Sports
  Pak squad off to New Zealand, Inti wants improved batting
Coach Intikhab Alam identified batting as the key area for improvement as a 17-member Pakistan squad minus Younis Khan flew to New Zealand early on Sunday to play a three-match Test series.

Younis opted to sit out the New Zealand tour and hand the captaincy to Mohammad Yousuf after his side’s one-day series defeat in Abu Dhabi last week, saying he wanted to rest after suffering poor batting form. Yet it was not only he, the batsmen faltering badly in the one-day series that New Zealand won 2-1. Pakistan won the two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 on Friday.

“Our batting must click and show improvement because it will be tough to switch from one-day and Twenty20,” Alam told. “Our bowling has the capacity to bowl New Zealand out twice, but we must put runs on the board first.” Alam, who took over as coach after Australian Geoff Lawson was sacked in October last year, said Younis’s absence was a blow, but appeared to harbour no bitterness.

“Naturally, Younis is a senior batsman and although he had a poor batting form, he is a world class player, who can come good any time, but you miss players through injuries as well and Younis’s replacement will have a chance to prove his worth. “Batsmen will have to show temperament because you need to stay longer at the wicket, which is the real test of a batsman.”

Pakistan open the tour with a three-day game against a New Zealand invitational XI at Queenstown from Wednesday before the first Test starts at Dunedin from November 24.
Alam said conditions in New Zealand would also test his players. “It is an early start to the season and conditions will be tough because the weather will be very cold, but I hope all the players show professionalism and adjust to the conditions,” said Alam, a former captain.

The three-Test series, like the limited-overs series played in the United Arab Emirates, was scheduled for Pakistan, but had to be relocated after New Zealand refused to tour over security fears. Alam said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori would be key for the home team. “Vettori is a seasoned player and we have to play him well, without giving him too many wickets. “But if New Zealand prepares wickets conducive to spin, then we too have quality spinners in Saeed Ajmal and Danish Kaneria,” said Alam, a leg-spinner in his playing days. After the New Zealand tour, Pakistan will move to Australia to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20.

Squad: Salman Butt, Khurrum Manzoor, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf (captain), Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir, Abdur Rauf, Umer Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmad.
 
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  Pakistan wins the second Twenty20, taking the two-match series 2-0
Pakistan overcame a late order flurry from New Zealand to win the second Twenty20 international by seven runs at Dubai Stadium on Friday, taking the two-match series 2-0.

Teenager Umer Akmal lifted Pakistan to 153-5 before they survived a late charge by Brendon McCullum (47) and Scott Styris (43) to maintain their 100-per cent record against New Zealand. Pakistan, who won the first match by 49 runs on Thursday, has now won all four Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

McCullum and Styris kept New Zealand in the hunt during a 66-run partnership as New Zealand needed 51 off the last five overs and 38 in the last three. But once big-hitting McCullum holed out to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the 19th over, New Zealand's task of making 18 in the last over proved too difficult. McCullum hit three fours and six off 41 balls. Paceman Umar Gul dismissed Styris off the last ball to finish with 2-29.

Styris's 33-ball knock had two fours and as many sixes. Styris and McCullum repaired the innings after New Zealand were 66-3 after 11 overs. BJ Watling (seven), Martin Guptill (17) and Ross Taylor (13) fell in quick succession as Pakistan kept the pressure on from the start.

Earlier, Pakistan were lifted by Umer Akmal's maiden half-century, which kept his team in the hunt for a good total despite paceman Ian Butler's 3-28. Akmal, whose 49-ball knock included five boundaries and a six, added 45 for the third wicket with captain Shahid Afridi (22) after Pakistan lost the quick wickets of Imran Nazir (19) and Kamran Akmal (26) to Butler. Butler then dismissed Shoaib Malik (seven) and James Franklin captured Abdul Razzaq (nought) before Umer and Fawad Alam (17 not out) added a quickfire 39 for the fifth wicket. Nazir and Akmal gave Pakistan a robust start of 40 with Nazir hitting three fours and six, while Kamran hit four boundaries and a six before New Zealand's bowlers slammed on the brakes.
 
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  How Pakistan squads expected to show up in their upcoming series against Kiwis?
Pakistan have dropped senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq from the squad to play New Zealand and recalled opener Imran Farhat after nearly three years out of the team.

Pakistan are scheduled to play four one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches against the Kiwis in Abu Dhabi and Dubai before travelling to New Zealand for a Test series. "We have decided to give Misbah a rest and he will be considered for the tour of Australia and can concentrate on playing domestic cricket," chief selector Iqbal Qasim said while announcing the team.

It is the first time Misbah has been dropped since he returned to the national team before the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, while Farhat last played for Pakistan in 2007. "We have problems with finding a reliable opening pair and we have decided to give Farhat another chance," Qasim said. Fast bowler Mohammad Asif, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, openers Salman Butt and Khalid Latif have also been recalled.

Pakistan one-day squad for series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Younus Khan (captain), Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt Imran Farhat, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Muhammad Aamer, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz.

Twenty20 squad:
Shahid Afridi (captain), Khalid Latif, Imran Nazir, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved, Umar Gul, Muhammad Aamer, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal, Imran Farhat, Fawad Alam, Sohail Tanvir

Test squad:
Younus Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurrum Manzoor, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Aamer, Abdul Rauf, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed.
 
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  Younis to stay skipper till World Cup 2011
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected Younis Khan’s resignation and appointed him skipper of the national team until the 2011 World Cup, provided he remains fit till then.

“He will continue as captain until the World Cup in 2011, if he stays fit,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters after a PCB governing council meeting here on Monday. “With so many performances this year do you think he should be changed?” he asked, pointing to Pakistan’s Twenty20 World Cup triumph in England, victory over India and reaching the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Upset and annoyed Younis submitted his resignation during a hearing of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports in Islamabad last week. The hearing was convened after committee chairman Jamshed Dasti accused the Pakistan team of tanking matches against Australia and New Zealand ‘on purpose’. Dasti said he would investigate reports that Pakistan had deliberately under-performed against Australia and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy that concluded on October 5. Dasti later denied making match-fixing allegations and said his remarks had been misunderstood.

Ijaz, however, rejected the resignation and opted to meet Younis privately instead, in a bid to change his mind. It is believed that at the meeting Younis laid down conditions which had to be accepted before he could return: he wanted to streamline the selection process, an assurance of a lengthier tenure than just on a series-by-series basis, and also changes in the team management. Pakistan cricket was also abuzz with stories that some senior players were against Younis, who, they believe, had become arrogant and behaved like a dictator.

Though Ijaz did not speak of any such conditions or stories of players revolt against Younis, he was unequivocal in his support for Younis. “When I first appointed him in January 2009, there was no tenure for his captaincy but obviously sometimes security is needed. He is definitely our captain till the 2011 World Cup provided he remains fit. His performance has been excellent, he is fit, he has won a World Cup and as long as the selectors keep picking him, he is our choice as captain.” Though Younis could not be reached for comment, Ijaz said Younis had agreed to take up the captaincy once again.


 
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  Younis’s resignation—yet another controversy to badly hit the team spirit
Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan offered to resign on Tuesday in protest at a meeting called to investigate the team’s defeats by Australia and New Zealand in the recent Champions Trophy.

The 31-year-old said he was appalled and disappointed at being summoned by the Pakistan National Assembly’s committee on sports. “I tender my resignation and if captains are summoned like this, no one will be eager to lead the Pakistan team,” Younis said at the start of the meeting. “I have resigned as a captain,” he later told reporters. “I won’t say a word more.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Ijaz Butt has rejected the initial offer of Yunus’s resignation. “It’s an emotional decision and I reject it,” Butt said during the meeting, but Younis stuck to his guns. “I had absolutely no idea that he had the resignation letter in his jacket and I was surprised when he produced it,” said Butt. “The matter will be discussed at a governing board meeting on October 19.”

Pakistan’s close, one-wicket loss to Australia in a group match last month and their defeat by New Zealand in the semifinal earlier this month sparked allegations from a lawmaker that the team threw the matches. Australia won the tournament, which was held in South Africa.

Jamshed Dasti, chairman of the sports committee, alleged last week that Pakistan deliberately lost the match against Australia, a result, which threw archrivals India out of the Champions Trophy. Australia’s win sent them and Pakistan into the semifinals, while India was eliminated in the first round.

