PCB sues ICC!

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed a case against International Cricket Council (ICC) in a Lahore Court against the ICC's move to strip the World Cup hosting rights of PCB.

"The (ICC) board has no authority to move the secretariat and that's why we have filed the case," the PCB's legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told AP. "We have to fight all out against a decision which is legally flawed and to step up our pressure, we have sued the ICC, IDI (ICC Development International) and the Central Organising Committee (for) World Cup 2011.

"The IDI gave the World Cup to four countries. So the ICC Executive Board was not entitled to take a decision on a World Cup move, only the annual general meeting can take such a decision."

Now, ICC has to respond!

source: cricinfo.com

Australia Tour to India in Danger!

With terrorists rocking Delhi with their bombs, killing innocents lives regardless of child, young, middle aged or senior citizens. Not sure what they wanted to achieve? They say "freedom!" How? I think by killing innocent people, they want freedom and rule a place only with terrorists. One of them from their own group will kill others for either power or money and finally all getting killed.

It has not only impacted the regular life of the people, but also the foreign revenue through sports. Yes, the Australian tour to India is in trouble.

The Champions Trophy was postponed to next year because of the bomb blasts in Pakistan. Now, with the recent blast in Delhi, the Cricket Australia has decided to review the security in India.

Hope the series has no problem, though there seems to be a little danger! Let us hope that it does not stop!

BCCI v. PCB!

While PCB is trying to find out all the possible routes to conduct the Champions Trophy, BCCI is becoming a bottleneck in their approach.

After the announcement by ICC to postpone the event to next year, Pakistan was trying to invite various teams to play with them a ODI Series or a triangular tournament. But, nothing went in favor of them.

Extract from Times of India:

As per PCB sources, "India is not interested in having the Champions Trophy at all. It has made clear that they see no necessity for this event on the ICC Calendar."

BCCI is clear that they will not change the Australian itinerary scehduled in October 2008 for a 7-match ODI series.

With Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand annoucing withdrawal from the tournament fearing security and safety reasons, ICC postponed the event to October 2008. They retained the hosting rights with Pakistan.

India basically feels that with world cup scheduled for every four years and T20 World Cup every year, Champions Trophy is not needed. But, ICC feels that this woudl spread cricket and help fuding the associate countries.

Pakistan is hopeful of conduting the Champions Trophy next year.

ICC Succumbs to Pressure! CT Postponed

The ICC has decided to postpone the Champions Trophy to next year. In a tele-meeting held today, considering the threat from Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa, and possible split within ICC if venue is moved out of Pakistan, the ICC decided to postpone the event to next October.

They have asked for a detailed report from the security team about conducting the event in Pakistan.

The issue is that, if venue is changed, then the next world cup to be hosted jointly by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will also be under threat. The top teams may boycot the world cup.

Champions Trophy Decision on Sunday!

With unsuccessful attempts in convincing the players of New Zealand, England and Australia, the ICC will be discussing over conference call on Sunday to decide on the fate of Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Ite seems that players association of New Zealand and Australia have advised their players against touring Pakistan.

With major countries pulling out, it will be tough decision for ICC. The decision will be taken on Sunday's meeting.

Champions League to as Scheduled!

The chairman of the IPL Lalit Modi has not taken the letter from ICC indicating that the schedule of Champions League is against the ICC rules. According to ICC, no international event should be conducted 7 before and after an ICC event.

ICC has scheduled the Champions Trophy between September 11 and 28. The Champions League starts on 29th.

As far as the venue of the event is concerned, Modi said, "we had initially announced that Delhi, Mohali and Jaipur would host the matches of the Champions League. But we have received various offers. We would like it to be in India in the first year and then ideally rotate it among the founder members. We are quite open (on the issue of venues). It can be in one geographical area too depending on the available infrastructure."

This indicates that the venue can be outside India for the inagural event.

The eight teams are: Two from IPL, Two from Australia, Two from South Africa, One each from Pakistan and England.

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.

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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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.

Asif Released!

The Pakistan Cricket Team fast bolwer Mohammad Asif was released of all charges and deported to Pakistan. He was detained on the charges of possessing druges which he claimed as an Ayurvedic Medicine.

The attorney general said that all charges have been dropped because this was considered as a mild case and the government doesn't want to waste time in these small cases. This is not a case that is worth pursuing and hence we drop the charges, is what communicated by the attorney general.

Mohammad Asif is free to go to Pakistan!

Asif still in Dubai!

The PCB representative left Dubai without Asif. The report on the enquiry leading the detention of Mohammad Asif, the fast bowler of Pakistan cricket team is yet to be submitted by the prosecutor to the Attorney General.

As of now, Mohammad Asif is still in Dubai. It looks like PCB will be suspnding Mohammad Asif until he is proven not guilty. The sources suggests that this will be end of his career as Pakistan wanted to take strict actions against wrong-doers.

