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

Bindra to write to BCCI to review its
stand on banned players

MOHALI, Oct 25: Amidst growing calls to revoke the life ban on Mohammed Azharuddin, Punjab Cricket Association president I S Bindra will soon write a letter to BCCI asking it to review its stand on players who were banned during the match-fixing scandal.

Bindra, a powerful voice in the current Indian Board, said due to the "double standards" existing in the cricketing world, players of other countries who were caught in the match fixing row have got scot free and are also playing the game.

"Azharuddin has not made an admission but people who have admitted taking money, it is being said they should be allowed to play in Champions Trophy. You cannot have double standards," Bindra told reporters here.

"I will certainly write to the board in context of the fact that a lot of injustice has been done to a number of players. We were ruthless in taking action against them."

Although Bindra accepted that their bans could not be revoked as a fresh legislation, if made, can only apply prospectively and not retrospectively, he said it was important for the board to realise that it had acted ruthlessly in handing out punishment to the players.

"The whole controversy was raked by me, it was I who filed a complaint with CBI. But in retrospect I feel we were the only only board to take a stringent action. Other boards just swept it away under the carpet," the Punjab Cricket Association chief told reporters here.

The ICC and BCCI have been involved in a war of words recently over the latter’s invitation to the former Indian skipper, banned for life for alleged match-fixing, to attend a function in Mumbai on November 4.

ICC CEO Malcolm Speed has been reported as saying that he would not like to share the same dias with Azhar and would rethink about attending BCCI’s function while the Indian Board has issued an official statement decrying what it believes is ICC’s hypocritical approach to the whole issue.

"Somebody has been isolated from the game for 5 years. The ban on his (Azhar) cricketing activity continues but we cannot stop recognising him as an ex-India captain," Bindra said.

BCCI Joint Secretary M P Pandove was prompt in replying that the Board would consider Bindra’s letter "as and when it comes up".

Bindra also dismissed reports that Azhar had written to the Board asking it to revoke his ban.

"How can he write to the board when the matter is sub-judice. He is fighting his case in Hyderabad court, the Board is also party to that."

The former BCCI chief denied that any circulation in this regard had been received from ICC relating to review of the ban.

"We have not received any circulation. Anyway, no executive instruction or legislation can be applied retrospectively."

Azharuddin played in 99 tests and 334 ODIs before his career came to a halt after the match-fixing scandal in 2000. (PTI)

Shoaib, Asif may be innocent: PCB Tribunal member

LAHORE, Oct 25: Member of the three-man PCB tribunal probing into the doping scandal, Dr Waqar Ahmed once again gave a benefit of doubt to the tainted pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif and reiterated that the bowlers may have consumed nandrolone unwittingly.

In an interview to Voice of America (VOA), Dr Ahmed explained that the two bowlers could have consumed the banned substance in the form of health supplements unknowingly.

Shoaib and Asif tested positive for banned nandrolone in dope tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and had to be pulled out of the ongoing Champions Trophy in India.

Dr Waqar had earlier said the PCB tribunal could pardon Shoaib and Asif if both proved that they took the banned substance by accident.

"In accidental use, I would like to talk about charas (cannabis) if we are sitting in a closed room and some one is smoking charas, the person sitting next to the smoker may inhale some amount of substance that may result positive in the urine sample," Dr Waqar said.

When told that Shoaib and Asif had tested positive for nandrolone and not charas, Dr Waqar said, "but there are many supplements used by athletes all over the world to restore energy and some times these supplements carry banned substances that athletes don’t know about. Moreover, this substance is also produced within the bodies itself, so the PCB tribunal has to be convinced if shoaib and Asif used the drugs by accident to forgive them."

However the Clause 3.1.1 of the anti-doping code of the icc, that the PCB is a signatory to, suggests other wise.

It says the onus lays with the cricketer to ensure that no banned substance goes into his body. (UNI)

We have plans for dismissing key
Windies batsmen: Dravid

AHMEDABAD, Oct 25: Indian skipper Rahul Dravid today sought to rattle the in-form West Indies ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy tie by declaring that his team had chalked out a plan to dismiss their key players cheaply.

Regrouping after a Diwali break during which they celebrated the festival with their families, Dravid said the players were focussed and raring to go into the crunch game.

"In the past we have seen that they (West Indies) rely heavily on two-three players. If we can get these key players out, as we had done in Malaysia, then they will come under pressure. And that’s what we aim to do," Dravid told a pre-match press conference.

David said his team was confident of winning the game and progressing to the semi-final stage.

