I was expecting to be included in Pakistan team: Naved

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, May 26 (IANS) Banned all-rounder Rana Naved is ‘deeply disappointed’ after being ignored in Pakistan’s 35-man preliminary squad for the upcoming Asian Cup and England tour.

The all-rounder said he was a expecting a place in the team after reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will include all the banned players in the team.

‘I am deeply disappointed at not being picked in the team, it’s a huge shock for me’, Rana told IANS.

The all-rounder who was one of the seven Pakistan players to face action by the PCB following the team’s failure on the Australia tour said the inclusion of other banned players in the team hurts even more.

‘Other banned players like Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan were selected, why I am not there? I was also hoping for a berth in national team,’ he said.

Rana, a former Indian Cricket League (ICL) player, said he would continue to strive to win his place back in the national team.

‘It’s a decision of the selectors and I have to accept their decision in any way but I will continue the hard work to retain my place in team,’ he said.

The all-rounder who is fighting a case against his one-year ban also expressed dissatisfaction on the hearings and called for open proceedings of the case.

‘I am not satisfied with the hearings in which we are not allowed to give our version… the hearings should be made public,’ he said.

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Afridi wants quick and ‘decisive’ action in match fixing controversy

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, May 21 (ANI): Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi believes that the uncertainty surrounding players’ involvement in match fixing during the winless Australia tour is adversely effecting the team’s focus, and has asked the concerned authorities to take ‘decisive action’ over the issue soon.

Afridi said the controversy is damaging for players keeping in view that they have to compete in some important tournaments in the coming months, including the 2011 World Cup.

“The thing is that there is too much uncertainty because of all those allegations regarding match-fixing. It’s really damaging for the players and the team and I’m really concerned because it comes at a time when we are looking forward to a very busy calendar filled with major assignments, including the all-important World Cup,” The News quoted Afridi, as saying.

“We will be playing in the World Cup just nine months from now and it’s hardly the sort of situation you need to prepare for such a huge event,” he added.

The suspicion of match fixing involving some of the key players, particularly wicket keeper Kamran Akmal spiralled after a video tape was leaked to the media, which showed players and some of the former team officials raising questions over the performance of the team during the disastrous Australia tour while testifying before an inquiry committee set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The leaked footage also showed Afridi raising suspicions of match fixing.

Afridi, however, refused to make any statement about the video, and urged the concerned authorities to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that players could concentrate on the game more.

“I think that for our team to move on, we need to quickly resolve all such controversies. You can’t expect the players to give their best when there are so many allegations thrown at them,” the flamboyant cricketer said. (ANI)

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Pak’s stunning defeat in Sydney Test under ICC’s anti-match fixing unit’s scanner

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21 (ANI): Pakistan’s strikingly below par performance during the Australia tour in January-February is now under the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-corruption unit’s scanner.

Pakistan had lost the Sydney Test by 36-runs despite taking a handsome lead in the first innings, and it is this loss which has caught the the ICC’s attention.

Chairman of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU) Lord Condon confirmed that investigations were on to probe the alleged involvement of some of the Pakistani cricketers in the scandal.

“That has been an ongoing investigation since the time.It is a match and series that worried us, we spent a lot of time talking to the players and PCB. The challenge is finding where is the solid fact,” Condon said during a press conference here.

“What you have there is a lot of strife within the team and Pakistan politics with rivals camps making allegations. We are satisfied that was a totally dysfunctional tour from a Pakistan point of view. The dysfunctionality in the dressing room led to players not performing well, to maybe players potentially underperforming deliberately,” he added.

Referring to wicket keeper Kamran Akmal’s shoddy show during the Sydney Test, in which he dropped three easy catches and missed a straightforward run out chance, Condon said his performance is particularly being investigated.

“What we are trying to establish is whether that was because rival camps wanted to do down captains or potential captains. Or whether they were doing something more serious, for a financial fix,” The Daily Times quoted Condon, as saying.

Condon, however, pointed that it was difficult to completely eradicate the menace of match fixing.

