Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Lahore

Sri Lanka 309 for 5 (Dilshan 137*, Sangakkara 50, Jayasuriya 45) beat

Pakistan 75 (Kulasekara 3-17, Thushara 3-33) 75 by 234 runs

It was over before the thousands of fans at the Gaddafi Stadium could blink. Sri Lanka inflicted one of the biggest annihilations in one-day internationals and trampled over Pakistan to post a 234-run win and take the series 2-1. It was the hosts' largest margin of defeat in ODIs: they were dismissed for 75 in reply to Sri Lanka's 309.

Sri Lanka's struggles against weak sides in recent months seemed a distant memory after the rout. The victory brought back memories of the time their bowlers dismantled India for 54 at Sharjah in 2000, after the batsmen had posted 299. They were not favourites to win this series, primarily due to an out-of-form top order, but the batsmen collectively shrugged off their poor form. Tillakaratne Dilshan set it up with a mature 137, Jayasuriya contributed 45, and Sangakkara made 50.

However, it was the speed at which the new-ball attack scythed through Pakistan that startled. Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara used swing and seam movement to make up for the lack of express-pace and proved too difficult to handle for Pakistan's batsmen. Six Pakistan wickets fell before the tenth over, putting an end to the contest.

The conditions were predicted to favour the fast bowlers at the start of play but they got deadlier when Sri Lanka began bowling under lights. Thushara struck in the second over, trapping make-shift opener Younis Khan lbw, before Kulasekara found Salman Butt's edge to hand him a first-ball duck. It got worse for Pakistan when Kamran Akmal was caught in front by a Thushara delivery which cut in, skidded, and hit him low on the pads. The inspired bowling was backed up by superb fielding: Farveez Maharoof pulled off a blinder at short wicket, intercepting a full-blooded pull from Khurram Manzoor.

Even Misbah-ul-Haq had no answers to a delivery from Thushara and he edged to the wicketkeeper. Shahid Afridi fell four balls later, shouldering arms to a delivery that jagged back and had his off-stump flattened. Sections of the crowd that had cheered his entrance moments before began to leave.

Umar Gul walked in and began to time the ball through the gaps on the off side like a genuine batsman while Shoaib Malik stood helpless at the other end. Pakistan were 22 for 6 with no hope of recovery. The spinners wrapped up the tail and Muttiah Muralitharan picked up the final wicket, bowling Sohail Khan, to become the second bowler after Wasim Akram to take 500 ODI wickets. Pakistan's total of 75 was their lowest at home.

The spectacular nature of Pakistan's collapse, however, should not overshadow Dilshan's outstanding contribution earlier in the day. Sri Lanka continued their experiment of opening with him and Dilshan battled through overcast conditions to compile his career-best score. He was circumspect initially against the fast bowlers and was dropped on 1 by Salman Butt at backward point before realizing that a grafting approach was the need of the day.

He paddled and nudged, occasionally playing the fierce cut, and only after his hundred - his second in ODIs - did he open up. He slammed length deliveries and made room to carve the fuller ones over the off side. Pakistan's spinners gave him width and they paid for it.

Sri Lanka's innings was built on partnerships and each one took the game further away from Pakistan. Malik pushed the field back, opening up gaps in the outfield, and allowed the batsmen to progress. Steadily, Sri Lanka built towards the target Mahela Jayawardene had aimed for before the start of the game.

The contributions from Sangakkara and Thilina Kandamby were significant as well. Sangakkara swept the spinners and tapped the ball into gaps on the off side to take singles. His approach brought back memories of Arjuna Ranatunga and his 104-run partnership with Dilshan came at a run-a-ball. Sangakkara and Dilshan ran swiftly between the wickets but a moment of confusion over a risky single resulted in Sangakkara's wicket.

Dilshan, however, did not let the setback affect him and he added 57 more with Kandamby. His century was his second important contribution of the series, after the 76 in the second ODI in Karachi, and he was adjudged Man of the Series for scoring 255 runs in the three matches.

Sri Lanka confirm Pak tour

Sri Lankan Cricket Board has confirmed on Friday its team would tour Pakistan in the third week of January.

