Zulqarnain lashes out at Afridi, Shoaib

LAHORE: Pakistan’s controversial stumper Zulqarnain Haider’s return to first-class cricket has been marked with controversy after he lashed out at some seniors including former captain Shahid Afridi and retired pacer Shoaib Akhtar for their comments on Pakistan cricket and PCB.Haider, who has been playing in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, took a dig at Afridi and Akhtar, criticising them for giving statements after they retired from the national team.“Now that they are retired and out of contention they are giving critical statements about Pakistan cricket, the board and our cricket culture. Why say all this now? Why not when they were playing” said Haider“I just feel that once you have played for so long for your country and retired, you should be careful while giving such statements,” he added.Haider took more pot shots at both Afridi and Akhtar, stating that unlike his seniors, he took a stand when he was playing for Pakistan and was at the beginning of his career.“I gambled everything including my career. I am not like Afridi or Akhtar who are criticising the system now and everything else about Pakistan cricket after being done with their careers,” he said.Reacting to Zulqarnain’s statements, the PCB said: “Players are not encouraged to give statements other than on their own performances and the match. I think the match and team officials have had a word with Zulqarnain over his statements,” a board official said.—Agencies

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Siraj Durrani for M Ali Shah as new chairman PCB

Minister Local Government Agha Siraj Durrani has demanded that Dr.Syed Mohammad Ali Shah should be made Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) considering his tremendous services for promotion and development of sports in the Country.

This he said in a Book Launching Ceremony of Biography of Dr.S.M.A.Shah held in local hotel here in Karachi where he was the Chief Guest.He further stated that for the last 16 years the Chairmanship of P.C.B. could not been awarded to any person belonging from Sindh, therefore now the sports circle feels that Chairmanship of P.C.B. for the further tenure should be given to Sindh Province for which Dr.Shah is the most deserving person He assured that his full cooperation will continue with Dr.S.M.A.Shah in any matter. SirajDurrani described that he also talked to President Asif Ali Zardari who the Patron in Chief of PCB and recommended Dr.Shah’s name for the Chairmanship while Governor Sindh also endorsed my recommendations.Dr.Muhammad Ali Shah has said that if he is given a chance to serve as Chairman of PCB he will try his level best to run the board in a transparent manners and Inshallah time will come that international cricket in Pakistan will restore.He said that “I have so far worked with sincerity and honesty therefore I don’t think that there will be any problem for him is he is assigned as chairman PCB

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Sialkot shock HBL, Wapda trounce Abbottabad

KARACHI : Sialkot turned the tables on the Younis Khan-led Habib Bank side by pulling off a stunning 59-run win over defending champions in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship Division I match at the Jinnah Stadium on Sunday.The bankers, chasing a relatively modest target of 198, were all out for 128 in their second innings on the last day of the four-day game. Slow left-armer Nabeel Malik (4-27) and paceman Prince Abbas (3-41) shared the bowling honours.Habib Bank were at full strength for the first-class season’s opening round with Younis, Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Rehman and Umar Gul  all of whom are due to travel with the Pakistan side to the UAE next week for the Test series against Sri Lanka  playing in this fixture.But the star players failed when it mattered with Younis getting a first-ball duck on Sunday. Imran was the top-scorer with 29, while Taufiq scored five, Asad 10, Umar Gul six and Rehman an unbeaten 2.Earlier, Test leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, currently embroiled in a legal battle with the PCB, grabbed 6-24 as Sialkot, who collected full nine points, were bowled out for 83 in their second innings.Wapda completed a resounding 10-wicket victory after bowling out Abbottabad for 125 in the second innings of their game at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.Kamran Akmal became the third batsman to score a century in National Bank’s second innings in the drawn tie against Rawalpindi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Kamran, the NBP skipper, made a stroke-filled 139 off 157 balls with 18 fours and six in his team’s total of 482-8 declared.Umar Amin and Fawad Alam, the overnight pair, were the other three-figure men for the NBP side. Umar didn’t add to his Saturday’s tally of 131, while fellow left-hander Fawad got just one run before he was out for 142.The rain-hit clash between Islamabad and PIA also ended in a tame draw with the national carrier grabbing three points for taking lead on the first innings.Scores and results on Sunday (final day of four) At Abbottabad Cricket Stadium: Wapda beat Abbottabad by 10 wickets.ABBOTTABAD 259 in 104 overs (Khalid Usman 56 not out, Rameez Ahmed 56, Riaz Kail 42; Zulfiqar Babar 4-71, Sarfraz Ahmed 3-52, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan 3-79) and 125 in 53.3 overs (Zulfiqar Babar 4-30, M. Imran Khan 3-58); WAPDA 325 in 73.4 overs (Ali Azmat 105, Riffatullah Mohmand 70, Sarfraz Ahmed 63; Mohammad Naeem 4-68, Junaid Khan 4-101) and 61-0 in 14.4 overs.At Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot: Sialkot beat Habib Bank by 59 runs.SIALKOT 397 in 140.5 overs (M. Ayub Dogar 186 not out, Mohammad Yasin 89, Mobin Mughal 47; Kamran Hussain 6-105, Danish Kaneria 3-108) and 83 in 39.2 overs (Danish Kaneria 6-24, Abdul Rehman 3-24); HABIB BANK 293 in 75.3 overs (Imran Farhat 105, Younis Khan 52) and 128 in 48.4 overs (Nabeel Malik 4-27, Prince Abbas 3-41).At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: Match drawn.NATIONAL BANK 153 in 57.1 overs (Fawad Alam 51; Nasir Malik 7-42) and 482-8 declared in 124 overs (Fawad Alam 142, Kamran Akmal 139, Umar Amin 131; Nasir Malik 3-135); RAWALPINDI 348 in 106.1 overs (Mohammad Rameez 74, Usman Saeed 56, Muzammil Nizam 40; Mohammad Talha 4-91, Umaid Asif 3-53) and 52-1 in 13 overs.At Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad: Match drawn.PIA 423-5 declared in 108.2 overs (Agha Sabir 171, Shoaib Khan 101 not out) and 157-3 declared in 27 overs (Kamran Sajid 47; ISLAMABAD 281 in 81.5 overs (Afaq Raheem 137, Naeem Anjum 58; Anwar Ali 5-65, Aizaz Cheema 3-77) and 99-1 in 31 overs (Umair Khan 50 not out

