- Bangladesh beat United Arab Emirates by 96 runs
- Man of the match: Mohammad Ashraful
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Bangladesh beat United Arab Emirates by 96 runs
Ashraful powers Bangladesh to 300
Mumbai: Bangladesh have registered a persuasive total of 300/5 against UAE in Game 1 of the Asia Cup 2008 at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore today.
The Tigers’ counterattack was led by captain Mohammad Ashraful (109 runs, 126 balls, 9x4) who cracked his fifth career century, ably supported by the batsman who sprung up splendid performances during the Kitply Cup, Raqibul Hasan (83 runs, 63 balls, 9x4).
This is only the second time when Bangladesh registered a total in excess of 300 in their ODI cricketing history. UAE returned to Lahore to play an international tie after a long gap of 12 years after the 1996 World Cup.
Debutant new ball bowler Zahid Shah (3/49) was the standout performer for UAE, claiming the wickets of Nazimuddin, Hasan and Mortaza. Shah was one of the 8 debutants for UAE at the Asia Cup opening fixture.
Tamim Iqbal’s cracking knock of 40 runs gave Bangladesh a rollicking start after Ashraful won the toss and elected to bat first. It was a piece of brilliance from Vikrant Shetty that ended Iqbal’s innings.
Emerging Bangladesh seamer Dolar Mahmud struck 20 runs off just 9 balls towards the close to guide his team to the 300-run mark. As many as 22 runs were struck in the last eleven deliveries.
UAE all-rounder Khurram Khan had a forgettable spell at the death, conceding way too many runs and unable to contain the Bangladesh tailenders. It was clearly a case of inexperience of bowling under a high-pressure situation in an international match.
UAE need to win the match in order to qualify for the second stage of the tournament.
Alam, Tanvir guide Pakistan to 288
Career-best performances from Fawad Alam (63*, 77 balls, 4x4) and Sohail Tanvir (59 runs from 55 balls, 6x4) helped Pakistan reach a viable total of 288/9 against minnows Hong Kong in the first Group B fixture of the 2008 Asia Cup at the National Stadium in Karachi today.
Nadeem Ahmed, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Hong Kong, claimed impressive figures of 4/51 to rattle the hosts’ top and middle-order, leaving them in tatters at 161/7 at one juncture. However, Tanvir’s lusty striking towards the end and a 100-run partnership with Alam helped the hosts recover from the worrying state of affairs.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik won the toss, elected to bat first, and surprisingly, opened the batting alongside star southpaw Salman Butt. The new duo at the helm did not last long as the latter nicked a straightforward Irfan Ahmed delivery to wicketkeeper Atkinson. Younis Khan (67 runs, 65 balls, 8x4, 1x6) joined Malik and the duo added 58 runs for the third-wicket until Nadeem Ahmed got into the act.
Ahmed impressed with the amount of air he gave his deliveries and control in line and length. His dismissal of Misbah-ul-Haq was a classic as he trapped the right-handed batsman plumb in front with a delivery that held its line.
Pakistan will feel confident about defending the total and qualifying to the second stage of the tournament. A juvenile Hong Kong team will hope to put up a laudable fight at Karachi.
Pakistab Beats Honk Kong by 195 Runs
- Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 155 runs
- Man of the match: Sohail Tanvir for outstanding performance in Batting (59 runs)and Bowling (2 wickets for 20 runs in 6 overs)
Asia Cup 2008 Pakistan Has Begun
Finally Asia Cup 2008 in Pakistan has begun with two matches.
- Pakistan vs Honk Kong
- Bangladesh vs UAE
Monday, June 23, 2008
Pakistan Can Beat India, saif Indian Couch.
Karachi: In a bid to prevent doping scandals during the Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board has completed dope tests on 20 cricketers participating in the conditioning camp here for the tournament starting June 24.
"The tests have been conducted under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines and samples would be sent to an International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited laboratory in Malaysia," a PCB official said.
"The tests have been conducted under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines and samples would be sent to an International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited laboratory in Malaysia," a PCB official said.
The result of the tests are expected in next two-three days, a PCB source said. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is also planning to conducted random dope tests on any two players in each match during the forthcoming tournament.
