Emirates on board as Pakistan cricket sponsor

KARACHI: Emirates Airlines has announced a sponsorship deal for domestic cricket in Pakistan in alliance with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it was announced here on Thursday.

“The airline – an ICC Official Partner – has a long history of supporting cricket both at global and grassroots level – and is set to strengthen its commitment to the sport by sponsoring a number of tournaments, including the National T20 Cup 2011, Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2011-12, Pentangular Cricket Cup 2011-12, One-Day Cricket Cup 2011-12 and Super 8 T20 Cricket Cup 2012, it said in a statement.“

The sponsorship marks Emirates most significant foray into mainstream sports in Pakistan and will include development opportunities for talented youngsters.

“Although we are proud of our involvement in cricket around the world, with prestigious partnerships such as the ICC which gives the airline sponsorship rights to all its major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup – contributing to the growth of the sports at a grassroots level is particularly satisfying for us,“ said Badr Abbas, Vice President Pakistan & Afghanistan.

“To be associated with a sports which the people of Pakistan follow with great passion allows us to create closer ties with them and demonstrates our on-going support for the growth of cricket. Domestic cricket has produced many world-class players and we hope that through this sponsorship, Emirates will play a role in the continued success of the sports,” he said.

Pakistan lose to top seeds Wales in Snooker World Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan went down fighting 2-3 to top seeds Wales in the ongoing Snooker World Cup at Bangkok Convention Centre on Thursday.

According to the results made available here, despite the defeat which is second in a row in three league games, Pakistan are still in the race for a place in quarter-finals from group ‘A’.

After taking a winning start by stunning eighth seeds Republic of Ireland 3-2 in the opener, qualifiers Pakistan lost 2-3 to Germany in the next game before tasting their second successive defeat at the hands of fancied Wales.

Pakistan went into one frame arrear when national champion Shahid Aftab lost the opening singles to Mark Williams. Mohammad Sajjad, the former Asian No 2, fell to Matthew Stevens in the second.

The Pakistani pair of Shahid and Sajjad also lost the doubles to the Wales pair of Williams and Stevens.

However, Pakistan won the last two singles which were of academic interest after they had also lost the best-of-five battle.

Pakistan meet Egypt in the last league match on Friday.

Meanwhile, top seeds Wales have maintained a clean slate winning all three matches so far. Three teams – Pakistan, Egypt and Germany – have lost two of their three games while Republic of Ireland had lost one of the two.

The second place from group ‘A’ would become clear on the completion of the league matches on Friday.

Results:

Group ‘A’:

Wales bt Pakistan 3-2.

Singles: Mark Williams bt Shahid Aftab; Matthew Stevens bt Mohammad Sajjad.

Doubles: Wales beat Pakistan.

Singles: Mark Williams lost to Mohammad Sajjad; Matthew Stevens lost to Shahid Aftab.

Afridi, Butt resolve differences

Islamabad: Former cricket captain Shahid Afridi met Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt in Islamabad and reached an out of court settlement.

According to the sources, important government officials were also present in the meeting. Former skipper agreed to withdraw the case against the PCB and also to appear before the disciplinary committee of the board.

The PCB will issue the NOC for Afridi after he appears before the committee. After getting the required permission Afridi will be able to play for Hampshire County in a T20 tournament in England and Sri Lanka Premier League.

European tour, Champions Trophy crucial for Olympics: Junaid

LAHORE Singling out next year’s Olympics as the primary target, an upbeat-looking Pakistan hockey team manager Khawaja Junaid on Monday said the upcoming tour to Europe and the Champions Trophy will be instrumental in building a formidable squad for the London Games.

“Thinking realistically, we have time to raise a formidable team for the Olympics and to test the real physical and mental fitness of the players,” Junaid told Dawn here on Monday.

“The upcoming tour to Europe followed by the Champions Trophy later this year will help us determine the real standing of our players against tough opponents like Australia, Germany, Holland and England,” Junaid said.

“The fitness level of players at the end of the first phase of our training during the camp in Islamabad has increased. While the second phase of the preparation is our tour to Europe [starting on June 15], which will reveal our players’ skills against stronger teams,” he stated.

The manager reckoned that the first part of the Europe tour in Ireland where China, France and the hosts would feature along with Pakistan in a four-nation tournament, would not be that demanding.

