Wednesday 12 March 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Football: Barca and PSG ease into last eight

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PARIS (AFP) - Four-time Champions League winners Barcelona and French champions Paris Saint Germain suffered few problems in reaching the quarter-finals of this season's competition on Wednesday.Barcelona -- who had come into their game on the back of some poor league form -- beat Manchester City, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off, 2-1 for a 4-1 aggregate victory.While Barcelona's win saw them join domestic rivals Atletico Madrid in the last eight, City became the second English side in two nights to bow out, Arsenal having exited on Tuesday.Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Barca with his eighth Champions League goal of the campaign before Vincent Kompany levelled just before the final whistle.But there was still time for Dani Alves to strike the winner as Barcelona qualified for the quarter-finals for the seventh successive season.While victory will ease the pressure on Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino, defeat for City will increase demands for manager Manuel Pelligrini to deliver the Premier League title, as this latest setback came four days after they were knocked out of the domestic FA Cup by second tier Wigan.Barcelona forward Cesc Fabregas said that while others might be saying Barcelona were a shadow of previous sides, they were quite happy with how things were going.Everything is good, it's not that bad, said the former Arsenal star.We're in the final of the Cup against Real, we're four points behind in the league.To be the Barcelona of two, three, four years ago is very difficult because they were probably the best team in the history of football.It's very difficult to maintain this level but we don't have to be the best (ever), we just try to stay at the top of our game.For Kompany there was a serious sense of injustice especially Zabaleta's dismissal for a second bookable offence when he objected to the referee failing to give a penalty.Going for the second time down to 10 men (Martin Demichelis was sent off in the first leg) when it was a clear penalty, it's not easy conditions to come and play against such a good team.Over the course of the two games, whenever we were with 11 players there wasn't much between the two teams.PSG, who Barcelona beat in last season's quarter-finals, kept alive their hopes of becoming only the second French side to win the trophy -- after Marseille in 1993 -- with a 2-1 win over German outfit Bayer Leverkusen for a 6-1 aggregate win.Goals by Marquinhos and Ezequiel Lavezzi cancelled out Sidney Sam's sixth minute opener to give Laurent Blanc's side their sixth successive win in all competitions.Blanc was not impressed by the overall performance but he said it was mission achieved.PSG were clearly not brilliant tonight. I expected more, but the essential is there, we are through, said the former France national coach. Leverkusen -- who came into the match on the back of a run of five defeats and one draw -- missed a penalty through captain Simon Rolfes and, to round off a miserable experience, also ended the match with just 10 men as Emre Can was sent off for s second bookable offence.Leverkusen's Finnish coach Sami Hyypia, who also has had questions raised about his future because of the recent loss of form, tried to look at the positive side despite the overall score. I'm feeling a bit sorry for the team that we didn't get anything from the game, said Hyypia.The starting point was difficult after losing 4-0 at home but we can take a lot of confidence for the future.On Tuesday, holders Bayern Munich completed a 3-1 aggregate win over Arsenal with a 1-1 draw at home while Atletico Madrid's 4-1 success against visitors AC Milan ensured a 5-1 overall scoreline.

Tennis: Raonic downs Murray to reach Indian Wells quarters

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INDIAN WELLS (AFP) - Milos Raonic rallied in the third set to defeat out-of-sorts fifth seed Andy Murray on Wednesday and reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells ATP Masters.Raonic, seeded 10th, downed Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 to line up a quarter-final clash with giant-killer Alexandr Dolgopolov.The 28th-seeded Ukrainian avoided any letdown in the wake of his third-round upset of world number one Rafael Nadal, powering past 13th-seeded Italian Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-4.Second-seeded Novak Djokovic, four-time Indian Wells champion Roger Federer, seeded seventh, and Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka were also vying for quarter-final berths on Wednesday.Raonic, ranked 11th in the world, wasn't surprised to find himself facing world number 31 Dolgopolov from a quarter of the draw that included both Nadal and Murray.The 23-year-old Canadian with the booming serve said Wawrinka's Grand Slam breakthrough in Melbourne, where he beat both Djokovic and Nadal, had shown players like himself and Dolgopolov that the game's biggest names -- Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray -- were indeed beatable.I think everybody sort of in that top-10 range, also a little bit outside trying to break through, took a deep breath and said, 'Why can't that be me?' Raonic said.That kind of confidence stood him in good stead when he surrendered an early break to Murray in the third set.Murray, who claimed his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last year, has yet to reach a final since having back surgery in September.But he was at a loss to explain a sudden drop in his level after he had taken the lead in the third set. He was immediately broken to love, and Raonic broke him again for a 4-2 lead that he wouldn't surrender.I think there was mistakes that he made that he wouldn't have liked to make, Raonic said. I think his mistakes were critical that he made in that first break I got.But then I felt like I sort of got going a bit more after that. I sort of picked it up for the rest of the set.Murray saved one match point as he held for 5-3 in the third, but Raonic was never threatened as he served it out with a game that included two of his 15 aces and a crisp forehand winner on match point.Still riding high after his triumph over Nadal, Dolgopolov lost just five points on his own serve in the opening set against Fognini, breaking the Italian in the second and eighth games.Dolgopolov saved all three break points he faced -- all in the seventh game of the second set, and a demoralized Fognini delivered three double faults to be broken in the final game.In another early match, Latvia's Ernests Gulbis defeated Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (7/0), 4-6, 6-2 in a testy encounter.

