India to block Zimbabwe's ouster from ICC

Powerful India will oppose any moves to throw strife-torn Zimbabwe out of world cricket and is counting on the rest of the Asian bloc for support, a senior official told AFP on Monday.

"There is no reason to remove Zimbabwe," Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah told AFP as the International Cricket Council (ICC) debated the African country's future at its annual meetings here.

Cricket boards of South Africa and England last week suspended bilateral ties with Zimbabwe in protest at the deteriorating political situation in Harare, where Robert Mugabe has been controversially re-elected as president.

The ICC's decision-making executive board will take up the issue this week after the British government demanded that Zimbabwe be excluded from next year's Twenty20 World Championships in England.

The support of seven of the ICC's 10 full members, which include Zimbabwe, is required to suspend a nation from world cricket, but that appears unlikely given India's stance.

India, the sport's economic powerhouse, is almost certain to be backed by the three other Asian Test nations -- Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh -- on keeping Zimbabwe in the ICC.

The Asian bloc usually votes together on major cricket issues.

It was not immediately clear if Australia, the West Indies and New Zealand will back England and South Africa on Zimbabwe's exclusion.

"We understand England's position because their government wants Zimbabwe out," said Shah. "Even our tour commitments are determined by government advice.

"But we will back Zimbabwe to stay in the ICC."

If Zimbabwe retains its full membership, England risks losing the right to host the lucrative Twenty20 worlds in June next year if the British government denies visas to the Zimbabwean cricketers.

Zimbabwe has not played Test cricket since hosting India in September, 2005 after being told by the ICC to improve its playing standards.

But it retains an active one-day team which takes part in the World Cup.

Senior Zimbabwe cricket chief Ozias Bvute, meanwhile, questioned why several other boards were taking a hard-line position against his country when no other sporting organisation has opted for such a stance.

"We (Zimbabwe) are a full member of FIFA (football's governing body) and are currently participating in a World Cup qualifying campaign," Bvute told BBC's Test match special.

"We have a swimming programme which has produced Kirsty Coventry, a recent winner in the world championships.

"So it would be strange that the only sport to take action on so-called current worries is cricket when all the other world sporting bodies have not taken that stance."

soruce: cricbuzz.com

India ride Sehwag storm to thrash Pak

India ride Sehwag storm to thrash Pak

KARACHI, June 26 (PTI): Familiar Pakistan nemesis Virender Sehwag (119) slammed a violent century while Suresh Raina (84) too matched his aggression as India cantered to a facile six-wicket win with 7.5 overs to spare against the arch-rivals in the Asia Cup cricket tournament here tonight. It was sweet revenge for the Indians who just two weeks ago were outclassed by Pakistan in the Kitply tri-series final in Dhaka. With Sehwag and Raina on fire, India cruised to 301 for four in only 42.1 overs after Pakistan appeared to have set a competitive target by making 299 for four. The hosts’ innings revolved around 125 from captain Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan’s 59 on a good batting track. Malik did not field after retiring with cramps while pacer Umar Gul also went off with a rib cage injury after sending down just 1.2 overs. But under lights, Sehwag showed just how good the track was when he savaged the attack scoring his ninth hundred. He and Raina put on a record 198 runs for the second wicket from 149 balls before the stand was broken in the 28th over.The stand was remarkable as it came after Pakistan’s stand in captain Misbah-ul-Haq had brought off a spectacular one-handed catch at wide slip to get rid of Gautam Ghambir (9) in the third over and the players were on a high. Following the match, the victorious Indian skipper said 300 was not enough to defend on the National Stadium’s benign track and he was not much surprised as his side knocked down the target set by Pakistan with 7.5 overs to spare.“I always knew that a target of 300 here was always chaseable. The track was fantastic, one of the best in Pakistan. All we needed was a good start...maybe 340-350 would have been the right score. Besides, they lost Umar Gul (who bowled only 1.2 overs before leaving the field with rib muscle injury) and it was hard luck for Shoaib,” Dhoni said. Though a final berth is no more a worry for the side, Dhoni insisted he wanted to win all the games. SCORECARD Pakistan: Butt c Raina b Chawla 35, Malik retired hurt 125, Y Khan c Raina b Pathan 59, Yousuf run out 30, Misbah not out 31, Afridi c Dhoni b Singh 9, Tanvir not out 3; Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-5) 7; Total (4 wickets, 50 overs) 299. Fall of wickets:1-90, 1-219, 2-223, 3-261, 4-290. Bowling: P Kumar 10-0-56-0, RP Singh 10-2-44-1, I Sharma 10-0-69-0, PP Chawla 7-0-52-1, YK Pathan 9-0-52-1, Yuvraj 4-0-24-0.

