Sana Mir hopeful of int’l cricket revival in Pakistan

 Pakistan women cricket players were jubilant while celebrating Pakistan's first ODI victory over Afghanistan saying that this tour would help revive international cricket in the country. 
Afghanistan is the first team to tour Pakistan after terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team in March 2009. "Pakistan is a cricket-loving nation and after the Afghanistan team tour, others will follow the same," Pakistan women cricket team captain Sana Mir said Thursday. 
Sana, who was the 'Player of the Tournament' at the 2008 Women's Cricket World Cup qualifiers, and currently ranked 16th in the ICC Women's ODI Bowlers rankings, also said there was an urgent need of an international women's coach for the women's cricket team. "A woman can understand other woman better than a man," she said. She hailed awarding central contracts as, according to her, it would help women cricket blossom. "Twenty-20 Pentangular Women Cricket Tournament is the result of PCB efforts and commitment to women games. She said female cricketers needed encouragement and reward for their hard work. 
Another Pakistan women player Nain Abidi sought government support for the promotion of women cricket in the country demanding that the matches should be telecast so as to promote the game. She said women cricketers were no less than men as they brought the first Asian Games gold medal from China last year. "It was due to our hard work and devotion to the game. 
Women's cricket over the years has been transformed into a specialised sport, which requires full time commitment," she said.

PCB REQUESTS TIGHT SECURITY FOR AFGHANISTAN CRICKET TEAM

The Pakistan Cricket Board has requested the Ministry of Interior to provide fool proof security to the visiting Afghanistan team, which will enable them to show the rest of the world that Pakistan is a safe place for the International teams.

Afghanistan is the first team to visit Pakistan after the attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team on March 3, 2009, in Lahore, when terrorists attacked their tour bus.

Afghanistan team is in Pakistan to play three unofficial One Day International matches against Pakistan ‘A’.

The first match was played in Islamabad on May 25, 2011, the second match is being played at Rawalpindi on May 27 and the last will be played at Faisalabad on May 29.

According to recent TV footage the Afghanistan Cricket team was escorted by just one police van which carried only three force men. Such neglection by the security agencies could have proved fatal in case of any attempt on the team.

The security agencies have claimed that they are having a close watch on the visiting team and most of the security persons are not necessarily in uniform but they are very much vigilant.

"Because of the prevailing situation in the country where militants are targeting security agencies and police as part of their terrorist activities the law enforcement agencies don't want to be prominent in their presence around the Afghanistan team by having uniformed policemen to guard the players," the official claimed.

The Chairman of PCB, Ijaz Butt is convinced that government will honour their request seriously and the ongoing series will end with a positive note.

"We are constantly in touch with the government over the security arrangements. We are coordinating with them but the responsibility of providing the security is with the police and other security agencies," he said.

The series between Afghanistan and Pakistan ‘A’ carries importance for Pakistan cricket as it is being followed by the entire world. PCB can encourage the International sides to visit Pakistan by providing adequate security and self assurance to the visitors.

Irish coach plays down pressure ahead of Pakistan game

Ireland coach Phil Simmons has denied that his side will be under pressure to prove a point to the International Cricket Council in this weekend's two games against Pakistan in Belfast.

The ICC announced in April that associate nations would be excluded from the 2015 World Cup but that is now being reviewed following an outcry.

"I don't want to put that pressure on my team," said Simmons.

Misbah-ul-Haq will captain Pakistan in the games on Saturday and Monday.

Misbah was handed the captaincy last week following the sacking of Shahid Afridi, who has not travelled to Ireland because his father is in hospital undergoing liver treatment.

This weekend's matches are Ireland's only opportunity to push their case forward on the field before the ICC's final decision on the 2015 World Cup in June.

However, Simmons has refused to paint the games as crucial to their hopes of winning over the ICC.

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We've crossed a stage since last year where we go into games now planning to win, not planning to survive

Phil SimmonsIreland coach

"I don't see these matches as a case of proving the ICC wrong, I think the cricket world knows that it is the wrong decision," said Simmons.

"We will go out there and prove things to ourselves that we can beat these top teams.

"The more we beat them the closer we will get to what we want to achieve which is getting higher in the world rankings."

Kevin O'Brien's thumping century helped Ireland clinch a sensational victory over England at this year's World Cup and Simmons believes such displays have also earned the respect of the full-member nations.

"The big teams think about us a bit more now," added the former West Indies all-rounder.

"I don't think they come and just play us without discussing us.

"We've crossed a stage since last year where we go into games now planning to win, not planning to survive.

"We've got to that stage now where we know we can win games against these guys."

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They are capable of beating any side in the world so we've got to be very careful

Waqar YounisPakistan coach

Simmons is confident his side can back up those words and claim at least one win at Stormont over the Bank Holiday weekend

The World Cup semi-finalists arrived in Belfast on Thursday, straight from their tour of the Caribbean, and Simmons believes the sudden change in temperature and conditions will work to his side's advantage.

"If it's as cold as this then there is always that little bit of an advantage."

Pakistan's 15-man squad includes Umar Gul and Younis Khan, who were both rested for the five one-dayers in the Caribbean.

Ireland shocked Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup and coach Waqar Younis has insisted that his side will not make the mistake of underestimating the hosts.

"I've got a lot of respect for Ireland," said the Pakistan coach.

"They are capable of beating any side in the world so we've got to be very careful."

Ireland are without the injured pair Niall O'Brien and George Dockrell