I guess it’s OK with “trying”.

I would have no hesitation in Afridi opening if he was playing as Gayle and Jayasuria do. Big knocks occasionally but that occasion is consistent

Yeah, that should please Omer

I wonder what Razzaq’s record was like in ICL.

Would he need three matches as well in English conditions before he comes to some senses, just like all the other players did? If so, by then it will be all over for Pakistan.

Good news for you:

Ex-ICL player Razzaq set for international return

The PCB has decided to call up Abdul Razzaq to replace one of its two injured players in the ongoing ICC World Twenty20. The request, if accepted, will make Razzaq the first former ICL player returning to international cricket after being banned.

The request was sent to the ICC’s technical committee and, though there’s no official confirmation it has been accepted, sources close to the Pakistan camp and the player claimed it had.

“We have made a request to the ICC for Abdul Razzaq as a replacement,” Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, told Cricinfo. “He is an allrounder and we’ve requested he replace Arafat, who is also an allrounder.”

A source close to the player also confirmed that Razzaq had been contacted by the board and apprised of the situation.

While both Yasir Arafat and Sohail Tanvir are carrying injuries, Arafat’s hamstring strain seems the more serious and Razzaq would represent a like-for-like change in that he is an allrounder.

The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, said Arafat had been diagnosed with a lateral hamstring tear and would not play any further role in the tournament. News of Tanvir, who played with a back strain in the victory against Netherland yesterday, was better – he was back training with the rest of the squad at The Oval today.

Razzaq was one of several ex-ICL players granted amnesty by the PCB a few weeks back, shortly after the Indian board set the ball rolling for players to come in from the unofficial league. Other boards followed suit; some set a ‘cooling off’ period in place, while others like the PCB said they would handle each player on a case-by-case basis.

Ironically, Razzaq’s name was on the original list of 30 probables the PCB had sent to the ICC in early April – before the BCCI announced the amnesty – but the board u-turned and scratched his name off because the ICC objected to his ICL status. And with more irony, the comeback completes a full circle of sorts for Razzaq: it was only after being overlooked for the 2007 World Twenty20 squad that he decided to turn his back on Pakistan cricket. He lambasted the team’s set-up at the time, claiming he had been treated badly and then retired from international cricket, before taking back his announcement.

Pakistan will welcome back Razzaq’s skills. He was one of the ICL’s most valuable players, leading his franchise Hyderabad Heroes to the title in the first season and a runners-up spot the second time round. His form in the recently-concluded domestic Twenty20 was outstanding as well and limited-overs competitions in England hold special memories. It was in the 1999 World Cup that Razzaq first announced himself as a major talent, picking up a bundle of wickets and scoring some crucial runs, often at one down.

No prab-lem with criticism. I am know what you taalk about and I thought it is just a fun. A bit like WWF

1. Who is the most difficult bowler you ever faced? asked Fezzan from Sri Lanka
When it comes to the new ball, it was Glenn McGrath, while with the spinners it is Muttiah Muralitharan. McGrath was obviously due to his accuracy, whereas Murali is a very difficult opponent, especially on subcontinent pitches, where he gets a lot of turn. So you have to keep a close watch on the ball. I’ve hit him for quite a few sixes, but it is never easy.

2. Usually most Pakistani allrounders start as bowling allrounders and gradually become batting allrounders (e.g. Shoaib Malik). But you started as a rapid-fire batsman and now you’ve developed into one of the best middle-overs spin bowlers. How did this change come about? Do you rate yourself as a specialist batsman or a specialist bowler asked Vairam from the USA
I actually started as a spinner, but when I cracked the world record for the fastest ODI century, in October 1996, people started to expect more from me as a batsman. But my position in the batting order was never consistent and I couldn’t cope with the constant shuffling up and down. So three years ago I decided I should focus on my bowling once again, and I have done well now. I rate myself as a bowler first and then a batsman.

