Pakistan’s ‘ghost’ schools worry donors

October 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Oct 30 (IANS) The World Bank and the European Union have voiced concern over the existence of “ghost” and closed schools in Pakistan’s Sindh province and absenteeism of teachers from schools.

This issue figured at a meeting between Sindh Minister for Education Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq and a joint delegation of the World Bank and the European Union (EU), Dawn News reported.

The issues concerning closure of schools and long absence of teachers were raised by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and EU officials.

The minister informed them that more funds were required to repair and renovate a large number of schools, which had been damaged in the recent floods.

He said that the Sindh government had already made a number of schools functional by appointing many new teachers.

He said he has directed the education department to introduce an effective school monitoring system so that stern action could be taken against the truant teachers.

He informed the delegation about steps taken to increase enrollment of children in government schools. The education department has also been directed to take strict action against ghost teachers and halt the funding of closed schools.

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Pak team management mulling inclusion of fresh faces for Asia Cup

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, May 20 (ANI): Following T20 skipper Shahid Afridi’s call for injecting young blood in the team, the Pakistan selectors are planning to include at least two to three new faces in the 15-man squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup, to be held in Sri Lanka from June 15-25.

According to sources, the team management and selectors are mulling including some young players in the team and axe some of the non-performing veterans, particularly middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, who had a disappointing outing during the recently concluded ICC World T20 Championship.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan is likely to meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt on May 25 to discuss the team combination for the four-nation tournament.

Mohsin is also likely to meet coach Waqar Younis and captain Shahid Afridi before announcing the final contingent for the Asia Cup, The News reports.

Following its good show in the World T20 Championship in the West Indies, Pakistan would be eyeing lifting the Asia Cup and take home the 200,000-dollar prize money.

Asia Cup schedule: June 15: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan. 16: India vs Bangladesh. 17: Reserve day. 18: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh. 19: Pakistan vs India. 20: Reserve day. 21: Pakistan vs Bangladesh. 22: India vs Sri Lanka. 23: Reserve day. 24: Final. (ANI)

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The story behind failed Times Square bomber’s turn to extremism

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 16 (ANI): It was not a sudden spurge of anger against the west, particularly the United States, or an abrupt shift towards radical thoughts that forced Faisal Shahzad, the confessed Times Square bomb plotter of Pakistani origin, to take such an extreme step, but the process of him seeking answers for the killing and sufferings of thousands of fellow Muslim men has started almost after the 9/11incident.

Though Shahzad understood the notion that Islam forbids the killing of innocents, an e-mail that he had sent to his friends in February 2006 clearly suggested that he was struggling with the ‘trial and pathetic conditions’ of Muslims the world over.

“Those who insist only on “peaceful protest, can you tell me a way to save the oppressed? And a way to fight back when rockets are fired at us and Muslim blood flows?” Shahzad wrote in his lengthy mail to his friends.

Even though he enjoyed a great life in the US, having a nice paying job and a happy family, his relatives, and friends said that his argument with American foreign policy grew after 9/11,and the mails, which are now in possession of investigators, written to his colleagues and some close pals, also suggest the same.

According to The New York Times, which interviewed many of Shahzad’s friends, relatives and colleagues, Shahzad became more religious around 2006. His friends recalled that by that year he was also turning away from the Pakistan of his youth, distancing himself from the liberal, elite world of his father, Bahar ul-Haq, a retired vice marshal in the Pakistani Air Force.

In the recent years, Shahzad’s financial condition weakened to an extent and he reportedly struggled to pay his bill, but it’s unclear whether that played any role in his radicalisation.

Shahzad’s father-in-law, M.A. Mian, is in complete shock over what he has seen in the past fortnight.

What drove Shahzad to such an extreme, was it political, religious or personal, even Mian is seeking answers.

“We all know these things, what the geopolitical problems are. Every day we sit in our living rooms with our friends and we discuss these issues,” the paper quoted Mian, as saying.

“But to go to this extreme, this is unbelievable. He has lovely children. Two really lovely children. As a father I would not be able to afford to lose my children,” he added.

One of graduates of Shahzad’s high school in Karachi, who spoke of conditions of anonymity, pointed out that Shahzad came of age during Pakistan’s state-sponsored jihad against India in Kashmir.

“We used to see the mujahedeens as heroes. When I look back, I think, ‘What was I thinking? What were we all doing?’ But in that era, it made sense. We all wanted to do something,” he said.

