Bangladesh v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Mirpur

Bangladesh batsmen must step up

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya

December 2, 2011

 Tamim Iqbal

Match facts

Saturday, December 3
Start time 1330 (0730 GMT)

Big Picture

Bangladesh are floundering. Their performance has been just as abject as Pakistan's has been dominant. The depth in the pace attack that gave Pakistan that extra advantage against Sri Lanka in the Test series in the Middle East has been complemented superbly by their spinners in the limited-overs formats. Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have outshone their Bangladesh counterparts, whose over-reliance on Shakib Al Hasan's all-round abilities can only take them so far.

The slow and low tracks in Mirpur may have stifled Pakistan's batting, but it's done worse for the hosts. Their captain Mushfiqur Rahim said: "I have not experienced what home advantage is in the last two series, to be honest with you. When you talk about home advantage, you expect to be playing on pitches you are familiar with, so you know what a good total would be, be it 240 or 150." But he was also prompt to point out that his batsmen "lacked application". They lasted just 30.3 overs in the previous game, struggled to last 20 overs in the Twenty20 game before that and even in Tests, and have largely found it tough to bat for extended periods.

The pitches so far may not have been to their liking, but they've still played to Bangladesh's strength - spin. They've just been up against opponents who, apart from being significantly superior, have exploited those conditions better. Not many expected Bangladesh to cause an upset against an opponent that is on a high, but not many would have thought they'd capitulate this badly at home. With four games still remaining on the tour, their batsmen, especially, need to step up as no one's exposed the difference between the teams as glaringly as they have.

Form guide

Bangladesh: LWLLW (most recent first)
Pakistan: WWWWL

In the spotlight...

Tamim Iqbal missed the Twenty20 game due to a knee injury and was dismissed for a duck in the first ODI. A fluent strokemaker, he's also shown the ability to play long innings, and in testing conditions he's among the best equipped in his side to face the Pakistan bowling. He got half-centuries in each of the two home Tests against West Indies before this series and as their best batsman, needs to lead by example.

Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan wicketkeeper, has done reasonably well behind the stumps but hasn't really impressed with the bat. He has an average of 45.16 in first-class cricket but has only managed a highest of 24 in his last five innings. Pakistan have been trying out Umar Akmal behind the stumps in some limited-overs matches, and Sarfraz needs to do much more with the bat to keep his place.

Team news

Bangladesh may look to bring Imrul Kayes back to strengthen their batting.

Bangladesh (possible) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Shahriar Nafees, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Naeem Islam, 8 Nasir Hossain, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Rubel Hossain.

Pakistan are likely to retain the same side as they attempt to take the series, and leave any experimentation for the third ODI.

Pakistan (possible) 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Shoaib Malik, 9 Saeed Ajmal, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Aizaz Cheema.

Stats and trivia

• Mushfiqur Rahim is just 14 away from reaching 2000 runs in ODIs. He'll be the sixth Bangladesh batsman to get to that landmark when he does.

Quotes

"If the batsmen want they can survive. You can take singles, rotate the strike and play yourself in. Maybe because of Twenty20 cricket now, batsmen don't have the temperament."
Shahid Afridi presents a different take on the Mirpur pitch

Siddhartha Talya is a sub editor at ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan celebrate after winning the series 2-0

Pakistan celebrate after winning the series 2-0, Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast, May 30, 2011

© AFP

Pakistan celebrate after winning the series 2-0, Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast, May 30, 2011
 © AFP
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M Usman Arshad

Pakistan won by 5 wickets

Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast

Stirling ton carries Ireland to 238

Gerard Siggins

May 30, 2011

A brilliant, belligerent century by Paul Stirling gave Ireland hope of levelling the two-match RSA Series in Belfast today.

Stirling, a 20-year-old from the north side of this city, played an innings that alternated between control and raw aggression as he racked up his third ODI century - his first against a Full Member.

It was an innings of maturity for a man who has his critics in Irish cricket. Stirling has too often been a player who raced to thrilling thirties and forties but rarely went on. His highest score against a full member to date was 52.

But an Irish record one-day score of 177 against Canada in September showed what could be achieved and he rounded off the recent World Cup with a blistering ton against Netherlands. That innings was the third-fastest century in the competition's history, behind only Kevin O'Brien and Matthew Hayden.

He thrashed three sixes and seven fours in his innings of 109, which backboned Ireland's total of 238 for eight.

