India rout Hong Kong by 256 runs

India rout Hong Kong by 256 runs Karachi, June 25 (Agencies): India launched their Asia Cup campaign in an emphatic manner, routing minnows Hong Kong by 256 runs in their opening Group B match here today. Electing to bat, India rattled up massive 374 for four, riding on centuries by Suresh Raina (101) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (unbeaten 109), practicing well ahead of clash against arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan tomorrow. They then bundled out the opponents for a paltry 118 in 36.5 overs to register their second best victory margin, the highest being 257-run win against Bermuda in 2007. Young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (4/23) weaved the spin magic, bowling with guile as he forced three stumpings by foxing batsmen with his intriguing line and length apart fro effecting a catch out. Hong Kong skipper Tabarak Dar (21), James Atkinson (23) and Irfan Ahmed (25) were the main contributors in their side’s dismal run-chase. Left-arm paceman R P Singh drew the first blood in his very first over, trapping Skhawat Ali for a nought, to begin the rot. Dar and Atkinson then put up a 45-run stand for the second-wicket but once the skipper was dismissed, Hong Kong batsmen lacked confidence in negotiating the Indian attack. The runs, whatever scored, came at an agonisingly slow pace as the 100 came up only in the 32nd over. Poor running added to the woes of Hong Kong as lack of understanding resulted in run-outs of Irfan and Roy Lamsam. Sehwag then closed the Hong Kong innings with two wickets on successive deliveries as he first clean bowled Afzaal Haider and then had Nadeem Ahmed caught behind the wickets, giving Dhoni his fourth victim of the innings.Earlier, had it not been for a 15-over spell in which just 47 runs were scored, the highest total in ODIs - Sri Lanka’s 443 for 9 against Netherlands - would have been under serious threat. India finally managed 374 for 4, with Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helping themselves to centuries against a hapless bowling attack after Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had built a wonderful platform. India’s innings revolved around two partnerships: the opening stand of 127 between Sehwag - who blitzed a 44-ball 78 - and Gambhir, while Raina - whose 66-ball hundred is the second-fastest by an India - and Dhoni amassed 166 for the fourth wicket, an Asia Cup record. Both partnerships came at more than eight an over, which put Rohit Sharma’s dismal effort - 11 off 29 balls - into perspective. Dhoni chose to bat, and the openers seemed intent on marking the 25th anniversary of India’s World Cup upset over West Indies in style.ScorecardIndia: Gambhir c Lamsam b Najeeb Amar 51, Sehwag c Irfan Ahmed b Najeeb Amar 78, RG Sharma run out 11, MS Dhoni not out 109, SK Raina c Irfan Ahmed b Afzaal Haider 101, V Uthappa not out 15. Extras (b 6, lb 1, w 2) 9 . Total (4 wickets; 50 overs) 374. Fall of wickets: 1-127, 2-136, 3-159, 4-325. Bowling : Afzaal Haider 6-0-72-1, Rfan Ahmed 6-0-53-0, JPR Lamsam 2-0-27-0, Nadeem Ahmed 8-0-52-0, Najeeb Amar 10-0-40-2, Munir Dar 10-0-55-0, Skhawat Ali 8-0-8-0Hong Kong: Tabarak Dar st Dhoni b Chawla 21, Skhawat Ali lbw b Singh 0, JJ Atkinson c & b Pathan 23, KH Butt st Dhoni b Chawla 4, CK Kruger st Dhoni b Chawla 3, Irfan Ahmed run out (Singh/Pathan) 25, JPR Lamsam run out (Dhoni/Singh) 16, Munir Dar c Pathan b Chawla 4, Najeeb Amar not out 13, Afzaal Haider b Sehwag 0, Nadeem Ahmed c Dhoni b Sehwag 0. Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9. Total (all out; 36.5 overs) 118. Fall of wickets 1-4, 2-49, 3-54, 4-54, 5-67, 6-91, 7-99, 8-109, 9-118, 10-118. Bowling: P Kumar 5-0-21-0, RP Singh 4-0-19-1, M Gony 5-1-11-0, PP Chawla 10-2-23-4, YK Pathan 10-0-37-1, V Sehwag 2.5-0-5-2.

