Tendulkar’s legs shivered facing Shoaib Akhtar: Afridi

 Afridi said Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was scared of his pace, saying that he was a witness of “Tendulkar s legs shivering” in front of the Rawalpindi Express.

In his book, Controversially Yours, Akhtar wrote that Tendulkar was scared of his bowling, a comment that has caused furore across the border, forcing publishers to cancel all launch-related and publicity events.

When asked about Akhtar’s claims in his book, Afridi showed no hesitation in backing the former speedster.

“Shoaib is telling the truth. Tendulkar was afraid of him, and while fielding, I saw Tendulkar’s legs shivering while facing his bowling,” Afridi said.

However, the all-rounder added that it was not an unusual feature of a batsman.

“There are times when every batsman feels the pressure, it happens against Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal even,” said Afridi.

The former captain, however, was critical of Akhtar’s comments blaming Afridi for his omission from the 2011 ICC World Cup semi-final squad against India.

“Shoaib should remember that I apologised to the chairman and manager on his behalf and got him back into the national squad. While he hasn’t lied about other things, he won’t be able to look at me in the eyes after he’s said all that,” Afridi said.

Caribbean Tour: Pakistan beat West Indies by 8 wickets in first ODI

Pakistan chased a target of 222 runs to beat the West Indies in the first one day match. The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first in the first match against Pakistan at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.

The West Indies scored 221 runs at the loss of six wickets in the 50 overs. Dwayne Bravo was the highest scorer for West Indies with 67 runs, Lendl Simmons Scored 24 runs while Darren Sammy was not out at 29 runs. For Pakistan, Wahab Riaz took two wickets, Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad

Hafeez took one wicket each while two batsmen were runout.
Pakistan chased the target in 41.3 overs at the loss of just two wickets. Muhammad Hafeez scored 54, Ahmed Shahzad scored 22, Asad Shaifq scored 61 while Misbah was the highest run scorer in the match with 73 runs. West Indian leg spinner, Devendra Bishoo took both the wickets.

Muhammad Hafeez won the man of the match award for his all round performance.

The next match will be played on April 25 at the Beausejour Stadium, in St Lucia.

Squad for NZ series to be announced today

Squad for New Zealand cricket series would be announced on Tuesday (today) while the training camp would commence on Dec 8 in Lahore, News Trends reported.

The players who are likely to be placed in the 19-member team are: Misbah-ul-Haq, Tanveer Ahmed, Umar Gul, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal, Younus Khan, Asad Sahfique, Tofeeq Umar, Muhammad Hafeez, Shahzeb Hassan, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Muhammad Yousuf. Kamran Akmal could have been dropped from the team.

Hafeez and Umar give Pakistan flying start

DUBAI: Mohammed Hafeez’s half-century guided Pakistan to 144 for two in reply to South Africa’s first innings 380 on the second day of the first test on Saturday.

Opener Hafeez slammed a rapid 60 off 89 balls as Pakistan ended the day 236 runs behind.

Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar (42) put on 105 for the first wicket after taking advantage of some wayward new-ball bowling from Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

The duo brought up the 50 at a run-a-ball but were more circumspect after that.

Hafeez was the first to depart when he was caught at mid-on off left-arm spinner Paul Harris. Umar fell six runs later when he was trapped leg before by Morkel.

Earlier, South Africa’s first innings ended 26 minutes after lunch when off-spinner Saeed Ajmal trapped Morkel leg before for 10.

Swing bowler Umar Gul picked up three for 100 while left-arm spinner

Gul leads Pakistan Test fightback against S.Africa

DUBAI: Paceman Umar Gul led Pakistan’s revival with a three quick wickets as South Africa were restricted to 365-9 at lunch on the second day of the first Test on Saturday.

Gul claimed three scalps in 20 balls to help Pakistan take six wickets for 54 runs in the morning session when it seemed South Africa were set to post a big first-innings total on a seemingly flat Dubai Stadium pitch.

