Unbeaten champions City too good for Sunderland

Premier League champions Manchester City maintained their unbeaten start to the season and consigned Sunderland to a first defeat with a 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Shahzada Masoud named Afghanistan board chairman

Shahzada Masoud, the advisor to the Afghanistan president on tribal affairs, has been named chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for an indefinite term. He takes over from another political figure, Omar Zakhilwal, who resigned from the board due to his commitments as the country's minister of finance.

Masoud had a stint as the ACB president six years ago, and since then cricket has progressed significantly. The team has qualified for two World Twenty20 tournaments and has gained Affiliate status with the ICC. At a press conference at the ACB headquarters in Kabul, he emphasised the need to have a strong relationship with the ICC and improve the facilities around the country.

"We are hoping to be promoted as an (ICC) Associate member soon and that will be a good boost for us," Masoud said. "The Afghanistan cricket team currently has a good reputation and I have assured a good relationship with the staff and will work as a unit for the improvement of Afghanistan cricket.

"Afghanistan has no lengthy history in cricket but the game has gained a lot of popularity and it's growing significantly. What's required in the country is more grounds and facilities like setting up a national academy. I wish to build a strong relationship with the world cricket body as well as the other boards. The team has gained a good reputation and the future of cricket looks bright."

Brandon Carr takes blame for Brandon Marshall

or the first time as a Cowboy, Brandon Carr didn’t look like 50 million bucks Monday night.

The Cowboys signed Carr this offseason to give them a shutdown cornerback capable of taking No. 1 receivers out of the game. Carr called himself out after Chicago’s Brandon Marshall torched the Cowboys for 138 yards and a touchdown on seven catches.

Not all of Marshall’s receptions came against Carr. He made some big plays when the Bears managed to get him matched up on safeties in the middle of the field.

But Carr couldn’t stop Marshall, who caught every pass intended for him except for one. One play particularly stuck in Carr’s craw: Marshall’s leaping catch over Carr for a 30-yard gain to set up a field goal that stretched Chicago’s lead to 17 early in the fourth quarter.

“I knew it was going to be a 60-minute battle,” said Carr, who was familiar with Marshall from their AFC West days with the Chiefs and Broncos. “I knew his capabilities. He got some plays on me. He’s a good receiver. Hat off to him, but you know … ah, I don’t know what to say.”

At this point, Carr paused, tilted his head back and let out a frustrated shout.

“I am frustrated, I’m sorry,” Carr said. “It’s just tough. I have to find a way to get those balls out, especially that deep ball.”

Carr embraces the standards that come along with his $50 million contract. He didn’t live up to them Monday night.

virat kohli crying in World Cup T20 2012

virat kohli crying in World Cup T20 2012

Married Jason Aldean apologizes for making out with 'American Idol' singer Brittany Kerr

Married-with-children country singer Jason Aldean, who sings the hit "My Kinda Party," says too much partying is what led to him getting snapped kissing "American Idol" contestant Brittany Kerr at an L.A. bar.
Photographs of the singer getting hot and heavy with Kerr (she was even sitting on his lap in some of them) on the Sunset Strip were published on TMZ over the weekend.
Aldean apologized -- and explained -- to his fans on his official Facebook page.
"I wanted to talk to you directly, so you were hearing the truth from me and not just reading allegations made about my personal life on gossip web sites," he wrote. "The truth is that I screwed up. I had too much to drink, let the party get out of hand and acted inappropriately at a bar."
"I left alone, caught the bus to our next show and that's the end of the story," Aldean continued. "I ultimately ended up embarrassing my family and myself. I'm not perfect, and I'm sorry for disappointing you guys. I really appreciate being able to work through this privately with my family and for all your continued support."
Kerr, meanwhile, has shut down her Twitter account due to Aldean fans calling her everything from a "skank" to a "homewrecking whore,"

Lindsay Lohan alleged hotel assault: Christian LaBella ‘stunned’ by his arrest, says uncle

The congressional aide who tussled with Lindsay Lohan over cellphone pictures is “stunned” to find himself starring in the actress’ latest real-life drama.
“He doesn’t really understand why this is happening,” Peter Jessop said Monday of 25-year-old nephew Christian LaBella, who was arrested after the Manhattan brawl.
“It's a shame when a celebrity like that can use her publicist to tar a kid who has done nothing wrong.”
Lohan’s publicist, Steve Honig, scoffed at LaBella’s claims of innocence.
LINDSAY LOHAN TUSSLES WITH CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER IN MANHATTAN HOTEL ROOM OVER CELL-PHONE PHOTOS, TELLS COPS HE CHOKED HER
“That's a crock of s--- and you can quote me on that,” he told the Daily News. “The kid had to be pulled off Lindsay."

DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/WIREIMAGE

Lindsay Lohan claims she was assaulted early September 30, 2012 in a New York City hotel by a Christian LaBella. LaBella was taken into custody and upon further police investigation, charges were later dropped. LaBella has filed a harassment complaint against Lindsay Lohan.

