IPL not moving from India: Modi

NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League commissioner Lalith Modi on Friday rubbished reports that the Twenty20 extravaganza will move out of the country and insisted that the IPL matches would be held only in India.However, he said, the schedule of a few matches would be revised due to elections in India and a fresh schedule would soon be released.Talking with media in Mumbai, Lalith Modi said that 14 cities of India have been selected as the IPL venues and the final schedule would be released next week after reviewing the security arrangements.He said that the IPL matches would not be played on dates of ballot-counting in India.The IPL commissioner will hold a meeting at the BCCI headquarters later in the day, after six of the eight host states voiced concerns that they could not guarantee security during the matches. The revised schedule carries the same inaugural (April 10) and closing dates (May 24). Dates of five games have, however, been changed, to ensure that host cities are not allotted matches two days before and after polling days. The home ministry had earlier said it would decide on the fate of the tournament only after the states responded on whether they would be able to conduct the matches without asking for central forces. The terror attack on the Sri Lankan team on Tuesday in Lahore has also compounded the problems for the IPL organisers, who now expect pullouts by many of the foreign players. Federation of International Cricketers Association chief executive Tim May has already sought a wider role in assessing the security for players during the IPL.

Mendis undergoes two operations, hospitalized for one week

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan spinner, wounded in Lahore attack, also underwent two operations and doctors said he would remain hospitalized for further one week.Geethanjana Mendis, director general of the Sports Ministry medical unit, told media about the latest condition of the wounded Sri Lankan players. He said that that Tharanga Paranavitana, who had a bullet removed from his chest, is expected to be discharged later Friday.The left-handed batsman should be able to resume light training within about six weeks, Mendis said.Spin bowler Ajantha Mendis also remains hospitalised, after two operations on Wednesday to remove shrapnel from his head and lower back."He is out of danger but he should be out of action for about six weeks," a doctor said.Thilan Samaraweera, who scored successive Test double centuries in Pakistan, was the worst affected. He underwent a near three-hour operation Wednesday to remove a bullet from his left thigh muscle.Samaraweera will remain hospitalised for the rest of the week and is only expected to resume physical training in two months.Vice captain and wicket keeper Kumar Sangakkara was discharged on Thursday after doctors removed shrapnel from his shoulder

No intention of retirement: Pole vaulter champ Yelena

BEIJING: Russian pole vaulter world champion Yelena Isinbayeva said that she has no intention of taking retirement from the game and she can play for further five years. Yelena Isinbayeva reached Beijing for the first time after setting two new world records here at the Olympics 2008.Belonged to Russia, Yelena Isinbayeva formally signed a deal with a sports wear company of China. Though details of this deal has not revealed but it is being assumed that she will get $1.5 million annually.She signed a five-year deal with Lee Nanag sports wear company. Talking on this occasion, 26-year-old Isinbayeva said about her future plan that she does not intend to retire at themoment and she would consider it only after taking part in the World Championship

Aussies 303-4 against Africa on first day in second Test

DURBAN: Opening batsmen Phillip Hughes (115) and Simon Katich (108) hit centuries on Friday to guide Australia to a dominant position against South Africa on the first day of the second cricket Test.The Australians finished the day on 303-4, with the not-out batsmen Michael Hussey (37) and Marcus North (17) forging a 37-run partnership for the fifth wicket.South Africa had made some inroads into the Australian batting by taking two wickets in each of the final two sessions of the day, but the touring side hold the edge on the day's play.Hughes was the more aggressive of the openers, batting 190 minutes and smashing 19 fours and two sixes before being first man out. Far from worrying about reaching his maiden test century, the 20-year-old Hughes went from 89 to 105 in one over from Paul Harris. He leapt from 93 to 105 by hitting successive leg-side sixes off the spin bowler.Hughes was out when the first-wicket partnership was worth 184. He tried an extravagant cut shot but was well-held by Neil McKenzie in the gully off Jacques Kallis.Kallis had dropped Hughes on 114 off the bowling of Morne Morkel, who also later lost out on a referred decision when South Africa suggested Katich had touched a delivery to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher when he was on 63. TV umpire Steve Bucknor upheld standing umpire Billy Bowden's not-out decision.Katich, Hughes' captain at New South Wales, played a more patient innings, reaching 108 in 296 minutes, hitting 16 fours.He was the third man out, with the total on 259, to be followed seven runs later by Michael Clarke (three). But Australia recovered through the efforts of Hussey and North."That's the way I like to play my cricket," Hughes said. "It was nice to be batting with Simon when I got the century. I've spent a fair bit of time batting with him (in state cricket in Australia).""We are definitely in a great position after the first day. We need to take it forward Saturday," Hughes added.Earlier, Australia captain Ricky Ponting (nine) failed to get hold of an attempted lofted drive over mid-off, off Harris, and McKenzie grabbed the catch, one ball after Ponting had only just cleared him with the same shot.South Africa's bowlers were guilty of some loose deliveries in the first session, with Morkel the chief culprit. He went for eight in his first over - the 10th of the innings - and then conceded 21 including four byes, which flew over the keeper's head in his second.

Karachi Blues win polo match

KARACHI: In a token polo match played here on Friday, Karachi Blues crushed Karachi Reds by 7-2 goals at Malir Garrison Polo ground.The match was reduced to four rounds in which, Karachi Blues took lead by 1-2 in first round while remaining three rounds saw Blues’ lead by 7-2.Brigadier Asfandyar Khan made the major contribution by scoring four goals from Blues while Ibrahim Patodi, Umar Saeed and Khushi Muhammad made one goal each.After the end of the match, Brigadier Asfandyar Khan told media the arrangement of polo token match was aimed at promoting the game in Karachi.

PM Football Cup: Pak team leaving for Nepal today

LAHORE: Pakistan Football team is leaving today (Saturday) for Nepal to participate in Prime Minister Football Cup.Pakistan national soccer team, comprising of 20 players, had a physical training session at Hockey Club of Pakistan under new coach George Carton. Pakistan will take on Bangladesh’s Dhaka-based Arambagh Krira Sangha club in their opening of Prime Minister Cup Invitational Football tournament match on March 8 at Dasharath Stadium Kathmanduon. All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) had announced draws for the six-team, which features Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal Red, Nepal Blue, along with a club team from Thailand and Bangladesh.

All 3 Pak players out of Kuala Lumpur Open Squash

KUALA LUMPUR: All three players from Pakistan have been ousted from the Kuala Lumpur Open Squash Championship, going on in Malaysia.The three Pakistanis – Farhan Mahboob, Aamer Atlas khan and Yasir Butt – had succeeded in reaching the quarter-finals of the $50,000 Kuala Lumpur Open Squash Championship but they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.World No 20 and 6th seed Farhan Mahboob was defeated by England top seed Peter Barker.Pakistan No 1 and world number 15 Aamer Atlas Khan was beaten 2-3 by second seed Ongbeng Hi in a sensational contest while Yasir Butt was outclassed by Bojra Golan of Spain in straight games

Pak football team leaves for Nepal

KARACHI: Pakistan football team today left for Nepal to take part in the Prime Minister Cup football tournament.Pakistan will play their first match against Bangladesh club tomorrow.Before its departure, the team participated in practice session at the Hockey Club of Pakistan stadium yesterday.Besides two teams of host country Nepal, national teams of Pakistan and Sri Lanka and football club teams from Bangladesh and Thailand are taking part in the event.Pakistan team will play its first match tomorrow against Bangladesh club.Captain Mohammad Essa said that Pakistan footballers would get an opportunity to prepare for the AFC Challenge Cup by playing in this tournament

Women’s World Cup: India beat Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Indian bowlers displayed brilliant performance to beat an over-powered Pakistan in the first match of the Women's World Cup at Bradman.India elected to field first after winning the toss and dismissed their neighbour in only 57 runs. India chased the target easily without losing any wicket in ten overs. Anagha Deshpande (26) and Anjum Chopra (17) easily took India to a comfortable victory after the triumphant show of their bowlers. Among the Indian bowlers, Rumeli Dhar was the leading wicket taker who scalped three wickets giving away only seven runs. Amita Sharma and Priyanka Roy took two wickets respectively. Jhulan Goswami and Gouher Sultana dismissed one wicket apiece. Pakistan will play its second match against Sri Lanka on March 9.India, led by pacer Jhulan Goswami, have been clubbed with two-time champions England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Group B. Both England and India have 100 per cent win records against the other two teams in the group. Group A features Australia, West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand with the defending champions clear favourites for the title

CRADIT TO MUHAMMAD AZIZ SHAIKH

four-cylinder 190-kW (255 hp) turbocharged homogeneous charge compression ignition engine • Transmission:7-speed automatic with integrated electric motor assist • Claimed Fuel Efficiency: 5.3 L/100 km (44 mpg) during cruising • Claimed CO2 Emissions: 127 g/km • More: The way Germans pronounce “DiesOtto” (the company's name for the engine design) sounds just like “DeSoto.” Daimler sold Chrysler (which owned DeSoto) this year, so shouldn't Mercedes-Benz pick another name ( muhammad aziz shaikh ).

