Haider yet to convince ICC about fixing claims

Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider is yet to convince ICC anti-corruption unit that there was much substance in his claims that he was threatened by a bookmaker after refusing to get involved in fixing matches last year, according to sources.

Reliable sources told PTI on Saturday that ICC ACU officials quizzed Zulqarnain in London after he fled the team hotel in Dubai last November during Pakistan's ODI series against South Africa without informing the team management and sought asylum at the British capital.

"When the PCB inquired from ACU officials about their feedback and views on the reasons given by Zulqarnain for fleeing the team hotel, they responded they didn't find anything substantial in the keeper s statement to follow up on," one source said.

"The ACU basically said they had found nothing substantial to warrant a full scale inquiry into what Zulqarnain was saying," the source added.

When a senior official of the Board was contacted by PTI for his comments, he simply stated that since returning to Pakistan, Zulqarnain had not bothered to make any contact with PCB.

"So far he has not contacted us and when he does he will first have to respond to the notice we went him while he was in London asking him to explain in writing the circumstances that prompted him to take such a big decision and violate his central contract terms and conditions," chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said.

"After he responds to the notice we will decide whether and when he has to appear before the disciplinary committee of the board to respond to the charges of misconduct against him," he said.

Subhan said that the Board can only decide on how serious were the claims being made by Zulqarnain after he tells them in detail what led to him fleeing the team hotel.

Subhan was a member of the PCB fact-finding committee that investigated the circumstances that led to Zulqarnain fleeing the team hotel. In its findings, the committee had noted it had found nothing to warrant such a drastic step by Zulqranain that brought Pakistan cricket into disrepute.

Zulqarnain returned to Pakistan recently on reassurances given to him by the interior minister Rehman Malik that his security and safety would be taken care off by the government.

Zulqarnain, who had said he wanted to play cricket again, only reached his hometown Lahore on Friday after remaining in Islamabad due to security reasons.

Subhan maintained that the Board would only decide its future course of action after hearing out Zulqarnain but untill the issue is cleared the PCB couldn't consider him to play again.

PCB rules out Kaneria's immediate return to Pakistan team

 The Pakistan Cricket Board has ruled out an immediate comeback for Danish Kaneria in the national team, insisting that the leg-spinner first had to satisfy PCB's integrity committee before he can be cleared for selection.

"We have been asking Danish to provide us with the statement he gave to the Essex police when he was under investigation in the spot-fixing scandal in county cricket last year. But so far he has not provided us with the statement," a PCB official told PTI.

Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan, has taken 261 wickets in 61 Tests and 15 scalps in 18 ODIs but has not played international cricket since last summer.

He was picked for the Test series against South Africa last November but the PCB stopped him from boarding a flight to Dubai to join the team.

He was also not given a new central contract by the PCB last month.

The Essex police last year held a three-month long investigation into allegations of spot-fixing against Kaneria and his Essex teammate, Mervyn Westfield during a Pro-40 match against Durham in the 2009 season.

Kaneria was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud on May 15 along with Westfield following the allegations but the Essex police later confirmed that the Pakistani cricketer will not face a criminal prosecution.

The Essex police, however, charged Westfield who is now facing a criminal trial.

"The Essex police didn't charge Kaneria but they have also not completed their investigations into the case and the trial is still going on," the PCB official said.

"They are only two ways for Kaneria to be considered for national selection again. First the police complete their investigations and conclude the case against Westfield without any more involvement from Kaneria or he has to show the integrity committee the statement he gave to the police during the course of the investigations," the official, who declined to be named, added.

Sources in the Pakistan team say there has been growing pressure on the selectors to consider Kaneria for the Test matches to be played this year against the West Indies, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The PCB official said despite several reminders Kaneria had refused to provide them with the statement.

"The last time we got an email from him stating that he had approached the police through his lawyer to obtain a copy of the statement but they refused to provide him with one, saying since the case involving Westfield was still on they can't allow the statement to be given to the PCB, which sounds strange to us," the official said.

"We don't know what is keeping Kaneria from atleast showing us a copy of the statement because if he has been interviewed it is our understanding that the police would provide a copy to that person or his lawyer," he said.

"He has given us a letter from the ICC saying that they were not investigating him and one from the Essex police that they had not charged him but that is not enough for us," the official added.

He said unless Kaneria provided a copy of the statement the leg-spinner could not be cleared for selection.

