Mohsin lauds Cheema’s efforts after win

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Selector Mohsin Khan said that the selection committee achieved the target of finding a talented paceman as the team won the one-off Test against Zimbabwe by seven wickets.

Mohsin said the win was a result of team work and praised debutant fast-bowler Aizaz Cheema, who celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday and claimed eight wickets on a pitch where other pacemen suffered. “I won’t rate the win as a huge achievement,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune. “The win wasn’t against a top-class team but we have achieved our target of finding a fast-bowler who can support the other pacers.”

Pakistan’s decision to rest the pace duo of Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz drew criticism from various former cricketers but the chief selector said the decision was taken in the team’s interest and it proved a useful one.

“This tour was the best opportunity for youngsters and they justified our decision especially Cheema. I watched each of his deliveries and he impressed me with his fitness and commitment.”

Rues missed opportunity by batsmen

However, Mohsin rued missed opportunities of scoring centuries by captain Misbahul Haq (66), Azhar Ali (75) and Younus Khan (88) in the first-innings.

“They should have converted their innings into centuries,” he said while praising the performance of man-of-the-match Mohammad Hafeez before warning the team of complacency in the upcoming limited-overs series.

“Zimbabwe will be tough in that format and the team should not take the hosts lightly.”

Zaheer impressed with comeback

Former captain Zaheer Abbas said he was delighted to see the team fight back and win the match.

“Pakistan had an ordinary start to the Test match, which seemed to be heading towards a dull draw after a good show by the hosts,” he said. “The way the team made their comeback was a very good sign.”

PCB not to take legal action against NZ brewery

Following the withdrawal of an advertisement of an alcoholic drink in New Zealand that took a dig at Pakistani cricketers over match-fixing scandals, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it does not intend to pursue the matter any further.

The Moa Brewing Co. had launched the ad campaign dubbed “The Moa Pakistani Backhander”, which detailed an offer to consumers for one free case of beer for every 10 purchased, and likened the deal to numerous incidents involving match-fixing scandals featuring the Pakistan cricket team.

“Pakistanis love cricket and they love making money. Sometimes they combine the two with a good old Pakistani Match Fix so that the Black Caps get to win a game and the Pakistanis get a big cheque from the TAB,” the online brewery advert had stated.

“It’s a win-win all round and we here at Moa love the business principles behind it, which is why we’re offering a Pakistani Backhander of our own.”

“So, for every 10 cases of Moa ordered, the contact person who does the ordering, that’s you, gets 10 per cent of the match fee – a free case of Moa beer for themselves that we don’t tell anyone about… “Is this ethical? No. Is it Pakistani? Yes!” it added.

Responding to media reports about the advertisement, The PCB said in a statement that it “finds the report very disturbing,” and contacted New Zealand Cricket in this regard.

“The PCB has been advised that the said advertisement was taken off air less than 24 hours of its launch. It is rather unfortunate that the advertising company became insensitive to the feelings of the Pakistani nation while airing their ad, which is not only unethical but also disrespectful,” the statement said.

“However, after the assurance from New Zealand Cricket, PCB is does not intend to pursue the matter any further,” it added.

Pakistan cricket, the known cricket for its victory and talent! It has produced many legendary cricketers. Pakistan has lot fruit to come in future. The remarkable victory of world cup, that Pakistan won in year 1992 due to the uncountable hard work of the excellent players of our national team. Our superb hero Imran khan is the role model for all the upcoming players. Not last in the race are some of the essential name inzamaam ul haq, Abdul razaaq, waseem akhtar and lot more that has to be mentioned as they are the pride of Pakistan cricket.

The era of ruling cricket world will be revised by Pakistan, lot changes are take-in place. The ex players are being motivator for the fresh arrivals. Domestic cricket is recognized and bullied by the chairman of PCB. Every player and associated member is putting in best efforts to bring back the image of Pakistan cricket as it was in the year 1992. Though, Pakistan did not do well in the 1996 although they tried their best efforts. The world cup of 2011 was great, they did really well. Now they need to buck up little more seriously to rule international grounds. Pakistan Cricket team captain Shahid Afridi said the players needed to look up their fielding to get close to a victory and if they want to stay in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2011.

He said the revolutionizing in batting line-up could be thought about, adding up the team requirements sustain from media and nation at this significant moment, as the team is going through difficult and crucial times.

Afridi stressed that Fielding plays a very important role towards wining of game; accordingly, the players will have to improve and enhance their skills and performance in fielding area. The leading batsman on the advisory note said if the spinners had bowled well, the match would not have been gone; however, the team is not downhearted and it will never be disappointed. They just need to focus upon the tactics to handle the situations well and play just game. And the men in green are capable enough to get to track line and win the match.

Highlights Pak vs Zim test day 4 (full)

Zimbabwe betrayed their rustiness at the Test level, undoing ten sessions of hard-earned parity by frittering eight second-innings wickets in 27.3 overs to leave Pakistan sniffing victory in Bulawayo. Pakistan's offspinners - Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez - were always going to be a factor on a strip dusting up after three days of inactivity, but Zimbabwe's nervous shot-making contributed to their downfall.

part 1 by mycricketvideos

part 2 by mycricketvideos

part 3 by mycricketvideos

Is Yousuf planning yet another comeback?

 
Contrary to reports that Mohammad Yousuf has decided to retire from international cricket the experienced batsman is hoping to make his comeback, a senior Lahore cricket official told ‘The News’ on Friday.

Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) president Khawja Nadeem has disclosed that Yousuf has decided to play in the domestic season for his regional team.

“I have been in contact with Yousuf and he is returning on September 11 with a positive frame of mind and will be taking part in domestic tournaments,” said Nadeem.

“Yousuf feels that he can play at the top level for another year and so, which is why he has decided not to hang up his boots despite calls that he has crossed his peak years,” he said.

The 37-year-old, who has played 90 Tests and 288 One-day Internationals, last featured for Pakistan in 2010 against South Africa. He is currently playing for Lashings World XI and has scored some runs for them including a century.

Meanwhile, sources close to Yousuf said that the departure of coach Waqar Younis is another reason why the former Pakistan captain is interested in making his international return.

According to the sources, Yousuf suspects that he has been overlooked for national duty because Waqar is not in favour of bringing him back. But since Waqar has decided to quit after the ongoing tour of Zimbabwe, Yousuf is hopeful that he will soon be able to revive his international career.

Meanwhile, one of the selectors has said that Yousuf can get back into contention if he can prove his form and fitness just like Misbah-ul-Haq has done to silence his critics. But he made it clear that there are no guarantees for Yousuf as players like Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal have done well in his absence.

Yousuf did take part in the domestic one-day competition and scored three consecutive half-centuries to prove his form and fitness but was still overlooked mainly because of his poor fielding.

In the meantime, this correspondent asked the LCCA president whether there is any truth that the current PCB chief Ijaz Butt will be contesting presidential elections from Lahore region, he replied in the negative.

“There is not truth in such reports. Until now, these are just rumours and I know nothing about it. We haven’t heard any such thing from the PCB headquarters.

“All of this came up in media before Eid. My tenure is up to 2013 and I would like to complete it.”