3. Which position do you like to bat in the most? Opener, No. 3, or middle and lower-middle order? asked Koushik from the USA
In the subcontinent I prefer to open, and outside, be No. 6. That is because it is easy to hit the new ball early on, as it loses its shine just after a few overs in the subcontinent. That is not the case overseas, where it becomes difficult for my style of power hitting.

4. About a couple of years back you were quoted as saying that you were tired of Test cricket and wanted to retire. What are your thoughts now? asked Tushar from the USA
At that point I was frustrated. In fact, I was doing better in Tests than in ODIs, and still they did not play me. They said batting in both forms is completely different, so I said, ‘What’s the point in going on when they are not playing me, not thinking of me as a Test player.’ I was fed up. However, some of my well-wishers inside and the outside the team asked me to rethink, so I decided to go back on my decision.

Test cricket is always the priority for any cricketer. Also, Test cricket is now fast-paced: there are more results in Tests and games end in four days too. There are some swift run-makers like Virender Sehwag and Sanath Jayasuriya, who bat with their natural style and perform well. I think of myself as the same.

5. How do you feel on the eve of a match against India? And who are your favourite Indian cricketers? asked Sharath from the USA
I enjoy the games against India the most because there is a lot of pressure and lots of expectations. And if you perform, you become a hero instantly. My top three innings against India are, my all-round performance in the Bangalore Test of 2005, 109 in Canada in 1998, and the century in Kanpur in the must-win game in the ODI series in 2005.

Sachin Tendulkar has always been a favourite and I have enjoyed his batting.

I’m not sure about the best compliment I’ve received from an Indian cricketer but there was this instance when a frustrated Anil Kumble, after I had hit him for a few fours, said: ‘You are not bothered about your respect or mine’”

6. Which was your biggest six ever? And who was the bowler? asked Tahir Hassani from Pakistan
Against Brett Lee, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Without moving my feet, I hit him over mid-off. This was immediately after he had taken two quick wickets, so he was in good rhythm.

7. I remember you bouncing Brian Lara in a one-day international once. Who bowled you the quickest bouncer of your career? asked Roderick Daniels from the USA Brett Lee shot one across my head in the 1999-00 ODI series. I did see it, but it flew above my head without giving me any chance.

8. Initially when you started, your technique was simple and successful – to hit as straight as possible. Now you like to hit straight balls over long-on, which tends to cost you your wicket. Also, your grip on the bat handle seems to be very loose. Any reason for these changes? asked Usman Ali from the UAE
I have never changed my grip. I actually don’t think about all such things.

9. Who are the top five most destructive batsmen in cricket history, according to you? asked Obaidulakbar Masum
As opening batsmen, it would be Sanath Jayasuriya, Virender Sehwag, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Chris Gayle (in no particular order).

10. You have played under so many Pakistani captains. Whose leadership qualities have inspired you and the rest of the team the most? asked Shahzeb Shaikh from Pakistan
Wasim bhai [Akram] and Inzi [Inzamam-ul-Haq] – both were captains, who were caring and understood how to motivate his players. A good captain is someone who will continue backing his player, especially when the player is going through a lean patch.

11. Which is the best century you have scored – in ODIs and Tests combined? asked Arvind from India
In Tests, 141 against India in a tough situation in the 1998-99 Chennai Test. In ODIs, against New Zealand in Sharjah in 2002, where Pakistan were once again in a spot and it was a good challenge to take them home.

Less the Pakistani team players speak the better and that practically includes all of them

Bloopers by team players and commentators funny though they may be but let’s not make it sound like a witch hunt against their inefficiencies apart from cricket and because of their handicap in English. khansahab, its not a personal criticism directed at you at all but just a general comment. I think they would be better off to give interviews in Urdu.

LONDON: Wasim Akram is sick and tired of seeing retired old men at the helm of Pakistan cricket. The legendary fast bowler is convinced that its time the younger generation is allowed to come forward in a bid to bring the sport back on track in the country, writes Khalid Hussain.

