Embattled Pakistan back on the field

Shahid Afridi feels the absence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir as Pakistan take on England today.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Twenty20 and One- Day International (ODI) captain Shahid Afridi feels the absence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir as his side takes on England in first of the two Twenty20 in Cardiff today.

The trio were suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) before being questioned by the British police following the spot-fixing allegations that surfaced last week. However, with Pakistan thrashed by the hosts 3-1 in the four-match Test series, Afridi reckons his side can bounce back despite the allegations surrounding the whole team.

“The whole issue apart, my team has lost some valuable players, the absence of whom will be felt in the series,” Afridi told The Express Tribune. “Asif and Amir are one of the best fast-bowling duo and Salman was an experienced opener so there’s a huge vacuum left to be filled.”

The captain, however, said his team still has match-winning players and hoped that the available lot will play its part in last leg of the tour.

“We have a good back-up and still have quality players in the form of Abdul Razzaq, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Akhtar. I know I don’t have many options but I am confident of using them well. We had a tough last few days but the team has regrouped and is now only focusing on the series. The first match is always important so we want to win it to get confidence for the rest of the series.”

Players recover from minor injuries

Three Pakistan players including Umar, Razzaq and Umar Gul who suffered from various injuries before and during the warm-up match against Somerset in Taunton have recovered and are available for the opening match against England, according to team manager Yawar Saeed.

Umar had a concussion after suffering a blow in the nets before the match while Razzaq suffered a back injury during practice. Gul had a finger injury during the match against Somerset in Taunton.

“All these players have recovered and will be available for the first Twenty20 match,” Saeed confirmed.

Pakistan hope to escape crowd ruckus

Pakistan are hoping to avoid a backlash from the crowd when it takes the field for the first Twenty20 today. Angry supporters pelted rotten tomatoes at the team bus following the massive defeat at Lord’s marred by the allegations. The team was also taunted by a small crowd that turned out to watch then in the warm-up match.

“The crowd still likes the Pakistan team and we are hoping to get support from them,” said Saeed.

England set sights on field

England coach Andy Flower has said the spot-fixing saga has nothing to do with his team which he said is only focusing on action on the field.

“There is a lot going on off the field but we’ve got to focus on playing. We have a Twenty20 game that we are working towards” said Flower.

The coach, while giving reasons for Pietersen’s omission, said the experienced batsman was dropped on the basis of recent performance saying the break might bring him back to form before the Ashes series.

Meanwhile, Ajmal Shehzad has been called as cover for Stuart Broad who suffered groin discomfort during training. Shehzad will replace Broad in case the fast bowler fails to recover in time.

Shahid Afridi

“The whole issue apart, my team has lost valuable players. Asif and Amir are one of the best fast-bowling duo and Salman was an experienced opener so there’s a huge of vacuum to be filled.”

Paul Collingwood

“If I was approached by anybody, I think I would certainly tell somebody. It’s very hard to say whether you would blag on someone but I would take every decision in the best interests of the game.”

Waqar Younis

“It’s pretty sad, whatever happened, and it’s been really, tough on everyone, not only me but the entire team and people sitting back in Pakistan, it’s been really bad for them as well.”

Andy Flower

“We’ve got to focus on playing. Obviously, it’s not a very healthy position but the game will survive. It’s a great game, people love playing it, people love watching it, that’s why it will survive.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2010.