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Pay raise in store for National players
LAHORE: The centrally contracted
Pakistani players can look forward to an enhanced pay package
after their superb performances in the last few months, a senior
PCB official said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board will
hold a meeting this week to discuss a possible pay raise.
"We will see what we can do but
we are looking at increasing the pay scales in the new central
contracts as there have been no increments in the last three
years and inflation has increased considerably in this period,"
Chief Operating Officer, Subhan Ahmad said.
Pakistan players are given
central contracts in three pay slabs with those in category A
getting paid 250,000 rupees per month, those in B category
175,000 and the ones in the C category 100,000 per month.
The payments are besides the
match fees, allowances, logo sponsorship share and bonuses paid
to the players.
The board also gives retainer
contracts to players who perform well in domestic cricket.
Ahmad said the new chairman of
the board would be given a detailed briefing on the issue after
the meeting of the officials who will shortlist and recommend
names this week.
"We will look to increase the
pay packages keeping in mind the financial position of the board
as well," he added.
The official said the new
contracts were finalised as soon as the old contracts expired in
December last year.
He said the officials, including
the chief selector, would recommend any changes in the list of
centrally contracted players based on their performances and
fitness. Shahid Afridi is certain to once again get a category A
contract after his old contract ended automatically when he
announced his retirement from international cricket in May last
year after being stripped of the one-day team captaincy.
But sources said some
established players like Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal could
either miss out on the new contracts or be demoted to the C
category while some of the new players will be promoted. - INP
Sangakkara helps SL end on a high
JOHANNESBURG: For once, the
choke was almost on the opposition in a game involving
South Africa. Sri Lanka almost
messed up what had been the perfect big ODI chase. Their openers
had blazed away and their middle order had kept up with the
asking rate. Kumar Sangakkara was batting on a silken century
with Sri Lanka on 274 for 3 in 44 overs chasing 313.
And then came the collapse.
Sangakkara holed out. 274 for 3 became 308 for 8 before
Sachithra Senanayake, playing his second ODI, slog-swept the
penultimate delivery for six to ensure the visitors left South
Africa with a respectable 2-3 scoreline.
Captain AB de Villiers and
predecessor Graeme Smith both scored 125 runs on Sunday as South
Africa totalled 312/4 after being put in to bat by Sri Lanka in
the fifth one-day international.
De Villiers finished unbeaten
after facing 98 deliveries at the Wanderers while Smith received
a standing ovation from the sell-out 30,000 crowd after being
caught by Dinesh Chandimal off the bowling of Lasith Malinga.
While the Proteas skipper
confirmed his position as one of the best stroke players in the
world today with 10 fours and four sixes, Smith could not
contain his joy as he walked off after a timely ton.
There was a media and public
outcry against him just a week ago after innings of six, 28 and
two in the first three matches of the series before he stopped
the rot with a brisk 68 in Kimberley two days ago.
Smith embroidered his Wanderers
innings with nine fours and four sixes off 143 balls during a
203-minute stand and the sun-drenched crowd revelled in his
change of fortune. - Agencies
Pentangular Cup
Fiery Sami bowls Sindh to victory with 10 wickets haul
KARACHI: Fast bowler Muhammad
Sami ended in a blaze of glory with ten wicket haul to lead
Sindh to five wickets victory over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in
their Pentangular Cup League Cricket Championship tie at
National Stadium here on Sunday.
Forgotten Pakistan Test paceman
Sami snapped-up six wickets for 66 runs in 19 overs and fellow
pacer Tabish Khan snapped-up three wickets for 55 runs in 15
overs as KP were bowled out for 331 in their second innings
after starting the day at 216-3.
Sindh needing 121 for victory in
58 overs recovered from a precarious 3-15. Aqeel Anjum went for
a duck, Khurram Manzoor for one and Shahzaib Hasan for 12 on the
fourth and final day of the match.
But Faisal Iqbal, who made 100
in the first innings batted doggedly for his match winning 51 in
the second innings in 101 minutes, striking half a dozen
boundaries.
