BCB in second stage of planning for Pakistan tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is in talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board about a short tour to the country next month. BCB president Nazmul Hassan said that the talks are now all about a suitable timeframe for the tour.

"We can't go in December so we will speak to the PCB today, about whether we can fit in a small tour before the BPL," Hassan told ESPNcricinfo.

Bangladesh's proposed tour to Pakistan hit a snag earlier this year when, on April 19, a Dhaka court order embargoed a series between the two scheduled for the end of April.

In November, Hassan said that the BCB had made a "written commitment" to the PCB to go ahead with the tour.

On Friday Hassan explained that they are now in the second phase of talks with the PCB because the first phase, which dealt with security issues, was satisfactory. "I have spoken to those who went for the security assessment and they are quite satisfied," he said. "If we can agree on a time, we will go next month."

He also said that the players and the support staff will be spoken to about the tour, but no one will be forced to go on the tour. "The last time when we discussed [touring Pakistan], we wanted to talk to the players and find out their opinion. We will also speak to foreign staff but it is highly likely that they won't go. That we can understand. We don't want to force them."

Back in March, the ICC had introduced a "special dispensation" to be made only in "exceptional circumstances" that allowed bilateral series to take place even if the ruling body determined it "unsafe" to appoint its officials for these series. This would allow such series to be manned by "non-neutral match officials", a departure from the ICC's Standard Playing Conditions.

Hassan said the dispensation will take effect if the ICC doesn't send its officials to conduct the matches. "They [ICC] are quite clear about it. They want us to decide if we want to go or not. We will submit a security plan to them, after which they will decide whether they will send their match officials or not. If they don't, we will have to appoint match officials."

Inzamam made Pakistan batting consultant

Pakistan have roped in former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as batting consultant, and also appointed a psychologist, to prepare for the India tour. Inzamam work with the batsmen on a series-by-series basis as the PCB has, for now, shelved the ide

a appointing a full-time batting coach.

"We have engaged the services of Inzamam ahead of the India tour," Ashraf told reporters in Muridke, a town near Lahore. "He won't travel to India with the team but will help the batsmen in the camp as batting consultant. He will part of the touring unit that goes next year to South Africa.

"Psychologist Maqbool Babri has also been signed up to help motivate the players for the challenging [India] tour."

The PCB had originally planned to recruit a specialist coaching panel with separate people taking charge of batting, bowling and fielding, but then appointed head coach Dav Whatmore with the additional responsibilities of batting coach.

Then, after a detailed review of Pakistan's performance at the World Twenty20, where the team reached the semi-final only to lose to Sri Lanka by 16 runs while chasing a target of 140, the idea of a separate full-time batting coach once again took root. However, the PCB got a lukewarm response and now they've settled on a series-by-series consultant.

In response to the PCB advert, several former Pakistan Test batsmen, including Zaheer Abbas and Saleem Malik, had applied for the role but the PCB was looking to hire a qualified coach - candidates with at least Level 3 coaching accreditation and at least five years' experience working with top cricketers were requirements.

India and Pakistan will revive their cricketing ties after five years with a series of two Twenty20s and three one-day internationals, starting on December 25 in Bangalore. The two Pakistan squads have assembled at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, for a week-long training camp before flying to India on December 22.

[Saad Rizwan]

Birthday of Yusuf Pathan

Birth of a biffer. Yusuf Pathan was picked by Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL in 2008, where he dominated the run scorers' chart, making 435 runs, including that season's fastest fifty. It earned him a one-day call-up, but a string of low scores forced him back out. On his return Yusuf made an unbeaten 123 off 96 balls in India's 316-run chase against New Zealand in Bangalore. The performance got him picked for the series in South Africa, where, in Centurion, he scored his second hundred (off 68 balls) but this time in a losing cause. Though he is yet to be considered for the long format, Pathan has the distinction of scoring a 190-ball double-century to help West Zone sealed the highest first-class chase ever, in the 2010 Duleep Trophy final.

Pakistan seek Lorgat's help for launching T20 league

Haroon Lorgat, the former ICC chief executive, will be assisting the Pakistan Cricket Board in setting up the proposed Twenty20 league, contributing at a strategic level to ensure the board is headed in the right direction.

Lorgat, who was headed to Sri Lanka, stopped over at Lahore after the PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf invited him for his expert opinions on launching the league in March next year.

"It's not a long time from now to then but there is still a lot of planning and work has been done and a lot to be done but I can see that there is a lot of energy to get this league off the ground," Lorgat said at the PCB headquarters. "Cricket is a growing game and Twenty20 cricket seems to have taken roots and I am pleased to see the progress the PCB has made in that respect."

