant to visit Pakistan we should abstain from creating controversies in the larger interest of the game and the country,” he said.

For the last two weeks Kamran is in the news amid allegations of match-fixing levelled against him by former team coach Intikhab Alam and assistant coach Aaqib Javed. Kamran, known for his swashbuckling batting in the limited version of the game, said he would not comment on allegations of two former team officials. “I am astonished by such allegations but I am under a contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and I hope that the board would take care of these allegations.

Kamran, who has played 48 Tests, 115 ODIs and 34 T20s, praised the captaincy of all-rounder Shahid Afridi saying that he had united the team and under him the boys looked keen to perform according to their true potential. “Afridi is an aggressive captain who always keeps the boys motivated in the middle and I have fully enjoyed playing under him,” Kamran remarked. He said the team members were fully behind Afridi. Kamran is amongst a few selective players who are part of the Pakistan team in all forms of cricket and have served the team with their excellent performance. Unlike other performers, Kamran has never showed any interest in captaincy as he is more focused to improve his batting and keeping skills. “I am not interested in leading the side as I feel that representing the country itself is a huge honour. I am more keen to give my full support to that player whom the PCB appoints to lead the team,” he said.

Like many humble cricketers, Kamran is also not shy of taking the finer tips of the game. He was criticised for his poor keeping in the Sydney Test but his performance behind the stumps was excellent in the recently concluded World Twenty20 in the West Indies. Kamran argues that the critics only remember and discuss one odd poor performance and forget his feat – 181 dismissals in Test cricket. He, however, admits that a poor show always invites criticism and he takes it positively. “I am a learner and I am always keen to learn from every one. After every tour I go to the National Cricket Academy regularly to take tips from Mohtisham Rasheed, my own coach Dr Jamil and Wasim Bari. Recently, Umar, my younger brother, and I were invited by former Test batsman Zaheer Abbas at his residence in Karachi which was a memorable meeting. We spent almost five hours with the Asian Bradman during which he gave us very useful tips to improve our batting. I must say that it was a wonderful meeting.”

Kamran is also a fan of famous Waugh brothers of Australia who played almost 100 Tests together and brought laurels for their country. Along with his younger brother Umar Akmal, he wants to be like them. “I desire that we too be remembered like Mohammed brothers, Chappell brothers and Waugh brothers when we quit the game.” Kamran concluded.

Afridi to push for return of senior trio

If seasoned allrounder Shahid Afridi gets Pakistan’s captaincy for all three formats, his biggest task will be to add a few much-needed ingredients to the country’s under-achieving Test squad.

Though he is yet to be formally named Pakistan’s captain, Afridi is already making efforts to ensure that he is at the helm of a balanced team that is capable of achieving ‘respectable results’.

Sources close to him revealed to ‘The News’ on Monday that after getting ‘positive signals’ from the cricket board, Afridi has chalked out his priority list and wants to ensure that a few ‘match-winning players’, currently out of the team, are included in the touring party for the challenging tour of England. According to the sources, Afridi will be pushing for the return of experienced batsmen Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan and also wants pacer Shoaib Akhtar to make his Test return.

Afridi’s first effort, however, failed to yield the desired results. Sources said that he rang up Yousuf the other day and asked him whether he would be interested to come out of retirement and play for Pakistan on the tour of England.

“Yousuf told Afridi that he has retired and has no plans to return to international cricket,” said a source. Yousuf, 35, announced his retirement earlier this year to protest against an indefinite ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He captained Pakistan during the disastrous tour of Australia in which the tourists lost all their matches. Later, a probe committee investigating into Pakistan’s poor showing in Australia banned or fined seven of the country’s leading players including Yousuf for charges ranging from indiscipline to infighting.

Yousuf is one of Pakistan’s most successful batters with 7431 runs from 88 Tests at a healthy average of 53.07. He has also piled up 9624 runs from 282 ODIs.Apart from Yousuf, Afridi is hoping that Younis will also be cleared to play for Pakistan during the tour of England. Like Yousuf, Younis was also banned indefinitely by the PCB. The former Pakistan captain has appealed against the punishment.

“Afridi is aware that Pakistan will need their best batsmen against Australia and England and will throw his weight behind Younis’s inclusion,” said the source. Pakistan are to play two Tests against Australia followed by four more against England besides several one-day and Twenty20 games against the two sides during the tour of England that will begin end of next month and will conclude in September.

