Indian team in Pakistan for boxing contest

Friday, 01 Jan, 2010

KARACHI: Squads from Afghanistan, Cameroon, India, Kenya, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam landed here on Thursday for the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship being held here at the KPT Sports Complex Gymnasium from Jan 1 to 9.

Boxing teams from Yemen and Iraq are already in the city to participate in the event expected to feature around 20 teams from different countries.

Akram Khan, Secretary Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), said squads from Bangladesh, China, Central Africa, Hungary, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Myanmar, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Thailand were expected to reach here Thursday night or would arrive on Friday.

According to the PBF, around 115 pugilists would be participating in the competition.

India sent its first sports team to Pakistan in more than a year on Thursday as a seven-member boxing team flew into Karachi to compete in an international tournament.

The boxers are the first Indian sports team to cross the border since India stalled sporting links with Pakistan after the November 2008 attacks on Mumbai.

Head coach of the Indian boxing squad, Shiv Singh, said the boxers were happy to tour Pakistan.

“We have been cleared by the government to take part in the event and all the members of the squad are very happy to be here [in Pakistan],” Singh told reporters after reaching Quaid-i-Azam International Airport here.

Mohammad Ali Shah, the Sindh Sports Minister, has promised foolproof security arrangements for the international event in the wake of a suicide attack that killed 43 people in the city on Monday.

Three Indian boxers – Sanjay Singh, Naresh Singh and Parnoj Singh – will compete in the international competition, expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Shiv said both India and Pakistan are doing well at an international level and need to compete against each other.

“Pakistan and India must compete against each other, more so that they can improve and win more laurels at the international level,” he said. “We have come here with good preparations and want to win.”

Shiv shrugged off security concerns, saying he has faith in the organisers. “We have no security concerns, the focus is on boxing and the rest is in the hands of our hosts.”—Agencies

Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore:
Tournament coordinator Iqbal Hussain and Akram Khan accorded warm welcome to squads from India and other countries that arrived in Karachi on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the PBF appointed four international referee judges from Pakistan to supervise the bouts.

Thirteen other neutral referee judges from Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Laos, Mongolia, China, Iraq, Sri Lanka, India, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria will also supervise the fights.

Moreover, technical delegate Nieva Embuldeniya approved four local referee judges who are Olympian referee judges – Ghulam Hussain Patni, international Arshad Qureshi, international Mohammad Aslam and international S.M. Sharif.

Aamir’s great landmark almost went unnoticed

Friday, 01 Jan, 2010

MELBOURNE: A piece of cricket history almost passed by without notice amid all the drama during fourth day of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

When 17-year-old Pakistani firebrand Mohammad Aamir had Aussie wicket-keeper Brad Haddin caught behind, he became the youngest fast bowler to claim a five-wicket Test haul.

Aamir’s Boxing Day Test bagful of 5-79 was probably worth much more on a flat and dead pitch that made fast bowling a nightmare.

Just imagine if the kid were bowling his 152km/h thunderbolts at the Gabba or the WACA? There probably would have been blood on the pitch.

Aamir is just what the cricket world needs at a time when it is crying out for fresh faces and an emerging crop of fast bowling superstars.

From a frontier town in the north-west province of Pakistan, Aamir used to catch a donkey cart to a nearby village where a car would take him to training.

His love of cricket took off at an early age. When he was six he used his broken school clipboard as a bat and a taped ball as a bowling weapon.

Aamir is a confident kid and full of flair, as he showed when he cheekily poked his tongue out at Shane Watson during a fierce bumper battle.

Wearing a white headband like Dennis Lillee, Aamir is seriously quick and, like all quality fast bowlers, has some mongrel in him.

He loves a prolonged glare at a batsman, in much the same way his idol Wasim Akram could turn nasty.

Aamir has a long way to go to match Wasim, who took 414 Test wickets in a career that saw him terrorise the world’s best batsman for 17 years.

But Aamir has already beaten Wasim in one area. He was aged 17 years and 157 days when he savoured his five-wicket haul at the MCG on Tuesday.

