2031 replies to this topic

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

130 runs

6 out

need 38 runs from 54 balls....


Allah Khair Karey, Ameen.

Pakistan Paindabad

[1Pakistani]

Absolutely crap performance by umpires and Misbah once again wasting so many balls against the spinners and put the pressure on the later batsmen.

As for billy bowden well I dont know how to describe the wicket of both K Akmal (which was clearly going to miss the stumps for height) and Shoaib Malik (which from the initial impact was outside the line of off stump. I said to my self why they are appealing as you could tell the pad was outside the line but to my surprise billy raised his finger)...... 2 batsman gone does leave a team in big $hit hole which just happened.

[platinum786]

I see the complacency has set back in.

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

24 runs from 24 balls.


the body language from the batsmen is a bad signal

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

umar gul gone.ajmal gone; he knew there was a risk of the ball being catched by the wicketkeeper, but he still decided to shoot that path.....

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

junaid out; misjugdement of the length from the shot; LOL

this is just ridiculous


is it too early to say if Pakistan loses the match??

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

india wins - Pakistan loses the match

look the joy and happiness of the indian players in their own cricketground against Pakistan.
Pakistan-india cricket matches aren't games, but wars.


On the other hand, Pakistan has won the series. 2-1.

The incompetent listing or ranking of the batsmen says it all.
Nasir Jamshed can make a heavy partnership with the batsmen he played recently with, so why should he even be put with Kamran Akmal that is not stable when batting?!!

Does anyone know who made the strategy for today's play? Or was there some sorth of an argument among the team before the match??

[1Pakistani]

^^^ Hafiz did not open because he dislocated his finger when dhoni smashed ball back at him while he (Hafiz) was bowling which led to change in batting order. But the decision of the umpire to give K Akmal LBW was pathetic, the ball hit him high above the the pads on the thigh and it certainly was going over the stumps... very very bad decision by the umpire.

Jamished had to play slow to see off the new ball and the pitch started to swing a lot in the second innings. But once again it was pathetic batting display by misbah for which i am gobsmacked. WTF was he doing wasting many balls when the fielding was out and spinners were bowling. His batting against Jadeja (crap spinner) was just mind boggling.. Having wasted soo many balls he decided to leg glance a ball knowing there was leg slip and getting out which put extreme pressure on the next batsmen.

Than came the decision of billy bowden to given Shoaib out... at that stage the match was lost... two wickets to the umpire...

I am just pi$$ed off at misbah, its not the first time he has put the team in so much pressure by his slow batting. Which allowed the bowlers to gain confidence... at age of 38 he is too old for ODI and time for him to go, which I have been saying for some time now.

I really hate his captaincy, he is not aggressive which allows teams to get back into the game when Pakistani bowlers have them on the ropes.

Take for example the first match of the series. Junaid Khan cleaned up 4 of Indian top batsman and was the best bowler on the day. but Misbah did not bowl him out and we saw him bowl the last over of the innings when dhoni had done the damage to got India decent total. How the hell do you keep you strike bowler away until the last over and what did you intended to achieve... I can go on with the mistakes he is making.

[butterfly]

This match was a fix.

[kooldawghd2]

butterfly, on 06 January 2013 - 12:39 PM, said:

This match was a fix.

Well obviously. The series was already won, think this was done as a favor to the Indian players. There is still the matter of a future test tour, a clean sweep would have not been palatable for the BCCI.

[seacad]

The game was obviously thrown to avoid an embarrasment of a first whitewash in 30 yrs, misbah again doing his job of wasting 60 balls to make a 20-30 score.

LOL i swear these bhindians have the smallest weiners in the world. First giving dhoni the man-of match award in the first odi instaad of jamshed even though india lost because his century gave "more of an impact", and then when situation reversed and they still gave dhoni a man of match award for his score of 36 runs instead of ajmal for his 5 wickets. And if ANY of you saw the post-matchconference speeches for ALL FIVE games, the pak captain always praised and highlighted players from the indian side and the rat-faced dhoni never had a single thing to say about the pak team, guess it was the embarassment langing on his head.

