Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Very good idea but it may affect his batting. How about Younis keep wickets while Kaneria bowls, and the Kaneria keep wickets for rest of the match, since he is useless in the field anyway and I am confident he will spell less chances than keeper with iron gloves Mr. Akmal.
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Abdul Razzaq is out of the World Cup now. Good grief!
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
mahmood is going to replace Razzaq. By the time the tournament starts the superfit team will probably have less than 5 fit players. 
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Pakistan’s injury worries continue
Knee injury forces Razzaq out of World Cup
Cricinfo staff
February 27, 2007
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/inline/content/image/189456.jpg?
More trouble for Pakistan as they lose a key player in Abdul Razzaq © AFP
Abdul Razzaq, the Pakistan allrounder, has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury suffered just prior to the team’s scheduled departure for the West Indies. Razzaq sustained the injury during a practice session on Monday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and doctors have said that he might be out for up to three weeks.
“I am simply devastated. One moment we are practicing and planning for the big tournament and next moment doctors tell me I am out of it,” Razzaq told agencies. “It is hugely disappointing for me to go out this way,” said Razzaq, who would have been playing in his third World Cup, had it not been for the last-minute injury. Razzaq, who has played 229 ODIs for Pakistan, recently missed the Test series in South Africa because of an elbow injury.
“Razzaq suffered the injury during practice and we suspect it may be ligament damage or even a fracture. He is out for three weeks,” PJ Mir, the media manager of the Pakistan Cricket Board, told Cricinfo. “Azhar Mahmood will be his replacement.”
Mahmood, who was already kept on standby given the injury worries in the fast bowling line-up. Pakistan were already in a state of confusion as Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, the fastbowling spearheads, were in doubt to be fit in time for the World Cup.
Shoaib and Asif are currently in England for medical check-ups and were not present for the dope tests conducted by the board on the players in the World Cup squad. Shoaib had pulled out of Pakistan’s tour to South Africa after he picked up a hamstring injury during the second Test at Port Elizabeth. Asif, who played the entire tour, is carrying an elbow injury.
The two had tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone in October when the board tested players before the Champions Trophy. They were both handed bans from international cricket but in an unexpected turn of events a drugs tribunal, appointed by the board, reversed the judgement in December on account of the fact that the players were able to prove “exceptional circumstances” for taking the drug.
“It is a big blow. We were celebrating Umar Gul’s fitness boost when this sad news came,” Bob Woolmer, Pakistan’s coach, was quoted as saying by AFP. Gul had just been cleared to play after an ankle injury threatened his chances of making it to the Caribbean for one-day cricket’s premier tournament.
“It is a major blow for us because Razzaq is one of our main players,” Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain said, in reaction to the news of Razzaq’s injury.
© Cricinfo
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/story/281742.html
tsk tsk tsk…
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
nahieeeeeeeeeeee:(
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Razzaq's out. Asif and Akhtar wont make it, and ICC has the right to "target test" any player it wants. A +'ve test = life bans. Not worth it, when we host India/Australia and South Africa in the next 2 seasons.
This is shaping to be the weakest squad Pakistan has taken to a WC.
Super 8 is an achievement at this rate.
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Razzaq's out. Asif and Akhtar wont make it, and ICC has the right to "target test" any player it wants. A +'ve test = life bans. Not worth it, when we host India/Australia and South Africa in the next 2 seasons.
This is shaping to be the weakest squad Pakistan has taken to a WC.
Super 8 is an achievement at this rate.
BREAKING NEWS: Razzaq out of World Cup - Azhar his replacement
Pakistan's injury worries continue
Knee injury forces Razzaq out of World Cup
Cricinfo staff
February 27, 2007
More trouble for Pakistan as they lose a key player in Abdul Razzaq © AFP
Abdul Razzaq, the Pakistan allrounder, has been ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury suffered just prior to the team's scheduled departure for the West Indies. Razzaq sustained the injury during a practice session on Monday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and doctors have said that he might be out for up to three weeks.
"I am simply devastated. One moment we are practicing and planning for the big tournament and next moment doctors tell me I am out of it," Razzaq told agencies. "It is hugely disappointing for me to go out this way," said Razzaq, who would have been playing in his third World Cup, had it not been for the last-minute injury. Razzaq, who has played 229 ODIs for Pakistan, recently missed the Test series in South Africa because of an elbow injury.