Wasim was the grand old age of 18 years and 251 days when he went on his first five-wicket Test spree, in 1985 against New Zealand in Dunedin

Fit-again Kaneria set to play

Friday, 01 Jan, 2010

SYDNEY: Pakistan’s wily leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is a certain inclusion for Sunday’s second Test against Australia but the persistent question in the three days until then will be how many of his Pakistan teammates will be joining him.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf declared Kaneria, a late withdrawal on Boxing Day with a finger injury, was fit to return to the side.

The bowlers under scrutiny will be the two who have come into the side since the New Zealand tour earlier this month, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.

Paceman Rauf is likely to be dropped after his underwhelming return of 1-119 across the two innings in Melbourne, while off-spinner Ajmal was similarly unproductive with 2-223.

Pakistan’s other pace options are Mohammad Sami, a late call-up to the squad, and Umar Gul.

The latter is ranked No. 24 in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test bowling rankings, although Yousuf said the right-armer, highly rated in Twenty20 cricket in particular, had struggled during the team’s practice match against Tasmania.

“Umar Gul in Hobart was injured and is not in good form as well. He is a key bowler for Pakistan and … the selection committee here decided to rest him. I think it’s a hamstring injury. I am not Danish Kaneria. . .will he turn the tide for Pakistan?

sure, but he’s got a leg problem of some kind. Sami, on the other hand is fresh and firing.’’ he said.

Ajmal’s best hope of retaining his position in the team would be if Pakistan decided to play two spinners at the SCG, a scenario that will depend on pitch conditions. ‘’We haven’t seen the wicket. If it’s the same wicket we saw [for the] last matches, hopefully maybe two [spinners],’’ Yousuf said.

The team’s inability to pass 260 in either innings at the MCG underscores why Yousuf and the team’s management have requested the recall of Younis Khan.

The 32-year-old has been absent since quitting the captaincy on the New Zealand tour, citing a lack of support from teammates, but Yousuf said the batsman was keen to rejoin the squad.’’ I know he (Younis) is keen to join the squad here but I think they selectors have not decided yet,’’ Yousuf said.

‘’I don’t know when he is coming … we’ve already told them to please send him soon.’’Meanwhile, Sydney’s pitch curator Tom Parker sees the quicks having a major impact in the second Test next week.

Parker says with rain on Thursday and more to come on Friday and Saturday before Sunday’s opening day’s play, it’s hard to see the pitch cracking up too much over the five-day contest. More rain is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
SYDNEY: Pakistan’s wily leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is a certain inclusion for Sunday’s second Test against Australia but the persistent question in the three days until then will be how many of his Pakistan teammates will be joining him.

Captain Mohammad Yousuf declared Kaneria, a late withdrawal on Boxing Day with a finger injury, was fit to return to the side.

The bowlers under scrutiny will be the two who have come into the side since the New Zealand tour earlier this month, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.

Paceman Rauf is likely to be dropped after his underwhelming return of 1-119 across the two innings in Melbourne, while off-spinner Ajmal was similarly unproductive with 2-223.

Pakistan’s other pace options are Mohammad Sami, a late call-up to the squad, and Umar Gul.

The latter is ranked No. 24 in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test bowling rankings, although Yousuf said the right-armer, highly rated in Twenty20 cricket in particular, had struggled during the team’s practice match against Tasmania.

“Umar Gul in Hobart was injured and is not in good form as well. He is a key bowler for Pakistan and … the selection committee here decided to rest him. I think it’s a hamstring injury. I am not Danish Kaneria. . .will he turn the tide for Pakistan?

sure, but he’s got a leg problem of some kind. Sami, on the other hand is fresh and firing.’’ he said.

Ajmal’s best hope of retaining his position in the team would be if Pakistan decided to play two spinners at the SCG, a scenario that will depend on pitch conditions. ‘’We haven’t seen the wicket. If it’s the same wicket we saw [for the] last matches, hopefully maybe two [spinners],’’ Yousuf said.

