ICC clears Kamran Akmal for selection

Kamran Akmal has been told by the ICC that he is clear to seek Pakistan selection. Kamran, Pakistan's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman, has not played since the one-day series against England in September. He wasn't selected for the current series against South Africa, ostensibly because he wasn't fit when the squad was announced; he had undergone an appendicitis operation days before the announcement. But clouds of suspicion, the fall-out of the spot-fixing scandal, have swirled around his non-selection.

Kamran has recovered and has been playing domestic cricket for his employers National Bank of Pakistan. Tellingly, however, the selectors chose to call up his brother, Adnan Akmal, as the wicketkeeper when Zulqarnain Haider fled to England from Dubai halfway during the series against South Africa.

The PCB has not made any statement on why Kamran was left out, though his particularly poor performance with the gloves - especially in Tests - suggests his exclusion might have been on form alone. But in the absence of any clear communication, Kamran, a vital part of Pakistan's limited-overs set-up where he doubles as a hard-hitting opener, was compelled to contact the ICC midway during the South Africa one-day series. ESPNcricinfo understands that Kamran broadly asked whether he was facing any charges linked to spot-fixing that might be blocking his selection. He was informed soon after by the world's governing body that he wasn't and that he is clear for selection.

Kamran was one of two Pakistan players - the other was Salman Butt - sent notices by the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACSU) after the Nottingham Test against England this summer. The notices sought information about events related to the 2010 World Twenty20 held in the Caribbean in May. It is not yet clear whether Kamran's enquiry and the ICC's response are linked to these notices.

Since the spot-fixing scandal, the PCB has begun implementing a rash of measures designed to eliminate corrupt influences from the game in Pakistan. As part of an unofficial confidence-building measure, the board will send a list of probables for the 2011 World Cup to the ACSU to be vetted before the pool of 30 is announced on November 30.

Additionally, the board's newly formed integrity committee will also clear players for selection. Danish Kaneria, who was embroiled but eventually cleared in a separate spot-fixing case with his county Essex in the summer, was not cleared by the committee to join the Test side in the UAE. Kaneria, Pakistan's leading spin wicket-taker, was originally selected in the squad, but was prevented from travelling by the board at the very last minute. No official reason has been provided for his exclusion.

Younis silences detractors with epic hundred

The old adage that `form is temporary and class is permanent` applied befittingly on Younis Khan on Tuesday in the first Test as Pakistan fought back to earn a respectable draw against South Africa.
Without his 17th Test century and a couple of match-saving stands with Azhar Ali and new captain Misbah-ul-Haq, it may not have been possible for Pakistan to survive four and half sessions against the rampaging South Africans whose battery of pace and spin comprising Steyn, Morkel, Kallis, Harris and Botha was frustrated by the dour stands.
With Pakistan`s unpredictable and fragile batting line-up, it is always hard to believe that they would resist or rescue in challenging situations as they did in this match, especially when facing the pressure of a formidable fourth innings target of 451.
Even greater teams have failed going for it, chasing over 400, except on four occasions when the West Indies, South Africa, India and Australia achieved it. The West Indians and the South Africans did it against Australia in 2003 and 2008 while the Indians and Australians against the West Indies and England in 1976 and in 1948 respectively.
It certainly is one hell of a job to chase such a massive target and luck and ability both come into play in the outcome.
Younis, coming back to Test cricket after an absence of twelve Tests for mind-bogglingly absurd reasons, turned the screw on the South African bowlers with a magnificent display of batting which was a fine mixture of caution and aggression.
One may argue whether Pakistan should have gone for the 108 more runs left to achieve to the target in the fifteen overs remaining. But I suppose that would have been asking a bit too much from a team which has been under the weather for some time for right or wrong reasons and which undoubtedly in this match earned themselves a lot of credit to prove what a waste it had been to keep Younis out for that long.