 | Quad e Azam Trophy |

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Butt's term expires but no successor in sight

KARACHI: A constitutional crisis has developed in Pakistan cricket after the government failed to notify the appointment of a new PCB chairman despite the completion of incumbent Ijaz Butt's three-year term.Legal experts, former PCB chairmen and ex-players voiced concern over the fact that Butt was still continuing to function as Chairman despite the expiry of his term on Saturday."To be honest under the existing board constitution Ijaz Butt is no longer authorized to represent Pakistan at any forum including the ICC meeting," former PCB chairman and career diplomat, Shaharyar Khan said.Butt left for Dubai the day his term expired with the presidency not issuing any notification about whether he would continue or someone in the board would be acting chairman until a new head was appointed.Under the constitution, the president - in this case Asif Zardari - appoints the chairman of the board in his capacity as chief patron of cricket.Shaharyar Khan said that Butt should not have gone to attend the ICC meeting as constitutionally he was no longer chairman."He should have avoided it because from what I have studied about the constitution he is no longer authorized to represent or sign any document on behalf of Pakistan cricket," Khan said.He noted that there was always a possibility that with the PCB and ICC relations not very warm someone at the executive board might raise the issue of whether Butt could attend the executive board meeting."It would have been better if someone else from the board had represented Pakistan at the meeting.""I think if the presidency didn't issue a fresh notification Butt should have stepped down himself," Khan added.A former legal advisor of the board, Shaan Gul also claimed that the constitution didn't allow the chief patron to give Butt a short extension."The government can't give him a extension for say five or six months or even a year if they want him to continue they will have to give him a fresh three year term," Gul said.Farhatullah Babar, the spokesman for the president made it clear that Butt was carrying on working as chairman with the approval of the president."The chief patron appoints the chairman and since we are considering extension of term for Butt he can continue to work with government approval," Babar said.Sources said while Butt was himself interested in continuing as chairman and was using all his connections and political connections to get a proper extension, they were other names under consideration by the presidency which could take a decision by Monday."Former Test captain Majid Khan is a front runner and others like Zaheer Abbas and Zaka Ashraf the head of a state owned bank, ZTBL, is also under consideration," one source close to the presidency said.Majid who has also served as chief executive of the board is nowadays leading retired life having also served as controller sports in the state owned Pakistan television corporation.

