Pakistan records 3-0 series win over Windies

Rao Iftikhar returned career-best bowling figures while Younus Khan struck a brilliant hundred to guide Pakistan to a 31-run win over the West Indies in the third and final one-day international on Sunday.

Iftikhar took 4-59 to foil a fighting 122 by Chris Gayle as the West Indies, chasing 274 to win, were bowled out for 242 in 46.3 overs to give Pakistan a 3-0 win at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Pakistan won the first match by four wickets and the second by 24 runs.

Gayle fought a lone battle in the lost cause, hitting his second century in the series, but other than him only Ramnaresh Sarwan (62) put up any resistance as Pakistani bowlers led by Iftikhar exploited the conditions well.

The 27-year-old Iftikhar broke the Gayle-Sarwan second-wicket stand of 151 to revive Pakistan's chances, trapping Sarwan in the 33rd over and then dismissing Shivnarine Chanderpaul (3) and Xavier Marshall (0) in his next.

Gayle, who hit 113 in the first match, was lucky to reach his 18th one-day hundred after television replays showed he edged one from Iftikhar to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal on 99 but was ruled not out.

Gayle finally fell in the 44th over, caught behind off Umer Gul to end any hopes of an unlikely win. He hit six sixes and five boundaries during his 137-ball knock. Gul finished with 3-31.

Earlier Pakistan was helped to 6-273 in their 50 overs by a brilliant 101 by Younus Khan and an unbeaten 79 by Misbahul Haq who together added 103 for the third wicket.

Younus hit five boundaries and a six, and also added 85 for the second wicket with opener Khurrum Manzoor (30) after Pakistan won the toss and batted. Younus and Manzoor steadied the innings after Pakistan lost Salman Butt for nought.

Younus reached his sixth one-day hundred with a sharp single off Daren Powell but two balls later he attempted a reverse sweep off spinner Nikita Miller and was bowled.

Captain Shoaib Malik made 13 and Shahid Afridi managed just six.

Haq continued his good work, hitting three boundaries and a six and added an invaluable 40 for the sixth wicket with Akmal who was bowled off the final delivery for 21.

Pakistan kept an unchanged side, meaning paceman Shoaib Akhtar missed all three matches due to calf muscle injury.

PCB look for replacement after Yousuf joins ICL

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors sought a replacement for Mohammad Yousuf Monday after the star batsman joined an Indian cricket league hours after being named in a one-day series squad against the West Indies.

The 34-year-old batsman was set to stage a comeback for Pakistan in next week's three matches against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi after missing a Twenty20 event in Canada last month due to visa problems.

His name featured in the 15-man squad announced on Monday, but shortly afterwards it was announced that he had signed for the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

"Once we get written confirmation from the PCB we will name his replacement but it is likely that Khalid Latif will take his place," chief selector Wasim Jaffar told AFP.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has a strict policy of banning all players who have joined the unrecognised ICL, which is backed by India's largest media group, Zee television.

"Yousuf's wife has conveyed us that he has left for India and would be playing in the Indian Cricket League but we are waiting for facts and figures before taking any action against him," PCB director of operations Zakir Khan told AFP.

About 15 Pakistani players, including former captain Inzamam-ul Haq, joined the league last year and were barred from playing international and national cricket by the PCB.

Khan said Yousuf had jeopardised his career.

"Yousuf has also signed for the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is recognised by the International Cricket Council and so it's something we cannot say much on, but yes, our policy remains the same on ICL," said Khan.

"But we would wait to hear from Yousuf himself as he is under PCB contract and once he confirms this to us then only we can decide what action we can take against him."

Yousuf, whose 1,788 runs in 2006 is a calendar-year record, previously signed a contract with the ICL after he was omitted from Pakistan's Twenty20 World Cup squad in September last year.

But the PCB later convinced him to tear up the contract and instead signs with the IPL, leading to legal proceedings.

Yousuf has played 79 Tests and 269 one-day internationals for Pakistan since making his debut in 1998.

In the squad for the West Indies games, bowler Shoaib Akhtar was retained after erasing doubts about his form and fitness, while top batsman Younus Khan will join the trip from his club team South Australia.

Pakistan plays West Indies on November 12, 14 and 16 in Abu Dhabi in the first matches under new coach Intikhab Alam.

Fast bowlers Rao Iftikhar and Abdur Rauf also return after missing the Canada trip.

