 |
|
|
PCB
chief flays Shoaib’s behaviour ICC to fund Asian cricket till 2007 Heath Streak pursues farming interests Buchanan looks forward to Shane-Murali duel
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Women’s hockey team looking for exposure, says coach Maradona transferred to
drugs rehabilitation clinic Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has left hospital and entered a drugs rehabilitation centre in west Buenos Aires. Maradona (43), one of the most famous footballers of all time and the 1986 World Cup winning captain, has checked into the Del Parque private clinic in Castelar, Argentine television reported yesterday. JCT clash with Mahindras today Bhupathi, Mirnyi win Italian Masters Karun helps Solan win
|
|
PCB chief flays Shoaib’s behaviour
Islamabad, May 10 Mr Khan told ‘The Dawn’ yesterday that he had personally requested Akhtar to take the field on the third day of the decisive third Test against India and was angered when the Rawalpindi Express refused. “I asked him what was wrong when he came off the field and requested him to go back and at least field. ‘You saw what happened and I do not have to tell you,’ he (Akhtar) said,” Mr Khan was quoted as saying. The PCB chief pointed out that middle order batsman Asif Kamal on the contrary opted to bat despite heavy pain from injury. “There was this boy Asif Kamal who was fighting it out for Pakistan in spite of carrying a serious injury and here was a senior player not bothered by team’s plight. This angered me most,” he said. Mr Khan said he was aware that the findings of the four-member medical commission, which he appointed to evaluate the injuries suffered by Shoaib and four other cricketers. would not give a conclusive proof. “But I believe that I must have evidence to confront the players who do not give their best to the country,” he said Mr Khan added that he always sympathised with Shoaib as he was a flamboyant character who made a number of enemies “but on that day he really disappointed me,” he said. Mr Khan, a former Foreign Secretary, said he was surprised to see the extent of injuries suffered by the team in the India series. “The team did not suffer a single injury during the last year’s World Cup despite the fact that it was a long drawn out tournament,” he said. Meanwhile, unaware of the PCB chief’s critical remarks, Akhtar told ‘The News’ that he was grateful to chairman Shaharyar Khan for believing in him. “The chairman has been very fair to me. I am relieved that the medical commission of the board has also accepted that I did sustain an injury during the final Test against India due to which I could not bowl,” he was quoted as saying. Akhtar, who left on Sunday to join his English county Durham, insisted that he has never intentionally let the team down and was hurt by the allegations that he had faked an injury in the Pindi Test. “Even now I feel the board has been somewhat harsh with me by issuing a warning to me and asking me to show more commitment to the team, but I can honestly say commitment for the team has never been an issue for me. “I got nine and seven wickets in the one-dayers and Tests but I know I could have done much better for my team. I remain disappointed with my own performance. I just lost it at some stage,” he said. Mr Khan also said he would decide about Ramiz Raja continuing in the post of Chief Executive Officer after consulting the patron of the Board, President Pervez Musharraf as, like him, Raja was appointed by the President. He said be believed Raja did a commendable job, “but there is a principle involved and that is of incompatibility in terms of what he is doing as a broadcaster and serving us without salary.” Mr Khan also said he believed coach Javed Miandad has performed reasonably well but at the same time declined to say whether the PCB would retain him. Asked whether Miandad would be retained, he said “I can’t say right now. We will consult everyone. There is no simple short solution to the problems afflicting the Pakistan team.” While Miandad has done reasonably well, he said there were areas which needed to be targeted for improvement. “People have been calling for a fitness trainer and bowling coach. We wanted to have both but could not do so in time for the (Indian) tour,” he said adding he did not want to press the panic button as the team won three series since the World Cup last year. — PTI
|
|
ICC to fund Asian cricket till 2007