Dasti later withdrew his allegations, which the PCB had already rejected, but Younis defended his performance and said he felt disappointed at being summoned for investigation. “I set an example and led the team from the front in spite of having an injured finger,” said Younis, who suffered the injury during a warm-up match and had to miss the Champions Trophy’s opening match against the West Indies. He then played in Pakistan’s 58-run win against India and also featured in the match against Australia and New Zealand.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said Younis’s decision to resign was a knee-jerk reaction to the allegations. “Naturally, Younis got emotional and resigned, but there has been no decision taken by the PCB,” Alam told. “The fixing allegations were first raised by Indian media, which were shameful and unacceptable.”

Dasti said that no proof had been found of any match fixing. “The committee analysed the reasons of the defeats and found no proof of any wrongdoing,” he told reporters. “All were mere speculation, but it was the job of the committee to analyse them and as far as Younis’s resignation is concerned, the PCB will deal with it,” he added.



 
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  Pakistan captain’s participation in ODI series against New Zealand hangs in the balance
Younis Khan will meet with Pakistan’s cricket chiefs next week to decide whether he would be leading the national team in its limited overs series against New Zealand starting from November 3 in Abu Dhabi.

Wasim Bari, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer, told on Saturday that Younis will be meeting with Board chairman Ijaz Butt in Lahore and will brief him about his finger injury that has raised a big question mark over his availability for the series against New Zealand. There have been speculations that the Board has already made up its mind to give the captaincy to vice-captain Shahid Afridi for the series against New Zealand, as Younis will not be able to play in it because of the injury that he sustained before the start of the Champions Trophy in South Africa.

However, Bari made it clear that Younis is still in the run to play in the series against New Zealand that will include three One-day Internationals in Abu Dhabi and two Twenty20 games in Dubai. Younis will not be playing in the Twenty20 matches as he has already retired from the shortest version of the game. Afridi is Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain.

“Younis knows best about his injury,” said Bari. “He would be meeting us next week after which it will be decided whether he would be playing in the series against New Zealand,” said Bari, a former Pakistan Test wicketkeeper. Bari rejected rumours that Afridi has been offered to take over as Pakistan’s one-day captain, saying that senior all-rounder just had a routine meeting with Butt the other day.

Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi on Saturday prayed for Younis Khan’s early recovery, saying that he would love to play under Pakistan captain in the one-day series against New Zealand in UAE next month. Afridi told that Younis might take two more weeks to recover from a fractured finger that dogged the senior batsman during the Champions Trophy in South Africa. “I’m expecting Younis to get fit in the next two weeks,” he said. “It would be great for us because he is really a good captain and we enjoy playing under him,” he added.
 
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  Pakistan need consistency like cricket stars of the past
Pakistan's hopes of lifting the Champion's Trophy were shattered by its semi-final loss to the Kiwis. The fact that Pakistan had been favoured to win added to the sense of distress experienced by followers of the game across the country. The giant screens installed at various locations and the parties thrown to enable friends to view the contest collectively also showed just how much significance good news from the sporting field has come to mean in a country where news has rarely been good over the past few years.

Winning and losing are of course part of any game. This goes without saying. But what is true too is that the Pakistan team did possess the ability to defeat the Kiwis and could have prevented an all-Antipodean final. This ability though was almost never visible through the semi-final encounter. The 233 runs put together by a shaky batting line up were never likely to be enough. A vital catch dropped by the captain added to the difficulties.

Pakistan now needs to look to the future. Under Muhammad Younis, we have seen a new fighting spirit in the team, a renewed willingness to strive together for success. But the contours of the team are still somewhat hazy. We need a clearly defined batting order and a stable opening pair. It is also true that extraordinary players produce the magic that can inspire teams at key moments.

Today, the stars of the past are missing. We need to find a way to usher in players who can rise above the ordinary and produce the bowling spells and stints at the crease that can truly turn matches around on a more consistent basis besides many more suggestions that the cricket buffs would put forth as under.
 
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  Umpires say sorry to Umar
Umpires Simon Taufel (Australia) and Ian Gould (England) said ‘sorry to Umar Akmal’ after their sub-standard and biased umpiring in the Champions Trophy semifinal lead to Pakistan’s unexpected defeat against New Zealand on Saturday.

A source in the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed to that heated arguments were exchanged between Pakistan coach Inrtikhab Alam and the umpires during a hearing conducted after the semifinal at Wanderers. Match referee Javagal Srinath called up Umar and Intikhab for a hearing after the match, over what umpires blamed the batsman for showing dissent over the lbw decision. Taufel ruled Umar lbw at a time, when he had played the ball on to his pads. Umar’s fall at a crucial stage robbed Pakistan of a chance to post a big total.

The Pakistan camp defended Umar and was very critical of the umpiring standard during the match. Srinath repeated the slides in front of field umpires and later conducted a separate hearing with the umpires. According to the sources, the match referee later cleared Umar of showing any dissent and conveyed that the umpire who had made the decision said ‘sorry’ to Umar for the wrong judgment.

That was not the only biased decision by the umpires who faltered on no less than four occasions to help New Zealand make it to the final. Grant Elliott, who went on to play a match-winning knock was let off twice during his stay at the wicket. Shahid Afridi almost got him, when he was new at the crease. Rana Naveed had him plumb on a full toss, when again he was ruled not out. Even Daniel Vettori got a lucky break off Saeed Ajmal.

The worst of all that the two field umpires were so strict on Pakistan bowlers that they ruled most of short pitched deliveries as wide ball and at the same time extended full luxury to New Zealand bowlers to hurl such deliveries. The general impression here is that since the ICC is being fully controlled by the Indian lobby, they were not happy with Pakistan approach during their match against Australia. Some of the Indians believe that Pakistan had deliberately kept India out of the semis race, as they did not go all out to achieve win against Australia that could have enabled them make it to the semis.

The Indians didn’t want Pakistan to win the Trophy and that whole biased umpiring decision were very much part of that campaign. For the ICC, the Indian market is moneymaking machine and they believe that cricket has got much attraction and following because of the sponsors they get from that country.
 
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  Toss or pitch, which will be more crucial in the outcome of match against Kiwis?
As Pakistan prepare to make their first ever Champions Trophy final, captain Younis Khan admitted the toss would go on to play an important role in the outcome of the match against New Zealand on Saturday (tomorrow).

The Wanderers pitch has proved to be a nightmare for teams batting first. "I think if the wicket plays the way it has been behaving so far, the toss could play an important role in the outcome of the semi, said Younis. It all depends on who wins the toss and what type of pitch we get for the match. The pitch provides assistance to bowlers and even facing the part-timers becomes all the more difficult," Younis said. "So it all depends on luck. Whichever team wins the toss would turn out favourite to win the semis. However, we are adamant not to leave everything to luck. We would fight to the end even if we lose on the spin of the coin," he said. He reiterated that his team is here to win the Trophy and would not be content with anything short of title. "We are just two wins away from winning the event and as such every player is fully geared up to perform to his best."

Victory against Australia in the last pool match would have given Pakistan top spot in Pool A and a chance of playing in the first semi against England at Centurion. On the contrary, it is Australia that would go on to play in the first semi. "There is very little difference in the strengths of all the four teams. In spite of resting some players, we were almost there against Australia in the last match. I think any team can beat the other in the semis and the one that holds on to their nerves better is expected to go ahead."

On the other hand, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam was optimistic about the behaviour of the pitch prepared for their semifinal against New Zealand, saying it would be a good track. The organisers have decided to prepare the same track for the semifinal clash at Wanderers that had been used during the match between India and West Indies on Wednesday.

"The semifinals will be played on the same pitch that was used for the match between West Indies and India. The track is void of grass and would be a sporting one provided the sky stays clear and weather remains bright." "I think it would be much better surface than on what we have witnessed during the last week. Those pitches, where we saw teams scoring less than 150, were a bit wet. Now when there is enough time for the curators to roll the surface, it would be a much improved surface."

Regarding New Zealand's strength, he said they had a balanced side. "They have got some good batsmen up front and it is their fast bowling that could be considered as their strongest point. They have got all the ingredients to give a tough time to Pakistan." Intikhab called on the Pakistan supporters to storm the Wanderers on Saturday as their presence would be of great help for the players.

