Moin Khan Appointed Chief Selector

Pakistan's cricket bosses on Monday appointed former captain Moin Khan as chief selector, a post he said he took on as a challenge.
The 41-year-old takes over from Iqbal Qasim, who stepped aside earlier this month in a move seen as a reaction to the team's miserable performance in the Champions Trophy in England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Khan held discussion with interim chairman Najam Sethi and accepted the role.
"Former captain and wicket-keeper Khan will take over as chief selector while the rest of the members of the committee will remain the same," a PCB release said.
Former left-arm paceman Salim Jaffer, Test batsman Azhar Khan, Farrukh Zaman and Asif Baloch are the other selectors.
Moin Khan said he accepted the role as a challenge.
"It is an honour and a privilege to be offered the position of chairman of national selection committee -- a position held by many greats in the past and most recently by legendary spinner Qasim," he was quoted as saying in the release.
Khan played 69 Tests and 219 one-day internationals for Pakistan in 1990s and was also a member of World Cup winning team in 1992.
Last week the Islamabad high court ordered Sethi to hold elections for the PCB chairman within 90 days.

Umar Gul Out of Champions Trophy With Knee Injury

Pakistan's Champions Trophy challenge suffered a major blow on Thursday as pace spearhead Umar Gul was ruled out with a knee injury that will keep him out of action for up to 12 weeks.
The 29-year-old complained of knee trouble during last month's tour of South Africa and was sidelined after playing the first two games of the five-match one-day series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Gul would head to Australia for an operation next month.
"Gul complained of right knee pain during the South Africa tour. He was rested for imminent damage to his medial meniscus and bone of right knee. On his arrival back to Pakistan he underwent MRI scan which confirmed knee problem," a PCB release said.
Gul's initial reports were sent to Australia where a specialist advised surgery and rest and gave a timeframe of 8-12 weeks for full recovery. The PCB said they hoped the operation would go ahead in Melbourne early next month.
The bowler has taken 163 wickets in 47 Tests and 167 in 116 one-day internationals. He is also the leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 internationals with 74 in 52 matches.
Pakistan are in Group B alongside India, the West Indies and South Africa in the Champions Trophy to be played in England from June 6-23.
Defending champions Australia, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand form Group A.

Pakistan Squad for Champions Trophy

The national selection committee on Monday, as expected, axed experienced all-rounder Shahid Afridi and batsman Umar Akmal for the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June.
Chief selector Iqbal Qasim announced the 15-member squad in Lahore after lengthy deliberations although the selectors had finalised the squad last week and submitted it to the PCB chairman for approval.
At the end of the day, it transpired that the selectors made two changes to their submitted squad replacing the injured middle order batsman Haris Sohail with Umar Amin and preferring to pick left arm pacer Wahab Riaz to Aizaz Cheema.
The rest of the squad remained the same and Qasim said that Afridi was dropped because of his recent poor bowling form.
The same set of players with the addition of a few more are expected to get the central contracts for 2013.
The PCB also announced that Australian Trent Woodhill would be the batting coach of the team for the Champions Trophy and would join them in England.
Pakistan first play a one-day series in Scotland and Ireland in May before going to England for the Champions Trophy.

This will be their first visit to England since the 2010 spot fixing scandal.

Pakistan squad:

• Misbah-ul-Haq (captain)
• Abdur Rehman
• Asad Ali
• Asad Shafiq
• Ehsan Adil
• Imran Farhat
• Junaid Khan
• Kamran Akmal (wk)
• Mohammad Hafeez
• Mohammad Irfan
• Nasir Jamshed
• Saeed Ajmal
• Shoaib Malik
• Umar Amin
• Wahab Riaz

Younis Drop From Champions Trophy

Pakistan on Sunday omitted out-of-form Younis 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 Younis managed just 116 runs in the series against South Africa earlier this month which Pakistan lost 3-2 and has not managed to score a century since November 2008.
Pakistan is in group B of the event to be held in England from June 6-23. The other teams in their group are arch-rivals India, the West Indies and South Africa.
Defending champions 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.

Pakistan probables squad: 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.

