Pakistan may pull out of Champions Trophy, Azlan Shah Cup

NEW DELHI: Left with little option after the mass retirement of players and the sacking of selection panel following it's dismal showing in the hockey World Cup, Pakistan might skip the inaugural AHF Champions Trophy and Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Malaysia later this year.

Four-time champions Pakistan registered its worst-ever performance in the World Cup, finishing last in the 12-team competition which concluded on Saturday.

Subsequently, the entire 18-member squad led by Zeeshan Ashraf retired from international hockey taking moral responsibility of the performance, while the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sacked the team management and the selection committee chaired by Olympian Hassan Sardar.

Struggling to deal with these issues, sources within PHF said chances were high that Pakistan might pull out of these two events.

"Officials are contemplating the idea of pulling out as they don't have any other option. The decision over players' resignation is still pending and the new selection committee has not yet been constituted.

In these circumstances, it is impossible to field a squad for the tournaments," a top PHF official said.

The Asian Hockey Federation's (AHF) Champions Trophy is slated to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 13-18 while the Azlan Shah Cup will be held at the same venue from May 6-16.

PHF secretary and the team manager during the World Cup Asif Bajwa has confirmed that the national federation was thinking of giving these two tournaments a miss but a decision on this matter would be taken later in the week.

"Nothing is finalised as of now but we might stay out of the AHF Champions Trophy and Azlan Shah Cup.

We will discuss a whole range of issues in an important meeting this weekend and a decision regarding our participation in these tournaments will be taken in that," Bajwa said from Lahore.

Bajwa was of the view that Pakistan does not have adequate replacements for these retired players.

"We have to take any decision very carefully. These players have played well throughout the year and one cannot ignore the fact.

There is no doubt that we could not live upto the expectations in the World Cup but there were some fitness related issues behind that. I am going to elaborate all in my report." he said.

PHF president Qasim Zia, meanwhile, said that they have asked the players to reconsider their "emotional" decision.

"Players decision to resign was an emotional one and we have asked them to reconsider that. There are many talented players in the team who will play for Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games for sure," he said.

"We are going to constitute a new selection panel but it will take at least three weeks time. We are waiting for manager's report on the World Cup," he said.

He also said that a decision on non-performing seniors during the World Cup would be taken by the new selection committee. - Agencies

Sports minister advises hockey team not to resign

ISLAMABAD: Sports Minister Ejaz Jakhrani on Tuesday asked members of the national hockey team to withdraw their resignations, saying some of them are still good enough to serve Pakistan hockey after holding a one to one meeting with players of National hockey team here at his office.

The minister felt the decision to resign was a touching decision and many players could still serve Pakistan hockey.

"I have told Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia not to accept their retirement decisions. What happened in the World Cup was disappointing but we need to learn from our mistakes," he said.

Qasim Zia also attended the meeting which lasted for an hour and in which the minister heard the players' version of the debacle.

Jakhrani said the players had told him reports of match-fixing in the tournament or infighting among the players were not true.

"Reports that players had a fight with Bajwa and coaches Shahid Ali Khan are also not true. The players admitted they took the decision to retire since they were ashamed at letting the nation down badly," he said.

"We have got some information that there was confrontation among the hockey players but Pakistan hockey players have rejected the news regarding confrontation among them." he added.

The Sports Minister also announced that all former Olympians, who wanted the PHF set-up changed, would be included on a management committee and on the new selection committee so that they could be involved in running hockey affairs.

Pakistan's senior player Rehan Butt later told the media that there was no infighting in the team and blamed the team's poor performance in New Delhi to its hectic calendar.

He also made it clear that no decision had been taken on removing Asif Bajwa as secretary of the federation.

Jakhrani, however, made it clear that since PHF came under the control of the Sports Ministry, he would decide if Bajwa will stay or go.

"I will consult the higher authorities and if we feel that by sacking Bajwa Pakistan hockey can improve, we will remove him," he said.

He said that if Sports Ministry decides to remove Asif Bajwa then Qasim Zia would not be in a position to save him.

