Pakistan’s participation in World Snooker Championship doubtful once more

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming IBSF Snooker Championship 2009 to be staged in the Indian town of Hyderabad has become doubtful once again, this time due to the shortage of funds. Earlier it was the issue of visas that had jeopardized Pakistan’s chances of competing in the global event.

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, President, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), has heaved a sigh of relief at having received the Indian visas as well as the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) but he’s deeply concerned with the part payment of the special grant believing that the financial constraints may not allow the Pakistan snooker squad to proceed to India.

“Only a grant of 40% of the total expenses submitted by the PBSA has been released by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Federal Ministry of Sports which is insufficient to meet the costs pertaining to the participation of the World Championship,” he revealed in a conversation on November 4.

“In this regard, we have forwarded a written request to Federal Sports Minister, Pir Syed Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani and the departmental heads to intervene in the matter and release the required full amount of our submitted budget for the said event,” the PBSA President added.

“As the snooker squad is scheduled to depart for India on November 12 and time is running short to finalize the travel and other arrangements for the departure of the team, we once again request the Federal Minister to kindly issue instructions to the Pakistan Sports Board to release the balance 60% amount of the special grant,” Alamgir Shaikh remarked.

“We also would like to point out that the PBSA had to face the same situation for the participation in the IBSF World Snooker Championship of 2008 in Austria and the PBSA had to approach the Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) which provided a major portion of the Financial Assistance to salvage the situation,” he recalled.

“It may also be noted that due to paucity of funds Pakistan did not participate in the Asian Indoor Games, Hanoi, Vietnam as well, and if necessary funds are not released for the IBSF World Snooker Championship 2009 it will be big blow for the image of Pakistan Snooker at international level, causing concern for the Association to promote this game,” the PBSA President said

“Our track record will show that we have never missed a World Snooker Championship in the last 20 years, due to lack of funds, we earnestly request the Ministry to intervene in the matter saving us and the country from big embarrassment by not participating,” Alamgir Shaikh remarked.

The PBSA President, having spoken to the top officials of the Federal Sports Ministry as well as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) earlier in the day, was optimistic about the release of some more funds within the next few days to meet the costs for the World Championship.

“The government officials have been supportive of our cause in the past. They do have their own constraints but we are confident of getting support for a tournament as important as the World Championship,” the PBSA President concluded.

readmore »»

Customs Academy assured departmental support

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The top management of Pakistan Customs has assured total support to the iconic Customs Cricket Academy (CCA), currently celebrating their 10th year of excellence.

Sher Nawaz, Chief Collector of Customs, South, declared in a recent function at the Karachi Gymkhana that the department was right behind the CCA and all their problems will be attended on an urgent basis.

He was speaking as the chief guest in the dinner reception hosted by the CCA in the honour of the 20-member Customs cricket squad representing the department in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Championship 2009.

“We take pride in owning the CCA whose accomplishments deserve recognition. It’s very heartening to note that a youthful Customs team is taking part in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season and we are confident that quite a few of the youngsters present here will go on to serve the country,” Sher Nawaz hoped.

He urged the CCA to concentrate on their good work of training and grooming the youngsters without worrying for the administrative matter that his department would be taking care of.

Nasir Masroor, Collector of Customs (Appraisement), also pledged support to the CCA and advised the young cricketers to work harder to bring more glories for the department and the country.

Khalil Masood, an ex-Collector of Customs, who pioneered the idea of supporting the cause of sports from the grassroots level, expressed his delight with the performance of the CCA in their first 10 years.

“Jalaluddin and his coaching and administrative staff at the CCA have done an exceptional job, having made the most of the available resources. Now it’s time for them to move on and produce a young crop of cricketers who could serve the cause of the country,” Khalil Masood remarked.

Two other Collectors of Customs, Fazle Qalbani and Shoukat Ali, were also appreciative of the efforts of the CCA.

The founder and the chief coach of the CCA, Jalaluddin, in his welcome address, pointed out that the presence of the top officials of the department was going to dispel the impression that the academy didn’t enjoy the departmental support.

While acknowledging the contribution of the top brass, he highlighted the achievements of the CCA and disclosed the plans of expansion.

The former Test fast bowler requested the Chief Collector to look into the possibilities of providing jobs to the cricketers playing for the department, emphasizing that it would help in retaining those gifted players who drift to other institutions offering them jobs.

