Tribe wants Afridi back as cricket captain

PESHAWAR, June 1: Reacting to the resignation of former cricket team captain Shahid Khan Afridi from international cricket, the elders of Khyber tribal region have demanded removal of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, elders of Afridi tribe led by Haris Khan Afridi said that resignation of Shahid Afridi was against the interests of the country.

They said that PCB had failed to select players on merit as all the decisions were taken by Ijaz Butt. The PCB usually selected players on basis of personal relations for international cricket team and sidelined experienced sportsmen, which was totally unfair and in violation of procedure and criteria, they alleged.

Owing to inexperienced sportsmen, they said, cricket morale of team was declining day by day. The selection on basis of favouritism and nepotism had caused a sense of deprivation among young and talented players, they said.

They alleged that PCB chairman created disputes among players since he had resumed charge of his office. Three captains had been changed during his three-year tenure, whereas the cricket team of neighbouring India was captained by Mahindra Singh Dhoni for the last five years.

The tribal elders claimed that cricket lovers were fans of Shahid Afridi as he was an honest and experienced player, who had never indulged in match fixing and kept the team united under his captaincy.

The unity and full concentration enabled the team to face its staunch rival India in the semi-final, they added.

They said the Shahid Afridi had tendered resignation owing to pressure from Ijaz Butt otherwise he wanted to play in the team. They demanded removal of PCB chairman and rejection of Afridi`s resignation.

The tribal elders threatened to launch a protest movement if government failed to remove PCB chairman.

Meanwhile, Afridi Students` Union also staged a protest demonstration against the resignation of Mr Afridi. The protesters termed the player an asset for the team.

Shahid Afridi takes Pakistan Cricket Board to court for suspending him

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi Tuesday began a court battle against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) when he filed a petition in the Sindh high court against the board's decision to suspend his central contract.

"On behalf of Shahid Afridi, we have filed a petition in the Sindh high court against the sanctions on our client and have appealed for a stay order against the sanctions," Afridi’s lawyer Mahmood Mandviwalla said.

Afridi returned home from London Sunday night after the PCB suspended his central contract and blocked his participation in the English Twenty20 event by revoking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted to him following the player’s outburst against the Board last week.

At a press conference here at the Karachi Press Club Monday, Syed Ali Zafar and Mahmood Mandviwalla of the legal firm Mandviwalla & Zafar contended that the PCB has violated article 10-A of the 18th amendment by 'punishing' Afridi without giving him a fair trial.

Flanked by his lawyers, Afridi was defiant at the crowded press conference as he vowed to fight for his rights.

"I'm not here to fight. I'm a cricketer and want to play cricket,” said the former Pakistan captain. "I want my rights. I want my NOC. I want justice,” he stressed.

Later Monday evening, Afridi called on the Sindh governor, who hailed the allrounder as a national hero.

“Shahid Khan Afridi is a national hero and his fame is not confined to the country,” said Sindh governor Ishratul Ebad when Afridi called on him at the Governor’s House. Sindh sports ministerMuhammad Ali Shah was also present on the occasion.

The governor said that matters pertaining to the players and the cricket board were purely a domestic affair and should be treated as such. He said that making such differences of opinion public not only marred the image of the national heroes but it also created a negative image of the cricket board.

Ebad said that right now all eyes were on Pakistan and “it is up to us to project a positive image of the country to the world”. He said that both the board and the players should create an environment of mutual trust and harmony.

