DOES MOHAMMAD AMIR HAVE A FUTURE IN CRICKET?

It was very disconcerting and depressing to see bowlers like Sohail Tanvir and Abdul Razzaq handed the new ball in the third One Day International against New Zealand on 29 January, 2011. Some months ago, it was the extremely talented duo of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir sharing that responsibility for the national team. Pakistani cricket fans will be desperately praying that the International Cricket Council tribunal which is due to announce their verdict about the banned trio’s future on 5 February, 2011 show some leniency towards Mohammad Amir at the very least.

Of the three suspended players, Mohammad Amir has the best chance of being acquitted of the charges with a light or even no sentence at all. It is very difficult to foresee the same fate for Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. In Butt’s case his being captain at the time the fiasco unfolded is something that will most definitely tilt the tribunal’s decision against him. The least said about Mohammad Asif’s record, which is full of a wide-range of indiscretions, the better. The Pakistanis can realistically hope for only Amir to be found not guilty and is allowed to become a part of the already announced national team, if his suspension is actually lifted.

The factors that might go in Mohammad Amir’s favour are his age and inexperience; in fact ICC’s anti-corruption law does dictate that a player can be dealt with compassionately if he is young and his past record is clean, which thankfully is the case for Amir. His claims that he was ordered to bowl the no-balls by his captain Salman Butt could soften the tribunal’s stance towards Amir if they do find that Butt had exerted undue influence on the youngster and even threatened to axe him from the team if he did not comply.

The ICC tribunal might also have made a mental note of Amir’s daring and quite frankly stupefying decision to wear a t-shirt sporting the logo ‘legalise cannabis’ to the third day of the hearing at Doha. While it may be called childish behaviour on Amir’s part, it is doubtful that it will not have much of an effect on the tribunal’s eventual verdict.

Recently, Amir has done something which can potentially harm his chances of his being acquitted, that being his decision to play a practice match in Rawalpindi a few days ago, which the Pakistan Cricket Board claims it had nothing to with. Why Amir decided to risk his future by appearing in a fixture at such a crucial juncture in his career is beyond comprehension, and it also brings to light the haphazard manner in which the PCB is dealing with this issue of huge importance.

While the Board of Cricket Control in India hushed up similar kinds of charges levelled at Suresh Raina, the PCB has appeared very reluctant to lend any helping hand to its suspended players. It is vital for Pakistan’s chances of performing well at the 2011 ICC World Cup in the near future and for the team’s long term morale that Amir is absolved of the charges.

Amir is a natural talent the likes of which Pakistan has not produced for the past two decades. If the PCB had shown more interest in standing up for Mohammad Amir rather than joining in the power struggle within the team, the results could have been very different for the prodigious Pakistani fast bowler.

We can continue to hope the exciting teenager Mohammad Amir is found not guilty and is able to shine for Pakistan at the World Cup and for many long years to come. If he is unable to play in the World Cup, one might foresee chances of Pakistan lifting the glory remaining as just a mere dream even after 19 years of uncertainty and disparity.

A World Cup without the trio

For Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, February 5 is judgment day – the day when their future in cricket will be decided.

As the court’s verdict is pending, there are many questions floating in the minds of avid cricket lovers; will the players get a fair trial or is the ICC hell bent on making an example out of them? Are they really guilty of those charges?

Setting these questions aside – as the answers will be given to us soon- I want to reflect on how their possible exclusion from the World Cup squad will affect the team overall.

Butt will not be missed

One thing is clear, the Pakistani team has been deprived of three regular players and has had to fill the void with others. Ahmed Shehzad, Wahab Riaz and Sohail Tanvir have benefited from this scandal with their inclusion. Mohammad Hafeez has finally hit a maiden century and Kamran Akmal is good enough for an opener (which might be the only reason he is still in the team). Thus, with three potentially good openers, Salman Butt should not be missed so much.

Sick of Asif’s shenanigans

Along with others, I too have had enough of Asif’s questionable behaviour. As far as statistics go, Asif is better in the longer version of the game than he is in ODI matches. Despite having a worse economy rate than Asif, Wahab Riaz has a better average and a better strike rate than him and can easily make up for his weakness with his superb batting, which is far superior as compared to Asif. Although Pakistan will miss the psychological edge Asif has on opposition batsmen, Shoaib Akhtar’s return and Riaz’s promising start will soften the blow.

Irreplaceable Amir

Amir, however, will be the one who will be missed the most. His heroics with the ball helped Pakistan win its first T20 World Cup and he became an instant hero for Pakistan cricket fans the world over. His tender age, and the promise of him leading the Pakistan attack long after the likes of Akhtar and Gul retired, gave fans a sense of hope for the future. Pakistan may have left-arm fast bowlers Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz, but neither of them has control like Amir, nor the ability to swing the ball both ways like he did. His loss will be felt.

