Pakistan go into today’s round match against Australia placed in unfamiliar territory: A place in the last-four already sealed and the added luxury of testing bench strength.
Back-to-back, convincing wins over West Indies and India — preceded by wins against Sri Lanka and the Warriors in the warm-up matches — have produced the healthy bout of momentum and confidence that Younis Khan, Pakistan’s captain, will hope to carry forward into the semi-finals.
However, with Australia’s simplest route to the semi-finals resting in Pakistan’s loss, the onus is on Younis’ team to carry on the winning form, perform to their potential to ensure a hundred per cent record going into the knock-out round.
“Even with our last-four place confirmed, I’d still like to tell my players to play good cricket to our potential because we’re a top side when we do that and ensure the winning momentum is not lost,” Younis said in his pre-match press conference.
“We have improved considerably over the last few months and Australia is a very strong side, fresh from their recent win in England, so I would not label any favourites for the game. We have a great chance of winning and are very lucky to be in the situation where we only need two more wins to lift the trophy and we’ll be looking to do just that.”
While Younis is still nursing the fractured finger on the right hand — a direct throw from the same hand effected Gautam Gambhir’s runout on Saturday — Imran Nazir, with stitches on his right hand due to injury suffered early in the Indian innings, looks certain to miss out. Out of form Misbah-ul-Haq will replace him.
The forced absence of Imran, the only specialist opener in the squad, will mean promotion for either Shoaib Malik or Fawad Alam who looks set to feature for the first time in the tournament.
Mohammad Asif also looks certain to cash in on the situation and will most likely replace Mohammad Aamir with Umar Gul hoping to recover from a horror show against India.
The loss of Imran Nazir has left Younis unperturbed as he emphasised the importance of flexibility in the batting order and doing away with the need for specialist openers in the side.
“Imran is a useful batsman for us and I know there is an innings left in him for us in the tournament. His stitches aren’t serious and we might play him against Australia or may decide to rest him. Even if he’s omitted, it won’t be a problem for us since we have experienced players who have played in that position before. Also, in Twenty20 and ODIs, you don’t need specialist openers anymore as we’re able to adapt to situations.”
“In today’s cricket, your performance on the day matters the most and not past results. We won against a top nation [India] recently and are pitted against another now. There are no guarantees on who will take wickets or score runs but both teams go into the match equal.”
Pakistani spinning duo of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi caused problems for the Australians in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. With decent performances under their belt on the tour already, both Afridi and Ajmal are hoping for a repeat show. Ponting, though, shrugged aside any concerns and lauded his batsmen’s show against the Indian spinners.
“I’m obviously disappointed with the result against India as we were in a really good position,” Ponting said. “However, the positive out of that abandoned game was our batting, especially the show against spinners since we expect more of the same from Pakistan as well.
“It will be very disappointing if we lose to Pakistan and fail to progress,’ Ponting added. ‘However, it all depends on how we play knowing how dangerous Pakistan can be, especially with the kind of cricket they’ve been playing recently. We had a good result in the UAE and we’re hoping the lessons learnt there are utlised here as well.”
Younis was also wary of the fact that progress for India depended on Pakistan’s win at the Centurion today. With MS Dhoni, India’s captain, making it clear who he will be supporting — “We want Pakistan to win” were the words in his pre-match press conference — Younis has downplayed speculations that fielding a weakened team will undermine India’s effort.
“We wanted to be in a situation where we don’t need to depend on other teams for our progress. We have been lucky to be in this situation. Everyone knows the number of followers India has in Pakistan and vice versa. It’s cricket and life shouldn’t depend on winning or losing and we will give it our best to carry forward the winning momentum for our sake.”
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 30, 2009.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Malik firm to carry form into remaining games
Shoaib Malik, the architect of Pakistan’s superb win over India on Saturday, remains confident that his match-winning knock was not a one-off spectacle and hopes to carry his form through to the next crucial matches of the Champions Trophy.
“When a team puts up a 300-plus total, the opposition is always under pressure even with aggressive starts,” said Malik during a chat with the media. “It was tough chasing under lights and the fact that we put up 300, it also added to the psychological pressure.”
I was quite content with my performance. It was difficult at the start and I had to adopt a defensive approach to my batting because stability was what the team needed. I blocked and blocked since the team had lost quick wickets that added to the pressure on me,” explained the all-rounder. “However, there came a point where I could play my natural game and could afford to attack. The resulting century was a joyous occasion for me, Pakistan’s win against India putting it into a different context. I’m very happy we won and I want to carry my form [second century on the tour so far] into the remaining matches.”
Meanwhile, Indian captain MS Dhoni was candid about his team’s shortcomings in the crucial game. “Pakistan bowlers exploited the conditions well, they had fielders in the right places and batted knowing fully well what was required,” said Dhoni. “We failed at that, lost too many wickets, gave away too many runs, bowled too short and a safe line and there were chances we could’ve created but we weren’t consistent with out line. In conditions like these, you have to change and adjust accordingly. We had to be smart but we weren’t and in the end, we could’ve done a lot better in the match.”
“At one point I thought we were short on three bowlers. It was an off day for Harbhajan and I didn’t know who to turn to, who to bowl, where to bowl and what field to place. The shots went into the gaps and it became really tough in the middle.”
While the Indian captain felt the heat, Younis, with the fractured right-hand finger, was happy with his side’s performance and looked forward to the match against Australia.
“I’m glad we made our own way to the semi-finals instead of relying on other teams. I’m also happy since I decided to play this match despite the injury as I would’ve definitely missed being out in the middle if I had opted to sit out. Even if we had lost, my risk would’ve been worth taking and people would’ve agreed that I tried instead of hiding. I’m glad with what we achieved and how the players responded in all three departments of the game and it was a great feeling to beat the top-ranked ODI team in the world by 50-plus runs.”
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 29, 2009
“When a team puts up a 300-plus total, the opposition is always under pressure even with aggressive starts,” said Malik during a chat with the media. “It was tough chasing under lights and the fact that we put up 300, it also added to the psychological pressure.”
I was quite content with my performance. It was difficult at the start and I had to adopt a defensive approach to my batting because stability was what the team needed. I blocked and blocked since the team had lost quick wickets that added to the pressure on me,” explained the all-rounder. “However, there came a point where I could play my natural game and could afford to attack. The resulting century was a joyous occasion for me, Pakistan’s win against India putting it into a different context. I’m very happy we won and I want to carry my form [second century on the tour so far] into the remaining matches.”
Meanwhile, Indian captain MS Dhoni was candid about his team’s shortcomings in the crucial game. “Pakistan bowlers exploited the conditions well, they had fielders in the right places and batted knowing fully well what was required,” said Dhoni. “We failed at that, lost too many wickets, gave away too many runs, bowled too short and a safe line and there were chances we could’ve created but we weren’t consistent with out line. In conditions like these, you have to change and adjust accordingly. We had to be smart but we weren’t and in the end, we could’ve done a lot better in the match.”
“At one point I thought we were short on three bowlers. It was an off day for Harbhajan and I didn’t know who to turn to, who to bowl, where to bowl and what field to place. The shots went into the gaps and it became really tough in the middle.”
While the Indian captain felt the heat, Younis, with the fractured right-hand finger, was happy with his side’s performance and looked forward to the match against Australia.