Champions Trophy Pakistan Probables squad

           Champions Trophy Pakistan Probables Squad

Player Name

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

Irfan Leads Pakistan to Six-wicket Win

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan took four wickets in a devastating opening spell to set up a six-wicket win in the second one-day international against South Africa on Friday.
Tall left-armer Irfan took a career-best four for 33 in seven overs as South Africa were bowled out for 191 in a match reduced to 44 overs a side.
Pakistan achieved victory with 4.4 overs to spare, captain Misbah-ul-Haq anchoring his side's chase, making 57 not out.
The win levelled the five-match series at 1-1 after South Africa had cruised to a 125-run win in Bloemfontein last weekend with the third game to be played in Johannesburg on Sunday.
South Africa crashed to 62 for five under Irfan's onslaught but recovered to reach 177 for seven after 38.4 overs when a violent thunderstorm struck the ground and caused a stoppage of almost two-and-a-half hours.
South Africa failed to see out the revised quota of 44 overs, losing their last three wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out with four balls to spare.
Farhaan Behardien led the South African fightback, making a measured 58 off 82 balls for his maiden international half-century.
Robin Peterson made 44 and helped Behardien put on 67 for the seventh wicket before Behardien was caught on the midwicket boundary one ball before the stoppage.
After Irfan had made his inroads, slow bowlers Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi kept the pressure on.
Ajmal took two for 23 and Hafeez two for 35, while Afridi conceded only 24 runs in eight overs.
Pakistan had a brief wobble when they slipped to 69 for three in the 15th over, with Hafeez and Kamran Akmal falling in successive overs.
But Misbah and Younis Khan, the side's most experienced players, steadied the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 46 off 67 balls.
Shoaib Malik joined Misbah and they added an unbeaten 77 off 82 deliveries, with Malik contributing an aggressive 35 not out off 75 balls.
Misbah's 57 runs were made off 75 balls with three fours and three sixes.

Brief scores
South Africa 191 all out (Behardien 58, Peterson 44, Irfan 4-33)
Pakistan 192 for 4 (Misbah 57*, Malik 35*, Peterson 2-52)
Result Pakistan won by six wickets 
MOM Mohammad Irfan (Pakistan)

Pakistan Name Squad For South Africa Test

Pakistan on Friday included lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan in a 16-man squad for next month's three Tests against world number one side South Africa, but there was no place for the three Akmal brothers.
The 30-year-old Irfan, who is said to be seven foot one inch tall, impressed with his steepling bounce during Pakistan's recent tour to India where he featured in all three one-day matches and two Twenty20 internationals. But he has yet to play a Test.
The Test squad, led by Misbah-ul Haq, will open with a four-day side match at East London from January 25 before the first Test in Johannesburg from February 1.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said separate squads for two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day matches, which follow the Tests, will be announced later.
Surprisingly, none of the three Akmal brothers - Kamran, Umar and Adnan - are part of the Test squad and no selector was available to say why.
Nineteen-year-old paceman Ehsan Adil was also selected for the first time after impressing during the Junior World Cup in Australia last year. Adil has taken 56 wickets in ten first-class matches this season.
The pace squad will be led by the experienced Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and Irfan.
Uncapped left-hander Haris Sohail and Faisal Iqbal also retained their places in the squad after failing to play any match on the Sri Lanka tour while left-handed opener Nasir Jamshed, who has yet to play a Test, also made the cut.

Pakistan Test squad:

• Misbah-ul-Haq (capt)
• Mohammad Hafeez
• Nasir Jamshed
• Azhar Ali
• Asad Shafiq
• Younis Khan
• Taufeeq Umar
• Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
• Junaid Khan
• Mohammad Irfan
• Ehsan Adil
• Saeed Ajmal
• Adbur Rehman
• Haris Sohail
• Faisal Iqbal
• Umar Gul

Sri Lanka Enter World Twenty20 Final

Discipline Sri Lankan bowlers powered the hosts to the final of the 2012 World Twenty20 as they beat 2009 champions Pakistan by 16 runs in a low-scoring thriller at Premadasa stadium in Colombo on Thursday.

Sri Lanka will meet the winner of second semifinal between Australia and West Indies in the summit clash on Sunday.