Director media Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Asif Sohail while talking to Geo News said Sri Lankan Cricket Board chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has made it confirm that Sri Lankan team would tour Pakistan in the third week of January.

Asif Sohail said Sri Lanka would play three tests, three one-day matches and a 20twenty match during the tour.

PCB spokesman said PCB is finalizing the schedule of Sri Lankan series, which would be announced likely within couple of days.

Jayasuriya and Mendis hand Sri Lanka T20 title

Sri Lanka 133 for 5 (Jayasuriya 40, Kapugedera 17*) beat

Pakistan 132 for 7 (Butt 44, Mendis 3-23) by 5 wickets

A Twenty20 round-robin in Canada does little to set hearts fluttering. Yet when Shoaib Akhtar steams in to bowl at Sanath Jayasuriya and company, the venue is of little importance. Unfortunately for Pakistan, Akhtar has yet to rediscover his accuracy, and it was Jayasuriya who won the battle, consequently leading Sri Lanka to a convincing five-wicket win in the final of the T20 Canada at King City.

In stark contrast to Pakistan's, Sri Lanka's batsmen set off in frantic pursuit of a very gettable 133, in front of a boisterous crowd of 9000. Jayasuriya and Mahela Udawatte put on a match-altering 66 in 6.6 overs, though they were indebted to a predictably wayward start from Pakistan's trio of fast bowlers, Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir and, chief culprit of all, Umar Gul.

Jayasuriya shot out of the traps and never allowed Akhtar to settle. Flicking him for four in his first over, he then pulled him for consecutive sixes into the midwicket stand, the second of which went AWOL. Udawatte was no less aggressive, but such was Gul's persistently short length that he spent most of his time on the back foot. A hook for six was followed by a flayed cut for four, while a further slice past point scorched the outfield. Sri Lanka's fifty was notched inside five overs.

So, it was to spin that Pakistan turned and it brought immediate results when Shahid Afridi - who earlier only managed 14 with the bat - beat Udawatte in the flight and was caught at long-off. Afridi's partner at the other end, Shoaib Malik, then bowled Jayasuriya around his legs, following it up with the prize wicket of Mahela Jayawardene and suddenly Sri Lanka had taken four. They made it five when Kaushalya Weeraratne was bowled in Gul's second spell, but it was all too little, too late, and Chamara Kapugedera's calm 17 guided Sri Lanka to their first win over Pakistan in Twenty20s.

That Sri Lanka were allowed to chase such an attainable target was thanks to their own spin-attack, namely Ajantha Mendis, whose three wickets stifled Pakistan's middle-order. Salman Butt played a steady hand for his 44, but wickets fell at crucial moments all around him, and Pakistan's innings never gained true momentum. Misbah-ul-Haq cracked two fours in a spirited 25, but no one could truly get on top of Mendis, who ended the tournament with 11 wickets at the frugally economical 5 apiece.

Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Super Four, Asia Cup, Karachi

Sri Lanka 302 for 7 (Sangakkara 112, Tanvir 5-48) beat
Pakistan 238 for 9 (Misbah-ul-Haq 76, Malik 52, Mendis 4-47) by 64 runs

Pakistan continued their poor performance in Asia Cup with another humiliating defeat when Sri Lanka won their first match of the Super-4 stage by 64 runs here on Sunday at the National Stadium.

Chasing a tough target of 303 runs, Pakistan could make 238 runs for nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs.

They played under pressure right from the ball one when opener Salman Butt was dismissed without scoring any run.

However, captain Shoaib Malik and Younus Khan made 72 runs when Younus departed on 47.

Later, Pakistan lost four more wickets including Malik, who got 52 with three fours.

Then, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed set to take their team to recovery and added 66 runs for the seventh wicket when Misbah was bowled by Mendis for a valuable 76. he faced 70 balls and hit four sixes and three fours.

Sri Lanka piled up a big score of 302 for seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs after put into bat by Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik in the second match of the Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup here on Sunday at the National Stadium.


Opener Kumar Sangakkara was the architect of the Sri Lanka innings who scored 112 off 110 balls. He hit ten fours and one six in his ninth ODI hundred, second against Pakistan.

