Cricket should be free from politics-Yousuf

Karachi:Pakistan`s banned batsman,Muhammad Yousuf is very Disappointed after India cancelled its Pakistan tour after the Mumbai terror attacks, Yousuf, who has been banned after joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), said nothing really can match the excitement and euphoria that surround an Indo-Pak contest.He said that Sports and politics should be kept apart and cricket would be poorer without Indo-Pak contests."I just think both countries need to keep sports and politics apart. I would hope they would soon start working on resuming sporting ties and allowing bilateral cricket matches, because the cricket world needs to have Indo-Pak contests," Yousuf said.Yousuf also refused to buy the argument that an Indo-Australian series has now replaced an Indo-Pak contest as the most intense cricketing battle."Tell me was there a bigger series then when India toured Pakistan in 2004? Cricket does not get bigger than that," he argued.

Noting India's recent string of extraordinary performances, Yousuf said as a player, he saw playing India at present as a big challenge. "Playing India has always been a high point for me," said the right-hander.Yousuf, however, was happy that Sri Lanka has finally agreed to come and play a full series here."It will be a close contest against them and Pakistan should win as it has a very good team with good performers. But negating the wicket taking abilities of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis will be the key to the outcome of the series," Yousuf said.

India will not tour Pakistan, says former Pakistan Cricket Board boss

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A former head of the Pakistan Cricket Board says he expects India to pull out of next year's tour due to security concerns."I don't think India will come because the (security) conditions are not good for international cricket (in Pakistan)," Tauqir Zia said Friday on private Geo Television."It will be a big setback for Pakistan cricket, but they should be prepared for this."India is scheduled to tour Pakistan from Jan. 4 for three Tests and five one-day internationals.Zia also said he doubts that Pakistan will host the already postponed Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament next year."What (is there) to talk about the Champions Trophy? I doubt even India will come," he said.Rawalpindi - which was ruled out as a Champions Trophy venue this year for security reasons - was named as the host of one of the Tests and a one-day international against India.A powerful bomb blast left 53 dead and hundreds injured Saturday at the Marriott Hotel in the capital Islamabad, which is adjacent to Rawalpindi.The PCB has admitted that the itinerary for the India tour was finalized before the blast at the Marriott, where teams normally stay during international matches. The Indian team stayed at the Marriott Hotel during its previous visit to Pakistan in 2004.Top international teams have avoided touring Pakistan this year with Australia postponing its scheduled visit until 2009.The International Cricket Council postponed the biennial Champions Trophy until Sept.-Oct. 2009 after England, New Zealand, South Africa and defending champion Australia refused to participate due to security concerns.Pakistan has not played a Test match this year, but has invited the West Indies for two Tests in November - shortly after both teams play three one-day internationals at Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. The West Indies has not confirmed it will play the Test matches against Pakistan. .

Younis Khan will shine at South Australia:

Pakistan`s 30-year-old batsman Younis Khan will leave early next month to play for South Australia in their domestic season.Younis khan has decided to leave the domestic Twenty20 championship beginning on October 4 in Lahore and is doubtful for the international Twenty20 event in Toronto which also features Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Canada. "Younis has taken clearance from the board before he signed his contract with South Australia," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations for the Pakistan board said."He is due to leave soon. But he has to make himself available for national duty when he is required," Zakir Khan said.Younis will be the only top player missing from the Twenty20 domestic championship which will feature all the Pakistan players including fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who has been given permission to play by

Norman Arendse-resigns as president of South African cricket

CAPE TOWN, Wahabuddin khan Report: The president of Cricket South Africa resigned Wednesday, citing tensions over his efforts to reach out to black players and fans 14 years after the end of apartheid.Norman Arendse announced his resignation to reporters in Cape Town, the South African Press Association reported. His three year term was to have ended in 2010.Arendse said CSA's 11 local affiliates were split over backing his efforts to ensure the sport reflected South Africa's racial reality.Arendse also cited differences with Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola. Majola said he received news of the resignation with "surprise and regret."

Shoaib Akhter to pay Rs.7 million as fine-PCB.

