Haider's exit to UK 'embarrassing moment' for Pakistan: Imran Khan

Published>Thu, Nov 11 10 01:21 PM

Karachi, Nov 11(ANI): Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan has said that wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider's sudden exit to the United Kingdom to seek asylum was a "shameful" incident.

Haider has sensationally quit international cricket after he fled from Dubai to London on Monday. The 24-year-old has claimed that he had received death threats from bookmakers after he refused to fix two matches of the ODI series against South Africa.

"It is really shameful the way he left the team and reached London. At the moment we don't know the facts that compelled him to do this, but nevertheless it is another embarrassing moment for Pakistan and its people," the Daily Times quoted Imran, as saying.

"Sadly this incident only gives credence to the feeling our players are linked with bookmakers or are controlled by them. The recent spot-fixing allegations have not been helpful at all for Pakistan cricket," he added.

The former all-rounder also called for a "clean up" of the country's cricket for a positive change.

"We need to clean up the administration and the team and those players who, if they are involved in corruption, should not be spared. We need to do this since it is better than the Pakistani people facing shame and embarrassment on a daily basis because of our cricket," Imran said.

Haider has played four ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals since making his debut in 2007.

He played his solitary Test match during the recent tour of England, which was marred by spot-fixing allegations. (ANI)

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Haider asks ICC to monitor fixing suspects to clean cricket

Thu, Nov 11 10 01:07 PM

London, Nov 11 (PTI) If the International Cricket Council wants to eradicate corruption from the game, it should start tapping the telephonic conversations of suspected players and monitor their movements, Pakistani wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider said. "The best way is to record all the players'' phones and where they are going," Haider said last night during a press conference here. "I''ve heard back in Pakistan that a lot of people are involved in fixing, but I think the ICC is doing a good job," he said. Haider created a flutter in world cricket earlier this week when he deserted the Pakistani team midway through an ODI series against South Africa in Dubai following death threats for refusing to fix a game. He fled to London, where he sought temporary asylum and later retired from international cricket citing threats to his life. The 24-year-old stumper refused to accuse any of his team-mates of fixing matches. "I don''t want to blame anyone, I don''t want to be negative to anyone. Whether I play cricket or not, I just want cricket to be clear of fixing," Haider said. Haider reiterated the threat made to him before the fourth ODI against South Africa in Dubai. "I was told if you work with us, we will give you a lot of money. If not, we will not select you again in cricket and, if you go back home, we will kill you and your family," he said.

Source: Published>

Manager hopes Gebrselassie will reconsider his retirement

Published>Thu, Nov 11 10 12:57 PM

Berlin, Nov 11 (DPA) Haile Gebrselassie's manager Jos Hermans said he was hoping that the legendary Ethiopian distance runner will reconsider his decision to retire from international sport.

Hermans is quoted in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf as saying that he would be flying to Ethiopia to meet the 37-year-old runner, who announced Sunday after pulling out during the New York marathon with an injury that he was quitting running.

'If he spends some time with his family, I am sure that Haile will say that he really wants to run. He must first come to rest. He was very emotional Sunday,' Hermans said.

The manager added that for Gebrselassie running the marathon at the Olympic Games in 2012 would provide a fitting farewell.

Gebrselassie emerged on the scene with a first of four straight 10,000 metres world titles 1993 in Stuttgart and won Olympic gold in 1996 in Atlanta and 2000 in Sydney.

The diminutive runner was a world record holder over 5,000m and 10,000m and officially ended his track career with a 10,000m bronze at the 2003 worlds. However, he returned to come sixth at the 2008 Olympics after not running the marathon due to pollution concerns.

Moving on full-time to the classic 42.195km marathon he first contested in 2002, Gebrselassie claimed the world record 2007 in Berlin and bettered it there the following year to 2 hours 3 minutes 59 seconds.

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Swann will be trump card in England's Ashes victory: Botham

Published>Thu, Nov 11 10 12:37 PM

Sydney, Nov 11 (ANI): England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham tipped the visitors to win the five-Test series against Australia by at least two matches, and said off-spinner Graeme Swann will be the key player during the Ashes.

Botham, who was part of the last English side to win an Ashes series on Australian soil in 1986-87, said England had form, confidence and enough lead-up matches to fully prepare, while Australia were bereft of form and seemingly unsettled.

"England are on a roll, they're full of confidence, Australia are doing a little bit of bickering at the moment, a little bit of in-house fighting, which is always good from my point of view," Botham told AAP.

"To be quite honest the more problems Australia have the better it is from our point of view. We're just very happy to get on with it and see what happens," The Sydney Morning herald quoted the all rounder, as saying.

"England are doing what they have to do, their preparation is good, they've got another game starting tomorrow in South Australia, then they've got a couple more games, so they should be well and truly acclimatized," Botham said.

He said Australia were struggling to adapt after the retirements of some greats in recent years, such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

Botham labelled Swann as the trump card, expecting him to exploit what he believes is Australia's biggest vulnerability.

"He's the best attacking bowler in the world at the moment, Graeme Swann. Regardless of all the stuff we hear from the Australians, their record against off-spin isn't good, it hasn't been good against finger spin for a long time," he said. (ANI)

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INTERVIEW - Hoddle still keen on international coach role

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 11:37 PM

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has turned down 26 job offers since leaving his last coaching role in 2006 but the lure of international management could tempt him back in the future.

The gifted former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker, 53, now spends most of his time running a soccer academy in Jerez in southern Spain.

"If I felt it (the academy) was running well in the next two years then I could see myself paralleling an international job with this definitely," Hoddle told Reuters.

"I've done World Cups with England and you know when you've managed England it's one of the biggest jobs in the world to cope and deal with and I felt we did very, very well the way we played when I was England manager," he said.

"I'm young enough to go back into international football whoever would maybe like me to do that at some stage."

Hoddle, widely regarded as the most talented player of his generation while with Spurs in the 1970s and 1980s, won 53 caps for England and coached the national side between 1996 and 1999.

He said the United States had long interested him and there was also a possibility of expanding the academy's work there.

"I don't think I can sit here and say I'd like this job or that job. I'm not arrogant enough to say that.

"The United States is a nation that has always been interesting to me in their football development and I can see the academy maybe linking up in America at some stage because I think there's genuine talent there.

"Whether that brings another road somewhere else who knows. I've set sail with this (the academy) at the moment and that's what I want to do. And I'm very happy doing it.

"They have had to work really hard and I think they've achieved wonders considering there are three major sports ahead of soccer.

"Whether I've finished doing main management, I would never say no. I don't think I'd shut the door on it."

Hoddle's academy (www.glennhoddleacademy.com), now in its third year, aims to give young players who failed to make the grade at top professional clubs a second chance.

The academy provides players for a local team that competes in the fourth tier of Spanish soccer and they are currently third in the standings.

As well as Hoddle, the coaching staff includes former players Nigel Spackman, Dave Beasant and Graham Rix.

"There's all sorts of things that can happen," Hoddle said. "Sometimes when you set sail you just have to go where the wind takes you."

Source: Web Search

Maha reduces Vidharbha to 42/2 on rain-marred day

Wed, Nov 10 10 10:51 PM

Nashik, Nov 10 (PTI) Vidarbha were reeling at 42 for the loss of three wickets on the rain marred first day of their Group B Ranji Plate division match against Maharashtra at the Anant Kanhere ground here today. Unseasonal overnight rains meant that just over one hour of play was possible during the entire day, with the match beginning at 4.30 pm this evening. However, Maharashtra made full use of the brief period of play possible as they struck three vital blows after asking the hosts to bat first. Shrikant Mundhe dismissed Akshay Kolhar (0) and Amit Deshpande (6), while pacer Samad Fallah accounted for opener Amit Paunikar (12). Alind Naidu (17 not out) and Azhar Shaikh (2) were at the crease when the match was stopped due to bad light.

Source: Published>

Murray wins after overcoming Paris jitters

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 10:37 PM

World number four Andy Murray came from a set down to sink Argentine David Nalbandian 2-6 6-4 6-3 in the Paris Masters second round on Wednesday.

There were also straight-sets victories for second seed Novak Djokovic and number eight Andy Roddick.

Murray made an early exit in Valencia last week and looked sluggish again as he lost serve in the third and fifth games, like many of the players this week struggling to adapt to the fast court.

Nalbandian, though, visibly tired after having his serve broken at the end of the second set.

At 2-2 in the third the Briton called for the trainer to massage his right wrist and that galvanised him to take four of the last five games.

Murray next plays 13th-seeded Croatian Marin Cilic who beat Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4 4-6 6-3.

Cilic's 15th-seeded compatriot Ivan Ljubicic will be packing his bags after losing 6-4 6-4 to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.

