SPORTS

ISLAMABAD: The reasoning behind the massive punishments and fines against the Pakistani players for their disappointing performance in Australia tour, is still a mystery, which needs to be resolved at the earliest.

The Inquiry Committee working under Wasim Bari was amazed at the indefinite ban on Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan by the body formed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to the PCB Committee, the estrangement between the two players spoiled the atmosphere.

However, it is noteworthy that Younis attended only ODI series during Australia tour. So, it remains to be seen how the differences between the former captains stood as the prime reason for their defeat in New Zealand and Australia, in view of the fact that the Committee started its investigations from the UAE tour.

The Inquiry report also failed to give any substantiated reason for massive one-year ban on Rana Naveedul Hasan and former captain Shoaib Malik and fine of Rs2 million each.

The issue at table is whether it is only the crickets who are to be punished for going against discipline or the team management and coaches also have something to share the responsibility, as they accompanied the team.

Also, all the Committee members were PCB’s salaried persons, the only impartial person—Wasim Akram—did not attend even a session of the Inquiry body.

It is time the Board rose to occasion and dispelled the smoke screen on these bans and fines.

 INDIAN WELLS: Ivan Ljubicic says he's playing better than ever, and he showed it Saturday with a victory over Rafael Nadal for a berth in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final.

"It was great, great match," former world number three Ljubicic said of his 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) triumph over the world number three. "Probably the best I've ever played in my career."

It came one day after his 31st birthday, and Ljubicic more than kept pace with 23-year-old Nadal, the defending champion who was playing his first tournament since a knee injury forced him out of the Australian Open.

Ljubicic displayed the form that saw him rise to number three in 2006, especially in a third-set tiebreaker that he called "absolutely perfect."

"I knew I had to be aggressive," said Ljubicic, who gave leap of celebration when his forehand winner landed on match point. "I knew I had to go for my shots, but I didn't expect that everything would go in. But it did happen."

Ljubicic denied Nadal a shot at a third title in four years. More importantly he gave himself another shot at a Masters 1000 title, something that eluded him when he reached the finals in three of the prestigious events in 2005 and 2006.

"I hope this one, it's going to be finally the victory," said Ljubicic, whose path to the final included a fourth-round victory over world number two Novak Djokovic.

In Sunday's final he'll face seventh-seeded American Andy Roddick, a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 winner over sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling.

US Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and former world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia will play for the women's title on Sunday.

Ljubicic, now ranked 26th in the world, halted a five-match skid against Nadal that included defeats last year in the quarter-finals of Masters 1000 events in Monte Carlo and Shanghai.

He fired 17 aces - taking his total for the tournament to 66. But he said aces were just part of the story on his serve.

"I was not going for the biggest serves all the time," he said. "I knew that slow serve to his backhand would give him a lot of trouble, and that's exactly what happened."

The two had traded breaks to open the third set, Nadal missing with two forehands to give up the first game and Ljubicic double-faulting on break point to surrender the next.

Ljubicic admitted he was nervous to start the third, but there was no sign of it by the time he took a 2-1 lead in the tiebreaker with a 222 kilometres per hour (138 mph) ace.

A backhand winner put him 3-1 up, and three Nadal miscues saw the Spaniard in a 6-1 hole that Ljubicic gave him no chance to climb out of.

Ljubicic had looked sluggish as he surrendered breaks in the first and last games of the opening set and said he struggled with the unexpected wind.

"I just felt like if I find the rhythm of the return then I can have the match, and that's exactly what happened."

After saving four break points in the sixth game of the second set, Ljubicic seemed energized, and he got the break he needed to extend the match when Nadal double-faulted on break point in the ninth game.

Roddick and Soderling both fought frustration as momentum shifted in their battle.

Roddick broke his racquet on the ground after dropping his serve in the eighth game of the second set, leaving Soderling to serve for the set at 5-3. The Swede made the most of it with a love game, then the two traded breaks early in the third before Roddick earned the decisive break for a 4-2 lead that he never relinquished.

Roddick said he was conscious of Soderling's pressure on his serve, but he was able to apply the same to the Swede.

"I knew I was returning real well, so I thought this might be the rare occasion where that would be the thing that won it for me," Roddick said.

Even after he won the second set, Soderling said he didn't feel he was playing great.

"He played a little bit better than me," Soderling said. "I think he served a little bit better, and then I made a few more unforced errors. That's about it."

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appealed against its Davis Cup Asia Oceania tie being switched to New Zealand over security fears, demanding it should be played at a neutral venue, officials said Saturday.

Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) secretary Rashid Khan said an appeal has been lodged with the board of the International Tennis Federation, which made the decision last week.

"We have appealed that the tie should be relocated to a neutral country like Malaysia or Dubai because by playing in New Zealand we lose the advantage," Khan told AFP.

Pakistan was due to host the Group II second-round tie from July 9-11. The PTF initially protested over the switch but a series of blasts, notably in Lahore earlier this month, forced them to accept they cannot host it at home.

Tennis New Zealand last week said the ITF had reversed its choice of venue "due to the existing security concerns that continue to surround the hosting of sporting events in Pakistan".

Tennis New Zealand said it expected to confirm the new venue for the tie next month.

"We are quite hopeful that our appeal will be considered and we have also demanded 100,000 dollars (8.4 million rupees) in compensation as we stand to lose money by relocation," said Khan.

Pakistan's top tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi voiced disappointment over the relocation.

"It is unfortunate that I have not been able to play a Davis Cup match in Pakistan for three years. This time too the tie has been shifted which harms the progress of the game in our country," said Qureshi.

Last year Pakistan was forced to play its home Davis Cup ties against Oman and Philippines in their rivals' countries over security fears.

DHAKA: Tamim Iqbal celebrated his birthday with an explosive 85 as Bangladesh posted 330-8 on the opening day of the second and final Test against England on Saturday.

The left-handed opener, who turned 21, put the England attack to the sword in a magnificent display of strokeplay, smashing one six and 13 fours in his 71-ball knock. He completed his half-century off just 34 balls.

Mohammad Mahmudullah (59), skipper Shakib Al Hasan (49), Junaid Siddique (39) and wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (30) fell when looking well-set. Naeem Islam was unbeaten on 33 at the close.

England had to work hard for wickets but still did not allow the hosts to build a big partnership on a batsman-friendly track, with spinners Graeme Swann (3-94) and James Tredwell (2-85) being the main wicket-takers.

Tamim looked set to achieve a rare feat of scoring a century in the opening session before being caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior while attempting to sweep debutant Tredwell nine overs before the lunch break.

Only Australians Victor Trumper, Charles Macartney and Don Bradman, and Pakistan's Majid Khan have scored a century in the opening session of a Test.

Swann and Tredwell shared three wickets in the space of 48 runs to reduce the hosts to 167-4 in the afternoon, but Mahmudullah and Shakib steadied the innings with a 59-run stand for the fifth wicket.

The hosts were comfortably placed at 119-1 in the morning before losing Tamim, debutant Jahurul Islam and Siddique.

Tamim, who offered two chances, added 53 for the first wicket with Imrul Kayes (12) and 66 for the next with Siddique.

However, paceman Stuart Broad had Kayes superbly caught by Steven Finn, who ran in from mid-off and dived to his right to latch on to the drive.

Bresnan was replaced by Swann after conceding 23 in his opening three overs, but runs continued to flow as the hosts raced to 95 in the opening hour.

Tamim greeted Swann with two fours in the bowler's opening over before smashing him for three boundaries and a six over long-on off successive deliveries to complete his sixth Test half-century.

MUNICH: The UEFA Champions League 2010 draws for the quarterfinals have been declared here on Friday.

The football teams of Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester United and Inter Milan will be seen in action in the event.

The draws for these matches have been made by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino and the ambassador for the Madrid final, Emilio Butragueño.

In the first quarter final match, Olympique Lyonnais will play against French rivals FC Girondins de Bordeaux whereas FC Bayern München will take on Manchester United FC in the second quarterfinals.

In the third quarterfinals match, Arsenal FC will meet Barcelona FC while in the fourth one FC Internazionale Milano will meet PFC CSKA Moskva.

The first league matches of the quarter-final tie will be played on March 30 and 31 while the second league matches will be held on April 6 and 7.

KARACHI: The 31st National Games, which were scheduled to be held in Peshawar from March 25 to 31, were postponed once again due to security reasons.

This is the second time that the mega national affair was postponed. Before that it was postponed in November last year.

Women players of NWFP have expressed disappointment over postponement of the Games. More than 5,000 players including 17,00 women players were ready for the Games. Frontier’s women players expressed hope that Peshawar will be the host of National Games in December and they will deliver impressive performance.

