South Africa's tour to Pakistan

[Donny]

Proteas beef up attack
From correspondents in Johannesburg
September 16, 2003

SOUTH Africa have included three new bowlers in an attempt to strengthen their bowling attack for their tour to Pakistan later this month.

Alan Dawson, Charl Langeveldt and Andre Nel have been included in the squad, which will play three one-day internationals and three Tests.

Dawson, a right-handed medium fast bowler, has been included for the one-day internationals only and his place in the Test team will be taken by Gary Kirsten, the SAPA news agency reported.

In addition, Paul Adams will travel with the squad but will not be considered for selection for the one-dayers.

He will, however, be in contention for a place in the Test team.

Dropped from the squad that toured England are Thami Tsolekile, Charl Willoughby, Dewald Pretorius, Morne van Wyk and Monde Zondeki but, with the exception of Willoughby, the balance have been included in the South African A squad to play their Sri Lankan counterparts from September 26.

Graeme Smith will again captain the side with Mark Boucher appointed vice-captain. Eric Simons is the coach but Vincent Barnes replaces Corrie van Zyl as assistant coach for the tour. Tim Southey has been appointed as the new national team manager.

He replaces Goolam Rajah who served with the team from 1994.

The team to tour Pakistan is:
Graeme Smith (capt), Mark Boucher (vice capt), Paul Adams, Alan Dawson, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Neil McKenzie, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Rudolph, Gary Kirsten.

[Donny]

Well, it looks like Sth. Africa are going to Pakistan, after all.

The programme has been cut to 2 Tests and 3 ODIs.

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Latif may be replaced as captain
Wisden CricInfo staff - September 23, 2003

Tauqir Zia, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has hinted that Rashid Latif may be relieved of the captaincy ahead of the forthcoming series against South Africa.

Latif has been at odds with the PCB ever since he wrote an open letter to the ICC in August, warning of the continued menaces of match-fixing. However, his reputation as the "Mr Clean" of Pakistan cricket took a blow when he was banned for five one-day matches, following a disputed catch in Pakistan's one-wicket victory over Bangladesh at Multan.

"Latif is holding a responsible position and fair play from him is necessary," said Zia. "He has been giving statements to the media. He wrote directly to the ICC, all of which violate our code of conduct. And he keeps on doing it."

Zia conceded that Latif was still regarded as the best wicketkeeper in Pakistan, but demanded that show more maturity. "We have taken no decision on the captaincy and no one has talked to me about it," he said. "But let the selectors first decide if Rashid commands a place in the team, and than we will decide on the captaincy."

Latif retired from international cricket after Pakistan's 1994-95 tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe, following some fishy goings-on involving the then-captain Salim Malik. He made a surprise return to lead the team in 1997-98, and inherited the captaincy for the second time after the 2003 World Cup, following the sacking of Waqar Younis.

[Donny]

Pakistan hails Proteas' u-turn
From correspondents in Karachi
September 24, 2003

PAKISTAN cricket legends hailed South Africa's decision to revive their tour of the South Asian country here Wednesday.

"Our winter would have been left dry without the South African tour but as they have changed their minds, their coming to Pakistan means spring returns to Pakistan cricket," former captain Wasim Bari told reporters.

"We welcome them with open hearts and minds and they should also tour with open minds, they will be looked after like state guests and thats our promise," Bari said.

Withdrawing their earlier decision, South Africa on Tuesday said they would play a shortened tour of Pakistan later this year comprising two Tests and five one-day games.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to drop the volatile Karachi and Peshawar venues from their itinerary, officials said.

The Graeme Smith-led Proteas were due to start the tour last Monday but South African officials called it off over the weekend citing security fears following a bomb blast in the southern port city of Karachi.

Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram said the South African visit would "change the impressions about Pakistan".

Pakistan deserved more cricket and excuses on security were unacceptable, former captain Intikhab Alam said.

"Its propaganda about a lack of security in Pakistan, we deserve more cricket so that the games development does not stop here," said Alam.

PCB said the revised itinerary had already been sent to South African officials and after their approval it would be announced later Wednesday.

South Africa will be only the second Western team to tour Pakistan since the September 11 20and its aftermath in Afghanistan which borders Pakistan.

New Zealand had to cut short their tour of Pakistan following a suicide car bomb blast outside their hotel in May last year which killed 15 people including 11 French naval engineers.

Pakistan suffered a cricket drought as West Indies and Australia refused to tour them, leaving the country to play their two home series on neutral venues last year.

Bari said Pakistan had suffered a lot, both financially and cricket wise and things must change now.

[Donny]

Pakistan hails Proteas' u-turn
From correspondents in Karachi
September 24, 2003

PAKISTAN cricket legends hailed South Africa's decision to revive their tour of the South Asian country here Wednesday.

"Our winter would have been left dry without the South African tour but as they have changed their minds, their coming to Pakistan means spring returns to Pakistan cricket," former captain Wasim Bari told reporters.

"We welcome them with open hearts and minds and they should also tour with open minds, they will be looked after like state guests and thats our promise," Bari said.

Withdrawing their earlier decision, South Africa on Tuesday said they would play a shortened tour of Pakistan later this year comprising two Tests and five one-day games.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to drop the volatile Karachi and Peshawar venues from their itinerary, officials said.

The Graeme Smith-led Proteas were due to start the tour last Monday but South African officials called it off over the weekend citing security fears following a bomb blast in the southern port city of Karachi.

Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram said the South African visit would "change the impressions about Pakistan".

Pakistan deserved more cricket and excuses on security were unacceptable, former captain Intikhab Alam said.

"Its propaganda about a lack of security in Pakistan, we deserve more cricket so that the games development does not stop here," said Alam.

PCB said the revised itinerary had already been sent to South African officials and after their approval it would be announced later Wednesday.

South Africa will be only the second Western team to tour Pakistan since the September 11 20and its aftermath in Afghanistan which borders Pakistan.

New Zealand had to cut short their tour of Pakistan following a suicide car bomb blast outside their hotel in May last year which killed 15 people including 11 French naval engineers.

Pakistan suffered a cricket drought as West Indies and Australia refused to tour them, leaving the country to play their two home series on neutral venues last year.

Bari said Pakistan had suffered a lot, both financially and cricket wise and things must change now.