Jalaluddin, who is often remembered for the being the first bowler to record a hat-trick in One-day Internationals, believed that the young lot of cricketers presently serving the Customs team would be coming of age in not too distant future.

The 20-member Customs squad for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, who were present on the occasion, comprised of Mohammad Hussain, Hanif Malik, Tahir Mahmood, Rawait Khan, Jibran Khan, Mohammad Nabi Elskhil, Rameez Raja, Yasir Hussain, Mansoor Ahmed, Zeeshan Nadir Masood, Aamir Yousuf, Rashid Ali, Ammar Hasan, Hamid Hasan, Mirza Asad Baig, Asad Iqbal, Maroof Aziz, Iftikhar Khan, Rameez Aziz and Zeeshan Ali.

readmore »»

Iqbal Qasim unwilling to take New Zealand lightly

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Iqbal Qasim, the greatest left-arm spinner produced by the country now heading the national selection committee, sees no point in taking the New Zealanders lightly against whom Pakistan have had excellent record in all forms of the game.

He is a man of few words. He believes in maintaining a low-profile and refrains from unnecessary controversies. But he is one man who is focused and strong-headed who understands the game and its management better than many others. He has done wonders as the head of the sports division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and now it’s the turn of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to benefit from his expertise.

“New Zealand could be considered as somewhat weaker opponents while taking on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where the placid pitches and the hot weather would not be to their liking. But they would be a different proposition altogether in their own backyard,” Iqbal Qasim reckoned in an exclusive interview.

“New Zealand may not be having too many big names in their ranks at the moment but they are a hard-working side whose approach to the game is professional. They have a few outstanding youngsters who remain a threat to every opposition. Our team has to perform well to overpower them even in the UAE,” the chief selector felt.

Iqbal Qasim, who will be traveling to the UAE with the national squad for the upcoming limited overs series against New Zealand, expected his boys to play to their potential and emerge triumphant ahead of the Test series.

“Our boys will be put to real test in New Zealand where the playing conditions are entirely different to the ones in this region of the world. They could make life difficult for the home side if they continue performing consistently,” he believed.

“The average New Zealand teams more often than not pose a danger for the more fancied outfits because they have nothing to lose and it’s the pride of their opponents that’s at stake. Therefore our team will be needed to mobilize all its resources to tame them in their own den,” Iqbal Qasim remarked.

Talking further, the chief selector didn’t think of Australia, Pakistan’s next destination after New Zealand, as a weakened side despite the retirement of the likes of Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer.

“Remember Australia are one sporting nation who only believe in pushing forward. That’s the secret of their success. They don’t waste their time in counter-productive activities. They are focused about the job in their hand than worrying for the past or the future. Their agenda is to dominate and win,” Iqbal Qasim said.

“Australia are the only cricket team who try to give more than 100% even when playing in the comfort of their own grounds. They are mentally tough who don’t get carried away with odd hassles or too. They don’t mourn defeats like other nations. Neither do they get absorbed in long celebrations after a win. They lead life more professionally than anyone else,” he elaborated.

“The Australian think-thank is always on the move. They keep on devising strategies and have backup plans. That’s why they don’t get entangled into problems. They know exactly how to combat a crisis,” Iqbal Qasim complimented.

“Obviously Pakistan would be able to come to terms with Australia only if they deliver on a consistent basis. Our bowling has the penetration to check their batters. If our batsmen also get going we can offer tough fight to the Aussies,” he concluded.

readmore »»

Dhoni stars in a fabulous win

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

It was all about Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on October 28. He played the innings of his lifetime that enabled India to erect their highest-ever ODI total against Australia. Then he led from the front in the field until he himself whipped the bails off to run out the last man to signal the end of the match.

The skipper was the star of India’s most comprehensive win over Australia for quite some time. The Indians needed something as awesome as this one to stamp their authority over the Aussies whom they have been giving tough time for a number of years now.

The Indian cricket fans would remember the day for a long time as they watched the Aussies being floored decisively by a determined outfit who outplayed their fancied rivals in the two key departments of the game, batting and bowling.

It doesn’t really how many qualified coaches do they hire and how many youngsters do they blood, the standard of Indian fielding remained as dismal as it has mostly been over the years. Their batting and bowling has improved in leaps and bounds but fielding is an area that remains a cause of concern for them all along.

The Indians are fortunate to have been blessed by so many outstanding batsmen and bowlers at the moment. No other team possibly can be expected to win a game if they field as poorly as they do.

