IPL-DLF tramples on 'India'

Published>Fri, Apr 09 10 12:24 PM

An angry Sports Ministry has shot off letters to Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi and title sponsor of the tournament DLF, asking them to stop "misusing" the word India and comply with an Allahabad High Court order.

At the centre of the controversy is the "Building India" tagline in the DLF logo and the objection is to having it on the bowler's run-up area and on the passage leading to the presentation ceremony as well where players frequently trod on them.

"Please appreciate that the matter in question involves deep public sentiments...with players running over it (the word India) hurts public sentiment and also tantamount to showing disrespect to the name of the country," the Ministry said in its letter to DLF chairman KP Singh.

"I, therefore, sincerely call upon DLF, the title sponsors, to respond to the strong public sentiments in the matter and take urgent action to stop such misuse...failing which, we will take up the matter with the Trade Mark Commissioner for appropriate action," the letter signed by joint secretary Injeti Srinivas read.

The writ petition filed in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had alleged that placing the logo on the ground violated the Prevention to Insults to National Honour Act 1971 and the State Emblem of India (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

In its letter to Modi, the Ministry also flayed BCCI for its casual approach in the matter.

"This matter was taken up with BCCI in pursuance of directive received from the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow bench)...BCCI was expected to take up the matter with IPL Commissioner and DLF and submit a comprehensive response to the Ministry. However, we are yet to receive any comprehensive response from them.

"Since the court directive is very specific and requires this Ministry to call up on IPL to take appropriate steps for the forthcoming matches...you are advised to take appropriate steps for immediately stopping the misuse of the DLF trademark/logo," the Ministry told Modi in a separate letter.

"I therefore sincerely call up on the IPL Commissioner to respond to the strong public sentiments in the matter and take urgent action to stop such misuse...failing which we will take up the matter with the appropriate authorities for appropriate action," the letter added.

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Qadir hails Waqar's appointment as head coach

Published>Fri, Apr 09 10 12:12 PM

Lahore, Apr.9 (ANI): Former Pakistan chief cricket selector Abdul Qadir has hailed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to appoint former fast bowler Waqar Younis as the national team's head coach.

Expressing his dislike for appointing a foreign coach, Qadir said teams like Bangladesh and Kenya should have become world champions in that case, as they had been acquiring the services of coaches from foreign countries for a long time.

Commenting on Pakistan's chances in the upcoming ICC T20 World Championship in the West Indies, he said Pakistan is a strong squad, but said players like opener Imran Nazir and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan would have added to the firepower.

Qadir pointed out that spinners would play a crucial role in the tournament, The News reports. (ANI)

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NBA results

Published Fri, Apr 09 10 11:50 AM

REUTERS - NBA results on Thursday (home team in CAPS).

CHICAGO 109 Cleveland 108

SACRAMENTO 116 LA Clippers 94

DENVER 98 LA Lakers 96

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Crumbling Kumble blames bowlers

Published>Fri, Apr 09 10 11:46 AM

The 184-run score was defendable but the bowlers let the side down today and the team will have to pull up the socks in this department in the matches to come, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Anil Kumble said today.

Riding on T Suman's 57-ball 78 and Andrew Symonds' 24-ball 53, Deccan Chargers comfortably defeated RCB by seven wickets in an Indian Premier League match here.

And Kumble said it is his bowlers were to be blamed for the defeat.

"184 was a good score, it was defendable but unfortunately the bowling did not stand up to scrutiny today. The bowling department needs to look inside and find answers," the RCB captain said.

"It was a good chase by Deccan but 184 was defendable," Kumble insisted.

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Wigan manager Martinez on improper conduct charge

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 10:50 PM

The English FA charged Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez with improper conduct on Thursday for accusing a Premier League referee of "lying" last month.

"The charge relates to media comments made about referee Stuart Attwell following Wigan's match against Manchester City on 29 March," the FA said on its website (www.thefa.com).

Spaniard Martinez told reporters after his defender Gary Caldwell was sent off that "we're all human beings and make mistakes but to give a decision out of something you didn't see, that's lying".

He has until April 22 to respond to the charge. Wigan lost the game 3-0.

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Royal Challengers set 185 target for Deccan Chargers

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 10:40 PM

Bangalore, April 8 (IANS) Royal Challengers Bangalore Thursday set a target of 185 runs for Deccan Chargers in the 40th T20 match of Indian Premier League-III at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here.

Put to bat, Challengers scored 184 for 6 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, with a rear-guard fighting knock by Virat Kohli and opener Jacques Kallis who accelerated the run-rate in the slog overs by taking the score to 163 runs in the 19th over by hitting huge sixes and fours.

The fifth-wicket partnership between Kallis and Kohli yielded 95 runs in 52 balls, and 15 runs came off extras.

Kallis made 68 in 44 balls, with a 6 and nine 4s, while Kohli scored 58 in just 35 balls with four 6s and four 4s.

For the IPL II title holders Chargers, Ryan Harris and Pragyan Ojha were the most successful bowlers, each taking two crucial wickets.

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We will do even better in Europe: Sutil

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 10:30 PM

With points from all three races so far, Force India already has the looks of a strong mid-field outfit and its German driver Adrian Sutil predicts the team would do even better once the Formula One championship enters its European leg next month.

Sutil, whose fifth place finish in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix earned the team 10 valuable points, said barring downforce, there was not much of a difference with Red Bull and he expects the upgrades that are lined up would bridge that gap in Europe.

"We are very close to the top teams and we're getting a new upgrade for the European races. Hopefully it will get us a few tenths on the car and a few positions," said Sutil.

"It's just the downforce. In F1 you're always looking to improve the downforce. That's what Red Bull has at the moment.

They have so much grip in the corners and that's why they are so fast.

"Our car is very easy and nice to drive, it has a good balance, we just need to improve the downforce a little bit, but that's what we're doing," said the lanky German.

After the Chinese Grand Prix later this month, the F1 caravan shifts to Europe where Sutil expects the outfit to strike it big.

Looking back at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the driver was happy to have broken his points duck this season and said it was all the more thrilling because of his fierce duel with pal Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.

"Of course it wasn't easy as he has one of the best cars in the field. Especially during the Malaysian weekend, McLaren was really, really strong. But I knew also my race performance is pretty good," Sutil said.

"Still, I had to push on in the last 20 laps because he'd got the advantage of the soft tyres until five laps to go, when his tyres were going off a little bit. But there was no problem really to keep my position.

"Of course he put a little bit of pressure but I had a good car in a straight line and I knew without any mistakes there was no chance for Lewis to pass me. It just sweetens up out fifth position, because we had to really fight for it," added Sutil.

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RCB set Chargers 185 for victory

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 10:24 PM

Royal Challengers Bangalore posted 184 for six against Deccan Chargers in Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.

Brief Scores:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Jacques Kallis 68, Virat Kohli 58; Pragyan Ojha 2/24, Ryan Harris 2/37).

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Manchester United agree deal for Mexican Hernandez

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 10:10 PM

Manchester United have agreed to sign prolific Mexican striker Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

United said personal terms had been agreed and Hernandez, who is likely to be an important player for Mexico at the World Cup finals in South Africa, had passed a medical in Manchester this week.

An application for a work permit would be submitted and, if granted, the 21-year-old will join United on July 1.

As part of the deal, United agreed to play a match to open the 45,000 capacity Chivas Stadium in Guadalajara in July.

"I am delighted to reach agreement with Chivas to bring such an exciting young striker, who has been in such prolific form for both his club and his country," manager Alex Ferguson told the website (www.manutd.com).

"He will be a great addition to our squad and we look forward to welcoming our first Mexican player in the summer."

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Chirag start favourite against Pune FC

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 09:54 PM

Kolkata, Apr 8 (PTI) Riding on the series of success, Chirag United will clash with Pune FC in the ONGC I-League football tournament match to be played at Yuba Bharati Krirangan here tomorrow. A victory tomorrow will keep the Kolkata outfit in contention for the title as the national championship is now in the middle of the second stage. Chirag are at the third spot with 30 points from 19 outings while Mahindra United and Churchill Brothers are at the first and second spot with 37 and 35 points from 20 and 19 matches respectively. In the last three matches, Chirag won all the outings and will definitely go all out to derive the home advantage and earn full points tomorrow. Pune FC, on the other hand though won the last one against Mumbai FC 2-1, lost the previous two outings against Lazong FC and Air India by the identical score line of 1-0. To add to the woes of Pune side, their dependable skipper Subrata Paul won''t be able to play tomorrow being indisposed. On the other hand, Chirag will be able to field their top 11 as their opportunistic forward Edmilson will be joining Josimar at the upfront. Chirag''s defence will be led by Du and will have veteran Sandeep Nundy under the bar. The home side also have a solid midfield with Jayanta Sen, Jenson and Gauranga Biswas who have combined well in the earlier matches.

