Reports regarding Gilani hosting dinner for Sania, Shoaib ‘fabricated and baseless’

Islamabad, Apr.27 (ANI): The Pakistan government has rejected media reports regarding Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani hosting a private dinner for the newly married sports couple Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik as ‘fabricated and baseless’.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister House here, termed reports in a section of the press as a ‘figment of the imagination.’

The statement clarified that Gilani had neither met the sports couple nor had he hosted any dinner for them, The News reports.

A media report had claimed that Gilani had hosted the dinner for the newlyweds on last Friday and also presented them gifts. (ANI)

Petition filed against Shoaib for allegedly selling reception invitation cards

Lahore, Apr.27 (ANI): Just when it seemed that every thing was fine and troubles had died their natural death for the newly married Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik, he finds himself entangled in yet another controversy, as a local court here has summoned him for allegedly selling invitation cards of his reception party.

According to reports, a man named Safdar Ali has filed a petition alleging that Shoaib was selling invitation cards for his ‘walima’ to be held today (April 27) for 15,000 rupees each.

Ali’s petition has been accepted and enlisted for May 3 hearing. Additional Sessions Judge Malik Rafiq has also directed Shoaib to appear before the court on the said date of hearing.

Meanwhile, a man named Hasan Shahzad has moved to the Lahore High Court (LHC) alleging that Shoaib’s family has violated the government’s rule while organising a lavish reception party at Sialkot.

In his petition, Shahzad urged the court to take notice of the gross violation of rules and regulations set by the government.

The petition states that during the reception on Sunday (April 25), guests were served more than one-dish, which was against rule, The Daily Times reports.

The petitioner states that despite warnings from local electricity department, extravagant lighting decorations were made both at Shoaib’s house and at the reception venue.

Complete chaos and mismanagement were witnessed during the reception ceremony, which was organised at a hockey stadium, as more than 2000 people turned up for the function against the 1000 invitees.

In their bid to prevent ‘uninvited guests’, private security guards present outside the reception venue did not even allow some of Shoaib’s relatives and friends to enter the stadium, which gave way to a heated argument between both sides. The matter was resolved only after some other family members intervened. (ANI)

Militants killed in J-K encounter identified as Pakistani nationals

Srinagar, Mar 31 (ANI): The militants killed in the encounter with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir”s Rajouri district have been identified as Pakistani nationals.

The security personnel have also recovered a diary that disclosed their identity as Abu Zarar, Abu Abdullah, Abu Shoaib and Abu Osama.

The security personnel have also found the food supplies that the militants brought with them. All of them have Pakistani registration marks, which further makes it clear that they all had come from Pakistan.

It is suspected that they came in groups from Pakistan and later split in three teams as three encounters were witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir”s Rajouri district in the last 48 hours.

Four militants and three security personnel were killed in the exchange of fire in Rajouri district that lasted nearly 12 hours.

The second encounter that took place at Dharamshall came to an end with terrorists fleeing back to the Pakistani side of the LoC; a police official was injured in the encounter.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the encounter between security forces and militants is on in Jammu and Kashmir”s Kolian area. (ANI)

Lee declares his goal for breaking 100 mph bowling speed barrier

London, Sep.14 (ANI): Fresh from destroying England with a scorching display of fast, swinging yorkers that skittled stumps all over Lord’s to help Australia seal a series-clinching 4-0 lead with three ODIs remaining, Brett Lee has declared his goal of breaking the 100mph (160.93km/h) speed barrier.

That feat would be worth a fair sum for a fast bowler who has already earned three million dollars in the past 12 months, according to Forbes magazine.

Lee could not force his way back into the side for the Ashes series and his Test future remains unclear but the 32-year-old remains far more marketable than his bowling peers.

The combination of blond-haired, blue-eyed good looks and sheer speed is an irresistible combination for some brands.

To date, only Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar has broken the 100mph limit, clocking 100.2mph (161.3km/h) during a World Cup match against England in 2003. Lee’s fastest delivery was recorded at 99.8mph (160.7km/h) at the same tournament.

“I know I’m in the team to try and bowl fast, there’s always talk about your age but I’m feeling really fit, probably the fittest I’ve ever felt,” Lee said after taking 5-49 at Lord’s on Saturday, clean-bowling four victims.

