Matches (10)
Pakistan vs New Zealand (1)
PAK v WI [W] (1)
IPL (2)
SA v SL [W] (1)
IRE-W vs THAI-W (1)
WI 4-Day (4)

Images of the decade II

<b>March 2006:</b> The 2349th one-day international was a match that surpassed the ones before it. On perhaps the best batting surface ever prepared in South Africa, Australia became the first team to sail past 400. And lose. Ricky Ponting's 164, along with three other half-centuries, took Australia to the first-ever total over 400. Herschelle Gibbs' 111-ball 175 set South Africa on the path of achieving the improbable. It went down to the penultimate ball, with Mark Boucher hitting a four to seal the extraordinary win.
March 2006: The 2349th one-day international was a match that surpassed the ones before it. On perhaps the best batting surface ever prepared in South Africa, Australia became the first team to sail past 400. And lose. Ricky Ponting's 164, along with three other half-centuries, took Australia to the first-ever total over 400. Herschelle Gibbs' 111-ball 175 set South Africa on the path of achieving the improbable. It went down to the penultimate ball, with Mark Boucher hitting a four to seal the extraordinary win.•Getty Images
<b>July 2006:</b> The highest partnership in Test (and first-class) cricket. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene batted through 157 overs to add a world-record 624 runs for the third wicket. Jayawardene's 374 was the highest by a Sri Lankan - surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya's 340 - and the highest by a captain. Sri Lanka gained a first-innings lead of 587 and then Muttiah Muralitharan took 6 for 131 as South Africa were bowled out for 434 in the second innings to give Sri Lanka an innings-and-153-run win.
July 2006: The highest partnership in Test (and first-class) cricket. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene batted through 157 overs to add a world-record 624 runs for the third wicket. Jayawardene's 374 was the highest by a Sri Lankan - surpassing Sanath Jayasuriya's 340 - and the highest by a captain. Sri Lanka gained a first-innings lead of 587 and then Muttiah Muralitharan took 6 for 131 as South Africa were bowled out for 434 in the second innings to give Sri Lanka an innings-and-153-run win.•Getty Images
<b>March 2007:</b> On St Patrick's Day 2007, in the unlikely setting of Sabina Park, Ireland, a team of part-timers and county cricketers, knocked the fourth-ranked ODI team in the world, Pakistan, out of the World Cup. Ireland became the story of the tournament from this day, which Inzamam-ul-Haq called the worst of his cricketing career.
March 2007: On St Patrick's Day 2007, in the unlikely setting of Sabina Park, Ireland, a team of part-timers and county cricketers, knocked the fourth-ranked ODI team in the world, Pakistan, out of the World Cup. Ireland became the story of the tournament from this day, which Inzamam-ul-Haq called the worst of his cricketing career.•AFP
<b>April 2007:</b> Australia put the seal on the most dominant campaign in World Cup history, securing their fourth title and their third in a row since 1999, thanks to Adam Gilchrist's scintillating 149 from 104 balls. Gilchrist might have had a quiet tournament until the final, but when it really mattered he delivered, and how - with a little help from a squash ball in his glove.
April 2007: Australia put the seal on the most dominant campaign in World Cup history, securing their fourth title and their third in a row since 1999, thanks to Adam Gilchrist's scintillating 149 from 104 balls. Gilchrist might have had a quiet tournament until the final, but when it really mattered he delivered, and how - with a little help from a squash ball in his glove.•AFP
<b>September 2007:</b> One of the most controversial players of the decade, Shoaib Akhtar found himself in off-field incidents aplenty through the 2000s, and has played less than half the Tests and ODIs Pakistan has played since his debut. In 2006 he and Mohammad Asif were found guilty of using the banned steroid nandrolone. In 2007 a dressing-room bust-up with Asif led to a fine and suspension for Shoaib, and later, in August 2008, a five-year ban, which was subsequently truncated. In 2009, the PCB pulled him from Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad and revealed the reason was because he had genital warts.