The PCB governing body, which met on yesterday, has asked the Board to put in place the WADA anti-doping policy at domestic level and make players aware of the pitfalls of using banned substances or drugs through awareness programmes.
Meanwhile, there is wide speculation in media here about Asif's deportation from Dubai on June 20.
According to 'The Express' today, the Dubai authority had recorded the cricketer's finger-prints and eye-image before deporting him to Pakistan.
"No charges were filed against Asif as the quantity of the contraband found on him was small but he was deported because he was considered suspicious," the public prosecutor in Dubai was quoted as saying.
On the other hand, the daily 'Jang' quoted Abdul Razzak, the deputy immigration officer at Karachi airport as saying that Asif was not deported, but he came returned back on a valid visa and passport.
"He was not deported but was handed over to Pakistani authorities after being released from detention," Razzak was quoted as saying.
PTI
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Akmal dropped for Asia Cup?
Karachi: Pakistan's wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has been dropped for the forthcoming Asia Cup starting on June 24. Akmal has not been named in a list of 20 probables announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday. The final squad will be announced on June 22.
Akmal's place has gone to young wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed and is the only change in the squad from the one that played in the Kitply Cup. The selectors have also named uncapped off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the probable squad.
Also named in the 20-man probable squad are leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad, in-form opening batsman Yasir Hameed.
Akmal has been under the scanner for claiming a catch which was later proved to be not out off India's Virender Sehwag in a league match of the Kitply Cup. Chairman of the selection committee Salahuddin Ahmed and his fellow selectors Saleem Jaffer and Shafqat Rana have lost patience with Akmal's sketchy show in Dhaka. Ahmed told cricketnirvana.com, "We have decided to rest Kamran Akmal because he needs to sharpen his work behind the stumps."
They will also be mindful of PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf's e-mail to the Pakistan team management which was sent a day after Shoaib Malik's side had suffered a heavy defeat against India in the league match.
In that e-mail Ashraf had lashed out at the wicket-keeper's below-par performance and made particular reference to his 'unsporting behaviour'. "Wicket-keeping was pathetic, especially after Kamran [Akmal] dropped the catch and pretended that he had held on to it. This is unsporting behaviour. I do not want such behaviour from any Pakistan player. Please warn everyone! We ought to be looking at playing another 'keeper," Ashraf had warned in that e-mail.
Despite his indifferent form with the gloves in recent times, Kamran has managed to cling on to his spot mainly because Malik and coach Geoff Lawson have resisted moves to get him replaced while at the same time increasing his workload by using the wicket-keeper/batsman as an opener in the one-day arena.
But with the emergence of Sarfraz, who led Pakistan to the under-19 World Cup title in Sri Lanka in early 2006, the selectors have lost patience with Kamran because they are unwilling to gamble with an out-of-form wicket-keeper for a major event like the Asia Cup.
Sarfraz, on the other hand, made a heartening international debut in Jaipur last November when he replaced Kamran for the last game of the ODI series that Pakistan lost 3-2. Since then the 21-year-old has appeared in two further one-dayers, when the selectors rested Kamran, during Zimbabwe's tour of Pakistan earlier this year.
Akmal's place has gone to young wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed and is the only change in the squad from the one that played in the Kitply Cup. The selectors have also named uncapped off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the probable squad.
Also named in the 20-man probable squad are leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad, in-form opening batsman Yasir Hameed.
Akmal has been under the scanner for claiming a catch which was later proved to be not out off India's Virender Sehwag in a league match of the Kitply Cup. Chairman of the selection committee Salahuddin Ahmed and his fellow selectors Saleem Jaffer and Shafqat Rana have lost patience with Akmal's sketchy show in Dhaka. Ahmed told cricketnirvana.com, "We have decided to rest Kamran Akmal because he needs to sharpen his work behind the stumps."
They will also be mindful of PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf's e-mail to the Pakistan team management which was sent a day after Shoaib Malik's side had suffered a heavy defeat against India in the league match.
In that e-mail Ashraf had lashed out at the wicket-keeper's below-par performance and made particular reference to his 'unsporting behaviour'. "Wicket-keeping was pathetic, especially after Kamran [Akmal] dropped the catch and pretended that he had held on to it. This is unsporting behaviour. I do not want such behaviour from any Pakistan player. Please warn everyone! We ought to be looking at playing another 'keeper," Ashraf had warned in that e-mail.
