Sachin Tendulkar was first inspired by John Wright

By Bipin Dani

MUMBAI, India (TheSportsNEXT) November 23, 2012: Sachin Tendulkar, who, on Wednesday night, was felicitated by the Indian cricket board for his 100 international centuries gave due credit to former coach, John Wright.

India's former coach was the first one who made him to believe that milestone is possible.

"It was a long time ago and I wonder when he still remembers that...", Wright, speaking exclusively over his mobile from New Zealand, said. "It was in the year 2001 when we were flying to South Africa. In fact, it was not my prediction..., but I just casually mention to him about his capabilities", Wright added.   

"He was just half-way to his journey and had scored 50-60 centuries then...No, he immediately didn't react to my inspiration. He is a very reserved type of man. His batting is amazing and I admire him a lot. I am his great fan and rate him equal to Bradman".

Sachin Tendulkar's first hundred came in 1990 (against England at Manchester) and the last century against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2012. Having scored 100 centuries- 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs, what next for him?

"Sachin should not be brought under pressure. He should retire only when he feels like retiring", Wright added.

Wright, who coached Team India from 2000 to 2005, has not been in regular contact with Sachin Tendulkar since then. "Occasionally we have met and spoke during World Cup matches", the 59-year-old Wright concluded.

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Lanco Super Series Hockey: Australia, England enjoy authority

By Nadene Smith

SYDNEY, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: The arch-rivals Pakistan and India started their nine-a-side Lanco International Super Series hockey campaign off to a poor start on Thursday.

The two South Asian teams were rocked by Australia and England who looked far more professional and agile in the box.

In the inaugural match of the nine-a-side Lanco International Super Series Hockey, Australia defeated Pakistan by four goals to two at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Bentley.

Aussies were leading the match by 3-1 at halfway stage and with both teams scoring another goal in the second half it was the home side which recorded a rather comfortable victory.

Veteran Aussie hockey player Jamie Dwyer was once again amongst the goals as he scored twice while Liam de Young and Beale Daniel also provided one goal apiece as Australia completely looked a better side on the field. For Pakistan, Abdul Haseem Khan and Muhammad Rizwan Senior scored one goal each but that proved insufficient to challenge Australia on their home soil.

In the other match of the opening day, England came from behind to stun the Indians by two goals to one in Perth.

Gurvinder Singh Chandi gave India the important lead but Indian defence-line failed to cope up with the mounted pressure by the English hockey players as they bounced their way back into contention when Daniel Fox equalized and then sealed the deal when David Condon gave the Englishmen the winning lead.

India will be up against Australia on Friday before the bitter rivals Pakistan and India heat up the tournament Saturday.

The nine-a-side format, also known as Hockey 9s, has the only tournament named the Lanco International Super Series played every year in Australia. This year’ edition of the Lanco International Super Series being played in Perth will be followed by the highly-esteemed FIH Champions Trophy 2012 in Melbourne from December 1-9, 2012 at the State Netball Hockey Center.

The hosts Australia, Olympic champions Germany, Australia, England, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium, India and Pakistan will battle it out in Melbourne for the Champions Trophy Hockey 2012 title.

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Sacramento Kings stun Los Angeles Lakers 113-97

By Luther Jefferson

SACRAMENTO, United States (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: A late flurry of points helped Sacramento Kings deliver the final punch as they prevailed over Los Angeles Lakers by 113-97 amid their worst-ever start to the NBA season.

It all started with a three-pointer by Marcus Thornton which filled the Kings with extra energy and they looked all set and ready to go that extra yard to achieve the victory as their appetite was visible with the way they executed their plans.

This is the first defeat for the Los Angeles Lakers under their new coach Mike D’Antoni and it also snapped their three-game winning run.

Sacramento Kings are the worst performers in the NBA Western Conference this season but victory over a strong side like LA Lakers will provide them enough boost in confidence to undo the early season defeats.

The Sacramento Kings made full use of the home advantage and kept their lead healthy and strong right throughout the second half but the Los Angeles Lakers were able to trim it down to only four points with only three minutes left when Marcus Thornton started a flurry that was simply unstoppable.

