PCB seeks explanation from Afridi

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s limited overs captain, has landed himself in administrative hot water once again, as the PCB has hauled him up for comments he made on Sunday after returning to Pakistan from the Caribbean.
Afridi all but confirmed to reporters that there had been differences between him and the team management over selection issues during the five-match ODI series that Pakistan won 3-2. Though he didn’t take anyone’s name specifically, it was coach Waqar Younis he was referring to, growing differences between the pair now a fact which PCB officials confirmed to ESPNcricinfo on Sunday.
The board has now taken exception to the statement Afridi made and has served him a notice to explain to the board what he has said. In a statement issued Monday, the PCB said they had “taken notice of the statements made by Mr Shahid Afridi in the media about the differences within the tour management in West Indies.
“It is a violation of Code of Conduct on part of Mr Afridi and an explanation has been sought from him for the reasons to make such statements publicly. PCB will take appropriate action after submission of the tour-report at the conclusion of the tour.”
The issue of Afridi’s often straight-talking public statements has been an ongoing one since he first took over the captaincy of the Twenty20 side in 2009. Matters came to a head late last year when his ODI captaincy was on the line because a number of players in the side were unhappy with his public criticisms of their performances. Misbah-ul-Haq was a contender to take over until finally, just two weeks before the World Cup, the PCB decided to stick with Afridi, having told him to be careful over what he says in public.
In any case, Afridi is due to meet with the board chairman Ijaz Butt at some point in the coming week, about the developments on tour and in particular the problems he had with the coach.
Although captain and coach worked well together during the World Cup, tensions between the two have been apparent for some time, in particular over the issue of team selection. Afridi feels, as captain and ultimate responsibility for on-field performances, he should have the final say. Waqar, however, feels a coach should also have an input and it is the degrees of control on each side that has become problematic.
It led Afridi to say on Sunday, “Although the differences in team management are not such which could not be solved, I feel everyone should do his job and need not interfere in other’s work.”
The slow-developing controversy has also drawn in Mohsin Khan, the chief selector, who last week was on the verge of resigning, because he was unhappy with selections for Pakistan’s Test squad for the West Indies. Khan alluded to differences – though he never specified with whom – in selection. That matter, after a meeting with Butt, was eventually resolved.

Pakistan are to play two Tests against West Indies, the first of which be

SAEED AJMAL GRABS 3RD POSITION IN ICC ODI BOWLER RANKINGS

Pakistan’s off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has broken into the top three places of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers for the first time in his career. The latest player rankings were released on Friday after the conclusion of West Indies and Pakistan ODI series in Guyana.
Ajmal, 33, took six wickets in the series against the West Indies which Pakistan won by 3-2, has climbed 16 places and now sits in third position, just five points behind Zimbabwe’s left-arm spinner Ray Price.
Saeed’s rise means that the top four spots are now all occupied by spinners with New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori leading the field and England’s Graeme Swann sitting in fourth position.
Saeed’s jump also means he has now become Pakistan’s highest-ranked bowler with captain Shahid Afridi dropping out of the top 10 after a disappointing series by his high standards. Shahid, who managed just two wickets, has slipped five places to 14th position.
Saeed’s fellow off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez has also improved his ranking after claiming six wickets in the series at 23.50. Hafeez is now on number 27 in the rankings.

