Briefs...
Cash may keep rebels in ICL
DHAKA: Bangladesh's rebel cricketers want to accept an amnesty offered by the sport's authorities but lucrative deals with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) may force them to think twice, an ex-captain said on Sunday.Habibul Bashar, 36, said they welcomed the Bangladesh Cricket Board's offer on Saturday to pardon the cricketers provided they scrap their contracts with the ICL, which is not recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), by June 15. "They opened a window of opportunity for us. We can now see some light at the end of the tunnel," said Bashar, who was the country's most successful cricketer before he led 13 other cricketers to the ICL last September. "We want to take the opportunity and play for the national team. If we leave the ICL, we have to sacrifice a lot of things. If we come back, what we'll get in return?" he said. "The ICL is highly lucrative compared to domestic cricket in Bangladesh."
Cejka eyes another Players title for Europe
PONTE VEDRA, Florida: Alex Cejka moved closer to becoming the third European to win the Players Championship when he opened a five-stroke lead after the third round on Saturday. The Czech-born German survived some inevitable mistakes in tough conditions, but finished in style with a five-foot birdie at the last for a respectable even-par 72 at the punishing Sawgrass TPC. He posted an 11-under 205 total, but will not be counting any chickens, not with Tiger Woods among a group of six players equal second on six-under. Woods, who teed off two hours before Cejka, shot a workmanlike 70 in spite of clearly struggling with his long game. Woods received a fortunate break at the par-four 18th, where his six-iron second shot from the rough hurtled across the green and almost went into the lake beyond, stopping only because of the long grass.
French star Gasquet fails drugs test: report
PARIS: France's Richard Gasquet, the world number 23 and former Wimbledon semifinalist, failed a drugs test at the Miami Masters in March, it was claimed here on Saturday. Traces of a recreational drug, believed to be cocaine, were discovered in his A-sample, Radio RMC Info reported, citing unidentified sources at the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and at Team Lagardere, the 22-year-old's training base. Gasquet pulled out of his opening match in Miami against Spain's Albert Montanes because of a shoulder injury. He withdrew from this week's tournament in Estoril with a neck injury and is not playing at the Madrid Masters, which got underway on Saturday. Gasquet, who could be banned for two years if his B sample also tests positive, was unavailable for comment on Saturday.
Toyota ponder F1 pullout
PARIS: Japanese team Toyota may not enter the 2010 Formula One world championship in protest at controversial plans to introduce a voluntary budget cap, it was reported on Saturday. Toyota president John Howett told www.autosport.com his team was currently not in a position to commit for next year. "Under the rules as they are published, we cannot submit an entry," he said. "From Toyota's perspective there are a number of concerns that really need clarifications before we commit to the future. We want to be here. But now we must reflect long and hard on what we do in the future." Howett said: "I would say it is very likely we won't enter unless something changes significantly."
Hiddink pleads for video replay
LONDON: Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, still reeling from his team's stormy Champions League exit, wants video technology introduced to help referees make the right call in contentious decisions. "In other sports like rugby and American football they have the ability to use technology at vital moments," said Hiddink. "Everyone waits five seconds for the video referee before making a decision. It can be done only on key moments that make a difference to the outcome of the game otherwise it would stop the game too much. The video referee must have authority to overrule the first man in charge. It's a fact that if technology had been in use we would be in the Champions League final now. "It would help a lot what is a difficult job for the referee when they have to make crucial decisions. It's up to UEFA whether they act."
Tevez leaving Manchester United
LONDON: Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez has reaffirmed his wish to leave Manchester United at the end of the season because he feels unwanted and unappreciated at the club. Tevez has in recent months complained about limited first team opportunities with United, for whom he scored 19 goals in 39 appearances and hinted last month he was ready to leave Old Trafford. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson responded by saying he was optimistic of holding on to the on-loan Argentinian striker when his contract expires this summer. However Tevez says he is growing increasingly frustrated with United. "It is goodbye," he told The Sunday Telegraph. "I respect the fans and it has been a great two years. Obviously in the last year my participation on the pitch has been less but that has been the choice of the coach, not my choice."
