Pakistan Cricket Team (PCB)

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Pakistan Announced Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

Pakistan Cricket Board’s chief selector Mohsin Khan, today, announced 16-member squad of Pakistan which will tour Zimbabwe to play a Test, 3 ODI’s and a T20I.

Misbah-ul-Haq, as reported earlier, is set to lead Pakistan in all three formats. It is first time that Misbah is officially named captain to lead Pakistan in Twenty20 cricket though he has captained once in 2009 against Australia in Dubai.

The notable inclusions in squad came in the form of Ramiz Raja (Jr), who performed extraordinarily in recent Super Eight T20 competition of Pakistan, and Aizaz Cheema, who was selected for the West Indies tour but missed out due to injury.

Yasir Shah, leg-spinner from NWFP, has also got the maiden call in Pakistan’s squad. On the other hand, a bizarre selection of Imran Farhat spurred many people to raise fingers on selectors.

Sohail Tanvir, who led Rawalpindi Rams in a victorious campaign of Super Eight T20 cup, and Adnan Akmal are also back in Pakistan’s squad.

Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul and Abdur Rehman are rested whereas Shoaib Malik’s name is put in stand-by players but Malik’s inclusion in the team is subjected to clearance from corruption allegations.

Complete Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Rameez Raja Junior, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Sohail Tanveer, Sohail Khan, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema.

Pakistan will leave for Zimbabwe in the last week of August and start tour with a Test match which will begin from September 1st in Bulawayo.


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No pay raise for Pak players


LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket chiefs, who will announce the new list of players who will get central contracts on Monday (today), have decided against giving the cricketers a pay raise, according to reports.
According to reliable sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board, there will be no pay hikes in the new contracts that have finally been approved by chairman Ijaz Butt. As in the last two years players, who get A category contracts, will be paid a monthly retainer of 250,000, those in B 175,000 rupees and the ones in C category just 100,000 per month. The source said the players in the top category will also continue to get match fees of 350,000 for a Test, 300,000 for a one-day international and 250,000 for a T20 match.
Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez are expected to be promoted to the A category of central contracts while the board has decided against giving contracts to experienced campaigners Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal.
[Courtesy The News International]

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No Eganda with seniour players , MOHSIN KHAn

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Batsmen need to work harder after new laws: Taufeeq Umar


LAHORE: Test cricketer Taufeeq Umar said Thursday that batsmen would need to work harder to take advantage of the new law which would allow the use of two new balls from each end during One-day internationals, Geo News reported.

Speaking during the fast track coaching programme taking place at the National Cricket Academy, Umar said he tried to improve his technique with the help of Mohsin Khan. He added that the participants of the programme were getting the opportunity to improve their fitness due to the hot weather.

The ongoing fast track coaching programme is providing training to the country’s top batsmen and bowlers. The programme is being supervised by former cricketers Sarfaraz Nawaz, Mohsin Khan and Ijaz Ahmed.

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Afridi's father admitted to hospital in critical condition


KARACHI: Shahibzada Fazalur Rehman, father of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been admitted to hospital in critical condition, Geo News reported.

Afridi's father was experiencing health problems and when his situation worsened he was immediately admitted to the hospital. Shahid Afridi who is currently playing country cricket for Hampshire in England will skip the remaining matches of his team and arrive in Karachi via Dubai to be by his father's side.