Imran Nazir's international career can best be described as a roller coaster. The highs and lows of the 29 year old from Gujranwala epitomise the inconsistency that has marred Pakistan cricket for many years. Very much like the Pakistan side, Imran Nazir at his best is a mercurial talent that has every shot in the book and can make mincemeat out of any bowling attack in the world. On a bad day Imran, like Pakistan, can be described as frustrating and average at best. Nazir made his test debut at the tender age of 17 in Lahore, making 64 and 13 respectively in a drawn match against Sri Lanka. On debut, Nazir displayed an array of shots that mesmerised fans and cricketing pundits and many predicted a bright future for the hard hitting right hander. However despite the good start to test cricket, Nazir has only represented Pakistan a further seven times in test cricket after his debut. Nazir's style of batting was classified by many a selector as better suited for the twenty over or fifty over formats despite two centuries and a half century in his thirteen test innings. Whilst Nazir's last test appearance for Pakistan was back in 2002, his last one day appearance was in October 2009 when he scored 28 runs against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semi final defeat to New Zealand in Johannesburg. Nazir's one day statistics display a number of good starts, but only 2 centuries in 79 one day innings, although he has managed to pass the half century mark on 9 occasions. An average of just under 25 does not do justice to the immense talent that Nazir has always possessed, but closer analysis reveals that the Gujranwala born Nazir has been dismissed between 20 and 40 on twenty three occasions in one day internationals, adding weight to his critics argument that Nazir has the tendency to give his wicket away when well set. Nazir's Twenty/20 statistics reveal that his last appearance for Pakistan was in February of last year when he managed scores of only 2 and 4 respectively against England in UAE. Nazir's 16 twenty over internationals have yielded 324 runs at an average of just over 23 and a strike rate of 137. Speaking to PakPassion.net from Abu Dhabi, Nazir spoke of his hope that his international career was not over and that the selectors will give him a chance to prove himself again. "I look at the Pakistan one day and Twenty20 sides at the moment and feel there is definitely a place and a role for myself in both sides. I think that I can give the Pakistan side something different and something they are lacking at the moment which is the ability to give the team a quick start and launch pad for the middle and lower order batsmen to capitalise upon. I think I deserve another chance for Pakistan." Nazir's domestic form of late has been impressive for ZTBL with five half centuries in his last eleven innings and he feels that this is down to more maturity and patience. "People think that Imran Nazir can only play one style of cricket and that is to try and hit the ball to all corners of the park, but I don't agree with that and I feel that I am a more than just a hard hitting batsmen. If you look at some of my innings in domestic cricket last season you will see that they were not just quickfire twenties and thirties. I'm nearly 30 years of age and feel that I am a more mature individual. People tend to forget that I played a lot of cricket for Pakistan at a very young age. Expectations were high from fans and I was in and out of the Pakistan side. There was a lot of pressure on me and I would say that to have that sort of pressure at such a young age did at times affect me." Nazir also feels that his twelve years in domestic cricket have served him well and he feels that he is in perfect shape mentally and physically to return to international cricket. "I have never felt better. I'm fully fit, raring to play for Pakistan and I feel that this is now my time to get a chance for Pakistan, a consistent run in the side and to deliver for my country." Nazir admitted though that shot selection had been a problem in the past and that on too many occasions he'd let himself down with a rash stroke. "Yes I agree that shot selection has been an issue in the past and it's been frustrating. Make no mistake, I would get just as much frustrated being dismissed after a good start, as the fans and my team mates would. Scoring twenties and thirties won't hurt the opposition. I know that once settled into the crease, it's important for an opening batsman to build on a good start. You learn the hard way and I've really thought about this during my time away from international selection." Pakistan's next one day assignments are the 2 matches in Ireland and a possible series against Zimbabwe. Both are series that Imran is definitely eyeing up and as well as a possible international recall, Nazir has the Sri Lankan domestic Twenty20 competition to show off his skills in. "I'd love to be given a chance against Ireland and Zimbabwe. I'm ready to serve my country again. Whilst there is no domestic cricket in Pakistan ongoing to catch the eye of the selectors, I have signed up to play in the upcoming Sri Lankan Twenty20 competition. There has also been interest from Australian sides to play in the next edition of the Big Bash, so that is a possibility. If I can perform in those series and also continue to perform well in domestic cricket back home, then I'm hopeful the selectors will see me as worthy of another chance, as the 2011 version of Imran Nazir has maturity added to the array of shots." Pakistan's opening partnerships in the recently concluded twenty20 and one day series have seen the openers muster 7, 68, 66, 9, 15 and 16, with Ahmed Shehzad being particularly inconsistent. Imran Nazir waits in the wings for his day in the sun, and hopes to grab the chance with both hands this time around.

Two Day Practice Match Full Scoreboard Result (Draw Match)

"I Deserve Another Chance for Pakistan" : Imran Nazir

Imran Nazir's international career can best be described as a roller coaster. The highs and lows of the 29 year old from Gujranwala epitomise the inconsistency that has marred Pakistan cricket for many years.

Very much like the Pakistan side, Imran Nazir at his best is a mercurial talent that has every shot in the book and can make mincemeat out of any bowling attack in the world. On a bad day Imran, like Pakistan, can be described as frustrating and average at best.

Nazir made his test debut at the tender age of 17 in Lahore, making 64 and 13 respectively in a drawn match against Sri Lanka. On debut, Nazir displayed an array of shots that mesmerised fans and cricketing pundits and many predicted a bright future for the hard hitting right hander.

However despite the good start to test cricket, Nazir has only represented Pakistan a further seven times in test cricket after his debut. Nazir's style of batting was classified by many a selector as better suited for the twenty over or fifty over formats despite two centuries and a half century in his thirteen test innings.

Whilst Nazir's last test appearance for Pakistan was back in 2002, his last one day appearance was in October 2009 when he scored 28 runs against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semi final defeat to New Zealand in Johannesburg. Nazir's one day statistics display a number of good starts, but only 2 centuries in 79 one day innings, although he has managed to pass the half century mark on 9 occasions. An average of just under 25 does not do justice to the immense talent that Nazir has always possessed, but closer analysis reveals that the Gujranwala born Nazir has been dismissed between 20 and 40 on twenty three occasions in one day internationals, adding weight to his critics argument that Nazir has the tendency to give his wicket away when well set.

Nazir's Twenty/20 statistics reveal that his last appearance for Pakistan was in February of last year when he managed scores of only 2 and 4 respectively against England in UAE. Nazir's 16 twenty over internationals have yielded 324 runs at an average of just over 23 and a strike rate of 137.

