Monday 3 March 2014

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Treason case: Hearing against Mush to resume today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A special court in Islamabad formed to try former president military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf for high treason will resume its hearing today (Tuesday).The special court comprises Sindh High Court’s Justice Faisal Arab, Justice Tahira Safdar of the Balochistan High Court and Justice Yawar Ali of the Lahore High Court.On the other hand, law enforcement agencies have finalised security plan in the wake of Musharraf’s possible appearance in the court

Pak-India Joint Working Group on LoC trade to meet today

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A meeting of Pakistan-India Joint Working Group (JWG) on Cross-LoC Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) will be held in New Delhi today (Tuesday) to streamline trade across LoC.Pakistan’s delegation will be headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (South Asia) Ms Riffat Masood, while the Indian side will be led by Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Rudrendra Tandon.Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Indian High Commissioner Dr. T.C.A. Raghavan in a meeting held on January 25, decided to hold a meeting of the Joint Working Group.The JWG would discuss ways and means to further streamline and improve the modalities regarding trade across the LoC.Following the alleged discovery of some narcotics in one of the trucks from the AJK side on January 15, trade and travel across the LoC had been suspended. Subsequently, this was resumed.Since the Working Group is meeting after a gap of one and half years as the last meeting was held in July 2012 in Islamabad, it will also review the current status of the CBMs that are in place and give its recommendations.

Indian boxing out in the cold after AIBA decision

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LAUSANNE (AFP) - The Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) has been provisionally excluded by the sports global governing body, the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), it was announced on Monday.The IABF had already been suspended in December 2012 but the AIBA had promised to review that decision once the International Olympic Committee had lifted its suspension of the Indian Olympic Association, which it did last month just prior to the Winter Olympics in Sochi.However, in a strongly-worded statement on Monday the AIBA said that, having looked at the situation again, they had no option but to go a step further and provisionally exclude the IABF.It is with much regret that the International Boxing Association Executive Committee (EC) has decided to end any official relationship with its current suspended member, the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation after an extensive evaluation and assessment of all issues surrounding the sport of boxing in India.After the suspension since December 6, 2012, AIBA has not recognized any official activities and did not support the officers from this National Federation for almost 16 months.However, AIBA promised itself to review the situation in IABF when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) gets its suspension lifted by IOC.Nevertheless, before and after the IOA election and lifting of suspension, AIBA received different claims from various groups of people on the way the sport of boxing was managed in India and it has therefore now become totally impossible for AIBA to make proper judgments in terms of handling the National Federations affairs in India.The AIBA, whose president is the reformist Wu Ching-Kuo of Taiwan, said the situation would be maintained until they felt that a group of people they could deal with had been elected to run amateur boxing in India.Based on the reasons set out above and in accordance with article 18.2 of the AIBA Statutes, the IABF is now provisionally excluded from AIBA Membership as of today (Monday).The AIBA EC will make a final decision and rehabilitate a National Federation for boxing in India as soon as it deems that it has found the right group of people who will support the principles of AIBA in terms of ethics and fairness and who care primarily about the boxers and our beloved sport and not about their personal interests.AIBA will now wait for requests by any organization or person to submit an application and once contacted, full guidelines for the new application process will be given.