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Miracle escape? No, we're doomed, admits Grenoble chief

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 09:50 PM

Grenoble can still cheat Ligue 1 relegation with seven matches left but the man responsible for the day-to-day running of the club has written his team off as no hopers for survival and is already planning for next season.

Anything less than a win at Toulouse on Saturday (1700 GMT) combined with victory for St Etienne at Sochaux will doom Grenoble to the drop.

Club executive officer Pierre Wantiez, who is the Japanese owners' front man at the French Alps club, was not holding out any hope on Thursday.

Asked by Reuters to sum up Grenoble's season, Wantiez said simply: "Depressing".

"Our fate is already sealed. I'm not really a believer and I don't know if someone believes we will stay in Ligue 1 but I don't," he said.

"We are disappointed and bitter ... and I think our team have not been repaid for their efforts but we are not competing in figure skating with performance scores, this is arithmetic with points you grab or not," Wantiez added.

The target for the club, on 15 points with just three wins from 31 matches, is to avoid breaking the record for the lowest number of points by a Ligue 1 club, set by Metz in the 1988-89 season with 17.

"I don't want Grenoble to end the season with the lowest number of points ever. We don't want to wear that albatross on our shoulder after we've already lost our first 11 games of the season," Wantiez said.

"The only thing that matters to me now is to prepare for next season and to leave Ligue 1 with our heads held high and with dignity."

Worse could follow for Grenoble, whose Japanese owners face financial problems.

The club are waiting to hear whether the French Professional League will demote them to National, the equivalent of the third division, because of their budget problems.

If the season ended now, Le Mans and Boulogne, second and third from bottom in the 20-strong table, would also be relegated and there are few signs they can escape that fate.

TITLE RACE

Le Mans are 11 points behind St Etienne, who are just above the relegation zone in 17th, and host third-placed Montpellier on Saturday (1700).

Boulogne, who trail St Etienne by eight points, will be in action at the same time, away to fellow strugglers Racing Lens.

There is far more uncertainty at the other end of the table with the closes title race in years.

Marseille went two points clear at the top with a 3-0 home win against Sochaux on Wednesday but only five points separate the top six teams.

Sixth-placed Lille could find themselves out of contention though if they lose at in-form Olympique Lyon on Sunday (1500).

Lyon went through to the Champions League semi-finals when they knocked out French champions Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday.

They are second ahead of Montpellier and Auxerre, who play at Nancy on Sunday (1500), on goal difference.

Leaders Marseille, who were last crowned champions in 1992, Have 59 points, with one game in hand. They have enjoyed seven wins in their last nine league outings and host Nice on Sunday (1900).

Bordeaux, in fifth with two games in hand, visit Paris St Germain on Saturday (1900).

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Nike launches new Woods advt with dead father

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 09:40 PM

Betwa Sharma New York, Apr 8 (PTI) As fallen golfer Tiger Woods tees off at the Masters, Nike has released a new advertisement that features the voice of his dead father, Earl Woods. "Tiger, I am more prone to be inquisitive, to promote discussion," Earl Woods says. "I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. Did you learn anything?" While the father is speaking, the son stares out of the television box from a black and white background making the effect slightly strange as well as courting some controversy. Woods appears to be listening attentively. The trademark Nike ''swoosh'' can be seen on his sweater and cap. Some viewers felt it was too soon for Woods to be back in a commercial and in very bad taste while others found it to be very thoughtful. "We support Tiger and his family. As he returns to competitive golf, the ad addresses his time away from the game using the powerful words of his father," Nike said in a statement. Woods will be playing at the Masters in Augusta, Georgia after a five months break following a sex scandal. Shocking details of his private life have received worldwide attention with several of the golfer''s mistresses coming forward to provide information about his infidelity. The cover-up was busted after his wife Elin found out about his extra-marital affair with, Rachel Uchitel, a New York party planner, which led to an argument and accident on Nov 27 when Woods crashed his SUV outside his Florida mansion sustaining minor injuries. Woods spent 45 days in rehab and recently spoke of continuing his treatment. Speaking to a roomful of his friends and colleagues for 14 minutes in February, Woods apologised for his behavior, asked the media to back off from his private life, and revealed that he would use Buddhism to get his life back on track. Despite the controversy, Woods remains a favorite at the Masters. Speaking to reporters this week, the golfer noted that he felt good about playing since he was no longer preoccupied with lying and covering his tracks. His wife Elin will not be attending the tournament. "I would have been more centred, more balanced and that''s where I am headed toward and what I''m working towards each and everyday," the golfer said. "I meditate religiously again like I used to...I go back to my roots and Buddhism with my mom," he added. At a parallel conference, porn star Josyln James said, "He is a big fat liar. He is not honest. After the birth of his daughter he was with me 10 days later." PTI BS AY

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Guti looking at life beyond Real Madrid

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 09:10 PM

Real Madrid playmaker Guti said on Thursday he was probably playing his last season at the Bernabeu.

"At present there is no chance of staying. I have one year left but we are hoping to reach an agreement," the 33-year-old, who came up through the club's youth ranks, told radio station Onda Madrid.

"I have two years left in me. The idea is to go to England, Italy or the Middle East," the former Spain international added.

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Wins for Hindustan and ND Heroes in second division I-League

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 09:00 PM

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Hindustan defeated Simla Youngs while New Delhi Heroes defeated Amity United in the second division ONGC I-League at the Ambedkar Stadium here Thursday.

Hindustan came from 0-1 down to beat Simla Youngs FC 4-2, while New Delhi Heroes thrashed Amity 6-1.

Simla Youngs took the lead in the 12th minute through Gamlung Kamei and Hindustan found the equaliser in the 25th minute through Musibau equalized 1-1 and he again increased the lead 2-1 in the 33rd minute.

Simla Youngs fired in the equaliser through Ugo in the 77th minute of a penalty kick. Hindustan's Tuishim Mashangva broke the deadlock and made it 3-2 and Musibau complete the tally 4-2 in the injury time.

In the earlier match, New Delhi Heroes' Nigerian striker Charles scored a hat-trick in their 6-1 win. Another Nigerian recruit Baba Tunde struck twice while and skipper Bhuvan Joshi scored in 82nd minute. For Amity United, Nigerian recruit Monday Ugbuji reduced the margin in the 88th minute.

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Ghei, Ashok, Shamim advance to the pre-quarters

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 08:54 PM

New Delhi, Apr 8 (PTI) Unheralded Mohd Islam of Patna upstaged Vijay Kumar but top contenders Gaurav Ghei and Ashok Kumar kept their title hopes alive by advancing to the pre-quarter finals of the SRF All India Professional Golf Matchplay Championship here today. Mohd Islam won six holes against Vijay Kumar''s five to pull off an upset win. In a clash involving two of the leading professionals from Chandigarh, fifth seed Harendra Gupta ended 2010 Rolex Ranking leader Sujjan Singh''s challenge with a 2 & 1 result. Gupta will now take on Vinod Kumar of the Delhi Golf Club, whose 5 & 4 win against Kanpur''s Shiv Prakash turned out to be the biggest margin of victory in round two. Among the top draws, Gaurav Ghei eased past Vikrant Chopra 4&3, Ashok Kumar defeated Ranjit Singh Rathore 3&2 while Shamim Khan beat Toran Bikram Shahi 2&1. In the closest match of the day, Randhir Singh Ghotra of Chandigarh triumphed over Lucknow''s Sanjay Kumar on the 22nd hole, while R Srinivas of Bangalore prevailed over Shaurya Singh on the 19th hole. In some other key encounters, Navtez Singh of Jamshedpur overcame Manav Jaini of the DGC with a 3 & 1 margin, while Rafick Ali Mollah of Kolkata defeated Amritinder Singh 4 & 3. PTI AY AT

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South Africa recall striker Nomvete after three-year absence

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 08:50 PM

South Africa's desperate search for a goal scorer before they host the World Cup led on Thursday to 32-year-old Siyabonga Nomvete being recalled for a training camp after an absence of almost three years.

