Messis And Drug Money? No Way, Says Barcelona.......!

Barcelona boss Sandro Rosell on Thursday sharply criticised an "attack" by media seeking to link star striker Lionel Messi's family with an alleged Colombian drug money laundering operation.

"The Interior Ministry and the Guardia Civil have totally and explicitly disassociated Leo Messi's entourage from any open judicial investigation," Rosell told a news conference.

"Even so, the attack on the player's entourage has not stopped," the club president said.

Messi's agents have hotly denied a Spanish newspaper allegation that his father is suspected of being involved in an operation to launder Colombian drug money through charity football matches.

Spain's police and the Interior Ministry say a Colombian promoter is suspected of laundering drug money through concerts and sporting events in Spain, South America and the United States.

But they say there is no evidence of wrongdoing by Messi, his family or other players who featured in charity football matches organised by the Colombian promoter at the centre of the affair.

Pakistan Ready To Tour India For Cricket Revival.......!

Pakistan's interim cricket chief Najam Sethi on Wednesday reiterated his stance to revive ties with arch-rivals India, saying his team was ready to go across the border.

India stalled all bilateral ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which New Deli blamed on militants based in Pakistan.

Pakistan toured India for a short limited overs series at the turn of this year (December-January) but that could not revive the ties, regarded as better than the Ashes played between Australia and England.

Being the financial hub and one of the most sought-after teams, India have a busy cricket schedule – a fact which do not allow them to play a long series with arch-rivals.

Sethi said Pakistan were more than willing to tour India.

“If they are not coming to Pakistan, we are willing to tour them,” Sethi told reporters on the sidelines of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka one-day international here.

“India owe us two home series as per the Future Tour Programme and India-Pakistan series is the most sought after, millions of people are waiting for it.”

Sethi, who took over in July this year, hoped things will shape up after general elections in India in May next year.

“I think the Indian board is waiting for elections in their country and our prime minister (Nawaz Sharif) is hoping that if his Indian counterpart (Manmohan Singh) tours Pakistan then the matter of cricket will also be raised,” hoped Sethi.

India last toured Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup and their last bilateral visit to Pakistan was in 2006.

Sethi said Pakistan will adopt a wait-and-see policy on touring Bangladesh where political situation is more tense since last week's execution of Islamic hardliner Abdul Quader Molla.

Sri Lanka, whose team is due to travel to Bangladesh on January 24 for two Tests, two Twenty20s and three one-days, have announced a security appraisal before the tour.

Bangladesh are due to host Asia Cup from February 24-March 7 and then World Twenty20 from March 16-April 6 next year – both under clouds.

“It will not be our decision,” said Sethi. “Asian Cricket Council will decide on the Asia Cup and International Cricket Council will take a decision on the World Twenty20, so we will wait and see on that.”

Pakistan Bracing For 'Tough' ODI Series Against Sri Lanka In UAE........!

Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq is bracing for a "tough" limited over series against Sri Lanka who performed with steely determination to retain their top ranking in the Twenty20 format.

"They showed in the T20 matches, how good they are. We have to be really on our toes and play really good cricket to beat them. It's going to be a tough series," said Misbah ahead of the five-match one-day series which begins at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday December 18.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi steered Pakistan to a three-wicket win in the opening T20 match before Sri Lanka fired by a sparkling half century from Kusal Perera bounced back to win the second by 24 runs in Dubai.

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq, whose side lie sixth in the one-day rankings, two places lower than Sri Lanka, hopes they can build on their confidence-building success, saying his players thrive under pressure.

"We have good confidence before another tough series and we hope to carry the momentum we gained in South Africa," said Misbah who led Pakistan to their first-ever ODI series win against the Proteas just weeks after a 4-1 drubbing against the same opposition in the UAE.

However, he warned against complacency.

"It matters how you perform on the day. I think Sri Lanka really came back in the second Twenty20 after losing the first game. They looked an improved side. This is what you are going to associate with the Sri Lanka team. That they really are fighters and can come back strongly. We need to repeat the good performances. We need to really show some good skills to beat them," said Misbah who takes over as captain from Mohammed Hafeez for the ODI and Test series when asked whether they should have done better considering the amount of international cricket they had played as compared to Sri Lanka.

Pakistan have been on the road since November hosting a bilateral series against South Africa in the UAE before travelling for a short limited over series in South Africa while Sri Lanka had a tour by New Zealand curtailed by rain.

Sri Lanka captain Mathews said they were raring to go despite not having played much international cricket.

"Even though New Zealand series was half washed out, I thought we got some decent cricket. We had our domestic tournament. We had good match practice. The boys showed it in the Twenty20 series. We are in a positive frame to do well in the one-day series as well," said Sri Lanka's Test ODI and Test skipper who takes over Dinesh Chandimal.

"We know they (Pakistan) are a very dangerous team when it comes to the shorter format. They have one of the best bowling line ups in the world. A good mix of spin and fast bowlers. Our batters need to be on guard to try and counter attack and be positive. We had an exciting Twenty20 series and we look forward to the one-day series as well," said the the dusky all-rounder who was amazed with the support they received from the Sri Lankan community in Dubai.