Younis, 32, is one of Pakistan’s most prolific Test batsmen with 5260 runs from 63 Tests at 50.09. His last Test appearance was in Colombo last July after which he pulled out of the Test tours of New Zealand and Australia in a bid to take a rest from international cricket.

The most controversial player on Afridi’s wish list is the enigmatic Shoaib Akhtar. Shoaib, 34, hasn’t played a Test since the Bangalore match against India in 2007. He has been plagued by injuries and disciplinary problems but Afridi believes that if Shoaib is fit and in form, he can still be a match-winner for Pakistan in England later this summer.

Shoaib, who has 178 wickets from 46 Tests, is trying his best to earn a Test recall and made his presence felt at the Pentangular Cup one-day tournament in Karachi this season. But it remains to be seen whether he is fit enough to go through the rigours of Test cricket.

Butt dismisses allegations of match-fixing

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ejaz Butt on Sunday dismissed allegations of match-fixing against his national team players. Talking to reporter after chairing a meeting of PCB governing body at Gaddafi stadium, Butt claimed Senator Haroon Akhtar wanted the PCB to oblige a contractor. Butt said the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit has instigated strict security measures for all international matches.

South Africa beat West Indies by 1 run to sweep both Twenty20s cricket

South Africa held off a spirited late challenge by West Indies to defend a modest total of 120-7 and win the second Twenty20 international by one run at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday.

South Africa clinched the two-match series following its victory by 13 runs in the first match on Wednesday, and gave the Proteas momentum going into the first of five one-day internationals at the same venue on Saturday.

West Indies was set back off the last ball of the first over when captain Chris Gayle was leg before wicket to Dale Steyn without scoring.

Gayle's opening partner Andre Fletcher followed for 4 and it took a careful partnership of 68 off 11.5 overs between Dwayne Bravo and left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul to steady the innings. But it heightened the pressure and led to a cluster of wickets to deep field catches as West Indies went for boundaries to boost the scoring rate.

Bravo lofted a catch to Johan Botha off Morne Morkel for 40 from 42 balls. Offspinner Botha, later named player of the match for his bowling and his run-a-ball 23 in the South Africa innings, removed Chanderpaul for 29, Kieron Pollard for 29 and Ramnaesh Sarwan for 6.

Frantic running between the wickets by Darren Sammy and nervous fielding by the South Africans gave West Indies a sniff of victory and brought a crowd of around 4,000 to the edge of their seats.

But the target proved just too much and West Indies could manage only two singles off the last two balls of the innings from Ryan McLaren when it needed four to win.

Earlier, South Africa struggled on a pitch of uneven bounce against steady bowling.

Sent in after Gayle won the toss for the second successive match, its batsmen never came to terms with the conditions.

As he did in the first match, opening batsman Loots Bosman fell for 0 to a tumbling catch by wicketkeeper Fletcher off Jerome Taylor in the first over and, without leading batsman Jacques Kallis, out with a minor injury, South Africa could find no momentum.

It took a sixth-wicket partnership of 57 from 7.5 overs between David Miller and Botha to boost the total.

Miller, a 20-year-old left-hander making his international debut, topscored with 33 off 26 balls with two sixes before he was run out off the last ball of the innings.

Botha scored 23 off 22 balls, hitting two consecutive sixes off fast bowler Kemar Roach in the 19th over. Taylor was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, claiming 3-14 from his four overs. Sammy took 2-16 from his four.

Memorable title triumph for England

Defying odds, England ambushed Australia by seven wickets to win its first title in an ICC Global event at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday. Chasing 148, England outplayed Australia with three overs to spare to triumph in the ICC World Twenty20. The side was professional; It was also ruthless.

The bowlers, led by left-arm paceman Ryan Sidebottom, set up the victory. Then intrepid opener Craig Kieswetter (63 off 49) and the inspiring Kevin Pietersen (47 off 31) took the match away from Australia with a 111-run partnership for the second wicket.

Both were dismissed late in the game but, by now, the verdict was not in doubt. Skipper Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan closed out the contest clinically. In a big game, the Aussie bowling and fielding wilted. England was emotional in its celebrations.

Australia had success straightaway when Michael Lumb, clipping Shaun Tait uppishly, was held at mid-wicket. In walked Kevin Pietersen.

