May 17, 2017 issue
Cricket
third Test in Dominica.
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and legendary batsman Younus Khan were honoured by team-mates and opponents as they played their final Test innings in the third Test against West Indies in Dominica.
Misbah announced last month that he would retire from international cricket after this three-Test series in the Caribbean shortly after he and Younus were named as two of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.
Younus, Pakistan's leading Test run-scorer who captained them to World Twenty20 success in England in 2009, revealed his own retirement plans two days later.
"I will be retiring from international cricket after the West Indies series with my head held high," 39-year-old Khan told reporters at a press conference in Karachi.
Khan said he had been under a lot of pressure from friends and family not to retire, but that he thought it was the best moment in his life to make that decision.
"I was under a lot of pressure, getting calls from everyone. I think this is the right time as every sportsman has to take this decision in his career."
Speaking to reporters, Khan said that he had always tried to give a 100 percent for his team and act as an "ambassador for Pakistan".
"I have always tried to keep my head high and serve the way a Pakistani player should serve his country. Those who know me, know that I have tried to serve Pakistan the best [I could] and take Pakistan one step forward."
"I think I am not in that stage of my life that I can continue for five or six more years. I hope you will all support me and respect my decision so I can continue with what I have planned for the future," he said.
"If I have made any mistakes, I hope I will be ignored for that," he said.
Speaking to Geo News, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram also praised Khan. "Younis is one of the best batsmen we have had. And he has always given his best for Pakistan," he said.
"Younis was always a very hard-working player. He was proactive in all fields of the game, whether it was batting, fielding, helping others out during practice. He was a proper team-man. The way he has handled his image, he will always be respected for it," said Akram.
Misbah announced last month that he would retire from international cricket after this three-Test series in the Caribbean shortly after he and Younus were named as two of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.
Younus, Pakistan's leading Test run-scorer who captained them to World Twenty20 success in England in 2009, revealed his own retirement plans two days later.
"I will be retiring from international cricket after the West Indies series with my head held high," 39-year-old Khan told reporters at a press conference in Karachi.
Khan said he had been under a lot of pressure from friends and family not to retire, but that he thought it was the best moment in his life to make that decision.
"I was under a lot of pressure, getting calls from everyone. I think this is the right time as every sportsman has to take this decision in his career."
Speaking to reporters, Khan said that he had always tried to give a 100 percent for his team and act as an "ambassador for Pakistan".
"I have always tried to keep my head high and serve the way a Pakistani player should serve his country. Those who know me, know that I have tried to serve Pakistan the best [I could] and take Pakistan one step forward."
"I think I am not in that stage of my life that I can continue for five or six more years. I hope you will all support me and respect my decision so I can continue with what I have planned for the future," he said.
"If I have made any mistakes, I hope I will be ignored for that," he said.
Speaking to Geo News, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram also praised Khan. "Younis is one of the best batsmen we have had. And he has always given his best for Pakistan," he said.
"Younis was always a very hard-working player. He was proactive in all fields of the game, whether it was batting, fielding, helping others out during practice. He was a proper team-man. The way he has handled his image, he will always be respected for it," said Akram.
Akram said it would take "years to fill the void left by Younis Khan".
Earlier this year, Khan became the first player in the history of Test cricket to score centuries in 11 countries when he smashed his 34th century at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Australia, tying him with Sunil Gavaskar, Mahela Jayawardene and Brian Lara in the all-time list at 6th place for most hundreds. And speaking to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium before the tour of West Indies, Misbah said he would try his best to end his career on a high note.
The 42-year-old skipper said the decision to quit was his own and was not brought about by any external pressure.
“I had decided to retire some time ago,” he said, adding that he would continue to play domestic cricket in the near future.
“But I have not decided yet what I will do after retirement,” he remarked.
Reminiscing on his cricket career, he said he was proud and content with whatever he had achieved during his cricketing journey.
Since taking over the captaincy in the wake of an international spot-fixing scandal in 2010, Misbah has led Pakistan in 53 Tests, winning 24 losing 18 and drawing 11.
He also briefly led his team to world number one Test rankings last year, despite playing no matches at home due to the prevailing insecurity. The feat earned him widespread acclaim throughout the cricketing world.
Misbah said receiving the Test mace last year remains among the best memories of his journey.
“It was the highlight of my career,” he said.
But the journey was not without regrets and challenges. According to Misbah, winning the 2015 World Cup remained an unfulfilled dream.
“It was my dream to bring Pakistan the World Cup 2015 [glory], but it could not come true,” he said.
