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

Pakistani Cricketers Are Bringing Sexy Back

If a sprinkling of drama did not characterize any sport then it is indeed true that it shall lose all meaning. The very fact that the players are quite prone to all the usual well-documented human failings such as adultery and deceit is what makes them so very likable. The audience understands sinners for it understands itself. But it must be admitted that Pakistan’s cricket team has, rather than incorporating a teensy bit of drama into an honest work ethic, redefined its own existence so that it centres upon drama with a little bit of cricket being played when all potential theatrical immaturities are exhausted.  

Indeed, at some early point in history, Pakistan’s cricketers bade farewell to cricket and embraced the theatre with opens arms. They have now acquired such proficiency at it that the women of the subcontinent decided to abandon Indian soaps in favour of the antics of the cricketers. In effect the cricketers were able to do that which the women could not do; rid Pakistani women of the disease that is Bollywood. When Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza decide to turn a ceremony that is traditionally meant to be a personal affair into a media circus of disgusting proportions then is Bollywood to be blamed if it can’t provide competitive entertainment? This catastrophe that has brought much embarrassment to Pakistani cricketers as well as cricket as a whole should possibly have been avoided. In the aftermath of the testosterone filled madness induced in the media due to the circus, the international sporting institutions should perhaps introduce laws that prevent inbreeding between sporting teams. When all the Shoaibs and Sanias decide to tie the knot then it brings a bad name to both tennis and cricket.

Even if our old heroes are considered, the inherent animosity between many prominent players such as Imran and Miandad - which has been characterized by many competent authorities on cricket as a classic love-hate relationship - also brings a Pakistani’s head down with shame. The schizophrenic nature of their relationship is exhibited by the fact that both of them in their respective autobiographies have criticized and applauded one another in equal measure. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis too were out to do one another in since the beginning of their time together. However, in the field of drama our own Inzi Baby takes away the cup. This evangelical hero decided to unite the team under a single version of Islam and sought to do so in the locker room. He tried to redirect the hatred of the team from India to alcohol and drugs but sadly failed miserably in converting the team to his version of Islam and only ended up making the rest of the team avoid him like the plague. Along the way he also alienated important players such as Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar which in retrospect is being classified as a catastrophic mistake on his part. It is therefore a matter of debate whether Shoaib calling Inzamam in the middle of the night during the series against England in 2005 to remind him of his religious obligations is really all that bad as it seems on the first hearing. The whole match-fixing fiasco is of course a grand saga in the history of Pakistan’s cricket in itself. And then comes their very own runaway bride wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider.

Almost every other international cricket team has had to face some or the other drama but amongst Pakistani cricketers there is so much drama that one is left looking in vain for the cricket in the overall scheme of things. Cricket becomes an afterthought

Can Pakistani cricket save itself from disaster?

Unpredictable is the most suitable word for the Pakistan Cricket Board, team and individuals. Nobody knows when PCB will take a U-turn on one of its decisions, when the team conquers world’s best team and kneels down to the weakest side, when a top class cricketer announces his retirement and all of a sudden, gets a chance to play at highest level without any prior preparation.
In a proper system, the administration and players are both important and work within their domains to strengthen each other but they never interfere in each other’s domain. Both are answerable for their job and get rewarded and penalized according to their performance. But, here in Pakistan, the case is altogether different. Members of the cricket board influence teams and this affects performance. That is how the PCB hurts its own performance and image.
How did the PCB get here?
The reason for this whole mess is quite understandable. The story begins, continues and ends with individuals’ power and absence of transparent system. From Abdul Fazal Mahmood to Muhammad Amir, Pakistan has been blessed with the talented performers and match winner players. No one can deny that Imran Khan introduced the philosophy of “fight back” in modern cricket. Had Abdul Qadir not been performing exceptionally good in limited over games, the inclusion of spinners in one dayers and T20 would have still have been a dream. Doosra belongs to Saqlain and reverse swing enjoyed its glory from Waqar and Wasim’s hands. Such talented people can destroy any planning of the opponent, be it the cricket ground or the cricket board.
As captain Imran Khan, always exceeded his limits and insisted to play with the team.  Instead of going to the ground for selection he made them with the team of the selection committee. In the past, Inzamam ul Haq, Waqar Younus, Wasim Akram and most recently Shahid Afridi expressed concerns over the selected players.
And unlike Cricket Australia, no one could warn them: “Mr. Captain, this is not your job. The task you are assigned, starts from the boundary rope and ends when you cross it. Let the right people do their job”
Following the wrong leader
This is not the end of the story; we have witnessed a number of revolutions against weak captains like Miandad, Wasim Akram, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf. And now, it is the turn of a person who is not even part of the team – chairman cricket board,  Ijaz Butt.
We have seen a few examples of punishing players but with no investigation and with one pen stroke, they were given a certificate to represent the country at the highest level. When convenient the player turned out to be “Mr Clean” within no time. None of the officials have ever been punished for poor performance and even if they were, the issues were never investigated.
Pakistan Cricket Board has its constitution which recommends elected professionals for every post but it is being run by the appointed people, the ones who are answerable to no one.
Accountability part is missing everywhere. PCB needs to introduce a system where players and officials of the board could be asked the reason for their poor performance and could be punished for any misconduct.
A failure to make thing better
It is true that PCB is not playing its role effectively. They are unable to handle issue at international level and they have failed to develop a system which could help bring out professional cricketers from the scratch.
The job description of the selection committee should not only be defined but should also be adhered. They should be forced to visit every Grade I and Grade II match and submit their report to chairman about their observations. The observations should not be based on score board, but on the decision making of the playing sides and their attempts to make efforts to win the game.
Level I, II and III coaches should be groomed according to their skills and should be sent to Australia and England for further certifications.
What needs to be done?
PCB needs to have back up of for every player and needs to design their job description. From Under 15 to the national team, they should be sent for workshops on media handling and how to be a role model for their fans, how to avoid controversies and how to be mindful about the people with negative background.
The Pakistan Cricket Board needs to understand the changes that are happening all over the world and the role of the media. Pakistani and international media has been more influential than in the past. If anyone disobeys the code of conduct, they must be penalized by the board and no one should be allowed to go against that, even if it hurts their career. In the long run, this will help the system.
In a nutshell, if PCB really wants to avoid the expected disaster, it has to work on two things, one, its system by meting out rewards and punishments. Two, grooming the individuals to handle international media. This practice can develop PCB as a role model for rest of the world.