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Usman’s introduction to international cricket was short lived as the 20-year-old was dropped after only two one-day internationals (ODIs) against the West Indies. “Of course I was hoping to be selected for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, but it wasn’t meant to be and that is not something that I will feel sorry for myself about. Instead I am being very positive and not feeling down. I have been training even harder in the off season,” PakPassion.net quoted Usman, as saying.

“I’ve taken my non-selection for the tour of Zimbabwe and not being selected for a central contract on the chin and will look at it as a temporary setback. These sort of setbacks happen to all cricketers, young or old, experienced or inexperienced and I am confident that I will come back to the Pakistan side, as a better and more complete batsman,” he said optimistically. Whilst Usman’s introduction to international cricket was short lived, he however feels that the experience was invaluable and would benefit him for future assignments.

“To get the opportunity to work with a legend like Waqar Younis as well as practising and playing alongside fantastic and experienced cricketers, such as Misbahul Haq, was a brilliant experience. For me, the tour of the West Indies was so beneficial and invaluable, as it came at such an early point in my career,” said Usman.

“I have got the taste for international cricket and I hope that it’s not too long before I can play for Pakistan again and prove to everyone that I have what it takes to make it in international cricket.

There’s a lot of cricket coming up for Pakistan and I hope that somewhere down the line, my chance will come again,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Integrity Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday held its decision over former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria but sources in the PCB have revealed that the all-rounder has been cleared of charges and a formal announcement will be made in a couple of weeks.

The PCB’s Integrity Committee met Monday to decide whether the two cricketers were eligible for national selection but did not announce its decision as PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt was out of station for some personal reasons. The formal decision would be announced upon his arrival.

The Integrity Committee consisted of Chief Selector Mohsin Hasan Khan, PCB COO Subhan Ahmed, Zakir Khan, Sultan Rana, Jamshed Ali (Retd), M. Waseem, and Tafazul Rizvi.

The sources told Sportsencounter.com that Shoaib Malik had got clearance from the committee and was now eligible for selection.

The sources said that Shoaib Malik was likely to return as captain of Pakistan’s One Day International and Twenty20 International teams while Misbah-ul-Haq would continue to lead the country in Test matches.

Pakistan’s batting line-up has lacked a quality all-rounder in recent times whereas retirement by Shahid Afridi has further widened the gulf but with the inclusion of Shoaib Malik things are expected to get better for the Pakistan cricket team in the coming tours.-APP

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(AFP)- 10 hours ago

KARACHI — Pakistan’s cricket board was Sunday forced to deny reports of rifts within the country’s cricketing establishment, insisting that coach Waqar Younis had resigned for purely medical reasons.

Waqar, 39, said Saturday he would step down over medical concerns after Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe this month, but the troubled national team has also been riven by in-fighting and corruption scandals.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in an English-language statement Sunday, “PCB considers it appropriate to rebut the reports in certain media suggesting that resignation of Waqar… is due to some differences with PCB officials or the selection committee.”

Local media reports have indicated Waqar may be suffering from a liver ailment.

The departing coach also denied reports that in-fighting had led to his departure.

“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 for personal reasons and all other suggestions are totally unfounded,” he said.

“I enjoyed my tenure and will be available again to serve Paksitan as soon as I settle my personal problems.”

The former paceman, who also captained the team during an illustrious career, took over as coach in March 2010. Under his guidance, Pakistan defied the odds to reach the 2011 World Cup semi-final, where they lost to eventual champions India.

But his tenure also coincided with a spot-fixing scandal that led to lengthy bans for three players, while a public spat with former one-day captain Shahid Afridi ended with Afridi’s retirement and manager Intikhab Alam blaming both men for problems within the team.

PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad said: “Waqar contacted the board a few days back and requested to be relieved for personal reasons, pertaining to his health.

“Although it was a tough decision for the board to make, we understand his position.”

Pakistan plays a practice game, one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals on its tour of Zimbabwe this month.

The PCB will need to find a replacement fast, as Pakistan is set to play Sri Lanka in October-November, tour Bangladesh in December and play England in early 2012.

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(AFP)- 15 hours ago

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).

“I am very happy as the prayers of my mother, family and my wife have been answered,” Malik, who married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza last year, told AFP.

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 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 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.

“The last year was very tough on me and not playing the 2011 World Cup was the biggest tragedy in my life, but now I will do my best and perform for my country whenever I get a chance,” he said.

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.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board lifted Shaoib Malik’s 12-month ban for ill-discipline, making the former captain available for selection to the national team.

“I have decided to uphold his appeal and remove the ban as the board has extensively monitored his behaviour in the last three months,” PCB arbitrator and retired judge Irfan Qadir said.

Qadir said the board had noticed a marked improvement in Malik’s behavior and attitude, and halved a two million rupee (16,248) fine imposed on the all rounder to one million rupees.

The PCB appointed Qadir as an appeals judge after they banned and fined seven players in March following a probe into the team’s troubled tour of Australia early this year.

