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Shahid Hashmi

  • Don’t give country’s cap on Twenty20’s basis, says Rashid Latif

    Don’t give country’s cap on Twenty20’s basis, says Rashid Latif

    For all its entertainment, value and popularity, Twenty20 cricket is pure entertainment. Its growing popularity has sparked fears that it will affect not only the traditional Test cricket but also the 50-over game.

    But there are purists like former Pakistan captain and Karachi Kings Team Director Rashid Latif who advocate that T20 cricket should not be the basis for a player to graduate to Test and ODIs.

    Rashid understands the game like only few people do. His opinions are firm, at times rigid but that is his style. Here is how he speaks about some technical issues of the shortest format of the game a player must know to excel.

    Factor which help in Twenty20

    Rashid: There are a lot of factors, but I don’t go on technical issues. A team man is always preferred. I think at times fielding decides, who is better in fielding gets preference. Then comes fitness and it is vital because when you are fit then you are good in running between the wickets and you can hit big and do not get tired. Then you need to know how to bowl in the death overs. There have been good bowlers in the past but some do not know how to bowl in the death overs, some of them do not know how to bowl well in the early overs.

    At Karachi Kings we have that advantage that both our coaches are also Pakistan coaches (Mickey Arthur and Azhar Mahmood). We did not have much time (to prepare) but what we have tried to tell the players is that when to bowl where. Lengths are important. We have Tymal Mills who is a good bowler and that we have seen in the past, but didn’t know when to bowl what delivery so we have worked on that and if he delivers then he would be seen as a different bowler.

    Similarly, we have done some work on the batsmen. It is up to the coach to decide who bats at what number but you need time so that all the players gel together and don’t feel strangers to each other.

    Teams get bowled out inside 20 overs, why?

    Rashid Latif: If you hit from both the ends in a Twenty20 match then you lose wickets. You take chance from one end and keep the other end intact. It is rare that openers hit fours and sixes from both the ends. You need to rotate the strike from one end. If both hit then you get 200 or 240 but it rarely happens. We recently saw that in New Zealand, when Australia chased down 243. It happens rarely in Sharjah and Dubai. So, you need to pick your overs, after eight overs or ninth or 12th or 13th. If you try to keep a fast momentum in the 20 overs then you only lose wickets. But if you are scoring six or seven an over then it’s okay and you hit two or three sixes in an over, then you lift the momentum.

    You may have seen Umar Amin shifted the momentum by hitting sixes in New Zealand Twenty20, if you get a 20-22 run over then it can change the momentum. This is not for Karachi Kings’ team only but for all the teams and if it’s adopted and applied then it would be good to enhance the game, also good for Pakistan cricket too.

    How can a player change a Twenty20?

    RL: A player has to do (change the game) it himself. He needs to have the game awareness. He needs to know when to change the game. That can be developed in practice games and you get that noted that this player and this player has that ability to change the game. At times you depend on some big name players, then it becomes a routine. So you need to have the players who can change the game whenever needed.

    Twenty20 future

    RL: A few years back I had said that you should not give country’s cap on the basis of Twenty20 cricket. It’s entertainment cricket, let it be like that. You give a window to Twenty20 cricket and then we play Twenty20 at international level, it’s the number one cricket in Pakistan, no doubt. But if players are becoming international cricket on the basis of Twenty20 cricket then it’s not correct. The ODI cricket now doesn’t come in shorter format, 50-over cricket now comes in the longer format. A few days back Mickey Arthur also said that, (now Trevor Bayliss has said that) and I agree that on the basis of Twenty20 cricket, country’s cap should not be given on Twenty20 performances.

    Final in Karachi and fans demanding passes!

    RL: I apologise to all the fans. National Stadium has the capacity of 34-35,000 people. Karachi needs a stadium of around 70-75,000 capacity. Not all people can watch the final so they should watch the game on television.

    No one is asking for passes for Dubai matches but everyone wants to watch the final. My advice is that this is the first match so make it successful and then more matches will happen. Once the franchsie cricket comes to Pakistan then stadiums will be full. Now the final is happening in Karachi so the whole Karachi will roar.

     

  • PCB hires website to check fixing attempts

    PCB hires website to check fixing attempts

    DUBAI: Bitten by a spot-fixing scandal last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board has hired an international website to curb corruption in the third edition of the Pakistan Super League, sources said on Thursday.

    The PSL kicked off in Dubai in a glittering ceremony on Thursday, hoping it doesn’t get marred by an wrongdoing like the last year when Islamabad United openers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif were caught in a scandal.

    Sharjeel and Khalid were charged for arranging dot balls in return for money in the opening game against Peshawar Zalmi on the first day of the second edition of the PSL.