Tennis: Azarenka pulls out of Miami tournament

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MIAMI (AFP) - World number four Victoria Azarenka on Wednesday withdrew from next week's ATP Masters and WTA tournament in Miami, where she has lifted the trophy twice.Azarenka is nursing a foot injury, one that hindered the 24-year-old from Belarus in a straight-sets second-round loss to 66th-ranked American Lauren Davis at Indian Wells this week.I am very sad not to be able to compete at this year's Sony Open in Miami, Azarenka said in a statement. I love playing in the US and my results in the past were also great.But it has been now over a year that it seems that bad luck has been following me. I couldn't play in Miami last year with a problem in my ankle and now this with my foot. It is time for me to think about my recovery and will work hard for that.The hardcourt tournament still boasts one of the top player fields in tennis with world number one Serena Williams leading a women's lineup that includes nine of the 10 top-ranked players.

Anti-Cup protest in Rio slams 'traitor' Pele

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Around 150 people gathered Wednesday in Rio to protest against Brazil hosting the World Cup, with legendary star Pele blasted as a traitor for backing the event, an AFP reporter said.There will be no Cup, no election, demonstrators angry at the multi-billion-dollar cost of event chanted, while one banner read Pele, traitor of the century.Pele helped Brazil to its first three World Cup titles but both he and 2002 champion Ronaldo, on this years organizing committee, were lambasted by the group as enemies of the people.Pele is an honorary ambassador for the tournament, which kicks off on June 12, but his backing has angered some in a country where many say the cash should have been spent on improving public services.They (Pele and Ronaldo) were great players but now they are out of touch -- its a shame, said one demonstrator, 32-year-old Carolina.Another demonstrator, Eron Morais de Melo, dressed as Batman, said violence at some protests had frightened many people away.But he predicted they would be larger in scale once the World Cup begins.Large protests at last years Confederations Cup caught authorities by surprise as more than a million people took to the streets, their ire initially fueled by the rising cost of public transport.As the unrest grew, demonstrators slammed the cost of staging the World Cup, estimated at $11 billion, and also the 2016 Rio Olympics in a country where public facilities are crumbling and political corruption rife.A further demonstration is set for Sao Paulo on Thursday.Several recent demonstrations have ended in violence with clashes between anarchist groups known as Black Bloc and police.In February, a television cameraman died from his injuries after he was struck in the head by a flare thrown by a protester in Rio.

Oil prices drop before US data

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LONDON (AFP) - Global oil prices fell on Wednesday on concerns over slowing growth in China, the worlds biggest energy consumer, and before the publication of crude inventory levels in the United States.The OPEC oil cartel meanwhile raised its world demand forecast for 2014 on the back of an increase in US consumption in late 2013 and a gradual global economic upswing.New Yorks main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for delivery in April slid $1.49 to $98.54 a barrel.Brent North Sea crude for April fell 68 cents to stand at $107.87 a barrel in London midday deals.Kelly Teoh, managing director at I.R. Resources, said investors are focusing on economic data from the United States and China.In the short term, a lot of it has to do with (uncertainty over) the US economy... and China showing a slowdown, Teoh told AFP.The US Department of Energy will release its report later in the day and analysts expected inventories to have risen two million barrels in the week ending March 7 as the severe winter weather draws to an end, leading to weaker demand for heating oil.In China, the government on Saturday said it had seen an unexpected trade deficit of $22.98 billion in February as exports dived, fuelling fears about slowing growth in the Asian economic giant.Investors are also keeping an eye on political developments in oil-producer Libya after the countrys parliament ousted Prime Minister Ali Zeidan.Militia loyal to the Tripoli authorities were advancing on eastern Libya on Wednesday where rebels demanding regional autonomy began exporting oil this week in defiance of the central government.The offensive came as Islamists buoyed by parliaments ouster of liberal-backed Zeidan on Tuesday moved to consolidate their new-found power.Libya is a member of the OPEC oil-producers cartel, which said it expects world demand of 91.1 million barrels per day (mbd) this year, 1.1 mbd more than in 2013.Previously OPEC, which produces about 35 percent of the worlds oil, had expected demand to grow by 1.09 mbd.For 2013, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, also raised its demand estimate to 90.0 mbd from 89.9 mbd in its last monthly report.

