Chances of the Champions Trophy being held in 2009 appear to be brightening with intense discussions on the issue between ICC officials and those of its member boards over the last few days opening up "2-3 options". One of those options will be finalised

Captain Steve Tikolo scored nearly half the runs as Kenya made 344 for 7 on the first day of their four-day game against the Pakistan Cricket Academy in Nairobi. For the visitors, opening bowler Anwar Ali, who scripted Pakistan's dramatic win

Donald Peters, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive, has said the board will agree to Pakistan's request for a two-Test series in November only after receiving.

Pakistan have "formally invited" West Indies to play two Tests in November in another attempt to fill the gap created by the postponement of the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan Cricket Academy swept the one-day series against Zimbabwe Board XI 3-0 after Fawad Alam's unbeaten century led the visitors to a 63-run victory in the final match at the Zimbabwe Cricket Academy

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan captain, fears that Pakistan will become an "isolated cricket nation" and wants the ICC to ensure that teams tour the country. Pakistan were deprived of international cricket in 2008 after Australia postponed

Ehsan Mani, the former ICC president, has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board to surrender its right to host the Champions Trophy, scheduled for October 2009, and ask the ICC for an event in the future

Saleem Malik's appeal against a life ban for match-fixing was adjourned after the civil court judge hearing the case in Lahore did not turn up. Malik, the former Pakistan captain, was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2001 on the recommendation