Are heroes treated like that?

	Not only Afridi but there are many players who were disgraced in current cricket board's tenure. After a week long gap, I'm again in a mood to write one, as dust from Afridi-PCB controversy starting to settle as Afridi withdraw his petition against the PCB and made himself available for the hearing at PCB HQ. On the other hand PCB gifted him with hefty fines and with that gave him a PCB NOC which means he can now play his remaining stint with UK County Hampshire and the SLPL. Since 8th of October 2008, when this Azaab-e-Ilahi (God's Curse), imposed on us in the shape of PCB chairman, following the support with some of the in-power political parties and parties in the opposition, has ruined and deteriorated Pakistan's and Pakistan Cricket's image once and for all, It'll take sometime to get these wounds healed. We lost players like MoYo and Younis just because they came in against of the Butt's dictatorship. They claim that we got rid of dictatorship but I say a new sort of idiotic dictatorship has been imposed on us where no one's accountable on the top but the sub-ordinates do. I am too young to have a memory of PCB's history but whatever I heard and searched about PCB from my elders and from the internet, I never found a clue that so many players went in against of the administrator of the PCB to the court in a same tenure. Players had to have a visit to Provincial High Courts in order to gain some justice against the PCB. I don't know why and what in the world making them so complacent to take action against this buffoon in human shape. Neither he has provided with a future plan for Pakistan cricket, nor invested in PCB property like Grounds, infrastructures etc, but in order to get positive gestures from the people in power, he has created an International Cricket Ground in Garhi Khuda Bukhsh. I do not object on this construction of ground but what guarantee do they give it'd be well maintained, unlike National Stadium in Karachi, which is under shattered, although they've worked so much on the outfield but what about the outlook of the ground? Similarly with a domestically used PCB held cricket ground recently constructed at Mirpurkhas, Sindh, which outer walls were on ground when last year torrential rains after Cyclone Phet hit Thatta and adjourning areas. Talking about players, this is not the first time that a senior has retaliated against the current administration of the PCB, Younis Khan who won us the 2009 WT20 stint in the UK also came under fire, than MoYo and so on and so forth. I just thank Almighty Inzamam-ul-Haq retired on the right time, else the kinda respect and response he got from everyone wasn't even thinkable. Already we're famous in the World for not respecting our seniors when they retired, they came up with a boom and die with a spark like a star whose life's diminished with just a spark of light and than its a history. I don't think after great Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, I don't remember we gave a standing ovation to an outgoing sports personality, whether it comes to two great W's. Saqlain Mushtaq, who innovated the Doosra Ball, Shoaib Akhtar, even those who're in and are in hot waters although because of their own, the PCB should have had supported them whatsoever, we should not forget many of our current cricket team players' hail from humble background, so when PCB is spending so much in creating their own housing societies and etc, they should invest in their own players because of them, the PCB is able to generate money but instead of investing them into their players, they're using them in themselves, and let players to play for foreign leagues, to earn, instead of doing something like that on their own ground. I was hearing about PPL or PCL whatsoever since Pakistan played that famous Karachi test against the Indians in 2006-07 season, had they started it on war-approach, if they had started PPL or PCL back than, eventhough attack on Sri Lankan team would had happened, atleast we'd had some source of earning and similarly up-to-date upgrade of our grounds, or at Dubai, Sharjah and/or Abu Dhabi. It could had been a profitable venture in whatever the circumstances. Look what India have gained from their domestic multimillion tournament, they've up-to-date ground facilities, they are able to have back-benches populated so that there's backup to every single player, on the contrary I need not to mention what's the situation in Pakistan, even those who do not watch cricket know what's and where's wrong! Instead of spending time in investing and creating new ways of generating incomes, they are wasting their energies in court visits and Uncle Butt's foreign trips with the team. May Allah bless us all, Ameen.

Is it team or individual?

Younus Khan raises his bat after a match saving innings against the Proteas on the penultimate day of the Dubai Test

Like Express Tribune rightly mentioned, Younus Khan Returns and returns with a bang of course. His brilliant knock made me wonder what Pakistan COULD have achieved on their marathon tour of England earlier this year, had Younus been a part of the tour, which is not worth mentioning, things could have been slight better. Although I am not saying he's a God or something, but the mental toughness he possesses, could help the youngsters raising their game standard upto that mark. Specially when the team is only with one specialist batsman apart from the skipper Misbah ul Haq himself, as MoYo has been ruled out of the tour thanks to the injury, there should be damn pressure on the shoulders to lead from the front.