What a pity that they could still not raise their spirits in the field when in the driving seat. The Australians were always going to struggle while chasing a target of 355 against a potent bowling attack.

The Indians would have won the match by a much bigger margin if their fielding was upto the mark. The manner in which Praveen Kumar misfielded more than once was shameful of an international cricketer. He made a mess of a catch in the deep that should have been nothing more than a regulation catch near the fence. Instead he gifted a six to Shaun Marsh much to the dismay of left-arm spinner Ravindu Jadeja who was bowling exceptionally well.

The catching technique of Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh in the outfield also left a lot to be desired. Even the schoolboys in Australia and South Africa are expected to take the catches that they dropped.

The Indians should be indebted to their captain for not having lost his cool even with those dreaded lapses in the field by the celebrated members of his team. He made near perfect bowling changes to ensure that the match was never opened.

Earlier in the day Dhoni entertained the crowd with one of the greatest ODI innings. Coming in to bat at number five he initially consolidated the innings with Gautam Gambhir and then cut loose in the company of Suresh Raina. He scored 124 off 107 balls to power India to their highest-ever total against Australia.

readmore »»

Temperamental Younis desires taking Pakistan to top

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The skipper of the Pakistan cricket team, Younis Khan, is a man of many moods. When he’s feeling down he can go to any limit in offending others. He presents a different look altogether when he’s in a positive frame of mind.

So you can never be sure what to expect next from him. His behaviour is more dependent on his mood or state of mind than on anything else. He has been found guilty of losing his cool far too quickly and his temperament has never made him popular in the media who prefer covering persons who are more stable and consistent temperamentally.

Younis, however, looked very happy and relaxed during the luncheon party hosted by the Customs Cricket Academy on behalf of the Islamic Relief at the Karachi Gymkhana on October 26.

Flanked by vice captain Shahid Afridi and former captain Rashid Latif, Younis appeared cool, calm and composed sitting at the stage. He delivered a convincing speech on the occasion in which touched about the subject of serving the humanity. He recalled his own experiences when he traveled to the disaster-hit areas of the country.

The hosts had urged the media to restrict themselves to community service and other activities of Islamic Relief and not to discuss cricket during the question-answer session that followed speeches by the Pakistan captains.

Once the proceedings of the Islamic Relief’s launch of Malakand Rehabilitation Programme were over the waiting media turned their attention and cameras towards the cricket stars and obviously there was no restriction of the subject to be discussed then.

Younis was surrounded by the media corps and the beaming Pakistan skipper was in no hurry to leave them. He took his time and answered every query rather convincingly. His selection of words reflected his peace of mind.

Younis was so cheerful that he even obliged the workers of the Karachi Gymkhana who had lined up to be photographed with him. It was one of the rare days when he went down himself to shake hands with people whom he recognized.

Not surprisingly his media briefing was being covered live by quite a few television channels and the viewers must have felt gladdened by his positive remarks looking into the future.

Younis did not waste the opportunity of acknowledging the overwhelming public support he had received when subjected to harsh criticism by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Sports. It was his first public appearance after having taken back the resignation and resumed duties as national skipper.

He stated that he felt more confident now after having taken back his resignation and he was prepared to take on more responsibility to fulfill his ultimate ambition of making Pakistan the top ranked in Tests as well as One-day Internationals.

“I am looking forward to the upcoming engagements with renewed confidence. It’s my wish that we could overcome every opponent and win ever series and tournament that we play in. My ultimate desire is to take Pakistan to the top of the rankings in all forms of the game during my own tenure as captain,” Younis wished.

readmore »»

Pakistan cricket captains carry Islamic Relief forward

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

As many as four Pakistan cricket captains are proactively involved in supporting the cause of humanity by helping the Islamic Relief (IR) raise substantial funds for the under-privileged and displaced persons in the country.

The quartet of Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi has been instrumental in generating funds for the IR to let them carry out their mission with renewed enthusiasm.

Three of them were in attendance in the IR’s launch of Malakand Rehabilitation Programme held at the Karachi Gymkhana on October 26. Moin Khan was unable to make it because he had to air-dash to Lahore to attend the funeral of Wasim Akram’s wife, Huma, who passed away on October 25.

Fateha was offered for the departed soul before the start of the proceedings and every speaker expressed condolences to Wasim Akram on the untimely death of his wife.