Serb Djokovic was also in trouble early on against Argentine Juan Monaco before recovering to win 6-4 6-3.

FAST COURT

"It's a very fast court ... a lot more different than last year and it's quite a change that you have to adjust to," said defending champion Djokovic.

"It's rare to find a very fast court these days."

Djokovic next faces Frenchman Michael Llodra or American John Isner.

Roddick breezed past Finnish qualifier Jarkko Nieminen 6-1 6-4 to set up a meeting with Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

The big-hitting American is trying to qualify for this month's ATP Tour Finals in London and holds the last remaining spot ahead of Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who won his second-round match in Paris on Tuesday.

"Every match I win is significant at this point ... it puts pressure on the guys behind me," said Roddick.

"The last thing you want is to be at home cheering against somebody hoping that something bad happens to them."

Roddick fired nine aces as his serve and volley game prevailed on the quick surface.

Source: Web Search

Zulqarnain''s case is a major embarrassment for us: Intikhab

Wed, Nov 10 10 10:21 PM

Karachi, Nov 10 (PTI) The Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam has spoken about his immense disappointment about the embarrassment caused by controversial wicketkeeper-batsman Zulqarnain Haider, who vanished from the team hotel in Dubai to land in London for political asylum after allegedly receiving death threats. In an interview, Intikhab said he was obviously disappointed that the player acted hastily without taking anyone into confidence. "I am disappointed because we had given a two hour lecture to the players in urdu before leaving for UAE. We even explained the clauses of their contract to them and even in Dubai the ICC anti-corruption officer gave them a lecture on what players are supposed to do if someone approaches them or threatens them," Intikhab said. "I would have thought that Zulqarnain should have come to the team management, spoken about any threats he was getting and we would have sorted it out," he added. Intikhab also admitted that maybe the wicketkeeper who has now claimed political asylum in the United Kingdom and has spoken about serious threats posed to him by match-fixers had some mental issue. "I am not an expert to say this but if I look at his behaviour in the wake of this incident, I feel he had some mental problem. Even the players feel the same way. "No doubt he is a clean and nice boy but maybe he was under some kind some other pressures," Intikhab said. The Pakistan manager also pointed out that Zulqarnain had got everyone confused with his regular change in statements. "Some day he is saying something and then changes it the next hour. First he said, he had applied for political asylum. Now he says, he doesn''t want asylum and is ready to play for Pakistan again." "Now he says he made a mistake in not talking to the team management, he appears confused to me," Alam said. "It would have been better if Zulqarnain had thought about the consequences before he took the step that he did." "What he did is a clear violation of the contract of a player and its terms and conditions. I have been trying to get in touch with him as did the cricket board officials but he has switched off his cell phone. "Intikhab said that he was not a psychic and could never have guessed that Zulqarnain would be planning to flee the hotel before such an important match. You have to trust the players and we trust the players, I am not a psychic to know what is he planning to do. "What he did is sad and bad for Pakistan cricket. The Pakistan manager said the board had been making every effort to keep the players educated about anti-corruption measures. MORE PTI CORR KHS

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TN-Punjab tie heading for tame draw

Wed, Nov 10 10 10:17 PM

Chennai, Nov 9 (PTI) Punjab openers Kunwarjeet Raina and Jeevanjoth Singh held on gamely making 185 between them for an unbroken stand at close against Tamil Nadu on the penultimate day of their four-day under-22 cricket match for the CK Nayuddu Trophy here today. Tamil Nadu (overnight 289 for 8) ended their first innings at 320 all out in 171.4 overs this morning with Thabarak Baik highlighting the day with a superb unbeaten 119 (7x4 and 3x6). Punjab off-spinner Gunjot Singh (4 for 95) and left-arm spinner Yogesh Kumar (3 for 74) were the main wicket takers. At close, Raina (batting 87, 188b, 3 x 6, 7 x 4) and Jeevanjoth Singh (batting 86, 203b, 10 x 4) were at the crease adding 185 runs in 64 overs for the unbroken first wicket as the match headed to a tame draw.

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Krishnan Rajini to race in World Endurance Championship

Wed, Nov 10 10 09:51 PM

Chennai, Nov 10 (PTI) Chennai lad and country''s leading biker Krishnan Rajini will become the first Indian to race in the FIM World Endurance two-wheeler championship on Saturday in Doha, Qatar. Representing Vijay Mallya led Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India and donning the colours of Bangalore based Red Rooster team, Rajini would astride a Suzuki GSX R 1000cc in the event along with a Chinese and an Indonesian in his team. The qualifying races would be held tomorrow. The championship has taken an all-new dimension with this event featuring 42 teams in the grid - creating a new record in the whole history of the Endurance World Championship. "Despite the world economic crisis, the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship has been getting stronger day after day," a press release by Shivakumar of the PR Firm of Rajini said. BMW joined the championship with great ambition, with four permanent teams racing on the new S 1000 RR, like the official Michelin BMW team and the semi-official Penz13.com. Amongst the contenders for the 2010 title are former world champion teams the SERT, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team and the Yamaha France GMT 94. The competition has also been on the tyres suppliers side, as Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone has joined the battle alongside three other brands, Dunlop, Michelin and Pirelli.

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HPCA finalises 70 venues conducting T-20 cricket tournament

Wed, Nov 10 10 09:37 PM

Shimla, Nov 10 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has finalised 70 venues across the state for holding matches of the second cricket Mahasangram Jaypee Twenty20 here. The technical team of HPCA alongwith district office bearers has finalised the 70 venues, fifteen more than last year as a large number of teams have already confirmed their participation while the last date for sending entries was November 18, Vishal Marwah, honorary general secretary of HPCA said. The main purpose of organising this tournament was talent hunt so that the budding cricketers from remote areas could be identified and groomed for competitive cricket, he added. "We are also approaching the Limca book of records and the Guiness book of records for inclusion of the largest tournament as number of participants and logistics to be worked out was as enormous task," Mohit Sood said. All the state functionaries and district office bearers had been asked to personally supervise and execute all the logistics required for smooth and successful conduct of the tournament.

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We have prepared a result oriented pitch: Curator

Wed, Nov 10 10 09:21 PM

Abhishek Hore Hyderabad, Nov 10 (PTI) The curator of Hyderabad Cricket Association Y L Chandreshekhar has assured that the 22-yard strip at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here would be a "result oriented one" and would last five days during the upcoming second Test between India and New Zealand, starting from Friday. The pitch has been prepared with a mixture of red and black soil -- a combination which is in vogue in Andhra Pradesh but rare in other parts of India. "We are hoping and are also pretty confident that it would turn out to be a result-oriented one and the wicket is also expected to last five days. We have been working very hard to prepare a good Test match wicket for a long time," Chandreshekhar told PTI today, even as the India players went through the paces during their training session. Asked about the mixture used for preparing the pitch, Chandreshekhar said, "The combination (of red and black soil) is widely used in Andhra Pradesh but, as far as how the pitch will behave over the five days, a lot will depend on how the batsmen apply themselves." A lot of former players from Hyderabad were involved during the pitch-preparation process and Chandreshekhar felt that should be a plus. "Former players like Venkatapathy Raju, Shivlal Yadav (vice-president, Hyderabad Cricket Association and Indian Cricket Board) and Arshad Yadav were involved in the process, not directly, but they were part of it," Chandreshekhar said. The curator, however, refused to comment on whether the balance would be tilted in the batsmen or bowlers'' favour. "A lot of ODIs, T20s and Ranji matches have been played on this wicket and you know how it acts," Chandreshekhar said while indicating that the willow-wielders would be holding the upper hand. Traditionally, this has been a batsmen-friendly track and the last time it hosted an ODI, in November 2009, Sachin Tendulkar cracked an astonishing 175 to almost single-handedly guide India to an improbable victory against Ricky Ponting''s Australia. That match, which India lost narrowly, produced nearly 700 runs. New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor had earlier said that the wicket will not be as flat as the one in Ahmedabad. "I don''t think the wicket will be as flat as it was in Ahmedabad, so we can take a lot of confidence from that. We know the Indian batsmen and have also seen their bowlers. Hopefully we can attack them more and put them under pressure," Taylor said.

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Sushil Kumar to run in Salwan Marathon

Wed, Nov 10 10 09:17 PM

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) Commonwealth gold medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar and his mentor Satpal Singh will run in the annual Salwan marathon which will see the participation of 1300 visually impaired children on Sunday. The 3-km run at the Salwan Marathon will see Sushil and Satpal assist a visually impaired child till the finishing line at the Delhi Cantonment on Children''s day. There will seven different races under the U-14, U-16 and U-18 categories and will have 45,000 young runners taking part in the 16th edition of the event. The winner in all categories will take home Rs 10,000 with first and second runnersup getting Rs 5000 and Rs 2000 plus gift hampers. Besides, there are 100 consolation prizes in each category.