Sehwag sizzles, India wins

Karachi: Virender Sehwag scattered the fielders, crumpled the required run-rate charts with instinctive ease and powered India to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in a STAR Cricket Asia Cup Group B match at the National Stadium here on Thursday.
Sehwag’s 119 (95b, 12x4, 5x6) and his 198-run second-wicket partnership with Suresh Raina helped India canter past Pakistan’s 299 for four in 50 overs. India scored 301 for four in 42.1 overs.
The initial minutes of the chase was a mix of Umar Gul leaving the field in discomfort and Gambhir’s slash prompting Misbah-ul-Haq to defy gravity at backward point. Twelve for one and Suresh Raina emerged with quick winnowing steps that soon left a larger imprint on the pitch as his 84 (69b, 10x4, 3x6) nearly put Sehwag’s ninth ODI century in the shade.Volley of words
The Man-of-the-Match Raina picked Iftikhar’s line early and with a neat bat swing sent the red cherry deep into the stands overlooking long-off. The control and the disdain in that shot angered Iftikhar who let loose two bouncers and a volley of words. Sehwag at the other end, flicked two fours on either side of a frozen square-leg.
Sehwag then carted Afridi all over the park . Part-timers Fawad Alam and Salman Butt were also left bleeding with reverse sweeps and the dismissive slaps over the in-field. And in the interim, Raina looking good for a hundred, ended up with a soft dismissal, tapping one straight to short covers.
Sehwag’s merry ways too ended soon and Younis Khan after holding on in the deep, appreciatively patted the departing batsman. In the end, Yuvraj and skipper M.S. Dhoni ensured that the winning runs were gained with minimum fuss.
Earlier on a warm evening, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik shed his diffidence and ended a two-year wait for an ODI hundred. Malik, who retired hurt on 125 (119b, 15x4, 1x6), last scored a hundred in the game’s abridged version in February’ 2006 against India at Lahore.
SCOREBOARD
 Pakistan: S. Butt c Raina b Chawla 35, S. Malik (retd. hurt) 125, Younis c Raina b Yusuf 59, Mohd. Yousuf (run out) 30, Misbah (not out) 31, S. Afridi c Dhoni b R.P. Singh 9, S. Tanvir (not out) 3; Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-5): 7; Total (for four wkts. in 50 overs): 299.
Fall of wickets: 1-90, 2-223, 3-261, 4-290.
India bowling: Praveen 10-0-56-0, R.P. Singh 10-2-44-1, Ishant 10-0-69-0, Chawla 7-0-52-1, Yusuf 9-0-52-1, Yuvraj 4-0-24-0.
India: G. Gambhir c Misbah b Iftikhar 9, V. Sehwag c Younis b Afridi 119, S. Raina c Fawad b Iftikhar 84, Yuvraj c Butt b Tanvir 48, M.S. Dhoni (not out) 26, Rohit (not out) 0; Extras (b-1, lb-6, w-7, nb-1): 15; Total (for four wkts. in 42.1 overs): 301.
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-210, 3-231, 4-294.
Pakistan bowling: Gul 1.2-0-6-0, Tanvir 9-0-55-1, Iftikhar 9.4-0-61-2, Afridi 10-0-64-1, Fawad 7-0-64-0, Butt 1-0-13-0, Younis 4.1-0-31-0.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062761431900.htm

ACA plan to revamp stadium

Guwahati, June 26: With only five months to go before the proposed ODI between India and England at Nehru Stadium, the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) will move Dispur with a plan to renovate the Pilik Choudhury Pavilion to accommodate more journalists and provide better dressing room facilities to the teams.

