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Cricket: Under-suspicion Malik cleared to play for Pakistan
Posted: 19 August 2011 2209 hrs

LAHORE, Pakistan : Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday cleared former captain Shoaib Malik over allegations of illegal earnings, paving his way for a return to international cricket.

The 29-year-old Malik has not been selected for Pakistan since last summer’s tour of England after he failed to account for money held in an overseas bank account before an integrity committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The committee had been formed on the directive of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to purge Pakistan cricket of corruption in the wake of a fixing scandal during the team’s tour to England last year.

The spot-fixing case ended in lengthy bans on former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Malik appeared before the committee on Monday and provided documents to justify the amount in his account.

The committee, chaired by PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, on Friday announced Malik was cleared after a thorough investigation.

“The committee after detailed deliberations has unanimously reached the conclusion that Malik has established that the said deposits in his overseas account did not emanate from any questionable source,” the committee said.

“Hence Malik is hereby cleared by the committee,” it added.

The clearance means that Malik is likely to be included in the squad for the tour of Zimbabwe starting later this month.

He was already included in the reserve players subject to clearance for the tour in which Pakistan play one Test, three one-dayers and two Twenty20 matches.

Malik was handed the reins of the team after Pakistan’s first-round exit from the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies.

But PCB axed him as captain following the team’s 2-1 defeat against Sri Lanka in a home one-day series in 2009.

He has played 32 Tests, 192 ODIs and 32 Twenty20 matches since making his debut in 1999.

Another under-suspicion player Danish Kaneria also appeared before the committee on Monday but the committee said his case was deferred until a court decides his petition against the PCB’s non-clearance.

Kaneria and his Essex county team mate Mervyn Westfield were arrested in England last year over allegations of spot-fixing during a Pro40 match in 2009. Kaneria was later released without being charged but Westfield faces criminal proceedings.

– AFP/ir

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“Waqar has done a good job with the team and played an essential role in this transitional and difficult period for Pakistan cricket. Obviously team will feel his absence and there will be a void in the side,” Misbah told reporters here.

Misbah said the resignation of Waqar was a surprise for the team. “He has played a big role in easing the new players into the team. Whoever replaces him will have a good precedent to work with,” he said.

Waqar shocked the Pakistan cricket community on Aug 20 by announcing his resignation because of personal reasons and on health grounds. The former Test captain, who has coached the team since last year, said he would not be available after the Zimbabwe tour.

As expected, the sudden resignation by Waqar led to lot of speculation about the reasons behind his leaving the team.

So much so that the Pakistan Cricket Board was on Aug 21 compelled to issue a press release dismissing reports about differences between Waqar and the board or selectors as baseless.

“Pakistan Cricket Board considers it appropriate to rebutt reports in certain media suggesting that resignation of Waqar Younis is due to some differences with PCB officials or selection committee,” the release said.

Subhan Ahmad, PCB’s chief operating officer, said Waqar contacted the board a few days back and requested to be relieved from national duty for personal reasons including his health.

“Although it was a tough decision for the board to make yet we understand his position. His services for Pakistan both as a player and as the coach are enormous. We wanted him to continue with the rebuilding of the team but then he has to leave. Everyone should respect his personal priorities. PCB wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Subhan said.

The release also included a brief statement from Waqar which read, “It is unfortunate that these stories appeared despite the fact that I presented myself to media and talked in detail on the reasons of my resignation.

“Working with Pakistan team is an honor and I enjoyed being part of it. I have my personal reasons to resign and all the stories about my differences with anyone are absolutely incorrect. When you work as a team there can be a difference of opinion but that happens anywhere. I want to reiterate again that my resignation is purely on his personal reasons and all other suggestions are totally unfounded. I thank PCB for their support and understanding. I will be available again to serve Paksitan as soon as I settle my personal problems,” Waqar said.

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Karachi, August 24 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should appoint a foreign coach as Waqar Younis’ successor because only an influence-free person will be able to take the team forward without succumbing to pressure from various quarters, former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has said.

Lawson, who was dumped as Pakistan coach 15 months into his appointment by PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, is currently with the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Kochi.

“I said it when I left as well, Pakistan need a foreign coach,” The Express Tribune quoted Lawson, as saying from Australia.

“Whether you come from Karachi or Lahore, the pressure on you from external sources doesn’t let you do the work properly. A foreign coach won’t have that excess baggage. He won’t worry about politics but will just concentrate on making the best team he can,” he added.

Lawson advocated the hiring of a foreigner who should be aided by a full set of specific coaches, in order for Pakistan to rise from the controversies and indifferent form on the field.

Critics, however, have discarded the idea of a foreign coach succeeding in Pakistan, not just because of the language barrier, but also the lack of knowledge of the system through which Pakistan cricket functions.

