London, April 17
The cricket careers of former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pace bowler Mohammad Asif appeared over after they lost their appeals against spot-fixing bans at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday.

“The players appealed to the CAS individually and their cases were handled separately but referred to the same panel of arbitrators...,” the CAS said in a statement.

Butt and teammates Asif and Mohammad Amir were banned by an International Cricket Council (ICC) tribunal in 2011 for their roles in spot-fixing in the Lord’s Test against England in 2010.

Butt, the orchestrator of a plot to bowl deliberate no-balls, was banned for 10 years, with five of those suspended.

Paceman Asif was banned for seven years, two of those suspended. Amir, who was given a five-year ban, did not appeal to CAS.

A London crown court handed the trio jail terms for corruption and cheating.

Asif’s appeal against the ban was mainly on procedural grounds but the 30-year-old paceman failed to convince the three-member CAS panel that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

“The panel was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Asif was a was party to the spot-fixing conspiracy,” the statement said.

Butt did not contest the findings of the ICC tribunal and only requested for a lesser sanction which was turned down by the panel comprising Graeme Mew (Canada), Romano Subiotto (UK/Belgium) and judge Robert Reid (UK).

“The CAS Panel was not persuaded that the sanction imposed by the ICC Tribunal was disproportionate...,” the statement added.

But himself said he was confident that he could return to the sport. “I have already served two years and eight months and after another two years and four months and I can still play,” Butt told reporters at Model Town Green Ground in Lahore, where he had taken his first steps in the game.

“I want to play cricket and getting the appeal was the only hope,” he said. “I wasn’t more than 50 per cent sure that the decision would come in my favour, but still there was a hope that I would be able to reduce my ban but now there is no way other than completing rest of my ban.”

Butt said he “accepted the ban” and refused to discuss the spot-fixing saga. “I am here to talk about rejected appeal and not the case,” he insisted. “Our stance which was on day one, is the currently the same.”

“What I know from my lawyer is that only five years out the ten are effective and I have already spent half of it,” Butt said.

“In the remaining time I want to work hard,” he added. “Obviously it’s a struggling time but it’s always great to rise after fighting with tough times. The captain of the Pakistan team is 39 years old...I will be 30 when I serve the ban in two years time so I don’t find any reason not to play cricket.”

ICC chief executive David Richardson has welcomed the verdict.

“The ICC notes and welcomes the decisions of the CAS as they vindicate and confirm the processes and procedures followed by the ICC over the past couple of years in respect of this important, sensitive and high-profile matter,” Richardson said in a statement.

“The decisions strengthen our resolve to always remain vigilant and keep the game clean at all cost, while continuing to educate the players about the threats and ways to combat the 
challenges faced by our sport.” — Agencies

New Delhi, April 17
Acting Indian Olympic Association chief VK Malhotra today said he will not meet Sports Minister tomorrow in connection with the joint meeting with the IOC next month but said he would do so in the next few days.

Malhotra was to meet Sports Minister Jitendra Singh tomorrow in connection with the joint meeting of the IOA and Sports Ministry representatives with the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. “I am not in a position to meet Sports Minister tomorrow but I will meet him in the next few days,” Malhotra said.

Malhotra, who is recognised by the IOC as the head of the banned IOA, said the issue of the implementation of the Sports Code will have to sorted out before the joint meeting with the world body.

“We have to sort out the issue of the implementation of the Sports Code. I am against any infringement on the autonomy of the IOA and National Sports Federation from any outside body,” he said.

Earlier today, Jitendra had a meeting with the IOC member in India, Randhir Singh in a bid to present a united front from the country in the joint meeting with the world body.

He said the stand-off between the government and the IOA was nearing resolution.

“Most of the matters concerning the Sports Code have been resolved with all the stakeholders. Let me assure you that all the issues will be resolved soon,” Jitendra said.

The minister said all the National Sports Federations (NSFs) were willing to adopt the Sports Code.