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New NZ captain Taylor plans to 'lead from the front'

Ross Taylor, who has returned from an "awesome" break, has said he plans to 'score runs and lead from the front' as New Zealand captain.In June, Taylor was named New Zealand's 27th test captain, succeeding Daniel Vettori. Then came his wedding to long-time partner Victoria.For the first time since his New Zealand debut in 2006, he went cold turkey on cricket for a month."It was strange to have a break, but it was awesome. I haven't had that since I've been a professional cricketer so I made the most of it, after seeing the schedule for the next two and a half years. It's pretty full on,Stuff.co.nz quoted Taylor, as saying.Now it is back to work, but the firsts will continue: Taylor's first tour of Zimbabwe, and first as skipper in all formats.First and foremost is to score runs and lead from the front, and get to know the players a bit better and what makes them tick. And seeing how they go under pressure," the new skipper said."We are a talented bunch but that only gets you so far. If we show a bit of fight when things aren't going so well I'm sure that will go a long way," Taylor stated."At the World Cup we played with a lot of passion and that seemed to bring the best out of most of the team," he added.

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Training camp for cricket team starts tomorrow

The training camp of national cricket team is going to start from tomorrow in Qaddafi Stadium.Pakistan will play one T20, 5 ODIs and 3 test matches in the series against UAE. National team coach Mohsin Khan said in the brief camp it would be tried to improve the short comings of the players.However, he said that the success of Pakistani team is must if it focuses to the test series instead of T20 or one day matches

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Finn takes hat trick as England XI wins warm-up

Steven Finn claimed a late hat trick as England XI beat Hyderabad XI by 56 runs in a practice game.Pace bowler Steven Finn claimed a late hat trick Saturday as England XI beat Hyderabad XI by 56 runs in a practice game ahead of a limited overs series against India.Finn cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-28 as Hyderabad was bowled out for 163 in 36.5 overs in reply to England XI s 219 all out in 47.2 overs.Earlier, a lively spell by Hyderabad seamer Anwar Ahmed Khan (3-35) made the visitors struggle in the day-night game before Ravi Bopara (73) and Chris Woakes (46 not out) helped post a fighting total.Bopara struck three fours and a six during his 82-ball knock while Woakes struck four fours in his 59-ball innnings.Finn took the last three wickets in his eighth over, dismissing Amol Shinde, Kanishk Naidu and last man Khan.England XI plays another practice game against Hyderabad XI on Tuesday.The full England team faces India in the first one-day international on Friday in Hyderabad

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All three UAE cricket venues set to host all format matches for first time

ABU DHABI : All three international cricket venues in United Arab Emirates are set to witness best of action for the first time, with Pakistan hosting series against Sri Lanka & England in the country."Never before has a series been held in a neutral country where all international stadiums in the country will be used for Tests as well as One-day series. It is indeed going to be a great treat for UAE cricket fans," Emirates Cricket Board ECB administrator, Mazhar Khan said.Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, Dubai International Cricket Stadium & Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host ODIs and Test matches of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan England series & 16 nation Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers. Sharjah stadium has staged maximum number of ODIs and also hosted Test matches in the past.Pakistan series against Sri Lanka will be held from mid-October to November end, England will play from January 7 till February 27 in the UAE. ECB Chief Executive Dilawar Mani hoped cricket series will provide a good opportunity to fans here to watch them in action

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India beats Sri Lanka to win U-19 quadrangular tourney

A disciplined bowling effort by India colts helped them beat Sri Lanka by five runs in a low-scoring final match of the Under-19 quadrangular one-day cricket tournament on Sunday.The Indian boys, who had topped the league stage, scored a modest 168 all out thanks to Akshdeep Nath's patient 55, who resurrected his side's innings from 37 for five in the 14th over after they were asked to bat.The bowlers then defended the small total by skittling out the Sri Lankans for 163 with 3.1 overs to spare at the YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium.Pacers Sandeep Sharma (4-23) and Rush Kalaria (3-34) shared the bulk of the spoils while left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra and off-spinner Baba Aparajith chipped in with a wicket apiece.Chasing 169 for a win, Sri Lanka made a disastrous start with opener Niroshan Dickwella falling to Sandeep in the third ball of their innings. Sandeep and Rush then ran through the Sri Lankan top-order as the visitors were reduced to 27 for five in the ninth over.Duleeka Thissakuttige and Lahiru Madushanka who top-scored with 63 then stitched a 75-run stand for the sixth wicket from 22.1 overs to take Sri Lanka closer to target before the former was out at team total of 102 for six in the 31st over.Another wicket fell in the form of Pulina Tharanga and Sri Lanka were reduced to 150 for eight soon after. The visitors had enough overs in their hands but they kept losing wickets.Sandeep polished off the tail by scalping the last two wickets -- that of Apila Aponso and Dilshan Dhanushka in the space of three balls as India won the summit clash and the tournament.Earlier, put into bat, India suffered a batting collapse as they slumped to 37 for five before Smit Patel (31) and Nath 55 revived the innings with a 67-run stand for the sixth wicket from 22.2 overs.Nath was out in the 46th over at the team score of 146 for eight. He hit five fours and a six from 82 balls he faced.The Indian top-order collapsed under tight Sri Lankan bowling as captain Unmukt Chand (14), Manan Vohra (2), Hanuman Vihari (15), Kumar Deobrat (2) and Baba Aparajith (0) were out cheaply.For Sri Lanka, Lahiru Madushanka took four wickets for 17 runs while Amila Aponso scalped two Indian batsmen.In the third place play-off on Sunday, West Indies beat Australia by 16 runs

