MOHALI, India (AFP) — Younis Khan hit a blazing century as Pakistan scripted an unlikely four-wicket win against India in the second one-day international here on Thursday.
Younis anchored the Pakistani innings with a 117-run knock off 110 balls to help his side surpass India's total of 321-9 and register their most successful run chase ever in one-day internationals.
The thrilling win helped the visitors draw level 1-1 in the five-match series after India won the opener in Guwahati by five wickets.
Man-of-the-match Younis, dropped on 72, shared a crucial 102-run stand for the fifth wicket with Misbah-ul-Haq (49) before being dismissed in the 46th over.
He slammed nine fours and two sixes to overshadow the effort of Sachin Tendulkar, who hit a masterly 99 studded with 14 fours and a six to prop up the Indian innings.
A Pakistan victory looked in doubt after the dismissal of Younis but Shahid Afridi hit a quickfire 29 off 14 balls to seal the fate of the hosts.
"It was a real team effort. Younis, Misbah and Afridi batted really well under pressure," Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik said.
"We have gained a lot of encouragement from the win and our morale will be high as we go into the next match. The wicket was excellent, it was good for the batsmen and also had something for the bowlers."
Pakistan were off to a shaky start, losing opener Kamran Akmal to Rudra Pratap Singh in the sixth over and his in-form partner Salman Butt to Irfan Pathan.
Mohammad Yousuf (12) was stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Harbhajan Singh before Younis steadied the innings with his third one-day century.
"We could have bowled a bit better. We got a start with the ball but failed to capitalise on it," Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.
Earlier, Tendulkar, 34, fell just one run short of his century.
It was also Tendulkar's fifth dismissal in the nervous 90s this season following scores of 99, 93, 99 and 94 on the tour of Ireland and England earlier this year.
Tendulkar, playing in his record 404th one-dayer, shared a 173-run stand with Gautam Gambhir, who hit seven fours in his 57-ball knock.
Both Tendulkar and Gambhir were dismissed by pacer Umar Gul (2-56) in the space of two overs to peg back the Indian innings after Dhoni had elected to bat on a sporting track.
Tendulkar, in the news recently for refusing India's Test captaincy, was caught behind the wicket by Akmal diving to his right.
The wayward Pakistani bowlers gave away a whopping 41 extras, including 31 wides. Shoaib Akhtar picked up 3-42 but mostly bowled from a shortened run-up and was sloppy in the field, raising doubts about his fitness.
Pakistan's previous best one-day run chase was 319-7, also against India, in Ahmedabad in 2005.
Following the match, both sides were fined for slow over-rates, the International Cricket Council said.
ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama imposed the fines after the teams were ruled to be one over short of their targets when time allowances were taken into consideration.
Both captains were fined 10 percent of their match fees while the players each received five per cent fines.
Scoreboard:
India
Fall of wkts 1-6, 2-179, 3-186, 4-239, 5-259, 6-260, 7-266, 8-278, 9-311
Overs: 50
Pakistan:
Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Akmal), 2-81 (Butt), 3-105 (Yousuf), 4-174 (Malik), 5-276 (Younis), 6-283 (Misbah)
Overs: 49.5
Pakistan won by four wickets
Toss: India
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Suresh Shastri (IND)
TV umpire: Amish Saheba (IND)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)
Third one-dayer: At Kanpur (Sunday)
Source : afp.google.com
Friday, November 9, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Yuvraj and Dhoni Set India to Easy Win
GUWAHATI, India (AFP) — Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh slammed solid half-centuries to guide India to an emphatic five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first one-day international here on Monday.
Skipper Dhoni top-scored with 63 and Yuvraj made 58 as India surpassed Pakistan's total of 239-7 with 18 balls to spare for a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Left-handed Yuvraj and Dhoni applied themselves remarkably well on a low, slow pitch as they took no risks during their 105-run stand for the fourth wicket to ensure a comfortable win.
Yuvraj hit one six and six fours in his 31st half-century and Dhoni eight fours in his 17th. When Dhoni was caught behind off paceman Shoaib Akhtar, India were just 15 short of win with five wickets in hand.
