List of ICC Champions Trophy 2009 probables 30 for South Africa

September 30th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board's senior selection committee has axed controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq from a list of 25 probables for the forthcoming series against New Zealand and Australia. Pakistan is to play three One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and a three-match Test series in New Zealand.

September 17th, 2009 MUMBAI - Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has been cleared to play in the Champions Trophy that begins in South Africa from Sep 22. Gambhir had to return home from the One-day international tri-series in Sri Lanka last week because of a groin injury.

September 12th, 2009 LAHORE - Flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said he may consider quitting cricket if he does not perform according to his potential in the Champions Trophy beginning September 22 in South Africa. "If I am not that successful in Champions Trophy, then I may consider quitting the game for good," The Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

September 12th, 2009 KOLKATA - Former Indian cricket skipper Sourav Ganguly Saturday supported Sachin Tendulkar's suggestion of a double innings format for one-day internationals and said the success of the upcoming Champions Trophy will be an indication of the future of the format. "I agree with Sachin that we should try out new ideas in one-day cricket to make it more interesting and lively.

August 21st, 2009 MUMBAI - The International Cricket Council Champions Trophy 2009 was unveiled at a function here on Thursday. The ICC Champions Trophy will be held in South Africa from September 22 to October 5.

August 21st, 2009 LAHORE - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has cleared a 'tough' fitness test enhancing his chances of securing a place in the ICC Champions Trophy squad. Former wicketkeeper captain Rashid Latif, who is supervising Asif's rehabilitation, confirmed Asif clearing the multi-stage fitness test.

August 19th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to join a coaching camp for young players to ascertain his fitness level before the ICC Champions Trophy. "Asif is attending the training camp for Under-23 players in Karachi where we have asked camp commandant Rashid Latif to give us a report by Thursday (tomorrow) whether he is match fit for the Champions Trophy," The Daily Times quoted chief selector Iqbal Qasim, as saying.

August 18th, 2009 KARACHI - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who is eyeing a place back in the national squad, has impressed chief selector Iqbal Qasim with his form and fitness in a low-profile match. Qasim along with other member of the selection committee, Saleem Jaffer, watched Asif play during a match between youngsters attending an Under-23 Emerging Players Camp, and looked satisfied with the speedsters performance.

August 15th, 2009 KARACHI - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif's aspirations of a come back into the national team have received a jolt, with captain Younis Khan saying that he (Asif) must prove his fitness to secure a place in the team for the Champions Trophy. "Asif has to prove his form and fitness after long lay-off and after one-year ban," Khan said.

August 12th, 2009 DUBAI - The ICC Champions Trophy 2009 will be launched in Johannesburg on Thursday. A number of current and former South Africa cricket players, as well as South African champions from other sports, are expected to be in attendance at the launch, an ICC release said.

August 9th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif will have to prove his physical fitness on Sunday before being considered for the ICC Champions Trophy. The 26-year-old pacer, whose career had plummeted after he failed a dope test during the Indian Premier League's (IPL) inaugural season, is hoping to find a place in Pakistani team after serving a one-year ban imposed by the PCB.

July 18th, 2009 LAHORE - Ever heard of a fitness test for a fast bowler where he passes it without even bowling a single delivery; well this is just what the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has managed to do. Interim chief selector Wasim Bari conducted a fitness test for controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar where he did not bowl even a single delivery.

July 6th, 2009 MUMBAI -Rahul Dravid stands to make it to the one-day squad after two years as the cricket selectors Monday included him among the 30 probables for September's Champions Trophy in South Africa. Dravid, whose last ODI was in October 2007 against Australia in Nagpur, was out of the one-day squad after his form slump but retained his place in the Test side.

July 4th, 2009 MUMBAI - Stung by threats from the Shiv Sena, the Indian cricket board is contemplating to accommodate the Deodhar Trophy tournament in a cramped 2009-10 schedule. Board of Control of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N.

July 1st, 2009 MUMBAI - The Indian cricket board Wednesday finalised the seven venues for the one-day series against Australia in October-November. The Tour Programme and Fixtures Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that met here to decide the fixture of the 2009-10 season at the Cricket Centre decided that Guwahati, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mohali and Nagpur will be hosting the series from Oct 25 to Nov 11.