Former Indian cricket captain or in other words Match fixer Mohammed Azharuddin said he was confident that the match-fixing controversy surrounding his name would not have any impact on his political career.

Mohammed Azharuddin, who last month joined the Congress, said here no criminal case had been filed against him in relation to the match-fixing scandal. "But I had registered a case against the BCCI in this regard," he told a meet the press program.

Asked if the scandal, which cut short his brilliant cricket career in 2000, would impact his candidature in the Lok Sabha elections, the former stylish batsman said, "I do not think this will cause any difficulty in the elections."

Asked to name the constituency from which he would contest the elections, the former skipper, like a seasoned politician, said he will contest from wherever his party ordered him to do so. Mohammed Azharuddin, who runs an event management company in Hyderabad, joined the Congress on February 19. 

Election Commissioner Navin Chawla will take over as the next Chief Election Commissioner on April 20, succeeding N Gopalaswami who will retire on that day. 

Navin Chawla, an IAS officer of the 1969 batch, will hold charge till July 29, 2010 when he will attain the age of 65 years. 

"The President has approved the appointment of Navin Chawla as the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from April 20 on completion of the tenure of N Gopalaswami," a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said here today. 

Navin Chawla, who will be taking over in the midst of the five-phased Lok Sabha elections, will oversee four phases of the polls. 

The elevation of Navin Chawla, who was appointed as Election Commissioner on May 13,2005, comes after a controversy triggered by Gopalaswami's recommendation to the President for his removal from office for alleged "partisan" functioning. 

Navin Chawla has been elevated to CEC's post on the advice of the government which had rejected Gopalaswami's plea for his removal, saying there was no merit in the allegations against the election commissioner. 

The Chief Election Commissioner, a Constitutional post, enjoys a term of six years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. 

Navin Chawla has earlier served in various capacities in the government during his career, the last being secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He has also served as secretary to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 

Navin Chawla is a recipient of the Italian government's Mazzini Award, instituted in honour of writer Giuseppe Mazzini, for his contribution to promote ties between India and Italy. 

After Gopalaswami's retirement, the government will have to appoint a third election commissioner.

7 Sri Lankan cricket players injured in firing at Gaddafi stadium at Lahore

In an incident which could have turned many fears to reality, the convoy of Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by unidentified gunmen at Gaddafi stadium in Lahore. At least 12 gunmen have been reported to be involved in the attack.

Seven players of the Sri Lankan cricket team have been injured. Five policemen who were trying to shield the van carrying the cricketers have been killed in the encounter.

Four of the cricket players are seriously injured - Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakara, Ajanta Mendis and Tharanga Paranavithana.

The gunfire is reported to have continued for 25 minutes. Two bombs were also thrown at the convoy. The view of world will be change toward Pakistan after this incident.