Nomvete was named by coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in a 25-man squad for three weeks of training in Germany, starting on Monday.

His recall comes after a flurry of goals for his club Moroka Swallows in the closing stages of the South African league season.

Nomvete, who scored the goal that gave South Africa their lone World Cup finals win over Slovenia in South Korea in 2002, won the last of his 72 caps in October 2007. He has scored 15 goals for his country.

Also recalled was striker Katlego Mashego of Orlando Pirates for the second part of Parreira's preparations camps for locally-based players ahead of the World Cup which starts on June 11.

South Africa's scoring problems were highlighted by the fact the league's leading scorer, Katlego Mphela, managed only one goal in more than a dozen games against club opposition during a camp in Brazil last month.

Their main scoring hopes are pinned on 32-year-old Benni McCarthy but Parreira has repeatedly expressed his concern over the lack of game time for the striker at West Ham United and, before his transfer in January, Blackburn Rovers.

South Africa's second choice striker Bernard Parker has played only a substitute role at Dutch league leaders FC Twente this season.

None of South Africa's foreign based players, save for Ajax Amsterdam junior Daylon Claasen, are available for the training camp in Germany.

"The Germany camp is getting closer to the World Cup, so we have to show some improvements as a team, we can't afford any retrogression, and as a result we have to improve further from our previous gains," Parreira told a news conference.

"The team has shape and we are now competitive tactically and physically."

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Bopanna-Qureshi in semis of Morocco ATP event

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 08:40 PM

New Delhi, Apr 8 (PTI) Rohan Bopanna and his partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi have advanced to the semifinals of the ATP Tour event in Casablanca, Morocco after scoring an easy straight-set win over Simon Greul and Peter Luczak. The Indo-Pak pair beat the German-Australian pair 6-3 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the euro 450,000 clay court event. They will next take on Phillip Marx of Germany and Igor Zelenay of Slovakia. Meanwhile, in US Clay court championships in Houston, Somdev Devvarman will take on former world number one Lleyton Hewitt of Australia for a place in the singles quarter-finals. PTI AT

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Tejas Ravichandran downs yet another GM, stays in lead

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 08:30 PM

By Our Chess Correspondent Dubai, Apr 8 (PTI) Tejas Ravichandran continued his giant-killing spree and joined compatriot Dronavalli Harika in the lead to boost his prospects of obtaining a Grandmaster''s norm in the 12th Dubai International Open chess tournament here. A mere 2165 ELO points in the current rating list, Tejas got the better of Grandmaster Martinez Josep Manuel Lopez of Spain to record his third successive victory over Grandmaster opponents. After the conclusion of the third round, Tejas emerged in a six-way tie at the top of the tables which also included former world junior girls'' champion Harika who played a fine game to beat David Arutinian of Georgia. Thanks to her splendid show, Harika too now has great chances to obtain GM norm here. Meanwhile, the more fancied Indians could not turn the tide in their favour and none of the four Indian Grandmasters in the fray could force a victory. World''s second youngest ever Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi could not do much against Konstantine Shanava of Georgia and settled for a draw, while 2008 world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta also split point with fellow Indian Sahaj Grover from a Berlin defence game. Grandmaster S Arun Prasad was shocked by Marina Makropoulou of Greece, playing with black. On the brighter side, GM norm aspirant M R Lalith Babu held Grandmaster Aleksej Aleksandrov of Belarus to an easy draw while R R Laxman got the same result against Merab Gagunashvili of Georgia. S Satyapragyan also improved his chances in the event after holding Austrian GM David Shengelia. After losing the second round, Ramnath Bhuvanesh and Eesha Karavade made a good comeback against lower ranked opponents.

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Pak to take on Lanka in Asia Cup opener

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 07:58 PM

Mumbai, Apr 8 (PTI) Pakistan will clash with hosts Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup opener on June 15 while India will take on Bangladesh next day. The 11-day-long tournament would be played on a single-leg round-robin basis with the top two teams entering the final to be held on June 24, with the next day slated as a reserve day, a media release from broadcast rights owners Nimbus Sport said today. The Asian Cricket Council and Nimbus have signed a five-year deal for events to be held up to 2014, including three Asia Cup events, the release added. ACC Chief Executive Ashraful Huq hoped the partnership with Nimbus would help the continental championship to continue to grow "its premier status exponentially across the world." He also expressed confidence that the agreement would "go a long way in creating possibilities for more Asian nations to play at the highest level possible." The Asia Cup will be held every alternate year this year followed by editions in 2012 and 2014. Each tournament would feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh playing each other in a league format, with the top two teams playing off in a final to identify the champions of Asia. PTI SSR VKV SHN

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Force India now a consistent top-10 finisher: Sutil

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 07:50 PM

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Force India has made a strong start to the Formula One season, scoring points in all three races, and their German driver Adrian Sutil said the team has the potential to start higher up on the grid and maintain their position as top-10 finishers.

Sutil had two disappointing races at Bahrain and Melbourne, where he qualified inside the top 10, but failed to earn points. The story was however different at last week's Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang where a determined Sutil drove Force India to a brilliant fifth place finish.

Before that Vitantonio Liuzzi had finished ninth in Bahrain and seventh in Melbourne to give Force India a great start.

Force India are at sixth place in constructor standing with 18 points from three races.

'It has been a very good season so far because we have scored points in every race. It just shows we did a very good job over the winter. We improved our car and we are now a consistent top 10 runner.

'It depends on the conditions, but I think we can go even more forward in the grid. We showed our potential in Malaysia and we want to continue like that and score a few more points this year in a lot more races,' Sutil said.

Sutil said they are concentrating on improving the aerodynamical efficiency of the car.

'It's just the downforce, in F1 you're always looking to improve the downforce. That's what Red Bull has at the moment, they have so much grip in the corners and that's why they are so fast.

'Our car is very easy and nice to drive, it has a good balance we just need to improve the downforce a little bit. We are very close to the top teams and we're getting a new upgrade for the European races, hopefully it will help us to get a few positions.'

In Sepang circuit, Sutil manoeuvered the car well with Lewis Hamilton breathing down his neck.

Hamilton starting at 20th position, drove with power in the opening laps, climbing as high as second at one point, but eventually had to settle for sixth with Sutil holding off the Briton in McLaren in the latter stages.

'It was not easy against McLaren because they have one of the best cars in the field, especially during the Malaysian weekend, McLaren was strong. But I knew my race performance is pretty good. I had to push on in the last 20 laps, because he (Hamilton) got the advantage of the soft tyres until five laps to go when his tyres were going off a little bit.

'But there was no problem really to keep my position. Of course he (Hamilton) put a little bit of pressure, but I had a good car in a straight line and I knew without any mistakes there was no chance for Lewis to pass me.'

Sutil thanked his team for their efforts.

'The team did a fantastic job the whole weekend. We had a great qualifying, getting position four on the grid and in the race I was fighting against the big cars. It was a great achievement for the team.'

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Preity Zinta takes a holy dip in Ganga

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 07:40 PM

Haridwar, Apr 8 (PTI) Bollywood actor Preity Zinta, whose team Kings XI Punjab has received a drubbing in the IPL, today took a holy dip in river Ganga here and participated in a ''yagna'' praying for victory. Zinta, 35, who flew in along with her mother Neelprabha, drove to Parmarth Ashram of former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand and took a dip at Neeldhara area. Zinta also went to Dharmgangeshwar temple and performed a yagna meant for attaining victory over enemies, ashram sources said. The actor''s T-20 cricket team Kings XI Punjab is at the bottom of the Indian Premier League and with three matches to go, it is virtually out of contention for the semi-finals. Zinta maintained a distance from the media during her visit.

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Shoaib Malik sends notice to PCB seeking reasons for ban, fine

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 07:24 PM

Karachi, Apr.8 (ANI): Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has sent a notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking clarifications on its decision impose a year's ban and a penalty of two million rupees on him.

A PCB official, while confirming the report, said the board would soon reply to the notice.