Obama says Russia on 'wrong side of history' on Ukraine

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KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine accused Russia on Monday of pouring more troops into Crimea and giving its forces an ultimatum to surrender as US President Barack Obama accused Moscow of being on the wrong side of history in Europe's worst standoff since the Cold War.Both Washington and the European Union said they were looking at a range of sanctions against Russia for its threat to use force against an ex-Soviet neighbour for the first time since a brief 2008 conflict with Georgia.Russia's Black Sea Fleet however denied it had issued an ultimatum to Ukranian forces and the country's parliament speaker said there was no need yet for Moscow to use its right to launch military action in Ukraine.But world markets plunged and oil prices spiked on fears of an all-out offensive that would pit nuclear-armed Russia against its Western-backed neighbour of 46 million.Obama used some of his toughest language yet on the escalating crisis on the eastern edge of Europe, where three months of protests culminated in a week of carnage that claimed nearly 100 lives and led to the ouster of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych -- now sheltering in Russia.The US leader said the Kremlin had put itself on the wrong side of history by mobilising forces on the strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which has housed the Russian Black Sea Fleet since the 18th centry and whose pro-Moscow population looks on the new pro-EU leaders in Kiev with disdain.I think the world is largely united in recognising the steps Russia has taken are a violation of Ukranian sovereignty... a violation of international law, Obama said.Obama said he had told Russia that if in fact they continue on the current trajectory, that we are examining a whole series of steps -- economic, diplomatic -- that will isolate Russia.US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said there was no time-frame yet for when the US could impose sanctions but stressed that it was working in lockstep with its European allies.EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said ahead of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Madrid on Tuesday that the 28-nation bloc would also consider targeted measures against Moscow.The measures could include suspending long-running talks with the Russian authorities on easing EU visa requirements for the country's citizens, according to an EU statement.Kiev's new Western-leaning leadership meanwhile was due to receive a morale boost on Tuesday with a visit by US Secretary of State John Kerry.The West's warning to Moscow came shortly after Ukrainian defence officials on the flashpoint Crimean peninsula said that Russia had given its forces an ultimatum to surrender or face an all-out assaultThe ultimatum is to recognise the new Crimean authorities, lay down our weapons and leave, or be ready for an assault, regional Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov told AFP in the Crimean capital Simferopol.But a spokesman for the fleet based in Crimea told the Interfax news agency the claim was complete nonsense.The predominantly ethnic Russian region has been under de facto occupation by Moscow-backed forces who have taken control of government buildings and blocked Ukrainians troops inside their barracks across the peninsula.The tensions set off a flurry of diplomatic activity, with world leaders holding a series of urgent meetings and telephone conversations to try to prevent a conflict and also to help Ukraine avert a possible catastrophic debt default.In New York, the UN Security Council began a meeting called by Russia to set out in greater detail its position on Ukraine.In Brussels, the European Union warned Russia that ties with the 28-member bloc were at risk without a de-escalation and announced an emergency summit of EU presidents and prime ministers on Thursday.Hawkish ex-Soviet satellites are pushing hard for sanctions but others -- including heavyweights France and Germany -- have called for soft diplomacy.

Israeli air strike kills 2 Palestinian in Gaza: medics

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GAZA CITY (AFP) - An Israeli air strike on the northern Gaza Strip killed two Palestinians and wounded two others on Monday, the emergency services in the Hamas-run enclave said.Emergency services chief Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP that Musaad Alzaneen, a man in his early 20s, was killed in the raid on farmland near the town of Beit Hanoun.He later added that Sharif Nasser, 31, had died of injuries sustained in the attack.The Israeli military spokesman's office said the target was a Palestinian rocket-launching squad.Israel Air Force aircraft targeted terrorists preparing to launch rockets in the northern Gaza Strip, it said in a statement.The mission was carried out in order to eliminate an imminent attack targeting civilian communities of southern Israel.Israeli media had earlier reported a failed rocket attack, with the projectile apparently falling short and landing within the Gaza Strip.On Friday an Israeli air strike destroyed a rocket launch site in Gaza which also represented an imminent threat, the army said at the time.No casualties were reported in the attack.Tensions have risen in and around Gaza after a year of relative calm.An increase in Israeli raids and Palestinian rocket attacks as well as border incidents in the past few weeks have raised the possibility of a major new confrontation between Israel and Hamas.Monday's strike occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Barack Obama to discuss the future of the peace process with the Palestinians.Hamas, the Islamist movement that ousted the Western-backed Palestinian Authority from Gaza in 2007, opposes a peace deal.

