|
|
| India-Pak likely
to resume cricket tie: Muthiah LAHORE, May 24: Bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan could be resumed soon, BCCI chief A C Muthiah has indicated............more Chauhan: Indian MUMBAI, May 24: With confidence gained from a spirited series win against Australia, a determined Indian team embarks on a 46-day tour of Zimbabwe early tomorrow, raring to break a 15-year jinx of not winning a test series on foreign soil........more Lanka says legal dispute COLOMBO, May 24: Legal battles that have left Sri Lanka’s Cricket Board in financial limbo will not affect tours by India and New Zealand this summer, a top sports official was quoted as saying today.........more Taylor hopes players stay Sydney, May 24: Former Australia captain Mark Taylor today said he hoped players would not spend ......more |
|
4th CRPF Inter-Bn Handball Tourney Hailstorm abandons final between 16 Bn, 50 Bn Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 24: Hailstorm spoiled the final of the 4th CRPF Inter-Bn Jammu.....more Inter-zonal
competitions Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 24: Vijaypur zone defeated Akhnoor zone to lift the winners trophy.......more Sher-e-Kashmir
Cup Cricket Tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 24: Brilliant half centuries by Raman and Shashi helped Kishen Chand....more Pak board chief impressed KARACHI, May 24: Pakistan’s cricket chief praised the work of the International.....more |
 |
|
|
India-Pak likely to resume cricket tie: Muthiah LAHORE, May 24: Bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan could be resumed soon, BCCI chief A C Muthiah has indicated. In an interview to Dawn newspaper, Muthiah who is here to attend the Asian Cricket Council meeting, said the improved relations were a signal that the two countries resume their cricket relationship suspended since Kargil war. India had allowed its national team to play against Pakistan in multination competitions. The ice would further melt and the bilateral matches could also be resumed with the passage of time between the two countries, he hoped. Muthiah, did not agree that the the cricketing ties between the two countries were strained. We are here to attend the ACC meeting. The Indian team will be playing a match in the asian test championship in Pakistan. So things are moving towards better relations, he said. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president agreed that resumption of cricketing ties between the neighbours will promote the game in the Asian region. Both countries are giants of the game in Asia and only their collective efforts can promote cricket in the continent, he said. He refused to comment on newly elected president of the Bihar Cricket Association(BCA) Laloo Prasad Yadav that he will hold a day-night match between Pakistan and India at Patna. The match can only be allowed as a part of any multination contest, he said adding that the BCCI has not received any request from the BCA in this regard. The BCCI president said that there was no fear of postponement of the Indian team tour to Sri Lanka due to a court’s order of the host country, preventing the newly appointed interim administration from operating the board’s bank accounts. The decision, was an internal affair of the Sri Lankans and would not affect the Indian tour in August, he said. Muthiah also refused to to comment on the match-fixing scandals saying I can’t speak on such issues. (UNI) |
|
Chauhan: Indian team to break the jinx of losing abroad MUMBAI, May 24: With confidence gained from a spirited series win against Australia, a determined Indian team embarks on a 46-day tour of Zimbabwe early tomorrow, raring to break a 15-year jinx of not winning a test series on foreign soil. The team management comprising coach John Wright, vice-captain Rahul Dravid - skipper Saurav Ganguly was to join the team later tonight - and manager Chetan Chauhan was confident about winning the two-test series against Zimbabwe and the following Triangular one-day Tournament with West Indies as the third team. "The boys are aware that India has not won a series abroad in past 15 years and they are brimming with confidence to break the jinx," Chauhan told reporters here today. He said the performance in the recent home series against Australia had given them "the much needed boost". Ganguly could not attend the joint press conference as he was held up in Kolkata due to "some personal reasons" and would join the team just before departure tonight, Chauhan said. Dravid said the important thing was a good performance by the team and the result would be taken care of. "It is important to concentrate on the basic processes without getting unduly excited over the result," he said. Wright echoed his views saying there was no winning formula and the team would have to work on getting its basics right. (PTI) |
