Wednesday 14 December 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Syria rebels announce new evacuation deal for Aleppo

Posted:

ALEPPO (AFP) - Syrian rebels announced a new evacuation deal for Aleppo civilians and the injured on Wednesday, after shelling and air strikes sent terrified residents running through the citys streets.However a source close to Syrias government denied the development, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said hostilities were ongoing after an earlier agreement collapsed.Under the initial plan, thousands of civilians and rebel fighters were due to evacuate early Wednesday the east of Syrias second city, scene of some of the worst violence in more than five years of war across the country.But cold and hungry civilians who had gathered before dawn to evacuate were instead plunged back into a familiar nightmare.Bombing is ongoing, no one can move. Everyone is hiding and terrified, activist Mohammad al-Khatib told AFP from inside east Aleppo.The wounded and dead are lying in the street. No one dares to try and retrieve the bodies.Officials from the Nureddin al-Zinki and the hardline Ahrar al-Sham rebel groups confirmed to AFP that a new truce deal had come into effect after hours of violence Wednesday.A ceasefire has come into effect in Aleppo after negotiations between the Russians and the Turkish Red Crescent, said Yasser al-Youssef, a Nureddin al-Zinki political official.The first group of civilians and wounded people will leave at dawn on Thursday, Youssef told AFP.He said an agreement on rebels had also been reached but did not give details on their evacuation.But news of the deal was denied by a source close to Syrias government.There is no agreement, the negotiations are ongoing, the source said.As booms from air strikes and artillery fire rang out earlier Wednesday, AFPs correspondent in rebel areas of Aleppo saw panicked civilians running for cover.The Britain-based Observatory reported very intense clashes on every front line and said at least two people had been killed in rebel areas.State television said rebel rocket fire on government-controlled areas had killed at least seven people.Former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front said Wednesday that one of its suicide bombers detonated a car bomb at a regime position in southern Aleppo.A source with knowledge of efforts to resuscitate the ceasefire deal earlier said Syria, opposition backer Turkey, and regime allies Russia and Iran were locked in talks.Moscow has blamed rebels for violating the ceasefire, saying it now expected opposition resistance in Aleppo to end in the next two to three days.A source close to the government said Damascus objected to the number of people leaving, claiming rebels had sought to raise it from 2,000 to 10,000.But Youssef from the Nureddin al-Zinki rebel group said the regime and Iran sought to link the Aleppo deal to the fate of Fuaa and Kafraya, two Shiite-majority villages in northwest Syria under rebel siege.It was unclear whether the new agreement included a condition that wounded people would also be evacuated from there.The rebels and Ankara have accused President Bashar al-Assads regime and its supporters of blocking the evacuation.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed in a phone call that ceasefire violations must end.They stressed that the ceasefire agreement... should be put into practice (and) the violations of the deal must be stopped, Turkish presidential sources said.Turkey said it would meet with Russia and Iran in Moscow on December 27 to discuss a political solution to the conflict in Syria.We are striving to secure a ceasefire throughout the country and for negotiations for a political solution to start, said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday spoke again with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, as well as with Cavusoglu and Qatars Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.In all of these conversations, the secretary has stressed the need to continue to try to stop the bloodshed and the violence through a meaningful ceasefire, Kerrys spokesman John Kirby said as the secretary of state placed a fourth call to UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura.Syrias army has pressed a month-long assault that has seen it take more than 90 percent of the former rebel stronghold in east Aleppo.Turkey has said those leaving would be taken to Idlib province, which is controlled by a powerful rebel alliance that includes the Fateh al-Sham Front.The agreement came amid international concern about the plight of civilians in the city, and as the UN said it had reports of atrocities being committed by advancing government forces.The UN said Tuesday said it had credible reports of at least 82 civilians, including 11 women and 13 children, being executed in recent days.And the UNs Commission of Inquiry for Syria said it had received reports opposition fighters were blocking civilians from fleeing Aleppo and using them as human shields. Aleppo, a cultural and economic hub second only to Damascus in importance, had been split between a rebel-controlled east and government-held west since 2012.It was unclear how many civilians remained in rebel territory, after an estimated 130,000 fled to other parts of Aleppo during the government advance since mid-November.More than 465 civilians, including 62 children, have died in east Aleppo during the assault, the Observatory said Wednesday in a new toll.Another 142 civilians, among them 42 children, have been killed by rebel rocket fire on government-held zones in the same period, the monitor said.Syrias conflict has evolved from anti-Assad protests into a multi-front war that has killed more than 312,000 and drawn in world powers on all sides of the war.Iran on Wednesday hailed the victory in Aleppo.The victory in Aleppo... constitutes a great victory for the Syrian people against terrorists and those who support them, President Hassan Rouhani told Assad in a phone call.