"I was surprised to see so many Sri Lankans coming and watching the game. We felt like playing at home as there were so many Sri Lankans. Generally playing in Dubai against Pakistan, not many Sri Lankans come and watch. We are really extremely glad to see them turn up," said Mathews who was also pleased to play in cooler conditions than when they last came to the UAE.

Sri Lanka will miss the services of veterans Mahela Jayawardene and Rangana Herath but Mathews was confident their replacements would step up to the plate.

"It's kind of a bad news we received. We send our love to his family," said Mathews on left-arm spinner Herath's decision to skip the one-day series after the demise of his mother earlier this week.

"We feel for him and hopefully he will be with the Test team. Whoever will replace them will do the job but Rangana Herath and Mahela are two very important people in our unit," he stressed.

Mathews ruled out the possibility of tinkering with the team for the one-day series.

"We are looking forward to win the series. We need to take our best XI out to the middle from the very first game. So we can't be complacent and we can't be trying out so many things with players," said Mathews who was pleased with the form of all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna.

"Prasanna is a guy who can hit the ball out of the park any time. And he is a very gutsy player. He is a very good all-rounder for us and we hope to see him doing well," he said.

Mathews also praised the work ethic of pace ace Lasith Malinga who has returned after a break.

"Lasith has been our premier bowler for the last so many years. He knows his job and he knows what he has to do when the team needs him. He is very professional with his training and workload. I'm pretty sure he will deliver the goods for the team," said Mathews.

Misbah on the other hand was pleased with the performance of youngsters.

"This is how we got Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali who performed really well in South Africa. I think Sharjeel Khan is another example. This is the way to get good players in the line up. You can really enhance your pool of players and we should continue wherever you need someone, to replace from the domestic circuit. Give him exposure and check him at this level," he said when asked whether it was a good idea to expose players like 19-year-old Usman Khan who made his debut in the T20 matches.

Asked what they could learn from the South Africa one-day series which they lost 4-1 in UAE and the one they won in South Africa, he said: "You need to do basics right all the time. Especially in batting we need to build very good partnerships. Top order batsmen need to carry on once they get starts. That's what we proved in South Africa. (Ahmed) Shehzad was getting runs here and he got a hundred (in South Africa) that really helped Pakistan. That's what we were missing (in UAE)."

Pakistan will be without lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan after the bowler fractured his hip bone during the Twenty20 series against South Africa last month and was ruled out of the series.

The Twenty20 series between the sides finished all square at 1-1.

The remaining ODIs will be played in Dubai (December 20), Sharjah (December 22) and Abu Dhabi (December 25 and 27).

Afridi In Line To Replace Hafeez As Pakistan Captain For World Twenty20........!

Pakistan's dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi has pulled out of a South African domestic Twenty 20 tournament, the Ram Slam Challenge, to spend time with his family.

Afridi had signed up to represent the Knights during a recent tour to South Africa in the competition to be held in January and February.

However, he has decided to take a break from the game before the Twenty20 World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Bangladesh between March 16 and April 6.

"I have decided not to play in the South African league because I want to spend more time with my family," he said. "We have the Asia Cup and World T20 coming up early next year and before that I want to take a break from the game."

Afridi starred in Pakistan's opening T20 win against Sri Lanka in the UAE, becoming the first player to make 1,000 runs and take 50 wickets in the Twenty20 format.

In a related development, Afridi is also being seen as a possible candidate to take over as Pakistan Twenty20 captain from under-fire Mohammad Hafeez. 

Acting Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Najam Sethi confirmed that there was pressure on Hafeez to retain his place in the T20 side and the selectors would take a call on the same, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Sethi reiterated at a press conference on Sunday that the fate of Hafeez's captaincy for the ICC World Twenty20 was solely in the hands of the national selectors while adding that he was aware that "people" were not happy with the allrounder performances.

“I am not an expert on the cricketing matters and it up to the selectors to decide about his (Mohammad Hafeez) fate as captain,” Sethi told reporters.

“People are not happy with Hafeez's captaincy. But I cannot make a change without the selector's advice. Pakistan needs to groom captains for a long-term basis by looking at players' leadership qualities,” Sethi added.

“What happens next I don't know.”

Hafeez role as captain has come under the scanner after a string of poor performances, highlighted by the allrounder own form with the bat. 

Sethi said Misbah-ul-Haq's captaincy leadership had also come under threat but the 39-year-old had silence all his critics with first his bat and then by winning an ODI series in South Africa, making Pakistan the only Asian side to have done so. 

“After good results against South Africa in South Africa, he (Misbah) restored confidence in him,” Sethi said.

The Ashes: Australia Beat England To Win Test And Regain The Urn After Four Years...........!

England were all out for 353 on the final day at the WACA Ground to hand the home side an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

It capped a remarkable turnaround for Australia, who went into the series just months after a 3-0 Ashes loss in England.

"I don`t really know what to say. We`ve got them back, I couldn`t be happier," Clarke said of the Ashes, which England had held for the past three series.

"Credit to the team for how they played: they were outstanding."

