My technique is not copybook style: Dravid

When the whole world seems to be marveling about the sound technique possessed by former India captain Rahul Dravid, The Wall with 10,000 Test runs behind him said, his technique is different from the copybook style which suits his body structure.

"As a batsman there are some things that everyone has to conform to. There are basic principles to batsmanship, but we do things differently. My technique is different from the copybook, but it works for me. There are things about my game that are not necessarily correct in the traditional sense, but I have learnt how to make it work for me," Dravid said in an interview to the Hindustan Times on Sunday.

"It’s (technique) unique and it works for my body structure and my way of thinking. Each batsman has to figure this out for himself. That’s the beauty of this game. I didn’t set out playing with 10,000 Test runs as a goal. If you play for a long period of time, like I have, you will achieve some of these things," he adds.

A man of few words, who believes in making his bat talk most of the time, Dravid shrugged off the one criticism frequently directed at him by his critics that he does not speak up enough on issues that matter by saying one does not have to speak in public to get things done.

"You don’t need to say things in public to get things done. There’s a lot of stuff we have got done in the journey of my career, without having to say it in public," he points out.

"You look at the support staff the Indian team now has, the players contracts, sharing of revenue, professionalism that has come in – there have been a group of players who have helped in that process, helped create that. And I am happy to have been part of that and played my part. You don’t have to make bold statements in the public all the time," he adds.

Dravid, who stressed that he agreed to lead the Bangalore team in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) despite relinquishing the Indian captaincy only to experience the shortest version of the game, said he wouldn’t be around playing international cricket for another five years.

"That’s one thing I can tell you right now, I’m sure I won’t be playing in five years. The closer you come to the later stages of your career, you learn to stay in the moment and take things as they come. You learn to enjoy things a bit more. You are a bit more relaxed as a person, about who you are, what you have achieved," he said.

Whatmore to conduct BCCI coaching course

The National Cricket Academy (NCA) director operations Dav Whatmore will conduct the BCCI Level A coaching course at Eden Gardens from July 8.

Thirty aspiring coaches will attend the six-day course as other members of the faculty will include Dinesh Nanavati (batting), Bharat Arun (bowling) and Dr Kinjal Suratwala (sports science), Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Joint Secretary Samar Paul said on Friday.

The CAB at its working committee meeting decided to appoint an auditor after the office bearers came under fire about alleged lack of transparency in dealing with monetary matters after the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The auditor will submit the report as early as possible and then the CAB will submit it to the Board, Paul said.

Among other decisions, the CAB changed the existing One-Day format of the P. Sen Memorial tournament to a Twenty20 one and scrapped the junior 110-point tournament.

Under the new format, the P. Sen Memorial tournament will be held in the first week of July, Paul said.

Flintoff flops to first ball duck

Andrew Flintoff's long-awaited return from injury ended in dismal disappointment on Friday when he was out for a first ball duck in Lancashire's Twenty20 Cup defeat by Yorkshire at Old Trafford.

It was the England all-rounder's first appearance for his county since being ruled out with a side strain at the beginning of May, but he was out first ball to Tim Bresnan as the hosts lost by four runs.

Yorkshire made just 135 for eight.

England Test skipper Michael Vaughan also endured a miserable night when he was dismissed by international colleague Sajid Mahmood for nought to reduce Yorkshire to eight for two at one stage. Lancashire's response saw Stuart Law fall for one at the hands of Bresnan to herald the arrival at the crease of Flintoff.

England bowler Matthew Hoggard then removed Mal Loye for 17 as Lancashire struggled to 20 for three.

The hosts entered the final over needing 12 and six off the last ball but could only manage one as Yorkshire claimed a four-run victory.

Australia send expert to review Pakistan security situation

Facing a tricky situation after its players expressed concerns on travelling to Pakistan for Champions Trophy in September, Cricket Australia (CA) is sending a security expert to assess security situation in that country.

Security expert Reg Dickason, on whose advice CA had postponed Australian tour to Pakistan in March-April, is again heading to Pakistan next week to assess the situation there.

An expert on security in Asia, Dickason worked with Australian team for a decade and is currently in West Indies with side. He also worked with England & New Zealand teams and was in Karachi when a suicide bomber blew up a naval bus outside team hotel where Kiwis were put up in 2003.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting added to CA's discomfiture when he admitted that some of his teammates were ``apprehensive' of touring Pakistan for Champions Trophy due to security concerns.

