CHAMPIONS TROPHY LIVE SCORES AND FIXTURES

Champions Trophy Shifted to next year

2008-08-25T07:43:00.001-07:00

Champions Trophy 2008 will be held in 2009 -- ICC's decesion

Champions Trophy has been postponed to next year ie 2009. ICC tele conference held on sunday reached at the conclusion after shifting the tournament to October 2009,ICC chieff executive said while exexcutively talking to media.As far as PCB attitude towards this decesion is considered PCB was well prepared after the two bomb blasts at POF and one before at Lahore.Furthermore PCB is confident that they will not let the time go this way.They will try arranging some matches in upcoming month(s).However it is a gread sad back to cricket itself apart from the country cricket.Before the bomb blasts at POF it was expexted that Champions Trophy will held in Pakistan but 2 blasts at POF were the last nails in the coffin and thereby the ICC's decesion.We hope to see some other international tournaments in coming month.

India Backed Pakistan---Champions Trophy Venue

2008-08-22T02:52:00.000-07:00

INDIA SUPPORTS PAKISTAN'S POINT OF VIEW

There can be serious pull-out from both the countries if venue is changed

Both India and Pakistan hae hardened thier positions on the tournament which is scheduled to start from 12th of September.Both the countries have opined the cancellation of the tournament otherwise and furthermore ICC was informed this in the Wednesday meeting.It is expexted that fate of the Champions Trophy venue shall be finalled by Sunday-24th Aug in any case.ICC will not be playing delaying tactics anymore.However,in case,if venue is changed there can be serious pull-outs from both the countries.
The situation will be cleared after a telephonic conference on Sunday.

Champions Trophy Venue

2008-08-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

FINAL DECESION IS EXPECTED ON SUNDAY

ICC will hook-up on telephone video conference in which the final decesion about Champions Trophy is expected.The task team of International Cricket Council had already visited New Zealand,Australia and England with Lawson and failed ro convince them on the security issue.Top officials of ICC had met on wednesday to discuss the Champions Trophy in detail and are about to take a final decesion on Sunday.Even though the players from NL,SA,AU and ENG had shown unwillingness but they have to respect the ICC's final decesion in any case.PCB is still confident that venue will remain the same and no security concerns left.

Champions Trophy Venue

2008-08-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

Security threads and doubts are beyond the logic

PCB is now somewhat rigid in its approach which so is the requirement of the time now.Unwilingness of Australian players,Kiwis and the english players has really frustrated Pakistan Cricket Board which has now demanded a suitable logic for security concerns.ICC delegation arrived here in Monday and revisited Bagh-e-Jinnah Lahore to ensure a suitable security.The PCB is particularly unhappy for it feels the more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the situation is provided by Nicholls-Steyn, security consultants hired by the ICC who have been analysing the ground situation in Pakistan for several months. The appointment of the firm itself was a recommendation of an earlier ICC security assessment, the Janusian report, carried out in the first week of June.

An increasingly exasperated Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has questioned the wisdom behind the ACA's decision and particularly the information on which it was based. "All we can do logically about the situation, we have done," Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer told Cricinfo. "This is now beyond logic. If they are haunted by horror stories there is little more we can do.

The decision shall be given within few hours.However ICC has confirmed that we could not shift the championstrophy venue but we would see if it can be delayed.

Doubts prevailing over Shoaib Akhtar

2008-08-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

Shoaib Akhtar to pay the fine to get into the team

A penalty of RS:7M/US%:105,000 has been combined with the inclusion of his name in final 11 squad.According to PCB lawyer Tafazzul it is no where mentioned in High Court decision that the penalty has been waved off.PCB has given him the ultimatum and warned him unless and until he could pay we can not get him fully back.

ICC can still swith Champion Trophy VENUE

2008-08-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

After failing to convince and persuade the players ICC has still some intentions to shift the Champions Trophy venue.They also added that the decision should not take more than 2-3 days,we stil are running short of time.ICC delegation met with James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive, Paul Marsh, the head of the Australian Cricketers' Association, and Australia's captain and vice captain Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke and conclude,
"If we're going to relocate now it needs to be made within the next few days. Operationally it would be difficult, but it's certainly not an option that would be discarded at this point and it could be relocated."
ICC would be holding meetings with players of SA and ENG and much depends on thier reaction.

