Sunday Plus Weekly Magazine

TheNation

FEBRUARY 20, 2011

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ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP

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SHAHID AFRIDI

VOWS TO BRING THE CUP HOME AGAIN

HOW CHIEF SELECTOR

MOSHIN KHAN

KNITTHEDREAMTEAMTOGETHER

BE A SPIRITED UNIT TO WIN, ADVISES LEGEND IMRAN KHAN

FORMER PCB CHAIRMEN ARIF ALI ABBASSI, KHALID MEHMOOD & TAUQEER ZIA ON PROSPECTS OF WINNING THE CUP STYLE | TRENDS BOOKS | INTERVIEWS | GOSSIP | Q&A | SOCIETY

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INSIDE THIS WEEK FEBRUARY 20, 2011

INTERVIEW

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Imran Khan speaks about Pakistani cricket team’s prospects for winning the World Cup

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Get close and personal with Kamran Akmal

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Boom Boom Shahid Afridi talks about hopes and aspirations to bring back the cup home again

Q&A

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW

accounts of our heroes on the World Cup 20 Short they wish to conquer

PROFILE

the profiles of the members of our 24 See dream team

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50 MAKING THE DREAM TEAM

36 AUTHORITIES POLITICISED THE BOARD

INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW

PROFILE

the profiles of the members of our 24 See dream team

INTERVIEW

Mehmood talks about how ad 34 Khalid hocism has ruined Pakistan Cricket

INTERVIEW

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear readers we are back with another exciting issue of Sunday Plus. The ICC Cricket World Cup is underway. The cricket fever has gained momentum.

The S + team has worked at its best to provide you with exclusive interviews of top cricket personalities and detailed overview of the tournament by the best analysts of the game. Living legend of cricket Imran Khan in his exclusive interview speaks about the prospects of Pakistan cricket team winning the world cup. Meet Shahid Afridi a skipper ready to boom boom. Get close and personal with the man behind the wicket Kamran Akmal. Chief selector of PCB Mohsin Khan explains how the dream team was knitted together. Former chairmen of PCB Arif Abbassi, Khalid Mehmood and Tauqeer Zia talk about the decline of cricket in Pakistan and current team’s chances of bring the cup home.

INTERVIEW

Khan explains what made him 50 Moshin select youngsters for the World Cup

And don’t forget to see our section ‘Picks of the week’ for best buys.

ZODIAC

54 Weekly astrological forecasts

We await your feedback at editor@nation.com.pk

SOCIETY

Chairman PCB Tauqeer Zia on our 56 Report on the happenings and events in 36 Former teams prospects in World Cup your metropolis

INTERVIEW

analysis of former Chairman 38 Read PCB Arif Ali Abbassi

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PICKS OF THE WEEK

64 Gobuysthrough the smart wish-list for best 56

SUNDAY PLUS Editor-in-Chief Majid Nizami Deputy Managing Director Rameeza Nizami Group Editor: Salim Bokhari Editor Magazine: Emanuel Sarfraz Editorial Staff: Bishakha Khadka Kunwar, Madiha Syedain, Sadaf Pervez & Navirah Zafar Creative Head: Faiz-ur-Rehman Creative Team: Shoaib Qadir, Faisal Fazal, Talal Waheed, HM. Nouman, & Sohail Abbas Marketing: Bilal Mahmood, Muhammad Zaeem & Salman Ahmed For advertising: 0300 - 8493206 0301 - 8463306 0300 - 4116792

FASHION Salma Turab

08 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

INTERVIEW Emanuel Sarfraz

BE A SPIRITED UNIT TO WIN, ADVISES LEGEND IMRAN KHAN Imran Khan is the best cricketer Pakistan ever produced. He inspired a whole generation of bowlers to go for the fast bowling. Prior to his inclusion in the Pakistan team it was never thought that the country would become the home to the best fast bowlers in the game for years to come.

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is averages (37 with the bat, 22 with the ball) put him at the top among the all rounders of his time. He proved do better than Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev. In the last 10 years of international cricket he played 51 Tests, averaging a sensational 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball.

Imran made his test debut against England in 1971 at Birmingham. Imran easily stands out statistically. He played 88 test matches, took 362 wickets at an average of 22, and scored 3807 runs at an average of 37 with 6 centuries. His ODI record is pretty impressive. He made his ODI debut in 1974 against England at Nottingham. He gathered 3709 runs with the bat at an average of 33. As a bowler, he hasn’t done badly, by taking 182 wickets at an average of 26, in 175 matches.

Captaincy brought the best out of Imran. He played 48 matches as a captain, scoring 2408 runs at an average of 52, and taking 187 wickets at an average of 20. He took part in 26 victories and in the matches his team won, he scored 900 runs at an average of 36 with a single century, and has taken 155 wickets at an average of 14 with 11 five wicket hauls.

Away from home he has played 50 test matches. In matches away he scored 2267 runs at an average of 33 with 3 centuries, and took 199 wickets at an average of 25 with 13 five wicket hauls.

Imran’s performance against the best team of his era, West Indies has been superb. He played 18 test matches against them. In those 18 matches he cracked 775 runs at an average of 27 with one century. He really preserved his

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ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP best with the ball against them. He made 80 strikes against them at an average of 21 with 6 five wicket hauls. As a captain he played 3 test series against the West Indies. He drew all three of the matches.

Pakistan’s first test victory in Australia came in 1977, in Sydney. Imran took match figures o+f 12/165. Pakistan is the only team except South Africa to have white washed Australia in test cricket. It was done under Imran’s captaincy in 1982 by beating Kim Hughes Australian team 3-0. He wasn’t needed with the bat, but he took 13 wickets in 3 matches at an average of just 13. His best performance with the bat came against Australia, in Adelaide where he scored a match saving 136 in 1990. Imran’s best performance with the ball 8/58 came against Sri Lanka at home in 1982.

As an all-rounder, Imran’s best series came against India at home in 1982/83. In a 6 test match series, he scored 247 runs at an average of 61, and took an amazing tally of 40 wickets at an average of 13; Pakistan beat India by a 3-0 margin. During the series, Imran suffered a stress fracture, which meant that he could not bowl a single delivery in test cricket, for 3 years.

Pakistan won their first ever test series in England and India, under the captaincy of Imran in 1987. In the series against India Imran blossomed with the bat, amassing 324 runs

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February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 12

INTERVIEW

in 5 matches at an average of 64. His bowling wasn’t quite up there due to injuries. He only took 8 wickets at an average of 49. The first series win in England earned him the man of the series award. He gathered 191 runs in 5 matches at an average of 47, and took 21 wickets at an average of 21.

His ODIs victories as a captain are special.

The 1992 world cup where he ordered his troops to fight like cornered tigers when they were down and out. Pakistan was almost out of the tournament once, but went on to win the world cup. He has always led from the front. In the 1992 world cup Pakistan were 12 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

struggling with their number 3 position. He promoted himself at the number 3 position.

In the semi finals he made a fighting 44 to stabilize the innings, and a match winning 72 runs off 110 balls. He also took some crucial wickets including the last one in the final. Famous victories in Nehru cup final against the West Indies, and Austral-Asia cup final against India are the hallmarks of his captaincy. His best performance with ball, in the ODIs came in Sharjah in 1985, where he bamboozled the strong Indian Batting Lineup by taking 6/14. His best performance with the bat, in ODIs came against Sri Lanka, he

scored an unbeaten 102.

Imran Khan is a living legend with huge fan following across the globe. He is no doubt the best cricketer of the 20th century. He is considered an authority when talking about cricket. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Plus Imran Khan spoke about Pakistani cricket team’s prospects for winning the World Cup. Following are the excerpts of the interview: Emanuel Sarfraz: What was the real motivation behind the Pakistan team win in the 1992 Cricket World Cup? Was it the team spirit, skill or the leadership?

Imran Khan: It was not one person that played the role. The whole team played the role. We used the attacking strategy that subsequently the Australians adopted.

Mushtaq Ahmed and Wasim Akram were the strike bowlers while the others were playing to contain the run rate. We were not defensive and took a lot of risks. Since we were attacking and worked with firm belief we were able to win the cup.

ES: Should Pakistan cricket team adopt the same strategy for this world cup?

IK: I would not say that the same strategy should be adopted. In Australia the conditions were different. Here the climate is quite hot and humid especially in Sri Lanka where we would be playing most of the matches. It may not be good for fast bowling. The strategy has to be devised keeping in mind the pitches, weather and the players available. If you make work plan according to the conditions it may work.

ES: What are the prospects of Pakistan team winning the world cup?

IK: The omission of Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif has made a big difference.

INTERVIEW

No team is ready to come to Pakistan for playing matches. Pakistan playing in India is possible but no team would like to come here. The only solution is we stop this so called war on terrorism. It is not our war and we should immediately stop it.

Both were strike bowlers and wicket takers.

They both could break long batting partnerships. They could move the ball around and in humid conditions they could have done a good job. Their omission has definitely made a dent on the Pakistan cricket team. Umar Gull is still there and he could prove to be a good strike bowler. I have seen that he makes efforts to take wickets and not just contain the run rate.

He has improved and could make a difference.

A lot depends on how the off spinner Saeed Ajmal and slow left-arm orthodox bowler Abdul Rehman perform. If they bowl well things would start moving in the right direction.

There are two things that create optimism. One is the team’s performance in the New Zealand tour and the other comforting fact is quarter finals format. Pakistan cricket team is considered the underdog but they have a chance of reaching to the very end.

You it all is how a team plays. They have to play as one unit. The team must combine as a fist to make an impact. In 1987 when we lost the semi final to Australia it was not that the Australian side was better. Our team was far better than the Australia. But they played as one unit. We did not play as a unit and lost the match.

ES: Do you think Pakistan team will face hostile crowd in India and Bangladesh?

IK: The question of hostile crowd affecting the performance should not arise. I believe it does not matter. We won the Nehru Cup in 89/90. The final was with West Indies

at Eden Gardens, Kolkatta (then Calcutta).

There was crowd of 90,000 and they were all supporting West Indies. We won the match. If the crowd is hostile it should serve as a factor to perform you best.

ES: Do you think Pakistan and India should resume cricket series? Is it possible?

IK: No team is ready to come to Pakistan for playing matches. Pakistan playing in India is possible but no team would like to come here. The only solution is we stop this so called war on terrorism. It is not our war and we should immediately stop it.

ES: After retiring from cricket why did you not take over the PCB so that you could restructure the game of cricket? You could have groomed the players in a better way.

