Akmal threatens to sue coaches over match-fixing allegations

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has threatened to sue the team’s former coaches Intikhab Alam and Aaquib Javed if they don’t apologise for suggesting that he was involved in match-fixing during the disastrous tour of Australia.

Akmal said he wanted a public apology from Intikhab and Aaqib for raising suspicions about his performance on the tour earlier this year.

“I want an apology from them or else they should substantiate their claims that I deliberately left a run-out in the Sydney test. They must come up with evidence that I am linked with bookmakers,” Kamran said.

The wicketkeeper-batsman made it clear that he was fed up trying to explain that he was not involved in match-fixing.

“I go out everyday and they are people passing comments on me. My family is deeply disturbed with these fresh allegations,” he said.

Intikhab and Aaqib told a Pakistan Cricket Board inquiry committee that they had their suspicions about the performances of Kamran and all-rounder Rana Naved in Australia.

They specifically expressed suspicions about the performance of Kamran in the second Test in the lost Sydney during which the keeper dropped four catches and missed an easy run-out.

The video recordings of the former coaches caused an uproar and reignited the match-fixing issue and the ICC also stated it was examining Pakistan’s dismal tour of Australia this year when they were whitewashed in the Test and one-day series.

Though PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has made it clear that the inquiry into the Australian tour is a closed chapter and they found no evidence of match-fixing, Kamran who left on Saturday for a film shoot in London said he wanted an apology.

“If they don’t apologise or don’t substantiate their allegations I will go to court. I wanted to go to court earlier also against a media outlet but the PCB persuaded me against do so,” he said.

“But this time since both Intikhab and Aaqib are PCB employees, when I return I will talk to the board Chairman about my intentions,” he added.

Kamran said that he was surprised at the statements of both the former coaches.

“They remained coaches since last year and if they had suspicions about my performance in Sydney why did they pick me for the one-day series that followed,” he stated.

Akmal threatens to sue Pakistan coaches over fix claims

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has threatened to sue former Pakistan coaches Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed for defamation unless they apologise for suggesting his performance in Australia may have been linked to bookmakers.

Akmal said on Saturday Alam and Javed should substantiate their allegations or make a public apology to him.

“I am fed up with these allegations. My family is disturbed. I go out and people hoot me and I am mentally disturbed. I want to clear this unwarranted stigma with my name,” he told Reuters.

“I want an apology from these people. I will be speaking to the chairman of the board about this as they are employees of the board. If they don’t apologise I intend to go to court in my personal capacity.”

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption unit said on Thursday it was examining Pakistan’s dismal tour of Australia this year when they were whitewashed in the test and one-day series.

However, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters the board had informed the ICC they had found no evidence of match-fixing by any player on the Australian tour.

Pakistan slumped to defeat in the second test in Sydney after they appeared to have victory in their grasp with Akmal dropping three catches and missing a run out.

His performance came under scrutiny during a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe into the team’s poor tour with the two former coaches suspecting Akmal may have links with bookmakers.

The pair’s statements caused an uproar in Pakistan when video recordings of the inquiry committee proceedings were leaked to a television channel this week.

“The point is (if) these people suspected me of deliberately under-performing why did they keep on selecting me for other matches?” Akmal said.

Akmal said it was about time someone took action against people making baseless allegations of match-fixing or the ordeal for Pakistani players would never end.

Alam and Javed were removed as team coaches after the Australian tour but given top positions in the national cricket academy by the board.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Pak claims of Sydney Test match fixing will be difficult to prove: Clarke

Sydney, May 21 (ANI): Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke has said that the Pakistan team management’s questioning of the legitimacy of Australia”s miraculous victory in the Sydney Test match this year is likely to go unanswered.

Coach Intikhab Alam and tour manager Aaqib Javed have both suggested the match may have been tainted by the involvement of bookmakers.

Their recorded testimony has been leaked in Pakistan, but Clarke has said that he had no suspicions about the result.

“The Sydney Test was a wonderful Test win. I can only talk from me personally, I certainly had no suspicions, I guess the one thing I know about Australian cricket is we always play positive, aggressive cricket and we always put as much pressure on opposition teams as possible,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Clarke, as saying.

