Pakistan Board bans Younis and Yousuf for life
Karachi, March 10 : Pakistan's cricket authorities Wednesday dropped a bombshell by imposing
life bans on former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf and taking stern action against
five other national cricketers on charges ranging from misconduct to ball tampering.
Those punished included former captain Shoaib Malik, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan, Shahid Afridi and
the Akmal brothers - Kamran and Umar - the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced.
"Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned keeping in view their infighting which resulted
in bringing down the reputation of the whole team. Their attitude has a trickledown effect, which
badly affects the whole team, and they should not be part of the national team in any format," said a
PCB statement.
Acting on the recommendations of its inquiry committee, the board also slapped a one-year ban, as
well as fines of Rs.2 million each, on former captain Malik and Rana for misconduct during the tour
of Australia, where the duo were reported for non-cooperation with the team management.
Afridi was fined Rs.3 million for ball-tampering. "For the shameful act of Shahid Khan Afridi,
which has brought the game and country into disrepute, he is being fined Rs. three million. A
warning is being issued to him by the PCB Chairman and he will be put on probation for six
months, during which his conduct will be strictly monitored," said the PCB statement.
The Akmal brothers were also heavily fined for indiscipline during the tour of Australia where
Pakistan lost all the matches.
"Kamran Akmal is being fined Rs. three million. A warning is being issued to him by the Chairman
PCB and he be put on probation for 06 months, during which his conduct be strictly monitored.
"Umar Akmal is being fined Rs. two million. A warning will be issued to him by the Chairman PCB
and he is being put on probation for six months, during which his conduct would be strictly
monitored," the statement said.
The PCB inquiry committee comprised Wasim Bari as chairman and Wazir Ali Khoja, Yawar
Saeed, Zakir Khan and Taffazul Haider Rizvi as members.
The statement said the probe panel conducted detailed interactive sessions with the persons
appearing before it and confronted the officials and the players of the Pakistan cricket team with
reports submitted to it and other material available on print, internet and electronic media. The
transcripts and team management reports form an integral part of the committee's report.
"Recommendations of the inquiry committee have been accepted by PCB in totality," said the
statement.
"The recommendations of the committee will go a long way in arresting the continuing decline of
Pakistan cricket and improve the state of cricket in Pakistan. It is a landmark exercise which is an
outcome of the hard work of the committee members," it said.
Former cricketers slam PCB's ban on players
Karachi, March 10 : Former cricketers Wednesday slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
for its "harsh" action against several leading players and alleged it was only trying to "save itself".
The PCB banned former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf for life Wednesday and
took stern action against five more national cricketers for affecting the team's performance.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif claimed the PCB will be unable to implement the bans
because the players will go to court and will also win.
"These bans will not stay for long and the players will win cases in court," Latif told Geo Super.
"I don't understand why the board didn't take action earlier when there were so many problems in
the team."
"I feel the board is trying to save itself by taking these decisions," he said adding that the life bans
on Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan are unjustified.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, another former Pakistan captain, also threw his weight behind the national
cricketers and advised them to go to court and challenge the decision.
India contributing a large chunk of FIH revenue
New Delhi, March 10 : India may no longer be a hockey power, but it is the largest revenue
grosser for world hockey.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Thursday said countries like India and the Netherlands
which contribute a major chunk of FIH revenues would be allocated top tournaments.
"India's contribution in revenue is over 50 per cent more than second-placed the Netherlands,"
Steven Morris, the marketing manager of the world body, said in a presentation here Wednesday.
"In countries like Pakistan, Spain, China, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South
Africa, Singapore and the Middle East, it is difficult to sell hockey on television."
"The FIH strategy is to allocate top events to top countries which get us higher revenues," Morris
added.
He said the television viewership of the the Feb 28 India-Pakistan match was as high as that seen in
the India-Sri Lanka One-Day International cricket games last year.
Morris said India is a crucial partner in the world body's efforts to lift the profile of hockey.
"It is a challenge to administrators how to market hockey in India. Commercially, India is a huge
market for hockey and the World Cup is a big success. India will have to be an integral part of any
future FIH plans," he said.
Saurav, Dipika in mixed doubles final of Chennia Open squash
Chennai, March 10 : Third-seeded Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Palikal kept their composure to beat
Alan Clyne and Frania Gillen of Scotland 9-11, 11-6, 11-8 in 48 minutes to enter the mixed
doubles final of the Chennai Open squash doubles championship here Wednesday.
In the final Thursday, the Indian pair takes on top seeds Mohd. Ali Anwar Reda of Egypt and
Rachael Grinham of Australia, who defeated England's Chris Simpson and Jenny Duncalf 9-11,
11-6, 11-5.
