Afghanistan Cricket Board express concern over touring dengue-ridden Lahore

Lahore, Sept 16 : The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has expressed concern over the Afghan team scheduled visit to dengue-ridden Lahore to take part in Pakistan’s National Twenty20 Championship. The event, featuring 13 regional teams along with Afghanistan, is expected to attract a full house at the Gaddafi Stadium, situated in an area declared to be a risk for the deadly disease.
The Punjab Government has also declared an emergency situation to deal with the dengue menace that has affected over 4,000 in the province.
“It’s a concern not just for us but also for the other teams. We are getting updates through media reports and it appears that the situation is not good,” The Express Tribune quoted ACB Marketing and Media Director Tariq Naeem, as saying.
He suggested putting off the event, in case the situation in Lahore, where over 3,000 people have been infected with the deadly virus, remains the same.
“Obviously the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) itself is monitoring the situation very closely, but we will decide in a couple of days,” Naeem said.
“As far as what the situation is right now, I can only suggest postponing it in the best interest of the public and the players, but we will still wait for the hosts to make the final decision,” he added.
Meanwhile, the PCB has declined the Karachi City Cricket Association’s request to arrange for their practice sessions in Lahore.

Continue Reading... Tags: Cricket, Lahore, Pakistan

PCB is wrong 90 per cent of the time: Miandad

LAHORE: Lamenting the lack of required power to work right from his day one in office as director general of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), former captain Javed Miandad on Wednesday slammed the decisions taken by the game’s authorities, claiming 90 per cent of those were erroneous.
“While closely watching the functioning of the PCB I am disappointed and feel that 90 per cent decisions [taken by the board] are wrong, and are spoiling the sport in the country. I am not part of the PCB planning only because I require power and freedom to work, since I have given 35 years to Pakistan cricket and earned a good name,” Miandad said while talking to Dawn on Wednesday.
“People around the world regard my services as a cricketer but the PCB doesn’t want to give me authority to improve [Pakistan] cricket,” the 54-year-old Miandad remarked.
“I have already brought this matter into the notice of PCB patron, President Asif Ali Zardari. Soon I will meet him again to apprise him of the poor condition of cricket in Pakistan. I will request him to either take necessary steps [to improve cricketing matters] or allow me to leave the DG post,” stated Miandad, who has been criticised for not leaving the position despite receiving the cold shoulder from the PCB right from day one.
The primary cause of friction between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and Miandad from day one has been that the former is not ready to give latter the appropriate power to work, while the latter is not keen to operate without the authority he demands.
“The PCB did not even follow the instructions of President Zardari which he had given to the board last time on my suggestions,” lamented Miandad who featured in 124 Tests and 233 One-day Internationals for Pakistan.
Though Miandad avoided pinpointing wrong decisions of the PCB, sources said, he was not happy after the board didn’t take his advice on the appointment of new coach for the Pakistan team following Waqar Younis’s announcement to quit as national head coach after the ongoing Zimbabwe tour.
While former Test cricketers Zaheer Abbas and Ramiz Raja (both not employed by the PCB), are part of the coach-searching committee, Miandad has not been given any role in this regard.
Miandad, who has had three stints as national coach in the past, also didn’t feel delighted after the PCB decided to give former Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir the responsibility to control club cricket. Miandad, sources said, held the view that holding club cricket was the prime duty of regional and district bodies.

Continue Reading... Tags: Cricket, Javed Miandad, Lahore, Pakistan

Aleem Dar says he relies on his ‘natural abilities’ while making umpiring decisions

Lahore, Sept 14: Pakistan's award-winning umpire Aleem Dar has said that although the probability of making mistakes exists, he relies on his natural ability rather than technology while making umpiring decisions.
Dar, 43, was voted the ICC Umpire of the Year for the third time in a row, based on his decision statistics and officiating skills over the past 12 months.
"It's all about how you cope with pressure on the field. Decision-making is always tough because there is pressure from every corner. You need to control your nerves, especially with the advent of technology," The Express Tribune quoted Dar, as saying from London.
"But despite all that, I don't get intimidated and keep a cool head because I'm there for a reason and the reason it to make a correct decision quickly," he added.
Dar beat off strong competition from his colleagues on the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires Steve Davis, Ian Gould and five-time ICC Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel.
"Although I am human and that means the probability of making mistakes exists as well, technology has already made its way into the game to correct those mistakes and that makes it helpful for the sport. However, I rely on my natural ability and the results are there for you to see," said Dar.
He ruled out stepping down from the game anytime soon, saying that he could officiate for another 20 years, but added that he would call it quits when he reaches his half-century.
"I won't wait until I can no longer umpire and deliver correct results, but will keep my and my country's respect and part my way with the role before the ICC is forced to sideline me based on performance," Dar maintained.

Continue Reading... Tags: Aleem Dar, Cricket, Lahore, Pakistan