Tendulkar’s legs shivered facing Shoaib Akhtar: Afridi
Afridi said Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was scared of his pace, saying that he was a witness of “Tendulkar s legs shivering” in front of the Rawalpindi Express.
In his book, Controversially Yours, Akhtar wrote that Tendulkar was scared of his bowling, a comment that has caused furore across the border, forcing publishers to cancel all launch-related and publicity events.
When asked about Akhtar’s claims in his book, Afridi showed no hesitation in backing the former speedster.
“Shoaib is telling the truth. Tendulkar was afraid of him, and while fielding, I saw Tendulkar’s legs shivering while facing his bowling,” Afridi said.
However, the all-rounder added that it was not an unusual feature of a batsman.
“There are times when every batsman feels the pressure, it happens against Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal even,” said Afridi.
The former captain, however, was critical of Akhtar’s comments blaming Afridi for his omission from the 2011 ICC World Cup semi-final squad against India.
“Shoaib should remember that I apologised to the chairman and manager on his behalf and got him back into the national squad. While he hasn’t lied about other things, he won’t be able to look at me in the eyes after he’s said all that,” Afridi said.
ICC Satisfied After Players Ban
ICC chief executive, Haroon Lorat said ICC is satisfied with the ban on three Pakistani players. He said that he was expecting the same from the tribunal and they have decided the case well. He added that tribunal was independent tribunal and the hearing was conducted in the unbiased way.
Salman Butt has been banned for 10 years, Asif for seven years while Amir has been banned for 5 years. The decision is welcomed by the ICC. Lorgat said that the team hearing the case was the experience team and they done total independent work and ICC is fully satisfied with the performance of the tribunal.
Lorgat said that he was confident that the players will get punishment for their doings. He added that they have done corruption in the game and they have to pay for it. He also said that corruption in the game will never be bear by any mean. He committed on zero tolerance.
The chairman of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Ronnie Flanagan added that the investigation against the corruption was initiated far before the news was broke by the news of the world. He said that ACSU gather evidence against the players and completed the investigations against them. Now Asif and Salman Butt have a chance to reduce their punishment up to 5 years.
Salman And Asif Will Face Life-Time Ban: British newspaper
ICC Anti-turbional will give its final verdict against three Pakistani players Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt on 5 February but British newspaper “The Sun” claims that ICC anti-corruption unit decided to give big punishment to trio players due to this Salman and Asif will have to face life-time ban while Muhammad Aamir will face a 5 year ban.
Salman And Asif Will Face Life-Time Ban
Before this, the English media also claims that former captain will face life time ban while other two players have to face a ban of 2, 2 years. To know about their fates, Salman and Aamir will depart today to Doha while Muhammad will reach Qatar directly from London.
The hearing of spot-fixing case was started on in Doha, Qatar on 6 January and completed on 11 January; one the unanimous decision was to delay the announcement of final verdict to 5 February. During the hearing lawyers of former Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and the concluded the defense and completed
their statements. Rest of the hearing, was delivered behind the closed doors.
During the hearing former captain, Salman Butt, told to the tribunal that he had no idea how bookie Mazhar Majeed had predicted when the no-balls would be bowled. Muhammad Asif, who was represented by Alexander Cameroon, the brother of Britain Prime Minister, claimed that he had unintentionally recorded one of the no-balls after being told by the captain, to bowl a faster delivery. Muhammad Amir’s lawyer was hinted that he will use Amir’s age and previous good character as mitigating factor.
British Michael Beloff, is heading the three-man commission, other two tribunal members are Justice Albie Sachs and Sharad Rao. The commission has already reserved the decision and fates of trio players will be decided after two days now. The eyes of entire Pakistani nation and all cricket lovers are looking towards Doha where Beloff is going to give the verdict of the case.