Afridi withdraws case against PCB

KARACHI – Former skipper of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Khan Afridi on Wednesday withdrew the petition filed against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Counselling on behalf of the all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Mehmood Mandviwala Advocate appeared before a division bench comprising Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, and submitted an application to withdraw from Afridi’s petition.
Moving with the plea, the counsel submitted that both the parties have agreed for the settlement of the matter out of the court. The court granted his application. Afridi did not appear in court himself and was represented by his lawyer, who had moved with the plea to take the petition back.
Later, Afridi’s lawyer Mandviwala told the media representatives that his client has withdrawn the petition after the agreement between both the parties, and he has also decided to appear before the PCB’s disciplinary committee likely today (Thursday), wherein he will defend himself.
"We didn't want to go to court but were forced. Now I hope Afridi will get the NOC (no-objection certificate) and will be able to play in England and Sri Lanka," he added.
After withdrawal of the petition, the rift between the national cricket governing body and former captain Afridi ended. Afridi went to court after the PCB punished him for allegedly breaching a code of conduct by announcing his retirement after he was dumped as one-day captain, and for levelling allegations against the board.
It suspended his central contract and revoked all his no-objection certificates (NOCs). In his constitutional petition Afridi had challenged the PCB’s decision regarding imposition of ban and taking disciplinary action, while termed the disciplinary actions and show-cause notices issued by the PCB as illegal, and pleaded to restrain the board to do so.
The petitioner had expressed his dissatisfaction on the PCB’s three-member disciplinary committee, and stated that the committee had been formed with mala find intention. Chairman PCB and federal sport secretary were cited as respondents in the petition.
The petitioner had pleaded that the PCB’s decision regarding imposing of ban on him and revoking his no-objection certificate (NOC) be nullified, and restrain the board from taking other disciplinary actions.

PCB under fire for paltry allowances in Super Eight T20

KARACHI: The players participating in the ongoing Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 have blasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over a meagre daily allowance which has forced them to fulfill their daily needs from their own pockets.

All the teams participating in the event are being boarded at Serena Hotel in Faisalabad, which is very expensive, and the players are not impressed by PCB’s planning as they are being paid just Rs 750 daily.

“We can’t even afford proper refreshment from the daily allowance we are getting because if we order tea twice a day, it costs us Rs 700-800. Having lunch or dinner is out of question,” a Multan Tigers player told ‘The News’.

Meanwhile, another added that although the board has provided the players with a good stay, it counts for nothing because players cannot eat properly.

“I am not impressed by the poor planning of the PCB. They are terrible when it comes to boost our domestic cricket because they do not have any sort of vision on how to improve our domestic structure to attract top players of the country. Who would pay Rs 250 for a bottle of mineral water?” he said.

The complaints don’t end there as players are also paying more than they are getting for their laundry. Several players told ‘The News’ that they had given their clothes to the laundry and that cost them Rs 1000.

Top stars like Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Abdur Razzaq decided against playing in the T20 tournament and according to some players, their decision was right as the PCB is not good enough to facilitate them.

“I think people like Afridi, Razzaq and Ajmal did right by deciding to play in England because their allowance for a single day would be three times of what we will earn after playing the whole tournament,” a player of the Karachi Dolphins said.

The PCB has thought about introducing a top T20 league like the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt recently said that they are waiting to have the right expertise before which they will move forward with the league in which international players will also participate.

But the players and members of the team management rejected such plans as ridiculous.

“It is a joke that the PCB will introduce a lucrative league and international players would take part in it. One cannot see that happening in near future because the board has failed to satisfy its own domestic players while being unable to attract their centrally-contracted players in what is the biggest tournament of the country which is being beamed throughout the world,” said a player.

When ‘The News’ tried to contact Director Domestic Cricket Sultan Rana and Manager Umpires and Referees Shafiq Ahmed Papa over the matter, they did not receive the call.

Meanwhile, another senior player hit out at Dolphins’ sponsor Chawla Aluminum as they haven’t received even a single penny from them.

“The sponsors’ names are associated with us without any reason as they have not given a single penny to the players. The sponsors should understand their responsibility. They are more interested in their own publicity instead of facilitating the players of their team,” he said.

Home or away Afridi just wants to win

Hampshire attempt to break new boundaries at the Rose Bowl tonight.

South-coast rivals Sussex Sharks pay Giles White’s Royals a visit in the Friends Life t20 (7.10pm).

The two sides are locked in combat at the top of the south group, with the visitors ahead of the Royals courtesy of net run-rate alone.

Hampshire, though, are on a hot streak.

They have not been beaten in a t20 fixture on home turf since they entertained Middlesex on July 16 last season.

They followed up that thumping eight-wicket reversal with a 45-run win over tonight’s opposition.