Haris Ahmed Khan, the former Pakistan Customs off-spinner turned qualified coach, has played the pivotal role in roping in the celebrated cricketers to join hands with the IR and take their noble mission forward.

Haris, in his brief speech, recalled that it didn’t take long for him to convince Rashid Latif and Moin Khan who readily agreed to be a part of the fund-raiser in the United Sates (US).

“Then we took Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi to the northern areas of the country devastated by the earthquake in October 2005. They realized the gravity of the situation after reaching there and immediately volunteered their services for the IR,” Haris stated.

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan captain, shared his experiences at the IR, saying he’s touched after watching the destruction of the various towns by the earthquake.

“It was really very painful to walk on those rocky surfaces where hundreds of people had been buried alive just a few days ago. We took the responsibility of playing our part in helping the people in need,” Rashid remarked.

Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain, Shahid Afridi, announced that he believed in looking at life beyond cricket and it was the reason of him coming on board at the IR.

“When I visited the floods-affected areas of Balochistan I was dismayed at the sufferings of the people who were struggling for basic amenities. Even more depressing was the inaction of the government. Thankfully the IR was there and I made up my mind to contribute my bit in letting them accomplish their cherished goals,” the flamboyant all-rounder asserted.

Pakistan’s captain for Tests and One-day Internationals, Younis Khan, believed that they had to undertake the responsibility of serving the humanity, particularly those who are less fortunate, having been hit by disasters.

“As a human being it’s our duty to care for others. The IR has been doing a great job and I consider a privilege to be a part of their team. It has been hectic at times but we take pride in playing our part by participating in the fund-raisers,” Younis added.

Jalaluddin, a former Test fast bowler, has also been a motivating force in facilitating the Islamic Relief who had commenced operations in Pakistan in 1992 after having secured registration with the Security & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) as a company limited by guarantee (Local NGO). It is also registered with the Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan.

readmore »»

Younis forces PCB Chairman to dump Yawar

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

It’s an open secret that skipper Younis Khan and manager Yawar Saeed were not having eye to eye contact for a long time and the gulf between the two had widened to the stage that one of them had to quit.

The soft spoken Yawar, as everybody knew, had been brought in as manager due to non-cricketing reasons. His strong political connections and personal friendship with the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt, had earned him the slot that in the opinion of many he didn’t deserve in the first place.

Yawar has had the reputation of being a cool-headed gentleman who seldom talks nonsense. He had held managerial positions with the national cricket team in the past as well but that indeed was very long time ago.

The appointment of Ijaz Butt as the Chairman of the PCB last autumn opened the floodgates for Yawar and he was back in the thick of the things. Apparently he didn’t have problems working with Shoaib Malik who was the captain of the team at the time of his induction as manager.

The equation and the situation changed when Younis Khan was installed as the skipper during the home series against Sri Lanka. There was so scandal or drama initially but the observers had noted that Younis and Yawar were not on same wavelength.

The friends of Younis then reckoned that Yawar was associated with the team with the mission of toppling the skipper. The buzz was that Yawar was actually there to ‘spy’ for the PCB Chairman and report the movements of all the players directly to him confidentially.

The differences between Younis and Yawar started to become more obvious during the tour of Sri Lanka and it appeared a matter of time for one of them to bite the dust upon the return of the team.

Yawar was reportedly backing Shahid Afridi to take over the reigns that indeed infuriated Younis and it was about time for the showdown.

The fate of Younis was hanging in balance after the unexpected loss to New Zealand in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy and his injury was not helping matters either. Yawar was all set to accompany the national team as manager for the upcoming contests against New Zealand.

Ijaz Butt’s last one-to-one meeting with Younis changed the scenario and the PCB Chairman succumbed to the pressures of the skipper whom he delegated the powers he had been asking for.

Only time will tell if the PCB Chairman’s decision to empower Younis was a correct one or it would turn out to be yet another blunder. Yawar, meanwhile, has become a casualty, and he has been replaced by Abdul Raqeeb.

Younis has won the first round. In fact he has managed to kill two birds with a single shot. By having Yawar removed, he paved the way for one of his benefactors to be obliged.

Abdul Raqeeb, a former left-arm spinner, has been heading the sports department of Habib Bank for quite sometime. He must be feeling at the top of the world now as both the captain and the vice-captain of the national team are his associates at the bank and hold him in very high esteem.

readmore »»