IK: Once I left I said I would never go back to cricket. Taking over PCB to correct things is something that is micro level objective. I want work at the macro level and change the destiny of the nation. I want to fix the root causes of things that trickle down to all institutions like the PCB. ES: It was your idea that neutral umpires should be introduced. Do you think it has improved the quality of umpiring?

IK: Neutral umpiring is very important. The current system of referral to the third umpire that will be there in the World Cup is the best that has been evolved so far. The referral system is good.

You were great admirer of Abdul Qadir and termed him the best spinner Pakistan ever

produced. Who is the best spinner now?

Internationally Muttiah Muralitharan is still there and of course the best. Graeme Swann the English right-arm off spinner is also good.

Since he will be playing the world cup he may make a difference.

ES: Your best performance…

IK: My best performance was in West Indies tour of 1987/88. The home record of West Indies in the 1980s was awe-inspiring.

To play a team that had not lost a series in 15 years, or a Test in 10. It was the most memorable tour. The series ended in a draw but it was not the win or the number of wickets I took. West Indies at the time was team to be reckoned with.

The other good performance I will not forget was in a home series against the Indian team. I took 40 wickets in six tests at an average of 13.95. I enjoyed that game and it could also be considered my best performance.

ES: Who do you think is the greatest cricketer of all times?

IK: I have not met Donald Bradman. He is considered all time great. Gary Sobbers I have seen. He could be the greatest cricketer of all times.

ES: Which cricketer has inspired you the most?

IK: Ian Chappel was good. Among the batsman it was Vivian Richards and among the bowlers it was Michael Holding.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 13

Q&A INDIA

By Bishakha Khadka Kunwar

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I want to go for Hajj.

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★★★ 14 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

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WICK ET

heavy fire for deliberately dropping the catches against Hussey.

The living person I admire the most…

Imran Khan My most embarrassing experience was…

When we lost the 2nd Test match on the 2009-10 tour of Australia in Sydney.

I would love to have dinner with…

I love dining with my family.

If I were Prime Minister I would…

Do something for the country and end load shedding problem immediately The best thing about being a Pakistani…

The green shirt My favourite place to hang out is…

Where all my friends and family are together My favourite cricket ground…

Melbourne and Brisbane

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Pa k can istani w cap make icket abi as kee q scr uti lity to uick per, K nis ed keep scores amra for t n his he ba as he Akm inc i t ons sme s vigi al is o ne iste n on lant o nt b t h e eir hin f the per e t d for ma oes. B the w ndea rin nce u s a t last icket. g pla nd ser year h He po yers w ies s of m e was sesse ho c st o atc h fi nstan he xin g ro tly ws .

After the much speculated alleged involvement of Kamaan Akmal in the match fixing scandal along with other Pakistani players last year, he has come clear with clean chits from both ICC and PCB. Sunday Plus got up close and personal with Kamran before he left for the World Cup. Born: 1982 School: I have shifted many schools.

So cannot name one.

I was happiest when…

We won ICC Champions Trophy against India in 2009 by 54 runs My greatest fear…

Is being scrutinised by the media of my own country for something that I did not do. Fear of not being included in the team for World Cup. The lowest point of my life was ….

When false allegations were charged against my alleged involvement in the spot fixing scandal when I came under

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BY MALIK ARSHED GILANI

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BRING THE CUP HOME

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The cricket season has arrived and we are all set for exciting matches for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Pakistan lost the privilege of hosting this cup when in 2009 we were not able to ensure the security of Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

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ndia takes on Bangladesh in Dakha in the opening match. This World Cup has already been affected by the main host altering the format of the event to safeguard against the possibility of an early exit of India as that would have had a major financial impact.

Pakistan has a relatively young team that has been greatly damaged by losing some of its very talented match winning cricketers by their own stupidities. I believe the final fifteen include at least thirteen of the best players that deserve to be selected. As our middle order is lean good sense would have ensured that we had prepared Mohd Yusuf physically to become fit enough for selection. The other passenger to some extent is Shoaib Akhter. It is my fondest prayer that this team plays to its best ability and makes the last eight. Sadly I do not see them in the final four.

Australia has had a rough year. Their team has lost some great players and the youngsters have not been able to fill the void. That being said their series of ODI’s to finish off the England Tour have clearly indicated that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their batting is coming into form. It includes some top class players whose form was bound to change. Their pace bowling is good with a medium class spin section. Their fielding is amongst the best in the world. I see them in the final four.

The England Team has gone through a period of rebuilding. Their selectors made some conscious long term decisions and stayed with them. They obviously had the long form of the game in mind. They have a long batting line up with a great pace attack. This is backed by at least one world class spinner. Their fielding is of a high class and I see them also amongst the final four teams.

India has a great team. It includes some star

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class batsmen and this is backed by some great spinners. Their pace attack is only barely adequate in comparison to its other departments. They have a home advantage and just possibly can make up their shortcomings. One major reservation that I have is their injury list.

They have played far too much cricket leading up to this tournament. They have a good fielding side and good fighting spirit. They should certainly make the final four.

The New Zealand team has some good batsmen but their bowling attack is meagre.

They have limited chances and will make the last eight because they should best Zimbabwe,

Canada and Kenya. I do not see them making the top four.

The Sri Lanka team is arguably the best technically sound team in the world. This is due to a school based domestic nursery. It consists of some of the greatest batsmen in the game today. Their modest men make us under rate them. They have a sound pace attack with a spin attack that borders on being great! A good to outstanding fielding along with the advantage of playing at home certainly places them in the final four.

The South African team has sadly developed a history of choking at critical moments.

It should, but for this, have already won at least one world cup. This has got to the point that at critical points in close games the pressure mounts almost unconsciously. They have a great well balanced team but I do not see them amongst the final four.

The West Indies just have not produced the players over the last four or five years to any where near the quality of greatness of their past teams. It appears to me that for economic reasons in spite of their great love for cricket their proximity to the United States have weaned their better talent to other sports. They will be in a close fight with Bangladesh to make the final eight but I cannot see them progress beyond that point.

Finally, I will go out on a limb to forecast the winner of the tournament. This requires me to judge the ranking that will be achieved by the teams in each group which would decide who faces who in the knock out part of the tournament? Keeping all the above in mind and fully realizing that after the last four it is a lottery. I believe the final four will be Australia, England, India and Sri Lanka with England winning the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

★★★

INTERVIEW

By Sadaf Pervez

ONE DAY INTERNATION’S

MATCHES 312 BATTING RUNS: 6583 HIGHEST: 124 AVERAGE: 23.93 STRIKE RATE: 113.75 100s: 6 WICKETS 292 BEST 6/38 AVERAGE 35.42

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A SKIPPER READY TO

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The success of winning the first bilateral series in over two years in the preceding days of World Cup purports the unpredictability and exciting moments that Pakistan cannot be stopped. The win also proved as a yardstick to put the basis of the delayed decision. With much anticipation, Shahid Afridi gets the captaincy cap.

As dashing as he looks, he is as dangerous with hitting. His uncanny ability has made him as one of the most popular and adored players from Pakistan. He is a fine cricketer while outshining in bowling and fielding departments. It is for the first time that Pakistan is going with a fresh looking squad. Pakistan in the previous two World Cups, exited from the first rounds that was backed by the senior players. This time team is reliant on the new faces under the aggressive man who can unite all and took the lead towards the dream.

Shahid Afridi needs the strategy of good luck to perform well. He wishes to be third Khan to bring the world title as Imran Khan did in 1992 and Younas Khan in 2009. “It would be a great pleasure to bring another title for the people of Pakistan; we can be one of the dangerous teams,” Shahid Afridi told in an interview with S+: S+: What should people of Pakistan expect from Shahid Afridi and his team?

Afridi: It is the fact that Pakistan’s team does not come in the favourites. The year 2010 was the year of controversies and constant criticism for Pakistan cricket. But

we will startle this predicament with the optimism. The win in the series of New Zealand has rebuilt expectations and so the people of Pakistan have to trust our abilities that we would not let them down.

S+: Being a captain what do you think where do the team need Afridi the most?

Afridi: There is an impression that team does not seem like to tie up in one unit.

Players are separate entities, sharing their individuals’ roles. This is where the captain has to intervene to instil the feel of togetherness and fight for a single cause.

S+: Which other teams are your favourites?

Afridi: Sri Lanka and India can be dangerous on the sub-continent pitches.

S+: Who will be key players for you in the game?

Afridi: Cricket is not about one or two players show of the performance. My all 15 players are key players for me. The good form of each player is important to elevate the spirit of the team. If we win the cup the credit goes to the whole team and if we fail, the responsibility also has to be shared.

S+: What is area of concern that you have to put emphasis on?

Afridi: We lack the knack of utilising the power plays to the maximum. I have talked about this concern with the coach, Waqar Younis to assist the bowlers to control the opposition with the field restrictions while batsmen to score quick runs. The improvement in the power play could prove crucial as it will help to have an upper hand in the matches with the good teams like Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

S+: One thing that makes you optimistic about winning the big trophy…

Afridi: After a long time, we have been able to give an identity to our team. New players came; new combinations were tried, and then dropped. We desperately needed to have right combinations with persistent performances that we could be relied on. I think now our team is balanced.

Despite the shortcomings, we Pakistanis will be looking forward for our team to be victorious and imprint the name of Pakistan another time in the history of cricket.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 19

INTERVIEW

By Sadaf Pervez

OUT ON A WINNING SPREE

Before bidding farewell to the Pakistan Cricket Team, Sunday Plus caught up with the team players to get an insight on their expectations, play of action and motivation towards ICC World Cup 2011.

MISBAH UL HAQ

ABDUL RAZZAQ

KAMRAN AKMAL

The Pakistan cricket team vicecaptain for the upcoming World Cup said that all the players are united with an eye on the World Cup. “Winning against New Zealand in the Test series and then in the ODI series has helped the team alift its confidence before the upcoming World Cup. He further said that the team is fully unified for the World Cup and he also rubbished rumours of rift among players over captaincy row. “The team is united and we all played as one unit in New Zealand series, which we eventually won. There was no grouping not the on the basis of captaincy or anything else,” he stressed. “I am enjoying my good form I would try my level best to perform well in the World Cup as well. Our morale is very high and is ready to face the competition!” he said.

Abdul Razzaq R is a Pakistani right arm fast-medium bowler and a righthanded batsman, who is currently representing the Pakistan cricket team. He emerged in international cricket in 1996, when he made his One Day International debut against Zimbabwe at his home ground in Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan, a month before his seventeenth birthday. He has played over 200 ODIs and nearly 50 Tests for Pakistan. While talking about World Cup 2011, he said, “Probably, this is going to be my last World Cup, so I want to make it a memorable one like the T20 matches of 2009. This time we are going to play without any pressures and will perform much better than we did in 2003, 2007 World Cup Matches. Rest is upto Allah, Pray that we do well!”

nshalla We will win and won’t let Inshallah! our people down. We played excellent innings against New Zealand and look forward to give our best shots. It is the responsibility of a player to give good performance and follow the batting order. We are very hopeful for Pakistan in the World Cup because the team is in high spirits after an impressive series triumph against New Zealand.