Speaking to PakPassion.net from Abu Dhabi, Nazir spoke of his hope that his international career was not over and that the selectors will give him a chance to prove himself again.

"I look at the Pakistan one day and Twenty20 sides at the moment and feel there is definitely a place and a role for myself in both sides. I think that I can give the Pakistan side something different and something they are lacking at the moment which is the ability to give the team a quick start and launch pad for the middle and lower order batsmen to capitalise upon. I think I deserve another chance for Pakistan."

Nazir's domestic form of late has been impressive for ZTBL with five half centuries in his last eleven innings and he feels that this is down to more maturity and patience.

"People think that Imran Nazir can only play one style of cricket and that is to try and hit the ball to all corners of the park, but I don't agree with that and I feel that I am a more than just a hard hitting batsmen. If you look at some of my innings in domestic cricket last season you will see that they were not just quickfire twenties and thirties. I'm nearly 30 years of age and feel that I am a more mature individual. People tend to forget that I played a lot of cricket for Pakistan at a very young age. Expectations were high from fans and I was in and out of the Pakistan side. There was a lot of pressure on me and I would say that to have that sort of pressure at such a young age did at times affect me."

Nazir also feels that his twelve years in domestic cricket have served him well and he feels that he is in perfect shape mentally and physically to return to international cricket.

"I have never felt better. I'm fully fit, raring to play for Pakistan and I feel that this is now my time to get a chance for Pakistan, a consistent run in the side and to deliver for my country."

Nazir admitted though that shot selection had been a problem in the past and that on too many occasions he'd let himself down with a rash stroke.

"Yes I agree that shot selection has been an issue in the past and it's been frustrating. Make no mistake, I would get just as much frustrated being dismissed after a good start, as the fans and my team mates would. Scoring twenties and thirties won't hurt the opposition. I know that once settled into the crease, it's important for an opening batsman to build on a good start. You learn the hard way and I've really thought about this during my time away from international selection."

Pakistan's next one day assignments are the 2 matches in Ireland and a possible series against Zimbabwe. Both are series that Imran is definitely eyeing up and as well as a possible international recall, Nazir has the Sri Lankan domestic Twenty20 competition to show off his skills in.

"I'd love to be given a chance against Ireland and Zimbabwe. I'm ready to serve my country again. Whilst there is no domestic cricket in Pakistan ongoing to catch the eye of the selectors, I have signed up to play in the upcoming Sri Lankan Twenty20 competition. There has also been interest from Australian sides to play in the next edition of the Big Bash, so that is a possibility. If I can perform in those series and also continue to perform well in domestic cricket back home, then I'm hopeful the selectors will see me as worthy of another chance, as the 2011 version of Imran Nazir has maturity added to the array of shots."
Pakistan's opening partnerships in the recently concluded twenty20 and one day series have seen the openers muster 7, 68, 66, 9, 15 and 16, with Ahmed Shehzad being particularly inconsistent. Imran Nazir waits in the wings for his day in the sun, and hopes to grab the chance with both hands this time around.

Please do not forget Shoaib Akhtar

Although the ‘Rawalpindi express’ has run out of steam and the aeroplane is grounded forever, Shoaib Akhtar, the man is never going to be erased from our memories. He will remain in the minds and hearts of cricket lovers for a long time to come. He has given a lot to cricket and the nation. Now PCB has a duty to give something back to its son. But PCB as we all know can certainly do this – disregard and disrespect a national hero.

Shoaib Akhtar has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. His announcement, for his supporters and critics alike, has come at the right time, a rarity for a Pakistani cricketer of late. Remarkably and to his credit he is going as a speedster, though a huffing and puffing one, unlike many of the past fast bowling legends. Alas we would not be hearing his grunts on the field and watching the batsmen hop, evade or bowled will become a thing of past.

Just like his belated departure from the game, his arrival too was delayed in 1997. He was initially selected for Sahara Cup to be played in Canada in 1996 but was excluded from the squad amid reports of indiscipline. He was, at that time, the most talked about talent in Pakistani cricket circles. Hailing from Morgah, Rawalpindi, he played his early cricket in the streets of Pindi and Asghar Mall College. He used to play with tapped ball for different teams in Rawalpindi where he was spotted by one of the coaches as a shining talent.

The beginning

He was picked by Rawalpindi ‘B’ team and started his first class career in 1994-95. In the same season he also represented Pakistan International airlines. His first match against Rawalpindi ‘A’ did not provide him any opportunity in batting or bowling as second and 3rd days were washed out. In his first match against Karachi Whites, he went wicket less. Karachi Blues captain Munir-ul-Haq was his first first-class victim. In his first season he took 17 wickets at 32.82 with best figures of 6 for 69 against Lahore City.

