‘Aamir not allowed to play cricket’
Karachi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed media reports in Pakistan that banned left arm pacer Muhammad Aamir had been allowed to resume playing domestic cricket by them. Reports were circulating in the Pakistan media since Saturday that the ICC four-member committee formed to look into his ban and case had allowed him to play domestic cricket. But a ICC spokesman said first of all no permission had been given to Aamir to play domestic cricket or any cricket of any sort and secondly that any decision relating to his case could only be taken by the ICC Executive Board. “Any decision to give any sort of relaxation to Aamir will only be made by the ICC Board. The four-man committee comprising Giles Clarke, Wally Edwards, Imran Khawaja and Keith Oliver will present its recommendations to the ICC Board, which will review these before making any decision. Until such time, Aamir will remain suspended from all cricket activities,” the spokesman said. According to media reports, ICC four-member committee headed by Clarke had recommended that Aamir be allowed to play domestic cricket after PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi pleaded Aamir’s case at the last ICC meetings in london. But the spokesman said any reports about the ICC even allowing Aamir to use PCB facilities is incorrect.
Zol wants to be like Dhoni
New Delhi: Elated after his debut assignment as captain ended in the India under-19 team winning the tri-series Down Under, Vijay Zol says he wants to emulate senior side skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Zol led the Indian team from front to win the triangular series in Australia, remaining unbeaten all through. He was adjudged Man of the Series for his brilliant performance with the bat. “We have been following the senior team’s performance in the West Indies and that really inspired us to do well. The way MSD played in the final, it’s a lesson for every captain. He always performs when the team needs. He is a great reader of the game and I am a fan of his temperament,” Zol told PTI-Bhasha in an interview. “If I can become even half of what he is, it will be more than enough for me. He is an exemplary captain and a wonderful batsman. The best part is that he knows how to handle the pressure. Youngsters like me can learn a lot watching him play,” he said. Giving credit to the entire team for the triangular series triumph, Zol said it all boiled down to soaking up the pressure. “We had worked really hard at the NCA for one month prior to the tournament and left no stone unturned. Players had gelled well and that reflected in their performance. This win came with the whole team and support staff’s efforts,” said the youngster, who was the top-scorer with 293 runs in five matches including a century. “I was captaining for the first time and it was the first ever tournament for most of the boys but they responded well. Beating Australia in their den was special and our mental toughness was the key to our success,” he added.
Raza retires from umpiring
Karachi: Former Pakistan Test spinner, Akram Raza has retired from umpiring, accusing some officials in the Cricket Board (PCB) of mistreating him and trying to destroy his promising career as a match official. “I have decided to retire from umpiring because some officials in the Board particularly the Director of Cricket Operations (Zakir Khan) have been non co-operative and tried to create hurdles for me,” Raza said on Sunday.
Hanif Muhammad recovering well
Karachi: legendary Pakistan batsman and former captain Hanif Muhammad is recovering well from liver cancer after undergoing a successful surgery in london, brother and former Test cricker Mushtaq Muhammad confirmed. Mushtaq informed PTI that 78-year-old Hanif underwent a surgery at the Bridge Hospital last Tuesday to remove his right liver lobe and gall bladder to stop the cancer from spreading. “Hanif bhai is doing well and is in high spirits and he has been following the Ashes Test on television after being shifted to his room after ICU,” he said.
lions win Matri Swar T20 Trohpy
New Delhi: Burari lions won the inaugural Matri Swar T20 Cricket Tournament, defeating Journalist XI by 6 wickets here on Sunday at the North Delhi Cricket Ground. Chasing 140, lions reached the target with 20 balls to spare, thanks to man-of-the-match Naveen Tyagi, who made sensible 65 runs. For Journalist XI, Dharmender Pant, GS Vivek, Debjeet Kundu and Nishant Panchal chipped in with a wicket each. Earlier, after deciding to bat first, GS Vivek (36) and Chetan Sharma (29 not out) helped Journalists reach a respectable total of 139 for 7 in the final encounter of the tournament.
PNS/Agencies