Wasim Akram offers to help Junaid, Wahab during World Cup

Former skipper Wasim Akram has offered his services to the Pakistan team management in the World Cup to help groom two left-arm pacers in the side — Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz.

Akram, considered to be one of the best left-arm fast bowlers in the history of cricket, has been spending time with the Pakistani players and chief coach Waqar Younis in Sri Lanka.

“Yes I have told Waqar and Shahid Afridi that I am available to help Wahab and Junaid whenever they want me because I have a lot of spare time on hand in Sri Lanka,” he told the Geo Super channel.

Akram, now a noted TV commentator and cricket expert, said so far he has not seen rookie pacer Junaid bowling but heard good things about him from the coach and captain.

“I love working with the younger bowlers especially if they are left armers. I would love to help the Pakistan team in this World Cup by working with Wahab and Junaid,” he added.

The legendary pacer said it was a wrong impression that while he had time to help out Indian bowlers, Irfan Khan and Zaheer Khan, he didn’t give time to the Pakistani youngsters.

“It is a totally wrong impression because I conducted a fast bowling camp two years back for the Pakistan board and Muhammad Aamer was among the trainees in that camp. When I have time I have no issues helping out our players and passing them on some of my own experiences,” he said.

Akram said he doesn’t think that reverse swing would be of any effective in this World Cup.

“The ball is changed after 34 overs and between the 40th and 50th overs I think bowlers must now depend a lot on slow yorkers, bouncers and variation in length. You must keep the batsmen thinking all the time,” he said.

“The good thing is that Paksitan have quality spinners, all-rounders as well as good pace bowlers in this World Cup,” he noted.

Akram said he expected enigmatic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to fire in the showpiece event despite reports of him not being fully fit doing the rounds.

“I think Shoaib will do something because even he knows this is the swansong for him on such a major platform. I think he himself is eager to deliver for the team and if he is used properly in short spells he can be a match winner for the team.”

I am determined to clear my name, says Mohammad Asif

KARACHI: Banned Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif says he is determined to clear his name from the spot-fixing scandal that shook world cricket last year.

Asif along with former Test captain Salman Butt and young pacer Mohammad Aamer was handed out bans by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their involvement in a spot-fixing scandal during the Lord's Test last year. The three cricketers are also facing criminal charges in England.

The 28-year-old Asif, who had earlier served a one-year ban for doping, said he was disappointed with the five-year ban imposed on him and was determined to get his career back on the track.

"I'm bitterly disappointed with the verdict that was announced in Doha. I am determined to totally clear my name and to get back to what I love doing and that is playing cricket for my country," Asif was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net.

Asif said it was painful for him to be miss the ongoing World Cup.

"It's tough watching the boys on television and not being part of the team. I find it really painful to watch and it really hurts that I'm not there at the World Cup with my team mates. It's every cricketer's dream to take part in the World Cup. It would have been an absolute honour to wear the green ofPakistan and help the boys bring the trophy home," he said.

Asif, who equalled Pakistan coach Waqar Younis' record of getting 100 wickets in just 20 Tests, said he was willing to reveal everything, but at an appropriate time.

"When the time is right, I will be prepared to speak to anybody regarding the spot-fixing accusations, I have nothing to hide regarding the matter and I would welcome the opportunity to talk about the accusations in full detail."

The website also reported that the Sheikhupura born paceman was contemplating to appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) to clear his name.

"Asif will definitely be going to the Court of Arbitration of Sport in Lausanne. He was very disappointed with the verdict in Doha and wants to clear his name and prove to everyone that he was an innocent party in events at Lord's against England last summer," the website quoted a source close to the bowler.

Read more: I am determined to clear my name, says Mohammad Asif - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/interviews/I-am-determined-to-clear-my-name-says-Mohammad-Asif/articleshow/7554454.cms#ixzz1EoO3UNHR

Need to come hard against Sri Lanka: Afridi

HAMBANTOTA (Sri Lanka): Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is undoubtedly a happy man after crushing Kenya in their opening match of the World Cup but said his side will have to come out all guns blazing against Sri Lanka in their next group A game on Saturday.

Pakistan on Wednesday opened their World Cup campaign in style, thrashing a lowly Kenya by 205 runs.

