Sports News – Newsletter for January 20, 2011

Pakistan team united like the 1992 WC winning side: Intikhab

KARACHI – Pakistan’s cricket officials believe that the match-fixing scandal in which some of their players were involved has brought the team together ahead of the World Cup in February.

Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan team manager, Thursday said the controversies and uncertainty have actually worked as a catalyst to bond the players of a team … Original article on : Pakistan team united like the 1992 WC winning side: Intikhab.

PCB chief leaves for New Zealand to decide on WC captain

KARACHI – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has secretly left for New Zealand to “sort out” the captaincy issue that is threatening to hamper the team’s World Cup hopes.

According to sources, Butt has left for Wellington to be with the Pakistan team which will play six One-day Internationals against New Zealand starting …. Read the original article  : here.

Stoke City star Pennant forgot Porsche at train station

LONDON – English Premier League star Jermaine Pennant – once Britain’s most expensive teenage soccer player – forgot he owned a Porsche, leaving the luxury car at a train station for six months.

Pennant, who has a collection of sports cars, abandoned the Porsche in Spain when he left Spanish club Real Zaragoza for a …. Original source  : Stoke City star Pennant forgot Porsche at train station.

No rift between Fabregas, Denilson says coach Wenger

LONDON – Coach Arsene Wenger has denied reports of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas having a rift with mid-fielder team-mate Denilson.

Denilson was quoted in yesterday’s SunSport saying Fabregas was not a natural leader.

But Gunners boss Wenger said: “They are very good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

“We have many leaders in our … Read more : No rift between Fabregas, Denilson says coach Wenger.

Runaway Pak wicketkeeper Zulqarnain runs out of money in UK

LONDON – Runaway Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who stunned one and all by fleeing the team hotel in Dubai hours before the final one-day international against South Africa last year, has said he has run out of money.

Zulqarnain, who has lost around 10lbs in weight during a “very depressing” period, claimed that the Pakistan Cricket … Original article on : Runaway Pak wicketkeeper Zulqarnain runs out of money in UK.

Warne calls off charity England-Oz greats Twenty20 flood relief match

MELBOURNE – Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has called off a Twenty20 match to raise money for victims of the Queensland floods.

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately after discussions with everyone concerned re a flood game, it won’t be happening,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Warne, as saying in his Twitter post.

It … Read more : Warne calls off charity England-Oz greats Twenty20 flood relief match.

Liverpool chairman Werner backs coach Dalglish for full-time role

LONDON – Liverpool chairman Tom Werner is backing coach Kenny Dalglish to become Liverpool’s permanent boss.

Werner said Dalglish was staking a strong claim to get the job full-time, even though his record after three games in charge is two defeats and a draw.

The Sun quoted Werner, as saying: “I think he’s the right …. Source article  : Liverpool chairman Werner backs coach Dalglish for full-time role.

Sunderland fans target striker Bent for shift to Aston Villa

LONDON – Striker Darren Brent has reportedly received sickening death threats from Sunderland fans on Twitter after his 24-million-pound move to Aston Villa.

One said: “I hope you die painfully, remember what we did for you.”

And another tweeted: “Die, Judas,” The Sun reports.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier signed Bent, 26, on Tuesday – prompting …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sunderland fans target striker Bent for shift to Aston Villa.

Muslim girl in US pulled from basketball game as headscarf posed ’safety risk’

LONDON – A Muslim girl in the US was forced to sit out the first half of a basketball game after a referee decided that her headscarf posed a safety risk.

Maheen Haq, 12, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was allowed to play the second half wearing the hijab, which the referee had said could choke her, after …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Muslim girl in US pulled from basketball game as headscarf posed ’safety risk’.

Liverpool close to inking 18 m pound deal with Suarez

LONDON – Liverpool coach Kenny Dalglish is on the brink of landing Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez for a sum of 18 million pounds.

