KARACHI, April 28: In a bid to get rid of the ‘Inzamam culture’ in the national team, Pakistan's cricket authorities have stripped the new captain of powers to have a final say or exercise the veto power in the selection of a touring squad or playing eleven, well informed sources said on Saturday.
The sources in the board confirmed that now the selection committee would have the final say in the selection of a touring squad and the playing eleven.
“In the past when Inzamam was captain the selectors could give him their input and views on selection matters but he (Inzamam) had the final say and veto power in these matters,” sources in the PCB disclosed.
Read More (Daily Dawn)
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
The Worst Weekend of My Life
The Worst Weekend of My Life
Younis Khan (Copyright bigstarcricket.com)
This has been the most difficult weekend of my life. First we lost to Ireland, Inzy resigned but most of all Bob Woolmer left us.
Somebody called me from our team and said, ‘Have you heard about Bob?’ They told me that he was found ill in his room. It was shocking for me.
It’s very bad, he loved his cricket, we had many chats about his life, my life and about our families. He always spoke of cricket, it was his life. If you dinner with him, travel with him you always find yourself talking about cricket and our experiences. Those conversations were always very enjoyable. We spent a lot of time together
Read More
Younis Khan (Copyright bigstarcricket.com)
This has been the most difficult weekend of my life. First we lost to Ireland, Inzy resigned but most of all Bob Woolmer left us.
Somebody called me from our team and said, ‘Have you heard about Bob?’ They told me that he was found ill in his room. It was shocking for me.
It’s very bad, he loved his cricket, we had many chats about his life, my life and about our families. He always spoke of cricket, it was his life. If you dinner with him, travel with him you always find yourself talking about cricket and our experiences. Those conversations were always very enjoyable. We spent a lot of time together
Read More
Today's Headlines
Fawad Alam expected to be named in Pakistan ODI squad
‘I am not jealous by Malik’s appointment’ says Afridi
Pakistan probables to play practice matches
PCB’s website campaign for coach irks Miandad, Intikhab
13 Probables undergo Fitness Tests in Pakistan
PCB Plans To Prepare New Central Contracts For Players – Approaches Different Boards For Ideas
Woolmer's body to be flown to South Africa
Woolmer's body to be flown to South Africa
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Provided by: Reuters News
KINGSTON, April 25 (Reuters) - The body of murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is to be flown from Kingston to South Africa on Thursday, Jamaican government officials said on Wednesday.
A casket containing Woolmer's body is being sent to his family home in Cape Town. Police said the flight was due to leave Kingston at around 11 a.m. local time (1600 GMT).
The National Security Ministry said a casket carrying Woolmer's body would leave Roman's Funeral Home in the heart of volatile West Kingston early on Thursday.
Senior investigator Mark Shields, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner, has said he plans to fly to South Africa to meet Woolmer's widow, Gill.
He has, however, denied reports that he would be accompanying the body and said he planned to leave Jamaica around the first week of May.
"It is critical for us that we speak to Gill Woolmer in order for us to be better able to solve the case," Shields told a local radio station recently.
The police will host a news conference half an hour before Woolmer's body is due to leave the island nation.
"The news conference will be addressed by Mark Shields as well as two members of the Pakistan police force," police spokesman Karl Angell said.
"I do not think that anything major will be announced, but we want to keep the media informed as far as the investigations go," Angell said.
Media reports have said Woolmer, a former England player, was poisoned and later strangled but the police have not confirmed that a toxic substance was used in the murder.
Toxicology results have not yet been made public.
A coroner's inquest was due to begin on April 23, but coroner for Kingston Patrick Murphy postponed it indefinitely due to the emergence of what he described as "new information" which could help solve the case.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Provided by: Reuters News
KINGSTON, April 25 (Reuters) - The body of murdered Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is to be flown from Kingston to South Africa on Thursday, Jamaican government officials said on Wednesday.
A casket containing Woolmer's body is being sent to his family home in Cape Town. Police said the flight was due to leave Kingston at around 11 a.m. local time (1600 GMT).
The National Security Ministry said a casket carrying Woolmer's body would leave Roman's Funeral Home in the heart of volatile West Kingston early on Thursday.
Senior investigator Mark Shields, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner, has said he plans to fly to South Africa to meet Woolmer's widow, Gill.
He has, however, denied reports that he would be accompanying the body and said he planned to leave Jamaica around the first week of May.
"It is critical for us that we speak to Gill Woolmer in order for us to be better able to solve the case," Shields told a local radio station recently.