"We will respond to Shoaib Malik's notice soon in which he has sought justification over his punishment," The News quoted PCB's media director Nadeem Sarwar, as saying.

Sarwar also clarified that the notice sent by Malik was not being treated as an appeal against the PCB's ban and fine.

"We are yet to receive a formal appeal from Malik. The deadline for filing the appeals is April 16," he said.

Malik, who is currently in India for his marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza, was among the seven senior cricketers who were banned and fined by the PCB on charges ranging from indiscipline, ball tampering and creating rift in the team during the winless tour of Australia. (ANI)

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Hamilton in love with his new McLaren

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 07:10 PM

Lewis Hamilton says his new McLaren is as good as any car he has ever driven in Formula One, including the one that took him to the title in 2008.

"I love driving this year's car," the Briton said on his website (www.lewishamilton.com) on Thursday on his return from last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

"I said to my engineers in Malaysia that I'd never had a car that felt as solid and as planted as the MP4-25.

"It feels like a car that you can not only find a perfect balance with, but you can also really push it, and it reacts well to the changes on full-tanks or when it's empty."

The 25-year-old said that all this meant he had been able to push to the limit, which is how he loves to drive.

"I don't think I've ever enjoyed driving a Formula One car more than I have with this year's car," he said.

"Of course, it hasn't been perfect -- but then nothing is -- but I feel extremely confident for the races ahead."

Hamilton is sixth in the standings with 31 points from the first three races in Bahrain, Australia and Malaysia and just eight behind Ferrari's overall leader Felipe Massa.

Even if he has yet to win this season, unlike team mate and champion Jenson Button, the Briton has had some outstanding races.

He gained 10 places in the space of four laps in Malaysia, qualifying 20th after the team misjudged the weather but finishing sixth.

In Australia he was battling for second place after a drive he ranked as one of his best when McLaren told him to pit for a change of tyres that cost him a podium and again left him sixth. In a dull Bahrain season-opener, he was third.

The performance of the 2010 McLaren is a marked contrast to last year, when Hamilton started the season with an underperforming car that took months of hard work before it could be transformed into a winner.

"I came away from the first three races this year knowing that very little was lost and that everything is still to play for," he said.

"Given where we were last year, that's a major positive for us. Could we have scored more points? Almost certainly, but we were reliable when it mattered, and we've shown we have the pace to fight at the front."

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IOC to assess impact of heavy rain on Rio 2016 Olympics

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 07:00 PM

Rio de Janeiro, April 8 (DPA) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to meet soon with officials of the organising committee of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games, to discuss the impact of the recent devastating rain on the preparations.

In a statement Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed its solidarity with the victims of mudslides and floods that have left more than 110 dead in Rio and its surroundings. The committee, however, insisted that it remains confident on Rio's capacity to host high-quality Olympics.

IOC spokesman Andrew Mitchell said the Olympic body was to discuss the impact of the disaster once the situation within the city is back to normal.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ruled out Tuesday that rain-related problems may jeopardize the Brazil 2014 football World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

'It does not rain everyday. Neither are there quakes everyday in Chile and Haiti. Usually, the months of June and July (when the two major sporting events are set to take place) are calmer.

Rio is ready to host the Olympic Games and the World Cup, the best the world has ever known,' said Lula, who was in Rio when the disaster happened.

The head of the Rio 2016 organizing committee, Carlos Nuzman, said the IOC showed its 'complete support' for the city and its understanding that what happened is 'a meteorological event of an extraordinary nature, which can happen anywhere in the world.'

The disaster which hit Rio Monday and Tuesday did not preserve sports facilities.

Maracanazinho gym, regarded as one of only a few competition venues which did not need thorough reform ahead of the Olympics, was flooded Monday. One women's volleyball team even had to spend the night there because they could not leave. The court reportedly suffered major damage.

Flooding also affected the changing rooms and other facilities at Maracana stadium, nicknamed the 'temple of football,' leading Rio authorities to postpone by at least one day a Copa Libertadores match between Flamengo and Universidad de Chile that was scheduled for Wednesday.

Source: Web Search

Sachin likely to play against Kings XI Punjab

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 06:50 PM

Mohali, April 8 (IANS) Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar, who complained of fatigue and dehydration during their last match against Chennai Super Kings, is recovering well and is expected to play against Kings XI Punjab Friday.

Tendulkar left the field while batting, but came back later when Mumbai Indians were struggling to save the match.

'Sachin is getting better. We are hopeful that he will be fit and will be ready to play tomorrow's game,' said Shikhar Dhawan at the pre-match press conference at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium Thursday evening.

Dhawan said Tendulkar's presence is very important as he has been a motivating factor for the team.

'Sachin is a great leader and his presence gives a lot of confidence to every player,' he pointed out.

'Sachin is the world's best batsman and he is also a great captain. We have won many matches under his captaincy. He is calm on the field and there is a good feeling out there. Hopefully we will win tomorrow's game under his captaincy.'

So far, Mumbai Indians have won seven out of nine matches and are at the top of the table with 14 points. Their defeat against Chennai Super Kings came after five consecutive victories. In complete contrast, Kings XI Punjab are placed at the bottom of IPL standings with only two wins in 10 matches.

Mumbai Indians will be playing most of their away matches now and Dhawan said they are prepared.

'We are fully prepared for the matches at different venues. We are looking forward to win the remaining matches of the IPL.'

Dhawan had been in good form this season and has forged a successful opening combination with Tendulkar.

'I am quite happy with my performance so far. I am happy that I am emerging as a more matured player,' said Dhawan.

Dhawan played for Delhi Daredevils in the first season but later joined Mumbai Indians.

'Unfortunately I got injured after few matches but later I was lucky that Mumbai Indians gave me a chance to play. I am enjoying my game,' said Dhawan.

'Performance of a player always counts. Whether you are playing IPL or domestic cricket, it is performance that matters. So, it is a great opportunity to prove our skills and caliber,' he pointed out.

Dhawan was also full of praise for their team owner Reliance Industries.

'We are like a big family. We are proud to have such team owners. We are never in any kind of pressure. Even Sachin advise is to play positively and without taking any pressure,' said Dhawan.

Talking about Kings XI Punjab's dismal performance despite presence of many star players, he added: 'All teams are good but sometimes luck is not on your favour. This can happen to any team. Tomorrow's game is important and we are looking forward to win it.'

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Asif accuses Veena of stealing cheques

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 06:40 PM

Lahore, Apr 8 (PTI) Mohammad Asif-Veena Malik controversy took an interesting turn today with the fast bowler accusing his former actress girlfriend of stealing the two cheques which she was claiming to have bounced. Veena had slapped a legal notice on Asif on the ground that the two cheques, amounting to 11.3 million rupees, which he gave her to settle a money dispute bounced but Asif dismissed the allegation and said the cheques were actually stolen from his home by her. "The cheques she is talking about were stolen from my home in February and I reported their theft to the police and there is a FIR registered with the police," Asif said. Asif said he didn''t owe Veena a single penny and that she was taking revenge for his marrying another girl chosen by his family. "I don''t owe her a single penny. Why should I need to take money from anyone. I am a professional cricketer and I earn well. Even when I was banned I got payments from my IPL team," said Asif who is presently attending Twenty20 World Cup training camp here. "I would advise her to also get married as she is getting older now and should be dedicating her life to better things," he added. Asif said he was ready to fight the case from a woman "who is jealous of my marriage and trying to discredit and destroy my name". Veena, a well-known actress and model, sent a legal notice to Asif yesterday, claiming that the two cheques of 3.9 million rupees and 7.4 million rupees given to her by Asif as payment of a loan had bounced. "I have no problems with Asif getting married. He even took 2.5 million rupees from me for his marriage arrangements. The amount I gave him was in 2008 and we have a common friend who can testify Asif took the money to make payments to his lawyers when he was caught in several cases and was banned and didn''t have a single penny," Veena said. "He even used my Toyota Prado for one year everyone knows that. I helped him when he was going through the worst crisis of his life. The money I gave him was no charity money and it was a loan and I want it back. I will even take him to court and let the truth of our relationship come out. I want my money, he can''t cheat me like this," she said.