Kamran Akmal is delighted to be back among Pakistan’s World Cup probable as he was never involved in any wrongdoing. While talking to Sunday Plus, he said, “I have always played cricket the right way and when the PCB asked me to appear before the committee I complied and I am happy that they have included me in the preliminary squad.”

Kamran was under suspicion of matchfixing during Pakistan’s surprise defeat in the Sydney Test against Australia in January last year. Kamran, said he hoped Pakistan would do well in spite missing key players. “We have to play with the available players and I am sure that if we play to our potential we can win the World Cup.”

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UMER AKMAL

ASAD SHAFIQ

WAHAB RIAZ

Umar Akmal is very talented batsman of Pakistan Cricket Team. Umar is brother of Kamran Akmal, also a cricketer of Pakistani Team. Umar Akmal plays as a batsman and is also very enthusiastic in the field. According to him, “we are entering into World Cup 2011 with full preparation and will bring the Cup home.”

A right-hand righttop order batsman, Asad Shafiq is a product of the Karachi tape ball circuit. He stormed the first-class scene in his debut season in 2007-08, scoring a double-hundred. He fell short of thousand runs that season, but attained the milestone two seasons later, when he scored 1244 runs in 12 games at 49.76. He made an impact as a limitedover player in 2008-09, when he scored 379 runs in seven games at 54.14. The national selectors had earmarked him as one for the future in meetings and he was rewarded him with a call-up for the Asia Cup in 2010. While talking about his aspirations he said, “I have a dream to make a cricket century in World Cup and facilitate my team in times of need.

I am also thankful to the team selectors and management for giving me an opportunity to be a part of World Cup 2011 (Pakistani) team and promise not to disappoint them.”

Wahab Riaz’s left-arm fast medium has benefited from Pakistan’s chronic poor luck with fast bowlers. With Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif missing more than they play and Umar Gul injury-prone, Riaz came into national reckoning earlier than he might have reasonably expected. His early start was promising though it came in ODIs against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh early in 2008.

While commenting on World Cup 2011 he said, “I have high aspirations for World Cup 2011; to make Pakistan the World Cricket Champion 2011, plus become the best baller and a Man of Series also. I am very confident that we can make a ‘difference’ and are not facing any pressure from international community. It is my dream to bold World renowned players like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Kevin Pieterson.” He also said, “From Pakistan Cricket Coach Waqar Younis to the team management, every man is boasting our morale and believes that our team’s victory in the ICC World Cup 2011 will lead to the return of international cricket to the country and also redeem Pakistan’s image in the cricket world. I would like to be the next Waseem Akram and Waqar Younis of Pakistan and always dreamt of making Pakistan the World Cup Champion 2011.”

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PROFILE

MEN INGREEN

The Pakistan Cricket Team is rated amongst leading cricket teams in the world. Pakistan is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) having Test as well as One-day International (ODI) status. Pakistan was granted the Test match status on 28th July 1952, and played its first Test match against India in Delhi the same year in October. One of the most challenging and unpredictable teams in the cricket world, Pakistan went on to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup, fighting back from a position where other teams lose hope. The squad for ICC World Cup 2011 consists of Shahid Afridi (captain), Mishabh-ul-Haq(vice-captain), Muhammad Hafeez, Kamral Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Ahmad Shehzad and last minute arrival Junaid Khan. Overall this team is young and inexperience as eight players are participating first time in the World Cup. With this team there is little hope that Pakistan Cricket Team will do something special in the World Cup, but the anticipation of a miracle still rests with the massive fan following of the cricket team.

CURR BORN: E MAJ NT AGE: OR T PLAY EAMS: ING BATT ROLE: ING S BOW TYLE: LING STYL E:

SHAHID AFRIDI

MARCH 1, 1980, KHYBER AGENCY 30 YEARS 271 DAYS ASIA XI, DECCAN CHARGERS, GRIQUALAND WEST, HABIB BANK LIMITED, ICC WORLD XI, LEICESTERSHIRE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT LEGBREAK GOOGLY

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or a start, the slant of his all-round skills only became clear ten years into his career; he is a leg-spinning allrounder. Variety is his calling and as well as a traditional leg-break, he has two googlies, a conventional offie and a lethal faster one, though this is increasingly rare. All come with the threat of considerable, late drift. He fairly hustles through overs, which in limited-over formats is a weapon in itself and the package is dangerous. But

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YOUNIS KHAN

NOVEMBER 29, 1977, MARDAN, NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE CURRENT AGE: 33 YEARS 73 DAYS AKISTAN, HABIB BANK LIMITED, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE, PESHAWAR CRICKET ASSOCIATION, RAJASTHAN ROYALS BATSMAN RIGHT-HAND BAT RIGHT-ARM MEDIUM, LEGBREAK

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ounis Khan is fearless, as befits his Pathan ancestry and will forever be remembered as the second Khan to bring home a world title for Pakistan: Younis was Pakistan’s captain in the 2009 World Twenty20, leading a successful campaign with stark similarities to the one Imran Khan had led 17 years earlier. Younis retired from the format 24 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

forever associated with him will be his madcap batting, the prospect of which is a crowd-puller the world over. He is a compulsive basher, literally unable to control his urges to slog every ball that comes his way, and not much of it is classical. Often spectacular results are at hand; he owns, for example, two of the fastest ODI hundreds, including the fastest one ever in his first innings ever at the age of 16. His career strike rates are nearly unmatched.

straight after, a graceful and dignified gesture from a complex but honest man. It is as a batsman, and a fearless one, that he made his name first, playing with a flourish. He is especially strong in the arc from backward point to extra cover. He is prone to getting down on one knee and driving extravagantly. But this flamboyance is coupled with grit.

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MOHAMMAD HAFEEZ

OCTOBER 17, 1980, SARGODHA, PUNJAB 30 YEARS 116 DAYS AKISTAN, FAISALABAD, FAISALABAD WOLVES, KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS, SARGODHA, SUI GAS CORPORATION OF PAKISTAN ALLROUNDER RIGHT-HAND BAT

n opening batsman and a handy offspin bowler, Hafeez was one of the young players that the Pakistan selectors turned to after the team’s abysmal display in the 2003 World Cup. His performances in Sharjah and in the NatWest Challenge in England indicated that Hafeez could well be a long-term prospect - he showed good technique and temperament

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2 11

at the top of the order and bowled his offspinners tidily, but most impressive was his performance in the field. Patrolling the point and covers region with feverish alertness, he saved plenty of runs and pulled off an amazing catch. His organised approach towards batting ensured that he got an opportunity in the Test team in the three-Test series against Bangladesh.

KAMRAN AKMAL

JANUARY 13, 1982, LAHORE, PUNJAB 29 YEARS 28 DAYS PAKISTAN, ASIA XI, LAHORE, LAHORE BLUES, LAHORE CITY, LAHORE EAGLES, LAHORE LIONS, NATIONAL BANK OF PAKISTAN, PUNJAB WICKETKEEPER BATSMAN RIGHT-HAND BAT WICKETKEEPER

K

amran Akmal may well be the most emphatic proof of cricket’s changed priorities post Adam Gilchrist. Sides now search for an explosive batsman who can change a day, an innings, a phase with the bat and so long as you can identify right wicketkeeping glove from left, the place is yours.

There has been little doubt about Akmal’s batting.

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The purity of his drives and the strength of his cutting and pulling, particularly on slower subcontinent surfaces, has always held a strong allure. And when it comes together as it did one January morning in Karachi against India - one of the Test innings of that decade - he makes it in the side as a batsman alone.

UMAR AKMAL

MAY 26, 1990, LAHORE, PUNJAB 20 YEARS 260 DAYS PAKISTAN, LAHORE LIONS, PAKISTAN UNDER-19S, SUI NORTHERN GAS PIPELINES LIMITED

BATSMAN

RIGHT-HAND BATSMAN OCCASIONAL WICKETKEEPER

T

he runs didn’t cease to flow for Umar Akmal, the younger brother of Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran and Adnan, in his maiden first-class season. In a triumphant 2007-08 for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Umar failed to score in his first outing but then went on to amass 855 runs from nine matches in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, at an average of 77.72 and an

impressive strike-rate of 90.18. He showed a penchant for both brisk and big scoring, with knocks of 248 off 225 balls and 186 off 170. In January 2008, he was picked in Pakistan’s Under-19 team for the World Cup in Malaysia.

He was the leading run-getter - with 255 runs at a strike-rate of 123.18 - in a tri-nation tournament involving England and Sri Lanka in the lead-up to the World Cup. February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 25

PROFILE

CURR BORN: E MAJ NT AGE: OR T PLAY EAMS: ING BATT ROLE: ING S BOW TYLE: LING STYL E:

UMAR GUL

APRIL 14, 1984, PESHAWAR, NORTH-WESTERN FRONTIER PROVINCE 26 YEARS 302 DAYS PAKISTAN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, HABIB BANK LIMITED, KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS, NORTH WEST FRONTIER BATSMAN RIGHT-HAND BAT RIGHT-ARM FAST-MEDIUM

T

he least-hyped but most successful and assured Pakistan pace product of the last few years, Umar Gul is the latest in Pakistan’s assembly-line of pace-bowling talent. He had played just nine first-class matches when called up for national duty in the wake of Pakistan’s poor 2003 World Cup. On the flat tracks of Sharjah, Gul performed admirably, maintaining excellent discipline and getting appre-

CURR BORN: E MAJ NT AGE: OR T PLAY EAMS: ING BATT ROLE: ING S BOW TYLE: LING STYL E:

ASAD SHAFIQ

JANUARY 28, 1986, KARACHI, SIND

25 YEARS 13 DAYS KARACHI BLUES, KARACHI DOLPHINS, KARACHI WHITES, KARACHI ZEBRAS, NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT BOWLING STYLE: RIGHT-ARM FAST-MEDIUM

T

he least-hyped but most successful and assured Pakistan pace product of the last few years, Umar Gul is the latest in Pakistan’s assembly-line of pace-bowling talent. He had played just nine first-class matches when called up for national duty in the wake of Pakistan’s poor 2003 World Cup. On the flat tracks of Sharjah, Gul performed admirably,

CURR BORN: E MAJ NT AGE: OR T PLAY EAMS: ING BATT ROLE: ING S BOW TYLE: LING STYL E:

maintaining excellent discipline and getting appreciable outswing with the new ball. He isn’t express but bowls a very quick heavy ball and his exceptional control and ability to extract seam movement marks him out. Further, his height enables him to extract bounce on most surfaces and from his natural back of a length, it is a useful trait.