Wahabuddin khan
Shoaib Akhtar has to pay Rs.7 million (approx US$105,000) as fine just to be allowed to play for Pakistan.The PCB slapped Shoaib Akhter, 33, with the fine last month after he criticised the PCB over its failure to award him a central contract. He was initially banned by the PCB for five years, but the sentence had been reduced to 18 months by an appellate tribunal in June."Legally speaking the Lahore High Court upheld the fine and suspended the ban so if he wants to play for Pakistan and in Pakistan, Akhtar will have to pay the fine," PCB legal adviser Taffazul Hussain Rizvi told ."We have whole heartedly accepted the court's suspension of the ban and we want Shoaib to pay the fine as per the court directives," said Rizvi.Shoaib was left out of Islamabad's squad for the upcoming National Twenty20 tournament and will not be considered for next month's four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada if he does not participate in the tournament, to be played from October 4-8.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will play in RBS Twenty20 ?

Wahabuddin Report- The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Twenty20 National Cricket Championship is starting at different centers – Gaddafi Stadium, LCCA ground and Bagh-i-Jinnah – here from October 4. The fourth five-day domestic event is sponsored by RBS, formerly ABN Amro Bank. The Twenty20 trophy was unveiled during a glittering ceremony at the Pearl Continental Hotel on Monday. The RBS and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, the captains of the participating teams, the members of the PCB governing board and former Pakistan captain and RBS ambassador Ramiz Raja were present on the occasion.The tournament will be participated by thirteen regional teams who have been divided into four pools. Lahore and Karachi will field two teams each. Top team from each group will play the semi-finals and the winners of the semi-finals will fight for the coveted trophy. The prize money of the tournament has been enhanced and now the winning team will get Rs 25,00,000 while the runners-up will pocket Rs 10,00,000.Naghmi said the tournament would serve as a warm up for the Pakistan team that would take part in a Twenty20 international tournament in Toronto next month. “Only those players, who will be playing this domestic tournament, will be considered for selection for Canada event.” When his attention was drawn to the fact that express bowler Shoaib Akhtar was not in any team, he said slight changes could be made in a team and at the time of selection based on the need of any specialised player.

Australian cricket officials have double standards-Pakistan

KARACHI (Wahabuddin khn) - Pakistan Cricket officials have accused their Australian counterparts of double standards after they confirmed that Australia's test tour to India would go ahead despite a series bomb blasts in New Delhi at the weekend."It just shows the double standards of the Australians. They couldn't accept our assurances they would be provided top security to play in Pakistan," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said."But they have accepted Indian assurances and are willing to play in India which has also seen a series of bomb blasts in recent
months at major cricket venues. Australia, in fact, would be playing a test in Delhi," Naghmi added.Australia postponed their test tour to Pakistan earlier this year insisting they were concerned with the safety and security of their layers.They were also among the four countries to express security concerns about playing the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, leading to its postponement last month by the International Cricket Council.Naghmi said Pakistan had always provided state-level security for touring teams and had been saying no country or city could declare itself safe from terrorist attacks."So why is Pakistan so different from India we want to know? In a way, we are glad they are going to India we hope they will now fulfil their commitment of touring Pakistan next April," Naghmi said.

Australia to coincider security after Delhi blast:

( Wahabuddin khan) - Australian Cricket officials will review security arrangements in India ahead of their four-test tour following a series of bombings in New Delhi on Saturday.The five bombings, in and around crowded markets and streets in the capital, killed at least 20 people and injured at least 90 more, Indian police said.Australia are scheduled to play a four-test series in India, starting on Oct. 9 in Bangalore. The third match is scheduled for Delhi, starting on Oct. 29."It is standard practice to do an inspection before a tour but with this particular tragic incident overnight, we will be doing a highly intensive security assessment," CA public affairs manager Peter Young said.

West indies Ready for two-test series with pakistan:

Wahabuddin khan report
WEST INDIES CRICKET BOARD will agree to Pakistan's request for a two-Test series in November only after receiving the approval of the players' association.Said WICB chief executive Donald Peters."The Pakistan Cricket Board made a formal request for West Indies to play two Test matches in November."We now have to wait for approval from the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) and it has to be confirmed by the WICB before we can confirm the matches will take place."Peters indicated he was in favour of going ahead with the tour, but said the WIPA might make a decision only after appraising the security situation in the country."I am currently trying to fast-track that process so that we can get that done as quickly as possible and hopefully agree on the tour," he said.

