Now everyone should support Afridi, says Abdul Qadir

With the confusion ending with the appointment of Shahid Afridi as Pakistan cricket team captain for the upcoming World Cup, former Test cricketer Abdul Qadir urges that all the gossiping should also end and players, board and the nation should now rally around Shahid Afridi.

“The board shouldn’t have taken such a path of uncertainty over the captaincy row. Such a confusion over captainship — only days before the World Cup was not a prudent step. However, they have named the captain and now everyone should forget about the past and start supporting the captain and the team for the World Cup,” the former spin maestro, Abdul Qadir told PPI.

He said that the need of the time is that everyone should abandon criticising the team and blistering out all the negative aspects.

“Since World Cup is loitering at our head, everyone, though it be PCB think tank or former players, they should all start supporting the team and speak only that, which they sincerely believes could help Pakistan in their World Cup campaign,” said Qadir, who is also a former chief selector.

However, Qadir said that winning series against New Zealand, which has earlier lost series against Bangladesh and India, was not a big thing and the team should prepare itself for tougher opposition in the World Cup.

He said that Pakistan would need spinners in the Asian pitches during the World Cup, therefore Saeed Ajmal or Abdur Rehman should be featured in the sixth and final match of the series, in order to give them some exposure ahead of the World Cup.

“They have to feature Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman in the World Cup matches so I think they should feature them in the remaining last match of the series against New Zealand to give them some practice ahead of the World Cup,” Qadir said.

He further said that Pakistan has an effective opening combination in Ahmed Shahzad and Mohammad Hafeez, who both have scored centuries in the ongoing series against New Zealand.

“I think Kamran Akmal is a match winner, however, they should send him down the order at sixth or seventh place as he is capable of playing well when the ball is old. Moreover, Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad have been playing well,” he added.

Pak cricket community shocked after London Police charges trio

Tainted trio of Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir sent more shockwaves to cricket community in Pakistan after Britain's Crown Prosecution Service decided to charge the already suspended players of taking bribes and defraud during the England tour last year. The news from london came from after the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Shahid Afridi will lead the side in the World Cup this month. The framing of charges came just a day before an International Cricket Council tribunal announces its conclusions in the spot-fixing scandal in Doha tomorrow, which rocked the world cricket last year.

The tribunal interrogated the players over 45 hours in Doha last month. Many leading players avoided comments on the sensitive issue but those who spoke out said they were shocked by the charges brought against Butt, Asif and Aamir. "We were waiting to see what happens tomorrow in Doha and now this news comes.

It basically means that the cricketers now not only face cricketing sanctions but also criminal charges and this is really bad for the image of Pakistan cricket," former captain Zaheer Abbas said. "I really don't know all the details right now and have just heard about it on television.

But it is a huge disappointment and it means now we have to prepare to defend ourselves on another front," Muhammad Aamir told a television channel in Doha. "Myself and my lawyer are still looking into the details of the announcement by the British Crown Prosecution Office and will take it from there, but right now the important thing is the verdict announcement tomorrow," he said.

Former captain Rashid Latif said the players are now in deep trouble and would have to hire best lawyers to defend themselves against all charges. "Being summoned to appear in a British court on corruption charges is a big thing and it is a sad day for Pakistan cricket," Latif said. Former pace bowler Sikander Bakht described the announcement as a bad day for Pakistan cricket that would bring more problems to the three players. "I don't know but maybe we might now have a situation where the ICC tribunal decides to hold its verdict until these criminal charges are sorted out in March," Bakht said.

The three players have been summoned by the Crown Prosecution Service to appear in a Westminister court on March 17 to formally face the charges against them.

Former test batsman and ex-national selector, Basit Ali said the announcement was a big blow for Pakistan cricket and added the pressure on the national team to play well in the World Cup.

"Our cricket image has taken a beating due to these unfortunate off the field happenings which have brought a bad name to us. I don't want to comment on the outcome because until now the players have not been proven guilty.

But I know one thing we must do well in the World Cup to tell the world that our cricket is not about these things but about cricket and we are a strong cricket nation," Basit added. The Pakistan Cricket Board's legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi and media manager, Nadeem Sarwar declined to make comments on the matter saying the board would stay away from the matter.

Afridi is the right man to lead in World Cup: Akram

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has backed the PCB's decision to appoint Shahid Afridi as captain for the upcoming World Cup, saying the 30-year-old all-rounder is the right man to lead the country in the mega event.


"The Pakistan board has made the right choice in selecting Afridi as the skipper. Despite having delayed the decision for so long, I am happy that in the end they chose the most able man for the job," Akram said.


"Afridi has been leading the side for a while and has gotten to grips with the nuances of captaincy. In cricket, you need one or two years to perfect the art of captaincy and this is why I think Afridi was the best option available," the former player added.