Shahid Afridi In Hajmola commercial

Afridi in soap commercial | tick tick tick ..:p

AFRIDI ON FIRE WITH BALL 4 Wickets vs Wi 1997

Sahid Afridi's 70 vs Ind at Karachi ODI 1997 | rare video

Afridi 70 of 50 balls vs NZ

credit to team-work says Shahid Afridi

Talking to reporters in a press conference, Boom Boom Afridi said that all the players have performed well so far in the first three matches of the series and all of them deserve the credit for this memorable victory over the West Indian team.
He further elaborated that during the three matches all the players at some stage performed their role in winning it for Pakistan so all of them deserve the credit for the series victory.

When asked about any changes for the fourth and fifth ODI, Shahid Afridi said, “Our top priority was to win the series and as now we have won it we will definitely give chance to new comers”.
Earlier on Thursday, Shahid Afridi showed his dissatisfaction on the ICC One-Day rankings system saying it was hard to understand how it works.

The ICC had made it clear the other day that even if Pakistan whitewash West Indies in the ODI series it will only get one point out of it, which means Pakistan will have to stay at Number Six in the ICC rankings.
While talking to a Pakistani newspaper Afridi showed his resentment saying there has to be some advantage for the visiting team no matter who’s the opposition.
It is important to mention here that Shahid Afridi is the second captain after Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara who has showed discontentment over the ICC ranking system.

Fletcher appointed Team India coach

Sixty-two-year-old Duncan Fletcher has been appointed as the coach of India ahead of the team's tour to the West Indies.

The decision to appoint Fletcher, whose name was doing the rounds as a possible successor to outgoing coach Gary Kirsten, was taken at the BCCI's working committee meeting. The announcement came as a surprise as the BCCI had given no indication that it would name the coach on Wednesday itself.

"The contract with Fletcher is for two years. He may not join the team in the West Indies as he has some prior commitments," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan told reporters after the meeting.

Eric Simmons, who was the bowling coach during Kirsten's tenure, will continue in the same position, Srinivasan said.

BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said the terms and conditions of Fletcher's appointment would be the same as Kirsten's.

"After a lot of thought and consultation, BCCI president and BCCI secretary placed Fletcher's name before the Working Committee, which the Committee ratified," Shukla said when asked why Fletcher was selected over other contenders.

According to BCCI sources, current England coach Andy Flower was also considered, but he was reluctant. Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, reportedly one of the contenders, was not in the race, they said.

Fletcher, who captained Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup and played just six one-dayers during the African nation's pre-Test days, had mixed fortunes as coach for England.

The high points of his career was England's Ashes triumph over Australia in the home series of 2005, England's first series win in West Indies in 36 years and taking England to the third spot in Test rankings.

Fletcher has a tough job ahead of him as he replaces the amiable South African Kirsten, who set a high benchmark for the Indian team and completed his stint with the memorable World Cup triumph earlier this month.

With Kirsten at helm, India reached the pinnacle of Test rankings and number two in the ODI list after conjuring up memorable wins and draws in series abroad. He relinquished the job to spend more time with his family.

Fletcher was the first foreigner to coach England's cricket team, a stint that had its share of highs and lows.

Known to be a strict task-master, Fletcher guided England to eight straight Test wins during his stint.

The biggest moment for him came in 2005 when England upstaged a star-studded Australian team to win the Ashes for the first time since 1987.

The Zimbabwean was honoured with an OBE before England's form slid and his position came under the scanner.

England managed to draw series in India and Pakistan but the 5-0 whitewash in the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia led to widespread criticism of Fletcher, who refused to step down at that stage.

But England's early exit from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies ended any chances of him holding on to the post and he put in his papers.

Former England opener Michael Vaughan, who took over as national captain from Nasser Hussain during Fletcher's reign, was full of praise for the 62-year-old on social networking site Twitter soon after the BCCI's announcement.

He posted: "Great coach who will work well with [India captain Mahendra Singh] Dhoni [and] all the talent."

Vaughan also sounded a warning of sorts to his former coach about the potential media frenzy that could follow his appointment, though, adding: "His biggest challenge will come from the media. He has never really understood how it works!"

2 Wickt In 1 Ball

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan names Inzamam as best captain, Woolmer greatest coach

Pakistani pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who is representing Sussex in this English county season, has named Inzamamul Haq as his best captain and the late Bob Woolmer as the “greatest coach” he ever had.