 
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  Pakistan through to semis after beating India
Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf shared a record fourth-wicket stand to help Pakistan beat India by 54 runs on Saturday to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals. Pakistan compiled 302 for nine after winning the toss and batting before restricting their archrivals to 248 all out.

The victory led Pakistan to the top of Group A with four points from two matches ahead of Australia on two. India and West Indies have no points.

Shoaib (128) and Yousuf (87) put on 206 in 193 balls, the biggest stand for any wicket in the Champions Trophy and a fourth-wicket record for Pakistan. The previous record in the competition was 192 for the first wicket, shared by Indians Virender Sehwag and Saurav Ganguly against England in Colombo in 2002 and Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds for West Indies against Bangladesh in Southampton in 2004. Pakistan's previous best for the fourth wicket was an unbroken stand of 198 between Kamran Akmal and Misbah ul-Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.

Shoaib cracked 128 in 126 deliveries, with 16 fours, to record his seventh ODI century. The 27-year-old really hit form in the latter stages of his innings, needing just 27 deliveries for his second 50. Yousuf's 87 featured seven fours in a classy display of wristy stroke making.

Left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra struck twice with the new ball for India and finished with four for 55. However he had little support, with only Ishant Sharma pegging back the Pakistan batsmen with two for 39. Rahul Dravid top-scored for India with 76 before being runout in the 42nd over, Umar Gul's fine throw from the cover boundary beating him after Harbhajan Singh had called for a third run.
India were given a powerful start by Gautam Gambhir, who lashed 57 off 46 balls, while Suresh Raina added 46 in 41deliveries.

Pakistan, though, eventually cruised to victory after claiming the last five wickets for 43 runs. Naved ul-Hasan, Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal all picked up two wickets. Seventeen-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Aamer also grabbed two for 46 including Sachin Tendulkar for eight.
 
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  Will Pakistan be able to build on its Twenty20 World Cup success in Champions Trophy?
Led by Younis Khan, a 15-man Pakistan squad left for Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday to participate in the elite eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy to be played there from September 22 to October 5. Pakistan are in Pool A with holders Australia, India and West Indies, while Pool B comprises of England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and hosts South Africa. For the first time the Champions Trophy is featuring only the top eight sides in the world in the only global multi-team 50-over-a-side tournament between the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean and the next edition of that event, in the Asian sub-continent in two years’ time.

The event begins on Sept. 22 with the home side in action against Sri Lanka in a day-night encounter in Centurion and it will end with a day-night final at the same venue on October 5. Pakistan launch their campaign when they take on West Indies in their opening match on 23 and clash with archrivals India in Centurion on 26. They will play their last pool match on 29 against Australia. Top two teams from each pool will progress to the semi-finals.

Having already won the Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan are targeting a second major 2009 title at the upcoming Champions Trophy despite a less-than-impressive history in the competition. Pakistan has not reached the final in any of the five previous editions of the Champions Trophy — the biggest 50-over tournament behind the World Cup.

“Our World Twenty20 win has given us confidence and I think we can build on that success in the Champions Trophy. Maybe there is a difference of overs, but the style remains the same and now a team can chase 350-plus,” Younis told reporters before departure to South Africa.

Pakistan have kept faith on its experienced middle-order batsmen Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Yousauf despite a 3-2 loss in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Mohammad Asif will join the squad when his one-year doping ban ends on 22, while all-rounder Rana Navedul Hasan returns after severing his ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Asif’s return will compensate for Shoaib Akhtar’s failure to make the squad due to lack of fitness. The ever-improving seamer Umar Gul, fast rising Mohammad Aamir and hard working pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum make up a potent bowling attack with Afridi’s leg-spin and Saeed Ajmal’s off-spin adding variety. Pakistan squad: Younis Khan (captain), Imran Nazir, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi (vice captain), Rana Naveedul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Muhammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Saeed Ajmal.

 
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  Lawyers need to purge rogues from its ranks
Police arrested lawyer Hassan and his accomplice on Friday for "falsely" implicating former Test player Abdul Qadir in a rape case.

Mahmoodul Hasan, a lawyer who was the tenant of the leg spin wizard, had on Thursday filed an application with police in which he alleged that Qadir had raped his maid Noreen. Hasan claimed Noreen had told him that Qadir raped her, when she was alone at home.

Qadir, in his statement to police, denied the charge and asked for Noreen to be produced so that her statement could be recorded. "Hasan filed a false complaint to extract Rs1 million from me and because he had not paid me rent for one-and-a-half-years. He even sent a man named Liaquat to convey his message that I should pay the money or face the rape charge," Qadir said.

Police on Friday raided the house of Noreen, who said that Hasan had forced her to level a charge of rape against Qadir, but she had refused to do so. After her statement was recorded, police arrested Hasan and his accomplice Liaquat.

Meanwhile, Qadir has requested the police chief of Punjab province to provide him security as Hasan and his men were threatening him with dire consequences. Speaking to the media, Noreen too dismissed the charges levelled against Qadir, whom she described as a "pious man".
 
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  Will any change in format of Test or ODI rob its real charm?
Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s idea of changing the one-day international format doesn’t impress former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who believes the 50-over game has its own charm and there is no need to tinker with it. “Every format of the sport has its own utility and charm and it is better not to try to change these formats,” said Imran. “I don’t think the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket poses any threat to Test or 50-over matches if the international calendar is balanced properly,” said the cricketer-turned-politician.

Tendulkar had recently suggested splitting the 50-over matches into two innings of 25-overs each. Imran said after Test matches, ODIs provided toughest challenge for a players and the International Cricket Council (ICC) or its member boards should not try to reduce the number of overs to 40 or less. “That will rob one-day matches of its real charm. Then it is better the ICC just focus on further popularising Twenty20 cricket,” Imran said. He, however, did not see any harm in the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket since it filled the coffers and was good value for money for the spectators. “But at the same time no one should try to change the format of Test or one-day matches. Let them co-exist,” he said. Imran felt the Champions Trophy in South Africa would prove a success and remove any doubts over the future of 50-over cricket.


 
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  Younis plans founding players’ association, will it serve the purpose?
Younis Khan aims to launch a players' association in Pakistan and has already contacted the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA), a report said Friday. The Pakistan captain met FICA chief Tim May in London during the T20 World Cup in June and “had sought details about the formation of players' association.'' Khan has discussed the issue with current and former players in Pakistan and plans to meet Pakistan Cricket Board officials.

“I want to work for the betterment of cricketers in Pakistan because there are several players who are in a lot of financial problems,'' Khan told daily newspaper Jang without mentioning the names of players. “I don't want any confrontation with the PCB and we are not making a group against the board.'' Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the T20 World Cup, said, “We just want to gather the players for their own rights.''

Khan is expected to have another meeting with May during the Champions Trophy, which begins from Sept. 22 in South Africa. Pakistan's former Test captain Majid Khan had formed a players association during the 1980s, but it did not last long.
 
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  Golf: Pakistan qualifies for World Cup, makes history
Muhammad Shabbir and Muhammad Munir etched their names in the history books as they guided Pakistan to their first Omega Mission Hills World Cup on Saturday. The unheralded Pakistani duo shot a superb three-under-par 68 in the final round foursomes at Seri Selangor Golf Club to finish third at the Asian qualifier, which was won by pre-tournament favourites Singapore.

"Pakistan have played in the cricket World Cup, hockey World Cup and squash World Cup, but never before in our history that we've been in golf's World Cup," said a delighted Munir. "I don't know how to describe how we feel right now. I'm sure everyone in Pakistan will be very happy," he added. Pakistan mixed their scorecard with four birdies against two bogeys before nailing a crucial final birdie on the 18th hole to seal a historic debut against the world's best.

Represented by Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat, Singapore carded a closing 72 for a four-day total of 15-under-par 269 to finish one shot ahead of Philippines pair Mars Pucay and Angelo Que. The top three qualify for the World Cup, which takes place in China in November. A World Cup appearance continues to elude the Malaysian pair of Iain Steel and Danny Chia as they ended fourth after a battling 71 while Myanmar finished a further three strokes behind following a 74.

 
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  Is the named Pakistan squad best combination, as claimed by Qasim?
Pakistan cricket chief selector, Iqbal Qasim Friday said that the named outfit was the best combination available in the country keeping in view the toughness and seriousness of the Champions Trophy. He said that Pakistan had no option but to look towards their experienced players for a tough event like the Champions Trophy. "The Champions Trophy has the world's best eight teams," said Qasim, who took over as the chief selector early this month. "We will need all the experience we have to do well in it as there are top teams like Australia and India in our group." Pakistan made an embarrassing first round exit from the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in India after suffering defeats at the hands of New Zealand and South Africa.

