Afgun's Sports Round-Up

[Afgun]

Saeed Ajmal was the leading wicket-taker in Tests in 2011 © AFP
Enlarge Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, has confirmed he will unveil the "special delivery" he has been working on during Pakistan's upcoming Test series against England in the UAE. Ajmal had said in August, before Pakistan's tour of Zimbabwe, that he was saving the variation for the England series, and has now said he will try it but will revert to his existing variations if it does not work.
"I am working on a special delivery," he said at Pakistan's training camp in Lahore. "I won't tell you about it but you will know it when you see it. If it does not prove to be reliable then I will shift my focus back to the deliveries that have brought me success and I will keep that variation for the next series."
Ajmal was the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2011, with 50 wickets from eight games at an average of 23.86, and was a key factor in Pakistan winning five of those Tests. He took 18 wickets during Pakistan's last series in the UAE, against Sri Lanka in October-November last year, and said he recognised he would have an important role to play against England.
"We are going fully prepared and are working on special plans for their batsmen. I am aware of the weight of responsibility on me and am ready for it. In Dubai, the ball does break on the second and third day so hopefully I can play an important role. In Abu Dhabi it's difficult because it's a batting track."
Much of Ajmal's success in 2011 accrued from the inability of batsmen to read his doosra. Often in games, Ajmal bowled almost as many balls that turned the other way as regular offbreaks, leading to some apprehensions about him going the way of Saqlain Mushtaq in losing the ability to bowl his stock delivery. He also bowls with a flatter trajectory than most offspinners, but said that was because he was not comfortable flighting the ball.
"If I bowl with flight I cannot bowl well. If I bowl at a quicker speed I can then use variations in pace. If I take 90% of my wickets with the doosra why should I not bowl it? Whether you bowl a doosra or an offbreak, the ball should be bowled on the right line and one should take a wicket with it."
Ajmal's style of bowling is in stark contrast to England's offspinner Graeme Swann's, which is based on beating the batsman in the air and repeatedly landing his stock delivery on the right length. Though Swann took just 27 wickets in the eight Tests he played in 2011, he remains the highest-ranked spinner in the ICC Test rankings, and Ajmal said there would be healthy competition between the two of them through the series. "Swann is a good bowler and has even been the No. 1 bowler in the world. He has his own variety, I have my own."
Pakistan lost just one Test in 2011, and have won their last three Test series, though two of those have been against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Ajmal, though, pointed out that his best performances of the year had come against stronger opposition.
"Whomever you play against, you have to work for your wickets. Sri Lanka are a top team and I was Man of the Series against them. West Indies [against whom Ajmal took 17 wickets in two Tests] are not a bad team either - we have never beaten them in an away series. Bangladesh was not that good a team but only nine of my wickets came against them."

[Afgun]

Sixteen teams compete for two World T20 spots


Afghanistan, who won the Asian Cricket Council T20 Cup, will look to qualify again for the World Twenty20 © AFP
Sixteen Associate and Affiliate teams will compete for two available spots in the 2012 World Twenty20 during a 72-match qualifying tournament in the UAE from March 13 to 24.
The teams are divided into two groups of eight with the top three in each group having a chance to win a place in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
The top two teams of each group will meet in the first qualifying final with the winner guaranteed a place at the World Twenty20. The loser of that match will play in the second qualifying final against the winner of a series of play-off matches. The winners of both qualifying finals will meet in the tournament final in Dubai.
The winner of the tournament will be pooled with Australia and West Indies in group B of the World Twenty20, while the other team will be in group A with defending champions England and 2007 winners India.
Afghanistan and Ireland made it from the qualifying tournament in 2010, with Afghanistan winning he competition by eight-wickets.
Group A
Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark, Nepal.
Group B
Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy, USA.

[Talal]

Afg vs Pak on Feb 12 I think, first ODI where Afghanishan will face off against a Test Nation

[Talal]

I don't get why they have blue as their kit color ?

