Nazir Takes Pakistan into Super 8

Imran Nazir played a cracker of an innings to help Pakistan qualify for the Super Eights stage of T20 World Cup after 8-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's Abul Hasan struck twice in one over to remove Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez.
Imran Nazir hammered Bangladesh bowlers all over the park to slam 25-ball fifty and lead the Pakistan chase. He played a rollicking knock as he scored 36-ball 72 with the help of nine fours and three sixes.
Chasing 176-run target, Mohammad Hafeez and Nazir gave Pakistan blistering as they took team's fifty in just 29 balls to set the foundation. Nazir started dealing with fours and sixes to put Bangladesh bowlers on the backfoot.
Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan led from the front as he notched up 84 off 54 balls to help Bangladesh post the stiff 176-run target for Pakistan.
Shakib smacked 11 fours and two sixes in his flamboyant knock to power Bangladesh to 175/6 in 20 overs.
Bangladesh lost Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah in quick succession after Shakib Al Hasan's brisk fifty. Yasir Arafat and Shahid Afridi struck to scalp Rahim and Mahmudullah respectively in quick succession to dent Bangladesh's run charge.
Shakib and Mushfiqur added 68 runs for the third wicket to consolidate Bangladesh. Shakib slammed a quickfire 33-ball fifty that included seven fours and two sixes. Shakib reached his fifty in style after sending the ball over the ropes.
Tamim Iqbal got run-out in an unlucky manner when he lost his balance after being sent back by Shakib Al Hasan. Iqbal played a fine cameo with his 24 off just 12 balls that included five boundaries.
Bangladesh made the maximum use of the mandatory powerplay as they collected 61 runs in six overs with the loss of their openers.
Bangladesh lost Mohammad Ashraful after their openers gave blistering start against Pakistan. Ashraful and Tamim Iqbal added 34-run stand in just 20 balls to set the pace for Bangladesh after skipper Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and decided to bat against Pakistan.
Sohail Tanvir dismissed Ashraful to give Pakistan crucial breakthrough after the batsman hammered three boundaries in his 13 balls stay at the crease.

Brief scores
Bangladesh 175 for 6 (Shakib Al Hasan 84, Yasir Arafat 3-25)
Pakistan 178 for 2 (Nazir 72, Hafeez 45, Abul Hasan 2-33)
Result Pakistan won by 8 wickets
Points Pakistan 2, Bangladesh 0
MOM Imran Nazir (Pakistan)

Sangakkara Double Deny Pakistan Win

Kumar Sangakkara compiled his eighth double hundred in Tests and with able support from Prasanna Jayawardene salvaged a draw for Sri Lanka on the final day of the opening Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Sri Lanka survived some nervous moments at the closing stages of their second innings before being all out for 483 to set Pakistan a victory target of 170 from 21 overs.
Pakistan decided against the chase and reached 21/1, with the loss of double centurion in first innings, Taufeeq Umar, when stumps were drawn.
Sangakkara (211) and Jayawardene (120), both unbeaten overnight, batted resolutely to add 201 for the sixth-wicket as Pakistan were left to rue Friday's dropped chances.
Stylish left-hander Sangakkara, who was dropped on 56 by Younis Khan off Mohammad Hafeez, got past the 200-run mark with a glance to the fine-leg boundary.
The former Sri Lanka captain, who also survived a run-out chance on 190, hit 18 boundaries during his 431-ball knock, before he fell lbw in the last over before tea to give part-time leg spinner Azhar Ali his first Test wicket.
Pakistan's last hopes of forcing a victory after the mammoth partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene ended when an easy catch from Rangana Herath (23 not out) off Junaid Khan was dropped by Umar Gul at mid-off.
Jayawardene, who also received a life on Friday when substitute fielder Wahab Riaz put down an easy catch off Gul, completed his fourth Test hundred with a lofted drive over spinner Saeed Ajmal's head.
The right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman fell to the third new ball of the innings when he edged paceman Aizaz Cheema behind the stumps.
Gul wiped off the Sri Lankan tailenders, finishing with 4/64.
The Pakistan pacemen managed to extract a bit of reverse swing with the old ball in dry conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and troubled the batsmen on a number of occasions but failed to get the crucial wickets.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 197 (Mathews 52*, Junaid 5-38) and 483 (Sangakkara 211, P Jayawardene 120, Gul 4-64)
Pakistan 511 for 6 dec (Taufeeq 236, Hafeez 75, Ali 70) and 21 for 1
Results Drawn
MOM Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Razzaq to Lead Pakistan in Super Sixes