I say all bilateral cricket ties shud be cut off with these losers and they shud not be given a chance to win against pak now until they learn how to behave like sportsmen and grow some manners

[M_ZEE32]

kooldawghd2, on 06 January 2013 - 01:11 PM, said:

Well obviously. The series was already won, think this was done as a favor to the Indian players. There is still the matter of a future test tour, a clean sweep would have not been palatable for the BCCI.

i think its more to do with making money by doing upset ! Dont you think it was one sided match after indian innings and yet they won !

[KudosBot]

India deny Pakistan clean sweep



India deny Pakistan clean sweep

(Agencies) / 7 January 2013

A spirited India clinched a sensational 10-run victory in a low-scoring thriller to avoid a series whitewash and restore some pride in the third and final cricket one—dayer against arch—rivals Pakistan here on Sunday.

The Indians were first bundled out for a paltry 167 in 43.4 overs but relied on a brilliant bowling display under pressure to stop the visitors at 157 in a nerve-wracking day-night contest, held in extremely chilly and windy conditions.



Fortunes fluctuated from one team to the other till the very end before the hosts finally brought some cheer for their fans with the dramatic victory, which reduced their margin of defeat to 1-2 in the three-match series.

It was another poor batting display by the Indians who never really got going as the Pakistani pacers Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan caused early damages before Saeed Ajmal joined the party with a career-best effort of five for 24.

But the host bowlers made amends in the end to fashion the win. The Pakistanis, chasing the small target, were in a spot of bother as pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar rocked the innings with the early dismissals of Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan, but the visitors recovered through a gritty partnership between captain Misbah-ul Haq (39) and Nasir Jamshed (34), who were the top contributors for Pakistan.

However, the Pakistan innings collapsed again, giving the hosts an opportunity to come back into the game.

A nearly fully-packed holiday crowd, defying the chilly winds which blew right through the day, turned up at the Feroze Shah Kotla and were lucky enough to see a change in India’s sliding fortunes.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (36), Suresh Raina (31) and Ravindra Jadeja (27) got the starts but could not translate those into big knocks, though the heavy wintry conditions made batting a little difficult. Ishant Sharma, after making a hash of a run out attempt, dismissed Mohammad Hafeez to bring about India’s triumph, triggering scenes of wild celebrations in the stands.

The win also meant that India avoided a series whitewash on home soil which would have been their first in 29 years. The Pakistani innings began on a disastrous note as opener Kamran (0) and the experienced Younis (6) fell cheaply with paceman Bhuvneshwar claiming both the wickets to reduce the visitors to 14 for two by the seventh over.

While Akmal was trapped leg before with an incoming delivery, Younis was bowled by another inswinger as he attempted a loose drive. But Jamshed, who has been in tremendous form with two back-to-back century, and captain Misbah played cautiously to steady the innings though both of them survived some anxious moments.

With the conditions assisting the quick bowlers, Dhoni chose to use Bhuvneshwar for 10 unchanged overs and the young Uttar Pradesh seamer bowled his heart out, but could not add to his tally of two wickets.

The pair put on 47 runs before off-spinner R Ashwin provided the breakthrough for the hosts in his very first over by evicting the in-form Jamshed. Jamshed paid the price for trying to play a pre-meditated sweep shot to a flighted ball on the off and middle stump and umpire Billy Bowden had no hestitation in adjudging him leg before. His knock of 34 came off 64 balls and had five fours.

Misbah departed soon after with Ashwin doing the damage while Shoaib Malik (5) fell to Ishant Sharma, who trapped him leg before. Ravindra Jadeja then accounted for Umar Akmal (25) with Dhoni stumping him.
Scoreboard
India