Despite his indifferent form with the gloves in recent times, Kamran has managed to cling on to his spot mainly because Malik and coach Geoff Lawson have resisted moves to get him replaced while at the same time increasing his workload by using the wicket-keeper/batsman as an opener in the one-day arena.
But with the emergence of Sarfraz, who led Pakistan to the under-19 World Cup title in Sri Lanka in early 2006, the selectors have lost patience with Kamran because they are unwilling to gamble with an out-of-form wicket-keeper for a major event like the Asia Cup.
Sarfraz, on the other hand, made a heartening international debut in Jaipur last November when he replaced Kamran for the last game of the ODI series that Pakistan lost 3-2. Since then the 21-year-old has appeared in two further one-dayers, when the selectors rested Kamran, during Zimbabwe's tour of Pakistan earlier this year.
UAE 15-member squad for Asia Cup
Dubai: United Arab Emirates (UAE) has named a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup tournament, kickstarting from June 24.
The event to be staged in Pakistan includes teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong. The three sides in each group play each other once, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the second phase, where they will again play each other once. The top two teams will contest the final. Karachi will host 10 of the 13 matches, while Lahore will host three.
The UAE side will be lead by Saqib Ali and his deputy will be Mohammad Tauqir. The team consists of 4 UAE nationals in Mohammed Tauqir, Fahad Al Hashami, Alawi Shukri and Salman Farooq. Dubai Sports City will be title sponsors for the team.
| UAE Squad | |
| Saqib Ali (Captain) | Fahad Al Hashimi |
| Mohd. Tauqir (Vice Captain) | Salman Farooq |
| Khurram Khan | Amjad Ali (WK) |
| Arshad Ali | Alawi Shukri |
| Zahid Shah | Nizel Fernandez |
| Amjad Javed | Indika Batuwitaarachchi |
| Shadeep Silva | Muhammad Aman Ali |
| Vikrant Shetty | |
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Afridi become the 6th Best Bowler in Current ODI Ranking
I just checked a while ago that Afridi has been promoted to 6th Position after Kitply ODI Series in Bangladesh. Previously he was in 10th Spot
Please check out this link Welcome To Our Site | Network Solutions
he has improved a lot in his bowling line and current ranking suggest that he is better than Brett Lee
Please check out this link Welcome To Our Site | Network Solutions
he has improved a lot in his bowling line and current ranking suggest that he is better than Brett Lee
Pakistan, India in same group for Asia Cup
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group for this year's Asia Cup, the Asian Cricket Council announced on Thursday.
Hong Kong complete the group B line-up, while defending champions Sri Lanka are joined by Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group A for the ninth edition of the tournament, to be hosted by Pakistan in June-July.
"All the participating nations have confirmed their participation and we hope to have a safe and highly competitive Asia Cup in three months' time," ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq told AFP.
The Asia Cup, originally supposed to held every two years, did not take place in 2006 due to a hectic international schedule. Sri Lanka won the tournament on home soil in 2004.
Ashraful dispelled fears the 200,000 dollar event was in doubt after Australia postponed their tour of Pakistan over security fears earlier this month following a wave of Islamic militant attacks.
"The Australians are unaware of our culture and they don't have an idea that no sporting activity has ever been hurt in Asia. All the teams are going to take part barring any major disaster," he said.
And Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf promised "extraordinary security reserved for state heads in the past" for the event.
After a round-robin first stage, the top two nations in each group qualify for the second phase, where the teams play each other once. The top two then qualify for the final.
"Karachi will host ten of the 13 matches, while Lahore will host three and, since the event is played in the summer season, all matches will be day-night, starting late in the afternoon," Ashraful later said in a press conference.
"Karachi will host the final, while the Pakistan Cricket Board will announce the full schedule of the event in due course."
The first Asia Cup was held in 1984 at Sharjah in the UAE. India have won it four times, Sri Lanka three times and Pakistan once.
It is the first time Pakistan has hosted the event. The 1993 edition was to be played there but was cancelled after India refused to tour for political reasons.
