Four ICC Associate Members Reached Dubai For Practice Ahead of World Cup

Dubai - Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada; four ICC associate nations, have reached UAE to have some practice ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup, which is now just 17 days away from commencement. These teams will play practice matches at International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy at Dubai.

Full of passion and determination, they began their hard work yesterday at the Gatorade High Performance Camp. Ireland, who had stunned Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup to reach the super eight, is hoping to do even better, Gulf News reports.

Ireland has two hosts India and Bangladesh in their group in the upcoming mega event. William Porterfield, Ireland captain talking to media said, “We might go even better and further than in 2007. It is difficult to compare two World Cups because in the last World Cup we were very much an unknown team. It is going to be a different challenge but I don’t see why we cannot improve and go in further than from where we were”.

“We might go even better and further than in 2007. It is difficult to compare two World Cups because in the last World Cup we were very much an unknown team. It is going to be a different challenge but I don’t see why we cannot improve and go in further than from where we were,” said Ireland captain William Porterfield.

Ireland has two hosts India and Bangladesh in their group. “Playing against home nations on their soil could be tough. To play against India is not going to be easy but when we go out into the pitch it will be our eleven versus their eleven and if we can stick to our basics and plans we can beat any side in our group,” he added.

Equally confident are the Netherlands and Canada who have come out of a harsh winter.

Shaun Marsh Injury - Storm of Injuries Chasing Australian Cricket Ahead of ICC World Cup

MELBOURNE, Australia - Australia’s run for ICC Cricket World Cup is being hampered even before the start of month of the mega event, February. Australia was already suffering from the injuries of its World Cup Squad’s key players like Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Nathan Hauritz and Shaun Tait. Now just to multiply the woes of Australians, who are just recovering from the Ashes’ wounds after winning ODI series against England, another injury struck in the shape of Shaun Marsh, the hero of the second ODI of the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Series. 

Reportedly; left-handed middle-order batsman, Shaun Marsh, injured a hamstring while batting during Australia's 51-run vicroty over England in the 5th ODI on Sunday. 

Even captain Ricky Ponting, who is nursing a finger injury, is not sure to be fit in time for Australia's first game in the mega event, which means Marsh could have been drafted in the touring party in place of either Ponting or Hussey.

As Shaun Marsh was expected to cover one of the injured players; therefore, if he would be ruled out after through medical scrutiny then Australian cricket will have a real set back just ahead of World Cup.

Eden Gardens Will Host The Other Three World Cup Matches: Sharad Pawar

KOLKATA, India - The historic 100,000 capacity stadium lost the right to host the crucial February 27 India-England tie after failing to meet the completion deadline for renovation work.

The BCCI at the behest of the Cricket Association of Bengal appealed to the ICC to extend the completion deadline for the tie to February 7.

The ICC on Sunday rejected BCCI's appeal to reconsider its decision to take away India-England cricket World Cup match from Kolkata but its President Sharad Pawar said the Eden Gardens can host the other three ties if it is ready on time.

A re-inspection is schedule on February 7 by ICC to weigh the preparations for the remaining three matches at Eden Gardens in March.  

Chittagong City Government Will Pay Beggars During World Cup to Be Away From Venue

Chittagong, Bangladesh - As Bangladesh is co-hosting the World Cup along with India and Sri Lanka and Chittagong will be the one of the venue in Bangladesh for World Cup matches. 

Chittagong’s authorities have devised a plan to help protect foreign spectators and media-men from the outburst of beggars. According to reports almost 300 beggars will be paid about $2 (£1.20) a day for three months to compensate them for their loss of earning.

Mansur Alam, Chittagong Mayor, further told that the beggars would also be given a chance to move into rehabilitation centres.

ICC to Re-examine Eden Garden For The Rest of World Cup Matches on Feb. 7

KOLKATA, India – After depriving of 27th February India-England big match; Eden Garden will face another doomsday n February 7, when ICC will re-examine the progress of venue for hosting other three scheduled matches in March. 