Putin is world's most powerful man, Trump in second: Forbes

Posted:

NEW YORK (AFP) - Vladimir Putin was the worlds most powerful person for a fourth straight year in 2016, with US president-elect Donald Trump in second place, Forbes magazine said Wednesday in its annual rankings.Russias president has exerted his countrys influence in nearly every corner of the globe, the US business magazine wrote.From the motherland to Syria to the US presidential elections, Putin continues to get what he wants. The 64-year old Russian leader is unconstrained by conventional global norms (and) his reach has magnified in recent years, Forbes said.The magazine wrote that at number two, Trump, who takes over the US presidency in a little more than a month, has a seeming immunity to scandal, both houses of Congress on his side, and a personal net worth in the billions.Trump, who was elected US president last month, was listed 72nd in Forbes 2015 power rankings. Third place this year went to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has been at the helm of Europes economic powerhouse for 11 years and announced plans to run for reelection next year.Barack Obama, who placed second in 2015, plummeted to 48th place this year as he waits out the final weeks of his presidency, with his Democratic Party ousted from the White House after Trumps shock election win and out of power in Congress.Fourth place went to Chinas President Xi Jinping, while the fifth spot on the list went to Pope Francis.Forbes said it assesses the influence of hundreds of candidates from various walks of life all around the globe as it compiles its annual list, which this year has on it 74 powerful movers and shakers.

Australia win toss, choose to bat first against Pakistan

Posted:

BRISBANE (Dunya News) – Australia have won the toss and decided to bat in the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane on Thursday, Dunya News reported.Pakistan made two changes in the side that lost the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton last month with captain Misbah-ul-Haq and leg-spinner Yasir Shah returning.The match is extremely important for both teams as both of them are coming out of defeats from their recent series.Earlier, South Africa had beaten Australia 2-1 in the Test series and Pakistan suffered defeat at the hands of New Zealand by two Test matches to nil.Talking about previous record of both countries, Australia have an edge over Pakistan. Pakistan have never won a Test series against Australia on their home soil. In fact, Pakistan had been whitewashed by the Aussies in last three Test series that were played in Australia.The good news from Pakistan’s perspective is that Yasir Shah, who was suffering from a back injury, has been declared fit to play for the match.Pakistan XI: 1 Sami Aslam, 2 Azhar Ali, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Mohammad Amir, 11 Rahat Ali.Australia XI: 1 Matt Renshaw, 2 David Warner, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Peter Handscomb, 6 Nic Maddinson, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jackson Bird.Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Richard Illingworth (ENG).Third umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND).Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).

Karachi: 3 terrorists killed in Rangers operation

Posted:

KARACHI (Dunya News) – According to details, Rangers conducted a targeted operation in Baldia Yousuf Goth area of Karachi on Wednesday. Terrorists present in the area opened fire at the Rangers officials. Rangers returned the fire as a result three terrorists of gang war group were killed.Two Rangers officials were also wounded in the exchange of fire. A Rangers spokesman informed that sophisticated weapons were also recovered from the dead terrorists.Separately, police arrested three accused during an operation in Shah Faisal Colony. Police sources said that the arrested accused were involved in several cases of street crime.On the other hand, one person was killed and another wounded in firing incidents in New Karachi and Landhi areas.