“I’m only 32 and I want to keep bowling in excess of 90mph for a long time yet but we’ll wait and see what happens with the body,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying. (ANI)

PCB discontinues inquiry against Shoaib Akhtar after apology

Lahore, Sep.9 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has discontinued its enquiry against controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for criticizing the team management on a television chat show.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told media persons here, that since Akhtar has admitted his mistake and apologized for the same, board has also decided to drop the inquiry.

It was nice of him to accept his mistake and we don’t want this issue to linger on any longer. So we have closed this chapter,” The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

The PCB had served a show cause notice to Akhtar for breaking the board’s code of conduct. He has been accused of violating three clauses of the central contract by giving a television interview in which he claimed that the national team management conspired against him and that he considered suing the authorities for leaking a confidential medical report.

Akhtar, during the television show, had described the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, as a ‘second grade person’, and said that all previous administrators had done nothing but ruined the game in the country.

Meanwhile, Akhtar said he is working hard on his form and fitness and would soon start competing in domestic matches to prove his fitness.

Akhtar, 34, has been struggling with his form and fitness for a long time which has seen him lose his place from both Test and one-day squad. (ANI)

Imran encourages Shoaib not to waste last few years of international cricket

Lahore, Sep 7 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has advised bad boy of Pakistan cricket Shoaib Akhtar not to waste his last few years of international cricket and try to work hard to get back into the team and then go out with honour and pride.

Shoaib went to attend a fund-raising campaign for Imran’s Shaukat Khanum Research Cancer Hospital, but declined to speak on cricket issues with the media.

The fast bowler, who has had a bad last few months and was not considered for the Sri Lanka tour or the Champions Trophy, also appeared fitter having shed considerable weight.

“Imran basically told him that if he gets back into the team and does well, everyone would forget his past and only remember the present. Imran told Shoaib he needs to work hard on his fitness,” the Daily Times quoted a source, as saying.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim has also made it clear that if Shoaib wants to make a comeback to the Pakistan team, he needs to change his attitude and be more positive.

“Shoaib can still play for Pakistan, provided he works hard on his fitness. But I think he also needs to work on improving his relations with the board,” Qasim said.

The PCB is willing to give the fast bowler another chance as it has completely played down the issue of a show cause notice issued to Shoaib in July for appearing on a television talk show without seeking a clearance.

Shoaib is said to have apologised for his mistake, which pleased the board.

“If Shoaib can improve his attitude, behaviour and be more disciplined and focused he is still an asset for the Pakistan team,” a former Test player at the function said. (ANI)

Centre withdraws security cover given to twenty-four VIPs

New Delhi, Aug 29 (ANI): As part of its comprehensive review and rationalisation of the VIP security system, the Union Home Ministry has withdrawn X-category security over of over twenty-four individuals,

The Ministry also decided to reduce the number of personal security officers (PSOs) from three to two to be deployed for X category security.

After the review former Chief Justice of India Y. K. Sabharwal, former MP and Bollywood Star Govinda, former MP Anwar Hussain, UP politician D.P.Yadav, Shoaib Iqbal MLA from Matia Mahal in Delhi, and two Delhi-based journalists and some local leaders from different northeastern states will lose security cover from next month.

Home Ministry sources, the ministry is planning similar reviewing of the Y and Z-category list in due course so that more police personnel are available for actual policing in Delhi.

The ministry will soon write to states to discharge central paramilitary force (CPMFs) personnel who were diverted for VIP security, sources added.

The ministry has also raised concern over the state governments lacking to provide security cover to central protectees, according to their categorisation during their tours in the respective states.

As per the VIP security guidelines, no central protectee can retain his/her Delhi-based PSO beyond 72 hours while on an outstation trip. The PSO is thereafter required to report back to Delhi, leaving the onus of protecting the VIP on the state police.

Meanwhile the Home ministry is also planning to reduce the security cover given to former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National Commission of Scheduled Castes Chairperson Buta Singh, former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and Lok Jana Shakti Party Chief Ram Vilas Paswan and others.(ANI)

‘NWFP, FATA most unsafe region for journalists’

Peshawar, Aug.26 (ANI): Monday’s incident in which an Afghan journalist, Janullah Hashimzada, was brutally murdered in Jamrud sub-division of Khyber Agency has once again highlighted that the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are the two most unsafe areas for journalists in the region.

