Younis Khan Quits Captaincy!

After Pakistan's loss against New Zealand in the semi-final match of the Champions Trophy 2009, the media and the PCB questioned the captain and coach Iftikab Alam on the scandal.

Even before PCB questioned them, media published reports about the possible match fixing in the match against New Zealand. Skipper Yonis Khan missed a sitter for Elliott on 42 who went on to score more than 70 and took New Zealand to the final.

Irked by the questions raised by the PCB, Yonis Khan expressed shock and said that he has always given his best to the country.

He submitted resignatin to the Chairman of the PCB and said to have been walked away from the meeting.

Pakistan cricket is once again in crisis! PCB hopes that he will reconsider the decision as it was a emotional decision!

PCB Allows Shoaib Akhtar in T20!

Based on the court directions, PCB has allowed Shoaib Akhtar to play in the T20 tournament even though he did not pay the fine money of Rs.70 million.

His ban was revoked, but Shoaib was asked to pay Rs.70 million as fine to PCB. Only after his payment, he will be allowed to play for Pakistan, said PCB.

Shoaib moved the court again and court asked PCB to allow him to play the T20. So, until the court hearing, he will be allowed to play at the national level.

India is Safer than Pakistan - Ponting!

The Australian captain Ricky Ponting defended the decision by Cricket Australia to continue their tour to India. He said, the decision was right as the conditions between the two countries are totally different and India is safer than Pakistan.

"As we all know and has been outlined already, these are very different circumstances between India and Pakistan right at the moment and Cricket Australia has made that very clear. As captain of the side and as a player, right at the moment I am very comfortable to go on the advice of Cricket Australia and the players' association," The Australian quoted Ponting as saying.


He said that security team which toured India for ensuring safety measures are taken, found no issues and are happy with the situation.

His comments came out after Pakistan Cricket Board alleged that CA is biased in picking the tours. They withdrew the Champions Trophy tour to Pakistan citing security concerns, but they are going travelling to India despite the recent blast in Delhi, the capital India.

BCCI v. PCB!

While PCB is trying to find out all the possible routes to conduct the Champions Trophy, BCCI is becoming a bottleneck in their approach.

After the announcement by ICC to postpone the event to next year, Pakistan was trying to invite various teams to play with them a ODI Series or a triangular tournament. But, nothing went in favor of them.

Extract from Times of India:

As per PCB sources, "India is not interested in having the Champions Trophy at all. It has made clear that they see no necessity for this event on the ICC Calendar."

BCCI is clear that they will not change the Australian itinerary scehduled in October 2008 for a 7-match ODI series.

With Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand annoucing withdrawal from the tournament fearing security and safety reasons, ICC postponed the event to October 2008. They retained the hosting rights with Pakistan.

India basically feels that with world cup scheduled for every four years and T20 World Cup every year, Champions Trophy is not needed. But, ICC feels that this woudl spread cricket and help fuding the associate countries.

Pakistan is hopeful of conduting the Champions Trophy next year.

Shoabit has to Pay the fine of Rs.70M to play for Pak: PCB

The PCB has come out open and strongly said that, Shoaib Akhtar has to pay 70 million rupees as fine to ensure that he plays for Pakistan again. He was banned for life by PCB in a major controversy. He came out openly and criticised the PCB on their selection and other policies. He questioned why he was not in the contracted players list.

His punishement of life ban was then reduced to 5 years. He went to court against the 5 year ban and got the verdict in favor of him. The ban was suspended pending complete enquiry.

Though the ban suspended by the court, the PCB is not ready to mend on the fine imposed. They want him to pay 70 million rupees for getting a play in the team for champions trophy!

Will he pay or go to court again? Or the PCB will make an U-Turn again?

Champions League to as Scheduled!

The chairman of the IPL Lalit Modi has not taken the letter from ICC indicating that the schedule of Champions League is against the ICC rules. According to ICC, no international event should be conducted 7 before and after an ICC event.

ICC has scheduled the Champions Trophy between September 11 and 28. The Champions League starts on 29th.

