Shoaib wants proper farewell match

Pakistan's enigmatic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar wants to be given an opportunity to play a final farewell match this year although he announced his retirement from international cricket during the World Cup.

Although Shoaib himself has kept a low profile since returning from the World Cup, well-placed sources confirmed that the fast bowler had conveyed to the PCB about his desire to play a farewell match.

The experienced player suffered a setback in the World Cup as his announcement after the New Zealand match led to him not getting another opportunity in the cricketing extravaganza.

Ross Taylor and Co smashed him for 28 runs in his last international over.

Worse, he was fined $2000 for misbehaving with teammate Kamran Akmal who dropped Taylor twice in one over of Shoaib.

Local daily 'The News' reported on Thursday that Shoaib had kicked Kamran on the field during the match and used abusive language which led to an ugly scene on the field.

The report stated that while Shoaib was fined and issued a notice, the management also fined Kamran $1000 for his role in the incident.

According to the newspaper, some members of the Pakistan team didn't want the board to allow Shoaib any farewell match later this year in any series as they were still upset over the incident in the New Zealand match and didn't want the speedster back in Pakistan colours.

In 2007, erstwhile captain Inzamam-ul-Haq had also announced his retirement after Pakistan were eliminated from the World Cup in the first round.

But the cricket board later allowed and picked Inzamam to play a Test against South Africa in Lahore as a farewell gesture and also rewarded him with a cash bonus.

Sources said that Shoaib had mentioned the example of Inzamam while requesting for a chance to play a proper farewell match.

"He is not satisfied that he never got a proper opportunity to play his final match and be given a proper send off by his fans and that is why he wants a farewell match," one source said.

© PTI

India get rewarded for finishing as Test No.1

India will be handed USD 175,000 for finishing as the number-one Test side while also pocketing another USD 75,000 for finishing as second-ranked ODI team this season, the ICC said today.

India (128 points) has been sitting on top of the Test Championship table since December 2009. South Africa (117 points) will pocket USD 75,000 for ending in second position in the Test Championship table at the cut-off date of April 1.

Australia earns USD 175,000 for finishing on top of the ODI table with 128 points at the cut-off date. It has been occupying the number-one position on the ODI Championship table since leapfrogging South Africa and India in September 2009.

In the latest ODI rankings issued today, Australia has 129 points, eight points more than India's (121 points).

Among batsmen, Virat Kohli lost two places to slip to eighth while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar lost one spot each to be at ninth and 10th respectively.

South African Hashim Amla maintained his top spot in the batting charts while New Zealand's Daniel Vettori continued at the top of bowling list.

No Indian is in the top 10 in bowling chart with Zaheer Khan at 14th.

Australia's Shane Watson became the top-ranked ODI all-rounder and also achieved a career-best ranking in batting, jumping nine places to fourth after his record innings against Bangladesh.

Watson has piped Shakib Al Hasan into number-one position in the all-rounders' rankings after taking three wickets and scoring 294 runs in the series. He now leads the Bangladesh captain by a comfortable 44 points margin.

Watson's scores of 37, 185 not out and 72 in the series have also helped the 29-year-old Queenslander vault nine places to a career-best fourth position. He is now the highest-ranked Australia batsman with Mike Hussey staying in sixth place, captain Michael Clarke rising two places to 11th spot and former captain Ricky Ponting moving one place up to 16th position.

For Bangladesh, Imrul Kayes has climbed four places to 42nd position but Shakib has slipped two places to 26th spot.

In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, Mitchell Johnson's seven wickets in the series have given him a lift of seven places and he now sits in sixth position. Brett Lee is the other Australia bowler who has improved his ranking as he has returned to the top 20 in 20th position after a jump of three places.

The news for Bangladesh bowlers is not very good as Abdur Razzak, Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza have dropped in the latest rankings. Razzak has fallen five places to 11th position, Shakib has slipped three places to 15th spot and Mashrafe has dropped four places to 36th place.

© PTI

Buchanan appointed NZC Director of Cricket

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) today announced that former Australian National Coach John Buchanan is to become the new Director of Cricket for NZC.

The Director of Cricket is a new role and a first for world cricket. Buchanan will report to the Chief Executive with the position based at the New Zealand Cricket head quarters in Christchurch.

Buchanan will start with NZC in May and is being appointed as the architect of the new high performance programme. He will perform a number of key duties including the establishment of clear and consistent national coaching philosophies, implement a talent identification programme and oversee the Selection Panel.

Justin Vaughan, NZC Chief Executive, said he was delighted that John accepted the role.

"John's appointment is an exciting one for New Zealand Cricket. He has a great cricketing pedigree and will provide outstanding leadership as NZC look to move forward."

Buchanan, 58, has a track record of success and ended his eight year tenure with the Australian team with the best record of any coach in International cricket history.

"It's an honour to be appointed to this challenging role. It is a wonderful opportunity to build on the work that has been done," said Buchanan.

"New Zealand Cricket has a proud history and is a true honour to be given the responsibility. I want to be part of the next successful era and am committed to building sustainable high performance for New Zealand Cricket."

John Buchanan key facts:

* Australian National Coach from 1999-2007 in a tenure that included a world record number for straight Test wins (16), consecutive ODI wins (21) and two World Cup wins.

* Delivered Queensland their first Sheffield Shield title in 1994-95 and in his five year coaching tenure delivered the Sheffield Shield and Mercantile Mutual Cup twice each.

* Has a degree in Human Movement, a Teaching Diploma and a Master of Arts in Sports Administration.

* Was the first coach to use computer analysis of every ball bowled.

* Was a professional cricketer and represented Queensland in the late 1970s.

Cricket South Africa president ousting 'unlawful'

A South African High Court on Friday ordered Cricket South Africa (CSA) to re-instate its president Mtutuzeli Nyoka, who was fired following a public feud with the organisation's chief executive.

Nyoka took CSA to court after the organisation's members' forum, comprising provincial presidents, passed a vote of no confidence in Nyoka at a special meeting in February.

The court found that Nyoka's sacking was unlawful and should be set aside, Sapa news agency reported.

CSA said it would appeal the judgment.

"Cricket South Africa will file notice of appeal in due course," it said in a statement.

A dispute between Nyoka and CSA chief executive Gerald Majola had been simmering since Nyoka challenged the payment of a 1.7 million rand ($248,000, 172,000-euro) bonus to Majola following the staging of the Indian Premier League in South Africa in 2009.

Other key staff also received bonuses, which were awarded without the approval of CSA's remuneration committee.

Nyoka recently accused Majola of lying to him about the contents of a contract between CSA and the IPL.

The then-president claimed he was deceived into supporting Majola in a row with the Gauteng Cricket Board, which controls the country's biggest cricket stadium, the Wanderers in Johannesburg, resulting in the Gauteng board being dissolved.

Gauteng demanded to know the terms of the contract between CSA and the IPL, stating that it believed Majola had put CSA at financial risk.

Casualties of the controversy include the board's treasurer, Hentie van Wyk, and leading banker Paul Harris, an independent director, who failed to gain re-election at last year's annual meeting after querying the bonus payments.

When the payments were first made public before the 2010 annual meeting, CSA promised an independent inquiry but this was later changed to an internal hearing, headed by vice-president AK Khan, which cleared Majola of wrongdoing.