G. Gambhir c U. Akmal b M. Irfan 15

A. Rahane c K. Akmal b M. Irfan 4

Virat Kohli c Y. Khan b J. Khan 7

Yuvraj Singh b M. Hafeez 23

Suresh Raina lbw Saeed Ajmal 31

MS Dhoni c U. Akmal b Umar Gul 36

R. Ashwin lbw S. Ajmal 0

R. Jadeja c U. Akmal b S. Ajmal 27

B. Kumar lbw Saeed Ajmal 2

I. Sharma c and b Saeed Ajmal 5

Shami Ahmed not out 0

Extras (lb 4, w 7, nb 1, pen 5) 17
Total (all out in 43.4 overs) 167
Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Rahane, 4.3 overs), 2-29 (Gambhir, 8.4), 3-37 (Kohli, 9.3), 4-63 (Yuvraj Singh, 15.5), 5-111 (Raina, 28.4), 6-111 (Ashwin, 28.5), 7-131 (Dhoni, 34.4), 8-141 (Kumar, 37.5), 9-160 (Sharma, 41.6).
Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 7-1-28-2, Junaid Khan 9-1-17-1, Umar Gul 8-1-45-1, Mohammad Hafeez 10-0-44-1, Saeed Ajmal 9.4-1-24-5
Pakistan

Nasir Jamshed lbw Ashwin 34

Kamran Akmal lbw Kumar 0

Younis Khan b Kumar 6

Misbahul-Haq c Rahane b Ashwin 39

Umar Akmal st Dhoni b Jadeja 25

Shoaib Malik lbw Sharma 5

M. Hafeez c Yuvraj Singh b Sharma 21

Umar Gul c Jadeja b Sharma 11

S. Ajmal c Dhoni b Shami Ahmed 1

Junaid Khan run out (Raina) 0

Mohammad Irfan not out 0

Extras (lb 1, w 13, nb 1) 15

Total (all out in 48.5 overs) 157

Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Kamran Akmal, 2.1 overs), 2-14 (Younis Khan, 6.5), 3-61 (Nasir Jamshed, 20.3), 4-113 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 34.1), 5-119 (Shoaib Malik, 36.3), 6-125 (Umar Akmal, 39.2), 7-144 (Umar Gul, 46.2), 8-145 (Saeed Ajmal, 47.2), 9-145 (Junaid Khan, 47.3)

Bowling: B Kumar 10-2-31-2, S Ahmed 9-4-23-1, Ishant Sharma 9.5-0-36-3, R Ashwin 10-1-47-2, R Jadeja 10-2-19-1


http://www.khaleejti...on=cricket&col=

[butterfly]

I think Pakistan cricket board need to ask serious questions on how won match was lost.
I particularly want Kamran Akmal out of the team. What is his total contribution? He is a batsman? I mean I know I can do better! Give me a chance, at least I will play with everything I have unlike this loser.

[sobank]

kamran akmal out was hilarious.

he was so much out of crease that one of the indian player thought he would have a chance for run out. ball was out of line and was short. it hit the thigh pad while he was jumping up. The end result.................. he was out LBW. WTF man. Is all the benefit of doubt is for indians here?????????????????

Now I have not seen full batting of misbah but till he was out with jamshed, he was doing good by pegging one side down. We needed that at that point.
I didnt see the full match but for me, from all senior players, only jamshed and misbah knew how to play on that pitch.
Umar akmal......................... well the #### #### he could be, he is now. Need to be benched badly. his wicket was just a giveaway. stupid stupid stupid. Its not like he tried to get out before. I talking the birdie at the mid wicket.
shoaib out was fairly good ball. And misbah was just stupid.

[kooldawghd2]

Well thats true, there were 2 really bad umpiring decisions with Akmal and Malik. Changed the match in India's favor.

[sobank]

well in this match, we cannt blame him. Though I personally think, looking at the pitch, either misbah or younis should have gone on the opening. Though i do believe that it was one definite and one arguable umpire decision that won the match for india.
but looking at it second time, shoaib was out. if i had a fast bowler, i would have wanted the decision too.

[1Pakistani]

sobank, on 07 January 2013 - 12:31 AM, said:

well in this match, we cannt blame him. Though I personally think, looking at the pitch, either misbah or younis should have gone on the opening. Though i do believe that it was one definite and one arguable umpire decision that won the match for india.
but looking at it second time, shoaib was out. if i had a fast bowler, i would have wanted the decision too.

Shoaib was not out as the actual impact of the ball was outside the line of off stump after which his leg went back due to the impact. As the impact was outside the line everything else after that becomes meaningless.

