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United we stand, says Younis Khan
Lanka keen to oust Zimbabwe
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Champions Trophy
PHA forms panels for hockey nationals
Indo-Pak Punjab Games jinxed?
Hungarian biker maintains lead
Madura upsets Asha
Kunjarani breaks national record
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United we stand, says Younis Khan
New Delhi, October 9 Younis claimed that the flip-flop over the captaincy issue hours before the team’s departure for the prestigious tournament was behind them and would not hamper their performance. “Let bygones be bygones. I have already forgotten the incident because you cannot change what has happened. The issue has died down and I foresee no problems,” said Younis, who was reinstated after he initially refused to captain the side saying he did not want to be a “dummy captain”. He also said the whole episode would not affect the morale of the team ahead of such a crucial tournament. “It (Pakistan) is not a club team. We are playing international cricket. It should not be such a problem to rise above all these and perform,” he said. The middle-order batsman said he had the support of the whole team and was eager to prove himself as a captain. “I am here to enjoy my cricket. I am supporting all the other players and they are also supporting me. I hope I do well. Playing under pressure is a challenge. but it is also fun to play under pressure,” he said. Younis, who will captain the team for the first time for a whole series, did not think it would be a problem managing the star-studded team because everyone was playing for the country. “I don’t think it would be difficult to manage the big players. We are all playing for the country. “I like when Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Akhtar play well. I am not jealous but I am happy about it. That’s why I was offered the captaincy,” he said. Younis, who has already planned how he would go about the leader’s job, said he followed legendary cricketers Imran Khan and Steve Waugh. “I usually give stress on nurturing the youngsters. But they are keeping their distance after I was appointed captain. They say they were giving me respect,” he said agreeing to Waugh’s observation it was lonely at the top. He, however, said he was not overly worried about the results because only two teams could reach the finals. Asked if he felt an added pressure and responsibility in the absence of Inzamam-ul Haq, he said, “The responsibility is always there but yes you can say there will be some extra responsibility in his absence as no one can fill the gap.” Yousuf also rated Inzamam as the best captain he had played under in his career. “I have played under Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis but Inzamam is the best because it is different to captain a team of good players. But he brought results with new team and lead it to the stage, where it is today,” he said.
Inzamam can’t play in CT
A technicality has dented Inzamam-ul-Haq’s chances of playing in the Champions Trophy even if Pakistan make it to the final of the elite tournament. As per the Participating Nations Agreement (PNA), a player who is replaced in a squad cannot be reinstated during the tournament. That effectively means that Inzamam, who is serving a four-match ban and was replaced by youngster Faisal Iqbal, cannot take part in the 10-nation meet. All participating nations have signed the PNA and Clause 6.9 of the agreement, dealing with the issue of replacements, clearly debars a replaced player from taking part in the tournament.
— PTI
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Lanka keen to oust Zimbabwe
Ahmedabad, October 9 The match at the Motera Stadium is crucial for both teams. A victory would bring the Sri Lankans to the threshold of the tournament proper, while Zimbabwe are in a must-win situation to survive in the competition. The two sides have had dynamically opposite build-ups to the match, leaving little scope for doubt in deciding the favourites for the tie. Former world champions Sri Lanka have been on song in the recent past with a 5-0 decimation of England a few months ago, giving ample indication of their prowess. The island nation’s batsmen have led their side’s resurgence after a 1-6 mauling at the hands of Rahul Dravid’s men in India last year. The ageing Sanath Jayasuriya, who returned from retirement responding to a chorus of demands from his fans, seems to have regained his aggression and the voracious appetite for runs. Skipper and prolific scorer Mahela Jayawardene, effortless strokemaker Kumar Sangakkara, veteran classicist Marvan Atapattu and emerging talent Upul Tharanga have combined to make the Sri Lankan batting a dreadful proposition for the opposition bowlers. On the other hand, spin magician Muttiah Muralitharan would spearhead the Lankan attack that is capable of rattling any top-class batting line-up. Their convincing win over Bangladesh in their opening qualifying fixture on Saturday in Mohali is sure to have sent the Lankans’ self-conviction soaring. While the Sri Lankans, with a 7-3 win-loss record in the tournament, were adjudged joint winners along with India at the Champions Trophy four years ago, Zimbabweans have never made it past the first hurdle and are still on the lookout for their maiden win after playing seven matches. Face to face, the two teams have played 36 matches with Sri Lanka winning 29. Zimbabwe have won six, four of which came at neutral venues. The two sides have met only once on Indian soil at the Hero Cup in 1993-94 where Sri Lanka emerged victors. Teams: Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Upul Tharanga, Tilakratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Ferveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga and Malinga Bandara. Zimbabwe (from): Prosper Utseya (capt), Justice Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Terry Duffin, Anthony Ireland, Tafadzwa Kamungozi, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tawanda Mupariwa, Ed Rainsford, Piet Rinke, Tafadzwa Mufambisi, Gregory Strydom and Brendan Taylor.