Apart from the India-England encounter, the Eden Gardens is slated to host South Africa vs. Ireland (March 15), the Netherlands vs. Ireland (March 18), and Zimbabwe vs. Kenya (March 20). 

According to ICC spokesman, "There will be an inspection on February 7 to gauge progress of Eden Gardens as the venue for the other three World Cup matches scheduled."

BCCI Recommends Bangalore As Alternate Venue for Eden Garden

New Delhi, India - ICC’s deadline was ending today (midnight, January 30) for announcing the alternate venue for the India-England world cup match, initially scheduled to be played at Eden Garden Kolkata, which was later discarded by ICC on account of insufficient preparations. 

It is now reported that BCCI has sent its recommendations for Bangalore's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as an alternative venue for next month's World Cup Group B match against England, a leading official said on Sunday.

BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in his statement, "The BCCI has recommended Bangalore as an alternative venue (for the Feb. 27 match)."

Firoz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi Joins The Race of Hosting Discarded INdia-England WC Match

New Delhi, India - After the turn down of extension appeal put forward by BCCI to ICC; cricket associations in India running hard to win the hosting of India-England match scheduled on 27^th February. 

While Bangalore is considered to be the favourite as an alternate venue to the Kolkata’s Eden Gardens for the February 27 game, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) too now wants to host the high-profile match whenever the ICC wants it to.

The ICC snatched the only India match from the country's most famous cricket venue after it found that the stadium was not match-fit. The international body also rejected a plea from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), forwarded to the ICC by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), to reconsider its decision.

ICC Rejected the Extension Appeal of Discarded Venue of Eden Garden, Kolkata

NEW DELHI: As earlier reported here that BCCI requested ICC to reconsider the decision of moving the India-England world cup match from Eden Garden to another venue due to lack of proper preparations on the venue.

 

Now it is reported on Saturday that ICC didn’t accept the Indian cricket board's request because of no assurance from Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) whether the stadium would be ready in time for the Feb 27 day-night game.

HaroonHaroon Lorgat in an email to BCCI President ShashankShashank Manohar said the ICC was not in a position to accommodate the last minute request from the board.

N. Srinivasan, secretary BCCI told media that ICC has instructed BCCI to finalize the alternative venue by January 31.

BCCI Asks ICC to Reconsider The Decision of Removing Eden Garden As World Cup Venue

Kolkata, India - After ICC instructions to BCCI asking to look for an alternate venue for India-England match from Eden Garden Kolkata to another venue due to unsatisfactory completion level of stadium for the 27th February clash; President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Jagmohan Dalmiya, also a former ICC president, appealed BCCI to ask ICC for the reconsideration of the decision.

As a result of CAB appeal; BCCI has asked the ICC for an extension of 10 days (up to February 7) to complete all the renovation work before handing over the Eden Garden to ICC.

ICC has already granted a 14-days extension to four other venues including Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium to complete the finishing work.

Other than the India-England match on Feb. 27, Eden Gardens ia also scheduled to host three other games -- South Africa vs. Ireland (March 15), the Netherlands vs. Ireland (March 18), and Zimbabwe vs. Kenya.

India Among Favourites as World Cup Will be Closely Fought Tournament: Graeme Smith

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has said that India will be the team to watch out for in the World Cup. 

 Smith believes that the home team will be aware of the conditions and are the best placed team prior to the tournament.

"I think the home teams will be right up there when it comes to the ICC Cricket World Cup. I think in the sub-continent conditions they'll be very crafty knowing how to read conditions while other teams need to find ways to be successful there," says Smith on this week's ICC Cricket World Radio Show.

Despite picking India as the team to beat, the South African skipper feels that the World Cup will be a closely fought tournament with many contenders.

"I think there are five or six teams that could win this World Cup which is probably going to make it a very exciting one," Smith added.

Shahid Afridi to Be Retained As Captain for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: PCB Sources

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Ijaz Butt, had been in New Zealand since few days to finalize the captaincy issue for the World Cup squad.

