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Mohammad Yousuf, who is involved in arbitration proceedings with the ICL, faces a life ban if he joins the unofficial league, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said.The , a Pakistan daily, quoted an unnamed PCB official as saying, “We have banned all our cricketers who joined the ICL and if Yousuf also plays for the unauthorised league then he will have to face the same punishment. Yousuf is still our best Test batsman and has a future with the Pakistan team, but not if he joins the ICL. It will be game over for him if he joined the rebel league.”Yousuf signed a contract with the ICL in the wake of his omission from Pakistan’s squad for the ICC World Twenty20 last year, but the PCB later convinced him to cancel his ICL contract and instead sign up for the IPL, a league approved by the national boards, as well as turn up for national duty.Subsequently the ICL had warned the various IPL franchises that they could face legal complications if they bought Yousuf in the player auctions. Yousuf was not bought by any of the IPL teams, but he was compensated by the league’s organisers, who gave him US$350,000 – his starting bid price.Pakistan’s selectors have continued to ignore Yousuf while picking Twenty20 teams, and he was left out of the provisional squad for the Canada Cup Four Nation 20/20 next month. “I just want to know what the selection procedure is,” Yousuf told the Urdu newspaper . “You go and ask great players like Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq if I don’t deserve to play Twenty20 cricket. If they say I should be dropped then I will quit all cricket.”Yousuf felt his lack of agility on the field wasn’t enough reason for the selectors keep him out. “I just want to ask them ‘how many Jonty Rhodes are there in the Pakistan team?'” Yousuf will lead the Lahore Lions in Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 tournament but said he has nothing to prove. “It’s not a test case for me,” he said. “After representing Pakistan for 11 years, I just want to make it clear that I am not playing to prove my abilities to anyone.”

The third Mohammad Nissar Trophy, the annual fixture between the champions of the premier first-class tournaments in India and Pakistan, kicks off at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Monday, with Ranji Trophy champions Delhi taking on the Quaid-e-Azam winners Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). No team from Pakistan has won the tournament, with Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai winning the earlier editions.On paper, the Delhi side appears much stronger, with the likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma available for selection. SNGPL in comparison lacks in star value, with Misbah-ul-Haq the only prominent player who holds a regular position in the Pakistan side. Mohammad Hafeez, the captain, and Samiullah Niazi are the three Pakistan players who have international experience.Vijay Dahiya, the Delhi coach, cautioned against taking this fixture lightly and hoped a good performance here will serve them well for a hectic season up ahead. Delhi play the Rest of India for the Irani Trophy starting in Vadodara on September 24, before the Ranji Trophy which commences on November 3.”Matches like these are very important and we have to take them seriously. Our season is starting ahead of other teams so it will be good for us,” Dahiya said after a practice session. “It will also help the team gain confidence at the start of the season. But we have to play aggressively.”Dahiya expected the pitch to behave like a typical Kotla track, which normally assists seamers on the first day. He didn’t name the final XI, but stated that Delhi will field three seamers, a spinner and an allrounder in Rajat Bhatia. He was also pleased with the return of the left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra, who’s back in the reckoning for Delhi after missing the entire 2007-08 season with an ankle injury. He was picked up by the Mumbai Indians IPL franchise and performed reasonably in the Twenty20 tournament, taking 12 wickets in 14 appearances at an average of 29.”Ashish is also fully fit and is raring to go,” Dahiya said. “He has been out of the team because of injuries and not because of performance. Ishant is looking well and he is very eager to play as well.”Hafeez hoped the results of the previous editions of the series would motivate his team-mates to chase their first title. He admitted his team didn’t feel weighed down by the pressure of facing a side with as many as seven internationals. “We are the champions of Pakistan and I hope my boys will give their best,” Hafeez said. “I am happy with the team’s combination. The boys have huge potential and I hope we will continue with our good showing.”His team-mate, Misbah, felt the team was shaping up well. “We have been training hard, so I don’t think lack of match practice will be a problem for us,” Misbah said. “I personally feel that everything is going well and lets hope that we’re going to perform well there.”The yearly clash, which commenced in 2006, is held on a home and away basis. Uttar Pradesh defeated Sialkot in Dharamsala to claim the inaugural title, while Mumbai took on Karachi Urban in Karachi the following season and regained the trophy based on a first-innings lead.Teams
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited: Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Adil Raza, Adnan Akmal (wk), Asad Ali, Azhar Shafiq, Imran Ali, Imran Khalid, Khurram Shehzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saleem Mughal, Samiullah Niazi, Tauqeer Hussain, Umar Akmal and Yasir ArafatDelhi: Virender Sehwag (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra, Mayank Tehlan, Mithun Manhas, Virat Kohli, Rajat Bhatia, Puneet Bisht (wk), Ishant Sharma, Pradeep Sangwan, Ashish Nehra, Chetanya Nanda, Amit Bhandari, Narender Singh, Gaurav Chhabra

