PCB to consider Akhtar, Asif for Champions trophy: Bari

September 29th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari has hailed captain Younis Khan's leadership qualities, saying he has helped the players gel together. Younis has brought a certain togetherness to the squad and has brought the team together.

September 28th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistani cricketers will be showered with huge cash rewards if they go on to win the ICC Champions trophy in South Africa, a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said Monday. According to Wasim Bari, the PCB chief operating officer, the players will be flooded with rewards if they win their second International Cricket Council (ICC) event after having won the World Twenty20 earlier this year.

September 17th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said his team can win the ICC Champions Trophy beginning September 22. Talking to reporters at the Karachi International Airport before leaving for South Africa, Alam said the Pakistan team has only one aim and that is to win the prestigious title.

September 16th, 2009 LAHORE - To avoid any further problems, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) would be sending tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to South Africa for the ICC Champions Trophy via London instead of Dubai. While the rest of the team will travel to South Africa via Dubai, Asif would take the route via London to avoid any trouble that the PCB feels may arise if the disgraced bowler flies via Dubai.

September 12th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistans comeback pacer Mohammad Asif has been asked by the cricket board to attend the training camp involving the countrys under-19 cricketers to prepare for the Champions Trophy that begins in South Africa Sep 22. According to sources, Asif has been told to regain his rhythm by bowling extensively during the under-19 camp.

August 31st, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has directed tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to keep away from the media till his 12-month ban expires on September 22. According to sources, PCB Director Cricket Operations, Zakir Khan, has asked Asif to avoid the media till his ban ends.

August 21st, 2009 LAHORE - Tainted Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has cleared a 'tough' fitness test enhancing his chances of securing a place in the ICC Champions Trophy squad. Former wicketkeeper captain Rashid Latif, who is supervising Asif's rehabilitation, confirmed Asif clearing the multi-stage fitness test.

August 20th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket chief selector Iqbal Qasim has ruled out ontroversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar's chances of getting into the ICC Champions Trophy squad. Qasim said there is only a 'remote' possibility of Akhtar getting a place in the team through a 'wild card'.

August 19th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif to join a coaching camp for young players to ascertain his fitness level before the ICC Champions Trophy. "Asif is attending the training camp for Under-23 players in Karachi where we have asked camp commandant Rashid Latif to give us a report by Thursday (tomorrow) whether he is match fit for the Champions Trophy," The Daily Times quoted chief selector Iqbal Qasim, as saying.

July 19th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan's controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka beginning later this month. Interim cricket chief selector Wasim Bari observed Akhtar during a 'special' fitness test conducted here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), but denied to recommend the pacers name for selection saying he lacked match fitness.

July 18th, 2009 LAHORE - Ever heard of a fitness test for a fast bowler where he passes it without even bowling a single delivery; well this is just what the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has managed to do. Interim chief selector Wasim Bari conducted a fitness test for controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar where he did not bowl even a single delivery.

July 16th, 2009 KARACHI - Shoaib Akhtar has failed to appear for a fitness test which would have helped him reserve his place in the national team for the limited over series in Sri Lanka. Acting chief selector Wasim Bari said Akhtar skipped fitness tests on Monday and Tuesday.

July 4th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan is seriously considering recalling Mohammad Asif in the 30-member preliminary squad for this Septembers ICC Champions Trophy after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it would not raise any objection against the pacers inclusion once he completes his doping ban. An ICC spokesman has said that once Asif completes his one-year ban on Sep 22 this year, he will be eligible to take part in any international event including the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in South Africa.

July 2nd, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistani cricket authorities on Thursday fined Mohammad Asif one million rupees (12,500 dollars) over the fast bowler's 19-day detention at Dubai airport for alleged drug possession. Asif, 26, was detained last June on his way back home after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

July 2nd, 2009 KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a fine of Rs.1 million on bowler Mohammad Asif over his Dubai misadventure. A three-man probe committee set up by the PCB decided Thursday to impose the fine on Asif, who was detained in Dubai for 19 days for alleged possession of drugs at the Dubai airport last summer.