LAHORE Pakistan: The training camp of the national hockey team has concluded here at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday while the team will leave for Delhi on February 22 to participate in the Hockey World Cup.

The mega event is scheduled to begin from February 28 in the capital city of India.

Pakistan hockey players held three-week long tough training sessions at National Hockey Stadium in Lahore.

The players will gather in Lahore in the evening on February 20 and will again hold training session on February 21 before leaving for Delhi via bus on February 22.

Before the World Cup, the national team will play warm-up matches against New Zealand on February 24, Canada on February 25 and Germany on February 26.

The Head Coach of national hockey team Shahid Ali Khan was hopeful for Pakistan to put on fighting show during the mega event.

New Zealand 553/7d & 9/1 (5.0 ov)
Bangladesh 408
Mahmudullah, 115
Shakib, 87
New Zealand lead by 154 runs with 9 wickets remaining
Bangladesh played an innings of 408 on the third day of Hamilton Test vs New Zealand putting off follow on.
Bangladesh started the game with 87 runs. Rounder Mahmudullah’s century and Shakib Al Hasan 87 lifted the team to 408. Daniel Vettori and Chris Martin each took three wickets. The black caps are still 154 runs ahead Bangladesh.

HAMILTON: Shakib Al Hasan’s plan to bat first completely backfired as the New Zealand bowlers blew Bangladesh away at Seddon Park.

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With just 78 on the board – Bangladesh’s lowest-ever Twenty20 total, beating the 83 they were skittled for by Sri Lanka in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007 – it wasn’t the most auspicious start to their tour, with Raqibul Hasan, one of the five batsmen in double figures, top scoring with 18.

Daniel Vettori managed three wickets as the hosts gunned them down with two overs to spare.

Bangladesh: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Mohammad Ashraful, 3 Aftab Ahmed, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Raqibul Hasan, 6 Naeem Islam, 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 9 Shahadat Hossain, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Nazmul Hossain

New Zealand: 1 Brendon McCullum, 2 Peter Ingram, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 James Franklin, 6 Gareth Hopkins, 7 Jacob Oram, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Daniel Vettori (capt), 10 Tim Southee, 11 Daryl Tuffey

MELBOURNE: Pakistan made 44/1 in their second innings in third session of the fourth day in Melbourne Test, losing the wicket of Imran Farhat 12 at 18.

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Earlier, Shane Watson made his maiden Test century as Australia set Pakistan 422 to win the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Watson compiled an unbeaten 120 on day four as Ricky Ponting called his men in on 8 for 225 following the dismissal of Nathan Hauritz for 8, stumped by Kamran Akmal off the bowling of spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Mitchell Johnson was the other man out after lunch, caught short of his ground by Mohammad Asif for 22.

The immediate period after lunch was all about Watson’s quest for a maiden Test century, having gone to the break on 98.

And having scratched around in the 90s for what seemed an eternity, it was typical that the runs for the milestone should come in dramatic fashion.

Facing a fired-up Mohammad Aamer, who had already claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, Watson on 99 threw the bat at a fuller delivery which went straight to Abdur Rauf at backward point.

But Pakistan’s traditionally woeful fielding has been front and centre this match and it came as no surprise when Abdur grassed a sitter which allowed Watson to streak through for his single.

Watson faced 186 balls to reach triple figures, having occupied the crease for close to five hours.

He became the first Australian of the summer to reach triple figures, with 20 half-centuries having been recorded in the four Tests played including this one.

Batting partner Johnson had earlier achieved his own significant milestone, reaching 22 to become only the fifth man in Test history to record 50 wickets and 500 runs for the calendar year.

Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Richard Hadley all did it twice, while New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori managed the feat last year.

Aamer, just 17, finished with a Test-best 5 for 79 from 24 overs.

NAPIER: New Zealand made 346 runs for loss of six wickets in third Test against Pakistan at Napier on second day stumps.

Danish Kaneria spun a web around the New Zealand batsmen to leave the Test hanging in the balance at tea by gaining four wickets.

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Brendon McCullum 89 and Daniel Vettori undefeated century help kiwis to seize control of the game.

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The home side has gain 123 runs first innings lead against the rivals still four wickets in hand.

WELLINGTON : Peter Fulton has paid the price for a poor run of form. South African-born batsman BJ Watling is poised to make his test cricket debut in the series finale against Pakistan in Napier from Friday after joining the squad today at the expense of Peter Fulton.

Watling, 24, is the only change in a 13-man squad named for the third test as New Zealand’s selection panel moved to partially remedy a batting unit guilty of under-performing in Dunedin and Wellington, nzherald.co.nz reported.

Watling opens the batting for Northern Districts and is also capable of filling a position in the middle order.