“He was always very upset about the fabrication of the W.M.D. stunt to attack Iraq and killing non-combatants such as the sons and grandson of Saddam Hussein,” the newspaper quoted one of Shahzad’s close relatives. (ANI)

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Times Square suspect’s dad a ”patriotic man” who raised his family ”cleanly”

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mohib Banda (Pakistan), May 14 (ANI): Air Vice-Marshal Bahar ul-Haq”s life has taken a twist he would have never imagined, considering the fact that he was always regarded in Pakistani society as an ”enlightened, upright” man, who brought up his kids “cleanly”.

Today though, he is known more as the dad of the Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad.

At 70, the retired air vice marshal is hiding in humiliation and shock, secluded somewhere in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

His younger son, Faisal, whom friends say he sent to the United States to study and to escape Pakistan”s problems, stands accused of attempting to explode a bomb in New York”s Times Square with help from Islamist militants.

Pakistani investigators are poring through family files and quizzing neighbors. Television crews have mobbed the lanes of this northwestern village where Haq grew up and have camped outside his home in Peshawar.

According to the Washington Post, Haq “is very, very depressed.”

“He is an honorable, patriotic man who worked hard to rise in the air force and raised his children cleanly. Now his family”s reputation has been destroyed,” said Hajji Sherzada, a retired importer and a lifelong friend of Haq.

“Every time his wife gets on the phone, she just cries,” he added.

Haq has not made any statements and has not been seen in the past week. Provincial authorities said Sunday that he was in “protective custody,” but relatives said he and his wife are in seclusion to avoid publicity.

Friends, relations and air force colleagues of Haq”s, interviewed in several northwestern communities and Islamabad this week, said they could make no sense of his son”s alleged actions or possible conversion to radical Islam.

His father, an accomplished pilot, rose from humble village roots to the top ranks of the air force, serving stints in Britain and Saudi Arabia. Several other family members were air force officers, including Shahzad”s maternal grandfather.

Over the years, Haq gained a reputation as an exceptional flight instructor and enjoyed training young pilots, especially in loops and other aerobatic stunts. He was invited to teach at an air academy in England for several years.

Described by friends as a strict and protective father, he raised his children to become civilian professionals.

Faisal”s older brother is an engineer in Canada, and one sister is a doctor.

Shirzada Bacha, a maternal uncle of Shahzad”s, said that if Haq had suspected that his son was involved in extremist activities, he would have “killed him in the house.” (ANI)

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Pak elects to field against Kiwis in Barbados 20-20 match

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bridgetown (West Indies), May 8 (ANI): Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has won the toss and elected to field against New Zealand in a World Twenty20 Super Eights match being played at the Kensington Oval here today.

The match is important for both sides after they lost their opening second round Group E fixtures here on Thursday.

New Zealand went down by 13 runs to South Africa, while Pakistan suffered a six-wicket loss to England.

Both sides have made two changes each following those defeats.

New Zealand brought in pace bowlers Ian Butler and Kyle Mills to replace fellow seamers Tim Southee and Jacob Oram and Pakistan recalled Mohammad Sami in place of Mohammad Asif and brought in left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman for Fawad Alam.

Teams
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins (wkt), Daniel Vettori (capt), Ian Butler, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wkt), Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi (capt), Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Sami, Saeed Ajmal

The umpires for the match are West Indian Billy Doctrove and England”s Ian Gould. Rudi Koertzen of South Africa is the third umpire and Sri Lanka”s Ranjan Madugalle is the match referee. (ANI)

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Pak law secretary resigns over Zardari Swiss cases controversy

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 8 (ANI): In an apparent bid to avoid confrontation with the Supreme Court, Pakistan Law Secretary Justice (retired) Muhammad Aqil Mirza has resigned from his post.

Mirza cited health reasons for his resignation, however sources said the main reason behind him stepping down was that he didnot want to appear before the apex court in the sou motu hearing of a case concerning the Swiss graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The hearing is scheduled to take place on May 13, The Daily Times reports.

Earlier this week, Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq had told the Supreme Court that Mirza had made it clear that the Swiss cases had been closed and that there was no need for any communication with the Swiss government to reopen the multi-million dollar money laundering cases.

Cases against Zardari and 157 others were reopened after the Supreme Court declared the controversial amnesty law, the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as ‘unconstitutional’ last December.

