After missing out on the first 3 seasons, This years Champions league is all set to have a team from Pakistan and prior to that out of 11 former and current International players will participate for Pakistan's domestic T20 Champions Sialkot Stallions and many other of the worlds most finest domestic 20-20 sides. 

Today, an explosive spell of bowing by Pakistan left arm spinner, Abdur Rehman saw him acclaim his career best figures of 9-65. Bowling for Somerset against Worcestershire at Taunton, Rehman put in a spell 24 overs that showed why he's one of the most consistent performers on the world stage. Only Peter Trego picking up the eighth wicket of the innings, denied Rehman the chance to capture the perfect ten.

Speaking to KheloPakistan's Imran Asghar after the days play, Rehman was understandably pleased with his performance. "I am really happy that I performed for my team. I am bowling with good rhythm at the moment and hope to take this experience with me when I return to Pakistan". He added "Playing in these conditions will InshAllah help me in the future. If and when required and I play for Pakistan in these shores, I will have experience of these conditions".

Already having a Test fifty to his name, Rehman was adamant that not only his bowling but batting and fielding was coming on leaps and bounds. "After games and days off my time is spent in the nets. I am working really hard on my batting. I see batting as a important aspect to my game". Though Rehman primarily plays as a specialist bowler for Pakistan, he looks at it differently, "It is essential that I contribute with the bat when I play. It would be wrong for me to think that I have bowled and done my job. I genuinely believe I can became a good batsman". 
 

Like it was yesterday, I still remember my father coming home in the late eighties with my first Pakistan jersey. It had yellow patches everywhere around the green, a weird looking design though not that I cared. The words 'Pakistan' and the logo was all I used to dream about. Over time, the top became to small to wear but it never stopped me from wearing it. It gave me a sense of feeling I was Imran Khan, rather than a child named after him with the surname Asghar. 

Being a Pakistani fan comes with many ups and even more downs. We are used to controversies, and in a weird way many enjoy them. We have seen dressing room bust ups, sex scandals, ball tampering allegations and many more. Though the one that has been the hardest to take is match/spot fixing. In many cases we believe it is the world against us but in this case we are our own worst enemies. 

Pakistan's leading test wicket taker by a spinner and fourth highest overall has been banned for life by the England Cricket board.

On behalf of KheloPakistan.com, Imran Asghar met Netherlands all-rounder Mudassar Bukhari. Mudassar is 28 years of age and first represented the Dutch National side in July 2007. He has a fantastic record of never missing a single game for his team since his debut. Mudassar spoke about his love for the game, his experiences and what he wants to do in the future. 

 

KheloPakistan.com was introduced to Mudassar by Sunny Sheikh, who is a Holland based Pakistan cricket analyst; our heartfelt appreciation to him.

World Cup 2007; Pakistan lose to Ireland and get knocked out of the tournament. What followed was most of the squad was dropped but soon enough given a re-call. One person had been made a permanent scapegoat and that was Azhar Mahmood. 

Azhar, now 37 is performing admirably in domestic cricket Worldwide. The ability of bowling upfront and then at the death was always there but the rejuvenation of promoting himself, along with the support of his Kent skipper Robert Key, from a solid lower-middle order bat to number 3 has been a masterstroke. 

Azhar has recently played all forms of the game for Kent as a English qualified player. His also performed excellently for the Auckland Aces and Dhaka Gladiators in T20 cricket Worldwide. He is now making a name for himself in India, in the IPL, for Kings XI Punjab. 

Azhar's absence from the Pakistan side has been now 5 years. During this time there have been several occasions when Pakistan required his nouse and experience, but with Abdul Razzaq about there was little chance of a comeback. Lately things have changed, with the ban of Pakistan's first choice opening bowlers and the lack of real depth Pakistan need a bowler who can bowl upfront to give the side a impetus to launch a platform. 

There have been numerous reports about Pakistan starting their own version of a major Twenty20 tournament. Pakistan, at large, is a cricket-loving country and has been deprived of seeing not only International stars but National too. Players like Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal are world-class performers. They would enlighten any tournament with their presence. 

The name that is doing the rounds is the 'Pakistan Premier League' (I will call it PPL as it has no name as of yet). The PPL has many pluses to it. Such a league comes with an enormous reputation and is followed worldwide. Here are some of the positives and negatives that the PPL would/might bring to Pakistan and its cricket in large. 

Finance: The financial implications of such a tournament are absolutely monumental. Players in the recent Faysal Bank T20 were paid the equivalent of £20-£25 per match. A top player in the PPL might come close to the £1million mark. The financial security is not just for the players and officials but for the general public too. Merchandise selling, food and drink, and hotels are some of the business opportunities that will arise from the PPL. 

Poor administration: If there are poorly made decisions then this can be detrimental to Pakistan. The financial implications are a massive incentive but Pakistan cricket’s big need at this moment is exposure to games getting played within Pakistan. 

He was young, he was a bolt, and he was the light at the end of the tunnel. Pakistan prides itself for being home to the game’s greatest bowlers of all time; Mohammad Amir was not an exception.Though, exceptional he was when it came to outwitting his counterparts at the other end of the wicket.

On 7th June 2009 when a young man at a tender age of 17 made his T20 debut at The Oval, drought of fast bowlers in Pakistan came to an end as they began to unearth a lethal combination that had been their hallmark in the 80’s,90’s and the early 2000’s. Bowling has never been a worry for Pakistan but after the two W’s retired, in spite of abundant talent, the bowling was either inconsistent to sustain at the top level or lacked the killer instinct. More importantly it lacked the traditional principle of Pakistani attacks hunting in packs.

Nobody knew the glistening teenager would leave the world’s best batsmen perplexed in the days to come. His debut marked the initiation of filling of an enormous space left after Wasim Akram’s retirement. Aamer had all the ingredients of being Akram’s successor. His first tournament in Pakistani colors culminated to an amazing climax as Pakistan lifted the World Twenty20 trophy at Lord’s.

Pakistan will be touring Sri Lanka from June 1st to July 8th this summer. Both the teams will face off in 2 T20I's before locking horns in a 5-match ODI series. The tour will culminate with a 3-Test battle. 

After a week of exuberating Cricket at the Pindi Statdium in Rawalpindi, which saw fans turn out in their thousands to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes, we finally have a Winner. For the 7^th time Sialkot takes home the Faysal Bank T20 Cup and that to in convincing style, with all the players contributing to the dominance throughout the tournament.

After losing the toss, Shoaib Malik’s Sialkot Stallions were asked to field on what seemed to be a good and dry pitch, very much suited to batting. Shahzaib Hasan started strongly, attempting to hit every ball out of the park, however he failed to take full advantage of his form and soon started a small slump which halted Karachi’s progress in the post-powerplay overs. Khalid Latif stood firm scoring an elegant 81, as Karachi creeped up to a decent 167/8 after a late burst from young Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, picking up 4 wicket in the last over.