Younus hits form in warm-up match

Experienced Pakistan batsman Younus Khan hit a brilliant hundred in the two-day match against hosts United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, providing a batting boost ahead of the forthcoming two-Test series with South Africa.
Younus scored 103 in Pakistan's total of 317-9 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Pakistan will look to Younus and captain Misbahul Haq to anchor the batting against world number ones South Africa in the first Test starting in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Pakistan have been badly let down by their batting in their last five Tests, losing 3-0 in South Africa and squaring a two-Test series 1-1 in Zimbabwe this year. Besides Younus, wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal scored 71 and Abdur Rehman 52.
Pakistan batsmen managed to spend some quality time in the middle ahead of their Test series against the mighty South Africans.
“It was important to get some runs behind my belt and I’m happy to do that. I would like to give credit to the UAE bowlers as they made us work for our runs. It was really hot and they bowled well and it turned out to be a good practice for us,” said Khan after the day’s play.
Khan is well aware that his performance would hold the key in the outcome of this series and he was up for the challenge. “I always try to lead as a senior player from the front. It’s not pressure but just a question of self-pride to do well and then transform that against big teams,” added Khan, who was also very pleased with the way Adnan batted.
“It is good that he took the responsibility and made the most of the opportunity. We had to try him here as we didn’t have enough bench strength,” revealed Khan.
With just 12 players at their disposal for this match, Pakistan are still looking for a second opener ahead of the crunch series and was forced to open with Khuram Manzoor and Akmal.
Manzoor was quickly back in the pavilion after seeing his stumps castled by Asadullah Shareef. Skipper Misbahul Haq managed to get 27 but would be disappointed as he ran himself out. Junaid Khan, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Irfan all failed to disturb the scorers and Pakistan finished with 317 for nine at the end of days play.
Despite Akmal making a mark upfront it is unlikely that Pakistan would try him at the opening slot, revealed Khan. “Adnan scored runs but we are looking for a specialist opener that we are looking to get from the Pakistan ‘A’ team. We need someone who can provide us with a good start and then we can build on it,” felt Khan. Pakistan 'A' openers Ahmed Shahzad and Shan Masood, along with number three Azhar Ali, also scored half-centuries, showing it is not all doom and gloom from a batting perspective ahead of the Tests

Pakistan’s chances of winning the series against South Africa depends on the performance of its batsmen despite enjoying the services of formidable spinners, former chief selector Iqbal Qasim said on Tuesday

Batting was our main worry in the past. Experienced batting duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq needs the support of fellow batsmen,” the former Test left-arm spinner said.
“A lot of talking is going on about spinning tracks but it is our batting which is our main concern,” he added.
“We can only produce good results if we bat, bowl and field well,” he said.
Iqbal said performance of openers Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood with Azhar Ali and Umar Amin should be consistent to back Younis and Misbah.
“If our batting clicks and spinners deliver against the powerful Proteas then Pakistan have a fair chance of beating them,” he remarked.
“It is not an easy task but a big challenge and a combined team effort is needed to face batsmen like Smith, Amla, Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, Duminy and du Plessis,” he stressed.
“If we have Saeed Ajmal, Zulfiqar Babar and Abdur Rehman in our side, South Africa have Imran Tahir and Robin Peterson who could trouble Pakistan batsmen,” he added.
Iqbal said leg-spinner Imran Tahir could pose threat to Pakistani batsmen.
“At the moment, Pakistan don’t have quality leg-spinners in domestic circuit so our batsmen can face some testing moments against Imran,” he said.
He said handling the pressure would also be very important for Pakistan team. “Pakistan must forget the Test series whitewash [they suffered earlier this year] at the hands of South Africa

Pakistan 'A' opening batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Shaan Masood staked their claims for next week's first Test against South Africa by scoring solid half centuries against the Proteas in the warmup match on Wednesday

Shehzad scored an attacking 66 with 10 fours while Masood batted confidently against seam and spin before being retired out on 50 off 140 balls. Pakistan A finished the second day of the three-day game on 230-4 after South Africa declared its first innings at 354-8.
Pakistan selectors left the second opening slot vacant while naming a 12-man squad for Monday's first Test, and either Shehzad or Masood will get the nod to partner Khurram Manzoor at Abu Dhabi.
Asad Shafiq, who will likely play in the middle order in the first test, was unbeaten on 32.