The ACA will take up the matter with the chief secretary, P.C. Sarma, for prompt action on the proposed renovation, which will take at least four months to complete.

“The chief secretary had sought details of the proposed renovation plan which we are going to submit to him in a couple of days,” said ACA secretary Bikash Baruah.

The ACA had submitted a Rs 82-lakh plan for the renovation of the pavilion to the state government more than a year ago. The ACA had even sought Dispur’s permission to spend the money from its coffers and later adjust it with the rent it pays to the Board of Sports of Assam. Dispur, however, has been sitting on the plan so far.

“Every time we host an ODI, we face the problem of providing the necessary dressing room facilities to the teams and in accommodating the media. The chief secretary seems to be enthusiastic this time and so we will approach him again. We hope the pavilion will be renovated before the next ODI,” Baruah said.

Asia Cup: India decimate Hong Kong

Asia Cup: India decimate Hong Kong

June 25, 2008 23:00 IST
India launched their Asia Cup campaign in an emphatic manner, routing minnows Hong Kong by 256 runs in their opening Group B match in Karachi on Wednesday.

Electing to bat, India rattled up massive 374 for four, riding on centuries by Suresh Raina (101) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (unbeaten 109), practicing well ahead of clash against arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan on Thursday.

They then bundled out the opponents for a paltry 118 in 36.5 overs to register their second best victory margin, the highest being 257-run win against Bermuda in 2007.

Young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (4/23) weaved the spin magic, bowling with guile as he forced three stumpings by foxing batsmen with his intriguing line and length apart fro effecting a catch out.

Hong Kong skipper Tabarak Dar (21), James Atkinson (23) and Irfan Ahmed (25) were the main contributors in their side's dismal run-chase.

Left-arm paceman R P Singh drew the first blood in his very first over, trapping Skhawat Ali for a nought, to begin the rot.

Dar and Atkinson then put up a 45-run stand for the second-wicket but once the skipper was dismissed, Hong Kong batsmen lacked confidence in negotiating the Indian attack.
The runs, whatever scored, came at an agonisingly slow pace as the 100 came up only in the 32nd over.

Poor running added to the woes of Hong Kong as lack of understanding resulted in run-outs of Irfan and Roy Lamsam.

Sehwag then closed the Hong Kong innings with two wickets on successive deliveries as he first clean bowled Afzaal Haider and then had Nadeem Ahmed caught behind the wickets, giving Dhoni his fourth victim of the innings.

Earlier, Suresh Raina notched up his maiden one-day century and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni his fourth as India sent minnows Hong Kong on a leather hunt scoring a massive 374 for four.

Raina spearheaded the batting blitz with his scintillating 101-run knock and teamed up with Dhoni (unbeaten 109) to put on 166 from 123 balls, which saw India set the highest total in Asia Cup history.

The 21-year old left hander was in spectacular form, reaching his first fifty from exactly 50 balls and then stepped up the tempo to race to his century from only 16 balls hitting five sixes and three fours in this period.

Raina was extremely harsh on pacer Skhawat Ali who went for three sixes in one over.
Raina fell two balls after smashing pacer Afzaal Haider for a six to reach his hundred and was caught at mid-wicket.

Dhoni touched the three-figure mark after consuming balls and helped himself with with six sixes and five fours to anchor the innings.

India with their strong performance also warmed up in spectacular fashion for their important clash against traditional rivals, Pakistan.

