ICC upholds Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir's suspensions

The International Cricket Council has upheld the provisional suspensions of the Pakistan pair Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir after the independent Code of Conduct Commission chaired by Michael Beloff QC dismissed their appeals in Doha this morning.

Salman Butt, right, and Mohammad Amir, centre, arrive at their hearing in Dubai

"I have decided to dismiss the application … all three players accordingly are still for the time being unable to participate in cricketing activities," Beloff said.
The Test captain Butt and bowler Amir were suspended by the ICC along with Mohammad Asif pending the results of an investigation into spot-fixing allegations.
The claims against the trio – initially raised by a Sunday newspaper on Pakistan's summer tour of England – concerned the alleged bowling of no balls to order under the direction of Butt.
Asif had initially joined his team-mates in confirming his intention to appeal against his suspension but withdrew from the process earlier this month.
Butt, Asif and Amir must now await the results of the full ICC investigation and, if found guilty, would face the prospect of life bans.
The Pakistan coach, Waqar Younis, said the suspensions have hit his side hard, with the trio being sorely missed in the series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan lost the Twenty20 series 2-0 and trail 1-0 in the five-match one-day series.
"I must say that Pakistan cricket is going through a serious tough time," Waqar said after his team's eight-wicket defeat against South Africa on Friday.
"We lost a few players after the England tour and it's been a little tough at the moment and I think that is one big reason that we are struggling. I sincerely hope that the players are cleared and are available to play for Pakistan because they are key players."

AFRIDI BEMOANS PAKISTAN BATSMEN

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was again left dumbfounded by his side's batting display after they slumped to an eight-wicket defeat in the opening one-day international against South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
The home side collapsed from 140 for one to 203 all out in 49 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first, losing nine wickets for 63 runs in the process.
At one stage Younus Khan (54) and Mohammad Hafeez (68) were going strong with a 114-run partnership - the former returning to the international fold for the first time since he was banned after a woeful tour to Australia earlier this year.
Afridi was pleased with the former captain's contribution but disappointed by his side's capitulation.
"I'm really happy to see Younus Khan back in the team, he really performed well and added to the batting," said Afridi.
"He and Hafeez did well with that partnership, but later on we did not do well. The rest of the guys didn't stick to the plans.
"A few of the guys are going through a tough time at the moment, but hopefully we will bounce back in the coming games.
"I am frustrated about the batting, which is struggling, but we will try to do some extra practice and try to improve."
Their opponents had little trouble in the chase, easing to victory with more than 10 over to spare thanks mainly to AB de Villiers (51) and Jacques Kallis (66), who followed in the footsteps of captain Graeme Smith by retiring hurt.
Afridi felt there was little his bowlers could do after the problems created by the batting.
He added: "The bowling and fielding are perfect, we need to bat with better plans and last 50 overs."
Man-of-the-match Lonwabo Tsotsobe was the chief tormenter for the Pakistanis, grabbing career-best figures of four for 27.
South Africa vice-captain Johan Botha had full praise for him as well as the rest of the bowlers, saying: "We were always happy with restricting them to 203. Lonwabo did a good job and all the guys chipped in nicely."

Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir in Dubai for appeal

Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir arrived in Dubai on Friday to appeal against their provisional suspensions for alleged involvement in spot-fixing. The pair left Lahore accompanied by their lawyers and will now appear at a hearing over Saturday and Sunday with Michael Beloff, the chairman of the ICC's code of conduct commission.

Butt and Amir, along with Mohammad Asif, were suspended by the ICC on September 2, after being charged with various offences under Article 2 of the ICC's anti-corruption code; Asif has since withdrawn his appeal. The suspensions came after the News of the World tabloid claimed to have exposed a scam in which deliberate, planned no-balls would be bowled by Amir and Asif during the Lord's Test against England, with the involvement of Butt, who was then captain.

The ICC had initially wanted the PCB to take action against their own players, but were compelled to step in eventually after Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, indicated that the trio was available for selection for the ODI series that followed. Eventually, the players "voluntarily" withdrew from that series and the ICC handed out notices and suspended them the same day.

The hearings will only concern themselves with the matter of the provisional suspensions and whether or not the ICC followed the correct procedures in taking that action. The matter of the players' innocence or guilt and the actual charges against them will not be heard. Thus, even if the suspensions are lifted and the players allowed to return to cricket, a full hearing into the case will still take place later to determine their innocence or guilt in the matter. This is thought to be one of the reasons why Asif withdrew his appeal; unlike Amir and Butt, even if his suspension is lifted, he would not have been able to play for Pakistan immediately because he is barred - for a drug-related offence - from entering the UAE, where Pakistan's current series against South Africa is taking place.

The hearing is expected to be a detailed one where the players and their lawyers will be allowed the opportunity to build their cases. The ICC lawyers will be the only other people inside the hearing and though there is expected to be evidence from the ACSU placed in front of Beloff, he is expected to only listen to the arguments of the players and not argue or discuss their innocence or guilt.

The players cannot appeal against the decision of these hearings. The next step, irrespective of the outcome here, will be the full hearing before the independent tribunal. The date of that is not yet decided and may well depend on the outcome of the ongoing police investigation over the matter in the UK, where the case against the players is with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Of the three, Butt has been increasingly vocal over the last few weeks, making a number of public statements expressing confidence that his suspension will be lifted and that he will eventually be cleared. Before leaving early on Friday morning, similar sentiments were expressed once again. "Either you are guilty or you are not, and I think I am not guilty and I am sure about it," he told reporters at the airport.

He will be represented in Dubai by his lawyer Aftab Gul, a former Test cricketer, and Khalid Ranjha, a former law minister. Both share the confidence of their client. "We are going for justice in their court," Gul said. "We can't pre-empt what decision they give, it's their discretion, but our case is very good. There is no strong evidence against Salman Butt on the basis of which we can say that he should remain suspended."

Amir, who has not made a statement throughout this time, said on departure that he hoped he could return to the side. He will be represented by Shahid Karim, the lawyer who defended Asif in a doping case in October 2006.

Though two full days have been set aside for the hearings it is not certain that it will take that much time to reach a judgment. The two days were scheduled keeping in mind that there were three players initially appealing. "It will be eight hours hearing daily, but I don't think it's a 16 hours case," Gul said.

A swift return for Butt and Amir could be on the cards should a favourable decision be reached. Mohsin Khan, Pakistan's chief selector, told Dawn that he would seek a no-objection certificate from the PCB immediately should they be cleared to play by the ICC

Afridi urges Pakistan to fightback

Shahid Afridi is targeting a major turnaround when his side begins their five-match ODI series against SA on Friday.

