In a surprise move the Pakistan Cricket Board has nominated Mohammad Sami as their representative in the official launch of the ICC Champions Trophy. Every country is required to send one member and the place usually goes to the captain or a senior player. Pakistan, however, have chosen Sami, who is just 22 years old, ahead of senior players like Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar who are currently playing cricket in England, and could easily have attended the launch at Lord’s even if Inzamam-ul-Haq was unavailable.The News of Karachi has reported that this decision was taken because it was unclear if Shoaib would be in England at the time the request came from the ICC. The report adds that Saqlain was not considered as he is not a permanent member of the Pakistan team at present.Sami is currently playing for Kent in the English domestic competition and, despite having only moderate success in the recent series against India, is believed to be an integral part of Pakistan’s plans for the future. The opportunity to represent Pakistan in this prestigious event – where the players and administrators will pose for an official photograph – only furthers this belief.

ScorecardDay 1
Bulletin – Key and Strauss in perfect harmony
Verdict – Key turns the corner
Day 2
Bulletin – England stay in command despite collapse
Verdict – West Indies rue their luck

The officials of the Pakistan board have been summoned on July 19 by the Senate Standing Committee on Sports, Culture and Women Affairs for another round of hearing. quoted Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, the chairman of the committee, as saying that Shaharyar Khan, the PCB chairman, Rameez Raja, the chief executive, and the chief selector Wasim Bari have been asked to attend the meeting in Islamabad. “We will also be asking Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq to appear before the committee.”This meeting will be a follow up on the one held earlier this year, on May 29, when Shaharyar and Rameez were questioned on matters relating to the functioning of the PCB, and were also grilled for Pakistan’s defeat to India at home.At that time, Enver Baig – one of the senators of the committee – was quoted in as saying, “Shaharyar Khan has promised that in three months time constitutional amendments would be made. The [senate] committee also told him categorically that he will not bulldoze any amendments in the constitution and he will place all the intended amendments before a general body meeting and only implement and incorporate them if they are approved by the general body.”Baig had also expressed his disappointment over Rameez taking up commentary assignments, and occupying a senior position in a bank despite holding a full-time job with the board.This month’s meeting is being convened following a requisition made by senators Enver Baig, Sayed Murad Ali Shah and Dr Kauser Firdaus.

After a year in which his role has been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism, it is perhaps not that surprising that Rameez Raja has resigned as chief executive of the Pakistan board. The timing of his departure, however, will raise some eyebrows.During the Multan Test against India, Rameez had indicated, while talking to Wisden Cricinfo, that the series would be his last as chief executive. Back then, he cited the increasing number of commentary offers he was turning down as a reason. A couple of months later, still in charge and reiterating his desire to continue, Rameez spoke to Wisden Cricinfo at the press conference announcing Bob Woolmer’s appointment, and spoke of the tasks he felt had been left unfinished as his reason for not resigning. Prime among them was the restructuring of the domestic game. Now, a couple of months on, he leaves, and like the sequence of events highlighted above, you are left not quite sure what to make of it all.It is an ambiguity that has plagued Rameez. As an elegant opening batsman burdened with comparisons to the other stylist Majid Khan, many felt Rameez never did justice to his talent. But many also wondered whether his ordinary record – two centuries in 57 Tests, and a liking for flicking, often uppishly, between midwicket and square leg and an average in the low 30s – was a true indicator to the extent of his talent.Similarly, his tenure as chief executive evoked mixed reactions, albeit more virulently divisive, and he had as many critics as he did admirers. When he took up the post in May 2003, he was considered the best man for the job. He was suave, or as suave as modern-day cricketers can be, an MBA graduate, articulate and, importantly, he had been involved in the PCB development wing for some time, helping set up the national academy. And as a public face of Pakistan cricket internationally, there were far worse options.His marketing background helped – an organisation as backward and staid as the PCB was crying out for someone with his drive and get-up-and-go. And to his credit, he made a go of it. It was at his insistence that the PCB ever considered making the domestic game a more marketable product, and one, which can eventually generate its own funds to sustain itself. His almost zealous desire to sideline departments from the domestic game altogether may have been unrealistic and unnecessary, but the pursuit of financially reinvigorating regional cricket through franchising remains, at the very least, a noble one.His handling of the potentially tricky negotiations for the India series was also commendable for its level-headed flexibility and compromise. He oversaw one of the most important series Pakistan have played in recent times, not only because of the political implications, but also for the financial boost it provided at a time when the board had been crippled by a spate of cancelled tours.But there was always something about Rameez, something intangible that elicited near-hatred among some in the media, and a gentle distrust among others. Maybe it was that he was just too smooth, too much the slick salesman. He spoke so openly and with such confidence that, in a country like Pakistan where confidence is often the first sign of guilt, to many it felt as if he was constantly hiding something. He was always accessible to the media and, conversely perhaps, this worked against him. Additionally, there were constant murmurings of his political manipulation, the lack of transparency in his business dealings and financial misconduct.Above all, and justifiably so, it was because he continued to pursue his dual role as a freelance commentator and chief executive. Being head of an organisation – any organisation – and not being at work for days on end because of alternative work commitments is bad enough. If the two commitments weren’t so closely linked, then and only then with some difficulty, could attempts at justification been made. But given that his bread and butter was to provide neutral comments on the product – Team Pakistan – that he himself was heading, it was indefensible. And if Aamir Sohail was so roundly ridiculed for deigning to be chief selector and commenting publicly on the team he had picked, then Rameez’s continuing dual role was scarcely less creditable.However, he is confident that he has left Pakistan cricket in a better state, in little over a year. He was instrumental in obtaining the services of Woolmer, and for this, the hope is that Pakistan will eventually be grateful. He instigated the push to professionalise the domestic game in Pakistan, but to his discredit, he will not be around to oversee its completion. In fact, given that it is almost the norm here, as a successor, to dismantle all the policies of your predecessor, it is likely that the domestic game will undergo another overhaul. But at least his departure will finally pave the way for a full-time, paid professional to take up such a crucial position. Like the man himself it seems, his legacy will be difficult to assess.

