Friends, not foes!

Even as the captaincy debate continues to be a talking point back at home, the two men at the centre of the issue — Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq — are fully backing each other up in New Zealand.

Soon after picking up his man-of-the-match award after guiding Pakistan to a thrilling two-wicket win over New Zealand in Napier on Tuesday, Misbah declared that Afridi is doing a great job as captain.

Meanwhile, Afridi told ‘The News’ in an interview that captaincy is not an issue for him and that it doesn’t matter who leads the team in the World Cup as long as Pakistan are playing well.

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, is of the view that what his team needs is to shift its focus completely on the World Cup after the ongoing series against the Black Caps.

Who leads Pakistan in the tournament won’t matter if they do that, believes the former Test pacer.

Afridi has been Pakistan’s one-day captain for quite some time now and is also leading the team in the current series against the Black Caps. But there have been speculations that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling over the option of replacing Afridi with Misbah for the World Cup which gets underway on February 19.

The fact that Misbah led Pakistan to a 1-0 Test series triumph over New Zealand last month added more weight to his credentials. PCB’s decision to delay naming Pakistan’s World Cup captain only added fuel to fire.

The Board has come under intense fire for failing to name a captain for the World Cup with some former Test stars fearing that it would create rifts within the national team.

But Afridi doesn’t think so.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m captain (for the World Cup) or its Misbah,” said the experienced allrounder who has led Pakistan to back-to-back wins over New Zealand in the one-day series to give them a 2-1 lead. “All of us want to give our best for Pakistan because that’s what really matters,” he said.

Afridi said that he has never run after the captaincy. “If I were so desperate for captaincy I would have never retired from Test cricket,” said Afridi referring to the fact that he was installed as Pakistan’s captain for all three formats after making a Test return last year. However, he quit the longest format again after flopping in the Lord’s Test against Australia last June.

Afridi also rejected the impression that the captaincy issue has pit Misbah — Pakistan’s vice-captain — against him. “I know that Misbah doesn’t think that way. He is a good cricketer and a very good human being.”

Misbah heaped praise on Afridi saying that as captain he has gelled the team well.

“The team has gelled well. Whoever is the captain, everyone will play for the team and for the country,” he said. “I think Shahid Afridi is doing a good job. We have no problems and whoever is the captain, we will go out there and play our game.

“Everybody is in good form. That’s a good thing for the team. Everybody’s contributing and getting scores; even the bowlers are doing well, so these are good signs (for the World Cup),” he said after hitting an unbeaten 93 in the fourth one-dayer against New Zealand in Napier on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Waqar is urging his boys to rise to the occasion.

“We have heaps of talent in Pakistan and they all want to play for Pakistan,” said Waqar. “It’s not really a matter of who is going to be captain. The key thing is their response to the occasion,” added the Pakistan coach.

“We don’t have a captain but we know we are a good unit and if we put it right (on the park) it doesn’t really matter who is captain,” he stressed.

Pakistan cricket team : The Unpredictables

Well to start of with it is actually quite absurd that a sub continent team playing in sub continent won’t have that much pressure to perform. The reasons are obvious, ravaged by spot fixing scandals and in fights, the Pakistan cricket fraternity is on a recovery mode. And no one really expects them to give that much of a fight. With Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Amer suspended, the first choice bowling attack of Pakistan is gone. With the captaincy issue yet to be resolved, the team moral won’t be that high. But still a sub continent team in sub continent cannot be ignored.

THE SQUAD

Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umer Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Umer Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Ahmed Shehzad.

THE YOUNG BLOOD

Out of the 15 chosen, 8 are those who have never been part of an event of this importance. Clearly the Pakistan selectors did not have an option and leaving out Imran Nazir reaffirms the fact that they wanted to start afresh. If we start taking the replacements for the suspended tainted trio, Ahmed Shehzad is in for Butt and Shehzad is clearly a fire brand if there was any. He has a distinction of playing at the highest level and then going back to represent Pakistan in the Under 19 World cup. He only has one gear and that is to clear the in field any how, he is not afraid to take on the fastest of the bowlers and even in bouncy wickets he has played some magnificent shots on the rise. He won’t get that pace in sub continent and moreover his 7 match experience might not be enough.

