As per rules of Pakistan Cricket Board they have announce the central contracts for the players.

Seven players get A category central contract and it includes Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar.

In category B there are five players. The players’ gets category B contract includes Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal and Wahab Riaz.

In category C Taufiq Umar, Asad Shafiq, Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Adnan Akmal, Tanvir Ahmed and Junaid Khan make their places.

There are many Pakistani players who haven’t got the contract. Danish Kaneria, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naveed Ul Hasan are the main players who are not able to get the contract.  Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal and Fawad Alam are the other players over looked by the PCB.

Muhammad Amir, Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif are suspended by ICC so they are also not able to get the contract. The players in Pakistan playing team in world cup are all awarded with the contract.

Pakistan 15-men team for the world cup consist of Shahid Afridi (Captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (Vice-Captain), Muhammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umer Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umer Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan and Ahmed Shehzad.

World cup 2011 is starting from 19th February 11, 2011. Pakistan team had left for Bangladesh to play warm up matches there. Player left from Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport and there were many fans present to see the heroes. Players didn’t talk to media and fans.

Earlier Shahid Afridi said that they have found the right combination for the world cup and now they are very confident about their world cup performance. He also added that they will definitely try to reach the semi final at first instance and they set world cup 2011 semi-finals as their first priority. Kamran Akmal the wicket keeper for Pakistan said that Pakistan team has full capabilities of winning the mega event. Its just the day that will decide about the winner.

PCB has delayed the announcement of ODI team many times. It is expected that they will announce the team after the announcement of World Cup Squad. Pakistan Cricket Board announced WC Squad on 4th January and today they have announced ODI Squad.

The team announce consists of Shahid Afridi (capt), Muhammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umer Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umer Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Tanveer Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad.

Pakistan middle order batsmen Muhammad Yousaf is excluded from the squad. He is having tough time that in the team. He is excluded fro ODI Squad this gives some indication that he might also be missed out from World cup squad. Kamran Akmal also had tough time but finally he is cleared and back in Pakistani squad. Pakistan will play 6 ODI match series in New Zealand. Pakistan lost T-20 match series and won the first test match and leading the test match series 1-0.

Twenty20 squad includes Shahid Afridi , Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz.

Test squad includes Misbah-ul-Haq , Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz.

Kamran Akmal is not able to find his place in the team despite of clearance from ICC and scored double century in the domestic cricket. Spinner Danish Keneria is also not selected. Shoaib Malik is out from Pakistan team since England’s tour and he also failed to get selection in Pakistan team. Muhammad Yousaf is also not selected and Wahab Riaz will be along with the team depends upon his fitness.

Pakistan is schedule to play three T-20, two test and six ODI matches in New Zealand. The series will start from 23rd December.

Younis Khan and MisBah Ul Haq showed their batting experience ands saved match for Pakistan. Both batted superbly in the second inning and acted as a solid wall which could not destroyed by South African bowling attack.

After being conceded 132 runs first inning deficit Pakistan managed to save the match. They lost only 1 wicket on the 5th and final day of the test match. The return of Younis Khan after being ban by PCB proved good in favor of Pakistan team as he scored a century in the 2nd inning and also involved in the match saving partnership with captain Misbah ul Haq.

Captain said that the wicket got slower as match progresses and it was really hard to bat on the wicket but it was only shire determination that save match for them. He also gave full credit to man of the match Younis khan for performing well for Pakistan.

HM Amla and JH Kallis continue their good form and both scored centuries in the 2nd inning. HM Amla scored 118 runs and remained not out together with KH Kallis who scored 135 runs and also remained not out. Both scored 242 runs in between them for the forth wicket. South Africa declared the inning before the tea break to bowl some over to test Pakistan batting.

Pakistan lost its first wicket at 41 runs. Muhammad Hafeez got out after scoring 34 runs. Taufeeq scored 22 runs. Azher Ali is batting along with Younis Khan at the end of day’s play. Azher Ali scored 37 runs with his great defensive approach while Younis is also looking comfortable on the wicket. Pakistan scored 109 runs and lost two wickets. Pakistan required 342 runs on the last day but the wicket is very difficult for batting.

G Smith again scored half century and provide SA a great start. He played 92 runs inning and laid a foundation for a high score. AB De Villiers also helped him in his cause. He got out on 49. JP Duminy also scored 36 runs. SA scored 84 runs in last 10 over. J Botha played a little cameo and scored 28 runs on 15 balls. SA managed to set 275 runs target for Pakistan.

The start from Pakistan was not good as they lost first wicket in the first over. Hafeez played aggressively and scored 42 runs in 29 balls before he got out by Steyn. His contribution helped Pakistan in maintaining good run rate throughout the inning. Razzak scored 33 runs while Captain Shahid Afridi got out after scoring 25 runs.

G Smith dropped a catch of Wahab Riaz and that cost them a match. He scored 18 runs in 10 balls. Younis Khan against played an important role and he hold one end of the inning and took Pakistan close to victory.

There is also some news that coach and captain are not happy for not consulting them before the selection of team. Younis Khan is back in the team and there is also a new captain for the test team. Pakistan has changed 6 captains since last two years.

Younis Khan came back and decided to play for Pakistan in T-20 matches also. It is good news but strange to as many Pakistani players announced retirement then later on came back in the team. These are few things that hurdles Pakistan team to focus properly on cricket.

South Africa is standing ready to take full advantage to Pakistani team as they are there for the world cup preparations and they will definitely tried to capture this golden opportunity. Focus on the cricket can rescue Pakistan from defeat.

Yesterday in the press conference, chief selector Mohsin Hasan Khan said that he gets the clearance of Younis Khan from PCB. He added that after clearance he consulted with selection team and after that it is decided to add him in Pakistan squad. He said that Younis Khan will straight away join the team in practice secession.

Pakistan team manager Intakhab Alam said that Younis is included in team for Test and ODI matches as he was retired from T-20 cricket. Selector Mohsin Khan said that he is included in team for T-20 and ODI’s. it is on the cards that may be Younis Khan came back to Pakistan T-20 team and play matches for Pakistan. He announced his retirement after 2009 T-20 World Cup final. Younis Khan said that he is available to Pakistan team for every format of the game including T-20. He added that he will definitely play for Pakistan in T-20 if team needed him.

After the arrival of Ijaz Butt from Dubai after attending ICC meeting Younis Khan had meeting with him. PCB has included him in the limited over squad for first instance. Chief selector Mohsin Khan said that Younis Khan is included in squad and he will be a part of Pakistan team in South Africa. He wills shortly join the camp for training.

Muhammad Yousaf is out of Pakistan team after having some fitness problem. He was not attending training secession due to injury. He is now ruled out after inclusion of Younis Khan in the team. He was previously suspended by PCB after the return from Australian tour. He was alleged for not developing cricket spirit in the team and most of the team members were against him. He showed his happiness after his return and showed his commitment to play good cricket for Pakistan. His inclusion in Pakistan team will provide some strength in batting.