Euro hits 17-month high vs dollar

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro jumped to its highest level against the dollar in 17 months Wednesday, topping the $1.39 level as traders voted more confidence in the eurozone.Analysts said that although eurozone industrial production dropped 0.2 percent in January from December, the pace marked an improvement and it was consistent with an economy picking up pace.At 2100 GMT the euro was at $1.3904, compared with $1.3863 late Tuesday.During trade it hit $1.3915, matching the 17-month peak reached last Friday.The euro advanced against the Japanese currency, to 142.85 yen from 142.73, while the dollar fell to 102.75 yen from 102.95 yen.The British pound was flat at $1.6618 while the dollar slipped to 0.8736 Swiss franc from 0.8776 franc.Albeit disappointing,the mild (industrial output) drop in January does not contradict the constructive message of manufacturing surveys, said Marco Valli, economist at UniCredit.There appears to be room for industrial production to play catch-up with soft data in the coming months, he said, forecasting first-quarter growth in the eurozone at 0.4 percent over the previous quarter.

Hodge sees Australia to victory in Twenty20

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DURBAN (AFP) - Brad Hodge hit two sixes in the last over as Australia clinched a five-wicket win in a helter-skelter second Twenty20 international against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday.In a match reduced to seven overs a side after heavy rain, Australia needed 15 in the last over to chase down South Africa's 80 for one. Thanks to Hodge, they achieved it with two balls to spare.Only two runs came off Wayne Parnell's first two balls but Hodge launched the third and fourth deliveries over midwicket for six before Parnell bowled a wide to gift Australia the winning runs. Hodge's innings of 21 not out off eight balls won him the man of the match award.Hodge's last-gasp effort trumped hard-hitting innings of 41 not out by South Africa's Quinton de Kock and 40 by Australia's David Warner.South Africa made a slow start after being sent in on an under-prepared pitch which offered enough seam movement to make batting tricky. Hashim Amla made only four off nine balls and the score limped to 11 for one after three overs.But De Kock hit four sixes in a 20-ball innings as he and skipper Faf du Plessis enabled South Africa to reach 80 for one. Du Plessis hit two sixes in making 27 not out off 13 balls.Warner carried on in the form which earned him man of the series honours in Australia's Test series win over South Africa as he lashed 40 off 16 balls with two sixes and five fours.Australia seemed on course for an easy win as Warner and Aaron Finch hit 21 off the first over of the innings, bowled by Lonwabo Tsotsobe.But five wickets fell in quick succession before Hodge took Australia to a win which was more about entertaining a large crowd than providing meaningful preparation for both teams before they head to the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next week.You can't look too much into a seven-over game, said Du Plessis. We didn't expect to play.Australian captain George Bailey praised veterans Brad Hogg, who conceded only five runs in his only over, and Hodge, whose domestic form earned him an international recall.We knew it was going to be a short game so it was good to see our guys switched on, said Bailey.he win gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the opening encounter in Port Elizabeth was rained off.The final match is in Centurion on Friday.

Karachi: Facebook being used as gang-war tool in Lyari

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – Social network Facebook is being used as a tool to fuel Lyari gang-war as the suspects are seen buying and selling weapons, and threatening opponents using Facebook pages, Dunya News’s startling investigative report revealed.Lyari has become notorious for brutality of gang-war suspects and the war is seeing a new front as members take it to Facebook. Dunya News’s report has gathered over 50 Facebook IDs being used to trade and dispatch weapons, and terrorize people.A number of Facebook IDs are seen regularly updating images and prices of dangerous weapons. The escaped suspects involved in the gang-war reportedly stay in constant contact and issue directions, using Facebook, to those who are in Lyari hideouts.The gangsters also issue warnings prior to attacking the opponents and then celebrate by making fun publicly once the attack is executed.The same IDs are used to post death threats along with the pictures of the targets. These pages also carry photos of those kept hostage just before murdering them.These pages also pay tributes to those suspects killed in encounters with police and rangers and celebrate them as heroes.Dunya News was shocked to learn that law enforcement was unaware of these Facebook pages and IDs, just like they are unaware of the hideouts.

