IPL: Shah Rukh Khan faces police probe over cricket row

MUMBAI: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan faced a police probe and a lifetime ban from Mumbai's main cricket stadium on Thursday following a furious late-night row with staff at the ground, officials said.
The actor, who co-owns the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders, took a group of youngsters including his daughter Suhana onto the pitch of the Wankhede Stadium after a match on Wednesday night.
A security guard tried to stop them from playing, leading the multi-millionaire actor to argue angrily for 10-15 minutes before finally giving up and leaving the stadium, an AFP photographer witnessed.
"Security officials told him to leave, but Shah Rukh Khan started the brawl," Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) secretary Nitin Dalal told NDTV news.
"He entered the ground half an hour after the game. The officers told him that this was not the right time. He misbehaved and he used foul language."
Dalal said the MCA had filed a police complaint and would ban the cricket-crazy star from future attendance at the Wankhede Stadium.
"He'll not be allowed for any match -- Test match, one-day international or any T20 or IPL matches hereafter. That is what we have decided," said MCA treasurer Ravi Savant.
Savant said MCA president Vilasrao Deshmukh was among the officials and security personnel "abused" by Khan, adding that the stadium ban would be "for life".
The sweaty and dishevelled appearance of Khan, one of the most popular stars of the nation's prolific Bollywood film industry, was a far cry from the carefully managed image presented through his advertising and acting roles.
The 46-year-old was embroiled in another ugly row in January after a female director accused him of assaulting her husband at a late-night party.
Khan has also been summoned to appear before a court in Jaipur later this month after he was seen smoking at the city's main cricket stadium, in violation of anti-smoking laws.
Balbir Punj, a senior leader of India's political Bharatiya Janata Party, told NDTV that Khan was an icon and public figure who "should know how to behave in public".
He referred to an incident last month that saw Khan detained by US immigration authorities for questioning on arrival at a New York airport.
"When he was humiliated in America, the entire country stood by him. He should respect others and the law must take its course," Punj said.
Khan's agent was unavailable for comment on Thursday.

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Kolkata crush Pune to take second spot on table

PUNE: Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Pune Warriors by 34 runs to take second spot behind Delhi Daredevils on points table in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Subarata Roy Shahra Stadium on Saturday.
This was ninth consecutive defeat for Pune Warriors in the tournament.
Winning the toss, the Knight Riders batted first and made 136 for four in the allotted 20 overs.
Main scorers were Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan (42) and New Zealand batsman Brandan McCullum (41) while for the Warriors, South Africa’s left-arm medium-fast bowler Wayne Parnell took two wickets for 18 runs.
Then, Pune were restricted to just 102 for eight in 20 overs as no batsman could resist against the Kolkata spinners.
However, New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder provided some resistance scoring 22.
For Kolkata, off-spinner Yousuf Pathan and left-arm spinner Shakib claimed two wickets each for 12 and 18, respectively.
Geo Super televised this low-scoring match live from Pune.

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Chanderpaul, Samuels defy dominant England

LONDON: Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels launched a rearguard action as they battled to prevent the West Indies going down to defeat by England in the first Test at Lord's on Saturday.

West Indies, in dire straits after losing three wickets on 36, had recovered to 120 for four in their second innings at stumps on the third day.

That still left them 35 runs behind England's first innings 398.

Chanderpaul, officially the world's best Test batsman, dug-in to be 34 not out in two-and-a-half hours of typical defiance.

Samuels offered sound support in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 55 in 113 balls to be 26 not out at the close.

Shortly before stumps, England thought they had Chanderpaul lbw for 22.

First-change Tim Bresnan, from around the wicket, had his appeal rejected by South African umpire Marais Erasmus but England captain Andrew Strauss called for a review.

However, replays indicated the ball would have missed leg stump.

The West Indies, 155 behind on first innings, saw openers Adrian Barath and Kieran Powell put on 36 for the first wicket.

But Barath (24) was undone by Bresnan's fifth ball of the innings, an excellent leg-cutter he could only edge to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

Powell was far more culpable in his dismissal for eight, languidly top-edging a pull off Stuart Broad to Bell, running round from deep square leg.

And worse followed when Kirk Edwards was run out for nought.

Darren Bravo nudged the ball and non-striker Edwards sprinted half-way down the pitch for a single that was never on and was run out by England debutant Jonathan Bairstow's direct hit from cover-point as he turned back.

West Indies had then lost three wickets for no runs in nine balls.

Chanderpaul, who seems to have spent the bulk of his Test career conducting salvage operations -- something that seems set to continue if he persists in staying at No 5 behind a weak top order -- came in after the interval.

The left-hander, whose unbeaten 87 was the centrepiece of West Indies' first innings 243, might have gone for two when he tried to uppercut Bresnan and leaping third slip James Anderson failed to hold a tough left-handed chance.

Bravo though went for 21 when off-spinner Graeme Swann, from around the wicket, clean bowled the left-hander, who inexplicably played no stroke to leave the West Indies 65 for four.

England had resumed on 259 for three, with Strauss 121 not out, having ended his 18-month wait for a Test century on Friday.

But the opener added just one run before being caught behind off an inside-edge against Kemar Roach.

West Indies bowled well but a ninth-wicket partnership of 55 between Bell and Swann, whose exuberant 30 featured six fours, strengthened England's position.

Bell was last man out when he pulled Gabriel to Powell at deep backward square leg.

Gabriel, a 24-year-old Trinidad paceman, had previously clean bowled Prior to open his Test account.

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West Indies collapse in second innings against England

LONDON: West Indies were left facing an uphill struggle in the first Test against England at Lord's here on Saturday after a dramatic top-order collapse saw the tourists lose three wickets for no runs.

The West Indies were 36 for three in their second innings at tea on the third day, still 119 runs behind England's first innings 398.

Their familiar flurry of early wickets again left Shivnarine Chanderpaul, officially the world's best batsman, having to contemplate another salvage operation when he came in at No 5.

The tourists had survived a couple of scares in seeing openers Adrian Barath and Kieran Powell put on 36.

But in sight of getting through a tricky pre-tea session wicketless, Barath was undone by first change Tim Bresnan's fifth ball, an excellent leg-cutter he could only edge through to wicket-keeper Matt Prior on 24.

Powell was far more culpable in his exit for eight, languidly top-edging a pull off Stuart Broad to Ian Bell, running round from deep square leg.

And worse followed when Kirk Edwards was run out for nought.

Darren Bravo nudged the ball in front of square but turned down a single with Edwards already half-way down the pitch and England debutant Jonathan Bairstow threw down the stumps at the bowler's end from cover-point.

West Indies had lost three wickets for no runs in nine balls, with Bravo nought not out at tea.

Earlier, an improved West Indies bowling display saw four England wickets fall in Saturday's first session after the hosts resumed on 259 for three.

But a ninth-wicket partnership of 55 in 47 balls after lunch between Bell and Graeme Swann took the match away from the West Indies, who ended up being 155 behind on first innings.

Nevertheless there were encouraging signs for the West Indies in the form of debutant fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, who took three wickets for 60 runs in 21.3 overs, with fellow paceman Kemar Roach returning figures of three for 108 in 25.

England captain Andrew Strauss started the day on 121 not out, having ended his 18-month wait for a Test century on Friday.

Although the West Indies had endured a tough first day, they were only two deliveries into the new ball.

And they had an early breakthrough when left-hander Strauss, who'd added just one to his total, inside-edged a rising delivery from Roach to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.

South African umpire Marais Erasmus originally ruled in Strauss's favour, but West Indies captain Darren Sammy got the decision overturned on review to end an innings of more than six-and-a-half hours.

Bairstow then took his first ball in Test cricket, a lifting delivery from Roach, on the chest.

And Roach dismissed Bairstow, son of the late England wicket-keeper David, when he missed a sharp inswinger and was lbw for 16.

New batsman Prior became Gabriel's first Test wicket when the seamer bowled him for 19.

Swann, however, revived England's innings, with a brisk 30 featuring six fours before he was bowled by Gabriel.