Qasim made it clear that the senior players had to perform otherwise there were many youngsters full of potential who can fill their places. When asked about Pakistan’s chances in the event, the former leg spinner said if Pakistan were able to defeat West Indies in their opening match, then the team would be on the right track to make ‘step by step progress’ in their quest to win the coveted title.

Pakistan team selectors, headed by former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim, have dropped experienced and seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener Salman Butt. Opener Nasir Jamshed, who was part of the one-day international squad in Sri Lanka, has also been excluded, while the controversial fast bowler Mohammad Asif in a 15-member squad named for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Asif had served his time for the mistakes he made and the board felt he could be a big asset for the team in such a big tournament, said Qasim. But despite his selection, Asif can’t take part in Pakistan’s conditioning camp leading up to the Champions Trophy because his ban expires after the camp finishes.

The selectors have stuck with the batting line-up that performed poorly against Sri Lanka. The experienced batting quartet of Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan forms the basis of the batting line-up. All-rounder Shahid Afridi has been appointed vice captain keeping in view his performance as captain in the only Twenty20 international during the Sri Lanka tour. The Pakistan squad has only one specialist opener in Imran Nazir, who returned to the side in Sri Lanka after leaving the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Many eyes will be on Umar Akmal, wicketkeeper Kamran’s 19-year-old brother, who made such an impact in Sri Lanka and was Pakistan’s highest scorer in that series.

Squad: Younis Khan (captain), Imran Nazir, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Rana Navedul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Saeed Ajmal.
 
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  Let’s hope psychologist will cure our mental cricketers
Pakistan captain Younis Khan in an interview said he had asked the Pakistan cricket board to arrange more time with a psychologist during a short conditioning camp to be arranged for the Champions Trophy in mid-September. “We will have two proper counseling sessions because there is a problem with us that we tend to suffer from a mental block, when it comes to handling pressure or finishing off matches,” he said.

Pakistan will again seek the help of a sports psychologist to inspire them to repeat their Twenty20 World Cup success in the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. Pakistani players had several counseling sessions with sports psychologist Maqbool Bari before heading to England, where they upset a string of more-fancied sides to clinch the T20 World Cup in May. The team faltered badly, however, immediately after during their recent tour to Sri Lanka, where they lost both the Test and one-day series. “There is no doubt that the sessions with the psychologist helped improve the self belief and focus of the players before the T20 World Cup,” Pakistan captain Younis Khan told

The Pakistan board has also appointed former captain and batting great, Javed Miandad as batting consultant for the Champions Trophy. Younis said that former captains, Waqar Younis and Saeed Anwar would also visit the conditioning camp to work with the players. “I think our players can gain a lot by seeking advice from these former greats and a psychologist. We need these things to do well in the Champions Trophy which is a mega event.”
 
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  Isn’t all is well that ends well?
Pakistan has reached an out-of-court settlement with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the country being stripped of co-hosting rights for the 2011 cricket World Cup, local media reported on Friday.

Pakistani media reported that Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, received authorization from the PCB governing board on Thursday to reach a cash-settlement with the ICC.

The amount of the final settlement was not disclosed, reported The News. Pakistan had already secured a $10.5 million payment for the 14 games it was initially scheduled to hold before the country was removed as co-host on security grounds.

The ICC’s move to remove Pakistan - leaving India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as co-hosts - came after last year’s terrorist attack on Sri Lanka’s test team and security detail in which six policemen and a van driver were killed.

Pakistan had considered lobbying to have its game moved to another venue, such as the United Arab Emirates, but that the ICC ruled out.
 
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  We will either win Champions Trophy or WC: Younus
The disastrous tour of Sri Lanka and rumours of discord in the team notwithstanding, Pakistan captain Younus Khan is confident that his mercurial side will either win the Champions Trophy next month or the 2011 World Cup.

After his team notched a consolation win over Sri Lanka in the fifth and final one-day international in Colombo yesterday, Younus said he had a pool of 20 players in mind who will win either the Champions Trophy this year or the 2011 World Cup.

"The pool of players includes some talented players and if things go well and everyone including the board, selectors, team management and players fulfill their roles properly I am sure we can win one of the two big tournaments coming up," he added.

There is no harm in hoping against hope. We can only wish Yunus well in achieving his target, do you agree/disagree, why?
 
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  Politics in sports galore, Saqlain faces possible ban
Former Pakistan captain Muhammad Saqlain is facing a possible ban following his accusation that a top hockey federation official is forcing him to retire.

Saqlain was on Friday issued a show cause notice by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) over his media outburst against its secretary Asif Bajwa. The notice was issued by Shahid Parvez Bhandara, chairman of PHF’s disciplinary committee for “commenting against the PHF in the media”. Saqlain has been asked to submit his explanation by August 11 and to appear before the seven-man committee the next day.

Saqlain launched a scathing attack against Bajwa after he was left out of a 31-man training squad for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. The Lahore-based midfielder alleged that Bajwa held a personal grudge against him and was conspiring to end his international career. He has been accused by the PHF committee of bringing a bad name for the game’s governing body in Pakistan. The committee includes Iqbal Qasim, Rana Mujahid Ali, Sagheer Ahmad, Gulfraz Ahmad, Rana Shakir and Zahir Shah.

Pakistan sports lovers were already deeply hurt on the Pakistan cricket debacle in Sri Lanka allegedly due to internal rifts in the team and now this unfortunate development in the Pakistan hockey has come as a bolt from the blue, will Pakistan sports ever come out of such intrigues within?
 
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  How justified is the firing of PCB bosses for Sri Lanka debacle?
Former players on Tuesday called for a major shake-up in Pakistani cricket after the national side lost the five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka 3-0. Sri Lanka, who won the preceding three-Test series 2-0 to post their first home series win against Pakistan, crushed Pakistan by six wickets on Monday to secure the limited-overs contest as well. Sri Lanka has never won a home one-day series against Pakistan before and are now eyeing a clean sweep.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas said the defeat stressed the need for a major overhaul. "The World Twenty20 win had hid all the weaknesses in the team and the cricket board," said Abbas, referring to Pakistan's triumph in England in June. "The top man doesn't know much about the intricacies of cricket and is taking decisions to please his friends," Abbas said of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt. "From top to bottom we need changes. "Since this board has taken over we have lost the Champions Trophy, we have been stripped of World Cup 2011 matches and we have failed to handle the team, so this is total mismanagement, which is unacceptable," said Abbas. "The coach (Intikhab Alam) must go, and the captain (Younis Khan) also lacks the qualities of a good leader," said Abbas.

Security fears in Pakistan forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate the biennial Champions Trophy to South Africa in February. Two months later, the ICC also had to move World Cup 2011 matches out of Pakistan.

Former chief selector Abdul Qadir demanded resignations from the board and the team. "They should feel ashamed," said Qadir, who resigned in June after alleging interference in selection matters from the PCB and Alam. Former captain Aamer Sohail, who last month resigned as the PCB's development director after differences with management, also slammed the Pakistani setup. "No one, from the board officials to the team management, seems to have a clear plan in mind," he said.

But another former captain, Rashid Latif, differed. "Changes are not the solution," said Latif. "I think the team needs to go back to basics and there should be no interference in team planning. The team must play to its own plan."
 
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  Younus to try win at least one match on this tour
Following dismal performance of Pakistan cricket team in Sri Lanka, defeated 0-2 in the three-Test series, Pakistan has also lost the One-day International series as the hosts are leading the five match series 3-0.

In the third One-day International at Dambulla, Pakistan lost despite putting up their best total in the series. The former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene made 123 and shared an opening stand of 202 with Upul Tharanga (76) as the hosts cruised past Pakistan’s challenging 288-8 in the 47th over of the high-scoring match. Sri Lanka, who had won the preceding Test series 2-0, made light work of an improved batting display by Pakistan in which teenager Umar Akmal led the way with 66 off 65 balls.

The 19-year-old, whose elder brother Kamran Akmal is the team’s wicketkeeper, propelled Pakistan to the highest total ever at the Rangiri International Stadium. But Jayawardene, opening the batting in place of the indisposed Sanath Jayasuriya, and Tharanga gave Sri Lanka the perfect start in good batting conditions.