Lohan and LaBella mixed it up early Sunday after she invited him back to her W Union Square hotel room and discovered photos on his cell phone of her partying at 1Oak earlier in the evening.
Police say the “Mean Girls” star took the phone and refused to return it, and he got physical while trying to get the device back.
Lohan told cops LaBella scratched her, choked her and threw her to the floor before she pulled a fire alarm — but cops say she wasn’t seriously injured.
LaBella was initially charged with misdemeanor assault, but that was dropped within hours. He and Lohan filed harassment complaints against each other.
“He's pretty stunned by all of this,” LaBella’s uncle told the News.
His nephew is from Los Angeles but works in Washington for Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and was visiting New York for the weekend.
“He was just out having fun, and Lindsay Lohan picked him out of a crowd at bar and said, ‘You're coming with us.’ I guess they had a friend in common,” Jessop said.
“He didn't do anything to invite this.”
Lohan’s spokesman said Sunday night that it was outrageous the assault charge was dropped, and her mother suggested the actress could have been killed.
Jessop said the accusations were ridiculous.
“Every statement has her mother saying, 'Thank God he didn't have a weapon.' Of course he didn't have a weapon. He didn't do anything.
“And her publicist is saying she suffered injuries. She didn't suffer any injuries."
He said LaBella is a “good kid” who did a little acting as a child and was shocked to discover his profile on the movie database IMDB racked up 150,000 hits after his tangle with Lohan.
Lohan is on probation from a necklace theft case. She was arrested last month in Manhattan for leaving the scene of a minor car accident.

Ryder Cup 2012: Ian Poulter emulates Seve Ballesteros as Europe's beating heart

The Chicago crowd knew how to taunt Ian Poulter. “Major winner, major winner,” they chanted, as Webb Simpson, America’s US Open champion, arrived on the first tee for their singles match.
They mocked Poulter’s record in the big four strokeplay tournaments because there was no mud they could throw at him in Ryder Cups.
Played four, won four, with one needless spell on the bench: this was Poulter’s record after his 2&1 victory over Simpson.
Without their peacock, Europe would have been dead meat on Saturday night. But in the dusk of another Yankee Doodle day, Poulter strode up the 18th fairway to card his fifth consecutive birdie.
That secured a precious final point for Europe to fire them into the singles 10-6 down but with a glint of hope.

As Poulter marched through the gloom at the end of Saturday’s fourball, a well-oiled American struck up a tune on his harmonica and the home crowd sharpened their jokes.
The scene had an elegiac feel. But Poulter was having none of it. The 12-foot putt – his second in a row – was drained, the match won, and the European mood revived.
Backslapping, hugs and high fives preceded an outbreak of dancing and song as Jose Maria Olazabal, Europe’s captain, declared: “I think the Ryder Cup should build a statue for him.”
Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia had won their match, too, moments earlier, but there is no doubt who was Europe’s spiritual leader here in ­Illinois.
Poulter, or 'Poults’, who started as an assistant pro and golf shop manager at Chesfield Downs Golf Club, has moved to the highest echelon of Ryder Cup gladiators.

This event stirs his natural tenacity, gives him something to fight against. It is the perfect outlet for his pride.
“It comes from within,” he said, “and if we can do anything to win this trophy, in this position, with Seve looking down on us, then you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Poulter had played with the world No 1, McIlroy, but Rose called him Europe’s real leader. “Well, I don’t know about that, but I just love the Ryder Cup,” Poulter said.
“You just try to get your hands back on the trophy. It’s not about me; it’s about the team. We need to go out there real strong and try and get our hands back on this trophy.”
The mid-Atlantic diction points to a kind of Americanisation but in essence Poulter is still the lad from Hitchin who exudes a kind of English punk spirit.
Europe’s top scorer at Valhalla (2008) and Celtic Manor (2012), he had scored eight points from 11 matches before his excellent displays here.
As America surged ahead, he won the Friday foursomes with Justin Rose, sat out the afternoon fourball (Olazabal’s biggest error), won his Saturday foursomes match with Rose again and then teamed up with McIlroy to earn his continent’s sixth and final point before the singles, in which he scored his sixth consecutive birdie, against Simpson, at the 433-yard par-four first.
Poulter is not averse to making enemies. As he left the first tee, Tiger Woods walked nearby jabbing his finger at Simpson’s caddie. Presumably he was administering tips on how the annoying Brit could be broken. Woods is no Poulter acolyte.
Simpson was two-up after six holes but Poulter fought back pugnaciously. “Hey, Ian, where are your coloured shoes?” a fan called.
These feeble provocations bounced off him. Secretly, this Chicago crowd were starting to admire America’s most implacable opponent.
At the 14th he refused to concede a five-foot putt to Simpson, and quite right, too. The match was all-square. It was no time for charity.
And to think he was once seen as a dilettante in union flag slacks: a clothes horse who was using golf as a vehicle to an empty kind of fame.
On the driveway at his Florida mansion sit at various times a Bentley Continental GT, a Ferrari California and an Aston Martin DB9.
Yet the charge directed at him on that first tee is that he has failed to climb golf’s commanding heights: the four majors. The follow-up condemnation is that he never will.
Though he looks younger he is 36 already. But he is getting closer. His second place at the 2008 Open prompted Nick Faldo to award him a captain’s pick for Valhalla and this year there have been three top-10 finishes at the majors.
He was seventh at the Masters, tied for ninth at the Open and took a share of third at the USPGA.
The theory is that aggression cannot sustain itself over the 72 holes of a major, and that he lacks the natural talent to support his belligerence.
Yet so many new names have been carved on major trophies in the last few years that it seems unjust to conclude he will only ever be a matchplay specialist with a gift for getting up the nose of Uncle Sam.
However his career turns out you have to admire his courage. He strode into action on this final day banging his heart with his fist.
He has found a way to turn adversity into fuel and you can bet your farm that he relishes the attention that comes with being hailed as Europe’s leader.
“I just love it: 11 other great lads, great captain, vice captains, incredible week, something that you just don’t get in normal, regulation golf,” he said.
“It brings you closer to everybody else and they are special moments.” In Ryder Cups, simply, he is magnificent.

ICC T20 World Cup 2012: Pakistan take on Australia in a do-or-die clash

Colombo: Annihilated by India in their second Super Eight match, an inconsistent Pakistan are faced with a do-or-die situation and need nothing less than a big win when they take on a rampaging Australia in the World Twenty20 here on Tuesday.