“Looking back it was a wonderful Test match and a huge win for us, but I certainly had no suspicions,” he added.

Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh said he would be “devastated” if the allegations of Intikhab and Aaqib turned out to be accurate.

“I thought it was a great Test match, I would be devastated like all sports fans if there was an element of match fixing to it,” he was quoted, as saying.

“We have heard these things before and they have got to be substantiated,” he added.

Australia had ended day one of the match in all kinds of bother, and they remained well behind in the match until Pakistan lost their last nine wickets for 89 runs while chasing a target of 175. (ANI)

‘Termite’ Shoaib Malik blamed for infighting in team during disastrous Oz tour

Lahore, May 19 (ANI): Banned Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who was blamed for politics and infighting in the team during the winless Australia tour, was even described as a “termite” by a member of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inquiry commission formed to probe the disastrous tour, a leaked video of a hearing of the commission has revealed.

The video, which is said to have been deliberately leaked by some of the PCB officials, show a member of the six-member committee using the word ‘termite’ for Malik after being told by some of the fellow cricketers and coaches Intikhab Alam and Aqib Javed that the former captain was the only person to be blamed for the lack of team spirit in the team.

The video also shows Alam and Javed alleging that they suspected that wicket keeper Akmal was involved in match fixing, which was evident from his shoddy performance throughout the tour Down Under.

“I have reservations over the way he missed the run out. When I saw it I couldn’t believe it. How he could miss such a big run out? I can’t say 100 percent that there is match-fixing, but I have my strong suspicions,” The Daily Times quoted Javed, as saying in the video.

“I was flabbergasted when Kamran missed the run out. I have serious doubts about him. I have heard stories about match-fixing,” said Alam. (ANI)

Leaked tape reveals match-fixing allegations made by Pak coaches against Akmal

Lahore, May 19 (ANI): Days after the Pakistan Cricket Board’s inquiry commission’s report over the national team’s disastrous Australia tour was leaked to the media, video footage of a hearing of the commission, which shows former team coaches Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed suspecting wicket keeper Kamran Akmal of being involved in match-fixing, has emerged.

The video, which is said to have been deliberately leaked by some of PCB officials, shows Alam and Javed alleging that they suspected that Akmal’s shoddy performance throughout the tour was intentional, The Daily Times reports.

Kamran had dropped four catches in the Sydney Test, including three off middle order batsman Mike Hussey, after which he went on to make a century to help his team register a remarkable win in the Test match, in which the visitors were in commanding position right from the first innings.

“I have reservations over the way he missed the run out. When I saw it I couldn’t believe it. How he could miss such a big run out? I can’t say 100 percent that there is match-fixing, but I have my strong suspicions,” the video shows Javed, as saying.

“I know all about it because I was a victim of it. In 1998, I presented evidence against players but the judge who was hearing the inquiry ended the matter,” he added.

“I was flabbergasted when Kamran missed the run out. I have serious doubts about him. I have heard stories about match-fixing,” said Alam.

The video has stirred a fresh controversy in Pakistan cricket, which already has been facing myriad troubles over the past few years. (ANI)

SC extends stay on Kanshi Ram memorial construction

New Delhi, Sep. 18 (ANI): Expressing dissatisfaction over the Mayawati Government’s plea, the Supreme Court on Friday extended the stay order on its earlier ruling for stoppage of work at Kanshi Ram Memorial Sthal in Lucknow.

“The affidavit is not satisfactory. The question here has many, many burning issues,” it observed during a brief hearing in the case,” a Bench comprising Justices B N Agrawal and Aftab Alam noted.t said the question was whether one could spend so much of money from the state or public exchequer for the purpose.

“Suppose today the legislature decides that 80 per cent of budgetary allocation should be spent on such works of memorials and statues…is it not justiciable,” the Bench asked.

“Serious questions arise in this petition…the cabinet and the legislature have to act under the Constitution,” the Bench added.

The next hearing in the case is on October 5th, and the parties are asked to file their responses to the affidavit by September 29th.

In a detailed affidavit filed in response to the show cause notice issued on September 11, the state government had claimed it had the highest regard for the apex court and that it believed in carrying out its directions in “letter and spirit.”