“I’m glad we made our own way to the semi-finals instead of relying on other teams. I’m also happy since I decided to play this match despite the injury as I would’ve definitely missed being out in the middle if I had opted to sit out. Even if we had lost, my risk would’ve been worth taking and people would’ve agreed that I tried instead of hiding. I’m glad with what we achieved and how the players responded in all three departments of the game and it was a great feeling to beat the top-ranked ODI team in the world by 50-plus runs.”
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 29, 2009
Bowlers’ generosity with extras worries Intikhab
Despite a convincing win against arch-rivals India at the Centurion on Saturday, Pakistan’s coach Intikhab Alam remained wary of his side’s generosity with extras and reminded his bowlers not to repeat the mistakes against Australia on Wednesday.
Pakistan, who restricted the top-ranked ODI team India to 248 who were chasing 303, gave away 22 extras that included 11 wides and seven no-balls. Umar Gul, who was taken apart by the Indian batsmen while going wicketless, was guilty of over-stepping three times with the resulting freehits costing Pakistan 14 runs.
Intikhab, Pakistan’s coach, braved sunny and warm conditions during Pakistan’s three-hour long training session on Monday to ensure his bowlers did not cross the line. “In today’s cricket, it is a crime to bowl no-balls,” Intikhab said after the training session. “It’s not just the extra run and the ball, but also the freehit that the batsmen get which can cause problems. We are very strict about it and I position myself at the bowler’s end in the nets to make sure we limit over-stepping.
“At times, it’s the pressure on the bowler as well. Against India, for example, the bowlers stretched a little extra to deliver what was required off them but that’s not an excuse. There won’t be as much pressure on them against Australia so I hope we don’t make such mistakes again.”
Apart from the extras situation, Intikhab was content with his team’s performance that has seen them win all four matches on the tour so far. Playing back-to-back matches against the world’s top-ranked ODI team and reigning world champions, according to Intikhab, will help the players improve their skills.
“We are fully prepared for the Australians and will go into the match with a different strategy to the Indians. It’s always a challenge to play a better side and gives our players a chance to learn. Our team has tremendous potential as well as definite plan for every individual so that if things don’t go in our favour, there is a back-up that we can fall on in the field. The good thing, for us, is that we are peaking at the right time and the winning momentum is doing wonders to the players’ confidence levels.”
Intikhab also termed the availability of Mohammad Asif, eligible for selection after completing his 12-month ban last Wednesday, a healthy dilemma for the team management but admitted it was difficult to accommodate him in the starting eleven.
Asif, who could have made his comeback in Pakistan’s opening game against the West Indies, last represented Pakistan almost 18 months ago and was unable to participate in international or domestic cricket due to the ban. “His omission is actually a good thing for Pakistan cricket. It does give us a headache selecting teams but it’s difficult to omit someone who has been performing in order to accommodate him. Our selection policy is simple: you perform and you’ll make it to the final eleven and that, itself, is a challenge and incentive for our players to perform in every single match.”
Pakistan’s match against Australia at Centurion may be of significance depending on India’s performance against the same opponents. Pakistan lost a five-match ODI series against the world champions in the UAE earlier this year. With Australia hosting Pakistan for a Test and ODI series starting in December, Intikhab wants a clinical show on the field and has backed his spinners to cause plenty of problems.
“I won’t say they are vulnerable to spin but we do have two world-class spinners in our squad who gave the Australians plenty of problems in the UAE. They are very professional but playing Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi will be a challenge for them as well. We did well against them earlier, in a series we should’ve won. But we beat them in the Twenty20 and that was the start of good things for us.”
Saeed, with four wickets in the tournament so far, caused a few problems in April, an act he is hoping to repeat when the two sides meet again.
“The Australians don’t play spin particularly well which was obvious in the UAE,” Saeed said. “It was a good series for me and I was successful against them and that is exactly what I will be aiming to repeat on Wednesday. I’m particularly looking forward to bowling against Ricky Ponting, who I’ve never bowled to before, and am targeting his wicket more than anyone else’s.”
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 29, 2009
Pakistan, who restricted the top-ranked ODI team India to 248 who were chasing 303, gave away 22 extras that included 11 wides and seven no-balls. Umar Gul, who was taken apart by the Indian batsmen while going wicketless, was guilty of over-stepping three times with the resulting freehits costing Pakistan 14 runs.
Intikhab, Pakistan’s coach, braved sunny and warm conditions during Pakistan’s three-hour long training session on Monday to ensure his bowlers did not cross the line. “In today’s cricket, it is a crime to bowl no-balls,” Intikhab said after the training session. “It’s not just the extra run and the ball, but also the freehit that the batsmen get which can cause problems. We are very strict about it and I position myself at the bowler’s end in the nets to make sure we limit over-stepping.
“At times, it’s the pressure on the bowler as well. Against India, for example, the bowlers stretched a little extra to deliver what was required off them but that’s not an excuse. There won’t be as much pressure on them against Australia so I hope we don’t make such mistakes again.”
Apart from the extras situation, Intikhab was content with his team’s performance that has seen them win all four matches on the tour so far. Playing back-to-back matches against the world’s top-ranked ODI team and reigning world champions, according to Intikhab, will help the players improve their skills.
“We are fully prepared for the Australians and will go into the match with a different strategy to the Indians. It’s always a challenge to play a better side and gives our players a chance to learn. Our team has tremendous potential as well as definite plan for every individual so that if things don’t go in our favour, there is a back-up that we can fall on in the field. The good thing, for us, is that we are peaking at the right time and the winning momentum is doing wonders to the players’ confidence levels.”
Intikhab also termed the availability of Mohammad Asif, eligible for selection after completing his 12-month ban last Wednesday, a healthy dilemma for the team management but admitted it was difficult to accommodate him in the starting eleven.
Asif, who could have made his comeback in Pakistan’s opening game against the West Indies, last represented Pakistan almost 18 months ago and was unable to participate in international or domestic cricket due to the ban. “His omission is actually a good thing for Pakistan cricket. It does give us a headache selecting teams but it’s difficult to omit someone who has been performing in order to accommodate him. Our selection policy is simple: you perform and you’ll make it to the final eleven and that, itself, is a challenge and incentive for our players to perform in every single match.”
Pakistan’s match against Australia at Centurion may be of significance depending on India’s performance against the same opponents. Pakistan lost a five-match ODI series against the world champions in the UAE earlier this year. With Australia hosting Pakistan for a Test and ODI series starting in December, Intikhab wants a clinical show on the field and has backed his spinners to cause plenty of problems.
“I won’t say they are vulnerable to spin but we do have two world-class spinners in our squad who gave the Australians plenty of problems in the UAE. They are very professional but playing Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi will be a challenge for them as well. We did well against them earlier, in a series we should’ve won. But we beat them in the Twenty20 and that was the start of good things for us.”
Saeed, with four wickets in the tournament so far, caused a few problems in April, an act he is hoping to repeat when the two sides meet again.
“The Australians don’t play spin particularly well which was obvious in the UAE,” Saeed said. “It was a good series for me and I was successful against them and that is exactly what I will be aiming to repeat on Wednesday. I’m particularly looking forward to bowling against Ricky Ponting, who I’ve never bowled to before, and am targeting his wicket more than anyone else’s.”
