Briefly cricket

WADA sets time limit for ICC
New Delhi: The WADA on Tuesday gave ICC time till November 2011 to convince its member boards to accept the vexed 'whereabouts' clause. WADA director general David Howman also served a veiled warning to BCCI when he
indicated that India could be barred from participating in this year's Asian Games in Guangzhou, where cricket in the form of Twenty20 would make its debut in the multi-sport extravaganza if the stand-off continues. "It will be Olympic Council of Asia's decision," he said.

SA win despite Sammy's knock
Antigua: South Africa withstood a late West Indies fightback led by Darren Sammy's 58 from 24 balls to prevail by 17 runs in the second one-day international on Monday and take a 2-0 lead in the five match series.
Brief scores: South Africa 300 for 5 in 50 overs (G. Smith 37, H. Amla 92, J Kallis 85, AB de Villiers 41;Taylor 2/50, Pollard 2/39) vs West Indies 283 all out in 48.1 overs (D. Richards 51, D Bravo 74, D Sammy not out 58; Morkel 3/58).

ICC gives Sydney Test clean chit
Melbourne: The ICC has stopped investigating the Australia-Pakistan Sydney Test after finding no evidence of match-fixing, a Cricket Australia spokesman said. "The ICC has replied, saying it has seen no evidence of match-fixing and that there is no current investigation of match-fixing," CA spokesman Peter Young was quoted as saying by The Australian. "Haroon Lorgat has assured James Sutherland that Australia won the match on its merits," Young added.

Afridi to lead in all formats
Lahore: Pakistan on Tuesday named Shahid Afridi captain for next month's Asia Cup and the subsequent full tour of England, opting for a single skipper for all three formats of the game. "Afridi will lead Pakistan in one-day and Test cricket and is our best choice," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt told reporters.

Swann voted best English player
London: Off-spinner Graeme Swann beat competition from his skipper Paul Collingwood among others to clinch the 'England Cricket of the Year' award at Lord's. Selected by the British media, Swann claimed the award beating the likes of Stuart Broad, Andrew Strauss, Paul Collingwood and James Anderson. Swann played 45 matches in all formats of the game, taking 99 wickets at an average of 26.26.

Afridi named captain for Asia Cup, tour of England

Lahore, May 25(ANI): Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been named the captain of the national team for the Asia Cup and the tour of England.
Announcing the decision, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt said that Afridi had the confidence of all players during the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, and that was the reason behind him getting the captaincy.
"It is a quality of a captain that he fosters cooperation and good relations among the players while following the rules and regulations of the game. Afridi has done all that," The News quoted Butt, as saying.
Butt further said that the names of the 30 players for the England tour will be announced after the upcoming meeting.
The Asia Cup will be played in Sri Lanka from June 15 to 25, while the series against Australia and England will be played between July and August. (ANI)

New Pakistan Test captain Afridi wants to focus on bowling

Karachi, May 25 (IANS) Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi wants to keep his aggression with the bat aside when he returns to Test cricket after four years.



Afridi, who was Tuesday named as Pakistan captain for the team's upcoming assignments - Asia Cup and the tour of England, said he wants to focus more on his bowling in Test matches.






Pakistan will play two Test matches against Australia and four against England during their three-month long tour of Britain.






The seasoned all-rounder who is better known for his explosive batting said he would like to bat on sixth position in the Tests batting line-up to focus more on his bowling.






'I will focus more on my bowling as I think I can contribute more in this department than batting in the longer version of the game', said Afridi who reversed his self- exile from Test recently.






The all-rounder who last played a Test in 2006 in Manchester made it clear he would not be hesitant to take a U-turn if he fails to shine in this format.






'If I would not be able to perform satisfactorily then I would prefer leaving my place for a youngster,' he said.






He said he returned to Tests because he wanted to help his national team which is in turmoil due to absence of senior players.






'The absence of senior players forced me to rethink my decision to play test cricket,' he said

Akhtar likely to return in Pakistan team

Karachi, May 25 (IANS) Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is likely to make another return to the national team for the Asia Cup and England tour.



The fast bowler convinced the top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brass with his fitness while performing in the last month's Pentangular Cup One-Day cricket tournament.