On September 8, the apex court had ruled that no further construction activities should take place at the memorials which have cost the exchequer 2,600 crore rupees.

However, media reports said construction activities were going on in full swing despite the court’s directive, following which the bench had issued a show cause notice. (ANI)

Coach must take pride in his work: Aaqib Javed

Islamabad, Sep.11 (ANI): Former Pakistan fast bowler and assistant coach Aaqib Javed has said a coach of a national squad should take pride in his work and not impose himself on the players.

Javed, who was sacked from the assistant coach post by the Pakistan Cricket Board last month, said a coach should be able to communicate effectively with the players.

“I’m not one for shouting at the players, or making a lot of noise for the sake of it. Coaching players is all about taking pride in your work and ensuring that you show a caring attitude towards the players,” Javed told PakPassion.net.

Javed said a coach must earn the respect of teammates and added that he preferred working hard for the players instead of imposing himself on them.

“You have to earn the respect of the players you are working with. We have to be pulling in the same direction. I work very hard with the players and in return the players who work hard for me get their rewards,” he said.

The PCB had axed Javed over Pakistan’s poor performance during the Sri Lanka series.

Sources said his ouster came due to negative reports about him filed by coach Intikhab Alam, who felt Javed was getting too involved with some of the senior players.

Captain Younis Khan is also said to be unhappy with Javed’s presence in the team.

Javed has been replaced by Mohtashim Rasheed, younger brother of former Test batsman, Haroon Rasheed.

When enquired about Javed’s sacking, PCB chief Ijaz Butt had said he has ‘better plans’ for the former fast bowler. (ANI)

Younis Khan supports Miandad’s ‘green pitch’ policy

Karachi, Sep.9 (ANI): Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has backed the team’s batting advisor, Javed Miandad’s proposal of preparing bouncy practice tracks for the ICC Champions Trophy preparations.

Interacting with media persons here, Khan supported Miandad’s idea of preparing grassy and bouncy pitches to prepare batsmen for the South African conditions for the eight nation tournament.

“It is a great idea as it will help us prepare for difficult conditions in South Africa,” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

Miandad has ordered a new pitch at the Gaddaffi stadium with a tinge of green grass covering on it in order to give batsmen the feel of South African conditions where the ICC Champions Trophy is scheduled to commence from September 22.

“The idea is to get the batsmen to play on surfaces similar to those in South Africa. Cricket is all in the mind and if a player is mentally focused, he can succeed anywhere,” Miandad said.

Miandad expressed hope that the batsmen would be able to acclimatize well in South African conditions.

“The playing conditions and pitches at the Wanderers and Centurion grounds are conducive to pace bowling and our batsmen need to be prepared to cope with the conditions there,” Miandad said

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had roped in Miandad as a batting advisor to the national squad after the batting order failed miserably during the Sri Lanka series.

However, coach Intikhab Alam is not impressed with the idea of having green pitches.

Alam wants to see the players practice on all types of pitches during the ongoing conditioning camp. Alam is in favour of sporting tracks which encourage both bowlers and batsmen. (ANI)

Two Nepalese held with fake currency notes in Bihar

Raxaul (Bihar), Sep.9 (ANI): Border guards have arrested two Nepalese with fake currency worth Rs 40,000 in the town of Raxaul, Bihar, near the Indo-Nepal border.

Guards belonging to the Seema Suraksha Bal arrested Shyam Kumar Shah and Azad Alam with Rs 40,000 in fake Indian Rupee notes in Raxaul on Tuesday.

The two revealed that they had been given the money by a person called Zubaid in the town of Birganj, Nepal just across the border to supply to somebody in Raxaul.

Tuesday’s arrest came as Nepal’s Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal assured India that Nepalese soil will not be used for smuggling fake Indian currency into India. (ANI)

SC seals fate of disqualified DUSU candidates, dismisses petition

New Delhi, Sep 3 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday sealed the fate of five students from National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (AVBP), who challenged disqualification of their nomination for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) election.

The apex court dismissed the special leave petition filed by NSUI candidate Deepak Negi and another student, and said: “We find no ground to interfere with the impugned order of the High Court. The petition is dismissed.”

