Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
^ miandad: main tau pehlay hee theh laha tha keh team ta toach badal do…ab kiy phayda bulanay ta…ab tau main naheen thel raha…
bas…
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Afridi being tested…where are Asif and Actor…
Afridi to undergo dope test today](The News International: Latest News Breaking, World, Entertainment, Royal News)
KARACHI: All-rounder Shahid Afridi would undergo a dope test in Lahore today after returning home from England where he recently featured in a charity match.
Afridi is one of the only three players from Pakistan’s 20-man World Cup yet to undergo a dope test made mandatory by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ahead of next month’s World Cup in the West Indies. Fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are the other two players yet to be tested.
“Afridi would be tested tomorrow in Lahore and we expect that Shoaib and Asif would go through the test once the national training camp gets underway there from February 23,” a PCB official said on Tuesday.
Shoaib and Asif, who tested positive for a banned performance enhancing substance last October, are currently abroad with the former in Malaysia to shoot a commercial and the latter in England on a private trip.
Their dope scandal that rocked Pakistan cricket ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy was the reason why the PCB decided to test their players before the World Cup.
But so far, the two have seemingly avoided the dope tests and their reluctance has been fuelling rumours that the bowlers may have to miss the World Cup. The PCB has made it crystal clear that the World Cup-bound players will have to pass dope tests to play in the prestigious event.
“All players will have to clear the dope tests to play in the World Cup,” said the PCB official who added that Shoaib and Asif are likely to be tested later this week.
The 15-man Pakistani team is scheduled to leave for the Caribbean on March 1. The results of the dope tests are expected to be announced by the PCB ahead of the squad’s departure.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Poori team tested + except M Yousuf
Who will represet Pak in WC?
Khan sahib with Akram, Waqar, Aqib, Miandad, Sarfraz, Qadir, Majid, Yousuf, Anwar, Suhail.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
It keeps getting better n better…I am loosing respect for woolmer now… I mean let the guys show up first will you?..
Pace bowlers to prove fitness to remain in World Cup squad
Writing off Pakistan team, a big mistake: Woolmer << nice political statement
Thursday February 22, 2007 (1629 PST)
**KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Coach, Bob Woolmer has said that Injured pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would have to prove their fitness to retain their places in World Cup cricket squad 2007. **
Talking to mediamen, Woolmer maintained that the team has been badly suffering ahead of next month’s mega event in the West Indies as the key players were suffering from injuries. At the same time he made it clear that but those who undermine Pakistan team were making a big mistake.
Wolmer said, “It is like we have burnt our boats and we have to just play to our best ability with the available team,”. He told that he would meet Pakistan Cricket Board officials and Physicians to find out the fitness positions of the fast bowlers but would not like to take risk with any injured player. “Obviously, we would like to have our first string bowling attack. We have a conditioning camp and time before the World Cup to get our bowlers in top shape,” he added.
Commenting on recent African tour, the coach said, “I don’t think we have performed that badly in South Africa. We had our chances despite a depleted bowling attack but we couldn’t capitalise on them. It will be a mistake to write us off”.
Woolmer said the World Cup would be “wide open” this time and there were no clear favourites. "Australia were clear favourites in the last World Cup in 2003 but this time the World Cup would be more close and evenly contested, he said.
“I am not reading too much into Australia’s recent defeats to England and New Zealand but definitely it is a setback for them. But they are a dangerous side and will try to come back very strongly to prove a point,” Woolmer said.
reffering to the SA team he said, “I think they are in a good position to win the World Cup but in the end a lot will depend on how the pitches behave in the tournament,” he said.
He pointed out that the introduction of powerplays in One-day cricket plus the increase in Twenty20 cricket had led to a change in the way One-day cricket was being played.
“The attitude has changed among the players and there is more of an offensive strategy now by all teams. New Zealand will benefit a lot from beating Australia and chasing big totals.”