Umar Akmal, a prodigy in the making, probably a complete batsmen Pakistan have produced after the era of Saeed Anwar. Though Younis Khan is probably the best Pakistan has got at the moment. This would be the make or break tournament for Umar. And to utilise his complete ability he must be slotted at No.3 nothing below that.

Wahab Riaz, is the replacement for Mohhammed Asif and to be fair on him he is a decent catch from the bowling factory. He has not exactly filled in the shoes of Asif but his approach ahs been commendable and as with Umar it would be make or break trip that he would be making to India.

THE WORRIES

One the other hand there is Mohammed Hafeez, Pakistan selectors does seem to have a blind faith on this chap. With an average of 22 in 62 ODIs, how the hell he made it to the squad, only reason I can think of is, he is not swashbuckling as Shehzad so they assumed he would be the calmer and wiser partner.

Mohammed Amer could have been the potent weapon for Pakistan instead they had to content themselves with the old potent weapons, Shohib Akhtar. As an old war veteran, it not his pace or form which has made him survive this long, it’s probably his never say die attitude. And this never “say die attitude” unfortunately looks good on paper or say a blog only. Being hit for an economy of more than 8 and again coming back to bowl the full quota of over to end up with 7 does not fit the bill for never say die attitude. That plainly is poor bowling but Pakistan selectors as I mentioned earlier tend to assume a lot of things.

Kamaran Akmal, am putting Kamaran in the slot is just because of the poor form he is in; he tried his hand as an opener then at number 3 with no effect. In recent times he has been very successful in the sub continent primarily against India and his being in form would be of prime importance. He is more like Suresh Raina of Pakistan, unpredictable yet assuring figure.

Inspirational Misbah Ul Haq, is a player of calibre but I doubt his big match playing credentials.

Abdul Razzak is more of confusion; unpredictability has hovered all around his cricketing career. Not as strong a bowler he used to be but he is the variation guy of the team. He can pack a punch and on a given day could be more barbaric than Yusuf Pathan, but its all about him clicking or not. Not exactly a worry but wont put him in chances section as well.

CHANCES

Here chances have to be read as Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi. Gul is the strike bowler, best exponent of death bowling and Shahid Afridi along with Saeed Ajmal, I think is the best spinning duo in the world cup., Classic ODI spinners, with one having the knack of picking up wickets and other choking down the batsmen. Younis Khan just cannot afford to have a bad day at the office as he would be the spine of Pakistani batting attack.

Semi final could be the maximum they could reach but again Unpredictability is what Pakistan cricket lives with.

Vettori slams top order after another loss

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori blasted the top order's performance as "unacceptable" after his team fell to a two-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the fourth one-day cricket international last night.

The stage was set for the batsmen on a typical McLean Park belter, but New Zealand's lower order were left to deliver the punch-lines as the hosts posted 262 for seven after winning the toss.

With scores of 300-plus only considered par here there was a feeling New Zealand were always off the pace and so it proved, but only just, as the tourists eventually reached 264 for eight with an over remaining. They take a 2-1 lead into the fifth of six matches, at Seddon Park in Hamilton tomorrow.

"I think we walked off the park after batting thinking 300 was a par score, so we had to scrap pretty hard with the ball to give ourselves a chance, and I think we did," Vettori said last night.

"But being five for 80 at McLean Park, I don't think that's acceptable. It's a great batting deck and it's just not acceptable".

"I was pleased with the way (James) Franklin and the two McCullums (Brendon and Nathan) scrapped to give us a score, they all played exceptionally well to give us credibility, but five for 80 is just not good enough."

