Pakistan captain Malik backtracks on struggling Akhtar

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik toned down criticism of Shoaib Akhtar ahead of the third and final match against Sri Lanka Saturday, saying the struggling paceman was back from a long break.

"I never used any individual's name," Malik told a news conference Friday, referring to comments made Wednesday.

"I was talking about the 11 players who played the match and people did not understand me," Malik said.

"What I felt was that he lacked rhythm as he was playing after a break of 11 months or so," he said.

Malik had questioned Akhtar's commitment after Pakistan went down by 129 runs in the second one-day match in Karachi Wednesday, levelling the three-match series at 1-1.

Pakistan won the first match by eight wickets, also played in Karachi, on Tuesday. The third game will be played in Lahore Saturday.

After Wednesday's defeat Malik was asked whether Akhtar had played his last match. The Pakistan captain replied: "If you look at his performances and record and matches he has won, there is no question over his effectiveness," Malik said.

"But the question is over 100 percent fitness. Cricket has changed and if you aren't 100 percent fit then it is difficult.

"Everyone can see what is out there. He has the ability to bowl 10 overs but the commitment in fielding that I want wasn't there.

"Maybe he has a problem and that is why he wasn't running in the field," Malik said Wednesday.

Although Malik refused to say whether Akhtar would be dropped for Saturday's match, it was likley that Akhtar and fellow paceman Sohail Tanvir will make way for rookie paceman Sohail Khan and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Akhtar managed only one wicket for 88 runs in the first two matches, while Tanvir's only wicket cost 85 runs.

Akhtar played just three Twenty20 matches for Pakistan last year. The 33-year-old missed the major part of Pakistan's cricket season due to fitness problems and a ban over discipline charges.

Shoaib not to pay the fine: Lawyer

Shoaib Akhtar's legal counsel on Sunday said that the fast bowler would not pay the seven million rupees fine, as demanded by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a pre-requisite to keep him in the Champions Trophy preliminary squad, until the court pronounced its verdict on his writ petition.

Abid Hasan Minto said Shoaib would pay the fine imposed on him by the appellate tribunal only when the Lahore High Court will make a final decision on the writ petition filed by him against the ban and fine."He has no objections to paying the fine but only when the high court reaches a final decision," Minto said. Shoaib and fellow pacer Mohammad Asif were selected by the national selection committee in Pakistan's 30-member preliminary squad. The list of probables was to be released by the Board on Friday, the deadline set by the International Cricket Council.

However, the Board held back the squad and called the selectors for fresh discussion tomorrow. They have also sent a notice to Shoaib asking him to pay the fine by Monday to be considered for selection.

The fine was imposed by an appellate tribunal, which reduced his original ban of five years to 18-months in June after Shoaib appealed against the PCB decision to ban him for five years.Shoaib had challenged the tribunal decision in the High Court which recently suspended the 18-months ban but did not stay the fine imposed on him.

Minto said the payment of the fine had nothing to do with the court decision allowing him to play for Pakistan even though the court will hear the case sometime in September.

"That has nothing to do with this ... the question is about playing of the cricketer. The ban on him playing has been removed by High Court's interim order, therefore as far as the fine is concerned, he will pay when the final decision of the High Court comes," he argued.

Minto also said it was up to the Board to decide if they wanted to select him or not.

"The ball is in their court. What they decide is up to them. If they want the devoid the national team of his presence and keep a first-class cricketer like him away from the team then it is their decision."They know that the fines that have been imposed on my client in the past have always been paid and he has never challenged them," he said.

Asia Cup will be a close contest: Malik

New Delhi: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes the forthcoming Asia Cup would be an open contest with Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka all having equal chances of winning the final.
"I wouldn't say any team is favourite. India is a strong and balanced side but we showed in the tri-series final they can be beaten. So in a way this Asia Cup I think is going to be the closest one in recent years," Malik told reporters at the national stadium on Friday.

Twenty Pakistani probables began their training in a conditioning camp for the continental tournament with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, the notable player, missing from action.
The national selectors dropped the experienced Akmal from the short list of players giving a proper chance to young Sarfraz Ahmed to prove himself.

