Briefly Cricket

Sri Lanka coach Ford refuses to renew contract

Sri Lanka coach Ford refuses to renew contract

Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that the national cricket team’s head coach Graham Ford will be released of his duties after his contract expires in January next year. “Graham Ford has intimated that he would like to be released from his duties at the end of his contract due to his family commitments”,SLC release said. The SLC was intending to hold further talks with Ford,who last month was quoted as saying that he would wait until January 2014 to make a decision on his future with Sri Lanka. There have been rumours that Ford will leave his Sri Lankan job to take reins with the English county team Surrey. He had previously coached Kent in 2007. Ford took over as the coach of the Sri Lankan team after Tom Moody left the position in 2011.

Uttar Pradesh gears up to host IPL matches

New delhi: Uttar Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Narad Rai today said that efforts were being made to organise Indian Premier League matches in the state. Talking to reporters Rai said that talks were being held with the BCCI to organise IPL matches in UP. He said that efforts were being made to stage the National Games in 2015 in UP. Rai said that a Test match between India and New Zealand would be played here in November.

Stop running after BCCI,Akhtar urges Pak board

karachi: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar says instead of running after the BCCI for normalising cricket ties,the Pakistan Cricket Board should focus on converting the national team into a world class side. The Indian government has rejected visa applications of Faisalabad Wolves,which was to play in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament. I am not surprised… I have always said that we dont need to run after India all the time and we need to stop begging on different issues whether it is resumption of bilateral cricket ties,allowing our players for the IPL or our team for the Champions League, Akhtar said. (what we will lose?) A few hundred thousand dollars. But it is time we stopped going after India all the time. We need to start setting our house in order and strengthening our own domestic cricket and infrastructure.

Akram hopes for Sachins final Test to be against Pakistan

Lahore : Wasim Akram hoped Sachin Tendulkar would play his farewell Test against Pakistan. Tendulkar,40,is set to achieve the unique record of playing his 200th Test later this year against the West Indies. Speculation is rife that Tendulkar might retire after that or early next year. I have created an ideal scenario for his farewell Test: India playing Pakistan at Eden Gardens,Kolkata with a passionate crowd and both nations at a standstill, Akram said. It could be the best farewell Tendulkar can have. The Indian media has speculated that India may cancel their tour to South Africa later this year and invite Pakistan for a short two-Test tour. Akram said Tendulkar was also revered in Pakistan. He is a role model, said Akram. He is one of the best without any doubt and if I had to vote for the best sportsman of the century I would not hesitate for a second to give it to Sachin. Having played with him for years and having been in touch even after my retirement I have found him a true role model. I hope relations improve and my wish come true is that India and Pakistan play a Test sooner than later.