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The PCB has expanded its existing pension scheme to cover all Pakistan Test cricketers who reach the age of 60

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Dec-2010The PCB has expanded its existing pension scheme to cover all Pakistan Test cricketers who reach the age of 60. In 2006, the board decided to provide pensions to all Test cricketers who had retired before 1978. Since then, the PCB had also approved pensions for some Test players who quit after 1978, on a case-by-case basis.Players currently receive Rs 20,000 (US$ 233) a month, an amount the board has decided to increase. “The Governing Board held a detailed review of PCB’s welfare policy for former Pakistan players,” according to a PCB media release. “It was decided that the stipend paid out by the PCB to Pakistan’s ex-Test players upon reaching the age of 60 years will be increased.”PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, a former Test cricketer himself, welcomed the decision. “We are extremely grateful to the Governing Board for approving this measure for the benefit of our former Test cricketers,” he said. “Our players are our national assets and this decision by the Governing Board will send a positive message to all our former players that the PCB values the services that they have given to Pakistan.”

The ICC has decided to move the two World Cup warm-up matches that were scheduled to take place in Pallekele to a different location because of persistent, heavy rain

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2011The ICC has decided to move the two World Cup warm-up matches that were scheduled to take place in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, because of persistent, heavy rains that have hampered the preparation of the pitches. The decision was made following a recommendation from ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson, who inspected the venue today.Pallekele was supposed to host the games between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands on February 12 and Kenya and the Netherlands on February 15. A new location will be announced shortly.”The groundstaff at Pallekele have had to contend with an extremely high volume of rainfall over a number of weeks, far in excess of what is normal for this time of year,” tournament director Prof. Ratnakar Shetty said in a statement. “This has proved to be a significant handicap in their efforts to produce pitches for the forthcoming warm-up matches.”The decision to switch the warm-up matches away from Pallekele is common sense, and is one that is fully supported by all stakeholders as it will allow the groundstaff the time they need, following those recent heavy rains, to produce excellent pitches for the tournament matches that will take place there.”Pallekele is scheduled to host three matches in the tournament proper, beginning with the game between New Zealand and Pakistan on March 8. The other two games are Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe on March 10 and Pakistan v Zimbabwe on March 12. The decision to move the warm-up games does not affect the hosting of these matches.

Round-up of the first day’s play in the third round of matches of the Faysal bank Pentangular Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2011Not much play was possible in either of the two matches in the Faysal Bank Pentangular Cup on Friday due to thundershowers in Lahore.In the game between Baluchistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province at the Gaddafi Stadium, Baluchistan were put in and reduced to 114 for 4 in the 30 overs possible on the first day. They were going well, having reached 93 for 2, but seamer Nauman Habib got a couple of quick scalps, including Shoaib Khan junior for 41. Baluchistan currently lead the table, while Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have lost the only game they have played.Only 23 overs were bowled at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, and Punjab’s seamers managed to make an impact, reducing Federal Areas to 64 for 3. Mohammad Khalil struck two early blows and then Aizaz Cheema chipped in with a third wicket. Federal Areas are second in the table, while Punjab are yet to pick up any points.The weather forecast in Lahore tomorrow is sunny with a chance of rain.

Souther Rocks’ seamers decimated Matabeleland Tuskers’s batting line-up in Harare, and took their team to a spot in the final of the MetBank Pro40 Championship

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Mar-2011
ScorecardSouthern Rocks’ seamers decimated Matabeleland Tuskers’s batting line-up in Harare, and took their team to a spot in the final of the MetBank Pro40 Championship. Left-armer Brian Vitori led the way with three early wickets, and Tuskers crashed to 94 all out. Michael Chinouya and Robertson Chinyengetere chipped in with two and three wickets each, before Vitori came back and completed his five-for to finish with a career-best 5 for 26 in his ninth limited-overs match.Tuskers never managed to string together any partnerships; the 27 runs between Bradley Staddon and Tawanda Mupariwa for the ninth wicket was their highest stand. Rocks made light work of the meagre target. Chamu Chibhabha scored 45 nout out and Craig Ervine, recently returned from the World Cup, got an unbeaten 35 as Rocks won by nine wickets.