Third round of Syria talks urgently needed: UN chief

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GENEVA (AFP) - UN chief Ban stressed Monday the urgency of relaunching the Syrian peace process, urging Damascus in particular to return to Geneva with a more constructive position.The only way to end the crisis is through a negotiated solution, he told reporters on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council, adding: We are determined to bring the parties back to the table here in Geneva.The UN-led Geneva II peace talks broke down on February 15 when a second round of talks ended with no new date set for them to reconvene.The UN Secretary General said he had had a long talk Sunday with Lakhdar Brahimi, who has been mediating the talks on behalf of the UN and the Arab League.The two had concluded that it is important that the third round of the Geneva conference should be held again as soon as possible, he said, pointing out that next week would mark three years since the start of the Syrian crisis.How long should this situation continue this way, he said of the conflict which has killed more than 140,000 people and forced millions from their homes.He stressed though that there was first an urgent need for the parties, and those with influence over them, to reflect on how the talks can achieve the progress the Syrian people and the region so urgently need.The Geneva II talks broke down with the regime insisting on giving priority to terrorism it blames on the opposition, which in turn wanted to concentrate on putting in place a transitional government, without President Bashar al-Assad.The regime delegation balked at Brahimi's proposal that the parties alternate between the subjects, insisting nothing else could be discussed until the terrorism issue had been completely resolved.Particularly the Syrian ... government delegation has not been constructively engaging in dialogue, Ban said, stressing the responsibility of Damascus's key ally Russia and the United States, which backs the opposition, to push the process forward.There must be ... a much stronger political will by the world leaders, particularly leaders who are directly concerned and also those leaders who have influence over the parties in conflict, to resolve all these issues through dialogue, he said.Ban, who met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva Monday to discuss the crisis in Ukraine but also the Syria conflict, urged any powers who have influence on the government as well as the opposition forces to exert their influences.All parties (should) come to Geneva as soon as possible with a sincere and constructive position, he said.His comments came as news broke that Mokhtar Lamani, who heads Brahimi's Damascus office, was quitting.No explanation was given for his departure, but he had expressed disappointment at the failure of the Geneva II talks and argued they had been launched too quickly.

Massive winter storm slams US Northeast

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - Another massive winter storm walloped parts of the US East Coast on Monday, shutting schools and the federal government, snarling air traffic and turning roads into slippery slopes.The late winter blast was the latest in a succession that have made this one of the harshest in years for residents of the eastern seaboard of the United States.In the capital Washington, expected to get the brunt of a fierce weather mix, the Monday morning commute was unusually calm as windswept, snow-covered streets stayed largely empty.As a precaution, employees of the federal government were told to stay home and area schools gave their students a snow day.While the citys Metro was running on schedule, bus service was suspended due to dangerous road conditions.The National Weather Service (NWS) said a winter storm warning would remain in effect until 6 pm (2300 GMT) and that six to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) of snow were expected.The weather woes extended beyond the capital area, with the NWS predicting heavy snow from the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic region through the evening.Baltimore and Philadelphia were under a winter storm warning, with snow also expected further north in parts of New Jersey.The icy rain and snow caused headaches for air travelers, with Washingtons Dulles International Airport tweeting that runways were open but that many flights were canceled.Baltimores BWI Marshall Airport said only very limited airline operations were expected Monday morning.