The team’s inability to pass 260 in either innings at the MCG underscores why Yousuf and the team’s management have requested the recall of Younis Khan.

The 32-year-old has been absent since quitting the captaincy on the New Zealand tour, citing a lack of support from teammates, but Yousuf said the batsman was keen to rejoin the squad.’’ I know he (Younis) is keen to join the squad here but I think they selectors have not decided yet,’’ Yousuf said.

‘’I don’t know when he is coming … we’ve already told them to please send him soon.’’Meanwhile, Sydney’s pitch curator Tom Parker sees the quicks having a major impact in the second Test next week.

Parker says with rain on Thursday and more to come on Friday and Saturday before Sunday’s opening day’s play, it’s hard to see the pitch cracking up too much over the five-day contest. More rain is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

While Australia have named an unchanged 12-man squad with Hauritz the only specialist spinner, Pakistan are likely to pair off-spinner Saeed Ajmal with leggie Danish Kaneria for the second Test.

“The rain has been a little frustrating,” Parker told AAP on Thursday. “We could have more showers on Tuesday and Wednesday (during the match). I don’t see the wicket is going to crack up like it has in past years. It would turn to some degree, it always does here, but the quicks will play a big role.”
While Australia have named an unchanged 12-man squad with Hauritz the only specialist spinner, Pakistan are likely to pair off-spinner Saeed Ajmal with leggie Danish Kaneria for the second Test.

“The rain has been a little frustrating,” Parker told AAP on Thursday. “We could have more showers on Tuesday and Wednesday (during the match). I don’t see the wicket is going to crack up like it has in past years. It would turn to some degree, it always does here, but the quicks will play a big role.”

Jayasuria out of Sri Lanka squad for tri-series

Thursday, 31 Dec, 2009

Aamir’s lethal burst impresses Waqar, Watson

MELBOURNE: Pakistan’s pace legend and bowling coach Waqar Younis on Tuesday said he could almost see himself in young tearaway Mohammad Aamir, and predicted that with a bit of “meat’’ on his thin frame, he could become a great fast bowler.

In an exclusive interview to the Sydney Morning Herald, Waqar said he saw many similarities between 17-year-old Aamir and himself after the teenager took 5-79 at the MCG. “Yes the headband, that’s for sure, when I first came in I always used to wear the headband. Of course, he is very young which is a plus, and he’s got all the energy. He can bowl quick, he’s got good rhythm, he’s got things going for him. He’ll learn more over time. I think he needs about a year or two, and he’ll be a real threat.”

“He should keep himself fit, which is very important. He is very skinny, I think he needs some meat on him and once he gets stronger, I think he can go a long way, certainly.”

Australian opener Shane Watson had a running battle with Aamir and said it was very difficult to get going against the left-armer. “It was definitely very difficult to start, there’s no doubt, especially with Aamir bowling the way he was,’’ Watson said. “He’s an extremely good bowler. It’s amazing that he’s only 17, because the pace that he bowls, the skill that he has, he’s able to get the ball to move both ways, he’s got a slower ball, he’s got a good bouncer, and he keeps charging in too.

“He bowled a lot of overs and especially yesterday afternoon-evening he bowled a very good spell of fast bowling and this morning as well. I knew that once he went off it was going to be a lot easier for the guys coming in to be able to start.’’

Aamir has been a revelation in the Melbourne Test and is dubbed as the most exciting young pace prospect in the world, generating speeds up to 152kmh and swinging the ball in either direction.

“It’s a great feeling to get the five-for,’’ Aamir said on Tuesday. “I’ve bowled good spells and been a bit unlucky a few times so it was good to get the wickets this time.

“I’ve felt in good rhythm through this Test and really enjoyed my spells. Australia is a big team and to make a mark here is always important.’’

Aamir claimed the scalps of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey on day three and then ran through Michael Clarke, Marcus North and Brad Haddin on Tuesday.

“That spell he bowled really showed he’s got it in him,’’ said Waqar. “It’s never easy when you bowl a nine-over spell and come back on the fourth afternoon. That shows he’s hungry.’