Schedule of two IPL matches changed
Mumbai, March 10 : The schedule of two Indian Premier League (IPL) matches have been
changed due to the Corporation Council elections in Bangalore.
The March 27 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, slated for 8
p.m., has been advanced to March 25 at 4 p.m.
The Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders match will now be held at 8 p.m. March 27
instead of the originally decided 4 p.m.
The Coporation Council elections in Bangalore will be held March 28, an IPL statement said.
Bendtner's heroics take Arsenal through
London, March 10 : Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner atoned for a poor performance over the
weekend to score a hat trick in a 5-0 win over FC Porto for the Gunners to advance to the
quarterfinals of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Arsenal overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg last month to advance 6-2 on aggregate.
The Denmark international scored in the 10th minute, sliding in to poke the ball into the back of the
net. Bendtner scored again in the 25th, tapping in from close range after Andrei Arshavin crossed
from the left.
Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue scored within three minutes in the second half. Bendtner added
a penalty in injury time.
In another match, Bayern Munich advanced past Fiorentina on away goals despite a 3-2 loss in
Italy that made it 4-4 on aggregate.
Arjen Robben scored the decisive goal for Bayern with a precise shot from 25 metres in the 65th
minute at the Artemio Franchi stadium, deflating a crowd that was still cheering Stevan Jovetic's
second score a minute earlier.
Juan Vargas had put Fiorentina in front in the 28th and Mark van Bommel scored Bayern's first
goal in the 60th with another long shot, after Franck Ribery freed himself from three defenders to
provide a cross.
Now watch IPL matches live in cinema halls
Mumbai, March 10 : Want to watch an Indian Premier League (IPL) match live? No need to go to
the stadium. Just book a ticket at the nearest cinema hall and enjoy it in airconditioned comfort.
For the first time in the country, a unique project will be implemented to show the forthcoming
IPL-2010 matches live in over 1,000 cinema halls around the country, including around 50 in
Mumbai, from March 12.
"Any match, played anywhere in the country, during the entire 45-day IPL-III season, shall be
beamed live in multiplexes and single screen cinemas in a high definition digital format," an excited
Sanjay Gaikwad, managing director of UFO Movies India Limited, which is spearheading the
project, said Wednesday.
Cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been roped in to popularise the concept - he bought and
autographed the first cinema ticket for an IPL match.
The autographed ticket was purchased by Vikram Kakade, a die-hard cricket fan from Pune, for a
whopping Rs.11 lakh, which will be donated to a city NGO, Apnalya.
"This is truly a brilliant initiative, especially for the far-flung regions of our country where cricket fans
cannot experience the stadium energy. I am delighted to give away this first theatre ticket and wish
all my fans a great experience watching cricket in cinema halls," Sachin remarked.
Gangjee four off the lead at British Open qualifiers
Kuala Lumpur, March 10 : Rahil Gangjee, fresh from a top-10 finish at the Malaysian Open last
week, shot a two-under 70, that placed him tied seventh and in with a chance to grab one of the
four tickets to the British Open Championship International Final Qualifying - Asia here
Wednesday.
Korea's rising star Noh Seung-yul maintained his red-hot form to share the opening round lead with
Danny Chia of Malaysia on six-under-par 66.
Among other Indians, Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a 73 and was tied 22nd, while Anirban Lahiri and
Himmat Rai with 76 each were way behind in 49th place. C Muniyappa carded a 84.
The 18-year-old Noh, winner of the Maybank Malaysian Open Sunday, shot an eagle and seven
birdies against a bogey and a double bogey at the Saujana Golf and Country Club to put himself in
prime position for one of four tickets available to the British Open in July.
Kings XI Punjab have good mix of players: Sangakara
Mohali (Punjab), March 10 : Newly appointed captain of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) Kumara
Sangakara feels that despite injuries to Yuvraj Singh and Brett Lee, he has a good mix of players to
choose from in the forthcoming third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"We have a very strong team this season with some of the best cricketers of the world. The team is
here to win and we have a wonderful choice as there is a good mix of both international and
domestic players," Sangakara, told reporters.
He added: "Shaun Marsh, Simon Katich and James Hopes will join the team soon. Coach Tom
Moody is currently busy with Western Australia team and he is expected to join us on March 15 at
Bangalore."
Sangakara had replaced star player Yuvraj Singh, who led the team in the previous two editions of
IPL.
Yuvraj, who is recuperating from the wrist injury, is still not sure of playing in the KXIP's first match
against Delhi Daredevils Saturday. "I can't say anything at the moment whether I am playing in
Saturday's game or not," Yuvraj said.