INDIAN WELLS: Caroline Wozniacki booked a quarter-final berth at the BNP Paribas Open Tuesday as defending champion Vera Zvonareva joined the list of former champions bowing out.

Wozniacki, the charismatic Danish teenager who is seeded second, survived a see-saw battle with Russian veteran Nadia Petrova to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

Wozniacki turned up the heat in the third set, surrendering just three points on her own serve as she set up a challenging quarter-final clash with Australian Open semi-finalist Zheng Jie of China - a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) winner over Australian Alicia Molik.

"It was a match where it just went up and down quite a bit," Wozniacki said. "It was not really a great rhythm there. I didn't feel the ball very well."

Wozniacki, who shot to prominence with her run to the US Open final last year, is the highest seed remaining after the second-round exit of top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka was another early casualty, along with former champions Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Daniela Hantuchova and Ana Ivanovic.

Zvonareva, the last of six former winners left in the draw, was toppled by eighth-seeded Australian Samantha Stosur 6-2, 7-5.

Stosur, 25, stretched her winning streak against the Russian to four matches as she continued to improve on her previous best Indian Wells showing. She had never before made it past the third round.

Stosur, who reached her first quarter-final of the year, next meets Spain's Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who beat Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-4.

Fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia and fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland lined up a quarter-final clash with no-nonsense victories over a pair of French opponents.

Dementieva beat Aravane Rezai, 6-3, 6-3 while Radwanska downed Marion Bartoli 6-3, 6-2.

Sixth-seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic, who struggled mightily in a third-round victory over Sara Errani, turned in a strong performance in a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Israel's Shahar Peer.

"I think today I played real well," Jankovic said. "I played really aggressively.

"I had a tough match last night, so I didn't know how I was going to hold up physically. And Shahar Peer is a really dangerous opponent. She can play really, really well, and she's a fighter."

In the quarters, Jankovic will play Alisa Kleybanova, who beat Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4

Both Jankovic and Wozniacki said it wouldn't pay to assume the spate of upsets would make their paths easier.

"Doesn't matter," Jankovic said. "You still have to beat those players who are on the other side of the net. Doesn't matter who it is. It's never easy."

 INDIAN WELLS: Marcos Baghdatis upset top-ranked Roger Federer 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (4) Tuesday night in the third round of the BNP Parabas Open, beating the Swiss for the first time in seven meetings.

A joyous Baghdatis bent down and kissed the court, having closed out the taut contest in which Federer blew three match points.

Federer hadn't lost when holding a match point since 2006 in Rome.

Federer lost for just the second time in 13 matches this year in his first tournament since winning his 16th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

Federer held his third match point on Baghdatis' serve in the 12th game, but he netted a backhand for deuce. Baghdatis went up and then forced the tiebreaker when Federer mis-hit a backhand return that sailed high in the air beyond the baseline.

Federer played some loose points in the tiebreak, committing seven errors that included netting a forehand volley to set up Baghdatis' first match point, which he won when Federer's backhand return sailed long.

Baghdatis beat the No. 1-ranked player for the first time in his career.

Federer's loss leaves the tournament without its top seeds, with Svetlana Kuznetsova already knocked out on the women's side.

Andy Roddick defeated Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round along with Andy Murray, while second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the women's quarterfinals.

Roddick, a semifinalist here last year, improved his record to 17-3 this season, all on hardcourts. He had an easier time with de Bakker than their first meeting, a three-set win at the Australian Open in January.

Roddick served 10 aces and saved the only service break he faced in the first set of a match played in nearly 90-degree heat.

"The points he was winning he was either having to play a pretty high risk shot, maybe go for a winner, or he was having to go deep into rallies," Roddick said. "So if you do that over the course of a match, you normally like your chances."

The seventh-seeded American will next play No. 22 Jurgen Melzer, who advanced when Simon Greul withdrew because of illness.

"Jurgen is always tough. He's capable of playing a couple different ways," Roddick said. "He was capable of coming forward, attacking, really being the aggressor, which is always a little bit uncomfortable. It's important to hang on to your service games."

No. 4 Murray served seven aces and was broken just once in defeating American Michael Russell 6-3, 7-5. At 31, Russell was the oldest player remaining in the men's field.

James Blake joined Russell as another sidelined American, losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Nicolas Almagro of Spain. Roddick and John Isner are the lone U.S. men left, with Isner facing a tough match against No. 3 Rafael Nadal on Wednesday.

In fourth-round women's play, No. 4 Elena Dementieva beat No. 19 Aravane Rezai of France 6-3 6-3, sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic routed No. 17 Shahar Peer 6-2, 6-2, and No. 8 Samantha Stosur defeated defending champion Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 7-5.

Wozniacki advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 victory over 16th-seeded Nadia Petrova, whose career record against top-five players dropped to 11-42 with the loss.

"It was a match where it just went up and down quite a bit, and I didn't really know what to expect," she said. "It was not really a great rhythm there. I didn't feel the ball as well."

The Dane will play Zheng Jie of China, who defeated Alicia Molik, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (1).

Wozniacki is the highest seeded woman left, with Kuznetsova, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin among the big names already gone.

No. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat Marion Bartoli, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the quarters for the third consecutive year. Radwanska and Stosur are the only remaining female players who have yet to drop a set.

Other men's winners included No. 8 Robin Soderling, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tommy Robredo.

 STAMFORD BRIDGE: Inter Milan progressed into the Champions League quarterfinals after the Italian club won 1-0 at Chelsea.

Samuel Eto'o scored with 12 minutes left to end Chelsea's 21-match unbeaten streak at home in the Champions League.

Inter Milan clinched a 3-1 aggregate win and walked into the last eight for the first time in four years.

Eto'o was the hero of the match when he beat offside to finish Wesley Sneijder's floated free kick with a low shot past goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.

With Chelsea pressing for an equalizer, Eto'o almost scored a second in injury time but Turnbull saved with his feet.

Eto'o had Inter's best chance in the first half when Chelsea captain John Terry misjudged a cross from Maicon, but Eto'o failed to connect properly.

Shortly before the break Chelsea again came close, but Walter Samuel managed to block Malouda's shot.

Inter broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when an accurate pass from Wesley Sneijder sent Eto'o through and the Cameroon striker slot past Chelsea's third choice goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.

Any hope Chelsea had of coming back into the game were killed off five minutes from the end when Drogba was shown a straight red card for stomping on Thiago Motta.

Eto'o came close to making it two for his side when he was again sent through in injury time, but Turnbull managed to pull off a good save to deny the striker.

Mourinho will be without defenders Motta and Lucio for their first leg quarterfinals after both of them received their second booking in the tournament.

For Chelsea it is only the second time in seven seasons that they have failed to advance at least to the semifinals of the Champions League.

INDIAN WELLS: Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray booked his fourth-round berth at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday with a straight-sets victory over unfamiliar foe Michael Russell.

World number four Murray beat the American - ranked 68th in the world - 6-3, 7-5.

But Russell, who has never reached an ATP Tour final, didn't go quietly, breaking the Briton in the ninth game of the second set as Murray served for the match, putting the set back on serve after Murray's early break.

"I would have liked to have won, closed it out there 3 and 3, but I did well to stay composed at the end," said Murray, who brought it to a close when he broke Russell in the final game.

"The thing that was good about that match is, a lot of long, tough games. My serve, when I was down, I played well. I saved a lot of break points and played well on a lot of 30-all points," said Murray, who added he was expecting a tough match, despite the difference in ranking.

"In these tournaments, all of the guys are really good players," he said. "When he's had to play up a level he's had some great matches with some of the best players."

Making things trickier, Murray said, was the fact that they hadn't played before.

"It was always going to be difficult because you don't know their patterns of play and the things they like to do on the court," he said.

"For someone with his game style, he played very, very close up to the baseline, which I wasn't expecting. I had to do a lot of defending because of that."

World number one Roger Federer, playing his first tournament since beating Murray in the Australian Open final for a 16th Grand Slam crown, was also slated for third-round action on Tuesday.

Sixth-seeded Swede Robin Soderling advanced, downing Spain's Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 to book a meeting with France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Tsonga defeated Spain's Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

On the women's side, second-seeded Carolina Wozniacki and fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva reached the quarter-finals as defending champion Vera Zvonareva bowed out.

Wozniacki beat Russian veteran Nadia Petrova 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 to line up a meeting with China's Australian Open semi-finalist Zheng Jie - a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) winner over Australian Alicia Molik.

Dementieva made quick work of France's Aravane Rezai, 6-3, 6-3, and next faces Polish fifth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over France's Marion Bartoli.

Zvonareva, the last of the six former champions remaining in the women's draw, fell to eighth-seeded australian Samantha Stosur 6-2, 7-5.