© AFP

Australia complete sweep as Hussey hits ton

Michael Hussey scored his first one-day century in four years to help Australia complete a 3-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh with a 66-run win in the third and final match on Wednesday.

The middle-order batsman cracked two sixes and nine fours in a 91-ball 108 for his third one-day hundred, and his first since February 2007, as Australia posted a huge 361-8 in the day-night match.

Bangladesh made a bold reply before finishing at 295-6 despite an impressive 93 from opener Imrul Kayes, who hit two sixes and 10 fours in his 95-ball knock.

Kayes batted confidently against both pace and spin and looked set to complete his second one-day century before being caught behind off debutant paceman James Pattinson.

He put on 136 for the second wicket with Shahriar Nafees, who made 60 for his second successive half-century. Mohammad Mahmudullah was the other notable contributor with an unbeaten 68.

Australia virtually wrapped up the match when seamer Shane Watson dismissed skipper Shakib Al Hasan (nine) and Mushfiqur Rahim (one) in one over.

Watson, who hit a record 15 sixes in his career-best 185 not out in the previous match on Monday, earlier put Australia on course for a big total with a 40-ball 72 which contained three sixes and 11 fours.

Man-of-the-match Hussey was then involved in two useful stands, adding 89 for the fourth wicket with skipper Michael Clarke (47) and 70 for the sixth wicket with Mitchell Johnson, who hammered 41 off just 24 balls.

Hussey fell in the last over, trapped lbw by seamer Shafiul Islam, but not before boosting his team's chances of sweeping the series.

Australia got off to an explosive start after winning the toss as Watson and makeshift opener Ricky Ponting (47) added 110 runs for the opening wicket in just 11.5 overs.

Watson began aggressively, hitting Shafiul for four boundaries in an over early in his innings before pulling left-arm spinner Shakib over mid-wicket for a six to reach his half-century.

The Australian opener, who completed his fifty off just 25 balls with the help of two sixes and nine fours, was bowled in the 12th over while attempting to sweep left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak.

Ponting also played attractive shots during his 50-ball knock, hitting two fours and a six from a Mashrafe Mortaza over. He looked well set before being trapped lbw by Razzak.

Razzak finished with 3-58 and Mortaza with 3-80.

© AFP

Is BCCI answerable under the RTI Act?

It seems the Sports Ministry now considers Board of Control for Cricket in India answerable under the Right to Information Act as it has transferred such an application to the cricket body.

The Central Information Commission in number of recent decisions on sports federations had declared them to be public authority covered under the RTI Act, but in 2008 Information Commissioner Padma Balasubramanian had exempted BCCI from the ambit of transparency law through her order.

The latest order of the Sports Ministry, however, cites the October 26, 2010 decision of the Kerala High Court which declared officials of Kerala Cricket Association as public servants. The appeal against the High Court order was dismissed by the Supreme Court this year.

"The High Court of Kerala in a case related to State Cricket Association, has ruled that the Federations are required to perform public duties by virtue of holding their offices and hence, are public servants.

"The Supreme Court has refused to interfere with the ruling of the High Court," Joint Secretary Injeti Srinivas at the Ministry said in a reply to an RTI application seeking to know whether Supreme Court has held BCCI officials as public-servants.

Responding to the application, Srinivas who is the Appellate Authority at the Ministry "directed" the Public Information officer "to transfer the application to BCCI for response to the specific queries pertaining to them."

Activist Subhash Agrawal had sought to know from the Sports Ministry nature of assistance received by the BCCI from it, constitution of BCCI and its affiliated state-bodies, outline of BCCI budget for last two years, details of pending allegations of corruption etc against officials of BCCI.

He had also demanded information on money paid separately to each of players, coaches, selectors and members of board of BCCI in last two years, assets and awards given players, coaches and others by BCCI.

In addition, Agrawal also asked if BCCI had ever given some grant or loan to Constitution Club, New Delhi besides amount, date and purpose of such funds among other details of such financial help.

© PTI

Watson can do it again: Hussey

After being treated to some wonderful stroke play by Shane Watson, which saw the opener etch his name in the record books, Mike Hussey believes that the batsman has the potential to go even further.

Watson hit a record 15 sixes in an unbeaten knock of 185 runs from just 96 balls to see Australia home with nine wickets to spare during the second one day international (ODI) against Bangladesh on Monday.

The powerful hitting exhibited by 29-year-old, who will be in action for his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals after the series, has left his teammates contemplating whether they had ever witnessed a better display.

Comparing Watson's knock with that of former cricketer Adam Gilchrist's 149 -- studded with eight sixes -- which the left-hander hit against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final in Barbados, his teammate Hussey expressed that it was difficult to separate the two innings.

"It was pretty phenomenal, consistent hitting really," said Hussey.

"I haven't seen consistent hitting like that since probably Gilly in the World Cup final in 2007. But it was a phenomenal innings and he's been able to put together quite a few in the last little period -- the 161 not out against England (in January) was a pretty amazing innings, too, at the MCG. His consistency at being able to do it is pretty amazing," Hussey was quoted as saying by AAP.

Emphasizing upon Watson's recent run of form, Hussey felt the all-rounder, who was only 15 runs short of Sachin Tendulkar's record, has the ability to go higher.

"He just keeps seeming to raise the bar all the time, so I reckon he could do it again.

"Once you've done something once, it gives you that belief that you can go on and do it again... there's no reason why he can't do it again and again," he added.

© PTI

Make Afridi long-term captain: Akram

Former Pakistan great, Wasim Akram, has called on the board to repose faith in Shahid Afridi by appointing him captain of the national team on a long-term basis.

"I think Afridi should be made captain for a long term so that he gains more confidence because he is developing into a good captain," Akram said.

He also backed the all-rounder's demand for a batting coach.

"I agree the team needs a batting coach. Every team now has a full-time specialist batting coach with them and I have always believed that even at this level, the best players sometimes need to be given guidance and tips on batting issues," he said.

Akram's views are in complete contrast to Javed Miandad's, who has rejected the concept of having specialists on the support staff.

Miandad turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board's offer to accompany the team to West Indies as batting coach, on personal grounds.

But Akram pointed out that even in international cricket, a batting expert with loads of experience and background could make a big difference to the team.

"A batting coach can help batsmen sort out their technical issues and also guide them on different oppositions and conditions."

Akram also felt the selectors did the right thing by allowing pacer Umar Gul to take a break from the one-day series in the West Indies.

"I think Gul has been playing non-stop cricket for a while now and needed this rest. It is not a bad idea to have a rotation policy in the bowling department because top pacers carry the risk of getting injured due to over-work," he noted.

He hoped that his former pace partners Waqar Younis and Aaqib Javed would be able to groom the bowlers picked for the West Indies tour.

"It is good they are trying out new pace bowlers because we have lots of talent in this area.

Akram, however, felt that there was a need to teach the Pakistani bowlers to bowl with discipline and cut down on the extras.

© PTI

Pakistan to develop young cricketers in Windies

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said on Wednesday he hoped to use the upcoming tour of the West Indies to bring on new cricketing talent for the years ahead.

The side fly out to the Caribbean on Thursday for a tour that will include one Twenty20 international, five one-dayers and two Tests.

