Showing posts with label Headlines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Headlines. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Mohammad Yousuf wins Test Player of the Year Award
In Johannesburg, South Africa, in an awards ceremony dominated by Australia, Mohammad Yousuf made Pakistan proud by winning the prestigeous Test Player of the Year award on the back of a tremendous year with the bat. He was also named in the ICC Test team of the Year alongside players like Matthew Hayden, Michael Vaughan, Ricky Ponting (capt), Kevin Pietersen and Michael Hussey. Mohammad Asif was the only other Pakistani player to be named in the Test team of the year.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Akhtar accuses Afridi of instigating spat
Shoaib Akhtar blamed Shahid Afridi for the spat which led him to hit Mohammad Asif with a bat in the build-up to the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
Akhtar told a news conference on Saturday that he would lodge an official complaint against Afridi with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The 32-year-old said he lost his temper during a nets session on Thursday after Afridi made an offensive remark about his family.
"Afridi was responsible for the fight. He made some ill remarks about my family. And I could not tolerate them," said Akhtar, who had struck Asif on the thigh with a bat during a heated argument.
"I never hit Asif intentionally. It just happened accidentally. In my 10 years with the team I have never fought like this with anyone. But Afridi's remarks provoked me." Asif was just trying to stop us from fighting, he said. He said he was devastated at having to return home.
"This incident has shattered me. I have been painted as a villain by the media. I just wanted to clear the facts of the incident today," he added.
Afridi told Geo TV from Johannesburg that he was shocked at the accusations made against him by Akhtar.
"He has always been like an elder brother to me. I don't know why he is lying but I know if I had not stepped in Asif could have suffered more injuries," he said.
Asif suffered a bruised thigh following the incident.
The Pakistan board has placed an indefinite ban on Akhtar and a disciplinary hearing is to be held after the team returns from South Africa.
Akhtar told a news conference on Saturday that he would lodge an official complaint against Afridi with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The 32-year-old said he lost his temper during a nets session on Thursday after Afridi made an offensive remark about his family.
"Afridi was responsible for the fight. He made some ill remarks about my family. And I could not tolerate them," said Akhtar, who had struck Asif on the thigh with a bat during a heated argument.
"I never hit Asif intentionally. It just happened accidentally. In my 10 years with the team I have never fought like this with anyone. But Afridi's remarks provoked me." Asif was just trying to stop us from fighting, he said. He said he was devastated at having to return home.
"This incident has shattered me. I have been painted as a villain by the media. I just wanted to clear the facts of the incident today," he added.
Afridi told Geo TV from Johannesburg that he was shocked at the accusations made against him by Akhtar.
"He has always been like an elder brother to me. I don't know why he is lying but I know if I had not stepped in Asif could have suffered more injuries," he said.
Asif suffered a bruised thigh following the incident.
The Pakistan board has placed an indefinite ban on Akhtar and a disciplinary hearing is to be held after the team returns from South Africa.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Akhtar Sent home from Twenty20 World Cup after hitting and injuring Mohammad Asif
On th eve of first Twenty20 World Cup in a bizarre but not entirely surprising episode Shoaib Akhtar has been reported to have injured fellow fast bowler and teammate Mohammad Asif after a heated argument broke out between the two of them during the net session in Johanessberg. Shoaib has immediately been sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa by the first available flight.
The incident, occurred in the nets on Thursday when a heated argument led to the 32-year-old Akhtar striking his fellow fast bowler on the thigh with a bat.
"A decision has been taken to call back Shoaib on the basis of an initial inquiry by the touring team management," PCB chief executive Shafqat Naghmi told reporters. "Shoaib has admitted hitting Asif," he said. "Thankfully Asif didn't suffer any major injury apart from a bruise on his left thigh and he will be okay." He said a full inquiry would be held when Akhtar returned to Pakistan.
Akhtar told the Indian television channel NDTV: "I am feeling very bad. Sometimes you do things in a fit of temper".
No decision has yet been taken on a replacement for Akhtar, which is allowed under tournament rules, but a PCB source said paceman Mohammad Sami was being lined up.
PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf was shocked by the incident.
"It is a shameful episode," he said. "For the time being we have supported the team management's decision to send him back but once the team returns home there will be a more detailed disciplinary hearing." He did not rule out the possibility of Akhtar facing more disciplinary action including a possible long-term ban. He also said the board would not allow any player to violate team spirit.
"We are giving a lot of importance to discipline and any player who violates the norms has to face the consequences," he added.
National Academy coach Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan fast bowler, said the PCB should ban Akhtar for life.
"There must be a life ban imposed on him because this is an incident that has embarrassed all of us and is a black mark for our cricket community," he said.
Former test captain Aamir Sohail said the board had taken the right decision.
"Senior players have a responsibility in the team and what Shoaib did was sad," he said. "The incident needs to be investigated thoroughly."
Akhtar has a history of run-ins with players and officials and has been reprimanded on several occasions.
The incident, occurred in the nets on Thursday when a heated argument led to the 32-year-old Akhtar striking his fellow fast bowler on the thigh with a bat.
"A decision has been taken to call back Shoaib on the basis of an initial inquiry by the touring team management," PCB chief executive Shafqat Naghmi told reporters. "Shoaib has admitted hitting Asif," he said. "Thankfully Asif didn't suffer any major injury apart from a bruise on his left thigh and he will be okay." He said a full inquiry would be held when Akhtar returned to Pakistan.
Akhtar told the Indian television channel NDTV: "I am feeling very bad. Sometimes you do things in a fit of temper".
No decision has yet been taken on a replacement for Akhtar, which is allowed under tournament rules, but a PCB source said paceman Mohammad Sami was being lined up.
PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf was shocked by the incident.
"It is a shameful episode," he said. "For the time being we have supported the team management's decision to send him back but once the team returns home there will be a more detailed disciplinary hearing." He did not rule out the possibility of Akhtar facing more disciplinary action including a possible long-term ban. He also said the board would not allow any player to violate team spirit.
"We are giving a lot of importance to discipline and any player who violates the norms has to face the consequences," he added.
National Academy coach Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan fast bowler, said the PCB should ban Akhtar for life.
"There must be a life ban imposed on him because this is an incident that has embarrassed all of us and is a black mark for our cricket community," he said.
Former test captain Aamir Sohail said the board had taken the right decision.
"Senior players have a responsibility in the team and what Shoaib did was sad," he said. "The incident needs to be investigated thoroughly."
Akhtar has a history of run-ins with players and officials and has been reprimanded on several occasions.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Yousuf Shortlisted for Cricketer of the year & Test player of the year award
ICC short listed the nominees for various awards to be handed out on Sep 10 in Johannesburg before the start of 20/20 world cup. Yousuf has been able to make it to the shortlists of Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards. He is the only Pakistani left in the final race after Mohammad Asif was cut from the long list of Cricketer of the Year.
For ICC's major prize of Cricketer of the Year, Yousuf competes with Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Mohammad Yousuf is competing with Kevin Pieterson and Muttiah Muralitharan for the Test player award. It will be important to see how ICC decides on this since on paper it looks like Yousuf is the sure winner with a record of 944 runs in 10 innings at 94.4, however Pieterson with 1255 runs at 54.4 and Murli with 43 wickets at 11.6 a piece are strong contenders.
Although Yousuf had a stellar year with the bat but considering ICC's bias against Pakistan and Yousuf's being out of favor with PCB it seems highly unlikely that he will be able to win any of these awards. If that happens it will be another great injustice to one of the most prolific batsmen of recent years who has a history of being tagged as under achiever despite his heroics. Yousuf's biggest problem has been that for most of his career he had to live under the shadow of other great names such as Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Everytime he performed he was immediately compared to these two greats and he always came up short. Another of his undoing has been that he has never been a flashy player like a Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar. He had always been the quite accumulator who seemed to always have fun with his batting whenever he was out in the middle, always focused on his task never caring about what the spectators wanted him to do. For an odd reason his speed between the wickets has also been overshadowed by a few run outs, so much so that he was once labeled as second most likely batsman to be run out behind Inzamam. When put as a question, to this he once smilingly replied that he is likely to get run out because of his speed and enthusiasm to sneak runs where they weren't possible, unlike Inzamam. Anyway, it will be important to see if the cricket world continue to do injustice to this great batsman, failing to acknowledge his contribution to the game of cricket.
For ICC's major prize of Cricketer of the Year, Yousuf competes with Kevin Pietersen, Ricky Ponting and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Mohammad Yousuf is competing with Kevin Pieterson and Muttiah Muralitharan for the Test player award. It will be important to see how ICC decides on this since on paper it looks like Yousuf is the sure winner with a record of 944 runs in 10 innings at 94.4, however Pieterson with 1255 runs at 54.4 and Murli with 43 wickets at 11.6 a piece are strong contenders.
Although Yousuf had a stellar year with the bat but considering ICC's bias against Pakistan and Yousuf's being out of favor with PCB it seems highly unlikely that he will be able to win any of these awards. If that happens it will be another great injustice to one of the most prolific batsmen of recent years who has a history of being tagged as under achiever despite his heroics. Yousuf's biggest problem has been that for most of his career he had to live under the shadow of other great names such as Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Everytime he performed he was immediately compared to these two greats and he always came up short. Another of his undoing has been that he has never been a flashy player like a Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar. He had always been the quite accumulator who seemed to always have fun with his batting whenever he was out in the middle, always focused on his task never caring about what the spectators wanted him to do. For an odd reason his speed between the wickets has also been overshadowed by a few run outs, so much so that he was once labeled as second most likely batsman to be run out behind Inzamam. When put as a question, to this he once smilingly replied that he is likely to get run out because of his speed and enthusiasm to sneak runs where they weren't possible, unlike Inzamam. Anyway, it will be important to see if the cricket world continue to do injustice to this great batsman, failing to acknowledge his contribution to the game of cricket.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Inzamam Yousuf and Razzaq join Indian rebel league
Reuters have just reported that Inzamam Yousuf and Razzaq have all been among the 50 players unvailed today who have signed up for ICL. Other prominent names from around the world are players like Brian Lara, Imran Farhat, Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener.
The Indian Cricket League (ICL), promoted by the Essel group which owns the country's largest listed media firm Zee Telefilms, also named several former India players, including Dinesh Mongia, and domestic cricketers.
Former India skipper Kapil Dev and Himanshu Mody, ICL's business head, said about 50 players had signed up so far.
"Our focus is to entertain the people of our country who sometimes only see test (international) cricket, they don't see any other cricket," Kapil Dev said.
"I think these boys, they have the ability and have the talent."
The Indian Cricket League (ICL), promoted by the Essel group which owns the country's largest listed media firm Zee Telefilms, also named several former India players, including Dinesh Mongia, and domestic cricketers.
Former India skipper Kapil Dev and Himanshu Mody, ICL's business head, said about 50 players had signed up so far.
"Our focus is to entertain the people of our country who sometimes only see test (international) cricket, they don't see any other cricket," Kapil Dev said.
"I think these boys, they have the ability and have the talent."
