Akhtar’s advice to Amir: Hire a shrink L AHORE —Former Pakistan pacer out and have a bold time for Pakistan.” wrong, very wrong, but now to wash Shoaib Akhtar has advised disgraced fast bowler Mohammad Amir to ‘hire a shrink’ as he charts his return to international cricket after a five-year ban for spot-fixing. Akhtar, who played alongside the then teenager Amir in 2010, said the left-arm fast bowler could have picked up ‘250 or 300 wickets if it wasn’t for the ban’ and will need to be psychologically tough when he returns. The Rawalpindi Express said all was not lost for Amir, who along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, will have served his five-year ban on September 1. “I really want him to grow up, mature and get serious help, get a serious shrink, and serious advisors, and go out to perform to the best of his ability,” the 40-year-old Akhtar told Gulf News in an interview. According to him, Amir had another six to seven years in him despite being out of action for five years. “Amir has six or seven years to go
The outspoken Akhtar, who picked up 178 Test and 247 ODIs wickets in a 14-year career for Pakistan, said the
spot-fixing trio would forever be indebted to the country. “They are indebted to Pakistan and every day they play for their country they will carry that burden until the minute they retire,” he said. “They have done something
that off they will need go out and play at their optimum and bring glory back to Pakistan. That way people will forgive and forget. “There will be a million judging eyes and stigma upon them, it’s not going to go away, so they have to try and make it fade away.” The disgraced trio will be eligible for an international return in 2016 after a new Pakistan Cricket Board rehab programme for the three cricketers. Akhtar said the trio would redeem themselves if they manage to be a part of Pakistan’s squad for next year’s World T20 and bring back the cup. “The perfect apology for me would be if they went on and won the T20 World Cup. If they want to apologise don’t say it verbally, bring the World Cup back from India, or perform at the best of your ability and bring laurels back to Pakistan, and we will forgive you.”— Agencies ISLAMABAD: Players of Army and PAF hockey teams struggling to get hold on the ball during a match at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium.
Yani Tseng leads Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic P RATTVILLE —Yani Tseng closed with an eagle and a birdie for an 8-under 64 and a one-stroke lead Friday in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. Tseng hit a 6-iron to 4 feet to set up the eagle on the par-5 eighth hole just before play was delayed for about 90 minutes because of lightning and rain, then took the outright lead on the par-4 ninth with her sixth birdie of the day. ‘’I can’t wait to come out tomorrow,’’ Tseng said. ‘’It will be a brand new day, but we’ll keep the same strategy and make as many birdies as I can.’’ Ranked No. 1 in the world for 109 weeks, the 26year-old Taiwanese player has slipped to 75th and is winless in 85 events since the 2012 Kia Classic. The 15-time tour winner tied for second in March in the LPGA Thailand for her only top-10 finish of the year. ‘’I’ve been working on my game forever, like every day,’’ Tseng said. ‘’It’s just exciting. I really want to win a tournament for sure. We only have probably seven, eight tournaments left, but it’s never too late. Just very happy my game’s really coming back. ... It doesn’t matter if it’s this week or next week or next year, just try to be patient as much as I can and stay positive.’’ Third-ranked Stacy Lewis, the 2012 winner, played alongside Tseng. ‘’You can see she’s confident,’’ Lewis said, ‘’She’s firing at pins that are tucked and hidden. She hits it so far and hits the irons so high that they have a lot of spin, so she’s able to kind of attack pins that nobody else is. ... It’s fun to see her playing the way she should be.’’ Tseng reached 10-under 134 on the links-style Senator Course with her lowest round since a 63 in the 2013 LPGA Thailand. ‘’It just feels like this course suits my game,’’ Tseng said. ‘’I feel very comfortable and confident out there. I’m just kind of getting back to enjoy playing golf again and it was so much fun to play with Stacy. She made a bunch of birdies and we kind of kept that momentum keep going. ... Stacy’s amazing. I don’t know how to describe the feeling because we are good friends, but at the same time we’re competitors, too.’’ Austin Ernst was second after a 65, and playing PRATTVILLE: Yani Tseng of China hits a shot on the 5th partner Lexi Thompson, the 2011 winner at age 16, was hole during the first round of the Yokohama Tire LPGA third at 8 under after a 67.—AFP Classic.
