We can plan better for SL series after Zimbabwe tour: Mohsin

Chief selector Mohsin Hasan Khan has praised the performance of the Pakistan team against Zimbabwe and has expressed hope that it will help in developing a solid combination against Sri Lanka in the upcoming series starting in the United Arab Emirates next month.

“As a whole, the team performance is very satisfactory and even though Zimbabwe was not a weak opposition our boys played well to win every game,” Mohsin told Dawn on Thursday. Pakistan not only won the one-off Test but also scored a clean sweep in the ODI series against Zimbabwe. They are now getting ready to face the hosts in the two T20 matches series starting Friday.

“This tour of Zimbabwe will help us a lot in putting together a solid combination for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, which is one of the best teams in the world,” said Mohsin. “Since the Sri Lankan series will be played in the UAE where the conditions are different, we will make the combination accordingly,” he added.

Mohsin further said that 80 per cent target set for the series against Zimbabwe had been achieved and the combination of the senior and new players earned the convincing success. “It was great to see captain Misbah-ul-Haq leading from the front throughout the series with his performance and the way the seniors and new players responded which is a good sign for Pakistan cricket,” he said.

He also lauded the role of team management on the tour.

The former opener has special praise for fast bowler Aizaz Cheema and said the bowler had given an outstanding performance on the tour. In the batting department, he was all praise for seasoned campaigner Younis Khan, Mohammad Hafeez besides Misbah and added they had played a tremendous role to set a guideline for the new players and for the whole team. About Shoaib Malik, who was included in the team after almost a year but failed to deliver, Mohsin said the all-rounder could not utilize the opportunity but still he had a lot of cricket left in him.

He said wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal had again proved himself as a fine performer behind the stumps. He expressed the hope the team management would give a chance to Ramiz Raja Junior in the upcoming two T20 series against Zimbabwe.

PCB top brass to meet over T20 event

Pressure is mounting on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to delay or shift the forthcoming domestic Twenty20 championship from Lahore because of a major dengue threat.

For that purpose, a meeting is scheduled to take place between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and other senior board officials, it was learnt by ‘The News’ here on Friday.

There is a growing concern among some PCB officials and they feel that there is a need to sit down and re-think over staging of the event in Lahore, a city that has been badly affected by the dengue virus.

“According to reports the dengue outbreak will only get worse which is why we have decided to hold a meeting to discuss our options,” a source said.

The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) had earlier requested the board to either postpone or shift the event to Karachi for security reasons.

However, the official said that there is hardly any chance that the tournament will be moved to Karachi since dengue cases have also been reported here.

But he revealed that there is a chance that the event can be moved to Multan if the PCB decides to shift it.

“Multan remains in pole position to host the event if the board decides to move the tournament,” he revealed.

“It’s the board’s policy is to take cricket to smaller cities. We originally planned to stage the event in Rawalpindi but renovation work forced us to bring it to Lahore.”

Meanwhile, KCCA warned on Friday that the PCB will be responsible if any player or official is hit by dengue outbreak during the Faysal Bank T20 tournament in Lahore.

KCCA sent an email to ‘The News’ stating: “In view of the assurance by Punjab Government and insistence of PCB to have this tournament in Lahore we have agreed to go to Lahore. However if anything happens to our players or officials it will be the responsibility of PCB.”

A team from Afghanistan is scheduled to take part in the event but they too remain concerned about the prospects of playing in Lahore.

Wisal Durrani, president of Peshawar District Cricket Association (PDCA) said: “It would be good if the board postpones the event. But I am aware of the problem PCB faces as it will get in problem with sponsors and broadcasters.

“In addition, the domestic calendar is very tight and if the tournament is delayed then the top international players, who are the biggest attraction for the public, won’t be able to take part in the tournament.”

Atique Ahmed, secretary Hyderabad region, said that they have no reservations and are ready to play in Lahore.