Pakistan will have to pick up the pieces from their all-round failure against the arch-rivals and come up with an inspired performance against the unbeaten Australian side, which has been almost assured a semifinal berth with a commanding eight-wicket victory over South Africa in their last game on Sunday.

Aware that one more defeat will ensure their exit from the tournament if India manage to beat South Africa later in the evening on Tuesday, Pakistan, after a win and a loss, have to clinch it against Australia to have any chance of making the semifinals.

The fight for the second semi-final slot from Group 1 is indeed intriguingly poised as both India and Pakistan have a fair chance of making the cut with the Aussies enjoying a healthy run-rate of +1.712.




In case Pakistan (-0.426), who are shade ahead of India (-0.452) in terms of net run-rate happen to win against Australia, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men will then have to win comprehensively against the South Africans in order to make it to the last four.

If Mohammad Hafeez`s men lose on Tuesday, then everything will boil down to the high-octane clash between India and SA. A win against the Proteas will be good enough for them to march into the last-four stage.

Even in case of a defeat, India should ensure that they don`t lose by a big margin.

South Africa have lost both their matches in contrasting manner -- a close defeat against Pakistan and a comprehensive one against Australia.

Even if they win on Tuesday, it would be an unlikely proposition for the A B de Villiers` side to seal the semifinal berth as their inferior run-rate (-0.605) at this stage of the tournament makes their case weak.

On a roll with an all-win record in the tournament so far, the George Bailey-led Australian side`s eight-wicket win over perennial chokers but serious title-contenders, South Africa yesterday must have done a world of good to their morale after topping Group B with wins over Ireland and the West Indies.


Pakistan, on the other hand, would have to regroup their resources after being shot out for a meagre 128 against India. Their bowlers also came a cropper, thrashed by the Virat Kohli-inspired Indian batting line-up.

Australia are the in-form side of the tournament with the top-order batsmen in roaring form and the frontline bowlers among the wickets.

The main worry for Pakistan would be swashbuckling Australian openers Shane Watson and David Warner, who have become the most successful pair in the T20 Internationals.

On Sunday against South Africa, Watson single-handedly guided the team to victory with a brutal 47-ball 70 and 2/29 while bowling.

Such has been the terror of the marauding all-rounder that Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore joked that his team will either have to poison Watson`s food or hope that he has a bad day in office against them.

Watson has so far collected four man of the match trophies and has scored 234 runs in the tournament. His bowling has also fetched him with 10 wickets.

Veteran Mike Hussey has also done his bit at one down and came good against the Proteas with a 37-ball 45.

Though fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, went wicketless in the last game but produced pace and bounce on a slowish Premadasa strip against the Indians.

Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty picked up three wickets for 20 runs in his economical spell against the South Africans. Brad Hogg has also taken two wickets from the three matches he has played so far and without being expensive. Both can be handful if the pitch assists slow bowlers.

If there is any cause of worry for the Australians, it could be their middle order batsmen as they have not been tested in the tournament.

On the other hand, Pakistan looked completely out of sorts against India. On their day, the likes of Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez can take any bowling side to the cleaners but they wilted under pressure against India.

Pakistan`s front-line bowlers, Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Yasir Arafat, also failed to make any impression against a solid Indian line-up.

Another problem for Pakistan has been Afridi`s sharp dip in form with the willow. A lot will also depend on Pakistan`s most talented young batsman Umar Akmal who on his day can take apart any bowling attack in the world.
The Squads:

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (capt.), Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Nasir Jamshed, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami, Asad Shafiq, Raza Hasan.

Australia: George Bailey (capt), Dan Christian, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hogg, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Ind vs Pak T20 World Cup Blog; Live cricket scores and commentary

Ind vs Pak T20 World Cup

MATCH SUMMARY: When Gambhir departed for a duck, Pakistan might have sniffed a chance. However, Kohli once again batted brilliantly and took the attack to the opposition. He negotiated the Pakistan spinners brilliantly as they coasted to the target. However, they would be slightly disappointed that they did not get to the target in 16.4 overs.
Before this match started, it was written that a jinx might be broken today. For millions of Indian fans, their jinx was broken. India have finally snapped a seven match losing streak in the Super Eights by registering a eight wicket win over Pakistan. This will go a long way in boosting their confidence after they were hammered by Australia.
THE EQUATION: The NRR of Pakistan currently is -0.43 and India's is -0.45. This throws the group wide open. The situation now is that both Pakistan and India are on 2 points. Australia are on four points and they have a great NRR. So, Australia are almost through. This throws a life-line to South Africa who have to win their last match against India and hope that Australia beat Pakistan.
10:17 pm | 16.6 overs: It's all over! Ajmal to Yuvraj, 1 run, India win, oh boy, Pakistan just cannot defeat India in a World Cup, flatter ball on the middle and leg stump, Yuvraj closes the bat face and works it to long leg to seal what has been a comprehensive 8-wicket win for India.
10:15 pm | 16.5 overs: Ajmal to Virat Kohli, 1 run, quick and full ball on the pads, Kohli flicks it to backward square leg, India's NRR cannot go above Pakistan now.
10:12 pm | 15.6 overs: Umar Gul to Virat Kohli, FOUR, full and wide delivery outside off, Kohli reaches out for it and bludgeons the drive to the extra cover fence, the fifty partnership is up and 16 runs have come in that over
10 pm | 12 overs: In reply to Pakistan's 128 all out, India are 84/2 at the stage with Virat Kohli (52) and Yuvraj Singh (1) in the middle.
9:58 pm | 11.3 overs: Ajmal to Virat Kohli, 2 runs, flatter ball on the pads, Kohli clips it to deep square leg for a couple, gets to his 4th T20I FIFTY, what a player, truly a masterclass.
Yuvraj Singh, left handed bat, comes to the crease
9:52 pm | 10.3 overs: WICKET! Shahid Afridi to Sehwag, out Caught by Umar Gul!! This time he perishes. Good catch by Gul. Afridi floats this full delivery just outside off, Sehwag looks to launch it over the ropes at long off, but he does not time it well, Gul takes the catch over his head and he backpedals, he is close to the ropes but he manages to keep his balance and stop before his back foot touches the ropes. Sehwag c Umar Gul b Shahid Afridi 29(24) [4s-4] (India 75/2 in 10.3 overs)
9:50 pm | 10 overs: India are 70/1 at the stage with Virender Sehwag (25) and Virat Kohli (43) in the middle.
9:49 pm | 9.5 overs: DROPPED! Arafat to Virat Kohli, no run, catch dropped by Umar Akmal, oh my, that is a fantastic effort but he could not latch onto it, good length ball outside off and it stops on Kohli, he drives it uppishly and Umar at backward point flies to his left, the ball pops out as he falls to the ground and Kohli survives, that could have been the catch of the tournament.
The last time India and Pakistan clashed in an international match, Gambhir departed for a duck. Hafeez had dismissed him. Virat Kohli then stole the show and bludgeoned 183 runs to give India victory. Can he do it again?
9:11 pm | 0.2 overs: WICKET! Raza Hasan to Gambhir, out Caught & Bowled!! What a start for Hasan. Wonderful stuff. The bowler stays round the wicket and bowls a tossed up delivery on middle, Gambhir charges down the track and drives it straight back to the bowler who takes it, Hasan has got one of the best players of spin early in the Indian team and this will boost Pakistan. Gambhir c and b Raza Hasan 0(2) (India 1/1 in 0.2 overs)
9:10 pm | 0.1 overs: Raza Hasan to Gambhir, wide, a loose start for Hasan, quick ball but down the leg side, Gambhir misses the sweep and he starts off with a wide
INDIA INNINGS: Gambhir and Sehwag are at the crease. Gambhir is on strike. Raza Hasan will open the attack

