Siddle strikes but Cook fights for England

Tea England 4 for 172 (Cook 60*, Bell 26*) v Australia
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	Jonathan Trott misses his drive against Shane Watson © Associated Press Enlarge
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Peter Siddle gave England a mid-afternoon shock with two quick wickets after the visitors had fought back from the first-over loss of Andrew Strauss in Brisbane. Siddle bustled in on a slow surface to extract Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood in consecutive overs, leaving Alastair Cook to anchor the innings with a solid half-century which guided England to tea at 4 for 172 alongside a confident Ian Bell.

Cook and Pietersen added 76 to take England into the period where batsmen traditionally dominate in Australia once the ball has gone soft. However, Siddle, playing his first Test since January after suffering a stress fracture of his back, had been picked because of his ability to unsettle batsmen on good pitches and proved his worth. Pitching on a fuller length than his fellow quicks he made one move a fraction to find the edge of Pietersen's drive and produced a very similar delivery to have Paul Collingwood taken low at third slip.

Collingwood is known to be a dodgy starter but Pietersen had looked in fine fettle, as good as he has at Test level since before his Achillies injury. Pietersen's first boundary was a sweet straight drive and he wore the expression of a man on a mission as he picked off a further five fours. He also seemed intent on attack Xavier Doherty during an intriguing mini-battle and Australia were relieved to end it when they did.

Cook was one of England's batsmen to enter this series with an unflattering record against Australia and shouldn't have survived the first session when he was dropped at point on 26 by Doherty. That, though, was his only mistake as he refused to chase anything wide and waited for the bowlers to drift towards the pads.

 He pulled Mitchell Johnson through midwicket for his first boundary then started after lunch with a sweet clip and picked off Doherty with ease.

Bell, fresh from his superb 192 against Australia, began with two crunching cuts off Siddle and showed his intent by coming down at Doherty. Australia used up their second review when Simon Katich - fielding at short leg - was convinced Bell had edged behind off Johnson but there was no TV evidence to support him.

The beginning to such an eagerly anticipated series was always likely to be a nervous affair but England added another instalment to their list of horror starts. 

After events on this ground four years ago all eyes were on the first ball of the day and the opening delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus sailed harmlessly past off stump. However, it didn't take long for the series to burst into life as two balls later Strauss tried to cut one that was a little too close to his body and picked out Mike Hussey at gully.

The England captain stood there, head in hand for a moment, before turning for the dressing room as the Gabba erupted to the cheers of the home support. Strauss had made two hundreds during England's near-perfect warm-up period and Australia knew how vital the scalp was. It took the visitors until the third over to open their account and that was an edge to third man by Trott, who then had to survive a heart-stopping referral when Siddle's lbw shout was sent to the third umpire but pictures confirmed it was just clipping leg stump.

However, steadily he and Cook evened the scales. Trott provided some impetus with a neat flick through the leg side and two swivel-pulls to fine leg, but was also rather skittish at stages as he edged short of second slip and got a leading edge towards point trying to work through midwicket.

He had appeared to survive the examination when the ball was thrown to Shane Watson who started loosely, but Trott gave his innings away with a loose drive against an inswinger which took off stump. England believe they can target Watson as a weak link in the Australian attack so providing him an early wicket will have been a disappointment, but Watson's full length was a lesson to heed on this pitch.

England recover from Strauss blow

Lunch England 2 for 86 (Cook 29*, Pietersen 23*) v Australia
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	Jonathan Trott misses his drive against Shane Watson © Associated Press Enlarge
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England added another entry to their list of horror starts to Ashes series when they lost Andrew Strauss third ball at Brisbane, but they recovered their composure during an enthralling session to reach lunch on 2 for 86. Alastair Cook showed impressive composure alongside Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott was the other casualty when he gave away a promising innings against Shane Watson, but it's hard to split the teams after the early skirmishes.

The session could have been Australia's if Xavier Doherty hadn't spilled Cook's cut shot at point 10 minutes before the interval and the pace bowlers will consider that they didn't make the most of the new ball with inconsistent lines. Throw in the first use of UDRS for the series against Trott and an early taste of Pietersen's trial by left-arm spin against Doherty and the opening two hours of this much-hyped series couldn't have offered much more.

Strauss did his first job of the day right by winning the toss and, despite a green tinge to the pitch, taking the expected decision to bat first. After events on this ground four years ago all eyes were on the first ball of the day and the opening delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus sailed harmlessly past off stump. However, it didn't take long for the Ashes series to burst into life as two balls later Strauss tried to cut one that was a little too close to his body and picked out Mike Hussey at gully.

The England captain stood there, head in hand for a moment, before turning for the dressing room as the Gabba erupted to the cheers of the home support. Strauss had made two hundreds during England's near-perfect warm-up period and Australia knew how vital the scalp was. It took the visitors until the third over to open their account and that was an edge to third man by Trott, who then had to survive a heart-stopping referral when Peter Siddle's lbw shout was sent to the third umpire but pictures confirmed it was just clipping leg stump.

However, steadily he and Cook evened the scales. Trott provided the impetus with a neat flick through the leg side and two swivel-pulls to fine leg, but was also rather skittish at stages as he edged short of second slip and got a leading edge towards point trying to work through midwicket.

He had appeared to survive the examination when the ball was thrown to Watson who started loosely, but Trott gave his innings away with a loose drive against an inswinger which took off stump. England believe they can target Watson as a weak link in the Australian attack so providing him an early wicket will have been a major disappointment.

Cook, though, remained impressively solid as the quicks strayed a little wide as they tried to trouble him outside off and when they straighten up Cook worked through the leg side. His only boundary was a convincing effort as he latched onto a pull through midwicket off Mitchell Johnson, but he was given a huge left off on 26 when Xavier Doherty dropped a fairly simple chance at point off Watson.

Pietersen, meanwhile, settled himself in relatively calm fashion considering the often hyperactive way he starts an innings. He wasted no time in imposing himself against Doherty by advancing down the pitch but the early turn on offer won't have gone unnoticed by either camp.