[Afgun]

Afg vs pak on 10 feb 2012

[Afgun]

Kallis targetting 2015 World Cup


Jacques Kallis wants to stay fit enough to play till he is 39 years old © Getty Images
In 16 years of international cricket, Jacques Kallis has scored centuries against all nine other Test playing nations, has been part of series wins in Australia and England and has seen numerous ODI series victories. One thing he does not have, though, is a World Cup medal and it is that missing piece that is driving him to try to continue playing international cricket until at least 2015.
"The one thing I want to try and achieve is to be part of a team that can win a World Cup. That's a goal of mine," Kallis said after South Africa's victory in the third Test against Sri Lanka, in Cape Town. Kallis has played 317 ODIs, including five World Cups. He will turn 37 this year and will be 39 by the time the next World Cup takes place, in Australia and New Zealand, in 2015.
At the start of the summer local media expressed concern about what they called Kallis' dwindling reflexes, after he was worked over by Australia's 18-year-old fast bowler Pat Cummins, who trouble Kallis with his bouncer. Kallis said he did not read the reports and was only told about it by friends. His response on the field, though, was fierce.
He scored 224, his highest Test score, against Sri Lanka at Newlands, an aggressive pull shot the hallmark of his innings. He also extinguished doubts about his reflexes by taking six catches, five of which were at second slip. To cap it off, he took three wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings. It was an emphatic way to celebrate his 150th Test match and a screaming declaration of what he still has to offer South African cricket. "I couldn't have asked for it to have worked out better," Kallis said. "You dream of performances like that."
While he appeared closer to a teenager than someone entering his late 30s in Cape Town, Kallis has acknowledged that his workload needs to be managed. He did not bowl in the first innings at Newlands, after his marathon effort with the bat, because his captain Graeme Smith felt he "would not get much out of him."
Managing Kallis' bowling load could be key to prolonging his career. That could prove tricky due to the make-up of South Africa's bowling attack. With three aggressive fast bowlers and a legspinner in the side, Kallis is required to play a containing role with the ball, and if needed, to, in his words, "carry," the attack. In the shorter form of the game, he is unlikely to be used in the same capacity and less work with the ball could be vital as he targets 2015.
"I will take it year by year, month by month and game by game," he said. "No-one has the right to play in this side [without earning his place]. You've got to put in the performances for that. As long as I am enjoying it and putting in the performances, and the body holds, there's no reason for me to stop yet."
Kallis has been named in South Africa's squad for the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka, after which the selectors will decide on the group for the remaining three matches. Kallis said he hopes to play in all five fixtures although he recognises that he may be forced to pick which matches to play in the future.
"It looks like I will play all five matches. I said to Gary [Kirsten, the South Africa coach], we will have a look at it after the first two and we'll make a call from there. That will be the standard going forward. I have to be clever if I want to make it to the next World Cup."

[Afgun]

Australia aim for 3-0 in Perth, leave talk of 4-0 for later


The last time Michael Hussey played a Test in Perth, he scored 61 and 116 to help Australia win against a rampant England © Getty Images
The rest of the world has been talking about it ever since India were bowled out for 191 on the first day of the SCG Test, but a 4-0 whitewash isn't being discussed in the Australian change-room just yet, Michael Hussey has said. "We haven't spoken about that at all," Hussey said. "In Sydney we just tried to enjoy that amazing Test match and then, basically, close the door on that one and start afresh.
"We start nil-all again here in Perth. We haven't thought about those results too much, but we're confident. We're playing a good brand of cricket at the moment. We've just got to keep improving a little bit from every game."
Making it 3-nil in Perth is a better goal, though, and a tangible thought at the moment. "That's obviously the goal," Hussey said. "That would be an awesome achievement from the team."
Hussey didn't want to sound overconfident, though. "It's going to be a tough Test match," he said. "India has got some great players, a lot of experience and a lot of pride. I'm expecting them to bounce back quite hard in this Test match."
The last time Hussey came to Perth for a Test match, Australia were down 1-0 in the Ashes. Australia would go on to lose the series, but at his home ground Hussey scored 61 and 116 to help Australia level the rubber. He is happy to be back, and happy that the circumstances are different. "It [that Ashes] feels a fair time ago, but it still hurts when it keeps getting brought up," Hussey said. "It was a tough time last year for the team to go through, for everyone who was involved, but it can make you stronger by going through tough times like that as a team. We're certainly trying to learn the lessons from those tough times, but we're [also] trying to think positively and look forward to the way the team wants to go in the future rather than looking at the negative times.
"We think it [the team] is a work in progress and we think we can improve a fair bit but it's been an enjoyable ride so far. I'm glad I've had the chance to be a part of it so far and I'd like to be part of it in the future too."
Hussey said he was looking forward to perform in front of his home fans. "I love the Perth Test match," he said. "The crowd here give unbelievable support. The roar you get as a local player when you come out to bat or take a catch is 10 times louder than for any other player. We're a very parochial mob over here. I know the conditions extremely well as well, so that's an advantage over other players from around the country and around the world. It is a great place to play cricket. Once you get in on this pitch, it's fantastic for batting."
The last time Australia played India here, they lost. That Test followed a particularly bitter SCG Test, and Hussey feels the controversy might have galvanised the Indian team then. "They came to Perth with a real determination to do well after all the controversy of that [SCG] match. I didn't feel at the time that it affected our team, but maybe it did a bit with all the controversy going on outside of the game.
"And there were some real outstanding performances in that game. It was probably the birth of Ishant Sharma, who bowled unbelievably well in that Test match. I remember a spell to Ricky Ponting, which was just phenomenal bowling and the Indians played a great brand of cricket in that particular Test match and were too good in those five days.
"They are a very proud bunch of cricketers, a very experienced bunch of cricketers, and I'm expecting them to bounce back extremely hard. They will take some confidence out of winning the last Test match between the two sides at this ground. But looking at our camp, we're an extremely determined camp as well, we're trying to go in a direction under Michael Clarke, who's done a great job as captain since he's taken over from Ricky. So we're a very determined bunch of cricketers as well."

