David Beckham will definitely rejoin AC Milan on loan in January, according to the Italian club's chief executive Adriano Galliani. Beckham, 34, is keen to play for Milan to maximise his chances of making the England squad for the 2010 World Cup. Galliani told Italy's Sky TV: "It's 100% certain. The only thing missing is the signatures, the agreement is done." The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder had a loan spell at Milan last season, during the Major League Soccer off-season. He joined Milan on an initial three-month deal in January that was extended to the end of the season. Beckham was a big success in Serie A and negotiations have been under way to repeat the arrangement. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player said the deal was "95% done" after appearing for England as a substitute during their 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Belarus on 15 October, adding: "I don't see why it isn't going to happen. I always wanted to go back."
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KARACHI: South Australia have signed Shahid Afridi for the Twenty20 Big Bash this summer as a replacement for the spinner Ajantha Mendis.
The Redbacks had announced the recruitment of Mendis in July but he is now unavailable due to Sri Lanka's planned tri-series with India and Bangladesh in January.
South Australia's Big Bash campaign begins on December 29, when Pakistan will be involved in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
However, Afridi has not played Test cricket since 2006 and is not expected to feature in their Test squad, which would leave him free to take part in the full Twenty20 competition.
"We narrowly missed out on finals last season and these signings are definitely a boost to our quest to qualify for the Champions League this year," South Australia's high performance manager Jamie Cox said.
"I have made no secret of the fact that I view the Big Bash competition as the most commercial on the domestic calendar and the inaugural Champions' League also provides fantastic opportunities for young players to showcase their skills on the world stage."
Afridi should be a valuable Twenty20 asset for South Australia; he was the player of the tournament at the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and averages 21.05 with the bat and 15.73 with the ball from his 24 Twenty20 internationals. Other international signings for the Big Bash include Chris Gayle (Western Australia) and Dwayne Bravo (Victoria).
Lasith Malinga was to join Tasmania and Victoria had attracted Muttiah Muralitharan but both men are likely to be unavailable for the same reason as Mendis. The West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard is on New South Wales' radar and the states have until Christmas Eve to confirm up to two international recruits.
LONDON: Liverpool silenced their critics with a pulsating 2-0 victory over Manchester United to revive their English Premier League (EPL) title hopes in a match at Anfield which saw both teams end with 10 men.
Spain striker Fernando Torres returned from injury put the home side ahead with a clinical strike in the 64th minute on Sunday, and his late replacement David Ngog wrapped up victory in injury-time after Nemanja Vidic and Javier Mascherano were both sent off for two bookings.
Liverpool inflicted only United's second league defeat this season and prevent Alex Ferguson's second-placed side from returning to the top of the table above Chelsea, who are two points clear after Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Blackburn.
The result lifted Liverpool into fifth place on goal difference ahead of Manchester City, who blew a two-goal lead to be held 2-2 at home by Fulham.
Arsenal climbed into third place above London rivals Tottenham on goal difference, having played one fewer match, despite also allowing 10-man West Ham to come back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw in their capital derby.
MOSCOW: Italy's Francesca Schiavone won just the second title of her career here on Sunday by defeating Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3, 6-0 in the Kremlin Cup final.
The 29-year-old veteran, ranked 24th in the world and seeded eighth in Moscow, won in one hour 17 minutes to record her second win in three head-to-head meetings with Govortsova.
The finalists traded breaks throughout a closely-fought first set, but it was Schiavone, the 2005 runner-up here, who was the more consistent.
She broke her rival's serve three times for a one-set lead in 47 minutes, while Govortsova managed to just two breaks.
In the second set Govortsova, currently 67th in the WTA rankings, lost her nerve completely allowing the experienced Schiavone to break three more times to win the set to love.
"In the first set we were pretty close battling for every single point," Schiavone said. "But in the end I was a bit more precise and served well when it was 5-3 to win the set."
"I won! And I'm happy!" claimed Schiavone who had won only one of her previous 10 WTA tournament finals at Bad Gastein in 2007.
At the award ceremony Schiavone, who was playing in her seventh Kremlin Cup, praised the Moscow public for their support throughout the week.
