BCCI calls EWC meeting on 20th
Mumbai: Heeding to the demands of some affiliated state units, the BCCI has decided to convene an Emergent Working Committee meeting here on April 20 to take stock of the developments relating to the case before the Supreme Court regarding IPl spot-fixing and betting scandal. “BCCI Working Committee meeting has been convened on April 20 in Mumbai,” BCCI’s vice-president Ravi Savant told PTI from Dubai where the first phase of the seventh edition of IPl commenced on Wednesday. The meeting, scheduled at 3 pm, comes in the wake of Supreme Court making it clear yesterday that N Srinivasan can’t head BCCI till he comes out clean in a probe conducted against him and 12 others, including India-capped cricketers whose names have been mentioned by Justice Mudgal Committee report in the IPl betting and spot fixing scandal. At least six affiliated state units, including Rajasthan Cricket Association, had sought an emergent Working Committee meeting of the BCCI on Sunday to discuss matters related to the Supreme Court case.
Yusuf flies home for baby birth
Dubai: Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Yusuf Pathan flew back to India shortly after the teams’ thumping win against Mumbai Indians in the IPl opener after the news of his wife delivering their first baby reached the UAE. Yusuf, 31, is likely to miss KKR’s second match against Delhi Daredevils but the hard-hitting batsman is expected to return by the third game, confirmed a team official.
No one to take on Srini: Manohar
Mumbai: Former BCCI President Shashank Manohar on Thursday rued that there was no one in the Board to take on N Srinivasan who is facing the heat over the IPl spot-fixing and betting scandal. Srinivasan, who had ignored repeated calls for his resignation, has been stripped of his presidential powers by the Supreme Court till he is cleared of alleged wrongdoings in the scandal. “The Board lacks leaders to take on Srinivasan who is shamelessly and stubbornly sticking to his chair. Nothing has moved in the last one year. The outbreak of the scandal happened in May 2013 and we are currently in April 2014,” Manohar said from Nagpur.
Foreigners missing buzz in UAE
Abu Dhabi: Foreign players David Miller and Shaun Marsh are missing the buzz which is usually seen in the Indian Premier league. Miller, the explosive South African batsman who is part of the Kings XI Punjab squad, found UAE completely different from India, where he has experienced more excitement around the league. “The response here in UAE is a lot different to India. Maybe it is because the tournament is spread out in three venues (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai). But I am sure the interest will pick up as the tournament progresses. It is only the beginning,” Miller said. The decision of shifting the initial part of IPl was taken owing to the ongoing general election in India. Australia’s Shaun Marsh concurred with his Kings XI Punjab teammate. “The sport is huge in India and you can’t expect the same here. Having said that, it is nice to experience Dubai and the nearby areas. I am looking forward to a successful two weeks here,” Marsh said. Asked whether the heat in UAE is an issue, Marsh said: “Actually, the weather has been good so far. Hopefully, it stays like this.” PNS/Agencies