But the main point according to me is that, again what's life AFTER YOUNUS KHAN AND MOYO? Do we have specialist batsmen on the bench who could replace them as soon as they retire? Do they have a plan B or something who are of the standard of MoYo, YK and Abdul Razzaq, who could single handily wins us the match from the grasp of the defeat couple of nights ago in Abu Dhabi and some months ago at Lord's against the Home Team? Obviously not. Although I don't see a bleak future, but the talent should be shined and had to put under extreme conditions so that their mental toughness could be measured, as what I personally feel, the newer ones are vastly talented but the main problem is their mental toughness. Although some might not agree with me, ugly enough but Azhar Ali could improve and cement his position in the National Test side, as he has the caliber to stay on the wicket, although I must admit, he's limited in shots, but that thing suits him as he knows what are his limitations so he keeps inside his limitations, instead of some other players (don't wanna mention their names), who try to create sensation by hitting aerial shots, one or two times they could succeed but another time they would surely fail, as test cricket requires staying on the wicket, although there are hurdles like opposing team players sledging on you for diverting your attention. Being a student, its just like you're giving your examination with complete concentration, and suddenly your fellow pokes you just to ask for some hint or something, but it also results breaking of your concentration, that's what is mental toughness and you're required to be steadfast on your work instead of diverting your concentration.

Same thing showed by YK on the penultimate day, although Proteas did tried their best to divert his attention but he stood his ground, and that's the lesson should be learnt by the youngsters who want to improve their game. On the other hand, YK did showed to the PCB bosses, that he was the requirement of the Pakistani Middle Order and those who wanted YK to be included into the team were not wrong.

Cheers...

Yousuf out, Younis in for national team

Yousuf out, Younis in for national team

LAHORE: Test Cricketer Muhammed Yousuf is not on cards to be included in national squad to play series against South Africa owing to injury, Geo News reported Wednesday.

Meantime, former captain of national cricket team, Muhammed Younis met Ijaz But, chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), raising the expectations that he would be included in the squad to be selected for South Africa series.

It should be mentioned here that Yousuf is not attending the training session for fitness problems.

Difference a captaincy can make to a team!

An skipper can make or break a player's career. Take Inzamam played with Asim Kamal's career or, vice versa take Younis Khan who re-energized Afridi during the ICC World T20 2009 in the UK when he was about to be kicked out of the Pakistani team because of his poor batting form, but everyone saw the Number 10 shirt wearer in the Pakistani team was the Man of the Tournament during that tournament, and still Afridi took the confidence from that tournament to his captaincy during the One All T20 match against the Lankans in their own backyard and than the two T20s against the Kiwis in the UAE which also favoured the Pakistanis.

It was all because of the wise judgment of a fighter skipper we had during those days and which was revitalizing the whole Pakistani unit. In whatever and whichever the sport, skipper have to lead from the front. Recently during the second ODI between England and Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, Andrew Strauss laid the foundation for the later batsmen to score and played his major role in winning of the second ODI, but I must say Strauss may be a great batsman but he lacks sportsman spirit for sure! Those who've been following the nPower Test series between England and Pakistan and specially the Oval Test, when Wahab Riaz had his first test wicket (citation, if require) on a clear edge to the keeper, he had the decision to be reviewed although on the naked eye it looked like a clear deflection off the bat, but still opt for reviewing the decision and the third umpire seconded the onfield umpire and gave Strauss out, me my self a later middle order batsman and I can be assured at times that ball has hit my bat or not.

I still remember the days when we used to play at UBL Sports Complex in Karachi, my coach used to tell us that we've to have our eyes and ears always open, eyes for watching the ball and ears for the edges off the bat. These are the basic thing which are taught when a baby starts to play hard ball cricket. But Strauss has been acting little bit more childish than that stage! Even during the 2nd ODI, he was found indicating the umpire with his negative nod to umpire when the whole Pakistani team appealed for clear caught behind! even the replays showed Pakistanis were unlucky...

