Pakistan were able to end the drought and win their first FIH medal in 8 years after beating India by a margin of 3-2 in the Champions Trophy Hockey. Last time they won a medal, that too was Bronze, during the Champions Trophy 2004 in Lahore. This was also Pakistan's first medal after the Asian Games 2010, when they were able to secure the gold medal beating Malaysia 2-0 in Guangzhou, China.

Is this victory of any significance. How did we perform throughout the tournament. Who were the standout players. What's in future for Pakistan, are a few things we need to look at.

Yes, this victory is significant. Looking at Pakistan's performance in the Olympic games where they were able to secure the 7th position, this is an improvement. We should keep in mind that all the major teams in the tournament played many young players and almost had second string squads. Still winning bronze in such a high profile tournament will help the Pakistani players and install the belief that they can compete at the top level and win against the top teams.

Triangular Series Arranged For August

Teams

Pakistan

England

Bangladesh

Venues Include

Grace Road

Derby

Ajmal this Year

39 wickets in 6 Tests
31 wickets in 17 ODIs
23 wickets for 14 T20s

Ever since I started following the game of Cricket, the aspect that fascinates me the most is the sight of a genuinely quick paceman running down from his bowling mark to rattle a batsman. I still remember the day when I entered a Cricket stadium for the very first time – early 2000 - only to witness the run-up of the legendary Waqar Younis. Although I observed the craftsmanship of Wasim Akram as well, but the swift yet smooth approach of the other ‘W’ mesmerised me the most.

I used to get glued to the Television screen to see Waqar Younis running, rather sprinting, down to the bowling crease with a purpose to scare the hell out of a batsman, not only me but Waqar was in fact the source of inspiration for the World’s fasted-man, Usain Bolt, as the Jamaican athlete had himself revealed that he was enthralled by the lighting sprint to the wicket by the former speed-star of Pakistan.

Of course Waqar Younis is not the only one who struck the fear of God into many batsmen but the eras before and after him are also studded with terrifying fast bowlers, but recently this high quality supply seems to have decelerated.

Karachi: Pakistan’s suspended leg-spinner, Danish Kaneria - who has been banned for life from playing in England and Wales after being found guilty of corruption – is in London for the hearing of his appeal against the ban. However, sources privy to the development have claimed that Westfield has now formally refused to attend the appeal hearing scheduled for Monday. "Westfield’s lawyers have formally informed the ECB about his non-availability for the appeal hearing”, our source claims.

The 61-test veteran, Kaneria was banned for life from playing in England at a disciplinary hearing of the ECB earlier this year for his alleged role in spot-fixing in county matches. Consequently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also suspended the leg-spinner from taking part at any level until his appeal is heard by an independent ECB panel.

Full list of all the squads participating in Faysal Bank T20 cup 2012-13.

The 2014 ICC World T20 qualifier will take place in October 2013. UAE will be hosting the event for the 3rd time successively. This tournament will be different to the previous 3 World T20 qualifiers because as many as SIX teams will get the chance to qualify for the finals in Bangladesh 2014. In the past 4 editions of the ICC World T20 only 2 associates or 3 in the case of 2009 have been allowed to participate in the world finals. 2009 was an exception because Zimbabwe didn't participate during the event in England. Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and one of the associates will make up one of the four groups at the ICC World T20 2014. This is the 2nd largest ICC tournament currently with the ICC-19 World Cup with both consisting of 16 teams, previously the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies also compromised of 16 teams.

Pakistan have struggled in the batting ranks for sometime now. Many players have been tried but most have failed. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq apart, no other player has really emerged that has lived up to his billing. Talking of ability alone, even Umar Akmal has been a let down.

Historically Pakistan have always produced quality bowlers over batsman, but a drought like now has never been so visible. In amongst Pakistan's struggles one player, Haris Sohail, has emerged and performed remarkably over the past year in domestic cricket. The 23 year-old left hander hails from Sialkot and has impressed most people that have seen him play.

The 2015 World Cup (Australia/New Zealand) qualification will be finalised in New Zealand 2014. It will be a 14 team competition. Originally this competition was going to exclude the associates, but after some talk and disappointing reaction, ICC reversed their decision last year to keep the pinnacle of one day competitions at 14 teams just like the sub continental event in 2011. The 2003 tournament also involved 14 teams. The most sides in a single World Cup was in 2007 during the Caribbean festival where 16 teams participated, but that World Cup was heavily criticised as an appalling one which failed to capture the imagination of the public and it was a bit of a drag as award winning journalist, Cambridge graduate and former England captain Michael Atherton would tell you.