Waqar wants improved fielding

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has said the team will focus on fielding ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE, which starts on October 26. The Pakistan squad will have a week-long preparatory camp ahead of the series.

"We have set up a six-day camp from October 17 before departing for the UAE on October 23," Waqar told the Express Tribune newspaper. "Although I am placing emphasis on the three departments of batting, bowling and fielding - fielding, once again is our highest priority as it has never been good."

Pakistan's catching during the recent tour of England was abysmal, with plenty of simple chances being put down. Waqar was also unhappy with the level of fielding in the Faysal Bank T-20 competition in Lahore this week. "I see weak fielding in the ongoing domestic Twenty20 championship as well, even though it is a vital aspect of the game, and if you start working on it at the lower levels it can help you at the top at the international level."

Already reeling from the spot-fixing crisis that has deprived them of three key players, Pakistan's build-up to the series had further trouble after Waqar and Shahid Afridi, the limited-overs captain, complained that the selection committee hadn't consulted them before picking the squad.

Pakistan's chief selector, Mohsin Khan, defended the decision by saying it was not in the PCB's constitution that the captain and coach needed to be consulted for the selection of the squad.

ICC warning a 'shame' for Pakistan - Imran

Imran Khan, the former Pakistan captain, has termed the ICC's warning to the PCB to clean up its act as a "shame", and reiterated his stance calling for an overhaul of the current administration. Imran also criticised the influence of politics on the affairs of the board.

Last week, the ICC, taking notice of the continuing decline of governance in Pakistan cricket, particularly since the spot-fixing controversy and the subsequent suspensions of three players, cautioned the board to fix its administration and introduce its own anti-corruption measures or face the consequences, potentially in the form of sanctions.

"For years now our players have been linked to corruption," Imran said. "When the spot-fixing allegations first came out against our players in theNews of the World newspaper, the PCB itself should have taken action against the players instead of waiting for the ICC to step in."

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Amir were provisionally suspended by the ICC for their alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's. "The ICC move to warn us and put us on notice is a shameful day for every Pakistani. It is a shame for Pakistan cricket and the reason is we don't have any cricket institution in Pakistan," Imran said.

Cricketing relations between Pakistan and England took a turn for the worse when Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, suggested some England players might have been involved in spot-fixing during the ODI series - an allegation he retracted and apologised for when threatened with legal action. Imran was highly critical of the board chief. "Ijaz Butt's governance has been a failure. He should have resigned the moment he apologised to the England board and withdraw his statement because they threatened him with legal action."

The patron-in-chief of the PCB is the president of Pakistan - currently Asif Ali Zardari - and Imran said the interference of politics in cricket was unacceptable. "Tell me in which country does the president appoint the chairman of the cricket board," he said.

"Today we face problems because the cricket board never took action against players accused of match-fixing. In order to save itself and to ensure we didn't lose key players the administrators were reluctant to carry out and complete investigations against such players."

Ijaz Butt was told to reform or be expelled

The prospect of expelling the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt as an ICC director was raised at the ICC board meeting in Dubai last week, underlining just how thin the ice is that the Pakistan board is currently skating on. Well-placed 

observers vary on the degree of the threat but some believe Butt was compelled to accept a series of wide-ranging measures to reform Pakistan cricket without protest because the alternative would have been to face expulsion.

The possibility is believed to have been raised by an individual member and not the ICC. It arose from members concerned about a specific potential conflict of interest in the spot-fixing scandal, in which three Pakistani players are allegedly involved. The Pakistan board and Mohammad Asif, one of the three players implicated, are using the same London-based lawyer which, according to the ICC code of ethics for directors, could be interpreted as a conflict of interest.

This particular spur, however, is merely part of a much broader canvas of the cricket world's discontent with Butt. ESPNcricinfo reported last month that thepossibility of suspending him had crossed the minds of officials who were unhappy with how Butt had reacted to the spot-fixing crisis and then acted with the ICC and other boards such as the ECB.

The focus of the two-day board meeting was on anti-corruption and, in particular, concerns over the health of the game in Pakistan; specifically three broad areas were up for discussion, including an update on the spot-fixing investigations, how the game tackles corruption globally and how Pakistan is to be helped. At its conclusion, the ICC set an ultimatum to the PCB to implement a series of effective anti-corruption measures in its domestic set-up within 30 days [from October 13].

The remit of the ICC's task force on Pakistan has also been broadened to look at ways of improving the structure of governance in Pakistan, "to carry out any reforms," according to the ICC, "which may be deemed necessary to restore confidence in the administration of the game."

It is understood that the actions of the Pakistan board through the year brought matters to a head. The revoking of punishments handed out after the Australia tour inquiry, in which the PCB found players guilty of deliberately underperforming, worried member boards.

The handling of the spot-fixing crisis - in particular its refusal to suspend players - and a spate of statements made in the aftermath by Butt and others have exacerbated matters. The feeling in the cricket world before this meeting, one source said, was that "Pakistan cricket was in denial." The measures "lay down a path for how that can be dealt with."

