Pak CJ orders inquiry into finances of PCB

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 05:56 PM

A fresh problem awaits Pakistan Cricket Board after the nation's Chief Justice (CJ), Chaudhary Iftikhar Muhammad has directed the National Accountability Bureau to hold an independent inquiry into the allegations of financial mismanagement against the PCB.

Disposing off an application filed by a PCB employee Razaullah Khan, who had pleaded to the Chief Justice to take sue motto notice of the financial irregularities unearthed by the Auditor General of Pakistan in an audit of the board accounts between 2003 and 2008, Iftikhar Chaudhary asked the NAB to hold an inquiry into the matter.

Razaullah, an old cricket administrator, pointed out in his application that although the Auditor General had raised serious objections in his audit report and even though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had issued a directive for an inquiry into the allegations, nothing has been done about the matter till now.

Source: Web Search

Pak CJ orders inquiry into finances of PCB

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 05:53 PM

A fresh problem awaits Pakistan Cricket Board after the nation's Chief Justice (CJ), Chaudhary Iftikhar Muhammad has directed the National Accountability Bureau to hold an independent inquiry into the allegations of financial mismanagement against the PCB.

Disposing off an application filed by a PCB employee Razaullah Khan, who had pleaded to the Chief Justice to take sue motto notice of the financial irregularities unearthed by the Auditor General of Pakistan in an audit of the board accounts between 2003 and 2008, Iftikhar Chaudhary asked the NAB to hold an inquiry into the matter.

Razaullah, an old cricket administrator, pointed out in his application that although the Auditor General had raised serious objections in his audit report and even though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had issued a directive for an inquiry into the allegations, nothing has been done about the matter till now.

Source: Web Search

Indians chill out indoors at team hotel

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 05:29 PM

Dhaka, Jan 6 (PTI) Indian cricketers enjoyed the rest day by chilling out in the confines of the team hotel as going outdoors being not advisable due to security concerns. The team did not have a practice session today ahead of their crucial second match against Bangladesh tomorrow. The players had light workouts at the hotel gymnasium in the morning and in the afternoon they hung out at the poolside and at a couple of showrooms in the hotel. Yuvraj Singh had a long swimming session at the pool at the ground floor of the hotel and that was the best shot the few Indian cameramen covering the tri-series got today. Ashish Nehra, Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, besides maverick pacer S Sreesanth, spent some time at the poolside with the Delhi trio seen having a great time among themselves with animated conversations. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj, Sreesanth and Mishra shopped at the musical outlet at the ground floor. The shop owner said they bought mostly DVDs of English movies and chocolates. Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara also came down in the evening to buy some DVDs and CDs and had a chat with Mishra, who was already there to buy his choice of DVDs. Sangakkara came without any security personnel around him even though the Sri Lankan team has come here with their own security experts.

Source: Web Search

Jayawardene, two others flown in to prop up Lanka

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 05:09 PM

Philem Dipak Singh Mirpur (Bangladesh), Jan 6 (PTI) Three Sri Lankans cricketers, including former captain Mahela Jayawardene, were flown in today to prop up a side which is struggling to put 11 fit men together in the ongoing cricket tri-series. Sri Lanka team manager Brendon Kuruppu said besides Jayawardene, who was part of the Sri Lankan team that played an ODI series in India last month, the other two players are uncapped wicket-keeper batsman Lokuge Dinesh Chandimal and left-handed batsman Mahela Udawatte. Kuruppu said Chamara Silva and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, who were injured during Sri Lanka''s opening match against Bangladesh, would return home while in-form opener Tillakaratne Dilshan would stay back despite the groin strain he suffered during his match-winning knock of 104 against the hosts. "Jayawardene, Chandimal and Udawatte have arrived here, while Silva and Pushpakumara will return home. We are hoping that Dilshan will be okay and will play a part in some point of time in the tournament, which is why we have kept him here," Kuruppu told PTI. "Dilshan though is unlikely for our next game (against Bangladesh on January 8)," he added.

