Afridi won't appear before disciplinary committee

 

KARACHI: Retired cricket star Shahid Afridi will not appear as summoned before a PCB disciplinary committee on June 8 to face charges of violating a code of conduct, his lawyer said Monday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told Afridi to appear before a three-man disciplinary committee after the former one-day captain abruptly decided to retire from international cricket last week.

"The process followed by the PCB does not conform with the law as even under Pakistan's constitution there is a right given to everyone to be heard before a case is decided," Afridi's lawyer Syed Ali Zafar told a news conference.

The PCB said Afridi violated the players' code of conduct in announcing his retirement and suspended his central contract and revoked all no-objection certificates (NOCs) that would have allowed him to play abroad.

The move prevents him from playing for Hampshire in the Twenty20 league in England and in next month's Sri Lankan Premier League.

Afridi had developed differences with coach Waqar Younis over selection matters during last month's tour of the West Indies and his public criticism saw the PCB replace him as captain.

The star also levelled serious allegations of mistreatment against the PCB, saying he would not play under the current board set-up, headed by Ijaz Butt.

When asked if Afridi might take legal action should the PCB committee take action in his absence, Zafar said: "all the options are open. We will knock (on) the door of justice and that we have repeated all through this case."

Zafar said the PCB had taken strict steps without giving Afridi a chance to tell his side of the story.

"The PCB served the first show-cause notice on May 18 and then suddenly Afridi's NOCs were revoked and his central contract was suspended, which was against the law," said Zafar.

Afridi, who returned from England to a rousing welcome from fans on Sunday, said the PCB should have given him a chance to air his views.

"The PCB chairman took a decision based on whatever management told him. He should have given me a chance to speak over happenings in the West Indies," Afridi told the news conference.

Afridi also disagreed with the process of the disciplinary action.

"The committee belongs to PCB employees and they have to take a decision on the same day. I can't understand the process," said Afridi of the committee comprising of Shafiq Ahmed, Sultan Rana and Usman Wahla.

"I have never cared about the captaincy. I have played under a number of players," said Afridi. "A lot of other senior players also feel humiliated by treatment from the PCB but they can't stand and fight because of the central contract and many other things, but for me personal honour comes first," said Afridi.

But PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi stood by the procedure.

"The suspension of contract is not a punishment and if Afridi is not satisfied with the disciplinary committee's verdict he has a right to appeal before an independent tribunal," said Rizvi. Rizvi said Afridi's lawyer could attend the June 8 meeting. (AFP)

PCB to issue show-cause notice to Ilyas

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to issue a seconf show-cause notice to selector Muhammad Ilyas on giving statements against former captain Shahid Afridi, Geo News reported.

Acoording to PCB sources, the board has decided to issue show-cause notice to the selector on using derogatory language against Afridi. The first notice was issued on Friday while the other is due today (Monday).

Afridi accused Ilyas of pressurising the selection committee to select his son-in-law Imran Farhat in the team.

Dumped Afridi to reveal his ‘plan of action’ today

 

Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: Shahid Afridi returned home on Sunday night and then said that he will announce his ‘plan of action’ to resolve a bitter dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (today).

The former Pakistan captain received a tumultuous welcome here at the Jinnah Terminal but hundreds of his fans who had gathered at the airport weren’t able to see much of him as Afridi was whisked away to his home in Gulshan. He wasn’t even allowed to speak to dozens of media persons, who had assembled outside the arrivals area.

“I won’t be able to talk much about the issue as I have a detailed meeting with my lawyers tomorrow morning,” Afridi told ‘The News’. “I will decide my plan of action after consulting my lawyers and will announce it at a press conference tomorrow,” he added.

Afridi, 31, thanked his fans for their all out support. “My fans are the ones who give my strength,” he said.

The star allrounder refused to confirm whether he will appear before a disciplinary committee appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hear his case. The Board has summoned Afridi for a hearing at its headquarters in Lahore on Wednesday.

“I’m keeping my options open,” he said. “It will only after discussing the issue with my lawyers that I’ll be able to decide about it.”