Except him, no one could reach fifty as Chamara Silva made 46 with five fours and Chamara Kapugedera got 43 with two sixes and as many fours.

Other main scorers were captain Mahela Jayawardene (29) and Thilan Tushara Mirando (28).

From Pakistan, left-arm fast-medium bowler Sohail Tanvir displayed excellent performance with a career-best five for 48. His previous best was 4-34 against Zimbabwe at Hyderabad (Sindh) early this year.

Other wicket takers were pacer Wahab Riaz and leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad. Both took one wicket each.

Pakistan made two changes, bringing in Mansoor Amjad and Wahab Riaz for the injured Umar Gul and Fawad Alam.

Amjad, who is making his ODI debut, has played one Twenty20 match for Pakistan before and took three wickets for three runs against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka brought back Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas, who were all rested for the game against the UAE. They also replaced Dilhara Fernando with Thilan Tushara.

Teams:
Pakistan: Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik (captain), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mansoor Amjad, Wahab Riaz, Iftikhar Anjum.

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Tushara.

Castrol Asian Cricket awards

Sourav Ganguly has been named the Castrol Asian Cricketer of the Year at the awards handed out in Karachi. Ganguly, who made his way back to the Indian side in December 2006, also won the best overall batsman prize for his outstanding performances in 2007. He was the highest Asian run-getter in Tests in 2007, with 1106 runs, including a career-best 239 not out against Pakistan, besides scoring 1240 runs in ODIs.

Indians and Sri Lankans dominated the inaugural edition of the awards. Muttiah Muralitharan, the joint leading wicket-taker in 2007 with 49 scalps, was honoured with the best overall and best Test bowler. His team-mate Kumar Sangakkara, who reached the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings last year, was awarded the best Test batsman while Farveez Maharoof was the best ODI bowler.

Sachin Tendulkar's phenomenal 1425 runs in ODIs last year fetched him the award for best ODI batsman while Gautam Gambhir, the second highest run-scorer in the World Twenty20, bagged the Twenty20 award. Yuvraj Singh was presented a special award for his six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad in the World Twenty20 in South Africa.

Pakistan's winners included the leading wicket-taker in the World Twenty20, Umar Gul (best Twenty20 bowler), and surprisingly, Kamran Akmal (best fielder/wicketkeeper). Akmal's form has slipped since 2006 and he was dropped from the squad for the Asia Cup after his poor showings.

Among other awards announced, Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan captain, was named the Pakistan Cricketer of the Year, while Ahmed Shehzad, who performed creditably with both bat and ball in the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, won the prize for the best junior. Pakistan legend Hanif Mohammad was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awards are based on the Castrol Performance Index - a comprehensive points system which takes into consideration batting, bowling and fielding performances of each player against all teams in all international matches, in all three formats - Tests, ODIs and Tweny20s, during a calendar year.

Malik: Anyone Can Win It

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes there is no clear favourite for the Asia Cup, which begins on Tuesday.

Many pundits have tipped Pakistan for glory after an impressive recent run of form. Malik's side have claimed victory in 12 of their 13 one-day internationals this year and beat India and Bangladesh to claim the Kitply Cup earlier this month.

That win was all the more remarkable considering star bowler Mohammad Asif was held in Dubai over allegations of possessing drugs for the duration of the competition.

Nevertheless, Malik was quick to play down his sides chances of triumphing on home soil.

"I wouldn't say any team is favourite,"

Malik told Chennai Online.

"India is a strong and balanced side but we showed in the tri-series final they can be beaten. So in a way this Asia Cup I think is going to be the closest one in recent years."

Former Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Sarfraz Ahmed has been called into the Pakistan squad to replace out of form wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal.

Holders Sri Lanka come into the tournament on the back of consecutive ODI series defeats against England, Australia and the West Indies. The 2007 World Cup finalists have won just two ODIs all year and will be without injured duo Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene told the Times of India that his side have been pulling out all the stops to turn their slump around.

"We have had good preparations as it is an important cup to win. Both India and Pakistan will be hard to beat,"

said Jayawardene who welcomes back Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan after their absence against the West Indies.

India fast bowler Sreesanth has failed to recover from the side strain he suffered during the IPL and will miss tournament.