Microsoft's Gates reclaims title as world's richest

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WASHINGTON (AFP) - The surging price of Microsoft shares returned US tech tycoon Bill Gates back to the top of Forbes's world's billionaires list, with his $76 billion beating out Mexico's Carlos Slim's $72 billion.The annual list, released Monday, counted 1,645 men and women as billionaires, with an average wealth of $4.5 billion and a collective wealth of $6.4 trillion, up $1 trillion from a year ago.Gates, co-founder of the US software firm, showed his staying power at the top -- the world's richest man for 15 of the past 20 years, according to Forbes -- despite spending recent years giving away large sums of money to global health and anti-poverty programs.Gates owns about 4.4 percent of Microsoft, making up less than 20 percent of his total fortune.But the company's share price has risen 25 percent over the past year, and, along with gains in other assets, he has added $7 billion to his fortune since a year ago, according to Forbes.Slim, with a hand in everything from telecommunications (America Movil) to mining, finance and industry (Grupo Carso), to retailing and real estate across the Americas region, was worth $1 billion less than a year ago, hit in part by sagging markets in South America.In third was Spain's Amancio Ortega, whose pockets have filled with profits from fashion: his hugely successful Inditex garment empire, parent of popular chains Zara, Pull & Bear, and Bershka. More recently, Ortega heavily invested in real estate in Europe and the United States; his worth was put at $64 billion.A familiar cast of mega-wealthy filled out the rest of the top ten: US investment guru Warren Buffett ($58.2 billion); software group Oracle's founder and chief executive Larry Ellison ($48 billion); US industrialists and brothers Charles and David Koch (each with $40 billion); Las Vegas casino king Sheldon Adelson ($38 billion); Walmart heiress Christy Walton ($36.7 billion) and her brother Jim Walton ($34.7 billion).Together the $507 billion held by the top ten is larger than the entire size of the economy of Norway, or Belgium or Poland in 2012.US billionaires dominated the list, with 492, followed by 152 from China and 11 from Russia.Forbes said two-thirds of them made their own fortunes, while 13 percent inherited. The rest took fortunes they received and built them up to the $1 billion-plus level.The biggest climb on the list in the year came from Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg. The public sale of the company's stock more than doubled his net worth to $28.5 billion, leaving him at number 21, just behind Hong Kong's venerable tycoon Li Kashing and just ahead of Italian chocolatier Michele Ferrero.Zuckerberg, 29, led a group of 31 billionaires under 40 years old. Youngest, at age 24, was Perenna Kei -- also known as Ji Peili -- the 85 percent shareholder of real estate company Logan Property Holdings, which went public in Hong Kong in December. Her father Ji Haipeng is chairman and chief executive of the company.Saudi investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a nephew of the oil giant's king, was likely to remain unhappy with Forbes after blasting it last year for allegedly understating his wealth. Forbes put his fortune this year at just $20.4 billion -- enough for a ranking of number 30 -- compared to $20 billion a year ago.Defending itself last year, Forbes said the prince systematically exaggerates his wealth.Last week Alwaleed sent out a press release noting that the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a rival of Forbes, put his fortune at $30.5 billion.In the statement, he assailed Forbes for use of incorrect data and said its approach seemed designed to disparage Middle Eastern financial institutions such as the Saudi stock exchange.

Man with first artificial heart dies after 75 days

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PARIS (AFP) - A septuagenarian man who was fitted with the French biomedical firm Carmats first artificial heart two and half months ago has died, a hospital statement said Monday.Seventy-five days after the implant of the first Carmat artificial heart bioprosthesis in a 76-year-old man with a terminal heart disease, the patient died on March 2, 2014, the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital said.Artificial hearts have already been in use for many years as a temporary fix for patients with chronic heart problems.The Carmat product aims to provide a longer-term solution to bridge the wait for a donor heart and enable hospitalised patients to return home and maybe even resume work.The hospital statement said the causes of death will not be known until after a thorough analysis of the abundant medical and technical data that has been recorded.The artificial heart, a self-contained unit implanted in the patients chest, uses soft biomaterials and an array of sensors to mimic the contractions of the heart.The patient had received his artificial heart on December 18, in a world first performed after the French government gave its green light to the operation in September.The surgeons who carried out the ground-breaking operation and subsequently monitored the patients progress were keen to stress the significance of the initial findings drawn from the experiment, the hospitals statement said.They paid homage to the patient, who was fully aware of what was at stake and -- with his trust, courage and will -- made a memorable contribution to the medical battle against a growing disease.Nearly 100,000 people in Europe and the United States are in need of a heart transplant, according to Carmat.A US rival to Carmat, an artificial heart called AbioCor, is authorised in the United States for patients with end-stage heart failure or life expectancy of less than 30 days, who are not eligible for a natural heart transplant and have no other viable treatment options.

