Imran Khan encourages Shoaib Akhtar for coming back

Former world cup winning captain of Pakistan Imran Khan have advised Shoaib Akhtar not to waste his few years international career and urged to work hard to get back in to the team. He further advised to retire with honor and pride.

Imran Khan has advised Shoaib during a campaign of fund raising for his Shaukat Khanum Research Cancer Hospital. Imran have told Shoaib if he gets his place back in national team and if Shoaib performs, then his past would be forgotten and people would only remember the present.

Shoaib Akhtar was involved in some many on and off field controversies and issues in the past few months. But seems to be striking a chord with PCB as he have apologized for appearing in a TV talk show with out seeking board’s clearance. PCB played it down as his apology has pleased the cricket board. Even chief selector has also in a statement told that the fast bowler can make a comeback if he changes his attitude and be positive.

Akhtar, during the campaign was looked fit with shedding few kilos.

Real test for ODI format in Champions Trophy

Uncertainties on the future of ODI format of cricket is in increasing trend of late. So many questions were arisen on the survival of this fantastic format of the game. ICC on the other side always maintains that 50 over game is still a feasible format.

Friends Trophy is the major 50-over tournament in England’s domestic circuit. But ECB has replaced it with 40-over game, which is real concern. Likewise, BCCI have stripped Deodhar Trophy, which is the 50-over domestic game. Even South Africa is only playing 45-over game domestically.

Considering all these latest developments in cricketing arena, one would doubt whether this format is slowly facing its demise. Haroon Lorgat thinks otherwise by saying it is too early to think about demise.

In all the senses, Champions Trophy is really going to test ODI format and this tournament would certainly decide the future course of the format.

Pakistan coach sees threat in India and Australia in Champions Trophy

Pakistan’s coach Intikhab Alam is seeing India and Australia as the biggest threat for his team in the forthcoming Champions trophy to be held in South Africa in September. Alam has refused to comment on how Pakistan would perform in the tournament that is second best to the world cup.

He believes both India and Pakistan are fantastic one-day teams. Pakistan which is in the same group as Indian and Pakistan should play extremely well to beat them. He has told that Indian team is having quality players and looking very dangerous. On the other side, Australians are world champions but Ashes defeat might put them in the beat seat, he added.

On critics fires him on premature inclusion of fast bowler Mohammed Asif, he told that Asif is having good record in South African pitches, his summing up in to the team would add fire in the Pakistan’s bowling unit. He further told that his form and performances are considered important in Pakistan’s prospect in winning the cup.

When questioning on altercations between him and skipper Younis Khan, he told that people trying to create discord within the team. He and the captain getting along well and at the end wants the team to do well in the tournament.

Kirsten wants the Team India to continue its winning momentum

Indian Coach Gary Kirsten has told that Indian team is playing with renewed spirit and unity to its winning momentum going. He told that the Indian team is playing outstanding cricket for the past eight month and have won 80 percent of the games they have played in that period.

On the sidelined on the four day training camp for tri-series and champions trophy, he told team has taken pride in being very consistent since Australian series last year. On quick exit in T20 world cup, Kirsten played it down by telling it would happen to any world class team in the world.

To a question on Indian batsmen susceptible for short pitched deliveries, Indian coach told that he is not seeing that as a problem. He was very happy on all the players, including youngsters are playing exceptional cricket in one-dayers.

Ponting urged Lee to perform in one dayers

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has urged his premium fast bowler Brett Lee to perform in forthcoming ODI matches against England in order to fetch his birth in Test side.

Brett Lee earlier missed the tour of South Africa due to foot and ankle injury that needed surgery. Though he bowled well in a tour match Worcester before Cardiff Test, he was dropped as he was down with side strain.

Ponting told that he bowls quickly as normally does but needs bit of work behind him. He told that Lee needs lots of bowling under his belt.

Australia goes to South Africa for Champions Trophy followed by an ODI series in India.

Ishant Sharma ready to spearhead Indian attack

Indian pacer Ishant Sharma is ready to take the mantle of spearheading the Indian pace bowling for tri-series in Sri Lanka and Champions Trophy in the absence of experienced Zaheer Khan.

Ishant revealed that Zaheer helped him in his bowling and he would be missed. But he and fellow pacers have to give hundred percent to make over Zaheer’s absence. He also agreed that he has not lived up to the promise when he first burst in to the Indian tour in Australian Series. He told when entered in to the game, he could bowl anywhere he want. But playing more gets things tougher and increases the chances of failure.

Ishant further told that Sri Lanka wickets were not spinner friendly and observed that Sri Lanka seamers bowled well in the last series, Ishant played.

On Akram on line to join as coach of Knight Riders, Ishant Sharma told that would be a pleased to learn from Wasim Akram.

Ishant Sharma ready to spearhead Indian attack

Indian pacer Ishant Sharma is ready to take the mantle of spearheading the Indian pace bowling for tri-series in Sri Lanka and Champions Trophy in the absence of experienced Zaheer Khan.

Ishant revealed that Zaheer helped him in his bowling and he would be missed. But he and fellow pacers have to give hundred percent to make over Zaheer’s absence. He also agreed that he has not lived up to the promise when he first burst in to the Indian tour in Australian Series. He told when entered in to the game, he could bowl anywhere he want. But playing more gets things tougher and increases the chances of failure.

Ishant further told that Sri Lanka wickets were not spinner friendly and observed that Sri Lanka seamers bowled well in the last series, Ishant played.

On Akram on line to join as coach of Knight Riders, Ishant Sharma told that would be a pleased to learn from Wasim Akram.

Mohammed Yousuf vows to perform in Champions Trophy

One of prolific batsman of Pakistan Mohammed Yousuf has vowed to shine in forthcoming Champions trophy in a big way and by that want to silence his critics. Yousuf who returned back to Pakistan team from ICL has performed below par against Sri Lankan series and Pakistan have lost both test and ODI series.

Following his poor run in Sri Lankan series, he was under heavy critic by experts. There were opinions going around that he must be sidelined in one day format and should be restricted to test. But against those critics, he was picked up in the Pakistani squad for Champions trophy. To justify his inclusion, Yousuf vowed to give his best in the elite tournament.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan too backing Yousuf that he in to the Pakistan team after one year from ICL and he definitely need time to get along with international cricket.

Pakistan spearhead wants to beat Indian in Champions Trophy

Pakistan’s strike bowler Umar Gul was very keen to bowl against Indian to defeat in the upcoming encounter in Champions trophy on September 26 in Centurion.

He told that no rivalry can match Indian-Pakistan rivalry and billions of fans are waiting to watch the match between the most esteemed rivals in modern day cricket. Pakistan has never won them in an ICC event and looking forward to break the jinx in Champions trophy, he added.

He told the inclusion of Mohammed Yousuf and Rana Naved has increased the balance of the team, makes it very formidable. Pacer Mohammed Asif too included in the squad. Gul told that he is ready to spearhead the attack if asked for.

In-form batsman and brother of Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal too named in the Pakistani squad.

Charles Coventry reaches 83rd in ODI ranking

Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry not only equaled Saeed Anwar’s record of highest individual score by that he breaks in to top 100 ODI batsmen ICC ranking.

Charles Coventry has blasted 194 runs against Bangladesh and also equaled Saeed Anwar’ record. But Anwar got out for 194 whereas Coventry remained unbeaten. Coventry smashed 16 fours and 7 sixes to achieve this record.

Charles Coverty’s favorite cricketer is Steve Waugh and tough Zimbabwean opponent is Eddo Brandes because of his pace, swing and bounce.