I will continue playing cricket with my fans: Amir

Banned Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir plans to stay in London until the Scotland Yard makes a decision in the spot-fixing case and will be playing cricket local parks over there, a private news channel reported on Tuesday.

Amir, who was hopeful of a reduction in his sentence, said that he was not barred from playing cricket with his fans and would continue to interact with them.

The fast bowler said that he was imparting bowling tips to children and would also set up an academy in the future.

I’m still available for Pakistan: Azhar Mahmood

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood claimed that he was still fit enough to represent the national side and was puzzled that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had not included him in their plans.
“I’m always available for Pakistan. I haven’t retired yet. There’s nothing like playing for your home country. A lot of people have been asking me if I want to play for England. It’s like a bubble in the air. If the opportunity comes I will take it,” Mahmood told the cricketer.com.
Mahmood, who last appeared in national colours during Pakistan’s humiliating defeat to Ireland at the 2007 World Cup, has been playing county cricket in England for several years and believes he still has what it takes to be a the top level.
Mahmood said it was frustrating because the Pakistan Cricket Board never explained why he wasn’t in its plans.
“It was tough missing so much cricket. People said I wasn’t fit and had put on weight. It was just a media thing. I’ve played county cricket for nine years and I’ve proved my fitness.
“In the few chances I got for Pakistan, I wasn’t given the new ball, I was batting at No.6, or below. It’s tough when you have only the last 3-4 overs to bat.”
Mahmood enjoyed a promising start to his test career, scoring 900 runs at an average of 30 from just 21 matches but it was in the ODI arena that he excelled with both bat and ball. He picked up 123 wickets and scored 1521 runs in his limited-overs career but played in an era when Pakistan had plenty of all-round options in Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.
The 36-year-old recalled how he was offered the captaincy at 25, but turned it down because of his inexperience.
“In 2000, Gen Tauqir Zia (the then PCB chairman) took me aside and said, “you’re the next Pakistan captain. I said : no, make Waqar (Younis) the captain.”
“That was the biggest mistake I made in my life.”
“The captaincy wasn’t offered for a long term. I saw no point having it for one tour alone.”

PCB asked to lift selector Ilyas' suspension

A PCB disciplinary committee has recommended the board lift the suspension on selector Mohammad Ilyas. Ilyas, a former Pakistan batsman, had earlier been suspended and served two showcause notices for his role in the dispute involving Shahid Afridi's conditional retirement and appearing on a TV show with banned cricketer Salman Butt.
Ilyas was asked to appear before a disciplinary committee and explain his appearance on a TV show - Butt was a panelist on it - in which he responded to criticism levelled at him by Afridi. He was found to have violated clauses 8 and 9 of his PCB contract. Under ICC rules, no board member is allowed to interact with a banned player, in this case Butt, who was punished by the ICC for his alleged role in the spot-fixing controversy.
"Mr Ilyas was asked to explain the reasons for his recent conduct. He mentioned that he should have sought permission from PCB before appearing in a talk show," a release issued by the PCB stated. "Mr Ilyas said that he felt he had to defend his honour after being subjected to accusations of a personal nature. The committee noted that Mr Ilyas had responded to personal comments made against him but had not criticised the PCB, its management, or its policies.
"The committee issued a short order in which it recommended that PCB issue a warning to Mr Ilyas to exercise caution while dealing with the media in the Future. The committee also recommended that PCB lift Mr Ilyas's suspension. A detailed order will be issued at a later date."
Afridi had specifically and personally criticised Ilyas after announcing his conditional retirement from the game as part of his blitz against the board. An incensed Ilyas felt compelled to respond with his own attacks against Afridi and was duly issued with a showcause notice, in which the board said he had violated the code of conduct applicable to officials.
Afridi and Ilyas have a history: Ilyas has often opposed the selection of Afridi in the side but that opinion has ballooned in recent months. Afridi accused Ilyas of promoting his son-in-law Imran Farhat, while Ilyas responded by saying Afridi had pushed unfairly and persistently for Ahmed Shahzad, Fawad Alam and Shahzaib Hasan.