Stadium in Dubai to be ready by 2011
DUBAI: Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, who ensured arrival of another international cricket stadium in UAE at Dubai Sports City (DSC), is focusing on other sports stadia being built at the same venue. Following inauguration of cricket stadium by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, on Thursday night, Bukhatir said work is on to complete all other stadia in DSC. "The 60,000 capacity multi-purpose stadium which will be able to stage football matches too will be ready by 2011," he said. "In few months cricket academy will be ready. Grounds around the academy will also be ready soon. "DSC cricket stadium will be available for domestic matches. Whereas, work on hockey stadium is in full progress and golf facilities will also be ready soon," he added.
Bodybuilding event from June 4
By our correspondent
KARACHI: The Inter-Provincial Bodybuilding Championship will be held at Okara on June 4-5, an official of the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBBF) told 'The News' on Sunday. The secretary of the PBBF Sheikh Farooq said that immediately after the Inter-Provincial Championship, the Inter-Departmental tournament will be conducted later in June at Lahore. He added that in August Pakistan will send at least four bodybuilders to Iran to feature in the Asian Bodybuilding Championship to be held in Tehran. He said that before finalising the squad for the Iranís trip, dope test of the bodybuilders will be conducted.
Columbia pocket opening Giro stage
VENICE: Britain's Mark Cavendish donned the race leader's pink jersey on Saturday after his Columbia team pocketed the opening stage of the Tour of Italy, a 20.5 km team time-trial at Venice Lido. Columbia covered the distance in 21min 50sec with the Garmin team six seconds adrift and Lance Armstrong's and Levi Leipheimer's Astana third, 13sec off the pace. On the plus side for Italian fans, Danilo Di Luca (LPR), who won the Giro in 2007, saw his team come in fourth 22sec off the winning time. Columbia produced an average time topping 56 km/h on the flat circuit at the laguna separating Venice from the Adriatic.
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Ijaz Bit leaves for Dubai to attend ICC meeting
LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt has left here on Monday for Dubai to attend the meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Besides Ijaz Butt, other of... more |
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Aisam back home after winning doubles event in SA
LAHORE: Pakistan tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq has returned home after winning the doubles event in the South African Open Tennis Tournament, held in Johannesburg.
Aisam with Rohan Bopanna... more |
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Warne tells Aussies to take part in IPL
LONDON: Shane Warne has urged his fellow Australians to play in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite threats from an Indian political party.
The Mumbai-... more |
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Pawar meets Thackeray, asks to drop ban on Aussie cricketers
MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar, India's minister for agriculture and president of the Maharashtra Cricket Association, met the founder of Shiv Sena, Bal Thackeray, and his son, Udav, here on Sunday an... more |
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India 66-2 after South Africa enforce follow-on
NAGPUR: South Africa were eyeing victory after Dale Steyn picked a career-best 7-51 to trigger a dramatic India collapse on the third day of the first Test on Monday.
The right-a... more |
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Wasim Akram included in committee to probe team’s poor performance
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included former skipper Wasim Akram in an inquiry committee formed last week to probe the national team's poor performance in Australia.
... more |
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Cilic retains ATP Zagreb title
ZAGREB: Top seed Marin Cilic of Croatia retained his ATP Zagreb indoor tournament title here on Sunday defeating German journeyman Michael Berrer 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 in just over two-and-a-h... more |
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Chelsea on top again, beating Arsenal in English Premier League
LONDON: Didier Drogba's double returned Chelsea to the Premier League summit with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday that left its London rival nine points adrift.
The Ivory Coa... more |
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Fabregas wants Barca return ‘one day’
BARCELONA: Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said he hopes to go back to his boyhood club Barcelona in the future.