The hosts were woeful during the two Twenty20s in Abu Dhabi, losing both games handsomely with their batting particularly poor against a well-drilled Proteas outfit.
However, they are likely to be bolstered by the return of former captain Younus Khan for the games, being played in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns in the Asian country.
"I am sure we can do far better in the ODIs, since I believe that we have players who have good temperament and can play the 50 overs comfortably," the Pakistan limited-overs skipper said.
They managed below-par scores of 119 and 120 in the 20-over games and their bowlers, who faced an
uphill battle, still managed to fight on.
Afridi continued: "We needed good starts but that didn't come in both the matches.
"My own performance was not up to the mark so we have to sit down and plan to improve our batting, which is struggling."
The Pakistanis have endured a turbulent few months both on and off the field, with the biggest issue being the 'spot-fixing' allegations that they became embroiled in on their tour to England.
The consequences of that mean they are without their two premier pacemen - Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - as well as Salman Butt, all of whom have been suspended over the matter.
But Afridi has urged his team-mates not to get distracted.
He added: "Yes, the players are under pressure, but we have to put that aside and concentrate and keep ourselves focused."
South Africa are set to welcome back key pair Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn after their recent injuries.
They have not been missed, though, with youngsters Colin Ingram, David Miller and Rusty Theron all performing admirably in their absence.
Like Afridi, South Africa's Twenty20 captain Johan Botha also expects an improved showing from the hosts in the series.
He said: "Pakistan are a very good team and they can bounce back in the ODIs.
"We will keep the momentum going and ensure that we keep working hard and try to win as many as matches possible."

36% Pakistanis support Misbahul Haque as test captain

Almost 36% Pakistanis support Misbahul Haq as the test cricket team captain while 22% oppose it, said the result of a survey conducted by Gilani Research-Gallup Pakistan.
Among those who are against this decision believe Mohammed Yousuf (27%), Younus Khan (26%) and Shahid Afridi (19%) to be better choices.
In the survey, a nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked the following question:

Recently Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Misbah ul Haq as the captain for Pakistan Test Series. Do you believe that Pakistan Cricket Board has made the right decision or not?

Thirty six percent (36%) favoured this decision as opposed to 20% who were against it while 44% were unsure and said they didn’t know.

NOTW sting not reliable - Salman Butt

Salman Butt, the former Pakistan captain, has questioned the reliability of the News of the World sting, claiming Mazhar Majeed, an agent who handled his marketing and promotions, and features in the video, could have made exaggerated claims "to show his authority".

Butt, along with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, has been provisionally suspended by the ICC for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing controversy. His appeal will be heard in Dubai on October 30 and 31.

"I do not want to comment on The News of the World because everybody knows what kind of paper it is," Butt told Associated Press. "Everybody knows about its reputation across the world."Butt said that Majeed "must have made lots of claims ... clearly exaggerating things to show his authority."

"I think he might have said a lot of things in that video because it was edited. So nobody knows what has gone wrong in that video."

Butt defended, however, the association he shared with Majeed before the allegations surfaced. "He (Majeed) is not somebody who is an agent for me because he has been there even before I was (playing international cricket). These are the people who deal with the marketing side of players and the promotional stuff and they also make money out of it. This is what is being done in the sporting arena around the world and this is not something that came up with Salman Butt."

At the time, Butt said, there was no relevant PCB code regarding player agents. "It is not part of PCB code (of conduct) that you have to tell them about the agents who work for the players' marketing and the promotion stuff." But in the aftermath of the controversy, the PCB issued instructions to players, stipulating that all their agents will have to approved by the board, failing which the player will be ineligible for selection.

Butt led Pakistan in the four-Test series against England and, as he has said several times now, remains confident that he will be cleared and might even return to lead the national team. "I hope the captaincy will come again some day. I cannot grab it. God gave me one chance and I hope I will get the other chance as well. I want to be remembered as a player who won games for Pakistan."

Afridi laments poor batting

Shahid Afridi has criticised his batsmen, himself included, following Pakistan's 0-2 defeat in the Twenty20 series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan only managed 119 and 120 in their two innings, scores that were overhauled with little difficulty by South Africa.

Afridi made 25 and 3 while the others, with the exception of Misbah-ul-Haq who is making a comeback in international cricket, struggled.

"Our batting was a major let down.

None of them did well," Afridi said after the second game, which South Africa won by six wickets.

"My performance was crucial for the team and I also failed to deliver.

"But I am sure we can do far better in the ODIs, since I believe that we have players who have good temperament and can play the 50 overs comfortably." There were encouraging signs in the bowling department, with the spinners proving economical.

Mohammad Hafeez and Afridi conceded just 32 runs between them in eight overs in the second game while offspinner Saeed Ajmal conceded 18 in his four-over spell in the first.

"Our bowlers really bowled well.
The conditions suited the batsmen, but despite that, our bowlers stuck to a good line and bowled brilliantly," Afridi said.
Pakistan cricket, in the aftermath of the spot-fixing controversy, is going through troubled times and Afridi admitted there was pressure on players.
"Yes the players are under pressure, but we have to put that aside and concentrate and keep ourselves focused," he said.
Johan Botha, the South Africa captain, was confident of success in the ODI series that begins on Friday.
"Pakistan is a very good team and they can bounce back in the ODIs.
We will keep the momentum going and ensure that we keep working hard and try to win as many as matches possible."

Ex-test players say Pakistan board lacks vision

Former test cricketers have accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of lacking vision after South Africa recorded a comfortable 2-0 sweep of the Twenty20 internationals at Abu Dhabi. Ex-test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said on Thursday selectors picked the wrong combination for the shortest format of the game and players such as Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat and Misbah-ul-Haq did not deserve a place in the lineup.

Qadir said Pakistan's performance reflects that "PCB's think tank is visionless and has no planning at all."
Former test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said the team needed young talent but the PCB preferred veterans and accused some of the older players of playing for themselves, not the team

Alam says 'strict steps' will lift Pakistan's game

ABU DHABI — Team manager Intikhab Alam Wednesday insisted that "strict steps" taken to improve discipline would improve Pakistan's cricket and did not disturb the players.

Pakistan last week introduced a new code of conduct with stricter punishments for disciplinary breaches, which Alam said were needed in the wake of England tour rocked by spot-fixing allegations against the team.

"All the strict steps taken are for the betterment of Pakistan cricket and all the players are feeling comfortable with them," Alam told AFP.
Three Pakistani players -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer -- were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following allegations of spot-fixing on the tour of England last month.
The suspensions came following reports in British tabloid News of the World which claimed several Pakistani players took money to obey orders from an alleged bookmaker during August's Lord's Test against England.
Salman and Aamer will attend a hearing on their appeal against the suspension in Dubai on October 30 and 31. Asif withdrew his appeal after initially deciding to challenge the sanction.
Alam said Pakistan cricket will show signs of improvement -- on and off the field.
"With players reminded of their responsibilities we hope that Pakistan cricket will show signs of improvement both on and off the field and the focus should be to do the best for the country," said Alam, also a former captain.
Alam said players have been told to take care in meeting people who they don't know.
"There is no curb on players' movement as dispelled in certain quarters. They have been asked not to go anywhere on match days and they are not allowed to bring any guest to their team hotel.
"But on off days they can go and meet their relatives but we have told them not to meet any strangers. Players are told to live within the rules of the new code of conduct," said Alam.
The alleged bookmaker Mazhar Majeed, initially arrested by Scotland Yard police before being released on bail, was described as players' agent and was seen in team hotels on the England tour.
"We have told the players to be aware of such strangers and we have given lectures to players how to avoid any attempt to corrupt them. I am hopeful things will improve," said Alam.
Except for captain, coach and manager no other member of the team is allowed to speak to the media, said Alam.
Alam was coach on the tour of Australia earlier this year when seven players -- including current one-day captain Shahid Afridi and former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf -- were fined and banned for discipline violation.
However, the bans were overturned and fines halved on appeals by Pakistan Cricket Board -- a step criticised by former national and international players.