Islamabad, May 10 ICC president Ehsan Mani told the Asian Cricket Council’s development seminar at Lahore yesterday that the world body had allocated over $ 100 million for development of cricket out of which $ 50 million would be spent in Asia. “The recent series between India and Pakistan demonstrated the game’s strength in the subcontinent,” he was quoted as saying by ‘The News’ today. The ICC president said the newest full member from Asia, Bangladesh, had faced a challenging time since its entry into Test cricket and the world body had been working closely with them and the ACC to assist the minnows. “Besides, the programme is targeting improvement in the playing standards of its associate and affiliate members,” he added. The programme, he said, also helped the ICC to increase the participation in the next World Cup to 16 countries. Last year’s World Cup gave the ICC an opportunity to assess the success of the development programme as Canada, Holland, Kenya and Namibia showed improved performances. “The introduction of ICC Intercontinental Cup from this year provides 12 associate countries the exposure to international three-day cricket for the first time.” Mr Mani revealed that China would table applications for ACC and ICC membership later this year. — PTI
|
|
Heath Streak pursues farming interests
Harare, May 10 Streak was removed as team captain last month after he demanded changes to the national selection panel. When these were rejected, Zimbabwe Cricket Union chairman Peter Chingoka announced a decision to remove Streak “by accepting his resignation”. Streak insists he has not resigned. Yesterday, Streak joined his father Dennis and a group of farmers at the Turk Mine Sports Club about 40 km north of Bulawayo to meet up with Robert Mugabe’s governor for the Matabeleland area where they live. Details of the talks were not available but discussions dealt with the Streak’s farming, ranching and hunting safari operation. Their Robins Farm and Entsokozweni Safari Camp have been occupied by a large number of local settlers since Mr Mugabe began his land reform program in 2000. Nearly 5,000 white-owned farms have been occupied by black Zimbabweans. Streak, 30 will play for Warwickshire in the English County Championship during July, August and early September. Since Streak’s departure, 12 white veteran players in the Test squad indicated they could quit. Tomorrow they will meet in Harare where they are expected to formalise their provisional agreement to enter into mediation with the union. Streak is not expected to attend the meeting. Player representative, lawyer Chris Venturas, was trying to persuade him to make the 500-mile round trip for it despite a fuel shortage in the country. The 12 players said they want the mediation process to develop into arbitration. “Arbitration has legal status,” said batsman Stuart Carlisle. — AP
|
|
Buchanan looks forward to Shane-Murali duel
Brisbane, May 10 Muralitharan eclipsed West Indian Courtney Walsh’s record mark of 519 wickets with eight wickets in Sri Lanka’s first Test victory over Zimbabwe in Harare. Warne, to tour Zimbabwe later this month, sits four wickets behind but is set to face the Sri Lankan off-spinner, who now has 521 wickets, when Australia and Sri Lanka meet in Tests in Darwin beginning on July 1 and in Cairns a week later. Muralitharan bowled his controversial “doosra” throughout the innings and 240-run win, picking up two wickets with it, including Zimbabwean captain Tatenda Taibu. Buchanan, who has supported Muralitharan’s suspect bowling action in the past, today again defended the Sri Lankan bowler against claims of throwing. “He’s a class bowler and class bowlers should be able to bowl how they see fit,” he said today in Brisbane during a three-day preparation camp for the Zimbabwe tour. “The International Cricket Council have cleared him from any suspect action. Obviously they have reviewed him recently but that’s been more of a grease and oil change more than anything else.” “He’s just an exciting player as we’ve seen in the recent Sri Lankan-Australia series. The battle between him and Shane Warne and our batsmen is exhilarating stuff,” Buchnan said. The Australian coach said he expected Muralitharan’s record had further “fueled the fires” of Warne. He said the Australian side — to play two Tests and three one-day internationals — would conduct their four-week tour with a clear conscience despite the fragile political climate in Zimbabwe. Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill failed to make himself available on moral grounds and veteran batsman Darren Lehmann has admitted the players have concerns with touring. “I wouldn’t think there is any concern,” Buchanan said. “Cricket Australia and virtually all the information we have from a security point of view has allayed anybody’s fears. I’m sure every player and all of us think about the issues and have come their own conclusions but in the end we’re invited there as cricketers.” — AP
|
|
|
Women’s hockey team looking for exposure, says coach
