Today News From Pakistan

Cricket and Khans have something in common in Pakistan cricket. Apart from being skilful players, they have built many a dream around them. Whether it is winning the World Cup or forming associations, a Khan has always held the centre-stage.

The brightest and the most accomplished of Khans is arguably, Imran. Apart from leading Pakistan to a memorable victory in the 1992 World Cup, Imran knows what it takes to form and hold an association together.

In spite of his amazing charisma and command over Pakistan cricket, Imran has probably never tried to put together a players’ association. May be, the life of a cricketer, politics aside, was relatively uncomplicated when he plied his trade. Or, may be, he knew it would never work. Imran was a tactician in reading a player’s mind.

Cricket in 1970s and 80s still retained its romantic aura. Amidst this, another Khan – Majid – a relative of shrewd Imran, made bold attempt to form Pakistan’s first cricket players’ body in the 1980s. It did not work.

Almost three decades down the line, yet another Khan – Younis – is re-igniting a dormant scheme at a time when Pakistan is staging a brave turnaround in world cricket.

Younis looks determined and he will not be short on support for sure, but according to former Test captain Wasim Akram: ‘Our culture will be the biggest barrier, if a players’ association has to see light of the day and then deliver.’

Players’ associations in India have never been a success. Kapil Dev and party made the first definitive move in the 1980s to launch one. It saw light of day with Arun Lal at its helm. Due to the lack of cohesion, it died a slow death.

In the 1990s, the Indian Cricket Players Association was launched with stunning fanfare in a multi-star hotel in Kolkata.

‘A geographical divide hasn’t partitioned our way of thinking. We have a strange culture in India and Pakistan.

Players just can’t trust each other. I think it is the only reason why players’ associations have not worked,’ Wasim thought.—Agencies .



LONDON: Cameron White's form with the bat has helped leave returning Australia captain Ricky Ponting in good spirits ahead of Saturday's fourth one-day international against England here at Lord's.

Victory at the 'home of cricket' would give Australia an unbeatable 4-0 lead in the seven-match series.

While regular number three Ponting has been taking a break after the Ashes defeat, White, his stand-in at first wicket down, has helped Australia go 3-0 up with 200 runs in three innings, including a maiden ODI century at the Rose Bowl during Wednesday's six-wicket success.

‘I might have to take someone down at training to get myself back into the side,’ joked Ponting at Lord's here on Friday.

‘Cameron's played really well. I've been impressed with how he's played in all three innings.

‘He's been in and around the side for a few years and been waiting for an opportunity to bat a little bit higher up the order.

‘I think he showed us all over the last couple of weeks he's more than capable of batting anywhere in the order - and that's a real 'positive' for us and makes selections for tomorrow's (Saturday's) game a little more difficult.’

But whatever happens in the remainder of the one-day series, Ponting said it would not make-up for last month's Ashes defeat.

‘I don't think it's any compensation. There are some guys in this squad who aren't in the Test team so it probably doesn't mean a lot to them.

‘There are some guys who were in the Test side who aren't here at the moment so they're not going to get much compensation back if we do win this one-day series,’ he added.

A refreshed Ponting added: ‘I feel terrific; I've had a few good sleeps over the last couple of nights, so I'll be up early and ready to go in the game.’

England's struggles in the one-day format are nothing new, with the team having faltered in limited overs cricket since reaching the last of their three World Cup finals in 1992.

‘We haven't had a good one-day side since 1992,’ said England coach Andy Flower.

‘So we have got to do something about it and that is part of my job.

‘Yes, we have plans and theories on how to play one-day cricket - they aren't working at the moment, certainly on the batting side of things.’

England's top order have collectively failed to put enough runs on the board in the first three matches of a series where Kent opener Joe Denly could feature for the first time on Saturday after injuring his knee during a football warm-up clash with Owais Shah last week.

‘It would be fair to say we haven't got the balance between attack and defence right,’ said Flower. ‘That is one of the basics of batting.

‘I don't think the guys have shown the necessary composure and that balance to structure an innings.’..LINK..