The only person who was surprised at Mohammad Hafeez’s ascension as Pakistan’s T20 captain was his predecessor Misbah ul Haq, not because it wasn’t in the plans, but because it came quicker than he had thought. By all accounts, Misbah took it like a man he is known as. At first, a display of anger (‘I will burn my kit’), but then a composed resolve, to help his friend and his successor, who is affectionately known as ‘chanda’ in his hometown of Sargodha.

In his first press conference after the most significant announcement of his life, Hafeez mentioned everyone who has been associated with the recent resurgence in his career as an integral part of the national team. The only thing he missed was his personal courage and conviction, which closely mirrors that of his close friend, mentor and captain. Both were discarded for long periods of time and drifted in the wilderness of domestic cricket in Pakistan, but the confidence in their abilities and a passion for the game has finally bore fruit.

KheloPakistan.com’s Imran Asghar met up with Pakistan U-19 player and opening bowler Ehsan Adil. Ehsan is still 19 years of age and represented the youth team in South Africa recently. His performances were highly noticed and Ehsan won many plaudits. Hailing from Sheikhupura, Ehsan recently made his domestic cricket debut by representing Faislabad Wolves. 

Ehsan can be described as a confident young man that aspires to reach the very top. He hopes to emulate the long list of great Pakistani Fast bowlers and becoming a household name. In the meantime he is now preparing for the Junior Asia Cup after making the World Cup probable list.

Pakistan's opening batsman Nasir Jamshed has been ruled out of the squad for the up-coming Sri Lanka series due to a fracture in his left index finger which he sustained during a club cricket match. PCB haven't announced a replacement for him yet.

"He is out of action due to his finger injury, he picked up the fracture during a club match last week and wasn't able to join the camp. His doctor has advised a four to six weeks rest and hence ruled out of the entire Sri Lanka series. There is no immediate replacement called to cover up him.", Nadeem Sarwar, PCB GM media, told the reporters.

Roger Federer moved back to No.2 in the world

after beating Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-5 7-5 on

Sunday to win his third Madrid Masters. The

Swiss will stand behind Novak Djokovic on

the ATP list after winning the 74th title of

his career.Federer went level with Rafael

Nadal, who will slip to three in the world,

on 20 career titles at the Masters 1000 l

evel, with both men holding the record.

The 30-year-old Federer was playing in

his 104th ATP final and won his fourth

title of the season. 

Sri Lanka have backed out of hosting a series between Pakistan and Australia since it clashes with the schedule of the inaugural Sri Lankan Premier League. This has forced PCB to look for alternate venues.

"We are looking for other venues to host Australia, we were in negotiations to finalise Australia series in Sri Lanka but due to their Premier League which is to be held in August directly clashing with our plan, we have to find another venue.",  Subhan Ahmed, the PCB's chief operating officer told the reporters.

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board had agreed in March to host the series, at that time the plans for SLPL were still in doubt. The first season which was to be held last year had already been cancelled. The Sri Lankan Board signed a new deal to hold the SLPL this August.

The BCCI has said that it has no objection to inviting Pakistan's Sialkot Stallions to come and play in Champions League T20. The decision will be recommended to the tournament's governing body in their meeting on May 28.

The BCCI President, N Srinisvan told the reporters after the working committee's meeting in Chennai that "The Working Committee has decided to invite a team from Pakistan to play in Champions League Twenty20 to be held in October. CLT20 is owned by BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa. So we will recommend to the Governing Council that the BCCI has no objection and is prepared to invite a Pakistan team in the Champions League.

This matter came up in the Governing Council of the Champions League. There was discussion around the composition of the tournament this year and on the number of teams and who will be invited. A feeling was expressed that a team from Pakistan could be invited."

The Pakistan cricket board announced the squad for all 3 formats of the game for the 2012 tour to Sri Lanka and included some of the finest - talented players in the country along with that some made there comebacks and here's how they all did it.

The appointment of Mohammad Hafeez came with some mix reactions. Some were angry, some happy and some ecstatic. Pakistan in T20 cricket has struggled of recently. T20 cricket is a fast placed game where there is little time to recover if major mistakes are made. Misbah was a case in reason. 

Misbah came back into the side in 2007 upon the insistence of then skipper Shoaib Malik. He had a fantastic tournament where he excelled and proved many wrong, one bad shot selection in the Final is what is remembered by most though. Since then he has been in and out of the line-up until late 2010 where as Test captain he reached his peak and cemented his place in all three formats. 

Hafeez thanked Misbah for his recommendation of him becoming skipper. Hafeez takes over as being one of the senior pro's and a person that has his place in the side unquestioned. His performances since late 2010 are evidence of his re-emergence as a top quality player. 

Test squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali., Misbah, Younis Khan, Adnan Akmal, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Sami, Asad Shafiq, Faisal Iqbal, Junaid Khan, Ayub Dogar, Aizaz Cheema and Afaq Raheem.

One day squad: Misbah, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Rahat Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Sami, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Aizaz Cheema, Haris Sohail and Imran Farhat.

T20I squad: Khalid Latif, Ahmed Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shakeel Ansar, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat,Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Sami, Hammad Azam, Nasir Jamshed.

By Imran Asghar

The Pakistan hockey team are to travel to Staffordshire in July to prepare for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Pakistan Hockey Federation has selected Cannock Hockey Club as its final training base to get ready for the the event.

Pakistan has been drawn in a tough group that also includes the hosts, GB, for the preliminary round of the Olympic hockey tournament.

Councillor Pat Corfield, cabinet member for culture, communities and customers at Staffordshire County Council, said: "We're very proud to attract a top ten nation to use the excellent sporting facilities here in Staffordshire.

"We extended a warm welcome to the Pakistani team during a previous visit in 2009, and the combination of our hospitality and top-drawer facilities has encouraged them to return." she added.