Junaid Hafeez

A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced a university professor to death for blasphemy under a law that critics say is often used to target minorities and liberal activists.

Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan were the other players in the top category as the PCB announced central contracts to 31 players in four categories.

Chasing a challenging 138-run target, Pakistan were held to the final over and won on a wide off the last delivery of the match in the first-ever Twenty20 international between the two countries.

Misbah also insisted that he was under no pressure while leading the Test and ODI sides despite the national team's poor performances in recent times.

After Hafeez had carried Pakistan to an imposing total of 299 for four with an unbeaten 136, Junaid stubbed out a promising run chase by the Zimbabweans to secure a a 90-run win and set up a series decider on Saturday.

Despite captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez scoring half-centuries, Pakistan could post only 244/7, which Zimbabwe reached in 48.2 overs to win their first ODI against Pakistan since 1998.

Misbah shared in a 99-run stand for the third wicket with Mohammad Hafeez and finished unbeaten on 83 after holding the innings together as Pakistan's middle and lower order failed to fire.

India travel to Cardiff for semifinals while Pakistan go home empty handed.

Champions Trophy success will mean a lot for nation beset by controversy and a squad struggling to reclaim past glory.

Pacemen Umar Gul and Junaid Khan will be assisted by uncapped fast bowlers

Hafeez also heaped praise on Pakistan's Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq for the team's consistent show in this format in the last two years despite some tough situations. Insisting that the players deserved credit for adjusting well to all formats of the game, Hafeez said, "The good thing is our players have been playing international cricket and l...

Besides cash awards, special cash bonuses of 500,000 rupees each were also given to T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez, pacers Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan, opener Nasir Jamshed and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for their outstanding performances in India.

Ajmal, who missed out on the International Cricket Council's awards last year, was judged best bowler in tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s. He also received a special prize for the best bowler of 2012.

"Pakistan has done exceptionally well. Nasir (Jamshed) and (Mohammed) Hafeez were particularly brilliant with the bat while bowlers like Umar (Gul), Junaid (Khan) and (Saeed) Ajmal did not let the famed Indian batting line-up open their hands," said the veteran who was widely known as 'Asian Bradman' for his run scoring abilities.

Pakistan players think it's their pace attack that will put India under pressure in the upcoming series.

A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced a university professor to death for blasphemy under a law that critics say is often used to target minorities and liberal activists.

Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan were the other players in the top category as the PCB announced central contracts to 31 players in four categories.

Chasing a challenging 138-run target, Pakistan were held to the final over and won on a wide off the last delivery of the match in the first-ever Twenty20 international between the two countries.

Misbah also insisted that he was under no pressure while leading the Test and ODI sides despite the national team's poor performances in recent times.

After Hafeez had carried Pakistan to an imposing total of 299 for four with an unbeaten 136, Junaid stubbed out a promising run chase by the Zimbabweans to secure a a 90-run win and set up a series decider on Saturday.

Despite captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez scoring half-centuries, Pakistan could post only 244/7, which Zimbabwe reached in 48.2 overs to win their first ODI against Pakistan since 1998.

Misbah shared in a 99-run stand for the third wicket with Mohammad Hafeez and finished unbeaten on 83 after holding the innings together as Pakistan's middle and lower order failed to fire.

India travel to Cardiff for semifinals while Pakistan go home empty handed.

Champions Trophy success will mean a lot for nation beset by controversy and a squad struggling to reclaim past glory.

Pacemen Umar Gul and Junaid Khan will be assisted by uncapped fast bowlers

Hafeez also heaped praise on Pakistan's Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq for the team's consistent show in this format in the last two years despite some tough situations. Insisting that the players deserved credit for adjusting well to all formats of the game, Hafeez said, "The good thing is our players have been playing international cricket and l...

Besides cash awards, special cash bonuses of 500,000 rupees each were also given to T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez, pacers Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan, opener Nasir Jamshed and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for their outstanding performances in India.

Ajmal, who missed out on the International Cricket Council's awards last year, was judged best bowler in tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s. He also received a special prize for the best bowler of 2012.

"Pakistan has done exceptionally well. Nasir (Jamshed) and (Mohammed) Hafeez were particularly brilliant with the bat while bowlers like Umar (Gul), Junaid (Khan) and (Saeed) Ajmal did not let the famed Indian batting line-up open their hands," said the veteran who was widely known as 'Asian Bradman' for his run scoring abilities.

Pakistan players think it's their pace attack that will put India under pressure in the upcoming series.