Civil Hospital Quetta tragedy: Inquiry report submitted in SC

Posted:

QUETTA (Dunya News) – An inquiry commission constituted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to investigate Civil Hospital Quetta tragedy has submitted its report in the apex court on Wednesday, Dunya News reported.The commission headed by a Supreme Court judge, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, completed the investigation in 27 days during which statements of 33 witnesses were recorded. The commission also got in-camera briefing from police, ISI, National Counter Terrorism Authority Pakistan (NACTA) and defence ministry officials while several sealed written statements were also handed over to the inquiry commission.At least 78 people were killed, including 50 lawyers, and over 40 more were wounded in a suicide blast at the Civil Hospital Quetta on August 8.

Arrested terrorist says collected fund to buy arms for target killing

Posted:

KARACHI (Dunya News) – The arrested terrorist of a banned outfit has made sensational revelations during police investigation. The terrorist was apprehended during a police operation in Mubeena Town area of Karachi.Arrested terrorist named Shahid alias Shahidu informed police that his 10-member gang used to collect fund to buy weapons for the purpose of target killing in Karachi, Dunya News reported on Wednesday.He said that his gang collected Rs 450,000 through extortion during Ramazan which was handed over to gang leader Wasi. He also revealed that his gang killed several people in Karachi.He further informed that three members of his gang were killed in exchange of fire with police.

Shalimar Express bogey catches fire after wheels got jammed

Posted:

TOBA TEK SINGH (Dunya News) - Shalimar Express escaped a major disaster when one bogey of the train caught fire after its wheels got jammed near Toba Tek Singh on Wednesday, Dunya News reported.The train was stopped at the Toba Tek Singh Railway station with the help of emergency brakes. The train was going to Karachi from Lahore.No loss of life was reported in the incident. The railway teams reached the sport and started repair work. The train left for Karachi after three hours.

Football: Fabregas fires Chelsea six points clear

Posted:

SUNDERLAND (AFP) - Cesc Fabregas struck as Antonio Contes Chelsea edged a battling Sunderland team 1-0 on Wednesday to establish a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.While they controlled much of the match, Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut chances and required two superb saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to prevent bottom club Sunderland from equalising.It meant Chelsea could never relax before extending their winning run to 10 league games, but this was also evidence Conte has created a team that know how to win when not at their best.The perception that the Chelsea manager can do no wrong only increased when they went ahead five minutes before the interval through a goal created and scored by the two players he called up for this game.Fabregas, chosen in midfield ahead of Nemanja Matic, was the scorer with a crisp 20-yard shot after he exchanged passed with Willian, who was involved after a long absence because of an injury to Eden Hazard.The goal gave Chelsea an interval lead that had appeared unlikely for much of a low-key half.Sunderland provided stubborn resistance while creating only one threat when Adnan Januzaj curled a shot wide in the 25th minute.Otherwise, Chelsea were the more dangerous side, although it appeared they might miss Hazards influence as they lacked their usual fluency in the final third.It took them 26 minutes to carve out their first chance when Diego Costa miskicked as he attempted to volley in a cross.It was an indication, however, that Chelsea were getting into their stride.Eight minutes later, Sunderlands defence was opened up before Pedro Rodriguez strayed inches offside when he unleashed a shot that was well saved by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.Pickford also saved a free-kick from David Luiz before he was beaten by Fabregas, leaving Sunderland with a solitary clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League games.There could have been another Chelsea goal in the dying seconds of the half when Willians free-kick shaved a post.Sunderland would have been justified in fearing the worst against a Chelsea team who had kept nine clean sheets in their previous 10 games.But they almost found a way past Courtois only 82 seconds into the second half.Jermain Defoe created the opening with a pass to Januzaj, whose low shot was turned wide by Courtoiss outstretched left leg.It was a warning that brought a swift response from Chelsea, starting with a shot from Victor Moses in the 47th minute.Inside the next 10 minutes, Willian hit the bar with a shot that deflected off a defender and Costa was thwarted by Pickford and then an excellent challenge by defender Lamine Kone.Chelseas failure to create a second goal that would surely have been decisive meant they had to endure an anxious climax to a game that they had started as overwhelming favourites.They were pinned back for the last 15 minutes and Sunderlands pressure almost produced a stoppage-time goal when Courtois brilliantly turned away a shot from Chelsea old boy Patrick van Aanholt.

