Latest News: Asia Cup flop 'a warning bell'

KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket greats said Sunday Pakistan's failure to reach the final of the Asia Cup was "a warning bell" for problems that needed urgent attention before next year's World Cup.

"Pakistan did play well in both the matches but the fact is that we are still number three, behind Sri Lanka and India, which is a warning bell for next year's World Cup," former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas told AFP.

The four-nation Asia Cup, being played in the Sri Lankan resort of Dambullah, is seen as a build-up for next year's World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Arch-rival India beat Pakistan by three wickets on Saturday, qualifying for the June 24 final against Sri Lanka and leaving runners-up Pakistan and Bangladesh to contest a league match on Monday.

Abbas said the results showed that Pakistan was performing poorly.

"Against India our batting did well, but bowling and fielding were not up to the mark," said Abbas.

Pakistan also failed to reach the final of the 2008 Asia Cup, when the tournament was held in their own country.

Abbas said there were "too many coaches" in the Pakistan camp, which he found "hard to understand," referring to head coach Waqar Younis, assistant coach Aqib Javed and batting-fielding coach Ijaz Ahmed.

"Too many coaches are spoiling the broth," Abbas said.

Former chief selector Iqbal Qasim, who resigned in February after Pakistan's winless tour of Australia, said Pakistan had to confront its problems before next year's World Cup.

"Fielding is our main problem, which again failed us on Saturday," said Qasim, a former left-arm spinner. "We also need to know when to utilise our batting powerplay, which is being spoiled every time."

Qasim said fast-rising batsman Umar Akmal and paceman Mohammad Amir needed guidance to turn their huge talent into better performances.

"Umar is creating panic when he comes on to bat," which led to run-outs for his batting partners which he survived, Qasim said.

"It's a big problem which needs to sorted out."

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi will lead the team on the tour of England starting next week.

Pakistan will play two Twenty20 and two Tests against Australia and four Tests, two Twenty20 and five one-day matches against England.

Latest News: Hockey greats slam appointment of Dutch coach

KARACHI: The appointment of a Dutchman to revive Pakistan's dwindling field hockey fortunes is a waste of money and will not stop the alarming decline, former greats said on Sunday.

Pakistan Saturday named Michel van den Heuvel as coach of their national team in a bid to revive the game here, which hit its lowest ebb in New Delhi in March this year.

Pakistan, winner of three Olympic gold and four world titles, finished 12th and last -- their worst-ever finish -- in the World Cup.

Former Olympian and ex-coach Shahnaz Shaikh said hiring a foreign coach will prove a waste of money.

"Under economic problems, Pakistan government has already slashed sports budget by 60 percent and the hiring of a foreign coach will increase financial woes and will not produce desired results," Shaikh told AFP.

"I am told the Dutchman will be paid 1.6 million rupees (18,000 dollars) per month until 2012, which is huge and unacceptable in this poor country."

Shaikh said Van den Heuvel had failed to lift Dutch hockey.

"In the last ten years the Dutch hockey has failed to produce results and with Van den Heuvel involved, either as assistant coach or coach, this step is unwise and will fail," said Shaikh, a winner of the World Cup in 1971.


Van den Heuvel will be Pakistan's third foreign coach, succeeding fellow Dutchmen Hans Jorritsma, appointed in 1994, and Roelant Oltmans, in 2004.

Another former Olympian, Shahbaz Ahmed, was just as scathing.

"When I played in the Dutch league (1996-2000), Van den Heuvel was my team coach and I found him very ordinary, he failed to handle the team and I told club's president that until he is in charge, we cannot win," Ahmed said.

"By appointing a foreign coach they (officials) are trying to save themselves and when the team loses they will put the blame on the foreign coach," said Ahmed, a member of Pakistan's World Cup winning team in 1994.

Under the new coach Pakistan tour Spain next month before featuring in October's Commonwealth Games in India and November's Asian Games in China.

Latest News: Three matches in FIFA world cup today

JOHANNESBURG: Three matches will be played in FIFA World Cup today (Monday).

In the first match, two teams of Group G Portugal and North Korea will play against each other in Johannesburg. The match will begin at 4:30 pm Pakistan Time.

In Group H, Chile to face Switzerland in Port Elizabeth at 7: 00 pm Pakistan whereas last match of the day will be played between European champion Spain and Honduras at 11:30 PST. Spain should win today’s match to stay in the tournament.

Latest News:Award-winning Swann feared England chance had gone

LONDON: Graeme Swann, England's newly crowned cricketer of the year, had resigned himself to accepting his time in the international arena had long since been and gone.

The 31-year-old off-spinner, who has taken 99 wickets in 45 matches across all formats for England during the past 12 months, was named as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Brit Men's Cricketer of the Year during a ceremony at Lord's here on Monday.

He first toured with England as a 20-year-old in South Africa in 1999/2000.

But Swann's distinctive sense of humour failed to impress then England coach Duncan Fletcher.

It was not until eight years later and a change of both coaching regime and county - the bowler joined Nottinghamshire, with whom he won the County Championship in 2005, from his native Northamptonshire, that Swann was back in Test contention.

By then Swann had more or less accepted his England career might be limited to a lone one-day international in Bloemfontein in January 2000.

"Maybe you don't exactly give up, but you accept you're not going to play," Swann, set to be in the England team that plays in the first Test against Bangladesh starting at Lord's on Thursday, said.

"You get to a point when, no matter how well you do, you see other people being picked ahead of you, that you assume you've missed your chance."

Swann has become one of the mainstays of England's attack and played an important role both in last year's Ashes series win and the recent World Twenty20 triumph in the Caribbean.

He explained the realisation he'd been granted a second chance had led to a small but important change in his attitude.

"What it did mean was that when I did get the chance to play again it all seemed a bigger deal," he said.

"The first time round it was a bit of a joke, a bit of a laugh, on tour with my heroes.

"Second time round, you think, 'Well, how am I going to make sure I stick with this?'.

"I found the only way to really enjoy it was to play with a massive smile on my face, so that's what I've tried to do."

Asked what the turning point had been, Swann replied: "Pretty obviously, leaving Northampton and going to Trent Bridge was probably the kick up the backside my career needed," Swann said.

"It wasn't so much that it improved me overnight, but it taught me to bowl on wickets that were more akin to Test cricket."

Meanwhile Swann, who took 54 Test wickets in 2009, said his international success owed much to the fact that off-spin had come back into fashion.

"Cricket has a strange way of going round in big circles, and I'm sure within two or three years off-spinners will be back out of vogue.

"Certain things have gone in our favour - the referral system, a lot of left-handed players at the minute, fairly slow wickets and a lot that have turned

"It all adds up to this being the time for off-spinners."

Swann won the award - voted for by members of the British cricket media - ahead of fellow nominees, Test captain Andrew Strauss, Twenty20 skipper Paul Collingwood and pace bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson.

"If you'd told me this three years ago, I'd have laughed at you and said 'there's no chance'. It's a nice bit of cherry on the cake," Swann said.

Swann, along with the rest of the World Twenty20 squad, enjoyed a reception at 10 Downing Street, British Prime Minister David Cameron's official residence, earlier on Monday.

"One of the perks of playing for England, doing well - especially winning World Cups - I expect the ticker-tape parade and meeting the Prime Minister," Swann joked.

"I'm waiting for my audience with The Queen, but I'm not sure that one's going to come just yet."

Latest News:South Africa hold nerve to deny West Indies unlikely victory

NORTH SOUND: South Africa withstood a late West Indies fight-back led by Darren Sammy to prevail by 17 runs in the second One-day International on Monday and take a 2-0 lead in the five match series.