SA Team Squad

2008-08-15T04:47:00.000-07:00

15-man South African team squad for Champions Trophy

Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Ontong, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn

INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL

2008-08-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

ICC failed to convince New Zealand

A delegation led by ICC visited New Zealand with Pakistan Cricket coach Lawson inorder to talk and convice Kiwis on security concerns.A lenghthy and animated conference was held at New Zealand in which many security issues regarding Champions Trophy were discussed in detail.22 Kiwi players in addition to some officials attended the meeting.But as expected all the efforts went in vain and thier priority is still the security which actualli is no more an issue now.

The executive manager of the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association, Heath Mills has still some security problems and thereby may not be reccommending the Kiwis to go to Pakistan for the champions trophy.It is worthmentioning here that over the same issue Australia did not visit Pakistan recently.We expected to see the same response when delegation arrives Australia.

ICC looking forward to convince the players

2008-08-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

ICC have no security concerns

After having visited Pakistan ICC has cleared all doubts which were patroling in the international cricket after the bomb blasts in Karachi and in Ialamabad.It is a great relieve for Pakistan that all the security concern no longer exists and Pakistani cricket fans will be able to buck up thier players right in the stadium.Whereas SA and NL have still security concerns basically due to thier narrow mindedness and unjustice.However ICC task forces will be making thier tours to problem creating countries inorder to cinvince them for the champions trophy.

A group led by Lorgat will go to England early next week while David Richardson, the ICC's general manager of cricket, will head meetings in New Zealand on Thursday and Australia on Friday. Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations, and Geoff Lawson, the Pakistan coach, will travel with Richardson.

Though the ICC is satisfied with the security measures in place - Rawalpindi has been dropped from the schedule, leaving Karachi and Lahore as the only venues - transporting that confidence on to reluctant players will be the big job. "The first thing we should look at is what we can do," Lorgat said. "What we will try and do is convey the type of confidence we have in the measures that are in place, hence why we will go to member countries to convince them.

"You've got to remember that, unfortunately, they sit far away and they've not been to Pakistan. They might not share the sentiment that we do and it would be good of us to go and explain to them exactly what measures are in place and raise their levels of confidence. Some of us who've been here feel satisfied with the security measures. If we can convince them, then there is no issue."

Letz hope for the best.

15-MAN PAKISTANI SQUAD

2008-08-12T23:30:00.000-07:00

The possible pakistani squad for Champions trophy according to the PCB official is
Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Bazid Khan, Khalid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Iftikhar Anjum, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal

SHOAIB AKHTAR,KAMRAN,AFRIDI

2008-08-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

SHOAIB BACK IN CRICKET

Shoaib Akhtar is back in cricket after being named in 15 Pakistani squad for Champions trophy.The inclusion became inevitable only recently after various, protracted legal battles were semi-won and other fast bowlers suffered injuries or became embroiled in doping scandals; it is remarkable because only in April was he banned for five years by the board, his career seemingly over."We held two trial matches where Akhtar proved his fitness and he is willing to return and since he is determined he is an asset for Pakistan," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told a news conference.As ever,Shoaib is still in head lines but this time in a positive manner.

AFRIDI,UMER GUL AND AKMAL BACK IN CHAMPIONS TROPHY

Shahid Afridi is included in the 15-man squad for champions trophy starting from 12 september this year even after unsatisfactory performance given in the Asia cup.Hope this time he gets runs.Whereas Umer Gul has recovered from the injury and is ready to play the series.Kamran Akmal after proving himself weak in stumping behind the wickets is again included for champions trophy 2008.

PREPARATION FOR THE PRACISE MATCH

2008-08-06T00:45:00.000-07:00

Due to heavy rains here in this week Qadafi and National Stadium seems to look like a pond.And the practise matches to be played here are delayed.It is further mentioned that some striking players are not participating in these matches due to injuries.Shahid Afridi has got some problem in his elbow and doctor has suggested him some week rest.Whereas Umer Gul has gradually started hids practise.PCB has announced new dates for practise matches.Shoib Akhtar is fit and available for the team.PCB needs to prepare the team list by 11th of AUGUST.

ENGLAND VS SOUTH AFRICA,3RD TEST

2008-07-30T09:16:00.001-07:00

Andre Nel proved himself a more than capable replacement for Dale Steyn with three wickets on the opening day at Edgbaston as England reached tea in trouble on 173 for 6. He broke through an opening stand of 68 and also bagged Michael Vaughan first ball, while Jacques Kallis chipped in with the vital wicket of Kevin Pietersen and the out-of-form Paul Collingwood. England's problems worsened moments before tea when Ian Bell edged behind for 50.