Soderling keeps challenge alive

LONDON (AFP) Swedish fourth seed Robin Soderling defeated Spains David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 on Tuesday to keep alive his bid to reach the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals.
Soderling and Ferrer had both lost their opening Group B matches in the prestigious end-of-year event at Londons O2 Arena, so the loser of this clash was almost certain to be eliminated.
It is the former French Open finalist who remains in with a chance of reaching the last four if he can beat Roger Federer in the last round of group matches on Thursday.
However, Soderlings win also meant Federer needs a victory from that game to be sure of qualifying himself, so the Swede wont be overly confident of making it through just yet.
Soderling said: It was an okay match. I served very well, especially in the first set. But it was a close match, two really tough sets. Im lucky that I won.
I still feel that I have a lot of things that I can improve. Hopefully I can do that. This was a really important win. Now at least I have the chance to make it to the semis.
Ferrer, the seventh seed and 2007 Tour Finals runner-up, will face Andy Murray knowing his fate is all but sealed already.
He added: I tried to do my best. I fought to win the second set. But Robin played better than me and he had more chances all match. He served really well.
After playing each other five times already this year, these two could have been forgiven for being sick of the sight of each other.
Soderling had the slight edge with three wins and he arrived in London full of confidence after his victory at the Paris Masters earlier this month lifted him to a career-high fourth in the world rankings.
The 26-year-old has often thrived in indoor events but he had been well below par during a comprehensive defeat against Murray on Sunday.
He was back to something like his best this time.
Following Federers sublime display against Murray earlier in the day, this was a rather more prosaic encounter.
The opening stages of the first set were comprised mostly of gruelling baseline rallies, so it was something of a surprise when Ferrer saved a break point in the sixth game by flicking a fine volleyed winner.
That was a rare moment of artistry in a hard-fought but uninspiring set which Soderling took when he converted the third of three set-points on Ferrers serve with a superb forehand winner down the line.
Soderling was starting to find his range with that booming forehand now and, after missing a break point at the start of the second set, he pressured Ferrer into more mistakes as he broke in the sixth game.
To his credit, Ferrer kept going and from 5-2 down he recovered to level the set after breaking Soderling as the Swede served for the match.
But, just as a comeback seemed on the cards, Ferrer sprayed a forehand wide to give Soderling a match-point which he gleefully accepted thanks to another error from the Spaniard.

Milan, Marseille through, Arsenal made to wait

PARIS (AFP) AC Milan and Marseille reached the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, but Arsenals hopes of joining them are in the balance following a shock defeat at Sporting Braga. Seven-time champions Milan were made to work hard before emerging from their trip to Auxerre with a 2-0 victory that secured second place in Group G behind Real Madrid. The French side had procured all the clear-cut chances until Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted Milan ahead in the 64th minute, with substitute Ronaldinho curling home in injury time to complete the victory. We were under heavy pressure at the start of the match and we felt a little bit trapped inside our penalty area, but everything finished well, said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri. Real made sure of top spot in the group and continued their unbeaten record in this seasons competition by thrashing Ajax 4-0 in Amsterdam. Karim Benzema broke the deadlock by side-footing into the roof of the net in the 36th minute, with full-back Alvaro Arbeloa doubling the Spanish sides lead with a long-range rocket just before half-time. A second-half brace from Cristiano Ronaldo, the second a penalty, set the seal on a comfortable victory, but Real had Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos sent off for two bookable offences late on. Both players received their second cautions for time-wasting and will now miss Reals final group game at home to Ajax. French champions Marseille had earlier secured their place in the knockout round with an impressive 3-0 win at Spartak Moscow. Beaten 1-0 in the reverse fixture in September, Marseille had to win to make sure of second place in Group F and they assumed control of proceedings in the 18th minute through a smart turn and finish by Mathieu Valbuena. Valbuenas France international colleague Loic Remy made it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half, before Brandao fired into the bottom-right corner to rubber-stamp Marseilles progress. Spartak saw Brazilian striker Welliton dismissed between Marseilles second and third goals after an altercation with OM centre-back Souleymane Diawara. It is important for the club, said Marseille coach Didier Deschamps. I am a very, very satisfied coach this evening, both with how we played and the result. In the other group fixture, a youthful Chelsea side came from a goal down to win 2-1 at home to Slovakians MSK Zilina and preserve their 100 percent record in this seasons competition. Two late goals from Matheus saw Arsenal slump to a 2-0 defeat at Braga that means Arsene Wengers side must beat Partizan Belgrade in their final group match to be sure of reaching the next stage. Arsenal had a strong penalty appeal turned down after Carlos Vela went down in the penalty area under a challenge by Alberto Rodriguez and within minutes Mateus had scampered through to put the hosts ahead. The Brazilian striker crashed home his second in injury time, and Arsenals disappointment was compounded by the sight of captain Cesc Fabregas limping off with an apparent hamstring injury. What is the fifth official doing if he cant see that? said Wenger of the penalty incident. Its an absolutely useless system. Other than that, it was a difficult game against a team that used all the tricks to slow the game down. Shakhtar Donetsk won 3-0 at Partizan and are now virtually assured of a place in the next phase. Roma produced the performance of the night to come back from 2-0 down to beat last seasons beaten finalists Bayern Munich 3-2 at Stadio Olimpico. Two goals from in-form Mario Gomez had put Bayern on course for victory, but well-worked strikes by Marco Borriello and Daniele De Rossi drew Roma level before Francesco Totti netted the winner with an 84th-minute penalty. It wasnt easy, especially in the first half, but the players were magnificent, beamed Roma coach Claudio Ranieri. Roma now trail already-qualified Bayern by three points in Group E and will progress if they avoid defeat at CFR Cluj, who lost 1-0 at Basel, in their final group game. Ronaldo scores double as Real outclass Ajax A double from Cristiano Ronaldo formed the centrepiece of a masterclass by Real Madrid here on Tuesday as they eased to a 4-0 away win over Dutch side Ajax in their Champions League Group G clash. The Portuguese star scored twice in the second-half after first-half goals by Karim Benzema and a stunning effort by Alvaro Arbeloa had put them in cruise control mode - the only blot on their evening were two late sendings off of World Cup winning duo Xabi Alonso and Sergi Ramos. Ajax coach Martin Jol had gone for broke in his line-up with three strikers - including Uruguayan Luis Suarez despite his being punished by the club for a biting incident at the weekend - and two attacking midfielders. Jol probably hoped Jose Mourinho would use the match to try some of his second choice players but the Portuguese maestro resisted the urge and injured players apart it was a first choice team that kicked-off. Benzema - who showed his class with a goal against England in the friendly victory last week - shot home from just inside the area after Mesut Ozil had defly knocked back with his heel Alonsos perceptive long pass. Ajax had little bit in attack as Suarez was swamped whenever he got a sniff of the ball and it was no surprise when the visitors struck again shortly before half-time. Ronaldos freekick rebounded off the wall but Arbeloa had no hesitation in trying his luck from way outside the area and his swerving effort left hosts keeper Maarten Stekelenburg rooted to his line. Ronaldo should have made it 3-0 in the 47th minute as Benzema found him and he twisted free of his marker to be one on one with Stekelenburg but the Dutch keeper somehow managed to get down and deflect the shot over the bar leaving the Portuguese superstar shaking his head in disbelief. He was not to be denied in the 70th minute, though, as set up by Argentinean substitute Angel di Maria he made no mistake as he shot past Stekelenburg and 10 minutes later he converted a penalty.

