Disciplinary hearing and Premier League offer for Akhtar

“The momentum we returned with (from South Africa), was for Twenty20 cricket and it was not easy to immediately change the mode. All of us were a bit knackered up after the (T20) World Cup. We had little time to shift gears and the intensity level dropped,” Uthappa said.

Admitting there was let up in intensity level of Indian team after the Twenty20 World Cup, middle order batsman Robin Uthappa today promised the hosts would “make amends” in remaining one-dayers against Australia.”The momentum we returned with (from South Africa), was for Twenty20 cricket and it was not easy to immediately change the mode.

 All of us were a bit knackered up after the (T20) World Cup. We had little time to shift gears and the intensity level dropped,” Uthappa told a press conference on the eve of the fourth ODI here.

We had hardly two days to prepare a plan for a tough series against Australia,” he said. The Karnataka player admitted the lack of partnerships in the middle order have often scuttled their chase in the series and promised that batsmen “would make amends”. India are trailing 0-2 with the first match of the seven-match series being washed out due to rains in Bangalore.

But with four more matches still remaining in the series, Uthappa said things were looking better for the side.

“Things are definitely better now. We are halfway through the series and hope things would improve soon. The body language in the dressing room is very positive and everyone is looking forward to the match. Chandigarh has been a happy hunting ground for us and we hope to do well tomorrow,” he said.

Although Australia have so far dominated the series with ruthless professionalism, Uthappa did not agree that the visitors won because they are a better side.

“They adapted well to the conditions of course but if you consider man-to-man, we believe we are still the better side. Skill wise, I won’t say they are ahead of us. In fact, we have more skilled players,” he said.

“Everyone gave 100 per cent in the field but it’s that sometimes the rub of the green does not go well for you,” he added.

Uthappa also rubbished the notion that the team stood divided with the senior players on one side and the juniors on the other.

“There is absolutely nothing like a senior vs junior thing in the team, it’s totally a media creation. Everyone is enjoying themselves in the dressing room and it’s amazing to be part of this team,” he said.

On his role, the hard-hitting batsman said it did not bother him whether he could avail the powerplays.

“Powerplays or otherwise, I go out to play my natural game. If I see a ball there to be hit, I’ll go after it and I want to stay there as long as possible.”

Uthappa admitted Matthew Hayden has been the thorn in India’s flesh and said bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and the pacers have come up with a plan to muzzle the towering Aussie.

“Well, that has been their strategy. Venky is discussing the issue with the bowlers and I think they would come up with something to silence him.”

Inzi may join IPL of BCCI

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is expected to cancel a contract with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) to join the official Indian Premier League (IPL) recognised by the ICC.

Inzamam, who is set to retire from international cricket after playing in next week’s Test against South Africa in Lahore, has shown an interest in signing up for the IPL, a contest recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and organised by the BCCI.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Nasim Ashraf, there is a big chance that Inzamam – who was touted as one of the biggest stars roped in by the ICL – will decide to cancel his contract to sign a new one with IPL.

Ashraf said that BCCI officials, who are planning to launch the IPL in a grand manner next April, are yet to show an interest in Inzamam, but was quick to add “that they would certainly sign up Inzamam.”

Inzamam is one of the four Pakistani players, including Mohammad Yousuf, who initially joined the ICL this summer, The News reported.

Yousuf, however, has announced recently that he has cancelled a contract with the ICL to make himself available for national duty.

Yousuf has also signed a contract to play in the IPL.

Ashraf said that Inzamam might also follow suit.

“I will talk to the BCCI people soon and hope that Inzamam gets a good offer from IPL,” he added.

END OF AN ERA Inzamam announces retirement from Test cricket also

LAHORE: Former Pakistan skipper Inzamamul Haq officially announced his retirement from Test cricket also on Friday. He will play his last Test against South Africa here at the Gaddafi Stadium. The 37-year-old batsman announced his decision at a press conference in Karachi.

 It is surprising that on Wednesday night Inzamam confirmed to Daily Times that he had no immediate plans to retire and was fit enough to play cricket for another one year. What prompted him to change his decision is a mystery. For the last one-week there have been speculations in the media about a deal between the PCB and Inzamam.

There were also some reports that Inzamam had held a meeting with PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf in which it was decided that Inzamam would be paid Rs 10 million for his services to Pakistan cricket. But Nasim denied the reports that a golden handshake agreement had been reached with the star batsman to send him off into the sunset.

No doubt, Inzamam’s retirement marks the end of an era and the game will miss his larger-than-life character. He is one of cricket’s all-time greats. He is only the second Pakistani after Hanif Mohammad to have scored a memorable Test triple hundred (329) in searing heat against New Zealand in Lahore in 2002.

 “I am not retiring under any pressure. It is simply that I have no motivation to play. I want to now give way to youngsters and allow them to take centre stage. I don’t want to stop any youngster’s progress,” Inzamam told reporters. Until a few months ago, relations between Inzamam and the PCB had soured to an extent where his desire to continue playing Test cricket was seen as detrimental to the team’s rebuilding process.