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 29, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Hardworking Rana Naved unperturbed by omission talk
As the Pakistan team management ponder over the inclusion of Mohammad Asif for the match against arch-rivals India, Rana Naved seems the likeliest omission despite a sound performance at The Wanderers.
A wicket in his second over and movement throughout the innings, Naved remained a threat to the under-strength West Indies line-up before Umar Gul and the spinners brought about a speedy end to the innings.
Naved, who made his comeback to the national side after quitting the ICL, was faced with a similar situation at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. A shock loss at the hands of the hosts in the tournament opener left Pakistan facing an uphill task to make it past the first round.
Naved returned with unimpressive figures of 0 for 49 in nine overs and was then overlooked for the rest of the tournament that Pakistan exited early following shock defeat at the hands of Ireland.
Giving a confident look despite the axe looming, Naved, having taken 101 wickets in 66 ODIs, termed it part and parcel of the game and remained unperturbed by the return of Mohammad Asif who looks likely to take over his place in the starting line-up.
“I’m actually happy for Asif and his comeback following the ban,” Naved told Dawn. “It’s a good thing for Pakistan cricket and will help the team immensely. I’m not worried about him being included in the side at my expense as he is not only my club-mate but is also from the same city as me and I can only wish him well. I’m a strong believer in the team consisting of performers who will help achieve victory be it Asif or me.”
Asif, who underwent a surprise dope test on the first day back with the squad, shrugged aside apprehensions of match fitness and physical health. “Although I haven’t played international cricket for a long time now, I have been involved in training at the NCA as well as with club teams in Pakistan. I’ve never felt I’ve been away from the game itself and my fitness levels can be judged by my performance in the nets and the fact that the selectors chose me in the squad.”
Younis, fully aware of the stakes which a Pakistan-India match offers, and considering how a bad performance can jeopardise Pakistan’s stay in the tournament, remained adamant that Asif’s inclusion in the playing eleven was a risk worth taking. Refraining from naming the final eleven until the toss on Saturday afternoon, Younis, after viewing Asif’s performance during training on Thursday, hinted while taking to Dawn that the lanky pacer may make his return to international cricket sooner rather than later.
Whatever the playing eleven today, Rana Naved was content with his own performance after making his comeback to international cricket. Terming the ICL a good learning curve and event that helped Indian cricket immensely, he did emphasis on the difference in the level of cricket in the league to what an international opposition offers. However, part of the Lahore Badhshahs squad that won the final 50-over tournament, it was not only his bowling but his batting — and sledging at times — that helped his team lift the trophy.
“ICL was a wonderful experience as we had ex-Pakistan players in the Badshahs squad. We all had good seasons and that helped a lot of us make successful returns to the Pakistan squad as well. It also helped the Indian youngsters who got a chance to play with the experienced internationals and learn a lot by just sharing the playing field with them.”
Following a successful county stint with Yorkshire, Naved could only manage one wicket in the first two matches of his comeback. However, Naved’s 4 for 44 in his third matches silenced the critics and assured the selectors into handing him a place in the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy.
“It was difficult making a comeback for Pakistan after being out for so long. The first match was specially difficult as is always the case when you come back after an injury or omission. However, my fitness levels remained high throughout and so was the morale so thankfully I didn’t have a reason to be worried and it showed in my performance in the following matches.”
However, with the team management desperate for Asif to get into form prior to the Test series in New Zealand and Australia, Naved, with an impressive 31 wickets in 15 matches against India, may well carry drinks against India. For Pakistan’s sake, the change, if it happens, must pay immediate dividends for the risk not to pay off may have severe consequences on Pakistan’s future in the tournament.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN, Sep 26, 2009
A wicket in his second over and movement throughout the innings, Naved remained a threat to the under-strength West Indies line-up before Umar Gul and the spinners brought about a speedy end to the innings.
Naved, who made his comeback to the national side after quitting the ICL, was faced with a similar situation at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. A shock loss at the hands of the hosts in the tournament opener left Pakistan facing an uphill task to make it past the first round.
Naved returned with unimpressive figures of 0 for 49 in nine overs and was then overlooked for the rest of the tournament that Pakistan exited early following shock defeat at the hands of Ireland.
Giving a confident look despite the axe looming, Naved, having taken 101 wickets in 66 ODIs, termed it part and parcel of the game and remained unperturbed by the return of Mohammad Asif who looks likely to take over his place in the starting line-up.
“I’m actually happy for Asif and his comeback following the ban,” Naved told Dawn. “It’s a good thing for Pakistan cricket and will help the team immensely. I’m not worried about him being included in the side at my expense as he is not only my club-mate but is also from the same city as me and I can only wish him well. I’m a strong believer in the team consisting of performers who will help achieve victory be it Asif or me.”
Asif, who underwent a surprise dope test on the first day back with the squad, shrugged aside apprehensions of match fitness and physical health. “Although I haven’t played international cricket for a long time now, I have been involved in training at the NCA as well as with club teams in Pakistan. I’ve never felt I’ve been away from the game itself and my fitness levels can be judged by my performance in the nets and the fact that the selectors chose me in the squad.”
Younis, fully aware of the stakes which a Pakistan-India match offers, and considering how a bad performance can jeopardise Pakistan’s stay in the tournament, remained adamant that Asif’s inclusion in the playing eleven was a risk worth taking. Refraining from naming the final eleven until the toss on Saturday afternoon, Younis, after viewing Asif’s performance during training on Thursday, hinted while taking to Dawn that the lanky pacer may make his return to international cricket sooner rather than later.
Whatever the playing eleven today, Rana Naved was content with his own performance after making his comeback to international cricket. Terming the ICL a good learning curve and event that helped Indian cricket immensely, he did emphasis on the difference in the level of cricket in the league to what an international opposition offers. However, part of the Lahore Badhshahs squad that won the final 50-over tournament, it was not only his bowling but his batting — and sledging at times — that helped his team lift the trophy.
“ICL was a wonderful experience as we had ex-Pakistan players in the Badshahs squad. We all had good seasons and that helped a lot of us make successful returns to the Pakistan squad as well. It also helped the Indian youngsters who got a chance to play with the experienced internationals and learn a lot by just sharing the playing field with them.”
Following a successful county stint with Yorkshire, Naved could only manage one wicket in the first two matches of his comeback. However, Naved’s 4 for 44 in his third matches silenced the critics and assured the selectors into handing him a place in the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy.
“It was difficult making a comeback for Pakistan after being out for so long. The first match was specially difficult as is always the case when you come back after an injury or omission. However, my fitness levels remained high throughout and so was the morale so thankfully I didn’t have a reason to be worried and it showed in my performance in the following matches.”
However, with the team management desperate for Asif to get into form prior to the Test series in New Zealand and Australia, Naved, with an impressive 31 wickets in 15 matches against India, may well carry drinks against India. For Pakistan’s sake, the change, if it happens, must pay immediate dividends for the risk not to pay off may have severe consequences on Pakistan’s future in the tournament.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN, Sep 26, 2009
I want to emulate Sachin’s 2003 feat in today’s clash: Younis
If wins could be traded for enthusiasm and courage, Younis Khan should collect the winner’s cheque following Pakistan’s crunch encounter against arch-rivals India at the Centurion today.