Misbah helps Pakistan draw Proteas series

ABU DHABI (AFP) Misbah-ul-Haq played a captains knock of 58 not out to salvage Pakistan a draw in the second Test against South Africa and finish the two-match series without a result.

Misbah, who scored an unbeaten 76 in the drawn first Test in Dubai last week, countered South African bowlers on a weary fifth day pitch at Abu Dhabi Stadium, taking Pakistan to 153-3 after they were set a 354-run target in 82 overs.

Misbah added 87 for an unbroken fourth wicket stand with Azhar Ali, who made 28 not out, after South Africa threatened to run away with a victory taking three wickets in the space of eight balls soon after lunch.
But Misbah, leading Pakistan for the first time in Tests, in the company of Ali foiled the away side, finishing with 10 boundaries during his 140-ball match-saving knock.

Ali, who hit three half-centuries in the previous three innings of the series, struck two boundaries and ably supported his captain.

South Africa had declared their second innings at 203-5 after batting for half an hour on the final morning, but ran out of time to enforce a result on a pitch which gave very little response to the bowlers.

Pakistan, ranked sixth in ICC (International Cricket Council) Test ranking, can take heart from their crisis-hit build-up to the series as they stopped Tests second best team from winning any of the two Tests.

Pakistan, however, have still not won any Test series since beating the West Indies at home in 2006, losing their last six and drawing four.

Misbah said it had taken a team effort to keep South Africa at bay.

This drawn series will build our confidence for the next series, said Misbah whose team next tour New Zealand for three Twenty20, two Tests and six one-day starting from late next month.

We have lacked consistency in Tests, but in this series everyone chipped in with performances, which was good, said Misbah.

Stand-in South African captain Jacques Kallis termed the result-less series as frustrating.
They were a frustrating two matches, but we can look back at some positive performances and go back home to take India next month, said Kallis of the three-Test, five one-day and one Twenty20 series at home next month.

Pakistan had raced to 66 without loss at lunch, but off-spinner Johan Botha provided the much-needed breakthrough by trapping Taufiq Umer leg-before for 30, before Harris trapped Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Younis Khan (nought) in his next over.

South Africa could have got Ali out in one Morne Morkel over, but wicket-keeper Mark Boucher hesitated to go for an edge when the batsman was on eight.

South Africa - led by Kallis after captain Graeme Smith injured his finger on Tuesday and was unable to take to the field - used five bowlers but failed to make any further inroads.
Resuming at 173-4, South Africa, looking for quick runs, added 30 in as many minutes before they declared the innings, giving their pace-cum-spin attack 82 overs to force a result.

Paceman Umar Gul removed Mark Boucher (15) in the second over of the day to check South African progress. Ashwell Prince remained unbeaten on 47, while Johan Botha finished with seven not out when the innings was declared.

Left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who hit a career-best 60 to save Pakistan from follow-on on Tuesday, finished with 3-81. AB de Villiers, who hit South Africas highest Test score of 278 not out, was declared man-of-the-match.

South Africa won the preceding two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 and the five-match one-day series 3-2, a tour shifted to United Arab Emirates because of security fears in Pakistan.

SOUTH AFRICA, first innings: 584-9 dec
PAK, first innings: 434 SOUTH AFRICA, second innings (overnight 173-4)
Petersen c Younis b Rehman35
Hashim Amla b Rehman62
Villiers lbw b Rehman25
Kallis c Umer b Hafeez10
A. Prince not out47
M. Boucher b Gul15
J. Botha not out7

EXTRAS: (lb1, 1nb)2
TOTAL: (for five wkts dec, 55 overs)203
Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-113 , 3-130, 4-148, 5-182

BOWLING
Gul7-0-32-1
Ahmed5-1-29-0
Rehman22-1-81-3
Sami5-0-28-0 (1nb)
Hafeez16-4-32-1

PAKISTAN, second innings

Hafeez lbw b Harris34
Taufiq lbw b Botha30
Azhar Ali not out28
Younis lbw b Harris0
Misbah-ul-Haq not out58

EXTRAS: (lb2, w1)3

TOTAL: (for three wkts, 67 overs)153
Wickets: 1-66, 2-66, 3-66

Bowling: Steyn 13-2-40-0, Morkel 11-3-29-0, Harris 23-14-28-2, Kallis 2-0-13-0 (1w), Botha 17-4-40-1, Petersen 1-0-1-0

England bat as Ashes gets underway

England won the toss and decided to bat against Australia Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details Xavier Doherty was handed his baggy green by Ricky Ponting © Getty Images Enlarge Related Links Matches: Australia v England at Brisbane Series/Tournaments: England tour of Australia Teams: Australia | England After all the build-up and hype the Ashes series has arrived and Andrew Strauss has had his first success by winning the toss which enabled England to bat first in the Gabba. Ricky Ponting said he would have done the same, although expected some early assistance for the quicks on a surface with a green tinge. After recent rain in Brisbane there may have been temptation to bowl first, but Strauss has backed his batsmen to produce a strong performance. The general consensus is that this is England's best chance to win in Australia since Mike Gatting's tour in 1986-87. The Australians have a few problems with key players fighting for their places and more juggling of the XI by the selectors. However, don't for one minute underestimate the challenge of winning down under. It's a monumental task for Strauss and his team. Australia have a formidable record at home, and especially at the Gabba where they haven't lost since 1988. England broke a hoodoo in 2009 at Lord's, winning against Australia for the first time in 75 years, but victory on this ground would be an even greater feat. England's starting XI was nailed on from the moment they arrived in Australia and the impressive performances of the back-up attack in Hobart last week was never going to change their plans. It was the home side who had the major headaches but confirmed their line-up yesterday after preferring Peter Siddle ahead of Doug Bollinger while Michael Clarke has recovered from his back problem. Siddle is playing is first Test since January, but the most interesting name in Australia's bowling unit is the debutant Xavier Doherty who is the latest option the selectors have plucked out to try and fill the spin-bowling hole. He has a first-class average of 48, but in recent times has enjoyed some success for Tasmania and took four wickets on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka last month. Kevin Pietersen's problems against left-arm spin - he fell to Steve O'Keefe in the Australia A match - will also have had a significant bearing on Doherty's selection ahead of Nathan Hauritz. Australia 1 Simon Katich, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Mike Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Xavier Doherty, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn

Soderling keeps alive Tour Finals challenge

LONDON: Swedish fourth seed Robin Soderling defeated Spain''s David Ferrer 7-5, 7-5 on Tuesday to keep alive his bid to reach the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals.