Ponting said a number of his teammates were nervous and awaiting advice from Cricket Australia on the matter. ``We don't know if we're going, and if we do go, we don't know if individuals are going to pull out. But what we know right now is, yes, there is some apprehension among some of players and that was stated last summer.'

Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) already expressed concern about players safety at Champions Trophy, particularly as tournament coincides with holy month of Ramadan and is due to begin on seventh anniversary of September 11 attacks on USA.

FICA chief executive Tim May said ``absolutely nothing had changed in Pakistan since Australia abandoned its tour three months ago.'

Free for now, but Asif riddle remains

Mohammad Asif has finally arrived in Lahore, ending a 19-day ordeal after the authorities in Dubai decided to release him from detention for carrying contraband drugs.

The PCB has decided to get to the "bottom of the truth" and they will start by quizzing the Hakeem, who had given Asif the banned drug as a "medicine".

For Asif, the golden words of freedom must have come as a huge sigh of relief. Held in detention for 19 days in Dubai, not many including the Pakistan fast bowler himself would have known when he would get to set foot on home soil again.

"I was cleared in all my tests there. There were two tests one during the IPL, which I cleared as well. Had I tested positive, the ICC would have banned me already. (PCB official) Nadeem Akram's presence gave me a lot of hope while I was in detention," Asif said upon his arrival in Lahore on Friday.

Though it is difficult to put a finger on whether State intervention saved the day for the young fast bowler, the Dubai authorities' statement on his release does leave unanswered questions.

Mohammad Al Nuaimi, the Dubai Public Prosecutor, said: "It is definite that he committed the crime of smuggling and possessing 0.24 grams of opium as he was caught red-handed. However, in certain cases and for a faster litigation process the Public Prosecution drops a case due to insignificance."

However, Asif's road back in to the Pakistan team will not be as quick. The PCB says they will continue their investigations into the matter.

"PCB intends to conduct an immediate inquiry into this matter, as per its policies and procedures, once the official records are received from the UAE authorities," a PCB statement said.

Cricket leaves a lot to be desired as far as discipline is concerned. Will Asif's case get the cricket authorities to come up with an exemplary censure, or will he get back to his ways without a fig to care about this episode that certainly shamed Pakistan cricket?

Pawar says counties can play ICL rebels

There's a new twist in the BCCI versus English counties battle over rebel ICL players participating in the proposed Twenty20 Champions League.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar says that all teams participating in the event have the freedom to include players of their choice. But there is a rider. Pawar says the BCCI would then take its own decision on the matter.

That turns back the heat on the ECB, the only board to allow rebel players to play in domestic competition.

IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi had earlier said that any team with ICL players will be automatically disqualified.

The ECB has said that it would wait for the rules to be framed before taking a stand.

Meanwhile, The Indian Express has learnt that the International Cricket Council has been advised by lawyers to amend some of its existing rules in order to prevent more leagues like the ICL from coming up and challenge its authority.

The Indian Cricket League, owned by the Zee Group, is already two T20 tournaments old and has long applied to the ICC to recognise it as "official". While the ICC had indicated that the ICL had to seek the same via the Indian Cricket Board, the BCCI has only furthered its plight by deeming it "rebel".

The ICL organisers have already indicated that they will go to court against the BCCI and the ICC.

Sheridans, a UK-based law firm, has reportedly advised the ICC to amend its rule pertaining to the "official and unofficial status" of cricket events, because the original rules were made for events relating to "one-off testimonial and exhibition matches (such as Asia XI versus Rest of the World XI)".

Cricket's governing body has been recommended to amend those regulations to "deal with domestic T20 events and rebel domestic leagues expressly."

The paper has also learnt that even the BCCI has asked the ICC to amend these regulations.

Marshall powers West Indies victory

Xavier Marshall smashed a 15-ball 36 that included three boundaries and three sixes to guide West Indies to a seven-wicket victory against Australia in the rain-shortened encounter.

The one-off Twenty20 game which was reduced to 11-overs-a-side turned out to be a treat for the Kensington Oval crowd as the home side romped home with 11 balls to spare. The victory will lift the spirit in the Caribbean after Australia dominated the recently concluded Test series.

Chasing 98 in 11 overs, Marshall turned on the heat right from the onset of the run-chase. Mitchell Johnson was hit for 25 runs in the second over of the innings and the Windies remained in control after that.