"Razzaq suffered the injury during practice and we suspect it may be ligament damage or even a fracture. He is out for three weeks," PJ Mir, the media manager of the Pakistan Cricket Board, told Cricinfo. "Azhar Mahmood will be his replacement."
Mahmood, who was already kept on standby given the injury worries in the fast bowling line-up. Pakistan were already in a state of confusion as Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, the fastbowling spearheads, were in doubt to be fit in time for the World Cup.
Shoaib and Asif are currently in England for medical check-ups and were not present for the dope tests conducted by the board on the players in the World Cup squad. Shoaib had pulled out of Pakistan's tour to South Africa after he picked up a hamstring injury during the second Test at Port Elizabeth. Asif, who played the entire tour, is carrying an elbow injury.
The two had tested positive for the banned substance nandrolone in October when the board tested players before the Champions Trophy. They were both handed bans from international cricket but in an unexpected turn of events a drugs tribunal, appointed by the board, reversed the judgement in December on account of the fact that the players were able to prove "exceptional circumstances" for taking the drug.
"It is a big blow. We were celebrating Umar Gul's fitness boost when this sad news came," Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, was quoted as saying by AFP. Gul had just been cleared to play after an ankle injury threatened his chances of making it to the Caribbean for one-day cricket's premier tournament.
"It is a major blow for us because Razzaq is one of our main players," Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain said, in reaction to the news of Razzaq's injury.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Razzaq out of World Cup - Azhar his replacement
great 
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
This is shaping to be the weakest squad Pakistan has taken to a WC.
Super 8 is an achievement at this rate.
Thats the spirit :)
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Razzaq out of World Cup - Azhar his replacement
Practice sessions before a major tournament should be banned for the Pak team and the entire team should stay in a "baby-proof" building.
Re: BREAKING NEWS: Razzaq out of World Cup - Azhar his replacement
Lee also got injured during a training session, so that’s unfortunate yes but nothing new :halo:
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Imran tips Aussie hat-trick
February 27, 2007 PAKISTAN great Imran Khan has tipped Australia to win its third successive World Cup in the Caribbean.
“Australians are favourites to win the World Cup, although they will miss their matchwinner Brett Lee. But Ricky Ponting’s side is still very strong in every department,” said Imran at a business conference here overnight.
“Australians have this winning habit, which is hard to break for other teams. They may have lost the recent one-day series at home and in New Zealand, but they are still very difficult to demoralise as a team.”
He said fast bowler Lee will be missed.
“It is not easy to find a replacement for a bowler like Lee. He is a genuine matchwinner for Australia,” he said.
Imran is not ruling out Pakistan’s chances.
“Pakistan and India are also good sides with a lot of good players. But in Pakistan’s case, it will all depend if Pakistan pace bowlers (Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif) are going to the World Cup,” he said.
“If they are, then Pakistan also stand a chance to win.”
Akhtar and Asif are carrying injuries and have yet to receive the results of doping tests.
Imran introduced Inzamam-ul-Haq to international cricket in 1991 and said the Pakistan captain must bat higher for the team to have a shot at winning the Cup.
“You can’t lead a team if you are batting at five or six,” said Imran.
“You must lead from the front for the team to do well. Inzy is not doing that now. You can’t inspire the team to fight if you bat so low.”
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Imran delivers Australia World Cup Warne-ing
DOHA: Australia should have talked Shane Warne out of retirement and included him in their World Cup squad, Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has said on Tuesday. Khan, who is in Doha as a speaker at the Forbes CEO Forum, told the Gulf Times newspaper that Warne would have come in handy for the Australians at the World Cup considering their recent one-day debacles and injuries to key players. “Had I been the captain of Australia, I would have asked Warne to be there for the World Cup,” Khan said.
“I would have told him to forget the retirement thing. He fits very well in the one-day side considering the situation. With Brett Lee as a match-winner not playing because of his injury, Australia should have fallen back on Warne. They would have become stronger.” Warne had already retired from one-day internationals and bade goodbye to Test cricket as well after the recent Ashes series against England which Australia won 5-0. But Khan, who led Pakistan to World Cup glory in Australia in 1992, also warned that the Australians will be itching to bounce back after beating beaten by England in the Tri Series finals and suffering a 3-0 whitewash against the New Zealanders.