The series is in Abu Dhabi after West Indies refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.



SQUAD: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younus Khan, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umer Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanveer, Fawad Alam

COACH: Intikhab Alam

Pakistan greats applaud Lawson sacking

Former Pakistan cricket greats have applauded the sacking of national coach Geoff Lawson and wasted no time in attacking the former Australian bowler.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sacked Lawson on Friday, just 15 months after the former paceman took up the position.

"Lawson's sacking was inevitable," former captain and master batsman Zaheer Abbas told AFP Friday. "This comes as a popular decision because results were not there, we have had enough of the foreign coaches."

However, Abbas said Lawson was not totally to blame for Pakistan's poor results, saying the PCB had exercised bad judgement in hiring him.

"The PCB appointed him coach so the blame must be shared between the two parties but I think after having three foreign coaches we must realise that they do not belong to our culture and do not give it all."

The 50-year-old Lawson was appointed Pakistan coach in July last year after Pakistan's first-round defeat in the World Cup in the Caribbean in March.

Calls for his removal intensified when Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka in the final of the T20 four-nation event in Canada earlier this month.

Another former captain, chief selector Aamir Sohail, a persistent critic of Lawson, said the decision was the correct one given his lack of progress with the team. "I would term this as a popular decision," he said.

"I would not take into account results because they are part and parcel of the game. I would say it is a correct decision because the team was not showing any progress under him."

Sohail said he favoured former batting great Javed Miandad to take over.

Intikhab Alam, also one of the favourites to replace Lawson, said a clean-up was needed of Pakistan cricket and the Australian had failed to deliver.

"We need a clean-up for positive change in Pakistan cricket and I found Lawson as abrasive and unyielding," said Alam, a former coach and manager, who also led Pakistan in the 1970s.

"It (Lawson's sacking) should have happened earlier."

Former opener Mohsin Khan said Lawson lacked the experience as an international coach and even questioned his success as a player.

"Lawson has no caliber to coach at top level. He was a second string bowler in his playing days (for Australia) when pacemen Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson ruled the world, even Terry Alderman was ahead of him," said Khan.

Geoff Lawson's future in doubt

Pakistan cricket chief Ijaz Butt admits the sport in the country is in crisis and requires a complete overhaul, which may see the departure of Australian coach Geoff Lawson.

Butt succeeded Dr Nasim Ashraf earlier this week as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, with the nation's team beset by problems.

Pakistan are struggling to attract touring sides due to security concerns and the Champions Trophy, which was due to take place last month, was postponed until 2009 for the same reason.

Mohammed Asif and Shoaib Akhtar's personal troubles are also blighting the sport, while Pakistan are yet to play a Test match in 2008 and their one-day performances have been poor.

"Pakistan cricket is going through hard times," Butt told The News.

"It needs a complete overhaul. It's certainly a challenging task, but that's what I'm here for. We will soon begin taking remedial measures."

Butt expressed dissatisfaction with the national team's performances and Lawson's position could be in jeopardy.

"A lot is needed to be done to ensure that it shows improvement in the future," added Butt.

"Let's say that I'm not very satisfied with the coaching aspect as well.

"We have to review a lot of things. I will take my time to devise a strategy and will then implement it."

Butt will also appeal to the leading nations and the International Cricket Council in a bid to secure fixtures and revive the game in Pakistan.

"It's very important for Pakistan cricket that foreign teams come and play here," he added.

"I believe the Test-playing nations and the ICC should help us in this time of need."

Butt is open to the idea of playing matches at neutral venues if it helps the sport.

He said: "Our aim is to revive cricket. It would be great if we can ensure home games but if that can't be done then we will have to explore other options."

Pakistan chief selector resigns over squad change

Pakistan's chief cricket selector Salahuddin Ahmed has resigned after a change was made to the squad selected for a four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Toronto this month.

Ahmed said selectors had included offspinner Saeed Ajmal in the 15-member squad submitted to the board but he was replaced by uncapped opener Shoaib Khan.

Former test player Ahmed sent his resignation to the new chairman of the cricket board, Ejaz Butt.

"I have resigned as I am hurt and upset that they made a change in the team given by us without even bothering to inform us about it," Ahmed told Reuters.

Pakistan's cricket board (PCB) came under the control of the country's sports ministry after the resignation of PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf.

"I don't know who made the change, if it was the ministry or the board, but this is not the way to do things professionally. I should have been taken into confidence," Ahmed said.

