Pakistan Bee » Cricket

Indian Premier League Begin Today

PakBee — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:58:45 +0000

NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League cricket bandwagon rolls into action today with organisers hoping India’s World Cup victory last weekend will help the competition regain some of its lost sparkle.

This year’s edition — spread over 51 days and comprising 74 matches across 13 venues — will be the first after the ousting of its outspoken founder Lalit Modi, who was forced out last year under a cloud of corruption allegations.

The tournament’s future had looked in doubt amid claims of corruption, money-laundering and tax evasion, as well as secret deals to hide teams’ real owners and even links to India’s criminal underworld.

But a massive PR exercise by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ensured the IPL has kept its date with fans, as well as sponsors and advertisers hungry for their share of the huge commercial pie.

IPL chief executive Sundar Raman dismissed fears that cricket fans in India, still recovering from celebrations after Saturday’s victory over Sri Lanka in the World Cup final, could suffer sporting overload.

“The success of the Indian team in the World Cup has made it (IPL) more interesting,” Raman told AFP, saying the tournament would “carry on from where the World Cup ended”.

“Fans are already into cricket and celebrating India’s victory. We are confident of building on the success of the last edition.”

This year’s IPL, the fourth time it has been held, will have two new teams in Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Pune Warriors, taking the total number of franchises to 10.

The opening game will feature Chennai Super Kings, led by victorious Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and the Kolkata Knight Riders, owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

The IPL revolutionised the sport when it burst onto the scene in 2008 with a high-octane blend of international star players, scantily-clad cheerleaders and Bollywood glamour.

Using the short Twenty20 form of the game, IPL matches are usually three-hour events packed with music, delirious crowds and countless television advertisements.

Everything from the time-out to the drinks break is sponsored by companies, earning Indian cricket authorities millions in revenue.

The fourth edition is likely to see IPL bosses reduce the decadent post-match parties, which were blamed by some for India’s failure in the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean last year.

The much-discussed cheerleader jobs — all taken by Western women in previous editions — might be given to locals who will don traditional Indian outfits in place of barely-there miniskirts, local media reports say.

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Afridi Does Not Fear Fans Backlash

PakBee — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:32:49 +0000

MOHALI: Vanquished captain Shahid Afridi expects a mature reaction from fans in Pakistan when their team return after going down to India in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

“In my opinion we have played better than 2003 and 2007 when our teams were much better. Nobody was expecting anything from this team. I am proud of this team,” Afridi told reporters.

The 1992 champions have been unable to play international matches at home since the 2009 armed attack on the Sri Lanka cricketers in Lahore and the recent spot-fixing scandal has raised serious doubts about their players’ integrity.

The scandal robbed them of the services of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir and, understandably, few were prepared to bet on Pakistan winning the showpiece event for a second time.

“I think people have realised that we have put in our full effort. We have won six out of eight matches which is a big achievement,” Afridi said.

“We have confidence (in our fans). Our country has backed us so much. People who love you so much can criticise you as well. It’s not a big deal.” Afridi’s counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni recalled the fans’ ire when they stoned the cricketers’ houses after India’s first-round exit in the 2007 World Cup.

Dhoni said those were the moments when support really mattered. “We are here to entertain. We have always given our best whether it was the 2007 World Cup or the 2011,” he said. “We don’t really like losing and always give our best. We always need the support, especially when we are not doing well.

“We know when we are doing well, the whole of India is with us. But it’s moments like the 2007 World Cup when you really need the kind of support to boost the players.

“I still remember it took me over a month to get out of that kind of depression,” he said.

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Buoyant Pakistan on pole against rattled Windies

PakBee — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:02:22 +0000

DHAKA: Confident Pakistan take on the West Indies in the World Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday hoping to continue their winning run in the tournament against a side bruised by recent defeats.

The hugely talented, but unpredictable, Pakistanis have been the revelation of the tournament so far by topping Group A with five wins in six matches in the preliminary league.

The West Indies inexplicably lost their last two games against England and India from dominant positions to finish fourth in Group B with three wins, the same as Bangladesh, but with a superior run-rate.