Bangladesh have brought back Mashrafe Mortaza and Talha Jubair into their 13-man squad for the forthcoming two-Test series against India. Habibul Bashar has been retained as captain but Alok Kapali has been dropped after some weak performances against New Zealand.Mortaza last played a Test in November 2003, when he took 4 for 83 against England, before being ruled out by a knee injury. He has since recovered completely, and has been impressive in domestic games this season. Jubair’s inclusion was more surprising as he hasn’t made much of an impact since returning from a back injury. However, Faruque Ahmed, Bangladesh’s chief selector, indicated the reasoning behind the move: “We have considered our opponents’ strengths and the condition of the pitch. We thought pacers could be more effective than the spinners against the Indian batting line-up,” he told the , a Bangladesh newspaper. “We have also asked for a hard and bouncy track which also influenced our decision to keep three quick bowlers. Talha is a good Test bowler and we believe he can be effective in this series.”Faruque cautioned, though, that the team management was anxious to avoid more injuries to those two bowlers: “We don’t want to see another prolonged injury absence of these two. We are very careful about them.” If Bangladesh decide to play only two seamers, Mortaza and Tapash Baisya, then Mohammad Rafique and Manjural Islam Rana, the left-arm spinners, will both get an opportunity.The selectors also decided to name Khaled Mashud as Bashar’s deputy. Mashud, the wicketkeeper, had been removed from captaincy after Bangladesh’s disastrous 2003 World Cup, but has won back the selectors’ favour after impressive displays of late. Talking about the decision, Reazuddin Al Mamun, the chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s media committee, said: “The board had removed him as captain after the World Cup and he had some disciplinary problems at that time. But we are not rigid. We have observed Mashud and he seems to have overcome his negative traits. We also considered his bright performances in recent time.”There was also a rap on the knuckles for Rajin Saleh, the previous vice-captain. “We had high expectations regarding Rajin’s leadership quality but unfortunately he failed to deliver,” Faruque explained. Saleh retains his place in the squad, though.The first Test starts at Dhaka on Thursday.Squad Nafis Iqbal, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar (capt), Mohammad Ashraful, Rajin Saleh, Aftab Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahman, Khaled Mashud (wk), Mohammad Rafique, Tapash Baisya, Mashrafe Mortaza, Talha Jubair, Manjural Islam Rana.

Australia have picked the same 12-man squad that comprehensively beat New Zealand at the Gabba for the conclusion of the Trans-Tasman Test series, starting at Adelaide on Friday. The Australians, who arrived in Adelaide this afternoon, need only to draw the Test to retain the trophy after thrashing their rivals by an innings and 156 runs on Sunday.John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, said his side would look at the pitch before considering any changes but James Franklin, the left-arm bowler who missed the first Test with a groin strain, is expected to return after completing a training session today. Kyle Mills would be the man to make way after Bracewell was impressed by the form of Chris Martin, who took 5 for 152.Australia 1 Justin Langer, 2 Matthew Hayden, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Darren Lehmann, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Michael Kasprowicz, 11 Glenn McGrath, 12 Brett Lee.