AHMED SHEHZAD

NOVEMBER 23, 1991, LAHORE, PUNJAB 19 YEARS 79 DAYS PAKISTAN, HABIB BANK LIMITED, LAHORE EAGLES, LAHORE RAVI, LAHORE SHALIMAR, PAKISTAN UNDER-19S OPENING BATSMAN RIGHT-HAND BAT LEGBREAK

A

right-hand top order batsman, Asad Shafiq is a product of the Karachi tape ball circuit.

He stormed the first-class scene in his debut season in 2007-08, scoring a double-hundred.

He fell short of thousand runs that season, but attained the milestone two seasons later, when he scored 1244 runs in 12 games at 49.76. He

26 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

ciable outswing with the new ball. He isn’t express but bowls a very quick heavy ball and his exceptional control and ability to extract seam movement marks him out. Further, his height enables him to extract bounce on most surfaces and from his natural back of a length, it is a useful trait. His first big moment in his career came in the Lahore Test against India in 2003-04.

made an impact as a limited-overs player in 2008-09, when he scored 379 runs in seven games at 54.14. The national selectors had earmarked him as one for the future in meetings and he was rewarded him with a call-up for the Asia Cup in 2010.

PROFILE

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JUNAID KHAN

BORN: DECEMBER 24, 1989, MATRA, NORTH-WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE CURRENT AGE: 21 YEARS 48 DAYS ABBOTTABAD, ABBOTTABAD RHINOS, PAKISTAN UNDER-19S BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT LEFT-ARM MEDIUM-FAST

A

t U-19 level Junaid Khan was among of a crop of the most promising young fast bowlers in recent years, alongside Mohammad Amir. Good pace and better stamina and an ability to move the ball around if the conditions are right, Khan finally made it to national contention when he was called up for Pakistan’s 2011 World Cup squad as a late replacement for Sohail Tanvir. Khan is from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province

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ABDUR REHMAN

MARCH 1, 1980, SIALKOT, PUNJAB 30 YEARS 346 DAYS PAKISTAN, GUJRANWALA CRICKET ASSOCIATION, HABIB BANK LIMITED, SIALKOT, SIALKOT STALLIONS BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT SLOW LEFT-ARM ORTHODOX

A

bdur Rehman made his debut for Pakistan during the homes series against West Indies at the ripe old age of 26 (old considering the subcontinent’s trait of ruthlessly exposing youth to the world’s best). Not a huge turner of the cricket ball, his accuracy and consistency, as well as exploiting the rough marks, does it for him not only at the elite

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and has built up an impressive domestic career with Abbottabad, for whom he debuted in January 2007.

The record acquires greater sheen given that Abbottabad are among the weaker sides on the circuit. Those performances have led him to Pakistan A selection, for whom he has been impressive in two series now, never less than when taking nine wickets in a ‘Test’ against Sri Lanka A in Hambantota in September 2010.

level but on the domestic circuit as well. Rehman’s rise to fame goes way back to 1999 when he grabbed a five-for and a six-wicket haul in successive matches while representing Pakistan Under-19 against South Africa in 1999. He was picked for the side even though he only had a brace of first-class outings.

SHOAIB AKHTAR

AUGUST 13, 1975, RAWALPINDI, PUNJAB

35 YEARS 181 DAYS ADBP, ISLAMABAD LEOPARDS, KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS, PIA, SOMERSET, SURREY, WORCESTERSHIRE

BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT RIGHT-ARM FAST

A

bout the worst way to assess Shoaib Akhtar would be to do so through his numbers; they aren’t unimpressive but rarely have they revealed so little. From the moment Shoaib emerged on the scene in the late 90s, the world knew it was in for some career. First there was the extreme pace and there was also the attitude; Shoaib was the fastest bowler in the world, he knew it, he

made sure others knew it. He was a natural successor to the legacy of Imran, Wasim and Waqar. But that he will end his career an ‘if only’ or a ‘coulda been’ is the great tragedy. He had it all and he blew it. What he had was remarkable. Early on, in 1999, there wasn’t a more thrilling sight in the world than Shoaib hurtling in off an impossibly long run and beating the world’s best batsmen for pace.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 27

PROFILE

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SAEED AJMAL

BORN: OCTOBER 14, 1977, FAISALABAD, PUNJAB CURRENT AGE: 25 YEARS 227 DAYS FAISALABAD, ISLAMABAD CRICKET ASSOCIATION, KHAN RESEARCH LABS, WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT RIGHT-ARM FAST

S

aeed Ajmal, an offspinner, received a call-up to the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup at the age of 30 after an impressive domestic season with Khan Research Labs in 2007-08, during which he took 38 wickets in 12 first-class matches at an average of 29 apiece, and 12 wickets in nine list A games. He made an immediate impression with his subtle variations, unafraid to use the doosra. But his career took off with

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WAHAB RIAZ

BORN: JUNE 28, 1985, LAHORE, PUNJAB 26 YEARS 302 DAYS HYDERABAD (PAKISTAN), HYDERABAD HAWKS, LAHORE, LAHORE LIONS, LAHORE RAVI, NATIONAL BANK OF PAKISTAN BOWLER RIGHT-HAND BAT RIGHT-ARM FAST-MEDIUM

W

ahab Riaz’s left-arm fast medium has benefited from Pakistan’s chronic poor luck with fast bowlers. With Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif missing more than they play and Umar Gul injury-prone, Riaz came into national reckoning earlier than he might have reasonably expected. His early start was promising though it came in ODIs

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against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh early in 2008.

His first real test came against India in Bangladesh, where after 9.2 expensive overs, he was taken out of the attack for bowling two beamers. But as Pakistan misses its leading bowlers Riaz’s brisk pace remains in national contention.

MISBAH-UL-HAQ

MAY 28, 1974, MIANWALI, PUNJAB 36 YEARS 258 DAYS MAJOR TEAMS: PAKISTAN, KHAN RESEARCH LABS, ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE, SARGODHA MIDDLE-ORDER BATSMAN

RIGHT-HAND BAT LEGBREAK

A

n orthodox batsman with reasonable technique, Misbah-ul-Haq caught the eye with his unflappable temperament in the tri-nation one-day tournament in Nairobi in 2002, scoring two fifties in three innings, including one in the final against Australia. But before Pakistan could hail him as a possible middle-order mainstay, Misbah’s form

28 SUNDAY PLUS January 30, 2011

a series of ODI performances that bewildered Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; he gave away few runs and his doosra was nigh-on unreadable. The ICC called him for his action, though it was cleared soon after.

The pressure didn’t get to him and immediately after, he played a crucial role in Pakistan’s drive to the 2009 World Twenty20 title, regularly bottling up the middle overs with Shahid Afridi.

slumped - he didn’t manage a single 20-plus score in three Tests against Australia and was duly dumped. Pakistan’s abysmal World Cup campaign - and the wholesale changes to the team in its aftermath - gave Misbah another chance to redeem himself, but he did little of note in the limited opportunities he got.

ICC CRICKET

WORLD CUP 2011 GROUP MATCHES DATE

DAY

MATCH

CITY

Feburary 19, 2011 Feburary 20, 2011 Feburary 21, 2011 Feburary 21, 2011 Feburary 22, 2011 Feburary 23, 2011 Feburary 24, 2011 Feburary 25, 2011 Feburary 25, 2011 Feburary 26, 2011 Feburary 27, 2011 Feburary 28, 2011 Feburary 28, 2011 March 1, 2011 March 2, 2011 March 3, 2011 March 3, 2011 March 4, 2011 March 4, 2011 March 5, 2011 March 6, 2011

Sat Sun Mon Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Fri Sat Sun Mon Mon Tue Wed Thu Thu Fri Fri Sat Sun

India v Bangladesh New Zealand v Kenya Sri Lanka v Canada Australia v Zimbabwe England v The Netherlands PAKISTAN v KENYA South Africa v West Indies Bangladesh v Ireland Australia v New Zealand PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA India v England Zimbabwe v Canada West Indies v The Netherlands Sri Lanka v Kenya England v Ireland South Africa v The Netherlands PAKISTAN v CANADA Bangladesh v West Indies New Zealand v Zimbabwe Australia v Sri Lanka South Africa v England

Dhaka Chennai Hambantota Ahmedabad Nagpur Hambantota New Delhi Dhaka Nagpur Colombo Kolkata Nagpur New Delhi Colombo Bengaluru Mohali Colombo Dhaka Ahmedabad Colombo Chennai

March 6, 2011 March 7, 2011 March 8, 2011 March 9, 2011 March 10, 2011 March 11, 2011 March 11, 2011 March 12, 2011 March 13, 2011 March 13, 2011 March 14, 2011 March 14, 2011 March 15, 2011 March 16, 2011 March 17, 2011 March 18, 2011 March 18, 2011 March 19, 2011 March 19, 2011 March 20, 2011 March 20, 2011

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Fri Sat Sun Sun Mon Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue

India v Ireland Canada v Kenya PAKISTAN v NEW ZEALAND India v The Netherlands Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe West Indies v Ireland Bangladesh v England India v South Africa New Zealand v Canada Australia v Kenya Bangladesh v The Netherlands PAKISTAN v ZIMBABWE South Africa v Ireland Australia v Canada England v West Indies The Netherlands v Ireland New Zealand v Sri Lanka Bangladesh v South Africa AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN Zimbabwe v Kenya India v West Indies

Bengaluru New Delhi Kandy New Delhi Kandy Mohali Chittagong Nagpur Mumbai Bengaluru Chittagong Kandy Kolkata Bengaluru Chennai Kolkata Mumbai Dhaka Colombo Kolkata Chennai

KNOCK - OUT MATCHES March 23, 2011 March 24, 2011 March 25, 2011 March 26, 2011

SEMI FINAL

March 29, 2011 March 30, 2011

FINAL

April 2, 2011

Wed Thu Fri Sat

Quater Final 1: A1 V B4 Quater Final 2: A2 V B3 Quater Final 3: A3 V B2 Quater Final 1: A4 V B1

INDI

Semi Final 1: QF1 V QF3 Semi Final 2: QF1 V QF3

Colombo Mohali

Sat

FINALS

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NEW ZEALAND

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GROUP B

Dhaka Ahmedabad Dhaka Colombo

Wed Thu

A-B

INDIA

ENGLAND

S. AFRICA

WEST INDIES

BANGLADESH NETHERLANDS

IRELAND

INTERVIEW

By Aamer Waqas Chaudhary

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH

PAKISTANCRICKET!

