Earlier in the week, former Pakistan cricketers, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt had their respective hearings, at The Court of Arbitration Of Sport (CAS), on their appeal against the ICC ban inflicted on them as a result of their part in a spot fixing scandal. Asif appealed the conviction and Butt the sentence given to him. The verdicts by the three-man panel are expected within the next 3 weeks.

What is still evidently clear that the duo are still in complete denial of what is pretty obvious to the rest. The evidence against the former captain and opening bowler were pretty conclusive. They were a part of the deal that was made by their agent, Mazhar Majeed, with the undercover News of the World reporter.

The Pakistani public is very gullible. Some can't take criticism and play the victim card and there are others that make their mind up and will not change their opinion, come whatever may. Butt and Asif are also playing that victim card, it's everyone's fault apart from their own, conveniently forgetting that they were the ones that got involved in fixing.

Iqbal Qasim yesterday announced the Pakistan limited over squads and shocked many people with 'Bold' decisions of dropping big names. The exclusions of Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq were always going to ruffle a few feathers.

The exclusions of the two all-rounders were performance and fitness related. Abdul Razzaq, despite playing reasonably well in the Presidents Trophy and Faysal Bank T20, has a major fitness issue hanging over him. Abdul Razzaq's fielding was always pretty ordinary and with age has deteriorated. The modern game demands fully fit and mobile athletes, sadly he doesn't fit that bill.

Dropping Shahid Afridi was never going to be easy. He comes across with a major reputation and fan following. His performances in 2012 have been very poor - apart from looking like he can't score a run, his bowling has been woeful too. He has looked devoid of ideas and confidence. Averaging 15.16 in 13 innings with the bat and 15 wickets at 43.13 in 16 games are not statistics that Shahid would be proud of.

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.

A short, but much awaited, series against arch rivals India is around the corner and Pakistan will be looking to leave their mark. Pakistan’s recent record against India is quite poor and that is something that they will be looking to make amends on. India was a team that Pakistan would play on a regular basis and beat them at will – the tables have turned over the last few years. The question arises as to why is this the case and how Pakistan can overcome this decline.

I don’t for a minute believe that India have a better set of players than Pakistan at this present moment. India having a superior batting line-up and Pakistan a superior bowling attack has always been the case. Nothing is actually different right now too. What India has and Pakistan doesn't is the mental attitude to handle these games – an advantage the Pakistani teams of the past had over India. As is with all derby games, half the battle is won with the attitude you approach the ground with.

Shahid Afridi has had a tough 2012, it seems that everything he has done has resulted into a negative effect for him. Not since pre 2007 has Afridi seen such a lean patch in his performances - especially with the ball in his hand. 

Afridi has always been a controversial character - if not a shocker with the bat then one usually comes with some of his statements. Lately though, Afridi has stayed quite and concentrated on his cricket. He has seen his recent failings and tried to rectify them. It's a different case that his body language on the pitch has looked of a worried and unsettled person.

The last few days I have seen a change though. All of a sudden he looked more relaxed when speaking to the press ahead of the two T20's against these world XI's. He hit the nail on the head when he criticised the press for having a cheat like Salman Butt sitting ridiculing Pakistani players while they are on International duty. The media has a responsibility to help the players and not make it harder for them. Someone had to stand up and it was Afridi; I'm 100% behind him on this. He also said he was going to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj - something that will relax him. After all the only quality time that surpasses time with family is the time you have one on one with the Almighty.

Amidst the Dhaka Gladiators media manager, Minhaz Uddin Khan making accusations of three Pakistan players taking call girls to their rooms after the match parties – KheloPakistan.com was contacted by cricket agent Umran Khan. The players who were named in the womanising accusations were former Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved ul Hasan and Ahmed Shehzad.

Mr Khan, who represents the players who have been accused, has spoken to all three players and they vigorously deny any wrong doing. "I have spoken to all three players over the past day and all three are shocked to see such ludicrous claims by Minhaz Uddin Khan, the Dhaka Gladiators media manager". said Mr Khan on behalf of the players.

He also said that all three players are on the verge of taking legal proceedings as the accusations could have an effect in their careers and private lives. He added, "All three players have given the go-ahead to proceed to taking Mr Khan to court in this regard. I will be going to Bangladesh in due course to take up this option. The players believe that such accusations could have a lasting effect on their images in the game".

The allegations by Mr Minhaz Uddin Khan were made by him to an undercover sting operation by India TV. They also alleged six umpires of doing match fixing - something that all officials have denied.

The next World T20 is in Bangladesh in 2014. The Pakistani hierarchy need to make some tough decisions. Hafeez needs a band of 20 players to work with and they must be persisted with. A couple of the senior players need to make way so the young talent in Pakistan can come forward and do their bit. Four wins out of six is a good launch pad to work with, though the professor needs a group of students that are prepared to to make a name for themselves in the institution that is Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan reached the final eight of the world T20 with a resounding 8 wicket win over their sub-continent rivals Bangladesh. Pakistan's batting was the cause of concern for all concerned but in the two games thus far it's been the bowling that has let the team down.

there are many question marks in amongst Pakistan's seam bowlers but when you see the bench their is no able quick bowler to come in. Being grouped with India, South Africa and Australia will show what Pakistan are made of. Pakistan need to be proactive as bowling glitches like the last two games will be heavily punished by better teams.

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".