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KARACHI (AFP) – Veteran batsman Misbah-ul-Haq expressed disappointment Thursday at being dropped from the England-bound Pakistan squad, defending his averages as among the best.

“It is very disappointing,” Misbah told AFP. “You find yourself in the eleven and suddenly you are not even in a preliminary squad of 35, it prompts you to burn all your cricket equipment in anger.”

Pakistan announced a 15-man Twenty20 and 17-member Test squad which will face Australia in two Twenty20 matches and two Tests followed by four Tests and two Twenty20 matches against England — all in England between July and September.

Pakistan will also play five one-day matches against England at the end of the tour for which a squad will be announced later.

Experienced batsman Younus Khan, Misbah and Faisal Iqbal failed to make the team, making way for newcomers Umar Amin and Azhar Ali despite the views of experts that Pakistan will need experience on a tough tour.

“My Test average is 33, one-day is 39 and Test 36, and if you compare it with other players it is better than many, so it makes you think what’s wrong with you,” said Misbah.

He was the best batsman of the national one-day tournament last season.

“I am very disappointed because I was dropped last year as well and I came back through performing in domestic events, and then suddenly I found myself dropped again,” said Misbah.

Misbah has played 19 Tests, 56 one-day and 29 Twenty20 matches for Pakistan.

The team selection has also come in for flak from former players, with Javed Miandad calling for a meeting with President Asif Zardari, patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Former chief selector Iqbal Qasim accused the PCB of victimising Younus after his indefinite ban — imposed after Pakistan’s miserable tour of Australia in March — was overturned.

CARDIFF (AFP) – Stuart Broad took four wickets as England held Australia to 239 for seven in the second one-day international at Sophia Gardens here on Thursday.

Ashes and World Twenty20-winning quick Broad enjoyed fresh success against Australia with a return of four wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs.

The world champions, mainly as a result of Broad′s efforts, slumped to 118 for five as they looked to level this five-match series at 1-1 after England′s four-wicket win at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.

But Cameron White — caught off a no-ball on three — defied England with an unbeaten 86 off 98 balls featuring two sixes and seven fours.

White and Steven Smith, who made 41 in only his second ODI, shared a stand of 84 in 100 balls that gave Australia’s bowlers a target to defend.

Broad took three wickets for 12 runs in 22 balls as Australia, who were 51 without loss, collapsed to 77 for three after winning the toss.

Australia got off to a brisk start with Shane Watson striking three fours – a cover-drive, straight drive and clip through mid-wicket – in the first over, from James Anderson.

But having scored 34 off the first five overs, Australia could only manage 17 off the next five as Tim Bresnan and first change Broad pulled things back.

And it was Broad, slightly luckily, who made the breakthrough with his 100th one-day international wicket when Tim Paine’s leg-glance was held by opposing wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

Australia were 51 for one in the 11th over.

That soon became 67 for two as pace bowler Broad captured the prize wicket of star batsman Ponting, out for 13 as he edged a superb ball that cut away through to Kieswetter.

England then enjoyed a tactical triumph, and again Broad was involved.

Three balls after Graeme Swann was stationed in the unusual one-day position of short leg, Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke — who managed just one — gloved a catch to the close-in fielder off a rising delivery and the visitors were 77 for three off 17 overs.

In the midst of this slump all-rounder Watson completed a 49-ball fifty including seven boundaries.

Australia though should have been 88 for three when Kieswetter held a good low catch after White had been squared but Luke Wright was no-balled by umpire Nigel Llong.

However, Wright did have a wicket to celebrate soon afterwards when Watson, beaten for pace by the lively all-rounder, top-edged a pull and a diving Kieswetter held the skied chance.

Michael Hussey, who had rescued Australia from many a poor position, then fell for 14 when he was bowled middle stump by a magnificent inswinger to the left-hander from Anderson.

Smith played soundly during a 53-ball innings before he was deceived by a Broad slower ball and holed out to Paul Collingwood at extra cover.

NAIROBI (AFP) – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given Kenya until Tuesday to confirm its participation in next month’s World Cricket League division one tournament or risk being kicked out.

The ultimatum follows a week-long stand-off between Cricket Kenya (CK) and the national team players over contracts which has cast doubt on the country′s preparations for the July 1-10 tournament in the Netherlands.

Last week CK was forced to scrap a scheduled tour to England by the team after players boycotted training to support calls for new contracts and the resignation of the board of selectors.

The ICC warned that should Kenya skip the event, it would lose out on its funding, which would have a far-reaching impact on the running of the sport in the country.

In 2005 the ICC froze its funding to Kenyan cricket following allegations of financial mismanagement by the previous governing board, which only resumed after a new board was elected.

However, following the new warning the two sides agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday which was brokered by officials of the Kenya sports ministry.

Kenya, which won the inaugural World Cricket League division one title in 2007, is scheduled to take on the current champions, Ireland in their opening match in Rotterdam on July 1.