Malik said Pakistan's only advantage in the coming tournament would be that it would be playing in home conditions.

"Other than that all three top teams are balanced and can win on their day. The pitches also don't make much of a difference as there is no dew problem in Karachi at this time of the year even at night time," he said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asia-cup-will-be-a-close-contest-malik/32264-13.html

Asif stays in detention, no decision on trial

Dubai/Karachi: Mohammad Asif continues to languish in detention with the Dubai Attorney General and Public Prosecutor's office on Monday not taking any decision on whether to trial the Pakistani pacer for alleged possession of contraband drugs or deport him.

The law firm hired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bail out Asif also declined to make any comments on the issue that has become an increasing source of embarrassment for Pakistan's cricket authorities.

Nadeem Akram, the senior PCB official in Dubai, said no decision had been taken on Asif's case and they were still awaiting a word from the Attorney General's office.

"All these rumors off him being charged are not true. I will not substantiate them. The position is that the AG has yet to decide on the report of the Prosecutor and until that is done Asif will remain in detention," Akram said.

No official was willing to give a deadline on when a decision from the authorities in Dubai can be expected, an indication that perhaps the pacer's ordeal is far from over.

Sources close to the case said that the board, despite its best efforts, was also still not sure if Asif would be released as there was now a 50-50 chance of the case going either way.

Senior board officials also said to have raised the Asif issue with Pakistan's top security official Rehman Malik in Islamabad on the sidelines of a meeting held to review security arrangements for the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.

The pacer on Sunday appeared before the prosecutors along with his lawyers following which the case was forwarded to the Attorney General of Dubai.

Asif remained detained since he was caught with contraband drugs at the Dubai airport on his arrival from Mumbai on June 1. Asif was going to Lahore after playing in the Indian Premium League for the Delhi Daredevils.

The fast-bowler would face a minimum of four years in prison if charged and found guilty.

Akram, meanwhile, told Khaleej Times that Asif's lawyers have sought a meeting with the Dubai Attorney General.

"Our lawyers have requested a meeting with the Dubai Attorney General but no time has been fixed as yet," Akram said.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammed Rustom told the daily that a decision was expected any time this week.

"If the case is referred to the court, what kind of charges will be pressed against him has still to be determined. We cannot anticipate the results of the ongoing investigation," Rustom said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asif-stays-in-detention-no-decision-on-trial/32066-13.html

India, Pakistan set to spice up dull series

Digvijay Singh Deo CNN-IBN

Dhaka: India versus Pakistan: a cricketing rivalry that sets pulses racing anywhere in the world at any time. And in Dhaka on Tuesday the two teams will face off in the shadow of the high of the IPL. But India's coaching staff is hopeful that the IPL hangover is well and truly over.

The mood in the Indian camp is relaxed yet gung-ho about a battle with old rivals Pakistan. The weather gods haven't been kind but the management hasn't allowed it to dampen the spirits.
"There is no issue of motivation about the intensity the guys are going to play with. They know they are representing their country, it's a big game," coach Gary Kirsten says, dispelling murmurs of lack of commitment.

Virender Sehwag missed the practice session due to a light fever but he is expected to be fit and available for selection. The lack of experience isn't worrying the team too much. This is a building block after what the young guns achieved in Australia.

"There are still some senior players who are available to play One-day cricket for India, and certainly they are going to be considered. I think every team in the world needs to go through this transition, repairing," Kirsten adds.

Pakistan didn't break any sweat in thrashing the hosts and opted to have a rest day. They are on a 12-match winning streak and a young team is ready for India.

"We have won 11 (now 12) in a row which is a record for Pakistan, but we would like to take that much further. And hopefully with a win in this tournament it would be the ideal start," says Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson.

The advantage of having a young side is that they are fearless and they don't care too much about the opposition. Pakistan are on a hot streak and come into this match after having registered 12 successive wins on the trot. But India are keyed up and the stage is set for a classic before the final.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/india-pakistan-set-to-spice-up-dull-series/32067-13.html