Back in 2007, a twenty-seven year old Abdur-Rehman made his Test debut for Pakistan in a game against South Africa in Karachi. Abdur-Rehman, or Manna as he is called by his fans, picked up 4 wickets, including Mark Boucher in the first innings of the game, cleaning up the tail. In the second innings he also picked up 4 wickets, but this time of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, AB de Vielliers and Andre Nel for the second time. He finished the game with 8 wickets for 210 runs, playing second spinner behind Danish Kaneria, who managed 5 wickets in the game.

He then played the second test of the series at Lahore. He again performed and picked up 3 wickets in the game. After picking up 11 wickets on flat decks against one of the best line-ups in the world, he was caste as a failure (Please ask the PCB and selectors why) and Manna was dropped from the team.

He made his comeback for the side under Misbah-ul-Haq's leadership in 2010 under extreme pressure. One problem was his age, at thirty years old, this was his last chance; perform or be gone forever. The other issue was Pakistan had lost their opening bowlers to spot-fixing and the bowling lineup looked weak. The entire pressure was on Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, the duo needed support and Manna had to stand up and be counted.

A Champions League exit was unthinkable for Manchester United, but the unthinkable became a reality on Wednesday after losing 2-1 at Basel. United went into the game needing only a draw to assure progress but flopped as they missed a couple of glorious chances and lapsed at the back at crucial stages.

Sir Alex Ferguson described the exit and a entry to the Europa Cup as a punishment but on Friday softened his stance saying he was looking to win the sliverware. And why not? A trophy is a trophy and a run the Europa could help United's momentum in the chase of another Premier League title.

Where do United go from here? Is a question asked by many and has different answers from most. Many believe a central midfielder is needed, someone that can take the game from the scruff of the neck and dictate it at his own will. The problem would be finding that player, not many are that quality and even fewer are available.

Here are some of the key points, that United need to do, in my opinion, to help chase arch rivals City:

1. Captain Namanja Vidic is out injured and Rio Ferdinand is prone to get injured. United need to settle a back four. Though Ive never been convinced by Patrice Evra's ability as a defender he will have to show experience at left back. Smalling should be employed as a centre half, in his best position, as soon as one of the Da Silva Twins are back.

Pakistan and Bangladesh start the two match test series starting on Friday. In the low scoring limited overs games Pakistan won all four games and will look to continue to keep the winning momentum. On the other side, Bangladesh go into the Test series lost for confidence and ideas. Their have been six previous encounters between the two sub-continent teams, with Pakistan winning all six.

Ground:

The opening Test is in Chittagong. Pakistan have never played at this venue in Test cricket but the hosts have nine times. They have lost seven times and drawn twice.

The pitch is expected to be batting friendly but will take spin from the first session.

Key Players:
Pakistan
Azhar Ali: Pakistan struggled with the bat in the limited overs games, enter Azhar Ali, the coolest head in World cricket. Bangladesh will have to work hard to get his wicket.

Bangladesh
Shakib al Hasan: Ex Skipper Shakib is the Tigers main man, with bat and ball. He has to perform for Bangladesh to have any chance.

The FA Cup third round draw put out a classic of a tie when Manchester rivals United were drawn away to City. What could have been a classic final is the first tie the big teams will play in. The game will be the first since City thrashed United in the Laegue 6-1 away at Old Trafford. Though both teams would have preffered a easier tie to rest some big names players, it will not be case and a chance for either side to stamp their authority on the other.

The other big tie sees Leeds United face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Leeds had been big rivals of the Gooners until their decline a few years ago. Can expect a fierce encounter. Also money struck Portsmouth were drawn away to Chelsea.

A tie that can bring good income for the South Coast club. Non-League Chelmsford have a reward of going to Premier league club Bolton if they overcome Macclesfield in a replay. Also Tamworth have been rewarded to a trip to Goodison Park to play Everton, in what can be a potential banana skin for the Merseyside club.

As we all know Pakistan one the 1992 cricket World Cup. Led by Imran Khan, Pakistan started to believe. Many youngsters were inspired and turned to to cricket. The nation was gifted the greatest prize of all. Here are some of the key moments on Pakistan's win.