Bob Woolmer managed to remain Pakistan coach for almost three years, but Lawson, immensely popular with the players, failed to last for half that period.

“In my time, language wasn’t a problem. The common language was cricket and that’s all they had to understand. In my Kochi team, some players don’t speak Hindi so they communicate in English. It’s just an excuse of not appointing a foreign coach despite all the experience and assistance he can bring to Pakistan cricket,” Lawson argued.

Lawson also ruled out making a comeback as Pakistan’s coach, and predicted a struggle for the PCB in finding a decent long-term coach quickly.

“They will have a very, very difficult time. Not many will be willing to trust them because of how they’ve acted in the past, but I’ll still tell the PCB to get a foreign coach even if it’s a short, six-month contract. It’s not so much the situation, but the chairman’s reputation just isn’t good enough for him to invite foreign coaches over to Pakistan,” he added.

–ANI

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ISLAMABAD (AP) ” Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled all-rounder Shoaib Malik for the series against Zimbabwe.

The integrity committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday cleared Malik of financial misconduct which had kept him away from international cricket for a year.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan said in a statement on Saturday that Malik was included after consulting the team management, and that the squad would be “further strengthened” with his inclusion.

Coach Waqar Younis also welcomed Malik and said there’s still “a lot of cricket left in the all-rounder and its good that he is available to play for Pakistan.”

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Younis has decided to step down after the Zimbabwe tour.

Lawson, who was sacked by PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt before his contract ended in late 2008, said that only a foreign coach was the answer to Pakistan cricket”s problems.

Lawson is currently with the Indian Premier League side Kochi and feels that the foreign coach should be aided by a full set of specific coaches for Pakistan to rise from the controversies and indifferent form on the field.

“I said it when I left as well, Pakistan need a foreign coach. Whether you come from Karachi or Lahore, the pressure on you from external sources doesn’t let you do the work properly.

“A foreign coach won’t have that excess baggage. He won’t worry about politics but will just concentrate on making the best team he can. In my time, language wasn’t a problem. The common language was cricket and that’s all they had to understand,” Lawson told The Express Tribune from Australia.

Lawson cited example of his IPL team, where players speak different languages but it’s not a problem at all.

“In my Kochi team, some players don’t speak Hindi so they communicate in English. It’s just an excuse of not appointing a foreign coach despite all the experience and assistance he can bring to Pakistan cricket.”

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The former fast-bowler’s sudden announcement left the PCB in shock who need to find his replacement after the Zimbabwe tour as the board contemplates whether to name a foreign or a local coach.

Afridi, who retired from international cricket after he was stripped of captaincy, wants the board to do away with a single coach appointment but instead wants them to place a manager under who the batting, bowling and fielding coaches will work.

“Not appointing a head coach will be the best decision,” Afridi told The Express Tribune from London where he is preparing for Hampshire’s Friends Provident Twenty20 semi-final. “There should, instead, be a strong and competent manager along with assistant coaches.”

Afridi, who developed serious differences with Younis on selection matters that prompted the board to take away the captain’s arm-band, felt that the new formula will help avoid controversies.

“The assistant coaches will focus solely on their jobs rather than get involved in other issues. The manager will be there to look after everything. Matters will become simpler and things will go smoothly.”

Coach of Woolmer’s calibre required

The all-rounder added that if the PCB goes ahead and appoint a single coach at the helm, then a coach of Bob Woolmer’s calibre should be appointed.

“I won’t go into the debate of whether the PCB should hire a foreign or a local coach. Pakistan just need a qualified coach. The team needs a coach like Woolmer who was qualified and had plenty of experience.

“I remember easily that no players had any major issues under Woolmer. He used to keep his focus on the job without having any agendas on the side.”

Lawson agrees on formula

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has agreed with the idea of appointing department-specific coaches instead of a single head coach.

“A coach is a must but it should be someone to oversee discussion and planning, prepare the system and the training camp and that’s the role of a coach at international level,” Lawson told The Express Tribune. “However, if you want to get the best out of the team, you need a batting and a bowling coach, and other people assisting. The skills involved in cricket are so different that you need specific knowledge of what is going on.”

Lawson, who coached Pakistan to the final of the 2007 World Twenty20, was sacked 15 months into his appointment by Ijaz Butt when he took up office at the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2008.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2011.

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Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis resigned on Saturday, citing personal reasons, in the latest setback to hit the troubled team that has been riven by in-fighting and corruption scandals.

“I have tendered my resignation to the Board last week and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last,” Waqar Younis, at the helm for less than 18 months, told a press conference ahead of this month’s tour to the African country.

The 39-year-old former fast bowler took over as coach in March 2010, but has since faced controversies including the spot-fixing scandal that led to lengthy bans for three cricketers, dissent from players, and differences with former one-day captain Shahid Afridi.