With express paceman Shoaib Akhtar retired and fellow fast bowler Umar Gul rested, Pakistan have selected left-armers Junaid Khan and Sadaf Hussain -- both 21 -- and 20-year-old all-rounder Hammad Azam.

"We have selected some youngsters for the tour in the hope that they get groomed and serve the country in the future," Waqar said at the conclusion of a two-day training camp in the eastern city of Lahore.

Junaid has 167 wickets in 35 first-class matches while Hussain's tally in 18 domestic matches stands at 90.

Kamran Akmal, dropped after his sloppy wicket-keeping in last month's World Cup, made way for 29-year-old Salman Ahmed while veteran batsman Younis Khan, rested for the tour, was replaced by 20-year-old Usman Salahuddin.

Salahuddin, a right-handed batsman, has scored 1505 runs in 24 domestic matches.

"We are not taking the West Indies team lightly. We also have experience at our disposal and we hope to do well on the tour," said former captain and fast bowling legend Waqar, adding that he hoped to see an improvement in his side's batting.

"Whatever shortcomings we had during the World Cup, we want to overcome. The main thing is that I want the batsmen to show improvement."

Pakistan failed to persuade former great Javed Miandad to serve as batting coach and Waqar said the team should look elsewhere.

"I don't know why we go round and round and come back to Miandad again and again. If Miandad doesn't want to do the job then we must ask someone else for help because its not an issue of technique, its an issue of slight adjustment in batsmen's scoring runs," said Waqar.

Hussey, Watson hit 361 in Bangladesh one-dayer

Michael Hussey hit an impressive hundred and Shane Watson made a quickfire half-century as Australia posted 361-8 in the third and final one-day international against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Hussey cracked two sixes and nine fours in a 91-ball 108 for his third one-day hundred, and his first since February 2007, while opener Watson smashed three sixes and 11 fours in his 40-ball 72.

Middle-order batsman Hussey was involved in two useful stands, adding 89 for the fourth wicket with skipper Michael Clarke (47) and 70 for the sixth wicket with Mitchell Johnson, who hammered 41 off just 24 balls.

Hussey fell in the last over, trapped lbw by seamer Shafiul Islam, but not before boosting his team's chances of sweeping the series. Australia already hold an unbeatable 2-0 lead.

Watson, who hit a record 15 sixes in his career-best 185 not out in the previous match on Monday, put the Bangladeshi attack to the sword again with his exciting strokeplay.

Australia got off to a blazing start after winning the toss as Watson and make-shift opener Ricky Ponting (47) added 110 runs for the opening wicket in just 11.5 overs.

Watson began aggressively, hitting Shafiul for four boundaries in an over early in his innings before pulling left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan over mid-wicket for a six to reach his half-century.

The Australian opener, who completed his fifty off just 25 balls with the help of two sixes and nine fours, was bowled in the 12th over while attempting to sweep left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak.

Ponting also played attractive shots during his 50-ball knock, hitting two fours and a six from a Mashrafe Mortaza over. He looked well set before being trapped lbw by Razzak.

Razzak finished with 3-58 and Mortaza with 3-80.

Australia rested fast bowler Brett Lee and wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin, bringing in Tim Paine and paceman James Pattinson, who made his one-day debut.

Bangladesh replaced Raqibul Hasan and Rubel Hossain with Mortaza and Alok Kapali.

© AFP

Kirsten interested in coaching SA: report

Gary Kirsten might be interested in taking up the South Africa coach job.[© AFP]

Gary Kirsten, who stepped down as India cricket coach after guiding the team to its first World Cup title in 28 years, now wants take up the top job in South Africa even though he has not submitted a formal application before the dateline.

A report in 'The Sunday Times' said Kirsten is interested in the Proteas coaching vacancy, but he is also weighing up several other offers.

"He's expressed interest, yes," said Andrew Hudson, the national selection convener and a man who sits on the panel to select a successor to Corrie van Zyl, who has stepped down after the Proteas' World Cup debacle.

"He's certainly been in discussions with Gerald Majola (Cricket SA's CEO)," Hudson was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Kirsten is known to be keen on working with the current crop of international players, believing them to be among the most talented on the circuit, the report said.

"He is taking time off before considering his options. He is known to be calm and prudent - as befits a former opening batsman - and not overly eager to rush into a decision," it said.

Cricket South Africa, meanwhile, have approached Professor Johann Coetzee to psychometrically test all the applicants for the coaching job.

Coetzee was approached by Boeta Dippenaar, who sits on the interview panel as the players' representative, and as a result of the approach finds himself being part of the assessment.

"I'm not involved with selection of the candidate. I'm just a neutral, objective adjunct to the panel," said Coetzee, a human development consultant and psychologist who has worked as an academic at the universities of the Free State and North West.

The professor has identified 18 key characteristics pertinent to the post and will conduct his interviews and tests with a view to identifying whether the candidates possess these characteristics.

Coetzee will spend two hours with each candidate on the shortlist.

The list of shortlisted candidates has not been formally released by CSA, but reportedly includes Richard Pybus, the Cobras coach who won the SuperSport Series title last weekend, Vinnie Barnes, the current Proteas bowling coach, Duncan Fletcher, former coach of England and John Buchanan, former coach of Australia.

© PTI

Morkel looks forward to IPL duel with Sachin

Delhi Daredevils' pacer Morne Morkel is relishing the prospect of another bowling duel with Sachin Tendulkar when his side takes on the Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League match on Sunday.

South African quickie Morkel had accounted for Tendulkar's wicket during the league stage match of the World Cup in Nagpur, which the Proteas won by three wickets.

He had also dismissed Tendulkar once during India's nearly two-month-long tour of South Africa just before the World Cup.

The lanky pacer said he had always enjoyed playing against the world's leading run-scorer in Test and one-day cricket.

"For the last couple of months, I had been regularly bowling to Tendulkar. Obviously, it's going to be one big challenge tomorrow. He is a world-class player and everyone knows that. He has been performing well for the last couple of months. It's a big challenge and as always I am looking forward to it," said Morkel.

The South African was bought by the Delhi outfit for USD 475,000 on the first day of the players' auction held in Bangalore in the second week of January this year.

When asked about sharing the dressing room with India opener Virender Sehwag, who is the skipper of Delhi Daredevils, Morkel said it's good to have a calm and composed person like him in the IPL.

"He is a good guy. Always planning and bringing out new things. It's exciting sharing the dressing room with him. He is the captain of our side and it's special to work under him. He is very calm and cool guy and it's good to have him in IPL," he said.

Morkel said it would be tough adjusting to the Twenty20 format but is ready to perform.

"It's going to be tough to adjust but IPL is a huge tournament and I am ready to play my part. It's going to be an exciting tournament with a new bunch of guys. First game is tomorrow and we are done with our preparations. Looking forward to start the tournament on a winning note," he said.

Morkel said it would be challenging to bowl on Indian wickets. "... but it's a challenge that I have always enjoyed. I have fair idea of the Indian conditions and pitches as the World Cup just finished. I am improving my skills on a daily basis."

© PTI

Sanga, Duminy wickets were the key: Warne

Kumar Sangakkara's wicket and the dismissal of JP Duminy were the key moments of the match due to which Rajasthan could clinch a 8-wicket victory against the Deccan Chargers, feels skipper Shane Warne.

