Lawson says arrest will disturb Asif's progress

[mmkextreme_1]

Lawson says arrest will disturb Asif's progress
KARACHI: Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson said on Thursday that the detention of Mohammad Asif in Dubai for the alleged possession of an illegal substance would disrupt the paceman's progress.

The 25-year-old fast bowler was held at Dubai airport on Sunday while returning home from a domestic tournament in India and appeared before a prosecutor on Thursday.

"It's unfortunate and would be disruptive for Asif," said former Australia Test bowler Lawson, dealing with the latest in a series of controversies to hit the troubled Pakistani team.

"Personally I don't know the facts, we feel for him, we hope it turns out well for him. We have been thinking about him," said Lawson.

"He has been missing quite often due to injury but was making a successful comeback from injury and played against Bangladesh in April and the tri-series would have been one more step on his way back to full form."

Asif was named in the 16-man Pakistan squad for next week's tri-series in Bangladesh, which also features India, but was dropped and replaced by Sohail Khan on Wednesday.

Pakistan fly out to Dhaka on Friday but Pakistan Cricket Board officials say Asif will remain in detention at least until Sunday.

Lawson said Sohail had shown promise recently. "Sohail has come in Asif's place and has shown promise so one person's misfortune is another's good fortune," said Lawson, who took over as Pakistan coach in July last year.

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik also hoped Asif's absence would not be felt. "There is no doubt that Asif is a good bowler but we have other good bowlers who can step up and take their chances. We have Umar Gul, Sohail Tanveer, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail so the attack is in good hands," said Malik.

The Pakistani captain said his team is capable of putting up a good show in the tri-series.

"It is a good event and we will face tough competition from India who have been doing well. So if we play the final of the tri-series in Bangladesh then it would give us a good boost for the Asia Cup," said Malik.

Pakistan open the tri-series against Bangladesh on Sunday. They play India two days later, while India play Bangladesh on June 12. The final is in June 14.

Pakistan are due to host the eight-nation Asia Cup from June 24 to July 6. Malik hoped his team would keep up their run of 11 victories attained earlier this year. Pakistan won the last match against India in their 2-3 defeat in November last year.

They then blanked Zimbabwe and Bangladesh 5-0 earlier this year. "We have been on a winning streak so it would be important to have that going because if a team makes winning its habit then no event is difficult for them," Malik said.
5 Jun, 2008 1806hrs IST,

[mmkextreme_1]

Seriously is it just me or whenever they mention this winning streak, its pretty embrassing! The winning streak could be achieved by any of the test playing nations, if they played teams of those calibres!

[cars112]

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 The winning streak could be achieved by any of the test playing nations, if they played teams of those calibres!

Australia lost to Zimbabwe at the 20-over World Cup, India and SA lost to Bangladesh at the 50-over World Cup, so how are you so certain other countries could have achieved such a winning streak? At the end of the day, Pakistan have won ten straight - and they deserve immense credit for doing so, whoever the opposition.

[siddharth]

Originally Posted by cars112 Australia lost to Zimbabwe at the 20-over World Cup, India and SA lost to Bangladesh at the 50-over World Cup, so how are you so certain other countries could have achieved such a winning streak? At the end of the day, Pakistan have won ten straight - and they deserve immense credit for doing so, whoever the opposition.

Those are some great wins ,i will take those victories any time over ''Australia's easy/lucky wins over India ,WI ,etc...''

[Ghoshtbuster]

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 Seriously is it just me or whenever they mention this winning streak, its pretty embrassing!

So, the wins were not wins?

[mmkextreme_1]

Originally Posted by cars112 Australia lost to Zimbabwe at the 20-over World Cup, India and SA lost to Bangladesh at the 50-over World Cup, so how are you so certain other countries could have achieved such a winning streak? At the end of the day, Pakistan have won ten straight - and they deserve immense credit for doing so, whoever the opposition.

Yeah there is the odd win out there, but what are the chances of Zimbabve beating Australia in the 50 over game? Bangla, well India had a done day! I made the above comment, presuming and taking into account what will generally happen to Bangla and Zimbo against stronger oppenents! Also you think this winning streak deserves to break Imrans record? I would understand if it was India, SA, and Aus then full credit to Malik, but he needs to quit emphaszing on the fact that 11 strait wins, and 10 of those were against minnows!