“I have taken this decision on personal grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone. My resignation has been accepted by the (Pakistan Cricket) Board,” said Waqar.

Pakistan plays one practice game, one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on the tour of Zimbabwe, which starts on August 28.

Waqar’s differences with Afridi surfaced during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in May this year, after which manager Intikhab Alam blamed both of them for creating problems within the team.

Afridi retired from international cricket after being dumped as one-day captain in June, saying he will not return as long as Ijaz Butt remains the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Waqar is coach.

Waqar was also reportedly unhappy with chief selector Mohsin Khan.

However, the former fast bowler said on Saturday that he had no complaints.

“Had everything in my personal life – that is, my wife’s health and my own – been all right, I would not have taken this decision. But I do not want to fail to do the job justice because of the personal problems on my mind,” said Waqar.

Waqar, under whom Pakistan qualified for the semi-final of the World Cup in March this year before losing to eventual champions India, called his time a the helm a “roller coaster”.

“It was a roller coaster for me, with a lot of controversies including the spot-fixing scandal, but I am proud of the fact that all these young boys have carried on the good work despite these problems,” said Waqar.

His first two Test series as coach – against Australia and England, both played in England last year – saw Test captain Salman Butt and key pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer caught up in the spot-fixing scandal.

The corruption claims over the Test against England at Lord’s in August resulted in lengthy bans for Butt, Asif and Aamer, and the trio also faces criminal proceedings in England.

Waqar said the players had been shocked by his decision to quit.

“I only told the players on Saturday morning, and they were shocked because until today the matter was between me and the PCB, but I am sure that this young team will do well in future,” said Waqar.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told AFP, “The PCB has accepted his resignation and understands his personal reasons. His tenure was good and we wish him the best in his future.”

Waqar’s resignation is the latest headache to hit the troubled national team, which will have to find another suitable coach before their October-November series against Sri Lanka.

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AFP

Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis resigned on Saturday, citing personal reasons, in the latest setback to hit the troubled team that has been riven by in-fighting and corruption scandals.

“I have tendered my resignation to the Board last week and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last,” Waqar Younis, at the helm for less than 18 months, told a press conference ahead of this month’s tour to the African country.

The 39-year-old former fast bowler took over as coach in March 2010, but has since faced controversies including the spot-fixing scandal that led to lengthy bans for three cricketers, dissent from players, and differences with former one-day captain Shahid Afridi.

“I have taken this decision on personal grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone. My resignation has been accepted by the (Pakistan Cricket) Board,” said Waqar.

Pakistan plays one practice game, one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on the tour of Zimbabwe, which starts on August 28.

Waqar’s differences with Afridi surfaced during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in May this year, after which manager Intikhab Alam blamed both of them for creating problems within the team.

Afridi retired from international cricket after being dumped as one-day captain in June, saying he will not return as long as Ijaz Butt remains the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Waqar is coach.

Waqar was also reportedly unhappy with chief selector Mohsin Khan.

However, the former fast bowler said on Saturday that he had no complaints.

“Had everything in my personal life – that is, my wife’s health and my own – been all right, I would not have taken this decision. But I do not want to fail to do the job justice because of the personal problems on my mind,” said Waqar.

Waqar, under whom Pakistan qualified for the semi-final of the World Cup in March this year before losing to eventual champions India, called his time a the helm a “roller coaster”.

“It was a roller coaster for me, with a lot of controversies including the spot-fixing scandal, but I am proud of the fact that all these young boys have carried on the good work despite these problems,” said Waqar.

His first two Test series as coach – against Australia and England, both played in England last year – saw Test captain Salman Butt and key pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer caught up in the spot-fixing scandal.

The corruption claims over the Test against England at Lord’s in August resulted in lengthy bans for Butt, Asif and Aamer, and the trio also faces criminal proceedings in England.

Waqar said the players had been shocked by his decision to quit.

“I only told the players on Saturday morning, and they were shocked because until today the matter was between me and the PCB, but I am sure that this young team will do well in future,” said Waqar.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told AFP, “The PCB has accepted his resignation and understands his personal reasons. His tenure was good and we wish him the best in his future.”

Waqar’s resignation is the latest headache to hit the troubled national team, which will have to find another suitable coach before their October-November series against Sri Lanka.

This will be followed by a tour of Bangladesh and a series against world No.1 Test team England early next year.