Batting let Pakistan down: Waqar

As Pakistan batting put up yet another miserable show, this time in Abu Dhabi, coach Waqar Younis said the team fell short by at least 25 runs in setting up a challenging total.

Pakistan, who were well-placed at 75 for three in the 10th over, lost six for 24 before Misbahul Haq and Shoaib Akhtar added 20 for the last wicket to help Pakistan reach respectability.
“We scored 25 to 30 runs less than we expected,” said Younis. “We need to bat with strategy in the next game.”
Misbah remained Pakistan’s top-scorer with an unbeaten 27 despite taking 32 deliveries as Pakistan struggled for runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium – first match to be played by Full Member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC) at the venue. While Shahid Afridi hit a brief cameo, a seven-ball 25, none of the other batsmen moved past the 14-run mark.
In contrast, JP Duminy hit an elegant 41 while Colin Ingram remained unbeaten on 46 as South Africa reached the target after losing three early wickets for 26.
The two left-handers shared a 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket after fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar gave Pakistan some hope with the quick wickets of Loots Bosman and AB de Villiers in the third over. Graeme Smith was bowled by spinner Mohammad Hafeez five runs later but Duminy and Ingram ensured that there were no further hiccups as they batted Pakistan out of the game.
“It was a clinical performance and I am happy at the way the young guns stepped in after we lost three early wickets especially Ingram and Duminy,” said South Africa captain Botha.
‘Strict steps for Pakistan’s betterment’
Team manager Intikhab Alam insisted that “strict steps” are needed to improve Pakistan’s cricket.
Pakistan introduced a new code of conduct last week with stricter punishments for disciplinary breaches, which Alam said were needed in the wake of the England tour being rocked by spot-fixing allegations against the team.
“All the strict steps taken are for the betterment of Pakistan cricket and all the players are feeling comfortable with them,” said Alam who replaced Yawar Saeed as manager after the England tour, before adding that Pakistan cricket will show signs of improvement – on and off the field.
“With players reminded of their responsibilities we hope that Pakistan cricket will show signs of improvement both on and off the field and the focus should be to do the best for the country.
“There is no curb on players’ movement as dispelled in certain quarters. They have been asked not to go anywhere on match days and they are not allowed to bring any guest to their team hotel. But on off days, they can go and meet their relatives but we have told them not to meet any strangers. Players are told to live within the rules of the new code of conduct,” said Alam.(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP)

Pakistan's Salman Butt says suspension over alleged spot-fixing will be lifted soon

On Saturday, Butt and 18-year-old fast bowler Mohammad Amir are due to attend an International Cricket Council appeal hearing in Dubai.

The purpose of the hearing is not to decide whether or not the players are guilty, but whether or not they should be allowed to play on while cricket's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit investigates the charges against them.
Mohammad Asif, the third player implicated in the News Of The World's investigation into deliberate no-balls, will not be present as he has already withdrawn his appeal.
"I am pretty sure to be cleared," Butt said on Wednesday. "It has been annoying for me because these kind of allegations have not only brought defamation, but as well it is career-threatening. Such things do come in your life but you have to stand up and face them." The original story, which broke during the final stages of the Lord's Test in August, gained credence from the video footage of Mazhar Majeed – a businessman and agent who was photographed with the Pakistani players – counting out stacks of money.
Majeed was later arrested, along with his wife and brother, on charges of financial irregularities. Yesterday, Butt admitted that he had worked with Majeed, but claimed that the video evidence was unreliable because of selective editing.
"Majeed is not somebody who is an agent for me because he has been there even before I was there [playing international cricket]," Butt said. "These are the people who deal with the marketing side of players and the promotional stuff and they also make money out of it.
"This is what is being done in the sporting arena around the world and this is not something that came up with Salman Butt.
"I do not want to comment on the News of the World," he added, "because everybody knows what kind of paper it is. Everybody knows about its reputation across the world."
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the Indian Premier League deepened yesterday when Kochi – one of two new franchises due to join the league next year – was told to sort out the arguments over its ownership within the next 30 days, or be expelled from the competition.
If Kochi cannot resolve the disputes between its owners, who include at least five different companies, it will end up in the same position as the Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab.
These two teams have already been ejected, leaving the number of teams in the IPL at eight rather than the intended 10. However, the Royals were reported to have filed a petition of protest to the Mumbai High Court last night.
The murky ructions within the IPL have caused huge damage to the tournament's reputation since April, when its former commissioner, Lalit Modi, posted a message on his Twitter page questioning the probity of Kochi's ownership structure.
Since then, Modi has been stripped of his title, and now finds himself under investigation by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Pakistan Aim For Gold In Asian Games Cricket

KARACHI: Pakistan is aiming to clinch the cricket title at next month's Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, where the sport makes its debut in the Asiad.
With India not sending its cricket team, Pakistan believes its second string team can win the Asian Games gold. Khalid Latif, Pakistan's young captain, stressed that his team will do their best for a medal finish.
"We (cricketers) have never featured in events like the Olympics or the Asian Games, but we can sense the feeling athletes experience when their country's flag is on top after winning a gold medal," Latif told the Express Tribune. "It's an important assignment for us and we won't take it lightly."
"Playing for the senior side is a big honour but representing the country in an event like this is nothing less. I'm proud to be named captain."
Pakistan is among the seeded teams in the event that also features Test nations like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh besides Afghanistan, who were impressive in the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean this year.
Hosts China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore and Nepal are the other teams taking part. Latif said India's absence has made Pakistan one of the favourites.
"It would have been good to have India in the event because it would have added to the excitement. They are tough competitors but their absence has made us one of the favourites."
But the right-handed batsman, who has played five One-Day Internationals and equal number of Twenty20s for Pakistan, added that the event would be competitive given the nature of the format.
"Our former greats are serving as coaches in China and Afghanistan so we can expect tough competition from them."