David “Butch” White, the former England and Hampshire quick bowler, has died aged 73. His international career was limited to two Tests on the 1961-62 tour of Pakistan, but he took 1,143 first-class wickets at an impressive 23.54.The majority of his 16-year career was spent with Hampshire and he was part of the side that won the Championship title for the first time in 1961. He formed a powerful new-ball combination alongside Derek Shackleton, who died less than a year ago, but after a decade of loyal service he was ignominiously discarded after an injury-blighted summer in 1971. He finished his playing days with one season at Glamorgan in 1972, but it’s his exploits on the south coast that he’ll be remembered for.A broad-shouldered bowler with a long run-up, his best figures were 9 for 44 against Leicestershire in 1966 and he took over 100 wickets on four occasions.The two Tests he played came on docile pitches in Pakistan, but he played his part on debut with 3 for 65 in the first innings at Lahore, as England went on to win by five wickets. Some attributed his lack of international recognition to the fact he had been no-balled by Paul Gibb twice in 1960, although team-mate Roy Marshall argued that White’s action made throwing an impossibility.

The Zimbabwe issue is not about politics in the country or their ICC membership but concerns the development of cricket there, Ray Mali, the ICC president, told Cricinfo on Tuesday. This marks a major shift in stance for Mali who had, last week, placed the Zimbabwe issue at the top of the agenda for Wednesday’s ICC board meeting, pointing to the “worsening situation within the country”.”It’s not a political issue, it’s a cricket issue,” Mali, who later this week will hand over the presidency to David Morgan, said. “We are not the ones to debate on politics. It’s not about Zimbabwe’s membership in the ICC, either. Not at all. What we are concerned about is how to strengthen the game in Zimbabwe, how to encourage more cricketing interaction with them at any level.”That view was echoed by a senior official of the BCCI currently in Dubai for the meeting. There will be a “serious effort” to understand the situation in Zimbabwe, the official said, and there might finally be an “understanding”.What this indicates is that the Zimbabwe issue, which was expected to be the subject of heated discussion within a divided ICC, may revolve around the status of the game in that country, rather than the status of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) within the governing body. In any case, any resolution on Zimbabwe requires seven out of ten votes in the ICC board and the influential Indian board, which has consistently backed ZC in the past, has made it clear it will stand against any move to revoke Zimbabwe’s status as a Full Member of the ICC.As various ‘team camps’ work the phone lines ahead of the meeting, there’s the whiff of compromise in the air. The deal could involve Zimbabwe remaining a Full Member of the ICC but skipping next year’s World Twenty20 so that the ECB can host the tournament. Perhaps even snip ZC’s annual funding from the ICC; anything, really, short of shutting the door.On Tuesday afternoon, the scene at The Westin Hotel told its own story – near the giant glass doors of the sparkling new building, Mali was laughing and shaking hands with Peter Chingoka, the ZC president, and two associates. The two, old comrades, shared a joke on the international media frenzy surrounding the game in that country and walked away together.Chingoka had, in fact, appealed to Mali in a letter last week. “The rules of natural justice, equity and good conscience demand that a fair hearing would need to be given to Zimbabwe Cricket and that would entail the ICC sending a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe if at all it is warranted from a cricket point of view,” he wrote.Surely, though, even as Chingoka presented an unusually relaxed front and BCCI officials, led by their president Sharad Pawar, assembled here to “go through the papers”, some tough talking can be expected on Zimbabwe, at least from the ECB and Cricket South Africa. Both have suspended all bilateral cricket ties with Zimbabwe, and have pointed to a worsening “general situation” that has prevented any meaningful cricket in that country.The views of players – especially from South Africa, who are clear that they will have nothing to do with Zimbabwe cricket – may be presented. And there could be a significant contribution to the debate from David Morgan, who has already declared that he will back action against Zimbabwe.Privately, officials within the ICC and the ECB establishment have also pointed to Chingoka’s ‘close ties’ with the political set-up in Zimbabwe and sought to link that with the climate of uncertainty surrounding their cricket.”Will India take a pragmatic view on this and go with England and South Africa, whose voice, also, may be crucial?” asked an official who is closely involved with the situation. “After all, if Zimbabwe sticks around then everyone will know it will be because of India. India will then take a hit because of that but more importantly the ICC would take a hit and its credibility would, perhaps, be fatally holed below the waterline.”But in the end, the BCCI and its traditional backers – Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – may weigh all opposition to Zimbabwe against the precious vote that Chingoka brings to the table, year after year. And that will mean Chingoka’s sunny smile this afternoon will be on show again, same time tomorrow.