Schiavone received a silver trophy and a prize purse of 157,427 dollars, while runner-up Govortsova, who lost her second career final, pocketed 83,908 of prize dollars.
Third seed Russian Mikhail Youzhny and Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia, who was seeded sixth, will decide Kremlin Cup winner in the ATP section of the event later on Sunday.
VADODARA, India: Injury doubts over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and explosive batsman Yuvraj Singh hit India’s preparations ahead of the first one-dayer against Australia here on Sunday.
Dhoni limped off the ground after hurting his left knee during practice Friday while Yuvraj was yet to recover fully from a finger injury that kept him out of the Champions Trophy in South Africa in September-October.
Dhoni stopped short of ruling out Yuvraj for the opening game while also refusing to confirm his availability.
“I am feeling a lot better now but I will see how it goes on the morning of the match,” Dhoni told a pre-match media conference on Saturday.
“As for Yuvraj, all I can say is that he will surely be available for the second match,” he said. “Most guys are carrying small niggles but there is nothing major.
“You can’t do much when someone gets injured while batting or bowling during practice sessions, which are so intense.”
The injuries increase the home team’s troubles, sulking after a first-round exit from the Champions Trophy. Dhoni is the only specialist wicketkeeper in the 15-member Indian squad with the selectors opting to leave aside Dinesh Karthik, who was the back up keeper for the Champions Trophy.
India will however be strengthened by the return of aggressive opener Virender Sehwag, who missed the action in South Africa with a shoulder injury.
Australia, in prime form after winning a second successive Champions Trophy, have also been hit by injuries to leading players.
Key middle-order batsman Michael Clarke (back), first choice wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (finger) and left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken (knee) have all been forced to follow the action from the sidelines.
Malaysian MotoGP, Sepang Valentino Rossi made the perfect start to his bid to seal a successful defence of his world title in Malaysia by claiming pole for Sunday's grand prix. The 30-year-old Italian will win his seventh world crown in this class if he can finish in the top four places. Rossi's Yamaha team-mate and nearest rival Jorge Lorenzo, who is behind in the championship standings by 38 points, came home second quickest. Dani Pedrosa completed the front row, with Casey Stoner in fourth place.
Date: Sunday, 25 October
125 and 250cc race: 0350-0605 GMT, BBC Red Button/online
MotoGP: 0645-0800 GMT, BBC One/online, Race repeat 1230-1330 GMT, BBC Two/online
HYDERABAD DECCAN: New South Wales Blues stunned Trinidad & Tobago by 41 runs to win Friday's Champions League Twenty20 final in Hyderabad.
T&T appeared to have gained the advantage when seamers Ravi Rampaul and Dwayne Bravo engineered a top-order collapse - leaving NSW in danger of being bowled out for under 100. But Brett Lee rescued the innings with an excellent 48, and Steven Smith contributed 33 as NSW - tottering at 83 for six at one stage - recovered to reach 159 for nine.
Lee then claimed two early wickets as T&T faltered at the start of their chase - and although several batsmen got starts, they never recovered and were bowled out for 118 in 15.5 overs.
David Warner was just beginning to settle into his customary aggressive role when he lost Phil Hughes - bowled by Rampaul for just three.
Bravo then had Warner, caught brilliantly by Dave Mohammed at backward point, in an expensive first over and followed up with the prized scalp of Simon Katich in his next.
NSW's middle order then fell apart but Smith eased the pressure with consecutive big hits off Kieron Pollard, before Lee launched his attack.
His innings was peppered with five sixes as he hauled NSW past the 150-run mark. Lee was dismissed off the final delivery of the innings, attempting to reach his half-century with another big shot off Rampaul but picking out William Perkins at deep cover.
When T&T batted, Lee dislodged opener Perkins for a second-ball duck and then took a stunning return catch to get rid of Lendl Simmons.
Leg-spinner Smith, who shared the new ball, claimed Adrian Barath in his first over and then Daren Ganga to end a fifth-wicket stand with Denesh Ramdin just when the pair were beginning to look dangerous.
T&T's remaining hopes rested with Pollard, who had destroyed NSW in a group match. The big hitter took three singles from the first six balls he faced, before smacking Doug Bollinger for his first six. He clubbed Nathan Hauritz for two more but eventually skied to Lee - who took a good catch on the long-off boundary.
