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`Fixed series' keeping crowds away

          Lahore: The Pakistan cricket authorities are skeptical over whether enough crowds would turn up to watch the third and final Test at Rawalpindi beginning April 13. They feel that it would be a great achievement if even half of the seats would be occupied. "If the poor response from fans in the first two Tests at Multan and Lahore is any indication, I fear Rawalpindi will be no different. I will be surprised if half the seats are taken," the News quoted PCB spokesman Sami-ul Hasan as saying here Friday. One of the reasons being touted behind the poor response for Tests, was the growing perception among the masses that this is a "friendship tour" in more senses than one.

Sehwag only one of his kind: Asif Iqbal (Go To Top)

          London: Indian Test opener Virender Sehwag has almost demolished the Pakistan pace attack, since he is unlike any other opening batsman the world has seen, said former Pakistan cricket captain Asif Iqbal in an article published in the Daily Times on Saturday. According to him, the Pakistan pace attack has not shown its true strength so far in the ongoing Test series against India. Iqbal said that apart from that one outstanding spell from Umar Gul and Shoaib's spell on the fourth morning of the second Test, the seam attack has never looked genuinely threatening, the sort of attack that suggests it could take a wicket with almost every delivery. The full rhythm is not there yet. Rhythm is something that has to be established early in a game and perhaps they have been upset by Sehwag, "who is unlike any opening batsman the world has known".

Miandad best coach in Pak, says Rashid (Go To Top)

          Rawalpindi: Pakistan cricket coach Javed Miandad should be allowed to continue in his present position since he is very dedicated, hard working and excellent cricket coach, the country's former skipper Rashid Latif has said. "I may have had my difference of opinion with him when I was captain but this much I can vouch he is a very dedicated, hard working and excellent cricket coach who knows how to get the best out of the players," The News quoted Rashid as saying here Friday. He said that Miandad was without doubt the best coach in the country, and the best man to handle the team at this stage. "He played a big role in the rebuilding process after the World Cup. And today if there is improvement in the younger players like Imran Farhat, Taufeeq or Yasir it is because of the quality time he has spent with them," the veteran wicket-keeper added. It may be recalled that recently PCB Chief Shahryar Khan had indicated that the Board might "review" the contract with Miandad after the India series.

Karachi to host SAARC Golf Championship (Go To Top)

          Karachi: The SAARC Golf Championship, featuring some of the South Asia's top golfers, will be held at the Karachi Golf Club this summer from July 29 to August 1, The News reported Saturday. The championship is likely to attract prominent amateur golfers from most of the eight SAARC member nations including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bhutan, the paper added Asad I.A. Khan, secretary of the Sindh Golf Association (SGA) and a veteran golfer, said that Pakistan was offered to host the championship by the SAARC sports officials recently, and the PGF, the ruling body of the game in the country, agreed to hold the four-day event. All the eight SAARC member nations, who recently competed in the 9th SAF Games in Islamabad earlier this month, will be invited to send their teams for the championship. Each team will include four players.