— PTI
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New Zealand not glamorous enough: Fleming
New Delhi, October 9 “I don’t think we are a glamorous side, but we are certainly a good one,” Fleming said. This has resulted in the Black Caps playing just eight one-day internationals this year and they are scheduled to play only two Tests in the next 12 months, against Sri Lanka. Coach John Bracewell conceded that the fault probably lay in the side’s lack of consistency abroad. “We have to be more consistent in winning outside New Zealand to be a more attractive proposition,” Bracewell said, adding that the team had started making progress in that direction. “We have won two tri-series outside New Zealand over the last two years,” he said, referring to the ones in Zimbabwe where they defeated India in the final, and in England, getting the better of the West Indies in the title clash. But Fleming said the scheduling had turned out to be a blessing in disguise for New Zealand Cricket and ensured that the players were fresh for the important season ahead, beginning with the Champions Trophy. “We have had ample rest and are raring to go to the battles ahead. Eight of the players, mostly batsmen, played county cricket, while the bowlers took it easy,” the left-handed Fleming said. “We had a sort of re-union feeling among the players when they assembled after a long break,” the coach said. His opinion was seconded by all-rounder Scott Styris, who also said the team fell short in the glamour stakes. “We cannot compare ourselves in this regard with Australia, India, Pakistan and England, and do not play in such frequent series,” he said. The break has also ensured New Zealand a full-strength side for the mini World Cup. “Shane Bond is back to full fitness and that is a big plus for us. He has to be taken good care of because of the huge workload that his role demands of him,” Fleming said. “Any bowler who can swing the ball at his pace will be a massive boost to any side,” Bracewell said. Prolific batsman Nathan Astle rued that they would be playing only two practice games ahead of the Champions Trophy. “We have two practice games before our first match against Pakistan, but we could have done with a few more matches to adapt to the heat and other conditions prevalent in India at this time of the year,” the right-hander said.
— PTI
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Biochemical terror puts security on high alert
Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service
Mumbai, October 9 Apart from screening suspects at venues where the matches are to be played, investigating agencies will also now look out for possible chemical and bacterial attacks on the cricket teams. Senior officials from security agencies have met with representatives of the BCCI, according to sources. Though such meetings are routine, reports in London’s Sunday Times about the threat of biological or chemical attacks on British and Australian cricketers has caused local anti-terror operatives to go into a fresh huddle. The Champions Trophy is attracting scores of youth of Indian origin from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Investigators will be keeping an eye on them apart from local suspects. According to the Sunday Times quoting British police, a friend of the 7/11 London bombers confessed to the bombers speaking of plans to spray sarin gas into the dressing rooms after gaining access to the stadium by finding jobs as stewards. The terrorists went on to carry out suicide bomb attacks in London’s underground stations which claimed 52 lives. Teams from Australia and England are already in India for the Champions Trophy. With five matches, including the final to be played at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, security officials in the city have gone into overdrive. Sources say cricket fans from Pakistan are being denied visas for the series as a precautionary measure. However intelligence agencies are worried about British-born youths with training in terror from Pakistan arriving here during the series.