HYDERABAD: The final of the Cricket Champions League 2009 is being played today here between Australia’s New South Wales and the West Indies’ Trinidad & Tobago.
New South Wales reached the final defeating Victoria, also an Australian team, by 79 runs while Trinidad & Tobago qualified for the final beating South Africa’s Cape Cobras by seven wickets.
Geo Super will telecast the final live from Hyderabad at 8-15 tonight.
ISLAMABAD: Two junior international tennis tournaments scheduled to be held in Islamabad have been cancelled due to security concerns.
The International Tennis Federation has informed in writing to the officials of the Pakistan Tennis Federation.
The first ITF junior tennis event was scheduled to begin from Monday in Islamabad in which players from Egypt, India, Kenya, Germany, Malaysia and Singapore had to take part.
As per the PTF officials, players from Kenya had reached Islamabad and they will now return to their country in next two days.
Second ITF junior event was scheduled to be held after a week also in Islamabad.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's cricket team wants coach Andy Moles sacked, and claim captain Daniel Vettori has effectively been filling the role for the last six months, a report said Thursday.
An unnamed source said senior players claimed Moles had not provided them with adequate tactical or technical support, a report by Dominion Post cricket writer and former New Zealand fast bowler Jonathan Millmow said.
New Zealand Cricket responded to the report by confirming Moles' position as coach.
Moles would continue to prepare the team for a series of one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting early next month, chief executive Justin Vaughan said.
He said New Zealand Cricket was reviewing the team?s performance following a recent tour to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa, in which New Zealand lost to Australia in the final.
"This looks at all aspects of individual and collective performance with a view to continuous improvement," Vaughan said in a statement.
The 48-year-old former English county batsman took over as New Zealand coach last year from John Bracewell, after stints with Kenya, Scotland and New Zealand first class side Northern Districts.
New Zealand's record has been patchy since Moles took over the reins. Four tests have been drawn and three lost, and in one-day internationals New Zealand has won nine and lost 10.
LONDON: British tour operator Thomas Cook on Tuesday became the 23rd London Olympics sponsor, providing short break packages and tickets for the 2012 Games, organisers said.
The deal, thought to be worth about 20 million pounds, will see Thomas Cook provide more than 250,000 packages including accommodation, transport and event tickets for people attending the Games in east London.
MUMBAI: The 15-member Australian squad led by skipper Ricky Ponting has arrived at the Shivaji Chhatrapati International Airport in Mumbai today in afternoon to play seven ODI matches series against India.
The Mumbai police escorted the Australian squad to their hotel in the Bandra under the tight security cover. Six members of the Australian team are already playing the cash rich and lucrative T20 Champions League and they will join the team after end of tournament on 23rd October.
Australia had thrashed the host England 6-1 in September before successfully defending their Champions Trophy crown in South Africa earlier this month. Australia is currently placed at the top of the ICC ODI rankings followed by the Indian team.
Ponting and Australian coach Tim Nielsen will hold a media conference in Mumbai on Wednesday and the ODI series will kick off with one-day match to be played in the Vadodara on Sunday.
Australian squad for the ODI series includes Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson and Cameron White.
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has ruled himself out of the running to become Sweden coach, the Swedish Football Association has announced. "We've had good discussions but there's no possibility of him taking charge of the national team now," said Lars-Ake Lagrell, president of the Swedish FA. Lagrell revealed Eriksson had proposed job-sharing between Notts County, where he is director of football, and Sweden. "Sven was going to propose combining both jobs," Lagrell told BBC Sport." However, County's executive chairman, Peter Trembling, was adamant Eriksson would not be allowed to go down that route. "We wouldn't allow him to do both jobs - this is a full time job at Notts County," insisted Trembling on Monday. BBC Sport had earlier revealed that Notts County's director of football was in the frame to succeed Lars Lagerback as Sweden coach - and was very keen on the job. Lagerback stood down last week following Sweden's failure to qualify for next summer's World Cup finals. The Swedish FA confirmed that Eriksson, 61, was on a shortlist of "five to 10 names" for the job, alongside Fulham boss Roy Hodgson. Lagrell will now turn his attention to other options as the Swedish FA looks to plug the gap left by Lagerback's resignation. "There's nothing dramatic about this, we simply had a chat to see how the land lies," added Lagrell. "We will now continue to talk to the other candidates the board have and we hope to be able to present a replacement as soon as possible."
