New Pakistan coach Whatmore geared up for first challenge

KARACHI: New Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has is looking forward to the challenge of taking charge of a third Asian team and is confident the side can improve their standing in world cricket.

The Australian agreed on a two-year deal last week and departed for Dhaka on Thursday to lead Pakistan on his first assignment with the team, the four-nation Asia Cup which starts on Sunday and includes India, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

"I see this tournament as the first of many challenges ahead of us. The other teams are good one-day sides and strong competitors," he told reporters at the airport.

Prior to his Pakistan posting, Whatmore led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 50-overs World Cup and had a stint at the helm of Bangladesh.

Whatmore, who was capped seven times by Australia as a player, said he did not need reminding that Pakistan would face arch rivals India at the Asia Cup but was also aware of the other fixtures at the event and not just the March 18 showdown.

"It is good for the sport when there is so much interest revolving around a match but as a team, we have to focus on all the matches not just one game," he said.

Along with Whatmore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brought in Englishman Julian Fountain as fielding coach to help improve Pakistan's performances following one-day international and Twenty20 series defeats to England last month.

Whatmore said Pakistan had an abundance of talent, as displayed in the 3-0 test series win over England prior to the one-dayers, and he was looking forward to studying the players up close.

"It is an exciting prospect for me as a coach looking at the future but right now the immediate task is to ensure Pakistan do well in this event," he added. AGENCIES

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Pak cricket team leaves for Asia Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team has left for Bangladesh to participate in Asia Cup, reported on Wednesday.

Pakistan will play its first match of the tournament against Bangladesh on March 11 (Sunday).

The national team will be playing for the first time under coaching of Whatmore and the fielding coach Julian.

The four-nation event includes defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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Mangal - "Kabir's return is a huge motivation for glory"

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal is hoping that the return of coach Kabir Khan will act as a motivation for his side at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier from 13- 24 March.

The 16-team ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 (WT20Q) will be staged across five venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. At stake in the UAE will be the two available places in the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012 which will be played in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele from 18 September to 7 October.

A former Pakistan fast bowler, Kabir, was the man responsible for fashioning Afghanistan's qualification to the ICC World Twenty20 2010 in West Indies. That incidentally was Afghanistan's first appearance at a major ICC global event.

Kabir was replaced by another Pakistan player, former captain Rashid Latif, but late in 2011 Latif moved on from his job.

"We have prepared well and have played a few practice games. We have prepared with specific plans where Kabir has made a big impact. We have analysed other teams, we have talked about combinations and the specific roles for batsmen. Kabir's made a huge impact, yet again and it is good to have him for a new three-year term," said Mangal.

In his continuing assessment of Kabir, Mangal added that his advice was simple and yet covered all aspects of the Twenty20 format.

"He said that this format is about 120 balls which is a lot to score runs. He has spoken in detail about how and when to use spinners. So it has been fascinating having him back. He helped us get ODI status and helpedd us qualify for the last ICC World Twenty20," added Mangal.

The Afghanistan captain heaves a huge sigh of relief as he looked back on the brief period between Latif moving on and Kabir's appointment.

"We used to have a new coach on every tour. The combination and understanding was never really there. The benefit with Kabir is that he knows us, knows our psyche because he has been a player himself. This will help us forge a winning combination yet again," revealed Mangal.

Now, with the tournament just a few days away, Mangal is keen for his side to remember all the good tidings from the last qualifier in 2010, also held in UAE.

"We will try to use all the confidence from the fact that we have been champions from here back in 2010 in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier. We will fight every inch because it is our mission and target for Afghanistan to qualify. We have to live up to our high standards," opined Mangal.

Two years is a long time in sport and Mangal confirms the same when he talks about the changes in the squad since the ICC World T20 Qualifier in 2010.

"Then we were not that experienced. We have had a few new faces added to the squad. So overall the squad is positive, but there won't be any pressure on us. I have also gained a lot experience as a player and captain," added Mangal.

The make-up of his squad is another cause for Mangal's optimism. He says that his side has a good complement of fast bowlers in Hamid Hassan along with the likes of Dowlat Zadran, Zamir Khan who have made it through good performances in domestic cricket.

Afghanistan played its first One-Day International against a Test playing nation, Pakistan, last month. According to Mangal that was the best experience his side could have before the global qualifier for the ICC World Twenty20 2012.

"We learnt that at the highest level you cannot be hitting every ball out of the ground. You need to look for single and play each ball on its merit. On pitches in UAE we need to play sensibly. It was a good experience for us because it has given something for the boys to plan," said Mangal.

Much like the other sides, Mangal too kept an eye on the recent Pakistan v England T20I series. Mangal believes the series gave an indication of how sides should approach the qualifier.

"It was a good to watch them play. These are not pitches for 180-200. On the pitches in UAE, even 130-135 is fine. So we have to sensible when thinking of a target to set," said Mangal.

Afghanistan's travelling supporters in the UAE is another reason why Mangal and his squad can hope to have a good time during the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Qualifier. Afghanistan made headlines worldwide by qualifying for the ICC World Twenty20 2010. Now if it repeats that feat in 2012, it will be another talking point worldwide.