Bell, five not out overnight, worked hard for his runs.

He was last man out for 61, made off 105 balls with just four boundaries, when he pulled Gabriel and Powell, running in, took a well-judged low catch

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IPL: Delhi oust Punjab to finish on top

DHARAMSALA: Delhi Daredevils finished on top of points table winning their last match in the Indian Premier League by six wickets with ten balls to spare against Kings XI Punjab here at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing an easy target of 142, the Daredevils completed their eleventh victory in the tournament in 18.2 overs.
Opener David Warner played an unbeaten aggressive innings of a 44-ball 79 runs hitting four towering sixes and ten boundaries.
Together with Unmukt Chand (18) he provided a fine start of 82 while Venugopal Rao remained not out on 21.
Pacers Ryan Harris of Australia and Azhar Mahmood of Pakistan claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, sent into bat by Delhi’s stand-in captain Mahela Jayawardene, Punjab were restricted to 141 for eight in the allotted 20 overs as fast bowler Morne Morkel captured four wickets for 20 runs while fast-medium bowler Umesh Yadav took three for 19.
Prominent contributors were Siddarth Chitnis (38), Azhar Mahmood (36) and Gurkeerat Singh (26) whereas five batsmen failed to get into double figures.
Pakistan’s premier sports tv channel Geo Super showed this match live from Dharamsala.

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Windies check England's progress at Lord’s

LONDON: West Indies fought back in the first Test at Lord's here on Saturday with a disciplined display of seam bowling.

England were 341 for seven at lunch on the third day, having lost four wickets in the morning session.

However, they were now 98 runs ahead after resuming on 259 for three.

Ian Bell was 38 not out and Stuart Broad, who'd taken a Test-best seven for 72 in West Indies' first innings 243, 10 not out.

England captain Andrew Strauss added just one to his overnight 121 not out, having ended his 18-month wait for a Test century on Friday, with the opener one of two wickets in the session for fast bowler Kemar Roach.

At lunch Roach had taken three for 87, with Test debutant Shannon Gabriel and West Indies captain Darren Sammy also in the wickets Saturday.

Although the West Indies had endured a tough day Friday, they were only two deliveries into the new ball.

And they had an early breakthrough when left-hander Strauss inside-edged a rising Roach ball through to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.

South African umpire Marais Erasmus originally ruled in Strauss's favour, but Sammy got the decision overturned on review to end an innings of more than six-and-a-half hours.

England debutant Jonathan Bairstow then took his first ball in Test cricket, a lifting delivery from Roach, on the chest.

Both Roach and Fidel Edwards, who'd struggled to get the ball to swing Friday, were now troubling England's batsmen with a succession of late moving deliveries and well-directed short balls.

And Roach dismissed Bairstow, the son of the late Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper David, when he missed a sharp inswinger and was lbw for 16.

Bell had found runs hard to come by after easing his first ball Saturday, from Roach, through cover-point for four.

But new batsman Matt Prior, who made a century against the West Indies on his Test debut, at Lord's in 2007, was quickly into his stride with an on-driven four off Sammy.

However, Prior became Gabriel's first Test wicket when the seamer bowled him for 19 as the batsman aimed across the line.

And 320 for six became 323 for seven when medium-pacer Sammy nipped one off the seam in the increasingly overcast conditions to have Tim Bresnan caught behind for nought.

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Aussie cricketer granted bail in India: lawyer

NEW DELHI: Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach was granted bail Saturday by a New Delhi court following accusations he molested a woman and beat up her fiance, his lawyer said.
The 27-year-old batsman, who has one cap for Australia, is signed up in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team, which took on the Delhi Daredevils on Thursday night.
He faces up to two years in jail if found guilty of molestation and assault after the incident during an after-game party at the swanky ITC Maurya Hotel in the Indian capital.
The cricketer has denied the charges against him.
His lawyer, Ajay Bhargava told AFP: "He has received bail, on condition that he surrenders his passport and pays a surety of 30,000 rupees ($550) on each charge."
He added that the court ruled that "a trespassing charge cannot be maintained" against Pomersbach after CCTV footage filmed outside the alleged victim's room proved inconclusive on whether the cricketer had forcibly entered her suite.
A visibly relieved Pomersbach told reporters outside the court: "I am happy that I have been granted bail and looking forward to getting to the bottom of it."
His arrest was headline news in Indian and Australian newspapers on Saturday with reports detailing the sensational allegations in the case and the chequered history of the money-spinning IPL.
The powerfully built cricketer, wearing a heavy bandage on his right arm, fainted during an earlier court appearance on Friday.
Pomersbach has battled depression and drug problems and narrowly avoided a jail sentence in Australia after admitting assaulting a police officer who was trying to arrest him for drink driving.
He arrived in India for the IPL saying he was now "on top of things", adding he was determined to make the most of the Indian league in order to get his career back on track.
The alleged woman victim, a 27-year-old from the US, told Indian media Pomersbach had "tagged along" with her and her Mumbai-based fiance and said the cricketer grabbed her while they drank together in a hotel room.
When her fiance asked Pomersbach to leave her alone, Pomersbach "turned around and started hitting him", she alleged.
The man was in a stable condition in hospital. He has yet to make a statement to police.
The charges against Pomersbach are the most recent in a string of scandals that have rocked the glitzy, headline-grabbing IPL tournament.
Earlier this week, five Indian players signed to IPL teams were suspended after an undercover TV report alleged they were prepared to take money for spot-fixing, an illegal practice in which parts of the game are fixed.
On Wednesday night, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise, was involved in an ugly late-night row with officials at Mumbai's main Wankhede cricket stadium.
As a result, he was banned by the Mumbai Cricket Association for five years from entering the stadium.
The annual IPL tournament also faces allegations of massive corporate corruption, money-laundering and tax evasion, as well as secret deals to hide teams' real owners and even links to India's criminal underworld

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IPL: Deccan stun Rjasthan by five wickets

HYDERABAD: Deccan Chargers, the team at bottom of the points table, defeated Rajasthan Royals by five wickets with eight balls remaining in the Indian Premier League season – V here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal on Friday.
Rajasthan Royals needed to succeed in their final two matches to have a chance of qualifying. They would have expected to win the first of those: against Deccan Chargers who had been victorious in only two matches of 14 this season, and only won once in 18 matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Instead, they were knocked out of the playoff race by a stifling spell of legspin bowling from Amit Mishra which sucked the momentum out of Royals' innings, tying them to their lowest total of the season
After Royals chose to bat, Chargers were their usual woeful self in the Powerplay overs, putting down three catches to reprieve each of Royals' top three. Royals' highest run-scorer this season, Ajinkya Rahane, was dropped in the first over by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, but Chargers weren't made to pay as Dale Steyn had Rahane edging to slip in the next over.
Royals have won the three games Shane Watson has fired in this season, and lost the three he failed in, highlighting how important he has become to the side's fortunes since his arrival from the West Indies. Watson, too, was given a life in the fifth over, as Shikhar Dhawan couldn't latch on to a diving effort at midwicket. On the very next delivery, Ashish Reddy let a drive from Rahul Dravid through his fingers at mid-on, conceding a boundary. The over ended with Watson blasting a straight six and Chargers demoralised.

