News on South Asia

Asia felt the heat in the year gone by

2011-12-21T18:30:19Z

Three Pakistani stars being jailed for spot-fixing in England underlined a mixed year for cricket in Asia despite India's memorable World Cup triumph at home in April.

Pakistan's resurgence on the field under Pakistan posted a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test in Dhaka on Wednesday to make a clean sweep of the series.

Pakistan, who won the first Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs, achieved their 103-run v...

Rehman excels as Pakistan make clean sweep

2011-12-21T10:30:20Z

Abdur Rehman claimed 4-51 as Pakistan posted a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test in Dhaka on Wednesday to make a clean sweep of the series.

Pakistan, who won the first Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs, achieved their 103-run v...

Cowan awaits Marsh fitness for India Test

2011-12-21T05:30:24Z

In-form newcomer Ed Cowan said Wednesday he will be fully prepared if Shaun Marsh fails to make Australia's first Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next week.

Cowan was one of three additions to ...

India's anti-DRS stance 'may raise tensions'

2011-12-21T03:30:19Z

India's rejection of the Decision Review System for their Test series against Australia could raise tensions and boost the number of contentious decisions, reports said on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia had hoped the Indian cricket board would allow a compromise version of the DRS, which uses technology to improve t...

India draw tour match with Chairman's XI

2011-12-21T03:30:18Z

Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes responded to their dumping from the Australian Test squad with a century opening stand as the Chairman's XI's tour match against India petered out into a draw Wednesday.

Khawaja (56 not out) and Hughes (42 not out) put on 100 for the first wicket chasing 145 when both captains agreed to call the match off ahead of India's opening Tes...

Pakistan eye sweep in Bangladesh cricket Test

2011-12-20T10:30:27Z

Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took two wickets to boost Pakistan's chances of winning the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday despite Shakib Al Hasan's superb all-round display.

The hosts were struggling at 114-5 in their second innings at stumps on the penul...

Pakistan eye sweep despite Shakib show

2011-12-20T10:30:22Z

Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took two wickets to boost Pakistan's chances of winning the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday despite Shakib Al Hasan's superb all-round display.

The hosts were struggling at 114-5 in their second innings at stumps on the penul...

Cowan presses for Test spot with hundred

2011-12-20T07:30:13Z

Ed Cowan staked a claim for selection as an opening batsman for Australia in next week's first Test against India with a century for the Chairman's XI against the tourists in Canberra on Tuesday.

Cowan compiled 109 off 154 balls while incumbent Test opener Phillip Hug...

Umar boosts Pakistan in Bangladesh cricket Test

2011-12-19T11:30:34Z

Taufeeq Umar rode his luck to crack 130 as Pakistan boosted their chances of reaching a first-innings lead on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday.

The left-handed opener hit 16 fours in his seventh Test century, and second against Bangladesh, ...

Umar puts Pakistan in strong position

2011-12-19T11:30:32Z

Taufeeq Umar rode his luck to crack 130 as Pakistan boosted their chances of reaching a first-innings lead on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday.

The left-handed opener hit 16 fours in his seventh Test century, and second against Bangladesh, ...

Kohli half-century for India as stars miss out

2011-12-19T07:30:23Z

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten half-century Monday as India's batting stars failed on a rain-interrupted opening day of a three-day tour match against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The young right-hander finished the day unbeaten on 55 off 93 balls as the tourists reached 1...

Umar steadies Pakistan in Bangladesh Test

2011-12-18T12:30:18Z

Taufeeq Umar closed in on a second successive half-century to steady Pakistan on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday.

The left-handed opener, who scored 61 in the opening Test in Chittagon...

Pakistan cricket chief hopes Bangladesh will tour

2011-12-18T12:30:17Z

Pakistan's cricket chief said on Sunday he hopes the Bangladesh cricket team will tour the country, after the 2009 attacks on Sri Lanka's side brought international visits to a standstill.