 KARACHI: As expected, the 31st National Games, which were scheduled to be held in Peshawar from March 25 to 31, were postponed on Tuesday due to security reasons.

However, the mega domestic event has been rescheduled for December 25 to 31 this year in order to utilise the inputs which have already been made by the organising committee for the conduction of the extravaganza.

This is the second time that the mega national affair was postponed. Before that it was postponed in November last year.

The vital decision was taken unanimously in the Pakistan Olympic Association’s Executive Committee meeting in Lahore on Tuesday which was presided over by the president General Syed Arif Hassan.

“The meeting was specifically called to asses whether in such a volatile security environment the Games should be held or not. And it was unanimously decided that the event should be postponed till December and now efforts would be made to ensure the holding of the spectacle from December 25 to 31,” the secretary of the POA Abdul Khaliq Khan told media after the meeting which lasted for an hour.

“The basic reason behind the fresh dates in December is to utilise the input which has already been made by the organising committee of the event by preparing different materials including medals etc,” the POA secretary said.

In the meeting, the preparatory efforts of the NWFP Sports Minister Syed Aaqil Shah were greatly appreciated by all the members.

The security assessment team under Khwaja Farooq Saeed which was sent to the Frontier capital to asses the security environment and arrangements had submitted its report to the POA in which the security environment in Peshawar for the Games was depicted as unsuitable for the event besides the reluctance shown by different stakeholders, more specifically, the armed forces.

The NWFP Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah termed the decision as unfortunate.

WELLINGTON: The International Tennis Federation has moved Pakistan's next Davis Cup match to New Zealand due to security reasons.

The Davis Cup committee of the ITF informed both nations Tuesday that the Asia-Oceania Group II semifinal will be played in New Zealand from July 9-11 rather than in Pakistan or at a neutral venue.

"Due to the existing security concerns that continue to surround the hosting of sporting events in Pakistan, the Davis Cup committee met last week to review the situation, deciding on this occasion to reverse the choice of ground for this tie, resulting in New Zealand now having choice of ground," the ITF said in a statement.

New Zealand had previously written to the ITF expressing its reluctance to play in Pakistan and asking for an alternative venue. Pakistan initially insisted on hosting the match, suggesting New Zealand either travel to play or forfeit, but two suicide bomb blasts in Lahore last Friday, which killed 55 people, led to a softening its stance.

"A lot of our players had expressed concerns and did not want to travel to Pakistan," Tennis New Zealand operations manger Tracy Hall said. "Security concerns were an issue going over there so we are glad with the decision to have it hosted in New Zealand."

New Zealand has yet to decide on a venue or surface for the tie.

Pakistan had also been scheduled to host its first-round match against Hong Kong but that was moved to Hong Kong, also for security reasons.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has announced here today to postpone the 31st National Games, scheduled to be held in Peshawar from March 25 to 31.

The POA announced this at a press conference after the decision was taken at its meeting in Lahore on Tuesday.

The National Games have been postponed due to risky security environment in Peshawar and its surroundings.

The new dates of the National Games will be announced after the Asian Games.

CHITTAGONG: Graeme Swann completed a maiden 10-wicket match-haul as England ended Bangladesh's resistance with a 181-run victory in the opening Test on Tuesday.

Junaid Siddique hit a solid 106 for his maiden Test century and Mushfiqur Rahim an impressive 95 to frustrate the tourists before Bangladesh were bowled out for 331 on the fifth and final day, chasing an improbable 513-run target.

Off-spinner Swann, who took five wickets in the first innings, finished with 5-127 off 49 overs in the second.

England, denied success for more than two sessions by left-handed Siddique and wicket-keeper Rahim, heaved a sigh of relief when Swann removed both batsmen in his opening four overs after lunch.

Swann struck in his first over after the break when he had Siddique caught by Paul Collingwood in the slips before accounting for Rahim, who was bowled after he stepped out to drive the spinner and missed the line.

Rahim, who came in to bat after five wickets fell for 110 before the tea break on Monday, was involved in a 167-run stand for the sixth wicket with Siddique before missing out on his second Test hundred.

Siddique hit 17 fours in his 292-ball knock and Rahim 12 in a 232-ball innings.

Bangladesh's innings lasted only 10 more overs after the dismissals of Siddique and Rahim, with paceman Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan, and Swann sharing the last three wickets.

Siddique and Rahim kept the England attack at bay in the morning session with their determined knocks, helping their team add 86 to their overnight total of 191-5.

Skipper Alastair Cook took the new ball after 80 overs, but his pacemen Broad, Bresnan and debutant Steven Finn failed to unsettle the Bangladeshi pair.

Siddique, 68 not out on Monday, completed his hundred in style as he drove Finn through the covers for a four to reach 96 and then smashed the same bowler through mid-off for another boundary.

Rahim, who made 79 in the first innings, completed his second successive half-century early in the morning when he drove Finn through the covers for a four.

Siddique offered a difficult chance on 106 when he attempted to cut Swann, but wicketkeeper Matt Prior failed to hold on to it.

   INDIAN WELLS: Second seed Novak Djokovic saved three match points before scraping past Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber while Rafa Nadal eased into the fourth round of the Indian Wells ATP tournament.

Trailing 4-5 and 0-40 in the deciding set, Djokovic took advantage of a spate of unforced errors by his opponent to claw his way back from the brink of defeat and triumph 6-3 2-6 7-6.

After Djokovic battled though in just over two-and-a-half hours on the stadium court, twice champion Nadal of Spain eased home with a 6-2 6-2 demolition of Croat Mario Ancic.

World number two Djokovic, champion here in 2008, won the 10th game of the final set when Kohlschreiber netted a forehand and the Serb went on to clinch the tiebreak 7-3 as the German's resistance crumbled at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Djokovic, who appeared to be in total control after sweeping through the opening set and leading 2-0 in the second, let out a loud yell of relief after sealing victory with a forehand winner.

"Fighting through, it's another win so I try to look on the positive side, the things I did well," the 22-year-old told reporters. "He easily could be the winner of this match, and he would deserve it.

"I am still trying to find rhythm, to feel good on the court. For the next match, I want to maintain focus right up to the end and not have any mental breakdowns in the middle."

The Serb will next meet 20th-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic, who crushed Argentine qualifier Brian Dabul 6-2 6-3.

Kohlschreiber, who beat Djokovic in straight sets when the pair last met at the 2009 French Open, took the second set after winning six games in a row on a sun-splashed afternoon in the California desert.

He went on to break Djokovic in the second game of the third set and immediately held serve to lead 3-0.

"If I could pull my hair off, I would do it in that moment," Djokovic said of his frustration after losing nine games in a row.

In a match of bizarre momentum shifts, the Serb saved two break points in the next game and then broke his opponent twice to lead 4-3 before he lost serve in the eighth.

Djokovic appeared to be on his way out when he hit a forehand long to trail 0-40 in the 10th game but he won the next three points courtesy of a forehand smash at the net and successive backhand errors by Kohlschreiber.

He managed to hold serve and maintained winning momentum after the wildly fluctuating set went into a tiebreak.

Nadal, who beat Britain's Andy Murray in last year's final, broke Ancic twice in each set to line up a fourth-round encounter with either John Isner or Sam Querrey of the U.S.

"I am feeling confident, I am playing well," the Spanish world number three said. "I am playing at the good level.

"My serve was important but more important was my rhythm from the baseline. I lost only a few points because I didn't make many mistakes, only seven unforced errors in two sets."

Earlier, 21st seed Juan Monaco of Argentina upset 11th-seeded Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-6 3-6 6-3 in three hours and one minute, the longest match this week.

INDIAN WELLS: Jelena Jankovic battled past Italian Sara Errani 2-6 7-6 6-4 in an error-strewn marathon to reach the fourth round of the Indian Wells WTA tournament on Monday.

The Serbian sixth seed piled up 57 unforced errors, compared to Errani's 42, to clinch victory in two hours, 48 minutes when the Italian made a hash of an overhead smash after a protracted rally.

Errani had been bidding to beat a top-10 player for the first time in 12 attempts and she broke the world number nine three times to sweep through the opening set in just 31 minutes.

Jankovic squandered a 3-1 lead in the second, along with five set points in the tiebreak, but levelled the match with a crunching forehand winner down the line.

The final set was also an up-and-down affair with Errani being broken three times and Jankovic twice but the Serb made her greater experience count.

After trailing 2-4, she won the next four games to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells for the third time in four years.

Earlier, Australian Samantha Stosur crushed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 6-3 6-0 and Russian Vera Zvonareva brushed past Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova 6-2 6-3.

   ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Rana Farooq Saeed Khan said Monday that Secretary Asif Bajwa was running a one-man show in Pakistan Hockey Federation.

