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Pak-New Zealand ODI series to be held in UAE

September 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 14 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ijaz Butt has said that he has had constructive talks with Emirates Cricket Board officials about holding a proposed ODI series against New Zealand there later this year.

Butt, who is in London, said that he would officially announce the venues for the four One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches on Monday after returning home.

“The venues, 90 per cent, would be Abu Dhabi and Dubai once again,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

New Zealand has refused to tour Pakistan for the scheduled series in October this year because of the volatile security situation in the country.

However, it has agreed to play the matches at neutral venues and host the three Tests in New Zealand in November-December.

Pakistan has already played a one-day series with Australia in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in April-May this year.

Butt visit to the Emirates came after differences erupted over the hosting fees being demanded by the Abu Dhabi and Dubai cricket bodies.

After meeting with the Emirates board officials, Butt travelled to London where he held two rounds of talks with Giles Clarke who heads the Wales and English cricket Board and also leads the special task force of the International Cricket Council formed to explore possibilities for resumption of international cricket in Pakistan. (ANI)

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Coach must take pride in his work: Aaqib Javed

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Sep.11 (ANI): Former Pakistan fast bowler and assistant coach Aaqib Javed has said a coach of a national squad should take pride in his work and not impose himself on the players.

Javed, who was sacked from the assistant coach post by the Pakistan Cricket Board last month, said a coach should be able to communicate effectively with the players.

“I’m not one for shouting at the players, or making a lot of noise for the sake of it. Coaching players is all about taking pride in your work and ensuring that you show a caring attitude towards the players,” Javed told PakPassion.net.

Javed said a coach must earn the respect of teammates and added that he preferred working hard for the players instead of imposing himself on them.

“You have to earn the respect of the players you are working with. We have to be pulling in the same direction. I work very hard with the players and in return the players who work hard for me get their rewards,” he said.

The PCB had axed Javed over Pakistan’s poor performance during the Sri Lanka series.

Sources said his ouster came due to negative reports about him filed by coach Intikhab Alam, who felt Javed was getting too involved with some of the senior players.

Captain Younis Khan is also said to be unhappy with Javed’s presence in the team.

Javed has been replaced by Mohtashim Rasheed, younger brother of former Test batsman, Haroon Rasheed.

When enquired about Javed’s sacking, PCB chief Ijaz Butt had said he has ‘better plans’ for the former fast bowler. (ANI)

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Pak cricket’s ‘international future’ hinges round crucial Butt, Clarke meeting

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, Sep.10 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping that the meeting between its chairman Ijaz Butt and England Cricket Board (ECB) chief Giles Clarke would yield some positive results for Pakistan cricket.

The PCB expects the meeting, which is scheduled to be held later this week, to be fruitful with regard to resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

“The chairman will discuss several important issues with the ECB chief. We are hoping to get a very positive outcome from the meeting,” a PCB official said.

According to board insiders Butt is likely to discuss issues to facilitate the return of international cricket to Pakistan during the meeting.

Sources said he is also expected to finalize a deal regarding staging Pakistan’s ‘home’ series against Australia in England next summer.

As per the plan Pakistan has to host Australia for two Tests and a couple of Twenty20 games next July, The News reported. (ANI)

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PCB discontinues inquiry against Shoaib Akhtar after apology

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep.9 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has discontinued its enquiry against controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for criticizing the team management on a television chat show.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told media persons here, that since Akhtar has admitted his mistake and apologized for the same, board has also decided to drop the inquiry.

It was nice of him to accept his mistake and we don’t want this issue to linger on any longer. So we have closed this chapter,” The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

The PCB had served a show cause notice to Akhtar for breaking the board’s code of conduct. He has been accused of violating three clauses of the central contract by giving a television interview in which he claimed that the national team management conspired against him and that he considered suing the authorities for leaking a confidential medical report.

Akhtar, during the television show, had described the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, as a ‘second grade person’, and said that all previous administrators had done nothing but ruined the game in the country.

Meanwhile, Akhtar said he is working hard on his form and fitness and would soon start competing in domestic matches to prove his fitness.