Shahid Afridi’s Pakistan saved the best for the end when they broke three-time defending champions Australia’s unbeaten streak of 34 World Cup matches with a four-wicket win in Colombo on Saturday.

It was just the tonic Pakistan needed after being stripped of big-time cricket at home due to security concerns in their volatile nation and tainted by an unsavoury spot-fixing scandal.

The absence of former captain Salman Butt and pace spearheads Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif due to the controversy was not felt as the team rallied superbly under their inspirational captain.

Afridi is the tournament’s leading bowler with 17 wickets with his fastish leg-breaks, while seamer Umar Gul has kept the pressure on at the other end with 13 wickets.

All-rounder Afridi may have failed with the bat so far with just 65 runs in six games, but young guns Umar Akmal and Asad Shafiq have shone brightly in their first World Cup.

Akmal has scored 211 runs at 52.75 and Shafiq averages 124 in the two games he has played so far, while seasoned seniors like Misbah-ul Haq and Younis Khan have lent solidity to the middle-order.

Team manager Intikhab Alam, who was coach when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup under Imran Khan, was delighted with his side’s performance so far.

The former captain attributed the success to “self-belief, fitness and high energy levels.”

“There’s a lot of positive energy among the boys after the victory over Australia and we will take that into the quarter-finals,” Intikhab said. “We are peaking at the right time.”

The West Indies, in contrast, appear to be falling apart just when it matters most.

They were on the brink of victory against England in Chennai when, chasing a modest target of 244, they were comfortably placed at 222-6 before losing their last four wickets for three runs.

Against India on Sunday, they caved in again as eight wickets fell for 34 runs after they were 154-2 and lost by 80 runs.

The West Indies have now lost 18 successive matches against the leading nations, but Darren Sammy’s men cannot afford another defeat in the knock-out rounds.

All is, however, not over yet for the West Indies.

They return to the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka where they shot out Bangladesh for their lowest one-day total of 58 in the league to romp home by nine wickets in a match that lasted under two hours.

Batting star Chris Gayle and key fast bowler Kemar Roach are expected to be back after missing the India game, Gayle with a abdominal strain and Roach due to illness.

Sammy said he was aware of Pakistan’s threat, but remained confident his team can bounce back strongly.

“Pakistan have done well so far, but hopefully they will have their bad match against us and we will bring our A game,” he said. (AFP)

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Kiwis halt Pakistan’s Winning Streak

PakBee — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 17:34:34 +0000

PALLEKELE: New Zealand stopped Pakistan’s winning streak by giving them a shocking defeat of 110 runs in their key World Cup Group A match against Pakistan at the new Pallekele stadium on Tuesday.

Pakistan who were leading the Group A points table with three wins in a row has now went down to second position as New Zealand are now on top.

Pakistan batsmen, who were chasing for the first time in the tournament, could not go for runs against a huge target of 303 and were bundled out for 192 in 41.4 overs.

Abdul Razzaq gave Pakistan some respectability with a defiant 62 from 74 balls with nine fours. He was supported by Umar Akmal (38) and Umar Gul (34 not out).

During his innings, Abdul Razzaq reached 5,000 runs in ODI cricket. He became the fourth allrounder with 5,000 runs and 250 wickets.

The openers failed again as both, Mohammad Hafeez (5) and Ahmed Shahzad (10) went back and then Younis Khan (nought) and Kamran Akmal (8) also departed and Pakistan were reeling at 23-4.

Later, Pakistan’s most in-form batsman Misbah-ul-Haq resisted against the Kiwi attack for a while but he was also dismissed for seven when score reached 45.

Then, captain Shahid Afridi displayed some aggression, hitting two fours and a six, but he was bowled by Jacob Oram for 17, made off nine balls.

However, Umar Akmal and Abdul Razzaq provided some resistance and took the score to 100 before Umar getting out for 38.

Abdul Razzaq, then found a good partner in Umar Gul and both added 66 runs for the ninth wicket partnership.

Umar Gul, hitting a six and three fours, remained not out on 34.

Earlier, Ross Taylor smashed a brilliant career-best hundred to lift New Zealand to an emphatic 302 for seven after captain Daniel Vettori won the toss.

Taylor was given two 27th birthday gifts by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal who dropped him on zero and eight off Shoaib Akhtar.