Afridi is in deep trouble as the PCB has suspended his central contract besides revoking all the No Objection Certificates granted to him, meaning that he cannot even play in foreign leagues. The Board has also begun disciplinary proceedings against the player and is likely to slap him with a lengthy ban and a hefty fine.

It was Afridi’s decision to talk about a rift in the team management last month that earned him the Board’s wrath. Reacting to his comments, the Board stripped him of captaincy for last month’s two-match One-day International series against Ireland.

Ten days later, Afridi took a swipe at the Board accusing it of ill-treatment and announced that he is retiring from international cricket.

Afridi has received immense support from all quarters. Even powerful politicians like PML (N) chief Nawaz Sharif have backed him. There were further indications the fact that his issue has become a political one when a number of Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami national Party activists turned up at the airport to receive Afridi. They were chanting slogans against the PCB.

Irked by it, the PCB issued a media statement on Sunday saying that it is concerned that “an internal disciplinary action” against Shahid Afridi is being converted into a political issue.

“A number of political functionaries are interfering in what is essentially an internal disciplinary matter of the PCB,” said the statement.

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, said that he will stick to his guns in spite of the use of political ‘influence’.

“It is disappointing that despite Afridi pleading guilty to the offences, some political functionaries are extending their support with a view to influencing the disciplinary process being followed by PCB,” said Butt. “An understanding needs to be developed among all stakeholders, media and the politicians that no one is above the law and that, for maintaining discipline within the team, it is absolutely imperative that we carry out this process without any fear or favour,” he stressed.

“PCB has been criticised for being ineffective in the past in the context of discipline. It would now appear an attempt by some forces to prevent the board from implementing the code of conduct may well damage Pakistan Cricket, if they continue to lend support to Afridi and exert undue pressure on PCB for their ‘non-cricketing’ interests,” he concluded.

The Butt Of All Problems!

He has been labeled a buffoon by former ICC President Malcolm Speed. His compatriots consider him the biggest threat to the game. Yet Pakistan Cricket Board’s ‘retired and retarded’ Chairman Ijaz Butt continues to grow strong, despite his buffoonery and threatening attitude. The latest ‘adventure’ he enjoyed was the sacking of perhaps the only ‘sane’ person in Pakistan cricket – one day skipper Shahid Afridi. Yes Shahid Afridi has had his bad days but he single handedly led the side into the semi final of the World Cup. He would have won the match had Misbah ul Haq not batted the way he did, had the fielders held onto their catches and had Tendulkar not been given as many as 5 lives. But since we are talking about Pakistan cricket, Misbah ul Haq has been rewarded with the captaincy and Shahid Afridi is now an ordinary player of the squad. Everyone knows that when it comes to Ijaz Butt, you are either with him, or against him. But the issue is that there are more people against him than those with him. The day he was appointed the Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, nearly three years back, Salahuddin Ahmed resigned as the Chairman of the Selection Committee. Ijaz Butt brought in Abdul Qadir who resigned within a year, despite selecting the team that went onto win the World Twenty20. In came Iqbal Qasim who quit after he became convinced that Ijaz Butt was the butt of all problems. Sacking of Shahid Afridi as skipper of the one day side shouldn’t come as a surprise. When he was appointed as Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt had no issues except minor problems. Yet he managed to steer Pakistan cricket into one trouble after another, and today it has reached a point of no return due to his indecisiveness. He has destroyed the careers of all those who have defied him, and Shahid Afridi is now one such individual. Ijaz Butt also has changed as many as 3 coaches during his tenure – Geoff Lawson, Intikhab Alam and current coach Waqar Younis – while has tested Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Misbah ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdur Razzaq, Salman Butt and Shahid Afridi as captain of the national side in either tests or one dayers. He continues to listen to his aged colleagues Yawar Saeed (who never played Test cricket for Pakistan), Intikhab Alam (who played before most of the current players were born), Mohammad Illyas (who doesn’t even remember when he last played cricket) and many others who had undistinguished career before joining the current set up. One hopes that someone gets the message and removed the ‘Butt’ of all issues before Pakistan cricket reaches rock bottom!