Rana, a veteran of over 80 international matches for Pakistan, has had the distinct honour of playing under the captaincy of Inzamam and the legendary coach, the late Bob Woolmer.

Rana recalled that Inzamam was the captain when he made it to the Pakistan team.

“He [Inzamam] was able to utilize all the players very well and got the best out of the players. I really enjoyed playing under him. If you are enjoying your cricket then you will perform well,” PakPassion.net quoted Rana, as saying.

Rana, who considers Inzamam his role model, also feels that the then skipper had the unique ability to “get the most out of his players, and I think Inzamam was the best captain I played under”.

Talking about the late Bob Woolmer, he said that the Englishman “was a very good coach. Everybody in the team respected him.”

Rana’s association with Woolmer lasted for 3-4 years – a period that provided a great learning experience to Rana. owever, what really stands out in Rana’s mind is the way Woolmer handled the team, especially given his foreign background.

“He [Woolmer] had created a great atmosphere within the team and everybody really enjoyed playing under him. Bob had learnt how to deal with Pakistanis and we picked up a lot of skills from him. We still miss him and always will. I still consider him to be the greatest coach I ever played for,” he said.

Rana, who last appeared for Pakistan on the troubled 2009/10 tour of Australia, remains positive about making a comeback to the Pakistan team.

“I played domestic cricket and performed very well. I went on to play in Australia and now am playing in England. So I think I will make a comeback if I continue to stay fit and perform well,” he stated.

FORMER PAKISTAN CAPTAIN MOIN KHAN SAYS ZULQARNAIN HAIDER IS MENTALLY ILL

Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has said that Zulqarnain Haider is mentally ill and his statements do not make any kind of sense.

Haider ran away from Dubai on the morning of the fifth match of the One Day International series between Pakistan and South Africa in 2010, claiming that he received threats from bookmakers to under perform.

The wicketkeeper then went on to seek asylum in United Kingdom but withdrew his request after meeting the Interior Minister of Pakistan Rehman Malik. He came back to Pakistan on Monday and resumed giving controversial statements against his former teammates.

Moin, who was also a wicketkeeper in his playing days, said that the acts of Zulqarnain have not brought good name to Pakistan and it seems as if the lanky wicketkeeper is mentally retarded.

The former Pakistan captain said that he does not know what Zulqarnain wants to do but it would be very difficult for him to resume his cricketing career after giving such controversial statements.

Moin said, “I don’t know what Zulqarnain Haider wants to do. His statements still seems confusion. If Zulqarnain wants to play cricket again then he should come in ground with positive mind and start from zero. His department should realize that from which situation he has passed through.”  

The former wicketkeeper batsman added that this is not the right way for a youngster to play the game and Zulqarnain has many questions to answer before he resumes his cricketing career in Pakistan. He went on to say that if Zulqarnain received threats then those names should be made public in order to avoid any kind of confusion.

After his arrival in Pakistan, Zulqarnain has once again started to give statements without giving any proof. He accused that the father-in-law of Kamran Akmal is a bookmaker and Umar Akmal insulted him many times during the series against South Africa in United Arab Emirates. The father-in-law of Kamran Akmal has now decided to take legal action against Zulqarnain.

Although Zulqarnain has returned to Pakistan and wants to resume his career in the country but it looks highly improbable that he will be given another opportunity to play for Pakistan.

Balaji hails Wasim Akram for his resurgence

KOLKATA: Man-of-the-match Laxmipathy Balajion Sunday gave credit to bowling coach Wasim Akram for his impressive three for 15 run spell against Rajasthan Royals, and said he and his fellow pace colleagues were learning a lot from the the iconic Pakistani bowler. 

The former India seamer wrecked the Rajasthan batting line up to help Knight Riders bundle out the Jaipur side for a paltry 81 in 15.2 overs after sent into bat. 

"We all know what is he (Akram) capable of. Definitely it's an education for each and every member of the team. We all are learning every bit of what he does. Like how to attack and all. All these things are very important for a bowler. The next generation of players will gain a lot (from him)," Balaji said of Akram. 

With this win, the Knight Riders completed their second victory over Rajasthan in a period of three days to climb to the top of the IPL standings. 

