Karachi: CA dealt a severe blow to the chances of Ricky Ponting & Co. playing in Pakistan in March-April when it informed the PCB in writing that it had been advised by security experts not to play in the South Asian nation. CA chairman Creagh ’Connor has sent a letter in this effect to his PCB counterpart Nasim Ashraf.

“They have told us that security experts have expressed reservations over playing in Pakistan and that the security and political environment here isn’t conducive for the series,” Ashraf said on Tuesday. PCB sources said the Australians were not keen to play in Karachi.

Jhulan & Co. emerge best

Mumbai: Steered by an allround show by skipper and pacer Jhulan Goswami, India A lifted the inaugural Women’s Challenger Trophy defeating India C by three wickets in a closely fought encounter here on Tuesday. Bating first, India C were bundled out for 198 in the allotted 50 overs.

CA schedule

Sydney: Australia will host Bangladesh in three ODIs in the country’s Northern Territory later this year, it was announced on Tuesday. CA said the three ODIs would be played at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on August 31, September 3 and September 6.

Counties’ fear

London: Chief executives of the 18 English Counties here believe that the cash-rich IPL will make it difficult for them to attract foreign players. The BCCI and ICC-backed IPL has enlisted several foreign players who currently play in different Counties, including Australian spin legend Shane Warne, who is seen as the biggest loss for County cricket.

Elliott quits

Sydney: Former Australia Test opener Matthew Elliott announced his retirement from first-class cricket on Tuesday, ending a 16-year professional career. The 36-year-old said he would consider playing in the rebel ICL.

Modi deadline

Calcutta: BCCI vice-president and IPL chairman Lalit Modi on Tuesday made it clear that no global protection for Cricket Australia’s (CA’s) sponsors would be given “under any circumstances” and set Sunday as the deadline for signing of contracts, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Gay party

Calcutta: Hours after the five-wicket loss to India, some of Australia’s cricketers, including Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds, let their hair down in a reunion party thrown by Shane Warne at a “gay-friendly” nightclub here, according to a report in The Daily Telegraph.

Jones’s view

Calcutta: Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones feels retired players should take up umpiring to improve the standard. “The best umpires, probably apart from Simon Taufel, are the guys who used to be players like David Shepherd and Dicky Bird,” Jones was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.