National selectors named experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq the captain of the Pakistan squad for the Super Sixes tournament to be held in Hong Kong later this month.
Razzaq, who has been ignored for national selection since the World Cup and was not considered for the Test series against Sri Lanka, will lead a strong seven member team for the Hong Kong event.
Besides Razzaq, the selectors also accommodated other national team players, Umar Akmal, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Shah, Hammad Azam and newcomer Sharjeel Khan in the Super sixes squad.
Pakistan have featured regularly in the Hong Kong sixes event which is held annually with teams from all Test playing nations taking part in it.
Umar, Sohail, Tanvir and Yasir had all toured Zimbabwe with the senior team in August but were dropped for the Test series against Sri Lanka in the UAE.

Bhajji-Zaheer May be Rested for England ODIs

Off-colour Harbhajan Singh may not be considered for selection while pace spearhead Zaheer Khan may be rested when the national selectors meet on Saturday to pick India's squad for next month's ODI series against England.
Harbhajan who sustained a Grade-I abdominal tear has been advised four weeks' rest and is unlikely to get fit in time for the shorter formats beginning with a lone Twenty20 game on August 31 and followed by the five one-dayers from September 3.
According to Board sources, senior pacer Zaheer Khan may be rested for the ODI series keeping in mind the tight schedule of the national team that includes Test series against the West Indies and Australia.
Yuvraj Singh who fractured his left index finger is another doubtful case as it is still not clear as to how much time it would take for him to regain full fitness.
While veteran Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag are likely to be available, Parthiv Patel is likely to replace Wriddhiman Saha as the second keeper as he is considered a better batsman.
Mumbai youngster Rohit Sharma who was awarded the man-of-the-series in West Indies is another certaintyalong with Tamil Nadu off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel have also sealed their places in the squad. Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra who had recently bowled at the India nets before Lord's Test will certainly be an option for the selectors as he has submitted his fitness certificate to the Board.
Paceman Ranganath Vinay Kumar was also in the reckoning for a place in the squad considering that conditions in England will favour the quick bowlers.
However there is certainly going to be some debate as to who will be the reserve batsman in the squad. Yusuf Pathan, Manoj Tiwary and Ajinkya Rahane are fighting for that particular slot.

Bangladesh Collapse After Masakadza Ton

A second Test century from Hamilton Masakadza and the late dismissal of dangerous Bangladesh batsman Shahriar Nafeez gave Zimbabwe the upper hand on the second day of their one-off Test at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Zimbabwe, who had been 264 for two overnight, were all out for 370 in their first innings before Bangladesh replied with a 107/3 at stumps to leave them 263 in arrears at the close of play with seven wickets remaining.
Masakadza (104) clawed his way to a second Test century - 10 years after his first - as he put on 142 for the third wicket with skipper Brendan Taylor, who made 71.
It was Taylor's fourth Test half century, but once he was out, Zimbabwe lost their remaining seven wickets for just 66 runs.
"We knew that Bangladesh would come out and bowl better this morning, especially with Robiul Islam bowling 12 overs in succession and keeping to their game plan," said Taylor.
"But we know that although we retain the advantage in this match there is a long way to go."
Bangladesh started their fightback by snatching four wickets in the 30 minutes before lunch.
After capturing both Masakadza and Taylor with a double breakthrough, seamer Robiul Islam had changed the tone of the game with Craig Ervine (six) and Elton Chigumbura (five) were bundled out in short order as lunchtime approached.