Though William Perkins (nine) and Denesh Ramdin (eight) perished early, Dwane Bravo (28 not out) sailed the West Indies home, clobbering three sixes in his innings.

Shaun Marsh (29), who had shot to limelight with his stupendous show in the Indian Premier League, along with wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi (36) pushed Australia to 97-3 in 11 overs with a 57-run opening stand.

Ronchi was particularly severe on the Windies bowling, hammering five boundaries and one six. But his effort proved futile in the end as Man-Of-the Match Marshall powered the home side to a spectacular win.

England stars 'still set for IPL'

Players' chief Sean Morris believes England stars will compete in next season's Indian Premier League, despite the advent of the Stanford Twenty20.

England last week agreed to compete in five £10m matches against Stanford's Super Stars - but Morris says players still want to play in the IPL.

"Players want to face the best, and that's the IPL," Morris told BBC Sport.

"There are several IPL offers on the table and I think three or four England players will take part next season."

The first Stanford match will take place on 1 November in Antigua in the Caribbean.

Winning players will receive £500,000 each, with another £1m split between the rest of the squad and coaches.

England and Wales Cricket Board wants to use the matches as a "carrot" to prevent players taking part in the IPL.

But Morris, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, said: "The Stanford matches don't clash with the IPL.

"The only way to prevent England players taking part in the IPL would be to contractually specify where they can and can't play.

"That would be a restrictive approach and I don't think the ECB will do that."

Morris says he welcomes the Stanford matches because of the level of investment it would mean for English and West Indies cricket.

But he has concerns Test match players would not be anywhere near as well remunerated.

"The biggest concern we have is about Test match bonuses," said Morris.

"We need a balance between the rewards for Twenty20 and Test match players.

"Test match cricket still generates a lot of money - more than Twenty20 - but the rewards are not there for the players. I don't think that's fair.

"So we need to restructure and revaluate cricket in this country. This is a great opportunity for us to do that."

The inaugural IPL season clashed with the start of the English domestic season and the Test series with New Zealand.

However, next year's tour to the West Indies will finish a month earlier, possibly allowing England's players to play in India, but room in the domestic schedule would also need to found.

The organisers of the IPL agreed not to approach England players for the first season, which was won by Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals.

ECB chief Giles Clarke had said he did not want England players to compete in the IPL, but has since softened his stance, saying it will be down to coach Peter Moores to decide on the possible participation of his stars.

I Hope Murali Can Get To 1000 Test Wickets: Ranatunga

Former Sri Lanka World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga has backed star off-spinner and country mate Muttiah Muralitharan to reach the magical 1000 wicket landmark before he retires from cricket.

"I hope Murali will get 1,000 [Test] wickets -- and that is a short-term plan. He looks very fit and he trains very hard. I hope that he can continue for at least another three-four years. He never talks about retirement; I mean, he is just unbelievable and hope he can get 1,000 wickets," Ranatunga was quoted as saying to rediff.com

Ranatunga has also backed India’s master batsman
Sachin Tendulkar to play the 2011 World Cup to be staged in Asia.

The 1996 World Cup skipper said Indian authorities need to take care of Tendulkar if he intends to play in the 2011 mega event.

Asif liable for punishment under WADA: ICC

The ICC is keeping a close watch on the drug scandal involving Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif in Dubai and the embattled bowler would be liable to penalties under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules once he is released from detention.

ICC's Director of Cricket Operations Dave Richardson told a press conference in Lahore on Wednesday that the governing body has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to keep it updated on the Asif issue.

"As far as we know he has not been charged as yet. But since the ICC is a signatory of WADA regulations if he is charged then he is liable to penalties under WADA code of

conduct," he added.

Asif has been in detention in Dubai since June 1 for alleged possession of contraband drugs.

Although the Attorney General of Dubai has started proceedings into his case, a official at the Pakistan embassy in Dubai said the AG would meet Asif's lawyers and embassy officials only in another three days' time.

"So far he has not been charged with anything and we are hopeful he will be released soon," the official said.

The official said he met Asif in detention.

Richardson said the ICC had asked the PCB to keep it informed on the Asif case as it was a signatory to WADA rules, now prevalent for every major ICC event like the Champions Trophy.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said the board was doing everything within its power to resolve the Asif case.