Soderling and Ferrer had both lost their opening Group B matches in the prestigious end-of-year event at London''s O2 Arena, so the loser of this clash was almost certain to be eliminated.

It is the former French Open finalist who remains in with a chance of reaching the last four if he can beat Roger Federer in the last round of group matches on Thursday.

However, Soderling''s win also meant Federer needs a victory from that game to be sure of qualifying himself, so the Swede won''t be overly confident of making it through just yet.

Ferrer, the seventh seed and 2007 Tour Finals runner-up, will face Andy Murray knowing his fate is all but sealed already.

After playing each other five times already this year, these two could have been forgiven for being sick of the sight of each other.

Soderling had the slight edge with three wins and he arrived in London full of confidence after his victory at the Paris Masters earlier this month lifted him to a career-high fourth in the world rankings.

The 26-year-old has often thrived in indoor events but he had been well below par during a comprehensive defeat against Murray on Sunday.

He was back to something like his best this time.

Following Federer''s sublime display against Murray earlier in the day, this was a rather more prosaic encounter.

The opening stages of the first set were comprised mostly of gruelling baseline rallies, so it was something of a surprise when Ferrer saved a break point in the sixth game by flicking a fine volleyed winner.

That was a rare moment of artistry in a hard-fought but uninspiring set which Soderling took when he converted the third of three set-points on Ferrer''s serve with a superb forehand winner down the line.

Soderling was starting to find his range with that booming forehand now and, after missing a break point at the start of the second set, he pressured Ferrer into more mistakes as he broke in the sixth game.

To his credit, Ferrer kept going and from 5-2 down he recovered to level the set after breaking Soderling as the Swede served for the match.

But, just as a comeback seemed on the cards, Ferrer sprayed a forehand wide to give Soderling a match-point which he gleefully accepted thanks to another error from the Spaniard.

Misbah, Azhar help Pakistan draw series against Proteas

ABU DHABI: Misbah-ul-Haq played a captain''s knock of 58 not out to salvage Pakistan a draw in the second Test against South Africa and finish the two-match series without a result.

Misbah, who scored an unbeaten 76 in the drawn first Test in Dubai last week, countered South African bowlers on a weary fifth day pitch at Abu Dhabi Stadium, taking Pakistan to 153-3 after they were set a 354-run target in 82 overs.

Misbah added 87 for an unbroken fourth wicket stand with Azhar Ali, who made 28 not out, after South Africa threatened to run away with a victory taking three wickets in the space of eight balls soon after lunch.

But Misbah, leading Pakistan for the first time in Tests, in the company of Ali foiled the away side, finishing with 10 boundaries during his 140-ball match-saving knock.

Ali, who hit three half-centuries in the previous three innings of the series, struck two boundaries and ably supported his captain.

South Africa had declared their second innings at 203-5 after batting for half an hour on the final morning, but ran out of time to enforce a result on a pitch which gave very little response to the bowlers.

Pakistan, ranked sixth in ICC (International Cricket Council) Test ranking, can take heart from their crisis-hit build-up to the series as they stopped Test''s second best team from winning any of the two Tests.

Pakistan, however, have still not won any Test series since beating the West Indies at home in 2006, losing their last six and drawing four.

Pakistan had raced to 66 without loss at lunch, but off-spinner Johan Botha provided the much-needed breakthrough by trapping Taufiq Umer leg-before for 30, before Harris trapped Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Younis Khan (nought) in his next over.

South Africa could have got Ali out in one Morne Morkel over, but wicket-keeper Mark Boucher hesitated to go for an edge when the batsman was on eight.

South Africa - led by Jacques Kallis after captain Graeme Smith injured his finger on Tuesday and was unable to take to the field - used five bowlers but failed to make any further inroads.

Resuming at 173-4, South Africa, looking for quick runs, added 30 in as many minutes before they declared the innings, giving their pace-cum-spin attack 82 overs to force a result.

Paceman Umar Gul removed Mark Boucher (15) in the second over of the day to check South African progress. Ashwell Prince remained unbeaten on 47, while Johan Botha finished with seven not out when the innings was declared.

Left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who hit a career-best 60 to save Pakistan from follow-on on Tuesday, finished with 3-81.

AB de Villiers, who hit South Africa''s highest Test score of 278 not out, was declared man-of-the-match.

South Africa won the preceding two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 and the five-match one-day series 3-2, a tour shifted to United Arab Emirates because of security fears in Pakistan.

Joshi's five-for gives Karnataka advantage

	RP Singh scored 47 and then took two quick wickets for Uttar Pradesh against Himachal Pradesh © Getty Images Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Rishi Dhawan | Sunil Joshi | RP Singh Series/Tournaments: Ranji Trophy Super League | India Domestic Season Teams: India

Rains across the country meant that little or no play was possible in five out of the seven Super League matches on Wednesday. Karnataka would have been happy that weather didn't interrupt their match against Orissa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, as they managed to bowl the visitors out for 191 on the first day. Orissa ended the day on a positive note, taking two Karnataka wickets for 18 runs before stumps. Sunil Joshi, the former India spinner who completed the double of 5000 runs and 500 wickets in first-class cricket in Karnataka's last match, took 5 for 35 as Karnataka struck at regular intervals after putting Orissa in to bat. Niranjan Behera was left stranded on 83 not out after facing 235 balls and watching nine wickets fall at the other end. Adithya Sagar gave Karnataka two early breakthroughs, removing both Orissa openers within the first three overs of the morning and then Joshi ripped through Orissa's middle-order. Karnataka and Orissa are separated by just two points in the Group B table, having played two games each.

