Global sport

Global sport
AGENCIES

We always get hammered in Australia: Wasim Akram
SYDNEY: Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram wants his country's officials to review the way they approach the game after another promising tour of Australia ended in defeat.

Akram said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needed to change the way it ran the game if it was serious about wanting to challenge teams like Australia.``We always come to Australia and get hammered. It's not the first time,'' Akram said. ``We have to get our standard higher in Pakistan cricket. Talent's not enough.''

Heavier Greene turns on the heat
NEW YORK: Maurice Greene, the world's fastest man, turned up the heat inside Madison Square Garden as the temperature dropped to below freezing outside, winning his third straight Millrose Games 60 metres. Greene's time of 6.45 seconds on Friday night improved on his own Millrose record of 6.46s, set two years ago, but was outside his world indoor record of 6.39s.

John Smith, who took over as his coach three years ago,has analysed and remodeled every step of Greene in the 100 metres. Greene has also added 11 pounds of upper body muscle in his obsession to find gold in Sydney.

Spain honours Di Stefano, Kubala
MADRID: Alfredo di Stefano and Ladislao Kubala, two of the greatest players in the history of Spanish soccer, have both been awarded the Gran Cruz of the Royal Order of Merit, the government announced.

Di Stefano, born in Argentina, and Kubala, from Hungary, both became naturalised Spaniards, debuting for their adopted country in the 1950s. Di Stefano, signed by Real Madrid in 1954 after a tug-of-war with Barcelona, helped the Spanish club to five European Cup triumphs.

Dortmund start year with 0-1 defeat
BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund started the year in poor fashion when they were beaten 1-0 by Kaiserslautern before their own fans as the Bundesliga resumed after its winter break. Defender Harry Koch hit the winner in the 52nd minute, from an astute header by French midfielder YouriDjorkaeff.

Ivory Coast player may not play again
FRANCE: Mid-fielder Lassina Diabate, held in a military camp with the Ivory Coast team for two days after their African Nations Cup elimination, hinted he might not play for them again. ``The next time I'm called to the National team I'll think twice about going,'' the Girondins Bordeaux player said on his return to France on Friday.

Ardiles fears for Maradona's life
TOKYO: World Cup-winning Argentine Ossie Ardiles said he feared for the life of his former international team-mate Diego Maradona. Ardiles, who played alongside Maradona at the 1982 World Cup, felt the troubled former player might not have much time left to sort out his problem.