September 2007: One of the most controversial players of the decade, Shoaib Akhtar found himself in off-field incidents aplenty through the 2000s, and has played less than half the Tests and ODIs Pakistan has played since his debut. In 2006 he and Mohammad Asif were found guilty of using the banned steroid nandrolone. In 2007 a dressing-room bust-up with Asif led to a fine and suspension for Shoaib, and later, in August 2008, a five-year ban, which was subsequently truncated. In 2009, the PCB pulled him from Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad and revealed the reason was because he had genital warts.•AFP
<b>June 2008:</b> When Allen Stanford announced that he was funding a pan-Caribbean Twenty20 tournament in 2005, few took much notice, but the success of his inaugural event was unquestionable. By the time of the second Stanford 20/20 in early 2008, he had earned respect and was seen, by some, as the only credible and wealthy-enough alternative to the IPL. In mid-2008, he made his biggest statement, landing on the outfield at Lord's in a helicopter and unveiling a case full of dollar bills as part of an announcement that he was investing US$100 million in a series of Twenty20 games over five years. In early 2009, Stanford was charged with "a fraud of shocking magnitude"; he was jailed and his empire came crashing down.
June 2008: When Allen Stanford announced that he was funding a pan-Caribbean Twenty20 tournament in 2005, few took much notice, but the success of his inaugural event was unquestionable. By the time of the second Stanford 20/20 in early 2008, he had earned respect and was seen, by some, as the only credible and wealthy-enough alternative to the IPL. In mid-2008, he made his biggest statement, landing on the outfield at Lord's in a helicopter and unveiling a case full of dollar bills as part of an announcement that he was investing US$100 million in a series of Twenty20 games over five years. In early 2009, Stanford was charged with "a fraud of shocking magnitude"; he was jailed and his empire came crashing down.•AFP
<b>December 2008:</b> After the turmoil of the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, India couldn't have picked a better moment to create history, completing a famous six-wicket victory in Chennai by chasing down the fourth-largest target in Test cricket. Sachin Tendulkar masterminded the uplifting success with a century of such serenity that he made the pressure-cooker environment seem like an afternoon in the park. Along with Yuvraj Singh, he added an unbroken 163, sapping the England spirit that had carried the visitors into a dominant position in the game for the first four days.
December 2008: After the turmoil of the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, India couldn't have picked a better moment to create history, completing a famous six-wicket victory in Chennai by chasing down the fourth-largest target in Test cricket. Sachin Tendulkar masterminded the uplifting success with a century of such serenity that he made the pressure-cooker environment seem like an afternoon in the park. Along with Yuvraj Singh, he added an unbroken 163, sapping the England spirit that had carried the visitors into a dominant position in the game for the first four days.•AFP
<B>June 2009:</b> It was Pakistan's second consecutive appearance in a World Twenty20 final, and this time they took the prize. Abdul Razzaq, who was returning to the side after two years, took three wickets to keep Sri Lanka to a below-par 138. Then Shahid Afridi hit an unbeaten 40-ball 54 to seal the deal in the 19th over.
June 2009: It was Pakistan's second consecutive appearance in a World Twenty20 final, and this time they took the prize. Abdul Razzaq, who was returning to the side after two years, took three wickets to keep Sri Lanka to a below-par 138. Then Shahid Afridi hit an unbeaten 40-ball 54 to seal the deal in the 19th over. •AFP
<b>November 2009:</b> One of the best Test matches of the year came at the end. Dunedin produced a classic that New Zealand won when they prised out the last Pakistan wicket in the final session on day five with the visitors 30-odd runs short of victory. The match was notable for the returns of Shane Bond and Mohammad Asif, who both reminded the world of what they could do by taking eight wickets apiece, and for a remarkable century on debut by Umar Akmal.