About 12 journalists have been killed by extremists and many kidnapped since the Taliban established its writ in the region.

Musa Khan Khel, correspondent of The News and Geo News in Swat, was killed in February this year while returning home after covering a meeting of the banned Tanzim Nifaze Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM).

Another journalist from the Valley, Mohammad Shoaib, was shot dead by the security forces for alleged violation of curfew. He was taking his daughter to hospital when security personnel opened fire at him.

Similarly several media persons, who were constantly bringing the brutalities of the Taliban to the fore, have been killed by militants over the last one year.

While the government and the Army claims that extremists have been forced to retreat and the region is now safe for thousands of displaced people to return, there still exists severe threats to the lives, properties and families of media persons in NWFP and FATA, The News reports. (ANI)

“Good guy” Akhtar’s attitude has been like this from his early years, says Zahid

Islamabad, Aug 24(ANI): Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has lived a life under the media hammer for various off-field activities, but one person backs his activities, Mohammad Zahid.

Zahid, a former Pakistan fast bowler and the man rumoured to have bowled the fastest delivery ever in international cricket, came up the ranks in first class cricket with Akhtar, and both played together for PIA for three to four years.

Zahid said he was with Akhtar in the Pakistan junior squad and in international stage, and believes that Akhtar’s activities come to him naturally.

“His attitude has been like this from the early years! He hasn’t changed, it’s part of his makeup! He is not a bad character. He is a good guy!,” PakPassion.Net quoted Zahid, as saying.

“If I saw him I would give him the brotherly advice and say you have at most one or two years left in your career and concentrate just on cricket, as it would be good for him and for Pakistan if he knuckled down and kept his focus on cricket,” Zahid added.

Zahid further said that Akhtar’s fitness has always been dodgy, and said that his body’s anatomical condition is such that he would not be able to keep on bowling.

“His body’s anatomical condition is such that it isn’t made to play say 5 tests in a series for example. He can play 1 test and then he will say rest him, so his body and his joints can recover. This way he can play for 1 or 2 years longer,” Zahid said.

Zahid also said that Pakistani selectors should back Akhtar snd bear with him for just one or two years more, as he deserves to carry on playing. (ANI)

Two Pak students held in anti-terror raids fly back home, abandon deportation fight

London, Aug.22 (ANI): Two of the ten Pakistani students who were detained during counter-terrorism raids in Manchester and Liverpool earlier this year have flown back home, discontinuing their fight against deportation.

Abdul Wahab Khan, 26, and Shoaib Khan, 27 were among ten Pakistanis who were detained in April on national security grounds after officials claimed that they have foiled a major bombing plot by Al-Qaeda.

Amjad Malik, a solicitor of both the students, said both had decided to return to Pakistan after their bail applications were rejected last week.

Malik lambasted the British officials for the harsh treatment meted out to the students, saying they were treated like murderers or rapists in the Manchester prison.

“They have been in detention for 134 days. They are in category A conditions and are strip-searched. They realized that they were going to remain in custody when they haven’t committed any crime,” Malik said.

“Also, Ramadan is coming nearer and they are not happy with the facilities in place in prison, so they wish to spend their Eid with their families in Pakistan,” The Times quoted Malik, as saying.

All the Pakistani civilians had come to Britain on student visas.

After three weeks of intense interrogation all charges against the students were dropped in May due to lack of evidence.

However, they were kept in high-security prisons under immigration laws, and handed over to the UK Borders Agency for deportation. (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)

Akhtar unlikely to get a chance even through ‘wild card’: Qasim

Lahore, Aug.20 (ANI): Pakistan cricket chief selector Iqbal Qasim has ruled out ontroversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar’s chances of getting into the ICC Champions Trophy squad.

Qasim said there is only a ‘remote’ possibility of Akhtar getting a place in the team through a ‘wild card’.

“There is a committee of the ICC which follows a strict procedure in terms of a player’s replacement. If someone is to be replaced from the pre-announced side then a solid reason has to be presented,” Qasim said.

He, however, did not completely ruled out Akhtar’s chances, saying: “Anyone who is fit and performing will be considered for selection.”