With speculations over who would lead Pakistan in the World Cup finally laid to rest, Akram felt the side will now be able to look forward to the tournament with renewed confidence.


Opener Ahmed Shehzad, who scored a fluent century in the fifth ODI against New Zealand, came in for rich praise from the former legend who felt the 19-year-old will not be overawed by the occasion.


"Shehzad has been playing sensational cricket. I know this kid. He is a real fearless character who does not feel that much pressure. I think he is definitely one to watch out for. His idea of defence is to attack and he will be consistent and lethal on sub-continent tracks," Akram was quoted as saying by espnstar.com.


Talking about other players who can make a difference, Akram reckoned veterans Abdur Razzaq and Shoaib Akhtar to play key roles.


"I think Razzaq's aim for the World Cup should be to end as Man of the Tournament. He is one of the best all-rounders out there and is definitely a real match-winner.


"He has to focus a bit on his bowling and fielding but his explosiveness with the bat, lower down the order is unmatched in world cricket. He is one of those rare people who can smash a load of runs off very few balls, changing the game in an instant," Akram said.


"Umar Gul will be the main bowler, but if Akhtar stays fit and healthy, he can still make a difference," he said.

Profile of Butt, Asif and Aamer

DOHA: Profiles of Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, who were banned for 10, seven and five years respectively by an anti-corruption tribunal on Saturday:

SALMAN BUTT (Left-handed opening batsman) 

Age: 26

Tests: 33; Runs: 1,889; Highest score: 122; Average: 30.46; 100s: 3; 50s: 10

ODIs: 78; Runs: 2,725; Highest score: 136; Average: 36.82; 100s: 8; 50s: 14

T20s: 24; Runs: 595; Highest score: 74; Average: 28.33; 50s: 3

Butt was handed the captaincy after  Shahid Afridi quit following a one-sided defeat against Australia at Lord's in July last year.

Pakistan defeated Australia in the next match by four wickets at Leeds - their first win over the Aussies for 15 years - and hopes of a new era were high.

Emerging from the streets of Lahore, Salman represented Pakistan at all levels, leading Pakistan to the Asian Under-15 title in 1999 and then impressing in the Junior World Cup in 2002.

His brilliant match-winning hundred in a one-day match against India at Calcutta in late 2004 set his career on the right track and although he flitted in and out of the squad, his talent was never in doubt.

Under former coach Bob Woolmer, Salman's career flourished with, hundreds at Sydney in January 2005 and another three-figure knock against Ashes-winning England at Multan.

MOHAMMAD ASIF (Right arm fast-medium bowler) 

Age: 28

Tests: 23; Balls: 5,171; Runs: 2,583; Wickets: 106; Best bowling: 6/41; Average: 24.36; 5wkt inns: 7; 10wkt matches: 1

ODIs: 38; Balls: 1,941; Runs 1,524; Wickets: 46; Best bowling: 3/28; Average 33.13

T20s: 11; Balls: 257; Runs: 343; Wickets: 13; Best bowling: 4/18; Average: 26.38

It was under Pakistan's English coach Bob Woolmer that Asif blossomed as a genuine swing bowler.

Woolmer picked him for Pakistan's tour to Australia and although Asif went wicketless on his debut Test in Perth, Woolmer never lost faith in the lithe and determined fast bowler.

Asif claimed 11 wickets in a tour match against England in 2005 and was brought back into the national side for Pakistan's final Test against India at home in 2006.

He took seven wickets in the win over India - including the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar - at Karachi, which also helped Pakistan clinch the series.

He followed it with eleven victims in Pakistan's Test win at Galle, taking 17 wickets in the two Tests. His 'five-for' also helped Pakistan beat South Africa in the Port Elizabeth Test in 2007.

Following a series of disciplinary problems, an elbow injury forced him out of the 2007 World Cup.

In England last year, he grabbed 23 wickets in six Tests - two against Australia and four against the home team.

MOHAMMAD AAMER (Left arm fast bowler) 

Age: 18

Tests: 14; Balls: 2,867; Runs: 1,484; Wickets: 51; Best bowling: 6/84; Average: 29.09; 5wkt innings: 3

ODIs: 15; Balls: 789; Runs: 600; Wickets: 25; Best bowling: 4/28; Average: 24.00

T20s: 18; Balls: 390; Runs: 457; Wickets: 23; Best bowling: 3/23; Average: 19.86

Aamer shot to fame in his first year as an international when his exploits led to comparisons with legendary Pakistan left-arm paceman Wasim Akram.

The teenager played a key role in guiding Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title in 2009 - the first time he was included in Pakistan's senior team.

His 5/79 at Melbourne in 2009 and then seven wickets in Pakistan's sensational first Test win over Australia in 15 years at Leeds in July last year earned praise from none other than former Pakistan captain Imran Khan.

"Aamer is an amazing talent," Khan said. "I have watched him closely and I can say that he is streets ahead of Wasim when he was 18."