Champions trophy-2009 will be hosted by Pakistan ?

Karachi-Wahabuddin khan — Pakistan's chances of hosting the Champions Trophy -2009 improved Sunday after the Indian cricket board said that they are ready to adjust its calendar for the sake of the crisis-hit tournament.The Indian cricket board, which had objected to the event being held in October 2009 as it clashed with its one-day series with Australia, said it was open to "minor adjustments" if other boards involved were flexible as well."There is no question that all the boards would like the Champions Trophy to happen," board secretary Niranjan Shah said."We are willing to look at an adjustment by a few days if everyone else involved is equally flexible," he was quoted as saying by the Cricinfo website.The Indian board will also have to change the dates of the Champions Twenty20 League, a ulti-million dollar inter-club competition slated to be held from September 25-October 11 next year.The ICC said the event would take place in October 2009 with Pakistan remaining the first-choice venue pending a security assessment.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul win top ICC award

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West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been named the International Cricket Council Cricketer of the Year at the annual awards ceremony in Dubai.England women's captain Charlotte Edwards, who presided over 13 victories in an unbeaten home summer, pipped Claire Taylor to the women's award.In the emerging player category, Sri Lankan spin prodigy Ajantha Mendis was chosen ahead of England's Stuart Broad.England's Kevin Pietersen and Ryan Sidebottom made the World Test team.The emerging player had to be under 26 at the start of the period under review, 9 August 2007, and must not have played more than five Tests and/or 10 one-day matches by that time.Mendis has made an explosive start to his international career, taking 26 wickets in his first three Tests at an average of 18 and adding 20 scalps in eight one-day internationals at a cost of just 10.The 23-year-old said: "I am delighted to win the award. It is an honour to play for Sri Lanka and I hope to continue playing for my country for a long time to come."During the voting period, left-hander Chanderpaul played eight Test matches, scoring 819 runs at an average of 91.00, including three centuries and six fifties, all against the top seven teams in the world.

Pakistan invite West indies for Tests

Wahabuddin report
Pakistan's Cricket Board has invited West Indies to play a two-Test series in Pakistan in November.It is another attempt by the board to fill their scheduling gap after the Champions Trophy was postponed.The PCB tried to organise a tour to South Africa, whose board rejected the offer of a one-day series.A planned one-day series against Sri Lanka later this month also looks to have fallen through because of a lack of interest from broadcasters.A PCB spokesman said earlier in the week that the proposed Sri Lanka series, containing five ODIs, was "very unlikely".Cricket South Africa had turned down Pakistan's offer, citing player fatigue following their long tour of England.The eight-team Champions Trophy was scheduled to take place in Pakistan from 12-28 September, but the International Cricket Council postponed the tournament until October 2009 because of security concerns.Pakistan have not played a Test match in 2008, and do not have another scheduled until January 2009, when they are due to host India."It is very difficult in today's hectic schedule to find a window when you postpone a tournament," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told the Reuters news agency."But we have invited West Indies to come and play two Tests immediately after the one-day series they play against us in Abu Dhabi in November."The West Indies Cricket Board is yet to comment on the proposed tour.

Australia women's cricket bracing for ICC World Cup:

By Wahabuddin khan- Members of the Australia women's cricket team have celebrated six months until its quest for the ICC Women's World Cup 2009 by taking to the Sydney Tower's Skywalk attraction, said an ICC press release on Sunday.With the ICC Women's World Cup starting on March 7 2009, Lisa Sthalekar, Leah Poulton and twins Kate and Alex Blackwell enjoyed Sydney's best view but it will be the summit of a different climb they set their sights on next year when they look to reach the pinnacle of the cricket world.Sthalekar said she is looking forward to the atmosphere around Sydney during the ICC Women's World Cup."We're really looking forward to playing in the tournament and showcasing to Australia and the rest of the world what women's cricket has to offer," she said."Visitors who come to Australia for the World Cup are guaranteed not only an unforgettable experience at he tournament, but the host cities as well."I can't wait to get out there and play in front of a home crowd. There is nothing better than the support from our Aussie fans."Australia will open its World Cup defence with a trans-Tasman clash against New Zealand on 8 March at North Sydney Oval before completing their Group A commitments with matches against South Africa and West Indies in Newcastle and Drummoyne.Providing they make it through their Group matches to the Super Sixes stage, Australia will play three more matches before the final and playoff matches.

