Sports News for February 2, 2008

Pawar rubbishes blackmail charge against BCCI
Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI) President Sharad Pawar has rubbished reports of the BCCI esorting to blackmailing Cricket Australia officialdom into ubmission over the Harbhajan Singh racial abuse case. ANI

Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul join IPL
Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and fast bowler Umar Gul have joined the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director media and marketing Ahsan Hamid Malik told Daily Times here on Friday. ANI

Shoaib Malik baffled by Shoaib Akhtars appearance!
Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik reacted with surprise when he saw fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar appear at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore on Friday. ANI

Akhtar refuses special retainership, wants to play for Pakistan only
Pakistans fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said that he does not need any central contract for representing Pakistan. ANI

Maradonas Hand of God goal apology too late: England goalkeeper
England goalkeeper Peter Shilton has branded Argentinean Diego Maradonas apology for his sly Hand of God goal in 1986 as too little, too late. ANI