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Monday, 5 March, 2012
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Whatmore signs two-year contract with Pakistan cricket
LAHORe: Pakistan's new chief coach Dav whatmore and fielding coach Julien Fountain during a press conference at the national cricket Academy. STAFF PhoTo LAHORE
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He Pakistan Cricket Board on Sunday confirmed the appointment Australian Dav Whatmore as the head coach of the team. Whatmore signed a two-year contract with the PCB making him the fourth foreign coach to have been attached with the Pakistan cricket team after englishmen richard Pybus and Bob
Woolmer and Australian Geoff Lawson. englishman Julian Fountain would be assisting Whatmore as a fielding coach, informed PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf here at the National Cricket Academy. The two-men would take immediate charge of the team and prepare them for the Asia Cup tournament later this month. "We have reached an agreement with Whatmore who will be the new coach of the Pakistan team for the next two years," Zaka said in a press conference.
“We wanted the best for the team and now want him to take the team new heights in the world cricket. Our main target is the World Cup and we want Pakistan to be the number one team in the world,” said Zaka. "We feel that Whatmore would bring the best out of the Pakistan team and properly utlise the talent the Pakistan cricket have," believed Zaka Whatmore, who led Sri Lanka to victory at the 1996 World Cup, said he was looking forward to the challenge, adding:
"We will do our best to produce the best results with our available talent and i am confident of good results." Whatmore, 57, played seven tests for Australia and enjoyed a successful coaching spell with Bangladesh, leading them to their first test match and subsequent series win in 2005. Chief selector mohsin Khan had been in place as interim Pakistan coach after Waqar Younis resigned in September for personal and health reasons. He was highly appreciated and recommended as the right person due to his international record; guiding Sri Lanka to win the World Cup; grooming Bangladeshi team enough to reach the second round of the 2007 World Cup. The PCB advertised for the post of head coach last year after former coach Waqar Younis resigned due to personal and health issues. intikhab Alam, head of the PCB coaching committee, made it clear to the media that any contract with the Australian coach would only be signed after his meeting with the PCB Chairman Zaka Asharf. Soon after signing the contract, Whatmore, selection committee and captain misbah-ul-Haq discussed the finalisation of the team for the upcoming Asia Cup. The PCB sources revealed that he met misbah after his arrival at National Cricket Academy to discuss team selection matters. He also applied for the slot in 2007 when Pakistan advertised for the job but at that time his Australian fellow Geoff Lawson was preferred over him. in spite of all his efforts and results, PCB chairman Ashraf made it publicly clear that they wanted a proper and certified coach for the team as part of preparation for World Cup 2014.
Pearson warning to Olympic rivals with fast run MELBOURNE afp
Australia's world champion hurdler Sally Pearson said her Olympic rivals should be fearful after running a sizzling time at the melbourne Track Classic on Saturday. Pearson won the 100-metre hurdles in 12.49secs -- the fourth-fastest time of her career and the quickest in Australia -- to send her rivals a warning in the countdown to the London Olympics. Former world championships bronze medallist Craig mottram was the other star of the night, as he won the men's 5000m in style to secure a place in the Australian Olympic team. Pearson was thrilled with her time in the wet conditions. "Holy crap! i don't know what to say. it's just really fantastic and really exciting," said Pearson, who finished well clear of American Yvette Lewis (13.22). "At the same time i've got to keep grounded, i've got to focus on the London Olympics -- that's still a long way away and a lot more training to go. "i know i'm in good shape and i'm loving it and i've just got to look after myself -- that's all i can do." Pearson had hoped to run under 23secs in the 200m later in the evening, but again finished just short in 23.02secs. But she said her hurdles rivals ought to be concerned by her great form in her pet event five months out from the Olympics. "They'd be worried, but at the same time there's nothing i can do about that," she said. mottram, one of the world's best middledistance runners in his prime, turned back the clock after years of setbacks and earned a standing ovation by winning in 13:18.58. mottram ran a lap of honour after surging clear of Collis Birmingham (13:22.30) with about 250m remaining. "i'm a passionate athlete, i always have been and i've always been excited when i've run well. Tonight i ran well, so why not? it's been a long time coming.
Bangladesh to seek ICC clearance for Pakistan tour LAHORE asher Butt
The Bangladesh Cricket Board will be seeking the international Cricket Council approval for a planned series against Pakistan in April after finding the security situation suitable for international cricket. Addressing a press conference here at the National Cricket Academy, mustafa Kamal, president BCB and Bangladesh member parliament said that he was satisfied with the security put at place by the Pakistan government and the Pakistan Cricket Board alike and he will be writing to the iCC for their stamp of approval that they want to tour Pakistan. “it has for the first time any cricket board will be showing keen interest for touring Pakistan,” said Kamal. He further elaborated that without the approval of the iCC they wont be able to take the Pakistan tour although they are willing to play in Pakistan for what the PCB did for Bangladesh cricket development. Speaking on the occasion, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said that the iCC has no reservation on any team’s planned visit to Pakistan and instead it wanted to see international cricket returning here. Before the press briefing, the Bangladesh board and interior ministry officials were shown a complete security drill that would be put into place for their and any other team visiting Pakistan and surprisingly the Bangladesh security team’s visit coincided with the organization of Punjab Sports Festival 17 km marathon and Family Fun race which was participated by around 15000 people including males, females and children of all ages where a highest level of security was given to hold the events.
The official were bought in proper security escort with two Army helicopters doing surveillance rounds in the air and later rescue operation was also displayed while the choppers were landed at the Gaddafi Stadium. Besides the board officials, DiG Operations Punjab Sohail Khan, CCPO Ahmed raza Tahir, DiG operations Lahore Ghulam mahmood and secret service officials were present on the occasions. Zaka said that the visiting brothers from Bangladesh would have been feeling
at home as he had felt when he visited Bangladesh. ‘There visit has been a milestone and they would have the sense of security that would be provided to any team. mustafa Kamal praised the PCB’s support in the development of their cricket and their efforts of gaining ODi and test status. “Without the support of the PCB we would not be there where we are now standing in international cricket. The PCB’s unconditional support to Bangladesh in the iCC’s election worth praise and the Pakistan cricketers partic-
LAHORe: The Pakistan Army helicopter landing at the gaddafi Stadium ground in a show of rescue drill on the occasion of the Bangladesh security team visit to the PcB headquarters.
ipation in the Bangladesh League has made the event more colourful. “Their presence changed the complexion o the entire tournament. But now the way Pakistan cricket is suffering for the last three years i feel it’s our responsibility to bring international back to Pakistan as early as possible,” he maintained. The Bangladesh cricket chief said that they were here to see what Pakistan have in place and get assurance about their capability of doing things. “The body language i have seen shows that everything is well and when
we go back we would plead to the iCC and ask for their clearance and now it’s the iCC to take the decision. We want to send our team to Pakistan. From our side everything is ok and writing to the iCC is a formality and maybe the iCC will be sending its team for further assessment of the situation,” he added. He further stated that it’s the beginning o the process but it would be unfortunate if the iCC did not allow. everything like the tour itinerary and date would be finalised once the iCC gives us green signal, he added.
LAHORe: col (R) waseem, advisor to PcB of security issues, briefs the Bangladesh recce team on the security arrangements planned for the foreign teams. nAdeeM ijAz