Amir youngest to get 5-wicket haul in Test match

Updated at: 1903 PST, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 MELBOURNE: Pakistani young pacer Muhammad Amir has become the youngest fast bowler in the cricketing world to take five wickets in a test match innings. Muhammad Amir has achieved this honor of taking 5 wickets in the second innings against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He achieved this honour at the age of 17 years and 257 days, thus, becoming the world’s youngest fast bowler to have this distinction.

Afridi rates Aussie T20 tougher than IPL

Thursday, 31 Dec, 2009

PERTH: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has become the latest international star to throw his support behind Australia’s domestic Twenty20 Big Bash, rating it higher than the celebrated Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament.

Speaking after leading South Australia Redbacks to a 29-run win over Western Australia Warriors at the WACA Ground on Tuesday night, when he took 4-19 from four overs to claim man-of-the-match honours, Afridi said he would learn a lot from playing in the Big Bash.

Afridi is likely to feature in Pakistan’s upcoming one-day series against Australia and is also set to lead his country in the Twenty20 showdown between the two countries in Melbourne in February.

“Compared to IPL and all the other Twenty20 tournaments I think this [Big Bash] tournament is very tough,” Afridi said.

“[There is] good cricket and good pitches and I think this is a good preparation for me before playing in the one-dayers against Australia.

“Definitely if I perform well I will go with good morale so it’s very important for me.

“I always enjoy cricket, especially in Australia and India, and I think you can learn a lot of things here when you play with good cricketers on a good track.

“If you perform here it matters a lot, so I’m always keen to perform.”

Despite starring with the ball against the Warriors, Afridi had earlier failed with the bat, falling first ball when attempting to slog an Aaron Heal full toss over long on for six.

“Obviously it was my first game and every new game has its own pressure. When the ball was coming in the air I thought I was going for a home run, but I didn’t,” Afridi laughed.

Indian boxing team arrives in Pakistan

Updated at: 1058 PST, Thursday, December 31, 2009 KARACHI: A seven-member Indian boxing team has arrived in Karachi to participate in Benazir International Boxing Tournament. Vice president of Pakistan Boxing Federation Iqbal Hussain received Indian team that comprised of three players, two coaches, an official and a referee.

A dozen Pak players to be auctioned in IPL 4th edition

Updated at: 0653 PST, Thursday, December 31, 2009 KARACHI: A dozen Pakistani players will be auctioned in fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be held next year but however, skipper Pakistan cricket team Mohammed Yousuf is exception, Geo news reported on Wednesday night. According to IPL sources, Pakistani players have submitted application for independent auction instead of being auctioned through agents of the tournament. Those players to be included in auction are Shahid Khan Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul, Fawwad Alam, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Muhammad Aamir are noted ones. Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ejazz Butt told Geo news PCB has to do nothing with this forthcoming auction. Lallit Modi, the IPL Commissioner has confirmed receiving of application from Pakistani players for direct auction isolated from agents but declined bellying out names of players. Mohammed Yousuf, however, is exception as he had withdrew from first edition of IPL contest, he added.

Hauritz thankful to Warne for reviving career

Thursday, 31 Dec, 2009

MELBOURNE: Nathan Hauritz thanked Shane Warne for reviving his career as his MCG magic prompted selectors to resist rushing young leg-spinner Steve Smith into Test cricket.

The much-maligned Hauritz revealed two simple words from Warne — “be patient” — were the driving force behind him taking five wickets in Pakistan’s second innings and becoming a match-winner in the first Test.

Hauritz was under pressure to perform when selector Andrew Hilditch last week urged the spinner to step up late in Tests.

With Warne’s words of advice, Hauritz (5-101) took the first five-wicket haul of his first-class career to bowl Australia to a 170-run win.

The leg-spin king and the rising off-spinner were huddled in conversation before the fifth day of the MCG Test.

“Being able to talk to Warnie and guys like that has been very helpful,” Hauritz told reporters. “I was a little bit impatient there at times and had a bit of a chat to Shane this morning and I was just trying to work on that. I think it’s a big area that I’ve got to work on.”