After the break Brian Vitori, Kyle Jarvis, Raymond Price and Christopher Mpofu were all quickly disposed of with only former skipper Tatenda Taibu, with 23, offering real resistance.
Rubel Hossain and captain Shakib Al Hassan took three wickets each.
In reply, Bangladesh lost both openers by the time they had reached 36.
Left-armer Brian Vitori marked his Test debut by dismissing Imrul Kayes (four) and and flamboyant Tamim Iqbal (15).
Shahriar Nafeez and Mohammad Ashraful (34 not out) then launched a Bangladesh recovery, putting on 66 for the third wicket before Nafeez was bowled by off-spinner Price off his legs for 50 as the shadows lengthened.
It was his fifth Test half-century and he hit six fours.

Brief scores
Zimbabwe 370 (Masakadza 104, Taylor 71, Shakib 3-62)
Bangladesh 107 for 3 (Nafees 50, Vitori 2-29)
Status Bangladesh trail by 263 runs

England to Host West Indies in Two Twenty20 Matches

England will host West Indies in two evening Twenty20 internationals at the Oval next month, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Wednesday.
"Surrey CCC is really pleased to be able to host these games in what will be a colourful and exciting end to the international summer," Surrey chief executive Richard Gould said in a statement.

The first match will take place on September 23 with the second game two days later at the south London venue.
Before that England face two more Tests against India, having established a 2-0 lead in the four-match series, followed by one Twenty20 and five one-day internationals against the touring side.

Harbhajan, Yuvraj Out of England Test, Ojha, Kohli Called Up

Indian cricket team on Wednesday named Virat Kohli and Pragyan Ojha as replacement of the injured Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh for the remaining matches against England on Wednesday.
Harbhajan and Yuvraj were ruled out of the entire series due to injuries. Bhajji had an abdominal strain while Yuvi had a hand injury.
"Yuvraj Singh has fractured his left index finger, and Harbhajan Singh has a Grade I Abdominal Muscle strain," N Srinivasan, BCCI secretary, said in a statement.
"While Yuvraj's injury may take around 4 weeks to recover, Harbhajan is likely to recover in 3 weeks' time," he added.
Pragyan Ojha and Virat Kohli will join the Indian team as their replacements. "Both players will join the Indian team at the earliest," Srinivasan said.

India and England play the third Test from August 10 in Birmingham.

Harbhajan Singh Ruled Out of Third Test

 Down 0-2 in the series, India's injury woes increased on Wednesday with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh being ruled out of the third Test against England due to an abdominal strain.
Harbhajan, who has really struggled to find form in the series so far, picked up the injury during the second Test at Trent Bridge which India lost by a massive 319 runs on Monday.
"Harbhajan has a grade one lower abdominal tear and is expected to be out of action for 10-12 days," as reported.
The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The feisty tweaker grabbed 1 for 69 in the second Test after his 1 for 218 in the first at Lord's.
In his absence, leg-spinner Amit Mishra might get a chance.
On what has turned out to be a disastrous tour so far for the world's number one Test side, India's dressing room resembles a hospital ward with key players such as pace spearhead Zaheer Khan battling injuries.
Zaheer, who sat out of the second Test, is still not confirmed for the third starting August 10 because of a hamstring strain he sustained during the series-opener at the Lord's.
But opener Gautam Gambhir, who picked up an elbow injury during the opening Test, is set to return for the Edgbaston Test.
Gambhir's swashbuckling opening partner Virender Sehwag will also bolster the line-up in the third Test. Sehwag joined the team on Wednesday after missing the first two Tests to recuperate from a shoulder surgery.
Middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh, who came in the side in place of Gambhir, ended up injuring himself during the match after getting hit on his left hand by Tim Bresnan delivery.

India play a two-day tour game against Northamptonshire on August 5 and 6 before the third Test.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men would lose their number one position in the ICC rankings if they go down by a margin of two Tests or more in this series.

