Ijaz Butt still rules PCB as three-year term expires
“Constitutionally, Ijaz is no more the PCB chairman after midnight on Friday and he cannot sign any documents since his tenure expires on Oct 7,” former PCB legal adviser Shan Gul told Dawn.When contacted, PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar confirmed to Dawn that till the closure of the office on Friday, he had no information whether Ijaz Butt’s tenure had been extended or not.
He, however, shied away from answering various constitutional questions relating to the situation.
Former legal adviser Shan added that technically, the PCB chairman’s tenure was over and a new order of extension from the patron was necessary after Friday to allow Ijaz Butt to continue his work.
Previously, a similar situation also arose when former PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf quit the office soon after the then president Pervez Musharraf resigned from his post in August 2008. A makeshift arrangement was made at the time which saw then chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi taking over as acting chairman till Ijaz Butt assumed powers as the new PCB chief on Oct 8, 2008.
The three-year tenure of Ijaz Butt has been a roller-coaster ride for Pakistan cricket, replete with nasty controversies such as the harrowing terrorist attack on the touring Sri Lankans and the infamous spot-fixing scandal besides frequent changes in the captaincy which saw some half-a-dozen skippers taking turns to lead the national team.
Also, while many of the Pakistan’s front-ranking players such as Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and others were penalised with heavy fines for their indisciplinary acts and poor display on tours, they were soon restored with all ‘serious’ charges getting dropped against them which, indeed, made a mockery of the game in the country.
On the field, while Pakistan scaled a rare high by winning the World T20 in England besides reaching the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup in India, their rankings in both Tests and the ODIs continued to slip due to their ordinary show with both bat and ball — not to forget the fielding — and also because of the number of nasty rows which directly affected the performance of the players.
Ijaz also faced heavy criticism for repeatedly making changes in the team’s captaincy, coaches and team management as well as in the PCB set-up which saw more than one chief operating officers, chief selectors and other officials working for the Board in the three-year period.
Ijaz’s tenure saw captaincy stints from Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, Salman Butt and now Misbah-ul-Haq while among the coaches, former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson, Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younis and Mohsin Khan got their turns as chief coaches of the sides.
The burly chairman also tried Saleem Altaf, Wasim Bari and Subhan Ahmad as chief operating officers during the various periods of his tenure besides appointing former googly bowler Abdul Qadir, leg-spinner Iqbal Qasim, Mohsin Khan and now Mohammad Ilyas as chief selectors on different occasions.
Ijaz received a stern warning for such chop-and-change policy from the the ICC Task Team which warned the chairman to put the PCB affairs in order for the sake of the game’s future in the country.
Ijaz himself often boasted of how he had curbed the player-power in the team. “I have eliminated the player-power and that is my great success,” Ijaz had said in an interview to Dawn some four months back.
However, even that was not an entirely correct assessment of things from the former wicketkeeper-batsman since the team-wranglings and groupings continued to harm Pakistan cricket on tours.
During his tenure, the PCB relationship with ICC also remained disturbed, especially after the game’s governing body removed Pakistan as one of the co-hosts of the World Cup-2011 soon after Sri Lankan cricket team attack in Lahore.
Ijaz, however, fought against the ICC decision of removing Pakistan as hosts and even served a legal notice on the governing body, but later on both the organizations settled the issue amicably.
Ijaz served as the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for two years but could not play an active role in the body, mainly because BCCI did not extend due cooperation to him.
The bilateral series between Pakistan and India also could not be restored during this tenure.
Though Ijaz had succeeded in reducing the expenditure of the PCB by taking various steps and no major financial corruption case surfaced, his decision of constructing a stadium in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, a small town, with a huge allocation of funds of Rs250 million raised many an eye-brow since many believed the stadium is only being built to serve the political purposes of the leading political party.
The construction work on the Pindi Stadium as well as the Gaddafi Stadium could not be completed despite huge expenses.
Moreover, the bio-mechanics laboratory which was imported by Dr Nasim Ashraf could not become functional at all.
Miandad shocked over PCB attitude
Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad was shocked over the treatment of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for sending him Chairman box `B` passes for the National T20 cup which commenced Sunday at National Stadium.
“I was surprised to receive Chairman `B` Box passes instead of Chairman Box `A` for T20 Cup on Sunday afternoon,” he told APP on phone.
“Being Director General and member Governing Board of PCB I can bear and tolerate this kind of things. But don`t treat legendary Hanif Muhammad, Zaheer Abbas, Moin Khan, Shoaib Muhammad and others in same fashion”, said Miandad who has been assigned no role in conduct of this event despite holding position in the board.