Despite a determined rearguard action -- led by rookie English batsman Ben Stokes, whose maiden Test century frayed Australian nerves -- the home team ran through the English tail after lunch to claim a famous victory.

The Australians had won the first two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide and secured the urn when rejuvenated paceman Mitchell Johnson claimed his 23rd wicket of the series to remove Jimmy Anderson and end the England second innings.

Although the Ashes have been regained, Clarke said Australia were targeting a 5-0 win in the series as they seek to climb from fifth in the world Test cricket rankings.

"We want to get back that number one ranking," he said.

England captain Alastair Cook praised the character of Stokes and admitted the English were starting to dream of the impossible, but added that the result reflected the series.

"Just when we got a partnership going, we haven`t managed to turn it into big one," he said.

"We have been outskilled in all aspects, and it is hard to say that. They have been ruthless. It hurts."

Set a record 504 to win, England went to lunch on the final day at 332-6, needing 172 more runs with four wickets in hand and Stokes still at the crease. 

However, Australia turned the screws when spinner Nathan Lyon (3-70) picked up the wicket of Stokes for 120 in the third over after the break.

Stokes, who scored the first English century of the series in just his second Test, attempted to sweep a ball outside off stump and got a thin bottom edge, with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin continuing his outstanding series by hanging on to a diving catch.

It was the end of a superb knock by Stokes, who showed up his more senior teammates by staying at the crease for 257 minutes and facing 195 balls, hitting 18 fours and one six.

His departure also ended a 40-run partnership with Tim Bresnan.

Lyon then picked up Graeme Swann for four, caught at short leg, as Australia closed in on victory.

Bresnan (12) was the next to go, brilliantly caught by a diving Chris Rogers at mid-off from the bowling of England`s chief nemesis Johnson as celebrations by local fans went into full swing.

The match was over when Johnson (4-78) claimed his final scalp of the innings, with Anderson caught at short leg by George Bailey.

England had resumed on 251-5, but Stokes defied the Australian attack for the entire morning session, losing only Matt Prior (26) along the way.

Stokes, 22, was temporarily denied a century when he drove Johnson straight and the ball deflected off the bowler`s hand into umpire Marais Erasmus, costing him the two runs he needed to reach the milestone.

But he got a top edge to fine leg for a boundary from the next ball to notch his first Test century.

Not for the first time in the series, it was Johnson who delivered a dagger to English hearts by removing Prior in his third over with the second new ball, ending a 76-run partnership with Stokes.

Rohan Bopanna Confident of Good Start To Season With Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi........!

Happy to be reunited with doubles partner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna on Tuesday exuded confidence of doing "extremely well" in the upcoming season, starting in January next year.

"It is great for me to get reunited with Qureshi and I am really looking forward to continue (the partnership). It is (also) a very positive sign and we can do extremely well (in next season, beginning January)," he told reporters here on the sidelines of "Unshaven is Unbathed" movement launched by Gillette.

The Indo-Pak pair, who took the world by storm by reaching the US Open final in 2010, will be coming together for the new season, commencing with ATP Tour in Chennai.

Bopanna parted ways with Qureshi in 2011 to partner compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi, keeping an eye on 2012 London Olympics. The Pakistani united with Jean-Julien Rojer.

A haywire and not-too-impressive last season for both Bopanna and Qureshi prompted them to announce their reunification for the next season.

Even though Bopanna reached a career-high individual doubles ranking of world number three, playing with a string of partners, the Bangalore-lad failed to qualify for London's Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Bopanna changed five doubles partners in 2013. Early on in the same season, he split with Bhupathi and partnered Rajeev Ram, Marcelo Melo, Colin Fleming and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Nadal and Williams Raise The Bar Sky High...........!

A year in which a British man won Wimbledon, Roger Federer`s star began to fade and doping reared its ugly head was defined by the dominance of two players - Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams.

Between them they won half of the grand slam singles titles on offer, triumphed at 21 tournaments in total, collected more than 150 match wins and $25 million in prizemoney.

Not bad considering both have battled back from potentially career-ending injuries.

Written off by some when his knee problems returned with a vengeance in June 2012, Nadal launched a comeback in Chile in February that was nothing short of extraordinary.

Playing like a man on a mission Nadal won 10 titles, including the French Open and U.S. Open, and reclaimed the world No.1 ranking for the first time in more than two years.

The Mallorcan was expected to dominate again on clay, which he did, culminating in an eighth Roland Garros title when he beat countryman David Ferrer. But he reached new heights on the hard courts that had proved his Achilles heel.

After beating arch-rival Novak Djokovic on his way to the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Nadal claimed the Cincinnati crown before taking New York by storm, winning the U.S. Open for the second time with victory over Djokovic.

The only blip in a season of 75 match wins and 14 finals from 17 tournaments was at a wildly unpredictable Wimbledon where he lost in round one to Belgium`s Steve Darcis.

WIPEOUT WEDNESDAY

Nadal`s defeat came in a first week that included Wipeout Wednesday, when seven-times champion Federer was spanked by 116th-ranked Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky and a host of top names pulled up lame, some blaming dangerous court conditions.

