Razzaq wants to retire after 2012 Twenty20 World Cup

Pakistan's seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has said that he wants to retire from international cricket next year after the Twenty20 World Cup. 

Razzaq, 31, said he is keen to call it quits while still at the top of his game. 

"It is something I have been thinking about for a while now and I intend to retire after the T20 World Cup 2012," said Razzaq. 

Razzaq, who has been an integral part of the Pakistani team, said retirement is always a tough decision for any senior player but form and fitness becomes a concern. 

"Looking at my form and fitness, I see myself walking away after the 2012 World Twenty20. During this time I would try to finish my career on a high, which is very important for me so. I would like to give as much as I can to my country," Razzaq told 'Express Tribune' in an interview. 

He added playing for Pakistan had always been a big honour for him. 

"I am playing because I believe I have cricket left in me. I want to win the World Cup for the country before retirement. And considering my current form I feel I will be able to do well for Pakistan in the tournament." 

Razzaq, who has played 248 ODIs taking 259 wickets and scoring 4,921 runs, had earlier announced his international retirement in August 2007 to protest his snub by the selectors from the inaugural World Twenty20 championship over his poor form. 

He then joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL), for which he was banned for about two years. ' 

Razzaq, however, made a comeback in the T20 World Cup in England and contributed significantly to Pakistan's lifting the trophy. He came up with a superb bowling performance in the final against Sri Lanka. 

Since then, the allrounder has been a regular feature in the Pakistan limited-overs team and although his bowling is not as threatening, he has played two match-winning innings this year. 

Razzaq said despite so many years in international cricket that has led to a lot of wear and tear, he was confident that he could only get better. 

"I am currently fully fit and I'll give my 100 per cent to Pakistan cricket," Razzaq said.

Wasim supports Afridi as ODI skipper

 Former Pakistan captain and legendary left arm fast bowler Wasim Akram is happy with Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to retain Boom Boom Afridi as skipper of Pakistan one day team.

Wasim was of the belief that change of captain just before the world cup could have been not less than a disaster for a team like Pakistan which is already dealing with number of controversies.

“Afridi is the good choice to lead Pakistan in the mega event but he needs to improve his batting. I have faith on his abilities and I wish him best of luck,” Akram said.

“I heard that lack of match fitness was the reason behind Yousuf’s exclusion from the squad. Misbah has performed really well in the last couple of months after taking over the captaincy of Pakistan test team and I hope that he will carry this momentum into the one day internationals as Pakistan need someone like Misbah in the middle order,” he added.

Butt’s family criticize ICC for delaying verdict

The family of former test skipper of Pakistan cricket team Salman Butt is criticizing the independent tribunal of International Cricket Council (ICC) for deferring the verdict of tainted Pakistani trio for one month

 Salman Butt’s father Zulfiqar Ali Butt was very annoyed with the decision of ICC and said “I failed to understand why the ICC is lingering this case. If my son is guilty, punish him now or leave him. Why the verdict is being deferred to next month. The other two players, Aamir and Asif have been acquitted of all charges relating to The Oval Test. However, one charge still stood, against my son who was captain at the time”.

“What investigation for this Oval Test is not known to us, but we understand Salman scored two or three runs in one of the overs which according to the allegations was supposed to be the maiden,” Zulfiqar Ali Butt added.

Pakistan won the Oval test by four wickets under the captaincy of Salman Butt where he scored 17 and 48 runs and was dismissed by Swann in both innings. This is the first defeat of England against Pakistan at home soil after almost 10 years. Mohammad Amir was declared Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling performance.

Salman Butt made his test debut against Bangladesh in September 2003 while he played his firstone day international against West Indies on September 2004. Salman Butt became captain of Pakistan test team in July 2010 when Shahid Afridi stepped down after losing the first test againstAustralia in Headingly.

ICC wants to make suspended trio an example for others

With the abnormally lazy and lethargic attitude of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in handling cricket affairs, the future of the suspended trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir will continue to hang in the air till the next hearing on Fabruary 5 or beyond. It is surprising that after investigating a simple spot-fixing issue for six months and then holding the ‘court hearing’ in Doha (Qatar) for one week by a three-man ‘independent tribunal’ headed by Michael Beloff QC, those at the helm of international cricket affairs are unable to reach a conclusion. There could not be a worse example of the ICC’s incompetence than this. What will happen if the world cricket body is confronted with more grave and complicated cases?

The main objective of the ICC is to promote cricket by raising standards of the game and building up the careers of players by providing them opportunities to play top class cricket so that they turn into stars and super-stars. The case of the Pakistani trio is, however, absolutely opposite. Due to suspension they could not pursue the game for six months with a month more added to their agony cum idleness. If even they are lucky to be acquitted honourably, with seven months absence from the game they would be neither fit physically and mentally nor possessing the requisite playing form for inclusion in the Pakistan team for the World Cup-2011 starting on February 19. All those who loved the game of cricket were anxiously waiting for the final verdict on January 11 and did not know that the ICC tribunal would need another 25 days to consider the case. 

Those who have no consideration for Pakistan team’s requisite prowess for the forthcoming World Cup, however, feel that the ICC’s tribunal has almost completed the investigations and reached the decision stage. The time for the final verdict has been extended to consider the type and intensity of the punishment. There being no chance of these players going unpunished the ICC wants to make this case an example for the evil minds of cricket. With a view to minimize the incidence of match fixing, spot-fixing and other irregularities tarnishing both the image of cricket and the people’s interest in the game, they want the final verdict to be harsh enough to create a big impact on international cricket. The ICC’s thinking on the issue notwithstanding, its slow and steady pace of handling the case has caused irreparable damage to Pakistan’s cricket.

Considering the above scenario and keeping in view the mental state of our players, it is highly admirable that our team defeated the Kiwis by a resounding margin of 10 wickets in the first Test played in Hamilton. Tanvir Ahmed (4 for 63) and Abdur Rahman (3 for 51) skittled the hosts for 275 runs in the first innings. In reply, Pakistan piled up a challenging total of 367 with Asad Shafiq (83), skipper Misbahul Haq (62) and opener Taufiq Umar (54) being the leading batsmen. Umar Gul, Abdur Rahman and Wahab Riaz performed the final act of devastating the Kiwis for a mere 110 runs in the second innings by claiming three wickets each. Let us hope our team continue to maintain their high spirits and morale to win the second Test to clinch a series after a long lapse of about 15 years. 

The final selection of our squad for the World Cup with a fifty fifty blend of youth and experience has been generally hailed by cricket lovers. As for the different comments, there is a common feeling that the time is not yet ripe to seal the careers of Shoaib Malik and Danish Kaneria. They can still be useful to Pakistan cricket. As for Muhammad Yousuf, he appears to have chosen to end his career for remaining physically unfit and out of form. Shahid Afridi continues to rule for his past reputation. He must revive his marvelous batting to strengthen his claim for a place in the side. Despite all the slogans of winning the World Cup, the chances are remote. We, however, wish our team the best of luck.