Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan

Javed Miandad has resigned as director-general of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), bringing to an abrupt end his fourth stint with the board since retiring as a player after only two months of being appointed to that position

He had unveiled grand plans for domestic cricket, but talked of removing ICL bans and played an active part in arranging the Sri Lanka tour of three ODIs. He was also known to have said that he would don a tracksuit and get out on the field to coach if needed.

“The PCB wanted to restrict me to domestic affairs and I don’t want any interference in my work. I have therefore resigned,”

But in the contract the board offered to him yesterday, which defined his role for the first time since he took over, he found that only domestic affairs were within his ambit.

The funny part is that he quit because he did not like the monetary package & PCB was asking him to explore his visionary domestic plan that he had earlier dreamed off

In Pakistani cricket fortunes rise and fall with the sun. While only a few days ago I wrote about the myriad challenges being faced by Mohammad Asif, it now appears that Ijaz Butt, PCB Chairman, has all but mandated that Asif will be making a comeback and soon.

Suddenly, a drug arrest in Dubai, is a “minor” incident. Only in Pakistan can the Chairman of the PCB wash away a problem like this, with a casual comment. Asif has many problems, and as a young man he needs to sort them out. Give the man some time. Plus, does he just walk back into the squad? Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul and Rao Iftikhar seem to be doing pretty well. Sohail Khan and Azhar Ali are knocking on the door. Does an unfit Asif who hasn’t played competitive cricket for a year have a place in the squad?

This article at Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan has been composed by Ahmer Karimuddin.

In an artcile for Cricinfo Osman Salahuddin writes about Shoaib Malik questioning the commitment and fitness of the fast bowler Shoab Akhtar and has effectively put a question mark over the international future of Shoaib Akhtar, openly doubting his fitness and commitment in the field.

This came in response to Pakistan’s 129-run loss to Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Karachi, in which Shoaib failed to complete his full quota of ten overs for the second game running. After bowling seven expensive overs in the first ODI yesterday, Shoaib delivered six largely ineffective and costly overs today. He struggled in the field, generally appearing listless and often unwilling to chase down balls.

Read more on Cricinfo

This article at Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan has been composed by Teeth Maestro.

Pakistan and team captain Shoaib Malik fined for slow over-rates in their 129-run defeat by Sri Lanka in the second ODI. Pakistan ruled to be two overs short of their target by ICC match referee Chris Broad. Shoaib is fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players receive 10 per cent fines.

This article at Cricket Bloggers of Pakistan has been composed by Teeth Maestro.

Mohammad Asif finds himself in quite a pickle. Since the IPL drugs issue, and the arrest in Dubai, he is really seen the lows of a sporting life. From being one of the most feared bowlers on the world scene, his stock has rapidly fallen.

Crossposted to ahmerazhar.blogspot.com
He finds himself out of a central contract with the PCB, an uncertain cricketing future until the IPL resolves his drugs issue, and no current cricket income. If this article is to be believed, he has lost his home, his car and is currently in dire financial straits.

It appears that the IPL has not paid Asif for his services with the Delhi Daredevils in the first iteration of the IPL. There is much speculation that due to his positive drug test, the Delhi Daredevils will choose not to pay him until the IPL board hears the case and makes a final recommendation.

As the year 2008 is ending, I have made an attempt to summarize the major happenings of the year in Pakistan cricket

• Pakistan suffered a test-less season this year. However they managed to play 21 one-day internationals but mostly against minnows like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
• Punjab Stallions won the RBS Pentangular One Day Cup. In the final they defeated the Federal Areas Leopards by eight wickets.
• India refused to tour Pakistan for its scheduled tour of January 2009 citing political reasons.
• Lahore Badshahs won the ICL 20-20 Indian Championship in November 2008 beating Hyderabad Heroes in the finals. They lost to the same side in the finals earlier this year in April 2008.
• NWFP won the RBS Pentangular Cup by beating Baluchistan in the final by 28 runs.
• Pakistan comprehensively defeated West Indies registering a clean sweap in a three match one day series in Abu Dhabi.
• Muhammad Yousuf signed up for the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL).
• Geoff Lawson was sacked from his position of the coach of Pakistan.
• Pakistan took part in a four nation T20 tournament in Canada where they lost to Sri Lanka in the finals. Zimbabwe and Canada were the other two teams featuring in the tournament.