Keen contest expected at One Day tri-series cricket in Sri Lanka

October 10th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is against playing its matches in India during the 2011 World Cup, and has reportedly asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift its matches to Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. Sources said PCB chief Ijaz Butt, during the recent ICC executive board meeting, had apprised the game's governing body regarding its stance.

October 7th, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - With the hope of reviving international cricket in the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has started lobbying during the ongoing ICC chief executives' meeting in Johannesburg. The PCB has once again pinned its hope on Sri Lanka for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

September 14th, 2009 COLOMBO - Sachin Tendulkar slammed his 44th One-day International (ODI) century as India scored a 319 for five against Sri Lanka in the final of the Compaq Cup tri-series cricket at the Premadasa stadium here Monday. Sachin hit 138 runs off 133 balls.

September 12th, 2009 COLOMBO - Sanath Jayasuriya and Thilina Kandamby propelled Sri Lanka to 307 for six against India in the Compaq Cup tri-series one-day international cricket here Saturday. Jayasuriya scored 98 off 79 balls, smacking 13 fours while Thilina remained unbeaten on 91.

September 9th, 2009 CHENNAI - Before boarding a special Air Indian flight for Colombo on Wednesday,Indian cricket team coach Gary Kirsten said the team would draw inspiration from its past success in Sri Lanka and also cope with the "huge" loss of explosive opener Virender Sehwag during the the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the island nation. The Indians will play their first match against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

September 8th, 2009 COLOMBO - The trophy to be given to the winner of the tri-Series between Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand in Colombo is no longer just an inanimate object that will gather dust in a cricket boardroom cabinet. Rather, it will be the world's first digital silverware.

September 4th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected media reports that it is purposely delaying laying three international standard pitches in one of Sri Lanka's famous 135-year-old schools, and instead blamed the Sri Lankan cricket authorities for the delay. "The board wishes to clarify that the delay has not been made on the part of the PCB.

August 13th, 2009 KOLKATA - With only three days to go for the selection of the Indian cricket squad for the Sri Lanka tri-series, uncertainty still looms over Delhi dasher Virender Sehwag. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni failed to confirm Thursday whether the injured opener would be available for the tour.

August 13th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has stepped in support of middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf, saying he needs time to settle down after staging a comeback following a long lay-off from international cricket. "He is back in the team and before that he was out of international cricket for quite a while.

July 3rd, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi has said that Sri Lanka Test series would be challenging for the players, as they would have to change gear from the Twenty20 format of the game to the five-day mode. Afridi said players would also have to make adjustments due to the different and challenging weather conditions in Sri Lanka.

June 30th, 2009 COLOMBO - As middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf makes his way back into the Pakistan team for the Test series against Sri Lanka, captain Younis Khan has said performance, and not big names, matter in the game. Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function where the trophy for the Test series was unveiled, Khan expressed hope that his team would start from where it had left in England after winning the ICC World Twenty20 Championship.

June 30th, 2009 LAHORE - The bus driver of the Sri Lankan cricket team, Meher Mohammad Khalil, who by his presence of mind and prompt action saved the lives of the Lankan cricketers during the Lahore terror strike, has said that he would be praying for Pakistan's victory during the forthcoming Test and one-day series between both the countries. Khalil has been invited by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) to watch the series, but will not be able to visit Sri Lanka as he is going for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

June 28th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that the fitness of the players would be of prime importance during the Sri Lanka tour. Talking to media persons before leaving for Sri Lanka, Alam highlighted that the players must be more than 100 percent fit to cope -up with difficult weather conditions in the island nation.

June 28th, 2009 COLOMBO - The Sri Lanka cricket authority has made foolproof security arrangements for the visiting Pakistan cricket team, as it does not a repeat of the Lahore terror attack in which six Sri Lankan players were injured. Spokesman of the Sri Lanka team, Charith Senanayake said military security have been hired by the board to safeguard the visitors.

May 28th, 2009 KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is weighing options of recalling the countrys premier batsman Mohammad Yousuf for this summers tour of Sri Lanka. PCB sources Thursday said Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, will soon hold a meeting in Lahore to discuss the Yousuf issue with the senior officials.