    “The website will monitor any extraordinary attempt of betting and in case there is one they will inform the anti-corruption unit of the PCB in time to monitor the attempt,” said sources privy to the deal.

    The PCB will also monitor the pitch siding, a term used to define attempts to give details to the bookies regarding an ongoing match from the ground.

    “In case a spectator is providing information to bookies from the ground on mobile then the anti-corruption staff will arrest him and throw him out of the ground,” said sources.

    Around 100 such people, mostly Indians, were expelled from the grounds during the Bangladesh Premier League last year.

    “All six teams are monitored through PCB security officers while there are two officers with Lahore Qalandars as they are staying in a separate hotel from the other teams,” said sources.

    PCB has also barred franchisees from staying at the same floor where the players are staying The players are also barred from meeting anyone, not even relatives, in their rooms and have to come down to the lobby to do the same.

    All players have to inform the security officers before going out, other than on match days.

  • Afridi foresees full PSL being held in Pakistan

    Afridi foresees full PSL being held in Pakistan

    Popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi foresees the complete Pakistan Super League (PSL) being held in Pakistan in the next couple of years, hoping it will lift the standard of cricket in the country.

    The hard hitting all-rounder had switched from Peshawar Zalmi to Karachi Kings where he looks well set and fresh.

    Afridi, who turns 38 on March 1, said the aim is to bring the entire PSL to Pakistan.

    “The real goal is to take the full PSL to Pakistan, and the World XI tour and Sri Lanka Twenty20 has raised hopes for more matches in Pakistan, and soon there will be a time when the full PSL will be held on our grounds before our fans,” Afridi told ARY News.

    The man who attracts the biggest crowds in cricket hoped a last hurrah on PSL turns into a befitting farewell.

    “This is nothing new,” said Afridi on his team change. “Players change clubs and teams so have I done and I wanted to play for Karachi before full retirement,” said Afridi.

    Asked if full time retirement meant from all form of cricket, Afridi smiled: “Yes, full time although the introduction of T10 cricket has lengthened our careers, so player should play until his body supports him.”

    Afridi, who smashed the fastest hundred in his only second ODI against Sri Lanka off just 37 balls in Nairobi on 1996, also achieved the first hat trick of the newest format.

    Afridi believes Karachi Kings has the capacity to win the title.

    “We have a balanced combination and have an energetic captain in Imad Wasim and have experienced personnel in Mickey Arthur, Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood, and these utility players and staff can help us win the title,” said Afridi.

    Afridi hoped the real goal of the PSL is to groom and unearth local players.

    “PSL is our league do its best purpose is to mould the youngsters for Pakistan team and that it is going on since the last two years.”

  • Top Pakistani artists promise a ‘musical’ start to PSL 3

    Top Pakistani artists promise a ‘musical’ start to PSL 3

    DUBAI: Top Pakistan singers backed up by legendary folk star Abida Parveen promised a musical and enthralling start to the Pakistan Super League, in a colourful opening ceremony to be held at Dubai stadium on Thursday.

    Led by PSL key singer and league’s anthem singer Ali Zafar, the star studded press conference was held at Dubai stadium on Wednesday, and divulged some of the key features of the opening ceremony to raise the excitement of the fans.

    Zafar, who has been singing the main theme song of the PSL since its inception in 2016, stressed the need for unity with the staging of the PSL.

    “PSL is our own league,” said Zafar in the press conference.

    “I will be doing a stunt by flying around 30 metres and then sing the song so it’s exciting to be part of the ceremony once again. PSL is all about Pakistan and it’s a uniting factor for all of us.”

    Shahzad Roy, the revolutionary singer who also runs a campaign on education in Pakistan, also felt happy to be the part of the ceremony.

    “We used to think whether the PSL will start or not but it not only started but is now gearing up for the final in Karachi,” said Roy, who has also sung Karachi Kings anthem for PSL 3.

    Roy said cricket has the power to revolutionise the nation.

    “Cricket is playing its part for the re-energizing of the society and is changing the society which is great and is also a binding factor,” said Roy.”For the progression of the society PSL is great.”

    “With Abida Parveen performing on Thursday it will be a sufi PSL this time.”

    Actors Hareem Farooq and Bilal Ashraf also spoke on the occasion.

  • The destructive dozen of PSL 3

    The destructive dozen of PSL 3

    Pakistan Super League promises to give exciting moments to the millions of fans around the world. It will have master blasters who will smash boundaries and sixes at will. That is what crowds all over the world like.

    Although Twenty20 is inclined heavily towards the batsmen there will be some clever bowlers who will do their best to counter them. These clever bowlers will not only stop the flow of runs but will also hit the stumps with lethal yorkers.

