latest world business news

Pakistan's one-day captain Shahid Afridi said Friday he was not fully satisfied with preparations for next year's World Cup, acknowledging low expectations of victory. Afridi expressed reservations in the light of problems that have dogged Pakistan's recent tours with players disciplined and dragged into damaging spot-fixing allegations. "I am not 100 percent satisfied with the team's preparations for the World Cup," Afridi told reporters at a local function. "We've had problems on every tour, and although there aren't high expectations, as captain I'm positive and will keep on motivating the team," said Afridi. His comments came one day after manager Intikhab Alam said Pakistan was capable of winning the World Cup -- to be jointly hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2. Key players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Aamer -- suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over spot-fixin

Pakistan One-day captain Shahid Afridi apologised on Saturday for the 'spot-fixing' row engulfing the tourists, and said the team had been warned not to discuss it. Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have been charged with various offences under the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code and provisionally suspended, while the trio have all been interviewed by police. The three were withdrawn by Pakistan from their Twenty20 and one-day series against England after being allegedly caught up in a plan to deliberately bowl no-balls during the fourth Test against England at Lord's last week. "I think this is very bad news," Afridi said at Cardiff on Saturday, where the first of two Twenty20 internationals against England takes place on Sunday. "On behalf of these boys - I know they are not in this series - I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations." He added: "These