T20 cricket hits new high with 900-million dollar TV deal

Wahabuddin khan

NEW DELHI — Twenty20 cricket's brand value touches new heights on Thursday after pan-Asian ESPN-STAR network agreed to pay 900 million dollars for the proposed T20 Champions League.The network was awarded the global commercial rights of the inter-club tournament for the next 10 years with the inaugural event set to be played from December 3-10 at venues yet to be decided.The deal makes the tournament the highest valued cricket event on a per-game basis, according to a statement from the organisers that comprise the Australian, Indian and South African cricket boards.ESPN-STAR, owned jointly by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Walt Disney, were awarded the rights after bids were opened in Dubai late Wednesday on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council's annual awards night.ESPN-STAR, which also holds the rights for all ICC events including the World Cup, Champions Trophy and the T20 Worlds, said they were delighted to add the Champions League to their line-up.

Shoaib delayed by visa problem

Shoaib Akhtar remains hopeful of linking up with Surrey despite being refused entry to the United Kingdom on Wednesday due to visa problems.The Pakistan fast bowler, 33, says he has now obtained the necessary paperwork and plans to arrive in London at the weekend."I had to come back (to Pakistan) because I did not have all the papers required," Shoaib was quoted as saying by cricketnirvana.com."I have a 10-year visitor's visa, but the authorities there required a work visa."I am hopeful of getting a work visa soon and hope to fly out to the UK on Saturday (September 6)."Surrey are currently bottom of LV County Championship Division One and recruited Shoaib for their final three games in a last-ditch attempt to avoid relegation.

Shoaib Akhtar to play county cricket for Surrey- Pakistan Cricket Board

The Pakistan Cricket Board has cleared the way for Shoaib Akhtar to join Surrey despite having a history of objecting to its cricketers playing on the county circuit. However Shoaib, who has played little cricket for the last year and only recently overturned a ban from cricket, is hoping to gain fitness in order to press for a place in the national team."Shoaib has not played competitive cricket for months and he needs to regain match fitness," the PCB's chief operating officer, Shafqat Naghmi, said. "We believe a short county stint might help him in doing that. He requested a No Objection Certificate, which we have issued to him, and we have no problems if he wants to play county cricket."The former Somerset, Worcestershire and Durham player was recalled to the Pakistan team for the limited overs Champions Trophy before it was postponed. He hopes a spell at relegation-threatened Surrey will enhance his case for selection in Pakistan's Test side.The PCB recently refused players including Umar Gul and Ifthikar Rao permission to play for county clubs. "We had stopped our fast bowlers from playing for counties because such stints had affected their form and fitness," said Naghmi. "Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved-ul-Hassan both suffered major injuries while playing county cricket. But Shoaib's case is different. He hasn't played much cricket this year — a county stint could actually benefit him."The fast bowler could be available for Surrey as early as next week as the county, adrift at the bottom of Division One by 18 points with three matches to go, play a key game against Kent at Canterbury. But his debut may be hampered by league rules requiring overseas players to spend at least three weeks in England before playing.Shoaib, who has played 46 Tests for Pakistan, has had a career dogged by injury and controversy. Despite taking 178 Test wickets at an average of 25.69 and 219 ODI wickets in 138 games at 23.2, the bowler was banned by the PCB, which claimed he had tested positive for the steroid nandrolene. The ban was overturned on appeal.

Pakistan welcomes India next year

Tuesday, 02 September , 2008, 20:44
Karachi: Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson said Tuesday that his team is eagerly awaiting the home series against India, scheduled to get underway early next January.Starved of international cricket, Pakistan will be playing their first Test in almost 13 months when they host India for a three-match Test series. Pakistan's last Test was also against India in Bangalore in December 2007."The series against India is the most important assignment for our team," Lawson told reporters in Lahore. "We are all eagerly looking forward to it and I am confident that the team will be fully ready for the Indians," added the former Australian Test pacer, who took over as Pakistan coach last summer.Lawson said that the postponement of the Champions Trophy, which was to be held in Pakistan September 12-28, was a big blow for his team, but he was quick to add that Pakistan will overcome the setback and would focus on the future.

