Cricket | Pakupdate

Afridi to represent Pakistan

The boom boom Shahid Afridi has given a hint that he will represent Pakistan in the forthcoming limited-overs series against England rather than Bangladesh Premier League.

Shahid Afridi has shunned the dollars for national duty by opting out of the Bangladesh Premier League where he was the highly-expensive player after fetching a price tag of USD 700,000 in the auction.

The opening of Twenty20 tournament, which runs from 9^th to 28^th February, clashes with the one-dayers in the United Arab Emirates, with the four ODIs and three T20Is running from 13^th to 27^th February.

Afridi said from Australia where he is appearing in the Twenty20 tournament,

“Unfortunately the dates of the league clash directly with the one-day and Twenty20 series against England. So, I have decided to skip the Bangladesh event as national duty is more important.”

Teenage fast bowler Mohammad Amir might be released late January

Pakistani teenage fast bowler Mohammad Amir is in the London jail over a spot-fixing scandal but now it is anticipated that will be released later this month, according to reports.

Cricketer Amir will be released after completing half punishment ends on 3^rd February as per the British laws told the sources in London.

It is estimated that the cricketer will be released on bail over good attitude shown in the young offenders’ institute where he is presently serving his punishment.

Amir was sentenced last year in November to six months in prison for bowling no-balls at prearranged times during a Test match against England at Lord’s in August 2010. After pleading guilty, he was sent to serve time in a young offenders’ institute.

Not worrying about Coaching Future: Mohsin Khan

The coach of Pakistan cricket team Mohsin Khan mentioned that he his complete focus is on the forthcoming series against England.

He was quoted as saying,

“I’m not thinking about my coaching future. I’ve put all my concentration on the upcoming series. My sole target is a good show against England and I’ll give all my effort to get the best out of the players,”

He was named temporary coach after Waqar Younis left in September by citing health reasons, and his occupancy was later extended for the Bangladesh and England series.

Mohsin also mentioned the Pakistan team will avoid heavy work-outs in the training camp that starts in Lahore, ahead of the England series.

“We’ve planned a balanced training camp which serves as a refresher, helping the players regain their rhythm. They’ve had a hectic schedule so we want to keep things light ahead of the Test series,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan Cricket Board is all set to appoint Whatmore, who resigned as the Knight Riders’ coach recently.

Zong achieved Bankers T20 Tournament

Zong Cricket team has defeated Liberty Power and achieved the 1st Bankers T20 Tournament by 5 wickets.

Liberty Power selected bating first and set a big target of 197 runs in 20 overs. Zong achieved the target in 20^th over with the loss of 5 wickets.

Zong Team’s major contributors were Rouman Talat who scored 92 runs in just 45 balls with the strike rate of 202.22. He scored 10 fours and 4 towering sixes in his innings. Bilal Qureshi ZONG captain played a captain’s knock and hit massive sixes during the run chase.The deal was sealed by Umair Aslam in the final over where he hit 17 runs with the help of 3 fours.

The wonderful match was attended by large crowed who prized the efforts being put in by ZONG players in winning the Tournament.

ZONG Cricket team has reached the finals of ‘1st Bankers T20 Tournament’ by beating Islamabad Challengers. ZONG team was unbeaten throughout the tournament outclassing Telenor, Ericsson, MOL, Shifa International in the league matches.

PCB declared U-19 team for South Africa tour

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared its U19 team for the tour of South Africa beginning next month, on Tuesday.
Pak team will take part in a triangular series featuring (Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe) from 5^th to 22^nd January, 2012.

Pakistani team will play 3 Youth ODI against South Africa on January 25, 27 and 29.
The team was named by national selectors on Tuesday at Gadaffi stadium Lahore. The selectors named Babar Azam as captain and Umer Waheed as his deputy.
Following is the team: Sami Aslam, Babar Azam (captain), Syed Faraz Ali, Umer Waheed,V. Captain, Shahan Akram, Syed Saad Ali, Adnan Mahmood, Muhammad Irfan, Shahid Ilyas, Ehsan Adil, Azizullah, Zia ul Haq, Fawad Khan ,Usman Qadir, Saifullah Bangash (wk).
Reserves: Imam ul Haq, Salman Afridi (wk), Mir Hamza ,Muhammad Nawaz, Ghazanfar Abbas, Muhammad Farman.
Team Management: Haroon Rasheed, manager; Sabih Azhar , coach; Dr. Sohail Saleem, doctor cum physiotherapist; Yasir Malik, trainer; and Usman Hashmi, analyst.
The similar team management will be maintained till the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2012.

Pakistan to face Bangladesh in Asia Cup opener

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the opening match of the four-nation Asia Cup cricket tournament beginning in Dhaka in 12^th March, 2012, an official said Monday.

Asian Cricket Council chief executive Syed Ashraful Huq mentioned that the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium will host all the matches, including the opening tie on 12^th March and the final on 22^nd March.

He told to AFP,