England regrouped. When Dirk Nannes bowled a fuller length, he was cover-driven and flicked for boundaries by the attacking and quick-footed Craig Kieswetter.

The free-stroking Kieswetter cashed in on fuller length deliveries; Tait was bravely driven over the covers.

Pietersen had his moment of uncertainty against the speedy Nannes. He created room on the off-side but found a yorker-length ball thudding into his pads. However, a cover-drive on the up against left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson underlined his quality. The England total was 44 for one after the six Power Play overs.

Pietersen, settling down, was looking increasingly dangerous. He sashayed down the track to ease Johnson down the ground.

His batting has the rare blend of strong back-footed play, the ability to use his feet to shimmy down the pitch and wristy sub-continental flair. He simmers with aggression; wants to dominate. His cricket oozes belief and confidence.

So quickly do his feet move that the bowlers' length is disrupted.

Consequently their line suffers. He is an Englishman with the attitude of an Aussie.

Gradually, the hunter became the hunted. The England zeroed in on Shane Watson, the weak link, with Kieswetter dismantling the Aussie pacemen with strikes that were chancy but effective.

When Tait returned, Pietersen, his footwork precise, head still and balance perfect, smacked him over his head.

Pietersen's back-swing is a thing of beauty. Crucially, he was picking the length early and was ready with his response. When Tait bowled a full length scorcher, Pietersen, effortlessly, eased the ball over the long-off ropes. It was a stunning strike.

On a bright, sunny afternoon, England, perhaps influenced by the rousing Australian chase in the last four duel against Pakistan, opted to field.

Paul Collinwood also displayed belief in his pacemen. The English seam and swing bowlers were not as quick as their Australian counterparts but were bowling in the right areas with clever alterations in speed and length. Bowling in Twenty2o cricket is a lot about anticipating the batsman's next move.

Left-arm paceman Ryan Sidebottom has impressed in the competition. He has a largely semi-open release and his wrist and seam positions are excellent.

He can hit the seam relentlessly, surprise the batsmen with his two-way movement and extract lift from just short of a good length.

Key batsman Shane Watson slashed at a rising ball, angling across, from Sidebottom in the first over. 'Keeper Craig Kieswetter could not latch on to the offering but Greame Swann was quick to pouch the deflection. If the England bowling was on target, the fielding was sharp. The Englishmen did create the pressure that forces mistakes.

Michael Clarke pushed Tim Bresnan to cover. David Warner took off from the non-striker's end but Michael Lumb's under-arm throw caught him out of the crease.

Australia slumped to eight for three in the third over. Sidebottom's lifting delivery down-the-leg-side seemed to have brushed Brad Haddin's thigh for a swift Kieswetter to pouch the ball. The umpire upheld an appeal for caught behind. Television replays suggested otherwise.

Australia was just 24 for three after the Power Play overs. England has contained and struck during an extremely important phase of the match.

Michael Clarke put a price on his wicket. The Australian captain is nimble-footed and his duel against off-spinner Swann made compelling viewing.

Swann's changes in pace, length and trajectory seldom allowed Clarke to break free. It was eventually the dip in Swann's flight that did Clarke in with skipper Paul Collingwood picking up a smart catch at short mid-wicket. At the half-way mark, Australia was struggling at 47 for four.

Left-arm spinner Michael Yardy, quicker and flatter through the air, kept the Aussies under check until David Hussey swung him over mid-wicket for the maximum.

Then the in-form Cameron White cut loose against Yardy with booming strokes over the straight field and the mid-wicket region.

David Hussey earned a reprieve at 25 when Broad misjudged a skier at mid-on; Tim Bresnan was the bowler to suffer.

Broad, soon, held on to a looping ball when White (30 off 19) attempted to biff paceman Luke Wright.

David Hussey continued to torment England. And his brother, Miracle Man Michael Hussey, drove and flicked with a surgeon's precision.

David Hussey's enterprising innings (59 off 54 balls) in a pressure situation concluded when he was run out going for a second run in the final over.

Broad, who has a sense of occasion, sent down a creditable last over of yorkers and slower balls, conceding just seven runs. Australia was stopped from crossing the psychologically importantl 150-run barrier.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to use spin against Warner and Watson

"Watson is in very good form and Warner as well," Pakistan captain Afridi said. "We played a group match against these guys in St Lucia and they played very well. But we have three regular spinners and Abdur Rehman, he is bowling very well.

