Pakistani News for the Rest of Us

The Pakistan board is hoping to rekindle interest in its domestic cricket by drawing big crowds for the second Twenty20 Cup tournament being held under lights in Karachi through to March 4. Leading Pakistan players including batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Shahid Afridi will miss the tournament to rest injuries. Pakistan …

Until two years ago, playing sport in public had been virtually unknown for women in Pakistan. Many feared the reaction of conservative Islamic groups. In April, a mixed marathon in Lahore faced opposition from hardliners, who clashed with police. But it was not until December 2004 the PCB finally recognised the women’s game, a decision …

The last few days in Pakistan have demonstrated as clearly as ever that the contrast between the popularity of Test and one-day cricket here remains as stark as ever, probably more than in any other Test-playing country. As much as the emphatic Test series win over England was cheered throughout the country, yesterday showed that …

Jalil, known as “Chacha Pakistani” (Uncle Pakistani), has travelled around the world as the cheerleader of the team and is now paid by the Pakistan Cricket Board to rouse the supporters. Cricket remains Pakistan’s number one sport and the performances of the national team are passionately followed by the population of 150 million. Jalil made …

But, like many things about Inzamam, first impressions can be misleading. Just as he’s not as overweight as many would have you believe, or as slow between the wickets (the run-out against India is one of only three he’s suffered in 102 Tests), nor is he the rural dolt. The youngest of six children, he …

BOB WOOLMER has always been one of cricket’s greatest enthusiasts and students but he is relishing his present role as coach of Pakistan. Nowhere is there more natural aptitude for cricket than on the sub-continent. The ideas are no different from those being applied in other Test-playing countries by other independent coaches, but in some …

England’s “Barmy Army” of cricket supporters started to arrive in Pakistan yesterday, hoping their bawdy chants can help the team keep up its Ashes-winning form. The “Barmy Army” are famous for their raucous cheers and humorous songs and travel across the globe to cheer England, who are still on a high from last month’s 2-1 …

Pakistan’s nationwide hunt for fast bowlers to tame England in their forthcoming home series has unearthed a six foot six inch (1.98 metre) fast bowler, coach Bob Woolmer told AFP. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) launched the hunt for pacers in 10 cities across the country and picked up six fast bowlers for the national …

Pakistan’s arch-rivals India along with Sri Lanka and possibly Bangladesh will take part in the tournament in Karachi from December 26 to January 4. Cricket has been drawing a growing female fan base in India, while across the border the women’s sport got a shot in the arm earlier this year when it was placed …

England’s cricketers will press ahead with their tour of Pakistan later this month despite the earthquake that killed 30,000 people in the country last Saturday. The PCB and ECB are also discussing ways in which the tour can contribute to the relief effort which is already underway. England are scheduled to play three Tests and …

The first women’s cricket series between Pakistan and India will begin in Lahore on Wednesday with only families allowed to watch because of cultural restrictions in the country. Women’s sporting events in Pakistan have been on the rise even though religious, social and cultural taboos have made it difficult for women to take part in …

Pakistan star Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday launches his 161 Club to encourage integration between children of all backgrounds through cricket. Shoaib was spotted playing on the streets of his hometown, Rawalpindi, and soon found himself leading the attack for Pakistan’s cricket team. In 2002 he bowled what is widely regarded as the first ball to …

Pakistan has launched a Pop Idol-style hunt for talented fast bowlers to face England later this year. The Pakistan Cricket Board will hold trials in 10 cities across Pakistan and the best fast bowlers outside first-class competition will be picked. The talent scouts, a team of former Test players headed by national selector …

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have launched a ground breaking campaign using cricket to focus on girls’ right to education and sports as part of the regional “Fair Play for Girls” initiative. The programme in Pakistan is aimed at helping young women to start playing cricket, in the …