David Hussey, the Australia A batsman, was a stunning omission from Victoria’s Pura Cup side for the match against South Australia at the MCG on Friday. In a month where Hussey has scored 128 and 5 against West Indies and 45 and 50 against Pakistan in tour matches, his state has dropped him as they look for answers following a heavy loss to Western Australia last week.Greg Shipperd, the coach, said Hussey’s lack of runs – he has 257 at 23.36 in six Pura Cup games – forced the change. “David’s record – and I’m sure he’d be the first to admit it – in the four-day version of the game this season is nowhere near what he is capable of,” he said. “He needs to go back to the drawing board and make sure that he tightens up his game a little bit.”Hussey will be replaced by Nick Jewell, who has performed strongly in 2nd XI and club matches, while Shane Harwood returns for Allan Wise and will play his first game since breaking his cheekbone in December. “Our team performance indicates our batting’s going astray and a change needs to be made,” Shipperd said. “We’ve had some players putting pressure on from behind the scenes for a little while now.”Mark Cosgrove, who has scored a miserable 233 runs at 18.58 this season, has been dumped from the South Australia squad. Last season Cosgrove, nicknamed `Baby Boof’ for his heavy likeness to Darren Lehmann, was a glowing find for the Redbacks, but his second summer has been a disaster. Daniel Harris, the 25-year-old batsman, has been recalled after two years away from the side and 772 grade runs at 51.47, including three hundreds in his past three innings.The match will decide the second-year holder of the David Hookes Memorial Trophy, which is determined by points from the four Victoria and South Australia Pura and ING Cup games. Victoria currently leads with nine points to South Australia’s six.South Australia Graham Manou (capt, wk), Daniel Harris, Paul Rofe, Ryan Harris, Nathan Adcock, Trent Kelly, Greg Blewett, Tom Plant, Daniel Cullen, Shaun Tait, Callum Ferguson, Luke Williams.Victoria Cameron White (capt), Matthew Elliott, Jason Arnberger, Brad Hodge, Jon Moss, Nick Jewell, Ian Harvey, Graeme Rummans, Peter Roach (wk), Shane Warne, Mick Lewis, Shane Harwood.

James Hopes, the surprise new Australia allrounder, was worried about keeping his Queensland place at the beginning of the season when Shane Watson returned from Tasmania. But Hopes survived the danger and grabbed Watson’s spot after his teammate dropped out of contention for the New Zealand one-day tour with a side strain.A 26-year-old golf lover, Hopes was stunned to hear of his call-up from Michael Brown, Cricket Australia’s operations manager, and celebrated his first couple of minutes as an Australia representative in silence. "I didn’t say a word and he said, `You don’t seem very impressed’, and I said, `I’m just shocked," Hopes said. His nearest and dearest, his father and girlfriend, didn’t believe it either.Hopes made his debut for Australia A this season after finally turning his potential into regular substance with 513 runs and 13 wickets in the Pura Cup and 291 and 11 in the ING competition. A stroke-playing batsman and brisk medium-pacer, Hopes made his Queensland one-day debut in 2001 and was spruiked as a future international even as he fought to hold a state place."I got to play for Queensland by the way I play in club cricket which is being fairly aggressive, batting and bowling,” Hopes told The Australian. “I never trusted that I could do that at the next level, but Terry Oliver [the Queensland coach] put that trust in me and over the last season-and-a-half I’ve turned around. People can say what they want about the way I play, but I’m not going to change.”While Hopes was disappointed to miss the end to Queensland’s season and make up for the disappointing ING Cup final loss last season, he said he did not want to be limited to New Zealand dressing rooms. “If I do get a game I want to do well and actually contribute to a win in some way,” he said. The first ODI is on February 19 at Wellington.

Scorecard

This wasn’t a Test that you would call great in the traditional sense. It was a no-contest: Pakistan won by an innings and 87 runs, their biggest win over India at the time, and one they went on to better two Tests later at Hyderabad. But the match was significant for the performance of one man – Imran Khan took 11 wickets, eight of them in the second innings, five in the space of 25 balls, and the legend of reverse-swing was born. Sarfraz Nawaz is credited as being the earliest exponent of reverse-swing, but on that third afternoon of the Karachi Test, Imran gave the most fearsome exhibition of the art which was yet to acquire a name.India, trailing by 283 runs, would have nurtured faint hopes of saving the game as Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar took them to 102 for 1 shortly after tea. The new ball had been negotiated comfortably and the only wicket to fall, that of Arun Lal, had been claimed by Abdul Qadir. But Imran returned for his second spell with a semi-old ball and, aided by a strong wind, produced prodigious late swing at a blistering pace that left the Indian batsmen numb.Gavaskar was the first to go, bowled through the gate, and it signalled a procession. India ended the day at 118 for 7, and of Imran’s five victims, four were bowled and only Mohinder Amarnath managed to get his front pad in the way. This was the spell that decided the series. Writing on the series for World Cricket Digest, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi termed it a “case of overkill”. Imran, who started the match with flu, ended the series with 40 wickets, and by the time the Indians arrived in Hyderabad, Pakistani fans were holding up banners likening him to the F-16s, the American fighter planes that were the latest addition to Pakistan’s military stable.India had begun the Test horribly after being sent in on a newly laid, green-tinged pitch, by losing Gavaskar to a run-out from a direct hit by Imran, who then accounted for Vengsarkar with a ball that lifted and swung away. Arun Lal and Gundappa Viswanath put up a brief partnership, but India soon found themselves at 70 for 5. Kapil Dev avoided a total rout by merrily swinging away to a 53-ball 73. He was severe on Qadir in particular, hitting him for five fours and a six. And when Madan Lal removed Pakistan’s first three batsmen for 18, the day didn’t seem so bad for India.However, the second day belonged to Pakistan. Zaheer Abbas, who had scored a double-century in the first Test at Lahore, stroked away to 186, and added 213 runs for the fifth wicket with Mudassar Nazar, who was batting down the order because of flu. With useful contributions from Imran and Wasim Bari, Pakistan ended up with 452. India stayed in the battle for a couple of hours, after which it was all Imran.