Indian news round-up

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is not leaving a single stone turned to stem any trouble shooting and rioting in the stands at the Eden Gardens. Unruly mobs will be under close scrutiny during the second Test thanks to the sophisticated close-circuit TV cameras for identifying the trouble makers.

Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Saturday that a control room with sophisticated close circuit television sets has been set up in the stadium premises to monitor the activities of the spectators who have already been banned from carrying water bottles into the stadium.

According to PTI, the moment there is trouble in the galleries, the cameras will focus on the spot and start filming the incident to help police nab the culprits. There is an appreciable increase in the number of security personnel in and around the stadium on all the playing days. Special gates with metal detectors have been installed while the authorities have also cut down the number of seats in the stadium to ensure more space for manoeuvrability of the policemen in the event of a crisis.

Agence France Presse (AFP) reported on Saturday that an independent inquiry commission headed by the former West Indian skipper Clive Lloyd has started a probe into the allegations of match-fixing in Sharjah.

AFP reported that the three-member commission met with ECB and Cricketers' Benefit Fund Series officials on Thursday and Friday and visited the Sharjah cricket stadium on a preliminary fact-finding mission.

Speaking to the news agency, George Staple, a legal expert and a panel member said "The commission intends to reconvene in the UK for the purpose of conducting interviews with a number of individuals, and again in Sharjah in the near future for further interviews."

It was the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Inderjit Singh Bindra, who blew the lid with allegations of match fixing in the desert venue.

Disgraced former Indian skipper Mohd Azharuddin while speaking at a press conference after launching an event management and entertainment company - Azhar Sangeeta Management Services Limited (ASMSL) on Saturday expressed confidence of staging a comeback into the international cricket arena.

Speaking to Press Trust of India (PTI) in Hyderabad, Azharuddin said "I hope to be in white flannels soon and I am confident of playing for India again." He added "I am physically fit and doing my regular work-outs. Hopefully, I will make a comeback."

Though Azharuddin refused to answer queries on the match-fixing case on the ground that it is subjudice, he exuded confidence that he would come out clean saying "public opinion can change after the court verdict."

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has decided to repay the donors who responded to the call of the association for the eye donation camp by accommodating them on the international F block of the stadium during the second Test.

Speaking to United News of India (UNI), CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya said that as a mark of respect, the CAB had also decided to provide refreshments to the donors, besides caps and conveyance. He also said that a special staircase leading to the respective stadium seats has also been created for them.

The Telegraph added that buses would ply between Metro cinema and the entrance of the F block every 15 minutes to pick up the donors. Over 300 eye donors pledged their eyes during the camp organised by the CAB last month.