World fame football predictor Octopus dies in Germany

BERLIN: Paul the octopus, who shot to fame during this year's football World Cup for his flawless record in predicting game results, has died peacefully in his sleep, his German aquarium said Tuesday.
"Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight," the aquarium said in a statement.
"He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night, of natural causes," said Sea Life manager Stefan Porwoll.
Paul beat the odds during the World Cup by correctly forecasting all eight games he was asked to predict, including Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final.
For the prediction, two boxes were lowered into the salty soothsayer's tank, each containing a mussel and the flags of the two opposing teams.
Watched by a myriad of reporters, Paul would head to one box, wrench open the lid and gobble the tasty morsel, with the box he plumped for being deemed the likely winner.
His astonishing ability made him a global media phenomenon. His later predictions were carried live on rolling news channels in Germany.
Within an hour of his death, more than 150 messages of condolence were posted on Paul's "official" Facebook page.
The eight-legged oracle became a media superstar for his skills, but he naturally fell out with fans whose

teams he failed to tip.
He was slammed in the British press for treason after tipping Germany to beat his "home country" which they duly did, 4-1.
He then fell offside with bitter German fans who threatened to turn him into sushi after he correctly predicted a semi-final defeat for the Mannschaft against Spain.
The honour of Paul's mother was also called into question in the stands, and Paul's home aquarium received death-threat emails saying "we want Paul for the pan."
No less an authority than Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero called for octopus bodyguards.
And Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian called for the creature to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection."
But Paul's fans need not despair too much at his death. The aquarium has already been grooming a successor, to be named Paul like his mentor.

Paul's body is now in cold storage while the aquarium decides "how best to mark his passing."

Younis capable of delivering against South Africa: Rashid Latif

KARACHI, Oct. 26 (APP): Former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif has said that Younis Khan would be under pressure. However, he is capable of delivering in the series against South Africa.“Younis is an experienced batsman and with a better environments in Pakistan team now, can return to his best with passage of time,” he told APP in an interview here on Tuesday.“Things are much better in the national team and there is no captaincy race and not many problems within the team,” he commented.“It’s even difficult to do well in club or first class cricket when you are coming back in international cricket after eight months,” he said.
“But having the experience, will and mental toughness, Younis will cross all these hurdles,” the mentor of former Pakistan Captain Younis hoped.  “He (Younis may have some anxious but he will come good within few matches,” he added.
32-year-old Younis Khan is staging a comeback in Pakistan team after nearly an eight month having played One-day International series against Australia in Australia in January.
He dispelled the impression that Younis Khan tendered an apology to Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt before being inducted in the team.
“I can assure you Younis never tendered an apology but gave due respect to Ijaz Butt being PCB Chairman. Its now history and we should now look forward to better show from Pakistan team,” he maintained.
“Has Younis been invited by PCB Chairman earlier the things could have settled a few months ago,” Rashid Latif stressed.
He expressed the hope that the return of Younis Khan will serve the interest of Pakistan cricket and bring results in all brands of cricket.
He said like Younis Khan, he also was forced to leave cricket for some time after match-fixing controversy during the Pakistan team to Zimbabwe in 1995. “Actually like Younis, I suffered for speaking the truth,” he said.
Rashid Latif said he had good time as chief Coach of Afghanistan cricket team and suggested holding of One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the gap before the World Cup.
“ODI home series against Afghanistan will benefit Pakistan to revive international cricket in the country,” he believed

My team is focused to counter South Africa in T20 matches: Afridi

ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi hoped his beleaguered side is focused enough to counter a spirited South African team in the back-to-back Twenty20 matches starting here on Tuesday.
Pakistan's recent tour to England was rocked by spot-fixing allegations which prompted a Scotland Yard investigation and the suspension of three of their players by the International Cricket Council.
Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were charged for
violating various code of conduct during the Lord's Test against England in August, a controversy which Afridi said is a thing of the past.
"My players are professional and have put all the controversy behind them," Afridi said at the launching ceremony of the series in which Pakistan will also play five one-day internationals and two Tests.
The series is Pakistan's home series shifted to United Arab Emirates over security fears.
Afridi said the team has ample talent to counter the South Africans.
"We know we are without two of our best bowlers in Aamer and Asif," said Afridi of the two suspended bowlers. "But we still have ample talent to counter South Africa who are a very good side in the shorter form of the game."
South African captain Johan Botha agreed Pakistan will miss the talent of Asif and Aamer.
"You always miss quality players and surely Pakistan will miss the two (suspended) bowlers, but we too have injury problems in the team and when such things happen other players step in," said Botha.
Allrounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Styen were still recovering from various injuries and may not be able to play the first Twenty 20.
Botha hoped at least two of the three players will be available for the second Twenty 20, also to be played here on Wednesday.
"Playing Pakistan is always a great challenege and they knocked us out in two major Twenty20 matches," said Botha of Pakistan's wins over South Africa in the second and third World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2010 respectively

Pakistan seek to stay focussed

The Big Picture

Pakistan's lead-up to this tour can be described as chaotic at best. While most major teams are finalising their preparations for the World Cup, Pakistan cricket's internal discord continues to divert attention off the field. The captain and coach have complained of not being consulted over team selection, the board has warned the captain and defended not seeking the coach's opinion, while former cricketers have hit out at the rift between players and the board. Such negativity augurs badly for a team still attempting to recover from the spot-fixing controversy and working towards restoring faith in its fans.

Amid the negativity, however, there are a few things to look forward to. Discarded for most of the year, Misbah-ul-Haq has been catapulted into the role of Test captain and won his place back in the limited-overs squads as well. Things have come a full circle for Younis Khan, who, after being banned indefinitely by the board for disciplinary reasons, has been drafted back in the side.

The return of experienced heads has strengthened the batting department. But the bowling, shorn of two quality seamers who have been provisionally suspended by the ICC, will look to Umar Gul for leadership. The series kicks off with a couple of Twenty20 internationals, and Pakistan, who have been short of match practice and possibly struggling for focus, could just be facing a better team.

South Africa have been spared the distractions. They have kick-started their preparations for the World Cup by easily overcoming Zimbabwe at home. South Africa's batting, led by Hashim Amla, has been prolific and they will welcome back Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis, who were rested against Zimbabwe. Graeme Smith has said that controversies may not necessarily have a bearing on Pakistan's performance but, with a strong and stable side at their disposal, South Africa have an excellent chance of upstaging their opponents in their home away from home.

Form guide

(most recent first)
Pakistan: LLWWL
South Africa: WWWWL

Watch out for...

Misbah-ul-Haq: He last represented Pakistan in the World Twenty20 this year and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of an international return, with the burden of a Test captaincy in the back of his mind. Lucrative returns in domestic cricket, experience and his reputation as a solid middle-order batsman have prompted the Pakistan board to repose faith in his abilities, especially in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf's stability in the middle order.

David Miller: A hard-hitting middle-order batsman, Miller has already made an impression in international cricket with strike-rates of 146.80 and 132.29 in one-dayers and Twenty20s respectively. The South Africa selectors will consider him a potential World Cup candidate, and after facing significantly weaker opponents like West Indies and Zimbabwe, Miller faces his first major challenge against a competitive albeit depleted Pakistan attack.

Team news

It will be interesting to see if South Africa include all the players they rested against Zimbabwe, for the tour opener. Morne Morkel injured his ankle early in the Zimbabwe series and missed a few games. Will he be brought back too?