“My prediction is you will never totally eradicate it from cricket. There will always be that temptation. But we had a cadre of modern players who know the risks and are playing for the right reasons,” he said. (ANI)

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CA rubbishes ‘match fixing’ rumours behind Australia’s remarkable Sydney win against Pak

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 20 (ANI): Cricket Australia has denied reports that the Sydney Test against Pakistan was fixed, and said that Ricky Ponting-led side pulled off a remarkable victory through its own hard work.

The Pakistan team management believes that their players fixed this year’s Sydney Test as well as a Twenty20 match; an inquiry into the failed Australia tour revealed.

A Cricket Australia spokesman said he had heard nothing about match-fixing allegations. “Our view on that match has always been that we won it from behind through our own efforts,” The Australian quoted him, as saying.

Pakistan had a 206-run lead after the first innings and reached 1-50 in their last innings, chasing a victory total of 175, but Pakistan lost its last nine wickets for 89 runs and with it the match by 36 runs.

The performance of Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal attracted most attention in the match. He dropped four catches in the third innings and missed a run out chance against Shane Watson when the opener was on 49. Watson went on to make 97.

More importantly, he dropped Mike Hussey three times as the middle-order batsman compiled 134. Hussey and tailender Peter Siddle went on to make a 123-run partnership and they were also aided by a defensive field setting.

Senior Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam and manager Aaqib Javed told a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inquiry earlier this year they thought bookmakers might have been involved in the events that saw the game lost.

“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 per cent that there is match-fixing, but I have my strong suspicions,” he said.

Intikhab said: “Kamran is a match-winner but every time we came close to a victory, he played a bad shot and got out. I was flabbergasted when Kamran missed the run out. I have serious doubts about him. I have heard stories about match-fixing.”

Aaqib also had suspicions about the performance of fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in a Twenty20 match in Australia, saying, “We have heard things about him as well.” (ANI)

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

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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)

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

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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)

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No ‘wedding gift’ for Shoaib Malik by lifting 1-year ban: PCB

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 13 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Director of Cricket Operations Zakir Khan has denied reports regarding the one year ban imposed on all-rounder Shoaib Malik being lifted as a gift for his recent marriage with India Tennis sensation Sania Mirza.

When asked about the issue Khan told Cricistan.com that such speculations had no substance in them.

“ The PCB has made its decision but the affected players also have certain rights under the PCB constitution. One of which is the right of appeal. The players have appealed and now the matter moves to arbitration. The arbitration panel will consider the evidence and testimonies and then evaluate whether the PCB”s decision was correct or not. Only after that can we move forward, until that happens we can only speculate,” he explained.

Khan stressed that the ban and fines imposed on players were based on first hand information after the disastrous Australia tour.

“The PCB enquiry committee was formed to look into the poor performance during the tour of Australia and what the causes behind it were. Evidence and testimony from players and administrators was presented to the committee and the final decision was based on that,” he added. (ANI)

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Younis Khan, PCB blame each other for leakage of Australia tour report to media

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 10 (ANI): A blame game has started over the leakage of the report of the enquiry commission, which was constituted by the Pakistan Cricket (PCB) to look into reasons behind the team’s deplorable performance during Australia tour, with both former captain Younis Khan and the board blaming each other for disclosing the details of the report to the media.

Younis’s lawyer Ahmad Qayyum said the report was leaked deliberately by the PCB, instead of handing it over to him.

“The report published on the front page of a leading English daily today was leaked by the PCB, but I did not receive the report. It is amazing that the concerned party has no copy of the report while it is made available to the media. I only received a hard copy today, in fact just five minutes before getting here. It is an attempt to conduct a media trial of Younis Khan,” The Dawn Qayyum, as saying.

The PCB’s counsel, Talib Hyder Rizvi, however, insisted that the board had kept the report a well-guarded secret till it had to be handed over to a few people for filing appeals against the ban on players.

“I had expressed my doubts that the report will not remain a secret for long and will be leaked to the media after it was handed over to the others and now you have seen all of it in the media,” Rizvi said.

It may be noted that a Pakistani English Daily had quoted former coach Intikhab Alam describing his team as a bunch of uncivilised players who do not know how to wear clothes or talk.

The newspaper’s report said that Alam had told the PCB enquiry commission that skipper Shoaib Malik had a ‘negative attitude’, and blamed him for infighting in the team.