Football: Lallana brace gets Liverpool rolling again

Posted:

MIDDLESBROUGH (AFP) - Adam Lallana scored twice and Divock Origi found the net for the fifth consecutive game as Liverpool climbed to second in the Premier League thanks to a comfortable 3-0 victory at Middlesbrough.Jurgen Klopps controversial decision to drop goalkeeper Loris Karius proved to be fully justified with Simon Mignolet keeping a clean sheet on his return to the side as Liverpool won at the Riverside Stadium for the first time in 14 years to remain six points behind leaders Chelsea on Wednesday.Reds boss Klopp left himself open to accusations of bowing to pundit power as the German seemingly contradicting himself following his public fall-out with Gary and Phil Neville over their criticism of his summer signing. Despite mounting a stringent defence of the 23-year-old, he nevertheless benched the former Mainz stopper in the wake of conceding six goals in the previous two games, which had seen Liverpool drop five points in their title challenge.Mignolet, who had most recently featured in the League Cup victory over Leeds at the end of November, looked assured in his first top flight appearance since the 2-1 victory at Chelsea in mid-September.But in truth the 28-year-old had little to do in securing a comfortable shut-out against the divisions lowest scorers, who remain in relegation danger.Lallana broke the deadlock in the 29th minute as the hosts were stretched to breaking point by Nathaniel Clyne. Brazilian defender Fabio gave the England full-back too much space, and when his cross made it all the way to the back post, there was Lallana arriving ahead of his marker Adam Forshaw to head beyond Victor Valdes.Sadio Mane was lucky to escape a booking for an early dive as he looked to earn a penalty under challenge from Adam Clayton. The Liverpool midfielder showed the more positive side of his game two minutes before the break as he almost doubled his sides lead.Again Boro were caught out by a pacy counter-attack, this time down the left. Mane burst through to let fly from inside the area and his low shot beat Valdes, only to hit the foot of the post. Origi was the first to react to the rebound, and his raking shot grazed the side-netting with Valdes scrambling across goal to cover.It proved to be a similar pattern after the break, as Valdes saved at his near post to deny the increasingly influential Mane. Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson looked to use his arm to block the Senegal midfielders shot soon after, but referee Jon Moss was unmoved as the Reds closed in on the decisive second goal.It arrived on the hour as Georginio Wijnaldum released Lallana into the box for the midfielders inviting low cross to be swept home from close range by Origi, whose prolific scoring run is the best by a Liverpool player since Daniel Sturridge scored in eight consecutive matches at the outset of 2014.Origi returned the favour in the 69th minute for Lallanas ninth goal of the season for club and country, the former Southampton trainee securing the points by firing home the forwards cross at the far post with Middlesbrough again caught short by a swift counter.