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Zaheer, Balaji wreck UP
Nagpur, October 9 As many as 17 wickets perished on the day one of the five-day match, as batsman on both sides had a tough time trying to negotiate the slight seam movement that the pitch at the VCA Stadium was offering Batting first, a depleted Uttar Pradesh, missing Suresh Raina, Mohd Kaif, R P Singh and Piyush Chawla, comfortably reached 102 for 2 fifteen minutes before lunch. But then the tragedy struck. Zaheer (4/46) and Balaji (4/29), trying to make a come back on the national team, struck regularly to reduce the Ranji champions to 115 for 5 at lunch. Openers Shivkant Shukla (52) and Praveen Kumar (42) showed some early resilience but batsmen down the order failed to make much impact on a fairly seaming wicket. The post-lunch session saw the combination of Zaheer and Balaji play havoc against some irresponsible batting display from the Ranji champions. M Karthik chipped in with 2 for 23. Rest of India made a confident start putting 64 for the opening wicket through skipper Wasim Jaffer (45) and Gautam Gambhir (20). The exit of Gambhir, bowled by lanky paceman Praveen Kumar, signalled the collapse of the Rest of India. Robin Uttappa (8), Venugopal Rao (0), Dinesh Karthik (11), paid for some rash strokes. Praveen (3 for 27) and pacer S Srivastava (3 for 47) did the damage. S Badrinath (35 not out) is holding one end with his side still requiring 18 runs to overhaul UP’s first innings total. — PTI
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I have lot of hockey left in me: Pillay
Hisar, October 9 Pillay, who was here in connection with a rural sports tournament being organised at Bhaini Amirpur village near Narnaund in the district, was talking to mediapersons today. Expressing concern over the decline in Indian hockey, the star player said ignoring talent, lack of a professional attitude, switching over to European style and frequent change of coaches were to be blamed for the downward trend. “The government should do away with the quota system and ensure fair selection to check the downfall,” he maintained. Pillay, who has been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award and Padamshree, demanded that the match fees given to the hockey players be increased to $100 per day. He said he had been trying to get the match fees raised for a long time, but to no avail. “Big companies should also come forward and adopt the sports other than cricket,” he said, adding that a change in government approach and media focus could also bolster the sagging spirits of hockey players. He further stated that the hockey officials should be made answerable to improve the standards of the game. The former Olympian praised Haryana for encouraging players by providing them substantial facilities, financial support and other incentives.
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PHA forms panels for hockey nationals
Chandigarh, October 9 The sub-committees would be headed by the Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned, with the Senior Superintendent of Police as its organising secretary. The meeting, which was presided over by the Director-General of Police, Mr SS Virk, who is also the president of the PHA, also decided to associate several former international players and Olympians, including Pargat Singh, Jagdeep Singh Gill, Hardeep Singh Grewal, Ramandeep Singh Grewal, and Surinder Singh Sodhi, with the organising committee. Also co-opted in the organising committee were Mr Surinder Singh of Surjit Hockey Society and Mr Rachpal Singh of Namdhari Jatha. It was also decided to name Thakur Ude Singh of Namdhari Jatha as the senior vice-president of the PHA. Bhaini Sahib, which recently organised the Punjab State Under-13 and Under-17 State Hockey Championships on its newly laid synthetic surface, will be one of the four venues for the National Hockey Championship. Other venues will be Guru Nanak University (Amritsar), Surjit Hockey Stadium (Jalandhar) and Prithipal Singh Hockey Stadium (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana).
— TNS
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Indo-Pak Punjab Games jinxed?
Chandigarh, October 9 Postponed more than once, these friendly games were re-scheduled for the second week of October this year. Pakistan Punjab, which was to host the games after the inaugural event in Patiala in December, 2004, had initially sought a postponement because of a devastating earthquake that had rocked a major part of North-West Pakistan. While there is no indication of the games being held in the immediate future, the money set aside for the second edition is gradually diminishing. Of the Rs 1 crore earmarked for the games, which were to take place in Lahore, nearly one-tenth has reportedly been spent already. A new car, a lap top and a sophisticated hand set has been purchased from the funds meant for the games. Besides, a few lakh have also been taken out from the games funds for providing a furnished office at the residence of one of senior functionary of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare. Interestingly, two delegations have visited Pakistan since the holding of the first games in Patiala to work out modalities and finalise plans for holding the second event in Pakistan. In the first delegation, besides the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, the Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Mr RPS Pawar, also went to Pakistan. Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi went alone the second time. Though the holding of the first games had generated lot of interest, some preliminary coaching camps were organised to train the Punjab teams. But once the games were postponed, no subsequent camps were held. Reports from across the border also indicate that little has been done to create new infrastructure or renovate the existing one for holding the games. The only indoor hall available in Pakistan Punjab is in Islamabad where only a limited number of events can be held. Any further delay in holding the games may lead to their cancellation as all top athletes will be busy in preparation for the Asian Games to be held in Doha, Qatar, in December this year. When the first games were held, it was decided that the two Punjabs would hold them alternately every two years as an extension of the confidence-building measures, besides improving people-to-people contact.