The police will host a news conference half an hour before Woolmer's body is due to leave the island nation.
"The news conference will be addressed by Mark Shields as well as two members of the Pakistan police force," police spokesman Karl Angell said.
"I do not think that anything major will be announced, but we want to keep the media informed as far as the investigations go," Angell said.
Media reports have said Woolmer, a former England player, was poisoned and later strangled but the police have not confirmed that a toxic substance was used in the murder.
Toxicology results have not yet been made public.
A coroner's inquest was due to begin on April 23, but coroner for Kingston Patrick Murphy postponed it indefinitely due to the emergence of what he described as "new information" which could help solve the case.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Jamica Govt Releases Woolmer's body
Jamaican government officials have given permission for Bob Woolmer's body to be released and taken back to his family in South Africa. Mark Shields, the deputy commissioner of police, and the Kingston coroner Patrick Murphy agreed to the move, according to a statement from the ministry of national security.
Woolmer's body has been in Jamaica since his murder on March 18 and while no time frame was set for its journey home, Reuters reported it could occur by the end of the week. "Mr Shields says he has spoken to Mr Woolmer's widow, Gill, and appraised her of the latest developments," the statement said. "Shields says he has also been in contact and is working with the funeral home holding Mr Woolmer's body with a view to repatriating it to South Africa as soon as possible."
There is still no confirmation as to whether an inquest into Woolmer's death will be held in Jamaica. The original hearing, which was due to start on Monday, was postponed last week due to a "significant development". Despite detailed CCTV coverage, extensive DNA testing and the return of toxicology reports the police have not named any suspects in the case.
Woolmer's body has been in Jamaica since his murder on March 18 and while no time frame was set for its journey home, Reuters reported it could occur by the end of the week. "Mr Shields says he has spoken to Mr Woolmer's widow, Gill, and appraised her of the latest developments," the statement said. "Shields says he has also been in contact and is working with the funeral home holding Mr Woolmer's body with a view to repatriating it to South Africa as soon as possible."
There is still no confirmation as to whether an inquest into Woolmer's death will be held in Jamaica. The original hearing, which was due to start on Monday, was postponed last week due to a "significant development". Despite detailed CCTV coverage, extensive DNA testing and the return of toxicology reports the police have not named any suspects in the case.
Shoaib Akhtar to miss preparatory camp
Fitness problems has ruled Shoaib Akhtar out of the preparatory camp in Lahore as Pakistan prepare for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi next month.
Younis pulls out of Abu Dhabi one-day tour
Younis Khan has confirmed his unavailability for Pakistan's forthcoming series in Abu Dhabi against Sri Lanka.
Younis was not named in the list of probables announced by Pakistan selectors yesterday for the series, though officials had refused to rule out his participation. But Salahuddin Ahmed, Pakistan's new chief selector, confirmed that Younis had pronounced himself unavailable. "He has informed me today that he is not available for this particular ODI series," Ahmed told Cricinfo. "He has county commitments with Yorkshire and has told the board officially as well that he would not like to be considered for this series."
Younis was not named in the list of probables announced by Pakistan selectors yesterday for the series, though officials had refused to rule out his participation. But Salahuddin Ahmed, Pakistan's new chief selector, confirmed that Younis had pronounced himself unavailable. "He has informed me today that he is not available for this particular ODI series," Ahmed told Cricinfo. "He has county commitments with Yorkshire and has told the board officially as well that he would not like to be considered for this series."
Rameez backs Malik's appointment
Former captain Rameez Raja backed the appointment of young Shoaib Malik as Pakistan's captain but stressed that he needs a strong system and support from all corners to succeed.
'We wil place emphasis on young blood' - Jaffar
Pakistan cricket begins another recovery now that a new three-man selection committee has been announced and their first task completed - 39 players for a training camp, to be pruned to 15 for the ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. Cricinfo chats to former Test fast bowler and member of the new selection committee Saleem Jaffar about a new selection policy and new blood.
What future holds for Izamam-ul-Haq
There have been rumors circulating in the Pakistani cricket circles that Inzamam might not be selected for the home test series against South Africa due to be played later this year. This has come as no surprise since a lot of ex-cricketers and fans expressed surprise after Inzamam did not elect to retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of Pakistani World Cup campaign. Considering the physical challenges he has faced in recent years a few of them actually went as far as to suggest that he only wanted to continue playing test cricket because he wanted to break Javed Miandad’s record of Pakistan’s highest test scorer. Currently Inzamam is just 19 runs behind Miandad’s record of 8,832 runs.