The comments from Zaka Ashraf came after a meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart in Pakistan and Afghanistan will play their first ever one-day international cricket match in Sharjah next February, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday.

It will be Afghanistan's first one-day against a top international team, taking place in the

Tendulkar retires eight short of century

2011-12-16T06:30:27Z

Sachin Tendulkar sacrificed a century to give his Indian teammates crucial batting time ahead of the Test series with Australia in their drawn tour match in Canberra on Friday.

Tendulkar, poised on 99 international centuries across Test and one-day matches, retired on 92 in the tourists' 320 for six on the final day of the...

India's bowlers hammered in tour opener

2011-12-15T15:30:26Z

India's bowlers were hammered as front-line paceman Ishant Sharma came off with an injury on the opening day of their two-day game against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Thursday.

Wes Robinson and Tom Cooper scored centuries to steer their sel...

Protect Test cricket, says India's Dravid

2011-12-14T16:30:42Z

Indian batting great Rahul Dravid has urged administrators to cut "meaningless" one-day cricket matches and make efforts to win back fans to Tests, which he said remain the "gold standard" for players.

Dravid also cautioned against the menace of match-fixing while delivering the Sir Donald Bradman Oration at the Australia's beleaguered batting line-up faces fresh problems ahead of their series against India with Shaun Marsh unlikely to be fit for the first Test and question marks over Shane Watson's role.

Left-hander Marsh and opener-cum-all-rounder Watson had been expected to return from injury to shore up the top order after Monday's humiliat...

Australian cricketers branded 'lowest of the low'

2011-12-13T03:30:32Z

Australia's cricketers were Tuesday damned by the press as the "lowest of the low" after a disastrous loss to New Zealand and branded a team in crisis ahead of a Test series against world number two India.

Michael Clarke's men handed the Black Caps their first victor...

Struggling Hughes 'needs runs' says Clarke

2011-12-12T05:30:14Z

Phillip Hughes may have to return to state cricket to rediscover his touch after another batting failure in Australia's shock second Test loss to New Zealand, skipper Michael Clarke said Monday.

The opener's Test future once again looks uncertain...

India deny Pollard a West Indies ODI win

2011-12-11T14:30:21Z

India overcame an aggressive 119 off 110 balls by Kieron Pollard to beat the West Indies by 34 runs in the final one-dayer in Chennai on Sunday to take the series 4-1.

Pollard smashed 10 sixes and four boundaries in his hurricane knock before the tourists were bowled out for 233 in reply...

Pakistan eye Bangladesh Test win after Younis double ton

2011-12-11T11:30:25Z

Younis Khan cracked an unbeaten double-century and Asad Shafiq made his maiden international hundred as Pakistan closed in on victory in the first Test against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Younis smashed a solid 200 not out and Shafiq an impressive 104 as Pakistan posted 594-5 declare...

Pakistan in command at Bangladesh cricket Test

2011-12-10T11:30:24Z

Opener Mohammad Hafeez cracked a career-best 143 and Younis Khan an impressive 96 not out on Saturday to put Pakistan in a commanding position in the opening Test against Bangladesh.

Hafeez hit 14 fours in his fourth Test hundred as Pakistan posted 415-4 in their first ...

Hafeez, Younis put Pakistan in command

2011-12-10T11:30:20Z

Opener Mohammad Hafeez cracked a career-best 143 and Younis Khan an impressive 96 not out on Saturday to put Pakistan in a commanding position in the opening Test against Bangladesh.

Hafeez hit 14 fours in his fourth Test hundred as Pakistan posted 415-4 in their first ...

Pakistan on top at Bangladesh cricket Test

2011-12-09T10:31:02Z

Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar cracked unbeaten half-centuries to put Pakistan in command after Bangladesh crashed to 135 on the opening day of the first Test on Friday.

Pakistan made a strong reply to reach 132 for no loss in their first innings at stumps, with Haf...