[Afgun]

Recommendations for Pakistan coach finalised


Dav Whatmore is the favourite to take over the role of head coach © Getty Images
The PCB has said it has finalised its recommendations for three coaching positions for the national team; Mohsin Khan, the current interim coach, is among the 30 applicants.
The PCB committee in charge of selecting the coaches met in Lahore on Wednesday and is expected to report back to the board chairman over the next two days with its recommendations. Dav Whatmore is a strong contender for the position of head coach, who will also play a dual role as batting coach, while Aaqib Javed, appointed bowling coach for the series against England, is likely to take over the role on a long-term basis, though the PCB did not reveal any names.
"It's a huge responsibility on our shoulders," the head of the committee, Intikhab Alam, said at a press conference at the National Cricket Academy. "We received a lot of applications, both from foreign and local candidates and we had a thorough discussion on each of them and today we have finalised our recommendations."
"We have kept under consideration all the points that the chairman had mentioned and according to our recommendations the head coach will be a batting coach and there will be a bowling coach and a fielding coach. But I can't reveal you the names and a final decision will be made by the chairman." Alam was accompanied by two committee members, Zaheer Abbas and Col. Naushad Ali.
The appointment of a full-time head coach will fill a slot that's been lying vacant for six months. Waqar Younis, the previous full-time head coach, had stepped down on health grounds, and Mohsin was named interim coach. Ijaz Ahmed is the current fielding coach and could be in contention with Julian Fountain for the role, while Aaqib has returned to supervise the bowling department. The full-time appointments will also be part of a three-man coaching panel.
Whatmore, who's coached Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the past, resigned as coach of Kolkata Knight Riders and has been invited to meet with the PCB this month.
"I can't tell you the names," Alam said. "I have heard lots of strange things about the coaching options."
Mohsin, currently in charge of the team, was the former chief selector of the PCB and said he would like to retain a coaching position. "My services are always available to the PCB in whichever capacity the PCB wants it because whatever I am today, it's because of Pakistan," he said. "I have no ego problems whatever decision the PCB makes but I have already submitted an application for the coaching assignment."