The Hong Kong spinners who had done an admirable job against Pakistan in their first match never recovered from an early blitz from openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

The duo put on 127 for the first wicket and plundered runs at will, scoring 95 in first 10 overs.
The two openers brought up the fifty in under six overs and put on a smashing 100 from 65 balls before Sehwag went for a blistering 78 from 44 balls with 13 fours and two big sixes.
He fell to left arm spinner Najeeb Amar, who also dismissed Gambhir after the Delhi player had made a quick 51 from 54 balls.

Rohit Sharma was needlessly run out for 11 runs missing out on a great batting practice opportunity. But Dhoni and the Raina were unstoppable.
Nadeem Ahmed, who took four wickets against Pakistan went wicket less. Source: rediff.com

No room for complacency

KARACHI, PTI: India launch their campaign in the Asia Cup cricket tournament against minnows Hong Kong here on Wednesday hoping to get into top form ahead of their crucial tie against archrival Pakistan on Thursday.Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men should not face much resistance from Hong Kong, but the Indians are in no mood to take their opponents lightly in what is likely to be a one-sided floodlit contest at the National Stadium.The Indians will go into the game without the services of paceman Irfan Pathan who will be rested because of a side strain.But the Indians have enough bowling resources at their disposal to counter Hong Kong. The India

coach Gary Kirsten warned his players not to get too complacent against their unfancied rivals."I am looking for some big contributions from my players in the match.We will take every opposition seriously as this is the Asia Cup and we will play proper cricket and will do the things we need to do," Kirsten said.

Source: www.rediff.com

’83 Cup magic

’83 Cup magic

— The summer of 1983 not only transformed the face of Indian cricket but instilled in the minds of its followers the belief that its team can win against the best. The World Cup squad under Kapil Dev which had landed on English shores as rank underdogs went on to script a golden piece of history when it humbled and shocked two-time Cup winners, defending champions and then the most-feared side – the mighty West Indies in the final at Lords to return home as heroes. A relatively low score of 183 proved to be more than enough in the end when Mohinder Amarnath trapped last man Michael Holding in front of the wicket for the maiden title. Given India’s dismal track record in the previous two editions, little did anyone know then that a resourceful team of sedate and aggressive batsmen like Sunil Gavaskar, Krish Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil as well as genuine all-rounders like the captain Kapil himself, Amarnath, Ravi Shastri and Roger Binny would conjure up an unbelievable feat against the formidable favourites. Twenty-five years hence as the country gears up to honour these gentlemen – some of whom are now legends in their own right while some have literally become forgotten entities – and celebrate ‘the greatest triumph till date’, the euphoria may not be as intense as it was then but the legacy continues to inspire the current crop of cricketers and the upcoming talents. While the older generation recalls and relives the magical feat of ‘Kapil’s Devils’ in nostalgia, the next generation has the luxury of a complete team to look up to and emulate.The 1983 Cup triumph set a new trend. The world started respecting and recognising India as a force to reckon with. Another major feat was achieved two years later in Australia when it won the World Championship of Cricket under the able leadership of Sunil Gavaskar, which only bore testimony that the ’83 feat was no fluke but a superlative performance when it mattered. Winning soon became a habit albeit there were inconsistencies to follow later in the decade. Nevertheless, India acquired its rightful status, thanks to the ’83 feat. The bottomline of the famous triumph at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ was that cricket which already was a game for the masses in the Indian context became a passion – an infectious craze that led people to the stadiums in large numbers while keeping millions glued in front of the television. With over a billion people, India today is a hub of the game which has acquired the status of a flourishing industry. Cricketers are no less than demi gods while the brands they endorse earn the loyalties of the consumer. The concept of T20 cricket and professional leagues like the IPL and ICL have become instant hits. In a way, cricket which has become a money-spinner is invariably playing the catalyst’s role in the Indian economy, thanks largely to its passionate followers who still regard the ’83 feat as the magic mantra behind the game’s elevation to a religion. SourcE: ASSAMTRIBUNE EDITORIAL

Kapil's Devils relive 1983 triumph

Kapil's Devils relive 1983 triumph
June 18, 2008Nostalgic moments of a historic victory were relived by members of 'Kapils Devils' as BCCI felicitated the 1983 World Cup heroes in New Delhi on Sunday night.