He could replace an out-of-form Tim McIntosh and form a new opening partnership with Martin Guptill or be a straight swap for Fulton at No 5.

Fulton’s comeback to test cricket was unspectacular – 42 runs at 10.5 and memorable for his duck in the second innings at Dunedin when he failed to request a review of his leg before wicket dismissal despite suspecting the ball had hit his bat.

McIntosh retains his place in the squad despite scoring 37 runs at 9.25. Flynn, 57 runs at 14.25, and Guptill, 75 at 18.75, have also been persevered with.

Long identified as a player for the future, Watling made his New Zealand debut during the Twenty20 component of the Pakistan tour last month in the United Arab Emirates.

Watling, who made his first class debut in 2004-05, pushed for selection thanks to compelling form in the current Plunket Shield four-day competition – 241 runs at 80.33 including scores of 90 and 136.

Tours to Australia and India with the Emerging Players and A teams during the New Zealand winter also indicated the right hander and capable wicketkeeper was in contention.

“He’s a quality young player with good technique,” selector Mark Greatbatch said.

Although New Zealand were beaten by 141 runs in the second test at the Basin Reserve inside four days yesterday – principally because they made only 99 in their first innings – Greatbatch said widespread changes were never likely.

“There was a lot of discussion about the batting line-up, but this was not a time for wholesale change. We are aiming to give guys the opportunity to succeed,” he said.

Black Caps squad

Daniel Vettori (captain), Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Iain O’Brien, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.

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WELLINGTON: Pakistan Beats Kiwis by 141 Runs to Level Series, Pakistan thrashed New Zealand by 141 runs in second cricket Test match to level the series by 1-1 here at Wellington on Sunday.

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New Zealand were all-out for 263 runs in their second innings falling short of 141 runs of 405-run target.

Muhammad Asif claimed five wickets in second innings, 9 wickets in match and was awarded man of the match.

New Zealand, chasing an unlikely 405 to win, were bowled out for 263, Mohammad Asif doing most of the damage with 5-67.

Ross Taylor top-scored for the Black Caps with 97.

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Pakistan, who lost the first Test by 32 runs, led by 165 in the first innings in this Test after bowling New Zealand out for 99.

But they then teased the home side with their own batting collapses before reasserting control of the second Test on day three yesterday.

Their second innings folded between lunch and tea for 239 – seven wickets toppled for 42 runs – although it barely offered a glimmer of hope to a New Zealand side who managed only 99 in their first innings.

The Kiwis were left chasing 405 to win and by stumps were 3-70, still 335 adrift.

The only consolation was Ross Taylor’s continued presence at the crease.

If New Zealand are to complete the fourth highest successful run chase in Test history and eclipse their previous best pursuit of 5-324 against Pakistan at Christchurch in 1994, much will rely on New Zealand’s only in-form batsman.

Taylor was not out 15 and Peter Fulton has 12, although both had lives on 13 and three respectively as Pakistan’s catching woes continue.

With two days remaining, yet again the exploits of a weary bowling attack – deprived of first-Test hero Shane Bond – appear destined to go unrewarded.

Chris Martin and Iain O’Brien added four wicket hauls to Daryl Tuffey and Daniel Vettori’s identical returns in the first innings.

Martin improved from 0-44 to 4-52 as Pakistan deteriorated, O’Brien bristled with aggression throughout to record four for 66 – sterling service considering the duo barely had their feet up between bowling assignments after New Zealand’s first innings lasted only 36.5 overs.

Medium pacer Grant Elliott also made a belated and inspired arrival in the 72nd over, having Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal caught behind with his fifth and sixth deliveries.

Martin also found himself on a hat-trick with the second new ball by ending captain Mohammad Yousuf’s stout resistance after a failed leg before wicket appeal was overturned. Tailender Danish Kaneria then snicked to Taylor at slip.

Yousuf produced the only bedrock innings of the day — and one New Zealand’s remaining batsmen will need to emulate if Friday’s third test in Napier is not to be a decider.

Yousuf took his time making 83 from 200 deliveries, a top score and 30th test fifty made between the 17th and 86th overs.

With the benefit of a 229-run advantage when play began, Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq were in no hurry.

Since combining late yesterday they added 77 for the third wicket in 35 overs at a snail paced 2.20 runs per over.

O’Brien was instrumental in accelerating Pakistan’s scoring rate. Misbah’s demise caught at the wicket for 33 was the catalyst for the continuation of Umar Akmal’s stunning debut series.

Only five boundaries were recorded in the 23 overs before the 19-year-old arrived and instantly set about mangling Daniel Vettori’s figures.