"It is a good start but we need to be more positive while batting. We need to give a positive start to the innings. The conditions were harder today but atleast we should have taken some chance after seeing off the first 5 overs," Afridi said after the match.

He cautioned his teammates against complacency ahead of their next game against mighty Sri Lanka in Colombo two days later.

"The next game is very important for us. We will have to come out harder on Sri Lanka," Afridi said.

The skipper also praised veteran pacer Shoaib Akhtar for his misery opening spell during which he bowled five overs for just 10 runs but failed to pick up a single wicket.

"It is good to see Shoaib (Akhtar) bowl really well with the new ball," Afridi said.

His counterpart Jimmy Kamande did not hide his disappointment after Kenya slumped to its second successive demoralising defeat in the World Cup.

Kenya earlier lost by 10 wickets to New Zealand in its tournament-opener.

"We are not performing at all. We gave away a lot of extras. Our bowling was 70 per cent there today but the same thing happened with the batting which happened in our previous game," a disappointed Kamande said.

"We have to play positive cricket in the rest of the matches. We are gonna try hard and try to improve," he added.

Man of the match Umar Akmal, who scored a 52-ball 71 in the middle-order and helped Pakistan pile 317 for seven, hoped to continue his good showing in the coming matches of the tournament.

"I played this sort of an innings after a long time. I was working hard at the nets and it paid off. The captain, coach and the entire also supported me.

"I hope to continue my performance in the future matches of the World Cup," Akmal said.

HAMBANTOTA (Sri Lanka): Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi is undoubtedly a happy man after crushing Kenya in their opening match of the World Cup but said his side will have to come out all guns blazing against Sri Lanka in their next group A game on Saturday.

Pakistan on Wednesday opened their World Cup campaign in style, thrashing a lowly Kenya by 205 runs.

"It is a good start but we need to be more positive while batting. We need to give a positive start to the innings. The conditions were harder today but atleast we should have taken some chance after seeing off the first 5 overs," Afridi said after the match.

He cautioned his teammates against complacency ahead of their next game against mighty Sri Lanka in Colombo two days later.

"The next game is very important for us. We will have to come out harder on Sri Lanka," Afridi said.

The skipper also praised veteran pacer Shoaib Akhtar for his misery opening spell during which he bowled five overs for just 10 runs but failed to pick up a single wicket.

"It is good to see Shoaib (Akhtar) bowl really well with the new ball," Afridi said.

His counterpart Jimmy Kamande did not hide his disappointment after Kenya slumped to its second successive demoralising defeat in the World Cup.

Kenya earlier lost by 10 wickets to New Zealand in its tournament-opener.

"We are not performing at all. We gave away a lot of extras. Our bowling was 70 per cent there today but the same thing happened with the batting which happened in our previous game," a disappointed Kamande said.

"We have to play positive cricket in the rest of the matches. We are gonna try hard and try to improve," he added.

Man of the match Umar Akmal, who scored a 52-ball 71 in the middle-order and helped Pakistan pile 317 for seven, hoped to continue his good showing in the coming matches of the tournament.

"I played this sort of an innings after a long time. I was working hard at the nets and it paid off. The captain, coach and the entire also supported me.

"I hope to continue my performance in the future matches of the World Cup," Akmal said.

Read more: Need to come hard against Sri Lanka: Afridi - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/news/Need-to-come-hard-against-Sri-Lanka-Afridi/articleshow/7557713.cms#ixzz1EoF4sW8H