Later, Taylor unleashed some of the most incredible slugging ever inflicted on an attack in a one-day international cricket match never mind the World Cup.

He struck seven towering sixes and eight boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 131 scored off 124 balls for his fourth ODI hundred.

Taylor made the most of his good fortune and ran riot in the 47th over of the innings, hitting paceman Akhtar for two boundaries and three sixes — 28 runs in all — to reach his first World Cup hundred off 117 deliveries.

He then hit two boundaries and three sixes to take 30 off Abdul Razzaq’s 49th over, helping New Zealand add 100 in the last five overs.

Taylor added a blistering 85 for the seventh wicket with Jacob Oram (25 off just nine balls, with three sixes and a boundary) off just 22 balls to punish a hapless Pakistan bowling attack.

Taylor’s previous best of 128 not out came against Sri Lanka at Napier in 2006.

In all, New Zealand blasted 92 runs off the last four overs.

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ICC tribunal’s verdict is disappointing: Salman Butt

PakBee — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 06:45:48 +0000

LAHORE: Former captain Salman Butt said he did not agree with the verdict of the ICC tribunal announced on Saturday.

In a brief talk with media on arriving back here at the Allama Iqabal Airport today, he said that he was disappointed with the ICC decision and the spot-fixing law is needed to be amended.

Salman Butt said that the judge himself said that no law has so far been made on spot fixing and this is needed to be amended.

Butt said that if this law is amended then his punishment may be reduced.

The former captain said that he would plan his future strategy after the getting the detailed verdict.

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PCB confirms Afridi as World Cup Captain

PakBee — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:36:02 +0000

LAHORE: Shahid Afridi will lead Pakistan at the World Cup, cricket chiefs said on Friday, quashing rumours that he might be replaced by Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

Pakistan last week announced a 15-man squad for the mega event, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19, but had delayed the appointment of a captain.

“PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) announces Afridi as captain of Pakistan team for the World Cup. Misbah has been announced as vice captain for the event,” the board said in a statement.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said the decision had widespread backing. “I had detailed discussions with team management and players in New Zealand regarding captain and vice captain and am pleased to state that everyone fully endorsed these decisions,” Butt was quoted as saying in the PCB statement.

The PCB’s decision to delay naming the captain had been criticised by former players and fans.

“It doesn’t make a difference whether Misbah leads the side or I lead the side because we both are playing for our country, I have never been after captaincy,” Afridi said earlier this week.

Misbah had backed all-rounder Afridi as captain. “I think Afridi has done a great job as captain and he has kept the team together and every player is contributing and wants to do well. He has led well,” Misbah said after his man-of-the-match performance in New Zealand on Tuesday.

Afridi, 30, who was banned for two matches on charges of ball-tampering in only his second match as skipper in January last year, has led Pakistan in 20 one-day matches, winning nine, losing ten with one ending in no result because of rain.

Pakistan are in Group A of the World Cup and open their campaign with a match against Kenya at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on February 23.

They go into the tournament on good form after wrapping up the current six-match one-day series against New Zealand with a game to spare.

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Cricket World Cup 2011

PakBee — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:51:59 +0000

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be the 10th World Cup. Prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, 9 Cricket World Cups have been organized by ICC. Australia have emerged winner on the most occasions – 4. Closely following is West Indies, who won the inaugural and the very next World Cup. All the Indian Subcontinent teams – India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have won 1 World Cup each. Australia won in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007. West Indies won on 1975 (the first World Cup) and 1979. India won the World Cup in 1983, Pakistan won the World Cup in 1992 and Sri Lanka won in 1996.

This is a chronological list of fixtures for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. All times local (UTC+5:30 and UTC+6). Group-stage kickoff times are subject to change for television or scheduling reasons.

