Zaman was already being watched by umpires: Sources
Lahore, April 4: Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman was already being watched closely by the umpires even before they changed the ball and awarded five runs penalty against Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), source have revealed. Zaman was handed a two-match ban after being found guilty of ball-tampering during a PSL match. “The Karachi Kings management had brought to the notice of the fourth umpire and subsequently the match referee from the 13th over onwards that they suspected Fakhar was doing something to the ball,” said a source. The source claimed the referee had asked the on-field umpires to keep a watch on the Lahore Qalandars team, particularly Zaman. “Before the final over, umpire Faisal Afridi had already been watching closely. He asked for the ball and on inspecting it suspected it had been tampered with a foreign object,” he added. “That is why the decision to change the ball and award penalty runs was given,” he stated. Zaman after being banned had also appealed to the technical committee of the PSL to overturn the referee’s decision but they rejected his ban on the grounds that there was enough circumstantial evidence available to the umpires and match referee to take action against Zaman. (PTI)
PCB mulling to appoint Younis Khan as Director Domestic Cricket
Karachi, April 4: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is eyeing former captain and the country’s highest Test run getter Younis Khan to take over as head of the domestic cricket department, according to sources. A reliable source aware of the development said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was keen on having Younis for the important post of Director Domestic Cricket. “Khurrum Niazi who is a career bureaucrat and currently heads the domestic department has been posted in Islamabad and will report soon for his new assignment. Which is why the board is looking at Younis to take over as Director Domestic cricket,” the source said. He said Khurrum, who was brought in on deputation like other bureaucrats into the PCB, ran the domestic cricket department for over two years. “Naqvi now wants a proper experienced cricketer to manage domestic cricket affairs which remains a source of debate in Pakistan cricket,” the source stated. He said the PCB would only announce Younis’ appointment when he signs a contract with the Board. Currently, negotiations are taking place. The 48-year-old Younis has worked in the past as batting coach of the national side. But, he left the role after developing difference of opinion with some Board officials. (PTI)
Delhi, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh win in Sub-Junior National Hockey
Rajgir (Bihar), April 4: Delhi, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram and Bihar registered wins on the fourth day of the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship here on Saturday. Assam and Le Puducherry played out a draw in their respective matches. In the first match of the day, Delhi registered a commanding 30-0 win over Gujarat in Pool A of Division B, while in the second match in the same division, Uttarakhand edged past Telangana Hockey 4-0. In the third match of Division B, Chhattisgarh defeated Karnataka 4-1. In a Division C, Pool B match, Jammu & Kashmir edged past Rajasthan with a narrow 2-1 victory. Later in the day, Mizoram registered a convincing win 4-0 over Andhra Pradesh in Pool A. In the final Pool B match of Division B, Bihar registered a 3-1 win over Himachal. (PTI)
Splendid double for Advani, Chitra
Ludhiana, April 4: Ace cueist Pankaj Advani played the big points well under pressure to edge out a fighting Pushpender Singh for a memorable double in his maiden pool Nationals here on Saturday. In the men’s final of the 10-ball pool event, PSPB’s Advani scored a come-from-behind 11-9 win over his RSPB rival. Later, fellow Bengalurean Chitra Magimairaj rallied splendidly to overcome Neena Praveen of Tamil Nadu 6-4 in the women’s final to complete an impressive double. The men’s final was a match of small margins. Although Pushpender got off the blocks in a rousing manner, Advani, who annexed the 9-ball title a few days ago, fought back in splendid fashion to draw level at 3-3 in the race-to-11 affair. The title clash turned decisively in favour of Advani in the 16th rack. Pushpender seemed on course to make a break, but missed a regulation pot of No. 8 to let Advani draw level. Advani punished another error from Pushpender in the next rack to go up for the first time in the final at 9-8. In the women’s final, Chitra took a 5-3 lead in the race-to-6 title clash. (PTI)