Himachal Pradesh surprised table-toppers Uttar Pradesh, bowling them out for 197 on the first day at Green Park in Kanpur, but what could have been a perfect day for them was ruined in the last over, when they lost two wickets to finish at 9 for 2. Himachal seamer Rishi Dhawan, playing in only his fourth first-class match, picked up his maiden five-for as UP lost wickets at regular intervals. RP Singh, the left-arm seamer who has played 13 Tests for India, was UP's surprise top-scorer with 47, while their leading run-getter this season Parvinder Singh missed out on a half-century, falling for 46. Singh then gave UP an opening back in to the game, taking two wickets in his last over of the day.

Only 48 overs were bowled at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara, where Baroda crawled to 94 for 1 against Punjab. Baroda, who will be trying to get over the horrific collapse that saw them lose to UP in the last round, were put in to bat and their openers Connor Williams and Jaykishan Kolsawala made steady progress before Kolsawala edged one behind off Manpreet Gony, the Chennai Super Kings fast bowler. Yusuf Pathan and Ambiti Rayudu are not playing for Baroda and have been replaced with Jyot Chhaya and Utkarsh Patel.

Group A

Railways could fit only eight overs in after play began at 4.30pm in their match against Tamil Nadu at the IIT Chemplast Ground in Chennai. Tamil Nadu were put in to bat and Abhinav Mukund hit three boundaries taking the hosts to 26 for 1 at stumps. Railways are currently languishing at second from bottom in the Group A table, while Tamil Nadu are second, having one won game and drawn two others.

There was no play in any of the other Group A matches scheduled to start on Wednesday. At the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, Amol Muzumdar will have to wait for his return to Mumbai to face his old team as Assam take on table-toppers Mumbai. Saurashtra are at the foot of the table and will welcome back Cheteshwar Pujara from India duty for their match against Delhi at the Khandheri Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. Laxmi Shukla, the Bengal allrounder fresh from his double-century in the last round, will have to wait till Thursday to see some action, as the first day of Bengal's match against Gujarat at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad was washed out.

Pakistan off to a good start chasing 354 runs

ABU DHABI: Pakistan were given a solid start of 66 by lunch on the fifth and final day in the second Test after South Africa set a 354-run target for them at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Wednesday.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Taufiq Umer (31) were unbeaten at the break as Pakistan needed another 288 runs in a minimum of 63 overs after South Africa declared their second innings at 203-5 in the morning.

With the pitch still not posing any danger for the batsmen the match is likely to end in a stalemate, ending the two-Test series without a result after the first Test in Dubai ended in a draw last week.

Both Hafeez and Umer hit four boundaries each as South Africa -- led by Jacques Kallis after captain Graeme Smith injured his finger on Tuesday and was unable to take to the field -- used five bowlers but met with no success.

Resuming at 173-4, South Africa, looking for some quick runs, added 30 in as many minutes before they declared the innings, giving their pace-cum-spin attack 82 overs to force a result.

Paceman Umar Gul removed Mark Boucher (15) in the second over of the day to check South African progress. Ashwell Prince remained unbeaten on 47, while Johan Botha finished with seven not out when the innings was declared.

Left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who hit a career-best 60 to save Pakistan from follow-on on Tuesday, finished with 3-81.

Pakistan cricketer arrives in UK after Dubai no-show

As a debutant, Haider scored a half century against England this summer

• Pakistan cricket faces a new crisis after wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider turned up in London after leaving the team camp in Dubai without permission.

The 24-year-old was earlier feared missing ahead of Monday's deciding one-day international against South Africa.
Haider's brother told the BBC that the cricketer had fled because he and his family had received death threats.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has is trying to clean up cricket in Pakistan, has launched an inquiry.
"He will definitely face an inquiry and disciplinary action whenever he contacts us. But we are concerned about this whole situation," said PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi.

Facebook messages :

A message posted on Haider's Facebook page said he had been sent messages asking him to lose Friday's one-day match against South Africa.
In an unbeaten 19, he hit the winning runs as Pakistan levelled the five-match series 2-2 in the fourth one-dayer.

But on Monday South Africa won the final one-day international against Pakistan to claim the series 3-2.
Haider was replaced as wicketkeeper for Monday's game by Umar Akmal, the brother of Kamran Akal, whose performance behind the stumps in the Sydney Test against Australia earlier this year is at the heart of an ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit investigation.

The PCB confirmed that it had passed details of Zulqarnain's disappearance to the ACSU.
"I have come here on my own expenses on a one-month visa," said Haider after arriving at Heathrow. "I will be staying at a hotel on my own expense."
Haider's disappearance is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the team.
Three other Pakistan cricketers are still under investigation after they were accused in August of taking part in a spot-fixing scam during a match in London.
Curfew breach The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit has been made aware of the case and may wish to speak to Haider.

Haider was fined 12,000 rupees ($140; £86) on Sunday after allegedly breaking curfew hours imposed by the team management along with fellow players Shahzaib Hasan and Abdur Rehman.

Team manager Intikhab Alam told the BBC's Islamabad bureau that Haider had asked for his passport on Sunday night, saying he needed it to get a SIM card for his mobile phone.

The BBC's Shoaib Syed Hasan in Karachi says that the wicketkeeper's absence at the start of the final ODI sent shockwaves through the team.
Haider's older brother Aqeel, who lives in Lahore, said the wicketkeeper had received messages on his mobile phone threatening to kill him and target his family after the one-dayer against South Africa.
Haider's brother says the PCB knew of the threats and accused it of doing nothing about them.
He has now demanded a government inquiry into the matter.

'Full inquiry'


A PCB statement said: "Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider left the team hotel without informing any member of the Pakistan team management.

"The PCB has informed Dubai police of the incident and also has brought it into the notice of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit."

The statement said a "full inquiry will be held into the circumstances surrounding this incident and no further comments will be made until the facts are known".

On Sunday the ICC said it had been impressed by the progress the PCB had made in working on an anti-corruption code.

Zulqarnain lands in England after Dubai no-show

Police at the house of Zulqarnain Haider in Lahore.—AP

LONDON: Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has arrived in England after mysteriously disappearing hours before the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai.


“I have come here on my own expenses on a one month visa. I will be staying at a hotel on my own expenses,” Zulqarnain told a private news channel after spending nearly four hours with immigration authorities at Heathrow Airport.
“I will speak in detail on the reasons for my decision to leave Dubai and come to London later on,” he said without elaborating any further.

Earlier, Pakistan’s team management said the keeper was last seen at the team’s hotel in Dubai early in the morning.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Zulqarnain had not informed them he was planning to leave the hotel nor had he told them the reason for his sudden decision.
“A full inquiry will be held into the circumstances surrounding this incident and no further comment will be made until the facts are known,” the PCB said in a statement.

