Pak can win Champions Trophy if it plays to potential: Alam

October 10th, 2009 LAHORE - Outgoing Pakistan cricket team manager Yawar Saeed has warned young all-rounder Fawad Alam to change his attitude if he wants to play for Pakistan for a longer period. Saeed said Alam, who has been fined twice in the recent past, is a talented cricketer, but he needed to improve his attitude.

October 8th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Dejected by the match-fixing allegations, Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said he has been deeply hurt by the controversy. Alam said the allegations were so appalling that even former Indian Test captain Bishen Singh Bedi had called him for booting his morale.

October 7th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board has defended captain Younis Khan and coach Intikhab Alam, both whom are receiving flak from different quarters for the defeat against New Zealand in the semi-final match of the ICC Champions Trophy. PCB's media manager Nadeem Sarwar said the team tried hard and did well to reach the semi-final of the coveted eight-nation tournament for the first time and added that reports about the matches being 'fixed' were totally baseless.

October 6th, 2009 LAHORE - Defending captain Younis Khan, Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has said that batsmen should be blamed for the defeat against New Zealand in semi-final match of the ICC Champions Trophy. "Batsmen were responsible for the national team's defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final and not captain Younis Khan who dropped the catch of Grant Elliot," Alam told media persons at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here.

October 5th, 2009 LAHORE - In the wake of Pakistan's dismal ouster in Champions Trophy semi-final, former skipper Aamer Sohail has slammed the strategy of coach Intikhab Alam. "I was surprised at the planning, that included field placements and bowling changes, during the New Zealand innings," the Daily Times quoted Sohail, as saying.

September 26th, 2009 KARACHI - Young all-rounder Fawad Alam has been fined for failing to report for the flag-hoisting ceremony prior to the start of Pakistans opening Champions Trophy match against West Indies at the Wanderers earlier this week. According to reports, Fawad did not turn up for the flag hoisting ceremony at the ground and also failed to justify his absence.

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.

September 12th, 2009 LAHORE - Flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said he may consider quitting cricket if he does not perform according to his potential in the Champions Trophy beginning September 22 in South Africa. "If I am not that successful in Champions Trophy, then I may consider quitting the game for good," The Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

September 2nd, 2009 LAHORE - A controversy seems to be brewing up between Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam and batting advisor Javed Miandad regarding the team's training methods ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. While Miandad has asked pitch curators to prepare a green track with extra width at the Gaddafi Stadium for the conditioning camp beginning today (Wednesday),Alam wants o see the players practice on all types of pitches during the conditioning camp.

August 30th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket coach Coach Intikhab Alam believes that India and Australia would be the biggest threat to his team in the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September. While refusing to predict Pakistan's prospects in the forthcoming eight nation tournament, Alam said both India and Australia were dangerous one-day teams and Pakistan will have to play really well to compete with them.

August 27th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has backed his team as favourites for winning the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September. Despite the disastrous tour of Sri Lanka, Alam said the momentum is with Pakistan.

August 26th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has backed the selection of fast bowler Mohammad Asif in the 15 member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy saying his presence will add 'fire' to the team's bowling line up. "I think Asif's presence in the team will lend experience and sharpness to the bowling attack especially on the South African pitches where pace bowlers usually have a good time.

August 21st, 2009 LAHORE - The seven member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday controversially recalled paceman Mohammad Asif and opener Imran Nazir, but omitted all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from their 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy in South Africa. Pakistan is placed in Group A of the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from September 20 to October 5.

August 20th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan cricket selection committee led by chief selector Iqbal Qasim has decided to get a feedback from coach Intikhab Alam and captain Younis Khan before selecting the 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September. According to sources, Qasim has decided to consult both Alam and Younis Khan before picking the team for the mega event.

June 21st, 2009 LONDON - Joyous over his team's brilliant performance in the ICC World Twenty 20 Championship, which saw Pakistan sealing a place in the final of the mega-event for the second consecutive time, coach Intikhab Alam has said that the Pakistan team has not been affected by the absence of pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar. Commending the performance of some of the younger players in the team, Alam said his team has hardly faced any difficulty due to Akhtar's absence.