Australia's Twenty20 squad a risk for Ashes

	Adam Gilchrist would be back in Australian colours under John Buchanan's plan

John Buchanan, the former national coach, believes Australia should have picked a squad of specialists for the World Twenty20 instead of relying on regular campaigners in a move that could harm their Ashes defence. Buchanan, whose side Kolkata is struggling at the bottom of the current IPL, would have pushed for Adam Gilchrist or Matthew Hayden to lead the side in England next month rather than having Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in charge so close to a major series.

"If I was a selector I would not be risking, wherever possible, key Ashes players such as Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Hughes, Haddin, Watson, Clark, Katich, Siddle, Johnson," he told the Age. "Have them embark on a combination of rest, physical and then technical preparation for the Ashes while this tournament is underway."

Buchanan wanted more specialists in the unit, including Shane Harwood, Cameron White and Shaun Tait, while recalling old stars. "Selectors should have been talking with former players to make themselves available for this particular event," he said. "I would be looking at Warne or Gilchrist as captain."

After two seasons in charge of an IPL team, Buchanan said the current Twenty20 format was not suitable for regular international competition. "Given the ICC have chosen to cash in on the excitement of Twenty20 and the potential revenues that can be made, then Australia or any country should treat it for what it is," he said. "It is a one-off tournament that will occur periodically in the world tournament schedule, and in my opinion has little to do with long-term developments of player squads apart from the inclusion of possibly one or two under-19 or 'new' players who are included for experience around an Australian environment."

Australia's 15-man outfit was chosen on Tuesday and included Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Shane Watson. The opener David Warner was the only Twenty20 specialist in the line-up.

Pakistan will win Twenty20 World Cup this time around: Younis Khan

Dubai, May 7 (ANI): Pakistan still regrets losing to India in the final of the ICC Twenty 20 World Cup two years ago, as captain Younis Khan has said that he will make sure that his side wins the trophy this time around.

“We’re looking forward to the event in England and we’d definitely like to take the trophy home with us. This time around we want to go all the way and win it,” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

Speaking on the sidelines of the unveiling of the World Twenty20 trophy here, Khan said his team was looking forward for the mega-event which is scheduled to be held in England in June this year.

With Pakistan and England lying in the same group for the tournament, Khan hoped that his side will do well against the hosts.

“We’re excited about playing in England. It’s always tough playing the hosts but I’m confident my side will do well,” he said.

Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who was also present on the occasion, said he was also looking forward to the tournament, and wishes to add the Twenty20 World Cup trophy to their existing list of World Cup trophies.

“We’ve got a tough group stage with the West Indies and Sri Lanka in our pool but I’m confident we’ll make it through. It would be great to be part of a team that adds the ICC World Twenty20 trophy to Australia’s existing trophy cabinet,” Haddin said. (ANI)

Pak, Australia look forward to ICC World Twenty20 2009

Dubai, May 6 (ANI): Pakistan cricket captain Younus Khan and his Australian counterpart Brad Haddin moved into Twenty20 mode by saying that they were looking forward to the face-off on Thursday. They also said they were looking forward to next month's Twenty20 World Cup in England.

"We're looking forward to the event in England and we'd definitely like to take the trophy home with us. We had a good tournament in 2007 in South Africa, reaching the final but losing to India. This time around we want to go all the way and win it," Younus said.

"We're excited about playing in England and being in a group with them and the Netherlands will provide its own challenges. It's always tough playing the hosts but I'm confident my side will do well," he added.

Haddin, standing in as captain of the Australia side for tomorrow's T20I against Pakistan said: "I'm really looking forward to taking part in the summer's ICC World Twenty20 in England, the country where this format of the game was created.

"We've got a tough group stage with the West Indies and Sri Lanka in our pool but I'm confident we'll make it through. It would be great to be part of a team that adds the ICC World Twenty20 trophy to Australia's existing trophy cabinet.