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Aussie cricketer to appear in Indian court Saturday

NEW DELHI: Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach was due to appear in a New Delhi courtroom on Saturday on accusations he molested a woman and beat up her fiance, his lawyer said.
The 27-year-old batsman, who has one cap for Australia, is signed up in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team, which took on the Delhi Daredevils on Thursday night.
He faces up to three years in jail if found guilty of molestation, assault and house-breaking after the incident during an after-game party at the swanky ITC Maurya Hotel in the Indian capital.
His arrest was headline news in Indian and Australian newspapers on Saturday with reports detailing the sensational allegations in the case and the chequered history of the money-spinning IPL.
"Molestation charge rocks IPL," said a banner headline in the widely read Hindustan Times.
The powerfully built cricketer, wearing a heavy bandage on his right arm, fainted during his court appearance on Friday, when he was granted 24-hour bail. Saturday's hearing was also for bail.
"Mr Pomersbach has denied all the charges against him. We cannot comment further as the matter is before the court," his lawyer Ajay Bhargava told.
Pomersbach has battled depression and drug problems and narrowly avoided a jail sentence in Australia after admitting assaulting a police officer who was trying to arrest him for drink driving.
He arrived in India for the IPL saying he was now "on top of things", adding he was determined to make the most of the Indian league in order to get his career back on track.
The alleged woman victim, a 27-year-old from the US, told Indian media Pomersbach had "tagged along" with her and her Mumbai-based fiance and said the cricketer grabbed her while they drank together in a hotel room.
When her fiance asked Pomersbach to leave her alone, Pomersbach "turned around and started hitting him", she alleged.
The man was in a stable condition in hospital

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Deccan knocks Rajasthan out of IPL

HYDERABAD: Deccan Charges knocked Rajasthan Royals out of the Indian Premier League after claiming five-wicket victory in a must-win match.
Having set a target of just 127, the Royals would have been prepared for the worst but the visitors did manage to topple the last three wickets in a bit of a rush. Siddharth Trivedi claimed two wickets and the match, despite a good start, looked like going down to the wire. It was not meant to be be as Ashish Reddy and Parthiv Patel finished the match with 8 balls to spare.
It was an easy start to an easy chase. Openers Akshath Reddy (42 off 35) and Shikhar Dhawan (26 off 24) put on 63 in a little over 8. Even JP Duminy, coming at one-down, batted responsibly for his 24 off 31. The middle-order though was iffy at best and the likes of Cameron White and Chris Lyn fell too early.
Reddy and Patel though managed to stop the match from slipping away and helped the hosts, finally, register a win at home.
Rajasthan needed to win today's match as well as their last league clash against Mumbai Indians on May 20 to qualify for the knock-out stage but today's defeat has pushed them out of the race.

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IPL: Bookie claims to have paid Sri Lanka cricketer Rs100 million

MUMBAI: Bookie Sonu Yogendra Jalan alias Malad has told the crime branch that he paid Rs100 million to a Sri Lankan cricket player for fixing a match. He also mentioned that some Indian cricketers were also involved in match fixing, sources said.
He along with Devendra Kothari alias Bhaiyyaji, were arrested by the city crime branch on Thursday. They are believed to be a part of a bigger international cricket betting racket, crime branch officials said.
The property cell of Mumbai crime branch on Thursday raided a building at Lokhandwala in Kandivli and busted a major cricket betting racket. Police arrested Kothari, Jalan and two others and seized two laptops, voice recorders, computers, 25 mobile phones and cash of Rs5.18 lakh. All the accused were booked under prevention of gambling act and were remanded to police custody.
Sources said that Kothari and Sonu Jalan's betting network, whose turn over is around Rs 500 crore a month, is controlled by a Pakistan-based gang belonging to Chhota Shakeel. Sonu Jalan was arrested last year from Andheri in another case of gambling by the Social Service branch. Kothari was also an accused in that case and was not traceable.
In the fresh case, Kothari and Jalan had clients and punters in Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. In India, the gang has their associates in Delhi, Kolkata, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana.
"We had information that the gang was accepting bets on the IPL matches. Based on the information, we have arrested them. The gang is well-organised with having all the betting assessment software with them which helps them in managing their betting business" said Deven Bharti, additional commissioner of police.
The gang also asked their member or associates to open an account with the official UK betting site Betfair and passed on the passwords to Sonu and Kothari, who accessed it, found out the rates and accepted the bets accordingly. One cannot place on line bets on Betfair in India as betting on sport is illegal here.
Sonu, while in custody, had earlier told the police that he had paid around Rs 1 crore to an IPS officer for not arresting him. But he was arrested. He had threatened to lodge a complaint with the state anti-corruption bureau, but went on the backfoot after another senior IPS officer intervened

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Ton-up Strauss gives England edge over West Indies

LONDON: England captain Andrew Strauss ended his 18-month wait for a Test century as he led his side into a first innings lead on the second day against the West Indies at Lord's on Friday.
When bad light ended play, England were 259 for three -- a lead of 16 runs after they needed just Friday's first ball to dismiss the West Indies for their overnight score of 243.
Strauss was 121 not out and Ian Bell five not out at stumps.
But with the West Indies just two deliveries into the new ball, England's position is far from assured in this first of a three-Test series.
This was the 35-year-old Strauss's 20th century in his 95 Tests but the left-handed opener's first since he made 110 against Australia at Brisbane in November 2010.
He came into this match with questions regarding his recent lack of runs but the circumstances were near ideal for Strauss to end his century drought, despite overcast conditions that saw the floodlights switched on after lunch.
The West Indies attack was willing but rarely threatening and Strauss enjoys batting at Lord's, his Middlesex home ground, where he has now made five Test centuries including one on debut, against New Zealand in 2004.
Strauss is now in sight of the England Test record of 22 hundreds held jointly by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott.
His only worrying moment Friday came when he was dropped on 95 in the slips by Shivnarine Chanderpaul off what was, in any event, a Fidel Edwards no-ball.
Soon afterwards Strauss, playing his favoured cut shot, struck West Indies captain Darren Sammy for the 17th four of a 213-ball hundred and punched the air in celebration.
But West Indies enjoyed a welcome moment of respite when Kevin Pietersen, who'd looked in excellent touch while making 32 and putting on exactly 50 with Strauss, saw an edged cut off occasional off-spinner Marlon Samuels well caught by wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.
It was a much needed break for the tourists who, after Kemar Roach had made Strauss's fellow opener Alastair Cook play on for 26, had to endure a second-wicket stand of 147 featuring Jonathan Trott's 58.
Sammy, who twice came close to having Trott out for 17 after lbw and caught behind appeals were rejected, eventually got his man when Ramdin held an outside edge from the right-hander.
Earlier, West Indies saw No 11 Shannon Gabriel's maiden Test innings end in a golden duck when he edged Stuart Broad to Graeme Swann at second slip.
Chanderpaul remained stranded on his overnight score of 87 not. The left-hander, officially the world's best Test batsman, was in for more than four hours and struck 12 boundaries.
Fast-medium bowler Broad's figures of seven for 72 were his best in Tests, surpassing his six for 46 against India at his Nottinghamshire home ground of Trent Bridge last year.
During the course of this return, Broad, son of former England opening batsman Chris, became only the seventh player in history to take both five or more wickets in a Test innings and score a Test century at Lord's following his 169 against Pakistan at 'the home of cricket' two years ago

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Misbah says Pakistan getting fitter, sharper

LAHORE: Pakistan's one-day and Test captain Misbah-ul Haq said Friday he was pleased with his team's progress in fielding and fitness as they prepare for next month's tour of Sri Lanka.
Misbah, who turns 38 later this month, is one of the best fielders in the team but Pakistan's overall standard is well short of top teams like Australia, England and their upcoming opponents Sri Lanka.
In March, Pakistan hired former Surrey fielding coach Julian Fountain to give them a lift in that department, but Misbah, replaced as Twenty20 captain by Mohammaz Hafeez, insisted it had been a priority for some time.
"Whether it was under Waqar Younis (former coach) and Ijaz Ahmed (fielding coach) everyone did a good job and now Julian is doing a great job and I think we have shown good improvement in fielding and fitness," Misbah told reporters.
Misbah said Pakistan will have to be on top form to compete against Sri Lanka.
"We have to be at our best in all departments because Sri Lanka is a tough opponent no matter where you play them and in their own country they are even tougher," he said.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in Tests and 4-1 in the one-day series in the United Arab Emirates last year but their last tour to the island in 2009 ended in defeats in both forms of the game.
Although dropped from the Twenty20 squad, Misbah said he will keep playing the shortest form of the game -- perhaps with an eye on the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September and October.
Pakistan will play two Twenty20s, five one-day internationals and three Tests on the tour, starting with a T20 in Hambantota on June 1.