Hafeez, Umar put Pakistan on top

2011-12-09T10:30:56Z

Mohammad Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar cracked unbeaten half-centuries to put Pakistan in command after Bangladesh crashed to 135 on the opening day of the first Test on Friday.

Pakistan made a strong reply to reach 132 for no loss in their first innings at stumps, with Haf...

Panesar gets England recall for Pakistan series

2011-12-09T09:30:23Z

England recalled spinner Monty Panesar when they named a 16-man squad on Friday for their upcoming Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

The series, being played in the UAE because of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan, will be England's first since they went to number one in the worl...

India's Sehwag feted by peers after record 219

2011-12-09T04:30:25Z

India's Virender Sehwag was on Friday hailed as a "genius" by teammates and opponents after smashing the highest individual score in one-day cricket with a scintillating double-century.

Sehwag hammered 219 off 149 balls in the fourth one-dayer against the West Indies in Indore on Thursday, joining compatr...

India win cricket series after Sehwag's record 219

2011-12-08T14:30:26Z

Virender Sehwag smashed the highest score in one-day cricket on Thursday as India flattened the West Indies by 153 runs to take a decisive 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Sehwag hammered a scintillating 219 off 149 balls to lift India to their best one-day total of 418-5, before the West Indies were bowled out for 265 in the fo...

Ashraful returns for Pakistan Tests

2011-12-07T07:30:25Z

Bangladesh's selectors have recalled former captain and middle-order batsman Mohammad Ashraful for a two-Test series against Pakistan starting in Chittagong on Friday.

Ashraful, who has scored 2,418 runs in 56 Tests, had been axed for the two home Tests against the

Cummins likely to miss most of India Test series

2011-12-07T03:31:25Z

Australia's teenage pace sensation Pat Cummins will likely miss the bulk of the home Test series against India with a bone stress heel injury, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old fast bowler suffered the injury during his man-of-the-match debut in last mont...

Australia's Symonds on Indian TV reality show

2011-12-06T15:30:39Z

Controversial Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds was on Tuesday unveiled as the latest contestant in the Indian television version of the hit reality show "Big Brother".

The 36-year-old big hitter, in and out of the national side due to disciplinary problems, will become the first international cricketer to enter the "Bigg Boss" house, the show's promoters ...

Pakistan spin out Bangladesh for 3-0 win

2011-12-06T15:30:34Z

Pakistan's spinners revelled in helpful conditions to crush Bangladesh by 58 runs in the third and final one-day international on Tuesday to win the series 3-0.

The tourists, bowled out for a modest 177, hit back to dismiss Bangladesh for 119 on a wicket that turned and bounced at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in the port city of Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Mahmudullah shared six wickets as Bangladesh shot out Pakistan for 177 in the third and final one-dayer in Chittagong on Tuesday.

The tourists, who won the first two match...

Indian cricketer Kohli warned for showing dissent

2011-12-06T04:30:19Z

Young India batsman Virat Kohli has been reprimanded for showing dissent at an umpire's decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.

Kohli, 23, stood his ground for "a considerable time" after being given out leg-before during the third one-day international against the <...

Rampaul fires Windies to vital ODI win

2011-12-05T15:30:25Z

Ravi Rampaul and debutant Sunil Narine shared six wickets to bowl the West Indies to a crucial 16-run victory over India in the third one-day international on Monday.

Fast bowler Rampaul finished with 4-57 and off-spinner Narine with 2-34 as the West Indies bowled India out for 244...

Pakistan win Bangladesh ODI series

2011-12-03T13:30:25Z

Ruthless Pakistan drubbed Bangladesh by 76 runs in the second one-day international in Dhaka on Saturday to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Umar Akmal scored 59 and Shahid Afridi hit 42 off 27 balls as Pakistan piled up 262-7 after they won...