Oil prices jump on supply fears over Ukraine crisis

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Global oil prices soared to the highest levels this year on Monday as the Ukraine crisis raised concerns about disruptions to energy supplies.New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for April, surged $2.33, or 2.3 percent, to settle at $104.92 a barrel, the highest close since September.Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April shot up $2.13 (2.0 percent), finishing at $111.20 a barrel in London trade.The on-going uncertainty in Ukraine has caused further upside momentum to the oil market amid concerns about oil production issues, said Myrto Sokou, senior research analyst at Sucden brokers in London.Russia is the world's biggest oil -producing country, so any political uncertainty could raise serious concerns about oil supplies issues worldwide.Ukraine on Monday accused Russia of pouring more troops into Crimea as world leaders grappled with Europe's worst standoff since the Cold War and stock markets tumbled on fears of an all-out conflict.Crimea has been under de facto occupation by Moscow-backed forces since President Vladimir Putin won parliament's authorization on Saturday to send troops into Ukraine.At more than 10 million barrels a day in January, Russia vies with Saudi Arabia as the world's largest crude oil producer, and is the second-largest producer of natural gas. More than 70 percent of Russia's gas and oil exports to Europe pass through Ukraine.Ukraine is a gateway for natural gas to Europe and that's a fine line to be skipping rope on, Carl Larry of Oil Outlooks and Opinion said in a research note.The world can't afford to lose the 4.8 mbd of crude exports that Russia sends out. Nor can it afford to lose the 198 billion cubic meters of natural gas that feeds Europe and Asia, Even a partial disruption could be material to the global market, said Tim Evans of Citi Futures.Evans said the oil market's reaction so far has been measured, implying investors saw the chance of a major supply disruption as far from certainty.

Euro falls on Ukraine crisis fears

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NEW YORK (AFP) - The euro fell on Monday as the escalating Ukraine crisis sent investors fleeing to the dollar and the yen.Currencies, equities and Treasuries were all affected by the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Some markets were hit harder than others and the magnitude of the impact reflects each country's vulnerability to the crisis, said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.The euro slid to $1.3737 around 2300 GMT, down from $1.3800 late Friday.The euro fell to 139.34 yen from 140.44 yen, while the dollar also dropped against the Japanese currency, to 101.44 yen from 101.76.Since Russian President Vladimir Putin won the Russian parliament's blessing Saturday to use force in Ukraine, including in Crimea -- a strategic Black Sea peninsula with a majority ethnic Russian population -- outraged Western powers have threatened to expel Russia from the Group of Eight leading industrial countries.The euro fell because Europe is more reliant economically on Russia than the United States, Lien said.It is no secret that the Ukraine is just as important to Europe as it is to Russia and Russia is an important energy partner for the region, Lien said.She noted Russia supplies large amounts of oil and gas to Europe via pipelines running through Ukraine. If the conflict leads to supply disruptions, fuel prices would rise significantly.The dollar rose to 0.8830 Swiss franc from 0.8797 franc late Friday.The pound fell to $1.6666 from $1.6737.

Pakistan face Bangladesh in Asia Cup today

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DHAKA (Online) - Buoyed by their last-over win over arch-foes India, a rejuvenated Pakistan will look to seal a berth in the title clash as they lock horns with beleaguered hosts Bangladesh in their last round-robin Asia Cup match today (Tuesday).The top two teams qualify for the summit clash and Pakistan, having collected nine points from three appearances, will go into the match as favourites.The momentum swung their way after 'boom boom' Shahid Afridi's enterprise laid India low at the Shere Bangla Stadium here last night.For the record, Pakistan had lost to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener, before getting their campaign back on track with successive wins over Afghanistan and the big one against India.India lost to Pakistan two days after their defeat to Sri Lanka. The Indians won their opener against Bangladesh, and their run-rate stands at -0.027 to Pakistan's 0.438.Reeling under two big defeats, including one against first-timers Afghanistan, Bangladesh would try and look to regain some lost glory against their famed opponents.In One-day cricket, Bangladesh have upstaged Pakistan just once, that too way back in the 1999 World Cup in England.And again, Bangladesh, who played the final of the last edition, would be looking to prove that the loss to Afghanistan was a mere aberration and the side has the potential to humble stiffer opponents.