Lanka thrash Bangla by 131 runs Lahore,

Lanka thrash Bangla by 131 runs Lahore,

June 25 (Agencies): Chasing a huge Sri Lankan total of 357, Bangladesh could manage only 226 for seven in their alloted overs to suffer a 131-run defeat. Mohammad Ashraful was left to rue his decision at the toss - on the sort of pitch where they had piled 300-plus the previous day, Bangladesh decided to field first and paid a heavy price as Sri Lanka, fired by some superb top-order batting by Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya, piled a massive target before inflicting a heavy defeat. Chasing an insurmountable target, Bangladesh never seemed like waging a battle although a fourth-wicket stand of 78 between Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan played a major hand in delaying the inevitable. For a while the duo played with patience, character even tackled smartly the spin of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. But eventually, Muralitharan got the better of their grit, effectively ending the Bangladesh fight. Earlier the responsibility, once again, fell on Ashraful to play the multiple role of anchor, hustler and finisher. Yesterday, Ashraful had scored a composed century. Today, after his top edge was spilled by Jayasuriya, Ashraful went for a brash pull against a short ball from Dilhara Fernando. The umpire Simon Taufel thought the ball had brushed his gloves but the batsman started his walk with disbelief. SCORECARDSri Lanka: Jayasuriya b Abdur Razzak 72, Sangakkara c Tamim Iqbal b Mahmudullah 101, Jayawardene b Abdur Razzak 6, Kapugedera c Mashrafe Mortaza b Abdur Razzak 74, Silva c Mushfiqur Rahim b Alok Kapali 19, Dilshan c Tamim Iqbal b Mashrafe Mortaza 29, Vaas c Tamim Iqbal b Mashrafe Mortaza 13, Kulasekara c Mohammad Ashraful b Shahadat Hossain 1 3, Mendis not out 15, Muralitharan c Mohammad Ashraful b Shahadat Hossain 5, Fernando not out 0. Extras (lb 4, w 18) 22. Total (9 wickets; 50 overs) 357. Fall of wickets: 1-116), 2-170, 3-211, 4-264, 5-303, 6-330, 7-336, 8-337, 9-347. Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0-53-2, Shahadat Hossain 7-0-62-2, Dolar Mahmud 3-0-49-0, Mahmudullah 10-0-62-1, Abdur Razzak 10-0-55-3, Alok Kapali 10-0-72-1Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal b Kulasekara 28, Nazimuddin c Sangakkara b Vaas 1, Mohammad Ashraful c Sangakkara b Fernando 8, Raqibul Hasan st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 35, Mushfiqur Rahim c & b Muralitharan 44, Alok Kapali c Jayasuriya b Silva 30, Mahmudullah b Jayasuriya 4, Mashrafe Mortaza not out 34, Abdur Razzak not out 22. Extras (b 4, lb 6, w 8, nb 2) 20, Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 226. Fall of wickets1-5, 2-35, 3-48, 4-126, 5-135, 6-142, 7-177. Bowling Vaas 6-1-16-1, Kulasekara 7-0-33-1, Fernando 8-0-53-1, Mendis 10-1-34-0, M Muralitharan 10-0-37-2, Jayasuriya 5-0-22-1, Silva 4-1-21-1.

Asia Cup: India decimate Hong Kong

Asia Cup: India decimate Hong Kong

June 25, 2008 23:00 ISTIndia launched their Asia Cup campaign in an emphatic manner, routing minnows Hong Kong by 256 runs in their opening Group B match in Karachi on Wednesday.