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If one had to pinpoint a persistent problem in Pakistan cricket – on the field – it has to be the batting department. For years, criticism directed at the players has called for consistency and making one’s wicket valuable. The retirement of stalwarts like Saeed Anwar and Inzamamul Haq seemed to have left a hole in Pakistan’s batting line-up. Tons of newcomers showed promise but faded away. While there was visible talent, quality pace and overcast conditions have always created doubt in the batsmen’s minds. However, all hope is not lost yet and former Pakistan batsman Ijaz Ahmed clarifies the notion. Ahmed, 42, served Pakistan cricket for 15 years and is still keen as ever. He was known, in his playing days, as the one with an unorthodox technique but a dependable batsman who could use the long handle to good effect. After spending a considerable time down the order, Ahmed was used effectively as a number three anchor later on in his career. He obliged with a number of match-winning knocks as passion seemed to drive him forward. Now, Ahmed is instilling the same enthusiasm in the youngsters as he trains them at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Fast Track Coaching Programme. The former player says there are loads of batsmen ready to take on the rigors of international cricket but need to be patient – in every sense of the word. “As far as I can tell with my experience, our batting prospect is bright,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “We have a long list of batsmen lined up to serve Pakistan for the next two decades. There are batsmen with the right attitude and ability – Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Babar Azam fall in that category.” Ahmed said that the ongoing programme will help him identify the problems batsmen face. And though Ahmed believed that players are talented, they only need nurturing before they are ready to take on the world’s best. “I have worked from the under-19 level to the very top and found very few technical flaws.  They have exceptional abilities and the camp will help rectify their flaws.” Another drawback of Pakistan batsmen in recent times has been their inability to channel their aggression. Wickets have been precariously thrown away in dire situations and matches lost from seemingly winning positions. But Ahmed is a smart enough coach to know all that. “They aren’t channeling their strengths. I’m making them understand that a defensive approach can sometimes do wonders. “If one struggles playing short-pitched deliveries, let them go. It’s not embarrassing to leave deliveries. It’s a smart tactic.” Ahmed, dubbed as ‘The Axeman’, called on the young brigade to be patient and enjoy playing cricket. “I’m trying to impart my experience and knowledge to these guys and some might want to listen more than others. But you can’t force anyone but these boys are a hardworking and responsive bunch.” As Ahmed supervises the training camp, vowing to get positive results at the conclusion, fans hope they don’t have to wait too long before Pakistan batting can compete with the best in the world. New By: Express Tribune

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Afridi 'disappointed' by Butt criticism


KARACHI: Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi said Saturday he was disappointed by criticism of his captaincy from PCB chief Ijaz Butt, who accused him of causing the team to lose matches against West Indies in May.

"I am disappointed because such petty things coming from the head of the board were unwarranted," Afridi told this news agency by telephone from London.

"He himself made me captain, and everyone, from experts to fans, praised my leadership and the unity in the team," he said, adding that there was a "campaign" to damage his reputation.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Butt lashed out at former one-day captain Afridi in a television interview aired Thursday, saying he would not lead the team again.

"In my opinion, perhaps considered wrong by some people, he made us lose the fourth and fifth one-dayers (against the West Indies in May this year)," Butt said. "As far as I am concerned he is not captaincy material for the PCB any more."

Butt dumped Afridi after Pakistan won the one-day series against the West Indies 3-2, during which the former captain developed differences with coach Waqar Younis.

Afridi subsequently breached his contract by announcing his retirement from international cricket and criticising the PCB for mistreating senior players.

The PCB suspended his contract, revoked his permission to play abroad and directed him to appear before a disciplinary committee. Afridi took the PCB to court but finally agreed on an out-of-court settlement that saw him fined 4.5 million rupees (52,000 dollars) but granted him permission to play for Hampshire in the Twenty20 league in England.

Afridi said he was a victim of character assassination. "I can say a lot of things in reply but I don't want to involve myself in that," said Afridi, who took 21 wickets in this year's World Cup -- joint highest with India's paceman Zaheer Khan.

"There is a campaign against me and I can say a lot of things against my accusers, but I am advised not to say anything. I reserve my rights, and will speak if they don't stop."

Afridi said that the team had showed unity under his captaincy following the spot-fixing scandal in England last year. "The unity in the team was praised by coach (Waqar) and manager (Intikhab Alam) on a number of occasions during the World Cup, and it was only because of that we were able to beat Australia in a World Cup match after 12 years," he said. (AFP)

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Afridi won’t captain Pakistan again: PCB chief


