Modi blames PCB for absence of Pak players in IPL

NEW DELHI: Chairman Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi on Tuesday said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was responsible for non-participation of Pakistani players in the second season of the league.Modi said that he had made it clear to the PCB that Pakistan players will have to get NOC from their government. But the board replied it would not be possible due to which Pakistani players could not take part in the IPL.Modi further said that he regretted the absence of Pakistani players from the league, but the reason was not to submit NOC before deadline.

Gibbs ton sets up SA series win over Aussies

Herschelle Gibbs made an emotional return to form as he hit a century which set up a series win for South Africa in the fourth one-day international at St George's Park on Monday.South Africa won by 61 runs to take a winning 3-1 lead in the five-match series. It was South Africa's third successive one-day series triumph against Australia and ensured they would retain their world number one ranking in one-day cricket.Gibbs hit 110 as South Africa made 317 for six after being sent in to bat on a slow pitch.Australia made a good start in reply, with Brad Haddin (78) and Michael Clarke (50) putting on 129 for the first wicket. But their innings lost momentum against the slow bowling of Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) and Johan Botha (one for 48).Fast bowler Dale Steyn took four for 44 to wreck the bottom half of the Australian innings as the tourists were bowled out for 256.Gibbs and AB de Villiers (84) put on 136 off 123 balls for South Africa's third wicket in a partnership filled with sparkling strokes and audacious running between wickets.When he reached his 21st one-day international century Gibbs acknowledged the crowd then sank to his haunches and appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.Ponting's decision to send South Africa in to bat in a must-win game for Australia was influenced by a good record for teams batting second on the small Port Elizabeth ground, including a successful chase by Australia, who were set to make 327 in 2001/02.Australia had won four out of five previous matches against South Africa at the ground.Haddin raced to a half-century off 41 balls as he and Clarke gave Australia an ideal start.Haddin appeared to target Johan Botha, the off-spinner who has bowled economically in two series against Australia, hitting two sixes in Botha's first over, which cost 14 runs.Botha was taken off and was hit for another six by Haddin when he returned four overs later. But in trying to hit another ball out of the ground he lofted a catch to long-on.Van der Merwe took the next three wickets with his left-arm spin as the required rate climbed rapidly.Ponting hit four boundaries off Steyn in the first over of a batting power play in the 41st over but hit the last ball to midwicket to be out for 53, effectively ending his team's hopes..

Younis urges Pakistan to be positive vs Australia

DUBAI (Reuters) - Pakistan skipper Younis Khan wants his players to stay positive and cash in on being fresher than Australia in their five-match one-day series in the United Arab Emirates from April 22.Pakistan have been forced to play their home series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with security concerns at home heightened after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore on March 3.Pakistan did not play any home test last year as teams refused to tour due to safety fears and have not played international cricket since six Sri Lankan players were injured in the ambush while being driven to the stadium for the third day of the second test."It was really tough for the Sri Lankans," Younis told reporters on Tuesday. "They are still suffering from the trauma. We're also shocked because our bus was just 500 metres behind them. This is tragic for cricket and tragic for sports."Australia will arrive in the UAE having lost the one-day series to South Africa.Hosts South Africa lead 3-1 in the series with the final game to be played on Friday.Skipper Ricky Ponting, batsman Mike Hussey and in-form paceman Mitchell Johnson have also been rested to give them a deserved break..