    Here are a dozen, two from each team, who will be the players to watch in PSL 3. So tighten your belts and get ready for action from the destructive DOZEN.

    Shahid Afridi

    He may be at the end of his career. He may have retired from international cricket. He may have been fading. But Shahid Afridi still is the heartthrob of legions of fans.

    Afridi has switched to Karachi Kings and in his own words “wants to do one last hurrah for my city where I was brought up and made my name as a cricketer.”

    During his blistering career, Shahid Afridi won many a match for Pakistan and millions of hearts. The swing of his bat, swing the moods in the stands. If he thrives, the crowds exhilarate. If he fails, the crowds go in mourning.

    With a ball in his hand, Afridi can be equally destructive. He bamboozled the best of batters with his leg-breaks, googlies, and flippers. Once he gets a wicket or takes a catch his trademark style of celebration — arms-raised-fingers-pointing-towards-the-sky-feet-apart celebration – has etched in memories.

    Shahid Afridi will once again be the toast of Pakistan Super League.

    Chris Lynn

    148.35, 137.39 and 133.33 — these are strike rates of Australian sensation Chris Lynn in List A Twenty20, Twenty20 internationals and one-day internationals. Just the strike rates tell you the destructive style of Lynn’s batting.

    He can castigate any attack, any bowler on any pitch. So get ready for his master blaster acts. Lynn can hit as hard as anyone in the game, whatever be the length of the ball.

    The only worry Lahore could have about Lynn is his vulnerable fitness as well as his lack of exposure on flat, slow and spin-assisting pitches of United Arab Emirates.

    Kamran Akmal

    Kamran Akmal gives a fillip to the Zalmi batting at the top of the order. He has been in magnificent form in the recently concluded domestic limited over the season, smashing a double hundred in the departmental one-day tournament and 150 not out in the National Twenty20.

    Kamran’s ability to change the state of a limited overs game is notable. He was the mainstay for Peshawar Zalmi’s title-winning campaign in PSL 2, notching 353 runs with one hundred and a strike rate of 129.30.

    Kevin Pietersen

    Kevin Pietersen is the mainstay of Quetta Gladiators’ batting and in the final year of his career, he promises a stand out farewell.

    Although he did not shine as Quetta had hoped in the first edition, scoring 215 runs at 26.87 with just one fifty but his contributions off the field and his guiding the youngsters in the fighting unit of Quetta was notable.

    Then in the second edition, he managed 241 runs a relatively better average of 34.42 with 88 not out as his best. That innings spiced with three fours and eight towering sixes at Sharjah stadium could be ranked as the most memorable innings of the PSL history. He helped Quetta chased 201 run target set by Lahore.

    Andre Russell

    Abdre Russell is a two-in-one player who has been the man in demand in all the leagues around the world. His name is linked to Twenty20 league champions around the world, having won titles with Sydney Thunders, Kolkatta Knight Riders, Islamabad United and Jamaica Tallawahs.

    Russell is a big and forceful hitter of the cricket ball. He can hit the ball as far as to the farthest stand and can run as fast as a hare.

    With his 16 wickets in the inaugural edition of the PSL, he played a key role in Islamabad United’s title win.

    Russell had to miss the second edition of the PSL after he was banned for one year over doping whereabouts. Islamabad United missed him a great deal and once he was available Russell was retained for PSL 3.

    Russell is an outstanding player in the outfield, having pulled some extraordinary catches.

    Kieron Pollard

    Kieron Pollard is the man in demand for Twenty20 leagues around the world and that has halted his international career with the West Indies. That is because he can change a game with the swirl of the bat, a wicket with a cleverly disguised delivery or an outstanding catch in the deep. That makes Pollard a valuable player.

    The tall Trinidadian will be playing for new entrants Multan Sultans after a not-so-successful season with Karachi Kings. He made 201 in ten matches but the crucial innings of 47 not out and then a match-turning 45 not out off just 20 balls with four sixes, last two off Aamer Yamin clinched a play-off place for KK and relegated Lahore to the last spot for the second year running.

    Pollard is a key man for Multan as they would seek a whirlwind knock form the West Indies in crucial matches.

    Mohammad Amir

    Mohammad Amir is the spearhead of Karachi Kings and although he did not get as many wickets his team was looking for but the impact was notable. Amir has rarely gone very expensive and his economy is notable.

    Amir took seven wickets with a hat trick over Lahore Qalandars which helped Karachi Kings qualify for the playoffs.

    Despite not taking many wickets Amir has been an impact bowler at international level. He managed just two wickets — both against Sri Lanka — in the first three games of the Champions trophy but then made a huge impact in the final against India, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan to help Pakistan win the trophy.