Electing to bat, India rattled up massive 374 for four, riding on centuries by Suresh Raina (101) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (unbeaten 109), practicing well ahead of clash against arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan on Thursday.They then bundled out the opponents for a paltry 118 in 36.5 overs to register their second best victory margin, the highest being 257-run win against Bermuda in 2007.Young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (4/23) weaved the spin magic, bowling with guile as he forced three stumpings by foxing batsmen with his intriguing line and length apart fro effecting a catch out.Hong Kong skipper Tabarak Dar (21), James Atkinson (23) and Irfan Ahmed (25) were the main contributors in their side's dismal run-chase.Left-arm paceman R P Singh drew the first blood in his very first over, trapping Skhawat Ali for a nought, to begin the rot.Dar and Atkinson then put up a 45-run stand for the second-wicket but once the skipper was dismissed, Hong Kong batsmen lacked confidence in negotiating the Indian attack.The runs, whatever scored, came at an agonisingly slow pace as the 100 came up only in the 32nd over.Poor running added to the woes of Hong Kong as lack of understanding resulted in run-outs of Irfan and Roy Lamsam.Sehwag then closed the Hong Kong innings with two wickets on successive deliveries as he first clean bowled Afzaal Haider and then had Nadeem Ahmed caught behind the wickets, giving Dhoni his fourth victim of the innings. Earlier, Suresh Raina notched up his maiden one-day century and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni his fourth as India sent minnows Hong Kong on a leather hunt scoring a massive 374 for four.Raina spearheaded the batting blitz with his scintillating 101-run knock and teamed up with Dhoni (unbeaten 109) to put on 166 from 123 balls, which saw India set the highest total in Asia Cup history. The 21-year old left hander was in spectacular form, reaching his first fifty from exactly 50 balls and then stepped up the tempo to race to his century from only 16 balls hitting five sixes and three fours in this period.Raina was extremely harsh on pacer Skhawat Ali who went for three sixes in one over.Raina fell two balls after smashing pacer Afzaal Haider for a six to reach his hundred and was caught at mid-wicket. Dhoni touched the three-figure mark after consuming balls and helped himself with with six sixes and five fours to anchor the innings.India with their strong performance also warmed up in spectacular fashion for their important clash against traditional rivals, Pakistan. The Hong Kong spinners who had done an admirable job against Pakistan in their first match never recovered from an early blitz from openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.The duo put on 127 for the first wicket and plundered runs at will, scoring 95 in first 10 overs.The two openers brought up the fifty in under six overs and put on a smashing 100 from 65 balls before Sehwag went for a blistering 78 from 44 balls with 13 fours and two big sixes.He fell to left arm spinner Najeeb Amar, who also dismissed Gambhir after the Delhi player had made a quick 51 from 54 balls.Rohit Sharma was needlessly run out for 11 runs missing out on a great batting practice opportunity. But Dhoni and the Raina were unstoppable.Nadeem Ahmed, who took four wickets against Pakistan went wicket less. Source: rediff.com

Asia Cup will be a close contest: Malik

New Delhi: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik believes the forthcoming Asia Cup would be an open contest with Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka all having equal chances of winning the final.
"I wouldn't say any team is favourite. India is a strong and balanced side but we showed in the tri-series final they can be beaten. So in a way this Asia Cup I think is going to be the closest one in recent years," Malik told reporters at the national stadium on Friday.

Twenty Pakistani probables began their training in a conditioning camp for the continental tournament with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, the notable player, missing from action.
The national selectors dropped the experienced Akmal from the short list of players giving a proper chance to young Sarfraz Ahmed to prove himself.

Malik said Pakistan's only advantage in the coming tournament would be that it would be playing in home conditions.

"Other than that all three top teams are balanced and can win on their day. The pitches also don't make much of a difference as there is no dew problem in Karachi at this time of the year even at night time," he said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asia-cup-will-be-a-close-contest-malik/32264-13.html

Free for now, but Asif riddle remains

New Delhi: Mohammad Asif has finally arrived in Lahore, ending a 19-day ordeal after the authorities in Dubai decided to release him from detention for carrying contraband drugs.
The PCB has decided to get to the "bottom of the truth" and they will start by quizzing the Hakeem, who had given Asif the banned drug as a "medicine".

For Asif, the golden words of freedom must have come as a huge sigh of relief. Held in detention for 19 days in Dubai, not many including the Pakistan fast bowler himself would have known when he would get to set foot on home soil again.

"I was cleared in all my tests there. There were two tests one during the IPL, which I cleared as well. Had I tested positive, the ICC would have banned me already. (PCB official) Nadeem Akram's presence gave me a lot of hope while I was in detention," Asif said upon his arrival in Lahore on Friday.

Though it is difficult to put a finger on whether State intervention saved the day for the young fast bowler, the Dubai authorities' statement on his release does leave unanswered questions.
Mohammad Al Nuaimi, the Dubai Public Prosecutor, said: "It is definite that he committed the crime of smuggling and possessing 0.24 grams of opium as he was caught red-handed. However, in certain cases and for a faster litigation process the Public Prosecution drops a case due to insignificance."

However, Asif's road back in to the Pakistan team will not be as quick. The PCB says they will continue their investigations into the matter.