Zardari and and her assassinated wife Benazir Benazir , were convicted by a Geneva court in 2003 of laundering 13 million dollars linked to kickbacks, but that verdict was overturned on appeal. In 2008, Swiss judicial authorities said they had closed the file related to the case. (ANI)

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Umar Gul blames ‘dropped catches bane’ for loss against Australia in World T20

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 4 (ANI): Injured Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has held the team’s poor fielding display responsible for the massive 34-run defeat against Australia in the ICC World T20 Championship.

Gul, who failed to recover on time from his shoulder injury and was omitted from the T20 squad for the coveted tournament at the very last moment, said Pakistani fielders dropped too many catches, which changed the result of the match.

“Catches win matches, and you simply cannot drop players of the calibre of Shane Watson and David Hussey. The catches that Misbah-ul-Haq and Salman Butt dropped hit Pakistan very hard,” Gul said.

Hussey was dropped by Salman Butt near the long-off boundary on five. The drop cost Pakistan dearly as he went on to smash 53 off 29 deliveries, which included four sixes in a Mohammed Sami over.

Misbah-ul-Haq then dropped Watson at mid-wicket adding to Sami’s woes. The Australian all-rounder went on to score 81 runs off 49.

“Both catches should have been taken and could have entirely changed the course of the match. On flat decks like the one in St Lucia, bowlers need the support of their fielders, but yesterday the support wasn”t there. With Watson gone and Hussey back in the pavilion early, Pakistan could have applied some pressure on the Australians,” PakPassion.net quoted Gul, as saying.

Gul, who is Pakistan’s most successful T20 bowler, hailed captain Shahid Afridi’s decision to open the bowling with spinner Mohammed Hafeez, but said the skipper lacked a “Plan B” when the move backfired.

“It was a plan that was clearly designed to stifle dangerous Aussie opening batsman David Warner, who is recognised as being more comfortable against pace, rather than spin. However when Hafeez started to get hit around, then the plan should have been altered straight away. But it seemed to me that there was no alternative plan,” Gul said.

He also pointed out that Pakistani bowlers lacked variations, and were pretty predictable in the match.

“The pitch was slow and very good for batting. In those circumstances you have to vary your length, line and pace. I would have expected more bouncers, slow bouncers, quick bouncers, especially after Sami got rid of Warner to a short ball. I was surprised that we didnt see more shorter deliveries,” Gul said. (ANI)

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Elementary for man of match Watson

May 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Australia made an impressive start to their Twenty20 World Cup campaign with Shane Watson hammering 81 from 49 balls in a convincing 34-run victory over defending champions Pakistan on Sunday.

Australia’s innings ended in bizarre fashion with a five wicket maiden but their total of 191 was always going to be tough for Pakistan.

The Australians have yet to truly shine in the shortest version of the game and were eliminated without a win from the group stages of last year’s edition.

But on this evidence they have assembled a team of hard-hitting specialists and quick bowlers who can cope with the unique demands of the format.

One of those Twenty20 specialists, David Warner helped get Australia off to a rapid start with 26 from 18 balls, taking the total to 51 inside six overs before he fell.

After Clarke went cheaply, David Hussey and Watson took charge, adding 98 in 8.2 overs of aggressive hitting.

Hussey struck 53 from 29 balls including five sixes as he laid into the Pakistani attack.

Although the final over resulted in no runs and five wickets — two of them run-outs and three of them to left-armer Mohammad Aamer – Pakistan knew they would need a flying start if they were to have any chance.

But openers Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt both went inside the opening four overs and, despite a lively 41 to Misbah-ul-Haq and 33 off 24 balls from Shahid Afridi, Australia never offered them more than a glimmer of hope.

Pakistan were up against some good bowling, with three wickets each for pacemen Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes.

Outstanding fielding, with eight catches taken, ensured Australia kept the upper-hand, bowling out their opponents with the final ball.

Perhaps the most impressive catch of the day though was made by an on duty St Lucian policeman in the stands who nonchalantly snaffled an Umar Akmal six, one-handed and without the slightest facial expression as he lobbed the ball back on to the field to roars from the crowd.

The entertaining encounter completed a high-scoring day at Beausejour Stadium and once again was watched by a good crowd in high spirits in marked contrast to the sterile atmosphere of the World Cup in the region three years ago.

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Zimbabwe stun defending champions Pak in T20 WC warm-up match

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.30 (ANI): After stunning Australia in their first warm-up match by registering a sensational one run win, ‘minnows’ Zimbabwe trounced defending champions Pakistan by 12-runs in the second practice match ahead of the ICC T20 World Championship.