"The start we got was excellent. Our bowlers bowled according to the field. Murali Kartik and Harbhajan Singh have been doing well consistently and the conditions favoured the spinners," said Dhoni, named man of the match.
"The pitch was doing a bit and we knew if we got settled down we could go after the bowlers later."
Pakistan earlier rode on impressive half-centuries from middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf (83 not out) and left-handed opener Salman Butt (50) to reach a respectable total after winning the toss.
Akhtar briefly raised Pakistan's hopes of defending the total when he troubled the Indian top order in a sharp four-over opening spell, but was unlucky not to get more than one wicket.
His eagerly-awaited duel with record-breaking Sachin Tendulkar (four) ended early as he trapped the Indian leg-before in his second over with a slower delivery that kept a bit low.
Akhtar then came close to removing Gambhir early in the batsman's innings, the ball going between wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and first-slip Younis Khan and then eluding the outstretched right hand of the slip fielder for fours.
The lapses proved costly as Gambhir (44) went on to add 82 for the second wicket with Sourav Ganguly (39).
"I think a target of 240 was defendable on this surface, but we dropped two-three catches," said Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik.
"We were struggling a bit in the field. We learnt a lot from today's game. There are still four more matches to go and we hope to do better."
Indian spinners Harbhajan, Kartik and Tendulkar earlier played major roles in restricting Pakistan.
Part-timer Tendulkar grabbed two crucial wickets, while off-spinner Harbhajan and left-arm spinner Kartik conceded just 65 off their combined 20 overs.
Tendulkar dismissed hard-hitting Afridi (31) and Malik (two) just when Pakistan threatened to go for big shots.
India looked in command after tight spells from the spin trio, but Yousuf kept his end intact and helped his side score 74 in the closing 10 overs.
Butt, dropped for the recent home one-day series against South Africa, did the bulk of scoring in the initial overs and executed some handsome strokes against new-ball bowlers Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh.
Yousuf initially struggled to score freely against spin and offered a chance on 10 when he mistimed a shot off Kartik, but Ganguly was a bit late to reach the ball running to his right in the covers.
The Pakistani batsman made the most of the chance and went on to complete his 58th half-century. He hit seven fours in his 88-ball knock.
Source : afp.google.com
Skipper Dhoni top-scored with 63 and Yuvraj made 58 as India surpassed Pakistan's total of 239-7 with 18 balls to spare for a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Left-handed Yuvraj and Dhoni applied themselves remarkably well on a low, slow pitch as they took no risks during their 105-run stand for the fourth wicket to ensure a comfortable win.
Yuvraj hit one six and six fours in his 31st half-century and Dhoni eight fours in his 17th. When Dhoni was caught behind off paceman Shoaib Akhtar, India were just 15 short of win with five wickets in hand.
"The start we got was excellent. Our bowlers bowled according to the field. Murali Kartik and Harbhajan Singh have been doing well consistently and the conditions favoured the spinners," said Dhoni, named man of the match.
"The pitch was doing a bit and we knew if we got settled down we could go after the bowlers later."
Pakistan earlier rode on impressive half-centuries from middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf (83 not out) and left-handed opener Salman Butt (50) to reach a respectable total after winning the toss.
Akhtar briefly raised Pakistan's hopes of defending the total when he troubled the Indian top order in a sharp four-over opening spell, but was unlucky not to get more than one wicket.
His eagerly-awaited duel with record-breaking Sachin Tendulkar (four) ended early as he trapped the Indian leg-before in his second over with a slower delivery that kept a bit low.
Akhtar then came close to removing Gambhir early in the batsman's innings, the ball going between wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and first-slip Younis Khan and then eluding the outstretched right hand of the slip fielder for fours.
The lapses proved costly as Gambhir (44) went on to add 82 for the second wicket with Sourav Ganguly (39).
"I think a target of 240 was defendable on this surface, but we dropped two-three catches," said Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik.
"We were struggling a bit in the field. We learnt a lot from today's game. There are still four more matches to go and we hope to do better."
Indian spinners Harbhajan, Kartik and Tendulkar earlier played major roles in restricting Pakistan.
Part-timer Tendulkar grabbed two crucial wickets, while off-spinner Harbhajan and left-arm spinner Kartik conceded just 65 off their combined 20 overs.
