Younis predicts clean sweep for Pakistan

Lahore: Pakistan captain Younus Khan has said that his team would beat Australia 5-0 in the forthcoming one day international series in the UAE.Talking to reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium here, Khan, while replying to a question said: "No doubt it will be 5-0, but in favour of Pakistan."He admitted that Pakistan has not played much international cricket in recent times, and it could affect its performance in the series.Khan, however, said his team was capable of handing out surprises."Remember how Pakistan defeated England in 2005, which came here after beating Australia in the Ashes series," The Dawn quoted Khan, as saying.When enquired about Shoaib Akhtar’s slack performance in the ongoing training camp, he said it was not the right platform to judge a player like his caliber."One should watch Akhtar in the match as that was the real platform to examine the performance of a player," Khan added.Replying to a question about suggesting Akhtar about his role in the team, Khan said: "Who am I to give him advice, he is not a child and knows very well what the team expects from him.""Shoaib is also duty bound to play for the country and the team and not for himself. I feel no difference between Shoaib Akhtar and upcoming Ahmad Shahzad as far as performance of a player is concerned," he added.Khan said he would have liked to perform against a full strength Australian team.Australia has rested their three top players Ricky Ponting, M Hussey and Mitchell Johnson for the five match series..

ICC watching Fast Bowler Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar (in AFP photo) can be targeted by the International Cricket Council if it opts for random dope tests during a one-day series between Pakistan and Australia starting in Dubai on 22 April. According to the media reports today, some cricketers featuring in the series can be asked to undergo the tests. Shoaib tested positive for nandrolone during the 2006 Champions Trophy in India. He has been mostly out of international action since then owing either to injury or suspension. He made a stunning comeback to the Pakistan team for the series against the Aussies after a series of fitness tests. The reports suggested he might find himself in trouble.

Shoaib Malik's tenure extended as captain.

Shoaib Malik's tenure is extended as captain of Pakistan`s cricket team.Pakistan cricket board confirms.Malik's style of captaincy has been criticised by several former players including ex-captains Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and even Intikhab Alam prior to his appointment as coach of the team.His reign began with a string of losses but improved performances and better relations with Alam and his team-mates has paved the way for him to remain in charge and Ijaz Butt,chairman Pakistan Cricket Board ,said: "Shoaib Malik will remain as the Pakistan captain as long as he continues to deliver."He added: "I believe that he has done a good job in recent times." Where as Pakistan's newly appointed chief selector Abdul Qadir has a strong opinion, and often misfires something which is either totally against the policies of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or unacceptable in the local culture.Qadir has strongly opposed the idea of retaining Shoaib Malik as captain for both Tests and one-day cricket, saying he respects PCB chairman Ijaz Butt's view, but still feel that there should be separate captains for Tests and ODIs..

Cricket should be free from politics-Yousuf

Karachi:Pakistan`s banned batsman,Muhammad Yousuf is very Disappointed after India cancelled its Pakistan tour after the Mumbai terror attacks, Yousuf, who has been banned after joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), said nothing really can match the excitement and euphoria that surround an Indo-Pak contest.He said that Sports and politics should be kept apart and cricket would be poorer without Indo-Pak contests."I just think both countries need to keep sports and politics apart. I would hope they would soon start working on resuming sporting ties and allowing bilateral cricket matches, because the cricket world needs to have Indo-Pak contests," Yousuf said.Yousuf also refused to buy the argument that an Indo-Australian series has now replaced an Indo-Pak contest as the most intense cricketing battle."Tell me was there a bigger series then when India toured Pakistan in 2004? Cricket does not get bigger than that," he argued.

Noting India's recent string of extraordinary performances, Yousuf said as a player, he saw playing India at present as a big challenge. "Playing India has always been a high point for me," said the right-hander.Yousuf, however, was happy that Sri Lanka has finally agreed to come and play a full series here."It will be a close contest against them and Pakistan should win as it has a very good team with good performers. But negating the wicket taking abilities of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis will be the key to the outcome of the series," Yousuf said.

India will not tour Pakistan, says former Pakistan Cricket Board boss

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A former head of the Pakistan Cricket Board says he expects India to pull out of next year's tour due to security concerns."I don't think India will come because the (security) conditions are not good for international cricket (in Pakistan)," Tauqir Zia said Friday on private Geo Television."It will be a big setback for Pakistan cricket, but they should be prepared for this."India is scheduled to tour Pakistan from Jan. 4 for three Tests and five one-day internationals.Zia also said he doubts that Pakistan will host the already postponed Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament next year."What (is there) to talk about the Champions Trophy? I doubt even India will come," he said.Rawalpindi - which was ruled out as a Champions Trophy venue this year for security reasons - was named as the host of one of the Tests and a one-day international against India.A powerful bomb blast left 53 dead and hundreds injured Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in the capital Islamabad, which is adjacent to Rawalpindi.The PCB has admitted that the itinerary for the India tour was finalized before the blast at the Marriott, where teams normally stay during international matches. The Indian team stayed at the Marriott Hotel during its previous visit to Pakistan in 2004.Top international teams have avoided touring Pakistan this year with Australia postponing its scheduled visit until 2009.The International Cricket Council postponed the biennial Champions Trophy until Sept.-Oct. 2009 after England, New Zealand, South Africa and defending champion Australia refused to participate due to security concerns.Pakistan has not played a Test match this year, but has invited the West Indies for two Tests in November - shortly after both teams play three one-day internationals at Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The West Indies has not confirmed it will play the Test matches against Pakistan. .

