Saturday, June 18, 2011
"County Cricket a Great Opportunity for Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan" : Mohammad Akram
This summer in England a number of Pakistani cricketers such as Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal have been provided with the opportunity to play county cricket. Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net former Pakistani pacer Mohammad Akram who himself played many years on the county circuit for the likes of Surrey and Northamptonshire spoke on what the players should look forward to and also how the players should be managed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
It is always great to get such an opportunity to play county cricket whether you are from India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. It is a very good format, especially for young players. I recommend youngsters come and play here for at the most 2 years as they will learn a lot. As a youngster when you come into the Pakistan squad you do not know anything about ‘real’ cricket and how to deal with different cultures and different people in a new environment. It helps your cricket as well, and you become much more mentally stronger.
The big difference between county cricket and the Pakistani domestic cricket is that county it is much more organised. I liken it to Premier League Football. Every cricketer has a dream to play county cricket before or after international cricket. Not only is it more organised, it is more competitive and there is obviously more money involved for the players.
Looking at the quick young bowlers in Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan who have both recently joined the county circuit I would tell them that they have been given a great opportunity to learn cricket. At the same time it is a great opportunity to be ambassadors and show the world how ‘nice’ the people of Pakistan are. I am really happy several Pakistanis are playing county cricket, but they must realise this is a responsibility to enhance our image.
The other advice I would say is give your all for 1-2 years and learn as much as possible. Use what you have learnt and pass on this knowledge to your fellow Pakistani cricketers and developing young cricketers.
With regards to players perhaps revealing their secrets playing in county such as Saeed Ajmal who has come to play at Worcestershire, I do not think that there is anything to hide nowadays. Everything is revealed. There are so many cameras involved in cricket. With the case of Saqlain Mushtaq's career I would look at it from a different angle and would point the blame at the PCB. Myself, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed and Azhar Mahmood, we all played county cricket as well. In those times we used to earn 30000 Rupees per test match so we had to play county cricket. Had the PCB took the initiative to ask Saqlain Mushtaq to stop playing county cricket and asked him “You are our national asset, we will pay you as much as county,” he could have played another 4-5 years for Pakistan. PCB does not care about these things.
I always say that recently retired cricketers should come on board the PCB. They understand these matters better. With Saeed Ajmal the PCB needs to speak with him and tell him that they will allow him to play for a year or two just for experience. They should offer him the money and say you should play for your national team as that is the pride.
I don’t have a problem with the central contracts and the way they are assigned to certain players based on seniority as this is the way it is done around the world. Now players are getting good money as compared with players from the 80s and 90s. As such what the PCB needs to impose is that you can only play a couple of years of county cricket. That’s it. They should not be allowed to play for more than 2 years as it especially takes its toll on bowlers. As a spinner you may be asked to bowl 30 overs in a day. That is a lot when you are playing 6-7 days of cricket every week.
I think moneywise players should be satisfied with what they are getting from the PCB. As far as I am aware of it, they are getting a lot of money and a lot of sponsorship. They should look to play for their country more than county cricket. County cricket should only be used for experience gaining.
On the batting front, apart from a handful we have barely produced world class batsmen. When you look at India, the batsmen are of a completely different mould. Some of our batsmen are only suitable to T20 cricket. You cannot rely on Pakistani batsmen in 4 day championship cricket. Counties would rather select Australian, Indian or South African batsmen than a Pakistani batsmen. We play our cricket in a completely different way which county does not require. We only have a few extraordinary cricketers of which Mohammad Yousuf is one of them or Younus Khan who is a very hard working cricketer.
Again I would say that playing county is not that important. Playing for your country is more important. If you do play for a county, a couple years and that should be it.
Pakistan working upon forming "T20 specialist" team for 2012 World Cup
Islamabad, June 18(ANI): Pakistan's Chief Selector Mohsin Khan has said that he has been working upon the formation of a 'separate specialised team' for the Twenty20 format of cricket.
"I want 70-80% of the Twenty20 squad for next year's World Cup to be made up of twenty over specialists," PakPassion.net quoted Mohsin, as saying.
"I've always been keen on having a "separate team" for the Twenty over format and that is something that we have been working upon and will continue to do so as the build up towards the World Cup carries on," he added.
The chief selector revealed that he would not just be casting a watchful eye over players in the upcoming domestic tournament to find some "hidden gems", but would also be monitoring the performances of Pakistani players in County cricket.