Akhtar, 34, has been struggling with his form and fitness for a long time which has seen him lose his place from both Test and one-day squad. (ANI)

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PCB chief miscalculated on ICC compensation package to Pak

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 1 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt was off the mark when he claimed last week that Pakistan would receive around Rs 1.5 billion (18 million dollars) from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after settling its 2011 World Cup dispute with the game’s governing body.

“The PCB stands to gain about Rs.1 billion (12 million dollars) from its deal with the ICC that was struck in Dubai last week,” sources said.

The settlement between the ICC and the PCB was reached following a meeting between ICC president David Morgan and Ijaz in Dubai last Wednesday.

Sources said Ijaz quoted that figure under pressure from the newsmen, who were surprised when Ijaz initially said that Pakistan would get Rs 1 billion from the deal.

“Rs 1 billion is only slightly higher than the amount of 10.5 million dollars which Pakistan would have got in any case as hosting fees for 14 of its World Cup matches,”the Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

Before making the deal with the ICC, Ijaz had claimed that Pakistan would get a substantial compensation for settling its court case with the ICC over the staging of the World Cup.

The PCB had issued a legal notice to the ICC early this summer after the game’s governing body moved Pakistan’s share of matches out of the country because of security concerns. (ANI)

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PCB sacks chief operating officer Salim Altaf

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 1 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked its chief operating officer Salim Altaf.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt was no longer interested in keeping Altaf in the board due to his poor management skills, erratic behaviour and intrigues, sources said.

“The termination letter has been sent by PCB director human resource Wasim Bari to Salim,” sources said.

Salim was appointed the chief operating officer when Ijaz took reins of the PCB after Nasim Ashraf resigned following resignation of former President Pervez Musharraf.

Shafqat Naghmi was shown the door and Salim was named in his place. The ouster of Salim is the third high profile dismissal in the PCB after sacking of chief selector Abdul Qadir and assistant coach Aaqib Javed from their respective posts.

“Seven out of nine PCB governing board members have signed the removal summary of Salim. The summary states that Salim’s services are no longer required by the board,” the Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

The ‘sharp differences’ between Salim and Ijaz had reached their peak for the last couple of months. Ijaz had taken all powers of the chief operating officer in his hands and Salim, like a dummy official, was drawing only salary from the board.

“The decision to fire Salim was in the offing as Ijaz had enough of him. The two were not even talking to each other for quite some time. Relations between Ijaz and Salim started getting sour when the latter confronted the chairman twice on taking unilateral decisions and not taking other officials into confidence.”

Salim told reporters yesterday he had not received any termination letter from the board as yet. “I reserve the right to pursue legal action against the board for this unfair dismissal of my services,” Salim maintained. (ANI)

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Pak selectors axe Razzaq, bring in Asif, Imran Nazir for Champions Trophy

August 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.21 (ANI): The seven member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday controversially recalled paceman Mohammad Asif and opener Imran Nazir, but omitted all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from their 15-man squad for next month’s Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Pakistan is placed in Group A of the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from September 20 to October 5.

The selection committee met at the PCB offices in Lahore. Sources told the Dawn that the chief selector Iqbal Qasim had consultations with head coach Intikhab Alam and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt before finalising the squad.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the best available team selected for the mega event,” Qasim was quoted by a foreign news agency, as saying.

Squad: Younus Khan (capt), Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umer Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved-ul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Moahmmad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar and Saeed Ajmal (ANI)

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PCB mulling giving key position to Saeed Anwar

August 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.13 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may rope in former opener Saeed Anwar to put its house in order.

Anwar met PCB chief Ijaz Butt on Wednesday, following which speculations are rife that the former southpaw may get a key position in the board.

A PCB spokesperson said Butt met Anwar to discuss how the PCB could utilize the former captain’s services.

“PCB chairman and Saeed will meet again in the coming week to discuss the plan in detail,” the spokesperson said.

After the meeting, Butt said he is looking forward to share Anwar’s vast on-field experience.

