ICL looking to rope in Saqlain
The rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) has zeroed in on former Pakistani off-spin wizard Saqlain Mushtaq. Besides Saqlain, the ICL has also six other Pakistani players, including former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.
Sources said apart from these two, the ICL has also sounded off Naved Latif, Hasan Reza, Mohammad Hafeez, Humayun Farhat and Imran Nazir.
More dope tests in Beijing: Rogge
More doping tests and tighter controls await athletes at August's Beijing Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge said on Wednesday, reports Reuters from Baku, Azerbaijan.
"Doping control at the upcoming Beijing Olympics will be stricter than in the past, and the number of doping tests will be increased to 4,500 from 3,500," Rogge said.
He said the stricter doping measures would provide for fairer competition among athletes.
PCB limits Aussie tour to 4 venues
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to limit the under-cloud Australia's tour, which is under threat due to security concerns, to four venues, reports Reuters from Karachi.
The proposed March-April tour will take place in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad.
Ecclestone talks tough
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned British Grand Prix organisers that there can be no room for sentiment in talks to keep the race on the calendar after next year, reports Reuters from London.
The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC), who own the Silverstone venue, moved a step closer to the redevelopment of the circuit after winning local authority backing for their plans this week.
However, Ecclestone told Wednesday's Daily Telegraph newspaper that Silverstone could take nothing for granted. "Assume the facilities are built and we like it," he said.
Delhi lose archery event
The International Archery Federation has withdrawn the Youth Archery Championships from Delhi and the national association is upset over FITA’s attitude over the issue, reports PTI from New Delhi.
The championships were to be held in October this year and was considered by the Archery Association of India as a good opportunity for the youngsters to get exposure before the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
But earlier this week, FITA withdrew the competition from Delhi on the ground of exorbitant hotel rates.
Even the AAI’s bid to convince FITA to shift the event to Jamshedpur was rejected due to the absence of an international airport there.
Samuels’ action under scanner
West Indies bowler Marlon Samuels will undergo independent analysis of his bowling action at the National Cricket Academy at Loughborough University on Monday, reports UNI from London.
If the analysis concludes that Samuels generally bowls with an illegal action, he will be suspended from bowling in international cricket until such time as he has corrected his action and submitted to a fresh independent analysis that concludes that his action has been remedied.
The analysis will be performed by Dr Mark King, member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists.
Akhtar to captain domestic side
Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday named Shoaib Akhtar as the captain of one of the teams featuring in its new first class competition to be contested among the country’s best performers, reports PTI from Karachi. The Pentangular tournament will be contested by the four provinces and one team of federally administrated areas will be led by Akhtar.
H’bad Heroes post first win
Hyderabad Heroes notched up their maiden victory beating Mumbai Champs by 80 runs in the Indian Cricket League 50-over tournament at Lahari Resorts, Hyderabad.
Heroes stand-in skipper and opener Shashank Nag scored 63 while Vinay Kumar and Ibrahim Khaleel too scored half- centuries to post 276/8 in 50 overs.
In reply, the Champs were dismissed for 196 runs in 42.4 overs.
Brief scores: Hyderabad Heroes: 276/8 in 50 overs (P Shashank Nag 63, SZ Suffri 41, D Vinay Kumar 62, I Khaleel 58, STR Binny 27; Sanklecha 3-72, Burkul 3-72) bt Mumbai Champs: 196 all out in 42.4 overs (DS Jadhav 101, RD Khirid 31).