Sreesanth joins Sachin Tendulkar on the sidelines for the three-time champions who will be looking to build on their victory over Australia in the VB Series earlier this year.

Bangladesh enter the competition on the back of comprehensive defeats to Pakistan and India in the Kitply Cup.

The form of star batsman Mohammad Ashraful, who has been promoted up the order to number three by coach Jamie Siddons, could hold the key to whether Bangladesh can progress past the group stage of the tournament.

As in the 2004 Asia Cup, minnows Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates will make up the numbers. Honk Kong face the daunting task of games against India and Pakistan in Group A, while the UAE join Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group B. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

Pakistani officials are viewing the tournament as good preparation for hosting the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

England and Australia have already expressed security concerns about travelling to the country this autumn and a smoothly run Asia Cup could play a crucial role in alleviating those fears.

PCB begins talks with Sri Lanka for series

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has begun talks with Sri Lanka for a cricket series and it has also sent the schedule of the ODI series to Bangladesh Cricket Board.

According to the PCB sources, the Pak-Bangladesh series will begin in the first week of April. The series includes five One-day Internationals and one Twenty20 match.

The PCB has once again preferred small cities for the matches of the series.

The Board expects that the schedule will be announced next week after getting its approval from Bangladesh.

On the other hand, the PCB has commenced negotiations with Sri Lankan officials for a series of five One-day Internationals.

The PCB wants Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan after playing the series against the West Indies, which will conclude on April 15.

The PCB officials are hopeful that Sri Lankan cricket board would agree to send its cricket team to Pakistan.

Pakistan will not withdraw as Asia Cup hosts - Ashraf

Nasim Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has said that Pakistan would not back down as hosts of the Asia Cup, scheduled in June. Ashraf has reacted to an offer by his Sri Lankan counterpart Arjuna Ranatunga to host the tournament due to the security situation in Pakistan following former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

"There is no way we would withdraw as Asia Cup hosts, then I don't know why they [Sri Lanka] had to make such an offer,"

Ashraf told the News in Karachi.

Ranatunga confirmed that Sri Lanka was willing to act as a back-up should both sides agree on a neutral venue but left that decision to Pakistan.

"We have written and asked Pakistan if we can host the Asia Cup,"

Ranatunga told AFP in Colombo on Thursday.

"It's a sensitive issue, but we will understand if Pakistan refuse us."

The PCB had earlier ruled out hosting Australia in a neutral venue for the home series in March and April. General elections were due to be held in the country on January 8, but have now been postponed to February 18. A security delegation from Australia is expected to arrive after the elections and Ashraf has expressed confidence that both series would go on as planned.

Sri Lanka offers to host Asia Cup if Pakistan opt out

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has approached Pakistan with an offer to host the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament as violence continues to wrack the country, the island's cricket chief said Thursday.

The six-nation limited-overs tournament is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in June, but instability following last month's murder of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has put sporting fixtures under threat.

"We have written and asked Pakistan if we can host the Asia Cup,"

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Arjuna Ranatunga told AFP on the sidelines of a news conference to promote tourism.

"It's a sensitive issue, but we will understand if Pakistan refuse us,"

said Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup.

Defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Oman are due to take part in the tournament, the continent's premier one-day event.

He also said Sri Lanka was willing to host the upcoming Test series between Australia and Pakistan if no agreement was reached on the venues.

Pakistan this week ruled out moving the March-April series to a neutral venue, despite security concerns voiced by some Australian players following a wave of suicide bombings and riots since Bhutto's death.

"If both sides agree to a neutral venue, I hope they will play here,"

said Ranatunga.

"It will be nice to have them over. It will be a good boost for the game and for tourism."

When Australia refused to tour Pakistan in 2002, the series was played in Colombo and in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Asia Cup to go ahead as scheduled

The ninth Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan next June, as originally planned. This was confirmed by the executive board of the Asian Cricket Council, which met in Delhi.

The teams taking part are defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, along with Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates. The previous edition of the Asia Cup was held in mid-2004, with Sri Lanka defeating India by 25 runs to claim the trophy.