However, he admitted a tough competition was expected in Holland where besides the hosts, Germany and England — all above Pakistan in world ranking — would be competing.

Junaid believed winning or losing against top teams did not matter while contending that the team management had arranged the tour to motivate the players.

“We will give our best against Holland, Germany and England. A defeat there will not be worrisome for us. In fact, it [the defeat] will tell us our weaknesses.

“Furthermore, our real target is the [2012] Olympics for which by the grace of God we have qualified directly after winning the Asian Games last year,” he said.

The manager expressed that Pakistan’s entry into the Champions Trophy was also a blessing for the players who could test their abilities in the game’s elite competition before the all-important Olympics.

“In the Champions Trophy all top teams will be vying against each other and so we are targeting this toughest event as the best preparation opportunity for the Olympics,” he remarked.

The manager highlighted that the senior players were very positive and eager to win more titles as next year’s Olympics might be their last big event.

“After winning the Asian Games crown and producing an excellent show in the Azlan Shah Cup, all the players including seniors have tasted the flavour of victory and the way nation and government welcomed them, now they are eager to grab as many wins as they can.

“Therefore, all the players are striving besides following the instructions to improve their physical fitness,” he said.

To a question, he acknowledged Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel’s role in building the team was very positive while insisting that the entire team management was working as one-unit to groom the team.

“Let me assure the nation that our team management and players have gelled well, the team’s performance in the Asian Games and Azlan Shah Cup reflects this reality,” Junaid concluded.

Nadal beats Federer for sixth French crown

PARIS: Rafael Nadal sealed a record-equalling sixth French Open title with a 7-5 7-6 5-7 6-1 win over Roger Federer on Sunday to continue his dominance on clay over his great rival.

The victory meant the Spaniard equalled Bjorn Borg’s men’s singles record at Roland Garros while it also made sure he would remain world number one amid pressure from Novak Djokovic.

Swiss Federer, who was bidding to beat Nadal in western Paris for the first time in five attempts, raced into a 5-2 lead in the first set and squandered a set point before errors crept into his play as the top seed turned the screw with some exceptional recovery shots.

Nadal rattled off seven games in a row to move 2-0 ahead in the second set as gasps went around a packed crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, who were mainly supporting record 16-times grand slam champion Federer.

A slow start to the two-week tournament by Nadal was long forgotten by the time two of the greats of the game came to clash in the final after third seed Federer had ended second seed Djokovic’s 41-match winning streak in 2011 in the semis.

Like so many of their epic duels down the years, this was another match full of exhilarating rallies and spellbinding winners but “King of Clay” Nadal deservedly prevailed.

Nadal, who has only ever lost one match in his seven years at the French Open, gave Federer a glimmer of a chance in the second set but easily won the tiebreak 7-3.

Federer battled back from 4-2 down in the third with some sublime tennis to extend the contest and had 0-40 on Nadal’s opening service game in the fourth set.

However, Nadal roared back to claim his 10th grand slam title when a resigned Federer hit a forehand long, the emotional Spaniard dropping to his knees in celebration.

Nadal beats Federer for sixth French crown

PARIS: Rafael Nadal sealed a record-equalling sixth French Open title with a 7-5 7-6 5-7 6-1 win over Roger Federer on Sunday to continue his dominance on clay over his great rival.

The victory meant the Spaniard equalled Bjorn Borg’s men’s singles record at Roland Garros while it also made sure he would remain world number one amid pressure from Novak Djokovic.

Swiss Federer, who was bidding to beat Nadal in western Paris for the first time in five attempts, raced into a 5-2 lead in the first set and squandered a set point before errors crept into his play as the top seed turned the screw with some exceptional recovery shots.

Nadal rattled off seven games in a row to move 2-0 ahead in the second set as gasps went around a packed crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, who were mainly supporting record 16-times grand slam champion Federer.

A slow start to the two-week tournament by Nadal was long forgotten by the time two of the greats of the game came to clash in the final after third seed Federer had ended second seed Djokovic’s 41-match winning streak in 2011 in the semis.

Like so many of their epic duels down the years, this was another match full of exhilarating rallies and spellbinding winners but “King of Clay” Nadal deservedly prevailed.