Karachi, March 10 : Pakistan's cricket authorities Wednesday dropped a bombshell by imposing
life bans on former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf and taking stern action against
five other national cricketers on charges ranging from misconduct to ball tampering.
Those punished included former captain Shoaib Malik, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan, Shahid Afridi and
the Akmal brothers - Kamran and Umar - the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced.
"Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned keeping in view their infighting which resulted
in bringing down the reputation of the whole team. Their attitude has a trickledown effect, which
badly affects the whole team, and they should not be part of the national team in any format," said a
PCB statement.
Acting on the recommendations of its inquiry committee, the board also slapped a one-year ban, as
well as fines of Rs.2 million each, on former captain Malik and Rana for misconduct during the tour
of Australia, where the duo were reported for non-cooperation with the team management.
Afridi was fined Rs.3 million for ball-tampering. "For the shameful act of Shahid Khan Afridi,
which has brought the game and country into disrepute, he is being fined Rs. three million. A
warning is being issued to him by the PCB Chairman and he will be put on probation for six
months, during which his conduct will be strictly monitored," said the PCB statement.
The Akmal brothers were also heavily fined for indiscipline during the tour of Australia where
Pakistan lost all the matches.
"Kamran Akmal is being fined Rs. three million. A warning is being issued to him by the Chairman
PCB and he be put on probation for 06 months, during which his conduct be strictly monitored.
"Umar Akmal is being fined Rs. two million. A warning will be issued to him by the Chairman PCB
and he is being put on probation for six months, during which his conduct would be strictly
monitored," the statement said.
The PCB inquiry committee comprised Wasim Bari as chairman and Wazir Ali Khoja, Yawar
Saeed, Zakir Khan and Taffazul Haider Rizvi as members.
The statement said the probe panel conducted detailed interactive sessions with the persons
appearing before it and confronted the officials and the players of the Pakistan cricket team with
reports submitted to it and other material available on print, internet and electronic media. The
transcripts and team management reports form an integral part of the committee's report.
"Recommendations of the inquiry committee have been accepted by PCB in totality," said the
statement.
"The recommendations of the committee will go a long way in arresting the continuing decline of
Pakistan cricket and improve the state of cricket in Pakistan. It is a landmark exercise which is an
outcome of the hard work of the committee members," it said.
Former cricketers slam PCB's ban on players
Karachi, March 10 : Former cricketers Wednesday slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
for its "harsh" action against several leading players and alleged it was only trying to "save itself".
The PCB banned former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf for life Wednesday and
took stern action against five more national cricketers for affecting the team's performance.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif claimed the PCB will be unable to implement the bans
because the players will go to court and will also win.
"These bans will not stay for long and the players will win cases in court," Latif told Geo Super.
"I don't understand why the board didn't take action earlier when there were so many problems in
the team."
"I feel the board is trying to save itself by taking these decisions," he said adding that the life bans
on Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan are unjustified.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, another former Pakistan captain, also threw his weight behind the national
cricketers and advised them to go to court and challenge the decision.
India contributing a large chunk of FIH revenue
New Delhi, March 10 : India may no longer be a hockey power, but it is the largest revenue
grosser for world hockey.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Thursday said countries like India and the Netherlands
which contribute a major chunk of FIH revenues would be allocated top tournaments.
"India's contribution in revenue is over 50 per cent more than second-placed the Netherlands,"
Steven Morris, the marketing manager of the world body, said in a presentation here Wednesday.
"In countries like Pakistan, Spain, China, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South
Africa, Singapore and the Middle East, it is difficult to sell hockey on television."
"The FIH strategy is to allocate top events to top countries which get us higher revenues," Morris
added.
He said the television viewership of the the Feb 28 India-Pakistan match was as high as that seen in
the India-Sri Lanka One-Day International cricket games last year.
Morris said India is a crucial partner in the world body's efforts to lift the profile of hockey.
"It is a challenge to administrators how to market hockey in India. Commercially, India is a huge
market for hockey and the World Cup is a big success. India will have to be an integral part of any
future FIH plans," he said.
Saurav, Dipika in mixed doubles final of Chennia Open squash
Chennai, March 10 : Third-seeded Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Palikal kept their composure to beat
Alan Clyne and Frania Gillen of Scotland 9-11, 11-6, 11-8 in 48 minutes to enter the mixed
doubles final of the Chennai Open squash doubles championship here Wednesday.
In the final Thursday, the Indian pair takes on top seeds Mohd. Ali Anwar Reda of Egypt and
Rachael Grinham of Australia, who defeated England's Chris Simpson and Jenny Duncalf 9-11,
11-6, 11-5.