Whatever the verdict on February 5 may be, it is very likely that the nation will forgive Amir because of his age, his background, his hero status and his past disciplinary record. However, Butt and Asif will have a hard time convincing the nation to forgive them, or even believe them for that matter.

A corruption-free World Cup?

The team has to look ahead and use the resources they have. Younis Khan has had some issues, but they seem to be more about discipline than corruption. There are question marks regarding Kamran Akmal (the Sydney test is a haunting memory). Even if there are corrupt players in the team, it is unlikely they will play dirty after the recent scandal.

If this controversy has surrounded any other team, the psychological scars would have been too deep to heal before the World Cup. However, our team is so used to scandals and tragedies, that looking at our recent performances against South Africa and New Zealand, it seems the team is gotten over this incident.

Pakistan’s biggest challenge is not what will happen to the three accused players; rather, the question to be answered is “Who will lead the team in the World Cup?”

This might be the perfect time for our team to rise like a phoenix from its own ashes. Our team has never been as psychologically cornered as they have in these last couple of months. Its time for them to play their hearts out and show the world that they are winners.

To expect Pakistan to fire in WC is a bit difficult: Abbas

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas feels that players representing the country in the upcoming World Cup will have to play out of their skin if they are to reach the last four stage of the mega event.

"Given the problems and issues Pakistan cricket has faced in the last one year and also the fact that we have lost three of our top players, it is difficult to see Pakistan among the top four in this World Cup," Zaheer told reporters on the sidelines of an exhibition on Monday.

"If Pakistan are to make the semifinals it will have to play extraordinarily and consistently well because I personally believe India, England, Australia and South Africa are the starting top four teams of the World Cup," he said.

The elegant batsman of the yesteryears said that Pakistan cricket had done well to slowly recover from problems like spot-fixing.

"But this process will take time and it is good to see that the new players inducted in the team in place of Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif are shaping up well.

"But to expect this team to fire in the World Cup is a bit difficult."

He said if Pakistan cricket authorities had acted on the match-fixing allegations years back and taken strict action, the sport would not have faced the crisis it is facing today.

"Because we didn't take action on the fixing allegations years back that today we are in a position where we have lost three very good and experienced players," he said.

Zaheer, who has backed Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq to lead the side in the World Cup, however felt that the board has delayed the captaincy issue for too long now.

"I don't think now with the World Cup just weeks away it would be wise to change the captain and Shahid Afridi, who is leading the team in the one-day series in New Zealand, should continue as captain for the World Cup.

Zaheer also felt that Pakistan's hopes of doing well in the World Cup would brighten if they win the remaining three matches against New Zealand.

"So far they have not really dominated the New Zealand team, which to me, is weaker compared to us.

"We should, on paper, beat them in all three matches and if this happens then Pakistan's chances of doing well in the World Cup will improve," he said.

"We have already delayed our final World Cup preparations and plans compared to other teams, so, it is important we make the most of this series in New Zealand," he said
.

94 per cent Pakistanis want Afridi as World Cup captain

In a public poll conducted by a leading media group in Pakistan, national team's one-day captain Shahid Afridi has got overwhelming support from the people to lead the side in the 2011 World Cup, starting from February 19.

The "Express" media group had conducted a poll in which they asked people who they thought should lead Pakistan in the World Cup - Afridi or Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

The results published today showed that an overwhelming majority of 94 per cent feel that Afridi is the best choice to lead Pakistan in the mega-event, while Misbah, who recently led Pakistan to their first Test series win in four years, got just six per cent votes.

"The results show that majority want the flamboyant allrounder to be retained as captain in the World Cup and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should now understand this clear message," former Test captain Moin Khan said.

Interestingly, there are already indications from the board that after the initial decision of not announcing the captain for the World Cup earlier this month, the PCB has also now decided to go with Afridi.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Monday said from New Zealand that the World Cup captain would be named on February 4.

Butt, who was due to return home from New Zealand on February 7, has cut short his visit and will now return to Lahore on February 3.

Sources in the board confirmed that Butt had met with the players of the national team in New Zealand and also the team management.

"He held a long meeting with Afridi and Misbah after some players conveyed to him that they were not happy with Afridi's habit of criticising them publicly in the media after every lost match and that this had a negative effect on the team spirit," one source said.