KARACHI: Pakistan cricket chief Ijaz Butt has said former one-day captain Shahid Afridi will never lead the national side again, blaming him for losing matches against the West Indies in May.
“In my opinion, perhaps considered wrong by some people, he made us lose the fourth and fifth one-dayers,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Butt said in an interview to television channel Geo Super broadcast on Thursday night.
“As far as I am concerned he is not captaincy material for the PCB anymore,” said Butt of Afridi, who was dumped as captain after Pakistan won the overall series against the West Indies 3-2. Afridi subsequently breached his contract by announcing his retirement from international cricket and criticising the PCB for mistreating senior players.
The PCB suspended Afridi’s contract, revoked his permission to play abroad and directed him to appear before a disciplinary committee.
Afridi took the PCB to court but finally agreed on an out-of-court settlement that saw him fined 4.5 million rupees but granted permission to play for Hampshire in the Twenty20 league in England.
Asked if Afridi would be allowed back on the team, Butt said: “He has not given us his retirement. If he wants to resign, he has to resign with the PCB.
“He is no more on our contract... after the West Indies tour he was no more the captain as our policy was to appoint a captain after every series and he knew that,” said Butt.
Butt accused Afridi of politicising the row, saying he had to fend off calls from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Sindh’s governor Ishrat-ul-Ibaad.
“I told them point blank that I will not budge and Afridi will have to appear before the disciplinary committee,” said Butt.
Butt said, in the current spectrum of players in Pakistan cricket, he saw Misbah-ul-Haq as the best man to lead the team in all three formats of the game.
“To be successful as captain you need to have the required grooming, education and certainty of place in the team.”
Butt said leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who was arrested then released without charge in connection with a spot-fixing scandal in England, had not been cleared to play because he is not speaking the truth.
“He is involved in certain things, which unless he clarifies himself, and he has not done so far, he will not be considered (for selection),” said Butt.
Kaneria has filed a petition against not being cleared for play in a bid to revive his international career, stalled since last year.
Kaneria and his Essex team-mate Marvyn Westfield were arrested in a spot-fixing case last year, but the police released the Pakistani spinner without any charges.
Butt said another under-suspicion all-rounder Shoaib Malik was also not cleared.
“We have a former Supreme Court judge in the integrity committee and he said that Malik is not speaking truth, if he speaks the truth and cleared he can walk in the team as we need him in one-day matches,” he said.
The PCB chief admitted that the spot-fixing episode involving Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir still hurts him a lot and remains the biggest disappointment of his tenure.
“It hurt a lot especially when I came to know the details that they were responsible for spot-fixing. Although initially when we spoke to them they swore on oath they were not involved and were innocent,” said Butt.
Butt informed that according to the ICC regulations, the accounts of Amir had been frozen.
“We suggested giving them a monthly stipend while holding their money but the ICC refused,” he said.
He said Salman Butt’s involvement had come as a shock as he was certain to lead Pakistan for a long time. “He had the educational background, grooming and performances to carry on as captain. He would have solved our captaincy problems. But he did a very stupid thing.”
He informed that Waqar Younis was not the first choice as a coach for the national team.
“We had two or three very good choices available to us but the problem is no foreigner is willing to come to Pakistan. They say they will work with the team maximum on foreign tours and that does not help us. The same thing is happening with a batting coach.”
About his own future, Butt said: “This is something I would not like to discuss because matter is still not clear. I have my opinion, my boss has his opinion and they are at conflict. But shortly before October one way or the other will be decided.”
[Courtesy The News International]

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Players to blame for team's problems: manager


KARACHI: A small cabal of Pakistan's cricketers had interfered in the team's management, leaked confidential information and contributed to a divisive culture, the team's long-term manager has said.

The team has been riven by controversy in the past three years with significant player turnover and a revolving door in the captaincy while three players were also embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal and received lengthy bans.

"There were times when 15 minutes after a team meeting television channels were running tickers about things that happened or were discussed in the meeting," Intikhab Alam Geo Super.

"There are many things that are not for public and media consumption and when they are leaked to the media it creates problems within the team.

"This is a big problem in the team. There is a need for these players to sit down and discuss everything including reservations with the management.

"These things have damaged Pakistan cricket and are not good for our image."

Alam, however, said the Pakistan Cricket Board had taken a strong line against the players, forced some out and tried to change the culture in the past 12 months.