Younis to remain captain, resignation not accepted: Ijaz Butt LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt said that he did not accept th
LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt said that he did not accept the resignation tendered by Younis Khan and he will remain as captain of the national cricket team.
He said that Younis will lead the team in the series of One-day Internationals and Test matches to be played against New Zealand next month in the United Arab Emirates while Shahid Afridi will be captain in Twenty20 International.
Ijaz Butt was addressing at a press conference after the meeting of the PCB Governing Board here at the board headquarters in the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
He briefed media about various decisions and proceedings of the meeting. Some of these were appointment of appointment of the election commissioner, international cricket schedule and domestic cricket structure.
Butt said that Younis's reaction to match-fixing allegations was natural and there was no reason to replace him.
"We have not accepted Younis's resignation and he will lead Pakistan in the limited over series against New Zealand next month," the PCB chairman told reporters.
"When I made him captain earlier this year I did not set any tenure, so there will be no fixed tenure. As long as Younis is fit he will remain our captain and I hope that he leads Pakistan until the 2011 World Cup," said Butt.
Pakistan is due to play three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates early next month before touring New Zealand and Australia for Test series.
Butt praised Younis's leadership qualities.
"He is a good captain, he led Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title," said Butt of Pakistan's triumph in England in June. "Then Pakistan beat India and reached the semi-final in the Champions Trophy, which was a big success.
"His reaction to match-fixing allegations was natural and had I been in his place, my reaction would have been the same. This was unacceptable, so we now want the team to get settled for the next series under Younus."
Ijaz Butt said that Yawar Saeed has once again been requested to take charge manager’s position till the tour of the UAE.
He told that fast bowler Mohammad Asif is not eligible to go to the UAE as their government has not allowed Asif to go there.
The PCB chief said that a committee has been formed for budget and it would present its report at the next meeting to be held on November 7.
He also told that allrounder Shahid Afridi will lead the Twenty20 team till the World Cup 2011.
KINGSTON: Usain Bolt rose to superstar status on the athletics track, but the treble world record-holder showed his prowess on the cricket pitch in a charity match on Sunday.
As soon as Bolt arrived at the Kaiser Sports Club in Discovery Bay on Jamaica's north coast, hundreds of fans rushed him - some saying they only wanted to touch the superstar while others wanted pictures and autographs.
When Bolt took the field to warm up, his security team had trouble keeping away thousands who just wanted to get close to one of Jamaica's biggest heroes.
Bolt spun the toss for his Trelawny team, but his opposite number Chris Gayle called correctly and opted to field.
In his brief innings, Bolt brought the crowd to their feet despite only making 13 runs off 10 deliveries, hitting a four and six off West Indies captain Gayle as Trelawny reached 124 for six off 15 overs.
With his team defending the modest total, Bolt had the crowd of more than 6,000 firmly behind him as he bowled West Indies opener Gayle - the host of the event. Bolt said it a day of fun for him.
"It was a good game, I really enjoyed it," said Bolt, who played cricket as a oungster. "These are the things I like to do, it's fun."
"I am always in for charity," he added.
Bolt, who followed up his 2008 Olympic triumphs in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay with world championship victories in the same events this year, said he would rest his body prior to beginning his preparations for the 2010 season.
SHANGHAI: Russian Nikolay Davydenko stunned top seed Rafael Nadal 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 Sunday to win the Shanghai Masters.
World-ranked two Nadal, on his way back from injury, has now lost his last two finals, the previous one in Madrid five months ago to Roger Federer.
After winning the Shanghai Masters title, Davydenko enhanced his chances of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Roger Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro are the only players assured of their place at the showpiece finale to the season at the O2 Arena next month.
Davydenko stays in the race for one of the last three places in the eight-man ATP World Tour Finals in London next month.
The Russian has now won two Asian titles in the past three weeks after a trophy in Kuala Lumpur last month.