Fawad Alam, who made 43 with
seven boundaries, added 78 runs in 75 minutes for the fourth
wicket.
Shoaib Khan made a fighting 97
but fell three runs of coveted three figure mark.
His middle-stump was blown by
Sami with a superb inswinger. Akbar Badshah slammed 67 in 173
minutes that included eight boundaries.
Shoaib and Akbar added 124 runs
for fourth wicket but after their departure, Sami and Tabish
proved too good for their fragile batting line-up.
Sindh mustered full nine points
for the outright win.
Summarised scores: Sindh 403 (Aqeel
Anjum 126, Faisal Iqbal 100, Yasir Shah 4-88) 122-5 in 28.3
overs (Faisal Iqbal 51, Fawad Alam 43, Imran Khan 2-23) KP 192
all out in 57.3 overs (Shoaib Khan 47, Zulfiqar Jan 35, Muhammad
Sami 4-37, Tabish Khan 3-57, Danish Kaneria 2-55) & 331 all out
97 overs (Shoaib Khan 97, Yasir Hameed 82, Akbar Badshah 67 ,
M.Sami 6-62, Tabish Khan 3-55). - APP
We will not sit on
Dubai win: Mohsin
DUBAI: Pakistan Coach Mohsin
Khan has said Pakistan will not sit on Dubai win as he wants
consistency from the team in the coming matches as England were
expected to make a strong comeback.
Pakistan’s victory over the
world’s top-ranking Test side England has left many cricket
pundits scratching their heads.
The team under Misbah’s
captaincy has been doing well for the last two years but the
series against England is a real test for Pakistan. They have
won the first Test by a huge margin and if they are able to
snatch the series it will be a great turnaround for the team
which has gone through a number of trials since 2010.
Mohsin Khan was made chief
selector after Saeed Anwer turned down the offer to take the
job. His efforts as chief selector helped Pakistan resurrect the
team and later he was appointed coach when Waqar Younis quit the
job ahead after the Zimbabwe series in 2011.
Mohsin has worked wonders with
the Pakistan team often called as ‘most unpredictable’ is
turning out to be a predictable in recent times.
While talking to Khaleej Times,
Mohsin said: “I am satisfied with the team’s performance but we
should not sit on the victory in
Dubai.
“We need to show consistency
because England are sitting on top of the Test rankings. They
have performed brilliantly before this series and they have the
firepower and experience to make a comeback. - INP
England caught cold in first Test, says Prior
ABU DHABI: England have moved
from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and hope they have got a disastrous
start to their Test series against Pakistan out of their system.
Andrew Strauss' side, ranked
number one in the world, were thrashed by 10 wickets at the
Dubai International Cricket Stadium after the top-order batting
collapsed in both innings.
But there was an optimism about
the camp who arrived in Abu Dhabi to greet wives and girlfriends
who were not present for the first three weeks of the trip.
Wicketkeeper Matt Prior
acknowledged he and his team-mates were caught cold by Pakistan,
having played no Test cricket since last August and just two
three-day warm-up matches after their arrival here.
"You can spend as much time in
the gym and as much time in the nets or on the training ground -
but until you're out in the middle, you don't get that
ring-ready feeling," he said.
"It's getting used to little
things - the nerves, travelling into the ground.
"I felt, in that first innings,
I had to get used to switching on and off again."
England are nonetheless thankful for the essential time off allowed by a hectic
international schedule, which will become ever more so from now
on over the next three years.
"Having a two or three-month
break was invaluable. It was needed," Prior added.
"It was necessary but obviously
it is then tough to come back in and be ready."
World Test number ones England
are 1-0 down with two to play, and consequently have a tough
task on their hands against fast-improving and in-form
opponents. - INP
Aamir falls at first hurdle in Tournament of Champions
Karachi:
Pakistani interest in the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions
extinguished when its top player Aamir Atlas Khan bowed out of
the event in the very first round of the first PSA World Series
squash event of the year at Grand Central Terminal in New York.
