I will continue playing cricket with my fans: Amir

Banned Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir plans to stay in London until the Scotland Yard makes a decision in the spot-fixing case and will be playing cricket local parks over there, a private news channel reported on Tuesday.

Amir, who was hopeful of a reduction in his sentence, said that he was not barred from playing cricket with his fans and would continue to interact with them.

The fast bowler said that he was imparting bowling tips to children and would also set up an academy in the future.

I’m still available for Pakistan: Azhar Mahmood

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood claimed that he was still fit enough to represent the national side and was puzzled that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had not included him in their plans.
“I’m always available for Pakistan. I haven’t retired yet. There’s nothing like playing for your home country. A lot of people have been asking me if I want to play for England. It’s like a bubble in the air. If the opportunity comes I will take it,” Mahmood told the cricketer.com.
Mahmood, who last appeared in national colours during Pakistan’s humiliating defeat to Ireland at the 2007 World Cup, has been playing county cricket in England for several years and believes he still has what it takes to be a the top level.
Mahmood said it was frustrating because the Pakistan Cricket Board never explained why he wasn’t in its plans.
“It was tough missing so much cricket. People said I wasn’t fit and had put on weight. It was just a media thing. I’ve played county cricket for nine years and I’ve proved my fitness.
“In the few chances I got for Pakistan, I wasn’t given the new ball, I was batting at No.6, or below. It’s tough when you have only the last 3-4 overs to bat.”
Mahmood enjoyed a promising start to his test career, scoring 900 runs at an average of 30 from just 21 matches but it was in the ODI arena that he excelled with both bat and ball. He picked up 123 wickets and scored 1521 runs in his limited-overs career but played in an era when Pakistan had plenty of all-round options in Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.
The 36-year-old recalled how he was offered the captaincy at 25, but turned it down because of his inexperience.
“In 2000, Gen Tauqir Zia (the then PCB chairman) took me aside and said, “you’re the next Pakistan captain. I said : no, make Waqar (Younis) the captain.”
“That was the biggest mistake I made in my life.”
“The captaincy wasn’t offered for a long term. I saw no point having it for one tour alone.”

PCB asked to lift selector Ilyas' suspension

A PCB disciplinary committee has recommended the board lift the suspension on selector Mohammad Ilyas. Ilyas, a former Pakistan batsman, had earlier been suspended and served two showcause notices for his role in the dispute involving Shahid Afridi's conditional retirement and appearing on a TV show with banned cricketer Salman Butt.
Ilyas was asked to appear before a disciplinary committee and explain his appearance on a TV show - Butt was a panelist on it - in which he responded to criticism levelled at him by Afridi. He was found to have violated clauses 8 and 9 of his PCB contract. Under ICC rules, no board member is allowed to interact with a banned player, in this case Butt, who was punished by the ICC for his alleged role in the spot-fixing controversy.
"Mr Ilyas was asked to explain the reasons for his recent conduct. He mentioned that he should have sought permission from PCB before appearing in a talk show," a release issued by the PCB stated. "Mr Ilyas said that he felt he had to defend his honour after being subjected to accusations of a personal nature. The committee noted that Mr Ilyas had responded to personal comments made against him but had not criticised the PCB, its management, or its policies.
"The committee issued a short order in which it recommended that PCB issue a warning to Mr Ilyas to exercise caution while dealing with the media in the Future. The committee also recommended that PCB lift Mr Ilyas's suspension. A detailed order will be issued at a later date."
Afridi had specifically and personally criticised Ilyas after announcing his conditional retirement from the game as part of his blitz against the board. An incensed Ilyas felt compelled to respond with his own attacks against Afridi and was duly issued with a showcause notice, in which the board said he had violated the code of conduct applicable to officials.
Afridi and Ilyas have a history: Ilyas has often opposed the selection of Afridi in the side but that opinion has ballooned in recent months. Afridi accused Ilyas of promoting his son-in-law Imran Farhat, while Ilyas responded by saying Afridi had pushed unfairly and persistently for Ahmed Shahzad, Fawad Alam and Shahzaib Hasan.

Abdul Razzaq 2 Wickets vs Nottinghamshire

ICC annual conference: Gather support to block ICC’s move, says Mani

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani has said that Pakistan can still save the current rotational system – of appointing the governing body chief – from being removed ahead of the Full Council meeting that takes place tomorrow.

A decision on doing away with the rotational policy of appointing ICC presidents and amendment to the constitution, that bars government’s intervention in cricket affairs, will be key agendas of the meeting tomorrow which will also bring down curtains on the ICC annual conference in Hong Kong.

Under a new proposal, the Executive Board will decide the process and term of office, subject to certain qualification criteria, removing the current rotational system and fixed tenure of appointment

If approved, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh, who are next in line for presidency, will be affected.

Although both countries have hinted at opposing the move, their rejection will not be enough to block the proposal.

However Mani, who was the ICC president from 2003 to 2006, urged the PCB to gather support from the Full Members in order to block the resolution.

“The PCB still has time to block the resolution,” Mani told The Express Tribune.

“They should gather support from the other ICC Full Members especially the Australia, England and Sri Lanka boards.

“It’s an Indian board conspiracy and I’m surprised why other boards haven’t raised their voice against the proposal yet. The change will bring uncertainty within the organisation and will result in rift among the member countries.”

The PCB has already served a legal notice to the ICC on constitutional amendment aimed at avoiding undue government interference, but the former ICC chief was not convinced with the Pakistan board’s decision  .

“The best way to oppose unwelcomed proposals is to gather support. Legalising the matter won’t help much.”

Minnows included in 2015 World Cup

Paving the way for Associate Members, the ICC has reversed its previous decision and approved a 14-team format for the 2015 World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

The decision came on the opening day of the two-day meeting of the ICC Executive Board in Hong Kong yesterday.

The continuation of a 12-team format for the ICC World Twenty20 events in 2012 (Sri Lanka) and 2014 (Bangladesh) has also been approved.

It was also confirmed that the World Cup in 2019 would be a 10-team event with the top eight in the ICC rankings earning their qualification automatically.

The remaining two places will be decided by a qualification competition.

The Executive Board has also approved recommendations regarding the Decision Review System, revised format for one-dayers and prohibiting use of runners.