|
Lanka says legal dispute will not affect tours COLOMBO, May 24: Legal battles that have left Sri Lanka’s Cricket Board in financial limbo will not affect tours by India and New Zealand this summer, a top sports official was quoted as saying today. The financial status of the cricket board was thrown into doubt earlier this week when a court issued an order preventing the newly appointed interim administration from operating the cricket board’s bank accounts. Lawyers said the order would remain in effect until the commercial High Court heard arguments from both sides in a case filed by Thilanga Sumathipala, president of the administration that was sacked in March. But the secretary of Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry, P. Ramanujan, said a loan from the Government may be used to meet the 25 million rupee (275,000 dollar) cost of the two tours if the dispute is not sorted out before the start of a triangular series in mid-July. "Cricket is the most important game in this country and we will make sure it will not be disrupted," Ramanujan was quoted as saying by the daily news. The triangular series begins on July 18, after which India will play three tests against Sri Lanka. The court ruling is the latest in a series of legal battles which, together with power struggles and corruption scandals, have hamstrung the administration of Sri Lanka’s richest sport for much of the past four years. Sumathipala’s administration was sacked after it lost a legal battle over plans to elect new officials at the end of March. Soon after dissolving the board, Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella stopped payment on several cheques issued at the eleventh hour by Sumathipala’s officials. The interim committee has appointed independent auditors to probe the board’s finances. (REUTERS) |
|
Taylor hopes players stay in touch with the public Sydney, May 24: Former Australia captain Mark Taylor today said he hoped players would not spend their time locked in hotel rooms because of the match-fixing scandals and would remain accessible to the public. The International Cricket Council (ICC) released an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) report yesterday that recommended security measures including controlled access for bookmakers to players and restricted use of mobile phones. Taylor said he did not want players to be removed from public contact as is the case in tennis. "Cricket has always been a game for the public," Taylor told Australian television. "I don’t want to see players locked up in hotel rooms, ushered straight onto buses or in limousines, taken away from the venue (and have) no mixing with the public. "And dare I say it — they become a bit more like tennis players". "You are never going to stop a bookmaker from approaching a player, whether it be in a practice session, in a team hotel or travel between events". "What you can do though is try and put something in place where the players feel they are not threatened by it, they are prepared to talk to someone about it and do something about it." Taylor said the ICC ACU report did not contain much new information. "It has words like murder, kidnapping and drugs and things which you don’t like to hear about the game of cricket," Taylor said. "(But) it was just the same stuff that I’ve probably heard for the past four or five years."(REUTERS) |
|
4th CRPF Inter-Bn
Handball Tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 24: Hailstorm spoiled the final of the 4th CRPF Inter-Bn Jammu (Ops) Sector Handball Tournament between 16 Bn and 50 Bn at the Group Centre, Bantalab grounds, here this evening. As soon as the chief guest, Mr Padman Singh (IPS), Inspector General of CRPF (Jammu Ops) reached the venue and referees blew the whistle to start the final, strong winds started disturbing the both players and the spectators. Within minutes, everything was disturbed, the chief guest and other visiting guests were forced to leave the pandal, only to take shelter in the office of the host 136 Bn Commandant, Mr A S Sidhu. However, at the time, the match was called off, 16 Bn was leading by four goals to nil. Now, the final will be replayed tomorrow at 6.30 am, informed the chairman, organising committee, Mr A S Sidhu. Other