There is no place for Shoaib Akhtar in the ICC Champions Trophy

I can not see any of the possibility for Pakistan’s controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to be selected in the ICC Champion Trophy squad. Iqbal Qasim, chief selector, has showed his reluctance to select Shoaib Akhtar. It should be very hard task for Shoaib to get a place in the team through wild card. According to a statement given by Iqbal Qasim, it is clear that he will have to follow a strict process of getting chance from the pre-announced side. However, there is still an opportunity for Shoaib Akhtar because he has not completely ruled out. He even did not get chance in the 30-man preliminary squad of Pakistan team. He last played against Australia in UAE. It seems that Mohammad Asif will be considered for the national team despite his fault.

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THE TIMES OF INDIA

Javed Miandad appointed as batting consultant of Pakistan Cricket

Who do you think can help Pakistan cricket team developing their batmen’s performance? Yes, it could be Javed Miandad. This former captain has been appointed as the batting consultant of Pakistan team. PCB bounded to take this decision after national team’s disastrous performance in a tour series against Sri Lanka. They lost all of the series but they end the tour with a victory in the only T20 match. Now, they will hop to show their better performance in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. It can be possible under the consultancy of Javed Miandad. Struggling batsmen could seek help to him and find out their problems.

Javed Miandad was a successful batsman and captain. Now, let us see how he can help the players with his idea.

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Sports News

When Andrew Caddick will take retirement?

Do you know Andrew Caddick? He is the former Somerset and England fast bowler. Now, this veteran player will take retirement from cricket at the end of the season. This 40-year-old player made his debut for Somerset 18 years ago. He played 62 Test matches and 54 one-day internationals. He has taken 234 wickets at an average of 29.91. He also claimed 69 wickets in ODI cricket. He is eight in the list of all time England Test wicket-takers. However, in his long career he made many records in first class cricket. He became one of the six current players to take 1000 first class wickets in 2005.

I think Andrew Caddick has taken good decision at the right time. It is true he has become aged and after few years he will not be able to play cricket anymore because cricketers need much strength and energy. Now, we have to wait to see when he will announce his retirement.

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BBC

ICC Champions Trophy 2009 will be launched soon

ICC Champions Trophy 2009 is scheduled to start from 22^nd September and this mini world cup will continue till 5^th October. You already know that eight top ranked ODI teams will take part in this tournament. ICC Champions Trophy has been shifted from Pakistan to South African thinking that it will be a safest place to arrange this tournament. It has great expectation to the cricket fans. No doubt, many fans will tour South Africa to enjoy this game live. This tournament will start with the match between South Africa and Sri Lanka. If you are interested to enjoy this tournament live on stadium then grab your ticket as early as possible. However, tickets of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 will be launched soon. It will be revealed in a function which will take place tomorrow in Johannesburg. David Richardson, former South Africa wicketkeeper and ICC General Manager – Cricket; Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, President of Cricket South Africa; and tournament director Don McIntosh will attend in this function.

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CENTRAL Chronicle

New Zealand Selectors Named 30-men Preliminary Champions Trophy Squad

New Zealand selectors named the 30-men preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2009 which will kick off in September in South Africa. The final squad will be announced on August 23 when New Zealand A team will be visiting sub-continent. Star pacer Shane Bond has been included in the squad and this is the biggest surprise in the selection. The pacer terminated its contract with rebel cricket league ICL recently and is now eligible to come back to international cricket again.

New Zealand selectors would assess six players who will be visiting India with New Zealand A team. Meanwhile, New Zealand national team will visit Sri Lanka for a bilateral series with the home side, before a tri-nation series involving India. So, New Zealand cricket team will have a lot of actions before the ICC Champions Trophy 2009.

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Stuff.co.nz

Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey have been drafted for Preliminary Squad of ICC Champions Trophy

In my earlier post, I have mentioned that two players of New Zealand team made their come back in the main squad from rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). They are Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey. These two players have been selected in the preliminary squad of New Zealand team which has been announced ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. ICC Champions Trophy will take place in South Africa this year. New Zealand selectors have announced a 30-man squad for this second biggest and prestigious tournament. New Zealand cricket board recalled them after these two players snapped their tie with rebel ICL. You will be amazed to hear that these two have been drafted for the Twenty20 squad which was announced for Sri Lanka tour. Now, their inclusion will increase New Zealand’s strength.

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PTI

Andrew Flintoff is Trying Hard to Stay Fit

English all rounder Andrew Flintoff is using NASA technology to keep himself fit to play the rest of the Ashes series. You may have heard that he is using machine in his knee to maintain his fitness. This 31-year-old player wrapped his right knee to ease the discomfort which he experienced before. He is expecting his comeback in the Ashes series. You also know that he was the member of the winning team in which England cricket team won the 2005 Ashes series. Flintoff played the second test match which one England won by 115 runs and taka a 1-0 lead of the series. He claimed five wickets. It is important to understand how important he is.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is waiting to make new record. His record will help him to overtake Allan Border. Then he will be the leading run scorer in Australia.

Another important ODI series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is going to start from tomorrow.