The South Africans appeared to be coasting to victory, when West Indies, chasing 301 for victory from their 50 overs, slumped to 236 for eight in the 45th over.

But the Proteas came under attack from Sammy, whose unbeaten 58 from 24 balls contained two fours and six sixes, as he dominated a ninth-wicket stand of 47 with Ravi Rampaul.

South Africa were fortunate however, when fast-medium bowler Ryan McLaren skillfully fielded a drive from Sammy on his follow-through, and Rampaul was run out off the last ball of the 48th over backing up too far.

Graeme Smith, the South African captain, had the privilege of finishing the match, when Kieron Pollard, running for Nikita Miller, was run out off the first ball of the next over, with a direct hit by Smith at the bowler's end from short cover.

"We weren't at our best, and we let a few key chances go earlier, which probably could have gone on to cost us the game," said a relieved Smith.

"Outside of our fielding, I think we controlled the game very, very well, and up to Sammy's 58, we were in control, but our fielding, our catching in particular, we need to take another look."

The third and fourth ODIs will be contested this coming Friday and Sunday at Windsor Park in the Dominica capital of Roseau.

South Africa conceded three half-centuries to West Indies, with Dwayne Bravo hitting the top score of 74 from 70 balls, and the newly-arrived opener Dale Richards 51 from 85 balls.

The Proteas put West Indies under early pressure, but Richards and Chris Gayle still gave the home team a steady start of 40.

South Africa tightened their grip, when they reduced West Indies to 119 for three, but Bravo added 63 for the fourth wicket with Pollard, as the hosts ran into deep trouble, and Sammy nearly carried them over the threshold.

"I have to commend the guys for the effort of chasing 300 runs, and in particular, Darren for giving us a bit of hope at the end," said Gayle.

"The middle overs continue to cause our downfall because there are too many dot-balls in that period of our innings, and the run rate creeps up on us, and makes it difficult for the batsmen towards the end."

Earlier, Hashim Amla continued his rich vein of form with 92, and Jacques Kallis supported with 85 to lead South Africa to 300 for five from their 50 overs.

Amla struck seven boundaries from 95 balls, and Kallis - playing his 300th ODI - hit four fours from 89 balls in a stand of 79 for the second wicket, after the South Africans chose to bat.

The Proteas benefitted from an opening stand of 89 between Amla and Smith before left-arm spinner Miller bowled the South African captain behind his legs for 37 in the 16th over.

Amla continued to grind away, and reached his 50 from 45 balls with a dab to third man off Bravo before he was caught at mid-wicket off Jerome Taylor in the 32nd over.

Kallis, who became only the second South African behind Shaun Pollock to appear in 300 ODIs, and the 15th player overall, turned Rampaul through square leg for a single to reach his half century from 59 balls.

A.B. de Villiers joined him to consolidate South Africa's position with a stand of 71 for the third wicket with Kallis before he was caught inside the long-off boundary for 41 off Kieron Pollard in the 43rd over.

In the closing overs, Kallis was caught at point off Pollard in the 47th over, and Alviro Petersen was lbw playing across Taylor for one, as South Africa hunted quick runs.

Latest News:35 probables named for Asia cup, tour of England

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has announced here on Tuesday 35 probable players for the forthcoming Asia Cup and the tour of England.

Allrounder Shahid Afridi will lead the national team in all three formats of cricket whereas former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik were conditionally included in the probables list. They will be selected only after the ban on them is lifted.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also been named for the probable squad.

The names were announced by chief selector Mohsin Khan at a press conference along with chairman PCB Ijaz Butt and captain Shahid Afridi.

Other probable players are: Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam, Hasan Raza, Azeem Ghumman, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Hameed, Shah Zeb Hasan, Zulfiqar, Zulqarnain Haider, Khurram Manzoor, Asad Shafiq, Tanveer Ahmed, Aizaz Cheema, Aamir Sajjad, Azhar Ali, Umar Amin.

Chairman PCB said that the 17 players for the tour of England would also be selected from these players and the final team would be announced next month.

Replying to a question, he told that Mohammad Yousuf has not been considered as he retired and he may be included in the team if he comes out of his retirement.

Ijaz Butt said that the camp would probably be held in Karachi.

Shahid Afridi said that the tour of England is a difficult task and there should not be much expectations.

To a question, he replied that he has pressure but a complete player can be made after bearing pressure.

Mohsin Khan said that all the players would go through a fitness test before the final selection.

Latest News:Australia, Pakistan qualify for Super Eights

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Australia moved into the second round Super Eights defeating Bangladesh by 27 runs with eight balls to spare here at the Kensington Oval.

Pakistan also qualified for the next stage as Bangladesh collapsed for 114 runs against Australia.

Chasing 142, Bangladesh were in difficult situation right through their innings as their top order failed to make runs.

However, captain Shakib Al Hasan (28) and wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim (24) added 48 runs to take their team out of trouble but after both were out wickets fell regular intervals and the whole team is out for 141 runs in 18.4 overs.

Left-arm fast bowler Dirk Nannes captured four for 18 while Steven Smith and David Hussey claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, Michael Hussey revived Australia's innings after they collapsed against Bangladesh.

Australia, who slumped to 65 for six inside 13 overs, finished on 141 for six here on Wednesday after a stand of 74 between Hussey, unbeaten on 47 and Steven Smith (27). Hussey faced 29 balls with a six and four fours

They were the only two Australia batsmen to make more than 16 as their side collapsed in the face of disciplined bowling by a Bangladesh side coached by Jamie Siddons, a former South Australia team-mate of Aussie coach Tim Nielsen.

Latest News:Woman belts fastest ever T20 ton

SAINT KITTS: West Indies cricketer Deandra Dottin has smashed the fastest ever Twenty20 international century by a man or a woman in the opening game of the women's World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies.

The Barbadian reached three figures in just 38 balls, hitting nine sixes and five fours as the hosts beat South Africa by 17 runs at Warner Park, St Kitts.

Dottin, batting at number six, beat the record held by compatriot Chris Gayle.

Latest News:Pak to face Sri Lanka in women T20 today

SAINT KITTS: Pakistan women team will take on Sri Lanka in women T20 cricket tournament.

Pakistani captain Sana Mir optimistic about the team will deliver impressive performance. Pakistan stands at number 8 whereas Sri Lanka is at number 6.

Latest News:Asif to replace Sami in T20 fixture

BARBADOS: Pakistan made one change in its playing squad for the match against England in Super Eight leg of T20 World Cup tournament.Muhammad Asif will replace Muhammad Sami. Pakistan team manager Yawer Saeed told Geo News that only one change has been made in the team. Muhammad Asif will be part of playing squad instead of Muhammad Sami. He said players are determined to perform well in Super Eight stage of tournament.

Latest News:RAW: HBK says farewell to the WWE Universe

Wrestlemania has come and gone and ***SPOLIER ALERT*** John Cena is the new WWE Champion and Shawn Michaels has walked off into the sunset after losing to The Undertaker. It’s fitting that the Rob Corddry and Clark Duke, the stars of the new movie, Hot Tub Time Machine, are hosting, because I’m sure most people would go back in time to change last night’s results.

(On a side note, I don’t care what Nick says, that movie looks awesome. Anything paying homage [ripping off] back to the future is okay in my book.)

Former WWE champion Batista walks to the ring to start off the show in Phoenix. The Animal is not happy as the crowd shouts him down. Batista pulls out the old “I’m cashing in my rematch” and “Cena can’t beat me” lines.