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Australian IPL player Luke Pomersbach granted interim bail

NEW DELHI: Luke Pomersbach the Indian Premier League (IPL) player has been granted interim bail in an alleged molestation case.
Appearing before the court on Friday, Luke claimed he was innocent. The next hearing of the case will take place on Saturday

Pomersbach who has played for Australia’s T20 side and is playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team in the IPL was arrested by the Indian police on Friday.
He allegedly collapsed in court on Friday and was immediately taken out of the court.
The cricketer is accused of trying to molest a 27-year-old woman during a party at the up market Maurya Sheraton Hotel on Thursday night.
Pomersbach has earlier battled depression and drug issues and avoided a jail sentence in Australia after admitting to assaulting a police officer who was trying to arrest him for drink driving.

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West Indies 243 all out against England

LONDON: West Indies, after losing the toss, were 243 all out against England on the second day of the first Test at Lord's here on Friday.
Test debutant and West Indies No 11 Shannon Gabriel was out for a first ball duck Friday when he edged Stuart Broad straight to second slip Graeme Swann to leave Shivnarine Chanderpaul stranded on his overnight score of 87 not out.
Fast-medium bowler Broad's figures of seven for 72 were his best in Tests, surpassing his six for 46 against India at his Nottinghamshire home ground of Trent Bridge last year.
During the course of this return, Broad, son of former England opening batsman Chris, became only the seventh player in history to both take five or
more wickets in a Test innings and score a Test century at Lord's.
Broad made his Test-best score of 169 against Pakistan at Lord's in 2010.
This is the first of a three-Test series.
Scoreboard:
Scoreboard at close of West Indies' first innings on the second day of the first Test against England at Lord's here on Friday:
West Indies 1st Innings (overnight: 243-9)
A. Barath c Anderson b Broad 42
K. Powell b Anderson 5
K. Edwards lbw b Anderson 1
D. Bravo run out (Prior/Swann) 29
S. Chanderpaul not out 87
M. Samuels c Bairstow b Broad 31
D. Ramdin c Strauss b Broad 6
D. Sammy c Bresnan b Broad 17
K. Roach c and b Broad 6
F. Edwards c Prior b Broad 2
S. Gabriel c Swann b Broad 0
Extras (b6, lb8, nb3) 17
Total (all out, 89.5 overs, 379 mins) 243
Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Powell), 2-32 (K Edwards), 3-86 (Barath), 4-100 (Bravo), 5-181 (Samuels), 6-187 (Ramdin), 7-219 (Sammy), 8-231 (Roach), 9-243 (F Edwards), 10-243 (Gabriel)
Bowling: Anderson 25-8-59-2; Broad 24.5-6-72-7 (3nb); Bresnan 20-7-39-0; Swann 18-6-52-0; Trott 2-0-7-0
England: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonathan Bairstow, Matt Prior (wkt), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson
Toss: England
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Marais Erasmus (RSA)
TV umpire: Asad Rauf (PAK)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

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IPL: Mahela shines as Delhi still on top

DELHI: Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene knocked a brilliant half-century to steer Delhi Daredevils to an easy five-wicket win against Kings XI Punjab in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium on Tuesday.
Delhi are now going ahead of all other teams with 20 points in their 14 matches in the tournament while Punjab failed to get into top four.
Chasing 137, Delhi reached the target in 19 overs when Jayawardene struck three consecutive boundaries off Azhar Mahmood.
Jayawardene remained not out on 56 after adding 45 runs in five overs with Irfan Pathan (19 not out) for the unbeaten sixth wicket partnership.
For Punjab, medium-pacer Parvinder Awana claimed three wickets for 22 runs.
Earlier, Kings XI Punjab captain David Hussey won the toss and elected to bat first but they were restricted to 136 for eight in the allotted 20 overs.
Hussey top scored with an unbeaten 40 with five fours and a six.
Pacemen Umesh Yadav took three for 21 and Varun Aaron two for 19.
Geo Super, Pakistan’s premier sports tv channel, showed this match live from Delhi.

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Five IPL players suspended over 'fixing'

NEW DELHI: Five Indian Premier League players were suspended from cricket on Tuesday as fresh fixing allegations hit the game and threatened to further tarnish a competition already dogged by controversy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) moved swiftly after a sting operation by a local TV channel highlighted alleged fixing and corruption in domestic matches.

The five -- T. P. Sudhindra, Mohnish Mishra, Abhinav Bali, Amit Yadav and Shalabh Srivastava -- are all first-class players, but have yet to break into international cricket.

"The BCCI has decided to suspend these players from all cricket till preliminary investigation into the whole episode is completed," IPL commissioner Rajiv Shukla told reporters.

The inquiry will be carried out by former police officer Ravi Sawani, who has previously served on the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, Shukla added.

Hindi-language India TV showed Sudhindra, of the Deccan Chargers, allegedly agreeing to bowl pre-arranged no-balls in a local amateur match, while Kings XI Punjab player Srivastava was reportedly heard boasting he could do the same in the IPL.

The channel claimed it had taped seamer Srivastava telling its reporters he could deliver a no-ball in the IPL for one million rupees (about $18,500).

Srivastava, 30, who has played two seasons of first-class cricket for the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, denied the allegation and threatened to take the TV channel to court.

"The voice which suggests that I am ready to spot-fix is not mine," he told the Indian Express newspaper. "I am ready to clarify this to the BCCI, my team owners and the IPL governing council.

"I will definitely file a case against them."

Another Kings XI Punjab player, Yadav, was taped saying he had reason to believe that last season's IPL match against Delhi Daredevils was fixed, but could not substantiate his claim.

Mishra and Bali also featured in the sting, which India TV editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma said had been worked on for almost a year.

"We stand by our story and will co-operate fully with any investigation the BCCI plans to carry out," Sharma told reporters.

Sudhindra has played in three IPL matches this year and Mishra played one game for Pune Warriors, but Srivastava, Yadav and Bali have not featured in the current tournament.

The IPL, which began in 2008 as a high-octane mix of glamour, entertainment, rich purses for players and the excitement of slam-bang T20 cricket, has endured a difficult ride over the past four years.

The tournament, which features world stars playing for rich franchise owners, is already being investigated by government agencies for alleged fraud and foreign exchange violations.

Its founder Lalit Modi, who was suspended from the league in 2010, is holed up in London facing Indian government and BCCI charges of misappropriation of funds.

Three Pakistan players -- Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif -- plus their agent Mazhar Majeed were last year found guilty of spot-fixing during the 2010 Lord's Test against England and jailed.

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Azhar Mahmood welcomes CLT20 invite for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has welcomed the BCCI's decision to include Pakistan's T20 champions Sialkot in the Champions League T20.

The BCCI, during its working committee meeting last week, cleared the decks for the inclusion of Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 champions in this year's CLT20 for the first time since the event's inception.

"Sialkot will play here in CLT20 in October. It is a very good step from BCCI. Now PCB too need to take a step forward and join hands with India," Indian website indiansportsnews.com. quoted Azhar Mahmood, as saying.

"Both countries should join hands and put in a combined effort to revive bilateral series," he added.

Since joining Punjab in the middle of the ongoing IPL tournament, Mahmood has played a key role in turning the fortunes of the Punjab outfit, who are currently in seventh spot in the standings with 14 points from 13 games but are very much in with a chance of advancing to the play-offs.

"Definitely we can go to semi-finals. We are playing good cricket. We have 14 points now and two more wins will see us through to the play-offs," he said.

A tough battle awaits Kings XI Punjab in their next match as they take on table toppers Delhi Daredevils at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground on Tuesday.

But Mahmood said his side had enough firepower to upstage Delhi in their own backyard. "No doubt Virender Sehwag and David Warner are two of the best players in ODIs and Twenty20 cricket. But if they are in form, we also are in form," he remarked.

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Anderson wins England player of the year award

LONDON: James Anderson was named England's cricketer of the year for 2011/12 at a ceremony at Lord's here on Monday.