India win as Kohli upstages Rampaul

2011-12-02T16:30:23Z

Virat Kohli smashed a robust 117 to power India to a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the second one-day international on Friday despite Ravi Rampaul's record tail-end knock.

Rampaul cracked 86 not out, the highest score by a number 10 batsman in one-dayers, to help the touri...

England's Bresnan has elbow surgery

2011-12-01T11:30:51Z

England bowler Tim Bresnan has undergone surgery on his elbow but is expected to be fit for the Test series against Pakistan in the new year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed on Thursday.

Yorkshire paceman Bresnan felt pain in...

Afridi hands Pakistan win in Bangladesh one-dayer

2011-12-01T11:30:50Z

Shahid Afridi grabbed five wickets for 23 runs and then kept his cool in a batting crisis as Pakistan overcame Bangladesh by five wickets in the first one-dayer in Dhaka on Thursday.

The leg-spinner ripped through the Bangladesh line-up as the hosts were bundled out for 91 after electi...

Pakistan forms cricket anti-corruption unit

2011-12-01T10:30:19Z

Pakistan cricket authorities have approved the setting-up of a "vigilance and security division" to fight corruption in the game, a month after three top players were convicted of spot-fixing.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been criticised for failing to combat graft, highlighted by the sentencing of former Test captain Sri Lanka's sports minister has told the nation's cricket team to start talking to each other to help end their losing streak, saying a lack of communication was the main problem in the squad.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage met the players, selectors and administrators on Tuesday to find a solution ahead of next month's Test and one-day tour of...

Sharma guides India to win over Windies

2011-11-29T15:30:43Z

Rohit Sharma hit a responsible 72 under pressure as India survived a top-order collapse to post a thrilling one-wicket win over the West Indies in the opening one-dayer on Tuesday.

India were reeling at 59-5 following Kemar Roach's three-wicket burst and Andre Russell's double strike before reaching the 212-run target with ...

Pakistan fight back to beat Bangladesh

2011-11-29T13:30:51Z

Resurgent Pakistan continued their winning form to defeat Bangladesh by 50 runs in a low-scoring Twenty20 international at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Misbah-ul-Haq's men, buoyant after a successful series against Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram on Tuesday urged the nation's cricket authorities to appoint a single head coach rather than three separate ones for bowling, batting and fielding.

Pakistan have been on hunt for a national team coach since Waqar Younis quit the post in September this year citing health problems...

India bank on youth in Windies ODI series

2011-11-28T19:30:34Z

World champions India will count on their young stars to deliver when they take on fast-improving West Indies in a one-day series starting in Cuttack on Tuesday.

The hosts have rested batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni...

Pakistan seek T20 success in Dhaka

2011-11-27T13:30:12Z

Misbah-ul-Haq's Pakistan will look to continue their recent winning form when they open the tour of Bangladesh with a Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The three-week visit, which also comprises three one-day internationals and two Tests, is Pakistan's first full tour of thei...

India cricketer Yuvraj recovering from lung tumour

2011-11-27T05:30:17Z

Cricket star Yuvraj Singh has been battling a golf-ball sized non-malignant lung tumour which first affected him during India's triumphant World Cup campaign, his family revealed on Sunday.

Yuvraj, 29, who was declared the man of the tournament after the World Cup win at home in April, had opted out of the upcoming one-day ser...

India, West Indies in exciting Test draw

2011-11-26T11:30:06Z

Indian spinners Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin plotted a sensational West Indies collapse before the third and final Test ended in a thrilling draw with scores level on the last day on Saturday.

Left-arm spinner Ojha finished with 6-47 and off-spinner Ashwin with 4-34 as the West Indies were dismissed f...

Zaheer in, Harbhajan out for Australia tour

2011-11-26T08:30:16Z

India recalled fragile pace spearhead Zaheer Khan on Saturday for the Australia tour pending a fitness test, but continued to ignore seasoned spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the 17-...

