01 December 2004 Wednesday 18 Shawwal 1425 Why this unnecessary mess by PCB? Where was the need for the PCB to get members of the team bound for Australia to sign central contracts on the eve of their departure? Was there any particular compulsion or legal formality that had to be fulfilled? ... Australians ready for Shoaib's antics ADELAIDE, Nov 30: Skipper Ricky Ponting said Australia were ready for the "antics" of Pakistan's express bowler Shoaib Akhtar in next month's home three-Test series. ... Ramesh bowls KW to easy success LAHORE, Nov 30: Speedster Rajesh Ramesh completed a match haul of 10 wickets to help Karachi Whites trounce Lahore Blues by 166 runs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy fixture at the Qadhafi Stadium on Tuesday. ... Dravid's patient knock helps India achieve lead KOLKATA, Nov 30: Rahul Dravid's patient knock of 80 helped India take a useful first innings lead against South Africa in the second and final Test at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. ... Australia wrap up series with emphatic victory ADELAIDE, Nov 30: Australia wrapped up a 2-0 win in the series after beating New Zealand by 213 runs on the fifth day of the second and final Test at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. ... Rosobin and Meenakshi lift crowns ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: The men's singles final of the Pakistan Asian Satellite international badminton tournament on Tuesday proved to be an anti-climax, Indonesian Marleve Mainaky handing his compatriot Jeffer Rosobin the crown ... Khurram, Saleh book berths in next stage KARACHI, Nov 30: Khurram Hussain Agha advanced to the knockout stage of 30th World IBSF snooker championship winning his eighth league encounter out of nine when he defeated Scotland's Richy Mcdonald 4-2 frames on Monday night. ... Early elimination for English duo Matthew, White DOHA, Nov 30: While attention was concentrated on intimations from first round of Qatar men's open squash championship for a second round clash between former champions Peter Nicol and Jonathon Power ...

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