The Lancashire seamer saw off competition from fellow nominees Stuart Broad and Alastair Cook for an award voted for by the English cricket media.

The award recognises outstanding performances in all formats of international cricket over the past year beginning with last year's domestic international programme and encompassing the recent winter tours.

Anderson, who is currently the number three ranked bowler in the ICC's Test rankings, enjoyed an impressive 12 months with England which saw him take his 250th Test wicket and rise to fifth on the list of England's all-time wicket-takers in Test cricket.

The 29-year-old Lancashire seamer, who is set to lead England's attack in the first Test against the West Indies starting at Lord's on Thursday, said of his award: "I am flattered to win this award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me.

"I have been pleased with my performances over the last year and was delighted with the way I bowled on the recent tour of Sri Lanka -- but I take even greater pleasure from being part of such a successful England team."

In 2011 England rose to number one in the ICC's Test rankings, a position they retained despite losing four out of five Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka during their (northern hemisphere) winter tour

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Mushtaq unlikely to become PCB bowling coach

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Test leg-spinner, Mushtaq Ahmed is unlikely to get a green signal from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for appointment as the new bowling coach of the national cricket team.

Mushtaq, who has been working with the England team as spin bowling consultant for the last three years had expressed interest in working with the Pakistan team but at the same time he wanted certain conditions to be fulfilled.

"Mushtaq in a meeting with PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had told him that he would only work with the board if he will be given a three-year contract will with a particular clause that the board can't sack him mentioned in it," a source close to Mushtaq was quoted as saying.

The source said but the board is not willing to accept his terms and conditions. "After that the PCB has not spoken to him, which is unfortunately a signal that they are not willing to accept his conditions," the source said.

The source added that Mushtaq is likely to sign another fresh contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as he was being offered a good financial package and incentives and he has adjusted well with head coach, Andy Flower.

However other contenders for the Pakistan bowling coach's position are Mohammad Akram, Jalal-ud-din, Ian Pont and Sabih Azhar, but according to reports the national team's head coach, Dav Whatmore is more interested in bringing in a person of his own
choice on the support team.

The PCB did not announce the bowling coach for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka, confirming that the matter had been delayed for obvious reasons. But Intikhab Alam, who heads the coaches committee in the board, said that the board was taking its time as it wanted to make the right decision.

"The appointment of the bowling coach will be made after the tour of Sri Lanka. The main reason for this is that we don't want to rush the appointment for an important position as this - it has to be the right person," Intikhab said

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IPL Spot-Fixing: BCCI suspends 5 players

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended five players from the IPL who were caught on tape admitting to spot-fixing during a sting operation.
The sting operation which was conducted by India TV showed the five players representing IPL teams admitting to taking part in fixing
The sting operation alleged murky deals in the IPL and suggested that many players had confessed to under the table transactions. The sting operation also alleged involvement of Indian cricket stars, international players and even team owners. The TV channel reports of match fixing as well.
The channel claimed that an IPL player confessed that he was getting Rs.1.45 crore from its owner whereas he was in the Rs 30 lakh slab. It named an IPL player, claiming he had bowled a no-ball in last year's first class match on the insistence of the channel's reporter. He had also assured to change his team in future if he was paid Rs.60 lakh, the channel said.
Another player demanded Rs 10 lakh for bowling a no-ball in an IPL match, it said.
The channel said a pattern has emerged where a particular bowler pitches easy deliveries and there are dropped catches.

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IPL spot-fixing sting operation: BCCI calls an emergency meet

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control of cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that it will examine the footage of a sting operation done by a Hindi news channel on spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The sting claims to have uncovered the lid on spot-fixing, and also black money deals in the IPL.
In its official press release, the BCCI announced that the entire footage of the 'sting operation' will be sought and examined thoroughly. The IPL Governing Council will also meet on an emergency basis to review the footage and take an appropriate action.
The BCCI said that it has asked the Governing Council of the IPL for a tele-conferencing of the governing council to go into this matter. "We will act to show that this is not tolerated," the BCCI said.
The BCCI said that it would not tolerate any violation of regulations and any act of corruption.
BCCI chief N Srinivasan has said, "We will have to see the tapes. If there is any truth in it, we will act, even if it means suspending the player immediately. But this has to based on some evidence and fact. We will act to show this is not tolerated. IPL, we believe is clean. But if there is a shred of evidence, we will take the strictest possible action."
"We will ensure that the integrity of the game is protected. BCCI believes in the integrity of the game. We will take the strictest possible action. We will have to have the tapes and the moment we see it, whoever is the player, we will take very strict action."
"IPL, we believe is clean. We have got the Anti-Corruption Unit covering it. They are the in-charge of the security. We have got Ravi Swami, who was heading BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit to take it up for us."
"People can make allegations. But if there is any shred of evidence, we will take action.
The sting operation alleges murky deals in the IPL and suggests that many players have confessed to under the table transactions. The sting operation also alleges involvement of Indian cricket stars, international players and even team owners. The TV channel reports of match fixing as well.
The channel claimed that an IPL player confessed that he was getting Rs.1.45 crore from its owner whereas he was in the Rs 30 lakh slab. It named an IPL player, claiming he had bowled a no-ball in last year's first class match on the insistence of the channel's reporter. He had also assured to change his team in future if he was paid Rs.60 lakh, the channel said.
Another player demanded Rs 10 lakh for bowling a no-ball in an IPL match, it said.
The channel said a pattern has emerged where a particular bowler pitches easy deliveries and there are dropped catches.

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Bravo’s last-ball six steals win for Chennai

KOLKATA: Chennai Super Kings recorded a thrilling five-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders when Dwayne Bravo hit a six off the final ball of the match in the Indian Premier League – season V here at the Eden Gardens on Monday.
Chasing 159, Chennai completed their eighth win to keep hopes alive in the tournament.Now, both teams are in the last four with 17 points each.
Australian batsman Michael Hussey top scored with 56. He hit four sixes and as many fours.
He made 97 runs for the first wicket with Murali Vijay (36). Later, captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni made 28 off 21 balls.
For Kolkata, off-spinner Sunil Narine of the West Indies and pace-man Rajat Bhatia claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, sent into bat by Chennai, Kolkata made 158 for six in the allotted 20 overs after captain Gautam Gambhir (62) and Brendan McCullum (37) provided a solid start of 99 runs.
Slow left-arm bowler Shadab Jakati took two for 26

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Mumbai snatch 5-wkt win from Bangalore

BANGALORE: Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard powered Mumbai Indians to a sensational five-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.
Chasing 171, Mumbai Indians made a disastrous start losing five wickets for 51 including star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who got a first ball duck.
Then, Rayudu and Pollard came together to rescue and batted steadily to take their team out of trouble. They added 122 runs for an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership to steer Mumbai Indians to an unbelievable victory with two balls remaining.
Rayudu made an unbeaten 81 off 54 balls with six fours and four sixes while Pollard scored 52 not out from 31 balls with three sixes and five fours including the winning boundary.
Earlier, sent into bat by Mumbai captain Harbhajan Singh, Bangalore made 171 for six in the allotted 20 overs.
Mayank Agarwal top scored with 64 not out, hitting four sixes and six fours in his 30-ball innings while Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan made 47 with four fours and a six.

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England Lions crush West Indies by 10 wickets

LONDON: England Lions crushed West Indies by 10 wickets on Sunday, dealing a further blow to the brittle confidence of the tourists ahead of the first Test which starts at Lord's on Thursday.

Joe Root (115 not out) and Michael Carberry (72 not out) led the Lions to victory in Northampton with a session to spare on the final day of the four-day game, finishing on 197-0 after the West Indies had been bowled out for 390 in their second innings.

As well as defeat, the West Indies also saw seam bowlers Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul suffer new injuries ahead of Thursday's first Test at Lord's.

The tourists' mid-match fightback -- with Kieran Powell (108) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (77) -- came to nothing on the final day after they were dismissed after just 30 minutes in the morning session.