ACC President Arjuna Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to their only Asia Cup in 1996, said: "Being a player I was lucky to play in the first Asia Cup and now as an administrator I feel this is the most prestigious event in Asia and all the nations will ensure to send their best teams."
© AFP
Hong Kong complete the group B line-up, while defending champions Sri Lanka are joined by Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group A for the ninth edition of the tournament, to be hosted by Pakistan in June-July.
"All the participating nations have confirmed their participation and we hope to have a safe and highly competitive Asia Cup in three months' time," ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq told AFP.
The Asia Cup, originally supposed to held every two years, did not take place in 2006 due to a hectic international schedule. Sri Lanka won the tournament on home soil in 2004.
Ashraful dispelled fears the 200,000 dollar event was in doubt after Australia postponed their tour of Pakistan over security fears earlier this month following a wave of Islamic militant attacks.
"The Australians are unaware of our culture and they don't have an idea that no sporting activity has ever been hurt in Asia. All the teams are going to take part barring any major disaster," he said.
And Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf promised "extraordinary security reserved for state heads in the past" for the event.
After a round-robin first stage, the top two nations in each group qualify for the second phase, where the teams play each other once. The top two then qualify for the final.
"Karachi will host ten of the 13 matches, while Lahore will host three and, since the event is played in the summer season, all matches will be day-night, starting late in the afternoon," Ashraful later said in a press conference.
"Karachi will host the final, while the Pakistan Cricket Board will announce the full schedule of the event in due course."
The first Asia Cup was held in 1984 at Sharjah in the UAE. India have won it four times, Sri Lanka three times and Pakistan once.
It is the first time Pakistan has hosted the event. The 1993 edition was to be played there but was cancelled after India refused to tour for political reasons.
ACC President Arjuna Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to their only Asia Cup in 1996, said: "Being a player I was lucky to play in the first Asia Cup and now as an administrator I feel this is the most prestigious event in Asia and all the nations will ensure to send their best teams."
© AFP
SriLanka Squad - Jayasuriya is playing for Asia Cup
Sanath Jayasuriya was on Friday named in the Sri Lanka squad for next month's Asia Cup in Pakistan after having been dropped for the one-dayers in the West Indies last month.
The left-handed batsman, who has retired from Tests, was originally not considered for selection but picked later at the behest of the country's sports minister Gamini Lokuge.
"I had a meeting with cricket selectors this morning and one of the things we discussed was to recall Sanath Jayasuriya in to the team," Lokuge told AFP.
Jayasuriya, 38, had cracked a fine century in a domestic Indian Twenty20 tournament in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Jayasuriya, who has made 12,310 runs from 411 one-day internationals, made it into the side at the expense of opener Upul Tharanga.
Fast bowlers Ishara Amerasinghe and Thilan Thushara, and legspinner Malinga Bandara were also left out of the 15-member squad.
Speedsters Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando made comebacks after recovering from injuries while spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, who had been rested for the West Indies ODIs, was also included.
The tournament will be held in Pakistan from June 24 to July 6.
Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Udawatte, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Kaushal Weeraratne, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Nuwan Kulasekera.
© AFP
The left-handed batsman, who has retired from Tests, was originally not considered for selection but picked later at the behest of the country's sports minister Gamini Lokuge.
"I had a meeting with cricket selectors this morning and one of the things we discussed was to recall Sanath Jayasuriya in to the team," Lokuge told AFP.
Jayasuriya, 38, had cracked a fine century in a domestic Indian Twenty20 tournament in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Jayasuriya, who has made 12,310 runs from 411 one-day internationals, made it into the side at the expense of opener Upul Tharanga.
Fast bowlers Ishara Amerasinghe and Thilan Thushara, and legspinner Malinga Bandara were also left out of the 15-member squad.
Speedsters Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando made comebacks after recovering from injuries while spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, who had been rested for the West Indies ODIs, was also included.
The tournament will be held in Pakistan from June 24 to July 6.
Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Udawatte, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Kaushal Weeraratne, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Nuwan Kulasekera.
© AFP
ICC says Pakistan all-clear for Asia Cup
Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy in September provided there are no safety and security fears, a top official of the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.
ICC acting chief executive Dave Richardson was speaking ahead of the launching ceremony of the biennial event which Pakistan hosts from September 11-28.