Football: Ibrahimovic late show lifts United

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Zlatan Ibrahimovics late strike gave Manchester United a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace after Jose Mourinhos side once again appeared in danger of squandering three points on Wednesday.Mourinho had been left frustrated by Uniteds recent run that had brought three draws in their previous four league games.And when referee Craig Pawson turned down a strong United claim for a penalty and then ruled out a Juan Mata effort for offside after Crystal Palaces James McArthur had cancelled out Paul Pogbas opening goal, Mourinho appeared set for more disappointment.But Pogba and Ibrahimovic combined for the decisive goal four minutes from time when the France midfielder set up his team-mate, who produced an excellent finish from a tight angle to silence Selhurst Park.That ensured United remain sixth, six points off the top four, and turned the focus on Pawsons decision to ignore a possible handball by Ibrahimovic when he set up Pogbas goal immediately before half-time.For the third time in less than a year, United fell foul of the London traffic, arriving at Selhurst less than an hour before kick-off.Unlike on their recent visits to Tottenham and West Ham, the teams late arrival did not result in a delayed kick-off.It was hardly the ideal preparation for Mourinhos team, however as they set about the task of building on the weekend home win against Tottenham.And the visitors suffered another unwanted scare just five minutes into the game when Eric Bailly went down holding his left knee on his first Premier League start since damaging ligaments in his right knee.The Ivorian was initially fit enough to continue and Uniteds early dominance of the game allowed the defender, operating at right-back on this occasion, to ease his way back into the game before his departure early in the second half added to Mourinhos concerns.The United manager had omitted Antony Martial from the matchday squad, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is out until the turn of the year with an ankle ligament injury, prompting questions about whether United would have enough pace in the side to unsettle Palace.A front three of Mata, Wayne Rooney and Ibrahimovic was always going to have to rely more on guile than speed, but the early signs were promising, with Rooney and Mata in particular combining well to set up a headed chance for the England captain.That effort flew wide, and despite dominating possession, Mourinhos side struggled to build on that opportunity.A strong run from Wilfried Zaha, anxious to make an impression against United after spending an unsuccessful two-season spell at Old Trafford, offered a hint of Palaces threat, drawing a crude challenge from Marcos Rojo that could have seen the United defender sent off.Bobby Charlton was looking on from the stands to see if Rooney could score the goal that would equal Charltons United record of 249 goals.The United skipper came close in the 37th minute when he got in behind the Palace defence to collect Pogbas chip, but saw his shot on the turn saved by Wayne Hennessey.Pogbas controversial effort came immediately before half-time when Ibrahimovic appeared to use his arm to direct the ball into his team-mates path allowing the France midfielder to score.Then after appearing to have taken control of the game, United were undone by a fine Palace move in the 66th minute that began with Joel Ward playing the ball towards Damien Delaney whose neat backheel sent McArthur clear inside the box to level.United battled to fight back and were convinced they should have had a penalty when Ledley handled from Rojos header before disputing the offside call that meant Matas close range effort was ruled out.But Ibrahimovics late strike ensured it was Palace manager Alan Pardew who was left feeling most aggrieved.

Football: Zabaleta and Silva get Man City back on track

Posted:

