In a stinging revelation, new chief selector Salahuddin Salu has revealed that Imran Farhat is back to his old habits of threatening the selectors through his father in law ex test cricketer M. Ilyas, after selection committee left him out for the 3 match Abu Dhabi series. This is not exactly something new because prior to today the same two people have also been involved in similar incidents with the previous selection committee. Its interesting to note that it is coming from a butter fingers player who has been a cause of many losses for the country so far while his all too well know father in law himself doesn’t have a great record to boost either.
I think its about time that PCB impose strict restrictions on such players ensuring that these incidents don’t happen again. At the same time an affective way should be devised to address the grievances of the players who genuinely feel aggrieved at being left out of the team.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Team announced for Abu Dhabi series with just two new faces
As widely touted in the media for last few days, Mohammad Asif has been named vice-captain of a Pakistan squad which includes just two new faces primarily as a result of Inzamam's retirement and Younis's unavailability. Fawad Alam, the young Karachi allrounder, who had such an outstanding domestic season, has been selected along with Najaf Shah, the young left-arm fast medium bowler from Rawalpindi, who has also been selected on the back of an impressive domestic season as well as good performance in the warm up matches.
This is the first team announced by the new paid selection committee, which has been constituted after the World Cup debacle and the subsequent resignation of the old selection committee. Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed made a return to the team along with the injured Asif and Razaq. Talat Ali, who has been named as manager for next two years, will also be the acting coach for the series while PCB continue their search for the new coach.
The most interesting selection has been for the post of vice captain which has gone to Asif, who doesn’t even have much captaincy experience even at the domestic level. It is a very interesting decision in a sense that although Asif has the ability to bowl with a good line and length regardless of the surface or the conditions but he doesn’t have any other credentials to prove himself as a future leader. This looks like a very ambitious decision by PCB which could backfire if Asif's bowling suffers because of added pressure due to the additional responsibility.
Team
Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Najaf Shah.
This is the first team announced by the new paid selection committee, which has been constituted after the World Cup debacle and the subsequent resignation of the old selection committee. Salman Butt and Yasir Hameed made a return to the team along with the injured Asif and Razaq. Talat Ali, who has been named as manager for next two years, will also be the acting coach for the series while PCB continue their search for the new coach.
The most interesting selection has been for the post of vice captain which has gone to Asif, who doesn’t even have much captaincy experience even at the domestic level. It is a very interesting decision in a sense that although Asif has the ability to bowl with a good line and length regardless of the surface or the conditions but he doesn’t have any other credentials to prove himself as a future leader. This looks like a very ambitious decision by PCB which could backfire if Asif's bowling suffers because of added pressure due to the additional responsibility.
Team
Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Najaf Shah.
Friday, May 4, 2007
What Prompted Younis to decline Captaincy
Although Younis Khan clearly stated the reasons for him not taking up Pakistani Captaincy after the World Cup debacle and Inzamam's eventual retirement from one day cricket, citing "I am still hurt and upset at the sort of hostile reception we have got since returning from the World Cup. I have always given 100 percent for my country. But when your family gets threatening calls and our effigies are burnt and our pictures put on donkeys, then I can't lead the team in such circumstances", a lot of rumors have still been circulating at what really transpired behind closed doors which led to Younis's refusal and eventual mentioning of the fact that he might consider retiring from one day cricket all together. These rumors are especially fuelled by the fact that this is not the first time Younis has hastily refused captaincy under similarly mysterious circumstances but citing different reasons.
The latest rumors are that Younis's current decision actually stems from his earlier refusal before the start of Champions Trophy last year. Some unnamed PCB officials have been privately saying that Younis have been really unhappy with a group of players within current Pakistani team who have not even been at speaking terms with him since before last years champions trophy primarily because the way he handled the team in the absence of Inzamam during his tenure as Pakistan's vice captain. This is the reason why Younis initially asked for full powers from PCB before his last appointment as Captain for ICC Champions Trophy citing that he didn’t want to become a dummy captain. Same officials also confirmed that PCB wanted Younis to take over captaincy this time and ensured him full support but he refused. They further disclosed that PCB even tried using Imran Khan to convince Younis but Imran refused to speak to him saying "he was upset with the way Younis had surrendered". Imran openly criticized Younis's decision in the media mentioning that “It is useless trying to convince Younis to lead the team if he does not want to do it. But what he did was wrong." Amid all the speculations PCB finally appointed Shoaib Malik as the new captain effectively putting an end to their efforts of convincing Younis to reconsider.