Sri Lanka Name T20 Squad for Australia Series

Sri Lanka Cricket named a 16-man squad for the Twenty20 games of Australia's tour from August 6 to September 20.
The teams will play two Twenty20 games on August 6 and 8 at the newly-built Pallakelle International Stadium in the central town of Kandy which will also host the opening one-dayer and the second Test match.
The itinerary also includes a five one-day game series and three Tests.

Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (vice captain), Jeevan Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Chamara Silva and Shaminda Eranga.

Zimbabwe Score 264/2, Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Watch Cricket

Zimbabwe vs BangladeshWatch Cricket Score Ball by Ball  Click Here  &  Click Here

Zimbabwe marked their return from a six-year exile by racking up an impressive 264 for two against Bangladesh on the first day of a one-off Test at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
All four of Zimbabwe's top batsmen made runs with Hamilton Masakadza finishing the day unbeaten on 88 with seven fours and a six as he closes in on a second Test century.
Masakadza made his first century 10 years ago on his debut at the age of 17, scoring 119 against West Indies on this same ground.
New skipper Brendan Taylor was also undefeated on Thursday, having made a steady 40 off 108 balls.
Debutant opener Tinotenda Mawoyo made 43 while Vusi Sibanda smashed 78, with seven fours and one six, as the two put on 102 for the first wicket.
"I cannot compliment our guys enough," said Taylor. "The way the openers stuck it out and the platform of Hamilton and myself in the final session was perfect - you cannot ask more than that. Tomorrow we must stay focussed."
After losing the toss, and being put into bat on a greenish wicket by Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hassan, Zimbabwe constructed a foundation for what could be a winning score.
Zimbabwe's batsmen mixed caution with aggression, allowing few chances especially after a scare in the second over of the day when Sibanda was very nearly run out.
Bangladesh, already defeated by a Zimbabwe X1 in a three-day tour match at the weekend, looked shell-shocked by the day's end.
Only 21-year-old medium-pacer Rubel Hossain got wickets and finished with two for 58 off 18 overs.

Mawoyo was the first to fall, caught by Mahmudullah at deep backward point with Sibanda the second to go, midway through the afternoon session, when he edged a short ball to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Despite the return of Test cricket, the match only attracted fewer than 1,000 people.
But the performance of the Zimbabwe had International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat feeling optimistic over the team's future in the five-day game.

Brief scores
Zimbabwe 264 for 2 (Masakadza 88*, Sibanda 78, Hossain 2-58)

Surprise Win for Zimbabweans in Warm-up Match

Bangladesh looked to be in charge when the day started, having reduced the hosts to three for two on Sunday evening as they went in chase of the 223 they needed for victory.Foster Mutizwa shocked the Bangladesh tourists on Monday when he scored 87 to take a Zimbabwe XI to victory in their three-day encounter, the only warm-up match before the one-off Test later in the week.
However, Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva dropped anchor and took the score to 43 before Chakabva fell leg before to Shakib Al Hasan,
That brought in the 25 year-old Mutizwa who proceeded to see the Zimbabweans across the line with an unbeaten 87 from 165 balls with four fours and two sixes.
The key partnership came when he added 84 with Craig Ervine, who made 42, for the sixth wicket. Malcolm Waller then ensured that the Zimbabweans collected a confidence boosting win with 22 not out.

Mutize, however, did not do enough to warrant selection in the Test which will be Zimbabwe's first since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005.

The two sides will also play five one-day internationals.

