Shoaib not to pay the fine: Lawyer

Shoaib Akhtar's legal counsel on Sunday said that the fast bowler would not pay the seven million rupees fine, as demanded by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a pre-requisite to keep him in the Champions Trophy preliminary squad, until the court pronounced its verdict on his writ petition.

Abid Hasan Minto said Shoaib would pay the fine imposed on him by the appellate tribunal only when the Lahore High Court will make a final decision on the writ petition filed by him against the ban and fine."He has no objections to paying the fine but only when the high court reaches a final decision," Minto said. Shoaib and fellow pacer Mohammad Asif were selected by the national selection committee in Pakistan's 30-member preliminary squad. The list of probables was to be released by the Board on Friday, the deadline set by the International Cricket Council.

However, the Board held back the squad and called the selectors for fresh discussion tomorrow. They have also sent a notice to Shoaib asking him to pay the fine by Monday to be considered for selection.

The fine was imposed by an appellate tribunal, which reduced his original ban of five years to 18-months in June after Shoaib appealed against the PCB decision to ban him for five years.Shoaib had challenged the tribunal decision in the High Court which recently suspended the 18-months ban but did not stay the fine imposed on him.

Minto said the payment of the fine had nothing to do with the court decision allowing him to play for Pakistan even though the court will hear the case sometime in September.

"That has nothing to do with this ... the question is about playing of the cricketer. The ban on him playing has been removed by High Court's interim order, therefore as far as the fine is concerned, he will pay when the final decision of the High Court comes," he argued.

Minto also said it was up to the Board to decide if they wanted to select him or not.

"The ball is in their court. What they decide is up to them. If they want the devoid the national team of his presence and keep a first-class cricketer like him away from the team then it is their decision."They know that the fines that have been imposed on my client in the past have always been paid and he has never challenged them," he said.

I will give my best in Sri Lanka: Sachin

After missing two ODI tournaments because of an injury, master blaster Sachin Tendular on Sunday said he is fully fit and raring to do well in the Test series against Sri Lanka starting this month.

Tendulkar missed last month's Bangladesh tri-series and the Asia Cup in Pakistan due to a groin injury. He was, however, included in the 16-member Test squad for the three-match series against the Lankans from July 23 to August 12.

"I am fully fit and eager to give my best in the Sri Lanka series," Tendulkar told reporters here after joining the team.

The Anil Kumble-led side is scheduled to leave for Colombo on Tuesday afternoon.

Tendulkar also expressed optimism over the team's chances in the upcoming series."

The team is in good form and would like to maintain it to win the series," he said.Asked about mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, who created a sensation during the Asia Cup with his 'carrom ball' delivery, Tendulkar said, "I have not played him so I won't comment anything. I will go there and see."

Source: Press Trust of India; Sunday, July 13, 2008 8:18 PM (Chennai)

Pakistan cricket needs the right balance

by Imran Farooqi

Pakistan cricket's unabashed flirt with controversies continues unabated as it enters a fresh season. The nation was still struggling to come to terms with Shoaib Akhtar's suspension from the game when Mohammad Asif, the former's pace partner, joined him on the sidelines. This time it is not some recurring injury -- as is usually the case with Pakistan's pace merchants -- but an action that has further dented the nation's falling image.Though Asif has been released by the UAE authorities as the 'charge' of keeping in possession a contraband substance has not been proved, everybody knows very well that it could only be Islamabad's excellent relationship with the Emirates' royalty that has made the release possible.The bowler did admit carrying the drug which he said was prescribed by a Hakeem for some ailment. Does he think people here in Pakistan and the world over are so naive that they would believe what he has to say? In an era where international players and athletes are updated regularly on drugs and the consequences of their potential use, he's behaving like an innocent kid who does not a bit about anything.Today all sportspersons -- no matter where they come from and what sport they play -- are well aware of substances they can't use. Asif is telling us that he did not know the drug he was carrying on his person was a banned one! Unfortunately, such an irresponsible sort of excuse could only have come from a Pakistan cricketer. These players who are supposed to act as role models and set standards for others are turning out to be plain villains with utter disregard for moral values.It is most regrettable that the Pakistan Cricket Board spends millions of rupees on getting its players fit for international assignments, but when it's time to deliver these so-called stars just fail and come up with reasons that fall well short of making sense. The PCB took all pains to ensure Shoaib Akhtar does have a fruitful and lasting career, but the latter -- through his reckless and ill-timed actions -- have always brought embarrassment to his supporters. As if this was not enough we have Asif following in his footsteps though the two might not be on talking terms with each other.In spite of having a number of good fast and slow bowlers Pakistan is not able to groom them properly mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding the careers of the country's premier pacers. Shoaib and Asif's absence does make a difference, but Pakistan has won without these two in recent past, and can do it again.It's time the PCB gets a clear message across to the players that any action that puts the nation's integrity in question is not at all acceptable. The sad thing is that players hailing from other countries know it by default, but here we have to teach such things. Talent-wise Pakistan and Australian players are almost equal, but what makes the latter stand out is their scientific approach to the game and the pride they take in representing their homeland.Unless every player knows is his responsibilities to his country it will be difficult to turn things around. To make this happen the PCB will have to take steps it's afraid to take. This includes making a final decision on Shoaib and Asif. Pakistan is currently playing without them and won't do worse in any case. It's time to swallow the bitter pill if the PCB keeps the country's image anywhere close to its heart.Already there are reports of differences between the captain and selectors. Although the two parties have denied these one thing is quite clear that the current side could not be termed a balanced one. The opening dilemma continues to dog Pakistan, and short of options the skipper has been forced to open the innings -- something he has done previously without encouraging results.Malik is a very good all-round player, but expecting him to open in limited-over games with success is asking for too much indeed. By doing this we are only compounding issues. He already has too much on his plate. Currently he's struggling to establish a competitive squad, and by adding the task of opening to his existing workload the team management is only making his job more difficult.Shahid Afridi's batting spot remains a riddle. He is bowling very well and his fielding abilities can't be questioned, yet his batting certainly is not upto the mark. He usually bats at No 6 and 7, and when he comes in either there is no time to settle and build the innings. Or, in the worst scenario, his side are already in deep trouble looking to him to repair the damage.In the first case he's supposed to walk in and throw his bat around straightaway to accumulate runs no matter how they come as long they come. In such a case anything can happen as it's not easy to score quick runs without taking a few risks. In the second he's supposed to stay at the crease and do some grafting work which is again not his forte and a more difficult task for he does not like to get bogged down.Though he may not be a sensible bet against the Aussies and Proteas because of their methodical approach to the game and also because these two sides do have plans to counter all sorts of threats from the opposing players, against teams like India, England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand Afridi will always have a better chance because once hit around their bowlers tend to lose way and that's where there can't be a better choice than Afridi.In short Pakistan needs to get its balance right. At the right time the right player must be used and that's what makes a coach and captain great. It's their ability to act quickly and act right that brings success. The Pakistan think-tank must sit down and come up with a plan that is flexible yet effective and where every player knows what role he's required to play. source: http://www.geosuper.tv/articles.asp?id=365