England's inconsistent top order has again left them chasing the game and even with their extended batting line-up - Andrew Flintoff at No. 7 and Tim Ambrose at No. 8 - they are a long way short on a fairly docile surface. Alastair Cook's 76 provided some ballast and Bell was in the process of constructing a solid innings during the afternoon with a fifty off 94 balls, but they couldn't build anything more substantial. The pair were stabilising the innings following a pre-lunch wobble off 3 for 6, with a fourth-wicket stand of 62, before Nel's third invention handed the momentum back to South Africa.

Coming around the wicket, he brought an indeterminate poke from Cook, who was given a bit of send-off - although Nel will no doubt blame 'Gunther'. The pressure was on the returning Collingwood who took half an hour to open his account and it was of little surprise when he edged Kallis to first slip 20 minutes before tea. It was a shot that showed his complete lack of form, trying to turn a good length ball on off stump through midwicket. Makhaya Ntini, who was the least impressive of the attack, then found Bell's outside edge in the penultimate over before tea to leave England starring at another mediocre total.

Nel's return to the Test arena was always unlikely to be quiet affair and he was kept waiting as the new ball was handed to Morne Morkel and Ntini. He benefited from an ounce of luck, but provided plenty of hostility. It was an innocuous ball which started England's demise, which Andrew Strauss nudged off his hip, but in the process the right foot went into the base of middle stump. Next delivery Vaughan, with just 23 runs in the series, was drawn onto the front foot as the ball zipped past the edge. Mark Boucher barely appealed, but Nel and the slips went up and so did Aleem Dar's finger. Vaughan could hardly believe it, but his troubled times continued.

Kevin Pietersen bristled with intent early on, but got himself in a tangle against Kallis when he tried to flick him from outside off through the leg side. He was struck in line with off stump and the ball ballooned to Ashwell Prince at point. Steve Davis gave Pietersen out and signalled that it was for the catch. Pietersen looked bemused, and replays showed there wasn't an edge, but that the lbw shout was pretty adjacent.

Cook was England's main provider, but it was further frustration that he failed to build on another half-century. At Lord's and Headingley he reached the 60s and here made it has far as 76 before edging Nel, with Kallis holding a superb catch low to his left. Cook had never looked entirely comfortable during his stay, especially against Morkel's first spell when he was regularly beaten outside off. However, when the bowlers dropped short Cook pounced, twice pulling Nel through wicket and also cutting strongly.

Until Nel's intervention it had been a quiet start to the Test, oddly so for Edgbaston which is normally the most patriotic of English venues but today - perhaps because of the Wednesday start - was only about a third full. Ntini, who showed signs of improvement at Headingley, struggled for rhythm during his first spell and couldn't push the speed-gun past the low 80s. There was too much for Strauss and Cook to leave and a tendency to drop short allowed the openers to sit on the back foot.

The bowlers' frustrations grew as the outside edge was found, but nicks either went between the slips or landed short. Cook almost toe-ended a pull to point and Nel tried his best to squeeze a yorker through both batsmen. England were looking settled, but not for the first time appearances proved deceptive and South Africa have made a strong start towards their aim of sewing up the series

Asif trying to hire English medical expert

2008-07-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Muhammad Asif -- Dope Test

Pakistani fast bowler is trying to get the services of Dr. Garaham Durban after being tested positive in dope test during the IPL."Nothing is final as yet," Shahid Karim, Asif's lawyer, told Dawn. "But we are holding talks to secure the services of Dr Durgan." Asif had also tried to hire Mark Gay, who is an anti-doping expert, but didn't receive a response from the British lawyer.

Asif had asked for the B sample test, which was scheduled for July 28 at a World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratory in Switzerland, to be postponed in order to give him time to prepare his case and make travel arrangements. Karim said that they had sent two requests for postponement to the IPL, who hadn't accepted or rejected the request.

The IPL doping case is not the only cloud currently hovering over Asif. His 19-day detention in Dubai for allegedly carrying a banned substance is also the subject of a separate inquiry within the Pakistan board. Reports from Dubai authorities on the matter have finally been received by the PCB and Asif has been asked to attend a hearing in Lahore on Thursday.