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We have to take it match by match: Harendra

Wed, Nov 10 10 09:07 PM

S S Ramaswamy Guangzhou, Nov 10 (PTI) The Indian men''s hockey team, aiming to book a berth in the 2012 London Olympics after missing out Beijing Games two years, needs to look at the immediate picture at hand before thinking of the bigger scenario, according to national coach Harendra Singh. "I think we have got to play the way we played against Pakistan and England (semis) in the Commonwealth Games. It is crucial to take it match by match, in getting three points from every match and then focusing on the semifinals," Harendra told PTI today. The Indian team is practising here from November 5, the day it arrived here. Harendra said that the ultimate aim of the team is to gain a berth at the London Olympics two years from now and that can happen only if the gold medal comes in its clutches. "The actual target is to gain a direct berth in the London Olympics and for that we have to go for the gold and nothing less than that would solve the problem. We are improving day by day," the coach said. Harendra said that during its training sessions the team was working hard at improving its defence that was caught napping at Delhi during CWG when it lost heavily to Australia in the league phase as well as in the final. "Defence was a concern in the Commonwealth Games and we are working hard on it," he said, adding that penalty corner conversion has improved with Dhananjay Mahadik and Sandeep Singh taking care of the important task. Rajpal Singh-led India are in the same pool as arch-rivals Pakistan and the much-awaited clash between them is scheduled for November 20. Pakistan have included veteran penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas to beef up the department. The men''s team have been placed in Pool B along with Pakistan, Japan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong China. India, who finished outside the medal bracket in the Asian Games for the first time in 2006, open their campaign against Hong Kong China on November 15 and then face Bangladesh two days later and Japan on November 21. Pool A comprises defending champions South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Oman and hosts China. Indian women will play their first tie on November 13 against Malaysia. The women''s competition will be played in a round robin format among China, South Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Thailand. In the Doha Asiad in 2006, the Indian men finished fifth while the women won the bronze medal.

Source: Published>

Sushil Kumar to run in Salwan Marathon

Wed, Nov 10 10 08:51 PM

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) Commonwealth gold medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar and his mentor Satpal Singh will run in the annual Salwan marathon which will see the participation of 1300 visually impaired children on Sunday. The 3-km run at the Salwan Marathon will see Sushil and Satpal assist a visually impaired child till the finishing line at the Delhi Cantonment on Children''s day. There will seven different races under the U-14, U-16 and U-18 categories and will have 45,000 young runners taking part in the 16th edition of the event. The winner in all categories will take home Rs 10,000 with first and second runnersup getting Rs 5000 and Rs 2000 plus gift hampers. Besides, there are 100 consolation prizes in each category.

Source: Published>

South Africa name former San Jose striker for U.S. game

Wed, Nov 10 10 08:47 PM

Leeds United striker Davide Somma, who emigrated from South Africa to the U.S as a child, was on Wednesday called up for the first time to play for South Africa in a friendly against the Americans on Nov. 17.

Somma, 25, has scored seven goals for his English club in league and cup this season, earning him a new three-year contract last week.

He was born in Johannesburg but moved to California aged 12. Somma, who also holds an Italian passport, played at San Jose Earthquakes before joining the Championship (second division) side.

South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane named two other uncapped players for the match in Cape Town -- teenaged defender Siyanda Xulu, who was on trial at Arsenal last month, and midfielder Matthew Pattison, previously of Newcastle United and now on the books of South African league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

There is also a return to the squad for Steven Pienaar of Everton and Fulham midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, both injured when South Africa played a 0-0 draw in Sierea Leone last month in an African Nations Cup qualifier.

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Phatlum eyes third title in a row

Wed, Nov 10 10 08:21 PM

Gurgaon, Nov 10 (PTI) Thailand''s double defending champion Phatlum Pornanong will aim a hat-trick of titles even as Europe''s number one Lee-Anne Pace and veteran Laura Davis stand in her way at the Women''s Indian Open golf tournament, starting here tomorrow. Since bursting into the scene in 2006, Phatlum has recorded a top-10 finish in all the tournaments she has played with four wins -- Hong Kong Ladies Open (2006), Thailand Ladies Open (2008) and Women''s India Open (2008 and 2009) - a record on Ladies Asian Golf Tour. However, the 20-year-old has been a little off-colour coming into the Indian Open as she finished tied third at the Thailand Open, third at Sanya Open and joint eighth at the Suzhou Taiho Open. But the Thai golfer will take heart from the fact that she knows the DLF golf and country course very well and would look to end her season''s title drought here. "There are many good players here and it is going to be tough. I can only try my best to defend the title. I don''t want to think too much and just play and hope it clicks and I win the title," Phatlum said. "When I saw the draw this afternoon, I felt very happy to see myself in the same group as Laura. This will definitely help me in my bid to go for a hat-trick as I am confident of shooting a low score especially playing alongside Laura," she added. Pace, who won twice and finished seventh once in three starts before this week, will look to cap this weekend with another win to enhance her chances of qualifying for next year''s LPGA tour. And the LET leader already has made a positive start after she piloted her team, which also had Robert Vadra, Sanya Sharma, Sanjeev, Laroiya to victory in the morning Pro-Am today. But from tomorrow it would be a different story as she will have to battle it out with Davies, who will be eagar to narrow the gap in the European tour''s money list with the South African. Davis, who arrived on Monday had her own set of problems as her golf bag went ''missing''. She spent the last 48 hours without golf equipment and even had to miss today''s Pro-Am. Indian challenge will be lead by Sharmila Nicollet, who has been clubbed with Davis and Phatlum, and veteran Smriti ''Simi'' Mehra. "Wow! That good''s I''ll get to see her ''live''on the fairways together," said the 19-year-old Sharmila after she came to know about the draw. "I want to win this tournament and become the first Indian women to do so. I have been in good form and my game is also good. Let''s see what the weekend has in store for me," she added. Among others competing in the 122-strong field include former Solheim Cup captain Helen Alfredsson of Sweden, Norway''s Mari Anne Skarpnord, Sahra Hasan from Wales. A few golfers of Indian origin too will like to make the most of their homecoming like Kiran Matharu of England and Canadians Salimah Mussani and Seema Sadekar.

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Kohli cracks unbeaten 119 to guide Delhi to 258 for 3

Wed, Nov 10 10 08:17 PM

Chennai, Nov 10 (PTI) Virat Kohli slammed an unbeaten 119 to help former Champions Delhi reach 258 for three in 88 overs against Tamil Nadu at close on the opening day of their Elite group-A Ranji Trophy match here today. Electing to bat first, Delhi Captain Mithun Minhas provided a good foil to Kohli in his effort to make a fine 70 (140b, 4 X 4 and 2 X 6) and his stand for the third wicket yielded 190 runs of 53.5 overs. Minhas was tricked by a low delivery from medium pacer Ganapathy and was adjudged LBW, while Dhawan trying to sweep Ashwin missed the line of the ball and was clean bowled. Kohli, who had held the centre stage in Delhis first match against Bengal with a superb 173 in the first innings, maintained his form and kept at bay the charging Tamil Nadu bowlers throughout his stay at the wicket after the fall of both the openers Chetan Sharma (11) and Shikhar Dhawan (41, 77b 7 x 4). At close, Kholi was batting on 119 (219b, 11x4 and 3x6) and Punit Bisht, who came in after another Delhi dependable batsman Rajat Bhatia retired hurt due to an injury on his right hand sustained while negotiating a raising delivery from M.Prabhu, was on five. Close to end of play, Kohli on 112 survived a chance when his pulled shot catch was dropped by Aushik Srinivas at fine leg of medium pacer Sunil Sam. For Tamil Nadu, Prabhu who came into the team as replacement for injured Lakshmipathy Balaji, C.Ganapathy and off spinner R.Ashwin claimed a wicket each. Brief score: Delhi (first innings) 258 for 3 in 88 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 41, Virat Kholi batting 119, Punit Bisht batting 5, C.Ganapathy 1 for 21, R.Ashwin 1 for 75 and M.Prabhu 1 for 34).