He came to limelight in the season of 1996-97 in real sense when representing ADBP and Rawalpindi he was the second highest wicket-taker with 69 wickets at 23.66. He was selected for Pakistan ‘A’ which toured England in 1997 where he took 25 wickets at 29.88. After being ignored by selectors for Sahara Cup, he finally wore the green Pakistani cap in November, 1997 when he played his first test against the touring West Indies at Rawalpindi. Ian Bishop was his first test wicket who was clean-bowled.

Recognition

The world recognised Shoaib Akhtar as an express fast bowler during the tour to South Africa. At Kingsmead Durban in the second test, Shoaib destroyed South African batting line-up by taking 5 for 43. His 4 victims were bowled including Jacques Kallis and one was LBW. The delivery that bowled Kallis was a thunder bolt which left the batsman shell-shocked.

Rise

The highlight of his career arrived in India in Asian Test Championship. Eden Gardens, Calcutta saw Rawalpindi Express in full steam. He silenced a capacity crowd by taking wickets of Rahul Dravid ‘the Wall’ and little master Sachin Tendulkar on two consecutive deliveries. These are arguably the two best ever back to back deliveries in test cricket history. After clean-bowling Rahul Dravid with a perfect in-swinging yorker, he removed Sachin Tendulkar first ball with another toe-crusher. His 8 wickets in the match paved the way for Pakistan’s victory.

Shoaib went into the 1999 World Cup with huge reputation and expectation. He delivered some breathtaking spells during the tournament apart from an erratic over against South Africa in which Lance Klusener took 17 runs on the way to an important victory for South Africa. He destroyed New Zealand in the semi-final but did not have enough runs in the final to do any thing substantial for his team.

Called for throwing

He was signed by Nottinghamshire in 2000 but injuries did not allow him to represent his team. He also missed England’s Pakistan tour. Earlier during the tour Down Under, he was called for throwing by umpires Peter Willey and Darrell Hair and the match referee John Reid. He was later cleared by the ICC.

He was again called in New Zealand in 2001 but University of Western Australia cleared his action on the basis of "unique physical characteristics” as he had hyper-extended elbow joints. He broke the speed barrier of 100mph for the first time in the third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, when he clocked 161kph.

Best Period

In May, 2002 he destroyed New Zealand with one of the fiercest spells of fast bowling. He took 6 for 11 in New Zealand’s capitulation for 73 after Pakistan had piled on the runs riding on Inzamam’s triple hundred in Lahore. Five of his victims were bowled. He took 6 wickets in an ODI too. Stephen Fleming was bowled with a delivery that cannoned into his stumps before the batsmen hardly brought his bat down. It was a lightening fast yorker bowled from around the wicket.

He almost won a test match at Colombo for Pakistan when he destroyed the cream of Australian batting with a stunning spell in the second innings. His all 5 wickets were taken without the help of any fielder. That spell was certainly Shoaib’s best and is comparable to the best of the best.

Ball-Tampering charges

He was among controversies again when allegations of ball-tampering were made against him in Zimbabwe in late 2002 but another injury sidelined him soon after. The year 2003 was again a mixed one for him as he had a spat with his captain Waqar Younis over his performance in the world Cup in 2003. He was dropped from the team for a while but on his return to the national side he was handed a ban for ball-tampering in a triangular series in Sri Lanka.

Indiscipline and Injuries

After controversially missing the first test due to injury, he helped Pakistan win against New Zealand at Wellington by taking 11 wickets in the match in December 2003. He was injured again before the ODI series. Later he disappointed his captain Inzamam in test series loss to India at home in 2004 so much so that he was accused by him of feigning injury but was later cleared on enquiry. At this point in time his career was limping and his future was uncertain once again. But on the tour to Australia he bowled a few magical spells although he failed to win Pakistan a test.

In the year 2005, the world saw another dimension of Shoaib when after a long injury lay-off, he destroyed England at home by taking 17 wickets in 2-0 test series win. This time he used his slower ones more effectively than his customary yorkers to bamboozle the batsmen. Next year was a difficult one for him as he missed most of the matches with a career-threatening knee injury.

Doping saga

Another low came in the Champions trophy in South Africa in 2006, when after being tested positive for Nandrolone along with Muhammad Asif, he was sent back and banned by the PCB only to be exonerated 3 months later. He was subsequently withdrawn from Pakistan’s world cup squad in 2007 amid speculations that he could again be caught in the dope tests. In the same years he was fined for breaching the PCB’s code of conduct and was later put on a six-week probationary period.

5-year Ban

He did not seem to learn any lesson as he was involved in a dressing-room fight with Asif and was sent home from World T-20 in South Africa in 2007. He was handed a harsh 13-match ban apart from heavy monetary fine and was also placed on two-year probationary and monitoring period. In 2008 his career looked like ending for good when he was suspended for 5-years by the PCB on breaching the code of conduct when he openly criticized Board’s decision to demote him in the new central contracts. Quite astonishingly the Appellate Tribunal decided to suspend his five-year ban for one month on his appeal. He was consequentially allowed to represent Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in 2008.

