Former cricketers will lose by the Government's decision: Muthiah

The Pakistan Cricket Board, reacting to the Indian Government's decision to pull out of the Sharjah tri-series, has said that it stuck to its earlier decision to boycott India in all future tournaments. Talking to PTI over phone from Lahore, PCB director Brig. Munawar Rana said that enough has been said on this subject already. The board's decision not play India in future would be forwarded to the Pakistan government for approval by its chairman, Gen. Tauqir Zia.

Rana said the public reaction to the subject on Pakistan's decision enjoys popular support. However, he said a final decision on this would be taken by the government. Earlier this week, Zia had told a meeting of South Asian umpires here that Pakistan would not play against India from now on. "Enough is enough", said Zia. Almost all the senior Pakistan cricketers in Islamabad including former skipper Imran Khan has expressed support to PCB's decision to boycott India in future.

Meanwhile, BCCI president AC Muthiah reacting to the Indian government's decision said the board would accept and abide by the centre's decision. He also said that the decision would affect the former cricketers. Muthiah said "By not participating in the Sharjah tournament, former Test cricketers will be the losers since we have been nominating a few cricketers every year for receiving some benefit." However, he added "In view of the government's decision, the board would explore the possibility of making alternative arrangements to help players."

KwaZulu Natal thrash Mumbai in the Champions Cup

South Africa's KwaZulu Natal coasted to a six wicket victory over Mumbai in a Champions Cup one-day competition clash at the WACA Ground in Perth on Sunday. Chasing a target of 187 for a victory, the South Africans romped home for the loss of only four wickets. KwaZulu Natal now have two wins from three matches in the four-team contest and have strong prospects of reaching Wednesday's final of the inaugural event.

Chasing a modest target, KwaZulu Natal were in trouble as they were reduced to 90 for four in their chase before the fifth-wicket pair of Mark Bruyns and Wade Wingfield both hit unbeaten half-centuries in a stand of 100 to clinch the win with five overs to spare. Bruyns, at number four, made 54 from 75 balls, including five hits to the fence, while Wingfield's 51 came off 82 balls with five fours and a six. The other significant contribution came from opener Doug Watson who stroked a handy 30 from 43 deliveries.

Earlier, the Mumbai innings was in shambles except for a brief resistance from Robin Morris (30 from 39 balls), Jatin Paranjpe (34 from 55 balls) and later in the innings by number eight Paras Mhambrey (31 from 45 balls). Mumbai were ultimately all out for 186 off 47.3 overs. The chief wicket takers for the South African side were Jon Kent (3-25 from 8.3 overs), Andrew Tweedie (2-53 from nine overs) and captain Dale Benkenstein (2-27 from five overs). Mumbai will be in action again on Monday, clashing with New Zealand's Shell Cup holder, Central Districts in their last match. However, with two defeats in as many matches, Mumbai are out of contention for a place in the final.

Online betting racket busted in Nagpur

The Nagpur police have busted a multi-crore online cricket betting racket in the city and have seized highly sophisticated equipment, including computers, besides arrested one person during raids conducted while India and Australia were playing their one-day international match at Indore on Saturday. Police Commissioner RS Sharma told reporters in Nagpur on Saturday night that a preliminary scan of the seized computer records showed betting to the tune of Rs 11.34 crore during the India-Zimbabwe series in the country last November.

Sharma added that "It would take some time to decode the entries besides cross checking and verification of 600 entries in the computer." Sharma said raids were conducted simultaneously at two places during the one-dayer between India and Australia at Indore on Saturday. Offences under relevant sections of IPC and the Indian Telegraph Act had been registered against the bookies. Possibility of involvement of any national or international gang in the online betting was being investigated, Sharma said.

Holders Western Railway win second match

Getting the winning run with four overs to spare, Western Railway, the defending champions registered their second successive victory when they defeated Northern by four wickets in the 15th inter-railway women's cricket tournament at Kolkata on Sunday.

Opting to bat, Northern were restricted to 141 for eight in 50 overs. Gulshan Sharma top scored with 33. She faced 73 balls and hit three of them to the ropes. Rajini Bhalla conributed 31 off 66 balls with two boundary hits. Preeti Dudhe's unbeaten 25 kept the innings going. Leg spinner Reema Malhotra was the most successful bowler taking three for 40 off ten overs.

Western did not encounter much difficulty in reaching their target. The experienced Hemlata Kala hit 31 off 60 balls with four boundary hits. Then Sangeetha Kamath with an unbeaten 51 steered Western to victory. She faced 91 balls and hit four of them to the fence. Rajini Sharma (2 for 18) and Rajini Bhalla (2 for 24) were the main wicket takers.

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