March three, 2009 - the day whilst 12 gunmen released a lethal assault on the touring Sri Lankan group close to the Gaddafi stadium, Lahore, ensuing in accidents to Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paravitarana. The ghastly attack left impossible scars on the minds of the Sri Lankan cricketers and additionally Pakistan. Pakistan, as a end result, never hosted a cricket game of their native land, till Zimbabwe became the first team to tour the kingdom in 2015. Seven years for this reason, they defied the odds and thrived in exile to turn out to be the No.1 ranked test facet. In tough instances, the Asian us of a mountaineering to the pinnacle spot inside the longest format of the sport has acted as a balm for his or her passionate fanatics lower back domestic who're deprived of witnessing cricket of their outdoor, after Pakistan were made to undertake the United Arab Emirates as their domestic because. The side, but, has struggled to make an effect inside the shorter versions of the game. This year, they did not qualify for the Asia Cup very last and bowed out of the world Twenty20 2016 held in India in the group phase. in the backdrop of early exits and disappointing results, Pakistan have the venture of reviving their floundering fortunes when they take on the defending world T20 champions, West Indies, within the first of the three-match Twenty20 international (T20I) collection to be played in Dubai on Friday (September 23). That said, Pakistan performed with renewed energy in the one-off T20I towards England at old Trafford earlier this month, and received the game with the aid of a powerful margin of nine wickets with the likes of Imad Wasim, Sharjeel Khan, Hasan Ali, Khalid Latif and Wahab Riaz shining brightly. And, to top that, Sarfraz Ahmed led the side admirably and might be hoping his facet can deliver ahead the momentum. Umar Akmal's return, after he become dropped due to disciplinary motives for the britain excursion, would in addition bolster the facet. within the bowling branch, Pakistan will wish that the spin duo of Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz can preserve a lid on the scoring fee. Hasan's capacity to mix short deliveries with properly-disguised slower ones also should are available in on hand for what's predicted to be a sluggish music. Saad Nasim, the batting all-rounder from Lahore, and Rumman Raees, who's known for bowling lethal yorkers inside the home circuit, have been given call-united statesto the squad. West Indies, however, may be lacking the offerings of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. Gayle sustained a groin pressure during the two-in shape T20I collection towards India, while Russell withdrew from the excursion because of private reasons. The site visitors, though, nonetheless have sufficient firepower in their ranks to conquer Pakistan. Johnson Charles, Kieron Pollard and Carlos Brathwaite can release the large hits. Evin Lewis, too, gave a glimpse of his capacity to clear the boundary ropes with an enterprising hundred off just forty nine balls within the first T20I towards India in Florida. Nicholas Pooran, who first got here into the limelight together with his blazing innings of 143 in opposition to Australia inside the beneath-19 global Cup in 2014, has been picked. The wicketkeeper-batsman turned into in prolific form in this season's Caribbean most suitable League (CPL) in which he compiled 217 runs. Rovman Powell, the center-order batsman from Jamaica, has also been rewarded for his consistency inside the CPL. by the way, the duo notched up useful rankings to assist the visitors conquer Emirates Board XI in a heat-up sport a few days in the past. Dwayne Bravo and Samuel Badree might be the mainstays of the bowling line-up. Sunil Narine, too, returns to the set-up. On turning tracks of the UAE, the duo of Badree and Narine need to form a potent pair to contend with. while: Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st T20I on September 23 at 9.30 PM IST (eight:00 PM nearby) in which: Dubai worldwide Cricket Stadium, Dubai what to anticipate: The climate forecast predicts a heat day. The music is predicted to be slow and coffee in nature. incidentally, spinners like Saeed Ajmal, George Dockrell and Shahid Afridi have dominated the roost on gradual pitches of Dubai. crew information: Pakistan: There had been speculations that a befitting farewell could be given to Afridi before he ends his international career by means of allowing him to play in a T20I in opposition to West Indies. however, the idea has been dropped through the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Akmal would possibly slot into the playing XI and in all likelihood, and the hosts might opt for Nawaz as the second one spinner. Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Hafeez were overlooked due to health troubles. West Indies: Kesrick Williams, acknowledged for his misleading tempo and Pooran could probable make their T20I debuts for the Caribbean side. What they said: "We respect each opposition that we come up in opposition to, and we are going to do the equal against Pakistan. we are going to prepare well, knowing that Pakistan are a totally, very risky crew." - Samuel Badree. Squads: Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c&wk), Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Saad Nasim, Rumman Raees, Hasan Ali, Khalid Latif, Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz West Indies: Carlos Brathwaite (c), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher (wk), Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams.