“I was shocked when they imposed the ban and it was not acceptable to me. But I am happy that I have been vindicated now,” Malik said.

“I am delighted this stigma of a ban has been removed from my name,”

The board imposed 12-month bans and fines on Malik and all rounder Rana Naved as well as indefinite suspensions on former captains Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf.

Current skipper Shahid Afridi and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal were each fined three million rupees and Umar Akmal two million.

All the players with the exception of Yousuf, who announced his retirement from international cricket, have appealed against their bans and fines.

National selectors included Malik and Younus in a list of 35 probables for the Asia Cup one-day tournament and Test tour to England with the final squads due to announced on June 2.

However, Qadir said he would not be able to conduct Younus’s hearing until June 5 following a request by the player’s lawyer to delay proceedings.

Former Test player and chief selector Abdul Qadir criticised the PCB for removing Malik’s ban, saying the board had acted too hastily.

“It is not a good omen for Pakistan cricket,” Qadir said.

“Based on the video recordings of the inquiry committee hearings the action taken by the board was appreciated,” he added. “But by doing a U-turn apparently because of political pressure, the board has once again put Pakistan cricket at risk.”

Likewise, former Test bowler Jalaluddin said he could not understand when and how the board was able to monitor Malik’s behaviour since March.

“Most of the time he has been in either India or Dubai after his marriage,” he said.

The leaked video recordings of the probe committee showed Afridi, Yousuf, and former team officials, Intikhab Alam and Abdul Raquib blaming Malik for creating disharmony within the team on the tours to New Zealand and Australia.

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KARACHI : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday appointed former middle-order batsman Ijaz Ahmed as assistant coach for the national team’s upcoming tour to Zimbabwe in a bid to strengthen the batting order.

“On the request of the team management Ahmed is appointed assistant coach. He will travel with the Pakistan team on the tour to Zimbabwe,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement.

Pakistan play a practice game from August 28, before taking the field for a Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 in Zimbabwe.

The 42-year-old Ahmed has reportedly been hired to iron out problems in the batting line-up, the team’s main area of concern in recent years.

Ahmed, who carved a name as an aggressive middle-order batsman over 60 Tests and 251 one-day internationals, was jailed two years ago for issuing false cheques worth 11 million rupees ($126,714 by the current exchange rate).

Ahmed is also on the staff of Pakistan’s national cricket academy in Lahore.

Pakistan’s head coach is former paceman Waqar Younis, while Misbah-ul-Haq has been appointed captain for all three forms on the tour of Zimbabwe.

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GLASGOW is to play host to a football match between one of the world’s most bitter rivalries, but this time it will not be Rangers and Celtic.

The national sides of Pakistan and India have agreed to lock horns in Scotland’s biggest city next month, and the tie is already whetting the appetite of Pakistani and Indian Scots who hope it will help further cement relations between the two countries and with Scotland.

The two nation’s cricket sides attract up to 100 million television viewers, but the football sides visiting Glasgow are expecting a more modest crowd of around 30,000.

And while cricket stars such as India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi are household names here and at home, the stars of the Bhangra Boys and the Greenshirts are less familiar.

India’s top goalscorer is Sunil Chhetri, who has netted 24 goals in 50 matches while star Pakistan striker Arif Mehmood has 14 goals in 21 games.

India’s latest squad is picked exclusively from local teams whereas the Pakistani side has at least one squad player who plays in the UK – in the sixth tier of English football. Defender Shabir Khan plays for Conference North side Worcester City.

The tie pits an Indian side which is 153th in the FIFA World rankings against the Pakistani team, ranked 171.

Pakistan were set to play a one-off match against India in Glasgow in July, 2007, but the game was abandoned due to rain.

Now organisers are locked in talks with Rangers over getting the match played at Ibrox on September 9. Touch Sky Sports (TSS), a sports agency that aims to promote football in emerging Asian and Middle Eastern markets, said yesterday that whatever happens the game will be staged in Glasgow.

It will come just six days after the teams meet at Derby’s Pride Park.

The matches in Glasgow and Derby have already received backing from high-profile members from the sports and entertainment world, including England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and boxer Amir Khan.

Amrit (Paul) Kaushal, secretary of the Glasgow-based Assocition of Indian Organisations, said: “To me, the most important thing is that it will establish closer relations between India and Pakistan. Sport can be used for this purpose, apart from being just entertainment.

“When they know each other, they become friends and it sends a message across the countries, allowing them to understand each other better, and helps to calm down people.

“India and Pakistan’s football teams are not right up to international level, and they can learn from Scotland. So maybe this can open the door to having an opportunity to play Scottish players in some way, which will help to improve their skills.”

Ferdinand said: “This is a major breakthrough for both nations and I hope to see myself in India and Pakistan soon.”

World boxing champion Khan said: “Football is one of the most popular sports among the Asian communities. I’m sure these matches will also be very beneficial for relations between the two countries.

“It’s always thrilling to see two rivals go up against one another.”

Praful Patel, President of the All India Football Federation, said: “Playing Pakistan is always special. I’m sure all sporting fans are eagerly looking forward to it.”