Anyways getting back to the skippers, cricket is the only game in the world (again citation require, if any) in which the role of skipper is like a backbone to the team! He should be motivational, leading from the front, a team man and last but not the least the team should respect him, like Imran Khan! Why going too far, MS Dhoni when took the charge as the skipper of Indian National Cricket side, although there were players like Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Kumble and Sehwag who could have been skipping the side at first, but BCCI supported MSD and now with their consistency, India is ranked the world's number one team!

Similarly, if we had persist with Younis Khan and didn't got blackmailed by the players and the corrupt manager, who should start baby sitting his grandsons and granddaughters at home, things would have been much better for Pakistan as well! But when personal ego takes place, country's interest comes second and that's what the dilemma of Pakistani Cricket, if put in a nutshell!

Unnecassary and unfair tactics

Pakistan will miss the services of many during this English tour

The biggest point of contention was the exclusion of former captain Younis Khan, despite his appeal against the ban imposed by the PCB upheld. Ijaz Butt, chairman of the board, said later that Younis' return would require clearance from the board, something that wasn't deemed to be an issue with Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, who were all pardoned and included. Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Sami were the other notable absentees from the 17-member squad.

That's what I am asking! why only Younis need clearance when Afridi, Akmal brothers and Shoaib Malik had their bans overturned? It's literally unfair gasping such tactics and singly pointing out a single player and rest of them who were accompanying him with the bans, were lucky enough to had their bans overturned!

Now what punishment is PCB going to give to former captain, whom I personally think was the best captain after Imran Khan. I don't know why Afridi has been lenient regarding exclusion of Younus, by saying form and discipline let him out of the team, can he be assured that such things wouldn't be happening with him in future? So why being a chamcha with PCB? Inclusion of Younus in the England tour could had supported Pakistan's cause as he was already in the UK playing county, and scoring heavily, so what else sorta form is he required to show now?

Ok, if they say they wanna give chance to the deserving so where are the deserving ones, playing with the future of the youngsters with a tough English conditions is a suicidal attempt on their career, not everyone is of the caliber of great Javed Miandad, instead they should have opted for players who know how to stay on the wicket, like Asim Kamal, Faisal Iqbal, Khalid Latif etc.

I am just praying this regime of Butt Cricket Board ends quickly and to be handed to some professionals, instead of such rookies.

Injustice in selection of players

Ignoring a player like Younus for a difficult England tour, on what grounds?

I don't know is there any example similar to Pakistan Cricket Board in the world to follow, but apart from raising fingers on the credibility of this cricket board, everyone knows about English conditions, where it seems alot although not as much as it were during 70s 80s but still worthy when it comes to players particularly from South Asia.

And in this scenario, ignoring the experience just for the personalized reason and later justifying by pointing fingers on his form and disciplinary grounds is totally rubbish! Even if they had to select players other than Younus or Faisal, Asim Kamal was a good choice, as in English conditions we need players who know how to prolong their stay on the wicket, if you stay on the wicket, you'll be able to score else fell miserably, and this is what I am seeing as the Aussies would eye Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, as they're only the renowned names in current Pakistani middle order, and can include Kamran Akmal aswell, so as a sequel to my previous blogs, I am not very optimistic with the current Pakistani team doing well, as the team has not been selected on merits and like I was listening to some voices from common people on a Pakistani sports channel, I do agree with them that after conclusion of a 4 month long tour of England, Pakistan will end up finishing on 9 and so on rank from current 7 position in both One Day International and International Test Rankings, just because lack of experience in the team and plus playing with the future of Pakistani youngsters by demoralizing them if they do not perform, loosing the grip on the match clearly shows there's lack of experience in the team which is costing them the match.

As far as they wobble Pakistan have a great middle order batsman in Shoaib Malik, he didn't played in the team when Inzi was skipping the test side against England in their last tour to England, so how can you say he's able to take the pressure and burden onto his shoulder? Whatever knowledge of cricket I've, I think experience in any arena of cricket whether ODI, test or T20, you must particularly rely on the experience candidates who're specialist in their field, prior to Malik's short spell of captaincy, his place in the team wasn't confirmed during those days, and what major performance did he contributed in test in recent times? Questions to be answered.