At loggerheads with PCB again

The change in PCB administration in late 2008 brought a change in Shoaib’s fortune as well when he was given the top category in he central contracts announced in 2009. But the patch up was short-lived. He suffered public ignominy when PCB publicly revealed that he was withdrawn from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad because he suffered from genital warts. He was out of action any how after he under-went knee surgery in 2009.

After being overlooked for World T20 to be held in the Caribbean in 2010, he made a remarkable come-back in June 2010 for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. After mixed performances in ODI (as he refrained from test cricket) he was selected for the World Cup 2011, his last assignment.

Bidding Adieu

As we all know by now, Shoaib had made up his mind to call it quits after the world cup but for many the timing of his announcement was not right. He announced his retirement in the middle of the tournament when he could have waited for the assignment to finish. During the tournament his performance was a mixed one. We saw every bit of Shoaib in this tournament. He was at his best when he clean-bowled Mahela Jayawardene off a beauty. Then we saw him being clobbered all over by Ross Taylor in what proved to be his last match for Pakistan.

While announcing his retirement, Shoaib said: "Mentally, I wanted to continue, perhaps forever. But I must make way for the youngsters." "I am here only because of the love and affection of my fans. I want to thank them from the bottom of the heart," he added. Citing his reasons for the timing he said: "When I was going through my knee surgery for the fourth time, I made the decision to play in this World Cup for the Pakistan team and retire. Secondly, when the news broke that two of the Pakistani players are involved in such matters (Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amir who were involved in spot-fixing and were banned from the game) I thought I should be able to concentrate and get back and help Pakistan.”

"Playing for my country was just a dream," he said. "I thought it would never come true. The first day when it was announced that I will play for Pakistan I did not believe that. There were Wasim (Akram) Waqar (Younis, the team's current coach) Imran (Khan) and Inzamam. There was a huge star on my shirt, and I wore that kit and slept in that kit. I did not take it out for three days."
When asked about his magic moments he said: "I have countless memories, but bowling with Waqar and Wasim, and bowling Sachin for a first ball duck and Dravid were the best moments. It was a dream.” Among players, he singled out Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara for admiration.

After representing Pakistan for 14 years, he ended up playing only 46 test matches in which he took 178 wickets at 25.69. It was a massive underachievement and a sad one too. He deserved 400 wickets at least but became a victim of injuries, indiscipline and care-free attitude. It was a great loss for Pakistan because he could have halted Pakistan’s downward slide in the international rankings had he played on a consistent basis. In ODIs he was more involved taking 247 scalps in 163 matches at just under 25.

A happy Send-off?

Shoaib Akhtar will be missed by Pakistan as they do not have a genuine fast bowler at present and there is no one on the horizon either. Sadly he could not play his last game for Pakistan but we can still give him a fitting farewell.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has a responsibility to acknowledge his services. He has played for Pakistan and brought laurels for the nation. His contract which was to end in June has been terminated by PCB on hearing his announcement as if they were waiting for it. This is not a good gesture at all. PCB should arrange a grand farewell function for the legend so that he could bid adieu in a graceful manner makinf fans feel proud of their hero. Giving him a farewell match will not be a bad idea, in fact it would erase the bitter memories of past when our heroes were humiliated and many bade farewell in tears. It will also set a happy precedent for the future and send a positive signal to our young stars.

It is time to respect our heroes and give them honor and credit which they deserve. Will PCB break the tradition and do something positive. Although there is little hope but one can always wish and pray

|IPL-4| Chris Gayle hits 37 runs in an over!!

Expect the unexpected

On February 23, Pakistan will take the field to kick off a campaignthat proved to be utterly beyond them four years ago. The tragedywhich befell upon the Pakistan team during that World Cup was matched only by the carnivalesque nature of its surroundings.

To say we have come a long way since then, truly hell and back at least thrice over, is an understatement. The fact that we have made it here in one piece is a minor miracle.

How did this come about? Look no further than the players themselves, each and every one of whom form an integral part of the whole and are collectively capable of inspiring us to World Cup glory.

Personally, the most exciting prospect of this World Cup is watching our openers. I don’t know how it happened, but we have managed to unearth the most promising opening combination we have had since the 1996 World Cup (face it, Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi never clicked in 1999 and Wajahatulla Wasti was a poor man’s Azhar Ali. Mohammad Hafeezand Shehzad may well be capable of being individual stars in their own right but, more importantly, together they inspire a confidence at the top of the order that we have lacked for almost a decade.

Hafeez seems to have finally compartmentalized the disparate bits and pieces of his substantial talent and emerged as a genuine all-rounder, taking over the mantle of our most reliable batsman from Salman Butt. His off-spin is priceless, particularly during Afridi’s off-days, and he adds balance to the playing 11. While, Ahmed Shehzad elicits from me the kind of unabashedly gleeful sense of expectation that I previously reserved for one Imran Nazir. The difference being, however, that there is something much more enduring about Ahmed Shehzad’s talent as compared to the ephemeral promise of Nazir. Let us thank the heavens that someone realised the Shahzaib Hasan experiment wasn’t working and allowed Shehzad to play with the carefree fearlessness of youth which makes for such intoxicating viewing.