And Faisal Saleh Hayat, the Pakistan Football Federation president, added: “This match will definitely go a long way in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries. I wish everyone best of luck.”

Former Rangers defender Graham Roberts was Pakistan’s manager until earlier this year before becoming boss of Nepal.

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amit masram and john Pennington talking about the prospects of pakistan in cricket world cup 2011

LAHORE: Although former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf’s career appears silent right now, various departments and regions still consider him a ‘useful’ player and intend to use his services for the upcoming domestic season.

Reports surfaced last week that Yousuf had announced his retirement from all formats ” and not for the first time ” following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) snub to him when handing out the central contracts for the second half of the year. However, the former batsman is yet to confirm his latest retirement in public as he is currently in England playing for Smethwick cricket club.

Despite the report, the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) President Khawaja Nadeem ” who has close relations with the batsman ” ruled out the news citing it mere speculation.

“We’ve already offered him a place in the regional squad for the upcoming season,” Nadeem told The Express Tribune. “He’s a great player and should be treated with utmost respect and honour. I don’t know what future the PCB has decided for him but I can confirm that he hasn’t retired.”

The 36-year-old, a veteran of 90 Tests and 288 One-Day Internationals, last played for Pakistan in 2010 against South Africa, returning home midway due to fitness issues.

“I think there’s a vast communication gap between Yousuf and the PCB which needs to be sorted out as soon as possible. He still has a year of cricket left in him and I think his services for Pakistan cricket are exceptional and Pakistan should utilise whatever is left of him.”

Meanwhile, The PCB confirmed to The Express Tribune that the batsman has neither shared his retirement decision with the board nor has he shown availability.

Domestic cricket awating Yousuf

Yousuf, who turns 37 this month, scored 109, 68 and 72 in his last three innings for Warwickshire in the English county championship in May. Last year he left Wapda and joined Lahore after a fallout with teammate Rana Navedul Hasan. However, Wapda’s head of sports Naveed Akram Cheema still remains optimistic about Yousuf’s return to the department side.

“He resigned from the side last year,” said Cheema. “The door was never shut on him. He’s a wonderful player and everyone wants him to play for them. So whenever he wants to return, the department will welcome him.”

On the contrary, another departmental side ZTBL is very keen to recruit Yousuf for the upcoming season.

“The bank intended to hire him but failed to establish any contact with him,” said ZTBL Manager Sports Masood Anwar. “He’s one of the finest batsmen in the country and a fabulous player to have in the squad. I learnt about his retirement but I’m sure it’s just speculation as he never appeared before the media or conveyed this to anyone else.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2011.

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LAHORE – Pakistan cricket team captain Misbahul Haq urged the youngsters included in the team for Zimbabwe tour to prove their mettle and deliver for Pakistan.
Misbah said the new players take full advantage from the Zimbabwe tour which was a great international exposure for them. “All the new players selected after performing well in domestic tournament and Zimbabwe tour provides them a chance to prove their skills and make mark at an international level,” Misbah said in a press conference held at the PCB headquarters on Monday.
Pakistan have surprisingly rested pacemen Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul and dropped Tanveer Ahmed and Abdul Rehman. The selectors recalled Sohail Tanveer and Sohail Khan and included new fast bowlers Junaid Khan and uncapped Aizaz Cheema while leg-spinner Yasir Shah replaced Abdul Rehman.
“After a long time, a number of seniors have left together, so every team comes across such times and then replacements are found by trying out some new players who can play like those seniors,” added Misbah.
Veteran batsman M Yousuf lost favour with the selectors, while wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, former captain Shoaib Malik and seasoned leg-spinner Danish Kaneria were left out over fixing suspicions.
Misbah said that though many young players have been given chance in the national squad yet the team needed senior players and Shoaib Malik would be right choice if he was cleared by the PCB integrity committee.
“Shoaib Malik is a senior and experienced player and the team is in need of his services as he has led the team many times. So his inclusion will surely boost the team’s morale. Now it’s upto decision of integrity committee, if it clears him he can be included in the national squad,” added Misbah.
Misbah denied Pakistan were not taking Zimbabwe seriously. “We are not taking any team lightly. If we relax then we may face trouble and by inducting youngsters in the team we are not experimenting because all these young players have come into the team on merit,” stated Misbah. A new-look Pakistan will play a two-day practice match in Bulawayo from August 28, then a Test at the same venue from September 1. They also play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s on the tour. Pakistan will leave for Zimbabwe on August 25.
After Zimbabwe, Pakistan play Sri Lanka in three Tests, five ODIs and one Twenty20 match in the United Arab Emirates in October and November.
“Pakistan team is facing a situation where new and younger players have come in but it will take time for them to settle down. And it will not be easy even against Zimbabwe,” he cautioned, adding added that the team would be undergoing hard training in the national camp that begins from Monday.

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Pakistani Team (Men In Green) Going to win again the Worldcup 2012.. In-Sha-Allah.