**2011 Cricket World Cup Schedule**
Day	Time	Venue	Stage	Team 1	Result	Team 2
12 February	Warm-up matches
	09:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Warm-up	Kenya	Match 1	West Indies
	09:30	Kandy, Sri Lanka	Warm-up	Sri Lanka	Match 2	Netherlands
	14:30	Chittagong, Bangladesh	Warm-up	Bangladesh	Match 3	Canada
	14:30	Nagpur, India	Warm-up	Ireland	Match 4	New Zealand
	14:30	Chennai, India	Warm-up	South Africa	Match 5	Zimbabwe
13 February
13 February	14:30	Bangalore, India	Warm-up	India	Match 6	Australia
14 February	No event
15 February	No event
	09:30	Nagpur, India	Warm-up	Ireland	Match 7	Zimbabwe
	09:30	Kandy, Sri Lanka	Warm-up	Kenya	Match 8	Netherlands
	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Warm-up	Bangladesh	Match 8	Pakistan
	14:30	Bangalore, India	Warm-up	Australia	Match 10	South Africa
16 February
	09:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Warm-up	Canada	Match 11	England
	09:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Warm-up	Sri Lanka	Match 12	West Indies
	14:30	Chennai, India	Warm-up	India	Match 13	New Zealand
17 February	Preliminary events
17 February	08:30	Dhaka, Bangladesh	Opening Ceremony
18 February
18 February	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Warm-up	England	Match 14	Pakistan
19 February
	Group stage matches
	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Group B	India	Match 1	Bangladesh
20 February	09:30	Chennai, India	Group A	Kenya	Match 2	New Zealand
20 February	14:30	Hambantota, Sri Lanka	Group A	Sri Lanka	Match 3	Canada
21 February	14:30	Ahmedabad, India	Group A	Australia	Match 4	Zimbabwe
22 February	14:30	Nagpur, India	Group B	England	Match 5	Netherlands
23 February	14:30	Hambantota, Sri Lanka	Group A	Kenya	Match 6	Pakistan
4 February	14:30	Delhi, India	Group B	South Africa	Match 7	West Indies
25 February	14:30	Nagpur, India	Group A	Australia	Match 8	New Zealand
25 February	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Group B	Bangladesh	Match 9	Ireland
26 February	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Group A	Sri Lanka	Match 10	Pakistan
27 February	14:30	Mumbai, India	Group B	India	Match 11	England
28 February	09:30	Nagpur, India	Group A	Canada	Match 12	Zimbabwe
28 February	14:30	Delhi, India	Group A	Netherlands	Match 13	West Indies
1 March	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Group B	Sri Lanka	Match 14	Kenya
2 March	14:30	Bangalore, India	Group B	England	Match 15	Ireland
3 March	09:30	Mohali, India	Group B	Netherlands	Match 16	South Africa
3 March	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Group A	Canada	Match 17	Pakistan
4 March	09:30	Ahmedabad, India	Group A	New Zealand	Match 18	Zimbabwe
4 March	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Group B	Bangladesh	Match 19	West Indies
5 March	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Group A	Sri Lanka	Match 20	Australia
6 March	09:30	Chennai, India	Group B	England	Match 21	South Africa
6 March	14:30	Bangalore, India	Group B	India	Match 22	Ireland
7 March	14:30	Delhi, India	Group A	Canada	Match 23	Kenya
8 March	14:30	Kandy, Sri Lanka	Group A	New Zealand	Match 24	Pakistan
9 March	14:30	Delhi, India	Group B	India	Match 25	Netherlands
10 March	14:30	Kandy, Sri Lanka	Group A	Sri Lanka	Match 26	Zimbabwe
11 March	09:30	Mohali, India	Group B	Ireland	Match 27	West Indies
11 March	14:30	Chittagong, Bangladesh	Group B	Bangladesh	Match 28	England
12 March	14:30	Nagpur, India	Group B	India	Match 29	South Africa
13 March	09:30	Mumbai, India	Group A	Canada	Match 30	New Zealand
13 March	14:30	Bangalore, India	Group A	Australia	Match 31	Kenya
14 March	09:30	Chittagong, Bangladesh	Group B	Bangladesh	Match 32	Netherlands
14 March	14:30	Kandy, Sri Lanka	Group A	Pakistan	Match 33	Zimbabwe
15 March	14:30	Kolkata, India	Group B	Ireland	Match 34	South Africa
16 March	14:30	Bangalore, India	Group A	Australia	Match 35	Canada
17 March	14:30	Chennai, India	Group B	England	Match 36	West Indies
18 March	09:30	Kolkata, India	Group B	Ireland	Match 37	Netherlands
18 March	14:30	Mumbai, India	Group A	New Zealand	Match 38	Sri Lanka
19 March	09:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Group B	Bangladesh	Match 39	South Africa
19 March	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Group A	Australia	Match 40	Pakistan
20 March	09:30	Kolkata, India	Group A	Kenya	Match 41	Zimbabwe
20 March	14:30	Chennai, India	Group B	India	Match 42	West Indies
21 March	No event
22 March	No event
23 March	Knockout stage matches
23 March	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Quarter-Finals	Group A1	Match 43	Group B4
24 March	14:30	Ahmedabad, India	Quarter-Finals	Group A2	Match 44	Group B3
25 March	14:30	Mirpur, Bangladesh	Quarter-Finals	Group A3	Match 45	Group B2
26 March	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Quarter-Finals	Group A4	Match 46	Group B1
27 March	No event
28 March	No event
29 March	14:30	Colombo, Sri Lanka	Semi-Finals	Winner of Match 43	Match 47	Winner of Match 45
30 March	14:30	Mohali, India	Semi-Finals	Winner of Match 44	Match 48	Winner of Match 46
31 March	No event
1 April	No event
2 April	14:30	Mumbai, India	Final	Winner of Match 47	Match 49	Winner of Match 48