“Yes, the NSFs are willing to adopt the Sports Code. The Sports Code is same as the Olympic charter. As far as we are concerned, we respect the autonomy of the NSFs and we do not intend to interfere with their functioning,” said Jitendra.

The IOC had last week invited representatives of the suspended IOA and Sports Ministry for a meeting in Lausanne in yet another attempt to find a way out for India’s return to the Olympic movement after the world body banned the country in December last. — PTI 

Jaipur, April 17
Mumbai Indians crashed to an embarrassing 87-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals as both their vaunted batting and bowling failed in abysmal manner here tonight. Set 180 to win, Mumbai Indians were bowled out for 92 in 18.2 overs.

Among the top order batsmen, only Dinesh Karthik (30 off 32 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (27 off 29) entered double figures as James Faulkner picked up three wickets, and Ajit Chandila and Stuart Binny took two wickets each. Earlier, opener Ajinkya Rahane (68 off 54 balls) propelled Rajasthan Royals to a challenging total of 179/3 in the 23rd match of IPL-6.

Rahane was supported well by fellow opener Shane Watson (31 off 25 balls), Dishant Yagnik (34 off 24) and Brad Hodge, who blasted 27 off 15 balls late in the innings to help his team to what could prove a tough score to chase.

Rahane and Watson got off to a flying start, with Watson dominating their opening partnership of 62. When Watson fell at that score, Rahane was batting on 25 off 19 balls. Watson was out when he tried to cut Kieron Pollard and only managed to edge the ball to Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps. Rahane then took charge, adding 53 in just 6.2 overs with Yagnik, and later 53 off just 4.5 overs with Hodge.

Brief scores: RR 179/3 (Rahane 68, Yagnik 34); MI 92 all out (Karthik 30, Faulkner 3/16, Chandila 2/6, Binny 2/14) — TNS

Pune, April 17
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra produced a stunning performance taking four wickets in five deliveries, including a hattrick, as Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled off an incredible 11-run victory over Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, here today.

Mishra (4/19) took the wickets with his second, fourth, fifth and sixth deliveries off his final over as Warriors were bowled out for 108 in 19 overs while chasing a mediocre target of 120 runs.

The partisan crowd at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium were stunned into disbelief as Pune slumped from 101 for four in the 17th over to 108 all out in 19 overs as Mishra got his third hattrick over the last six editions of the cash-rich league.

It was an inexplicable collapse as the home team lost as many as six wickets for seven runs in a space of 13 balls.

Mishra, who had earlier played an useful knock of 30, came into bowl the 19th over of the innings with Warriors needing 14 runs off 12 deliveries with four wickets in hand.

First it was skipper Angelo Mathews (20), who was fooled by a flighted delivery as he holed out in the deep.

Mishra then bowled three consecutive googlies to snap up Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Sharma and Ashok Dinda for noughts. While Bhuvneshwar was trapped leg before, Rahul and Dinda were clean bowled as they misread the wrong’un.

A target of 120 was certainly not a difficult one as Robin Uthappa (22, 14 balls, 4x4) and Aaron Finch (16, 13 balls, 3x4) hit seven boundaries in the first four overs to relieve the pressure from the rest of the batsmen.

Although Thisara Perera dismissed Uthappa and Finch off successive deliveries, the target was always within reach of the home team.

However, the likes of Steven Smith (17), Mathews and Mitchell Marsh (14) all looked like getting set before playing some horrible shots when the match was there for Warriors to lose.

Sunrisers, thus, have registered their fourth win in six matches while it was the fourth loss for Warriors and one which could seriously dent the morale of the side.

Earlier, a clinical performance from the bowlers set it up nicely for the home team as Sunrisers managed only 119 for eight after Mathews opted to field.

Sunrisers captain Kumar Sangakkara dropped himself from the playing XI to make way for South African opener Quinton de Kock, but the move didn’t pay off.