Afridi has been prevented from joining Hampshire

Afridi banned from T20

PCB retaliates for former skipper's 'disparaging' remarks

Afridi has been prevented from joining Hampshire

One-day sensation Shahid Afridi has been banned from playing for Hampshire after voicing his opinion of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The explosive all-rounder had been due to join Hampshire to play in the English county Twenty20 tournament
But the PCB revoked Afridi's no objection certificates on Tuesday for 'passing disparaging remarks about the board and its officials'.
The move has come in retaliation to the former Pakistan skipper's public criticism of his treatment at the hands of its officials.
"Revoking all the NOCs naturally means that we don't want him to be selected in any team," said PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwa.
Afridi, one of the world's greatest limited-overs players, announced his conditional international retirement on Monday in protest at the PCB leadership.

Enigmatic

Much of his frustration has stemmed from the PCB's refusal to commit to his captaincy of the side, beginning with its delay in naming him captain for the away series against New Zealand.
Although he led the team to victory, Afridi was left in limbo as the board waited until just two weeks before the World Cup to confirm he would again skipper the side.
Despite the confusion however, the enigmatic captain still managed to take his country into the semi-finals, also becoming the tournament's leading wicket-taker in the process.
He followed that up by captaining an ODI series win in West Indies, but was sacked on his return this month after criticising team management.
Announcing his protest in an emotional interview on Monday, Afridi said he had been 'humiliated' by a board of 'dishonourable people' and he would only return in the event of a change of leadership.

Contract

The PCB's reaction also included the suspension of his central contract, with chairman Ijaz Butt saying 'He is welcome if he does not want to play under the present (PCB) set-up.'
Afridi is one of the great natural talents of the game and remains a hugely popular figure in his native country.
He rose to prominence in just his second ODI when he slammed the world's fastest ODI century - off 37 balls - against Sri Lanka at Nairobi.
His aggression suited the shorter versions of the game and he is ranked third in Pakistan history for ODIs played (320) and wickets (313).
He is also ranked sixth in runs (6,658) with 289 sixes - the most hit by any batsman in the world.
Afridi played 27 Tests before retiring from the longer version of the game last year during the series against Australia, after scoring 1,716 runs that included five centuries.

PCB suspends Shahid Afridi's contract, revoke NoCs

 

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday suspended the central contract of former one-day captain Shahid Afridi, who had announced his retirement from international cricket, a board statement said.

At the same time it revoked all no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the player, meaning he will not be officially permitted to play abroad, the PCB said.

Afridi, a hugely popular big-hitting all-rounder, had been expected to play for Hampshire in the Twenty20 league in England next month, and also in the Sri Lanka Premier League a month later.

"PCB has initiated action against Afridi in response to the multiple breaches he has committed under the central contract signed with PCB," the statement said.

The PCB said Afridi must explain within seven days why he levelled allegations against the Board. (AFP)

Afridi quits international cricket

 

KARACHI: Former skipper Pakistan cricket team Shahid Khan Afridi has announced retirement from international cricket here late on Monday, Geo News reported.

According to sources, Afridi’s disagreement with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over some issues resulted in his early retirement.

He said it was hard for him to play under a cricket board, which pays no respect to senior players.

Barcelona swamp United to win Champions League

 

LONDON: Barcelona, inspired by the peerless Lionel Messi, delivered a soccer masterclass to overwhelm Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League final and lift the European Cup for the fourth time on Saturday.

Messi was at his inspirational best all night at Wembley as the champions of Spain left the champions of England looking like desperate also-rans in the face of their relentless intricate passing and deadly movement.

United somehow reached halftime level at 1-1 after Wayne Rooney cancelled out Pedro's opening goal but Barcelona continued their dominance after the break.

A superb Messi goal and a precise 18-metre curler by David Villa, underlined the Spanish side's dominance over the team they also beat in the 2009 final. After a short-lived United flurry at the start, Barca were soon in control as they probed constantly in and around the United box.