Younis confirmed his participation in today’s match after missing his side’s opening win against the West Indies due to a fractured finger. Advised four weeks’ rest, Younis remains adamant to play through the pain and hopes to emulate Sachin Tendulkar’s innings against Pakistan at the World Cup 2003 while leading his side to victory.
Pakistan come into the match following three consecutive wins on the tour, a feat alien to the team on tours. India, who claimed number one ranking in the ODI table following South Africa’s defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, were handed a 103-run loss by New Zealand in their only warm-up match. Younis, labelling the opposition the best team in the tournament, remains wary of the fightback India is capable of and opted to make himself available for the encounter despite the injury.
“If the opposition wasn’t India, I might have rested the fractured finger slightly longer,” Younis said in his pre-match conference after Pakistan’s training session. “It’s easy for me to run away from this and avoid the crunch match but I prefer to look at the bigger picture. I want to play, score a century, get the man-of-the-match award or just have a hand in leading Pakistan to victory. Not playing is not an option for me. I want to perform like Sachin did in 2003 against us so that people remember my innings just like they do his, especially given my fractured finger.”
Younis’ return is likely to mark the exit for Imran Nazir, the solitary specialist opener in the 15-man squad with Shoaib Malik likely to be promoted to open the innings with Kamran Akmal.
With Younis forming a formidable middle-order with Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq, with the in-form duo of Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s vice-captain, to follow. The return from the 12-month ban of Mohammad Asif also poses a tricky dilemma for the team management, with the captain keen on drafting the lanky pacer into the side to face India. While shying away from naming the playing eleven, Younis, in an exclusive interview with Dawn, realised that playing Asif would be a huge risk given the stakes but a risk he was willing to take.
“Asif’s return is a welcome sign for us. He looked in good form during the training sessions and, despite his inclusion being a total gamble, it is a risk I’m willing to take. He may turn out to be our trump card and help us beat India or it may backfire badly. But in life, you need to take risks and I’d rather face the consequences in the worst-case scenario than regret not having gambled on him.”
The likely omission, if Pakistan were to include Asif in the squad, will be Rana Naved who had figures of 1 for 26 in the opening match.
Whatever the team combination, Younis has emphasised the need for his players to perform and enable Pakistan to come out on top — a win that, according to Younis, the nation badly Centurion: Pakistan captain Younis Khan (R) and fast bowler Mohammad Asif wait for their turn during a training session at SuperSport Park on Friday. Both will be key
needs. “We all know it’s a crunch match but there is no need to take any pressure. I have told my players the same thing to help motivate them and not take any unnecessary pressure which sometimes directly contributes to a side’s collapse.”
Younis reserved special praise for the younger Akmal, terming his calculated innings against West Indies (and unbeaten 41 off 51 balls) a great sign for the future. “He is a very energetic player and uses his brain well despite being very new to first-class cricket. He adapted well to conditions at the Wanderers, took his time settling in and then launched into his natural game.”
While India will be missing Virendar Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, much emphasis will be on Sachin Tendulkar who took Pakistan apart with a 75-ball 98 in 2003 and if he will be able to repeat his performance from six years ago at this ground.
The Pakistan captain, in awe of that innings and cherishing the chance to see Tendulkar in action once again, remained confident that it was the Indian batsman and not the Pakistan side that will be under pressure.
“As we know India will be without their key players and because of that, the onus will be on Sachin to perform and deliver. There’s nothing scary about him as he’s not a ghost and I’m actually happy when he scores
against us. It gives me pleasure to watch him bat and score and there’s a lot you can learn by watching him do just that. However, we’re playing against eleven men and not an individual so we need to look out for the whole team and not just a single batsman.”
While much will depend on the toss, with the lack of sunshine coming into the match likely to keep the pitch soft and difficult for batting, bowlers are still expected to be the underdogs with both teams fielding strong batting line-ups.
For India, it will be a case of carrying on from their Twenty20 win against Pakistan at The Oval in June. Pakistan, however, will be hoping for a lesson learnt, restricting the run-flow and hoping the wall crumbles against an unnerving and energetic bowling attack and an individual hoping to make amends for his actions just over twelve months ago.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 26, 2009
Younis confirmed his participation in today’s match after missing his side’s opening win against the West Indies due to a fractured finger. Advised four weeks’ rest, Younis remains adamant to play through the pain and hopes to emulate Sachin Tendulkar’s innings against Pakistan at the World Cup 2003 while leading his side to victory.
Pakistan come into the match following three consecutive wins on the tour, a feat alien to the team on tours. India, who claimed number one ranking in the ODI table following South Africa’s defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka, were handed a 103-run loss by New Zealand in their only warm-up match. Younis, labelling the opposition the best team in the tournament, remains wary of the fightback India is capable of and opted to make himself available for the encounter despite the injury.
“If the opposition wasn’t India, I might have rested the fractured finger slightly longer,” Younis said in his pre-match conference after Pakistan’s training session. “It’s easy for me to run away from this and avoid the crunch match but I prefer to look at the bigger picture. I want to play, score a century, get the man-of-the-match award or just have a hand in leading Pakistan to victory. Not playing is not an option for me. I want to perform like Sachin did in 2003 against us so that people remember my innings just like they do his, especially given my fractured finger.”
Younis’ return is likely to mark the exit for Imran Nazir, the solitary specialist opener in the 15-man squad with Shoaib Malik likely to be promoted to open the innings with Kamran Akmal.
With Younis forming a formidable middle-order with Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq, with the in-form duo of Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s vice-captain, to follow. The return from the 12-month ban of Mohammad Asif also poses a tricky dilemma for the team management, with the captain keen on drafting the lanky pacer into the side to face India. While shying away from naming the playing eleven, Younis, in an exclusive interview with Dawn, realised that playing Asif would be a huge risk given the stakes but a risk he was willing to take.
“Asif’s return is a welcome sign for us. He looked in good form during the training sessions and, despite his inclusion being a total gamble, it is a risk I’m willing to take. He may turn out to be our trump card and help us beat India or it may backfire badly. But in life, you need to take risks and I’d rather face the consequences in the worst-case scenario than regret not having gambled on him.”
The likely omission, if Pakistan were to include Asif in the squad, will be Rana Naved who had figures of 1 for 26 in the opening match.
Whatever the team combination, Younis has emphasised the need for his players to perform and enable Pakistan to come out on top — a win that, according to Younis, the nation badly Centurion: Pakistan captain Younis Khan (R) and fast bowler Mohammad Asif wait for their turn during a training session at SuperSport Park on Friday. Both will be key
needs. “We all know it’s a crunch match but there is no need to take any pressure. I have told my players the same thing to help motivate them and not take any unnecessary pressure which sometimes directly contributes to a side’s collapse.”
Younis reserved special praise for the younger Akmal, terming his calculated innings against West Indies (and unbeaten 41 off 51 balls) a great sign for the future. “He is a very energetic player and uses his brain well despite being very new to first-class cricket. He adapted well to conditions at the Wanderers, took his time settling in and then launched into his natural game.”
While India will be missing Virendar Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, much emphasis will be on Sachin Tendulkar who took Pakistan apart with a 75-ball 98 in 2003 and if he will be able to repeat his performance from six years ago at this ground.