Abdul Razzaq quits international cricket
Abdul Razzaq, the Pakistan allrounder, has announced his retirement from international cricket in protest against his omission from the Twenty20 World Championship squad.
Razzaq told Geo TV he was "mentally upset" by the selectors' decision not to pick him and suggested the decision was based on factors outside cricket. "They used form and fitness as an excuse," he said. "I believe the selectors want to drop me from Test and ODI cricket as well and so, as a protest, I am quitting international cricket."
Read More on cricinfo
Razzaq told Geo TV he was "mentally upset" by the selectors' decision not to pick him and suggested the decision was based on factors outside cricket. "They used form and fitness as an excuse," he said. "I believe the selectors want to drop me from Test and ODI cricket as well and so, as a protest, I am quitting international cricket."
Read More on cricinfo
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Pakistan buzzes with familiar talk of player unrest
Five months on from the lowest point in their cricket history and into another fresh era, disruption and uncertainty have seemingly crept back into Pakistan cricket.
Following persistent reports linking several top players with the Indian Cricket League (ICL), news has also emerged of an impending showdown between a group of senior Pakistan players and a board official, a confrontation that some say may lead to the group boycotting the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.
Read More @ cricinfo
Following persistent reports linking several top players with the Indian Cricket League (ICL), news has also emerged of an impending showdown between a group of senior Pakistan players and a board official, a confrontation that some say may lead to the group boycotting the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.
Read More @ cricinfo
Inzamam to play for Yorkshire, Farhat refuses contract
According to Reuters, Inzamam-ul-Haq is to make his English county championship debut for Yorkshire later this month, called up as a replacement for compatriot Younis Khan, who will be on international duty.
"I was offered a short term contract by Yorkshire and I have accepted it because I have never experienced playing for a county," the batsman told Reuters on Thursday.
Inzamam said he would be flying out to England next week to replace Younis, who is returning home to join up with the Twenty20 World Cup squad.
"I see my stint with Yorkshire as a good opportunity to get ready for a hectic international season for Pakistan," Inzamam added.
The 37-year-old stepped down as captain and retired from one-day internationals in March after his team was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup in the West Indies.
However, the player said he was keen to continue playing test cricket for his country and was also considering an offer from the lucrative Indian Cricket League (ICL).
He is expected to feature in three four-day matches and as many one-day matches while in England.
Inzamam has played 119 Tests and 378 one-day internationals.
The ICL, a private Twenty20 tournament starting in October, has been trying to recruit a number of leading players in South Asia and Pakistan opener Imran Farhat is the latest international linked with the competition.
On Thursday, Farhat asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to terminate his central contract and confirmed he was seriously considering an offer from ICL organisers.
The 25-year-old, who has played in 27 tests and 33 one-dayers, said he had taken the decision because he felt insecure about his cricket future.
"Look at what has been happening to me in the last five or six years. Merit has taken a back seat. I am a professional cricketer and I have to think about my future," he told Reuters.
The left-handed batsman was not selected for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, despite performing well at the training camp and in practice matches with the Pakistan team earlier this month.
He becomes the first Pakistani player to turn down one of the 20 central contracts awarded to senior players last month, although Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Younis are yet to sign them.
Farhat said there was no security in the central contracts.
"It is a one-way document and the board controls everything. What is the use of this central contract if I don't have a chance to play for my country on merit itself?"
"I was offered a short term contract by Yorkshire and I have accepted it because I have never experienced playing for a county," the batsman told Reuters on Thursday.
Inzamam said he would be flying out to England next week to replace Younis, who is returning home to join up with the Twenty20 World Cup squad.
"I see my stint with Yorkshire as a good opportunity to get ready for a hectic international season for Pakistan," Inzamam added.
The 37-year-old stepped down as captain and retired from one-day internationals in March after his team was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup in the West Indies.
However, the player said he was keen to continue playing test cricket for his country and was also considering an offer from the lucrative Indian Cricket League (ICL).
He is expected to feature in three four-day matches and as many one-day matches while in England.
Inzamam has played 119 Tests and 378 one-day internationals.
The ICL, a private Twenty20 tournament starting in October, has been trying to recruit a number of leading players in South Asia and Pakistan opener Imran Farhat is the latest international linked with the competition.
On Thursday, Farhat asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to terminate his central contract and confirmed he was seriously considering an offer from ICL organisers.
The 25-year-old, who has played in 27 tests and 33 one-dayers, said he had taken the decision because he felt insecure about his cricket future.
"Look at what has been happening to me in the last five or six years. Merit has taken a back seat. I am a professional cricketer and I have to think about my future," he told Reuters.
The left-handed batsman was not selected for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, despite performing well at the training camp and in practice matches with the Pakistan team earlier this month.
He becomes the first Pakistani player to turn down one of the 20 central contracts awarded to senior players last month, although Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Younis are yet to sign them.
Farhat said there was no security in the central contracts.
"It is a one-way document and the board controls everything. What is the use of this central contract if I don't have a chance to play for my country on merit itself?"
Monday, August 13, 2007
Shoaib may face more punishment
Cricinfo staff
Shoaib Akhtar may face more action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his alleged outburst at the board's headquarters in Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, following the imposition of a fine of approximately US$5000.
On Friday, Shoaib reportedly clashed with several board officials over the fine, and specifically because he felt he wasn't provided a chance to clear his position. The board announced his punishment on Wednesday, after Shoaib did not turn up on Tuesday to clarify why he was absent from the national training camp in Karachi on August 4.
Shoaib has reportedly insisted that he received the letter for the original disciplinary hearing on Friday, and not Tuesday as the board claims. Shafqat Naghmi, the board's chief operating officer, however, contradicted this, telling Dawn that he had been in touch with Shoaib earlier.