Pakistan captain Younus Khan conceded the Sri Lankan openers took the game away from his side. "I thought we put up a good total, but we had no answer to the way Jayawardene and Tharanga batted. We could have fielded better. "Now I wish we can win at least one match on this tour." The action shifts to Colombo where the last two one-dayers will be played on Friday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, you are welcome to put up some suggestions that may help Younus in his efforts of winning at least on match and save a complete whitewash on this tour.
 
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  Is Pakistan against Sri Lanka heading to a complete whitewash?
On a lively Dambulla track on Saturday, Pakistani batters were once again spooked by a determined Sri Lankan pace battery. It was the same old story as the touring party lost one batsman after the other and was bowled out for a mere 168 in 47 overs before going on to lose the second One-day International by six wickets. Batting collapses have become a mere routine for the Pakistanis, who entered the one-day series in a confident mood even after a 0-2 rout in the three-Test contest earlier on the tour.

The return of their World Twenty20 campaign hero Shahid Afridi and the recall of former Indian Cricket League (ICL) rebels — Imran Nazir and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan — was supposed to work as a shot in the arm for the Pakistanis, who had last month suffered the ignominy of becoming the first tourists from their country to lose a Test series in Sri Lanka.

But things seem to have hardly changed for Younis Khan’s men, who have so far batted like novices on most occasions during this nightmarish tour of Sri Lanka. Though with three games still to go, Pakistan have a slim chance of winning the series, but the way they are playing at the moment one would bet on a 5-0 triumph for Sri Lanka instead of a 3-2 series victory for the struggling visitors. Do you agree or disagree--why?
 
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  Pakistan’s nightmare—isn’t getting mysterious?
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ejaz Butt has rejected the reports, which suggested that the main reason for their defeat in the second test was division within the Pakistan team.

After collapse of Pakistan batting order the conjectures about division within the team were raised and the former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq also gave his consent stating that he could sense that there was division within the team.

The former skipper Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt were among the players who disliked the strategies of skipper Younus.

However the PCB chairman termed these rumors baseless saying that their team player have failed to deliver, as they did not have played much cricket in the past two years, which led to their batting collapse.

Corroborating the statement of PCB chairman, Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said he needs more time to 'rebuild' the team, which has played "very little cricket over the last 18 months".

"Give this team some time, don't point fingers too early. It will be very easy for me too to blame particular players, even myself. But the reality is we haven't been playing any Test cricket. It's very easy for me to give up, to say I can't captain this team. But somebody will have to stand up and fix the situation.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketers have blamed poor team spirit for the team's defeat to Sri Lanka in the Colombo Test. Former leg-spinner and chief selector, Abdul Qadir said factionalism and poor team spirit were responsible for the team's meek surrender before an ordinary Sri Lankan bowling line-up. Younus doesn't have leadership qualities, said Nawaz. Inzamam-ul-Haq also blamed the captain for the team's poor show.

Could you resolve this mystery amid conflicting views of the authorities and those of the experts still pouring in?
 
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  Will new-look Pakistan meet ODI challenge?
Pakistan are banking on a fresh set of players to deliver as they seek to avenge Sri Lanka’s Test victory in a one-day series starting Thursday.

Pakistan were beaten in a Test series for the first time on Sri Lankan soil when Younis Khan’s men lost the first two matches before drawing the final game in Colombo last week. But Younis is confident a change in personnel and infusion of new blood for the five one-day matches will revive the tourists and provide entertaining cricket for fans.
“There are many players in the team who did not play the Test series, and they are keen to prove that Pakistan are one of the best one-day teams in the world,” he said.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi, who was man of the match in both the semifinal and final of the World Twenty20, returns to bolster the tourists after opting out of the Test series. Pakistan will also welcome back seamer Rana Naved, 31, and opening batsman Imran Nazir, 27, who will represent the country once again after breaking links with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League. All eyes, however, will be on talented 19-year-old batsman Umar Akmal, younger brother of wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who forced his way onto the side with impressive scores in domestic cricket. Umar hit an unbeaten 103 in a warm-up match in Kurunegala on Monday when Pakistan failed to chase down Sri Lanka ‘A’s 348-6 by just 15 runs.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be boosted by the return of world bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan and fiery fast bowler Lasith Malinga after they both missed the Test series with knee injuries. Muralitharan, who has taken more Test (770) and one-day (505) wickets than any other bowler, will lend experience to the hosts’ bowling attack in the absence of veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas. Middle-order batsman Thilan Samaraweera returns to the one-day arena after four years, but dashing Tillakaratne Dilshan will miss the series after sustaining finger and eye injuries during the third Test. Upul Tharanga is expected to open the innings with veteran Sanath Jayasuriya.



 
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  PHF visa scam smears Pakistan’s image
The parliament’s standing committee on sports is to investigate allegations that hockey federation officials misused the governing body’s authority to help obtain visas for people looking to emigrate.

Jamshed Khan Dasti, who heads the National Assembly standing committee on sports, said it wanted to get to the bottom of the serious allegations from officials and former players. ‘Such allegations are badly damaging the image of the country and its sports team. We want to know the truth,’ he said.

Former Pakistan captain Mansoor Ahmed and ex-national coach Naveed Alam have alleged that some PHF officials misused the federation to obtain visas for European countries and encouraged some people to slip away in Italy while going there as members of official delegations.

The federation last week slapped a lifetime ban on Ahmed, a member of Pakistan’s gold medal teams at the 1994 Champions Trophy and World Cup, charging him with posing as a federation official to obtain visas from the United States embassy for a private team.

Alam, a former national team player, was also given a lifetime ban by the federation alleging he misappropriated funds when he was Pakistan manager and coach last year.
Both former players have rejected the charges and vowed to contest the bans.

A PHF spokesman said, “We will clear the misconception of people slipping away in Europe, while on official hockey tours. The committee will look at evidence and recommend strong action against such people,” he added.

Dasti claimed whoever was found guilty would not be spared. We can only hope and wait, isn’t it?
 
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  Pakistan tails off in Asian Jr. TT
Pakistan secured 10th position in the boys’ team event of the 15th Asian Juniors Table Tennis Championship, which is currently in progress in Indian city of Jaipur, according to results made available here on Friday.

Pakistan lost all but one matches in the first stage of group A to finish fifth among the six-team group. They went down to Iran, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore by an identical margin of 0-3 besides winning straight against Kazakhstan.

The group B consisted of five teams, namely, Chinese Taipei, India, Thailand, North Korea and Bahrain. In the playoff matches for 9th to 12th position, Pakistan gave a 3-1 drubbing to Thailand apart from losing 1-3 to Singapore to finish 10th among 11 nations.

Table Tennis is a game, which doesn’t require much of investment and it could easily be promoted in every educational institutions located in every nook and corner of the country for grooming up players of international standard and thus saving us from such embarassment.

Will the authorities here wake up after such a poor showing of Pakistan at the Asian Jr. TT?


 
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  Pakistan rebuild after early shocks in final Test
Khurram Manzoor and Mohammad Yousuf lifted Pakistan with an unbeaten 67-run stand after Sri Lanka's Thilan Thushara struck quick blows at the start of the third Test here on Monday.

Pakistan, sent in to bat in overcast conditions by Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara, recovered from a shaky 34-2 to post 103 without further loss by lunch on the first day at the Sinhalese sports club.

Left-arm seamer Thushara grabbed two wickets in four balls to give Sri Lanka a solid start in their bid to sweep the three-match series after winning the previous two matches.

But the third-wicket pair of Manzoor and Yousuf denied Sri Lanka further success till lunch on a barren wicket that appeared full of runs. Manzoor, playing his fifth Test, was unbeaten at the break on 42, while the 82-match veteran Yousuf was on a fluent 36.

Openers Fawad Alam and Manzoor had put on 34 within the first hour, when Thushara struck in his third over after replacing Nuwan Kulasekera. Left-handed Alam, who hit a brilliant 168 on debut in the previous Test, made 16 when he edged Thushara to wicket-keeper Tillakaratne Dilshan. Three balls later, Pakistan captain Younus Khan chopped a delivery wide of the off-stump on to his stumps after making two.

Yousuf hit the best shot of the morning session, when he stepped out and lofted left-arm spinner Rangana Herath over the long-on fence for six. Later, he punched the same bowler off the backfoot to the point fence.

Veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas, playing his final Test match after announcing his retirement from the five-day game on Sunday, bowled an opening spell of five overs in which he conceded 14 runs.

Pakistan also made one change, bringing in seasoned leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in place of seamer Abdur Rauf.
 
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  Aftab sees Indo-Pak cricket revival
The recent meeting between prime ministers of Pakistan and India could break the ice and we might have revival of cricket series very soon," Federal Sports Minister, Pir Aftab Hussain Jilani told reporters.

"Let me assure you that the Government of Pakistan is very eager for the resumption of sporting ties, but our Indian counterparts have yet not reciprocated in the same manner," he said.

He said cricket is the most popular game in both the country and in his opinion it didn't make sense to deny the people of watching the two most exciting teams in the cricketing world in action on their own soil.

"It is heartening however to note that contacts are being revived in other games and we are hoping cricket turn will come sooner than later," he believed.

He said Sports Ministry and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) allowing various teams to visit India on case-to-case basis and wanted similar gesture from Indian sports authorities.

 
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  What is behind our cricketers’ erratic performance?
There were many explanations for Pakistan's sorry plight in Sri Lanka where Younis Khan's men became the first visitors from their country to suffer a Test series defeat on Tuesday.

"You can expect anything from Pakistan. They are so unpredictable," the experts kept telling you as the Pakistanis lost wicket after wickets on the third day of their second Test in Colombo to finally lose the match by seven wickets.

Unpredictability alone, however, cannot explain why Pakistan could throw away nine wickets for a mere 35 runs after having dominated the same Sri Lankan attack for almost two preceding sessions and at times plundered it for runs, almost at will.

It cannot explain why a rookie, on Test debut, could master both the pacers and slow bowlers to muster up 168 with an enviable ease, while most of his more experienced and illustrious team-mates couldn't even reach the double figures. Neither Younis Khan's explanation that his team has gone through three horrific batting collapses in four innings because it lacks Test exposure.

There has to be much more to it than just the shortage of Test practice why in the first two Tests of the series against Sri Lanka, three of the team's senior batters have managed a combined score of just 198 runs.

Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal - three of the key players in the batting-line have almost completely flopped in the series. Take a look at Misbah's stats. The 35-year-old has scored 779 runs from 14 Tests at an average of 37.09. But in the last two Tests, he has just scored 66 runs at 16.50. He started off well in Galle with a 56 in the first innings, but has since fell for 7, 0 and 3.

Shoaib Malik, who relinquished captaincy to Younis earlier this year, has fared little better. He has scored 83 at 27.66, which is lower than his career average of 35.73 from 25 Tests (1215 runs). Malik was one of the most prolific run-getters, when Pakistan toured Sri Lanka in 2006.

Kamran Akmal has been the worst, just 29 runs from four outings, in the current series at 12.25. The wicketkeeper-batsman has a much better career record, having accumulated 2151 runs from 42 Tests at 33.09.

The trio's below-par showing has added fuel to conspiracy theories, which suggest that even a morale-boosting triumph in the World Twenty20 championship in England last month has failed to unite the team, which many believe stays bitterly divided.

Former Pakistan Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz is convinced that there are 'groupings' within the team with senior players like Malik and Misbah unwilling to give their best under Younis. Inzamam-ul-Haq has raised similar fears. The former Pakistan captain also believes that Younis is doing little to erase this menace.

Even if such theories are off the mark, Pakistan cricket's think-tank has to find solutions for the team's perennial problem - inconsistency.
 
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  Pakistan post-lunch queer collapse puts Sri Lanka in command
A match of wildly fluctuating fortunes took another incredible turn in the afternoon session as Pakistan, cruising at 294 for 2 at lunch, collapsed in a heap to be bundled out for 320, losing their last nine wickets for 35 to leave Sri Lanka a target of 171 to wrap up their first home series win against Pakistan.

There was no indication of such a monumental shift in momentum when the teams went in to lunch - the pitch was flat, offering little assistance for pace or spin. All that changed, though, when Kumar Sangakkara took the second new ball immediately after lunch. Surprisingly, it was Rangana Herath who took it, and equally surprisingly, he struck immediately, removing Yousuf with his second ball. That triggered off a spectacular collapse, as seven more wickets fell in the next 92 deliveries.

Nuwan Kulasekara had struggled for seam and swing in the first 80 overs, but armed with the second new ball in overcast conditions, he suddenly obtained exaggerated inswing, trapping four batsmen lbw. Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal all got their front foot too far across, though Misbah was unfortunate as the ball seemed to be missing leg stump.

Is it all lost or any scope still left for optimism?
 
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  Pakistan strongly bounces back
Debutant Fawad Alam scored an unbeaten century as Pakistan produced a remarkable turnaround to claw their way back in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Monday.

The tourists, who were bowled out for 90 in their first innings, hit back to dismiss Sri Lanka for 240 and then cruised to 178-1 in their second knock by stumps on the second day. Left-handed Alam led the way with a determined 102 not out to give Pakistan a lead of 28 runs with nine wickets in hand on a dry pitch that appeared to have eased out under the hot sun.

The fearless 23-year-old from Karachi moved to 98 by lofting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a six over mid-wicket and then flicked the next ball for two runs to reach the coveted century. He is the first Pakistani to score a century on debut away from home.

Alam put on 85 for the first wicket with Khurram Manzoor, who made 38 before he was caught behind by wicket-keeper Tillakaratne Dilshan off Herath.Skipper Younis Khan, who was dismissed for zero in the first innings, was unbeaten on 35 at stumps after adding 93 for the unbroken second wicket with Alam.

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara rotated his seam and spin attack in short bursts to gain quick breakthroughs, but Pakistan’s batsmen were not found wanting a second time. Seamer Umar Gul and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal launched Pakistan’s fight back taking four wickets each to keep Sri Lanka’s first innings in check.

The hosts lost their last seven wickets for 63 runs after starting the day at a comfortable 164-3.Gul extracted reverse swing with the old ball on the dry wicket to rip through the innings, including the wickets of Nuwan Kulasekera and Herath off successive deliveries.

Thilan Thushara denied Gul a hat-trick and Angelo Mathews hit a defiant 27 towards the end to boost Sri Lanka’s total from 220-8 before the innings ended 20 minutes after lunch. The hosts lost the overnight pair of Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera within the first hour for the addition of 24 runs.

Samaraweera, who made 21 in a fourth-wicket stand of 44 with his captain, was run out by a direct throw from Mohammad Aamer at mid-off while trying to attempt a cheeky single.

Sangakkara plodded from his overnight score of 81 to 87 but was denied a 19th Test century when Gul pegged back his off-stump with a reverse-swinging delivery that came in sharply.

Ajmal, who had claimed two wickets on Sunday, earned another crucial break when umpire Daryl Harper ruled Dilshan caught at the wicket by Kamran Akmal for 20 to make Sri Lanka 203-6.

The hosts tripped to 220-8 soon after, when Gul had Kulasekera edging a wild heave to Misbah-ul Haq at first slip before taking a return catch off Herath with the next delivery. Thushara was leg-before to Abdur Rauf in the first over after lunch before Ajmal terminated the innings by having Mathews caught in the covers by Mohammad Yousuf. Sri Lanka won the first Test in Galle by 50 runs last week to take the lead in the three-match series.

 
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  Does Pakistan crash in Colombo 1st inning sink all hopes?
Pakistan team collapsed for a mere total of 90 runs against Sri Lanka after lunch on first day of the second Test match here on Sunday.

This was Pakistan’s lowest ever Test score against Sri Lanka, eclipsing previous total 117 made recently in the first Test played at Galle.

Sri Lanka's pace duo of Nuwan Kulasekera and Thilan Thushara ripped through Pakistan's batting line after Pakistan elected to bat on a wicket that gave early assistance to the seamers, slumped to 19-4 within the first seven overs before going to lunch on the first day struggling at 74-6.

Kulasekera, playing his eighth Test, grabbed four wickets for 21 runs and left-armer Thushara chipped in with three scalps in a dramatic Pakistani collapse at the P. Sara Oval.

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik was the lone batsman to defy the Sri Lankan bowlers as he returned unbeaten at the end of the innings with 39.

