Daily Excelsior.........sports

Capriati battles into
canadian open
semi-finals

MONTREAL, Aug 17: American second seed Jennifer Capriati has booked her place in the Canadian Open semi-finals after storming back to beat ............more

Pak faces stiff challenge
in back-to-back matches

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: Pakistan faces a do-or-die situation in its back-to-back matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa with the ......more

CBFS plans to help
PCB make up
financial losses

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: The Cricket Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) has floated a proposal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to help make up .......more

Shoaib, Kaneria
likely to be recalled

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: The Pakistan cricket team may recall pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar and spinner Danesh Kaneria for the forthcoming one-day ......more

Players asked to sign
contract for Champions
Trophy only

NEW DELHI, Aug 17: In a desperate bid to ensure participation of its top cricketers in next month’s champions trophy in Sri Lanka, the Indian Cricket Board has asked the players to sign the contract for the upcoming............more

CBFS plans to help PCB
make up financial losses

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: The Cricket Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) has floated a proposal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to help make up financial losses suffered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) due to cancellation of home series because of security concerns...............more

CS XI beat ICC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 17: In the ongoing Talent Search Tournament, CS XI defeated ICC by 81 runs and entered final. Elected to bat first after winning the toss, CS XI scored 164 runs by losing seven wickets in 20 overs. Aditya Partap Singh made highest unbeatenable 60 runs by facing only 42 balls with the help of 10 hits to the fence......more

India’s tour match against Essex ends in a draw ....

Anand loses third game against Ponomariov ....

England under-19 trounce India by 185 runs, win series....

Lanka beat Pak by 39 runs in Morocco Cup....

Capriati battles into canadian open semi-finals

MONTREAL, Aug 17: American second seed Jennifer Capriati has booked her place in the Canadian Open semi-finals after storming back to beat fifth seeded Belgian Justine Henin 4-6 6-0 6-2.

Capriati, champion here in 1991, now awaits the winner of the quarter-final between former world number one Martina Hingis and third seed Jelena Dokic.

The 1.2 million dollar Canadian Open, a warm-up for the U S Open, is the first tournament Hingis has played in three months, having undergone left ankle surgery in may.

Earlier Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo made short work of Colombia’s Fabiola Zuluaga, winning 6-0 6-2 in just 50 minutes.

‘’I broke very early and that gave me a lot of confidence,’’ said Mauresmo who before this year had never gone beyond the third round of the tournament.

Mauresmo will now meet Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova who raised her career record against Austrian Barbara Schett to 3-0 with a comfortable 6-3 6-3 victory. (AGENCIES)

Pak faces stiff challenge in back-to-back matches

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: Pakistan faces a do-or-die situation in its back-to-back matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa with the unexpected change in the character of the pitch in the Morocco Cup creating problems of managing to field a wining combination.

Sri Lanka’s 93-run win over the Proteas on Thursday earning them a bonus point have cornered Waqar’s men, who now have to win both their second round matches to be played today and tomorrow to edge close to the Cup.

Pakistan played with five bowlers in their previous matches, but might now have to think in terms of strengthening their attack a bit more, admitted team coach Mudassar Nazar.

‘’So far this strategy has worked, but now with one of the pitches here taking a lot of turn and chances that the second pitch might also change its character, I definitely want to go in with six bowlers,’’ The News, quoting Nazar, reported today.

Pakistan faces Sri Lanka on pitch no. 2 where they had beaten the Lankan lions in the previous encounter. Tomorrow they play Shaun Pollock’s side on pitch no. 1, where the ball turned square in Thursday’s match.

‘’Saqlain Mushtaq will definitely play on Sunday as he is our only specialist spinner,’’ Nazar said. The off-spinner went for his worst-ever figures, conceding 80 runs in 10 overs in the opener against South Africa on Monday.

However, the dilemma facing Pakistan was how to drop an inform bowler like Muhammad Sami, Nazar added.

‘’I want him in the side. He has had an unfair deal so far. Whenever we’ve played him he has delivered. We don’t want to drop him for either of the two games,’’ the paper quoted Nazar as saying.

Sami was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers in Wednesday’s win over Sri Lanka. The Pakistan coach further admitted that in the given circumstances, one of the openers will have to be axed.