He delivered a three-pointer with 2:50 to play which sparked a 17 points streak for the Sacramento Kings as against five points hit by the Los Angeles Lakers which put an end to any chances of the visitors of achieving their fourth straight victory.

While Tyreke Evans added 18 points for the hosts, Marcus Thornton was exceptional right throughout the game as he hit 8-of-13 shots from the field and scored 23 points off the bench to augment the Sacramento Kings who have won their first game after five straight losses.

The NBA star Kobe Bryant was brilliant as usual as he scored 38 points, hitting 11-of-20 from the field and 11-of-13 from the foul line but lacked support from the other guys as the LA Lakers’ victory-run came to an end.

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Phoenix Suns derail Portland Trail Blazers 114-87 in NBA

By Luther Jefferson

PHOENIX, United States (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: The Phoenix Suns snapped a three-game losing run on Wednesday when they routed the Portland Trail Blazers by a huge margin of 114-87 in their home game of the NBA 2012-13 season.

The victory was largely attributed to a super hot shooting performance by Marcin Gortat who made 11-of-14 shots from the field and ended the game with 22 points. As a team, the Phoenix Suns shot 59 percent and kept the opponents to 40 percent shooting as Portland Trail Blazers had no answer to aggression put on display by the home side.

Phoenix Suns were in control of the proceedings right from the start as they outscored the Trail Blazers in all the four quarters and were leading by 13 points at the halfway stage.

Portland Trail Blazers found it tough to stage a comeback and succumbed to strong performance by the hosts who were also assisted by Markieff Morris with 19 points.

The only bright point for the Portland Trail Blazers was the performance of Damian Lillard who scored 24 points while Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum both delivered 13 points apiece.

This was the first defeat for the Portland Trail Blazers in their last four games.

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Houston Rockets edge Chicago Bulls 93-89 in NBA thriller

By Luther Jefferson

HOUSTON, TEXAS, United States (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: Flu had no impact on James Harden who played a central role in a thrilling victory for the Houston Rockets over Chicago Bulls in their NBA 2012-13 game in Houston on Wednesday.

James Harden scored 28 points which also included a late points supply which helped the home side clinch a classy victory over the high-flying visitors.

The Houston Rockets kept saving it for the finishing moments and Chicago Bulls lost it all in the decisive moments as the Rockets scored 14 points against Bulls’ four points in a phase where visitors succumbed to away game pressure and missed 11 consecutive shots.

James Harden, who was available in the center for just over 17 minutes in Houston’s loss to Utah on Monday, played for 42 minutes Wednesday delivering 8-of-14 as well as five steals which made a huge difference in the end of the hosts.

With this victory, the Houston Rockets have bucked a three-game losing run while on the other hand Chicago Bulls delivered their third straight loss as they are 1-3 on a five-game road trip which ended on Friday against Milwaukee Bucks.

Apart from James Harden, Patrick Patterson scored 20 points while Chandler Parsons hit 18 points and a career-high 13 rebounds to make it a team effort.

On the flip side, Chicago Bulls looked likely to win the away game against Houston Rockets in the final quarter before literally giving it away in the final moments.

Nate Robinson hit 21 points, Luol Deng scored 19 points and Carlos Boozer delivered 15 rebounds for the Chicago Bulls who have lost three in a row for the first time since 2009-10 season when they had gone on to lose 10 straight games.

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Samuels, Bravo empower West Indies in Khulna Test

By Saqibul Islam

DHAKA, Bangladesh (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo accepted the responsibility with both hands as West Indies responded professionally well to Bangladesh’s first innings total on second day of the second and final Test at Khulna on Thursday.

At stumps on day two, West Indies reached 241 for two with Marlon Samuels not out at 109 and Darren Bravo unbeaten at 85.

The duo came together at the crease when West Indies had lost two quick wickets after Bangladesh managed to add only 22 runs to their overnight score of 355 for eight.

Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo added 198 runs for the third wicket stand to take West Indies in a commanding position in the second Test.

During the partnership, Marlon Samuels reached his third Test hundred this season while his partner Darren Bravo is just 15 runs away from his fourth century.