As per the past practices all the former Pakistan captains, top players and signatories are invited to sit in Chairman box `A`. I felt humiliated and shocked to receive box `B` invitation card,” he added.
“I am returning the passes and will be watching the matches on television”, Miandad said.
Javed Miandad, who was appointed Ambassador of China Cricket, said if PCB doesn`t has the respect for DG and Governing body then what to talk of others.
He also dispelled the impression that he forced the event to shift to Karachi from Lahore due to Dengue.
Javed Miandad said PCB Patron also showed his solidarity with the rains and flood affected peoples of Sindh by declaring T20 a “Fund Raisers for the affectees”.
“It was President’s vision that he issued the directives to shift the event to Karachi because of spread of Dengue Virus in Lahore. It was a wise decision to stage event in Lahore when peoples were dying there, Javed Miandad said.
He said he had served the country across the world with honor and dignity with glittering achievements but failed to understand treatment meted out to him by PCB President Ijaz Butt.
PCB chief’s fate to be decided soon
LAHORE: President Asif Zardari is expected to take a decision on whether to retain Ijaz Butt as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (tomorrow), media reports said on Saturday.
Butt has left for Dubai to attend the ICC’s executive board meeting even as a decision on his extension is expected to be taken in the next 48 hours.
Butt’s three-year tenure as board chairman officially ended on Saturday as per the notification issued by the government in October, 2008 when he took charge.
But government officials close to the Presidency confirmed that President Asif Zardari who is also chief patron of the board would take a decision on whether to give an extension to Butt or appoint a new chairman by Monday.
“A decision will be taken in the next 48 hours,” one official said.
“The President has been very busy with the political scenario in the country and other issues but a decision is expected in the 48 hours,” he confirmed.
Butt, however, carried on business as usual and left for Dubai on Saturday to attend the ICC meeting. Officials in the board were unaware of any developments on the issue of Butt’s extension.
“There is no indication what is going to happen, we are ourselves anxiously waiting for a notification from the Presidency,” one official said.
According to reports, former Test captain, Majid Khan has emerged as a front runner to replace Butt. Another source said former Test captain Javed Miandad, who is also director general in the board and never saw eye to eye with Butt, is also using his contacts in the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party to let the President know he is interested in the top post.
In the recent past, reports have also suggested that former Test captain Zaheer Abbas and senior banker Syed Ali Reza are among the favourites to get the coveted post.
Butt’s three-year tenure has been marked by many controversies and scandals with players disciplinary issues flaring up time and again.
[Courtesy The News International]
Spinners help HBL bounce back
SIALKOT: Test spinners Danish Kaneria and
Abdur Rehman claimed three wickets each to bring Habib Bank back in the
contention against Sialkot at Jinnah stadium in Sialkot.
Habib Bank were all out for 293 in 75.3 after resuming the day on 91-1.
Test
opener Imran Farhat (105) struck a century while Younis Khan chipped in
with 52. Sialkot had a 104-run lead when they started their second
innings but were left in an awkward situation when the day was called
off, languishing at 61-7 in 25 overs.
Abdur Rehman and Kaneria made
most of the help they got from the pitch. The fourth day’s play will be
an interesting one as the match could go either way.
Peshawar down Multan
PESHAWAR: Peshawar were the other team to
rap up victory on the third day in Division-II after defeating Multan
by an innings and six runs at the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. The
hosts had declared their first innings on 365-3 with a comfortable lead
of 298 runs to their name and then bowled out Multan on 292 in second
innings.
Mohammad Waris made 81, while Naved Yaseen chipped in with a gutsy 73.
Waqar
Ahmed took five wickets. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad-Quetta tie was
heading towards a draw while the match between Lahore Ravi and Lahore
Lions could go either way.
Andrew McDonald to leave Leicestershire
Leicestershire's Australian all-rounder Andrew McDonald is to leave the county because of visa problems.
McDonald, 30, was named FLt20 player of the year after scoring 584 runs and taking 14 wickets and 12 catches as the Foxes became domestic champions.But chief executive Mike Siddall said: "Visa regulations mean Andrew cannot return and we thank him for the impact he has made over the past two years."
However, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq will return to play Twenty20 next year.
The Pakistan star scored 262 runs and took 18 wickets as Leicestershire won this season's competition and head coach Phil Whitticase was delighted he will be back at grace Road next season.
"It is a major boost for us," Whitticase said.
"There are fewer Twenty20 games next season so it will be important we have a similar type of team. He has shown us all what he can do and we look forward to having him back with us."