Team India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled an inspirational spell to grab three for 17 in his four-over spell as he polished the Sunrisers top-half within the first six overs.

His new ball partner Ashoke Dinda (1/25 in 4 overs) was also impressive as the duo put tremendous pressure on the top-order.

Sunrisers were tottering at 17 for four by the end of the first quarter. Odisha all-rounder Biplab Samantray (37, 37 balls, 3x4, 1x6) tried his bit along with Karan Sharma (7) as they took the score to 41. It was Mishra (30, 24 balls, 3x4) and Ashish Reddy (19), who added 40 runs for the eighth wicket, that took the score close to 120. — PTI

Scoreboard

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Patel b Bhuvneshwar 12

de Kock c Marsh b Dinda 2

Vihari c Finch b Bhuvneshwar 1

White b Bhuvneshwar 0

Samantray c Pandey b Sharma 37

KV Sharma lbw b Sharma 7

Perera c Uthappa b Marsh 2

Mishra run out 30

Reddy not out 19

Steyn not out 4

Extras: (w 5) 5

Total (8 wkts) 119

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-15, 3-15, 4-17, 5-41, 6-44, 7-75, 8-115

Bowling

Bhuvneshwar 4-0-18-3

Dinda 4-0-25-1

Mathews 4-0-29-0

R Sharma 4-0-21-2

Marsh 4-0-26-01

Pune Warriors

Uthappa c Samantray b Perera 22

Finch c de Kock b Perera 16

Suman lbw b KV Sharma 12

Smith c Reddy b Ishant 17

Mathews c Steyn b Mishra 20

Marsh c Reddy b Steyn 14

Nayar c Samantray b Perera 0

Pandey not out 7

Bhuvneshwar lbw b Mishra 0

R Sharma b Mishra 0

Dinda b Mishra 0

Extras: 0

Total: (all out; 19 overs) 108

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-38, 3-57, 4-76, 5-101, 6-101, 7-107, 8-108, 9-108, 10-108

Bowling

Ishant 4-0-22-1

Steyn 4-0-34-1

Perera 4-0-20-3

Mishra 4-0-19-4

KV Sharma 3-0-13-1

Taipei, April 17
London Olympics quarter-finalist Parupalli Kashyap and rising Indian woman shuttler PV Sindhu won their respective first round matches in the men’s and women’s singles event in the Badminton Asia Championship.

Seeded fourth at the tournament, Kashyap came from a game down to beat Ji Hoon Hong 18-21 21-15 22-20. The world No.7 Indian will take on local player, Han Chou Chu, in the second round.

Sai Praneeth B also made the second round after beating Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed 21-10 21-12 in only 22 minutes.

In the women’s singles, Sindhu registered a comfortable 21-18 21-19 win over Tsz Ka Chan. Sindhu will face a tough challenge in round two where she is pitted against World No. 6 Wang Shixian.

Meanwhile, three Indian pairs in the men’s doubles event lost their respective first round matches today.

Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Akshay Dewalkar lost to Hung Ling Chen and Chia Pin Lu 21-17 21-17, the duo of Tarun Kona and Arun Vishnu fought hard before going down 24-22 19-21 16-21 to the Vietnamese pair of Bao Duc Duong and Hoang Nam Nguyen. In another tie, seventh seeded Chinese pair of Xiaolong Liu and Zihan Qiu got the better of India’s Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy B, 21-18 21-9.

In the women’s doubles, the Indian shuttlers as Pradnya Gadre and Ashwini Ponnappa got the better of Pei Rong Wang and Kuo Yu Wen. But the combo of Aparna Balan and Siki Reddy N lost to Hsiao Huan Chen and Chia Wen Lai.

