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.

No home comforts is major challenge: Waqar

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis says the lack of home internationals is a major hurdle to his young team's hopes of climbing up the international cricket rankings. Pakistan's second-test victory over West Indies on Tuesday secured a drawn series and ensured it stayed in sixth position, one spot ahead of the Caribbean men.

In the past year, Waqar's charges have played "home" test series against Australia in England and against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates while also facing away series against England, New Zealand and West Indies.

As no test sides have wanted to tour Pakistan since terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team in Lahore more than two years ago, the team hasn't had a choice but to hit the road. "It's tough. It's never easy. We're always touring and playing on different surfaces and we don't know the pitches and conditions," he said on Wednesday.

"It's very difficult to adjust every month or so. It's four (overseas) venues I've done in less than a year. You need to play home to get the confidence of the youngsters. That's not happening so what we're trying to do is taking the youngsters on the tour and trying to prepare them, which is the hardest part in cricket."

Waqar admitted it was difficult to predict a swift return for international tours to his country but was hopeful. "It's not safe, we all know that. There is nothing hidden about it," he said. "We're really sad about it. "I, personally, wanted cricket to go back to the country and it was getting there, things were starting to move in that direction.

"But then something or the other happens in a month or two months time so the whole thing goes back to square one. Let's hope for the best and hopefully, in six months or a year's time, things will settle and we can take cricket back to our country."

Waqar said he was pleased with the way his team bounced back after losing the opening test in Guyana and spoke highly of his inexperienced batting unit. "There has been talk in Pakistan that we are not really batting well, we're not really scoring runs. It's good to see guys getting hundreds," the former fast bowler said.

"We haven't had many hundreds in the past couple of years, and it's good to see Taufeeq (Umar) in good nick and Misbah (ul-Haq) getting runs. "That's a plus. The boys have started knowing how to score runs and on difficult pitches."Taufeeq top scored with 135 and captain Misbah struck an unbeaten 102 in the second innings to anchor Pakistan's charge to victory in St. Kitts.

Pakistan's only individual century in 11 previous tests in the last year had been veteran Younis Khan's 131 not out in Dubai last November. Younis missed the tour of West Indies due to a death in the family but returns to the team for two one-day internationals against Ireland in Belfast on Saturday and Monday.

Waqar was happy to welcome back the veteran but was more reserved on the status of Mohammad Yousuf, the 36-year-old veteran of 90 tests who boasts an average of 52.29. "Mohammad Yousuf is on the wrong side of the 30s so we have to think hard," he said. "He is a fine player, no doubt he's served the country for a long time. If he's 100 percent and fit, why not?"

Yousuf was playing county cricket in England for Warwickshire and has not appeared in international cricket since last November. Waqar also squashed rumors about a rift between him and Shahid Afridi, who was replaced as one-day captain for the Ireland series and has since withdrawn from the squad.

"Misbah is great character. I am not saying that Afridi is not because he's done a really wonderful job in the last six to eight months he's been captain," Waqar said. "I don't have any problem with anyone. It is sad how things are being written and all the issues being printed. We want to improve cricket and this is what we get. It is not fair, I guess."

Pakistan Cricket: No captaincy assurance for Afridi: PCB

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt, brushed aside all the media speculations about his talks with Shahid Afridi saying he has not given any assurance to the all-rounder for keep leading Pakistan in the One Day Internationals.

Some media groups had earlier reported that Shahid Afridi had talked to Ijaz Butt and during the conversation he made himself available to the Ireland tour. They also claimed that the PCB chief had given Afridi captaincy assurance. However, later in the day, Ijaz Butt told local television channel that Afridi has not been given any assurance of captaincy in the two One Day Internationals series against Ireland.

The Sports Encounter had reported on Tuesday that either Misbah-ul-Haq, the Test captain, or all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez are likely to replace Boom Boom Afridi as ODI captain in Ireland. Ijaz Butt’s remarks have cast doubts over future of Shahid Afridi as captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team as it clearly shows a state of anger in the top cricket board authorities after Afridi had told media about his differences with head coach Waqar Younis. Following his remarks in the media, which wasn’t the first instance, the PCB had slapped Afridi with a notice demanding reasons for his media outburst.

Ijaz Butt made it clear that since disciplinary issues is pending against Shahid Afridi, a decision on captain is yet to be taken. Sources told The Sports Encounter that a final decision is expected after a tour report by team manager Intikhab Alam. The PCB Chief held a meeting with Chief Selector Mohsin Hasan Khan on Wednesday during which they discussed the team combination for the upcoming series against Ireland.

Warne apologises for IPL bust-up: report

Australian legspin legend Shane Warne has reportedly apologised for his part in a bust-up with a cricket official after a recent Indian Premier League match. Warne, captain of the Rajasthan Royals IPL team, was involved in an angry exchange with Sanjay Dixit, secretary of the Rajasthan state cricket association, following his team's defeat at home to Bangalore on Wednesday. The prolific wicket-taking spinner was apparently upset over the playing surface that was selected for Rajasthan's last two matches against Chennai and Bangalore, both of which the home side lost.

Dixit claimed Warne had been putting pressure on him to provide a "suitable" wicket for Rajasthan's home matches. Rajasthan Royals chief executive Sean Morris said in an e-mail to Dixit that the franchise had decided to take disciplinary action against Warne and the Australian had accepted it, news agency reported.

"The player has accepted the action that we have taken and apologised for any distress caused," Morris said, without elaborating further. The incident took place in full public view minutes after the post-match prize distribution ceremony at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

After the defeat against Chennai on Monday, Warne had questioned why the home side was asked to play on a different wicket to the one used in previous games. The two back-to-back defeats against Chennai and Bangalore have dented Rajasthan's chance of advancing to the play-offs and shattered Warne's dream of a second IPL title.Warne, who had scripted an amazing Rajasthan triumph in the inaugural Twenty20 competition in 2008, is set to retire from all forms of the game after the current edition.