    Amir can make that impact in the PSL3 but he has to do that in the crucial matches as his lack of wickets are hurting his reputation as well as making his place in the team vulnerable.

    Shadab Khan

    Shadab Khan can be termed as the real product of the PSL’s inaugural season. Although he had played the junior World Cup for Pakistan just a few days ahead of the start of the PSL his name only propped up in the second edition of the league.

    Shadab was the joint highest wicket-taker for Pakistan — 11 with Hasan Mohsin — and was wisely picked up by Islamabad United as an emerging player.

    Shadab is a clever leg-break bowler who is not afraid to give air to the ball, pitch it up and bowl a googly. Shadab fetched nine wickets in eight games and made a huge impact which brought him into the Pakistan team the same month, barely 20 days after the PSL two. He made an instant in his debut Twenty20 – taking 3-7 in an outstanding spell of four overs against the West Indies at Barbados.

    Shadab is handy with the bat as well, an attribute he showed in a Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. He smashed a last over six to seal the victory for Pakistan after Sri Lanka had hit back in the final overs.

    Sohail Khan

    Sohail Khan is a wicket-taking bowler who is ideally suited for the limited over versions of the game. He runs fast and aims for the stumps with a sharp yorker and a swing delivery. Sohail did not make much impact in the first edition, taking just four wickets in five matches.

    But his 16 wickets in the second edition of the PSL made him the best bowler of the tournament. Still, his unimpressive fielding prompted Karachi Kings to release him. Sohail’s new team Lahore Qalandars will look to him to take as many wickets as he did in PSL 2 as their powerful batting unit can give Sohail an ideal total to attack.

    Sohail did miss the regional one day cup with a back problem so his fitness will be the key if he wants to do the destructive acts.

    Imran Tahir

    Imran Tahir has also been a player in demand at international level. He has played around the world, the most in counties in England.

    Tahir is an attacking leg-spinner who looks to unrest the batsmen with his guile. He is also not afraid to get hit as he uses his variety to dismantle the best of the batsmen. Tahir made a huge impact in last year’s IPL with Rising Pune Super Giants, taking 18 wickets at 20.50 and that against batsmen who play the spin well was admirable.

    Tahir, who played his early cricket for Pakistan before migrating to South Africa, will be featuring in the PSL for the first time and will be an X-factor for the new team Multan Sultans. Tahir does his best in the field as well, taking some good catches and saving runs in the outfield.

    Wahab Riaz

    Wahab Riaz has become a Twenty20 specialist. He has done well in the shortest format at the international level, having been a regular for Pakistan in the format until last year.

    Wahab has an effective yorker that brings a number of scalps for the Zalmi spearhead. At times he is expensive but his value in the attack cannot be devalued.

    Wahab took 15 wickets in nine PSL matches in 2016 and that was the second best behind champions Islamabad United’s Andre Russell’s 16 wickets. Wahab was again the second highest wicket-taker in the next edition, 15 to Sohail Khan’s 16. That helped Peshawar Zalmi to lift the title in Lahore

    Wahab may have lost his place in the national team but has done well at domestic level. He again finished as second best in the National Twenty20 this year, taking 12 wickets to Umaid Asif’s 14.

    Mir Hamza

    Mir Hamza will be the spearhead for Quetta as they will wait for Barbados born Jofra Archer who has been on the injury list and may miss a few games in PSL 3.

    Mir Hamza is a well built left-arm bowler who can bowl as fast as 150kph. He has the knack of swinging the ball both ways and has developed the incoming delivery which is the main weapon for a left arm fast bowler.

  • Evaluating strengths and weaknesses of PSL 3 teams

    Evaluating strengths and weaknesses of PSL 3 teams

    The Pakistan Super League ‘s third edition promises more fun, more drama, more matches and more competition as stakes for the glittering trophy and prize money are raised to six teams.

    With the addition of Multan Sultans, the PSL three will be longer with ten more matches. Already the PSL is rated at par with the BIG Bash in Australia, Pakistan Cricket Board has planned more extensively to take the Twenty20 league to new heights.

    Pakistan’s biggest and most vibrant city Karachi is slated to host the March 25 final with the National stadium undergoing an extensive renovation for its first big match in nine years.

     

    KARACHI KINGS

    Batsmen: Colin Ingram, Jo Denly, Khurram Manzoor, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan.

    Allrounders: Shahid Afridi, Ravi Bopara, Imad Wasim, David Wiese, Hasan Mohsin.

    Spinner: Usama Mir.

    Fast bowlers: Mohammad Amir, Tymal Mills, Usman Shinwari, Tabish Khan, Mohammad Irfan Junior.

    Supplementary players: Lendl Simmons, Eoin Morgan, Saifullah Bangash.