In the wake of team’s abysmal performance in FIH World Cup, Bajwa should have voluntarily tendered his resignation, he said.

Khan hoped that the government would hold an inquiry into the team’s awful showing in the 12-nation tournament.

Hasan Sardar and Rana Shafiq have set a good precedent by stepping down as selectors after Pakistan finished last in the tournament, he said.

Khan said that PHF President and Secretary should not be selected from one province. If President is from Punjab, the Secretary should be from Sindh, he opined.

 KARACHI: Who is right and who is wrong in the war between the cricket board and the players? A case in this regard will be heard today in people’s court on Geo News.

The inquiry committee, formed by the board to probe on the shameful performance of the national team on the tour of Australia, has banned former captains Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf on playing cricket for an indefinite period.

Besides, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have been banned for one year each while Akmal Brothers and Shahid Afridi have been fined.

Who is really responsible for cricket crisis in Pakistan? Cricketers or the poor strategy of the Pakistan Cricket Board?

Geo News, for resolving this issue, is bringing once again the ‘cricket case’ in which star cricketers including former captains Aamer Sohail, Moin Khan and Zaheer Abbas will participate.

The ‘cricket case’ will be telecast live on Geo News and Geo Super at 2-05 today.

INDIAN WELLS: Twice champion and holder Rafael Nadal of Spain eased into the third round of the Indian Wells ATP tournament with a commanding 6-4 6-4 victory over Germany's Rainer Schuettler on Saturday.

Fifth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko also advanced, beating Latvia's Ernests Gulbis 6-4 6-4, but eighth seed Marin Cilic of Croatia made an early exit, losing 7-6 6-0 to Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

World number three Nadal, who relishes playing at the California desert venue, broke his opponent in the seventh game of the second set before clinching victory in one hour 34 minutes on a blustery late afternoon.

The Spanish left-hander removed his red headband in celebration after a Schuettler backhand flew wide before approaching the net to shake hands with his opponent.

"Indian Wells is one of my favorite tournaments and I always feel like I'm at home here," a smiling Nadal said in a courtside interview. "I have very happy memories here."

The six-times grand slam champion had to contend with gusting winds on the stadium court at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden but he was overall pleased with his form.

"It was a good start in the conditions for me and I'm very happy," Nadal, 23, said. "It was difficult to adapt but I start the match playing well.

"Later, when I was playing in favor of the wind, it was very difficult for me with the backhand because I feel if I only touch the ball, the ball was out. It went too much.

"I feel really well with the forehand, and that's very important to my game. Maybe I can play better in better conditions with the backhand."

Nadal, champion at Indian Wells in 2007 and again last year, will next meet Croatia's Mario Ancic who came from a set down to beat Frenchman Julien Benneteau 4-6 7-5 6-3.

The six-foot five-inch Ancic played only five months on last year's ATP Tour after being sidelined with a recurrence of mononucleosis and his ranking has since slipped to 694th.

"I know he had a very hard time at home," said Nadal, competing this week for the first time since shaking off the knee injury that forced him to abandon his Australian Open title defense in January.

"It will be a pleasure to play against him in the next round."

In other matches on Saturday, 10th-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco eased past Paraguay's Ramon Delgado 6-4 6-1 while 11th seed Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain hammered Austrian Daniel Koellerer 6-3 6-0.

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket allrounder Shahid Afridi held meeting with chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt here on Saturday and consulted on appointment of captain of the national team.

Accordding to sources, the PCB chairman will also meet with allrounder Abdul Razzaq and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq while the name of new captain will be announced on Monday or Tuesday.

CHITTAGONG: Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad shared five wickets as England tightened their grip on the opening Test against Bangladesh on Saturday despite Tamim Iqbal's fighting 81 not out.

Off-spinner Swann took 3-40 and fast bowler Broad 2-30 before Bangladesh struggled to reach 154-5 in their first innings at stumps on the second day in reply to England's mammoth 599-6 declared.

The England batting might was on view for a second successive day, with Paul Collingwood cracking 145 for his 10th Test hundred and Ian Bell making 84. Skipper Alastair Cook earlier fell for 173, his best in 53 Tests.

Broad jolted Bangladesh with two quick wickets in an incisive opening spell before Tamim counter-attacked to steady the innings with a 94-run stand for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Mahmudullah (51).

Left-handed Tamim batted aggressively during a 115-ball knock, hitting one six and 13 fours in his fifth Test half-century.

Broad tested the batsmen with short-pitched deliveries, dismissing opener Imrul Kayes (four) and Junaid Siddique (seven) in the process.

Swann reduced Bangladesh to 51-3 when he had Aftab Ahmed (one) caught by Bell at short-leg in his first over before removing Mahmudullah, caught off the gloves by Collingwood at first slip while trying to sweep.

His third wicket came in the day's penultimate over when he bowled skipper Shakib Al Hasan for one.

England earlier added 225 runs to their overnight total of 374-3, with all-rounder Collingwood and Bell doing the bulk of scoring. The pair made the most of a mediocre Bangladeshi attack, adding 184 for the fifth wicket.

Collingwood smashed four sixes and 10 fours in an impressive 188-ball knock and Bell hit nine fours in his 105-ball innings. Both were caught in the deep while going for big shots just before the declaration.

The hosts continued to struggle for success as they managed to grab just three wickets in more than a session, with key spinners Abdur Razzak and Shakib both giving away more than 100 runs.

Cook, leading England for the first time in Tests, hit two sixes and 16 fours in his career-best knock. His previous best in Tests was 160 against the West Indies at home last year.

He looked set to complete his maiden Test double-century before falling to off-spinner Mahmudullah in the morning, offering an easy return catch while attempting to pull a long-hop.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand defeated Australia by 51 runs in the fifth and final One-day International, a day-night match in Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Saturday.

However, the hosts lost the five-match series 2-3 against Australia.

Put into bat by Australian captain Ricky Ponting, New Zealand made a moderate total of 241 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Their main scorers were Scott Styris (55) and Daryl Tuffey (36). For Australia, Clint McKay and Mitchell Johnson claimed two wickets each.

Chasing 242, Australia could not resist the fiery bowling of Shane Bond and Tim Southee and were all out for 190 in 46.1 overs.

Shane Watson (53), Michael Hussey (46) and James Hopes (40) made significant contributions for Australia while Bond and Southee captured four wickets each for 26 and 36, respectively.

Kiwis made two changes for the fifth and final ODI as McKay came in for Ryan Harris, who is being rested ahead of the Test series and Nathan McCullum replaced James Franklin.

New Zealand won first ODI by two wickets whereas Australia won the second, third and fourth matches in a row.

 NEW DELHI: Australia won the men's field hockey World Cup with a 2-1 victory over defending champions Germany in the final on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: Two-time defending champions Germany will play Australia in a third straight field hockey World Cup final tomorrow.

Germany outplayed England 4-1 and Australia posted a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals yesterday at Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Germany, champions in 2002 and '06 and bidding to become the first team to win three in a row, avenged a loss to England in last year's European Cup final, thanks to a fast start.

Jan-Marco Montag gave Germany the lead in the sixth minute and Oliver Korn deflected in a cross from the right to make it 2-0 in the 10th.

England halved the deficit through a penalty-corner conversion by Richard Smith in the 18th, but Germany took a 3-1 cushion into half-time, thanks to Martin Haner's 31st-minute goal from another penalty corner.

Linus Butt scored from a penalty corner in the 60th to cap the scoring.

"It was a tough match out there, the scoreboard doesn't quite reflect what happened on the field," Germany coach Markus Weise said. "We were clinical in the execution of our game plan, but a coach is not always pleased."

England coach Jason Lee believed his side's problem was a lack of experience.

"Experience was a huge factor," he said. "This was only our second appearance in the World Cup semi-finals, while Germany's been there 11 times.

England were last in the World Cup semis in 1986, but still has a chance to add to their silver medal from that year. They will meet the Netherlands for the bronze medal before the final.

In the second semi, Luke Doerner converted Australia's first penalty corner to open the scoring in the 27th minute and Glenn Turner's flash strike in open play doubled the lead in the 55th.

The Netherlands finally replied three minutes later with a penalty stroke conversion by Taeke Taekema, but the equaliser remained elusive despite repeated attacks.

The Kookaburras will be seeking to add to their 1986 title in their fourth final. They haven't beaten Germany at the World Cup since the 1994 bronze medal game.

Earlier, four-time champions Pakistan slumped to their lowest finish at a World Cup, coming last after losing 3-2 to Canada in the play-off for the final two positions in the 12-nation tournament.

VANCOUVER: Spectators roared as the Paralympic cauldron flared to light in this western Canadian city, marking the start of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

On Saturday more than 500 athletes with disabilities from 45 countries will start competing in alpine skiing, biathlon and cross-country skiing, wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey.

