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Yasir Hameed on the spot in new match fixing allegations

Either some of Pakistan’s cricketers are a little bit slow or the News of the World are bloody good. My money’s on the latter. Cricket fans woke up this morning to the news that the paper has now got footage of Yasir Hameed making admissions about alleged corruption in cricket. The Pakistani batsman seems to claim that fixing of some description happens in ‘almost every match’. The grainy images also appeared to show Hameed admitting that the Sydney Test between Pakistan and Australia was...

Young and innocent – the latest on the spot-fixing scandal, plus a tribute (of sorts) to Owais Shah

Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and, to a lesser extent, Mohammad Asif, are young cricketers. To a man, or boy, they are suffering under the strain of the recent spot fixing allegations. This is why, according to Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan’s high commissioner to the UK, they have been withdrawn from the forthcoming ODI series against England. Asif has been embroiled in controversy before – having previously served a ban for using a prohibited substance – however this will be an...

Pakistan lose the plot, but filmmakers may have found one

Sorry Invictus fans, but I’ve got a better idea for a sports docudrama. We enjoyed watching Steve Bucknor fulfil his lifelong ambition of playing Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood’s recent film about the 1995 rugby world cup, but overall the film didn’t cut it. We wanted to see Brad Pitt play the chef who famously – sorry, I mean allegedly – poisoned the All Blacks on the eve of the final. Corruption and intrigue makes great viewing. That’s why I’m currently in discussions with a top Hollywood...

Pakistan need our support

Who’d be a Pakistan supporter? We might find it hard going sometimes as England fans, but can you imagine for a moment what it must be like in their camp right now? Due to terrorism, Pakistan can’t play at home, severely compromising their effectiveness. Their tour of Australia ended in a whitewash and acrimony. Captains resign every ten minutes. The PCB arbitrarily awards life bans to their best players. Their current batting line-up is mostly dreadful. The defeat at Lord’s...

Record partnership will be questioned if Amir overstepped the line

Imagine nailing your dream job and then going out to celebrate in a mood of euphoria. While you’re living it up in the pub, you beat Phil Taylor at darts, whip Tony Drago at pool, then get approached by a girl with supermodel looks who kisses you passionately and then begs you to take her home. Sounds like a result, right? Well now imagine waking up the next morning to discover that you only got the job because your super-rich uncle pulled a few strings, that the blokes you thought were Phil...

Well played, Butch

Looks like Mark Butcher’s new career as a recording artist has got off to a good start. The former Surrey and England batsman has just released his debut album ‘Songs From The Sun House’ – and it’s earned the following rave review from music-news.com: “As the opening organ riill of ‘Put Some Soul In It’ came pouring out of the speakers and the funky drumbeat gave way to some seriously funky guitar and a fine white-soul voice I had pull over and check that I...

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