‘’We might have to drop Imran Nazir and push Shahid Afridi up the order. That way we can go in with Saqlain and also retain sami.’’

Pakistan could also consider the option of bringing in all-rounder Shoaib Malik for tomorrow’s game against the Proteas in place of one of the pacers and ask him to open the innings, he added.

Nazar admitted that the Lankans with the bonus point were a big headache for his team, but exuded confidence in his side saying that ‘’we’ve to win both games and that’s the attitude we are approaching both matches with.’’

Sri Lanka, with three spinners — Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya — are the title favourites given that one of the pitches is now very conducive to their style of bowling, the paper said.

The South Africans were also reportedly quite unhappy with the way the pitch played on Thursday.

Cricket Benefit Fund series chief Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the man behind organising the game in Sharjah and Morocco, was concerned about the two pitches holding together till the final on Wednesday.

He is said to have asked the ground staff to find ways to ensure that it does not become a case of the toss deciding the result of the match. (UNI)

CBFS plans to help PCB make up financial losses

CBFS chief Abdul Rahman Bukhatir has forwarded the proposal to cricket’s top governing body that the Sharjah-based body, set up in 1981, be allocated a Tri-nation Tournament for three successive years at a neutral venue and that all its proceedings should go to Pakistan, the news reported today.

"We want to help PCB in a way that it should recover huge financial losses it suffered due to cancellation of series at home and to generate money for its future events," the paper quoted Mr Bukhatir as saying. Explaining the proposal, he said it had been suggested that Pakistan, Australia and England may take part in the tournaments and the teams may not be asked for appearance money and all the proceeds should go to the PCB.

"Even we can explore the possibilities for motivating India in these tournaments and their participation will be an added advantage not only for fund generation but also for reviving ties between India and Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan has agreed to play at neutral venues because it wants to keep its cricket alive and keep its team in constant practice for its World Cup preparations, Mr Bukhatir added.

"Pakistan’s stance to play cricket anywhere is a bold decision and shows its commitment to the game," the CBFS chief said.

Mr Bukhatir said the proposed Tri-nation series could be played at Sharjah or Morocco at a time when the teams were available and even if the Pakistan team was not available it should go ahead with other teams, as its main objective was to financially help the PCB.

He said the proposal was forwarded both to the ICC and the PCB and ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed had agreed to examine the possibility of materialising this event.

Mr Bukhatir established the CBFS in 1981 with the main aim of honouring cricketers of the past and present generation from India and Pakistan, with benefit purses in recognition of their meritorious services to the game.

Subsequently over the years, the geographical boundaries of this concept were enlarged, and since then the benefits have also been extended to players from Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. (UNI)

Shoaib, Kaneria likely to be recalled

ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: The Pakistan cricket team may recall pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar and spinner Danesh Kaneria for the forthcoming one-day series in Kenya and next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, it was reported today.

The touring management of the Pakistan team will give its recommendations regarding the line-ups for the two series on Friday following which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will arrive at a decision, the news reported.

"Pakistan will have 15 players for the Triangular Series in Nairobi, but a 14-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy squad in Sri Lanka," team manager Yawar Saeed was quoted as saying.

Coach Mudassar Nazar indicated that they might ask the PCB to send leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for the two tournaments keeping in mind that the conditions in both countries would favour the spinners.

With "Rawalpindi Express" shoaib also available for selection, all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, reportedly struggling with a shoulder problem, and Misbah-ul-Haq maybe dropped from the current 15-member touring squad to accomodate Shoaib and Kaneria. A final decision on whether to include off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq in the team to Nairobi will also be decided at the PCB meeting, the paper added. (UNI)

Players asked to sign contract for Champions Trophy only

The Indian Board, which has found itself in a bind with top players reluctant to sign the contract which cuts down their commercial independence, has told the team that it would be in a position to discuss the issue at length with the International Cricket Council only after the Champions Trophy.

While taking note of the resentment generated by the controversial sponsorship policy, Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya had written a letter to the team saying that the situation could go beyond redemption if the players did not sign the contract now for the champions trophy, board sources said.

BCCI has told the players that should they sign the players’ terms form, it would inform ICC that the assurances and agreements are extended only for the champions trophy and it would take up the matter with the apex body by October 31.

BCCI has placed the argument that since it is bound by the contractual obligation to send its best team to Sri Lanka, it has very little breathing space now. All the affiliated boards have signed the agreement which lasts till 2007.