"I declare these Paralympics open, the first ever in Canada," said Governor General Michaelle Jean.

"These games are going to be fantastic," Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, told reporters earlier as 35,000 fans began lining up to attend a sold-out opening ceremony that featured some 5,000 performers.

The games, held in Vancouver and in the nearby ski resort of Whistler, began less than two weeks after the Winter Olympics ended here on February 28.

"We are one country. Sport is our common language," said John Furlong, chief executive of the Olympic and Paralympic Vancouver Organizing Committee.

"Because so many in the world live in harm’s way, our message through sport has never been more important. To the Paralympic athletes of the world, the best ever, may the days ahead be exhilarating."

While the official name of the games refers to being "parallel" to the Olympics, the event has some major differences.

Paralympic competitors will number about one-third of the total of those who competed in the Olympics.

Compared to the 10,000-strong army of international media who covered the Olympics, Paralympics organizers expected only some 600 journalists to attend.

And while Paralympian winners will receive gold, silver and bronze medals, they will not be awarded the cash prizes enjoyed by Olympic medalists.

Asked about the differences between the games, Craven said, "The essence of sport is important here. And I think there are far more similarities than there are differences."

The games are beginning under cloudy skies and crisp winter temperatures, with so much new snow and low visibility in the mountains that some training runs were cancelled this week.

KARACHI: Tour de Pakistan cycle race finished in Karachi today, Geo News reported Saturday.

The Tour de Pakistan comprised 11 stages and the cyclists covered at least 1650 kilometers.

Asam Mehmood of the Army won the last leg of the Tour, followed by Sui Southern’s Muhammed Nisar.

Wapda’s Zahid Gulfam remained ahead with overall lead in the race.

KINGSTOWN: West Indies defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets on Friday to wrap-up the one-day series after the visiting side suffered another batting meltdown.

Dwayne Bravo undermined Zimbabwe with four wickets for 21 runs, to leave the West Indies to chase a modest 142 for a victory that gave them an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

But Zimbabwe's spinners almost brought their side back into the match before left-armer Ray Price delivered a leg-side wide to Narsingh Deonarine to formalise the result for West Indies with a massive 93 balls to spare.

"I am happy with the result because we have won the series, and have not won a series for a long time," said West Indies captain Chris Gayle.

"We will take this victory and this series win with both hands because it has been a team effort - everyone has played some part."

He added: "There are still some things for us to work on, but we will try to improve our cricket as much as possible in future matches."

Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with three wickets for 34 runs.

The visitors, sent in to bat on a lively Arnos Vale Multiplex pitch, had been dismissed for 141 in 48.2 overs.

Elton Chigumbura hit the top score of 42 from 78 balls, but no other Zimbabwe batsman passed 20.

"It wasn't the best pitch for ODI cricket, even though we tried our best, there was still not enough runs on the board," said Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya.

The last ODI will be played at the same venue on Sunday.

Zimbabwe were put on the back-foot early, when Gayle hit four fours and two sixes in 32 from 20 balls to give the West Indies a flourishing start in their reply.

Greg Lamb made the breakthrough, when he had the West Indies captain caught at long-off in the seventh over.

Chigumbura then had Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught at mid-on for two, as West Indies stumbled to 51 for two in the 10th over.

Cremer increased the pressure, when he removed Adrian Barath caught behind for 25, Denesh Ramdin lbw for 12, and Bravo caught at slip for six to leave West Indies 101 for five in the 23rd over.

But the Zimbabweans couldn't take full advantage of the West Indies' stumble, as Deonarine, with the top score of 32 not out, and Kieron Pollard carried the hosts to within reach of their target with a stand of 38 for the sixth wicket.

Timycen Maruma held a low return catch to scalp Pollard for 22 before Price's wayward delivery brought the end.

Earlier, Zimbabwe dipped to 88 for seven in the 31st over, but Chigumbura added a valuable 41 for the eighth wicket with Cremer to add some beef to their total.

Chigumbura was caught at deep square leg off Darren Sammy in the 44th over, as Zimbabwe lost their last three wickets for 12 runs in the space of 28 balls.

The visitors had suffered an early setback, when Hamilton Masakadza was caught behind off Ravi Rampaul for a duck in the second over.

The dismissals of Tim Maruma and Brendan Taylor in the space of eight balls left them wobbling on 38 for three in the 10th over.

Maruma was caught low down at gully for nine off Bravo, and Taylor was spectacularly bowled for one with an off-cutter from Ravi Rampaul which extracted the leg-stump.

Zimbabwe were then left reeling on 53 for five, when Vusimuzi Sibanda was run out for 11 in the 14th over, and three overs later, Stuart Matsikenyri was also bowled for one with an off-cutter from Bravo.

The slide continued for Zimbabwe, when Tatenda Taibu was caught at third man off Bravo for 14 in the 19th over, and Lamb made 12 before he gave a simple return catch to left-arm spinner Nikita Miller.

 CHITTAGONG: Alastair Cook hammered a career-best 173 to consolidate England's position in the opening Test against Bangladesh on Saturday.

The England skipper cracked two sixes and 16 fours in his 283-ball knock as the tourists reached an imposing 487-4 in their first innings at lunch on the second day after resuming at 374-3.

All-rounder Paul Collingwood closed in on his 10th Test century, racing to an unbeaten 86 at the break. Ian Bell was the other not-out batsman on 37.

Cook looked set to complete his maiden Test double-century before falling to off-spinner Mohammad Mahmudullah in the day's 13th over, offering an easy return catch while attempting to pull a long-hop.

The left-handed opener, leading England for the first time in Tests, could add only 15 to his overnight score of 158. His previous best in Tests was 160 against the West Indies at home last year.

But there was no respite for Bangladesh as Collingwood and Bell continued to gather runs comfortably on an easy-paced pitch. The pair have so far put on 75 for the unfinished fifth wicket.

Collingwood, who was unbeaten on 32 on Friday, smashed the morning's first six when he hoisted left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan over long-on and then completed his half-century with two runs off Mahmudullah.

Collingwood, who added 93 for the fourth wicket with Cook, has so far hit one six and six fours in his 20th Test half-century.

The second and final Test starts in Dhaka on March 20.

 
 INDIAN WELLS: Back to full fitness after suffering from a lung infection last month, Roger Federer said he is ready to challenge for a record fourth title at the Indian Wells ATP tournament.

The Swiss master has not competed since clinching his 16th grand slam singles crown at the Australian Open in late January but he has always felt extremely comfortable at the California desert venue.

"I enjoy coming back here," Federer told reporters while preparing for his opening match at the imposing, state-of-the-art Indian Wells Tennis Garden. "That's why I have not missed it in a very long time.

"I've also been very successful here. I like the surface and it can really play in my favor. I've had some amazing matches here ... and I always feel very good walking out on center court.

"The dimensions are great and the crowd also adds to it," said Federer, who posted a hat-trick of titles here from 2004. "So it would be very nice to win it for the fourth time.

"I was disappointed losing last year, losing in the semis, because I think I had a good enough game to win the tournament."

Federer lost to Britain's Andy Murray in last year's semi-finals but he outclassed the same opponent 6-3 6-4 7-6 in the Australian Open final in January, the second time he has beaten the Scot in straight sets to win a grand slam.

"I hope I can continue some sort of good form from the way I was playing in Australia," Federer, 28, said. "There was never a guarantee and I've had a long break now, but in practice I've been feeling okay.

"But I definitely need matches to really be able to judge my game."

Federer withdrew from last month's Dubai tennis championships because of the lung infection but he has fully recovered.

"A few days ago I think I definitely felt like, you know what? I'm back to my normal self," the world number one said. "Yesterday I practiced for four hours, so this is when I knew: 'Okay, no problem'.

"I'm ready to go, so now I can slow it down, enjoy tonight, and then hopefully start with a good match Sunday."

Federer will launch his bid for a fourth title at Indian Wells against either Romania's Victor Hanescu or Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela in the second round.

 KARACHI: The 15-man national cricket team has been announced for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, beginning from April 30 in the West Indies.

Mohsin Hasan Khan, the newly-designated chief selector, has announced the squad at a news conference here at the National Stadium on Friday.

Squad: Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat, Hammad Azam, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal.

Reserves: Shahzaib Hasan, Mohammad Sami, Raza Hasan, Naveed Yasin, Sarfraz Ahmed.

The chief selector told that the captain would be named later.

  KARACHI: The probable for Twenty20 Cricket World Cup will much likely be named today but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not finalized name for captainship to lead national side in the mega event, Geo news reported.

Newly designated Chief Selection Committee, Mohsin Hassan Khan will announce names of Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup during a press conference to be held here at National Stadium later in the day.

