New Delhi - India's cricket tour to Pakistan was called off on Thursday in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai that have strained ties between the neighbours, officials said.

India's cricket squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni were to tour Pakistan in January and February next year but the Indian government refused permission to the team to travel to Pakistan.

The government's decision, based on "diplomatic reasons as well as security concerns" was conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Shashank Manohar, officials in the External Affairs Ministry said.

London - The world number one pair of Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic lifted top honours for the 2008 season as the each received world champion honours from the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Nadal, winner of a fourth straight Roland Garros title as well as Wimbledon and the Olympic gold medal, swept the field on the men's side. The ITF makes the selections based upon ATP and WTA results combined with Grand Slams, Olympics, Davis Cup and Fed Cup play.

Los Angeles - A second pregnancy could mark the end of the tennis career of Lindsay Davenport after the 32-year-old withdrew from the Australian Open over her good news.

The announcement could have been a surprise for the mother-to-be after the three-time Grand Slam champion decided only a week ago to prepare for an entry next month into the Australian Open.

Davenport gave birth to son Jagger in 2007, saying at the time that she had retired. But she then reversed her decision, returning to tennis three months later and lifting two WTA titles in the autumn and another pair at the start of 2008.

Los Angeles - "The Big Ticket" had a big hand as the Boston Celtics turned Sweet 16.

Kevin Garnett scored 10 of his 18 points in the final quarter, and the white-hot Celtics clipped the pesky Atlanta Hawks 88-85 on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak to 16 games.

"We just hung in there, and KG had a tremendous effort down the stretch for us," said Celtics Paul Pierce, who also finished with 18 points. "We were tested and won on the road against a quality team."

Melbourne, Dec 18 : Legendary spinner Shane Warne should be made an honorary South African citizen after providing the secret information about dethroning Australia's top batting order.

Warne has always been a deep thinker on the game and couldn't help himself when Graeme Smith asked for his counsel during the Indian Premier League this year, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The leg-spin king is far from being a traitor - in retirement he can say and do what he wants - but it is obvious Smith listened breathlessly to every Warne word and some of his advice has worked spectacularly.

Warne is renowned for being generous with his knowledge and has helped spin bowlers from all over the world, even when they are in competition with Australia.

London - Findings of a Football Association inquiry published on Thursday have condemned Manchester United assistant coach Mike Phelan as an unreliable witness.