New Zealand win over England by six-wickets(+photos)

WELLINGTON — In a stunning came back of form, New Zealand thrashed England in their opening one-day cricket international by six wickets and with 20 overs to spare at Westpac Stadium here.The win came just days after England outplayed New Zealand in all departments in two Twenty20 matches.Given an extra 30 overs, New Zealand lost the toss but from then on won everything in a morale-boosting performance.England, opting to bat first, were all out for 130 in the 50th over and New Zealand knocked off the target with the loss of four wickets in 30 overs.Bolstered by the return of captain Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram, New Zealand showed no sign of the fragility evident when they spent the two shorter matches firmly on the back foot."We understood that we had to respond today and put in a good performance and whether we won or not was beside the point. But we came out and won, and won well, and it's a very happy dressing room." Vettori said."If we got up towards 200 runs it would have been a defendable total. New Zealand bowled well and fielded exceptionally well."New Zealand started on Saturday by keeping England openers Alastair Cook and Phil Mustard pinned down -- the first boundary from Mustard came only in the seventh over -- and the run rate seldom rose above three.After Chris Martin made the initial breakthrough bowling Cook for 11 in the 10th over, the wickets fell at regular intervals.
Martin bowled Ian bell for five, Oram bowled dangerman Kevin Pietersen for six and Scott Styris bowled Mustard for 31 to have England at four for 67 by the 22nd over.England didn't help their cause with three run-outs before off-spinner Jeetan Patel cleaned up the tail to finish with two for 14 while Martin and Styris both took two for 22.While the England batsmen played as if the slow pitch held demons, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum played three overs with caution and then launched into the run chase.A six from Ryder and a four from McCullum lifted New Zealand to 18 without loss and they never dropped below four runs an over after that.By the 12th over Ryder and McCullum had taken New Zealand passed 50 and hit seven boundaries, as many as England scored in their entire innings."Whenever you chase a small total if you can get your 50 pretty quickly you take away all the elements of worrying about chasing it down," Vettori said."I think they did a really good job and it sets us up for the rest of the series."Ryder survived a chance on 21 when dropped by Graeme Swann at midwicket and added another 10 runs before being caught by substitute Luke Wright off the bowling of Stuart Broad for 31.McCullum also got a second chance, dropped by a diving Mustard when on 27 and went on to make 42, at a run a ball, before giving Broad his second wicket when Mustard made amends by taking a fine legside catch.New Zealand were then two for 83 in the 19th over and well in control as Jamie How and Ross Taylor stepped up the pace.How was eventually dismissed for 28, with New Zealand nine runs short of victory and it was left to Taylor, not out 24, and Peter Fulton on one to take New Zealand across the line.The second game in the five-match series is in Hamilton on Tuesday.

SHOAIB AKHTAR-Doing well against Australia would be a motivation:

LAHORE,Pakistan`s fast bowler Shoaib akhtar who has played 46 Tests and 138 one-day internationals,had who has taken 178 Test and 219 ODI wickets,said I want to play against Australia. I am making full preparations for the series against Australians as it is not an easy series,” he opined. Akhtar said doing well against Australia would be a motivation. “Australia are world number one team and the way Indians have done well against them, I am sure that we can also do well against them.” Pakistan hosts Australia in March-April this year.pan class="fullpost">Akhtar also showed interest in signing on for an Indian film, raising doubts over his cricket future. Akhtar, however, denied he was leaving the sport to join Bollywood. “I want to play cricket and just showing a little interest in films doesn’t mean I am leaving the game. Regarding acting in movies, Akhtar said that he had five to six offers of acting in films but he would not sign any film. “I would do films after retirement from cricket,” he concluded.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL TO BE HELD AT MUMBAI

Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)-promoted Indian Premier League T20 competition will open with a match between the Bangalore and Kolkata regions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, on April 18.The semifinal finals (May 30 & 31) and the final (June 1) will be played at Mumbai. In all, 10 matches will be held in Mumbai — seven home league matches apart from the semifinals and final.
IPL sources said that Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), which won the Mumbai region for $111.9 million for 10 years, had a major say in choosing the venue of the three knock-out matches. The franchise bid document had made it explicit that the highest bidder will have the prerogative to choose the venue for the final weekend matches of the league.“It’s up to the eight franchisees to decide on the team name and they will announce it after receiving the approval from the IPL governing council. They have been given the guidelines document,” said Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, IPL and vice-president, BCCI.“We have finalised the umpires and match referee panel. It will be a mix of ICC and Indian officials. The ICC anti-corruption and security and anti-doping arrangements have all been finalised,” said Modi.