The reconstituted task force is expected to sit down this week to begin carving out terms of reference for its operation; at some point ECB chairman Giles Clarke, who is head of the force, is likely to visit Pakistan. There are expected to be "discussions" and "recommendations" in whatever areas Pakistan needs help but the basic governance of the game is likely to feature heavily. "There will be greater scrutiny and monitoring of the way the game is governed in Pakistan now," an official familiar with the brief said.

But first the task force will report on the PCB's efforts in putting into place those anti-corruption measures. They have to be completed within the 30-day deadline - and there is a full series with South Africa in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to organize in that time - failing which, theoretically, a range of sanctions are available. Action can be taken against Butt's position on the ICC board and financial sanctions can also be applied; withholding prize money from ICC tournaments, for example. The worst-case scenario, "the last resort," as one official put it, would be to suspend Pakistan's membership. It is understood that sanctions are likely be against the member and not an individual.

The signs, according to an ICC-watcher, are not good even given the ICC's slow approach to such decisions. "Usually there are various stages to go through when suspension becomes an issue, as was the case with Zimbabwe," he told ESPNcricinfo. "Task forces do their work, there is much discussion, fact-finding trips are made and so on. But in this case, such is the situation and the concern over Pakistan that things could move quickly. You need a 75% majority to suspend a member so where is the support for the PCB? The threat of suspension is very real."

Lahore Lions take title after runfest

A vintage Abdul Razzaq onslaught muscled Lahore Lions to the second highest total of the tournament, which proved too much even for Karachi Dolphins' powerful batting line-up in the final of the Faysal Bank T-20 Cup at a 

packed Gaddafi Stadium. Lahore's openers, Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad, also made major contributions to leave Karachi without a trophy despite four trips to the final of the domestic Twenty20 competition.

Shehzad, an 18-year-old who played one match during Pakistan's run to the World Twenty20 title last year, did the early damage cracking four fours and a six in fast bowler Mohammad Sami's first two overs. He fell for 43 in the seventh over, by when Jamshed had shrugged off his slow start. Even the dismissal of Umar Akmal, perhaps Lahore's most dangerous batsman, did not slow Jamshed, who brought up his second half-century of the tournament.

Shehzad finished as the second highest run-getter in the competition and Jamshed the third, but the batsman who made the most impact on the final was Razzaq. He started the 18th over on 28 off 15 deliveries, and clubbed four sixes and three fours in the final three overs to finish on 71 off 29. Lahore looted 57 in that spell to amass 221 against a Karachi side that had easily hunted down 210 in the semi-finals.

Karachi made a spirited start to the chase, with two sixes in the first over showing their intent. They sprinted to 53 for 1 in the fifth over before losing Shahzaib Hasan, the tournament's most successful batsman and another youngster who came into prominence during last year's World Twenty20. Still, Fawad Alam and Shahid Afridi, who played crucial roles in the semi-final win on Friday, remained and they powered Karachi to 88 for 3 in nine overs.

Fast bowler Wahab Riaz, who recently took five wickets on Test debut at The Oval, then provided the breakthrough, removing Alam in an over which cost only two runs. Much depended on Afridi now, a man who bludgeoned runs at a strike-rate of 216 through the competition. He wasn't giving up - even with the asking rate beyond 14 - and blasted two sixes and three fours in a two-over spell that yielded 42 runs and had Karachi hoping again.

The match was effectively finished in the 16th over when a slower ball from Waqas Ahmed bowled Afridi. From 151 from 7, and all their main batsmen dismissed, Karachi's chances evaporated and they were finally bowled out for 184, handing Lahore their first Twenty20 title.

Sialkot Stallions lose after five undefeated years

Rawalpindi Rams accomplished what no team has managed since April 2005 - win a Twenty20 match against Sialkot Stallions - as they overcame the local giants by 13 runs in a high-scoring clash in Lahore.

Stallions came into the game on the back of a five-year unbeaten streak, but it was clear from the outset that today was going to be no walk in the park. Naved Malik and Awais Zia came out throwing punches in all directions, spanking quick 40s in an opening stand that raised 88 in 6.2 overs. Sarfraz Ahmed and Abdur Rehman bore the brunt of the assault, bleeding 101 runs in their eight combined overs.

The innings failed to build on the frenetic start, but the middle-order ensured that they did not throw it away either. Adeel Malik pulled things back with 3 for 25 in the middle overs, but Naved Ashraf and Hammad Azam ensured the Stallions would need to chase close to 200 to qualify for the semis.

Imran Nazir launched the pursuit in typical fashion, lashing 45 runs in just 15 balls, suggesting that even a target of 198 could not rein in the champion side. He smote five sixes and three fours, and raised 72 in 32 balls with Tahir Mughal to set the tone for a tight finish. Azam was larruped for 50 runs in his four overs, but also managed to strike four crucial blows. His dismissal of Nazir prompted an inevitable drop in the scoring rate, but Shoaib Malik and Haris Sohail kept their side in the hunt with a 41-run stand in 31 balls. Shoaib's exit, with 42 needed off 31, gave the Rams an opening and they barged in with a flurry of late wickets. Sohail kept trying, but Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's inability to rotate the strike or reach the boundary towards the end cost the Stallions a spot in the final four as the innings closed at 184 for 7.