“They do not know that they are representing the country. They don’t know how to wear their clothes and how to talk in a civilised manner,” the report quoted Alam, as saying during a hearing of the six-member commission,

Alam, who was sacked after the tour, however, refused to comment on the leaked report.

“I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I focused on cricketing issues,” he said. (ANI)

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Pak cricketers don’t know how to talk, wear clothes: Intikhab told enquiry commission

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 10 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam had described his team as a bunch of uncivilised players who do not know how to wear clothes or talk, the report of the enquiry commission probing Pakistan’s deplorable performance during the Australia tour has revealed.

The enquiry commission’s report, which was leaked to the media, quoted Alam as saying that former skipper Shoaib Malik had a ‘negative attitude’, and blamed him for infighting in the team.

“They do not know that they are representing the country. They don’t know how to wear their clothes and how to talk in a civilised manner,” the report quoted Alam, as saying during a hearing of the six-member commission, which was formed by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) after Pakistan’s winless tour Down Under.

Alam, who was sacked after the tour, however, refused to comment on the leaked report.

“I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I focused on cricketing issues,” The Daily Times quoted him, as saying. (ANI)

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No evidence to prove Younis Khan’s Oz ‘misconduct’ charges: Counsel

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dubai, May 5 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan’s lawyer has said there was no evidence against his client which could prove that his behaviour was not upto the mark during the Australian tour following which he was banned for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Mohammed Ahmed Qayyum said he has gone through the PCB’s inquiry committee’s report, which had recommended a ban on both Khan and Mohammed Yousuf, and could find nothing against his client.

“I have seen the documents personally at the PCB headquarters and I found no evidence at all against my client,” Qayyum said.

“Younis Khan was not a part of the team on the New Zealand tour and was only a member of the one-day side on the Australia tour,” he added.

Qayyum said he would urge the PCB for an open enquiry in Khan’s case, and let the people of the country to see the truth.

“Yes, we shall certainly press for the open hearings and let the world know about his innocence,” The Nation quoted Qayyum, as saying.

The second round of hearing, which is being presided over by a former high court judge, Irfan Qadir, is scheduled to take place on Saturday (May 8). (ANI)

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Banned, fined Pak players to appear before PCB appellate tribunal on Friday

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistani cricketers, who were banned and fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have been summoned to appear before a one-man appellate tribunal on Friday for a hearing into the appeal filed by them against their respective punishments.

Last week, the PCB had appointed retired high court judge Irfan Qadir to hear the appeals of players who were punished for different accounts of violation of the board’s code of conduct.

“I have issued notices to the players to appear on Friday for a preliminary proceeding on their appeals and they will be given all basic rights under the law,” The Daily Times quoted Qadir, as saying.

“If some of the players demand specific reasons for their punishment, we will provide them with that as well, as this is their right,” he added.

Last month, the PCB had imposed an indefinite ban on former captains Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf after an enquiry commission found them responsible for infighting, which led the team down during the disastrous Australia tour.

All-rounders Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were fined two million rupees each and banned for a year. Incumbent T20 skipper Shahid Afridi was also fined three million rupees for his shocking ball-chomping act during the last one-day international against the Kangaroos.

Brothers Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal were fined Rs 3 and 2 million respectively for discipline breaches and were given six months’ probation.

Following the ban Yousuf retired from international cricket in protest. (ANI)

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‘Humiliated’ Yousuf decides to hang up his boots

March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.27 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Yousuf has reportedly decided to quit international cricket in protest against the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to ban him for an indefinite period.

Yousuf would be announcing his retirement on Monday.

“Yes, I have decided to retire as Pakistan player and my decision is not an emotional one. It’s of no use playing after such an insult which is unacceptable and I will announce my decision on Monday,” Yousuf told a foreign news agency.

The PCB had slapped an indefinite ban on Yousuf and his teammate Younis Khan after a report of the inquiry committee, which was set up to look into reasons behind Pakistan’s deplorable performance during Australia tour.

Pakistan drew the three-match series in New Zealand 1-1 but lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 match in Australia.

Earlier this week, the 35-year-old middle order batsman, who scored most number of Test runs in a calendar year in 2006 breaking the record of Vivian Richards, had said that he would appeal against the PCB’s decision.

“Yes, I may still appeal, but a final decision will be taken on Monday,” Yousuf had said.