Australia`s Pakistan tour limited to four cities:

KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to limit Australia's tour, which is under threat due to security concerns, to four venues, an official said on Wednesday.The proposed March-April tour will take place in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad.A senior PCB official said other venues, including Peshawar, Sheikhupura and Hyderabad, were not proposed due to organisational and financial aspects, while Rawalpindi stadium was being renovated."We want them to play at the big venues where matches can be organised smoothly and there is a bigger financial turnover," Zakir Khan, director of cricket operations said..Australia are scheduled to play three tests, five one-day internationals and twenty20 match on their first tour of Pakistan for 10 years but there have been concerns over the trip due to escalating violence in the country, including the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December.

shoaib malik marraige controversiy:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan cricket team captain Shoaib Malik on Tuesday threatened to sue an Indian family for alleging he married their daughter in a ceremony conducted over the telephone five years ago.A family in the Indian city of Hyderabad last week claimed the marriage took place in June 2002 after a two-month courtship with witnesses on both sides.The Times of India quoted Mohammed Ahmed Siddiqui, the father of the woman, Ayesha, as saying Malik should acknowledge the marriage took place and divorce his daughter. He also threatened legal action.Speaking at a news conference, the Pakistani captain denied such a ceremony took place."I can claim with authority that no 'nikkah' (Muslim marriage ceremony) has ever been performed (by me) with a girl having a name of Ayesha," Malik said."This is an accusation against me, and I will take legal action, both in India and in Pakistan," he said.Malik's brother-in-law, Imran Zafar, acknowledged that the 26-year-old cricketer had been talking on the telephone and chatting on the Internet with a girl named Ayesha since 2001. They had also exchanged photographs via e-mail."He (Malik) developed a friendship with her, but there was no marriage ceremony ever performed," Zafar said.Zafar said he went to meet with the family in 2004, but never had the chance to meet Ayesha."They told me that the girl had gone to Saudi Arabia," he said.Then in 2005, Zafar said they learned that a teacher in Saudi Arabia was claiming to be Malik's wife.When they investigated and obtained a photo of the teacher, they found she wasn't the woman Malik had been talking with, he said."From then on, Malik had no contact with that girl," Zafar said.Zafar said he plans to travel to India to see how he can file a legal suit against the Siddiquis.
Malik became Pakistan's cricket captain last year after the team's disastrous performance in the World Cup..

Cricket goes to Bollywood

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has become one of the richest sports bodies in the world, its annual income exceeding the turnover of a large number of private companies.IT IS raining money on Indian cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India, the governing body of the game, will rake in over 50 billion rupees over the next three years from the domestic Twenty20 cricket league alone.The rights to regional teams for the Indian Premier League (IPL) were recently auctioned to a group of industrialists and film stars.

The country’s richest industrialist, Mukesh Ambani of the Reliance Group of Industries; the reigning Khan of Bollywood, Shah Rukh; and top liquor manufacturer Vijay Mallya were among the successful bidders for regional IPL franchises.Ambani bid the highest amount of 4.41 billion rupees for Mumbai. Mallya got hometown Bangalore for 4.4 billion rupees, and Shah Rukh with former actress Juhi Chawla bagged Calcutta for 2.96 billion rupees.There was another Bollywood winner in actress Preity Zinta who with industrialist boyfriend Ness Wadia won Mohali (Punjab) for three billion rupees . Chennai went to a cement manufacturer, while Hyderabad was bagged by a local newspaper group. A construction company won the right to the Delhi team.

