Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram believes new pace sensation Mohammad Aamer is

ndrew Strauss insisted he felt no shame at being the first England captain to lose to Bangladesh after the Tigers at last won a match in 2010. Bangladesh's dramatic five-run success in the second one-day international at Nevil Road here on Saturday, saw them level the three-match series at 1-1 and end a run of 24 consecutive defeats across all for

England captain Andrew Strauss said last year's 6-1 humiliation by Australia was behind the change in approach which had helped them go ahead in the current one-day series with their oldest rivals. Cardiff's Sophia Gardens saw England secure their second four-wicket win in three days, following Tuesday's triumph at the Rose Bowl, here on Thursday

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons warned England bowlers that it does not swing, it does not seam in Australia. ahead of their

Pakistan's legendary former captain Imran Khan spoke out in support of Shahid Afridi on Friday, saying the all-rounder should be given a long innings to stabilise a team hit by controversy. "Afridi should be given a long run as Pakistan captain," Khan told AFP, saying that frequent rotations at the top destablise the team. "Since I retired in 199

Banned former captain Shoaib Malik was seen as a "negative character and a bad influence" on the Pakistan team by senior players like Shahid Afridi and Mohd Yousuf, the leaked video of a PCB inquiry committee's proceedings has revealed.

Frustrated former Pakistan cricket captain Younus Khan on Saturday demanded that his indefinite ban be suspended as the allegations against him were unfounded, his lawyer said. The one-man tribunal of retired justice Irfan Qadir adjourned the hearing on Younus's appeal until May 29, while a similar appeal against a one-year ban on fellow former ca

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said the team had no-one else to blame but themselves after a seven-wicket World Twenty20 semi-final loss to England here on Thursday. Last year's losing finalists were all but out of the game after being restricted to 128 for six, having lost their first three wickets inside five overs after Sangakkara won the t

England want to thank star batsman Kevin Pietersen for his form at the World Twenty by winning through to the semi-finals without him.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith was in a bullish mood ahead of his side's World Twenty20 Super Eights clash against England here on Saturday. Both teams will return to the Kensington Oval this weekend on the back of convincing wins on the first day's play in the second round here on Thursday, with South Africa beating New Zealand by 13 runs and

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes the slack approach that marred the team's winless tour of Australia has been replaced by a new spirit of determination ahead of the World Twenty20. Defending champions Pakistan face Group A rivals Bangladesh and Australia here at the Beausejour Stadium, on Saturday and Sunday respectively, and fast bowling grea

There is a lack of confidence in visiting teams in the security... and until this is restored, Pakistan cannot host international cricket, International Cricket Council chief Lorgat told reporters

Brendon McCullum has warned one-day cricket is in danger as an international format. The New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman believes Test cricket\'s traditions can withstand the rise of Twenty20 cricket, a form of the game in which he excels. But even though the International Cricket Council\'s premier tournament is the 50-overs-a-side World Cup, McC

Former skipper Steve Waugh has warned that Australia are not match-hardened heading into this year's home Ashes series because of a lack of competition from rival teams, reports said on Friday. Waugh said Ricky Ponting's team would be competitive when the first Test starts in November but stopped short of predicting a result similar to the 5-0 whi

Chris Gayle has taken aim at three of his batsmen, following West Indies\' humiliating two-run defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe on Thursday. The West Indies captain slammed Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard, and Denesh Ramdin for the soft manner in which they were dismissed, as the home team chased 255 to win from 50 overs.

Legendary paceman Wasim Akram said Monday that irrespective of nationality, Pakistan needed a passionate and wise coach to rescue the team after humiliating defeats in Australia. "What Pakistan needs is a passionate coach who is more involved with the boys and can form an effective strategy for the team," Wasim told AFP. "A good coach, foreign or

Afghanistan's qualification for this year's World Twenty20 main rounds was hailed as a triumph for cricket's development in the war-ravaged country by a top regional cricket official on Sunday. Afghanistan beat Ireland to win the World Twenty20 qualification round in Dubai on Sunday, securing a place in the West Indies tournament in April-May. Th

South Africa captain Graeme Smith Saturday said he was confident about playing the decisive second and final Test against India despite breaking a finger.