ICC TO HOLD TELECONFERENCE

2008-07-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

Pakistan verdict on thursday

ICC will be taking desecion on this thursday about the Champions Trophy.An ICC spokesperson said that ICC executive board will holding teleconferencing as to decide whether Pakistan to go head hosting the Champions Trophy or to change the venue.

But chances for Pakistan is still 50-50 as some players from New Zealand,South Africa and Australia have security concerns in Pakistan

New Zealand

2008-07-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

New Zealand might not be at full strength

New Zealand seems to be lacking confident in visiting Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.There are already reports suggesting a full-strength New Zealand team is unlikely for the tournament.

Mills declared while leaving from Dubai said that there could be pullouts even if ICC declared Pakistan as an host for Champions Trophy.Jacob Oram and Vettori are also unwilling on security reasons.Pakistan on other hand trying her level best to settle the issue as soon as possible with Pakistan remain host for the upcoming series.

50-50 CHANCE

2008-07-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

Less Hopes for Pakistan to host the CHAMPION'S TROPHY

An official who attended the ICC meeting said that there's remained only 50-50 chance for Pakistan to host the upcoming Champions Trophy likely to held in the september this year.It is worth-mentioning here that after the successful arramgement of Asia cup 2008 in Pakistan,Champions Trophy was not the issue at all but the successive bomb blast in Karachi and in Islamabad led the Champions Trophy away from Pakistan.

ICC will be deciding in 72 hrs time about the Champions Trophy after the sunday's security briefing.The ICC said in an official statement that "until or unless the board decides otherwise, the tournament will proceed in Pakistan." Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, later told reporters that Sri Lanka remains the alternate venue.

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FIXTURES

2008-07-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

CHAMPION'S TROPHY MATCH SCHEDULE

Thu 11 Group A - Pakistan v West Indies
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Fri 12 Group B - New Zealand v Sri Lanka
National Stadium, Karachi

Sat 13 Group A - Australia v India
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Sun 14 Group B - England v Sri Lanka
National Stadium, Karachi

Mon 15 Group B - South Africa v New Zealand
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Tue 16 Group A - India v West Indies
National Stadium, Karachi

Wed 17 Group A - Pakistan v Australia
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Thu 18 Group B - South Africa v Sri Lanka
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Fri 19 Group B - England v New Zealand
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Sat 20 Group A - Pakistan v India
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Sun 21 Group A - Australia v West Indies
National Stadium, Karachi

Sun 21 Group B - England v South Africa
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Wed 24 1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
National Stadium, Karachi

Thu 25 2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Sun 28 Final - TBC v TBC
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Preliminary Squad

2008-07-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

PAKISTAN'S PRELIMINARY SQUAD

PCB has framed a preliminary squad for Champions Trophy.Shoaib is in while Yousuf has pulled himself out.There are five uncapped players too in the team squad.The team squad is as under:

Shoaib Malik (capt), Misbah-ul Haq (vice-captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Khalid Latif, Ahmed Shehzad, Khurram Manzoor, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Bazid Khan, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Arafat, Mansoor Amjad, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Mohammad Ali, Iftikhar Anjum, Sohail Khan, Abdur Rauf, Wahab Riaz, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Aamer, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal

YOUSUF UNAVAILABLE

2008-07-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Pakistani star cricketer Muhammad Yousuf had made himself unavailable for champions trophy.He said that he could not play during the holy month of Ramadan.

He embraced Islam in the year 2005 and after that he has been devoted to the relegion.He has scored in this with an average of 70 with three 100s and eight 50s.We hope to see Yousuf back in the game after Ramadan

STILL UNDECIDED

2008-07-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

AUSTRALIA RELUCTANT TO COME PAKISTAN FOR CHAMPIONS TROPHY

After successive bomb blasts in karachi and the one which occured at Islamabad again provide a chance for the ICC and Australian players to shift the champions trophy to Sirilanka.But Pakistan Cricket Board still confident about the champions trophy to be held in PAKISTAN and nowhere else

Paul Marsh , the chief executive of ACA Australian Cricketers Association, said that we will be deciding our tour after getting security clearance.He further added that we can not take any risky step which might prove any harm to our players.It is to be mentioned that Australian security aquad will take two weeks time for the clearance

In case the series is not held in Pakistan as expected,Sirilanka will be hosting the Champions Trophy