New Delhi, May 10 The team, comprising several rookies, is not expected to do wonders in the competition, but coach Rajinder Singh, was confident that it would atleast do a “world of good” to the confidence of the players, most of whom would be making their debut at the international level. South Korea and Japan are the other teams in the fray. “All our opponents are fielding their best teams. So it would be a great exposure to the players at the highest level,” Rajinder, namesake of men’s team coach, told PTI here today. “We have 10 players who would be playing in an international tournament for the first time. So it would test them to the hilt.” Rajinder who also coaches the Punjab and Sind Bank men’s team, said a good performance in Japan would also help the players make a name for themselves. “This is also an attempt to see who have the potential to play at the highest level. They have been given a chance and their performance would be assessed. More than winning or losing, how these youngsters play is more important.” Most of the members of the team, led by Neha Singh, are in their teens. “This is the age when we can prepare them for the future,” Rajinder said. He said the performance of the main team, which lost the four-match series against New Zealand 2-0, would have no bearing on the minds of the players. “We are looking forward to make the most of the visit by coming up with our best effort.” The members underwent training at National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala from April 1 before coming to Delhi on May 5 for a five-day preparatory camp at the National Stadium. Rajinder said the team had analysed the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents. “We watched them play at the Asia Cup, which India won. Now we would do some more work on our strategies after reaching Japan. Ours is a developmental team. But you never know, we could win some matches and even the title,” an optimistic Rajinder said. The team: Neha Singh (captain), Rajani Bala, SS Nilan, Anjana Barla, Sushila Lakra, Rajwinder Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, Gagandeep Kaur, Manju, Fulmani Soy, Dipika, Anita Ekka, Sarita Lakra, Sushma Kiran Minz, Simarjeet Kaur, Amrita Minz, Prem Shiela Kujur, Sumitra Tirkey. — PTI
|
|
Maradona transferred to drugs rehabilitation clinic
Buenos Aires, May 10 He left the Suizo-Argentina hospital by ambulance where he has been admitted twice since April 18, suffering from heart and lung problems. A hospital statement said: “The medical staff announce that Diego Maradona has successfully recovered from his health emergency and has been transferred to a centre where he will receive specialised treatment.” Though neither the hospital nor family members disclosed his destination, television pictures showed the ambulance entering the private clinic. Since Saturday, Maradona’s family had been trying to find a centre which would accept the player. Several clinics had refused to take him, fearing he would resist treatment and the media circus would deny privacy to other patients. `Claudio Belocopit, the director of the Suizo-Argentina hospital had said: “To accept a patient like him is not easy. Several clinics have refused because he is simply not like other patients.” Maradona had been kept under sedation in the intensive care unit of the hospital while he fought symptons associated with coming off drugs. The 106kg 5ft 8 inch former player has been fighting cocaine addiction for years and a number of doctors believe that is the cause of his health problems which saw him come close to death last month. Maradona did not want to go to an Argentine drug rehabilitation centre, preferring to returning to Cuba where he has been fighting his addiction since 2000. Cuban leader Fidel Castro even put a plane at Maradona’s disposal should he want to return to the island, according to sources close to the player. Maradona had wanted to go back to the luxurious residence at General Rodriguez, 50km to the north west of Buenos Aires, where immediately after leaving hospital the first time he spent his time playing golf, kicking a football and walking outdoors without a shirt on in cold, autumnal weather, bringing about his re-admission to hospital early on Wednesday. He led Argentina to their second World Cup in 1986 after winning a controversial quarterfinal against England, when he scored his “Hand of God” goal by fisting the ball over England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
— AFP
|
|
