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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Pakistan Cricket Team Boss 'Not Quitting'

The manager of Pakistan's beleaguered cricket team has told Sky News he is not quitting amid a row over match-fixing allegations.The manager of Pakistan's beleaguered cricket team has told Sky News he is not quitting amid a row over match-fixing allegations.
Yawar Saeed said: "I am not resigned, I'm not resigning and I will not resign tomorrow."
He was speaking as the Pakistan team left their hotel in west London for the deciding one-day match against England in Southampton.
Earlier, sources had told Sky that Mr Saeed had quit.
Mr Saeed has been in charge of a team mired by allegations of corruption and match-fixing.
Four Pakistan players have been quizzed by police over claims by the News Of The World that they were involved in spot-fixing during the fourth Test at Lord's.
The International Cricket Council is also looking into Pakistan's performance in last week's one-day game at The Oval after allegations about "scoring patterns" during their innings.
They are alleged to have bowled no-balls to order in return for cash.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is also threatening legal action against Ijaz Butt, head of Pakistan's Cricket Board, unless he apologises for claiming England threw last Friday's game.
Mr Butt said there was "loud and clear talk in bookie circles" that England players had taken cash.
Mr Saeed refused to comment on the claims.
"I'm not responsible for the chairman's comments," he said.
Relations between the Pakistan and England deteriorated further on Monday when Jonathan Trott grabbed Wahab Riaz by the throat during the match at Lord's.

Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi's team looks for closure and some magic

Pakistani One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi looks for some respect as he leads the young, inexperienced Pakistani team in the ongoing tour of England. After the recent match-fixing scandal, the young visiting side is looking for some closure and magic to happen in the One-Day International (ODI) series.
The Pakistani cricket team and the country itself is undergoing immense problems caused by the recent floods which have devastated the country, displacing millions. Under such circumstances the last thing this cricketing nation was looking forward to was a match-fixing scandal. And just when everyone thought it was all said and done with, the PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt, accused English players of match-fixing as they lost the 3rd ODI against Pakistan at the Oval.
With all these conspiracy theories and allegations running amok, Afridi comes into play. The 29 year old is supposed to look after the Pakistani 11 on and off the field. Meanwhile, the challenges to his captaincy remain substantial. Afridi is expected to step up to the occasion and lead this young Pakistani lot to better things. Afridi who is known for his impatience and intolerance, all of sudden has been asked to step up as the skipper of the unpredictable men in green.
The fourth ODI of the series will be Afridi’s 300th ODI. His all-rounder skills became prominent 10 years into his cricketing career. The aggressive right-hander is also a brilliantly mercurial and unpredictable leg spinner. He has the ability to bowl two types of googlies; the first is the conventional offie and the second is a lethal faster delivery which is normally unplayable as world-class batsmen fail to read the length and speed of the ball. 
Afridi is usually known as a crowd-puller or a madcap batsman around the world. He is renowned for his inability to control his urge to slog each and every ball that comes his way. This inability has often led to him losing his wicket cheaply.
‘Boom Boom Afridi’, as he is lovingly known, was never seen as a captain due to his immaturity and impatience. Yet, due to incredible mismanagement at the PCB, he was the only senior player left who could fulfill a captain’s role. The decision to hand a life ban to Yunus Khan was probably one of the worst decisions ever taken by the PCB.
Afridi, who also held fundraisers to generate money for the recent flood victims in Pakistan, has always stepped in whenever Pakistani cricket has needed his services. His passion and love for his country and cricket are the two vital part of his personality which somehow is exactly what Pakistani cricket requires at the moment.
One might not understand the rationale behind the PCB appointing Afridi as the skipper of the ODI team, but apparently he is exactly what the doctor ordered for Pakistani cricket. His optimism has brought back the crushed confidence of the young Pakistani players. Above all, his recent performances with both bat and ball in the 20 over version of the game have given Pakistani cricket some measure of respect in the international arena. As he sets off with his playing 11 for the much awaited World Cup 2011, one can only hope and see the unexpected luck and magic he can bring to this sport.

Pak cricketers mentally stronger than English players: Afridi

LONDON: Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has said that efforts are being made to destroy his country’s team; but, the Pak nation would emerge with as much resilience as it is suppressed.
While talking in a Geo News programme Captain’s Corner, allrounder Shahid Afridi said that a police case could have been filed against Jonathon Trott for his misbehaving with Wahab Riaz.
He said that he was asked not to go for toss after a dispute between Trott and Wahab; but, the Pakistan team showed its greatness despite Trott’s misbehavior.
Praising his team, Afridi said that the Pakistani players are mentally stronger than the English cricketers.
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