Afridi to lead team in SL T20 league

Pakistan's limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi says he has accepted an offer to lead one of the provinces in the inaugural edition of the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) later this year.

"It's a good opportunity and I will try to make the most of it," Afridi, 31, told Pakistani daily the News. "There is a comfortable window for us [Pakistan's cricketers] to feature in the league in Sri Lanka. We have a sufficient break from international cricket this summer."

The SLPL comes as a shot in the arm for Pakistan's cricketers who have been ignored by the lucrative IPL since the inaugural edition in 2008. Afridi said that he has signed a three-year contract, worth US$35,000 for the first season of the SLPL, with the amount doubling in 2012. He is expected to be joined in the tournament by Pakistan team-mates Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal.

The SLPL will be a seven-team inter-provincial tournament played over approximately 18 days in July-August. The teams will play each other once, with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals. All the games will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and the winner of the tournament will qualify for the Champions League Twenty20.

Among the other international players who will be taking part are Kieron Pollard, Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, Daniel Vettori, Daniel Christian, Herschelle Gibbs and Kevin O'Brien.

Shoaib Akhtar announces retirement

a great loss of world cricket,world fastest bowler ever leaving the game

Shane Warne announces IPL retirement

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has said that the ongoing season of the IPL will be his last one as a player. He is likely to be associated with Rajasthan as a coach or advisor in the future.

"Yes this is my last year playing IPL - please come down and support RR last 2 home games v chennai & Bangalore ! We need your help !!!!", Warne wrote on the social networking site Twitter. He confirmed that this meant he would not play any more professional cricket matches after this IPL. "A big thank you to everyone that has helped me - supported me through all the ups and downs - hope you have enjoyed watching me play," he added.

Warne captained Rajasthan to victory in the inaugural season of the IPL but the franchise's fortunes slumped in the next two seasons. He has played 52 games for Rajasthan so far picking up 56 wickets at an average of 24.66. Rajasthan are currently fourth in the points table in this edition and Warne called on Rajasthan's fans to support them in their last two home games.

Warne has been the face of the franchise and it is likely he will continue to be associated with them in some way. "Re next year, who knows what or if I will be involved in IPL re mentor / coaching - am focused on doing best for RR this year - see u at ground," Warne tweeted.

Sachin Tendulkar "The best batsman in the game"

Sachin Tendulkar
India
Full name Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Born April 24, 1973, Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra

Current age 38 years 11 days

Major teams India, Asia XI, Mumbai, Mumbai Indians, Yorkshire

Nickname Tendlya, Little Master

Playing role Top-order batsman

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak, Legbreak googly

Height 5 ft 5 in

Education Sharadashram Vidyamandir School

In a nutshell Perhaps the most complete batsman and the most worshipped cricketer in the world, Tendulkar holds just about every batting record worth owning in the game, including those for most runs and hundreds in Tests and ODIs, and most international runs.

2nd fastest century of the test Adam Gilgrist HD

This is the best inning which i have ever seen in test cricket.

Glen McGrath "The gretest fast bowler of all time"

Glenn McGrath
Australia
Full name Glenn Donald McGrath

Born February 9, 1970, Dubbo, New South Wales

Current age 41 years 85 days

Major teams Australia, Delhi Daredevils, ICC World XI, Middlesex, New South Wales, Worcestershire

Nickname Pigeon, Millard

Playing role Bowler

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

Height 1.95 m

Education Narromine Primary; Narromine High School

profile

The young Glenn McGrath was described by Mike Whitney as "thin - but Ambrose-thin, not Bruce Reid-thin". Much later, Mike Atherton compared McGrath to Ambrose on a vaster scale. Catapulted from the outback of New South Wales into Test cricket to replace Merv Hughes in 1993, McGrath became the greatest Australian fast bowler of his time. He went on to beat Courtney Walsh's 519 wickets in the 2005 Super Test to become the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers and his claim to the title of Australia's greatest fast man is contested only by Dennis Lillee. His obituary was prepared a few times - he was doubted after coming back in 2004 from ankle surgery and there were similar fears following a long lay-off to care for his wife two years later - but he wrote his own farewells. He retired from Tests at the SCG - his home ground - after Australia whitewashed England 5-0 in the 2006-07 Ashes and was adjudged the Man of the Tournament during Australia's successful World Cup campaign in 2007, his final one-day appearance.

Shahid Afridi "the biggest six in the history of cricket"

Shane Warne "best leg spin bowler ever"

Shane Warne
Australia
Full name Shane Keith Warne

Born September 13, 1969, Ferntree Gully, Victoria

Current age 41 years 234 days

Major teams Australia, Hampshire, ICC World XI, Rajasthan Royals, Victoria

Nickname Warney

Playing role Bowler

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Legbreak googly

Other Commentator

Height 1.83 m

In a nutshell Warne brought legspin out from a dusty closet and made it fashionable again. A charismatic, spectacular performer who made as headlines on the field and off it, he finished second-best to Muttiah Muralitharan in the Test wickets stakes, but to many he remains the greatest spinner - if not bowler - of them all.

Wasim Akram "The best left arm fast bowler ever played the game"

Wasim Akram
Pakistan
Full name Wasim Akram

Born June 3, 1966, Lahore, Punjab

Current age 44 years 336 days

Major teams Pakistan, Hampshire, Lahore, Lancashire, Pakistan Automobiles Corporation, Pakistan International Airlines

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Left-arm fast

In a nutshell Perhaps the best left-arm fast bowler of all time, Wasim Akram could make the ball walk and talk like no one else did. An explosive, exciting genius who could change the game with the bat as well.

Adam Gilchrist the legend

Adam Gilchrist
Australia
Full name Adam Craig Gilchrist

Born November 14, 1971, Bellingen, New South Wales

Current age 39 years 172 days

Major teams Australia, Deccan Chargers, ICC World XI, Kings XI Punjab, Middlesex, New South Wales, Western Australia

Nickname Gilly, Churchy

Playing role Wicketkeeper batsman

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Fielding position Wicketkeeper

Height 1.86 m

Adam Gilchrist the best of the best