Khalid Mehmood, secretary Sialkot region, said that they too have no problem in playing in Lahore but the board and the local administration should take all possible measures to ensure a safe and secure tournament. He also said that the biggest cause for concern would be from public point of view, as thousands of people would turn up to witness the event, which makes the risk of people getting attacked by dengue even higher.

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Islamabad: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has said that had he been the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, he would have tried to have one leader for the national cricket team for at least an year, and would also consult the players before selecting the head coach.

When asked during an interview about the first couple of things he would implement straight away, if he were given the role of the PCB Chairman, Akram said: “First of all I would just try to have one leader [of the cricket team] and at least announce him for a year, and then get a coach and obviously get a guy who the boys will get along with.”

“Either it`s a foreign coach, or it`s a Pakistani coach, whoever, you should ask the boys first because they are going to be working with him. Bring stability into the system and I think everything will eventually work,” he told PakPassion.net.

After implementing the above-mentioned steps, Akram said, he would concentrate on stuff like looking for the right talent and getting it to the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“The PCB have such wonderful facilities in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, everywhere, have people getting their youngsters, especially in summer where nobody does anything for a couple of months, to come. Also, try to get the Pakistan "A "and emerging sides on tours to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, wherever it can be arranged – the more tours, the more the players will improve and learn,” he added.

Akram also said that while he was not against the hiring of a foreigner to succeed outgoing coach Waqar Younis, he would suggest finding someone from Pakistan.

Afridi will play in Lahore despite dengue fears

Despite concerns shown by Karachi’s regional association, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has confirmed his participation in the season-opening Twenty20 event in Lahore despite the spread of dengue in the city.

The all-rounder, who will lead Karachi Dolphins, is looking ahead to the event where some participating teams have expressed concerns over the deadly virus that has claimed over 25 lives in Lahore.

The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) called for a venue-shift, arguing that players were concerned about their safety. The Afghanistan Cricket Board, which will be sending a team from the country, also voiced their concern over the state of the city. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, rejected all concerns, saying precautionary measures have been taken and the event will go as planned from September 25.

Afridi, though, is keen to return to action.

“I will take part in the tournament,” the experienced all-rounder confirmed to The Express Tribune. “I am focusing on a good show for my team in order to achieve best results. I want to play cricket as much as I can to avoid rustiness. It will be a good tournament and I am not going to miss this opportunity.”

Fans can expect fireworks

The all-rounder has not played international cricket since the tour of West Indies where he developed differences with the coach and his subsequent outburst forced the board to strip him of captaincy.

Afridi retired from international cricket following that. He did represent Hampshire in the recently-concluded Friends Life T20 and hit an explosive knock of 80 off just 42 balls in his last innings at the event. Afridi said he was aiming for more such innings in the upcoming tournament.

“I am focusing on my batting also apart from bowling,” he said. “I will try to go fully prepared to shine as an all-rounder. My last innings has given me confidence and hopefully I will carry the form in the tournament.”

Return to international cricket?

However, Afridi refused an immediate return to international cricket.

“I just want to play cricket at the moment and will return when the time comes,” he said.

Afridi to play for All Stars in Hong Kong Sixes

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will feature in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes at the Kowloon Cricket Club from October 28.

Afridi, who announced a conditional retirement from international cricket, will play for the All Stars team which also includes Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, South African opener Herschelle Gibbs, Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, Australia fast-bowler Shaun Tait and Ryan ten Doeschate of the Netherlands.

“We are thrilled to have both Jayasuriya and Afridi playing on the same team,” Hong Kong Cricket Association President Shahazada Saleem told cricketworld.com. “They are outstanding cricketers who can demolish any bowling attack and are more than capable bowlers themselves. The fans are in for a treat.”

The All Stars have been drawn with Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Scotland in Group A while defending champions Australia are placed in Group B with England, Bangladesh and Ireland. The third group comprises last year’s losing finalists Pakistan, South Africa, India and Hong Kong.

“We have got a good blend of players from all around the world and I expect the All Stars to be one of the favourites to win the tournament,” said Saleem.