Siddharth Trivedi, named the Man of the Match for his figures of 3/15, picked up the important wicket of Sangakkara while Warne chipped in with a couple of wickets including that of JP Duminy.

"Deccan have got a pretty good side, but getting Sangakkara and Duminy out was the key," Warne told reporters at the post-match press conference.

"Dan Christian played well for them. But had we not got those two breakthroughs, it could have been a bit harder out there in the middle. Those two wickets slowed the proceedings," Warne added.

But the Australian legend conceded that there was still a lot of work to be done especially with the younger lot in the side.

"I think we still have got lot to work to do. From the point of view of the first game with so many young kids, we have done well. We don't have any superstars in our line-up but the youngsters have really worked hard."

About the younger players in his side, Warne said that they were bit nervous which resulted in lapses in the field including a few overthrows.

"I think the young kids were bit nervous with the overthrows. But, there's a little bit to learn in the field just through experience, and if you look at the bigger picture, our experiments paid off," the satisfied Rajasthan skipper stated.

Warne also attributed promoting Botha also worked in their favour. Johan Botha, who was promoted to number 3, shined with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 67 off 47 balls which powered Rajasthan's 8-wicket win.

"Experimenting with Botha and to promote him up the order at No. 3 was our plan before the game and that worked really well. The little things we tried all seemed to have worked well in this game. That's a nice way to start, considering during the last three editions, our opening games have been pretty poor."

Warne admitted that it was getting close in the end.

"We felt like we needed three boundaries in those last four overs and then Ross hit that six and we won with eight wickets in hands. Ross brings in a lot of experience. It's a nice blend of youth and experience with both Ross and Botha in the side. It's a pretty convincing win," he said.

When asked if he enjoyed playing cricket in Hyderabad, Warne said, "For an old man like me, it is quite a nice to start with a win."

The master tweaker said that he had done a lot of fitness training in the lead-up to the event and it was "nice to have some muscles."

Warne feels that more he bowls in match situation, better he would get. The skipper was a bit worried about Jacob Oram''s groin strain. "We would take a call tomorrow. I hope it's not the end of the tournament for him," he said.

© Cricbuzz (with inputs from agencies)

Clarke leads Australia to win with century

Michael Clarke celebrated his captaincy debut with a responsible century as Australia raced to an emphatic 60-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening one-day international on Saturday.

The stylish middle-order batsman, leading in his first one-day series after replacing Ricky Ponting as skipper last month, scored 101 for his sixth one-day hundred to help his team post a challenging 270-7 on a slow pitch.

Bangladesh never looked like achieving the target despite half-centuries from opener Tamim Iqbal (62) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (51), finishing at 210-5. The Bangladeshi captain completed 3,000 one-day runs during his knock.

"I'm very happy to make a century today. The wicket was quite slow but once you got in, it was a nice wicket to bat on," said Clarke, named man of the match.

"They (Bangladesh) have four spinners in their team and they have got a lot of talent. So we are pretty happy to get off to a good start, although there is room for improvement."

Mushfiqur Rahim (44 not out) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (28 not out) were the other notable contributors for Bangladesh, who now trail 1-0 in the three-match series. The last two one-dayers will be played in Dhaka on April 11 and 13.

"We knew they (Australia) would be tough. It was hard to chase 270 on this wicket where the ball was keeping low," said Shakib.

"We will keep sticking to our plans and hopefully we will do well next time."

Clarke, who cracked two sixes and six fours in his 111-ball knock, earlier propped up the innings just when Bangladesh looked like restricting Australia to a modest total with their tight spin bowling. Australia, who lost to India in the World Cup quarter-finals, were struggling at 138-4 in the 30th over before the skipper added 84 runs for the fifth wicket with Michael Hussey (33).

Clarke, needing five runs off the last three deliveries of the innings to complete his hundred, smashed paceman Mashrafe Mortaza for a six over mid-wicket before being caught in the deep off the next ball.

Left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo, who dismissed Hussey and Steven Smith (one) in the same over, was the most successful bowler with 3-44.

Bangladesh, electing to field after winning the toss, struck in the fourth over when Mortaza, who missed the World Cup due to a knee injury, bowled Brad Haddin for 10.

Opener Shane Watson (37) and Ponting (34) then dominated the attack with attractive shots. The opener hit Mortaza for a four and a six off successive balls before lofting spinner Abdur Razzak over mid-wicket for a six.

Ponting also looked in excellent touch, cracking three successive fours off Mortaza and hoisting Shuvo over long-on for a six. His brilliant cameo ended when he was run out going for a third run.

Watson, who added 65 for the second wicket with Ponting, also fell when looking well set as he was trapped lbw by Razzak after hitting two sixes and three fours.

© AFP

Rally for Sri Lanka ex-skipper flops

A campaign by fans of Sri Lanka's World Cup-losing skipper Kumar Sangakkara to demand his reinstatement ended in a flop Saturday, with only a handful of supporters turning up.

Sangakkara loyalists had organised the demonstration as a Facebook event, with 6,512 fans signing up to attend, but reporters counted only 17 people at Colombo's Independence Square public park.

"It is possible that some of the fans may have gone to another park because of a misunderstanding about the location," an organiser told reporters.

The "peaceful demonstration to take Sanga back to the captaincy" urged supporters to wear blue or white shirts, the colours of the national team, and carry the national flag.

Sangakkara, 33, quit one-day captaincy earlier this week but said he will stay on as Test captain for an interim period for the forthcoming series with England, and possibly Australia.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, currently in India to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament, has said he has no plans yet to retire as a player.

Sangakkara's deputy, Mahela Jayawardene, has also given up his position and the three-member team of selectors followed suit, leaving Sri Lankan cricket in limbo.

© AFP

Clarke ton helps Australia to easy win in Dhaka

Michael Clarke got his captaincy off to a terrific start by smashing a century and leading Australia to a 60-run win over Bangladesh in the first one-day international in Dhaka on Saturday.

Clarke made 101 off 111 balls as Australia recovered from 90 for three to post a challenging 270 for seven before their bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 210 for five in their 50 overs.

"Anytime you make a hundred is very nice," Clarke told reporters.

"More satisfying for me is the way we played today. I thought we played some really good one-day cricket and to get a result like we did I think is very satisfying.

"Our goal is to win every game we play here. We got to improve in all areas. I thought the boys played pretty well today and I am very happy with that."

The home side started wobbling when they lost their first two wickets for nine runs and could never pose any serious threat to Australia despite opener Tamim Iqbal (62) and captain Shakib Al Hasan (51) each contributing.

All eyes were on Clarke as he began his reign as full-time Australian captain and the 30-year old middle-order batsman put on a fine display.

Clarke had captained Australia in 24 one-dayers in the absence of Ricky Ponting but took over the role properly when Ponting stepped down after their quarter-final exit at the recent World Cup.

He replaced his predecessor Ponting (34) at the crease and completed his century in the final over of the Australia innings with a spectacular six through midwicket off Mashrafee Mortaza.

Mahmudullah, who dropped Clarke on 84, took a catch at long on off the next ball to end his innings and give Mortaza his second wicket.

Ponting, playing his first game as just a batsman again, was run out attempting a third run after he had swept left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.

Mortaza claimed 2-65 on his comeback to international cricket after missing out on the World Cup with a knee injury.

