DHAKA, Apr 10: Though pitted against an opponent which is still trying to find its feet in the international arena, a new-look Indian team will not take the encounter against hosts Bangladesh lightly and aim at starting its campaign in the Triangular series on a winning note tomorrow.............more

Waqar, senior players
blamed for Pak’s
World Cup debacle

ISLAMABAD, Apr 10: The inquiry committee set up to probe Pakistan’s World Cup debacle today blamed skipper Waqar.........more

Decision on contracts
issue after working
committee meeting

KOLKATA, Apr 10: The contracts issue that has been a bone of contention between the International Cricket Council............more

Nehra roots for other
Indian sports

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: India’s ace seamer Ashish Nehra, who took a career best six for 23 against England in the recently.......more

Excelsior Correspondent

Khilanmarg, Apr 10: It was a rare confluence of entertainment and sports personalities.....more

IECS, NP Sports Meet
Amit, Ashumati
shine in Badminton

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: Amit Khajuria and Ashumati Pooja shone with double title wins in Badminton...more

J&K Champion Trophy Cricket
Four-wkt win
for Govind Club

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: Govind Cricket Club today defeated Kashyap Sports by four wickets in J&K....more

Association executives
ask Bali not to resign

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: Executive members of the Jammu and Kashmir.....more

Jayasuriya resigns as captain of Sri Lankan team.....

BCCI might use John Wright’s services at NCA.....

Ninth SAF Games cancelled.....

Young guns to come under scanner in Triseries opener

DHAKA, Apr 10: Though pitted against an opponent which is still trying to find its feet in the international arena, a new-look Indian team will not take the encounter against hosts Bangladesh lightly and aim at starting its campaign in the Triangular series on a winning note tomorrow.

Playing their first tournament after an impressive World Cup campaign where they finished runners up, India will rely heavily on the youngsters to deliver the goods as they seek to pick the winning momentum again in the day-night match at the Bangabandhu Stadium.

With many of the senior players, including batting mainstays Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid skipping the tournament due to injuries, the team’s first international engagement since the defeat to Australia in the World Cup final will be a test of character for the younger members who will now have to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility.

Although Bangladesh, who have not won a single limited overs international match since gaining test status, are not expected to pose much of a threat to the confident Indians, Sourav Ganguly and his men will be keen to start on a convincing note ahead of the tougher contest against South Africa, the third team in the fray in the Triseries which has lost much of its sheen with the absence of several top-notch performers.

"We want to win wherever we play and we have come here to win the title. Our mission is to win and for that the team is mentally and physically prepared," Ganguly said.

Though five members of the World Cup squad have opted out of the tour for various reasons, Ganguly believes that the team still has enough firepower to emerge triumphant at a venue which brings many happy memories for the Indian team.

"There are a few youngsters in the side. But I can tell you, they are all talented players and capable of playing good cricket. They have match-winning potential," the Indian skipper said.

Apart from Tendulkar and vice-captain Dravid who are carrying finger injuries, pace spearhead Javagal Srinath has also preferred to take rest while leg spinner Anil Kumble could not make the trip because of "personal reasons".

Young paceman Ashish Nehra opted out because of an injury which may require surgery. The focus will surely be on the young brigade — the likes of Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh — who are proven match winners but will now be expected to be more responsibility.

Sehwag, who has been appointed vice-captain, has already indicated his desire to play more responsibly after being elevated to the post.

The dashing opener was often guilty of throwing away his wicket after getting the starts during the World Cup and it will be interesting to see whether he will curb his natural attacking strokeplay in the early stages of his innings here. (PTI)

ISLAMABAD, Apr 10: The inquiry committee set up to probe Pakistan’s World Cup debacle today blamed skipper Waqar Younis as well as the other senior players in the team for the country’s first round exit from the mega event.

A report released by the three-member committee appointed by Pakistan Cricket Board also came down heavily on the star treatment meted out to speedster Shoaib Akhtar and the "commitment" of the "ageing" players in the side.

The committee, headed by retired army colonel and former cricketer Naushad Ali, said "some of our players could not keep up with the pressure of World Cup even though they were old and experienced enough".

Waqar, who was replaced by Rashid Latif soon after Pakistan’s World Cup campaign came to an end, got a "sympathetic" treatment from the committee but came in for a lot of flak for his inability to communicate with the other players in the side.

"Waqar is a seasoned campaigner who is straightforward but at times stubborn and struggled to communicate with some of the players resulting in frustration for himself and others," said the report whose release coincided with the new-look Pakistani team’s final match against Zimbabwe at Sharjah. "Waqar expected a high level of commitment from his players but unfortunately did not get the same, including from vice-captain Inzamam ul-Haq," the report said.

While the committee supported the decision to retain Waqar for the World Cup as he "deserved the job" and had a succes rate of 62 per cent, it was not happy with the fast bowler’s performance in the event.

"Waqar did not bowl at his best taking only seven wickets at an average of 25," it said while questioning Waqar’s decision to give the new ball to Shoaib "that might have lessened his own effectiveness".

PCB was also not spared for according star treatment to Shoaib. "One of the highlighted divisive factor was the special treatment accorded to Shoaib by appointing Dr Tauseef Razzaq to look after his special physical and psychological needs. This had caused predictable resentment among the team members, especially the seniors."

Although the team selected for the event was an experienced one, it was also an ageing squad, a crucial factor restraining it from delivering in big matches.

