Akhtar cancels Mumbai launching ceremony of autobiography

MUMBAI : Shoaib Akhtar has cancelled the launching ceremony of his autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’ in Mumbai. According to reports in the Indian media, the launching ceremony was scheduled for Sunday.The autobiography has lived up to its title as Shoaib has criticised several former cricketers including Indian batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Earlier the autobiography was launched in New Delhi and the ceremony was attended by Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik.During that ceremony the former fast bowler said that people should read his autobiography first to "understand his remarks" about Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, and added that they are "world class cricketers".

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Faisal Bank National T20 Cup begins tomorrow

KARACHI : The Faisal Bank National Twenty20 Cricket Cup will begin tomorrow with the match between Abbottabad Falcons and Quetta BearsThe tournament will continue for eight days and three matches will be played daily during from September 25 to October 2. Only the top teams from each group will move into the semifinals.All the matches will be played here at the National Stadium and will be telecast live on Geo Super. In all, 14 teams are taking part in the event, which has been divided into following four groups:
Group A: Karachi Zebras, Lahore Lions, Abbottabad Falcons and Quetta Bears
Group B: Rawalpindi Rams, Multan Tigers, Faisalabad Wolves and Afghan Cheetas
Group C: Sialkot Stallions, Lahore Lions and Hyderabad Hawks
Group D: Karachi Dolphins, Islamabad Leopards and Peshawar Panthers

Schedule
Sep. 25: Abbottabad Falcons vs Quetta Bears (Afternoon), Lahore Lions vs Hyderabad Hawks (4pm), Lahore Eagles vs Karachi Zebras (8pm)
Sep. 26: Sialkot Stallions vs Hyderabad Hawks (Afternoon), Karachi Zebras vs Quetta Bears (4pm), Lahore Eagles vs Abbottabad Falcons (8pm)
Sep. 27: Lahore Eagles vs Quetta Bears (Afternoon), Karachi Zebras vs Abbottabad (4pm), Lahore Lions vs Sialkot Stallions (8pm)
Sep. 28: Islamabad Leopards vs Peshawar Panthers (Afternoon), Faisalabad Wolves vs Multan Tigers (4pm), Rawalpindi Rams vs Afghan Cheetas (8pm)
Sep. 29: Rawalpindi Rams vs Multan Tigers (Afternoon), Faisalabad Wolves vs Afghan Cheetas (4pm), Karachi Dolphins vs Islamabad Leopards (8pm)
Sep. 30: Multan Tigers vs Afghan Cheetas (Afternoon), Rawalpindi Rams vs Faisalaabad Wolves (4pm), Karachi Dolphins vs Peshawar Panthers (8pm)
Semifinals
Oct. 01: 1st semifinal (4pm) between winner of Group A vs winner of Group C,
2nd semifinal (8pm) among winner of Group B and winner of Group D
Oct. 02: Final (7pm).The Faysal Bank T20 Cup was earlier scheduled to be played in Lahore but later it was shifted from Lahore to Karachi, as ordered by the President of Pakistan, because Lahore has been hit hard by a dengue outbreak.

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Shoaib Akhtar destroyed his own career: Akram

MUMBAI : Former Pakistan captain Waseem Akram said that Shoaib Akhtar was trying to gain cheap publicity by making accusations in his autobiography.Akram dismissed Akhtar’s claims of making Sachin Tendulkar uncomfortable with his pace in the Faisalabad Test in 2006 and also rejected some of the other allegations he has made in the book titled 'Controversially Yours'. Akram said Shoaib, who was a controversial figure all through his playing career, was just trying to sell his book with tall claims and also rejected allegations that he tried to destroy the pacer's career. "He knows, I know and the world knows that he was himself responsible for destroying his career” Akram said

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England crush hapless Windies by 10 wickets