    Karachi Kings are the most revamped side as they offloaded the misfiring Chris Gayle and the mercurial, Sohail Khan, who was the top wicket-taker last season.

    In comes Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s most marketable player, who will not only attract the crowds but also give Karachi, who lost in the playoffs in both preceding seasons, the X-factor. Afridi is one player who can change the complexion of the match if he stays for 20 odd balls in a Twenty20 match.

    Sohail’s absence will not be felt as they have recruited Tymal Mills, the Twenty20 specialist who will be handy in a four-over burst. Mills from one end and Mohammad Amir from the other will provide fire and be a sight to behold for the fans of the game. Mohammad Irfan Junior, the emerging fast bowler, will add teeth in the pace department, having made his mark last season with Lahore.

    The other big factor will be the fitness of Usman Khan Shinwari. If Shinwari is fully fir and survives the full length of the PSL then Karachi will not miss Sohail.

    Colin Ingram, Joe Denly and Khurram Manzoor will be expected to get Karachi off to hectic starts while Babar Azam’s presence will give stability. There are a number of allrounders in Afridi, Imad Wasim, David Wiese and Ravi Bopara. Usama Mir will be available as a spinning option.

    Though Karachi looks a utility unit, a lot will depend on how Afridi fares and the manner in which the new captain Iamd Wasim handles his players.

    Imad has the capability to not only lead by example but also with command and aggression.

    PESHAWAR ZALMI

    Batsmen: Kamran Akmal, Haris Sohail, Tamim Iqbal, Taimoor Sultan, Ibtisam Sheikh.

    Allrounders: Mohammad Hafeez, Shakib Al Hasan, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy, Hammad Azam, Saad Nasim.

    Spinner: Mohammad Asghar.

    Fast bowlers: Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan, Sameen Gul.

    Supplementary players: Andre Fletcher, Evin Lewis, Khalid Usman, Mohammad Arif.

    Peshawar Zalmi, the defending champions, suffered their biggest loss when Shahid Afridi decided to part ways with them but despite the big loss Zalmis are in no mood to relent their aspiration for another title. It will be left to double World Twenty20 champion skipper Darren Sammy to lift a team comprising of good all-round players. Sammy did so in the final when Afridi missed the big match with a hand injury.

    There will be big question on how many matches Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan will play as both will be part of Bangladesh’s team for a tri-series in Sri Lanka (march 8-18), which also involved India. Both can be available for the first five matches, enough for the Zalmis to set the early pace.

    In the absence of Shakib-Tamim pair, Pakistan’s duo of Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez provide firepower at the top of the order while a fit-again Haris Sohail and Dwayne Bravo form a solid middle order. But even bigger question will be how long Hasan Ali – the highest wicket taker in ODIs last year – will take to get fit. Hasan is likely to miss the first three matches and his absence will be a severe blow to Peshawar.

    Dwayne Bravo is also said to be facing race against time to get fit for the start of the PSL.

    Sammy and Hammad Azam can use the long handle in the slog overs. Hasan Ali, this year’s top wicket-taker in ODIs, will lead the attack with Wahab Riaz and Chris Jordan. Sameen Gul, another promising youngster, will supplement the pace attack. Peshawar’s spin attack is also solid with Hafeez, Shakib and Mohammad Asghar not only wicket-taking options but also economical. Saad Nasim, the leg-spinning-all-rounder, can also fill in as and when needed.

    It is hard to pinpoint a weakness in the Peshawar outfit but Sammy’s lack of performances may not be inspiring.

    LAHORE QALANDARS

    Batsmen: Brendon McCullum, Fakhar Zaman, Umar Akmal, Chris Lynn, Cameron Delport, Sohail Akhtar.

    Allrounders: Aamer Yamin, Umaid Asif, Bilal Asif.

    Spinners: Sunil Narine, Yasir Shah, Raza Hasan, Agha Salman

    Fast bowlers: Sohail Khan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Ghulam Mudassar, Salman Irshad

    Supplementary players: Mitchell McClenaghan, Gulraiz Sadaf.

    Despite having one of the most formidable outfit Lahore Qalandars were unlucky to finish last in both the editions of the PSL. But that turned out to be a small consolation when Lahore Qalandars had the first choice in the pick and they did not think for a second before opting for Chris Lynn, the Australian who is the newest Twenty20 sensation. They also had the best trade by replacing Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, with Sohail Khan, the top wicket-taker of the last edition.

    Lynn will bolster a top order which already has Brendon McCullum and Fakhar Zaman while Cameroon Delport and Umar Akmal will be at hand to give impetus to the innings. The spin department is also strong with Sunil Narine, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif (injured and will take some time to recover) and Raza Hasan. The fast bowling department is bolstered by Sohail as well as Aamer Yami who can also bat with the best effect. But injury to Bilawal Bhatti and Irfan Junior going to Karachi will hurt them. They will also look to Kashmiri’s sensational find Salman Irshad to bolster their pace attack after the lanky pacer did well on a grooming tour of Australia.