9:10 pm | 0.2 overs: Raza Hasan to Gambhir, out Caught&Bowled!! What a start for Hasan. Wonderful stuff. The bowler stays round the wicket and bowls a tossed up delivery on middle, Gambhir charges down the track and drives it straight back to the bowler who takes it, Hasan has got one of the best players of spin early in the Indian team and this will boost Pakistan. Gambhir c and b Raza Hasan 0(2)

Team India comes to play: Gambhir and Sehwag are at the crease. Gambhir is on strike. Raza Hasan will open the attack.
PAKISTAN INNINGS SUMMARY: Zaheer lost his line and length in the first over but Irfan Pathan sent back Nazir cheaply. Afridi came out at No.3 but the experiment failed to yield any results. Hafeez could not get going but a 47 run stand between Malik and Umar Akmal revived Pakistan. However, once that stand was broken, none of the other batsmen managed to hang in there. Yuvraj Singh was awesome with the ball and in the field as he pegged Pakistan back consistently. Pakistan have been bowled out for their lowest score in the T20 Cup and India will look to chase it down without any hassles. Join us in a bit.
9:02 pm | 19.4 overs: WICKET! And that's innings for Pakistan. Balaji to Ajmal, out Caught by Dhoni!! India will be very happy with this effort. Full ball just outside off, Ajmal attempts the paddle scoop but ends up tamely lobbing it to short fine leg, Dhoni runs back and takes the catch as another fielder almost comes in the way, Dhoni is not amused but Pakistan's innings has folded up here. Ajmal c Dhoni b Balaji 1(2). (Pak 128/10 in 19.3 overs)
Raza Hasan, right handed bat, comes to the crease
9:00 pm | 19.3 overs: WICKET! Balaji to Umar Gul, out Caught by Dhoni!! No heroics from Gul this time. Balaji comes round the wicket and bowls a full toss outside off, Gul looks to launch it out of the stadium, but he ends up mistiming it completely, Dhoni jogs to his right and takes a simple catch. Umar Gul c Dhoni b Balaji 12(10) [4s-1 6s-1]. (Pak 128/9 in 19.3 overs)
8:58 pm | 19.2 overs: Balaji to Umar Gul, SIX, vintage Gul shot! A low full toss sliding onto the pads, Gul latches onto it and thwacks it well back into the stands at deep backward square leg
Saeed Ajmal, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8:55 pm | 18.1 overs: WICKET! It's a run out... Zaheer to Arafat, out Arafat Run Out!! Awesome fielding from Yuvraj. Oh yes, it seems like he is regaining his magic here. Short ball bowled from round the wicket, Arafat slaps it to backward point and takes off for a quick single, Yuvraj lines it up and fires a rocket throw, he scores a direct hit and Arafat is just short of the crease. Arafat run out (Yuvraj) 8(11) [4s-1] (Pak 115/8 in 18.1 overs)
Umar Gul, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8:50 pm | 17.3 overs: WICKET! Ashwin to Umar Akmal, out Caught by Raina!! Umar departs. Ashwin bowls this delivery with a pause and lands it on a short of length just outside off, Umar rocks back and pulls but he does not time it well, he holes out to Raina at deep square leg who points to the crowd. Umar Akmal c Raina b Ashwin 21(18) [6s-1] (Pak 115/7 in 17.3 overs)
Yasir Arafat, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8:43 pm | 15.2 overs: WICKET! Ashwin to Shoaib Malik, out Caught by Rohit Sharma!! Ashwin sends back the dangerous Malik. This is the wicket India really needed. Ashwin stays round the wicket and bowls a flighted delivery across just outside off, Malik bends down and looks to mow the slog sweep, but he ends up toe-ending it and Rohit Sharma takes the catch at mid wicket, the 47 run stand has ended. Shoaib Malik c Rohit Sharma b Ashwin 28(22) [4s-3] (Pak 106/6 in 15.2 overs)
8:40 pm | 14.5 overs: Balaji to Shoaib Malik, FOUR, poor line from Balaji, length delivery but sliding onto the pads, Malik helps it along the way by using the pace and flicks it to the fine leg fence. And that brings up the 100 for Pakistan.
8:36 pm | 13.6 overs: Ashwin to Shoaib Malik, 1 run, Malik sashays down the track and Ashwin shortens the length of this carrom ball on middle, Malik pushes it to long on. Pak are 97/5 at the stage with Shoaib Malik (21) and Umar Akmal (18) in the middle.
Umar Akmal, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8:18 pm | 9.5 overs: WICKET! That one's for Virat... Virat Kohli to Hafeez, out Bowled!! Hafeez's tortured stay at the crease has ended. He was just not playing naturally today. Good length ball slanted in on leg stump, Hafeez backs away a touch and looks to chop it down to third man, he gets an inside edge that knocks back the leg stump. Hafeez b Virat Kohli 15(28) [4s-1] (Pak 59/5 in 9.5 oveers)