Brief scores
Bangladeshis 188 (Mushfiqur 64, Ncube 3-40) and 147 (Shakib 40, Utseya 3-25)
Zimbabwe XI 113 (Robiul 3-33, Shafiul 3-36) and 225 for 6 (Mutizwa 87*, Ervine 42)
Results Zimbabwe XI won by four wickets

Sehwag to Join India on Wednesday in England

Dashing opener Virender Sehwag will fly to England to reinforce the embattled Indian team for the last two Tests, the Indian cricket board said on Tuesday.
Sehwag, 32, whose brilliant strokeplay has propelled India's batting in the past, missed the previous series in the West Indies and the first two Tests in England because of shoulder surgery in May.
He was selected as the 17th member of the touring squad for England, but was allowed to join his teammates a fortnight late.
Sehwag's fitness will be tested during a two-day match against Northamptonshire from August 5 which precedes the remaining back-to-back Tests at Edgbaston and The Oval.
Sehwag's return will boost India, who crashed to a humiliating 319-run defeat with a day to spare in the second Test at Trent Bridge on Monday to hand England a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
The tourists, who lost the first Test by 196 runs, must now win at least one of the remaining two Tests and avoid defeat in the other to prevent England from taking over as the number one-ranked team.
Sehwag's regular opening partner Gautam Gambhir, who missed the second Test with an elbow injury, is also expected to be fit for the third Test.
Sehwag has scored 7,694 runs in 87 Tests at an average of 53.43 with 22 three-figure knocks, including two triple centuries.

Bangladesh Close in on Warm-up Win in Zimbabwe

Bangladesh's batting crumbled for a second time at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday but the tourists remain on course to win their only warm-up game against a Zimbabwe XI before next week's one-off Test.
At the close of the second day, the hosts were struggling in their quest for the 223 they need for victory having scored just three runs for the loss of opener Tino Mawoyo and number three Kyle Jarvis.
Resuming on 42 for four in their first innings, Zimbabwe slipped to 113 all out on Sunday morning, conceding a deficit of 75, as Shafiul Islam and Rohiul Islam took three wickets each.
When Bangladesh batted again, they continued to find it hard going on a pitch that Zimbabwe bowling coach Heath Streak described as "two-paced and rather unreliable."
Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with 40 as the Bangladeshis were bowled out for 147, setting the hosts 223 to win.
The match is being played under special rules that allow 13-a-side with only 11 batting and 11 on the field at one time.
Zimbabwe are fielding only five of the possible Test team that will face Bangladesh here from Thursday. It will be Zimbabwe's first Test since they were thrashed by New Zealand on home soil in 2005.

The two sides will also play five one-day internationals.

Brief scores
Bangladeshis 188 and 147 (Shakib 40, Utseya 3-25)
Zimbabwe XI 113 and 3 for 2 (Islam 1-0)
Status Zimbabwe XI need by 221 runs to win

England Eye Repeat as India Sweat on Zaheer

England will look for more of the same against India in the second Test at Trent Bridge starting on Friday.
They thrashed the tourists by 196 runs on Monday, with James Anderson taking five for 65 in front of a full house at Lord's in the 2,000th Test of all-time.
England, who will replace India at the top of the ICC's Test table if they win this four-match series 2-0 or better, had things pretty much their own way at Lord's, with Kevin Pietersen making a double century, Matt Prior a reviving second innings hundred and Stuart Broad returning to his best bowling form.
And even when dropped catches or contentious lbw decisions, for which there are no reviews this series because of Indian objections to ball-tracking technology, went against England, it made little difference.
"We know we're playing really, really good cricket at the moment," said Anderson. "Everyone's chipping in and if we need someone to step up, generally someone is.
"We're trying to improve each day, as individuals and as a team. If we can do that, we know we can do great things."
Anderson, often a beneficiary of the swing friendly conditions on offer at Trent Bridge, has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar six times in seven Tests, including lbw for 12 in the second innings at Lord's to leave the India great stranded on 99 international hundreds.
"When you get him out you know it's a key dismissal, so we know we've got to be on top of our game to do that," Anderson said.
England had a huge break at Lord's when Zaheer Khan broke down early with a hamstring injury and then didn't bowl at all in the second innings.
An India spokesman said on Wednesday that Zaheer's fitness was "improving considerably".
But if the left-arm quick, who four years ago at Trent Bridge took nine wickets in what turned out to be a series-clinching win, is ruled out, India will have to decide between erratic fast bowler Shanthakurman Sreesanth and the steadier Munaf Patel.
"Ishant Sharma has been doing really well he was the man of the series in the West Indies and Praveen Kumar has taken five wickets at Lord's," said India batsman Abhinav Mukund.
Sreesanth is waiting in the wings as well, so it's not that we have a depleted attack.
England have a doubt over fast bowler Chris Tremlett, unable to train on Wednesday because of a tight hamstring.
If Tremlett is sidelined, fellow Ashes-winner Tim Bresnan will be recalled.
Rahul Dravid was the only member of India's celebrated top order to make a century at Lord's but the likes of Tendulkar and Venkatsai Laxman will be keen to post a significant score.
So too will 21-year-old left-hander Mukund, opening while Virender Sehwag recovers from a shoulder injury.
Sehwag has an unrivalled ability to attack the new ball whereas Mukund, who made 49 and 12 at Lord's, is a far more orthodox opener.
"I don't want to replace Sehwag or play like he does, because it's not possible," Mukund said. "I just want to go out and play how I know. If it comes off it will help the team."
And he insisted India were well-capable of demonstrating the resilience that had taken them to the summit of Test cricket during the rest of this series.