The Russian's early break in the first set was countered by the Spaniard but Davydenko produced three stunning backhand winners to take the tie-break.
The number six seed then broke the top-seeded Spaniard in the sixth game of the second set and served out the win.
Davydenko is now ranked seventh for November's eight-man event in London.
But Davydenko, who also won the Malaysian Open at the beginning of October has put himself in a great position to take one of the three other places up for grabs.
Chelsea have declared their intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the transfer ban imposed upon them by Fifa. The Blues are banned from signing any players until 2011 after Fifa found them guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007. Chelsea are expected to request a fast-track hearing, and have 10 days to file their papers to the Swiss-based court. Kakuta, now 18, is banned from playing in official games for four months. The French teenager must also pay compensation of 780,000 euros (£710,000), for which Chelsea are "jointly and severally liable". Chelsea must also pay Lens "training compensation" of 130,000 euros (£118,000).
LAHORE: The chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ejaz Butt has said after holding PCB meeting at Gaddafi Stadium that no decision on new captain as yet neither did accept Younis resignation, Geo news reported Friday.
According to board officials they did not discuss Younis Khan’s resignation amid top officials’ meeting here today but one thing was sure that was, not to accept Younis resignation.
Talking to Geo news, PCB chairman said media seem more worried about decision on new captain and conditions being placed by board or player but board has not decided on appointment of new captain thus far.
Asked weather Shahid Afridi is being entrusted captainship, he said I know nothing in this regard and probably media know more than I do?
Top seed Rafael Nadal advanced to the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters after Ivan Ljubicic retired with a thigh injury with the score at 3-6 6-3. Croatian Ljubicic is the eighth player to withdraw, while world one Roger Federer and world number three Andy Murray skipped the event altogether. Nadal plays fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez next. Lopez beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 7-5 (7-4) 6-3. Number two seed Novak Djokovic beat Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3 2-6 6-2. The Serb will meet number six seed Nikolay Davydenko in the last four after the Russian defeated Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 6-1 4-6. Ljubicic took the first set of his quarter-final against world number two Nadal, a single break, courtesy of a Nadal forehand error, the deciding factor. The world number seven had the chance to break at 1-1 in the second, but Nadal saved four break points and broke Ljubicic to love in the next game. Nadal held his nerve to claim the set, but by then Ljubicic's discomfort had become obvious and he was unable to come out for the third. Djokovic also had an uncomfortable day, needing two breaks to overcome stubborn Simon in the first set. The Frenchman's dogged defence saw a frustrated Djokovic go to pieces in the second as he produced a host of unforced errors. And in the third, Djokovic was a model of inconsistency, throwing in some misjudged drop shots and double faults and blowing his early break. Djokovic broke again immediately, but put a routine overhead into the net to allow Simon to break back before smashing his racquet in annoyance. Again Djokovic broke with the help of a trademark drive volley and this time he was able to make his advantage stick, holding for the first time in the set before going on to claim victory. "You know, it's crazy, it was kind of advantage for the return player today," said Djokovic, referring to the slowness of the court. "But most of the time when I smash the racquet things go better from then on."
LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team captain Younis Khan called on Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt here today and both agreed on most of the matters.
Ijaz Butt held this meeting at his private office instead of the PCB Headquarters Gaddafi Stadium on the request of Younis Khan.
Sources said that it was a pleasant meeting which continued for one hour and both agreed on most of the
Younis stressed on the board to appoint him captain for a longer period so that he can formulate a strong team for the World Cup 2011 and no undue interference be made in his job.