A three-judge Bench of Justices B N Aggrawal, G S Singhvi and Aftab Alam gave the order.

Earlier, the Chief Election Officer had disqualified five candidates, Deepak Negi for the post of President (NSUI) and Umesh Tomar for the post of Vice President (NSUI) and Rohit Chahal for President (ABVP), Lalit Kumar for Secretary (ABVP) and joint secretary Ashok Khare (ABVP), on the ground of violation of code of conduct following failure to comply with the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations.

Following the disqualification the students had filed a petition in the High Court challenging the University’s decision, however, the High Court said that the Chief Election Officer had taken the decision in accordance with the rules.

After the High Court decision the two candidates moved to the Supreme Court on September 1, and had sought an urgent hearing as the DUSU polls are scheduled for Friday. (ANI)

Miandad, Alam at loggerheads over Champions Trophy preparations

Lahore, Sep.2 (ANI): A controversy seems to be brewing up between Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam and batting advisor Javed Miandad regarding the team’s training methods ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.

While Miandad has asked pitch curators to prepare a green track with extra width at the Gaddafi Stadium for the conditioning camp beginning today (Wednesday),Alam wants o see the players practice on all types of pitches during the conditioning camp. Alam was in favour of sporting tracks which encourage both bowlers and batsmen.

“It is no secret that some senior players and Intikhab are a bit worried with the involvement of Miandad in the preparations for the Champions Trophy, as Miandad is a hard task master and believes in 100 percent commitment on part of the players. Miandad belongs to the old school of thought of cricket and believes that cricket is played on the field and in the mind,” The Daily Times quoted PCB insiders, as saying.

Sources said Miandad also wants to accompany the team to South Africa for the eight nations Champions Trophy which could further worsen the situation.

Altercations between Miandad and Alam are not new.

Alam, the then coach, was dead against including Miandad in the final eleven during the 1996 World Cup.

“It is no secret that Intikhab didn’t want Miandad in the team in the 1996 World Cup but had to bow down to pressure from the government. He was also instrumental in getting Miandad dropped for the tour of Sri Lanka before the World Cup,” sources said. (ANI)

Alam backs Pakistan to win Champions Trophy, says momentum is with team

Karachi, Aug.27 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has backed his team as favourites for winning the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September.

Despite the disastrous tour of Sri Lanka, Alam said the momentum is with Pakistan.

“We lost the Test and one-day series in Sri Lanka but won the last three games of the tour. Those results were very important and now the momentum is with us ahead of the Champions Trophy,” said Alam.

However, Alam admitted that Pakistan would have to play really well to succeed in the eight nation tournament, in which it shares the group with India and Australia.

“Australia and India are two of the world’s best teams but in a way it’s good for us that both of them are in our group,” The News quoted Alam, as saying.

Alam said his boys were looking forward for battle against arch rivals India.

“A match against India is always a big one and the team is planning to go all out for a win against them,” he said.

Pakistan has never won a game in ICC tournaments like the World Cup and the Champions Trophy against India.

Alam believed that Australia would be vulnerable in the tournament, particularly after their morale-shattering Ashes defeat against England.

“For Australia, Ashes is the ultimate thing. Their morale would be really low and I believe that would be good for our cause,” he added.

Commenting on the selection committee’s controversial decision to include tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif omitting experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from the 15-man squad, Alam said Asif will add strength to bowling line-up.

“We certainly need a bowler like him. Asif will add to our team’s strength. He is fully fit and has played plenty of cricket in the last five or six months,” he said. (ANI)

“Baseless” match-fixing ‘rumours’ badly affecting morale of players: Alam

Karachi, Aug.26 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam has once again denied match -fixing allegations during the Sri Lanka series, asking cricket fans not to believe and pay attention to such rumours.

Terming the reports about Pakistani players being approached by Indian bookies during the Sri Lanka series as ‘baseless’ and ‘far from truth’, Alam said such allegations affect the morale of the players.

“More than match-fixing, its false reports of bookies meeting our players and things like that which sort of ruin everything,” The News quoted Alam, as saying.