MANCHESTER (AFP) - Pablo Zabaletas first goal in two years helped earn Manchester City an important but nervous 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday as Pep Guardiolas team returned to winning ways.Victory marked Citys first Premier League success on their own turf since beating Bournemouth on September 17, but was only assured in the 86th minute when David Silva claimed a second goal.After Yaya Toure dispossessed Sebastian Prodl, Silva and Raheem Sterling broke upfield, exchanged passes, and the Spaniard convincingly killed off the game from 15 yards.Argentine full-back Zabaleta, widely expected to leave when his contract expires at the seasons end, scored the opening goal just as a hint of anxiety was beginning to creep into the Etihad Stadium.For the opening 33 minutes, City had dominated possession without forcing visiting goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes into meaningful action as Watford showed discipline and concentration at the back.But a Nolito pass found the dangerous De Bruyne in space on the right and, with Adlene Guedioura failing to track Zabaleta, the City defender met his team-mates cross with a superb half-volley.Guardiola had sprung a surprise before kick-off by relegating the 50 million pound ($62.8 million, 59.6 million euros) England defender John Stones to the bench following some recent morale-draining mistakes.That, and a return to a four-man defence following the use of a back three in the recent losses to Chelsea and Leicester City, gave City a more solid look and Watford rarely, if ever, threatened.Not that City were wholly convincing at the other end.De Bruynes early, probing run ending with a dangerous cross that Jose Holebas cleared well before Sterlings accurate cross found De Bruyne, whose curling shot was well saved.Aleksandar Kolarov created a chance for Nolito, chipping over from the left wing for the Spaniard to stretch and head over.Watford weathered that early pressure, although Prodl earned a yellow card for a hack at Silva.When De Bruyne managed to pick a hole in the defence with a threaded 22nd-minute pass that the speedy Nolito raced after, Gomes was equal to the task, turning his near-post shot behind.Finally, Watfords discipline let them down when they gifted the unmarked Zabaleta the chance to claim the opening goal and, before the interval, De Bruyne and Toure would both try their luck with shots.There was worry for Guardiola when midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was taken off with what looked like a knee injury, being replaced by Fernando just before the interval.Fernandos first meaningful involvement was to set up De Bruyne for a shot that brought City a corner that could have led two trouble for the visitors.Gomes allowed the Belgians low cross to squirm through his grasp, but it was kicked clear by a Watford defender.Gael Clichy pushed the ball into the area for Nolito, who squeezed neatly between Prodl and Darryl Janmaat before his low shot was blocked by a strong covering challenge from Miguel Britos.Sterling then picked up possession just inside the Watford half and powered into a central position, a yard inside the area, from where he unleashed a powerful shot that clipped the crossbar.Zabaleta was cautioned on 74 minutes for a foul on impressive Watford substitute Isaac Success.From the free-kick, Holebass far-post cross was met by Etienne Capoue for a shot that Claudio Bravo saved well with his first real action of the evening.That marked the start of an anxious finale for the hosts as Odion Ighalo sped in to volley Amrabats excellent cross over the target from eight yards, before Silva settled the home nerves.

Boxing: Beating Klitschko would make me a legend: Joshua

Posted:

LONDON (AFP) - Britains heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua says beating Ukrainian veteran Wladimir Klitschko in their mouthwatering showdown for the IBF and WBA crowns next April would entitle him to be called a legend.The 27-year-old 2012 Olympic champion -- who defended his IBF title successfully last Saturday against American journeyman Eric Molina -- will face off against Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium and said the bout could be a life-changing experience for him. A knockout is the cherry on top but to win, whichever way, is very possible, said Joshua at a press conference also attended by Klitschko at Wembley on Wednesday.This is a fight that can change one from champion to legend overnight.It will draw masses of attention and they are the type of fights that can change the way people view you.Klitschko, who will be 41 by the time the bout takes place, said he has stayed in the sport since losing his WBA, IBF and WBO belts in a surprise defeat by troubled British pugilist Tyson Fury in November 2015 expressly to regain his titles.I am obsessed with my goal to become the champion again, said Klitschko, who has not fought since that defeat.Johsua, who is 18-0 in his professional career and has never been taken the distance, conceded that while Klitschko might be on the elderly side for a boxer contesting a world title it did not make him any less dangerous. I know what they mean when the say the old lion still roars and I know what that obsession is like because I live with that same obsession, its just a clash of the titans, said Joshua, who was a sparring partner for Klitschko early in his professional career.In life you have to prepare for the unpredictable so you just never know.This is the step up people want to see, what more can I ask for? Im true to myself, true to my sport and thats why Im ready for any challenge.Their press conference was conducted in a dignified and respectful manner which would have delighted the promoters after two rowdy recent press conferences.Former world heavyweight champion David Haye threw a punch at his next opponent Tony Bellew and Dereck Chisora -- who lost to Klitschko in a title challenge -- hurled a table.Its amazing that two fighters arent throwing tables or punching each other or saying what theyre going to do to each other, remarked Klitschko.Klitschko said his respectful attitude would not change towards Joshua. I was, I am and I will be very complimentary of him (Joshua), said Klitschko.The first time I saw him perform in 2012 when he became Olympic champion here in London, I felt he was following in my footsteps. Whatever the outcome, I truly believe he is one of the best heavyweights right now. I think Anthony is an absolutely outstanding athlete. Its great that eventually we meet.Klitschko admitted even to addressing Joshua s little bro -- although he added it didnt mean he would go easy on him in the ring.We are friends in a certain way, said Klitschko.I did call him little bro but even when I am in the ring with my bro, I am very competitive.