    Lahore’s weakness though remains their middle-order, which has been exposed when McCullum and Fakhar have failed to give a robust start. Akmal has one more opportunity to stage a comeback to the national team, like he did from PSL 2.

    MULTAN SULTANS

    Batsmen: Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard, Kumar Sangakkara, Sohaib Maqsood, Darren Bravo, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Nic Pooran, Abdullah Shafiq, Saif Badar, Nic Pooran, Irfan Khan.

    All-rounders: Sohail Tanvir.

    Spinner: Imran Tahir.

    Fast bowlers: Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Abbas.

    Supplementary players: Hardus Viljoen, Umar Gul, Umar Siddiq, Ross Whiteley.

    The newest franchise, bought at double the price of the previously most expensive franchise Karachi Kings ($26 million), have chosen a well-balanced side under the guidance of their boss, the legendary Wasim Akram. With Akram in the dugout and Tom Moody, the Australian, as the head coach, Multan Sultans will have enough wisdom to guide the team in PSL 3.

    On the field, they will be led by the ever-green Shoaib Malik, whose PSL reputation will also be at stake after two unimpressive seasons with Karachi. Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo will provide the stability at the top. Ahmed Shehzad– demoted to Gold from Platinium — and Sohaib Maqsood will have to redeem themselves after their form deserted them at both the international and domestic levels. Shan Masood will also be trying hard to make a place for himself in the shortest format after scoring bulk of runs (632 in departmental one day and 656 in regional one day cup) in the last few months.

    That they have just one quality spinner might hurt Multan on the UAE pitches.

    ISLAMABAD UNITED

    Batsmen: Misbah-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, JP Duminy, Luke Ronchi, Sam Billings, Sahibzada Farhan, Hussain Talat.

    Allrounders: Andre Russell, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf.

    Spinners: Samuel Badree, Zafar Gohar.

    Fast bowlers: Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Amad Butt.

    Supplementary players: Alex Hales Samit Patel, Steven Finn, Mohammad Hasan, Mohammad Hasnain.

    Islamabad will miss the explosive batting of Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, who both fell into the cesspool of spot-fixing last season. They also released Dwayne Smith, the Windies dasher who is regarded as an invaluable Twenty20 player. But the return of Andre Russell – after serving a Whereabouts clause doping ban — will lift the team.

    Shane Watson, the veteran Australian, has also been released but new additions like JP Duminy, Luke Ronchi and Sahibzada Farhan will prop up the batting. Sam Billings was rehired in the draft and will again be needed in the middle order once he is available in the last few matches. The ever reliable Misbah-ul-Haq as skipper will again be an inspiration — both on and off the field. But it will remain to be seen how Misbah lifts himself in his port retirement days.

    The Islamabad think-tank wisely picked up allrounder Faheem Ashraf. That, and retaining Asif Ali, Hussain Talat and Amad Butt will add local flavour to the team.

    Mohammad Sami and Rumman Raees, the vice-captain, will shoulder the pace attack while Shadab Khan, the leggie, will again be the X-factor in all three departments.

    QUETTA GLADIATORS

    Batsmen: Sarfraz Ahmed, Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Mahmudullah, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Rameez Raja Jr, Saad Ali, Saud Shakeel.

    All-rounders: Shane Watson, Mohammad Nawaz, Anwar Ali.

    Spinner: Hassan Khan.

    Fast bowlers: Mir Hamza, Rahat Ali, Jofra Archer

    Supplementary players: Jason Roy, Rashid Khan, Azam Khan, Faraz Ahmed Khan.

    Quetta Gladiators are one team which do not go after big names but stack their side up with utility players. Under the shrewd coaching of Moin Khan – who has the knack to tunr boys into men – Quetta finished runners-up in both the editions of the PSL and it would be an ideal finish if they like, Perth Scorchers, win the title after two Big Bash runners-up spot.

    Quetta has a strong batting line-up with Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rossouw, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mahmudullah and Asad Shafiq in the mix. They have also picked two exciting domestic cricket performers in Saad Ali and Saud Shakil, who can surprise with their run-scoring abilities.

    Shane Watson will fill the gap created by the absence of Thisara Perera, the Sri Lankan, and will add stability to the middle order. Watson played with some success for Islamabad United in the first two editions. Anwar Ali will have another chance after being unimpressive last season.