India’s mixed doubles duo of Tarun Kona and Ashwini Ponnappa also lost their opening round tie against Liu Yi and Lei Yao. — PTI 

New Delhi, April 17
Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt’s withdrawal from the Senior Asian Wrestling Championship due to their respective injuries might have taken the sheen out of the tournament but the event provides an opportunity for other Indian grapplers to make a mark for themselves when they take on the best from the continent.

Considering the rising profile of the sport after the medal-winning efforts of both Sushil and Yogeshwar in the London Olympics, the organisers would be pinning their hopes on the new crop of grapplers in the absence of star home players.

Enamoured by the success of London Games, the Indian contingent, led by Narsingh Yadav, will look to finish with a rich medal haul in front of the home crowd in the April 18-22 championship at the KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium.

Amit Kumar (54kg) would like to better his bronze medal-winning effort in the last edition at Gumi, South Korea. Kumar, who had reached the quarterfinal stage in the London Olympics, has been touted as India’s best future bet at the international competitions.

India had won one gold and four bronze medals in the last edition of the Asian Championship. The gold was clinched by Yogeshwar, who has pulled out of the tournament due to a knee injury.

He has been replaced by Bajrang while Amit Dhankar will represent the hosts in the 66 kg freestyle event, substituting Sushil, who is nursing a shoulder injury.

It has been understood that both Yogeshwar and Sushil don’t want to aggravate their injuries by participating in the tournament as they are preserving their energy for the World Championships to be held in September in Hungary.

The two wrestlers haven’t competed in the any of the major tournaments since their successful campaign at London in August last year.

Asian powerhouses such as China, Japan and Kazakhstan, besides hosts will be fielding wrestlers in every weight category. The Pakistan team was also invited by the organisers for the continental championship, but its federation did not send any representation.

The Indian eves will be spearheaded by Geeta Phogat, who is coming off from an impressive showing at the senior women’s Senior Wrestling World Cup in Mongolia last month. — PTI 

New Delhi, April 17
The dilemma of Delhi Daredevils, gasping for breath at the bottom, has been that they have not been able to click as a team the way they should be in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League T20 Championship. When the batsmen get going, the bowlers fail, and when the bowlers fire, the batsmen crash. As a result, the once formidable Daredevils are now battling to stay afloat, fighting their own demons, after suffering five straight defeats. On paper, Daredevils are one of the strongest teams, yet for the first time in the history of the league, they are without a point at almost the half-way stage of the League.

Thus, when Delhi Daredevils clash against Chennai Super Kings, led by Indian captain Mahender Singh Dhoni, at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here tomorrow night, the home fans would genuinely hope that the hosts come good in every department to earn full points.

CSK are used to a slow start, a staccato middle journey, before picking up momentum at the finishing stages. And Dhoni’s team have been following a familiar pattern this time around too, though now every team fancy their chances against Daredevils, even at their home ground Kotla, which was an almost impregnable fort for outsiders in the previous five editions.

It’s not that Daredevils have been a total washout, despite their defeats, as they had run close Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in the last two matches, with the loss against RCB coming in the super over. But the bottom line is earning points, and Daredevils have failed to do that, despite Virender Sehwag and Morne Morkel making up the line-up. The Mahela Jayawardene-led Daredevils have the kind of batsmen and bowlers who can make mincemeat of the best of bowling and batting.

From here on, with nothing to lose, Daredevils should start winning, though Dhoni’s men will not provide them with easy fodder. Former champions CSK, though who themselves are not in the best of frame of mind, winning just two of their four matches, are capable of raising the bar when it comes to the crunch. And Dhoni is not the usual run-of-the-mill kind of captain who will quit the ring without a fight.With a solid batting and bowling lineup to fall back on, the Indian captain is capable of performing magical tricks.

Delhi Daredevils, thus, better watch out, as they are in a worse predicament than CSK, and the Chennai have the track record of bouncing back, when least expected. 

Monte Carlo, April 17
Novak Djokovic’s gamble to test his injured ankle at the Monte Carlo Masters appeared to be backfiring but he dug his heels in to battle past Russian Mikhail Youzhny 4-6 6-1 6-4 in the second round on Wednesday.