Download Cricket World Cup JAZBA Sony by Ali Zafar – Jazba Ali Zafar

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Ali Zafar – Rise of Jazba 2011 World Cup Song

PakBee — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 10:21:34 +0000

Singer: Ali Zafar

Song: Rise Of Jazba

Lyrics & Composition: Ali Zafar

Ali Zafar’s gives our team the power to fight through his song “Jazba” along with Mobilink Jazz for cricket world cup 2011.

Download: Download MP3 World Cup 2011 Song by Ali Zafar

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Pakistan embroiled in cricket match-fixing

PakBee — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:27:05 +0000

LONDON: Pakistan’s embattled cricket team were embroiled in allegations of match-fixing on Sunday after British police arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers.

The controversy erupted after the News of the World alleged some members of the Pakistan team were involved in a betting scam in the ongoing fourth and final Test against England at Lord’s.

Britain’s biggest-selling newspaper claimed several blatant no-balls had been delivered by Pakistan bowlers.

The weekly tabloid said it gave 150,000 pounds (230,000 dollars, 185,000 euros) to a middle man who correctly told them in advance precisely when those deliveries would be bowled.

“Following information received from the News of the World we have arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers,” a spokesman for London’s Metropolitan Police said.

Despite the latest controversy swirling around the game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) insisted the fourth Test would continue as scheduled on Sunday, adding that no “players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident”.

Pakistan tour manager Yawar Saeed added: “I can confirm we are aware of the allegations. Scotland Yard (Metropolitan) police are with us now at our hotel and we are helping them with their enquiries.

“This is as much as I can say at the moment.”

The News of the World published images and dialogue from the encounter and a picture of what it said was one of the promised no-balls delivered on Friday.

It also ran a photograph of Pakistan captain Salman Butt standing with the man they claimed was the middleman, and one of their reporters.

The News of the World claimed their reporters had posed as front men for an Asian gambling cartel, paying 10,000 pounds to the alleged fixer as an upfront deposit.

They met again on Wednesday in a west London hotel room to hand over the rest of the money as their “entry ticket” into what they claimed was a “huge betting syndicate”.

They claimed the middle man then correctly predicted when the no-balls would be bowled.

The newspaper showed the alleged fixer with piles of cash on a table.

Meanwhile, the ICC said the match would continue as planned on Sunday at Lord’s, the spiritual home of the game.

“The International Cricket Council, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been informed by the Metropolitan Police that a 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers,” said an ICC statement.

“The Metropolitan Police have informed the ICC, ECB and PCB that their investigations continue and ICC, ECB and PCB, with the involvement of the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit, are fully assisting those enquiries.

“No players nor team officials have been arrested in relation to this incident and the fourth Test match will continue as scheduled on Sunday.

“As this is now subject to a police investigation neither ICC, ECB, PCB nor the ground authority, MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), will make any further comment,” it added.

