LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan was all praise for Misbah-ul-Haq during a news conference here on Thursday, saying the credit for inflicting huge Test losses on one of world’s best sides Australia must be given to Pakistan ODI and Test captain.

“I believe it was skipper Misbah who led the boys from the front and gave confidence to the national team against Australia and I do hope the team’s winning streak will extend to the upcoming World Cup,” the PCB chief maintained.

Shaharyar while giving due credit to individual players also praised the national team for the sterling efforts they put in especially during the recently-concluded Test series against Australia.

On the occasion, the PCB chief announced a win bonus for the national team and its management with captain Misbah and veteran middle-order batsman Younis Khan getting Rs1.5 million each for their outstanding performances against Australia during the Test series.

He also announced Rs1 million each for middle-order batsman Azhar Ali and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar. Besides, Rs750,000 each will be given to opener Ahmed Shehzad, who had to leave halfway through the Abu Dhabi Test against New Zealand due to a minor injury, and wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz Ahmed.

Rest of the team members except for Yasir Shah, who will get Rs600,000 for his impressive performance, will get Rs500,000 each with the team management including manager Moin Khan, head coach Waqar Younis and  other support staff getting rather less amount of Rs350,000 apiece.

It may be mentioned here that though the PCB chief hailed skipper Misbah, team manager Moin and Waqar, as per media reports, had advised Shaharyar to remove him from captaincy after suffering defeat at the hands of Australia in the ODI series in the UAE.

However, the ODI and Test skipper staged a comeback in the respective Test series against Australia and New Zealand with a bang, first whitewashing Australia and then recoding a thumping win against the Kiwis in the first Test.

The PCB chief also congratulated

Misbah, coach and manager on triumphing against New Zealand in the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

He said that during his recent visit to the UAE he saw every player following captain Misbah, adding that the boys were also satisfied with coaches and other staff.

“It is very encouraging for Pakistan cricket and I wish it continues in future too as we have to play two more Tests against New Zealand,” Shaharyar commented.

The PCB chairman during his news conference did not seem optimistic about return of banned off-spinner Saeed Ajmal to international cricket.

“Ajmal is determined and has recently trained vigorously and his name has also been included in the list of probables for the World Cup but his chances to be cleared are 50-50,” said Shaharyar.

Talking about disgraced young fast bowler Mohammad Amir who is likely to stage a comeback in the domestic cricket after almost completing a five-year suspension he received along with then captain Salman Butt and another fast bowler Mohammad Asif for their involvement in spot-fixing, he said though the PCB was contemplating to appeal on behalf of Amir to get him permission from the ICC to allow him to play domestic cricket, it would take some time.

It is important to note that the ICC has introduced new rules under which such cricketers can be allowed to play domestic cricket some months before completing the ban so that they could be fit for international cricket.

On the other hand, Shaharyar had no soft corner for Salman, saying: “It seems the former captain is not ready to accept his mistake from the core of his heart.

“Though Salman has accepted his mistake before the media, he still has to do a lot more to complete this rehab,” the PCB chief remarked.

Asked Salman had been quoted in the media that the PCB was not inviting him for rehab, Shaharyar said: “If he needs an invitation from us he should come to the PCB and ask for rehab.”

Shaharyar also lauded the unanimous approval of the name of former PCB chairman Najam Sethi as next ICC president.

Though the post was a ceremonial one, it would serve Pakistan’s cause, since now he along with Sethi would explain Pakistan’s point of view in a better way, he said.

The PCB chief also reiterated that many foreign teams were ready to come to Pakistan, expressing hope that international cricket would resume in the country next year. Kenya, he said, was ready to send team to Pakistan this year but the PCB asked them to wait for some time.

He also disclosed that Zimbabwe had offered the PCB to participate in the triangular tournament along with Bangladesh in Zimbabwe after which their national team would visit Pakistan.

Surprisingly, the PCB has turned down the offer as it seems the PCB is not fully prepared to host any team before 2015.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2014