In a message on his Facebook account, Zulqarnain appeared to suggest he was worried about his personal safety after receiving threats.
“Leaving Pakistan cricket because get bad messages for lose the match in last game,” he wrote.
Pakistan officials reported Zulqarnain’s disappearance to the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security unit, as well as local police.
The 24-year-old scored an unbeaten 19 and hit the winning runs as Pakistan levelled the five-match series 2-2 in the fourth one-dayer on Friday.

THREATENING MESSAGES

His brother Raza told Reuters from Lahore that Zulqarnain had expressed fears after receiving threatening messages.
“The last time I spoke to him he told me he was getting threatening messages after the fourth match and to pray for him,” said Raza before adding his family was in touch with Zulqarnain and concerned about his safety.
“We would like to know a lot of things like why did the PCB management give him his passport, were they aware of the threats he had got?”, Raza said.

The PCB said Zulqarnain had asked Pakistan officials for his passport.
“Zulqarnain was in possession of his passport at the time he left the hotel, which he had taken from the team management the previous evening for personal use,” said the board.
PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told Reuters that Zulqarnain had breached his central contract.
“He will definitely face an inquiry and disciplinary action whenever he contacts us. But we are concerned about this whole situation,” said Rizvi.

Lahore police official Rana Faisal said they were investigating Zulqarnain’s disappearance.
“We have received no official complaint but taking note of the media reports we have sent some officers to his house (in Lahore) to find out details,” Faisal said.

Zulqarnain has played one test, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games for Pakistan.

Tendulkar is the Bradman of today: British media

 London: "Let us just say that Tendulkar is the Bradman of today - less hypnotic but scarcely less phenomenal", according to cricket writer John Woodcock, who reckons the Indian icon has every chance of making his 50th Test century this week.

In his column for `The Times`, Woodcock paid rich tributes to Tendulkar for his " insatiable" hunger to score runs and said comparing him to Bradman did not diminish the legendary Australian and his achievements.

"Bradman, I believe, would have been proud to play today`s game as well as Tendulkar does, just as Tendulkar, like all of us, holds Bradman in awe. Let us just say that Tendulkar is the Bradman of today - less hypnotic but scarcely less phenomenal - and leave it at that," Woodcock said.

"There is every chance that Tendulkar will make his 50th Test hundred this week, against New Zealand, in itself an amazing achievement. But if Bradman had played the same number of Test innings (Tendulkar has played 280 to Bradman`s 80), he would have finished with something like 100 hundred, given the rate at which he scored them," the veteran columnist wrote.

Woodcock said physically, Tendulkar is the shorter and stockier of the two and with the sub-continent being the breeding ground of the world`s most natural batsmen, there could be a few more talented cricketers from that region in the future.

"What eventually it comes down to is opportunity, ambition and temperament. Tendulkar belongs to the school of those Indian batsmen (Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath were others) who make up for a lack of inches with eye, wrist and insatiability. He uses a bat so heavy that Bradman would have laughed at it. You need only to pick it up to realise how strong his arms must be," he said.

"To say that Tendulkar, or anyone else for that matter, might be as good as Bradman does not diminish Bradman and his achievements. This is intended not as a comparison between Bradman and Tendulkar but as a celebration of a wonderful little Indian player - insatiable, resourceful, unflinching and orderly," Woodcock added.

Tendulkar, who just needs one more century to record an amazing feat of 50 Test tons, has been in red-hot form from the beginning of this year when India toured Bangladesh. His appetite for runs and centuries has only increased with advancing years.

The 37-year-old champion cricketer has accumulated a staggering 1270 runs from his last nine Tests (15 innings), embellished by six three-figure knocks that includes two double hundreds, for a Bradmanesque average of 97.69, a feat that fetched him this year`s ICC Cricketer of the Year honour.

Modi defends Gavaskar on IPL payment row with BCCI

 London: A day after the BCCI denied that there were any dues to be paid to Sunil Gavaskar for his term as an IPL Governing Council member, suspended chairman of the Twenty20 league Lalit Modi said the former India captain had always been forthright in his dealings and never known to be a liar.

Gavaskar had yesterday hit out at the Cricket Board for not paying him for his role in the IPL Governing Council, a claim which was promptly refuted by the BCCI.

"A lot has been said about Sunny. All I can tell you is that in all my dealings with Sunny, I`ve never known him to be a liar or anything. Sunny has been forthright. I`m sure they`ll sort it out," Modi told a news channel.

Gavaskar, who was controversially omitted from the IPL`s Governing Council in September this year, claimed he had not been paid for the last three years but Board secretary N Srinivasan rubbished it, saying it was not factually correct.

Modi, who has been under investigation by various government agencies in India following allegations of irregularities in the IPL including money laundering, today made his first public appearance ever since being served with a `Blue Corner` notice by the Enforcement Directorate.

Modi has been invited here to address the prestigious International Sports Event Management (ISEM) Conference at Twickenham. He will be sharing the dais with some high-profile sports administrators, including the CEOs of 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Modi will reflect on the success of the IPL and the future of sports in India. He will also take part in a question and answer session and is also expected to discuss the Delhi Commonwealth Games and its impact.

Modi exuded confidence that BCCI president Shashank Manohar and ICC president Sharad Pawar will soon sort out the matter involving Gavaskar.

"Both (Manohar and Pawar) will soon meet and sort out the issue," he said.

Modi, however, refused to divulge the details of the pay packet offered to Gavaskar, saying, "I am sure it will be sorted out. That`s all I have to say."

• On his possible return to India, the former IPL chairman said, "I don`t have anything to say further."

Cronje made a match-fixing offer even before Nagpur: Gibbs

 Johannesburg: Herschelle Gibbs has claimed in his controversial autobiography, ‘To the Point’ that former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje had made an offer to the team to fix a match in India in 1996.

However, an one-time ace opener admitted that Cronje remained a man he would always admire.

In a chapter titled ‘The controversies’, Gibbs recalled the night Cronje changed the face of the game forever.

“It was 6.30 a.m. and knocking on my door was the Proteas team captain Hansie Cronje. We were touring India in 2000, and in Nagpur about to play our final ODI match against India. My roommate Henry Williams was in the shower when Hansie sat down on the bed. He got straight to the point. ‘I’ve got a mate here in India,’ he said, ‘and you can make some good money if you do what he’s asking. He’s offering US$15,000 if you go out for less than 20 in today’s game.’