"Shoaib rang me up and admitted that it was wrong of him not to attend the camp in Karachi and the PCB had rightly imposed a fine on him," said Naghmi. "He expressed annoyance over the manner in which one of the PCB officials had inquired of his whereabouts from his family."
Naghmi said he will be looking into the matter now personally. "I will be in Lahore on Monday and will inquire from the PCB staff about the actual incident which happened on Friday," he said. "After that, we will then decide on a course of action."
Shoaib Akhtar may face more action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for his alleged outburst at the board's headquarters in Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, following the imposition of a fine of approximately US$5000.
On Friday, Shoaib reportedly clashed with several board officials over the fine, and specifically because he felt he wasn't provided a chance to clear his position. The board announced his punishment on Wednesday, after Shoaib did not turn up on Tuesday to clarify why he was absent from the national training camp in Karachi on August 4.
Shoaib has reportedly insisted that he received the letter for the original disciplinary hearing on Friday, and not Tuesday as the board claims. Shafqat Naghmi, the board's chief operating officer, however, contradicted this, telling Dawn that he had been in touch with Shoaib earlier.
"Shoaib rang me up and admitted that it was wrong of him not to attend the camp in Karachi and the PCB had rightly imposed a fine on him," said Naghmi. "He expressed annoyance over the manner in which one of the PCB officials had inquired of his whereabouts from his family."
Naghmi said he will be looking into the matter now personally. "I will be in Lahore on Monday and will inquire from the PCB staff about the actual incident which happened on Friday," he said. "After that, we will then decide on a course of action."
Razzaq faces sanction for criticising PCB
Cricinfo staff
The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken note of scathing comments made by Abdul Razzaq on a TV show recently, though it stopped short of saying whether any disciplinary action would be taken against him.
Razzaq told Geo TV, soon after he was dropped from Pakistan's Twenty20 squad for the World Championship, his omission was "illogical" and threatened to make himself unavailable for Pakistan.
"If this is the way I am going to be treated after serving the country honestly and diligently," Razzaq said, "I should be the one now to decide when to make myself available for national selection."
Razzaq, who has taken 246 wickets and scored 4465 runs in ODIs, said he felt most hurt because no one from the board or selection committee called him to explain the decision.
"I don't know what the logic was. I am a senior player and deserve a phone call. When I was injured no one in the board bothered to call me up and find out how I was doing."
Razzaq was one of seven Pakistani players to be approached by the Indian Cricket League (ICL). "I need to know what they have in mind but I am considering the ICL offer."
Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB's chief operating officer, told Cricinfo that some comments did constitute a breach of the code of conduct. "Criticising board policy is definitely a breach and we have taken note of the interview but have not yet decided whether to take any action.
"He has the freedom to say what he feels and certainly we understand he must have been disappointed. We are aware of it but are currently undecided over any future action to take."
Naghmi confirmed that Razzaq has now received his central contract though he hasn't indicated whether he will sign it. Until Friday, Razzaq was the only player among the 20 handed central contracts who had not been in touch with the board at all, heightening speculation that he may opt instead for the ICL.
A board official told Cricinfo, "We have got in touch with him now and he has confirmed receiving the contract. He has intimated, once his lawyer goes through it, that he will sign it." According to the official the delay was the result of a recent change in address.
The original deadline for signing the contract was August 10 but was extended by five days to accommodate other players yet to sign, including Mohammad Yousuf, Danish Kaneria and Younis Khan.
Kaneria and Younis are in England and sought extra time because of a delay in receiving their contracts. Both, however, are said to have accepted the terms and agreements in principle. Yousuf said he'd been out of Lahore and saw the contract on August 9, so needed a few days before signing it.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken note of scathing comments made by Abdul Razzaq on a TV show recently, though it stopped short of saying whether any disciplinary action would be taken against him.
Razzaq told Geo TV, soon after he was dropped from Pakistan's Twenty20 squad for the World Championship, his omission was "illogical" and threatened to make himself unavailable for Pakistan.
"If this is the way I am going to be treated after serving the country honestly and diligently," Razzaq said, "I should be the one now to decide when to make myself available for national selection."
Razzaq, who has taken 246 wickets and scored 4465 runs in ODIs, said he felt most hurt because no one from the board or selection committee called him to explain the decision.
"I don't know what the logic was. I am a senior player and deserve a phone call. When I was injured no one in the board bothered to call me up and find out how I was doing."
Razzaq was one of seven Pakistani players to be approached by the Indian Cricket League (ICL). "I need to know what they have in mind but I am considering the ICL offer."
Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB's chief operating officer, told Cricinfo that some comments did constitute a breach of the code of conduct. "Criticising board policy is definitely a breach and we have taken note of the interview but have not yet decided whether to take any action.
"He has the freedom to say what he feels and certainly we understand he must have been disappointed. We are aware of it but are currently undecided over any future action to take."
Naghmi confirmed that Razzaq has now received his central contract though he hasn't indicated whether he will sign it. Until Friday, Razzaq was the only player among the 20 handed central contracts who had not been in touch with the board at all, heightening speculation that he may opt instead for the ICL.
A board official told Cricinfo, "We have got in touch with him now and he has confirmed receiving the contract. He has intimated, once his lawyer goes through it, that he will sign it." According to the official the delay was the result of a recent change in address.
The original deadline for signing the contract was August 10 but was extended by five days to accommodate other players yet to sign, including Mohammad Yousuf, Danish Kaneria and Younis Khan.