Shoaib Akhtar’s ban on playing for Pakistan has been temporarily suspended by the Lahore High Court pending a full and final judgement, which technically means the fast bowler is eligible to play for Pakistan. The fine imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the original punishment remains however.Shoaib was banned on April 1 from playing cricket for Pakistan for five years by the board’s disciplinary committee, for comments he made to the media about the board earlier in the year. He had criticised the board’s policy on central contracts, as well as playing conditions in a domestic tournament.After the ban was announced, Shoaib went on to level serious allegations against Nasim Ashraf, the board chairman, in a series of TV interviews. The charges led to a defamation lawsuit being slapped against him by Ashraf and the board though the lawsuit was eventually dropped.A subsequent appellate tribunal reduced his sentence to 18 months butimposed a hefty financial fine on him of Rs 7 million ($105,000 approximately). Unhappy with the judgement of the three-man tribunal, headed by a retired chief justice, Shoaib then filed a writ petition in the Lahore High Court last month.”Akhtar’s appeal of stay against the ban was upheld,” Tafazzul Rizvi, the PCB lawyer said. “This means he is temporarily allowed to play until the writ petition is fully heard.”According to a source close to Shoaib’s legal team, the judgement is only an interim one until the court hears out the whole case. It is unlikely that the case will proceed at any pace until at least September, after the summer break. “He is technically allowed to play for Pakistan now,” said the source.Understandably, Shoaib was pleased with the decision. “I am relieved. I want to play for my country and my fitness is up to the level,” Shoaib said. “I might go to England to play a few county or league games to gain match fitness.”I want to play in the Champions Trophy and win it for my people. I am thankful to the PCB chairman for his support in the last two months.”Ashraf said only that the decision of the court will be respected. “We have to establish what the court has said but we will always respect the decision of the court. It is up to the selectors to see whether he will be picked.”Whether or not he will have an opportunity to play is another question. It is unlikely that the selection committee will pick him, despite the paucity of pace resources in the current side, given his recent run-ins with the board. “We respect the court’s decision,” Salahuddin Ahmed, chief selector, told Cricinfo. “Shoaib’s selection in the future will be based on his fitness and his match fitness.”The future of Mohammad Asif, Pakistan’s other leading fast bowler, is also unclear: he is the subject of an internal three-man board inquiry after he was detained in Dubai for 20 days for allegedly being caught in possession with a drug at Dubai airport.In any case, Pakistan have no international assignments until late August, when New Zealand are scheduled to visit for three ODIs, though even that is yet to be confirmed. In September, Pakistan is scheduled to host the ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has accepted the request of paceman Wasim Akram, to release him from the two-Test series against South Africa starting at Durban from Dec 26.Wasim, who had confined himself for One-day cricket but suddenly made himself available for Test cricket after reaching Zimbabwe for the five One-day series last month, reverted to his earlier decision with the approval of the PCB.” The chairman of the PCB Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, spoke to Wasim over telephone yesterday (Tuesday), and after hearing him out, has agreed to accede to his request” acting director PCB Zakir Khan said. However, Zakir avoided to reveal any details of the conversation held between the chairman and the bowler.After Wasim’s omission a 15-member team will play the Test series as no replacement was being made, Zakir said.Wasim along with wicketkeeper Rashid Latif and Misbahul Haq will return home on Dec 20 while middle-order batsman Hasan Raza will join the team for the Tests on Dec 17. Rashid has also limited himself to One-day cricket.Former batsman, Hanif Mohammad, who is the batting consultant of the team will leave for South Africa Saturday.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia had ordered Pakistan team management to ensure Rashid Latif returns home from Johannesburg Sunday irrespective of injury or no injury.Rashid left with the Zimbabwe-bound contingent as number one wicketkeeper but reported unwell citing neck pains on arrival there.He ruled himself out of the Zimbabwe tour. Later he was flown to the South African city of Johannesburg for medical opinion on his injury.Tauqir on Friday here categorically stated that he had instructed the management to send Rashid back.Tauqir said that he would contact the team management once again to inquire about the results of Rashid’s medical reports.According to Pakistan tour management Rashid is on recovery path and would be fit for South African trip although earlier reports indicated the former skipper’s injury could be life threatening.This is not the first time that a Pakistani player has made himself available for a foreign trip but later becoming “mysteriously” unfit.Rashid’s saga is one of the many incidents that has not done any good to the cause of Pakistan cricket or the country’s image as a top cricket playing nation.Upon his arrival the former Pakistani captain will be subjected to several medical tests by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s own panel of doctors in accordance with the findings of the medical tests and opinions of the South African specialists, a PCB spokesman said Friday.Meanwhile, paceman Mohammad Sami has been held back by the team management after securing clearance from the selection committee.He will now be available for selection in the five-match One-day International series that begins in Bulawayo Nov 23.

