In a pulsating match that went down to the wire, India beat Pakistan in a bowl off, after scores were tied at the end of 20 overs.

India started badly losing 4 early wickets, before Robin Uthappa & Captain MS Dhoni guided India to a score of 141 for 9 (Uthappa 50, Asif 4-18). Pakistan looked to be on track early on, but India came back into the game with wickets and eventually Pakistan made 141 for 7 (Misbah 53, Pathan 2-20). Misbah was run out off the last ball of the match.

In the bowl off, Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Robin Uthappa all nailed the stumps, but the Pakistan bowlers while Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi all missed as a sell-out crowd celebrated an enthralling finale.

You can view a video of the finish at the official world twenty 20 site here.

Tags: Cricket News, India Cricket News, Pakistan Cricket News

Pakistan put in a dismal batting performance to be all out for 132 in their match against Ireland on Saturday. Ireland have already recorded a tie against Zimbabwe in their earlier match.

On a grassy pitch, aid swing and seam, the Pakistani batsmen were all at sea against the Irish attack.

In reply Ireland were 84/4 off 29 overs when bad light stopped play.

Pakistan had already lost their first match in the World Cup against West Indies. Another defeat here could send them to an early exit from the cup.

Read the full story here.

Tags: Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, Pakistan Cricket News, World Cup Cricket 2007

Mohammad Yousuf scored his ninth century of the calendar year and in the process broke Sir Vivian Richard’s 30 year record of scoring the most Test runs in a calendar year.

Viv Richards had scored 1710 runs in 1976, a memorable run during which he hit two double hundreds against England in England. Ricky Ponting was the batsman that had come closest to it since then with 1544 runs in 2005.

Youhana was finally out for 124, bowled by Ramnaresh Sarwan. His tally for the year now stands at 1788 runs, of which a staggering 665 have come in the current series against West Indies alone.

Comparisons are now going to be made with former greats. Yousuf does appear to have a sense of humour with his tongue in cheek replies.

When asked to compare himself with Javed Miandad, Yousuf said only, “It is difficult to compare. You are either better or worse and anyway, it is for the media to decide. I can’t say anything about it. But he is my ideal.” And when the question of Sir Don Bradman’s record of six hundreds in six consecutive Tests reared its head, Yousuf replied, with some cheek, “I have six in five Tests, so you decide.”

Read about how he broke the record and the reactions to it below:

Cricinfo – Yousuf breaks 30-year-old record

From a match perspective, the West Indies need to bat out the whole of day 5 to save the Test match. They were 39/2 at stumps still 404 runs behind. Lara was batting on 18, with Sarwan on 11.

Lara will need to put in another record breaking performance if the West Indies are to get through day 5.

Cricinfo – ‘I just need to bat out the entire day’ – Lara

Tags: Cricket News, Pakistan Cricket News, Test Cricket News, West Indies Cricket News

Mohammad Yousuf hammered 190 to takePakistan to a very healthy score of 485 runs. This was in reply to the West Indies first innings score of 206.

Yousuf has been in sparkling form this calendar year. This was his sixth century for the year and his seventh in his last 10 Test matches.

He was well supported by Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik who both hit half centuries.

The West Indies were in trouble in their second innings, at 35 for 2 at the time of this report. Both the openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga were out. At the crease were Ramnaresh Sarwan and that man Lara.

Can Brian Lara help the Windies save the Test?

It is a tall order with 2 days play still remaining.

Yousuf ton puts Pakistan on top
Mohammad Yousuf’s century gives Pakistan a healthy first-innings lead over West Indies on day two of the first Test.

Tags: Cricket News, Pakistan Cricket News, Test Cricket News, West Indies Cricket News

If the two year ban stays then the days of Shoaib Akhtar playing international cricket may be over.

It would be a real shame – however as he is already in his thirties, it is hard to see him come back to the International arena after a two year break, will be harder still for him to recapture the scorching pace that made him such an exciting fellow to watch.

There is talk about an appeal, but I think the sports governing bodies will probably want to make an example of Shoaib and Asif, to stamp out any further instances of similar behaviours in the future.

Final chapter for Shoaib?
Could two-year ban be the last act in a colourful career?

Tags: Cricket News, Pakistan Cricket News, Test Cricket News

South Africa booked its place in the semi finals with a comprehensive 125 win over Pakistan at Mohali today.

On a pitch that offered pace, bounce & movement, South Africa lost two wickets in the first over itself.

They were is deep trouble before Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp hit sterling half centuries to guide them to a competitive total.

In reply, Pakistan were all at sea against the pace, seam and swing of the South African Bowlers.

Makhaya Ntini was the destroyer in chief with 5 crucial wickets in his first spell.

Cricinfo – Ntini’s five-for destroys Pakistan

Tags: Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, Pakistan Cricket News, South African Cricket News

With Inzamam-Ul-Haq receiving a 4 match ban, the Pakistan team will now be led by Younis Khan at the ensuing ICC Champions trophy in India.

Younis handed Pakistan captaincy
Pakistan will be captained by Younis Khan at the Champions Trophy in the absence of suspended Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Tags: One Day Internationals News, Pakistan Cricket News

Apparently the dour Yorkshireman put in a ‘tour de force’ convincing the hearing that in his opinion the ball was not tampered with.

His testimony and that of analyst Simon Hughes proved critical in clearing the Pakistaini Test team of ball tampering charges.

Read the full story below.

Did Geoffrey Boycott swing the verdict?
British media claimed the testimony of the former England captain proved crucial in clearing Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul Haq of ball-tampering.

Tags: Pakistan Cricket News, Test Cricket News

A familiar story once again.

Shoaib Akhtar is racing against time to be ready for the cricket series against England. A Pakistan cricket board official has been quoted as saying that Akhtar will not be allowed to waltz straight into the Test team. He will need to play a couple of practice matches and prove his fitness, before being back to lead the Pakistani bowling this English summer.

I hope he is fully fit – should be an enthralling series matching the Pakistani quicks against the English pace attack.

If England prepare bouncy or seaming wickets, they should be aware that in addition to Shoaib, Pakistan also have Naved Ul-Hasan, Mohammad Sami and Asif (the most improved bowler of the lot) to contend with.

The spin of Danish Kaneria should also be a wild card.

All in all, promises to be a wonderful series.

Cricket-Missing Akhtar must prove fitness for England tour (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar must play a couple of practice matches to prove his fitness for the tour of England, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Friday.

Tags: Cricket News, One Day Internationals News, Pakistan Cricket News, Test Cricket News

Skipper Inzamam is hoping that his star fast bowler will be fit and ready for the upcoming series against England.

Inzamam banking on a fit Shoaib
Inzamam-ul-Haq has asked for a few practice matches during the preparatory camp for this summer’s tour of England, saying that such outings would help in the comeback of star fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and prove his fitness.

Tags: Pakistan Cricket News, Test Cricket News