Kaneria and Younis are in England and sought extra time because of a delay in receiving their contracts. Both, however, are said to have accepted the terms and agreements in principle. Yousuf said he'd been out of Lahore and saw the contract on August 9, so needed a few days before signing it.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Yousuf set to sign central contract
Mohammad Yousuf is expected to sign his central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board over the next few days, though uncertainty remains over the future of Abdul Razzaq, another player yet to sign the contract.
The two were surprisingly omitted from Pakistan's Twenty20 World Championship squad and coupled with the delays in signing their contracts have stirred speculation about the future of both players.
Read More @ Cricinfo
The two were surprisingly omitted from Pakistan's Twenty20 World Championship squad and coupled with the delays in signing their contracts have stirred speculation about the future of both players.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Yousuf & Razzaq ommitted from 20-20 squad
So finally the cat's out of the bag, after weeks of speculations, the selection committee confirmed today that Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq couldn’t make the final cut for the sixteen member team that will represent the country in the first 20-20 World Cup. What a turn around in fortunes for Yousuf who just last year broke the world record for the highest number of runs scored by any batsman in one year, in test matches. This is a batsman who has been touted by all time greats as one of the most prolific batsmen that came out of Pakistan. Some even rated him higher than Miandad but he himself played it down because of his humble nature. It is extraordinary to see names like Misbah-ul-Haq in the squad, who hasn't played for the country for last few years and who just a few months ago couldn't even make it to the squad ahead of Faisal Iqbal for the World Cup.
What a pity that selectors have come down to this level that in order to get Yousuf out of the team they had to question his fielding which has never let the team down. Yousuf over the years have been a sharp out fielder and an excellent catcher but above and beyond that he is an exceptional batsman who can pace his innings in such a way that he can achieve any run rate. He gathers his runs through orthodox, composed stroke play. He is particularly strong driving through the covers and flicking wristily off his legs and brings with him as decadent and delicious a backlift as any in the game. He is one of those batsmen who can score runs when he wants to score and where he wants to score them. Particularly known for his inside out shots over the covers, in the shorter version of the game, he accumulates 20-30 runs within no time before anyone notices. And that might be his downfall as well, since the selection committee also failed to notice this trait of his. Its mind boggling to see someone of Yousuf's caliber being questioned for his ability to score quick runs after he has scored close to 15000 international runs at averages better than anybody else in the team, in both versions of the game.
What we fail to understand is that how the 20-20 format is so different from the one day format that Yousuf is considered to be one of the best batsmen for one format and a liability for another. While there have been a lot of questions asked by various quarters over the years about Younis Khan's inclusion in the one day side no has even remotely questioned Yousuf's position. Why then Younis Khan appears prominently in the 20-20 squad and Yousuf is not there? This baffling questions would definitely be asked time and again by Pakistani cricket lovers over the next few weeks until the end of 20-20 World Cup.
Razzaq has also been short changed by the selection committee which has totally forgotten his abilities to launch attacks at the death where he has won many a matches for the country by his power hitting. While he might be slightly out of touch at the time but no question he is a quality player who could change the face of a game within a few balls. This is exactly the kind of quality that is required in an all-rounder for a 20-20 format match. While he might look lazy to many when bowling but he has always been bowling at close to mid eighties m/hr and has the canny ability to swing the ball both ways. In 231 one day matches, his bowling avg. of 31 and economy rate of 4.69 is a testament to his abilities as a bowler. Apparently selection committee also failed to take a notice of that.
Its quite obvious that the selection committee didn't take Shoaib Malik's input while deciding about the team. While there were many acquisitions leveled against Inzamam by different quarters while he was a captain, at least he had it in him to ask for the players that he thought could make the difference. Shoaib Malik, although young and still learning will have to acquire this trait as soon as possible if he wants to be a successful captain. He will have to know who is needed in the team and will have to learn to stand up for those team members as well, because when the time comes, that’s what counts the most.
What a pity that selectors have come down to this level that in order to get Yousuf out of the team they had to question his fielding which has never let the team down. Yousuf over the years have been a sharp out fielder and an excellent catcher but above and beyond that he is an exceptional batsman who can pace his innings in such a way that he can achieve any run rate. He gathers his runs through orthodox, composed stroke play. He is particularly strong driving through the covers and flicking wristily off his legs and brings with him as decadent and delicious a backlift as any in the game. He is one of those batsmen who can score runs when he wants to score and where he wants to score them. Particularly known for his inside out shots over the covers, in the shorter version of the game, he accumulates 20-30 runs within no time before anyone notices. And that might be his downfall as well, since the selection committee also failed to notice this trait of his. Its mind boggling to see someone of Yousuf's caliber being questioned for his ability to score quick runs after he has scored close to 15000 international runs at averages better than anybody else in the team, in both versions of the game.
What we fail to understand is that how the 20-20 format is so different from the one day format that Yousuf is considered to be one of the best batsmen for one format and a liability for another. While there have been a lot of questions asked by various quarters over the years about Younis Khan's inclusion in the one day side no has even remotely questioned Yousuf's position. Why then Younis Khan appears prominently in the 20-20 squad and Yousuf is not there? This baffling questions would definitely be asked time and again by Pakistani cricket lovers over the next few weeks until the end of 20-20 World Cup.
Razzaq has also been short changed by the selection committee which has totally forgotten his abilities to launch attacks at the death where he has won many a matches for the country by his power hitting. While he might be slightly out of touch at the time but no question he is a quality player who could change the face of a game within a few balls. This is exactly the kind of quality that is required in an all-rounder for a 20-20 format match. While he might look lazy to many when bowling but he has always been bowling at close to mid eighties m/hr and has the canny ability to swing the ball both ways. In 231 one day matches, his bowling avg. of 31 and economy rate of 4.69 is a testament to his abilities as a bowler. Apparently selection committee also failed to take a notice of that.