Even there were news that Selection Committee was not happy with this team, means team was approved by someone else and not the selection committee panel, so what is the credibility of this panel when they can't decide and make a team on their behalf?

Leaving Younus Khan!

Leaving Younus Khan for a tough series in Sri Lankan Asia Cup and England might prove harmful for Pakistan Cricket

For a batter, having a consistent track-record in tests in a team more famous for its unpredictability than anything else, how can you expel him from all forms of cricket when you don't even have the evidences against him regarding creating disturbance in the team and demoralizing the team spirit during New Zealand and Australia tours, where he was literally present in ODIs against Australia!

Shame upon the current management of Pakistan Cricket Board alias Pakistan Cricket Butt since Mr. Ijaz Butt has taken the position as the chairman of the Cricket board, acting more like the circus elephant who got free from its cage and now wants to settle score with the circus master.

Just imagine saving Malik with expense of greats like Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan is a big mistake and will haunt Pakistan Cricket for long, similarly the case with Justice Qayum's report on involvement of Pakistani players in match fixing, which still haunts Pakistan and Pakistani Cricket 10 years after the report was first published.

Still yesterday when team was announced from the pool of 35 players for upcoming Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka, Younus Khan was literally ignored saying he was not impressive. On the other hand, PCB kept their stance of taking U-Turns, and this time they again took one when they claimed that there was no such ban on Younus and he can be selected on wish of the chairman.

Why wasting and insulting such a player? I don't know which kind a managerial skills are they showing, its neither scientific nor human side management, now which kind of new managerial table have they define? For god's sake don't humiliate players like that, first clear you own collars when all problems are started from your end.

Click image to enlarge!

Summary from Wikipedia

This graph details the Test Match performance of Younis Khan. It was created by Raven4x4x. The red bars indicate the player's test match innings, while the blue line shows the average of the ten most recent innings at that point. Note that this average cannot be calculated for the first nine innings. The blue dots indicate innings in which Younis finished not-out.

This graph was generated with Microsoft Excel 2002, using data from Cricinfo and Howstat.

The information in this chart is current as of 16 December 2007.

Why Younis Khan?

Another bouncer to Younis from PCB by not including him [for sure] for Pakistan's Asia Cup squad to be played in Sri Lanka!

The header says it, Why Younis Khan! He has played for the country and just for the sake of saving the team from more disturbance, he was gutsy enough to left captaincy and the team, else do we [Pakistan Cricket History] have such a role model in recent past who himself left the captaincy? Every captain that was changed in recent, was sacked, not resigned! Now Shahid Afridi has been appointed the skipper of Pakistan Team touring Sri Lanka for Asia Cup including the hosts, Sri Lanka, India and Bengal Tigers Bangladesh, and later Pakistan is going to play a tough tour in English Summer against Aussies and later against England, altogether 6 test matches with 2 against Aussies and 4 against England and it would be a testing tour for Pakistan and many of Pakistani players would be having there debut as test players in England including sensational Umar Akmal, Muhammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal to name some, and in this scenario you [Pakistan Cricket Board a.k.a. P.C.B.] are constantly ignoring players like Younis Khan and Muhammad Yousuf, because everyone who'll read my this article will surely agree with me whether he's an Indian, Sri Lankan or a Bangladeshi, that experience counts, for playing in England else you'd be bulldozed, remember Aussies lose their last two consecutive Ashes in England!

So why PCB being so idiot, instead working on 2 Y's return to Pakistan test squad touring England for a "Home-series" against Aussies, they rather made themselves happy by inclusion of a termite named Shoaib Malik, after his inclusion what assurances do we have specially Shoaib Malik will never, ever plot such Star Plus drama again in the Pakistan team? I am quite sure that would happen in near future because the manager currently with Pakistani team is wholly responsible for what happened post-Australia tour, supporting group-making against Younis Khan, taking oath on Holy Quran [just think of it, how disgusting, for staging a plot taking support of a Holy Book, how shameful of these disgusting people], the plot was made by the manager and Malik capitalized on it, as he mentions Younis Khan responsible for taking off captaincy cap from him, according to the leaked video of the inquiry committee mentions [I have doubts on the stature of that inquiry committee too as it was based on the Board's members other than Wasim Akram being the outsider, who didn't participate because of his international assignments]. So how can you say that the inquiry committee findings were credible? Its simply looking like the case that Pakistan Cricket Board wanted to hide their ill-management and stupid-ness by blaming their faults to the players.