Burka-clad 'lover' faces public wrath for creeping girls' college

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PHALIA (Dunya News) – A local man wearing Burka was beaten up by public and later handed over to police for allegedly stalking around girls’ college here on Wednesday, Dunya News reported.According to reports, locals took it to task to beat the obsession out of the man; the bleeding man was later handed over to the police where his fate rests undecidedly. The man maintained he was innocent and that he was merely passing by the college.The Burka-clad Phalia resident Sajid was allegedly creeping around the girls’ college but the suspicious movements led to call for help by students which was responded by people passing by. Locals then inspected the man and starting beating him as soon as his face was literally unveiled.Following a while of public beating, the man was handed over to the police.

No Pakistani civilian killed by US drones in 2013: UN monitor

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GENEVA (AFP) - No Pakistani civilians were killed by US drones last year as Washington slashed its controversial use of the pilotless planes in the country, a UN expert said Wednesday.I am pleased to be able to report a very significant de-escalation in the use of armed drones by the United States in... Pakistan, Ben Emmerson told reporters in Geneva.The total number of recorded strikes in 2013 was down to 27 from a peak of 128 in 2010, said Emmerson, who monitors respect for human rights in counter-terrorism operations.But perhaps most significantly, for the first time in nine years there were no reports of civilian casualties during 2013 in the FATA area of Pakistan, he added.The FATA, or Federally Administered Tribal Areas, is a region bordering Afghanistan where Pakistans military is battling the Taliban and the United States has used drones to strike at Al-Qaeda militants.Drones, which beam footage to operators at distant US bases who then launch the strikes, are meant to allow precision hits.But they have caused uproar in Pakistan over civilian casualties in botched strikes, as well as concerns that their use has hampered efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban and breached national sovereignty.Last May, US President Barack Obama raised the bar for launching attacks.But despite the change of tack in Pakistan, Emmerson said that the picture in Afghanistan and Yemen was much bleaker.Citing a report by the UN Mission in Afghanistan, he said that there was a threefold increase in drone-related civilian casualties between 2012 and 2013.A total of 45 Afghan civilians died in drone strikes last year, he said.And the picture in Yemen remains cause for serious concern. The frequency of armed drone strikes appears to have intensified, particularly during the closing months of 2013, with a sharp escalation in the number of reported civilian casualties, Emmerson said.At least 12 people are believed to have died when a drone struck a wedding convoy in Yemen in December.Emmerson spoke to reporters after addressing the UN Human Rights Council, where he presented research on dozens of drone strikes where civilians allegedly perished, pulled together by his team on a special website www.unsrct-drones.com which helps reconstruct attacks.