    With Tymal Mills and Umar Gul gone, Quetta will be missing a genuine fast bowler. So Barbadian Jofra Archer was a last time replacement for Carlos Brahwaite who opted for World Cup qualifiers for the West Indies. But Archer also face race against time to get fully recover from a left ankle injury. They also have Mir Hamza as the spearhead, and the surprise selection of Rahat Ali may force them to rely more on their spinners.

  • ‘There was undue criticism which was hurtful’

    ‘There was undue criticism which was hurtful’

    KARACHI: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed on Thursday demanded more support for the team from former cricketers in the wake of a 5-0 whitewash in recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand.

    Speaking to ARY News on Wednesday, the Pakistan team captain said that he feels that there was “undue criticism” from some cricketing pundits and former cricketer during the ODI series “which was hurtful”.

    Pakistan was blanked 5-0 in the ODI series in New Zealand but came back strongly to clinch the three-match Twenty20 series 2-1 and reclaimed number one spot in Twenty20 rankings.

    Some former players like Shoaib Akhtar went overboard in their criticism and said that the national team performed like a mohalla (neighbourhood) team , blaming Sarfraz for selection shenanigans.

    Sarfraz admitted that the result of the ODI series was not acceptable.

    “Whatever wrong we did I cannot defend that. I admit that we did not perform well. Our team was better and should have done well,” said Sarfraz.

    The skipper who led Pakistan to an unimaginable Champions Trophy victory last year, added that he thinks the team had chances in all one-day matches but could not grab them.

    “We had problems with the new ball as our bowlers couldn’t get any breakthrough with it, and when we batted we lost early wickets,” Sarfraz said.

    Pakistan’s best opening stand was 14, with Azhar Ali dropped after the third match while Imam-ul-Haq failed with two and Umar Amin made nought in the single matches.

    Sarfraz backed head coach Mickey Arthur’s assertion that there were fitness problems.

    “We are professional cricketers and we should have performed well. Mickey cannot run after us all the time to keep our fitness levels high so we have to do that ourselves.”

    Sarfraz admitted he tries to control his style of aggressive captaincy.

    “I try my level best to control myself but that’s the way I have played my cricket and all my previous captains had done like that,” said Sarfraz.

    Sarfraz is confident that the young team is heading in the right direction for the 2019 World Cup.

    “I am sure the youngsters are coping well and we are heading in the right direction. There were only two senior players Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik while others were youngsters but they did well and coped with pressure well.

    “Look we did well in the Twenty20 because Ahmed Shehzad came in to inspire the team. Then we had Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman who are all turning in to great players,” the skipper concluded.

  • Fast-rising Hasan doubtful for PSL start

    Fast-rising Hasan doubtful for PSL start

    Fast-rising Pakistan medium pacer Hasan Ali has been advised a four-week rest after suffering a ligament damage in the ankle during practice on Sunday, making him a doubtful starter for next month’s Pakistan Super League.

    The 23-year-old missed the third and final Twenty20 against New Zealand at Mount Manganui, which Pakistan won by 18 runs to not only take the three-match series 2-1 but also reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC T20 rankings.

    Head coach Mickey Arthur said Hasan will be out for four weeks, also denying speculations that the youngster was left out after ignoring captain Sarfraz Ahmed during the second Twenty20 match.

    “Hasan injured his ankle in the warm up before the match and is out for a minimum of four weeks, ” Arthur told ARYnews. “It will be a tough and go as its a ligament injury. Any speculation on Hasan is far from the truth.”

    The third edition of the PSL starts in Dubai with a match between Hasan’s team Peshawar Zalmi and new entry Multan Sultans.

    Arthur showed disappointment at the fitness of some players.

    “Its frustrating because it takes us three weeks to get the players to the standards needed,” said Arthur, who had blamed leagues around the world for the fatigues players suffered.

  • Pakistan take giant step with Sri Lanka hosting

    Pakistan take giant step with Sri Lanka hosting

    LAHORE: From Sri Lanka team bus hero Meher Khalil to the three of the eight families of those who died in the March 2009 terrorists’ attacks, Sunday’s Twenty20 international in Lahore was more than a cricket match for everyone.

    The match lasted just four hours but it left a lasting impression, both on and off the field. Since those attacks, the families have settled but the loss of their dear ones can never be forgotten. The match gave them a moment to remember them.

    For the fans it was once again an exercise of going through the rigours of security and since this is the fourth time in two years that they had to go through four security checks and go-through metal gates they are getting used to it. It needed a huge effort to organize the match as heavy security is required to put in place.

    The cost factor cannot be neglected. Convincing the Sri Lankan team was itself a great challenge as the scars of those tragic attacks led to the withdrawal of regular skipper Upul Tharanga, their head coach Nic Pothas and six other players turned down the visit.