There is no doubt that Younis has been one of the most hard working cricketers in the current Pakistan side who never gets satisfied with his performance and always strives to improve. Initially a batsman of limited ability his sheer determination and commitment to the cause has seen him through some tough phases of his career. Whenever he has been dropped, he has always come back stronger. In fact Younis didn’t become a regular player in the Pakistan team until his return to the side during the home series against Sri Lanka in October 2004. He was the top run getter during the disastrous series in Australia and the defining movement of his career came on the tour of India when he was appointed vice captain of the side and he repaid the faith by scoring a century in the second test and a match winning double century in the final test. Since then he has become one of the most consistent batsmen for Pakistan scoring centuries in different conditions and different surfaces. In between this short span of time Younis had to deal with not one but at least three huge family tragedies including the deaths of his father and his two brothers one elder and one younger than him. Looking at how he was dealing with these difficult times all the while scoring hugely for Pakistan tells you a thing or two about his mental toughness. This makes his current decision of declining to Captain the Pakistani side look all more perplexing and mind-boggling.
There is no doubt that Younis's current decision doesn’t stem from Pakistan sudden defeat in the World Cup but it is more because of the loss of Bob Woolmer. Looking at Bob Woolmer's coaching stints with South Africa and Pakistan, it becomes obvious that Woolmer played a huge role in helping lesser players become major contributors and critical component of their sides. Players like Hansie Cronje, Lance Klusener, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and up to a certain extent Younis Khan have Woolmer's foot prints all over their careers. In fact Woolmer had tremendous respect for Younis Khan, who he used to call "Little Hansie" for his energy and impact on the team. Woolmer had no doubts about the abilities of Younis Khan and that was the reason why he felt at a loss of words to explain his disappointment when Younis initially declined to Captain Pakistan during the ICC champions trophy late last year. Considering Pakistan's dreadful performance since then and Dr. Nasim Ashraf's revelation after Woolmer's death that Woolmer didn’t want to continue with Pakistan after his current contract expired, it becomes increasingly clear that something was not quite right with the Pakistani Cricket. Was it the administrators or some members of the playing squad, its all open to speculations but it is certainly something very serious that Younis didn’t want to indulge with, hence his decision to stay away from the top job.
This is not the first time that some one in the Pakistani team has taken such a bold step. People like Rashid Latif and Basit Ali effectively ruined their careers by letting emotions getting the better of them. This is increasingly looking like the same case. All throughout his playing career Younis has been close to Rashid Latif, who he also regards as one of his best friends. This tells us how he might have caught the Rashid Latif bug of letting emotions take over the mind.
It is a time tested formula that you are not going to become great until you earn greatness through your deeds. Sadly for Pakistani cricket and all those cricket lovers out there, Younis had the opportunity to earn this greatness by taking over the challenge instead he decided to run away from it. He effectively let his mind be taken over by his heart. At a critical juncture for his country Younis has decided not to show up. He could have overcome the adversity, like he always did during his career, by using his skills and sheer determination, Instead, he has backed out without a nerve to fight, a trait everyone expected of him. There is not a shade of doubt in my mind that if he showed the same determination and toughness he has shown all throughout his career, things would have eventually fallen in place and he could have become a great captain along with being a great player.