The Pakistan captain, in awe of that innings and cherishing the chance to see Tendulkar in action once again, remained confident that it was the Indian batsman and not the Pakistan side that will be under pressure.
“As we know India will be without their key players and because of that, the onus will be on Sachin to perform and deliver. There’s nothing scary about him as he’s not a ghost and I’m actually happy when he scores
against us. It gives me pleasure to watch him bat and score and there’s a lot you can learn by watching him do just that. However, we’re playing against eleven men and not an individual so we need to look out for the whole team and not just a single batsman.”
While much will depend on the toss, with the lack of sunshine coming into the match likely to keep the pitch soft and difficult for batting, bowlers are still expected to be the underdogs with both teams fielding strong batting line-ups.
For India, it will be a case of carrying on from their Twenty20 win against Pakistan at The Oval in June. Pakistan, however, will be hoping for a lesson learnt, restricting the run-flow and hoping the wall crumbles against an unnerving and energetic bowling attack and an individual hoping to make amends for his actions just over twelve months ago.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 26, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
I was given a free hand at the crease: Umar Akmal
A fine unbeaten, match-winning innings on Wednesday against the West Indies further cemented dashing Umar Akmal’s place in the Pakistan one day side as the young batsman once again showed maturity beyond his age in his team’s opening game at the ICC Champions Trophy.
Countering a seemingly-innocuous bowling attack that had threaded through Pakistan’s strong batting line-up chasing a small total, Umar, playing only his fifth ODI, blended caution and aggression aptly and even left his captain, Shahid Afridi, subdued and in admiration.
“I was delighted to be part of the team and playing my first match in an ICC tournament,” Umar, who already has a century and a half-century in ODIs to his name, said after his 51-ball 41. “Our bowlers did a very good job but we struggled slightly with the bat. However, I must thank the team management for all the support as even before coming into bat, I was given a free hand and told to play my natural game.”
Umar, with a career strike-rate of almost 100, did curb his natural ways initially with Pakistan reeling at 61 for 4, Gavin Tonge having taken a career-best four wickets. Easing into his stay onto the pitch gradually, lofted, drove and flicked Pakistan towards the target, hitting six boundaries and carrying on the scintillating start to his international career.
“It was a difficult pitch with uneven bounce and light grass and the batsmen couldn’t hit freely,” Intikhab Alam, Pakistan’s coach, said. “We created problems for ourselves. Most of our dismissals were due to reckless strokeplay as you had to wait for the ball to come onto you and play in the gaps. However, we bowled a good line after losing the toss and that ensured we were not chasing a mammoth total.
“I was impressed with the way Afridi captained the side too. It was a good decision by the board to appoint him captain following Younis Khan’s resignation after the World Twenty20 and that decision was part of future planning. Afridi showed a lot of maturity and responsibility and I’m sure he will get more chances in the future to show more of the same.”
Intikhab also reserved praise for Umar, who got hit on his finger by a beamer from Tino Best, while reminding the youngster of bigger tests that await — Pakistan’s next match at Centurion on Saturday which is against India. “Umar has done a great deal of work and performed well in a very short space of time. We expect great deal from him as he has a great future. However, we must not get complacent since we have a very important match coming up against India.”
While Younis looks all set to return from injury to play that crucial game — India’s opening match of the tournament — their opponents have injury concerns of their own. Already without the services of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, India also lost Yuvraj Singh to a finger injury thus tilting the balance slightly in favour of Pakistan.
“Yuvraj has done wonders for Indian cricket and his services will be severely missed by the team,” Intikhab said. “However, these things happen in cricket and for it to matter in the end, we must ensure we don’t have hiccups as this is a great chance to beat India in an ICC tournament.”
Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif trained with the squad for the first time on Wednesday following the completion of a twelve-month ban for doping offence. Asif, despite the competitive-cricket drought, is match-fit and in contention of a place in the starting line-up for Saturday, according to Intikhab.
“Asif is completely match-fit as he has been training with the academy and club sides in Pakistan. It’s good to have him back and it will provide us with a welcome dilemma whether to include him or not in the team since our bowlers performed really well against West Indies.”
While the initial jitters and poor-starters tag was put to place in a flimsy manner, three points ensure Pakistan go to Centurion on Saturday beaming with confidence. A win will ensure Pakistan make it to the last four of the Champions Trophy for only the first time. A loss, however, will not only need a win against Australia in their final group match but also incur the fans’ wrath, especially with the support both teams are expected to have in the stands on Saturday.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 25, 2009.
Countering a seemingly-innocuous bowling attack that had threaded through Pakistan’s strong batting line-up chasing a small total, Umar, playing only his fifth ODI, blended caution and aggression aptly and even left his captain, Shahid Afridi, subdued and in admiration.
“I was delighted to be part of the team and playing my first match in an ICC tournament,” Umar, who already has a century and a half-century in ODIs to his name, said after his 51-ball 41. “Our bowlers did a very good job but we struggled slightly with the bat. However, I must thank the team management for all the support as even before coming into bat, I was given a free hand and told to play my natural game.”
Umar, with a career strike-rate of almost 100, did curb his natural ways initially with Pakistan reeling at 61 for 4, Gavin Tonge having taken a career-best four wickets. Easing into his stay onto the pitch gradually, lofted, drove and flicked Pakistan towards the target, hitting six boundaries and carrying on the scintillating start to his international career.
“It was a difficult pitch with uneven bounce and light grass and the batsmen couldn’t hit freely,” Intikhab Alam, Pakistan’s coach, said. “We created problems for ourselves. Most of our dismissals were due to reckless strokeplay as you had to wait for the ball to come onto you and play in the gaps. However, we bowled a good line after losing the toss and that ensured we were not chasing a mammoth total.
“I was impressed with the way Afridi captained the side too. It was a good decision by the board to appoint him captain following Younis Khan’s resignation after the World Twenty20 and that decision was part of future planning. Afridi showed a lot of maturity and responsibility and I’m sure he will get more chances in the future to show more of the same.”
Intikhab also reserved praise for Umar, who got hit on his finger by a beamer from Tino Best, while reminding the youngster of bigger tests that await — Pakistan’s next match at Centurion on Saturday which is against India. “Umar has done a great deal of work and performed well in a very short space of time. We expect great deal from him as he has a great future. However, we must not get complacent since we have a very important match coming up against India.”
While Younis looks all set to return from injury to play that crucial game — India’s opening match of the tournament — their opponents have injury concerns of their own. Already without the services of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, India also lost Yuvraj Singh to a finger injury thus tilting the balance slightly in favour of Pakistan.
“Yuvraj has done wonders for Indian cricket and his services will be severely missed by the team,” Intikhab said. “However, these things happen in cricket and for it to matter in the end, we must ensure we don’t have hiccups as this is a great chance to beat India in an ICC tournament.”
Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif trained with the squad for the first time on Wednesday following the completion of a twelve-month ban for doping offence. Asif, despite the competitive-cricket drought, is match-fit and in contention of a place in the starting line-up for Saturday, according to Intikhab.
“Asif is completely match-fit as he has been training with the academy and club sides in Pakistan. It’s good to have him back and it will provide us with a welcome dilemma whether to include him or not in the team since our bowlers performed really well against West Indies.”