"Our lawyers are working on it and the good thing is Asif has still not been charged as yet under any offence. So we are hopeful he will be back home soon," he said.

New Zealand denied in controversial finish

The second one-day international between England and New Zealand ended in a controversial no-result with the game just an over away from being declared a 'match.'

The Black Caps were on 127 for two off 19 overs and needed just seven more off the 20th, assuming they didn't lose a wicket, for victory under the Duckworth-Lewis system. Although, at that stage, rain was falling heavily it had been for some time. Nevertheless, the umpires then took the players off the field with the game just shy of the 20 overs in the second innings needed for a result.

The hard-hitting Brendon McCullum was 60 not out, off 51 balls with five fours, while experienced all-rounder Scott Styris was unbeaten on 19. Had they won this would have been New Zealand's first international win of a tour which saw them lose the Test series 2-0 and then suffer a nine-wicket defeat in Friday's lone Twenty20. As it was, England remained 1-0 up in this five-match campaign ahead of the third one-dayer at Bristol. England took 83 minutes to bowl their 19 overs but International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Javagal Srinath said they would not be fined or punished in any way for a slow over-rate.

"England were not in breach of the over-rate," former India fast bowler Srinath told reporters. "They had enough allowances. There were a few referrals to the third umpire and injuries." New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori suggested the officials could have moved the game along more quickly but Srinath defended the actions of Australia's Steve Davis and his on-field English colleague Ian Gould. "I understand that coming from Daniel Vettori but I think the umpires did a commendable job." Earlier, Davis told Sky Sports: "For consistency with our rulings earlier in the day, we had to come off.

The two teams were struggling to stand up. "The number of balls left shouldn't come into it, if that's the way the conditions are." Despite the prevailing bad weather, there was still a gap of 30 minutes between the innings when it might have been possible for the teams to turn round in 10. "That's the standard one-day international playing condition. We couldn't go below that," said Davis. Earlier, New Zealand medium-pacer Grant Elliott took three for 23 in five overs on his one-day international debut as England were bowled out for 162 off their 24 overs after rain delayed the start.

Opening batsman Luke Wright top-scored with an ODI best 52. South Africa-born Elliott, 29, only called up into the squad on Monday after playing club cricket in Surrey, south-east England, replaced James Marshall in the only change to the side thrashed by 114 runs at the Riverside on Sunday.

New Zealand, after captain Daniel Vettori won the toss, needed just three balls to take their first wicket. Ian Bell, on his home ground, fell for nought when he was well caught by Vettori, running back from mid-off, after the Warwickshire batsman got a leading edge trying to turn Kyle Mills legside. Bell's exit brought in Kevin Pietersen, who made 110 not out on Sunday. Before the game there had been talk about whether Pietersen would repeat Sunday's 'switch-hitting' exploits which saw him twice strike medium-pacer Styris for six while effectively batting left-handed.

But there were no 'reverse slog sweeps' before Pietersen, on 13, drove Michael Mason's fourth ball straight to Vettori at mid-off. Wright though launched Mason over extra-cover for four, drove him next ball for six and then, off the third ball of the over, hoisted the seamer for six over square leg after going down on one knee. The Sussex batsman then completed his fifty when he hammered Mason, whose two overs cost 24 runs, through mid-off for four.

That shot saw the 23-year-old, in his seventh one-day international, surpass his previous best of 50 against India at The Oval in September. But going for another big hit, Wright gave Elliott his first wicket at this level when he holed out to Styris at long-off. No sooright out then rain stopped play with England 77 for three in the 13th over. When play resumed Elliott captured the key wickets of Owais Shah, lbw for 18, and England captain Paul Collingwood, caught by Daniel Flynn for 37.

ICC gives Pakistan all-clear for Champions Trophy

Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy in September provided there are no safety and security fears, a top official of the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.

ICC acting chief executive Dave Richardson was speaking ahead of the launching ceremony of the biennial event which Pakistan hosts from September 11-28.

"At this point in time we are comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to host the Champions Trophy but we will continue to monitor security as it is fluid like anywhere in the world," Richardson said.

The top eight Test playing countries Australia, South Africa, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies will compete in the Trophy, regarded as the second biggest event after the World Cup.

The ICC last month assessed security measures at the three cities Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi which will host the matches and a report will be put before its board meeting starting in Dubai on June 29.

"It is impossible to say that any country would be the final to host an event. Things can change and I think it is wrong to say that there is any question of a deadline but our board will take a decision on that," said Richardson.