Source: Web Search

Health awareness programme for Commonwealth Games begins

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 06:30 PM

New Delhi, Apr 8 (ANI): The Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC), Suresh Kalmadi, on Thursday flagged off the 10th Perfect Health Parade to promote a clean, green and hygienic city for Commonwealth Games.

The parade concentrated on sensitizing doctors about traveler-related sicknesses and their prevention and cure.

"At least one lakh people will come for Commonwealth games and their health must be looked after so I am very happy that doctors have taken the lead," Kalmadi said. We have also agreed to take quite a few of the widows in the volunteer programmes of Games so that all sections of the society should be part of the Games. Without the citizens' involvement we can't have great games," he added.

He also believes that the successful staging of the Commonwealth Games is vital since this would strengthen the prospects for India to host the Olympics.

The parade rolled out a special tableau and mascot of the Games on a vehicle with northeastern folk songs and dances.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 are scheduled to be held here between October 3 and October 14.

The games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in India, which had previously hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. It will also be the second time that the event will be held in Asia after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

First grade classmate trashes Tiger Wood's abuse allegations

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 06:10 PM

New York, April 8 (ANI): Tiger Woods' former classmate has dismissed the golfer's claim that he became a victim of racial attack in first grade.

Woods and his supporters has previously claimed that the playground at Cerritos Elementary School in Anaheim, Calif., was the scene of a vicious racial attack in 1981.

The golfer had claimed that sixth-grade bullies tied him to a tree on his first day of school, spray-painted him with the N-word and threw rocks at him - while his teacher "didn't really do much of anything."

Now, Richard Romero - a classmate of Woods in kindergarten and first grade, and his mother, Linda Kunishima, have defended Maureen Decker, the retired schoolteacher whom Woods described as indifferent to the alleged attack.

Romero has described Decker as a caring, vigilant teacher who would never have allowed such an incident to happen, reports the New York Daily News.

"No, never happened," Richard said when asked about the alleged incident.

His mother agreed.

"It has nothing to do with all the other stuff, the infidelities, I'd still be calling and saying it's untrue, that it never happened. She was very loving, very caring. It was a wonderful chool." Kunishima said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Nimbus Sport signs deal with ACC for three Asia Cups

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 05:54 PM

Mumbai, Apr 8 (PTI) Nimbus Sport International today announced a five-year deal with Asian Cricket Council which will give it the right to globally market the commercial rights of three Asia Cups from 2010 to 2014. The deal covers Asia Cup this year, which will be held in Sri Lanka from June 15-25, and the editions in 2012 and 2014. Each event will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh playing each other in a league format with the top two teams playing in the final. Announcing the deal, ACC Chief Executive Ashraful Huq said, "We are extremely pleased to extend our relationship with one of Asia''s leading sports management companies, Nimbus Sport. Asia Cup is the region''s most sought after trophy and features some of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport. We are confident that this partnership will help the event to continue to grow its premier status." Yannick Colaco, COO Nimbus Sport said, "Nimbus Sport is pleased to add Asia Cup to its considerable portfolio of premier international events. Over the years, Asia Cup has developed into one of cricket''s biggest brands with." PTI PDS

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Formula One drivers blasted as lazy by Ron Walker

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 05:50 PM

Melbourne, Apr 8(ANI): Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman, Ron Walker, has hit back at local Formula One hero Mark Webber called Australia a "bloody nanny state" in the wake of fellow F1 driver Lewis Hamilton's hoon session in St. Kilda.

"You can't please these drivers, they are a bunch of lazy people who won't do anything to help the sport. A lot of them are prima donnas and never happy," The Mirror quoted Walker, as saying.

Webber, who finished ninth in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, had made the statement while defending Hamilton after his Mercedes sports car was confiscated by police for wheel- spinning on a city high street.

"It's a great country, but we've got to be responsible for our actions and it's certainly a bloody nanny state when it comes to what we can do. Lewis has found out very quickly," Webber said.

"I think we've got to read an instruction book when we get out of bed - what we can do and what we can't do ... put a yellow vest on and all that sort of stuff. It pisses me off coming back here, to be honest," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Cricket Australia foresee complete Twenty20, Test split

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 05:40 PM

Sydney, Apr. 8 (ANI): Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has predicted that Australia would have separate Test and Twenty20 sides in the future.

Sutherland said: "Twenty20 has come on, it has changed the environment. If you project forward 10 years, you've got to ask yourself, 'What does the game look like?' You've got more players playing the game. Is it possible that a player becomes more of a specialist in Twenty20 cricket and is less of a specialist in a longer form of the game, whether it's one-day or Test cricket, and does that create a whole new marketplace for Australian teams?

"You're not going to have the teams playing at the same time in Australia .. we're talking about an international sport, we play cricket all over the world ... the program is cluttered during our southern hemisphere summer when everyone is playing cricket at the same time. So perhaps there are opportunities there to look at things a little bit differently," he added.

Administrators are fast running out of ideas on how to schedule three formats of the game while revenue-raising domestic Twenty20 tournaments also infiltrate the market. Overworked players have also asked for kinder schedules.

There are Twenty20 and Test specialists, and it is foreseeable that Australia would have enough of each to field two separate sides in the future. (ANI)

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Have done what was most amicable: Shoaib

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 05:30 PM

Shoaib Malik's sudden decision to divorce the woman he disowned all along left everyone stunned but the Pakistan cricketer, now set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, today said it was the most "amicable" thing to do in a situation that was "beyond reasoning".

Shoaib divorced Ayesha Siddiqui yesterday despite insisting previously that he was never married to the Hyderabad girl, who claimed that he dumped her because of her weight problems.

The divorce followed days of mudslinging in which Ayesha even filed an FIR against Shoaib accusing him of fraud and criminal intimidation.

Shoaib said, "I would like to firstly thank Allah almighty and all of you as media and the entire nation of Pakistan in supporting me and giving me the strength to face all what has been witnessed."

"I am no one to judge what is wrong or what is right as the one above knows the truth. I have done what was the best amicable thing to do as it was getting beyond reasoning as each day unfolded," Shoaib added in a statement released by his agent.

The 28-year-old all-rounder, who had earlier claimed that Ayesha duped him into a telephonic nikah by sending photos of some other woman, also sought forgiveness for any hurt he might have caused during the row.

"I have realised that media is part of my family, and request all of you to pray for me and Sania as we are embarking on a beautiful journey of marriage.

"I am proud to be a Pakistani and me and Sania are over whelmed to see the response in all the people welcoming Sania to Pakistan. Inshallah Sania and I will soon meet everyone personally to thank you all for all the support," he said.

"Thank you once again for all your support and lastly if knowingly or unknowingly I have hurt someone, please forgive me as your younger brother," he added.

Source: Web Search

Punjab play for pride against Mumbai

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 05:24 PM

With only pride to play for from here on, the bruised and battered Kings XI Punjab would be banking on home advantage when they take on table-toppers Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League match here on Friday.

With no hopes of making it to the semifinals, the outcome of the tie is inconsequential for Kumar Sangakkara-led Punjab, which has managed just two victories from 10 outings, but Tendulkar's men would like to have another win under their belt to stamp their authority at the top.

Mumbai are currently at the top with 14 points having won seven of their nine games and are virtually assured of a semi-final berth. Mumbai's only reversals came against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in a match where the team's skipper Sachin Tendulkar had to retire because of heat and exhaustion.

With evening temperatures at Mohali settling around 18-20 degree Celsius these days and humidity levels quite low, Tendulkar is surely going to enjoy the perfect batting conditions at the PCA stadium.

The master batsman is the second highest run getter in the tournament having made 394 runs from nine matches. "He is a champion player. We missed him when he had to retire the other day (Tuesday's match). He is in such terrific form, By the grace of God, the team as a whole is playing good cricket and hope our good run continues," said Mumbai off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after the team's arrival here.

Harbhajan along with team-mate Zaheer Khan are among the top five wicket takers in the tournament, having scalped 11 wickets each. Tendulkar has also exuded confidence that the team would continue its good show, saying "we hope to continue the winning momentum."

Besides these players, Mumbai have also been bolstered by the presence of West Indian Kieron Pollard, the most expensive buy in the IPL-III. Their bowling too looks solid with Lasith Malinga and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo leading the attack.

Meanwhile, there has been no end to the miseries of the Punjab, who slumped to a nine-wicket loss at the hands of Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur last night despite chasing a modest total.