Only two other batsmen, Fawad Alam (16) and Mohammad Yousuf (10) could enter into double figures whereas four batsmen, captain Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, opener Khurram Manzoor and Abdul Rauf, got out for naught.

It was not the start the tourists were looking for after losing the first Test in Galle last week to trail 1-0 in the three-match series.
 
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  PHF unable to host Asian Champions Trophy this year
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) informed the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) that it is unable to hold the inaugural edition of the Asian Champions Trophy in September this year, due to the pressing assignments of the national senior team in future and the security situation in the country as well.

PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said that he had suggested the AHF to allocate new dates for the event after the World Cup next year.

Asif Bajwa, who recently returned home as manager of the Pakistan team from
England, said the federation was negotiating with various European and Asian countries to prepare the team for this year’s qualifying round of the World Cup.

The PHF had itself suggested to AHF hosting the Champions Trophy. Though the AHF had allowed the event, it has given no surety about the participation of any team, since it was the responsibility of the PHF. As no team has confirmed the participation so far, the PHF considered it better to ask the AHF to postpone it for the next year, with the hope the security situation in the country would have been improved.

Isn’t a set back to the Pakistani team preparing for this year’s qualifying round of the World Cup?
 
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  Love is blind, Sania Mirza fans be treated with compassion
After Mohammad Ashraf from Kerala, it was turn of Ajay Singh Yadav from UP to serve a love volley to Sania on Thursday — just a day before her engagement.

Ajay desperately sought to meet Sania, but the cops, who were already on a high alert after the Ashraf episode on Tuesday night, stepped in to end the game quickly.

Cops said that Ajay, a 20-year-old BTech II-year student of Dronacharya Engineering College in Gurgaon, had come down to Hyderabad two days ago after coming to know of Sania's engagement through media reports. He had been staying at a relative's place in Nampally.

At about 11.30 am on Thursday, Ajay went to Road Number 9, Banjara Hills, and enquired with locals about the location of Sania's house. After zeroing in on the residence, Ajay tried to gate-crash, but was stopped in his tracks by security personnel. He told them that he liked Sania and wanted to meet her.

Instead of getting to meet her, Ajay was pinned down and frisked. And out tumbled a letter written by him to the tennis star. "We found a letter written in Hindi inside the bag. He had written some poetry expressing his admiration and love for Sania," DCP West Zone C Ravi Varma said.

Like Ashraf, Ajay had also never met Sania. He told reporters that he was in love with her since the past five years. Ajay is from Etah in Uttar Pradesh and his father, Om Prakash Yadav, is a schoolteacher.

Cases under Section 509 (uttering any word or making any gesture with an intent to outrage the modesty of a woman) were slapped against Ashraf and Ajay.

Don’t these fans of Sania Mirza be treated with compassion, as love is said to be blind? Send your comments.
 
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  Pakistan’s shocking defeat in first Test vs Sri Lanka
After outplaying Sri Lanka for the first three days, Pakistan cricket team was surprisingly all out on the fourth day when it lost their last eight batsmen for 46 runs, giving the visitors a dramatic 50-run victory in the first cricket Test at the Galle International Stadium.

Chasing a modest target of 168, Pakistan were collapsed from a seemingly impregnable 71-2 to 117 all out in their second innings before lunch on the fourth day.

Pakistan’s astonishing defeat gave Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, the first between the two nations since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore on March 3.

A stunned Pakistan captain Younis Khan said the team's lack of Test cricket -- just three Tests in the last 18 months -- had proved costly.

The team who a few days ago emerged as the champions of the World Twenty20 Cup could not achieve an easy target despite dominating the game for three successive days.

What do you think were the factors behind this defeat?
 
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  How Pakistan can stage a comeback, after poor show in Lanka first test?
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 50 runs in the first cricket Test on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan, chasing a modest target of 168, collapsed from their overnight total of 71-2 to 117 all out just before lunch on the fourth day at the Galle International Stadium. Brief scores: Sri Lanka 292 and 217-- Pakistan 342 and 117.

Pakistan losing so soon against Sri Lanka, one could never expect, especially when the euphoria of T20 victory had not yet died down. Yet, the poor performance of Pakistan squad particularly in the second inning of the first test gave Sri Lankan a chance to avenge their defeat at Lords.

The second Test starts at the P. Sara stadium in Colombo on July 12.
 
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  Shortening Test matches from five to four days
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering shortening Test matches from five to four days in a bid to revamp the game's traditional format and save it from the rise of the popular Twenty20 version.

The idea of four-day Tests was raised in strategy discussions during ICC meetings in London last month.

ICC president David Morgan has floated the idea of having four-day Tests saying that Test cricket will have to be made more exciting through a series of steps.

Responding to this idea, some people feared that such steps would achieve little other than ruining the traditional format of the game.

"To have four-day Tests played with coloured balls and under floodlights will be the sort of experimentation, which Test cricket doesn't need," said Javed Miandad, regarded among the greatest batsmen of all time.

He also suggested that the ICC should form a think-tank involving the big names of world cricket, which should come out with comprehensive suggestions over issues like the survival of Test cricket.

You are invited to comment on this issue.
 
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  Who is responsible for shifting of World Cup matches?
The government of Pakistan has blamed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s decision to shift 2011 World Cup matches from the country.

Pointing fingers towards the PCB chief Ijaz Butt, Sports Minister, Pir Aftab Jilani said those who run the matters of PCB are responsible for losing the rights of hosting World Cup 2011 matches.

Of course, the one who is running the show of Pakistan cricket is responsible for this shift, media quoted Jilani saying.

The ICC had decided not to host any World Cup matches in Pakistan following the brazen terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March.

Later, the apex cricket committee awarded all the 14 matches, which Pakistan had to host earlier, to the other three host nations India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Pakistan revelled in its World Twenty20 triumph recently, as former cricket greats voiced hopes that the victory could help restore the strife-torn nation's place in international cricket.
 
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  Pakistan eyeing victory in Sri Lanka
World Twenty20 champions Pakistan are going to Sri Lanka after winning the World Twenty20 Cup in England. The 15-man squad, including pardoned rebel Indian league players Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq, starts the current tour on June 29 with a three-day side match in Colombo. The first Test starts at Galle from July 4.

The other two Tests will be played in Colombo (July 12-16 and July 20-24) followed by one-day series and the Twenty20 match.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi, declared man-of-the-match in Pakistan’s semifinal and final win in the World Twenty20, will skip the Test leg of the Sri Lanka tour but will be available for the limited over matches.

Injury-prone paceman Shoaib Akhtar, who missed the World Twenty20 due to groin problems, was also not considered for selection for the Sri Lanka tour. Also axed from the squad was paceman Sohail Tanvir, part of Pakistan’s winning team in the World Cup.

Rookie 17-year-old paceman Mohammad Aamir, the find for Pakistan in their World Twenty20 win, will supplement the attack along with the more experienced Umar Gul and Razzaq.

Also returning to the squad is paceman Abdur Rauf, who played four one-day matches last year but was never selected for the Tests.

What do you expect from Pakistan team in this series? Your views in this regard will be welcomed.
 
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  Pakistan are the Champions now!
June 21 has always been the longest day of the year and today this is also the biggest day for Pakistan as they took the biggest cricket spectacle by storm at Lord’s, the home of cricket.

This is indeed a great achievement for Pakistan who are deprived of playing international cricket at home as no country wants to come here for security concerns.

Pakistan began the mega event on a bad note, losing the opener to England, but they gradually got the tempo by moving into Super Eights where they outclassed Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa to march into the final.

In the final today, they thrashed the in-form Sri Lanka to snatch the coveted trophy. Now, they have become the world champions of Twenty20 cricket.

Younus Khan led his boys remarkably well to follow the footsteps of Imran Khan by lifting the World Cup trophy. This is a wonderful gift to his people who are facing terror at home. This will boost his nation’s morale back home. This will bring a wave of happiness in the country which is dogged by suicide bombing, political uncertainties and economic downslide.

You are invited to share your feelings with us.
 
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  Pakistan will rule the cricket world?
LONDON: Pakistan have succeeded in reaching the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 Cup 2009 as they won two of the three games in the Super Eights stage. After losing to Sri Lanka, they defeated New Zealand and Ireland to book their place in the semi-finals.

Pakistan captain Younus Khan believes that Pakistan will be crowned World Twenty20 champions. He says that they now have the right mixture of experience and youth to see them through.