The Lions moved to 61 without loss at lunch while the West Indies -- without Roach, who took a blow on his right hand batting against Stuart Meaker -- also saw Rampaul leave the field after four overs with the new ball.

Darren Bravo was required to bowl only his second spell in first-class cricket and Root and Carberry were predictably untroubled.

The Lions' openers, who discovered that team-mate Jonny Bairstow will be the man to replace the injured Ravi Bopara in England's squad for Lord's, turned on the style as victory was wrapped up after lunch

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IPL: Two matches today

BANGLORE: Two matches will be played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday
,Royal Challengers Banglore and Mumbai Indians will clash in the first match here, which will start in the afternoon at 3.30 P.M.
 (Pakistan Time)In the second match, Kolkata Night Riders will take on Chennai Super Kings. This will start in the evening at 7.30 P.M. (Pakistan Time)

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Fast bowler Anderson says they want to be 'one of the greatest England teams' ever

England fast bowler James Anderson has said the players believe they can become one of the best England teams ever.

England has been ranked No.1 in the world since last August but, with the first Test of the summer beginning at Lord's on Thursday, Anderson insists the team want more.

"We don't just want to stay No.1 in the world. That's not what is driving us on. We actually do believe that we can become one of the best, if not the best, England teams there ever has been," The Daily Star quoted Anderson, as saying.

"Once we finish playing we want to look back on something we can be really proud of. We want to create a legacy. We want to be a team that people look back on and think, 'That was a great team' - a group that young kids look at and think, 'We want to be in a team as good as that'," he added.

England had a below par winter, losing all three Tests against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and drawing the two-match series in Sri Lanka.

After three Tests against the West Indies, South Africa will tour in July for three more before England travel to India having not won a Test series there since 1984-85.

"Our goal for a long time was to be number one in the world. Once we got there we wanted something else to inspire us and help us improve as a team," Anderson said.

"We want to win everything we can. Going to India is going to be a big task because it's somewhere where we haven't been successful in the past," he added.

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Punjab record last-ball win against Deccan

MOHALI: Kings XI Punjab recorded a thrilling six-wicket win against Deccan Chargers in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a difficult target of 191, Punjab completed their well-paced chase as Gurkeerat Singh hit a boundary off the final ball of the match delivered by Manpreet Gony.
Australian batsman David Hussey was declared the man-of-the-Match for his brilliant unbeaten innings of 65 in just 35 balls. He struck five sixes and four fours.
South Africa’s fast bowler Dale Steyn and Australia’s fast-medium bowler Daniel Christian took two wickets each.
Earlier, Deccan Chargers batted first on an easy wicket after captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss.
Deccan amassed 190 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs as Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White were the prominent scorers with 71 and 67, respectively.
For Punjab, Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood captured two wickets for 39 runs.

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Chandila hat-trick plays havoc as Rajasthan beat Pune

JAIPUR: Off-break bowler Ajit Chandila performed the first hat-trick of the season to help Rajasthan Royals to beat Pune Warriors by 45 runs in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Sunday.
This was eighth successive defeat for Pune Warriors in the tournament.
Batting first after captain Rahul Dravid won the toss, Rajasthan made 170 for four in the allotted 20 overs.
Ajinkya Rahane scored 61 with seven fours and Australian Shane Watson made 58 off 31 balls with four sixes and six fours.
For Pune, left-arm medium-fast bowler Ashish Nehra claimed three wickets for 23.
But Pune in reply made a disastrous start as off-spinner Chandila opening the bowling took two consecutive wickets in the first over and then got the third on the first ball of his second over to complete the hat-trick.
Then, Pune could not recovered from this pathetic situation and were restricted to 125 in 20 overs after losing nine wickets.
Chandila finished on four for 13 in his four overs and another off-spinner Johan Botha, from South Africa, claimed two for 25.
Steven Smith of Australia provided some resistance for Pune as he made 37.

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Ton-up Powell leads Windies revival against Lions

LONDON: Kieran Powell scored the first hundred of the West Indies tour of England as they avoided an embarrassing defeat against the England Lions on Saturday ahead of next week's first Test at Lord's.

West Indies were facing the possibility of being beaten with more than a day to spare in this four-day match at Northampton.

At the start of Saturday's third day, they resumed on 28 for three in their second innings, still 166 adrift of the 341 first innings score posted by the Lions, England's 'A' side.

But Powell (108) shared successive century stands with Darren Bravo (57) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (77) and by stumps the West Indies had advanced to 377 for eight -- a lead of 183.

West Indies' batting is considered to be the most vulnerable aspect of their game and the way they folded to 147 all out, albeit in seam-friendly conditions, in the first innings did not augur well for Lord's.

Nor did Friday's top-order collapse but Powell and Bravo, whose fifty was his second of the match, both cashed in after they each survived a difficult chance while still in the teens.

Bravo was first to his fifty, when he lofted England spinner Samit Patel down the ground for his ninth four in 76 balls, before he deflected a glance off uncapped seamer Jack Brooks, playing on his Northamptonshire home ground, on to leg stump shortly after lunch.

Opening batsman Powell, in what was only the second first-class hundred of the 22-year-old's career, pressed onto three figures with a 217-ball century including a straight six off Joe Root's off-spin and 13 fours.

The left-hander was, however, out not long afterwards when bowled by a turning delivery from Patel.

Chanderpaul, officially the world's best Test batsman, proved typically obdurate and kept Powell company in a stand lasting 34 overs before the latter was out approaching tea.

He was out in surprising fashion, the left-hander misjudging a ball from seamer Stuart Meaker to be lbw playing no stroke.

England are due to name their squad for the first of a three-Test series on Sunday, with Lions captain James Taylor and Jonny Bairstow, who earlier in this match made a century and a fifty respectively, in contention for a place after all-rounder Ravi Bopara tore a thigh muscle playing for Essex.

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Bairstow included in 13-man squad for 1st Test against West Indies

The England selectors today named a 13-man squad for the first Test match against West Indies commencing Thursday May 17 at Lord's.

Jonny Bairstow is the only player uncapped at Test level included in the squad. The 22 year old Yorkshireman has a first class average of 46.37 and has played six one-day internationals for England, making his debut against India in September 2011, and has won six international T20 caps. Durham pace bowler Graham Onions is the only other player named who did not play a Test last winter and is one of five seamers included in the squad.

National selector, Geoff Miller, said: "This is an important period for us following a challenging winter where we learnt some valuable lessons and we are preparing for a highly competitive series against a West Indies side full of quality players.

"We have selected a very strong 13-man squad which allows us to consider a number of options before making a decision about Thursday's side. We have included five seam bowlers who have all demonstrated that they are capable of winning Test matches for England.

"Jonny Bairstow has put in a number of impressive performances both for England Lions and Yorkshire and has been working hard on the England Performance Programme over the last couple of years. He is an exciting young player who now has an opportunity to experience the Test environment."