[Afgun]

'Better to win by playing defensively' - Misbah


Pakistan had a four-day camp in Lahore to prepare for their series against England in the UAE © Associated Press
Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said he would rather win matches than worry about maintaining a balance between attack and defence. Though Misbah led Pakistan to six wins in 10 Test matches in 2011, there has been some criticism that he adopts a safety-first approach as captain.
"Cricket these days should be taken up with a balanced approach," Misbah said at the end of a four-day training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium organised to help Pakistan prepare for their upcoming series against England in the UAE. "[But] it's better to win by playing defensively, instead of losing by playing aggressively. It's all about the situation; what you are required to do or not do in a particular scenario."
The camp in Lahore mainly focussed on the bowlers and entailed strenuous fielding drills at the beginning of each day, as well as mental strengthening sessions for the players. Among the batsmen, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Imran Farhat and Mohammad Hafeez were spotted having intense sessions in the nets. A big positive to come out of the camp was that fast bowler Junaid Khan, who suffered an abdominal muscle strain during Pakistan's recent one-day series against Sri Lanka, was declared fit to play. The players have now dispersed and will reconvene on January 9 to leave for the UAE, with the first Test to begin on January 17 in Dubai.
England are the No. 1 Test team in the world according to the ICC rankings, but Misbah said his team would not be intimidated by their opposition's reputation. "My approach is simple in cricket: when you go onto the ground, give your 100% and focus on your performance. Forget about who the opposition is, do what you can do right, play tough cricket and then you look at the results. When you do all these things right, results will be in your favour."
While fast bowler Aizaz Cheema had said the conditions in the UAE are similar to those in Pakistan, Misbah said, based on his experience of playing in the UAE, both batting and bowling will be a challenge. "If you look at the conditions in the UAE, it's difficult for bowlers to take wickets, it's also difficult for batsman to score runs because of the slow pitches where the ball doesn't come onto the bat. It will be a challenge for both teams; both departments will have to work hard.
"England is a thoroughly professional team, and we have to put in real hard work to score runs against them and will have to bowl up to the mark to bowl them out."
The Decision Review System (DRS) is a welcome addition to the series, he said. "I always say it (the DRS) gives both teams a chance because umpires are also human-beings and they can make mistakes sometimes. This is an option for both batsmen and bowlers to help rectify the mistakes of the umpires. I am always in favour of this superb innovation. No doubt it needs better accuracy but I still believe it's quite helpful for the teams."
Pakistan had an impressive run in 2011; they did not lose any of the Test series they played and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. They have been helped by consistent all-round performances, Misbah said. "If you look at our recent performance, Pakistan is doing well in every department: batting, spin bowling, fast bowling. We do lack [a bit] in fielding and there are a few lapses, but overall every department is doing the required hard work. Against top teams you can't depend on a specific department, you have to perform well in every department to compete."

[Afgun]

We play good, fair cricket - Misbah


Misbah-ul-Haq hoped the past can be forgotten as Pakistan arrived in the UAE for the England series © Getty Images
Misbah-ul-Haq, successor as Pakistan captain to the disgraced Salman Butt, has appealed to England to forget the spot-fixing scandal that has blighted his country's cricketing reputation and expressed confidence that there is no chance of a repeat.
Pakistan and England meet for the first time in 17 months since a plot by Butt and the two Pakistan fast bowlers, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, to bowl deliberate no-balls for financial gain were uncovered in a sting operation by the now defunct tabloid, the News of the World.
The players were banned by the ICC and three months ago received lengthy jail sentences at Southwark Crown, leaving Pakistan and England to approach a three-Test series in the UAE fearing lingering resentment.
Misbah, flanked by Pakistan's team manager Naveed Akram Cheema at an arrival media conference at the ICC offices in Dubai, asked England to give Pakistan a fair chance to recover their reputation.
"I think both teams know we just have to forget the past," he said. "Our area of concern is to play good cricket, fair cricket - and that's what we can do. In a year and a half, our performances show that - the way we are behaving on the field, the way we are conducting ourselves.
"Credit goes to the team and all the players after a difficult time - everybody just stuck to the task, gathered their thoughts and just wanted to prove to the world that we were good players and a good team. Our target is just to play cricket in the true spirit. We want good relations, and to play really good and hard cricket."
Cheema was also adamant that Pakistan have put their house in order. "The Pakistan Cricket Board has introduced a code of conduct - an anti-corruption code - and all these guys have been told. We are following this code in letter and spirit. I think with those rules and regulations in place, the chances [of spot fixing] happening again are not there. I'm absolutely confident about that."
Some England observers have looked askance at Pakistan's selection of Wahab Riaz, who was omitted while legal proceedings took place against his former team-mates, but who has now been recalled.
"As far as Wahab was concerned, I think all those who were involved in the unfortunate incident have been imprisoned," Cheema said. "Nothing special has been pointed out against [Wahab] - neither from the ICC nor elsewhere - and until something is found these are mere speculations. As far as the PCB is concerned and Wahab is concerned, there are no allegations which we have received."
Coincidentally, Misbah and Cheema were speaking within minutes of an MCC World Cricket Committee media release in Cape Town, calling on the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit to impose life bans on any captain, vice-captain or coach found guilty of corruption.