Former India coach Greg Chappell said he has rejected an offer to coach Pakistan, preferring to work with the next generation of cricketers in his native Australia, reports said on Thursday.

Legendary fast bowler Imran Khan said Sunday that Pakistani players had suffered insulting treatment at the hands of the Indian Premier League, and no player should take part in the tournament. Eleven top Pakistani cricketers were up for grabs at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in mid-January but none were picked, sparking outrage in Pakist

Mickey Arthur said Wednesday that differences with the board of Cricket South Africa led to his resignation as coach of the South African team.

Former Pakistani international batsman Javed Miandad on Thursday warned lucrative Twenty20 leagues were a virus which threatened to kill off Test cricket. Miandad said the leagues offered such good money that playing international cricket -- particularly the long form of the game -- was becoming less attractive, calling on the International Cricket

England coach Andy Flower attacked the Test match review system after South Africa captain Graeme Smith survived appeals for a catch behind before making a crucial fourth Test century.

England will go into the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday knowing that a win will seal a successful tour. "At the end of the tour a lot will be judged on whether we win this game or not," said touring skipper Andrew Strauss on Wednesday. England, who have already won a one-day series against the home n

South African captain Graeme Smith acknowledged on Saturday that a decision on whether to drop veteran fast bowler Makhaya Ntini for Sunday\'s third Test against England at Newlands went beyond purely cricketing issues. Ntini, the only black African in the South African team, is under fire after taking only two wickets in the first two Tests.

World cricket's leading administrator has said the controversial Umpire Review System will ultimately lead to better decision-making and may even improve the spirit in which the game is played. The system, which allows teams to challenge the on-field officials' decision by seeking to have it overturned by the third, television umpire, is designed

India became the number one Test team on Sunday after routing Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs in the third and final cricket Test in Mumbai to clinch the series 2-0.

India opener Virender Sehwag said on Friday he was not disappointed after failing to score a world record third triple-century by seven runs. \

Bangladesh's young all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has been lauded as one of cricket's brightest prospects, believes his country can soon lift itself into the top tier of the game. Bangladesh have floundered against the world's best, but Shakib has recently led by example, becoming the top all-rounder in global one-day rankings and winning the Wi

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes his team's conscious effort to improve in key areas helped them beat Pakistan and level their three-match series at 1-1. They may have been beaten by 138-runs in the first match on Tuesday but the Black Caps hit back with a clinical performance in the second on Friday to win by 64 runs -- a turnaround wh

Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Friday lauded Indian master Sachin Tendulkar even as the injury-plagued world champions celebrated a brilliant one-day win. The second-string Aussies, depleted by injuries to nine players, warded off Tendulkar's magical 175 off 141 balls to snatch a thrilling three-run win here on Thursday night. Tendulkar, fac

Pakistan captain Younus Khan targetted an unassailable lead against New Zealand when the two teams meet in the second day-night international here on Friday. Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after their convincing 138-run win in the first match here on Tuesday. "It would be great if we win the second match and with it the series, and that w

ustralian fast bowler Brett Lee said Sunday he was far from finished as a Test cricketer following his latest injury setback. Lee, 32, returned home on Sunday with an elbow injury which forced him out of Australia's seven-match one-day series in India. The one-time pace spearhead is bidding to recover in time for the opening Test against the West

Former Pakistan vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq is hoping that an electric championship performance will secure him a quick return to the national team after being axed against New Zealand, he said on Friday. The 37-year-old middle-order batsman, who has so far played 22 Tests, 163 one-day and 23 Twenty20 matches, was shown the door after he fared poorl

Australia captain Ricky Ponting called for a rethink of one-day cricket to end meaningless dead rubbers as he left for a seven-game series in India.