PCB serves legal notice on Moin Khan

The Pakistan Cricket Board has countersued Moin Khan with its own defamation notice in response to a suit filed by the former test captain earlier this week.

"The notice was served on Friday and now we are waiting for Khan's reply," PCB spokesman Mansoor Suhail said Saturday.

Khan demanded the PCB pay him 100 million Pakistan rupees (US$1.3 million) in a defamation notice filed Wednesday over the cricket board's claims he was involved in coercing batsman Mohammad Yousuf to join the rebel Indian Cricket League.

The PCB has responded by asking Khan to pay 250 million Pakistan rupees (US$3.2 million) in damages for his allegations of wrongdoing by the board.

"This instant reply should be treated as a notice .... and unless your client pays an amount of Rs250 million (US$3.2 million) as damages within a period of 14 days after receiving this reply, appropriate legal action will be initiated," PCB lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi said in the defamation notice.The notice alleges that Khan did not repay the full amount of a player fee to Yousuf at the time of signing his contract with the ICL last year.

The ICL is a Twenty20 league that is not internationally recognized because it runs in competition to the officially sanctioned Indian Premier League.

Rizvi said in the notice to Khan's lawyer Imran Aziz Qureshi that Khan actually received US$82,500 from the organizers of the ICL as the first installment of a player contract to be paid to Yousuf, "but the amount paid to Yousuf by him (Khan) was only US$52,000."

The notice further said that Yousuf returned the money to Khan when he came to know that any player participating in the ICL would be barred from representing his national team.

Khan joined the ICL in 2007 as coach of the Hyderabad Heroes team. He coached the Lahore Badshahs in the 2008 season.

Miandad, Rameez tipped for PCB CEO post

Former captains Javed Miandad and Rameez Raja are doing the rounds as potential candidates to become Pakistan Cricket Board CEO after the new PCB chairman is appointed by President Asif Zardari.

According to sources, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer is the front runner for the coveted post of board chairman, to be appointed by Pakistan President in his capacity as PCB chief patron, while either one of Miandad or Raja could be the CEO.

"Why not, Taseer is very close to President Zardari and is an old Pakistan Peoples Party loyalist. He has also worked as treasurer of the board and was involved in the organization of 1996 World Cup," a top board source said.

"Taseer will be consulted for the post of chief executive and former greats Javed Miandad and Rameez Raja are being seen as viable options to work with him. Miandad is also in the good books of Zardari," the source added.

Taseer, who was handpicked by Zardari for the post of Punjab Governor despite opposition from the coalition partners in the government, is reportedly interested in the cricket post.

"He is Lahore-based and can find time for cricket. The board now functions like a corporate body so the chairman has to be there only for key decisions," the source said.

Meanwhile, sports minister Najamuddin got a rap from the PMO for insisting on having an ad-hoc committee to run cricket affairs till a new PCB chief is appointed.

"The Ministry got a rap after they sent a summary to the Prime Minister's secretariat asking him to give approval for appointing the ad-hoc committee. They were reminded that cricket remains the exclusive domain of the President and the Prime Minister has nothing to do with it," the source disclosed.

PCB blasts Cricket Australia for ‘double standard’

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday lashed out at Cricket Australia for saying yes to India tour despite Saturday's bomb blasts in New Delhi and accused them of adopting 'double standard' on security issues.

Paul Marsh, the Chief Executive of the Australian Cricketers Association, had earlier expected some countries, apparently Pakistan, to come up with such statement. Australia had postponed their tour to Pakistan early this year and also refused to play in the Champions Trophy because of security concerns.

"I think if Australia tour India it will only highlight their double standards on security issues," Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer of the PCB, told reporters in Lahore.

"Pakistan is as safe a country as India and we had even promised state level security for the Australians and other teams. This incident only shows the double standards of Australian cricket," Naghmi fumed.

Cricket Australia has said they were postponing or cancelling the India tour due to the Delhi blasts unless they were advised by their government otherwise.

Naghmi said the PCB was disappointed with the statement of the ACA as even the ICC and other countries had acknowledged the great efforts made by Pakistan to provide a safe environment for the Champions Trophy.

"Terrorist attacks can take place anywhere we have said constantly. No country is safer than the other and this point was highlighted after the unfortunate and sad incident in Delhi," he said.