Rumours have long swirled over when the veteran would call time on his long career, with former Pakistan cricket heavyweights demanding he step down in January, blaming his poor batting and uninspired captaincy for a 3-0 whitewash in Australia. Misbah responded to the criticism by saying he would take his time to decide on his future, reversing an earlier announcement that he would quit.
"My cricket journey was very good... There were many hardships in my career but for now I am focusing on the present situation," he said. "The series against West Indies is a good opportunity to bring the team back on the winning track."
Misbah holds the record of captaining Pakistan in the most test matches as skipper.
Prior to the West Indies tour, he has played 72 Test matches for Pakistan, scoring 4,951 runs at an average of 44.48. He has 10 centuries and 36 half-centuries to his credit with a highest score of 161.
In ODIs, Misbah scored 5,122 runs in 162 matches at an average of 43.40. His highest ODI score was 96. He only played 39 T20 internationals, scoring 788 runs at an average of 37.52. High highest score in T20 was 87.
Earlier this year, Khan became the first player in the history of Test cricket to score centuries in 11 countries when he smashed his 34th century at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Australia, tying him with Sunil Gavaskar, Mahela Jayawardene and Brian Lara in the all-time list at 6th place for most hundreds. And speaking to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium before the tour of West Indies, Misbah said he would try his best to end his career on a high note.
The 42-year-old skipper said the decision to quit was his own and was not brought about by any external pressure.
“I had decided to retire some time ago,” he said, adding that he would continue to play domestic cricket in the near future.
“But I have not decided yet what I will do after retirement,” he remarked.
Reminiscing on his cricket career, he said he was proud and content with whatever he had achieved during his cricketing journey.
Since taking over the captaincy in the wake of an international spot-fixing scandal in 2010, Misbah has led Pakistan in 53 Tests, winning 24 losing 18 and drawing 11.
He also briefly led his team to world number one Test rankings last year, despite playing no matches at home due to the prevailing insecurity. The feat earned him widespread acclaim throughout the cricketing world.
Misbah said receiving the Test mace last year remains among the best memories of his journey.
“It was the highlight of my career,” he said.
But the journey was not without regrets and challenges. According to Misbah, winning the 2015 World Cup remained an unfulfilled dream.
“It was my dream to bring Pakistan the World Cup 2015 [glory], but it could not come true,” he said.
Rumours have long swirled over when the veteran would call time on his long career, with former Pakistan cricket heavyweights demanding he step down in January, blaming his poor batting and uninspired captaincy for a 3-0 whitewash in Australia. Misbah responded to the criticism by saying he would take his time to decide on his future, reversing an earlier announcement that he would quit.
"My cricket journey was very good... There were many hardships in my career but for now I am focusing on the present situation," he said. "The series against West Indies is a good opportunity to bring the team back on the winning track."
Misbah holds the record of captaining Pakistan in the most test matches as skipper.
Prior to the West Indies tour, he has played 72 Test matches for Pakistan, scoring 4,951 runs at an average of 44.48. He has 10 centuries and 36 half-centuries to his credit with a highest score of 161.
In ODIs, Misbah scored 5,122 runs in 162 matches at an average of 43.40. His highest ODI score was 96. He only played 39 T20 internationals, scoring 788 runs at an average of 37.52. High highest score in T20 was 87.
India will take part in the Champions Trophy next month, the cricket board recently announced, ending weeks of speculation over their participation in the event organised by the sport's world governing body.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is embroiled in a revenue-sharing row with the International Cricket Council (ICC), announced the decision after a special general meeting in New Delhi.
"The BCCI SGM unanimously decided that the Indian cricket team will participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy," it said in a statement.
The eight-nation Champions Trophy will be played in England and Wales from June 1. India won the trophy during the last edition in 2013.
The BCCI had skipped the April 25 deadline for announcing a squad and threatened a pullout over its dispute with the ICC.
This stems from the ICC's decision last month to amend rules so that less money and power was held by cricket's "Big Three" – England, India and Australia.
BCCI stands to lose $277M in revenue over the next eight years under the sweeping changes approved by ICC members.
The BCCI said it was keeping its legal options open, indicating the row was far from over. "The Board unanimously authorised the acting honorary secretary of the BCCI to continue negotiations with the ICC in the best interest of the BCCI while keeping its legal options open," it said in the statement.
The BCCI's use of the Champions Trophy as a bargaining chip with the ICC had come in for criticism.
A panel of administrators appointed by India's top court to oversee the scandal-ridden BCCI had also asked the board to take a swift decision on the event.
Cricket's massive popularity in India has helped the BCCI become by far the wealthiest of all of cricket's national boards, netting massive money from sponsorship and TV deals.
