Champions Trophy Retained in Pakistan!

The ICC committee has decided to continue with Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2008. South Africa was expecting that the venue would be changed to their country but ICC went ahead with their decision. Based on the report submitted on the security situation in Pakistan, ICC has gone ahead and did not change the venue.

Several countries are not happy with this decision and not sure about their participation in this Champions Trophy.

Australia is almost sure that they will not play this season. England has confirmed 90% that they will not participate. They said no players should be forced to play as the security of the players is more important.

New Zealand board is talking with the players to find out their comfort level.

With major teams not participating or at least hesitating to participate, it is better that ICC change thier venue or work out some other solution by which all the countries participating in this tournament are free from fear and play competitive cricket.

Asif Wanted B Sample - Postponed!

Based on the reports from the IPL, PCB suspended Mohammad Asif from the Pakistan Cricekt Team. He denied the allegations and has asked for B Sample to be tested.

ICC Anti-Doping rules allow players and/or their representative to be present when the Sample B is opened and analyzed.

The test that was supposed to analyzed on July 28, has been postponed. His lawyer, Shahid Karim, wants more time to prepare for the case and make travel arrangements.

He seems to have said that he wants documents from the IPL describing the procedures adopted in "A" sample test.

PCB Suspends Asif!

Based on the report from the IPL that Mohammad Asif was tested positive, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended him. It is doubtful whether he will be part of the Champions Trophy team that starts in September this year.

Asif in Trouble Again!

Mohammad Asif who was just relieved from the cluthes of Dubai police on the charges of possessing drugs is in trouble again. The test conducted by IPL has turned out positive and the reports indicated that it is a Asian fast bowler's test sample.

The IPL announced on Monday that Asif had tested positive for a banned substance.

Indian Squad: Sachin and Harbhajan in; Yuavaraj and Pathan dropped!

The Indian team Test Squad was announced. The team is touring Sri Lanka starting July for 3 Test Matches and 5 ODIs. As expected, Sachin has returned from injury. He played against South Africa in the first test and did not play the in remaining two tests. He has made another come back from the injury.

Harbhajan, who was banned for slapping Sreesanth in the IPL match, also made a come back.

Dhoni, who opted to take rest is also sitting out and will be back for the ODI. So, he is not available for half of the tour.

The other top stars of Indian cricket, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman also part of the test side.

Yuvaraj Singh and Irfan Pathan were dropped for their poor form in Asis Cup. Also, they did not contribute in the South African tour.

Rohit Sharma and Ojha were given the chance this time.

The Squad:

Anil Kumble (Captain), Virender Sehwag (Vice Captain), Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Zaheer Khan, VVS Laxman, Pragyan Ojha, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, and Sachin Tendulkar

Sri Lankan Cricketers Speculated to have Conflict with Board!

It was reported that Sri Lankan cricketers have a conflict with the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. The report said that, "They infact played the Asia Cup without the contract."

When the team arrived in the Bandaranaike Airport, the officials from the board received them. This is their first Asia Cup victory in overseas.

Talking to the media in the airport, captain Jayawardane said, the result was due to the fantastic team work.

"We played as a team and everybody in the team played their role well to secure this historic win," Jayawardena said.

Surprise and Shocking! Pepsi Drops Sachin!

The master batsman of world cricket Sachin Tendulkar's contract with Pepsi came to an end in May. Pepsi has already dropped the veterans Ganguly and Dravid.

Industry sources said Pepsi did not renew the contract with Tendulkar, who has been their brand ambassador since the 90s, following its decision to focus on younger cricketers.

In an earlier interview, Pepsi Co's Executive Director hinited about having second thoughts over Tendulkar's contract. He said, "Its about how much you (as a company) can afford and how many new faces you want to introduce".

So, like Dhoni, Pepsi is also focusing on youngsters! But, it was really surprising that they dropped Sachin, the brand ambassador of Pepsi for around 19 years.

Holding Quits ICC over decision on Pakistan England Match!

The former West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding has resigned from the ICC cricket committee. The reason stated was, "he is unhappy with the ICC's decision to change the result of the 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan from a forfeited win for England to a draw."

"I have just written my letter of resignation to the ICC cricket committee because I cannot agree with what they've done," Holding said while commentating for Sky Sports during a domestic match in England. "That game should never, ever be a draw. When you take certain actions, you must be quite happy to suffer the consequences.

"A lot of things are happening today that I don't want to be involved with, so I've moved on." He also felt that Pakistan deserve the punishment because they did not come to the field though they were cleared off ball tampering. The refusal to go play should not go unpunished.

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Zimbabwe Stays in ICC! Pulls Out of World Cup T20!

After few days of discussion and boardroom negotiations, the ICC decided to retain Zimbabwe as part of ICC.

Zimbabwe, though decided to pull out from the World Twenty20 and cleared the roadblock for the competition to be staged in England, will receive its full participation fee for the tournament.

"We have been informed that the British government may not grant visas to our players, and that situation may prevail during the Twenty20 World Cup. We don't want to be gatecrashers; we will attend only those weddings to which we are invited," said Peter Chingoka, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket.

Pakistan Court Asks the reason for Akhtar's Ban!

Akhtar appealed against his reduced ban in the Pakistan court. His ban was reduced from life ban to 18 months ban and 70 million rupees fine. Though it was reduced, it still did not allow him to play in the Tri-Series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup. It will also prevent him from playing in Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan.

He appelad aganist this reduced ban in the court and the judge has said that, "Shoaib Akhtar is hero of the Pakistan." He also asked the PCB the reason for imposing the ban on Shoaib.

Now the ball is in PCB's court to provide proper justification for his ban. It is almost sure that he will come out of this ban and play for Pakistan soon.

Good luck Shoaib!

ICC Considering the Result of Forfeited Match between England and Pakistan!

The ICC is considering to change the decision of the match awarded in favor of England during their match against Pakistan. The umpire Darrell Hair punished Pakistan of ball tampering and awarded 5 runs to England. Pakistan team lead by Inzmam-ul-Haq did not accept that and Inzmam did not come to the field after tea on the fourth day.

Pakistan had, at the time, been in a strong position in the match, having secured a first-innings lead of 331 and removed four England batsmen second-time around. There was nothing at stake in the series, with England already leading 2-0 after wins at Headingley and Old Trafford, but the eventual forfeiture was the first in the history of Test cricket.

"England and Pakistan have agreed to declare the Oval Test as a draw to maintain the dignity of Pakistan in world cricket, especially after the ball-tampering charges were dropped," a web site mentioned the source as a person who attended the meeting.

If this happens, it may affect England's the position in the ICC rankings.