Asif Detained in Dubai!

Mohammad Asif of Pakistan is in trouble again. He was detained and arrested for possessing drugs. He was caught in the Dubai airport while going back from India after playing in the IPL (Indian Premier League).

If he is found guilty, he would be banned for life as far as cricket is concerned and go to jail for four years. "The person concerned has been handed over to the drugs unit of the Dubai police," an airport customs official told IANS earlier Tuesday."

As per Geo TV, the Pakistan television channel, Asif, the Pakistan Contracted Player, had confessed to possessing narcotic substances.

The PCB's chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi, who confirmed the arrest, told IANS from Lahore: "We are in touch with the authorities in the UAE through our embassy."

There are different versions to the story:

1) Asif slapped an airport official, they searched him and found an ayurvedic medicine, which Asif claims as a energy boosting medicine, which was termed as drug.
2) He was trapped by a sniffer dog in the transit lounge
3) He had confessed that he used drugs

If he is found guilty, he would face a four-year jail term, ban from cricket including IPL.

Asif was banned for a year and his team-mate Shoaib Akhtar for two years after they tested positive for the steroid Nandrolone in October 2006. The ban was removed on appeal two months later

BCCI Rejected Akhtar's Claim!

The request from Akhtar to play in the current IPL has been rejected by BCCI. They have barred him from IPL.

He was banned for 5 years, which means he cannot represent Pakistan anymore. He was banned for criticising openly about PCB policies.

Shoait Cannot Play in IPL

Based on Pakistan Cricket Board's decision of banning the Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for five years, the Indian Premier League committee also said that, Shoaib cannot play in the IPL.

He was banned for five years as a disciplinary measure for speaking against the Pakistan Cricket Board's policies. He was also not happy for not providing him a contract.

Mr. Bindra, a member of the IPL governing body during his interview to an online media said that, "if he can't play for Pakistan, how can we play him? There will be no discipine left in the game and it will set an unwanted precedent."

Kolkatta Knight Riders spokesperson confirmed that they have received a communication about Shoaib's situation and he should not be included in the team until he is cleared or the ban is stayed.

Meanwhile, the owner of Knight Riders Sharukh Khan said that "he can hire another player, but he wanted Shoiab Akthtar."

Shoaid to Play in IPL!

Shoaib Akhtar announced that he will play in Indian Premier League despite his ban in playing cricket in Pakistan or for playing Pakistan.

We have to wait and see whether he will be eligble to play because Pakistan Cricket Board has banned him for 5 from playing for Pakistan or in Pakistan.

Only yesterday, Shoaib had claimed that the willingness of the Knight Riders to play him confirmed there were no disciplinary issues. "If I had been so indisciplined and had an attitude problem as the Pakistan board claims do you think that Shahrukh Khan or [Sourav] Ganguly would want me to play for their team in the IPL," Shoaib said.

Good luck Shoaib!

PCB Chairman files Suit against Shoaib Akhtar

Based on the statement by Shoaib Akhtar in a television interview against the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf, that he was trying extract money from him and the players. Shoaib, though did not go against chairman in most of his interview, his recent interveiw added as a fuel to the existing controversy.

He said that the ban was a punishment in return for refusing to give the chairman a share of his salary from the Indian Premiere League. He also charged Ashraf against trying to get money from other Pakistan players.

The notice was issued by the board's legal firm on behalf of Ashraf who said the statements by Shoaib were "not only utterly outrageous, fabricated, and manifestly baseless" and aimed at asssinating his character.

The notice called upon Shoaib to "retract" his statements against Ashraf, and "tender an unconditional apology". The notice also sought damages of Rs100 million (approximately US$1.6 million) to Ashraf for "defaming him personally" and another Rs100 million to the PCB for "sullying the name of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket team."

Akhtar to Appeal agaisnt the Ban!

Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akthar has said that he will be appeal in the court against the ban imposed on him couple of days back. He was banned for speaking against PCB.

He said that he is innocent and has apologized already for all his mistakes. He is also not a contracted player with the PCB and there is no reason why he should answer PCB. He does not follow in the code and conduct rules and regulagations.

Shoaib was banned for comments he made after not being offered a contract by the PCB, in which he lashed out at domestic tournaments, pitches and the administration. He was already in probation following a dispute with Asif and for hitting him with bat.

Akhtar said that he was deeply disappointed and hurt and he would go to court and fight against the ban. He said that he was demoted from central contract 'A' category, which was very hurtful and as a reaction he said something. He said that he still wants to play for his country.

Shoaib has been plagued by injury and controversy since he began his international career in November 1997. He was twice sidelined over throwing allegations and was also banned for a breach of code on tour and ball-tampering.


We have to wait and see whether he will be successful in his appeal against the ban and the fight with the Pakistan Cricket Board.