While the initial jitters and poor-starters tag was put to place in a flimsy manner, three points ensure Pakistan go to Centurion on Saturday beaming with confidence. A win will ensure Pakistan make it to the last four of the Champions Trophy for only the first time. A loss, however, will not only need a win against Australia in their final group match but also incur the fans’ wrath, especially with the support both teams are expected to have in the stands on Saturday.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper, Sep 25, 2009.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Afridi, Younis confident of good show
Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain, has opposed Shane Warne’s suggestion of scrapping the 50-over format of cricket and urged the ICC to carry on with all three formats in order to promote the game.
Warne, the former Australian leg-spinner who captained Rajasthan Royals to the inaugural IPL title, was convinced that one-day cricket had past its ‘sell-by date’ and that, going forward, Tests and Twenty20 cricket should be adopted by the ICC as the two recognised formats.
Afridi, who holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs while scoring over five-and-a-half-thousand runs, remained confident that 50-over cricket still had a lot to offer and scrapping the format would rob cricket of some glamour and not achieve the desired results.
“One-day cricket is still very popular among fans and players and I see no reason to do away with this format,” Afridi, who is in England to raise money for the Swat victims, told Dawn on Tuesday. “If the authorities feel that the game drags on, they can reduce the overs to 40, with the required adjustments to the playing conditions. But I don’t believe it has gone past it’s sell-by date and they should definitely not do away with it.”
Pakistan’s next ODI assignment is the Champions Trophy which will be held in South Africa from Sept 22.
Confident of the team performing well despite the recent series-loss against Sri Lanka, Younis Khan, Pakistan’s ODI and Test captain, hoped the three-match winning streak will ensure his team starts well. Losing the Test series 2-0 and the first three ODIs, Pakistan came back strongly to register wins in the final two ODIs as well as the one-off Twenty20.
“Everybody knows how the Pakistan team functions: They start slow and gather momentum as they progress,” Younis, who is also in London for the fund-raising event, said. “We managed to sort things out quickly when they were going wrong in the World Cup and we managed that again in Sri Lanka. The last three wins have given the team the bout of confidence they required for the Champions Trophy. The amazing wins will enable us to do well in the big tournament.”
Afridi also urged the cricketing world, especially the subcontinent teams, to resume tours to Pakistan. Reminding India and Sri Lanka of the visits that Pakistan made when situation in those countries was adverse to foreign teams touring, he hoped for the favour would be returned for the sake of Pakistan cricket.
“In Pakistan, cricket is everything after religion. Winning the World Cup served as an eye-opener for the rest of the world, reminding them that we aren’t bad people and playing cricket is what we want to do. And although our fans in England gave us the support that we would’ve gotten back home, we still need to play in Pakistan for us, for the fans and for the revival of Pakistan cricket.”
While playing at home remains a distant prospect, a hectic schedule awaits Pakistan after the three-month rest following the World Twenty20. Following the Champions Trophy, Pakistan is due to take on New Zealand — location of the series is yet to be confirmed — towards the end of the year before flying to Australia for three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN Aug 20, 2009
Warne, the former Australian leg-spinner who captained Rajasthan Royals to the inaugural IPL title, was convinced that one-day cricket had past its ‘sell-by date’ and that, going forward, Tests and Twenty20 cricket should be adopted by the ICC as the two recognised formats.
Afridi, who holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs while scoring over five-and-a-half-thousand runs, remained confident that 50-over cricket still had a lot to offer and scrapping the format would rob cricket of some glamour and not achieve the desired results.
“One-day cricket is still very popular among fans and players and I see no reason to do away with this format,” Afridi, who is in England to raise money for the Swat victims, told Dawn on Tuesday. “If the authorities feel that the game drags on, they can reduce the overs to 40, with the required adjustments to the playing conditions. But I don’t believe it has gone past it’s sell-by date and they should definitely not do away with it.”
Pakistan’s next ODI assignment is the Champions Trophy which will be held in South Africa from Sept 22.
Confident of the team performing well despite the recent series-loss against Sri Lanka, Younis Khan, Pakistan’s ODI and Test captain, hoped the three-match winning streak will ensure his team starts well. Losing the Test series 2-0 and the first three ODIs, Pakistan came back strongly to register wins in the final two ODIs as well as the one-off Twenty20.
“Everybody knows how the Pakistan team functions: They start slow and gather momentum as they progress,” Younis, who is also in London for the fund-raising event, said. “We managed to sort things out quickly when they were going wrong in the World Cup and we managed that again in Sri Lanka. The last three wins have given the team the bout of confidence they required for the Champions Trophy. The amazing wins will enable us to do well in the big tournament.”
Afridi also urged the cricketing world, especially the subcontinent teams, to resume tours to Pakistan. Reminding India and Sri Lanka of the visits that Pakistan made when situation in those countries was adverse to foreign teams touring, he hoped for the favour would be returned for the sake of Pakistan cricket.
“In Pakistan, cricket is everything after religion. Winning the World Cup served as an eye-opener for the rest of the world, reminding them that we aren’t bad people and playing cricket is what we want to do. And although our fans in England gave us the support that we would’ve gotten back home, we still need to play in Pakistan for us, for the fans and for the revival of Pakistan cricket.”
While playing at home remains a distant prospect, a hectic schedule awaits Pakistan after the three-month rest following the World Twenty20. Following the Champions Trophy, Pakistan is due to take on New Zealand — location of the series is yet to be confirmed — towards the end of the year before flying to Australia for three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN Aug 20, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Winning partnership
For someone not keen on large business development from a young age, it comes as a surprise that Jayesh Patel now has a group of 12 pharmacies and winner of The Pharmacy Business of the Year Award 2008. Faras Ghani traces Jayesh's humble beginnings, travels across the world in order to pursue a pharmacy career and how support from family has played a key part in his route to success...
From being the first independent pharmacists to win a private contract in an NHS hospital to receiving his second Pharmacy Business Award in three years – The Pharmacy Business of the Year Award 2008 – Jayesh Patel has vehemently labelled it a result of hard work, dedication and teamwork.
While he travelled from his native Kenya to India in order to pursue his love for the pharmacy world – where he not only completed his pharmacy degree but also met his wife, Illa – it was not until the completion of his pre-reg year from Sunderland that Jayesh thought about owning a pharmacy himself.
'I always had an interest in science and I wanted to pursue a career in medicine hence the trip to India following my O'Levels in Kenya,' Jayesh said. 'However, such was the competition for medical courses in India that I failed to achieve the required grades and took up the next best option: Pharmacy. And it just happened that I got a chance to pursue that degree in India.'
Following that, Jayesh made a trip across the continents to England, where his parents were residing and with a helpful qualifying procedure for overseas pharmacists in the 1980s, Jayesh qualified in 1982. 'We had to go through a procedure and couldn't just practise as an overseas pharmacist. We also had to apply to the Society to ensure that they were happy with the pharmacy degree while meeting various criteria. Thankfully, both me and my fiancé met that criteria and it was after qualifying that I realised I had aspiration to go into business but never imagined I'd develop such a successful group.'
The group, Delmergate Limited, now has 12 pharmacies scattered across Kent and employs around 70 full-time and part-time staff. And it all began, following his three-year stint as a locum, in 1986 withb Jayesh's first pharmacy, situated next to a Tesco superstore. Due to Jayesh's conscientiousness and continuous efforts to community service, it built up a good reputation and things went uphill from there.