Instead of scrutinizing the players', why can't they scrutinize the management and helm of affairs of Pakistan Cricket Board, which has already been a laughing stock in International Cricket with no credibility, like it was once. People like Malik can only be "tamed" under strict management, unlike the current management where they are assured that they're not questionable and even if they found guilty, they'll [the PCB] lift it with the help of their own made appellate tribunal, which would not have its own credibility. If they were credible enough, they should have opted for Younis' and Yousuf's return, but they have adjourned Younis' appeal till 5th June, 2010 and team for Asia cup to be announced of 3rd so Younis is definitely going to miss the Asia Cup, does a sensible Cricket Board acts like that? [I want answers from Indians, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis to have their view points on this issue too]

And as far as Younis's concern I'd back him to carry on this court hearing, heard PCB had tried bribing him that if he [Younis Khan] withdraw his cases, they'd lift his ban, completely bullshit, in my case I personally feel bribing in such a manner would be the last thing in my head, if PCB didn't help, than he should proceed to supreme court of justice, that's where PCB current management is going to have sweats on their foreheads for sure. Go Younis!

Credibility of this appellate tribunal

What is PCB doing? After tonight's episode, what credibility of Pakistan Cricket Board is in the International Arena?

I doubt this one person appellate tribunal hearing where the only person conducting these hearings is a relative to Mr. Ijaz Butt. Right now when I am writing this blog, in news headlines Ijaz Butt is clearly saying that it was he who did all this mess, what can you [the media personnel who asked this question] do, I've the authority to do each and everything.

What the hell is it? He has made Pakistani cricket a laughing stock! Already cricket in Pakistan is a mere dream and now just because of false credibility of our head of the board, such things are happening, no credibility of our cricket team internationally. Injecting the same players which were responsible for what happened in Australia tour! you must be kidding. If yes than Allah is the savior to Pakistani team, because team is not going to play as a team in presence of Malik specially, as he already been rated as termite and giving second chance to termite can be injurious.

Already he has proved how lethal he [Shoaib Malik] can be when it comes to create a Star Plus sorta situation in the team! We say country comes first, he say I come first- country goto hell, literally its what I felt especially the way he got out in Abu Dhabi against Kiwis, thanks to Aamer and Ajmal that they played a face-saving innings, than test series in New Zealand and Australia is no different. On the other hand, PCB's unconditional support to Shoaib Malik is without any clue! Even stats do not support him and his bowling in recent past has shown how good a bowler is he, isn't able to perform well with the bat as well. World T20 2009 in England and 128 against India at Centurion are only worth mentioning innings he played in recent past, two worth mentioning innings in 1.5 years time is not enough for what is wobbled as the finest all-rounder Pakistan ever had.

Even PCB while working so hard to get rid of ban from Malik if they had worked a little more, we could had Mohammad Yousuf [as a batsman] but instead our Cricket Board had emphasized more on Malik on expense of a master blaster Mohammad Yousuf [although I again admit I am not a fan of his captaincy], and players like Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan are born once in a while, and irony of fate, we first humiliate them and later defused them like toilet paper! Is that a way proud nations honour their heroes with inclusion of termites? A question to be answered by US [not Uncle Sam, but we the common people]

Time to create some backup!

What is life for Pakistan Cricket after them? Are we working for a backup plan who'd replace them after they retire?

Although now clouds have been shed from the captaincy of upcoming series' in Sri Lanka and England, but have we thought of a backup plan, for life after Afridis, Younis', Yousufs, Maliks, Shoaib Akhtars etc?

Why we're wasting talent like Asim Kamal? Instead of trying in their later matches in New Zealand and Australia just after the World T20 triumph in England, they emphasized on a player who was instead of attending Pakistan's domestic matches which were on those days, went on to play a private league in Bangladesh, where according to stats mention, he was the high scorer! but did that thing helped Pakistan in New Zealand and Australia when it needed most? Afridi was also in Australia but he did played his part like the first ODI innings which he played and than the captaincy at the fifth and final ODI where Pakistan had almost won against Aussies. But did Misbah played his part? His inclusion in the team was just on the basis of his lucky year 2007 performance.