Chris Gayle once again failed to impose himself for a longer period of time and this time Kieran Powell also failed to prolong his stay at the crease but Samuels and Bravo bought them time in the middle with some application as the pitch had nothing much to offer to either spinners as well as seamers in Khulna.

Earlier on second day, Bangladesh were bowled out for 387 runs in their first innings.

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The Ashes battle to resume in November next year

By Nadene Smith

MELBOURNE, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: The Cricket Australia (CA), on Thursday, made public the schedule for the 2013-14 Ashes series against England.

England will tour Australia in November 2013 where they will play a total of five Test matches as well as five One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, the Cricket Australia said in a release.

The Ashes Battle will swing into cricket action on November 21, 2013 when Gabba, Brisbane will host the inaugural Test match which will be followed by the second Test in Adelaide from December 5, third Test in Perth from December 13, fourth Test in Melbourne from December 26, while the fifth and the final Test will be played in Sydney from January 3, 2014.

The Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland said the schedule for the limited overs series will be released next year.

He said, "We are delighted to be able to confirm the Ashes fixtures so far in advance of the series. It means fans will be able to plan their trips around the country to follow all the action. I am sure there will be a lot of fans from the UK who will want to make the trip over and we look forward to hosting them here."

England will have a detailed tour Down Under in 2013-14 as they will also played four tour matches against quality sides like Western Australia XI, Australia A, New South Wales XI, and a Chairman’s XI.

The complete schedule for The Ashes 2013-14 Tests follows:

1st Test - November 21-25 - Brisbane

2nd Test - December 5-9 - Adelaide

3rd Test - December 13-17 - Perth

4th Test - December 26-30 - Melbourne

5th Test - January 3-7 - Sydney

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Australia rule Adelaide Test as Clarke hits 2nd straight double ton

By Nadene Smith

ADELAIDE, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: Australian captain Michael Clarke hit second straight double hundred as Australia ruled on opening day of the Adelaide Test against South Africa on Thursday.

Australia scored massive 482 for five on first day of the second Test after Clarke scored unbeaten 224 while David Warner (119) and Mike Hussey (103) also played vital role in giving Australia the advantage.

This is Michael Clarke’s fourth double century in Test cricket this year, a feat which not even Sir Don Bradman had achieved.

Australia’s first day total of 482 runs is their highest in a Test day since 1910 and all the credit goes to skipper Michael Clarke who is enjoying the best form of his Test career.

Michael Clarke, who made 259 not out in Gabba in the first Test, followed it up with another massive effort as he came out of the Adelaide Oval at 224 not out when umpires called it stumps.

Earlier in the day, David Warner resurrected his Test career with a flourishing knock of 119 from 112 balls and helped Australia take the initiative away from the Proteas who were rocked by the hamstring injury to their premier all-rounder Jacques Kallis who could only bowl four overs but not before taking two quality wickets in the morning session. Jacques Kallis is still available to participate in the match as a batsman but with his injury South Africa are now a bowler short for the whole match.

While David Warner expanded his wings to save his Test career, luck was not that friendly with Rob Quiney who suffered to an eight-ball duck after scoring only nine runs in the Gabba Test and it appears as if he won’t get another chance by the Aussie selectors, at least in this series.

Mr. Reliable, Mike Hussey, then joined his skipper for a massive 272 runs partnership before playing it on to his stumps what proved the final delivery of the day by Dale Steyn but not before completing his second consecutive century.

During the brief stint of Jacques Kallis as a bowler, he already had rocked the Aussies on the back-foot with two beautiful dismissals. Especially, the way he undid former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting was exceptional who had no clue whatsoever about the delivery and was not only beaten all ends up but also fell down on the ground, thus giving a clear picture of demise of his super form he had already enjoyed at the Adelaide Oval before this Test.

Ed Cowan, Ricky Ponting, and Rob Quiney all failed to dismantle the confidence of South African bowlers who came running at them with fast pace and purposeful deliveries every now and then.

However, it all changed as soon as Michael Clarke and David Warner took the attack to them as the duo smashed them all across the park.

