Pakistan will be desperately looking to ensure the painful defeat to India becomes a distant past when they run into an in-form New Zealand in Mohali on Tuesday with an aim to bounce back into the World Twenty20 and pacify their bitter fans back home. Pakistan are coming into the Group 2 Super 10 game having suffered their 11th defeat to the arch-rivals in ICC's world events. The 2009 champions entered the tournament after an early elimination in the Asia Cup. On the other hand, the New Zealanders are on a roll with two massive wins over hosts India and Australia, making them one of the strong contenders to lift the coveted trophy on April 3. Another win and they will be in the knockout stages of the mega-event. New Zealand have emerged as the team to beat after the stunned tournament favourites India first up, before getting the better of traditional rivals Australia in a trans-Tasman battle.
Pakistan players may get a chance to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season as a few of the franchises are keen on having their Pakistani sign-ups to play for them. Sources close to the players say at least four Pakistani players including Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal could be in line to play for their old franchises in the IPL which is likely to be held in either England or South Africa after being shifted from India.
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field against Pakistan in the rain-delayed opening match.
Riding high on Lasith Malinga's five-wicket haul and opener Lahiru Thrimanne's fluent century, Sri Lanka regained the Asia Cup trophy with a comfortable five-wicket victory over defending champions Pakistan in Mirpur on Saturday.
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi produced a brilliant performance with both bat and ball to lead his team to a thumping 126-run victory over West Indies in their first One-day International on Sunday.
Younis Khan hit 313 and Kamran Akmal chipped in with an unbeaten century to help Pakistan achieve a record total as the first Test against Sri Lanka ended in a predictable draw on Wednesday. The hosts declared at a mammoth 765 for six on the fifth day before Sri Lanka finished on 144 for five, a lead of 23.
One-Day International career statistics of Pakistan's squad for the Champions Trophy.
A rejuvenated Pakistan brought their campaign back on track as they rode on Umar Akmal's scintillating 54-ball 94 to register a 16-run victory over tournament favourites Australia in the ICC World T20 in Mirpur on Sunday.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat in the Twenty20 World Cup first semi-final in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday.
Discarded wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal could be a surprise inclusion in Pakistan's final World Cup squad.
India brought back batsman Virender Sehwag in place of left-arm spinner Murali Kartik.
After being beaten by Lahore Lions in their first Champions League T20 qualifier, Mumbai Indians head coach John Wright said the defending champions lost because of a poor start with the bat in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been ruled out due to injury.
Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by three wickets (and in the final ball) in the final of the inaugural Indian Premier League at the D Y Patil Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Pakistan have axed senior batsman Younis Khan for next month's One-day series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates as they announced their ODI and Twenty20 squads on Wednesday.
Pakistan's newly-appointed head coach Mickey Arthur has issued a warning to his side, saying he will not compromise on discipline and will also be tough on fielding and fitness in order to bring the team back on track.
West Indies, put in to bat, struggled throughout their innings as 18-year-old Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan took three wickets for seven runs off his four overs to land the man of the match award on his international debut.
Pakistan were 108 for 1 at close of play on the fourth day of the second Test, chasing a victory target of 457.
Pakistan were 140 for 4 in reply to South Africa's 357 in the first innings at close of play on day two of the second Test.
Pakistan's chief selector Haroon Rasheed has had a pep talk with the national team members and is confident that they can still qualify for the final in the ongoing Asia Cup.
Chennai Super Kings fell short by ten runs against Rajasthan Royals in Saturday's IPL match.
The dashing all-rounder smashed 73 off 34 balls as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the first of three ODIs in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan retained under-fire skipper Misbah-ul Haq and out-of-form Muhammad Hafeez, but dropped tall left-arm pacer Muhammad Irfan from the 28-man probables' list for the two-Test series against South Africa.
Vice captain Younis Khan and all rounder Shahid Afridi have been promoted to the top category.
Skipper Gautam Gambhir led from the front with a confident half-century after Sunil Narine stifled Lahore Lions with his magical spin bowling as Kolkata Knight Riders eked out a four-wicket win in a Champions League Twenty20 Group A match in Hyderabad.
England fast bowler Steve Harmision was ruled out of the game due to a sore throat with Kabir Ali replacing him.
Mohammad Hafeez missed out on his maiden hundred by eight runs and Kamran Akmal scored a blistering 56 to guide Pakistan to a seven-wicket win over West Indies.
Pakistan have included the all-rounder in a 16-man squad for their final three ODIs against England.
Pacer Mohammad Amir claimed a wicket on his return to international cricket following a five-year ban as Pakistan registered a 16-run victory over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 International in Auckland on Friday.
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been rested from the team's short limited-overs tour to South Africa this month to prevent the risk of aggravating a hip injury, the country's cricket board said on Saturday.
Dropped from a difficult chance by Yasir Shah off Shahid Afridi on seven and again by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal on 76, Kohli otherwise played within himself and gave few chances in his 126-ball innings.
India opener Gautam Gambhir called for a complete freeze on ties with Pakistan till the time cross-border terrorism does not end, saying that 'Indian lives are more important than sports'.
Pakistan's new chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq is not happy with the state of pitches being used for a top ongoing domestic one-day tournament and also with the quality of cricket on display in the event.
The former Pakistani leg-spinner said the absence of a second spinner snatched victory from the home side in the Mohali Test.
Batting at No. 9, Wahab Riaz struck a quickfire half-century before he returned to claim four wickets with the ball to lift Pakistan to a narrow 20-run victory.
Pakistan were 242 for five when bad light ended play six overs early on day 1 of the first Test.
"We still have an opportunity to win this series," all-rounder Paul Collingwood said.
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