KARACHI, DEC 8: Aamir Sohail stays Pakistan captain for the remaining two Tests against Zimbabwe despite the furore after the shock seven-wicket first Test defeat. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) voted 9-3 to keep Sohail in charge despite the barrage of criticism from the public and media since Zimbabwe won in Peshawar last month -- their first overseas Test triumph.

The PCB said after meeting in Lahore today: ``The executive council was of the view that if it was necessary to change the captain, it should be made after the conclusion of the series.''

Hair raises another furore

SYDNEY: Australian umpire Darrell Hair is threatening legal action against Sri Lanka's cricket board president, alleging he accused him of bias during a row over a Sri Lankan spinner.

Hair told an Australian newspaper that he might seek legal redress over remarks the Sri Lankan president Thilange Sumathipala made in a letter to the London-based International Cricket Council (ICC). The lettercriticised observations by Hair about the bowling action of spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumara Dharmasena.

Thorpe to return home

MELBOURNE: Graham Thorpe, England's top run-scorer in the past two Ashes series, will take no further part in Ashes cricket series and return home today.

Thorpe suffered a recurrence of a back injury against Victoria at the MCG yesterday. Thorpe, 29, had surgery on his lower back after returning early from the tour of the West Indies in March this year.

Duleep semis from today

The Duleep Trophy semi-finals gets under way tomorrow with defending champions Central Zone and West Zone entering the fray alongwith East Zone. While West take on East at Rajkot, North Zone will lock horns with Central at Valsad in the five-day contests.