Wasim, who spotted Aamer in a coaching clinic in 2006, didn't disagree.

"Aamer is certainly cleverer than me when I was 18," said Wasim.

After squaring their two-Test series against Australia last summer, Pakistan then faced England and former home captain Nasser Hussain warned his team of the potential danger, pinpointing Aamer as the "Sultan of Swing".

Aamer did swing his team's fortunes with 5-52 to finish with man-of-the-match honours in the four-wicket win at The Oval as Pakistan reduced the series deficit to 2-1.

In the controversial last Test at Lord's, Aamer destroyed England with a burst of six wickets on day two before a world record eighth wicket stand of 332 between Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad restored the home team's position.

Note: All three players, as well as their agent, were on Friday charged with corruption offences as an alleged spot-fixing scandal headed towards the English courts.

PCB Chairman happy with response to Afridi's appointment

KARACHI: PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt is happy that the cricket fraternity of the country has welcomed the appointment of Shahid Afridi as captain for the World Cup.

"I am happy to know that this decision by the board to confirm Afridi as captain has gone down well with everyone," Butt told the media in Lahore.

Former players Moin Khan and Wasim Akram had backed Afridi's candidature for the tough job.

However, Butt did not explain why the Board delayed the announcement of the captain. He flew to New Zealand and met with the team management and players for consultations before taking a final decision.

"I announced the captain and vice-captain for the World Cup after consulting with the team management and players," he confirmed.

Sources aware of the developments said Butt had made some things very clear to Afridi before giving him the captaincy, particularly the reservations expressed by some players over his habit of giving media statements on the performance of the team.

"Butt made it clear to Afridi and Misbah they had to work in unison and take along the team with them since some players were offended by media comments, criticizing their performances after some matches," one source said.

The source confirmed that Butt had also told Afraid and Misbah that they would have to take on board the team manager and coach in selection matters during the World Cup.

"It was Butt's decision to appoint manager Intikhab Alam as the chairman of the tour selection committee in the World Cup although in recent times the manager has not been an active part of the tour selection committee," the source said.

Afridi’s appointment praised

 Pakistan’s cricket fraternity has welcomed the country’s cricket board’s decision to retain Shahid Afridi as captain for the World Cup. However, former cricketers are divided on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) tactics in delaying the announcement of the captain.

PCB ended weeks of suspense when it chose the experienced all-rounder to lead the side and named Test captain Misbahul Haq his deputy. The board decided against naming the captain along with the final 15-man squad which it announced on January 19 for the World Cup.

The delay created confusion, leaving the PCB in a fix as Misbah gained popularity after leading Pakistan to a rare Test series win against New Zealand last month. PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt rushed to New Zealand to resolve the issue and met with the team management and the two contenders besides senior players of the team.

“I have had detailed discussions in New Zealand regarding the captain and vice-captain and am pleased to say that everyone has fully endorsed this decision,” said Butt. “The decision has been made by the mutual consent of the team management and players.”

Qadir backs PCB tactics

Former Test cricketer Abdul Qadir has backed the PCB’s decision to delay the announcement saying the board did so in the best interest of the team. “We should respect the board’s strategy as it was aimed in the team’s interest, “ Qadir told The Express Tribune. “Afridi was not performing when the PCB deferred its announcement so they waited and kept an eye on Misbah who led the team from the front in the Test series.

“Eventually, Pakistan had claimed an impressive series win in one-dayers under Afridi, and now he has been rightly retained as the team leader,” said Qadir. “There is no point in criticising the PCB and it is high time that all of us former cricketers join hands to support the Pakistan team.”

‘PCB created unnecessary confusion’

In contrast, former captain Moin Khan said the board created unnecessary controversy by delaying the decision. “The board created unnecessary controversy and speculation, and should have made its decision along with the team announcement,” said Khan, while supporting Afridi as captain for the World Cup.

“It was logical to retain Afridi as captain after the team clinched One-Day International series in New Zealand after 17 years.”

Rashid Latif, another former Pakistan skipper, was also impressed with Afridi’s captaincy and expressed his satisfaction with the appointment. “Afridi has shown a lot of commitment as captain which is very important.”

Intikhab retained as team manager

Former Test player Intikhab Alam has been retained as the manager when the PCB announced the team management for the World Cup.

Alam, who made a comeback in the series against South Africa last November, is offering his services in New Zealand. Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis who is contracted till the World Cup will be coaching the side.

The tour selection committee will be headed by Alam and will include the coach, captain and the vice-captain.

Former pacer Aaqib Javed will accompany the team as a bowling consultant, while Shahid Aslam has been named as the assistant team manager. Other members of the team management include Dr Faisal Hayat (physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Mohammad Talha Ejaz (analyst), Mohammad Akhtar (masseur) and Wasim Ahmed (team security manager).