During the course of day one in Adelaide Test, Australia hit as many as 66 boundaries and nine sixes as they ended with a run-rate of 5.55 per over.

After the initial dominance, South Africa bowlers looked ordinary. The biggest disappointment was Imran Tahir who was manhandled by the Aussie batsmen brutally as he gave away 159 runs from his 21 overs with no wicket and no luck, and of course no discipline as the leg-spin bowler over-stepped five times during his spell. Nothing less than a sin!

Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke were in punishing mood in the final session of the day one where they notched up 202 runs and achieved their milestones on back-to-back deliveries off none other than Imran Tahir who was belted for a massive six over mid-wicket by Hussey to get to his hundred before Clarke launched him for a single towards the off-side to reach his double hundred.

South African skipper Graeme Smith’s tactics were not friendly to many minds inside the Adelaide Oval as well as the fans watching it on the television as he had had the chance to give his bowlers new ball before the two batsmen could reach their milestones. It was in the 82^nd over when Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke completed their tons and Graeme Smith missed a trick to impose pressure on the two batsmen by making them face the new cherry quite close to their landmarks.

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Punjab Seeds cruise into final of Lucky Plastic Polo Cup

By AM Khan

LAHORE, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: Punjab Seeds Corporation entered the final of Lucky Plastic Polo Cup 2012 after staying unbeaten in the preliminary round as it won its both matches at the Lahore Polo Club Wednesday.

In the first match, Punjab Seeds Corporation got the better of Master Paints as they won by four and half goals to two with Omer Asjad Malhi and Atif Yar Tiwana scoring two goals apiece. Shah Qubilai Alam hit the two goals for a losing cause for the Master Paints.

In their second match, Punjab Seed Corporation held Adisseo 1-1 as Atif Tiwana of Punjab Seed and Ch Hayat Mehmood of Adisseo converted one goal each for their teams.

In another match, Master Paints outclassed Adisseo by four goals to one and half with Shah Qubilai Alam bursting three important goals and Asif Tiwana adding one goal for the winners. Usman Haye scored consolation goal for the losers.

Valvoline Motor Oil won it’s both the matches to qualify for subsidiary final of event. In the first match, Valvoline Motor Oil beat Dewan Group by three goals to two and half with Ali Malik, Harib Javed Butt and Shah Shamyl Alam scoring one goal each for the winners and Agha Musa Ali Khan and Sameer Oberoi netting one goal each for the losers.

In another match, Valvoline Motor Oil outpaced LDP by seven goals to two. Shah Shamyl Alam was the hero of the match as he slammed fantastic five goals in Valvoline Motor Oil victory while Harib Javed Butt and Adnan Jalil Azam added two more goals in the account of the winners. Tahir Aslam Awan and Azam Hayat Noon netted one goal each for the losers.

In another match, Dewan Group stunned LDP by two goals to nil. Agha Musa Ali Khan and Sameer Habib Oberoi scored one goal each for the winners.

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Open Letter: Violation of IOC Charter in 2012 Sindh Games

By Mudassar Arain

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) November 21, 2012: I would like to bring your kind attention that the office bearers of Sindh Olympic Association is organizing the 16th Sindh Games 2012 to be held at Hyderabad from 2nd to 4th December 2012 and doing the violation of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter and also violating the Rules & Regulation of International Sports Federations which will cause downfall of sports in the Province Sindh.

The following violations are sent in written by Secretary, Sindh Olympic Association & Organizing Secretary of 16th Sindh Games 2012.

1. Reduce of Participating Teams / Regions (Participating teams of any one region it means that the participation being stop from that region where millions of people are residing in that region as there representative sports probables will not participate in these games).

2. Reduce of number of players/ coaches/ officials (this reduction from the no. of players and officials distrying to change the shape of real sports.

3. Reduce of Technical officials/ Umpires/ Refrees (The Secretary, SOA wrote a letter and also approved only two female technical officials to supervise the All Netball Matches, How can possible that only two officials supervise all netball matches without time keepers & scorers)

The Tug of War Sports excluded from the 16th Sindh Games 2012 by personal graveness of Secretary, Sindh Olympic Association who is the also Org. Secretary of these games. The Sindh Tug of War Association is affiliated with Sindh Olympic Association, Sindh Sports Board and Pakistan Tug of War Federation. The Tug of War sports is also included in upcoming 32nd National Games 2012 at Lahore.