The champ finally arrives. Batista can’t seem to accepts the fact that he tapped out to Cena, even though that Wrestlemania moment will live forever. Tonight, Batista can regain that title on Shawn Michael’s final RAW. Cena wants the rematch, tonight, so Batista needs to step up. The Animal knows everyone wants to see the rematch, so he says not tonight, and takes a cheap shot at Cena. The Champ quickly dispatches Batista from the ring, only to get jumped by Mr. Money in the Bank, Jack Swagger. He beats Cena with the briefcase, and then calls for the ref. He’s cashing in the Money in the Bank! Cena recovers and almost locks in the STF when the ref hits the ring. Swaggers jumps from the ring, and waves off the match. The ref asks him if he wanted to cash it in, and Swagger declined. The match was never made official.

We take a look back at the career of the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels.

The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase leads a group of WWE Legends to the ring. They are followed by Roddy Piper and more Legends. The King joins the party, and I see were this is going. I smell a back in time match here. Tonight’s guest hosts from Hot Tub Time Machine walk out on stage. Clark Duke first announces a main event featuring Batista and Jack Swagger will take on John Cena and a partner of his choosing. Rob then says there will also be a hot tub match. He and Clark will take on the WWE Divas. (These are my kind of hosts.)

Match #1 – Christian vs. Ted DiBiase – WWE Legends Lumberjack Match

WE come back from commercial with the match in progress. Dibiase is the first to get tossed from the ring and the Legends help him back in. Ted hits a clothesline, and gets a near fall. DiBiase then counters a bulldog from Christian, tossing him from the top turnbuckle. Christian goes up top again, and Dibiase yanks him to the mat. Christian hits a flying elbow, and then looks for the Killswitch. DiBiase blocks it, and then both men spill out to the floor. The Legends throw the two back in the ring, and then start fighting at ringside. Christian hits a distracted DiBiase with the Killswitch and covers for the win.

Winner via pinfall: Christian

After the match, the Million Dollar Man confronts his son after the match. Ted wants nothing to do with him and heads up the ramp.

More footage from the WWE archive featuring HBK.

Clark and Rob look ready for their hot tub match. The Bellas, Rosa Mendes, and Tiffany are in the tub all ready. The rules are whoever stays in the tub the longest with the guys wins. The lights going down, and the champagne starts flowing. (Seriously, these guys have the right idea. If I ever hosted, this is the first match I’m booking, but it would be a one on one match with Gail Kim.)

Triple H walks out on stage saying tonight is the end of an era. He didn’t think this is how it would end. Hunter shares some memories and gets a little choked up. Hunter wants to say something he has never said before, but Sheamus smacks him with pipe before HHH can say anything.

Match #2 – Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, Eve, Mickie James and Beth Phoenix vs. Maryse, Alicia Fox, Michelle McCool, Layla, and Vicki Guerrero – Wrestlemania Rematch

(Really? REALLY!?!)

Maryse poses, but the bell had rung, so Eve rolls her up and gets the pin.

Winner via pinfall: Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, Eve, Mickie James and Beth Phoenix

After the match, there is a short scrum until the faces clear the ring.

Shawn Michaels puts the ladder match on the map against Razor Ramon in Madison Square Garden at Wrestlemania 10. Next up, Shawn Michaels versus Bret Hart in the Iron Man Match at Wrestlemania 12.

Bret Hart addresses the crowd after beating Vince McMahon last night. Hart congratulates HBK on his career and wishes him the very best going forward. Hart says he has found the closure he was looking for by beating the heck out of Vince. Hart thanks his fans. The Tag Team champions join Hart in the ring, but I don’t think they are going to congratulate him.

Miz can’t believe Bret is proud of beating Vince in a glorified handicap match. Miz calls Hart a thief, for stealing Miz’s spotlight. Miz says he is one and oh at Wrestlemania, and 17 wins away from tying the Undertaker. He calls Hart and his family overrated. Miz tells Hart to leave, and Bret says make me. Big Show steps up, when the Hart Dynasty joins Bret in the ring. ShoMiz takes off, but Hart calls them out. He wants them to take on the Hart Dynasty. Miz is game, but Show thinks otherwise. Miz talks Show into the match, and they head back to the ring.

Match #3 – ShoMiz vs. The Hart Dynasty

We join the match in progress. Miz is hit with a vertical suplex, and then tossed to the outside. Show tags in, slamming Tyson Kidd to the mat. He pushes Kidd into the corner, and tags in Miz. The US champion covers for two. Kidd fights back with punches, until Miz drives him into the corner. Show makes a blind tag, and then chops Kidd across the chest. Show locks in a sleeper, but Miz tags himself in. Kidd is kicked in the gut, and Miz follows with a chin lock. David Hart Smith gets the hot tag, and takes Miz to the mat. Hart and Kidd double team Miz, and Kidd locks in the Sharp Shooter. Show pulls his partner out of the hold and the ring. Show asks Miz if he has had enough, and the two head up the ramp. The ref makes the ten count, so the Hart Dynasty wins by count out.

Winner via count out: The Hart Dynasty

The HBK memory train rolls on with the formation of DX and all their runs.

Back in the hot tub, the boys are enjoying themselves; the Divas, not so much. Tiffany and Rosa have had enough and bail. Another star of the movie, Craig Robison drops in via satellite. Someone switched his ticket at the airport, but he can still host. He declares the Bellas the winners, and then announces a new opponent, Mark Henry. Rob and Clark try bail, but Henry won’t let them. Rob gets bit, and turn out Hornswoggle was snorkeling in the tub.

Match #4 – Jack Swagger and Batista vs. John Cena and an opponent of his choice

Cena gets on the mic and calls for everyone attention. Cena partner for tonight is an old friend of Batista, and it is Randy Orton! (I didn’t see that coming.)

Swagger and Cena start things off with the champ hitting a suplex. Orton gets the tag, stomping away at Swagger. Orton drops a knee, and looks to finish off Swagger. The All-American American rolls out of the ring, and we go to commercial.

After the break, Swagger has Cena in a waist lock. The champ breaks the hold, only to get a back suplex. Swagger splashes Cena off the middle turnbuckle. Batista tags in, whipping Cena across the ring and follows with a spinebuster. Cena counters the Batista Bomb with a back drop. Orton calls for the tag, and gets it. Orton unloads on Swagger with a scoop slam and then a back breaker. Batista breaks the pinfall and then spears Cena. Orton hits Batista with a RKO and then hands Swagger one as well. Orton covers and gets the three count.

Winner via pinfall: Randy Orton and John Cena

After the match, Orton and Cena size each other up. The champ leaves Orton to pose in the ring.

Shawn Michaels walks to the ring for what could be the last time on RAW. The arena goes dark and the bells tolls, signifying the arrival of the man that ended HBK’s career. The Undertaker stands atop the ramp and tips his hat to Shawn Michaels before leaving. (It’s getting a little dusty here at the Plummer house.) Michaels doesn’t know what he is going to say as the crowd chants for him to stay. Shawn says not being on TV is going to be a little hard to get used too. HBK thanks the fans for all the years of support, and it’s getting a little dusty in the WWE ring right now. Shawn thanks Hunter for being his friend when no one else would; he also thanks the production crew, the announcers, and Jim Ross. The crowd wants one more match. HBK knows how people feel about career ending matches, but he doesn’t want to go back on his word to the people or the Undertaker. This is it folks. Michaels will do everything in his power to make sure that last night was his last match. Shawn also thanks Bret Hart, because he drove him crazy back in the 90’s. He thanks Bret for forgiving him for the mistakes that he made. And then there’s Vincent Kennedy McMahon; HBK says there is no way he can work for anyone else after working under Vince. He thanks Vince for keeping him on course when his life was spinning out of control. Michaels thanks the fans, again, and the fans reciprocate. He then thanks his family and tells his kids that, “Daddy is coming home.” The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels has left the building.

