Ejaz Butt vs Resignation

Ejaz Butt, chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who tried his level best to resist several resignation calls during his brief 2-year (appointed Chief on Oct 6, 2008) tenure has finally being heard as taking a crucial final decision of resigning from his post

Rumours of Butt forwarding resignation were widely published in the Indian news websites the reasons being quoted by these sites as health related.

The resignation is expected when Butt returns from his London visit after which he is expected to handover his resignation to the Patron PCB President Asif Ali Zardari

Ejaz Butt, the Chairman famous for cracking jokes did not prove worthy for the management and leadership of the board as in his tenure Pakistan got involved in much controversies.

No major event was won by the Pakistan side except the T20 World Cup in 2009, so much so that now at the so called expected end of his career Pakistan still is in the deep pit of the England tour spot fixing controversy.

Pakistan recently returned from an extremely controversial and bitter, question raising tour of England when its three ace players (2 bowlers, 1 Batsmen) were suspended on spot-fixing allegations. Butt even now was criticised by many for handling of the entire scandal that plagued Pakistan cricket.

Another lack of professionalism was seen by the 72-year old when he went, soon after the scandal’s uprising, to England where he bluntly without proof hit out at the English players alleging that they had fixed the last third ODI at Oval.

He later did withdraw his remarks but at the same time again brought shame to the nation when he had to apologize in accordance with the demand made by the England board in a written letter.

Critics strongly believe that this and many other events where Pakistan has been alleged in any kind of irregularity, in which Butt was seen directly or indirectly involved, is the basic reason behind his resignation. Sources are even seen as quoting former ICC Chairman Ehsan Mani as the future Chairman of the PCB.

PCB lifts ban imposed on Rana Naved

The PCB on Saturday lifted a one-year ban imposed on all-rounder Rana Naved ul Hasan, paving the way for his return to the national team.

The cricket board also reduced the fine to rupees 10 lakh from 20 lakh.
Rana Naved was one of the seven Pakistani cricketers, who were banned by the PCB after their disastrous Australian tour early in 2010 year.
Except for Hasan, PCB had lifted bans imposed on all other players.
Hasan had appealed against the ban appeared before an appellate tribunal, to hear his appeal.
"I take everything positively and I consider myself very lucky. I will make every effort to return to the Pakistani side," Hasan said.
He met with the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt last month in which he apologised for his conduct and behaviour on the Australian tour that eventually led to his ban and fine of two million Pakistani rupees.
The all-rounder, who has not played cricket in the last six months sue to ban, said he played in domestic cricket to get back to the national side.
"There is a crisis in the Pakistani team and I will make every effort when the selectors choose players again. I hope they will select me. The board accepted my plea. and I hope to play in a domestic T20 tournament coming up," he said.

Alam wants to improve relation with Pak players

New manager of troubled Pakistan cricket team Intikhab Alam is confident that his adverse comments on the players after the shambolic Australian tour early this year would not affect his relationship with them.

"Whatever I said then it was for the betterment of the team and I didn't mean ill towards anyone. I think the players know that and I don't think it will affect my relationship with them in my new role as manager," Alam on Friday said.

Alam was assigned the national duty last evening as Yawar Saeed had stepped down after a turbulent England tour. The PCB had removed him as coach after the Australian tour.

Alam had told an inquiry committee then formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board to probe into the poor performances in Australia.

He also said most of the Pakistan players were uneducated and not so well groomed and their mental level "was not very high", which caused problems for the team management.

The inquiry committee eventually recommended bans and fines on seven players for indiscipline and misconduct on the tour.

"Whatever, I said then it was for the betterment of the team and I didn't mean ill towards anyone. I think the players know that and I don't think it will affect my relationship with them in my new role as manager," the former Pakistan captain said.

Alam said his main priority as manager would be to ensure no further damage is done to the image of Pakistan cricket and the team stays away from controversies.

"Focus on discipline and advising the players on how to just focus on cricket will be my main job," he said.

"I know that in the current situation, given the controversies Pakistan cricket has faced in recent times it will not be an easy job but since I have accepted the challenge, I am confident I can deliver as manager."

Explaining how he would deal with the players, Alam said they were not schoolboys and no one should expect him to treat them like school kids. "I would like to have a good working and friendly relationship with them. I don?t wan?t to interfere in cricket matters as that's not my domain now. But yes, if and when required, the board has told me not to tolerate indiscipline."

The new team manager for the upcoming ODI and T20 series against South Africa in UAE said he would enjoy working with the national team coach, Waqar Younis as both had enjoyed a good understanding in Australia when he (Alam) was coach and the pacer was the bowling coach.

"I know him well and I know (assistant coach) Aaqib Javed well as well. I worked with them before and we have a good understanding."