Shoaib Malik, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8:15 pm | 8.2 overs: WICKET! Another one for Yuvi. Yuvraj to Kamran Akmal, out Caught by Dhoni!! Yuvraj gets another one. Oh boy, is there anything Yuvraj cannot do? The bowler stays round the wicket for the right hander and bowls a flighted delivery, he gives it a bit more air and the ball spins away a fraction, Kamran looks to smash it through cover, he gets an outside edge that is snapped up by Dhoni, sharp take that and Yuvraj is all pumped up. Kamran Akmal c Dhoni b Yuvraj 5(6) (Pak 49/4 in 8.2 overs)
Kamran Akmal, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8:05 pm | 6.4 overs: WICKET! Yuvraj to Nasir Jamshed, out Caught by Dhoni!! Another one bites the dust but Jamshed is not amused. Yuvraj stays round the wicket and bowls a nicely flighted delivery angled across just outside off, Jamshed bends down and attempts the slog sweep, he seems to have gotten a faint outside edge and Dhoni pouches it, Jamshed is still not happy. Replays show that it was a faint under-edge. Nasir Jamshed c Dhoni b Yuvraj 4(5) (Pak 43/3 in 6.4 overs)
Nasir Jamshed, left handed bat, comes to the crease. Two slips in place for Jamshed.
7:58 pm | 4.4 overs: WICKET! Balaji to Shahid Afridi, out Caught by Raina!! Afridi's luck has run out here. Another short delivery just outside off, Afridi looks to muscle the pull shot but he ends up miscuing it, the ball sails to deep mid wicket where Raina takes the catch just in front of the ropes. Shahid Afridi c Raina b Balaji 14(12) [4s-2] (Pak 35/2 in 4.4 overs)
What a surprise in a tension-filled game. Afridi comes in now.
7:40 pm | 1.2 overs: WICKET! Irfan Pathan to Imran Nazir, out Lbw!! Irfan strikes with the new ball. Short of a good length ball and it again darts back in, Nazir walks to the off side and looks to work it to square leg, he misses it and the ball hits the back thigh guard, Irfan appeals and umpire Tucker gives him out, it looked like it was going over the stumps and Nazir is very disappointed. Replays show that the ball was hitting top of middle. Imran Nazir lbw b Irfan Pathan 8(5) [4s-2] (Pak 17/1 in 1.2 overs)
7:38 pm | 1.1 overs: Irfan Pathan to Imran Nazir, FOUR, inside edged but safe, Pakistan are lucky here, full ball angled across from Irfan and it bends back in, Nazir limply goes for the drive and gets an inside edge that just goes past leg stump, rolls to the fine leg fence
7:00 pm | 0.1 overs: Zaheer to Hafeez, wide, loose start for Zaheer, full ball slanted across and it snakes away wide of the off stump, Hafeez lets it go and wide is conceded

Hafeez and Imran Nazir are at the crease. Hafeez is on strike. Zaheer will open the attack

Hafeez and Nazir are striding out to the middle. The Indian fielders are already in position. Will Dhoni open with Irfan Pathan or will he start with spin? Zaheer will start off proceedings and Hafeez will be on strike. Sehwag is standing at slip. Here we GO!
Teams:

India (Playing XI): Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Lakshmipathy Balaji

Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Hafeez(c), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal(w), Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan

Dhoni: "This pitch may turn a bit. We were going to bowl first. Bhajji and Chawla are out and Balaji and Sehwag return. Pakistan play spin well and we have got part-timers who can exploit the conditions. We want to do well in front of a big crowd."

Hafeez: "We will bat. We have variety in the team and we want to put up a good score. The guys are playing positive cricket. We are looking forward to this game. There are no changes in the team".

India vs Pakistan: Virat Kohli slams fifty to lead Indian run chase

Indian bowlers fired in unison as they restricted Pakistan to 128 in their crucial Twenty20 World Cup Super Eight game at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Chasing 129, India lost Gautam Gambhir early as he played a lose shot straight back to the bowler Raza Hasan who made no mistake in taking a simple catch to rid India of its opener.

Pakistan's innings were bundled up in 19.4 overs after L Balaji dismissed Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal in successive deliveries.

Pakistan got a terrible start as they lost Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Nasir Jamshed and Kamran Akmal inside 50 runs against India after opting to bat.

Ravichandran Ashwin too joined the party as he struck twice to dent Pakistan's brief recovery.

Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal added crucial 47 runs for the sixth wicket to give some respite to Pakistan after early jolts.