"It's a process. It's not over yet. We have still 10 more matches to go. It has to be planned like a ladder. We have to have a rhythm to go into the next level," the lanky pacer insisted. 

Balaji gave the first breakthrough to Knight Riders, cleaning up in-form Shane Watson with a classic outswinger and the former India seamer said it was a dream ball. 

"It was a really good ball, something that I used to bowl some seven eight years ago. It was really thrilling to see the batsmen beaten. I would like to bowl similar balls again and again," he said. 

"Watson was a very important wicket. We needed the wicket very badly in the first six overs. His breakthrough gave me an immense pleasure." Balaji added. 

Balaji said the Eden Gardens wicket was on the slower side. 

"It was a little bit on the slower side. But you can't help conditions. Our batsmen really applied themselves well. (Gautam) Gambhir, (Manoj) Tiwary and (Manvinder) Bisla played sensibly," he said. 

"There is a long way to go. We will just take match by match. We got to have a relaxed mind. We have got a good initiative," Balaji said about their approach for the upcoming matches in the tournament. 

Asked whether Knight Riders performances in the previous seasons affected the team in any ways, Balaji said, "It's a completely new team with a new captain. We all get together very well and play as unit. It's a new season, whatever happened in the past is history."

Basit Ali says Junaid''s action is suspect

Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali believes that the national team's young pace bowler, Junaid Khan will soon land into trouble over his bowling action. "There is a problem with his bowling action and there is a visible jerk when he bowls. The selectors should have seen this before picking him in the side," Basit said today. Basit, who played 19 Tests and 50 one-day internationals, said that Junaid's bowling action would soon be reported by match officials in the ongoing series in the West Indies. Junaid, a left-arm pace bowler, made his international debut in the T20 match against West Indies in St Lucia yesterday. He was also called up to the World Cup squad by the selectors as a replacement for the unfit Sohail Tanvir but didn't get play. The selectors rate him highly as a promising future prospect. But Basit said Junaid needed corrective measures on his bowling action. Basit, who had been a national selector, also said that dropping Younis Khan for the one-day series in the Caribbean while retaining Misbah-ul-Haq was sheer injustice. "The selectors talk about rebuilding and new players but Misbah, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman are all in their thirties." Pakistan lost the T20 international to a depleted West Indian side by seven runs. Pakistan cricket has a history of problems, with many of its bowlers being reported for suspect action. In the recent past Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal have all been reported by match officials.PT Cor AH

"The Doosra Cannot be Bowled Legally" : Michael Holding

Pakistan's spinners have been a major force in the ongoing one day series in the Caribbean, with Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi weaving their magic over the rather flat footed and confused West Indian batsmen in the first two one day internationals.

In a total of sixty completed overs, the Pakistani spin trio have impressive combined figures of eight wickets for only 202 runs, with Hafeez and Ajmal's doosra's being virtually unplayable, allowing Pakistan to wrap up comfortable 8 wicket and 7 wicket wins respectively.

However the legality of one of Ajmal and Hafeez's main weapons, the doosra has been questioned by former West Indies fast bowling legend turned commentator Michael Holding. The Jamaican commentator was heard during the second one day international in St Lucia, questioning the legality of the doosra and clarifying his comments to PakPassion.net, Holding stated that "My belief regarding the doosra is very clear, I don't think it can be bowled legally."

Holding's main gripe with the doosra is that he feels that it cannot be bowled from the wrist alone and that the elbow is used unfairly during the course of bowling the delivery.

"I find it difficult to believe any human being can bowl that delivery with his wrist alone, the elbow has to be used for the power. It's a matter of how much elbow power the bowler uses and the ICC obviously believe some bowlers use less than the 15 degrees and others don't, as only some bowlers actions are questioned and reported."

The current guidelines state that during the bowling action the elbow may be held at any angle and may bend further, but may not straighten out. If the elbow straightens illegally then the square-leg umpire may call a no-ball. The current laws allow a bowler to straighten his arm 15 degrees or less.

The doosra came into prominence with world class off spinners such as Saqlain Mushtaq, Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh utilising the doosra as a surprise delivery. Off spinners the world over perfected the art of the delivery that moved away from the right handed batsmen and the delivery produced great results for them. However controversy has never been far away from the doosra and pundits over the years have continued to question its legality, with several high profile off spinners being “called” for throwing.