"We are happy with the way we practised for the last four days. We are now totally focussed on the game".

On the rival team’s assertion that it would be at an advantage following the recent good showing over India, the 33-year-old Indian captain said, "we are not conerned at what happened in the past. That’s irrelevant. It’s a new game. We only have to focus on playing good cricket."

However, he praised the performance of the Caribbeans over the past few months.

"They are going through a period of very good cricket. The key players are in form. They have struck a good balance. But we are also not far behind".

Dravid gave an evasive answer when asked if there could be some changes in the team from the one which turned out against England.

"We will look at the conditions. We will discuss a few things. There could be changes. But then we may also stick to the same condition. But if we believe the conditions warrant a change, we will do so."

"The effort is to try and pick your best and balanced combination", he said.

The Indian captain said that the dew would be a factor in tomorrow’s game but he was not sure if it could decide the outcome.

"You have to look at strategies and conditions to counter it," he said.

On the group being still wide open with Australia, West Indies and India on two points each, he said, "this is probably reflective of the fact that there are no real favourites now in the game. Each of the eight teams are capable of winning it. And the same is true for the coming World Cup".

Dravid refused to buy the theory that inconsistency was India’s biggest nemesis in the recent past.

"We are not the only team that goes through ups and downs. Australia is the only team that had maintained a high level of consistency in the last decade or so. But yes, may be we can do with some more consistency," he said.

On a positive note, Dravid felt that his team had now left the worst behind it.

"We were in tough times only months back. We struggled in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe. And then in October, we upturned the number two team in the world. Hopefully now we will bounce back".

Dravid said that his team was working on some of the weak aspects in their game like the inability to build enough good partnerships.

Dravid advised the youngsters in the team to enjoy the game.

"They have the oportunity to take part in a tournament close to the World Cup. And they should relax and enjoy".

But he also said that the rookies should learn how to gel with varying condititions. "Only those who can tune themselves to different conditions survive". (PTI)

Sumesh to take on Nikhil in Jr Billiards final

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 25: Sumesh Turki will take on Nikhil Kapahi in the final of the Junior Billiards in the 16th Jammu District Open Billiards and Snooker Championship at Billiards Hall of MA Stadium, here.

In the first semi-final, Sumesh Turki defeated Vidit Gawri by 278-254. There was a tough competition between them as they never left any opportunity to add points in their kitty.

But Vidit missed some opportunities thereby lagging behind in securing points.

In the second semi-final, Nikhil Kapahi defeated Ishan Chowdhary by 403-373 points. It was also a well-contested match.

Now, in the final Sumesh Turki will lock horns with Nikhil Kapahi for the Junior Billiards title.

Earlier, Ishan Chowdhary defeated Abhishak Pathania by 224-200 and Nikhil Kapahi beat Aditya Mahajan by 236-144.

According to the organisors, Senior Snooker matches will start from tomorrow.

State Men Kabaddi team leaves for All India Championship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 25: State Men Kabaddi team today left for All India ‘A’ Grade Kabaddi Championship which is going to be held from October 27 to October 31, 2006 at Raigad (Mumbai).

The Kabaddi Championship is being hosted by Maharashtra State Kabaddi Association for Men and Women. International Kabaddi coach Bhupinder Singh Tirthi is accompanying the State team.

According to general secretary of J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association, the organisors have announced cash prize for the teams. First prize is of Rs 1,11,111, second prize Rs 77,777 and third prize Rs 44,444. Man of the Day (4 days) will get Rs 1000.

Best Raider will get Rs 5000, Best Catcher Rs 5000, Best Player of the Tournament to get motorcycle. The league match winner to get Rs 2000 for each match and loser will get Rs 1000 for each match.

The players of State team are Sandeep Kumar, Narinder, Sandeep, Naveen, Jhamir Singh, Sonu, Ankush Gupta, Amit, Aman Sharma, Sunil Dutt, Amarpal Singh and Narinder Narvay.

Kiwis in semis, Fleming lead side to thrilling
51-run win over Pak

MOHALI, Oct 25: Skipper Stephen Fleming celebrated his world record landmark of being the most capped ODI captain as New Zealand upstaged Pakistan by 51 runs with 3.3 overs to spare to move into the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy here today.

The Kiwis thus completed their Group B league assignments with two wins and a defeat to sail into the last four stage.

Younis Khan’s gamble to field first misfired as Pakistan top and lower half failed against none-too-hostile bowling of the Kiwis.

New Zealand, earlier asked to bat, piled up an imposing 274 in 50 overs with Fleming hitting 80 and Scott Styris contributing 86.