The latest rumors are that Younis's current decision actually stems from his earlier refusal before the start of Champions Trophy last year. Some unnamed PCB officials have been privately saying that Younis have been really unhappy with a group of players within current Pakistani team who have not even been at speaking terms with him since before last years champions trophy primarily because the way he handled the team in the absence of Inzamam during his tenure as Pakistan's vice captain. This is the reason why Younis initially asked for full powers from PCB before his last appointment as Captain for ICC Champions Trophy citing that he didn’t want to become a dummy captain. Same officials also confirmed that PCB wanted Younis to take over captaincy this time and ensured him full support but he refused. They further disclosed that PCB even tried using Imran Khan to convince Younis but Imran refused to speak to him saying "he was upset with the way Younis had surrendered". Imran openly criticized Younis's decision in the media mentioning that “It is useless trying to convince Younis to lead the team if he does not want to do it. But what he did was wrong." Amid all the speculations PCB finally appointed Shoaib Malik as the new captain effectively putting an end to their efforts of convincing Younis to reconsider.
There is no doubt that Younis has been one of the most hard working cricketers in the current Pakistan side who never gets satisfied with his performance and always strives to improve. Initially a batsman of limited ability his sheer determination and commitment to the cause has seen him through some tough phases of his career. Whenever he has been dropped, he has always come back stronger. In fact Younis didn’t become a regular player in the Pakistan team until his return to the side during the home series against Sri Lanka in October 2004. He was the top run getter during the disastrous series in Australia and the defining movement of his career came on the tour of India when he was appointed vice captain of the side and he repaid the faith by scoring a century in the second test and a match winning double century in the final test. Since then he has become one of the most consistent batsmen for Pakistan scoring centuries in different conditions and different surfaces. In between this short span of time Younis had to deal with not one but at least three huge family tragedies including the deaths of his father and his two brothers one elder and one younger than him. Looking at how he was dealing with these difficult times all the while scoring hugely for Pakistan tells you a thing or two about his mental toughness. This makes his current decision of declining to Captain the Pakistani side look all more perplexing and mind-boggling.
There is no doubt that Younis's current decision doesn’t stem from Pakistan sudden defeat in the World Cup but it is more because of the loss of Bob Woolmer. Looking at Bob Woolmer's coaching stints with South Africa and Pakistan, it becomes obvious that Woolmer played a huge role in helping lesser players become major contributors and critical component of their sides. Players like Hansie Cronje, Lance Klusener, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and up to a certain extent Younis Khan have Woolmer's foot prints all over their careers. In fact Woolmer had tremendous respect for Younis Khan, who he used to call "Little Hansie" for his energy and impact on the team. Woolmer had no doubts about the abilities of Younis Khan and that was the reason why he felt at a loss of words to explain his disappointment when Younis initially declined to Captain Pakistan during the ICC champions trophy late last year. Considering Pakistan's dreadful performance since then and Dr. Nasim Ashraf's revelation after Woolmer's death that Woolmer didn’t want to continue with Pakistan after his current contract expired, it becomes increasingly clear that something was not quite right with the Pakistani Cricket. Was it the administrators or some members of the playing squad, its all open to speculations but it is certainly something very serious that Younis didn’t want to indulge with, hence his decision to stay away from the top job.
This is not the first time that some one in the Pakistani team has taken such a bold step. People like Rashid Latif and Basit Ali effectively ruined their careers by letting emotions getting the better of them. This is increasingly looking like the same case. All throughout his playing career Younis has been close to Rashid Latif, who he also regards as one of his best friends. This tells us how he might have caught the Rashid Latif bug of letting emotions take over the mind.
It is a time tested formula that you are not going to become great until you earn greatness through your deeds. Sadly for Pakistani cricket and all those cricket lovers out there, Younis had the opportunity to earn this greatness by taking over the challenge instead he decided to run away from it. He effectively let his mind be taken over by his heart. At a critical juncture for his country Younis has decided not to show up. He could have overcome the adversity, like he always did during his career, by using his skills and sheer determination, Instead, he has backed out without a nerve to fight, a trait everyone expected of him. There is not a shade of doubt in my mind that if he showed the same determination and toughness he has shown all throughout his career, things would have eventually fallen in place and he could have become a great captain along with being a great player.
Fawad’s selection chances get a boost as Faisal, Kamal ruled out
By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: Prominent middle-order batsmen Faisal Iqbal and Asim Kamal are almost out of the race to replace former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in Pakistan’s One-day International (ODI) squad for a three-match series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi because of illness.