LONDON : Ravi Bopara produced England's best ever Twenty20 bowling performance to set up a crushing 10-wicket win over the West Indies in the first game of a two-match series at the Oval on Friday. The Essex all-rounder took 4-10 with his medium pace, eclipsing the previous best mark of 4-22 jointly held by Paul Collingwood and Jade Dernbach, as the tourists slipped from 52-0 to 125 all out. World champions England then cruised to victory, with 28 balls to spare, Alex Hales making 62 not out and Craig Kieswetter unbeaten on 58.England captain Graeme Swann claimed several of his players have made a case for inclusion in the squad for next year's Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka."We can take a lot of credit for the way we approached this game. We are trying to take these two games very seriously with the World Cup coming up and this has a gone a long way to confirming one or two players into that squad if not into the final 11, he said. The West Indies got off to a flying start but the introduction of the slower bowlers -- Samit Patel (2-23), Swann (1-30) and Bopara -- stalled the run rate and a rash of wickets saw the tourists collapse from 97-2 to a below par total. But their captain Darren Sammy did not seem to heed the lessons of his side's innings and didn't introduce his slower bowlers until the eighth over.By then England were 66 without loss and had the game under control. Hales, who made a second ball duck in his only previous international against India, passed 50 from 36 balls and Kieswetter did the same shortly afterwards taking 41 deliveries and England passed 100 in the 12th over on their way to a convincing win.It had seemed a different story when West Indies had been put in by Swann. They raced past 50 in 35 balls with Dwayne Smith helping himself to 20 off one over from Tim Bresnan before the spinners arrived and put the brakes on the scoring rate.With one over of the batting powerplay left Swann opted to give Patel a bowl, rather than having an over himself, and was rewarded with the wicket of Smith who was bowled for 33 by a ball that turned past his outside edge and hit off stump.Johnson Charles made 33 and Danza Hyatt 26, but the rest of the West Indies batsmen failed to make double figures.

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Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘Controversially Yours’ released

NEW DELHI : Former Test cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’ whihc has already sparked much controversy has been released in India, Geo News reported Saturday.The book was launched in New Delhi hotel and the ceremony was attended by Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik.The former fast bowler said that people should read his autobiography first to "understand his remarks" about Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, and added that they are "world class cricketers"."I am not here to clarify anything... but facts in my book have been presented in a rather strange manner by the media here," Akhtar said responding to queries about his remarks on Tendulkar and Dravid.Akhtar said that he respects Shah Rukh Khan but alleged that he was cheated by former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi and former PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf.The bowler admitted to ball tampering and feels it should be legalised.

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Pakistan shocked at Tiger Pataudi's death

KARACHI : Pakistanis on Friday paid tribute to former Indian captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, saying the death of the charismatic player left a void in the cricket world.Pataudi, nicknamed "The Tiger" for his superb fielding, who died Thursday aged 70, was equally popular across the border for his grace and charismatic character.He played 46 Tests between 1961 and 1975, scoring 2,793 runs at an average of 34.91 with six centuries despite losing his right eye in a car accident in England.Former Pakistan captain and a contemporary of Pataudi, Hanif Mohammad said the news came as a shock."I recently watched him on television and he looked great, but the sudden news of his death is a shock to me," said Mohammad, nicknamed "Little Master" for his batting in 1950s and 60s.Mohammad said he didn't play against Pataudi as India-Pakistan ties were stalled during that period but they were team-mates in a World XI."When Pataudi started his career, we didn't have Indo-Pak ties but we got a chance to play in a World XI and I found him a great human being, a charismatic character and a genuine cricket buff," Mohammad reminisced.Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan, a cousin of Pataudi, said his death was a great loss for the game.Pataudi was a great ambassador of Indian cricket and was a very genuine cricket lover, his death will leave a great void for the family and for the cricket world," said Khan.Pataudi became India's youngest captain at the age of 21 during a tour of the West Indies in 1962 when the then skipper Nari Contractor was injured after being hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith.He led India in 40 of his 46 Tests, winning nine and securing the country's first series win abroad on the 1967-68 tour of New Zealand.Former PCB chief executive Arif Abbasi remembered Pataudi as a "great friend.""I have lost a great and a very close friend," said Abbasi. "He had a great vision of the game and his demise is not only a great loss for Indian cricket but also for international cricket as well.Pataudi is survived by his actress wife Sharmila Tagore, whom he married in 1969, two daughters and a son, Saif Ali Khan, who is a popular Bollywood actor.