The Asia Cup was initially scheduled for April 2008, but it was postponed to accommodate the Indian Premier League, a franchise-based Twenty20 tournament organised by the Indian board.

There was speculation that the Asia Cup could be postponed again because of the political situation in Pakistan but Nasim Ashraf, the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, allayed those doubts by saying he had received an assurance from the BCCI that India would participate in the tournament.

The details of the fixtures will be released at a later date.

Asia Cup will go ahead as planned - Ashraf

Nasim Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has said the Asia Cup will proceed as planned in June 2008 in Karachi, after the BCCI assured him of India's participation. The tournament, originally scheduled for April, had to be postponed since the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to get underway in the same month.

"The Asia Cup is very much on,"

Ashraf told reporters in New Delhi.

"I've talked to BCCI officials about the tournament and they have promised that India would certainly take part in the tournament."

Ashraf explained that the dates had to be shifted taking into account Pakistan's busy international season - which includes a home series against Australia in April followed by a tri-series in Bangladesh - and also the fact that a few players would be participating in the IPL.

"Some of our top players will be taking part in the IPL,"

Ashraf said.

"Then another reason why we agreed to find new dates for the event was the fact that April didn't suit us because our players will be playing in a tough series against Australia just about the same time."

Ashraf also confirmed that the BCCI had floated the idea of contesting a tri-series between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka instead of the Asia Cup to raise more profits but the PCB decided against it.

"Our contention is that it is not just about the money,"

he said.

"Next year would be the 25th anniversary of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is why we want to assure that the Asia Cup is held in a successful manner in June."

The previous edition was held in Sri Lanka in 2004 but the biennial event had to be postponed in 2006 due to scheduling problems. Pakistan was slated to host it in February 2006 after India's bilateral series in Pakistan but the BCCI said it was unable to fit in another one-day tournament with England touring for a three-Test and seven-match ODI series.

The current edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, including Oman and United Arab Emirates, aside from the four Test-playing nations.

ICC Twenty20 World Cup: Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka in Photo Index

A cheerleader welcomes Sri Lanka onto the field as Dilhara Fernando looks on, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007


Mohammad Hafeez pulls a short one during his uneasy stay in the middle, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Dilhara Fernando celebrates Hafeez's dismissal, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Younis Khan dabs one down for a quick single during the century partnership with Shoaib Malik, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Shoaib Malik smashes one down the ground during his rescue act of 57, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Younis Khan sweeps one during his breezy knock, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Mohammad Asif is delighted after sending Kumar Sangakkara back to the pavilion, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Kumar Sangakkara is disappointed after being dismissed by Mohammad Asif, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

The Pakistan players celebrate the fall of Mahela Jayawardene, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Shahid Afridi takes the catch to get rid of Jehan Mubarak, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Chamara Silva plays the sweep shot, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Mahela Jayawardene guides one through the on side during his 27-ball 28, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Tillakaratne Dilshan hit four sixes in his knock of 38, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007


Younis Khan was Man-of-the-Match for his 51 off 35 balls and two catches, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, Johannesburg, September 17, 2007

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 33 runs

JOHANNESBURG: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 33 runs in a group F match of the Super Eights round in the Twenty20 world championships at the Wanderers here on Monday.

Earlier, in Pakistani innings, Malik top-scored with 57 out of a total of 189 for six with support from their most experienced batsman Younis Khan (51) in a stand worth 101 from only 58 balls as both men made hay against Sanath Jayasuriya who conceded 64 off his four overs -- the most expensive figures of the tournament so far.

Pakistan were sent into bat in perfect night-time conditions after Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and chose to field.

His decision seemed to be vindicated during the opening overs from Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando who ensured that Pakistan ended the seventh over on 37 with three wickets down.

Imran Nazir was the first to depart, tamely lobbing a slower ball from the veteran Vaas to Jehan Mubarak, fielding in the covers, for seven at the end of the third over with the score on 22.

Fellow opener Salman Butt followed him back to the changing room only two balls later, clean bowled as he looked to smash Fernando out of the ground for 12.

Fernando then bowled a rare maiden at the Wanderers during the Twenty20 tournament which included the wicket of the dangerous looking Mohammed Hafeez, again bowled with the score on 33.