For Shoaib Akhtar, this tournament represents his last opportunity to ascribe greatness to his name. More than 10 years ago he entered the World Cup as that generation’s Mohammad Amir and by all counts was positioned to become the greatest fast-bowler of his era. It never happened. Twenty years from now only a couple of YouTube clips of the Colombo massacre and the Tendulkar-walli ball will serve as reminders of what once could have been. Shoaib is acutely aware that if he can somehow help the team lift this trophy, it would be the one redeeming entry in his resume which would elevate his name into the pantheon of Pakistan cricket’s greatest fast bowlers.

In Pakistan cricketing lore, it is practically sacrilege to doubt a Khan. For all of Shahid Afridi’s good-natured diplomacy during and after the captaincy conundrum, our leader must feel unfairly chastised. Forget cornering a measly tiger; you are out of your freaking mind if you are thinking of cornering a Khan. History has proven that they will lash out at you with enough unbridled power to extinguish a thousand suns.

Afridi is a talisman in every sense of the word and that alone qualifies him to lead the team regardless of tactical nous or whether he can keep up with Misbah-ul Haq in a business school seminar. The team feeds off his enthusiasm and, when he performs, the side is swept up in the wave of his unrelenting competitiveness. It is this wave that the Pakistan team will attempt to ride all the way to the trophy.

A lot of pessimists will tell you that our batting has come together right when our bowling is at its lowest ebb. That is an absolute disservice to the likes of Wahab Riaz, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul and it is difficult not to dismiss this view as a bitter reaction to being deprived of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif. To the surprise of everyone, Riaz has gradually transformed himself into our best fast-bowler, capable of touching 90 mph and moving the ball both ways. Rehman and Ajmal are world-class spinners and, with the absence of Sohail Tanvir, choosing which spinner to play is a good problem to have. Among the spearheads, Umar Gul is relatively the weakest link given his inconsistency. However, this is a player who just won an award for a spell he bowled in an ODI a few short months ago and could walk into any squad on the strength of talent and expectation alone. Razzaq’s innocuous yet precise offering may tempt openers into playing an injudicious stroke; even if they don’t, are you really going to leave Razzaq out of our team? If there is even a faint chance of him repeating the Abu Dhabi fireworks once throughout the entire tournament, I would play him all the way through. So, no. I disagree that this is a weak bowling line-up. Especially when you consider that last time around our attack was composed of Mohammed Sami, Danish Kaneria and Rao Iftikhar. So be a little grateful.

There are countless other narratives strewn within this squad.

Umar Akmal, the wunderkind who fell away. Will he use this stage to officially announce himself much the same way Ronaldinho?

Misbah, the enigma. Four years ago, when everyone had forgotten he existed, he surfaced to almost win us aWorld Cup. Then, when everyone wished he had never existed, he returned to lead us to a historic test triumph. Will he provide the stability and single-minded resolve that can direct the explosive talent which surrounds him towards a place in the finals.

The possibilities are limitless for this team. Take a step back and think about it – how can you not be excited? It is intriguing to consider whether the impact each player is undoubtedly capable of making can be collectively sustained over six weeks to ensure us the most unimaginable of triumphs. Underestimate this team at your own peril because the more unlikely it is for us to take home the prize, the more realistic our chances become.

Allow Pakistan players back into IPL: Afridi

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, has said called on the IPL to include Pakistan players with relations between the two countries steadily improving. Pakistan played India in the World Cup semi-final in Mohali, a game watched by Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Gilani on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, who was also present.

"It is high time the Pakistani cricketers also get a place in the IPL. For three seasons, including the current one, we haven't been a part of the IPL. We have no problems playing in India as we have just played a World Cup semi-final there," Afridi told PTI.

Players from Pakistan featured in the inaugural version of the IPL but, following the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and its diplomatic fallout, they weren't picked by any of the franchises for the subsequent two editions, and will also not be part of the tournament that starts on Friday.

"I am not saying I want to play the IPL but it could be a great platform for youngsters. They could make a mark for themselves," Afridi said.

Afridi added the inclusion of Pakistan players in the IPL was an opportunity for both countries to improve relations. "Our PM responded positively to that invitation. Now IPL can be a platform to further ease the tension," he said. "We should play more against each other. This will not only ease the pressure but will also reduce the unwanted media hype surrounded with Indo-Pak matches."

'I'm still looking to lead the West Indies attack'

Jerome Taylor was one of the leading fast-bowling prospects for West Indies when success in domestic cricket won him an international debut at the age of 18 in 2003. Rising to become the side's spearhead in 2006 and demolishing England at Sabina Park in 2009, he has sparkled off and on, but injuries have taken their toll, limiting him to just 29 Tests. Coming off another layoff from international cricket (he wasn't picked for the World Cup), he is now playing for the Pune Warriors in the IPL, shaping up to get back into the reckoning for national selection. .

