PCB Keen to Give Chance to Their Player in Indian Premier League in 2011

The Pakistan Cricket Board are keen for their players to participate in the lucrative Indian Premier League in 2011 despite being snubbed this year.

Pakistani players have not participated in the last two editions of the IPL due to political tensions between the two countries although in the inaugural edition in 2008 over a dozen Pakistanis played for different franchises in the T20 league that attracts players from every cricketing nation.

Last year the Indian franchises did not bid for any Pakistani cricketer at the players' auction although the PCB had sent names of around 10 players after giving them clearance.

PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed told reporters on Saturday that the board had contacted the Indian Cricket Board on the issue.

"We have written to the Indian board that we are willing to provide any clearance to our players for the IPL," Ahmed said.

"We want Pakistani participation in the IPL, that is our official stand but obviously we need for the Indian board to talk to us."

Ahmed said that under new rules framed by the IPL no Pakistani player could take part in the league for any franchise before getting clearance from both boards.

"No player can individually be approached or can approach any franchise now for a contract," he said.

The Indian government has not encouraged bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan since the militant attacks in Mumbai in 2008.

22-Member Squad Announced by PCB Women’s Wing For ICC World Twenty20 Championship

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Women’s Wing on Sunday announced a 22-member squad for the ICC World Twenty20 championship to be held in the West Indies in May.



The selection committee comprised former Test cricketers Ashraf Ali, Manzoor Elahi and Farrukh Zaman.

Sana Mir has been named captain and Nain Abidi vice-captain of the national women’s cricket team. The squad also includes four reserve players and four officials.

Pakistan are placed in Group ‘B’ with Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand. They begin their campaign on May 6 against Sri Lanka in St Kitts.

Squad: Sana Mir (captain), Nain Abidi (vice-captain), Batool Fatima (wicket-keeper), Sajjida Shah, Bismah Maroof, Armaan Khan, Urooj Mumtaz Khan, Nida Rashid, Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sania Iqbal Khan, Sadia Yousuf, Javeria Wadood, Rabia Shah.Reserves: Zeba Manzoor Hussain, Masooma Junaid Farooqi, Rabia Batool, Kainat Imtiaz.

Officials: Ayesha Ashhar (manager), Mansoor Rana (coach), Yasir Malik (trainer), Huma Fatima (physiotherapist).

Match-Fixing Culprits Could Be Fined From 0.5 Million to 2.0 Million Rupees - - New Clauses Added in The Players' Central Contract by PCB

Lahore, Mar. 28: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced clauses in its central contract, which were offered to the players recently, that has mention of a ban and or a fine on cricketers found involved in match-fixing and ball tampering.

"Under the new clauses, if a player is found involved in match-fixing, betting or ball-tampering, he could be fined 0.5 million to 2 million rupees and face a ban of a maximum five matches," sources said.

Upset over the recent controversies, the PCB's list of do's and don'ts for players also mentions a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 rupees for using mobile phones in the dressing room or ground, and a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 rupees for not attending an official function.

Keeping in mind the Indian Cricket League (ICL) incident, where many former and current cricketers joined the rebel league without the PCB's permission, the board has also introduced a fine of half a million to five million rupees and a ban ranging from one to five years for entering into any contract with any foreign league or club without its permission.

"There is a fine of 500,000 to five million rupees and ban of a maximum of six matches for giving threatening statements against the PCB, talking about retirement in the media, giving comments on sensitive issues, criticising board or match officials or fellow players or absenting oneself from cricket without reason," The Nation quoted sources, as saying.

The PCB has offered the year-long central contract to all rounder Shahid Afridi, the Akmal brothers (Umar and Kamran) and 37 other cricketers.

The contracts will be valid from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

While players like Afridi, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal have been placed in the 'A' category, batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, opener Imran Farhat and middle order batsman Umar Akmal are bracketed in 'B' category.

Surprisingly, young pacer Mohammad Aamer is also in the 'B' category despite performing well throughout last year.

In addition to the three categories, the board has introduced a special 'stipend' category, which has been offered to top domestic and under-19 cricketers.

Senior players like Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan, who have been banned for an indefinite period, and controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar have been denied any central contract by the PCB.