AUCKLAND — Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member boards to sit down and have a rethink on balancing the 50-over format for the good of the game. In an interview, the former Test captain said he had no doubts that bowlers are suffering in One-Day International cricket due to the change in laws. Improvement in skills, better bats and fielding restrictions have all contributed to making it a nightmare for bowlers, according to the 43-year-old former Pakistan fast bowler. He has no qualms about the shortest Twenty20 format which according to him was a “three-hour cinema.” “But for real cricket which is one-day cricket there is a need to balance the game,” Waqar said. “Bowlers are suffering as pitches have gone very flat around the world. “Cricket has changed since our times but there is a real need to balance it and the administrators need to start thinking again.” Amir set for domestic return Considered among the best young bowlers in the world when he was hit with a five-year fixing ban in 2010, Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir embarks on the long road to redemption Monday in his return to domestic cricket. The 22-year-old left-armer is set to play for Omar Associates in the Patron's Trophy Grade-II national tournament — one rung below first-class — at the quiet Army Cricket Ground in the garrison city Rawalpindi near the capital. Amir was one of three Pakistani players banned from the game for at least five years for arranging no-balls to order in a Test against England at Lord's in 2010. He was also jailed in Britain in 2011, along with former captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. Amir's ban was due to expire on Sept. 2, but the International Cricket Council used discretionary powers to allow him to return to domestic cricket early, citing his early admission of guilt and cooperation with anti-corruption authorities. Upon hearing the news, he vowed to become a “better player and better human being.” “It was the most difficult phase of my life but I am sure it's over now and I am keen to return to international grounds,” he said. Picked out as a special talent by fast-bowling legend Wasim Akram in 2007, Amir's pace, control, and ability to swing the ball both ways saw him become the youngest bowler, at 18, to take 50 Test wickets including five-fors in his last two matches. His return has been eagerly awaited by most fans in cricket mad Pakistan, though some notable critics, including former captain Ramiz Raja, have argued he should not be given a second chance in the sport. His club's three-day match against a side fielded by the Army will be contingent on the weather. Northern Pakistan is currently experiencing an unseasonal bout of torrential rainfall that is predicted to clear up by Monday. — Agencies Cameron re-elected WICB president Embattled Jamaican Dave Cameron has staved off the challenge of former Barbadian player Joel Garner to retain the presidency of the West Indies Cricket Board Saturday. Cameron received eight of the 12 votes on offer from affiliates in Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands. Incumbent vice president Emmanuel Nanthan was also returned to office after turning back Baldath Mahabir by a margin of 8-4. — Agencies
