Riaz, Akmal return for England tests

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricket selectors on Monday recalled fast bowler Wahab Riaz and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal for next month’s three-test series against England. Former captain Shoaib Malik was dropped from the 16-man squad after he failed to impress in the last three one-day series against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He scored only 35 runs and took five wickets in his last eight ODIs. Riaz, the left arm paceman, last played against the West Indies earlier this year. Akmal also did not feature in the test series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh due to poor form, but returns to face the top-ranked test team. Pakistan has performed well despite the loss of three key players _ Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad...

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Pakistan complete China clean-sweep with 2-1 win

LAHORE: Pakistan on Sunday completed a clean sweep of China in their four-match series, the first international hockey event in the troubled country since 2004. Pakistan won the final match 2-1 to emerge unbeaten in the series after taking the first three games in Karachi and Faisalabad earlier this week by 3-0, 5-3 and 3-1. Pakistan gained the early lead when vice-captain Shakeel Abbasi made a field goal in the first major attack of the match. Fareed Ahmed drew the second in the 26th minute to double the lead, while China’s lone goal came in the 33rd minute when Dong Yang dodged Pakistan’s defence in the final moments of the first half. “The Chinese played a much improved game today. They kept us tight,” said Pakistan captain...

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Posted in: SPORTS