The Indian team, then considered underdog in international cricket, created history when they shocked two-time World Champions West Indies in the final at Lord's in June 25, 1983 to lift the Prudential World Cup Cup which is till date considered one of the greatest moment in Indian sports.After 25 years of that triumph, the day was once again relived when the 14 cricketers along with then manager P R Mansing were felicitated by the BCCI.

Kapil's Devils relive 1983 triumph

June 18, 2008 Nostalgic moments of a historic victory were relived by members of 'Kapils Devils' as BCCI felicitated the 1983 World Cup heroes in New Delhi on Sunday night.

The Indian team, then considered underdog in international cricket, created history when they shocked two-time World Champions West Indies in the final at Lord's in June 25, 1983 to lift the Prudential World Cup Cup which is till date considered one of the greatest moment in Indian sports.

After 25 years of that triumph, the day was once again relived when the 14 cricketers along with then manager P R Mansing were felicitated by the BCCI

Source:www.rediff.com

Champions Trophy: ICC backs Pakistan

June 19, 2008 , The International Cricket Council's acting chief executive, Dave Richardson, on Wednesday confirmed that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy. However Richardson added that the ICC will closely monitor security conditions in Pakistan ahead of the eight-team tournament in September.
Media reports in Australia said that the country's leading cricketers are contemplating a boycott of the tournament in wake of the security situation in Pakistan. Australia had postponed their planned tour of Pakistan in March because of fears over the safety of their players after a spate of suicide bombings.
Richardson added that if the majority of the executive board members wanted the Champions Trophy to go ahead in Pakistan then any country backing out for any reason would have to face the consequences and penalties.

source: www.rediff.com

Pietersen allowed to carry on reversing

Kevin Pietersen will be allowed to carry on playing his extraordinary 'reverse slog-sweep' after MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), cricket's rule-makers, announced they would not be outlawing the 'switch-hit'.

"MCC believes that the 'switch-hit' stroke is exciting for the game of cricket," said a statement issued by MCC following a meeting at it's Lord's headquarters in London on Tuesday. "Indeed, the stroke conforms to the Laws of Cricket and will not be legislated against." Pietersen, who effectively became a left rather than right-handed batsman when using the shot to twice hit New Zealand medium-pacer Scott Styris for six during an unbeaten century in England's opening one-day international win at the Riverside on Sunday, welcomed the ruling. "I am very pleased by the MCC's decision and I think it's the right one not just for me or England but the game as a whole. "It's important that we as players are innovative and if this shot helps make cricket more exciting and entertaining for spectators then that has to be good for the sport."

Some critics branded Pietersen's shot 'unfair' because bowlers, unlike batsmen, have to inform the umpire with which hand they will be delivering the ball and from which side of the wicket or risk being penalised.

"I don't agree with the argument that it is unfair on the bowlers," Pietersen, training at Edgbaston where the second one-day international of a five-match series takes place on Wednesday, said in an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement. "It's an extremely high risk shot and there will be plenty of bowlers out there who will think that it gives them a great opportunity to get me out," added Pietersen whose reverse sixes were the highlights of an innings of 110 not out, which propelled England to a 114-run victory.

His view was backed up by MCC which said: "MCC acknowledges that while bowlers must inform umpires and batsmen of their mode of delivery, they do not provide a warning of the type of delivery that they will bowl (for example, an off-cutter or a slower ball).

"It therefore concludes that the batsman should have the opportunity - should they wish - of executing the 'switch-hit' stroke." However, MCC accepted that consequences remained for both the interpretation of the lbw and wide rules by a batsman attempting a 'switch-hit', saying that they would "continue to research and discuss these implications".

source: cricbuzz.com

The ICC's umpire review system, 'On-field umpires should be respected' - Jayawardene

June 17, 2008, Mahela Jayawardene wants the new system to be utilized in a manner that is respectful to on-field umpires
Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lanka captain, feels that the new umpire decision review system that will be implemented on a trial basis during the home Test series against India next month should be utilized in a manner that shows respect to the on-field umpires.