© Reuters

I won't return to Test cricket, says Afridi

Pakistan's ODI captain Shahid Afridi has ruled out returning to play Test cricket despite being urged to lead the side in all three formats of the game by former skipper Imran Khan.

Afridi decided to retire from Test cricket last year although he was named captain for the entire Test and one-day series against Australia and England.

He retired from Tests after Pakistan lost to Australia under his captaincy and since then the flamboyant all-rounder has focused on playing just one-dayers and Twenty20 cricket.

"I don't think I am the sort of player who is ideal for Test cricket. So I have no plans to make a comeback to Test matches," Afridi told reporters at a function hosted for the World Cup team.

Afridi insisted that he enjoyed playing limited overs cricket and wanted to focus on these two formats and do justice to his captaincy.

"I am thankful to those former players who believe that I should also lead the team in Test matches but I don't think I am cut out for the five-day format," he said.

Imran has said that Afridi can return to Test matches primarily as a bowler.

Afridi, however, said that he was keen to make up for his relative lack of success in batting.

"I will focus a lot on my batting on the coming tour to the West Indies because I know people want to see me scoring runs. Now even my daughter has started saying 'Baba Boom Boom out'," Afridi said.

The experienced all-rounder, who has made 320 ODI appearances, said he was confident of making his mark as a batsman in the West Indies.

"Batting is one department I want to regain my form," said Afridi who last year scored two hundreds in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

© PTI

Will never compromise on pace, says India's fastest Aaron

When the speedometer showed that Varun Aaron bowled a 153 kmph delivery during Jharkhand's Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Gujarat, not many people believed that the stockily built little--known lad could work up that amount of pace.

"When you are bowling, you are unaware about the amount of speed you are working up. I only came to know about my feat when we came back in the dressing room," Aaron told PTI.

Apart from Ishant Sharma, who clocked 150kmph plus during the CB series in Australia in 2007--08 season, none of the other Indian bowlers in recent times have hit the mark.

Aaron, who will be playing for Delhi Daredevils, in the IPL knows that everyone would expect a repeat of his performance and he is up for the challenge.

"It feels great that my feat has been acknowledged. My strength has been bowling fast and I will stick to it," 21--year old from Jamshedpur said.

The general tendency among the Indian bowlers after an injury has been to reduce pace and focus on line and length.

Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel have been two prime examples sacrificing pace for line and length.

"I can talk about myself that I came back from stress fracture and still bowled fast. I am regularly hitting 140 kmph plus during matches. I will never compromise on pace," said Aaron, who recently got a five--wicket haul against West Zone in a Deodhar Trophy match.

Although he hails from the Indian captain's state, Aaron is yet to meet Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"I have never met Dhoni as when he last played for Jharkhand, I was playing for Jharkhand Under--15s."

Aaron was a part of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad during the last edition but didn't get a chance to play any matches.

"I felt bad as I was match--fit during the second half of the tournament and could have played in the last four matches," he said.

However, the stint with Wasim Akram during KKR days proved to be helpful.

"I got some invaluable tips from Akram during my KKR days. One of the main things he taught was how to get reverse swing with a ball which is less than 20 overs old."

A product of the MRF Pace Foundation, Aaron was lucky enough to get guidance from the legendary Dennis Lillee.

"The best part about being under Dennis Lillee was his method of coaching. Lillee never tries to change any bowler's natural action. If someone has side--on action, he would never force the bowler to change. May be he would suggest some corrective measures," he explained.

Kapil lauds 'unbelievable' Sachin

Sachin Tendulkar has been "unbelievable" in the last two years and keeps getting better with age, feels 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev.

"Sachin in the last two years has been unbelievable. This genius is the other way around - the older he gets, the more he plays like a champion," Kapil Dev told members of the Indian Journalists Association.

The former all-rounder was all praise for the current Indian team under Mahendra Singh Dhoni which won the ICC Cricket World Cup last week in Mumbai.

"India has a team who can beat anybody. They still are not playing to their potential. The Indian team is far better than any other team, without doubt," he said.

Asked about the secret of the Indian team's success, Kapil said, "India's growth is seen in every championship - Commonwealth, Asian games and World Cup. We are definitely flying and flying very well and shining. Now India is the World Champions, besides being No 1 Team in the world in Test cricket.

"We have put money on the table and we have shown that we can play well too. That is what the World Cup has done to India. Now the only thing is when you reach the top position, your attitude changes," he added.

Asked why the team had faltered in the run up to the final, Kapil said, "When you have such a strong batting line up, complacency sometimes sets in. Despite that they were winning. They are far better players than they performed. Even Dhoni fired only when it was needed most, in the final."

The former pacer was also lavish in his praise for India's dashing opener Virender Sehwag: "He is a ruthless player. He changes the dynamics of cricket altogether. He keeps the game so simple."

Kapil said India could improve further if the team gave more attention to its bowling department.

"Yes, bowling is a matter of concern," he said.

Asked to compare the current team with the one that won the World Cup in 1983, Kapil said, "This cricket team is far better than the 1983 team. We did not have any experienced players in the 1983 team. We were absolutely raw, no big match temperament. But we combined better.

"But in the present team there are stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, M S Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh. In 1983, man to man, West Indies was far better than us."

Asked whether IPL had its effect on the Indian side, he said, "Everybody benefited from IPL. There are both positive and negative sides. The positive is you start learning to win. The negative is you don't get enough rest."

Kapil said the BCCI should put money in junior cricket and Ranji Trophy.

"They have to make up their mind. If we want growth in sports, then school sports have to be given due attention. If we can give facilities we can have 10 Sachins and Dhonis in the country.

"During our time, Sunil Gavaskar was like a God and if we don't get another Sachin, it will be sad."

Asked whether cricketers should be exempted from tax for the prize they win, Kapil Dev said, "The law should be uniform for all sportsmen. Other sportsmen who have got laurels in athletics, badminton and other games must be given same exemptions."

Skipper Clarke faces Bangladesh test

Australia's Michael Clarke will be determined to make a strong start in his new role as captain when he leads against Bangladesh in a one-day series starting in Dhaka on Saturday.

The stylish middle-order batsman last month replaced Ricky Ponting as skipper at a time when Australia are trying to revive their fortunes in both Test and one-day cricket.

Australia not only lost the Ashes against England at home last year but also failed in their bid to win a fourth successive World Cup when they crashed to India in the quarter-finals, both the defeats coming under Ponting.

Ponting, with 13,288 runs in 359 one-day internationals, has retained his place as batsman in the squad for three matches against Bangladesh.

"Having his (Ponting's) experience around the group is very important for our development moving forward," Australia vice-captain Shane Watson said Wednesday.

"We have got three games in Bangladesh with a new captain that will add a slightly new dynamic to our team. I think it's really an exciting phase in Australian cricket." Australia began their tour on Thursday with a 90-run win over a Bangladesh Cricket Board team in a practice match in Dhaka, with Clarke, Ponting, Brad Haddin and Mike Hussey all scoring half-centuries.

Paceman John Hastings bagged four wickets, including a hat-trick.

Australia have made a few changes to their World Cup squad. David Hussey opted out of the series, while spinner Xavier Doherty and paceman James Pattinson have come in place of Jason Krezja and Shaun Tait.