Tendulkar dismissed hard-hitting Afridi (31) and Malik (two) just when Pakistan threatened to go for big shots.
India looked in command after tight spells from the spin trio, but Yousuf kept his end intact and helped his side score 74 in the closing 10 overs.
Butt, dropped for the recent home one-day series against South Africa, did the bulk of scoring in the initial overs and executed some handsome strokes against new-ball bowlers Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh.
Yousuf initially struggled to score freely against spin and offered a chance on 10 when he mistimed a shot off Kartik, but Ganguly was a bit late to reach the ball running to his right in the covers.
The Pakistani batsman made the most of the chance and went on to complete his 58th half-century. He hit seven fours in his 88-ball knock.
Source : afp.google.com
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Tendulkar, Akhtar set to spice up India-Pakistan series
NEW DELHI (AFP) — If controversial Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar hopes to redeem his image on the current Indian tour, he will first have to conquer Sachin Tendulkar.
Chucking allegations, a drug-ban, indiscipline and injuries have dogged the mercurial paceman ever since his international debut in 1997. But when he is battle-ready, he can make life miserable for batsmen.
Akhtar's duels with Tendulkar have caught the fancy of fans on both sides of the border ever since his first-ball dismissal of the master batsman in a Test match in Kolkata in 1999.
Their duel was the talking point during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Tendulkar won that battle with a bold 98 off 75 balls to set up his team's victory at Centurion.
Tendulkar later described the innings as one of the highlights of his record-breaking one-day career.
But Akhtar has not always been a punchbag for the Indians.
His 34 wickets in 23 one-dayers against the arch-rivals means he remains a constant threat. He has also grabbed 19 wickets in seven Tests against India.
Tendulkar has often dominated the Pakistani attack with rich strokeplay, having scored 2,122 runs in 61 one-dayers with five centuries and 918 runs in 16 Tests with two hundreds.
Pakistan will play five one-dayers on the current tour, with the first starting in Guwahati on Monday. The teams will then clash in a three-Test series beginning on November 22.
Akhtar is known as much for his mood swings as for hurling down thunderbolts and they have often proved his undoing in a career spanning nearly a decade.
He recently served a 13-match ban, primarily for striking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat ahead of the inaugural Twenty20 world championships in South Africa in September.
Akhtar has been placed on probation for two years, meaning he could be suspended for life if he again breaches the players' code of conduct.
He returned to international cricket in the decisive fifth and final one-dayer against South Africa at home last month, only to prove he could be a batsmen's nightmare when on song.
His four-wicket burst nearly set up his team's win before the batsmen messed it up chasing a 234-run target at Lahore. Pakistan lost the series 3-2, but Akhtar won many a heart on his comeback.
He is now on a mission.
"I promise I will do my best and give my full effort on the tour of India to help my team win both the one-day and Test series," said Akhtar.
"I have missed a lot of cricket due to injuries and other reasons but now I want to focus on my game. This may be my last tour so I must do something special for the fans in India so that they remember me in a good way."
He needs to keep Tendulkar silent first if he wants to make this tour a memorable one for him.
India have found talented youngsters in Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, but still depend on Tendulkar for setting or successfully chasing a stiff target.
Tendulkar may not be as explosive a batsman as he was a decade ago, but he still has the shots to test any attack. He also has an uncanny knack of finding gaps where none appears to exist.
The Indian is the world's leading scorer in one-dayers with 15,703 runs in 402 matches and a record 41 centuries.
It promises to be an engrossing contest when he faces Akhtar, one of the fastest pacemen in the world.
Source : afp.google.com
Chucking allegations, a drug-ban, indiscipline and injuries have dogged the mercurial paceman ever since his international debut in 1997. But when he is battle-ready, he can make life miserable for batsmen.
Akhtar's duels with Tendulkar have caught the fancy of fans on both sides of the border ever since his first-ball dismissal of the master batsman in a Test match in Kolkata in 1999.
Their duel was the talking point during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Tendulkar won that battle with a bold 98 off 75 balls to set up his team's victory at Centurion.
Tendulkar later described the innings as one of the highlights of his record-breaking one-day career.
But Akhtar has not always been a punchbag for the Indians.