However February's national elections and formation of a new government have improved the security situation which prompted Australia to reschedule the tour into two visits, with the five-match one-day series in 2009 and Tests in 2010.

Richardson, a former South African wicket-keeper batsman, agreed there may still be security concerns in Pakistan.

"I think that it is safe to say that there may be some players, organisations and member countries who might express some concerns from time to time over the safety situation in Pakistan," he said.

"It must be remembered that safety and security of players, teams, official and spectators is always the concern of the ICC. This one is no exception; the ICC will take no chance on safety and security of those stakeholders."

The Federation of International Cricketers' Association chief executive Tim May on Tuesday criticised the decision to hold the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, given the security situation in the country.

Richardson said Pakistan had the responsibility to host the event in a safe environment.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ICC have put together a process that is able to deal with the security situation and would enable us to monitor the situation on daily basis from now and until to the conclusion of the event," said Richardson.

PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said Pakistan would ensure a successful Trophy.

"The Pakistan government has promised foolproof security arrangements, so we are up to it and since people are passionate about cricket, the event will be well attended and successful," said Naghmi.

Sri Lanka is the alternate venue in case the event has to be shifted from Pakistan. The 2006 tournament was held in India.

PCB seeks UAE ruler's help to sort out issue

The Pakistan Cricket Board, in another attempt to get Mohd. Asif released, has sought the help from the ruler of UAE, it is learned here.

According to UAE-based sources, PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf, who flew into Dubai from Bangladesh on late on Sunday, was scheduled to meet H.E.Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi late Monday afternoon.

Besides being the minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Nahyan is also the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC).

It may be recalled here that the PCB has agreed to send its team to Abu Dhabi to play three ODIs against the West Indies on November 12, 14 and 16.

Interestingly, Dilawar Mani, the ADCC president, was not involved in this process.

The meeting was likely to have been arranged by Ahsan Ullah Khan, the Pakistan Ambassador in UAE, it is also understood.

It could not be confirmed whether the PCB chairman was allowed on Monday to meet Asif at the detention centre.

Sreesanth told to explain noise about AC

Indian pacer S Sreesanth is in trouble again. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent him a letter on Wednesday asking for an explanation on the alleged altercation he had at the Hotel Grand Ashoka in Bangalore on Sunday.

The BCCI has also sent a letter to the hotel asking for details on the incident.

Sreesanth allegedly had a tiff with the hotel authorities over a noisy air-conditioner in his room.

The AC of Sreesanth's room was reportedly making a lot of noise and the young fast bowler insisted on shifting to another room.

But as there was no vacant room, the hotel management requested him to wait for some time.

Sreesant apparently flew into a rage and threatened to shift to another hotel.

Sreesanth is at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore for a fitness regime after he was ruled out of the Asia Cup with a side strain.

The fiery young pacer has been making headlines for the past few months for being at the centre of controversies and not for his cricketing exploits.

During the Indian Premier League, Sreesanth was slapped in Mumbai on April 25 by India teammate Harbhajan Singh after a match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians.

Sreesanth was representing Kings XI Punjab while Harbhajan was the acting captain of Mumbai Indians during the match.

Harbhajan, another player who has been in many controversial situations, was banned from the IPL. The Board of Control for Cricket in India also banned the off-spinner from five One-day Internationals.

Sreesanth, too, was warned to mend his ways by the BCCI.

Umpire decision review system set for Sri Lanka v India series

ICC acting Chief Executive Officer David Richardson said on Tuesday the decision to trial the umpire decision review system in this year's Sri Lanka v India Test series is an attempt by the ICC to enhance still further the game at international level.

According to ICC media release, the system will see the fielding and batting side allowed three unsuccessful appeals to the umpire per innings to change a decision if it is perceived to have been incorrect.

These appeals can be made only by the batsman in receipt of the umpire's original decision or the captain of the fielding side, in both cases by the player making a "T" sign with both forearms at shoulder height.

The on-field umpire will consult with the third umpire, who will review available television coverage of the incident before relaying fact-based information back to his colleague.

The on-field umpire will then deliver his decision either by raising his finger to indicate "out" or by crossing his hands in a horizontal position side to side in front and above his waist three times - as per a "safe" decision by an official in baseball.