Fast bowler Tait quit one-day cricket after the World Cup.

Bangladesh have won just one of their 16 one-dayers against Australia, but batsman Shahriar Nafees said the hosts could make the visitors struggle. "I think Australia will be under massive pressure. They didn't do well in the World Cup and they'll have a lot to prove. We have to utilise this," the Bangladeshi batsman said ahead of the opening match.

"If we can make the best use of our conditions, I think we can make them struggle."

Bangladesh, who could not make it to the World Cup quarter-finals, recalled fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza after he missed the showpiece event due a knee injury. Shakib Al Hasan was retained as captain.

Uncapped batsman Shuvagoto Hom and all-rounder Alok Kapali were the surprise inclusions in the squad.

Former captain Mohammad Ashraful, Junaid Siddique, Naeem Islam and Nazmul Hossain, members of the World Cup squad, were dropped for the series against Australia.

The last two one-dayers will be held in Dhaka on April 11 and 13.

Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, Cameron White.

Bangladesh (from): Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Alok Kapali, Shuvagoto Hom, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul Islam.

© AFP

Make Amla or AB de Villiers captain: Fanie de Villiers

Former South African paceman Fanie de Villiers feels that either Hashim Amla or AB de Villiers should succeed Graeme Smith as the national cricket team's captain.

Citing that the only criteria for the new captain should be that he has to be popular with cricket fans, De Villiers told the Afrikaans weekly Rapport that both Amla and AB fulfil this condition.

"If people do not love him, you can forget about it. That's why I believe that AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla are the only two candidates," he told Rapport.

"Stick your pride in your pocket and learn from guys who know what they are talking about. There is enough talent in this country to make South Africa a world power in cricket," De Villiers suggested Cricket South Africa (CSA).

De Villiers said even Shaun Pollock had acknowledged that he had learnt more about the game in the two years since stepping down than he had in all his years of playing for the Proteas.

He also called on CSA involve lots of experts in the post-mortem of the Proteas' failure after they were ousted against all odds by underdogs New Zealand in the quarterfinals.

"I'm not trying to be too clever," De Villiers said as he explained that there were not enough allrounders in the team on the subcontinent.

"I said long before the time that you can't play a World Cup on the subcontinent with a bunch of specialists. We lost this World Cup not because we were bad. We lost it because we had the wrong side there," De Villiers said even as the country continued to fume about analysing the loss in the absence of Graeme Smith.

Smith went straight to Ireland from India to get engaged to pop singer Morgan Deane and then back to India to play in the IPL.

Meanwhile, former captain Clive Rice was also scathing in his attack of Smith's attitude in leaving his teammates to explain their defeat, accusing the captain who led his last game in India of "climbing the first, best rescue boat and leaving his team mates on the sinking ship".

"I hope he never gets selected for South Africa again. That's not what a captain does -- and it's no wonder so many people have little or no respect for him," Rice told Rapport.

The tensions around Smith's failure to return with the team were further highlighted with a short, terse statement released by CSA on Wednesday.

"CEO Gerald Majola on Wednesday emphatically denied a newspaper report that he had given Proteas' captain Graeme Smith permission to stay behind in India at the end of South Africa's ICC Cricket World Cup campaign", said the statement.

"At no stage did I discuss the matter with Graeme," commented Majola.

"The matter was dealt with by senior team management," he added.

© PTI

Hectic schedule? No problem, says Sehwag

NEW DELHI: Talk about the killing calendar the Indian cricket board has chalked out for the Men in Blue and Virender Sehwag tells you BCCI has offered a solution for it.

"The BCCI has categorically told us that if any cricketer needs rest, he can take it. There is no problem," Sehwag said it in a matter-of-fact tone on Wednesday.

Ruling out the theory that IPL could be hectic for the Indian cricketers, as it comes bang after the World Cup, Sehwag said: "IPL is not hectic. Twenty20 is fun and the IPL offers enough rest, as there are gaps in between the matches. It's a great opportunity for the youngsters to come and show their talent."

When asked about his dismissal in the final match without scoring a run, Sehwag answered boldly. "Individual performances don't matter much. It's all about the team. In the World Cup, we played for each other and the main thing is we are the champions."

The swashbuckling batsman also said that the Indian team has a lot to achieve under MS Dhoni. "Some of the greats have already praised him. But all I say is that the Indian team has a lot to achieve under him," he said.

He then spoke about his IPL team, Delhi Daredevils, who are going to miss a big star like Gautam Gambhir. "Every team has a new combination. We also have a good team. At least we know what every player is capable of doing. Our job is to give 100 per cent on the field and the rest will follow."

World Cup Win Inspires My Son

MUMBAI: In the age of non-stop cricket, there is little time for emotions. One got a perfect illustration of this at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday evening.

Just four days after living the most emotional moment of his life, Sachin Tendulkar was back at the venue.

On Saturday, the maestro had won the only international trophy missing from his cabinet - the World Cup. Less than a week later, he was there again, this time as the captain of the IPL team Mumbai Indians, who sweated it out under lights with a practice game. Dressed in casuals, Sachin, with wife Anjali, looked pleased as punch. His team, MI, also wore a solid look as the likes of Kieron Pollard and Andrew Symonds trained with the rest of the squad.

After arrival Tendulkar chatted with MI's fielding coach Jonty Rhodes and head coach Robin Singh for a while, before he was 'sought out' by owner Nita Ambani, whose husband, Reliance Industries' Mukesh Ambani, owns the side. Mukesh was there too.

Recalling the moments after the famous triumph, Tendulkar said: "The journey from the stadium to the hotel was amazing. The whole nation was celebrating. My mother was very emotional. I remembered my late father too."

The great man defined the significance of this win to Gennext aptly, as he said: "What India's 1983 World Cup win did to me, 2011 win will do to Arjun (his son)."

So is Arjun on his way to emulating the biggest footsteps in cricketing history? "I don't want to force my son into any career."

Afridi is wrong: Adnan Sami

After Pakistan Cricket captain Shahid Afridi's tactless remark, where he stated that `Indians are not large hearted', there's a furore across.'

We spoke to Pakistan born singer Adnan Sami, who is `surprised' at such an uncalled for and wrong statement from a cultural ambassador of sports like Shahid Afridi.

"I would be really surprised if Afridi meant what he said. And if we have to take it on face value than I don't agree and support a thing of this sort. It's an extremely sensitive issue and this kind of statement is not needed. It's wrong", says the singer who feels he himself is a classic testimony of people's love and respect for a cultural ambassador in India.

"When people love you for your cultural contributions, geographical boundaries become non existent. I still find hard to believe that somebody like Afridi, especially who is a sports ambassador of a country and responsible for contributing to the ongoing Indo-Pak peace process, can make such a blatant statement. There's so much responsibility on them."

Adnan harps on the fact that negative statements are outcome of a confused mind. In case of the Pakistan's ODI cricket captain, Adnan attributes the statement to Afridi's frame of mind, "We do not know on what context he may have said, and how much of it is misinterpreted. However, cricket lovers will always love cricketers. They are loved for their art," concludes Adnan.

We too wonder what made Afridi sing an unpleasant tune in his home ground especially when Indians loved him here. You need a large heart Afridi!