Jayawardene said he welcomed the trial but admitted that it would place more responsibility on the captains.
"In general, the system will be good for the game as it will reduce the scope for mistakes," Jayawardene told Cricinfo. "But you need to do it in a respectful way. The on-field umpires are human, after all. They do make mistakes, just as everybody else does, and we should respect that during the trial. We should be clear that the idea is only to reduce the mistakes."
Jayawardene revealed that his team would be holding extensive discussions prior to the series on how to utilise the system in the "best manner possible". "We will take the views of everybody on what is best for the team. We want to keep it simple and not make it into a complicated issue."
He dismissed suggestions that the system would mean extra pressure on the captain, but admitted that it will bring in added responsibility. "It seems so. Especially because you have three chances and the captain takes the call for the fielding side. But while batting, others share the responsibility - it's the batsman who has to take the call and maybe, he can consult his partner before doing so."
David Richardson, the ICC's acting chief executive, said that the decision to trial the system during India's visit to Sri Lanka is "an attempt by the ICC to enhance still further the game at the international level".
"The system will see the fielding and batting side allowed three unsuccessful appeals to the umpire per innings to change a decision if it is perceived to have been incorrect," the ICC said in a press release. "These appeals can be made only by the batsman in receipt of the umpire's original decision or the captain of the fielding side, in both cases by the player making a 'T' sign with both forearms at shoulder height.
"The on-field umpire will consult with the third umpire, who will review available television coverage of the incident before relaying fact-based information back to his colleague. The on-field umpire will then deliver his decision either by raising his finger to indicate "out" or by crossing his hands in a horizontal position side to side in front and above his waist three times - as per a "safe" decision by an official in baseball."
The BCCI said on Monday that it has agreed to implement the trial for the three-Test series from July 23 to August 12.
source: www.Cricinfo.com

Shoaib's ban reduced to 18 months

The Appellate tribunal, legal counsel of the Pakistan Cricket Board, reduced the ban imposed on controversial paceman Shoaib Akhtar to 18 months and fined him for Rs. 7 lakh.
The tribunal was hearing an appeal from Shoaib against the five-year ban slapped on him by the disciplinary committee of the PCB in March. The verdict was delivered in Lahore on Saturday.
He was allowed to play in the Indian Premier League after the tribunal suspended his ban for one month.

The 'Rawalpindi Express' was earlier banned for five years for violating code of conduct while under probation period.
Last year, Shoaib was banned for 13 international matches and fined Rs. 3.4 million ($120,300) for four breaches of discipline including striking team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat before Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and put on two-year probation.

Source: www.rediff.com

IPL outshone Sydney Olympics: Gilchrist

Retired Australian stumper Adam Gilchrist is still awestruck by the glitz and glamour of the inaugural Indian Premier League and feels it outshone even the Sydney Olympic Games.
"It was quite overwhelming to see an event capture the attention and mindset and imagination of a country quite like it," Gilchrist said.
IPL: Who did well, and who didn't
"The only thing I can think of that was comparable was maybe the Olympics when they were in Sydney. But the Olympics was about two weeks, this was 45 days every night," he was quoted as saying by The Australian.

Memorable moments from the IPL
"It felt like that at 8pm the whole country would tune in no matter what the game was or who was playing. It was front page of the papers pretty much every day," said Gilchrist, who donned the Deccan Chargers' jersey in the tournament.
"As much as the concept and the tournament was successful, that passion for cricket in India grows more and more. The whole concept will be looked back on as a landmark in the history of cricket," added the star stumper-batsman.
His former skipper, Ricky Ponting , though fears the easy moolah in IPL might just lure next generation cricketers away from national duty.
"I've always been a little bit worried that if money keeps growing and growing and growing in that version of the game then all of a sudden young kids who are 14, 15, 16 now and want to make cricket their career may not even consider playing for their countries," Ponting told the newspaper.
"They might be trying to get a crack at the IPL or a competition somewhere like that and hopefully make a name for themselves and totally turn their back on the international game. That's what I'm worried about," he said.