Siddall added: "It's really sad to have to say goodbye to three guys on the playing staff who have made a fantastic contribution to winning the Twenty20 this year and taking Leicestershire into the Champions League."
The county have already moved to plug the gap by recruiting 37-year-old South African batsman Martin van Jaarsveld on a two-year deal from Kent, with an option for a third year.
Siddall said: "With Andrew unable to return next season it was important the club signed a senior batsman as we are unlikely to have an overseas player in the County Championship in 2012."
Pakistan in Zimbabwe 2011
August| 28-29 v Zimbabwe XI, Bulawayo |
| Match drawn |
| Scorecard (external site) |
| 1-5 Only Test, Bulawayo |
| Pakistan won by seven wickets |
| Scorecard |
| 8 1st ODI, Bulawayo |
| Pakistan won by five runs |
| Scorecard |
| 11 2nd ODI, Harare |
| Pakistan won by 10 wickets |
| Scorecard |
| 14 3rd ODI, Harare |
| Pakistan won by 28 runs |
| Scorecard |
| 16 1st Twenty20 international, Harare |
| Pakistan won by 85 runs |
| Scorecard |
| 18 2nd Twenty20 international, Harare |
| Pakistan won by five runs |
| Scorecard |
Match-fixing beer advert 'disrespectful' to Pakistan - PCB
Butt, Asif and Amir were banned for spot-fixing
The Pakistan Cricket Board
(PCB) has called a New Zealand beer advert "unethical" and
"disrespectful" for making fun of match-fixing scandals.
Kiwi all-rounder Daryl Tuffey fronted the beer ad campaign, which has now been withdrawn.The PCB accused the Moa Brewing Company of being "insensitive to the feelings of the Pakistani nation".
Three Pakistani cricketers were banned for bowling deliberate no-balls in a Test match in England in 2010.
Pakistan Cricket Board statementIt is rather unfortunate that the advertising company became insensitive to the feelings of the Pakistani nation while airing their ad, which is not only unethical but also disrespectful
The advert features a signed statement from Tuffey which reads: "Pakistanis love cricket and they love making money.
"Sometimes they combine the two with a good old Pakistani match fix so that the Black Caps get to win a game."
The PCB statement said: "It is rather unfortunate that the advertising company became insensitive to the feelings of the Pakistani nation while airing their ad, which is not only unethical but also disrespectful.
"After the assurance from New Zealand Cricket, PCB does not intend to pursue the matter any further."
KP in his own words
Kevin Pietersen was one of the biggest stars to emerge from the England cricket team's recent Ashes triumph against Australia.
But casting aside the hype and the haircut, what is the man whose batting helped put the Aussies to the sword really like?
CBBC's Sportsround caught up with him to get a glimpse of the real KP.
ON BEING AN INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER
I enjoy the outdoor life. Whenever I have to dress up for a function in a collar and tie, I hate it. I feel claustrophobic.
The outdoor life is my passion, it's my hobby, and yes it's my job, but I love every single thing about it.
There are not too many people who can wake up loving their work every single day. I think we're pretty fortunate.
ON BEING AN ALL-ROUNDER
I'm going to be working really hard to become an all-rounder. I'm an off-spin bowler and I know I've been lazy.
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KP's TIPS FOR PLAYING SPIN
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I've spent a heck of a lot of time on my fitness, on the mental side of the game and on my batting, but it is about time I spent some time on my bowling.
Spin it like Shane Warne
ON WHY HE DECIDED TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND
There are a lot of reasons. The selection in South Africa is not merit-based.
There's something called the quota system which assists the disadvantaged in South Africa, where a certain number of players need to play in certain teams.
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WHAT IS A QUOTA SYSTEM?
The quota system was brought in to give more opportunities to black South African cricketers after years of Apartheid
Under this system, a team is asked to field a certain number, or quota, of black players
Opponents say selecting players based on race rather than ability can affect the quality of South African teams
Those in favour recognise that the system helps redress the years when black players weren't allowed to play for their country
Country profile: South Africa
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It works in all teams and it's gone into the workplace, it's gone into business, it's gone into sports.
It doesn't give white people the fair opportunities they should have.
So I saw my opportunities in the UK, where selection is merit-based. I'm a British citizen and I've been over here for five years and it's the best decision I've ever made.
To begin with it was difficult. I was 20 years old and I came over here with no friends and no family, so I had to make do with what I had and still try to make a professional career out of it and be successful.
It's been a rough ride and a learning curve, but I think I've come out of it a well-rounded person.