Zimbabwe were struggling for 64 for 5 in the 12th over, but Elton Chigumbura’s exciting knock of 49 not out from just 35 balls saw the Africans post a respectable total of 143 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan started on a positive note with wicket keeper Kamran Akmal hitting a blistering 37 from 27 balls, but wickets kept falling from the opposite end, which reduced the defending T20 World Champions for 67 for 5 after 10 overs.

Pakistan’s hopes were revived by some sensible batting by middle order batsmen Fawad Alam and Misbah-ul-Haq, who added 51 in 7.4 over for the sixth wicket, but pacer Prosper Utseya removed both the set batsmen in space of three deliveries.

Utseya returned with a match winning figures of 4 for 15 in his quota of four overs, The Daily Times reports.

Chigumbura shone with the ball as well taking 3 for 16 in three overs to help his team register its second consecutive win in the warm-up matches. (ANI)

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Ready to take action against Zardari in Swiss laundering case on SC directives: Pak AG

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistan’s newly appointed Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq has said that he is ready to write a letter to the Swiss government for reopening the money laundering cases against President Asif Ali Zardari if the apex court directs him to do so.

“I have gone through the judgment and the court has ordered the same that this should be a formal letter written in accordance with the rules of business and you better know what it means,” The News quoted Haq, as saying.

It may noted that Switzerland”s Attorney General (AG) Daniel Zappelli had already clarified that corruption cases against Zardari cannot be reopened, as he enjoys constitutional immunity.

Zappelli said Geneva could not open the money-laundering cases against Zardari even if it receives an official request from Islamabad.

“According to international rules, which Switzerland also applies, any chief of a state, prime minister or foreign affairs minister of any country enjoys absolute immunity,” Zappelli had said.

He, however, said that Pakistan”s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested the Swiss government to reopen the cases, but the documents were not complete according to official requirements.

Zardari and his assassinated wife Benazir Bhutto , were convicted by a Geneva court in 2003 of laundering 13 million dollars linked to kickbacks, but that verdict was overturned on appeal. In 2008, Swiss judicial authorities said they had closed the file related to the case.

Zappelli had earlier said that Pakistan”s embassy in Switzerland had officially notified him in June 2008 of a decision by Pakistan”s prosecutor-general in April to withdraw proceedings against Zardari.

A trial for money laundering in Switzerland would have to be based on the proceedings of the criminal activity, but that would require proof that a crime had been committed, he had said. (ANI)

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Defending champions Pak to leave for West Indies today amidst high hopes

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.24 (ANI): Defending champions Pakistan would be leaving for the West Indies for the ICC World T20 Championship today (April 24) amidst high hopes of retaining the coveted title.

The 15-member Pakistan contingent led by swashbuckling all rounder Shahid Afridi would reach St. Lucia via Dubai and London.

Pakistan, which would start its campaign against Bangladesh on May 1, has a good blend of youth and experience in the squad, but they would have to perform and give more than 100 percent if they have to pocket the World T20 Championship for a second consecutive time.

Players like middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, all rounder Abdul Razzaq, and fast bowler Mohammed Asif along with skipper Afridi would have to utilise their experience to good effect and guide youngsters like bastman Umar Akmal, spinner Saeed Ajmal and young pace sensation Mohammad Aamer.

However, Pakistan would be badly missing fast bowler Umar Gul and all rounder Yasir Arafat, both of whom have outstanding statistics in the shortest version of the game,

Both Gul and Aarafat failed to recover on time from injuries picked during the training camp in Lahore, and were subsequently ruled of the tournament. They have been replaced by fast bowler Mohammed Sami and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has urged the media and people of the country to cast aside all controversies and support the national team.

“The media focus too much on creating controversies or issues. At times even the minor issues are blown out of proportion. The national team is now going to the West Indies for an important assignment and I think the media and the people need to support players completely,” The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

Pakistan’s last visit to the West Indies, for the 2007 World Cup, was a rather forgettable one with the team members mired in all sorts of controversy, after the 1992 champions were eliminated in the first round following a humiliating defeat at the hands of minnows Ireland.

The very next day the then coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica, which made matters worse.

However, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and Sami, who were part of the 2007 squad, said that the team is going to the Caribbean with a positive friend of mind and has left the bad memories of 2007 behind.