Dominic Cork & Co went on to lift the domestic t20 crown on home turf before a flying start to the defence of that title has seen them stretch their winning streak to seven matches.

It is a record home run for the club in the popular competition, which began back in 2003 with their five-run victory over the Sharks.

Skipper Cork has often spoken of turning Hampshire’s home ground – which hosted its first-ever Test match earlier this month – into a fortress.

The Royals’ only defeat in t20 this summer came last Thursday against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford – a ground well known for striking fear into visiting sides through the partizan home support. They bounced back just 24 hours later as Shahid Afridi produced a match-winning display with the ball against Gloucestershire.

The Pakistan all-rounder’s five for 20 crushed the Gladiators and ensured Hampshire rejoined Sussex at the top of the table as the race to qualify for the knockout stages begins to hot up.

An eighth straight home win will see the Royals resume pole position with an outright lead in the group.

And that would be a remarklable feat given the two-point pitch penalty they were hit with after a disastrous clash with Somerset at the Rose Bowl last season.

Afridi would love to see Hampshire continue to delight their home fans and set a new record with a derby success tonight. And while he recognises the need to perform well in front of the home faithful, the 31-year-old leg-spinner believes his new club are a match for anyone wherever they play.

‘Every game we play is important to us,’ said Afridi.

‘Obviously if you are playing at home it is important to do well for the crowd.

‘They seem to be enjoying their cricket at the moment.

‘But definitely if you are able to win matches away from home then it can really boost the team as well.

‘It is a very good sign if you can perform well and win a game away from home. So I’ll be trying my level best to win cricket matches for Hampshire, whether they are at the Rose Bowl or outside.’

Cricket-Australia appoints Rixon as fielding coach

SYDNEY, June 28 (Reuters) - Former test wicketkeeper Steve Rixon has been appointed Australia's new fielding coach and promised to set new standards for a country which has lost its reputation as the world's best in that department.

Rixon, who played 13 tests and six one-dayers for Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s before going on to coach New Zealand and New South Wales, will accompany the team on tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa over the next six months.

Once one of their greatest strengths, the decline in Australia's fielding standards contributed to their humiliating Ashes defeat at the turn of the year.

"Fielding skills play such an important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing," Rixon, 57, said in a news release.

"The Australian team has long been known as one of the best fielding sides in world cricket and my job will not only be to maintain the good work done before but about setting the benchmark for opposition sides."

Sunny slams ICC ban on runners

Soon after the International Cricket Council's chief executive committee (CEC) announced the abolishing of runners in One-day Internationals (ODIs), former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar flayed the new rule. Former India Captain Sunil Gavaskar is not too impressed with the new ICC rule banning runner

s for injured batsmen. Clearly miffed, Gavaskar told NDTV that then even bowlers should not be allowed water.

He said that traditionaly, the players are not supposed to question umpires decision, if there are only a couple of reviews, a batsman down the order may forget and appeal leading to a fine. He said that abolishing runners was not a good idea.

Meanwhile, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has welcomed the introduction of Umpires Decisions Review System ( UDRS) across the world though he mentioned that it seemed to produce a lot more leg before decisions.

"My experience is that it minimises errors. It's a good thing that ICC has brought it into place, it lessens mistakes in a game," stated Sammy ahead of the second Test in Barbados on Tuesday.

The ICC has also recommended restricting the elective powerplays to between the 16th and 40th overs of each innings.

"CEC agreed with the ICC cricket committee's recommendations for the further enhancement of international 50-over cricket with the restriction of the elective powerplays to between the 16th and 40th overs of each innings and also to the use of two new balls per innings -- one from each end. This will come into effect from 1 October," ICC said in a statement.

CEC agreed with the cricket committee's recommendation to abolish runners in international cricket.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "Even though the success of 50-over cricket during the World Cup was universally acknowledged, the CEC rightly supported the enhancements recommended by the Cricket Committee to strengthen the format further, including encouraging members to trial some specific innovations in their domestic cricket."

These innovations include a review of the maximum number of overs that a bowler can bowl; an increase in the number of short balls permitted per over from one to two; no compulsory requirement for close catchers; and a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs.