"We are trying to set things right now and developing a more positive culture," the former leg-spinner added.

"We have also tried reforming and reasoning with the players and they are now responding well which is good for Pakistan cricket."

The 69-year-old Alam, who played 47 tests and was coach from Oct. 2008 to March 2010 before being appointed as manager, admitted he had been critical of the team's culture in his reviews.

"Whatever I have written in my reports is facts and what I honestly believe is true and is my own personal assessment of the players," he added.

"If I try to hide these things I am not helping Pakistan cricket or these players. (The) truth must come out." (Reuters)

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PCB to abide by ICC directive on govt interference


KARACHI: Pakistan cricket will not challenge the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) directive to member boards to free themselves from government interference within two years.
The ICC annual conference upheld a constitutional amendment last week to provide for the principle of free elections and the independence of member boards.
In Pakistan, the president is the chief patron of the board (PCB) and directly appoints the chairman.
“We have no intention of challenging the ICC ruling as it was approved by the general council in Hong Kong last week,” PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad said.
The PCB would soon meet with government officials to inform them about the ICC ruling.
“Once our chairman, Ijaz Butt, returns home later this month he will brief the chief patron on the changed scenario,” Ahmad added.
The ICC has given members a maximum of two years to reorganise their boards or face sanctions.
Ahmad said that after consulting legal advisors and meeting government official the PCB would start working on making the necessary amendments in its constitution to bring it in line with ICC requirements.
“It will take a few months but we also want to ensure this process is completed without a hitch,” he added.
Lat month, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt called for an end to political interference in the board’s row with former captain Shahid Afridi, saying it was damaging the sport. [Courtesy The News International]

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Playing for Pakistan is like ‘mental torture’: Misbah


KARACHI: Pakistan cricket’s endless parade of controversies and scandal has made playing for the national team akin to ‘mental torture’, according to captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
Since appointed Test captain in October, after Salman Butt was banned for ‘spot-fixing’ during last year’s Test series against England, Misbah has led a team dogged by corruption allegations and political in-fighting.
Following five-year bans imposed by the ICC on Butt and two other players in February, Pakistan has been rocked by the departure of sacked one-day captain Shahid Afridi, who resigned in acrimony in May citing differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“It is a mental torture to go through such things and it affects your performance,” the 37-year-old batsman Misbah told Geo Super in an interview.
“It is bad for Pakistan cricket and people taunt us at home and abroad.”
Misbah, who took over the reins of the one-day side after Afridi’s dismissal, said Pakistan’s players needed a union to educate them and improve communications with their coaches and paymasters in the wake of a number of ugly contractual disputes.
“A players association can play a positive role in preparing and grooming players for international cricket and in understanding their contractual obligations,” said Misbah, whose appointment as one-day captain sparked a row with Afridi.
“Once the contract is signed it is no use for players to complain about it. These matters must not be discussed in the media, it is better for players to directly speak to the board.”
Misbah’s comments follow leg-spinner Danish Kaneria’s legal challenge against the board’s decision to overlook him for national selection.
Despite the troubles, Misbah said he remained fit and passionate about the sport.
“I am mentally up for international cricket. As long as I am performing I will carry on,” he said.
“Age is no bar for me. I feel a cricketer only matures after the age of 30. Fortunately that is what happened to me.” [Courtesy The News International]

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Srilanka premier League

Pakistan ODI captain Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar have both confirmed their participation in the tournament while several other players are in on going discussion with the league officials.According to sources, nearly all Pakistan players, including out-of-favour individuals, are interested in the league with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, Sohail Tanvir, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul and former captain Shoaib Malik currently in discussions with the SLC.“I’m in talks with the SLC regarding the league,” wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal told The Express Tribune. “It’s a good event and I will try to avail the chance of playing in the league that will keep me busy.”Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik, who has been out of international action since August 2010 has also shown interest in the tournament.The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced it will give an instant go-ahead to the players who wish to take part in the event. “We don’t have any issues as it’s an authorised event and it’s not even clashing with the team’s international schedule,” said PCB spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar.