Latest News:Women hockey team to appear in Asian Games qualifiers

LAHORE – The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Women wing has decided to start the women hockey academy in Lahore while the Pakistan hockey team will take part in the qualifying round of the Asian Games to be held in Bangkok.
PHF women wing secretary Tanzeela Aamer Cheema told at a news conference here at the National Hockey Stadium that trials for the academy would be completed by April 3 and 50 players from different age groups would be selected.
She told that the Pakistan women hockey team would participate in the Asian Games qualifying round which would be held in Bangkok from May 22 to 29.
The camp of the women team will begin from April 15 after the trials will be completed by April 10.


This news was published in print paper. To access the

Latest News:Next month, the Indo-Pak match: Sania to wed Shoaib

Two months after she called off her engagement, tennis star Sania Mirza is all set to tie the knot with Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik.



Confirming the news on his Twitter account late Monday night, Malik wrote: “The news of me marrying Sania is true. Inshallah, will get married in April.”



While the Mirzas refused to confirm or deny the development, the Malik family spoke about the possible wedding date.



“Yes, the news is confirmed. Shoaib will be marrying Sania, most likely some time in the first week of April,” Imran Zafar, Malik’s brother-in-law, told The Indian Express from Lahore. “Ceremonies will be held both in India and Pakistan. There will be a reception in Lahore in the second or third week of April,” he said.



Sania and Malik met in Dubai recently and this was followed by the two families giving them the approval to get married.



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In an interview, Malik had said that he intended to get married this year. “You will soon get some good news but it depends on my family.”



Sania and Malik are likely to settle down in Dubai — Malik holds a UAE passport. This move probably factors in Sania’s tennis career as well.



Malik, incidentally, was involved in a legal battle with another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui, in 2008. She had alleged that Malik married her over phone in 2002 and demanded a legal divorce.



Sania had been engaged to childhood friend Sohrab for seven months before calling it off, citing “incompatibility”.



Malik has been banned for one year by the PCB for poor performance and indiscipline during Pakistan’s recent tour of Australia. He has appealed the ban.

Sania and Malik met in Dubai recently and this was followed by the two families giving them the approval to get married.

Latest News:Sania Mirza engaged to Shoaib Malik

Islamabad (PTI): Breaking News! According to PTI reports, India's No. 1 tennis start Sania Mirza got engaged to former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik. PTI quoted a Pakistan TV Channel, Geo TV.



The Geo TV reported that Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik got engated and might tie the knot in April 2010. Shoaib was earlier linked to another Hyderabad girl, Ayesha Siddiqui.



According to the TV channel, Shoaib Malik's mother met Sania's parents in Hyderabad to finalise the marriage. "The 'Walima' or reception is expected to be held in Lahore on April 16 or 17", said Geo TV.



Sania Mirza and her childhood friend Sohrab Mirza got engaged in July last year. But their engagement was cancelled later. There is no official confirmation from either Sania Mirza or her parents about the "engagement" with Shoaib Malik.



It is not known whether the report is baseless, rumor, speculation or true. Further details are awaited.

Latest News:Yousuf announces retirement from international cricket

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and world record holder batsman Mohammad Yousuf on Monday announced he was to quit international cricket in protest against an indefinite ban.

Yousuf was banned earlier this month in a crackdown on players by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following a disastrous tour of Australia. Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-days and a Twenty20 match.

The dismal performance resulted in bans and fines on seven leading players -- Younus was captain for most of the games.

"I received a letter from the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) that my staying in the team is harmful for the team, so I announce my retirement from international cricket," he said in Pakistan's financial capital Karachi.

"I thank the fans around the world, all the senior players and family members for supporting me throughout my 12-year career," said an emotional Yousuf, 35, dressed in a religious white cap and traditional dress.

"I always played for my country and if my playing is harmful for the team then I don't want to play," he told the news conference, fielding a barrage of questions at the Karachi Press Club.

Yousuf played 88 Tests, nine as captain and scored 7,431 runs at an average of 53.07, including 24 centuries. He also scored 9,624 runs in 282 one-day internationals.

Yousuf was third behind Javed Miandad (8,832 in 124) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829 in 119) in all time run-getters for Pakistan in Tests and second behind Inzamam (11,701 in 375 matches) in one-day cricket.

But his greatest achievement was 1,788 Test runs in 2006 with nine hundreds -- the world record for most runs scored and hundreds in a calendar year, beating Viv Richards' 1976 record of 1,710 for the West Indies.

He also won International Cricket Council (ICC) Test player of the year in 2007.

Asked during Monday's news conference if he could rescind his decision, Yousuf said: "at the moment my playing in the team is harmful so I am quitting".

"If I get time, I would love to play first class cricket and private leagues," he later added.

Latest News:Katich ton helps Aussies take 300-run lead over Kiwis

HAMILTON: AUSTRALIA is in a commanding position at the end of the third day of the second Test with a lead of 300 over New Zealand and six wickets in hand.

Simon Katich’s patient 10th Test century righted the ship after some early wobbles and contributions from Michael Hussey (67) and Shane Watson (65) also helped.

Marcus North 42 not out and Michael Clarke 42 not out took the score to 333-4 at stumps.
Katich’s 106 comes as some relief as the opener has made a habit of stumbling before the milestone this summer with scores of 92, 90, 99, 98, 79 and an 88 in the first innings here.
He made a solitary even 100 against Pakistan at Hobart.

Katich has had a golden run since returning to Test cricket in May 2008, scoring 2534 runs in 27 Tests at an average 56 _ the second best by an opener in the history of Australian cricket.

He has past 1000 runs in the last two calendar years and was voted the Australian Test Batsman of 2009-10 last month.

Both Hussey and Katich are celebrating their 50th Test and shared a 150 run partnership to mark the occasion.

Hussey was eventually dismissed, caught Brendon McCullum bowled Brent Arnel (2-43) for 67. Katich went soon after.

The pair began playing against each other in Western Australia as nine year olds and have been friends since.

Shane Watson started the day brightly, scoring another half century, but had a rush of blood, pulling Tim Southee to BJ Watling at the mid on boundary when he was 65.

Dan Vettori then set a clever 6-3 field to tie down Ricky Ponting at the start of his innings.
The captain hit a top edge six off Southee (2-75) before being snapped up at short leg by Watling and was out for six.

Latest News:Nadal beat Nalbandian to reach fourth-round

MIAMI: Rafael Nadal joined Roger Federer as a seeded survivor at the upset-plagued Miami Masters as the Spaniard defeated David Nalbandian 6-7 (8/10), 6-2, 6-2 Sunday for a fourth-round berth.

Top seed Federer and number four Nadal are all that are left of the top four seeds after exits by number two Novak Djokovic and number three Andy Murray in the second round.

American sixth seed Andy Roddick kept the home crowd happy with his 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Sergiy Stakhovsky of the Ukraine, while resurgent Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero eliminated John Isner of the United States 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Nadal's next opponent will be 15th seeded compatriot David Ferrer, who tamed the huge serve of Ivo Karlovic - only ten aces for the Croatian - 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-2, 6-7 (9/11), 6-3 to set up a match with Brazil's Tomaz Bellicci, who ended the run of Djokivic's conqueror Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-4.

Nadal, who won his last title last May in Rome, is not fussed about his lack of recent trophy success. Instead, he's looking for small improvements as he gets back in the groove in the wake of the knee injury suffered at the Australian Open.

In women's WTA play, second seeded US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki battled through illness to defeat Maria Kirilenko 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Victoria Azarenka, the defending champion, continued her quest for a second title with a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Lucie Safarova.