Sourav to play for United SC

Calcutta: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly will try out his soccer skills for United SC in the ongoing Sahara Calcutta Football League Premier Division.

Sourav, who will leave the city on Sunday to join the Test squad in Chennai, will sign after returning from Sri Lanka, according to a club official.

“He (Sourav) will sign for the whole season. Actually this is a move to promote the game... He (Sourav) is the brand ambassador of our sponsor (Chirag) and hence the move,” a club official said.

It was learnt that Sourav would play only one match in the local league. If everything goes according to plan, he will play against East Bengal on August 24.

According to the official, his turning out for United SC in the I-League will depend on his availability.

Sourav, who had a rigorous training session for more than an hour at the Eden on Saturday, sounded confident about his performance in the Sri Lanka series starting from July 23.
“I have played some good innings there (Sri Lanka). This time, too, I am hopeful of some good knocks,” he said. source: http://www.telegraphindia.com

Ganguly denies plans of retiring from ODIs

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday denied rumors of taking retirement from ODIs. Ganguly made this announcement on the sidelines of an awards function in Kolkata.
He also hoped to make his way back into the ODI team again by his performance. Ganguly was recently presented with best Asian batsman of the year award.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Kartik and Zaheer Khan got together in Mumbai to felicitate their mothers and wives in a programme sponsored by a detergent brand.

Pakistan thrash India

India's nemesis Younis Khan (123 not out) again rose to the occasion with a scintillating century as Pakistan chased down an intimidating target en route to an eight-wicket win against their lacklustre arch-rivals to stay afloat in the Asia Cup cricket tournament in Karachi on Wednesday.

With captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76), Rohit Sharma (58) and Virender Sehwag (49) chipping in with the bat, India put 308 for seven on the board, batting first.

Their listless bowling colleagues, however, could not defend the total and Pakistan cruised to 309 for two wickets in 45.3 overs to make the chase look like a stroll in the park.

Chasing 309 to stay afloat in the tournament, Pakistan got off to a rollicking start with Nasir Jamshed (53) and Salman Butt (36) taking the Indian attack by the scruff of its neck.

And when Butt returned, following an almighty mix-up, and Jamshed retired hurt due to dehydration, Younis Khan once again emerged as India's bogeyman, while stand-in skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (70 not out off 62 balls) ensured it remains an all-round memorable outing for him.

Younis' unbeaten 117-ball knock was studded with 11 fours and a six.
A win on Wednesday night would have sent India to Sunday's summit showdown against Sri Lanka and Dhoni's men will now need to get past the islanders when they return to the National Stadium in less than 24 hours for their last super four stage match.

Pakistan meet Bangladesh day after and going by form, the hosts should not have much of a problem taming the minnows. In such a case, run rate might play a vital role in deciding who play the Lankans on Sunday.

Earlier opting to bat first, India rode on a breezy start and half centuries from Dhoni and Rohit to go past the 300-mark.

Dhoni walked out in the middle with India struggling on 91, having lost three quick wickets in 10 balls, and proceeded to play a sensible and patient knock of 76 before falling in the penultimate over.

A fifth wicket stand of 112 from 139 balls by Dhoni and Rohit kept India going after they had slumped to 129 for four despite a breezy opening stand of 88 between Gautam Gambhir (35) and Sehwag.

In the final overs, Irfan Pathan, playing his first game of the tournament, struck a breezy unbeaten 38 from 25 balls to push the total beyond 300.

Both the Indian openers were in terrific form, pouncing on the loose balls on the true National Stadium pitch as Pakistan without their regular captain Shoaib Malik, wilted a bit.
Gambhir went after hitting four boundaries when he drove hard at a full ball from Iftikhar and was caught by Shahid Afridi in the covers.

In the next over, Sehwag, who had batted beautifully for his 49 from 33 balls with six fours and two sixes, perished as keeper Sarfraz Ahmed took a fine low catch to give Rauf a well deserved wicket. Five balls later, in-form Suresh Raina (1) hooked Rauf straight to Salman Butt at deep square leg.

Yuvraj Singh (37) was his usual confident self, playing some stunning straight drives and swinging Tanvir to square leg for a six before he was out, leaving it to Dhoni and Rohit to steady the ship.