Warne was impressed with the way Hauritz intelligently tossed the ball up — using flight to dismiss Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Aamir with successive deliveries.

“It wasn’t the five wickets, it was the way he bowled,” Warne said. “He out-thought the batsmen at the time. I thought he bowled with patience.

“I had a chat with him about positive reinforcement. The main thing I like about Nathan Hauritz is he has actually improved as cricketer.”

Not only has Hauritz found form, but heavy rain in Sydney this week means selectors were not willing to risk a two-spinner strategy on what could be a pace-friendly pitch.

Skipper Ricky Ponting said Hauritz’s biggest moment would give him the confidence to reach greater heights. “What players like him need is just that breakout performance,” Ponting said.—Agencies

Dhoni awarded Test championship trophy

Updated at: 1534 PST, Monday, December 28, 2009 NEW DELHI: Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the Test Championship trophy from ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat after leading his team to the pinnacle of ICC Test rankings. "It is a special feeling to receive this mace. I am taking this on behalf of the team and BCCI. Being an Indian it is a proud moment. We have really worked hard as a team in the last 14 months to get to this position. We want to remain here longer and everything depends on our performance," said the Indian skipper. India is the third team after Australia and South Africa to become the number one Test side, after their 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka early this month. Dhoni refused to compare India's numero uno status in Test with their inaugural Twenty20 World Cup triumph. "I don't believe in comparisons. But T20 triumph was about a tournament. If players are in form in a tournament you can win it. But in Test Championships you play consistently well for a period of time in a tough competition and you reach the top. It is special as we reached the top from a lower position. Our priority now in the coming months is to prove we are capable of staying on top as we are at reaching it," Dhoni said. The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat hailed the achievements of Indian cricketers in the recent past and said the team deserved to be on the top with such talented players. "In the last 14 months India has been dominating the world. In October 2008 India was ranked third in ICC Test Championships and in the last 14 months has risen to number one. "In the ODI also, India is now ranked number two. Then you have Gautam Gambhir at the top of ICC Test batsmen ranking while Dhoni is on top in ODI chart. Dhoni is the ICC ODI player of the year for two consecutive years and chosen captain of both the ICC Test and ODI teams of the year. "Then you have Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid who have immensely contributed to this transition. It reflects on the talent you can boast of. India has players who after a few years will be considered as legends of the game," Lorgat said. There have been questions whether India will manage to hold on to their Test crown with a limited number of five-day matches in their itinerary. India are scheduled to play only two Tests, against Bangladesh in January in the next 11 months and a proposal to include two Tests in South Africa's tour to the country in February is being considered by the two boards.

City owner interested in buying Real Madrid

MADRID: Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has made inquiries about trying to buy Real Madrid, according to an unconfirmed report here on Sunday.

AS said the Abu Dhabi-based billionaire would be prepared to pay one billion euros for the Spanish giants, home to world class players like Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish sports daily did not name its source but claimed: “Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has commissioned representatives to offer the sum (of one billion euros) to buy out the club.”

AS added, however, that such a deal would be almost impossible.

Real would need the permission of their shareholding fans to change its legal statutes, which would then pave the way for any deal to go through. Fans of Real vote on the election of most of the board and the club’s president.

AS added that a meeting between the Sheikh and Real president Florentino Perez could be held early in 2010. Real are reported to have debts of 327 million euros.

If the plan gathered momentum, it would inevitably start alarm bells ringing for English Premier League side Manchester City, where Italian Roberto Mancini has just taken over following the sacking of Mark Hughes.

The rules of European football’s ruling body UEFA dictate that two different clubs cannot have the same owner.