“I am deeply hurt because I have always played with commitment for my country and fans know this, but not those people who run cricket, this is a big tragedy,” he added.

The PCB also denied any central contract to Yousuf, which were announced earlier this week.

Originally a Roman Catholic, Yousuf converted to Islam in 2005 and has since been involved in preaching besides playing cricket.

Yousuf has so far played 88 Tests for Pakistan, scoring 7,431 runs with 24 hundreds. He has also scored 9,624 in 282 one-day internationals.

He was declared best player of 2007 by the International Cricket Council (ICC). (ANI)

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Rana Naved, Shoaib Malik to challenge PCB ban

March 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.20 (ANI): Banned Pakistani fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has decided to challenge the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to impose a year’s ban and a hefty fine on him.

Naved said he has received the documents explaining the reasons for his suspension by the PCB and would file his appeal in a couple of days.

“ I have been preparing the response papers with my representatives and they will be ready in a couple of days time,” PakPassion.net quoted Naved, as saying.

The 32-year-old bowler said he has read the report prepared by the PCB’s Inquiry Committee, which had recommended harsh punishments for players who ‘underperformed’ during the Australia tour.

“Yes I have the report and have had a read of it. The only reason why they have banned me is due to underperformance. They felt that my performance on the tour of Australia was below par. I always give 10o percent effort every time I take the field, it doesn”t matter who I am playing for, I always give my all,” Naved said.

Meanwhile, former captain Shoiab Malik, who is also facing a year’s ban, has also decided to appeal against the PCB’s decision.

Malik said he has been informed that the board’s inquiry committee has found him guilty of creating ‘disharmony’ in the dressing room also faking an ankle injury during New Zealand tour.

Earlier, the PCB had given 30 days time to the banned, fined players to appeal.

The PCB had suspended Malik and Naved for one year, and slapped hefty fines on star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and his batsman brother Umer Akmal following the recommendations of a committee headed by the Chief Operating Officer (CCO) Wasim Bari.

The PCB had formed the six-member committee to look into Pakistan’s deplorable performance during the tour of Australia, during which the visitors were white washed in all three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match. (ANI)

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PCB allows Rana Naved to play in Bangladesh T20

March 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.20 (ANI): After allowing Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also given permission to ‘ banned’ fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to participate in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 tournament starting March 26 in Sharjah.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had imposed a year’s ban on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved and slapped hefty fines on them for violating the players code of conduct during the disastrous Australia tour.

It may be noted that the PCB had issued a strict warning to the players wanting to participate in domestic tournaments of other countries, saying they must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the board.

The PCB had also prohibited players selected for the upcoming ICC T20 World Championship from taking part in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 tournament.

Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Mohammed Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Nazir had signed for the tournament but insiders said the PCB does not want to risk these players ahead of the coveted T20 World Cup and is unlikely to grant them the NOC’s.

The PCB has allowed former captain Mohammed Yousuf, who is also facing an indefinite ban, to take part in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL). (ANI)

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Banned, fined Pak cricketers seek legal advice over PCB’s ‘harsh’ punishment

March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.19 (ANI): The Pakistani cricketers who were banned and slapped with hefty fines by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are seeking legal advice after receiving a detailed copy of their punishment by the board.

According to sources, all seven players, who were punished by the PCB for their misconduct during the disastrous Australia tour, have received copies detailing penalties and bans on them, and have now sought legal advice for further action, The News reports.

It may be noted that the PCB has given the players 30 days to appeal against its decision.

None of the players, including former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan who were banned for an indefinite period, have spoken about the PCB’s decision or disclosed if they would challenge its ‘harsh’ punishments.

The PCB had suspended former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for one year, and slapped hefty fines on star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and his batsman brother Umer Akmal following the recommendations of a committee headed by the Chief Operating Officer (CCO) Wasim Bari.

The PCB had formed the six-member committee to look into Pakistan’s deplorable performance during the tour of Australia, during which the visitors were whitewashed in all three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match. (ANI)

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‘Relaxed’ Yousuf, Younis unlikely to challenge PCB’s ban in court

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.13 (ANI): Cricketers banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are unlikely to challenge the board’s decision in the court of law, sources said.