"We find it hard to comprehend that when Australian cricketers can tour a country which has had a succession of bomb attacks what is so different about coming to Pakistan," Naghmi added.

Pakistan cricket board seeks Ehsan Mani

Pakistan has approached former International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani to help sell its media rights for the next four years.

Under pressure because of foreign teams' reluctance to tour the country because of security fears, Pakistan is apprehensive that it might not be able to fetch the best price for the television rights which will be up for grabs within the next few days.

'Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has requested me to assist it in selling out their TV and media rights for the next four years',' Mani told IANS here Friday.

Mani is confident that 'even in the prevailing conditions, PCB could get the full market value for their home series subject to a universal condition, that broadcasters will not pay anything in case of any team pulling out from any series.'

Mani, who retired as ICC president in 2006, said: 'There is no doubt the Indian Premier League (IPL) has grabbed most of the TV rights money but I'm hopeful that PCB's television rights for the next four years would be sold on full market value.'

He added: 'The PCB however, would suffer in case of any team not fulfilling its obligation. For example Sri Lankan players are talking of not visiting England next year as they are interested in IPL. But the English broadcasters would not pay for the series not taking place.'

Mani said: 'When any team pulls out, the host country loses not only the income generated by television rights but it also suffers huge and immeasurable loss in terms of advertisement, gate money, endorsements and most of all great loss to the projection and promotion of sport in the country.'

Malik fears cricket isolation

Captain Shoaib Malik fears the country will slip into cricket isolation if security concerns continue to prevent other teams from touring.

PCB suffered two major setbacks this year with Australia postponing a test tour in March and the eight-nation Champions Trophy being postponed by the ICC last month because of security concerns.

"It is very frustrating for the players the way two important events have been postponed this year. It is so depressing that despite being a major cricket playing nation we do not play a test match this year," Malik told reporters.

Pakistan played its last test against India in December and their next test series is not until January when India tour.

Malik said for cricket to thrive in Pakistan it was important for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure teams toured the country.

"The ICC needs to step in and play a more decisive role. If teams keep on refusing to tour Pakistan despite assurances even from our government we will become an isolated cricket nation," he added.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had tried to arrange an alternate series after the postponement of the Champions Trophy but without success. South Africa declined to take part in a tri-series this month with Sri Lanka, citing the need to give players a rest after their tour of England.

A PCB official confirmed on Wednesday that moves to arrange a one-day series in Sri Lanka had not worked out.

PCB back Shoaib county stint

The Pakistan Cricket Board have backed Shoaib Akhtar's proposed move to England.

Akhtar has not played for Pakistan this year, but is hoping to finalise a deal with Surrey, who are currently bottom of the LV County Championship Division One table by 18 points with only three matches to play and are strong favourites to be one of the two teams to be relegated.

"We have cleared Shoaib to play county cricket and have given him a no objection certificate," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told the News.

Surrey cricket manager Alan Butcher is planning to have Shoaib available in time for next week's crunch match against title-chasing Kent at Canterbury, although one potential snag is legal documentation which requires all overseas players to spend at least three weeks in England.

"Shoaib has been out of competitive cricket for quite sometime and needs to regain his match fitness," added Naghmi.

"We believe a short county stint might help him in doing that."

Shoaib, 33, is hoping to press his claims for a recall to the Pakistan team, with his five-year ban following altercations with the national board recently rescinded.

Pakistan threaten Trophy boycott

The eight-team competition is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from September 12 to 28 but Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand have all expressed reservations about competing due to security concerns.

The ICC reviewed and approved security arrangements in Pakistan last week and official delegations met with players from the four countries in an attempt to address the situation.

However, their fears will not have been eased after a suicide bomber killed 23 people in a hospital in Peshawar on Tuesday, just a day after Pervez Musharraf stood down as the country's president.

But if the ICC decide to stage the Champions Trophy elsewhere - Sri Lanka has been touted as a possible destination - the PCB insist Pakistan will not be taking part.

"The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and there are no chances of shifting the event from Pakistan to any other country," acting PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf was quoted as saying in the Dawn.

"If the ICC shifts the Champions Trophy to any other venue, Pakistan will pull out from the event."

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government plans to install an ad-hoc committee to oversee administration of the PCB following the resignation of chairman Nasim Ashraf.

Ashraf relinquished his post hours after Pakistan Musharraf, who was facing impeachment by Parliament, announced his decision to step down on national television.