Its last television rights deal with the Star network was worth a reported $750 million.
But despite its financial health, the board has found itself embroiled in scandals in recent years, including accusations of corruption in the Indian Premier League involving a team linked to its former head Narayanaswami Srinivasan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which is embroiled in a revenue-sharing row with the International Cricket Council (ICC), announced the decision after a special general meeting in New Delhi.
"The BCCI SGM unanimously decided that the Indian cricket team will participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy," it said in a statement.
The eight-nation Champions Trophy will be played in England and Wales from June 1. India won the trophy during the last edition in 2013.
The BCCI had skipped the April 25 deadline for announcing a squad and threatened a pullout over its dispute with the ICC.
This stems from the ICC's decision last month to amend rules so that less money and power was held by cricket's "Big Three" – England, India and Australia.
BCCI stands to lose $277M in revenue over the next eight years under the sweeping changes approved by ICC members.
The BCCI said it was keeping its legal options open, indicating the row was far from over. "The Board unanimously authorised the acting honorary secretary of the BCCI to continue negotiations with the ICC in the best interest of the BCCI while keeping its legal options open," it said in the statement.
The BCCI's use of the Champions Trophy as a bargaining chip with the ICC had come in for criticism.
A panel of administrators appointed by India's top court to oversee the scandal-ridden BCCI had also asked the board to take a swift decision on the event.
Cricket's massive popularity in India has helped the BCCI become by far the wealthiest of all of cricket's national boards, netting massive money from sponsorship and TV deals.
Its last television rights deal with the Star network was worth a reported $750 million.
But despite its financial health, the board has found itself embroiled in scandals in recent years, including accusations of corruption in the Indian Premier League involving a team linked to its former head Narayanaswami Srinivasan.
the second of the series.
A moment of stark madness from tail-ender Shannon Gabriel ended West Indies’ stubborn resistance and laid waste to more than half a century of history, as Pakistan pulled off a nerve-jangling 101-run victory in the decisive third Test to clinch an historic first series win on Caribbean soil in Dominica on Sunday.
Courtesy of a magnificent unbeaten 101 from the immovable Man-of-the-Match Roston Chase, West Indies defied a ruthless but tiring Pakistan bowling attack for nearly 90 overs and appeared on the brink of a brilliant rescue effort, with six balls left in the day at Windsor Park.
But Gabriel, who had defended purposely for just over half-hour, suffered a rush of blood and essayed a wild slog at the 22nd delivery he faced – the last of the day’s penultimate over – and was bowled by champion leg-spinner Yasir Shah for four as the Windies were dismissed for 202.
The result gave Pakistan a 2-1 win in the three-Test victory following a seven-wicket victory in the opening Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica last month, and a 106-run defeat in the second Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados earlier this month.
For the retiring veterans, captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, the success also provided a memorable farewell with Pakistan winning their first series since they first toured the Caribbean 59 years ago.
Chase almost proved the difference for the Windies, striking 12 fours and a six in a monumental innings which spanned 239 balls and a shade over six hours, reviving memories of his match-saving maiden Test hundred against India last year at Sabina Park.
The knock was his third hundred in his 10th Test and second of the series, following his 131 in the second Test.
Shimron Hetmyer struck a breezy 25 and captain Jason Holder chipped in with 22, but the hosts failed to cope with Yasir who claimed five for 92 to finish with match figures of eight for 218 and take the Man-of-the-Series honours.
He was supported by debutant seamer Hasan Ali who picked up three for 33.
Resuming the day on seven for one with the victory target of 304 purely academic, the Windies’ bid to save the match suffered a huge blow when they lost three wickets in the morning session to slump to 73 for four at lunch.
Opener Kraigg Brathwaite completed a miserable series when he perished for six in the fourth over of the day, slapping a wide delivery from Yasir to Hasan Ali at cover, at 22 for two.
Left-hander Hetmyer once again flattered to deceive, stroking a 36-ball 25 with three fours before attempting an expansive drive at left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir with the hour approaching, and losing his off-stump at 47 for three.
And 10 minutes before lunch, Shai Hope, who had spent 54 balls over 17, fell lbw to a full length delivery from Hasan Ali.
More tragedy followed for West Indies when the out-of-sorts Vishaul Singh was caught at short leg by Babar Azam off Yasir in the third over following the interval for two, wrapping up a debut international series to forget.
Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich also perished to the combination of Azam and Yasir, 45 minutes after lunch, leaving the Windies at the crossroads at 93 for six.
Two critical partnerships then followed as Chase put on 58 for the seventh wicket with Holder and another 30 for the eighth with Devendra Bishoo who made three.