Indian Wells winner Jelena Jankovic, seeded seventh, moved past Russian Elena Vesnina 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

Ninth-seeded French Open semi-finalist Samantha Stosur of Australia produced a second consecutive comeback from a set down as she defeated Virginie Razzanoof France 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Russian 11th seed Vera Zvonareva eliminated Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3 and another Russian, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, beat Errani's Italian compatriot Francesca Schiavone 7-5, 6-3.

US Open winner Kim Clijsters, seeded 14th, re-established normal service in a hammering of Israeli Shahar Peer 6-0, 6-1. The Belgian won nine games in a row and needed just 50 minutes.

Latest News:Sven-Goran Eriksson named new Ivory Coast coach

ABIDJAN: Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was on Sunday named as coach of the Ivory Coast for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

"Sven-Goran Eriksson is the new coach of Ivory Coast. He will lead the team at the World Cup where his objective is to ensure an honourable participation," said a statement released by the country's football federation (FIF).

The 62-year-old Swede, who guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, takes over from Vahid Halilhodzic who was sacked after Ivory Coast were knocked out by Algeria in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in January.

Ivory Coast, who boast Chelsea striker Didier Drogba amongst their stars, are in Group G at the June 11-July 11 World Cup finals along with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea.

Four years ago in Germany, they bowed out at the group stage when they finished third behind Netherlands and Argentina, but ahead of Serbia and Montenegro.

After negotiations took place last week, Eriksson told the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper: "It would be great to be on a bench at another World Cup.

Latest News:Sania to wed Shoaib, confirms father of tennis star

LAHORE: Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza are going to tie the knot in April, Sania's father Imran Mirza confirmed to media.

As per reports, the two sports stars have been in an affair for the last six months, which had led to Sania's earlier engagement to break.

Sources said that the mother of Shoaib Malik went to Indian city of Hyderabad Deccan where she met with the family of Sania Mirza and finalized Shoaib and Sania's marriage.

This may be recalled that earlier engagements of both Malik and Mirza had come to an end.

Malik was engaged with Ayesha Siddiqui also from Hyderabad Deccan on June 3, 2002 while Sania on the other side was engaged with childhood friend Sohrab Khan which ended in January 2010.

The wedding ceremony of Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza will take place in India while the valima reception will be hosted by Malik on April 16 or 17 in Lahore.

"I desire to get married soon. You will soon get some good news but it depends on my family. I fully expect to get married this year," Shoaib had said in a recent interaction with the media.

Asked if it would be an arranged marriage, he said, "No can say what will happen, but it will take place with the concurrence of my family."

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Latest News:Federer opens with comfortable win as Murray crashes at Miami

MIAMI: Roger Federer preserved dignity among the elite at the Miami Masters Saturday, earning a comfortable opening victory after world number three Andy Murray crashed out to unheralded Mardy Fish.

World number one and top seed Federer quietly dominated Nicolas Lapentti, vanquishing the Ecuadoran 6-3, 6-3 in 66 minutes.

But it was another story for Murray, who fell 6-4, 6-4 to the 101st-ranked Fish.

Federer is the sole survivor of the top three as Murray's early exit followed that of second-seeded Serbian Novak Djokovic on Friday.

Federer lined up a third-round clash with Frenchman Florent Serra, a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 winner over Spain's Albert Montanes.

Federer is beginning a bid for a third Miami title after winning here in 2005 and 2006.

Swedish fifth seed Robin Soderling, the French Open runner-up, progressed to the third round with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-0 win over Australian Peter Luczak.

Croatian number seven Marin Cilic accounted for Stephane Robert of France 6-3, 6-1.

Spain's 10th seed Fernando Verdasco saw off Israel's Dudi Sela 6-1, 6-2 while 13th-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny eased past Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-0, 6-1.

In the women's WTA event, top seed and 2006 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova beat Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-2, 6-3 to reach the fourth round.

Three-time champion Venus Williams improved her own record at the Miami event with a 6-1, 6-4 victory.

The American, who lifted the title at Crandon Park in 1998, 1999 and 2001, claimed her 12th consecutive match win after back-to-back titles in Dubai and Acapulco this season.

The third-seeded Williams fired six aces in her 70-minute win, but also produced seven double-faults.

Poland's sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska ended the comeback hopes of former number one Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 7-5 as the Serb struggles to regroup under new Swiss coach Heinz Gunthardt.

Latest News:Pak team named for Women T20 World Cup

LAHORE: The 14-member Pakistan team was announced for the ICC Women Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in West Indies.

Sana Meer will lead the team while Nain Abidi will be her deputy in the tournament.

The players of the team are: Sana Meer (captain), Nain Abidi (vice-captain), Batool Fatima (wk), Sajida Shah, Bisma Maroof, Arman Khan, Urooj Mumtaz Khan, Nida Rashid, Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jaleel, Sania Iqbal Khan, Saadia Yousuf, Javeria Wadood and Rabia Shah.

Ayesha Ashar has been appointed manager of the team while Mansoor Rana will be the coach, Yasir Malik co-trainer and Huma Fatima physio-therapist.

Latest News:Pak cricket team training camp begins tomorrow

LAHORE: The training camp of the Pakistan cricket team in preparation of the Twenty20 World Cup will begin tomorrow in Lahore.

The players included in the squad reported at the camp.

Pakistan team with its new coach and new captain will begin its preparations for the T20 World Cup.

The five reserve players will also take part in the camp along with the selected 15 players of the team while eight more players from the 30 probables have also been invited for practice at the camp.

According to the PCB spokesman, first a detailed meeting of the players and the management will be held before the camp begins in the morning and the practice schedule will be finalized.

Later, the players will do net practice from 3-00 pm to 6-00 pm.

Coach Waqar Younis will address at the news conference during the camp.

Latest News:Dejected Yousuf opts to retire: announcement today

KARACHI: Pakistan's world record holder batsman Mohammad Yousuf Saturday said he had decided to retire next week in protest over an indefinite ban imposed on him by country's cricket board. The 35-year-old Yousuf, who holds the world record for most runs in a calendar year with 1,788 made in 2006, was banned by an inquiry committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) two weeks ago.

"Yes, I have decided to retire as Pakistan player and my decision is not an emotional one," Yousuf told AFP. "It's of no use playing after such an insult which is unacceptable and I will announce my decision on Monday." Yousuf led Pakistan on their twin tours of New Zealand and Australia between November and February after regular captain Younus Khan withdrew over a lack of form.

Last week Yousuf vowed to appeal. "Yes, I may still appeal, but a final decision will be taken on Monday," said Yousuf who was also deprived of his annual central contract by the PCB last week, putting further question marks over his career. Yousuf said his commitment in playing for the country had not been rewarded by the cricket authorities. "I am deeply hurt because I have always played with commitment for my country and fans know this, but not those people who run cricket, this is a big tragedy." "My 12-year career is impeccable and I have never let down anyone."

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Latest News:Pele presses for senior players in WC squad

SAO PAULO: Ronaldinho's experience could have a calming effect on Brazil's youthful World Cup side if coach Dunga recalled the 30-year-old to the squad, Pele said.

Three-times World Cup winner Pele said in an interview that he would pick Ronaldinho, who turned 30 on Sunday and has played at two finals, helping Brazil win their fifth title in 2002.

The 69-year-old also said Lionel Messi needed a well-organised Argentina side in which to exhibit his brilliant Barcelona form, while England and Spain would be dangerous opponents at the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa.

Pele praised Dunga's record but was concerned about a possible lack of World Cup experience among the players expected to be picked for the squad.