Ramith Rambukwella, the Sri Lankan all-rounder, was on Thursday (September 22) arrested for ramming his car into a wall. Fortunately no one was hurt, but Rambukwella was taken into custody and will be produced in court in the next 48 hours. The 25-year-old Rambukwella, who is an offspinner and also a handy lower-order batsman, has played a couple of Twenty20 Internationals for Sri Lanka. He made his debut against New Zealand at Pallekele in 2013 but he didn't feature in the Sri Lankan side for the next 18 months before making a comeback in England earlier this year. Rambukwella has had disciplinary issues in the past. He was involved in a bizarre incident when touring with the Sri Lanka A side in the Caribbean. He tried to open an aircraft's cabin door at 35,000 feet, causing panic all around, and was fined for that incident. There were also reports of misconduct during his Under-19 days.

Even before the take a look at series between India and New Zealand started out, Mitchell Santner, the left-armer for new Zealand, changed into earmarked as one of the most dangerous players in the visitors' line-up. With the capacity to do harm with each bat and ball, Santner changed into looked at, likely, as New Zealand's trump card at the turning tracks in India. On Thursday (September 22), Santner proved how vital his performances are going to be throughout the route of the series as he helped his side degree a excellent turnaround with 3 vital wickets to his call. Santner become New Zealand's best bowler, selecting up three wickets at crucial stages of the sport to set the home group returned. His efforts ensured India limped in to stumps at 291/nine having opted to bat first. He ended the day with three for seventy seven and fronted the media on the give up of the day's play. Excerpts: thoughts on how the healthy is presently poised (India are 291/nine having opted to bat first on what appeared a quite placid music) After dropping the toss, I suppose we're in a reasonably excellent function. (The pitch) turned into quite flat to begin with... they did bat properly. We have been lucky we were given some wickets right here and there to tug it back. manifestly, we have to select up this last wicket after which bat well, build partnerships. Did the humidity and sweat abate reverse swing? Yeah, I bet this is the key, to attempt to preserve it dry. it's very hard whilst you're sweating quite a chunk, however you simply have to find a manner to hold the ball dry to attempt get the opposite swing. Even for the spinners, to try and maintain your fingers dry is key to grip the ball. What changed into the plan when there were correct partnerships? (Santner's three wickets - KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma, all got here against the run of play and when India had been enjoying a great stand) They did bat well. each Pujara and Vijay regarded quite high-quality towards the spinners. that they had a plan. They in reality rotated the strike pretty nicely, which become key. Our plan would not exchange too much, it became to bowl in top areas, build pressure that manner and get wickets. The ball wasn't spinning too much than it did afterward. 291/9, no longer too awful. Did bowling in India go the way you deliberate it might? Yeah I suggest, the heat become what we thought approximately within the warm-up video games, in training - the way to hold the ball, keep it dry. Pujara, Vijay and Ashwin played surely well. They have been pretty wonderful to the spinners. They attempted to place you off your duration. They batted surely well. it is a learning revel in over here, getting those overs below the belt. Did the pitch alternate a lot? The extra you're on the wicket, the more used you'll get in terms of the surface getting a little greater tougher to bat on maybe. if you bowl in the right areas, it is still quite difficult to play. I guess you just have to do it for an extended period of time and then go from there. at the flipside, Pujara, Ashwin and Vijay batted very well. They rotated the strike and kept scoring at an excellent rate that's what you want in this wicket. Did you communicate to Vettori approximately how it is to play here? Our verbal exchange became more approximately bowling the ball in one location for an extended period of time however still having lots on it. now not try to do an excessive amount of, let the wicket come and play its component. With now not a lot turn, you try and be patient and construct extra dots, try and get wickets that manner through false shots. Vijay and also you both say your teams are in a good position. What is a superb overall to chase in the fourth innings? (Vijay said inside the day stop convention that India had an excellent total at the board for their bowlers to play with) there may be plenty of cricket to be