Country’s ace off-spinner Saeed Ajmal emphasised on Saturday that the upcoming series against world’s top Test side South Africa would be keenly contested as Pakistan seek a turnaround after their average showing in Zimbabwe recently

Ranked among the world’s best off-spinners alongside Graeme Swann of England, Saeed feels the best way to bounce back against the Proteas is to prepare turning tracks for the two Tests in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“I think there is no harm at all if we try to take them on with our main strength, which is spin bowling,” said Saeed while talking to Dawn from his hometown of Faisalabad. “This was how we beat England [then the top-ranked Test side] when we played against them in the UAE 19 months ago.
“Every country indulges in such practice when the pitches are prepared to suit the home team. The conditions in South Africa, when we toured there earlier this year, were a big contrast. The tracks in all three Test centres [Johannesburg, Cape Town and Centurion] favoured fast bowling and the result was 3-0 defeat for us.”
The soft-spoken Saeed — who will be celebrating his 36th birthday on the opening day of the first Test on Oct 14 — admitted that Pakistan have better spinners than South Africa who will be relying on Lahore-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir and slow left-armer Robin Peterson during the upcoming Tests.
“Definitely, we have a clear edge over them. Abdur Rehman has been an excellent induction in the side and we have done pretty well in tandem. The reason we beat England 3-0 in 2012 was both us of complimented each other [Saeed claimed 24 wickets and Rehman 19]. Rehman and I have always enjoyed bowling together, Saeed declared.
“And then we also have the vastly experienced Zulfiqar Babar [who like Rehman is a slow left-armer] a genuine wicket-taker who could also make significant inroads [if he is selected]. So basically we have our bases well covered as far spinners are concern.”
When asked to comment on his performances in recent months with the critics saying that he has become an easy picking for the opposing batsmen who tend to face him with more confidence, Saeed dispelled the notion.
“Teams obviously do their homework when they play a particular side these days. The coaching staff does spends a great deal of time in planning. The batsmen, naturally, are taught to focus on the bowling of the opposing team with special emphasis on the main strength. Likewise we do the same but it doesn’t mean that our performances have not been good,” said Saeed, who has been Pakistan’s top bowler in 2013 with 25 wickets in five Tests.“I have performed well in Test matches [this year] but in the eyes of some people probably not with the consistency as they have got used to. Of course, there is always room for improvement and I keep on working hard to remain fit and in form.”
Saeed, who is currently Pakistan’s 12th highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with a haul of 147 in just 28 matches, has also taken 146 wickets in 92 One-day Internationals and 73 in 54 Twenty20 Internationals.
He revealed that he was taking his batting seriously given the frailties of Pakistan batsmen. “I think it is our duty [as bowlers] to contribute as many runs as possible, particulary when the team collapses. Previously, I didn’t take batting seriously. But now my thinking has changed and I do spend a lot time in the nets with Shahid Aslam [a former first-class player who is Pakistan team’s assistant manager]. He has been a great help in improving my batting.”
When away from national duty, Saeed usually is found busy supervising the development of a cricket academy he had planned some years back.
“Yes, whenever time permits me, I do stay in Faisalabad where I have built a cricket academy. The project is almost complete and hopefully would become operational early next year. This is a small contribution on my part for the people residing here,” the spinner said of the academy named after him. “The Saeed Ajmal International Cricket Academy will have state-of-the-art facilities. In fact, the arena has enough space to stage first-class matches in the future.”
Saeed further stressed that credit should always be given wherever due and said Zimbabwe’s shock 24-run win in the final Test at Harare was achieved due to the hardwork put in by the hosts.
“Zimbabwe played exceptionally well to beat us fair and square in that second Test,” admitted Saeed. “Believe me, we were taken by surprise how competitive they were throughout the series. At times we thought we were up against Australia and not Zimbabwe! But we should have played better as a team to win the series.”
“We, however, need our media and our people to support and encourage the team, particularly in difficult times. Even if they are criticising [the team’s performance] it should be healthy and constructive. There are occasions when certain individuals resort to personal remarks, which I think is totally unfair.”

The world’s tallest fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been called to the training camp after being recommended by national bowling coach Mohammad Akram.