"I think Brazil are on the right track but we have to be careful because the majority of the players have never played at a World Cup before, so there will be a lot of pressure and we must see how those players handle it," Pele said.

"If Ronaldinho keeps playing as he is now ... I believe he would be a good component because he could help when the younger players feel the pressure."

Ronaldinho, who last played for Brazil last April, has been in good form for AC Milan this year but despite speculation about a return to the national team he appears out of Dunga's plans.

Brazil and fellow favourites Spain could expect tough opposition from the likes of Argentina, despite their poor qualifying campaign.

"Even (top) teams that are not in form like Argentina, who practically qualified in last place, we've got to respect them because they're a country accustomed to playing the World Cup," he said.

"Another country that had not been doing well but who in this World Cup will be a difficult country to beat is England, who can take a very strong team (to South Africa).

"They can reach the last four."

Pele identified Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Robinho of Brazil as players with the potential to light up the World Cup.

Messi, however, might be unable to reproduce the fantastic form he is showing at Spanish club Barcelona.

"He's a great player, he's playing marvellously at Barcelona but when he goes to the national team he doesn't play as well," said Pele.

"That is possibly because the national team doesn't have the same group as Barcelona.

"Then there's Cristiano Ronaldo, who's also a marvelous player, and Robinho, who has already improved quite a bit," he added.

Robinho, who has returned to Santos on loan from Manchester City, had a crowd-pleasing style while Brazil would also need Kaka to be in top form.

"For the public, Robinho has a happier style that appeals to the fans," he said. "Now, for the national team, it's very important that Kaka is in good shape."

Latest News:Chelsea beat Portsmouth by 5-0 in Premier League

LONDON: David James howler helped Chelsea to a 5-0 victory at bottom-club Portsmouth as the Blues moved a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester United.

David James misses his kick for Drogba to score James was left red faced in the 32nd minute when he raced out of his area to clear a harmless ball forward but missed it completely, albeit after an unfortunate bobble, to allow Didier Drogba the simplest of finishes.

Florent Malouda struck twice after half-time before Drogba got his second and Frank Lampard competed the rout in injury-time as the Blues bounced back from their 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on Sunday in emphatic style.

Portsmouth remain 14 points adrift of safety and their relegation could be confirmed on Saturday week when they travel to Blackburn.

Manchester City stayed two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham after their unbeaten home league record this season was ended 2-0 by Everton. Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta scored the goals either side of half time.

Champions League-chasing Aston Villa were held at home by a club in the bottom-half for the second consecutive game as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Sunderland.

The Black Cats had gone ahead when Fraizer Campbell finished well following Keiran Richardson's defence-splitting through-ball. John Carew equalised eight minutes later when he tapped in from close range from an Ashley Young cross.

David Dunn bagged a brace as Blackburn Rovers extended their unbeaten run at home to seven games with a 2-1 win over Birmingham City.

Dunn fired the home side ahead after eight minutes before a 56th-minute James McFadden free-kick levelled matters. the Englishman had the final say 11 minutes later as he headed in a corner to snatch the win.

Latest News: Bresnan misses maiden Test century

DHAKA: Tim Bresnan hit an impressive 91 as England extended their first-innings lead to 77 runs on the fourth day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

England added 56 to their overnight total of 440-8 before being bowled out for 496 in reply to Bangladesh's total of 419.

The hosts were 28-1 in their second innings at lunch, with Tamim Iqbal unbeaten on 20 and Junaid Siddique on four not out.

Bangladeshi opener Imrul Kayes (four) was bowled by paceman Stuart Broad, the ball hitting the thigh pad before deflecting on to the leg-stump.

Bresnan, batting in only his second Test innings, defied the Bangladeshi attack for more than an hour in the morning session before missing out on his maiden Test hundred.

He was stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak after hitting six fours in a 261-ball knock, beaten in the flight after stepping out to play a shot. He added 17 to his overnight score of 74.

Bresnan played a vital role in boosting the England innings, adding 143 for the sixth wicket with Ian Bell (138) on Monday and 47 for the ninth with debutant James Tredwell (37).

Tredwell also frustrated the hosts, hitting six fours in a 63-ball knock before being stumped off Razzak.

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan was the most impressive bowler with 4-124 off 66 tight overs, while Razzak finished with 3-132.

England lead the series 1-0 following their 181-run win in the opening Test in Chittagong.

Latest News:Pakistan Day T20: Pak A beat U-19 by 33 runs

LAHORE: An exhibition Twenty20 cricket match was played between the teams of Pakistan A and Pakistan Under-19 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday to mark the Pakistan Day celebrations.

Imran Farhat smashed a brilliant century to help Pakistan A winning the interesting match by 33 runs.

Winning the toss, Pakistan A captain Mohammad Hafeez elected to bat and together with Imran Farhat provided a magnificent start of 159 runs.

Imran made 103 from just 56 balls with 14 fours and three sixes while Hafeez scored 59 as their team compiled 194 for four in the allotted 20 overs.

Raza Hasan claimed two wickets for Pakistan Under-19.

Chasing 195, played a fine innings of 88 runs whereas for Pakistan A, Mohammad Sami captured three and Abdul Rehman took two wickets.

Latest News:Tendulkar rules out playing Twenty20 WC

NEW DELHI: Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday ruled out playing in Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, saying he sticks to his stance of not playing Twenty20 Internationals anymore.

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar asked Tendulkar, who is in sensational form, to change his stance and play in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Tendulkar, however, dismissed the possibility. "I

Latest News:England need 209 to win Bangladesh Test

DHAKA: England were set a target of 209 to win the second and final Test after bowling Bangladesh out for 285 in their second innings after lunch on the fifth day.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan marked his 23rd birthday with a battling 96 before he was last man out, stumped off spinner James Tredwell four runs short of a century.

The left-hander cracked 11 fours in his fifth half-century.

England have a minimum of 54 overs to reach the target and sweep the series after winning the first Test in Chittagong by 181 runs.

Bangladesh added 103 to their overnight total of 172-6 in the absorbing morning session, with Shakib doing the bulk of scoring.

Debutant off-spinner Tredwell took three wickets and paceman Steven Finn one.

Tredwell, sharing the second new ball with paceman Stuart Broad, struck in his first over when he had nightwatchman Shafiul Islam caught by Jonathan Trott at deep mid-wicket.

Shafiul, who scored a half-century in the first innings, made 28 in a 63-run stand for the seventh wicket with his captain.

Tredwell got another wicket when he had Naeem Islam caught by Kevin Pietersen at deep mid-on to reduce the hosts to 258-8.

Latest News:Tendulkar to skip World T20 again

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday rejected a growing clamour in India to play in next month's World Twenty20 despite enjoying prime batting form in recent months.

"I will not be playing the ICC World Twenty20," Tendulkar told an Indian news channel.

"I have not played Twenty20 Internationals from 2007 onwards and I don't think it should become an issue now."

Tendulkar, who recently became the first man to score a double-century in one-day cricket, has played just one Twenty20 international in his 21-year, record-breaking career.

The Mumbai star, who turns 37 next month, opted out of the first two T20 world championships in 2007 and 2009, saying the younger members of the side were more suited for the shortest format of the game.

But former players want him to take part in the third edition, starting in the Caribbean on April 30, following a string of high scores in both Test and one-day cricket.

In the past 12 months, Tendulkar has averaged 71.50 in nine Tests with five centuries, and 65.28 in 17 one-dayers with three hundreds.

In the ongoing Indian Premier League domestic Twenty20 tournament, he has hit 176 runs in four games with a strike-rate of 155.75 off 100 balls.

"I hope the selectors can persuade Tendulkar to go to the West Indies," said former India batsman and commentator Navjot Sidhu during a discussion on the subject on television.