Commenting on the decision to adopt the review system, Richardson, a former Test and ODI player for South Africa said, "The ICC is extremely grateful to both Sri Lanka and India for agreeing to take part in this trial.

"Our Emirates Elite and International Panel umpires already ensure the vast majority of decisions made in any Test or ODI are correct but we want to see if we can enhance the game further by reducing or removing the few clearly incorrect ones.

"The fact that each side is allowed only three unsuccessful requests to review in each innings should mean that players will not make frivolous challenges and, instead, only seek a referral to decisions that, it is quickly clear, are highly likely to be incorrect.

"By seeking to reduce these potentially contentious decisions we believe we can help remove a source of tension and frustration among players and spectators as well as any resultant pressure on umpires.

"At the same time we have sought to ensure the continued primacy of the on-field umpire. The man on the field's role is to consult with his colleague, not to refer the decision away, and he still decides whether or not to change his original decision.

"Once the series is over we will conduct a thorough review of the process before deciding whether the trial was successful and worth persevering with."

Duleep Mendis, a former international captain and Chief Executive Officer of host for the trial Sri Lanka Cricket, welcomed the initiative.

"I think this is a very good idea," he said. "As a past player we used to say that good and bad decisions would even themselves out but times have changed, the stakes are much higher now for all concerned and if the technology is available then why not use it?

"It may be new to the players but I am sure they will be very positive. There are always going to be question marks when a new thing is trialed but no one likes to see anyone get an incorrect decision and if this can help reduce that then why not give it a try?"

Slow-motion replays, the wicket-to-wicket "mat", sound from stump microphones and ball-tracking technology up to the point of impact on the pad will be available for use by the television umpire.

Snick-detecting devices and "hot-spot" technology will not be used in this trial.

The decision to proceed with the trial at international level follows a recommendation by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee in its February meeting in Kuala Lumpur and subsequent adoption of that recommendation by the ICC Board during its March meeting in Dubai.

Detailed playing conditions explaining the process for players and officials involved in the review system will be released in due course.

The three-Test series between Sri Lanka and India begins with the first Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo starting on 23 July. The second Test in Galle begins on 31 July and the third and final match of the series takes place at the R Premadasa Stadium, also in Colombo, from 8 August.

Pakistan tour a fine worry for Australia

Cricket Australia could run the risk of incurring a massive fine and putting the sport's power bloc offside if it opts out of this year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan due to security concerns.

There is doubt over touring Pakistan in September because of safety concerns that reportedly has Federation of International Cricketers' Associations worried nothing has changed from earlier this year, when Australia refused to visit that country.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) advised citizens on its website to reconsider need to travel to Pakistan because of "very high threat of terrorist attack, sectarian violence and unpredictable security situation".

CA said it was committed to visiting Pakistan later this year to defend the title Ricky Ponting's side won in India in 2006.

But spokesman Peter Young said CA's fundamental obligation was to ensure safety and security of its team and support staff.

Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh said players' union was "concerned" about security situation in Pakistan, but was still in process of gathering information.

Australia pulled out of tour scheduled for early this year due to security concerns over increase in violence following assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December last.

Australia and Pakistan agreed for Ponting's side to visit to play one-day internationals in 2009 and Test matches in 2010.

But a withdrawal from a major International Cricket Council (ICC) event could have major implications for Australia, both financial and political.

ICC has power to fine member nations up to $2 million if they pull out of touring commitments, although they are usually exempt from sanctions if their withdrawals are based on genuine security concerns.

However that could change if ICC considers security in Pakistan to be adequate given Australia has signed a participation agreement to take part in biennial tournament.

An ICC spokesman said governing body expected all eight leading nations to take part this year, but did not rule out countries avoiding fines if they did not participate.

"It's a different situation to a bilateral tour (such as Australia's tour of Pakistan), so I don't know," he said. "It (a country withdrawing from a major event) hasn't happened, so I can't say if there would be a fine or a penalty or compensation to pay.

"The tournament is going ahead as planned, so that should indicate we're happy with the situation. We've got launch Wednesday in Lahore and it's all systems go now."

Australia would also incur wrath of powerful Asian bloc if they did not tour Pakistan amid a sensitive time given controversies which arose last summer against India.

CA refused to discuss possible ramifications of not touring. "We don't comment on hypotheticals," Young said. Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, having also had three Tests in 2002 relocated to Sri Lanka & Sharjah due to security fears.