But it was not the first time that Cronje had approached his side about match-fixing, according to Gibbs.

“This had happened before,” Gibbs wrote in his book which was released here on Monday.

“During a tour to India in 1996, we were due to play a benefit game for one of the (unnamed) Indian players. It would be the last game of the tour. The night before the game, Hansie got the whole team together and dropped a real bombshell. ‘I know a guy’, he said, ‘who is going to give us US$250,000 if we lose this game.’”

Gibbs said the offer was tempting because the South Africans were probably going to lose the game anyway due to the team being below strength with six members of the side being sick.

“Of course the team decided against taking the bribe, but even so, it hadn’t been an immediate and strong reaction to an activity totally abhorrent to the notion of sport. Instead we talked the offer over. We declined the offer. Sachin Tendulkar ended up getting a 100 in that game and, predictably, we lost.”

• Gibbs said when Cronje made the offer in Nagpur, the consequences of the offer did not even enter his mind as he thought about how it might help him pay off his mother’s house.

“And just like that I made a decision that would get me into a world of trouble and that I would bitterly regret. Despite initially agreeing, Gibbs reneged on the deal but was subsequently fined and banned for six months.”

“The match-fixing scandal (that started in Nagpur in India) may have cuffed us together, but Hansie was a man I will always admire,” Gibbs wrote, adding that he had forgiven him long ago.

“Hansie was certainly the best captain for whom I’ve ever played. Despite the cloud that hangs over his legacy...we were all in awe of the guy -- Hansie was one of those men who had a special presence towards which others gravitate.”

To this day, Gibbs remains uncertain of the inclusiveness of the King Commission of Enquiry which ended inconclusively after it was set up by the South African government in the wake of the match-fixing scandal: “I’m not sure whether the King Commission managed to uncover everything.”

Although Gibbs is confident of there being no match-fixing talk in any South Africa side he has played in since the Cronje scandal, he is not certain about other teams, especially after the recent debacle with the Pakistani team on their London tour: “I’ve watched a couple of games on the subcontinent and I’ve had my suspicions.”

“But I obviously can’t be sure. One thing I do know for sure, and that is, it is impossible to fix a game without 90 per cent of the team in on the deal.”

PCB suspends central contract of tainted trio

 Karachi: Pakistan`s disgraced trio of Salman Butt, Mohammed Aamir and Mohammed Asif have had their central contracts suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

A senior official of the PCB said on Wednesday that the central contracts of the three players stood suspended from November 1.

He explained that until the International Cricket Council (ICC) takes a final call on their provisional suspensions and also on the spot fixing allegations against them, they can`t get any benefits from the board.

"Only those players are given contracts who can play for Pakistan. Since these three can`t represent Pakistan until the final decision on their suspensions their contracts are suspended," Director of International Cricket Operations, Zakir Khan said.

Tafazzul Rizvi the legal advisor of the board said that the contracts were suspended in line with the ICC anti-corruption code of conduct laws.

The three players were provisionally suspended by the ICC on September 2 when they were touring England. The suspensions came after a British tabloid did a sting operation and report that the three had allegedly taken bribes to indulge in spot fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord`s.

Butt and Amir appealed against the provisional suspensions but the head of the ICC code of conduct commission upheld their suspensions after a two-day hearing in Dubai last weekend.

Rizvi said until the appeal hearing was held their contracts remained but now they were suspended. He pointed out that the Board Chairman had last month only also given instructions to stop all payments to the suspended trio including monthly retainers of their contracts.

"The board at present is not providing any sort of help or support to the players and they now have to contest the suspensions and allegations against them by themselves," Rizvi said.

Salman and Amir on returning from Dubai said they were disappointed by the rejection of their appeals. They feel that the ICC was trying to corner Pakistan cricket.

"We are being punished for being Pakistanis," Salman said. 

Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Stream online

Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Stream online  | Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI | Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI live Score

Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Stream online :Today first ODI match held between two super teamsAustralia Vs Srilanka . Srilanka have strong edge on Australia because of first T20 match victory.

In First T20 match srilanka beat Australia very tremendously and now its expected from Srilankan Player to perform well in first ODI match and have increase their oneday ranking too.

Australia vs Srilanka:Malinga strong appeal for out. Srilanka Beat the Australia in 1st T20 match.

On the other hand Australia team want to beat Srilanka in First ODI match to decrease pressure of previous match from players . The Australian Captain says that they will comeback Soon in First ODI match and struggle to beat good combination of srilankan Team.
Australia Vs Srilanka 1st ODI match live stream is directly come from the Melbourne, Australia at time of following .

Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Stream online 
Time: 3:40 GMT
Match Venue: Melbourne  ( Australia)
Date: 3rd  Nov. 2010

From asportsnews site you can watch Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Stream online  on the Following Page Cilck  to Enter

Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Stream online


Live Score of Australia vs Srilanka 1st ODI Live Score

South Africa beat pakistan in 3rd ODI with 2 runs.

South Africa beat pakistan in 3rd ODI with 2 runs| South Africa beat pakistan in 3rd ODI

South Africa beat pakistan after a competitive match with little  2 runs .I first batting south africa set 229 target but pakistan batsman only make 226 in 50 overs.

Hashim Amla made his fifth ODI century of the year but Pakistan kept South Africa to 228 in the third ODI in Dubai

It’s been yet another close encounter and the two sides have produced some fabulous cricket over the last few games. 229 was always competitive on this wicket and two early wickets didn’t do any good for the chasing team. Alam kept Pakistan in the hunt with a fantastic knock but it was a bit too late. The two big guns of Pakistan – Afridi and Razzaq – failed with the bat and the Proteas win this thriller to lead the 5 match series 2-1.

South Africa beat pakistan in 3rd ODI with 2 runs, South Africa beat pakistan in 3rd ODI,South Africa vs pakistan 3rd ODI

International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Announces the Departure of its Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Tiffany Granfors

Frederick MD, USA—The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) regret to announce that Ms. Tiffany Granfors, Chief Executive Officer, is now leaving the ICSD organization after a 10 years of excellent service to join Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services (ADWAS) as their new Executive Director, effective after the 2011 Winter Deaflympics in Slovakia.

Ms. Tiffany Granfor during Interview with Sports MX Channel

ICSD has been extremely fortunate to have Ms. Tiffany’s excellent leadership and mentoring skills over the past 10 years. In 2003, she relocated to Switzerland for one and half years to obtain her master’s degree in Sports Administration and Technology and did an internship at the International Olympic Committee which as a result strengthened ICSD’s relationship with the IOC.