The 33-year-old Fleming then turned out to be a shrewd tactician as he shuffled his bowlers and made excellent field placing to get Pakistan all out for 223 in 46.3 overs.

This was the second time that the teams were playing each other on this ground and both times the Kiwis emerged winners. Last time, in 1997, they had beaten Pakistan by 22 runs in the Independence Cup.

Though the Kiwis set up a formidable target, Mohd Yousuf and Shoaib Malik raised the vision of Pakistan’s spectacular victory but once Shane Bond consumed Yousuf and Daniel Vettori scalped Shoaib Malik, rest of the batsmen just could not cope with the daunting challenge of score 11 runs per over in the last six overs.

Chasing 275 for victory, Pakistan started on blazing note with Mohd Hafeez and Imran Farhat putting up 22 runs off 24 balls before Shane Bond sent Farhat back to pavilion.

Skipper Younis Khan, who had boasted of thriving under pressure, today failed under pressure and scored only two runs before going back. He was snapped at point by Lou Vincent to give Kyle Mills his first wicket and Pakistan were 45 for two in 8.4 overs, two more wickets fell quickly as Hafeez (43,6x4,46balls) and Shahid Afridi (4, off 6 balls) left with team total reading 83 for four off 16.1 overs.

But Mohd Yousuf and Shoaib Malik put up a heroic stand. The two paced their innings superbly, seeing off dangerous Jacom Oram and tackling the wily spin of Vettori with good footwork before opening up.

The two batted with supreme confidence, belting the bowlers all over the ground. The bowlers found it increasingly difficult to grip the slippery ball. And it looked as the dew will have the last laugh in favour of the Pakistanis.

But suddenly Yousuf lost his cool when there was no need and went to blast bond only to be caught by Fleming in the covers and the dangerous 97-run fifth wicket partnership came to an abrupt end. Yousuf, who was at the crease for 124 minutes hit nine fours while facing 92 balls. Malik then waged a lone battle but the charged up Kiwis mounted pressure on other batmen who could not display the nerves and succumbed to the pressure.

Realising that he had to use the long handle to accelerate the run rate, Malik went after the bowlers and paid the price as he was caught by Nathan Astle off Vettori and it was all over bar the shouting for the Pakistanis.

Malik scored 52 (4x4, 70 balls) and when he departed, the score read 202 and the remaing four batsmen lasted only 3.3 overs adding 21 runs.

Bond took three for 45 off 10 overs while Jacom Oram and Kyle Mills scalped two wickets each.

Fleming, leading his side for the record 194 time, also became the most successful captain-batsman in the history of the game as he eclipsed former Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga’s record of 5,606 runs.

Before this match, Fleming had scored 5531 but his 80-run knock took his one day total to 5611. Playing in his 256th ODI, Fleming justified his captaincy record with a remarkable innings which came at a time when his team needed it most.

This was New Zealand’s 500 odi and Fleming and Styris rose to the occasion to make it memorable, scoring 80 and 83 respectively and also being involved in a 106-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The dew factor was the main reason for Younis Khan to opt to bowl after winning the toss and his bowlers kept the Kiwi batsmen under leash till the 40th over but in the slog overs the Pakistani bowling disintegrated as they conceded 99 runs in 10 overs taking three wickets.

Earlier, seamers Rana Naved and Umar Gul gave Pakistan early breakthrough scalping two wickets in quick succession to reduce the Kiwis to 23 for two in just seven overs. Twenty two-year-old Gul drew the first blood for his side when he clean bowled Lou Vincent (2) of his second ball. Rana naved then sent Nathan Astle (15) back to pavilion when he had the batsman caught in the slip by Younis Khan.

The Pakistan seamers continued to trouble the Kiwi batsmen but fleming displayed tremendous concentration to keep the scoreboard moving. He put up a 37-runs with Peter Fulton (7) for the third wicket before Rao Ifthkhar trapped Fulton leg before. At that stage, the Kiwis were reeling at 60 for three in 14.1 over.

Then came the Kiwi fightback as the skipper was joined by 31-year-old Scott Styris.

The two started cautiously and took time to settle down. Run rate did slow down considerably but once they got themselves entrenched, the scoreboard started moving fast.

The Kiwi start was slow indeed. The first 10 overs of power play saw 43 runs on the scoreboard, next one yielded only 19 and in the third and last five overs of power play only 15 runs were scored.

As Fleming and Stryis started building their innings, they were also helped by Lady Lluck and survived a scare when the score was 94 for three. Styris, who was on 16, flicked Abdul Razzaq towards suare leg and charged out for a run. The ball was stopped by a diving Imran Farhat who threw it back to wicket keeper Kamran Akmal.