While Djokovic grimaced and growled as he played through the pain barrier to fight back from 0-4 down in the opening set, Rafa Nadal was all smiles after he launched his bid for a ninth consecutive Monte Carlo crown with a ruthless 6-1 6-2 win over Australian Marinko Matosevic.

World number one Djokovic, who sprained his ankle while on Davis Cup duty 10 days ago, made a late call to participate in the tournament which is held in his adopted home town and was relieved to have survived his first match on clay this season. “I’m not 100 percent because of my physical issue but I’m still in the draw. I live here. Everything’s alright,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview in French.

Once Djokovic levelled for 4-4, he relied on his greater weight of shot to see him through the tricky encounter.

Following an exchange of breaks in the third set, Djokovic broke decisively in the ninth game and sent Youzhny packing with an ace on match point.

Third-seed Nadal’s outing more straightforward as he returned from a month-long break to record his 43rd victory in a row at the principality.

The Spaniard, who is being more selective with his schedule this year after being out of action for seven months with knee problems following a shock second-round exit at Wimbledon last year, was loudly cheered by the packed crowd and was never seriously threatened by his Australian opponent. Matosevic opened a 2-0 lead in the second set but Nadal reeled off the next six to set up a meeting with 16th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

“I played well at the beginning, with the right intensity, with no mistakes. I was trying to do the right things to find a good feeling on the ball, to find the right rhythm. And I think I did,” Nadal told a news conference. “I played to the right places, and that gave me confidence.” — Reuters

London, April 17
Usain Bolt will return to London to compete in the IAAF Diamond League meeting at the Olympic Stadium in which he achieved a clean sweep of gold medals last year.

The Jamaican six-times Olympic champion will head a glittering cast as London’s Queen Elizabeth Park celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Olympic opening ceremony.

The meeting, held on July 26-28, will feature 29 Olympic medallists, including 12 champions and four world record holders. Britain’s heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and double Olympic champion Mo Farah will also take part.

Sprinter Bolt’s presence in the 100m and 4x100m relay will top the bill, however, as he puts the finishing touches to his preparations for August’s world championships in Moscow.

Other than the Olympics, it will be his first competitive appearance in London since 2009, partly due to Britain’s tax laws which could have seen him give up a share of his appearance or prize money and endorsements.

An exemption for “non-residents” is now in force and Bolt said he was relishing the chance to play a part in what is being dubbed the “Anniversary Games.”

“I’m looking forward to coming back to the UK, especially with it being a year since winning three gold medals in the Olympic Stadium,” Bolt who repeated his Beijing hat-trick in London last year, said in a statement. — Reuters

New Delhi, April 17
Punjabi University, Patiala is learned to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy, which is awarded to the university with the best all-round sporting excellence in a calendar year by the Union Government. Punjabi is likely to get the award for the year 2011-2012 as last year the MAKA Trophy was withheld due to the tussle and court case between Punjabi and Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar) on the question of computing points for certain disciplines. The MAKA Trophy winners for the year 2012-2013 will also be announced along with last year’s winners.

Though Universities of Punjab have been winning the MAKA Trophy for the past many years, the Punjab Government does not have any incentive scheme for them. Sources said sports at the grass-root level has been the most neglected in the state.

The State Government has taken no initiative to give befitting awards to veteran sportspersons who have brought laurels to the country in general and Punjab in particular.

“There is no provision for incentives for college and school-level sports in the Punjab Government budget,” pointed out former Olympian and first Arjuna Awardee in athletics Gurbachan Singh Randhawa. He said the state was full of talented sportspersons, but it was a question of properly harnessing their talent by giving them proper incentives and support. Randhawa said it was time Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who holds the sports portfolio, took a pro-active role to give proper facilities to sportspersons at the learning level.

