PCB weighs security arrangements for Asia Cup

LAHORE, Jun 10 (UNI):As the Asia Cup is nearing, the PCB doesnot want to leave any stone unturned as far as the securityis concerned and in a bid to host a trouble-free tournament,some of the board members met top police officials to takestock of the arrangements for event that begins from June 24.

A top Pakistani government official said the PCB has been assured of state level security for Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy in September.

The interior ministry adviser to the Prime Minister, Rehman Malik confirmed about the meeting for which the PCB chief Nasim Ashraf had requested three days back.

"He had some security fears on the ongoing situation of the country.

So, I had called the Inspector General Police and the Home Secretary of respective provinces and other intelligence agencies.

"We discussed their concerns ahead of the Asia Cup and ICC Champions Trophy and their concerns have now been duly addressed," Malik said.

He said the government believes that Pakistan would successfully host the two tournaments and some stringent security arrangements are being put in place to avoid any act of violence during ther events.

35-member Indian squad for Asian junior meet NEW DELHI, Jun 10 (UNI): A 35-member strong Indian team, including19 women, will represent the country in the 13th Asian JuniorAthletics Championships to be held in Jakarta from June 12 to 15.

The team: Men: Anoop Pallathil Kunjippa (100m, 4×400m relay), Amiya Kumar Mallick (200m), Jithin Paul (400m, 400mh), Inderjeet Singh (400m), Pankaj Dimri (800m), Dileep Venugopal (110 mh), Shejil Varghese (400mh), Dharambir, Md Wasim Akram, Praveen (4×400m).

Pardeep Kumar (10000m walk), Yogaraj Lakshmanan (high jump), Angelo Sarojini Simon (long jump), Dhiraj Kumar Mishra (triple jump), Naveen Kumar (shot put), Jasdeep Singh Dhillon (shot put).

Women: Srasni Nanda, Shilpa Chamblon (100m, 200m, 4×100m), Shilpa Harathi Gujjala, Juana Murmu (400m, 4×400m), Anu Mariam Jose, Chinchu Jose, Debashree Mazumdar (400m).

Sithara Thomas Ellath P V, Radhika Sunder, Shama Muhammed, Kowsalya Ramaswamy, Sayali Dravid (4×100m), Tintu Luka (800m,4×400m ), Bindhu Simon Rajam (800m, 1500m), Savita Dhankhar (1500m, 3000m), Hemasree Jayapal (100mh), Aishwarya Govindappa Mahadev (long jump), Manpreet Kaur (shot put), Manju Bala (hammer).

Championship to bring more excitement to Tests NEW DELHI, Jun 10 (UNI): While the proposed championship of Testcricket has garnered support from most of the ICC"s membernations, it could include a quadrennial trophy ceremony and a points system, with allowances for bonuses.

The concept of a Test championship, first raised by a Chicago consultancy firm and promoted by Cricket Australia, has been discussed at International Cricket Council level for the past six months.

Discussions have also taken place about the viability of a bonus points system, which would discourage negative cricket.

The move might rankle the traditionalists, but administrators believe it could help enliven the game, giving context to each match played.

"There is still a lot of spadework that needs to be done," said Inderjit Singh Bindra, who is scheduled to assume the newly created role of principal adviser to the ICC from next month.

"The form, the format and the frequency are all part of the discussion at the moment," he added.

Though details have yet to be agreed, the competition is unlikely to take the form of a World Cup-style tournament, but rather a four-yearly home-and-away series, with points awarded for each match and a winner crowned at the conclusion.

However, there are a few important questions which still remain unanswered if the proposed Test championship gets an approval.

Australia, for one, is uncertain how such a format would affect its "icon series", including the Ashes.

Others fear that such a system would lead to more series against rivals with little commercial appeal like the India-Pakistan matches.