Paul Stirling scored his first century

On the pitch used for Saturday's rain affected game - and after a day of warm sun in between - William Porterfield opted to take first use. Ireland persevered with their decision to promote Ed Joyce to open, although the Sussex batsman was rarely fluent as Junaid Khan and Umar Gul made use of the overcast conditions.

Stirling, meanwhile, played in his usual manner and was 38 when Ireland passed fifty.

Misbah-ul-Haq turned to the spin of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammed Hafeez to slow things down, and was immediately rewarded with the wicket of Joyce. Ajmal extracted some extra bounce and Joyce edged to Mohammed Salman with the score on 65.

Porterfield joined Stirling and saw the younger player reach his fifty off 43 balls. The pair hoisted the hundred in the 22nd over when Stirling hoicked the ball over wide mid-on for six.

Pakistan preferred Hammad Azam to Tanvir Ahmed, and the Rawalpindi bowler's gentle medium proved useful in the conditions. But it was Mohammed Hafeez who dismissed Porterfield, bowled for 15.

Stirling progressed steadily, but was watchful to the spinners and the rate slowed as Ajmal extracted turn. He raced into the nineties with a sumptuous cover drive, but took six more overs to reach 100, which he did with a straight drive past the bowler Hammad. He passed the century mark in 94 balls.

Rain, which had threatened several times, eventually forced the players off for 15 minutes but no overs were lost.

Alex Cusack played a typical innings as second foil to a more aggressive batsman, and took the total up to 174 before he fell charging Ajmal. He fell in the second over of the Powerplay, which Ireland struggled to exploit.

Stirling was dropped by Junaid who made an awful hash of a gentle hook to fine leg off Ajmal. But Junaid made amends next ball when he bowled Stirling for 109.

Gary Wilson came out to cheers in his 100th appearance for Ireland, but although he hit the last two balls of the Powerplay for four, the five-over period yielded a miserable 23 for 2. Kevin O'Brien again showed a mere flash of his Bangalore form before he was caught at long-off.

Wilson made a bright 33 off 25 balls to lift Ireland to 238 for eight, which gave the home side hope. Saeed Ajmal was the stand-out bowler and fully deserved his 4 for 35.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Post by

M Usman Arshad

Younis' fifty steers close chase

Ireland 238/8 v Pakistan 216/4 (46 ov) 

Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast

Stirling ton carries Ireland to 238

Gerard Siggins

May 30, 2011

A brilliant, belligerent century by Paul Stirling gave Ireland hope of levelling the two-match RSA Series in Belfast today.

Stirling, a 20-year-old from the north side of this city, played an innings that alternated between control and raw aggression as he racked up his third ODI century - his first against a Full Member.

It was an innings of maturity for a man who has his critics in Irish cricket. Stirling has too often been a player who raced to thrilling thirties and forties but rarely went on. His highest score against a full member to date was 52.

But an Irish record one-day score of 177 against Canada in September showed what could be achieved and he rounded off the recent World Cup with a blistering ton against Netherlands. That innings was the third-fastest century in the competition's history, behind only Kevin O'Brien and Matthew Hayden.

He thrashed three sixes and seven fours in his innings of 109, which backboned Ireland's total of 238 for eight.

Paul Stirling scored his first century

On the pitch used for Saturday's rain affected game - and after a day of warm sun in between - William Porterfield opted to take first use. Ireland persevered with their decision to promote Ed Joyce to open, although the Sussex batsman was rarely fluent as Junaid Khan and Umar Gul made use of the overcast conditions.

Stirling, meanwhile, played in his usual manner and was 38 when Ireland passed fifty.

Misbah-ul-Haq turned to the spin of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammed Hafeez to slow things down, and was immediately rewarded with the wicket of Joyce. Ajmal extracted some extra bounce and Joyce edged to Mohammed Salman with the score on 65.

Porterfield joined Stirling and saw the younger player reach his fifty off 43 balls. The pair hoisted the hundred in the 22nd over when Stirling hoicked the ball over wide mid-on for six.

Pakistan preferred Hammad Azam to Tanvir Ahmed, and the Rawalpindi bowler's gentle medium proved useful in the conditions. But it was Mohammed Hafeez who dismissed Porterfield, bowled for 15.