The former Pakistan captain believes that the change of guard could start with the appointment of a “youngish” chief selector in place of Abdul Qadir, who has recently resigned from the position.

“What Pakistan need is the involvement of younger men, people in their thirties or forties who have played cricket in the modern era because they are the ones who will have the capability of make things right for the game,” Akram told ‘The News’ at Lord’s on Tuesday.

Without criticising Qadir, Akram said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should appoint a chief selector from his (Akram’s) age bracket.
“It’s important for Pakistan cricket that the chief selector is a younger guy, who has extensive knowledge of modern day cricket. He should be fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the local cricketers with complete knowledge of players from rival teams.

“Selecting a balanced team is no child’s play and only a good professional can do the job,” he stressed.

It is rumoured that former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail is likely to take over as chief selector.
Akram also suggested that players like Moin Khan, who are actively involved in domestic cricket, can be ideal candidates for the job. Akram, however, ruled himself out of taking the job because of his commitments as a television commentator but offered his services as an advisor.

“I’m always ready to do my bit for Pakistan cricket,” he said. “People say that I’m never around to help our cricketers. But the problem is that the people running our cricket never ask for my help. I can’t force myself on them.”

Akram, who played 104 Tests and 356 One-day Internationals before retiring in 2003, said that the PCB doesn’t have to appoint a paid chief selector. “In fact it will be better to have a chief selector, who already has a job because such a person will perform the job without being under pressure.

“A paid official will always be worrying about retaining his job and at that times that can be a handicap.”

The former Test pacer had picked Pakistan as his favourite team to win the World Twenty20 title but is disappointed at the way Younis Khan’s men have performed so far in the tournament.

“I’m actually quite surprised at the way Pakistan have played here so far,” said Akram. “I mean, they had an easy group and should have reached the Super Eights without many problems.”

Pakistan were facing an early elimination from the World Twenty20 after crashing to a big defeat against hosts England on Sunday at The Oval.

Karachi, June 10: With Pakistan advancing to the Super Eight stage of the ICC World Twenty20, the team management in England has decided to seek a replacement for injured pace bowler Yasir Arafat.

Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed said that Yasir had pulled his hamstring and had been advised rest for 12 days.

“We will have to seek a replacement player for Yasir while Sohail Tanvir is also struggling with a leg injury,” he said.

Pakistan`s pace options in the reserve players that they named for the World Cup are limited with Rao Iftikhar already having replaced Shoaib Akhtar.

“The only option they have available is Wahab Riaz who has been picked in the Pakistan A team for Australia but since the team is not due to leave before June 22, he can join the side in England if needed,” a board official said.

Tanvir played in yesterday`s match against the Netherlands and bowled three overs but appeared to be limping and also struggled with his fielding.

He was asked how he felt now after winning against Netherlands.

He said, “Yaa….it’s good actually…..T20 is like WWF, haha”.

“WWF” became “WWE” years ago. Now WWF is the environmental organisation. Also, WWE matches are scripted and fixed. T20 is far from that. Or we would hope.

Younis also praised Malik’s batting and said,

“Yaa like Malik take single and double……it is a good technique……T20 is not all about fours and sixes”.

Younis said about Fawad Alam:

“Yaa like Fawad Alam is also a bowl” (Meaning, he can also bowl).

And then Kamran Akmal was asked what his plans are for the rest of the Cup and he said,

“Yaa next I am play Super 8″.

Younis was asked about Qadir and whether he had any problems with Qadir:

“It will be good if you question this ANSWER to Abdul Qadir……how can there be prab-lem? He is in Pakistan and I am in UK? I don’t taalk to him and I don’t speak to him how can there be prab-lem?” (He meant to say, it’s good if you ask this question to Abdul Qadir).

Kamran Akmal was asked about his batting. He said,

“I am very happy…..I am work very hard…….and wick-at keeping??? I am also work very hard”.