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At 34, Haris hopes to make Pakistan debut

our correspondent
KARACHI: Off-spinner Haris Ayaz, who was one of the brightest performers for Karachi Dolphins’, has said that he has not given up on the hope of representing Pakistan in T20 format and is still working hard to fulfill his dream.
“It is the biggest dream of my life to don national colours before my career gets over,” Haris told ‘The News’ on Monday.
“I know T20 format is meant for young guns but I have maintained my fitness level and have worked hard on my bowling, fielding and batting to compete with the young and fit players.”
Ayaz, 34, was impressive in the Super-Eight T20 tournament as he bowled with guile throughout the tournament and chipped in with useful runs in his one of the two outings with the bat.
In addition, he took a stunning catch in the final of the domestic T20 tournament of Rawalpindi Rams’ Awais Zia.
“I can still play cricket at the top level for some more years. Many people have suggested me to leave my passion and do a job but I have kept my focus on my dream, which I believe can be accomplished if selectors look at my performances closely in the recent tournament,” he concluded.
[Courtesy The News International]

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Afghanistan likely to join Pakistan T20


KARACHI: Afghanistan's fast-rising cricket team are likely to feature in Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 event later this year, an official said on Monday.

Sultan Rana, director of domestic operations at the Pakistan Cricket Board, said Pakistan was considering a request from Afghanistan to take part.

"We are considering that and they are likely to feature in our event in September-October this year and I hope they add to the glamour of the event," he told AFP.

Besides Afghanistan, 13 regional teams, with Pakistan's largest cities of Karachi and Lahore fielding two teams each, will take part in the event.

Afghanistan, who graduated to one-day status in 2009 and played in the World Twenty20 a year later, in May became the first cricketing side to visit Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009.

Cricket became popular in war-ravaged Afghanistan in the early 2000s when refugees who had learnt the game in camps in Pakistan where they lived after fleeing the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979 returned home.

Pakistan have been at the forefront of helping Afghanistan develop as a cricketing nation, providing them with facilities and equipment.

They also allowed Afghanistan to play in Pakistan's Grade-II event, a non-first-class tournament in 2002.

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Court summons PCB on Kaneria case


KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday summoned cricket authorities to explain why they have not cleared leg-spinner Danish Kaneria to play after he was released without charge in a spot-fixing case.

Kaneria and fellow Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield were arrested last year on charges of spot-fixing during a Pro40 match against Durham in 2009. Kaneria was later released without being charged but Westfield faces criminal proceedings.

Kaneria featured in Pakistan's Test series against England last year but has not been selected since for international matches because he has not been formally cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

His lawyer Farogh Naseem told that the PCB has been summoned to appear in court on July 26, after the 30-year-old went to court last week in a bid to revive his international career.

"I have given every document to the PCB but they are not clearing me. I have committed no crime and that's why Essex police and my county have cleared me in that spot-fixing case," Kaneria had told.

"My priority is to play for Pakistan but I don't know for what crime I am being punished by the PCB. Every time they announce a squad and every time they give contracts to players, they say Kaneria is not cleared."

The wily leg-spinner has taken 261 wickets in 61 Tests, besides taking 15 in 18 one-day internationals.

The PCB was forced to form an integrity committee by the International Cricket Council after a separate spot-fixing case in England last year ended in lengthy bans for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

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PCB to discuss ICC ban with government


KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket administrators will hold talks with the government on how to implement a ban by the sport’s governing body on political appointments within the game, an official said on Saturday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), whose chairman Ijaz Butt was appointed by the president of the country, is directly hit by the ruling from the International Cricket Council (ICC) executive board on Thursday.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will also be affected by the decision.
The ICC gave cricket boards 12 months to free themselves from governmental and political interference, with a further 12 month grace period to enact the changes before any sanctions would be considered.
PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed, who along with Butt attended the five-day meeting in Hong Kong, told reporters on his return: “How we implement this reform will depend on our talks with the government.”
Pakistan held discussions with arch-rivals India on the sidelines of the ICC meeting, he said.
“We have talked to India on February-March tour of 2012, and will hold negotiations with them to try to finalise that tour as soon as possible,” said Ahmed.
Pakistan have four series with India due in the Future Tours Programmes from 2012 to 2020, he added.
“One is in 2012, 2013 and 2015, they (ICC) have given the slots but number of matches have not been decided,” said Ahmed.
No major national team has toured Pakistan since gunman attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009, and Ahmed that “a number of boards were sympathetic with us” over the issue. “They have assured us to try to tour Pakistan but that’s linked to security situation in our country,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s sports ministry on Friday dissolved an interim committee running cricket affairs in the country, a day after promising it would abide by the new ICC reform.
[Courtesy The News International]