Through the carnage Murray rode like a knight in shining armour to finally deliver the men`s title for success-starved British fans after 77 years of waiting.

The Scot, reduced to tears by Federer the previous year after losing in the final, coped with the suffocating weight of expectation to beat Djokovic in straight sets on a sun-kissed Centre Court.

Djokovic did not do much wrong in 2013, beginning the year with a third consecutive Australian Open title and ending it on a 24-match winning streak including victory over Nadal in the ATP World Tour Finals.

It was the perfect response to Nadal snatching back the world No.1 ranking in October and keeping it into 2014.

"We make each other better players. We make each other work harder on our games, especially when we play against each other. It`s always a huge challenge," Djokovic said of a rivalry that looks set to continue into 2014 and beyond.

With Murray having undergone back surgery and a fading Federer down at world No.6 having managed a solitary title, cracks are appearing in the so-called "Big Four" and Juan Martin del Potro and Tomas Berdych will be sensing some grand slam opportunities next year.

As for the next generation, Poland`s Jerzy Janowicz, who scared Murray in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov and Canada`s Milos Raonic will hope to make a move.

DIFFERENT PLANET

The women`s game is sadly lacking the same edge as Serena Williams appears to be playing tennis from a different planet.

Despite being the wrong side of 30 the American finished the year zooming away from her rivals and, providing she stays fit, it is hard to see who can halt her march towards Steffi Graf`s record 22 grand slam titles over the next couple of years.

She took 11 titles, won 78 matches and suffered only four defeats, claiming a record $12 million in prize money.

Winning the French Open and U.S. Open took her grand slam singles haul to 17, just one behind fellow Americans Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

The bad news for the chasers such as Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, who took advantage of Serena`s early Australian Open exit to retain her title, China`s Li Na and Russian Maria Sharapova is that Serena still wants to improve.

"I have some areas where I can do a lot better for next year and I look forward to it," said the oldest women`s world No.1.

"There`s definitely a lot of things I can add to my game, a multitude of things. Overall I`ll remember the wins, but I also want to learn from my mistakes so I don`t repeat them."

Williams lost in the Wimbledon fourth round to Sabine Lisicki who went on to reach the final where she froze against unorthodox Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli. Weeks after winning her first grand slam title Bartoli retired from the sport.

In team tennis the Czech Republic retained the Davis Cup, beating Serbia in Belgrade while Italy won the women`s Fed Cup.

With the International Tennis Federation tightening its anti-doping controls after concerns from the likes of Federer and Murray, two high-profile players fell foul of the system.

Croatia`s Marin Cilic served half of a nine-month ban for testing positive for a banned stimulant while Serbia`s Viktor Troicki is serving a 12-month ban for failing to give a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters.

When Djokovic won the Tour Finals in London he raised the newly-named Brad Drewett Trophy above his head - a fitting tribute to ATP president Brad Drewett who died this year.

AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso Placed Under Inquiry For Match-Fixing...........!

Former AC Milan and Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso was placed under investigation for match-fixing on Tuesday while four more people were arrested in an early morning police sweep in Italy.

Cremona prosecutor Roberto Di Martino, who has been leading the Last Bet operation for three years, confirmed to The Associated Press that Gattuso and retired Milan and Lazio player Cristian Brocchi were allegedly part of a ring that fixed Serie A and other Italian matches at the end of the 2010-11 season.

The four people arrested were Salvatore Spadaro, Francesco Bazzani, Cosimo Rinci and Fabio Quadri; each of whom allegedly helped connect fixers to players, Di Martino said.

Gattuso and Brocchi face charges of criminal conspiracy and sports fraud, according to the ANSA news agency.

"Gattuso and Brocchi were connected to the case by the use of phone taps," said Di Martino, who could not confirm the exact charges.

Gattuso, who was on the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup, was fired as Palermo manager in September. Brocchi is currently coaching in AC Milan's youth program.

Police said in a statement that the arrests were carried out in Milan, Bologna, Rimini and Messina.

The investigation has resulted in more than 50 people being arrested in Italy since mid-2011, with matches under investigation by prosecutors in Cremona, Bari and Naples.

It has resulted in lengthy bans for former Lazio captains Giuseppe Signori and Stefano Mauri, as well as former Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni. Several clubs have also had points deducted.

Prosecutors have detailed an extensive match-fixing ring stretching as far as Singapore and South America that was allegedly in operation for more than 10 years.

The arrests of 14 people in Singapore in September was hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against corruption in football, with the global network's suspected mastermind among those taken into custody.

Fast & Furious Actor Paul Walker Dies In California Car Crash..........!

US actor Paul Walker, who starred in the Fast & Furious series of action films, has been killed in a car crash in California.

Walker, 40, was a passenger in a Porsche sports car driven by a friend - who also died - when it crashed north of Los Angeles.

Walker was said to be attending a charity event at the time.

He starred in all but one of the films in the Fast & Furious franchise, the sixth of which opened in May.

Walker also starred in the suspense drama Hours, a movie that is set for release this month.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's department said the crash happened in the community of Valencia.