Abbottabad district Karate C’ship begins P E S H AWA R —Abbottabad
Trio doesn’t deserve a second chance: Rameez Raja ISLAMABAD—Former cricketer Rameez Raja has said that the trio Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamir and Salman Butt don’t deserve a second chance to play for Pakistan as that had brought a bad name to the country. Raja advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rule out any chances of the trio returning to the national team. “The PCB can give them permission to play some domestic cricket and perhaps even assist them financially but they must not be allowed to represent Pakistan again,” cricketcountry.com quoted Raja as saying. Raja said the trio by indulging in spot fixing in England on the 2010 tour had brought a bad name to Pakistan cricket and
tarnished its image and their offense was unforgivable. Raja said even the reintegration and rehabilitation plan would not make the trio corruption free cricketers. “They did something which badly hurt Pakistan cricket and its integrity and image and it has taken many years to once again restore our image internationally,” he said adding the trio doesn’t deserve a second chance to play for Pakistan. Raja also felt that the current Pakistan team had become an unified outfit, which could survive and continue to do well without the three tainted players. “Even if these three don’t play I don’t think it will make any difference to our team, which is now doing well,” Raja said.—APP
District Karate Championship commenced under the aegis of District Sports Officer District Council Hall on Saturday. Col. Adil and Haji Abdur Rashid jointly inaugurated the Championship in which more than 30 probables of various clubs are taking part in different age groups. District Sports Officer Mir Bashar Khan, officebearers of the District Karate Association, and players were also present. In the 25kg weight category of the junior class Mizaan Ahmad won gold medal, followed by Raadad Khan won silver medal, in the 30kg weight junior class Anus claimed gold medal, followed by Sher Qadir, In the 35kg weight category of the Junior Class Moeen claimed gold medal, followed by Qadir Ali while in the 45kg weight class, 50kg weight class, 55kg weight class and 60kg weight class Mobeen, Bilal Ahmad, Shehbaz and Shakeel grabbed gold medals and Waqas, Ammad Sher, Moazam and Muhammad won silver medals. Col. Adil and Haji Abdur Rashid gave away medals to the winners.— MULTAN: A view of cricket match between Khan Sports and Combined Cricket Club teams during Jashne-e-Azadi Tournament played at Sports Ground. APP
Abbottabad, Haripur reach Inter-District Basketball final P E S H AWA R —Abbottabad and Haripur took berth into the final after recording victories against their respective rivals in the semi-finals of the Hazara Division InterDistrict Basketball Championship being played here at District Council Hall Court on Saturday. In the first semi-final Abbottabad defeated Peace College team in a thrilling battle by 53-51. The players of both Abbottabad and Peace College struggled hard for a single point. It was the dying moments when Abbottabad, struggling at 51-51 made a three pointer by winning the match. In the second semi-final Haripur defeated Mansehra by 59-41 in another thrilling encounter. Haripur dominated the proceeding and did not give much rooms to Mansehra strikers to strike back, winning reaching to the final.—APP
Rabish, Fahadis to lead Karachi teams in Inter Region U19 cricket K ARACHI —Rabish Ahmed and Fahadis Bukhari have been named to lead Karachi Blues and Karachi Whites teams respectively in Inter Region Under-19 One-Day Cricket Tournament starting in different parts of the country from September 1. Teams were named here on Saturday by Secretary Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) Shafiq Kazmi. Karachi Blues is proceeding to Rawalpindi on Sunday by PK-368 to play their opening tie against Peshawar Region at Marghazar Ground, Islamabad. Karachi Region Whites will play their first match against Quetta Region here at the UBL Sports Complex Ground. Teams: Karachi Blues: Rabish Ahmad ( Captain), Hassan Khan, Hassan Mohsin, Azam Khan, Azizuddin, Kashif Iqbal, Zeeshan Haider, S.M. Tahami, Osama Butt, Wasiuddin (Wicketkeeper), Asher Qureshi, Muhammad Omar, Harman Waris, Mehmood Ali and Saif Ali Ghouri. Officials : Iftikhar Zaman Khan (Manager). Muhammad Masroor (Coach) Karachi Whites: Fahadis Bukhari (Captain), Hassan Shahab, Osama Ali, Khurram Taj, Ammad Alam, Muhammad Asad, Ashir Ahmad (W/K), Muhammad Ali Butt, Alam Khursheed, Kaaf Patel, Asadullah Hamza, Imran Shah, Arsal Bashir, Saeed Raza and Samiullah Khan. Officials: Asif Mehmood (Manager) Asim Rizvi (Coach—APP
