Asad disappointed at missing out on maiden ton

 Pakistan’s emerging batsman Asad Shafiq is disappointed at not fulfilling the dream of scoring his maiden hundred on the recent West Indies trip.

“It was a great learning experience for me in the Caribbean however I’m not fully satisfied with my showing with the bat,” he said on Thursday.

“I found the playing conditions in West Indies quite different from what I heard from the seniors,” he said.

“Pitches were conducive and favorable for spinners while I was expecting bouncy tracks.

“International cricket is quite difficult and I am working hard to improve my batting technique and play long innings to establish myself and serve Pakistan.”

He admitted that there was a big gap in the country’s domestic cricket and that at the international level.

“With the passage of time I am learning and my mission is to be consistent and deliver in the interest of the team,” he said.

The right-handed batsman was looking forward now to tour of Zimbabwe in a next couple of months.

Asad said that after a couple of days rest, he will be going through rigorous training and batting workout in the nets.

Tu tu Main Main of Azizi and Bhai Junaid on Shahid afridi issue

PCB blames Afridi for blowing tiff out of proportion

Commenting on the standoff between the Pakistan Cricket Board and Shahid Afridi, a PCB official has said that the board never wanted the matter to become personal, but the former captain himself "blew things out of proportion". 


Following Afridi's sudden retirement and his harsh words against the PCB in the wake of his removal as Pakistan's one-day international (ODI skipper) by the board, the PCB had suspended his central contract and revoked all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued to him.

Afridi had filed a petition in the Sindh High Court against sanctions imposed on him by the PCB, and appealed for a stay order against the punishments against him.

"The PCB never wanted the matter to become personal... Afridi blew things out of proportion," The Express Tribune quoted a PCB official, as saying. 

"But we are following a process and as regards with the apprehension on the disciplinary committee, I don't understand why he is not ready to face it. He went through a similar process last year after the Australia tour and didn't object at that stage," the official added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam, whose preliminary Caribbean tour report is widely acknowledged to be the reason behind the sacking of Afridi as ODI captain, is now expected to give a detailed account.

Alam was labelled as a 'hypocite' by Afridi in an emotional outburst in front of the media after the team manager criticised the all-rounder's leadership skills in the report. 

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis had pointed out drawbacks in Afridi's captaincy and also blamed him for the defeats in the last two matches against the West Indies, with Alam backing those views.

Afridi’s woes likely to continue

As a court battle with the country’s cricket board currently underway, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is also expected to be ruled out of the upcoming eight-team National Twenty20 Championship.

Afridi, who announced his international retirement conditioned on the removal of the current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set-up, is also doubtful of honouring his commitment with Hampshire after his NOC was revoked and his central contract suspended.

With less than two weeks remaining in the national tournament, the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) is now looking for the all-rounder’s replacement. Afridi, whose central contract’s suspension does not bar him from playing national tournaments, was set to lead Karachi Dolphins but a legal battle and an ongoing dispute with the PCB is likely to hold him back from playing the Twenty20 championship.

The KCCA had complained of PCB’s stance against Afridi, terming it ‘rigid and getting out of control’ and in a letter, a copy of which is with The Express Tribune, also wrote that an internal disciplinary hearing will not solve the issue.

“We have been closely monitoring the situation,” KCCA President Sirajul Bukhari told The Express Tribune. “We understand that he might not be part of the Karachi team now, but the KCCA will still ask the PCB about his participation in the tournament.”

With Afridi pulling out from the Twenty20 championship, Fawad Alam and Mohammad Sami are the top contenders to replace Afridi as captain.

Meanwhile, the PCB has promised a fair solution to the ongoing dispute.

“The PCB never wanted the matter to become personal,” said a PCB official. “Afridi blew things out of proportion. But we are following a process and as regards with the apprehension on the disciplinary committee, I don’t understand why he is not ready to face it. He went through a similar process last year after the Australia tour and didn’t object at that stage.”

Intikhab due to meet PCB

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam, whose tour report is widely acknowledged to be the reason behind the removal of Afridi as captain, was scheduled to return late last night and due to meet the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.

Alam, who submitted a preliminary report on the West Indies tour, is now expected to give a detailed account.

Alam was labelled as a ‘hypocite’ by Afridi in an emotional outburst in front of the media after the team manager criticised the all-rounder’s leadership skills in the report. Coach Waqar Younis pointed out drawbacks in Afridi’s captaincy and also blamed him for the defeats in the last two matches against West Indies with Alam backing those views.

Manager Cricket Team to reach Pakistan today

Manager of Pakistan Cricket Team Intikhab Alam is returning back to Pakistan from London today(Saturday). He would have a word with Pakistan Cricket Board’s Chairman Ijaz Butt about Ireland and W. Indies cricket Series, sources said.

As per details, Team Manager Intikhab Alam would have a meeting with PCB’s Chairman Ijaz Butt on his return from London who stayed their with his son after Ireland Series. Both would discuss Ireland and W. Indies cricket Series’ matters.

PCB sidelined Shahid Afridi from captaincy at the basis of manager’s report.

PCB’s Spokesman Nadeem Sarwar called his return a routine program and said PCB didn’t call him to Pakistan. Coach of national team Waqar Younis returned to Lahore with team but left for Sydney to attend his ailing wife after few hours’ stay.

PCB has shown confidence in Waqar Younis and Intikhab Alam performances and declared to keep them on the same positions in future.