"He loves playing for the country and the Indian team needs him more than ever before. He is batting like the champion he is."

Another former player Mohinder Amarnath admitted Tendulkar would make a huge difference to India's chances, but wanted the decision to be left entirely to him.

"Sachin knows best what to do," said Amarnath. "He has played for so long that we must all respect his decision."

The selectors will meet on Friday to pick the 15-man squad for the tournament which India won in 2007 but failed to qualify for the semi-finals two years later.

Tendulkar was excluded from the provisional list of 30 announced last month, but tournament rules permit a player not in the list to be included in the final 15.

India are drawn alongside South Africa and surprise qualifiers Afghanistan in one of the four preliminary league groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Eights round.

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Latest News:49th National Amateur Golf Championship kicks off today

LAHORE: The 49th National Amateur Golf Championship is starting at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club here today.

“Only national players of the country will take part in the event as no foreign entry has been received,” Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) general secretary Taimur Hasan told reporters at a news conference.

“The invitation was extended to India, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal as they had been participating in this competition. But they did not confirm their participation,” Taimur added. He said though players of those countries were willing to play in Pakistan but their respective governments did not allow them.

He said men having handicap of 9 and below and women with handicap limit of 24 were eligible to feature in the tournament. “While men will play on all four days, the women’s competition has been confined to three days from March 19 to 21. Inter-provincial contest over 54 holes from March 18 to 20 will also be played with teams from all four provinces pitched against each other.”

Latest News:Tiger Woods returning for April Masters

WASHINGTON: Tiger Woods will return to competitive golf next month to play in the Augusta Masters, he said in a statement on his website Tuesday.

"The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta," he said on his website.

The world's number one golfer put his game on hold in the wake of a major sex scandal which erupted at the end of last year.

"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment," Woods added. "Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."

The Masters starts on April 8.

Latest News:Tauqir backs Shahid Afridi to lead Pakistan

LAHORE: Former Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Lt. General (r) Tauqir Zia has said that the Senate Sports Committee should not have made the issue of match-fixing public if it was not to name the players involved.

Former skipper Aamir Suhail said Senators did not clarify the situation so he won’t comment.

Speaking to reporters following his announcement to contest election of Lahore City Cricket Association, Zia said that the decision was taken to take the Lahore Cricket to right direction.

He backed star all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the best available choice to lead the national team.

While Suhail said that four to five names were under consideration for the job, but whoever becomes captain should be powerful

Latest News:National Games postponed again

KARACHI: As expected, the 31st National Games, which were scheduled to be held in Peshawar from March 25 to 31, were postponed on Tuesday due to security reasons.

However, the mega domestic event has been rescheduled for December 25 to 31 this year in order to utilise the inputs which have already been made by the organising committee for the conduction of the extravaganza.

This is the second time that the mega national affair was postponed. Before that it was postponed in November last year.

The vital decision was taken unanimously in the Pakistan Olympic Association’s Executive Committee meeting in Lahore on Tuesday which was presided over by the president General Syed Arif Hassan.

“The meeting was specifically called to asses whether in such a volatile security environment the Games should be held or not. And it was unanimously decided that the event should be postponed till December and now efforts would be made to ensure the holding of the spectacle from December 25 to 31,” the secretary of the POA Abdul Khaliq Khan told media after the meeting which lasted for an hour.

“The basic reason behind the fresh dates in December is to utilise the input which has already been made by the organising committee of the event by preparing different materials including medals etc,” the POA secretary said.

In the meeting, the preparatory efforts of the NWFP Sports Minister Syed Aaqil Shah were greatly appreciated by all the members.

The security assessment team under Khwaja Farooq Saeed which was sent to the Frontier capital to asses the security environment and arrangements had submitted its report to the POA in which the security environment in Peshawar for the Games was depicted as unsuitable for the event besides the reluctance shown by different stakeholders, more specifically, the armed forces.

The NWFP Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah termed the decision as unfortunate.

Latest News:Murray moves on, Wozniacki reaches quarters

INDIAN WELLS: Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray booked his fourth-round berth at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday with a straight-sets victory over unfamiliar foe Michael Russell.

World number four Murray beat the American - ranked 68th in the world - 6-3, 7-5.

But Russell, who has never reached an ATP Tour final, didn't go quietly, breaking the Briton in the ninth game of the second set as Murray served for the match, putting the set back on serve after Murray's early break.

"I would have liked to have won, closed it out there 3 and 3, but I did well to stay composed at the end," said Murray, who brought it to a close when he broke Russell in the final game.

"The thing that was good about that match is, a lot of long, tough games. My serve, when I was down, I played well. I saved a lot of break points and played well on a lot of 30-all points," said Murray, who added he was expecting a tough match, despite the difference in ranking.

"In these tournaments, all of the guys are really good players," he said. "When he's had to play up a level he's had some great matches with some of the best players."

Making things trickier, Murray said, was the fact that they hadn't played before.

"It was always going to be difficult because you don't know their patterns of play and the things they like to do on the court," he said.

"For someone with his game style, he played very, very close up to the baseline, which I wasn't expecting. I had to do a lot of defending because of that."

World number one Roger Federer, playing his first tournament since beating Murray in the Australian Open final for a 16th Grand Slam crown, was also slated for third-round action on Tuesday.

Sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling advanced, downing Spain's Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 to book a meeting with France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tsonga defeated Spain's Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

On the women's side, second-seeded Carolina Wozniacki and fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva reached the quarter-finals as defending champion Vera Zvonareva bowed out.

Wozniacki beat Russian veteran Nadia Petrova 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 to line up a meeting with China's Australian Open semi-finalist Zheng Jie - a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) winner over Australian Alicia Molik.

Dementieva made quick work of France's Aravane Rezai, 6-3, 6-3, and next faces Polish fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over France's Marion Bartoli.

Zvonareva, the last of the six former champions remaining in the women's draw, fell to eighth-seeded australian Samantha Stosur 6-2, 7-5.

Latest News:Federer upset by Baghdatis at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS: Marcos Baghdatis upset top-ranked Roger Federer 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (4) Tuesday night in the third round of the BNP Parabas Open, beating the Swiss for the first time in seven meetings.

A joyous Baghdatis bent down and kissed the court, having closed out the taut contest in which Federer blew three match points.

Federer hadn't lost when holding a match point since 2006 in Rome.

Federer lost for just the second time in 13 matches this year in his first tournament since winning his 16th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

Federer held his third match point on Baghdatis' serve in the 12th game, but he netted a backhand for deuce. Baghdatis went up and then forced the tiebreaker when Federer mis-hit a backhand return that sailed high in the air beyond the baseline.

Federer played some loose points in the tiebreak, committing seven errors that included netting a forehand volley to set up Baghdatis' first match point, which he won when Federer's backhand return sailed long.

Baghdatis beat the No. 1-ranked player for the first time in his career.

Federer's loss leaves the tournament without its top seeds, with Svetlana Kuznetsova already knocked out on the women's side.

Andy Roddick defeated Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round along with Andy Murray, while second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the women's quarterfinals.

Roddick, a semifinalist here last year, improved his record to 17-3 this season, all on hardcourts. He had an easier time with de Bakker than their first meeting, a three-set win at the Australian Open in January.

Roddick served 10 aces and saved the only service break he faced in the first set of a match played in nearly 90-degree heat.

"The points he was winning he was either having to play a pretty high risk shot, maybe go for a winner, or he was having to go deep into rallies," Roddick said. "So if you do that over the course of a match, you normally like your chances."

The seventh-seeded American will next play No. 22 Jurgen Melzer, who advanced when Simon Greul withdrew because of illness.