"PCB intends to conduct an immediate inquiry into this matter, as per its policies and procedures, once the official records are received from the UAE authorities," a PCB statement said.

Cricket leaves a lot to be desired as far as discipline is concerned. Will Asif's case get the cricket authorities to come up with an exemplary censure, or will he get back to his ways without a fig to care about this episode that certainly shamed Pakistan cricket?

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/free-for-now-but-asif-riddle-remains/32269-13.html

Complacency, not Pakistan, India's main threat in final

R Eswar

Dhaka, Jun 13 (PTI) Rampaging form and beleaguered opponents tilt the scale pretty much in India's favour but complacency, and not Pakistan, pose the most serious threat to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team in the final of the cricket tri-series here tomorrow.With runs flowing from the top order blades and the bowling attack mowing down rival line-ups with regularity, Dhoni hardly had a reason to worry as his team bulldozed Bangladesh and pounded Pakistan with characteristic ruthlessness in two lop-sided league contests to storm into the final.In contrast, a depleted Pakistan reached the summit showdown not before India had inflicted on them their worst defeat against the arch-rivals.The 140-run thumping in fact had a ripple effect with a livid Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Nasim Ashraf shooting off a stinging e-mail to team manager Talat Ali seeking immediate explanation and questioning the team's ability, along with that of coach Geoff Lawson and the captain Shoaib Malik.And with Ashraf set to attend tomorrow's final, Malik and his teammates would surely feel the heat.In contrast, Dhoni's team has hardly put a foot wrong since their arrival here and the India captain said he was expecting the openers and new ball bowlers to give the side a good start tomorrow."I am really happy about the team performance. We have played two matches and in both ties, we had good starts both in batting and bowling. I wish the same kind of performance continues in the final against Pakistan also," Dhoni said. PTI

B’desh need a platform to test themselves

By Former India batsman Sandeep Patil

Pakistan's one-sided victory over Bangladesh in the first match of the tri-series was just not the kind of start the authorities would have liked. It was indeed disappointing for the home fans but then there were lessons to be learnt. I know Bangladesh made their Test debut in 2000 but cricket is a constant learning process.

Many vacant seats in the stadium did not give encouraging signals for the home team and one can well understand how dejected the fans must have been. Pakistan were a convincing winner and the difference between the teams only grew as the match progressed.

Of course, Bangladesh could take solace from the fact that leg-spinner Alok Kapali gave a decent account of himself. I like the confidence that Kapali brings to his job. He is a natural tweaker and loves to give the ball air. Now this is a quality that is fast diminishing in modern cricket and I thought it was a refreshing change to see a slow bowler take on the batsmen with some skillful stuff in a limited overs match. We know that Kapali is a talented cricketer and has a hat-trick in Tests but this performance should be special for the manner in which he got rid of Salman Butt, Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi, all wickets to be proud of.

Now that Pakistan have tasted early success, they will be confident of taking on an Indian team that is riding high on motivation. India will have a good platform now to test their strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for some tougher assignments ahead. To begin with, they would need to get past Pakistan on Tuesday.

The key here lies in adapting fast. The players would have to leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) behind and return to a different format that requires greater skills and endurance. Obviously Mahendra Singh Dhoni would have his strategies in place but the team has to look at consolidating its position.

The tri-series may not have captured the imagination of the cricket fans but it is important to have such competitions. The series would give Bangladesh an opportunity to assess their potential and there is not doubt that lot of work needs to be done. The empty seats at Dhaka must cause some worry for the authorities.

In my opinion, every series is important if a team wants to learn. It is not possible for India to just play Australia or South Africa all the while. Similarly, Bangladesh would also need a platform where they can test themselves against strong oppositions. I know most people would want to watch big teams with some big names but I have lot of time for Bangladesh. They are not minnows anymore and they cannot be just dismissed either. Cricket can be cruel at times, as India learnt at the last World Cup in the Caribbean, and Dhoni and his men could pay dearly if they take Bangladesh easy. Of course, they have to deal with Pakistan first.

Let the new-look Indian team grab the opportunity and make a strong statement. The youngsters would need to realise their responsibility and I expect Gautam Gambhir to show the way. He has expressed his keenness to play Test cricket regularly and this is the stage for him to demonstrate his intensity to achieve that goal.

