Akhtar
ban continues but free to play in IPL
KARACHI, Apr 30: Controversial
speedster Shoaib Akhtar’s
international career virtually came to an
end with an appellate tribunal today
upholding the five-year ban imposed on
him but allowed him to play in the
cash-rich Indian Premier League.
The
appellate tribunal, in its interim
ruling, said Akhtar could not play any
match in or for Pakistan but gave him the
liberty to play anywhere else in the
world.
Justice
(retd) Aftab Farrukh, heading the
appellate tribunal, said the ban stayed
because Shoaib did not try to reform
himself.
"Basically
he has not tried to reform himself and
has continued to violate discipline. That
is the view of the tribunal so the ban
stays," told reporters in Lahore.
"This
is also the order of the disciplinary
committee of the board that he can’t
play for or anywhere in Pakistan
domestically or internationally. But
there is no bar on him playing anywhere
else in the world," Farrukh added.
Farrukh
said the tribunal had taken this decision
in view of the unconditional apology
submitted by Shoaib on Monday to the
nation, his team and the board for his
actions and deeds.
Farrukh
said the tribunal would resume
proceedings against the overall ban in
June.
Akhtar had
appealed against the five-year ban
imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket
Board for breaching players code of
conduct by criticising the board in media
when he was already in the probation
period.
The
interim order basically appears to be a
move to allow Shoaib to play in the
Indian Premier League.
But the
million dollar question is that whether
the IPL will allow Shoaib to play in
their league because earlier also their
stance was clear that they wouldn’t
allow a banned player to play in their
league. And the tribunal has not lifted
the ban.
Farrukh
also criticised Shoaib for the
irreparable harm he had done to Pakistan
cricket, his teammates and the trust of
the nation. (PTI)
India
aims fourth straight Asia Cup
DUBAI, Apr 30: The Indian
women’s cricket team will attempt to
win the Asia Cup for an unprecedented
fourth time with skipper Mithali Raj and
pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami also aiming
for individual milestones in the
tournament starting May 2 in Sri Lanka.
The
tournament — also featuring Sri
Lanka, Pakistan and debutants Bangladesh
— will be played till May 11 and
India will take on Bangladesh in their
lung-opener.
Skipper
Mithali Raj is hoping to put up some good
batting displays which will help her rise
in the all-time leading ODI
run-scorers’ list.
Mithali
currently lies seventh with 2,776 runs
with England’s Claire Taylor (2,995)
and New Zealand’s Emily Drumm
(2,844) above her in fifth and sixth
places respectively.
Australia
‘s Belinda Clark with 4,844 runs is
the all-time leading run-scorer.
Meanwhile,
Jhulan, who won the women’s player
of the year at the ICC awards last year,
is set to become the second Indian after
Neetu David and fourth overall in the
history of the game to take 100 ODI
wickets.
The
24-year-old sits on 96 wickets from 79
ODIs.
The
tournament will be played on a
double-league format with the top two
teams qualifying for the final. (PTI)
Warne
prepared to tackle Knight Riders
JAIPUR, Apr 30: Elated and
confident with three straight wins in the
Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals
captain and coach Shane Warne said his
team was prepared to tackle the wounded
Kolkata Knight Riders as they would try
to bounce back in their encounter here
tomorrow.
"Some
people had branded us underdogs but we
had self belief, we worked out some plans
and executed them. We had prepared hard
but despite that we lost our first match
but thereafter we have won next three. I
believe our success came because we were
able work out strategy," Warne said.
"The
Kolkata Kight Riders will land in the
evening and must be tired and weary after
long journey and defeat last night. Now
they will have to play in scorching heat
tomorrow as the match starts at 4.00 pm.
We are prepared and expect that they will
try to bounce back," he said after a
strenuous practice session.
Warne said
with overseas players from some teams
flying back home, they would have to plan
new strategies.
"It
would also mean that we will have to work
out new strategies. The surprise element
plays a big role in this form of cricket.
We did apply this strategy by asking
Yousuf Pathan and Dinesh Salonkhe to
bowl. The other teams have started
copying our strategy but with new players
coming in we too will have to think over
again. They can be dangerous too. We will
have basics covered and work out
plans," he said.
Rajasthan
Royals will not lose any overseas player,
they have gained in form of all rounder
Dimitri Mascarenhas of England, but Warne
said his inclusion in playing XI, would
depend upon the conditions and balance of
the team.
"I am
happy that Mascarenhas is here. His
inclusion in the eleven would depend on
the composition of the team. We have
skillful squad. According to the
situation we have had decided either to
chase or to bat first. We know the
conditions better here.
"We
assign definite roles for every player. I
am glad that presence of Mascarenhas has
added more options because he can throw
his bat around and bowl good too. Players
like Sohail Tanveer, Kamran Akmal, and
Graeme Smith can used in best way,"
said Warne.
Warne
denied that Rajasthan Royals’
turn-around from underdogs to
frontrunners had put him under pressure.
"We
were wrongly labeled as weaker side. We
have to play 14 games. We are continuing
with our hard work and taking this game
too in the same manner as we took the
first game. Strategies work sometimes and
sometimes they don’t," he said.