"It's an impressive looking trophy and one we'd definitely like to lift in England this summer." (ANI)

'India-Pak ties must for world cricket'

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said that cricketing ties between India and Pakistan are a must for cricket fans worldwide and both teams should play each other more frequently.

Comparing the matches between India and Pakistan with the Ashes, Khan said both the countries should also play in regular bilateral series.

"It not only provides excitement but also gives a chance to players to prove their mettle. I think India playing Pakistan is a must for world cricket," he said.

Attributing his name and fame in the cricket world to the 2005 series against India in which he scored a century in the second Test and a brilliant 267 in the third, Khan said: "Whatever fame and name I have earned is primarily after my performance against India in 2005."

He said he would appeal to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene and Bangladesh’s Mohammad Ashraful to join hands in the difficult situation that the region is facing currently, because of which foreign teams have been expressing reservations about touring the sub-continent.

"I will definitely meet (them) on the sidelines of T20 World Cup in England and tell them that we need to join hands, as the situation in all four countries is not good, so we must stand up for each other," The Daily Times quoted Khan,as saying.

Expressing disappointment over Pakistan not being able to host any foreign team and the ICC’s decision to shift the 2011 World Cup matches from the country, Khan said all the cricket playing nations of the region must join hands to tackle the issue together.

"The Asian countries will have to plan together, and stand up for each other in difficult times, otherwise cricket matches will not take place in our part of the world," he said.

Aamir, Shazaib in Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup T20 Team

KARACHI, May 4 (APP): Teenage batsman Shazaib Hasan is most stunning inductions in the 15‑member Pakistan men team named on Monday for ICC Twenty20 World Cup being held in England from June 5. Team which was picked by three‑member selection committee headed by former test leg‑spinner Abdul Qadir with Saleem Jaffar and Shoaib Muhammad as its members, left out opener Nasir Jamshed.

19‑year‑old right batsman Shazaib of Karachi last February and had played for Karachi Zebras in Twenty20 Cup is harding batsman and batted solidly during the Patrons Trophy grade‑II for Port Qasim.

Shaazaib had played just ten first game and is prodigy of former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif.

Rising fast bowler Muhammad Aamir was in Pakistan squad for the first test against Sri Lanka in played Karachi in February.

Express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and off‑break bowler Saeed Ajmal, who was reported for suspect action against ODI series against Australia have also retained their place in the national team.

Another teenager Ahmed Shahzad confirmed his place in the team with good batting against Australia in just concluded 5 match One‑Day International series.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which released the team, have not mentioned the name of the vice captain.

Pakistan men squad:

Younis Khan (Captain), Salman Butt, Ahmed Shahzad, Misbah‑ul‑Haq Kamran Akmal (wicket‑keeper), Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi Sohail Tanveer, Yasir Arafat, Shoaib Akhter, Umer Gul, Muhammad Aamir Saeed Ajmal and Shazaib Hassan.

Pakistan All Set for the T20 World Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a few unexpected decisions while announcing its final squad of 15 for the ICC World Twenty20 in England in June.

Firstly, the board rejected three players who played for the Indian Cricket League (ICL). Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Imran Nazir were included as reserves in its preliminary squad, but dropped from the final 15. The cricketers were hoping to make a comeback in the national circuit, and had vowed to end their ICL contracts, but no avail.

The board has also included two uncapped players in the team: Mohammad Aamer (a left arm pacer) and Shahzaib Hasan (an opener). Aamer displayed a very strong performance in the first class domestic season, taking 56 wickets in 10 games for Rawalpindi. He was part of the U-19 World Cup, but his run there was cut short by an illness. But he has been one of the most striking young cricketers this season. Hasan too has been much talked about. His debut for Karachi saw him scoring 607 runs in ten matches. In ODI cricket, his strike rate has been an astonishing 96.11.

However what was really unanticipated was that selectors favored Shoaib Akhtar despite his poor, flavourless performances against Australia earlier this year. Shoaib will lead the pace attack along with Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat and Aamer. It is quite surprising that Rao Iftikhar Anjum, who was a leading wicket taker for Pakistan all of last year was not considered for the final 15. In the last one year he took 21 wickets in 14 games. But his poor show in the UAE was what ultimately cost him his place.