Teams from

England: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan.

India: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Abhinav Mukund, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, Venkatsai Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Yuvraj Singh, Munaf Patel, Wriddihiman Saha

Match facts
July 29-Aug 02, 2011
Start time 11:00 local (10:00 GMT), 03:30pm IST

Dravid-Laxman Keep Hold as India Chase 458 to Win

India need 378 more runs to register a miraculous victory in the 1st Test as they finished Day 4 at 80/1 after hosts England set 458-run target at Lord's.
Rahul Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman held firm as India eyed a record-breaking chase in the first Test after Matt Prior's unbeaten century had swung the match back England's way at Lord's on Sunday.
India, at the close of the fourth day, were 80 for one in their second innings. They needed a further 378 runs in a minimum of 98 overs on Monday's final day to reach their victory target of 458 - a run-rate of 3.85 an over.
This is the 2,000th Test of all-time and no side has ever scored more in the fourth innings to win such a match than the West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia in Antigua in 2002/03.
Dravid, who made an unbeaten century in India's first innings, was 34 not out, having opened in place of Gautam Gambhir who was njured fielding at short leg earlier in the day, and Laxman 32 not out at stumps. The two experienced batsmen's stand was so far worth 61.
It didn't look as if India would have to make fourth innings history when Prior came in with England having collapsed to 62 for five. But the wicketkeeper stuck with his natural game and made 103 not out off 120 balls, including a six and five fours.
It was Prior's sixth century in 44 Tests and second in as many at Lord's following his 126 against Sri Lanka last month. Stuart Broad, who'd led England's attack with four for 37 in India's first innings, gave Prior excellent support in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 162 at nearly a run-a-ball as India's depleted attack toiled on a sunny day.
Broad, who bats left-handed but bowls right, demonstrated his all-round ability with a fluent 74 not out off 90 balls including nine fours. Prior pulled Suresh Raina for six to go into the 90s before a cover-driven four off the part-time spinner took him to his third Test century at Lord's - he also made 126 not out at the ground on debut against the West Indies in 2007.
As soon as Prior got to his century, England captain Andrew Strauss declared on 269 for six and with 30 overs left in the day's play. Broad's joy continued when he struck third ball to bowl Abhinav Mukund for 12, the left-hander playing on to him for the second time in the match.
India were again down to just three frontline bowlers as left-arm quick Zaheer Khan remained sidelined with a hamstring strain. Fellow seamer Ishant Sharma still rocked England with three wickets for one run in 16 balls before lunch on his way to four for 59 in 22 overs.
Kevin Pietersen had made a superb 202 not out in England's first innings 474 for eight declared. But on Sunday he was out for one when he feathered a steepling Sharma delivery to India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Five balls later Ian Bell fell in similar fashion for nought.