Islamabad Leopards charged into the semis with a commanding nine-wicket victory against Faisalabad Wolves in the winner-takes-all Group C clash at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The spin of the coin was the only thing that went the Wolves' way as their batting came unstuck in spectacular fashion against Shoiab Akhtar. Asif Hussain, Mohammad Hafeez and Ali Waqaz were all back in the pavilion for ducks by the end of the first over, and the Wolves' eventual score of 141 for 8 was a major improvement after that shambolic start. Misbah-ul-Haq, recently appointed as the captain for the Test series against South Africa, gave a reminder of his Twenty20 skills with 47 off 32 balls. Khurram Shehzad and Naved Latif offered support to set the Leopards a tricky chase.

The reply was just as dominant as the bowling performance earlier in the day as Raheel Majeed stroked 69 off 58 balls with nine fours and a six to lead the way. Umair Khan and Fayyaz Ahmed offered support to ensure that the Leopards got home with plenty to spare.

Karachi Dolphins surged to the highest domestic Twenty20 score in Pakistan - 243 for 2 - on the back of a majestic 101 off 61 balls from Shahzaib Hasan, to defeat Lahore Eagles and qualify to the semis from Group D. The Eagles were left to rue their decision to field as the Dolphins openers took off in spectacular fashion. Khalid Latif's 55 off 37 balls was completely over-shadowed by Shahzaib, who capitalised after being put down on 11 by Ali Azmat. Shahzaib has been in fine form during this event, adding a century to his 76 against Hyderabad Hawks on Monday. His displays showed the national selectors, who announced the Twenty20 squad for the South Africa series ahead of this tournament and left him out of it, in poor light.

Following the 138-run opening stand, Shahid Afridi blitzed 48 off 18 balls, before Tariq Haroon tonked four of his six balls for sixes to take the Dolphins to a towering total. The Eagles made a fist of the chase, with Imran Farhat hitting 53 off 36 balls to launch the reply. Azmat tried to make up for his drop with five sixes and five fours in his 69 off 38 balls, but Tanvir Ahmed and Afridi bowled tight spells to ensure that the Eagles fell 35 runs short. 

Younis Khan to meet PCB chief over future

Younis Khan, the former Pakistan captain, has acknowledged receiving a notice from the PCB, asking him to meet the board chief Ijaz Butt to discuss his continued exclusion from the national team.

Younis, who has agreed to the meeting, was punished by the PCB for disciplinary reasons in the aftermath of a winless tour of Australia in 2009-10; the board decided that he would not be selected for an indefinite period. The sanction seemed to have beenlifted in June this year, when an appeals tribunal referred the case back to the board and Younis was included in the list of probables for the Asia Cup.

But he has not been cleared for selection since then by Butt. The chairman, it is believed, is expecting an apology from Younis - the other players who were punished and have now been taken back into the fold have all apologised to the chairman - while Younis has refused to issue one, believing he has done nothing to apologise for.

"I was expecting a lot more in the letter but it just asks me to meet the chairman and I have no problems doing that. I think in the next two or three days the chairman will give me time and I will meet him," Younis told reporters in Lahore, where he is leading Peshawar Panthers in the domestic Twenty20 Cup. Had he refused to contact the board, Younis could have been issued a show-cause notice, asking him to address the charges laid against him again.

Younis said he was eager to play for Pakistan but did not want to speculate over his future. "Who doesn't want to play for his country? But I cannot say anything about my future at this stage, until I have my meeting with the board chairman," he said.

Afridi, Waqar pleased with verdict on Oval ODI

Pakistan's limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis have welcomed the ICC's decision to give a clean chit to last month's ODI against England at The Oval. The ICC had launched an investigation into the match after receiving information from the Sun newspaper before the game began alleging that bookies were aware of certain scoring patterns during the game. On Wednesday, they said their investigation was complete and "there was no compelling evidence to suspect individual players or support staff" of wrongdoing.

"I am very happy after hearing the news," Afridi, who led Pakistan to victory in that match, told AFP. "I had and will always have full confidence in my team that they will not do anything like that. I have told the players to always remain focused on cricket and forget anything else, and that's what they were doing in the one-day series in England."

Afridi's views were echoed by Waqar, who also hoped for a quick end to the controversies surrounding the England tour. Prior to the the ODI series, a News of the World expose had alleged that three players from the Pakistan side - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - were involved in spot-fixing during the Lord's Test. The trio has been suspended by the ICC pending investigations.

"It's [the ruling on The Oval ODI] very good news for Pakistan cricket," Waqar told AFP. "I sincerely hope that all spot-fixing cases are solved soon because they have tarnished Pakistan's reputation."

Taffazul Rizvi, legal adviser to the Pakistan Cricket Board, also welcomed the ruling, and added that any decision on following legal recourse against the British newspapers would wait for the outcome of the spot-fixing inquiry.