Unbeaten on 19 at lunch, Chase played with confidence and authority to reach his half-century 40 minutes before tea and was not out on 66 at the interval, with West Indies on 146 for six.
Holder, however, failed to add to his tea time 22, falling lbw to a Hasan Ali full toss in the third over on the resumption.
With Pakistan closing in for the kill, Chase was forced to ride his luck, dropped twice by Hasan Ali off return catches on 66 and 91, and then being caught off a no-ball at first slip by Asad Shafiq late in the day off Mohammad Abbas, as tensions rose.
He made the most of the chances to notch three figures late in the day, whipping Hasan Ali through mid-on for four to raise his landmark.
Bishoo lasted 45 balls before gloving Abbas to silly point and Alzarri Joseph stuck around nearly an hour for his five before edging Hasan Ali behind.
Gabriel then frustrated Pakistan with a straight bat and a cool head and steadily grew in confidence as the visitors began to show signs of panic.
But with a draw within reach, he lost his composure and with it the series.
Summarized Scores:
3rd Test, West Indies v Pakistan, May 10-14, Roseau, Dominica
Pakistan 1st Innings 376 & 174-8 declared
West Indies 1st Innings 247 & 202
Pakistan won by 101 runs.
Courtesy of a magnificent unbeaten 101 from the immovable Man-of-the-Match Roston Chase, West Indies defied a ruthless but tiring Pakistan bowling attack for nearly 90 overs and appeared on the brink of a brilliant rescue effort, with six balls left in the day at Windsor Park.
But Gabriel, who had defended purposely for just over half-hour, suffered a rush of blood and essayed a wild slog at the 22nd delivery he faced – the last of the day’s penultimate over – and was bowled by champion leg-spinner Yasir Shah for four as the Windies were dismissed for 202.
The result gave Pakistan a 2-1 win in the three-Test victory following a seven-wicket victory in the opening Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica last month, and a 106-run defeat in the second Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados earlier this month.
For the retiring veterans, captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan, the success also provided a memorable farewell with Pakistan winning their first series since they first toured the Caribbean 59 years ago.
Chase almost proved the difference for the Windies, striking 12 fours and a six in a monumental innings which spanned 239 balls and a shade over six hours, reviving memories of his match-saving maiden Test hundred against India last year at Sabina Park.
The knock was his third hundred in his 10th Test and second of the series, following his 131 in the second Test.
Shimron Hetmyer struck a breezy 25 and captain Jason Holder chipped in with 22, but the hosts failed to cope with Yasir who claimed five for 92 to finish with match figures of eight for 218 and take the Man-of-the-Series honours.
He was supported by debutant seamer Hasan Ali who picked up three for 33.
Resuming the day on seven for one with the victory target of 304 purely academic, the Windies’ bid to save the match suffered a huge blow when they lost three wickets in the morning session to slump to 73 for four at lunch.
Opener Kraigg Brathwaite completed a miserable series when he perished for six in the fourth over of the day, slapping a wide delivery from Yasir to Hasan Ali at cover, at 22 for two.
Left-hander Hetmyer once again flattered to deceive, stroking a 36-ball 25 with three fours before attempting an expansive drive at left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir with the hour approaching, and losing his off-stump at 47 for three.
And 10 minutes before lunch, Shai Hope, who had spent 54 balls over 17, fell lbw to a full length delivery from Hasan Ali.
More tragedy followed for West Indies when the out-of-sorts Vishaul Singh was caught at short leg by Babar Azam off Yasir in the third over following the interval for two, wrapping up a debut international series to forget.
Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich also perished to the combination of Azam and Yasir, 45 minutes after lunch, leaving the Windies at the crossroads at 93 for six.
Two critical partnerships then followed as Chase put on 58 for the seventh wicket with Holder and another 30 for the eighth with Devendra Bishoo who made three.
Unbeaten on 19 at lunch, Chase played with confidence and authority to reach his half-century 40 minutes before tea and was not out on 66 at the interval, with West Indies on 146 for six.
Holder, however, failed to add to his tea time 22, falling lbw to a Hasan Ali full toss in the third over on the resumption.
With Pakistan closing in for the kill, Chase was forced to ride his luck, dropped twice by Hasan Ali off return catches on 66 and 91, and then being caught off a no-ball at first slip by Asad Shafiq late in the day off Mohammad Abbas, as tensions rose.
He made the most of the chances to notch three figures late in the day, whipping Hasan Ali through mid-on for four to raise his landmark.
Bishoo lasted 45 balls before gloving Abbas to silly point and Alzarri Joseph stuck around nearly an hour for his five before edging Hasan Ali behind.