"At this point in time we are comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to host the Champions Trophy but we will continue to monitor security as it is fluid like anywhere in the world," Richardson said.
The top eight Test playing countries -- Australia, South Africa, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies -- will compete in the Trophy, regarded as the second biggest event after the World Cup.
The ICC last month assessed security measures at the three cities -- Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi -- which will host the matches and a report will be put before its board meeting starting in Dubai on June 29.
"It is impossible to say that any country would be the final to host an event. Things can change and I think it is wrong to say that there is any question of a deadline but our board will take a decision on that," said Richardson.
Touring Pakistan has been a security concern for several foreign teams, especially Australia which postponed its March-April tour this year after a series of suicide bomb blasts.
However February's national elections and formation of a new government have improved the security situation which prompted Australia to reschedule the tour into two visits, with the five-match one-day series in 2009 and Tests in 2010.
Richardson, a former South African wicket-keeper batsman, agreed there may still be security concerns in Pakistan.
"I think that it is safe to say that there may be some players, organisations and member countries who might express some concerns from time to time over the safety situation in Pakistan," he said.
"It must be remembered that safety and security of players, teams, official and spectators is always the concern of the ICC. This one is no exception, the ICC will take no chance on safety and security of those stakeholders."
The Federation of International Cricketers' Association chief executive Tim May on Tuesday criticised the decision to hold the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, given the security situation in the country.
Richardson said Pakistan had the responsibility to host the event in a safe environment.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ICC have put together a process that is able to deal with the security situation and would enable us to monitor the situation on daily basis from now and until to the conclusion of the event," said Richardson.
PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said Pakistan would ensure a successful Trophy.
"The Pakistan government has promised foolproof security arrangements, so we are up to it and since people are passionate about cricket, the event will be well attended and successful," said Naghmi.
Sri Lanka is the alternate venue in case the event has to be shifted from Pakistan. The 2006 tournament was held in India.
Asia Cup may be postponed again ?
Karachi: The 2008 Asia Cup cricket tournament is likely to be postponed again as India has still not confirmed its participation for the continental event. The Asia Cup is scheduled from April 17 next year but could be pushed back for another two weeks because the dates are clashing with India's proposed tour of Australia.
India had requested during an Asian Cricket Council meeting in Singapore to wait for its confirmation due to the team's tour of Australia before any final decision over staging the event was taken, Pakistan Cricket Board's Director, Cricket Operations, Salim Altaf said. — PTI
Asia Cup 2008 : Sreesanth out Goni In
Mumbai: Indian fast bowler Sreesanth has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup owing to a left side strain. Sreesanth was expected to be fit in time for the region's most prized tournament but it was not to be.
The 25-year-old Sreesanth had been training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but the physio Paul Close has submitted a report to the BCCI ruling that he will not be ready in time for the event.
"Sreesanth can commence his bowling rehabalitation programme only by June 23. He will require a further two weeks of rehab after that before he can fully recover from the problem,'' said Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary in a release.
Sreesanth had suffered the injury while playing for King's XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sreesanth had therefore been ruled out of the Kitply Cup tri-series in Bangladesh and had been replaced by Punjab's Manpreet Singh Gony.
Sreesanth's lack of fitness means that his replacement Gony will also get to travel for the Asia Cup.
The 25-year-old Sreesanth had been training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but the physio Paul Close has submitted a report to the BCCI ruling that he will not be ready in time for the event.
"Sreesanth can commence his bowling rehabalitation programme only by June 23. He will require a further two weeks of rehab after that before he can fully recover from the problem,'' said Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary in a release.
Sreesanth had suffered the injury while playing for King's XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Sreesanth had therefore been ruled out of the Kitply Cup tri-series in Bangladesh and had been replaced by Punjab's Manpreet Singh Gony.
Sreesanth's lack of fitness means that his replacement Gony will also get to travel for the Asia Cup.
Pakistan Asia Cup squad to be announced on Tomorrow (June 19)
Karachi: Pakistan selectors will meet on June 19 to pick their team for the upcoming Asia Cup, which is to begin from June 24.