Ashwin first got rid of the perilous Shoaib Malik, who played a decent cameo of 28 runs with the help of 3 boundaries. Malik was caught at midwicket by Rohit Sharma while trying to drive.

Soon after dismissing Malik, Ashwin claimed his second wicket in the form of Umar Akmal after the right-hander was brilliantly caught deep in the field by Suresh Raina.

Virat Kohli got rid of skipper Mohammad Hafeez as Pakistan lost half of their side at the score of 59 in 9.5 overs.

Yuvraj Singh's double strike gave denting blows to Pakistan after getting early blows from the seamers.

Yuvraj first dismissed Nasir Jamshed behind the wicket and then picked up his second wicket in the form of Kamran Akmal, who in an effort to strike a slightly offside pitched ball through covers could only find the gloves of MS Dhoni.

Paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji gave India second breakthrough in the form of dangerous Shahid Afridi.

Seamer Irfan Pathan gave India crucial early breakthrough as he dismissed dangerous Pakistani opener Imran Nazir in their Super Eight game.

Earlier, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez won the toss and decided to bat first against arch-rivals India.

Dashing opener Virender Sehwag returned to the playing XI after missing last two matches against England and Australia.

Seamer Lakshmipathy Balaji also made his way back in to the team. Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh were left out for today's match.

On the other hand Pakistan have retained the same playing XI which beat South Africa in their first Super Eight game.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Arafat, Raza Hasan, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal

Beware: Facebook could get you fired

Cape Town - While dismissals relating to social media misconduct are generally being confirmed, employers cannot use employees’ online conduct to execute a pre-meditated house cleaning, Rosalind Davey, a partner at leading corporate law firm Bowman Gilfillan, warned on Monday.
She was commenting on the recent spate of dismissal decisions relating to social media by dispute resolution body, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

Davey said normal rules of fairness and equity apply equally to virtual labour relations, but warned employees to think twice before making derogatory statements about their employers on social media platforms like Facebook.

She said that while there has not yet been a superior court test case, the recent CCMA rulings are instructive.

“The extent to which an individual’s privacy is protected when misusing social media platforms would be more clearly established by a High Court test case.

“Similarly we would love to establish the extent to which John Doe’s employer is entitled to intercept his online communications, and most of all, which one of these scenarios trumps the other.

“Until then, it is interesting that CCMA commissioners have been inclined to confirm the dismissal of employees who have made derogatory comments online about their employers on the basis that, in these circumstances, an employee’s right to privacy may be limited or even forfeited.”

Bowman Gilfillan’s Lenja Dahms-Jansen said the CCMA is generally the first stop for employees to challenge their employers. Although the CCMA’s decisions are not legally binding, challenged it can have material and often costly consequences.

Dahms-Jansen listed two examples where the CCMA confirmed the “Facebook” dismissals:

In Sedick & another v Krisray (Pty) Ltd certain employees made derogatory comments on Facebook about the management of the employer. When the marketing manager of the employer set up her own account on Facebook she found that she could access all the posts on the employees' profiles and was able to read their comments.

The employees were subsequently dismissed. In challenging the fairness of their dismissals, they alleged that the employer had suffered no damage because their posts had not referred to anyone by name. The employees also alleged that by accessing their profiles, the employer had infringed on their rights to privacy.

Said Dahms-Jansen: “The commissioner considered the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA), which regulates the interception of communications and decided that the employer was entitled to access the discussions as the employees had ‘open’ Facebook profiles.

“The commissioner found that they had failed to use their privacy options and had thus abandoned any claim to privacy and to the protections of RICA. The commissioner confirmed that the comments brought the employer’s reputation into disrepute and confirmed the dismissals.”

In Media Workers Association of SA on behalf of Mvemve and Kathorus Community Radio, an employee posted remarks on Facebook criticising the organisation's board, and its station manager, who he claimed was a criminal. The Commissioner based his decision confirming the dismissal on the fact that the employee had tarnished the employer’s image by posting unfounded allegations on Facebook without having addressed them internally first.

In considering the value of these non-binding decisions, Davey said it is clear that the commissioners are taking the issue of social media misconduct seriously and that they are not prioritising issues of special privilege, privacy and anonymity of employees online.

IPL HAS HELPED US UNDERSTAND THE WEST INDIAN PLAYERS, SAYS DANIEL VETTORI – CRICKET NEWS UPDATE

IPL has helped us understand the West Indian players, says Daniel Vettori – Cricket News Update

Geared up for the challenge against West Indies in the Super 8 stage of the ICC World T20 2012, Daniel Vettori, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner, believes that having played alongside the Caribbean players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is going to be an advantage for the Kiwi players.

New Zealand and West Indies will be up against each other today in their last Super 8 fixture, as both the teams desperately look for a semi-final berth.

During Ross Taylor and men’s tour of West Indies earlier this year, the home team outclassed the Kiwis in all three formats, which is the reason why West Indies are rated as favourites for victory.

Since IPL’s inception in 2008, players from all across the world have been playing together for different franchises; hence, getting to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses closely.

"Having a more intimate knowledge of players through the IPL has helped. I know our scouting is more intense and specific. Hopefully tapping into such knowledge helps," believes Vettori.

West Indies were one of the pre-tournament favourites because of a star-studded batting line-up, including Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard. It is surely going to be a massive challenge for the relatively inexperienced New Zealand bowlers to stop the Caribbean onslaught.

However, the former Black Caps’ skipper claims that his side understands the West Indian players and they will give them a tough time.

"For instance, I can input into how to bowl to Chris Gayle [Vettori played with him at the Royal Bangalore Challengers]. Tim Southee's played with Dwayne Bravo in Chennai and Brendon McCullum has regularly kept to Sunil Narine at [defending IPL champions] the Kolkata Knight Riders," the left-arm spinner mentioned. "You get some intimate information from that, plus the fact we've come off six weeks playing them at home."