As per constitution of Sindh Olympic Association the affiliated units of their National Sports Federations should be the part of the SOA and they will participate in the sports activities organized by SOA but upcoming 16th Sindh Games 2012 many unaffiliated / parallel so called bodies being invited for participation except the affiliated sports bodies which is UN-constitutional act and disturbing the real sports activities in Sindh Province. The following real sports bodies, Sindh Body Building Association, Sindh Judo Association, Sindh Basketball Association, Sindh Badminton Association and Sindh Cycling Association.

I am requesting to the higher authority please look into this matter for promotion of Sports in Sindh province.

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Antonio Inoki to feature in Peace Wrestling Festival in Punjab

By AM Khan

LAHORE, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) November 21, 2012: After successfully organizing the Punjab Youth Festival 2012, the Sports Board Punjab (SBP) is now flexing its muscles to hold yet another international event in the province as it is joining hands with Japan to stage the International Sports and Peace Wrestling Festival.

The Sports Board Punjab has recently been busy organizing international events in Lahore and successfully staged the Punjab Youth Festival, the Punjab National Youth Festival and the Punjab International Sports Festival.

The International Sports and Peace Wrestling Festival will be part of the 60 years celebrations of sporting relations between Pakistan and Japan.

Augmenting the attraction of the festival, the world famous Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki and 10 other professional wrestlers from the land of Osaka will join various other international wrestlers in a free style wrestling competition in visit Pakistan towards the end of November, 2012.

Talking exclusively with TheSportsNEXT.com on Wednesday, the organizers of the event said, “Pro-wrestling is a competitive sports that consists of fighters with stand-up skills, throws, and various mixed martial arts background but is there also to show to the spectators the fight”.

He added, “This entertainment sport is performed all over the world but is considered very popular and has a great history especially in United States, Japan, and Mexico”.

He mentioned, “The founder of Japanese pro-wrestling is Rikidozan and his students are Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba who have carried on the torch of the popularity of the Japanese pro-wrestling industry”.

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif is taking keen interest in the international sports activities in the province and he is helping the Sports Board Punjab which in collaboration with Japanese pro-wrestler Antonio Inoki is celebrating the 60 years long history of sports relations between Pakistan and Japan.

Antonio Inoki last visited Pakistan in 1976 when he battled Pakistan’s renowned wrester Akram Pehalwan, known otherwise as Aki Pehalwan in an honorary fight staged in Karachi’s National Stadium.

This time around Antonio Inoki will be fighting in Punjab province where he will mark the 60 years sports history between Islamabad and Tokyo with a message of peace and sports for the whole world.

Well-known Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki

Antonio Inoki in an exclusive message on Wednesday said, “We hope that this event will help build a stronger relationship and friendship between the two nations”.

Talking with this scribe, Usman Anwar, Director General at the Sports Board Punjab, said that the International Sports and Peace Wrestling Festival 2012 will have events like pro-wrestling, kickboxing, and a friendly demonstration. He added, “Around 10 fighters will vie for top honors in about two and half hours activity which is likely to be broadcast live in both Pakistan and Japan”.

Antonio Inoki recorded global fame when he encountered the world’s greatest boxer Muhammad Ali, following which famous legendary Pakistani wrestler Akram Pehalwan, who had the history of his family being mix martial arts fighter, the Bholu Brothers and was a descendant of Great Gama, challenged the boxer for a match in Pakistan.

The bout against Muhammad Ali was also televised in Pakistan and drew TV ratings viewership of more than 80 percent and the Sports Board Punjab is also hoping for a massive global viewership for the International Sports and Peace Wrestling Festival 2012.

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Theo Walcott to miss UEFA Champions League tie vs Montpellier

By Ashley Williams

LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: Theo Walcott has been ruled out of the Arsenal FC’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Montpellier on home soil on Wednesday as the winger is yet to recover from a shoulder problem.