Finally, I would take this opportunity to thank the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Mr. Sharad Pawar, for inviting us to a function on June 22 in New Delhi. It was nice to receive a letter from him for the function to celebrate 25 years of India winning the World Cup.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/columns/sandeeppatil/734/32054/bdesh-need-a-platform-to-test-themselves/1.html

Dalmiya likely to contest CAB poll

Kolkata: Former International Cricket Council chief Jagmohan Dalmiya is likely to challenge Prasun Mukherjee for the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) top post in July-end.

Even as Dalmiya declined to commit, his loyalists are confident that the former cricket board supremo is all set to sweep the CAB polls.

"This time the elections will be the one to watch out for. A wind of change is in the air and we must grab the opportunity to make full use of it. Dalmiya has already made up his mind to throw his hat in the ring. So watch out for more," a Dalmiya confidant said.

Declining to comment on the elections, Dalmiya said, "It's difficult to say yes or no now."
Sounding optimistic, he, however, added that he would talk about the matter in a few days.
"I'll have a word with my associates and CAB affiliate units in the next few days. Then I will make up my mind," said Dalmiya, who had stayed at the helm of CAB for consecutive 13 years before relinquishing in December 2006.

Having taken over the reins of CAB post-Dalmiya era, Mukherjee in the one and half year has reportedly lost significant support.

However, Mukherjee, the Additional Director General of Police (Telecom) Mukherjee sounded spirited.


He's welcome, I'm hearing this from you, so I don't have to give an essay on this. But I'm contesting the elections," he said. Known as a master negotiator, Dalmiya was the first Asian to head the ICC (1997-2000) after becoming secretary of the world body (1993-1996) and then its president (2001-2005).

The Dalmiya loyalists added that Bengal cricket was going through a very bad phase especially after their Ranji team's relegation to the Plate Division last season.

"At this time you need a capable cricket administrator. It can't be looked after by somebody other than Dalmiya. The option is very limited.

"He (Dalmiya) should stand for the betterment of Bengal cricket. He has already made up his mind," said the loyalist.

Asked why Dalmiya was not speaking up, he said, "He will say at the time of filing nomination. Being in opposition, he wants to maintain a low-profile."

The date of the election will be announced in the last working committee meeting of the CAB which will be held in the first week of July.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/dalmiya-likely-to-contest-cab-poll/32129-13-0.html

Asif desperate to watch B'desh tri-series

Mumbai: Unable to play for Pakistan in the ongoing tri-series in Bangladesh due to detention for possession of drugs on June 1 in Dubai, pace ace Mohammad Asif said he was missing the action as he was not even unable to watch ODIs on television.

"No I have not been able to watch the Pakistan-India match," he said from his Dubai detention area on Tuesday night.

Asif's only interview an Indian journalist after his detention, carried in the Mid-Day newspaper, was made possible through the efforts of two airport police authorities.

They said that though Asif's cellphone had been confiscated, and there was no direct telephone line inside the 'jail', the bowler could contact the journalist by using a pay phone.

"What's the score? Is Pakistan winning", Asif had asked about the match in progress on Tuesday night.

"There are no TV sets here. Only news we get is from morning newspapers", he said. "The language is also a problem to deal with the authorities. They speak Arabic and don't understand what I say," he added.

"I have made few freinds over here. We chat most of the time. They also like my company," he added.

Few Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are detained at the airport for various reasons.
Asif chatted for about five minutes, and didn't seem to be nervous in the jail. "I shall play football," he said jokingly when asked what would he do if banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

He evaded the question about the hakeem, who, Asif says, had supplied the drugs.

"Yes, I offer namaaz three-four times a day. There is a prayer room and Pakistani people don't miss namaaz at various time during day. Insh-Allah, I shall be free soon," he signed off.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asif-desperate-to-watch-bdesh-triseries/32118-13.html

Gambhir hundred sets up India-Pakistan final

Dhaka: Riding high after a massive win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their first game, India comfortably brushed aside Bangladesh by seven wickets on Thursday to sail into the final of the Kitply Cup tri-series here.

With a do-or-die match to play, Bangladesh, laid low by a huge loss to Pakistan, were looking for inspiration from their day of celebration in the 2007 World Cup, where India were humbled and later knocked out in the first round. But inspiration is one thing, repeating the act, another.