It said deputies found a car engulfed in flames when they responded to a report of a collision. Two people found in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

Images showed the burned-out wreckage of a red Porsche by the side of the road.

"It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for his organisation. 

Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in Peace”Vin Diesel Fast & Furious co-star

"He was a passenger in a friend's car, in which both lost their lives. We... are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news.''

Schumacher Happy Not To Be Racing Vettel........!

Seven times world champion Michael Schumacher hailed Sebastian Vettel`s record-breaking Formula One season on Friday and said the gulf between his fellow German and his Red Bull team mate Mark Webber had been `shocking`.

Vettel ended the year as the first driver to win nine races in a row in a single season. His total of 13 for the championship equalled Schumacher`s record 2004 haul with Ferrari.

"He won all those races, 13 this year; Mark Webber, he won none. That is pretty shocking," Schumacher said in a season review posted by the Mercedes team on You Tube on Friday.

"I`m glad I`m not his (Vettel`s) team mate."

Webber departed Formula One at the end of the season to join Porsche in endurance racing, with Australian compatriot Daniel Ricciardo replacing him.

Schumacher said he was happy for Vettel, the youngest quadruple champion at 26.

"If somebody can break all these records I prefer it to be him, than somebody else," added the German, who left the sport at the end of last season after coming out of retirement for three years with Mercedes.

Mercedes ended last season as overall runners-up to Red Bull, a big improvement on fifth place in 2012, with Germany`s Nico Rosberg and Britain`s Lewis Hamilton both winning races.

Schumacher, who is good friends with Vettel and races with him in the annual race of Champions event as Team Germany, said he had no regrets about his second retirement.

He felt Mercedes, who announced on Thursday that his old friend, ally and principal Ross Brawn was leaving at the end of the year, would be able to launch a real championship challenge in 2014.

"Everything now is there to have the base to fight the championship in the future. And that`s what I think can happen," he said.

David Moyes Say Best Is Yet To Come From Improving United...........!

It was short and sweet but the five minutes that Manchester United manager David Moyes spent in his weekly news conference on Friday offered the clearest sign yet that he is settling into the job.

It has been a testing period for the former Everton manager since he replaced Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, with United making their worst start to a Premier League season.

However, they are unbeaten in all competitions since a 2-1 home defeat by West Bromwich Albion on September 28 and have climbed to sixth in the Premier League, one point off the top four.

Conceding a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Cardiff City last week was a jolt, but United responded with a 5-0 thrashing away to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday -- a result that could prove to be a defining moment in the season.

United visit Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday when the London club will be anxious to bounce back from the 6-0 mauling they suffered at Manchester City last week.

A relaxed-looking Moyes said he felt there was still room for improvement from his United side.

"The best is to come and I still think we can continue to improve and progress," he said.

"We had some little bits of inconsistency at times, which we need to try to do better with, but there have been moments that have shown we are beginning to come right back into form.

"That is what I hope. Midweek certainly showed what we are capable of when we are playing well and the job is to do that week in, week out."

Experienced left back Patrice Evra said United were determined to use the Leverkusen result as a springboard.

"We were so disappointed about the Cardiff draw. We are in good form but for that silly goal at Cardiff," he said.

"We want to keep winning and winning. We cannot wait for Tottenham."

Evra said that the champions would again be pushing for the Premier League title despite their slow start.

"People always write Manchester United off," he said. "Remember last year people were saying the same then, but in the end we won the league by 11 points."

Pep Guardiola Admits To Injury Worries.......!

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola admitted Friday to having concerns about his team`s mounting injury problems.

Last season`s treble winners have not yet lost in this campaign, winning 11 and drawing two matches in the Bundesliga while winning all five Champions League encounters. 

But ahead of Saturday`s visit of Eintracht Braunschweig, Guardiola said they would be fighting a rearguard battle until Christmas. 

"We`re going to need to survive for two or three weeks," said the Catalan coach, who will lead his side to Morocco in a couple of weeks time for the Club World Cup. 

"But we have to make do, that`s why we have a second team." 

Captain Philipp Lahm is the latest addition to the treatment table with a hamstring injury, joining the likes of vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, France winger Franck Ribery, Peru striker Claudio Pizarro, Switzerland wideman Xherdan Shaqiri and Germany defender Holger Badstuber. 

Guardiola does at least have first choice Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic and full-back Diego Contento back for the clash with the Bundesliga`s basement sitters, as the reigning champions seek to extend their record unbeaten run in the league to 39 matches.

David Beckham Prefers Brad Pitt For His On-Screen Avatar......!

David Beckham has confessed that Brad Pitt will be perfect to play the lead character if a movie is ever made on the football player.

Former football player David Beckham says that if a film is ever made on him, actor Brad Pitt will fit the bill to play his on screen version to the T.

"I think Brad would be the obvious choice. I would like Brad to be playing me - him or Leonardo DiCaprio, one of the two or Bradley Cooper. They are not bad looking guys," Beckham said during a radio show, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 38-year-old, who retired from playing soccer professionally in May, says he has had plenty of opportunity to stay in shape. His children Brooklyn, 14, Romeo, 12, Cruz, nine, and two-year-old Harper, with wife Victoria are keeping him on his toes.

