PCB Chief announces win bonus for team and praises record-breaking
skipper - Misbah
LAHORE, November 15: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar
Khan was all praise for Misbah-ul-Haq during a news conference here on
Thursday, saying the credit for inflicting huge Test losses on one of
world's best sides Australia must be given to Pakistan ODI and Test
captain.
"I believe it was skipper Misbah who led the boys from the front and
gave confidence to the national team against Australia and I do hope the
team's winning streak will extend to the upcoming World Cup," the PCB
chief maintained.
Shaharyar while giving due credit to individual players also praised
the national team for the sterling efforts they put in especially during
the recently-concluded Test series against Australia.
On the occasion, the PCB chief announced a win bonus for the national
team and its management with captain Misbah and veteran middle-order
batsman Younis Khan getting Rs1.5 million each for their outstanding
performances against Australia during the Test series.
Handsome awards
He also announced Rs. 1 million each for middle-order batsman Azhar
Ali and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar. Besides, Rs. 750,000 each will
be given to opener Ahmed Shehzad, who had to leave halfway through the
Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand due to a minor injury, and
wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz Ahmed.
Rest of the team members except for Yasir Shah, who will get Rs.
600,000 for his impressive performance, will get Rs. 500,000 each with
the team management including manager Moin Khan, head coach Waqar Younis
and other support staff getting rather less amount of Rs. 350,000
apiece.
It may be mentioned here that though the PCB chief hailed skipper
Misbah, team manager Moin and Waqar, as per media reports, had advised
Shaharyar to remove him from captaincy after suffering defeat at the
hands of Australia in the ODI series in the UAE.
However, the ODI and Test skipper staged a comeback in the respective
Test series against Australia and New Zealand with a bang, first
whitewashing Australia and then recoding a thumping win against the
Kiwis in the first Test.
Misbah, coach and manager on triumphing against New Zealand in the
first Test in Abu Dhabi.
He said that during his recent visit to the UAE he saw every player
following captain Misbah, adding that the boys were also satisfied with
coaches and other staff.
"It is very encouraging for Pakistan cricket and I wish it continues
in future too as we have to play two more Tests against New Zealand,"
Shaharyar commented.
The PCB chairman during his news conference did not seem optimistic
about return of banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to international cricket.
"Ajmal is determined and has recently trained vigorously and his name
has also been included in the list of probables for the World Cup but
his chances to be cleared are 50-50," said Shaharyar.
Talking about disgraced young fast bowler Mohammad Amir who is likely
to stage a comeback in the domestic cricket after almost completing a
five-year suspension he received along with then captain Salman Butt and
another fast bowler Mohammad Asif for their involvement in spot-fixing,
he said though the PCB was contemplating to appeal on behalf of Amir to
get him permission from the ICC to allow him to play domestic cricket,
it would take some time.
Appeal to ICC will take time
It is important to note that the ICC has introduced new rules under
which such cricketers can be allowed to play domestic cricket some
months before completing the ban so that they could be fit for
international cricket.
On the other hand, Shaharyar had no soft corner for Salman, saying:
"It seems the former captain is not ready to accept his mistake from the
core of his heart.
"Though Salman has accepted his mistake before the media, he still
has to do a lot more to complete this rehab," the PCB chief
remarked.Asked Salman had been quoted in the media that the PCB was not
inviting him for rehab, Shaharyar said: "If he needs an invitation from
us he should come to the PCB and ask for rehab." Shaharyar also lauded
the unanimous approval of the name of former PCB chairman Najam Sethi as
next ICC president. Though the post was a ceremonial one, it would serve
Pakistan's cause, since now he along with Sethi would explain Pakistan's
point of view in a better way, he said.
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