played nonetheless. First things first, it's to get the last wicket early the following day after which as soon as we bat, build partnerships and pass from there. I do not suppose we can get too far in advance in phrases of considering chasing a fourth-innings rating in the meanwhile. simply take it day by day and move from there. What were the important thing moments of the day? They were given a excellent begin at a hundred for 1. That partnership among Vijay and Pujara became excellent. like you said, Kohli's is a large wicket, however India have a completely sturdy batting line-up going down to Jadeja at No.9. So each wicket we got turned into critical due to the fact they are able to all take it faraway from you. but we stuck it out. caught to our plans fairly nicely and managed to get a couple greater towards the end to be in now not-a-horrific role going into tomorrow. Did you strive bowling faster due to slow turn? If it become turning, it became turning very gradual. I guess it became a case of finding your duration early and then going from there. Ya, I bet we might have been at the shorter aspect, but it's approximately searching for the tempo so one can fit for that wicket. it would alternate within the 2nd innings, I do not know. Mark Craig bowled thoroughly nowadays. And as three spinners, I think we may be moderately satisfied with our hauls. It just depends at the batters and the situations. If it is turning slow, you need for you to beat the bat at a reasonable pace. nowadays might have proven that a quicker tempo is good on that floor but the key as a spinner is to mix up your pace as well. it might exchange in a while in the innings, but nowadays that faster pace changed into absolutely more useful. How do you handle players (like Pujara) once they use their toes and does that still make you pull period back? sure, for positive. If the batter is the usage of his feet well, it does take you off your duration a bit bit. And Pujara did it thoroughly. He was able to come down the song nicely. And then you definately would possibly pull your duration back and then he become excellent at getting proper returned in his crease and reducing as properly. I assume he performed thoroughly nowadays. it is a case of if you may see him coming, pull your period lower back a piece, however if you bowl at a faster pace then it is more difficult. you've got simply got to be patient and no longer get too worried approximately it. keep bowling and build stress that way.

Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan off spinner, has refused to give up international cricket within the wake of a few farewell rumours that started out doing the rounds following the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi's tweet. Sethi, on Saturday (September 17), answered to a fan's question at the social networking web site, mentioning that the board might appearance to provide 'fitting sendoffs' to the likes of Ajmal and Shahid Afridi. He also discovered that he might hold discussions with the duo quickly to be able to take a name. Ajmal even though, who hasn't played for Pakistan inside the remaining one and a half years, is determined to combat to reclaim his spot. After rising as the very best wicket-taker inside the currently held countrywide Twenty20 cup for Karachi Blues with 20 scalps, Ajmal has now asked for one greater opportunity in national hues to prove his really worth and has counseled that he might quit on his personal phrases if he fails to understand it. "I don't have any intention to end one-day or Twenty20 cricket in the intervening time," Ajmal told dawn. "i have worked without a doubt hard to stage a comeback and my overall performance within the country wide T20 Cup reflects that. i have proved my fitness within the countrywide T20 Cup. I ought to be given a threat. If I fail to perform, i can walk away myself. The Board would not have a first rate off-spinner in its whole home structure." Ajmal additionally controlled a beautiful financial system price of simply 6.28 within the whole match and played a major position in his side prevailing the name, suggesting with performances that he is probably back to his best. The board did not provide him a agreement for the 2016-17 season after he misplaced his spot within the squad following his comeback to international cricket with a remodelled movement. The 38-yr-antique is eager to maintain gambling domestic cricket and has asked the board to take a cue from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and give him some other move. "i have proved my form and health," he said. "i am now not quitting and could keep on gambling home cricket. i have played a key position in such a lot of victories; the board must deliver me a danger just like the West Indies are giving to Sunil Narine."