Now the reports are coming out that after the long sittings and discussions with the touring team management in New Zealand and Chief Operating Officer in Lahore; it is decided finally that all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead the world cup squad which is scheduled to be started on February 19 in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

The reliable source revealed that the decision was taken in the wake of support for Afridi from the senior players of the touring team like Shoaib Akhtar, Abdur Razzaq and Umar Gul.

The source further informed that Ijaz Butt is expected to announce officially the World Cup captain this week after some more negotiations in New Zealand.

Pathetic World Cup Venues: Eden Garden Kolkata is Dropped as The World Cup Venue

Kolkata, India - - Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has to look for an alternate venue for the ICC Cricket World Cup match between India and England, earlier scheduled to be played on Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

This embarrassing situation for BCCI arises after the ICC’s inspection team revealed the pathetic conditions of the concerned venue in the post-inspection report.

ICC Chief Haroon Logart has officially informed BCCI to arrange for an alternate venue for the 27^th February match between India and England.   

'iccevents.Yahoo.Com': Official Website of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Launched by ICC - - Offers Match Tickets and ICC Merchandise With Live Match Updates and Analysis

India and the International Cricket Council (ICC) today launched the official website for the 2011 World Cup Cricket tournament, which begins in the Indian subcontinent next month.

The official website for the ICC World Cup 2011, 'iccevents.Yahoo.Com', will offer live match updates and analysis and users can also buy match tickets and other ICC merchandise through the site.

Moreover, users can also get a consolidated view of Twitter updates directly from cricket fans and top cricketers in one single view, according to a statement. 

"Enthusiasts can share their thoughts, play games, create personalized profiles and track matches through interactive schedulers," Yahoo! India Managing Editor Prem Panicker said.

Users will also be to watch and share exclusive video content and photographs on the site.

Yahoo! is the official online partner of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Ratnakar Shetty, a Senior World Cup Organizing Official, Dismissed Concerns About Venues Readiness Before The Event

A senior World Cup organizing official has dismissed all the concerns about facilities being ready for next month's tournament.

There have been worries over the redevelopment of some grounds in India and Sri Lanka - who host the tournament along with Bangladesh - after deadlines of November 30 and December 31 came and went.

With the event starting on February 19, those concerns have become more acute - especially after the Commonwealth Games fiasco last year.

But Ratnakar Shetty, the tournament's director and the administrative officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, dismissed concerns.

"I think the concerns are more in the media than anything else," Shetty said following an inspection by an International Cricket Council team of the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

"As far as we are concerned, all the 13 venues which are going to stage the World Cup are coming up very well and we don't see any reason for concern," he added.

The three-member ICC team comprises stadium consultant Eugene van Vuuren, general commercial manager Campbell Jamieson and events manager Chris Tetley.

"The facilities were shown to the ICC team. They will convey the official version later," he continued.

Leg-Spinner Imran Tahir is a Secret Weapon for ICC Cricket World Cup Starting Next Month: Proteas Skipper Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith, South African skipper, has high hopes associated with the new comer spinner Imran Tahir in the upcoming mega event, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, starting from February 19 in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 

Smith believes that Pakistan-born leg-spinner will prove his selection up to the merit and threat the rival teams as “secret weapon’. Tahir was consciously not provided the chance in the recently concluded series against India to keep this weapon unexposed. 

Being a Pakistani-origin Imran Tahir, who emerged with some wonderful performances in local games, is also familiar with the sub-continental pitches.

ICC Inspection Team Start Visiting The ICC Cricket World Cup Venues in India

MUMBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) initiated an inspection of two Indian venues for the ICC Cricket World Cup on Monday after concerns over delayed renovation work.

ICC Officials visited the Wankhede Stadium to check on its status and will make a similar inspection of the Eden Gardens in Calcutta on Tuesday.

Both venues missed the original deadline for construction of Nov. 30, and the ICC ordered faster progress so the stadiums could be ready for handover to the ICC on January 31.

The World Cup, being jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, is scheduled to be started on February 19.

Mumbai will host two matches on March 13 and 17 and the final on April 2. Calcutta will host four matches, the first on Feb. 27 between India and England.

Mumbai Cricket Association joint-secretary Lalchand Rajput said the ICC officials were satisfied with the Wankhede Stadium.