So I'm very confident of these guys. "There is a few areas where Watson and Warner are normally going for big-run shots to mid-wicket or mid-on area. So our bowlers know, we have already made some plans against these guys, where to bowl."

They are bold statements when you consider Watson slugged 81 runs and Warner a quickfire 26 when Australia batted first against Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament earlier this month. World Twenty20 Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi to use spin against Warner and Watson Shahid Afridi plans to spin and confound Australia's opening batsmen Shane Watson and David Warner straight out of the World Twenty20 semi-final on Saturday morning - and hopefully their team as well.

"Watson is in very good form and Warner as well," Pakistan captain Afridi said. "We played a group match against these guys in St Lucia and they played very well. But we have three regular spinners and Abdur Rehman, he is bowling very well.

So I'm very confident of these guys. "There is a few areas where Watson and Warner are normally going for big-run shots to mid-wicket or mid-on area. So our bowlers know, we have already made some plans against these guys, where to bowl."

They are bold statements when you consider Watson slugged 81 runs and Warner a quickfire 26 when Australia batted first against Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament earlier this month. But on a tired and wearing deck, which will have already seen a semi-final between Sri Lanka and England, spin looms as a decisive factor as both teams attempt to qualify for the final at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Pakistan employed Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Rehman liberally in their Super Eights win over South Africa, and are sure to rely heavily on them against favourites Australia, who may be tempted to use offie Nathan Hauritz for the first time in the tournament. Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin simply says this of Afridi's masterplan: bring it on. "The best plans in Twenty20 can go out the window," he said.

"They've got some very talented spin bowlers. You can have the best bowlers in the world but you still have to execute your plans. This game is relentless on those who don't." These are words an Australian player wouldn't dare say less than a year ago when Australia limped out of the World Twenty20 in England after bombing in the group stage and Pakistan went on to win.

Afridi not bothered by Pakistan's problems

Welcome, to what seems, is the often perplexing world of the Pakistan cricket team, who will continue the defence of their World Twenty20 title against Australia at the Beausejour Stadium on Friday.

Last year’s attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore effectively led to the suspension of international cricket in Pakistan and turned the national side into globe-trotters denied the chance to play in front of their own fans.

If that were not bad enough, a wretched tour of Australia, where Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match led to seven players being either banned or fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Former captains Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf were banned indefinitely from playing for Pakistan.

Shoaib Malik, another former captain, was banned for one year and fined two million rupees (24,000 dollars), as was all-rounder Rana Naved.

Meanwhile Shahid Afridi, now Pakistan’s captain and the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar, were heavily fined.

It was during the Australia tour that Afridi was involved in an extraordinary incident where cameras caught him munching on the ball during a one-day international in Perth.

On top of all of this, Pakistan saw paceman Umar Gul, the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 cricket with 43 victims in 26 matches, withdraw with a shoulder injury.

And while the team were in the West Indies, a report into the Australia tour became public which quoted former coach Intikhab Alam as saying the players were “mentally retarded”. Yet the kind of off-field dramas that might destabilise rival international sides are regarded as part and parcel of Pakistani cricket life.

“It’s a normal thing for us, going through this kind of situation,” Afridi told reporters of Pakistan’s disciplinary problems at Beausejour Stadium on Wednesday. “The only thing is performance and if we win the games everything will be fine,” Afridi added.

As was the case in England last year, Pakistan have had a less than smooth journey to the semi-finals, having been well beaten early on by Australia, losing by six wickets to England in the Super Eights and then going down by one run in the second round to New Zealand.

But in a match they had to win to stay in the tournament, Pakistan beat South Africa by 11 runs on Monday. “We had a very similar situation in England, but we are focused on beating Australia,” leg-spinning all-rounder Afridi said. “I think we are feeling good.

“We have played well but just missed some opportunities, against England and then just losing (on the last ball) against New Zealand.

“Overall the guys are very confident after the last game and I think it will be a great game against Australia.” Afridi said his team’s progress was vital to the well-being of cricket in Pakistan and urged the rest of the game’s leading nations to return to his homeland, saying his side had toured countries where security was an issue.

“This competition is very important,” he said. “We are here to play good cricket and win this competition because there is no cricket in Pakistan. “We tell the people we still love playing cricket away and at home as well and we want to see cricket back at home.