The extra speed of Lasith Malinga had the effect of accelerating the pace of the Pakistan innings, his first over going for 12.

Jayasuriya suffered similar punishment in his first over, with the Pakistan batsmen appearing to target the 38-year-old spinner as the weak link in the Sri Lankan armoury. His first two overs went for 15.

Worse was to follow in his third. After Younis brought up the century with a boundary off the 77th ball of the innings, Jayasuriya was then launched for another huge six in an over that cost 20.

Malik was having equal fun, taking only 31 balls to reach 57 which included four boundaries and two sixes. He was finally out, caught by Tillekeratane Dilshan off the bowling of Malinga.

A quick-fire 17 off nine balls from master-blaster Shahid Afridi helped take the score close to the 200 mark in what was the 10th time in the tournament that teams had passed the 160 mark, a figure reached only twice elsewhere.

Power-packed Sri Lanka face toughest test

Sri Lanka have been one of the in-form teams in this tournament, quelling with ease challenges from Kenya and New Zealand, but Pakistan, who beat them in a warm-up match, could offer a tougher challenge. Of late, Pakistan have had the measure of the Sri Lankans, losing just two of the last ten ODIs between them, and while Sri Lanka will still start off as favourites, there could be an upset on the cards.

Bat play: Sri Lanka's top order has been in rip-roaring form so far in the tournament, scoring 260 against Kenya and then chasing down 164 with plenty to spare against New Zealand. Both those games were in Johannesburg, which means they are accustomed to the conditions. Sanath Jayasuriya has been pick of the lot so far, scoring 149 runs from 88 balls. His recent ODI form against Pakistan hasn't been so flash, though: in his last ten games against them, he only averages 20.50, and the challenge for Sri Lanka - and the chance for Pakistan - will be if he falls early.

Pakistan's batting has been iffy so far, struggling a bit against Scotland and then making a mess of what should have been a comfortable chase against India. The openers, Imran Nazir and Salman Butt, have failed in both innings, and Mohammad Hafeez might get a look-in at the top of the order on Monday. Misbah-ul-Haq has been the man in form, and deserves to bat higher than his No. 6 slot.

Wrecking ball: Mohammad Asif destroyed India's top order and still finished on the losing side in Durban, but in the excellent batting conditions that have been a constant here, even Asif might struggle. With slow bowlers doing so well here, Hafeez is a near-certainty to play, and his canny offspin will bolster Pakistan's bowling strength.

Sri Lanka's weak link in their game against New Zealand was Gayan Wijekoon, the left-arm medium pacer who has neither the pace nor the consistency to cut it in this format. Expect him to be replaced, possibly by Kaushal Lokuarachchi, who was the 12th man against New Zealand.

Keep your eye on: Mahela Jayawardene. He played a little gem against New Zealand, scoring 35 from 18 balls, and is in good enough form to play a match-winning hand.

Pitching it right: It doesn't matter which strip in the square is used, it'll still be superb for batting. Under light, the ball should come on to the bat even better.

Teams

Pakistan (likely): Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik (capt), Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif

Sri Lanka (likely): Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Chamara Silva, Jehan Mubarak, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando

Avoid Whatmore, says Ranatunga

KARACHI: Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has advised Pakistani players and team management not to have Australian Dav Whatmore as their new coach, sources said.
Ranatunga, who captained Sri Lanka to 1996 World Cup glory with Whatmore as the coach, is learnt to have given a “run-down” on the Australian when he had a chance meeting with manager-cum-coach Talat Ali in Scotland where the team had recently gone to play two one-day games, according to reliable sources in the Pakistan team.

“Ranatunga was asked for his opinion about Whatmore as he has worked for a number of years in the Sri Lankan team,”

one source said.

“Ranatunga during his talks with Talat and some senior players gave them a run down on Whatmore and eventually his advice was to avoid him,”

he added.

“Ranatunga did admit that Whatmore was coach when Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup but said the players had a big credit in this as well,”

he continued. When Whatmore was Sri Lankan coach he had problems with Ranatunga with both speaking out against each other publicly.

