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.