eSports Log

Pakistan national cricket team is divided – has feared former Pak captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. He thinks the internal rift in the team might be one of the reasons behind their poor performance in the current Test Series against Sri Lanka. He also felt that captain Younis Khan isn’t making any efforts to get the team together. Inzamam said ‘It seems that the team is divided into groups and Younis is doing nothing about it.’

Pakistan made a tour to Sri Lanka just some days after winning the World Twenty20 championship in England. Pakistan lost their first Test in Galle even though taking a 50-run lead in first innings and then got a disastrous begins to the continuing second Test in Colombo. They bowled out for only 90 runs on the first day Sunday. It was their lowest score against Sri Lanka.

Inzamam said Pakistani cricketers have crumbled as the pressure of expectations grown after the World Twenty20 title win. Former skipper stressed that the team management should have helped the cricketers overcome the crisis. He also expressed his surprise for the decision to field Saeed Ajmal (rookie spinner) in place of the experienced Danish Kaneria. He said ‘I don’t think that everything is fine within the Pakistan team.’

Sports Minister of Pakistan Pir Aftab Shah Jilani accused the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for losing the upcoming 2011 World Cup Cricket hosting rights. After an official meeting with Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in Islamabad, the Minister said to media ‘those steering Pakistan cricket were responsible for failure to bring the World Cup 2011 matches back to the country.’ He added ‘It is the responsibility of those now sitting in the driving seat of Pakistan cricket to bring back World Cup matches to our country.’

Recently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected lobbying and efforts by PCB officials to get back the 14 World Cup matches initially allotted to Pakistan. The upcoming World Cup was originally to be hosted jointly by Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. However, the ICC’s Cricket Committee took decision to strip Pakistan of its hosting rights because of security problems and concern in the strife-torn country. Currently the PCB is conducting a legal battle against the ICC to restore its hosting rights.

French great footballer Zinedine Zidane (born 23, June 1972) is now trying to convince another French midfielder Franck Ribery (born 7, April 1983) to snub Manchester United (MU) and join Real Madrid (RM). Former French captain Zidane is working presently as an adviser to Bernabeu president Florentino Perez. 36-year-old the legend wants to help out the Spanish giant’s capture German-based Bayern Munich star 26-year-old Ribery for approximately 56 million pounds.

RM already landed Kaka, Cristiano and Ronaldo for nearly136 million pounds. Additionally, the club is trying to get Spanish striker David Villa (born 3, December 1981) from Valencia for more than 40 million pounds. On the other hand, ex-Bleus midfield maestro said: “I am in talks with Franck. He is a fantastic player who has his place here at Real Madrid.” “And playing in this team is a career opportunity which, to me, you do not refuse. It would be a nice opportunity for Franck. It is up to him.” If the club can snap up all the targets it may take RM’s spending to a massive 232 million pound.

Andrei Arshavin has openly declared that apart from Russia, Barcelona is his favorite club. But the striker refused to join in Barcelona and make a bond with Arsenal for £15 million. After moving to England in January, now the striker opens his mouth why he did not move to Nou Camp. He told the Daily Mail,

“I did have an offer from Barcelona but Zenit were not happy. I try not to think about what could have happened and at least at Arsenal I am playing. At Barcelona I think I would be sitting on the bench, like Aliaksandr Hleb”

He also added,

“Which player could I replace? Thierry Henry? No, he is too good and I think Messi will be the World Player of the Year. If I could vote it would be for Messi. Even if you just count the goals and the beautiful passes and look at it statistically, Messi would win over Ronaldo.”

“It has been close but Messi has been better. So where would I play at Barcelona?”

The Arsenal striker also revealed that he never wanted to participate in Serie A League of Italy. He indicated that he don’t want to play in Italy due to the defensive style of the league. He said,

I enjoy the honesty of English football, because nobody gives up, and almost all the best players are here. Italian football is at the bottom because of all those scandals. Their league is not very interesting.

Roger Federer finally got the confidence that he needed badly by beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal on Sunday by 6-4, 6-4. This defeat is Nadal’s fifth on clay in 155 matches since 2005, which brings an end to the flow of 33 uninterrupted wins on the surface.

Federer’s win also gave him and other leading man who are on the top the hope to going into the French Open which starts next Sunday. However, the Swiss does not believe that this defeat would not worry the four-time champion.  He said,

I don’t think he’s going to take any damage away from this, I’m sure he’s going to be rock solid in Paris again.

On the other hand, Nadal asserted,

Playing four hours was not a problem for today. Roger was much better than me and deserved to win.

Now, Federer back in his form, his fans will be waiting for something to watch at the French Open next week.