ADELAIDE, Oct 25 AAP – Highly rated New South Wales youngster Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 79 at tea, helping the Blues to 4-203 in their first innings on day one of their Pura Cup cricket match against South Australia at Adelaide Oval today.Former Australian Test opener Michael Slater, batting at No.6, was also at the crease on 40 after sharing an entertaining, unbroken partnership of 91 with Clarke.The pair helped NSW get on top after starting the session at 3-85.Clarke’s dashing innings included several edges through slips, and a difficult dropped catch at second slip by Mark Higgs from Greg Blewett’s bowling when he was on 74.But it also included many fine shots, particularly several beautifully-timed drives to the cover boundary.Blues skipper Simon Katich was the only batsman to fall between lunch and tea, out for 27 in disappointing style when he top-edged a cut shot to provide Paul Rofe with an easy catch at backward point from off-spinner John Davison’s bowling.

India batter Shreyas Iyer is fully match-fit and cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to return to competitive action, which is set to take place when IPL 2021 resumes in the UAE from September 19.Iyer will rejoin Delhi Capitals, the IPL franchise which he led to a first appearance in the final in 2020, but his injury meant that Rishabh Pant captained the side during the last edition, which was halted after multiple Covid-19 cases inside the bio-bubble.The 26-year-old Iyer, who has played 22 ODIs and 29 T20Is, dislocated his shoulder during an ODI against England in Pune on March 23 and had to undergo surgery in the United Kingdom.Having completed an intense rehabilitation programme and proved his fitness during his week-long stay at the NCA, it is understood that the NCA’s medical team has declared him fit to return to competitive cricket.”Yes, NCA has issued a fit certificate to Shreyas. He stayed in Bengaluru at the NCA for a week and his final assessment has happened a few days back. Based on all medical and physical parameters, he is now ready to play matches. This couldn’t have happened at a better time with India’s T20 World Cup campaign in two months time,” a senior BCCI source told PTI.Iyer had done his rehab programme at the Mumbai Cricket Association ground in the Bandra Kurla Complex but as per BCCI’s protocol, he had to be cleared by NCA officials to be up for selection again.With Iyer making a comeback, all eyes will be on the Capitals management as to who they pick for the leadership role.Iyer led the side well when Capitals reached their first final last year. Pant, too, has grown into a fine player, with his performances in Australia and in the home Tests against England being particularly eye-catching.

Mashrafe Mortaza has said he sees a bright future for Bangladesh, provided young players are given the right environment to develop. The limited-overs captain completes 15 years in international cricket on Tuesday, becoming the longest-serving international cricketer in the country’s Test status era.Mashrafe, who made his debut against Zimbabwe in November 2001, said that the players also must remain eager to perform, and focus on hard work to bring out their individual potential.”I am sure that Bangladesh will achieve many things in the next 15 years,” Mashrafe told ESPNcricinfo. “We have to take care of the players, and by that I mean we have to create an environment for them. We have to keep them in the right process. The players also need to remain hungry.”We will achieve things in 15 years that we cannot imagine now. But, for it to happen, we have to head in the right direction. It is not that we didn’t have talented players in the past, but they were wasted. There has to be hard work to make use of the talent. If we can do these things properly, we will get better.”Mashrafe, who is seen as a vital cog in Bangladesh’s ODI success over the last two years, predicted that Bangladesh’s Test team would improve significantly, especially after having figured out a way to compete against teams like England, whom they beat in a Test match last week.”Our Test ranking will get much better in the coming years. We need to have specific targets since now we have also realised that we can win Tests in home conditions. We had done the same in ODIs, so I believe that the boys will do better. We will have a higher win percentage at home.”Mashrafe added that a strong group of fast bowlers would also help the team when they played overseas, which should be part of their long-term planning. “We have good fast bowlers so we also have a better chance of doing well abroad. But there has to be long-term planning. Our coaching staff, including those in the High Performance programme, are preparing them to that tune.”Meanwhile, senior batsman Tamim Iqbal said that Mashrafe’s presence had been a significant boon to Bangladesh cricket over the past 15 years.”In our Bangladesh team, Mashrafe is the character who fulfills the team. He plays a big role by being the elder brother, friend and father figure,” Tamim said. “He may be just five years older than most of us, but I see that many see him as a father figure. I know a lot of guys who will take the direction Mashrafe tells them to.”His presence is very important. You cannot buy his character with a million dollars, nor by being the captain or a performer. He is such a character, everyone is drawn to him. I would say that his character played a massive role in raising our cricket to this stage.”