PCB’s inner sources have recently confirmed to the media that PCB is ready to put a stop to this and the new selection committee is not warm to the idea of keeping Inzamam playing test cricket for the sake of a record while meanwhile denying a young cricketer the chance of cementing his place in the side.
It is interesting to note that Inzamam is already 37 years old and by the time this series comes around he’ll be closer to 38 years which is a relatively old age for a test cricketer in today’s age and time. While it is important to acknowledge Inzamam’s services to Pakistani cricket, if this allegation is true, I regard his decision to keep on playing as utterly selfish and gravely destabilizing for the team. On one hand it will deny a young cricketer a chance to represent Pakistan while on the other it will also harm the team not only because of his continued presence in the dressing room while the new captain is trying to rally the team around himself but also because his declining fitness could leave a much bigger hole in the Pakistani team for the all important tour of India and later on, the home series against Australia.
After what happened to Pakistani cricket in last six months including Pakistan’s diabolical performance in the World Cup, Bob Woolmer’s murder and suggestions by many ex-cricketers including PCB’s ex-chairman Shahryar Khan that Inzamam had full hold on the team and even Bob Woolmer could not make certain changes without his prior approval, it would have been advisable for Inzamam to retire without facing any further humiliation. Sadly it has become a habit of Pakistani cricket stars, with the exception of a few, to end up in a position of being disgracefully kicked out of the squad. In my humble opinion Inzamam destiny is in his own hands. He can spend next few weeks to ponder upon his future and decide to leave with some integrity still intact or face the humiliation of being axed out by PCB.
The News : Inzamam unlikely to retain Test spot
PCB’s inner sources have recently confirmed to the media that PCB is ready to put a stop to this and the new selection committee is not warm to the idea of keeping Inzamam playing test cricket for the sake of a record while meanwhile denying a young cricketer the chance of cementing his place in the side.
It is interesting to note that Inzamam is already 37 years old and by the time this series comes around he’ll be closer to 38 years which is a relatively old age for a test cricketer in today’s age and time. While it is important to acknowledge Inzamam’s services to Pakistani cricket, if this allegation is true, I regard his decision to keep on playing as utterly selfish and gravely destabilizing for the team. On one hand it will deny a young cricketer a chance to represent Pakistan while on the other it will also harm the team not only because of his continued presence in the dressing room while the new captain is trying to rally the team around himself but also because his declining fitness could leave a much bigger hole in the Pakistani team for the all important tour of India and later on, the home series against Australia.
After what happened to Pakistani cricket in last six months including Pakistan’s diabolical performance in the World Cup, Bob Woolmer’s murder and suggestions by many ex-cricketers including PCB’s ex-chairman Shahryar Khan that Inzamam had full hold on the team and even Bob Woolmer could not make certain changes without his prior approval, it would have been advisable for Inzamam to retire without facing any further humiliation. Sadly it has become a habit of Pakistani cricket stars, with the exception of a few, to end up in a position of being disgracefully kicked out of the squad. In my humble opinion Inzamam destiny is in his own hands. He can spend next few weeks to ponder upon his future and decide to leave with some integrity still intact or face the humiliation of being axed out by PCB.
The News : Inzamam unlikely to retain Test spot
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Shoaib Malik : New Pakistan Captain
As has been so widely expected after days of deliberations and speculations, Shoaib Malik has finally been named as new Pakistan Captain in place of outgoing Inzamam-ul-Haq. According to the announcement by the PCB, he will lead both the Test and ODI sides until at least the end of 2007. Dr. Nasim Ashraf, chairman of PCB, confirmed the appointment at a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on April 19, 2007.
In an interview to media after his appointment, Malik told of his elation to be appointed captain of Pakistan but stressed that he will only be happy when he brings the players together and get them winning again.
Ashraf stressed that Malik was the best man for the job and a unanimous choice. "He is the future of cricket. He has intelligence and he has a good cricketing mind. Malik is the personality to get the best from players both senior and junior."
This has come after the heir apparent Younis Khan refused to take over the captaincy from Inzamam citing the added pressure and stress it brings along with it.
In an interview to media after his appointment, Malik told of his elation to be appointed captain of Pakistan but stressed that he will only be happy when he brings the players together and get them winning again.
Ashraf stressed that Malik was the best man for the job and a unanimous choice. "He is the future of cricket. He has intelligence and he has a good cricketing mind. Malik is the personality to get the best from players both senior and junior."
This has come after the heir apparent Younis Khan refused to take over the captaincy from Inzamam citing the added pressure and stress it brings along with it.
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