The London team’s captain told Catalunya Radio on Friday that he... more |
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Kipkorir wins Oita marathon
OITA, Japan: Jonathan Kipkorir edged past fellow Kenyan runner Daniel Njenga to win the Beppu Oita marathon on Sunday.
Kipkorir and Njenga were in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle in th... more |
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India’s Bhullar wins Tour opener
BANGKOK: Gaganjeet Bhullar of India produced a brilliant course record eight-under-par 64 to win the season-opening Asian Tour International by one shot on Sunday.
Starting the final... more |
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Langeveldt added to SA squad for ODI
NAGPUR, India: South Africa have added medium-pacer Charl Langeveldt to their one-day squad for the three-match series against India later this month.
“We do not believe that we have... more |
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Tait is Australia’s new Thommo, says Hogg
MELBOURNE: Former Australian Test quick Rodney Hogg has hailed South Australian Shaun Tait as the new-age Jeff Thomson and says he will pilot Australia to Twenty20 World Cup supremacy with h... more |
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Crowe made New Zealand batting advisor
WELLINGTON: Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, will assist the new national coach Mark Greatbatch as a batting advisor to some leading players, with a particular focus on Test cri... more |
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Scott Styris striving for national return
WELLINGTON: Scott Styris, the New Zealand allrounder, has been overlooked for the series against Bangladesh but new coach Mark Greatbatch, who is also a selector, said it was partly because ... more |
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England Lions to play T20s against UAE, Pakistan
DUBAI: England Lions arrived in Dubai to play four Twenty20 cricket matches against United Arab Emirates and Pakistan A, before an intriguing match-up in Abu Dhabi with full England side, wh... more |
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Proteas sacrifice records in India
NAGPUR: South Africa put match strategy ahead of chasing records as it declared its first innings at 558-6 on day two of the second Test against India on Sunday.
The total was five r... more |
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Proteas make India follow-on in Nagpur Test
NAGPUR: Fast bowler Dale Steyn blew India away with a career-best seven for 51 to allow South Africa to force the follow-on on the third day of opening Test on Monday.
Steyn took five... more |
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Pak squad announced for T20 matches against England
LAHORE: Pakistan on Monday left out coach Intikhab Alam and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal from its 14-man side to face England in two Twenty20 matches.
There is speculation Alam will... more |
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South Africa pacemen rattle India
NAGPUR: Dale Steyn picked two quick wickets to derail India's reply on the third day of the first Test against South Africa on Monday.
The express paceman got rid of Sachin Tendulkar ... more |
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Intikhab accepts blame for Australian defeats
KARACHI: Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said Sunday he accepted full responsibility for his team’s dismal performance on its tour of Australia last month, and vowed not to run away from any in... more |
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PCB summons coach, captain
KARACHI: An evaluation committee issued a demand on Sunday for Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam and captain Mohammad Yousuf to explain the team’s dismal performance on their tour of Aust... more |
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Pakistan beat India for SAG gold
DHAKA: Defending champions Pakistan retained their gold medal in the 11th South Asian Games Hockey competition when they came from behind to overpower arch-rivals India 4-3 in a penalty shoo... more |
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It was a terrible display, says Gayle
MELBOURNE: A horror start and a lifeless tail-end saw West Indies tumble to a 113-run defeat in the first one-day international against Australia at the MCG here on Sunday.
Chasing an att... more |
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Asif not cleared for UAE trip
KARACHI: Paceman Mohammad Asif will not be able to play in the United Arab Emirates as its authorities have refused to revoke a travel ban on him, an official said on Sunday.