With on-field fiascos and off-field ignominies, resulting in humiliation of the cricket eleven and the nation as a whole, the only option to redeem the lost glory is to do well in the on-going world cup in the short run. However, the unpredictable Pakistanis have the capacity to push good teams to the very brink, and that too usually in the direst off-field circumstances with empty-headed sensibilities leading the Pakistan Cricket Board.

P

erhaps, Pakistan is the only team of the world cricket, which stays in the news for one reason or another. In fact with each act, it puts the previous shameless doing to shame. Besides various allegations, consider

at perfect case of game – on the 2nd day of the Sydney Test against Aussies last year, Pakistan were leading the mighty Kangaroos by 235 runs, and at the end of the day four, it lost the test by 35 runs – only Pakistan

can ensure such a drama of debacles, and has the capacity to reverse the misfortunes as well. Kamran Akmal was summoned after the test series and media reported of in-fighting. A few players were banned, and

‘ADHOCISM HAS RUINED’

Khalid Mahmood was president of the PCB from January 1998 to July 1999, which is one of the shortest stints of any chairman. However, he was the man, who could confront the International Cricket Council by calling a spade a spade pragmatically. He is unhappy with the present state of Pakistan cricket, and candidly approached the subject in his following interview: On decline of cricket in Pakistan Primarily, two elements caused decline. First is Pakistan’s image at international level, and consequently, at present its repute is touching its lowest ebb after the cricket fans have seen the glory. There was a time during the late 80s and 90s, when we were respected, and won tournaments and important matches as well. In comparison to that, we have receded to the outgoing tide now. Secondly, as far as the cricketing part is concerned, there have been unresolved issues on and off the field.

The nurseries have not been developed, which could groom the budding players since Pakistan is known for talent and its continuous supply to field a bowler like Wasim Akram, who created so many records.

Currently, this reserve is no more in abundance as it used to be. Adhocism in Pakistan cricket 34 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

prevailed for quite long, and result was that no constitution was outlined for the Board. The authorities nominated handpicked individuals, while the real people were discouraged, who slowly and steadily got disheartened. The clubs and district associations were disenchanted with the adhoc committees, which were disastrous in their approach.

Consequently, we don’t have many sensations like Muhammad Aamir, who has become a victim of controversy.

Succinctly, adhocism and bad approach of the heads have heavily contributed to Pakistan cricket’s decline, which is continuously becoming serious.

On unbridled indiscipline Pakistani players have been undisciplined in

INTERVIEW

they were back as they knew it.

No doubt, Pakistan cricket team did well during the late 80s and the decade of the 90s – including winning the world cup of 1992 – till losing the final of 1999 cup ‘pretty cheaply’ to Australia after having displayed super performance in the league matches.

However, after this came the exit of the golden guys in the preceding years, like Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar, Waqar Younus, Saleem Malik and others, only leaving Inzmam-ul-Haq to carry on the bat till 2007 world cup. Who can forget the early dishonourable departure of the team from West Indies after the team failed

to cross the first barrier. Succinctly, disastrous first-round exits of 2003 and 2007 were compounded by the absence of new faces, with the team relying on jaded stars.

It has been observed that after the departure of Imran Khan, the team had great players, while the spirit of unit and playing for country kept thinning out, which seemed to be a case even today. Apparently, the Pakistan cricket has been damaged beyond repair in certain areas, which can take years and earnest efforts to rectify the harms for which PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has been accused of being the major player. He is still standing tall de-

spite all this! Even he was also found indulging in ego tussles with former captain Younus Khan, and for no rhyme or reason, Butt refused to give clearance to Khan to be included in the playing eleven. However, Khan later became part of the team, and if he had committed any crime or violated, he was not punished, which has always been an issue with the Board.

During Butt’s stint, the Pakistan cricket was entangled in a series of incidents, which had the highest points of terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team, and consequent refusal of other cricketing nations to tour Pakistan, and the latest being the spot-fixing scandal.

comparison to other teams, which is primarily due to the difference in background of Pakistani players and others. Education and good life is part their culture, while Pakistanis come from semi-educated families, which comprise mostly of financially less beings. Resultantly, they generally failed in handling themselves at the international level.

Seeing this, the Board should have been doing better, since the players failed in maintaining delicate balance between playing international cricket and meeting its standards as they lack the very basic manners of life and fundamentals of dealing people in foreign countries. We lost outstanding cricketers due to these two extremes of being rusty at one level and being in the international limelight at the other. This certainly makes an administrator’s job very difficult, but the intricacies must be understood. The classic example is of Shoaib Akhtar, who was given latitude, and even his infringements of ethics and rules went unpunished; hence an asset was lost because of the ‘Son syndrome’ of Board Chairman (implicitly referring to Tauqir Zia.)

given only 15 months to serve the Board. When I was notified March 1998, the team had left for Bangladesh, and I could not interact with the players for some time. In 1999, I packed up after the team qualified for the world cup final.

Secondly, I inherited problems since the Board secretariat had grown out of its shoes, and its head Majid Khan has become a de facto chairman. So I started facing obstacles and challenges with the word go from within the secretariat, which happened to be my major difficulty. Thirdly, on the team’s front, match-fixing controversy surfaced with Rashid Lateef making loud accusations, while the team was divided in Karachi and Lahore groups. I discussed the issue with the players and others concerned to handle the problem. Consequently, a judicial commission was appointed for an independent enquiry.

Moreover, the issue of captaincy was looming large, and Wasim Akram was chosen for the slot despite lots of opposition. However, we managed to win many tournaments. I could not proceed further since I was not left with time as my tenure was cut short.

and in the process two associate member teams from each group would be certainly bundled out.

Again, the quarters will be soft in comparison to the semis.

Pakistan has a good side chosen from the best available, but preparations are dissatisfactory since deficiencies have not been addressed and removed properly. Moreover, there are reasonable doubts about the injury-prone players, especially the bowlers, who would bowl number of wide and no balls, which matter a lot in such games. The team management has done nothing in this regard.

Secondly, we are traditionally a poor fielding side with agility missing in most of the players.

Thirdly, Intikhab Alam’s defensive shell of keeping wickets intact till the last 10 overs and then pushing the panic button works once in a while but cannot for every match; so we can lose many matches. I am not hopeful of winning the cup.

Shouldering the responsibility as Board Chairman No! I point out three reasons to this. First, I was

World Cup prospects It is a badly planned world cup as holding of 42 matches prior to the quarter-finals is useless,

Team’s selection I believe that the management has selected a reasonably good side. Keeping the current forms of Muhammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik in view, these have been too erratic to be given a chance for selection. ★★★ February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 35

INTERVIEW The team was embroiled in allegations of spotfixing in a match against England at Lord’s. The spirit of cricket was tarnished, and the iconic position – held by cricket in Pakistan – took a severe beating, which hurt the entire country because of the love and admiration it has for players. Moreover, the Pakistan players were refused entry into the lucrative Indian Premier League. Pakistan was made to play many of its series overseas.

Since September last year, Pakistan was in the news for all the wrong reasons. The team was beset by controversies in quick succession, which also included journey of wicket-keeper Zulqernain Haider’s to London under mysterious circumstances during a series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates. He sought asylum in the UK, while the international media created and concocted different stories, while the PCB did it best to give new ideas by recklessly handling the issue. This scandal plummeted the Pakistan cricket further to its lowest ebb in the international circles,

which basically came to the fore because of the inefficient PCB, which is always accused of failing in implementing the strict code of ethics for all players equally, and not neglecting certain players because of their political affiliations and public pressure.

Hence, the inefficiency, corruption, nepotism and political interference in the Board did not allow Pakistan cricket revert to normalcy.

People reached the conclusion that the current state of affairs would continue to haunt Pakistan cricket as long as Board’s incumbent old and equally fragile Chairman Ijaz Butt and his stooges remain in the office.

The Chairman PCB is appointed by the president of Pakistan, who is also the Patronin-Chief. Despite lacklustre performance of the cricket team, and spree of scandals, it seems that Asif Ali Zardari is averse to any outright change in the Board – perhaps only to be moved till the Supreme Court orders for such a thing.

The Pakistan government did not check

the deteriorating state of cricket affairs, and decline of Pakistan cricket despite the fact that Zardari needed to seriously take steps for resolving the cricket crisis. No other Chairman has faced such a bitter criticism for running the Board and cricket affairs, and yet the government appears to be blind to the popular public opinion. Secondly, the government did not realise the significance of cricket as a tool for unifying Pakistanis since it united the nation whenever the team did well, and vice-versa.

However, now for the first time – in comparison to the last three world cup campaigns – Pakistan has entered the on-going one with a ‘fresh-looking squad’ as claimed by the present team management. But for this cup, seven out of 15-man squad have not played more than 35 ODIs, and for eight, this will be a first world cup.

Now the question is: Can they thrive on the unknown, and become the dangerous team? It seems to be a distant possibility since consistency can be in the performance of experienced and talented, but not with inexperienced and

‘AUTHORITIES POLITICISED THE BOARD’

Lt.-Gen (retd) Tauqir Zia was Chairman Adhoc PCB Committee from December 1999 to 2003, and simultaneously completed his out-standing meritorious military service till September 14, 2003. As the Chairman for four years, he not only introduced the Vision 2005, paragon for the promotion and development of Cricket in Pakistan but also managed to implement almost 75 per cent of that Project in every part of the country, particularly in the far flung areas of Balochistan, Sindh and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

H

e himself announced his resignation instead of being removed unceremoniously. “My decision is well-thought out and not emotional. In my tenure, I feel we have developed Pakistan cricket and rebuilt after the recent World Cup,” he said at that time.

In this regard, he quoted himself further, “I consulted with my family and have their full support. In fact on a recent car trip I was alone with my son Junaid (he played for Pakistan during his stint) and he said, ‘Dad, you should have gone yesterday rather than today.’ I feel badly about my presence affecting his career, I feel his career suffered pressure while I was chairman. Now it’s up to him to flourish or move onwards to studies or other pursuits.”

Junaid had made rapid strides from junior levels to the senior team, but his ascent was

36 20,2011 2011 20 SUNDAY PLUS February January 30,

tinged with controversy, with the media accusing the selectors of nepotism.

His resignation was also attributed to the television-rights controversy, which required the president’s intervention. It was after the first one-day match of New Zealand tour of Pakistan, which was blacked out worldwide.

However, Tauqir Zia considers successful National Cricket Academy project to developing grounds and coaches all over the country, his tangible achievements. After his departure, Rameez Raja was not asked to replace him.