His 34 wickets in 23 one-dayers against the arch-rivals means he remains a constant threat. He has also grabbed 19 wickets in seven Tests against India.
Tendulkar has often dominated the Pakistani attack with rich strokeplay, having scored 2,122 runs in 61 one-dayers with five centuries and 918 runs in 16 Tests with two hundreds.
Pakistan will play five one-dayers on the current tour, with the first starting in Guwahati on Monday. The teams will then clash in a three-Test series beginning on November 22.
Akhtar is known as much for his mood swings as for hurling down thunderbolts and they have often proved his undoing in a career spanning nearly a decade.
He recently served a 13-match ban, primarily for striking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat ahead of the inaugural Twenty20 world championships in South Africa in September.
Akhtar has been placed on probation for two years, meaning he could be suspended for life if he again breaches the players' code of conduct.
He returned to international cricket in the decisive fifth and final one-dayer against South Africa at home last month, only to prove he could be a batsmen's nightmare when on song.
His four-wicket burst nearly set up his team's win before the batsmen messed it up chasing a 234-run target at Lahore. Pakistan lost the series 3-2, but Akhtar won many a heart on his comeback.
He is now on a mission.
"I promise I will do my best and give my full effort on the tour of India to help my team win both the one-day and Test series," said Akhtar.
"I have missed a lot of cricket due to injuries and other reasons but now I want to focus on my game. This may be my last tour so I must do something special for the fans in India so that they remember me in a good way."
He needs to keep Tendulkar silent first if he wants to make this tour a memorable one for him.
India have found talented youngsters in Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, but still depend on Tendulkar for setting or successfully chasing a stiff target.
Tendulkar may not be as explosive a batsman as he was a decade ago, but he still has the shots to test any attack. He also has an uncanny knack of finding gaps where none appears to exist.
The Indian is the world's leading scorer in one-dayers with 15,703 runs in 402 matches and a record 41 centuries.
It promises to be an engrossing contest when he faces Akhtar, one of the fastest pacemen in the world.
Source : afp.google.com
Younis keen to better ODI record against India
Guwahati: With a fine record against India in Test cricket, Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan would like to do the same in One-Day Internationals as well and improve his average to match his whopping Test average of 106.10 against the neighbours when the series starts here Monday.
In six Tests against India, the smiling assassin has amassed an amazing 1,061 runs at 106.10 against India, with four centuries and three half-centuries. His highest score against India is 261, on which Pakistan rode to win the third Test in Bangalore in 2005.
Tendulkar, Afridi will be the key players, says Inzy
Now, Younis would like to rectify his modest ODI record against the same opponents, though the right-hander from the North West Frontier Province says he does not play for records. "I don't go by past records. In fact, I have never played for records," he said.
Younis, however, pointed to the early start of day matches as one of the reasons for his not-so-good ODI record against India. He has scored only 81 in 22 ODIs innings with three half-centuries. "You people start the day matches so early here in India that even before one could open his sleepy eyes, he finds himself on the ground," the friendly player said with a big smile.
He would gain confidence from the fact that he had some good scores in the recent home series against South Africa. He finished off with 82 and 58 in the last two ODIs before heading for India.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Younis would also like to score runs in a dignified manner, the spirit for which cricket is known. He would not be drawn into unnecessary aggression. "It is going to be a contest between bat and ball. In my seven-year career I have never abused any opponent," he said.
Younis was also quick to jump to the defence of Indian medium pacer S. Sreesanth, who at times hogs headlines more for his on-field aggression than his bowling. "Sreesanth has never done anything against us. Even in the last series he did not do anything like that," he said.
He, however, pointed out that the line should never be crossed.
He believed that the India-Pakistan series would be fought on a level playing field despite Pakistan's two losses to India in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last September.
Younis said his team would not play with an aim to avenge those setbacks. "It will be a level contest," he said, while trying to play down his own role in the batting line-up that comprises the likes of Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Source : sify.com
In six Tests against India, the smiling assassin has amassed an amazing 1,061 runs at 106.10 against India, with four centuries and three half-centuries. His highest score against India is 261, on which Pakistan rode to win the third Test in Bangalore in 2005.
