Dhoni's handwritten Letter to Media and Indian Fans!

Dhoni has given an hand-written letter to the media which talks about the unity in the team. The letter says that there is no rift between him and Sehwag as reported by some of the Indian media.

Dhoni also says that the team is united as it was before and each player is helping others. The rift message between him and Sehwag is false and they are getting along well.



source: Sify.com

Rift between Dhoni and Sehwag?

Few days agao, media reported a rift between Dhoni and Sehwag. Since Sehwag did not play in the both the practice matches--New Zealand and Pakistan, the media report an on-going rift in the team.

Team India lost to New Zealand in the first practice game by 9 runs while beat Pakistan in the second game. The team also announced that Sehwag will not play in the first group match Bangladesh and Rohit Sharma will continue to open the innings.

Virender Sehwag was injured during the recently concluded IPL 2009 and was ruled out of the practice games.

However, Dhoni ignored the media reports and said that the team is united and there is no rift within the team. He also said that he and Sehwag are mingling well and have no issues with one another.

It all started when Dhoni replied "may be you should ask his physio to issue a press release" to a question Sehwag's injuries.

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

Pak Threatens BCCI and India!

No Pakistani cricketer is happy with ICC's decision to pull out the rights to host World Cup 2011. The PCB also has threatened both ICC and India indicating that they will not play any worldcup matches in India.

They said that they have the right to decide the venue for their matches and they will not play in India.

With the two countries split in both politics and sports, it is becoming difficult for other countries. Australia skipped the tour to Pakistan, but agreed to play in neutral venue. They will play Pakistan in 5 ODIs and a T20 in UAE. NZ is shortening the tour schedule of Pakistan as they said they cannot host Pakistan for a full series.

India also skipped touring Pakistan and snapped all ties after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.

ICC took its decision after the recent attack in Pakistan against the Sri Lankan cricketers. Six players injuried and the tour was abandoned. The team travelling in the bus to the ground was attacked by a group of terrorists.

Considering the unstable security condition in Pakistan, ICC took the decision to strip all the rights to host the world cup matches in Pakistan.

Pak Removed from World Cup Venues!

Pakistan's rights to host the World Cup 2011 has been stripped off. The reason is very obvious--security. The ICC said quote "uncertain security situation" as the cause for this decision.

"It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and deliver a safe, secure and successful event," ICC president David Morgan told reporters in Dubai.

"The uncertainty created by events in Pakistan created a huge question mark over our ability to do just that."

These decisions were taken considering the unstability in security and government in Pakistan. Sri Lankan players were attacked by terrorists during their tour to Pakistan. Six Sri Lankan players were injured and few Pakistanis were dead.

"It is extremely regrettable that the board has had to take this decision given the passion the people of Pakistan have for the game of cricket and for the ICC Cricket World Cup," Morgan said.

"It is highly unlikely that we will have the security clearance between now and the start date in 2011," said Morgan.

ICC Rejects ICL!

The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the ICL's application seeking approval for their T20 competition.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgan told reporters on Saturday that "The board considered that approval was not appropriate."

All the countries have banned their players pariticipating in the ICL. Though ICC has given the rights to the individual boards to decide the fate of their players, most countries have banned them.

It is clearly evident that BCCI's money power is playing. Though it looked nice when the BCCI backed Harbhajan in Australia and forcing ICC to change Steve Bucknor from umpiring, it looks really bad and ugly now. You can feel BCCI's hand in this episode.

While so many other countries are conducting severa tournaments, it is unfortunate that a private body is not able to do it in a democratic country like India.

TNCA banned players participating in private league organizers like Blue Star though it was not given importance later.

Lee not fit for Pak Tour!

The Australian stirke bowler Brett Lee, who is in South Africa, is still not fit. He has not been included in the Australian squad for the series against Pakistan.

His foot injury is still healing and needs some more time to make him fully fit. The coach said that he cannot bowl at his full speed and hence needs some time.

But, Stuart Clark, Shane Watson, and the controversial all-rounder Symonds have been called back to the side.

Already, Ponting and Hussey were rested for the series with Michale Clarke leading the side.

Lee is in South Africa currently and will stay there to continue with his recovery program.