Pakistan, who had to pull out experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf minutes before the toss on Friday, also lost paceman Wahab Riaz because of a side strain which will prevent him from bowling in the innings.

Gul (3-92) led the attack admirably and was well supported by spinners Abdul Rehman (3-101) and Saeed Ajmal (1-88). Ajmal dismissed a well-set Jacques Kallis, caught behind by debutant wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal for 73.

Akmal was called up to replace Zulqarnain

Gul sparks South Africa collapse

DUBAI: Paceman Umar Gul produced an inspired spell of bowling as South Africa collapsed to 365 for nine at lunch on the second day of the first test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

During the morning session Gul served up a spell of 3-19 off 8.3 overs as the Proteas suffered a middle-order collapse that saw them lose seven wickets for the addition of just 56 runs.

Gul maintained an excellent line just outside the off stump while he extracted just enough seam movement to trouble the batsmen as he ended the session with figures of 3-92.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal chipped in with a wicket while left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman claimed two wickets towards the end of the session as the Proteas threw away the advantage that

they had built up on the first day.

Pakistan’s performance in the field was made all the

South Africa elects to bat first against Pakistan

Staff Report

DUBAI: South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat first in the fourth One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan at Sports City Stadium in Dubai.

South Africa leads the 5-match series 2-1.

Pakistan must win today’s encounter to keep the series alive.

“Our morale is very high after showing good performance in the last two matches,” skipper Shahid Afridi told journalists before the match.

“We are confident of squaring the series.”

According to team sources, Pakistan is likely to field left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman in place of Saeed Ajmal, who has so far struggled to make any impact. Trend Pk

Pakistan, South Africa clash in 4th ODI today

Staff Report

DUBAI: Pakistan will take on South Africa in the fourth One Day International (ODI) at Sports City Stadium in Dubai today (Friday).

South Africa leads the 5-match series 2-1.

Pakistan must win today’s encounter to keep the series alive.

“Our morale is very high after showing good performance in the last two matches,” skipper Shahid Afridi told journalists.

“We are confident of squaring the series.”

According to team sources, Pakistan is likely to field left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman in place of Saeed Ajmal, who has so far struggled to make any impact. Trend Pk

Pakistan win toss and bat in second Twenty20

ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat in the second and final Twenty20 match against South Africa at the Abu Dhabi Stadium here on Wednesday.

Both teams made no changes from the sides which played the first Twenty20 here on Tuesday, a match South Africa won by six wickets.

The two teams also play five one-day internationals and two Tests in the series shifted to the United Arab Emirates due to security fears in Pakistan.

The first one-dayer will be played here on Friday.

Teams:

Pakistan

Shahid Afridi (capt), Shahzaib Hasan, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Zulqarnain Haider, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar

South Africa

Johan Botha (capt), Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Albie Morkel,

Misbah Ul Haq Back in Pakistan Team

Pakistan has announced 15 men team for the series of ODI and T-20 against South Africa. Pakistan is schedule to play home series against South Africa in Dubai. The strange thing is this that Pakistan team is announced with any decision about the captain and vice captain. Shahid Afridi who was captain of Pakistan team in the previous series is still not named as captain. Intakhab Alam is name as Pakistani manager.

Misbah Ul Haq is back in Pakistan team. There are some rumors that may be he will be name as captain of Pakistan team. Selectors and managers had a long meeting along with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and after that it is decided that team will be name without captain name and it will be announced later. Misbah was dropped after the Australian tour.

Kamaran Akmal is also not with team as he had some surgery and will not be a part of Pakistan team. Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik still not get any place in Pakistan team and they are still out. There was some news that may be Younis will make his return but so far he is not selected in Pakistan team.

Pakistan team consists of Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman,  Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul RazzaqShoaib Akhtar, Tanveer Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq and Zulqarnain Haider (wk).

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