London, April 17
Part of David Beckham’s wages at Paris Saint Germain football club will be given to the largest children’s hospital in the French capital, it was reported. The article, in the newspaper Le Parisien, was not confirmed by the club or the hospital. Last Friday, the Independent pointed out that there had been no public follow-up on the promise given 10 weeks ago that Beckham’s rumoured €200,000-a-week salary would go to a children’s charity in the Paris area.

Le Parisien reported that a decision had been taken “a few days ago” to give more than €500,000 to two charities, including the Necker children’s hospital. — The Independent 

London, April 17
Arsenal missed the chance to take another step towards securing a Champions League place after fellow European hopefuls Everton held firm in a lively 0-0 Premier League draw at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Londoners, who had won four in a row to move up to third and are chasing qualification for the continent’s elite competition for a 16th straight season, had the better opening with French striker Olivier Giroud guilty of two bad misses.

Giroud prodded wide at full stretch with the goal at his mercy late in the first half and blazed over from a good position near the end to cap a frustrating night for the hosts who were put off their stride by a well-organised and combative Everton side.

“The game was basically down to physical intensity, it was unbelievable from first to last minute,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

“The referee let a lot go unpunished and in the end we put a lot of effort in. Maybe we used too much power instead of placing the ball. “The finishing was missing. I think (Everton midfielder) Darron Gibson could have been sent off. He got away with a few tonight. We are in a strong position but we have to win our next game. If we keep this spirit I’m sure we will get there.”

Arsenal have 60 points from 33 games followed by Chelsea on 58 from 31, Tottenham Hotspur on 58 from 32 and Everton with 56 from 33. Leaders Manchester United, with a 15-point advantage over Manchester City, can move closer to regaining the title when they play at West Ham United on Wednesday when City host FA Cup finalists Wigan Athletic. — Reuters

BRIEFLY

Would love to bowl Super Overs: Unadkat
Bangalore: It was his senior colleague Ravi Rampaul who bowled the Super Over against Delhi Daredevils, but young Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Jaydev Unadkat said he would have loved to take up the responsibility. "I would have loved to go out there and bowl the Super Over in that kind of atmosphere," Unadkat said after RCB's win against the Daredevils.

Dew led to recurrence of Viru's back problem
New Delhi: It was the heavy dew in Bangalore that led to the recurrence of Virender Sehwag's back problems as the senior opener didn't field in the last three overs of the RCB innings and hence couldn't come out to bat during the 'Super Over' chase. "Yesterday evening, there was a lot of dew. This led to the recurrence of Viru's back problem," a member of the Daredevils support staff said.

Facing Super Over doesn't excite Villiers
Bangalore: He smacked two sixes in the Super Over to set up the win for RCB against Daredevils, but AB de Villiers said he is not too fond of batting in eliminators. He said with the likes of Kohli, Gayle and he himself at its disposal, RCB should avoid taking the game to the Super Over. — Agencies

ONGC, Punjab post convincing wins
Mumbai: ONGC and Punjab won by good margins and virtually assured themselves a spot in semi-finals in the 28th Ramu Memorial Basketball Tournament here today. ONGC led Karnataka by 57-35 in the penultimate quarter and despite the latter's fighting efforts, it had no problem in trouncing the opposition 61-49 at Indian Gymkhana Court. ONGC's star player Vishesh Bhriguvanshi wasn't at his best but scored 16, while Mohit Bhandari chipped in with 12 and six rebounds. For Karnataka Nandeesh N top scored with 9. In another men's match, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurtala suffered a second consecutive defeat, losing 46-71 to Punjab.

ICC allocates $422,000 for Afghanistan cricket
Dubai: With an aim to develop more competitive teams among its full, associate/ affiliate members, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allocated $422,000 for the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) from the its Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP). It was decided during the second of the four board meetings of the ICC and IDI (ICC Development International, the commercial arm of the cricket’s governing body) held here on April 16 and 17.