Nadal, who has only ever lost one match in his seven years at the French Open, gave Federer a glimmer of a chance in the second set but easily won the tiebreak 7-3.

Federer battled back from 4-2 down in the third with some sublime tennis to extend the contest and had 0-40 on Nadal’s opening service game in the fourth set.

However, Nadal roared back to claim his 10th grand slam title when a resigned Federer hit a forehand long, the emotional Spaniard dropping to his knees in celebration.

History-maker Li wins French Open for China

PARIS: Li Na made sporting history at the French Open on Saturday when she became the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title.

The 29-year-old from Wuhan defeated defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) to take her place in the pantheon of Chinese sports stars.

Li clinched the watershed win with a superb 7-0 tie-break performance in the second set, falling onto her back in the red dirt when Schiavone hit long on match point.

It was a thrilling display of shot-making from the Chinese player who has said she hopes that by winning a Grand Slam title she will act as a catalyst for the growth of tennis in her giant homeland.

For 30-year-old Schiavone it was a bitter pill to swallow one year after she upset the odds to become Italy’s first and so far only Grand Slam women’s champion.

“I was 4-2 up and she tried to come back, but I just had to stand up again and I made it. I think everyone in China will be so excited,” said Li, who has been a pioneer for the sport in her country throughout her career.

“I was nervous but I didn’t want to show my opponent.”Schiavone said: “She played well. I couldn’t push her from the baseline.

Then we were closer. One has to lose, one has to win. She deserved to win.”In what was the the oldest Grand Slam singles final in 21 years, the combined ages of the two players was 60 years and 79 days.

Schiavone was looking to her claycourt expertise and experience of winning here last year to make the difference, while Li said that having played and lost a Grand Slam final already this year in Australia would help her confidence.

With the final broadcast live on television in China, where interest in her exploits has spiralled, Li had the first break point of the match on a sultry, still afternoon on the Philippe Chatrier centre court but she clattered a forehand long.

A tense, closely-fought start to the final pitted the wiry Schiavone’s vicious top spin and tactical guile against the more powerful flat-hitting of the athletic Li and it was the Chinese seventh seed who drew first blood in the fifth game.

A poorly executed drop shot from Schiavone gave Li two break points and she took the second of these when an under-pressure Schiavone hit a forehand wide.

Li then held serve three consecutive times to take the first set 6-4 in 39 minutes and she looked in total charge of the final going into the second set.

She earned three more break points as Schiavone struggled to contain her weight of shot and the Chinese player let out a shout of triumph as she converted the final one of those.

Schiavone badly needed to find an answer to her opponent’s domination and by throwing in some more variety in the next game she crafted her first break point of the final in the next game.

Li though swatted that aside with a big first serve and then confidently moved out into a 2-0 lead.

Another netted drop shot gave Li a further break point in the fifth game, but with the court wide open the sixth seed blasted a shoulder-high forehand into the net with a 4-1 lead on offer.

Li was proving steady as a rock on her own serve as she comfortably held for 4-2 and she saw another break point against Schiavone go astray in the next game.

The missed opportunities immediately came back to haunt her as she flung in three unforced errors when serving for a 5-3 lead and Schiavone pounced to secure her first service break of the match.

Both players then held serve twice to force the tie-break.

Li dominated that from the start, sweeping it 7-0, to gleefully write her name into the record books and open what could be a new era for the sport of tennis in China.

PCB suspends Shahid Afridi’s contract

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board on Tuesday suspended the central contract of former one-day captain Shahid Afridi, who had announced his retirement from international cricket, a board statement said.

At the same time it revoked all no-objection certificates (NOCs) for the player, meaning he will not be officially permitted to play abroad, the PCB said.

Afridi, a hugely popular big-hitting all-rounder, had been expected to play for Hampshire in the Twenty20 league in England next month, and also in the Sri Lanka Premier League a month later.

The 31-year-old, who was stripped of the Pakistan one-day captaincy earlier this month, announced his retirement from all international cricket on Monday following a spat with coach Waqar Younis.

“PCB has initiated action against Afridi in response to the multiple breaches he has committed under the central contract signed with PCB,” the statement said.

The PCB said Afridi must explain within seven days why he levelled allegations against the Board.