Tendulkar, Afridi will be the key players, says Inzy
Now, Younis would like to rectify his modest ODI record against the same opponents, though the right-hander from the North West Frontier Province says he does not play for records. "I don't go by past records. In fact, I have never played for records," he said.
Younis, however, pointed to the early start of day matches as one of the reasons for his not-so-good ODI record against India. He has scored only 81 in 22 ODIs innings with three half-centuries. "You people start the day matches so early here in India that even before one could open his sleepy eyes, he finds himself on the ground," the friendly player said with a big smile.
He would gain confidence from the fact that he had some good scores in the recent home series against South Africa. He finished off with 82 and 58 in the last two ODIs before heading for India.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Younis would also like to score runs in a dignified manner, the spirit for which cricket is known. He would not be drawn into unnecessary aggression. "It is going to be a contest between bat and ball. In my seven-year career I have never abused any opponent," he said.
Younis was also quick to jump to the defence of Indian medium pacer S. Sreesanth, who at times hogs headlines more for his on-field aggression than his bowling. "Sreesanth has never done anything against us. Even in the last series he did not do anything like that," he said.
He, however, pointed out that the line should never be crossed.
He believed that the India-Pakistan series would be fought on a level playing field despite Pakistan's two losses to India in the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa last September.
Younis said his team would not play with an aim to avenge those setbacks. "It will be a level contest," he said, while trying to play down his own role in the batting line-up that comprises the likes of Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Source : sify.com
Friday, November 2, 2007
Indian Cricket and Hockey stars felicitated together!
The President of India felicitated the Indian cricket and hockey players together. It was wonderful when the captains of the two teams posed with the President, putting to rest the animosity of a step-motherly treatment to hockey players.
OCTOBER 30 was a memorable day for our country, as the President Pratibha Patil felicitated the Indian cricket and hockey players. Before that, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitated the Indian cricket players. In fact, this was a rare opportunity when players from two different forms of games were honoured together.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his cordon first met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Indian team, which had won the ICC World Twenty20 Cup after beating Pakistan in the finals by five runs, was looking highly excited. Dr. Singh congratulated members of the Indian cricket team and felicitated them with the mementos for their achievement.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the Indian cricket players headed towards the Darbar Hall of the Rasthrapati Bhawan. The Indian hockey team that has won the Asia Cup last month was also present in the interaction session with the President. Mahendra Singh Dhoni greeted the hockey captain Prabodh Tirkey and the duo together posed for the cameras. Later Dhoni presented a bat to the President signed by all the players of the winning team. The President also interacted with the players of the hockey team and Prabodh Tirkey presented her a replica of the Asia Cup.
"It is heartening to know that it has been a successful year for Indian sports. I congratulate the victorious teams for their hard work. As a sports loving nation we should see that achievements of sports persons do not go unappreciated," the President said in a brief speech before coming down from the dais to meet the players. "You deserve all the compliments for that. Not only me, the entire nation is proud of your achievements. I have called you to appreciate your triumph so that the younger generation can derive inspiration from you," she added.
Meanwhile Patil also appreciated the feat of Indian football team of winning the Nehru Cup and made a special mention of chess player Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship triumph. Yesterday’s meeting with the President has not only increased the moral of the players, but it has also pleased the people who always complain about the government’s step attitude about hockey. It is a fact that all greet the rising sun, if the players will give their good performance, every citizen of the country will appreciate it.
Of course, cricket is more glamorous and much popular among young generation, but hockey also has it distinct fervour. It would be illogical to say that the national game of India is not getting proper attention, whenever the team has got a big success all have praised that. Recent example is the triumph of the hockey team in Asia Cup when the whole national celebrated. If the team will give good performance consistently than hockey will also get popularity like game like cricket. Here we can’t deny that from financial point of view, the hockey players are getting less add than cricket players and the government should think about that.