“The situation in India was not so good four, five, six years ago when Pakistan visited there and Sri Lanka as well but Pakistan was the only team that visited there and played there. “I think this is the thing we should (have), cricket relations should continue.”

Semi-finals of T20 World cup 2010

The semi-finals of T20 World cup 2010 will start from 13th May, 2010 i.e. Thursday. England and Pakistan have now reached the semis and the matches today will decide the two teams from other group. Australia too is almost confirmed from other group. It is a great probability that Australia will battle against Pakistan in the semi-final of T20 World cup. The schedules of T20 World cup semi-finals is:

May 13 - Thu -1st Semi-Final
Time: 15:30 (GMT) 21:00(India)
Venue: Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St Lucia

May 14 - Fri -2nd Semi-Final
Time: 15:30 (GMT) 21:00 (India)
Venue: Beausejour Cricket Ground,Gros Islet, St Lucia

How to watch T20 World cup semi-final live: You can watch the semi-final of T20 World cup 2010 live on espnstar.com/livetv.

Pakistan sends SA from T/20 World Cup tournament

Defending champions Pakistan is through to the semifinals of the 2010 ICC World Twenty/20 Championship following their 11-run win over South Africa at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St. Lucia on Monday.

Pakistan needed a victory to prolong their Twenty/20 World Cup ambition of back to back titles while South Africa was aiming to prove their doubters wrong.

Most of the teams who have batted first have gone on to win so far in the tournament, so there was no prize guessing what Shahid Afridi would have done.

But trouble surfaced very early in the innings as they slumped to 18 for three after five overs.

Pakistan needed a savior, and the Akmal brothers came to their rescue.

The champions have struggled against the quicker bowlers in the past, but South Africa's Captain Graeme Amith might have missed that little detail.

Akmal brothers save Pakistani innings

The spinners were introduced and both Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal satisfied their appetite for runs in a partnership worth 61 runs.

Herschelle Gibbs provided the breakthrough for South Africa to break up the Akmal brother partnership as Kamran went for 37 from 33.

Afridi joined Umar and the pair lifted the tempo in another 61 run stand which came off 33 deliveries.

Akmal raised his bat to signal but both fell to Langeveldt in the seventeenth over.

Umar was caught by Gibbs for 51 which came off 33 balls including two fours and four sixes while Afridi was bowled for 30 as Pakistanis innings ended at 148 for 7.

South Africa's Langeveldt finished with four for 19.

Ajmal demolish SA batting line-up

The South Africans began their reply shakily, losing Gibbs in the third over, caught by Misbah-ul-haq Niazi off Abdul Razzaq for three and Smith caught by Afridi off Abdur Rehman for 13 to leave the scoreboard reading 23 for 2.

Saeed Ajmal removed Jacques Kallis for 22 and when Jean Paul Duminy was caught by Rashid Latif off Rehman for three, South Africa were 68 for 4.

Abe de Villiers carried South Africa's hopes in a valiant 53 which included one four and two sixes off 41 deliveries.

HHe tried a few shots along the way but his improvisation provided Ajmal with his second of four wickets as South Africa's chance of a successful chase became unlikely. Johan Botha was the last man out as South Africa's participation in the tournament ended at 137 for 7 with Ajmal claiming 4 for 26.

Zimbabwe Tri-series 2010 - Fixtures and Schedule | India, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka

India, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka will play a tri-series in Zimbabwe from 28 May 2010. Indian team will be lead by Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli will be the vice captain in absence of most senior players. The series features 7 ODI matches. The series will be followed by 2 T20 matches between India and Zimbabwe. Here is the schedule of Zimbabwe tri-series:

Date	Match Details	Time		Venue
		GMT	IST	Ground	City
May 28 - Fri	Zimbabwe v India, 1st Match	07:30	13:00	Queens Sports Club	Bulawayo
May 30 - Sun	India v Sri Lanka, 2nd Match	07:30	13:00	Queens Sports Club	Bulawayo
Jun 01 - Tue	Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 3rd Match	07:30	13:00	Queens Sports Club	Bulawayo
Jun 03 - Thu	Zimbabwe v India, 4th Match	07:30	13:00	Harare Sports Club	Harare
Jun 05 - Sat	India v Sri Lanka, 5th Match	07:30	13:00	Harare Sports Club	Harare
Jun 07 - Mon	Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 6th Match	07:30	13:00	Harare Sports Club	Harare
Jun 09 - Wed	TBC v TBC, Final	07:30	13:00	Harare Sports Club	Harare

