Tag Archives: Cricket

Cricket: Asif yet to convey plans to PCB

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KARACHI: 

While Salman Butt was quick to show his consent, banned fast-bowler Mohammad Asif is yet to do the same with regards to taking part in the anti-corruption rehabilitation program of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Following the Court of Arbitration’s (CAS) decision to reject appeals of the duo against its bans, the International Cricket Council (ICC) urged them to take part in  a rehabilitation process.  However, Asif is yet to inform the board of his intentions. “The board is unaware about his plans for rehabilitation,” a top PCB official told The Express Tribune. Meanwhile, officials close to Asif suggested he will show his availability as he has no other option if he wants to revive his career.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.


Cricket: Scotland-Pakistan ODI washed out

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The second and final One-Day International (ODI) between Scotland and Pakistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a damp pitch at the Raeburns Place in Edinburgh, according to information on the ESPNcricinfo website.

The umpires carried out several inspections and were left with the no choice but to call off the match, resulting in Pakistan taking the series 1-0 courtesy their 96-run win in the first ODI on Friday.

Pakistan are warming up for the ICC Champions Trophy tournament to start on June 6 in England and will now face Ireland in another two-match series that begins on May 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2013.


Pakistan Cricket Board raises players’ salaries

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KARACHI: Pakistan announced Tuesday that its 21 cricketers on central contracts would get a 15 percent salary increase and a 10 percent rise in match fees this year.

The contracts, up for renewal in January, were finally handed to players hours before they left for Britain early Tuesday.

Dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi was lucky to retain his place in the “A” category after being dropped from the one-day squad for next month’s Champions Trophy in England and after retiring from Test cricket in 2010.

Test and one-day captain Misbah-ul Haq, Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan also retained their “A” category status.

The Pakistan Cricket Board keeps 21 players on central contracts in three categories, marked by three different scales for retainers and match fees.

“For the second consecutive year the players’ retainership fee has been increased by 15 percent,” a board statement said.

Spearhead Umar Gul, batsman Umar Akmal and spinner Abdul Rehman were demoted to “B” category after lacklustre performances last year.

Others in the “B” category are Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Junaid Khan, Shoaib Malik and Nasir Jamshed.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal regained his central contract after losing out last year and was placed in the “C” category along with Mohammad Irfan, Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Aizaz Cheema, Adnan Akmal, Faisal Iqbal and Ahmad Shahzad.

“The Test match fee for all categories has also been increased as well as the match fee for all formats by 10 percent from 2012,” the board said.

The increases give “A” category players a monthly salary of 359,375 rupees ($ 3,600) and a Test match fee of 440,000 rupees ($ 4,400).

“B” category players will get a monthly salary of 251,562 rupees and players in the “C” category, 143,750 rupees.


Cricket: Domingo to build on Kirsten success

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JOHANNESBURG: 

Russell Domingo, who was yesterday appointed as South Africa’s next head coach, said he planned to build on the structures put in place by incumbent Gary Kirsten.

Domingo, 38, is assistant coach to Kirsten, who announced on Friday he would not be renewing his two-year contract which expires at the end of July. “I know what David Moyes is feeling,” said Domingo, comparing the challenge of taking over from a successful coach as being similar to Moyes’ appointment to succeed Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.

Under Kirsten, South Africa became the number one team in the world Test rankings. “Hopefully I can continue to take the side to another level,” said Domingo.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2013.


Cricket: Kirsten set to quit as South Africa coach

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JOHANNESBURG: Gary Kirsten will not renew his contract as South Africa coach when it expires at the end of July, the national cricket body said Friday.

Kirsten, who guided hosts India to the 2011 ICC World Cup title, signed a two-year contract with the Proteas the same year, and had the option of a two-year renewal.

However, the Cape Town-born coach told Cricket South Africa (CSA) officials he would quit his post at the end of July having established the Proteas as the top-ranked cricket Test nation.

“Gary has a young family and it is understandable that he wishes to spend more time at home,” CSA president and board chairman Chris Nenzani said in a statement.

“It is obvious to all of us – whether we have been close to the Proteas or simply fans watching from the stands — the standard of excellence he has brought to our national team.”

Kirsten thanked CSA for giving him the responsibility of growing the team and for allowing him the flexibility to combine his coaching role with his family life.