Adrian Barath, the West Indies and Trinidad opening batsman, has said he hopes to be fit in time for West Indies’ home series against India

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2011Adrian Barath, the West Indies opening batsman, has said he hopes to be fit in time for West Indies’ home series against India after picking up a right hamstring injury just before the 2011 World Cup that caused him to miss the tournament.Barath has not played any competitive cricket since February but has been working on improving his fitness and technique while he recovers, something he believes will help him become a better player.”I am feeling much better and I have been training [with First Citizens Clarke Road United] and I feel fitter now than I ever was,” Barath told the . “I want to return to competitive cricket as soon as possible and hopefully I can return to international cricket for the India home series.”He admitted that injuries have set him back and that he was frustrated by the layoff but was optimistic he would come back stronger and fitter because his recovery period was being extended to ensure that the injury would not re-occur in the future.”I have been using the time to work on my fitness. As an international cricketer, fitness is very important so I want to be as fit as possible and I think that will auger well for me in the future.”The opener will make his return to competitive cricket this weekend in the Eastern Credit Union Premier Division, playing for Clarke Road United against T&TEC Sports at Point Lisas.”This game is going to be competitive and I am going to try my best to help Clarke Road move up the table. My personal aim is to occupy the crease. I have been batting in the nets a lot and I have been working on certain aspects of my game, both physically and technically. I got advice from various coaches. I have been training with my club and I am ready to play.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board has said it is awaiting clarification from legspinner Danish Kaneria regarding the investigation by Essex police last August over his alleged involvement in spot-fixing

ESPNcricinfo staff01-May-2011The Pakistan Cricket Board has said it is awaiting clarification from legspinner Danish Kaneria regarding the investigation by Essex police last August over his alleged involvement in spot-fixing. Kaneria was later released without charge, but he has been excluded from Pakistan’s squads since then.”We have been asking Danish to provide us with the statement he gave to the Essex police when he was under investigation in the spot-fixing scandal in county cricket last year,” an unnamed PCB official said. “But so far he has not provided us with the statement.”ESPNcricinfo understands, however, that the document the PCB requires is one Kaneria has told them he cannot provide as his involvement in the case is finished now. Kaneria, say sources close to the player, has tried getting in contact with the PCB repeatedly over the last month but to no avail.Kaneria has been ignored for international duty since the 2010 summer. He was one of three players – alongside Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik – who were summoned before the PCB’s inquiry committee in order to gain clearance to play for the country. Pakistan had delayed the announcement of their 30-man World Cup squad till January 5 to complete investigating the three players, but only Kamran was included in the preliminary list for the tournament.Kaneria was also in the original squad to play two Tests against South Africa in the UAE, but was told moments before he was about to leave for the airport that he hadn’t been cleared to play. He was also not given a new central contract by the PCB last month. Essex, meanwhile, named Lonwabo Tsotsobe as their overseas player for the current season, and left Kaneria out.Kaneria’s lawyer Steve Haurigan had previously blamed the PCB’s reluctance to clear Kaneria for his dwindling prospects with English county sides. “We want to know what objections the PCB have against Danish continuing to play? Because they haven’t told him or us what those objections are. They are blocking him playing not only in Pakistan for the Pakistan team but also obviously outside Pakistan. The effect of the PCB being reluctant to clear Danish is that the county sides in England who are willing and almost queuing up to sign up Danish are reluctant to do it, understandably because they are not sure what’s going on.”