"I don't think so. Else he would not have sacked him immediately as team manager, "he added. - APP

Jacques Kallis, Uthappa star in Bangalore’s win

Bangalore: Jacques Kallis and Robin Uthappa struck punishing half-centuries as Bangalore Royal Challengers overpowered Kings XI Punjab by eight wickets in an Indian Premier Leage match here Tuesday.

Set a stiff target of 204 runs in 20 overs, Royal Challengers rode on Kallis' unbeaten 89 off 55 balls and Uthappa's 55 off 21 to log their first points in the torunament.

Royal Challengers cruised to the target with seven balls to spare and eight wickets in hand.

The openers of both teams did the bulk of the scoring to set-up the high-scoring encounter.

For Kings XI Punjab, Ravi Bopara (77 off 50 balls) and Manvinder Bisla (75 off 51 balls) forged a 129-run stand to lay the foundation of the big total after skipper Kumar Sangakkara decided to bat.

Bopara hit nine fours and two sixes while Bisla struck seven fours and four sixes.

Mahela Jayawardene made 26 to take the total past 200. Bangalore began the chase on a promising note with Manish Pandey (38) and Kallis hitting 74 runs in 8.1 overs. After Piyush Chawla got the wicket of Pandey, Robin Uthappa, who was promoted up the batting order, joined the party.

Uthappa brought the match in Bangalore's grip as he dealt in fours and sixes. S.Sreesanth was at the receiving end of Uthappa's fire and was struck for 25 runs, including three sixes, in one over. Uthappa scored the second fastest half-century of IPL with four fours and four sixes.

Uthappa and Kallis shared a 69-run stand before the former was caught by Mohammad Kaif off left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma.

Royal Challengers needed 61 off 36 balls at that stage, but with wickets in hand, Kallis stepped on the accelerator against inexperienced Sharma to take the game away from the visitors. - IANS

Finger injury rules Graeme Smith out of IPL

NEW DELHI: Their IPL campaign already in tatters with two consecutive defeats, Rajasthan Royals were on Tuesday dealt a body blow as their opener Graeme Smith has ruled himself out of the entire season-3 due to a finger injury.

Smith fractured his right middle finger while fielding in Monday's match against Delhi Daredevils.

"I have a double fracture in my right middle finger, so will be missing the IPL. I hurt it taking the catch off Sehwag on Monday night. wen (When) I landed, my finger got hooked in the ground," Smith wrote on his Twitter page. The burly South African had suffered a finger during the Test series against India also in February and did not play the following one-day series.

The Rajasthan team is already without key performers in Shane Watson and Ravindra Jadeja.

While the Australian all-rounder is doing national duty in New Zealand, Jadeja is serving a one-year ban.

Explosive batsman Yusuf Pathan and Dimitri Mascarenhas also injured themselves in Monday's match.

The inaugural edition champions will next play against Royal Challengers Bangalore. - PTI

Don’t want to take chances with T20 WC: Nehra

New Delhi: Nursing a rib injury, left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra today said he does not want to rush his participation in the IPL and jeopardise his chances of playing in the Twenty20 World Cup next month.

Nehra, who plays for Delhi Daredevils team in IPL, picked up the injury during their training in Mohali last week and was advised two weeks rest by assistant coach Eric Simmons.

Nehra said he would return to cricket only after being fully fit and hoped to play his first match against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 at home.

"I don`t want to take any risk before the World Cup in West Indies. That`s important for me. Coach Simmons has advised me two weeks rest as I still can feel the side strain," Nehra said.

"I would be out for two weeks which means in all likelihood, I will play my first match (of IPL) this month on 29th," he said.

Nehra was a key figure in Delhi`s IPL campaign in South Africa last year, taking 19 wickets to finish the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. That achievement factored hugely in his return to the Indian side last summer.

"I know team would be missing my absence, but you can`t help it out if you are injured. Ours is a very talented side and there are lot of other good and talented pacers in the Delhi team," Nehra said indicating towards Dirk Nannes, Wayne Parnell and Pradeep Sangwan.

