mpca official steps down
Indore: Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association Joint Secretary Alpesh Shah on Thursday decided to step down after being accused of sexual harassment by a female cricketer. Shah will not be holding the post until the internal enquiry into the matter is completed. MPCA secretary Narendra Menon was quoted as saying in a press release on Thursday that Association’s President Jyotiradiya Scindia has accepted Shah’s request to this effect. The 18-year-old cricketer had charged Shah, the convenor of the under-19 selection committee, with attempt to sexually harass her, an allegation denied by Shah. Alpesh claimed the girl was saying all this as she had not been selected for the under-19 team. Meanwhile, MPCA’s 72-year-old lifetime member leeladhar Paliwal has lodged a police complaint in this regard.
Hong Kong, Netherlands claim final spots
Abu Dhabi: Hong Kong overcame a disastrous start to beat Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 29 runs at the Zayed Cricket Stadium here on Thursday to secure a historic berth in the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014. Completing the line-up was the Netherlands which defeated Scotland by eight wickets with 13 balls to spare, following Wesley Barresi’s 75 not out, Ben Cooper’s 40 and Michael Swart’s 30 not out. With captain Jamie Atkinson watching from the sidelines due to a broken thumb, Hong Kong recovered from 19 for four inside four overs to post 137 for nine. Munir Dar then struck with three for 26 and Haseeb Amjad bagged two for 18 as Hong Kong bowled out PNG for 108 with five balls remaining. like Nepal, Hong Kong will be making a maiden appearance at the global stage when it will arrive in Bangladesh.
proteas legend Graeme Pollock honoured
Johannesburg: The Eastern Province Cricket Board has honoured South Africa’s Cricketer of the Century, Graeme Pollock, by naming a pavilion at the St George’s Park stadium in Port Elizabeth after him. “Thank you to the people of Port Elizabeth for 30 good years. Your support and friendliness was much appreciated to the cricket administration and sporting public. Your support provided the inspiration for a successful cricketing career. Many thanks and God Bless,” said Pollock, who had made his provincial debut for Eastern Province at 16.