Karachi, Dec. 17 : Pakistan cricket vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq believes India has risen in Test stature primarily on the back of their prolific batters, and especially because of Sachin Tendulkar.

Haq was quick to add that Pakistan have the firepower in their bowling arsenal to tame the Indian batsmen if and when they tour Pakistan.

"All of the (Pakistan) team players are hoping that the series (against India) does take place," the Daily News quoted Misbah as saying at the National Stadium here after a match of the Pentangular Cup One-day Championship on Tuesday.

Karachi, Dec. 17 : Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has vowed to make himself fit enough to be considered for the squad for the 2011 World Cup, despite persistent injury problems.

"I believe I still got three to four years international cricket left in me. I have fully gained my fitness and looking forward to serve the country," the Daily Times quoted him as telling reporters at the Karachi National Stadium.

Dubai, Dec. 17 : ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has identified slow over-rates and verbal abuse as two key areas that must be kept in check for cricket to maintain its feel-good factor over the coming months.

Lorgat confirmed he had written to all Emirates ICC match referees and umpires asking them to be "assertive and proactive" in dealing with the issues.

And, he added that players, and especially captains, also bore a major responsibility to ensure the game was played in the right spirit and at the right pace.

Chandigarh, Dec 16 : Security has been beefed up in Chandigarh ahead of second test match to be played between India and England in Mohali.

The Taj Hotel where both teams will be staying has been virtually turned into a fortress with hundreds of policeman guarding the Hotel premises.

"We have posted 300 security personnel in the Taj hotel and almost one thousand policemen are posted on the route of the team from the stadium to the hotel. All measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place," said H S Doon, Superintendent of Police (Security) Chandigarh.

London, Dec. 16 : England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke believes there will be changes to the structure of Test match cricket that will preserve its status as the `summit of the game'.

Lahore, Dec. 16 : Pakistan cricket's chief selector Abdul Qadir said on Monday that penalties could be imposed on international players who skip domestic tournaments without genuine reason.

Most of Pakistan's leading players have participated in this season's four-day and one-day Pentangular tournaments and Qadir felt it gave them the opportunity to stay fit and in form.

"We will look to have penalties for such players," the daily Times quoted Qadir as saying while attending a Pentangular Cup one-day match in Karachi.

Qadir said the domestic tournaments would help Pakistan improve their bench strength even though there was little international cricket on offer.