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
I can't understand if PCB got a media manager, why Coach is acting like a team spoke person. He should just focus on team coaching. How often we hear statements from Buchanan, Fletcher or ever hear from NZ coach. It is only Woolmer and Indian Coach who will issue statements and target one player even if it cost the team, like Akhtar and Gangully. At the end they lick their sh...t and bring same players back to fulfill their task since they couldn't produce a substitute for these players.
Look at both coaches, they preserved with same players they got from previous coaches. If you keep same players for 2-3 years, i am sure these players will start performing even with the ex coaches.
I have no doubt about Woolmer credential but in this case he is setting his scores with Akhtar and creating rifts by issuing statements after statements. PCB should simply tell this guy to focus on coaching and sh..t up the statements business. He could write a book once he is done with his task, and who knows he may be already writing it, since as Imran say laptop can't coach a team, rather he might be typing even during games.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
^ Who says Woolmer or chappell are the only coaches to issue statements?
Havent you been following cricket? Buchanan recently ridiculed oppositions. Fletcher also has had a share of his own statements. And they have media managers too. It is a very biased or naive statement from you I am afraid. Woolmer issues statements just like every other coach so your criticism doesnt stand here. If he is asked a question, he will respond.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Manager Talat confirms Shoaib-Woolmer tiff in tour report
http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/22/spt1.htm
KARACHI, Feb 21: The manager of the Pakistan cricket team Talat Ali, while confirming the altercation between coach Bob Woolmer and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in South Africa, has expressed surprise over the coverage of the unfortunate incident by television cameras during the second Test at Port Elizabeth.
Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board have confirmed that Talat, in his tour report submitted to the board this week, has said that the altercation took place before start of the play during the warm up session after Woolmer felt Shoaib’s hamstring injury was not of serious nature. Talat, a former Test opener, has however questioned the ‘shock’ coverage of the incident by the television cameras who were, apparently, positioned at the Pakistan dressing room much before the start of play when normally the coverage starts just 15 minutes before a match.
“Talat believes that someone could have tipped off the television crew about the incident and asked the TV crew to pan on the dressing room for the altercation between the coach and the fast bowler,” one source said.
However, there is no mention in Talat’s report of Woolmer using any abusive language or racist taunts against the controversial pacer. The source said Woolmer also in his report had mentioned no such incident but has written about Shoaib Akhtar’s case in detail.
Woolmer’s altercation with Shoaib has come at a time when he is already facing communication problems with senior board officials. A source in PCB confirmed that Woolmer had tried to convince Chairman Dr Naseem Ashraf to allow him to use a software programe called “Hawkeye” but was refused permission for this despite giving an elaborate presention in South Africa.
The source said Woolmer’s proposal for Hawkeye was shot down on grounds that he should have made a case for it earlier and also since it was costing around 30,000 pounds per year for its usage. The programme, Woolmer insisted, would have helped him in assisting the bowlers in improving their line and length.
It is no secret that Director Cricket Operations Saleem Altaf has never felt convinced about Woolmer’s ability to deliver the goods for Pakistan and that he has been an overpaid/under-performing coach.
"In South Africa at one time during a meeting, Saleem confronted Woolmer by pointing out to him that he had worked no wonders for the team as it had lost ten and won only four overseas Tests under him and had not managed to win any notable one-day competitions.
“The manager (Talat Ali) has told the board that Woolmer now allows assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed to organize the training and practice sessions and has done nothing to make captain Inzamam-ul-Haq to attend these sessions regularly.”
Yeah that’s very true
Woolmer’s away record is 4 wins 10 losses (0-3 Aus; 0-3 Eng; 1-2 SA; 1-1 India; 1-1 WI & 1-0 SLA) and if you exclude sub-continental matches, the away record reads 2-9!