Tiffany has shown great dedication to the betterment of ICSD. Over the years, her myriad accomplishments have included establishing Deaf Women Sports Leadership Seminars; increasingly successful Winter and Summer Deaflympics; and implementation of the new ICSD anti-doping program as approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) among others too numerous to list here.

“Although she is leaving us soon, she will always be appreciated not only by ICSD but also by member nations from all over the world” stated the ICSD President, Mr. Craig Crowley.

The ICSD Board and Staff are pleased that Ms. Tiffany Granfors will continue to support ICSD with the search for the new CEO that will begin in the next few weeks. ICSD will work to ensure a smooth transition from Tiffany’s tenure to that of the new CEO.

More details about the opening of this CEO position will be forthcoming.

The Pakistan’s deaf sports community has taken this news as very sad news, its because Ms. Tiffany Granfors have extra ordinary skills that helps Pakistan’s deaf sports associations. Her departure will left a infallible space that someone cant cover with his / her skills. We appreciate Ms. Tiffany Granfors because she have give the things to deaf sports which never ever before given by anyone.

Thanks and a warm GOODBYE to Ms. Tiffany Granfors. (A Message From Pakistan’s Deaf Sports Community).

Bilal Tahir, The Next Generation Deaf Squash Legend

In 2010, Pakistan Deaf Squash Association has organized 01^st Lahore Deaf

Bilal Tahir: 4 Times National Deaf Squash Champion, he also won 1st Lahore Open Deaf Squash Championship & 1st Chief Minister Punjab Open Deaf Squash Championship - 2010

Squash Championship at Punjab Squash Complex, Old Club Road, Lahore. At this time 16 players have show their courage in that tournament. Bilal Tahir blasted all of them by thrilling spirit and reaches in final where his counterpart Bilal Atiq was already waiting for him. In final game, he thrashed strongly Bilal Atiq and claimed the first major title; without doubt he was rises after this championship.

After that championship Pakistan Deaf Squash Association launched 1^st National Deaf Squash Championship at same venue. In initial championship 32 players from several districts have register their names to start a new era. Championship was passionately sponsored by Bank AlFalah Ltd. Who already sponsored so many sports in Pakistan with positive passion;

In finals, once again, both Bilals (Bilal Tahir & Bilal Atiq) reaches in finals by their strong strength out of 30 players demolished after face them. Here again Bilal Tahir thrashed Bilal Atiq and claim is second major and first national level title. Bilal Atiq was failed to show his strength here again as he has an over one hour long game in semifinals which tired him a lot. Bilal Tahir were fresh as he defeats his semifinal’s opponent in just 30 mints.

In second edition of National Deaf Squash Championship, at same venue; again 32 players have reported their entries. Pakistan Deaf Squash Association thanks to Bank AlFalah who supports this Championship just once. After a three years period, all the deaf squash players were looking too much strong. As the qualifying matches were too much tough and no one can believe that Bilals can get access in finals. But hard working Bilals once report their names in final stage by thrashing there semifinals opponents Mohammad Saleem Malik & Sajid Nawaz by thrilling scores.

Final match between Bilals was again tough, the spectators have been divided in two parts one was supporting Bilal Atiq and second was in favor of Bilal Tahir. In a hot summer day of May Bilal Tahir again refuses to surrender in front of Bilal Atiq. He again claimed his second National Deaf Squash Title and become in top ranking of deaf squash players in Pakistan.

On third edition of National Deaf Squash Championship, Bilal Tahir bulldozed

Sajid Nawaz, Mohammad Saleem Malik, Wasif Faizan & Bilal Tahir outside at Punjab Squash Complex

each of his counterparts but he fails to demolish Bilal Atiq in final. The game was really tough and both have fought hard to earn each point, and game was going on sixth set. At last Bilal Tahir lost his stamina and first time he lost his title with Bilal Atiq. But this was not the end of his empire. He comes back in fourth and fifth edition with title holder position after beating Bilal Atiq. Some times he faces hard opponents like Mohammad Saleem Malik and Sajid Nawaz. Both have enough stamina and they have showed their strength but they always fails to beat Bilal Atiq and Bilal Tahir.

“I personally know that where Saleem Malik and Sajid Nawaz are measured, I always use these positions to beat them otherwise they are not easy rivals”.  Said Bilal Tahir

He has also won the 1^st Chief Minister Punjab Open Deaf Squash Championship – 2010 by beating Bilal Atiq in finals. He receives the winning trophy from Mr. Hamid M. Mirza, GM Global Strategic & Planning Division Bank AlFalah Ltd. Mr. Mirza was also impressed with his skills as he softly thrash again Bilal Atiq.

“In new upcoming players, I am impressed with Wasif Faizan, the youngster, who is eager to play squash in battling mode. He is not easy challenger to punch. I think he will go so far in squash if he continues his enthusiasm with racquet. He is young; a little coaching could give him a boast. I sincerely counsel to Pakistan Deaf Squash Association that this young player can be future asset so have to care about it”. Said Bilal Tahir

In the last world deaf squash championship’s final match defending championship Philip Thomas (Newbury, England) started slowly against David Thompson (Scotland), losing the first game to the Scot. But then he showed why he was the former World Deaf Squash Champion, dropping only two points as he went on to complete a remarkable trio of victories in an 8-10, 9-0, 9-1, 9-1 score line.

“I am really in fear with Philip Thomas as he is very much dangerous player who thrashed David Thompson in final marathon. This score line is just showing his power. I have to do something to face Philip Thomas” said Bilal Tahir.

Dr. Khalid Jamil Akhtar praise Bilal Tahir. I know him since first Lahore deaf squash tournament. In every next tournament he comes in new shape with new spirit which answer has to be found yet. None of other players have same qualities like him. I believe that if Pakistan Deaf Squash team reached in New Zealand to participate in 05^th World Deaf Squash Championship (Auckland) then at least Silver Medal could be ours. But further on, I am also thinking about Gold as we have Ms. Aliya Sarfraz, she is rapid and intelligent girl, who is in PSF’s top ten ranking in national level. She can bring Gold Medal throughout her experience.

“Pakistan Deaf Squash Team will fly for New Zealand on 02^nd October 2010. Selection approval has been granted by Punjab Squash Association under Pakistan Squash Federation’s guidelines. Team has two boys and one girl, team officials will be two. Our preparations are going fast as we can’t afford to miss this World Deaf Squash Championship because we already missed out two”. Said Dr. Khalid”