Like some analysts said, selecting players on reputation has paid the price in this World T20 played in West Indies, Pakistan also paid the price in this regards. If there was any other deserving player in place of Misbah it would have paid like the inclusion of Abdul Rehman following an injury to Yasir Arafat.

What I am saying instead of selecting team on players' past performance why not selecting them on the basis of their performances in domestic circuit? It might good to listen but we have to improve our domestic circuit standard, with comparison to Australian Shield. It has been a norm that a player emerges from our domestic taking handful wickets or scoring tons of scores but when the real arena for performance matters, they fail!

Asim Kamal had promise in his performance why isn't he be giving chances I don't know, but wanna know!

Hit me hard!

Yesterday after listening to Younis Khan's allegations that he was banned without giving him a chance to clarify his position on his indefinite ban imposed by the PCB claiming he was one of the responsible person for creating anarchy in the team during the disastrous tour of down-under 2009-2010.

I am curious to know that after the ODI leg of concluded test series in New Zealand, which was played in Dubai, Younis Khan had resigned as the leader of the team and in place of him, Muhammad Yousuf was made the skipper of the side for New Zealand and Australia tour, and he (Younis Khan) was only available for the 5 ODI series against the Aussies, so how can he be responsible when things were starting to topsy turvy just at the eve of test series played in New Zealand where he was not available neither as captain nor as a player.

It was the responsibility of team management to prevent this situation as soon as possible, and because it was the failure of management more than the players, PCB instead of punishing and fining heavily to the players (they should have punished the players) they should have emphasized more on managerial disturbance during the tour.

But Irony of Fate, the manager of that team who created all this controversy was one of the seated members of the inquiry committee headed by Wasim Bari, C.O.O. of Pakistan Cricket Board a.k.a. Paindoo Cricket Board.

Younis Khan also mentioned that Shoaib Malik created all the drama, as Malik thought that Khan created such results to dump him (Malik) as a captain, and that's where differences emerged, and he tried to convey the message to PCB but in return he was gifted with an indefinite ban.

In the end our parliamentarians should have acted sensibly and people like Jamshed Dasti who have been criticizing Khan of match fixing allegations, I personally ask him, is he saying all these crap on the basis of solid reasons, proves or justifications or these allegations are also like his fake BA degree in Islamic Studies? It has literally ruined Younis Khan's crystal clear career. Although Khan would be having attitude problem but it doesn't matter the most when he plays for the team and scores for the team, at the end of the day this is what really matters.

Re: Rana, Malik get one-year bans, Younis and Yousuf axed from teams

Reference: http://www.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/451392.html

Rana, Malik get one-year bans, Younis and Yousuf axed from teams

Osman Samiuddin

March 10, 2010

 

	The PCB has sacked ex-captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan from all formats of the international game © AFP

The PCB has struck against its players with a venom unseen in recent memory, carrying out the deepest cull of a senior cricket team in many years and banning and fining seven of its top players after the side's disastrous, winless tour of Australia. It has banned Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, from playing for Pakistan in any format for an indefinite period, while handing out one-year bans to Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers were fined Rs2-3 million [$24,000-35,000] for various misdemeanours and put on six-month probations.

Action had been expected once details of the inquiry committee's report recommendations were leaked in the press on Monday and Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, had followed it up by saying "more than significant action" would be taken against players. While the punishments for Malik, Rana, Afridi and the Akmal brothers were expected, the action against Yousuf and Younis has caught most people off-guard.

"Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, keeping in view their infighting which resulted in bringing down the whole team, their attitude has a trickledown effect which is a bad influence for the whole team should not be part of national team in any format," the board said in its statement issued on Wednesday.

The PCB has stopped short of calling the punishment a life ban. "They will not be part of any Pakistan team in any format from here on," Taffazul Rizvi, the board's legal advisor told Cricinfo. "A life ban means they cannot play domestic cricket or any other similar cricket, but we are not stopping them from that. They can play domestic cricket or county cricket here and abroad."