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Admittedly Pakistan have n’t been in great form lately but Mark Waugh is talking of India and Pakistan staging ‘upsets’ like we are Zimbabwe or Bangladesh
http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/22/spt3.htm
Pakistan, India can upset Aussies: Mark Waugh: World Cup 2007
Former Australian opener Mark Waugh believes India and Pakistan are the only sides capable of snatching the World Cup from Australia.
“They’ve got some ideal players for the Caribbeans climate and pitches,” said Waugh in an interview in Sydney on Tuesday. “A bevy of all-rounders and combinations of utility players give them the edge, I am sure of that. So don’t write them off, they can pull off an upset anytime in the World Cup, even against our guys.”
Waugh, however, said he did not fancy England’s chances despite their recent upset wins over the Aussies in the one-dayers. “England is not a favourite as far as I am concerned,” said Waugh. “Upsets in the extravaganza can come from someone like Sri Lanka, the South Africans or the Kiwis, maybe the West Indies on a really good day with their batting line-up. But I can’t see the winner coming out of those four,” he said candidly.
Waugh, part of the team who won under his brother Steve’s captaincy in 1999, said spin bowling was an area where Australia’s team could be improved. “The spin department is OK without being spectacular. If we had Shane Warne in the team, we’d be mighty hard to beat. He’d make our side stronger for sure.”
Five consecutive losses, and injuries to key players Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee, mean the world champions are looking distinctly vulnerable.
But Australia, though they are no longer rated the no.1 side in one-day cricket - a mantle which now belongs to South Africa - are still favourites. The pitches in the World Cup are expected to be slow, and may assist the spinners. But Australia’s only specialist slow bowler in their squad, Brad Hogg, has come under pressure in recent matches against England and New Zealand.
Warne, 37, was man-of-the-match in both the semi-final and final of the 1999 World Cup. But he was banned from the 2003 event because of drug abuse - and then chose to focus on Test cricket, ending his one-day career. He played his final Test in Sydney in January, where Australia completed a 5-0 whitewash over England.
Waugh is also worried about the quality of Australia’s fielding. He said: “The biggest threat is from themselves - being off the boil on the day. The fielding has been terrible this summer - I’ve never seen so many catches dropped.”
He is crossing his fingers that both paceman Lee and all-rounder Symonds will be fit, at least for the key matches later in the tournament, because he has worries about some of the other seam bowlers. “We’ve got a lot of experience with Lee and Glenn McGrath but the rest are a bit unproven. [Nathan] Bracken is pretty steady, but the other three - [Mitchell] Johnson, [Stuart] Clark and [Shaun] Tait - haven’t bowled a great deal at international level.”—Agencies
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Glad to see that Saleem Altaf knows the truth and he did convey it to Woolmer. So Woolmer and Inzi knew that thier future is dependent on each others, that is why they are teamed up against every one including Akhtar, Waqar and so on.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Whoa…
**Pakistan team to start preparations for World Cup **](http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4446&Itemid=2)
Written by pub Thursday, 22 February 2007 ](http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4446&Itemid=2)
LAHORE, Feb 22 (APP)- Pakistan cricket team will start its preparations for the World Cup at a short training camp commencing here Friday, at Gadaffi stadium.
The Cup will be played in the West Indies from April 13 to April 28.The camp will be attended by 15-member team plus five stand byes. " The first session will start in the morning at 9.30 am, said teams manager Talat Ali Malik while talking to APP here on Thursday.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Shahid Afridi had reached back home after visiting abroad on short trips.
Shoaib and Inzamam returned home on Wednesday from Malaysia after taking part in a commercial. Asif returned home from London after having second opinion on his injured elbow. Afridi was also in London on private trip.
Following will attend the camp, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rana Navid-ul-Hasan, Rao Iftikhar Anjum,Danish Kaneria.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Eighteen Pakistan cricketers pass dope tests
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will be tested later this week.
Eleven of Pakistan's 15-man World Cup squad and seven reserves have passed pre-World Cup dope tests, an official has confirmed.