As far as the venue of the event is concerned, Modi said, "we had initially announced that Delhi, Mohali and Jaipur would host the matches of the Champions League. But we have received various offers. We would like it to be in India in the first year and then ideally rotate it among the founder members. We are quite open (on the issue of venues). It can be in one geographical area too depending on the available infrastructure."

This indicates that the venue can be outside India for the inagural event.

The eight teams are: Two from IPL, Two from Australia, Two from South Africa, One each from Pakistan and England.

Conflict between ICC and IPL!

The ICC has sent a letter to the IPL and Champions League committe that as per the ICC rules they are not supposed to conduct an international event within 7 days of ICC events. The Champions League is planned to start on September 29 whereas the CT ends on September 28th.

Asif Wanted B Sample - Postponed!

Based on the reports from the IPL, PCB suspended Mohammad Asif from the Pakistan Cricekt Team. He denied the allegations and has asked for B Sample to be tested.

ICC Anti-Doping rules allow players and/or their representative to be present when the Sample B is opened and analyzed.

The test that was supposed to analyzed on July 28, has been postponed. His lawyer, Shahid Karim, wants more time to prepare for the case and make travel arrangements.

He seems to have said that he wants documents from the IPL describing the procedures adopted in "A" sample test.

PCB Suspends Asif!

Based on the report from the IPL that Mohammad Asif was tested positive, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended him. It is doubtful whether he will be part of the Champions Trophy team that starts in September this year.

Pakistan Court Asks the reason for Akhtar's Ban!

Akhtar appealed against his reduced ban in the Pakistan court. His ban was reduced from life ban to 18 months ban and 70 million rupees fine. Though it was reduced, it still did not allow him to play in the Tri-Series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup. It will also prevent him from playing in Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan.

He appelad aganist this reduced ban in the court and the judge has said that, "Shoaib Akhtar is hero of the Pakistan." He also asked the PCB the reason for imposing the ban on Shoaib.

Now the ball is in PCB's court to provide proper justification for his ban. It is almost sure that he will come out of this ban and play for Pakistan soon.

Good luck Shoaib!

Asif Released!

The Pakistan Cricket Team fast bolwer Mohammad Asif was released of all charges and deported to Pakistan. He was detained on the charges of possessing druges which he claimed as an Ayurvedic Medicine.

The attorney general said that all charges have been dropped because this was considered as a mild case and the government doesn't want to waste time in these small cases. This is not a case that is worth pursuing and hence we drop the charges, is what communicated by the attorney general.

Mohammad Asif is free to go to Pakistan!

PCB Unhappy with Pakistan Team!

The letter sent by PCB chairm Ashraf has clearly stated that the PCB is not happy with the performance of the team against India. The letter said that the defeat of 140 runs is a devastating defeat and should have never happened.

It questioned the committement, fire, dedication of the captain, coach and other team players.

They wanted the team to improve the performance in the next match.

Shoaib Banned for 18 Months and Fined Rs.70 M!

The Appellate Tribunal set up by Pakistan Cricket Board to hear the appeal by Pakistan Fast Bowler's agasint the life ban imposed by PCB. The appellate tribunal heard Shoaib Akhtar's version and then reduce the life ban to 18 months ban and also imposed a huge fine of Rs. 70 million.

Read: PCB Softens Stand on Shoaib

Read: Shoaib Akhtar Can Play in IPL!

Read: Akhtar to Appeal against Ban

Asif to be Released on Monday!

The sources say that Asif could be released on Monday after the prosecutor submits his report to Attorney General. Asif is still in Dubai, detained for possessing drugs. He claims that it is an Ayurvedic medicine.

PCB will take its decision after hearing the attorney general's decision. If he is proved guilty, he will have to face jail sentence and ban by the PCB.

Read: Asif Detained in Duba!

Asif still in Dubai!

The PCB representative left Dubai without Asif. The report on the enquiry leading the detention of Mohammad Asif, the fast bowler of Pakistan cricket team is yet to be submitted by the prosecutor to the Attorney General.

As of now, Mohammad Asif is still in Dubai. It looks like PCB will be suspnding Mohammad Asif until he is proven not guilty. The sources suggests that this will be end of his career as Pakistan wanted to take strict actions against wrong-doers.