UNITED UNDONE

Although the English side kept them at bay with a series of last-ditch tackles they were eventually undone in the 27th minute when Xavi cleverly delayed a pass to open space for Pedro to calmly tuck the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar.

United looked almost out of their depth but showed why they have reached three finals in the last four seasons by conjuring a well-made equaliser after 34 minutes.

Rooney played a one-two with Michael Carrick then another with Ryan Giggs before sweeping the ball high into the net.

Messi was millimetres away from a second goal after another high-speed give and go with Villa but somehow United reached halftime on level terms.

The parity on the scoreboard was short-lived though as Barca immediately regained control and, after more near misses, duly went ahead in the 54th minute.

United's defenders made the fatal error of standing off Messi on the edge of the box and the Argentine maestro took full advantage driving the ball in low for the 53rd and most important goal of his remarkable season.

It was Messi who set up the third too as he surged into the box and, though the ball was half-cleared, it went straight to Villa who killed it instantly before curling a superb 18-metreshot into the top corner. (Reuters)

Pakistan to take on Ireland in first ODI today

 

BELFAST: Pakistan will be facing Ireland in first One Day match here today with Misbah-ul-Haq as the captain of the team.

The weather could hardly be more different to that in the Caribbean as they arrived in Belfast here on Thursday amid cool, breezy conditions.

Meanwhile, the Stormont ground, the venue for both matches, on Saturday and Monday, was too wet on Thursday to allow Ireland to train.

If Pakistan can adapt to the drop in temperatures and not think too longingly of home after more than a month away, they should have enough all-round strength to see off the leading Associate nation. But anything less than a fully committed performance could see them struggling.

Since Ireland knocked Pakistan out of the 2007 World Cup, they have gone from strength to strength, defeating England at this year's edition. And even one victory against Pakistan will consolidate their 10th place ranking in the ODI table, just four places behind the tourists.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder, is hoping for a similar surface to the one served up at Stormint for the ODIs against Bangladesh in July last year.

While Pakistan have a 15-man squad at their disposal, including the return of Umar Gul and Younis Khan, both rested for the five one-dayers in the Caribbean, Ireland will be without the injured Niall O'Brien and George Dockrell.

Afridi pulls out of Ireland one-dayers

It was seen as apparent punishment by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for Afridi's public criticism of coach Waqar Younis for interfering in team selection on the West Indies tour. - File photo

ISLAMABAD: Shahid Afridi, dumped as Pakistan’s one-day captain, has withdrawn altogether from two one-day internationals against Ireland for personal reasons, an official said Tuesday.
The popular 31-year-old all-rounder was last week replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq despite leading Pakistan to the semi-final of the World Cup and a 3-2 one-day series win over the West Indies.
It was seen as apparent punishment by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for Afridi’s public criticism of coach Waqar Younis for interfering in team selection on the West Indies tour.
“Afridi has informed us that his father has been admitted to hospital for liver treatment and he wants to be with him and would not be available for the two matches in Ireland,” PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told reporters.
No replacement will be sent for Afridi, said Sarwar.
Pakistan, who levelled a two-match Test series in the West Indies on Monday, reach Ireland on Wednesday where they play on May 28 and 30.
Afridi took over as national captain last year but after a heavy defeat against Australia in neutral venue England, he resigned from the Test captaincy.
He continued as one-day captain but developed differences with Waqar during the World Cup, where Pakistan lost in the semi-final to India who eventually won the title in April.
“Everyone should do his job and should be accountable for his duties,”Afridi said, criticising the coach, on his return from the West Indies after the one-day series.
But when asked about his differences with Waqar, Shahid replied: “They are not at a stage where they cannot be resolved.” The PCB took strong note of the public criticism and admonished Afridi for violating the players’ code of conduct for airing team affairs in the media.

Pakistan scent victory over W. Indies

 

BASSETERRE: Hundreds from Taufeeq Umar and Misbah-ul-Haq followed by purposeful bowling led by Abdur Rehman had Pakistan on the verge of victory over West Indies in the second Test on Monday.

Rehman captured three for 26 from 14 overs, as West Indies, in pursuit of 427 for victory, slumped to 130 for six in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day at Warner Park.