The most famous such instance occurred at the 1995 Boxing day test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where controversial umpire Darell Hair called spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing. 'Murali' was no-balled seven times in three overs by Hair, who believed the then-23-year-old was bending his arm and straightening it in the process of delivery; an illegal action in cricket.

Hafeez and Ajmal as well as Shoaib Malik and Harbhajan Singh are amongst a group of bowlers who over the years have been reported to the ICC because of official concerns about their bowling actions but were never called in a match. They were cleared to continue bowling without sanction.

Two other off spinners who have come under the ICC scanner for illegal actions are South Africa's Johan Botha and Bangladesh off spinner Abdur Razzak.

In February 2006 Botha was suspended from bowling following an analysis by bowling expert Bruce Elliott. After an examination by the ICC in August 2006 he was found still to be straightening his arm more than the acceptable 15 degrees. On November 21, 2006, Johan Botha's action was passed by the International Cricket Council and he was again eligible for selection by the South African national team.

On 14 April 2009, Botha was again reported for a suspected illegal action. The match officials cited concern over two components of Botha's repertoire, his quicker ball and his doosra, after the completion of fourth ODI against Australia at Port Elizabeth. On May 12, 2009 the ICC announced that Botha's doosra ball had been deemed 'illegal' by an independent test and that he would not be allowed to bowl the delivery in international cricket. The same test found his off-break and arm-ball deliveries to be bowled within the permitted tolerance level of 15 degrees of elbow extension.

The test was carried out on April 30 by Prof. Bruce Elliott, member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists, at the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Western Australia, Perth. The doosra delivery was found to have an extension of 26.7 degrees and no single delivery tested was within the legal limit. Botha was told that he could re-apply for the delivery to be tested again once he had modified it, or appeal the decision within 14 days. However his action was then deemed within the legal limits.

Following New Zealand's tour of Bangladesh in October 2008, Razzak was reported by umpires Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva for having a "suspect bowling action". This was the second time in his career that he had been reported for his bowling action. Tests showed that Razzak was bending his arm by 22–28 degrees, usually averaging 25 degrees although his quicker ball was delivered at an average of 24 degrees. As a result, Razzak was suspended from international cricket. In March 2009, the ICC lifted Razzak's suspension after he changed his bowling action.

MALINGA DEFENDS SRI LANKA TEST RETIREMENT

Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga on Tuesday brushed aside criticism that he quit Test cricket to be able to make quick money from tournaments such as the Indian Premier League.

The injury-prone bowler invited controversy when he made himself unavailable for Tests during a forthcoming tour of England because of a knee injury, but continued to play in the lucrative Twenty20 competition in India.

Malinga announced his retirement from Tests last week, saying the injury prevented him from playing in the longest version of the game, and has since been under fire for picking club cricket over country.

"The Test retirement was never about money," Malinga, 27, told reporters in Colombo.

"I can't be a commentator, coach or umpire. But I can bowl well and get wickets. It's unfair to say money was the root cause of my decision," said the fast bowler, who is on a three-day return visit to Sri Lanka from India.

Malinga, the highest wicket-taker so far in the IPL with 16 scalps from six games, hoped his decision would allow him to play for at least four more years.

"My right knee is getting weaker each day. I have a long-standing degenerative condition that I need to carefully manage," he said.

"I love playing for Sri Lanka. It's my dream to play for my country. I'm not sure if my knee will inflame again."

Malinga said he was looking forward to playing the one-dayers and Twenty20s during Sri Lanka's tour of England, which starts next month.

Pakistan Cricket team at motorway for Namaz | video

2nd ODI v WI: Ahmad Shazad's interview

DILSHAN WANTS TO LEAVE IPL

Sri Lanka’s new skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan, one of the stars of the Indian Premier League, has said he wants to leave the event early to travel with the national team to England on tour.

Dilshan is keen to join the Sri Lankan squad when they fly to England on May 10, which means he would have to abandon his Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL side three weeks before the tournament ends.

Sri Lanka are set to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 international during the tour.

“Dilshan is keen to travel with the team, to try and create a bond as some of the senior players will be joining the squad a bit late,” Dilshan’s manager Roshan Abeysinghe told AFP.

Sri Lanka Cricket last week allowed its IPL players to stay on in India until May 18, rowing back on a request for them to return by May 5 to prepare for the tour.