Pakistan will host the one-day tournament, which will take place from June 24 to July 6 and also includes India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
Selection committee chief Salahuddin Sallu said: "The team will be picked on June 19, a day after the launch of the Champions Trophy.
"The number of players to be picked will be determined after consulting with the team management and the Pakistan Cricket Board."
Meanwhile, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, has backed his team to the win the six-nation tournament following their success in the final of the tri-series in Bangladesh.
"With the victory in the tri-series, Pakistan will be favourites for the Asia Cup," Ashraf said.
"In the final against India, Pakistan played to a plan. That was the secret of our success.
"If we continue to play in that fashion, we will emerge victorious more often than not."
Pakistan beat India by 25 runs in the final, avenging a 140-run loss earlier in the competition.
PTI
Darrell Hair not to stand in Asia Cup 2008
Karachi: Controversial umpire Darrell Hair will not stand in the six-nation Asia Cup as the reinstated Australian was not accepted by the participating nations, revealed Asian Cricket Council chief executive Ashraful Huq.
"The ICC have decided on the names of the umpires and referees for the Asia Cup but Hair is not there. We had to take umpires who were accepted by all the participating teams," said Huq without elaborating.
Pakistan hosts the event from June 24 to July 6. Defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong will participate in the event. This will be the first time that Pakistan will stage the event.
Hair, the centralfigure in the Oval fiasco of 2006, was reinstated despite his disliking by the Asian countries. But Hair's absence from the Asia Cup reiterates the silent deal between the ICC and the Asian countries that the controversial umpire will not officiate in Pakistan, and matches involving Pakistan.
Hair, who has showed resolve to change his attitude, penalised Pakistan five runs for alleged ball-tampering during the Oval Test in August 2006. So incensed with the allegation that the then Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to take the field after the tea interval on the fourth day. Inzamam's point of view was that Hair did not inform the Pakistan team of his decision of five penalty runs.
Hair and his fellow umpire Billy Doctrove of the West Indies awarded the match to England on forfeit – the first decision of this kind in the history of Test cricket. Later an ICC inquiry cleared Inzamam of tampering but banned him for four ODIs on charges of disrespecting the game. Hair was later expelled from the elite panel.
Huq said Pakistan was given the go ahead for the Asia Cup. "Pakistan Cricket Board officials gave a detailed briefing about the security arrangements for the Asia Cup and everything is in order and the ACC Board was satisfied," said Huq.
The ACC official also revealed that an award ceremony will be held in Karachi to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Asian body. "We will give awards to the past and present day cricketers and administrators."
PTI
"The ICC have decided on the names of the umpires and referees for the Asia Cup but Hair is not there. We had to take umpires who were accepted by all the participating teams," said Huq without elaborating.
Pakistan hosts the event from June 24 to July 6. Defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong will participate in the event. This will be the first time that Pakistan will stage the event.
Hair, the centralfigure in the Oval fiasco of 2006, was reinstated despite his disliking by the Asian countries. But Hair's absence from the Asia Cup reiterates the silent deal between the ICC and the Asian countries that the controversial umpire will not officiate in Pakistan, and matches involving Pakistan.
Hair, who has showed resolve to change his attitude, penalised Pakistan five runs for alleged ball-tampering during the Oval Test in August 2006. So incensed with the allegation that the then Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to take the field after the tea interval on the fourth day. Inzamam's point of view was that Hair did not inform the Pakistan team of his decision of five penalty runs.
Hair and his fellow umpire Billy Doctrove of the West Indies awarded the match to England on forfeit – the first decision of this kind in the history of Test cricket. Later an ICC inquiry cleared Inzamam of tampering but banned him for four ODIs on charges of disrespecting the game. Hair was later expelled from the elite panel.
Huq said Pakistan was given the go ahead for the Asia Cup. "Pakistan Cricket Board officials gave a detailed briefing about the security arrangements for the Asia Cup and everything is in order and the ACC Board was satisfied," said Huq.
The ACC official also revealed that an award ceremony will be held in Karachi to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Asian body. "We will give awards to the past and present day cricketers and administrators."
PTI
PCB takes security plans for Asia Cup
Karachi: With the Asia Cup drawing closer, a concerned Pakistan Cricket Board met the country's top police officials to take stock of the security arrangements for the tournament to be staged here and in Lahore from June 24.
