KARACHI, 11 January — Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and One-Day Internationals has been ruled out from taking further part in the first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Dhaka. Wasim Akram limped off the field after bowling just two overs in the Bangladesh innings this morning and tests later revealed he had a hamstring muscle injury. But sources in the Pakistan team said from Dhaka, that the injury was serious and Wasim also had injured his tendon muscles and that he was taken to hospital later in the evening for ultrasound and other tests. His wife, Huma said from Lahore that he had spoken to her and was bitterly disappointed with the injury coming at such a time. "He will be undergoing some more tests and only than will it be known how serious is the injury and how soon will he recover from it," she said. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials when contacted said they had not as yet been informed by the team management in Dhaka about the latest position on Wasim’s injury, but it appeared to be one for concern. Ironically, Wasim also failed to take any wicket against the Bangladesh team when they played Pakistan at Multan last August. The seasoned Wasim Akram bowled magnificently in the triangular series in Sharjah in October-November, the only international cricket played by Pakistan apart from the Test at Multan since last June. His bowling earned him rave reviews in Sharjah from everyone and Wasim himself said he was keen on continuing in the same vein if he was not hit by any unforeseen injuries.
Sharjah spread its arms to
welcome Pakistan, Windies
Sharjah is expected to host its first ever Test match from Jan. 31 with Pakistan meeting West Indies in this historic encounter at the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) stadium. According to sources, the PCB has worked out tentative dates for the coming Test series in Sharjah with the West Indies and the two Tests would be played from Jan. 31 and then Feb. 7. The three One-Day Internationals will follow on Feb. 13 or 14, 15th and the 17th, making it possible for the two boards to complete their short series in just 18 days.
However, both teams will reach Sharjah on Jan. 27, Pakistan flying in from Dhaka, while West Indies will come from New York. The PCB shifted their series against the West Indies to Sharjah after the West Indies board remained stubborn and insisted on not sending its team to Pakistan because of security concerns for their players because of the uncertain situation in the region.
The West Indies citied concerns over the continuing military strikes in Afghanistan and the recent escalation of border tensions between Pakistan and India. Sharjah has never hosted a Test match or Test series before, although it has the honor of having organized highest number of One-Day Internationals (181) since its launch in the early 80s.
Saeed Anwar assures fans of not qutting cricket
Pakistan’s experienced opener Saeed Anwar may have turned into an orthodox Muslim, but he assured his fans and supporters on Wednesday that he also remained committed to cricket and would play in the next World Cup.
"I have no intentions of quitting at this stage. I remain as committed to my game and the Pakistan team as I was before the tragic death of my daughter. I am still hungry for the game," Saeed said at an informal meeting with sports scribes.
The stylish left-handed opener has been ruled out of playing cricket until April this year because of a wrist stress fracture. But he was confident he would be back by end of March. "People who are saying that since I have taken to religion in a big way, I have lost interest and commitment in the game are wrong. Cricket and religion are two different things to me. One is my profession and livelihood, the other is my duty as a practicing Muslim," he stated. "No one understands that I have taken to practicing religion in a proper and orthodox manner because I was shocked after the sudden death of my young daughter. God gave me the patience to bear the loss and it changed me inside as a person and my perception of life."
"Today I am giving much more time to religion and what I am trying to do is understand the Qur’an and spread its message and power to others. But that does not mean I have lost interest in cricket," he insisted. Saeed pointed out that even after his renewed interest in religion he had given proper time in the nets and to the team and no captain or coach could complain that he had not shown commitment as a Pakistan player.
"It is another thing that we have played so little cricket in the past six months plus this unfortunate injury. But don’t forget my last Test innings was a hundred and my last one-day knock was also a 70 plus runs one.
I have no intentions of quitting now."
"I will quit the day my reflexes slow down and I start getting scared of the bowlers. That is the day I will quit. Because for a opener or one-down batsman, nothing is more important than a big heart."
The former Pakistan captain also made it clear that people should stop branding him a ‘Maulvi’ just because he had grown a beard. "Keeping a beard, wearing simple clothes or not running after the modern day luxuries does not mean that I can’t play cricket," he insisted.
Saeed made the point that a person could be good at both his profession and religion by practicing it practically and faithfully.
"Don’t say a person who practices his religion cannot function as a normal human being."
"I am neither an extremist nor do I have a narrow-minded view of life. It is just that after the death of my daughter being a good Muslim had given me peace and satisfaction and allowed me to overcome this tragedy."
He pointed out that he had tried his best to introduce his Pakistani teammates to the benefits of being a practicing Muslim and he was happy to say the players now prayed together and there was no infighting or misunderstandings.
"I have never seen such unity and friendly atmosphere in the team as now." He explained that before the death of his daughter he spent his spare time while not playing cricket in pursuing other activities, but he was now only spending this spare time on practicing and learning more about the Qur’an.
Saeed said while Pakistan had in Shadab Kabir and Taufiq Umar, the makings of two very good openers, he had no intentions of quitting his place in the Pakistan team or the opener’s slot.
"This year we play two very tough series against Australia and South Africa and than go to the World Cup. Given my experience, I would very much like to be there opening for Pakistan. Because in these sort of hard series, experience is necessary while a young player can either establish himself or lose heart."
Saeed had a lot of praise for Shadab, stating he always rated him as a very good batsman with a big heart. "He has now matured a lot and hopefully he is a future find for Pakistan." He pointed out that a stable and successful opening pair for Pakistan was imperative if it wanted to do well in the coming series. "Don’t forget when I and Aamer (Sohail) opened together, it was one of the most successful periods of the Pakistan team.
Today, if Australia are doing so well it is because of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer forming such a formidable opening partnership. On the match-fixing issue, Saeed was blunt stating that he was ready to face the consequences and any court of law if anyone could prove that he or any other Pakistani player had been involved in match-fixing.
He stressed that no one should make accusations against anyone without first having proof of it. "Even our religion discourages strongly false accusations. It is these sort of insinuations and allegations which have made our life difficult in the last few years."
When reminded that he was among those who had given statements before inquiry commissions that he suspected some Pakistan players were involved in fixing matches, Saeed said in those days the atmosphere had become so bad that everyone was suspicious of each other and allegations were flying around. Asked if as a senior Pakistani player he had ever suspected anyone of being involved in unethical practices, he made the point that in the last few years he had stopped socializing and while on tours spent most of his free time with his family in his room.
"So, I really am not in a position to comment on this."
"But the fact is nothing has been proved as yet. And that is what I say if anyone has proof he should come forward with it."
He had no problems with the Justice Karamat Bhandari commission inquiring into allegations that Pakistan played fixed games against Bangladesh and India in the last World Cup. "It is good an inquiry is being held and the truth will come out soon. I am also happy that the ICC has taken special measures to fight the match-fixing menace." Saeed said players would have to tolerate a little invasion of their privacy because of the ICC anti-corruption security measures, but his would ensure that they would not have to face baseless allegations every time a match was lost. But he made it clear that he was no in favor of cameras being installed in dressing rooms or hotel rooms as part of the ICC anti-corruption measures. "The dressing room is like a home for the players and it should remain like that."
