HUY, BELGIUM - APRIL 20: Alberto Contador of Spain and Saxo Bank Sungard rides in the peloton during the 75th La Fleche Wallonne 2011 Cycle Race from Charleroi to Huy
Board behaviour forced me to skip Pak series: Gayle CASTRIES: Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle has claimed that the ill-treatment of the West Indies board forced him to skip the series against Pakistan and opt for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gayle was left out of the initial part of the one-day and Twenty20 series against Pakistan due to an abdominal injury, but elected to skip the entire series and sign with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, claiming Wednesday it was due to a dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board and because experienced teammates Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were left out of the squad. "I was actually forced to make this decision based on what was happening around me and based on what has happened to current players (Ramnaresh) Sarwan and (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul," Gayle said on KLAS Sports Radio in Jamaica. "I wanted to play and I wanted to represent West Indies," he said. "I didn't know what the future held. Two games can play, guys do well, Chris Gayle still will be sitting out." The 31-year-old Gayle, unsigned at the IPL auction last January, was on Tuesday snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore to replace the injured Australian fast bowler, Dirk Nannes. The West Indies Cricket Board issued him the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC), but issued a media release critical of Gayle's choice. Gayle said the dispute predates the World Cup, claiming he was threatened with exclusion from the tournament for asking whether the tournament contract was approved by the West Indies Players' Association. "I got a reply, copied to the three selectors and the coach and the lawyer and the CEO himself stating, Chris, we have someone on standby for you so if you don't sign this contract right now, basically you will be replaced for the World Cup," Gayle said. "That hurt me so much to believe that they are talking to a person who just captained West Indies and they actually dealing with me like that. That was unfair." Gayle said the dispute contributed to a poor dressing room atmosphere at the World Cup. He also said he felt let down by coach Ottis Gibson, who was highly critical of Gayle's captaincy in leaked reports and blamed Gayle and other senior batsmen for the West Indies World Cup failures. But the outspoken Jamaican said he was not ready to end his West Indies career as yet. "I'm still the hardest fighting cricketer for West Indies. I go on West Indies field with broken finger and bat on one leg. You know who's the most hardcore cricket for West Indies. Chris Gayle. Ask anyone that." Gayle said he made the candid comments to "clear my name." "Them talking a lot of things about me I have sponsors out there and I have credibility out there and I have the youngsters looking up to me," he said. "So don't come putting me as a bad apple. It's not me." The West Indies' series against Pakistan begins in St. Lucia on Thursday while Gayle will be available for the Royal Challengers Bangalore when it plays its sixth match of the IPL, against Kolkata Knight Riders, on Friday. -INP
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Friday, April 22, 2011
Pak players learning measures against corruption Staff Reporter KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched a program to educate cricketers and officials on how to avoid corruption and be on their best behaviour in the sport. "We have held lectures for all the regional teams including coaches who are part of the domestic structure and also for the national under-19 and A team players and support staff," former test captain Wasim Bari, who heads the program, told Reuters. Participants are given lectures on the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code and the PCB code of
conduct. "We are also telling them how to behave in a dressing room, how to interact with strangers and outsiders. How to avoid getting lured into corrupt practices. We are preparing them for international cricket." Banned trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were not allowed to take part in the program. "Since they have appealed against their bans the matter is technically sub judice," said Bari. "So we can't involve them in any program at the moment." The trio are serving minimum five-year bans from the ICC's anti-corruption tribunal for their role in a spot-
Three Pakistani hockey players join India League NEW DELHI/ ISLAMABAD: Three players of Pakistan Hockey Team namely Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi secretly signed an agreement with Indian rebel league against the rules of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Reliable sources say that PHF may put ban on them to play in domestic and international events. Reliable sources claimed that after the clear cut direc tives of International Hockey Federation and request of Hockey India, PHF President Qasim Zia forbade all national players as well as officials to take part in the Indian Rebel League. In a meeting of PHF Executive Board, it was decided to put three years ban and carry-out disciplinary action against those players who defy the rules. But Pakistani players namely Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi secretly signed an agreement with Indian rebel league with the help of their own agents in India. Sources said that for the upcoming event of the Indian rebel league, Indian Organizers agreed to pay 25 thousand American dollars Rehan Butt, 22 thousand
American dollars to Waseem Ahmed and 20 thousand American dollars to Shakeel Abbasi whereas Zeeshan Ashraf who captained the side in Asian Games, Adnan Maqsood and penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas are also in touch with the organizers of the above said tournament. All the players who signed agreement with the rebel league are the part of training camp. They are preparing to play in Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament that is going to kick off next month in Malaysia. For the preparation of Olympic Games 2012, PHF have imposed bans on foreign trips of the players without a prior intimation. Sources told Online that their agreement with the rebel league may ruin their future completely. They signed the contract without taking some official into confidence. It is to be kept in the mind that Indian rebel league is given the name of World Series Hockey which would start in the end of the this year or in the start of the next year. Over 100 players are going to play in the tournament whereas organizers have already voiced that seven Pakistani players are in touch with them.-Online
fixing scandal during last year's tour to England. The controversy sparked a major debate in Pakistan on whether the PCB was doing enough to educate the players on anti-corruption and code of conduct measures. The PCB official said the lectures were delivered in the national Urdu language and players and officials were encouraged to take part in question and answer sessions. "We have also distributed a manual based on the ICC anticorruption code and our own code of conduct in Urdu in all the regions," he added. The PCB also plans to hire foreign experts in future to give lectures.
