Afridi hits back in sexism row
Karachi: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Friday sought to bat away controversy over comments he made about women’s cricket, saying he had been quoted out of context. The big-hitting 34-year-old came under fire this week after TV interview footage circulated of him commenting on women’s cooking skills in response to a question about women’s cricket. Afridi insisted his remarks had been taken out of context by people who wanted to bring him down after his recent heroics in the Asia Cup. “I am shocked to listen all the stuff and read some on the social media,” Afridi said. “It was a five-month old interview and my half answer was put on the net, which I feel is an attempt to malign my popularity.”
‘We carried out extensive recce of Sharjah’
New Delhi: Once the hub of match-fixing activities, Sharjah is one of the three UAE venues selected for hosting IPl-7’s first phase matches, but BCCI officials say the Board took the decision after getting assurances from the UAE government and carrying out extensive recce. According to the Board, there was no point singling out Sharjah only as corrupt activities can take place in any venue across the world. “In India the bookies are more active too. Are there not bookies in South AfricaIJ What guarantee do we have anywhereIJ” a senior BCCI official was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo. “We can educate the players. We can create a bubble where we can secure the players’ movements and them meeting people. Also, the government of UAE has told us they are going to provide us with the best of security.”
IPl won’t expand for next 8 years: CA
Melbourne: Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards has revealed that he feared international cricket being “left behind” by the IPl given its growing popularity but the BCCI allayed his apprehension by promising not to expand the T20 event’s schedule for the next eight years. “There was a very real chance that India would’ve gone on an IPl voyage and left world cricket behind. That was said more than once,” Edwards told ESPNcricinfo. “If that had have happened, you were looking down the barrel of a Kerry Packer moment. We’ve a commitment from them that IPl will not change during this eight-year cycle. Dates won’t change, the start date won’t change and the length of the tournament won’t change.”