Musharraf was also patron of the PCB and had handpicked Ashraf to lead the organisation in October 2006.

PCB, cricket selectors to discuss Lawson issue

Pakistan's cricket selection committee is reportedly planning to file an official complaint against national team coach Geoff Lawson.

Sources told 'The News' that the selectors will be meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Nasim Ashraf after he returns from the United States next week to officially convey their charge-sheet against Lawson.

The former Australian Test pacer, who is currently on a mission Down Under to save next month's ICC Champions Trophy, is reported to have had a spat with the selectors in Lahore over team formation for the eight-nation tournament.

Sources said that at the meeting Lawson tried to 'dictate' to the national selection committee.

"He (Lawson) came to the meeting with a list of players he thought should play for Pakistan in the Champions Trophy," said an eye witness, who requested anonymity.

"When he was told by the selectors that they would review his list and would also consult with the PCB before naming the national team, Lawson lost his cool.

He told the selectors: 'What! Now you will discuss my team?' in an angry tone and was immediately told to behave," added the eye witness.

At that particular point, Lawson left the room in a huff. But he returned again only to walk out a few minutes later.

Sources said that during the time he was present at the meeting, Lawson was agitated. In contrast, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik kept his views to himself.

It was supposed to be routine meeting between the national selection committee and the team coach and captain and was aimed at taking their "input" on the combination for next month's ICC Champions Trophy.

While Lawson wanted to have his way, the selectors told him in clear words that he was trying to trespass in their territory.

"Lawson was told by the selectors that he can only give his input which would be considered by the selectors. They also made it clear that the selection committee had the final say over the team combination. The coach wasn't very happy with that argument."

It was not the first time that the selectors and Lawson, who took over as Pakistan coach last summer, clashed over team selection.

They've been having episodes of what a senior PCB official terms as "difference of opinion" over the team combination since before the tour of India last year.

But according to the sources the latest spat was by far the worst and could have senior repercussions for Lawson, who is already under the scanner following Pakistan's poor outing in the Asia Cup on home soil earlier this summer.

Sources close to Lawson claim that the former Australian pacer is frustrated over not having much of a say in team selection and wants more powers for him and skipper Shoaib Malik. The captain also shares that feeling.

They pointed out that Lawson is of the view that unless the team management had more say in selection matters, it would be difficult for Pakistan to produce the desired results.

The Champions Trophy is to be played across Pakistan from September 12 to 28, but is still under a cloud because of security fears.

Ashraf will meet with Lawson after he arrives in Pakistan on August 27.

PCB serves legal notice on Shoaib for payment of fine

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Saturday served a legal notice on controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar, asking him to pay the Rs.7 million fine imposed for repeated breach of discipline.

A senior PCB official told IANS that the Board's lawyer Tafazzul Rizvi has sent the notice to Shoaib, asking him to pay the fine as soon as possible.

Masoor Suhail, PCB's media chief, said that the move is a legal requirement, pointing out that the matter has been pending for a while and the player is supposed to pay the fine.

Shoaib was banned April 1 for five years over repeated breaches of discipline. Later an appeals committee reduced the ban to 18 months but imposed a fine of Rs.7 million on Shoaib. The player filed a plea against the decision in the Lahore High Court, which decided to suspend the ban till September, but upheld the fine.

Pakistan picked Shoaib in their 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy here. But there were indications Saturday that Shoaib might be dropped from the squad in case he fails to pay the fine within next couple of weeks.

However, Suhail was hopeful such a situation would not arise.

'We are sure that the matter would be settled amicably,' he said. 'Shoaib knows that he has to pay the fine and we believe that he would do that soon.'

Shoaib fell out with the PCB bosses after launching a scathing attack on the Board earlier this year. Since then most senior Board officials don't want him in the national team.

But national selectors are convinced that Shoaib should be a part of the Pakistan squad because it lacks any wicket-taking bowlers in the absence of fellow pacer Mohammad Asif, who is facing a ban over a positive dope test.

PCB tells Inzamam to mind his business

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday hit back at former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq for what it termed were damaging remarks made by him against the current captain Shoaib Malik and the board chairman Nasim Ashraf.

A PCB spokesman said that Inzamam is trying to portray a negative picture of Pakistan cricket and went on to say that the retired batsman is completely off the mark.

'Shoaib Malik enjoys the confidence and support of the selectors and he has satisfactory leadership qualities to motivate the team for producing good results,' said the spokesman.