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Chhetri to sit out of India''s match against Iraq

Wed, Nov 10 10 08:07 PM

Sharjah, Nov 10 (PTI) In a setback to India''s Asian Cup preparations, striker Sunil Chhetri suffered an ankle injury during practice and is set to sit out of India''s international friendly match against continental champions Iraq here tomorrow. The Indians under English coach Bob Houghton are in the UAE for a preparatory camp for the 2011 Asian Cup with their base in Dubai. After tomorrow''s match against Iraq, they will be playing against Kuwait in Abu Dhabi on November 14 and against UAE on November 18. The ankle injury to Chhetri during practice at Dubai''s Al Wasl club ground was a blow to the Indians as regular captain and star striker Bhaichung Bhutia is also yet to regain his full fitness. Bhutia did not play in the three international friendly matches in Pune last month after suffering a minor injury against Namibia in New Delhi on September 15. He is also not expected to take the field at Al Shaab Stadium tomorrow. Chhetri''s injury though is not a major one as nothing serious was detected in the MRI scan taken at a Dubai local hospital. "He needs rest for two-three days. He will be available for the match against Kuwait," a team source told PTI. Chhetri scored a hat-trick in India''s 3-1 win over Vietnam in Pune on October 8. Tomorrow''s match could be the toughest match of the series of international friendlies planned in the run-up to the next year''s January 7-29 Asian Cup, as Iraq are ranked 94th to India''s 144th in FIFA charts. .

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Kohli cracks unbeaten 119 to guide Delhi to 258 for 3

Wed, Nov 10 10 07:51 PM

Chennai, Nov 10 (PTI) Virat Kohli slammed an unbeaten 119 to help former Champions Delhi reach 258 for three in 88 overs against Tamil Nadu at close on the opening day of their Elite group-A Ranji Trophy match here today. Electing to bat first, Delhi Captain Mithun Minhas provided a good foil to Kohli in his effort to make a fine 70 (140b, 4 X 4 and 2 X 6) and his stand for the third wicket yielded 190 runs of 53.5 overs. Minhas was tricked by a low delivery from medium pacer Ganapathy and was adjudged LBW, while Dhawan trying to sweep Ashwin missed the line of the ball and was clean bowled. Kohli, who had held the centre stage in Delhis first match against Bengal with a superb 173 in the first innings, maintained his form and kept at bay the charging Tamil Nadu bowlers throughout his stay at the wicket after the fall of both the openers Chetan Sharma (11) and Shikhar Dhawan (41, 77b 7 x 4). At close, Kholi was batting on 119 (219b, 11x4 and 3x6) and Punit Bisht, who came in after another Delhi dependable batsman Rajat Bhatia retired hurt due to an injury on his right hand sustained while negotiating a raising delivery from M.Prabhu, was on five. Close to end of play, Kohli on 112 survived a chance when his pulled shot catch was dropped by Aushik Srinivas at fine leg of medium pacer Sunil Sam. For Tamil Nadu, Prabhu who came into the team as replacement for injured Lakshmipathy Balaji, C.Ganapathy and off spinner R.Ashwin claimed a wicket each. Brief score: Delhi (first innings) 258 for 3 in 88 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 41, Virat Kholi batting 119, Punit Bisht batting 5, C.Ganapathy 1 for 21, R.Ashwin 1 for 75 and M.Prabhu 1 for 34).

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Black Caps looking to exploit bouncy track at Hyderabad

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 07:47 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 10 (IANS) New Zealand bowlers will be looking to exploit the bounce on the pitch here to put the pressure on the Indian batsmen in the second cricket Test beginning Friday at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Black Caps batsman Ross Taylor said.

'It will probably have a little more bounce and take more turn. It does not seem to be as flat as it was in Ahmedabad and we are taking a lot of confidence from that,' Taylor said Wednesday.

The stadium is hosting its first-ever Test.

'We are excited by the way we batted and bowled in Ahmedabad,' Taylor said.

'The wicket in Ahmedabad was not very helpful but we are expecting different pitch conditions here,' he added.

New Zealand have won only two Tests in India, the last was in Mumbai in 1988. The visitors were impressive in the drawn first Test at Ahmedabad in the current series.

Taylor said fast bowler Chris Martin, whose five-wicket haul in India's second innings at Ahmedabad gave a tough time to the hosts, will get a good purchase from the Hyderabad wicket.

'Martin picked those five wickets on a track which had nothing to offer to the bowlers. But the wicket here is fresh and that should help him. Hopefully, Martin will show the form he did in Ahmedabad,' Taylor said.

'We've all had a close look at India's batsmen and bowlers, so we are going to attack them more this time and try and put them under a little bit of pressure.'

'We are all excited by our show but we are not getting carried away.'

Source: Web Search

Abidal back for first time since French World Cup fiasco

Wed, Nov 10 10 07:37 PM

Barcelona full back Eric Abidal was named in France's squad on Wednesday for the first time since their World Cup fiasco, for next week's friendly against England at Wembley.

New coach Laurent Blanc has overlooked the defender since taking charge of his first match in August.

France were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup in South Africa in June when the players also went on strike to support Nicolas Anelka after the striker was kicked out of the squad for insulting then-coach Raymond Domenech.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille)

Defenders: Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Philippe Mexes (AS Roma), Adil Rami (Lille), Mamadou Sakho (Paris St Germain), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona)

Midfielders: Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Yoann Gourcuff (Olympique Lyon), Yann Mvila (Stade Rennes), Samir Nasri (Arsenal)

Forwards: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient), Guillaume Hoarau (Paris St Germain), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Loic Remy (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Dimitri Payet (St Etienne)

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Kartik takes four, Assam struggling at 174 for seven

Wed, Nov 10 10 07:21 PM

New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik heavily dented the Assam middle and lower order with important breakthroughs as Railways reduced the visitors to 174 for seven, on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match at the Karnail Singh Stadium, here today. The left-arm spinner took four for 31 and struck blows whenever Assam tried to build partnerships. Assam elected to bat but the decision backfired as both the openers --- Dheeraj Jadhav (9) and Parvej Aziz (0) -- were back in the pavilion with scorecard reading 15 for two. Skipper Amol Mazumdar (44) then did some damage control sharing couple of important partnerships with veteran S Sriram (31) and Deepak Sharma (21) for the third and fourth wicket respectively. Kartik broke Mazumdar''s 54-run partnership with Sriram by scalping the latter and then removed Sharma also. Later, he dismissed stumper Kumal Saika (23) and Dhiraj Goswami (1) also, puncturing Assam''s hopes of repairing the innings. Mazumdar departed after making 44 off 132 balls with just three shots to the fence. He became victim of leg-break bowler M Suresh. At stumps, Tarjinder Singh was unbeaten on 34 along with Arlen Konwar who is batting on six. Tarjinder hit five boundaries in his 92-ball stay the crease.

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Zulqarnain stripped of retainer, PCB forms committee on issue

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 07:17 PM

Karachi, Nov 10 (IANS) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wednesday stripped Zulqarnain Haider of the retainer and set up a three-man 'fact-finding' commission to probe into the circumstances that forced the wicket-keeper to flee to London seeking political asylum.

Zulqarnain abandoned his team and fled to London, claiming he has received death threats from match-fixers.

'PCB has suspended the Stipend Contract of Mr. Zulqarnain Haider for violating terms and conditions of the same,' said the statement.

'A fact-finding committee has been formulated to establish the facts surrounding the incident of Mr. Haider's disappearance from the Team Hotel. The committee includes Mr. Subhan Ahmad (PCB), Mr. Intikhab Alam (Manager Pakistan Team) and Maj. Khawaja Najam (Security Manger Pakistan Team). The committee will meet soon.

'PCB is trying to get in touch with Mr. Haider but the attempts to contact him have so far remained unsuccessful. No further comments on this matter will be made till further information is available with PCB.'

Source: Web Search

Veena is a bookie, has tarnished my image: Dheeraj

Wed, Nov 10 10 07:07 PM

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) Indian photo-journalist Dheeraj Dikshit, who had been accused of being involved in spot-fixing by Veena Malik, today claimed that the Pakistani actor is a "bookmaker", managing seven of her country''s top players, and demanded the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately cancel her visa. Malik, who is participating in the reality TV show Bigg Boss-4 on Colors channel, had accused Dikshit of being involved in match-fixing and remaining in touch with her ex-boyfriend Mohammad Asif. Pakistan speedster Asif is currently suspended by the ICC pending a disciplinary hearing into allegations of spot-fixing during the Lord''s Test in August. "I have written a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs, demanding the cancellation of her visa. I don''t want her to remain in India for a minute. She has tarnished my image, left me unemployed. "It''s an assassination of my character. I am not being able to pay attention towards anything. I want the government to take defiant action against Veena," said an angry Dheeraj. "The Colors channel is portraying her like a big celebrity. How can you cast a characterless person in any Indian show? One needs to understand she tried to drag an Indian national into the murky world of betting and fixing. She is a criminal, a match-fixer," claimed the controversial photographer. Dikshit, who accepted he was close to pace bowler Asif professionally, revealed that it was in the month of January this year that he got a call from the model-turned-actress in Dhaka. "I have never met her and during our first interaction, she tried to become very friendly. Before calling me, she called me at my Delhi number 4-5 times which my wife answered. My wife gave her my Dhaka number and on the very first note, she started flirting with me. "Veena was aware of the fact that I was good friends with Asif and so she contacted me. She said we could strike a big deal if I wish so. She said she is managing seven top players and to substantiate her claims, she told me the results of Pakistan''s upcoming series with Australia, Sri Lanka and England. Later, I found, her claims were all true," said Dheeraj. The photographer also claimed that Mazhar Majeed, the man at the centre of the spot-fixing controversy that engulfed the Lord''s Test, was Veena''s London-based boyfriend and known and dated each other on and off for three years. "She used to say that Maz is her London-based boyfriend. Later I realised that ''Maz'' is Mazhar Majeed who used to get endorsement deal for the players," he said. Dikshit, who is contemplating legal action against Veena, also alleged that he is receiving death threats from an unknown number on his mobile phone.