HYDERBAD IS HAPPY

HYDERABAD IS AN HAPPY TO WIN THE MATCH AGAIMST JAMSHORO

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All rounder ( MUHAMMAD AZIZ SHAIKH ) makes 132 run not out innig against jamshoro 7 sixes , and 6 fours he is most wanted bating hyd also proude to this youngster.

Lalit Modi gets interim protection from arrest

NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Lalit Modi today got a three-week interim protection against arrest from the Bombay High Court in a criminal case against him in Rajasthan.The High Court allowed Modi to approach appropriate court in Rajasthan for seeking further relief within three weeks, directing that he not be arrested in this period.Modi, who resides in Mumbai, feared arrest by Rajasthan police after an FIR was lodged against him for cheating, impersonation, and fabrication of documents at Nagaur, Rajasthan on January 27 this year.Modi, had purchased land in Nagaur in September 2004, but it was alleged that he was not present in the office of deputy registrar when sale deed in his favour was registered.The IPL chief therefore filed an anticipatory bail application at Bombay High Court, alleging that FIR was lodged only to "pressurise him" and stop him from contesting forthcoming elections of Rajasthan Cricket Association, of which he is the incumbent president.Justice V M Kanade of the High Court disposed off his petition, restraining police from arresting Modi for three week

Trials for Jr. hockey selection begins

LAHORE: The two-day trials for the selection of Pakistan Junior Hockey Team started here on Monday at National Hockey Stadium where 90 players appeared. The selected players will attend a training camp for the build up of the team to take part in a 4-nation tournament being played from March 12-15 in Malaysia followed by a similar tournament in Egypt from March 21-27 and a tour of Europe in summer. “ Five sessions of trials were held and players were watched thoroughly on different position “,said chief coach of the junior team, former hockey Olympian, Khawaja Junaid while talking to media. He said six sessions of trials will also be held to finalise list of players. Chairman Selection Committee Hassan Sardar, members Farhat Khan, Khalid Bashir, Muhammad Shafiq, Junior team coaches Ahmad Alam, Danish Kaleem and Secretary PHF Muhammad Asif Bajwa observed the trials. He said 28 to 30 players will be retained to attend the camp at Islamabad from February 12 and final selection of the team will be made on February 18

Pakistan probables for SL series likely today

LAHORE: The selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PBC) will announce today the national team for the forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.It will also announce the team for a two-day practice match against Sri Lanka while the series will include two Test matches.Chief selector Abdul Qadir said that chairman PBC Ijaz Butt has called a meeting in which Pakistan team’s coach Intikhab Alam and newly-appointed captain Younis Khan will also be present.In this meeting, 20-25 probable players will likely to be selected for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.As per Abdul Qadir, fitness and performance of the probables will be reviewed in the camp and later the final team will be announced.During the One-day International series against Sri Lanka, held in the last month, Pakistan suffered from the worst defeat after which Shoaib Malik was sacked as captai

Saeed Anwar ready to coach batsmen

LAHORE: Former skipper Saeed Anwar has said that he is ready to coach Pakistani batsman particularly the opening pair.Talking to Geo News here on Tuesday, the star opener said that our batsmen need to work more on their mentally toughness instead of physical training. Salman Butt and Nasir Jamsheed are good opening batsman, Anwar said, adding that he always advised Butt to play with open heart and don’t try too hard on his batting flaws.“I used to play Wasim Akran and Waqar Younis without helmet during the training camp which helped me a lot in batting,” he commented

Pakistan probables named for Test series against Sri Lanka

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has here on Tuesday announced the names of 22 probable players for the forthcoming two-Test home series against Sri Lanka.The meeting, presided over by chief selector Abdul Qadir, was also attended by the national team’s coach Intikhab Alam and newly-appointed captain Younus Khan besides the members of the selection committee.The 22 selected probable players will report at the camp to be held in Karachi from February 15.Younus Khan ahs been appointed captain of the team while former captain Shoaib Malik has also been included in the squad. Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out due to injury.Other players are: Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Khurram Manzoor, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan, Saeed Bin Nasir, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Danish Kaneria, Shahid Khan Afridi, Umar Gul, Mohammad Talha, Sohail Khan, Abdul Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.Besides, Kamran Akmal and Sarfaraz Ahmed have been included in the team as wicketkeepers.As per Abdul Qadir, fitness and performance of the probables will be reviewed in the camp and later the final team will be announced

Trials for Jr. hockey selection begins

LAHORE: The two-day trials for the selection of Pakistan Junior Hockey Team started here on Monday at National Hockey Stadium where 90 players appeared. 

The selected players will attend a training camp for the build up of the team to take part in a 4-nation tournament being played from March 12-15 in Malaysia followed by a similar tournament in Egypt from March 21-27 and a tour of Europe in summer. 

“ Five sessions of trials were held and players were watched thoroughly on different position “,said chief coach of the junior team, former hockey Olympian, Khawaja Junaid while talking to media. 

He said six sessions of trials will also be held to finalise list of players. Chairman Selection Committee Hassan Sardar, members Farhat Khan, Khalid Bashir, Muhammad Shafiq, Junior team coaches Ahmad Alam, Danish Kaleem and Secretary PHF Muhammad Asif Bajwa observed the trials. 

He said 28 to 30 players will be retained to attend the camp at Islamabad from February 12 and final selection of the team will be made on February 18

Aussie Bichel retires from first-class game

:Former Australian Test fast bowler Andy Bichel on Monday announced his retirement from first-class cricket after 17 seasons.Bichel, 38, who played 19 Tests and 67 one-day internationals for Australia, said he had been forced to quit because of an ongoing shoulder problem since having reconstructive surgery 14 months ago."I don’t want to let anyone down," Bichel told a press conference here Monday. "It (the shoulder) is good enough for grade (club) cricket, but I didn’t want to get out there (for Queensland) and not do what I used to do."Bichel captured 58 Test wickets at 32.24 and hit 355 runs with a highest score of 71.He finished two games short of 100 first-class matches for Queensland, but still chalked up an impressive list of milestones and achievements.He is the second-highest first-class wicket-taker in Queensland history with 463 wickets, behind only Michael Kasprowicz (505) and is the third-highest wicket-taker in Australian first-class domestic cricket, behind leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett and Kasprowicz.Bichel played 176 matches for Queensland (98 first-class and 78 one-day) and was a member of four first-class championship teams and three one-day title-winning sides for his state

Sri Lanka to play two Tests in Pakistan

Sri Lanka will return to Pakistan next week to play two Tests as part of their split tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday.The Islanders won a three-match one-day series 2-1 on the first leg of their tour last month.Sri Lanka replaced India, whose government refused permission for the team to tour over heightened political tension as a result of the attacks on Mumbai, which New Delhi has blamed on militants based in Pakistan.Sri Lanka will arrive in Karachi on February 14 and play a two-day side match in Karachi on February 17 and 18, the PCB announced.They play the first Test here from February 21, while the second Test starts in Lahore from March 1.The Karachi Test will be Pakistan's first in 14 months. The team's last Test was against India at Bangalore in December 2007. Their last home Test was against South Africa in October 2007.Pakistan was left without a Test to play after Australia refused to tour last March, citing security fears