New Zealand's effort with the ball or in the field could not be faulted, but they needed something extra special and it did not arrive.

Pakistani batsman, Misbah-ul-Haq has been New Zealand's nemesis all summer and last night was no different in the run chase. He was circumspect at the start and produced the big shots when they were required, ending unbeaten on 93 from 91, his highest score from 62 matches rightfully earning him the man-of-the-match award.

He combined with Younis Khan to provide the substantial partnership Pakistan required with 84 for the fourth wicket, added 40 valuable late runs with Abdul Razzaq, then watched as No 10 Sohail Tanvir took 14 runs from the penultimate over bowled by Tim Southee, who went for 36 from his last three overs.Scott Styris was New Zealand's best with the ball, taking three for 40 from nine overs. Vettori and Hamish Bennett both had credible returns of two for 48 from 10, though Vettori tweaked a hamstring in his third over and is a doubtful starter for tomorrow.

"I thought Hamish Bennett and Scott Styris stepped up but in the end I just ran out of resources really," Vettori said.

"We put it all in early on hoping to win in the 45th or 46th overs but it wasn't to be. Asking the likes of Scotty to bowl in the death,

which is not his normal role, is tough. I think the bowlers should be happy with their efforts."

New Zealand simply did not have enough runs and it was left to Franklin and Nathan McCullum to drag them up to a semi-respectable total after the top order fell to pieces.

Franklin top scored with 62 from 75 balls, the Wellington allrounder only a late addition to the team after opening batsman Jesse Ryder was ruled with a finger injury.

Nathan McCullum was unbeaten on 53 from 58 balls, his first half century.

They were responsible for lifting New Zealand to a defendable total after they had been 79 for five.

New Zealand started brightly enough with openers Jamie How and Martin Guptill keen to make use of splendid conditions for batting and racing through to 37 without loss in six overs.

What followed was simply unfathomable. Three wickets fell for four runs in 11 balls as the top order self destructed with a series of rash shots and injudicious running.

Left-armer Wahab Riaz was the chief wicket-taker for Pakistan with three for 51 from 10 overs.

Pakistan to end sporting isolation thanks to football

 Pakistan’s football chiefs are looking to end the country’s sporting isolation by hosting two international teams in Karachi and Lahore in March this year.

Pakistan will first host Palestine’s national football team for two international friendlies followed by a potentially-explosive match of the Olympic qualifiers against Malaysia in Lahore.

“At a time when sports teams are not coming to Pakistan, we have succeeded in breaking the ice by confirming matches against Palestine and Malaysia on home soil,” said Faisal Saleh Hayat, president of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF).

Pakistan, hit hard by suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks in recent years, has literally become a no-go zone for international sportspersons after Sri Lanka’s cricket team was ambushed by gunmen in Lahore in March 2009. Several Sri Lankan cricketers and team officials were injured in the attack that claimed the lives of six Pakistanis, mostly policemen.

The country, which was once a major destination for international cricket, hockey and squash, hasn’t hosted any worthwhile international sporting event in years.

The country was stripped of its status as a co-host of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, which will be played in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19-April 2 after most of the 14 participating teams refused to play in the violence-hit country.

The last time Pakistan hosted a major hockey tournament was in 2004 when it staged the elite Champions Trophy in Lahore.

Repeated attempts by cricket and hockey chiefs to lure foreign teams to Pakistan have failed in recent times.

However, PFF has succeeded where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) have failed and Hayat believes that it is a good sign for football, which has failed to really pick up in this sports-mad country.

“The more international matches we play, the more the team would develop at least to Asian standards. Football is not like hockey or cricket as they are played in a few countries. The competition is very tough in football,” said Faisal Hayat, a veteran politician.

According to PFF’s schedule, Palestine will arrive here late in February and will play against Pakistan in their opening match in Lahore on March 1. It will head back home after meeting Pakistan again on March 4 in Karachi. The two games will be followed by an Olympic qualifying clash against Malaysia on March 9 in Lahore.