Theo Walcott, who also represents England as striker, is an integral part of the Arsenal FC but he sustained the injury during this weekend’s 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. Walcott had carried on during the match despite of the injury and scored the fifth and final goal for The Gunners in the stoppage time.

Arsenal FC are due to host Montpellier at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday and manager Arsene Wenger said that Theo Walcott has not trained with the team but will have a scan to determine the damage caused by the injury to the striker.

Gervinho has been put on standby to replace the injured Walcott if he failed to make it.

Talking to media here in the pre-match press conference, Arsene Wenger said, “The injury he got during the game with his shoulder, we have to scan that today and see if there is no damage. He will be out for tomorrow. It should be short-term. We will miss [Andre] Santos as well, who has a muscle strain in his abdomen. The two players coming in the squad are Gervinho and [Kieran] Gibbs."

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Captains named for Pakistan T20 tournament

By Ubaid Awan

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: The organizers of Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 competition, on Tuesday, announced captains of the participating teams for the 2012 edition of the tournament.

After Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Hafeez decided to part ways with the Faisalabad Wolves, the country’s Test skipper Misbah ul Haq was handed the responsibility to lead the team in the top T20 cricket tournament in Pakistan.

Former Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who has been out of favors with the PCB selectors, has been given the charge of Islamabad Leopards while former skipper Younus Khan will lead the Abbottabad.

Legendary batsman Mohammad Yousuf will lead Lahore Lions in the Twenty20 tournament which will be played from December 2-10.

The Abbottabad team also has the services of Yasir Shah and left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan while Lahore Lions have Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal in their squad.

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Pragyan Ojha, Cheteshwar Pujara surge in ICC Test rankings

By Osama Tariq

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: Following an impressive nine wickets victory over England in Ahmedabad Test, Indian players surged in the latest edition of the ICC Test Rankings released Tuesday.

Left-arm off-spinner Pragyan Ojha, who took nine wickets in the Ahmedabad Test, jumped nine places into top-five bowlers in Test cricket.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who hit unbeaten double century and was there at the wicket when Virat Kohli hit the winning runs, skyrocketed by 35 places to 24^th position in the latest edition of the LG ICC Test Rankings.

A 176-run innings helped English skipper Alastair Cook storm into top ten best batsmen in the Test cricket as he gained four places to stay at seventh position in ICC Test Rankings.

The other hero for England in the Ahmedabad Test, wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior has become the fifth English batsman among the 20 best Test batsmen as he scampered to 18^th in the rankings.

India’s top player in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen is opening batsman Virender Sehwag who is at 22^nd place with his 23^rdTest century propelling him by one place.

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Sydney Sixers end contract with Umar Akmal

By Nadene Smith

SYDNEY, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: The Sydney Sixers, on Tuesday, terminated contract of Pakistan’s Twenty20 star player Umar Akmal after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed the hard-hitting batsman to play only one match in the KFC Big Bash League.

However, world’s best off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will still represent the Adelaide Strikers in their opening match of the Australian T20 league.

The Sydney Sixers will commence the BBL campaign on December 8 against Sydney Thunder at the SCG.

The Sydney Sixers came up with the contract termination just a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed the middle order aggressor to be part of the KFC Big Bash League 2012.

Stuart Clark, General Manager at Sydney Sixers, told reporters, “While it would have been great to have Umar Akmal here for the start of the BBL season, the short time frame offered is not in the club's best interest and we have decided to see if a suitable replacement is available rather than continue down this path”.

While the local media speculated about Sydney Sixers going after Kevin Pieteresen, Stuart Clark made it clear that the Sixers are not going to sign any foreign player just for the sake of having one in the squad.

He added, “We are confident our strong roster will be able to cover the loss of Umar should we not find a suitable replacement”.

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Tamim Iqbal to play 2nd Test against West Indies: Physio

By Saqibul Islam

DHAKA, Bangladesh (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: Left-hand opening batsman Tamim Iqbal showed great character on Tuesday when he cleared the fitness test to stay on course of playing the second Test match against West Indies.