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Tendulkar refuses to comment on Shoaib’s autobiography

MUMBAI : Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has refused to comment on statements made about him in Shoaib Akhtar’s new autobiography,Akhtar in his autobiography said that Tendulkar was intimidated by him and he was not a match winning player. Akhtar added that Rahul Dravid was a better player than Tendulkar. Akhtar while speaking to an Indian news channel in Mumbai said that he had no personal problem with Tendulkar who had contributed immensely to cricket.

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Australia’s Marsh appointed Sri Lanka coach

COLOMBO : Former Australian opener Geoff Marsh will take over as head coach of the Sri Lankan team on a two-year contract, the country's cricket board (SLC) said on Friday. "With his vast coaching and playing experience at the highest levels, Sri Lanka Cricket is confident that he would be an ideal choice for the post of Sri Lanka national team headcoach," the board said in a statement. Marsh, who will begin his new job on Sept. 27, was part of Australia's 1987 World Cup-winning team and also coached them to the 1999 trophy. The 52-year-old also served as a selector before taking charge of Zimbabwe, a post he quit in 2004. Sri Lanka have been without a regular coach since Trevor Bayliss departed after guiding the team to the final of the 2011 World Cup in April. Australian Stuart Law stepped in as interim coach for the tour of England while retired Sri Lanka bowler Rumesh Ratnayake coached the team during the home series against Australia.

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Moin Khan and Tauqeer Zia defend Akram

KARACHI : In his new autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’ former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has accused Waseem Akram of trying to ruin his career.Moin Khan who was teammates with both cricketers while speaking to said Akram was an inspirational figure in Pakistan and internationally. “This sort of accusation should not be levelled against him” Moin added. Tauqeer Zia the former PCB Chairman said that if these allegations were true than Akram would have ended Akhtar’s career before 2003. “In my opinion Akhtar is creating controversy to sell his book” said Zia who according to the biography supported Akhtar when he was having problems with Waseem Akram.

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New Zealand squad for Zimbabwe tour

WELLINGTON: New Zealand squad for tour of Zimbabwe beginning on October 15:New Zealand Test squad: Ross Taylor (captain), Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson, B.J. Watling, Reece Young. ODI/T20 squad:Ross Taylor (captain), Graeme Aldridge, Doug Bracewell, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, B.J. Watling, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

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Jersey stumbles to beat Nigeria

