Best players in ICC U19 World Cup 2012

By Adrian Meredith

VICTORIA, Australia (TheSportsNext) August 19, 2012: The ICC U19 World Cup 2012 has entered final stages with Australia already booking berth in the final of the tournament while India and New Zealand will battle it out in the second semi-final scheduled on Wednesday.

Adrian Meredith takes a look at the best young players who showcased their exuberance and cricketing skills in the ICC U19 World Cup 2012.

Take my DNA tests, am faithful to my wife: Asad Rauf

By Bipin Dani

MUMBAI (TheSportsNext) August 16, 2012: Asad Rauf, the ICC's Elite Panel Pakistani umpire, is willing to give DNA tests.

Speaking exclusively with TheSportsNext over telephone from Lahore, he said, "If the Indian model (Leena Kapoor) is claiming that I had ever sex with her, let the DNA tests prove it".

Zulqarnain Haider may name spot-fixers

AM Khan

LAHORE (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: Pakistan’s former wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider is back in action after the Pakistan Cricket Board selected Kamran Akmal for the upcoming limited overs series against Australia starting from August 28 in United Arab Emirates.

Australian athletes back home after London2012 participation

By Nadene Smith

SYDNEY (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: Australian athletes returned home on Wednesday after showing a dismal performance in the recently concluded London2012 Olympic Games but Prime Minister Julia Gillard defended their poor medal haul.

Asad Rauf rejects Leena Kapoor’s sexual exploitation claims

By Babar Malik

ISLAMABAD (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: Top Pakistani cricket umpire Asad Rauf, on Wednesday, rejected allegations made by Indian fashion model Leena Kapoor about sexually using her on marriage promises, saying photographs of the two were real but rest of the story was baseless.

Adnan Akmal says recovering well after finger surgery

Monitoring Desk

LAHORE (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: Pakistan’s young Test wicket-keeper, Adnan Akmal said Wednesday that he was happy with his recovery following a left ring finger surgery and his eyes were set on the next year’s tour to South Africa.

ICC U19 World Cup: Afghanistan win battle of minnows

By Nadene Smith

BUDERIM, Australia (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: The Afghanistan U19 cricket team won the battle of minnows at the 2012 ICC U19 World Cup on Wednesday when they defeated Scotland U19 by 10 runs in the Group B match played at John Blanck Oval in Buderim.

ICC U19 World Cup: South Africa storm into quarter-finals

By Nadene Smith

BRISBANE (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: South Africa U19 defeated Sri Lanka U19 by four wickets at Peter Burge Oval in Brisbane to qualify into quarter-final stage of the 2012 ICC U19 World Cup here Wednesday.

Batting first, Sri Lanka U19 were bowled out for paltry 150 runs from 37.4 overs with DHAP Tharanga (50 not out) proving to be the lone fighter. Corne Dry captured four wickets for 16 runs for South Africa and was declared Man of the Match.

Pakistan hockey team gets mixed reception upon arrival

AM Khan

LAHORE (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: Pakistan hockey squad Wednesday returned home from London Olympics to a mixed reception here at the Allama Iqbal International Airport with dozens of angry fans greeting them with shouts of "shame shame" while others raised slogans in praise of them.

ICC U19 World Cup: Ireland edge Nepal out by 10 runs

By Nadene Smith

TOWNSVILLE, Australia (TheSportsNext) August 15, 2012: Ireland U19 defeated Nepal U19 by 14 runs in their Group A match of the 2012 ICC U19 World Cup played at Endeavour Park in Townsville on Wednesday.