The team has had some great performances in patches, but when it comes to clicking as a unit, they have failed to rise to the occasion, something which has also caused great concern to Sangakkara.

Having played 10 matches, the team has registered only one convincing win against Kolkata Knight Riders while their first victory came via a Super Over. Star player Yuvraj Singh has failed to play any big knock while Sangakkara, too, has struggled with his form on most occasions. Ravi Bopara has not made much impact either.

Mahela Jayawardene, who struggled earlier has, however, looked in good touch in the last two matches and Punjab would be hoping that he comes good again. Punjab's bowling has looked ordinary with pacers S Sreesanth, Brett Lee, Irfan Pathan and Salabh Srivastava failing.

The pick among the bowlers, however, has been another pacer Juan Theron but he has only played a couple of games. With nothing to lose, Punjab, which has also lost four of its home games, should now look to play freely and salvage some pride.

Source: Web Search

Crouch to do robot dance if he scores in World Cup final

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 05:20 PM

London, Apr 8 (ANI): England striker Peter Crouch will bring back his robot dance goal celebration if he scores in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.

The England striker made the nation laugh with his antics in the build-up to Germany '06.

Now Crouch, 29, has a plan up his sleeve if he selected for the Three Lions in Johannesburg on July 11.

"I'd definitely pull out the robot in the World Cup final," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

"I might even have to work on some new moves just in case that happens. But I doubt I'd have time to think about how to react if I scored," Crouch said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Is Jacqueline Adama the next Lara Bingle?

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 05:10 PM

Melbourne, April 8 (ANI): Jacqueline Adama, the woman photographed with Australian cricketer Michael Clarke waiting for a taxi outside Ravesi's Hotel in Bondi, has dreams of following in Lara Bingle's footsteps and becoming a model.

The pretty blonde posed in her bikini three months ago on a Sydney beach.

Adama participated in a test shoot in the hope of launching a modelling career.

"She was interested in getting into modelling so he took some test shots," the Herald Sun quoted the agent representing photographer Mike Shulz as saying. (ANI)

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Shoaib thanks countrymen, media for supporting him amidst wedding controversy

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 04:40 PM

Karachi, Apr.8 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik has thanked the nation and media for extending full support to him during the controversy which engulfed his proposed

rriage with Indian tennis star Sania Mirza.

In a statement issued here, Shoaib reiterated that 'God knows everything', and said he would personally thank his media friends when he returns back home after the wedding, which is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad on April 15.

"I apologize if anyone feels hurt as far as my decision is concerned. I am thankful to God and all those who extended full support the tough times," The News quoted Shoaib, as saying.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad police has said that the case filed against Shoaib has not been taken back and investigations would continue.

The muddle surrounding Shoiab-Sania marriage has been dominating news headlines over the last few days, with volleys of claims and counter claims being made by both Shoaib and Ayesha Siddiqui, the Hyderabad based girl who claimed to be the cricketer's first wife.

On Wednesday, Shoaib signed the talaq nama (divorce papers) after leaders of the Muslim community mediated between the Siddiquis' and the Maliks', saying the public splashing and scrutiny of the episode had brought a bad name to the community.

Sources close to both families said the police complaint against Shoaib would be taken back and it was also agreed that the cricketer would pay a maintenance amount of 15, 000 rupees to yesha as per Islamic law. (ANI)

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Shoaib Malik sends notice to PCB seeking reasons for ban, fine

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 04:24 PM

Karachi, Apr.8 (ANI): Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has sent a notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seeking clarifications on its decision impose a year's ban and a penalty of two million rupees on him.

A PCB official, while confirming the report, said the board would soon reply to the notice.

"We will respond to Shoaib Malik's notice soon in which he has sought justification over his punishment," The News quoted PCB's media director Nadeem Sarwar, as saying.

Sarwar also clarified that the notice sent by Malik was not being treated as an appeal against the PCB's ban and fine.

"We are yet to receive a formal appeal from Malik. The deadline for filing the appeals is April 16," he said.

Malik, who is currently in India for his marriage with tennis star Sania Mirza, was among the seven senior cricketers who were banned and fined by the PCB on charges ranging from indiscipline, ball tampering and creating rift in the team during the winless tour of Australia. (ANI)

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Swann's place in England squad safe in spite of drink driving charge: Strauss

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 03:54 PM

London, Apr.8 (ANI): England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has said that Graeme Swann's arrest on suspicion of drink-driving will not cost the off-spinner his place in the team.

Graeme Swann, 31, was stopped in Nottingham on Friday morning. He had reportedly been out celebrating his birthday.

Swann, who is ranked the third-best Test bowler in the world, had recently returned from England's successful tour of Bangladesh.

The Press Association quoted Strauss, as saying: "I don't think this (drink-driving) affects his selection. I haven't spoken to Swanny about it, it's obviously not an ideal situation. Probably, if he had his time again, he wouldn't have got himself into that situation. Everyone is capable of making a mistake." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Missing IPL is a blessing in disguise: Afridi

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 03:40 PM

Lahore, Apr 8 (PTI) Missing the third season of the Indian Premier League is actually a blessing in disguise for the Pakistani cricketers since it has allowed the players to gel well as a team and prepare better for the Twenty20 World Cup, skipper Shahid Afridi said today. The flamboyant all rounder, who was asked to lead the team in the West Indies by the PCB, insists that he has no regrets on missing the lucrative league. "No I don''t have any regrets at all. In a way it is a blessing in disguise for all our players that we are not playing in the IPL before the World Cup. "Given the problems that have besieged Pakistan cricket in recent months it is good that we have got time to work together as a team in the World Cup training camp, it has allowed us to settle down and focus on the World Cup," Afridi said. Afridi and several other leading Pakistani players were included in the list of cricketers who were put up for auction but none of the franchises bid for any of 11 players. But Afridi said that issue was now behind him and he was focused on the World Cup. "We really are not following the IPL closely. We don''t know who is playing or who is not playing because the purpose of holding this training camp has been to gel the players and allow them to prepare as a team for the World Cup," he added. Afridi feels his side badly needed a break after the disastrous Australian tour so missing IPL has actually helped the team. The spin all-rounder said defending the title in the West Indies would be a difficult task and also acknowledged his responsibility as a senior player. "I would definitely feel that I have achieved the biggest landmark of my career, I want the team to do well in the World Cup. It is a big ambition for me and I know as a senior player I will have to show the way in every department of the game," he said. The World Cup is scheduled to begin from April 30 with Pakistan drawn to play its opening match against Bangladesh. PTI Corr AT

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Lyon roaring with delight after European breakthrough

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 03:12 PM

Just as many were predicting their decline, Olympique Lyon sharpened their claws and showed they were very much alive by making the Champions League breakthrough they have threatened for so long.

Their all-French quarter-final against Girondins Bordeaux was not so much about domestic supremacy, more about Lyon's desperation to finally make an impact in Europe after three times failing to survive the last eight.

"It had to happen some time," Lyon coach Claude Puel, not a man to show his emotions, told reporters after his side advanced to the semi-finals of European club soccer's premier event for the first time on Wednesday.

"This is a reward for everybody at the club and for the players, who have been through difficult moments but showed character," Puel added after a 1-0 defeat at Bordeaux handed Lyon a 3-2 win on aggregate.

Lyon, who won seven Ligue 1 titles in a row before surrendering their crown to Bordeaux last year, had never quite made it in Europe, falling in the quarter-finals to Porto in 2004, PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and AC Milan in 2006.

Chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, who used his entrepreneurial skills to turn the club from a sleepy provincial outfit into the measure of all things in France, knew only a great run in Europe could earn Lyon a genuine nationwide following.

They have achieved that at last, stunning Real Madrid to make the last eight before passing the Bordeaux test with a show of great determination and a not a few great saves from France keeper Hugo Lloris.

WORRIED FANS

Even their own fans had their doubts after Lyon saw arguably their best two players, Brazilian midfielder Juninho and France striker Karim Benzema, leave them at the end of last season.

The Lyon supporters got really worried when their team ended 2009 in sixth place in Ligue 1, 13 points behind Bordeaux.

They bounced back in 2010, however, and are now in second position in the league, two points behind Olympique Marseille with seven games remaining in what promises to be a thrilling finale to the title race.