PCB report rubbishes ex-captain Malik

Pakistan's humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka in the one-day series last month forced the removal of captain Shoaib Malik, rubbished as a 'loner' who lacked leadership, a report said Monday.Malik was replaced by senior batsman Younus Khan after Pakistan suffered their worst ever one-day defeat - by 234 runs - in the third and last one-day match in Lahore, handing the visitors a 2-1 win in the series."We found Malik a loner, aloof and involved in his own little world, which is okay, but not when the team required a fully committed captain which he wasn't," wrote coach Intikhab Alam and manager Yawar Saeed of Malik.The confidential report, prepared as part of an inquiry initiated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) into the defeat, was made public at a senate committee meeting on Monday.Malik, Alam, Saeed and chief selector Abdul Qadir gave their point of view in the marathon session.The report said Malik lacked leadership qualities."We do not see any meaningful communication between players and captain other than Malik's five-minute talk during the team meeting. Such meetings are necessary," the two team officials wrote in their report."Malik also did not spend quality time with his players, which a successful captain must do. He also lacked in that."The report said Malik -- appointed captain after Pakistan's first-round exit from the World Cup held in the West Indies in March 2007 -- did not have the confidence of his players."To be honest, it is very evident that the team is not looking up to their captain. We believe that this team... needs a new leader so we suggested the name of Younus Khan which came to the mind when we looked around in the team."The report also said the team needs a specialist spinner and showed lack of confidence in wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal's performances."The team needs to play a specialist spinner in both forms of the game and suggest that Danish Kaneria should be considered for both forms of the game -- Tests and one-day."No doubt Akmal has done a very good job as a keeper and a batsman but we feel that at times his keeping is not up to the mark.""We have suggested these facts to improve team's overall performance."Malik refused to comment on the report."I will not comment on the report which is the opinion of coach and manager. I take responsibility of the defeat and now feel that I can perform better as a player than as a captain

Boycott slams 'spineless' England

great Geoffrey Boycott has slammed the current side for 'spinelessly' collapsing during their innings-and-23-run first Test defeat against the West Indies in Jamaica.He also accused England's backroom staff of "virtually wiping the players bottoms for them", adding their presence inhibited team members from thinking for themselves.England were bowled out for just 51 - their third lowest innings total of all-time - at Sabina Park on Saturday and former Yorkshire opener Boycott said too many players had enjoyed an extended run in the side which was not justified by their form."Look at the players who capitulated so spinelessly at Sabina Park and you will see that almost all of them appeared in Peter Moores's first series as coach back in 2007," Boycott wrote in his column in Monday's Daily Telegraph."I have nothing against continuity if a team are winning. But haven't England been getting their backsides kicked around the world for the past two years?""Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff are still great players who would get into any side on the plant. But what about the rest of this sorry lot?"Alistair Cook still has the same technical issues outside off-stump that the Australians exploited in the last Ashes series."Ian Bell still keels over at the first hint of pressure," Boycott, one of the best defensive batsmen of his generation, added."Steve Harmison still blows hot and cold. And Monty Panesar still bowls the same ball six times an over."Boycott added an extensive backroom staff was preventing players taking responsibility for their performances - the mantra of new England captain Andrew Strauss. "These lads just have it too easy," Boycott said. "There is no motivation to improve when they have more than a dozen backroom staff to analyse their techniques, put out the cones at training, and virtually wipe their bottoms for them."I feel sorry for these modern players, because they don't have the chance to think for themselves and develop their own characters."The second Test of this four-match series begins on Friday in Antigua

Senators demand sacking of incapable PCB

on Monday demanded that President Asif Ali Zardari sack the cricket board, branding its officials incapable and accusing them of making a mess of the national game.The senate committee on sport held a highly-charged session to probe falling standards of the national cricket team, fears of bankruptcy in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and reasons why its director general resigned.Pakistan crashed to their lowest one-day score at home when they were dismissed for 75 in the series-deciding one-day match against Sri Lanka in Lahore last month which led to their heaviest defeat in limited overs cricket by 234 runs.In the aftermath, captain Shoaib Malik was replaced by senior batsman Younus Khan."Financial mismanagement has been there for a long time now, but this current set-up of the PCB is incapable and if they remain in charge, cricket will be completely destroyed," Senator Enver Baig told reporters."I request the President to reconsider the appointment of Ijaz Butt as chairman," said Baig. Butt was appointed PCB chairman last October."Good cricketers cannot be good administrators and so it's proved," he said."Butt's appointment was political and we request the president to change it," Senator Tahir Mashhadi told the meeting.Another senator said fears that the PCB was going bankrupt were false."The current bank balance of the PCB is 2.7 billion (34.15 million dollars) and so fears of the PCB going bankrupt were unfounded," said Haroon Akhtar.Butt claimed last month that PCB's reserves had fallen from 3.3 billion to 1.5 billion rupees over the past two years after several teams refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.Akhtar also refuted Butt's claims that renovation of Gaddafi Stadium, in Lahore and the biggest in Pakistan, had run over budget."We had summoned the architect and former chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi who told the house that the project can be completed in 31 million rupees and not in 47 million as claimed by the PCB," said Akhtar.Referring to PCB director general Javed Miandad's resignation last month, Butt told the house that the former great's appointment was a "big mistake.""I accept that appointing Miandad without a valid contract was the biggest mistake of my life. Miandad was demanding 1.6 million rupees (20,000 dollars) which was not acceptable," said Butt.Miandad was appointed director general in November but resigned protesting that he had been unable to change the structure of Pakistan cricket."I did not resign over money," he told the meeting."The scope of work given to me initially was totally different from the one which was written in my contract. The PCB wanted to confine me to domestic affairs which were not acceptable to me," Miandad added.

Sehwag named India's player of the year

NEW DELHI: India's cricket chiefs Monday named swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag the country's player of the year for 2007-2008.Sehwag, 30, will receive the Polly Umrigar award, named after a former India captain, at a function organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Mumbai on February 18.Sehwag dominated Indian batting since his return to the Test side on the 2007-08 tour of Australia after being overlooked for the away series against Bangladesh and England and the home matches against Pakistan. In 2008, the opening batsman scored 1,462 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 56.23, including a blistering triple-century against South Africa in Chennai. Sehwag was also part of India's World Cup-winning Twenty20 squad in South Africa in September 2007

Kenyan athletes triumph at Hong Kong marathon

HONG KONG: Kenyan runners dominated the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday, taking the first three places in the men's race and clinching the women's title. Cyprian Mwobi, who finished second in last year's men's race after a dramatic sprint finish, overcame this year's field in a winning time of 2 hours 14 minutes and 57 seconds, organisers said."It is not easy, as I can say the course is very tough," said Mwobe after the race.Compatriot Tubei Chirchir came in second in 2:15:23, with Rotich Kirwa finishing in third place in 2:16:16 completing a 1-2-3 for the east African country, which has dominated international distance running for the past 20 years.Winnie Nyansikera won the women's race after leading the field from the start, finishing in 2:41:25, more than six minutes ahead of Thai runner Sunisa Saylomyen, who ended in 2:47:43.Zheng Wenrong, from China, finished third in 2:49:22. "I didn't expect to be a winner. I know the Chinese are very tough, so I have to run very fast to run away from them," Nyansikera said after the race.A record 55,000 runners took part in this year's race, organisers said

