Kiwis hammer India in new hockey format

 Australia — There were goals aplenty in the international debut on Thursday of nine-a-side field hockey in Perth, Australia, where New Zealand thrashed India 6-3 in the men's matches.
The first night of the innovative four-day International Super Series, which includes a number of other trial rules such as 15-minute halves and wider goals to increase spectator appeal, produced entertaining and attacking hockey.
There was only one scoreless game in the four matches, with 21 goals scored in just 120 minutes of hockey.
However, the new format didn't agree with India's men, who paid the price for a sluggish start when they conceded the opening three goals to New Zealand in quick succession en route to a heavy defeat.

Squash: Marwat named new PSF secretary

KARACHI:
The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has named Wing Commander Abdul Wahab Marwat its new honorary secretary as a replacement for Irfan Asghar, who was recently handed a one-year ban by the World Squash Federation (WSF).
“With effect from October 19 Wing Commander Abdul Wahab Marwat has taken over as Honorary Secretary of the PSF,” said a media release issued yesterday.
According to PSF Vice President Qamar Zaman, the WSF ban was not the prime reason for Asghar’s ouster.

Controversial PSF secretary sacked

Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) cut short Irfan Asghar’s controversial term as the secretary of the federation, replacing him with Abdul Wahab Marwat.

Besides being recently banned by the World Squash Federation (WSF), Asghar was highly unpopular among the top squash players of the country.

He was the first Pakistani official to be banned by the world body and perhaps the first official of an affiliated federation to receive such a harsh punishment. It seemed well deserved, experts said, after Asghar accused President of the WSF, N. Ramachandran, an Indian, of bias against Pakistan and later denying any such claims

Patient Taufeeq puts Pakistan in charge

The painstaking efforts of Pakistan's top order put their side in control against a helpless Sri Lankan attack which was remorselessly taken apart on an unresponsive surface, first by the positivity of Mohammad Hafeez and then by the self-denial and accumulation of Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali.

After Hafeez had batted with purpose in a productive morning session, Taufeeq and Azhar stonewalled at under two runs an over till tea before displaying some urgency in the final session to leave Sri Lanka deflated in the Abu Dhabi heat. Taufeeq played second fiddle to Hafeez, blocked half-volleys after lunch along with Azhar Ali and displayed refreshing freedom after tea to reach his second century in three Tests. Azhar, mostly bordering on the over-cautious, continued to display the solidity that has marked his short career with another half-century in a partnership which grew to 141 by the end of the day.

Dan Wheldon mourned in Britain

EMBERTON, England -- Struggling to hold back tears, Clive Wheldon's voice quivered as he spoke about his son, "a true champion and a gentleman."
"Daniel was born to be a racer and yesterday left us doing what he loved to do," he said Monday outside the family home in the village of Emberton, a far cry from the high-powered world of auto racing in which his son became one of Britain's most famous exports.
News of Dan Wheldon's death at 33 following a massive and fiery crash at the Las Vegas Indy 300 dominated newspaper headlines and broadcasts in Britain on Monday.
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Two victories in the Indianapolis 500 established him as one of the few Britons to master auto racing across the Atlantic. But Wheldon was far from a household name in Britain, where Formula One is the top motor sport and IndyCar receives little coverage.
Wheldon's loss was felt most sharply Monday in the auto racing fraternity, which has long recognized his talent starting from his youth as a kart driver, and in Emberton, a village in Buckinghamshire -- a county just north of London -- where he grew up and where parents Clive and Sue still live.
"The family would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming outpouring of sympathy," said Clive, reading slowly from a statement and flanked by sons Austin and Ashley. "He was a true champion and a gentleman on and off the track."

Abu Dhabi set for first Test

The UAE is gearing up for its biggest cricket season this year. Sri Lanka is set to face Pakistan in three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.
Sri Lanka comfortably beat Pakistan 2-0 when the two countries met last in 2009. Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in first Test from Tuesday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan is looking ahead to play some Test cricket and Sri Lanka will be desperate to regain the winning habit.