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Afridi stars as Hants crush Middlesex


UXBRIDGE, England: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi took 3 for 16 as Hampshire, the leaders of the Friends Life t20 South Division, thrashed bottom-placed Middlesex by seven wickets with three overs to spare at Uxbridge.
Afridi dismissed Scott Newman and Neil Dexter with successive balls as Middlesex collapsed from 61 for one to 74 for 6, before struggling to 121 for nine.
It was a pathetic score on a fast-scoring ground where Gloucestershire piled up a record 254 for 3 last Sunday, and the result was never in doubt once Jimmy Adams and James Vince had put on 51 in six overs for Hampshire’s second wicket.
Hampshire have now won nine of their 12 matches, while Middlesex have been beaten nine times in 11 games.
Middlesex lost Paul Stirling in the third over when he was caught and bowled by Dimitri Mascarenhas, but they were going well when Adam Rossington and Newman were putting on 41 in four overs for the second wicket.
Afridi had Newman caught at long off for 24, Dexter fell lbw next ball and when John Simpson was brilliantly caught and bowled by Imran Tahir and Ryan McLaren was run out by Vince’s direct hit, Middlesex had lost five for 13 in four overs.
Sam Robson offered some resistance with an unbeaten 28 off 30 balls, but there were only two boundaries in the last 13 overs.
Hampshire’s Adams hit as many as that off his first two balls from Stirling, and though he struck only two more, he anchored the innings with an unbeaten 38 off 50 balls.
Vince provided the fireworks by hitting 39 off 22 balls with two sixes and four fours before he holed out to long on off Steven Crook.
[Courtesy The News International]

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Kaneria goes to court against PCB


KARACHI: Danish Kaneria on Saturday filed a court petition against Pakistan Cricket Board for not allowing him to resume his international career despite being cleared in a spot-fixing case.
The Pakistan leg-spinner has not been allowed to play for his country because an integrity committee of the PCB is not satisfied by the clearance from Essex, his county team in England.
Kaneria and fellow Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield were arrested last year on charges of spot-fixing during a Pro40 match against Durham. Kaneria was later released without being charged but Westfield faces criminal proceedings.
Kaneria said he filed the case as a last resort.
“I have been dealing with the PCB over my clearance since last October and I have not gotten any justice from them,” said Kaneria. “I have now come to the legal system and I hope to see justice done here.” The first hearing of the petition will be held on July 4.
“The case is that the British police, the ICC and Essex county all have not charged Kaneria with any wrongdoing,” said Kaneria’s lawyer Mohammad Farogh Naseem. “Why then is his career being ruined? We are not saying select him, because that is up to performance and the board but he has to be cleared to be considered for selection at the very least.”
If issued a notice on Monday, the board’s legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi said they will appear. “We will help the court in any and every respect and whatever order is passed has to be implemented in letter and spirit,” he said. It is likely the board could again raise legal objections about the maintainability of the petition, as they did in the case against Afridi; that is, they will argue the case should be heard in Lahore High Court, the city where the PCB is headquartered.
Interestingly enough, there has been no bar on Kaneria playing domestic cricket where he turned out last season for his employers Habib Bank Limited in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy and for Karachi Zebras in limited-overs games. This apparent contradiction is likely to form one plank of Kaneria’s arguments.
“My only priority is to play for Pakistan again,” Kaneria said. “I don’t want to play outside, I just want to represent Pakistan once again and I believe I am capable of doing that.”

[Courtesy The News International]

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