Pakistan campaigns for home grounds in S Africa

By Telford Vice

PAKISTAN used their arrival in South Africa yesterday to campaign for the return of international cricket to their country.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s men have not played a Test at home since March 2009 –when militants attacked the visiting Sri Lankan team’s bus,killing six policemen and two civilians and wounding six . . . →Read More:Pakistan campaigns for home grounds in S Africa

Challenging India to a series in Pakistan

Pakistan remains optimistic about playing a full series with India later this year despite reports that the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has refused to send its team to Pakistan due to security concerns and also has ruled out the possibility of playing at any neutral venue.

The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf,who returned . . . →Read More:Challenging India to a series in Pakistan

Kamran,Razzaq selected for World Twenty20 while Misbah is rejected

Pakistan Cricket Board announces 30 member squad for the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka,while Test and ODI skipper Misbah ul Haq finds no place in the probables list that was announced on Wednesday.

. . . →Read More:Kamran,Razzaq selected for World Twenty20 while Misbah is rejected

Sarfaz Nawaz advocates Hafeez as T-20 captain

Former test bowler,Sarfraz Nawaz has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board that batsman Mohammad Hafeez be appointed as the captain of national T-20 team and the present skipper,Misbah ul Haq be given the task to lead the side in one-day and test matches.

. . . →Read More:Sarfaz Nawaz advocates Hafeez as T-20 captain

England beats Pakistan by 5 runs in the third T20

England bowlers kept their nerves in the final overs to pull off a sensational five run win over Pakistan in the third and final Twenty20 here on Monday to take the series 2-1.

Set 130 to win Pakistan were going along nicely at 107-4 with 23 needed off the last three overs and 17 off . . . →Read More:England beats Pakistan by 5 runs in the third T20

Despite the team’s outstanding performance,Misbah feels vulnerable

Mohsin Khan, the interim Pakistan coach,has revealed that Misbah-ul-Haq feels a sense of insecurity over his captaincy,despite the team performing well over the past year.

. . . →Read More:Despite the team’s outstanding performance,Misbah feels vulnerable

Shahid Afridi pulls out of Pakistan series in Ireland

Former captain Shahid Afridi has withdrawn from Pakistan’s squad for two one-day internationals in Ireland because his father is ill.

A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said:“Afridi informed us his father has been admitted to hospital for liver treatment and he wants to be with him.”

. . . →Read More:Shahid Afridi pulls out of Pakistan series in Ireland

Salman,Junaid and Azam get Test call-ups

Wicket-keeper Mohammad Salman,allrounderHammad Azam and left-arm seamer Junaid Khan are the new faces in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies.

Misbah-ul-Haq who led the Test side creditably in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal,remains in charge. Salman,Azam and Junaid have all been,in effect,kept on after being blooded . . . →Read More:Salman,Junaid and Azam get Test call-ups

Positive starts,teamwork crucial in WC matches:Afridi

Pakistan’s limited-overs skipper Shahid Afridi has said that his team needs to take robust starts both in bowling and batting in order to excel in the all-important World Cup,now just days away.

“We need strong,positive beginning in every game — both in bowling and batting — so that we can build on those . . . →Read More:Positive starts,teamwork crucial in WC matches:Afridi

PCB set to retain Shahid Afridi as Captain of Pakistan Cricket in World Cup 2011

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt,in all likelihood,will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players are backing Misbah-ul Haq as the leader.

According to sources,Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the . . . →Read More:PCB set to retain Shahid Afridi as Captain of Pakistan Cricket in World Cup 2011