"I had four months where I literally did not do one bit of any physical activity but then I gradually started to do it, I am chasing four kids around," he said.

"I think Victoria is waiting for me to get a couple of tires around my waist but right now it is not happening, thankfully," he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo Ruled Out At Least Another Two Weeks......!

A muscle strain will keep the Real Madrid forward on the sidelines until at least December 14.

Real Madrid host Valladolid on Saturday, but they'll have to do it without the help of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward injured his hamstring in last weekend's win over Almeria, limping off the pitch. It was thought that Ronaldo would only need to miss the midweek Champions League clash against Galatasaray, but although further tests have shown the muscle is completely healed, he won't even be on the bench for this week's tie, primarily because Carlo Ancelotti wants his star 100% fit once more.

Fortunately, Real Madrid have a relatively easy schedule ahead. Valladolid are barely out of the relegation zone, only ahead on goal difference, and there's no Champions League next week. Instead, the galácticos face Olimpic de Xàtiva in the Copa del Ray, and they'll likely not need their stars to beat the third-division side. Then it's on to Copenhagen, who are already eliminated from the Champions League, before facing Osasuna, currently one point above the relegation zone, in La Liga action.

Sure, it's never nice to see one of the world's best players sitting on the sidelines, but it's best to allow Ronaldo to heal completely rather than risk him on matches that can probably be won by Madrid's b-side.

Nadal-Djokovic French Open Semi Announced `Best Grand Slam Match of The Year`......!

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has recognized the French Open semifinal encounter between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as the Best Grand Slam Match of the Year.

According to TennisWorldUSA.org, Nadal, better known as the `King of Clay,` triumphed in a marathon encounter against his Serbian counterpart, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7 in a grueling five-set match.

Moreover, the conquest of the Slam by the Spaniard played a huge role in Nadal`s success of clinching the year-ending number one ranking, the report said.

However, Djokovic later went on to win the ATP World Tour Finals event in London, beating Nadal in straight sets in the final.

Former Indian Vricketer Vinod Kambli Suffers Heart Attack, Condition Stable........!

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli has suffered a heart attack, a report said on Friday.

He has been admitted to Mumbai`s Lilavati hospital. Kambli was driving when he complained of chest pain and was taken to the hospital by a lady traffic officer.

But now there is a sign of relief for Kambli as doctor has said that there is nothing to worry about and his condition is stable now. 

Kambli, 42-year-old, underwent angioplasty on two of his blocked arteries at the same hospital in July 2012.

Southpaw Kambli, who will turn 42 on January 18 next year, played 17 Tests and 104 ODIs for India.

Kambli is the childhood friend of the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who recently bid adieu to International cricket. Vinod and Sachin came in the limelight for the very first time when they shared an unbroken partnership of 664 runs in a school match against St Xavier`s School. 

However, Kambli, in his recent interview, told Zee Media that he is quite hurt with the differences that have surfaced between him and Tendulkar. Tendulkar and Kambli were known to be very close friends during their playing days. 

“I haven’t heard Sachin’s sound for a long time and it hurts me. It’s been seven long years and we haven’t met with each other. In between we just shared few text messages and that’s all. It seems as if we have become enemies now,” Kambli said.

However, Kambli said that he felt bad and became emotional when he saw Sachin crying during his farewell ceremony on November 16. “My eyes also welled up with tears when I saw my friend crying at Wankhede, during his last match.”

Redmond Back For New Zealand After Five-Years Test Wait.......!

Top-order batsman Aaron Redmond has earned a New Zealand test recall, five years after he last played the longest form of the game, for the series against West Indies that starts next week.

The 34-year-old has been named in a 13-man squad for the three-match series that starts at the University Oval in Dunedin on December 3 ostensibly to provide cover for the injured Kane Williamson who broke his thumb last month.

Redmond, who last played a test against Australia in 2008, has been in good form in Plunket Shield first-class cricket for the past two seasons and batted well in a warm-up match in Christchurch.

"Aaron has made a good start to the Plunket Shield to date and on top of the 67 he scored yesterday for the New Zealand XI we felt he was the best top order batting cover," selection manager Bruce Edgar said on Friday.

Williamson broke his thumb on the tour of Bangladesh and medical staff had thought his injury may take up to six weeks to heal. He will undergo a fitness check before the team is finalised. "Kane has been in the nets batting and bowling and getting his intensity levels up," Edgar said. "We`re confident he should be right come Tuesday."

Pace bowler Tim Southee is also back in the squad after ankle surgery in July. He was gradually eased back when he played in the limited- overs portion of New Zealand`s tour to Bangladesh.

All-rounder Corey Anderson has also been included but is battling against a rib injury he sustained in Bangladesh and may play as just a batsman in Dunedin if the home side decide to pick an all-seam attack and not include leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

The 20-year-old Sodhi impressed on the Bangladesh tour and Edgar said if the conditions suited him he would be given another chance. Williamson, if fit, is likely to fill the spinning role if New Zealand go with a four-pronged pace attack of Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell.