November 2009: One of the best Test matches of the year came at the end. Dunedin produced a classic that New Zealand won when they prised out the last Pakistan wicket in the final session on day five with the visitors 30-odd runs short of victory. The match was notable for the returns of Shane Bond and Mohammad Asif, who both reminded the world of what they could do by taking eight wickets apiece, and for a remarkable century on debut by Umar Akmal.•Getty Images
<b>May 2006 :</b> The biggest impact player who left South African shores for England became one of the most popular of the decade. Kevin Pietersen quickly became England's best batsman, and a leading light in world cricket, consistently dominating attacks. A hallmark of Pietersen's batting is the complete confidence he has in his own ability, best emphasised by a remarkable reverse-sweep for six off Muttiah Muralitharan at Edgbaston - a shot that later developed into the switch-hit.
May 2006 : The biggest impact player who left South African shores for England became one of the most popular of the decade. Kevin Pietersen quickly became England's best batsman, and a leading light in world cricket, consistently dominating attacks. A hallmark of Pietersen's batting is the complete confidence he has in his own ability, best emphasised by a remarkable reverse-sweep for six off Muttiah Muralitharan at Edgbaston - a shot that later developed into the switch-hit.•Getty Images
<b>August 2006:</b> During the 56th over of England's innings on day four at The Oval, umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove deemed that the ball had been tampered with and would therefore have to be changed. After tea Pakistan remained in their dressing room in protest at the decision. The Test was declared forfeited in favour of England, after an extraordinary day of rumour, speculation, and high farce that brought the game to the brink of one of its biggest crises.
August 2006: During the 56th over of England's innings on day four at The Oval, umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove deemed that the ball had been tampered with and would therefore have to be changed. After tea Pakistan remained in their dressing room in protest at the decision. The Test was declared forfeited in favour of England, after an extraordinary day of rumour, speculation, and high farce that brought the game to the brink of one of its biggest crises.•Getty Images
<b>March 2007:</b> Hours after his side's elimination from the World Cup, Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, died in a Kingston hospital after being found unconscious in his hotel. A post mortem conducted by a government pathologist led to the conclusion that Woolmer was strangled. Jamaican police decided they had a murder on their hands but later abandoned the investigations after it was determined Woolmer's death was due to natural causes.
March 2007: Hours after his side's elimination from the World Cup, Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, died in a Kingston hospital after being found unconscious in his hotel. A post mortem conducted by a government pathologist led to the conclusion that Woolmer was strangled. Jamaican police decided they had a murder on their hands but later abandoned the investigations after it was determined Woolmer's death was due to natural causes.•AFP
<b>April 2007:</b> Gilchrist's innings, sadly, is not what the final of the 2007 World Cup will be remembered for. In a display of cack-handedness by the officials, the final overs of a broken contest were played out in near-darkness, penetrated only by the glow of the pavilion lights and the blinking of flash bulbs.
April 2007: Gilchrist's innings, sadly, is not what the final of the 2007 World Cup will be remembered for. In a display of cack-handedness by the officials, the final overs of a broken contest were played out in near-darkness, penetrated only by the glow of the pavilion lights and the blinking of flash bulbs.•Getty Images
<b>September 2007:</b> In front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers, two old rivals played out one of the best finals ever seen in a major tournament. India won the inaugural World Twenty20 when Misbah-ul-Haq's attempted scoop landed in the hands of Sreesanth at short fine leg. Twenty20 had come a long way and this was an engrossing conclusion to an enthralling competition.
September 2007: In front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers, two old rivals played out one of the best finals ever seen in a major tournament. India won the inaugural World Twenty20 when Misbah-ul-Haq's attempted scoop landed in the hands of Sreesanth at short fine leg. Twenty20 had come a long way and this was an engrossing conclusion to an enthralling competition.•Getty Images
<b>July 2008:</b> Ajantha Mendis was unquestionably the debutant of 2008. A mystery when he emerged into international view, he hadn't grown up in the public eye, he spoke only Sinhala, his captain didn't talk a lot about him in public, and admitted to at times not knowing what fields to set for him, because he didn't know what he was going to bowl. In his first four overs in Test cricket Mendis troubled Rahul Dravid with the carrom ball; in his fifth he had him bowled. Dravid's face said eloquently that he hadn't seen anything like it before.