Pakistan upstage Sri Lanka in Twenty20 for clean sweep

2011-11-25T17:30:16Z

Pakistan put up another clinical performance to win the only Twenty20 by five wickets against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi stadium on Friday, blanking their rivals in all three forms of the game.

Paceman Aizaz Cheema took 4-30 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 141 in 19.3 overs before skipper

Tendulkar, Dhoni rested for Windies one-dayers

2011-11-25T12:30:10Z

India's Sachin Tendulkar, who is on the verge of an unprecedented 100th international century, has been rested for the first three matches of the upcoming five-game one-day series against the West Indies.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, leading the side...

Heartbreak as Tendulkar misses 100th century

2011-11-25T11:30:10Z

Sachin Tendulkar fell agonisingly short of an unprecedented 100th hundred while Ravichandran Ashwin hit a maiden century as the third Test between India and the West Indies headed for a draw on Friday.

Tendulkar scored a superb 94 and Ashwin a robust 103 in on...

Tendulkar on course for 100th century

2011-11-24T11:30:39Z

Sachin Tendulkar stayed on course for an unprecedented 100th international century as India made a strong reply on the third day of the third and final Test against the West Indies on Thursday.

The master batsman was unbeaten on 67 while Rahul Dravid (82) compl...

Khalil to replace injured Khan on Bangladesh tour

2011-11-24T10:30:18Z

Pakistan on Thursday named left-arm paceman Mohammad Khalil to replace an injured Junaid Khan in the squad for the Bangladesh tour kicking off with a Twenty20 next week.

Khan, 21, was ruled out of Pakistan's fifth and final one-day against Sri Lanka on Wednesda...

Jayasuriya backs faltering Sri Lanka

2011-11-24T09:30:26Z

Legendary Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya Thursday backed his country's team and captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, saying they needed time and space to recover after losing both Tests and the one-day series to Pakistan.

Sri Lanka lost t...

Pakistan thump Sri Lanka in fifth one-dayer

2011-11-23T16:30:26Z

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq and Umar Akmal hit half centuries to help Pakistan upstage Sri Lanka by three wickets in the fifth and final day-night international at Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Wednesday.

Misbah hit an attractive 66 while...

Paceman Junaid Khan out of Pakistan's Bangladesh tour

2011-11-23T15:30:13Z

Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan was ruled out of the team's tour of Bangladesh after injuring his abdominal muscle during the fifth and final one-day against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old left-arm paceman had a MRI scan after he felt pain during his three-over spell in the match, which revealed a partial tear.

"The s...

Windies posts mammoth score in India cricket Test

2011-11-23T09:30:38Z

Darren Bravo continued his dream run with a third century in four Tests to help the West Indies post a mammoth 575-9 on the second day of the third and final Test against India on Wednesday.

Bravo, cousin of former West Indies batting great Brian Lara, dominated the Indian attack with a superb 166 as the tourists scored 308 run...

Windies make merry with Bravo dream run

2011-11-23T09:30:28Z

Darren Bravo continued his dream run with a third century in four Tests to help the West Indies post a mammoth 575-9 on the second day of the third and final Test against India on Wednesday.

Bravo, cousin of former West Indies batting great Brian Lara, dominated the Indian attack with a superb 166 as the tourists scored 308 run...

Razzaq a doubt for Pakistan's Bangladesh tour

2011-11-22T16:30:39Z

Allrounder Abdul Razzaq was Tuesday ruled out of Pakistan's two last matches against Sri Lanka, throwing into doubt his participation in the tour of Bangladesh starting next week.

The 31-year-old injured his shoulder during the third day-night international against Sri Lanka in <...

Misbah hopes for resumption of Pakistan-India Tests

2011-11-22T14:30:29Z

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq expressed his hope Tuesday that there could soon be a resumption of Test matches between his country and India, stalled after the terrorists attacks on Mumbai in 2008.