Abdul Razzaq 2 Wickets vs Nottinghamshire

ICC annual conference: Gather support to block ICC’s move, says Mani

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has said that Pakistan can still save the current rotational system – of appointing the governing body chief – from being removed ahead of the Full Council meeting that takes place tomorrow.

A decision on doing away with the rotational policy of appointing ICC presidents and amendment to the constitution, that bars government’s intervention in cricket affairs, will be key agendas of the meeting tomorrow which will also bring down curtains on the ICC annual conference in Hong Kong.

Under a new proposal, the Executive Board will decide the process and term of office, subject to certain qualification criteria, removing the current rotational system and fixed tenure of appointment

If approved, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh, who are next in line for presidency, will be affected.

Although both countries have hinted at opposing the move, their rejection will not be enough to block the proposal.

However Mani, who was the ICC president from 2003 to 2006, urged the PCB to gather support from the Full Members in order to block the resolution.

“The PCB still has time to block the resolution,” Mani told The Express Tribune.

“They should gather support from the other ICC Full Members especially the Australia, England and Sri Lanka boards.

“It’s an Indian board conspiracy and I’m surprised why other boards haven’t raised their voice against the proposal yet. The change will bring uncertainty within the organisation and will result in rift among the member countries.”

The PCB has already served a legal notice to the ICC on constitutional amendment aimed at avoiding undue government interference, but the former ICC chief was not convinced with the Pakistan board’s decision  .

“The best way to oppose unwelcomed proposals is to gather support. Legalising the matter won’t help much.”

Minnows included in 2015 World Cup

Paving the way for Associate Members, the ICC has reversed its previous decision and approved a 14-team format for the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

The decision came on the opening day of the two-day meeting of the ICC Executive Board in Hong Kong yesterday.

The continuation of a 12-team format for the ICC World Twenty20 events in 2012 (Sri Lanka) and 2014 (Bangladesh) has also been approved.

It was also confirmed that the World Cup in 2019 would be a 10-team event with the top eight in the ICC rankings earning their qualification automatically.

The remaining two places will be decided by a qualification competition.

The Executive Board has also approved recommendations regarding the Decision Review System, revised format for one-dayers and prohibiting use of runners.

International Cricket Council approves 14-team cup

The UAE can now look forward to playing in the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2015 Cricket World Cup after the ICC corrected their worst decision in recent years of banning Associate countries from participating in the World Cup and confining it to just the 10 full member nations.

The ICC annual conference, being held in Hong Kong, has decided that the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand will comprise 14 teams and include four slots for the Associate countries.

Speaking to Gulf News from Hong Kong, Mazhar Khan, the administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board, said: "It is indeed great to be among the nations to be in contention for the 2015 World Cup."

The UAE, recent winners of the ICC's World Cricket League Division Two championship, are among the strong contenders such as Ireland and Afghanistan for a place in the 2015 World Cup.

"The UAE will look forward to the qualifications and this decision is a sigh of relief for all Associate and even Affiliate members," said Khan.

The historic decision was taken on the third day of the ICC's annual conference after the cricket body had come under scathing criticism from the Associate and Affiliate member-countries for keeping them out of the World Cup.

It was also decided that the number of teams to take part in the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka next year and in Bangladesh in 2014 will be reduced to 12. Earlier, it was decided that 16 teams would take part in the Twenty20 World Cup.

The decision is also a big boost for Ireland who had shocked England in the 2011 World Cup. The ICC Chief Executive committee had recommended to the executive board that a qualifying tournament for the 2015 World Cup should be held to decide on the teams to play in the event.

According to available information, the Associate members managed to overthrow the decision to make the 2015 World Cup a 10-team event as part of a deal to support the scrapping of the rotation policy in the appointment of the ICC president.