The reason those decision were really critical was due to the pressure the fall of wickets create. had those decision not be made Pakistan would have been 3 for 119 (not 5) hence it would have been walk in the park chase.

One other fact we overlooked is the change in weather condition which changed the pitch from batting track to swinging track due to cold and moist (dense fog) weather which was not the case when Pakistan were bowling.

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

Pakistan Cricket Team Recieves Warm Welcome in Lahore AirPort

http://www.zemtv.com...lahore-airport/





Fight between Shane Warne and Samuels
http://www.zemtv.com...ne-and-samuels/

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

BCCI influenced jury to name Dhoni ‘Man of the Match’: Indian media


The Indian cricket board has been accused of influencing the jury into naming captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni the “Man of the Match” in the last ODI played against Pakistan.

According to Headlines Today, insiders said that a senior and noted commentator received a call from a senior official of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and was “clearly told to ensure Dhoni was named Man of the Match”.

The commentator proposed Dhoni’s name during the jury meeting and he was consequently awarded the title as a “consolation prize”. According to Headlines Today, the official who had called “was influential enough to ensure the decision was taken”.

A former cricketer, who was part of the jury and voted in Dhoni’s favour, told Times of India that the decision was taken to boost Dhoni’s morale at the time when he was not doing well.

Pakistani cricket fans were upset when Dhoni was awarded the title on scoring 36 runs off 55 balls in the final ODI. They suggested that Saeed Ajmal should have received the award instead for taking five wickets in 9.4 overs and giving only 24 runs.

Sources also told Times of India that the Pakistani team had unofficially complained to the commentators for not choosing opening batsman Nasir Jamshed in the first ODI played in Chennai. They said Jamshed had scored a match-winning century but the award was given to Dhoni.

http://www.zemnews.c...h-indian-media/

[aamirzs]

Mamata gets a silver-coated Quran from Pak Cricket Board



Kolkata, Jan 11: Amid simmering tension at the LoC, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today got a pleasant surprise from across the border with the Pakistan Cricket Board sending a silver-coated Quran.


‘Overwhelmed’ by the hospitality at the Eden Gardens during India-Pakistan second ODI here, the PCB sent the gift to the Cricket Association of Bengal who handed it over to the CM during a function at the Netaji Indoor here today.  

“The PCB who included Chairman Zaka Ashraf were bowled over by the hospitality received here. As a gesture, they have sent the gift for Mamata,” a CAB official said.  

Meanwhile, Mamata announced the formation of a task force to oversee the development of sports under a five-year scheme.  She also gave away Rs 2 lakh each to 1750 clubs in Bengal to improve the standard of sports.

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

The PCB protested Ajmal s absence from last year s International Cricket Council world player awards, but made up
for it somewhat by judging him the best bowler in tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s. He also received a special prize for the best bowler of 2012. He was the world s top-ranked bowler in ODIs and Twenty20s last year.

"To be named the best for the year from such a special group ... for me this is out of this world," Ajmal said. "It took me 16 years to reach this point in my life."

Pakistan ODI captain Mohammad Hafeez was named player of the year; Azhar Ali picked as test player of the year and left-handed opening batsman Nasir Jamshed was chosen best ODI batsman.

Young left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan received the emerging player award.

Ahsan Raza, who was severely injured during the terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus at Lahore in 2009, received the trophy for the best umpire of the year.

Lifetime achievement awards were handed to Hanif Mohammad, who played tests from 1952-69, and wicketkeeper-batsman Imtiaz Ahmed.

"Having been involved for such a long time with cricket, and having received so many awards, this still tops them all," Hanif said.

All the award winners received rupees 200,000 ($2,050) while Ajmal received additional rupees 1.5 million ($15,400) for his special prize. Ajmal said he would donate all of his prize money to his cricket academy in his hometown Faisalabad.


The PCB also rewarded the team which clinched the recent one-day series against archrival India 2-1 and drew the Twenty20 series 1-1.

Each player of the team was awarded rupees 500,000 ($5,100) while fast bowlers Mohammad Irfan, Khan, Jamshed, Ajmal and Hafeez were given additional rupees 500,000 ($5,100) for their outstanding performances in the series.


http://dunyanews.tv/...-cricket-awards

[butterfly]

They should also be penalised when they perform poorly!