"If we qualify it will have a big impact on our cricket. It is our mission. If we play well, then it is all up to our fate. We hope we can do it again," concluded Mangal.

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Sri Lanka restrict Australia to 231 in ODI final

ADELAIDE: Sri Lanka dismissed Australia for 231 with three balls left to be in a strong position to win the tri one-day international series at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and sent the Australians into bat and his bowlers rewarded him by restricting Australia's run chase and leaving the World Cup finalists around 4.6 runs an over to win the third final and the series.

Opening batsman Matthew Wade topscored with 49 off 74 balls and batting partner David Warner hit 48 off 45 balls for the home side, who were without their injured skipper Michael Clarke (hamstring) and paceman James Pattinson (strained buttock).

Farveez Maharoof claimed three for 40 off 10 overs, while left-arm spinner Rangana Herath picked up three for 36 from his 10 overs as well as taking a brilliant low catch to dismiss Australia's stand-in skipper Shane Watson for 19.

The Australians got away to a breezy start with Wade and Warner scoring 75 off the opening 14 overs, but their progress stalled as Sri Lanka's bowlers and fielders, coupled with Jayawardene's imaginative captaincy, reeled in Australia's run-rate.

The home side were 115 for one in the 21st over but fell away losing five wickets in the next 12 overs.

Veteran paceman Brett Lee hit 32 off 54 balls and Clint McKay 28 off 32, but Australia's total looked under par on the same pitch that yielded 545 runs in Tuesday's ODI, which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with 34 balls to spare

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Rahul Dravid to announce retirement: reports

NEW DELHI: Indian batting superstar Rahul Dravid, the second-highest runscorer in Tests of all time, is set to announce his retirement from international cricket on Friday, reports say.

The Press Trust of India and the Cricinfo website both said the 39-year-old was set to end his career in the national team after his wretched tour of Australia, where India were whitewashed 4-0 in the Test series.

Dravid, popularly known as "The Wall," scored only 194 runs in eight innings and was bowled out in six of them as Australian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus repeatedly breached his defence with ease.

India's once-formidable but now ageing batting stars Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar are all under pressure after the team's performance in India.

Dravid is to address a press conference in Bangalore on Friday alongside the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, N. Srinivasan, the Press Trust of India reported, citing a statement.

The one-time India captain retired from short formats of the international game last year, but had vowed to continue in Tests.

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New Zealand 243-9 v South Africa 238 at close

DUNEDIN: New Zealand were 243 for nine at the close of play on the second day of the first test against South Africa at University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

New Zealand were 40 for one at lunch on the second day of the first after bowling out South Africa for a first innings total of 238.

Opener Martin Guptill was not out 16 and Brendon McCullum was unbeaten on 18, with Vernon Philander claiming South Africa's only wicket, Test debutant Rob Nicol, for six.

South Africa resumed at 191 for seven, adding 47 to their overnight total as New Zealand wrapped up the lower order in the first 45 minutes of play

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Bangladesh series: 'non-neutral officials in case of unsafe circumstances'

DUBAI: The ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has taken some important decisions in it's meeting held here regarding various aspects of the game.

The ICC has given the green light to Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan. The Chief Executive Committee (CEC) of the ICC determined that decisions regarding a particular tours taking place was for the participating countries to decide.

The CEC also noted that in the event of the participating countries deciding that the tour should proceed and the ICC determining that it was unsafe to appoint match officials to the tour, a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.


Following are the decisions as released by the ICC in a statement:

Independent Governance Review
The CEC received a presentation on the independent Woolf report on ICC Governance. The presentation was to allow the CEC, an important grouping, to better understand or to seek clarification or explanations of any proposals contained in the report. The CEC noted that Member Boards and the ICC Board of Directors in particular will need to consider the recommendations in detail, a number of which were already work in progress.

Proposed Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
The CEC recognised that the ICC Board had determined that a decision as to whether a particular tour should take place or not is one for the participating countries and the ICC's role was limited to considering the safety and security of the match officials after a tour had been confirmed and a security plan produced.

The CEC also noted that in the event of the participating countries deciding that the tour should proceed and the ICC determining that it was unsafe to appoint match officials to the tour, a special dispensation to depart from the Standard Playing Conditions to allow non-neutral match officials to participate in the matches would be required from the ICC Board.

While acknowledging that the granting of such dispensation must involve a wide range of important considerations, the CEC agreed to recommend to the ICC Board that, from a cricket perspective only, the granting of the special dispensation would be justified.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: "Bearing in mind that safety and security is the sole responsibility of individual Member Board's for bilateral matches, the CEC regarded this as an exceptional circumstance in which the appointment to matches of non-neutral match officials could be justified but stated clearly that it should not to be regarded as a preferred option or precedent if the dispensation were to be granted."

T20 strategy
The CEC held a strategic discussion on Twenty20 cricket and agreed to recommend the following to the ICC Board:

- three additional Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) should be allowed in the year in which the ICC World Twenty20 is being played (the current regulations permit a maximum of 12 T20Is for each Full Member in any one year). This would allow teams the opportunity to prepare for the event;

- the next ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2014 in Bangladesh should be increased to 16 men's teams;

- the Associate and Affiliate Members should consider submitting a detailed proposition to host a future ICC World Twenty20 event in a developing country or region; and

- the ICC World Twenty20 should continue to be a joint event for men's and women.