Source: Published>

Deriba, Aselefech to lead strong field of Delhi half marathon

Wed, Nov 10 10 07:01 PM

New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) Two-time defending champion Ethiopian Deriba Merga will lead a strong field of male elite athletes from around the world in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon here on November 21. A prize purse of USD 210,000 is up for grabs with the overall male and female winners of the IAAF Gold Label certified event standing to win USD 25,000 each. Merga, with a personal best of 59.15 set at the 2008 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, is the fastest runner in the strong field, which has more than 10 sub-60 minute runners, most of those timings set at big races this year. Merga will be in company of compatriots Eshetu Wendimu, who has a personal best of 59.56, and Lelisa Desisa, his training mate. However, the Ethiopians will have a lot to worry from the formidable Kenyan field led by Geoffrey Mutai, who has a personal best of 59.30 set while winning the 2010 RAK Half Marathon in the UAE. Incidentally, Merga was defeated by Mutai at that same race and the Kenyan also has to his credit one of the fastest ever full marathon timings of 2:04.55. Mutai will be backed by his teammate and training partner Erick Ndiema, who has also run below the hour mark this season. The other strong runners from Kenya include Sammy Kosgei, Silas Kipruto, Kiplimo Kimutai and Leonard Lagat. Kosgei set the world record in the Big 25Km Run in Berlin in May 2010, running the distance in 1:11.50, nearly a minute faster than the previous world record, while Kipruto, Kimutai and Lagat all have personal bests of 59.39, 59.36 and 59.56 respectively. Moroccan Khalid El Boumlili, an IAAF Gold Label marathoner, leads the North African challenge, while the European hopes rest on their top marathoner from Moldova, Laroslav Muschinski who has a personal best of 2.08. The women''s challenge is also Ethiopian heavy and includes 2008 winner Aselefech Mergia, who recorded her personal best of 67.22 at the RAK Half Marathon earlier this year. Her compatriots include Mare Dibaba, who ran 67.13 at that same race and 2009 half marathon world silver medallist Aberu Kebede. The other Ethipoian names of fancy are Yimer Wude, former track star and Ejigaheyu Dibaba, another world class track performer making a move to road running. The Kenyan challenge among the women will be spearheaded by Sharon Cherop, winner of the 2010 Toronto Marathon with a time of 2:22 and junior star Lydia Cheromei. Around a dozen women runners have timings under 70 minutes and that should provide for a fast race.

Source: Published>

Jeev eyes second Barclays Singapore Open title

Wed, Nov 10 10 06:51 PM

Singapore, Nov 10 (PTI) Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh is happy to be back at the Sentosa Golf Club and is optimistic of winning his second title at the Barclays Singapore Open, starting here tomorrow. "I have a great feeling coming back especially to a place where you won before. Obviously you get the positive vibes again. I love the golf course, it is a fantastic set up and Singapore is a great country and hopefully I''ll have a good tournament again," said Jeev. The Chandigarh Pro won the Singapore Open in 2008, beating Major winners Ernie Els of South Africa and Ireland''s Padraig Harrington but he could not participate in the event last year because of clash of dates. "It was a great win and I feel it was one of the biggest wins in my career. It was a strong field and the golf course was very challenging with the rough up and the greens were in excellent conditions," he said. "In 2008, my best memory was on the 18th hole when I got lucky when Ernie (Els) missed his putt and I made par on the last two holes to win by one shot. I think the golfing Gods were really looking after me. "It was tough a tough decision (to skip the tournament last year) because the World Match Play was on that week and I had to make the call whether to come here or go there. "I decided to go there reason being because it was the World Match Play but it was a tough decision because when you win a tournament, you want to go back there and defend the title. But I''m back here now," he added. Jeev, a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, had to battle a shoulder injury this year and could make just one top-10 finish in 17 starts on the PGA Tour. "The injury is not 100 per cent cured. I''m still on painkillers but I got another four weeks left and I''ll take six weeks off. I''ll take that time to recover and prepare for Abu Dhabi," he said. Elaborating about his injury, Jeev said, "I got injured in Dubai when I was hitting a shot in the rough and after that I kept playing with the injury and that''s the worst thing to do. The other mistake was that I came back too early. "I took two months off but the best doctor is your body that tells you that you need to take it easy and not to return too early. I also didn''t do the right things which I was suppose to do. "It became much better by August but things keep coming up. Sometimes there''s a lot of pain but it is just a hit-and-run case," he added. Jeev said there is still a lot of inflammation around the injured place. "It is in the rotator cuff. There''s a lot of inflammation in there and there''s not a lot blood circulation in there and they say that you need to take time off and let the body do the work," he said.

Source: Published>

Pak Sports Minister says "coward" Zulqarnain should never have chosen to play cricket

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 06:47 PM

Karachi, Nov 10 (ANI): Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider should not have turned up to play cricket if he was such a coward, Federal Sports Minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani has said.

"If he is such a weak and scared person he should not have played cricket in the first place, particularly not for the national team," Geo News quoted Jakhrani, as saying to reporters before leaving for Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

"This is not way for a member of the national team to behave or for even a professional cricketer to behave," he added.

The minister also conceded that the government would not support any move from Zulqarnain to get asylum in the UK.

We don't support his actions and believe he should have come to us if he was under threat from anyone. He didn't have confidence in the national team management or board (PCB)," Jakhrani stated.

He also said that the Sports Ministry had already written to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), asking it for a complete report on the incident.

"We don't want to interfere in the internal matters of the board but we certainly want to know why this has happened as it affects the image of the country," he said.

"But no doubt this incident has disappointed us. Zulqarnain should have come to us for help. We will not support his move to get asylum in the UK," the minister reiterated.

Earlier, the wicketkeeper had quietly slipped out of the Grand Hyatt in Dubai on Monday morning and boarded a London-bound flight. The player had not even discussed his plans with any of his team officials or fellow teammates.

On the morning of the final ODI match against South Africa, a message on Zulqarnain's Facebook wall read: "leaving Pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game." just hours before the final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai.

Announcing his sudden decision to bow out from international cricket, he told a news channel that he was receiving threats from an unknown person, and thus he decided to leave Dubai immediately and went to London, where he is seeking asylum. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

WAGs from crisis-hit Dundee club pose in sexy undies to raise cash

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 06:37 PM

London, Nov 10 (ANI): The WAGs of crisis-hit Dundee have posed in sexy underwear to raise cash through a charity calendar for the ailing club.

Jacqui Robertson, a reporter for the club's official website, and Mhairi Philp, 27, who is Miss Dundee FC, have also joined in.

The Tayside club, which had run up a massive 420,000 pounds tax bill, was deducted a whopping 25 points last week for going into administration for the second time in seven years.

Life-long Dens fan Philp organised the calendar to help ease the financial pressure on the club.

"As Dundee are currently in administration, we were trying to think of as many fundraising ideas as possible. A few people had mentioned the idea of a calendar to raise some extra money," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"I took it upon myself to look into this and contacted Debbie Douglas - wife of Dundee goalie Robert Douglas - to see if she would be interested and if she thought any more of the WAGs would like to get involved.

"All the girls were great and really enjoyed it - although we were all a bit nervous as well," she added.

Season ticket-holder Philp, who works as a legal receptionist in Edinburgh, hopes to have the 8-pounds calendars on sale within the next two weeks.