A top government official confirmed that the PCB has been assured of state level security for not only the Asia Cup but also the Champions Trophy that would be held later in the year.
Rehman Malik, the interior ministry advisor to the Prime Minister, said PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf had requested for the meeting three days back.
"He had some security fears on the ongoing situation of the country. So, I had called the Inspector General Police and the Home Secretary of respective provinces and other intelligence agencies.
"We discussed their concerns ahead of the Asia Cup and ICC Champions Trophy and their concerns have now been duly addressed," Malik said.
Malik said the government was very keen to see the two tournaments go ahead without any security glitches and a special security plan was being put in place to ensure that nothing untoward happens.
"We are confident everything would go smoothly. And there would be no problems," Malik said.
He said the IG police and home secretaries of the provinces, where the matches would be held, had briefed the PCB officials about the security arrangements for the visiting teams.
While the Asian Cricket Council has given its go ahead to the PCB's security arrangements for the Asia Cup, the ICC has asked the board to take some more measures for the Champions Trophy that would be held from September 11 in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The tournament itinerary and match venues would be reconfirmed at the ICC executive board meeting later this month.
Pakistan is also due to host New Zealand for three One-dayers in late August ahead of the Champions Trophy and already some Kiwi players have started expressing concerns about playing here.
PTI
PCB takes security plans for Asia Cup
Karachi: With the Asia Cup drawing closer, a concerned Pakistan Cricket Board met the country's top police officials to take stock of the security arrangements for the tournament to be staged here and in Lahore from June 24.
A top government official confirmed that the PCB has been assured of state level security for not only the Asia Cup but also the Champions Trophy that would be held later in the year.
Rehman Malik, the interior ministry advisor to the Prime Minister, said PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf had requested for the meeting three days back.
"He had some security fears on the ongoing situation of the country. So, I had called the Inspector General Police and the Home Secretary of respective provinces and other intelligence agencies.
"We discussed their concerns ahead of the Asia Cup and ICC Champions Trophy and their concerns have now been duly addressed," Malik said.
Malik said the government was very keen to see the two tournaments go ahead without any security glitches and a special security plan was being put in place to ensure that nothing untoward happens.
"We are confident everything would go smoothly. And there would be no problems," Malik said.
He said the IG police and home secretaries of the provinces, where the matches would be held, had briefed the PCB officials about the security arrangements for the visiting teams.
While the Asian Cricket Council has given its go ahead to the PCB's security arrangements for the Asia Cup, the ICC has asked the board to take some more measures for the Champions Trophy that would be held from September 11 in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The tournament itinerary and match venues would be reconfirmed at the ICC executive board meeting later this month.
Pakistan is also due to host New Zealand for three One-dayers in late August ahead of the Champions Trophy and already some Kiwi players have started expressing concerns about playing here.
PTI
Cricket of Pakistan
This is new blog/service for the Cricket of Pakistan. All about Pakistani Cricket, Tournaments, History, Player Profiles and a lot more dedicated only for Pakistani Cricket.
You can also join simply Join by Comment or email me at admin[at]pakspeaks.com
You can also join simply Join by Comment or email me at admin[at]pakspeaks.com
Asia Cup 2008 Pakistan
Pakistan is about to host the upcoming cricket event Asia Cup 2008. Six teams are expected to take part in the tournament, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Group A) and Pakistan, Hong Kong, and India (Group B).
Tournament will start from the First match on 24 June 2008 between Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and at the same time Pakistan will be playing its first match with Hong Kong at National Stadium, Karachi. Second match of Pakistan is due on 26 June 2008, at National Stadium, Karachi. Final will be played at National Stadium Karachi among the semi-finalists.
Asia Cup 2008
Pakistan is about to host the upcoming cricket event Asia Cup 2008. Six teams are expected to take part in the tournament, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Group A) and Pakistan, Hong Kong, and India (Group B).
Tournament will start from the First match on 24 June 2008 between Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and at the same time Pakistan will be playing its first match with Hong Kong at National Stadium, Karachi. Second match of Pakistan is due on 26 June 2008, at National Stadium, Karachi. Final will be played at National Stadium Karachi among the semi-finalists.
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