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

Pakistan vs SA: Team Green skittled out for all-time low total

JOHANNESBURG: Pakistan crashed to their lowest Test total when they were bowled out for 49 by a South African pace barrage on the second day of the first Test at the Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.
Dale Steyn took six for eight in 8.1 overs as Pakistan failed to match their previous low – 53 against Australia in Sharjah in 2002/03.
South Africa led by 411 runs at the close with seven second innings wickets still in hand.
Openers Graeme Smith and Alviro Peterson (27) raced to 82 before the latter skied an Umar Gul delivery and Mohammed Hafeez completed the catch.
Smith reached his 37th test 50 before he was caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed two runs later and Jacques Kallis (7) perished trying to force the scoring rate when he was caught in the deep by Asad Shafiq.
Hashim Amla (50 not out) and AB de Villiers (63 not out) then put on 108 runs to take South Africa to the close. Steyn dismissed Mohammed Hafeez (six) in his first over of the day as the opener got a faint edge that went straight through to de Villiers, one of a joint South African record of six dismissals in the innings for the keeper.
Debutant Nasir Jamshed (2) was trapped in front by Steyn and, although the batsman challenged the decision, the third umpire upheld the dismissal.
Younus Khan (0) lasted just five balls before he pushed forward to a full Steyn delivery and edged to Smith at first slip to leave Pakistan reeling at 12 for three.
Azhar Ali and captain Misbahul Haq took the score to 36 when Azhar (13) fended a vicious bouncer from Kallis to de Villiers.
Misbah (12) became Kallis’ second victim in controversial circumstances after Billy Bowden gave a caught behind decision not out and South Africa reviewed. There appeared to be no evidence of a nick on the hot spot replay but third umpire Steve Davis from Australia chose to overturn the decision.
Asad (1) was next to go as he chased a wide delivery from Vernon Philander and succeeded only in edging to de Villiers. Two balls later and a reckless Gul (0) flayed at another wide delivery off the same bowler, Smith pouching the catch.
By lunch, Pakistan had stumbled to 40 for seven and just two balls after the interval Saeed Ajmal (1) became Steyn’s fourth victim, this time de Villiers pulling off a wonderful diving catch in front of first slip.
Steyn got his fifth when he induced an edge from Sarfraz (2), before the sorry innings came to a close when Rahat Ali edged to Faf du Plessis in the slips and was out for a duck. Steyn was once again the wicket taker.
It was the third time in two seasons that South Africa bowled out opponents for less than 50. Australia were bowled out for 47 in 2011/12 and New Zealand were dismissed for 45 earlier this season. Both matches were in Cape Town.

http://www.zemnews.c...time-low-total/

[irfan_kashmir]

just 15 days back after winning in india ,we were thinking we are the best team in world, cricket is funny game we are grounded in just 15 days

[kooldawghd2]

Well the South Africans are a different beast to be honest. Although the top 4 should have shown more fight and grit to hang in there for the long run. Still, some great bowling by the South African quicks.

[seacad]

To be honest I did not expect us to beat the South Africans and was expecting a batting collapse against the BEST pace attack in test in the world (Steyn, Philander and morkel) but I still did not envision being bowled out for a pathetic 49. I mean yes the SA bowling was amazing but atleast 4-5 of our batsmen just threw their wickets away for no reason. We need to recover from this soon!

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

Sri Lankan team attack haunts Pakistan cricket 4 years after

LAHORE (AFP) - Four years on from the terror attack that plunged Pakistan into sporting isolation, the cricket-mad country looks as far away as ever from hosting international matches.

Sri Lanka were on their way to the Gaddafi Stadium in the eastern city of Lahore for the third day of the second Test on March 3, 2009, when militants opened fire and threw grenades at their bus, killing eight people.

The match was abandoned, Sri Lanka left the country and other international teams, already reluctant to tour Pakistan because of security concerns in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the US, refused even to consider touring.

Pakistan has played its "home" matches in the United Arab Emirates ever since, and none of the efforts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to lure overseas teams back have paid off.

