ATC fixtures finalised after BCCI clarification: Dalmiya

The former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Wednesday said that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had worked out the fixtures only after receiving BCCI's clarification. Talking at a press conference in Kolkata, Dalmiya said "The fixtures were drawn up after receiving a clarification from the Indian Board. During the (Lahore) meeting, the BCCI had produced a clarification received from the Union Sports Ministry in response to its queries." On the ACC's decision to draw up the fixtures, Dalmiya said, "We were aware of the strain in cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. That is why we wanted something in writing from the Indian Board. Since they had clarified our queries, we went ahead in finalising the fixtures".

Dalmiya said the Indian government, in its letter to the BCCI, had clarified that as per its general policy India could continue to play against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments at regular venues, including India and Pakistan. Dalmiya also released the copies of communication between the BCCI president AC Muthiah and the Sports Ministry. Earlier on Monday, the Union Sports Minister Uma Bharti pulled up the BCCI for making a "unilateral announcement" at the ACC that India would play against Pakistan.

ACC to finalise compensation pact within two months

The Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya said the ACC would finalise the agreement between the four Test playing nations in the region to compensate for the losses suffered by the ACC, in the event of non-participation, within two months. Dalmiya said the decision to sign an agreement was mainly aimed at avoiding any embarrassment or losses to the ACC in the event of a country pulling out of a tournament. Talking at a press conference in Kolkata, the former ICC president said that the representatives of the four Asian Test playing nations would work out the agreement in detail before it is put in force ahead of the Asian Test Championship.

During the conference, Dalmiya also said that the next edition of the Asia Cup would be held in Pakistan next year. "Pakistan will host the next Asia Cup but the fixtures will be announced later."

I know I am not a complete player: Dravid

India's stylish middle-order batsman Rahul Dravid on Wednesday said he was far from perfect and was constantly evaluating his performances and bringing changes in his techniques. "I know I am not a complete player. I know that for a fact. You keep learning along the way. You learn every day. You try to grasp and may be try to put a few of those things in your game," Dravid said in an interview to PTI in Mutare. He added "I am willing to listen to the criticism, look at it. If I feel it works for me, it makes sense for me, I would do something about it. If I feel it doesn't make any sense, and somebody is criticising just for the sake of criticising, I forget about it. I have the ability not to think about it."

On playing down the order, the Karnataka player said "I have played a lot at the number three position. There your job is to hold your end and ensure that you don't lose too many early wickets to the new ball. Now that I am batting lower down the order, it may give me a little more opportunity to play a few more shots."

Replaying to another question, the Indian vice captain said "I personally feel we have got a good side. The fact that I play in the same side as (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly and (VVS) Laxman gives me a lot of confidence. It takes a lot of pressure off me. Instead of being a deterrent, I think it (playing for India) has helped me and inspired me to play better." Replying to a question on the Zimbabwe tour, Dravid said "I think we find the conditions on and off the field not to our liking. Maybe we don't adjust to it. But then there are not many teams who win abroad."

BCCI's decision to award sponsorship to IMG-TWI challenged

The BCCI's decision to award the sponsorship right to IMG-TWI for the next three years was challenged in the Mumbai High Court by Gayatri Arts on Wednesday. Gayatri Arts, a Mumbai-based company which was one of the original bidders for the sponsorship rights, filed a petition seeking an injunction from the High Court on BCCI signing contract with IMG-TWI or any other group. It will come up for hearing on June 1, reports PTI.

According to Sham Dhumatkar, proprietor of Gayatri Arts, the three-year contract was awarded to his company which had made the highest bid of Rs 90 crores through a legal tender advertised by BCCI in a newspaper. BCCI confirmed the contract in a letter to the company on May 3 and gave it 48 hours to accept the offer. Accordingly, Gayatri Arts accepted the contract in a letter to BCCI, the petition submitted. However, on May 22 the BCCI's marketing committee held a second meeting in New Delhi and awarded the sponsorship to IMG-TWI after an open bidding.

Laloo's election to give boost to rural cricket: Rabri

The Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi said the boys in rural areas of Bihar can now look forward to a better cricketing future following the election of Laloo Prasad Yadav to the post of the President of the Bihar Cricket Association. Talking to PTI, Rabri said "Despite having the ability to excel in the sports arena, rural boys so far remained in oblivion in Bihar. Now they can hope for a better cricketing future under the stewardship of Laloo Yadav."

The Chief Minister, who is the wife of Yadav, said her government was determined to provide enough opportunity for the development of sports in Bihar. She added "We will organise rural sports events and nurture talent." Rabri Devi has already directed the sports department to organise sports meets at village, block, sub-division, district and state levels so that sportspersons could get the opportunity to exhibit their talents.

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