New Delhi, Jan. 18 : Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif on Sunday issued a statement seeking to clarify his involvement in a Delhi airport incident, where he was reportedly held for questioning. Following is the statement:

"I was very pained about the reports in the newspapers and Television this morning about my arrival to New Delhi.

I wish to clarify that there was absolutely no problem at the Delhi airport on my arrival.

London, Jan. 18 : England players could be forced to choose between the Indian Premier League and their country - and Australia''s might have to do the same - after IPL boss Lalit Modi decided the players'' two-week availability for the tournament is not long enough.

England play the West Indies in their first Test starting on May 6, giving the players about 15 days to play IPL.

It has been learnt recently that the rest of the one-day international series with South Africa would not be played by Australia batsman Michael Clarke, as he needs to provide rest to his injured thumb.

Though Clarke had an injury, still he played to score 19 and take 1-29 in Friday's first one-dayer.

It has been further learnt that when the ODI series with New Zealand begins on 1 February, he would resume back to the team.

Friday saw South Africa tasting the nectar of success, when it grabbed on half centuries by Neil McKenzie and Jean-Paul Duminy and also by Albie Morkel, thus defeating Australia by three wickets in the opening ODI of the five-match series.

In order to scamper home with three deliveries to spare in a thrilling contest, South Africa survived a middle-order collapse while chasing 272 for victory.

Before Albie came up with a dazzling cameo, smashing 40 off just 18 balls with four fours and a six, the foundation for South Africa was set by Duminy (71) and McKenzie
(63).

An unshaken 51-run stand was shared by Albie for the eighth wicket with skipper Johan Botha (12) to seal the win.

It has been learnt that the first two One-Day Internationals between India and Sri Lanka on January 28 and 30 would be hosted by the historic city of Dambulla.

It was informed by the top Sri Lanka officials, "The Indian team, expected to arrive in Colombo on January 24, is likely to play first two matches -- day fixtures -- in Dambulla, which is 150 kms from the capital city and known for its cave temples and a sprawling lake."

Karachi, Jan. 17: The cash strapped Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now been implicated in a new scam in the form of faulty insurance deal resulting in a whopping Rs 60 million loss.

According to The News, PCB's chief operating officer (COO) Saleem Altaf has made allegations against the previous management of the board for being responsible for a shady insurance deal.

Altaf said that former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf and ex-COO Shafqat Naghmi were involved in the fraud which resulted in a massive loss.