A keen contest is on the cards and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah will witness top class cricket in the coming weeks.  Overall Pakistan and Sri Lanka have played 15 Test series since 1981 — Pakistan have won seven, Sri Lanka emerged as winners in four and four were drawn.  Both teams have landed in the UAE with the squads full of new players. The Pakistan-Sri Lanka series will be followed by Pakistan-England matches in the UAE.

Zaheer Abbas might be next PCB chief operating officer

Former Test captain Zaheer Abbas is likely to secure the important position of Chief Operating Officer in the Pakistan Cricket Board. Sources close to Zaheer told PTI that the former Test batsman, who has remained a selector and manager with the national team previously, is confident of


getting the top post once Zaka Ashraf takes charge.
"He has been going around telling his close friends and supporters that he is prepared for the position and in some instances he has even been inquiring about the pay package and responsibilities of the COO in the PCB," a source confirmed.

Zaheer said that he was prepared to work in the Board in any senior position depending on what offer the PCB made to him.

"It is premature to talk about these things but why not I do want to serve Pakistan in some way and I have done it in the past," he said.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka aim for improvement in ICC Test standings

DUBAI: Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be aiming to move upwards in the ICC Test Championship table when they go head to head in a three-Test series which starts at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka is currently sitting in fifth position on 103 ratings points, while Pakistan is nine ratings points behind in sixth position.

However, all this can change depending how the series pans out. While Sri Lanka only needs to win the series to leapfrog fourth-ranked Australia, Pakistan needs to win by a 2-0 or better if it wants to move ahead of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's 1-0 or 2-1 series win will put it one ratings point ahead of Australia, a 2-0 win will place it on 107 ratings points, while a 3-0 win will give it a lead of four ratings points over Australia, the ICC said in a statement.

On the other hand, if Pakistan wins by a 2-0 margin it will move to 100 ratings points while relegating Sri Lanka to 97 ratings points whereas in case of a 3-0 win, Pakistan will rise to 102 ratings points - just two behind Australia - and Sri Lanka will drop to 96 ratings points.

If Pakistan wins 1-0, it will narrow its gap with Sri Lanka to just one ratings point. If the series ends in a draw, then Sri Lanka will drop a ratings point while Pakistan will gain a point

Furious' Kaneria to take legal action against Salman Butt for linking him to Majeed

Karachi, : Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has vowed to take legal action against former captain Salman Butt for telling a London court hearing the 'spot-fixing' case that it was Kaneria who had introduced him to alleged bookmaker Mazhar Majeed.
"I am furious over what Salman Butt has said and I will take legal action against him as early as possible," The News quoted Kaneria, as saying.
"I only came to know about Mazhar Majeed after Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were caught. The thing is that Butt is now realising that he cannot run away from punishment, so in order to divert the attention of the court he is involving others as well," he added.

Kaneria had accompanied the Pakistan team on England tour, but was later dropped by the team management, and after two Tests, the visiting squad was involved in the spot-fixing controversy, the paper said.
"If I would have been involved with those match-fixers, then I would have never been dropped. I was purposely sidelined so that they can do such malpractice because a player who is accompanying a team is never released like that on a tour," Kaneria claimed.