"The boys that are playing in the Friends Life Twenty20 competition in England are very lucky. They are playing in a competition with a high standard of cricket and my fellow selectors and I will be keeping a very close eye on their performances. It's good for Pakistan cricket that we have a number of our players playing County cricket this year," he said.
Apart from the generally accepted criteria of good match performances, Mohsin, unlike many of his predecessors, singled out fielding standards as a major factor in selection of future squads especially in the twenty-over format.
"The emphasis on fielding has never been greater. The players all know the importance of fielding standards and fitness levels. Those boys that are good in the field definitely have an advantage when it comes to selection," he maintained.
Zulqarnain available for selection after token fine from PCB
Unlike Shahid Afridi, run-away wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider has escaped with a meagre fine of Rs500,000 from the PCB and is now available for selection in the Pakistan team.
Zulqarnain arrived at the National Cricket Academy under police security and appeared before the PCB disciplinary committee, comprising Sultan Rana (chairman), Col. Wasim Ahmed and Khawaja Awais, on Wednesday.
PCB’s legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi assisted the committee.
The committee, which had fined Shahid Afridi Rs4.5 million on Thursday for criticising its officials, announced the fine for Zulqarnain before the media.
It also announced to keep Zulqarnain under observation for one year.
Zulqarnain preferred not to contest the case and admitted his mistake of leaving the national team in the UAE to catch a flight for London after allegedly receiving death threats during the series against South Africa last year.
While retaining the stand that he had received death threats, Zulqarnain said: “I took a wrong decision of leaving the team without intimating the team management. I should have informed someone.
“I did what I thought best at that time, but I later realised that was a wrong step.
“I will not repeat such action in future and I feel sorry for it.”
Asked the country faced embarrassment due to his actions, Zulqarnain said he felt sorry for it and wanted to close the
chapter.
He refuted the impression that someone was using him as he had given various statements in the British media, hinting that he would name various persons involved in match-fixing.
The wicket-keeper added that he would not offer comments on any legal aspect of the case and PCB’s lawyer was in a better position to do it.
“Now I only want to concentrate on my cricket,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sultan Rana said Zulqarnain appeared before the committee to defend himself against the allegations filed by the PCB director of international cricket, Zakir Khan.
He said Zulqarnain gave answers to the committee verbally and he felt guilty and apologised for his acts.
“Zulqarnain also told us that he didn’t want to contest the case and admitted he had realised his mistake.
“He also said he withdrew all the allegations and he would accept any decision of the committee,” Sultan Rana said.
While announcing the decision, Sultan said, “As Zulqarnain has already wasted one year due to this case and as his father is suffering from cancer, the committee has decided to fine him Rs500,000 and keep him under observation for one year.”
Sultan added that the wicket-keeper would be available for selection during the one year probation period.
He said the detailed order of the committee would be released in the next couple of days.
Afridi walks out a 'happy' man
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Shahid Afridi’s showdown ended after a disciplinary hearing, held yesterday, fined the former captain Rs4.5 million and reinstated the NOC that allows him to play in foreign leagues.
Afridi, who pleaded guilty on charges of breaching the PCB’s code of conduct and regretted his actions, escaped a possible ban due to his retirement from international cricket. The all-rounder appeared before the PCB’s internal hearing after he met with the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt and withdrew a petition – against sanctions imposed by the board – in the Sindh High Court.
The PCB had revoked his NOC to participate in foreign leagues and suspended his central contract after he announced his retirement that was conditioned on the removal of the current PCB set-up.
Following the sanctions, Afridi filed a petition and had a stay issued on the board’s internal hearing.
But after meeting the chairman, Afridi withdrew his petition and agreed to appear before the hearing.
After a five-hour long hearing, Afridi pleaded guilty and accepted the fine, confirmed the PCB’s legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi.
“Afridi regretted the matter and said he will not contest the charges,” Rizvi told reporters. “He explained his conduct for which he was suspended from the contract. The committee unanimously decided to fine him Rs4.5 million for various breaches of the central contract and the code of conduct.
“And since Afridi has accepted the penalty his NOC to play for Hampshire has been reinstated.”
Afridi welcomes decision
The all-rounder, who accepted the verdict, was a visibly happy man at the outcome of the dispute.