The 27-year-... more |
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Miandad was paid Rs8.4 m for seven days of work: Butt
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt dropped another bombshell on board’s director general Javed Miandad saying that the former captain was paid Rs8.4 million for a we... more |
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I may never bowl again: Lee
SYDNEY: Australian and New South Wales fast Bowler Brett Lee has said that there is a distinct possibility of him not bowling in competitive cricket again, as he is yet to recover from a ser... more |
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Give Shahid Afridi a break
LAHORE: Cricket is a great leveller. Nothing better exemplifies this truism than Shahid Afrid’s shocking fall from grace. It took a fleeting moment of madness for him to become the villain o... more |
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India’s absence contributed to T20 flop-show, says Azam Khan
MIRPUR: Pakistan may be the ICC Twenty20 world champions but their under-21 team failed to make the 11th South Asian Games’ Twenty20 final, attributing their lack of motivation to the absenc... more |
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Raikkonen revelling in new Swede challenge
PARIS: Finland has produced a long line of great Rally drivers but never one quite with the pedigree or potential of 2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
The 30-year-old former... more |
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Patrick finishes sixth in debut
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida: IndyCar driver Danica Patrick survived a spinout to finish sixth in her stockcar debut at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.
“That was fun,” Patrick, the ... more |
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Defending champion Spain get Czechs in Euro draw
WARSAW: Defending champion Spain will have the Czech Republic and Scotland among its rivals in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.
Lithuania and Liechtens... more |
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Kaka ends barren spell as Real close gap
MADRID: Brazilian superstar Kaka scored his first league goal in three months as Real Madrid closed back to within five points of pacesetters Barcelona at the top of the Spanish top-flight w... more |
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‘Ferdinand’s England captaincy will boost United’
MANCHESTER: Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United can benefit from Fabio Capello’s decision to make Rio Ferdinand the new England captain.
Ferdinand served the second game of his f... more |
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Inter juggernaut rolls on, Milan draw
MILAN: Inter Milan roared 10 points clear at the top of Serie A after an easy 3-0 win over Cagliari on Sunday.
Goran Pandev and Walter Samuel scored simple goals in the first half before ... more |
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Five-star Manchester United go top, Kuyt sinks Everton
LONDON: Manchester United stormed to the top of the Premier League with a 5-0 demolition of struggling Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side moved one point cle... more |
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Drama in Dubai as Jimenez wins
DUBAI: Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Dubai Desert Classic for the first time on Sunday defeating European No 1 Lee Westwood on the third hole of a drama-packed playoff.
The... more |
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Pakistan to fight for second spot in SAG
KARACHI: Pakistan placed themselves in a good position to fight for an overall second place behind the invincible India when they lifted six more gold medals on Sunday during the 11th South ... more |
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Willis wins indoor mile
BOSTON: New Zealand’s Nick Willis, who hadn’t run a competitive mile in nearly a year, used a last-lap sprint to overhaul Will Leer and capture the mile run at the 15th Boston Indoor Games o... more |
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IOC defiant on dopers: experts
VANCOUVER: As the clock ticks down towards the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, doubts are being raised over the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) promise to wage a pitiless war against the dr... more |
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Spaniard Lopez ends long drought
JOHANNESBURG: Spaniard Feliciano Lopez ended a six-year trophy drought with a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over French fighter Stephane Robert in the South African Open final on Sunday.
The only prev... more |
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Stosur leads Australia to Fed Cup victory over Spain
ADELAIDE: Samantha Stosur inspired Australia to a 3-2 win over Spain in their Fed Cup World Group II first round tie at Memorial Drive here on Sunday.
The world number 11 Stosur featured ... more |
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Oudin seals US Fed Cup semis spot
LIEVIN, France: Melanie Oudin sealed the United States’ passage to the semi-finals of the Fed Cup on Sunday with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over Julie Coin to establish an unassailable 3-0 lead ov... more |
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Zvonareva heads Pattaya Open field
BANGKOK: Defending champion Vera Zvonareva heads the field at the 220,000-dollar Pattaya Open this week and the Russian appears to have a comfortable draw as she bids to win her ninth career... more |
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Djokovic looks to bounce back from Aussie Open
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands: Novak Djokovic will strive to show that his recent case of indigestion at the Australian Open was just a case of bad luck, with the Serb world number two returnin... more |
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Australian team weakest for years, says Imran
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has described the Australian team as one of the weakest he has seen in years.
“This is one of the weakest Australian teams I have seen play, t... more |
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