PCB softens stand on Shoaib! Drops Defamation Case!

The PCB has softened its stand against Shoaib and withdrawn the defamation case filed against him for 22 crores by Nasim Ashraf.

Shoaib should be a relieved man having things started going in his way.

He was successful in suspending the ban for a month to allow him to play in the IPL;
He was successful in the defamation case through his apology. A sorry or apology can do wonders, if you sacrifice your ego and ask for forgiveness.

It looks like Shoaib Akhtar has tendered an open public apology to Nasim Ashraf and the board. Based on the public apology and the recommendation from the Prime Minister office, the PCB has decided to withdraw the case against him.

But, his case in the appellate Tribunal will continue as it is on June 4. He was banned for speaking openly critizing PCB on its policies including his contract, domestic tournaments and general administration.

Akhtar should be a relieved man with only one battle pending in the court to remove his ban. Let us see whether he comes clean on that as well, which is crucial for his career. Otherwise, these suspension of the ban and withdrawl of defamation suit are only temporary relief and happiness!

Shoaib Akhtar can play in IPL!

Shoaib Akhtar's ban has been suspended for a month and hence he becomes eligible for playing in IPL.

The appellate tribunal decided to suspend the five year ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar for a month, that is, till June 4 when the next meeting will happen. The PCB also has issues a "No Objection Certificate" to enable him to feature in the IPL.

Lalit Modi, the chairman and commissioner of the IPL, confirmed that Shoaib will play the tournament. "We look forward to Shoaib playing for us," Modi said. "I am going to call him immediately and invite him to come to Kolkata tonight or tomorrow morning."

The tribunal announced the decision today. They said: "We have suspended the ban for one month and the next hearing will be held on June 4." They further said, "Had we not suspended the ban, he could not have been played the in IPL, which we thought was injustice to Akhtar."

Shoaib looked relieved. He said, "This is a great relief for me as I am keen to play in the IPL," Shoaib said. "But this is just one battle won and we still have to win the final case."

The relief came after Shoaib's lawyers presses for the suspension of his ban.

In addition to the ban, Shoaib is also facing a defamation suit for Rs. 22 crore filed by PCB chief Nasim Ashraf.

He was banned after speaking openly about the contract he was not provided with by PCB, the pitches, domestic tournaments, and administration in general. He made this comment during his probabtion period of two years for hitting his mate Mohammad Asif with the bat before the T20 world cup last year.

BCCI Rejected Akhtar's Claim!

The request from Akhtar to play in the current IPL has been rejected by BCCI. They have barred him from IPL.

He was banned for 5 years, which means he cannot represent Pakistan anymore. He was banned for criticising openly about PCB policies.

Shoaib to be questioned by ICC.

The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of ICC to be questioned by ICC is the unofficial news. Already couple of officers are in Pakistan to question him.

Shoaib mentioned that he was approached by match-fixing brokers during the tours of South Africa and India.

Earlier a local channel here reported that an ACU official was in Lahore to probe the claims made by Akhtar.

The ICC has officially said that its officers would talk to Akhtar for his statements on a television show that he was offered money to under-perform in matches on several occasions but he turned them down.

ICC Code of Conduct states that any player who fails to report an approach to fix games or under-perform to his captain, team manager, board or ACU officers may face a minimum ban of one year and maximum of five years.

Akhtar never reported these approaches to any team official, the board or ACU officers.

Shoait Cannot Play in IPL

Based on Pakistan Cricket Board's decision of banning the Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for five years, the Indian Premier League committee also said that, Shoaib cannot play in the IPL.

He was banned for five years as a disciplinary measure for speaking against the Pakistan Cricket Board's policies. He was also not happy for not providing him a contract.

Mr. Bindra, a member of the IPL governing body during his interview to an online media said that, "if he can't play for Pakistan, how can we play him? There will be no discipine left in the game and it will set an unwanted precedent."

Kolkatta Knight Riders spokesperson confirmed that they have received a communication about Shoaib's situation and he should not be included in the team until he is cleared or the ban is stayed.

Meanwhile, the owner of Knight Riders Sharukh Khan said that "he can hire another player, but he wanted Shoiab Akthtar."