Afridi represented Pakistan in 325 ODIs

Shahid Afridi scored 6,695 runs in 325 one day international matches.

Shahid Afridi, popularly known as Boom Boom Afridi, made his one day international debut against Kenya on October 2, 1996. He played 325 ODI matches, scoring 6,695 runs which included six centuries and 31 fifties.

Afridi also claimed 315 wickets in ODI matches with best figures of 6/38.Hard-hitting Afridi made his Test debut against Australia on October 22, 1998. He played 27 matches and scored 1,716 runs, including five centuries and eight half centuries. He also claimed 48 Test wickets with best figure of 5/52.A nightmare for opposition bowling attack, Afridi started his Twenty20 career against England on August 28, 2006. He made 683 runs and claimed 52 wickets in 43 Twenty20 matches.

ManU and Barca ready to pounce for European glory

The titans of European football, Manchester United and Barcelona, are poised for the biggest clash.

UEFA Champions League 2011 final will be played between the European football giants Manchester United and Barcelona tonight at London’s Wembley Stadium.

The play will kick start at 11:45pm Pakistan Standard Time and a highly scintillating contest is being expected.The teams have faced each other 10 times and claimed three victories apiece.United were overwhelmed by Barca s precision passing game when the teams met in Rome in 2009, surrendering in a one-sided 2-0 defeat.

Pakistan A beat Afghanistan, win series

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s second team beat Afghanistan in their second one-day game by 150 runs on Friday to secure victory in the three-match series.

Once Pakistan “A” scored a mammoth 327-7 in their 50 overs after winning the toss on a flat batting strip at Rawalpindi, they were on course for a big win.

The victory gave the Pakistanis an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series — the first international contest in the country since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.

Afghanistan were never on course to chase down the daunting target and were bowled out for 177 in 46.5 overs.

Openers Sharjeel Khan (64) and Babar Azam (63) put the home side on course for a big total with a 107-run stand. Khan, who made 47 in his team’s five-wicket in the first match on Wednesday, hit ten fours and a six.

Umar Amin chipped in with 63 and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed hit a fiery 26-ball 46 not out, while off-spinner Dawlat Zadran was the pick of Afghanistan bowlers with 3-82.

Left-arm pacemen Sadaf Hussain (4-46) and skipper Sohail Tanvir (2-23) then destroyed the Afghan batting, with only Samiullah Shinwari (61) offering any resistance.

The tourists will now look to the third and final match, to be played in Faisalabad on Sunday, to restore a measure of pride.

Afghanistan is the first international team to tour Pakistan since attacks on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, incidents which led to the suspension of international cricket in the country.

Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik said his government was ready to give security to foreign teams.

“We promised full security for Afghanistan team and this series will give positive signals to other teams and we promise that we will do everything to revive international cricket in Pakistan,” said Rehman at the post-match ceremony.

Scores: Pakistan ‘A’ 327-7 in 50 overs (Sharjeel Khan 64, Umar Amin 63, Babar Azam 63, Sarfraz Ahmed 46 not out; Dawlat Zadran 3-82)

Afghanistan 177 in 46.5 overs (Javed Ahmedi 61; Sadaf Hussain 4-46)

Sensation Sania a great ‘shaker’ in Pakistan

Tennis star’s inclusion in Pakistan’s influential women’s list gets lukewarm response

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza, who married Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik last year, has been included in a list of 100 women who can ‘shake Pakistan’. Mirza, who chose to live in Dubai after her high-profile and controversial marriage to Malik, finds a mention in the list alongside former federal minister Sherry Rehman, women’s rights champion Mukhtaran Mai, and Um-e Hassan, the wife of hardline Lal Masjid cleric. The list compiled by Newsweek Pakistan magazine describes Mirza as a “tennis pro (who) has been welcomed by Pakistanis as their own”.

Surprise inclusion

Many Pakistanis have expressed surprise at Mirza being included in the list. “One conflicting lady is Sania Mirza who I think cannot and should not be included in this list unless she becomes a Pakistani citizen,” posted a Pakistani housewife who blogs by the same name. “How did Sania Mirza make it to that list. Last I saw her she was winning games for India. Don’t mean to be harsh or anything but isn’t this thread about proud Pakistani women?” wrote a reader on the defence.pk website.