ON THE REAL KEVIN PIETERSEN
I'm a sociable kind of bloke. I enjoy having a good time with my friends. I'm a hyperactive person, I'm always up and about.
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I don't go out and party with my friends if it's detrimental to my cricket
Kevin Pietersen
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I get fidgety when I'm sat around doing nothing. All my patience is levelled into my cricket.
You have to be mentally tough and focused and that's who I am on the cricket field.
Once I'm out there I'm drilling myself into doing everything professionally and the best that I can.
I love what I do and I'm very professional. I always give myself the best opportunity to be successful. Hard work breeds success.
I don't go out and party with my friends if it's detrimental to my cricket. I'm fully focussed with my training and fully focussed with my play.
ON BRINGING ATTENTION ON HIMSELF
My hair doesn't make me play cricket any differently!
Just because I've got a stupid haircut or diamond earrings, it's not going to make me cover drive a ball any differently.
It doesn't make me talk any differently to somebody and it doesn't make me do anything differently to anybody.
Yes, you get the attention and yes, people say you put pressure on yourself.
Personally I do it because I like it. I don't do it because I want to be somebody. Who else walks around with a stupid haircut like mine?
How to bat against fast bowling
You have to show the bowler you're not intimidated by their speed.
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Alec James Stewart factfile
Date of birth: 8 April 1963
Birthplace: Merton, Surrey
Teams: Surrey and England
Batting style: Right handed
Tests: 133
Test runs: 8463
Test debut: England v West Indies at Kingston, February 1990
Last Test: England v South Africa at The Oval, 2003
Highest Test score: 190 v Pakistan at Edgbaston, June 1992
Test centuries: 15
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You also need plenty of mental strength, things like concentration are so important. But most of all you have to back your own ability.
You have to be able to give off an air of confidence and that comes from getting as much practice as you can beforehand.
You need good technique when you're facing a fast bowler.
Practising in the nets will help you develop that technique.
The most important things to remember are to keep your head still and watch the ball all the way.
Don't be frightened of the ball, you won't get hit if you do these two things, so don't be afraid.
You'll recognise the line and length of the delivery and from there you decide which shot you're going to play.
Your reactions will take care of the rest.
You're not always going to get it right, but through experience you'll learn which deliveries to play and which to leave alone.
BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITIES
You can't be scared of facing fast bowling - in fact I used to prefer facing the quicks.
It's a real challenge, you have to make sure you're up for it.
But it doesn't matter if the bowler's hurling the ball down at 98mph or spinning the ball, you've got to make sure you're not going to give your wicket away.
Keep your confidence when Shoaib's charging in
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I'm big on making sure my own form is up to scratch. Every player, no matter how good they are, always has an off day.
But there will always a big score around the corner, you know you can do it.
You just have to believe in yourself and remember all the runs you've scored in the past.
People often ask me who's the fastest bowler I've ever faced, but it's difficult to say.
Bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar, Brett Lee, Wasim Akram have all bowled very fast in spells to me. But to tell you honestly, it's pretty much all the same when the speed gets above 90mph!
Bopara, Dernbach & Kieswetter get 12-month England deal
England tour of India
- Date: 8-29 October
- Coverage: Live Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave & BBC Sport website; live video scorecard (with TMS commentary) on BBC Red Button (not Freeview) & BBC Sport website; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles; watch live on Sky Sports (subscription required)
Ravi Bopara impressed with bat and ball against India and the West Indies
Ravi Bopara, Jade Dernbach
and Craig Kieswetter have all been awarded incremental 12-month central
contracts by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
The trio helped England complete a 3-0 one-day international series win over India last month.The contracts are automatically triggered and awarded to those who play in a certain number of games.
"I am delighted that [they] have been awarded increment contacts," national selector Geoff Miller said.
"This is in recognition of the important role they have played in the England side in recent months and their potential to develop still further as cricketers over the next 12-month period."
Essex all-rounder Bopara averages nearly 31 with the bat in ODIs, and has taken 13 wickets at an average of 37. He also returned to the Test fold this summer following an injury to Jonathan Trott, and last month took a record return for an English bowler in a Twenty20 international of 4-10 against West Indies.
South Africa-born Dernbach has made an impressive start to his international career this summer. The 25-year-old Surrey bowler has taken 15 wickets at 33 apiece in ODIs and seven wickets at an average of 11 in Twenty20 internationals.
Somerset wicketkeeper Kieswetter averages 31 and 28 in the 50 and 20-over versions respectively, opening the batting in both formats.
All are included in the squad for reverse series, which starts next week in Hyderabad.
