Zaheer Khan likely to be rested for limited-over series against West Indies

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated  that India 's left-arm fast bowler, Zaheer Khan, has requested the board to rest him for the limited overs part of the West Indies tour.
Zaheer is considered the spearhead of the Indian bowling line-up and has performed exceptionally well for the last couple of years in all formats of the game. He was also the joint top wicket-taker of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and had claimed 21 scalps.
However, he has been playing regularly for India for the last couple of years and has asked for a well deserved rest. Since the Men in Blue leave for West Indies right after the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League, Khan will not have the time to rest and recover. His below-par performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore also reflects how thinly worn the player is right now.

Indian Pacer has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India about his concern and will write to it officially on May 10, 2011. It is learnt that the BCCI will not force him to play the ODIs and T20 game against West Indies.
A BCCI official said that India have important tours to England and Australia coming up, so if any player asks for rest, there was no harm in giving it to them.
The BCCI spokesperson also said, “He has informed the Board informally. And before the selection committee meets on May 10 he will be writing to the BCCI secretary. The Board will not force him to play the ODIs and T20 game. India has a bunch of tours lined up and we need a fit Zaheer in England and Australia. If any player asks for rest then there is no harm in it, as earlier too we have given rest to players who have asked for it.”
Zaheer Khan is one of the fastest bowlers of the Indian cricket team. He started his International cricket career in 2000 against Kenya. In his remarkable 191 One Dayers he has taken 273 wickets at an average of 28.84.

Read More

ZIMBABWE'S ELTON CHIGUMBURA RESIGNS FROM CAPTAINCY

Zimbabwe captain, Elton Chigumbura, has resigned from his post in order to focus his own form as a batsman.

While talking to the media, the Rhodesian skipper said, “Chigumbura told local newspaper Newsday on Friday that "I have thought long and hard about the job since my return from the World Cup and I have consulted my family and friends about it.”

Chigumbura is of the view that captaincy is a job which requires concentration and responsibility. He said that he could not focus on his batting while leading the side, which is affecting his performances in the game.

The 25-year-old Rhodesian all-rounder became Zimbabwe’s skipper in May 2010, in place of Prosper Utseya. He said that he enjoyed leading the team but his performance is getting weaker with every game, due to the pressure of captaincy.

He expressed that he had to face massive criticism for the team’s weak performance in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011. The disappointing performance by the Kenyan team in the tournament caused him serious mental pressure and he decided to resign from the captaincy.

Chigumbura said that his decision has disappointed a few team members, as they think that he should continue with the leadership. However, he added that the team has agreed with his decision of resigning, as they know that it is very hard to concentrate on the game, when one is leading the entire team.

He said, “While some still think I should have stayed on, others agreed with me that I needed to concentrate on my own game and let somebody else lead the team.”

According to reports, Zimbabwe’s opener, Hamilton Masakadza or Brendan Taylor are considered to replace Chigumbura for the captaincy position.

Elton Chigumbura is one of the best all-rounder in the Zimbabwe cricket team. He started his International cricket career in 2004 against Sri Lanka at Bulawayo. In his 128 One Day Internationals, he has scored 2557 runs at an average of 23.89. The right-hander has so far struck 205 fours and 75 sixes. He has scored 13 half centuries, in 128 ODI matches.

Read More

HARBHAJAN SINGH SAYS HE IS AVAILABLE FOR WEST INDIES TOUR

Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh has confirmed his availability for the upcoming West Indies tour. However, he is not sure about the plans of other senior players in the Indian squad.

When asked about the intention of his team-mates about West Indies tour, Singh said that nobody has told him about competing in the tour. He only confirmed his decision of performing in the series, as he does not want to miss the three-Test match series against the Caribbean side.

While talking to the media, Singh stated, “I have no idea from where the news (of senior players opting out of West Indies tour) have poured in. As far as I am concerned I am available for the tour.”

Singh expressed his happiness over Mumbai Indians’ success in the ongoing Indian Premier League. He said that things are going fine and every player of the team is putting in their best effort to perform well.

Singh is of the view that his role in Mumbai Indians has not changed since the last season of IPL. He said that along with senior co-player Sachin Tendulkar, he always looks forward to unite the team for good performances. He said that unity can always create magic and also give a tough time to the opposing team.

The Indian off-spinner appreciated the performances shown by the players of Mumbai Indians, a franchise owned by India’s richest family, the Ambanis.

Singh added, “I am happy with the way things have gone till now. We have been through rough patches but one or the other has been able to pull us through. Like in the last match Rohit Sharma and Andrew Symondsbatted well to help us to reasonable score which could be defended.”

While commenting about his team-mates, the off-spinner appreciated the young talent of Ambati Rayudu, citing him as a ‘special talent.’

Harbhajan Singh said that it will be tough for youngsters like Rayudu to face spin wizard Shane Warne. He said Rayudu has been performing well of late and is capable of taking over VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid’s place in the side.

Singh also admired captain of Rajasthan Royals, Shane Warne and said that he is one of the greatest cricketer he has ever seen. He added that he would like to take some off-spinning tips from Warne, to improve his bowling performance.

Read More

PCB's selection committee demands monetary rewards for team's performance in 2011 ICC World Cup

The Chief Selector of the Pakistan cricket team, Mohsin Khan, is of the view that the selectors should be rewarded with cash prizes. The management helped the team in reaching the semi-final of the 2011 ICC World Cup which ended earlier this month.
The Chief Selector said that the Indian national selectors were also awarded with cash bonus after India victory in the World Cup, similarly Pakistan should also treat their selectors in the same manner and they should be credited for their efforts.
Mohsin Khan said, “When you consider the problems Pakistan cricket has faced in the last few months and the fact that we had lost some of our leading players to a ban, the selectors did a good job in picking a balanced side that made it to the World Cup semi-final against all odds.”
Mohsin also said that the efforts made by the selectors should be acknowledged as they are the one who have to face criticism when the team fails to perform in any match. He added that in the same manner they should be given credit if the team performed well in any game.
Mohsin, the Test opener, stated, “When the team does well, the selectors should be rewarded in the same matter as the players and the team officials.”
Following their exit from the 2011 ICC World Cup, Pakistan team's head coach, Waqar Younis, has said that the team officials should be given monetary rewards for the playing a big part in preparing the players for the mega event. Recently, Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani announced cash prizes of PKR 1 million for every team member and PKR 0.5 million for every team official.
The Pakistan cricket team tried their level best to reach the grand finale of the recently ended World Cup. Shahid Afridi along with his team performed well in the tournament as they won 6 out of their 8 matches and reached the semi-final after 1999. Afridi was hopeful that he would be able to win the coveted title, however they failed to prove themselves in the semi-final, when they played against old time rivals India.

Read More