Rahul Dravid has said the lack of experience in the Rajasthan Royals squad hampered the team’s performance but was confident of a better show in the next season

ESPNcricinfo staff18-May-2011Rahul Dravid has said the lack of experience in the Rajasthan Royals squad hampered the team’s performance but was confident of a better show in the next season. Rajasthan were top of the table midway through the season but four straight defeats have put them out of contention for a play-off spot.”Our side has got a little bit of inexperience,” Dravid said on Tuesday. “There are 10 teams and at the end of the day other teams probably had more experienced players in this competition.” While most of the other franchises picked up at least a dozen players in January’s auction of top cricketers, Rajasthan were content with buying only six players with international experience and building the squad with lesser-known Indians.Even a victory in Rajasthan’s final league match, against Mumbai Indians on Friday, won’t lift them above sixth spot. Dravid, though, said there were bright spots for Rajasthan in the campaign such as the performances of 20-year-old Ashok Menaria and 22-year-old Ajinkya Rahane.”We have some youngsters doing well for us. We can improve next year,” he said. “Happy to see some young players like Ajinkya Rahane and Ashok Menaria come through … they have shown a glimpse of what they can do. Rahane has done well for Mumbai in Ranji and domestic cricket while Menaria has done well for Rajasthan.”After the IPL, Dravid’s next engagement is the West Indies tour, with the Tests starting June 20. One of his career highlights was leading India to their first Test series win in the Caribbean in 35 years when they toured five years ago, and Dravid hoped the team could repeat that success.”We won the series there last time around, but I hope we will do better this time,” he said. “If the West Indies play their full strength side, they will be a tough team to beat. But it will be interesting to see if they have their full side.”

Allan Donald, the newly-appointed South Africa bowling coach, wants to create an attack that is “cocky and arrogant in all the right ways,” during his time with the national team

Firdose Moonda20-Jun-2011Allan Donald, the newly-appointed South Africa bowling coach, wants to create an attack that is “cocky and arrogant in all the right ways,” during his time with the national team. Donald, who retired from international cricket after the 2003 World Cup, believes that bowlers who don’t back down will be key to South Africa’s success in the future.”The training ground is meant to be the most hostile,” he told ESPNCricinfo. “That’s where it must all happen so when the captain goes in the match, he will be absolutely sure of what everyone can give him.” Donald aims to use net sessions to inject a match-day type of antagonism into the bowlers, similar to the one he had in his playing days.South Africa’s bowling attack can hardly be accused of a lack of aggression, especially after their performance at the 2011 World Cup. They were the only side to bowl out their opposition in all six of their group stage matches. The pace and swing of Dale Steyn combined with the bounce of Morne Morkel has earned them the reputation of being the most feared new ball pair in Test cricket. Donald said that although the two men were as “technically sound” as can be, mindset was something that could always be worked on, both with Steyn and Morkel and with the younger players coming through the ranks.”It starts with the A team. That’s where the message must get across so that the players aren’t scared and know what international cricket is about.” Donald’s first task as the bowling coach will be to travel with the A team to Zimbabwe later this week, where they will take part in an ODI tri-series which includes the hosts and Australia A. The trip means that Donald’s work will begin a month earlier than head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant Russell Domingo, who will report for duty on August 1, because of Donald’s desire to get to know the country’s bowlers.Despite having worked with England, the Mountaineers in Zimbabwe’s domestic competition, and most recently New Zealand, Donald has never coached in South Africa. He has watched some of the bowlers but wants to take the time to get to know them in order to “get into the psyche”.Most importantly, Donald wants to create an internal environment of competition, to ensure a strong of supply of players for the national team. “I want the younger guys to punch a hole into the line up and not just sit and wait for their turn.”Donald’s commitment to developing the best South African attack he can stems from his passion for the country he represented, the one he was willing to change his future plans for at short notice. He accepted the job of bowling coach on the eve of relocating his family and signing a two-year deal with New Zealand, who he had worked with since January and was involved with when they knocked South Africa out of the World Cup in March.Donald applied for the Australian bowling job, which Craig McDermott won, before recommitting New Zealand and has expressed his commitment to them. “We had just started to spark something there and I think the players were looking forward to what was going to happen. I had been in close contact with some of the guys during the IPL, like Brendon and Nathan McCullum.”Some of New Zealand’s players, including Jacob Oram, credited Donald with teaching them to be more aggressive and infusing them with self-belief. Even though he won’t be around to continue that work, Donald says he hopes to “stay good friends” with the players and administrators at New Zealand cricket.He singled out Tim Southee and stood by his statement that the 22-year-old would go on to become the best swing bowler in the world. Donald also added to his prediction, saying that Southee has the potential to become a genuine allrounder.”He is such a talented guy. We were working on some other variations to his bowling which I hope he develops. What people don’t know about him is that he can hit a cricket ball a very long way. He has the skills to become a very good allrounder.”