"We are looking to sell all 1,000 calendars which would be a fantastic achievement for all involved," she added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Efforts on to set an early hearing into Pak trio case: ICC

Wed, Nov 10 10 06:21 PM

Dubai, Nov 10 (PTI) International Cricket Council today said efforts are on to fix an early date for a hearing in the case involving Pakistani trio of Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammad Aamer who were suspended on spot-fixing charges. Butt and fast bowlers Asif and Aamer were provisionally suspended by the ICC last month following spot-fixing allegations by British tabloid ''News of the World'' in late August. Butt and Aamer had appealed against the suspension only to be rejected by the ICC Code of Conduct Commissioner Michael Beloff, early this month. "Various counsels were meeting to set up a date for the formation of the tribunal and for the hearing and at this point of time I cannot give an exact date, but rest assured we want to do it as soon as possible," Lorgat told reporters at the ICC headquarters. "Things have been exchanged among four sets of attorneys. You need to have an agreement about their availability and readiness to be at the case," he added. An Independent anti-corruption tribunal will hear the case and decide if the players were guilty or innocent.

Source: Published>

Punjab Games to have rich cash incentives

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 06:17 PM

Chandigarh, Nov 10 (IANS) In a bid to promote sports in the state, the Punjab government will organise Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games from Dec 4-12.

'The idea behind the state level Games is to provide the sportspersons a platform where they can test their skills and inculcate a higher level of competitive spirit,' said Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab deputy chief minister.

'Matches would be played under floodlights and telecast live from the semi-final stage. The state level Games would not only wean away the youth from drugs but will also encourage them to lead a good and healthy life,' said Badal, who is also the sports minister of the state.

'It will be an annual feature. On the basis of performance of sportspersons, they would be ranked from 1 to 100 every year. Currently around 3500 talented sportspersons are being trained in 350 established sports wings in Punjab schools and colleges and around 50000 players are being trained by the Kridashrees in rural areas,' stated Badal.

Competitions will be held in 10 disciplines --athletics, basketball, football, hockey, kabaddi, shooting, volleyball, boxing, weightlifting and wrestling. Cash prize of Rs.9 lakh, Rs.7 lakh and Rs.5 lakh would be given to the first, second and third-placed winners respectively.

The Games would be held at four venues --Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar.

Badal said that Punjab government has enhanced the cash incentives for players winning medals in international tournaments.

'Under our new sports policy, the cash incentives for the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other international competitions have been enhanced,' Badal said.

Source: Web Search

Rahane hits century as Mumbai scores 287/4 vs Bengal on Day I

Wed, Nov 10 10 06:07 PM

Kolkata, Nov 10 (PTI) Talented Ajinkya Rahane started his Ranji season in style hitting his 15th first-class century as defending champions Mumbai scored 287 for four at stumps, on the first day of their Ranji Trophy Super League match against Bengal, at the Eden Gardens. Rahane (110, 189 balls, 15x4), who missed Mumbai''s opening encounter against Saurashtra at Rajkot, added 152 runs with skipper Wasim Jaffer (73, 121 balls, 11x4) for the third wicket before Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary (two for 23) bowling his gentle seamers removed them in quick succession. Jaffer would only blame himself for his indiscretion as he looked almost certain to get his third century in as many innings having reached three-figure mark in both innings against Saurashtra. The skipper who displayed lazy elegance hitting Bengal bowlers with consumate ease chased a widish Tiwary delivery and was snapped up by Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps. May be his dismissal had something to do with the lapse of concentration as Rahane was dismissed only couple of overs earlier in the same manner playing at a widish delivery only to be caught by Rohan Banerjee in the slips. At close of play, Rohit Sharma (37 batting) and all-rounder Abhishek Nayar (13 batting) were at the crease having added 50 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership. Rohit has been dropped Bengal new-ball bowlers Ranadeb Bose and Ashok Dinda who had showed lot of discipline and character while bowling on a lifeless Feroz Shah Kotla track, couldn''t make use of morning conditions at the Eden after Jaffer elected to bat. The Bengal pace duo wasted the new ball by spraying it all over without any discipline. Having bowled 42 overs between them, Bose-Dinda duo gave away 136 runs without a single wicket in their kitty. When openers Sushanth Marathe (11) and Omkar Gurav (38) were batting neither Bose nor Dinda made them play the bulk of the deliveries in the first hour. It was Marathe''s bad luck that he slipped while trying to steal a single pushing the ball to mid-wicket. Sourashis Lahiri ran from his position to whip off the bails. The score was 21 at that time. Rahane joined Gurav and the duo put on 63 runs for the second wicket. Although they didn''t score at a brisk pace but at the same time didn''t let go any opportunity of scoring through loose deliveries. Rahane''s drives off the frontfoot were treat to watch as most of the times the fielders didn''t move from their positions. Gurav was however out of the first ball when spin was introduced. It was a straighter one from Lahiri which Gurav played for turn and was pouched in the slips by Arindam Das. .

Source: Published>

Alonso to slay Red Bulls or be trampled

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 05:57 PM

Fernando Alonso, Formula One's very own Spanish matador, yearns to put Red Bull to the sword this weekend and become the sport's youngest triple world champion.

Unless of course Sebastian Vettel, last year's winner of the inaugural day-night Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, sees red and either tramples the Ferrari driver's challenge or helps team mate Mark Webber do it instead.

Still only 23, but very much the cheeky-faced assassin, Germany's Vettel can himself become the youngest man to take the title in an unprecedented and thrilling four-way end of season championship battle in Abu Dhabi.

Whether the youngster will be in a position to do so, in what could be the closest championship in 60 years of F1, depends on a plethora of permutations.

The three leading contenders could even end up on Sunday afternoon tied on 256 points, with Vettel winning a countback on the most fourth places.

"It is going to be a stressful weekend for all of us but this is Formula One and anything can happen," said Alonso, who can end the season as he started it in Bahrain -- with a win.

Alonso currently leads with 246 points to Webber's 238 and 231 for Vettel, who led a Red Bull one-two in Brazil last Sunday to secure the Austrian-owned but British-based team a first constructors' crown.

SECOND ENOUGH

"I just need to finish second," Alonso said. "It doesn't matter who wins in Abu Dhabi if I finish second. With that, the problem is finished."

Plain-talking Webber has his own plan and is ready to complete his transformation from perceived journeyman to popular champion and end Australia's 30 year wait for a third world beater to join Jack Brabham and Alan Jones.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, 24 points off Alonso and needing a miracle to regain his lost 2008 crown, could yet defy the bookmakers' 100-1 odds against him with the upset to end all upsets in front of a sell-out crowd.

"I've still a shot at it, so I will try and win," he told reporters. "They've lots more to lose than I have, so I won't be looking out for them, letting them past or anything like that."

Which of the four will emerge triumphant after a rollercoaster ride to match anything on offer in the newly-opened Ferrari World theme park next to the Yas Marina circuit, is anybody's guess.

The Fat Lady, as Webber put it, is getting into position and about to clear her throat.

Controversy, in a sport whose history is as chequered as the final flag that waves through the winner, is sure to join her on the stage.

Vettel may help Webber if he cannot win the title himself but the team will not be issuing any orders from the pitwall, unlike Ferrari.

"To interfere with the drivers was never a possibility for us," Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz said this week. "A second place under correct circumstances might be better than a win on grounds of orders and confirmations."

If Alonso wins by fewer than the seven points he gained when Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa was ordered by Ferrari to let him win at Hockenheim in July, then there will be those who say his title is tainted.

"Fernando is an exceptional driver. Some will be disappointed with what happened at Hockenheim and question whether he deserves it. I just hope he wins it by more than seven points," outgoing champion Jenson Button said at the weekend.

If Red Bull's duo open the door for Alonso to claim the championship, there will also be questions asked about how the most dominant team on the starting grid managed to squander their advantage.

Source: Web Search

Razzaq, Akhtar return to Pak after "giving tough time to South Africa"

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 05:37 PM

Lahore, Nov 10 (ANI): After participating in the One-day International and Twenty20 series against South Africa in the UAE, Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar arrived at Lahore airport late on Monday night.

"We gave a tough time to South Africa and had some very close contests," Geo News quoted Razzaq, as saying.

The all-rounder expressed his happiness over a fighting end to the ODI series, and said that the results of three close matches could have gone either way.

To a question about the issues related to troubled wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, Razzaq said, "Whatever I know about the issue so far, I can only say that Zulqarnain has put his career on risk. He should not have fled to England."

Akhar said that he enjoyed playing cricket against South Africa, and that he was satisfied with his performance, and happy, too, over regaining his form. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Kiwis: Cricketing peaks after alcohol high

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 05:07 PM

For a team that was rubbished away even before the first ball was bowled, it's almost poetic justice that two players who were written off at various stages of their career due to off-field problems should change the face of the side with their performances, while catalysing an unbelievable come-from-behind turnaround.

For New Zealand's Chris Martin and Jesse Ryder, the Test has been more than just another game of cricket. When the Kiwis landed on Indian soil about a fortnight ago, the knives were out after their ODI side had been shamelessly ridiculed 4-0 at the hands of the perennial minnows, Bangladesh.

