AFRIDI IS THE MAN TO FOLLOW BELIEVES AHMED SHEHZAD

Pakistan's young gun, Ahmed Shehzad scored a ton and led his side to victory in the 2^nd One Day International between Pakistan and West Indies in St Lucia on 25 April, 2011.

Speaking at the match presentation after being named the Player of the Match, Shehzad stated that the skipper, Afridi was the man to follow.

Describing Afridi as an astonishing captain, the right-hand batsman expressed his faith in the skipper’s ability to lead the Men in Green through turbulent times.

Shehzad has been retained in the national side despite his unimpressive performance throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. He also acknowledged the support of his captain and the team management in this regard.

The 19-year old cricketer said, “I would like to thank team management for supporting me, Vicky bhai (Waqar Younis), Aaqib Javed, and Shahid bhai. He (Afridi) is the man to follow, he has been astonishing, if we follow him he will take us through. The wicket was on the slower side, I knew if we kept the wickets, we will do it.”

Shehzad put forth a redeeming 102 run knock off 148 deliveries which included seven fours and one six. The ton was his second One Day International century.

Afridi in return, also complimented Shehzad on his performance. The skipper acknowledged Shehzad’s poor record in the past but praised his comeback.

“Shehzad is a very talented guy who performed well in New Zealand tour. He didn't do well in World cup, he took some time, its ok he took time but he finished the game. The management has been supporting him,” said Afridi.

The skipper further expressed his satisfaction with how the team was following the game plan and performing as expected.

After losing the first Twenty20 match against the Windies, the Green Shirts bounced back with two consecutive wins.

The Men in Green have been on a roll, performing well in One Day Internationals. They reached the Semi-Finals of 2011 ICC World Cup and prior to that, had won the ODI series in New Zealand.

Spinners have been Pakistan’s weapon of choice against the young West Indian side. The 2^nd ODI saw the spin trio of Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal share six wickets between them.

The West Indian skipper Darren Sammy had asserted earlier that his side needed to work hard in the nets to face the Pakistani spinners.

The third match of the series will be played on Thursday, 28 April, 2011 at Bridgetown. If Pakistan wins the match they will have an unassailable lead in the series.

KAMRAN AKMAL’S FATHER-IN-LAW FILES RS 100 MILLION DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST ZULQARNAIN HAIDER

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law has filed a Rs. 100 million defamation suit against Zulqarnain Haider.

Haider, who returned back to Pakistan after five months since he fled from Dubai to seek asylum in England, told the media on Monday that Akmal’s father-in-law worked as a bookmaker and was involved in match-fixing.

The runaway keeper, who had to face angry protests when he arrived at the Islamabad International Airport, has urged the Pakistan government and the concerned officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board to look into the matter.

Badruzaman, who is a lawyer hired by Kamran’s father-in-law, stated that a notice for the defamation suit has been mailed to Haider at his home address. He also confirmed that Akmal’s father-in-law has sued Haider for Rs. 100 million.

Badruzaman spoke firmly about the matter and said that his client is a reputable individual in the business world. He added that no tolerance will be exercised towards such slandering statements.

The lawyer asked Haider to produce evidence to support his allegations or issue an apology. He affirmed that failure to do so would result in legal action against the player.

“My client is a well reputed businessman and he will not tolerate such allegations. Haider now has to either produce evidence to back his allegations or make a public apology or face legal action,” Badruzaman maintained.

Kamran Akmal, who has been dropped due to his poor form by the selection committee for Pakistan’s tour of West Indies, earlier warned Zulqarnain Haider to produce evidence or face legal charges.

He said that Haider, who was like a brother to him, has hurt his sentiments by making baseless claims about his father-in-law who is a reputable individual.

“I always considered Haider as my brother but after coming to know about his baseless allegations he has made against my father-in-law I am very disappointed and upset. Because he has slandered a respectable man,” said Akmal.

50 new cricket grounds in Lahore likely : Shahbaz Sharif

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister M Shahbaz Sharif has said the Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of sports activities in the province and a network of playgrounds will be built in the province for providing sports facilities to the youth. 
“Fifty new cricket grounds will be developed in the City while separate grounds will be reserved for women,” he said. He also directed the Commissioner Lahore to identify locations for 50 new cricket grounds in City in consultation with elected representatives and submit a comprehensive plan in this regard within seven days. Six acre of land which was used for dumping garbage has been transformed into a modern cricket ground at a cost of Rs 4.2 million.
He was talking to media after inaugurating cricket ground and pavilion at Model Town. MPAs Kh Salman Rafiq, Dr Saeed Elahi, Commissioner Lahore Division and DG PHA, players and a large number of people were also present. 
He congratulated the Lahore administration and office-bearers of LCCA for developing an excellent cricket ground in Model Town for providing modern sports facilities to the players. The CM also played cricket at the inauguration of the cricket ground. Players thanked the CM for the improvement of cricket ground, and construction of a modern pavilion.

I had reasons to abandon the team, insists Haider

Back in Pakistan after being in hiding for five months in UK, Pakistan wicketkeeperZulqarnain Haider on Monday justified his decision to abandon his team midway through a series last November citing death threats from match-fixers. 

"I had a potentially growing career with the Pakistan team when I took the decision. No sensible person would sacrifice his career like this without any reason," Haider told reporters after a meeting with interior minister Rehman Malik and sports minister Shaukatullah following his return to Islamabad on Monday. 

"I had my reasons for doing what I did. I have conveyed my issues to the government now," he stated. 

Haider insisted that he decided to return from London and withdraw his application for asylum because of assurances given by Rehman Malik. 

"I came back after the minister assured me about the security and safety of myself and my family," he stated. 

Haider had fled the team hotel last November during an ODI series against South Africa and on reaching London claimed that he had got death threats for refusing to take part in match fixing. 

He claimed having got two more death threats while he was preparing to return to Pakistan last week. 

Before leaving for Islamabad on Sunday night, Haider told the "Duniya" news channel that the person who threatened him was an Indian national. 

The 24-year old keeper said he was keen to resume his cricket career and hoped that the Pakistan Cricket Board would allow him to do this. 

"I will be meeting with the Chairman of the board soon to resolve this issue and convey my point of view," he said. 

Haider said he was reassured about his security after meeting with the minister. 

The keeper was not allowed to speak to the media as he returned home this morning and was whisked away by security personnel in a waiting car. 

Malik told reporters that he had advised Haider to get in touch with the Pakistan Cricket Board and sort out his issues with them. 

"I have told him we will take care of his security but he must focus on resolving his issues with the board so that he can resume playing cricket again," Malik said.

Shahid Afridi's Father "Ounchi Shot na Maaro"