"Of course, we'd like to play against India," Misbah said. "It's a very important series for bo...

Edwards, Bravo boost Windies in third India Test

2011-11-22T10:30:24Z

In-form Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo capped an impressive West Indies batting performance with unbeaten half-centuries on the opening day of the third and final Test against India on Tuesday.

Edwards (65 not out) and left-handed Bravo (57 not out) put on 117 for the unfinished thi...

Sri Lanka's Jayawardene to miss fifth ODI

2011-11-22T06:30:17Z

Injured middle-order batsman Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's last two matches against Pakistan and returned home, team manager Anura Tennekoon said on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old batsman hit a half century in his team's 26-run defeat in the...

India aim for clean sweep in West Indies Test

2011-11-21T18:30:27Z

India are looking to keep the pressure on the beleaguered West Indies in the third and final Test of their series starting in Mumbai on Tuesday as they seek to seal a 3-0 series whitewash.

The hosts have cantered to a 2-0 lead, winning the opening Test in New Delhi by five wickets and t...

Afridi happy to be back for Pakistan

2011-11-21T18:30:26Z

Popular allrounder Shahid Afridi said he has put all off-field problems behind him after guiding Pakistan to an impressive series win over Sri Lanka.

The 31-year-old hit a fighting 75 to lift Pakistan from a precarious 120-7 to 200 before taking 5-35 to derail Sri Lanka from 155-3 to 174 all out at

Pakistan axe Riaz for Bangladesh tour

2011-11-21T10:30:29Z

Pakistan on Monday axed Wahab Riaz from the squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh after he was named in connection with a spot-fixing scandal in England.

The 26-year-old did not play in the three Test series which Pakistan won 1-0 against West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul is racing against time to be fit for the third and final Test against India, starting at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The experienced left-hander, wi...

Afridi stars as Pakistan clinch ODI series

2011-11-20T16:30:20Z

Allrounder Shahid Afridi scored a half-century before taking five wickets to steer Pakistan to a hard fought 26-run win in the fourth day-night match over Sri Lanka at Sharjah stadium on Sunday.

Afridi helped Pakistan recover from a struggling 120-7 to 200 all out with a 65-ball 75 b...

Sharjah cricket stadium enters Guinness Book entry

2011-11-20T15:30:09Z

The Guinness Book of Records acknowledged the achievement of Sharjah cricket stadium for hosting the most number of one-day matches during the Pakistan and Sri Lanka encounter here on Sunday.

Sharjah stadium, built in the early 1980s, was the hub of one-da...

Windies batsman Edwards in awe of Tendulkar

2011-11-20T09:30:20Z

Fast-rising West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards on Sunday conceded he finds it difficult to concentrate on his fielding when Indian batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar is at the crease.

Tendulkar, the world's leading scorer in both Test and one-day cricket, needs just one more hundred to complete an unprecedented centu...

Pakistan hold nerves to beat Sri Lanka

2011-11-18T17:30:13Z

Pakistani bowlers held their nerves to stop a threatening Sri Lankan team to win the third day-night international by 21 runs here on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Umar Gul (3-48) bowled well in the final overs to make sure good work by spinners Saeed Ajmal (3-42) and Shahid ...

Latif blasts Condon over delayed fixing claims

2011-11-18T10:30:34Z

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif on Friday lashed out at a former ICC anti-corruption chief for taking a decade to reveal that all top international teams were involved in fixing, not just Pakistan.

Paul Condon, the founding head of the International Cricket Council

Windies can hold heads high - Bravo

2011-11-17T17:30:23Z

West Indies batsman Darren Bravo said Thursday his team can take a lot of pride from their brave second-innings batting performance despite losing the Test series against India.