Source: www. rediff.com

Asif's case to be heard on June 22

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 ,A top Dubai legal officer will begin an inquiry in the Gulf state next week into the drug case against Pakistan paceman Mohammad Asif, an official said Friday.

The attorney general of the emirate, where the 25-year-old paceman was detained June 1 as he was returning home from India after featuring in a cricket event, will conduct the inquiry.

"Our lawyer has confirmed that Asif's case will start on June 22 and no charges have yet been lodged against him," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi.

Asif has appeared before Dubai prosecutor, Mohammad Ali Rustan, who was quoted in Gulf media as saying opium was found in the cricketer's possession.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf last week said his board will initiate its own inquiry once Asif returns home. "We have maintained that Asif is innocent until proven guilty and all speculations on the case are unwarranted," Naghmi said. Asif was banned for one year after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone in October 2006.

Fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar was banned for two years on the same charge. The bans were lifted on appeal two months later. Akhtar is appealing a lifetime ban imposed on him in April for repeated disciplinary problems. His case resumes Saturday.

Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Yuvraj Singh to be chief guest at Euro match

Fri, 13 Jun 2008, Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh will present the man of the match award at the Euro 2008 match between Switzerland and Portugal in Basel on Sunday, a sponsor said.

Yuvraj faces a late night dash from the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka to reach Basel in the time for the game where his footballing hero Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing for Portugal.

The elegant left-hander, 26, will leave Dhaka soon after the tri-series final between India and Pakistan ends on Saturday night, an official said. Indian cricketers have rarely shared the spotlight at a top-level football meet, but Yuvraj's presence in Basel is part of a global promotion by beer manufacturers Carlsberg, one of Euro's sponsors.

"India is among a few select countries that have been asked to take a celebrity to represent India at Basel," a release from the sponsors said. Yuvraj, the Indian vice-captain, said he was delighted to be asked to be chief guest at the presentation ceremony.

"Obviously it's a huge honour to be invited to give away the man of the match award in a tournament like the Euro," Yuvraj told the Indian media in Dhaka. "I've always supported Manchester United and am a great fan of Ronaldo.

"I try and watch their games even if I can't watch other matches in the Premiership. Even recently, after a match I stayed up at night and watched the Champions League final where Man U beat Chelsea," he said.

Indian one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the original choice for the Basel trip, but declined citing prior commitments.

The only obstacle in Yuvraj's way for a date with Ronaldo will be if the Dhaka final is interrupted by rain on Saturday, since Sunday has been set aside as a reserve day

source: www.cricbuzz.com

Sreesanth doubtful for Bangladesh trip

June 6, 2008, A left side strain leaves Sreesanth, the Indian fast bowler, in doubt for the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh, which starts on June 8. Sreesanth was expected to join the team on Saturday, ahead of their departure for Bangladesh on Sunday, but has instead been told to report to the medical team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

MRI scans confirmed the strain and revealed he was suffering from some effusion in the region. Sreesanth's participation in the series will be decided after he is assessed at the NCA.

Sreesanth had suffered the strain during Kings XI Punjab's final league match

in the Indian Premier League, against Rajasthan Royals in Mohali on May 28. His gave away 44 runs from his three overs in that game, which Punjab won, but bowled only one in the subsequent semi final as Chennai Super Kings chased down an easy target.
Sreesanth featured in all 15 of Punjab's matches in the IPL, and finished with 19 wickets in the tournament, making him joint-second on the leading wicket-takers' chart with Shane Warne, and three behind Sohail Tanvir's 22.
Sreesanth had been at the centre of a controversy during the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 league, having been slapped by his India team-mate Harbhajan Singh after the match between Punjab and the Mumbai Indians in Mohali. Harbhajan was barred from taking further part in the tournament, and the BCCI banned him for five ODIs, while Sreesanth was asked to improve his on-field behaviour.
India play their first match of the tournament, a preparatory event ahead of the Asia Cup later this month, against Pakistan on June 10. No standby had been named in the squad for the tri-series, also involving hosts Bangladesh, and the Asia Cup, but with four other fast bowlers in RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan, a replacement might not be necessary.