[Karachi]

Misbah is a good player/captain but I dont like his defensive attitude.

[Afgun]

Security situation in Pakistan has improved - Majid Khan


Majid Khan has presented a security update on the situation in Pakistan to the MCC's executive committee © Getty Images
The international community should take decisive steps to ensure cricket returns to Pakistan as soon as the safety of visiting teams can be guaranteed, former PCB chairman Majid Khan has said. Majid, who is on the executive committee of the MCC, presented a security update on the situation in Pakistan at the body's latest meeting in Cape Town over the weekend.
Majid reported on an improved Pakistan situation, where security threats are minimal, and the MCC received his review with "optimism." They are considering sending a delegation to Pakistan to conduct further assessment and Majid is hopeful that this will be the start of Pakistan hosting cricket again.
"Whether the observers will come before [the next MCC meeting in] August I am not sure. The committee will also decide what sort of players they will send, whether it is a University team or just volunteers who are willing to go as an MCC team," Majid told ESPNcricinfo at Newlands. "Regardless of what standard it is, they will still go to play and it will break the ice."
No Test team has toured Pakistan since the ghastly terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009. Afghanistan are the only national team to have played there in the interim. The Pakistan team now plays its 'home' matches in the United Arab Emirates, where they have hosted series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, and are currently preparing to play England.
Bangladesh are the only team to have responded to a request to tour Pakistan. The PCB have invited them to visit in April, subject to a security check and various security guarantees which included bullet- and bomb-proof buses. Actions such as these are what Majid wants other countries and the ICC to engage in to take cricket back to Pakistan.
"It's up to the international community to make up their minds and assess the situation themselves, which they haven't done," he said. "They have to decide when they want to play in Pakistan. The ICC task force hasn't visited Pakistan personally. I think it is time for the world community to physically come and start the process. If Bangladesh comes it will ease the fears of the international community but it all depends on the ICC and how quickly they would like to see Pakistan hosting home series."
Majid's report may tempt the ICC, to whom the MCC presents recommendations, to evaluate the situation themselves. "Terrorist activity has abated a lot," he said. His foremost example is of the British Army team who travelled to Pakistan army in December.
"Just before their arrival, the NATO strike occurred," Majid said, making a reference to the November 26 strike along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. "In deference to the soldiers, they postponed the games but the British Army team arrived in Pakistan. They practiced in the capital, Islamabad, without any security. They went up to a hill resort called Murree, spent a day there and they are thinking of returning in February to play the games. That's a positive sign."
While the average Pakistan cricket supporter is keen to see cricketing action resuming in the country, Majid thinks there may be some sceptics. The spot-fixing trial and convictions have cast a long shadow over cricket in Pakistan and Majid says many fans have begun to doubt the honesty of the game.
"There is a lot of cynicism among the public. If any match or series, Pakistan do badly, people start questioning. I'm sure if Pakistan had been bowled out for 47 against South Africa here [at Newlands], there would have been lots of questions.
"That cynicism has to be done away with. We have to tackle the corruption problem and bring back the confidence of the public." Majid believes the only way to do that will be to ensure that harsh punishments are meted out to those who are found guilty of cheating.
He said stronger sentences, such as the jail terms that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Amir are currently serving, play a dual role of acting as a deterrent to would-be offenders, and as a reassurance to the public that the problem is being taken seriously. "Overall, it has sent the message, 'watch out,' which is good," Majid said.