Ranked 26th in the international
circuit and the lone player from Pakistan to be playing the main
rounds of the prestigious event – Aamir failed to put an
impressive show against world No 6 and seventh seeded Egyptian
Mohamed El Shorbagy. Mohamed recorded a 11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 11-5
triumph to confirm his presence in the last-16 of the event.
The world No6 from Alexandria
next plays the hard-hitting Australian Cameron Pilley who ousted
Finland's Olli Tuominen in three games.
Meanwhile, Colombian qualifier
Miguel Angel Rodriguez upended Hisham Mohamed Ashour in a
hard-fought five-game thriller to secure a surprise place in the
last-16 of the event.
Rodriguez faces another Egyptian
Amr Shabana in the second round. The two-time title-holder
defeated fellow countryman and tournament roommate Mohammad Ali
Anwar Reda in three straightforward games.
Top seed Nick Matthew looked
strong and fit as he defeated Wael El Hindi in four games.
Matthew's next opponent is
compatriot Adrian Grant, his Commonwealth Games Pairs gold
medal-winning partner. The left-hander from London survived a
strong showing by qualifier Alan Clyne of Scotland who nabbed
the second game before succumbing to Grant after 83 minutes.
Gregory Gaultier, the
tournament's third seed and the 2009 titleholder, moves into the
second round with a straight games victory over Spaniard Borja
Golan Santin. His opponent will be Switzerland's Nicolas Mueller
who defeated qualifier Stephen Coppinger of
South Africa in four games.
1st round (top half of draw):
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Wael
El Hindi (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 (65m)
Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [Q] Alan
Clyne (SCO) 11-5, 16-14, 9-11, 11-5 (83m)
Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Olli
Tuominen (FIN) 11-7, 11-3, 11-8 (47m)
[7] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 11-5 (41m)
[5] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt
Mohammad Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (44m)
[Q] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
bt Hisham Mohamed Ashour (EGY) 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9
(75m)
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [Q]
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4 (51m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt
Borja Golan Santin (ESP) 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 (60m). - PPI
Australian Open
Nadal, Federer edge closer to showdown
MELBOURNE Rafael Nadal and Roger
Federer stayed on course for a blockbuster Australian Open
semi-final showdown with commanding victories on Sunday that put
both through to the last eight.
The two tennis greats have not
dropped a single set between them in Melbourne, scything through
the draw, and neither looked remotely troubled in their last-16
matches on Rod Laver Arena.
The Spanish world number two,
who said he was improving with each match, made no mistake in
his fourth round clash, dispatching compatriot Feliciano Lopez
6-4, 6-4, 6-2. He will play Tomas Berdych in Tuesday's quarters.
All-time grand slam champion
Federer ended Australian teen Bernard Tomic's run with a
clinical 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over the 19-year-old, leaving Lleyton
Hewitt as the last remaining Australian in his home slam.
Federer's reward is a rematch of
his losing 2009 US Open final against Juan Martin del Potro,
while Berdych's win over Nicolas Almagro was accompanied by boos
from the crowd after the Czech player refused to shake hands.
Nadal reached the quarter-finals
at the Australian Open for the sixth straight year and said he
was in the "right place" to chase his second Melbourne title
after beating Federer in the 2009 decider.
"I've started the tournament
playing really well this time. I felt I've played well from the
first match and today I played another complete match," Nadal
said.
"Now I'm in the quarter-finals.
I am doing the right things. I am in the right place, right
moment."
Nadal broke left-handed Lopez's
serve five times and dropped his service only once. He was
always in control of the match, improving his record against his
Davis Cup team-mate to nine wins in 11 meetings.
"It was a very hot day and I
think it's a positive to win in straight sets, especially in
these conditions," Nadal said.
In the evening encounter on Rod
Laver Arena Federer was pitted against the unconventional skills
of Tomic, who regards the Swiss as the greatest player of all
time and idolised him when growing up.
Federer took control after a
competitive opening set and needed 1hr 44min to wrap up a
conclusive victory over the 38th-ranked youngster, whom he tips
for great things.
