Dhoni tests negative

Mumbai: Team India’s one-day International skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has cleared dope test conducted after the Chennai Super Kings’ semi-final victory over Kings XI Punjab in the IPL at Mumbai .According to sources, the urine sample of Dhoni was collected and tested by the Wada-affiliated laboratory in Sweden after the semi-final at the Wankhede stadium last Saturday. “The tests were negative,” the sources said. Players were picked at random for dope testing during the IPL tournament as part of the rules and regulations introduced by the IPL authorities who conducted the event in conformity with the ICC’s rules and regulations.

 

Pak league

Karachi: In a conscious effort to ensure that the proposed Pakistan Premier League (PPL) does not look like a carbon copy of the hugely successful Indian Premier League (IPL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is toying with ideas like allowing five foreigners in the playing XI of a participating team.

“We want the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) to be a bit different from the Indian Premier League . We want the PPL to be distinguished by itself. We plan to announce our concept and plans during or after the Asia Cup,” Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB chief operating officer, told a television channel on Friday.

 

Oram’s fear

Melbourne: Amid reports that some of the New Zealand players in the side are uncomfortable with the idea of touring the trouble-torn Pakistan late August this year, allrounder Jacob Oram admitted security remains an issue with the players. According to Oram, security remains a “massive issue” and although he himself is undecided, the allrounder said the issue figured in a recent team meeting.

 

Sixes meet

Hong Kong: Legendary Test cricketer Mike Gatting, who returns to the 2008 Hong Kong cricket sixes tournament later this year, feels the sixes format is an effective development tool for emerging international players.

 

Ronchi backup

Calcutta: Western Australian wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi will travel to the West Indies as a ‘shadow’ player for the injured Brad Haddin who is currently suffering from a broken finger says A Staff Reporter.

 

Bopanna out

New Delhi: Indian Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna made an early exit from the Euro 42,500 ATP Challenger series tournament for the Surbiton Trophy in Great Britain, losing 2-6, 5-7 to higher ranked Arnaud Clement of France in his singles second round tie on Thursday.

 

Mohota wins

Kozhikode: Nisha Mohota of Bengal was surprisingly stretched by lesser-known M. Poojakanth of Tamil Nadu while other frontliners had relatively easy outings in the inaugural round of the National Women’s B Chess Championship Friday. Mohota, however, used all her experience to emerge winner.