Pakistan crush Kenya to make flying start in WC

HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan outclassed Kenya by a huge margin of 205 runs in their opening World Cup Group A match here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday. Set an improbable target of 318 runs, Kenya were bundled out for a mere 112 runs in 33.1 overs. Captain Shahid Afridi was the main destroyer capturing five wickets for only 16 runs while Umar Gul claimed two for 12 and Mohammad Hafeez took one for 26. Collins Obuya was the main scorer for Kenya with 47 as only three other top order batsmen could enter into double figures. Earlier, captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat but Pakistan made a disastrous start losing both their openers in seven overs. Mohammad Hafeez was the first to go, failing to keep a drive down as a diving Seren Waters picked up a beautiful catch at short mid-wicket. Two overs later, Ahmed Shahzad, who scored his first run after 13 deliveries, was caught by skipper Jimmy Kamande off Odoyo to leave Pakistan struggling at 12-2. However, wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan came to rescue and revived the innings through a solid 98-run stand. Kamran made 55, his ninth ODI fifty and Younis scored 50, his 40th ODI fifty. Later, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal gave the innings the final flourish with a rapid fire 118-run stand for the fifth wicket adding 118 runs for the fifth wicket partnership. Misbah hit 65 from 69 balls with two sixes. This was his 13th ODI half-century. Umar Akmal, playing his first World Cup match, reached his seventh ODI fifty. He top scored with a 52-ball 71 with eight fours and a six. This was the fourth half century in Pakistan innings. Afridi made just seven runs and was dismissed lbw by Odoyo who finished with 3-41, conceding 20 in wides in a total of 46 extras.

http://www.geo.tv/2-23-2011/78654.htm

Points to ponder for Team Pakistan

It will need more than just ‘jazba and junoon’ for Pakistan to achieve success in the 2011 World Cup. It will require a unity of purpose from each of the Pakistani players and positive support from the entire nation. So what do I mean by the phrase “unity of purpose”?

It’s a combination of self-belief, courage, passion, skill and sacrifice in the face of a great challenge. Like hope and endurance, unity also remains latent inside of us, waiting to be rekindled by a spark. In today’s game against Kenya, Shahid Afridi should remind his team of the unlikely and inspiring lessons of unity from the years gone past.

For example, in 1992 after a disastrous start to the World Cup, most of the cricketing world had predicted Pakistan would be wiped out even before the semi-finals. Yet Imran Khan’s largely inexperienced side found their unity of purpose as they came back from the dead to beat England in an historic final in Melbourne. Crucially, the captain and the team did not allow fear of failure to paralyse them.

Another example is from when I was a boy and my father told me the famous story about AH Kardar’s ‘no hope’ side which ‘Fazal-ed’ and shocked England at the Oval in 1954 during Pakistan’s first-ever official Test tour. Again, despite the cynics and sceptics, Pakistan pulled another historic upset against the country which invented cricket. A more recent example of the power of unity is when Younus Khan’s 2009 team lifted the T20 World Cup at Lord’s against Sri Lanka.

All of Pakistan’s greatest victories have come when their backs have been against the wall. That is, when they play like ‘cornered tigers’. And this brings me to the build-up of the 2011 World Cup. No Pakistani team has ever faced the scale of hardships that Shahid Afridi’s team has. Since the disappointing 2007 World Cup, the players and fans have been on a rollercoaster ride — without any seatbelts. Bad law and order situation, the spot-fixing scandal and natural disasters have all occurred during this time. The Pakistan team is no longer able to play matches at home and with the security concerns still an issue, most nations would consider a sporting event in their own neighbourhood to be of secondary importance to their peace of minds. Not Pakistan.

That’s because cricket runs in the blood, swims in the soul and dances in the dreams of close to 175 million Pakistanis. Three-fifths of these cricket Junoonis are under the age of 25. Many of the younger players like Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal, represent the potential of Pakistani youth. They have grown up in a Pakistan that is radically different from the past — one that is tough and street-fighter-like — and they partake of that ethos.

Here are some points to ponder for the team and its fans: a) Not playing at home can be a blessing in disguise as it will shield Pakistan from the unrealistic expectations and noise of the media, fans, friends and families. b) They should memorise Iqbal’s couplet: “Baad-e-mukhalif say na ghabra, Aye uqaab, yeh tau chalti hai tairey oonchee uraan kay liye” and Ghalib’s “mushkilain mujh par pari itni kay aasan ho gain”. c) Pakistan’s unpredictably is its strong point since that makes it difficult for other teams to figure out our game plan. d) The best Pakistani cricket performance is usually akin to a great qawwali concert: Completely improvised and achieving a state of ‘fana’. e) The worst performance is like that of a punk band which plays out of tune, out of rhythm, loud and self destructive. My advice to the team would be to listen to lots of qawwali music and focus on the ball.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/122269/points-to-ponder-for-team-pakistan/