England squad - 1st Test

Andrew Strauss (Middlesex) (Captain)

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Ian Bell (Warwickshire)

Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Alastair Cook (Essex)

Steven Finn (Middlesex)

Graham Onions (Durham)

Kevin Pietersen (Surrey)

Matt Prior (Sussex)

Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)

Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire)

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Stadiums stand empty in isolated Pakistan

KARACHI: Karachi's National Stadium was once a dusty, sweaty hell for visiting cricketers, a cauldron of heat and noise where Pakistan went unbeaten in Tests for more than 45 years.
But now, three years after international sides stopped coming to the country in the wake of a deadly militant attack on a Sri Lankan team bus, the stands are silent, deserted and rusting with disuse.
It is a scene repeated in stadiums across Pakistan. Since the gun attack in Lahore, the country has not hosted a full international in any sport, barring a short series of hockey friendlies against lowly China.
Last month it organised a visit by the Bangladesh cricket team, only to have it postponed a week later over security fears, to the dismay of Pakistani officials.
And Pakistan's announcement on Wednesday that Canada may visit this year was quickly played down by Cricket Canada chief Doug Hannum, who called it a "potential tour" and said no formal talks had taken place.
Pakistan's 180 million people are well known for being cricket-mad but the nation also boasts a proud history in field hockey -- three Olympic golds, four World Cups and three Champions Trophies -- and squash, where the Khans, Jansher and Jahangir, ruled the world in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1994 Pakistan even boasted the unique distinction of being world champions in cricket, hockey and squash at the same time.
Even the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US did not deter foreign teams: Pakistan hosted arch-rivals India -- considered the biggest target for militants -- for cricket tours in 2004 and 2006, and staged the World Open squash tournament in 2003 and Champions Trophy hockey in 2004.
But when gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus during the third cricket Test in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven players, Pakistan was cast into sporting purdah.
It was no longer true that sports were not a target for militants and ever since, teams have been unwilling to come.
For three years, Pakistan have held their "home" cricket series in neutral countries, mostly the United Arab Emirates. All their Davis Cup tennis matches and hockey fixtures have been played away from home.
Ehsan Mani, former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), believes the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are going the wrong way about seeking to end their isolation.
"The Bangladesh team not coming to Pakistan is a setback," Mani said. "But I would say that the PCB's strategy is totally wrong as they are, like, begging teams to come, which is wrong."
Mani said Pakistan needs to get the ICC to set security guidelines. But he added that even if Bangladesh had come, others were not likely to follow.
"I can't speculate whether Bangladesh Cricket Board wanted to send the team or not, but Bangladesh's visit would not have convinced England or Australia," he said.
The situation means talented young players like Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Wahab Riaz and Asad Shafiq -- who between them have 50 Test caps, 95 one-day and 39 Twenty20 internationals -- have yet to play before their home crowds.
But most dangerous are the financial implications.
"PCB would feel the financial pinch soon," Tauqir Zia, a former PCB chairman, told AFP. "Their expenses per year are 1.6 billion rupees ($17.6 million) and this cannot be borne until you earn by hosting cricket. Otherwise you have to go to the ICC and ask for funds."
Hockey survives on millions of rupees in government grants, while football is supported by international body FIFA through the Goal development scheme.
For former Pakistani Test fast bowler Jalal-ud-Din, the key to Pakistan coming in from the cold is wooing the old enemy next door: India.
"Cricket revival, I believe, is related to India because they are the super powers," he said. "PCB must form a team of players and diplomats and send it to various countries in order to convince them to tour."
Jalal also blamed poor governance in the PCB, saying that under former chairman Ijaz Butt "our relationship with other countries worsened and we are paying for that".
When a spot-fixing scandal broke during Pakistan's disastrous 2010 tour of England, Butt incensed the hosts by accusing them of throwing a one-day international at the Oval. He later apologised and retracted the allegation.
With Pakistan's security situation still unstable, it seems the wait for top-level international competition will go on, both for the country's sports fans and its under-used stadiums

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Snubbed Afridi vows all out support to new T 20 skipper Hafeez

Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi says he is not upset after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selected Misbahul Haq for the 50-over format instead of him, and handed Mohammad Hafeez the captain's arm-band for the Twenty20 format.

Former captain, Afridi, was a leading candidate to replace Misbah but has vowed to back Hafeez after the snub.
"I have no complaints and am ready to play for Pakistan under any captain whether it is Misbah, Shoaib Malik or Hafeez. My aim is to play for my country, which is a huge honour. I wish Hafeez the best of luck with his role. I have supported him in crisis before and he will have all my support as the captain again," Afridi told The Express Tribune.

Afridi said he was not desperate for captaincy and preparing for the Sri Lanka tour was his only focus in the recent days.

"I had a bad series against England but I recovered in the Asia Cup. Now I am looking for an improved show and eyeing key contribution for Pakistan. I am working very hard and never miss my training. Hopefully, I'll do well against Sri Lanka once again," he said.

Afridi retired from Test cricket one match into his comeback in 2010 after being handed the reigns by Ijaz Butt. He issued a conditional retirement last year in protest of the PCB stripping him of captaincy in One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s.

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Pakistan welcomes India invitation

KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday welcomed India's invitation to compete in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament this year, saying it could lead to a "revival of Indo-Pak cricketing ties."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which met earlier in the day in Chennai, approved Pakistan's participation in the tournament which features leading domestic Twenty20 teams from around the world.

"We feel it's a significant and positive development," Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed, told AFP.

"We had been in touch with the BCCI over the participation of a Pakistan team and hope that this step could lead to a revival of Indo-Pak cricketing ties."

The news was also welcomed by Shoaib Malik, captain of Pakistan's Twenty20 champions Sialkot Stallions, who told AFP: "It's great news and I am happy to hear this."

"We eat the same food and wear same clothes and when we play cricket people of both countries come closer," he said.

The invite to the tournament, to be held in October in India, came a month after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari urged Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to consider reviving cricket ties, during a private visit to New Delhi.

The Sialkot Stallions were meant to compete in the inaugural Champions League in 2009 but the plan fell through after the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, blamed on Pakistan-based militants, strained relations.

Malik, whose marriage to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza in 2010 bridged the two nations' bitter sporting and political divide, added: "I think its a small step towards reviving Indo-Pak cricket and I pray this continues at all level."

"We reach Delhi from Lahore in 45 minutes and it takes more time to fly to Karachi, so Pakistan and India are that close," he said, speaking from Dubai.

Malik led the last Pakistan team to India in 2007. India's last tour to Pakistan was in 2008 when they featured in the Asia Cup.

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Chennai record easy nine-wicket win over Delhi

CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Daredevils by a huge margin of nine wickets in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk on Saturday.
Chasing an easy target of 115 runs, Chennai completed their seventh victory with 28 balls remaining for the loss of only one wicket.
Opener Murali Vijay top scored with an unbeaten 48 while Australian batsman Michael Hussey made 38 and Suresh Raina remained not out on 28.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni won the toss and put Delhi Daredevils into bat who were restricted to 114 for five in the allotted 20 overs.
Australian fast-medium bowler Ben Hilfenhaus struck thrice early to destroy Delhi’s top order batting after which they could not recover. Hilfenhaus finished on three for 27.
Their main scorers were Yogessh Nagar (43 not out) and Venugopal Rao (27).

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India invites Sialkot to take part in Champions League T20

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday invited Pakistan to take part in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament this year, breaking new ground in the stalled cricket ties between the arch rivals.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which met in Chennai on Saturday, gave the go ahead to Pakistan's participation in the tournament which features leading domestic Twenty20 teams from around the world.

"The BCCI has decided to invite a team from Pakistan to play in the Champions League to be held in India in October," BCCI chief Narayanaswami Srinivasan told reporters after the meeting.

The BCCI's recommendation will be forwarded to the governing council of the Champions League which is owned by the cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa, Srinivasan added.

India and Pakistan met in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh in March and the World Cup semi-final in India last year, but regular tours have been frozen since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

India postponed a tour to Pakistan scheduled for January 2009 in the wake of the Mumbai carnage, which left 166 people dead and many hundreds injured.

The latest move by the BCCI comes a month after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who was on a private visit to New Delhi, urged Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to consider reviving cricket ties.

Srinivasan, asked if this was the first step towards reviving relations with Pakistan, said: "Today, the decision is limited to the Champions League. I don't want to say anything beyond it."

Pakistani teams did not feature in the first three editions of the Champions League, an off-shoot of the hugely popular Indian Premier League (IPL), which began in 2009.