Younis Khan will shine at South Australia:

Pakistan`s 30-year-old batsman Younis Khan will leave early next month to play for South Australia in their domestic season.Younis khan has decided to leave the domestic Twenty20 championship beginning on October 4 in Lahore and is doubtful for the international Twenty20 event in Toronto which also features Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Canada. "Younis has taken clearance from the board before he signed his contract with South Australia," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations for the Pakistan board said."He is due to leave soon. But he has to make himself available for national duty when he is required," Zakir Khan said.Younis will be the only top player missing from the Twenty20 domestic championship which will feature all the Pakistan players including fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who has been given permission to play by

Norman Arendse-resigns as president of South African cricket

CAPE TOWN, Wahabuddin khan Report: The president of Cricket South Africa resigned Wednesday, citing tensions over his efforts to reach out to black players and fans 14 years after the end of apartheid.Norman Arendse announced his resignation to reporters in Cape Town, the South African Press Association reported. His three year term was to have ended in 2010.Arendse said CSA's 11 local affiliates were split over backing his efforts to ensure the sport reflected South Africa's racial reality.Arendse also cited differences with Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola. Majola said he received news of the resignation with "surprise and regret."

Shoaib Akhter to pay Rs.7 million as fine-PCB.

Wahabuddin khan
Shoaib Akhtar has to pay Rs.7 million (approx US$105,000) as fine just to be allowed to play for Pakistan.The PCB slapped Shoaib Akhter, 33, with the fine last month after he criticised the PCB over its failure to award him a central contract. He was initially banned by the PCB for five years, but the sentence had been reduced to 18 months by an appellate tribunal in June."Legally speaking the Lahore High Court upheld the fine and suspended the ban so if he wants to play for Pakistan and in Pakistan, Akhtar will have to pay the fine," PCB legal adviser Taffazul Hussain Rizvi told ."We have whole heartedly accepted the court's suspension of the ban and we want Shoaib to pay the fine as per the court directives," said Rizvi.Shoaib was left out of Islamabad's squad for the upcoming National Twenty20 tournament and will not be considered for next month's four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada if he does not participate in the tournament, to be played from October 4-8.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will play in RBS Twenty20 ?

Wahabuddin Report- The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Twenty20 National Cricket Championship is starting at different centers – Gaddafi Stadium, LCCA ground and Bagh-i-Jinnah – here from October 4. The fourth five-day domestic event is sponsored by RBS, formerly ABN Amro Bank. The Twenty20 trophy was unveiled during a glittering ceremony at the Pearl Continental Hotel on Monday. The RBS and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, the captains of the participating teams, the members of the PCB governing board and former Pakistan captain and RBS ambassador Ramiz Raja were present on the occasion.The tournament will be participated by thirteen regional teams who have been divided into four pools. Lahore and Karachi will field two teams each. Top team from each group will play the semi-finals and the winners of the semi-finals will fight for the coveted trophy. The prize money of the tournament has been enhanced and now the winning team will get Rs 25,00,000 while the runners-up will pocket Rs 10,00,000.Naghmi said the tournament would serve as a warm up for the Pakistan team that would take part in a Twenty20 international tournament in Toronto next month. “Only those players, who will be playing this domestic tournament, will be considered for selection for Canada event.” When his attention was drawn to the fact that express bowler Shoaib Akhtar was not in any team, he said slight changes could be made in a team and at the time of selection based on the need of any specialised player.

Australian cricket officials have double standards-Pakistan

KARACHI (Wahabuddin khn) - Pakistan Cricket officials have accused their Australian counterparts of double standards after they confirmed that Australia's test tour to India would go ahead despite a series bomb blasts in New Delhi at the weekend."It just shows the double standards of the Australians. They couldn't accept our assurances they would be provided top security to play in Pakistan," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said."But they have accepted Indian assurances and are willing to play in India which has also seen a series of bomb blasts in recent
months at major cricket venues. Australia, in fact, would be playing a test in Delhi," Naghmi added.Australia postponed their test tour to Pakistan earlier this year insisting they were concerned with the safety and security of their layers.They were also among the four countries to express security concerns about playing the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, leading to its postponement last month by the International Cricket Council.Naghmi said Pakistan had always provided state-level security for touring teams and had been saying no country or city could declare itself safe from terrorist attacks."So why is Pakistan so different from India we want to know? In a way, we are glad they are going to India we hope they will now fulfil their commitment of touring Pakistan next April," Naghmi said.