How much has the back problem hurt your aspirations?
It might have affected the goals I set early, but those can be altered as you go along. I'm still aspiring to lead the West Indies attack and be among the players who can bring back the glory days. Coming here will give me that boost mentally to go back and play again. I came here with an injury and to date that has been sorted and I'm happy to be bowling again.

Is the IPL a platform for you to break into the national side?
Coming here is just to make sure that I give a good account of myself. I was supposed to play in the IPL in 2009 and 2010, but have only come here in 2011. I've had a belated start due to injury but since I've started playing here, I've felt better with each game. Coming here has been the best thing that has happened in the last two years. Since I've been here, the medical team and I have been working on it and I'm finding that I'm feeling much better after bowling. I just want to make sure I do the right things, and ensure the people who are looking on can see. As far as the national team is concerned, once I can make sure that I'm fitter and stronger and putting in the work to get back to full fitness, the rest will work itself out.

How fit are you at the moment?
At this point my body is feeling good. I won't say I'm 100% fit as yet but fit enough to play and will get fitter as I continue to play. You just can't wait until you are totally pain-free and 100% fit to start playing. You have to gradually ease your way back in. You have to know your pain barrier and how much pain you can play with. I have never been 100% fit. I always have niggles but they are workable, so I manage them and play with them.

Has the injury had an effect on your pace? Have you had to modify your action?
I've lost some pace and have tweaked my action a little bit, but that was way back in 2003. Since then there haven't been any changes - though the injuries have recurred.

Moving the ball is my main weapon right now. As a fast bowler, you need to bring something to the table on these surfaces. I do have to maintain a certain pace. I don't want to get it too low. As you go along, age might take its toll on your body, and you focus more on moving the ball about.

There have been differences between senior players, who were left out of the start of the limited-overs series against Pakistan, and the board. What do you think is the way forward?
West Indies cricket has been declining somewhat for a while. I don't think it'll help the situation if the seniors are left out and only juniors are playing. You are playing against tough teams. You have India going to the Caribbean soon. So you need to have some of the senior players, if not most, around, so that the youngsters can feed off their experience. We need to ensure that we have the right balance and combination.

We're not here to just play cricket and represent West Indies; we need people who can actually compete. We're winning games but we need to start winning series and tournaments. We need to make sure that we're seriously challenging teams and pushing them close. That'll help us get better. The wins won't be far away then, and it'll help us repay the faith of our fans in the Caribbean.

PCB to oppose ICC’s amendments

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and the current Punjab ombudsman Khalid Mehmood has welcomed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposal of autonomous functioning of the national cricket boards.

The ICC’s Executive Board will propose changes to its constitution which will be applicable from July 2012. The changes are designed to prevent undue interference by governments in the administration of cricket in member nations, including, but not limited to, interference in operational matters, selection and management of teams, appointment of coaches or support personnel or the activities of a member.

Pakistan, along with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, are countries currently run with direct interference by the government.

The Express Tribune understands that the PCB is not ready to accept the proposed amendments as Ijaz Butt and crew have already hinted legal action in case of the changes being implemented.

“I don’t know the intentions of the ICC but I don’t think the ICC should dictate any country in their internal functioning, they have no right,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan’s association with the world cricket body is over 50 years old and if during that period they’ve had no problems then what is the point this time?

“The amendments are only because of the interference of governments in cricket which somehow damages the spirit of the game. But many countries have a history and tradition in their setup, so changes should be on based on merit.”

The ICC amendments have also made free elections mandatory for members of the executive body or outside nominees to cricket administrative bodies.

PCB to oppose ICC’s amendments

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and the current Punjab ombudsman Khalid Mehmood has welcomed the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) proposal of autonomous functioning of the national cricket boards.

The ICC’s Executive Board will propose changes to its constitution which will be applicable from July 2012. The changes are designed to prevent undue interference by governments in the administration of cricket in member nations, including, but not limited to, interference in operational matters, selection and management of teams, appointment of coaches or support personnel or the activities of a member.

Pakistan, along with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, are countries currently run with direct interference by the government.

The Express Tribune understands that the PCB is not ready to accept the proposed amendments as Ijaz Butt and crew have already hinted legal action in case of the changes being implemented.

“I don’t know the intentions of the ICC but I don’t think the ICC should dictate any country in their internal functioning, they have no right,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan’s association with the world cricket body is over 50 years old and if during that period they’ve had no problems then what is the point this time?

“The amendments are only because of the interference of governments in cricket which somehow damages the spirit of the game. But many countries have a history and tradition in their setup, so changes should be on based on merit.”

The ICC amendments have also made free elections mandatory for members of the executive body or outside nominees to cricket administrative bodies.