Following are the excerpts from an interview with him:-

On decline of cricket in Pakistan Yes! The Pakistan cricket is on the decline.

First, this is because of the reason that the

INTERVIEW

raw-talented.

However, they can create a few islands of excellence, which can astonish all. There can be days of a complete and comprehensive in-

eptitude mixed casually with moments of such force that they cannot be stopped and become invincible to the even best of the lot.

However, this nation is yearning to welcome

Board did not have the vision to run cricket for today and the future simultaneously. The body just plans for today, while there is always a need for short-term and long-term visions, being materialised at the same time and in unison.

Secondly, the incidents of spot fixing, world cup matches withdrawn from Pakistan and inattentiveness future strategies have played havoc with cricket in Pakistan. This has been further complicated by ICC attitude and its finding-fault mission, while dictating terms over everything.

The third issue is the politicisation of the Board since the authorities like to appoint their own men and their performance is seen with personal view point instead of being impartial in this regard.

However, at the moment, incumbent Chairman Ijaz Butt should put a halt to his trips aboard, and must stay in Pakistan to see its cricket, and look for players to the likes of (Abdul) Razzaq, (Shahid) Afridi, who may not available to play in the coming years. This shows that replacements have not been made by training the youngsters. Lastly, they (men sitting at the helm) have not been able to use academies to maximum extent, and pay due attention.

as a military man, and I brought wide experience with me to the Board. He (Shoaib) was a match winner, and he did so 100 per cent. Though let loose, he did not create problems during my stint.

Now he should not be included in the team.

Talented boys should be handled well, and youngsters be guided by seniors. We have failed in our duties as managers, while coaches and seniors should have been there always with the players. That was the purpose of the academy, where young lads can be disciplined, taught about dealing with people at the international level and technically corrected for playing the game. We lost three best cricketers (Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir) because they were not guided by the seniors.

On unbridled indiscipline Shoaib’s example is a solitary one which people may attribute to me. A Chairman is like leader and father in a house where every child has a different psychology, and all children cannot be treated equally. This is what I have learnt in my career

Shouldering the responsibility as Board Chairman When I joined, Rs 430 million were in the Board kitty, and I started off by establishing National Cricket Academy, upgrading grounds and provided different facilities at various levels. Impetus to the club cricket was given, while dishing out a lot of money for bettering the domestic cricket where all cricketers were called because I believed that there was nothing wrong with the structure provided it is honestly implemented without caring whether some body comes to watch the match or not.

I resigned early, and could have waited for

its heroes at any of the airports, instead of they singling themselves out to various cities for departure to their respective houses.

the implementation of Vision 2005 since we also wanted to start educational academy of an international standard.

World Cup prospects If the present team can gel well, and the leadership plays its due role, we can reach the semi-final since the team is balanced though I have apprehensions about the fast bowling, while the opening (batting) scares me as well.

Secondly, instead of Shoaib, Sohail Tanveer should have been included.

Team’s selection It is a mega event, and Junaid Khan is too raw to be good there.

★★★

February 20,2011 SUNDAY PLUS 37 January 30, 20

INTERVEW

By Bishakha Khadka Kunwar

ARIF ALI ABBASI is a name that is not unknown to the Pakistani cricket fraternity.

This former Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board exudes passion for the game of cricket. He is regarded by many as the PCB’s finest administrator. In conversation with Arif Ali Abbasi, he talks to the Sunday Plus, he talks about the way Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is being run and his take on the team that is set to conquer the unthinkable.

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BISHAKHA KHADKA KUNWAR: Prospects of Pakistani cricket team. Are you satisfied with the current selection of our team?

ARIF ALI ABBASI: I am afraid that the prospect seems very dim for Pakistan. We have a captain who chooses to use cricket ball like an apple. There is a monopoly of the brother duo behind the wicket. There is another player who is set to make a comeback, Shoaib Malik, who is a scandalous player. I don’t understand why his ban was lifted. With this sort of motley crowd the atmosphere of the team will never be good and this is what has been reflected on the field. I have serious doubts about the prevailing atmosphere of our team. There was a time when Pakistan had a fair share of international cricket and today we have a situation when no one wants to play with us.

There was a time when we had experienced captain like Younis Khan and the team was doing exceptionally well. He’s one of the few with a triple hundred in Test cricket (313, against Sri Lanka, in February 2009).

Then, don’t forget he’s a World T20-winning captain. Then he was removed for no reasons and was asked to apologize. Younis Khan 38 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

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was in a dilemma as to why he was forced to apologize, but he did and is back in team under an incompetent captain.

BKK: What is your take on PCB, its Chairman and the way it is being run?

ABBASI: We have a situation that does not speak well at all. We have a Chairman, Mr. Ijaz Butt, who has been called “A Basket Case” publicly by the previous-Chairman of ICC. Mr. Butt has installed an elevator in a two-storied building of PCB in Lahore. I don’t see the logic in the way PCB is being run. It is more of a combination of ineptitude and corrupt practices.

A temporary ad hoc committee was formed nine years ago and it’s still functioning. How temporary are nine years? No cricket board in the world is working under these circumstances except in Pakistan. Here is a case of the country whose PCB was run democratically and our team was ranked as

captain.

Talking about the grounds, we do not have much problem with the number of grounds. In Karachi alone, the previous city Nazim made efforts to build many grounds. The problem is that no efforts are not been taken by PCB to promote domestic cricket.

BKK: Can you comment on the pitches of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Are they of World Cup standards?

ABBASI: I think there will be good cricket in these countries as these countries have flat wickets which are apt for one-day cricket.

Unfortunately the weather in Sri Lanka might be a problem. Hopefully it will not be a rainday instead of play-day.

BKK: Are you satisfied with international umpiring and the system of referrals to the third umpire?

ABBASI: The system of referrals to the third umpire I think is fine. It was Pakistan

one of the best in the world. And today it is in utter shambles and our team is rated below the worst. The situation of ad hocism is prevalent today and our cricket is only full of scandals and no victories at all.

The Chairman of PCB, Mr. Butt is a political appointee by our President. The PCB should start functioning like an institution with clear policies and complete accountability.

BKK: Why have the domestic crickets standards in Pakistan not improved at all?

Why has the PCB not invested in domestic grounds?

ABBASI: Pakistan has been a driving force in revolutionizing the scenario of domestic cricket matches in England. The English Cricket Board actually copied the format of Pakistani Cricket Board. But look where they have taken their cricket today and where we stand now. England copied us and today England has grown by leaps and bounds. We used to host two major tournaments and now we host only one.

The under-19 team players are not taken seriously. We have the vice-captain of under-19 team who is 7 years older than the

who introduced the international panel of umpires. It was again Pakistan who proposed to re-organise the international umpiring system. Achievement wise we have made huge contributions in international cricketing.

We created Asian Cricket Committee. We played a pivotal role in starting Asian Cup, the concept of ball boys was also introduced by Pakistan. The list goes on.

BKK: What is your take on spot fixing and match fixing scandals? What steps can be taken to prevent such cases?

ABBASI: I think the way ICC treated these three players is very civil. These players should have been banned for life instead. It is not a plot of any country against us, but a sheer ineptitude of PCB in handling the situation.

I’ve been amazed at the way PCB has handled the scandal. PCB should have taken actions against these players way in advance before ICC stepped in. But unfortunately Mr. Butt preferred to stay back and hide from the media. Instead Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, did all the talking, which is not his job.

BKK: Do you expect us to do well in battling

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ABBASI: Looking at the pitches in India, ICC CRICKET Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, our spinners WORLD CUP should do well. But I cannot understand why Danish Kaneria was dropped. He is the only leg-spinner who holds the record for most wickets by any Pakistani spin bowler and fourth on the list of most Test wickets over all, only behind Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan. Other players like Muhammad Taufiq Umar and Tanvir were also not included in the World Cup squad despite their fine performances.

The problem is that there is a case of ad hocism and there are no checks and balances in PCB. PCB still does not have an honorary treasurer as yet.

BKK: Why has PCB not involved experienced players in the administration so that better decisions are taken?

ABBASI: Usually previous players are never

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WINDESPITEALLTHEODDS involved in administration and management side. No international board is headed by previous cricketers. Call it Australia, England and India. But our case is different and that is why we are facing this Herculean task today.

BKK: What is your message for our team?

ABBASI: May god help you. Looking at the prevailing situation, I’ll be surprised if we perform well. All my wishes are with the team and may you win despite of all the odds.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 39

STYLE

THE TREVI EXPERIENCE This collection reflects an amalgamation of vibrant embroidery, extensive usage of stones and along with Dabka and Zardozi to give a perfect finish and remarkable and unique production at the end.

Work of this duo stands out because of the variety of fabrics used to make stylish outfits, inline with the taste of so many. The designer duo has mainly used hues of black and beige in a perfect synthesis, harmonizing with an idiosyncratic taste.

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style

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 41

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February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 43

style

Designer: Asifa & Nabeel Photographer: Faisal Farooqi at Dragonfly Stylist: Khawar Riaz

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akistan has won one ICC world cup series out of 2 final appearances. This time it is not fully prepared for the World Cup. Batting part of the teams will depend on their openers Mohammad Hafeez, Younus Khan, Misbah Ul Haq and Afridi. Asad Shafiq is also the best batsman of the Pakistani Team, who is included in 15-men squads.

Brothers of Akmal, Kamran and Umar will also include strength to their batting. Pakistani team will play in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup without their key players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer who were all conditionally suspended by the ICC on charges of spot-fixing. Pakistani team is strong in bowling so World cup responsibility will depend on their bowlers like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal.

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ustralian team is one of the strongest team of ICC cricket world cup series. Since 1996, it has won 4 ICC World cup continuously out of 6 final appearances.

The team won first ICC World cup against England team in 1989 by 7 runs. Australia beat India by 125 runs in the 2003 World Cup final. Australian team has exciting young talent such as David Warner, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Stephen O’Keefe all includes in the final fifteen squads. But now, the team does not have quality spinner to carry in Indian subcontinent. Its great spinner, Nathan Huritz is not in his best form because he was injured in Indian series. Both captain Ricky Ponting and vice captain Michel Clarke are also suffering from minor injuries, so whole world cup batting responsibility is on Mike Hussy and Shane Watson.

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PAKISTANI SQUADS: Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, and Junaid Khan.

