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