New Zealand - Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Peter Fulton, Aaron Redmond, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

South Africa Rest Steyn And Kallis For Final Pakistan ODI......!

South Africa, who have already lost the series, will rest Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis for the third and final one-day international against Pakistan at Centurion on Saturday.

Paceman Steyn has a mild side strain while all-rounder Kallis has a badly sprained little finger.

South Africa start a three-match 50-over series against India next Thursday followed by two tests.

"Dale and Jacques will play a key role in the series against India so we felt it was necessary to take precautionary measures so that they are in prime condition," team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said on Thursday.

Pakistan lead the ODI encounter 2-0, their first bilateral series win over South Africa home or away.

Pakistan Vs South Africa 2nd ODI: Proteas Choke Again As Pakistan Win Series.......!

Shehzad century spurs Pakistan to 262 in 45 overs

Junaid Khan bowled an excellent last over as Pakistan pulled off a nail-biting one-run victory in the second ODI at Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Pakistan who were humbled 4-1 in the UAE recorded a historic series triumph with a memorable victory.

Chasing a challenging target of 263 in 45 overs, South Africa ended on 261-6 in 45 overs.

Skipper AB de Villiers smashed 74 off 45 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes to put South Africa on track.

AB de Villiers shared an enterprising 110-run stand for the fourth wicket with Amla who laid the foundation with a 87-run stand for the second wicket with Quinton de Kock (47).

South Africa needed a run a ball after the depature of AB de Villiers but Amla choked two short of a century and Duminy fell two balls later.

Junaid Khan had the best return of three for 42.

Felipe Massa Leaves Ferrari Frustrated After Brazilian GP Penalty...........!

An angry Felipe Massa completed his final race for Ferrari on Sunday, disappointed that he was unable to depart in glory after being handed a mid-race drive-through penalty at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

On an emotional day in the Interlagos paddock, the local hero was just one of many drivers saying goodbye to his team or the sport while others ended the season not knowing where they may be next year.

For Massa it was a last outing after eight years with Ferrari and for Australian Mark Webber his last race in Formula One.

"It was a real shame about what happened," said Massa of his punishment for crossing white lines at the pit-lane entry.

"I was doing well and overtaking cars and then I got a drive through and I didn't do anything wrong and it was a shame.

"Sometimes these guys think they have all the power and they can do what they want so I feel more sorrow for them than for me.

"I didn't do anything that other cars didn't do, but I was the only one punished.

"I feel very emotional for what I have achieved and what we have achieved together, I have made a lot of friends and I want to thank them all.

"It will be really tough to say goodbye but I am ready to do it and I am ready to celebrate."

Massa joins Williams next year, but Nico Hulkenberg and Adrian Sutil, Paul Di Resta and Max Chilton, Heikki Kovalainen, Mexicans Sergio Perez and Esteban Gutierrez, Pastor Maldonado, Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde have yet to finalise their futures.

Hulkenberg, of Sauber, has been linked with a return to his former team Force India.

Massa, touchingly, was given a guard of honour by his mechanics as he pulled out of the garage for the grid and his final race.

Ashes 2013: Michael Clarke Sees No Animosity After Arm Break Sledge.........!

Australian skipper Michael Clarke insists there is no animosity with England despite the final day of the first Test turning nasty with tailender James Anderson warned to expect a broken arm.

The home team`s huge 381-run victory on Sunday was tarnished by constant sledging as frustrations boiled over, culminating in Clarke being caught by a stump microphone telling Anderson to "get ready for a broken fucking arm".

England skipper Alastair Cook was also upset at David Warner calling England frightened, singling out batsman Jonathan Trott as "weak".

The media lapped up the tense war of words with the Sydney Daily Telegraph screaming on its front page: "Poms Mitch-slapped as rampant Aussies bring back the sledge," referring to fast bowler Mitch Johnson tearing through the England innings.

The usually mild-mannered Clarke also wagged his finger at Anderson, one of England`s worst sledgers, with the umpires needing to step in to cool tempers.

But the skipper said it was simply his competitive nature and had nothing to do with Australian bitterness over England`s 3-0 Ashes win sealed in August

Instead, it showed Australia were up for the fight.

"I think it is because both teams want to win so badly," Clarke said. "I respect that there is a line and both teams shouldn`t overstep that line.

"I think the rivalry and the banter on the field, it is give and take both ways. It is not one team dictating the other. It is about when you have momentum, run with it for as long as you possibly can."

"And when you don`t, fight your backside off to try and get it back. In this Test match, we have grabbed the moment and tried to run with it for as long as possible."

The defeat at the Gabba in Brisbane was one of the heaviest-ever in the Ashes for England with the tourists crumbling under the searing pace of Johnson to be all out for 179 late on the fourth day. They were skittled for 136 in the first innings.

With four more Tests to play, Australian selectors will stick with the same squad for the next clash in Adelaide starting on December 5, with Johnson vowing to keep bowling his fearsome short-pitched deliveries.

"I think you can get inside a batsman`s head," he said. "I`ll keep doing it. It`s working."

