India to host Pakistan for a cricket series in 2012

India will host Pakistan for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals in March-April 2012 for the first time since 2007, according to the Future Tours Programme (FTP) of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The details of the tour are yet to be finalised as it is subject to government clearance. The tour will be preceded by India's three-month tour to Australia, from December, during which they will play four Tests and 8-11 ODIs.

India will also play five ODIs and a Twenty20 against England in October. The English team will be arrive in Hyderabad October 4 and will play two warm-up matches Oct 8 and 11. The first ODI against England will be held in Hyderebad on October 14 while, the second will be held in Delhi on October 17. Mohali will host the third ODI (October 20) while, the fourth match is slated for Mumbai on October 26. Kolkata will host the fifth ODI (October 26) and the only Twenty20 (October 29).

ICC reviews ban on cricket minnows

Cricket's governing body has begun its four-day annual conference in Hong Kong with all eyes on the controversial proposal, which caused outrage among the smaller nations. ICC president Sharad Pawar has asked his board to discuss the matter at the conference, with the governing body looking to avoid a repeat of the seven-week World Cup, deemed by some critics as unnecessarily lengthy.

ICC reviews ban on cricket minnows

Officials are believed to be in favour of retaining a 10-team limit but may consider a qualifying tournament that would give minor nations a chance of reaching the event. The conference will also consider moves, reportedly spearheaded by India and England, to scrap the two-year rotational presidency, although details of any new system remain unclear.

The proposal is expected to be met with vehement opposition from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who are scheduled to nominate the body's next but one leader to take power from 2014. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters before leaving for Hong Kong: "It's Pakistan's turn to nominate the president or the vice-president so we will not allow anyone to snatch that right.

"We have already shown our reservations on both the amendments and since the matter will be discussed at the meeting I am not going to make it more public."Also on the agenda will be the issue of whether the ICC should adopt the controversial Decision Review System (DRS).

The ICC has announced its desire for the DRS, whereby teams will be allowed one incorrect referral per innings to the television umpire, to be used for all Tests, ODIs and International T20s.

Decisions would be checked using video, audio, ball-tracking and thermal-imaging technology in an innovation welcomed by most countries. But powerful India, whose huge revenues give it a dominant position in the ICC, has never agreed to its use nor played a Test or one-day series when the DRS has been in operation.

The issue will be presented formally to the ICC's chief executives' committee. "The suggestions were made following detailed technical analysis and supported by what the committee agreed was a successful application during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011," the ICC said in a statement released ahead of the meeting.

The conference kicked off with a low-key discussion on the ICC's rankings system, with the headline issues to be dealt with over the coming days.

Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Butt resolve differences

Former cricket captain Shahid Afridi met Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt in Islamabad and reached an out of court settlement, our sources reported. According to the sources, important government officials were also present in the meeting.

Former skipper agreed to withdraw the case against the PCB and also to appear before the disciplinary committee of the board. The PCB will issue the NOC for Afridi after he appears before the committee. After getting the required permission Afridi will be able to play for Hampshire County in a T20 tournament in England and Sri Lanka Premier League.

PCB nominates rookie Raza for ICC Panel

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has nominated Shozab Raza, an umpire with experience of less than 20 first-class matches for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Panel of TV umpires for next 12 months, while retaining below-par Zameer Haider in the panel of field umpires with Ahsan Raza joining him as a replacement for Nadeem Ghouri.

Initially seven umpires were selected for the interview — Karachi duo of Khalid Mehmood and Riazuddin and Lahore’s Ghaffar Kazmi, Riazuddin, Ahmed Shahab, Anees Siddiqi, Akram Raza and Shozab Raza.

Akram Raza was expelled due to being arrest for alleged involvement in betting on lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). The interview was conducted by PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) Subhan Ahmed and Director Cricket Operations (International) Zakir Khan in two phases.

In the first phase remaining six umpires were interviewed but according to a well-placed source some umpires were not even questioned. The interviewers never told all the candidates that they will be short-listed.

Riazuddin, who had more experience then accumulated exposure of rest of the candidates, was excluded alongside another seasoned campaigner Khalid Mehmood from the final interview.