Pakistan, who have been dogged by ‘fixing’ allegations since the 1990s, collapsed spectacularly yet again Saturday to leave England closing in on an innings victory.

At stumps, Pakistan, following on, were 41 for four in their second innings, having been dismissed for just 74 first time around.

That left them still 331 runs adrift of England’s first innings 446 as the home team eyed a victory that would give them a 3-1 win in their final series before they begin the defence of the Ashes in Australia in November.

There was also a controversial finish to Pakistan’s 2006 Test series in England.

They forfeited the final match at The Oval in south London, having refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day because they’d been penalised for ball-tampering.

Pakistan have been unable to play matches at home since an armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year effectively turned the country into a ‘no-go area’ for international cricket.

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Pakistan win thriller to end Aussie drought

PakBee — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:09:24 +0000

LEEDS: Pakistan held their nerve to claim their first Test victory against Australia in 15 years in a tense fourth-day finish at Headingley here on Saturday.

Pakistan, set 180 to win, lost four wickets for 40 runs before finishing on 180 for seven and a three-wicket win as they levelled this two-Test series at 1-1.

Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer was five not out and Umar Gul, who hit the winning run off Mitchell Johnson, one not out as Pakistan ended a run of 13 straight Test defeats by Australia – a record for one country against another.

Pakistan were still five short when Australia’s Michael Hussey appealed for a gully catch against Kamran Akmal on 13, off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson but replays were inconclusive.

And then left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who took seven wickets in the match, edged Ben Hilfehnaus through the slips for four to tie the scores.

But there was one more twist with Kamran Akmal brilliantly caught by Hussey off Johnson and this time there was no doubt.

Gul, though, hammered his first ball from Johnson through the offside and Pakistan had won with more than a day and two sessions to spare.

Left-arm quick Doug Bollinger, starting Friday, took three wickets for five runs in 17 balls on his way to three for 51 and Ben Hilfenhaus three for 39 but even Australia could not turn this match around.

Ultimately, Australia paid the price for being bowled out for just 88 in their first innings – their lowest Test total since they were dismissed for 76 by the West Indies at Perth in 1984

Australia ‘held’ Pakistan to 258, with medium-pacer Watson taking a Test-best six for 33, following his previous best of five for 40 in Australia’s 150-run first Test win at Lord’s last week, after the frontline quicks had been mostly ineffective.

And Australia then maded 349 with Michael Clarke and Steven Smith, in his second Test, both making 77.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting contributed 66 as he became only the second batsman, after India’s Sachin Tendulkar, to score 12,000 Test runs.

But Aamer still managed to take four for 86, giving the 18-year-old left-arm quick Test best match figures of seven for 106.

Aammer and Watson won their teams’ respective man-of-the-match awards.

Pakistan resumed Saturday on 140 for three, needing 40 more runs to win with Australia requiring seven wickets.

However, as recently as the Sydney Test in January, Australia bowled Pakistan out for 139, chasing a victory target of 176.

Azhar Ali resumed on 47 not out, with Umar Akmal unbeaten on two.

Ali, off Bollinger’s third ball Saturday, cover-drove a full toss to the boundary to complete a maiden Test fifty off 108 balls with six fours.

But next ball, he could only edge Bollinger to keeper Tim Paine.

Ali was out for 51 and Pakistan were 146 for four.

Bollinger appealed for caught behind and lbw against Kamran Akmal, still on nought, in successive balls but Rudi Koertzen, in the South African umpire’s 108th and last Test before retirement, correctly rejected both pleas.

Shoaib Malik – on 10 – was brilliantly caught at the second attempt off a well-hit drive by Marcus North at short extra-cover off Hilfenhaus and Pakistan still needed 19 to win, with four wickets standing.

Kamran Akmal, with three boundaries, took Pakistan to the brink before Gul gave Salman Butt victory in his first Test as Pakistan captain.

Pakistan now have a short turnaround before a four-Test series against England starts at Trent Bridge on July 29.

Australia have to two Tests away to India in October before attempting to regain the Ashes from England on home soil, in a five-Test campaign that starts in November.

This series was played in England after international cricket in Pakistan was effectively suspended after an armed attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in March last year.

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