PCB TURNS DOWN AFGHANISTAN CRICKET'S REQUEST TO HOST AN ODI SERIES

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, turned down Afghanistan Cricket’s request to host a One Day International (ODI) series between the two national teams in summer this year. The reason given by the PCB was Pakistan cricket team's busy schedule.

The Pakistan board, however, has agreed to host a one-day series featuring A team of Pakistan and national side of Afghanistan.

"We explained to the Afghanistan officials that it was not possible for our national team to play the ODI series this year due to its international schedule and domestic season requirements," said a PCB official while talking to the media reporters.

"But we told them we are ready to help them out improve their cricket standards and structure by playing series involving the Pakistan A team," he added.

Earlier, a delegation of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) met with Ijaz Butt, the Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, to discuss the cricketing relations between the neighboring countries. The delegation also requested the PCB Chief to consider hosting a one-day series.

The emerging Afghanistan team is keen to visit Pakistan for an ODI series and have ensured that they do not have any issues with the uncertain law and order situation in Pakistan.

The PCB official said that the one-day series between Afghanistan and Pakistan A team will be organized sometime in June and July this year.

PCB have been facilitating Afghanistan cricket in the past as well by allowing former Pakistan players to go and train Afghanistan players. Afghanistan players were also allowed to train at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Few Afghan players were also permitted to play in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

Pakistan has not hosted an international side since militant attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009, but the Chief Executive of Afghanistan Cricket Board, Mr. Naseemullah said that they have no issues playing in Pakistan.

"We will be sending our national team to Pakistan without any fear and our players are also keen to get exposure against stronger sides," said the ACB chief.

Currently, ACB is hosting its domestic tournament in Peshawar, the capital of militant-hit Pakistan province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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Pakistan left arm fast bowler Junaid Khan geared up for international cricket

Pakistan’s left arm fast bowler Junaid Khan has said that he is ready for the challenge of international cricket and wants to prove his worth in the tour of West Indies due to begin later in April 2011.
Pakistan are scheduled to play a full series in the Caribbean which includes a T20 international, five One Day Internationals and a couple of Test matches.
Junaid is among those five uncapped players named in the squad for the West Indian tour by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The young fast bowler from Abbotabad replaced another left arm medium fast bowler Sohail Tanvir in the 15-man squad for the ICC World Cup 2011. However, Junaid failed to get a game in the event as the Men in Green banked on their more experienced fast bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq.
Junaid said that he is raring to go and is waiting for his opportunity in international cricket so that he can prove his mettle. He stated that his concentration is only on the Caribbean tour at the moment and wants to cement his place in the Pakistan line-up by performing well.
The 21-year-old fast bowler understands that high level of fitness is required at the international level and claimed that he is working hard on it.
He said, “I hope that I would get an opportunity to use the trip to prove my potential. I am fully focused on the West Indies tour and trying my best to keep fit, which is all the more important.”
Junaid has played for Pakistan in the Under-19 side with Mohammad Amir who is facing a five-year ban from international cricket because of his involvement in spot-fixing.
Many cricket analysts in Pakistan believe that Junaid can fill the boots of Amir in Pakistan’s squad as he resembles him a lot in his action and pace.
Junaid has performed well in domestic cricket and for Pakistan’s ‘A’ team in the last few years. The senior team of Pakistan would be hoping that he can replicate his form and fill the void left by Amir.

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