A “Karachi feminist” pooh-poohed the list, saying “it fits the paradigm of how westerners write about Pakistan.

“If it’s not going to be the terror militant suicide angle, then it should be about defiance, spirit, resilience – their art, their bold and talented women, unique industries,” the author posted on lurkinginambush.blogspot.com.

Hyderabad reacts

But in Hyderabad many seemed to be amused as to how Pakistanis could stake claim on an Indian who is married to a Pakistani and has not yet accepted that country’s citizenship. If some said it was silly on the part of Pakistanis to stake claim on her, some thought it was unjust to include Sania on the list of influential women just like that as she had done nothing for the society there.

ICC rankings: Pakistan retain 6th position

Pakistan have retained sixth position on the ICC Test championship table.

Pakistan retained the position after recording a convincing 196-run victory over the West Indies in the second Test at St Kitts to draw the two-Test series.

Meanwhile, Misbah s third Test century has provided him a jump of eight places, which has earned him a career-best ranking of 22nd. He is now the second highest-ranked Pakistan batsman after Younis Khan, who is in 17th position despite missing the series.

Taufeeq s fifth Test century has given him a boost of 20 places and he now sits in 53rd position. Umar Akmal is the other Pakistan batsman to head in the right direction as he is now in 35th position after rising two places following his innings of 56 and 30.

I welcome Afghanistan Cricket Team,Ijaz Butt

Lahore: On behalf of PCB and People of Pakistan, I welcome Afghanistan Cricket Team said Ijaz Butt Chairman PCB. The progress they have shown in recent years is commendable. They have turned out to be a fine team and we expect some good cricket in their matches against Pakistan A.

The visit of Afghanistan Cricket Team is also a good sign for the game of Cricket in Pakistan. Unfortunately, our cricket frenzy nation is being deprived of international cricket at home. Capacity-filled stadiums in domestic tournaments reflect how dear this game is for them. PCB, in this difficult time, has tried to keep the momentum rolling by concentrating more on domestic cricket and creating opportunities for the National Team to play their home series at alternative venues.

For the Afghanistan team tour PCB has tried to ensure highest-level security and I thank Government of Pakistan for providing that.

We want to send a message to the world that Pakistan is a safe place to play Cricket and the people of Pakistan would welcome any team coming here. I take this opportunity to thank the Afghanistan Government and Afghanistan Cricket Board for sending their team. I hope this tour will pave the way for more such visits by foreign teams to Pakistan.

Pakistan scent victory over West Indies in second Test

HUNDREDS from Taufeeq Umar and Misbah-ul-Haq followed by purposeful bowling led by Abdur Rehman have Pakistan on the verge of victory over West Indies in the second Test.

Rehman captured 3-26 from 14 overs, as West Indies, requiring a further 297 for victory, slumped to 6-130 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day at Warner Park.

Left-hander Darren Bravo was the only West Indies batsman to come to terms with the Pakistani bowlers, hitting his side's top score of 50.

Taufeeq had equalled his career-best of 135 and Misbah, the Pakistan captain, was undefeated on 102, as the visitors reached 6-377 in their second innings before they declared about 45 minutes after lunch.

Taufeeq struck 13 fours from 315 balls in close to seven hours batting, and Misbah stroked 10 fours and two sixes from 141 deliveries in close to four hours.

Devendra Bishoo was the most successful West Indies bowler with 2 149 from 38 overs.

Tanvir Ahmed made an early breakthrough for the Pakistanis, leaving West Indies 1-54 at tea, when he bowled West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the third over of the innings.

After tea, the visitors made a huge charge for victory, with Rehman playing a leading role, with the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the space of five deliveries.

The Pakistan left-arm spinner had Simmons caught at second slip for 24, and Sarwan, the most experienced batsman in the West Indies line-up, was lbw playing back and across for a duck, a decision from New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden, which was changed after it was reviewed.

Rehman added the scalp of Marlon Samuels caught behind for six to leave West Indies 4 77 but the Pakistan met defiance from the left-handed pair of Bravo and West Indies vice-captain Brendan Nash.

The visitors spent over an hour working away on the West Indies pair before Bravo cracked under the pressure, and was lbw to left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz. He struck two fours and two sixes from 144 balls in close to three hours of batting.