The scrapping of the rotation policy would result in Pakistani and Bangladeshi candidates missing their chance to hold the highest post in world cricket. As per the rotation policy, Pakistan and Bangladesh were to nominate the next candidate for the posts of president and vice president.

To pass the resolution, the ICC needed eight of the 10 full members and 38 of the 50 Associate member countries to vote in favour of the motion. With the Associate countries now being pacified, it appears this motion may now be passed.

Meanwhile, the Executive Board has confirmed that the Reliance ICC Rankings are suitable for use in determining qualification for ICC global events. The Board confirmed that the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 would be a 10-team event with the top eight in the Reliance ICC rankings earning their qualification automatically and the remaining two places being decided by a qualification competition.

It also confirmed the introduction of the agreed promotion/relegation system.

Other decisions

• The Board accepted that there should be no use of the DRS in Twenty20 Internationals.
• The Board agreed with the CEC and Cricket Committee that a Twenty20 International rankings table should be created from October 1 this year.
• Further research should be conducted on the balls to be used in day/night Test cricket.
• Approved use of new balls at each end which will help bowlers to get the ball to swing for longer periods.
• Batsmen will be dismissed (obstructing the field) if they change course while running to prevent a run-out chance.
• Bowlers will be allowed to run out a non-striker who is backing up unfairly, a rule that has not been in force in recent times.
• The prohibition of the use of runners in all forms of international cricket.

SLPL signs seven more Pakistan players

While star players like former captain Shahid Afridi and experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq already having their contracts secured, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has roped in seven more Pakistani cricketers for the inaugural edition of its Twenty20 league.

According to details, former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan are among the national cricketers who have signed fresh contracts with the SLC for the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) that will be played from July 19.

The other Pakistani players who have recently signed up include natioanl team discards Fawad Alam and Shahzaib Hasan, upcoming batsman Asad Shafiq and opener Ahmed Shehzad. Fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan was also included.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already announced that it would not block the participation of the players in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan cricket board has announced that the event will go as planned despite the withdrawal of Indian players following instructions by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). And while the SLC admitted that the league will incur a financial loss, the league will go ahead.

Excluding the Indian players, cricketers from all the top-cricketing nations including Daniel Vetorri (New Zealand), Herchelle Gibbs (South Africa), Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard (West Indies) are also expected to feature in the tournament.

Younis Khan completes level two coaching course

Senior batsman of the Pakistan cricket team Younis Khan has completed a level two coaching course at theNationalCricketAcademy. Before this course, Younis also completed a level one coaching course conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Younis also pointed out that playing and learning cricket were two different things.

“I think playing cricket and coaching are two very different things and require different skills. It is not necessary that if you are a successful cricketer you can also coach easily,” he told the media.

“What I am today is because I played good cricket but I always felt that learning about the sport is also very important and helps you grow as a player,” he said.

Younis said he was keen to attend coaching courses as it helped him remain updated about changes in cricket laws and learn man management.

“But I want to make it clear that I have no intentions of becoming a coach after retiring from the game,” he stated.

Younis, who stepped down as captain in November 2009, after leading Pakistan to the Twenty20 World Cup title inEngland that same year, said he gained a lot from completing a coaching course in 2009.

“I learned a lot from the previous course, so that was the reason I didn’t let the opportunity of enhancing my knowledge go,” he said.

Former selector to accept PCB’s verdict

The suspended selector of Pakistan Cricket Team and former test cricketer Muhammad Ilyas has said that he has recorded his statement in front of disciplinary committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) with utmost honesty, now he would accept the decision of the committee.

He was talking to the media after the meeting of disciplinary committee. He said that he informed the committee about his stance.

“I would not go against PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt, no matter the decision would be either against me or in my favour because Butt is my mentor and I respect him from the core of my heart”, he added.

White hails Afridi impact

Hampshire manager Giles White hailed the impact of Shahid Afridi after he inspired Hampshire to a 35-run victory over Sussex Sharks in the Friends Life t20.