Rangana Herath derailed Pakistan's chase as he dismissed danger man Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi in quick succession to reduce Pakistan to 91 for 6.

Earlier, Ajantha Mendis gave Sri Lanka first breakthrough as he bowled out Imran Nazir (20) after a steady start by Pakistan in their chase of 140.

Angelo Mathews then trapped Nasir Jamshed leg before wickets and got Kamran Akmal caught behind the stumps to hurt Pakistan's chase.

Herath then joined the party by getting rid of Shoaib Malik.

Herath stretched the show further in the 15th over by quick wickets of Hafeez and Afridi.

Pakistan restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 139/4 in their semifinal clash at the R Premadasa stadium on Thursday.

Some 35,000 fans at the Premadasa stadium watched Sri Lanka struggle to force the pace after Mahela Jayawardene elected to take first strike on a sluggish pitch that hampered stroke-making.

Sri Lanka plodded to 123-4 in 19 overs when Thisara Perera smashed three boundaries in the final over bowled by seamer Umar Gul which realised 16 runs.

Openers Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan put on 63 in 10 overs, a slow start by Twenty20 standards but crucial nevertheless for Sri Lanka still had all their wickets in hand.

Jayawardene liberally employed the reverse sweep during his knock of 42 off 36 balls, but was caught at fine-leg while attempting the same shot off leg-spinner Shahid Afridi.

Kumar Sangakkara made a promising 18 from 11 balls when he was snapped up on the long-on fence as he tried to hit Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez out of the ground.

Gul was unlucky to see the TV umpire declare a no-ball after he had Jeevan Mendis given out leg-before in the 18th over.

But Gul removed Dilshan two balls later with another leg-before decision that made Sri Lanka 117-3.

Dilshan was unusually subdued during his innings, taking 43 balls to score 35 with the help of three boundaries.

Brief scores

Sri Lanka 139 for 4 (Jayawardene 42, Dilshan 35)

Pakistan 123 for 7 (Hafeez 42, Umar Akmal 29*, Herath 3-25)

Result Sri Lanka won by 16 runs

MOM Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Gul Star in Thriller Win

Umar Gul turned an unlikely hero with the bat as Pakistan survived a middle-order collapse to beat South Africa by two wickets in the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 on Friday.

Pakistan, chasing South Africa's modest 133-6, crashed to 76-7 in the 15th over before Gul and Umar Akmal combined to share a match-winning partnership of 49 in 27 balls.
Gul smashed two fours and three sixes in his 32 off 17 balls before he was dismissed off the last ball of the 19th over by fast bowler Dale Steyn with nine more needed.
But Akmal, who remained unbeaten on 43, and Saeed Ajmal steered Pakistan home with two balls to spare, Ajmal edging the winning boundary off Morne Morkel.
Pakistan's openers raced to 24 in 2.5 overs before the innings fell apart after Imran Nazir (14) was caught behind off Steyn.
Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who came to bowl the fourth over, removed skipper Mohammad Hafeez with his second delivery and Nasir Jamshed with the six to make Pakistan 31-3.
Off-spinner Johan Botha also struck in his first over by bowling Kamran Akmal for one, Jacques Kallis dismissed Shoaib Malik (12) and JP Duminy had danger man Shahid Afridi caught in the deep first ball.
But Gul and Umar Akmal launched a blistering attack on the Proteas to earn Pakistan full points in the opening match of group two.
India and Australia, the other two teams in the group, play in the second match of the double-header at the Premadasa stadium later on Friday night.
Earlier, Pakistan's spinners revelled on a slow wicket to restrict mighty South Africa to 133-6.
Hafeez claimed 2-23 and 20-year-old left-arm spinner Raza Hasan conceded just 12 runs in three overs after South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
Seamers Yasir Arafat and Gul shared three wickets as the batsmen tried to hit out against them after failing to play the slow bowlers.
South Africa, the top-ranked side in the Twenty20 format, were reduced to 28-3 in 6.1 overs before recovering through skipper AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.
Left-handed Duminy top-scored with 48 off 38 balls, while de Villiers made 25, but no other batsman reached 20.