"Butt had a long talk with Afridi and told him in clear terms that he needed to improve his behaviour and stop this habit of giving unnecessary media statements about his teammates. Afridi was told that if he can control this habit and understand the grievances of his teammates, he would be retained as World Cup captain," the source stated.

The source also added that the team management had advised Butt against changing the captain at this stage ahead of the World Cup.

"The team management felt that at the moment Afridi was the best man to lead the side and was doing his best to fire up the team, besides making efforts to seek cooperation of every player in the team," he added
.

Why Pakistan will win world cup 2011

I was just watching my facebook wall and saw comments of some of my friends that what are u expecting from Pakistan Cricket Team ??? To win a World Cup ??Are you crazy ??? U are the biggest joker in this world !!! The team who cannot beat a newzealand which had lost last 11 odi's ... but my answer was simple " tm daikhoo pakistan cricket team karti kya ha " in the  very next match Pakistan team thrashed newzealand team by 43 runs.Now moving toward the topic why pakistan team will win this world cup ???

 There are many reasons which are favouring pakistan cricket team and one of them is Shahid Khan Afridi itself Who is most unpredictable player in this world ,,,can score 100 of 37 bals and might out on 0 but Afridi is magician for me ... He is a backbone of team pakistan ,,when ever he arrives in the ground the atmostphere in the ground is electrifying and the oposition automatically feels pressure which is itself a plus point for BOOM BOOM ,,,, and if he plays with little sense he can be a destroyer ...Now moving toward the second point which you all agree with me. Pakistan team has more destructive players than any team in the world .. Question is who are they ???? very simple Bang Bang Razzaq which is known as fighter and even afridi use to call him"FAUJI".. he is the player which fits in any team in the world and his unconventional shorts  worth seen. Now moving toward the second destructive player the youngster Ahemd Shehzad which has bright future and is opening for pakistan now days ...

His technique is similar to the Sehwag and Tendulker and is a stroke players and like imran nazir can score quick 50 at the top against any team in the world..now  Akmal brothers , Umer Akmal and Kamran Akmal can destroy any bowling attack in the world.U guys have seen them plenty of time saving Pakistan Team from colllapse and are good finishers. The last but not the least known as tail-ender but can hit big sixes Abdul Wahab Riaz he will be a vital to pakistan success, His bowling is improving day by day and is a handful bowler in the depth of the innings ...In the end "RAWALPINDI EXPRESS" is the man,,whose 150 k/m delivries can destroy any batting line and is playing pro-active role in odi's for pakistan bowling attack nowdays..so on the day if one of these guns fired up then Pakistan Team can beat any one one his day and that day might be a quaterfinal ,semifinal or even a final and we are very hopeful pakistan will win this world cup after 19 year.Pray for Pakistan and stay tune ...:p
                                                                               Pakistan zindabad

AFRIDI sixes = 285

Pakistan skipper for One Day Internationals, Shahid Afridi, also know as Boom Boom Afridi, hit five sixes during the third ODI against New Zealand at Christchurch on Saturday.

Shahid Afridi already holds the world record for hitting most number of sixes and these five sixes further improved his world record tally to 285.

Second in the list is former Sri Lankan opener, Sanath Jayasuriya, who hit 270 sixes

Afridi blasted 65 runs from just 25 balls to literally take the game away from New Zealand at Christchurch and if continues to play this way, Pakistan holds a strong chances in the next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Another interesting stat is that it was the 16^th time that Shahid Khan Afridi hit five or more sixes in an innings, once again more than anybody else.

Malik backs Afridi as World Cup captain

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has backed Shahid Afridi as the man to lead the team in the World Cup starting next month.

Malik, who was left out of the 15-man squad announced for the mega event in which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not name the captain, said that a change would not benefit the team.

While Afridi has been tipped to retain the captaincy, the PCB will make a formal announcement after weeks of speculation that the all-rounder may be replaced by Test skipper Misbahul Haq. The PCB decided against naming the leader when it announced the final World Cup squad with former cricketers lashing out at the decision saying that it was not in the best interest of the team.

Malik, too, believed that Afridi is the right choice to continue leading the team.

“Afridi should be retained as captain for the World Cup,” said Malik. The change in captaincy at this stage is in no way in the interest of the team.”

The former captain also dismissed the notion that Misbah’s fine form made him deserving to lead the side in the tournament.

“It’s not necessary to appoint him [Misbah] as captain on the basis of his Test performance,” said Malik.

“Misbah’s form may get affected with the added burden of captaincy which may hurt the team combination.”

Meanwhile, Malik was relieved after he was named the captain of the Punjab team in the upcoming Pentangular Cup.

“Doubts that have been raised over me should end after my appointment as captain in the Pentangular Cup.”