Dilshan took over as skipper last week after Kumar Sangakkara quit following Sri Lanka’s defeat to India in the World Cup final in Mumbai earlier this month.

Dilshan has scored 105 runs from five games for Bangalore, who have won two of their six matches in the money-spinning Twenty20 tournament so far.

DARREN SAMMY SAYS THEY FAILED TO CAPITALISE ON GOOD START AGAINST PAKISTAN

West Indies skipper Darren Sammy rued his team’s inability to capitalise on the good start to post a par score as the hosts lost their second successive One Day International against Pakistan at St Lucia on Monday.

The 27-year-old medium pacer said that his side failed to capitalise in the key moments both in batting and bowling and this led to their seven-wicket defeat at the hands of the Men in Green. However, Sammy was happy that they were not totally rolled over as Pakistan took 47 overs to win the match.

“We could have tried to squeeze their batsmen more and when we batted we got a good start, but did not capitalise on it,” said Sammy. “We weren't rolled over today. We kept ourselves in the match right to the finish. There were moments when things could have gone either way, but we didn't make it happen.”

Sammy urged his side to find ways to come out of tight situations successfully. He insisted that they need to win the next game of the five-match ODI series in order to keep their prospects alive.

The West Indies batting line-up collapsed miserably against the Pakistan attack as none of the batsmen could cross the 30-run mark sans opener Lendl Simmons who struck a level-headed half century. Eight of the Caribbean batsmen failed to get past even 20. As a result, the hosts returned with a gettable score of 220 for 9 that was comfortably chased down by the tourists for the loss of just 3 wickets.

The home side was unable to post an impressive total in the opening One day International of the series as well as they made just 221 before Pakistan chased it down with more than 8 overs to go and 8 wickets in hand.

The visiting captain, Shahid Afridi was happy with the “discipline” shown by his team in Monday’s game and said that the reason behind their victories is that they are sticking to the game plan. He was also happy with the improved batting at the top of the order.

Pakistan lead the five-match ODI series by 2-0. The third match of the series will be played in Barbados on April 28, 2011.

AFRIDI IS THE MAN TO FOLLOW BELIEVES AHMED SHEHZAD

Pakistan's young gun, Ahmed Shehzad scored a ton and led his side to victory in the 2^nd One Day International between Pakistan and West Indies in St Lucia on 25 April, 2011.

Speaking at the match presentation after being named the Player of the Match, Shehzad stated that the skipper, Afridi was the man to follow.

Describing Afridi as an astonishing captain, the right-hand batsman expressed his faith in the skipper’s ability to lead the Men in Green through turbulent times.

Shehzad has been retained in the national side despite his unimpressive performance throughout the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. He also acknowledged the support of his captain and the team management in this regard.

The 19-year old cricketer said, “I would like to thank team management for supporting me, Vicky bhai (Waqar Younis), Aaqib Javed, and Shahid bhai. He (Afridi) is the man to follow, he has been astonishing, if we follow him he will take us through. The wicket was on the slower side, I knew if we kept the wickets, we will do it.”

Shehzad put forth a redeeming 102 run knock off 148 deliveries which included seven fours and one six. The ton was his second One Day International century.

Afridi in return, also complimented Shehzad on his performance. The skipper acknowledged Shehzad’s poor record in the past but praised his comeback.

“Shehzad is a very talented guy who performed well in New Zealand tour. He didn't do well in World cup, he took some time, its ok he took time but he finished the game. The management has been supporting him,” said Afridi.

The skipper further expressed his satisfaction with how the team was following the game plan and performing as expected.

After losing the first Twenty20 match against the Windies, the Green Shirts bounced back with two consecutive wins.

The Men in Green have been on a roll, performing well in One Day Internationals. They reached the Semi-Finals of 2011 ICC World Cup and prior to that, had won the ODI series in New Zealand.

Spinners have been Pakistan’s weapon of choice against the young West Indian side. The 2^nd ODI saw the spin trio of Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal share six wickets between them.

The West Indian skipper Darren Sammy had asserted earlier that his side needed to work hard in the nets to face the Pakistani spinners.

The third match of the series will be played on Thursday, 28 April, 2011 at Bridgetown. If Pakistan wins the match they will have an unassailable lead in the series.

KAMRAN AKMAL’S FATHER-IN-LAW FILES RS 100 MILLION DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST ZULQARNAIN HAIDER

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law has filed a Rs. 100 million defamation suit against Zulqarnain Haider.