According to sources, the selection committee headed by former Test cricketer Mohsin Hasan Khan is considering the pacer for team's assignments later this summer.






Pakistan will take part in Asia Cup in Sri Lanka starting from June 15 before leaving for tour of England where the team will play against the home team and Australia.






Shoaib, who has not represented Pakistan since May 2009, returned to action in last month's domestic tournament where he impressed the selectors with his pace.






Following a knee surgery last year, the 'Rawalpindi Express' also underwent liposuction in November to remove excess weight from his body.






Akhtar said he has regained his fitness and can serve Pakistan for few more years.






Moreover, Shahid Afridi who will lead the side in England also wants the pacer in the side for upcoming tour of England where his side faces a stiff competition.






Sources say Afridi feels that the fast bowler could be a worthy inclusion in the team in tough English conditions where he holds a very good record.






Salahuddin Ahmed, Pakistan former chief selector has endorsed the idea saying a fit Shoaib is still an asset for Pakistan.






'If Shoaib Akhtar is fit he can prove fatal for opposition especially in English conditions, the team needs him for the tour,' he said.

Afridi no automatic choice for ODI captaincy: Butt

Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to decide on the ODI captaincy and Shahid Afridi is not the automatic choice to lead the national side in next month's Asia Cup, chairman Ejaz Butt said on Saturday.
Afridi, current Twenty20 captain, was being tipped to lead Pakistan in the June 15-25 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka but Butt said a decision would be taken on May 25.
"We will announce the captain for the Asia Cup on May 25 after a meeting of the selection committee. Until now we have not decided or discussed any names as yet for the captaincy, Butt said.
Butt said the captaincy issue would be decided after taking into account report of the manager and coach on the performance of the team in the recent ICC World Twenty20.
He said the selectors had been told to finalise a list of 30 players for the Asia Cup and a full tour of England this summer.
Sources said the 30 players would be asked to attend a conditioning camp before the final squads are announced for the Asia Cup and England tour.
Chief selector Mohsin Khan also made it clear that nothing has been decided as yet on the captaincy or selection of players.
"We will only meet on May 25 with the Board chairman to take these decisions," he said.
The governing board the PCB has also been called for a meeting on May 23 in which the performance of team in the ICC World Twenty20 and other issues would be discussed.
"The concept of having two separate captains or one captain for the coming one-day and Test matches will be discussed at this meeting," one source said. Opener Salman Butt is being tipped to be named captain of the Test side.

Younus wants his appeal to be heard on camera: Qayyum

Karachi: Younus Khan wants his appeal to be heard in front of the media even though appeals judge Irfan Qadir on Saturday said that other Pakistani players, facing PCB bans and fines, were in favour of a closed door hearing.
Abdul Qayyum, the legal advisor of Younus, who is serving an indefinite ban imposed by the cricket board, today said his client''s appeal was a separate one and has nothing to do with pleas of other players.
"These are separate appeals and Younus's appeal has nothing to do with the others. If the other players don't want their hearings on camera fine but Younus wants his hearing before the media as we feel there is no ground for the ban to be enforced on him and he has nothing to hide from anyone," Qayyum said.
Justice (retd) Qadir, hearing the appeals of six cricketers against their bans and fines imposed in March by the PCB, had earlier today said that players didn't want their hearings to be made open to the media as they thought it would result in more controversies and scandals.
"I personally feel there is no need to conceal anything but the players felt that if the hearings are on camera than they will be further scandalised," Qadir said.
Meanwhile, the legal advisor of the Pakistan board Talib Rizvi, has said that players were afraid of an open hearing because they didn't want their names to be further spoilt and entangled in controversies.
"We ourselves are keen to dispose of these appeals as soon as possible because we want to clear this wrong impression of the players in the eyes of the public," Talib said.
The PCB lawyer added that the board wants the appeals issue to be settled soon so that the players can concentrate on their cricket.

Akmal threatens to sue Pakistan coaches over fix claims

KARACHI (Reuters) - Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has threatened to sue former Pakistan coaches Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed for defamation unless they apologise for suggesting his performance in Australia may have been linked to bookmakers.

Akmal said on Saturday Alam and Javed should substantiate their allegations or make a public apology to him.

"I am fed up with these allegations. My family is disturbed. I go out and people hoot me and I am mentally disturbed. I want to clear this unwarranted stigma with my name," he told Reuters.