Left-hander Darren Bravo has been the only West Indies batsman that has come to terms with the Pakistani bowlers, hitting the top score so far of 50.

Taufeeq had equalled his career-best of 135 and Misbah, the Pakistan captain, was undefeated on 102, as the visitors reached 377 for six in their second innings before they declared about 45 minutes after lunch.

Taufeeq struck 13 fours from 315 balls in close to seven hours batting, and Misbah stroked 10 fours and two sixes from 141 deliveries in close to four hours.

Devendra Bishoo was the most successful West Indies bowler with two for 149 from 38 overs.

"It is really, really good to score a Test hundred as a captain because the team is always looking towards you for something special," said Misbah. "For your own confidence, and the sake of the team, it is really important that you chip in and perform at all stages of the game.

"But we have not won the Test match yet. Until we have taken the final wicket, we have not won it yet. "It's still a game of cricket, and we have to finish the game, unless it's half the job done."

Tanvir Ahmed made an early breakthrough for the Pakistanis, leaving West Indies 54 for one at tea, when he bowled West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the third over of the innings.

After tea, the visitors made a huge charge for victory, with Rehman playing a leading role, with the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of five deliveries.

The Pakistan left-arm spinner had Simmons caught at second slip for 24, and Sarwan, the most experienced batsman in the West Indies line-up, was lbw playing back and across for a duck, a decision from New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden, which was changed after it was reviewed.

Rehman added the scalp of Marlon Samuels caught behind for six to leave West Indies 77 for four, but the Pakistanis met defiance from the left-handed pair of Bravo and West Indies vice captain Brendan Nash.

The visitors spent over an hour working away on the West Indies pair before Bravo cracked under the pressure, and was lbw to left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz. He struck two fours and two sixes from 144 balls in close to three hours of batting.

Earlier, Pakistan jammed their foot down on the accelerator, anticipating the declaration after they reached 202 for three at lunch. Misbah reached his hundred from 141 balls, with a thick edge to third man off Ravi Rampaul for his last boundary to prompt the declaration.

Umar Akmal shared 62 with him for the sixth wicket before Bishoo bowled him for 30, and Mohammad Salman was caught at deep fine leg off Rampaul for eight before the declaration came.

Pakistan trail 0-1 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing their dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean. (AFP)

Spanish golf legend Ballesteros dies

 

MADRID: Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros, one of golf's all-time greats who lifted five majors and turned a new generation on to the sport, died Saturday aged 54 three years after undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.

Ballesteros was a charismatic figure who led the European challenge to the decades-long supremacy of the United States.

From the mid-1970s to the 1990s, "Seve" was one of the sport's most
celebrated personalities, collecting 87 career titles before retiring in 2007 with back problems.

Known for his flamboyant and imaginative style of play, he famously won one of his three British Open titles by playing a shot from a temporary parking lot.

Ballesteros was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour after losing
consciousness at Madrid airport on October 6, 2008.

He underwent four operations to remove the tumour and reduce swelling in his skull, as well as chemotherapy. He called his battle against the tumour the "hardest challenge of my life".

Ballesteros announced his presence as a teenager in 1976 when he finished second at the British Open, just two years after turning pro aged 16.

Topping the European Tour Order of Merit that year -- he would go on to do so on another five occasions -- was a measure of compensation for being the runner-up after leading at the midway point.

In 1979, aged 21, he became the youngest winner of the British Open.

A year later, he was the first European to make the breakthrough at the Augusta Masters, opening the floodgates for the likes of Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, and his Spanish compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal.

That first of two Masters titles made him, at 23, the youngest winner
before a 21-year-old Tiger Woods broke his record in 1997.

Ballesteros was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1999, where he joined the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Golf Digest magazine in 2000 ranked him as the greatest golfer Europe has produced.

Wasim Akram criticizes PCB decision

 

KARACHI: Former captain of Pakistan cricket team Wasim Akram has criticized PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt’s decision to remove Shahid Afridi from captaincy on Saturday.