The Swiss legend broke Tomic's
serve six times and gave up his service once, dominating the
evening contest with 45 winners to Tomic's 13.
"I thought I played a really
good match. I knew I had to, anything else and I wouldn't have
got the job done," said the Swiss third seed, who is bidding for
his fifth Australian title.
"The score would suggest
otherwise. If you hadn't seen the match you would think straight
sets, no problem, but I had to work extremely hard and Bernard
showed why he is going to be a great player in the future."
Elsewhere in men's round of 16
action, seventh seed Berdych was booed when he refused the
traditional handshake after seeing off Spain's Almagro in four
sets.
Berdych accused his 10th-seeded
opponent of deliberately hitting a ball at him while he was
positioned at the net towards the end of his 4-6, 7-6 (7 5), 7-6
(7/3), 7-6 (7/2) victory. - AFP
Bajaur Agency reach
FATA
Inter-School Football final
PESHAWAR: Bajaur Agency took
berth into the final after recording 4-2 victory against FR Dera
Ismail Khan in the semi-final of the ongoing 2nd FATA
Inter-School Football Tournament being played here at Sumbal
Khan Football ground, Qayyum Sports Complex on Sunday.
The match was started on fast
tempo and FR Dera Ismail took an early lead in the 7th minute
when Fahim Khan netted a fine goal on the field attempt. After
10-minute of play Fahim netted another goal in the 17th minute
through field attempt to make it 2-0.
It was a panic like situation in
the rank of Bajaur Agency, which is also the last time winner of
the event, but the players of Bajaur Agency managed their
position by making some fine roads as a result it was in the
34th minute when Sarwar Khan reduced the margin by scoring a
beautiful goal from the 25-yard distance. FR Dera Ismail Khan
was leading by 2-1 at half-time.
After the resumption of the
second session Bajaur Agency put in more pressure by getting
hold on the position of the ball as a result Taimur Khan found
the equaliser through field attempt.
When both were tied 2-2 they
made some incisive rallies of attack but Bajaur succeeded in
scoring two quick goal through Muhammad Aurangzeb and Khair Alam
in the 57 and 60th minute to make the tally 4-2. FR Dera Ismail
Khan on the other hands also put in pressure to level the tally
but the pack defence of Bajaur Agency did not allow them. Thus
Bajaur Agency won the match by 4-2.
Former international football
player Basit Kamal of the National Bank of Pakistan was the
chief guest on this occasion. - APP
Liverpool stunned by rampant
Bolton
BOLTON, United Kingdom:
Liverpool's chances of securing a place in next season's
Champions League took a downward turn on Saturday as Bolton put their poor home form behind them to defeat Kenny Dalglish's side 3-1
at the Reebok Stadium.
Former Anfield striker David
Ngog had a hand in goals for Mark Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker
before Craig Bellamy reduced the deficit - only for it to be
restored early in the second half by Bolton defender Gretar
Steinsson.
Liverpool may have had an eye on
this week's League Cup semifinal second leg with Manchester
City but they struggled early on
against a Bolton side which came into the
game with the worst home record in English football.
After three minutes, Chris
Eagles' short pass inside was helped into the path of Mark
Davies by a touch from Ngog, allowing the midfielder to surge
forward before placing an accurate finish past the dive of Jose
Reina.
As Liverpool looked for a response, Bellamy was presented with an early shooting
opportunity, thanks to the approach play of Steven Gerrard and
Maxi Rodriguez, only to see his shot charged down.
However, Liverpool were left
with an even stiffer challege just before the half-hour mark as
Bolton broke forward with Ngog and Eagles exchanging pass before
the latter lifted through the perfect through ball.
With Liverpool's defending non-existent, Reo-Coker controlled the ball well on his
chest before chipping the ball neatly over the advancing Reina.
Finally, after 36 minutes,
Liverpool placed themselves
firmly back in contention. Adam Bogdan's long clearance upfield
was returned via the heads of Daniel Agger and Andy Carroll,
permitting Bellamy to sprint clear of two defenders and convert
from a dozen yards, via a touch from the
Bolton keeper. - AP
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