    For the new generation of Sri Lankan players, it was all a unique experience. Some were not even born when the Island was itself going through a civil war, so gun tottering security personnel was an unusual thing for them. Their make-shift captain Thissara Perera honestly admitted players were scared before coming to Pakistan.

    But come the match day they forget everything. Lahore was buzzing since morning. Pakistanis are known for their big-hearted nature. They do everything with an open heart, with full zeal and vigour. So once again they came in big numbers, not from Lahore alone but from different many other cities as well.

    Once they had the traditional puri-cholay-hulwa breakfast they started to descend on the Gaddafi stadium. The route to the stadium was adorned with pictures of Sri Lankan players and hoardings welcoming “friends in need” slogans.

    “I have come from Multan,” said Amin Salim, a student of M.Phil in Punjab University. “I have travelled across the world but my best memories are from the 2005 tour of India when people received us so warmly. “It’s my wish that I live the day when India and Pakistan play once more and we get another chance to visit the Indian Punjab.”:

    Pakistan Cricket Board did not repeat the mistake they did in the World XI series as they had reduced prices for tickets, that filled the Gaddafi stadium an hour before the toss and triggered a cacophony with the drum beating and slogans.

    For Pakistan’s most experienced batsman Shoaib Malik the match is of great significance. He is the only player from both the sides to have featured in that fateful 2009 Test match as well. His tennis super-star wife was also a big attraction for the Pakistan fans as they repeatedly asked for her autograph.

    For Mohammad Amir this is his first match before the home crowd. “I am on the moon, playing before my people for the first time and I hope and pray that this continues and we also have ODIs and Test matches in near future.”

    Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi predicted his board will be able to host full-fledged series in the next two years. It may be seemed a hope against hope, but with improved security, the day may not be too far.

  • Pakistan hope to counter Herath to level series

    Pakistan hope to counter Herath to level series

    DUBAI: Pakistan are hoping their batsmen will bury the ghost of Rangana Herath when they face the veteran left-arm spinner in the pink-ball, day-night second and final Test against Sri Lanka starting in Dubai on Friday.

    Playing without batting greats Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq for the first time in Abu Dhabi, the inexperienced batsmen saw red in the form of Herath, who stopped them from chasing down a modest 136-run target on a wearing fifth-day pitch with figures of 6 for 43.

    Pakistan’s 21-run loss was their first defeat at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and left them needing to win the second Test to avoid their first series defeat in their hitherto unconquered UAE fortress. If they lose the series, they will slip to seventh in the ICC Test rankings, for the first time in seven years.

    Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan skipper, was confident his team staging a comeback.

    Read More: Sri Lanka target Pakistan record in UAE

    “As such there is no pressure, but we know the task,” said Sarfraz on Thursday. “We were in a position from where we should have won the first Test. Credit should be given to Herath for the way he bowled, so we need to attack him more in this Test.”

    Sarfraz said Hasan Ali, the fast bowler, had suffered a side strain in the first Test, and would be replaced by Wahab Riaz.

    Pakistan will also hope Asad Shafiq and Mohammad Amir lift their performances. “Their form is not a worry. We know how good a batsman Asad is. He was batting well in the first innings and then got a good ball in the second,” said Sarfraz of the experienced batsman, who had scores of 39 and 20 in Abu Dhabi. “I am sure he will lift his performance.

    “Amir bowled well but was unlucky not to get a wicket,” said Sarfraz of the left-arm quick, who went wicketless in the first Test.

    Sri Lanka, who have lost three series on the trot and drew against Bangladesh, will replace Pakistan at sixth position and also record their first away series win over Pakistan since their 2-1 victory in 1999-2000.

    The pink-ball Test, the sixth in all since Australia and New Zealand played the first such game in Adelaide in 2015, will also be a new experience for the Sri Lankan.

    Read More: Sri Lanka defeat Pakistan by 21 runs in Abu Dhabi Test

    “We played one domestic game with the pink ball. For the first 20-25 overs, it helps the fast bowlers as it swings, so we will be up for that,” said Dinesh Chandimal, who revealed that Lahiru Thirimanne, his deputy, would be assessed before the Test as he was suffering from a back problem.

    If Thirimanne is ruled out, Sri Lanka will hand a Test debut to Sadeera Samarawickrama, the fast-rising batsman.

    “We know Pakistan is a good side,” said Chandimal, who scored an unbeaten 155 in Sri Lanka’s first-innings 419. “As a unit, we want to go back to our basics and if we go on and win the series, it will be very good. We will be looking for a win.”

    Chandimal believes the Dubai pitch will behave in the same manner as Abu Dhabi, bringing his match-winner Herath into play again.

    “I think it will be like the Abu Dhabi pitch and also help spinners, so it will be a good game for both the teams,” said the Sri Lankan captain.