England V Pakistan | Group stage: 1st March 1992

What was supposed to be just a normal group game and in the end ended in a farce was the defining factor of the tournament. England skipper, Graham Gooch, won the toss and decided to field first on what can be desribed as a green top with overcast conditions. Pakistan were soon in trouble as Philip Defreitas and Derek Pringle took early wickets to reduce Pakistan to 20 for 4. It didn't get much better as Pakistan continued to lose wickets. If not for Wasim Haider (13) and Mushtaq Ahmed (17) the team in Green would have not even got the 74 they did.

With England on 24-1 the rain came and the game was called off. Both teams shared a point each which in the end was the point that put Pakistan through to the Semi-Finals. One of them moments that shows what destiny really is.

Start of the second over in the Pakistan innings and Abdur Razzak gives the ball some rip to Imran Farhat. The ball pitches around middle and turn sharpely in, beats batsman and keeper for five wides. That particular ball turned a yard or so, and many more deliverys followed suit. Spinners put pressure on and batsman could not cope with the turn in the surface.

All teams prepare pitches to suit their team; and why not? It is home advantage afterall. Even though the game did not pan out the way the Bengal Tigers would have liked (seems they forgot the Pakistani spin trio) there is something that made me think. Where is the home advantage when Pakistan play 'home'?

For one Pakistan don't play in Pakistan which is a big disadvantage, and they use the UAE for home games. The pitches in UAE are batting friendly, they hardly have any seam movement. For the spinners there is turn, but very slow turn. The batsman have ample time to get into position and negotiate any movement the ball may have. Pakistani batsman, like fellow Asian teams India and Sri Lanka, are the best players of spin bowling in the world. Though Pakistan have one advantage over any team and thats the spinners that they possess. In Test matches Saeed Ajmal, Abdur-Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez are as classy as any spin trio ever produced. Variations at plenty, you have Ajmal's doosra's and off-spinners, Abdur-Rehman's left armers and Hafeez's cunning accuracy. Replace Abdur-Rehman with Shahid Afridi in limited overs and the trio still looks as strong as before.

India and the West Indies start their ODI series in Cuttock. India have rested several high profile names, while the Windies are without Gayle and the elder Bravo. India will look to carry on the form of the Test matches while the West Indies need to salvage some pride

Final line-ups:

India

Captain Mahendra Dhoni and star batsman Sachin Tendulkar have been rested. Yuvraj Singh is out due to illness. Virender Sehwag will lead the Indian team.

Probable

Sehwag (cap), Patel (wk), Gambhir, Kohli, Sharma, Raina, Jadeja, Ashwin, Aaron, Kumar and Yadav

West Indies 

The Windies have left Fidel Edwards and Davendra Bishoo out of the squad. Superstar Chris Gayle is still not selected due to differences with the WICB.

Probable 

Simmons, Barath, Bravo, Samuels, Narine, Pollard, Sammy (cap), Ramdin (wk), Russell, Rampaul and Martin.

I love Pakistan cricket and the entertainment it brings with it. What would Pakistani cricket be like without all the controverys? Certainly won't feel like Pakistani cricket thats for sure. The Pakistani cricket team comes with it's own style and uniqueness that can't be neared let alone matched in the world alone.

I have followed the Pakistan cricket team (PCT) since I can remember. Remember the 1987 World Cup and how Pakistan played to the Semi-Finals with two very strong characters in the side, in Imran Khan and Javed Miandad. Same happened for years, infact as everyone knows Pakistan won the 1992 edition with both in the team.

The debate of Misbah-ul-Haq playing in the Pakistan ODI team is up for debate all the time. Many fans believe he is not good enough to be in the team, let alone captain it. Here is a KheloPakistan special by two authors on their views on the problem that is Misbah-ul-Haq.

Following are two different views:

The last time both teams faced off in Cricket's shortest format of the game was in Colombo two months after Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 8 wickets at Lords in the 2009 T20 World Cup Final. It was the first match the Champions at the time we're facing and won the game thanks to a great half century by then T20 Skipper Shahid Afridi. Sri Lanka couldn't handle Pakistan's bowling attack and lost by a 52 run margin.

Former Captain Shoaib Malik has 184 runs against Sri Lanka in all 6 matches against the Lankan Lions, at an average of 46 and a best of 57 might be out of form but he will be a player to watch out for.

Key Players:

Pakistan
Shahid Afridi: If T20 cricket was invented before the birth of Shahid Afridi, many would have believed the charasmatic Pakistani was born to play this format.

Sri Lanka
Ajhanta Mendis: The number one bowler in T20 cricket is expected to play a big role. The Sri Lankans will hope he can make a difference.