Moises Henriques, the Australian allrounder, turned into a surprise inclusion for the tour of Sri Lanka, wherein he struggled to make an effect across all three formats. Henriques expressed his disappointment that he could not make the maximum of the possibilities he obtained and also talked about that with greater time, he should have tailored distinct methods to alter to the spin-friendly tracks of Sri Lanka. "each time you get the opportunity to play cricket for Australia you need to do in addition to you can and if I had my time again i might prepare a touch bit in another way," Henriques told cricket.com.au. "i'd virtually practice my sweeping lots further out." The 29-yr-antique discovered that through the years batsmen have employed the sweep shot to be triumphant in the subcontinent. "I sense a whole lot of the a success batsmen over there did plenty of sweeping and even come the one-day excursion, our guys that did well like 'Wadey' (wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade) and George (Bailey) did a lot of sweeping as properly. "it's simply a shot I worked on over there however by the point I felt like I got it right, it turned into nearly too past due. it's genuinely some thing i would trade if I had every other excursion there. there's nothing i can do about it now however research from the revel in and hopefully it'll placed me in better stead for this season," he said. Henriques also said that he wasn't looking forward to the Australian selectors to don't forget him for the excursion of Sri Lanka. "I stored those alternatives (playing as a batsman) open as long as i used to be batting well sufficient either inside the practice games or at training. You by no means want to rule it out. "You don't genuinely think about it because you don't assume that your fellow teammates are going to no longer do properly. I wasn't sincerely watching for it because I idea our boys might go over there and play well. There have been manifestly a few choices made after the second one test. "if you requested me on the begin of the collection if i used to be watching for to bat five and play inside the equal crew as Mitch (Marsh), I likely would not have been waiting for it. i will take it and examine from it and optimistically be better from the possibility," he reckoned. Henriques turned into brushed off stumped on three activities during the tour. the new South Welshman saw the lighter facet of his dismissals and stated: "i will possibly try and get some awesome-glue on my lower back toe that just stored slipping over the white line on every occasion, even when I wasn't looking to enhance down the wicket," Henriques noted with a smile. "That become pretty disappointing to get out three instances the same way and now not examine at the run and no longer even realising you are making the identical mistake."

news Board of manipulate for Cricket in India has named former wicketkeeper MSK Prasad as the brand new chairman of selectors. in their 87th Annual wellknown assembly (AGM) hung on Wednesday (September 21), the board also introduced that Ajay Shirke has been re-elected as the board secretary. the alternative contributors in the new choice panel include former cricketers Gagan Khoda, Devang Gandhi, Sarandeep Singh and Jatin Paranjpe. Prasad made his debut for India in 1998 and went directly to play six assessments and 17 One-Day Internationals. He retired from all bureaucracy in 2008. Following his appointment, Prasad thanked the outgoing chairman of selectors, Sandeep Patil and discovered that his panel's number one cognizance will be at the 2019 global Cup and subsequent yr's Champions Trophy - each scheduled to be staged in England. "i've a simple imaginative and prescient about how we are heading to the 2019 international Cup," Prasad stated. "I always have stored notes approximately what I want to do for the 2017 Champions Trophy, for the 2019 global Cup. There is lots of planning. The great issue is we have watched as many home matches as possible. we have finished tours to Zimbabwe, Australia best at the give up of the season. because we've got watched a lot home cricket ultimate yr we've a succession chart and jotted down names for 3 different formats. Sandy bhai's group has performed a extremely good task. It makes extra feel for us to maintain with it and pass beforehand." no matter the Lodha Committee's recommendation to pick out only three former check cricketers inside the selection panel, the BCCI went ahead and retained five. Out of the five, Khoda and Paranjpe have not performed even a single test.The board additionally appointed former rapid bowler Venkatesh Prasad as chairman of the junior choice committee. Former cricketer Hemlata Kala will update