“They were glad that the deadline has been met with,” Rajput told said. “They were in particular happy with the dressing rooms, media facilities, match officials' rooms and also the box for ICC officials.” Rajput also said that three giant television screens and a huge manual scoreboard had impressed them.

The ICC had pinpointed the need for more work on areas such as landscaping, fencing, umpire changing rooms, anti-doping and medical rooms, seating for spectators and media, and uninterrupted power supply for floodlights.

Though the field had not been a concern at either venue, the slow progress in other parts of the complex had been a worry.

Criticism of the slow construction was being compared to the buildup to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi last October, when officials raced to the last minute to prepare venues and the athletes village.

ICC CWC 2011 - - Supreme Court Restores World Cup Matches' Broadcasting Rights of Geo Super

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court in a brief order here on Monday has restored the rights of Geo Super television for showing the World Cup matches on cable network throughout the country.

  In this regard, the Pemra notification of January 10, 2011 has been declared null and void by the Supreme Court restoring the earlier letter dated December 22, 2010 and ordered Pemra to implement it in its letter and spirit.

Now, according to this order, only Geo Super can telecast all matches of the ICC World Cup 2011 in the country.

"Team May Split Over Captaincy Issues", Former Pakistan Captain Inzimam-ul-Haq

Inzimam-ul-Haq, star batsman and former Pakistan skipper, fears that team announcement for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 without captain might cause the depression in the team. He condemned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the act and expressed his concern that the fact may split the team members.

He further added that this irresponsible behaviuor by PCB will again root the groupism in the team; while team’s unity is the key for the success of mega event. 

Inzi blasted in the reaction as the PCB announced their ICC World Cup squad but has not yet chosen the captain. Right now the team is playing an ODI series in New Zealand in the captaincy of Shahid Afridi.

While several have backed Afridi, many including tainted skipper Salman Butt have favoured Misbah, who is the Test skipper and Afridi's deputy in the limited versions.

ICC CWC 2011 - - Australian Spinner Nathan Hauritz to Undergo Surgery of Dislocated Shoulder

Nathan Hauritz will undergo surgery on his dislocated shoulder in an attempt to be fit for the World Cup.

The 29-year-old spinner suffered the injury while fielding during Australia's 46-run win in the second one-day international with England. He is set to miss the rest of the series, but Cricket Australia are hopeful the surgery will ensure his participation in the World Cup.

Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "Nathan Hauritz will have arthroscopic surgery of his shoulder joint in Melbourne. This is a small procedure that we hope will give him the best opportunity to be available for the ICC Cricket World Cup."

He added: "He will then have a period of intense rehabilitation and attempt to return to training in the coming weeks if we feel this is appropriate.

"His availability for the World Cup will depend on his progress through this rehabilitation."

ICC CWC 2011 - - Spin Wizard Muttiah Muralidaran Have Plans to Step Down from International Cricket After World Cup

Record-breaking Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralidaran said he will retire from international cricket after the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

"This World Cup will be my last outing,'' Muralidaran, 38, said on the sidelines of a training session in Colombo.

"I am retiring totally from international cricket thereafter.''

The mega one-day event, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, starts on February 19.

Muralidaran, the world's leading wicket-taker in both Tests (800) and one-dayers (517), bowed out of Test matches in July last year after the opening match against India in Galle.

"My time is up. I have signed up to play for two years in the IPL (Indian Premier League). I am also looking at similar work in New Zealand and perhaps England,'' the off-spinner said.

Muralitharan said that he was currently focusing on the World Cup, which ends on April 2.

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"This is my fourth World Cup. We won in 1996 and came close in 2007 by reaching the final. This would be a memorable one for me and for Sri Lankan fans,'' he said.

Sri Lanka will host 12 World Cup matches, including three at a new 22,000-seater stadium in Murali's home district of Kandy.

The other nine matches will be played at the renovated Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and a new cricket facility in Hambantota in the island's south.

Muralidaran said he had no immediate plans to switch to coaching despite reports last year that he was planning to team up with retired Indian spinner Anil Kumble to start a spin academy for youngsters.