For Bangladesh to make the final despite a huge defeat to Pakistan, the hosts had a clear-cut job in front of them: to beat India by a handsome margin.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful had no hesitation in deciding to bat after calling the coin right on a batting beauty, but the hosts managed 222 all out, before Gautam Gambhir's fluent century and Virender Sehwag's blazing half-century put paid to the home side's hopes.
Sehwag came out firing on all cylinders as the right-hander brought up his fifty off just 29 balls before falling to Dollar Mahmud after sharing an opening wicket stand of 85. Gambhir, however, carried on his spectacular form to crack a superb century, his fifth in One-day Internationals, to set up a clinical run chase.

Gambhir remained not out on 107, collected off 101 balls, while Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh were the other men out, both for 26, as India reached their target with 14.5 overs to spare. Pakistan made the final by virtue of their win over Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi innings followed a similar script that played out against Pakistan, as the early departure of openers Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees saw the hosts crawl in the early stages of the innings, before Raqibul Hasan's gritty 89, coupled with handy contributions from the lower order took them to a competitive total.

The hosts' run-getting lacked purpose at first as Ashraful and Raqibul Hasan ambled across for the ones while boundaries were hard to come by. Although the initial movement of the new ball was safely negotiated, the Bangladesh skipper failed to get going before he offered a return catch to Yusuf Pathan on 36, ending a 76-run third wicket partnership.

Raqibul Hasan was the lone bright spot in a sedate batting display as he spruced up the proceedings with a calculated fifty on the face of some disciplined bowling by the Indians, but missed a well deserved century in an attempt to push the scoring rate.

Alok Kapali (20), Mahmudullah (24) and Mashrafe Mortaza (13) chipped in with useful cameos at the death to boost their score to 222.

India's bowlers had a terrific start as Praveen Kumar struck in the first over of play without a run being scored. Rudra Pratap Singh, who got the nod ahead of Ishant Sharma for the game, scalped three wickets while Irfan Pathan chipped in with two. Praveen Kumar, Piyush Chawla and Yusuf Pathan bagged a wicket each.

Bangladesh were thumped by Pakistan in the opening fixture of the series on Sunday, while India overwhelmed their arch-rivals by a huge 140-run margin.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/gambhir-hundred-sets-up-indiapakistan-final/32119-13-single.html

Raju inspired me to play for India: Ojha

Dhaka: One of the men who will be hoping for a debut in India colours is left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. He spoke to CNN-IBN about his experience so far in the India dressing room.

Pragyan Ojha: It's a great feeling to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Every growing cricketer always dreams of playing for the country. I think I'm lucky enough to be in the side.

Digvijay Singh Deo: When you started the season last year which ended with the IPL, did you have an inclination that this would be the year when you would break into the side, or has it come as a very pleasant surprise?

Pragyan Ojha: I have not been thinking about getting into the Indian team. I had that at the back of my mind that sometime I would make it. But I just wanted to be consistent wherever I play, and that is what my main focus was.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Now that you have come into the side and have had a couple of practice sessions, how has it been?

Pragyan Ojha: It's certainly been like a dream. But I'm just trying to do my best. We had a good practice session for a couple of days, fielding hard, batting or bowling. But I am enjoying everything.

Digvijay Singh Deo: Who is your idol?

Pragyan Ojha: Right from my childhood, it was Venkatapathy Raju. I watched him as a kid and always thought that I should play for the country like him. And it's been a blessing that I have been picked for this tour.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/raju-inspired-me-to-play-for-india-ojha/32071-14.html

We want to beat India by 150 runs: Lawson

Dhaka: After crushing Bangladesh by 70 runs, Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson says his team would now look to extend its 12-match unbeaten run by routing arch-rivals India by a bigger margin.

An elated Lawson said Pakistan just had to play their natural game without allowing the pressure of the contest to get to their nerves.

"We do not want to treat the match as a must win one and put ourselves under pressure. We want to play our own game,"

Lawson said about the match, a win in which would assure Pakistan a place in the finals.
On what the team's strategy would be against India, obviously stronger opponents than Bangladesh, the Australian said it was not meant to be discussed in the media.

"I would prefer to discuss strategies against India with my players rather than telling the media. I would like to score a 150-run win over India on Tuesday," he said.

