Australian Twenty20 World Cup match in corruption probe

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) full ruling on Butt and teammates Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir who were barred for five years for spot-fixing - suggests Butt was under investigation long before the News of the World broke the story of the team's widespread corruption, the BBC reports.

Deliberations between Butt and his agent, Mazhar Majeed, during the Twenty20 tournament did not form part of the evidence that resulted in Butt's ban for their roles in spot-fixing in Tests against England last year. But the BBC said the ICC tribunal's judgment shows earlier texts and phone calls between Majeed and Butt had already alerted ICC anti-corruption investigators.

Matches that aroused doubt at the Twenty20 World Cup incorporated a group game between Pakistan and South Africa on May 10, when Pakistan won by 11 runs, and Pakistan's semi-final defeat against Australia when Mike Hussey hit three sixes in four balls to pull off a theatrical win.

Razzaq wants to retire after 2012 Twenty20 World Cup

Pakistan elegant all rounder Abdul Razzaq, has decided to quits after the 2012 T20 World Cup.

"It is something I have been thinking about for a while now and I intend to retire after the T20 World Cup 2012," said Razzaq.

He expressed that retirement is a very difficult decision for any senior player but form and fitness urges to do so.

"Looking at my form and fitness, I see myself walking away after the 2012 World Twenty20. During this time I would try to finish my career on a high, which is very important for me so. I would like to give as much as I can to my country," Razzaq told 'Express Tribune' in an interview.

"I am playing because I believe I have cricket left in me. I want to win the World Cup for the country before retirement. And considering my current form I feel I will be able to do well for Pakistan in the tournament."

Razzaq told that playing for Pakistan has always been an honor for him

Paul Collingwood, "Twenty20 World team world No.1"

Paul Collingwood reckons is a captain of England Twenty20, in 2010 he is a winner of Twenty20 World Cup is the shortest game but its a team world No.1.

When England face to the Australia in the opening matches at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday than England will be searching to its world record-winning to eight matches in Twenty20 World cup

The Collingwood saying about Sydney Morning Herald, "I'd be surprised if we are not the No.1 team in the world [in Twenty20], because we have just won seven on the trot and we'll break the record if we win another one".

At an ICC limited-over tournament that England had secured with a devastating seven wicket win against Australia past year in the Twenty20 World Cup final in the West Indies.

My T20 career is not over: Misbah-ul-Haq

Misbah-ul-Haq,Pakistan test captain revealed that he is still fit to play short form of cricket i.e t20 and has refuted suggestions that his career in the slam bang format is over.

The Daily Times quoted Misbah,"“I definitely would like to play T20 cricket if the selectors give me an opportunity. It is their decision not to pick me in the T20 side.”

“I don’t think my T20 career is over, and, I still feel I can contribute in this form of the game,” Misbah told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium here.

During the World Cup in the West Indies earlier this year he last participated in a T20 game.

“I think T20 cricket remains a demanding part of the sport, which I would love to continue playing, if I get an opportunity,” he said.

UAE to stage biggest Twenty20 Cup qualifier

The enormous International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup qualifier in 2012 will be hosted by UAE.

In the qualifier tournament for the fourth edition of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup sixteen teams will going to participate in it, to be held in Sri Lanka, in two years' time.

Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board, told Gulf News that "We had successfully staged the 2010 ICC Twenty20 qualifier last year but only eight teams had contested in that tournament. It's a great honour to be selected to stage such a big event which is to be contested by 16 nations. The fact that we have been selected again for the qualifier and to stage such a big tournament reflects on our organisational ability to provide the best of facilities for the teams."

The UAE has also been selected to stage the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division two tournament in April 2011. "Namibia, the UAE, Bermuda, Uganda and two qualifiers from the division three tournament will take part in the World Cricket League. With cricket grounds in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah we have proved that we can successfully stage multi-national cricket tournaments," added Khan.

"The top six teams from the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers to be held here in January 2012 will join the ten full members for the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September 2012," he said.

Butt, Akmal cleared of T20 WC fixing charges

Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal had been cleared by ICC of all the allegations regarding spot-fixing during the T20 World Cup in West Indies earlier this year.

The Anti-corruption unit of the ICC, after collecting all the evidences including phone records, has found the alleged players innocent, said Pakistani news channel.

Salman Butt told the local channels that they had officially cleared the duo from all the charges 3 weeks ago and we both had received the letters from ICC and also mentioned that the ICC was just formally investigating the phone records and other evidences.

Pakistan in the super eight stage was alleged to have been fixed against England's victory in the T20 World Cup England had outperformed Pakistan by winning the game by 6 wickets.

Salman Butt's suspension from all forms of cricket will continue as the spot-fixing scandal during the England Tests is still under the scanner.

Earlier, Salman Butt had also written a letter to the PCB telling them that he needed money to fight his case against the ICC to get cleared of the spot-fixing allegations. The PCB, however, has not come to a decision on that as yet.

Channel Islands to host Twenty20 World Cup qualifier

According To A Report, Channel Islands to host twenty20 world cup qualifying round. ICC has improved qualifying structure and increase the competition.

Because of the decision to expand the World Cup in Sri Lanka to 16 teams this change has been taken place.

Championship will be held on both islands from 19-24 July 2011 for the inaugural Twenty20 ICC European Division

The other countries in Division One are Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Israel, Italy and Norway.

Richard Holdsworth, ICC Regional Development Manager, said: "The new structure gives more member countries a better opportunity to reach a global qualifier and then potentially an ICC global tournament.

"All host venues have been carefully selected and we are very happy with them.

"Guernsey and Jersey did an excellent job hosting the ICC European World Cricket League Divisions One and Two this year and will no doubt again as co-hosts for the inaugural ICC European Division One Championship (T20)."