Wasim Akram, while addressing the media, said that Shahid Afridi has proved his mettle in recent World Cup and One Day matches. After witnessing better performance from Afridi, PCB’s decision to change captain is inappropriate.

He also said that Misbah-ul-Haq has no future as a captain due to his age and he will not be able to continue playing as a captain for a longer period of time.

When Wasim Akram was asked about the clashes between coach Waqar Younus and Shahid Afridi, he said that such disagreements between the two is nothing unusual. The coach wants to exercise complete authority and when it does not happen, such conflicts are likely to arise.

He said that frequent changes in the team and captaincy have worst effects on the team’s performance. He blamed Ijaz Butt for the atrocity of the situation.

 

Bad light halts Pakistan recovery on day-one of second test

The bails fly off the wicket of Pakistan's batsman Azhar Ali after West Indies' wicket keeper Carlton Baugh, rear, attempted to stump him on the opening day of their second cricket Test match in Basseterre, St. Kitts, Friday May 20, 2011. After the third umpire review Ali was not out. – Photo by AP

BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts and Nevis: Half-centuries from Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal helped Pakistan recover from a shaky start in the second Test against West Indies on Friday before poor weather prompted an early close.
Azhar hit the top score of 67 and Akmal made 56, as the Pakistanis, electing to bat, reached 180 for six in their first innings before rain then bad light stopped play 16.4 overs early on the opening day at Warner Park.
Azhar added 93 for the fifth wicket with Akmal, following a stand of exactly 50 with Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq that resurrected the visitors from 24 for three in the first hour.
Azhar and Akmal, however, both succeeded in gifting their wickets when it appeared they were well set.
Akmal was caught at third man off West Indies captain Darren Sammy, chasing a wide delivery, and Azhar was run out, when Mohammad Salman failed to respond to his call for a single to extra cover off Sammy, and they both ended up at the same end.
Ravi Rampaul was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with three for 40 from 18.2 overs.
Gaining early assistance from the hard, true Warner Park pitch, Pakistan were set back early, when Taufeeq Umar was caught behind for 11, too late in lifting his gloves out of the way of a rising delivery in Rampaul’s fourth over.
The Pakistanis were under further pressure when Mohammad Hafeez edged a forward defensive shot, and was caught at third slip for eight in the West Indies fast-medium bowler’s fifth over.
Asad Shafiq then cut a short, wide delivery, and was caught at gully for a duck in Rampaul’s seventh over to leave Pakistan wobbling.
After lunch, runs started to flow for Pakistan, but the dismissal of Misbah set them back, as they reached 106 for four before rain forced an early tea.
Misbah had got things going after lunch when he carved Kemar Roach to the third man boundary for his second four, and Azhar drove leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo fluently through extra cover for his second four in the next over.
In the following over, Misbah took a pair of boundaries off Roach, steering a delivery to third man, and cutting a short, wide delivery through backward point.
But Misbah was caught low down at mid-on for 25 off Bishoo, essaying an ill-advised on-drive, leaving Pakistan 74 for four.
Akmal came to the crease, and immediately got into the thick of things with a flick through backward square leg for his first boundary, then drove Rampaul sweetly through cover off the back-foot for his second four.
He and Azhar however, were interrupted, when rain stopped play about 40 minutes before the scheduled tea break, and continued to wreak havoc after the break.
The Pakistanis made one change to their team replacing Umar Gul with left-arm fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed.
West Indies suffered a setback with veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul sidelined with a sore shoulder to be replaced by Marlon Samuels as one of two changes.
The other saw Kraigg Brathwaite making his debut at the expense of left-hander Devon Smith, and is the fifth youngest West Indies Test player ever.
Pakistan trail 1-0 in the two-Test series, following a 40-run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing the visitors’ dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean.