"We have received reports of the dope tests held last week and 18 players have cleared tests," Ahsan Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board director of communication, told AFP. He said results for captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and allrounder Shahid Afridi, who were tested on Sunday and Friday respectively, will be received later.
Fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who have both had doping bans controversially lifted, will be tested later this week, Ahsan said. Two players outside the five official reserves were also tested in case they were needed in an emergency, he added.
Pakistan asked the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accreditated laboratory in Malaysia to fast-track the test results so they can complete the process before leaving for the Caribbean on March 1. Officials here have said no player will play in the World Cup without passing the in-house tests.
Pakistan cricket was hit by a doping scandal last year when Akhtar and Asif were tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone and had to be pulled out of the Champions Trophy in India. Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year. But the bans were controversially lifted on appeal, on the grounds they did not take the banned substance knowingly.
WADA has appealed against the decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, which is yet to give a ruling. Both Akhtar and Asif face life bans in case they test positive for a second time.
No Test, No Tour
‘No test, no tour,’ warns PCB
February 23, 2007
Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will not travel to the Caribbean for the World Cup if they fail to take a dope test, according to Pakistan cricket officials. The Pakistan Cricket Board completed tests on 13 of its 15-man squad and five reserves this week but Shoaib and Asif have yet to feature, raising media speculation they might be forced out of the event starting on March 13.
“PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf has a zero tolerance on the use of banned substances so any member of the team going for the World Cup has to pass the screening, the in-house dope testing,” Salim Altaf, the PCB’s director of operations, told AFP. “The chairman has directed that nobody can go on the tour if this screening is not done.”
Shoaib was banned for two years and Asif for one year in November after they tested positive for the steroid nandrolone. But the new-ball pair’s bans were controversially overturned by a PCB appellate committee in December, on the grounds they did not take the banned substance knowingly. Experts have warned that Shoaib and Asif may still have banned substances in their systems after testing positive last year and face life bans if they test positive again.
Altaf, however, brushed aside speculation over the dope tests on Shoaib and Asif. “Everybody will feature otherwise nobody can go and that is the instruction of the chairman and we hope all speculations die down after this,” said Altaf, a former fast bowler. He also rejected suggestions the PCB was risking life bans for the pair if they test positive a second time. “If they failed tests which took place in September 2006 and this is now February 2007, the process is the same for everybody.”
Shoaib said he still hopes to be fit for World Cup despite battling to recover from knee and hamstring problems. “I am going for another reassessment of my knee and hamstring injury in England later this week and only after that I am able to know about my chances of playing in the World Cup,” he told AFP. Asked when he was due to appear for testing, Shoaib refused to comment and said his first priority was to get over his injury.
“Right now I want my injury to heal and only after that I am going to think about anything else,” said Shoaib, who joined Pakistan’s pre-tour camp in Lahore on Friday but only took part in exercises. “My chances of playing in the World Cup are 50-50 and I will take a final decision only after having a reassessment of the knee. The doctor has stopped me from bowling until February 27.”
Asif meanwhile also had an assessment in England last week after a recurrence of an elbow injury before returning home on Wednesday. “Both Shoaib and Asif are consulting the specialist over their injuries and once these problems are overcome they will feature in the tests,” said Altaf. Another paceman, Umar Gul, featured in the training camp and said on Friday that he “felt great” after recovering from an ankle injury sustained on Pakistan’s tour of South Africa last month.
Altaf said all the squad members will have to pass fitness tests as well. “Before the departure of the team to the Caribbean all 15 players are going to subjected to a fitness test by a medical panel of the PCB,” he said. Pakistan has until March 2 to replace any injured player in their squad. After the deadline only the International Cricket Council’s technical committee is entitled to allow an injury replacement. Pakistan also has ICC permission to replace any player who tests positive.
Re: No Test, No Tour
They both know there drug levels are still too high, and if a +'ve result occured-a life ban follows.
