Younis to retire from ODIs after World Cup
Karachi: Veteran Pakistan batsman Younis Khan is likely to announce his retirement from the One-day format after the World Cup, sources claimed on Wednesday. It means that after the mega event in Australia and New Zealand, Pakistan will lose Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi and Younis. A source close to Younis said that the senior batsman was desperate to play in the World Cup. “But he has already made up his mind that after the World Cup he will announce his retirement from one-day internationals to give the new and younger players a chance,” the source said. “When the selectors dropped him for the one-dayers against Australia, he forced his way back into the ODI side but decided to put his announcement on hold. But he has mentally prepared himself to only play Test cricket after the World Cup,” the source disclosed.
Zimbabwe to train in Dubai ahead of WOrld Cup
Harare: Zimbabwe’s national cricket team will conduct their final training camp in Dubai ahead of the Feb 14-March 29 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) media manager lovemore Banda confirmed on Wednesday that the team will go to Dubai January 28 after the final round of the domestic Pro-50 competition, reports Xinhua. “The team will conduct its final leg of the training camp in Dubai,” said Banda. “They will participate in two rounds of the Pro-50 domestic competition before they leave. The final part of the preparations is the two warm up matches organised by the International Cricket Council.” Zimbabwe’s first pool match is against South Africa February 15, who are currently playing West Indies in a five match One-Day International series.
PCB in hurry to get Hafeez’s action cleared
Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to have a reassessment of Muhammad Hafeez’s bowling action prior to the World Cup beginning February 14. A PCB official said on Wednesday that Hafeez was likely to appear in the test on February 4 in Brisbane, Australia. “We have formally requested the ICC to hold the official reassessment of his bowling action as soon as possible so that he can try to get his action cleared for the World Cup which begins from February 14,” the official said. A source said that the Pakistan team management had advised the board to allow them to work further and test out Hafeez’s modified bowling action in New Zealand this month before he can go ahead with the reassessment. Hafeez’s place in the playing eleven in the World Cup remains in serious doubt if he fails to clear the ICC bowling test as since being suspended from bowling in international cricket in November he has twice failed to clear informal assessments in England and Chennai.
Pak players change shirt numbers to do well in WC
Karachi: Eager to do well in the upcoming cricket World Cup, some members of the Pakistan squad have asked for particular shirt numbers after consulting their spiritual advisors. Middle-order batsman Umar Akmal, who was recently blessed with a baby girl, has on the advice of his ‘Pir’ has opted for number 3 to replace 96 on his shirt. The report says Umar was fed up with his poor form and in a bid to change his luck, he has asked for this change. “Umar will be wearing number 3 on his shirt in the World Cup while newcomer Haris Sohail has opted for 89 instead of 80 which he wore in the recent series against New Zealand,” the report said. The Pakistan Cricket Board allows players to choose their shirt numbers before every mega event like the World Cup and normally players prefer to stick with the numbers they have been using for a while now. Shahid Afridi for example has worn number 10 for many years in his international career. The report says some players generally choose numbers on the advice of their spiritual advisors to bring them good luck.