Typically there was confusion and the board later appeared to climb down by clarifying that this was not the end of their careers. In a statement released at least six hours after the original release, the board said, "that the recommendation of the Committee is not a life ban on these cricketers. There is no specified term in the recommendation for these two players. As and when the PCB deems appropriate, these players will be considered for selection for the national team."

Rizvi refused to elaborate on the nature of the pair's cases, but it is believed that the board had generally had enough with the two. Younis twice stepped down from the captaincy last year with player unrest against his leadership the underlying cause both times. Yousuf's sins are equally unclear, other than that he led a winless tour to Australia and engaged thereafter in a public battle with Malik.

The cases of indiscipline that have led to one-year bans on Malik and Rana, similarly, have not been expanded upon. "Rana Naved ul Hasan and Shoaib Malik be fined Rupees Two million. They should not be part of national team in any format for a period of one year."

Malik's name has figured persistently at the centre of speculation over the last year in inciting player unrest within the team, though nothing substantial has appeared in public to back that up. "We cannot discuss the specifics of the incident as we are under oath," Rizvi said. "But obviously we have taken action after much consideration and based on solid information."

In contrast, the cases of Akmal brothers and Shahid Afridi are straightforward. The brothers were fined for their behavior in the aftermath of the Sydney Test; Kamran was dropped by the board but insisted publicly he would be selected in the run-up to the third Test. Younger brother Umar was alleged to have feigned an injury to not play the Test in protest, though he did eventually play. Kamran has been fined Rs 3 million, Umar Rs 2 million and the pair are on probation.

Afridi was punished for the ball-biting incident in the Perth ODI, where he was captain. He has already been punished by the ICC, who immediately gave him a two-match ban. "For the shameful act of Shahid Khan Afridi, which has brought the game and country into disrepute, he be fined Rupees 3 million," the board said. "A warning be issued to him by the Chairman PCB and he be put on probation for 06 months, during which his conduct be strictly monitored."

The bans were handed down by an inquiry committee which comprised former players Wasim Bari, Zakir Khan and Yawar Saeed, besides Wazir Ali Khoja, a member of the PCB governing council, and Rizvi. The committee held hearings on February 12th, 13th and the 27th, and looked into reports from former coach Intikhab Alam, manager Abdul Raqeeb and newly appointed coach Waqar Younis, who was the bowling consultant during the Australia tour. Besides the players who were punished, the committee questioned Intikhab, Raqeeb, opener Salman Butt, assistant coach Aaqib Javed, the physio Faisal Hayat and the PCB's cricket analyst Mohammad Talha.

Attention will turn now to how the players will respond. Legal action or appeals will be a consideration though Rizvi insisted the board was on solid ground. "We are on good ground with this," he said. "The PCB has done it thinking it is the right thing to do. It sets an example for the future."

As a whole, the action is almost unparalleled in even Pakistan's troubled history. The 2000 Justice Qayyum report had similar repercussions but that was about the graver concerns of corruption. This cull has been carried out, ostensibly, in a bid to curb indiscipline and player power.

Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo

Feeds: Osman Samiuddin

Atlast some serious action taken by the PCB, but why only on the two great Y's! Although I must admit I am not a great fan of Muhammad Yousuf, after what doing some faulter captaincy and politics in the team. On the other hand, Shoaib Malik should have been punished heavier as in my opinion he's the main culprit behind all this. And Akmals after what they had done was serious and they didn't deserved to be playing, whatever Kamran Akmal did in Sydney test, i.e. dropping Hussey couple of times in an inning, the same player later scored a hundred and let the Aussies to win that test match which was almost on the grip of Pakistan team, but what junior Akmal did was an eye opener for the weak management of Pakistani team, because he had shown fake injury in protest of senior Akmal being dropped from the dead rubber Hobart test, even though he played but the enthusiasm which had been his trademark was not shown and it clearly showed that the aggression and zeal which was needed from him wasn't shown.

God knows why both Y's were dropped in presence of such stinky fishes, which they would be returned by filing a case just like some players did in 2000 after match fixing allegations. Just keeping my fingers crossed and next 24 - 48 hours are crucial, on the other hand news channels in Pakistan are having a cashing time covering this story. Lets hope all things go better for Pakistani cricket as it has been under hell of a controversies.

Peace!