'I was at the pharmacy all the time thus being able to answer questions whenever people had them. This allowed the trust between the pharmacy and the community to grow and we never looked back.'
With business running successfully, more and more pharmacies came as a result of recommendation by local GPs. Jayesh opened his first healthcare pharmacy in 1988 – by sheer coincidence, as he put it – and then decided they wanted to be 'very, very specific'.
'We thought that rather than open pharmacies here, there and everywhere, maybe our forte was in developing health-centre pharmacies. And now that we look back, in the 14 years that Delmergate has been in business, all 12 of our pharmacies are very specifically linked to health centres.'
Much of the success is owed to his supporting family, especially his wife and elder brother, as well as an accomplished senior team.
'Following my pre-reg in Sunderland, I lived as a joint family with my brother in south-east London. My wife, too, was in England following her degree as her parents lived here as well.
'I had never thought I had the business acumen. Even if I did, it never transpired I would own more than one shop. My first pharmacy [next to Tesco's] was a very large pharmacy, especially for a first shop. But we ensured it became a complete shop as we had an extensive range of products, including fragrances and even had a photo-lab.
'Following that successful venture, my outlook broadened with tremendous support from elder brother and colleagues who have been with me for 20-odd years. We worked very well as a team and felt that if we could do a fantastic job in one unit, why not go further afield.
'That is why I became a bit bold and by chance and recommendation from one doctor to another that we got interested, we got invited to join other health-centres as well.'
With a tremendous and hard-working team complementing a successful group of pharmacies, the only thing that remained was recognition from a wider audience. Jayesh did win the Pharmacy Business Enterprise Award 2006 but the team felt that the group needed something bigger given the determination and discipline that is on offer in every single Delmergate pharmacy.
'I tend to shy away from publicity but my team felt we deserved the award and they insisted they want to go for it. They felt that the business as a whole had everything in place that would possibly give us the edge over others in order to win the award. The simple reason being the work ethics right from the top. The directors pass it onto senior managers who then pass it onto the staff. Thus the entire group benefits from it and works like a family. Since it was the business of the year award, the whole group had to be involved including staff, people who we deal with, doctors, suppliers. I owe it to the whole team.'
Jayesh had not realised the true worth of the award he had won, the biggest award of the night. But he confirmed that he was ecstatic after receiving it. 'To win the award in front of good and the great in the pharma industry was very special, a moment we'll always cherish.
'We're tucked away in the part of the world where maybe people don't know of us. We quietly develop our own business so it was nice to be acknowledged.'
Jayesh's staff turnover is 'next to nothing' and that helps his business move forward. 'My staff is extremely proud to be working with a company like ours. I have staff who has been with me for a number of year purely because we pride ourselves for the kind of services that we provide.'
Looking after 12 pharmacies, Jayesh has an eye out on the future as well, both in terms of his own business and the future of the pharmacy world. He has welcomed the de-merger of the Society, labelling it a 'welcome move' and one that 'couldn't have come any sooner' and has ensured that recent graduates are drafted into his business so Delmergate can benefit from fresh ideas.
'With new services coming in, we also have a new breed of pharmacists coming in as well. They don't want to be termed mere dispensers and are keen to undertake a bigger role. Fortunately for me, I have a lot of new pharmacists..training up and joining up as the older ones retire and make way.'
Jayesh also lends his support to the Medway School of Pharmacy whereby first and second year students from the School have been training in his pharmacies for the last three years. He also has one of his pharmacists visiting the School and giving a lecture to first-year students every year.
'We not only train students but also our own staff. We have our own pharmacy training, dispensing training and counter training that we pay for but get an outsider to deliver. We normally hold three to four of such events every year and we've asked a law company from London to provide training to our staff regarding the Responsible Pharmacist regulation coming up later this year.'
Despite improved performance complementing the growth, Jayesh has adopted a cautious approach for the future. We try not to acquire new pharmacies but see if we can get new contracts. We've not rapidly expanded into a group of 30 to 40 pharmacies and rack up huge debts but waited for opportunities and rather than paying someone for the goodwill, we create our own.'
A goodwill that has landed awards, recognition and acknowledgement and by the looks of things, it may well carry on for quite some time.
Jayesh's advice to all..
A lot of my colleagues, even with single pharmacies, have embraced the change really well and are adopting to it really well as well. Therefore, if you don't follow suit, your income will drop, you won't earn as much as you used to and you'll be left behind. There might come a time when you'll be forced to do these services and if you don't, the PCTs may decide to withdraw your contract in the future.
This is a forward-looking contract. I see now reason why pharmacists can't adapt. You have to find time and do all the services the PCTs have asked you to do. You also need to delegate to a senior staff. Carry out MURs as they can now be done online. Most of the paperwork can now be done online as well so you have no excuse not to do it.
Be very prudent in your business relationship and cases as the current economy should make you think think twice before going into business. The current economic climate doesn't give anyone any confidence, especially when it comes to newly-qualified pharmacists. Therefore, it is quite risky to invest in a new venture. Everyone is cutting back and the best advice would be to work as hard as possible for now. You should save as much as you can, get enough cash behind you so if you have a very strong biz plan and you went to the bank or a financial institution, first thing they look at is how much of your own capital are you willing to risk. The more you have the better your case becomes.
Then you have a better chance of fighting the nationals as well.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business July 2009
Steadying the ship
In a time of tumultuous change, pharmacists are repeatedly advised by industry experts to adapt the change into their businesses in order to stay afloat. Pharmacy Business reports a similar message that was delivered at the CAMRx Convention 2009 as it eased the growing concerns and reminded individuals to watch out for the 'ice-berg'...
In times when the profession is moving forward with more and more responsibilities handed over to a pharmacist – with customers more inclined to showing up at pharmacies rather than GP surgeries – industry experts are worried at a lack of planning on the individuals' part.
According to Rajni Hindocha, managing director of CAMRx, goals that pharmacists set themselves are not clear enough; Progress, by the looks of it, is not measured or specific; The fun element of work is missing. And as attendees at the CAMRx Convention 2009, held in Southampton last month, found out that knowing what to do was not enough and it was important to do what is known by remembering that a small effort can end up in giant results.
Apart from Hindocha, speakers at the convention included Jonathan Mason, national clinical director for Primary Care and Community Pharmacy DoH; Rob Darracott, chief executive of Company Chemists' Association; Mike Holden, chief officer of Isle of Wight Pharmaceutical Committee; Stuart Ward, clinical director of NHS Hampshire; Fin McCaul, chairman of Independent Pharmacy Federation; Arthur Daines, associate director CAMRx.
With the conference adapting a Titanic theme, Daines aptly launched the event by reminding delegates, and the greater pharmacy profession in general, that it is easy to sit back and laud the strengths while forgetting weaknesses and the 'invisible' factors that are hurting businesses.
'While pharmacists are easily accessible – at the heart of the community – and offer fast and efficient service, they are affected by internal problems such as poor delegation of work and reluctance to change that, ultimately, affects the business in general,' Daines said. 'We also offer instant and friendly service, without the customer having to book an appointment, poor marketing and time management as well as lack of training and development within the business may bring all the good work down quite easily.'
