PCB to Aus: drop a Test, play 3 ODIs
Karachi: The Pakistan cricket Board has said that it will be hosting three one-day internationals and probably a T20 match against Australia later this year instead of a test match. "Yes we have asked cricket Australia to drop one test and instead play three ODIs and we are also trying to have a T20 match against them when the series is held in October-November," a board official said. Pakistan was originally scheduled to play just a three-test series against Australia as part of its home series but the official said financial requirements had forced them to ask the Australians to drop a test and instead play three one-day matches. "With no test team playing in Pakistan since 2009 because of security concerns we have been forced to play our home series at neutral venues and obviously we have to use every opportunity to cover our costs as well maximize our profits from these series," the official said. He said this was the reason for asking the Australians to drop a test and play the three limited over games. "We have also requested them to play a T20 match but that is not final as yet and will depend on the entire tour schedule but now only two tests will be played in October," he said. The official also said that the series against Australia would be played in the United Arab Emirates and there was no other alternate available as a neutral venue.
Pak shortlist three for coach job
Karachi: The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during its meeting this week has shortlisted three candidates to take over as head coach of the national team for Asia Cup and World T20 Cup being held in Bangladesh in next three months. "The interim committee discussed the issue of appointing a new coach after Australian Dav Whatmore leaves after the Sri lanka series and the names of Moin Khan, Mohsin Khan and Waqar Younis were discussed in detail," a source close to the IMC said. The source said that the Chairman of the IMC discussed the issue of a new coach with members Shaharyar Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Haroon Rasheed and Naveed Cheema who agreed that a decision was required as the two major tournaments, Asia Cup and World T20 were looming ahead in Bangladesh.
Viru most sporting person: DD CEO
New Delhi: Virender Sehwag may not have been retained by the Delhi Daredevils but the IPl team's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hemant Dua considers the veteran opener "the most sporting personality one would ever come across". "Viru is an amazing human being. He is the most sporting person you can ever come across. He is very honest in his thoughts and is a very straight-talking person. He is very much with us in every decision that we have taken," Dua said in response to a question about whether Sehwag was intimated about the franchise decision of non-retention. The CEO also made it clear that it is not just Sehwag but the franchise has made it a point to speak to most of its players on an individual basis.
Mumbai to sack coach Sulakshan
Mumbai: Mumbai coach Sulakshan Kulkarni is all set to get sacked after the 40-time champions' early exit from this season's Ranji Trophy tournament. A decision to this effect was taken on Thursday by Mumbai Cricket Association's Technical Committee, which discussed and recommended this to the Managing Committee, said a media release from MCA Vice-President Ravi Savant. The Technical Committee proposed the name of India ‘A' coach lalchand Rajput to take over the reins for the remainder of the season comprising T20 and one-day games, it said. The defending champions were knocked out from the premier domestic tournament at the quarter-final stage at their home turf by Maharashtra early this week.