After initially rejecting BCCI’s request, the players have sought more time to reconsider their decision, the sources said.

Coach John Wright, who had kept himself in the background till now, has also come in the picture and told the players to think afresh on the issue which has threatened to jeaopardise the mega-event in Sri Lanka.

Wright reportedly told the players that BCCI had always stood by the team and they should keep this factor in mind when taking a final decision.

The players feel the ICC restrictions were "unfair and unreasonable" since some of the terms in the contract adversely affected their endorsement deals, the sources said.

The senior players were also unhappy that they were not consulted before BCCI finally signed the contract on May 28, last year.

The players were expected to have a discussion on this issue either today or tomorrow and a clear picture will emerge in the next couple of days.

Apart from Sachin Tendulkar who has been a major draw for the corporates, Captain Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag have been been the main casualties of ICC’s controversial sponsorship policy which bars the players from appearing in advertisement campaigns one month before and after an ICC tournament.

Although the deadline for signing the participating nations agreement for the Colombo meet has expired, cricketers from Australia, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa apart from India have not yet signed the contract but ICC expected the issue to be resolved by next week. (PTI)

CBFS plans to help PCB make up financial losses

Pakistan has agreed to play at neutral venues because it wants to keep its cricket alive and keep its team in constant practice for its World Cup preparations, Mr Bukhatir added.

"Pakistan’s stance to play cricket anywhere is a bold decision and shows its commitment to the game," the CBFS chief said.

He said the proposal was forwarded both to the ICC and the PCB and ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed had agreed to examine the possibility of materialising this event.

CS XI beat ICC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 17: In the ongoing Talent Search Tournament, CS XI defeated ICC by 81 runs and entered final.

Elected to bat first after winning the toss, CS XI scored 164 runs by losing seven wickets in 20 overs. Aditya Partap Singh made highest unbeatenable 60 runs by facing only 42 balls with the help of 10 hits to the fence.

Saifal Beig made 23 runs, Abhay Sachdev contributed 17 and Sumit Sharma made 12 runs.

For ICC, Sanidhaya and Lovepreet clinched two wickets each while Varun, Rohit and Sunil got one wicket each.

In reply, ICC scored 81 runs in 15.2 overs by losing all wickets and lost the match. Captain Varun Sharma played well and made highest 57 runs with the help of 12 hits to the fence.

For CS XI, Aditya Singh clinched four wickets while Safal Sharma and Anshuman got three wickets each.

In the final of the tournament, CS XI will take on RCC.

India’s tour match against Essex ends in a draw

CHELMSFORD (ENGLAND), Aug 17: The four-day match between the touring Indians and Essex ended in a tame draw here today.

Essex, set a near impossible target of 565 to win in 60 possible overs, were 186 for 3 when stumps were drawn on the final day with six overs still to be bowled.

The match was devoid of any interest as the indians making full use of their last opportunity of batting practice before the headingly test continued to bat on this morning, resuming at their overnight score of 231 for two and batted till lunch before declaring at 327 for six in their second innings.

India had gained a lead of 237 on the first innings after making 516 and restricting the hosts to 279 in their first innings.

In Essex’s second innings, opener Richard Clinton hit a half century and his 53 came off 104 balls hitting six fours before he was the second batsman out at 97, having been caught off part-time spinner Virender Sehwag.

Harbhajan Singh, who had a haul of seven wickets in the first innings, added one more scalp when he had James Middlebrook (24) caught at forward short leg.

Andy Flower, the Zimbabwean star, was unbeaten on 23 at tea but he didn’t come out to bat after, choosing to retire hurt instead.

Young Parthiv Patel induced a sense of interest in the situation when two chances off his off-spin bowling were dropped by wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra and first slip Ajit Agarkar.

Regular umpire David constant didn’t come out on the field because he was unwell and in his place third umpire George Flower took the field though it was the other umpire Paul Adams who had to supervise at both ends.

Virender Sehwag was at the forefront of Indians’ second innings, hitting 142 off 156 balls as he put on 209-run for the second wicket with Sanjay Bangar (74).

Indians were happy with the form of Das and Harbhajan who now seem set to play the third test at headingley, starting next Thursday.