AUSTRALIAN SQUADS: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wicketkeeper), David Hussey, Mike Hussey, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

NEW ZEALAND’S SQUADS: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

ew Zealand is a national cricket team that never won a World Cup in the history. The team has also never entered in the world cup finals. The team’s biggest power is their spin attack and the weakness is the fast bowling strength for the slow pitches. Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum are the best spinners of the New Zealand team who can hold the opposition off well. James Franklin is one of the best all-rounder’s in the world. The shortage of batting reliability is a big problem for the New Zealand. This time New Zealand team adds new face Luke Woodcock in the World Cup. Key performer of the New Zealand team, Jacob has great experience which will be invaluable at the World Cup. Team’s fast bowler Hamish Bennett is also included in 2011 world cup.

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ri Lanka cricket team is second host of the 2011 ICC World Cup. It won world cup championship in 1996 against Australia team. It appeared two times in world cup finals and both times it was against Australian team. The batting of Sri Lanka has been a key to their successes, and the best part of the team is their spinners not only Muthiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, but also Suraj Randiv and Rangana Herath who will create difficulty for the opposition. This is the first time Sri Lanka team comes with two all-rounder’s Angelo Mathews and Tissara Perera who can bowl fast and also excellent in batting. Ajantha Mendis bowls mixture of googlies, off breaks, top-spinners, flippers and legbreaks, will sure become an eye-catcher!

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he national cricket team Zimbabwe will play its 8th ICC World Cup in Group A. It will be one of the so-called minnows in the 2011 world Cup series, but given their recent presentations cannot be taken too unconscientiously.

Zimbabwe has not won world cup trophy even once as well as not ever get final and semi-finals appearance.

But this time, Zimbabwe team is stronger more than before. The team will play their first 2011 world cup match against strongest team of ICC cricket world cup, Australia. The batting of the team is expected to be opened by the experienced Brendon Taylor with Regis Chakabva. The biggest strength of the team is their spinners who are capable to get the better of many batsmen. Raymond Price is good blower of the team and this time he is standing with his best form.

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he National cricket team, Canada will play their 4th ICC world cup in Group A. Canada will be also so-called minnows in the 2011 world Cup series. Canada team did not ever get world cup quarter final, semi-finals and finals appearance, always it out from the series in first round. This time it will be standing with young squads, so let’s see they can reach at quarter final or not. Ashish Bagai who is the captain and wicketkeeper of the team is returning player from the 2007 World Cup squad. Henry Osinde, Khurram Chohan, Harvir Baidwan and Rizwan Cheema are main bowlers of the Canadian team who are all included in 15-men squad. May be this time Canada team will come with its new form and make history in the cricket world, but it is all like dream so let’s see it will be true or not.

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nother national cricket team Kenya has also got their place in 2011 ICC World Cup Championships.

It is the 5th ICC world Cup for Kenya team. They have done fantastic job at the Associates cricket level, but unfortunately from the last few years, their performances have been decreased at international level. Since 1996, Kenya is participating in ICC world cup series, but they have not won World Cup Championships even once. The team will be led

by Captain Jimmy Kamande and experienced player Steve Tikolo. Another experienced player, Thomas Odoyo is Kenya’s most important assets in recent years.

SRI LANKA SQUADS: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.

ZIMBABWE’S SQUADS: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Regis Chakabva, Sean Ervine, Craig Ervine, Gregory Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Edward Rainsford, Christopher Mpofu, Raymond Price, Tatenda Taibu, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams.

CANADIAN SQUADS: Ashish Bagai (captain and wicketkeeper), Rizwan Cheema (vice-captain), Nitish Kumar, Jimmy Hansra, Tyson Gordon, John Davison, Harvir Baidwan, Hiral Patel, Henry Osinde, Parth Desai, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Balaji Rao, Karl Whatham, Khurram Chohan, Zubin Surkari, Hamza Tariq (stand-by).

KENYA’S SQUADS: Jimmy Kamande (captain), Seren Waters, Alex Obanda, Elijah Otieno, Rakep Patel, David Obuya, Collins Obuya, Steve Tikolo, Tamnay Mishra, Maurice Ouma, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Thomas Odoyo, Shem Ngoche, James Ngoche, Peter Ongondo.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 47

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ndia has won World Cup championships in 1983 against West Indies and in 2003 it got the final appearance against Australia.

Batting form is the strongest part of the team, so whole series most responsibility depends on their batsmen like MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, and the danger blaster Yusuf Pathan and currently. India’s bowling attack for the World Cup will be considerably different from their standard Test attack. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh are included as bowlers. The fast bowling pair of Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma, and Ojha has been replaced by Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla and the all rounder Yusuf Pathan for ICC World Cup 2011. Despite the injuries, India’s four players including Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Praveen Kumar are

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outh Africa has not won ICC World cup Championships and not ever get final appearance too. The team had lost last ICC tournament by some huge freak shows and controversies. The biggest strength of the team is their consistency together with their fielding which include the likes of Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, and JP Duminy in the covers. Dale Steyn, Morkel and Tsotsobe are the keybowler of team with great form.

Their inabilities against spinners will be an enormous problem for them in the upcoming tournament.

Most of the oppositions possess quality spinners that could also create problems for South Africa team. Most experienced wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and dashing All-rounder Albie Morkel have been removed from the final squad for the World Cup 2011.

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ngland Cricket team is also strong team in World cup history. It had three times appeared in the world cup finals, but lost in all the finals. So this time it will jump in ICC world Cup series with full preparations. The bowling of the England team is very strong. England team best bowlers Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy are standing with their best form and this time they will create more difficulties for the opposition. England team best bowlers Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, and all rounder Yardy all are included in the England team final squads. This time England team is stronger compared to other world cup cricket team.

INDIAN SQUADS: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar.

SOUTH AFRICAN SQUADS: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne van Wyk (wk), Colin Ingram, Johan Botha, Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

ENGLAN’S SQUADS: Andrew Strauss (captain), Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Bresnan, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, James Tredwell, Luke Wright, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Michael Yardy, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ajmal Shahzad.

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est Indies team had won first two world cups in 1975 & 1979. And in 1983 it lost the final against India, since then they never reached the final of the tournament. Leg spinners Devendra Bishoo and Anthony Martin, batsmen Jonathan Carter and Kirk Edwards, and fast bowler Jason Holder are not included in the West Indies final 15-men squads for ICC world Cup 2011.

West Indies batting is very strong with Chris Gayle, Captain Darren Sammy, Adrian Barath and Kieron Pollard. Left-arm spinners Sulieman Benn and Nikita Miller will be very important for the West Indies squads. Bowling of West Indies is rather fragile and easy to go after. Current form of the team is not much good, West Indies team has confidence about making history.

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hird host of the 10th edition of world cup series, Bangladesh had never been the champion of the world cup. It is the 4th championship for Bangladesh team and in past three world cup they never reached at semi-finals. It is one of the weakest team in the world cup series. But in the recent series, it beat West Indies Team by 4-0 and Zimbabwe by 3-1, so we can not neglect this fact. Bangladesh’s most improved batsman of 2010, Imrul Kayes is included in the 15 menquads, hoping that he will continue his performance in 2011 ICC world cup series. The lack of speed bowling potency and over-dependence on their main players Iqbal and Shakib al hasan will create a huge issue for them. For this world cup, Shafiul Islam has improved a wicket taking habit. Let’s see, Bangladesh team can reach at world cup finals or not.

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011 ICC World cup series is the second series of Ireland cricket team. It will come in 2011 ICC world cup with their old players. Ireland team is also weak team of the world cup series. The team will be led by William Porterfield as caption of the team. It played world cup in 2007 and took 8th place of the best team. It gave biggest shock to cricket world cup when they beat Pakistan in the first round. The batting form of the Ireland team is very strong with William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien, both can score runs against any players. Generally Ireland team plays their entire cricket in and around the Irish conditions, where the ball seams and swing around a lot as compared to the World Cup. In this series they will need to win at least 3 games out of six to prove themselves.

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etherland team played their first world cup series in 1996. Like other weak teams, it also has never won the world cup championship.

In their all past world cup series, it was eliminated in the first round. The lack of best batsmen and bowlers is the weakness of the team. Netherlands is one of the weakest teams in the world cup series.

In 2011 ICC World cup series, the team is led by Peter Borren as captain of the team. Allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate, Westdijk, and Fast bowler Mark Jonkman are also included in the world cup series. This time Netherlands team has to give their best performance other wise they will once again beat in first round.

WEST INDIES’S SQUADS: Darren Sammy (captain), Darren Bravo, Carlton Baugh (wicketkeeper), Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Adrian Barath, Dwayne Bravo, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Ravi Rampaul, Chris Gayle.

BANGLADESH’S SQUADS: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal (vice-captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Md Ashraful, Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees, Juaneed Siddiqui, Roquibul Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawardi Shuvo, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain and Rubel Hossain.

IRELAN’S SQUADS: William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Niall O’Brien (wkt), Kevin O’Brien, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, John Mooney, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Albert van der Merwe, Gary Wilson (wkt), Andrew White, and Ed Joyce.

NETHERLAND’S SQUADS: Peter Borren, Wesley Barresi, Adeel Raja, Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Tom Cooper, Tom De Crooth, Alexie Kervezee, Bradley Kruger, Bernard Loots, Pieter Seelar, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Berend Westdijk, Bas Zuiderent.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 49

INTERVIEW

MAKING OF THE DREAM TEAM

By Emanuel Sarfraz

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bout the team selection Khan said they had put together the best team. “It is balanced and well knitted team that would try its best to come up to the expectations of the nation.

Fielding has always been our major drawback. Therefore, while selecting the team this was always in our mind.

“We decided to bring in those batsmen and bowlers who were also good fielders. They were given very good rigorous training and are prepared for the great task. But we still have to work hard on fielding.

“The standard of fielding has certainly improved in the last four months.

You must have seen that in the New Zealand tour the team’s fielding was good,” Khan said.

The chief selector while explaining the plus points for Pakistan cricket team said it had the batting depth that was needed to win the World Cup. “We have solid batsmen like Hafeez, Younis Khan and Misbah. Shahid Afridi comes in at number seven and Abdul Razzaq comes in at number eight. Both are match winners. So you see our batting does have the required depth.

Full name: Mohsin Hasan Khan Born: March 15, 1955, Karachi, Sindh Current age: 55 years 335 days Major teams: Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, Karachi, Pakistan Railways, Batting style: Right-hand bat Bowling style: Right-arm medium

Mohsin Hasan Khan is a former Pakistani cricketer who played in 48 Tests and 75 ODIs from 1977 to 1986 mainly as an opening batsman.

Playing in this role for Pakistan against India at Lahore in 1982-83, he scored 101 not out of Pakistan’s second-innings total of 135/1. This is the lowest team score in Test cricket to have included a century.