ICC Rejected Extension Request Of KolKata
ICC has rejected the extension request from Kokatta for 10 days. BCCI has moved the request from The Cricket Association of Bengal to ICC to extend the deadline to Eden Garden for 10 more days. The request of BCCI about the rejection has been rejected by the ICC. The match of 27th February between India and England has been ruled out by ICC after they found construction work of the venue incomplete.
BCCI’s chief has forward the letter to ICC’s chief executive Haroon Lorgat and request to hold the match at Eden Gardens. Haroon Lorgat said that he has informed BCCI chief that there is too much planning and logistic involved in it so they could not act on his request.
In the request moved by The Cricket Association of Bengal the have ensured that the ground will be ready to play till the date of the match. ICC has strong stance on the issue and said that it should be ready on the schedule time. ICC has already given extension after the first extension. Now after on the deadline the ground is still not complete so they have cancelled the match between India Vs England on the venue. The new venue still not decided.
PCB Explained The Club Game Amir Played Was Unofficial
ICC took notice of the club game that Muhammad Amir played. He is currently suspended by ICC so he is not allowed to play with any cricket club. He is also facing restriction to play any cricket or practice secession with Pakistan team.
PCB has replied the concern of ICC about the cricket match that Muhammad Amir played. PCB said that the match was not official match and it is not covered under ICC’s code of conduct. They also stressed that regional bodies should take care of such matters.
It is also cleared that in the match there was not representation of any official of PCB on that venue. PCB added that he was not in the list of team in which he bowled. They also said that he bowled few over and didn’t stay on the field for long time.
It is also ensured by PCB that they have directed the legal councils of all regions to strictly comply with ICC’s code of conduct. The issue was raised after the fast bowler was found playing in the game at Rawalpindi. ICC asked PCB to explain the matter as suspended player is not allowed to play any kind of cricket. PCB has replied ICC that the game was not official game.
ICC Ruled Out India-England Fixture At Eden Garden
After examining the venues for the world cup match ICC has ruled out the chances of ODI match between India and England at Eden Garden that is schedule to play on 27th February. 
The match will be played at different venue. According to reports the decision of canceling the venue was made after the inspections of grounds and it was observed that the ground will not be ready before the match.
It is a big embracement for BCCI. So far there is no alternative venue has been named for this. The Cricket Association of Bengal called an emergency meeting to discuss the matter but so far they are not in a position to decide about the matter.
This is very unfortunate for the Eden Gardens and if they will not able to get the chance to make it right then it would be difficult for them to control the situation. Kolkatta is also not clear about the situation of three world cup matches that they were schedule to host. They get deadline for 25th February to complete all construction works but they were not able to complete them and resultantly their chances to host the match is in difficulties. Tour operator Shetty said that they are working to find the new venues for the world cup matches.
ICC Got Angry On Participation of Amir in Practice Match
ICC got angry on the participating of Muhammad Amir, Suspended Pakistani player in spot-fixing scandal. The left-arm pacer played a practice match representing a local club in Rawalpindi cricket stadium. 
Pakistan Cricket Board have took the notice and asked for the details of officials of Rawalpindi Regional Academy. The coach of the academy Azhar Sabeeh accepted that Muhammad Amir bowled in the match. The spokesman of PCB Nadeem Sarwar said that although the suspended player didn’t participated in event held by PCB but board will investigate that who gives the permission to participate fast bowler in the ground, which is under control of board.
The spokesman of PCB said that we are receiving applications from different associations to include the trio suspended players in their teams but PCB respect the injunctions of ICC anti-corruption unit. It is to be remembered that after the declaring sustentation of Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt from ICC, PCB have also cancelled the central contracts of mentioned players. All three players were suspended after coming spot-fixing scandal on the record in England last year.
It is not cleared yet that the match played yesterday between Army and Rawalpindi was held by PCB or it is a private or friendly match. But according to academy coach Azhar Sabeeh he was not in the ground but when he came then came into knowledge that Muhammad Amir have bowled some overs from Army. He said that Regional didn’t arrange this match it is a private and friendly match. PCB decided the inquiry of the matter.