special invitees in today’s final were Mr R S Notyal, DIG, Administration, Jammu; Mr Kukeraja, DIG, Doda, besides K R Bangra, Commandant 79 Bn; Hawa Singh, Commandant 74 Bn; Khanna, Commandant 50 Bn. From host 136 Bn, S K Rathore, Deputy Commandant, Malkeet Singh, Deputy Commandant, Vinay Anand, Deputy Commandant, Pardeep Singh Kailey, Assistant Commandant and Balwan Singh, Assistant Commandant, besides Dr Jain, SMO, were present. Earlier, in the semi-finals, 50 Bn made an unexpected entry into the final beating the favourite 136 Bn in a nail biting finish, whileas 16 Bn trounced 39 Bn in the easy second semi-final. However, 136 Bn managed third position beating 39 Bn in the hard-liner. In the first semi-final played in the morning session, 136 Bn, which having the tough man like Bilal Ahmed (9 goals), was leading by two goals 9-7 at the end of the first half. But a good team work in the second half by 50 Bn managed a lead of one goal which they well maintained till the final hooter was sounded. The final score was 15-14 in favour of 50 Bn. Performance of P Kakoti was laudable, who netted highest six goals, while Balwan scored three. Gyan, Gulwender and Surat Singh added two goals each. From host and defending champion, 136 Bn, Bilal Ahmed made all out efforts for the final berth with his individual score of nine goals, but his team could not hold the 50 Bn attackers, who availed every opportunity came their way. Ravi Jastin and Dhananjay Dey contributed three and two goals respectively. In the second semi-final, 16 Bn did not face any difficulty in beating 39 Bn 12-1. Sonu Kumar and Vikram Singh netted three goals each, while Ashok and S B Boro contributed two each for 16 Bn. The semi-finals were also witnessed by the Commandant 136 Bn, Mr A S Sidhu, under whose overall supervision the competitions are being conducted by the Assistant Commandant, 136 Bn, Mr Pardeep Singh Kailey. |
|
Inter-zonal
competitions Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 24: Vijaypur zone defeated Akhnoor zone to lift the winners trophy in the under-17 girls Kabaddi in the ongoing Inter-zonal competitions of Jammu district being held at University of Jammu grounds, here. In the semi-finals, Akhnoor zone defeated Domana by 20 points, while Vijaypur zone overpowered Jourian zone by 31 points. Earlier, in the first quarter-final, Domana zone defeated Jammu zone 35-15. Meena Kumari and Shishu Kumari played a good game for Domana. In the the second quarter-final, Vijaypur overpowered R S Pura in a one-sided affair. Yashu Sharma, Babita, Anu and Bandana were the main attraction of the winners side. Jourian zone won against Miran Sahib by nine points to qualify for the semi-finals. From the winning side, Madu Kiran and Kamla Devi gave nice performance. In the fourth quarter-final, Akhnoor defeated Samba zone. In the under-14 girls Kho-Kho final, Jourian zone defeated Akhnoor zone by one point. Earlier, in semi-finals, Akhnoor zone beat Purmandal zone, while Khour zone beat Miran Sahib to reach the final. In the quarter-finals, Purmandal, Jourian, Akhnoor and Miran Sahib defeated Bishnah, Gandhi Nagar, Marh and Jammu to reach the semi-finals. In the under-14 age group of girls Kabaddi, Marh, Miran Sahib, Akhnoor and Jourian qualified for the semi-finals beating Vijaypur, Purmandal, Arnia and Bishnah respectively. Gandhi Nagar, Bhalwal, Domana and Jammu zones reached the last four stage in the under-17 girls Kho-Kho beating Marh, Nagrota, Miran Sahib and Jourian respectively. The annual Inter-zonal competitions of Jammu district in the different disciplines of Volleyball, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho in U-14 and U-17 group of boys and girls were declared open by Mrs Veena Bakshi, Divisional Youth Services and Sports Officer at the University of Jammu grounds, here yesterday. District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Mr S S Bali presided over the function. Other first round results Kabaddi U-14 girls: Akhnoor beat Bhalwal 39-18; Bishnah beat Domana 31-27; Jourian beat Jammu 41-32; Purmandal beat R S Pura 23-8; Marh beat Satwari 26-06; Miran Sahib beat Marh 35-05; R S Pura beat Nagrota 29-10. Kabaddi girls U-17: Akhnoor beat Bhalwal 32-24; Domana beat Bishnah 32-13; Jammu beat Gandhi Nagar 25-15; Jourian beat Khour 34-16; Miran Sahib beat Marh 33-05; R S Pura beat Nagrota 29-10. Kho-Kho girls U-14: Marh beat Khour; Purmandal beat Arnia by one inning and six points; Gandhi Nagar beat Domana; R S Pura beat Samba; Bishnah beat Satwari 8-0; Jourian beat Vijaypur 6-0; Miran Sahib beat Jammu 3-2. Kho-Kho girls U-17: Akhnoor beat Bishnah 4-3; Jammu beat Vijaypur 4-3; Miran Sahib beat Satwari 6-5; Domana beat Khour by one inning and seven points. |