Having lost their initial two Super 8 encounters, it is imperative for Taylor and company to dismantle the Caribbean men, if they are to keep their hopes alive in the competition.

The two teams to qualify from Group 1 will be finalised after the evening match between Sri Lanka and England.

Deccan Chronicles Holdings told to furnish Rs100 cr bank guarantee to BCCI

he Bombay High Court on Monday asked Deccan Chronicles Holdings Ltd to give an irrevocable and unconditional bank guarantee of Rs100 crore to the BCCI on or before October 9 while observing that the Cricket Board has acted in haste to terminate IPL franchise Deccan Chargers.

The bank guarantee would be in force for a period of one year, said Justice SJ Kathawala, who heard a petition filed by DCHL challenging the BCCI's decision to terminate the contract of the cash-strapped Hyderabad franchise.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India had taken the decision last month at its emergency IPL Governing Council meeting in Chennai. The court further observed that DCHL shall bear all expenses for IPL series-6 like making payments to BCCI towards franchise, players and support team costs. Besides, DCHL shall also bear the costs of conducting matches and other expenses, the judge ruled.

In the event of any default on part of DCHL, BCCI shall be entitled to invoke the bank guarantee to the extent necessary, Justice Kathawala said.

Earlier on September 26, the court had appointed retired Supreme Court judge CK Thakkar as arbitrator to resolve within three months the dispute between BCCI and DCHL over the termination of Deccan Chargers franchise. However, pending arbitration proceedings and making up of an award by the arbitrator, the judge today asked the BCCI not to act on the termination of the franchise agreement for a period of seven days, if the award is in their favour.

The judge clarified that this order would immediately cease to be in effect if DCHL fails to furnish the bank guarantee. The court ruled that DCHL shall pay the undisputed outstanding dues of hotels, transportation etc as regards IPL-5 on or before October 31. "However, this order shall not preclude BCCI from adding one more franchise for IPL series-6 or thereafter".

"I am of the view that BCCI has at all stages acted in some haste in terminating the franchise agreement with DCHL," the judge remarked.

Galatasaray - Braga Preview: Turkish champions searching for first points in Champions League

GALATASARAY Muslera Eboue, Cris, Kaya, Balta Melo, Inan, AltintopBulut, B.Yilmaz, Elmander

BRAGA Beto Baiano, Douglao, Nuno, Elderson Amorim, Custodio, VianaAlan, Eder, Barbosa

Galatasaray have a number of injury worries going into their Champions League Group H rumble against Sporting Braga.

Hamit Altintop is fighting for fitness after limping off during the 2-0 defeat to Orduspor on Friday, while key centre-back Tomas Ujfalusi remains sidelined until the new year, after undergoing surgery for a ligament injury in his left knee.

The Istanbul side continue without the services of Spaniard Albert Riera, although they will be turning to the blossoming strike partnership of Burak Yilmaz and Umut Bulut to secure victory.

Jose Peseiro's side head into the tie shaken after their home defeat to Cluj, but will remain hopeful their attacking triumvirate delivers the goods this time round, in a tie that could prove crucial to their prospects of progression from the group stage.

Braga retain the third highest scoring record in the Primeira Liga, and lie a comfortable third domestically after beating Vitoria Guimaraes last week.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Galatasaray have won all three of their matches at Turk Telekom Arena this season, and lost only one of their previous nine European home fixtures.

• Burak Yilmaz (pictured right) became the first Turkish player to represent four different clubs in the Champions League, against Manchester United.

• The Turkey international is seeking his first victory against Portuguese opposition however, recording four defeats and one draw in previous instances.

• Should Braga win on Tuesday, they will have completed a hat-trick of victories on Turkish soil.

• Os Arcebispos have a six-match unbeaten sequence on their European travels to defend, the latest involving a 1-1 stalemate against Udinese in Italy.

• Assistant coach Fernando Couto scored the winner in Portugal's 1-0 Euro 1996 victory over Turkey, and participated in both countries' Euro 2000 quarter-final encounter.

Fenerbahçe coach under fire after Marseille failure

Pressure on coach Fenerbahçe coach Aykut Kocaman is mounting after his club surrendered a two-goal lead against Marseille in the Europa League on Sept. 20.

The southern French club snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw against Fenerbahçe in the first match day of the Europa League.

Fenerbahçe started on a high note and took the lead through Caner Erkin in the first half, while Alex de Souza doubled the advantage in the second half.

However, Mathieu Valbuena cut the gap to one goal in the 83rd minute and Andre Ayew scored a dramatic equalizer in the dying seconds of the game.

Fenerbahçe fans put the blame on Kocaman, who substituted Moussa Sow and Alex, bringing in Henri Bienvenu and Cristian Baroni in their respective places.

Chants calling for Kocaman to resign were heard at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Speaking after the game, Kocaman said he did not hear the chants and added that he would not speak on the issue.

The substitution of Alex seemed to be crucial, with the entry of Baroni limiting Fenerbahçe’s attacking options. Alex, on the other hand, looked up for the game despite coming off fresh controversy.

Kocaman left Alex on the bench for a crucial Spartak Moscow game earlier this season and left him out of the squad for another game after the Brazilian star took to Twitter to complain about the issue.

Alex, a fan favorite at Fenerbahçe, recently returned to play regularly at the club, and his early substitution on Sept. 20 will be another factor for criticism for Kocaman.

The Brazilian, however, refused to start another controversy after the game.

“We played well for 35 minutes of each half, but then gave the ball away,” Alex told NTV Spor after the game. “That I scored or not, that does not matter. What counts is that what we do as a team.”

Kocaman said his decisions did not play the biggest part in the disappointing defeat.