“It is very important for us to stop suspecting our players each time we lose because it is affecting them a lot,” he added.

Media reports claimed that Pakistani players were approached by some Indian bookies in their team hotel in Colombo.

Pakistan’s dismal show both in the Test and one-day series during the tour fuelled match fixing allegations.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had immediately rejected such allegations.

Later, the International Cricket Council (ICC) also gave a clean chit to the cricketers. (ANI)

Miffed Javed yet to resume duty at NCA

Lahore, Aug.25 (ANI): Disappointed over being sacked suddenly from the post of assistant coach of the national team, former Pakistan fast bowler Aaquib Javed has still not resumed his charge at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“Aaqib is unhappy at the treatment meted out to him by the board and will be meeting with the board chairman Ijaz Butt later this week to discuss his future in the board,” a PCB official said.

While Javed is reportedly miffed at PCB’s sudden decision to remove him, sources said the board has not given him the required letter transferring him back to NCA as head coach.

“Obviously without board directives in writing Aaqib can’t do anything,” The Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

he PCB axed Javed last week over Pakistan’s poor performance during the Sri Lanka series.

Sources said his ouster came due to negative reports about him filed by Intikhab Alam, who felt Javed was getting too involved with some of the senior players.

Captain Younis Khan is also said to be unhappy with Javed’s presence in the team.

Javed has been replaced by Mohtashim Rasheed, younger brother of the former Test batsman, Haroon Rasheed.

Rashid is currently serving as Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director of Game Development.hen enquired about Javed’s sacking, PCB chief Ijaz Butt said he has ‘better plans’ for the former fast bowler. (ANI)

Congress announces list of candidates for Bihar Assembly by-elections

New Delhi, Aug.23 (ANI): Congress party on Sunday announced the list of seven candidates for the upcoming State Assembly by-elections in Bihar.

The party has decided not to get into any alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) during the by-elections and decided to go it alone.

According to an official release issued by the Central Election Committee in-charge Oscar Fernandes on Sunday, Pheku Ram will contest from Bochaha assembly segment in Muzaffarpur and Noor Alam from Aurai seat in the same district.

The other candidates are Mukund Kumar from Kalyanpur, Anita Ram from Warisnagar, Parshuram Tiwari from Ramgarh in Kaimur, Shah Nawaj Khan from Chainpur (Kaimur) and Murari Prasad Gautam from Chenari in Rohtas.

During last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party contested the polls alone and won two of the 40 seats in the state.

Over a dozen assembly seats in Bihar fell vacant following the election of sitting MLAs as MPs in the last Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress Party, meanwhile, has also announced name of Tilottama Sharma as its candidate from the Dwarka assembly seat in Delhi.

The seat fell vacant as the sitting MLA Mahabal Mishra was elected to the Lok Sabha from Delhi West parliamentary constituency. (ANI)

Pak selectors axe Razzaq, bring in Asif, Imran Nazir for Champions Trophy

Lahore, Aug.21 (ANI): The seven member selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday controversially recalled paceman Mohammad Asif and opener Imran Nazir, but omitted all-rounder Abdul Razzaq from their 15-man squad for next month’s Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Pakistan is placed in Group A of the eight-nation Champions Trophy to be held from September 20 to October 5.

The selection committee met at the PCB offices in Lahore. Sources told the Dawn that the chief selector Iqbal Qasim had consultations with head coach Intikhab Alam and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt before finalising the squad.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is the best available team selected for the mega event,” Qasim was quoted by a foreign news agency, as saying.

Squad: Younus Khan (capt), Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umer Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved-ul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Moahmmad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar and Saeed Ajmal (ANI)

PCB set to revamp Pak team management following Sri Lankan debacle

Karachi, Aug. 8 (ANI): Following the Pakistan cricket team’s dismal Sri Lankan tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to overhaul the team management.

The News quoted PCB sources, as saying that the team’s manager and assistant manager are likely to be sacked, while the coach and captain will be asked for an explanation once the team returns home on August 13.

Pakistan lost the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka 0-2. It is the first time ever that Pakistan have lost a Test series in Sri Lanka. Continuing the rout, Sri Lanka won the five-match one-day series against Pakistan 3-0.