"I have been at Lyon for a long time and been through a lot of things but this is just unforgettable," Brazilian Cris, the Lyon captain, told reporters after marshalling his defence with calm authority on Wednesday.

Lyon will face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals knowing they can rely not only on Cris but also on Lloris, who helped them through on Wednesday with a great save on a header by Brazilian midfielder Wendel in the dying moments.

"I would like to thank Hugo, who was just fantastic and saved us again," Cris said. "For me he's simply the best goalkeeper in the world."

The first French club to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League since Monaco's run to the final in 2004, Lyon see no reason why their adventure should stop in the next round.

"This year we could achieve something really special," Cris predicted. "We have a group full of experience and the most important thing is we have character."

Source: Web Search

PCB boss Butt on collision course with govt. over board constitution

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 02:40 PM

Islamabad, Apr.8 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt could well be on track for yet another controversy, as he has suggested some 'drastic' amendments in the board's constitutional draft despite the government already agreeing upon the 'democratic' draft constitution.

According to sources privy to developments in the PCB, the board has written a letter to its patron, President Asif Ali Zardari, which says that the proposed draft constitution is not fully in line with discussions held between the board officials and the sports ministry.

"The provisions of the proposed draft constitution are extremely detrimental to the structure of the PCB," sources quoted the letter, as saying.

The proposed suggestions in the draft constitution of the PCB forwarded to the President mainly mention points that ask for curtailing the powers of the federal government and giving more powers to the patron.

"The powers of framing rules and regulation should stay with the board otherwise it will be against the spirit of the sports. The chairman shall work under the patron's to maintain proper chain of command," the PCB's letter said.

"Ministry has no role in operational matters of the board and their input may result in undue delay and board should independently constitute its committees for contracts, bidding etc without the involvement of the Sports Ministry," sources quoted the letter further.

The PCB has also challenged the powers of Executive Council (EC) for the selection of the national squad, The Dawn reports. (ANI)

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Sussex signs 'banned' Rana Naved to replace Aarafat

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 02:10 PM

Lahore, Apr.8 (ANI): Banned Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has been signed by English county team Sussex as a replacement for Yasir Aarafat, who has been included in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Championship in West Indies.

Rana, who is currently serving a one-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), had played for Sussex for two consecutive seasons in 2005 and 2006.

He played for Yorkshire last year, but struggled to keep the momentum he used to have with Sussex.

Sussex coach, Mark Robinson, said he was looking forward to Rana's presence in the dressing room, and expressed the hope that he would he would showcase his all-round talent during upcoming matches.

"We are extremely fortunate to have a player of the quality of Naved to cover Yasir.

He knows the club well, will fit in quickly and add some depth to our bowling attack as well as provide some useful runs," The Daily Times quoted Robinson, as saying.

The 32-year-old fast bowler has an impressive first class record with 139 wickets at an average of 22.41 to his name. (ANI)

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Tiger economy felt on Washington Road

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:54 PM

Disgraced Tiger Woods's comeback at the U.S. Masters has done little to help florist Frank's business but former British Open champion John Daly had no complaints as he hawked merchandise nearby on Wednesday.

Sitting no more than a Woods three-iron away from Augusta National, a smiling Frank, as he has for nearly 40 years, stood outside his shop holding a $20 parking sign above his head.

I have had people from around the world come back and park here every year, said Frank, who was unwilling to provide his surname, as he looked back at an empty lot where he has previously squeezed in 25 cars to supplement his income.

The battle for the Masters parking dollar is just a sliver of the fickle underground economy that operates on the fringes of the world's most exclusive golf club.

Washington Road, an unappealing four-lane corridor of strip malls, gas stations and fast food joints that runs straight past Magnolia Lane, is the Masters Bazaar.

On Masters week, young school girls can be found selling homemade cookies on a 1.5 mile stretch of pavement alongside golfing bad boy Daly, who hawks his line of Blue Collar Golf merchandise while posing for pictures outside his lavish motor home.

It is a place where visitors can find everything from cigars to a Masters week lube, or choose between the Miss Par Three Bikini contest at Hooters and a church service.

TOUTS

But Masters badges provide the real currency along Washington Road where the pavement is lined with ticket touts rather than majestic Georgian pines and blooming azaleas.

From dawn until late into the night, hopeful golf fans stroll in search of tickets that exchange hands for thousands of dollars.

Jim and his father Jim Sr. made the five-hour drive from Nashville in the hope of finding a ticket on Washington Road and will drive home later in the evening successful or not.

Tom came from California and had a ticket into Tuesday's practice round but was also out on Washington with hundreds of others on Wednesday looking for a ticket.

We were farther up the road but the cop told us you can't stand here and raised two fingers so move or we could get arrested, he said, after being unable to push a tout off his $500 asking price.

I told him Churchill did (raise two fingers in a V for victory). He didn't find that funny.

Next door to the flower shop, Venus and Adonis hair salon is packed out with cars, an envious Frank explaining that his neighbour had pre-sold all his spots for the week on the internet for $3,500.

On the other side of Frank's tiny white flower shop, the National Hills Baptist Church offers parking and bottles of cold water, asking only a small donation.

I remember when Seve (Ballesteros) won you could hear it here. I did big business that day, said Frank. Women called from around the world sending him flowers.

A Woods victory may not inspire quite as many women to send flowers, but his comeback has already provided a Tiger bounce for businesses elsewhere.

Premiere Global Sports, who supply corporate hospitality and tickets, said their business was up 30 percent on the previous year and saw a quick 10 percent jump when Woods announced his return at Augusta.

Steve Cavanaugh, who has a car repair shop directly across from Augusta rented out his lot to television networks. His neighbour Windsor Jewelers was offered $20,000 by a tabloid for access to their roof and a view of Augusta's driving range.

I wish Tiger would do this every year, Cavanaugh told Reuters. Business is down about 20 percent but I am going to make more because of what the networks are willing to pay.

Source: Web Search

Another loss: Blast from Lumb leaves KXIP numb

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:50 PM

Jaipur, April 8 -- We often see players shadow-practicing on the pitch or sitting quietly on the turf, as if in meditation, on the eve of a match. Experts call it visualisation, a foresight into things to come on matchday. Shane Warne didn't have that luxury as his team reached Jaipur late on Tuesday night. But the Rajasthan Royals skipper seemed to freeze on the wicket when he came for a recce an hour before Wednesday's tie. He took a good look at the deck, bowled at an imaginary batsman and walked away as if the match was in his pocket. The pressure was more on the Royals than on Kings XI Punjab. The latter were playing for pride but the hosts' semi-final chances rode on this tie. The Royals handled the pressure brilliantly, played professionally and backed each other till they beat Punjab by nine wickets. Warne went into the match without both Shaun Tait and Morne Morkel. He included Adam Voges instead, in a bid to shore up the batting on a hard and dry Sawai Mansingh Stadium wicket. The need for a tearaway pacer was soon forgotten when Aditya Dole struck twice in the 12th over to peg Punjab back. The rookie pacer bowled within himself and let the batsmen take their chances. Yuvraj Singh's overconfidence saw his woodwork splintered, and Mahela Jayawardene's attempted cheeky shot did him in. Once again Warne showed why he is such a highly rated captain. He rotated his bowlers well, refused to wilt despite being walloped for three sixes by Yuvraj and set the field to back the bowling attack. He preserved Shane Watson and Siddharth Trivedi for the final overs and the two responded in style. Watson conceded just 19 runs from his four overs, picking up a wicket, while Trivedi returned figures of 4-0-22-2. A 154-run target wasn't a tall task on a belter of a wicket. Michael Lumb registered his maiden IPL fifty and Naman Ojha obliged by allowing his partner do the hitting. Lumb played like a man possessed and found the fence with ridiculous ease.

Ojha and Yusuf Pathan ensured that the Royals romped home without losing another wicket, a welcome boost to their net run rate.

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Warne's mentor Jenner in ICU after suffering a heart attack

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:44 PM

Sydney, Apr 8 (ANI): Australia legend Shane Warne's spin bowling coach Terry Jenner is in intensive care in England after suffering a serious heart attack.

Jenner had been in England for only two days, having worked with Warne in India ahead of the Indian Premier League, when he was taken ill and rushed to hospital.