Lawson was all praise for his bowlers and said the team won because of a coordinated effort.
"We analysed our matches against Bangladesh so far in the recent past and decided on our strategies to success. Our batsmen, particularly the top order and the bowlers did a fantastic job. It was a total coordinated effort," Lawson said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/we-want-to-beat-india-by-150-runs-lawson/32061-13.html

Dhoni's men hope to make it unlucky 13th

Dhaka: With the euphoria of Indian Premier League all but settled, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team will have to quickly get back into the One-day mode to snap Pakistan's 12-match winning streak when the traditional rivals face off in the cricket tri-series here on Tuesday.

Pakistan routed Bangladesh by 70 runs in the tri-series opener on Sunday night to extend their unbeaten streak to 12 matches and it would be a tough task for Dhoni's young Indian side to halt the arch-rivals.

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has already sounded the war bugle when he said that his wards would look to thump India by a bigger margin to make it 13 wins in a row.

India, severely under-strength because of pre-tournament injury woes, would be in for further trouble as opener Virender Sehwag is a doubtful starter due to high fever. Besides, the team is still awaiting the arrival of pacer S Sreesanth's replacement Manpreet Singh Gony.

With seniors like Sachin Tendulkar, recovering from a groin injury, and Harbhajan Singh, serving a ban for slapping Sreesanth during the IPL, not in the ranks, it would be anything but easy for Dhoni's young brigade against Pakistan.

The team had a feel of the ground and the conditions on Sunday and put in three hours at the indoor nets after rain prevented any outdoor practice session.

The short tri-series, being seen as a warm-up for the Asia Cup late this month in Pakistan, is crucial for the Indians as it provides an opportunity for players like all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, spinner Piyush Chawla and Gony to show their worth in absence of the seniors.

With the pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium likely to assist the batsmen, India's new-look bowling attack, to be spearheaded by Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma, will be severely tested.
No doubt, the Indian team has the batting strength to score heavily on a strip like this but it remains to be seen how their bowlers contain hard hitters like Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Muhammad Yousuf.

The much-anticipated contest meanwhile faces a major threat from the weather gods. The opener itself was truncated because of intermittent drizzle and this match too could see rain interruptions.

As for the Pakistani attack, the medium-pacers, particularly young talent Wahab Riaz, were impressive in last night's win over Bangladesh. But with Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif missing from the attack, it remains to be seen how Sohail Tanvir and his bowling colleagues fare against India's star-studded line-up.

In the batting department, though Butt, Yousuf and Misbah looked in good nick, Pakistan's line-up still sports a vulnerable look and even Bangladesh, with their limited options in the bowling department, shot them out in 39.3 overs.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/dhonis-men-hope-to-make-it-unlucky-13th/32060-13.html

Asif stays in detention, no decision on trial

Dubai/Karachi: Mohammad Asif continues to languish in detention with the Dubai Attorney General and Public Prosecutor's office on Monday not taking any decision on whether to trial the Pakistani pacer for alleged possession of contraband drugs or deport him.

The law firm hired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to bail out Asif also declined to make any comments on the issue that has become an increasing source of embarrassment for Pakistan's cricket authorities.

Nadeem Akram, the senior PCB official in Dubai, said no decision had been taken on Asif's case and they were still awaiting a word from the Attorney General's office.

"All these rumors off him being charged are not true. I will not substantiate them. The position is that the AG has yet to decide on the report of the Prosecutor and until that is done Asif will remain in detention," Akram said.

No official was willing to give a deadline on when a decision from the authorities in Dubai can be expected, an indication that perhaps the pacer's ordeal is far from over.

Sources close to the case said that the board, despite its best efforts, was also still not sure if Asif would be released as there was now a 50-50 chance of the case going either way.

Senior board officials also said to have raised the Asif issue with Pakistan's top security official Rehman Malik in Islamabad on the sidelines of a meeting held to review security arrangements for the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.

The pacer on Sunday appeared before the prosecutors along with his lawyers following which the case was forwarded to the Attorney General of Dubai.

Asif remained detained since he was caught with contraband drugs at the Dubai airport on his arrival from Mumbai on June 1. Asif was going to Lahore after playing in the Indian Premium League for the Delhi Daredevils.

The fast-bowler would face a minimum of four years in prison if charged and found guilty.

Akram, meanwhile, told Khaleej Times that Asif's lawyers have sought a meeting with the Dubai Attorney General.

