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Wednesday, June 17, 2009 TAMPA: US forces in Afghanistan can expect "tough fighting" with insurgents in coming months which will extend beyond this year, top US commander David Petraeus said on Wednesday. As US troops in the war-torn country get on the offensive "to take back from the Taliban areas that they have been able to control, there will be tough fighting," Petraeus said at a meeting with French journalists at the US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida. "Certainly that tough fighting will not be concluded just this year. Certainly there will be tough periods beyond this year," he added. Petraeus said he was always reluctant to attempt definite predictions on "how long various missions will take, because the enemy gets a vote." The Taliban-led insurgency is now at its bloodiest level since 2001, when the hardliners were ousted in a US-led invasion, raising concern about new violence in the face of US troop reinforcements and ah

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 WASHINGTON: The United States has welcomed as "encouraging" a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in the aftermath of the November Mumbai attacks saying the two countries need to continue their dialogue."A resumption of such high-level engagement in the aftermath of the November Mumbai attacks is encouraging," State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly told reporters on Tuesday when asked to comment on the two leaders' meeting on the sidelines of the Yekaterinburg summit. "We have said before that India and Pakistan need to continue their dialogue to find joint solutions against terrorism and to promote regional stability," he said.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, NOTTINGHAM: An intriguing battle is on the cards when favourites South Africa clash with buoyant Pakistan in the semi-final of the World Twenty20 here on Thursday. Geo Super will telecast the action live from the ground at 2230 PST.The South Africans have showed their all-round prowess during an unbeaten run in the tournament, including emphatic wins in all three Super Eight games against the West Indies, England and defending champions India. The latest success came at Trent Bridge on Tuesday when the Proteas fought back after being restricted to a modest 130-5 on a slow wicket to keep off-colour India down to 118-8. Pakistan bounced back after losing their first Super Eights game to Sri Lanka to defeat New Zealand by six wickets before ensuring their place in the semi-final by packing off minnows Ireland by 38 runs. In the preliminary round, the enigmatic Pakistanis had shown a similar never-say-die attitude by thrashing England-conquerors Netherlands by 82

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board said Tuesday they had appointed Wasim Bari as interim chief selector to pick the team for next month's series against Sri Lanka after Abdul Qadir quit the post.Bari, a former captain who is currently working for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as director of human resources, had served as chairman of selectors for three previous periods in the past."Bari has been appointed as interim chairman of selectors to pick the team for Pakistan team's tour of Sri Lanka," said a PCB release. Pakistan will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.Captain Younus Khan, coach Intikhab Alam and vice captain Misbah-ul-Haq will be the interim members of the committee for the Sri Lanka tour only.Final approval of the squad will be made by PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, the release said.Abdul Qadir resigned from the post of chairman of selectors last week, blaming the PCB for not allowing him to work independen