The Agent's Views: Asif, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal & Abdul Razzaq news (on teletext)

[Saj]

Who is Azhar Majeed

Previous Articles from the Agent

Many thanks once again to Azhar for providing PakPassion members with exclusive updates from some of the players that he represents.

Its important to remember that the information given to us in these writeups is based upon recent conversations that he has had with the players themselves.


Asif

Azhar said that he had spoken to Asif shortly before the IPL ban was announced and Asif was aware that rumours were circulating that he would be banned for 1 year.

Asif is still adamant that he is innocent of all drugs charges against him. Asif said that many would just accept the one year ban and then come back to cricket, but because he is innocent he doesnt want to accept the ban and will appeal against it. He wants to fully clear his name and not be tarnished with the drugs issue.

As for the opium, Asif has stated to Azhar that whilst in custody in Dubai he was tested for drugs and all the tests came back negative. The opium was found within the medication given to him by his Hakeem

Azhar mentioned that Asif is desperate to clear his name and to start playing cricket again at domestic level and then for his country.


Younis Khan

Azhar spoke to Pakistan's new skipper last week. As usual he was in good spirits. Younis mentioned that he was happy to take over the role of captain and he is looking to improve the performance of the team as well as improving results.

Younis mentioned that he would like the selectors to look at a wider spectrum of players, rather than just focussing on tried and tested players from the usual areas. Younis also stated that he would like to see a well balanced Pakistan team in both versions of the game.

Younis has also stated to Azhar that despite interest from English counties, he will not be available for the County season until after the Twenty/20 World Cup.

Also Azhar has been working on a new bat sponsorship deal for Younis Khan. Watch this space for further details.


Kamran Akmal

Azhar spoke to Kamran last week and has been trying to sort out a major problem with Kamran Akmal's wicketkeeping gloves. Akmal's supplier is Gray Nicholls, but his hand size is in between Gray Nicholls sizes so he has had issues regarding the gloves ripping quite often as the fit was not quite correct. The issue has hopefully been resolved with some special gloves being made for Kamran.


Abdul Razzaq

Abdul said to Azhar that he hopes the ICL and IPL can resolve their differences and that can mean that he and the other ICL players can resume playing domestic cricket instead of being left out in the cold by the ICC and the respective Boards. Abdul also confirmed to Azhar that all outstanding monies had been paid over to the Pakistani based ICL players. The delays according to the ICL were due to issues regarding monies being wired over to Pakistani accounts from Indian accounts following the Mumbai attacks.

[Ghoshtbuster]

Great info. Thanks.

What was the timescale between Asifs drug test in the IPL and then the test in custody [Dubai]?

[Awesome Anjum]

Originally Posted by Saj Younis mentioned that he would like the selectors to look at a wider spectrum of players, rather than just focussing on tried and tested players from the usual areas.

Is this why deserving players like Aamer, Mohd Naved and Amin are ignored, but players like Kamal are recalled?

[hussein]

Originally Posted by Awesome Anjum Is this why deserving players like Aamer, Mohd Naved and Amin are ignored, but players like Kamal are recalled?

i think that is qadirs doing, he selected all of 'em , i think yoko will probz choose final x1s

[12thMan]

Thanks for the info

Originally Posted by Ghoshtbuster What was the timescale between Asifs drug test in the IPL and then the test in custody [Dubai]?

IPL annouced positive test in the first week of Dubai custody (I think 4-6 days later). He was tested in IPL on May 30??? I read it somewhere here this week but date might not be right. Dubai was sometime during first week of June (or maybe the first ten days of June)

[kingusama92]

Great update... I hope those gloves work for Kamran Akmal.

[Mythsmoke]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 Great update... I hope those gloves work for Kamran Akmal.

those aren't made for catching...

[Inswinger]

Originally Posted by Mythsmoke those aren't made for catching...

But having gloves that actually fit can make a big difference.

[waqar_ahmad]

Originally Posted by Saj Kamran Akmal Azhar spoke to Kamran last week and has been trying to sort out a major problem with Kamran Akmal's wicketkeeping gloves. Akmal's supplier is Gray Nicholls, but his hand size is in between Gray Nicholls sizes so he has had issues regarding the gloves ripping quite often as the fit was not quite correct. The issue has hopefully been resolved with some special gloves being made for Kamran. .

Yes, the new gloves will be coated with samad bond. May be that way the ball will stick

[Lethal]

Thanks Saj. Good info.

Regarding Kamran Akmal's gloves, it has absolutely nothing to do with the way he has been dropping catches. Sure it helps having the right size but it's near enough three years since he started to get found out while wicket-keeping. He has constantly been dropping sitters and to not have improved his wicket keeping skills or get the right size gloves shows how secure he was feeling about his wicket-keeping position. He is a useless wicket keeper and a decent batsman but his first priority is wicket keeping.

[Monsee]

Akmal's supplier is Gray Nicholls, but his hand size is in between Gray Nicholls sizes so he has had issues regarding the gloves ripping quite often as the fit was not quite correct. The issue has hopefully been resolved with some special gloves being made for Kamran.

Gray Nicholls folks, if you are reading this...you refuse to provide him gloves and we all will donate one week worth of our salaries to your company, for the rest of our lives!

[Cricket Fan]

Great stuff Saj!! As for Kamran Akmal, well I hope/believe there has to be a better wk in Pak

[Amjid Javed]

Azhar spoke to Kamran last week and has been trying to sort out a major problem with Kamran Akmal's wicketkeeping gloves. Akmal's supplier is Gray Nicholls, but his hand size is in between Gray Nicholls sizes so he has had issues regarding the gloves ripping quite often as the fit was not quite correct. The issue has hopefully been resolved with some special gloves being made for Kamran.

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Will these gloves allow Akmal to catch the bloody ball?

[Indiafan]

Originally Posted by Ghoshtbuster Great info. Thanks. What was the timescale between Asifs drug test in the IPL and then the test in custody [Dubai]?

I think this has been talked about before. the drug testing for performance enhancing drugs and recreational drugs are very different. Its very unlikely that the Dubai authorities would have tested him for performance enhancing drugs. They might not even be banned in Dubai

[BD-fan]

Asif has no brains or what? Bringing back Hakimi stuff. A man should always know what is in his wallet. Especially Narcotics. He should not even mention anything about the Dubai incident; two different matter. But I guess the appeal would not go anywhere.

Thanks for the info Saj. Next time if possible ask him if Asif is ready for 30 over load a day (physically).

[Saj]

Nice to see PakPassion being quoted on Teletext and by the Press Association for this news story.

[Mercenary]

Is the Akmal gloves thing another excuse to prolong his stint in the team?