Pakistan aim for Australia history

Posted:

BRISBANE (AFP) - The Pakistan team, six years in the making and armed with insider knowledge from coach Mickey Arthur, are poised to make history in Australia, veteran skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said Wednesday.Misbah, who exerts a calming influence on the mercurial Pakistanis, believes the side has developed into one that can finally deliver a series win after 11 fruitless tours to Australia.Pakistan have won only four of their 32 Tests Down Under and have lost their last nine Tests since their last victory in Sydney in 1995.No team from the sub-continent has won a Test series in Australia, further underlining the massive undertaking.But Misbah, who scored just 76 runs in four innings in his only tour to Australia in 2009-10, is confident the tourists can turn things around against Steve Smiths men, who are themselves emerging from a recent losing five-Test run.We took almost six years to develop this team and that team showed a lot to the world when we played in England and in home conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, he told reporters ahead of Thursdays day-night Test at Brisbanes Gabba.So we have a lot of faith and confidence behind that. These players are experienced enough and they have the belief that they can do it.Weve had some unbelievable successes in the past. I think those victories and those performances always give you confidence, even in Australia, Misbah said.No doubt the conditions are tough but once you have confidence and belief I think you can change the history.Much of Pakistans confidence flows from the insights coach Arthur has on the Australians after his time as their national coach up to his sacking ahead of the 2013 Ashes series in England.He knows the ins and outs of most of the players, he knows their strengths and weaknesses, the captain said.Thats always helpful when you have that sort of inside information about the opposition.We feel we have that sort of advantage and hes giving his input to the players how we need to go about the business. That can really help us in making our strategies.No one has beaten Australia at their Gabba fortress since the West Indies in 1988, but the unique challenge of the first pink-ball Test under lights at the ground makes Pakistans chances difficult to assess.It is not only the Gabba conditions but also the pink ball, day-night Test match, said Misbah, who at 42 is the oldest current Test player.The players are not that much familiar with the pink ball and these conditions. That could be a challenge, especially under lights.Its always a challenge when you come to play in Australia because these conditions are totally different from the rest of the world, a bit more bounce and pace here.You need some time to get used to these conditions, especially if you are playing under lights and using the pink ball. That could be a little bit tricky, especially for the batsmen.Pakistan also have fast bowling ammunition to return fire at the Gabba, led by Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is looking to make an impact with the extra bounce from the Gabba pitch.Hes a wonderful bowler, he proved himself not only in the UAE but also in England, Misbah said.Shane Warne was very successful in Australian conditions because of the bounce he gets from these wickets.We believe he (Yasir) is the kind of bowler who can make his impact especially in Australia where bounce can play a big role during the series.Pakistan (squad): Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.Australia (squad): David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Richard Illingworth (ENG).Third umpire: Sundaram Ravi (IND).Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).

Upbeat Aussies to test Pakistan with bouncers

Posted:

BRISBANE (AFP) - Skipper Steve Smith says Australias pace attack will test the resolve of Pakistan batsmen with short-pitched bowling in Brisbanes first ever day-night Test from Thursday.Smith has yet to finalise his team and hasnt ruled out playing with four pacemen at the expense of spinner Nathan Lyon, but he is promising the tourists a work-out on the bouncy Gabba pitch. With in-form quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood armed with the new ball, Smith said team strategists had watched Pakistans recent series in New Zealand where the tourists slumped to two hefty defeats.I think traditionally sub-continent sides dont handle the pace and bounce in Australian conditions, Smith said Wednesday, ahead of the three-Test series.So you need to try and find ways to exploit that as much as possible and at times Im sure were going to see some short-pitched bowling to mess with their feet to find ways to get them out.New Zealand obviously did a good job, so hopefully our bowlers can replicate that.Smith was far more upbeat about Australias chances after stopping the rot of five straight Test defeats with a revamped team in Adelaide late last month. Its been a nice turnaround. Weve won four games on the trot (including three ODIs against New Zealand) as an Australian team now and hopefully we can keep that winning momentum going, he said.Pakistan also have fast bowling ammunition to return fire at the Gabba, led by Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz. Smith pinpointed Amir as a potential handful.Hes a quality bowler. Hes got some great skills. He bowls with really good pace and can swing the ball, he said.Its great to have those sorts of gears and those skills so no doubt he could potentially be a handful if its swinging around.But Smith also warned Pakistans leg-spinner Yasir Shah to make sure his length was on the mark or the Australian batsmen would take to him. Yasir has captured 116 wickets in just 20 Tests since his debut against Australia in Dubai two years ago.I guess the extra bounce can play in your favour as a spin bowler at the Gabba, but it can also play against you, Smith said.Your length has to be spot on, generally there isnt too much turn -- its more bounce, so length is crucial.And if youre slightly off your length, you can really cash in down the wicket and square of the wicket as well.Smith added that rookie opener Matt Renshaw, who made his Test debut against South Africa in Adelaide this month, was adapting to his new environment.Hes coming out of his shell in the last couple of days. I was impressed with the way he played last week and been impressed with the way that he trains.Hes got beautiful hands in the slips cordon, the practice that weve done and the way that the ball goes into his hands is beautiful.Ive been really impressed with that and hopefully he can have a really nice week at his home ground.Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell said he would be surprised if the first pink-ball Test in Brisbane lasted five days.I think probably bat first, given the conditions, Mitchell said.

Smith says one pink-ball Ashes Test is enough

Posted:

BRISBANE (AFP) - Australia captain Steve Smith threw his support behind next years day-night Ashes Test against England on Wednesday -- but said one was enough for the series.Both Smith and his England counterpart Alastair Cook had previously called for the Ashes Tests, which have no problem attracting fans, to keep their traditional timing.The Aussie skipper had no reservations after the announcement that Adelaide would host the first ever pink-ball Ashes Test, but he said one game under floodlights was enough.Im happy with just the one, said Smith, ahead of Thursdays series opener against Pakistan, which will be the maiden day-night Test at Brisbanes Gabba ground.I think crowds, TV ratings and things like that are never an issue in the Ashes.You can just look and see how the last two Adelaide Tests have gone, theyve been great spectacles, just good games of cricket.I think its great that were going to play an Ashes pink-ball Test there next year.Im happy for it to just stay with one.Australia hosted the first day-night Test, using a pink ball for better visibility under floodlights, in Adelaide last year in what turned out to be a groundbreaking success for the flagging, five-day format.Australia also played South Africa under lights in their recent Test series, and Pakistan faced the West Indies in a day-night Test in Dubai in October.England will get pink-ball experience ahead of next years Ashes when they host their first day-night Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston in August.Meanwhile, Smith also said Australias current player pay dispute was not on his mind heading into the Brisbane Test against Pakistan.Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association had two days of talks this week over a new five-year agreement, but said discussions were ongoing.ACA wants to keep the current system, in which the players pay pool comes from a percentage of CA revenue and which has been in place since 1997.Im worrying about this Test match. With Wahab Riaz charging in bowling 150 km/h, the last thing I want to be thinking about is whether Im getting paid too much or anything like that, said Smith. At the moment Im leaving the ACA (players union) to handle that, speaking with Cricket Australia. I know both of them want the right thing for cricket going forward.Im sure well come to an agreement.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)