It is to be remembered that few months ago suspended Salman butt also practiced in the National Academy Lahore. After that PCB took series notice and giving the reference of ICC injunctions, said that all three suspended players cannot participate in any cricket activity. The fate of suspended players will be decided on 5 February. On the participation of Amir in practice match angry ICC said that until the verdict is announced, players are not allowed playing any sort of cricket.
ICC Worried About the World Cup Venues
Less then one month remaining in the start of ICC World Cup 2011 but the construction work of stadiums in India and Sri Lanka is not completed yet, for the hosting of Mega event. World Cup will be co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka starting from 19 February. The ICC is so much worried about the situation and has sent an inspection team to India in order to check the construction work of these venues.
In Premadasa stadium of Sri Lanka seven matches will be played including a quarter final and a semi-final. While talking to media, the chairman of Sri-Lankan cricket committee Dandeniyage Somachandra de Silva accepted that four important stadiums are not ready for the Mega event yet. He further said that hopefully the work on these venues will be completed soon.
The duo of Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai are not ready. The final of Mega event will be played in Wankhede Stadium. The organizers are hopeful that before the start of the world cup all work would be completed.
Kotla Stadium in Feroz Shah is an other important venue of World Cup and its construction work is little bit remaining it is to be remembered that this stadium was banned by the ICC in 2009 for producing a track which sub-standard and dangerous for
the batsmen.
The chief exective of ICC Haroon Logart has shown his reservations about venues before Indian and Sri Lankan cricket boards time and again. In the ICC meeting held on 30 October, last year, ICC gave the deadline for completion of construction of stadiums and to make them suitable for play as 30 November and 31 December 2010 respectively. Both India and Sri Lanka did not put these deadlines under consideration which makes ICC so angry.
14 teams are participating in the tournament. These 14 teams are divided into two groups in each of which seven teams are included. The final of the tournament will be played on 2nd April.
Butt Faced Tough Cross-Examination In ICC Hearing
Pakistani players are in Doha to defend the allegation of fixing against them. During the hearing of ICC former Pakistani Captain Salman Butt was having tough time on third day. First his own lawyer examined him and clear things to tribunal. After that he was cross-examined by the lawyers of ICC. He was having tough time in the hearing due to tough cross-examination.
According to reports he was examined and questioned by the money found from his hotel room. Sources said that Butt has also presented an agreement with Shoe Company. Observers of the hearing said that it was tough examination of Salman Butt.
Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Amir Chances to have such tough examination also increase. It is also said that Butt spent whole third day in cross examination and it was really tough for him.
On Friday two Pakistani captains Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis has also recorded their statements to ICC. Butt was relaxed after the day’s hearing and came out with his lawyer more relaxed then previous day. It is still not confirm weather Butt’s cross-examination will continue tomorrow or it will be ended.
Fourth day will be important for Salman Butt and other two Pakistani players. The hearing will continue till 11th January and will decide the future of three Pakistani players.
ICC Took Action Against Statements Of Suspended Players
International Cricket Council took action against the statements of suspended players. According to local media reporting ICC has asked players to remain cautious in making statements. Muhammad Amir and Salman Butt had made some aggressive statement against ICC. The statements were too aggressive that ICC asks players to remain cautious.
Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir said in different interviews that ICC is biased and they wanted to corner Pakistan from cricket. They also said that they are treated like this because they are Pakistani. Amir put an allegation that the decision of their appeals was pre-decided and they are not satisfied by the treatment of ICC.
Shahid Karim is lawyer of fast bowler Muhammad Amir and he prepared and presented the case for him. He said that ICC is right to take action against the aggression of players. He added that it was their natural response and no by planning. He added that player should take care of one thing that their interviews should not affect their final hearings.
He said that they have already applied for the dates of final hearing and also hopeful to get the final dates early. He said that ICC may defer the hearing of players as it is up to them to decide about the dates.