“I made those substitutions for a reason,” Kocaman said. “Those changes were not the only reason for the draw.”

Fenerbahçe meets Trabzonspor in a crucial Spor Toto Super League game on Sept.

Uche's goal romp continues

Kalu Uche was the only Nigerian scorer in any of Europe’s top league at the weekend.

The Nigerian hit his 5th goal of the season as Kasimpasa beat Fenerbahce 2-0.

In a weekend where Nigerians failed to shine, supersport.com now runs through the best of the action.

Holland (Eredivisie) Heracles Almelo 3-3 ADO Den Haag (Polman Stadion)
Kenneth Omeruo was on from start to finish as he helped Den Haag pick up a point against the home side at the Polman Stadion.

It was a feisty game that had eight players shown yellow cards.

Omeruo was among the players cautioned.

FC Groningen 3-2 Roda (Euroborg)
Olufemi Ajilore returned to the Groningen side as a 90th minute substitute.

VVV-Venlo 0-6 PSV Eindhoven (Seacon Stadion - De Koel)
A baptism of fire for Uche Nwofor and his Venlo teammates as they received a six-hiding in the hands of the Dutch giants.

Nwofor’s day turned from bad to worse as he received his marching orders to see his side reduced to ten men.

Italy (Serie A) Internazionale 2 - 1 Fiorentina (San Siro)
Andrea Strammacionni did not give Joel Obi the look in as he spent all 90 minutes on the Inter bench.

Lazio 2 - 1 Siena
Ogenyi Onazi came on after the hour mark for SS Lazio as the side from the capital won 2-1 against Siena.

Turkey (Süper Lig)
Akhisar Belediyespor 1 – 3 Karabukspor (/b>

Gideon Adinoy wasn’t listed for Akhisar Belediyespor in their 1-3 loss to Karabukspor.

Kasimpasa 2-0 Fenerbahçe (Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadi)
Kalu Uche scored the opening goal for Kasimpasa in the 2-0 win over Fener.

Super Eagles' captain, Joseph Yobo was on for all 90 minutes the visitors.

Genclebirligi 4-0 Kayserispor (19 Mayis)
Ekigho Ehiosun came on as a 77th minute substitute for the home side in this emphatic win against Kayserispor.

Antalyaspor 4 - 0 Elazigspor (Mardan Stadium)
The suspended Isaac Promise sat out this one for Antalyaspor.

Trabzonspor 1 - 1 Mersin Idmanyurdu (Hüseyin Avni Aker)
Nduka Ozokwor came on as a 90th minute substitute for Mersin Idmanyurdu in this draw at Trabzonspor.

Germany (Bundesliga) Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 0 Greuther Fürth (Bay Arena)
Kingsley Onuegbu was not listed for Greuther Fürth.

Werder Bremen 0 - 2 Bayern Munich (Weserstadion)
Joseph Akpala came on with 13 minutes left to play as Bayern overpowered his side two-nil.

Fortuna Düsseldorf 2 - 2 Schalke 04 (ESPRIT arena)
Chinedu Obasi returned to the Schalke side as an 80th minute substitute helping his side to a 2-2 at Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Scotland (Scottish Premier League) Motherwell 0-2 Celtic (Fir Park)
Efe Ambrose was on from the off for Celtic in their two-nil win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

Rabiu Ibrahim was not listed for the Scottish champions.

Cercle Brugge 1 - 0 Charleroi (Jan Breydelstadion)
Michael Uchebo started for Cercle Brugge in the one nil win over Charleroi. He was substituted on the hour as his side claimed an important win at the death.
Racing Genk 2 - 1 KV Mechelen (Cristal Arena)

Kennedy Nwanganga was not listed for Racing Genk.

OH Leuven 5-2 Beveren (Den Dreef)
Derrick Ogbu was not listed for Leuven.

Kortrijk 2 - 1 Standard Liège (Guldensporenstadion)
Imoh Ezekiel is still suspended and was not listed by Standard Liege.

Portugal (SuperLiga) CS Marítimo 0 - 2 Académica Coimbra (Estádio dos Barreiros)
John Ogu was on for 79 minutes in Academica’s 2-0 win at Marítimo.

Ibrahim Obayomi and Taiwo Hassan were not listed for the home side.

Vitória Guimarães 0 - 2 Sporting Braga (Estádio D. Afonso Henriques)
Uwa Elderson Echijile was on for the entirety of the game which his side won 2-0.

SC Beira-Mar 1-1 Vitória Setúbal (Estádio Municipal de Aveiro)
Peter Suswan was not listed for Vitória Setúbal.

Spain (La Liga) Osasuna 4 - 0 Levante UD (Estadio Reyno de Navarra)
Obafemi Martins failed to replicate his goal scoring heroics from last weekend as he failed to hit the back of the net in Levante’s heavy defeat.

England (Barclays English Premier League) Everton 3-1 Southampton (Goodison Park)
Everton won 3-1 against Southampton with Victor Anichebe coming on as a late substitute for the Toffees.

Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Bromwich Albion (Villa Park)
Peter Odemwingie is still suspended and was not listed for WBA.

Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea (Emirates Stadium)
John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses were both involved for Chelsea in the Blues’ 2-1 win against Arsenal.

Russia (Premier League) Amkar Perm 1 - 3 Spartak Moscow (Zvezda)
Emmanuel Emenike failed to score for Spartak Moscow in this big win against Amkar Perm.

CSKA Moscow 0 - 2 Dinamo Moscow (Arena-Khimki)
Ahmed Musa was on from start to finish as CSKA surprisingly lost at home to unheralded opposition.

Zenit St. Petersburg 1 - 1 Lokomotiv Moscow (Petrovskiy)
Victor Obinna came on as a 57th minute substitute for Lokomotiv Moscow.