Haider, who returned back to Pakistan after five months since he fled from Dubai to seek asylum in England, told the media on Monday that Akmal’s father-in-law worked as a bookmaker and was involved in match-fixing.

The runaway keeper, who had to face angry protests when he arrived at the Islamabad International Airport, has urged the Pakistan government and the concerned officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board to look into the matter.

Badruzaman, who is a lawyer hired by Kamran’s father-in-law, stated that a notice for the defamation suit has been mailed to Haider at his home address. He also confirmed that Akmal’s father-in-law has sued Haider for Rs. 100 million.

Badruzaman spoke firmly about the matter and said that his client is a reputable individual in the business world. He added that no tolerance will be exercised towards such slandering statements.

The lawyer asked Haider to produce evidence to support his allegations or issue an apology. He affirmed that failure to do so would result in legal action against the player.

“My client is a well reputed businessman and he will not tolerate such allegations. Haider now has to either produce evidence to back his allegations or make a public apology or face legal action,” Badruzaman maintained.

Kamran Akmal, who has been dropped due to his poor form by the selection committee for Pakistan’s tour of West Indies, earlier warned Zulqarnain Haider to produce evidence or face legal charges.

He said that Haider, who was like a brother to him, has hurt his sentiments by making baseless claims about his father-in-law who is a reputable individual.

“I always considered Haider as my brother but after coming to know about his baseless allegations he has made against my father-in-law I am very disappointed and upset. Because he has slandered a respectable man,” said Akmal.

50 new cricket grounds in Lahore likely : Shahbaz Sharif

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister M Shahbaz Sharif has said the Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of sports activities in the province and a network of playgrounds will be built in the province for providing sports facilities to the youth. 
“Fifty new cricket grounds will be developed in the City while separate grounds will be reserved for women,” he said. He also directed the Commissioner Lahore to identify locations for 50 new cricket grounds in City in consultation with elected representatives and submit a comprehensive plan in this regard within seven days. Six acre of land which was used for dumping garbage has been transformed into a modern cricket ground at a cost of Rs 4.2 million.
He was talking to media after inaugurating cricket ground and pavilion at Model Town. MPAs Kh Salman Rafiq, Dr Saeed Elahi, Commissioner Lahore Division and DG PHA, players and a large number of people were also present. 
He congratulated the Lahore administration and office-bearers of LCCA for developing an excellent cricket ground in Model Town for providing modern sports facilities to the players. The CM also played cricket at the inauguration of the cricket ground. Players thanked the CM for the improvement of cricket ground, and construction of a modern pavilion.

I had reasons to abandon the team, insists Haider

Back in Pakistan after being in hiding for five months in UK, Pakistan wicketkeeperZulqarnain Haider on Monday justified his decision to abandon his team midway through a series last November citing death threats from match-fixers. 

"I had a potentially growing career with the Pakistan team when I took the decision. No sensible person would sacrifice his career like this without any reason," Haider told reporters after a meeting with interior minister Rehman Malik and sports minister Shaukatullah following his return to Islamabad on Monday. 

"I had my reasons for doing what I did. I have conveyed my issues to the government now," he stated. 

Haider insisted that he decided to return from London and withdraw his application for asylum because of assurances given by Rehman Malik. 

"I came back after the minister assured me about the security and safety of myself and my family," he stated. 

Haider had fled the team hotel last November during an ODI series against South Africa and on reaching London claimed that he had got death threats for refusing to take part in match fixing. 

He claimed having got two more death threats while he was preparing to return to Pakistan last week. 

Before leaving for Islamabad on Sunday night, Haider told the "Duniya" news channel that the person who threatened him was an Indian national. 

The 24-year old keeper said he was keen to resume his cricket career and hoped that the Pakistan Cricket Board would allow him to do this. 

"I will be meeting with the Chairman of the board soon to resolve this issue and convey my point of view," he said. 

Haider said he was reassured about his security after meeting with the minister. 

The keeper was not allowed to speak to the media as he returned home this morning and was whisked away by security personnel in a waiting car. 

Malik told reporters that he had advised Haider to get in touch with the Pakistan Cricket Board and sort out his issues with them. 

"I have told him we will take care of his security but he must focus on resolving his issues with the board so that he can resume playing cricket again," Malik said.