Badminton: Lee blazes into Singapore Open final

Malaysia’s Lee weathered a storm of attacking play against unseeded Indian K Srikanth. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

SINGAPORE: 

World number one Lee Chong Wei blazed into the Singapore Open men’s final on Saturday while Olympic champion Li Xuerui set up a women’s face-off with her Chinese rival Wang Yihan.

Malaysia’s Lee weathered a storm of attacking play against unseeded Indian K Srikanth before pulling clear to go into a final against Indonesia’s Simon Santoso, who upset China’s Du Pengyu.

Lee last won the Singapore Open in 2008 and he was not to be denied in the semis despite falling behind 19-16 in the first game as Srikanth, 21, opted for a stream of relentless smashes.

But the veteran Lee reeled off five unanswered points to take the opener and in front of an appreciative crowd, he aggressively took the second game and the match 21-19, 21-18.

The 31-year-old, will now look to extend his record tally of 33 Super Series titles in the final against Santoso, who stunned the fifth-seeded Du 16-21, 21-17, 21-17.

“For me, he [Santoso] is an attacker and I will have to prepare for his offensive game,” said the reigning All-England champion.

In the women’s draw, Li will resume hostilities with defending champion Wang after strolling past South Korea’s fifth seed Sung Ji-Hyun 21-13, 21-13.

Top seed Li shocked Wang to win Olympic gold in 2012 but her Chinese teammate gained a measure of revenge with her victory in last year’s Singapore final.

Wang encountered little trouble against Han Li, also of China, to reach the final 21-18, 21-12.

Mixed doubles top seeds and All-England champions Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir stayed on course to defend their title by beating unseeded Chinese duo Liu Cheng and Bao Yixin 17-21, 21-11, 21-19.

Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili came from behind to set up an all-Indonesian final when they overcame South Korea’s Ko Sung-Hyun and Kim Ha-Na 20-22, 21-17, 21-16

A good move by the PCB

Chairman Najam Sethi outlined on April 11 the gains that Pakistan made in the two-day Executive Board meeting in Dubai. PHOTO: ONLINE

After months of uncertainty, the Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) announced conditional support for International Cricket Council’s (ICC) reforms on governance of the game. In other words the Big Three plan with its amended resolutions is now backed by all full members of the governing body of the game and Pakistan seems to have finally decided to jump on the bandwagon; and just as well. Chairman Najam Sethi outlined on April 11 the gains that Pakistan made in the two-day Executive Board meeting in Dubai and appears hopeful of earning Rs30 billion for the board over the next eight years. The most significant development during the Dubai meeting was the assurance given by the Indian Board Secretary on arranging bilateral series. A series with India remains lucrative for all cricket boards, including Pakistan and even on a neutral venue, the famed Indo-Pakistan rivalry is set to earn a major chunk of the Rs30 billion target envisaged by the board.

Hence, Pakistan cricket stands to at least benefit from a proposal that it had no power to stop. The board has signed agreements with several of its foreign counterparts on staging home series with Pakistan on a neutral venue or in their own cricket stadiums once the security situation improves. As Sethi pointed out, if we don’t have any home tours we don’t earn any money, and this money is needed to run the affairs of domestic cricket. Most of the boards were also convinced by Sethi and Co. on keeping the option to tour Pakistan open. Pakistan is also now set to have its own president after the tenure of Alan Isaac ends, which is heartening.

Indeed, Pakistan now seems to be working hard to take the best of what, at first glance, did not appear to be the ideal situation to improve cricket in the country. If such efforts continue and are realised wholeheartedly, we may yet see better days for the sport and for Pakistani cricket fans who have been deprived of live cricketing action at home, considering Pakistan has not hosted any international cricket since the attack on the Sri Lankan team five years ago.

Alex’: Making Pakistan rugby count in UK

Due to his impressive performance in Ipswich, Zahid is hopeful about signing a new contract with the club next season. PHOTO: JIM PRICE

Well-known names like Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi playing for counties may not be surprising, but a Pakistan rugby player featuring in a UK-based club is something that has never happened until the ongoing season.

National rugby team captain Arsalan Zahid became the first Pakistani player to feature in an England-based rugby event this year.

Ipswich signed the 29-year-old after watching his videos of HSBC Asian Five Nations’ (Division Four) matches where he led the Pakistan team. The club competes at London 2 North East rugby league where teams from London, Suffolk and Essex play home and away matches.

“A considerable number of people played me down when I came here,” Zahid told The Express Tribune in an interview from Ipswich.

“Many felt that Ipswich had taken a huge gamble when they signed me, because I am from a country where rugby is not a major sport.”

The ongoing season will conclude at the end of this month and Zahid has already proven his mettle.

“The Ipswich officials are happy with my performance and we may sign a contract for the next year’s season. Now I have many friends here who call me Alex.”

A dentist by profession, Zahid started playing rugby ten years ago.