Stirling progressed steadily, but was watchful to the spinners and the rate slowed as Ajmal extracted turn. He raced into the nineties with a sumptuous cover drive, but took six more overs to reach 100, which he did with a straight drive past the bowler Hammad. He passed the century mark in 94 balls.

Rain, which had threatened several times, eventually forced the players off for 15 minutes but no overs were lost.

Alex Cusack played a typical innings as second foil to a more aggressive batsman, and took the total up to 174 before he fell charging Ajmal. He fell in the second over of the Powerplay, which Ireland struggled to exploit.

Stirling was dropped by Junaid who made an awful hash of a gentle hook to fine leg off Ajmal. But Junaid made amends next ball when he bowled Stirling for 109.

Gary Wilson came out to cheers in his 100th appearance for Ireland, but although he hit the last two balls of the Powerplay for four, the five-over period yielded a miserable 23 for 2. Kevin O'Brien again showed a mere flash of his Bangalore form before he was caught at long-off.

Wilson made a bright 33 off 25 balls to lift Ireland to 238 for eight, which gave the home side hope. Saeed Ajmal was the stand-out bowler and fully deserved his 4 for 35.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Post by

M Usman Arshad

Mohammad Salman caught Ed Joyce off Saeed Ajmal's bowling

Mohammad Salman caught Ed Joyce off Saeed Ajmal's bowling, Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast, May 30, 2011

©Associated Press

Mohammad Salman caught Ed Joyce off Saeed Ajmal's bowling, Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast, May 30, 2011©Associated Press

Post by

M Usman Arshad

brilliant Ireland make 238

Ireland v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Belfast

Stirling ton carries Ireland to 238

Gerard Siggins

May 30, 2011

A brilliant, belligerent century by Paul Stirling gave Ireland hope of levelling the two-match RSA Series in Belfast today.

Stirling, a 20-year-old from the north side of this city, played an innings that alternated between control and raw aggression as he racked up his third ODI century - his first against a Full Member.

It was an innings of maturity for a man who has his critics in Irish cricket. Stirling has too often been a player who raced to thrilling thirties and forties but rarely went on. His highest score against a full member to date was 52.

Paul Stirling

But an Irish record one-day score of 177 against Canada in September showed what could be achieved and he rounded off the recent World Cup with a blistering ton against Netherlands. That innings was the third-fastest century in the competition's history, behind only Kevin O'Brien and Matthew Hayden.

He thrashed three sixes and seven fours in his innings of 109, which backboned Ireland's total of 238 for eight.

On the pitch used for Saturday's rain affected game - and after a day of warm sun in between - William Porterfield opted to take first use. Ireland persevered with their decision to promote Ed Joyce to open, although the Sussex batsman was rarely fluent as Junaid Khan and Umar Gul made use of the overcast conditions.

Stirling, meanwhile, played in his usual manner and was 38 when Ireland passed fifty.

Misbah-ul-Haq turned to the spin of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammed Hafeez to slow things down, and was immediately rewarded with the wicket of Joyce. Ajmal extracted some extra bounce and Joyce edged to Mohammed Salman with the score on 65.

Porterfield joined Stirling and saw the younger player reach his fifty off 43 balls. The pair hoisted the hundred in the 22nd over when Stirling hoicked the ball over wide mid-on for six.

Pakistan preferred Hammad Azam to Tanvir Ahmed, and the Rawalpindi bowler's gentle medium proved useful in the conditions. But it was Mohammed Hafeez who dismissed Porterfield, bowled for 15.

Stirling progressed steadily, but was watchful to the spinners and the rate slowed as Ajmal extracted turn. He raced into the nineties with a sumptuous cover drive, but took six more overs to reach 100, which he did with a straight drive past the bowler Hammad. He passed the century mark in 94 balls.

Rain, which had threatened several times, eventually forced the players off for 15 minutes but no overs were lost.

Alex Cusack played a typical innings as second foil to a more aggressive batsman, and took the total up to 174 before he fell charging Ajmal. He fell in the second over of the Powerplay, which Ireland struggled to exploit.

Stirling was dropped by Junaid who made an awful hash of a gentle hook to fine leg off Ajmal. But Junaid made amends next ball when he bowled Stirling for 109.

Gary Wilson came out to cheers in his 100th appearance for Ireland, but although he hit the last two balls of the Powerplay for four, the five-over period yielded a miserable 23 for 2. Kevin O'Brien again showed a mere flash of his Bangalore form before he was caught at long-off.