As often happens with high profile militant attacks in Pakistan, a number of suspects were arrested but released due to lack of evidence.

Ehsan Mani, former president of the ICC, said without a proper investigation to reach a clear understanding of what happened in Lahore, international teams would not come back to Pakistan.

"Those were exceedingly tragic events not only for Pakistan cricket and for millions of fans but for me they are more tragic because there has never been a comprehensive inquiry of the mishap," Mani told AFP.

"If Pakistan is to get the confidence of the foreign teams back, a comprehensive inquiry should be done, if it is already done then it should be made public."

All those involved with the game in Pakistan have suffered as a result of the semi-exile.

"Not only our players have suffered from no cricket at home, but we umpires have also suffered because of lack of opportunities to umpire," said former international umpire Nadeem Ghauri, who was injured in the attack.

The PCB has made repeated efforts to convince teams to tour, but even lowly Bangladesh refused to come after twice initially agreeing to limited overs series last year.

Attempts to organise a Twenty20 Super League, considered as a first step towards reviving international cricket, were also put on hold.

Local media termed the forthcoming general elections in May as the hurdle, but the international players  association has issued dire warnings about the security risk of playing in Pakistan.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif hoped things may improve after the elections, which are expected by mid-May.

Despite sincere hopes, the status quo seems likely to linger as South Africa have already announced they will play Pakistan in the UAE in November this year, even
before PCB s decision.

http://dunyanews.tv/...tan-cricket-4-y

[sobank]

Can someone please tell me that why there have 2 t20s. Why not 3?

[seacad]

sobank, on 03 March 2013 - 09:45 PM, said:

Can someone please tell me that why there have 2 t20s. Why not 3?

Some series have two and some do have three. The ICC has got some rule on countries not being able to play more than 7 T20's per year (this excludes world cup T20 however)

[Jazba-e-Kashmir]

This video made me smile out of love and respect :


This video is really emotional. Hats Off to this Guy - Shahid Afridi's biggest fan:
http://www.zemtv.com...is-biggest-fan/


Peace :-)

[aamirzs]

Pakistan drops Younus from Champs Trophy squad



KARACHI — Pakistan Sunday omitted out-of-form Younus Khan from a 30-man initial squad for the eight-nation Champions Trophy after the middle order batsman flopped in recent one-day matches.

The 35-year-old Younus managed just 116 runs in the series against South Africa earlier this month which Pakistan lost 3-2.

Pakistan is in Group B of the event to be held in England from June 3-23.

The other teams in their group are arch-rivals India, the West Indies and South Africa.

Defending champion Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England form Group A. All teams had April 6 as the cut off date to announce their initial squad to be trimmed to 15 in May.

Probables: Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Ahmed Shehzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umer Amin, Sohail Tanvir, Hammad Azam, Azhar Ali, Shahid Afridi, Asad Ali, Anwar Ali, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil, Imran Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Yasir Arafat, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Zulfiqar Babar, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan.

Use T20 to break boycott: Misbah

Misbahul Haq has identified Twenty20 cricket as the means by which Pakistan can bring international competition back to the country.

Pakistan has not played a Test match on home soil since 2009 because of ongoing security concerns, but Misbah, the Test and one-day captain, said a new domestic T20 set-up could help attract overseas players and begin to change perceptions.

“I think through T20 cricket we can also end our forced drought of international cricket at home,” he told Reuters in an interview Saturday. “There is no doubt our cricket and players have suffered because of the refusal of teams to visit Pakistan due to security concerns.

“What we should do is organize our domestic T20 league over a period of three weeks and try to also see if we can invite some low-profile foreign players that will help the (Pakistan Cricket) Board portray a soft image of Pakistan and break the ice for teams to come and play in the country.”

Four years ago armed militants attacked Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore, killing eight Pakistanis and wounding six Sri Lankan players. Since then foreign teams have refused to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns, leaving Pakistan to play “home” matches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and England.

Now Misbah is calling for a revamped T20 structure in the country to spark their return to the international fold.

“I would like to see one proper T20 league championship like it is held in other countries, with teams playing on home and away basis,” he said.

“Presently the duration of the tournaments is too short and cannot help produce or groom players.” — Agencies