Schedule of two IPL matches changed
Mumbai, March 10 : The schedule of two Indian Premier League (IPL) matches have been
changed due to the Corporation Council elections in Bangalore.
The March 27 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, slated for 8
p.m., has been advanced to March 25 at 4 p.m.
The Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders match will now be held at 8 p.m. March 27
instead of the originally decided 4 p.m.
The Coporation Council elections in Bangalore will be held March 28, an IPL statement said.
Bendtner's heroics take Arsenal through
London, March 10 : Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner atoned for a poor performance over the
weekend to score a hat trick in a 5-0 win over FC Porto for the Gunners to advance to the
quarterfinals of the Champions League on Tuesday.
Arsenal overturned a 2-1 deficit from the first leg last month to advance 6-2 on aggregate.
The Denmark international scored in the 10th minute, sliding in to poke the ball into the back of the
net. Bendtner scored again in the 25th, tapping in from close range after Andrei Arshavin crossed
from the left.
Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue scored within three minutes in the second half. Bendtner added
a penalty in injury time.
In another match, Bayern Munich advanced past Fiorentina on away goals despite a 3-2 loss in
Italy that made it 4-4 on aggregate.
Arjen Robben scored the decisive goal for Bayern with a precise shot from 25 metres in the 65th
minute at the Artemio Franchi stadium, deflating a crowd that was still cheering Stevan Jovetic's
second score a minute earlier.
Juan Vargas had put Fiorentina in front in the 28th and Mark van Bommel scored Bayern's first
goal in the 60th with another long shot, after Franck Ribery freed himself from three defenders to
provide a cross.
Now watch IPL matches live in cinema halls
Mumbai, March 10 : Want to watch an Indian Premier League (IPL) match live? No need to go to
the stadium. Just book a ticket at the nearest cinema hall and enjoy it in airconditioned comfort.
For the first time in the country, a unique project will be implemented to show the forthcoming
IPL-2010 matches live in over 1,000 cinema halls around the country, including around 50 in
Mumbai, from March 12.
"Any match, played anywhere in the country, during the entire 45-day IPL-III season, shall be
beamed live in multiplexes and single screen cinemas in a high definition digital format," an excited
Sanjay Gaikwad, managing director of UFO Movies India Limited, which is spearheading the
project, said Wednesday.
Cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been roped in to popularise the concept - he bought and
autographed the first cinema ticket for an IPL match.
The autographed ticket was purchased by Vikram Kakade, a die-hard cricket fan from Pune, for a
whopping Rs.11 lakh, which will be donated to a city NGO, Apnalya.
"This is truly a brilliant initiative, especially for the far-flung regions of our country where cricket fans
cannot experience the stadium energy. I am delighted to give away this first theatre ticket and wish
all my fans a great experience watching cricket in cinema halls," Sachin remarked.
Gangjee four off the lead at British Open qualifiers
Kuala Lumpur, March 10 : Rahil Gangjee, fresh from a top-10 finish at the Malaysian Open last
week, shot a two-under 70, that placed him tied seventh and in with a chance to grab one of the
four tickets to the British Open Championship International Final Qualifying - Asia here
Wednesday.
Korea's rising star Noh Seung-yul maintained his red-hot form to share the opening round lead with
Danny Chia of Malaysia on six-under-par 66.
Among other Indians, Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a 73 and was tied 22nd, while Anirban Lahiri and
Himmat Rai with 76 each were way behind in 49th place. C Muniyappa carded a 84.
The 18-year-old Noh, winner of the Maybank Malaysian Open Sunday, shot an eagle and seven
birdies against a bogey and a double bogey at the Saujana Golf and Country Club to put himself in
prime position for one of four tickets available to the British Open in July.
Kings XI Punjab have good mix of players: Sangakara
Mohali (Punjab), March 10 : Newly appointed captain of Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) Kumara
Sangakara feels that despite injuries to Yuvraj Singh and Brett Lee, he has a good mix of players to
choose from in the forthcoming third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"We have a very strong team this season with some of the best cricketers of the world. The team is
here to win and we have a wonderful choice as there is a good mix of both international and
domestic players," Sangakara, told reporters.
He added: "Shaun Marsh, Simon Katich and James Hopes will join the team soon. Coach Tom
Moody is currently busy with Western Australia team and he is expected to join us on March 15 at
Bangalore."
Sangakara had replaced star player Yuvraj Singh, who led the team in the previous two editions of
IPL.
Yuvraj, who is recuperating from the wrist injury, is still not sure of playing in the KXIP's first match
against Delhi Daredevils Saturday. "I can't say anything at the moment whether I am playing in
Saturday's game or not," Yuvraj said.