Kardar's 15th death anniversary observed ISLAMABAD: The 15th death anniversary of Pakistan's top international cricket player and first skipper Abdul Hafiz Kardar was observed on Thursday. He had the privilege of playing test cricket from India and then Pakistan. He is considered to be a legend and pioneer of cricket in Pakistan. Abdul Hafiz Kardar was born in Lahore on January 17, 1925. He studied in Islamia College, Lahore and begain to play domestic cricket for many teams under the title of Abdul Hafiz. He played domestic cricket from Oxford University, Northern India and Muslims. As captain, Hafiz led Pakistan against the all cricket playing countries and gained victories. In 1954, he stunned the world after leveling a series against England as the Pakistani team was very young compared to the godfather nation of cricket. In 1957, he created history after winning the first ever test match against Australia. After retirement, Kardar joined politics and was elected as a member of the provincial assembly (MPA) of Punjab in 1970 on a PPP ticket and also served as a provincial minister. He also served as the President of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ambassador to Switzerland.-Online
ISLAMABAD: A golfer plays a stroke during the 50th Amateur Golf Championship at Golf Club. -Online
Haidar postpones return after new threats on life ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haidar, who is currently living in the United Kingdom on a temporary visa, is reconsidering his plans to return to Pakistan after claiming that he received threatening telephone calls from there. The now retired wicketkeeper had stunned one and all by fleeing the Pakistan team hotel in Dubai hours before the final one-day international against South Africa last year. After reaching London, he had claimed that he had got death threats from a person who wanted him to fix matches, and subsequently sought asylum in the United Kingdom. Zulqarnain, however, voluntarily withdrew his application for asylum in Britain after the Pakistan government assured him and his family of "the highest level of security" in the country, and was supposed to return to Islamabad on April 25. "I received assurances from
(Interior Minister) Rehman Malik and also from the Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, regarding my safety on my return to Pakistan. They gave me their solemn word that my family and I would be safe in Pakistan and I would like to convey my gratitude to both of them and the Government of Pakistan for its assurances to me and my family," PakPassion.net quoted Zulqarnain, as saying earlier this week. But Zulqarnain told media on Thursday that he had been threatened on the telephone by an anonymous caller from Pakistan. "You are coming back despite being told not to come, you are responsible for the consequences," Zulqarnain quoted the anonymous caller, as warning him. Zulqarnain has reportedly informed Scotland Yard about the calls, and is reconsidering his decision to leave for Pakistan on April 24. -INP
3rd Qfinal of NBP Football Cup today FAISALABAD: Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM) Bahawalpur will fight against Pakistan Army in the third quarterfinal of the 21st NBP (National Bank of Pakistan) Football Cup 2011 in Bohranwali Ground on April 22. According to a spokesman ofthe Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), 16 teams participated in NBP Football Cup 2011. The teams were divided into four groups. Out of the teams, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Ashraf Sugar Mills (ASM), Pakistan Army, Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) and Pakistan Wapda qualified for quarterfinals. He said that first two quarterfinals were held between KRL v KPT and PIA v PAF while ASM would face Pak Army in the third quarterfinal in Bohranwali Ground here on Friday. He said the fourth quarterfinal would be played at the same venue on Saturday (April 23) and KESC will fight against Pak Wapda in the event.-Agencies
Rana names Inzi as best skipper
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hockey team player Sohail Abbas at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad, practies for the preparations of Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament which will be held on next month in Malaysia. -Online
ISLAMABAD Pakistani pacer Rana Naved-ulHasan, who is representing Sussex in this English county season, has named Inzamamul Haq as his best captain and the late Bob Woolmer as the "greatest coach" he ever had. Rana, a veteran of over 80 international matches for Pakistan, has had the distinct honour of playing under the captaincy of Inzamam and the legendary coach, the late Bob Woolmer. Rana recalled that Inzamam was the captain when he made it to the Pakistan team. "He [Inzamam] was able to utilize all the players very well and got the best out of the players. I really enjoyed playing under him. If you are enjoying your cricket then you will perform well," PakPassion.net quoted Rana, as saying. Rana, who considers Inzamam his role model, also feels that the then skipper had the unique ability to "get the most out of his players, and I think Inzamam was the best captain I played under". Talking about the late Bob Woolmer, he said
that the Englishman "was a very good coach. Everybody in the team respected him." Rana's association with Woolmer lasted for 3-4 years - a period that provided a great learning experience to Rana. owever, what really stands out in Rana's mind is the way Woolmer handled the team, especially given his foreign background. "He [Woolmer] had created a great atmosphere within the team and everybody really enjoyed playing under him. Bob had learnt how to deal with Pakistanis and we picked up a lot of skills from him. We still miss him and always will. I still consider him to be the greatest coach I ever played for," he said. Rana, who last appeared for Pakistan on the troubled 2009/10 tour of Australia, remains positive about making a comeback to the Pakistan team. "I played domestic cricket and performed very well. I went on to play in Australia and now am playing in England. So I think I will make a comeback if I continue to stay fit and perform well," he stated -Online