Source: Web Search

25 Football World Cup matches to be broadcast in 3D

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 04:39 PM

London, Jan 6 (ANI): Viewers will be able to watch 3D broadcast of part of the 2010 football World Cup matches after sports broadcaster ESPN decided to film 25 of the matches in 3D in South Africa.

After years of technology experts predicting that 3D would take off, it is for the first time that a 3D broadcast will be seen in anyone's home. he announcement was made as television companies prepare to unveil their latest 3D sets at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, The Telegraph reports.

The likes of Sony, LG and Samsung are all expected to announce that 3D televisions will be available for sale in the United States and Britain in a matter of months.

It is unclear when the ESPN broadcasts will be available outside of the US, but an ESPN spokesman said it was unlikely to be available to British viewers until after the World Cup.

Viewers will not only need to invest in an expensive new television, they will also need to wear special dark glasses to enjoy the full experience. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Azad rails DDCA for entangling Kotla fiasco in wordweb

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 04:23 PM

New Delhi, Jan 6 (PTI) Lashing out at the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for using the "poor pitch" argument to save Ferozshah Kotla from a ban, former Test player Kirti Azad today said the body is trying to justify its failure by engaging in a "legal war of words". "As a cricketer, I fail to understand what is the difference between a poor pitch and an unfit pitch. I find it strange that DDCA wants the ICC to allow international matches at a poor pitch, if we accept their plea," Azad said. The Kotla is facing the prospect of a ban after the an India-Sri Lanka one-dayer at the stadium had to be abandoned due to a dangerous pitch. Azad, who stormed out of the DDCA AGM a few days ago on the matter, said DDCA''s failure is "unforgivable" and the body should pay for the embarrassing fiasco. "It''s strange that while experts and players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and even Mahendra Singh Dhoni find the pitch unplayable, the administrative bosses try to justify their failure," he said through a written statement. The former India cricketer also said that he would soon meet Sports Minister M S Gill and demand that the government make it mandatory for all the Sports Federations to appoint 50 percent ex-sportsmen in their Executive.

Source: Web Search

Force India eyes top half in 2010 Championship

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 04:09 PM

On a high after last season's fairytale show, Force India has set itself a target of finishing in the top half of the Formula One championship this year.

In an interaction with journalists, Force India driver Adrian Sutil and Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer said the team would have to be regularly among the points this season so that they finish inside the top 5-6 in the Constructor's Championship table.

"We finished 2009 well, that's why it's important to continue the trend. We have to be competitive and point-scoring is the main goal," Sutil said in a matter-of-fact manner.

"It was in the second half last season that we started doing well and we have to continue that trend," said the lanky German driver, who would spearhead Force India's campaign this season.

Szafnauer put it more succinctly when he said the team would hope to finish in the top half.

"It's crucial to continue the same kind of performance and maintain the same level. I say so because the closer we get to the front of the grid, the tougher it is to take those further steps," said the Romania-born electrical engineer.

"However, our goals would be to be a regular point-scorer and to get as high as possible in the championship table. Depending on how many teams compete, we want to be in the top half anyway, above the middle," he said.

"In 2009, although we were very good in the end, we finished just one place ahead of the bottom. We want to do better this time and be in the top half this year," said Szafnauer.

Asked if Force India would miss Giancarlo Fisichella, who earned the team's first point and podium in Belgian Grand Prix last year, Otmar said Formula One is not just about the drivers.

"Fisi had a world of experience but our drivers (Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi) have been with the team for a while. Our team is not about one racing driver but 288 people. Although he was very talented, I think will be very good without him," said Szafnauer who has worked with Jaguar and Honda in the past. Sutil, meanwhile, felt Fisichella's exit actually augured well for him.

"He was good for the team but once he left, I took the chance. I thought now I will show the world what I can do. It increased my responsibility but not in the negative sense," Sutil said.

Source: Web Search