Earlier, Pakistan jammed their foot down on the accelerator, anticipating the declaration after they reached 3-202 at lunch.

Misbah reached his hundred from 141 balls, with a thick edge to third man off Ravi Rampaul for his last boundary to prompt the declaration.

Umar Akmal shared 62 with him for the sixth wicket before Bishoo bowled him for 30, and Mohammad Salman was caught at deep fine leg off Rampaul for eight before the declaration came.

Pakistan trail 0 1 in the two-Test series, following a 40 run defeat inside four days in the first Test, which ended last Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, crushing their dreams of a maiden Test series victory in the Caribbean.

West Indies elect to field in fourth ODI against Pakistan

BRIDGETOWN: West Indies elected to bowl first in the fourth one-day international (ODI) against Pakistan in Bridgetown, Barbados on Monday.

West Indies face the prospect of a whitewash, after having lost the five-match series already on Thursday.
Both teams made two changes each to their teams that played the third ODI. West Indies replaced leg-spinner Andre Russell with wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, while experienced batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan comes in for Devon Smith.
With the series win completed, Pakistan have handed ODI debuts to Usman Salauddin, replacing Umar Akmal, and medium-pace bowler Tanvir Ahmed, who replaces left-arm bowler Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan lead the five match series 3-0, following an eight-wicket victory in the first ODI two Saturdays ago at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St. Lucia, where they also won the second ODI by seven wickets last Monday, while they took a series-clinching, three-wicket victory in the ODI last Thursday at this venue.
The victories meant that Pakistan have now won their last eight ODIs against West Indies spread over the last four years, including their 10-wicket victory in a recent World Cup quarter-final in Bangladesh.
The final ODI will be played on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium.
Squads
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Usman Salahuddin, Hammad Azam, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Salman, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Tanvir Ahmed
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Sammy, Carlton Baugh, Marlon Samuels, Devendra Bishoo, Kirk Edwards, Kemar Roach

Judd Trump beats Ding in classic semi in World Snooker Championship

Judd Trump became the second youngest player to reach the World Championship final with a breathtaking 17-15 win over Ding Junhui at The Crucible.

China's Ding produced three centuries and led 10-7, but the fireworks of the 21-year-old qualifier proved too much.
Resuming at 12-12, Trump went ahead with breaks of 74 and 89, but the world number four fired in a 138 and 119.
Ding kept battling but the spiky-haired Bristolian won three successive frames, a 105 break sealing a famous victory.
It was a match that thoroughly deserved its standing ovation, but it was the Trump family, who have watched and nurtured this young talent over the last 14 years, who were punching the air with delight inside a raucous Crucible theatre.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry is the only player younger than Trump to have reached the final [the Scot was 21 and four months in 1990, while Trump is 21 and nine months].
He also joins a small band of five players to have progressed beyond the World semi-finals as qualifiers(Terry Griffiths, Shaun Murphy, Graeme Dott and Mark Selby are the others.)
"To get to the final with my family and friends is a tremendous achievement," a beaming Trump said. "I'm speechless and I need to go away and think about it before it sinks in."
Having already disposed of the defending champion Neil Robertson and 2006 champion Dott, Trump's progression has been nothing short of astonishing, but to many, not that surprising considering his win at the China Open four weeks ago.Ding more than played his part in a stunning encounter which began with the pair exchanging centuries in the opening two frames, and was never short of outrageous potting and breathtaking cue control by both players.
Trump built up a 6-3 lead on the first day, before Ding steamed ahead with six successive frames to take firm control at 10-7.
But after back-to-back tons by Trump, followed by Ding's battling 87 to wrap up Friday's third session and level at 12-12, the battle intensified even further on Saturday.
Trump started with a stunning 74, and followed that with an 89 - kicked off by a fine red cut into the middle - to open up a two-frame advantage.
Ding had shown nothing but fight to reach the last four in Sheffield, most notably in surviving a last-frame thriller against Stuart Bingham in the second round and a tense fightback against Mark Selby in the quarter-finals.
And he was at it again, equalling Mark King's highest break of the tournament - 138 - to claw one frame back. The bravery continued with an incredible 47 clearance that included three tricky reds, as well as dislodging yellow and brown off the rails to make it 14-14.
And Trump had to remain slumped in his chair as Ding produced an effortless 119 to send his army of Chinese fans wild.
"Every time he got in the balls he didn't look like missing," He produced one of the best clearances I have ever seen to get to 14-14. At that stage I didn't think it was going to be my day. But I stayed in there and I thought 'I have come this far and practised all my life for this', so I didn't want to let it go that easily."
The momentum seemed to be swinging towards the 24-year-old Masters champion. Yet it was the Trump family soon celebrating as their spiky-haired boy recovered from a 48-0 deficit to level at 15-15, before a smooth 68 got him to within one of the finish line.
Ding threatened to take the match to a deciding frame when he opened with 29, but Trump was not to be denied his moment of glory. Slowly but surely he picked off the balls to wrap up his dazzling victory with a 105 break - his fourth century of the match.
Ding, who had never previously got beyond the second round at the Crucible, paid tribute to his conqueror. "I like to watch him play," he said. "He's learning quick with more experience.