West Indies beat England by innings, 23 runs

KINGSTON: England slumped to a humiliating defeat by an innings and 23 runs after being skittled for 51 by West Indies on the fourth day of the first test on Saturday.Jerome Taylor ripped the heart out of England, a superb spell of pace bowling earning figures of five for 11 at Sabina Park, while spinner Sulieman Benn took four for 31.Andrew Flintoff was the only batsman to make double figures, hitting 24 as the visitors were routed for their third lowest total. West Indies had not beaten England in their last 16 meetings going back to a victory at Edgbaston in 2000. After the home team were bowled out for 392 in their first innings, securing a lead of 74 runs, England slid to 11 for two at lunch with Alastair Cook and Ian Bell the men out.Taylor, watched by triple Olympic champion and 100 metres world record holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica, produced a 'Lightning Bolt' of his own by removing Kevin Pietersen for one with a classic delivery. The fast bowler produced late out swing to bowl Pietersen as he attempted to hit the ball through mid-wicket. Next to go was England captain Andrew Strauss, who edged another excellent delivery from Taylor to keeper Denesh Ramdin. With the crowd anticipating a famous victory, on-fire Taylor also bowled Paul Collingwood and Matt Prior to leave England reeling. Slow left armer Benn, who had earlier dismissed Bell, took his second wicket when Broad was caught by Xavier Marshall at short leg. Benn then trapped Ryan Sidebottom LBW before Flintoff, who had provided some sort of resistance, was clean bowled by Fidel Edwards. Spinner Benn, who also took four wickets in the first innings, finished England off when he bowled Steve Harmison to prompt wild celebrations from the Jamaican crowd. It was sweet revenge for West Indies, who were bowled out for 47 by England the last time the teams met at this venue and Strauss's men have plenty to think about ahead of next week's second test in Antigua

Akram proposes Akhtar to leave Test cricket

LAHORE: Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan captain and fast bowler, has suggested Shoaib Akhtar to surrender Test cricket to protract his international career by focusing on limited over cricket. Akhtar, meanwhile, due to knee injury has already been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka."He (Akhtar) should give up Test cricket," Akram told mediamen. "It’s a tough decision, but he need to call off his test career to lengthen his ODI career."Akhtar, 33, has spent the best part of the last 12 months sitting out either due to injury or suspension. He last played for Pakistan in an ODI against India last November in Gwalior. He was selected to come back against West Indies in Abu Dhabi last year, but missed all three one-day International because of fitness problems.Then returned to the ODI fold in the three-match series against Sri Lanka at home, but struggled to impress in the first two matches, even botched to bowl his full quota of ten overs. "When I was in the same stage, like Shoaib Akhtar is in, during my career, I had surrendered. It is certainly a difficult decision but it does come once in your career, when you have to call," Akram concluded.

Sri Lanka elects to bat in final India one-day

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat in the fifth and final one-day international against India here on Sunday.India, leading 4-0, made two changes from the side, which won the fourth match by 67 runs here on Thursday, bringing in all-rounder Ravinder Jadeja and pace man Lakshmipathy Balaji in place of Pragyan Ojha and Praveen Kumar. Jadeja is making his debut, while Balaji returns to the one-day side after three years. The hosts replaced pace man Dilhara Fernando and all-rounder Angelo Mathews with unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis and Thilan Thushara. India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Irfan Pathan. Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilina Kandamby, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara. Umpires: Brian Jerling (RSA) and Tyron Wijewardene (SRI

Australia batting first in must-win match against New Zealand

SYDNEY: New Zealand won the toss and sent Australia into bat in a one-day match at the SCG, which the home side must win to keep the Chappell-Hadlee series alive.Australia had scored 168 for one until 31st overs. Clark was out scoring 64 runs from 69 balls. The guest team has a lead of 2-0 Skipper Ricky Ponting returned to the Australian line-up at the expense of opener David Warner, who has been dropped. Ponting was scheduled to miss the match as part of Australia's rotation policy but requested an early return for the crucial encounter.Brad Haddin was elevated to open the innings alongside vice-captain Michael Clarke.New Zealand kept the same combination, which gave it a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.Australia: Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting (c), Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson Cameron White, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus.New Zealand: Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom, Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori (c), Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien

India needs 321 runs to win

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka scored 320 for eight against India in the fifth and final one-day international on Sunday. Sri Lanka batted first after winning the toss in the last match of the series being played here. Opener Dilshan and Jayasuria provided 66 runs opening stand. Dishan was unfortunate, as he narrowly missed the century being run out at 97. Brief scores: Sri Lanka (Dilshan 97, Sangakkara 84; I. Sharma 3-60)

Australia set Kiwis 302 runs to win third one-day

SYDNEY: Brad Haddin reached his first one-day international century with a blazing top-order knock against New Zealand to help Australia post a healthy total of 9 for 301 at the SCG this afternoon.Following in the footsteps of great wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist, Haddin cracked three sixes and eight fours in a hard-hitting 109 off 114 balls that could see him become a fixture at the start of the Australian innings. Classy finisher Michael Hussey (51) and a fresh-faced Callum Ferguson (28) guided Australia through the pointy end of the innings with a 62-run partnership.Earlier, New Zealand somewhat stemmed the flow of runs by dismissing the returning Ricky Ponting cheaply for 16. New Zealand failed to continue its clinical form in the field from the previous two matches, with McCullum also dropping a hot chance with Clarke on 54

Sri Lanka secure consolation win against India

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka clinched a consolation68-run victory against India in the fifth and final one-day international on Sunday to avoid a series whitewash.Sri Lanka piled up 320 for eight with opener Tillakaratne Dilshan top-scoring with 97, then bowled out India for 252. India won the series 4-1.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Nuwan Kulasekara (two for 42) and Muttiah Muralitharan (two for 41), produced their best display of the series.In-form Yuvraj Singh provided some resistance with a powerful 73 but the Indian innings eventually ran out of steam. Thilina Thushara struck first as Virender Sehwag (six) mis hit a straight drive.Kulasekara then followed up with the wicket of Suresh Raina, who was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara standing up to the stumps.Sangakkara also caught Gautam Gambhir (13) off Kulasekara to leave India in early trouble on 52 for three. Yuvraj still attacked and the run rate remained high, but he was unable to build partnerships.Muralitharan swung the game decisively Sri Lanka's way as Yuvraj top-edged a sweep to be caught and bowled.Mahendra Singh Dhoni kept India's hopes alive for a while with his run-a-ball 53 and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja impressed with 60 not out on debut, but Sri Lanka's slow bowlers squeezed the run rate to maintain the upper-hand.Earlier, Dilshan and Sangakkara (84) put on 143 for the second wicket for Sri Lanka

Australia beat Kiwis in third ODI to keep series alive

SYDNEY: Australia have kept the Chappell-Hadlee series alive after defeating New Zealand by 32 runs in the third one-day international at the SCG. Set a massive 302 to win their third straight match against Australia, the Black Caps looked dead and buried when they slumped to 183 for seven in the 37th over. However, a frenetic 69-run partnership between century-maker Grant Elliott (115) and Brendon McCullum (36), batting with a shoulder injury, threatened to steal the match. Elliott's dismissal in the 45th over ended the New Zealand fightback, allowing a relieved Australia to claim a desperately-needed victory after five successive defeats. The Kiwis, bowled out for 269 in the 48th over, lead the series 2-1 heading into game four in Adelaide on Tuesday. McCullum's injury added to a testing night for the Kiwis, who struggled to keep pace with Australia for most of the match after winning the toss and asking their hosts to bat. Brad Haddin's first century at ODI level underpinned Australia's imposing target, the Black Caps' chase beginning poorly. After sliding to 16 for two in the sixth over, losing Martin Guptill (six) and Ross Taylor (four), Elliott and Peter Fulton (40) repaired some of the early damage with a stand of 80 for the third wicket. But Fulton's departure just before the halfway mark put the Black Caps back in trouble. Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals - Neil Broom (15), Mills (two), Daniel Vettori (two) and Tim Southee (17) departing in quick succession. Elliott and McCullum, batting at No 9 due to his injury, gave Australia a massive scare before James Hopes, who finished with figures of 2 for 49, returned to the attack to remove Elliott, caught at deep mid-wicket by Michael Hussey. The South African-born Elliott faced 124 balls in racking up his first one-day international ton, striking eight boundaries. McCullum departed soon after to extinguish any thought of a comeback. Earlier in the day, Haddin blasted eight fours and three sixes in an entertaining 114-ball stay to give the hosts every chance of keeping the series alive after they dropped the opening two matches. Haddin, promoted to the top of the order, raised his arms in triumph after bringing up the three figures with a sharp single. He was eventually dismissed in the 38th over, run out by McCullum after attempting to pinch a single. A bright 62-run partnership between Callum Ferguson (28 off 23 balls) and Michael Hussey (51 off 32) late in the innings ensured Australia topped 300

