NATIONAL
Asif’s B sample test on August 18:
The Indian Premier League has extended the date for the ‘B’ sample test for Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif to August 18. Shahid Karim, lawyer for Asif confirmed they had received an e-mail from the IPL accepting their request for the extension of the date. This is for the second time that the IPL has accepted a request from Asif to extend the date for his ‘B’ sample test after it was originally scheduled for July 28 and then changed to August 6. Asif has been suspended by the Pakistan cricket Board after he tested positive in dope tests conducted by the IPL during its inaugural edition in India.
Pak shooter hopes to shine in Beijing:
Pakistan’s lone shooter competing in the Beijing Olympics, Sadique Umer, could make his presence felt amongst the galaxy of stars with a good performance when the competition begins .
Pakistan’s lone shooter, who hails from Karak (Waziristan) would be seen in action in the 10m rifle qualification. His real test, however, would come on August 17th when he would compete in the three position competition. “I am not under any pressure here in the field that includes some of the best shooters in the world. I have trained hard and hopefully would fight it out in the competition,” Sadique told. Sadique worked hard on his training and spent almost one month in Germany to prepare for the Olympics. “I have learnt a lot during my stay in Germany but one thing that I am missing here is lack of competition. Besides training you definitely need to perform in presence of top shooters.” The Army shooter has almost achieved the Olympic qualification mark and is considered among the best in Asia in the three category competition. However, in presence of world’s best shooters from Germany, USA and China, his chances are bleak but he hoped to put up a good show in the event. “It is not my favourite category but a good showing here would definitely set the tone for a better performance in the other category.”
ICC delays scheduling decision:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has delayed a decision on the scheduling of the controversial Champions League twenty20 tournament, which India plans to host this autumn. It was announced on Aug. 6 following a teleconference of the ICC Executive Board that the game’s governing body will take at least one more week to reach a decision. “The ICC Board held a telephone hook-up to consider the scheduling of the Champions League twenty20 tournament,” said an ICC media release. “The Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa offered to explore, with the ICC’s management, the scheduling of the tournament. “This offer was accepted unanimously by the ICC board. It was also agreed those members would report back to the board within seven days,” added the release. The proposed start date of the Champions League of September 29 is the scheduled reserve day for the final of the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan.
CT stakeholders meet in Lahore:
A “preparatory” meeting of the ICC Champions Trophy stakeholders was held in Lahore, nearly five weeks before the start of the six-nation tournament that is under a cloud because of security concerns. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said that the meeting was aimed at putting the Champions Trophy preparations in “top gear”. “It was a preparatory meeting,” Mansur Sohail, PCB’s media chief, told. “The preparations for the Champions Trophy are in top gear and we want to do our homework ahead of what is a very important tournament for us,” he added. The meeting was attended by Sohail and three other PCB directors — Zakir Khan, Ahsan Hameed Malik and Nadeem Akram. Dheeraj Malhotra, a representative of the International Cricket Council (ICC), was also present along with representatives from Rushmans and BBCL, associated with the biennial spectacle as event managers. Sohail said that it was agreed during the meeting that the media accreditation for the Champions Trophy will be open from August 11 and the forms could be downloaded online. The PCB is expecting around 150 foreign media people to cover the September 12-28 tournament. Sohail said that such meetings will take place frequently in a bid to ensure that all possible preparations are made for the successful hosting of the tournament to be held on Pakistani soil for the first time.
Taekwondo team reach Jordan:
An eight-member Pakistan taekwondo team, carrying six players and two officials, reached Jordan to participate in the Al-Hassan International Open Taekwondo Championship, which will start in Aug. The secretary of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) Major Wasim Ahmad told ‘ that a good team has been sent to Jordan for the competition in which the players from twenty countries are showing their worth. He said he expects a medal or two from his squad, which is a combination of experienced and young blood. He said that in the team, a 13-year old girl Miham Aftab has also been included in a bid to provide her international exposure as she is a real talent and will prove to be an asset for the country in the future. The competition will last till August 10. Squad: Usman Saeed (feather-weight), Ghazanfar Ali (fin-weight), Arif Mehmood (welter-weight), Fahim Fawad Butt (fly-weight), Asia Batool (middle-weight), Miham Aftab (feather-weight), Nisar Ahmad (manager), Zafar Iqbal (coach).
