Gibbs ton sets up SA series win over Aussies

Herschelle Gibbs made an emotional return to form as he hit a century which set up a series win for South Africa in the fourth one-day international at St George's Park on Monday.South Africa won by 61 runs to take a winning 3-1 lead in the five-match series. It was South Africa's third successive one-day series triumph against Australia and ensured they would retain their world number one ranking in one-day cricket.Gibbs hit 110 as South Africa made 317 for six after being sent in to bat on a slow pitch.Australia made a good start in reply, with Brad Haddin (78) and Michael Clarke (50) putting on 129 for the first wicket. But their innings lost momentum against the slow bowling of Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) and Johan Botha (one for 48).Fast bowler Dale Steyn took four for 44 to wreck the bottom half of the Australian innings as the tourists were bowled out for 256.Gibbs and AB de Villiers (84) put on 136 off 123 balls for South Africa's third wicket in a partnership filled with sparkling strokes and audacious running between wickets.When he reached his 21st one-day international century Gibbs acknowledged the crowd then sank to his haunches and appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.Ponting's decision to send South Africa in to bat in a must-win game for Australia was influenced by a good record for teams batting second on the small Port Elizabeth ground, including a successful chase by Australia, who were set to make 327 in 2001/02.Australia had won four out of five previous matches against South Africa at the ground.Haddin raced to a half-century off 41 balls as he and Clarke gave Australia an ideal start.Haddin appeared to target Johan Botha, the off-spinner who has bowled economically in two series against Australia, hitting two sixes in Botha's first over, which cost 14 runs.Botha was taken off and was hit for another six by Haddin when he returned four overs later. But in trying to hit another ball out of the ground he lofted a catch to long-on.Van der Merwe took the next three wickets with his left-arm spin as the required rate climbed rapidly.Ponting hit four boundaries off Steyn in the first over of a batting power play in the 41st over but hit the last ball to midwicket to be out for 53, effectively ending his team's hopes..

Younis urges Pakistan to be positive vs Australia

DUBAI (Reuters) - Pakistan skipper Younis Khan wants his players to stay positive and cash in on being fresher than Australia in their five-match one-day series in the United Arab Emirates from April 22.Pakistan have been forced to play their home series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with security concerns at home heightened after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore on March 3.Pakistan did not play any home test last year as teams refused to tour due to safety fears and have not played international cricket since six Sri Lankan players were injured in the ambush while being driven to the stadium for the third day of the second test."It was really tough for the Sri Lankans," Younis told reporters on Tuesday. "They are still suffering from the trauma. We're also shocked because our bus was just 500 metres behind them. This is tragic for cricket and tragic for sports."Australia will arrive in the UAE having lost the one-day series to South Africa.Hosts South Africa lead 3-1 in the series with the final game to be played on Friday.Skipper Ricky Ponting, batsman Mike Hussey and in-form paceman Mitchell Johnson have also been rested to give them a deserved break..

Pity Warne's class is lost to Australia

EVERYONE thought the last word had been written about Shane Warne, the great competitor, the old rogue.But there he was, larger than life, fitter than usual, wheeling away in the nets, encouraging his players, calling out "drop and run" and towards the end of a long net session in baking sunshine, urging them to keep going.Rajasthan Royals, his team, has made its base camp in Cape Town and under the ageing leg-spinner's stewardship was preparing for a few friendlies and then the start of the IPL season on Saturday. The Royals are the surprise title holders and determined to defy the odds a second time. And Warne is their brain and their heartbeat. The previous night he had told the players to be unselfish, for its own sake and because "no one takes any notice of losing sides.

Shoaib Akhtar:Pakistan can Easily beat Australia:

LAHORE: Pakistan’s world renowned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said that by defeating Australia in UAE, Pakistan can prove themselves the best team in the world.Shoaib Akhtar said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has reposed its confidence in him and he would make all out efforts to get Pakistan win the series against Australia.Talking with media in Lahore, Shoaib Akhtar said that the Pakistan-Australia ODI series would be a difficult series because grounds in Dubai are above sand. This is why the board has decided to take the team to Dubai early enabling the players to adjust themselves to the conditions.Shoaib Akhtar further said that the absence of star Australian players would make a difference but despite this fact their batting line-up is very strong and if Pakistanis bowl well then Australia can be defeated.

Younis predicts clean sweep for Pakistan

Lahore: Pakistan captain Younus Khan has said that his team would beat Australia 5-0 in the forthcoming one day international series in the UAE.Talking to reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium here, Khan, while replying to a question said: "No doubt it will be 5-0, but in favour of Pakistan."He admitted that Pakistan has not played much international cricket in recent times, and it could affect its performance in the series.Khan, however, said his team was capable of handing out surprises."Remember how Pakistan defeated England in 2005, which came here after beating Australia in the Ashes series," The Dawn quoted Khan, as saying.When enquired about Shoaib Akhtar’s slack performance in the ongoing training camp, he said it was not the right platform to judge a player like his caliber."One should watch Akhtar in the match as that was the real platform to examine the performance of a player," Khan added.Replying to a question about suggesting Akhtar about his role in the team, Khan said: "Who am I to give him advice, he is not a child and knows very well what the team expects from him.""Shoaib is also duty bound to play for the country and the team and not for himself. I feel no difference between Shoaib Akhtar and upcoming Ahmad Shahzad as far as performance of a player is concerned," he added.Khan said he would have liked to perform against a full strength Australian team.Australia has rested their three top players Ricky Ponting, M Hussey and Mitchell Johnson for the five match series..