"I want an apology from these people. I will be speaking to the chairman of the board about this as they are employees of the board. If they don't apologise I intend to go to court in my personal capacity."

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit said on Thursday it was examining Pakistan's dismal tour of Australia this year when they were whitewashed in the test and one-day series.

However, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters the board had informed the ICC they had found no evidence of match-fixing by any player on the Australian tour.

Pakistan slumped to defeat in the second test in Sydney after they appeared to have victory in their grasp with Akmal dropping three catches and missing a run out.

His performance came under scrutiny during a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe into the team's poor tour with the two former coaches suspecting Akmal may have links with bookmakers.

The pair's statements caused an uproar in Pakistan when video recordings of the inquiry committee proceedings were leaked to a television channel this week.

"The point is (if) these people suspected me of deliberately under-performing why did they keep on selecting me for other matches?" Akmal said.

Akmal said it was about time someone took action against people making baseless allegations of match-fixing or the ordeal for Pakistani players would never end.

Alam and Javed were removed as team coaches after the Australian tour but given top positions in the national cricket academy by the board.

Furious Pak Senators demand action against 'match fixing' players

Lahore, May 22 (ANI): Two angry Pakistan Senators on Saturday demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) take immediate action against players involved in match-fixing, failing which, they warned that the PCB could be disbanded to save the sport.

"The present management has failed to take any action against players involved in match-fixing and they must be removed to save Pakistan cricket," the Dawn quoted Senator Haroon Akhtar as telling reporters at the national cricket academy here.

Akhtar specifically called for the removal of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt.

"Butt is running the PCB as a one-man show and we appeal on President Asif (Ali) Zardari to remove him to save Pakistan cricket otherwise it will be destroyed by this management," he was quoted, as saying.

Butt, who took over in October 2008, has survived previous calls from senators and MPs for his dismissal as he has enjoyed the confidence of Zardari.

Senator Tariq Azeem said PCB should throw out match-fixers.

"We should not leave the matter to the ICC or anyone else. We should throw the tainted players ourselves," said Azeem.

Lawmakers have summoned Butt, former captain Younus Khan, former coach Intikhab Alam and former manager Abdul Raqeeb to discuss match fixing on Monday.

Their parliamentary committee is also planning to appoint a panel of judges to investigate the latest match-fixing allegations.

Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match in Australia from December to February, but their defeat in January's Sydney Test has raised doubts about match fixing

Pak's entire 'dysfunctional' Oz tour under ICC scanner

The entire Pakistan tour of Australia in 2009-10 is under a cloud with the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit investigating the visiting team's performance during the series, and not just the 'controversial' Sydney Test.
Outgoing ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Paul Condon said that his department has been concerned about the entire tour and not just the New Year's Sydney Test.
"It is a series that worried us. The challenge is to find where the solid fact is, because what you've got there is a lot of internecine strife within the team and within Pakistan politics, with rival camps making allegations," The Australian quoted Condon, as saying.
"We are satisfied that that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistani point of view, and that dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, and maybe making them potentially underperform deliberately," he added.
Condon further said the ACSU was still inquiring into the series to establish facts.
"What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to (bring) down captains or potential captains, or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix," he said.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) has promised to co-operate, but chief executive James Sutherland has written to the ICC for more details of its investigation.
"We have no knowledge of any concerns and we'd have expected to have some knowledge if there were any," a CA spokesman said.
"If the ICC had any concerns, we would absolutely provide them with whatever support they needed. At this stage we believe we won that game on the merits of our performance," the spokesman added.
The Pakistan Cricket Board punished almost half of the Pakistan team for their performance in Australia. Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were suspended for a year, while Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, were fined and placed on probation for six months

"Pak's entire dysfunctional tour of Australia" under ICC anti-corruption scanner

Sydney, May 22(ANI): The entire Pakistan tour of Australia in 2009-10 is under a cloud with the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit investigating the visiting team's performance during the series, and not just the 'controversial' Sydney Test.

Outgoing ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) chief Paul Condon said that his department has been concerned about the entire tour and not just the New Year's Sydney Test.

