PCB lifts ban on Shoaib Malik

KARACHI: The Appellate Tribunal, headed by Justice (rtd) Irfan Qadir, probing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) punishments on the players has lifted ban on the disgraced all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who recently married the Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza, after finding his conduct up to the level of liking,

The Tribunal has also scrapped the fine imposed on the controversial cricketer, who has been reportedly involved in the off the field politics in the team.

As per the sources in the PCB, the Tribunal has taken the decision after they found behaviour of Shoaib Malik as per the code of conduct, however, some eyebrows have raised in the cricket board about the abrupt decision.

Shoaib Malik’s lawyer told media outside the National Cricket Academy, where the hearing was conducted Friday, PCB has abolished the ban and the fine imposed on the all-rounder and now he is eligible to represent the country.

The decision has come at a time when the selection committee of the Board, headed by former test opener Mohsin Hasan Khan, has selected Shoaib Malik in the list of 35 players which would lead to the final squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the all-important tour of England where Pakistan are due to play six test matches against England and Australia.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had imposed the ban of a year and Rs2 million fine on Shoaib following his involvement in players power and politics within the team.

Pakistan allows banned Malik England county stint

KARACHI — Pakistan cricket authorities Tuesday said they will allow banned former captain Shoaib Malik to feature in a Twenty20 tournament in England next month.

Malik who is serving a one-year ban imposed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over discipline issues, has signed to play in a Twenty20 tournament for Lancashire county next month.

PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari said Malik had been granted permission.

"We have cleared Malik to play in England as it doesn't conflict with Pakistan duty and currently Malik is also banned," Bari told AFP.

Malik is among seven top Pakistani players who were banned and fined by the PCB on the recommendation of an evaluation committee, set up to look into the team's on and off-field problems during a tour of Australia between December and February.

The committee, which also investigated discipline problems in the team on the preceding tours of the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand, held a month-long inquiry before recommending fines and bans.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match on the Australia tour, which was also marred by disciplinary problems.

Malik along with all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was banned for one year and fined two million rupees (24,000 dollars). Two other former captains, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, were banned for an indefinite period, while Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal were heavily fined.

The banned players were allowed to feature in domestic events in Pakistan and other countries.

A one-man tribunal comprising a retired high court judge is hearing appeals by the players. The next hearing is set for May 15.

Malik, who recently married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, said he was delighted by the Lancashire opportunity.

"When Lancashire approached me to come and play for them I didn't hesitate in saying yes. I love playing cricket in England and the opportunity to play with a club of Lancashire's reputation was too good to pass up," Malik was quoted as saying by British newspapers

Shoaib, Sania finally land in Pakistan

KARACHI: The newly-wed couple of Pakistan-India sportspersons finally landed in Pakistan’s soil Thursday when cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza (now Sania Shoaib) arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 1530 PST via PIA’s flight PK-275.

A huge number of media persons were awaiting the couple to come out of the lounge and speak to them. Although, the couple left for Islamabad soon after, but they spoke to the media persons during which Sania Mirza looked a little tired of the travelling while Shoaib Malik was looking fresh and was receiving greetings from his fans.

Sania Mirza said on the occasion that she is feeling so great to visit Pakistan for the first time in her life. Sania’s mother also accompanied the couple.

Government of Sindh’s officials also presented flowers to the couple while Sindh Sports Minister, Dr Mohammad Ali Shah presented Malik with the Sindhi Topi and Sania with the Sindhi Ajrak. Pakistan International Airlines also gave a reception in the honour of the couple during their short stay at the Jinnah International Airport.

Shoaib Malik said on the occasion that they will stay in Pakistan for at least a week and then they will leave for Dubai.

Government of Pakistan have given the couple status of Guests of the State and booked a suit in a 5-star hotel in Islamabad.

The Pakistan-India sportspersons’ reception will be held in Shoaib Malik’s hometown, Sialkot, on April 25 (Sunday) while the Valima ceremony would be held in a 5-star hotel of Lahore on April 27 (Tuesday).

The couple would also call on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during their stay in Pakistan.

Girl on the media is not Ayesha Siddiqui – Rashid Latif

Muhammad Asif Khan

Karachi: After a flurry of contrasting stories related to Shoaib Malik’s alleged marriage with Ayesha Siddiqui, former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif has given a new twist to the story.

Talking exclusively to News One TV, Rashid Latif claimed that the girl is not the Ayesha Siddiqui. “Shoaib Malik used to borrow my laptop for chatting with a girl and he did show me a few pictures of her”, said Rashid Latif
“I can assure you that the girl I saw in pictures is not the one on TV these days”, said Latif

Rashid Latif urged fellow cricketer to come forward and support Shoaib Malik and he offered his services in this regard. “I can go to any forum including a court of law to reiterate my statement, and I appeal to all cricketers to stand by Shoaib Malik on this issue”

Pakistan tennis community hopeful of help from Sania Mirza

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tennis Federation is thinking of utilising the services of Sania Mirza as a coach when she comes to Pakistan after her wedding with Shoaib Malik.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik is set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in April.

“We would love to have the services of Sania Mirza as a female tennis coach,” secretary of the PTF, Rashid Khan, told Dawn on Wednesday.

The PTF official added: “Sania will be of great help for Pakistan’s emerging female tennis players as she has the international exposure and experience.”

Rashid added that he was not aware whether the legendary tennis player would stay in Pakistan or not, however, “Sania’s stay in Pakistan alone would be an encouraging sign for female players.”

Answering a question, he said: “According to the International Tennis Federation rules, Sania can only play for Pakistan if she doesn’t make appearance from the Indian side on the international circuit for two consecutive years.”

Meanwhile, Sara Mansoor, Pakistan No.1 tennis player, said that Sania can bring a change in country’s female tennis circuit.

She said: “We only have Aisam-ul-Haq as a better rated international tennis player. However, if Sania starts coaching us it will improve our international ranking.”

Sara, ranked No.3 in the national circuit, pointed out that Sania’s presence alone at the tennis court would make a huge difference and “it will be morale boosting sign for several female players.”

Around 32 female players are currently featuring in the national tennis circuit.

Sara insisted: “Sania has now become a source of inspiration especially for Pakistani girls while her wedding with Shoaib Malik will increase an interest in game.”

The emerging tennis player said: “We need celebrities like Sania in Pakistan as their presence will make a difference for future players who are striving to mark their name in the international sports arena.”