Its quite obvious that the selection committee didn't take Shoaib Malik's input while deciding about the team. While there were many acquisitions leveled against Inzamam by different quarters while he was a captain, at least he had it in him to ask for the players that he thought could make the difference. Shoaib Malik, although young and still learning will have to acquire this trait as soon as possible if he wants to be a successful captain. He will have to know who is needed in the team and will have to learn to stand up for those team members as well, because when the time comes, that’s what counts the most.
Friday, August 3, 2007
South Africa want Pakistan venue changes after violence
Provided by: Reuters News
South Africa have asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to revise their tour programme, which includes two tests and five one-day internationals, due to the security situation in Pakistan.
Pakistan Cricket Board sources told Reuters on Thursday that South Africa had expressed concerns over playing in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
"They have asked for a revision in the itinerary including a second look at the venues. They are not comfortable with Peshawar," said one PCB source.
South Africa's tour is due to start on Sept. 27 with the tests scheduled for Karachi and Lahore while the one-dayers are in Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad.
REVISED VENUES
"The venues will be revised in the next two weeks as we are having discussions with them (South Africa)," the source said.
"But they are satisfied with the overall security arrangements we are making for their tour. They have confidence in our ability to handle things," he added.
He added that he did not expect South Africa to refuse to play the first test in the southern port city of Karachi.
In 2003, South Africa refused to play in Karachi and Peshawar for security reasons.
Pakistan is also due to host the Australia A team from Sept. 1 and the source said the PCB was concerned another major security incident could derail the tour.
"Cricket Australia at this stage is committed to go ahead with their tour. But we fear one more incident could lead to a rethink on their part," the source said.
He added their could be a special security protocol in place for Australia and South Africa because of the situation.
But PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters in Karachi the Australia and South Africa tours would be held on schedule.
He added that the interior ministry and Punjab police were handling the security arrangements and there was no cause for concern on the part of touring sides.
South Africa have asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to revise their tour programme, which includes two tests and five one-day internationals, due to the security situation in Pakistan.
Pakistan Cricket Board sources told Reuters on Thursday that South Africa had expressed concerns over playing in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
"They have asked for a revision in the itinerary including a second look at the venues. They are not comfortable with Peshawar," said one PCB source.
South Africa's tour is due to start on Sept. 27 with the tests scheduled for Karachi and Lahore while the one-dayers are in Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad.
REVISED VENUES
"The venues will be revised in the next two weeks as we are having discussions with them (South Africa)," the source said.
"But they are satisfied with the overall security arrangements we are making for their tour. They have confidence in our ability to handle things," he added.
He added that he did not expect South Africa to refuse to play the first test in the southern port city of Karachi.
In 2003, South Africa refused to play in Karachi and Peshawar for security reasons.
Pakistan is also due to host the Australia A team from Sept. 1 and the source said the PCB was concerned another major security incident could derail the tour.
"Cricket Australia at this stage is committed to go ahead with their tour. But we fear one more incident could lead to a rethink on their part," the source said.
He added their could be a special security protocol in place for Australia and South Africa because of the situation.
But PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf told reporters in Karachi the Australia and South Africa tours would be held on schedule.
He added that the interior ministry and Punjab police were handling the security arrangements and there was no cause for concern on the part of touring sides.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Razzaq too????
Highly placed sources in the PCB have confirmed to journalists that Abdul Razzaq is expected to be another major causality of the 20-20 World Cup, along with Muhammad Yousuf. Though Pakistan don't announce their squad until Aug 10, Yousuf and Razzaq are set to be sacrificed on the pretext of testing country's younger talent and bench strength. Razzaq is expected to be dropped citing the reason that he failed to impress during the three training camps held for the world cup preparation. Sources mentioned that Razzaq has not been performing as well as he is expected to be for last two years while his poor fielding skills don't help either.
We can't help but note that these rumors are coming at a time when Pakistan cricket is going through a transition and when a new direction needs to be taken for the future of the team. Apparently in the eyes of PCB this new direction doesn’t involve two of the most prolific cricketers Pakistan has produced in recent years. While there is not even a question about Yousuf's abilities as a middle order supremo in both longer and limited form of the game, Razzaq's place has always been a point of contention among various circles. But he has always been able to shut his critics up by performing tremendously well in difficult conditions. No question that he has been one of the most devastating power hitters the game has ever known, in the shorter version of the game especially in the dying overs when stakes are their highest and going gets tough. Trying to get him out of team to play 20-20 world cup must be one of the worst decision ever made by PCB clergy, and if PCB takes this decision, it could be one of the greatest disaster one could bring upon itself.
We can't help but note that these rumors are coming at a time when Pakistan cricket is going through a transition and when a new direction needs to be taken for the future of the team. Apparently in the eyes of PCB this new direction doesn’t involve two of the most prolific cricketers Pakistan has produced in recent years. While there is not even a question about Yousuf's abilities as a middle order supremo in both longer and limited form of the game, Razzaq's place has always been a point of contention among various circles. But he has always been able to shut his critics up by performing tremendously well in difficult conditions. No question that he has been one of the most devastating power hitters the game has ever known, in the shorter version of the game especially in the dying overs when stakes are their highest and going gets tough. Trying to get him out of team to play 20-20 world cup must be one of the worst decision ever made by PCB clergy, and if PCB takes this decision, it could be one of the greatest disaster one could bring upon itself.