Akhtar, who last played against Australia in the UAE series, has not even been included in the 30-member preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy.

When asked about the tainted fast bowler Mohammad Asif , Qasim said he (Asif) is physically fit and would be considered for the national squad.

“We got his positive medical report from the National Cricket Academy. He is attending the ongoing Under-23 emerging camp in Karachi. All I can say is that he is fit,” The Daily Times quoted Qasim, as saying.

Asif, who has been included in the preliminary squad, stands a good chance of cementing a place in the final 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy.

Asif has not played any cricket since July last year and was banned last September by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after testing positive for nandrolone during the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) inaugural season. (ANI)

Shoaib Akhtar still has a future in international cricket: Qasim

Islamabad, Aug 8 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board’s newly appointed chief selector Iqbal Qasim has stated that controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar still has a future in international cricket.

Qasim said: “The door is not closed on Shoaib Akhtar, he can still play cricket for Pakistan in future, however what he needs to do is to prove to the selection committee that he is fit enough for international cricket.”

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, he said the reports that the selectors received were that Akhtar was not fit enough to be eligible for selection for the 30 man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy and they took note of those reports accordingly.

“It is absolutely vital that Shoaib Akhtar performs well and on a regular basis in the coming domestic cricket season and proves to the selectors that not only is he bowling well and taking wickets, but he can maintain his fitness levels too. Its down to Shoaib to show us that he can get himself fit and bowl well,” he said.

Qasim said is it a very important domestic season for Akhtar, and other players who are on the verge of international selection.

“I am going into this job with a very open mind and the selection door is open to youngsters, up and coming players and of course to former international players who are not in the current squad in Sri Lanka. Basically anyone who is performing well in domestic cricket stands a very good chance of selection,” he added. (ANI)

Former Test player Iqbal Qasim likely to be appointed chief selector

Karachi, July 13 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim as the chairman of the national cricket team’s selection committee.

According to sources, PCB chief Ijaz Butt will hold talks with Qasim today (Monday) to discuss various issues, including his (Qasim’s) appointment to the post, The News reports.

The chief selector’s post has been lying since former leg spinner Abdul Qadir resigned a month ago, citing incompatibility with the PCB.

Qadir had then criticized the omission of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar from the World T20 Championship squad.

He accused coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed of being behind the pacer’s exit from the squad. (ANI)

Shoaib’s anti-PCB rant may be final nail in his coffin

Lahore, July 11 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may take disciplinary action against controversial fast Shoaib Akhtar for his remarks on the board’s decision to axe him from the World Twenty20 Championship team.

The final decision in this regard would be taken by the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, The Daily Times reports.

When enquired about the issue, Butt said he is not fully aware about what Akhtar had actually said during the television interview.

Butt said he would be going through the whole statement of Akhtar, and would then decide whether the statements tantamount to violation of the player’s central contract.

According to sources, Butt would seek views of other senior board officials before penalizing Akhtar.

Akhtar, during the television chat show, had described the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf, as a ‘second grade person’, and said that all the previous administrators had done nothing but ruined the game in the country.

Akhtar said he still has many years of cricket left in him and claimed that there has been a conspiracy to malign his image.

He said that he thought of suing the board for denying him a place in the World T20 Championship squad, but decided against it on Butt’s advice.

The 34 year old speedster was axed from the World T20 Championship squad after a PCB medical panel declared him unfit due to a skin infection.

Following Akhtar’s ouster from the team, chief selector Abdul Qadir also resigned from the post alleging that coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed were behind the move to drop Akhtar. (ANI)

Shoaib in eye of storm after threatening to sue PCB for World Twenty20 axe

Lahore, July 8 (ANI): One can not keep controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar away from news, and like earlier occasions, this time too the speedster is in the news for all wrong reasons, as he has threatened to take legal action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Akhtar, who is on a PCB central contract, has reportedly said that he reserves the right to sue the board over its decision of not including him in the World Twenty20 Championship squad.

Akhtar, during a television chat show, said he still has many years of cricket left in him and claimed that there has been a conspiracy to malign his image.

He has once again invited trouble by criticizing the board, because players under the central contract are not supposed to challenge its decisions in the media.