Bangladesh tries to get out of the mess

Calcutta: Having signed its own death warrant, so to say, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is scrambling to take back its signature before the warrant is executed.

Monday, indeed, saw dramatic happenings in Hong Kong, which is hosting the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Annual Conference Week.

Officially, the most talked about development was on the umpire Decision Review System front, with a hitherto stubborn India falling in line with the wishes of the fraternity.

Unofficially, the BCB took centre stage, once word got around that it was having “second thoughts” on agreeing to amend the ICC’s constitution and, in the process, signing away the chance to have its nominee ascend the president’s chair in 2014.

That the BCB had acted against its own interests had been reported first by The Telegraph, on June 23. To put it mildly, BCB president Mustafa Kamal is in troubled waters.

“The BCB is arguing that it wasn’t really aware of the consequences of the resolution via circular which it signed on May 31... But that can’t be withdrawn... What’s done can’t be undone... If the BCB wants a re-vote, at the Executive Board, then it must have the support of eight of the 10 Full (Test-playing) Members. That’s out of the question,” a well-placed source revealed.

Belatedly, what the BCB can do is to vote against the constitutional change when it’s put before the General Council. The move is being spearheaded by India and England.

For its part, the BCB put out a press release, saying: “The BCB, in principle, agrees to the proposed amendment... However, the BCB feels that an equal and fair opportunity should be given to all existing Full Member countries to avail the privileges of the current rotational system...”

After the late realisation, the BCB claims to have written to ICC president Sharad Pawar, calling for the change to come into effect “only after the completion” of the existing cycle.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have been clubbed together in the rotational system and, as the latter’s Ehsan Mani has already been the president (2003-06), Bangladesh had the strongest claim this time around.

Going by the existing cycle, the BCB nominee could have taken over as vice-president next year and become the president in 2014, at the end of Alan Isaac’s term.

When the resolution via circular was put to ‘vote’, Pakistan objected, while Sri Lanka abstained. Pakistan, one learns, plans to take “legal action.”

Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, has been threatening that rather publicly in Hong Kong. The irony is that he’s himself under acute pressure to keep his chair.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), meanwhile, has quickly moved to placate the Associate Members, 35 of whom will be voting in the General Council.

Specifically, the BCCI has conveyed to the Associates that it would have “no objections” to a 14-team World Cup in 2015 as well.

In other words, like in the last World Cup, four can qualify.

The BCCI’s position has shifted, for reasons which are more ‘political’ in nature, but it hasn’t surprised. That the Associates’ script could unfold in this very manner had also been reported in these columns, on June 23.

Of course, the BCCI won’t favour a qualification process, but call for the automatic entry of all 10 Test-playing nations if, eventually, the Executive Board decides on a 10-team competition.

Australia and New Zealand, the joint hosts, are (as of now) in favour of just 10 teams.

The ICC chief executives’ committee, which finished its deliberations on Monday, has recommended a “qualification process,” without talking of the number of teams.

Rather strange that. The call will now have to be made by the Executive Board.

Younis completes coaching course in a Pakistan academy

Karachi: Neither retired nor planning to take up coaching once that happens, but that has not stopped Pakistan's senior batsman Younis Khan from completing a level two coaching course at the National Cricket Academy. Before this course, Younis has also completed a level one coaching course conducted by the PCB.

"I think playing cricket and coaching are two very different things and require different skills. It is not necessary if you are a successful cricketer you can also do coaching easily," he told reporters.

Younis also pointed out that playing and learning cricket were two different things.

"I am today what I am because I played good cricket but I always felt that learning about the sport is also very important and helps you grow as a player," he said.

Younis said he was keen on attending coaching courses as it helped him remain updated about changes in cricket laws and learn man management.

"But I want to make it clear I have no intentions of becoming a coach after retiring from the game," he stated. Younis, who stepped down as captain in November 2009 after leading Pakistan to the Twenty20 World Cup title in England that same year, said he gained a lot after completing a coaching course in 2009.

