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

WIN THE POLICE TEAM HYD

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