Brief scores
England 474 for 8 dec and 269 for 6 dec (Prior 103*, Broad 74*, Ishant 4-59)
India 286 and 80 for 1 (Dravid 34*, Laxman 32*, Broad 1-12)
Status India need 378 to win

MS Dhoni in Danger of One-match Ban

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni faces the danger of a one-match ban following a slow over rate during England's first innings in the first cricket Test at Lord's.
India recorded an over-rate of 13 per hour instead of the required 15.
The ICC code of conduct says that the captain of any team which is found guilty of bowling slow over-rates on three occasions in a 12-month period will face a one-match suspension.
Dhoni has already been twice noted by ICC after India failed to reach the required over-rate during January's third Test against South Africa and the recent match against the West Indies in Barbados.
For Dhoni, even if he escapes punishment for the first Test by match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the threat looms throughout the series.

Malik Ruled Out of Contract From PCB

Pakistan's former captain, Shoaib Malik has been ruled out of contention to get a central contract from the Pakistan Cricket Board as he has still not been able to satisfy the integrity committee about an amount of 90,000 pounds in his account. 
Sources in the board said that Malik, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar who had announced their retirements were out of contention for getting a central contract. 
"In Malik's case he has provided everything that was asked for by the integrity committee of the board except for the questions surrounding the fate of the 90,000 pounds," one source said. 
The source said that the amount was found in one of Malik's accounts backdated but than went missing in the latest bank statement he submitted to the board. 
"The integrity committee asked him to explain where he had spent the amount but so far he has been unable to give a satisfactory reply to them," the source said. 
"Malik has told the committee that he gave loans to some of his friends but was unable to give details of the persons he had given the amount to leaving the committee members not satisfied with his response," the source said. 
Another source aware of the details confirmed that during his appearances before the integrity committee, it was also found that an Indian had worked for as Malik's agent for a while and was investigated. 
"The present situation is that Malik is clear in every regard except for the unanswered questions about how the 90,000 pounds were spent and where," the source said. 
The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in a recent interview had said that once Malik cleared this issue he could walk into the Pakistan team. 
Ijaz Butt had noted that given his performance at the domestic level and his outstanding record in one-day internationals, the Pakistan team needed an allrounder of Malik's caliber in the team. 
"I have myself spoken to him and given him brotherly advice that he should just satisfy the integrity committee about this issue and he is clear to play for Pakistan," Butt had said. 
Malik last played for Pakistan on the England tour last year but since than has been ignored for selection and was also not considered for the World Cup because of his issues with the integrity committee. 
The PCB is due to announce fresh central contracts by next month for the second half of the year.

Pakistan Team to Have Short Camp Ahead of Zimbabwe Tour

The Pakistan cricket team for next month's tour of Zimbabwe will only undergo a short conditioning camp as it coincides with the holy month of Ramazan, according to PCB sources. 
"Since Ramazan starts from around August 2 and the team has to leave for Harare around the 24th it has been decided to have a three-four days conditioning camp before the team's departure," a Pakistan Cricket Board official said. 
He said the schedule of the camp would be finalised once chief coach, Waqar Younis arrives here from Australia. 
Waqar, who is based in Sydney, had delayed his arrival by 10 days due to ill health, but will now reach on Monday. 
In his absence, the PCB has been organising fast-track camps at the national cricket academy for leading players, including members of the national team available in Pakistan. 
Many of the leading players are presently busy playing county cricket in England. 
"The fast-track camps continue till July end so there is no purpose having a full-fledged camp before the Zimbabwe tour," the official said. 
Pakistan will play one Test, three one-day internationals and a T20 match during the three-week tour. 
The official confirmed that before leaving, the board would also announce the revised list of central contracts for players.