According to sources in the PCB, neither Mohammed Yousuf nor Younis Khan have shown any intent of taking legal action against the board for its decision to ban both of them for an indefinite period.

Sources said the ban imposed on these two senior players would be lifted within two weeks.

Insiders said that the players are not thinking on the lines of fighting it in court as they fear PCB could producing some record, which may go against them.

Both Yousuf and Younis are likely to contact the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to sort out issues and find some way to end the altercation.

The PCB had banned both Yousuf and Younis for an indefinite period and imposed hefty fines on star all-rounder Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik following the report of the inquiry, which was formed to probe the reasons behind Pakistan’s pathetic performance in Australia.

Wicket keeper Kamran Akmal, his brother Umar Akmal and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul Hasan were also slapped fines for indulging in player politics and breaking the code of conduct during the winless Australia tour.

There are reports that both Younis and Yousuf did not take the penalties seriously, as they believe that the PCB cannot ignore them for Test cricket.

Pakistan has to play six Test matches, two against Australia and four against England starting from July.

While Yousuf is in Jhang in connection with his preaching engagements, Younis is busy fishing and Afridi is also likely to be involved in preaching for the next couple of days, The Dawn reports. (ANI)

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Voges replaces injured Haddin in Australia ODI squad

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Sep.1 (ANI): Australia’s cricket selectors have added West Australian middle order batsman Adam Voges to the Australia one-day squad on the tour of England.

Voges, 32, replaces injured wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, who had surgery on a fractured finger last week.

“With Brad Haddin’s injury, the NSP has taken the opportunity to add Adam Voges to Australia’s squad for the seven one-day internationals against England,” selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said in a statement released on Monday.

“Adam will now stay with the squad for the remainder of the VB Tour of England before travelling with the team to the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hilditch, as saying. (ANI)

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Watson certain to miss first Ashes Test

June 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, June 30 (ANI): Australia’s injured all-rounder Shane Watson has been almost ruled out for the first Ashes Test after he did not train with the team in Worcester.

Watson, who has an injured thigh, was confined to walking laps with team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris in a crucial training session in the lead-up to Australia’s tour match against the England Lions starting on Wednesday evening.

It will be a major blow for Watson who has a long history of injuries dating back to when he was a teenager.

Australia were keen to play the 27-year-old in the tour match, but he now has no chance of playing in the tour game and next week’s first Test against England in Cardiff, The Herald Sun reported.

The team management may still send for a back-up player from Australia if Watson does not improve markedly in the next few days.

Watson’s injury means Marcus North is a near-certainty to win Australia’s No.6 spot for the Ashes. (ANI)

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Lady Gaga touches down in Australia for tour

May 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, May 18 (ANI): American singer Lady Gaga has managed to be a hit from the first day she arrived in Australia for her tour.

Lady Gaga, 23, real name Stefani Germanotta, arrived in Brisbane at dawn, dressed in a lavender suit with strategic holes ripped in front and back of the skintight pants, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The attire was completed with an asymmetrical white top and eight-inch high perspex heels.

The singer, who has been in Brisbane for two days, will perform on May 19 and record a spot on ‘Dancing With The Stars’, before she moves to Sydney on May 20 before her May 22 show at Acer.

Her tour will then take her to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. (ANI)

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Australia keen to take on Pakistan after long gap: Clarke

April 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Dubai, Apr.20 (ANI): Australia’s stand-in captain for the UAE one-day international series against Pakistan, Michael Clarke, has said that his team is desperate to take the field against Pakistan, whom they have not played much in the recent past.

“We are playing Pakistan after all, after a long time, so we want to make the most of this opportunity on a wonderful ground here,” The News quoted Clarke, as saying.

Clarke looked particularly pleased by facilities of the Dubai Sports City’s stadium, where the first game of the five match series would be played on Wednesday.

Australia and Pakistan have not played against each other in a fifty over game since February 2005.

It’s been more than a decade since the Kangaroos last visited Pakistan.

Australia was scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2008, but the tour was cancelled in the wake of the precarious security conditions in the country, but later Cricket Australia agreed play Pakistan on a neutral venue.

UAE was ultimately selected to host both the teams for the five match one-day international series. (ANI)

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