Another question that the team management may find difficult to answer is-reports surfacing that bookies tried to contact the Pakistani players in Galle and Colombo during the Test series, the report said.

Team manager Yawar Saeed had confirmed the reports initially, but after getting a dressing down from the PCB top brass, he denied them, it added.

According to sources, Saeed, 73, was made team manager because of his proximity with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, but his failure to deal with sensitive issues has made it clear that he is not the right man for the job.

Similarly, assistant manager Mohammad Ahmed has also been asked to quit the post.

Some influential officials in the PCB governing board are also gunning for the resignation of Intikhab Alam, the team’s coach, the paper said.

Some critics believe that captain Younis Khan is also responsible for the spate of defeats in Sri Lanka as he has failed to unite the team even after a stunning title-winning triumph in the ICC World Twenty20 championship in England last month, it added.

Sources, however, said that the fate of the duo will be decided after Butt holds separate meetings with Intikhab and Younis next week. (ANI)

Butt vows to continue fighting for 2011 World Cup hosting rights

Lahore, July 16 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has said he will continue to fight for Pakistan’s right to host the 2011 World Cup.

Butt said he would meet International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan in Dubai later this month and discuss the issue of Pakistan being denied hosting rights of the quadrennial event.

Commenting on the PCB’s absence from the World Cup 2011 Central Organising Committee (COC) meeting, Butt rejected the allegation that Pakistan had boycotted the meeting.

“We did not boycott the meeting. But since it is a legal matter I do not want to make any comment on that, but I can tell you that we are still trying to solve the matter through talks,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

The COC has redistributed games that were to be played in Pakistan to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The COC awarded eight matches to India, four to Sri Lanka and two to Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, irked by Pakistan’s absence, the COC has removed Butt from the committee.

Butt has been replaced by Mahbubul Alam of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). (ANI)

Pak govt. may ask PCB to boycott 2011 World Cup

Islamabad, July 16 (ANI): After skipping the logo unveiling ceremony of the 2011 World Cup held in Mumbai recently, speculations are rife that Pakistan could boycott the mega event also.

According to sources, the government is seriously considering to ask the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott the 2011 World Cup in protest against the ICC’s decision to shift the World Cup matches from Pakistan.

Interestingly, the Indian government is being blamed for influencing the ICC’s decision and trying to alienate Pakistan.

“I think the Indian government, with the help of the three boards (BCCI, SLC and BCB), is trying to isolate the PCB and therefore this decision at political level is not ruled out,” The Nation quoted a source privy to the government, as saying.

“On the pretext that of government’s order, the BCCI has not signed the FTP (to play against Pakistan) yet they want to host World Cup matches for Pakistan,” he added.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has ruled out any possibility of a bilateral series with Pakistan in the near future.

BCCI president, Shashank Manohar said the government has not allowed hosting any such series.

“The Indian government is not giving a go ahead about this and therefore we have made no provision in Future Tour Programme (FTP) to play against Pakistan between 2012 to 2020,” said Manohar.

In an another development, the PCB chief Ijaz Butt has been removed from the 2011 World Cup’s Central Organising Committee (COC).

Butt has been replaced by Mahbubul Alam of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). (ANI)

Allahabad HC asks CBI to investigate missing Babri files case

Lucknow, July 15 (ANI): The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to immediately take the investigation of the missing files of the Ramjanmabhoomi – Babri Masjid land dispute, and ordered to complete the investigation in two months. Earlier on Tuesday special full bench, comprising Justices Saiyed Rafat Alam, Sudhir Agarwal and D B Sharma had reserved it decsion.

The bench also fixed the next hearing of the case on August 24. The court was hearing two petitions, one related to an application filed in 2002 asking the court to direct the state government to produce seven documents related to the Babri case, and the second was filed by the state government asking the opposite party to furnish information about the source through which they had come to know about the missing documents.

On July 9 the Uttar Pradesh Government registered a complaint about the 23 missing files related to the Ramjnambhoomi- Babri dispute in the Hazaratganj Police Station in Lucknow. The State Government also recommended a CBI inquiry. (ANI)