Shahid Afridi is a coward

People of India are shocked by Shahid Afridi's statements in the Pakistani media. He has accused India of being a bad host and has said that Indians don't have a large heart. There's a lot of criticism pouring in against the Pakistan cricket captain. Suniel Shetty, who was present during the Mohali encounter, and saw firsthand what Indians did for the people from across the border, is angry too. "Afridi is a coward.

Before making angry comments he should ask his brother what all Indians did for him. His brother was constantly with us bonding and chatting throughout the match in Mohali. We made sure he, his girlfriend, other friends and relatives who were in the stadium, didn't feel left out. We looked after them and made them feel at home. I think we were really sensitive to them as well as all the other Pakistanis who came to see the match in Punjab. If Afridi had issues, he should have opened his mouth here. Why say things after going back home? Clearly, he wants to divert attention of his team's loss to India by stoking the tension that the two countries historically have. This is really cheap, given that both the countries and its people want peace. A captain of a national team should be a responsible man."

Anna adds, "Pakistan played awesome cricket through the tournament and Afridi's rant has just taken away all that from our minds. His statements are not true. I saw how people on the streets welcomed Pakistanis and had meals with them. When the Pakistani premier and his janta of reporters wanted to see the match from the stands, we made sure that they got space. We crunched and stood but made sure that they had the best view.

Afridi should ask Shoaib Akhtar about the adulation he got. People, including me, went up to him, hugged him and said that they will miss him because it was his last international match. Afridi should concentrate on his cricket and play a little better next time to get the spotlight. He should do a poll with the people who came to India and ask them about India's hospitality before shooting his mouth off. I have lost respect for him and I am not afraid to say this — maybe in front of entire India."

Ramiz Raja raves about Dhoni's impact

Dhoni's men took upon them selves to grant him his wish, especially as he had never asked anything of them, and stuck together for mission Tendulkar. Winning the Cup was the best gift they could have thanked him with for his unfathomable contribution to Indian cricket.

A One day career even as rich and magnificent as Tendulkar's needed the topping of a World Cup win because all your one day performances mean less if you have not held the trophy in your hands. With his career now reaching climactic portions, he will look upon this win possibly as the biggest of his career as it officially stamps him a champion.

We know that Tendulkar's appetite for the game is insatiable but with the World Cup in the bag and nothing much to look forward to, he can now move on from this format to the more sedate but challenging medium of Test cricket, a platform that still needs his genius.

Speaking of genius, India could not have won the Cup without the irrepressible Dhoni. You can rave about other performers in the team but they are dwarfed by Dhoni's impact on the tournament.

Who could have known when he was picked to lead India few seasons back that hidden behind the exterior of a placid rustic face was not a simpleton from Ranchi but a shrewd sinewy competitor. Any other person belonging from such an unfashionable part of India, thrown at the deep end to lead the greats of the game, would have suffered from a seizure of low esteem.

But Dhoni is built like a fortress, impenetrable and grand. Sanjay Manjrekar told me that when he popped a question to a great Indian batsman about Dhoni's leadership and what makes him click as a leader of legends, he replied his ability to know his boundaries.

He may have never crossed his limits with Sachin or Sehwag, but that did not make him a soft captain. In fact, he was not shy to throw a challenge at his men after the South Africa choke, when in a shielded attack, he denounced the penchant of few to play more for the gallery than the cause of the team.

Captaincy beside other things is about straight talking and timing a warning to the players to wake them up to the contest. India never looked back in the tournament after that siren was played by it's captain.

Hardly ever is he paled by a defeat. He remains relaxed in searing moments of the game which helps him to think better on the job and pick right options to wriggle out of tough scenarios. How he maintains balance and brilliance between keeping and captaincy, both pressure filled punishing and thankless tasks, is worth a case study.

His famous Hindi comments at a press conference in fact sums up his calm interior: pressure lenay ka nahin denay ka hai!

He picks players like film directors do, only who will suit the script and will rally behind them to make it a successful story. In this World Cup, he made strong selection decisions that did not sit well with common logic yet he stuck to his guns and made people respect his logic.

Piyush Chawla made a come back on sound cricket grounds that a leg-spinner is not only a wicket taking option but a match winning option at home against non-Asian teams.

He introduced Ashwin, an unknown quality, to new ball bowling and had the guts to re-launch Nehra in a big semi final game against Pakistan in place of popular choice Ashwin, after entire India had turned hostile against him and his medium pace bowler for the last over disaster against South Africa.

The benching of in-demand Yusuf Pathan for Suresh Raina was another jigsaw that he solved effortlessly. Such gestures showed his uncluttered approach towards cricket, based on his own analysis and gut feeling, not influenced by popular perceptions.

A captain who thinks without a bias and knows the true value and potential of his troops is a player's dream. This trust and mind set contributes to a healthy dressing room environment which inspired India to take the leaders position at the podium.

A World Cup victory can not be weighed in any concrete measurement. How can you have a scale for pride, passion, delight or honour. India got the lot and more from Dhoni's team.

It's now it's duty to use responsibly the status of the World Champion tag and show, with grace and dignity, the leadership qualities in governing the game. It has to deal intelligently with thorny issues like the DRS, playing Pakistan, players' fatigue, managing the three formats to ensure their attractiveness and efficacy, globalisation of the sport and helping the minnows.

Even though it may have been hard on the Associate members but the decision of a 10 team World Cup is justified. Fans want quality and competition at such a high profile event and we saw quite a few mis-match ties in this WC which lowered its image.

Having said that the minnows need constant grooming and attention as disengagement will defeat the purpose of globalisation. They need nurturing and caring and should be exposed to big events only after they have registered an improvement. Getting bashed at world events would not only dent them mentally but it would be bad advertisement for the game of cricket.

India produced a calm, matured performance to lift the World Cup. You have to admire the self-belief and class of Dhoni and his men, for not once did the team flinch in the eye of the storm. It was service as usual, whether Mahela was playing a classic or Sehwag and Tendulkar had been condemned to the confines of the dressing room.

India remained unfazed and ran past all hurdles with Dhoni the magnificent, clearing the flag post with a perfect straight drive to win the race for India. And for Tendulkar.

In sports you can prepare a life time and still not make the podium. Even with an astonishing body of work behind him, Tendulkar was pricked by the thought of a win less World Cup career, a heart ache that he had shared with his team and country.

Pakistan at this WC may have returned home empty handed but it won the hearts of it's people. The players were greeted like heroes because Pakistan became one and united under them.

The World also got to see the strength of Indo-Pak contest. All those people in positions who were cold and indifferent towards it were seeing queuing up to use the occasion to cash in.

The governments, the media and the ICC had been given enough evidence in the past also, of the enormous strength of Indo-Pak tussle, to know that uncoupling the two could mean a turbulent world and a colorless cricket calendar.

Yet, all of them allowed the most engaging cricket rivalries to get stuck by petty politics. To me that game at Mohali was the heart of the World Cup more than the final at Mumbai

© Getty

Afridi says India were deserving winners

India is lucky to have a "stable" captain like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to Pakistan's ODI skipper Shahid Afridi who is still trying to play down his negative remarks against Indians that caused an uproar.

"I thought Dhoni led the Indians very shrewdly and performed brilliantly in the final. India is lucky to have a stable captain like him, Afridi told PTI in an interview.

