Lahore, Jan 12: Suspended Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been barred from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being deported from Dubai last year for possession of an opium substance weighing 0.24 grams.

Asif, 26, was detained at the Dubai International Airport for nearly three weeks in June 2008, for possession of a banned substance before public prosecutors determined that the amount of the drugs was insignificant and deported him.

Melbourne, Jan. 12: New South Wales batsman David Warner remarkable debut knock of 89 of 43 balls in Sunday night''s Twenty20 win over South Africa at the MCG, suggests that the country's selectors will find it hard to resist picking him for the Australian one-day or Test squads in the near future, believes skipper Ricky Ponting.

Melbourne, Jan 11 : South African coach Mickey Arthur has said that batsman Herschelle Gibbs can re-invigorate his career in Australia following a stint in alcohol rehabilitation.

Gibbs returns to the Proteas'' Twenty20 side against Australia at the MCG tonight, and Arthur said the one-day series was a chance for the 34-year-old to stake a claim for the upcoming World Cup, The Age reported.

“Herschelle’s a quality player who we identified to carry on (and) go to the World Cup,” Arthur said.

Islamabad, Jan. 11 : Despite five bomb blasts which shook Lahore on Friday, the Sri Lankan tour will continue as per the schedule, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said.

“There will be no change in the wake of the low intensity blasts at the Mall Road in Lahore on Friday evening,” The News quoted a PCB official, as saying.

The PCB has assured Sri Lanka Cricket of taking all important security measures during the series.

Melbourne, Jan 11: South African cricketer John Botha, overlooked for the Test series, will lead the Proteas through the limited-overs stage of the tour, which starts with Sunday night's Twenty20 clash with Australia at the MCG.

Botha admitted that it would be difficult emulating Graeme Smith, who led South Africa to their first Test series win in Australia and then defied a broken hand and injured elbow to bat in the third Test at the SCG in a forlorn effort to force a draw, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Sydney, Jan 11: Former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann has thrown his hat into the ring for the England coach's job.

Recognised as one of the world's sharpest cricket brains, 38-year-old Lehmann on Saturday said that he would consider any offer from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Lehmann, who played 27 Tests for Australia, began coaching Australia's academy side last year, and has already been signed by the Deccan Chargers for the Indian Premier League, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.