[Afgun]

Westfield pleads guilty to spot-fixing


Mervyn Westfield accepted £6,000 to concede 12 runs in his first over against Durham in 2009 © Getty Images
Mervyn Westfield, the former Essex bowler, has become the first English cricketer to be convicted of spot-fixing after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey to criminal charges arising from a spot-fixing investigation by Essex police. He will be sentenced on February 10 and faces a maximum jail term of seven years.
Westfield admitted he accepted £6,000 to concede 12 runs in his first over of Essex's Pro40 tie against Durham at Chester-le-Street in September 2009. The match was televised live and was available in many parts of the world, so making it an appealing target for cricket's illegal gambling industry.
He pleaded guilty to accepting or obtaining corrupt payments under the 1906 Corruption Act. A lesser charge of assisting another person to cheat at gambling was ordered to lie on file. Judge Anthony Morris also made a pointed reference to a second person referred to in court as the "fixer" when he said: "It seems the alleged corruptor is a person whose name is known to me, and I'm sure known to many people interested in cricket."
Westfield, bearded and wearing a dark suit, black shirt and dark tie, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea. Judge Anthony Morris told him: "Mr Westfield, I hold out no promises for the outcome of this case but I am sure that you have been told that it is open to the court to pass an immediate custodial sentence."
The prosecution claimed that Westfield agreed to concede 12 runs in the first over of his spell. In the event he only conceded 10 and Westfield's defence counsel said that this demonstrated he did not go through with the plan.
His barrister, Mark Milliken-Smith, asked the judge to consider suspending any custodial sentence and spoke of the "snaring" influence of the man referred to as "the fixer."
Milliken-Smith said: "The prosecution is based almost entirely on what he unguardedly told fellow players." He added there was no evidence that Westfield did actually bowl badly. "The aim was to snare for future activity. The reality is, on any view, he didn't do what he was supposed to have done."
Though it was accepted that Westfield failed to concede the 12 runs in one over as expected in the Durham match at the end of the 2009 season for the £6,000 he had accepted, Milliken-Smith conceded that Westfield "did his best to keep his side of the bargain." Judge Morris commented: "It's really a matter of chance, almost, as to whether the batsmen are going to able to take advantage of the balls that are bowled to them."
Some of his Essex teammates were immediately disconcerted by Westfield's spell, but it was not until the following May that he was arrested by Essex police along with his Essex teammate, the Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, after a teammate at the time, Tony Palladino, expressed concerns.
Kaneria was never charged and was released from bail in September at the end of the English season.
Palladino, who would have been the main prosecution witness if the trail had proceeded, would have testified that Westfield had shown him money that he said represented a pay-off for deliberately conceding runs in the game.
Sporting bodies in the UK are increasingly confident that they have discovered a legal template to enable successful prosecutions in cases of this kind even though proof of deliberate under-performance is thought to be virtually impossible to achieve.
Three Pakistan cricketers, the captain Salman Butt and two fast bowlers, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, were all jailed three months ago at Southwark Crown Court after they were found guilty of corruption during a Test against England at The Oval in 2010.
The Westfield judgment switches attention to the English domestic game, leaving the ECB in no doubt that all professional cricket is vulnerable to corruption especially when those matches are televised.
Not only are salaries lower in the county game and players often less experienced, there is also less media attention which encourages the belief that corrupt practices are less likely to be intercepted.
The PCA's chief executive Angus Porter said: "While it couldn't be described as a good day for cricket, it is encouraging that action has been taken and that wrong doing has been uncovered."
Westfield made his debut for the county in 2005, aged 17. He struggled to gain a regular place in the side and was released at the end of the 2010 season "on cricketing grounds." Essex, habitually, refused to comment.

[Afgun]