Cricket: Pakistan wary of Sri Lanka threat

KARACHI:
Sri Lanka’s miserable form in Test matches is not to be considered a plus point, said Pakistan interim coach Mohsin Khan at the conclusion of the training camp in Lahore.
Sri Lanka have been unable to clinch a series in cricket’s longest format since their 2-0 victory over New Zealand in August 2009 and have also not won a Test after handing out a 10-wicket drubbing to India in July last year.
However, Mohsin said Pakistan will be wary of the threat Sri Lanka carry ahead of the Test series that starts on October 18 in the UAE.
“We have a tough challenge ahead of us,” Mohsin told The Express Tribune after the camp ended. “Sri Lanka are dangerous as they’ll give it their all to make a comeback in Tests.
“One can’t take a major Test side lightly on basis of its recent performances.”
Sri Lanka have not enjoyed a good run in Tests and went down 1-0 to both England and Australia in this year’s series. Critics say the retirement of Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan has considerably weakened the team.
On the other hand, Pakistan have enjoyed a better run in the longer version after their loss against England last year. The team managed to draw a series against South Africa and the West Indies while emerging victorious against hosts New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

Misbah vows to win Sri Lanka series

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that the national team would go all out to win the series against Sri Lanka. However, the opponents cannot be taken easy despite in the absence of Muralitharan, said the captain.

Talking with media here at the Qadhafi Stadium, Misbah said that cricket is a team game and it is not wise to rely on a single player

He said that the national team would display good performance in the series against Sri Lanka. He further said that there were bowlers in the team with a potential of getting opponents out. The Pakistan captain appreciated the decision of opting referral system during the series.

Another report says,  Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ch Zaka Ashraf said that his first priority is to bring cricket back to Pakistan. In an interview to Pakistan Television Zaka Ashraf said that he is thankful to President Asif Ali Zardari for his guardianship in ZTBL and now in PCB.

He said he will try his best to meet the expectations of President and the people. He said that he will meet cricket stars for advice to promote cricket in Pakistan. Captain of the team should have leadership qualities, he added. Zaka urged that the players should be given maximum chance to play counties

Sri Lanka look for cricket revival against Pakistan

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka hope to end their Test drought when they face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates later this month, the team’s captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said Thursday.
Sri Lanka has not won a Test in their last 11 outings, since beating India in Galle in July 2010 when world bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan made his final appearance.
This year, Sri Lanka lost an away series against England 1-0, before falling to Australia by a similar margin at home.
Dilshan said he looked forward to turning the tide when they clash with Pakistan in a three-Test series which opens at the neutral venue of Abu Dhabi on October 18.
“The important thing is to remain patient. We have got some inexperienced bowlers and it takes time for them to develop,” Dilshan told the Colombo-based Island newspaper.
“If you take the last series against Australia, we lost one Test that could have gone either way. I thought we played well in the remaining two Tests.”
Dilshan said the team needs time to overcome the absence of the retired duo of Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas.
“Guys like Murali and Vaasy did an exceptional job for us for 15 years,” he said. “Suddenly when you lose them the team struggles. I believe we need to be patient rather than take harsh decisions.”
Injured fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep returns to the bowling attack, which also includes off-spinner Suraj Randiv and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Nadal fires warning over 'dangerous' conditions ESPN staff

Rafael Nadal claimed a comfortable victory over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and promptly whipped up a storm by calling on officials to stop putting the players in danger with week-to-week ball changes.

Nadal was beaten by Andy Murray in Tokyo last week and was shocked by the change in pace from that indoor venue to the one in Shanghai on account of the change in ball design.

The Spaniard is calling for the ATP Tour to regulate the consistency of balls to ensure the players are not being put in danger.

"I had a comfortable victory," Nadal said. "I didn't play my best but it is unbelievable the conditions can change from Tokyo to here

Shahzaib slams ton for Karachi Blues

KARACHI - Hard hitting Karachi Blues opener Shahzaib Hasan hit the form when he slammed 144 in his team’s total of 251/5 on the first day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy second round match against ZTBL here Wednesday at the National Stadium.
He cracked 17 four in his innings. Other contributions in home team total were an unbeaten 66 from Javed Mansoor. M Khalil of ZTBL took four for 53.
In the Division II match of the championship played at NBP Cricket Stadium, Karachi Whites, electing to bat, put on 228 for four wickets on the opening day against Quetta. Murtaza Majeed (46), Saeed bin Nasir (45) and Akber Ur Rehman (49*), Abdul Jabbar (42*) were the main scorer for their team.