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ICC Executive Board to meet in Dubai

The ICC Executive Board will hold its fourth and final scheduled meeting of the year at the ICC headquarters in Dubai on Monday 10 October, and among the issues on the agenda are:Independent Governance ReviewAt the June meeting in Hong Kong, the ICC Executive Board had confirmed an Independent Governance Review and later appointed Lord Woolf of Barnes as chairman of the review panel. Lord Woolf, who will be supported by Pricewater house Coopers, will attend the meeting to provide a progress report.The independent governance review was identified as one of the most important initiatives in the new Strategic Plan 2011-2015 that was adopted by the Board in April 2011. The scope of the review is wide and includes: Clarifying the role and structure of the ICC and its committees to ensure that strategic goals are met effectively and that decision-making is made in the best interests of the game. This would include consideration of independent committee members and directors
? The ICC President nomination and election process The Member categories and criteria for membership
? The effectiveness of the regulatory environment The Constitutional framework and documents to ensure they are ?fit for purpose Making recommendations to ensure that the ICC enjoys a reputation as a well governed and leading global sporting organisation. Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: ?It is our clear ambition to be a well managed and leading global governing body and we are fortunate to have secured Lord Woolf to undertake this important review. I am hopeful that the review will lead us to set up a governance model that is relevant for our new world.PwC and Lord Woolf have already held many discussions with stakeholders and will update the Executive Board on progress, but until the work is completed the ICC will not be in a position to make any comments.ICC global event 2013The ICC Executive Board will seek to finalise the format of the ICC event in 2013. Currently the ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in England in June 2013 but the possibility of converting this to a Test Championship will need to be agreed.Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: ?Player and public interest in Test match cricket is at an all time high and it would be fitting to stage a Test Championship play-off for the top four teams.?Domestic Anti-Corruption codesWith a stated zero tolerance approach to anti-corruption and anti-doping, the ICC Executive Board had, in November 2010, required all Full Members to implement a domestic Anti-Corruption Code and strengthen anti-corruption measures at a domestic level by 1 April 2011. The Board will receive an update on the implementation of domestic anti-corruption processes.Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: ?The ICC and Members are well aware of the need to enhance education and preventative measures in this crucial area and know that we can never become complacent.?

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Pietersen intends to play all forms of cricket for England

England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who was rested for the home one-day series against India, intends to continue playing all three forms of the game for the country and has his sights set on a place in the 2015 World Cup."You're a long time retired. I have got things I want to achieve in the game. I'd love to get into double figures for the number of international one-day hundreds and it's just a case of fulfilling your talent. When you get to 35, 36, or 40, 45, you want to know you've done that," Pietersen said."You don't want to look back and think, 'shit if only I'd played an extra 12 months'. You'd miss it. Anything can happen in your life, anything horrible can happen, you want to know that you've fulfilled your potential and your talent. I do believe I'm lucky enough to have been given quite a good talent and I want to try and fulfil that," he said.Pietersen was all set to play play against India at home but was asked by the management to miss the series, The Independent reports."When offered the opportunity to have a break I happily accepted. Yes the wrist was sore but that didn't have much to do with it. It's a policy the ECB has now and I think it's a brilliant policy as you want to keep your senior players fresh," he said.Pietersen is now looking towards the 2015 World Cup. "It would be bad form to think otherwise. It would be disrespectful to Alastair Cook and the England team just to be taking up somebody's place for the next year or just for this tour and then deciding in November, I'm not bothered."Pietersen's ODI form has not been so good, which has seen him average 23 in his 30 innings since his last hundred.

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