"Our lawyers have requested a meeting with the Dubai Attorney General but no time has been fixed as yet," Akram said.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammed Rustom told the daily that a decision was expected any time this week.

"If the case is referred to the court, what kind of charges will be pressed against him has still to be determined. We cannot anticipate the results of the ongoing investigation," Rustom said.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/asif-stays-in-detention-no-decision-on-trial/32066-13.html

Gibbs contemplating retirement?

Miffed at being ignored for the Test series against England, South African opener Herschelle Gibbs has hinted that he may retire from international cricket.

The 34-year-old was left out of the Test side and he says he does not harbour hopes of making the cut for the ODI team either, leaving him with little choice but to think about quitting the game.
"I've got some decisions to make in the next few weeks whether to carry on at international level. I'm not in the squad and I'm not sure if I'll get back into the One-Day team either," Gibbs told the BBC.

Gibbs' last Test appearance was in January against West Indies and he was subsequently omitted for the Test series against Bangladesh and India.

Being ignored for England is the latest blow to his career and Gibbs says he is making last ditch efforts to save it by playing county cricket to prove his worth.

"I've spoken to the coach and he said I'm first reserve for South Africa in case anyone gets injured. So we'll have to wait and see. But I've been dying for a proper go at an English cricket county for the last few years so maybe me coming to Glamorgan has happened at a good time," he said.

"Maybe my appearance for Glamorgan in the Twenty20 Cup could be a sign of things to come," he added.

South Africa will kick off their tour of England with a match against county side Somerset on June 29. Their four-Test series against England starts July 10 to be followed by a five-match ODI series.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/gibbs-contemplating-retirement/32055-13.html

'Transition to ODIs from T20 will be smooth'

Press Trust Of India
Posted on Jun 09, 2008 at 15:15 Updated Jun 09, 2008 at 20:35

Dhaka: India coach Gary Kirsten ruled out any Indian Premier League hangover on the team and asserted that the transition from Twenty20 to One-Day cricket would be smooth for his wards in their tri-series opener against arch-rivals Pakistan here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters ahead of the match, Kirsten said the team think-tank have done enough to ensure that the players swiftly adjust into the One-Day mode.

"It is something we have given some considerations and thoughts too. We need to make sure that our game plan and strategies are designed for 50 overs cricket. It is different to what they did in IPL. So, we worked hard during the last two days to get things right," Kirsten said.

The Indian players just finished their assignment in the 44-day IPL and had hardly any breathing space as they flew in here for the tri-series.

Asked if they were made to play too many matches, Kirsten said, "That is the reason that the selectors have chosen a pretty young side for this tournament and the Asia Cup.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/transition-to-odis-from-t20-will-be-smooth/32062-13.html

India, Pakistan set to spice up dull series

Digvijay Singh Deo CNN-IBN

Dhaka: India versus Pakistan: a cricketing rivalry that sets pulses racing anywhere in the world at any time. And in Dhaka on Tuesday the two teams will face off in the shadow of the high of the IPL. But India's coaching staff is hopeful that the IPL hangover is well and truly over.

The mood in the Indian camp is relaxed yet gung-ho about a battle with old rivals Pakistan. The weather gods haven't been kind but the management hasn't allowed it to dampen the spirits.
"There is no issue of motivation about the intensity the guys are going to play with. They know they are representing their country, it's a big game," coach Gary Kirsten says, dispelling murmurs of lack of commitment.

Virender Sehwag missed the practice session due to a light fever but he is expected to be fit and available for selection. The lack of experience isn't worrying the team too much. This is a building block after what the young guns achieved in Australia.

"There are still some senior players who are available to play One-day cricket for India, and certainly they are going to be considered. I think every team in the world needs to go through this transition, repairing," Kirsten adds.

Pakistan didn't break any sweat in thrashing the hosts and opted to have a rest day. They are on a 12-match winning streak and a young team is ready for India.

"We have won 11 (now 12) in a row which is a record for Pakistan, but we would like to take that much further. And hopefully with a win in this tournament it would be the ideal start," says Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson.

The advantage of having a young side is that they are fearless and they don't care too much about the opposition. Pakistan are on a hot streak and come into this match after having registered 12 successive wins on the trot. But India are keyed up and the stage is set for a classic before the final.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/india-pakistan-set-to-spice-up-dull-series/32067-13.html