Gabriel then frustrated Pakistan with a straight bat and a cool head and steadily grew in confidence as the visitors began to show signs of panic.
But with a draw within reach, he lost his composure and with it the series.
Summarized Scores:
3rd Test, West Indies v Pakistan, May 10-14, Roseau, Dominica
Pakistan 1st Innings 376 & 174-8 declared
West Indies 1st Innings 247 & 202
Pakistan won by 101 runs.
Teams Abbreviations:
SH – Sunrisers Hyderabad; KKR – Kolkatta Knoght Riders
RCB – Royal Challengers Bangalore; GL – Gujarat Lions
RPS – Rising Pune Supergiant; MI – Mumbai Indians
KXI P – Kings XI Punjab; DD – Delhi Daredevils
Wed May 3 (14:30 GMT), 41st match, KKR v RPS, Kolkata
RPG won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)
Thu May 4 (14:30 GMT), 42nd match, DD v GL, Delhi
DD won by 7 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
Fri May 5 (14:30 GMT), 43rd match, RCB v KXIP, Bangalore
KXIP won by 19 runs
Sat May 6 (10:30 GMT), 44th match, SH v RPS, Hyderabad
RPG won by 12 runs
Sat May 6 (14:30 GMT), 45th match, DD v MI, Delhi
MI won by 146 runs
Sun May 7 (10:30 GMT), 46th match, RCB v KKR, Bangalore
KKR won by 6 wickets (with 29 balls remaining)
Sun May 7 (14:30 GMT), 47th match, KXIP v GL, Chandigarh
GL won by 6 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
Mon May 8 (14:30 GMT), 48th match, SH v MI, Hyderabad
SH won by 7 wickets (with 10 balls remaining)
Tue May 9 (14:30 GMT), 49th match, KXIP v KKR, Chandigarh
KXIP won by 14 runs
Wed May 10 (14:30 GMT), 50th match, GL v DD, Kanpur
DD won by 2 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
Thu May 11 (14:30 GMT), 51st match, MI v KXIP, Mumbai
KXIP won by 7 runs
Fri May 12 (14:30 GMT), 52nd match, DD v RPS, Delhi
DD won by 7 runs
Sat May 13 (10:30 GMT), 53rd match, GL v SH, Kanpur
SH won by 8 wickets (with 11 balls remaining)
Sat May 13 (14:30 GMT), 54th match, KKR v MI, Kolkata
MI won by 9 runs
Sun May 14 (10:30 GMT), 55th match, RPS v KXIP, Pune
RPS won by 9 wickets (with 48 balls remaining)
Sun May 14 (14:30 GMT), 56th match, DD v RCB, Delhi
RCB won by 10 runs
Tue May 16 (14:30 GMT), Qualifier 1- MI v RPS, Wankhede Std
RPS won by 20 runs
Wed May 17 (14:30 GMT), Eliminator - SH v KKR, Bangalore
Fri May 19 (14:30 GMT), Qualifier 2 - MI v TBA, Bangalore
Sun May 21 (14:30 GMT), Final, RPS v TBA, Hyderabad
Australian cricketers are "prepared to strike" if a contract dispute is not resolved, which could have an impact on the Ashes at the end of the year.
In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women, but this would mean players no longer receive a percentage of CA's revenue. The offer was rejected and CA said it would not pay players after 30 June.
Ex-Australia captain Mark Taylor said the Australian Cricketers' Association "aren't negotiating at all".
Taylor, who is also a CA board member, told a sports chat show on Nine Network on Sunday: "I have had players say to me in January that we could well be on strike in July."
A letter from CA chief executive James Sutherland to the players' association said 2016-17 contracts would not be renewed without a new agreement.
But the ACA said the proposal was "a win for cricket administrators but a loss for cricket".
ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson added: "The point lost on CA is that the players will not respond to threats."
Several Test players responded on Twitter, using the #fairshare hashtag.a
In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women, but this would mean players no longer receive a percentage of CA's revenue. The offer was rejected and CA said it would not pay players after 30 June.
Ex-Australia captain Mark Taylor said the Australian Cricketers' Association "aren't negotiating at all".
Taylor, who is also a CA board member, told a sports chat show on Nine Network on Sunday: "I have had players say to me in January that we could well be on strike in July."
A letter from CA chief executive James Sutherland to the players' association said 2016-17 contracts would not be renewed without a new agreement.
But the ACA said the proposal was "a win for cricket administrators but a loss for cricket".
ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson added: "The point lost on CA is that the players will not respond to threats."
Several Test players responded on Twitter, using the #fairshare hashtag.a