A member Selection Committee – Saleem Jafar – held a brief meeting with Mohsin Hassan Khan at his residence in order to mull over the names of probable players, besides contacting other members by phone.

According to sources, no decision has so far been reached over naming captain of the side, meanwhile, Chairman PCB Ejaz Butt has advised Selection Committee time and again to remain precisely concerned with the names of players as selection of captain rests solely with PCB.

It may be possible that the captain will be chosen later after selection of team, sources hinted.

CHITTAGONG: England were 374-3 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Friday.

 NEW DELHI: After the crushing defeat in Hockey World Cup, the national team will come back home tomorrow, Geo news reported.

Keeping in view the security reasons, the team will return through air route from Indian capital New Delhi.

National hockey team has broken its own past record of standing at 11th position in 1986 world cup by finishing at 12th place this time.

President of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Qasim Zia has terminated Team Management after debacle performance in world cup.

The entire team players, taking responsibility of dismal show in mega event, has announced retirement from international hockey once for all

NEW DELHI: A total of three matches will decide six positions in Hockey World Cup today, Geo news reported.

South Africa will take on New Zealand for 9th position at 4pm in the evening while hosts India will face Argentine for 7th position at 6 pm in the evening.

The last scheduled match of the day will be played between South Korea and Spain hockey teams at 8pm for 5th position.

Two matches will be played tomorrow: first – the final of the mega event will be played between defending champions Germany and Australia while England and Holland will come face to face for the 3rd position in the event.

NEW DELHI: Australia defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on Thursday to qualify for a third successive final against defending champions Germany in the men's field hockey World Cup.

The Kookaburras recorded their 10th win in a row over the Dutch in major competitions to set up Saturday's title clash between the top two teams in the sport.

Luke Doerner and Glenn Turner scored once in each half, before Taeke Taekema converted a penalty stroke 12 minutes from the end to narrow the margin.

Doerner and Taekema, the two leading penalty corner specialists, head the goal-scorers list in the tournament with seven goals apiece.

Germany won the last two World Cup finals against Australia in 2002 and 2006, before adding the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The Germans, hoping to become the first team in history to bag a hat-trick of titles, outclassed England 4-1 in the other semi-final to avenge their defeat in the European Cup final last year.

Germany took a 2-0 lead by the 11th minute as Jan-Marco Montag converted a penalty corner and Oliver Korn deflected in a pass from the right.

England, playing their first World Cup semi-final since 1986, made it 1-2 in the 19th minute with their lone penalty corner of the match when Richard Smith scooped the ball into the net.

Martin Haner and Linus Butt scored on either side of the break to seal the emphatic win for the champions.

The Germans, with just three players who helped win the last World Cup at home in Moenchengladbach in 2006, remain the only unbeaten team in the current tournament with four wins and two draws.

 NEW DELHI: Australia defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on Thursday to qualify for a third successive final against defending champions Germany in the men's field hockey World Cup.

The Kookaburras recorded their 10th win in a row over the Dutch in major competitions to set up Saturday's title clash between the top two teams in the sport.

Luke Doerner and Glenn Turner scored once in each half, before Taeke Taekema converted a penalty stroke 12 minutes from the end to narrow the margin.

Doerner and Taekema, the two leading penalty corner specialists, head the goal-scorers list in the tournament with seven goals apiece.

Germany won the last two World Cup finals against Australia in 2002 and 2006, before adding the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The Germans, hoping to become the first team in history to bag a hat-trick of titles, outclassed England 4-1 in the other semi-final to avenge their defeat in the European Cup final last year.

Germany took a 2-0 lead by the 11th minute as Jan-Marco Montag converted a penalty corner and Oliver Korn deflected in a pass from the right.

England, playing their first World Cup semi-final since 1986, made it 1-2 in the 19th minute with their lone penalty corner of the match when Richard Smith scooped the ball into the net.

Martin Haner and Linus Butt scored on either side of the break to seal the emphatic win for the champions.

The Germans, with just three players who helped win the last World Cup at home in Moenchengladbach in 2006, remain the only unbeaten team in the current tournament with four wins and two draws.

 LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia has sacked entire team management and selection committee after Pakistan finished last in the FIH World Cup being played in New Delhi.

The four-time world champion Pakistan slumped to its worst ever performance in world cup history, finishing last in the 12-nation tournament.

Speaking to Geo, PHF President Zia confirmed that he has sacked the team management due to team’s dismal performance in the world cup.

NEW DELHI: Olympic champions Germany thrashed England 4-1 in the semi-finals of the men's hockey World Cup on Thursday to stay on course for a third successive
title.

Germany, who lost to England in the final of the European championship last year, scored through Marco Montag, Oliver Korn, Martin Haner and Linus Butt. Richard Smith replied for England.

Tournament favourites Australia lock horns with Netherlands in the other semi-final later on Thursday.

Earlier, Canada beat former champions Pakistan 3-2 in extra time to finish 11th in the 12-team competition.

 LAHORE: Chief Selector Hasan Sardar has tendered resignation after Pakistan’s dismal performance in FIH Hockey World Cup being played in New Delhi.

The four-time world champion Pakistan slumped to its worst performance of world cup history, finishing last in the 12-nation tournament.

   NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s miserable performance continued till their last match in the tournament when they could not beat Canada to win the11th position and finished at bottom here on Thursday.

The match, play-off for 11-12 positions was decided in the extra time after both teams leveled the match 2-2.

This is Pakistan’s worst performance in the history of the World Cup hockey.

Pakistan took the lead in the fourth minute when Rehan Butt made breakthrough on the pass by Shakeel Abbasi.

However, Canada equalled the score in the 12th minute through Connor Grimes and both teams were playing 1-1 when the first half ended.

Akhtar Ali gave Pakistan lead in the 46th minute but Canada levelled again the game when Mark Pearson made a goal just two minutes before the match.

Scott Tupper scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute during the extra time to take Canada too the 11th position in the tournament.

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) seems confused over the controversial decision it took yesterday against some top players of the country for their poor performance in the Australian tour, Geo News reported.

Just hours after making the announcements, the PCB backtracked on its decision against Yousuf and Younis, saying that the two players can be selected for Pakistan as and when the PCB deems it appropriate.

In the evening, the PCB made it clear it hasn't banned the duo, adding that the two players have just been suspended indefinitely.

PCB website earlier said that the ban was lifetime but when Geo News mentioned this to the concerned authorities it was changed to 'indefinite'.

However, experts and former greats questioned the committee’s credibility.

 LAHORE: Test cricketers Abdul Razzaq and Salman Butt are in race to win captainship of national cricket team for T20 World Cup, Geo news reported.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq has appeared to be a strong contender for this position keeping in view the recent blow to Pakistan cricket in terms of bans on many players.

However, some elements in PCB are bent towards young cricketers who can represent Pakistan in all forms of game, like Salman Butt, who is also running side by side with Razzar for captainship.

Chairman PCB Ejaz Butt has preliminarily shown agreement with the latter proposal, who also enjoys authority to name captain national cricket team, sources said.

Pakistan may name probable for T20 squad within a day or two.

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt took a U-turn hours after imposing lifetime ban on former captains Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf and said that the duo was not banned for life and they can be considered anytime for selection.

Earlier, PCB chose to implement the recommendations of an inquiry committee to also hand out 12-month bans to Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved and fine Shahid Afridi and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal three million rupees ($35,000) and Umar Akmal two million ($24,000).

"Mohammed Yousuf and Younus Khan... attitude has a trickledown effect which is a bad influence for the whole team (and they) should not be part of (the) national team in any format," the PCB said in a statement on Wednesday.

Pakistan lost every match against Australia in their three-test, five one-day and solo Twenty20 series.

The PCB said the six-member inquiry committee, headed by its chief operating officer Wasim Bari, had based its recommendations on information gathered during several hearings with the players and reports from the team management.

Tafazzul Rizvi, who sat on the inquiry team, said that Yousuf and Younus had the right to appeal and former captain Rashid Latif expected them to win their cases.

"You can't hand out such severe punishments to players of the calibre of Yousuf and Younus Khan," Latif said.

Another former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was also scathing of the decision.

"Why was action not taken earlier against these players? Why did the board keep quiet for so long when the team was on tour?" Inzamam questioned.

   KINGSTOWN: Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field against hosts West Indies here on Wednesday in their third one day international.

The five match series is delicately poised at 1-1.

 NEW DEHLI: Pakistan is scheduled to play minnows Canada for 11th-12th places on Thursday in World Cup Hockey.

Pakistan fared the worst among Asian teams in the current tournament, forced into a play-off for the 11th-12th places against lowly Canada after ending the league with four defeats and one win.