Peshawar cricketer Nauman found murdered

PESHAWAR: Nauman Habib, a regular first-class cricketer of Peshawar, was killed by unknown assailants in Hayatabad Township, police said on Tuesday.

Fast bowler Nauman, 32, was kidnapped from Hayatabad Township on Sunday afternoon. Police found his dead body wrapped in a sack on Monday morning.

A police official said that Nauman had been hit repeatedly with some blunt instrument as his body carried marks of torture.

Nauman, the eldest of three sons of late Fazle Habib, who was a secretary of the Peshawar Region Cricket Association, claimed seven wickets against Multan in the first-round match of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship at the Arbab Niaz Stadium last week.

Banker Ashraf appointed PCB chief in place of Butt Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/banker-ashraf-appointed-pcb-chief/1/154559.html

Ending days of speculation, President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday appointed noted banker Zaka Ashraf as chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board in place of Ijaz Butt.

In a notification issued late in the evening, Ashraf was named new chairman of the Board, replacing Butt who completed his three-year tenure on October 8.

Butt had returned from Dubai on Monday after attending the executive board meeting of the International Cricket Council.

Ashraf is known as an ardent cricket follower who as president of the Zarai Taraqyati Bank (ZTBL) regularised jobs of cricketers in his bank.

Pakistan bag kabaddi gold at South Asian Beach Games

KARACHI: Pakistan clinched the kabaddi gold medal after beating India 42-33 at the inaugural South Asian Beach Games in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Previously, Pakistan had defeated Sri Lanka, Nepal and India to finish at the top of the group and faced India in the final.

This was Pakistan’s first gold medal at the South Asian Beach Games where they are also participating in the handball, netball and bodybuilding events.

PCB chief in talks with ex Test cricketers

Lahore: The newly-appointed Chairman of the Pakistan cricket Board, Chaudhary Zaka Ashraf, on Wednesday held talks with some former Test cricketers ahead of assuming his duty later this week.
President Asif Ali Zardari, chief patron of the PCB, on Tuesday appointed Ashraf to the prestigious post replacing Ijaz Butt, who completed his three year tenure as Chairman last week.

"He apparently spoke to former Test batsman Basit Ali and some other players including former Pakistan spinner Masood Anwar in his first attempt to get a feel of new responsibility given to him by the President Asif Zardari," one of the sources told PTI.
Basit was among the cricketers who did not share a cordial relationship with former Chairman and was dropped from the national selection committee last year.
Ashraf, who heads a state owned bank (ZBTL), is close a friend of the President and it is learnt that the former gave his consent for the top job only after being forced by Zardari, the source revealed.
Ashraf is also a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) executive committee and is considered to be a very successful administrator.

Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf is new PCB chief, Butt shown the door

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed close friend Chaudhry Zaka Ashraf as the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replacing former Test cricketer Ijaz Butt. Like all his predecessors, Ashraf is quoted in the Pakistan media as saying that his priority is to give


the Pakistan cricket a face-lift.
Ashraf has been asked to take over the reins with immediate effect and Butt's request for a six-month extension was rejected.

Ashraf, 59, a member of the executive committee of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, told a private TV channel that he would work hard to live up to the confidence reposed in him by the President, who is also the patron of the PCB, and promised to work for resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan.

"People in both Pakistan and India love cricket so I will try to work for the resumption of ties between the two countries," Ashraf said.

ICC says DRS is not mandatory

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to do away with the mandatory use of the Umpires Decision Review System (DRS) and has gone back to the position existing before June, that is to leave it to the boards involved in a series.


Haroon Lorgat

Following Monday's ICC Executive Board meeting, chief executive Haroon Lorgat, said in a media release: "Although the DRS improves correct umpire decisions by around five per cent and corrects any blatant errors, some are not convinced by its reliability.