ICC watching Fast Bowler Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar (in AFP photo) can be targeted by the International Cricket Council if it opts for random dope tests during a one-day series between Pakistan and Australia starting in Dubai on 22 April. According to the media reports today, some cricketers featuring in the series can be asked to undergo the tests. Shoaib tested positive for nandrolone during the 2006 Champions Trophy in India. He has been mostly out of international action since then owing either to injury or suspension. He made a stunning comeback to the Pakistan team for the series against the Aussies after a series of fitness tests. The reports suggested he might find himself in trouble.

Shoaib Malik's tenure extended as captain.

Shoaib Malik's tenure is extended as captain of Pakistan`s cricket team.Pakistan cricket board confirms.Malik's style of captaincy has been criticised by several former players including ex-captains Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and even Intikhab Alam prior to his appointment as coach of the team.His reign began with a string of losses but improved performances and better relations with Alam and his team-mates has paved the way for him to remain in charge and Ijaz Butt,chairman Pakistan Cricket Board ,said: "Shoaib Malik will remain as the Pakistan captain as long as he continues to deliver."He added: "I believe that he has done a good job in recent times." Where as Pakistan's newly appointed chief selector Abdul Qadir has a strong opinion, and often misfires something which is either totally against the policies of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or unacceptable in the local culture.Qadir has strongly opposed the idea of retaining Shoaib Malik as captain for both Tests and one-day cricket, saying he respects PCB chairman Ijaz Butt's view, but still feel that there should be separate captains for Tests and ODIs..

Cricket should be free from politics-Yousuf

Karachi:Pakistan`s banned batsman,Muhammad Yousuf is very Disappointed after India cancelled its Pakistan tour after the Mumbai terror attacks, Yousuf, who has been banned after joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), said nothing really can match the excitement and euphoria that surround an Indo-Pak contest.He said that Sports and politics should be kept apart and cricket would be poorer without Indo-Pak contests."I just think both countries need to keep sports and politics apart. I would hope they would soon start working on resuming sporting ties and allowing bilateral cricket matches, because the cricket world needs to have Indo-Pak contests," Yousuf said.Yousuf also refused to buy the argument that an Indo-Australian series has now replaced an Indo-Pak contest as the most intense cricketing battle."Tell me was there a bigger series then when India toured Pakistan in 2004? Cricket does not get bigger than that," he argued.

Noting India's recent string of extraordinary performances, Yousuf said as a player, he saw playing India at present as a big challenge. "Playing India has always been a high point for me," said the right-hander.Yousuf, however, was happy that Sri Lanka has finally agreed to come and play a full series here."It will be a close contest against them and Pakistan should win as it has a very good team with good performers. But negating the wicket taking abilities of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis will be the key to the outcome of the series," Yousuf said.

India will not tour Pakistan, says former Pakistan Cricket Board boss

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A former head of the Pakistan Cricket Board says he expects India to pull out of next year's tour due to security concerns."I don't think India will come because the (security) conditions are not good for international cricket (in Pakistan)," Tauqir Zia said Friday on private Geo Television."It will be a big setback for Pakistan cricket, but they should be prepared for this."India is scheduled to tour Pakistan from Jan. 4 for three Tests and five one-day internationals.Zia also said he doubts that Pakistan will host the already postponed Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament next year."What (is there) to talk about the Champions Trophy? I doubt even India will come," he said.Rawalpindi - which was ruled out as a Champions Trophy venue this year for security reasons - was named as the host of one of the Tests and a one-day international against India.A powerful bomb blast left 53 dead and hundreds injured Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in the capital Islamabad, which is adjacent to Rawalpindi.The PCB has admitted that the itinerary for the India tour was finalized before the blast at the Marriott, where teams normally stay during international matches. The Indian team stayed at the Marriott Hotel during its previous visit to Pakistan in 2004.Top international teams have avoided touring Pakistan this year with Australia postponing its scheduled visit until 2009.The International Cricket Council postponed the biennial Champions Trophy until Sept.-Oct. 2009 after England, New Zealand, South Africa and defending champion Australia refused to participate due to security concerns.Pakistan has not played a Test match this year, but has invited the West Indies for two Tests in November - shortly after both teams play three one-day internationals at Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The West Indies has not confirmed it will play the Test matches against Pakistan. .

Younis Khan will shine at South Australia:

Pakistan`s 30-year-old batsman Younis Khan will leave early next month to play for South Australia in their domestic season.Younis khan has decided to leave the domestic Twenty20 championship beginning on October 4 in Lahore and is doubtful for the international Twenty20 event in Toronto which also features Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Canada. "Younis has taken clearance from the board before he signed his contract with South Australia," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations for the Pakistan board said."He is due to leave soon. But he has to make himself available for national duty when he is required," Zakir Khan said.Younis will be the only top player missing from the Twenty20 domestic championship which will feature all the Pakistan players including fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who has been given permission to play by