Articles

A senior Pakistan board official has said Sri Lanka have confirmed they will tour Pakistan next month in place of India, who called off their scheduled tour to the country on Thursday.

India have pulled out of next year's planned cricket tour of Pakistan in the wake of November's attacks in Mumbai after receiving government advice.

Superb centuries from youngster Umar Amin and 23 year old Afaq Raheem in an unbeaten 251-run partnership led the Federal Areas Leopards to a convincing seven-wicket win over Baluchistan Bears at the National Stadium in Karachi. It capped a fine fightback, after Federal Areas had slipped to 25 for 3 chasing 277.

As doubts continue to hover around India's tour to Pakistan next month, options have finally begun to emerge for a cricket-starved Pakistan. Though no official contact has yet been made between the boards, Sri Lanka has already expressed its readiness to replace India for the tour.

Shoaib Malik continued his solid form with both bat and ball, as he led the Punjab Stallions to their second win in a row over the NWFP Panthers. Far from the fireworks of yesterday's spectacular last-ball thriller, this was a slow-burner: an NWFP side weakened by the absence of captain Umar Gul and Younis Khan pushed hard.

Shoaib Malik's 86 was the focal point for Punjab's comprehensive victory over Federal Areas in the RBS One day opener against The Federal Areas team in Lahore.

Don't arrange a party on the shore, For there the song of life is gentle and soft. Roll with the ocean and contend with its waves: Struggle and combat give eternal life. Muhammad Iqbal, Payam-i-Mashriq (Farsi) ? Translated by Prof. Mustansir Mir.

South Australia are looking to employ another Pakistani by having Sohail Tanvir involved in their Twenty20 campaign, but the move depends on his international commitments. Tanvir starred for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League earlier this year and if the short-term deal goes through he will step in for Younis Khan, who is helping out the struggling Redbacks in 2007-08.

Efforts are on to salvage India's tour of Pakistan, scheduled to begin next month, with the PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt, likely to discuss the issue during his visit to Chennai for an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting on Friday and ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat suggesting the use of neutral venues for the series.

Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, has apologised to the nation for his repeated misdemeanours. Asif, who was in tears during an interview to a TV channel, vowed to come back a reformed man.