“Don’t go by what you have seen of late,” said Khan. “The Aussies are sure to bounce back and in Ricky Ponting they have an aggressive captain who will make all the difference for them. Remember how Australia thrashed England 5-0 in the Ashes after losing the previous series in England.” Khan said Pakistan’s chances would depend on the fitness of fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif who are also under suspicion for doping, having tested positive for nandrolone last year. “There’s a big question mark over the fitness of our match-winning bowlers. Till that is not known we cannot evaluate our chances. However, if they make it, we will also be the favourites after Australia,” said Khan, who played 175 ODIs for Pakistan.
Khan also added that he would like leg-spinner Danish Kaneria to be used more frequently in one-dayers. “Danish should bowl more often in ODIs. I always relied on leg-spinners. We were the first to introduce leg spin in the 1983 World Cup. The first leg-spinner to bowl in a World Cup was Abdul Qadir. Our strength has been leg-spin. In the 1992 World Cup, which we won, Mushtaq Ahmed played a leading role. He was the key to our success.”
He had a word of advice for Pakistan captain **Inzamamul Haq **as well. “If he wants to make the team fight he has to lead from the front. All captains do that. He cannot come in at number five or six and hope he can become a big factor. He has to follow the examples of Ponting and (New Zealand captain) Stephen Fleming. I consider them as good captains.” Khan also disagrees with the notion that minor nations at the World Cup have devalued the tournament. “You have to give smaller teams a chance. This is the platform from where they can improve, said Khan. afp
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\28\story_28-2-2007_pg2_6
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
LAHORE: Pakistan cricket captain Inzamamul Haq will bat at number four during the upcoming World Cup in the West Indies to inspire his team. “Playing at number four is an ideal choice for me in next month’s mega event in which I want to get back to form. I will be taking part in the Cup with some poor performances in South Africa, but I am confident to regain the lost touch and would like to settle down at number four position,” he told reporters at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here on Tuesday.
Inzamam, who will be playing in his fifth World Cup since making a memorable debut in the 1992 edition, seeks a Steve Waugh-style Cup swansong. Former Australia captain Waugh was on the winning side in his first World Cup in 1987 before leading his team to glory in his last in 1999. “It would be a great achievement and I dearly want what Steve had,” said Inzamam, who not only had to step down as vice-captain but was also dumped after scoring just 19 runs in six World Cup matches in 2003.
The skipper said leading the team in the Caribbean was a big challenge and he wanted to complete his campaign on a memorable note. “For me the responsibility has now doubled. As a captain and as a player I have to justify it. And I am confident to overcome a bad patch to motivate the team. Team captain is always a role model and in recent years I have made best efforts to give the best of my talent and abilities,” he added.
Replying to a question, Inzamam, whose team lost both the Test and one-day series against South Africa, said the defeat against the Proteas had not dented their confidence. “Because I believe that if we play with our full strength we could perform very well in any tournament. Our team is a balanced one and I have a lot of confidence in it to do well. For me, the goal is to win the World Cup.” Inzamam, however, rated Australia and South Africa as the two strongest teams among the 16 participants. New Zealand blanked Australia 3-0 in a one-day series last week. The result moved South Africa to number one spot in the world rankings and Australia slipped to number two. “Despite the recent results, I think Australia along with South Africa are the two teams that would be tough to beat,” Inzamam maintained.
Inzamam praised the coaching of Bob Woolmer and said due to his guidance the team showed fine results in past three years. He reiterated his pledge that collective efforts would be made to get the best possible results. “I cannot predict about victory. I cannot make such a promise but I can assure one thing that we will exhibit united efforts to mould our team into a winning combination.” Inzamam admitted he was worried about the team’s weakness in fielding department and hoped that players would make extra efforts to overcome this. “What needed is perfection in batting, accuracy in bowling and command in fielding. And these elements together can lead any team to success.”
Regarding fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, Inzamam said he expected the country’s two key bowlers to recover from injury in time for the World Cup. “I think bowlers play a very important role in one-day cricket and I hope these two will be fit.” He said he was optimistic about the pace duo. “We still have a lot of time and I am very confident that Shoaib and Asif would be available before our first game.” Inzamam said.