"I tried to put the white ball on the cushion but he just kept coming back. If he keeps potting balls like that then he can win it."
Trump, who has now built up a winning run of 11 matches over the last two tournaments, is relishing the prospect of facing either Mark Williams or John Higgins, who resume their semi-final at 1900 BST.
"The more my run goes on, my self-belief keeps going up," Trump added. "Just to get to the tournament was an achievement but after winning in China, I came here with an attitude of enjoying it and winning it. And I still believe in that."

PCB will provided support for Cricket to Afghanistan,Butt

Lahore: April 29, 2011: A six-member delegation of Afghanistan Cricket Board headed by Mr Naseem Ullah Danish CEO met Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mr Ijaz Butt here in PCB headquarters today. Mr. Subhan Ahmad COO PCB and Mr. Amir Nawab Member Board of Governors PCB also attended the meeting.

Various bilateral cricketing matters were discussed in the meeting. Mr. Butt assured the delegation that all and any support that is needed to develop the game of Cricket in Afghanistan will be provided by PCB.

The delegation is in Pakistan for the domestic matches of Afghanistan Cricket Board that are being played in Peshawar. Peshawar District Cricket Association is organizing these matches.

Chairman PCB has appointed Mr. Amir Nawab as Coordinator for Afghanistan.

Pakistan hockey squad announced for Azlan Shah tournament

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday named Mohammad Imran the new captain to lead a 18-man squad for next month's Azlan Shah hockey tournament.
The seven-nation event will be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from May 5-15, with world champions Australia, Britain, India, Malaysia, New Zealand and South Korea in attendance.Pakistan, three times Olympic and four times world champions, have shown a return to form internationally since winning the Asian Games title last year after they hired Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel in June 2010.akistan won the Azlan Shah event in 1987 and 1991.They face New Zealand in their opening match and arch-rivals India on May 11.Squad: Mohammad Imran (captain), Shakil Abassi (vice captain), Imran Shah, Imran Khan, Sohail Abbas, Waseem Ahmed, MohammadRizwan,MohammadTauseeq, Fareed Ahmed, Mohammad Rashid, Waqas Sharif, Haseem Khan, Mohammad Rizwan Ali,Mohammad Zubair, Mohammad Umar Bhutta, Kashif Shah, Rehan Butt, Waqas Akbar.

Zulqarnain sued for Rs.100mn by Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law

KARACHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who returned home after a self-imposed exile, finds himself in the middles of a Rs.100-million lawsuit.

Haider has been served a Rs.100mn defamation suit by the father-in-law of Kamran Akmal, for defamation
charges.
The runaway keeper had reportedly alleged that Kamran’s father-in-law was involved in match-fixing and that the Pakistan Cricket Board should investigate the matter.
Haider said this during a television show on private channel, a day after returned from England following a five-month exile.
“My client is a well reputed businessman and he will not tolerate such allegations,” said Badruzzaman, the lawyer for Akmal’s kin.
Haider now has to either produce evidence to back his allegations or make a public apology or face legal action,” he said.
Earlier, Akmal expressed disappointment over Haider’s claims.
“I always treated Zulqarnain as my younger brother. But I am really disappointed over his statement against my father-in-law.”