Pakistani players have also been left out of the IPL after taking part in the inaugural season in 2008

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Sharma, Gibbs inspire Mumbai to 27-run win over Kolkata

KOLKATA: Mumbai Indians inspired by an unbeaten big partnership from Rohit Sharma and Herschelle Gibbs recorded an easy 27-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.
Batting first after captain Harbhajan Singh won the toss, Mumbai Indians plundered 182 runs for the loss of only one wicket in the allotted 20 overs.
After losing Sachin Tendulkar, Sharma hit a brilliant century and South African Gibbs a patient half-century as both added 167 runs for an unbeaten second wicket partnership to set an improbable target of 183 for Kolkata.
Sharma scored 109 from 60 balls with twelve fours and five sixes while Gibbs made 66 off 58 balls with seven fours and two sixes. Both remained not out.
In reply, Kolkata made a disastrous start losing two wickets for just three runs but South African allrounder Jacques Kallis restored the position making 57 runs with Manoj Tiwary (27) for the third wicket stand and then added further 91 with Yousuf Pathan (40 not out) for the fourth wicket.
Kallis top scored with a 60-ball 79 hitting seven fours and three sixes.
However, Kolkata could not reach the target and were restricted to 155 for four in 20 overs.

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Sri Lanka drops plan to host Pak-Australia series

KARACHI: Sri Lanka has dropped plans to host a limited overs series between Pakistan and Australia in August as it clashes with the island's Premier League, Pakistani cricket officials said Saturday.
"It's disappointing," Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed, told AFP.
"Initially the SLC (Sri Lankan Cricket) offered to host the series and we stopped negotiating with others."
Since Sri Lanka told Pakistan of its decision Friday, Pakistan had started negotiations with other countries about hosting the series, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia, he said.
"We are looking for other venues to host Australia... and hope to finalise it soon," said Ahmed.
Pakistan is due to play five one-day and three Twenty20 matches against Australia from mid-August, the dates of which are yet to be finalised.
Since March 2009 terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, Pakistan has had to play its home games in neutral venues such as the UAE, England and New Zealand.
Ahmed said that playing the upcoming series in Sri Lanka after its Premier League was not an option as the country would then be preparing to host the World Twenty20, from September 18 to October 8.
Despite the development, he refused to accept Pakistan was isolated in the cricket world: "I will not accept that Pakistan is isolated, because other countries were willing to host the series."

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Sialkot Stallions to play in CLT20

NEW DELHI : Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday gave go ahead to Champions League Governing Council to take decision on Pakistan team`s participation in the tournament.
Champions League Governing Council will meet on May 28 in Chennai.
The latest move will see Pakistan team Sialkot Stallions play in the Champions League T20. This will be the first time post 26/11 that a Pakistan team will play in the country.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)and some top cricketers have hailed the BCCI decision, which would go a long way in promoting cricket in the region

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IPL: Two matches today

MUMBAI: Two matches will be played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday
Kolkata Night Riders and Mumbai Indians would be facing each other for the first time in IPL-5. In the second match, Delhi Daredevils will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings.
Both the matches
Mumbai Indians would have to win against the second best of the match event Kolkata Riders for maintaining their fourth position on the points table.
As regards the second match, Delhi Daredevils at the top of points table could easily make a place in the semi-final, but Chennai Super Kings would have to defeat Delhi Daredevils for making a place in the top four.

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Johnson on verge of quitting before injury

SYDNEY: Paceman Mitchell Johnson, recalled this week to the Australian team, revealed Friday he had lost his love of cricket and a foot injury this year probably saved him from quitting the game.
Johnson's roller coaster career was in limbo after he injured ligaments in his big left toe while batting in Australia's Test victory over South Africa last November and he missed the entire Australia season following surgery.
But the enigmatic 30-year-old fast bowler said he was already mentally shot by that point and in the doldrums over his cricket future.
"Going into that Test in Joburg, I was unsure if I could perform to be honest. It was at that point where I really just wanted to get away from the game and step back from it," Johnson said in Perth.
"The injury did come at the right time. I'd probably lost a bit of interest in playing the game.
"If I didn't get the injury, if I kept going, I could have got dropped and that could have been it.
"That (retirement) could have been on the cards for sure.
"I guess being away from the media helped a little bit, not copping it day in, day out. So that's been a bit of a relief."
Johnson, who has a reputation for erratic bowling, said he was confident his dark times were behind him, saying he felt mentally and physically stronger than at any previous point in his career.
The 47-Test veteran, with 190 wickets at 31.29, will have the chance to prove his worth in Australia's one-day tour of England in June-July.
He has also taken 168 wickets in 107 one-day internationals

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Australia bowling coach McDermott quits

SYDNEY: Craig McDermott has quit as bowling coach of the Australian team, citing the conflicting demands of constant touring with family life, Cricket Australia said Friday.
Former Test fast bowler McDermott, 47, has worked with great success in developing Australia's fast bowling stocks in the 12 months he has been in the job.
"It has been a very difficult decision to leave my position as the bowling coach of the Australian cricket team, a job I have thoroughly enjoyed since beginning 12 months ago," McDermott said in a statement.
"However, the team's schedule is a particularly busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view."
Australia, who have recently returned from a tour to the West Indies, play a series of one-day internationals in England from next month, followed by an ODI series against Pakistan. They host South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies next southern summer.
McDermott has been prominent in the development of young fast bowlers James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc along with the renaissance of senior bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle.
"It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period and we have achieved much success," he said.
"The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stocks has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of."
McDermott said he will continue to work at Cricket Australia's centre of excellence and was not ruling out being involved with the Australian cricket team in the future.
Head coach Mickey Arthur said McDermott would be hard to replace.
"Craig has taken our fast bowlers to another level and his skills and experience will be sorely missed around the group," Arthur said.
"However, we completely understand and respect Craig's decision

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Chennai beats Rajasthan by 4 wickets

JAIPUR: Chennai Super Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets in an important Indian Premier League (IPL) match played here at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing 127-run target, Chennai lost wickets at regular intervals and looked in trouble before Anirudha Srikkanth (18 not out) and Albie Morkel (18 not out) changed the gear for the visitors.
Both the batsmen smashed two sixes and a four each and played identical six deliveries as the duo helped the defending champions achieved the modest target with 11 balls to spare

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South African Richardson named new ICC chief

DUBAI: David Richardson, the former South Africa wicketkeeper, has been chosen by the International Cricket Council as its new chief executive.
The 52-year-old Richardson, who played 42 Tests and 122 one-day Internationals, will replace fellow South African Haroon Lorgat when the latter's four-year term ends in June, subject to the appointment being ratified at June's ICC Annual Conference in Kuala Lumpur.
The appointment was approved by the ICC Board in a teleconference on Thursday following a recommendation by the organisation's nominations committee after the leading candidates were interviewed in Mumbai last weekend.
Richardson has been with the ICC for more than 10 years as its cricket general manager and was an unsuccessful applicant for the chief executive's role in 2008.
"It is a great honour to be nominated to be chief executive of the ICC," Richardson said in an ICC press release. "I am delighted with this opportunity and thank the ICC Board for their approval."
Richardson will become the fourth ICC chief executive following on from Australians David Richards (1993-2001) and Malcolm Speed (2001-2008) and Lorgat.
He was his country's first choice behind the stumps for more than six years after their readmission to international cricket following a two-decade long international sporting boycott brought about through the policy of apartheid. (Reuters)

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Warner, Ojha steer Delhi to 9-wkt win over Deccan

HYDERABAD: An unbeaten 189-run second wicket partnership between David Warner and Naman Ojha steered Delhi Daredevils to an impressive victory of nine wickets over Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League – V (IPL-2012) here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal on Thursday.
Chasing a big total of 188, Delhi batsmen completed their ninth victory in the tournament in 16.4 overs, maintaining their top position on the points table while Deccan were still on the bottom of the table.
Australian batsman Warner hit a brilliant century and Ojha a fine half-century after captain Virender Sehwag was gone for four.
Warner made 109 off just 54 balls and Ojha scored 64 off 46 balls and both remained not out.
Warner struck seven sixes and ten fours while Ojha hit five sixes and two boundaries.
Earlier, Deccan Chargers batted first after captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and made 187 for four in the allotted 20 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 84 from just 49 balls with nine fours and five sixes, followed by Cameron White’s 65 in 40 balls with seven fours and two sixes.
Both batsmen made 126 runs for the third wicket partnership.
For Delhi, paceman Varun Aaron claimed two wickets for 30 runs

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