India's SpiceJet places $4.4 billion order with Boing

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NEW DELHI (AFP) - Indias SpiceJet placed an order worth $4.4 billion for 42 737 MAX Boeing jets Wednesday, sending the airlines shares soaring on hopes the deal would make the loss-making carrier more attractive to investors.Shares of budget airline SpiceJet rocketed by nearly 7.5 percent after it signed the memorandum of understanding with Boeing at an air show in the southern city of Hyderabad.The top-selling Boeing planes, which have greater fuel savings, bigger windows and roomier carry-on luggage space, are an upgraded version of the Chicago-based companys widely used single-aisle 737s.The 737 MAX will further modernise our fleet, improve customer experience and ensure we operate the most efficient fleet well into the future, S.L. Narayanan, chief financial officer of SpiceJets parent Sun Group said in a statement.The announcement is a boost for Boeing in India where many carriers, including market leader IndiGo, use planes made by Europes biggest aerospace manufacturer Airbus.Fourth-place SpiceJet has been battling to improve passenger share in a ferociously competitive market and its shares have been trading at multi-year lows.The rise in SpiceJet (shares) is comforting as it has been down so much, Churiwala Securities managing director Alok Churiwala told AFP.But big questions remained about how SpiceJet would fund the purchase as well as how it will fare with entry of rivals such as no-frills AirAsia expected later this year, Churiwala added.Aviation consultancy CAPA India forecasts SpiceJet, controlled by billionaire Kalanithi Maran, will post a record loss this financial year.Indias aviation market has been reeling from high fuel costs and an economy that grew at a decade low of 4.5 percent last year.But experts see tremendous longer-term potential as the number of people taking flights in India is still very low compared with developed markets.SpiceJet has been named by analysts as a potential investment target after Indias government eased airline foreign ownership barriers in 2012 and the jet purchase is seen as possibly enhancing its appeal.SpiceJet has reportedly signed a terms (of investment) sheet with a UAE- based investor. However, the ongoing challenges in the market may make it difficult to close this deal, said CAPA.Low-cost carriers, including IndiGo, SpiceJet and Go Air dominate with a near 65-percent market share.Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways recently tied up with a leading Indian airline, Jet Airways.Boeing senior vice president Dinesh Keskar said in the statement the 737 MAXs fuel efficiency supports Spice Jets mission to become Indias preferred low-cost airline.Boeing said the 737 MAX will offer eight percent lower operating costs than future competition.Keskar added the 737 Maxs development is on schedule with the first flight slated for 2016 and deliveries to begin in 2017.The 737 MAX has received over 1,800 orders, he said.With the latest announcement, SpiceJet has ordered 90 planes directly from Boeing, including the 737-800, 737-900ER and now the 737 MAX, and has taken delivery of 31.The jets have a list price of $4.4 billion but normally airlines get big discounts on bulk orders and SpiceJet gave no pricing details.SpiceJet currently has close to 60 planes and runs 350 flights a day.The SpiceJet order is expected to be one of many in 2014. CAPA has said it expects over 350 planes to be ordered by Indias airlines by the end of 2015.Airbus, which makes the competing A320neo planes, said Monday there would be several announcements at the Hyderabad show but did not say whether they would include Airbus orders.The 737 MAX and the A320neos, which are smaller planes in the Boeing and Airbus range, are key to the companies hopes of fending off competition from other planemakers from countries like Russia and China.

Islamabad court attack was carried out by 4 terrorists: Security Sources

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – In an important development regarding Islamabad F-8 court attack, security institutions have determined the number of terrorists; two out of four terrorists were suicide bombers, Dunya News reported.The investigation has also revealed that the planning of the attack was carried also in Islamabad 2 months before the attack. The escaping attackers got away from the western side of the Kachehri.The reports also say that the terrorists had briefly stayed at a local Madrassa and that one of the attackers is in constant contact with a prominent member of a banned outfit.The aiding person who assisted to carry out the attack provided terrorists with map and pictures of the court building. The capturing of aiding persons is also anticipated.Previous Development:Earlier, startling revelations in Islamabad court attack investigation over a week ago tied the culprits to North Waziristan who had arrived in Rawalpindi via Bannu.Investigation sources reveal the burka-clad terrorists reached Pir Wadhai stop of Rawalpindi and that the Islamabad police was alerted of their arrival on Friday, days before the attack took place.Investigation sources reveal the police was alerted in writing adding the movements of culprits from Pir Wadhai point are still unknown.The Attack:Eleven people including a judge were killed on March 3 in a gun and suicide bomb attacks on a court complex in Islamabad, a rare strike at the heart of the heavily-guarded Pakistani capital.The Tehrik-e-Taliban denied any connection to the tragic attack, which came two days after the militants announced a month-long ceasefire aimed at restarting stalled peace talks with the government.A spokesman for the Ahrar-ul-Hind militant group, which recently split from the main Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) umbrella group, claimed responsibility of the attack.

