Thursday, June 9, 2011
SHAHID AFRIDI RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM COUNTRY’S TOP POLITICIAN NAWAZ SHARIF
The former One Day skipper of Pakistan, Shahid Afridi, after mass support from the people of Pakistan, has also received commendation from the country’s top politician, Nawaz Sharif.
Sharif, who is a staunch follower of the game, praised Afridi’s contributions towards the national team and insisted that the whole nation was behind the player.
“Afridi made great contributions in the world cup, he hoisted Pakistan’s flag on Indian soil and the Pakistan Cricket Board should respect him.” He said while talking to journalists at the Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore.
The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) appreciated the way the 31-year-old all-rounder had led the national team against all odds in the ICC world cup 2011.
Sharif insisted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should not forget that Afridi played a vital role with the ball, helping his team reach the semi-final of the mega event.
Afridi reached Pakistan on Sunday amidst huge support from the Pakistani public as well as some media persons and politicians.
Last week, the PCB revoked Afridi’s NOC to punish the player for his outburst against the board members and the chairman of the PCB, Ijaz Butt.
However, Afridi has reiterated that after his retirement from International cricket, it is unjustified on behalf of the PCB to revoke his NOC. The player needs to earn a living by playing domestic cricket at home and abroad.
The debacle took off when Afridi openly criticized the team management for meddling in team selection during the Caribbean tour, after which he was sacked by the PCB and replaced by Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq.
Later, Afridi bid farewell to international cricket and accused the Pakistan Cricket Board for disrespecting him, despite his contributions to cricket in the country.
Appointing a legal counsil, Afridi also filed a legal notice in the Sindh High Court against the punishments imposed on him by the PCB.
The PCB’s disciplinary committee had summoned Afridi today, June 8, however, according to his legal counsel, the Board has not followed the law of the country in this case.
Court ask PCB to file reply to Afridi's petition on NOC
the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by the board until June 16.
"We are now thinking about filing for damages for the loss of income of our client which is due to his being denied NOC to play for Hampshire," Ali Zafar, lawyer for Afridi, said.
Tafazzul Rizvi the PCB legal advisor told media that the court has made it clear they could not order the PCB to issue NOCs at this stage.
"We asked the court for time to file our detailed reply to the petition filed by Afridi and the court has said we should do it by June 16. We pointed out to the court that it had no jurisdiction to accept any petition in this case as Afridi had legally signed a central contract with the board under which disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against him," Rizvi said. Afridi, who is facing disciplinary action from the Board for unilaterally announcing his retirement and than making disparaging remarks about the Board and its officials, has challenged the constitution of the disciplinary committee and its proceedings.
Rizvi said all action against the former captain was according to the law and a procedure that Afridi had accepted in 2010 and appeared before the disciplinary committee of the board last year after the Australian tour.
Rashid urges PCB to include Afghanistan in domestics T20 event
Afghanistan cricket team coach Rashid Latif has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to include Afghanistan team in the forthcoming PCB domestic Twenty20 event. Talking to German radio Deutsche Welle here the other day, Rashid, who is also former Pakistan captain, thanked the PCB for inviting Afghanistan for three one-day matches which concluded against Pakistan A this weekend. “It was a good tour for both Pakistan and Afghanistan as we were the first foreign team touring Pakistan in two years. And at the same time Afghanistan cricketers learnt a lot from this trip because Pakistan A’s strength was equal to their national team. I am thankful to the PCB for arranging our first official tour and this trend should continue now. It will be better that the PCB allows at least one team from Afghanistan’s Kabul region in their Twenty20 Championship. It will bring more colour to Pakistan’ most popular cricket tournament,” Rashid added.
The PCB is going to hold the 8-team T20 competition later this month at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Although Afghanistan have got the one-day international status after finishing fifth in the World Cup qualifying round, still no Test playing team have played a single ODI against them.
But this does not bother Rashid at all. According to Rashid, who played 37 Tests and 166 one-day internationals for Pakistan, Afghanistan Cricket Board should arrange series against associate countries like Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Kenya. “If we perform well against those nations then definitely big cricketing nations will be willing to play T20 internationals against us. We should be focusing on this rather playing one-day matches against full members of the ICC at the moment,” he said.
The ICC Intercontinental Tournament is Afghanistan’s next assignment. About defending the Intercontinental title, Rashid said that players’ development was his priority at the moment. “I am working more on players development this time,” he said.
'Delighted at joining Wasim's former county'
Itching for county experience, Junaid Khan hasalready started the countdown to his stint with Lancashire as he awaits his UK visa.
Lancashire recently signed 21-year old Junaid for their Friends Life Twenty20 campaign after the fast-bowler’s impressive performance in Pakistan’s recent sweep against Ireland in the two-match One-Day International (ODI) series. The county was previously led by Pakistan great Wasim Akram and Junaid is looking forward to playing for the same team.
In his heyday, Akram spent 11 seasons with the side and now young- blood Junaid is counting much on his county appearance in a bid to follow the footsteps of the legendary fast bowler.
“I’m extremely delighted at joining Lancashire,” Junaid told The Express Tribune. “It’s a great honour for me to play for the same side that the great Akram has also played with.
“I always wanted to emulate Akram and my contract is a huge boost to my career,” said Junaid.
“I’m only awaiting the UK visa and will not waste a single day to join the side.”
Valuable experience
Still in the initial stages of his international career, Junaid hopes that county exposure will help polish his skills.
“Nearly all great cricketers have played county cricket and I’m also hoping to get valuable experience.
“It’s the start of my career and I aim to work on my weaknesses during the county exposure,” said Junaid who has played seven ODIs for Pakistan.
Oozing with confidence
Meanwhile, the left-arm pacer said he was confident of doing well due to favourable conditions for seamers.
“The English conditions favour fast-bowlers and keeping that in mind, hopefully I’ll be able to give my best.
“My strength is seam bowling. There’s all for a bowler like me in English conditions. This is what happened against Ireland as well – where conditions suited me and I performed well.”
Junaid, however, remains concerned about his show at dead pitches like the one he faced in the West Indies where he struggled in both the ODI and Test series.
“I faced problems in the West Indies where there was a little or no support for seamers. I’m working hard and trying to be productive on such tracks,” he said while lauding former bowler and assistant coach Aaqib Javed for his assistance.
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