Shahid Afridi Will T20 World Cup Pakistani Captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board ended weeks of uncertainty, by appointing Shahid Afridi to lead the country's campaign to defend the World Twenty20 title in the Caribbean from the end of next month. Afridi will once again take up the role he was given last year, after Younis Khan stepped away from the format, though he has for now only been handed the role for the duration of the tournament.

"It's a challenge for me and I accept it," Afridi said. "We are going to the West Indies with only one aim and that is to defend our title."

The limit on the tenure appears to be a result of the disciplinary action Afridi has faced since he was found guilty of ball-tampering - biting the ball repeatedly - in an ODI in Perth where he was captain. Until then, Pakistan had settled on Afridi as the Twenty20 captain till the World Cup and potentially as an ODI leader as well. But after that incident Afridi's stock fell considerably.

He was banned by the ICC for two T20Is, which led to Shoaib Malik taking over, albeit reluctantly. Then, the board slapped him with a Rs 3 million ($35,000) fine for the same incident, as well as placing him under probation for six months. Any further breaches, the message is clear, and punishment could be harsher.

Ireland name Twenty20 squad

Ireland have named a full-strength squad for the World Twenty20 in West Indies with Boyd Rankin, the tall pace bowler, fit again after a foot injury to take his place in the 15-man party led by William Porterfield.

Ireland are grouped with England and West Indies during the first phase of the tournament and will be aiming to repeat their success from the 2009 event when they reached the Super Eights. With England having an indifferent Twenty20 record and the hosts in the midst of rebuilding Ireland shouldn't be underestimated.

Alongside Rankin and Porterfield, Ireland can call on the county experience of the O'Brien brothers - Niall and Kevin - Gary Wilson, the Surrey reserve wicketkeeper, and Paul Stirling who has signed a contract with Middlesex.

Meanwhile, Ireland cricket has been boosted by an extra €100,000 of investment from team sponsor RSA insurance which will cover Ireland's pre World Twenty20 warm-up tour of Jamaica and the one-day international against Australia in June.

Kulatunga back in reckoning for World T20

Jeevantha Kulatunga walks off after a superb century, Kandurata v Wayamba, Sri Lanka Cricket Inter-Provincial Twenty20 Tournament, Galle, March 4, 2010

Jeevantha Kulatunga's inclusion has made Sri Lanka's probables squad number 31 © Cricinfo Ltd
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Players/Officials: Jeevantha Kulatunga
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Sri Lanka's selectors have included right-hander Jeevantha Kulatunga in the probables squad for the upcoming World Twenty20 in the Caribbean after overlooking him for the 30-man team initially. A media release from SLC on Thursday said, "Jeevantha was included into the squad considering his outstanding performance in the recently concluded Bank of Ceylon Inter-Provincial Twenty20 tournament."

Kulatunga, 36, was one of most prolific batsmen in the tournament and played an integral part in helping Wayamba to the title. He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament after scoring 277 runs at 69.25, which included the only century of the series - his unbeaten 104 was the fastest Twenty20 century recorded in Sri Lanka.

The Kensington Oval will host the final of the 2010 World Twenty20