South Africa (possible): 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Loots Bosman, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 Colin Ingram, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 JP Duminy, 7 David Miller, 8 Albie Morkel, 9 Johan Botha, 10 Robin Peterson, 11 Dale Steyn.

Gul and Shoaib Akhtar will lead the attack with Abdul Razzaq and offspinner Saeed Ajmal as the support options. In the absence of Kamran Akmal, Zulqarnain Haider takes over wicketkeeping duties while Imran Farhat is likely to open with Shahzaib Hasan.

Pakistan (possible): 1 Imran Farhat, 2 Shahzaib Hasan, 3 Umar Akmal, 4 Fawad Alam, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Shahid Afridi (capt), 7 Abdul Razzaq, 8 Zulqarnain Haider (wk), 9 Umar Gul, 10 Shoaib Akhtar, 11 Saeed Ajmal.

Stats and trivia

• The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi will be hosting its first Twenty20 international between two Test-playing nations. The two matches that have been played here - Afghanistan v Scotland and Kenya v Netherlands - were quite low-scoring, with an average score of 127.75.
  
• Two of the three Twenty20 matches played between the teams have come in the World Twenty20, in 2009 and 2010, both won by Pakistan. South Africa won the first game between the two sides, in 2007.
  
  Quotes
  "I think generally there are always one or two things going on in Pakistan cricket, so they're pretty used to dealing with stuff like that at least from a playing perspective."
  Graeme Smith expects no let-ups from Pakistan
  
  
  "We have to forget what happened during the tour of England."
  Shahid Afridi wants to focus on the task ahead

PCB mulls legal action against British tabloid

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board is mulling over a plan to initiate legal action against British tabloid The Sun for leveling baseless allegations against Pakistani cricketers in a new report.

The tabloid had claimed the bookies were aware of a certain scoring pattern of the Oval match between Pakistan and England on September 17.
After holding an investigation into the claims, the ICC concluded that the match was ‘no compelling evidence of any wrongdoing’ in the match.
Pakistan had won the Oval contest 22 runs.
Pakistan ODI skipper Shahid Afridi termed the allegations are “rubbish” while PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said the England cricketers had thrown the match, after claiming it was “a conspiracy to defraud Pakistan cricket”.
According to sources, the PCB is in consultation with its British lawyer Elizabeth Robertson about its intention to start legal action against the British tabloid

Wasim Akram makes it to all time Test World XI list

Wasim Akram is the only Pakistani player to have made it to ESPN cricinfo’s all time Test World Eleven list.
The list is dominated by Australians and West Indians reflecting their pre-eminence in Test cricket over the years.
Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Sachin Tendulkar are the other players from the last two decades to make it to the XI.
Four Australians, three West Indians, two Englishmen, an Indian and a Pakistani make up the list. Three players Don Bradman, Garry Sobers and Shane Warne, were unanimous choices figuring in the first elevens of each of the 12 members of the jury.
Each of them got the maximum points possible in the exercise, that is 60. Tendulkar followed with 51 points.
The World XI is picked from the lists of each country’s XIs.
Below follow the complete lists taken from cricinfo.com:

The World XI: Jack Hobbs, Len Hutton, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Malcolm Marshall, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee
The Second XI: Sunil Gavaskar, Barry Richards, George Headley, Brian Lara, Wally Hammond, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Bill O’Reilly, Fred Trueman, Muttiah Muralitharan, SF Barnes
Readers’ XI: Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Garry Sobers, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath

Regrouped Pakistan target win over South Africa

ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi hoped his beleaguered side is focused enough to counter a spirited South African team in the back-to-back Twenty20 matches starting on Tuesday.
Pakistan's recent tour to England was rocked by spot-fixing allegations which prompted a Scotland Yard investigation and the suspension of three of their players by the International Cricket Council.
Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were charged for violating various code of conduct during the Lord's Test against England in August, a controversy which Afridi said is a thing of the past.
"My players are professional and have put all the controversy behind them," Afridi said at the launching ceremony of the series in which Pakistan will also play five one-day internationals and two Tests.
The series is Pakistan's home series shifted to United Arab Emirates over security fears.
Afridi said the team has ample talent to counter the South Africans.
"We know we are without two of our best bowlers in Aamer and Asif," said Afridi of the two suspended bowlers. "But we still have ample talent to counter South Africa who are a very good side in the shorter form of the game."
South African captain Johan Botha agreed Pakistan will miss the talent of Asif and Aamer.
"You always miss quality players and surely Pakistan will miss the two (suspended) bowlers, but we too have injury problems in the team and when such things happen other players step in," said Botha.
Allrounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Styen were still recovering from various injuries and may not be able to play the first Twenty 20.
Botha hoped at least two of the three players will be available for the second Twenty 20, also to be played on Wednesday.
"Playing Pakistan is always a great challenege and they knocked us out in two major Twenty20 matches," said Botha of Pakistan's wins over South Africa in the second and third World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2010 respectively.
The two sides play the first two one-day in Abu Dhabi before the last three limited over matches in Dubai.
Dubai will also stage the first Test, while the second will be played in Abu Dhabi.


Squads:
Pakistan (from): Shahid Afridi (capt), Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahzaib Hasan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider
South Africa (from): Johan Botha (capt), Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, David Miller, Graeme Smith, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Six Pak players suspected of rigging Sydney Test: ex-PCB chief

Pakistan cricket plunged into another match-fixing controversy with the former PCB chief Tauqir Zia claiming that six national team players were suspected by the ICC of rigging the Sydney Test early this year. LtGeneral (retd) Zia said the International Cricket Council had informed the PCB writing after thetour of Australia that it suspected six players of Pakistan team of rigging Sydney Test and they needed to be kept under a close watch.
"I know the ICC had told the PCB this year to monitor these players because they had got hold of some SMS messages these players exchanged with suspected bookmakers," Zia told Geo News channel late on Sunday night.

"ICC approached the PCB after the Australian tour and warned them to keep a watch on these players as they went for the Twenty20 World Cup and Asia Cup," he said.

He said he did not know what the Pakistan Cricket Board management did after the ICC message but said he was ready to discuss anything if approached by the ICC or PCB.

Zia also made another startling claim that he was approached by suspected bookmakers in 2002 to select a 'tainted' player in the national team.

"Some people who I suspect were bookmakers called me up and pressurised me to select a particular player in the team but I rejected them," Zia said.

Zia declined to name the player but other sources indicated that it might have been former Pakistan captain Salim Malik who was banned for life in 2000 by the board for his alleged involvement in match-fixing. The ban on Malik was lifted by the court in 2008.

Asked what he had done when he was approached by suspected bookie to select the 'tainted' player, Zia said he had informed the team management and also the government.

"But we did not make a big deal out of it since that player had already been hauled up earlier," he said, making it clear that he was talking about an incident that happened in 2002 and not recently.

In August, three Pakistanis -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir -- were accused of spot-fixing by taking money from illegal bookies to bowl no balls during a Test match against England at Lord's. They were later provisionally suspended by the ICC.