"There are plenty of coaches and lots of talented people out there. I will take things as they come. For the moment, no coaching stints.''



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Shoaib Malik Reveals The Tremendous Support He Got From His Wife Sania Mirza After Exclusion from World Cup Squad

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik, who has been omitted from the national squad for next month's ICC Cricket World Cup, says his wife and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has been very supportive during this most difficult phase of his career.

"Sania, being herself as a sports woman, knows how to face this kind of situation. She had been through some ups and down as well. I am very lucky to have Sania as my wife who is sporting and helping me at every step to handle all this," said Malik in an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle Urdu service.

He also said playing in the ICC World Cup is the utmost desire of every cricketer in the world.

"And it becomes more disappointing when one is ignored when one is in the best form of his life. I have never been in form like this before in 11 years of my international career the way I played in the recently concluded Quaid Trophy," the Daily Times quoted him, as saying to the German radio broadcaster.

Malik was the second top scorer of Quaid Trophy with 799 runs in only 6 matches.

"Cricket is my passion. I thought I could have won this World Cup for Pakistan and that is why it is very difficult to make myself understand. But then its not the end of the world and cricket oo. I will not leave playing cricket and try to cash in other opportunities come my way by playing domestic cricket and events outside the country," he said

Malik also denied the media reports that an amount of 90,000 pounds, which was transferred from India to his British account, was the main reason behind the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to sideline him from the World Cup squad.

"I have not hidden any thing from the PCB integrity committee...I gave every detail of my Pakistani and foreign assets and bank accounts to the PCB, but yet I was not selected. I won't start firing at any one because its not my nature, and I always try to remain away from controversies," the cricketer maintained.

On the national team's prospects in the forthcoming World Cup, Malik suggested that Pakistan should rely on senior players.

"In an mega event like World Cup, only seniors can take pressure of the situations and that's why I think Pakistan should be relying on experienced players," he concluded.



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Mashrafe Mortaza Excluded From Final 15-men Squad Due to Injury Issues 

Final Fifteen Announced by Kenya Includes Shem Ngoche and James Ngoche 

Black Caps 15-men Squad Announced by New Zealand Includes Three Spinners

Fifteen-men Australian Squad Finalized by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP)

Cleared Players From Suspended Trio Can Be Included in the World Cup Squad, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt 

Indian 15-Member Squad Announced With Inclusion of An Extra Spinner Piyush Chawla 

Venues Will Hopefully be Ready Well in Time: Haroon Logart

Multiplexes and Theatres Set to Live Screening of ICC Cricket World Cup Matches

New Delhi: With less than a month to go for the cricket World Cup followed by season four of much hyped IPL, multiplex and theatre owners are gearing up to finalize plans for live screening of the matches.

"We are talking to the respective right holders for live screening for the World Cup and IPL matches. IPL will take some time, but for the World Cup the plan should be final within a week's time," Cinemax CEO Sunil Punjabi told Media.

The official broadcaster of the World Cup, ESPN Star Sports that also has the theatrical rights, is in discussions with several multiplex and theatre owners although nothing has been finalized yet, said industry sources. The company, however, did not comment.

The ICC Cricket World will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2 and the IPL follows six days after it.

Leading multiplex chain PVR Cinemas that had shown IPL matches live on 18 screens last year, is also working on the game-plan for this year.

"While, there is clarity on IPL as UFO Moviez has the ten year rights for theatrical screening, there is no clarity on the World Cup yet," PVR Cinemedia CEO Gautam Dutta said. PVR Cinemedia is a division of multiplex company PVR Ltd that handles all of its advertising, marketing and branding tie-ups.

He said that between the two tournaments, the World Cup is expected to generate more interest among people as India as a team would be playing after a long time.

"If the team makes it to the critical matches like semi -finals and finals then the interest levels will be certainly very high," Dutta added.

However, another leading multiplex chain Big Cinemas owned by Reliance MediaWorks is more inclined toward IPL than the World Cup.

Though the company did not offer an official comment, according to industry sources, it is much like the last year is keen to screen IPL matches.