Wilson made a bright 33 off 25 balls to lift Ireland to 238 for eight, which gave the home side hope. Saeed Ajmal was the stand-out bowler and fully deserved his 4 for 35.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Shahid Afridi appeals for an lbw

Shahid Afridi appeals for an lbw, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011

©AFP

Shahid Afridi appeals for an lbw, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011©AFP

Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez added 66 for the first wicket

Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez added 66 for the first wicket, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011©AFP

Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez added 66 for the first wicket, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011©AFP

West Indies celebrate Mohammad Hafeez's wicket

West Indies celebrate Mohammad Hafeez's wicket, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011

©AFP

West Indies celebrate Mohammad Hafeez's wicket, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011©AFP

Ahmed Shehzad reached his 2nd century off 143 balls

Ahmed Shehzad reached his century off 143 balls, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011

©AFP

Ahmed Shehzad reached his century off 143 balls, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011©AFP

Pakistan won by 7 wickets

West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Pakistan won by 7 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)

Ahmed Shehzad ton secures 2-0 lead

The Bulletin by George Binoy

April 25, 2011

Unlike the island on which this match was played - St Lucia - the cricket was not arresting at the Beausejour Stadium. The stands were sparsely populated, the outfield patchy and the West Indian batsmen once again failed to combat Pakistan's spinners, their ineptness at reading variations making the contest a mismatch. Pursuing a middling target, Pakistan's only fault was their crawl in the first half of their chase, raising fleeting hopes of a competitive finish. Ahmed Shehzad prevented any such thing, his century securing a seven-wicket victory and a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Ahmed Shehzad

For the briefest of whiles West Indies, spurred by Lendl Simmons, were making a more spirited effort in this game compared to their struggle in the first. Simmons, however, had no support as his team-mates either flickered and perished, or struggled to rotate the strike. Pakistan stacked up dot balls as Simmons looked on, and his dismissal for 51 was the beginning of the unraveling of the West Indian challenge. Eight of their first nine batsmen made it to double figures, but only three got past 20.

Pakistan's first break was a fortunate one. Devon Smith was struck on the pad outside off stump by Hafeez while playing off the back foot but umpire Asoka de Silva thought otherwise. While Simmons was batting with Darren Bravo, though, the signs were promising for West Indies. They were 53 for 1 after the mandatory Powerplay.

Ajmal had bowled without deserved reward in the first one-dayer. He had teased and beaten Darren Bravo in that game. There was none of that today. Ajmal pitched his first ball just outside leg and spun it across the left-hander. Darren Bravo attempted to cut, and edged to first slip.

Marlon Samuels then dragged West Indies into the mire. The run-rate plummeted after he entered, as only 14 runs came off the bowling Powerplay. Simmons tried to counter by launching Afridi out of the ground over midwicket and then charging and hitting Junaid Khan for a straight six. Samuels, however, had scored only 3 off 36 and Simmons felt the need to attack some more. Soon after reaching his half-century, Simmons drove Afridi to short cover, where Umar Akmal parried the ball above his head and caught the rebound.

It became imperative that Samuels improve his strike-rate but he became Hammad Azam's first ODI wicket, bowled for 29 off 74 balls. Of the threatening batsmen, only Dwayne Bravo remained, but he soon perished to Wahab Riaz, charging and slogging a wide ball towards deep cover. West Indies eventually reached 220, though at Dwayne Bravo's dismissal - 148 for 6 in the 34th over - it didn't look like they'd last 50.

Pakistan reached the target with only 12 balls to spare but they were never in any realistic strife. Shehzad and Hafeez took their time, seeing of the Kemar Roach threat and settling in at leisure against the rest of the West Indian attack. The outcome was an uneventful passage of play that lacked shots and appeals but had an abundance of defence.

Roach hustled with the new ball, beating the bat several times and providing no space for stroke play. West Indies could have done with a similar bowler at the other end, but Jerome Taylor was in India, making his IPL 2011 debut for Pune Warriors. Instead they had Darren Sammy, who was flicked and cut for consecutive boundaries in his first over by Shehzad. Sammy wasn't loose, but he just didn't have the weapons to threaten batsmen with.

Pakistan had scored only 35 after the mandatory Powerplay and Hafeez soon raised the pace, jumping out in the 13th over to cart Sammy over long-on and pulling the next ball for four. The next boundary came only in the 31st.