Jersey stumbled to victory over Nigeria today in Kuala Lumpur in Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 6 (WCL Div. 6). The fixture was a re-play of the round three game that the sides had been forced to abandon on Tuesday due to adverse weather conditions.The toss for the game took place on schedule, with Jersey choosing to field, but as soon as captain Peter Gough had made his decision the weather took a turn for the worse and the rain clouds blew in, leading to a delayed start and the match being reduced to 40 overs Endurance Ofem's men have not been performing well with the bat this tournament and the side needed a good start and a decent total on the board but Jersey's bowling attack had other ambitions.James Faudemer, Anthony Hawkins-Kay and Ben Stevens proved to once again be the men to deliver for Jersey. Faudemer's slow left-arm spin was the downfall of the Nigerians today, the 20-year-old claiming four wickets, including those of key top order batsmen Varun Behani, Oluwaseun Odeku and player-coach Sean Philips.Hawkins-Kay showed his speed once again this time to dismiss opener Ademola Onikoyi for just two runs and in-form batsman Olejide Bejide, the latter departing for a duck.It was an unfortunate innings for the African side who managed just 110 in 32 overs but all was not lost for the side as a quick turnaround saw Nigeria back on the field ahead of the lunch break and claiming three wickets before food was served.Jersey captain Gough was promoted to opening the batting alongside Ed Farley, the latter departing for a duck after facing just three balls. Gough managed just six runs before he was dismissed by Joshua Ogunlola, the medium-pacer tempting the 26-year-old to edging the ball to Nigeria wicketkeeper Onikoyi. Saheed Akolade then dismissed Ben Stevens, clean bowling the 19-year-old and four overs later Akolade sent Ben Silva packing after the 33-year-old was caught by some nifty fielding from Ramit Gill.It was then up to Dean Morrison and Corey Bisson to steady the ship for the Channel Island side but not for long as Bisson departed after being caught by Behani off the bowling of off-break bowler Olakejan Awolowo.Things went from bad to worse for the side as two batsman departed in quick succession both to Philips and it then became the task of Morrison to lead the side, along with Alex Cooke to its second win of the tournament.Morrison finished with 59 not out and was happy to see another win on the baord: "I normally open the batting but today Peter Gough opened instead as I came in at number six today. We lost early wickets, including two before the break which wasn't great and it was up to me and Corey Bisson to steady the ship and we put on a 52 run partnership before he departed."It was then about batting through to make sure we reached the target, even if it was with only an over or so to spare," said Morrison. "Like I said, I normally open, but back when I played in Australia I used to come in down the order so when I came in today at six I knew what I had to do which was that to help the tail bat through. We had to keep trying for the win and I kept saying to the guys that came in to join me it was all about keeping going and getting victory."It's definitely taken the heat off us to have another win, although we can't be complacent we have to win tomorrow to keep ourselves in with a chance in this tournament," added Morrison.He did admit Nigeria did challenge the side: "I think early on we bowled too many wides to Nigeria, we shouldn't have let them get more than 80 or 90 but I have to say since we last played them, in our rained-off game, their bowling attack has improved. They made our batsmen commit to shots but putting the ball it the right areas and it paid off for them in the first innings, they are a very competitive side.Tomorrow's fixtures will see Malaysia plays Guernsey at Kinrara Oval, Jersey takes on Fiji at Selgangor Turf Club while Nigeria faces up to Kuwait at Bayeumas Oval.Score in brief for Round 3 re-playAt Bayeumas (Match reduced to 40 overs due to rain-delayed start)Nigeria 110 all out, 32 overs (Behani 25; Faudemer 4-25, Hawkins-Kay 3-27, Stevens 3-12)Jersey 111-7, 38.4 overs (Morrison 59 not out; Akolade 3-22)
Jersey won by three wickets
Pepsi ICC WCL Division 6 Points Table

Team	P	W	L	T	N/R	Pts	NRR	For	Against
Malaysia	4	3	1	0	0	6	+1.163	565/135.3	451/150
Guernsey	3	3	0	0	0	6	+0.86	742/150	613/150
Jersey	4	2	2	0	0	4	+0.007	680/172.4	682/173.3
Kuwait	4	2	2	0	0	4	-0.248	569/130.5	616/134
Fiji	4	1	3	0	0	2	-0.708	663/179	714/161.5
Nigeria	3	0	3	0	0	0	-1.249	351/119.0	494/117.4

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Hussey helps Australia return to fourth position in Reliance ICC Test Ranking

Michael Hussey's heroics in Australia's 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka has not only helped him return to the top 10 of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen but has allowed his side to swap places with Sri Lanka in the Reliance ICC Test Championship table.Australia, who started the series at number-five position, has moved into fourth position and now leads Sri Lanka by one ratings point, while trailing third-ranked India by 13 ratings points.However, Michael Clarke's side will need to put in consistent performances in its upcoming matches against South Africa, New Zealand and India if it wishes to challenge the leading teams in the Test rankings which is currently headed by England.Mike Hussey's 463 runs in the series, including two centuries, have seen him rise to sixth position in the batting rankings, rising five places.Kumar Sangakkara's series aggregate of 223 runs, including two half-centuries, has enabled him to join the England pair of Alastair Cook and Ian Bell in second position.Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner Rangana Herath's excellent bowling displays, which saw him claim 16 wickets in the series, has also helped him achieve a career-best ranking to date. He has jumped six places to 10th position.For information relating to the latest

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England to start ICC World Twenty20 title defence against qualifier

