Afridi likely to lead Pakistan in Asia Cup

by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Khan Afridi will meet chairman PCB Ejaz Butt on May 25 in PCB headquarters Qaddafi Stadium Lahore.

Sources in PCB told The Sports Encounter that there is possibility that Afridi will lead Pakistan cricket team in upcoming Asia Cup starting from June 15 in Sri Lanka.

While talking to The awansports.blogspot.com, Afridi said “I have not taken any decision yet about my retirement from test cricket. I am still thinking about my test career and after consultation with my family and friends, I will let the people know about my decision.”

He further stated that “PCB appellate tribunal should complete the hearing of the players’ appeals as soon as possible so that the players should concentrate on the cricket.”

“PCB should start preparing team for next year mega event ICC World Cup 2011 and players should be fresh before the preparations of World Cup.”

Butt stands in way of Akhtar’s selection

April 22nd, 2010 by Ubaid-ur-Rehman Awan

KARACHI: The Rawalpindi Express refuelled its chances of international comeback Wednesday when he demolished Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s team in the Pentangular Cup One Day Tournament’s crucial match by grabbing six scalps on a batting friendly pitch.

On one side, Shoaib Akhtar has started to sew lips of his critics, but on the other people in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are still not ready to accept the excellence of the world’s fastest bowler.

Sources told The Sports Encounter Wednesday that the name of Shoaib Akhtar was under consideration of the team management and there were chances that the fast bowler would replace an injured Umar Gul, but the man in charge came in the way of his selection. Yes, Mr. Ijaz Butt denied Shoaib Akhtar an entry into the World T20 squad.

A private television news channel, NewsOne, also quoted its sources as saying, “Shoaib named was inclined by the team management but the Chairman PCB refused to approve his name. Team management believed that in the absence of the experience bowler Gul, Akhtar would have been just the right kind of bowler to lift the attack but considering his anguish disciplinary track record, Chairman PCB had asked the team management to come up with any other name.

The Rawalpindi Express last appeared in the National Colours in a Twenty20 International against Aussies in Dubai while he last featured in a Test match way back in December 2007.

Shoaib Akhtar is unfazed by whatever is happening off the field as his total focus is on gaining fitness and making his way into the national team for the upcoming “Testing” season in England.

Shoaib Akhtar started his comeback well with two wickets for 45 runs in the first match against Punjab Stallions to beat them under unlikely circumstances. If that wasn’t enough, the Rawalpindi Express mauled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a batting friendly surface and captured six important wickets for 52 runs.

With reference to chances of Shoaib Akhtar’s inclusion in the national side, Chief Selector PCB, Mohsin Hasan Khan, when contacted, adopted a defensive stance and said that not only Shoaib but every player who will perform in the domestic circuit would be given fair opportunity.

“PCB Chairman’s clean chit is far more important than the player’s performance and fitness”, Mohsin stated.

He further elaborated that after the PCB chief’s recommendation the selection committee would consider the player for selection. Shoaib Akhtar would be called up in the Back-up Camp along with 8-10 other players whom we are keeping a close eye at, he added.

The Back-up Camp would start from May 3 and before that the PCB Selection Committee would meet to finalise the names of the players for the camp, Mohsin Hasan Khan said.

Meanwhile, after devastating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wednesday, the world’s fastest bowler told media that he would continue to push for a recall in the national team.

“I’m hoping to make a comeback during the tour of England,” Shoaib, 34, told reporters at National Stadium. “There is plenty of domestic cricket left before our team leaves for England which is why I’m confident of proving my form and fitness,” he stressed.

Shoaib, who has shed a lot of weight and looking very smart, fit and agile in the field, said that he is focussing to play a centric part in Pakistan’s World Cup 2011 campaign next year and would hope to win the title for Pakistan.

http://www.sportsencounter.com/news/cricket/butt-stands-in-way-of-akhtar’s-selection-2976.html