Wrestler known as ‘Macho Man’ dies in car wreck

In this undated publicity image released by WWE, professional wrestler Randy “Macho Man” Savage is shown. Savage, whose legal name is Randy Mario Poffo, died in a car crash in Florida on Friday, May 20, 2011, according to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report. – Photo by AP

CLEARWATER: The professional wrestler known as Randy ”Macho Man” Savage has died in a car crash in Florida.
The Florida Highway Patrol says in a crash report that the 58-year-old former wrestler _ whose legal name is Randy Mario Poffo _ was driving a Jeep Wrangler when he lost control in Pinellas County around 9:25 a.m. local time.
The Jeep veered over the raised concrete median divider, crossed over the eastbound lanes and collided head-on with a tree.
Police say he may have suffered a ”medical event” before the accident, but the report did not elaborate, and it said officials would need to perform an autopsy to know for sure.
The report confirms that the driver was the pro wrestler known as Randy Savage. A woman in the vehicle suffered minor injuries. – AP

Afridi removed as ODI team captain

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Shahid Afridi as one-day captain for the forthcoming series against Ireland.

Chairman of the board Ijaz Butt told a media conference in Islamabad that senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in the two one-day matches against Ireland on May 28 and 30.

"Afridi has been retained as a player in the one-day squad but the captaincy has gone to Misbah," Butt said without elaborating the reason for the decision.

Afridi had captained the team to the World Cup semi-finals where they lost to India and recently also guided them to a 3-2 win over the West Indies in the ODI series in the Caribbean.

He has been leading the T20 and ODI sides since early 2010. (Reuters)

Trial of Pak cricketers set to start

 

LONDON: The trial of three Pakistan cricketers and their agent on charges of corruption relating to 'spot-fixing' in England last year is due to get underway here on Friday.

Former captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer have, along with agent Mazher Majeed, been charged with conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments.

The quartet were charged after police inquiries following accusations in the News of the World newspaper that no-balls were deliberately bowled in the fourth Test match at London's Lord's Cricket Ground last August.

Friday's hearing at Southwark Crown Court, south London, is expected to be
a procedural affair where the date for the trial proper will be set.

Of the three players, only Asif has stated his intention to attend Friday's proceedings.

The four accused appeared at a hearing at London's City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, on March 17, which set the date for Friday's court case, and were granted unconditional bail.

The British-based Majeed was told to surrender his passport.

At the March hearing, prosecutor Sally Walsh said all four men were accused of having "conspired together and with others unknown for #150,000 ($240,000) as inducement or reward to bowl three no-balls at the fourth Test".

She added the three no-balls had been delivered "for the purpose of enabling another to cheat at gambling".

Prior knowledge of when no-balls will occur could be exploited in what is known as 'spot-betting', hugely popular in South Asia, whereby gamblers bet on various possible incidents in a match rather than the final result.

In English law, accepting corrupt payments is an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 and carries a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Cheating is an offence under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, carrying a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

A separate and independent International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal has already banned the three players for a minimum of five years each.

All three have, however, filed appeals against their bans at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. (AFP)

Pakistan pull Afghan match in bin Laden town

The Afghan team, arriving in Islamabad on May 24, is being coached by former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif. - AP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricket authorities on Thursday pulled a one-day match against Afghanistan which had been scheduled to take place in the town where US forces shot dead Osama bin Laden.
The match, the third in a series between Afghanistan and Pakistan’s second team, attracted media attention for being hosted in Abbottabad, where US Navy SEALs killed the world’s most-wanted man on May 2.
The fixture has been relocated to Islamabad.
Afghanistan, the first international team to tour Pakistan in more than two years after militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in March 2009, will now play matches in Islamabad on May 25, Rawalpindi on May 27 and Faisalabad on May 29.
“The itinerary… has been revised and now the Abbottabad match will be played in Islamabad on May 25,” said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
No official reason was given for the decision which was taken at a meeting on Thursday between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
Sohail Tanveer will lead Pakistan’s ‘A’ team, comprising of young players who have either been left out of the first team or are being nurtured as future talent.
The Afghan team, coached by former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, will arrive in Islamabad on May 24.
The war-ravaged nation has made rapid strides in international cricket, progressing in 2009 from ICC (International Cricket Council) division one to five, and securing one-day status the same year.
Afghanistan qualified for last year’s World Twenty20 in the West Indies and also won the ICC Inter-Continental Cup in 2010, meant for countries who are not full ICC members.
They beat Pakistan in the semi-final of last year’s Asian Games in China and went on to win a silver medal after losing to Bangladesh in the final.