Source: http://www.circinfo.com/

ICC considers repackaging Tests

June 6, 2008, IS Bindra: "The ICC was looking at ways to increase scoring-rates [in Tests

Plans are afoot to make Test matches more attractive and ensure the Twenty20 format does not destroy the traditional five-day game, according to IS Bindra, who takes charge as the ICC's principal advisor next month.

Bindra said the sport's governing body was concerned at dwindling Test attendance. "We need to learn from our experiences and move forward," Bindra told the Week, an Indian magazine. "We in the ICC have had very serious discussions for the last six to eight months on how to repackage Test cricket, make it more exciting and introduce an element of competition.
"It does not mean tinkering with the form but we are looking to bringing in more audience in Test matches." Bindra, a former president of the BCCI, declined to reveal the measures being considered but said the "the ICC was looking at ways to increase scoring-rates [and] have a world championship of Test cricket."

These plans will be unveiled as early as next month when the ICC holds their annual meeting at its headquarters in Dubai. Bindra sidestepped suggestions that Twenty20 will spell more trouble for the 50-over format than Test cricket. "The future of 50-overs cricket is something that one has to look at in the long term."

"For now, the ICC has laid a stipulation that all Test nations must play a minimum of 30 one-day internationals and 12 Tests each year as part of the existing Future Tours Programme (FTP) that runs till 2012."

Source © Cricinfo

Asif hearing deferred to Sunday

June 5, 2008, No charges have yet been laid against Mohammad Asif.

Mohammad Asif's ordeal in Dubai will continue for at least a few more days, after his hearing today was deferred to Sunday.

Asif has been in detention at Dubai International Airport since Sunday after authorities allegedly found a banned substance in his wallet. He made a statement today in front of the chief prosecutor though still no charges have been laid against him.

"The hearing has been deferred till Sunday," Shafqat Naghmi, PCB's chief operating officer, told Cricinfo. "Friday and Saturday are weekends there, but Asif recorded his statement today. No charges have yet been laid against him."

Sources close to the case confirmed to Cricinfo that the substance found in his wallet was a banned, recreational drug, though the urine tests conducted on Asif have come back negative.

The PCB, it is learnt, is still working through diplomatic channels to have the case resolved as soon as possible, though no Pakistani government official has yet become involved in the matter.

Source: © Cricinfo

Sohail Khan replaces Asif in tri-series squad

June 4, 2008, Sohail Khan has replaced Mohammad Asif in Pakistan's 16-man squad for the upcoming tri-series in Bangladesh, which will involve the hosts and India. The series is due to begin from June 8.

Asif was originally selected in the squad on Sunday, the very day he was detained at Dubai airport for suspected possession of an illegal item. It is unlikely now that Asif will be back in time to play in the tournament. Selectors told Cricinfo that they were not aware of Asif's situation when they picked the squad.

Khan has had an impressive first-class season, picking up a Pakistan record 91 wickets in his debut year and he has impressed many with his pace and stamina. He was rewarded for his efforts with an international call-up against Zimbabwe earlier this year in an ODI series. In three ODIs so far, he has picked up four wickets, with a best of 3 for 30 against Bangladesh.

He wasn't part of the original squad because selectors felt that Wahab Riaz's left-arm provided a more seasoned limited-overs option. Khan spent a week at a fast bowlers' camp in Lahore under the eye of Wasim Akram, where it was widely felt that despite his undoubted promise, there were still areas he needed to work on. Outside of his bowling, his poor fielding is considered a serious concern within the selection committee.
The Pakistan squad leaves for Dhaka on June 5.

Source: Cricinfo staff