July 2008: Ajantha Mendis was unquestionably the debutant of 2008. A mystery when he emerged into international view, he hadn't grown up in the public eye, he spoke only Sinhala, his captain didn't talk a lot about him in public, and admitted to at times not knowing what fields to set for him, because he didn't know what he was going to bowl. In his first four overs in Test cricket Mendis troubled Rahul Dravid with the carrom ball; in his fifth he had him bowled. Dravid's face said eloquently that he hadn't seen anything like it before.•AFP
<b>December 2008:</b> The innings that capped a great year for South Africa. JP Duminy, who had scored a nerveless 50 on debut in the first Test as South Africa successfully chased 414, made an accomplished 166 and added a record 180 runs with Dale Steyn for the ninth wicket to take South Africa from a position of vulnerability to one of control. Steyn took 5 for 67 in the second innings and South Africa won by nine wickets, and went on to take the top spot in the Test rankings.
December 2008: The innings that capped a great year for South Africa. JP Duminy, who had scored a nerveless 50 on debut in the first Test as South Africa successfully chased 414, made an accomplished 166 and added a record 180 runs with Dale Steyn for the ninth wicket to take South Africa from a position of vulnerability to one of control. Steyn took 5 for 67 in the second innings and South Africa won by nine wickets, and went on to take the top spot in the Test rankings.•PA Photos
<b>August 2009:</b> England's cricketers reclaimed the Ashes on a tumultuous fourth afternoon at The Oval, as Australia's brave resistance was slowly dismantled. At Lord's earlier in the series, Andrew Flintoff had produced his first five-for since the 2005 Ashes to give England their first win at the venue in 75 years. The teams had played out a thrilling draw in the first game, in Cardiff, and the third Test, at Edgbaston, was drawn. Australia took the fourth by an innings and 80 runs before the teams went to The Oval for the decider, where Flintoff's direct hit to get rid of Ricky Ponting in the run chase proved among the turning points of the match.
August 2009: England's cricketers reclaimed the Ashes on a tumultuous fourth afternoon at The Oval, as Australia's brave resistance was slowly dismantled. At Lord's earlier in the series, Andrew Flintoff had produced his first five-for since the 2005 Ashes to give England their first win at the venue in 75 years. The teams had played out a thrilling draw in the first game, in Cardiff, and the third Test, at Edgbaston, was drawn. Australia took the fourth by an innings and 80 runs before the teams went to The Oval for the decider, where Flintoff's direct hit to get rid of Ricky Ponting in the run chase proved among the turning points of the match.•Getty Images
<b>January 2007:</b> Australia sealed their first Ashes whitewash in 86 years with a ruthless four-day demolition job in Sydney. The scenes at the end were euphoric and poignant: Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer led the lap of honour, as a mighty era of Australia cricket ended in the most fitting manner imaginable.
January 2007: Australia sealed their first Ashes whitewash in 86 years with a ruthless four-day demolition job in Sydney. The scenes at the end were euphoric and poignant: Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer led the lap of honour, as a mighty era of Australia cricket ended in the most fitting manner imaginable. •Getty Images
<b>April 2007:</b> A full house turned up at the Kensington Oval for Brian Lara's farewell to international cricket, and they were treated to one of the best matches of the World Cup: England completed a thrilling one-wicket win with one ball to spare. Lara only made 18 but left the field to another standing ovation and handshakes from his team-mates.
April 2007: A full house turned up at the Kensington Oval for Brian Lara's farewell to international cricket, and they were treated to one of the best matches of the World Cup: England completed a thrilling one-wicket win with one ball to spare. Lara only made 18 but left the field to another standing ovation and handshakes from his team-mates. •Getty Images
<b>July 2007:</b> It took Muttiah Muralitharan 27 Tests to get his first 100 wickets at 31.49. After 87 Tests, his tally stood at 505 at 22.89. Fourteen Tests later he had got to 600, and in another 12, to 700 - only the second bowler, after Shane Warne, to reach the landmark - at 21.33. He got there at his home ground in Kandy, with a 12 wicket-haul against Bangladesh in a match Sri Lanka won by an innings and 193 runs.