Misbah replaces Afridi as ODI captain

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said that it is the “policy of the board to appoint a captain on a series to series basis.” -Photo by AFP

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has removed Shahid Afridi as one-day team captain for the forthcoming series against Ireland.
Chairman of the board Ijaz Butt told a media conference in Islamabad that senior batsman Misbah-ul-Haq would lead the team in the two one-day matches against Ireland on May 28 and 30.
“Afridi has been retained as a player in the one-day squad but the captaincy has gone to Misbah,” Butt said without elaborating the reason for the decision.
PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told The Associated Press that it is the “policy of the board to appoint a captain on a series to series basis.”
Afridi had captained the team to the World Cup semi-finals where they lost to India and recently also guided them to a 3-2 win over the West Indies in the ODI series in the Caribbean.
Afridi ruffled feathers in the PCB and team when he returned from the Caribbean early this month and told the media that he was not happy with people interfering in his work.
Although the all-rounder didn’t name names, media reports said he had developed differences with head coach Waqar Younis over team selection issues.
The PCB issued a notice to Afridi to explain his conduct as he had violated the players’ code of conduct with his statement on team affairs.
Butt made it clear Afridi had never been given any assurances regarding the captaincy.
He pointed out that the present policy of the board was to appoint captain on a series-to-series basis.
Afridi had struggled with bat and ball in the one-day series in the West Indies but has been leading the national team in limited overs cricket since early 2010 while Misbah has been test captain since last year.
The national selectors have made no changes in the test squad playing in the West Indies at present but included Afridi and senior batsman Younis Khan in the side for the Ireland matches.
Younis had returned home before the first test in the West Indies due to the death of his elder brother.
Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Younis Khan, Taufiq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Salman,Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Tanvir Ahmed, Hammad Azam.

Azlan Shah Hockey: Pakistan brush aside arch-foe India by 3-1

A spirited Pakistan gave them a great chance to qualify into the final of Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2011 here Wednesday when they literally decimated arch-rivals India by 3-1.

Pakistan vs India

Pakistan had lost four previous matches against India and were on the verge of losing fifth consecutive match as Rupinder Pal Singh gave his side lead in the 20^th minute of the match.

India kept hold of the proceedings for the best part of the match but denied further goals by a strong defence and superb goalkeeping by Pakistani players.

Pakistan vs India

With defence doing their job in style, Pakistani forwards regained confidence and started to attack more frequently on Indian goal. Their efforts paid off in the 49^th minute when Umar Bhutta equalized with a beautiful field goal.

More was yet to come as the competition heated up. Pakistani forwards further upped the pressure and started finding gaps in Indian defence-line. Mohammad Imran then made no mistake in the 55^th minute when he converted a penalty corner to give Pakistan lead for the first time in the match.

Tension further gripped the match but Pakistani forwards kept on making more moves which resulted in a penalty corner in 57^th minutes of the match where the world’s top goal-scorer Sohail Abbas pushed the ball into the net to give Pakistan a comfortable lead over their arch-foes.

Pakistan vs India

The last 13 minutes proved lethal as players from both sides made their best efforts to keep and snatch the advantage but Pakistani defenders kept their nerves and thwarted all attempts on Pakistani goal effectively.

This was Pakistan’s third victory in the tournament and now their chances to play in the final are quite alive as they defeated New Zealand and South Korea with an identical margin of 4-2 before losing to England and Australia by 3-2 and 5-1.

Pakistan now have nine points from five matches and have scored 19 goals while 13 goals have been scored against them. Australia and England are currently the other two top teams in the competition with 10 and nine points respectively.

Earlier in the day, Australia defeated South Korea by 4-2 while New Zealand edged past hosts Malaysia by 3-2.

Australia now have 10 points from four matches and are yet to be defeated in the tournament while England have nine points from four matches and their chances of qualifying in the final are sparkling the most at the moment.