ICC denied PCB's statement over Wahab Riaz Selection

The International Cricket Council on Saturday denied a reported statement made by the Chairman of PCB that fast bowler Wahab Riaz was selected in the Pakistan squad for the series against England after clearance from The International Cricket Council. According to a report PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf had said that the PCB had sought clarification from the ICC before including Wahab in the side.

Zaka Ashraf said, "Since his name was mentioned in the spot-fixing trial in London, as a precautionary measure we didn't consider him for the matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. But we inquired from the ICC if they had any evidence suggesting that Wahab might also be involved in the scandal,"

In a statement, ICC Chief Executive Mr Haroon Lorgat said: "I've said before and reiterate that the ICC has no part to play in the selection of any team. It remains the absolute right of a Member Board to decide which player it wishes to include in a squad or select in its team for any match." He also added,"Only if a player has been charged and/or provisionally suspended by the ICC and/or banned by an independent tribunal, will he not be permitted for selection. In all other circumstances, it is the Member Board's absolute right to select players."

What does 2012 hold for the Green machine?

After a disastorous first half of 2010, an erratic cricket board made, what seemed to be, yet another idiotic choice; recalling an out of favor Misbah as not just a player but the test captain. Misbah had his hands full as the south africans came to the UAE for what was expected to be a walkover. Pakistan thrashed in the T-20's, got pipped in the ODI's 2-3 were expected to wilt without a fight in the test matches but this is where Misbah showed why he is considered the best cricketing brain in Pakistan. Though both matches were drawn, the result was heartening for a side that hadnt won anything for a while. Pakistan took on the Kiwis in New Zealand at the start of 2011 and won both the ODI's and the test match series and from there on there was nothing stopping Pakistan. From being on the mat in 2010, Pakistan emerged as one of the most succesful sides in 2011 with its players dominating every aspect of the game.

Pakistan hasnt seen such a strong team since the days of Imran khan in the late 80's and early 90's. Even after that there were some succesful sides but they all relied on individual brilliance and spark. Wasim or waqar ripping the opposition apart, Inzi, Anwar or Yousaf playing blinders to see Pakistan home, Afridi or Razzaq playing some sort of a cameo, whatever it was the previous teams relied on individual brilliance of an elite few to see them home. Rather than being the sum of its parts the previous teams were like a boxer who relied on one knockout punch rather than a complete technique to skittle out an opponent. This current team has a different flavor, to be honest one cant recall from previous memory any Pakistani team that has been so united and has every cog in its wheel pulling its weight.

There are the rare instances where one individual performance has seen the team home, like afridi at sharjah, but other than that the bowlers have pulled their weight and the batting, which has been Pakistans Achilees heel in the past, has performed rather consistently with Hafeez, Omar, Umar Akmal, Misbah, Younis, and Azhar all coming to the party and ensuring that the traditional batting collapses, that Pakistan is so prone to, have stayed away. The bowling, however, has been Pakistans sharp edge throughout the year. With Saeed Ajmal the leading wicket taker in the test arena even all the support bowlers like Junaid Khan, Wahab, Maana and Umar Gul have provided fantastic support to the wily off spinner. Pakistani bowlers dominate the ODI charts with the three spinners, Ajmal, Hafeez and Afridi at 1,2 and 9 respectively in the ICC rankings.

So what does 2012 hold? This team has performed near miracles in 2011 and the acid test of all this unity and method to the beast shall be against the British on the sands of the UAE. The England tour shall be decisive one and will expose the direction of how this team will play in coming times. Pakistan have a packed schedule in 2012 and should this team play like the well oiled machine that it is now, there is no reason to doubt it performance, credibility or its potential to dominate for the next few years.

Big Bash | Hurricanes remained unbeaten

The Hurricanes started the year with a win and remained unbeaten in the Big Bash League. Hurricanes captain Doherty and Thunder captain Smith met at toss, the Thunder captain won the toss and decided to bat first. Once again it was Gayle show, he was unstoppable in earlier overs. After losing the captain Smith in 6th over, Gayle with the help of Abbot built a partnership of 53 runs. At a time when Gayle and Abbott was dominating, Krejza took rid of Gayle (53) and later on Abbot who was caught by Triffitton on 39 runs. After Gayle and Abbott there were no other player to make a compete-able total.

Thunder scored 138 runs in 20.0 overs after losing 8 wickets. Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan bowled very well and took 3 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs, he is still leading with 11 wickets. On the other side, the top runs-scorer of the tournament Chris Gayle scored another fifty of the tournament, he scored 53 runs on 33 balls. His inning included 2 fours and 5 sixes.

In reply, the Hurricanes had a bad start and lost Jacques in the first over, he was bowled by Edwards when the score was 1. Birt and Wells controlled the innings after the first blow and made 49 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket. Birt scored 35 quick runs from 18 balls and was given out on the LBW shout of Coyte. Wells slow inning was come to an end when the total was 92, he was third victim of Thunders, and scored 29 runs from 36 balls. Triffitt and Lockyear failed to perform but it was Shah who made it Hurricanes day and batted till the end.

Hobart Hurricanes achieved the target in 19th over after losing 5 wickets. Owais Shah played a vital role in chase and remained unbeaten with 41 runs on 32 balls. Coyte 2/14 in 4 overs couldn't save the Thunder from the 2nd consecutive loss of the tournament. Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan for his brilliant bowling figure of 3/22 was given man of the match award.

MATCH SUMMARY:
Sydney Thunder: 138/8 in 20.0 overs
Hobart Hurricanes: 139/5 in 18.4 overs
Man of the Match: Rana Naveed-ul-Hassan