West Indies beat England by an innings and 23 runs

West Indies beat England by an innings and 23 runs to win first Test at Sabina Park here on Saturday.England were bowled out for a paltry 51 in their second innings before tea on the fourth day.Earlier, West Indies were 392 all out in their first innings in reply to the tourists 318

David Beckham recalled to English team

LONDON: David Beckham has been recalled to the England team for next Wednesday's friendly against European champion Spain.The Los Angeles Galaxy star, currently on loan to AC Milan, is in a squad of 23 going to Seville for the game.Although Beckham played as a late substitute in England's four World Cup qualifying victories, manager Fabio Capello dropped him for the team's friendly against Germany in November because he was not playing competitive soccer at the time.Beckham moved to Milan on loan and has said he would like to make the move permanent. If he plays against Spain, he will tie Bobby Moore's record 108 appearances for an outfield player.Meanwhile, the owner of the Galaxy says he has rejected Milan's initial offer for Beckham and expects the Italian club to come back with a much higher bid, or the midfielder will be back in L.A. next month.Tim Leiweke, chief executive of AEG which owns the team, told the Los Angeles Times on Friday that he would not consider an extended loan of the 33-year-old player to Milan, but he is willing to negotiate a purchase deal.Beckham, on a three-month loan to Milan to March 8, last week announced that he wants to stay with the team.If no deal is ultimately reached with the Italian club, Beckham has agreed to fulfil his contract with the Galaxy, Leiweke said

Trial for junior hockey team begins tomorrow

underway here at the National Hockey Stadium on Monday to prepare for the upcoming hockey tournaments to be played in Malaysia, Egypt and Europe.The National Selection Committee and team management will monitor and evaluate the performance of players taking part in the trial. The final players picked by the selection committee will have to attend a training camp in the federal capital on Feb 12. Pakistan’s Junior Hockey team will feature in two four-nation hockey tournaments to be played in Malaysia and Egypt in March. The national junior team will compete in Malaysia from Mar 12 to 15 from where they will head to Egypt to play in another four-nation tournament to be held from March 21 to 27.The team will finally fly to Europe after tours of Malaysia and Egypt

Punjab, Lahore College Women varsities qualify for final

LAHORE: Punjab University and Lahore College Women University have qualified for the final of Pakistan Inter-University Women Hockey Championship here on Sunday.In the first semifinal played at Punjab University Old Campus Ground in Lahore, Lahore College Women University defeated Sargodha University by 3-0. Hina Khalid and Amna scored goals for the winning team.Meanwhile, Punjab University secured a comfortable 5-0 win against Kinard College. Sidra Younis, Bushra Nazir, Samia Ahsan and Faiza Rehman scored goals for the winning team. The final will be played on Monday

Miandad also responsible along with PCB for conflict: PCB

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt said that in the conflict between Javed Miandad and the PCB, the board and Miandad both can be blamed.These views were expressed by the PCB chairman while addressing at his first news conference in Islamabad since he assumed the charge as the chairman.He said that if the Pakistani cricketers including Mohammad Yousuf leave the Indian Cricket League they would be taken back in the national team.Ijaz Butt said that the Oval Test conflict took place due to Pakistan team management’s unawareness of the rules.He said that the Senate standing committee and media would be apprised of details of the corruption during the previous regime of the PCB.

Bangladesh retain Ashraful as captain

will retain Mohammad Ashraful as national captain for a limited overs home series against Pakistan in March and the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.Ashraful has been under pressure after scoring only 12 runs in three one-day internationals at home against Zimbabwe last month.A Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman said on Saturday Ashraful's position would be reviewed before a tour of West Indies following the World Cup."We have decided to give him more time. He will remain under observation during the period," he said after a board executive meeting.The spokesman said pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim were potential replacements

Gayle, Sarwan hit tons as Windies reach 224-3 at lunch

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Stuart Broad struck twice in the penultimate over before lunch to bring England back into the first Test against West Indies on Friday, after Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan both completed hundreds.Broad snared Gayle for 104 and fellow hometown boy Xavier Marshall for a second-ball duck in the space of three balls, as West Indies, replying to England's first innings total of 318, reached 224 for three at the interval on the third day at Sabina Park.At the interval, Sarwan was undefeated on 103, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not out on nought.But England's successes came following a second wicket stand of 202, after West Indies continued from their overnight total of 160 for one.Broad had looked like a shadow of himself for the previous 13 overs he had bowled in the match until he got a delivery to keep low to Gayle, and the West Indies captain played back, and was bowled when he inside-edged the ball into his stumps.Gayle batted for a little over five and three-quarter hours, faced 193 balls and struck five fours and five sixes.Clearly energised, Broad sprinted in to deliver his next delivery which rushed into the front of Marshall, but his and England's loud appeal for an lbw verdict was turned down by umpire Tony Hill. Broad tore in for his next delivery, and produced a similar delivery which trapped Marshall plumb on the front foot and umpire Hill this time upheld the appeal.It was a total contrast to what had transpired earlier, when Gayle and Sarwan looked in command.England's bowlers, particularly Andrew Flintoff, whose seven overs including three maidens yielded just 12 runs, placed them under severe pressure, but they inched to the hundred-run threshold.Skipper Andrew Strauss belatedly introduced Monty Panesar in the last half-hour before the interval, and Gayle, rose from his slumber, and lofted him for consecutive sixes over long-on, and then swept him to deep fine leg for three to reach his ninth Test hundred from 182 balls.Broad then dismissed Gayle and Marshall before a relieved Sarwan swept Panesar to the deep fine leg boundary for his 10th four to reach his 12th Test hundred

Australia through to World Group II playoff

PERTH: Jelena Dokic and Samantha Stosur had straight-set singles wins Saturday to lead Australia past New Zealand and into April's Fed Cup World Group II playoff. Dokic, who advanced to the quarterfinals at last week's Australian Open, beat Diane Hollands of New Zealand 6-4, 6-4. Dokic trailed 3-0 in the first set and 2-0 in the second. Stosur then clinched the Asia/Oceania Zone I playoff promotion match for Australia with a 6-1, 6-4 win over New Zealand No.1 Marina Erakovic. Stosur is ranked No. 43 and Erakovic 57th. Erakovic and Kairangi Vano played Australia's Casey Dellacqua andRennae Stubbs in a later doubles match. ``I am happy with the way I have handled matches mentally this week,'' Dokic said. ``I didn't play well (today) but you have to win even if you don't play well. I won the key points so I am happy with that.'' Dokic has a 12-2 singles record playing Fed Cup for Australia and won all three of her matches in Perth this week. Australia has beaten New Zealand five times in a row in Fed Cup play since 1965. The Australians reached the Group I final with three 3-0 wins, dropping only one set in leading Pool B. New Zealand beat Indonesia 2-1 on Friday to top Pool A

Windies take 34-run lead over England on 3rd day

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Skipper Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan hit centuries as West Indies edged into a 34-run lead, with three wickets remaining, at stumps on the third day of the first Test here on Friday.Sarwan hit the top score of 107 and Gayle, 103, his first Test century on his home ground, to help their side reach 352 for seven, replying to England's first innings total of 318, at close of play at Sabina Park.England appeared to have control of the match, when they removed World Cricketer of the Year Shivnarine Chanderpaul about 15 minutes before tea to leave West Indies on 254 for five.But they again met resistance in the form of a sixth-wicket stand of 66 between Brendan Nash and Denesh Ramdin.Ramdin was one of two wickets England claimed in the final session, when he became Monty Panesar's first wicket in the 37th of the left-arm spin bowler's 45 overs, leaving Nash to shepherd the tail until the close with 47 not out.Stuart Broad was England's most successful bowler with three wickets for 61 runs from 24 overs, and Andrew Flintoff supported with two for 57 from 27 overs.England failed to make early inroads into West Indies' batting, after the home team continued from their overnight total of 160 for one. But Broad struck twice in the penultimate over before lunch to bring England back into the contest, after Gayle and Sarwan reached their landmarks.Broad snared Gayle and then fellow hometown boy Xavier Marshall for a second-ball duck in the space of three balls, as West Indies reached 224 for three at the interval.England's successes only came following a second wicket stand of 202 between Gayle and Sarwan.Broad got a delivery to keep low to Gayle, and the West Indies captain played back, and was bowled when he inside-edged the ball into his stumps.Gayle batted for a little over five and three-quarter hours, faced 193 balls, and struck five fours and five sixes.Clearly energised, Broad sprinted in to deliver his next delivery which rushed into the front of new batsman Xavier Marshall, but his and England's loud appeal for an lbw verdict was turned down by umpire Tony Hill