PCB has no soft corner for Zulqarnain, sources tell Dawn

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is neither interested in taking notice of Zulqarnain Haider`s grievances nor bringing him back to the national fold, as it is not happy with his act of leaving the Pakistan team in Dubai in mysterious circumstances on November 8.
The wicket-keeper made the headlines last week when he left the national team in doldrums, without informing any official of the team management, on the day when Pakistan were going to face South Africa in the fifth and decisive One-day International.
He resurfaced in London where he disclosed that he took the decision after receiving life threats from some bookies.
Informed sources in the PCB told Dawn that by fleeing from Dubai without taking any official into confidence, Zulqarnain had spoiled his case and the Board had no soft corner for him.
“Yes, the International Cricket Council (ICC) may contact Zulqarnain to get some information but the PCB has no such intentions,” the sources said.
Zulqarnain disclosed in London that he could not inform the team management because he did not want to put anyone in trouble.
However, experts are of the view that Zulqarnain had no trust on any official and that was why he did not take anyone into confidence.
The sources further said that the PCB also believed that Zulqarnain defamed the country`s name just to take permanent residence in England.
Zulqarnain`s claim that he had received life threats from bookies is enough to justify his case to get asylum in the UK, the sources said.
They denied the impression that in case Zulqarnain would be right his information could serve the purpose well in eradicating the menace of match-fixing from the gentlemen`s game.
“The PCB has no trust on Zulqarnain in the same way as he showed no trust on the team management,” the sources said.
They further said Zulqarnain could also not be taken back as it would be difficult for members of the national squad to again play with him as his act had defamed them all.

Zaheer Abbas keen to head Pakistan Cricket Board

The case for Shoaib Malik

It is a tradition in Pakistan that either you are the captain of the team or you are not even a part of it. In 1990’s, Rameez Raja and Rashid Latif were asked to captain the Pakistani team when they were not even part of previous squads. Ironically, they were left out of the team again after being dismissed from the role of leadership. One should hope that this does not happen with Misbah ul Haq especially after his performance with the bat in the first Test against South Africa.
Shoaib Malik was appointed as captain of Pakistan team after the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup. In his first major tournament as captain, Pakistan did exceedingly well and ended up as runner-ups in the ICC World T20 2007. Malik’s performance was influential for the team. With the passage of time, differences grew between Malik and the other senior players and as a result of grouping within the team, he had to resign as captain. From then onwards, his place in the Pakistani team has not been secure even though he has played some match winning knocks for Pakistan during this period. His superb century against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 is a great example.
But in Pakistan, performance is not the only criteria for selection. Your terms with the management and captain are probably more important than your talent or ability.
Shoaib Malik has been one of the most flourishing players for Pakistan in the 2000’s. For someone who started his career as an off-spinner, to become a batsman of such calibre is a commendable thing in itself. Without doubt one of the best fielders in Pakistan, Malik bowls handy off-spinners and is physically very fit. He might not be as classy as Yousaf or Younis, not as flamboyant as Salman Butt or the Akmals but he is definitely effective for the team like all of them.
Malik has secured 15 Man-of-the-Match awards in only 192 ODI’s so far, which is quite a high ratio as compared to most of the senior players in the Pakistani line-up.
Somehow in Pakistan, the selectors will select a player for all formats or none. Same has happened with Malik. He was dropped from the ODI and T20 squads after a poor showing in Test matches in England. Malik’s omission from the Test squad might make sense but he should be a permanent part of Pakistan’s limited over setup.
He has strengthened his case even more with a smashing 200 against Faisalabad in a recent first class match playing for Pakistan International Airlines and backed it up with a half-century in the second innings. He has done his bit by proving his form to the selectors and now the ball is in the court of the selection committee.
ICC World Cup 2011 is just 3 months away and Pakistani selectors should try to develop a combination that can give Pakistan an hope in the event. With the induction of Malik, Pakistani team would have a better balance and a strengthened middle-order as well