Women’s selection committee slammed for ignoring deserving players KARACHI—Former first class cricketer and former Women’s coach Adnan Jamal slammed the national women’s selection committee for ignoring deserving players for the tour of the West Indies. In a statement issued here on Saturday, Adnan alleged that selection of Pakistan women’s team was not made purely on merit and several deserving players were overlooked. Giving an example, he said, left arm spinner Sadia Yousuf, all-rounder Kainat Imtiaz and Nahida Bibi were not considered in the team despite their consistent performances in women’s circuit. He said Sadia from Sargodha claimed 17 wickets in eight matches while representing Omar Associates in Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah championship. She was ranked among the top three in International Cricket Council (ICC) women’s ranking in the past. Kianat Imtiaz of Karachi also enjoyed good all-rounder show with the bat and ball in the same event. But was placed among the reserved which was disappointing. Similarly, Nahida Bibi is also an emerging batter from Quetta was ignored in the final 15-member squad. Adnan said Sadia Yousuf was punished for leaving Zarai Tariqiati Bank Ltd and joining Omar Associates while others two are not in the good book of captain. He said captain Sana Mir, who is also the captain of ZTBL team, was influencing the one-man selection committee of Farrukh
Zaman for not considering these for the team. He appealed to Shaharyar Muhammad Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board and Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi for increasing the number of selection committee members to at least three in number. He said PCB chief was taking great personal interest in the promotion of women’s cricket. But some elements are not working in right direction. With one-man selection committee, fair and transparent selection was not possible. Giving statistical data, he said, Naini has scored mere 331 runs in 25 ODIs with just two half centuries while in 19 Twenty20 Internationals, she has scored 313 runs. Diana, he said, captured just three wickets in three matches of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Trophy while Sania Khan claimed just three wickets in 11 ODIs and in 22 T20s, she got 21 wickets. Sania got just six wickets in eight matches of Fatima Jinnah Trophy. “With this kind of record, you cannot pick players in the Pakistan team because other players also performed much better,” Adnan, said. He alleged that a number of undeserving players like Syed Naini Abidi, Daina Baig and Sania Khan were selected on the behest of the captain Adnan Jamal said due to faulty selection policy, the number of players in the national team was not increasing and many departmental teams are not growing.—APP
Bolt perfect yet again at worlds; Eaton sets world record B EIJING —Usain Bolt is perfect yet again. pion beat his own mark with a stirring run in Dispelling two years of injury doubts, the the closing 1,500 meters. Eaton was around Jamaican won three sprint gold medals this world-record pace throughout the 10 events week for an overall world championship over two days and, with exhaustion hangrecord of 11. The last of them came Saturday ing heavy in the Bird’s Nest, he pushed when he anchored the 4x100-meter relay team through pain to total 9,045 points, six better with free-flowing, giant strides that have made than his previous best. His chest heaving, he crumpled to the him an icon for the sport. ‘’This is even better to me. Just to prove track. Once he got up, he only had one thing everybody wrong,’’ Bolt said. ‘’I came out on his mind: seeking out his wife, heptathlon and proved you can never count Usain Bolt silver medalist Brianne Theisen-Eaton, for an out.’’ Behind him, the United States was far back in second place. But Justin Gatlin, who had been unbeaten in two seasons of sprinting, lost the chance for a third silver when the American team was disqualified for a bad exchange on the anchor leg. According to Bolt, the Americans just couldn’t deal with the situation of being the favourites. ‘’It is stress. It is pressure,’’ Bolt said. ‘’It is easy for people to chase people, but when you are the one being chased it is much harder.’’ The Americans lost their chance for a medal when they botched their last handover, just as Bolt grabbed the baton for the last leg of the race. ‘’We looked good in prelims. We looked good in practice,’’ Tyson Gay said after he got the baton to Mike Rodgers outside the exchange zone. ‘’We just didn’t get it around.’’ To the delight of the tens of thousands of fans in the Bird’s Nest, China moved up to silver and Canada took bronze. BEIJING: Jamaica’s Usain Bolt smiles as Jamaica wins It was Bolt’s third sprint the men’s 4x100m relay final at the World Athletics Chamtriple in a row, starting at the pionships at the Bird’s Nest stadium on Saturday. London Olympics and continuing through the 2013 worlds in Moscow, emotional embrace in the stands. ‘’The result and fifth overall. The Americans got solace is awesome,’’ Eaton said. For the Jamaicans, from Ashton Eaton’s world-record perfor- the women’s 4x100 relay team made Saturday’s mance in the decathlon. The Olympic cham- sprint party complete.—Agencies