JCT clash with Mahindras today Chandigarh, May 10 The setback at Dubai five days back when they lost to Oman's Dhofar Club 2-4 in the AFC Cup Football Championship notwithstanding, Mahindras can still come up with a breathtaking performance. A victory against JCT tomorrow and later against Tollygunge on May 14 can propel them to the second position provided Dempo lose to Mohammedan Sporting. Incidentally, Mahindras had finished eighth in the previous edition while JCT were placed fourth with 38 points from 11 victories and five draws. Coached by David Booth, Mahindras have so far won 11 matches and drawn five in the current league. The team recorded its most impressive victory against Mohammedan Sporting whom they beat 5-1 at Kolkata on March 17, 2004. The match with JCT at Mumbai on January 7 had ended in a goal-less draw. Mahindra United have an impressive line-up with the experienced Kalyan Chaubey doing duty under the bar and Covan Lawrence, formerly of Salgaocar, manning the defence which also has Odartey Lawson and Arun Malhotra. The midfield is effectively marshalled by skipper Khalid Jamil who is assisted by international Jules Alberto and James Singh. S. Venkatesh, Raphael Patron Akakpo, Felix Aboagye and the dashing Abhishek Yadav comprise the lethal strike force. Forwards Felix Aboagye, Raphael Patron Akakpo, and Abhishek Yadav have scored the maximum goals for Mahindra United this season sharing at least 18 between them. Felix Aboagye, in particular, has displayed devastating form. In the 5-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting, Felix alone accounted for three goals. He was also one of the scorers against Oman's Dhofar Club in Dubai five days back, the other being Raphael. Striker S. Venkatesh, formerly of East Bengal, is also not far behind with five goals to his credit. At times he has also proved to be his team's saviour. In the 1-0 victory over Salgaocar, it was Venkatesh who scored the match winner. Among other scorers for Mahindras this season are Steven Dias, James Singh, Khalid Jamil, and Odartey Lawson. JCT, who have nothing to lose, hope to satisfy the local crowd with another fine show. Hordes of spectators from Jalandhar, Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and adjoining areas have been frequenting the stadium to see their favourite team in action. The goal-less draw against Mohun Bagan the other day left them frustrated and they would certainly like to see JCT back to their winning ways in the inconsequential tie tomorrow. The spotlight will be on promising forwards Harvinder, Baldip, Jaswinder and Stephen Abarowei in the absence of international Joe Paul Ancheri, who picked up his second yellow card in the previous tie. Also missing action will be international IM Vijayan, sidelined due to injury. Mansuru Mohammed under the bar will have to be extra vigilant in view of Mahindras' lethal striking power. The defence manned by KV Dhanesh, Musa Aliu, and Daljit Singh, though quite dependable, is expected to be under presure. An early breakthrough can give JCT the edge and coaches Sukhwinder Singh and Parminder Singh are perhaps aiming at that to sign off on a winning note. Meanwhile, all arrangements for the match to be played under floodlights have been finalised. Arjuna awardee Inder Singh, secretary, Punjab Football Association, and Mr Shivtar Singh Bajwa of the District Football Association, and Mr SL Lotey, DSO, have been supervising the arrangements. The kick-off is at 6.30 pm.
The following are the latest standings of the teams in the eighth National Football League (read under teams, matches played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, and points): Teams P W D L GF GA Pts. East Bengal 21 14 4 3 35 12 46 Dempo SC 21 11 9 1 25 10 42 Mahindras 20 11 4 5 31 19 37 Churchill Bros 22 10 6 6 29 24 36 JCT 21 8 8 5 23 21 32 Vasco SC 22 6 10 6 22 19 28 Salgaocar SC 22 7 6 9 24 23 27 Haywards SC 21 7 6 8 33 33 27 Mohun Bagan 21 5 6 10 18 22 21 Tollygunge 21 4 8 9 14 21 20 Mohd.
Sporting 21 4 7 10 18 36 19 Indian Bank 21 2 2 17 14 46 8
|
|
Bhupathi, Mirnyi win Italian Masters New Delhi, May 10 This is the 34th career title for Bhupathi and the first for the pair in seven months since they won the Madrid Masters last year. Bhupathi now enjoys 100 per cent record in finals this year after winning the earlier two he reached in Auckland and Dubai with Frenchman Fabrice Santoro. The win also avenges Bhupathi-Mirnyi’s semifinal loss last year against the Aussies at the same venue. Authurs and Hanley had earlier accounted for Leander Paes and the Czech Republic’s David Rikl in the second round.
— PTI |
|
Karun helps
Solan win Chamba, May 10 In reply, Kangra were all out for 177 runs despite fine batting by Neeraj, who scored 65. Vishal of Solan took five wickets. Brief scores: Solan: 265 all out (Karun 83, Saravjeet 35, Gaurav 25; Ashim 4 for 48, Rishi 3 for 62, Neeraj 2 for 46.) Kangra: 177 all out (Neeraj 65, Maninder 25, Aditya 25; Vishal 5 for 25, Dharuv 3 for 10). Kangra play Chamba tomorrow in the last league match.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