About
spinners in India, Warne said there were
few good ones in Piyush Chawla, Dinesh
Salonkhe and Ravindra Jadeja. (PTI)
Deshbandhu
clinches Carrom title
Excelsior Sports
Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Prof Deshbandhu,
Controller Examination got the better of
Prof PVKS Bawa in the final to clinch
carrom title in men section today in the
ongoing Teachers/Officers tournament
being played at Jammu University.
In mixed
doubles final (badminton), the duo of
Mahim Jatinder/Vijyata Jamwal prevailed
over Vivek Slathia / Saranpreet Broca by
2-0 to emerged winners.
In table
tennis (men), Akash subdued Dr Brij
Beloria to clinch the title.
In the
women section, Madhumika Bhagat of Bio
Technology Department proved her
supremacy by winning table tennis and
badminton titles.
In
badminton, Madhumika had the last laugh
against Dr Arti Bakshi while in table
tennis, she ovewhelmed Vijyata Jamwal by
2-0 with consummate ease.
In carrom,
Seema Gandotra beat Dr Arti Bakshi.
The
tournament was conducted by Department of
Physical Education and the matches were
officiated by Rajesh Vaid under the
supervision of Romesh Sharma.
SAI
selection trials conclude
Excelsior Sports
Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: The selection
trials for U/14 to U/19 age group
conducted by the Sports Authority of
India (SAI) in collaboration with the
Department of Youth Services and Sports
in the disciplines of football,
basketball and volleyball were concluded
today.
Football
and basketball trials were held at Jammu
University while the volleyball trials
were conducted at Government Middle
School, Pallanwala (Akhnoor).
Bhupinder
Singh Tirthi, Incharge Assistant
Director, SAI centre, Udhampur said in
football, total 20 players were selected
out of 80 whereas in basketball, 22
players including 12 boys and 10 girls
were selected.
He further
said total 40 spikers were turned out for
trials in volleyball out of which 25 were
shortlisted.
Volleyball
already has an existing strength of 17.
The focus would now move to Poonch where
the selection trials for hockey
commencing tomorrow at Sports Stadium.
Ashok
Kumar, Assistant Director, Department of
Youth Services and Sports officiated as
the observer during the trials which were
held under the ongoing day boarding
scheme of SAI.
Model
Academy organises annual
prize
distribution function
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Model Academy
organised its annual prize distribution
function in school premises today.
Dr Arun K
Gupta, Director, MIER was the chief guest
on the occasion while Renu Gupta, Joint
Director, MIER was the guest of honour.
The chief
guest gave away awards to the meritorious
students who secured positions in annual
examinations during 2007-08 session.
The
faculty members were also honoured on the
occasion.
Dr Adit
Gupta, Joint Director and Principal,
Model Academy delivered the welcome
address.
He
disclosed that the students in the 8th
class DIET examination have bagged 6
positions in Jammu district. He also
threw light on the new developments
taking place in the school like computer
lab, language lab, French classes, SMS
services for parents and technology
supported classes etc.
Dr Arun K
Gupta in his address said Model Academy
is the only school in Jammu which has
been certified according to ISO 9001-200
standards for the last 4 years.
The
students also presented a colourful
programme.
Prominent
among others who were present on the
occasion included Prof S Sapru,
Registrar, Rupa Gupta, Principal (PR
Wing), Surinder Kour Co-MR and Usha
Gadoo, Vice-Principal.
The
programme was compared by Aditi Sawhney
while Rupa Gupta presented the vote of
thanks.
KV
Nagrota celebrates Annual Day
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Kendriya
Vidyalaya (KV) Nagrota today celebrated
its 29th Annual Day at Usman Auditorium.
Major General Sheonan Singh, Cos HQ 16
Corps Nagrota was the chief guest -on the
occasion.
The
students of primary and secondary classes
staged colourful programmes.
VPS
Raghav, Principal, KV Nagrota highlighted
the achievements brought by the students
and staff.
The chief
guest gave away prizes to the students.
Brig S K Sareen, Chairman, SC Khajuria,
officiating Assistant Commissioner, KVS
(RO) and B D Sharma were also presented
on this occasion.
B Pandita,
presented the vote of thanks.
KV
Bantalab celebrates Annual Day
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 30: Kendriya Vidyalaya
(KV) Bantalab celebrated its Annual Day
at Zorawar Singh Auditorium today.
Addl DIGP
CRPF and Chairman KV Bantalab was the
chief guest on the occasion while B D
Sharma was the guest of honour.
S C
Khajuria, Assistant Commissioner, KVS
(JR) presided over the function which
began with the traditional lighting of
lamp amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras.
The
students of the school performed
colourful cultural programmes.
Usha
Shamindra, Principal, KV Bantalab
delivered the welcome address and also
presented a brief appraisal of the
achievements made by the Vidyalaya.
Later, the
chief guest distributed prizes to the
meritorious students. B D Sharma also
released the consecutive issue of
Vidyalaya Patrika.
K K Sharma
presented the vote of thanks.
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