Australian Adam Voges struck a brilliant unbeaten century and Samit Patel took four wickets as Nottinghamshire eased to an important 21-run win over Glamorgan

31-Jul-2011
Scorecard
Australian Adam Voges struck a brilliant unbeaten century and Samit Patel took four wickets as Nottinghamshire eased to an important 21-run Clydesdale Bank 40 Group C win over Glamorgan.Voges scored 103 from 76 balls – with his second 50 coming off only 28 balls – out of the Outlaws’ 281 for 6 from their 40 overs. Despite opener Gareth Rees scoring a run-a-ball 90 Glamorgan could only make 260 for 8 in reply giving Nottinghamshire, who won the toss, their fifth victory of the campaign.Nottinghamshire’s platform was set by openers Alex Hales and Rikki Wessels who put 82 in the first opening 10 overs. Hales brought up his 50 in 35 balls with six fours and also hit two sixes in successive overs from Graham Wagg and Will Owen, but his innings was ended in unfortunate circumstances when he was run out at the non-striker’s end off Michael O’Shea’s fingertips.Two overs later Wessels holed out to Dean Cosker at long-on off O’Shea, but Patel and Voges proceeded to put on 74 in 15, overs both hitting Cosker for sixes over cover as the visitors reached 132 for two at the halfway stage. Voges went to 50 from 46 balls with five fours and a six, but not before he lost Patel who holed out to long-off.The visitors took the batting powerplay at 203 for 3 after 32 overs and it yielded 49 runs, helped by Scott Elstone striking successive sixes off Wagg. And even though Elstone was stumped off Cosker, the Outlaws managed to score 100 off the final 10 overs.With a chase of around seven an over, Glamorgan opted to open with Wagg as a pinch-hitter, but early on it was Rees who was the main aggressor in an opening stand of 70 in just under 13 overs.Rees, who already had two centuries to his name in the competition this season, lost Wagg and then skipper Alviro Petersen, but he twice struck Graeme White out of the ground as 18 came off an over on his way to 50 from 58 balls. He continued his onslaught over with further sixes from Mullaney and Paul Franks.Jim Allenby joined in with a six off Steven Mullaney before he found Hales at deep midwicket, ending a third-wicket stand of 66 in less than eight overs. But the Glamorgan middle order imploded as they lost four wickets in four overs for the addition of only 15 runs.The damage was done by Patel who celebrated a double-wicket maiden when he removed Chris Cooke and O’Shea with consecutive deliveries as Glamorgan subsided from 170 for 2 to 185 for 6.Patel struck again to remove Glamorgan’s main threat. Rees attempted to hit his fourth six over wide mid-wicket, but this time holed out to end Glamorgan’s chances. Patel finished with 4 for 37 from his eight overs.

Zimbabwe stormed to another easy victory against Bangladesh, with another commanding all-round performance giving them a 2-0 series lead

The Report by Firdose Moonda14-Aug-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsBrian Vitori made it ten wickets in his first two ODIs•Associated Press