“Whatever happened in 2007 is now history,” said Akmal.

Sami said though the incidents of that year were hard to forget, he is going to the West Indies with renewed passion and wants to do well for his side.

Pakistan’s contingent for West Indies:

Shahid Afridi (captain), Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Khalid Latif, Misbahul Haq, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdul Rehman, Hammad Azam, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal. Officials: Waqar Younis (coach), Ijaz Ahmed (assistant coach), Yawar Saeed (manager), Shafqat Rana (associate manager). (ANI)

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Afridi likely to be named T20 captain today

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.23 (ANI): Flamboyant all rounder Shahid Afridi is likely to be appointed as the captain of the Pakistan team for the ICC World T20 Championship, which will be held in West Indies next month.

After a series of meetings with the team management and players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to hand over the T20 responsibility to Afridi.

An official announcement is likely to be made today (Tuesday, March 23), The Dawn reports.

The PCB had also to name the Test and one-day captain after it banned Mohammed Yousuf for an indefinite period. However, it seems that the board has put the decision regarding the appointment of captain for the two longer versions of the game on the back burner for the time being.

“We are only naming a captain for this format and tournament right now and nothing else,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had told a website earlier.

It may be noted that PCB had announced a 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC World T20 Championship, but did not name the skipper for the tournament.

Veteran middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener Salman Butt were also believed to be in the run for captaincy. (ANI)

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Lahore, Mar.17 (ANI): Pakistan and Iran have inked a deal on the gas pipeline project in Istanbul, Turkey.

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.17 (ANI): Backing all-rounder Shahid Afridi for the captain’s post, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Lieutenant General (retired) Tauqir Zia has criticised the National Assembly’s Sports Committee for making the match-fixing issue public.

Zia said the committee should not have made the matter public without naming the players involved in match-fixing.

It may be noted that PCB had announced a 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC World T20 Championship in West Indies last week, but did not name the skipper for the tournament.

While Afridi is believed to be leading the race for captaincy, veteran players such as all rounder Abdul Razzaq and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq are also said to be in the fray.

Insiders said opener Salman Butt is also being considered for the top job. (ANI)

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Sarfaraz blames PCB boss for encouraging ‘gambling’ by delaying captain selection

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.16 (ANI): Former fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz has blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt for encouraging ‘gambling’ and ‘betting’ by not disclosing the name of the captain for the upcoming assignments of the national team.

“I must say that Ijaz Butt has provided the gambling mafia with an ideal opportunity by keeping the captain’s name a mystery.I mean now there are four candidates for captaincy and its common knowledge that huge amounts of bets are being placed on who will be the next captain of the Pakistan team,” The News quoted Nawaz, as saying.

The PCB had announced a 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC World T20 Championship in West Indies last week, but did not name the skipper for the tournament.

Butt said he is discussing issues concerning captaincy with the potential skippers, and that the captain would be named soon. However, Nawaz said the PCB chief was only encouraging betting by delaying the decision.

“I’m a 100 percent sure that the captaincy issue has become a great way for the gambling mafia to make a lot of money. There are four players in the picture and gamblers all over the world are speculating as to who will be the captain. I’m sure that Butt knows who should be our captain and should just name him. Why is he encouraging such things?” the former speedster said.

While flamboyant all rounder Shahid Afridi is believed to be leading the race for captaincy, veteran players such as all rounder Abdul Razzaq and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq are also said to be in the fray.

Insiders said opener Salman Butt is also being considered for the top job. (ANI)

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Afridi in, Malik out of PCB’s squad for T20 World Cup

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.13 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-man squad sans the name of the skipper for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Championship in the Caribbean.

The squad also includes all-rounder Shahid Afridi and Akmal brothers (Kamran and Umar), who were slapped hefty fines by the PCB for violating the player’s code of conduct during the winless tour of Australia.

Announcing the team at the National Stadium here, chief selector Mohsin Khan expressed the hope that the squad would be able to defend the title.

“Name of the captain will be announced later by the PCB.This is the best possible team and if they play to their potential I am sure they can defend the title,” The Daily Times quoted Khan, as saying.

He also backed the board’s decision to ban and impose hefty fines on some of the senior players of the team, describing it as a necessary step.

“The problems of indiscipline and infighting were affecting the team like cancer and I back all the decisions, not as chief selector, not as a former player but as a Pakistani,” Khan said.