Former Olympians and coaches on Wednesday lamented the poor showing by Asian teams at the men's field hockey World Cup, saying Europe and Australia were now the masters of the game.

None of the three Asian teams in the 12-nation tournament - South Korea, India and Pakistan - qualified for Thursday's semi-finals, the first time since 1998 the continent will not be represented.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan have not won a major competition since their last Cup win in 1994 in Sydney.

Akhtar Rasool, who captained Pakistan during their victorious World Cup campaign in 1982, said proper planning was needed to put Asian hockey back on track.

"It's a huge task to start from scratch, but that is what we need to do," he said. "We must restore the qualities of ball control that we were once famous for and also improve fitness and speed."

 NEW DELHI: Injury-stricken England hope to build on their amazing resurgence in field hockey when they take on defending champions Germany in the World Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Hot favourites Australia take on a shaky Netherlands in the other semi-final the same night, looking to reach their third successive Cup final after a power-packed display in preliminary matches.

England proved their spectacular European Cup win last year ahead of the sport's powerhouses Germany, the Netherlands and Spain was not a flash in the pan as they finished second in group B behind Australia.

Jason Lee's men won four of their five matches, including a stunning 3-2 win over Australia, despite losing striker Matt Daly before the tournament and penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell later due to injuries.

"It's a revival we have worked hard for," said Lee as England prepared for their first World Cup semi-final since 1986. "But this is the real thing and we can't afford to slip-up."

Their rivals Germany, seeking an unprecedented hat-trick of titles to add to the Beijing Olympic gold medal, will hope to avenge the 5-3 defeat at England's hands in the European final.

The Germans, with just three players who helped win the last World Cup at home in Monchengladbach, are the only unbeaten team in the current tournament with three wins and two draws.

"There have been a few hits and misses, but it is creditable for this young team to make the semi-finals," said German coach Markus Weise.

Australia, coached by the legendary Ric Charlesworth, overcame the shock defeat to England in their first match to win their next four, including a World Cup record score of 12-0 against South Africa.

The Kookaburras charge has been led by penalty corner ace Luke Doerner, whose six goals so far puts him on top of the leading scorers' list alongside Dutchman Taeke Taekema.

Jamie Dwyer, the International Hockey Federation's player of the year for 2009, and fellow-striker Glenn Turner have shown their mettle up front with five goals apiece.

Australia came into the tournament by winning the elite six-nation Champions Trophy at home in Melbourne in December by beating Germany in the final 5-3 after trailing 1-3 at half-time.

"I am not looking too far ahead," said Charlesworth, who played in Australia's only World Cup winning squad in 1986. "The Dutch are never easy to beat, but I am glad the boys are shaping up well."

Australia, who have scored more goals - 23 - in the league than any other team, defeated the Dutch 4-1 the last time the two sides met in a World Cup semi-final in Malaysia in 2002.

The Netherlands, who won the last of their three World Cup titles in 1998, almost missed the semi-finals after losing their last league match to South Korea 2-1 on Tuesday.

If the Asian champions had netted one more goal, they would have levelled the Dutch on goal difference and advanced to the knock-out rounds by virtue of winning their league encounter.

But Taekema's penalty corner expertise and the guile of brilliant midfielder Teun de Nooijer give the Dutch hope against one of the most formidable sides in the game.

   KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq strongly opposed the life ban slapped on Muhammed Yousuf and Younis Khan, recently announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Geo News reported Wednesday.

Talking to Geo News, he said, ‘I am absolutely against these decisions, as the people who made the decisions were the Board’s employees.’

Inzamam said no member of the Inquiery Committee was impartial except Wasim Akram, adding allthe members of six-strong body were employed by the PCB.

This very fact triggers reservations on the recommendations of the inquiry committee, he added informing that Wasim Akram did not attend the Body’s meeting.

He said the life ban on the two players is out and out unfair and unjustified.

 LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said the players who the Board has fined or banned, can appeal against these penalties, Geo News reported Wednesday.

Talking to Geo News, the PCB’s Media Manager Nadeem Sarwar said the Board has a formal mechanism of appeal against the punishments, which it announces, adding the affected players may approach the Board chairman for appeal.

Responding a query, he said Muhammed Yousuf and Younis Khan will not be entitled to lead Pakistan in any format of cricket including Twenty20, One-dayer and test cricket.

LAHORE: Inquiry Committee has completed its investigations on Pakistan cricket team’s defeat in Australia and recommended ban on former captain Shoaib Malik and pace bowler Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan.

The committee, headed by PCB chief operating officer Wasim Bari, was investigating the Pakistan team’s defeat in Australia.

It has handed over its report to chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ijaz Butt.

The committee also recommended action against Shahid Afridi on ball tampering and suggested action against Kamran Akmal and his brother Umar Akmal for violation of discipline and giving statements to media.

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ejaz Butt will hold a meeting with the members of the Selection Committee today, Geo News reported Monday.

The meeting will decide the 15-member squad and captain for the Twenty20 World Cup.

The Chairman PCB will meet all the members of the Committee including Mohsin Khan and mull over the selection of team and future policy.

It should be mentioned that the Committee has already constituted the 15-member squad for Twenty20 World Cup; but, the Chairman of the Committee said no team could be formed without consultation with the coach and captain.

Until the PCB announces the team captain, no team announcement is possible, he added.

   SYDNEY: Pakistan Cricket team’s new coach Waqar Younis would arrive in Lahore at the end of the current week, Geo News reported Monday.

Talking to Geo News from Sydney, Waqar said he has informed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he wants to come to Pakistan at the end of this week; hence, arrangements should be made for his travel.

Waqar said he hoped to arrive in Pakistan by Saturday to take over new responsibilities, adding he has not been contacted for the selection of Pakistani team for the Twenty20 World Cup.

He continued that he would definitely give his opinion if he is asked to.

KARACHI: Tennis New Zealand says the Davis Cup team will not play in Pakistan in July due to security concerns

Tennis New Zealand will not send its Davis Cup team to Pakistan for July's Asia Oceania semi-final tie.

TNZ has asked the International Federation to move the tie either here, or a neutral venue due to security concerns in Pakistan.

Operations manager Tracey Hall says although Pakistan shifted its last tie to Hong Kong, it may not be as accommodating this time. She expects the ITF to make a decision on the venue for the tie later this month.

New Zealand last played Pakistan in 2004 and lost 4-1, a result which sent New Zealand to its current lowly position in Asia Oceania group two.

 NEW DELHI: Four-time champions Pakistan’s World Cup campaign has gone horribly wrong, and call it fate that they have to stand up to the toughest opponents in Pool B — Australia — in their last league encounter on Monday (today).

It appears to be a tough ask for the crestfallen Pakistani team against the title favourites after their shocking loss to South Africa, with the 3-4 scoreline belying the domination of the African side.

In other pool matches, England will take on Olympic silver medallists Spain while India face South Africa. European champions England have already booked a semifinal berth after four victories on the trot.

Out of contention for a top-five finish after three consecutive defeats, India would be desperate to end their losing streak when they take on lowly but spirited South Africa. A win for India will secure their place in the seventh-eighth place play-off match, which would be a considerable improvement from their 11th place finish in the 2006 World Cup in Monchengladbach, Germany.

Collecting nine points from four outings, Australia also look more or less certain to make the semis, with a 21-5 goal difference. Theoretically, however, their nearest rivals Spain — on six points — have an outside chance to make the grade if they can spank England by a huge margin and Pakistan beat the Kookaburras.

But even if the Aussies lose, it could be too much to expect a big Spanish victory over England, by far the most consistent performer in the tournament along with the Netherlands.

The mathematical probabilities notwithstanding, all eyes will be again on Pakistan. Pakistan are aware there will be no freebies on offer against Australia.

The two teams had a similar start but followed different courses as the World Cup reached the weekend.

Pakistan will have to show character and not allow Australia steamroll them.

Australia, on the other hand, stung by England in the opening match, bounced back like a champion side, winning against India, South Africa and Spain.

The runners-up of the last two editions Australia, coached by legendary Ric Charlesworth, have been a treat to watch with a free-flowing forward line and an impregnable defence at their disposal.

Pakistan’s penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas has been a pale shadow of his past, their talismanic striker Rehan Butt has looked unimpressive and the lapses in defence glaring.

A dejected Pakistani coach Shahid Ali Khan was at a loss of words to explain Pakistan’s poor show in the tournament.

“This is the worst I have seen Pakistan play, both as player and as coach. I have never faced such defeat (against South Africa) even during my playing days,” said Shahid Ali Khan.

“We were never the tournament favourites. We came here to improve our rankings, but I never expected such a result,” he said.

Pakistan will do well to stop brooding about the past results and take it as an opportunity to redeem themselves and make sure they do not slide from the sixth position they finished in the previous edition.