The Pakistani all-rounder came to the Royals’ rescue as the visitors looked set to close in on a below-par Rose Bowl total of 126 for eight set by the home side.

After hitting 29 off 17 balls as he opened the Royals’ innings with Michael Lumb, Afridi combined with Imran Tahir (three for 13) to take six wickets for only 23 runs and apply the brakes to the visitors’ run rate.

His timely intervention of three wickets for 10 runs followed quick on the heels of career-best figures of five for 20 against Gloucestershire on Friday night.

And it left White, whose side returned to the top of South Group, in no doubt of the quality the former Pakistan Test captain has – both with the bat and the ball.

‘They (Sussex) started off well with the bat and I thought it might not be our night,’ admitted White.

‘They chipped it between a few fielders, we were just missing run outs so I thought it might not be our night, but it turned – Afridi turned it again.

‘It’s wonderful. He’s a great character to have around, a wonderful cricketer so we’re very lucky to have him here.

‘I think it’s just a case of going out and expressing yourself.

‘Afridi’s obviously a great striker of a cricket ball, too.

‘If he gets out early, he gets out early and we go back to the formula that we’ve had – Jimmy Adams playing at three, comes in and plays as normal.

‘On this wicket, we felt that new ball runs were key, as we thought it might be difficult in the middle and obviously with their death bowlers it might be tough at the death, too.

‘Michael Lumb and Shahid did the job for us so I’m really pleased with the way the batting went up-front and we got the score.’

White was also full of praise for Imran Tahir, who aided the Sussex capitulation with the wicket of visiting skipper Murray Goodwin.

The Pakistan-born South Africa international then added the scalps of Naved-ul-Hasan and Umar Gul to ensure his new bowling partnership with Afridi is one that could lead the Royals to a second consecutive t20 title.

‘Shahid’s struck up a great friendship with Imran’, added White.

‘And it’s a nice duo to have in your side, obviously. If you can get a decent score on the board then those two can work their magic in the middle 

Wahab Riaz 5 Wickets in WC 2011

England, Australia to play back-to-back Ashes

England and Australia will play 10 back-to-back Ashes Tests as part of the new future tours program agreed by cricket's world governing body on Monday.

Andrew Strauss's side face Australia at home in the English summer of 2013 and then will do it all again Down Under in the Australian summer.

The series form part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the period from 2012 to 2020 finalised at a meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executives committee in Hong Kong on Monday.

The back-to-back Ashes schedule is a result of Australia hosting the World Cup in 2015, when the return Ashes would normally be played.

The FTP contains an official two-week window in September for the Champions League Twenty20 each year and also leaves space for an unofficial IPL window in April and May, making it possible for players from most nations to participate in the money-spinning tournament.

England are scheduled to play 99 Test matches from 2012-20 while Australia will play 92 and India 90.

While England has two five-Test match series planned against India, Australia is yet to be able to squeeze in more than four games against the world's most powerful team.

India?s tours to England in 2014 and 2018 will include five Tests -- the only series of that length outside of the Ashes.

Sri Lanka and South Africa have 76 and 74 matches scheduled, the West Indies and New Zealand 66, Pakistan 65 with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe 42 and 41 games, respectively.

Pakistan, who are only allowed to play away from home following the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore, are scheduled to tour India in March and April 2013.

The Zimbabwean team has not played any Test cricket since 2005, after getting their Test status suspended by International Cricket Council (ICC), due to political turmoil in the country.

World Cup winners India have been scheduled to play 166 One-day Internationals, the biggest share and 102 more than Zimbabwe. All other nations will play between 100 and 160 games.

Most sides have been handed between 30 and 55 Twenty20 games in a move seen by observers as the ICC's attempt to rein in the format to keep 50-over ODIs alive.

ICC committee recommends banning of runners

The International Cricket Council’s chief executive committee (CEC) has recommended the use of two new balls from each end and the abolishing of runners in ODIs.

It has also recommended restricting the elective powerplays to between the 16th and 40th overs of each innings.

