Karachi, Oct 2 : Mohammad Yousuf’s last-minute withdrawal from the playing line-up ignited speculations that the player was forced to stay away from the match after receiving threats from the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Yousuf, however, denied that his decision to sit out of the Karachi Test match had anything to do with the ICL issue.

When pressed by the reporters, Yousuf said that they should ask the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about the issue.

Karachi, Oct 1 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded the team with a cash prize of approximately 130 million rupees for reaching the final of the recently concluded Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.

Each member of the Twenty20 squad was awarded with a cash prize of six million rupees, while a similar sum was announced as bonus for 20 centrally contracted “A” category players by the PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf at a glittering ceremony here on Sunday.

Kochi, Sept 30 : The first one-day international (ODI) between India and Australia having already been washed out, rain is again likely to play the spoilsport in the second game of the seven match series to be played in Kochi on October 2.

The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in the city is being spruced up to host the match on Tuesday, even as cloudy skies dampened preparations.

The groundsmen at the stadium are working overtime to protect the wicket and the outfield, which is water logged due to heavy rains in past few days.

Lahore, Sep 29 : Controversial Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s cricket career could be coming to a close.

It has been reliably learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made up its mind on Akhtar’s future and final decision will be taken after a hearing on the sidelines of Pakistan-South Africa second Test in Lahore on October 6.

Sources said that the PCB disciplinary committee has received clear instructions from the President Pervez Musharraf, chief patron, that he should be penalised for his misbehaviour.

Lahore, Sep 29 : Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamamul Haq has turned down an offer to play in the first Test against South Africa from October 1-5, for unknown reasons.

"I spoke to him and asked him about his availability. But he said not to consider him for unknown reasons. He will obviously be considered if wants to play in the second match," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee head Salahuddin Ahmad.