ICC Champions Trophy 2008 launch today

The official launch of the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 will take place in the Crystal Ballroom of the Pearl Continental in Lahore here on Wednesday.

The ceremony will start at 1900 but, prior to the launch, at 1700 ICC acting Chief Executive Officer David Richardson, PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi and Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik will hold a media conference in the Emerald B Room.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2008 will be staged in September and will be spread over three cities – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi.

This year’s tournament will feature the top eight sides from the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table as of 11 March 2008. They are: Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and the West Indies

The teams have been divided into two groups according to their seeding. Group A will include Australia, India, Pakistan and the West Indies while South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England are in Group B.

Each side plays all other sides in its group with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals with the top side from Group A playing the second-placed side from Group B and the second-placed side from Group A playing the top side from Group B.

That final will be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, which also hosted the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996.

The other venues, Karachi and Rawalpindi, will host the two semi-finals.

Katich braces himself for axe from India tour

Back-to-back Test hundreds notwithstanding, makeshift Australian opener Simon Katich says he harbours no hopes of being selected for the October tour of India as regular opener Matthew Hayden will almost certainly be fit for the high-profile Test series.

Katich, who is playing in the ongoing Test series in West Indies only because Hayden is battling chronic tendon injuries, has made the most of the opportunity scoring two hundreds, one of them being his highest Test score of 148.

However, despite the remarkable feat, Katich says chances of him being selected for India are remote unless the selectors are faced with another injury crisis.

"I obviously know that when Matt is back in the team ... he and Jaquesy have done a great job so I'll just have to bide my time," Katich said.

"I think that's the way it is. I'm grateful to have played these three Tests," he was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

But the left-hander insists that he does not mind the situation considering his career could have been all but over by now after Cricket Australia denied him a central contract 18 months ago.

"It could have been that I didn't play any, so I would rather have played three than none and been in this position. So whatever happens happens," he said.

Australia will play a four-Test series against India, after the Champions Trophy, in October.

This is not the first time Katich will have to be left out despite good performances.

In 2004, he was dropped for the first Test against Sri Lanka despite scoring a hundred against India in the previous match, that was also Steve Waugh's farewell game.

Pakistan reduce gap in ICC ODI rankings

Pakistan's triumph over India in the just-concluded tri-series in Bangladesh saw them close the gap by two rating points with India in latest ICC ODI rankings issued on Sunday.

However, the 25-run victory over India in the finals of the tri-series last night was not enough to propel Shoaib Malik's men from the fifth spot, although it seriously dented India's chances of leapfrogging to the third spot toppling New Zealand.

A win against Pakistan last night would have propelled India two points ahead of Daniel Vettori's side. Pakistan's victory also meant that they are now six points clear of Sri Lanka and England, who are languishing at the sixth and seventh spot.

South Africa and Australia continue to top the table, 14 points ahead of the Kiwis.

The ladder is lot more congested further down with just eight points separating New Zealand and seventh-placed England.

However, with the ODI series between the two sides up for grabs, there is every possibility of movements in the ladder board in the days to come.

A 5-0 win will see England join Pakistan on 111 points while New Zealand would slip to sixth position.

However, if the result is reverse, then Paul Collingwood's side will drop from 105 to 101 ratings points while New Zealand will extend its lead over fourth-placed India to five points.

Verdict in Asif case in another 10-12 days: sources

The Attorney General in Dubai took up the Mohammad Asif detention case on Sunday but Pakistan embassy officials did not expect a verdict coming before another 10 to 12 days.

An official in the Pakistan embassy in Dubai told the Attorney General went through the medical reports of Asif and the report of the public prosecutor on the case on Sunday.

"He (the Attorney General) will first see the evidence and reports and question the prosecution. After which Asif would be called for questioning as would other defendents," the official said requesting anonymity.

"I don`t think the Attorney General is going to decide before 10 days whether he will charge Asif or release and deport him. That is the procedure in Dubai and that is how long it takes for a case to be processed," he said.

Asif has been in detention since June 1 when he was caught with contraband drugs at Dubai airport on his way back home from India after playing in the Indian Premier League.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has said it would hold its own internal inquiry once Asif returns home but refused to comment any further on the issue insisting they still didn`t know all the facts of the incident.

"But our lawyers in Dubai are in constant touch with the prosecutor`s office and keeping tab of everything. It is not as if we have abandoned Asif in Dubai," one PCB official said.