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the match schedule and unveiled the event logo of the ICC World Twenty20 2012, which will be staged in Sri Lanka from 18 September to 7 October.Reigning champion England will start its title defence at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo exactly one year from today, on 21 September, against one of the two qualifiers for the tournament. Stuart Broad's side will complete its opening group commitments two days later against 2007 champion India at the same venue.Australia, chasing the one global trophy to have eluded them, will go head-to-head with the other qualifier in Colombo on 19 September, part of a double-header that also features India and a qualifier.Sri Lanka, which lost to England in the semi-final of last year's tournament in the West Indies, will open its campaign against Zimbabwe under lights in Hambantota on the first day of the tournament (18 September) before taking on South Africa at the same venue on 22 September.If Sri Lanka reaches the Super Eight, it will then go on to play in Pallekele before moving to Colombo if it qualifies for the knock-out stage.Pakistan, which won the 2009 tournament in England, has been grouped with New Zealand and Bangladesh, and will play its matches in Pallekele on 23 and 25 September respectively. Pallekele will also host the New Zealand-Bangladesh match on 21 September.If everything goes according to pre-tournament seedings then Pakistan and India will lock horns in a Super Eight match in Colombo on Sunday 30 September.The group stages of the women's tournament will take place in Galle where host Sri Lanka will take on one of the tournament qualifiers on 26 September, the first day of women's matches. On the same date, last year's losing finalist New Zealand will meet the West Indies.Australia's women will start their push for back-to-back trophies against India on 27 September, the same day which will see 2009 winner England launch its campaign against the other qualifier.A total of 42 matches, including 27 men's and 15 women's matches, will be played over 20 days at four venues - R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele, Hambantota and Galle, with R Premadasa Stadium hosting the finals on Sunday 7 October.ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "The ICC World Twenty20 is now a marquee event in Twenty20 cricket where nations challenge each other for the most coveted title in the shortest format of the game."The previous editions in South Africa, England and the West Indies have smartly established the ICC World Twenty20 as a major global event that is not only exciting and entertaining but embraces both men's and women's cricket."Nothing beats nation-versus-nation contests and when these battles take place in the newest, sharpest and quickest form of the game then you can feel the excitement in fans."We all know how passionate and loyal the Sri Lankan public is towards our Great Sport and we will ensure the tickets are affordable so that they can enjoy the event."Following the legacies and success of the recent ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, I am confident that the hosts, Sri Lanka, will deliver a world class event."I am happy that the men's and women's semi-finals and finals will once again be played on the same days at the same venues. Those match-days provide a great setting for both the men's and women's game and we remain committed to showcase women's cricket in this way, which is unique in the world of team sports.The tournament will include two teams qualifying from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2012, which will be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13-24 March 2012.Mr Lorgat added: "It will be exciting to see who eventually qualifies. In 2010, Afghanistan made history by qualifying to play on the global stage which was great reward for them and the development of the game."
"Modern Spin" - the event logo
The event logo - "Modern Spin" - was also unveiled by Mr Lorgat.Designed by Australian creative firm Witekite, the logo incorporates and amalgamates the rounded look of the Sinhalese Script. The letter "T" forms a player which leads into the "2" while the "0" incorporates a cricket ball.The colours of the logo, with strong reds and oranges, are seen in both nature and Sri Lankan culture and arts, with their presence in the logo giving them a cricket "spin". It has a natural sense of movement due to its fluid lines and forward angles.Mr Lorgat said: "I am delighted to reveal this colourful logo that reflects the culture of Sri Lanka. The event now has a formal identity and we will use it to promote this exciting and entertaining event."The logo will be used on an ongoing basis over the next 12 months and will feature on publicity and promotional material during the build-up to and throughout what will be the fourth ICC World Twenty20.
Sale of tickets and international tour and travel packages
Tickets are planned to go on sale to the public from 1 March 2012 and will be available via website and box office sales in Sri Lanka. The ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket will be appointing a company to manage the ticket sales process and will jointly determine a sales policy that will ensure equitable access to purchase tickets for local and overseas fans alike.Entry to the women's group stage matches in Galle will be open to the public at no charge. Entry to the women's semi-finals and final, which will be played before the men's corresponding matches in Colombo, will be on the same match ticket as the men's.The ICC tour and travel website www.icctravel.net which will go live on 1 October, will feature the details of all forthcoming ICC events and will be updated regularly with the contact details for all official travel agents. They will be the only outlets through which travel packages to ICC events will be legitimately available. In territories where an OTA (official travel agent) has not yet been appointed, consumers will be able to register their interest on the website and they will then be contacted by ICC Travel and advised to purchase their desired package.The ICC World Twenty20 2012 schedule of the matches and more information can be found by clicking here.The ICC World Twenty20 2012 event logo can be found here and can be downloaded for editorial use only.Click here to view the Groups and Fixtures of ICC World Twenty20 2012