Mohsin Khan was not alone in being a Pakistani who was handsome both in appearance and in batting. But he could claim that as an opening batsman he came closer than any of his countrymen has done to mastering the extra bounce of Australian pitches: in successive Tests in 1983-84 he scored 149 at Adelaide and 153 at Melbourne. Before then he had also become the first Pakistani to make a double-hundred in a Test at Lord’s. Moshin Khan is the chief selector of Pakistan Cricket Board. The team playing the Cricket World Cup is his dream team. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Plus he explains what made his select these player to play the ultimate tournament in the world of cricket.

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“Bowling has always been our strong department. This team too boasts of very good bowlers. Shoaib Akhtar is working hard to give his best performance of life. And we should not forget he is a genuine fast bowler. Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz at the moment are one of the best medium fast bowlers. Wahab Riaz is improving all the time. He is getting better and accurate every day.

Then we have speedster Junaid Khan.

He is promising player and I believe he is going to become a star in the near future.

“The selection committee and team management has taken a very bold step by bringing in youngsters. We have given a new shape to the team. And we did it very sincerely. I believe we have knitted together the best team possible,” Khan was of the view.

About the climate and playing conditions in Sri Lanka the chief selector was very optimistic that they would favour the Pakistan team if it adopted the right strategy. “We had an important tour before the World Cup. The experience of the New Zealand tour is definitely going to help the team. The team made a comeback at the right time. The climate is very different. I have toured Sri Lanka four times as a batsman. There is a lot of humidity in Sri Lanka. That means the pitches there are soft. The nature of soil is very important.

“The climatic conditions would favour the spinners and medium pacers.

Usually in one day cricket they make batting wickets. The batsmen need to play very carefully. The seam bowlers would enjoy bowling there. Only those fast bowlers will be successful who will be able to maintain line and length. It is very important in the one day format,” Khan maintained.

He was of the view that the umpiring standards are very important. “One small decision can make a major impact and even put you out of the tournament.

ICC has done wonderful thing to ensure that standard of umpiring remains good. They have introduced the referral system. This is a best thing for the tournament. We welcome this system,” the chief selector said.

“Fourteen teams are participating in

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“The selection committee and team management has taken a very bold step by bringing in youngsters.

We have given a new shape to the team.” the tournament. Every team aspires to win the world cup. They have all come prepared for the big tournament. Teams of Sri Lanka, India and South Africa are very balanced and strong contenders for the cup. India has the home advantage as well. Indian cricket team will have the support of the home crowd. “They cover up their other weaknesses by further strengthening their batting line up.

Australia has always been a favourite team. This year they may not be the favourites but one should not forget they have made a comeback just before the World Cup. You can never write off England. New Zealand and West Indies could prove to be the dark horses in this tournament.

“Pakistani cricketers are very popular in India. Pakistan will get 100 percent support from the crowds if the other team we are playing against is not India.

“Pakistan cricket team has huge po-

tential to win the world cup. The whole team is in high spirits. We all know the whole nation’s prayers are with the team. They have to give their best. I am a firm believer that good results will definitely come if they give their 100 percent best performance. I personally feel as a cricketer the responsibility does not lie alone on the captain, coach or the manager. It lies on each player. Each player has to give his best to the nation and then leave it to Allah Almighty. God helps those who help themselves,” Mohsin Khan concluded.

He concluded well. The Pakistan team does not have the advantage of home crowds. But then we have a talented group of young players. Eight players would be playing their first World Cup tournament. It is a life time opportunity for the youngsters to prove their mettle.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 51

ZODIAC

Dr. Zaibun Nisa

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54 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

W S HI

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er nt li l e you . w ng ip ) ets aki ionsh , in CH n R a A pl e, m lat ship ing 0M he solv t re tion parr te.

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February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 55

SOCIETY

CELEBRATING NATURE, CELEBRATING HOPE 1

LAHORE: Just talking about issues of the environment isn’t enough. Direct action is required. And the message came loud and clear from the youngest and shortest people nobody really takes as being this aware: our children. February 13 saw a congregation of thousands, most of them children from various schools and colleges, teaching their elders why it is imperative for them to leave them a wholesome and whole planet to inherit. From climate change to water pollution, from species conservation to deforestation, there was no topic too big for these children’s vocabulary at WWF – Pakistan’s Nature Carnival 2011 in Lahore.

And they did it better than any scientist could have done it. Bravo!

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1 Abrar-ul-Haq presents a shield to teachers for winning the 3D model competition.

2 Solid waste management model by school

children. 3 School children presenting a play about wetlands. 4 3D Model of an organic garden by school children. 5 Recycling plant model by school children.

56 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

SOCIETY

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6 WWF - Pakistan and Allied Bank Teams at the concluding ceremony of the Carnival. 7 A sustainable city as imagined by students.

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Students did live presentations on critical environmental issues for judges.

9 Thousands of participants were entertained by

DJ Shahrukh.

February 20, 2011 SUNDAY PLUS 57

SOCIETY 2 1

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LAWN SHOW

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KARACHI: The Asim Jofa recently showcased the first lawn show of the year. JOFA stands for Jewelery of Asim, named after the founder Asim Jofa, a designer of Premium Jewelry who has now designed Jofa Premium Lawn Collection. The event was created by the talented Catwalk team. Event PR handled

by Catalyst.

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1 Nomi Ansari & Faiza

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2 Freiha Altaf & Naznin

5 Maheeda, Roze, Nargis & Anoushay

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3 Maliha, Fezan, Anoushay & Farheen

6 Maheen, Fatima & Saima

7 Sara with sister

4 Anita Ayub

8 Iman Ali & Asim Jofa

9 Asim & Sana 10 Mr Kalim Siddiqui, CEO BYCO 11 Zahid Nadeem 12 Khursheed Mirza, Asif Bilwani & Iqbal 58 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

SOCIETY

2

PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUE

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LAHORE: Recently Propaganda was launched

by Architects INC. Propaganda captures the joy, humour and love of life by carefully choosing materials, colours and sophisticated production techniques that transforms a wide range of familiar household and personal items into treasured possessions. Propaganda does so in a way that engages users intellectually and challenges perceptions without losing sight of global trends, design sensibilities and market demands.

PR of this event was handled by Bilal Mukhtar Events & PR.

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1 Ali Saleem

2 Lubna, Huma & Bilal Mukhtar

6 Sara & Zainab 7 Aabroo & Maram 60 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

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8 Tania

3 Vasay Ch 4 Sana & Arbab Khan 9 Misha & Anushka

5 Abeer & Mustafa

10 Raza, Saad & Kamran Sheikh

MUSIC

BY MADIHA SYEDIAN

T PRESENTER

YOUNG MUSICIANS’ PLATFORM: MUSIC LATTE

JIMMY JAMES

TURAB

SALMA

ALTER NATION

62 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

o set up a platform for the underappreciated musical talents in Pakistan, and provide them with a chance to prove them globally and gain international recognition in a way it had never been done in Pakistan before, Purple Arts Communications along with Mvergence and Walnut media and Stage Monks recently organized MUSIC LATTE, a live concert. The event was sponsored by Depilex, Cream and Radio1 FM 91.

The venue, Gloria Jeans Upper Mall, resonated with the performances by young talents like Jimmy James, AlterNation, and SYMT who performed on different genres ranging from country to rock. And boy, did they rock the night! It was a non-stop extravaganza of gifted vocals, thundering drums, and rumbling bass playing by every band till the curtain call!

The chilly night did not deter music lovers to come out and show their love and appreciation for the music. The gathered audience swayed to the tunes and savored every moment of the event. They made the perfect start as the night unfolded. Though the audience seemed just warming up and non-responsive for a while, the group did raise their enthusiasm as the performance progressed.

The evening started with Jimmy James who played music with country flavours such as Jack Johnson and Johhny Cash’s Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone. His vocal was exceptionally vibrant and soulful. Following him was AlterNation who mesmerized the crowd with rocking songs by Nickelback. The event took everyone by spell when SYMT took to the stage. Sustaining the energy was the group who came after them and was simply ballistic with their performance, raising the tempo up a notch. SYMT finally entered the fray and produced a show to wow the crowd. The young musicians didn’t disappoint the awaiting crowd. The crowd was enticed for about one hour with beautifully orchestrated gig.

Music-latte was a massive success! The concert was broadcasted live in the internet and set up for the whole world to see and enjoy.

The show was streamed live to over 3.7 million Facebook Users which made us believe that the future of our music industry isn’t as dark as it seems but it just needs additional channel to make things louder and global – but virtually!

PICKS OF THE WEEK

We at Sunday Plus have brought a smart wish-list for all our readers that are the best buys which range from the trendiest brands to the most delicious palate to à la mode popular gateways. So get ready as we present our picks for the week.

There’s something for everyone.

Eye like it

L’Oreal Paris introduced Chrome Intensity in 182 Blue Jean shadow that is a metallic-tinged Prussian blue or navy, if you want to be non-fancy about it. This shade glides seamlessly over the eyelid for smooth, comfortable wear. I like it for a night-time smoky or just worn up to the crease and blended above it with a brush to take the hard edges off. Put a bit of primer on beforehand and it’ll stay in place all day (or night) too.

Tempting Treats

Tucked away in a cozy niche in D.H.A market is “Tempting Treats”, a speciality bake shop. Offering a range of scrumptious and beautifully decorated cupcakes, pastries and tarts that simply melt in your mouth. Tempting Treats is also stocking on a selected range of cakes, famous and renowned in different regions of the world. A must mention is their health breads and granola bars, chocked with nutrition! Located behind Shell Petrol Pump, Masjid Chowk, this is one place not to be missed!!

Forget Me Not!

Cricketline by StoneAge

Stoneage is a brand identified by its progressive, cutting edge borderline funk that has been inspired by the growing need for an urban youth trend movement. For Cricket World Cup 2011, StoneAge has specially designed World Cup 2011 edition outfits and accessories with a creative edge while focusing on modern lines and sleek fits. They are offering a wide range of jackets, polos, blazers, trousers, shirts, cricket passion tees and a whole range of cricket accessories that will help you glide through this world cup and support our team in style.

64 SUNDAY PLUS February 20, 2011

Ever show up to a wedding with a yellow bouquet? Or bring white roses to a babyshower? All too often we find ourselves between the mercy of street vendors stuffing you with cheap roses or upscale brands hoping to take your pocket for a ride sans the je ne sais quoi of sentimental expression. ‘Forget Me Not’ is dedicated to arming the customer with the right flowers for the right moment. They help you differentiate your do’s from your dont’s when picking up flowers and arrangements for special occasions, be they public or private in nature. Their products include signature bouquets, custom bouquets, automobile accessorizing & detailing, wedding décor and event consultancy.