"Jurgen is always tough. He's capable of playing a couple different ways," Roddick said. "He was capable of coming forward, attacking, really being the aggressor, which is always a little bit uncomfortable. It's important to hang on to your service games."

No. 4 Murray served seven aces and was broken just once in defeating American Michael Russell 6-3, 7-5. At 31, Russell was the oldest player remaining in the men's field.

James Blake joined Russell as another sidelined American, losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Nicolas Almagro of Spain. Roddick and John Isner are the lone U.S. men left, with Isner facing a tough match against No. 3 Rafael Nadal on Wednesday.

In fourth-round women's play, No. 4 Elena Dementieva beat No. 19 Aravane Rezai of France 6-3 6-3, sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic routed No. 17 Shahar Peer 6-2, 6-2, and No. 8 Samantha Stosur defeated defending champion Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 7-5.

Wozniacki advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 victory over 16th-seeded Nadia Petrova, whose career record against top-five players dropped to 11-42 with the loss.

"It was a match where it just went up and down quite a bit, and I didn't really know what to expect," she said. "It was not really a great rhythm there. I didn't feel the ball as well."

The Dane will play Zheng Jie of China, who defeated Alicia Molik, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (1).

Wozniacki is the highest seeded woman left, with Kuznetsova, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin among the big names already gone.

No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat Marion Bartoli, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the quarters for the third consecutive year. Radwanska and Stosur are the only remaining female players who have yet to drop a set.

Other men's winners included No. 8 Robin Soderling, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tommy Robredo.

Latest News:Wozniacki advances in Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS: Caroline Wozniacki booked a quarter-final berth at the BNP Paribas Open Tuesday as defending champion Vera Zvonareva joined the list of former champions bowing out.

Wozniacki, the charismatic Danish teenager who is seeded second, survived a see-saw battle with Russian veteran Nadia Petrova to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

Wozniacki turned up the heat in the third set, surrendering just three points on her own serve as she set up a challenging quarter-final clash with Australian Open semi-finalist Zheng Jie of China - a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) winner over Australian Alicia Molik.

"It was a match where it just went up and down quite a bit," Wozniacki said. "It was not really a great rhythm there. I didn't feel the ball very well."

Wozniacki, who shot to prominence with her run to the US Open final last year, is the highest seed remaining after the second-round exit of top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka was another early casualty, along with former champions Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Daniela Hantuchova and Ana Ivanovic.

Zvonareva, the last of six former winners left in the draw, was toppled by eighth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur 6-2, 7-5.

Stosur, 25, stretched her winning streak against the Russian to four matches as she continued to improve on her previous best Indian Wells showing. She had never before made it past the third round.

Stosur, who reached her first quarter-final of the year, next meets Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who beat Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4.

Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia and fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland lined up a quarter-final clash with no-nonsense victories over a pair of French opponents.

Dementieva beat Aravane Rezai, 6-3, 6-3 while Radwanska downed Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-2.

Sixth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, who struggled mightily in a third-round victory over Sara Errani, turned in a strong performance in a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Israel's Shahar Peer.

"I think today I played real well," Jankovic said. "I played really aggressively.

"I had a tough match last night, so I didn't know how I was going to hold up physically. And Shahar Peer is a really dangerous opponent. She can play really, really well, and she's a fighter."

In the quarters, Jankovic will play Alisa Kleybanova, who beat Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4

Both Jankovic and Wozniacki said it wouldn't pay to assume the spate of upsets would make their paths easier.

"Doesn't matter," Jankovic said. "You still have to beat those players who are on the other side of the net. Doesn't matter who it is. It's never easy."

Latest News:PCB sets cutoff for banned cricketers' appeal

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket authorities said on Wednesday seven players banned or fined for indiscipline during a disastrous tour of Australia have 30 days to appeal.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last week banned former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan indefinitely, while suspending another former captain, Shoaib Malik, and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul Hasan for one year.

It handed heavy fines to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, his brother Umar and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi.

A six-member committee headed by PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari was set up to investigate Pakistan's dismal performance on the December-February tour, where Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match.

Bari said: "We have sent all the seven players letters in which we have mentioned the reasons for their punishments and the players can now appeal under the PCB constitution," Bari told AFP. They can file appeals within 30 days, he said.

"We held a thorough inquiry and took into consideration all the facts and background and made decisions to solve the problems in Pakistan cricket," said Bari, who is also a former captain.

PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said three judges have been named to hear the appeals.

"The PCB governing board has appointed two retired Supreme court judges -- Muneer Sheikh and Jamshed Ali Shah -- and a former high court judge, Irfan Qadir, who will deal with appeals," Rizvi told AFP.

None of the players has spoken publicly about their punishment or indicated they will appeal.

Afridi is a strong contender to lead Pakistan in the next month's World Twenty20 in the West Indies, while the Akmals were included in the 18-man squad announced last week.

Pakistan, due to defend the Twenty20 title they won in England last year, are due to announce a captain next week.

Latest News: Djokovic out, Nadal advances in Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS: Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic ousted a weary Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells Masters 1000.

While third-seeded defending champion Rafael Nadal on Wednesday booked his quarter-final berth with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 triumph over big-serving American John Isner, Djokovic couldn't keep pace with the blistering serves and clean groundstrokes of Ljubicic, a former world number three now ranked 26th in the world.

Ljubicic said he was delighted to end a five-match skid against Djokovic, calling some of those defeats "brutal".

"I'm really happy to be able to beat him finally," said Ljubicic, whose only prior win against Djokovic was their first meeting in Zagreb in 2006.

His most recent defeats to the Serb had come in the first round of last year's US Open, and in the quarter-finals at Dubai last month.

"I served well. My serve helped me, especially in difficult moments... in the second set I was serving even better than the first," said Ljubicic, who gave himself both of his match points in the final game with two of his 13 aces.

Djokovic saved the first, but on the second Ljubicic came up with another big serve that the Serbian could only sail back across the baseline.

"But also two weeks ago in Dubai I was serving unbelievably," Ljubicic said. "You can't beat Novak only with a serve, but it does help you a lot if you can get a lot of free points off that shot."

Djokovic said he knew what to expect.

"I don't think any match we play is different," he said. "It's more or less based on the service and returns. As much as I get in the rallies, I think I have more chances to win the point. It wasn't the case today.

"My execution was very bad and he played well when he needed to and he served well when he needed to," said Djokovic, who won his second straight Dubai Open title in February then won both of his matches to help Serbia beat the United States in the first round of the Davis Cup in Belgrade.

Djokovic has looked far from sharp since arriving in the California desert, having to save three match points to subdue Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.

"This is a tournament where I definitely didn't feel comfortable on the court," said Djokovic, the 2008 champion. "It's just because I had a very tiring couple of weeks coming from Davis Cup, which was emotionally very exhausting for me."

The tournament has now lost its top two men's seeds, after world number one Roger Federer was stunned by Marco Baghdatis in the third round on Tuesday.

That left Nadal as the highest-ranked player to make it into the quarters as he withstood a barrage of 22 aces from the 24-year-old American Isner.

World number four Andy Murray was slated to play later Wednesday, taking on Spain's Nicolas Almagro for a quarter-final place.

Baghdatis tried to avoid the letdown a day after his first career triumph over Federer as he tackled Spain's Tommy Robredo, and sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling took on ninth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.

Meanwhile women's fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland booked a semi-final berth with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva.

Radwanska has reached her second semi-final of the season without dropping a set, and denied Dementieva a shot at a third title of 2010 - after triumphs in Sydney and the Paris Indoors.

Radwanska awaits the winner of the night quarter-final between second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and China's Zheng Jie.