Windies take 34-run lead over England on 3rd day

Sri Lanka's pride at stake in final India one-dayer

pressure Sri Lanka will be looking to restore their pride with a victory in the fifth and final one-day international against India starting here on Sunday.The hosts have lost the previous four matches following inconsistent performances with both bat and ball, but skipper Mahela Jayawardene said the team were not short of motivation."A lot of international cricket is coming up, so we have to win this game to take the confidence into the next series (in Pakistan later this month)," the Sri Lankan captain said on Saturday."We have been trying different things in this series, but it has not worked for us. It's a fresh game tomorrow and we will try our best to win it. It is a challenge for us and we just cannot give up."Jayawardene hoped his team would put in a disciplined performance after making crucial mistakes in previous matches."Everybody is looking forward to redeeming himself. Everybody is disappointed with the way we have played so far," he said."We had our chances, but did not take them. We also dropped a few catches and we have to improve upon our fielding. Fielding is the one area where we had always been consistent."Sri Lanka failed to match India in batting in all the matches, with opener Sanath Jayasuriya being the only player to score a hundred. Kumar Sangakkara was the most consistent, making half-centuries in the last two games.Record-breaking spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis also could not keep pressure on a strong Indian batting line-up, having so far picked only three wickets apiece.India were indebted to their batsmen for clinching the series, with Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir scoring hundreds. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also in good form, having made two half-centuries.Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma said his team were keen to make a clean sweep with a win in the final match."Definitely, we will try to make it 5-0. We have to keep the momentum going. We have been playing positive cricket in the series and hope to do that tomorrow also," he said."I think it is better to bowl first tomorrow as it is a day game and the conditions will be helpful. The pitch is likely to become flat as the match progresses."India are on the verge of recording a 10th successive one-day win, having already beaten England 5-0 at home last year.INDIA Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Pragyan Ojha, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar.SRI LANKA Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Thilina Kandamby, Jehan Mubarak, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Angelo Mathews

Ponting returns for crucial Sydney match against NZ

SYDNEY: Ricky Ponting has decided to return for leading his team in a bid to stop New Zealand from winning the One-day International series for the first time in Australia.Ponting engaged in a rare act of public defiance last week when Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, decreed that he be rested from the second and third one-day internationals against New Zealand. Riding a three-game losing streak, and with team confidence eroding by the match, Ponting made clear his preference to play through the Chappell-Hadlee Series and postpone his scheduled break until the storm clouds had passed.Hilditch, though, won out and Ponting played no role in the six-wicket defeat at the MCG on Friday.That result took Australia's losing skid to five games, and handed Daniel Vettori's men an imposing 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. But Ponting has persuaded Hilditch that, with the series on the line, it was imperative he miss no further matches and be recalled immediately for Sunday's third ODI in Sydney. Nielsen announced Ponting's recall on Saturday and despite his best attempts to portray the move as an affirmative action, he could not completely gloss over the selectors' muddled handling of the situation. "He was really keen to play and he made sure that everybody that is involved with the team understood that." The Australians arrived in Sydney on Saturday aware that another defeat would not only cost them the series, but also guarantee them an inglorious place in cricket's annals. Only once in the 38-year history of ODIs has Australia lost six matches in a row, and Ponting will be desperate to prevent his team from adding its name to the list

India jumps to 2nd spot in ODI rankings

DUBAI: India has displaced Australia as the number two team in ICC's ODI rankings after New Zealand defeated the world champions by six wickets in the second ODI in Melbourne. India, who have made steady upward progress after its winning streak of nine consecutive ODI triumphs, now have 122 rating points to be just three points behind top-rankers South Africa. The Proteas recently climbed to the top of the table at Australia's expense. Australia (121) have been pushed to the third place while New Zealand follow on fourth rung with 117 points. Pakistan is further down the ladder at fifth while England and Sri Lanka are sixth and seventh respectively. Australia, who have been on the decline in the last few months, have just about managed to retain their place as the number one team in the longer version of the game despite losing the Test series at home to South Africa. South Africa and India are now the top challengers to Ricky Ponting's team in both the versions.In ICC Test rankings, Australia have 126 points while second-placed South Africa is 121 and would get a chance to topple Australia when they take on Ponting's men in a home series beginning later this month. India is placed third with 118 points. The number one ODI team on April 1 will be richer by USD 175,000 with the runners-up getting USD 75,000

ICC doping commission due on Feb 11

LAHORE: The two-member doping commission of International Cricket Council(ICC) would reach Pakistan on February 11.The commission would brief the players and officials about laws of world anti-doping agency. The commission would hold talks with WADA officials.According to new code of conduct of ICC, surprise dope test of cricketers would be conduct not only in ICC events but any other event, which is approved by ICC.

Pak players got a raw deal from IPL: Younis

cricketers got a raw deal from the Indian Premier League and were paid less than what they deserved, complained Younis Khan after watching English players fetch record bids in the IPL second season auction despite their limited availability.Pakistani players will not be a part of IPL season II after the government barred them from travelling to India on 'security grounds'.The Pakistan skipper said after watching Englishmen Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff fetch a record-breaking USD 1.55 million each in yesterday's auction, he wondered whether his country's cricketers were paid less last season.Flintoff and Pietersen would be able to play just three weeks of the six-week tournament that is scheduled in April."Unlike other countries particularly Pakistan where players rushed to get into the IPL, the English cricket board and their players avoided the first season. As a result, their demand has increased for the second season," he said."In contrast Pakistani players have got themselves a raw deal from the IPL. Look at Sohail Tanvir he was brought for just around USD 100,000 and he was the best bowler in the first season. Yet he has to manage with the same amount for the rest of his contract with Rajasthan Royals."In comparison to Pakistani players even local Indians fetched bigger prices. Which was surprising, Someone like Misbah-ul Haq, who was the best Twenty20 batsman last season, hardly got a reasonable price," Younis pointed out

No personal conflict with Malik: Yousuf

KARACHI: Test cricketer Mohammad Yousuf said that Younus Khan would have made captain very earlier.He said that he has no conflict with Shoaib Malik but this is a fact he did not deserve for captaincy.While talking with media in Karachi on Friday, Mohammad Yousuf said that captaincy is the right of only that player who performs well and only he would be heard.Yousuf said that he has no conflict with Shoaib Malik but he does not consider him a suitable candidate for leading the national team.He said that Pakistan has been left alone in the world of cricket and it seems that no one is hearing Pakistan at the ICC

Asif hands over documents of his Dubai case to PCB

gLAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Asif handed over the important documents regarding his Dubai case to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) here on Friday.A meeting of the three-member committee of the PCB was held here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday to discuss Mohammad Asif’s Dubai case.The meeting was attended by the committee members – director HR Wasim Bari, director media Asif Sohail and medical officer Sohail Saleem.Mohammad Asif appeared before the committee along with his lawyer.Sources said that Asif handed over the important documents regarding the case to the PCB committee.The committee asked him whether he was deported from the United Arab Emirates but Asif has presented before the committee a fresh valid visa of Dubai.The committee is likely to reach any conclusion in a week after scrutinizing the necessary documents