Faisal, 25, is suffering from an eye ulcer that has forced him to miss training sessions at a preparatory camp that concluded in Lahore on Thursday. Asim Kamal was also forced to remain away from the action because of malaria.
Read More @ The News
KARACHI: Prominent middle-order batsmen Faisal Iqbal and Asim Kamal are almost out of the race to replace former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in Pakistan’s One-day International (ODI) squad for a three-match series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi because of illness.
Faisal, 25, is suffering from an eye ulcer that has forced him to miss training sessions at a preparatory camp that concluded in Lahore on Thursday. Asim Kamal was also forced to remain away from the action because of malaria.
Read More @ The News
All you need is pace : Shoaib Akhtar
Osman Samiuddin
Whatever else is true of Shoaib Akhtar, this much cannot be denied that he has a way. It is the global way of celebrities; the look at you which isn't really at you, sunglasses indoors, looking tired and refreshed, the slow, deliberate, tilted walk; the conversation littered with arbitrary pauses, sentences that often droop away. Animals are devouring one another on the box before he switches to the 37th President of the US. "Nixon," he breathes, randomly.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Whatever else is true of Shoaib Akhtar, this much cannot be denied that he has a way. It is the global way of celebrities; the look at you which isn't really at you, sunglasses indoors, looking tired and refreshed, the slow, deliberate, tilted walk; the conversation littered with arbitrary pauses, sentences that often droop away. Animals are devouring one another on the box before he switches to the 37th President of the US. "Nixon," he breathes, randomly.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Thursday, May 3, 2007
What are you trying to prove Mr Younis Khan?
by Muhammad Shahbaz Zahid
Team Pakistan needs a soothsayer. Although Pakistan cricket team's future, one can work out, seems to be a predictable one but what we need is a person who can let us know what sort of circumstances our national cricket team is to face in the coming months so that we can prepare ourselves to see the team facing yet another crisis situation.
Read More @ Geo Super
Team Pakistan needs a soothsayer. Although Pakistan cricket team's future, one can work out, seems to be a predictable one but what we need is a person who can let us know what sort of circumstances our national cricket team is to face in the coming months so that we can prepare ourselves to see the team facing yet another crisis situation.
Read More @ Geo Super
'There was too much pressure' - Kaneria
Danish Kaneria says there "was too much pressure" on him and his Pakistan team-mates in the aftermath of the World Cup. Pakistan's early exit at the hands of Ireland prompted an investigation in which Inzamam-ul-Haq was called to explain the players' performance.
Read More @ Cricinfo
Read More @ Cricinfo
Aaqib Javed offered Bangladesh post
Aaqib Javed, former Pakistan fast-bowler and chief coach of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has been offered the bowling coach's position for the Bangladesh national team. The offer was made during Pakistan Academy's tour of Bangladesh on which, Aaqib served as the coach.
Read More at cricinfo
Read More at cricinfo
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Shoaib toughens up for international cricket
Shoaib toughens up for international cricket
Osman Samiuddin
May 1, 2007
Shoaib Akhtar will use Pakistan's relatively light international schedule over the coming months to "invest time in himself" and come back fitter and tougher than before.
Shoaib, who has played only a handful of ODIs and a solitary day of Test cricket in the last year, missed Pakistan's brief World Cup campaign and will not be travelling for the forthcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi either. But he will, he says, make full use of the gap.
Read More at Cricinfo
Osman Samiuddin
May 1, 2007
Shoaib Akhtar will use Pakistan's relatively light international schedule over the coming months to "invest time in himself" and come back fitter and tougher than before.
Shoaib, who has played only a handful of ODIs and a solitary day of Test cricket in the last year, missed Pakistan's brief World Cup campaign and will not be travelling for the forthcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi either. But he will, he says, make full use of the gap.
Read More at Cricinfo
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Selectors to have final say in touring squads, playing XI: PCB moves to end ‘Inzamam culture’
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)
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)
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
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