He is now listed as being in a serious but stable condition, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Jenner played nine Tests for Australia in the 1970s but more recently has been known as the coach of Warne plus others including South Australian pair Cullen Bailey and Daniel Cullen and Englishman Adil Rasheed. (ANI)

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Augusta's chairman rebukes Woods

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:40 PM

Augusta (Georgia, US), Apr.8 (ANI): The chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, Bill Payne, singled out Tiger Woods for harsh rebuke on Wednesday, when he said that the world's top-ranked golfer did not live up to role model expectations and had "disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids."

Reading from a statement, Payne added: "His future will never again be measured only by his performance against par, but measured by the sincerity of his effort to change. I hope he now realizes that every kid he passes on the course wants his swing, but would settle for his smile."

As the chairman of a club with a membership that includes chief executives from many of the country's biggest corporations and investment banks as well as business leaders worldwide, it is unlikely Payne's statement was meant to be a personal one, The Times reports.

For years, the voice of Augusta National has been one voice and that voice is the chairman's. Forty years ago, that voice was delivered autocratically, but in recent decades, the membership has helped guide the club's public comments.

On Wednesday, on the most prominent stage the membership has, Payne appeared to be speaking for his irritated Augusta National brethren.

Sitting at a lectern in the club's news conference room, Payne spoke with two high-ranking members at his side and another 15 to 20 Augusta National members sitting in the back. Shoulder to shoulder, each wore the emblematic green jacket.

Payne's rebuke came on a day when Woods played another uneventful practice round in preparation for his return on Thursday to competitive golf. The day also saw the airing a new 30-second television commercial for Nike featuring a seemingly sombre Woods staring straight into the camera with the voice of his father saying: "I want to find out what your thinking was. I want to find out what your feelings are. And did you learn anything?"

Payne said Woods's golf game and work ethic were worthy of comparison to Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones, but he quickly added that Woods had forgotten that with "fame and fortune comes responsibility, not invisibility."

He called Woods's behavior "egregious".

"Is there a way forward?" he asked, referring to Woods's future. "I hope yes. I think yes. I hope he can come to understand that life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who bring joy to the lives of other people. We at Augusta hope and pray that our great champion will begin his new life here tomorrow in a positive, hopeful and constructive manner. But this time, with a significant difference from the past. This year, it will not be just for him, for all of us, who believe in second chances."

Asked later to elaborate on his comments, Payne declined. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Three down Kolkata score 130

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:30 PM

Kolkata, April 7 -- Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first in an Indian Premier League match against Delhi Daredevils here today. The Knight Riders drafted in explosive New Zealander Brendon McCullum and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, while resting an injured Murali Kartik and Shane Bond. Teams:

Delhi Daredevils: Gautam Gambhir (C), David Warner, Virender Sehwag, Paul Collingwood, Dinesh Karthik, Daniel Vettori, Kedar Jadhav, Rajat Bhatia, Amit Mishra, Ferveez Maharoof and Pradeep Sangwan.

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Kolkata Knight Riders beat the Delhi Daredevils by 14 runs

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:24 PM

Kolkata, April 7 -- Sourav Ganguly continued his fine form, hitting his sixth Indian Premier League half-century to help Kolkata Knight Riders notch 181 for three in their must-win match against Delhi Daredevils here today. Ganguly hit a 46-ball 56 with eight fours and one six and put on 94 runs for the opening wicket with Chris Gayle (40 from 21 balls) while Matthews (46 off 28) starred in a 70-run unbeaten stand with Manoj Tiwary (26) in less than seven overs even though the home side fell well short of the 200-mark that seemed possible at one stage. Opting to bat, Knight Riders had a breezy start with Ganguly and Gayle not allowing the Daredevils bowlers to settle down and at one point, the home side, cheered on by a jam-packed crowd, were cruising along at 11-plus an over. But the Daredevils got into their act with some fine bowling by Rajat Bhatia (one for 30) and Daniel Vettori (one for 30) to take three quick wickets - Gayle, Ganguly and Brendon McCullum (6) - to apply the brake. However, some sensible batting from Mathews and Tiwary towards the end took the Knight Riders to a respectable total. Gambhir's gamble of beginning the proceedings with Vettori backfired as Ganguly plundered the left-arm spinner for 15 runs to take the run-rate over 10. Dishing out some sheer timing and late cuts, Ganguly hit three fours in Vettori's first over and Gambhir had to take the New Zealander out of the attack. But the opening duo did not look in any trouble at tall and kept on dissecting their field with Ganguly taking the charge, while Gayle opting to show some restraint. It was only in Amit Mishra's first over that Ganguly struggled and almost had his defence crashed to a perfect googly. Till then, Gayle was a mute spectator at the other end, only to explode in the leg-spinner's second over as he walloped one six and two boundaries in the seventh over which yielded 15 runs. Just when he was beginning to look dangerous, Bhatia deceived Gayle with a slower one that knocked off the off-stump. Ganguly, meanwhile, carved out his sixth IPL half-century with Knight Riders getting to the 100-mark by 11th over. But the Daredevils quickly got into their attack with some fine bowling and fielding. Vettori made up for his poor first over, dismissing Ganguly with a nicely looped delivery to castle the home side skipper. Daredevils claimed their prize scalp in McCullum when the big-hitting New Zealander was run-out for six as KKR were reduced to 111 for three in 13.1 overs. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly won the toss and decided to bat first in an Indian Premier League match against Delhi Daredevils here today. The Knight Riders drafted in explosive New Zealander Brendon McCullum and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, while resting an injured Murali Kartik and Shane Bond. Teams: Kolkata Knight Riders: Sourav Ganguly (c), Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Manoj Tiwary, Cheteshwar Pujara, Angello Mathews, Wriddhiman Saha, Ajit Agarkar, Iqbal Abdulla, Ashok Dinda, Ajantha Mendis.

Source: Web Search

He makes a 'pretty' picture at post- match IPL parties

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 01:00 PM

By day, Lalit Modi is the no-nonsense, BlackBerry-toting cricket commissioner, lording over the Indian Premier League (IPL) and keeping its cash registers ringing.

By night, however, he turns into a party boy, cavorting with the prettiest women in the world.

Modi was recently spotted with the 1992 Miss Universe, Michelle McLean, at the IPL Nights after-hours party in Chennai.

This wasn't the first time McLean had shown up in the company of Modi. The first and only Namibian to wear the Miss Universe crown - she'd trumped India's Madhu Sapre (who was the second runner-up) - she gave away the Miss Bollywood IPL crown to English model Dune Kossatz in Johannesburg at the finale of IPL-2. She'd also performed to the music of Caribbean legend Eddy Grant and shaken a leg with Modi at the dazzling event.

But unlike the other beauty queens, who make lofty statements only to bag the title, McLean founded the Michelle McLean Children's Trust in Namibia that has been funding the education of underprivileged children since 1992.

McLean wasn't the only pretty woman spotted in Modi's company at the afterhours parties. Mumbai-based fashion designer Nandita Mehtani, who's better-known as young industrialist Sunjay Kapoor's former wife, was also seen keeping Modi amused at one of the parties.

In a recent interview with Mail Today over his muchtravelled BlackBerry, Modi had said the IPL kept him so busy that he had very little time to sleep.

We now know the real reason why. Guys who work hard, party harder.

Source: Web Search

Did Tiger Woods 'once have a one-night stand with 14-year-old neighbour'?

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 12:54 PM

New York, Apr 8 (ANI): A 22-year-old woman has come forward to claim that she bedded Tiger Woods - having sex with him on a couch near where a crib for one of his kids had been placed.

According to The National Enquirer, Raychel Coudriet was 14 when she first met the golfer as she lived close to his house and later had a one-night stand with him.

The tabloid claims the encounter left Coudriet "shaken and humiliated" when it took place last year on a couch in his office just a mile from his Florida home, reports The New York Post.

"I felt used and violated, like I meant nothing to him but a night of casual sex," Coudriet said, a source told the tabloid "I just wanted to dig a big hole, crawl in and die."

"The two of them had sex on a couch for hours-right next to a crib for Tiger's children," added the source. "The crib made Raychel feel guilty-that she was having sex with a married man with children. But she was smitten."

The girl reportedly told friends that Woods did not use a condom. (ANI)

Source: Web Search