England No. 1 because of home advantage' - Miandad


Javed Miandad: "I always feel an extra sense of satisfaction when Pakistan beat England or Australia." © AFP
Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan captain, has questioned England's status as the No. 1 side in the world Test rankings after their defeat inside three days against Pakistan in Dubai.
Miandad, one of England's most redoubtable opponents in his playing days, always relishes a chance to revive battles of old and he did so again when he suggested England's rise to the top of the rankings owed much to home advantage and took little account of their perennial weakness in Asia.
"I don't believe much in rankings because it doesn't give a clear picture of the team's overall performance in the world," Miandad said. "England is mainly the top side without playing in Asia and you must give credit to Pakistan that they have been playing with no home advantage and still they are winning. England are now the No. 1 team because they had the home advantage and never lost in their backyard."
Miandad, who made 260 against England at The Oval in 1987 as Pakistan piled up 708, freely admitted that victories against them had a special piquancy.
"I always feel an extra sense of satisfaction when Pakistan beat England or Australia - it always carries a special importance," he said. "Practically everything clicked against England. A circle that includes every aspect of the game rotated smoothly. Batsman scored runs; bowlers did accordingly to the expectations."
"We experienced a very bad time in 2010 and because of that our cricket was suffered a lot. Our victories always were overshadowed by the controversies. But the victory against England was a special one."
More criticism of England's performance came from Abdul Qadir, a former Pakistan legspinner and selector. He expressed surprise that England had lost in such an "unprofessional manner".
"I was never expecting that England could go that low, to be packed up in just three days," Qadir said. "The most pathetic things I observed about the England batting was that on the first day, when fast-bowlers were supposed to take wickets they were exposed by spinners and later on in the second innings, when the spinners were supposed to dominate they fell into the hands of fast bowlers.
"This is a buzzer for the English think tank, about their strategy. It's like they didn't do their homework and that fact was exposed cheaply. I always deemed England a very professional side but the way they played [casts] doubts [on] my views about them."
Waqar Younis, Pakistan's former fast bowler and coach, said that the spot-fixing scandal had made the players stronger and was a driving force behind their consistency over the last 18 months.
"I'm really proud of the way they've responded to all the criticism and scepticism that they had to deal with after the spot-fixing scandal," he said. "The players were determined to show everyone what Pakistan cricket is all about after the scandal. They realised that the only way to respond to the crisis was to perform well and let the results speak for themselves."

[Afgun]

Doubts over Afridi's participation in BPL


Shahid Afridi says his preference has always been the national team © AFP
The day after its historic auction, the Bangladesh Premier League has seen a cloud of doubt over the participation of Shahid Afridi, the most expensive player, in the 2012 season. Afridi was bought for $700,000 by the Dhaka Gladiators but has told the Express Tribune he will not participate in the Twenty20 competition as it clashes with Pakistan's limited-over series against England.
The Dhaka franchise, though, has said Afridi will definitely be available for the tournament's semi-finals and final, should Dhaka get that far, and may even play the season opener if it is before February 13, the date of the first Pakistan-England ODI.
Franchise officials told ESPNcricinfo they were aware of Afridi's schedule before the auction and knew he might only be available for the final. Since Afridi will be paid on a pro-rata basis they decided to buy him anyway.
Afridi said he wanted to concentrate on playing for Pakistan and would use the days before the ODIs against England in the UAE to prepare for that series. "My preference has always been my national team and I'm looking forward to giving my best against England," Afridi said. "I will utilise the days before the series for training. I can only think about playing in the league when I don't have national commitments." He has not, however, informed his franchise or the BPL of his unavailability.
Afridi apart, though, there was much to celebrate about the auction, especially for the Bangladesh cricketers who earned lucrative contracts.
Allrounder Nasir Hossain was the highest earner among Bangladesh players, getting a $200,000 deal with the Khulna Royal Bengals, while the Chittagong Kings picked up Mahmudullah and Jahurul Islam for $110,000 each. Though these amounts were significantly less than those paid for big-name foreign players, six-figure dollar contracts were a first for most of the Bangladesh cricketers.
Nasir, 20, drew the most attention from local media but the signing of Mashrafe Mortaza was also noteworthy. Mortaza, the former Bangladesh captain, had famously been bought for $650,000 by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the second IPL season, but has not played cricket since April 2011 due to a persistent knee injury. He drew a modest price at the BPL auction, going to the Dhaka Gladiators for $45,000.
"I was expecting a price like this since I haven't been playing for quite a while," Mortaza told the Bangladesh newspaper Kaler Kantho. "Still, I got myself a team. It isn't that bad."
Even without Afridi, the Dhaka franchise seems to be one of the more balanced sides in the competition along with Chittagong, while many praised the Khulna picks too. "I think Chittagong are the strongest and Dhaka are equally strong," Athar Ali Khan, advisor to Duronto Rajshahi, told New Age.
Meanwhile, the BPL commissioner Mahbubul Anam told Kaler Kantho the Bangladesh Cricket Board would take responsibility for compensating the players should they not receive payments in time from their franchises. "The board has the bank guarantee on the players' payments," Anam said. "If anything goes wrong, the BCB will pay the money from that fund."