Shahid Afridi 77 off 35 balls vs South Africa

Shahid Afridi in hot waters as the ‘PCB circus’ continue

Drama continues to unfold in Pakistan cricket as the ODI and T20 Captain Shahid Afridi has been asked to provide an explanation as to why he had criticised the selection of the team for the tour of UAE on a private television channel.

The outspoken Afridi had given an interview to a leading Pakistani channel where he had claimed that he did not get the players he wanted for the series that is set to start in the last week of this month.

"The team was announced without my input and advice," Afridi had said. "I wanted 2-3 players other than Sohail Tanvir in the side." Afridi, currently in Lahore leading the Karachi Dolphins in the domestic Twenty20 Cup, said he would speak to Chairman Ijaz Butt about the squad. Butt is, however, currently in Dubai for an ICC meeting.

The candid confession did not go down well with the administrators of the game who claim that such comments were a breach of the PCB’s code of conduct. "He has been sent a letter today [Tuesday] telling him to avoid giving such interviews." Reports have surfaced in the media that the dashing all-rounder was served a show-cause notice which the board later clarified was only an explanatory letter.

It is not Afridi alone that was not happy with the selection of team. Even head coach and legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis has conveyed his reservations to the media about the selection process. The former captain is even irked at the appointment of Misbah-ul-Haq as captain for the two match test series.

The appointment was made after PCB ran out of options in the wake of the suspension of test captain Salman Butt for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal that hit the team on their tour of UK that ended last month. 

"This has gotten particularly worse since Mohsin Khan became chief selector," claimed one source from the with-in the PCB, adding "Until Iqbal Qasim [predecessor to Mohsin] was there the chairman would never attend selection meetings. Now Mohsin doesn't consult with his own committee and only gets instructions from the chairman and essentially says yes to whatever the chairman has said.”

It was once again an eventful day for the PCB as the Chief Operating Officer of the Board Wasim Bari and outgoing team manager Yawar Saeed came in the firing line from the National Assembly’s standing committee on sports.

The committee was chaired by Iqbal Mohammad Ali, who is a member of the national assembly, and acts as a watchdog over sporting activities in the country.

However their own credibility is under question from day one as time and again new faces have emerged who have generally failed to deliver much. The committee has often made loud claims that they would rid the administration of incompetent and corrupt officials.

A day before the meeting, some members of the committee had claimed that they would tender their resignations if the Chief of the PCB is not sacked, yet in what was another comical depiction of the state of affairs all around the members who had threatened to quit did not even attend the session!

The committee understandably faced the wrath of the media as they were questioned time and again about the resignation throughout the session at a time when the committee was busy in grilling the PCB officials.

Another case of their incompetence was highlighted when the committee scheduled the meeting on Tuesday despite knowing that Ijaz Butt would not be available as he is in Dubai attending the ICC’s board meeting.

With the state of affairs as they are, one can conclude that while cricket administrators and parliamentarians make a mockery of the game in the country, one needs to thank them for providing rich entertainment with their antics.

PCB forms committee for players’ clearance

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)  has formed a six-member Integrity Committee for clearance of the players for selection here on Saturday. The committee will be headed by PCB chairman Ijaz Butt. Director PCB Zakir Khan told a TV channel that before the selection of a national team the Integrity Committee would ensure that the players are not involved in any indiscipline. A player will be eligible for inclusion in any squad after he is cleared by the committee.
Members of the committee, headed by Ijaz, are Zakir, Sultan Rana, Mohsin Khan, Major Najam and Colonel Waseem Ahmed. Zakir said that the work is in progress for forming the domestic anti-corruption committee, which would be announced later

Butt hires law minister in bid to clear name

Suspended Pakistan batsman Salman Butt has vowed to prove his innocence over allegations of spot-fixing on the recent tour of England. The 26-year-old was suspended along with bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir after they were charged with offences under the anti-corruption code of conduct last month. The ICC suspended them following revelations by News of the World and investigations by police into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test against England in August. The trio appealed against the suspension earlier this month, and an ICC code of conduct commission was due to hear their appeals on October 30 and 31 in Doha, Qatar, but the hearing was moved to Dubai after Asif withdrew his appeal.

Butt, who was Pakistan's Test captain until he was suspended, pleaded innocence. ''We are innocent and have to fight our case on our own,'' he told Pakistan's Geo television. ''The first and the foremost thing is to fight this case out, and I am eager to do that.''
The Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly withdrew support for the players and directed them to fight the case on their own. Last week, the PCB also barred the trio from using practice facilities at the national cricket academy while their case was ongoing.

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Butt said it was for the accuser to prove the case. ''The onus is on them to prove. A player's career is of 10 to 15 years, and if he is suspended it is cut short, so whatever doubts are there we have to remove them,'' said Butt, who refused to comment directly on the allegations. He said he did not know why Asif had withdrawn his appeal.
''It may be strategic or maybe because of financial reasons, but he must have taken this decision after consulting with his lawyer,'' Butt said. Butt has hired former federal law minister Khalid Ranja as his lawyer and will proceed to Dubai with him next week.

Malik wants to fight for justice

Former Pakistan cricket captain Salim Malik has threatened to expose the truth behind the match-fixing inquiry report that came out about 10 years ago. Malik was banned for life on the recommendations of the one-man inquiry tribunal headed by Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum in 2000 while five other

players were let off with fines as the tribunal didn't find sufficient evidence to ban them.

"Why was I made the scapegoat, it is a travesty of justice that the other players who were named, suspected and questioned in the match fixing inquiry are now all holding prime cricket positions," he said.

The 47-year old Malik, who leads a secluded life, said in an interview that it pains him to see Waqar Younis coaching the Pakistan team or Mushtaq Ahmed coaching the England team and Akram Reza working as a first class umpire in Pakistan.

"They were all named in the inquiry. And if the findings were correct then how are they holding official positions now?" asked Malik in a television interview.

He said that he would fight for justice as even Justice Qayyum had admitted on a talk show that he didn't have enough evidence to ban him (Malik).

"He (Justice Qayyum) admitted he punished me on the will of some strong cricket personalities and legends.

"I have become an outcast in society and I have suffered a lot in the last 10 years because of the ban. I want to know why I was targeted," Malik said.

The former batsman who played 103 Tests and 283 One-Day Internationals has broken his silence in the midst of a fresh spot-fixing scandal that has hit Pakistan cricket.

Test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir are all presently serving provisional suspension by the International Cricket Council for allegedly agreeing to bowl pre-determined no balls in the fourth Test against England in August.

Malik has made several appeals in the lower and higher courts against his life ban but it still remains. As a result of which he cannot hold any official position or job in the PCB nor can he openly take part in coaching or other cricketing activities authorised and recognised by the PCB or ICC.

