Asad Shafiq eager to improve his performance in one day internationals

Pakistan middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq has determined to concentrate doubly on his ODI game along with his impressive performance in Tests.The 29-year-old batsman confessed that his performance in the limited-overs format has not been satisfactory but claimed that he has not settled down due to constant shuffling in the batting order. Shafiq said that he prefers to bat in the top order in the ODIs but he has been sent down the order over the years.

He admitted that yet he cannot make it justification for his ODI performance because he knows that he has to make improvements in his strike rate and adopt more attacking shots like the sweep so that he may meet the demands of the format. Asad who has seven centuries to his name in 38 Tests wants to keep on scoring in the Test format. He said further that he is pleased with batting at number six and with his total centuries because he expects to compile more in the coming years as they are to play at least 10 Tests in the days ahead.

PCB is likely to appoint Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja as advisors

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been allowed by Board of Governors (BoG) to seek expert opinion from experienced Pakistani players to make importanat decisions related to Pakistan cricket. PCB is likely to hire services of Pakistani legendary players Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja as advisor to PCB chairman Shahryar Khan. It was decided during the 37th meeting of Board of Governors on Tuesday in Lahore that two prominent cricketers will be appointed advisors of PCB chairman.

The Board of Governors gave the opinion that there is serious criticism on PCB that PCB has no professional cricketer in BoG which is very disturbing position for the Board. The most important decision made by the Board was to permit PCB chairman Shahryar Khan to choose two efficient cricketers as his advisers. There were several names before PCB for this job but PCB is interested to sign Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja for this post. Though both are often busy due to their commentary job but they can be invited to BoG meeting when needed. 

Synopsis of meeting of PCB board of governors

The 37^th meeting of PCB Board of Governors was organised at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday that was presided over by chairman Shaharyar M Khan. Board of Governors was briefed by Shaharyar about new developments at the ICC annual meeting and told them about various talks held with chiefs of different cricket boards in wake of inviting more teams to Pakistan. He said he is very hopeful that other teams will visit Pakistan very soon.

The PCB chairman also presented his view for the improvement of the managerial ability of the board. He said optimum level of efficiency can be obtained through the best management practices. The BoG allowed the PCB chief to appoint two prominent cricketers as advisers to seek expert opinion when needed. These advisers may also attend the BoG meetings for giving expert opinion on cricket matters when required.

BoG was also briefed by Executive Committee chairman Najam Sethi about developments related to Pakistan Super League. He explained to them that final plan for the PSL will be presented in the next meeting. New domestic structure and the franchise model for regional teams was also explained by Sethi. It was hoped that player fees and job situations will improve under the new model.

PCB to discuss holding of PSL and domestic cricket

The board of governors of the Pakistan Cricket Board will arrange meeting to discuss the development in the country's highly expected T20 league, Pakistan Super league (PSL) as the board approaches close to finalize the details before the competition is officially launched. There are rumors in cricketing circles whether the PCB can start the project which will be its third attempt. The board was negotiating with officials in Qatar and the UAE to make decision about the final venue of the first edition which is expected to be played in the first half of 2016.

The consultants Repucom are analyzing to know the interested players so that the pool of players can be reached for the auction. The agents of the Repucom have already sent forms to the world class players to get their feedback and know interest about the event. Governing board will also discuss the first-class cricket and to get funding for regional teams. The PCB has tried to get sponsorship for the regions but there are doubts about the success of the move. The board wants competitions of regions and departments to attract corporations.

Azhar Mahmood says overseas hosting of PSL will damage Pak cricket

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood says that plans of Pakistan Cricket Board to host its Twenty20 league in the UAE or Qatar will cause detrimental influence on Pakistan cricket. The two-times delayed Pakistan Super League (PSL) was to be held in the UAE next February but the PCB was helpless to look to Qatar because grounds were unavailable. The PCB chief said recently that tournament looked risky because of the uncertainty around it and postponing it once again was better.

 

However Khan supported to stage the league next year and claimed that PCB would get both cricketing and financial benefits from hosting the opening season abroad. Mahmood who played his last match for Pakistan in 2007 opposed the idea to host it outside Pakistan and demanded it should be held in Pakistan even if the world class players deny to come due to security reasons. He said he does not know why holding of the tournament is being delayed.

 

He noted it is not necessary that you start your own tournament and invite international players. Mahmood who has played Australia, England, West Indies and India T20 leagues said further he thinks it is not good idea to host the league in Dubai because that will kill cricket in Pakistan and if tournament is to takes place, it should be in Pakistan.

Chief selector aims to check new talent ahead of World T20

PCB chief selector Haroon Rasheed has said that they will test some more youngsters in the coming days before the World T20 next year. Answering the question why Sarfraz was not played in the T20s, he said that it was duty of selectors to ensure justice is done with every player but we should not give judgement so soon as the team management was trying new orders and giving more chances to some of the younger players because of the World T20 ahead.

He hinted out that all-rouders Anwar Ali, Emmad Wasim and batsman Muhammad Rizwan were provided with fair chance in the ODIs in Sri Lanka which was a good thing. He added they wanted to give new players opportunity so that they may know their talent. Anwar and Wasim proved their selection right playing a key role in leading Pakistan to a dramatic last over win against Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I.

 

Rasheed said the seniors have been given a clear message that they would be dropped if they did not perform. The chief selector said the emergence of such talent proves our first class cricket is full of talent and we just need to give them chances to discover who can make to the international cricket. He added they cannot expect the same game from domestic lead performers in international cricket and they have set typical roles for some players.

Pakistan home series UAE tour and schedule of England is confirmed

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that England will visit UAE for home series of Pakistan to play 3 Test matches, 4 One Day Internationals and 3 Twenty20 Internationals. PCB has stated that England and Wales Cricket Board has confirmed the schedule. The guests will start the tour with couple of two-day games against Pakistan A at Sharjah before they contest Three Tests and four ODIs at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah with three T20Is terminating the rubber at Dubai and Sharjah. The arrival and departure schedule of England in UAE is September 30 and December 1, 2015 respectively.

Zayed Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi will host the first Test from October 13-17 and the second Test will be played from October 22 to 26 at Dubai Cricket Stadium and the final Test will start from November 1 to 5 at Sharjah Cricket Club. Schedule of one-dayers is November 11, 13, 17 and 20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Cricket Club and Dubai Cricket Culb respectively. The visitors will also be featuring in one T20 game with UAE XI at Zayed Cricket Stadium on November 23 before going into two T20Is games with Pakistan at Dubai Cricket Club on November 26 and 27. The third and final T20I between the two sides on November 30 at Sharjah Cricket Club will culminate the series. The tourists will also play one T20 against UAE during the visit.

An amazing game of cricket is expected to be played between two top sides of the world of cricket. There are going to be tough competitions and morale of Pakistan team is high enough to face any world class team after beating a team like Sri Lanka in all three formats at its home. Sports fans can enhance the thrilling Pakistan v England competition by expressing applaud for both the teams. Cricket followers be witness of PAK v ENG stunning performances through Tickets4pk.com live.