With the debacle fresh in their minds, the side arrived amidst fears that the Test series against India will only further wound the bleeding scabs. With India piling on a mammoth 487 in the first innings and reducing the Kiwis to 137/4, New Zealand cricket silently prepared for its darkest days.

But suddenly, from nowhere, two bad boys ? past and present ? found their calling to bury the ghosts of their past and, in turn, New Zealand cricket. Ryder set the wheels in motion with a 103 on Saturday, before Martin destroyed the great Indian top order on Sunday, with his destructive five-wicket haul burst. By solving their own problems, they released the Kiwi phoenix free, soaring out of the depths of despair.

Ryder's long battle against the authorities ? and with the bottle ? has been well documented. Misconduct at a hotel room after going on an alcohol binge was only the latest in the conveyor belt of troubles the 26-year old had gotten himself into. From punching a glass door to showing up drunk at practice, the situation had gotten so fragile for the overweight cricketer that he was dropped from Test cricket all together for 15 months. But suddenly, the self-destruction stopped.

"Things have changed," he said before the Test. "I have been off alcohol for the last 100 days. My concentration levels and focus have increased," he added.

But what brought about the change when it didn't work a few times before? "I realised that this is where I want to be, out there playing cricket." The realisation soon took physical form on the Motera field. With his ton, Ryder gave his side a chance to stay in the game, before Martin turned it around.

If Ryder was the newest wild child, Martin was the original one. A great affinity for alcohol and cigarettes put a premature end to the first stage of his career, before he decided to clean up his act and return to the game.

"As a 25-26 year old, the urge and need to party and socialise is high. I didn't recognise my talent and stopped being a student of the game. The focus was more on other things, like drinking and smoking and having a good time with my friends. I wanted to be like them in the social circles. My game started waning and I started looking for jobs outside the sport," Martin said.

But a chance meeting with Garfield Charles, a former Guyanese player, changed everything. "He helped me choose cricket," he added. While Martin has been on his second wind, the average performances didn't really see a peak. But just when the focus was shifting to retirement plans with a abysmal 2009 and statements such as "I have three papers to go for my BA in politics. This is what I want to do after cricket."

Martin found his calling for the second time. He dismissed Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina in the space of a few overs to have India reeling at 15/5. Ryder and Martin's individual sparks of brilliance on the field has not only methodically silenced their verbal critics, but more importantly, it has completed their long struggle for mental salvation.

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Top mafia don-Pak intelligence agency nexus behind cricket match fixing epidemic?

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 04:47 PM

Islamabad, Nov 10 (ANI): The nexus between a "top bookmaker and mafia don" and a "powerful intelligence agency" in Pakistan may be behind the match-fixing epidemic currently bedeviling cricket, an editorial in a Pakistani newspaper has suggested.

"The elephant in the room is the link between people wielding power and bookmakers. It is alleged that a top bookmaker and mafia don has connections with a powerful intelligence agency in Pakistan," the Daily Times editorial said.

In the wake of the latest Pakistan cricket scandal involving wicketkeeper-batsman Zulqarnain Haider, who chose to retire from international cricket after receiving threats from an unknown person, the editorial said, "If his claims are true, then alarm bells should be ringing at the International Cricket Council (ICC) headquarters and across the cricketing world. No matter what, a sport is not and cannot be more important than the life of a professional player."

It also noted that the "decision by 24-year-old Zulqarnain to leave Dubai after receiving a threat outside his hotel without informing the PCB or team management speaks volumes about the level of trust between our players and the PCB."

Earlier, the wicketkeeper had quietly slipped out of the Grand Hyatt in Dubai early on Monday morning and boarded a London-bound flight. The player had not even discussed his plans with any of his team officials or fellow teammates.

The editorial rued that the Pakistan president, who is also the patron-in-chief of the PCB, "has also not helped by refusing to bring changes to the PCB, even in the light of these sinister events. Furthermore, due to the continuous mismanagement of the PCB, unimaginable sorrow has been heaped on to the sport's passionate supporters."

It urged the PCB as well as the entire cricket world to "come together to help itself against this life-threatening cancer of match fixing," when the "life of a young talented professional athlete is in danger."

"The time has come for the PCB, the ICC, the cricketing community and the world of sports to wake up to the epidemic of illegal match fixing," it said.

The editorial appreciated Pakistani security forces' smart move to extend police protection to his family at this precarious time, and added that the ICC must extend all possible resources available to aid Zulqarnain. (ANI)

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PCB forms three-member committee to investigate Haider fiasco

Wed, Nov 10 10 04:37 PM

Lahore, Nov 10 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the case of wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider who fled the team hotel in Dubai to go to London and subsequently applied for political asylum there. Sources in the board said here today that the committee would hold its preliminary meeting soon to be headed by Subhan Ahmed who is acting director of administration and human resources. The committee will also include Zakir Khan who heads the international cricket operations and the board''s security manager, Colonel Waseem Ahmed. "The committee has been given the task of finding out the details of the Haider case, the circumstances in which the cricketer left the team hotel and why he did that," a PCB source told PTI. He said the committee had also been told to get the statement of Haider, who is presently in London. PCB''s legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi will assist the committee in its investigations. The Pakistan wicketkeeper has claimed that he was told by a person to cooperate in fixing the last two One-day Internationals against South Africa in Dubai for which he could earn a lot of money or otherwise he would be out of the team and could also face a lot of problems. Haider also said that he fled to London out of fear as he and his family were getting threats. Interestingly, the Chairman of the PCB Ijaz Butt has preferred to fly off to China on a private visit from Dubai after witnessing the final one-day match on Monday. "Butt is in China now for his business and is not scheduled to return until the 20th of this month," a PCB source said. He acknowledged that in the midst of a major crisis facing Pakistan cricket it was surprising that the PCB Chairman had preferred to fly out to China. Meanwhile, Tafazzul Rizvi has said that Haider still had time to come forward and come clean on the circumstances that led to his leaving the national team. "I think there is still time for him to come and tell the truth and let the board know why he was compelled to do this. His actions cannot be condoned in anyway but we would like to know what is the truth," Rizvi said.

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"PCB has given no reason as yet why I was stopped from travelling to UAE": Kaneria

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 04:23 PM

Karachi, Nov 10 (ANI): Pakistan's highest wicket-taking spin bowler Danish Kaneria has said that he has no idea why he was not permitted to make the trip to Dubai, as he has not received any communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in this regard so far.

"I was all set to travel and then suddenly I'm told I won't be travelling to the Emirates," Pakpassion.net quoted Kaneria, as saying.

"I haven't heard anything from the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding why I couldn't travel to Dubai. They (the PCB), as yet have not given me any reason to why I was not allowed to travel. There has been no communication at all from the Board," he added.

Kaneria was due to fly to Dubai early on Sunday morning as one of the group of five players, but was called by a board official just before he was due to leave for the airport, and informed that he could not go. Meanwhile, the other four- Mohammad Sami, Azhar Ali, Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Yousuf- left to join the Pakistan squad in the UAE.

The PCB has not made any official announcement on the matter, and thus it remains unclear whether the decision has anything to do with the board's attempts to "sort itself out" and tighten up against corruption.

Kaneria was the subject of a criminal investigation earlier in the English summer by Essex police over allegations that he was involved in spot-fixing during a county game, the website said, adding that the investigations had begun in May, and Kaneria was cleared by Essex police in September.

On Sunday, Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam confirmed that the 29-year-old had indeed been stopped from travelling to the UAE for the Test series, saying, "Kaneria has not been given clearance to travel to the UAE by the PCB."

When pressed for the reason behind suddenly axing Kaneria from the team, Alam stated, "I can't comment on why Danish has not been given clearance, it's a policy matter and decision by the PCB and I am not in a position to comment on the reason why."

Asked if he expected Kaneria, who has taken 261 wickets in 61 Test matches so far, to make an appearance later on in the Test series, Alam said, "I think he will be unavailable for the whole series." (ANI)

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Yousuf found 'not guilty' of violating ICC Code of Conduct: ICC spokesman

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 04:17 PM

Lahore, Nov 10 (ANI): Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has been found not guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the fifth one-day international against South Africa in Dubai on Monday.

Yousuf had his name written with a marker pen at the back of a borrowed shirt, which was a violation of Clause 2.1.1 of the ICC code of conduct for players, as read with Section C6 of the clothing and equipment rules and regulations that deal with appropriate and professional standards of appearance on the field, the Daily Times reported.

"Yousuf pleaded not guilty to the offence and as such, under the terms of the code, ICC match referee Andy Pycroft held a hearing after the match in which he reached his decision," a spokesman for the ICC said yesterday.

