Demanding ‘Bharat Ratna’ for Master Blaster, Harbhajan Singh on Tuesday said Sachin Tendulkar is the most deserving person for the prestigious award because of his immense contribution for country in cricket. “Sachin is playing cricket for the country for the last 21 years, during which he broke many records, and specially after winning the World Cup, he is the most deserving claimant for Bharat Ratna, highest award of the country,” he said. He felt Sachin should have got much more than what he has got so far.

He is Bharat Ratna for us: Dravid

Former India captain Rahul Dravid feels that although Sachin is yet to be conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ but he is already one for the millions of cricket crazy Indians.“I don’t know when he (Sachin) will get it officially as I am not aware of the rules. But he is already a ‘Bharat Ratna’ for Indian people because of his phenomenal success and the manner in which he has served Indian cricket for years,” Dravid
said.  HTC/Agency

Miandad could be pak batting coach
Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is negotiating with former skipper Javed Miandad to accept the post of the team's batting coach. Skipper Shahid Afridi told reporters after a meeting with PCB chief that the board was in talks with Miandad. “I have suggested having a batting coach with the team to work with the players and Miandad is one of the people the board is in touch with,” Afridi said. Miandad, a veteran of 124 Tests and 237 one-day and also a former coach, had to leave his post due to issues with the board and within the team.  PTI

Smith engaged to Irish singer

Johannesburg: South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is engaged to marry Irish singer and model Morgan Deane, a Cricket South Africa (CSA) official said Tuesday. Smith flew to Ireland to pop the question after the Proteas’s defeat to New Zealand sent them crashing out of the World Cup, said CSA spokesman Michael Owen-Smith. “He became engaged on Sunday,” Owen-Smith told AFP, adding that cricket officials would leave it to Smith to announce details of the couple’s plans. AFP