COLOMBO: Sri Lankan cricketers were caught up in a row over the administration of the game and the future of their contracts was in doubt, a press report said here on Sunday. The administration plunged into crisis last month after sports minister Jeevan Kumaratunga suspended the official recognition of Sri Lanka Cricket and named an interim committee to govern the game.
However, Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal two weeks ago prevented the minister from dismissing office bearers of the island’s richest sports governing body.
“The foremost issue concerning the players is their individual contracts,” the Sunday Times newspaper said. “However, the players are worried about the validity of contracts with the interim committee.”
Players were not immediately available for comment.
However, sources said they were expected to discuss the matter with elected office bearers of the cricket board before a final decision on new contracts is taken next week.
Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala maintained that the minister’s action meant they could not function as an officially recognised national body, but it had no implication on the membership of the International Cricket Council.—AFP
O’Sullivan, Davis in last eight
SHEFFIELD (England): Ronnie O’Sullivan, veteran Steve Davis and Alan McManus all booked their places in the quarter-finals of the world championship with contrasting victories on Saturday.
O’Sullivan eased into the last eight with a comfortable 13-7 second round victory over Allister Carter before once again casting doubts over his future in the game.
At 46, Davis is the oldest player in the tournament and he appeared to be on his way out when trailing 8-2 to Michael Holt.
However, he ended the second session 9-7 behind and completed an impressive comeback with a 13-10 win.
McManus secured his place in the last eight with a 13-11 win over Ireland’s ex-world champion Ken Doherty.
Doherty missed a simple black to allow the Scot to seal victory with an 81 break.
In other matches, Welshman Matthew Stevens established a 5-3 lead over six-time finalist Jimmy White while Shaun Murphy rallied from three frames down to be level at 4-4 with John Higgins at the end of the opening session.
Results second round(Best of 25): Ronnie O’Sullivan (England) bt Allister Carter (England) 13-7 (109-0 17-99 75-14 16-63 41-83 66-3 86-4 19-76 87-0 80-26 17-61 7-71 89-27 101-30 73-0 15-90 76-39 71-0 81-49 125-0); Steve Davis (England) bt Michael Holt (England) 13-10 (53-58 126-11 79-6 32-63 0-99 42-60 15-79 8-63 0-100 45-75 62-15 114-2 88-41 72-0 76-46 0-114 70-20 4-71 78-17 81-5 68-43 68-38 64-1); Matthew Stevens (Wales) leads 11-Jimmy White (England) 5-3 (62-61 1-83 70-45 17-83 8-80 20-64 63-49 50-76); Ken Doherty (Ireland) is level with 10-Alan McManus (Scotland) 8-8 (9-62 22-87 56-6 0-126 0-131 51-47 96-26 37-64 86-14 99-0 37-87 18-107 45-61 101-0 98-28 72-45).—Reuters
Blind cricketers for India
By Our Sports Correspondent
LAHORE: A 14-member Pakistan blind cricket team will leave for India on Tuesday to play a five-match series from April 28 to May 5 as part of their preparations for the World Cup to be held in South Africa next year.
All the matches will be held in Delhi. The first two matches will be played at Jamia Millia Islamia on April 28 and 30, the third at Modern School, Bara Khamba Road on May 2; the fourth at Bhagat Singh College, Saket on May 4 and the fifth at DAV College, Srinivas Puri on May 5.
Team: Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Shahbaz, Syed Sultan Shah, Anwar Ali, Muhammad Rizwan (B1, totally blind category), Abdul Razzaq, Amir Ishfaq, Muzaffar Ali, Zeeshan Abbasi, (B2, partially blind), Tariq Samuel, Muhammad Fayyaz, Ashraf Bhatti, Syed Adnan Ahmed, Masood Jan (B3, partially sighted), Khalid Mehmood (coordinator), Temoor Imran (manager), Nafees Ahmed (coach), Muhammad Dawood (assistant coach), Muhammad Jamil (physiotherapist).
Bronze for Asghar
By Our Sports Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Asghar Ali Shah earned a light-welterweight bronze at Ahmed Comert international boxing when he lost to Turkey’s Onder Sypal 13-14 in semifinals in Istanbul on Sunday.
According to information available, Asghar had moved into last four after he emerged victor in the quarterfinals against Ukrainian Hysryval Postalvitor who withdrew because of an injury.
Another Pakistan Abid Jan has already been out of contention after losing in the quarterfinals to Turkey’s Sendar Avci 11-15.
Pakistan had sent two-member team for the championship participated by boxers from the five continents.