Cricket Hafeez wants Pakistan take-off with India match

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LAHORE (AFP) - Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez Wednesday said he hoped his team get a much-needed lift from their match against arch-rivals India, which opens the main round of the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.The fifth edition of the World Twenty20 with 16 teams in competition will be held from March 16 to April 6.Bangladesh, ranked 10th in the world, have been drawn with Afghanistan, Nepal and Hong Kong in group A of the first round.The other group comprises Zimbabwe, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.The top team from each group advances to the main tournament. They will join the eight seeded teams in the second, which opens with Indo-Pak match on March 21.Hafeez wants his team to get the ideal start by beating India.India-Pakistan match is always a pressure match, as a player as a captain I am very happy that our first match is against India and from there we will, InshaAllah get a good take off and will perform better in all the matches during the tournament, Hafeez told reporters.The Pakistan team flies off on Thursday and will play two warm-up matches, against New Zealand on March 17 and South Africa two days later.Pakistan are placed in Group Two in the second round alongwith India, Australia, the West Indies and one qualifier from the first round.Hafeez believed Pakistan had the momentum with a win over India in the Asia Cup.I think we will have that momentum of our win against India in the Asia Cup, said Hafeez of the one wicket win in the Asia Cup earlier this month.We have advantage that where we are going (Bangladesh) we have played one-day cricket there recently. We have one week to get back into Twenty20 mould, expectations should be always positive and we all need to move in one direction.Hafeez said no team will be easy in the event.Lots of teams are playing Twenty20 now and you cant take any team easy, you have to be positive in your thinking against all the teams. I think two things are very important in a big tournament, one is momentum which you have to carry and the second is luck and with the prayers of countrymen the luck factor will also be with us.Hafeez hopes dashing allrounder Shahid Afridi will regain fitness and join the team on March 17.Afridi is going through rehab, I as a captain, need a fit Afridi thats why we have given him time, said Hafeez of the dashing hitter who hurt his groin during the Asia Cup.The 34-year-old Afridi hit two last over sixes to help Pakistan beat India and then smashed a whirwind 25-ball 59 to steer a difficult 327-run chase against hosts Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.Hafeez said Pakistan team received good support from Bangladeshi fans.After a very long time we felt in Bangladesh that crowd is supporting us, although we play our home matches in UAE (United Arab Emirates) we didnt get that much support as we got in Bangladesh, its a good sign for Pakistan that wherever we are going we are getting crowd support.

Hafeez wants Pakistan take-off with India match

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LAHORE (AFP) - Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez Wednesday said he hoped his team get a much-needed lift from their match against arch-rivals India, which opens the main round of the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.The fifth edition of the World Twenty20 with 16 teams in competition will be held from March 16 to April 6.Bangladesh, ranked 10th in the world, have been drawn with Afghanistan, Nepal and Hong Kong in group A of the first round.The other group comprises Zimbabwe, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands.The top team from each group advances to the main tournament. They will join the eight seeded teams in the second, which opens with Indo-Pak match on March 21.Hafeez wants his team to get the ideal start by beating India.India-Pakistan match is always a pressure match, as a player as a captain I am very happy that our first match is against India and from there we will, InshaAllah get a good take off and will perform better in all the matches during the tournament, Hafeez told reporters.The Pakistan team flies off on Thursday and will play two warm-up matches, against New Zealand on March 17 and South Africa two days later.Pakistan are placed in Group Two in the second round alongwith India, Australia, the West Indies and one qualifier from the first round.Hafeez believed Pakistan had the momentum with a win over India in the Asia Cup.I think we will have that momentum of our win against India in the Asia Cup, said Hafeez of the one wicket win in the Asia Cup earlier this month.We have advantage that where we are going (Bangladesh) we have played one-day cricket there recently. We have one week to get back into Twenty20 mould, expectations should be always positive and we all need to move in one direction.Hafeez said no team will be easy in the event.Lots of teams are playing Twenty20 now and you cant take any team easy, you have to be positive in your thinking against all the teams. I think two things are very important in a big tournament, one is momentum which you have to carry and the second is luck and with the prayers of countrymen the luck factor will also be with us.Hafeez hopes dashing allrounder Shahid Afridi will regain fitness and join the team on March 17.Afridi is going through rehab, I as a captain, need a fit Afridi thats why we have given him time, said Hafeez of the dashing hitter who hurt his groin during the Asia Cup.The 34-year-old Afridi hit two last over sixes to help Pakistan beat India and then smashed a whirwind 25-ball 59 to steer a difficult 327-run chase against hosts Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.Hafeez said Pakistan team received good support from Bangladeshi fans.After a very long time we felt in Bangladesh that crowd is supporting us, although we play our home matches in UAE (United Arab Emirates) we didnt get that much support as we got in Bangladesh, its a good sign for Pakistan that wherever we are going we are getting crowd support.

Jordanian father beats thief daughter to death for theft

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AMMAN (AFP) - An 11-year-old girl was beaten to death by her father after teachers accused her of stealing from school, a security official said on Wednesday.The father, in his forties, brutally beat his daughter last night after teachers accused her of stealing things from school, in Zarqa, northeastern Amman, he told AFP.After he calmed down, he went to check on the girl. She was in coma. He rushed her to hospital but she died.The official said the suspect and his family initially claimed that the girl fell down the stairs.But investigations proved what really happened. The suspect was charged with beating the girl to death, he added.The man faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.Official statistics last year showed that one-third of Jordans three million schoolchildren had suffered sexual abuse and around 80 percent had experienced some form of physical violence.
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