In addition, another top-notch umpire Ahmed Shahab was left out. Zameer Haider`s performances have been very poor of late with Quaid-e-Azam Trophy`s day-night final the prime example of his calibre.

Shozab Raza`s promotion has come as a shock for most of the candidates who claim that they were far better than Raza but yet they were overlooked. “The PCB has continued its trend of bestowing their favourite people and Raza`s promotion is a clear evidence of that,” one of the left out candidates told `Our Sources` on Monday.

“Hardly anyone in the umpiring field will deny that he did not deserve to be at that post.”The concerned authorities were tried to be contacted but to no avail.

According to the statement released by the PCB Raza was promoted because of his consistent performances at the Domestic level. He achieved second position in Level-I Umpiring course held at Malaysia in 2007.

PCB complains of political interference in Afridi row

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday complained of "political interference" in its disciplinary proceedings against all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Afridi, 31, is being brought up on charges of breaching the PCB's code of conduct by abruptly announcing his retirement from international cricket last week and making disparaging comments about board officials. The board suspended Afridi's central contract, revoked all 'no-objection certificates' issued to him to play in foreign leagues and summoned him for a hearing on Wednesday.

"A number of political functionaries are interfering in what is essentially an internal disciplinary matter of the PCB," the board said in a statement. "It is disappointing that despite (the fact) Afridi has pleaded guilty to the offence, some political functionaries are extending their support with a view to influencing the disciplinary process being followed by PCB," PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt said.

"It would now appear an attempt by some forces to prevent the Board from implementing the code of conduct and their act may well damage Pakistan cricket."The cricketer enjoys considerable political backing. Former Prime Minister and leader of the main opposition party Nawaz Sharif called Afridi and promised his party would not allow the board to do him any injustice. Dr Farooq Sattar, of the Mutthaida-e-Qaumi Movement in Afridi's hometown of Karachi, also issued a statement last week criticising the PCB for their treatment of him. The heads of the national assembly and senate standing committees on sports have also come out in support of Afridi and criticised Butt.

Afridi was removed as captain of the one-day team last month before the series against Ireland after he spoke publicly about interference in his work by team management. The cricketer got a rousing reception on his return from England last night. "I am totally astounded by the huge crowds that have shown up to support me. I think my stand now in this issue is vindicated," he said.

PCB confirms receiving letter from Afridi’s legal counsel

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that it has received a letter from a law firm representing former captain Shahid Afridi, challenging the disciplinary actions taken against him, particularly revoking of the NOC issued to him to play in foreign leagues.

“I can confirm that we have got a letter from Mandviwalla and Zafar Associates law firm in Karachi and we have forwarded this letter to the disciplinary committee, which is being assisted by our legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi,” media manager Nadeem Sarwar said.

Sources said the law firm had challenged the actions taken against Afridi by the Board for violating the terms of his central contract after he launched a tirade against the PCB while announcing his retirement from international cricket earlier this week.

“The law firm has said that the actions against Afridi were an attempt to tarnish the image of the all—rounder, who is a patriotic, respected and honourable cricketer of Pakistan,” one source said.

The letter further states that their client Shahid Afridi followed all procedures as per his central contract while applying with the PCB for a No-Objection Certificate to appear for English county Hampshire, after which the certificate was formally granted.

“However, it is sad to note that the abrupt cancellation of the NOC and the suspension of central contract is a bid to deprive Mr Afridi of his lawful financial income,” the letter said. Afridi has been unable to play for Hampshire in the English T20 league after the PCB revoked all NOCs issued to him as part of their disciplinary measures against him.

The flamboyant allrounder, in a letter to the notice issued to him, had on Wednesday accepted that he had violated the terms of his contract and was prepared to face disciplinary action, but requested the board to permit him to play for Hampshire in the meantime.

The board turned down his request and instead formed a three—member disciplinary committee and directed Afridi to appear before it on June 8 in Lahore. Afridi criticised the Board after being removed as captain of the One—day team for the two—match series against Ireland.

In the past, during the tenure of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, other senior players who were also in dispute with the Board, had also hired lawyers to fight their cases including former captain Younis Khan and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.