A strong squad for the two-Test series against South Africa scheduled to be held from Oct 14 at the neutral venues of the UAE will be selected at the end of the camp.
Irfan will also play the three-day practice match which will be organised during the camp from Oct 2 to 4 here to prove his form and fitness for the Test series against Proteas.
Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Akram said he had recommended Irfan to selectors having examined his form and fitness, adding that he thought the fast bowler was fit for Test cricket.
It is instructive to note that the selectors didn’t pick the lanky pacer for the South Africa Test series, considering him only appropriate for the limited-overs game.
Nonetheless, bowling coach Akram showing confidence in Irfan’s abilities recommended him to selectors, saying he had faith in the Test bowler’s skills. However, Irfan would have to prove his worth before the selectors, Akram added.
“Irfan has the talent to get two or three quick wickets with his pace and swing and that could damage the batting line of opponents to a large extent,” Akram commented.
To a question about Mohammad Hafeez whose selection in the probables’ list for the South Africa Test series was slammed by critics owing to his poor form in longer version of the game, the former Test bowler reckoned it was time to show confidence in the opener.
He also advised Hafeez to take current situation as a challenge in order to get out of the bad patch.
He further said the national training camp was set up to observe form and fitness of players before selecting a formidable squad against Proteas.

Intikhab, Waqar call for Pakistan fresh start

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis and team manager Intikhab Alam called Tuesday for a fresh start for the national side after three key players were handed lengthy bans on corruption charges.

Riding high after winning the Test and one-day series in New Zealand, the Pakistan team flew home to Karachi and Lahore three days after an International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal sanctioned the trio.

Salman Butt was banned for 10 years, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer for seven and five years respectively, after allegations surfaced during last year's tour of England that they were willing to deliberately bowl no-balls.

"It is important that it's finished now and we can start afresh," Waqar told reporters at Lahore airport.

"We can now make a fresh start after a lot of controversies affected Pakistan cricket and I am happy that it's over now."

Waqar was coach during England tour where the scandal erupted and gave testimony to the ICC tribunal in Qatar by tele-conference, but said the bans did not affect the successful New Zealand tour.

"The players didn't talk about it at any time, so there was no way it could affect the team's performances on the tour," said Waqar, who welcomed the 3-2 one-day series win in New Zealand.

"I am sure this one-day series win will give us a good build-up for the World Cup," said Waqar, who took over as coach in March last year.

"We have good momentum, having played South Africa recently and now this hard-fought win in New Zealand gives us good momentum for the World Cup."

Team manager Alam expressed sadness at the bans but added, "we must move on from here, for the sake of our cricket."

One-day captain Shahid Afridi, who earlier flew into Karachi from New Zealand, refused to answer questions on the bans.

Pakistan is in Group A of the 14-team World Cup which is hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka between February 19 and April 2.

They open their campaign against Kenya in the Sri Lankan town of Hambantota on February 23.

Inconsolable Amir shocked at ‘hard’ verdict

Teenage Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir said he was shocked and disappointed at being handed a five-year ban on Saturday.
“I am shocked and hugely disappointed. I wasn’t expecting that much of a ban,” Amir told AFP, just minutes after the anti-corruption tribunal of the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its verdict here.
Former captain Salman Butt was banned for ten years — with five suspended, Mohammad Asif for seven years — with two suspended — and Amir for five years.
The corruption charges relate to alleged incidents during a Test match against England at Lord’s last year, when Britain’s News of the World newspaper claimed the players were willing to deliberately bowl no-balls.
The newspaper alleged the players had colluded in a spot-fixing scam organised by British-based agent Mazhar Majeed.
Amir said he was still confident of being absolved.
“I was confident that I will get away without any punishment, but this is very hard on me.
“I have just come out of the hearing and have told my family who have tried to console me.
“I will sit with my lawyer and decide about appealing against the verdict.”
Amir’s lawyer Shahid Karim had hinted he would try to convince the tribunal that since his client was only 18, and had never committed any violation of the code before, he should be treated leniently.
The players have 21 days to appeal against the sanctions in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Switzerland.
On Friday, British prosecutors charged the three players, as well as Majeed, with corruption offences and summoned them to appear in a London court on March 17.
Karim said he is confident that Amir will appeal.
“It’s a sad day for Pakistan cricket,” Karim told AFP.
“I tried my level best, tried all the provisions which could have helped Amir but a five-year ban is too harsh.”
He is shocked, although he put on a brave face but it’s very tough to be consoled,” said Karim, hinting that the CPS’s announcement also changed the scenario.
“It shocked us,” said Karim of Friday’s developments.
“The CPS announcement came a day before the ICC judgment and it changed the scenario of the Doha hearing.”
Amir, only 18, was regarded as one of the hottest properties in international cricket and was compared to legendary Pakistani paceman Wasim Akram within two years of his emergence.
He was part of Pakistan’s World Twenty20 squad in 2009.
He has so far taken 51 wickets in 14 Tests, besides having a tally of 25 wickets in 15 one-day matches.