The New Zealand captain conceded just 21 runs from his first 17 overs; Umar then proceeded to crack 27 from Vettori’s next four through a trio of boundaries, brace of sixes and three singles.

Umar passed fifty for the third time in his four-test career in just 32 balls though his audacity got the better of him a ball later when a lofted drive was collected by Vettori retreating at deep mid-off.

He thudded his pad in disgust but still has the consolation of 302 runs in the series at 75.50.

Pakistan have taken charge of the second Test against New Zealand after establishing a 229-run lead at stumps on day two in Wellington.

The tourists resumed on 161-6 but managed to reach 264 all out, Kamran Akmal (70) and Umar Gul adding 64 runs for the eighth wicket.

They then dismissed New Zealand for 99, with paceman Mohammad Asif and spinner Danish Kaneria taking seven wickets. Pakistan lost Imran Farhat and Salman Butt as they reached 64-2.
It was a fine day for Pakistan, who had Akmal and Gul to thank for a respectable first-innings total after Mohammad Aamer had departed for 21.

Wicketkeeper Akmal, who claimed his 11th Test half-century, survived two umpire reviews before he was dismissed when New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori made a good catch running back from mid-off off the bowling of Daryl Tuffey.
It did not take long for the hosts to wrap up the innings, Asif (four) and Gul (31) falling 20 minutes before lunch.
New Zealand did not start their reply well, Mohammad Aamer taking the wicket of Martin Guptill for a first-ball duck while Asif dismissed Tim McIntosh for four to leave the home side on 5-2. Ross Taylor and Daniel Flynn combined for 43 before Taylor was bowled by Gul while the paceman struck against in the next over, Peter Fulton going for a two-ball duck.

Flynn and Grant Elliott added 33 runs either side of tea but the partnership ended with the score on 85 when Flynn became his team’s fifth victim – trapped leg before by Asif for 29. Flynn’s wicket sparked a collapse, with New Zealand losing their last five wickets for 14 runs.

Pakistan’s openers took their team’s second innings to 49 before O’Brien claimed the wickets of both. Salman Butt went for 18, caught by Taylor, then Farhat followed for 35 – which included four fours and a six – when Fulton caught him at second slip.

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Pakistan have New Zealand reeling at 147 for 8 at stumps on Day 4 in their second innings with Mohammad Asif picking up four wickets. New Zealand still have a slight edge over Pakistan in winning the Test match with a lead of 244 and two wickets in hand. Weather conditions will play a crucial role in deciding the result of the game, it had his toll even on the fourth day with rain and bad light eating off crucial time.

The visitors stretched their first innings total to 332 from an overnight score of 307 for 8 which cut the New Zealand lead to 97 runs. In their second innings, Mohammad Aamer came up with another first over dismissal, this time removing Martin Guptill in the fourth ball. In the 3rd over, Asif provided the double break with Flynn getting out lbw for a duck as well.

New Zealand recovered from 0 for 2 to 68 for 2 at lunch with Ross Taylor batting fluently on 48. Pakistan after lunch shot back with quick wickets to turn the match on its head. Five wickets went down in a hurry at the addition of just 36 runs. Khurram Manzoor initiated the downfall for the Kiwis with a direct throw to run out Ross Taylor (59 from 83 balls with 7 fours and a six). Peter Fulton and Brendon McCullum were out for 0 to make it four ducks in this Kiwi innings! First innings hero Daniel Vettori was dismissed by Asif cheaply.

The Kiwis still have Grant Elliott batting on 20 along with Iain O’Brien who is not a bad tailender at all. Pakistan have certainly got back into the match through their bowlers but now its all upto their top order to come good and seize the moment provided the weather holds good. Asif had a rich haul of 4 for 41 in 17.5 overs to follow up with his 4 for 108 in the first innings. Aamer complemented him with a couple of wickets.

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DUNEDIN: Pakistan Vs New Zealand 1st Test Today Live Stream, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf won the toss and elected to bowl in the opening Test of the three-match series against New Zealand here Tuesday.

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The University Oval wicket has a reputation for favouring the quick bowlers and Yousuf had no hesitation in confirming he would bowl first.

“Obviously, the first two hours here are very difficult and that’s why we will bowl first,” he said.

But it was a decision that did not bother New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori, who did not believe the green-tinged wicket would pose serious problems.

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“I think we wanted to bat on it. All the talk is it won’t do as much as it’s expected to and when the conditions above are good it normally plays pretty well.”

Although officially a Pakistan home series, the three Tests were relocated after New Zealand refused to go to Pakistan over security fears.

It is the first time New Zealand have hosted a Test in November and rain is forecast for later in the week.

New Zealand have only won one series against Pakistan at home, back in 1985.