He served as the ICC chief executive for four years before stepping down at the end of June. He has been assisting Sri Lanka Cricket as a special advisor to help the board revamp its domestic cricket structure and improve the administration of cricket in the country. The PCB, however, didn't offer him a permanent role.

"At this stage (I am supporting the PCB) at a strategic level, ensuring that the details are being attended to and that the concept (for the league model) is correct," Lorgat said. "With my experience in dealing with sponsors, broadcasters, setting up models, the kind of objective and the financial matters are the level where I am contributing at the moment. It appears like the PCB has already done a lot in linking with the member boards and interactions have been made with the international players as well."

Lorgat sees the proposed premier league as a stepping-stone for the revival of international cricket in the country and said it needed to exploit the shortest format of the game on a commercial scale. International sides have refused to tour Pakistan since the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked in Lahore in March 2009. Last month, a World XI side played two unofficial T20s against a combined Pakistan XI in Karachi.

"Twenty20 cricket is certainly an attraction, lots of new audiences are coming and a lot of exciting players are coming into it. I can recall a few years back even players didn't consider it as a serious form of the game. So on one front Pakistan should not be left out. They should have a league of the highest professional standard and there are commercial opportunities and the PCB is looking to exploit that."

So far, Bangladesh is the only full member board to give Pakistan a positive response in breaking the ice, towards the revival of international cricket. "You do lots of little things to grow in confidence, you will get those interested in coming to Pakistan and the league will go a long way in securing the confidence that cricket can be played in Pakistan.

"It's a good stepping-stone, if international players come in personal capacity to play. Many of them can experience it themselves that cricket can be played at a secured venue and there's no reason why they can't convince the member boards to send their national teams."

Sehwag's Ton off just 90 balls Today

Virender Sehwag scored a ton off 90 balls against England in Ahmedabad Today which gave India a Blasting start.

India 250/3 (59.1 ov)

Steven finn ruled out of first Test against India

Steven Finn has been ruled out of the first Test against India in Ahmedabad due to the thigh strain that limited his warm-up participation to four overs in the first match in Mumbai.

England captain Alastair Cook confirmed that Finn would not be considered for the opening match of the series as it would be a significant risk. England are still likely to field one fast bowler under an injury cloud with Stuart Broad set to play after recovering from the bruised heel that meant he has bowled just 10 warm-up overs on tour.

While Finn and Broad bowled with impressive pace at practice on Sunday, it was always unlikely that the England management would two risk two bowlers in the same Test. Finn barely participated in fielding practice and did not bowl a single delivery in the nets. While he is not thought to have suffered any injury setback, it seems the England management are keen not to risk his recovery; particularly in a Test that will be played in hot, arduous conditions.

The problem for Finn now is that there are no further matches on the tour outside of the Tests so he will have to regain form and fitness in the nets.

The most likely replacement for Finn appears to be Tim Bresnan who bowled well in the second innings of the final warm-up match against Haryana where he found useful reverse swing. Graham Onions, Stuart Meaker or a second frontline spinner in Monty Panesar are the other options and Cook is happy with the depth available.

"I wouldn't call them back-up bowlers, they're all vying for a place to play in this XI, to be lucky enough to play for England," Cook said. "They've all worked hard to get used to these conditions and as selectors we've got a tough decision to make."

Shinvarine Chanderpaul

DHAKA: Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit his second Test double century to help the West Indies declare their first innings at 527/4 on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Wednesday. 

Scorecard

The 38-year-old left-hander batted with composure to equal his highest Test score of 203 not out as the touring batsmen dominated a hapless Bangladesh bowling attack before captainDarren Sammy declared at the tea break. 

Denesh Ramdin, who remained not out on 126 for his third Test hundred, ably supported his partner as the pair added 296 for the fifth wicket stand -- a new record in all West Indies-Bangladesh series. 

Chanderpaul drove spinner Sohag Gazi towards point for two to complete his double ton off 367 balls which had 22 boundaries. He had also scored 203 not out against South Africa at Georgetown in 2005. 

He took his helmet off to acknowledge the cheers from a small crowd and team-mates before bending down to kiss the ground. In all he batted for 457 minutes, faced 372 balls and hit 22 fours. 

Chanderpaul's stand with Ramdin beat the previous best of 262, incidentally involving him and Ramnaresh Sarwan at Kingston eight years ago. 

Both frustrated the Bangladesh bowling in the two sessions after the West Indies resumed at their overnight score of 361-4, looking to bat out their opponents in the first of two Tests. 

Ramdin, 52 overnight, looked unperturbed in the company of his illustrious partner, reaching his century with a boundary and a flick for two off spinner Shakib Al Hasan. He took 208 balls and hit nine boundaries in the milestone. 

He hit 11 boundaries and a six. 

Debutant Gazi was the pick of bowlers with 3-145. Pacer Shahdat Hossain took the other wicket.