Source : merinews.com
OCTOBER 30 was a memorable day for our country, as the President Pratibha Patil felicitated the Indian cricket and hockey players. Before that, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitated the Indian cricket players. In fact, this was a rare opportunity when players from two different forms of games were honoured together.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his cordon first met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. Indian team, which had won the ICC World Twenty20 Cup after beating Pakistan in the finals by five runs, was looking highly excited. Dr. Singh congratulated members of the Indian cricket team and felicitated them with the mementos for their achievement.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, the Indian cricket players headed towards the Darbar Hall of the Rasthrapati Bhawan. The Indian hockey team that has won the Asia Cup last month was also present in the interaction session with the President. Mahendra Singh Dhoni greeted the hockey captain Prabodh Tirkey and the duo together posed for the cameras. Later Dhoni presented a bat to the President signed by all the players of the winning team. The President also interacted with the players of the hockey team and Prabodh Tirkey presented her a replica of the Asia Cup.
"It is heartening to know that it has been a successful year for Indian sports. I congratulate the victorious teams for their hard work. As a sports loving nation we should see that achievements of sports persons do not go unappreciated," the President said in a brief speech before coming down from the dais to meet the players. "You deserve all the compliments for that. Not only me, the entire nation is proud of your achievements. I have called you to appreciate your triumph so that the younger generation can derive inspiration from you," she added.
Meanwhile Patil also appreciated the feat of Indian football team of winning the Nehru Cup and made a special mention of chess player Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship triumph. Yesterday’s meeting with the President has not only increased the moral of the players, but it has also pleased the people who always complain about the government’s step attitude about hockey. It is a fact that all greet the rising sun, if the players will give their good performance, every citizen of the country will appreciate it.
Of course, cricket is more glamorous and much popular among young generation, but hockey also has it distinct fervour. It would be illogical to say that the national game of India is not getting proper attention, whenever the team has got a big success all have praised that. Recent example is the triumph of the hockey team in Asia Cup when the whole national celebrated. If the team will give good performance consistently than hockey will also get popularity like game like cricket. Here we can’t deny that from financial point of view, the hockey players are getting less add than cricket players and the government should think about that.
Source : merinews.com
India’s practice session under clouds at Eden
Kolkata: The Indian cricket team's outdoor net sessions at the two-day camp, beginning here tomorrow, could be a casualty to rains with the Met office's forecast of light rains or thundershowers for the next 24 hours.
The practice facilities at the Pankaj Gupta Indoor Coaching Centre housed within the Eden Gardens could become the hub of activity if the weatherman's predictions come true.
Mohammad Asif pulls out of ODI series
The players are unlikely to risk injury by tuning up on the lush-green ground if the field is rendered soggy and slippery. The sky remained cloudy during the day with the sun making intermittent appearances, amidst sporadic drizzles since morning.
Samar Pal, joint secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, however, expressed confidence that the Indian team would get perfect practice conditions at the camp. "Nobody has a control over the elements. As of now, the ground is in perfect shape," he said.
Indian team’s coaching staff who were originally scheduled to arrive in the city this afternoon to chalk out the plans and programmes for the camp, will now reach here tomorrow morning. "The players have to report by 1 pm. The nets will begin from 3 pm," cricket manager Lalchand Rajput said from Mumbai.
Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, fielding coach Robin Singh and Rajput would supervise the camp. The session is likely to stretch into the evening to allow the players practice opportunities under lights.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Meanwhile, the Board today dispelled doubts expressed in some sections of the media about the camp to be held in Kolkata because of the rains. "There is no shift in the camp venue. It will be held at Kolkata," Cricket Board's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.
>> More News
The practice facilities at the Pankaj Gupta Indoor Coaching Centre housed within the Eden Gardens could become the hub of activity if the weatherman's predictions come true.
Mohammad Asif pulls out of ODI series
The players are unlikely to risk injury by tuning up on the lush-green ground if the field is rendered soggy and slippery. The sky remained cloudy during the day with the sun making intermittent appearances, amidst sporadic drizzles since morning.
Samar Pal, joint secretary of Cricket Association of Bengal, however, expressed confidence that the Indian team would get perfect practice conditions at the camp. "Nobody has a control over the elements. As of now, the ground is in perfect shape," he said.
Indian team’s coaching staff who were originally scheduled to arrive in the city this afternoon to chalk out the plans and programmes for the camp, will now reach here tomorrow morning. "The players have to report by 1 pm. The nets will begin from 3 pm," cricket manager Lalchand Rajput said from Mumbai.
Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, fielding coach Robin Singh and Rajput would supervise the camp. The session is likely to stretch into the evening to allow the players practice opportunities under lights.