Smith calls time on international career

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CAPE TOWN (AFP) - South African Graeme Smith, international cricket's longest-serving captain, sprang a shock on Monday as he announced he would retire from all international cricket after the current third Test against Australia at Newlands.The 33-year-old -- whose long-time team-mate Jacques Kallis retired from test cricket in December though he wants to remain part of the one day side -- had said only on Friday that he still had things to achieve in international cricket.However, after another batting failure in the present series, he made just five in the first innings on Monday he decided it was time to call it a day and told his team-mates of his decision. This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life.It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old. Smith captained South Africa in 108 Test matches, including the present match, over 11 years.He also captained a World XI against Australia in Sydney in 2005. His total of 109 Test captaincies is 16 more than the previous record held by Allan Border of Australia.He has captained South Africa to 53 wins, beating Australian Ricky Ponting's record of 48 wins as a Test captain. Under his leadership, South Africa lost 27 matches and drew 27, excluding the current Test.His shock announcement came after he told journalists at his pre-Test press conference on Friday he had no plans to retire.There are still things I want to achieve in the game, said Smith, who when he first led the side, against Bangladesh in 2003, was the third youngest captain in Test history.Under his leadership South Africa rose to become the number one team in Test cricket.In 38 series of two matches or more he has had 22 series wins and seven losses, with nine drawn.South Africa have not been beaten in a series since Australia beat them in 2008/09 - although they are in danger of defeat in the current third Test in a series which is tied at one-all.His record includes two away series wins against both England and Australia - a feat achieved by no other captain.By his own admission it took time for him to mature as captain after being one of the youngest players in the squad when he was appointed.When he was offered the captaincy his father, Graham, tried to dissuade him, arguing that he would be better qualified for the job when he had gained more experience.Smith, though, had no hesitation in accepting.I had wanted the job since I was 13 and I honestly believed I could do it, he said soon after his appointment.It's been an incredibly special ride, he said last season on the eve of his 100th test as captain.It hasn't always been easy. There have been some incredibly tough times. I've had to grow to come through those times and to start to enjoy success and to feel comfortable in the position and in myself.Smith said it had been a privilege to lead his country for so long.I have always been someone who has left everything out there on the field for my team and for my country.Cricket South Africa chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, said he had been surprised by the decision.Although Graeme's decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time.I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth innings victory chases of all time.Smith captained South Africa in 149 one-day internationals before relinquishing the role in 2010. South Africa won 92 matches under his leadership, with 51 losses, one tie and five no-results.He also captained South Africa in 27 Twenty20 internationals, winning 18 and losing nine.As a determined left-handed opening batsman, Smith has scored 9,262 runs in 117 Tests at an average of 48.49 with a second innings against Australia to come.In 347 international matches across all formats he scored 17,228 runs.