Parthiv Patel who stole the show in the second test at Trent Bridge strengthened the impression with his immaculate wicketkeeping and he seems set to play another test at headingley.

Bangar too hasn’t done his chances any harm by bowling a regular line and contributing with bat in this match. (PTI)

Anand loses third game against Ponomariov

MAINZ (GERMANY), Aug 17: Viswanathan Anand suffered an early setback in the Mainz Chess Classics 2002 here when he lost the third game against 18-year-old World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine.

Having drawn the first two games, the 32-year-old Indian, a former world champion himself, is down 1-2 and would have to work really hard to make a comeback in the remaining five games of the contest.

For Anand the brighter side in the remaining games is the fact that he has three whites that might help him to crack Ponomariov’s defences and salvage his reputation as the world’s finest player in the rapid chess.

Ponomariov opened with the king pawn in the third game and, quite surprisingly, Anand opted for the sharp sicilian sveshnikov defence that is in vogue these days. The game progressed along established theoretical manoeuvres and Anand maintained a dynamic balance as the game entered the middle-game phase.

Ponomariov gained the upper hand after Anand went for a dubious strategic plan that allowed the Ukrainian’s knight to make a foray to the sixth rank, well aided by a central pawn.

By the 26th move itself, the players arrived at a queen and minor pieces endgame where Ponomariov’s superior deployment of forces enabled him to exert pressure against Anand’s weak queenside pawn.

In a desperate bid to wriggle out of this mess, Anand sacrificed a pawn on the kingside to open up the position but it only worked to Ponomariov’s advantage. Going for the kill, Ponomariov pocketed another pawn with excellent piece play and then caught Anand’s king in a mating net to romp home in 44 moves.

Earlier in the first game of the match, Anand was lucky to get a draw from a seemingly lost position. The players on this occasion fought out the duel in a caro kann defence game where Anand, playing black, went for castling on the queenside and had to defend for long as ponomariov, quite nonchalantly, launched an offence against the king.

Anand went for the exchange of pieces to ease the pressure but could not really match Ponomariov’s persistence for an attack. With a precisely worked out plan, Ponomariov ripped open Anand’s queenside and was cruising to a victory when suddenly an oversight caused him dearly on the 34th move.

Capitalising on the error, Anand steered the game to a draw in 39 moves.

In the second game, Anand had his chances with the white pieces but ponomariov yet again put up a spirited show to get the half point through repetition of moves. The opening was a sicilian Nazdorf wherein anand employed his pet English attack and maintained an extremely complicated middlegame structure right through.

Ponomariov on the other hand had his task cut out on the queenside and he got his fair share of counter play amidst a wave of attack against his king. The peace treaty was signed after 40 moves. (PTI)

England under-19 trounce India by 185 runs, win series

LONDON, Aug 17: England under-19 trounced India by 185 runs on the final day of the third test at Northampton yesterday to win the three-match series 1-0.

After gaining a vital first innings lead of 31 runs, England piled up 402 for five before declaring their second innings.

Bilal Shafayat, on 193 overnight, completed his double century on the final day before the home side declared to set India a victory target of 434.

Shafayat remained unbeaten on 201. For India Irfan Pathan was the most successful bowler claiming three for 77.

India began their chase on a disastrous note as the top-order failed to notch up decent scores.

Only tail-enders Vivek Yadav (unbeaten 49) and Udit Patel (46) offered some resistance to a menacing English bowling attack as the tourists were bundled out for 248 in 78.2 overs eventually.

Mcmahon captured 4 wickets for 58 runs while Bresnan bagged 3 for 40.

The first two tests in the series had ended in draws.

Brief scores:

England under-19 341 and 402 for 5 declared (B M Shafayat 201 not out, Kadeer Ali 111; Pathan 3/77).

India under-19 310 and 248 (V Yadav 49 not out, U B Patel 46, M S Bisla 27, Y Gnaneswara Rao 27; McMahon 4/58, Bresnan 3/40). (PTI)

Lanka beat Pak by 39 runs in Morocco Cup

TANGIERS, MOROCCO, Aug 17: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 39 runs in their Morocco Cup triangular tournament match at the Tangiers Cricket Stadium today.

Scores: Sri Lanka innings 242 all out in 49.5 overs. Pakistan 203 all out in 43.4 overs. (AGENCIES)