India beat Lanka by 7 wickets in 4th ODI

Updated at: 0355 PST, Friday, December 25, 2009 CALCUTTA: Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli struck a century each to guide India to a seven-wicket victory Thursday in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka. The victory clinched the series for the hosts who now hold a 3-1 lead in the five-match tournament. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first, reaching 315-6 but could not hold off India's pursuit of the target. The hosts eventually reached 317-3 in 48.1 overs. India was forced to fight off an early onslaught when openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were dismissed with just 23 runs on the board but Gambhir and Kohli rebuilt the innings with a 224-run partnership for the third wicket. "It's a great victory, especially ahead of 2011 World Cup," said India captain Sehwag, standing in for Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "It's great experience for the young stars before the World Cup." Gambhir finished the match on 150 not out, a knock that included 14 boundaries, and Kohli scored 107 with 11 fours and a six. "I have played many ODIs. But this was very satisfying as I could finish the match," Gambhir said. It was the highest run chase in a one-day international at Eden Gardens. Earlier, Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga scored 118 and Kumar Sangakkara 60 as Sri Lanka set the hosts the imposing target of 316 runs in its 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardene and Thissara Perera also chipped in with 33 and 31, respectively. The hosts struck early when Ashish Nehra removed opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for nine as he went for a big hit and was caught by Virat Kohli. Sanath Jayasuriya was also dismissed cheaply, for just 15, when he was caught by Tendulkar off Zaheer Khan, before Sangakkara came in to steady the ship. Together with Tharanga, Sri Lanka's captain put on 126 for the third wicket before Sangakkara was stumped by Dinesh Karthik off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh. Tharanga was finally bowled by Khan in the 43rd over after smashing 14 boundaries and two sixes. Play was held up for 26 minutes when the floodlights failed with just four balls remaining of Sri Lanka's innings.

We have to play united for success against Aussies: Yousuf

Updated at: 1238 PST, Friday, December 25, 2009 MELBOURNE: Captain Pakistan cricket team Mohammad Yousuf has said that the national team has to play united for achieving success against Australia and any individual performance would not be enough. Talking with media a day before the Melbourne Test, the Pakistan captain said that he was satisfied with the performance of his team against New Zealand. He said that Australia are being considered as one of the best teams of the world. Mohammad Yousuf said that the Aussie bowling attack may be not as good as it was in the past but Pakistani players have to display better game all five days to beat the Kangaroos in their own land. Yousuf further said that the players have to play with more patience and tolerance in Tests than Twenty20 cricket. The national team captain said that he would try his best to score century at Melbourne as he did there in 2005.. Pakistan had defeated Australia last time in 1995.

Yuvraj ruled out of last two Sri Lanka ODIs

Wednesday, 23 Dec, 2009

KOLKATA: Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of the last two one-day internationals against Sri Lanka due to a finger injury.

The left-hander suffered the injury during the second and final Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka earlier this month, and missed the first two ODIs of their five-match series before playing in the third in which he scored 23.

‘Due to the finger injury sustained earlier, Yuvraj Singh has been advised rest and therefore he will not play in the fourthand fifth ODIs,’ the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement.

India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series by winning the third match by seven wickets in Cuttack on Monday.

The fourth will be played in Kolkata on Thursday and the final match will be played in Delhi on Dec 27.

Merrymaking' hockey stars land in trouble

ednesday, 23 Dec, 2009

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey administrators are once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Sports has decided to take action against what it believes were immoral activities by players and officials in Argentina.

Jamshaid Dasti, the chairman of the committee, has taken strong notice of pictures of team officials and players with some local girls. While forward Rehan Butt was pictured hugging a local girl, some were seen drinking in the pictures.

In one of the pictures, goalkeeper Salman Akbar was seen apparently with a bottle of alcoholic drink, while his other teammates and team officials could be seen posing with girls having drinks in a discotheque.

‘First they lost the tournament, but that’s sports. But what is appalling are those pictures in which players were merrymaking and having fun with Argentine girls. We cannot tolerate such immoral acts. And this all happened in the presence of team manager and coach. Were they in Argentina to tarnish country’s image,” Dasti told Dawn on Wednesday.

The member of the National Assembly said he would be summoning Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials within a week for a grilling session.