“I am thankful for Saeed’s encouraging response and I am sure Saeed will be able to contribute a lot to Pakistan cricket,” The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

Anwar, who retired from international cricket in 2003, has since remained away from cricket affairs, by devoting most of his time to religious activities. (ANI)

Anwar still holds the record of scoring the highest individual number of runs (194) in one-day cricket, which he made against India in Chennai in 1997.(ANI)

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PCB set to revamp Pak team management following Sri Lankan debacle

August 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, Aug. 8 (ANI): Following the Pakistan cricket team’s dismal Sri Lankan tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to overhaul the team management.

The News quoted PCB sources, as saying that the team’s manager and assistant manager are likely to be sacked, while the coach and captain will be asked for an explanation once the team returns home on August 13.

Pakistan lost the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka 0-2. It is the first time ever that Pakistan have lost a Test series in Sri Lanka. Continuing the rout, Sri Lanka won the five-match one-day series against Pakistan 3-0.

Another question that the team management may find difficult to answer is-reports surfacing that bookies tried to contact the Pakistani players in Galle and Colombo during the Test series, the report said.

Team manager Yawar Saeed had confirmed the reports initially, but after getting a dressing down from the PCB top brass, he denied them, it added.

According to sources, Saeed, 73, was made team manager because of his proximity with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, but his failure to deal with sensitive issues has made it clear that he is not the right man for the job.

Similarly, assistant manager Mohammad Ahmed has also been asked to quit the post.

Some influential officials in the PCB governing board are also gunning for the resignation of Intikhab Alam, the team’s coach, the paper said.

Some critics believe that captain Younis Khan is also responsible for the spate of defeats in Sri Lanka as he has failed to unite the team even after a stunning title-winning triumph in the ICC World Twenty20 championship in England last month, it added.

Sources, however, said that the fate of the duo will be decided after Butt holds separate meetings with Intikhab and Younis next week. (ANI)

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Butt vows to continue fighting for 2011 World Cup hosting rights

July 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, July 16 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has said he will continue to fight for Pakistan’s right to host the 2011 World Cup.

Butt said he would meet International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan in Dubai later this month and discuss the issue of Pakistan being denied hosting rights of the quadrennial event.

Commenting on the PCB’s absence from the World Cup 2011 Central Organising Committee (COC) meeting, Butt rejected the allegation that Pakistan had boycotted the meeting.

“We did not boycott the meeting. But since it is a legal matter I do not want to make any comment on that, but I can tell you that we are still trying to solve the matter through talks,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

The COC has redistributed games that were to be played in Pakistan to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The COC awarded eight matches to India, four to Sri Lanka and two to Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, irked by Pakistan’s absence, the COC has removed Butt from the committee.

Butt has been replaced by Mahbubul Alam of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). (ANI)

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Former Test player Iqbal Qasim likely to be appointed chief selector

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Karachi, July 13 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim as the chairman of the national cricket team’s selection committee.

According to sources, PCB chief Ijaz Butt will hold talks with Qasim today (Monday) to discuss various issues, including his (Qasim’s) appointment to the post, The News reports.

The chief selector’s post has been lying since former leg spinner Abdul Qadir resigned a month ago, citing incompatibility with the PCB.

Qadir had then criticized the omission of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar from the World T20 Championship squad.

He accused coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed of being behind the pacer’s exit from the squad. (ANI)

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Shoaib’s anti-PCB rant may be final nail in his coffin

July 11, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, July 11 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may take disciplinary action against controversial fast Shoaib Akhtar for his remarks on the board’s decision to axe him from the World Twenty20 Championship team.

The final decision in this regard would be taken by the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, The Daily Times reports.

When enquired about the issue, Butt said he is not fully aware about what Akhtar had actually said during the television interview.

Butt said he would be going through the whole statement of Akhtar, and would then decide whether the statements tantamount to violation of the player’s central contract.

According to sources, Butt would seek views of other senior board officials before penalizing Akhtar.

Akhtar, during the television chat show, had described the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, as a ‘second grade person’, and said that all the previous administrators had done nothing but ruined the game in the country.