On the costs involved, Dutta of PVR said theatre owners there will not incur additional costs as deals are based on a revenue sharing basis. For consumers, tickets will be priced like film-tickets.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - - Pakistan Chances As Per Rameez Raja: Pakistan Can't Be Ruled Out of Title Contention

Rameez Raja

KARACHI: Cricketer-turned-commentator Rameez Raja on Thursday said Pakistan may not go into the World Cup as one of the favourites but the other teams can not afford to write them off.

"Pakistan has a fairly settled and a very good one-day side. They know the art of playing one-day cricket. They have struggled in Test cricket because some of the players simply don't have the temperament to graft out long innings but the 50-overs cricket format suits them," he said.

"I don't think Pakistan can be ruled out of title contention. There will be less pressure on them and for our players 50-over cricket is a pretty natural format as they are natural hitters of the ball. And with the World Cup being played on sub-continental pitches I think the conditions will suit them," the former captain said.

Raja also observed that sub-continent wickets would suit the spinners and Pakistan had plenty of them in the side.

"I think they have done a good job to pick two specialist spinners in the squad in Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal who are in form and bowling well. And I think both of them can also played on the sub-continental pitches," he said.

Raja said the team would also be depending heavily on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

"They could be nearing the end of their careers but they remain heavyweights and the team would be depending heavily on them in this World Cup and if manage to fire things will be easier for Pakistan.

"With Shoaib you can't rule out another strong comeback for him. And I think both of them know this is their last World Cup and final shot at glory in this tournament."

He also advised Pakistan cricket fans to stop hoping for a comeback by any of the suspended players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif - in the World Cup.

"To me the case against them is an open and shut one and I think the writing is on the wall. The synchronization between what Mazhar Majeed says and what is happening on the field is damaging," he said.

The ICC anti-corruption tribunal is due to announce its verdict on the charges of spot-fixing against the suspended trio on February 5.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - - Team India is Favourite to Lift The World Cup Title According to West Indies Batting Legend Brian Lara

West Indies batting legend Brian Lara has backed India to win the ICC World Cup which starts next month, but says the one-day powerhouses will need to play a measured campaign if they are to lift their second title.

"With the World Cup being held in Asia, India are definitely the favourites," Lara told reporters here Tuesday.

"India have been on the top of their game, they will be a very tough team to beat. They have a well-balanced team that can compete with anyone in the world, but playing before home crowds will not be easy."

India have been installed in Group B of the competition and will play alongside West Indies, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, The Netherlands and South Africa.

"As hosts, India may find it difficult because they would want to start on top and stay on top. They have to ensure that they do not run out of steam. This requires both physical and mental strength."

India last won a World Cup when they beat West Indies in the 1983 final in England.

One of India's biggest threats in the group will come from South Africa, but Lara says while they were a strong side, they always falter at the big showpiece.

"South Africa are a very good team. They can play consistently good cricket. But they have a bit of World Cup bogey which is why I won't put my money on them," Lara said.

PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt, Left For New Zealand to Sort Out Captaincy Issue With Mutual Undestanding

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has secretly left for New Zealand to "sort out" the captaincy issue that is threatening to hamper the team's ICC Cricket World Cup hopes.

According to sources, Butt has left for Wellington to be with the Pakistan team which will play six One-day Internationals against New Zealand starting Jan 22.

Sources said the PCB chief has asked the board officials to keep his visit secret as he wants to quietly hold a few meetings Thursday and Friday before deciding Pakistan's captain for the World Cup beginning in the subcontinent Feb 19.

"Ijaz Butt wants to sort out the captaincy issue after meeting some key players and team officials in New Zealand," said a source.

Pakistan announced its 15-man squad for the mega event earlier this week but surprisingly opted against naming the captain.

This added fuel to speculations that the PCB is not happy with One-day captain Shahid Afridi and is mulling the option of replacing him with Misbah-ul-Haq, who recently led Pakistan to a Test series triumph against New Zealand.

"Butt will hold meetings with Afridi, Misbah and also with Pakistan coach Waqar Younis in Wellington before taking a decision on the captaincy issue," the source added.



