Take a break: Saqlain to Ajmal
Karachi: Former Pakistan Test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has advised Saeed Ajmal to take a break from the sport in order to extend his career. Saqlain said it was a big disappointment that Ajmal could not take a single wicket in the second innings of the Abu Dhabi Test against Sri lanka since he was a world class spinner. "He is a quality spinner and has proven himself in every format but he looked tired against Sri lanka and perhaps he needs to be given a break from the sport so that he can refresh himself and come back fresh. He can still play for some more years and is our match winner," Saqlain, who took 208 Test and 288 one-day international wickets in an illustrious career, said. He said that top spinners were always required to perform even on slow wickets, especially in the second innings of a Test match.
pak not ready to play in B’desh
Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear their team will participate in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh only after getting a clearance from their government due to security concerns in the violence-hit neigbouring country. The PCB statement has come after the chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Ashraf ul Haq told the media after a Board meeting that all the participating nations had no issues in playing in the Asia Cup and it would be held as scheduled from February 16. But the PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi negated the remarks from the ACC official. "This is obviously contrary to the position conveyed by our COO Subhan Ahmad at the ACC meeting. The PCB does have reservations on the prevailing security situation in Bangladesh with specific reference to Pakistan.
Farokh Engineer hurts shoulder
Mumbai: Former India wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer has hurt his shoulder at his base in Manchester and would not be travelling here to receive the special award from the Cricket Board at the BCCI's annual awards function on January 11. "Engineer informed us yesterday that he had an accident and hurt his shoulder and would not be able to attend the awards function," BCCCI's game development general manager Prof Ratnakar Shetty said here on Wednesday. Engineer, 75, and his one-time India teammates Bapu Nadkarni and late Eknath Solkar, are to receive the special award for their contribution to Indian cricket at the function. Agencies