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| June 28, 2006 | Wednesday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 1, 1427 |
Shoaib, Naved may miss England tour
KARACHI, June 27: Pakistan’s injured pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Navedul Hasan are in danger of missing the entire tour of England, according to PCB chairman Shaharyar M. Khan.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday, the chief of the PCB ad hoc committee hinted that the pair may completely be sidelined.
“Although we remain optimistic, there are strong indications that Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Naved may not play at all,” he declared.
Shoaib wasn’t considered for tour selection after latest medical reports revealed that the fast bowler has yet to make full recovery from a fracture in his ankle.
“If the (medical) reports are positive when the board’s medical panel meets next week, Shoaib could play some part in the series.
“But in Rana Naved’s case, we have to be very careful. We have sent him to the best available specialist in the field of groin injury (Prof Gilmour).
“Dr Gilmour will decide by Wednesday whether the pace bowler needs surgery to rectify the problem or a rest would do the trick. If he (Rana Naved) is operated upon then we have to consider other options,” the PCB chairman pointed out.
He categorically dispelled the impression that Samiullah Niazi, a 23-year-old uncapped left-arm seamer, would join the squad in England as the 16th player if Rana Naved were to be ruled out.
“Only the selectors will have the final say once the picture becomes clear. We have not named Sami or anyone as the 16th member.
“If the tour selection committee thinks a spinner is needed then the selectors will consider the request before naming the replacement,” the PCB chief clarified.
Inzamamul Haq, the Pakistan captain, had mentioned Samiullah Niazi and veteran leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who turns 36, as possible replacements on Wednesday, on the eve of team’s departure to England at the weekend.
Meanwhile, the PCB chairman announced performance-related cash incentives for the national team apart from 25 per cent increase for the central-contracted players.
He said the awards would be given for outstanding performances in the England series, the ICC Champions Trophy in India, the home series against West Indies, next year’s tour of South Africa before culminating with the World Cup in the Caribbean.
Each Test century would be Rs100,000 with the amount being double if a batsman scored a double hundred. An ODI century would fetch Rs100,000.
In addition if Pakistan were to win the Champion Trophy, each member of the squad stands to earn Rs500,000 plus Rs200,000 for reaching the semi-finals.
During the World Cup, the PCB will dish out Rs200,000 on each century, and if the team qualified for the semi-finals, every squad member will pocket Rs400,000.
Bowlers would also get similar amounts for exceptional showing.
The PCB chairman also announced an undisclosed sum for the squad if Pakistan were to lift the World Cup itself.
Talking of central contracts, the PCB chief revealed that pace bowler Shabbir Ahmed, who is serving a 12-month ban after being reported for a third time with a suspect bowling action, would be given Rs30,000 as ‘special allowance’ by the board until the ban expires in December.
If the lanky speedster is cleared by the ICC, the PCB would give him a six-month central contract.
Moreover, the PCB chief said that apart from senior players, central contracts would also be awarded to 12 young players once the selection committee recommends their names.
The PCB was planning to launch a benefit fund scheme for the retired Test cricketers for which a criteria was being worked out, the chairman added.
He also gave details of the forthcoming domestic season, which has been revamped.
Among the plans the PCB is working out the possibility of covering all first-class matches with video cameras placed at both ends parallel to the sightscreens.
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