Sialkot Stallions on second spot in Twenty20 rankings

LONDON: With no domestic Twenty20 games played last month, Australia’s Victorian Bushrangers, winners of back to back titles, remain at the top of the rankings for a fifth month with Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions in second place followed by Surrey Brown Caps (3rd), Leicestershire Foxes (4th) and Somerset Sabres (5th) — all from England.

In sixth place are the Karachi Dolphins (Pakistan), followed closely by Tamil Nadu (India), winners of the first ever Inter-State Twenty20 Cup. Lahore Lions (Pakistan) are at eighth spot while Sri Lanka’s Chilaw Marians CC are at ninth.

The top ten is rounded out by another Pakistani team, Faisalabad Wolves, who were the winners of 2005 ABN-Amro Twenty20 Cup. However, the rankings will see some major changes this month though when the Twenty20 Cup starts in England.

Surrey, Leicestershire and Somerset will all be looking to move up the table and overtake the Bushrangers to claim the number one spot. As many as 92 teams from England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India have all been rated and included in the Bartercard Power Rankings.

The ratings are based on a number of important factors including runs scored, totals chased, loss of wickets and margins of victory. A team’s rating is then worked out by dividing the points scored in each game by the number of matches played; the totals are then given to the nearest whole number.

Team/Country Matches Pts Ranking
1. Victorian Bushrangers AUS 7 1761 221
2. Sialkot Stallions PAK 15 3314 220
3. Surrey Brown Caps ENG 33 7130 216
4. Leicestershire Foxes ENG 32 6900 215
5. Somerset Sabres ENG 27 5786 214
6. Karachi Dolphins PAK 16 3412 213
7. Tamil Nadu IND 10 2114 211
8. Lahore Lions PAK 11 2329 211
9. Chilaw Marians CC SL 13 2705 208
10. Faisalabad Wolves PAK 16 3336 208
11. Warwickshire Bears ENG 28 5805 207
12.Lahore Eagles PAK 14 2888 206
13. Yorkshire Phoenix ENG 25 5099 204
14. Glamorgan Dragons ENG 26 5256 202
15. Rawalpindi Rams PAK 10 2006 200
16. Gloucestershire Gladiators ENG 24 4804 200
17. Karachi Zebras PAK 11 2194 199
18. Punjab IND 10 1965 197
19. Northamptonshire Steelbacks ENG 25 4921 197
20. Peshawar Panthers PAK 10 1965 196

Organisers not to open joint account for 2011 World Cup

BHURBAN: Cricket World Cup 2011Organising Committee has decided not to open joint account for the mega event, in its first meeting in this northern Pakistani hill resort on Monday.

The meeting was attended by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India Sharad Pawar, CEO of Bangladesh Cricket Board Mehmood-ur-Rahman, chief executive Sri Lankan Cricket Board Dilip Mendies and other top cricket officials of the South Asian nations hosting the 2011 cricket World Cup.

The committee was looking at common visas for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, following a pattern established by Caribbean nations for this year's competition, officials said.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said that the committee would ask the ICC for grants to develop cricket grounds in all four countries,

"like they gave to the Caribbean countries,"

said Ashraf.

Ashraf said that Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad would host the World Cup matches in Pakistan.

The inaugural ceremony of the event will be held in Dhaka, while Lahore and Colombo will host semifinals and final of mega event will be held in Mumbai.

The organizers promised to hold a spectator-friendly tournament with affordable ticket prices.

"We promise a spectator- and media-friendly World Cup in four years time,"

said Sharad Pawar, chairman BCCI.

"We will make unrelenting efforts to make the event a spectacular one so that more and more people come and watch the best cricket,"

said Pawar.

"We assure that prices of the tickets will be affordable to the local paying capacity,"

said Pawar.

He said the committee was looking at common visas for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, following a pattern established by Caribbean nations for this year's competition.

"The possibility of a common visa will also be explored through talks with governments,"

said Pawar.

The meeting also chose Pakistan's eastern cultural hub of Lahore as the headquarters of the World Cup 2011.

The four countries from the subcontinent beat a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand to stage the 2011 World Cup. Australia and New Zealand will now have the 2015 edition.

The next organising committee meeting will be held in India in November-December this year.