US drone strikes hit 'high-value' Al-Qaeda targets: report

WASHINGTON: US missiles from unmanned drones have eliminated about half of 20 "high-value" Al-Qaeda and other extremist targets along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, a US newspaper reported Monday.

Citing unnamed US military and intelligence officials, the newspaper said the strikes and Pakistan's ongoing military offensive in the Swat Valley have unsettled Al-Qaeda and its relative invulnerability in Pakistani mountain sanctuaries.

The report did not identify who or what the "high-value" targets were. Although Al-Qaeda remains "a serious, potent threat," the paper quotes a US counterterrorism official as saying, "they've suffered some serious losses and seem to be feeling a heightened sense of anxiety -- and that's not a bad thing at all."

A senior military official said that in the current situation, Al-Qaeda will have to undertake more open communication on cell phones and computers, even if only to gather information on the situation in the region. "Then they become more visible," the official is quoted as saying.

Younus glad Pakistan back on world stage

LONDON: Pakistan captain Younus Khan said the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in England had a special significance for his side after their country had become a virtual 'no-go zone' for international cricket.

"It is special to be back on the world stage, especially in Twenty20 and in England, the media are here so lots of hopes are here," the talented batsman told reporters at Lord's here on Sunday.

"We are suffering from not playing regularly, and no-one is coming to Pakistan," he added.

Pakistan endured a defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India in the 2007 World Twenty20 final in South Africa and Younus would love nothing more than for his team to go one better this time.

"My confidence is that I'll take this trophy to Pakistan," he said. But such has been Pakistan's relative lack of international cricket that he added: "It will be an achievement for us to finish in the top four."

Reflecting on the 2007 final, Younus said: "The finishing touches were not there. We needed only five runs. But it was fantastic to be a part of that team in the final.

Twenty20 tends to put a premium on big-hitting batsmen at the start of the innings but Younus, whose team face England and the Netherlands in Group B, said it was not necessary to start going for big shots right from the off.

"In English conditions the new ball does seam, so you need someone like Salman Butt who can play for 20 overs. But in the middle order, we have big hitters like Shahid Afridi and Misbah-Ul-Haq."

English officials have already announced that plans are well advanced for Pakistan to play two Tests against Australia in England next year as well as a series with Andrew Strauss's men.

All set for Pak, England warm up match

NOTTINGHAM: Pakistan will take on South Africa in a warm up match in connection with the preparation of Twenty20 World Cup whereas defending champion India will face New Zealand and Australia meet Bangladesh.

The match between Pakistan and South Africa will be started at 10:30 pm.