Shantha Rangaswamy as the chairperson of women's choice panel. The working Committee, special Committees and status Committee appointed during 2015-16 will keep. The house additionally has asked the President and Honorary secretary to nominate an Ombudsman for 2016-17 as Justice AP Shah's tenure has concluded. Anurag Singh Thakur, the president of BCCI, could be the board's consultant in the international Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC). however, Sharad Pawar, the former BCCI president, has been appointed because the alternate director for ICC conferences. Senior selection Committee: MSK Prasad (Chairman), Gagan Khoda, Sarandeep Singh, Jatin Paranjpe and Devang Gandhi Junior choice Committee: Venkatesh Prasad (Chairman), Rakesh Parikh, Aashish Kapoor, Amit Sharma and Gyanendra Pandey girls's selection Committee: Hemlata Kala (Chairperson), Shashi Gupta, Anjali Pendharkar, Lopamudra Banerjee and Sudha Shah

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq changed into supplied with the test Championship mace on Wednesday (September 21), after his side's 2-2 draw in the four-in shape series in England final month took them to the top of the ICC rankings for the first time. "It has always been a dream to raise an ICC trophy as captain," Misbah said. "To be best the 9th worldwide captain to attain this honour within the traditional layout of the game is something to be very pleased with. This mace is a praise for the efforts and hard paintings of every and each character who has been part of this group over the last few years." David Richardson, the ICC leader executive, presented the mace to Misbah on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore which pleased the skipper. He praised his teammates for his or her efforts in spite of having no longer played a unmarried take a look at at home for more than seven years. "There can't be a higher area to receive the ICC check Championship mace than this ground wherein we closing performed a home test seven years ago," he remarked. "it's far ironic for both the players as well as the lovers that the adventure to the number one position has been outside Pakistan. "The players have ignored on the gang assist, at the same time as the spectators had been not able to look at, stay, a few surprising group and individual performances. but i'm confident that things will alternate and worldwide cricket will quickly go back to Pakistan." Pakistan's subsequent test venture is against West Indies subsequent month in Dubai following which they will play tests in New Zealand and Australia. Misbah hopes his aspect can keep being regular that allows you to hold their spot on the top. "the next target we've set for ourselves is to finish as the wide variety-one ranked test facet at the 1 April reduce-off date," he stated. "It isn't going to be smooth as we've collection against formidable aspects like the West Indies, New Zealand and Australia. however instead of getting overawed by our warring parties, we need to consider in our skills, recognition on our strengths and attempt to be as steady as viable." Richardson then went on to congratulate Pakistan and expressed pleasure at the chance of the pinnacle four groups contesting for the top spot within the coming weeks. "On behalf of the ICC, I need to congratulate the Pakistan cricket crew and Misbah-ul-Haq especially for the way he has led his side," he stated. "i'm hoping that the team keeps to move from power to power. A sturdy Pakistan aspect is right for global cricket. it's far all the greater mind-blowing that it has reached the quantity-one check rating in spite of not being able to play a series in front of its home crowd considering that March 2009. "The pinnacle four ranked aspects are separated with the aid of simply three points and they may be playing within the coming weeks. the competition for the primary position offers superb context to the imminent series, offering fascinating leisure for fans of the take a look at cricket." The 57-yr-old additionally expressed self assurance that global cricket will go back to Pakistan within the close to future. "it is in reality pretty smooth so that you can convince me that worldwide cricket returns to Pakistan, however alas it's no longer me or the ICC that wishes to be convinced," Richardson stated. "it's the safety experts, it's the safety experts who're advising the gamers who're advising the groups and that's surely out of our manage. I recognise that the Pakistan authorities and the PCB are doing something they are able to to try to persuade the people and make safety scenario higher in Pakistan. pretty quickly we're going to get to a situation in which teams are willing to play international cricket in Pakistan."