[mmkextreme_1]

Originally Posted by Ghoshtbuster So, the wins were not wins?

The wins were wins, but to keep saying oh yeah we have won 11 strait, and if we or Malik is happy about this record and is proud of it, then Pakistan Cricket standards have dropped dramatically! We will see if this win streak can be kept up, when we play the bigger boys!

[The Blazer]

Lawson says arrest will disturb Asif's progress?

No sh!t, Sherlock.

[cars112]

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 We will see if this win streak can be kept up, when we play the bigger boys!

We almost beat India and South Africa last year (both series were lost 2-3, so if we had won more game in either series, we would have won both 3-2). Sure, not quite as dominant as a winning streak, but winning series is more important anyways.

[cars112]

Originally Posted by The Blazer Lawson says arrest will disturb Asif's progress? No sh!t, Sherlock.

[Ghoshtbuster]

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 The wins were wins, but to keep saying oh yeah we have won 11 strait, and if we or Malik is happy about this record and is proud of it, then Pakistan Cricket standards have dropped dramatically! We will see if this win streak can be kept up, when we play the bigger boys!

I dont think a fact of matter can be disputed of argued against. 11 wins is 11 wins. Good on them.

However, you have every right to question the team line up and performance regardless of results.

Im my opinion, i dont really care about wins - i just want the thirst for blood the team had during the 90's to return. Wins do not matter, but the performance does.

[maamrut]

Originally Posted by cars112 We almost beat India and South Africa last year (both series were lost 2-3, so if we had won more game in either series, we would have won both 3-2).

..now thats some reasoning

[mmkextreme_1]

Originally Posted by cars112 We almost beat India and South Africa last year (both series were lost 2-3, so if we had won more game in either series, we would have won both 3-2). Sure, not quite as dominant as a winning streak, but winning series is more important anyways.

Well yes it could have gone in our favor, but it didn't! Yes that is kinda my point! Winning against Bangla and Zimbo is not any achievement for the standard of cricket we play and have seen played in our history! So to keep bragging about the winning streak, shows how low our cricket standard has fell to! Seriously!

[cars112]

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 So to keep bragging about the winning streak

Who is "keeping on bragging" about it? I wouldn't say that is what Lawson has done - he's just mentioned it, and he isn't incorrect that we have won a fair few games on the trot recently. I'm not sure why you're being so defensive about a winning streak - typically modest Pakistani thing to do. If India ever won 10 on the go even against Bangladesh (which they never have), their fans would never stop going on about their world-beating superstars (just as Tendu is second to Bradman and Ishant the best ever bowler for averaging 60 in Australia).

[TruSachFan]

Originally Posted by cars112 Who is "keeping on bragging" about it? I wouldn't say that is what Lawson has done - he's just mentioned it, and he isn't incorrect that we have won a fair few games on the trot recently. I'm not sure why you're being so defensive about a winning streak - typically modest Pakistani thing to do. If India ever won 10 on the go even against Bangladesh (which they never have), their fans would never stop going on about their world-beating superstars (just as Tendu is second to Bradman and Ishant the best ever bowler for averaging 60 in Australia).

india never did and will never play a 5 odis on the trot against either zimbabwe or bangladesh.

[Ghoshtbuster]

Originally Posted by TruSachFan india never did and will never play a 5 odis on the trot against either zimbabwe or bangladesh.

That wasnt the point.

[mmkextreme_1]

Originally Posted by cars112 Who is "keeping on bragging" about it? I wouldn't say that is what Lawson has done - he's just mentioned it, and he isn't incorrect that we have won a fair few games on the trot recently. I'm not sure why you're being so defensive about a winning streak - typically modest Pakistani thing to do. If India ever won 10 on the go even against Bangladesh (which they never have), their fans would never stop going on about their world-beating superstars (just as Tendu is second to Bradman and Ishant the best ever bowler for averaging 60 in Australia).

I never said Lawson is bragging, now did I? Its Malik that keeps on saying it, every second article or interview he has he mentioned it as it is a high honor! Now if Indian people bragged about it let them, but our cricketing standards have not dropped that low! And why are you pushing India into this? This is about Pakistan and our cricket and has nothing to do with India. The thing is that I just don't think that 10 of those 11 wins are really respectable that is all!