Brief scores
South Africa 133 for 6 (Duminy 48, Hafeez 2-23)
Pakistan 136 for 8 (Umar Akmal 43*, Gul 32)
Result Pakistan won by two wickets
Points Pakistan 2, South Africa 0
MOM Umar Gul (Pakistan.

ICC World T20, Super Eight: South Africa vs Pakistan

Colombo: They have so far maintained a clean slate and there is very little to separate the two teams as South Africa lock horns with Pakistan in what is expected to be a battle of attrition in their ICC World Twenty20 Super Eight match on Friday.
Both teams will be equally confident after their emphatic showings in the group stage of the tournament, and it will be interesting to see who emerges winner at the R Premadasa Stadium stadium.
Pakistan, winner of the 2009 edition, won both their group league matches with ease.
If skipper Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed shone in their win over New Zealand, Imran Nazir led the way with an onslaught that left the Bangladesh bowlers shell-shocked in their last game.
Hafeez deserves mention as he led admirably with both bat and ball, his canny off-spinners often proving to be a perfect foil for Saeed Ajmal, who has become a sort of a headache for batsmen the world over.
Flashy wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has also shown glimpses of his brilliance and looked in good nick against their South Asian rivals.
Pacers Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir haven`t really fired, but Yasir Arafat made an impact with three Bangladeshi wickets, and Pakistan are unlikely to make any changes to the squad that played in the last game.
The match assumes more significance for Pakistan as a win against the Proteas will put them in the perfect frame of mind ahead of the big-ticket encounter with arch-rival India on Sunday.
South Africa have been their consistent self in the group stage, but the real tournament starts now, and more so for the Proteas.
The shocking 2011 World Cup quarterfinal defeat to New Zealand still fresh in mind, South Africa would once again would look to shed the tag of perennial chokers in ICC tournament, and a win tomorrow will be a positive step in that direction.
A look at their performance in the group stage will only add to South Africa`s confidence going into the competitive round.
Led by the explosive A B de Villiers, the team hammered neighbours Zimbabwe by 10 wickets to start the tournament in the best possible manner.
In the rain-reduced seven-over hit against hosts Sri Lanka, the Proteas were well served by the skipper, who helped them to a 32-run win in Hambantota.
There is no dearth of strokemakers in the SA line-up and right from the in-form Hashim Amla to the great Jacques Kallis, each one of them is capable of single-handedly turning a match on its head.
The presence of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and his brother Albie make for an effective pace battery.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Mohammed Hafeez (c), Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Imran Nazir, Kamram Akmal, Mohammed Sami, Nasir Jamshed, Raza Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat.

South Africa: AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Francois du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. 

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)

Pakistan Thrash New Zealand

New Zealand's late fightback went in vain as Pakistan beat the Kiwis by 13 runs in a thrilling encounter in their World T20 match in Pallekele on Sunday.
The Kiwis were left stranded requiring a high run rate when they lost Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum in quick succession before Saeed Ajmal struck for the second time to dismiss Jacob Oram.
McCullum was left completely bemused when Umar Gul's swinging delivery trickled back slowly to knock off the leg stump bail.
After a steady start to the innings, the Kiwis lost both their openers when Kane Williamson (15) was run out immediately after Shahid Afridi struck to dismiss Rob Nicol (33).
Afridi gave Pakistan an important breakthrough in his first over as he dismissed Kiwi opener Nicol for 33 runs, which included three 4s and a single six.
A beautiful Afridi swinger, which depicts his natural style of bowling, was instrumental in knocking Nicol's off stump out of the ground.
Williamson on the other hand failed to capitalize on his impressive start as a splendid effort in the field led to him falling short of reaching the crease.
Chasing a target of 178, openers Nicol and Kane Williamson gave the New Zealand innings a steady start by putting up a speedy 50-run partnership in just 38 balls.
Earlier, after being spearheaded by Nasir Jamshed (56), Pakistan set up a formidable target of 178 for New Zealand.
Daniel Vettori scalped the dangerous Jamshed after he scored a quick 27-ball fifty that included two 4s and four 6s to lead the Pakistan attack.
Jamshed put up a blistering partnership with Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez (43) before Hafeez lost his wicket to James Franklin.
A perfect delivery by Franklin was able to find the off stump of Hafeez, who was earlier dropped by Kiwi skipper Ross Taylor on the third ball of the innings.
Jamshed while trying to make room on the offside hit a slower Vettori delivery towards the boundary where Nathan McCullum made no mistake in catching a simple catch.
Earlier, Jacob Oram was able to get the better of Kamran Akmal when the Pakistan wicketkeeper was caught comfortably on the cover boundary by Rob Nicol.
The Pakistan duo of Jamshed and Hafeez added quickfire 50 runs for the second wicket after losing opener Imran Nazir, which helped Pakistan scored 100 runs in just 10.5 overs.
The first Pakistan wicket fell when seamer Tim Southee gave New Zealand crucial breakthrough as he got rid of dangerous Pakistani opener Nazir.
Nazir and skipper Hafeez gave Pakistan terrific start as the duo added 47 runs for the opening wicket. Pakistan just lost only one wicket while added 51 runs during the first six overs of powerplay.
Nazir was hitting well before being caught and bowled by paceman Southee, who held up a fine catch on his follow through. Nazir scored a quickfire 16-ball 25 with the help of five boundaries.