Akhtar said he still has many years of cricket left in him and claimed that there has been a conspiracy to malign his image.

He said that he thought of suing the board for denying him a place in the World T20 Championship squad, but decided against it on Butt’s advice.

The 34 year old speedster was axed from the World T20 Championship squad after a PCB medical panel declared him unfit due to a skin infection.

Following Akhtar’s ouster from the team, chief selector Abdul Qadir also resigned from the post alleging that coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed were behind the move to drop Akhtar. (ANI)

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Pak Army removes Swat commanding officer

July 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 5 (ANI): The commanding officer of the Swat offensive, Major General Ijaz Awan has been removed from the post.

He has been replaced by Major General Ashfaq Nadeem, as the Army is preparing for a final assault in the region.

Major General Nadeem, who is currently in-charge of the military operation in Mangla region, would assume the charge of General Officer Commanding (GOC) Swat on August 14, The Dawn reports.

Sources said that the replacements were a part of routine transfers and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani had also approved the new appointments.

“General Awan has completed his tenure of three years as GOC. The change is part of a major reshuffle in which 16 two-star generals have been transferred,” they said.

It is believed that General Awan would be given new assignment, details about which are still awaited. (ANI)

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“Miffed” PCB likely to skip Mumbai meeting to assert its stand on WC hosting issue

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, July 3 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is unlikely to participate in the meeting with the three hosts of the 2011 World Cup India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to discuss and sort out the hosting rights issues.

The meeting, slated to be held in Mumbai on July 16, has been called to discuss the issues regarding the hosting rights of the 2011 World Cup after the ICC decided to shift the world cup games from Pakistan to other host countries citing security reasons.

According to sources, the former ICC President Ehsan Mani and PCB chief Ijaz Butt met to discuss whether the PCB should participate in the meeting or not.

Mani believed that participating in the meeting may weaken Pakistan’s stand and its legal case against the ICC, sources said.

However, Butt expressed unawareness regarding any meeting being called in Mumbai.

“Where did you come to know of the date for this meeting when we are still waiting to hear of it.We will be taking a decision about our participation after receiving a formal invitation from the three hosts,” The Dawn quoted Butt, as saying. (ANI)

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Now, Sarfaraz bays for PCB boss Butt and his cronies’ blood

July 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 1 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairperson Ijaz Butt is under attack from all spheres.

After the sports minister Pir Aftab Jilani held the PCB’s top brass responsible for losing the hosting rights of 2011 World Cup, former Test cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz has now criticized Butt and his close aides for the persistent mismanagement in the board.

Nawaz said Butt and his associates were trying to cash on Pakistan’s World T20 win for their own benefit.

“Ijaz Butt and his cronies are trying to misuse the Twenty20 World Cup victory to save their seats. There is no role of Ijaz and his management in the victory of the national team but they are trying to take credit,” The Daily Times quoted Nawaz, as saying.

Nawaz also lashed out at coach Intikhab Alam and manager Yawar Saeed, and said both of them are involved in ‘dirty politics’ in the team.

He claimed that captain Younis Khan has problems with the coach and asked for a change.

“As far as I know, Younis has asked for a change of coach and his demand should be accepted now especially when he has proved his leadership abilities by gifting the nation the World Cup,” he said.

Nawaz was particularly furious over the PCB’s failure to save 2011 World Cup matches from being shifted out from Pakistan.

“The PCB could not save the World Cup 2011 matches and presently it has no support in international cricket community. Even countries like Bangladesh and India, which were our allies in the past, have deceived us. What else the present management wants to give to Pakistan cricket,” he said.

Nawaz urged the government to replace the PCB’s top management with ‘young and energetic’ professionals. (ANI)

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Pak govt. holds PCB responsible for losing hosting rights of 2011 World Cup

July 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, July 1 (ANI) : The Pakistan government has blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the International Cricket Council’ s (ICC) decision to shift 2011 World Cup matches from the country.