Pakistan were runners-up to their bitter rivals India at the 2007 World Twenty20 tournament. This time, cricket lovers cannot see them contest again for the title as Indians have been knocked out of the tournament after being defeated by the West Indies and England in their Super Eights matches.

What do you think? Will Pakistan be the new champions of Twenty20 cricket?
 
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  India knocked out of World Twenty20 cricket
India, who were taking part in the World Twenty20 Cup 2009 as defending champions and were being considered hot favourites for retaining the title, bowed out of this mega event after they lost to England by three runs on Sunday to record consecutive losses in the Super 8 stage of the tournament in England.

Pakistan were runners-up to their bitter rivals India at the 2007 World Twenty20 tournament. This time, cricket lovers cannot see them contest again for the title as Indians have been knocked out of the tournament.

How do you see India’s fall and what will be the impact on Indian cricket?
 
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  Pakistan in World Twenty20 Super Eights
Cricket lovers must be happy over Pakistan’s marching into Super Eights.

Despite losing their opening match against England, Pakistan however managed to reach the second phase of the ICC World Twenty20 – Super Eights – by recording a 82-run impressive victory over the Netherlands.

They have joined Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Ireland in Group F of the tournament.

Pakistan will begin their campaign for a place in the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20 championship against Sri Lanka at Lord's on June 12.

Later, they will meet New Zealand at The Oval on June 13 followed by their final Super Eights game against Ireland on June 15 at the same venue.

They have to work hard and play under a well planned strategy for qualifying to play in the semi-final of the mega event.

Your suggestions, views and comments in this regard will be most welcomed.
 
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  Pakistan’s prospects in World Twenty20
The ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2009 is being played in England from June 5 and it will continue till June 21. Twelve cricket playing nations are participating in this 16-day mega event.

All the participating teams have been grouped in four pools of three each, with the top two qualifying for two groups of four each in the Super Eight stage from which the top two teams will qualify for the final.

The teams taking part in the tournament are: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies.

Pakistan did not play sufficient international cricket for the last one and a half year. Now, they have made it back in a big international event.

In your opinion, what are chances of Pakistan winning in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament? Will they be able to grab the prestigious trophy, or make it to the final, or just reach the Super Eights?
 
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  World Cup woes
The ICC decision is made: Pakistan has lost hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup matches, which will now be distributed between India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The ICC has judged the security situation in Pakistan is not conducive to the hosting of international cricket. Our years of isolation have begun in earnest. Predictably enough, voices within the country have loudly condemned the ICC verdict, insisting it is unfair.

The loss of the most prestigious event in cricket is a huge blow, both in terms of sport and revenue. But perhaps we should accept that, following the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers earlier this year; such a decision was more or less inevitable. It is true 2011 is still two years away, but clearly the international community is unconvinced there will by then be any major change in the situation in Pakistan. Events that take place beyond the playing fields also have an impact on this perception.

Sadly, Pakistan today is seen as a country that lives under the dark shadow of militancy. It is only when this image changes that we can have any hope of returning to normalcy. The ICC decision will not change. We may say it is unjust, but we have no real choice but to live with its grim consequences.

Your comments are welcome on the ICC decision and now what Pakistan should do to seize it back as quickly as possible!
 
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  Javed Miandad resigns as PCB Director General
Unhappy over Shoaib Malik's unceremonious sacking and disagreement as regards his contract, Javed Miandad resigned as Director-General of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Miandad said that he no longer wanted to be mere symbolic director general and he was not able to discharge his duties as per his job responsibilities - Sources in the PCB have confirmed that Miandad has resigned but it was not clear if his resignation has been accepted by the Board as PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt is in Perth to attend ICC's Executive Board Meeting.

Miandad's resignation comes less than 24 hours after emergency meetings with PCB officials and former and current players resulted in Younis Khan taking over the Pakistan captaincy from Malik.

Malik's ouster came after Pakistan's recent ODI series defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka. Miandad, who served as Pakistan coach thrice in the past, took over the position of PCB Director-General in November last year.

What would you say on this important development – would his resignation have any adverse effect on Pakistani cricket? And are there any grey areas in the affairs of PCB which need to be addressed so that the future of Pakistan cricket be saved?
 
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  Younis Khan replaces Malik as captain
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed star batsman Younis Khan as captain of the national cricket team after Shoaib Malik stepped down from the captaincy after the debacle of the Pakistan team in the recent home series against Sri Lanka.

Malik led Pakistan to their worst one-day defeat -- by 234 runs -- in the third and final one-day international in Lahore helping Sri Lanka register an easy win over the host side.

The one-sided defeat sparked a furious reaction in the cricket-mad country and the PCB asked the team management to present a report on the reasons of defeat.

The sports committee of the Senate also summoned Malik, coach Intikhab Alam and chief selector Abdul Qadir on February 9 to explain the defeat.

The 26-year-old Malik was appointed skipper after Pakistan's first round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Younis Khan is one of the most experienced cricketers in Pakistan, having scored 4816 runs from 58 Tests at 49.14 with 15 hundreds. He has also played 181 One-day Internationals, scoring 5306 runs.

Younis, who has already captained Pakistan in two Test matches and six ODIs, will take up the role in the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka next month.

Dear readers, do you think that Younus Khan is the right choice as captain? Will this change bring about any improvement in the performance of the team? You comments are welcome!
 
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  Yousuf holds on to second spot in ICC Test rankings
Pakistan’s star batsman Muhammad Yousuf has clinched second place in the latest Test ranking of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The other Pakistani batsman included in the top-ten is Younis Khan who has been dropped from the seventh to the eighth position.

Besides Test cricket, Mohammad Yousuf has also been placed in the ICC ranking of the top ten batsmen in One-day International cricket. He secured ninth position.

However, it is interesting that despite being rated among the top-ten by the ICC, Mohammad Yousuf is not being considered for the selection in the national team to play any form of cricket – Test, ODI and Twenty20.

Your comments in this regard are welcome.
 
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  Shoaib Akhtar can play outside Pakistan
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was cleared Wednesday to resume his career outside the country.

Chairman appellate committee Justice (Rtd) Aftab Farrukh told a news conference that Shoaib could not play cricket for five years within Pakistan and for the national team.

The fast bowler however has not been banned to play cricket outside Pakistan and he could play in the IPL.

He said the disciplinary committee has only imposed ban on him over playing in Pakistan. The committee chairman further said that the fast bowler would not be selected for the national team for five years.

The paceman made an unconditional apology to the tribunal and pledged to mend his ways.

Will the ban end cricket career of Shoaib?

What do you think about the verdict of the appellate committee?
 
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  IPL: Clash of cricket greats
The game of cricket was introduced in South Asia by Englishmen and it was a gentlemen’s game which was played here only by the rajas and the nawabs.

Today, cricketers have become so rich that the Rajas and the Nawabs are getting their autographs.

After Kerry Packer, now the league cricket has attracted the attention of commercial organizations all over the world.

Kerry Packer had organized his circus in Australia but Lalith Modi’s cricket festival is going to be launched in India.

There is not one but eight companies buying franchise and coming in their own ways and styles.

Stage is now set for the Indian Premier League, financed through billions of rupees.

In all, 75 cricket stars from all over the world will display performances in the IPL and sensational contests are expected to be seen in 59 Twenty20 matches between eight teams during 45 days due to which this event is being termed as a revolution in the cricket world.

This is why the Bollywood stars – Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zenta – and billionaires like Mukesh Ambani and Vijay Malia have purchased the franchise of the Indian Premier League.

The players will get millions of rupees yearly through this tournament while the bank balance of the Indian Cricket Board will be doubled.

The idea of the Indian Premier League is the brainchild of Lalith Modi, vice president of the Indian board. He is himself a businessman who has observed sports marketing in the United States for a long period and he has now accepted the challenge of running the cricket series on the lines of the English Premier League.

The importance of the tournament can be considered by the fact that its telecast rights have been bought for Rs.66 billions by the local companies and Geo has obtained rights from them.

Do you think that cricket would be promoted through this tournament.
 
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  Five-year ban on Shoaib Akhtar
The Disciplinary Committee of Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to impose five-year ban on Shoaib Akhtar. A ban for 13 matches was already in place on the fast bowler.

PCB Chairman, Dr. Nasim Ashraf made the announcement of the fresh ban during a press conference. Please, share your view on the latest ban.
 
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