Lahore, Jan. 31: A day after the Indian Premier League (IPL) slapped a ban on Pakistani speedster Mohammad Asif for testing positive for taking a banned substance to enhance performance, he (Asif) appeared before a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) committee which is probing his 19-day detention in Dubai last June for the illegal possession of a banned substance (opium).

The three-man committee, which first met on last Thursday, heard Asif's plea and decided that the final decision would be taken after consulting the board's chairman, Ejaz Butt.

Perth, Jan. 31: South Africa batting legend, Barry Richards, received a commemorative cap in Perth on Friday to mark his induction into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

After presenting the cap, ICC President David Morgan said: "The word `great' is often over-used but it applied to Barry, a wonderfully gifted player"

Richards said he would cherish what he called "the ultimate accolade".

Karachi, Jan. 31 : It seems that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is itself not sure as to what it wants to do when it comes to organizing practice matches for players who are under going fitness problems or are under pressure to perform inorder to secure their places in the national squad.

In an abrupt u-turn from its earlier decision of holding two practice matches ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka, the PCB has now dropped the idea.

Mumbai, Jan. 29: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has banned Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif for one year on charges of using a banned substance for enhancing performance, here today.

However, the duration of the ban has been back dated to July last year, when Asif was banned from all cricket by the PCB

Brisbane, Jan. 30: Former Australia batsman Stuart Law is angry at being treated like a cricket "leper" in Australia after his links with a rebel Indian Cricket League stopped him landing a prized coaching post.

The man who led Queensland to their first four Sheffield Shield titles was offered the position of Australian Centre of Excellence batting coach on the condition he severs his ties with the Indian Cricket League.

Perth, Jan. 30 : Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has played down workload issues regarding the IPL, and said that it will not affect the team's preparations for the Ashes this year.

Heading into his fifth month of international cricket without a break, Ponting denied there was too much cricket, but questioned the tightly packed scheduling of Test series with New Zealand and South Africa this summer.