New Delhi: The Indian government is ready with answers to the 30 questions Pakistan had asked about the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last November.
The Home Ministry has prepared a document which includes the DNA reports of Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist caught alive, and the nine other gunmen killed in the attack. The document has 32 answers.
The document was given to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday. "We have put together answers to 30 questions submitted by Pakistan. It is a very comprehensive document, answering each of the 30 questions," said Home Minister P Chidambaram.
Chidambaram said the answers are supported by documentary proof, CDs and forensic evidence, which are adequate to help investigations into the attacks. "If Pakistan is serious to investigate the origins of the horrific crime in Mumbai, these answers provide solid basis. We expect Pakistan to take the investigation forward quickly," he said after giving the report to Mukherjee .
Media reports say Pakistan had asked a range of questions, ranging from what Kasab said in his confession before a Mumbai court and how did the terrorists manage to reach Mumbai in a boat ditching Indian Navy.
Pakistan has admitted that “a part” of the terrorist conspiracy was hatched in its territory and its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is probing the attacks.
Pakistan has banned an Islamic charity accused of being a front for the Lashkar-e-Toiba, which India claims organised and plotted the attacks on Mumbai.
Lashker-e-Taiba leaders Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Abu al Qama and Hamad Amin Sadiq are in custody of the Pakistani police in connection with the Mumbai attacks.
Friday, March 13, 2009
ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa only if financially viable
Johannesburg, March 13: The International Cricket Council (ICC) decision to shift the Champions Trophy series from Pakistan to South Africa because of security concerns will only take place if Cricket South Africa (CSA) is not left with a huge bill, as had been the case in past tournaments, according to CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.
“We don`t want to host the tournament and eventually sit with a huge account,” Majola told the an African daily, even as he confirmed that South Africa had the infrastructure and expertise to play host to the 11 other nations in the Champions Trophy.
“If the ICC can assure us that this will not happen and that we will benefit financially from it, there is no problem with hosting it here,” Majola said, adding that he wanted a clause about the host fee going to Pakistan to be amended as well.
The ICC has reportedly decided that Pakistan also needs to benefit financially because the tournament had been taken away from the country.
“There will also have to be more money invested in security and I want the assurance that those costs will be carried (by the ICC).”
“In the past, with the World Cup and Twenty20 series, we heard afterwards what the hosting thereof had cost and we had to pay the accounts. I learnt my lesson from (those experiences) and will not be caught out like that again. That`s why I will now ensure that all costs are covered by the ICC,” said Majola.
A final decision is expected Monday and South Africa will be the host if the ICC provides the financial security that has been requested.
Recent violence in Pakistan, including the attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team, has caused serious security concerns about hosting tournaments there. The Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan last year was cancelled.
The ICC has ruled out Sri Lanka as a new venue because of the heavy rains there at the time the tournament is proposed. The weather pattern in South Africa at that time - September and october - is considered to be ideal for the 12-day tournament.
“We don`t want to host the tournament and eventually sit with a huge account,” Majola told the an African daily, even as he confirmed that South Africa had the infrastructure and expertise to play host to the 11 other nations in the Champions Trophy.
“If the ICC can assure us that this will not happen and that we will benefit financially from it, there is no problem with hosting it here,” Majola said, adding that he wanted a clause about the host fee going to Pakistan to be amended as well.
The ICC has reportedly decided that Pakistan also needs to benefit financially because the tournament had been taken away from the country.
“There will also have to be more money invested in security and I want the assurance that those costs will be carried (by the ICC).”
“In the past, with the World Cup and Twenty20 series, we heard afterwards what the hosting thereof had cost and we had to pay the accounts. I learnt my lesson from (those experiences) and will not be caught out like that again. That`s why I will now ensure that all costs are covered by the ICC,” said Majola.
A final decision is expected Monday and South Africa will be the host if the ICC provides the financial security that has been requested.
Recent violence in Pakistan, including the attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team, has caused serious security concerns about hosting tournaments there. The Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan last year was cancelled.
The ICC has ruled out Sri Lanka as a new venue because of the heavy rains there at the time the tournament is proposed. The weather pattern in South Africa at that time - September and october - is considered to be ideal for the 12-day tournament.
Dhoni's men determined to wrap up the series on a high
Auckland, March 13: With the series already in their pocket, India may opt to rest some of their key players as they go into the fifth and final one-dayer against a demoralised New Zealand on Saturday, hoping to finish it off on a winning note.
The Indians have already taken an invincible 3-0 lead in the five match series and will be keen to try out their reserve players for the inconsequential game at the Eden Park.
Sachin Tendulkar, who sat out of the last game because of an abdomen injury, is likely to be rested for the match so that he is fully fit for the Test series beginning March 18.
While things have gone favourably for the Indians, the Kiwis have only pride to play for as they desperately need to salvage a win to convince the home fans of their limited-overs potential, especially after recording six consecutive series wins at home.
However, India coach Gary Kirsten has already made it clear that he is no mood to take the game lightly and would like to carry forward the momentum of the ODI series to the three upcoming Tests.