“The dispute had damaged a lot,” said Afridi. “I conveyed all the reasons and circumstances that led to my dispute and everything went nicely and amicably.
“I accept the penalty and I am happy that my NOC has been reinstated. As far as my retirement is concerned, I am in no mood to play international cricket right now.”
Afridi not sorry for mistakes
Afridi, who retired in protest after he was removed from the One-Day International captaincy, admitted his mistakes but added that circumstances forced him to make those decisions. “I admit I have made mistakes but I am not sorry for them because the circumstances forced me,” said Afridi after the first session of the meeting.
The all-rounder did not contest the suspension of his contract and had a one-point agenda — to have his NOC reinstated to play for Hampshire.
He confirmed that he is not available for Pakistan and he was there to take back his NOC.
“He only contested for the revoked NOC,” said Director Domestic Cricket Sultan Rana and a member of the panel that heard Afridi’s case.
“His central contract that was suspended still stands and assuming his retirement from international cricket we did not have to mull over a ban option.”
Shahid Afridi
“I admit I have made mistakes but I am not sorry for them because the circumstances forced me. I accept the penalty and I am happy my NOC has been reinstated. As far as my retirement goes, I am in no mood to play international cricket right now.”
Sultan Rana
“He only contested for the reinstatement of his NOC so he could play in the English county season. His central contract suspension still stands and assuming his retirement from international cricket we did not mull over a ban option.”
BCCI TO CONSIDER SIMON TAUFEL’S SUGGESTIONS FOR INDIA’S PROGRESS IN INTERNATIONAL UMPIRING
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to give a consideration to the international umpire, Simon Taufel’s, suggestions on improving the standards of umpiring in India.
The absence of Indian umpires in the International Cricket Council‘s (ICC) elite panel has emerged a huge matter of concern for the BCCI.
In order to tackle the worsening condition of umpiring in India, BCCI took an initiative and inked a contract with Cricket Australia (CA) a few years back.
According to the contract, CA is due to help BCCI in developing a system that ensures regular production of good umpires in India.
As a part of BCCI’s efforts to raise the standards of umpiring in the country, Taufel was invited to attend a seminar and deliver a lecture to 105 Indian umpires, who officiate during domestic cricket in the country.
“They need to be supported by practical training, a proper assessment system, and the knowledge that the best will get to the top," Taufel said of Indian first-class umpires.
He added, "Just like players who are dropped and promoted on the basis of performance, the umpires need to be rewarded or punished.”
Taufel suggested some valuable ideas to BCCI to perk up the umpiring standards in India. The Board has finally decided to do take serious action and discuss the proposals submitted by the great umpire.
The 40-year-old umpire is regarded as one of the best across the globe. He has officiated 67 Tests and 167 One Day Internationals in his 12-year-long umpiring career.
Furthermore, he has won five consecutive ‘ICC’s Umpire of the Year’ awards from 2004 to 2008.
The meeting of the Umpires’ sub-committee of the BCCI is scheduled to be held in Mumbai, today, June 18, 2011, and along discussing the names of Indian umpires for the elite panel, the members of the committee, former Indian skipper, S Venkataragahavan, former international umpires S K Bansal and AV Jayprakash, will also ponder over Taufel’s plan.
"Taufel has by far been the best international umpire for the past 10 years. He has given some valuable suggestions on the process of improving the standard of umpiring. The pros and cons of the proposal is likely to be discussed at the Umpires' Committee meeting on Saturday," said a BCCI source.
India still against Hawk-Eye for umpire challenges in England series
India have admitted that their refusal to use technology to assist umpiring decisions for the upcoming Test series against England is due to their refusal to accept Hawk-Eye's accuracy.
Indian cricket board officials reject the aid's predictive element even though Hawk-Eye claims an accuracy of under 25mm even in the most "extreme" lbw decisions and the evidence has convinced the International Cricket Council to implement the system worldwide.
The BCCI's president Shashan Manohar said: "I have told the ICC that we have no problem with Hot Spot. Our objection is to ball-tracking – it just becomes a case of someone else's imagination versus the umpire's imagination."
The assertion by a leading BCCI official that Hawk-Eye is based on "imagination" will hardly persuade the international cricketing fraternity that India are making a serious attempt to analyse the science behind it.
The Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS), which allows teams to challenge an umpire's decision, has been accepted by most leading nations and was in use at the World Cup, which was co-hosted and won by India. They, however, have been against the system from the time it was used on a trial basis in their series against Sri Lanka in 2008.
UDRS is increasingly credited in England with enhancing good umpiring, demanding greater player responsibility and removing flash-points. Without it England's four-Test series against India can look forward to some good, old-fashioned rows.
If anybody might change the BCCI's stance it is Sachin Tendulkar. Cynics suggest that he is resistant to the use of UDRS because the world's most celebrated batsman tends to get the benefit of the doubt in borderline decisions.
Not so. Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo: "I'm not against UDRS but I feel it will be more effective with the support of Snickometer and Hot Spot technology. This will give more consistent results."
The England and Wales Cricket Board's response to India's refusal has at best been measured, limited to a vague expression of disappointment. A spokesman said that England are "comfortable" with UDRS. As the ICC agreement stands, both countries must agree to the use of umpiring technology.
The ICC's cricket committee recommended last month that technological aids be universally adopted in international cricket and although there has been talk of enforcing this at the ICC annual meeting in Hong Kong this month, it would be a major surprise if India's lone stance was overturned or, indeed, if the ECB made a concerted attempt to force the issue.
Hawk-Eye claims that its system has an average error of only 5mm in "normal" instances of lbw appeals, with a maximum error of 15mm. This rises to under 25mm for "extreme" lbw appeals, for example when the batsman is well forward. The current protocol, therefore, allows a safety margin, ruling in favour of an umpire's original decision of 45mm.
None of this appeases India. If Tendulkar is adjudged leg-before at Lord's on 99 off a big inside edge, their view may change. Tendulkar might be sanguine, the rest of India might not.
CHRIS GAYLE WAS A MOTIVATION FOR MARLON SAMUELS DURING HIS BANNED DAYS
West Indian middle order batsman, Marlon Samuels, showed his gratitude towards fellow team member, Chris Gayle, recognizing his support during the former’s banned days.
Samuels declared that it was because of Gayle’s support that he remained focused and was able to bounce back from the phase of depression during his two year ban.
The West Indian was banned from playing cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after it was found that Samuels had a conversation with a bookie. It was during this wearisome stage that Gayle laid full support to him and the two became best friends.
Samuels said, “He was great motivation. Chris played a huge role in helping me stay focused during those two years, which eventually helped me to stay in tune with my game.”
The 30-year-old batsman found little friends when ICC forbade him from playing. Even his fans and former cricketers turned their backs on him and considered the batsman as a disgrace to West Indian cricket.
However, after having done his time, Samuels is back in the side and is looking solid as ever. In the recently concluded one-day series against the Indians, the batsman showed glimpses of brilliance but could not inspire his side to victory as they lost the event 3-2.
The middle order batsman scored 128 runs and averaged 32 in the ODI series against India.
Gayle and Samuels find each other on the flip side of the coin this time around. It is the right-hander who is playing and his best friend is sitting out in the audience.
The West Indian dynamite, Gayle, is at logger heads with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) after his controversial interview.
The 31-year-old was side-lined from the ODI series against India and as far as current progress is concerned it is believed that he will also be ignored for the Test series, which is scheduled to begin from June 20, 2011.
A WICB official said, “The comments made by him [Gayle] in the interview had created much ill-will with team management and unless there was a settling of differences, it would be difficult to see how the parties could harmoniously function.”
Samuels appeared to return the favour to Gayle. The batsman showed his support towards his friend when he ran towards him to celebrate the victory over India, after Kieron Pollard smashed the winning runs in the last ODI.
Domestic T20 Cup schedule announced, live telecast on Geo Super
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the schedule of domestic Twenty20 Cup here on Friday.
GEO Super will telecast all matches of the tournament live.
Eight teams will participate in the event, which will be played from June 24 to July 1 at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
All the eight teams have been divided in the following two groups.
Group A: Lahore Lions, Sialkot Stallions, Islamabad Leopards, Hyderabad Hawks. Group B: Faisalabad Wolves, Rawalpindi Rams, Karachi Dolphins, Multan Tigers.
The opening match will be played between Faisalabad Wolves and Multan Tigers on June 24 while the semifinals will be played on June 30 and the final will be held on July 1.
All matches of the Super Eight T20 Cup will be telecast live on Geo Super.
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