‘While the officials will be punished for their unprofessional behaviour, the players will also get penalised. I want to give them (PHF and the players) a message that this is not on and we cannot ignore such immoral activities,” said the MNA.

Although it is believed that Rehan and goalkeeper Salman Akbar have been fined for coming late to their rooms after winning against India, Rehan has denied he had been penalised by the PHF.

Rehan says neither the PHF has imposed a penalty nor was there any immoral activity during the tour where Pakistan had participated in the Champions Challenge. For Rehan, the electronic media had blown things out of proportion to make a scandal out of it.

‘No, we have not been fined. That’s absolutely incorrect. As far as the pictures with the girls are concerned, one of the ladies was our liaison officer while other one her friend. I must say it is all rubbish. It has been blown out of proportion. We indeed had some pictures with that lady but that’s all,” said Rehan.

Interestingly, while the pictures have been shown by the media, they have been also posted at YouTube following which the standing committee took cognizance.

Asked what could be the fate of the inquiry by the standing committee, Dasti said action against the officials as well as players could be expected. The MNA, however, did not elaborate what action could be taken by the standing committee.

Dasti claimed the previous investigation involving PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa in visa scandal had to be closed as both the parties had reached a compromise.

‘In the visa scandal, we had to close the case when sub-committee informed that PHF secretary and Mansoor Ahmad and Naveed had withdrawn their allegations against each other. When there was no complaint and no evidence, we had to close the case. But what happened in Argentina, it showed team officials have no control over the players,” he said.

Former Pakistan goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmad had accused Asif of misusing his authority by applying for German visas for his wife and son and an unknown person posing him as journalist, while former Pakistan player Naveed had levelled charges of human smuggling on the PHF secretary, saying he had sent people to Italy.

Federer, Serena named ITF champions for 2009

Tuesday, 22 Dec, 2009

PARIS: Roger Federer has been named International Tennis Federation (ITF) champion for the fifth time with Serena Williams taking the women’s award for the second time.

They will receive their awards at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner on June 1 in Paris, during the French Open.

Federer had an outstanding year regaining the world No.1 ranking from Rafael Nadal after completing a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros with victory over Robin Soderling in the final.

He went on to surpass Pete Sampras by winning his 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon after a memorable final contest against Andy Roddick.

Federer was also runner-up at the Australian Open, where he lost in five sets to Nadal, and the US Open, where he also went down in five sets to Juan Martin del Potro, and helped his country retain its World Group status in Davis Cup.

‘It is an honour for me to be named ITF World Champion for a fifth time. It was an incredible year for me both on and off the court,’ the 28-year-old Swiss star said.

‘To win my first Roland Garros title, break the all-time Grand Slam record and regain the No. 1 ranking is amazing. It means a lot to me to finish the year again at the top.’

Serena Williams becomes the women’s World Champion for the first time since 2002 after producing her best performances at the biggest events.

The 28-year-old American captured two Grand Slam titles, at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, to improve her collection to 11 majors.

She went on to win the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha, sealing the No.1 ranking in the last event of the year.

Serena also took the doubles year award with sister Venus after taking their career total to ten Grand Slam titles. In so doing she joins Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis as the only players to become singles and doubles world champions in the same year.

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan were named as the men’s doubles World Champions for the sixth time in seven years.

Shoaib Akhtar aiming for ‘shock’ comeback

LONDON: Controversial Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has lambasted reports about him having a liposuction surgery, adding that he has not given up hope of making a ‘shock’ comeback in Australia for the One-day International series.

Speaking to media for the first time since reports about him undergoing a liposuction surgery were flashed all over nearly two months ago, Shoaib said it was a knee surgery and not any fat removing procedure because of which he is out of competitive cricket.

‘Everybody is talking about it, but this is the first time I’ve spoken on this. I don’t need liposuction. I’m not fat. I’m a fit guy, I can reduce my weight by running,’ The Telegraph quoted Shoaib as saying.

‘These claims have shocked my world. But I am a strong man. I am happy to face the music. What people have to say about me just motivates me more,’ added the 34 year-old bowler.