In a statement, Pycroft said, "In making my decision, I took into account that Yousuf was required by the management representing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to wear the offending shirt as he had arrived in Dubai for the Test series and not for the ODIs. As such, he didn't bring with him any coloured clothing.

"The matter should now be referred by the ICC to the PCB pursuant to the relevant section of the clothing and equipment rules and regulations," he added. (ANI)

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Michael Clarke shows off deflecting skills

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 04:07 PM

Melbourne, Nov 10 (ANI): Aussie cricketer Michael Clarke cleverly deflected questions about his new girlfriend Kyly Boldy at an event to launch Australia's Ashes ad campaign this week.

Asked if he and the one-time Miss Indy were going strong after Boldy was spotted watching Australia play Sri Lanka at the SCG last week, Clarke side-stepped the question and made some joke about sponsors Vodafone.

"I've said all I want to say on Twitter and now I'm just here with my Vodafone umbrella," the News.com.au quoted him as saying. (ANI)

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S.African artists, designers to reinvent Vuvuzelas as earrings

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 03:37 PM

London, Nov.10 (ANI): The much reviled and controversial plastic horns that were the highlight of this year's football World Cup, Vuvuzela, are likely to be reinvented as earrings.

A panel of South African artists and designers chose earrings as the best reuse of the vuvuzela from more than 150 photographs, videos and sketches submitted to a vuvuzela recycling competition, The Telegraph reports.

Matt Blitz, the event organiser, said the group began taking submissions in July, after the World Cup football tournament ended.

Out of the seven judges, five voted for the earrings. The hoop earrings, created by Cape Town resident Megan Bernstein, consist of circular cross-sections of the long, hollow horn.

Other designs included toilet-paper holders, cocktail shakers and even fire-extinguisher hoses.

Blitz said the best 50 design ideas will be sold and exhibited nationally.

He said he and co-organiser Shaun McCormack were not fans of vuvuzelas before the World Cup.

"Then we fell in love with them during the World Cup, and instead of eradicating them it became a way to extend the life of vuvuzelas and keep them from landfills," he said.

Blitz also said he hoped local artisans could interpret the earring design. (ANI)

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Nothing can prepare England for bounce and pace of Gabba pitch: Ponting

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 03:17 PM

Melbourne, Nov 10 (ANI): Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has said nothing can prepare England for the bounce and pace of the Gabba when the first Test starts in Brisbane this month.

The Gabba has been a fast bowler's paradise so far this season, with not even Queensland being able to cope with their own conditions during a Sheffield Shield match.

NSW fast bowler Mark Cameron claimed 11 wickets in a stunning performance which has earned him a call-up to the Australia A side as Queensland was bowled out for 75 and 96.Our record there is unbelievably good and we want to make sure we continue that on," Ponting said.

"There's been a lot made of England's preparation, the fact that they're here early and they're playing lots of games, but they don't play a match at the Gabba before the first Test," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

"They'll definitely still find it hard to come to grips with what they're confronted with in Brisbane day one," Ponting added.

"With just a normal Brisbane wicket, visiting teams find it hard to come to terms with just how different it is up there," he said.

"In my mind it's been the best cricket wicket in Australia for as long as I've been playing the game. There's always something in it for everyone. The fast bowlers always get something out of it, it spins late in the game, and it's a great place to bat once you get in," he added. (ANI)

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Sehwag had an answer for everything: Arthur

Wed, Nov 10 10 02:23 PM

Johannesburg, Nov 10 (PTI) Swashbuckling Indian batsman Virender Sehwag gave the visiting South African team a very tough time during the first Test in Chennai in 2008, former coach Mickey Arthur recalled in his book, released here on Monday. "Every single thing we tried, he countered," Arthur wrote in his book ''Taking the Mickey''. "He had an answer for everything. When we changed our tactics, he changed his; he was always one step ahead of us." Arthur added that despite witnessing every delivery that Sehwag faced, he still found it difficult to believe some parts of his innings: "He scored 319 off 304 deliveries. Some of the 50 came off 25 or 30 balls, and I think his third century came from 84!" Arthur went on to describe how Sehwag outwitted his strategy at every turn: "I was wracking my brains for a solution to the puzzle, but by the time I''d thought of something else to try, (Sehwag) would have scored another 70. I thought we might see the world record. The way he was going, he had the time to score 500!" But Sehwag''s good run was set to end the next morning: "Overnight I tried to come up with yet another plan. I thought he might be vulnerable to the short-of-a-length delivery early on not the bouncer, but the back-of-a-length, chest-high delivery. "Perhaps it was a complete fluke, but Makhaya (Ntini) caught him early, trapped on the crease early next morning, and he never got onto the front foot again for the rest of the innings, which didn''t last much longer before he knicked one. Whether it was a chink in his armour or not, it worked for us. He certainly didn''t score any more triple hundreds against us, anyway." PTI FH CM

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James Franklin hoping for a Black Cap crack at India in Hyderabad

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 02:17 PM

Wellington (New Zealand), Nov.10 (ANI): Wellington's James Franklin is quite eager take on India in the second cricket test to be played at Hyderabad from Friday.

The 26-test all-rounder had to fly into action after checking his messages at 10 p.m. on Monday at his Napier hotel.

Instead of taking the new ball for Wellington on the opening day of the Plunket Shield at Nelson Park yesterday, he was up at 5.30 a.m., flew from Napier, via Auckland, to Wellington, was driven by wife Kerry to the Indian high commission to collect his visa, then raced back to the domestic terminal.

"Then I got told it was too hard to get the 11a.m. flight from Wellington to Auckland, so I'd have to go a day later. Five minutes later they called back and said, 'you can get on, the plane will wait for you'," he said.

A quick goodbye to his wife and son Charlie, who turns two next week, and Franklin jetted to Hyderabad for Friday's second test, via Auckland and Singapore.

Franklin was summoned by coach Mark Greatbatch to replace debutant fast bowler Hamish Bennett whose tour was ended by a groin injury.

"I guess I've got nothing to lose. I've been in and out; I've enjoyed the highs and suffered the lows, so I know all the emotions that go with international cricket. If I get a crack, then great, and hopefully I can nail it," he said. (ANI)

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Flower calls on ICC to crack down on Pak cricket match-fixing allegations

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 02:07 PM

Adelaide (Australia), Nov.10 (ANI): England cricket team coach Andy Flower has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take action on match-fixing allegations involving the Pakistan cricket team.

England is scheduled to play in Pakistan next winter, and Flower's latest demand comes in the wake of Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider fleeing the Pakistan camp in Dubai claiming he feared for his life.

"The ICC need to jump around and do something and be decisive and pro-active," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Flower, as saying. (ANI)

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Australia must reverse downward slide during Ashes series: Katich

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 01:51 PM

Sydney, Nov 10 (ANI): Australian opener Simon Katich wants the team to reverse its downward slide during the Ashes series, as poor results against Pakistan in England and India on the subcontinent show that the Australia team is not functioning as it should.

Australia's Test team has been in reverse mode since beating South Africa in 2009.

"This is probably something evident since the Ashes last year," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Katich, as saying.

"We'd come off such a great series in South Africa playing some really positive cricket with some great signs, and to probably take a step back on occasions with losing the Ashes and then drawing with Pakistan and then losing in India," he said.

"Those things have made us realise that we're not as on track as we were after that South African series," Katich added.

Commenting on reports that England is favourite to retain the Ashes, Katich said that all would have been changed with a Test victory in India, something the Australians were just one wicket away from achieving.

"We're a little bit frustrated, because I think it could've been such a different outcome for us. If we'd come away from that series with a 1-1 result I think that would've been quite a positive result, even though you haven't won," he said.

"But going over to India we've won once there in 40 years, in 2004, so it's not the easiest place to win, against a very good team.

"So if we'd come away with that result we wouldn't be in the situation we're in at the moment where there's probably a lot more negativity around the team, but that's what happens when you lose," Katich added. (ANI)

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ICC offers PCB help to probe cricketer who fled

Published>Wed, Nov 10 10 01:37 PM

Dubai, Nov 10 (IANS) The International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday offered help to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to find out what prompted wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider to flee to England from Dubai.

In a statement, ICC said it was in communication with PCB and it would provide assistance to unravel the reasons Haider decided to leave the Pakistan team ahead of the final ODI against South Africa in Dubai.

ICC has also offered Haider help if he needs.

'ICC is willing to provide assistance to PCB and the player. We understand his plight but we can only help if he is willing to engage with us,' ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.

A day after he went missing ahead of Pakistan's one-day game against South Africa in Dubai, Haider decided to retire from international cricket.

Haider fled from Dubai to London Monday fearing for his life. He said he received death threats last week and confirmed he had sought asylum in Britain.

The player was questioned by the UK Border Agency after arriving at Heathrow airport without a return ticket.

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