PCB offers 27 players retainership contracts
Asim Kamal and Taufeeq Umar are among the 27 players who have been offered retainership contracts for the period from July 2007 to June 2008. The players have been offered a retainership fee of Rs 40,000 per month.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Read More @ Cricinfo
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Inzamam called up for trials
The Pakistan Cricket Board's selection committee has called up Inzamam-ul-Haq for fitness trials for the forthcoming Test series at home against South Africa. Inzamam's fitness will be ascertained at a week-long fitness camp ahead of the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September.
"We have decided to invite a few players including Inzamam-ul-Haq to check their fitness for the Test series against South Africa," Salahuddin Ahmed, the chief selector, told The News.
Considering the fresh rethinking on the part the board, the chances of Inzamam making a comeback to the national team for Test matches now look good. Inzamam was not given a central contract by the board and the official reason for his omission was his retirement from ODIs after the World Cup. The board was keen to award contracts to only those who could play both forms of the game.
"It all depends on his fitness," Salahuddin said. "If Inzamam proves his fitness, he could be selected for the series against South Africa.
"We have decided to arrange a one-week training camp ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup as it would be too difficult to have an idea of players' fitness at the eleventh hour of the start of the series."
"We have decided to invite a few players including Inzamam-ul-Haq to check their fitness for the Test series against South Africa," Salahuddin Ahmed, the chief selector, told The News.
Considering the fresh rethinking on the part the board, the chances of Inzamam making a comeback to the national team for Test matches now look good. Inzamam was not given a central contract by the board and the official reason for his omission was his retirement from ODIs after the World Cup. The board was keen to award contracts to only those who could play both forms of the game.
"It all depends on his fitness," Salahuddin said. "If Inzamam proves his fitness, he could be selected for the series against South Africa.
"We have decided to arrange a one-week training camp ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup as it would be too difficult to have an idea of players' fitness at the eleventh hour of the start of the series."
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Contract for Inzamam?
The Pakistan Cricket Board has awarded performance-based central contracts to 20 players but former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is not among those who will receive the monthly retainers.
Inzamam also does not figure in a shortlist of 20 bench players given smaller retainers based on their performances in domestic cricket.
"The concept of the new contracts is not just based on seniority. Now 40 percent points will be awarded for performance and the remaining 60 for fitness, discipline and seniority," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations, told Reuters on Monday.
He said the board had no grudge against Inzamam, who retired from one-day internationals and stepped down from the captaincy after Pakistan's early World Cup exit.
Inzamam has said he wants to continue playing test cricket.
"If Inzamam is fit he will be considered. We have given those players contracts and retainers who are available for both forms of the game," Khan said.
The board had cancelled the central contracts of its players after they returned from the World Cup. Those contracts were based on seniority.
Injury-prone fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been given a central contract in the A category although he has played just one test and four one-dayers in the last 14-months.
In addition to Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Asif have been given A category contracts which have a monthly salary of 250,000 rupees ($4,166).
Salman Butt, Mohammad Sami, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal will get 150,000 rupees ($2500) in the B category.
Imran Nazir, Rao Iftikhar, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah ul Haq and Yasir Arafat have been placed in the last category which carries a salary of 100,000 ($1666).
The monthly retainers are in addition to the match and tour fees and other incentives earned by the players.
Inzamam also does not figure in a shortlist of 20 bench players given smaller retainers based on their performances in domestic cricket.
"The concept of the new contracts is not just based on seniority. Now 40 percent points will be awarded for performance and the remaining 60 for fitness, discipline and seniority," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations, told Reuters on Monday.
He said the board had no grudge against Inzamam, who retired from one-day internationals and stepped down from the captaincy after Pakistan's early World Cup exit.
Inzamam has said he wants to continue playing test cricket.
"If Inzamam is fit he will be considered. We have given those players contracts and retainers who are available for both forms of the game," Khan said.
The board had cancelled the central contracts of its players after they returned from the World Cup. Those contracts were based on seniority.
Injury-prone fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been given a central contract in the A category although he has played just one test and four one-dayers in the last 14-months.
In addition to Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Asif have been given A category contracts which have a monthly salary of 250,000 rupees ($4,166).
Salman Butt, Mohammad Sami, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal will get 150,000 rupees ($2500) in the B category.
Imran Nazir, Rao Iftikhar, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah ul Haq and Yasir Arafat have been placed in the last category which carries a salary of 100,000 ($1666).
The monthly retainers are in addition to the match and tour fees and other incentives earned by the players.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Doping: Shoaib and Asif exonerated
The Court of Arbitration for Sports has been forced to dismiss an appeal by the World Anti Doping Agency over the reprieves for the Pakistan fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, saying it had no jurisdiction to overturn the decision.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Read More @ Cricinfo
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Afridi & Talat Ali fight over Salaman Butt's vice captaincy
There have been unconfirmed reports suggesting that Talat Ali, Pakistan's manager had a showdown with all-rounder Shahid Afridi during the national team’s training camp which concluded recently in Abbottabad. The incident happened on th eteam bus when Salaman Butt couldn't find a seat and had to sit on the gearbox of the bus. At that point Talat Ali asked Shahid Afridi to vacate a seat for Salman pointing out that he was thier vice captain. Upon hearing this Shahid Afridi offered his seat making a sarcastic comment saying "afterall Salman is our vice captain." An argument ensued between Talat Ali and Shahid Afridi resulting in some harsh words being spoken by both sides and according to some uncofirmed reports, Afridi rushed to assault Talat but was stopped by other team members.
Later on talking to journalists, Talat laughed off this version saying that the incident has ‘tremendously been blown out of proportion’. “May be there are some elements, who have their own hidden agenda and are trying to spread disharmony in the Pakistan team,” he said. Talat said that there is little truth in the ‘false reports’. “Actually, it was no big deal,” he said.