Shoaib, who was dubbed ‘Rawalpindi Express’ due to his ferocious pace and accuracy, said he is hopeful of being picked for the one-day opener against Australia starting Jan 22.

The 46-Test veteran admitted that he had a friend who is a plastic surgeon, but insisted that he had never gone under the knife. ‘I visit this man as a friend. I go to his clinic now and then and now it’s the story of the world,’ Shoaib said.

Commenting on the drug abuse, he claimed that he had never used any performance enhancing drugs. ‘I have never used that stuff, mate. I don’t need to cheat with drugs. I have bowled more than 100mph for years, so why would I use drugs to enhance my performance? The story was this — the PCB tested the whole team. My normal nandrolone level was higher and my argument was this figure cannot be the same for every person on the planet,’ the fast bowler argued.

Shoaib, who has taken 178 Test wickets, also blasted the PCB for releasing a statement saying he had ‘genital warts’, due to which he was axed from the World T20. He maintains that he has an independent medical report, which cleared him of any STD.

After Ntini, South Africa seek next black pearl

CENTURION: South African cricket’s celebration of Makhaya Ntini’s 100th Test was tinged with concern about the shortage of obvious successors to take over as a black African standard bearer in the sport.

Gerald Majola, chief executive of Cricket South Africa, said unearthing and nurturing black African talent was a top priority but what happens when Ntini is no longer a part of the side?

The fast bowler, at 32, is showing signs of diminishing pace and prowess and his landmark Test against England, which ended in a draw here on Sunday, brought him only two wickets at a cost of 119 runs.

‘Black Africans are the majority in South Africa so it is very important that they are represented in our national team,’ said Majola.

‘There are a lot of youngsters coming through and we have put systems in place to identify and fast-track them.’ Although there is always likely to be pressure, particularly from politicans, Majola said black Africans would not be rushed into the national side just to ensure representivity.

‘We will never put any player in the national team unless they are ready,’ he said.

Ntini made his Test debut in 1997/98 and has been a regular member of the side since 2000, but he remains the only black African to hold down a regular place.

Fellow fast bowler Mfuneko Ngam played in three Tests in 2000/01 and looked the genuine article, a bowler of genuine pace with an action remarkably similar to that of the great Allan Donald.

Sohail wants to break hockey finals jinx

KARACHI: Pakistan’s star drag-flick specialist Sohail Abbas has said that he wanted to break the jinx of not scoring in the all important finals.

‘We played well throughout the event in Salta and played better than New Zealand in the finals but once again luck eluded us,’ he told APP in an in interview on Friday upon his return from Argentina where Pakistan went down 2-4 to Champions Challenge Cup decider.

‘It has always been my wish and dream to win a major title for the country but luck eluded us again,’ he commented. He said the element of luck is very vital in sport.

He said performance of the team was very good but a couple of mistakes late in the second session cost us dearly in the finals.

‘We were clearly the best side and deserved to win but we can not fight against the element of luck.’

‘Pakistan dominated most part of the game but two quick goals by Kiwis changed the course of the match,’ added.

He blamed heavy pitch due to rains and said heavy watering resulted inthe ball coming slowly and he was unable to convert Penalty Corners.

He said out of the seven penalty corner two were taken indirectly and two followed after the ball hit the defenders on foot.

Sohail Abbas, who completed 300 goals during the event, said he was consistent throughout and hit a brace in Pakistan’s 6-3 win over India.

Karachi-born Sohail said Pakistan hockey was improving and it needed more time and exposure to go upward.

‘Coming World Cup in New Delhi next year will be a good test of our strength. I am eager to help Pakistan to reach the semi-final of the World Cup and then it can be anybody’s game,’ he said.

He dispelled the impression that he was not a big match player. ‘I always played to my best for the country without being bothered by comments. It is part and parcel of the game,’ he pointed out.

He said Pakistan’s improvement can be judged from the fact that they handed out big drubbing to arch-rival India.

Sohail said the team was showing an upward trend and needed more time and exposure to improve their ranking.