Pakistan`s great victory against Zimbabwe:

SHEIKHUPURA, Pakistan —Fifth one-day International, 187-3 beat Zimbabwe 181 by seven wicketsYounis Khan's half century upstaged Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fifth and final limited overs international to blank the tourists 5-0 in the one-day series.Younis smashed a 51-ball 63 and added 97 runs with debutant Khurram Manzoor (50) for the second wicket to help the home team overhaul a modest target of 182 with 19 overs to spare at Sheikhupura Stadium.Two young debutants -- pacemen Abdur Rauf (3-45) and Wahab Riaz (2-19) -- earlier bowled with fire to knock Zimbabwe out for 181 in 45.4 overs.Pakistan's convincing win enthralled a crowd of 20,000 who braved the chilly weather in open stands to witness the first match at the venue for 10 years.The home team were never in trouble in their run-chase, even after losing opener Nasir Jamshed (19) in the seventh over as Younis and Manzoor made it child's play against Zimbabwe's bowling.Younis hit eight boundaries and a six before being caught at mid-on by stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza off left-arm spinner Ray Price.
Manzoor, who hit six boundaries off 74 balls, was bowled by Price an over later but Misbah-ul Haq (31 not out) and Fawad Alam (14 not out) saw off the runs without facing any problems.Earlier, Pakistan once again bowled with discipline to put the tourists in trouble right from the start.Rauf had opener Masakadza (five) in the fifth over before returning for his second spell to dismiss Gary Brent (seven) and Chris Mpofu (nought) to lead Pakistan's new-look bowling attack.Pakistan, leading 4-0 in the five-match series, made five changes from the line-up of their previous match -- bringing back experienced batsman Younis and awarding one-day debuts to Riaz, Rauf, Rizwan Ahmed and Manzoor.Zimbabwe, still without captain Prosper Utseya and frontline paceman Tawanda Mupariwa, remained unchanged.Opener Vusi Sibanda (18) was run out before left-arm fast bowler Riaz took over, dismissing Tatenda Taibu (six) and Sean Williams (19), while Shoaib Malik trapped Chamu Chibhabha (one) leg-before as the tourists struggled to 67-5.A sixth wicket stand of 85 between Brendon Taylor (49) and Elton Chigumbura (34) gave some respectability to their total.Taylor hit five boundaries during his 79-ball knock before he was bowled by Malik.Chigumbura hit two boundaries off 57 balls before being stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed off left-arm spinner Fawad Alam.Pakistan then wrapped up the tail in quick time to set up the whitewash.
The home team won the first match in Karachi by 104 runs, followed by victories at Hyderabad (five wickets), Multan (37 runs) and Faisalabad (seven wickets).

Australia Beats India in Twenty20 Cricket

Australia's cricket team has beaten India by nine wickets in a Twenty20 International match in Melbourne, Australia.After bowling India out for only 74 runs -- the second lowest total ever in a Twenty20 match -- Australia scored 75-1 in 11.2 overs. Irfan Pathan was India's top scorer with only 26 runs before being caught out.Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 37, and Brad Hodge was on 10. Adam Gilchrist scored 25 from 22 balls for the home side, in a match played in front of more than 84,000 fans.The victory was Australia's first in three Twenty20 matches against India. The two teams start a limited-overs triangular series that includes Sri Lanka Sunday when Australia faces India in Brisbane.

Nothing more important than playing for Pakistan:SHOaiB AKHTAR

Karachi :Pakistan`s fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's sudden appearance in the national team's practice session at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.Shoaib has remained out of public view since returning home from India and even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials said the pacer had not tried to contact them even after being dropped from the central contracts list and the home series against Zimbabwe.Despite being ignored for the home one-day series against Zimbabwe on fitness grounds and dropped from the central contracts list, express bowler Shoaib Akhtar declared nothing was more important to him than playing for his country."I have no problems if they don't give me a contract. I don't need one to play for Pakistan. Playing for my country is a far bigger honour than anything else and I don't just play for money," he told reporters. Shoaib has finally came out of his self-imposed hibernation and showed up for a training session at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Shoaib categorically denied signing a contract to act in any Indian film and insisted playing for Pakistan was his biggest goal and honour."When I have not signed anything why are they making a big issue of it. Someone spoke to me and that is all. As an individual I can consider many things but cricket remains my top priority," he said.