Intikhab hopes for tough fight against Proteas

ABU DHABI: Pakistan cricket team has arrived here in United Arab Emirates (UAE), meanwhile, manager national team Intikhab Alam has hoped that spot-fixing allegations would not influence performance of the players, Geo News reported.
Players are positive and have the necessary potential to give a very tough time to world class South Africans, he said.
Three Test, five ODIs and two T20I matches will be played during the Pakistan-turned UAE tour.
First T20I, to be played on October 26, is meant for raising donations for flood-affectees.
Talking to newsmen at Lahore airport, manager Intikhab Alam appeared hopeful of team’s commitment for victory on the tour.

ICC probes Suresh Raina's 'links' with bookie

 

The ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is probing why the Indian Board kept quiet about a report of its player Suresh Raina being seen in the company of a woman linked to an associate of an illegal bookmaker, a media report said in London.

Making it clear that Raina was not suspected of any wrongdoing, 'The Sunday Times', quoting a senior ICC source, said the incident related to India's tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.
With the heightened security concerns following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan, the Sri Lankans deputed a former general to look after the Indian team.
CCTV Cameras installed at the Indian team hotel showed that on more than one night Raina was in the company of a woman known to be an associate of a man allegedly linked to a bookmaker.
A report, including the CCTV footage, was submitted by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to their Indian counterparts

Withdrawal not because of incriminating evidence: Asif

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif on Saturday clarified that he had withdrawn his appeal to lift the provisional suspension as he got the documents late from the ICC and not because there was incriminating evidence against him in the spot fixing scandal.
Asif said further steps in the matter will be taken after his lawyers go through the details of the documents provided by the sport's world governing body.
Asif surprised the cricket world yesterday by withdrawing his challenge to the ICC suspension, which was due to be heard later this month in Doha, Qatar.
"I simply decided to withdraw my appeal for now because we got the complete documents relating to the matter late from the ICC and my lawyers want to make a proper and detailed case to the allegations and suspension," Asif said.
"I have not given up my intentions of challenging these allegations against me. I am innocent and I have done nothing wrong. We will file a detailed explanation not only against the suspension but the spot fixing allegations too.
The reports (incriminating evidence against him) are untrue. We made the decision because the lawyers need more time to contest the case," the pacer added.
Asif, who got married recently, returned from London after meeting with his lawyers.
The ICC announced yesterday that Asif had withdrawn his challenge to the provisional suspension imposed on him on September 2 pending determination of the charges brought against him under the ICC's Anti-Corruption Code.
Asif, fellow pace bowler Muhammad Aamir and Test captain Salman Butt were banned from playing by the ICC for allegedly agreeing to bowl deliberate no balls in the fourth Test against England in August. Aamir and Butt are still appealing their bans.
"I have got married recently and I am starting a new life. The advise I got was that not to rush things and take time in dealing with these issues," he said.
"I am confident I will make a comeback to Pakistan cricket. It has given me a lot," the pacer said.
The ICC also announced that following Asif's withdrawal, the hearing of the appeals of Butt and Aamir would now be held in Dubai on the same dates of October 30 and 31st.
The hearing was first scheduled in Doha because Asif is banned from entering the UAE state of Dubai as he was arrested and kept in detention for 19-days at the Dubai airport in 2008 for possession of Marijuana.
Although no criminal charges were brought against him, he was barred from entering Dubai

ICC happy with PCB's initial response on anti-corruption

International Cricket Council on Saturday expressed satisfaction by the initial response from Pakistan Cricket Board after the threat to impose sanctions if it did not take robust anti-corruption measures to clean up cricket. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said after a meeting of the members of

We are encouraged by the excellent progress reported and also the willingness of PCB to embrace ICC recommendations. However, we can never be complacent nor distracted in our determination to tackle corruption," Lorgat said in a statement. Pakistan Task Team via teleconference call that the world body was satisfied by the PCB's reponse."The ICC Task Team was mindful of the challenges faced by PCB and is committed to support Pakistan playing international cricket, but recognised the importance of rooting out corruption from the sport. It also fully endorsed the stated policy of zero-tolerance towards corruption in order to ensure the integrity of cricket," he said.
ICC Director Giles Clarke, as chairman of the PTT, was joined by members of the task team as well as PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and PCB Senior General Manager Cricket Operations (International), Subhan Ahmed, and advised the members of the additional responsibilities of the group following the ICC Board meeting.
These include raising awareness of anti-corruption issues among international players, particularly those from Pakistan' to support Pakistan cricket in the urgent development and delivery of anti-corruption policies, processes and education; to support PCB in reviewing its structures and making reforms necessary to restore confidence in the administration of the game in Pakistan and to protect the integrity of international cricket by enforcing the stated zero-tolerance approach.
The PTT received an update on the agreed measures that the PCB has already started to introduce. The task team meeting reminded the PCB of its agreement to encourage all its players to come forward and disclose to the Anti-Corruption and Safety Unit any relevant information which will be treated as strictly confidential.
Pakistan Task Team chairman Clarke said, "The task team urged everyone to support the PCB to reform its cricket and governance models and the important role Ijaz Butt has to play in this regard. An independent board would help it to regain its glory and ensure long-term success."
PCB chairman Butt said, "We are grateful to the ICC for its advice and support in these challenging times. Rest assured that Pakistan cricket has no tolerance for any players or officials who are found to be corrupt and will make the tough decisions necessary."

Salman Butt vows to prove innocence

Suspended Pakistan batsman Salman Butt Saturday vowed to prove his innocence over allegations of spot-fixing on the recent tour of England.
The 26-year-old was suspended along with bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir after they were charged with offences under the anti-corruption code of conduct last month.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended them following revelations by British tabloid The News of the World and subsequent investigations by police into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test against England in August.
The trio appealed against the suspension earlier this month and an ICC code of conduct commission was due to hear their appeals on October 30 and 31 in Doha, Qatar, but the hearing was moved to Dubai after Asif withdrew his appeal.
Butt pleaded innocence in the case. “We are innocent and have to fight our case on our own,” Salman told a private television channel.
“The first and the foremost thing is to fight this case out and I am eager to do that.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly withdrew support for the players and directed them to fight the case on their own.
Earlier this week the PCB also barred the trio from using practice facilities at the national cricket academy while their case was ongoing.
Butt said it was for the accuser to prove the case. “The onus is on them to prove. A player’s career is of 10 to 15 years and if he is suspended it is cut short, so whatever doubts are there we have to remove them,” said Butt, who refused to comment directly on the allegations.
He said he did not know why Asif had withdrawn his appeal. “It may be strategic or maybe because of financial reasons, but he must have taken this decision after consulting with his lawyer,” said Butt of Asif, who hired British lawyer Elizabeth Robertson.
Butt has hired former federal law minister Khalid Ranja as his lawyer and will proceed to Dubai with him next week.

South Africa Series UAE 2010 : SOME INTRESTING INFORMATION

Pakistan’s limited overs team left for the tour of United Arab Emirates where the team would be taking part in a five match One-Day-International series and two T20 matches against South Africa.