Former captain Aamir Sohail termed Younus's decision "emotional." "Younus has acted in haste and with emotion. The Pakistan team needs him and he shouldn't have felt so strongly about the investigation. This is very common in Pakistan, so he should rescind (his resignation)," said Sohail. Federal sports minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani said he acce

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has told his team to get ready for "big moments" in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand here on Monday. Defending champions Australia are the only unbeaten team in the tournament, having defeated the West Indies and Pakistan in league matches and England in the semi-final. Their game against India was aba

"We made some mistakes (against New Zealand) and lost. We also missed a few run-outs. You have to be a bit lucky in the semi-finals and final," said the Pakistani captain. Younus said his team also failed to set a stiff target despite impressive knocks from Umar Akmal (55) and Mohammad Yousuf (45). The pair put on 80 for the fifth wicket before th

"I think everybody needs to realise that something that was right seven years ago - before IPL, before the 2005 Ashes, which has sort of changed the face of cricket because of how much interest that created, for kids and everything - it doesn't necessarily mean that what was right then is right now in terms of central contracts," Pietersen told the

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has lavishly praised record-breaking Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar for spending nearly two decades in international cricket. "A number of innings that I have been able to sit back and watch of his (Tendulkar) over the years, I think he is an amazing player," Ponting said after completing 12,000 one-day runs at Cen

Experienced Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf has said his team will start favourites against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semi-final here on Saturday. "We have fought and played well in all of our three games so far. The entire team gave a good performance and our morale is high. I think we are favourites in the semi-final. I hope we win t

Pressure will be the name of the game when Pakistan clash with arch-rivals India in a Champions Trophy match here on Saturday. "We have a balanced side, but it depends on the day how we handle pressure against a side like India. Whoever handles the pressure will win," Pakistan captain Younus Khan told reporters on the eve of the match. "It will b

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said Wednesday there was no favourite for the elite Champions Trophy, which he described as tougher than the World Cup. "The Champions Trophy is more competitive than the World Cup and no team is favourite to win the title," Malik told reporters on the sidelines of a training camp for the September 22-October 5

It was a reminder to Australia fans of what might have been during the Ashes, where Lee didn't play a single Test after missing the series opener with a side strain and not being selected when he'd regained fitness. "I don't think it makes up for what's happened in the Test series," Lee said. "It certainly brings a smile to my face, put it that wa

Australia captain Michael Clarke praised two of the newcomers to the tour of England as his side put their Ashes defeat behind them with a tense four-run win in the first one-day international.

New Zealand's Jacob Oram said Thursday he was unaware he had taken a hat-trick during the thrilling three-run win over Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 international. Oram's three wickets in three balls, but in separate overs, was missed by almost everyone at the Premadasa stadium on Wednesday night, including Oram's team-mates, the Sri Lankans and televis

Bangladesh have taken a major step forward with recent wins over Zimbabwe and the West Indies, the team's coach said Wednesday, adding they should no longer be taken lightly.

Australia losing the Ashes and slumping to number four in Test rankings is good for world cricket as it gives other teams the confidence to shine in the future, Pakistan great Wasim Akram said Tuesday. England beat Australia by 197 runs in the fifth and final Test at The Oval on Sunday to regain the Ashes 2-1 -- a defeat which knocked Australia fr

Shane Warne said Monday the "staggering" decision to leave out Nathan Hauritz had cost Australia the Ashes. England's 197-run win, achieved with more than a day to spare, in the fifth and final Test here at the Oval on Sunday gave them the series 2-1. The south London ground has a reputation for assisting spin bowlers.

Matt Prior shifted the focus from England's batting woes on Thursday, insisting his teammates possess enough bowling firepower to dismiss Australia twice at The Oval next week and snatch back the Ashes. After losing the Headingley Test in an embarrassing innings defeat in just three days, the series is level at 1-1, leaving Australia needing only