Gayle, Sarwan hit tons as Windies reach 224-3 at lunch

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Stuart Broad struck twice in the penultimate over before lunch to bring England back into the first Test against West Indies on Friday, after Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan both completed hundreds.Broad snared Gayle for 104 and fellow hometown boy Xavier Marshall for a second-ball duck in the space of three balls, as West Indies, replying to England's first innings total of 318, reached 224 for three at the interval on the third day at Sabina Park.At the interval, Sarwan was undefeated on 103, and Shivnarine Chanderpaul was not out on nought.But England's successes came following a second wicket stand of 202, after West Indies continued from their overnight total of 160 for one.Broad had looked like a shadow of himself for the previous 13 overs he had bowled in the match until he got a delivery to keep low to Gayle, and the West Indies captain played back, and was bowled when he inside-edged the ball into his stumps.Gayle batted for a little over five and three-quarter hours, faced 193 balls and struck five fours and five sixes.Clearly energised, Broad sprinted in to deliver his next delivery which rushed into the front of Marshall, but his and England's loud appeal for an lbw verdict was turned down by umpire Tony Hill. Broad tore in for his next delivery, and produced a similar delivery which trapped Marshall plumb on the front foot and umpire Hill this time upheld the appeal.It was a total contrast to what had transpired earlier, when Gayle and Sarwan looked in command.England's bowlers, particularly Andrew Flintoff, whose seven overs including three maidens yielded just 12 runs, placed them under severe pressure, but they inched to the hundred-run threshold.Skipper Andrew Strauss belatedly introduced Monty Panesar in the last half-hour before the interval, and Gayle, rose from his slumber, and lofted him for consecutive sixes over long-on, and then swept him to deep fine leg for three to reach his ninth Test hundred from 182 balls.Broad then dismissed Gayle and Marshall before a relieved Sarwan swept Panesar to the deep fine leg boundary for his 10th four to reach his 12th Test hundred.

Rehan Butt, Salman Akbar leave for Holland on Monday

LAHORE: Olympians Rehan Butt and Salman Akbar will leave on Monday for Holland to play Dutch Hockey League.Rehan Butt told Geo News here on Friday that they would leave on February 9 for Holland where they would join their club and then go to Spanish city Barcelona for training.The training is scheduled for two weeks whereas the Dutch League will begin from March 1. He said that the League would be played up to May 5 while during these days Pakistan hockey team would be busy in preparations of the Asia Cup Hockey Tournament.Butt said that he would talk with his club management in Holland in this regard and ask them to exempt them from play off matches so that they can represent their national team

IPL terminates contracts of six Pakistan players

Premier League on Friday terminated the contracts of six Pakistan players, a fall out of the deteriorating political relations between the two nations.The contracts of four other Pakistanis have been "suspended" after the Pakistan government declined permission to its players to take part in the second edition of the lucrative Twenty20 event in April-May for security reasons.Newly-appointed Pakistan captain Younis Khan, his predecessor Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez found their contracts terminated by their respective franchises."By deciding not to take part this year, these players have gone against the rules of the IPL," tournament boss Lalit Modi told reporters."A player can pull out only if he is injured or has an international Test or one-day commitment. The franchises have the option of either terminating their contract or suspending it."If they terminate the contract, the player becomes a free agent and the team gets an additional slot at the auction."A franchise official said the tense relations between the two governments over last November's Mumbai attacks, which India has blamed on elements in Pakistan, forced a decision to terminate the contracts."The Pakistanis are not coming this year and it is unclear when they will play next in India," the official, who did not want to be named, told AFP."It makes no sense to keep them. We can now use that money on players who will play."The players whose contracts were suspended -- meaning they could play next year -- were Sohail Tanvir and Kamran Akmal of defending champions Rajasthan Royals, Umar Gul of Kolkata Knightriders and Misbah-ul Haq of Bangalore Royal Challengers.The Pakistanis were contracted for varying periods of one to three years at amounts ranging from 100,000 dollars to 700,000 dollars a year

US swimmer Phelps suspends for 3 months

COLORADO: USA Swimming suspended Michael Phelps from competition for three months on Thursday.USA Swimming also cut off its financial support to Phelps for the same three-month period. Phelps won a record eight gold medals in Beijing and returned to America as one of the world's most acclaimed athletes. Phelps had been planning to compete in early March at a Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Now, he won't be able to allowed to compete until early May, which would give him just over two months to get in some racing before July's world championships in Rome

Australia go down in 2nd ODI against NZ

world number one Australia on Friday slumped to their second successive defeat against New Zealand to go 0-2 down in the five-match cricket series and slide to third sport in the ICC ODI rankings.Put into bat, Australia cut a sorry figure, managing just 225 for five in 50 overs with stand-in captain Michael Clarke (98) and Michael Hussey (75) scoring bulk of the runs.Chasing the modest target, New Zealand rode on Grant Elliot's unbeaten 61 and useful contributions from Brendon McCullum (43) and Ross Taylor (47) to canter to a six-wicket win with seven balls to spare.This was Australia's fifth consecutive defeat.Trailing the series 0-2, the hosts now face a must-win situation when they take on New Zealand in the third ODI on Sunday in Sydney.New Zealand witnessed some torrid moments as well but Elliot stayed till the end to slam an unbeaten 75-ball 61 and hit a boundary off Ben Hilfenhaus to score the winning runs.New Zealand's chase got off to a poor start after losing opener Martin Guptill (8) in the fifth over. The setback prompted McCullum to shun his natural stroke-play and nudge the ball around. He put on 41 runs with Peter Fulton (21) and another 42 with Taylor before falling to James Hopes.Taylor did his bit as well but like McCullum, he too missed a half-century despite coming so close to the mark. Elliot, however, not only completed his fifty but also shouldered the responsibility to see the side through. Earlier, Clarke and Hussey put together a 133-run stand but Australia didn't see any late flourish to settle for a rather modest total.Clarke's 133-ball 98 included seven hits to the fence before he fell to Iain O'Brien just two runs short of what would have been his fourth ODI century.Hussey's 115-ball 75 had just four fours in it, underlining how hard he toiled for those runs.Walking out to open the innings with David Warner (2) in regular opener Shaun Marsh's absence, Clarke was watchful early in his innings, especially after the side lost three cheap wickets.Warner fell to Kyle Mills in the third over and Tim Southee removed number three Brad Haddin (12) in the 10th before David Hussey (12) ran himself out as Australia slumped to 63 for three.Clarke played a patient game at the other end, showing his occasional aggression by pulling Southee for a boundary and unleashing some crispy flicks off his pad.With an able partner in Michael Hussey at the other end, Clarke ran hard between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking even though Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel bowled a line tight enough to stem the boundaries.Both Clarke and Hussey decided to counter-attack in the last 10 overs only to perish in quick succession.O'Brien first castled Clarke and in his next over had Hussey caught by Vettori at mid-wicket

Wasim hails Murali for breaking his one-day record

paceman Wasim Akram on Thursday congratulated Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan on breaking his record of taking the most wickets in one-day international play.Wasim, who took 502 wickets in 356 matches before retiring from international cricket in 2003, paid tribute to Muralitharan, who achieved the feat in his 328th match."It was only a matter of time before he broke my record. Muralitharan is a great bowler and he deserves the record -- which are there to be broken," Wasim told AFP.Wasim said he sensed that Muralitharan would be the man to break his record."I noticed his progress in 2003 and realised he was the only man who could break my record," he said."At times I jokingly told him not to play one-day cricket, so that my record would remain intact, but he is relentless in taking wickets. I am happy that a bowler of his calibre has broken my record."Wasim said Muralitharan is in a league of his own."No matter what type of surface he has played on, no matter in which country and against which team... he is simply great and more than a good bowler, he is a good human being," he said."I don't think any bowler will be able to break his records. If he continues to play for another two or three years, he will cross 1,000 in Tests and 600 in ODIs, which will be tough to break for anyone else

Pietersen, Flintoff fetch record prices at IPL

GOA: England players Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff fetched $1.55 million each at the Indian Premier League auction Friday, setting a record for the highest amount paid for a player in the Twenty20 competition.Flintoff was snapped up by Chennai Super Kings, which last year set the previous record of 1.5 million for Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Bangalore's Royal Challengers secured Pietersen. Bangalore's owner Vijay Mallya said he was prepared to pay more for Pietersen.England players were not involved in the auction last year. South African J.P. Duminy was sold for $950,000 to Mumbai Indians, more than three times his reserve price. Australia paceman Shaun Tait was the first player auctioned, going to defending champions Rajasthan Royals for $375,000. The IPL season begins on April 10.