Brief scores
Pakistan 177 for 6 (Jamshed 56, Hafeez 43)
New Zealand 164 for 9 (Nicol 33, B McCullum 32, Ajmal 4-30)
Result Pakistan won by 13 runs
Points Pakistan 2, New Zealand 0
MOM Nasir Jamshed (Pakistan)

Pakistan Take Series After Super Over

Pakistan have won a drama-packed game in Dubai to seal victory in the Twenty20 series against Australia in dramatic fashion in the Super Over after the match had ended in a Tie. Pakistan have clinched the 3 match series 2-0.

Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq hit a boundary each in Pakistan's over to get their side over the line.
The win ensures Pakistan will win the three-match series with one more game left at the DSC Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Having won the toss, Pakistan went into bat full of confidence after their convincing win in game one.
However, Mitchell Starc got Australia off to the perfect start with a wicket in the second over, removing Imran Nazir for a duck.
From there, though, the innings was controlled by Pakistan.
Opener Mohammad Hafeez was joined by Nasir Jamshed at the crease and the pair put on a 76-run stand that was brought to an end by an astounding catch by Dan Christian.
Jamshed scooped one off Pat Cummins over mid-off and appeared to be safe before Christian sprinted back and dived full-length to pull off an amazing one-handed catch.
Kamran Akmal then came to the crease and after the departure of Hafeez put on a free-hitting 46-run stand with brother Umar to help Pakistan on their way to 4-151at the end of their 20 overs.
Kamran ended the innings unbeaten on 43 from 26 balls with Jamshed and Hafeez both posting 45.
Starc (1-17) was the best of the bowlers in what was a disappointing display with the ball by the Australians.
Dave Warner and Shane Watson opened the batting and put on 40 for the first wicket before Warner was bowled by Saeed Ajmal for 31 with the score at 1-40.
Watson and Hussey kept the run rate ticking over before Watson was removed by Ajmal for 33 in the 11th over.
The Aussies looked to be in trouble before birthday boy George Bailey saved Australia's innings with an inspired 42 from 46 deliveries to give his side a chance at victory as the match moved into its final overs.
With two balls to go, Australia needed an unlikely seven runs.
Up stepped Cummins who hit a six off the second last delivery to leave Australia needing just one run to win from the final ball.
But the young bowler could only sky the last ball to be caught by Nazir from the bowling of Razzaq to send the game into a super over with both teams tied on 151 runs apiece.
Dave Warner and Shane Watson were sent in by captain Bailey to face Umar Gul in the first super over.
The pair could only manage 11 runs with Warner falling for five on the second-last ball.
Hafeez placed his faith in Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq to get the Pakistanis over the line, with Cummins somewhat surprisingly given the ball by Bailey.
Cummins' lack of experience was evident with a horrible wide on the second-last delivery of the match leaving Pakistan needing just one to win from the final ball.
With the field up, Akmal was able to sneak a single in the covers to claim one of the most memorable victories in T20 history for Pakistan.
Australia now need to win the final match in the series to ensure that they do not fall below Ireland in the T20 world rankings.
Brief scores
Pakistan 151 for 4 (Hafeez 45, Jamshed 45)
Australia 151 for 8 (Bailey 42, Ajmal 2-20)
Result Match tied (Pakistan won the one-over eliminator)
MOM Saeed Ajmal (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)