“I was a cricketer and an enthusiastic basketball player before rugby. I always had the dream of becoming part of a sport other than cricket or hockey. I am happy with what I have achieved so far.”

‘Pakistan can become a big rugby nation’

The Lahore-based player said that there was no dearth of talent in Pakistan when it came to rugby.

“We are an emerging nation in this sport. It isn’t impossible for Pakistan to match the world-class rugby teams.

“I did not receive coaching from qualified coaches initially, but still ended up playing at this level. There are many players back home who can be better than me.

“They just need guidance and backing from the government. The Pakistan Rugby Union [PRU] officials are doing their best in the resources they have.

“If the top authorities back rugby, I can safely bet that we will make a name in this sport. The government should invest in it as we are not doing well in games like squash and hockey.”

Zahid praised the PRU consultant and Pakistan head coach Roger Coombs for his dedication to the promotion of rugby in Pakistan.

“Rugby needs promotion at the grassroots level. It should be held in schools. Coombs is playing a vital part by focusing on school children who are taking interest in this sport.

“Our rugby will grow in leaps and bounds if this process continues.”

Uzbek girl’s escape: FIA investigator suspended for negligence

Inspector Mehar Tasneem failed to alert airport authorities about possibility of Cherinka Aksan’s escape. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

A top Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official has suspended an investigator for negligence in the case of the Uzbek girl who violated her bail and fled Pakistan two weeks ago.

Talking to The Express Tribune, official sources said FIA Islamabad Zone Director Inam Ghani suspended Inspector Mehar Tasneem of the agency’s Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) after it was learnt that her negligence had allowed the Uzbek girl, Cherinka Aksan, to escape.

According to the sources, Ghani had ordered a departmental inquiry under the supervision of AHTC Assistant Director Babar Khan to find out how Aksan managed to fly back to Uzbekistan while on bail. The inquiry, they said, revealed that Tasneem never requested the interior ministry to put Aksan’s name on the exit control list (ECL) and failed to caution airport authorities against the possibility of her escape.

A show cause notice was then issued to Tasneem on the basis of the report. After being provided a chance to explain her position, she was suspended on Thursday.

FIA arrested Aksan along with seven other Uzbek girls following a raid in an upscale Islamabad neighbourhood on February 17. A case was registered against them after they failed to produce any valid documents to verify the reason for their stay in the country.

The eight Uzbek girls secured bail last month. Aksan, however, violated the bail and fled back to Uzbekistan on March 25.The names of the other seven girls were subsequently placed on the ECL.

Earlier, on January 30, two other Uzbek girls – Svetlana Yashkina and Allina Gilayzova – entered Pakistan without undergoing immigration after being assisted by some FIA immigration officials. The human trafficking gang could not be traced despite the lapse of three months. The interior ministry suspended five immigration officers over the incident

Afghans eagerly await poll results

Posters of Afghan presidential candidates cover shop fronts in Mohallah Jangi. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: 

After millions of war-weary but spirited Afghans thronged thousands of polling centres across the country to cast their ballot in the country’s third presidential elections, they now anxiously await the announcement of results.

The country’s election commission says nearly seven million people out of 13 million eligible voters, including 35% women, cast their vote on April 5 despite serious security challenges. The total population of Afghanistan is estimated to be 30 million.

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission now faces a gigantic task to complete one of the world’s most difficult counting processes amid serious fraud allegations. The country’s Independent Electoral Complaints Commission says it has received about 3,000 complaints about poll fraud and a probe is under way.

Officials have set April 24 as the date to announce preliminary results while the final results will be made public on May 14 after the formal settlement of all complaints. Two presidential hopefuls — Dr Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah — claim to be leading the race from the votes counted so far. Zalmai Rasoul, who was earlier thought to be among the front-runners, is seen far behind in the vote count.

The flurry of predictions on social media and a section of the Afghan media are further causing confusion among people which led electoral authorities to criticise the media for speculating unnecessarily.

Although Ghani and Abdullah are confident of their victory in the first round, political observers foresee a run-off polls as the victorious candidate is required to secure 50%, plus one vote.

In light of this prediction, some circles in and outside the country want to avoid run-off polling owing to the fragile security environment of the country.

The US Deputy Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Beth Jones, was the first foreign official to land in Kabul two days after the elections for talks on the post-election scenario. Jones met Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Irshad Ahmadi and the foreign ministry said this week that both discussed the Afghan elections, transfer of power to the new leader and the yet-to-be-signed bilateral security arrangement, among other issues.

Officials in the Afghan government told The Express Tribune in Kabul that the US and its allies do not favour a second round and will work with the incumbent ruler for a possible rapprochement between the top two candidates for a coalition. Dr Ghani and Abdullah have so far refused to agree on a coalition and vowed for a runoff poll.