India must open doors to Pak players in upcoming IPL auction:Waseem Akram

Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram has stated that India should open its doors to Pakistani players in the next IPL auction due early November, as this would help 'improve ties' between the two countries.
In his column in the Daily Times, Akram said, "With the IPL auction due early November, I am really keen to see Pakistan players this time around. Pakistan players add charm to the matches by sheer capability. Players like Umar Gul, Afridi and Saeed Ajmal can be assets for any team. Young quickie Mohammad Irfan is also an exciting T20 cricketer."
"More importantly, the IPL following will grow in Pakistan and fans will follow the league. They will also identify with the franchises and their players. That is why it is crucial to open the doors to Pakistan players. It will only improve ties between India and Pakistan," he added.
Talking about the future of Test cricket when the shorter versions of the game are fast becoming more popular, the former Pakistan captain said that the Mohali match between India and Australia "has been a great advertisement for the five-day game."
He however rued that "a two-match series is unfair on the visiting side," and opined that the "ICC must make it mandatory to have at least a three-Test series, if not a five-match contest."
Commenting on the present condition of Pakistan team, Akram said, "Our players have been in the news for the wrong reason and it's all hunky-dory out there. It is so sad to see senior players sitting out when the Pakistan team needs them. Crisis and more crisis are crippling Pakistan cricket. The good is being overshadowed by the bad and that is unfortunate."
The left-arm fast bowler however expressed the hope that the team would "forget about the controversies" and "give their 100 percent" in the upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE.

Malik and Kamran left out, Younus once again ignored

Pakistan cricket selectors Thursday recalled middle order batsman Misbahul Haq, opener Imran Farhat and wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider for the South Africa one-day and Twenty20 international series starting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month. Though all-rounder Shahid Afridi is in a 15-member squad but a captain will be named later on. “Captain will be named shortly and at this stage we have not decided who will lead the side,” a spokesman for the PCB told reporters. Afridi led Pakistan as they lost 3-2 in an ODI series and both Twenty20 matches on a scandal-plagued tour of England. Pakistan will play two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs against Proteas from October 26. Predictably, the non-announcement of a skipper has already sparked speculation of possible disharmony. One TV channel reported that a negative report against Afridi’s leadership during the England tour from the team management has led to the decision to not name a captain yet. Afridi was outside the country on a commercial assignment and only returned yesterday.
Veteran batsman Misbah last played an ODI against South Africa in the 2009 Champions Trophy before he was dropped due to poor form. The selectors have dropped wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and replaced him with Zulqarnain, who flew back home from the tour of England after injuring a finger during the third Test. But the PCB spokesman said Kamran could be included at a later date if he proved his fitness for the shorter version showdowns that will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai due to the security situation in Pakistan. Kamran has just undergone an appendicitis operation. Azhar Ali and Umar Amin, who have both been part of at least one ODI squad since June and were loudly trumpeted as the future, have been left out. Former captain Shoaib Malik is also not part of the national outfit.
Management changes: There have been key changes in the management as well, the most significant being the return of Intikhab Alam as manager of the side. Former Test skipper Intikhab, who is also working as director National Cricket Academy, has replaced Yawar Saeed. Yawar stepped down after Pakistan’s scandal-hit tour of England. Intikhab was coach between October 2008 to the shambolic tour to Australia early this year after which he was replaced as coach by Waqar Younis. Appearing before an inquiry committee after the Australia tour in January, Intikhab called his players ‘mentally retarded’, as well as suspecting the motives of some of them in the now infamous Sydney Test loss. Intikhab told reporters he was looking forward to taking responsibility for the team. “It’s a tough job. I will make sure that all goes well and I manage to keep the image of the team better and it goes up,” Intikhab added. Intikhab, a leg-break bowler, played 47 Tests and four ODIs for Pakistan. Former Test batsman Ijaz Ahmed has been shown the door while Waqar has been retained as coach while Aaqib Javed has been given the responsibility of the bowling coach. David Dwyer, the popular trainer who arrived with former coach Geoff Lawson, has not been retained after the series in England.
Younus once again ignored: Former Pakistan captain Younus Khan has been once again ignored by the selectors, headed by Mohsin Hasan Khan. Although Younus’ indefinite ban for ill-discipline was overturned earlier this year, he has not been picked for any international matches since January after Pakistan’s unsuccessful tour of Australia. The three cricketers –opener Salman Butt, pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – suspended and charged last month by the International Cricket Council under its anti-corruption code over fixing allegations were not available for selection. They will appear before an ICC hearing on October 30-31 in Doha, Qatar.

Squad:
Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanveer Ahmad, Zulqarnain Haider.

Officials:
Intikhab Alam (manager), Waqar Younis (coach), Aaqib Javed (bowling coach) Faisal Hayat (physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Shahid Aslam (assistant manager), Muhammad Talha Butt (analyst) and Muhammad Akhtar (masseur).