“It is important to maintain momentum and win games of cricket. That might require us to use our best combination. We also need to be mindful of the fact that it might be an opportunity to rest one or two players. We just have to weigh up what we want to do but we haven`t decided yet,” Kirsten said.
India are set to make some changes in their playing eleven and in all probability left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan are likely to get a game before they return home alongwith Yusuf Pathan, Praveen Kumar and Rohit Sharma on Sunday.
While Irfan played in the Twenty20 series, which India lost 0-2, Ojha so far has had little to do on this tour, other than roll his arm over at the nets.
And this will come as an ideal opportunity for Ojha to win the selectors` confidence. A poor show in the match would provide the leeway for Ravindra Jadeja, who has the making of a competitive all-rounder, to stake a claim for the second spinner`s slot in India`s ODI scheme of things.
The Indian team management is also likely to give Zaheer Khan, who did the bulk of the work in Ishant Sharma`s injury-forced absence during the ODIs, a break before the Test series and draft in Irfan in his place.
Tendulkar`s participation in the final ODI also looks doubtful as the team management is in no mood to aggravate his his abdomen injury ahead of the Test series. The batting maestro also missed the fourth ODI in Hamilton after suffering the injury during his majestic knock of 163 in Christchurch.
“We are not sure yet. We will have to wait and see,” said Kirsten.
If Tendulkar is rested, India will go in with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir at the top of the order. And if the Delhi-twosome, who were involved in a rollicking 201-run partnership for the first wicket at the Hamilton on Wednesday, maintain their momentum, India should complete a Kiwi sweep, similar to the 5-0 drubbing they gave England last season.
It will be interesting to see how many balls disappear in Saturday`s day-night affair at the small but petite Eden Park ground, whose square boundaries are a lot shorter than Christchurch, where a record number of sixes were blasted in the Twenty20 (24) and one-day (31) match of the series.
There is also a possibility of Sehwag, who has been in the form of his life, to score a double hundred, something that he spoke about after his 60-ball hundred in the last match.
The Kiwis would be eyeing a consolation win to boost their morale ahead of the Test series and skipper Daniel Vettori is determined to avoid a 4-0 drubbing in front of the home crowds.
"We need to play at our best to avoid a 4-0 drubbing in front of our public and fans," said Vettori.
But considering the form of Indian batsmen, Vettori`s men will have to produce something extraordinary to stop the marauding Indian gladiators from completing a series rout.
It could possibly turn out to be the worst debacle suffered by the Kiwis in recent times, wherein their bowlers` psyche has been demolished by some free flowing Indian batting.
Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain),Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Iain O`Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot, KYyle Mills, Ewen Thompson, Jeetan Patel.
The Indians have already taken an invincible 3-0 lead in the five match series and will be keen to try out their reserve players for the inconsequential game at the Eden Park.
Sachin Tendulkar, who sat out of the last game because of an abdomen injury, is likely to be rested for the match so that he is fully fit for the Test series beginning March 18.
While things have gone favourably for the Indians, the Kiwis have only pride to play for as they desperately need to salvage a win to convince the home fans of their limited-overs potential, especially after recording six consecutive series wins at home.
However, India coach Gary Kirsten has already made it clear that he is no mood to take the game lightly and would like to carry forward the momentum of the ODI series to the three upcoming Tests.
“It is important to maintain momentum and win games of cricket. That might require us to use our best combination. We also need to be mindful of the fact that it might be an opportunity to rest one or two players. We just have to weigh up what we want to do but we haven`t decided yet,” Kirsten said.
India are set to make some changes in their playing eleven and in all probability left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan are likely to get a game before they return home alongwith Yusuf Pathan, Praveen Kumar and Rohit Sharma on Sunday.
While Irfan played in the Twenty20 series, which India lost 0-2, Ojha so far has had little to do on this tour, other than roll his arm over at the nets.
And this will come as an ideal opportunity for Ojha to win the selectors` confidence. A poor show in the match would provide the leeway for Ravindra Jadeja, who has the making of a competitive all-rounder, to stake a claim for the second spinner`s slot in India`s ODI scheme of things.
The Indian team management is also likely to give Zaheer Khan, who did the bulk of the work in Ishant Sharma`s injury-forced absence during the ODIs, a break before the Test series and draft in Irfan in his place.
Tendulkar`s participation in the final ODI also looks doubtful as the team management is in no mood to aggravate his his abdomen injury ahead of the Test series. The batting maestro also missed the fourth ODI in Hamilton after suffering the injury during his majestic knock of 163 in Christchurch.
“We are not sure yet. We will have to wait and see,” said Kirsten.
If Tendulkar is rested, India will go in with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir at the top of the order. And if the Delhi-twosome, who were involved in a rollicking 201-run partnership for the first wicket at the Hamilton on Wednesday, maintain their momentum, India should complete a Kiwi sweep, similar to the 5-0 drubbing they gave England last season.