Haroon Lorgat said: "It was an important discussion and the CEC agreed that further conversations to strategically manage T20 cricket and also to promote all three formats would be beneficial."

ICC Cricket Committee
The CEC has reappointed Ravi Shastri for a second three-year term as the media representative and has appointed David White, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, to replace Justin Vaughan as the CEC representative on the ICC Cricket committee.

The CEC also supported the women's committee chairperson, Clare Connor, to continue as a representative of the women's game on the Committee and also noted the nomination of John Stephenson to replace Keith Bradshaw as the MCC representative.

The ICC Board will consider nominations for the role of chairman of the committee as Clive Lloyd's term has expired.

International venues
The CEC approved a framework for revised regulations dealing with the required standards of venues staging international matches.The revised regulations will include a consolidated list of the current minimum requirements complimented by best practice guidelines.

Haroon Lorgat said: "Ensuring the best world-class venues is essential to produce quality cricket and also attract spectators to the game."

Other cricket matters
The CEC confirmed that the existing ICC Test and ODI ranking systems are fit for purpose and recommended to the ICC Board that they be retained to determine qualification to ICC events and for promotion and relegation purposes in due course.

The CEC also recommended the new Future Tours Programme (FTP) agreement and a revised Anti-Racism Policy to the ICC Board for approval.

The CEC were pleased to note a marked improvement in the quality of pitches that has led to a much better battle between bat and ball in Test match cricket. Only 10 per cent of Test matches in 2011 ended in a draw as compared to 38 per cent in 2010.

In order to share experiences and to seek continuous improvement, the ICC will host a workshop for curators in Dubai on 11 and 12 April 2012, covering a wide range of issues in pitch preparation.

Mr Lorgat said: "Curators and groundsmen around the world deserve credit for preparing pitches which have produced exciting Test match cricket."

The CEC also acknowledged the improvement in over-rates and gave credit to the umpires for their positive interpretation of bad light and weather regulations, which has led to more cricket being enjoyed by spectators."

Mr Lorgat said: "Overall the ICC match officials have been excellent and the notable improvement in standards of officiating needs to be acknowledged."

The CEC also received an update on the research project which the ICC has been supporting (together with the MCC) to develop technology which can be used to monitor bowling actions in match conditions. The technology which uses inertial sensors has been successfully evaluated and now is entering the next phase of development.

Cricket development
The CEC received update presentations on the progress with global development of the game which included the strategies to grow and integrate the women's game internationally. The CEC agreed to explore a Future Associates Tour Schedule to investigate whether a programme of matches can be designed for Associates/Affiliates and the Full Member National or 'A' teams.

"The development programme has a comprehensive strategy which includes improving performances and plans to increase participation by one million new players from the Associate and Affiliate Member countries by 2015," said Mr Lorgat.

The CEC also received an update regarding cricket for people with disabilities and agreed to work towards establishing a framework and criteria to recognize different types of disability cricket.

Multi-sport games
After discussing cricket's participation in multi-sport games, the CEC decided to further explore an invitation for cricket to take part in the Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast in Australia in April 2018.

The CEC also supported the key initiative in the ICC strategy to independently evaluate the pros and cons of participating in the Olympic Games.

"A preliminary high level evaluation is expected to be presented at the next CEC meeting," concluded Mr Lorgat.

The CEC comprises the Chief Executives or nominated representatives of the 10 Full Member nations as well as three Associate Member representatives. The ICC Chief Executive chairs the meeting and, by invitation, the ICC President or the ICC Vice President may attend.

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Cricket: Bangladesh chief selector quits over Tamim row

DHAKA: Bangladesh's chief selector Akram Khan resigned from his post on Wednesday, citing interference from the country's cricket board president in team selection for the upcoming Asia Cup.

Khan quit a day after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Mustafa Kamal rejected the inclusion of star opener Tamim Iqbal in the 14-man squad for the one-day tournament starting in Dhaka on Sunday.

"Tamim was in our team because he is one of the best batsmen we have in Bangladesh," Khan, a former national captain, told AFP. "But the president dropped him from the final list.

"His regular interference in team selection has made top players worried about their place in the national squad. I have resigned because I was not enjoying my job."

Tamim, a nephew of Khan, is widely regarded as Bangladesh's best batsman.
He won the Wisden Cricketer magazine's Test Player of the Year award in 2010.

Tamim, who turns 23 later this month, has scored 3,115 runs in 109 one-day matches since his debut in 2007. He also has 1,748 Test runs from 24 matches.

But he was stripped of the vice-captaincy after Bangladesh's tour of Zimbabwe last year, reportedly due to indiscipline and arguments with the team management.

BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus confirmed Khan's resignation. The board president, a ruling party lawmaker, could not be reached for comment as he is away in England.

Khan has been the chief selector of the national team for the last eight months.

The Asia Cup, seen as a symbol of cricket supremacy in the continent, features defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh.

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