Four-time South Asian champions Pakistan plan to pay a return visit to Palestine in April-May this year.

Despite being run on a shoe-string budget, Pakistan who are regarded among minnows even in Asian football have surprisingly good results against teams like Kyrgyzstan, Chinese Taipei, Turkmenistan, Singapore, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal in recent times.

Don't spoil Pak team's potential

Misbahul Haq has proved his critics wrong by playing the innings of his life to guide Pakistan to the two-wicket victory against New Zealand at Napier. 
After winning the toss, Kiwi skipper Vettori decided to bat first was a decision which bounced back as the Kiwis lost five early wickets but like in the past Pakistan let them off the hook and they scored a daunting total of 262 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their quota of 50 overs.
James Franklin, although is known for his bowling abilities and too has improved his batting a lot in the recent times, was the main contributor for the Kiwis as he hammered a well played 62 runs. He was ably supported by Brandon McCullum's 37 runs while his brother Nathan McCullum chipped in with unbeaten 53 runs.
Wahab Riaz was the pick of Pakistan bowlers grabbing 3 for 51 runs while Razzaq, Hafeez and Afridi claimed a wicket apiece. Pakistan's reply was a decent one but they kept on losing wickets with regular intervals. At one stage when Afridi was trapped LBW of the bowling of Vettori the match was swung in Kiwis favour, but like in the past Misbah came to Pakistan's rescue and slowly but steadily guides Pakistan towards victory with a well-played knock of unbeaten 93 runs. Ahmed Shehzad and Younus Khan also played well and scored 42 runs apiece. Overall it was a close call for Pakistan if they don't go for the kill and allowed the rival teams to make a comeback in the matches, it will be almost impossible for them to beat them.
The World Cup is around the corner. The PCB to every one's surprise is holding back the name of the captain for this mega event, which is certainly disturbing the performance of the team and the ship is rolling without a captain. Ijaz Butt is in New Zealand. Rather than waiting for the 4th February, he should respect the public sentiments and announce Shahid Khan Afridi as the captain of Pakistan cricket team for the World Cup being jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The opening pair issue is still a point where the coach and the management have to focus on. Having the services of Younus, Misbah, Umar Akmal, Afridi and Abdul Razzaq in the middle Pakistani batting certainly looks more reliable than in the past. One or two changes in the batting line and bowling can prove the critics wrong who have written off Pakistan team's chances in the upcoming World Cup. They can be the dark horse of the tournament like in the 1992 World Cup when Imran Khan and his side which was a very weak one as compared to this current Pakistan side had managed to win the World Cup.

Former cricketers praises pakistan team effort

he impressive performance in the last two one day internationals against New Zealand has forced the ex-cricketers to change their opinions about Pakistan cricket team as they are now praising the team for the exceptional show in New Zealand.

Pakistan won the fourth ODI against Black Caps in nail-biting encounter by only two wickets and the hero this time was Misbah-ul-Haq, who played his career best innings and guided Pakistan chase

Former chief selector and legendary leg spinner Abdul Qadir has praised the team effort of Pakistan and congratulated Shahid Afridi as he managed to unite the team despite of captaincy controversy created by the chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ejaz Butt.

Former wicket keeper batsman Saleem Yousuf also appreciated the Pakistan cricket team performance and said, “PCB has self-created the captaincy controversy but team has fought well and looked united under the captaincy of Shahid Afridi. Players are responding well to the skipper’s call and this is great sign for the world cup. Misbah and Younus are leading the Pakistan batting very well and Ahmed Shehzad also batting well after getting chance to play in the team.”

Former chief selector Salahuddin Sallu has criticized Pakistan bowling and said, “Our bowlers are bowling too many extra deliveries which is a worrying sign. We have two former fast bowlers in our coaching department and they should work on the extras problem. Pakistan team has fought back well and now they should win the series in the next match.”