Legspinners Devendra Bishoo and Anthony Martin, who was making his debut, pulled Pakistan's run-rate back. Bishoo even provided the breakthrough, inducing Hafeez to cut in the air to point, and snapped the opening stand on 66 in the 19th over.

Shehzad didn't waste his start, though, and continued anchoring Pakistan's innings. He got to his fifty off 94 balls and his century off 143. Only after he was dismissed in the 46th over did the asking-rate inch over a run a ball. Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal then struck a flurry of boundaries to secure the victory.

George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan need 221 runs to win on 50 overs

West Indies 220 (50.0 ov)
Pakistan Req 221 runs to win
in 50 overs

West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Regular wickets put Pakistan on top

The Bulletin by George Binoy

April 25, 2011

For the briefest of whiles West Indies, spurred by Lendl Simmons, were making a more spirited start in this game compared to their struggle in the first ODI. Simmons, however, had little support as his team-mates either flickered and perished, or struggled to rotate the strike. Pakistan's spinners steadily stacked up dot balls as Simmons looked on, and his dismissal for 51 left West Indies in desperate need of a momentum-wresting partnership.

Mohammad Hafeez

The day began with left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan bowling a maiden at Simmons. At the other end there was Mohammad Hafeez, bowling skiddy offbreaks with the new ball. Devon Smith sparked the innings to life, skipping down the pitch to hoist the offspinner over midwicket, and making use of Junaid's width to cut to the boundary. Smith went past 1000 ODI runs but his innings was cut short, as he was adjudged lbw by Asoka de Silva though Hafeez's ball had struck the pad outside off stump.

Simmons struck his first boundary - a pull off Wahab Riaz past mid-on - off the 17th delivery he faced and then hit one more two balls later, square-driving a wide one with flourish. Between the eighth and the ninth over, Simmons lay on the turf, writhing in pain after getting struck on the knee by Wahab, but he recovered to carry on.

While Simmons was batting with Darren Bravo, the signs were promising for West Indies. Bravo had driven Junaid fluently through cover, and then cut Hafeez off the back foot. West Indies were 53 for 1 after the mandatory Powerplay.

Saeed Ajmal had bowled without the reward he deserved in the first ODI. He had teased and beaten Bravo at will. Today, he dismissed Bravo first ball, spinning one from leg across the left-hander, drawing the edge to first slip.

With Marlon Samuels' entry, the run-rate began to plummet, as he blocked and was beaten. West Indies scored 14 runs off the bowling Powerplay and the innings was losing direction. Simmons countered by launching Shahid Afridi out of the ground over midwicket and then charging and hitting Junaid for a straight six. He was deft, too, dabbing a full ball from Afridi fine past third man.

Samuels, however, had scored 3 off 36 and Simmons felt he needed to attack more. Soon after reaching his half-century, Simmons drove Afridi fiercely towards short cover, where Umar Akmal parried it above his head and caught the rebound. Samuels then hit his first four, lofting Junaid over extra cover, off his 37th ball. He lost Kirk Edwards quickly, and Pakistan only had to dislodge Dwayne Bravo to keep the hosts to a middling total.

George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Hammad Azam's first international wicket

Hammad Azam celebrates his first international wicket, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011

©AFP

Hammad Azam celebrates his first international wicket, West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, April 25, 2011©AFP

West Indies v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Gros Islet, St Lucia

Regular wickets put Pakistan on top

The Bulletin by George Binoy

April 25, 2011

For the briefest of whiles West Indies, spurred by Lendl Simmons, were making a more spirited start in this game compared to their struggle in the first ODI. Simmons, however, had little support as his team-mates either flickered and perished, or struggled to rotate the strike. Pakistan's spinners steadily stacked up dot balls as Simmons looked on, and his dismissal for 51 left West Indies in desperate need of a momentum-wresting partnership.

Mohammad Hafeez

The day began with left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan bowling a maiden at Simmons. At the other end there was Mohammad Hafeez, bowling skiddy offbreaks with the new ball. Devon Smith sparked the innings to life, skipping down the pitch to hoist the offspinner over midwicket, and making use of Junaid's width to cut to the boundary. Smith went past 1000 ODI runs but his innings was cut short, as he was adjudged lbw by Asoka de Silva though Hafeez's ball had struck the pad outside off stump.