Earlier Simmons, in his press conference here, had said that Nehra would be out of action for as long as two weeks.

"He has a rib problem and he will be out for probably two weeks. We certainly miss him because he adds balance to the side but there is a lot of young exciting talent around. You can`t buy experience and losing someone like Ashish is a big blow," he said.

Nehra also hoped that Delhi will make it to the semifinals once again this year.

"Semifinal tak to pahuch hi jayegi aaram say (The side will comfortably reach the semifinal stage)," he said.

The Delhi Daredevils had reached the semifinals in the last two editions. - PTI

Need to be at my best to play in IPL: Lara

New Delhi: Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi`s claim notwithstanding, West Indian batting great Brian Lara has made it clear that he is not certain to play in next edition of the Twenty20 league and said he needs to be at the top of his game to compete with the best of the business.

Modi recently revealed on his Twitter account that Lara was keen to play in the fourth season of the high-profile event next year.

"I don`t know if I can (play next year). It has been a long time since I have played competitive cricket. The standard of cricket being played in the Indian Premier League is pretty high, so I need to be on the top of my game before I think of joining the League," Lara was quoted as saying.

"So for now I am happy watching it," the former West Indies captain added.

However, Lara praised the concept of IPL.

 "It is an awesome concept. IPL is into its third year. They had a season in South Africa and this year it is back in India. I like the concept of franchise (-based cricket) with the private investors coming in," Lara said. - PTI

Rs200 crore bets on IPL match in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: The cricket betting market in Gujarat placed bets totalling Rs.200 crore on the Indian Premier League (IPL) match here between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils, a source said Tuesday.

According to the source, the amount was substantially higher than normal amount bet on such matches elsewhere in country. The Rajasthan Royals-Delhi Daredevils match was played Monday.

With the police keeping a vigil, the bookies adopted new methods to outmanoeuvre them, according to the betting market source. - IANS

Sachin Tendulkar certifies Feroze Shah Kotla pitch

NEW DELHI: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar gave a thumbs-up to the Feroze Shah Kotla pitch -- currently serving a one-year international ban -- ahead of the Indian Premier League match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils on Wednesday.

"It is a good track, a typical Delhi wicket which looks bare with no grass cover on it," Tendulkar told reporters.

"So it looks like a good wicket. At this stage there are no apprehensions," the Mumbai Indians skipper said.

The Kotla pitch was slapped a one-year international ban after the December 27 India-Sri Lanka ODI was abandoned because of a dangerous and unfit pitch.

Talking about the IPL campaign so far, Tendulkar said the Mumbai outfit was high on confidence and they would look to keep the momentum going with as many victories possible. "The team's confidence is very high. We had a good preparation. We are very happy to have won first match. It has boosted the confidence of the team and we are in good form," he said. - PTI

Martin running out of time

to threaten Australia

WELLINGTON: Besides his batting, there is one significant gap in the Test resume of Chris Martin. No matter what he tries, regardless of what sort of form he's in, he just can't seem to deliver against Australia. In eight Tests against them, Martin has taken 14 wickets at 74.14.

At 35, this series could be Martin's last chance to rectify that record and he is keen to get a good start at the Basin Reserve, a venue where he has played well over the years.

"They're very disciplined," Martin said of the Australian batsmen. "I've found in series that I've played against them in the past that I've actually walked away thinking I couldn't have really done much more, I've bowled as well as I could without really getting the results. I think that shows the quality of the guys you come up against.

"They're quite willing to bat time and pretty much see you off. If you're bowling well to them they're not necessarily going to try and take you apart for that particular spell, so they're a very disciplined outfit and one you can't get cheap wickets against."

Adding to the challenge for New Zealand is the absence of Jesse Ryder, who trained with the squad on Tuesday but is still recovering from injury, and they have also lost Iain O'Brien and Shane Bond to Test retirement in the past few months. But despite lacking experience in some departments, Martin said there was a belief around the group that they could beat Australia in a Test for the first time since 1993. – Online