Malik along with leg-spinner Danish Kaneria failed to get clearance from the PCB Integrity Committee which probed three players including wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal on suspicion of links with bookies. While Akmal was selected for the World Cup as well as the ongoing One-Day International leg of the New Zealand tour, the two players were overlooked. The pair is also expected to lose the new PCB central contracts which are due to be announced shortly.

Pak captain for World Cup to be named on Feb 4: Butt

 Pakistan's captain for next month's World Cup in the sub-continent would be named on February 4, a day before the final match of their ongoing one-day series in New Zealand.

Talking to the Pakistani media in Napier on Monday, Butt, however, refused to say which among all-rounder Shahid Afridi and Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq would be given the reins of the team for the mega-event starting February 19.

"We will announce the captain on February 4 that is decided now," he added.

Butt also disclosed that India were willing to play a short series against Pakistan in England sometime this year.

"We have made good progress in talks with the Indian board to resume bilateral cricket ties and they have indicated they are willing to resume ties," he said.

But the PCB chief made it clear that any final decision on resumption of bilateral cricket ties with India would rest completely with decisions taken at the government level.

"Hopefully, decisions would be made at the government level on the series but the Indian board has shown its willingness to play which is good news for us," Butt said.

The PCB chief admitted that it was important for international cricket and for Pakistan to have bilateral ties with India.

"The financial aspect of playing India regularly in bilateral series is very important for us," he explained.

India has not played Pakistan in a bilateral series since late 2007 and had cancelled its tour to Pakistan in early 2009 in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks in November, 2008
.

Pakistan gain more from series than NZ

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes his team will gain more from the current series than New Zealand heading into the one-day cricket World Cup in the subcontinent next month.

Pakistan levelled the six-match series at 1-1 with a 43-run win at Christchurch last Saturday and go into tomorrow's fourth match at McLean Park in full confidence.

Irrespective of the results in the final three matches, however, Younis said Pakistan would be better prepared for the World Cup than New Zealand, given the conditions here were vastly different to what both teams will face on the subcontinent.

"This is going to help us more than New Zealand," he told reporters today.

"New Zealand are more used to these conditions and we are used to conditions back home in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. We'll probably cope better with that than them. We're pretty used to playing in our conditions but this series probably"It seems whatever balance we go in with, we don't quite have enough batters or not quite enough bowlers, and maybe that just could be the conditions," Vettori said today.

"New Zealand conditions dictate you might need that extra seamer, but when we get to India you can play the more fiddly bowler. It's probably not like for like but you just want guys in form and feeling good about themselves, and most of that will come from winning."

Meanwhile, Younis is demanding more of the same from his team tomorrow.

Their approach on Saturday was very much the Pakistan of old. They built a solid platform over the first 40 overs, courtesy of Mohammad Hafeez's maiden hundred, without worrying about the run-rate, before their late hitters, in particular Shahid Afridi, did the damage in the final 10.

"We try to make sure we get into a situation where the middle order and lower middle order comes into play. That's exactly what happened," Younis said.

Pakistan gain more from series than NZ

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes his team will gain more from the current series than New Zealand heading into the one-day cricket World Cup in the subcontinent next month.

Pakistan levelled the six-match series at 1-1 with a 43-run win at Christchurch last Saturday and go into tomorrow's fourth match at McLean Park in full confidence.

Irrespective of the results in the final three matches, however, Younis said Pakistan would be better prepared for the World Cup than New Zealand, given the conditions here were vastly different to what both teams will face on the subcontinent.

"This is going to help us more than New Zealand," he told reporters today.

"New Zealand are more used to these conditions and we are used to conditions back home in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. We'll probably cope better with that than them. We're pretty used to playing in our conditions but this series probably"It seems whatever balance we go in with, we don't quite have enough batters or not quite enough bowlers, and maybe that just could be the conditions," Vettori said today.

"New Zealand conditions dictate you might need that extra seamer, but when we get to India you can play the more fiddly bowler. It's probably not like for like but you just want guys in form and feeling good about themselves, and most of that will come from winning."

Meanwhile, Younis is demanding more of the same from his team tomorrow.

Their approach on Saturday was very much the Pakistan of old. They built a solid platform over the first 40 overs, courtesy of Mohammad Hafeez's maiden hundred, without worrying about the run-rate, before their late hitters, in particular Shahid Afridi, did the damage in the final 10.

"We try to make sure we get into a situation where the middle order and lower middle order comes into play. That's exactly what happened," Younis said.

Pakistani Cricket Stars Behind the Scene for An Ad Shot for Cricket World Cup 2011