The left-hander smashed a superb 136 before the tourists lost the second Test by an innings and 15 runs on the penultimate day at

Pakistan aim to learn from mistakes vs Sri Lanka

2011-11-17T14:30:41Z

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq hopes his team can learn from its mistakes and show improvement in the third one-day international against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Pakistan won the first of five matches by eight wickets last week but allowed Sri Lanka to level the series with a 25-run victory in the second, on Monday.

Misbah sa...

India win Windies series despite Bravo ton

2011-11-17T10:30:39Z

Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin shared four wickets as India beat a resilient West Indies by an innings and 15 runs in the second Test to clinch the series at Eden Gardens in West Indies' Darren Bravo slowed India's charge towards a series victory with a brilliant 117 not out Thursday as they fought back after conceding a massive 478 first innings lead at Eden Gardens.

Left-handed Bravo was unbeaten for his second hundred in three Tests as the West Indi...

Marsh believes Australia's capitulation "one off"

2011-11-16T16:30:40Z

Geoff Marsh said Wednesday that Australia's capitulation for a mere 47 in the first Test against South Africa was a "one off" thing and that his country's team is still one of the top sides in the world.

South Africa won the Test at Cape Town by eight wickets after a tumultuous second day's play when 21 wickets fell...

Bangladesh move closer to Pakistan tour

2011-11-16T16:30:39Z

Bangladesh can tour Pakistan in April next year but they need security clearance from the game's governing body, a top official from Bangladesh Cricket Board told AFP on Wednesday.

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since terrorists' attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in India strengthened their chances of winning the second Test and the series despite the West Indies' improved batting show after a first-innings collapse on the third day on Wednesday.

The West Indies, dismissed for 153 in their first innings in reply to India's mammoth 631-7 declared, did better in their second innings to reach 195-3 at stumps at Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India's run-spree with superb centuries to put their team in command on the second day of the second Test against a hapless West Indies on Tuesday.

Middle-order batsman Laxman hit a stylish 176 not out and skipper Dhoni a robust 144 as India posted a massive 631-7 declared in their first...

Sri Lanka buoyed by Pakistan one-day win

2011-11-15T06:30:49Z

Sri Lanka's win over Pakistan in their second one day international has given them a badly-needed confidence boost for the rest of the five-match series, captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 25 runs at Dubai stadium on Monday to level t...

No Test championship until 2017, says Lorgat

2011-11-14T16:30:31Z

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Monday ruled out the possibility of holding an ICC World Test championship until 2017.

The game's governing body considered the Test championship between the top four teams in 2013 instead of the 50-over ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for Lasith Malinga took three wickets to help Sri Lanka to a 25-run win over Pakistan in the second one day international to level the five-match series 1-1 here on Monday.

Malinga took two wickets in the first over and then returned in his second spell to finish with 3-36 to help dismiss Pakistan for 210 in 4...

Dravid ton puts India in control of second Test

2011-11-14T15:30:32Z

Rahul Dravid cracked a brilliant 119 to put India on course for a big total on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.

The 38-year-old batsman hit two sixes and nine fours in ...

Pakistan cricket chief vows to lure world's best

2011-11-14T14:30:23Z

Pakistan's new cricket chief Zaka Ashraf on Monday vowed to bring international cricket back to the country, suggesting the game's governing body could form a board to assess security before teams' tours.

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 200...

Sydney Cricket Ground to stage 100th Test

2011-11-14T05:30:24Z

The Sydney Cricket Ground will become only the third venue to host 100 Test matches when Australia play India in January.

The SCG will follow Lord's in England and the Melbourne C...

Seize key moments, Sammy tells Windies

2011-11-13T17:30:25Z

The West Indies need to win key moments in the second Test against India starting at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday in a bid to bounce back in the series, skipper Darren Sammy said.

The tourists trail 1-0 in the three-Test series...

Pakistan keeping it simple, says Younis

2011-11-13T17:30:24Z

Former captain Younis Khan said his team will continue to keep things simple as they look to double their series lead in the second one-day match against Sri Lanka here on Monday.