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Hungarian biker maintains lead
Shimla, October 9 The rally, which took off from here on October 5, had completed 320 km and moved into the difficult high altitude leg of Kulu district today after passing through the interior of Shimla district. It will pass through the Jalori pass -Jhanjheli stretch, during which it will reach the highest elevation of 3,600 metres tomorrow. Norbert, Dileep Singh and Ramesh Chandra were also leading in the same order in the men (open) category, while Karen Ruth Matias of Manali, Kulbir Kaur of Chandigarh and Chen Ling Lee of Singapore were holding on to the first three positions, respectively. In the team event, the first two places were being held by the Army Adventure team comprising Dileep Singh and Ramesh Chandra (Army-2) and Satish Chandra and Naresh Dev (Army-1). The Firefox Team consisting of Balwant Singh and Sanjeev Singh was at the third position. In the Indian category, it has been an all-Army affair so far with Dileep Singh, Ramesh Chandra and Dibeen Metei occupying the first three positions. The overall performance of Indian bikers has improved considerably compared to last year, thanks to the participants from the Army.
— TNS
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Madura upsets Asha
New Delhi, October 9 Barring this early fall of a seed, other matches went along expected lines. Top seed Isha Lakhani thrashed Sanjana Kapur 6-2, 6-1, while Ragini Vimal, another fancied player, was business-like in her ruthless 6-1, 6-0 demolition of Apurvika Shukla. In the men’s section, seeded player Vivek Shokeen was given a hard time by Yannick Nelord before he won 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. Results (first round): Men’s singles: Divij Sharan b Faiz Mohammad 6-4, 6-3; Purav Raja b PC Vignesh 6-1, 6-2; Sanam Singh b Divyanshu Singh 6-3, 6-1; Vivek Shokeen b Yannick Nelord 3-6, 6-4, 6-1; Sandeep Choudhary b Dhruv Kumar 6-2, 6-1. Women’s singles: Isha Lakhani b Sanjana Kapur 6-2, 6-1; Vishika Chettri b Deepanwita Chakrabarty 6-2, 6-3; Kesiak Jaipalan b Naina Karsolia 6-2,7-5; Parija Maloo b Rohini Das 6-0, 6-0; Kyra Shroff b Chirashanta Rajur 6-1, 6-3; Parul Goswami b Raadhae Swarupa 6-2, 6-2; Shalini Sahoo b Neha Rana 6-0, 6-4; Vishaka Sheoran b Nupur Kaul 6-1, 7-5; Sandhaya Nagaraj b V Poojashree 6-1, 6-2; Ragini Vimal b Apurvika Shukla 6-1, 6-0; Madura Ranganathan b Asha Nandakumar 6-2, 6-2. Boys under-18: Sumit Prakash b Pushpendra 6-1, 6-1; Sriram Balaji b Daniel Raj 6-2, 6-2; Suresh Krishna b Rahul 6-0, 6-2; Faiz Mohammad b Vedant Kapoor 6-2, 6-2; Akash Gujarathi b Varun Sinha 6-0, 6-0; Palash Tiwari b Navneetha Kannan 6-3, 6-2; Nikunj Siwach b Keshav Patidar 6-0, 6-0; S Harika b Ankit Sachdeva 6-4,6-4; Abhijeet Tiwari b Ujwal Khanna 6-1, 6-0; Akshay
Bajoria b Vikas Chauhan 6-4, 6-1; Ashwin Vijayaraghavan b Keshav 6-1, 6-0.
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Kunjarani breaks national record
Jalandhar, October 9 In weightlifting, 27 teams are participating, including eight in the women’s section. Results: Weightlifting: Women: 48 kg: 1. N. Kunjarani Devi (CRPF), 2. A Sandhya Rani (CRPF), 3. Sharda Siddi (Karnataka). Men: 56 kg: 1. Vicky Batta (Punjab Police), 2. Basanta Meitei (CRPF), 3. Gurpal Singh (Punjab Police). Judo: 90 kg: 1. Vinod Solanki (BSF), 2. Narendra Singh (CISF), 3. Brij Lal (Punjab Police). 100 kg: 1. Jatinder Pal (Punjab Police), 2. Yashpal Solanki (Punjab Police), 3. Samunder Tokas (BSF).
— TNS
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