Akmal needed to remove the bail but to the surprise of all he tried to wreck the stumps with a big throw only to see it missing the target. It was the easiest possible run out chance which he missed and after that there was no looking back for Styris.

Fleming and Styris put on 108 runs for the fourth wicket in 23 overs and when the partnership looked assuming dangerous propositions spinner Shoaib Malik broke it.

Fleming, who looked all set for his hundred, played a casual shot and Malik took a fine diving return catch.

The skipper’s knock 0f 80 came off 105 ball and was studded with one six and eight boundaries. At that stage, the score was 168 for four off 37.1 overs.

But Styris was there and he rose to the occasion. He got good support from other lower order batsmen and the Kiwis went on rampage in the slog overs as Pakistani bowling suddenly disintegrated. Styris went after the bowling and he was followed by other batsmen as the Pakistanis were sent on a leather hunt.

Jacom Oram (31,1x6,4x4, 26 balls) and Brendan McCullum (27,1x6,3x4,13 balls) added to the woes of Pakistanis. (UNI)

SCORECARD:

New Zealand

Vincent b Gul 3

Fleming c & b Malik 80

Astle c Younis b Hasan 15

Peter Fulton lbw b Anjum 7

Styris c Anjum b Gul 86

Oramc Gul b Razzaq 31

McCullum c Malikb Razzaq 27

James Franklin not out 9

Daniel Vettori not out 0

Extras(lb-8, nb-1, w-7) 16

Total (for seven wickets in 50 overs) 274

Fall of wickets: 1/3 2/23 3/60 4/168 5/220 6/254 7/270

Bowling:Naved-ul-Hasan 8-0-44-1, Umar Gul 9-1-47-2, Iftihkar Anjum 8-2-41-1, Abdul Razzaq 10-1-60-2, Shahid Afridi 10-0-49-0, Shoaib Malik 5-0-25-1, Pakistan:

Hafeez c McCullum b Oram 43

Farhat c Mills b Bond 6

Khan c Vincent b Mills 2

Yousuf c Fleming b Bond 71

Afridi c Bond b Oram 4

Malik c Astle b Vettori 52

Razzaq c Franklin b Bond 6

Akmal c Fleming b Mills 16

Hasan c McCullum b Franklin 1

Umar Gul run out 8

Iftikhar Anjum not out 0

Extras(lb-5, nb-4, w-5) 14

Total (all out in 46.3 overs) 223

Fall of wickets: 1/22 2/45 3/65 4/83 5/177 6/195 7/202 8/205 9/223

Bowling: Kyle Mills 7.3-1-38-2, Shane Bond 10-0-45-3, James Franklin 9-0-47-1, Jacob Oram 8-1-25-2, Daniel Vettori 10-0-52-1, Nathan Astle 2-0-11-0 (UNI)

Morale of Windies sky-high

By Chris Gayle

After a 10-run win over Australia, the morale of the West Indies team is really sky-high. In fact, we have beaten them twice in last four occasions and it proves to show that the world champions are certainly beatable if you are equally aggressive on the field. It is easier said than done but that is only way to tackle them.

At least now, we are psychologically in a better state and, most importantly, we are confident to face any kind of test. Ideally speaking, this is the time when we have to persist with the hard work and be counted on the field. Knowing fully well that the match against India will not be an easy one, we have prepared a game plan and the job of each player will be to stick to it.

In the qualifying stages, we played badly against the Sri Lankans but, thereafter, it was a perfect turnaround. Since most of the matches have been low scoring, our plan will to put a fighting total against the Indian bowlers this time. For the hosts, Harbhajan Singh is a key bowler and it will be a great challenge to score off him.

Side-by-side the Indian medium-pace attack has been quite impressive in recent days. So, everything put together, we expect the match to be a good contest between the ball and the bat. Our only advantage is the way we have played against them in the recent days.

Starting from the home series to the KL tri-series, we have done reasonable well. Another plus we have in our team is the form of skipper Brian Lara. He is certainly the man for the big moment and nothing can be bigger than playing the Indians in his own backyard.

They know their conditions well and that serves as an advantage for them. But we are not worried. A couple of batsmen are in good form and they have the uncanny capabilities to come up with -winning partnerships. Even our bowlers are capable of finishing a match. And as far as my batting is concerned, I would certainly like to score a big one. What I know for sure is that the stadium will be houseful and it will be a great event if the spectators are entertained with some big shots.