The fragility of England`s batting will be a concern for Cook with just a two-day game in the searing heat of Alice Springs against a Chairman`s XI to get it right ahead of the second Test.

"We`ll go away, regroup, be honest with ourselves and come back. We`ve done it before. There won?t be any hiding," said the defiant skipper.

But former England captain Michael Vaughan said it was not looking good for Cook`s team.

"England`s batting was consistently poor. To only score 315 on a decent wicket ... it was just the pace of Johnson," he said.

"I just feel the Australians have got this energy, this real hurt from the last three Ashes series and they want to make sure this series goes their way.

"There are some real issues in England`s top seven batting line-up," he added. "They`ve got a lot of soul searching to do."

Mahela Jayawardene To Miss Sri Lanka`s Tour of Pakistan.......!

Mahela Jayawardene will miss Sri Lanka`s tour of Pakistan in Dubai next month as the senior batsman has requested for leave on personal grounds, Sri Lanka Cricket said on Monday.

Pakistan is set to host Sri Lanka for two T20s, five ODIs and three Tests between December 6 and January 21.

Dinesh Chandimal will lead the T20 squad, while Angelo Mathews is the captain of the ODI side.

Left-handed opener Dimuth Karunaratne will replace Jayawardene in the ODI squad, while all-rounder Ashan Priyanjana has also been included in the team.

Rangana Herath replaces Ajantha Mendis as the front line spinner.

T20 Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Lasith Malinga, TM Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanna, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis and Ramith Rambukwella.

ODI squad: Lasith Malinga, TM Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Lahiru Thirimanna, Dinesh Chandimal Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath and Ashan Priyanjana.

Pakistan Fight Back To Choke South Africa In 1st ODI..........!

Bilawal and Anwar Ali propel Pakistan to 218-9

Pakistan pulled off a spectacular 23-run victory over South Africa with 11 balls to spare in the first one-day international at Cape Town on Sunday to take a 1-0 ead in the three-match series.

Chasing a target of 219, South Africa appeared to be coasting at one stage but Pakistan fought back tenaciously with the spin trio of Hafeez, Afridi and Ajmal throttling their run chase.

Kallis (50) and Duminy (49) kept them in the hunt but from a comfortable 115-4 in the 26th they stumbled losing their last six wickets for 80 runs.

Debutant Bilawal claimed three for 37 but Ajmal had the excellent figures of 10-0-28-2.

Newcomers Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti put together a match-winning partnership and shared in five wickets as Pakistan beat South Africa by 23 runs in the first one-day international at Newlands on Sunday.

The two bowlers, making their ODI debuts, put on 74 runs for the eighth wicket to take Pakistan to a respectable 218 for nine off their 50 overs before bowling out South Africa for 195 in their second-last over.

Pakistan take the lead in the three-match series after losing 4-1 to South Africa earlier this month in a five-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates.

Man of the match Ali produced a swashbuckling 43 to remain unbeaten at the end of the innings while Bhatti added a valuable 39 as they took Pakistan from 131 for seven to a defendable total.

"I was really happy with the effort of the two debutants, they really won the game for us," said captain Misbah-ul-Haq at the post-match presentation. "They gave us some hope to take us past 200."

Jacques Kallis scored 50 on his return to the one-day international arena after an absence of almost two years, but early wickets kept tumbling about him as South Africa struggled in their reply before eventually being bowled after 48.1 overs.

A perfect yorker from Bhatti bowled Morne Morkel for the last wicket to give the paceman figures of 3-37. Ali bowled Kallis as he took 2-24.

The next match is in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday.

India Vs West Indies 2nd ODI: Windies Win Thriller By Two Wickets......!

INDIA INNINGS

It was not the best of starts for India with Rampaul dismissing Rohit Sharma 12 and Dhawan being sent back 35 LBW by Permaul.

Rampaul struck the heart of the Indian batting dismmising the danger men.

Virat Kohli was denied his ton at 99 by Rampaul attempting a huge shot taken by Holder while Raina was dismissed at 24 by Rampaul.

Yuvraj Singh added 28 runs before being dismissed by Sammy.

Dhoni and Ashwin escallated the score by some brilliant knocks.

Ashwin 19 was dismissed by Holder attempting a reverse shot behind the wickets to Charles.

Dhoni played a captains knock and was not out at 51.

Jadeja added 10 runs before Rampaul getting him clean bowled.

The new batsman Kumar was not out at 1 with India piling 288-7 in their allotted 50 overs match.

WEST INDIES INNINGS

West Indies showed a lot of character in their batting building quick partsnerships with Darren Sammy emerging the Man of the Match in today's nail biting finish.

Powell 59 and Bravo 50 led well the Windies attack.

Simmons 62 and Sammy 63 n.o ensured West Indies were on the right track.

Charles 12 and DJ Bravo 18 contributed well to the score. Holder 7 was dismissed by Shami attempting a bold shot.

India showed some fielding lapses with Bravo being dropped on three ocassion and Dhawan failing to see the ball as Sammy hit a four as the game drew to a end..

Kumar, Ashwin and Shami claimed two wickets each while Jadeja and Sharma had to be content with one wicket.