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ISLAMABAD – Pakistan cricket and controversy are the two sides of same coin. Every sports lover not only in Pakistan but internationally accepts that Pakistan cricket team is blessed with so many natural stars who can turn around the game in a short span of time.
But on the other hand it is also true that Pakistan team is known for its blunders and throwing away matches against the much weaker oppositions. At a crucial stage when Pakistan team is set to depart on Zimbabwe tour, suddenly the resignation of head coach Waqar Younis have left many questions needed to be answered both by Waqar and the Pakistan Cricket Board officials. Nobody is going to believe Waqar has resigned just because of his ill-health.
If he wanted to discontinue his coaching assignments he could have done this much earlier, so what was the reason behind Waqar’s decision to quit the team soon after the Zimbabwe series? The timing and announcement of this news is not right at all as this will affect the already under pressure Pakistan team who is going on this tour with several new faces. Only captain Misbah, Younus and last-minute entrant Shoaib Malik will defiantly provide Pakistan a much-needed balance in the middle order, otherwise the rest of the squad will heavily rely on the experience of Saeed Ajmal.
Pakistan bowling was always their secret and main weapon on which team depended heavily. But this current squad lack depth in bowling while the batting is also very weak. These things in fact were enough for the selectors to focus. Now, the Waqar saga will further add to the problems of the PCB. Pakistan team needs a batting coach rather than a bowling coach, instead of hiring Waqar and Aaqib as both of them were fast bowlers and both of them can hardly bat with some exception to Waqar as he had played one or two good innings.
Pakistan is blessed with so many past batting greats such as Hanif Muhammad, Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and many more who can help the youngsters by imparting them the batting tips and told them what shot to play and which ball to leave. Now when Waqar has decided to quit after Zimbabwe tour, it is the ideal time for the Board to make amends to their past mistakes and hire either Hanif Muhammad, Miandad or Zaheer Abbas as head coach as these gentlemen have what it takes at the top level and they have proven themselves as the masters of the game during their playing days.
Ijaz Butt must set aside his personal differences with Miandad for the sake of cricket and hand over the coaching assignment to Miandad.
One thing is sure that Javed has always played for the pride of the country and he will not let down Ijaz and will accept the offer as challenge.
In present circumstances nobody other than Miandad can revive the fast declining fortunes of the national team.
Pakistan is all set to embark upon Zimbabwe tour and Zimbabwe is on a high after winning both Test and One Day series against Bangladesh and they have find a lethal combination in form of Vitori and Jarvis who are bowling with exceptional pace and venom and taking lots of wickets between them. On the other hand Pakistan team is out of practice as they have not played competitive cricket for a while and the players will take some time to adapt to the conditions which will certainly favour the home side.

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KARACHI (AFP) – Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis resigned Saturday, citing personal reasons, in the latest setback to hit the troubled team that has been riven by in-fighting and corruption scandals.

“I have tendered my resignation to the Board last week and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last,” Waqar Younis, at the helm for less than 18 months, told a press conference ahead of this month’s tour to the African country.

The 39-year-old former fast bowler took over as coach in March 2010, but has since faced controversies including the spot-fixing scandal that led to lengthy bans for three cricketers, dissent from players, and differences with former one-day captain Shahid Afridi.

“I have taken this decision on personal grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone. My resignation has been accepted by the (Pakistan Cricket) Board,” said Waqar.

Pakistan plays one practice game, one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on the tour of Zimbabwe, which starts on August 28.

Waqar’s differences with Afridi surfaced during Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in May this year, after which manager Intikhab Alam blamed both of them for creating problems within the team.

Afridi retired from international cricket after being dumped as one-day captain in June, saying he will not return as long as Ijaz Butt remains the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Waqar is coach.

Waqar was also reportedly unhappy with chief selector Mohsin Khan.

However, the former fast bowler said Saturday that he had no complaints.

“Had everything in my personal life — that is, my wife’s health and my own — been all right, I would not have taken this decision. But I do not want to fail to do the job justice because of the personal problems on my mind,” said Waqar.

Waqar, under whom Pakistan qualified for the semi-final of the World Cup in March this year before losing to eventual champions India, called his time a the helm a “roller coaster”.

“It was a roller coaster for me, with a lot of controversies including the spot-fixing scandal, but I am proud of the fact that all these young boys have carried on the good work despite these problems,” said Waqar.

His first two Test series as coach — against Australia and England, both played in England last year — saw Test captain Salman Butt and key pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer caught up in the spot-fixing scandal.

The corruption claims over the Test against England at Lord’s in August resulted in lengthy bans for Butt, Asif and Aamer, and the trio also faces criminal proceedings in England.

Waqar said the players had been shocked by his decision to quit.

“I only told the players on Saturday morning, and they were shocked because until today the matter was between me and the PCB, but I am sure that this young team will do well in future,” said Waqar.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told AFP, “The PCB has accepted his resignation and understands his personal reasons. His tenure was good and we wish him the best in his future.”

Waqar’s resignation is the latest headache to hit the troubled national team, which will have to find another suitable coach before their October-November series against Sri Lanka.

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