Umpires escape a much tougher ban

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: After a lengthy session of the integrity committee, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Saturday imposed four and three years ban on umpires Nadeem Ghouri and Anis Siddiqui respectively, however a source familiar with the development revealed that the two umpires had actually escaped a much server sanction. “The offence was of the serious nature and after thorough review of the hours long video evidence some members even suggested a life ban on the umpires”, said the source.

 

“Nadeem and Anis are educated and experienced umpires, hence instead of being involved in lengthy conversations, they should have given them a shut-up call straightaway”, added the source

Meanwhile the umpires are entitled to file an appeal against the ban within 30 days. Their appeals will be heard by PCB’s independent arbitrator.

Earlier commenting on the occasion Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf said, "The PCB has a zero tolerance policy for corruption or indiscipline. We are committed on creating awareness amongst our players and officials with regards to the possible pitfalls, and are determined to adopt all vigilance and security parameters, which are in line with the laid out procedures of the ICC. Today's decision reiterates the commitment of the PCB to keep our great sport free of all corrupt practices", a PCB press release said.

The writer is a Pakistani sports journalist, heads the sports department at News One TV & tweets @mak_asif

WICB is ready, but PCB is not

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: Although the Pakistan tour to the West Indies in coming July was part of the International Cricket Council’s FTP, however the recent ambiguous signals from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) provoked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to shift to a contingency plan.

“The WICB was planning to host India and Sri Lanka for a tri-nation series during the period, and wanted to reschedule Pakistan’s tour”, a PCB source revealed to this correspondent

“Now we have scheduled some of our old test series pending with Zimbabwe in this window”, the source added

The Pakistan Cricket team was due to play two Tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches against Zimbabwe - in December last year - but the trip was postponed as the dates were clashing with the Indian trip.

On the other hand, a new development suggests that the WICB was still optimistic about hosting Pakistan. A statement on the WICB website says “WICB looks forward to the much anticipated visit of the Pakistan Cricket Team as indeed all cricket-loving fans of the Caribbean do”

“Once all arrangements are finalized they will be announced to the media and public in the usual manner and at the earliest opportunity”, added WICB

The writer is a Pakistani sports journalist, heads the sports department at News One TV & tweets @mak_asif

PCB gears up for strict measures to shun 2010 like incident

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACH: The Pakistan Cricket team with embark on a trip to London to participate in the prestigious Champions Trophy with two worries. This time around, along with tackling with the tough oppositions, avoiding 2010 kind of incidents would also be in the back of everybody’s mind.

The trio banned, for spot-fixing in England, in 2010

Pakistan, in 2010, went to England to play a series against the home team but three of the players – Captain Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir – were caught and later sent to jail for their involvement in the notorious spot-fixing episode.

  

Almost after three years of that unpleasant event, the new management of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under Chairman Zaka Ashraf, is upbeat and hopeful that, with adequate mechanism in place, the 2010 like incident would be averted.

“We are taking strict measures on our team's visit to the UK after the 2010 incident”, a PCB source revealed to this correspondent.

On a question the source further said that, in line with the ICC directives, the players as well as the officials were duly briefed on relevant precautions.

“The players are well aware of this problem, and to make it more secure, the security department as well as a vigilance team would monitor the players etc”, concludes the PCB source.

After the spot-fixing episode, the ICC imposed ban on all the players, but Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt later appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), on which the verdict is expected anytime soon.

The writer is a Pakistani sports journalist, heads the sports department at News One TV & tweets @mak_asif

Latif sees Younis more effective in coaching role

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: After getting dropped from the Champions Trophy squad, the one-day international career of the former skipper, Younis Khan has probably reached at a decisive juncture. The veteran batsman might be in a dilemma, but his close friend and another former captain, Rashid Latif is categorical on this matter, and feels that Younis Khan should call it a day in the ODI cricket.

“Younis has been a wonderful player for Pakistan, but has crossed his prime. It’s high time for him [Younis] to retire from ODIs”, said Rashid Latif, while talking to this correspondent.

“I see an ideal coach in Younis and there is no harm in appointing him as Pakistan’s assistant coach, who can take over when Whatmore leaves”, adds Latif

Younis Khan, 35, has already acquired a level-two coaching course, conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore a few years back.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also in search of a full-time batting coach for national team and it is reported that the appointment was likely to be made before the upcoming Champions Trophy, scheduled in England later this year.

“I think Younis should be appointed as assistant coach before the Champions Trophy. His stature and experience would come handy for the team.”, concludes Latif.

The writer is a sports journalist in Pakistan, heads the sports department at News One TV & tweets @mak_asif

Younus Khan was dropped, not discarded: Iqbal Qasim

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: Younus Khan’s poor run of form has not only cost him a place in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy but also put his ODI career in jeopardy. Some former cricketers have advised him to hang his boots however the chief selector, Iqbal Qasim feels that this important call had to be made by the veteran batsman himself. “Putting an end to somebody’s career is not the mandate of the selection committee. Whoever performs is considered for selection and Younus Khan is no exception”, said Iqbal Qasim while talking to this correspondent for News One TV.