Echoing the message, McCaul spoke about how pharmacists need to realise the objective and harness the opportunity. Passing on his pointers for survival, he stressed that pharmacists need to accept that change was inevitable and rather than opposing it, they must adapt it and share paths.
'The other thing to remember is the current economic situation,'McCaul said. 'The financial roller-coaster is here to stay and we need to prepare and maintain an adaptable business plan that takes into account how the financial world is shaping up.
'While keeping one eye on the market situation, we also need to ensure that we introduce budgeting and forecasts into the business plan and prepare something that impresses the funding banks and wholesalers. In the end, you must ensure that you measure what you do, measure the progress you've made and list the drawbacks in order to be successful.'
Citing the iceberg example, McCaul reminded pharmacists that it was only known issues that were visible on the surface and easy to tackle. The 'hidden part of the iceberg, one that causes most damage' is generally invisible to the naked eye and cause the most damage if not countered.
'Personalities, emotions, hidden issues from the past, interests, needs and desires are all issues that can damage the business if not tackled. There is also the hidden expectation, self perception and self esteem that needs to be looked at for the business to be successful,' he added.
Highlighting the strength and popularity of community pharmacy in the recent years, Darracott said that the number of prescriptions dispensed in community pharmacy has increased by 53 per cent in the last nine years. The value of the prescriptions dispensed has increased considerably as well; 91.7 per cent rise in the last ten years to just over £8,000m.
Alluding to the strengths of community pharmacies, Darracott highlighted its position to reach healthy and well people as well as adding value to existing patient interaction that involves medication something pharmacists need to utilise effectively.
'With that in mind, we need to work together with practitioners, our partners in delivery,' Darracott said. 'Working together on shared goals and shared vision will only help the profession move forward. Pharmacy bodies' work on the White Paper is an example but others need to be engaged. It's a welcome first step in the right direction.'
The idea of collaborative working was explained further by Ward, a GP himself who started with the reminder that primary care is not restricted to GPs alone as it covers a number of trusted professions, namely dentists, optometrists and pharmacists since these professions have the first contact with the population.
'The number of patients is increasing and they are becoming more demanding,' Ward said. 'In order to manage this, healthcare messages need to be aligned. Working as a team will reduce workload, stress and improve your life as well as the patients'.
'The simplest way of improving standards is to utilise the MURs and use them imaginatively, minimise waste, maximise efficiency of repeat prescribing and ensure safe prescribing.' Ward added.
By following the basic guidelines and working together, according to him, the profession can provide better healthcare, develop new services, reduce hassle and annoyance and make life easier for all parties concerned.
As the word 'fun' echoed around the business session, used repeatedly by Hindocha to emphasise its need in a pharmacy, it was deemed important show delegates a glimpse of that. And as the business session terminated with the message of enjoying work, ensuring it does not become a burden, a Titanic-themed gala dinner followed with attendees urged to spark a moment of change in their respective pharmacies the next time they enter them.
Adapting to the change
Since we are surrounded by a huge amount of change, it is essential to provide this kind of support otherwise people are set in their habits. We do this by ensuring that they adopt to the new direction of travel. The major shift from supply to service function means that you need to change your behaviour as well as how you are going to work with the whole team, the interaction, especially, has to change.
We have been getting feedback from our members with regards to our conventions and roadshows and they have been excellent. We are glad to be of help to our members by providing this interaction that helps them to understand that it is just not their problem, it exists across the boards. Since these pharmacists work in silence, they think it's their problem only. Interaction and an event such as this helps break the ice teaches them how to work smartly. They talk to to each other, they talk to us, and they get a full message of interdependency between multiples, independents and the professionals.
Although we compete with each other, we have to learn to work in partnership and while we compete, we should be able to create our own USPs. That's also the overall message — to work in partnership because we have a backdrop of monopoly purchase of services. If we can't be united then we will end up as the biggest losers. We only have one purchaser, if we're united then we will be seen to be one provider and therefore the profession needs to unite.
CAMRx itself is in a very strong position. We are not about numbers but about quality and support. There exists passion in the centre, a quality service that we provide and how best we can support our members' businesses.
R Hindocha
Managing director, CAMRx
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business July 2009
The travel bug
With international travels increasing considerably, there exists a worrying lack of awareness within travellers with regards to vaccinations. As swine flu grows from a few worrying cases into a pandemic, a recent briefing into travel vaccines passed on the experts' concerns...
The ease of travel in the current age has been blamed as a significant reason behind the spread of swine flu (H1N1) as it moved from the first reported cases to pandemic in just five weeks. Despite the global recession that has seemed to affect businesses and individuals globally, and in the UK, there were 68 million trips made abroad by UK residents in the last 12 months.
Worryingly, however, are the results of a TNS survey, showcased in a travel health briefing held in part with Novartis Vaccines, that one in four travellers questioned had no vaccination at all despite travelling to locations where it was required. Of the 334 questioned – of which 110 had visited Asia, 110 had visited Africa and 111 had visited Middle East – 63 per cent spent only half and hour thinking about protecting their health while travelling.
Commenting on the findings, Carol Fraser, representing TNS who carried out the survey, said it was worrying how only one in ten would leave their luggage unprotected but one in four were leaving their health unprotected. She also added that 25 per cent of travellers failed to seek any health advice prior to their travels, thus making themselves more vulnerable to falling ill when abroad.
'What was more surprising that of the 75 per cent that sough medical advice, 7.5 per cent did have the vaccinations that they were advised and a third of those said they were prepared to take the risk,' Fraser added.
According to Dr Richard Dawood, medical director of the Fleet Street Clinic, people were taking advantage of the economic climate and travelling while between jobs or a career change.
'There is a lot of travelling going on right now, especially to exotic locations in Asia and Africa,' Dawood said. 'Travel to Asia has increased three folds in the last 18 years while travel to Africa has doubled in the same period and travel times are less than the incubation period of most diseases.
'Holiday-makers will spend hours choosing their swim-wear or their beach bags or even their flip-flops, but barely minutes thinking about the viruses, bacteria, or other health information and advice that could ruin their trip, or even kill or cripple them. It is therefore advisable for travellers to obtain good health information and advice for each trip from a reliable source.'
The briefing carried a general consensus that a lot more was required by all concerned parties in order to increase public awareness.
The figures speak...
Nearly two-thirds (62%) were holiday-makers while 23% were visiting friends and relatives and 15% were travelling on business.
63% spent less than half and hour thinking about protecting their health and only 3% spent half a day.
25% were no vaccinated against any disease
25% fail to seek any medical advice prior to their travels
Of those that sought advice, 7.5% vaccination that they were advised
Despite 98% being aware of Meningitis, only 16% of those travelling to Africa – known as the Meningitis Belt – were immunised against Meningitis
51% of those visiting Asia were travelling to its rural areas but 34% were unaware of the vaccinations recommended for those areas
TNS survey, 334 respondents
Novartis' H1N1 vaccine production
Novartis has successfully completed the production of the first batch of influenza A(H1N1) vaccine. This vaccine monobulk will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing and is also being considered for use in clinical trials. More than 30 governments have made requests to Novartis to supply them with influenza vaccine ingredients.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business July 2009
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