“CEC agreed with the ICC cricket committee’s recommendations for the further enhancement of international 50-over cricket with the restriction of the elective powerplays to between the 16th and 40th overs of each innings and also to the use of two new balls per innings — one from each end. This will come into effect from 1 October,” ICC said in a statement.

CEC agreed with the cricket committee’s recommendation to abolish runners in international cricket.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Even though the success of 50-over cricket during the World Cup was universally acknowledged, the CEC rightly supported the enhancements recommended by the Cricket Committee to strengthen the format further, including encouraging members to trial some specific innovations in their domestic cricket.”

These innovations include a review of the maximum number of overs that a bowler can bowl; an increase in the number of short balls permitted per over from one to two; no compulsory requirement for close catchers; and a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs.

The CEC, like the ICC Cricket Committee, was concerned at the slow over-rates in Test match cricket and agreed on stricter sanctions against captains for over-rate breaches.

“A captain will now be suspended for two over-rate breaches in a 12-month period in any one format of the game rather than the current position which is three breaches prior to suspension.”

Other cricket committee recommendations including the continued research into the use of different coloured balls to facilitate day and night Test matches and the directive that batsmen can be given out for obstructing the field if they change their direction when running between the wicket to block a run-out chance, were also approved.

ICC reviews ban on cricket minnows

THE ICC is reviewing its unpopular decision to limit the 2015 World Cup, in Australia and New Zealand, to the 10 full-member teams - excluding countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Kenya.

Cricket's governing body has begun its four-day annual conference in Hong Kong with all eyes on the controversial proposal, which caused outrage among the smaller nations.

ICC president Sharad Pawar has asked his board to discuss the matter at the conference, with the governing body looking to avoid a repeat of the seven-week World Cup, deemed by some critics as unnecessarily lengthy.

Officials are believed to be in favour of retaining a 10-team limit but may consider a qualifying tournament that would give minor nations a chance of reaching the event.

The conference will also consider moves, reportedly spearheaded by India and England, to scrap the two-year rotational presidency, although details of any new system remain unclear.

The proposal is expected to be met with vehement opposition from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who are scheduled to nominate the body's next but one leader to take power from 2014.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters before leaving for Hong Kong: "It's Pakistan's turn to nominate the president or the vice-president so we will not allow anyone to snatch that right.

"We have already shown our reservations on both the amendments and since the matter will be discussed at the meeting I am not going to make it more public."

Also on the agenda will be the issue of whether the ICC should adopt the controversial Decision Review System (DRS).

The ICC has announced its desire for the DRS, whereby teams will be allowed one incorrect referral per innings to the television umpire, to be used for all Tests, ODIs and International T20s.

Decisions would be checked using video, audio, ball-tracking and thermal-imaging technology in an innovation welcomed by most countries.

But powerful India, whose huge revenues give it a dominant position in the ICC, has never agreed to its use nor played a Test or one-day series when the DRS has been in operation.

The issue will be presented formally to the ICC's chief executives' committee.

"The suggestions were made following detailed technical analysis and supported by what the committee agreed was a successful application during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011," the ICC said in a statement released ahead of the meeting.

The conference kicked off with a low-key discussion on the ICC's rankings system, with the headline issues to be dealt with over the coming days.