The 34 year old speedster was axed from the World T20 Championship squad after a PCB medical panel declared him unfit due to a skin infection.

Following Akhtar’s ouster from the team, chief selector Abdul Qadir also resigned from the post alleging that coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed were behind the move to drop Akhtar. (ANI)

PCB fines Asif for Dubai drugs detention

Lahore, July 2 (ANI): Pakistani cricket authorities on Thursday fined Mohammad Asif one million rupees (12,500 dollars) over the fast bowler’s 19-day detention at Dubai airport for alleged drug possession.

Asif, 26, was detained last June on his way back home after playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

A three-member Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) committee headed by former captain and PCB director Wasim Bari investigated the matter.

“On recommendation of the committee we have fined Asif one million rupees,” the PCB said in a press release.

Dubai authorities found opium in Asif’s possession, but a prosecutor determined that the quantity was small and deported the bowler, The News reports.

Asif is also banned from playing international cricket until September after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid Nandrolone last year.

“Asif will be available for selection once he completes the IPL ban,” said the release.

The fast bowler also tested positive for Nandrolone during tests conducted by the PCB in 2006. He and fellow bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who failed the test too, were banned for one and two years respectively. (ANI)

Yousuf’ s inclusion could see Malik open batting against Sri Lanka

Lahore, June 30 (ANI): With the return of middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf in the team, the Pakistan team management is undecided over how to utilize all rounder Shoaib Malik, and is now thinking of pushing the former captain up the batting order.

Malik, who has been in indifferent form with the bat in the recent past, may be asked to open the batting with Salman Butt in the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins from July 4 in Galle, team sources said.

Malik has opened batting for the team in the past, and has proved his mettle at the top of the order too.

He played a match-saving knock of 148, which was his career-best performance, and helped Pakistan win the Test series during the 2006 Sri Lanka series.

Sources said that the team management is finding it hard to keep Malik in the squad with a crowded middle-order, where players like captain Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and now Mohammad Yousuf would be battling it out, The Daily Times reports.

Now, it would be interesting to see if Malik is axed from the team to accommodate Yousuf, who had blamed Malik for treating senior players badly, and held him responsible for his decision of joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). (ANI)

Pak selectors angry with PCB for ignoring them after T20 World Cup win

Lahore, June 29 (ANI): The national selectors, who picked the Pakistan squad that won the Twenty20 World Cup, are angry that they have been completely ignored in the celebrations for the team’s triumph.

Although former chief selector Abdul Qadir has resigned from his job, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not clarified the status of Saleem Jaffer and Shoaib Mohammad who were on the selection committee that picked the World Cup squad.

The board had appointed an interim selection committee headed by former captain Wasim Bari to pick the team for the Test tour of Sri Lanka.

“No one has the decency to even invite us for any celebratory event even though our contribution is clear that we picked the winning side,” one selector said.

Qadir, who resigned from his post in acrimonious circumstances while the team was playing in the Twenty20 World Cup, has also castigated the board for their treatment of the selectors.

“No matter what they do they can’t take away the credit from us that we picked the World Cup winning squad,” the Daily Times quoted Qadir, as saying. (ANI)

Deccan Chargers reach Hyderabad to a rousing welcome

Hyderabad, May 27 (IANS) Deccan Chargers, the winners of the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, arrived here Wednesday night to a rousing welcome from fans.

The fans were, however, disappointed a bit as only three players – Tirumalsetti Suman, Harmeet Singh and Shoaib Ahmed – arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

The crowd was hoping to catch a glimpse of captain Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, R.P. Singh and Rohit Sharma, who played key roles in the team’s victory.

Holding the IPL trophy and the winner’s cheque, the three players came out of the airport building amid utter chaos.

The team management said the foreign players went back to their respective countries while R.P. Singh, Rohit Sharma and others headed for Mumbai to join the Indian team for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup.

Talking to reporters at the airport, Suman said the team played good cricket. “The final was amazing. It was a close match and we enjoyed a lot,” said the Hyderabadi batsman.

“We had not set any target. We were taking it game by game,” said Ahmed, another local player. He said playing under Gilchrist and with the likes of Symonds and Gibbs had helped them a lot in improving their skills.

The three members of the victorious team stood on a special vehicle with the trophy as they reached a hotel.