The 23-year-old Ajax star is a long-time Liverpool target but the Dutch giants wanted at least 25 million pounds.

But Kop boss Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli are said to be close …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Liverpool close to inking 18 m pound deal with Suarez.

Australia raises CWG unpaid bills with India

MELBOURNE – Australia Thursday raised the issue of millions of dollars owed to its firms by India’s Commonwealth Games Organising Committee with visiting External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who assured he would take it up with the sports ministry on return to India.

As soon as I go back, I will take it up … Read more >>>.

Barcelona beaten, but will face Almeria in King’s cup semis

MADRID – Barcelona progressed into the semifinals of the Spanish King’s Cup Wednesday despite a surprise 3-1 defeat away to second division Betis.

Barca went into the semis on a 6-3 aggregate because they hammered Betis 5-0 in last week’s first leg.
Betis are top of the second division and on the road back to … Read more »».

Sports ministry important in handling CWG disputes: Maken

NEW DELHI – The sports ministry has a “very important role” to play in handling disputes related to the Commonwealth Games (CWG), India’s new Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ajay Maken said here Thursday.

Minister of sports has a very important role and we do not deny any role or responsibility which has been put … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sports ministry important in handling CWG disputes: Maken.

Chelsea determined to rope in Sanchez

LONDON – Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti appears determined to rope in the services of 25-million-pound-rated Udinese midfield star Alexis Sanchez.

Chelsea did hold talks with the Italian outfit, but have been unable to agree on a fee so far.

Udinese chairman Gianpaolo Pozzo revealed: “With Chelsea, we talked 25 million pounds. I want this figure, if not …. Source  : Chelsea determined to rope in Sanchez.

Gunners working for clean four title sweep: Nasri

LONDON – Samir Nasri has revealed that Arsenal will go for a clean sweep of all four trophies this season.

“We want to win every game and every competition, so the FA Cup is really important to us. We wanted to start really strong and not let them believe or take any confidence. The pitch … Read : Gunners working for clean four title sweep: Nasri.

PCB issues notice to Waqar Younis for violating board’s new media policy

LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board has issued a notice to team coach Waqar Younis for issuing a statement regarding the selectors’ decision to withhold the name of the captain while announcing the final 15-member squad for next month’s World Cup.

Waqar had said: “I am surprised that the board has delayed announcing the captain. I … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PCB issues notice to Waqar Younis for violating board’s new media policy.

Australia keeping careful eye on Watson’s fitness

HOBART – Australian all-rounder Shane Watson’s workload is being carefully monitored by team management who are wary not to turn the player into the goose that laid the golden egg.

Watson has spent nearly 29 hours at the crease, faced almost 215 overs of bowling, rolled his arm over 938 times and not missed a game … Read more : Australia keeping careful eye on Watson’s fitness.

Vettori quits as Test captain, will end ODI reign after World Cup

MELBOURNE – Daniel Vettori has announced he will step down as New Zealand cricket captain after the 2011 World Cup.

Vettori has captained the Black Caps in 32 Tests since he took over from Stephen Fleming in 2007, and sits third on the list of most Tests captained for New Zealand, behind Fleming (80) and John …. Original article  : Vettori quits as Test captain, will end ODI reign after World Cup.

PCB’s decision not to name Pak skipper for World Cup “strange practice”: Akram

KARACHI – Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed surprise over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to withhold the name of the captain while announcing the final 15-member squad for next month’s World Cup to be held in the sub-continent from February 19.

“It is a strange practice to me, and it only means that …. Original article  : PCB’s decision not to name Pak skipper for World Cup “strange practice”: Akram.

Paine might replace Hussey in Australia’s World Cup top-six: Bracken

MELBOURNE – Nathan Bracken has said Australia might have no choice but to play back-up wicket-keeper Tim Paine in the top-six due to a lack of balance in the World Cup squad.

With Australia likely to risk taking Mike Hussey to the subcontinent in the hope he will be fit for the later stages of the … Read more >>.