Pakistan set to play India in 2013 under new FTP schedule

 Pakistan are scheduled to face traditional rivals India in March-April 2013, according to the draft of the Future Programme (FTP) for the period from 2012 to 2020 to be finalised at the forthcoming annual meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Hong Kong.
The FTP scheduling, however, neither mention the number of matches to be played nor the programme beyond the 2013 period. But the draft heavily favours major countries with England, Australia and India having more international games than other teams.
Pakistan, who have been now confined to play away from home following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore two years ago, are tentatively scheduled to play 65 Tests in the eight-year period although that number could change once the FTP is finalised by all stakeholders.
England have the most number of Tests with no less 99 five-day fixtures over the next eight years, followed by Australia (92) and India (90). Sri Lanka are slated to play 76 Test matches while South Africa have got 74 Tests scheduled. West Indies and New Zealand have 66 Tests apiece in the pipeline.
At the other end of the table, minnows Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are allotted only 42 and 41 Tests, respectively.
India have the major chunk of One-day Internationals with the World Cup 2011 winners getting 166 such matches in the new FTP. Zimbabwe, in contrast, have been given only 64 ODIs while all other nations will play between 100 and 160 games.
On the Twenty20 front, the ICC have judiciously cut down the matches to keep Test and ODI formats alive, with most teams slated to play between 30 and 55 games. Here again Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are treated with scan respect as they have been allowed mere 11 fixtures each.
India, who financially overwhelmingly rule the ICC, will not play hosts to both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in either Test or ODI until 2020. In addition, the powerful Indian cricket board has managed to acquire unofficial window for the IPL in April and May.
Moreover, India will be the only team apart from England and Australia to play five-Test series in the new schedule. India’s tours to England in 2014 and 2018 will include five Tests. Apart from the Ashes series, no other team will get the chance to figure in a five-Test series.

PCB under fire for paltry allowances in Super Eight T20

 The players participating in the ongoing Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 have blasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over a meagre daily allowance which has forced them to fulfill their daily needs from their own pockets.

All the teams participating in the event are being boarded at Serena Hotel in Faisalabad, which is very expensive, and the players are not impressed by PCB’s planning as they are being paid just Rs 750 daily.

“We can’t even afford proper refreshment from the daily allowance we are getting because if we order tea twice a day, it costs us Rs 700-800. Having lunch or dinner is out of question,” a Multan Tigers player told ‘The News’.

Meanwhile, another added that although the board has provided the players with a good stay, it counts for nothing because players cannot eat properly.

“I am not impressed by the poor planning of the PCB. They are terrible when it comes to boost our domestic cricket because they do not have any sort of vision on how to improve our domestic structure to attract top players of the country. Who would pay Rs 250 for a bottle of mineral water?” he said.

The complaints don’t end there as players are also paying more than they are getting for their laundry. Several players told ‘The News’ that they had given their clothes to the laundry and that cost them Rs 1000.

Top stars like Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Abdur Razzaq decided against playing in the T20 tournament and according to some players, their decision was right as the PCB is not good enough to facilitate them.

“I think people like Afridi, Razzaq and Ajmal did right by deciding to play in England because their allowance for a single day would be three times of what we will earn after playing the whole tournament,” a player of the Karachi Dolphins said.

The PCB has thought about introducing a top T20 league like the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt recently said that they are waiting to have the right expertise before which they will move forward with the league in which international players will also participate.

But the players and members of the team management rejected such plans as ridiculous.

“It is a joke that the PCB will introduce a lucrative league and international players would take part in it. One cannot see that happening in near future because the board has failed to satisfy its own domestic players while being unable to attract their centrally-contracted players in what is the biggest tournament of the country which is being beamed throughout the world,” said a player.

When ‘The News’ tried to contact Director Domestic Cricket Sultan Rana and Manager Umpires and Referees Shafiq Ahmed Papa over the matter, they did not receive the call.

Meanwhile, another senior player hit out at Dolphins’ sponsor Chawla Aluminum as they haven’t received even a single penny from them.

“The sponsors’ names are associated with us without any reason as they have not given a single penny to the players. The sponsors should understand their responsibility. They are more interested in their own publicity instead of facilitating the players of their team,” he said.

India wants to exclude Pakistan from every game: Mani

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has termed Indiaan archrival and accused the neighbouring country of using its financial might to try and exclude Pakistan from every sport.

"India is an archrival of Pakistan which wants to exclude Pakistan from every game, especially in cricket, and to conquer major games of the world by investing money in them," Mani said.

Mani, who has represented the Pakistan Cricket Board in (PCB) the past, also accused BCCI president Shashank Manohar of ignoring players from Pakistan in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).