Team Physiotherapist Vibhav Singh told reporters here, "He felt fine batting in the nets and we think he is fit to play tomorrow”.

Tamim Iqbal had was nursing an elbow injury which he attracted during the first Test and was unlikely to be part of playing eleven in the second Test until Tuesday evening when the left-hand aggressive opening batsman passed a fitness test and was cleared by the medical panel for his inclusion in the final playing eleven.

Following a shambolic 77 runs defeat in first Test against West Indies, Bangladesh selectors had decided to give uncapped opener Anamul Haque a chance in place of Tamim Iqbal.

Anamul Haque was top-performer for Bangladesh in ICC U19 World Cup in August and has hit two centuries in his last three first-class matches.

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Karachi City Cricket Association bans Hasan Raza for a year

By Afshan Younis

KARACHI, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: The Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) on Tuesday banned former Karachi skipper Hasan Raza for a year, TheSportsNEXT.com has learnt.

As per details, the ban was imposed on Hasan Raza as he was accused of violating discipline when he was captain of the Karachi Zebras during the previous edition of the domestic Twenty20 competition.

Sources in the KCCA told this scribe that Hasan Raza won’t be captaining any of the Karachi side for a year.

Hasan Raza, a middle-order batsman made his international debut for Pakistan on October 24 against Zimbabwe and last represented the national team on November 29 against England in Lahore.

Hasan Raza played seven Test matches for Pakistan and scored 235 runs at an average of 26.11 with highest score of 68. The right-hand batsman also represented Pakistan in 16 One Day Internationals and scored 242 runs at 18.61 runs per innings with 77 being his highest score.

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Mohammad Hafeez to represent Lahore Lions

By Aftab Tabee

LAHORE, Pakistan (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: Pakistan’s Twenty20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez has decided to play for Lahore Lions in the upcoming National Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2012 which will be played from December 2-10, 2012.

Talking exclusively with this scribe, Mohammad Hafeez who has been leading the Faisalabad Wolves in the previous editions of the domestic Twenty20 competitions, said that he was forced to relinquish his ties with the Faisalabad region only due to one man.

“President Faisalabad Region Anwar Chaudhry has been interfering in the team’s matters for a long time which has left me with no option to part ways with the team”, Mohammad Hafeez said. 

Pakistan’s Twenty20 skipper said that Mr. Anwar Chaudhry had been poking into the team management’s matters which had put him under stress as captain of the Faisalabad Region. He added that the latest example of Anwar Chaudhry’s high-handedness is non-selection of Zeeshan Qazi for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy squad of Faisalabad Region despite of taking the most number of wickets. Instead, brother of former fast bowler Shahid Nazeer was inducted into the Faisalabad squad, he added.

President Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA), Khawaja Nadeem has also confirmed Mohammad Hafeez’s inclusion in the Lahore Lions squad for the upcoming T20 tournament.

The Lahore Lions will be led by former Pakistan skipper and legendary batsman Mohammad Yousuf and will also have the services of Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal who are integral part of the national Twenty20 cricket team.

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Formula One title to be decided in Sao Paolo

By Raleigh McPherson

SAO PAOLO, Brazil (TheSportsNEXT) November 19, 2012: The Formula One Championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull and second-placed Fernando Alonso of Ferrari will have to wait for the coming weekend to know who will win the F1 Championship title this year.

The stage is set for an enthralling finale in Sao Paolo after Lewis Hamilton won the US Grand Prix 2012 on Sunday while Sebastian Vettel finishing second and Fernando Alonso finishing third in Austin, Texas.

Sebastian Vettel had a great chance of wrapping up his third straight championship Sunday as all he needed was a victory in Austin and a somewhat poor performance by Alonso but it didn’t happen for him in the United States and now Brazil has become the center of attraction for the Formula One followers where the coming Sunday will decide who is going to seal the deal.

Sebastian Vettel, by finishing second at the US Grand Prix, secured three points on Fernando Alonso and now has an overall lead of 13 points heading to South America where title will crown him champion for the their consecutive year.

The third Championship title will take Sebastian Vettel, 25, in the elite company of Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio to achieve the rare feat.

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