Inzamam stepped down as captain and retired from one-day internationals after his team was eliminated in the first round of the World Cup in the West Indies earlier this year. He said he wanted to play for another one year or so. “I wanted to play for another year and a half but I realised that there will be a gap between me and the youngsters.”

 He said he did not want to put pressure on the youngsters. “I have taken this tough decision after much thought and I realise that my presence in the dressing room could be a pressure on the younger players. So I have decided this is the best time for me to bid farewell to a game I have loved so much,” Inzamam said.

The Multan-born batsman, who played in 378 one-day internationals, said his biggest regret remained the performance of the team in the 2007 World Cup. “I wanted to win the World Cup as I was the captain but it ended in sheer frustration. But there have been other disappointments as well and that is part of the game.”

 He said winning the 1992 World Cup final against England was the best moment of his career plus the hundred he scored against Bangladesh in 2003 in his hometown Multan to help Pakistan win the match.

The burly batsman needs another 20 runs to pass Javed Miandad’s Pakistan record of 8,832 Test runs made in 124 Tests. Since making his Test debut against England in 1992, Inzamam has so far played 119 Tests and scored a Pakistan record of 25 Test centuries – 17 of which have come in Pakistan victories.

Inzamam said Miandad’s record was not important to him. “Had it been a world record I would have been happy but since it’s a Pakistani record and held by someone from whom I learnt a lot, honestly speaking it won’t be important.”

Inzamam was also embroiled in a major controversy in August last year when Pakistan protested over ball-tampering charges in the Oval Test against England. Pakistan refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day, after which the Test was awarded to England on forfeit. Inzamam was later cleared of tampering but was handed a ban of four one-day internationals.

“I am satisfied and happy with my career and achieved a lot of things. I thank my fans and countrymen for their support and will always remember them.” Inzamam will not only be remembered as one of Pakistan’s premier batsman but also as someone who introduced a religious culture in the team.

Collective prayers, late-night religious sessions and visits to mosques were normal during Inzamam’s tenure as captain and even led to warnings from the PCB to not use the cricket team as a platform to promote religion.

Inzamam led Pakistan in 31 Tests between 2000-07 with a record of 11 victories, 11 defeats and nine draws. The world might not have seen the last of Inzamam following his retirement as he is signed up to play in the unofficial Indian Cricket League.

Pakistan Speedster Shoaib Akhtar Eyes ICC-Approved Indian Premier League

Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has asked his cricket board to permit him to play in the newly-formed Twenty20 Indian Premier League.

“I have got a written offer and I am keen to take part,” Akhtar was quoted as saying to BBC.

The BCCI league has got the approval of ICC, which is quite different to the breakaway Indian Cricket League which had netted Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Akhtar had earlier rejected an offer to play in the ICL, to preserve his hopes of an international return.

“The IPL is an official tournament and has good money,” he said.

“The advantage is whenever it is held it will not clash with my national commitments.”

Shoaib set to join Indian Premier League

Shoaib Akhtar is set to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has sought permission from Pakistan’s cricket authorities.

“I have been approached by the Indian Premier League and I have applied for permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board to sign the contract,” Akhtar told AFP on Saturday. “I have always liked the Indian crowd and have always loved to play in India. Hopefully I will be in the Pakistan team for next month’s tour there and will also play in the league.”

Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan middle-order batsman, and eight Sri Lankan cricketers, including Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene, have already signed with the IPL.

The IPL – sanctioned by the International Cricket Council – is a Twenty20 competition scheduled to be launched next April. It will offer US$3 million in prize money and feature eight franchises participating in a 56-game season. The top four teams will then face off in the semi-finals, with the winners contesting the championship match.

Inzy may now take the IPL route

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is expected to cancel a contract with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) to join the official Indian Premier League (IPL), ‘The News’ learnt here on Friday.

Inzamam, who is set to retire from international cricket after playing in next week’s Test against South Africa in Lahore, has shown an interest in signing up for the IPL, a contest recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Nasim Ashraf, there is a big chance that Inzamam — who was touted as one of the biggest stars roped in by the breakaway league — will decide to cancel his contract to sign a new one with IPL.

Ashraf told this correspondent that BCCI officials, who are planning to launch the IPL in a grand manner next April, are yet to show an interest in Inzamam but was quick to add “that they would certainly sign up Inzamam once told that the player is interested in playing in their league”.

Inzamam was one of the four Pakistani players including Mohammad Yousuf, who initially joined the ICL this summer. Yousuf, however, has announced recently that he has cancelled a contract with the ICL to make himself available for national duty. Yousuf has also signed a contract to play in the IPL.

Ashraf said that Inzamam may also follow suit. “I will talk to the BCCI people soon and hope that Inzamam gets a good offer from IPL.”