Zimbabwe stormed to another easy victory against Bangladesh, with another commanding all-round performance giving them a 2-0 series lead. After Brian Vitori carved up the Bangladesh line-up, with his second ODI five-for in as many games, Vusi Sibanda built the foundation for the chase, before Tatenda Taibu’s half-century sealed the win.The hosts rectified their problem of losing too many wickets in the middle order and held firm where they could have wobbled. Bangladesh also made gains, although much smaller. They bowled with a little more consistency, although failing to find enough bite, and only managed to score four more runs than they did in the first ODI. Their batsmen failed to apply themselves and succumbed to poor shot selection against a particularly precise attack.Bangladesh started positively with Imrul Kayes pouncing on width from Chris Mpofu at the first opportunity. But the encouraging start proved to be a false dawn as Vitori’s golden arm struck again. He bowled his usual tight line and was rewarded with his fifth ball, when Tamim Iqbal tried to smack him through point without moving his feet, gifting Ray Price a catch at first slip.Mushfiqur Rahim was promoted to No. 3 in an attempt to repair the early damage, but the experiment failed. One ball short of completing five measured overs at the crease, he mistimed a pull to be caught at square leg. Instead of consolidating, Kayes followed Mushfiqur, trying to force a length delivery through extra cover, and offering Hamilton Masakadza a simple catch.Shahriar Nafees was dropped in the slips off the next ball, giving Bangladesh a bit of a lifeline. But Nafees and Mohammad Ashraful withdrew into their shells as the run-rate stagnated though they managed to see off Mpofu’s bounce and Vitori’s movement, before Prosper Utseya provided respite. Elton Chigumbura’s introduction offered them the ideal opportunity to forge forward, but instead, they regressed.Nafees gave his wicket away, to the fielder extra cover, and in Chigumbura’s next over, Ashraful, who had displayed real patience, gave up. He hung his bat out to a wide delivery and got an edge through to Taibu. The wicketkeeper snapped up his second catch when Mahmudullah misread the line from Utseya and played for turn that wasn’t there.At 58 for 6, Bangladesh were in a familiar mess, having slumped to 43 for 5 in the previous game. Shakib Al Hasan found an unlikely but welcome partner in debutant Nasir, who had a good tour of South Africa with the A side in April. Nasir showed the maturity that those before him should have employed. His handling of the short ball, and execution of the pull shot against Mpofu were of particular distinction.Shakib’s ability to come to Bangladesh’s rescue is well documented and the captain’s efforts were, once again, praise-worthy. His fault is that he hasn’t been able to convert his starts into bigger scores and he stumbled again when Vitori returned for his second spell. Nasir was the senior partner in his time at the crease with the captain and continued in that vein when he was joined by Abdur Razzak.Their partnership flourished at a run-rate of over six, with both application and assurance against the spinners. They found themselves needing to accelerate when Vitori returned for a third spell. Nasir took him on, but lofted straight to the fielder at long-on.Vitori’s dream introduction to the international arena continued with another stunning effort when he bowled Razzak with a full delivery. Bangladesh’s innings ended limply when Rubel Hossain was run out, 15 balls short of their allotted 50 overs.Bangladesh’s effort in the field was a little more promising. Shafiul Islam struck early, removing Taylor in his second over, inducing him to push outside off stump. The ball took the edge and was dying on Nafees at second slip, who completed a good catch.The early breakthrough gave Bangladesh something to work with, but as was the case in the first ODI, they were unable to maintain pressure, although their use of the new ball was markedly better. Abdur Razzak, however, had less success with his left-arm spin, with Sibanda using his feet well against him.Shakib and Mahmudullah operated in tandem with better results, managing to squeeze and force the batsmen to work them around the field. Sibanda and Masakadza were up for the task and found the gaps without needing to play a shot in anger.Shakib could have had Masakadza stumped when he was on 30 but Mushfiqur could not collect the ball. Mahmudullah ensured that the team only paid eight runs for their error. He lured Masakadza forward by tossing it up, and made him play for turn that wasn’t there. Mushfiqur didn’t repeat his mistake and took the bails off.Sibanda struggled at times against the short ball, but his mistimed pulls did not cost him and his driving remained impressive. His half-century came up with a lofted shot over Shafiul’s head. Taibu took eight balls to get off the mark but when he did, with a single, it opened the floodgates and his next scoring shot was a six over extra-cover.Rubel was only given two overs and even Ashraful was allowed to turn his arm. He dismissed Sibanda, who was stumped after going too far down the track. Taibu took his time when he needed to, but showed off the footwork that he is renowned for, taking on the spinners and playing a dominant role in his partnership with Craig Ervine.Taibu was dropped at deep midwicket on 46, a wicket that would have made no difference to the result, but it was fitting that he was there at the end. His exquisite pull off Ashraful took Zimbabwe home with 35 balls remaining.