Wasim Akram In ICC Dream XI

Australia and India have dominated the selection of the International Cricket Council People's Dream XI, which was revealed on Monday.
The two nations each had four players in the team, based on 250,000 votes cast on the ICC's website, while West Indies had two and Pakistan the other.
The fans did not find room for West Indies legends Garfield Sobers or Malcolm Marshall, with England and New Zealand among the countries not to feature.

India's opening batsman Virender Sehwag was the surprise selection.

People's Dream XI: Virender Sehwag (India), Sunil Gavaskar (India), Donald Bradman (Australia), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Brian Lara (West Indies), Kapil Dev (India), Adam Gilchrist (wk) (Australia), Shane Warne (Australia), Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Curtly Ambrose (West Indies), Glenn McGrath (Australia).

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.

Shoaib Akhtar Out of Sri Lankan T20 League

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who retired from international cricket after the 2011 World Cup, on Thursday cited personal reasons for withdrawing from next month's Sri Lankan Twenty20 league.
"I have personal commitments of setting up my business so I have withdrawn from the Sri Lankan Premier league as I don't want to play any more," Akhtar said.
The 35-year-old paceman retired after a high-profile but controversial career in March this year following Pakistan's defeat in the World Cup semifinal against India, who eventually won the title.
Sri Lanka's cricket board is hosting its own Twenty20 tournament, the first edition of which will be played from July 19 to August 4.
Apart from Akhtar, stars including Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, West Indians Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs, New Zealand's Daniel Vettori and Ireland's Kevin O'Brien had agreed to play in the league.
Akhtar said he will only return to cricket if a young player needs his help.
"I played the game for well over 14 years so now I don't want to play, but if any youngster needs my help and guidance only then I will step onto the field," said Akhtar.
Akhtar started his career in 1997 and took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, plus 247 wickets in 163 one-day internationals. He also played 15 Twenty20 matches.
But his career was beset with fitness and discipline problems which badly hit his reputation and figures.

Pak Finish With Ireland Flourish

Pakistan completed a 2-0 one-day international series win over Ireland in Belfast with victory by five wickets at Stormont on Monday that rounded off eight months on the road. 
Pakistan, set a target of 239, won with eight balls to spare thanks mainly to half-centuries from Younis Khan (64) and Umar Akmal (60 not out).
The World Cup semifinalists have been unable to play any major matches at home since an armed attack on Sri Lanka's tour bus in Lahore in March 2009 made the country a 'no-go zone' for the world's leading teams.
But there were few signs of travel-weariness against Ireland.
Only Mohammad Hafeez, dismissed in the second over without scoring, failed but Taufiq Umar and Azhar Ali, in his first one-day international, shared 65 for the second wicket to put Pakistan back on course.
Younis Khan played the decisive innings with 64 from 74 balls, including four fours and a six.
He shared stands of 68 for the fourth wicket with captain Misbah-ul-Haq and 69 for the fifth with Akmal, who faced just 48 balls and hit six fours and a six.
The Ireland bowlers stuck to their task well with Boyd Rankin the most economical, conceding just 29 runs in his nine overs and also ending the innings of Azhar Ali, caught at slip by Paul Stirling.
It was Stirling who was named man-of-the-match after setting up the contest with a wonderfully entertaining 109, his first century against a Full Member nation, to follow ODI hundreds against Canada and, at the recent World Cup, the Netherlands.
At the interval, Pakistan would have been delighted to be chasing only 239.
Ireland, skittled out for 96 during Pakistan's seven-wicket win in Saturday's series opener, were on course for a substantial total while the 20-year-old Stirling was at the crease.
The batsman, who plays for English county Middlesex, made 109 off just 107 balls with four sixes and seven fours.
But when he was fourth out for 182 at the start of the 44th over, Ireland failed to kick-on.
The hosts lost momentum during the one rain interruption in the innings, after 37 overs, with Ireland on 159 for two.
Ireland took their batting powerplay two overs after the resumption but Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan bowled five excellent overs which brought two wickets and yielded only 23 runs.
Junaid, Saturday's man-of-the-match with four wickets, finished with two for 53 but the majority of those runs came in his first spell when Stirling was on the rampage.
The 21-year-old left-arm paceman got his revenge in the powerplay when he bowled Stirling and he followed up with wicket of Gary Wilson, in the last over, for 33.
Off-spinner Ajmal was Pakistan's most successful bowler with four for 35.
His haul included Kevin O'Brien, scorer of the fastest-ever World Cup century during Ireland's shock win over England in Bangalore in March.