In a recent TV interview Inzamam labeled Malik as a weak captain and also fired a salvo at the PCB chief, saying that his policies were hampering Pakistan cricket.

Inzamam also suggested that Pakistan would have been better off if they had either Younis Khan or Mohammad Yousuf as the captain.

But the PCB termed his comments as baseless. The Board has claimed that Inzamam has twisted hard facts while posing himself as a role model.

The PCB spokesman also questioned Inzamam's credibility. 'Inzamam himself does not enjoy a good reputation as a captain as he made certain questionable decisions to taint the image of the country besides exhibiting his 'stubborn 'attitude on certain occasions even at the time of selection, ignoring talented Misbah-ul-Haq who was a potential threat to his middle order position,' said the spokesman.

'The biggest mistake made by Inzamam as a captain was the forfeiting of the Oval Test in August 2006 which caused a lot of confusion and problems for Pakistan cricket at highest level of the game. Then he (Inzamam) imposed his will on selectors by including injured pacer Shabbir Ahmad on the tour of South Africa in 2006 and even threatened to come back from the same tour'.

The spokesman pointed out that after two years, it was because of the efforts of the PCB chief that the ICC reversed its earlier decision on Oval Test and announced it as a draw.

The Board also defended Ashraf, who is currently vacationing in the United States. 'The post of the Chairman PCB is a top managerial position and the present chairman is fully justifying as the head of the Board and his contribution for the cause of cricket and to better the image of the country are widely acknowledged.'

When Ashraf took over as PCB chief in the fall of 2006, Inzamam was the Pakistan captain. The two never got along well and when Pakistan crashed out of the 2007 World Cup, the Board replaced Inzamam with Malik.

Ashraf broke the ice last October when he gave Inzamam a 'farewell' Test appearance against South Africa in Lahore. It is the first time the Multan-based Inzamam has openly criticised the Board since then.

Pakistan pick Shoaib for Trophy

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has not played for Pakistan since December, has been named in a 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy.

"Shoaib has been picked after doctors cleared his fitness," Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said.

Last month, the PCB left the paceman out of a Pakistan training camp over an unpaid fine after he had been chosen in a preliminary squad for the tournament.

Shoaib had been asked to pay a fine of seven million Pakistan rupees (£50,000) by July 14 to be considered for selection.

The fine was imposed by an appeals tribunal that cut from five years to 18 months a suspension he received for various acts of indiscipline.

"We have decided not to link the payment of his fine with his selection," added Naghmi. "This issue can be resolved later."

Shoaib has filed a High Court writ challenging the fine and ban.

Fellow fast bowler Umar Gul and all-rounder Shahid Afridi were also included in the 15-man squad despite fitness fears.

"Shoaib, Gul and Afridi carry a lot of experience and we are confident they will be 100 percent fit for the tournament," said chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.

According to media reports, the choice of Shoaib and Afridi led to a dispute between coach Geoff Lawson and the selectors on Monday because the Australian had doubts over their fitness.

Afridi has not played since he injured his wrist in June. The selectors also picked young batsmen Bazid Khan and Khalid Latif and dropped all-rounder Fawad Alam.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was recalled after being dropped for the recent Asia Cup.

The Champions Trophy, to be played in Karachi and Lahore, starts on September 12.

Full squad:

Nasir Jamshed, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik (captain), Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Bazid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Tanvir, Abdur Rauf.

Pakistan to send two teams in Champions League

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to field in two teams in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 tournament to be held in India from September 29 to October 8.

Although ICC has expressed reservations over the event, PCB Chief Operating Officer, Shafqat Naghmi made it clear that Pakistan would support every decision on the Indian Cricket Board-backed Twenty20 tournament.

Naghmi confirmed that Pakistan`s domestic Twenty20 champions will definitely participate in the event and the Board was even contemplating of fielding in another team.

"The Sialkot Stallions have been invited for the event," he said, adding, "we are also thinking of sending two teams, but we still don`t know as so far we have not seen the details."

Interestingly, flamboyant opener Imran Nazir and pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who featured in the rebel Indian Cricket League, was a part of the Stallions squad last year and helped the side, led by Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik to win the Twenty20 title. Incidentally, IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi and BCCI are strongly opposed to the idea of fielding in teams which has links with ICL players and this has even led to a dispute with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

However, sources close to PCB said this won`t act as a hindrance in Stallions` participation in the Champions League as the moment Nazir and Rana signed up with the rebel league, the Board has banned the duo from all domestic competitions.