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Final Fifteen Announced by Kenya Includes Shem Ngoche and James Ngoche 

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 - - Ireland Announced 15-men Squad Omitting Regan West With Ed Joyce Part of the Squad

Regan West is a significant omission from Ireland's 15-man squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup, which starts in February in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

The all-rounder has a shoulder injury and is missing from a squad which contains eight players who competed for Ireland in the 2007 World Cup. 

Bowler Boyd Rankin was included, who has recovered from a foot injury. 

Batsman Ed Joyce is also in the panel, four years after playing for England against the Irish in the West Indies version of Cricket World Cup. 

Ireland 15-men squad includes:

1. William Porterfield (Captain),
2. Andre Botha,
3. Alex Cusack
4. George Dockrell
5. Trent Johnston
6. Nigel Jones
7. Ed Joyce
8. John Mooney
9. Kevin O'Brien
10. Niall O'Brien
11. Boyd Rankin
12. Paul Stirling  
13. Albert van der Merwe
14. Gary Wilson
15. Andrew White 

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Final Fifteen Announced by Kenya Includes Shem Ngoche and James Ngoche 

Black Caps 15-men Squad Announced by New Zealand Includes Three Spinners

Fifteen-men Australian Squad Finalized by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP)

Cleared Players From Suspended Trio Can Be Included in the World Cup Squad, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt 

Indian 15-Member Squad Announced With Inclusion of An Extra Spinner Piyush Chawla 

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Trophy Unveiled at Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is exactly one month away and to mark the 30-day countdown, the coveted trophy was unveiled at the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai on Wednesday morning. The glittering trophy was unveiled in front of an excited crowd at the BSE building. 

International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Haroon Lorgat handed over the trophy to ICC president Sharad Pawar amid the presence of traders and custodians of the BSE. Lorgat and Pawar were also given the honour of hitting the official gong to begin trading for the day.

The World Cup begins on February 19 in Dhaka and the final will be played on April 2 in Mumbai.



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Final Fifteen Announced by Kenya Includes Shem Ngoche and James Ngoche 

Black Caps 15-men Squad Announced by New Zealand Includes Three Spinners

Fifteen-men Australian Squad Finalized by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP)

Cleared Players From Suspended Trio Can Be Included in the World Cup Squad, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt 

Indian 15-Member Squad Announced With Inclusion of An Extra Spinner Piyush Chawla 

Venues Will Hopefully be Ready Well in Time: Haroon Logart

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup - - South Africa Announced 15-men Final Squad Included Injured Kallis But Mark Boucher Excluded

Batting prowess Jacques Kallis was named in South Africa's World Cup squad on Tuesday despite missing the current series against India due to a rib injury. The 35-year-old all-rounder is also a top-class seam bowler, allowing the team to play a specialist batsman at seven.

Jacques Kallis's presence will strengthen a South African batting line-up which seemed quite ordinary in the last two matches against India in the ongoing series.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Morne van Wyk, who cracked South Africa's quickest Twenty20 half-century two weeks ago, is the only named player who was not part of the squad for the first three one-day internationals against India.

The only controversial exclusion is the Veteran wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, who is still a senior member of the test team.

South Africa Final 15-men Squad:

1. Graeme Smith,
2. Hashim Amla,
3. Jacques Kallis,
4. AB de Villiers,
5. JP Duminy,
6. Faf du Plessis,
7. Colin Ingram,
8. Johan Botha,
9. Wayne Parnell,
10. Dale Steyn,
11. Morne Morkel,
12. Robin Peterson,
13. Imran Tahir,
14. Lonwabo Tsotsobe,
15. Morne van Wyk.

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Mashrafe Mortaza Excluded From Final 15-men Squad Due to Injury Issues 

Final Fifteen Announced by Kenya Includes Shem Ngoche and James Ngoche 

Black Caps 15-men Squad Announced by New Zealand Includes Three Spinners

Fifteen-men Australian Squad Finalized by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP)

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Venues Will Hopefully be Ready Well in Time: Haroon Logart