It is likely to be made a formal announcement from the PCB for withdrawing resignation by Younis Khan in a few days while its approval would be obtained in the meeting of the PCB governing board to be held on October 19 in Lahore.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic made swift progress into the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters as the event lost another two players to injury. Top seed Nadal swept past Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-4 in the final match of the day, after world number four Djokovic had beaten Rainer Schuettler 6-4 6-2. Nadal will next face Ivan Ljubicic, who led 11th seed Gael Monfils 6-2 3-0 when the Frenchman quit with a back injury. Stanislas Wawrinka was 3-6 7-6 4-2 down to Radek Stepanek when he withdrew. The Swiss was suffering with abdominal pains and joins Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick and Tommy Haas as withdrawals during the week, while world number one Roger Federer (fatigue) and Britain's Andy Murray (wrist injury) had already skipped the tournament. In Thursday's other matches, ninth seed Robin Soderling had a surprisingly comfortable 6-3 6-3 win over fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and will next meetFeliciano Lopez, who defeated Jurgen Melzer 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-1. Soderling is among a handful of players still in with a chance of claiming one of three remaining spots up for grabs at the ATP season-ending World Tour Finals in London next month. "I know that if I play well, I have a chance, but this tournament won't decide who's going to play in London," said the Swede. "There's still a lot of tennis to be played." Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko beat 10th seed Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 7-5 to set up a clash with Stepanek. Djokovic goes on to play eighth seed Gilles Simon, who beat Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-4. "I've been working on physical strength and fitness a lot in last couple of months, and it's been paying off," said Djokovic. "It's playing one of the key roles in the situations like this. When you are playing week after week, it's important to be physically strong, and that gives you advantage over your opponents."
Younus Khan will discuss his future with the Pakistan Cricket Board after tendering his resignation as captain over match-fixing allegations. He offered to go after Jamshed Dasti, National Assembly committee chairman, alleged the team deliberately under-performed at the ICC Champions Trophy. "The allegations hurt me and my family. We are honourable people," said Younus. "I am going to meet with the chairman of the board this week and I will discuss my future frankly with him." Younus made his decision to quit after Dasti, the chief of the National Assembly standing committee on sports, said he would investigate reports that Pakistan had deliberately under-performed in their games against Australia and New Zealand - although the committee cleared the team of any match-fixing charges. Having already booked their place in the last four before losing to Australia in their final group game, Pakistan lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals. Dasti later claimed his remarks had been misunderstood and that he had never intended to suggest match-fixing by players. "I was shocked with talk about us under-performing against Australia as we defended a low total of 205 against the world champions until the final ball," said 31-year-old batsman Younus. "Such allegations demoralised me and the team. I don't think any honourable and respectable person can tolerate such accusations made publicly. "Nothing is more important for me than my self respect. Cricket comes later. "The Pakistan Cricket Board now has to take a decision. I am available to talk to them but I can only rethink my decision on my own terms." PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, who rejected Younus's resignation, said he hoped to persuade him to change his mind, but if not, the matter would be decided by a meeting of the board's governing council on 19 October. "I know Younus is upset and hurt but I will meet him in the next few days and do my best to convince him to change his mind," said Butt. Former players, fans and politicians across the country have also urged Younus to reconsider his decision. "I am flattered by the support people have shown for me in this time," he said. "It is what makes one proud to be leading his country." Pakistan will fly to New Zealand in November for a three-Test tour. Younus has scored 5,260 runs in 63 Tests - at an average over 50 - since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2000, and succeeded Shoaib Malik as Pakistan captain in January 2009. He has also appeared in 194 one-day internationals and led Pakistan to victory at the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England earlier this year - before retiring from Twenty20 internationals.Younus to discuss Pakistan future
A settlement has been reached in the bitter dispute between West Indies' leading players and their board. The West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association had been at loggerheads over players' contracts, payments and image rights. The row led to senior players going on strike, with a weakened team losing Test and one-day series to Bangladesh. But a joint statement said: "All outstanding matters in dispute between the two bodies have been settled." The long-running conflict escalated in July when the selected squad for the two-Test series with Bangladesh boycotted it in protest. Although the senior players, including Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and captain Chris Gayle, made themselves available for the subsequent one-day series while the WIPA entered talks, they were not selected. A makeshift West Indies team, having lost the Test and the one-day international series to Bangladesh, was then sent to the Champions Trophy in South Africa, losing their three games in the group stage. In their joint statement, the two sides said: "Both parties are pleased that the agreement reached creates an environment to engage in building a genuine partnership that can ensure the long term development and progress of West Indies cricket." Although the two bodies said that issues relating to the one-day series with India earlier this year would still be referred to arbitration, they intend to begin talks on a long-term deal to cover future tours. West Indies begin a tour of Australia next month and play the first Test in Brisbane on 26 November.
