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 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.

Asia Cup will be a close contest: Malik

New Delhi: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes the forthcoming Asia Cup would be an open contest with Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka all having equal chances of winning the final.
"I wouldn't say any team is favourite. India is a strong and balanced side but we showed in the tri-series final they can be beaten. So in a way this Asia Cup I think is going to be the closest one in recent years," Malik told reporters at the national stadium on Friday.

Twenty Pakistani probables began their training in a conditioning camp for the continental tournament with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, the notable player, missing from action.
The national selectors dropped the experienced Akmal from the short list of players giving a proper chance to young Sarfraz Ahmed to prove himself.

Malik said Pakistan's only advantage in the coming tournament would be that it would be playing in home conditions.

"Other than that all three top teams are balanced and can win on their day. The pitches also don't make much of a difference as there is no dew problem in Karachi at this time of the year even at night time," he said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asia-cup-will-be-a-close-contest-malik/32264-13.html

Free for now, but Asif riddle remains

New Delhi: Mohammad Asif has finally arrived in Lahore, ending a 19-day ordeal after the authorities in Dubai decided to release him from detention for carrying contraband drugs.
The PCB has decided to get to the "bottom of the truth" and they will start by quizzing the Hakeem, who had given Asif the banned drug as a "medicine".

For Asif, the golden words of freedom must have come as a huge sigh of relief. Held in detention for 19 days in Dubai, not many including the Pakistan fast bowler himself would have known when he would get to set foot on home soil again.

"I was cleared in all my tests there. There were two tests one during the IPL, which I cleared as well. Had I tested positive, the ICC would have banned me already. (PCB official) Nadeem Akram's presence gave me a lot of hope while I was in detention," Asif said upon his arrival in Lahore on Friday.

Though it is difficult to put a finger on whether State intervention saved the day for the young fast bowler, the Dubai authorities' statement on his release does leave unanswered questions.
Mohammad Al Nuaimi, the Dubai Public Prosecutor, said: "It is definite that he committed the crime of smuggling and possessing 0.24 grams of opium as he was caught red-handed. However, in certain cases and for a faster litigation process the Public Prosecution drops a case due to insignificance."

However, Asif's road back in to the Pakistan team will not be as quick. The PCB says they will continue their investigations into the matter.

"PCB intends to conduct an immediate inquiry into this matter, as per its policies and procedures, once the official records are received from the UAE authorities," a PCB statement said.

Cricket leaves a lot to be desired as far as discipline is concerned. Will Asif's case get the cricket authorities to come up with an exemplary censure, or will he get back to his ways without a fig to care about this episode that certainly shamed Pakistan cricket?

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/free-for-now-but-asif-riddle-remains/32269-13.html

Asif stays in detention, no decision on trial

Dubai/Karachi: Mohammad Asif continues to languish in detention with the Dubai Attorney General and Public Prosecutor's office on Monday not taking any decision on whether to trial the Pakistani pacer for alleged possession of contraband drugs or deport him.

The law firm hired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bail out Asif also declined to make any comments on the issue that has become an increasing source of embarrassment for Pakistan's cricket authorities.

Nadeem Akram, the senior PCB official in Dubai, said no decision had been taken on Asif's case and they were still awaiting a word from the Attorney General's office.

"All these rumors off him being charged are not true. I will not substantiate them. The position is that the AG has yet to decide on the report of the Prosecutor and until that is done Asif will remain in detention," Akram said.

No official was willing to give a deadline on when a decision from the authorities in Dubai can be expected, an indication that perhaps the pacer's ordeal is far from over.

Sources close to the case said that the board, despite its best efforts, was also still not sure if Asif would be released as there was now a 50-50 chance of the case going either way.

Senior board officials also said to have raised the Asif issue with Pakistan's top security official Rehman Malik in Islamabad on the sidelines of a meeting held to review security arrangements for the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.

The pacer on Sunday appeared before the prosecutors along with his lawyers following which the case was forwarded to the Attorney General of Dubai.

Asif remained detained since he was caught with contraband drugs at the Dubai airport on his arrival from Mumbai on June 1. Asif was going to Lahore after playing in the Indian Premium League for the Delhi Daredevils.

The fast-bowler would face a minimum of four years in prison if charged and found guilty.

Akram, meanwhile, told Khaleej Times that Asif's lawyers have sought a meeting with the Dubai Attorney General.

"Our lawyers have requested a meeting with the Dubai Attorney General but no time has been fixed as yet," Akram said.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammed Rustom told the daily that a decision was expected any time this week.

"If the case is referred to the court, what kind of charges will be pressed against him has still to be determined. We cannot anticipate the results of the ongoing investigation," Rustom said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asif-stays-in-detention-no-decision-on-trial/32066-13.html

'Transition to ODIs from T20 will be smooth'

Press Trust Of India
Posted on Jun 09, 2008 at 15:15 Updated Jun 09, 2008 at 20:35

Dhaka: India coach Gary Kirsten ruled out any Indian Premier League hangover on the team and asserted that the transition from Twenty20 to One-Day cricket would be smooth for his wards in their tri-series opener against arch-rivals Pakistan here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters ahead of the match, Kirsten said the team think-tank have done enough to ensure that the players swiftly adjust into the One-Day mode.

"It is something we have given some considerations and thoughts too. We need to make sure that our game plan and strategies are designed for 50 overs cricket. It is different to what they did in IPL. So, we worked hard during the last two days to get things right," Kirsten said.

The Indian players just finished their assignment in the 44-day IPL and had hardly any breathing space as they flew in here for the tri-series.

Asked if they were made to play too many matches, Kirsten said, "That is the reason that the selectors have chosen a pretty young side for this tournament and the Asia Cup.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/transition-to-odis-from-t20-will-be-smooth/32062-13.html