|
Sher-e-Kashmir Cup
Cricket Tourney Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, May 24: Brilliant half centuries by Raman and Shashi helped Kishen Chand Cricket Club (KCCC) register a fine 96 runs victory over Muslim Cricket Club in the ongoing 2nd Sher-e-Kashmir Cup day-night Cricket Tournament being held at Green Field grounds, here. Batting first, KCCC set a target of 178 runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 20 overs. In reply, Muslim Club could not cross the hundred runs mark and the whole side was bowled out at 82. Raman and Rajat made good opening and the first wicket of Rajat (11) fell at 47. It was followed by a 76 runs second wicket partnership between Raman and Shashi, who scored 50 runs off 33 balls hitting one six and eight boundaries. Raman played slow but valuable inning of 53 runs off 52 balls. Dhruv and Bobby contributed 24 and 23 runs respectively. From Muslim Club, Rajneesh, Nikhil and Najeeb took one wicket each. Batting second, Muslim Club batsmen could not face the bowling wrath of Sameer and lost wickets at regular intervals and the whole side was bowled out for 82 runs in 17 overs. Nikhil was the top scorer with 13 runs. Sameer destroyed the Muslim Club innings. He took five wickets for seven in two overs, while Raman bagged two for 20 in 3.2 overs. |
|
Pak board chief impressed with Condon report KARACHI, May 24: Pakistan’s cricket chief praised the work of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) anti-corruption unit today, one day after its interim report into match-fixing was published. "I have no hesitation in describing Sir Paul Condon’s work as excellent. It is one of the most prestigious, valuable and well researched documents ever prepared on the sport," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqir Zia told Reuters from Lahore. "It is now mandatory for every board to assist condon to root out corruption from the sport. As far as we are concerned, we are prepared to extend full support to condon and his unit," he added. Condon is due to visit Pakistan from May 25-27 when he is expected to have meetings with the PCB and possibly former captain Salim Malik, who was banned from cricket for life last year following a probe into match-fixing in Pakistan. The report said a conspiracy of silence has surrounded corruption in world cricket and that match-fixing remained a problem. The report, sparked by the match-fixing scandal which erupted last year when former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje admitted taking money from bookmakers, did not name individuals. But it painted a disturbing picture of corruption and players under-performing to order as betting on cricket mushroomed during the 1980s and 1990s with the proliferation of televised one day internationals. Zia said the PCB had been following the recommendations of Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who conducted the inquiry into corruption in Pakistani cricket. "We are already following the suggestions which could help us keep the players away from such controversies. But we are more than willing to learn more from this report to further strengthen our system," Zia said. Zia reiterated his promise to conduct judicial investigations into allegations of match-fixing during the 1999 World Cup in England. "As far as the World Cup allegations are concerned, Pakistan is committed to carry out judicial investigations and a request has already been put up to the Government," he said. In the report, ICC anti-corruption chief paul Condon said there had been "persistent allegations" that the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Nottingham was rigged by bookmakers. Zia said he was delighted that Pakistan’s inquiry into match-fixing and betting had been praised in the report. "I don’t want to enter into the debate as to who should get the credit for condon’s investigations. I am more interested and proud that Pakistan’s efforts have been praised," he said. Pakistan, who had two inquiries into match-fixing allegations, banned Malik and fast bowler Ata-ur-Rehman last year and fined and censored Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza. "If I am provided with rock solid evidence that more of my players are involved in corruption, I promise they will be dealt with with an iron hand," Zia said.(REUTERS) |
|
| home | state | national | business | editorial | advertisement | sports |