Better for them to sit out.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Shoaib and Asif to have second ‘secret’ dope test in London
http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/24/spt1.htm
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said that his chances of playing the forthcoming World Cup are fifty-fifty at the moment since the doctors are still unsure about the exact nature of the problem with his knees.
"My knees are giving a lot of trouble and I am again flying to London on Sunday for another check up. That makes my chances for the World Cup fifty-fifty at the moment,” Shoaib told reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium where the Pakistan training camp for the World Cup commenced on Friday. Both Shoaib and Mohammad Asif attended the two sessions of the camp on the first day.
A big question mark still hangs over the participation of both fast bowlers in the World Cup since they are yet to give their urine samples to PCB authorities.
The Pakistan team is set to leave for the West Indies on March 1 and it appears highly unlikely that the PCB would get the samples of the Shoaib and Asif prior to that deadline.
It has been learnt that Asif will also be flying to London alongwith Shoaib this week and sources close to PCB say that both will be having a ‘secret’ dope test conducted in England to check the quantity of banned substance nandrolone in their bodies.
According to the sources, ***the fast bowlers will only give the urine samples to PCB if they get a clean bill in England, otherwise they are likely to opt out of the mega event citing injuries to knee and elbow respectively.
Rumours also abound that both have already gone through a ‘secret’ dope test in London and have found that there is still a substantial quantity of nandrolone in their bodies which may land them into trouble with the ICC.
Shoaib, who returned from South Africa following a hamstring injury during the second Test at Port Elizabeth, was also fined USD 2500 for misbehaving with Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer on the tour. The maverick pacer, however, denied any rift with the coach on Friday.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Nasim Chacha says “Shoaib and Asif have PCB’s Consent to go to England”…
…“will be tested upon return”…
Shoaib, Asif going England with PCB consent: Nasim
Saturday February 24, 2007 (1800 PST)
**ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Dr. Nasim Ashraf said that fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are proceeding to England for their medical checkup with the permission of the Board and there is no truth in the news that they are going there for their dope tests. **
Talking to the private TV channel, chairman PCB said that Shoaib and Asif are leaving for England on Monday.
For this two-day visit they have formally obtained permission from Pakistan Cricket Board and on return from England, they will go through medical test. Dr. Nasim Ashraf further said that dope tests of the fast bowlers will be conducted on emergency basis as soon as they return home. The decision of sending them to the Caribbean will only be taken after their clearance in the fitness and dope tests.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
I think this is sensible thing to do. Why PCB should risk good future prospects, since these two players are under every one microscope, and I am sure ICC under their random testing will pull them out for sample at the start of ICC, so it is better to get a clean bill for them before putting them through any official testings. Wish PCB had done same before testing them for ICC trophy.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Here you go:
ICC don't rule out targeted dope tests
Cricinfo staff
February 24, 2007
In a development that's likely to be a major factor, as Pakistan ponders whether or not to take Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif to the Caribbean, the ICC has refused to rule out the possibility that it may carry out targeted dope tests during the World Cup.
In a communication to the boards of all countries participating in the event, the ICC has said it will maintain its right to target test players at any point during the event, a PCB official told Cricinfo.
As per the communication, the ICC is likely to carry out testing in 16 matches with four tests (two per team) in each of the matches. It adds that while the tests are intended to be random and will not be announced in advance, the ICC will reserve the right to target test players.
Pakistan have more reason than most members, of course, to fully comprehend the implications of such a policy. Though it is appearing increasing unlikely that either Asif or Shoaib will actually travel to the World Cup, for whatever reasons, in the event that they do, there is nothing stopping the ICC from targeting both.
The ICC openly expressed its concern with the decision by a PCB-constituted appellate committee last November, to overturn bans on Shoaib and Asif for testing positive in internal dope tests for an anabolic steroid on technicalities. An earlier committee had found both guilty.