Sri Lanka thump Afghanistan to reach Asia Cup final

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DHAKA (AFP) - Four-time champions Sri Lanka thumped newcomers Afghanistan by 129 runs to reach the final of the Asia Cup in Dhaka on Monday.The Islanders scored a challenging 253-6 with in-form Kumar Sangakkara hitting a solid 76 before they bowled their rivals out for a paltry 124 in 38.4 overs.Sri Lanka won all their three matches to gain 12 points, leaving them to play a meaningless last game against hosts Bangladesh on Thursday before having a tilt at the title.Afghanistan, who gave a good account of themselves by beating Bangladesh by 32 runs in their second match, found Sri Lankas pace-cum spin attack too hot to handle and only captain Mohammad Nabi (37), Asghar Stanikzai (27) and Noor Ali Zadran (21) were among the runs.Nabi hit a six and three boundaries off 43 balls before he fell leg-before to spinner Chaturanga de Silva in the 33rd over.Mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis took 3-11 in his seven overs while Thisara Perera chipped in with 3-29 in his full quota of ten overs.Paceman Suranga Lakmal (2-30) and left-armer de Silva fetched 2-29 to complete the rout.Only Nabi and Najibullah Zadran (11) could stay longer to put 48 runs for the sixth wicket before Afghanistan lost their last five wickets for a mere three runs.Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews said it was nice to qualify for the final.It was a very important game for us because we had to book our place in the final,said Mathews. Afghanistan have a very good bowling attack and our batsmen found it hard on a slow pitch.Nabi admitted his team was short on quality.We bowled well in the first 35 overs and Sangakkara played very well, said Nabi. We started well with the bat, but then Mendis and Malinga bowled brilliantly.Earlier, Sangakkara hit six fours and a six off 102 balls to hold the innings together when the batsmen faltered after Mathews won the toss and decided to bat.Sangakkara came to the crease after opener Lahiru Thirimanne had gone for five in the sixth over, bowled by paceman Shapoor Zadran.Fellow opener Kusal Perera scored a 49-ball 33 with four boundaries and a six, while Mahela Jayawardene made 14. But both fell to medium pacer Mirwais Ashraf, who finished with 2-29 in eight overs, to leave Sri Lanka struggling on 83-3.Sangakkara, fresh from a match-winning hundred against India, added 74 for the fourth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (26) to put his team on firmer ground.Sangakkara was run out in the 38th over with Sri Lanka on 158-5, as Afghanistan -- buoyed by their upset win over Bangladesh -- kept the pressure on.But Mathews provided a late flurry with an unbeaten 45 off 41 balls, adding an unbeaten 69 with Thisara Perera (19 not out) to get his team past the 250 mark.Afghanistan had brought back Noor Ali and Dawlat Zadran for Karim Sadiq and Hamid Hassan from the line-up, which upset Bangladesh on Saturday, but they failed to keep the momentum.Pakistan meet hosts Bangladesh on Tuesday and need to win to meet Sri Lanka in Saturdays final.Defending champions Pakistan have won two of their three matches, beating Afghanistan and India and going down to Sri Lanka.

Former coach Flower gets new England role

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LONDON (AFP) - Former England head coach Andy Flower was appointed to a new role within the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) hierarchy on Monday with officials announcing hed become their technical director of elite coaching.Flower resigned last month as coach of the national side following the teams humiliating 5-0 Ashes series loss in Australia, a reverse that also signalled the end of star batsman Kevin Pietersens international career.But at the time of his departure from the coaching role, English cricket chiefs made it clear they wanted Flower to stay on in another capacity.And in a statement issued Monday the ECB said the new position would see Flower taking on a wide-ranging role that would incorporate working with the next generation of England players and coaches as well as being charged with creating a leadership programme for young England players.Prior to the Ashes debacle, the 45-year-old Flower -- appointed as England coach in 2009 -- oversaw three Test series wins against Australia, including the 2010/11 campaign Down Under.Under Flowers guidance, England also won the 2010 World Twenty20 title in the Caribbean and the following year took the side to the top of the world Test rankings.Paul Downton, the recently-appointed ECB managing director, said: The ECB is delighted that we are able to retain a man of Andy Flowers experience and quality.His record over the last five years speaks for itself and the ECB and Andy are excited about the future.Former England wicket-keeper Downton added: Not only will Andy work with both players and coaches but he will also look to enhance the relationship between the county coaches and the England set-up.Flower, who will be based at the national cricket performance centre at Loughborough University in the English Midlands, said: I see this as a great opportunity for me as I start a new phase of my career.This role offers me a chance to make a real contribution to the ability and character of England players and coaches in the years to come, the former Zimbabwe batsman added.England have yet to appoint a full-time head coach in succession to Flower, with limited overs chief Ashley Giles -- currently in charge of the side in the Caribbean for one-day and Twenty20 series against the West Indies -- in pole position to take over.Earlier this month former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten, whod enjoyed successful spells as coach of both the Proteas and India, ruled himself out of the England job on family grounds.England are looking for a head coach across all three major formats -- Test, one-day internationals and Twenty20s.In December 2012 Flower ceded coaching control of Englands one-day teams to former England spinner Giles.But when he resigned last month Flower said hed come to believe a man in his position needed to be responsible across all formats.
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