It will be interesting to see how many balls disappear in Saturday`s day-night affair at the small but petite Eden Park ground, whose square boundaries are a lot shorter than Christchurch, where a record number of sixes were blasted in the Twenty20 (24) and one-day (31) match of the series.
There is also a possibility of Sehwag, who has been in the form of his life, to score a double hundred, something that he spoke about after his 60-ball hundred in the last match.
The Kiwis would be eyeing a consolation win to boost their morale ahead of the Test series and skipper Daniel Vettori is determined to avoid a 4-0 drubbing in front of the home crowds.
"We need to play at our best to avoid a 4-0 drubbing in front of our public and fans," said Vettori.
But considering the form of Indian batsmen, Vettori`s men will have to produce something extraordinary to stop the marauding Indian gladiators from completing a series rout.
It could possibly turn out to be the worst debacle suffered by the Kiwis in recent times, wherein their bowlers` psyche has been demolished by some free flowing Indian batting.
Teams:
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain),Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Peter McGlashan, Iain O`Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliot, KYyle Mills, Ewen Thompson, Jeetan Patel.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Gunmen attack on Sri Lanka cricketers in pakistan
At least five members of the Sri Lankan cricket team have been injured in a shooting incident in the Pakistani city of Lahore, a Sri Lankan minister says.
Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge told the BBC said that early reports said indicated that the injuries to five players and a coach were minor.
The incident happened when unidentified gunmen fired on a convoy carrying Sri Lankan and Pakistani cricketers.
Unconfirmed reports say some policemen had been killed by the shooting.
Sri Lankan media reports said two of the players including Thilan Samaraweera, who scored a double century in the ongoing Test match, have been taken to hospital.
The convoy was carrying Pakistani and Sri Lankan cricketers to the Gaddafi stadium, which is hosting a Test match between the two sides. The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin.
"It appears that our team bus was targeted on the way to the match. It appears that four of our cricketers have been injured and taken to the hospital," a Sri Lankan cricket official told an Indian TV channel from Colombo.
TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened.
An eyewitness told Reuters news agency that three policemen and a traffic warden had been killed in the incident.
Shop owner Ahmed Ali said two policemen had been driving behind the team bus when the attack happened.
"It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time," an eyewitness told Reuters.
Pakistani invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the deadly November attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai.
Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge told the BBC said that early reports said indicated that the injuries to five players and a coach were minor.
The incident happened when unidentified gunmen fired on a convoy carrying Sri Lankan and Pakistani cricketers.
Unconfirmed reports say some policemen had been killed by the shooting.
Sri Lankan media reports said two of the players including Thilan Samaraweera, who scored a double century in the ongoing Test match, have been taken to hospital.
The convoy was carrying Pakistani and Sri Lankan cricketers to the Gaddafi stadium, which is hosting a Test match between the two sides. The third day of play in the Second Test was scheduled to begin.
"It appears that our team bus was targeted on the way to the match. It appears that four of our cricketers have been injured and taken to the hospital," a Sri Lankan cricket official told an Indian TV channel from Colombo.
TV pictures showed two gunmen with backpacks on the road where the incident happened.
An eyewitness told Reuters news agency that three policemen and a traffic warden had been killed in the incident.
Shop owner Ahmed Ali said two policemen had been driving behind the team bus when the attack happened.
"It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time," an eyewitness told Reuters.
Pakistani invited Sri Lanka to tour after India's cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour following the deadly November attacks in the western Indian city of Mumbai.
Tendulkar has 16,440 ODI runs, 6765 more than New Zealand's 12 players together.Can he make any difference?
India Have won 9 out of their last 10 ODIs.But After two successive losts in the T20 india is going to take on NZ in ODIs.Which form we can consider should we consider India have lost their lst 2 matches(infact 3, including last ODI with SL) or India have won 9 out of last 10 ODIs.
What might be the result of First ODI.Can Indians won the first match?
Also,the news is that Ishanth is not going to play the first ODI.How much it will effect indian bowling.I think indian pace men were really struggled to take wickets in T20 matches.Who could be the replacement for Ishath..is i tPraveen Kumar or Munaf patel?
And also sachin is playing in the First ODI.Tendulkar has 16,440 ODI runs, 6765 more than New Zealand's 12 players together.Can he make any difference?
India need to won first ODI on tomorrow,if not they will be depressed a lot and it has huge impact on remaining ODIs.
Thank you,
KSN
What might be the result of First ODI.Can Indians won the first match?
Also,the news is that Ishanth is not going to play the first ODI.How much it will effect indian bowling.I think indian pace men were really struggled to take wickets in T20 matches.Who could be the replacement for Ishath..is i tPraveen Kumar or Munaf patel?
And also sachin is playing in the First ODI.Tendulkar has 16,440 ODI runs, 6765 more than New Zealand's 12 players together.Can he make any difference?
India need to won first ODI on tomorrow,if not they will be depressed a lot and it has huge impact on remaining ODIs.
Thank you,
KSN
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