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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Misbah-ul-Haq proves his worth in the ODI series against West Indies

After the World Cup semi-final loss to India at Mohali, there were many who stressed on axing Misbah-ul-Haq from the squad. Despite the odds, Pakistan’s middle-order batsman has gone a long way to redeem himself with his match-winning performances in the One Day International series against West Indies so far.
His slow style of batting was the reason many had turned against Misbah after the semi-final defeat, but the batsman seems more at home in the ongoing ODI series.
Pakistan’s batting is prone to collapsing and Misbah’s style, although criticized has helped the side in winning matches in the current series. Though he may not play a big inning, his ability to stay on the crease has helped his side out of a tight spot on more than the one occasion.
Against India in the inaugural T20 World Championship final, Misbah was the one batsman who gave his side any hope of winning the fixture. The fact is that Misbah has taken responsibility for his side many a time and that means that if Pakistan loses, Misbah is often the scapegoat.
In the ongoing ODI series against West Indies, Misbah is proving his worth for the Pakistan side. Currently the squad’s highest run scorer in the series, Misbah has hit 178 runs in three matches. His average of 59.33 goes a long way in showing his consistency with the bat.
While the ‘Man of the Match’ award went to opening batsman Muhammad Hafeez in the first ODI for his half century, it was Misbah-ul-Haq’s well-constructed unbeaten 73 runs, which eventually helped Pakistan achieve the target. While not as exciting as Hafeez’s innings, it was far more crucial in keeping the game in reach for the visitors.
The second ODI belonged to Ahmed Shehzad, who rightfully stole all the headlines for his mature and well-composed century. The veteran batsman guided the youngster through the innings, before ultimately lifting Pakistan to a victory himself, with an unbeaten 43-run knock. The fact that surprised everyone was that Misbah managed to maintain a strike rate of 100.00 during his innings.
It would not come as a surprise if reports of Misbah-ul-Haq’s fans, who could not cope after witnessing the match-winning innings, had to be rushed to hospital.
It was in third ODI in which the batsman proved his worth in the Pakistani squad. Men in Green did well to bowl West Indies out for a small total of 171 runs. Chasing the target, Pakistan were in deep trouble at one stage during the match.
After an early collapse from the top-order, Misbah-ul-Haq began the rebuilding process and steadied the ship for Pakistan. Linking up with Umar Akmal and Hammad Azam, the batsman led his side to a more stable position.
Misbah had a total of six batting partnerships in the match and his unbeaten 62-run knock, was the backbone of the Pakistan innings.
Misbah-ul-Haq has not lost his wicket in the three matches of the series so far. The Pakistan batsman seems at home in the ODI version of the game. One can expect more of the same from the backbone of the Pakistan innings in future. With the current form the team is in, Pakistan should be able to continue their winning run and secure the series in style.

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