A senior Afghan official and close confidant of President Hamid Karzai told The Express Tribune that the outgoing president also wants a coalition, as a runoff will be an enormous task for the government.

Pakistan expects good ties with new govt

Pakistan will work with the new government in Afghanistan and further strengthen bilateral relations, said the newly-appointed Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, Abrar Hussain, in an interview at the Pakistani embassy.

Hussain, who assumed the office last month, said Pakistan respects the decision of the Afghan people and is happy at the continuation of the democratic process, adding the government and Afghans deserve to be congratulated.

When asked if Pakistan had a soft corner for any candidate, he said there was no favourite and whoever is elected will be acceptable to the country as only Afghans have the right to choose their leader.

‘On humanitarian grounds’: SC urges India to free Pakistani fishermen

CJ says issue may be raised with Indian team due in Pakistan next week. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: 

The Supreme Court on Friday urged Indian authorities to release on humanitarian grounds dozens of Pakistani fishermen languishing in Indian jails. The court also referred to the Indian Supreme Court’s 2010 judgment, in which Pakistani authorities were urged to release Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds.

A three-judge bench – headed by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussian Jillani – was hearing a joint petition, filed by the Pakistan Fisher-folk Forum (PFF) and the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), through Raheel Kamran Sheikh advocate.

The chief justice observed the issue of release of Pakistani fisherman might be taken up with the members of an Indian delegation which is likely to visit Pakistan next week to attend the International Judicial Conference.

Earlier, the petitioners drew the court’s attention to the imprisonment of Pakistani fishermen in Indian jails for allegedly breaching the international maritime border and entering Indian waters.

“[We] crave gracious indulgence of this august court for redress against the blatant negligence and inaction on the part of the respondents to seek the release and repatriation of the Pakistani citizens languishing in Indian jails since as far back as 1993,” the petitioners said.

They contended that pollution was gradually lowering the water levels while with the entry of big companies and foreign fishing vessels into common waters, the traditional fisher people had to venture out into deeper waters for a better catch.

“However, due to limitations in navigational technology and difficulty in discerning the maritime border, many fisher people often accidentally venture out into Indian waters and are arrested and detained by the Indian Coast Guards,” they added.

According to a data chart prepared by the federal government and information provided by the Pakistani fishermen released from Indian jails, 226 Pakistani fishermen are currently detained in Indian jails, some of them since 1993, and with most having completed their sentences, the petitioners stated.

“Furthermore, the whereabouts of 66 fishermen, which include minors, are as yet unknown and no efforts have been made by the respondents (government) to obtain information for clarification or confirmation of whether the missing fishermen are in the custody of Indian authorities.”

During the hearing, one law officer submitted a report on behalf of the interior ministry, saying that Pakistan had released 471 Indian prisoners but in return New Delhi had freed only 66 Pakistanis.

The hearing of the case is adjourned till first week of May.

An Indian Supreme Court bench – comprising Justice Markandey Katju and Justice R M Lodha – on March 8, 2010 had also urged the Pakistani authorities to release Indian fishermen

MH370 co-pilot made mid-flight phone call: report

A worker walks in front of check-in time screens at the new low-cost airport at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) during the Operational Readiness and Transfer (ORAT) exercise in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur on April 12, 2014. PHOTO: AFP

KUALA LAMPUR: The co-pilot of the missing Malaysian airliner MH370 attempted to make a mid-flight call from his mobile phone just before the plane vanished from radar screens, a report said Saturday citing unnamed investigators.

The call ended abruptly possibly “because the aircraft was fast moving away from the (telecommunications) tower”; The New Straits Times quoted a source as saying.

But the Malaysian daily also quoted another source saying that while Fariq Abdul Hamid’s “line was reattached”, there was no certainty that a call was made from the Boeing 777 that vanished on March 8.

The report, titled a “desperate call for help” did not say who he was trying to contact.

Fariq and Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah have come under intense scrutiny after the plane mysteriously vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

Investigators last month indicated that the flight was deliberately diverted and its communication systems manually switched off as it was leaving Malaysian airspace, triggering a criminal investigation by police that has revealed little so far.

The fate of flight MH370 has been shrouded in mystery, with a number of theories put forward including a hijacking or terrorist attack and a pilot gone rogue.

There have been unconfirmed previous reports in the Malaysian media of calls by the captain before or during the flight but no details have been released.

The NST report said that Flight 370 flew low enough near Penang Island on Malaysia’s west coast, after turning off course for a telecommunications tower to pick up the co-pilot’s phone signal.

The phone line was “reattached” between the time the plane veered off course and blipped off the radar; the government-controlled paper quoted the second source as saying.

“A ‘reattachment’ does not necessarily mean that a call was made. It can also be the result of the phone being switched on again.”

Malaysia’s transport ministry told AFP that it was examining the NST report and will issue a response.

The Malaysian government and media have repeatedly contradicted each other and themselves over details of the search and criminal investigation.