"It is a series that worried us. The challenge is to find where the solid fact is, because what you've got there is a lot of internecine strife within the team and within Pakistan politics, with rival camps making allegations," The Australian quoted Condon, as saying.

"We are satisfied that that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistani point of view, and that dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, and maybe making them potentially underperform deliberately," he added.

Condon further said the ACSU was still inquiring into the series to establish facts.

"What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to (bring) down captains or potential captains, or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix," he said.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) has promised to co-operate, but chief executive James Sutherland has written to the ICC for more details of its investigation.

"We have no knowledge of any concerns and we'd have expected to have some knowledge if there were any," a CA spokesman said.

"If the ICC had any concerns, we would absolutely provide them with whatever support they needed. At this stage we believe we won that game on the merits of our performance," the spokesman added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board punished almost half of the Pakistan team for their performance in Australia. Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned indefinitely, Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan were suspended for a year, while Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, were fined and placed on probation for six months.

My Test career is over: Afridi

Karachi: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Friday made it clear that his Test career is over and will now concentrate only in one-day and Twenty20 cricket which he said is more suited to his attacking style.
Afridi, who is tipped to be named next week as captain of the one-day side for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, ruled himself unavailable for Pakistan's six-match Test series in England this summer.
"Some of my well wishers and supporters wanted me to return to Test cricket. But it's the end of Test cricket for me and it's my firm decision," Afridi said.
"Now my focus is forthcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, T20 and ODI series in England and next year's 2011 Cricket World Cup," he told a state owned news agency.
Afridi, who has not played a Test since 2006, conceded that his attacking style suited limited-over cricket more.
"To be frank, Test cricket has its own demands and it doesn't suit my style. I love to play in attacking manner and I get it from T20 and ODIs," Afridi said.
Afridi, who led Pakistan to the final of just concluded ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies, is expected to be given the ODI captaincy when Pakistan Cricket Board and selectors meet next week in Lahore.
Asked about next month's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Afridi said, "It's my dream to win this continental title for the country. It will be a good tournament."
"We need some solid batsmen in the middle order which is our trouble area," he said.
After the Asia Cup, Pakistan play four Twenty20 Internationals and five ODIs in England besides the six Tests. Afridi has made 1683 runs in 26 Tests at an average of 37.40 and taken 47 wickets at an average of 34.89.
Meanwhile, experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is still undecided about continuing to play Test cricket.
"The last time I played was three years ago so I really don't know but if the selectors feel I have a role to play in the Tests in England then I will give it a thought," Razzaq said.
Razzaq, however, made it clear that he wanted to continue his limited over cricket career for Pakistan.

Appeals of Naved and Malik adjourned

An arbitrator has adjourned appeals of Pakistan allrounder Rana Naved and former captain Shoaib Malik against one-year suspensions and fines.

Pakistan Cricket Board lawyer Talib Rizvi told reporters in the eastern city of Lahore that Malik's appeal has been adjourned until May 29 while Naved's appeal will be heard on June 19.

"Naved's lawyer wanted to make some amendments in the appeal and needed some time," Rizvi said.

Malik's laywer had presented his arguments in the last hearing on May 15, but Rizvi said the PCB needed time to discuss it.

"PCB chairman (Ijaz Butt) was out of country and only returned home yesterday so we will discuss all the legal matters with him before giving our reply in the next hearing," Rizvi said.

The PCB suspended both players for one year and fined them two million rupees ($23,500) each for poor performance and ill discipline during the tour of Australia earlier this year.

Six players filed appeals against suspensions and fines except for former captain Mohammad Yousuf, who has retired from international cricket.

Arbitrator Irfan Qadir said he wanted to wrap up the proceedings as quickly as possible in all the six appeals and wanted it to be transparent.

"Video recordings of all our proceedings will be done so as to bring transparency," Qadir told reporters.

The PCB imposed fines and suspensions on the recommendations of an inquiry committee formed to evaluate Pakistan's performance during the winless tour of Australia.

Players launched accusations at each other in a leaked video recording of the PCB inquiry's proceedings.

In the videos, former coaches Intikhab Alam and Aqib Javed questioned wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal's poor performance in the Sydney test.

Alam told the inquiry committee he was "flabbergasted" when Akmal missed an easy run out of Shane Watson and later said he had heard stories about match fixing