“These are false reports,” claimed Talat, who is looking after the team’s coaching in the absence of a national coach. “There have been no revolts and there would be no revolts. Our team is slowly turning into a well-oiled unit and we are looking forward our future assignments,” he added.
“There is complete harmony in my team and if some people are saying otherwise then they have malicious intentions,” Talat told ‘The News’ in a telephonic interview from Lahore.
According to Talat, what happened was that when Butt entered the team bus all the best seats were already occupied and he had to fit himself into a small seat near the gear box. “Pointing towards the side where some of the junior players were sitting, I just said that one of you should offer his seat to Salman, he is your vice-captain. It was Afridi who said that ‘he can take my seat, after all he is the vice-captain’. I told him (Afridi) to stay where he is and that some junior boy would vacate his seat but he was insistent and I had to tell him firmly to stop it. That is all that happened and now people are trying to make stories of it,” he explained. Talat, however, did admit that Afridi was a ‘bit sarcastic’ when he offered to vacate his seat for Butt. “He did sound a bit bitter but that was all,” he said.
Afridi, 27, was a candidate for captaincy following the resignation of Inzamam-ul-Haq after the World Cup debacle in March. But he and other senior players like senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq were all overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that appointed young all-rounder Shoaib Malik as the new Pakistan captain.
Sources close to Afridi said that the player later anticipated that the Board would appoint him as the vice-captain but initially the PCB chose medium pacer Mohammad Asif for the job and later replaced him with Butt.
Sources say that Butt’s appointment has not been welcomed by some of the senior players especially the volatile Afridi. Before his appointment as Malik’s deputy, Butt was counted among the team’s junior players. When it comes to seniority there is no comparison. When Afridi made his international debut for Pakistan in 1996, Butt was just an 11-year-old schoolboy.
Afridi has scored 5074 runs and taken 204 from 240 one-dayers besides scoring 1683 runs from 26 Tests. Butt has played 14 Tests and 26 one-dayers since making his international debut as a promising teenager in 2003.
However, Talat said that the team management is working to promote a new culture within the national team where ‘performance and not seniority’ would be rewarded. “We had made it clear to all players that they have to behave professionally and can only stay in the team purely on the basis of performance,” he said.
Later on talking to journalists, Talat laughed off this version saying that the incident has ‘tremendously been blown out of proportion’. “May be there are some elements, who have their own hidden agenda and are trying to spread disharmony in the Pakistan team,” he said. Talat said that there is little truth in the ‘false reports’. “Actually, it was no big deal,” he said.
“These are false reports,” claimed Talat, who is looking after the team’s coaching in the absence of a national coach. “There have been no revolts and there would be no revolts. Our team is slowly turning into a well-oiled unit and we are looking forward our future assignments,” he added.
“There is complete harmony in my team and if some people are saying otherwise then they have malicious intentions,” Talat told ‘The News’ in a telephonic interview from Lahore.
According to Talat, what happened was that when Butt entered the team bus all the best seats were already occupied and he had to fit himself into a small seat near the gear box. “Pointing towards the side where some of the junior players were sitting, I just said that one of you should offer his seat to Salman, he is your vice-captain. It was Afridi who said that ‘he can take my seat, after all he is the vice-captain’. I told him (Afridi) to stay where he is and that some junior boy would vacate his seat but he was insistent and I had to tell him firmly to stop it. That is all that happened and now people are trying to make stories of it,” he explained. Talat, however, did admit that Afridi was a ‘bit sarcastic’ when he offered to vacate his seat for Butt. “He did sound a bit bitter but that was all,” he said.
Afridi, 27, was a candidate for captaincy following the resignation of Inzamam-ul-Haq after the World Cup debacle in March. But he and other senior players like senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq were all overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that appointed young all-rounder Shoaib Malik as the new Pakistan captain.
Sources close to Afridi said that the player later anticipated that the Board would appoint him as the vice-captain but initially the PCB chose medium pacer Mohammad Asif for the job and later replaced him with Butt.
Sources say that Butt’s appointment has not been welcomed by some of the senior players especially the volatile Afridi. Before his appointment as Malik’s deputy, Butt was counted among the team’s junior players. When it comes to seniority there is no comparison. When Afridi made his international debut for Pakistan in 1996, Butt was just an 11-year-old schoolboy.
Afridi has scored 5074 runs and taken 204 from 240 one-dayers besides scoring 1683 runs from 26 Tests. Butt has played 14 Tests and 26 one-dayers since making his international debut as a promising teenager in 2003.
However, Talat said that the team management is working to promote a new culture within the national team where ‘performance and not seniority’ would be rewarded. “We had made it clear to all players that they have to behave professionally and can only stay in the team purely on the basis of performance,” he said.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Central contracts list finalised; Inzamam snubbed
By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: National selectors have ignored former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq while finalising a list of 30 players to be submitted today to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for issuance of central contracts.
Well-placed sources told ‘The News’ on Tuesday that the members of the national selection committee have reached a consensus on the list of players to be recommended for new central contracts. They have decided against recommending Inzamam for a central contract but have opted to keep in the list all other leading national cricketers who were previously given contracts by the PCB.
Read More @ The News
KARACHI: National selectors have ignored former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq while finalising a list of 30 players to be submitted today to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for issuance of central contracts.
Well-placed sources told ‘The News’ on Tuesday that the members of the national selection committee have reached a consensus on the list of players to be recommended for new central contracts. They have decided against recommending Inzamam for a central contract but have opted to keep in the list all other leading national cricketers who were previously given contracts by the PCB.
Read More @ The News
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