The ICC was unable to intervene, correctly deeming the matter to be an internal one (the dope tests were conducted out-of-tournament by the PCB with decisions made under its own doping policy), instead expressing the hope that the PCB would bring its anti-doping policy in line with international codes. It has since also said that it is willing to support the decision by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) to refer Pakistan's decision to an international Court of Sport Arbitration.
Traces of Nandrolone are said by medical experts to remain in the body for a considerable period of time after use. The fear in Pakistan is that may be the case with Shoaib and Asif and if they were to test positive in an ICC tournament, they may not be as forgiving as Pakistani authorities were.
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
In a development that's likely to be a major factor, as Pakistan ponders whether or not to take Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif to the Caribbean, the ICC has refused to rule out the possibility that it may carry out targeted dope tests during the World Cup. In a communication to the boards of all countries participating in the event, the ICC has said it will maintain its right to target test players at any point during the event, a PCB official told Cricinfo. As per the communication, the ICC is likely to carry out testing in 16 matches with four tests (two per team) in each of the matches. It adds that while the tests are intended to be random and will not be announced in advance, the ICC will reserve the right to target test players. Pakistan have more reason than most members, of course, to fully comprehend the implications of such a policy. Though it is appearing increasing unlikely that either Asif or Shoaib will actually travel to the World Cup, for whatever reasons, in the event that they do, there is nothing stopping the ICC from targeting both. The ICC openly expressed its concern with the decision by a PCB-constituted appellate committee last November, to overturn bans on Shoaib and Asif for testing positive in internal dope tests for an anabolic steroid on technicalities. An earlier committee had found both guilty. The ICC was unable to intervene, correctly deeming the matter to be an internal one (the dope tests were conducted out-of-tournament by the PCB with decisions made under its own doping policy), instead expressing the hope that the PCB would bring its anti-doping policy in line with international codes. It has since also said that it is willing to support the decision by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) to refer Pakistan's decision to an international Court of Sport Arbitration. Traces of Nandrolone are said by medical experts to remain in the body for a considerable period of time after use. The fear in Pakistan is that may be the case with Shoaib and Asif and if they were to test positive in an ICC tournament, they may not be as forgiving as Pakistani authorities were.
if Shoaib and Afis go to WC, they will definitely be tested
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Pakistan skipper all praise for Bob Woolmer: Inzi to bat at number 4 in World Cup](http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\28\story_28-2-2007_pg2_1)
By Muhammad Ali](http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\28\story_28-2-2007_pg2_1)
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 a 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
Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
- From correspondents in Lahore, Pakistan
- March 01, 2007
SHOAIB Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will not fly to the Caribbean with the Pakistan World Cup team to give them time to prepare for fitness and doping tests.
The other 13 members of Pakistan’s squad are due to depart on Thursday. The tournament starts March 13.
"Akhtar and Asif will not fly with the Pakistan team but we hope that they pass a medical test and feature in dope tests before a final decision is taken on them,‘’ team media manager Pervez Mir said.
In November, Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone, but the bans were later overturned on the grounds that they took the substance unknowingly.
However, the new-ball pair face a race against time as they are having injuries reassessed in England, while they must also pass a mandatory drugs test before they can feature in the World Cup.
Akhtar is battling a knee and hamstring injury, while Asif has a recurrence of an elbow injury sustained last year.
"Asif will return on Thursday and Akhtar on Friday and in the next few days they will have to pass these tests,‘’ said Mir.
He said the International Cricket Council (ICC) has extended the deadline for final squad replacements from March 2 until March 8.
Meanwhile, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and all rounder Shahid Afridi have both passed their pre-World Cup dope tests. Their reports came back on Wednesdday.
Pakistan said on Friday that 11 of the 15-member squad and seven reserves had also tested negative.
Pakistan is already reeling from losing all rounder Abdul Razzaq due to a knee injury on Tuesday. Another all rounder, Azhar Mahmood, replaced him.
Pakistan plays host West Indies in the opening World Cup match in Jamaica on March 13.