Strauss, Raina Shines as Somerset Dominate in Draw

India were left bruised and battered as they were all out for a mere 224 in their first innings and then allowed Somerset to score at a rollicking pace before the three-day warm-up game ended in an expected tame draw on the final day on Sunday.
The world number one side, who rested a few top players including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the only tour game, were outplayed by Somerset for most part of the day except for the brief period when Suresh Raina launched a counter-attack to score a dazzling unbeaten 103. 
India were completely outplayed by the English county side in the first two days also. They go into the first Test of the four-match series starting on July 21 after being at the receiving end of a county side in the tour game. 
After shooting India out for 224 in the morning session, Somerset scored at an amazing 6.34 runs per over to declare their second innings at 260 for two from just 41 overs at the tea break itself, leaving India an impossible victory target of 462. 
England captain Andrew Strauss, who was featuring in the practice game as a guest player for Somerset, top-scored with an unbeaten 109 while Peter Trego also remained not out with a 57-ball blitzkrieg of 85 which was studded with seven fours and sixes apiece. 
In their second innings, India were 69 for no loss before rain brought the proceedings to a close. Abhinav Mukund and Gautam Gambhir, who led the visiting side in the absence of Dhoni, were on 33 and 36 respectively when the two sides decided to end the game. 
It was struggle again for the Indian bowlers on the final day with Strauss and Trego sending them for a leatherhunt by raining fours and sixes in Somerset's second innings. 
Strauss followed up his 78 of the first innings with an unconquered 109 in the second essay. Somerset compiled 249 runs at the cost of two wickets from 36 overs in the post-lunch session. 
The sheen off Strauss innings' was off though since Zaheer Khan did not come out on the field in the second innings of the hosts. But the rest of the Indian bowling was as ineffective as it was in the first innings. 
Also missing from the field was Sachin Tendulkar who chose to stay indoors during England's second innings. 
The word from the dressing room though was that there is nothing wrong with the two cricketers. 
Somerset, who led India by 201 runs on the first innings, were rapidly into their stride as Strauss and his opening partner Arul Suppiah had their second century stand of the match. The duo stitched 129 runs for the unbroken third wicket. 
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra then managed two wickets off successive balls when Suppiah (45) and Hildreth (0) fell to catches in the close-in cordon but he was made to pay for irking the hosts. 
Peter Trego, the new man in, launched into Mishra with such ferocity that the leg-spinner conceded 61 runs from a mere three overs at one stage. 
Trego, in Mishra's 12th over, reaped 28 runs, hitting a four and then the next four balls for sixes before playing the last ball with a dead bat. 
Mishra switched ends, even tried to bowl wides, but Trego was unstoppable. 
In the morning session, Suresh Raina's counter-attacking unbeaten 103 single-handedly took India to 224 all out in their first innings. 
The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 103 from just 112 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and five sixes as India conceded a 201-run lead after Somerset had posted 425 for three declared in their first innings. 
The hosts, as expected, did not enforce the follow on and were 11 for no loss at lunch break. They have now taken an overall lead of 202 runs. 
The visitors, resuming at 138 for eight, lost overnight batsman S Sreesanth (1) straightaway, giving left-arm paceman Charl Willoughby his sixth wicket of the innings. 
This was the trigger Raina needed to throw caution to winds as he took 18 runs from Alfonso Thomas' next over from the other end - a four, followed by a six over midwicket and two more boundaries to complete the over. 
He soon was past his half century from 73 balls with nine fours and a six. 
Raina then turned his attention of Willoughby and struck him for three sixes, each bigger than the previous ones as he took his chance for a three-figure knock. 
The last wicket stand with Munaf Patel thus prospered before Raina drove one past a misfielding mid-off to reach his century. 
Munaf was out thereafter, leg before to part-time leg spin of Max Waller, a decision the tall medium-pacer was not happy with at all. 
The last wicket stand added 84 runs with overall 86 runs scored this morning out of which Raina's share was 73. 
Somerset did not enforce the follow on in a bid to give another outing in the middle to England captain Strauss. 

Brief scores
Somerset 425 for 3 dec (Suppiah 156, Compton 88, Strauss 78) and 260 for 2 dec (Strauss 109*, Trego 85*)
India 224 (Raina 103*, Willoughby 6-76) and 69 for 0
Results Drawn