Simmons struck his first boundary - a pull off Wahab Riaz past mid-on - off the 17th delivery he faced and then hit one more two balls later, square-driving a wide one with flourish. Between the eighth and the ninth over, Simmons lay on the turf, writhing in pain after getting struck on the knee by Wahab, but he recovered to carry on.

While Simmons was batting with Darren Bravo, the signs were promising for West Indies. Bravo had driven Junaid fluently through cover, and then cut Hafeez off the back foot. West Indies were 53 for 1 after the mandatory Powerplay.

Saeed Ajmal had bowled without the reward he deserved in the first ODI. He had teased and beaten Bravo at will. Today, he dismissed Bravo first ball, spinning one from leg across the left-hander, drawing the edge to first slip.

With Marlon Samuels' entry, the run-rate began to plummet, as he blocked and was beaten. West Indies scored 14 runs off the bowling Powerplay and the innings was losing direction. Simmons countered by launching Shahid Afridi out of the ground over midwicket and then charging and hitting Junaid for a straight six. He was deft, too, dabbing a full ball from Afridi fine past third man.

Samuels, however, had scored 3 off 36 and Simmons felt he needed to attack more. Soon after reaching his half-century, Simmons drove Afridi fiercely towards short cover, where Umar Akmal parried it above his head and caught the rebound. Samuels then hit his first four, lofting Junaid over extra cover, off his 37th ball. He lost Kirk Edwards quickly, and Pakistan only had to dislodge Dwayne Bravo to keep the hosts to a middling total.

George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan news

Zulqarnain Haider returns to Pakistan

ESPNcricinfo staff

April 25, 2011

Five and a half months after fleeing to London from the UAE on the morning of an ODI, Zulqarnain Haider, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper, has returned home, having secured security assurances from the government about his safety and that of his family.

Zulqarnain Haider landed at Islamabad airport on Monday morning © AFP

Haider landed at Islamabad airport on Monday morning and was swiftly escorted by security personnel to the office of Rehman Malik, the Interior Minister, who had convinced him to come back from London. Haider, who turned 25 on Saturday, had announced last week that he was prepared to revoke his application for asylum in the UK and return to Pakistan and resume his playing career. However, soon after that, there was confusion; some channels reported that he was reconsidering his decision after receiving threatening phone calls in the aftermath of his decision to return.

But later he clarified to other channels - as well as leaving an update on his Facebook page - confirming that he would be returning as planned. Haider also recorded the threatening calls he had received, parts of which were aired on some Pakistani channels.

"I am happy to return," he said on Monday afternoon, after a meeting with Malik. "I have met Rehman Malik and the sports minister and they have provided me foolproof security," he said.

"When I landed at the airport everything was superb. They have given me superb accommodation and have lived upto their promise. I have just talked to them and briefed them on what happened to me. When I meet Ijaz Butt [PCB chairman] I will share with him too. I think no one will put his future on line and there were some reasons when I left the team and went to Britain."

Haider had gone missing from the Pakistan team's hotel in Dubai on the morning of the fifth and final ODI against South Africa on November 8, saying he had received death threats from unidentified people seeking to draw him into match-fixing. He fled to the UK to seek protection and placed an application for asylum that hinged on the nature of the information he was able to divulge, as the extraordinary nature of his case appeared to fall outside the usual conditions required of a person seeking refugee status.

In the aftermath of his flight, Haider announced his international retirement and his contract with the PCB was suspended. A fact-finding committee subsequently set-up by the PCB to look into the affair failed to find any clear motives behind his actions.

But the committee was told by some of the national team's support staff that Haider had a complex personality, was a "weak nerve" person and "a person who is easily convinced into believing whatever is said to him." The committee, which spoke to Haider by phone, asked the PCB to write to Haider and ask him what happened in Dubai which forced him to fly to London.

The report tapped into increasing public scepticism over the motives for Haider's flight, not helped by a growing number of statements by the player promising much in the fight against corruption but delivering little. When one channel said last week that he was considering not returning, Haider threatened them with legal action.

What happens now remains unclear. A board official told ESPNcricinfo that there was no "official next step," as far as Haider was concerned. "The fact-finding committee's last communication with him was to seek some more details, but they never heard back from him. The board will do nothing now until he gets in touch with us. After that we can decide on a future course of action, whether disciplinary because he breached the code of conduct, or otherwise."

Haider said he hadn't decided whether or not to take back his retirement, saying he wanted to "spend some time with my family," first.