[cars112]

Indeed it wasn't the point, and for what it is worth, India and Zimbabwe actually played 5 ODIs in 2000 and 2002 - India failed to win either series 5-0.

[cars112]

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 I never said Lawson is bragging, now did I? Its Malik that keeps on saying it, every second article or interview he has he mentioned it as it is a high honor!

OK, thought you meant Lawson. Still, it isn't exactly a lie or a misrepresentation is it - we have won ten in a row.

Originally Posted by mmkextreme_1 Now if Indian people bragged about it let them, but our cricketing standards have not dropped that low! And why are you pushing India into this? This is about Pakistan and our cricket and has nothing to do with India.

It was just an interesting comparison of the differences in the fans - Pakistani fans tend to be humble, modest and incredibly harsh on their players, while Indian fans turn pretty average players and teams into demi-gods, even though overall India's cricketing achievements are pretty abysmal compared to Pakistan's.

[TruSachFan]

Originally Posted by cars112 OK, thought you meant Lawson. Still, it isn't exactly a lie or a misrepresentation is it - we have won ten in a row. It was just an interesting comparison of the differences in the fans - Pakistani fans tend to be humble, modest and incredibly harsh on their players, while Indian fans turn pretty average players and teams into demi-gods, even though overall India's cricketing achievements are pretty abysmal compared to Pakistan's.

y is it a pain in ur ar$e if we do that?

[maamrut]

Originally Posted by cars112 Indeed it wasn't the point, and for what it is worth, India and Zimbabwe actually played 5 ODIs in 2000 and 2002 - India failed to win either series 5-0.

Zim was completely a different outfit those days.Speak sense for a change..don't bring India into every thread unnecessarily!! We have better work than to play 10 odis on the trot against minnows.

[cars112]

Originally Posted by maamrut We have better work than to play 10 odis on the trot against minnows.

About the same time that we were winning 10 in a row, you were getting bowled out in 20 overs in a Test match - so I take your point.

[maamrut]

Originally Posted by cars112 It was just an interesting comparison of the differences in the fans - Pakistani fans tend to be humble, modest and incredibly harsh on their players, while Indian fans turn pretty average players and teams into demi-gods, even though overall India's cricketing achievements are pretty abysmal compared to Pakistan's.

Do you even know the meaning of these words?Interesting comparisons of difference....BS.Discuss something related to the thread (once in a while)

[maamrut]

Meh,Patriotic fool.

[Savak]

Originally Posted by The Blazer Lawson says arrest will disturb Asif's progress? No sh!t, Sherlock.

I was going to say the exact same thing.

[surfer]

Originally Posted by The Blazer Lawson says arrest will disturb Asif's progress? No sh!t, Sherlock.

As far as Pakistan's 11 wins are concerned, every win is a good win. But its upto Malik if he wants to brag about it. If keeps doing that as its one of the biggest high points in his captaincy. He believes that it should be highlighted and seen as his victory.

Malik's captaincy is in danger no doubt. Quite a few would want to fire him. The message is straight: do you want to fire a captain who has won as many as 11 matches in a row? Does not matter who the opposition is- Malik didn't chose the opposition, PCB did- he at least hasn't lost a much in recent past.

So, basically he is bragging to keep his captaincy and show that he has been doing great work as a captain. A T20 final and 11 ODI wins in a row. On the surface, that sounds so great.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by cars112 Pakistani fans tend to be humble, modest and incredibly harsh on their players, .

Agreed. We dont have to look beyond you for a proof. The very paragon of humbleness and modesty. Never over-rating one's taking, giving due credit to other teams and players. always playing down once own and bigging up others. Keep it up.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Indiafan Agreed. We dont have to look beyond you for a proof. The very paragon of humbleness and modesty. Never over-rating one's taking, giving due credit to other teams and players. always playing down once own and bigging up others. Keep it up.

He might not be the best example but he's correct, Pakistani fans are incredibly harsh towards their very own players, overrating other countries achievements and playing down our own. It seems to be a cancer in our country, and its something that doesn't help our players at all.

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Easa He might not be the best example but he's correct, Pakistani fans are incredibly harsh towards their very own players, overrating other countries achievements and playing down our own. It seems to be a cancer in our country, and its something that doesn't help our players at all.

Believe me, Indian fans are not much behind in this. The way some of our players get abused on forums.