Qadir told: “I don’t know in what direction this present cricket board is taking Pakistan cricket into. There is no consistency in selection at all. Salman is your most experienced opener with an average of close to 40 in Tests and one-day internationals.Yet the selectors have ignored him for such a big tournament and instead opted for only one specialist opener in Imran Nazir.” He said: “If the board and selectors didn’t want to pick Razzaq for a major tournament like the Champions Trophy then why send him to Sri Lanka or England for the T20 World Cup in the first place.” He added: “I don’t understand what was the hurry of picking Asif when he has not played for over a year. The pace department is already strong with Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Rao Iftikhar and Rana Naved bowling well. So what was the point in rushing Asif into the main fray.”

The former chief selector expressed wonder at the omission of all-rounder Razzaq, as Razzaq had played well in the last ICC World Twenty20 Championship, and the all-rounder did satisfactory performance during the Sri Lanka tour.

ICC General Manager (Commercial) Campbell Jamieson told: “Well the great thing about hosting this event this year in South Africa is that South Africa is trying to improve as a host of many international cricket events, hosting very successfully 2003 cricket World Cup, the 2007 Twenty20 (T-20 World Cup) and last is Indian Premier League which was well and successfully staged.”

Eight teams will play in this year’s ICC Champions Trophy. Additionally, the teams are divided into 2 groups. Pakistan, India and defending champions Australia are appeared in the same group. All the matches will be played in two venues: Centurion in Pretoria and Wanderers in Johannesburg. The winner will get four million dollars as prize money.

Pak chief selector Iqbal Qasim said “Asif is attending the training camp for Under-23 players in Karachi where we have asked camp commandant Rashid Latif to give us a report by Thursday (tomorrow) whether he is match fit for the Champions Trophy.”

Tainted fast bowler Asif was banned from international match for a year after deteriorating in the dope test. His career had tumbled after failing the dope test in IPL inaugural season. Asif wants to get a place in the Pakistani national team after facing a one-year ban imposed by the PCB. His ban will expire on 22 September. On that, the day Champions Trophy will also be started in South Africa.

The confirm date for that meeting followed a phone conversation between the two chief on Friday. Speaking about the conversation Mr Morgan said: “My latest discussion with Ijaz, part of the ongoing dialogue between us, was relaxed and friendly, in keeping with our previous meeting in Dubai last month.” He added “Although nothing has yet been agreed, there remains a strong will on both sides to conclude this matter as soon as possible without recourse to legal means, and with that in mind we will meet in Dubai on 27 August with a view to reaching a resolution that is acceptable to both parties.In the light of our latest discussions I remain confident we can achieve that goal, something that would allow all of us, the ICC and its members, to focus on our key objective – the staging of a successful ICC Cricket World Cup in the Asian sub-continent in 2011.”

The conversation was a part of the ongoing process to resolve the problem over the venue of the 14 matches initially scheduled to be held in Pakistan. The venue for the tournament secretariat was also planned to set in Lahore.

In a statement PCB said ‘The PCB chairman today had a discussion with former Test Captain Saeed Anwar regarding utilisation of his services for cricket. They will meet again in the coming week to discuss the plan in detail.’ Butt said he has much confident that former Test batsman Anwar can make major contribution to Pak cricket. Butt was also a former Test cricketer. He said ‘I am thankful for Saeed’s encouraging response and his offer to assist PCB and Pakistan players. I am sure Saeed will be able to contribute a lot to Pakistan cricket.’

Some sources said if the board will decide to replace Intikhab, Anwar can be fixed as Pakistan’s batting coach. However, final decision may be taken next week.

Akram was discussing at the end of the 19-day long Gatorade Centre for Pace Excellence training camp. The camp was conducted for the special nine fast bowlers in New Delhi on Monday. He gave tips to young players on how to mark a batsman’s weaknesses, particularly as soon as they are bowling on flat, usual sub-continental pitches. Former captain was impressed with the nine fast bowlers who joined the camp.

The dispute erupted just two weeks ago, when thirteen of the top cricketers made themselves unavailable for the first Test match against Bangladesh in St Vincent, for the pay and contract issues.

The Cana News reported both parties agreed to have the mediator, former Commonwealth Secretary General Shridath Ramphal. West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has been arguing the WICB for over pay. The players’ returned after the appointment of Shridath Ramphal at the meeting convened by President Jagdeo.

They told in a joint statement ‘It was agreed that, in light of the mediation agreement the parties expect to lead to the resolution of outstanding issues, all the players will make themselves available for selection.’ WICB and WIPA also agreed to each name a facilitator to help Ramphal in his work. They said, ‘The mediation team, with assistance from the Caricom secretariat, would begin work immediately.’ the organizations added ‘Both parties have taken this step, mindful of the interest of their respective organizations but conscious also of their wider responsibility to the people of the West Indies and the international sport of cricket.’

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by WIPA President Dinanath Ramnarine and WICB President Julian Hunte in the existence of the Guyanese leader.

Pakistan made a tour to Sri Lanka just some days after winning the World Twenty20 championship in England. Pakistan lost their first Test in Galle even though taking a 50-run lead in first innings and then got a disastrous begins to the continuing second Test in Colombo. They bowled out for only 90 runs on the first day Sunday. It was their lowest score against Sri Lanka.

Inzamam said Pakistani cricketers have crumbled as the pressure of expectations grown after the World Twenty20 title win. Former skipper stressed that the team management should have helped the cricketers overcome the crisis. He also expressed his surprise for the decision to field Saeed Ajmal (rookie spinner) in place of the experienced Danish Kaneria. He said ‘I don’t think that everything is fine within the Pakistan team.’

Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected lobbying and efforts by PCB officials to get back the 14 World Cup matches initially allotted to Pakistan. The upcoming World Cup was originally to be hosted jointly by Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. However, the ICC’s Cricket Committee took decision to strip Pakistan of its hosting rights because of security problems and concern in the strife-torn country. Currently the PCB is conducting a legal battle against the ICC to restore its hosting rights.

Already the board clarified the players, who shown interest to play for the national team during the recent past. The players might be considered for national team. But the board imposed one condition and that is players have to terminate the contract with the ICL.

According to a reliable source PCB is likely to offer some ICL cricketers like:

• Abdul Razzaq
• Imran Farhat
• Mohammad Yousuf
• Mohammad Sam
• Rana Naved
• Imran Nazir

The source said the players may get chance in the national team. On the other hand, players said they needed a number of assurances from the board such as they must be considered for national squad if they cancel contact with the ICL.