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Brad Haddin retires from international Twenty20

Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin today confirmed his retirement from international Twenty20 cricket to focus on Australian one-day and Test match cricket.Haddin played 25 matches for Australia at Twenty20 level, the last of these being against Sri Lanka in Kandy during the early stages of the current VB Tour.Haddin said a number of factors had contributed to his decision:"I thoroughly enjoy Twenty20 cricket and have taken great pride from playing all three forms of the game for Australia. However I feel the time is now right for me to concentrate on Test and ODI cricket."This decision has been made to prolong my effectiveness in these formats and provide me further time to prepare for the demands of ODI and Test cricket. I remain extremely determined to play cricket for Australia and believe this decision will help achieve this."I remain committed and very excited by my role as captain of the Sydney Sixers in the KFC Big Bash League and also with the Kolkata Night Riders in the Indian Premier League but look forward to the periods of downtime throughout the international season this decision will create.

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Australia captain wants say on new coach

SYDNEY : Australian Test captain Michael Clarke has said he wants a say on who the new team coach will be but stopped short of nominating a candidate, as Steve Rixon emerged as a frontrunner.The team is looking for a new mentor after Tim Nielsen decided to step down rather than reapply for his job after the team secured a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka in Colombo this week.Nielsen, 43, who held the job for four years, would have had to reapply for the expanded role of head coach, a post which is being created following recommendations made by the seven-month Argus Review of Australian cricket.With a tour of South Africa looming in less than a month, there is an urgent need to appoint at least an interim replacement.Reports said former New Zealand coach Rixon and former Australian Test batsman Justin Langer were in the running, at least for the interim position.Clarke emphasised the need for him to have a strong bond with the new coach."There's a lot of successful coaches around the world, and I think the priority, as the review has made very clear, is they are going to try and get the best person for the job," he said late Wednesday, on arriving back in Australia.I think Tim Nielsen has done an amazing job for Australia. He's been fantastic for me, not only as a captain, but as a player and he's certainly going to be missed. "But in regards to names I'm not going to get involved in that because to me it's irrelevant."Asked if he hoped to have some input into the decision, Clarke said: "I hope I will. I have a really good relationship with James Sutherland the (Cricket Australia) CEO and I'm pretty sure it is important the captain and coach have a strong bond."I would imagine I would have some sort of impact and I'll be communicating with James over however long, to try and work out who they think the best person for the role is."During Nielsen's tenure, Australia lost two Ashes series against England and failed to retain the limited-overs World Cup in April after winning it on the last three occasions Australian cricket is undergoing a transitional period following the retirement of greats like Shane Warne, Mathew Hayden, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.The sweeping Argus Review was ordered by the Australian cricket board after the Test team's humiliating 3-1 Ashes series defeat at home to England this year.The announcement came after Clarke replaced Ricky Ponting as captain and led Australia to Test and one-day series wins in Sri Lanka on his first full tour at the helm.