The series starts on the 26^th of this month with the opening T20 match at Abu Dhabi, the very next day the second and final T20 match would be played at the same venue.
The two teams would then lock horns in a five match 50 overs series, with the opening two matches at Abu Dhabi on 29^th and 31^st of October.
The third, fourth and fifth ODIs would be held at Dubai’s sports city on 2^nd, 5^th and 8^th November respectively.
Some members of the limited overs squad would stay back for the two test match series that starts at Dubai with the first test from the 14^th of November.
The second test match would be played at Abu Dhabi; Pakistan would be led by experienced middle-order batsman Misbah Ul Haq in the short series.
For the limited overs series the men in green are being led by the swashbuckling Shahid Afridi.
Under him, the Pakistan team looks strong on paper yet have a big battle in store against one of the most formidable teams in the world.
The last time the two teams met in a bi-lateral series was in 2007, when the South Africans travelled to Pakistan for an ODI and test match battle where the Proteas prevailed.
The ODI series was extremely entertaining with almost every match going down to the wire; the hosts were in control for most part and only lost the last match after a stunning collapse from a seemingly impregnable position at Lahore’s Qaddafi stadium.
However, this was the closest that they have come to toppling the Africans in a bi-lateral ODI series. Since South Africa’s readmission to international cricket in 1991, the Proteas have had the wood over Pakistan in tests and ODIs.
The Pakistanis lost the first ever ODI match between the two teams at the 1992 World Cup, a tournament that they eventually won  by staging one of the most dramatic comebacks in the history of the game.
After that defeat, they won the next seven ODI’s on the bounce against the Proteas in a run that started in South Africa in a three nation tournament that also involved the then might West Indians.
The South Africans then got the measure of Pakistan and started their own winning sequence against them; their sequence was much more comprehensive and bigger.
Form the four nation tournament staged in South Africa in 1995, the hosts won as many as 14 matches.
It took Pakistan five years to overcome that sequence when pace man Shoaib Akhtar produced a brilliant spell of reverse swing at lightening pace to send the Proteas packing for 101 in their 169 run chase for a win under the lights at Sharjah.
Shoaib Akhtar is part of the current Pakistan team and the Asians would be hoping for similar fireworks from the aging Rawalpindi Express who is at the end of a rollercoaster of a career that started 13 years ago.
Despite breaking the South African spell in 2000, the Pakistanis have struggled to win regularly against the Proteas and thus they would start out as favourites in the limited overs series.
Their batsmen have been in stunning form of late and smashed minnows Zimbabwe for 399 runs in the third and final ODI of the series on Friday.
A packed crowd is expected for the two T20 matches, while a decent turnout is guaranteed for the ODIs considering the interest of the South Asian expat community in the game they love the most.

I am not a 'rubber stamp' selector: Mohsin Khan

Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan has dismissed talks that he is a 'rubber stamp' worker, who follows Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt's orders.
Mohsin also denied that former captain Younus Khan was not being selected due to Butt's insistence.
"I am no rubber stamp chief selector, but there are certain rules and laws of the board that I have to follow as I am their employee. The day I feel I can't follow these rules and laws, I will leave this post," the Daily Times quoted Mohsin, as saying.
When asked whether he was a 'dummy selector,' Mohsin replied: "I am not the Chairman of the PCB, I am Chairman of the selection committee and that has some rules through which you make a team. The final approval comes from the Chairman and this has been happening for a long time."
Mohsin has had to face charges of bias and non-consultative selection from the moment he was appointed in March.
Earlier, ODI captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis had claimed that they were not consulted for selection of the squad for the forthcoming series against South Africa.
"I make it a point to give the selectors my input because I am the one who has to get the desired results from my team on the field," Afridi had said in a television interview.
"I wanted 2-3 players other than Sohail Tanvir in the side. I will meet PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to discuss this," he added.
In a recent hearing at the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Sports, Waqar had publicly expressed his unhappiness at not being consulted.

Shahzaib Hasan, a solution to Pakistan’s opening problem

Pakistan cricket team is struggling to find regular openers after the retirement of their star opening pair, Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail. In all, they have tried about 20 to 25 combinations, but none has worked for them on a consistent basis. 

For a start, openers are the most important members of a side, as they can provide their team with a solid start. In addition, they can also rough up the new ball and then, it is much easier to score for rest of the batsmen.

As we say that bowlers hunt in partnerships, so do the batsmen. A left and right handed opening combination can easily break the rhythm of opposition’s bowlers. If there is a compact and solid batsman, then he should be supported by attacking batsmen to unsettle the bowlers.
The necessary ingredients required to be an opening batsman in the modern era are, players ability to dominate the new ball attack and his mental strength to assess the conditions and situations.
Shahzaib Hasan has all the potential in the world to become a successful modern day opener. In his couple of domestic and international games, the dashing opener has shown signs of brutality and devastation with the willow in his hand.
Shahzaib Hasan was inducted into the Pakistani cricket team at a young age of 19, just like his many other illustrious countrymen. The Karachi opener’s selection in the national outfit was a result of his scintillating domestic performances.  In 2009, Hasan boasted on a great domestic season with Karachi blues. In seven One day domestic games, he scored 250 runs at a breathtaking strike rate of 96. Later on, he was selected for the national side to feature in the 2009’s ICC World cup in England
Furthermore, in Pakistan’s triumph at the twenty over world cup on English soil, Shahzaib did play his crucial part. In doing so, he only piled up mid-size scores, but him with his opening partner Kamran Akmal provided Pakistan with solid starts.  
Shahzaib was picked for the Asia cup 2010 in June to make his ODI debut. To everyone’s surprise, he didn’t look comfortable at all in the first match against Sri Lanka, adding just 11 runs to the total. Add to this, he got his 2^nd chance against Bangladesh on a flat track, where he scored a fifty in his blatant style.
As expected, he was picked for the England tour to play limited overs game, but only featured in game’s shortest version. In 8 matches, he scored 101 runs at an average of 12 with a best of 35.
As everyone expected of him, in the current Faysal bank T20 cup, the basher has been the top run-getter in the tournament. Overall, he has played 2 games, striking a massive tally of 177 runs at an average of 177 with a breathtaking strike rate of almost 179. In his pursuit for big runs, he has smashed a brutal century.
Moreover, in Karachi Dolphin’s first match against Hyderabad Hawks, the Dolphin’s opener shifted the momentum in favour of his team by hammering a magnificent 76 runs of 38 balls. His energetic performance with the bat helped his team to mountain a score of 195 runs on a flat track, which in the end proved to be a match winning total as they beat the Hawks by 20 runs. Resultantly, his blaze with the bat earned him the man-of-the-match award
Furthermore, the dashing Karachi opener carried his form to the 2^nd match. This time around, Lahore Eagles were at the receiving end as Hassan bludgeoned the white cherry all-around the park. In doing so, he recorded the first century of the ongoing trophy. As a result, his hundred guided his team to the highest team score of 243 runs in the history of the Faysal bank T20 matches.
In the recently concluded Semi-final match against Rawalpindi Rams, the Karachi basher scored a match winning 71 runs of 51 balls, while aiming a target of 210 runs, sailing his team’s ship to the shore of final against Lahore Lions.