Confident Cook backing himself

England's new one-day skipper, Alastair Cook, is confident he has what it takes to succeed in the limited-overs arena despite being labelled a 'plodder'.
Cook, a prolific run-getter at Test level, has often been accused of lacking the attacking game to thrive at the top of the order for England in 50-over contests. The Essex man's record in ODI's leaves a bit to be desired, having notched up an average of 33 at a strike rate of 71.38 in his 26 appearances.
Having last turned out in coloured clothing when he deputised for Andrew Strauss during England's tour to Bangladesh 15 months ago, Cook was not part of England's World Cup squad and many would have preferred he stayed on the periphery. In the build-up to Tuesday's first ODI against Sri Lanka, former England captain Mike Atherton labelled Cook a 'plodder'.
For his part, Cook remains self-assured, retaining the utmost faith in his own abilities.
"As an international player you are always under pressure and you've always got to prove yourself," he said.
"I'm excited by that challenge and I think my one-day game has evolved.
"In Bangladesh I scored runs and I scored them quickly. I know I have the talent and the skills to do it.
"Every time I wasn't playing Test cricket I went back to Essex to play one-day cricket. It's part of the skill-set, you need to develop the ability to change your method.
"I'm nowhere near the finished article and as a 26-year-old I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm prepared to do it."
The left-hander brushed of Atherton's comments and backed himself to follow in the footsteps of Strauss, who adapted his game to suit the 50-over arena after a slow start in the format.
"It takes one to know one, I suppose," Cook said of Atherton.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion. But I've scored a one-day hundred for England.
"I know I can score runs at the top of the order and I'm excited that I'm in a good place to go and show that.
"It doesn't matter if it's being ignored, I know I can score runs and score them quickly, I have my own style of doing it."
"I think Straussy's a great example for me," he said.
"When he first started playing one-day cricket I think he had a strike-rate of about 65, maybe 70. Towards the end his career strike-rate was up to 80.
"You can evolve, you can improve and he certainly did that. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps," he added.

Live Cricket Streaming: England Vs Sri-Lanka

Watch Eng vs Sri live 3rd Test - Cricket . England vs Sri Lanka live streaming. Sri Lanka vs England Live Streaming day 1 international Test match at Lord's .

3rd test between England and Sri Lanka from the home of cricket - Lord's. England have a good recent record in St Johns Wood but must beware the spin wizardry of Ajantha Mendis. Watch all the cricket action via a live stream.

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Live Cricket Streaming: WestIndies Vs India 5th ODI

Expectedly or not, the old diseases have come back to haunt again. The all too familiar collapse and the sheer inability to wrap up the tail after you have the opposition right on the mat. For the first time in this tour and much to the relief of the host team, the matches swim across to Antigua from the “Indian” Trinidad, or that’s how the hosts would want to refer to and why not. Rank turners, massive crowd support (if any) and 3 games into the tour unbeaten and this is not what a host nation would expect, leave alone wanting it, save for the groundsmen.

http://crazycricket-world.blogspot.com/

Live Cricket Streaming: WestIndies Vs India 1st Test

Expectedly or not, the old diseases have come back to haunt again. The all too familiar collapse and the sheer inability to wrap up the tail after you have the opposition right on the mat. For the first time in this tour and much to the relief of the host team, the matches swim across to Antigua from the “Indian” Trinidad, or that’s how the hosts would want to refer to and why not. Rank turners, massive crowd support (if any) and 3 games into the tour unbeaten and this is not what a host nation would expect, leave alone wanting it, save for the groundsmen.

http://crazycricket-world.blogspot.com/

Live Cricket Streaming: WestIndies Vs India

Expectedly or not, the old diseases have come back to haunt again. The all too familiar collapse and the sheer inability to wrap up the tail after you have the opposition right on the mat. For the first time in this tour and much to the relief of the host team, the matches swim across to Antigua from the “Indian” Trinidad, or that’s how the hosts would want to refer to and why not. Rank turners, massive crowd support (if any) and 3 games into the tour unbeaten and this is not what a host nation would expect, leave alone wanting it, save for the groundsmen.

http://crazycricket-world.blogspot.com/