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Sri Lankan team for Pak series announced

COLOMBO : Sri Lanka on Wednesday left out seasoned batsman Thilan Samaraweera and unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis for next month's Test series against Pakistan.Samaraweera, who turns 35 on Thursday, has been one of Sri Lanka's most reliable batsmen in recent years with 4,683 runs, including 12 centuries, in 68 Tests at an average of 52.61.Mendis, 26, has claimed 62 wickets in 16 Tests with an unique bowling action where he appears to flick the ball from his fingers, making it turn sharply.Both players were part of the enlarged squad for the recent Test series against Australia, and while Mendis was ignored for all three matches, Samaraweera was dropped for the final game.The selectors kept faith in 13 members of the squad that lost 1-0 to Australia on Tuesday and added batsman Dinesh Chandimal, seamer Nuwan Pradeep and reserve wicket-keeper Kaushal Silva for the tour.The Pakistan series will be played in the United Arab Emirates with the first Test in Abu Dhabi from October 18 to 22, the second in Dubai from Oct 26 to 30 and the third in Sharjah from November 3 to 7.The Sri Lankam squad for the subsequent five one-day matches and a Twenty20 international will be named later.Sri Lanka's Test squad:Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tharanga Paranavitana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, Kaushal Silva

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T20 event shifted to Karachi

KARACH I: National T20 event has been moved from Lahore to Karachi due to dengue epidemic in the Punjab,President Asif Zardari on Tuesday ordered the country's cricket authorities to shift the domestic T20. The idea to relocate the championship came up during a meeting between the president and sportsmen during a meeting Tuesday.Sources said that Zardari used his powers as PCB's chief patron to move the event from Lahore because of a dengue outbreak after Board chairman Ijaz Butt told him that the event cannot be relocated because of technical problems.T20 event will be held in Karachi from September 25 as scheduled

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Top umpire Aleem Dar returns home

LAHORE : Pakistani and ICC's top umpire Aleem Dar returned home after clinching ICC award for the umpire of the year for the third consecutive year.A large crowd present at the Allama Iqbal International Airport accorded warm welcome to the Pakistani umpire.Talking to media at the airport, Dar said that he felt proud to be Pakistani. He further said that it was not his award but of Pakistan. He said that the central contract for umpires should also be introduced in the country.He said domestic cricket in Pakistan should be promoted so that new players and umpires would come to light.

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National cricket team return after Zimbabwe's successful tour

LAHORE : National cricket team arrived at Allama Iqbal International airport here after completing Zimbabwe's successful tour and were accorded warm welcome.During the tour, national team played 1 test, 3 One Day Internationals and 2 T20 matches against the host team Zimbabwe and won all of them.Talking to media at the airport, skipper Misbah ul Haq said that all players got a chance to play against Zimbabwe and they performed well which resulted in a great victory.He further said that Sri Lanka would be the strong target and a good cricket would be seen during the upcoming series.Meanwhile, national team coach Waqar Younis said that the team's tour to Zimbabwe was his last tour, adding that he learnt a lot during his tenure as a coach.He said that all credit of a successful tour went to the players.PCB officials received national team at the airport. Security was kept tightened on the occasion.

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Aussie coach quits after series win

COLOMBO : Australia national coach Tim Nielsen has decided to step down rather than reapply for his job, he said Tuesday, soon after the team posted a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka in Colombo.Nielsen, 43, who held the job for four years, would have had to reapply for the expanded role of head coach, a post which is being created following recommendations made by the seven-month Argus Review of Australian cricket.He had been due to stay on in the current role for next month's tour of South Africa before a new head coach was appointed, but Australia will now have to look for an interim coach.Nielsen told reporters in Colombo he was not interested in applying for the revised job position.Cricket Australia said Nielsen is due to take up a "new Australian cricket role that will be announced soon CA chief executive James Sutherland said Nielsen could not be persuaded to apply for the new post, but thanked him for his hard work since taking over from John Buchanan in 2007.During Nielsen's tenure, Australia lost two Ashes series against England and failed to retain the limited-overs World Cup in April after winning it on the last three occasions.Australian cricket is undergoing a transitional period following the retirement of greats like Shane Watson, Mathew Hayden, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.The sweeping Argus Review was ordered by the Australian cricket board after the Test team's humiliating 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England this year. The announcement came after Michael Clarke replaced Ricky Ponting as captain and led Australia to Test and one-day series wins in Sri Lanka on his first full tour at the helm.

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