Jawed’s Blog

PROLIFIC scorer Mohammad Yousuf says the best thing about his world record for the most Test runs in a calendar year is his country will be mentioned whenever people talk about the new landmark.

“I am happy this world record has Pakistan’s name,” said Yousuf, who beat West Indian great Viv Richards’ 30-year-old mark with his 124 on the fourth day in the third Test against the West Indies today (AEDT).

“I would like to dedicate the record to my mother, my wife and my brothers who have been a great support and are very happy about my success,” said Yousuf, who rose from the slums of Lahore to make his Test debut in 1998.

Yousuf said his record was for his country.

“It is a great honour to create a world record.

“You play for your country, which is a great privilege, and to create history is a matter of great pride,” said Yousuf, who also set a new Pakistan mark for a three-Test series score of 665.

The 32-year-old right-handed batsman drove paceman Corey Collymore to the boundary to cross Richards’ record tally and went on to set a new mark of 1,788 Test runs in 11 Tests.

He also scored his ninth century of the year, beating his own record of eight that he set on Monday in the first innings. One of the previous holders for the century record was Richards, again in 1976.

Yousuf also equalled Australian great Don Bradman’s record of scoring six centuries in successive Tests - although it took him only five matches compared with Bradman’s six.

But Yousuf played down the comparison with Richards and other Pakistani greats.

“I still feel that Richards and Brian Lara are the two greatest batsmen of this century,” he said.

“I had followed Richards in my childhood and think he should still be regarded as the greatest.

“Lara is the best batsman of my time, scoring 400 runs in a Test innings is no mean achievement and Lara has done it,” said Yousuf, referring to the master West Indian’s highest Test score made against England at St. John’s in 2004.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed Darrell Hair will not umpire in any further international matches.

Hair’s position had been the subject of debate since he penalised Pakistan for ball-tampering in the controversial Oval Test against England in August.

The Australian’s contract as an elite umpire runs until March 2008, but he will not be offered a new one. And between now and then, the ICC will not ask him to officiate in any matches between Test-playing nations. Whether or not Hair is paid his full salary for 17 months is an issue that remains in the hands of lawyers.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said: “I had hoped we could find a way for Darrell to continue umpiring at the top level. “But the ICC executive board didn’t wish to appoint him in international matches. “The ICC has a number of lawyers and we are in contact with them, and we will have more discussions with Hair after a few days. “I spoke to Darrell on Friday after the decision was made, and he was very disappointed.”

ICC president Percy Sonn added: “It was clear from discussions that the ICC board had lost confidence in Mr Hair. “As such, it was resolved that he should not be appointed to international matches involving ICC full members.”

On 20 August, Pakistan were in the field against England on the fourth day of the final Test of the series. Hair, already regarded as a controversial figure - particularly in the subcontinent - awarded England a five-run penalty because he believed the ball had been interfered with. The Pakistan team refused to resume play after the tea interval in protest against the decision leading to the first fofeiture in 129 years of Test cricket.

ICC adjudicator Ranjan Madugalle later cleared Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq of ball-tampering charges. But as a direct result of that controversy, it has now been decided that the laws on ball-tampering will be referred to the ICC Cricket Committee.

Hair offered his resignation to the ICC in exchange for US$500,000 in the wake of the Oval match. And the first indication that his days as a Test umpire might be over came when he was removed from the panel for October’s Champions Trophy in India on security grounds.

His fellow umpire at The Oval, West Indian Billy Doctrove, has always maintained a lower profile.

Pakistan team recently jolted by a series of incidents: the Oval fiasco, Captaincy issue and the most recent doping issues which left the team without their front line bowlers. But they showed incredible self-belief and no little skill to pull off a splendid victory over Sri Lanka in their first match of champions trophy. It was a joint team effort to win the match, in the end it wasn’t easy to win but Razzaq made it child’s play.

Abdul Razzaq is one of my favorite players. He is one of the best allrounders in the cricket history. I would rate hime all time best allrounder and a true match winner. Todays Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is the latest example of his allround performances.