Misbah's performance crucial for upcoming South Africa series: Waqar

Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis has said that the performance of new Test captain, Misbahul Haq, will be important in the forthcoming series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Former Test skipper Waqar also noted that Misbah had the experience of captaining at the domestic level, the Daily Times reported.

"That will help him, but more than that I think his individual performance will matter a lot for him and the team," he added.

The Pakistan coach had made it clear at the hearing of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Sports this week that he was not consulted by the PCB over the appointment of Misbah as Test captain.
He said that Salman Butt, who is currently under provisional suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over spot-fixing allegations, had done a good job as Test captain on the recent tour to England.
"He (Salman) will be missed in the coming series," the coach added.
Waqar pointed out that Pakistan would have the benefit over South Africa in the upcoming series, as the conditions in the UAE were similar to those at home.
"That is an edge for us but South Africa remain a very dangerous and experienced side and it will be a big challenge for our players," he added.
Waqar, who will supervise a conditioning camp in Lahore to prepare his team for the full series, said he had opted for a short camp keeping in mind that the players had been playing a lot of cricket, and he did not want them fatigued before the important series.
He also said that Pakistan would depend a lot on their spinners in the coming Test series because of the conditions, adding that it was good to have three quality spinners in the line-up.
The selectors have picked leg spinners Danish Kaneria, Abdul Rehman and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal for the two Tests

PCB has lost confidence of ICC, Test nations: Mani

Following a ‘clean up your act’ warning issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), former ICC president Ehsan Mani has said that the PCB has lost the confidence of the ICC and Test playing nations. “The ICC announcement after its Executive Board meeting in Dubai is the most damning and disgraceful indictment of the PCB. The ICC’s message is loud and clear: that the conduct of the PCB has been unacceptable and the PCB no longer has the confidence of the ICC or the other Test nations,” Mani said on Wednesday.

Mani, who is a strong critic of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and his cronies, said the PCB affairs and in particular its governance had to be sorted out. Commenting on the ICC meeting, Mani said: “The ICC does not trust the PCB to carry out the reforms required and has extended the terms of reference of the ICC Task Force to oversee that the reforms are in fact carried out. That in the event the PCB fails to carry out the recommendations of the ICC Task Force, the ICC will consider sanctions against Pakistan, this could mean the suspension of the PCB as an ICC Member and possibly suspension of international cricket for Pakistan.” Mani said in over 20 years of involvement with international cricket he had never seen such a strong reprimand to a country by the ICC. “This is a shameful reflection on the PCB,” he concluded.

Faysal Bank T20 Final Karachi Dolphins Vs Lahore Lions

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PART 4

Nation longs for international cricket in Pakistan: Yusuf

LAHORE: Mohammed Yusuf, captain of National T20 Championship team Lahore Lions, has said nation wants international cricket to be played in Pakistan, Geo News reported.
This he said to a press conference along with the player of the final match of the tournament Abdul Razzaq.
Lauding efforts of all teammates, Yousuf said credit for being crowned of the champions of National T20 tournament goes to all players.
On the occasion, Abdul Razzaq said upcoming series against South Africa will not be as difficult as anticipated, adding that national T20 tournament provided great practice for the series ahead.
Urging for the need of the practice of ODI format of cricket, Razzaq said more ODI matches should be played for preparations of World Cup next year.

'PCB constitution does not demand selection input from captain or coach'

Pakistan chief selector Mohsin Khan has hit back at ODI captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis over criticism that they were not consulted for selection of the squad for the forthcoming series against South Africa.
Khan said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) constitution does not state that the captain or the coach must be involved in the selection process.
"Let me clarify that it is not written down in the PCB constitution that the coach and captain must have a say in the selection of any squad," PakPassion.net quoted Khan, as saying.
"My selection committee and I were asked by the PCB management to select squads for the series against South Africa, so we did that."
"We were asked by the PCB management to select a squad at short notice, because of the logistics of the series in the UAE and the travel arrangements of the team had to be sorted out very quickly," he added.
Afridi had earlier fuelled speculation that he and the board were unhappy with each other.
"I make it a point to give the selectors my input because I am the one who has to get the desired results from my team on the field," Afridi had said in a television interview.
"I wanted 2-3 players other than Sohail Tanvir in the side. I will meet PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to discuss this," he added.
He also had to pay the price for speaking the truth, as the PCB pointed its guns at him for expressing his displeasure.
A PCB spokesman had disclosed that Afridi had been officially warned over his comments.
"It is not a show-cause notice but a written warning, asking Afridi to avoid giving statements on selection issues," the spokesman added.
Under the PCB code of conduct, players are forbidden to speak on selection matters, and are also not allowed to criticize the board's policies.
The 'home series' against South Africa would consist of two Test matches, five ODIs and a Twenty20 match