Pointing fingers towards the PCB chief Ijaz Butt, Sports Minister Pir Aftab Jilani said those who run the matters of PCB are responsible for losing the rights of hosting World Cup 2011 matches.

“Of course, the one who is running the show of Pakistan cricket is responsible for this shift,” The Daily Times quoted Jilani, as saying.

The ICC had decided not to host any World Cup matches in Pakistan following the brazen terrorist attack on the visiting Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March.

Later, the apex cricket committee awarded all the 14 matches, which Pakistan had to host earlier, to the other three host nations India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. (ANI)

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Butt vows to make Younis rethink his T20 retirement decision

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, June 25 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has said that he would persuade captain Younis Khan to rethink his decision of quitting the Twenty20 format of the game, The Daily Times reports.

Talking to media persons before a reception hosted by the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in honour of the ICC World Twenty20 champions, Butt said he would convince Khan to withdraw his decision.

Khan had hung his T20 boots after successfully leading the team to the coveted title.

Soon after lifting the ICC T20 trophy at Lord’s, Khan had said he would be available for national duty for the Tests and one-day internationals, but would not play the newer version of the game any more. (ANI)

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PCB opposes sending invitation to Musharraf, Aziz for ICC T20 final

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, June 21 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opposed inviting former President General Pervez Musharaf and Prime Minister Sahukat Aziz to the final of the ICC World Twenty20 Championship to be played here today.

According to sources, the former PCB chief Nasim Ashraf has asked the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to invite Musharraf and Aziz for the final match of the tournament to be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

However, the ECB rejected Ashraf’s request, as the present PCB chief Ijaz Butt advised against sending invitations to the former leaders.

“The ECB is sending a written note to the Pakistan Cricket Board informing the board that it was purely on the intervention of Ejaz Butt that it has declined to invite Musharraf and Shaukat,” The Dawn quoted P. J. Mir, a television talk show host, as saying.

When enquired about the issue, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, denied to comment saying he too has not received any invitation for the final match.

Hasan, however, said that he has been informed that his invitation was on its way.

“It is only today that I learnt that an invitation is on its way,” he said. (ANI)

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PCB to consider Yousuf for Sri Lanka Test series following NOC from ICL

May 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 28 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has said that middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf would be considered for the Test series against Sri Lanka starting from June 27.

Yousuf has already submitted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) to the PCB, saying he has terminated his contract with the rebel league.

However, it seems that the PCB is still undecided about the punishment for players who had sided with the ICL, The Nation reports.

Senior PCB official said any final decision in this regard would be taken by the board’s Chairman Ijaz Butt.

He said players who intend to terminate their contract with the ICL by the May 31 deadline would be allowed back into the national team after a cooling off period, or could do so by just paying fines.

“We will put up the case to the Chairman. He will take a final decision. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) has advised its member boards to have a cooling period of six to 12 months under a clause in the regulations on unauthorized tournaments,” a report submitted by the PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Saleem Altaf stated. (ANI)

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Yousuf claims he has obtained NOC from ICL

May 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 27 (ANI): Pakistan middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf has claimed that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) has given him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play for the country.

Yousuf said he had submitted the NOC to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“I have submitted an NOC from the Indian league and it’s now up to the authorities to clear my way to play international cricket,” The Daily Times quoted Yousuf, as saying.

Yousuf said he desperately wants to play for Pakistan, and it was now upto the PCB to give him an opportunity to don the national cap once again.

“I have handed the letter over to the PCB and now wait for their reply as I desperately want to play for my country,” he said.

Confirming receiving the letter from Yousuf, PCB’s Director (human resource) Wasim Bari said the letter has been sent to the board chairman Ijaz Butt for further action.

“We have to verify this letter and put it before PCB chairman Ijaz Butt,” Bari said.

Earlier, the PCB had asked Yousuf to table the ICL’s response over his decision to quit the rebel league.

According to sources, the PCB is mulling recalling Yousuf in the national team to bolster its batting line-up for the forthcoming three Test match series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international on its tour of Sri Lanka beginning June 27. (ANI)

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