Pakistan thrashed their rivals in the first match on Friday by eight wickets and Younis hopes the team sticks to the same plan.

"We kept things simp...

Sri Lanka's Atapattu praises Pakistan

2011-11-13T07:30:24Z

Sri Lankan batting coach Marvan Atapattu on Sunday praised the Pakistan team as one of the best in the recent past and likened their captain Misbah-ul Haq to his country's former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

Atapattu's praise came after

Flower tells ICC to protect Test cricket

2011-11-12T15:30:28Z

England coach Andy Flower has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to do all in its power to preserve Test matches as the sport's premier contests.

Flower is concerned leading international players may follow the example of Sri Lanka

India look to wrap it up with spin

2011-11-12T14:30:33Z

Buoyant India will hope to dominate the West Indies again with spin as they bid to secure a series-clinching win in the second Test starting at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.

The latest spin duo of Ravichandran A...

Mohsin happy with players handling of scandal

2011-11-12T10:30:15Z

Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan on Saturday told AFP he was satisfied with his team's ability to put behind them the spot-fixing scandal which ended in three of their former team-mates being handed down prison sentences in England.

Former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen ...

Afridi stars as Pakistan thump Sri Lanka

2011-11-11T15:30:18Z

Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi capped an excellent return to international cricket with three wickets as Pakistan thumped Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the first day-night match here on Friday.

Afridi took 3-27 in his first match since returning from a six-month exile, helping Pakistan dismiss Sri Lanka for a paltry 131 in 40.3 over...

Pakistan retain Khan as coach for Bangladesh

2011-11-11T12:30:21Z

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday said Mohsin Khan will continue as interim coach for this month's tour of Bangladesh as a permanent replacement for Waqar Younis is yet to be finalised.

Former fast bowler Waqar quit the post citing health pro...

Malinga holds key in Pakistan one-day series

2011-11-10T12:30:15Z

Rival captains Misbah-ul Haq and Tillakaratne Dilshan agreed sling-action paceman Lasith Malinga could make the difference when Pakistan and Sri Lanka play their first one-day international here on Friday...

India, Pakistan PMs vow to start 'new chapter'

2011-11-10T11:30:37Z

The prime ministers of India and Pakistan said Thursday they expected to open a "new chapter" at future talks between the rival nations after they met at a regional summit in the Maldives.

India's Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart India and Pakistan said Thursday they expected to open a "new chapter" at future talks between the rival nations after they met at a regional summit in the Maldives.

India's Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Maldives (Reuters) - The prime ministers of India and Pakistan said on Thursday that their next round of talks should further improve ties between the two countries.

Lasting peace between the nuclear-armed foes is seen as key to stabilit...

Pakistan Violence

2011-01-04T15:00:59Z

Troops of Pakistan's para military force stand guard outside a local hospital where Punjab's governor Salman Taseer's dead body was brought in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. The governor of Pakistan's powerful Punjab province was shot dead Tuesday by one of his guards in the Pakista...

APTOPIX Pakistan Violence

2011-01-04T14:32:37Z

Supporters of Pakistan People's party mourn death of Punjab's governor Salman Taseer who was shot dead by one of his guards, outside a local hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. The governor of Pakistan's powerful Punjab province was shot dead Tuesday by one of his guards in ...

Pakistan

2011-01-03T10:31:04Z

Pakistan's political leader and former Prime Minister Chaudary Shujjat Hussain, center, talks to media after meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, left, as former Chief Minister of Punjab's province U.S soldiers of 2nd Platoon Bravo Company 2-327 Infantry in a armoured vehicle at Badel Combat Out Post in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan near Pakistan border on Monday, Jan 3, 2011.(AP Photo/Rafiq M...

APTOPIX Afghanistan

2011-01-02T02:31:18Z

An Afghan National Army soldier chops wood at Badel Combat Out Post in Kunar province in eastern Afghanistan near the border of Pakistan on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)