“There have been many highlights over the past two years which have been well documented and I have every confidence that the Proteas will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Kirsten will lead South Africa at the ICC Champions Trophy during June in England and Wales, where the AB de Villiers-skippered side hope to ditch the long-held tag of ‘chokers’ after numerous tournament flops.

“It will be wonderful if Gary can complete his tenure by bringing home the Champions Trophy next month,” said Nenzani of the one-day international event staged every four years between World Cup tournaments.

South Africa lost only two of 19 Tests under Kirsten, who led them to series victories against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England, arch-rivals Australia, and Pakistan.

The 45-year-old former Test opening batsman was less successful with the limited-over teams, winning 13 of 24 one-day internationals and nine of 18 Twenty20 matches.

South Africa are away to Sri Lanka during July and August and Pakistan during November before hosting India — who draw the biggest crowds among teams touring the republic – and Australia next season.


Zaka Ashraf becomes Pakistan’s first elected cricket chief

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf on Wednesday became the country’s first elected head of the sport, winning a four-year term under a new constitution approved earlier this year.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) directed all its members to run their boards democratically and without government interference, threatening sanctions for any board that did not meet its requirements by June 2013.

Ashraf, 60, has been PCB chairman since October 2011, when he was appointed by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari under the old system. But the PCB’s governing board elected him back into the job under the new regulations, having presented the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a new constitution last month.

“Zaka Ashraf has taken over as the first elected chairman of the PCB who will serve his tenure of four years from today as prescribed in the PCB constitution,” the board said in a statement.

Alan Isaac, the ICC president, last month commended the PCB’s effort to reform.

Despite Ashraf’s election, the PCB is reportedly facing opposition from various associations and former PCB chiefs on the voting process.


Cricket: Ajmal targets Gayle in Champions Trophy

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ABBOTTABAD: Wily Pakistan off spinner Saeed Ajmal vowed Monday to target West Indian swashbuckler Chris Gayle when the two sides meet in the Champions Trophy next month.

Pakistan is currently featuring in a tune-up camp in Abbottabad, a hilly town hoping to match conditions in England where the eight-nation Trophy will be played from June 6-23.

The 35-year-old Ajmal anchors Pakistan’s spin department in the tournament where they face the West Indies in their opening group B match at The Oval on June 7.

The match is seen as an encounter between Gayle and Pakistani bowlers, and Ajmal hopes to rein in the Jamaican who is in great form in the ongoing Indian Premier League, having smashed a world record 175 not out.

“We are practicing and the way Gayle has been playing it is amazing,” Ajmal told reporters. “We are looking at the videos of his batting because we have a match against them and hopefully we will have no problems.”

Pakistan will also face South Africa on June 10 and arch-rivals India on June 15 – both at Birmingham.

Defending champions Australia, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand feature in group A. Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.

“Whether the batsman is a left-hander or right-hander, the ball is in our hand, the bat is in their hands. We have to bowl them out to go forward and we are going there with a positive mind. There are eight teams and, hopefully, we will win.”

Ajmal, who has 71 wickets – the second best in all Twenty20 cricket behind countryman Umar Gul (72) – hopes to perform in the English conditions.

“I have to work hard because batsmen hit hard from the word go so it’s important to bowl well and I am working hard on that,” said Ajmal.

“I have overcome pain in my lower abdomen and doctors have said it will go with medicine, but I will go for a check-up in England as well,” said Ajmal, who was initially diagnosed with a hernia.

Ajmal said Pakistan will miss paceman Umar Gul (injured) and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi (left out of the squad).

“Afridi is a legend and no doubt we will miss him and Gul but the team is balanced and we have good bowlers in Junaid (Khan), Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan and Abdul Rehman.”


Cricket: Raina’s blitz helps Chennai win in IPL

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An unbeaten 100 off just 53 balls courtesy Suresh Raina enabled Chennai Super Kings to post 186 for four which they ably defended to beat Kings XI Punjab by 15 runs in their Indian Premier League clash at the Chidambaram Stadium yesterday.

Raina’s innings included seven boundaries and half-a-dozen sixes and ensured Chennai’s seventh successive win at the event.

Punjab put up a heroic fight but were only able to string together 171 for six in their 20 overs. Shaun Marsh was their highest scorer with 73 runs off 51 deliveries. A timely dismissal by Dwayne Bravo, who took three wickets in the match, ensured Marsh was unable to inflict further damage.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2013.