"They (Nazir and Rana) are no longer eligible to play for Stallions. So there is no real problem. Stallions will only field players who have no connections with the ICL," a PCB source said.

Naghmi also expressed ignorance about ICC`s reported letter to the member boards warning them that if the Champions League went ahead from September 29, a day after the Champions Trophy ends in Pakistan, it could lead to a lawsuit from the broadcasters who have a television rights deal with the world body.

"No I have seen no such letter so I don`t know anything about it at the moment," he said.

The PCB COO added that Pakistan was itself preparing to launch the Pakistan Premier League next year and have had consultations with the IPL authorities on this matter.

Shoaib and 25 others clear dope tests

Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB) officials expressed relief Wednesday after paceman Shoaib Akhtar and 25 other players cleared dope tests conducted ahead of September's Champions Trophy.

"The tests were conducted on 26 of the 30 players in the preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy and I can say that it's a great relief that all the tests are negative," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told AFP.

Three players missed the tests carried out last week as they were playing league cricket in England, while Younis Khan was in Saudi Arabia and their tests will be conducted later, said Naghmi. Pakistan has been embroiled in recent doping controversies.

Asif did not feature in the latest tests as he is fighting to clear his name after he tested positive for nandrolone during the Indian Premier League earlier this month.

Shoaib was named in Pakistan's provisional squad earlier this month after Lahore High Court suspended a separate 18-month ban for indiscipline.

Pakistan hosts the biennial Champions Trophy from September 11-28, amid fears of a boycott by leading teams, including defending champions Australia, for security reasons.

BCCI backs Pakistan as Champions Trophy venue

India is likely to resist any move to change Pakistan as the venue for Champions Trophy amidst fears that top players from non-Asian countries pulling out.

The Indian board sees "no harm" in Pakistan hosting the tournament in September, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said on Wednesday. "We are supporting Pakistan as the venue of the Champions Trophy," Shah said. "Our Indian team had taken part in the Asia Cup without any incident. Besides, the report of the ICC`s security consultants, which was presented during the briefing in Dubai was positive. So the BCCI sees no harm in Pakistan hosting the tournament."

Besides the Asian bloc, Pakistan also got words of support from Cricket South Africa. "We must give Pakistan every opportunity to host the tournament to the best of their ability," Norman Arendse, the president of Cricket South Africa (CSA) told Independent Online. "I`m inclined to support Pakistan`s hosting of the tournament. I know it might sound easy for us as administrators to make such decisions as we stay home while the players go to Pakistan, but I assure you it is not so."

However, the chief executive of the South Africa Cricketers` Association, Tony Irish, said that there was a possibility of top players from his country pulling out of the tournament if it went ahead as scheduled in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the BCCI president-elect, Shashank Manohar, will be attending the tele-conference conducted by the International Cricket Conference (ICC) to decide about the venue for the forthcoming Champions Trophy.

Manohar said that Sharad Pawar has become a vice-president of the ICC and therefore cannot attend the tele-conference as a director. "My name has been sent by the BCCI secretary and I will be on tele-conference with ICC`s other board members," confirmed Manohar from Nagpur.

The ICC will take a final decision which, if it cannot be reached via consensus, needs a 7-3 vote.

Pakistan to open Toronto T20 campaign against Canada

Pakistan will be looking to win a four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada next month to boost their morale ahead of September's ICC Champions Trophy.

The Pakistanis will begin their campaign in the Toronto quadrangular with a opening day clash against hosts Canada on Aug 14. West Indies and Bangladesh -- the other two teams in the contest -- will play in the tournament opener earlier in the day.

The four-nation event will be played from Aug 14-17. Canada have confirmed they will take part in the event which is being held in their country after finally signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the tournament sponsors, Sports International Marketing of Pakistan.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed the dates of the competition last week, but the host country were waiting for the MOU to be signed by the marketing company.

Pakistan, whose board are organising the competition, are also participating, while West Indies are still to confirm.

There had been question marks over the tournament coming off when the original organisers backed out, but a new company came to the rescue. Each team will play the other once, meaning three matches, ahead of a final and a third-place play-off, both matches on Aug 17.

A PCB official said Monday that since the Canadians have confirmed the tournament, Pakistan will announce their 15-member squad for the event within the next few days.