"The average age of the Pakistan cricket team was 28 and-a-half and included five world record holders in Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq and Saeed Anwar.... Pressure games require fresh and young legs," it said. (PTI)

Decision on contracts issue after working
committee meeting

KOLKATA, Apr 10: The contracts issue that has been a bone of contention between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could head for a solution once the new executive committee of the world cricket body comes into existence.

Talking to newsmen here Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya said, "no, the ICC has not made any damage claim to us nor have the IDI received any such claim, as far as my knowledge goes, from the sponsors. So the matter stands where it was before the World Cup."

Asked if the BCCI was planning to go for an arbitration, Mr Dalmiya said, "first let us see what the developments are and discuss the matter in the working committee meeting scheduled within the next two weeks, only then we can tell anything for sure."

BCCI was playing the waiting game, because the ICC general body meeting was scheduled within the next few months in London with a change of guards on the cards.

The new ICC executive committee would be headed in all probability by Pakistan Cricket Board president Eshan Mani, a known Dalmiya aide. This would certainly make it easier for BCCI to tackle the contracts issue.

The ICC has currently put on a hold BCCI’s due from the World Cup as a guarantee against any damage or compensation claim made by the sponsors.

"We are happy if we are given a clean chit and our money returned to us. We do not have any problem with anyone and are always willing to cooperate with ICC to solve the issue," Mr Dalmiya said. (UNI)

Nehra roots for other Indian sports

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: India’s ace seamer Ashish Nehra, who took a career best six for 23 against England in the recently concluded World Cup, today said other sports in India were bound to corner glory at the international level just as cricket was doing now.

"Earlier hockey was a popular sport and now it is cricket. Other sports in India are also looking up and a good performance from athletes at the international level is expected in the future," said Nehra, while inaugurating a Volleyball and Basketball Academy at the YMCA here.

"Cricket has got more impetus than other games, but performances in other sports by Indian athletes has been encouraging. Every game has its peak and lows."

Asked about the Volleyball matches the Indian team played during its stay in South Africa, the pacer remarked, "Volleyball was fun. It was a nice timepass."

The YMCA already runs a tennis and swimming academy and is coming up with a sports complex in Greater Noida, which will be completed within a year. A hockey academy is also on the anvil. (UNI)

Bollywood celebrities add colour to Gulmarg Ski Cup
We will again come to shoot in Kashmir: Yash Chopra

Excelsior Correspondent

Khilanmarg, Apr 10: It was a rare confluence of entertainment and sports personalities at this highland meadow, 5 kilometers trek from Gulmarg, the famous tourist resort.

The occasion was the concluding function of the 2nd Gulmarg Ski Cup organized by the J&K Tourism Department and the setting was perfect for the event. A vast ocean of white snow with sunshine generating sparkling reflection, enchanting slopes and 75 participants who had competed in various disciplines of the skiing since Tuesday and were preparing for the final show.

The distinguished audience comprised noted film producers, Yash Chopra, Ramesh Sippy, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Manmohan Shetty, Ashok Tahkaria and Ramesh Toorani, members of the Federation of Indian Commerce and Industry, prominent skiers of J&K and civil and army officers. A large number of media persons were present to cover the event.

Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Hassan Mir was the host. His Deputy, Ghulam Ahmad Mir was also present.

The Bollywood celebrities, who are here to explore revival of film shooting in Kashmir, lent colour to the occasion. Their presence at the venue was considered to be a good omen for the promotion of tourism here that requires the much-need boost in the wake of an overstretched lean period. The senior minister did not miss this point and welcomed the film personalities’ visit as a step forward in the direction of tourism development in the State. He held a detailed meeting with Yash Chopra and his colleagues last night at Gulmarg and said the interaction was fruitful. The visiting filmmakers have promised to come to Kashmir for shooting their movies, he said.

Referring to their visit of Kashmir, Mir said that Bollywood being a part of Kashmir tourism, the famous film personalities were invited here to see for themselves the environment and be convinced that it was very good for resuming shooting in Kashmir. He said after their visit they have felt the situation here was conducive for their professional activity. The visit, he said, was the first step in the direction and would be followed by more efforts to bring back the valley as the most favoured shooting location of the Bollywood. He said Kashmir offered natural beauty for moviemakers at a cheaper rate than the man made loveliness available to them at a much higher expenditure Switzerland.

Representing the sentiment of the Bollywood, Yash Chopra said the things in Kashmir have improved and they would like to come here for shooting their films. He said he has recently returned from Switzerland and being here today it gave him the feeling that this place was natural and more beautiful.

Taking a trip down the memory lane, Chopra, the maker of many blockbusters including ‘Dil to pagal hai’, said he had shot many films here. He said he came here for the first time as a tourist in 1958 but his first visit as a moviemaker was in 1964. He said he had always found Kashmir as an extremely beautiful place and would love to visit the valley again to shoot his films.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra said the situation had taken a positive turn since he filmed his last film, Mission Kashmir. He also expressed himself for Kashmir being an extremely good location for film shooting.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, welcomed the participants of the 2nd Gulmarg Ski Cup and the guests from Bollywood. He said the Government was making an all out effort to revive tourism in Kashmir and holding of winter games was a part of the ongoing process.

The Director Tourism, Kashmir, Sheikh Nisar Ahmad gave a resume of the activities of his department in promoting winter sports and said several ski competitions were held at Gulmarg this year. He said the participants for the 3-day 2nd Gulmarg Ski Cup came from University of Kashmir, High Altitude Warfare School, and Tourism Department besides individual skiers from the valley.

Later, the Minister for Tourism and Yash Chopra gave away the prizes to the winners of different disciplines of skiing.