“In view of the current form, Younus was not picked, but it doesn’t mean that he was sidelined forever”, added the chief selector.

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection committee on Sunday announced the preliminary 30-men squad for the Champions Trophy scheduled in England later this year, where Pakistan will face the West Indies in their opening match on June 7.

Younus, 35, only managed 116 runs in the recently concluded series against South Africa, while this year, he scored 132 in seven ODI innings.

Since his debut in 2000, Younus Khan has played 253 ODIs as yet with 7014 runs to his credit. In Test Cricket he is amongst Pakistan’s top batsmen of all times with 6749 runs in 82 matches.

The former skipper gave up the Twenty20 format following Pakistan’s World Twenty20 triumph under his captaincy in 2009.

While terming the initial squad a balanced one, the chief selector said that the upcoming domestic One-day tournament would help them in choosing the final squad for the Champions trophy. “The domestic One-day tournament is a great opportunity for the players included in the initial list. It will make our [selection committee] job a little easier as well”, concludes Iqbal Qasim

The departmental One-Day tournament is scheduled to begin later this week, in which stars like Younus Khan and Shahid Afridi etc will represent their respective departments.

The writer is a sports journalist in Pakistan, heads the sports department at News One TV & tweets @mak_asif

Junaid snubs county offers, concentrates on CT

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: The recent tour to South Africa, where the batting line of Pakistan didn’t perform up to the expectations, but pacemen Junaid Khan and lanky Muhammad Irfan caught everybody’s attention including the English county teams, however, one of the duo, Junaid Khan said his entire focus is on the upcoming Champions Trophy.

 

“I have played for Lancashire, and recently got good offers from Durham and a few other county teams, however my entire focus is on the Champions Trophy at the moment, hence I turned down the offers”, said Junaid Khan while talking to this correspondent for News One TV.

“PCB also advised me to skip county offers to avoid possible injuries before the mega event scheduled in England later this year”, added Junaid Khan

The left arm fast bowler hurt his leg during the recently concluded tour of South Africa where he performed impressively.

Junaid Khan, who recently led his regional side at the domestic super eight T20 tournament, described his captaincy experience as a great learning curve for him.

“I was given the responsibility in Younus Khan’s absence, and I enjoyed the experience. I am eyeing at the upcoming departmental One-day tournament now”, said Junaid

The 23 year old was also ecstatic to know that the legendry Wasim Akram would probably appear at the training camp before the champions trophy.

“I heard Wasim Akram will also visit the training camp and that would the best opportunity for a youngster like me to learn from the master”, concludes Junaid Khan

The writer is a sports journalist in Pakistan, heads the sports department at News One TV & tweets @mak_asif

Westfield’s absence to benefit Kaneria: Lawyer

By Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: Danish Kaneria, the Pakistani leg-spinner has been under hot waters for more than two years now as the English Cricket Board (ECB), last year, banned him for life for his involvement in spot-fixing in a county game in September 2009. Kaneria has already filed as appeal, against the ban, which will be heard on April 22^nd.

 

In the preliminary hearing of Kaneria’s appeal in December last year his Essex-county mate and the man who accused him of the crime – Mervyn Westfield - did not show up but the Karachi based lawyer of the banned leg-spinner, Farogh Naseem, is of the view that in case of Westfield’s absence from the upcoming hearing, Danish Kaneria would probably be cleared of the charge. “If he [Westfield] appears before the appeal panel, then we would thoroughly question him, however in his absence, the ECB will lose out on its star witness”, said Farogh Naseem while talking to this correspondent for News One TV.

Kaneria, 32, was banned for life and charged £100,000 in costs by an ECB disciplinary panel in June last year for his part in the spot-fixing case. The lanky spinner was found guilty of luring his team-mate [Westfield] to under-perform and bringing the game into disrepute. Westfield, who was jailed for his role in the case, gave evidence against Kaneria at the hearing took place in June last.

Kaneria's appeal hearing was originally scheduled for December but, upon Westfield’s non-appearance, it was postponed until April 22^nd.

The lawyer, Farogh Naseem further said that, in his view, the earlier given statement by Westfield would hold no weight if he fails to attend the upcoming hearing as well.

“I believe his [Westfield’s] old statement will have no weight, because he is not cross-questioned in an appeal as yet. As per the law, during the proceedings of an appeal all the evidences and statements are reassessed and we are looking forward to doing the same”, said Farogh Naseem.

“If Westfield would fail to appear before the panel again, then Kaneria would be benefited”, concludes Farogh Naseem

Kaneria, 32, is the fourth highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Test cricket with 236 scalps to his credit in 61 appearances. He last played for Pakistan in July 2010.

The writer is a Pakistani sports journalist, and tweets @mak_asif