Today’s matches

Spain vs England at 16:05 (PST)

Australia vs Pakistan at 18:05 (PST)

South Africa vs India at 20:05 (PST)

 
 MADRID: David Ferrer crushed Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2 6-4 6-0 to fire depleted champions Spain into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup on Sunday and set up a clash away to nine-times winners France.

Novak Djokovic booked Serbia's place in the last eight at the expense of the United States, the world number two being pushed all the way by John Isner before winning 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-7 6-4 in the fourth singles rubber in Belgrade.

Mikhail Youzhny sent Russia through when he thrashed India's Somdev Devvarman 6-2 6-1 6-3 in Moscow.

Russia, the 2006 champions will face Argentina in July's quarters, after David Nalbandian won the final rubber against Sweden's Andreas Vinciguerra 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 in Stockholm.

Nalbandian, recently recovered from a leg muscle tear, was a late addition to the team, and his all-court game was too much for the 232nd-ranked Vinciguerra.

Serbia face neighbours Croatia, the first meeting between the two countries since they became independent nations following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

France, 2009 finalists Czech Republic and 2005 winners Croatia all progressed on Saturday, the French defeating Germany, Czech Republic ousting Belgium and the Croats seeing off Ecuador.

Ferrer's victory in Spain's first-round tie in Logrono gave the holders, missing injured Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero for the start of their bid for a third consecutive title, an unbeatable 3-1 lead.

Nicolas Almagro, who lost to Wawrinka in Friday's opening singles rubber, later dispatched Marco Chiudinelli 6-1 6-3 in a shortened final rubber to seal a 4-1 success.

World number 16 Ferrer comfortably took the first set on the clay at the Plaza de Toros de la Ribera, before 19th-ranked Wawrinka stormed back to open a 4-1 lead in the second.

However, the Spaniard reeled off five straight games and Wawrinka lost his cool at 5-4 down, smashing his racket repeatedly on the ground and incurring a point penalty.

The Swiss, leading his side in the absence of world number one Roger Federer, fell to pieces in the third set in the face of some brilliant play from Ferrer that delighted the boisterous red and yellow-clad Spanish fans.

It was Spain's 19th straight win in Davis Cup home ties stretching back to a defeat by Brazil in 1999.

"Playing here in front of your fans is the greatest thing for a tennis player," Ferrer said in a television interview.

"The match against France will be a tough hurdle but I think we have the squad to keep this run going."

Russia extended their winning streak at home to 17 ties and will play Argentina at home.

Youzhny said: "I had to play a bit more aggressively than usual, as it's tough to play against a guy who doesn't miss anything. I've played well over the two matches and I'm happy with my game, and that we're through to the next round."

Chile's home tie against Israel in Coquimbo was rescheduled to start on Saturday because of the disruption caused by last weekend's earthquake, with a quarter-final against the Czechs in July the prize.

The Israelis, having lost the opening singles, kept their hopes alive with a doubles victory.

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich came from behind to beat Jorge Aguilar and Paul Capdeville 6-7 7-6 2-6 6-1 6-0 in three and a quarter hours.

"They started well but I think the difference was experience," said Ram. "We've been playing Davis Cup a long time and we knew it was no big deal being two sets to one down."

   NEW DELHI: Pakistan were beaten by South Africa 3-4 in their group B match of the FIH Hockey World Cup here on Saturday.

This was South Africa’s fist victory over Pakistan in the history of international hockey.

South Africa were leading 4-1 in the first half after Pakistan made the first goal of the match in the seventh minute.

Later in the second half Pakistan scored two more goals to reduce the margin in the last seven minutes but could not avoid the defeat which was their third in their four matches in the tournament.

Julian Hykes was declared the man-of-the-match.

 KARACHI: The captain Pakistan hockey team Zeeshan Ashraf has sought from nation apology over the worst show in Hockey World Cup, Geo news reported.

His apology came after the disastrous performance of Pakistan hockey team in World Cup being underway in New Delhi, as Pakistan lost to South Africa by 4-3 in a league match of the event.

With the latest defeat at the hands of South Africa, Pakistan have also fallen well off the race of semis in the mega event.

South Africa, being dubbed as weak opponent, made the history trouncing Pakistan for the first time ever meanwhile; Pakistan spectators have termed national team’s defeat as ‘shameful’.

The poor World Cup show has prompted several former hockey players to demand postmortem in hockey management and team.

Talking to Geo news, captain Zeeshan Ashraf, apologizing nation over disqualification from semifinals of the event, have also pledged to bring to nation good news soon.

Australia defeated Spain while India lost to England in the other matches in the day.

England enter Hockey World Cup semis after 24 years NEW DELHI: European champions England stormed into the semi-finals of the men's field hockey World Cup after 24 years with a 3-2 win over India on Saturday. James Tindall, Ashley Jackson and Nick Catlin put England 3-0 ahead by the 47th minute before Gurwinder Chandi and Rajpal Singh scored in a two-minute burst for the hosts late in the match. England's fourth successive win in group B took them to the knock-out rounds of the sport's premier event for the first time since 1986 when they made the final at home in London. "We obviously came here to reach the semi-finals, so one of our three goals has been achieved," said English coach Jason Lee. "Now we must enter the final and then win the World Cup. This is a sort of revival of English hockey. The first big step was beating Germany in the Euro final last year." Meanwhile, favourites Australia defeated Beijing Olympic silver-medallists Spain 2-1 to put themselves in line for the second semi-final spot from the group behind England. The Kookaburras, who have nine points and a huge goal difference of plus-16, can only miss the bus if they lose to Pakistan by a big margin and Spain trounce England in the last group B matches on Monday. Spain are lying third in the group with six points, while India, Pakistan and South Africa have three each. Former champions Pakistan, already out of contention for the semi-finals, suffered an embarrassing 4-3 defeat at the hands of lowly South Africa. Australia's win through goals by Luke Doerner and Glenn Turner helped the Kookaburras avenge the 3-2 defeat at Spain's hands in the Olympic semi-final at Beijing in 2008. Australian coach Ric Charlesworth said he was delighted at the win, but slammed the umpires for awarding seven penalty corners to Spain. "I am very angry at the umpiring today (Saturday)," he said. "Giving them seven penalty corners put a lot of pressure on our players. Some of them were just not warranted. "Umpiring has been a problem for some years, but one expects better at a World Cup." South Africa, whose three previous defeats in the tournament included a record 12-0 drubbing by Australia, reserved their best hockey against Pakistan to record their first-ever World Cup win. Rehan Butt's first-half goal for Pakistan mattered little as the South Africans pumped in four goals in the space of 16 minutes through Gareth Carr, Ian Haley, Taine Paton and Marvin Harper. Pakistan made the scoreline look better than the match suggested by scoring twice in the last four minutes through Muhammad Imran and Waseem Ahmed. Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan slammed his players after both teams were left with three points each from four matches. "This is the worst I have seen Pakistan play, both as player and as coach," the former goalkeeper said. "I take full responsibility for the team's poor performance, but I am not going to resign because I have been given the task till the Asian Games at the end of the year." South African captain Austin Smith was understandably elated. "To beat a side like Pakistan is a great achievement," he said. "The team showed a lot of character after the big loss to Australia."

   NEW DELHI: England defeated India 3-2 in the Hockey World Cup 2010 here in Saturday’s third match.

   MULTAN: Cyclists reached Multan from Sahiwal in the fifth stage of the Tour de Pakistan on Saturday.

Imtiaz Hasan of Afghanistan won the fifth stage while Pakistan’s Zahid Gulfam came second in the race.

In the fifth stage of the event, 46 cyclists crossed a distance of 170 km from Sahiwal to Multan.

Imtiaz reached the destination first crossing the allotted distance in four hours, 28 minutes and 37 seconds, followed by Zahid Gulfam of WAPDA and Haroon Rasheed, also from WAPDA.

Overall dominance went to Zahid while Nisar Ahmed of Sui Southern came second.

Tomorrow, the participants will proceed to Bahawalpur in the sixth stage.

HONG KONG: Pakistan obtained 2-1 lead over Hong Kong in Group II tie of the Davis Cup Oceania Zone here on Saturday.

In the doubles event, Pakistan pair of Aisam-ul-Haq and Aqeel Khan defeated the Hong Kong pair of Cheuk Wai Hui and Hiu-Tung Yu 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Earlier in the singles opener, Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq won against Hong Kong’s Cheuk Wai Hui with a convincing victory after his teammate Aqeel Khan Khan lost narrowly against Hiu-Tung Yu, the Hong Kong number one in a marathon five-setter on Friday.

Thus, Pakistan is leading 2-1 in the tie against Hong Kong.

Tomorrow, reverse singles will be played in the event.