Chhattisgarh sounds alert ahead of Maoist army anniversary

RAIPUR - The Chhattisgarh government sounded an alert Monday ahead of the weeklong anniversary celebrations of the People’s Liberation of Guerilla Army (PLGA), the military wing of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).

Pakistani Taliban expanding their base as fourth attack in days kills 41 at crowded market

ISLAMABAD — Militants from the heart of Pakistan teamed up with Taliban insurgents from the remote Afghan border region to carry out the bold weekend assault on army headquarters, the army said Monday — an ominous development as the fourth major attack in just over a week killed 41 people at a northwestern market.

Pakistan official says 41 killed in suicide car bombing on army vehicle in northwest market

Pakistan says 41 killed in market bombing

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A suicide car bombing targeting Pakistani troops killed 41 people Monday, the fourth grisly militant attack in just over a week, as the Taliban pledged to mobilize fighters across the country for more strikes.

Terror attacks reveal Taliban’s renewed strength ahead of planned Pakistani military offensive

ISLAMABAD — A week of terror strikes across Pakistan, capped by a stunning assault on army headquarters, show the Taliban have rebounded and appear determined to shake the nation’s resolve as the military plans for an offensive against the group’s stronghold on the Afghan border.

Hero Honda named as global partner for ICC Champions Trophy

Dubai, Sept 8 (IBNS) The International Cricket Council has announced Hero Honda Motors Ltd as a global partner for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2009, which takes place in South Africa from 22 September to 5 October.

Pakistani police arrest first suspect in attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team

LAHORE, Pakistan — Pakistani police have made their first arrest in the attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team, and allege the assailants planned to take the athletes hostage to demand the release of jailed comrades, a senior official said Wednesday.

Pakistan names 2 uncapped players in Twenty20 World Cup squad

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan cricket selectors on Monday included uncapped players Shahzaib Hassan and Mohammad Aamir in a 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup.

Indisciplined batting let Pakistan down against Australia, says former captain

ISLAMABAD — Former Pakistan test cricketers blamed poor planning and indisciplined batting for the country’s three successive defeats against Australia in the current one-day international series.

International Olympic Committee concerned about moves to restrict news coverage of sports

MELBOURNE, Australia — The International Olympic Committee is concerned that moves to restrict media coverage of sports will erode free speech, former IOC vice president Kevan Gosper told an Australian Senate hearing Wednesday.

India increases stake in 2011 World Cup after Pakistan stripped of co-hosting rights

MUMBAI, India — The International Cricket Council has moved its 2011 World Cup headquarters to Mumbai and increased India’s allocation of matches after stripping Pakistan of co-hosting rights following a terror attack last month on the Sri Lanka team.

Faster bowler Lee summoned for Australia duties against Pakistan

SYDNEY — Fast bowler Brett Lee is set to rejoin the Australian cricket team and could play the last two limited-overs matches in a series against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi.

Report: Ajmal says Watson may have played role in umpires reporting his bowling action

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal believes complaints from Australia’s Shane Watson might have prompted umpires to report his bowling action after the second limited-overs international in Dubai last week.

Pakistan chief selector Qadir says he predicted Afridi’s five-wicket haul

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan chief selector Abdul Qadir says he predicted a five-wicket haul for Shahid Afridi against Australia while teaching him the art of bowling sharp googlies.

ICC wants Pakistan to explore neutral venues for ‘home’ series

ISLAMABAD — The International Cricket Council has urged Pakistan to explore overseas venues for its home matches after foreign teams refuse to visit in the wake of the Lahore terror attack.

Miandad hopes Pakistan can be reinstated as World Cup host

ISLAMABAD — Cricket great Javed Miandad believes Pakistan can regain the right to co-host the 2011 World Cup.

Akhtar fitness doubts continue after lackluster return in win Pakistan’s over Australia

ISLAMABAD — Doubts over the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar continue after the Pakistan fast bowler made an unimpressive return to international cricket.

Wives and girlfriends invited to Aussies’ pre-Ashes camp for relationship counseling

MELBOURNE, Australia — The wives and girlfriends of Australia’s elite cricketers have been invited to a pre-Ashes training camp at a beach resort in a program designed to reduce the stresses on long-distance relationships during the prolonged tour to England.

PCB official accuses ICC of double standards over removal from World Cup schedule

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has accused cricket’s governing body of adopting double standards in removing Pakistan as co-host of the 2011 World Cup due to security fears, local media reported Wednesday.

Sri Lanka coach: Attacks might prompt cricketers to consider early retirements

SYDNEY — Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss thinks some cricketers could shorten their international careers rather than tour potential trouble spots in the wake of the terror attacks on his team in Pakistan last month.

Clarke to use Pak ODI series to bring Oz batting back to its consistent best

MELBOURNE - Australia’s captain for the Dubai series, Michael Clarke, has said that his team’s main focus will be on improving their batting during the one-day international series against Pakistan.

PCB disappointed, ex-players angered over Pakistan’s exclusion as 2011 World Cup host

PCB disappointed over World Cup hosting loss

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan Cricket Board expressed disappointed Saturday after the game’s governing body removed it as co-host of the 2011 World Cup because of security fears.

Shaun Tait not allowed to play for Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals in IPL

Tait not allowed to play for Warne’s team in IPL

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait will be missing from Shane Warne’s defending champion Rajasthan Royals when the IPL Twenty20 side opens play Saturday against Bangalore in South Africa.