Pakistan in India – Tour Itinerary
Meanwhile, the Board today dispelled doubts expressed in some sections of the media about the camp to be held in Kolkata because of the rains. "There is no shift in the camp venue. It will be held at Kolkata," Cricket Board's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.
>> More News
Source : sify.com
Pakistan captain Malik promises exciting cricket against India
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik promised Thursday to play exciting cricket during a six-week tour of India.
"Playing India is always exciting, we all love to play India," Malik told reporters after the Pakistan team arrived in India for the tour comprising five limited-overs internationals and three Tests matches.
"We're eager to play exciting and competitive cricket," added Malik, whose team was escorted out of New Delhi's international airport by security staff that blocked a crowd of fans from approaching the players.
Pakistan's coach, former Australian Test player Geoff Lawson, said he was anxious to experience the atmosphere of an India-Pakistan series, which he termed the biggest rivalry in world cricket.
"I think an India-Pakistan contest is bigger than the Ashes," said Lawson. "I understand a fair bit what happens here when India plays Pakistan. It's more than a cricket contest, it becomes a national rivalry."
The Pakistan team is without paceman Mohammad Asif who dropped out of the limited-overs internationals due to an elbow injury just before the team embarked on the tour.
"Asif's a quality player. We'll always miss him, but we have quality replacements," said Lawson.
The Pakistan team still features four pace bowlers in Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanveer.
Lawson said the Pakistan team had learnt a lot from its mistakes during the recent series against South Africa that Graeme Smith's team won 3-2.
Lawson said he was not bothered by that fact that India has been dubbed the stronger side for the upcoming one-day series that begins Nov. 5 in the northeastern city of Gauhati.
"Whether we start as the favourites or not, what matters is how players handle the pressure," he said. "There's very little difference between the two sides."
Malik said the Pakistan team was determined to repeat its one-day series triumph during the last tour of India in 2005.
"The recent matches against South Africa were very close contests, showing us that small mistakes can prove expensive," said Malik.
Pakistan will open the tour with a one-day practice match against a Delhi XI on Friday.
The Delhi team will be led by Test opener Gautam Gambhir, but will miss star batsman Virender Sehwag, whose father died this week.
The Delhi XI will also be without the injured pace pair of Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma. Nehra has pulled out of the match due to an ankle problem, while Sharma is recuperating from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board said it would ask its government to loosen a restriction that will see just 250 tickets per match sold to Pakistani fans.
Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said Thursday that the allocation was too small and that the board would ask for more tickets for travelling Pakistani fans.
"Our president will also meet with the (Indian) foreign minister," Shah said.
Source : canadianpress.google.com
"Playing India is always exciting, we all love to play India," Malik told reporters after the Pakistan team arrived in India for the tour comprising five limited-overs internationals and three Tests matches.
"We're eager to play exciting and competitive cricket," added Malik, whose team was escorted out of New Delhi's international airport by security staff that blocked a crowd of fans from approaching the players.
Pakistan's coach, former Australian Test player Geoff Lawson, said he was anxious to experience the atmosphere of an India-Pakistan series, which he termed the biggest rivalry in world cricket.
"I think an India-Pakistan contest is bigger than the Ashes," said Lawson. "I understand a fair bit what happens here when India plays Pakistan. It's more than a cricket contest, it becomes a national rivalry."
The Pakistan team is without paceman Mohammad Asif who dropped out of the limited-overs internationals due to an elbow injury just before the team embarked on the tour.
"Asif's a quality player. We'll always miss him, but we have quality replacements," said Lawson.
The Pakistan team still features four pace bowlers in Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanveer.
Lawson said the Pakistan team had learnt a lot from its mistakes during the recent series against South Africa that Graeme Smith's team won 3-2.
Lawson said he was not bothered by that fact that India has been dubbed the stronger side for the upcoming one-day series that begins Nov. 5 in the northeastern city of Gauhati.
"Whether we start as the favourites or not, what matters is how players handle the pressure," he said. "There's very little difference between the two sides."
Malik said the Pakistan team was determined to repeat its one-day series triumph during the last tour of India in 2005.
"The recent matches against South Africa were very close contests, showing us that small mistakes can prove expensive," said Malik.