ICC T20 World Cup 2010 – Points Table Super Eight Matches Results with latest Net (RR) Run-rate Info

ICC T20 World Cup 2010 – Points Table Super Eight Matches Results with latest Net (RR) Run-rate Info – With the T20 World Cup schedule and fixtures once again we are back to guide you to the perfect entertainment. Super Eight matches played last night were West Indies Vs Sri Lanka, and Australia Vs India. Hope you have enjoyed the live stream Highlights of those two much anticipated games.

In first game two top teams clash which were on top in League matches points table. India was having a net run-rate of +1.495 with 4 points and Australia with 4 points and a net RR +1.525, just a difference of few points in run-rate.

But after the last night Super 8’s match which was played according to the T20 World Cup 2010 schedule and fixture the India suffered badly and Australia Vs India match results up in a big run-rate loss for India as Australia won the match from very big margin of 49 runs. Now in latest Points table of Super Eight stage in Australia is on top with 2 pts (points) and South Africa is also in this list with 2 points as England won the first Super Eight match from Pakistan.

India current Net Run-rate is -2.450, with zero points, and Australia Net RR is +2.450 with 2 points.The other match played last night was West Indies Vs Sri Lanka, after the important wicket of Chris Gayle for just 5 runs West Indies team could not make good of the match and were 8 out on a total of 138. Sri Lanka won by 57 runs, now the current Net RR of Sri Lanka is +2.85 and West Indies is down in Super Eight Points table with a negative run-rate of -2.85, keep this thing in mind that both the teams losts match last night were undefeated so far. The Sri Lanka teams win credit goes to the wonderful innings of Mahela Jayawardene who scored 98 runs for just 56 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes. On the internet you can look for the highlights of Mahela Jayawardene scores. Stay with us for more updates and results we will update you with latest information about the today match schedule in Twenty20 World Cup with 20 20 Super eight Schedule live stream matches information.

ICC T20 World Cup Super 8 - Pakistan vs. England, T20 Today’s match

ICC T20 World Cup Super 8: Pakistan vs. England, T20 Today’s match: There are 2 matches slated for the day in the ICC T20 World Cup Super 8.The first match is going to be played between Pakistan and England.

This match would be beginning from 7:00 PM, IST. At the same time, the second match is going to be played between South Africa and New Zealand.

If we see the stats of the first round of the tournament, we find that Pakistan have played 2 matches so far, winning one. Meanwhile, the English team have played 2 matches, losing one. The another match was abandoned due to rain. South Africa and New Zealand have one match each so far.

ICC World Twenty20 - Sri Lanka avoid rain traps to beat Zimbabwe in Georgetown

With rain falling and the nagging danger of a Duckworth Lewis recalibration favouring Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka must have feared the worst on Monday. Victory for Zimbabwe would have knocked last year's beaten finalists out of the tournament after they lost their opening match against New Zealand, and denied Mahela Jayawardene's innings the match-winning verdict it deserved. But Sri Lanka.

Who finished their innings on 173 for seven, played the rain game perfectly, scampering around to bowl the five overs they needed to make this a competitive match. With Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga and Sanath Jayasuriya to negotiate, Zimbabwe were always staring at a tough task once their target had been readjusted to 104. By the end of the fifth over, when rain struck for the final time, they had managed just a collection of singles and were well short of their necessary par score, giving Sri Lanka victory by 14 runs.

It was just reward for Jayawardene. His 100 was a classy innings. A Test match knock played on fast forward. He treated the rare good deliveries with respect and played sublime shots to the ones that asked to be hit, of which there was never a short supply.

He stroked 10 fours and four sixes as he reached a century that was the plank of the Sri Lanka innings. Zimbabwe had picked four spinners to try and stifle their wristy opponents but Jayawardene is one of the world's finest players and knew he was onto a good thing when Chris Mpofu served up some half-volleys in the first over which were speared for four and six. He needed only 27 balls to reach his half-century and was on course to pass Chris Gayle's record Twenty20 score of 117 when he played his only false stroke, a mistimed loft over long on in the penultimate over.