Record-smashing Muralitharan reveals secret of his success

History-making Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan says mental toughness and hard work are the keys to success in international cricket."It's not all that sweet. It's not easy to go on for such a long time because you have your ups and downs," said Muralitharan, 36, after becoming the highest wicket-taker in one-day internationals with 503."The main point is how strong you are and how you make a comeback."The Sri Lankan spinner completed a record bowling double here on Thursday when he dismissed Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir in his 10th and last over in the fourth match here, surpassing former Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram's one-day mark of 502.He also holds the record in Test cricket with 769 wickets.Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is the only other player to hold two major world records -- highest scorer in Tests (12,429) and one-dayers (16,440)."It (the record double) is a great achievement because the only other person to have achieved the feat is Tendulkar, so playing for Sri Lanka and achieving this feat is great for me and the country," said Muralitharan late Thursday."Everybody wants to perform well in both forms of the game, so holding records in both forms of the game means I've done really well for a long period. You have to be physically and mentally fit."Muralitharan, who made his Test debut in 1992 and played his first one-dayer the following year, said there was more competition for the Test bowling mark."Three bowlers were in contention for Test record -- Shane Warne, Anil Kumble and myself. They were a little bit older than me. I thought they would retire before me and then I would have a chance of overcoming them," he said."That's what happened. I didn't think much about the one-day record as no-one was closer to it. The nearest among playing cricketers was (compatriot) Chaminda Vaas (400 wickets), so I thought it could be achieved easily."When asked why the celebrations in the middle were muted after he had reached the landmark, the spinner said winning was always more important than records."It's not all about breaking records. It's all about winning matches and series. Unfortunately, it (the record) happened in a lost series and we also lost the match," said Muralitharan.The Sri Lankan said he planned to play international cricket until the 2011 World Cup, to be held in the sub-continent."It (cricket) is the only thing I know, so I want to play as much as I can. I am thinking about playing till the next World Cup. There will be nothing more to achieve after that," he said.Muralitharan admitted India had played better cricket in the ongoing series, saying confidence was the key to their success."Their confidence was high after beating England 5-0 (at home last year) and their batsmen played well here also," said Muralitharan, who could grab just three wickets in four matches against the tourists."There is a period when all the batsmen are set and getting runs. Then they are not scared of getting out. The batsmen struggle only when the confidence is low. At the moment their confidence is very high."It's all about confidence in this game

Englishmen dominate auction in IPL 2nd edition

GOA: A colourful auction has been seen in the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) here on Friday. In all, 17 cricketers from various countries were bought by franchises at the IPL auction but English players were the centre of attraction at the auction. They left behind India’s captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni.The most expensive cricketers at the auction were former England captains Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff. The Bangalore Royal Challengers bought Pietersen for $1,550,000 while his teammate Flintoff was bought at the same price by the Chennai Super Kings.Jean-Paul Duminy of South Africa was auctioned for $950,000 by the Mumbai Indians while Rajasthan Royals, partly owned by Indian actress Shilpa Shetty, created a stir when they picked up ageing South African Tyron Henderson for a whopping 650,000 dollars. The auction of Bangladesh’s pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza was also surprising as he was bought at a big price of $600,000 by the Kolkata Knight Riders. England’s Ravi Bopara was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for $450,000 and Shaun Tait of Australia was bought by the Rajasthan Royals for $375,000.Owais Shah and Paul Collingwood, both from England, were bought for $275,000 each by the Delhi Daredevils. Jesse Ryder from New Zealand was bought by the Bangalore Royal Challengers at a price of $160,000.$150,000 was the price of Fidel Edwards (West Indies), bought by the Deccan Chargers, Kyle Mills (NZ) by the Mumbai Indians and Jerome Taylor (WI) by the Kings XI Punjab while Thilan Thushara of Sri Lanka was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for $140,000.Dwayne Smith (WI) was bought by the Deccan Chargers for 100,000 dollars, Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful by the Mumbai Indians for 75,000 dollars and George Bailey (AUS) by the Chennai Super Kings for 50,000 dollars.Tournament rules stipulate that payments are made on a pro-rata basis for matches played. This year's contracts are for a two-year period.As many as 50 players threw their hat in the ring for the 17 slots available to franchises, but the unlucky ones could still make the grade at a later date to replace the absent Pakistan cricketers

Windies 160-1 in reply to England’s 318 on 2nd day

KINGSTON, Jamaica: West Indies' second wicket pair of Chris Gayle and his former deputy Ramnaresh Sarwan batted England into the ground with a hundred-run partnership in the opening Test at Sabina Park on Thursday.England's bowlers lacked penetration, as Sarwan, undefeated on 74, and Gayle, 71 not out, carried West Indies to 160 for one, replying to England's first innings total of 318, when stumps were drawn on the second day. Monty Panesar, whose left-arm spin was expected to trouble the West Indies batsmen, failed to make an impact, and Gayle slapped him through square cover for three to reach his 50 from 70 balls.Steve Harmison, who has fond memories of the ground, following his best bowling in Tests of seven wickets for 12 runs, also looked way below his best, and Sarwan nursed him behind square for two to reach his 50 from 111 balls.England's only success came prior to tea, when they claimed the scalp of Devon Smith for six, when he was adjudged lbw, after he completely missed the flight path of a delivery from Flintoff, and was struck on his left boot. The first of the two confirmed that Sarwan was clearly not-out, when Flintoff appealed for an lbw verdict for a delivery that was clearly heading down the leg-side.The second saved Sarwan from being dismissed, when he was struck playing back to an off-cutter from Harmison, and Hill adjudged him lbw. But England's bowlers were not as consistent as they would have liked, and the two West Indies batsmen reeled off an array of exciting strokes. England's first innings was terminated about 20 minutes after lunch, when Harmison and Panesar fell lbw with both batsmen unsuccessfully challenging their dismissals.Sulieman Benn was West Indies' most successful bowler with four wickets for 77 runs from 44.2 overs, Jerome Taylor took three for 74 from 20 overs, and Daren Powell grabed two for 54 from 20 overs.Before lunch, Matt Prior completed a purposeful half-century that helped England reach 311 for eight at the interval.England suffered an early setback, after they continued from their overnight total of 236 for five, when Flintoff was caught at backward point for 43 off Powell chasing a short, wide, rising ball.The visitors then stumbled to 256 for seven, when Broad was caught at gully for four slicing a drive off Taylor.For the next 45 minutes, Prior and Ryan Sidebottom stemmed the fall of wickets with a stand of 32 for the eighth wicket.Prior reached his 50, when he edged a big drive at a delivery from Powell and the ball flew just wide of the second slip fielder Smith on its way to the third man boundary for the fifth of his seven fours.But Prior paid for his petulance, when he tried to launch an attack on beanpole left-arm spin bowler Benn and was caught and bowled about 45 minutes before the interval to fully expose the England tail

Pak, Australia ODI series from April 24 in Dubai: Ijaz Butt

LAHORE: Pak-Australia one day international cricket series will be played in Dubai between April 24 to May 7.This was announced by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt here on Friday. PCB chairman said the test series between two countries would be held in England if the Australians could not make it to Pakistan. Ijaz said that two ODIs will be played in Dubai, three ODIs in Abu Dhabi while one Twenty20 match will be held in Dubai

PM directs departments, banks to establish sports divisions

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), taking serious notice has issued orders for departments and banks to establish their sports divisions.President PHF Qasim Zia after meeting with the prime minister in Lahore on Saturday told reporters that the patron-in-chief had issued orders some times ago for establishing sports divisions but nothing was done in this regard.Qasim Zia said that on diverting the attention in the meeting towards this negligence, the prime minister has taken serious notice and directed departments and banks to immediately establish their sports divisions and provide permanent jobs to players

Polo is played on cycle in Faisalabad

FAISALABAD: Polo is usually played while riding horses but poor boys in Faisalabad are playing it by riding on cycle.Polo on horses is a historical game which is played while riding speedy horses and this sport though expensive but is very interesting for spectators.However, poor boys of Faisalabad have found a substitute solution for playing this game and are using cycles rather then expensive horses