Pakistan will open the tour with a one-day practice match against a Delhi XI on Friday.
The Delhi team will be led by Test opener Gautam Gambhir, but will miss star batsman Virender Sehwag, whose father died this week.
The Delhi XI will also be without the injured pace pair of Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma. Nehra has pulled out of the match due to an ankle problem, while Sharma is recuperating from a shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board said it would ask its government to loosen a restriction that will see just 250 tickets per match sold to Pakistani fans.
Niranjan Shah, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, said Thursday that the allocation was too small and that the board would ask for more tickets for travelling Pakistani fans.
"Our president will also meet with the (Indian) foreign minister," Shah said.
Source : canadianpress.google.com
What links cricket and Bollywood
There are two things Indians are crazy about -- cricket and Bollywood.And when the two meet, fireworks are bound to happen. Just look at what followed after Om Shanti Om's Deepika Padukone cheered for the Indian cricket team at the recent Twenty-20 match against Australia held in Mumbai.
Speculation was rife that she was there to cheer the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Though Deepika claims to be just friends with the Indian captain, reports say the actress was invited by Dhoni after she asked him for a special Om Shanti Om preview.
Whether there is any truth to that is debatable, but there is always been a strong romantic link between cricket and Bollywood. While some have 'run out' of steam, others are hoping to last at least half a century.
rediff.com takes a look at some of these partnerships.
Also read: Making beautiful music together
Source : specials.rediff.com
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sachin back into top 10 ODI batsmen rankings
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has moved back into the top 10 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for One-Day International (ODI) batsmen. In the latest rankings issued on Monday, Sachin moved up three places to sit at joint 9th, alongside Chris Gayle of the West Indies.
He is the only Indian batsman in the top 10. Vice-captain Yuvraj Singh is at 15th place, while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni occupies the 16th position.
On the debit side of the ledger, however, former captain Rahul Dravid has slipped seven places and is now lies in 22nd place. India's highest-placed bowler in the relevant table is Harbhajan Singh, down in 29th position.
Australia's Andrew Symonds is within touching distance of top spot in the ODI batsmen rankings.
The powerful right-hander, who bludgeoned a brutal 107 from just 88 balls against India in Nagpur on Sunday, has rocketed up six spots to second place and is now just eight rating points behind his captain and team-mate Ricky Ponting.
That rise is a reflection of his outstanding form during the ongoing series as he is the leading run-scorer from either side with 365 runs at an average of 91.25 and a strike-rate of 110.94 runs per hundred balls.
Symonds, who has reached a career-high tally of rating points, forms an impressive Australian 1-2-3 at the top of the batting table, behind Ponting but ahead of Matthew Hayden, the winner of the ODI Player of the Year award at the ICC Awards in September and the second highest run-getter in the current series.
Three other Australians are in the top 11 - Michael Hussey (5th), Michael Clarke (8th) and Adam Gilchrist (11th).
The news is just as good for Ponting's men in the bowling list with left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg breaking into the top 10 on the back of being joint leading wicket-taker (alongside team-mate Mitchell Johnson) in the India series with 11 victims.
Hogg is one of three Australia bowlers in that top 10 with Nathan Bracken (3rd) and Brett Lee (9th) also featuring.
Source : cricket.indiatimes.com
All eyes on Dravid but India plans to pound Pakistan with a young team aided by big weights
A big debate is going on Dravid. While the debate is on, young Indian team equipped with the T20 triumph and a respectable show against the Aussies are ready to take on the Pakistan team that looks weaker than normal.Sandeep is seeking Pawar's intervention in bringing Dravid back. But BCCI is adamant. They want to rest Dravid for now. A message is being sent all Indian crickets. It is simple and clear – ‘perform or quit.’
Indian team is not affected by these controversial political maneuvers. They are determined to take on the Pak Team.
The team got further excited as they were greeted by the PM Manmohan Singh and Indian President.
It is a young team with a young outgoing dashing captain that resembles Kapil Dev in the past. India performs the best when such non-conventional non text book style cricketers dominate the scenes.
This team will be aided by the experience and guidance of Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly. Very soon, trust me, Dravid will be back after resting a little bit and getting things together for him.
Source : indiadaily.com
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