Pakistan leave on Thursday (tomorrow) for Jamaica, where they are drawn in Group D against the West Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe. They play their first game against the hosts on March 13. Shoaib and Asif are currently in England for medical checkups for knee and elbow problems, respectively, for the second time in the last two weeks. Inzamam said the team would receive the doctors’ reports in the next two days. If Shoaib and Asif don’t recover in time, Inzamam said, it would be tough for Pakistan. “Obviously our chances would decrease if they could not make it,” Inzamam concluded.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\28\story_28-2-2007_pg2_1
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Would it make any difference if an out of form player play at # 4? It would rather negatively impact the team especially when every one knew Yousaf is in prolific form. With Inzi present form and fitness it may put more pressure on Yousaf especially if Pakistan loose wickets of Inzi and Younis before Yousaf arrival. However there is one positive in it, and that is: if Younis stick around and Pakistan loose wicket of Inzi then Younis and Yousaf could build the inning since they will knew there is no Inzi to come.
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
It’s great that Inzamam is coming at number 4, Yousuf will get his runs, but the problem is motivation and Inzamam can only deliver that when he leads from front. If he gets it going in first few games, he can alone take us deep in the tournament. He is the real "X" factor in our team because if he gets in form, it is all gravy for Yousuf, Younis, Akmal and Malik.
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
World Cup 2007: Pak squad to leave for Caribbean today
LAHORE: A 13-member Pakistan cricket team would leave for West Indies today (Thursday) to take part in the World Cup 2007. The decision about inclusion of two remaining players would be taken later. Media Manager of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Pervez Mir told Geo News that initially 13 players would leave for West Indies via Dubai on Thursday afternoon. All rounder Azhar Mahmood and fast bowler Umer Gul also included in the 13 players.
Mir said that ICC has accepted Pakistan request for inclusion of Azhar Mahmood in the world cup playing squad.
Regarding the two remaining players, he said that the decision would be taken after discussion with fast bowlers Shoaib Akhter and Muhammad Asif who would reach back home tomorrow.
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
Pakistan greats cast doubt
From correspondents in Karachi, Pakistan
March 01, 2007 FORMER Pakistan players have expressed doubts over the official reason for the withdrawal of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif from the World Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has insisted the pace pair were ruled out due to injury and denied reports that the decision was to prevent the pair having to take doping tests.
"I can’t believe that they have been pulled out because of fitness,‘’ said former bowler Sarfraz Nawaz, who took 177 wickets in 55 Tests for Pakistan in the 1970s and 1980s and was known as the pioneer of reverse swing.
“Two days ago (captain) Inzamam-ul-Haq said in a statement that both are fit and will play in the World Cup. And both attended a training camp so I think the outside world would definitely not accept the reason of fitness.”
Akhtar and Asif were banned in November after they tested positive for the steroid nandrolone, but the suspensions were later overturned.
However, they were due to take mandatory pre-World Cup tests ordered by Pakistan. Several newspapers here reported that private tests carried out in England revealed they still have the banned substance in their systems.
"We never conducted private or secret dope tests. It is propaganda against Pakistan,‘’ PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf said.
"Their withdrawal is primarily because of injuries.‘’
But Nawaz said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the patron of the PCB, should take action against the board’s chiefs for not resolving the matter sooner and "for giving a bad name to Pakistan’‘.
"Pakistan’s chances were very dim even before Akhtar and Asif pulled out. Now they have no chance,’’ Nawaz said.
Former captain and coach Javed Miandad said there were "hints that doping would be the issue’’ before the decision was taken.
One indication was when Danish Zaheer, vice president of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine, warned last month that Akhtar and Asif could be banned for life if they tested positive again.
"We should have told the true reason. Cricket is a fair game, transparent and you need to make bold decisions to keep your team clean,‘’ Miandad said.
"We kept the world in the dark, the Pakistani people are in the dark about whether Shoaib and Asif would play or not.
"Now they are calling the players from their homes to come and play in the World Cup,‘’ he added, referring to the last-minute call-up of replacements Yasir Arafat and Mohammad Sami.
"Pakistan wasted time on something which was not available, they should have devised a strategy long before. It’s total mismanagement and miscalculation by the selectors.‘’
Miandad added the PCB had failed to learn from the 1992 World Cup when selectors omitted him from the squad on fitness grounds. They relented under public pressure and Miandad’s 437 runs helped Pakistan lift the trophy.
"We are not learning from our past mistakes,‘’ he said.
Re: Pakistan announce World Cup 15
With so many injuries and politics, I have lost track of who is going to WC from Pakistan. Could someone post the latest squad(s). Thanks.