July 2007: It took Muttiah Muralitharan 27 Tests to get his first 100 wickets at 31.49. After 87 Tests, his tally stood at 505 at 22.89. Fourteen Tests later he had got to 600, and in another 12, to 700 - only the second bowler, after Shane Warne, to reach the landmark - at 21.33. He got there at his home ground in Kandy, with a 12 wicket-haul against Bangladesh in a match Sri Lanka won by an innings and 193 runs.•AFP
<b>April 2008:</b> Sharp, brash, ruthlessly ambitious, and admired and reviled in equal measure, Lalit Modi will be known as the man who changed the landscape of cricket. The Indian Premier League, the multi-million-dollar, football-style, franchise-based domestic league Modi conceived and executed with spectacular success has hurtled cricket into the fast lane, forcing the traditionalists to follow suit even as they squir. The tournament, first held in 2008, consolidated India's position as cricket's economic powerhouse, and consequently, its premier agenda-setter.
April 2008: Sharp, brash, ruthlessly ambitious, and admired and reviled in equal measure, Lalit Modi will be known as the man who changed the landscape of cricket. The Indian Premier League, the multi-million-dollar, football-style, franchise-based domestic league Modi conceived and executed with spectacular success has hurtled cricket into the fast lane, forcing the traditionalists to follow suit even as they squir. The tournament, first held in 2008, consolidated India's position as cricket's economic powerhouse, and consequently, its premier agenda-setter.•Gianluigi Guercia/AFP
<b>August 2008:</b> Nine years on from their lowest point in the 1999 World Cup, South Africa exorcised some of the ghosts of Edgbaston by claiming their first Test series win in England since 1965 at the venue. Graeme Smith's unbeaten 154 - one of the most memorable fourth-innings centuries - set up the chase of 281. It was a crowning moment for Smith, whose love affair with Edgbaston had begun with his 277 there in 2003.
August 2008: Nine years on from their lowest point in the 1999 World Cup, South Africa exorcised some of the ghosts of Edgbaston by claiming their first Test series win in England since 1965 at the venue. Graeme Smith's unbeaten 154 - one of the most memorable fourth-innings centuries - set up the chase of 281. It was a crowning moment for Smith, whose love affair with Edgbaston had begun with his 277 there in 2003.•Getty Images
<b>March 2009:</b> The attack on cricketers and match officials in Lahore in which eight Pakistanis were killed and seven Sri Lankan players injured, shocked the world. Pakistan's status as a host of international matches had been uncertain for some time, but this incident sealed their fate: their co-hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup were taken away from them.
March 2009: The attack on cricketers and match officials in Lahore in which eight Pakistanis were killed and seven Sri Lankan players injured, shocked the world. Pakistan's status as a host of international matches had been uncertain for some time, but this incident sealed their fate: their co-hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup were taken away from them.•AFP
<b>November 2009:</b> In the month he completed 20 years in international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar produced one of his more memorable ODI hundreds - a near-faultless 175 against Australia - but one that was doomed to feature on the losing side, uncannily like his Test 136 in Chennai against Pakistan in 1999. Tendulkar's innings took 141 balls and contained 19 fours and four sixes, but India fell four short of the 351 they needed to win after he was dismissed trying a paddle-scoop and India lost three wickets for 15 runs.
November 2009: In the month he completed 20 years in international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar produced one of his more memorable ODI hundreds - a near-faultless 175 against Australia - but one that was doomed to feature on the losing side, uncannily like his Test 136 in Chennai against Pakistan in 1999. Tendulkar's innings took 141 balls and contained 19 fours and four sixes, but India fell four short of the 351 they needed to win after he was dismissed trying a paddle-scoop and India lost three wickets for 15 runs.•AFP
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