The team consists of many all-rounders like Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and Fawad Alam, but Saeed Ajmal is the only specialist spinner. Teenager Ahmed Shehzad, who impressed with a prodigious debut against Australia in UAE also found a slot in the final squad. Younis Khan will captain the team.

After ending up as runners-up at the same tournament last year, against India, Pakistan is hoping to take their efforts one step further and win the cup.

The Squad: Younis Khan (Capt.), Salman Butt, Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Fawad Alam, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Yasir Arafat, Saeed Ajmal, Shahzaib Hasan.

Selectors name two rookies, controversial Shoaib in squad for Twenty20 World Cup

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket selectors on Monday included controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and two rookies Mohammad Aamer and Shahzaib Hasan in a 15-member squad named for ICC Twenty20 World Cup to be held in England in June this year. Akhtar’s inclusion came as a surprise after his pathetic performance in the recently concluded five-match one-day international series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Australia, under Micheal Clarke, won the series 3-2.

Akhtar, who is now at 59th position after dropping four places in the ICC players rankings for ODI bowlers, didn’t once bowl ten overs in the four games he played and took just three wickets. “We have kept faith in Akhtar although his performance was not up to mark in the UAE. I think picking Akhtar is a sensible thing because he is experienced and he can manage four overs in a match,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said. Akhtar was last year banned for five years on disciplinary charges – a punishment reduced to 18 months by an appeal committee. Akhtar was part of Pakistan’s team for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2007 but he was expelled from the squad after he hit teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat a few days before the start of the event. Pakistan finished runners-up in the inaugural tournament, losing to India in a closely contested final. Akhtar played just four Twenty20 matches last year due to fitness problems.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has been reported for a suspect action, is in the squad but there was no place for the three Indian Cricket League (ICL) players – Imran Nazir, Abdul Razzaq and Rana Navedul Hasan – who were initially picked in the list of probables. “The selectors have considered only those players who were eligible to play for Pakistan. Since the board has got information of only Mohammad Yousaf resigning from the ICL, no other ICL player was considered for selection,” the official added.

He pointed out the board had made it clear that players would have to resign from the ICL first before becoming eligible for consideration in the national team. The board announced recently that any ICL player could be considered for national selection once he resigns from the rebel league. But the PCB had also made it clear it would decide on case-to-case basis what penalty to impose on the ICL player before he could play for the national team again. Asked about the selection of Ajmal whose bowling action was reported during the one-day series against Australia, the selector said he (Ajmal) would be undergoing a review of his action soon and if the ICC bowling action review committee didn’t clear him in time, a replacement would be named. The selectors have packed the team with five noted all-rounders – Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat. Pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum, even though has been one of Pakistan’s leading ODI bowlers over the last two years in the one-dayers: in the last 12 months he has taken 21 wickets in 14 games. However, a wicketless showing in the two matches he played against Australia in the UAE ultimately hindered his case.

Uncapped players: Left-arm fast bowler Aamer was included after a very strong showing in his maiden domestic season, taking 56 first-class wickets in ten games for Rawalpindi. 17-year-old Aamer also took 25 wickets in 15 one-dayers and was initially included in the squad for the Bangladesh tour which was postponed. He was also a part of the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia last year but his tournament was cut short by illness. For the greater part of last year, he has been – alongside Mohammad Talha – the most talked-up pace prospect in Pakistan circles, a stamp of approval from fellow leftie Wasim Akram. Hasan, 19, is a diminutive opening batsman, and he too has enjoyed very healthy returns in his debut first-class season, scoring 607 runs in ten matches for Karachi Blues at the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. In one-dayers, he has scored 250 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 96.11.

Squad:

Younis Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Ahmad Shahzad, Misbahul Haq, Kamran Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal and Shahzaib Hasan.