Brief scores
Ireland 238 for 8 (Stirling 109, Saeed Ajmal 4-35)
Pakistan 242 or 5 (Younis Khan 64, Umar Akmal 60*)
Result Pakistan won by 5 wickets
MOM Paul Stirling (Ireland)

Afridi Available For ODIs Against Ireland

Pakistan's one-day cricket captain Shahid Afridi has said he is available for the two ODIs against Ireland later this month. 
Afridi's announcement comes at a time when the Pakistan Cricket Board has issued him a notice for giving statements on the team management after returning from the West Indies.
Afridi also played down reports that he had a serious rift with head coach Waqar Younis over selection matters.
The PCB has indicated that it might send the same team that is playing the Test series in the West Indies to play the series against Ireland on the way back home from the Caribbean.
But Afridi said he was keen to play against Ireland and would also be in England at the same time playing for Hampshire.
The all-rounder will play for Hampshire for their Twenty20 campaign where he will join South Africa spinner Imran Tahir.
Afridi, however, said it would be up to the PCB to decide on his fate for the series.
"In my reply I cleared that I had no intentions to target any individual or violate the code of conduct," he said. "I've tried to convince the PCB that it was a general comment which I often give in the interest of the team. I'd be happy to play but it's up to the board to decide on my selection."
However, the PCB has not yet made any decision over his inclusion.
"We're awaiting manager Intikhab Alam's report on the West Indies tour to make a decision on the matter," confirmed a PCB official.
After playing against Ireland, Pakistan's next assignment is a tour to the Zimbabwe in August.
But before that, the PCB has permitted number of players including Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal to sign up for teams in the inaugural Sri Lankan premier league competition scheduled in June-July.
"I have always been fully committed to playing for my country and leading my country and I have no plans to step down from the role of captain. It is an honour to captain one's country and it's a boyhood dream that I do not want to give up," Afridi said.
"I've informed the Board that I will in the near future be going to the USA for personal reasons, subject to the necessary travel documents, but will be available for the matches against Ireland," he added.
Pakistan take on Ireland on May 28 and 30 following which Afridi will be representing Hampshire in the Friends Provident Twenty20 competition.

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Younus, Gul Return to Pakistan Test Squad

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Former captain Younus Khan and fast bowler Umar Gul have returned to the Pakistan Test squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies, starting next week.
Senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, who has shown terrific form in the ongoing one-day series in the Caribbean, has been retained as captain for the series.
Chief selector Mohsin Khan announced the 15-member squad after a meeting of the selection committee, in which performance of the players in the ongoing one-day series against the West Indies was also discussed.
In an unexpected decision, the selectors retained wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman, although Adnan Akmal, the younger brother of Kamran, was expected to be called up for the series.
Salman was sent to the West Indies for the ODI series as a rookie player but impressed the selectors after his debut.
"Salman has kept very well and shown good temperament so we wanted him to carry on in the Tests as well to check him out properly," Mohsin said.
He said the recall of Younus and Gul was no big surprise. "Younus has been one of our top players in Test matches and he is still required for the longer version of the game. He has also been training for the last few weeks for the two Tests," Mohsin said.
The chief selector also noted that Umar Gul had himself asked for rest from the one-day series after the World Cup.
"He is now available for selection and keen to play in the Tests and, given his past performances, he is essential for the Test side," Mohsin said.
Pakistan play the first Test from May 12 at Guyana and the second from May 20 at Basseterre, St Kitts.

Pakistan Test squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Younus Khan, Taufiq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Salman, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam and Tanvir Ahmed.