While former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, both of whom were also fined by the PCB, have been axed from the squad, veteran batsman Misbah-ul- Haq and opener Salman Butt have staged a come back in the team.

Under-19 all-rounder Hammad Azam has aloe been rewarded with a place in the senior team for his brilliant show in the Uder-19 World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year.

Another opener Mohammad Hafeez has also secured a place in the squad for the tournament, which will be played in West Indies from April 30 to May 16.

Squad:

Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Khalid Latif, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Khan Afridi, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat, Hammad Azam, Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal.

Reserve players: Shahzaib Hasan, Hasan Raza, Naved Yasin, Mohammad Sami and Sarfraz Ahmed. (ANI)

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

August 21, 2009 By 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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Pak selectors to seek feedback from coach, captain prior to Champions Trophy

August 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Aug.20 (ANI): The Pakistan cricket selection committee led by chief selector Iqbal Qasim has decided to get a feedback from coach Intikhab Alam and captain Younis Khan before selecting the 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September.

According to sources, Qasim has decided to consult both Alam and Younis Khan before picking the team for the mega event.

Sources said the selection committee is not happy with the performance of some of the senior players of the team and has reservations about them being picked in the team.

Younis Khan has already warned middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq and all-rounder Shoaib Malik over their dismal show during the Sri Lanka tour, the Dawn reports.

While Misbah played just three out of five ODIs scoring 91 runs, Yousuf and Malik scored just 53 and 21 runs respectively in the three games they played.

Sources said opener Salman Butt may be recalled, but if that be the case, both Alam and Khan would have to explain on what grounds he (Butt) was asked to pack his bags after the Sri Lanka est series which Pakistan lost 2-0. (ANI)

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Yousuf’ s inclusion could see Malik open batting against Sri Lanka

June 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, June 30 (ANI): With the return of middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf in the team, the Pakistan team management is undecided over how to utilize all rounder Shoaib Malik, and is now thinking of pushing the former captain up the batting order.

Malik, who has been in indifferent form with the bat in the recent past, may be asked to open the batting with Salman Butt in the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins from July 4 in Galle, team sources said.

Malik has opened batting for the team in the past, and has proved his mettle at the top of the order too.

He played a match-saving knock of 148, which was his career-best performance, and helped Pakistan win the Test series during the 2006 Sri Lanka series.

Sources said that the team management is finding it hard to keep Malik in the squad with a crowded middle-order, where players like captain Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and now Mohammad Yousuf would be battling it out, The Daily Times reports.

Now, it would be interesting to see if Malik is axed from the team to accommodate Yousuf, who had blamed Malik for treating senior players badly, and held him responsible for his decision of joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). (ANI)

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Yousuf, Razzak in, Afridi out of Pak team for Sri Lanka tour

June 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

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London, June 22 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the forthcoming Sri Lanka tour./pp
Shahid Afiridi has been dropped due to an ankle injury, while experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf and veteran bowler, Abdul Razzaq make their comebacks to the team following an extended hiatus due to their engagement with the banned ICL in India./pp
Younis Khan has been named captain of the team, with Misbahul Haq being named his deputy. /pp
Shahid Afiridi had informed the PCB about his unavailability for the tour, as he is currently getting his injured ankle treated in London./pp
Pakistan will play three Tests, five one-day-internationals and one twenty20 match. The team will leave for Sri Lanka on June 26. /pp
Other players in the team are: Younis Khan (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Salman Butt, Khurrum Manzoor, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamir, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rauf, Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam. (ANI)/p

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Mulayam Singh wishes to be part of Central Government

May 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bijnor/ Chandigarh, May 11 (ANI): Ahead of the final phase of Lok Sabha elections, campaigning is in full swing across the nation with all parties trying all means and modes to woo the voters.

Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh urged people in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district to vote for his party so that it can emerge as the third largest party in the Lok Sabha elections.

“If no party gets a clear majority, the Samajwadi party should be the biggest supporter for making the government. The Samajwadi party this time wants to be a part of the government,” he said, while addressing a rally in support of SP candidate from Nagina-Bijnor, Yashvir Singh.

Also in Bijnor, Bollywood actor Imran Hashmi sought support for the Congress party candidate, who is contesting from here.

Meanwhile, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav addressed an election rally in Chandigarh to gather support for the RJD candidate, Anwar Ul Haq.

The fourth phase of polling ended on May 7, the fifth and the final phase of polling will take place on May 13. The outcome of the five-stage election will be known on May 16. (ANI)

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