Afridi criticises Pakistan coach meddling

KARACHI: Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridion Sunday criticised coach Waqar Younis for interference in team selection, saying that he would take up the matter with the country's cricket chief. 

Pakistani media last week reported that Afridi and Waqar did not get on during the 3-2 one-day series win against the West Indies. 

Afridi, not happy with selection matters, on his return home early on Sunday lashed out at Waqar. 

"Although the differences with the coach are not such which could not be solved... I must say that everyone should do his job and need not interfere in other's work," Afridi told reporters. 

Afridi said he will soon meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt to take up the matter before giving further details to the media. 

With a relatively young string, Pakistan won the first three matches comfortably before going down in the last two matches against the West Indies who were also depleted by the non-selection of senior players like Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaaul. 

Afridi regretted his team lost a good chance to win all the matches. 

"We should have clean sweeped the West Indies but the defeat in the last two matches left a bad taste in the mouth, we flopped in batting and that's why I must say we need a batting coach," said Afridi, who admitted he was also below par in the series. 

"I played average cricket because I was tired after the World Cup and only played the series on the advice of some friends and former players."

Kaneria’s case going nowhere

The case of discarded Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, which is under the investigation of The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) integrity committee, is going nowhere with the board officials changing their statement time and time again.

A few days back Kaneria publicly stated that he is being neglected by the PCB and felt let down by the cold shoulder he has received from the people sitting at the helm of affairs.

According to the player, he had tried to contact the board officials for nearly two months. But he failed to get any sort of response, which forced him to appeal to President Asif Ali Zardari — the patron in chief of the board — to provide him justice.

According to sources, his appeal prompted the PCB to write a letter to Kaneria on May 4, asking him to send a clearance letter of the Essex Cricket County (ECC). But, ‘The News’ has learnt that the player had already submitted the ECC, Essex Police and International Cricket Council’s (ICC) clearance letters last year, which were sent to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Subhan Ahmed and Director Cricket Operations (International) Zakir Khan.

After enjoying less fruitful meeting with board’s integrity committee, Kaneria tried to involve his lawyer in the case but was strictly ordered by the PCB not to do so and was further asked to submit his trial’s tape in early March.

He tried to get the required tape through his lawyer Steve Haurigan. But according to the player and his lawyer, the request was rejected. Few days later, the player told the PCB through a mail that the Police officials said that they cannot provide the tape or any recorded statement, as the prosecution was still on with his county teammate Mervyn Westfield. The letter was received by the Subhan on March 9. On the same day, Subhan changed his stance and ordered the player to contact PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.

It has also been learnt that the player finally got the chance to have any contact with the board officials after nearly six weeks, when last Sunday his call was received by Ijaz Butt, who told the player that he should satisfy the board’s integrity committee. It is interesting to note that Butt is the head of the integrity committee.

Meanwhile, PCB’s legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said in an interview that it is an integrity issue for the board. He added that the committee is not just made up of board members or cricketers, it has an ex-judge of the Supreme Court on it and in their opinion, Kaneria had not satisfied them so he has not been cleared

In one of the letters issued by the board, it has been mentioned that the bowler is under the charge of ‘conspire to commit fraud by abuse of position’, which has not gone down well with player and his legal team, who are pondering to take further step over the charge labeled over Kaneria.

After being released by Essex, the 31-year-old received an offer from Surrey Cricket Country. But after being mysteriously dropped from Pakistan team for the tour of Abu Dhabi against South Africa, Surrey drew back their offer and told the player they were unsure of what has been going on in Pakistan.

Afridi fumes over Waqar role

KARACHI: A perfect storm is brewing in Pakistan cricket as Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis are on a collision course after developing serious differences during the recently-concluded One-day International series against the West Indies.

Afridi, Pakistan’s limited-overs captain, is so extremely displeased with the way the team’s coach is running the team’s affairs that he is planning to meet Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, to inform him about his grievances against Waqar.

Sources close to Afridi revealed that the allrounder is ‘considering his options’ and will take a final decision after meeting with Butt in Lahore sometime next week.

Afridi is returning home from the Caribbean on Sunday (today).

Waqar, Pakistan’s coach, wants to be the one calling all the shots and that has really irked Afridi, said a source.

The former Test pacer, according to the sources, is also at loggerheads with Mohsin Khan, Pakistan’s chief selector. Mohsin has been hinting that Waqar overrules the squads picked by the national selection committee.

Mohsin even threatened to resign after his recommendations were overruled by the PCB while announcing Pakistan’s 15-man Test squad for this month’s series against the West Indies.

In the Caribbean last week, Afridi’s relations with Waqar almost reached breaking point when the coach insisted that he will pick the playing elevens. Afridi mulled over the option of missing the last two One-day Internationals but was later convinced by other team officials to carry on.

“Once he is back home, Afridi will seek a meeting with Ijaz Butt and inform him about the problems he is having with the coach,” said a source.