"He had a big role to play in the Indian victory and I am sure this victory means a lot for Indian cricket and their people. But I also hope the World Cup coming back to Asia will also boost the sport in this region again and normalise bilateral Indo-Pak cricket relations," he said.

Afridi acknowledged that India were the better side on that day and deserved to win the World Cup. "They were the better side and deserved to win the world cup. Any side that can beat us should win the World Cup," he said.

Afridi heaped praise on Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, saying that his hunger for runs is amazing and he still has plenty to offer to Indian cricket.

"His hunger for runs is amazing and only he can best decide what he wants to do in the future. But I can tell you this age is no bar to his success in either Tests or one-day internationals," he said.

Afridi said he did not have any words to describe the Indian maestro and disclosed that he has a framed jersey autographed by Tendulkar in his drawing room.

The Pakistan captain once again played down his negative remarks about Indian people that he made on a Pakistani television channel talk show that has caused an uproar in the neighboring country.

"I have nothing against the Indian people and I have always enjoyed going to India as the people there appreciate and support good cricket and players," Afridi said.

"The remarks I made on the show have been misunderstood and taken out of context. My main emphasis was that sports should not be mixed with politics and there were some elements who didn't want the people of the two countries to get closer," Afridi clarified.

"It is unfortunate whenever someone tries to bring politics into sport. This is unacceptable and will only lead to misunderstandings," he said.

Afridi's remarks about the Indian media being negative about Indo-Pak relations and the Pakistani media being 100 times better have also caused a furore.

"I don't want to sound condescending but I have always wanted good relations between the two countries and I have in my own way tried to play a positive role," he said.

We were gutted: Muralitharan

"We were gutted", Muttiah Muralitharan said on Wednesday about Sri Lanka's defeat by India in the World Cup final, a match he had hoped to be the grand finale of his career during which he has collected 1347 international wickets.

The Lankan team thought that 274 was a good total but "God does not give everything", the off-spinner recalled about last Saturday's final at the Wankhede stadium.

The match had been billed as a contest between two of the game's greatest, Sachin Tendulkar and Muralitharan. The Indian fulfilled his dream of a World Cup win but the Sri Lankan went wicket-less.

Muralitharan had ended his Test career last year on a sensational note taking his 800th wicket with his last ball against India. There was no such fairytale ending to his ODI career during which he took 534 wickets.

"It simply wasn't our day", he said adding," what we didn't expect was the dew to come in. From the 25th over onwards the dew was there it was difficult to bowl and the ball started to come onto the bat nicely".

Looking back at his 20-year career which had its share of controversies with regard to his bowling action, Muralitharan said that the 1996 World Cup win remained the greatest moment in his cricketing career.

Asked if he believed that his record of 800 Test wickets would be broken, he replied, "you never know. For a long time 300 wickets in Test cricket used to be the benchmark.

"It took a long time to take it to 400 and that remained for a long time. Now it's 800. If someone has a long career and is able to keep out of injuries it could happen", he said.

Tendulkar and Brian Lara are the two best batsmen he has bowled to, said the veteran, adding that it was very difficult to single out one.

"Both of them have excellent records. Lara scored over 600 runs during a series held here in 2001. Sachin has had his moments against me and I have enjoyed some success against them as well. It all depends on form, situation and things".

He was full of praise for Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni under whom he played in IPL for Chennai Superkings. "MS is sharp and does not lose his cool when things are tough.

"He remains calm and takes decisions. When tension is high, it is very important to remain calm. It is not easy, but MS has been able to do that. And that is one reason for his success", he said.

Muralitharan also liked the way Anil Kumble led India "from a bowler's perspective". Not too may bowlers captain in Test cricket these days, he pointed out.

Bayliss gives Chappell credit for India's success

World champions India's success is, to an extent, a result of the initiatives taken by their former coach Greg Chappell during his controversy-marred two-year stint with the team, feels outgoing Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss.

The controversial Australian's tumultuous tenure ended after the India's first-round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

"I really don't know what went wrong with Greg. But I am sure the kind of hard work that Greg put in during his times like shuffling the team and giving the younger players a chance is playing a part in India's success now," Bayliss said.

Post Chappell, India enjoyed a hugely successful period under the guidance of former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten.

The winning run that started with the Border-Gavaskar trophy in 2008-09 culminated with the silverware in Mumbai last Saturday.

Cheema ruled out of West Indies tour

Uncapped Pakistan fast bowler Aizaz Cheema has been ruled out of this month's West Indies tour due to fitness problems.

"He has been declared unfit for cricket activities by the board doctors and has been replaced by Sadaf Hussain," a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said on Thursday, one day after Cheema had been named in a 16-man squad for the one-day series.

Left-arm paceman Sadaf, 21, was the top wicket-taker in the recently concluded domestic season with 64 wickets and has taken 90 wickets in just 18 first class games.

The Pakistan selectors have included four uncapped players in a new-look side for the West Indies tour.

The squad includes five players yet to play for the senior team including wicketkeeper Mohammad Salman, batsman Usman Salahuddin, allrounder Hammad Azam and pacers Sadaf and Junaid Khan.

Hastings takes hat-trick in Aussie win in Dhaka

Paceman John Hastings grabbed four wickets, including a hat-trick, as Australia opened their tour of Bangladesh with a 90-run victory in a practice match on Thursday.

Australia scored 308-6 against a Bangladesh Cricket Board team, with new skipper Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, former captain Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin all scoring half-centuries.

Hastings finished with 4-15 as the hosts were restricted to 218-7.

Australia will play three one-day internationals on their current tour, with the opening match starting in Dhaka on Saturday.

Brief scores:

Australia 308-6 in 50 overs (M. Hussey 69 not out, R. Ponting 69, B. Haddin 66, M. Clarke 55) beat Bangladesh Cricket Board XI 218-7 in 50 overs (Maisuqur Rahman 68, Raqibul Hasan 65; J. Hastings 4-15) by 90 runs.

Shane Warne backs out from coaching team India

A day after he put his hat in the ring to replace outgoing Indian coach Gary Kirsten, former Australian bowler Shane Warne has now backed out from coaching Team India. The legendary leg-spinner has done a remarkable volte-face, ruling out any association with the Indian team in the near future.

Speaking exclusively to Headlines Today, Warne has confirmed that he does not intend to coach India. Warne emphaised it would be difficult for anyone to emulate Kirsten's hugely successful tenure, but made it clear 'It cannot be him'.

"Whosoever becomes the next coach will have to fill in big shoes. Gary has done a fabulous job. But it is not going to be me," said warne.

Interestingly, Indian captain M.S Dhoni too stopped short of ruling Warne out from the list of potential contenders stating, with Gary having set a high benchmark, the next coach will have big shoes to fill.

Kirsten's successful behind-the-scenes approach worked wonders with Team India and after the nightmarish experience with former Australian captain Greg Chappell, Dhoni & Co will understandably be apprehensive of brining in a flamboyant character to coach them in the difficult season ahead.

On Sachin Tendulkar and cricket

Warne was effusive in his praise for Sachin Tendukar, who realised his World Cup dream on Saturday, saying, he is 'the best batsman that I have played against'.

Asked to speak on his statement about 'Sachin giving me nightmare' after Australia's 1998 Test series in India, Warne said, it was 'a tongue in cheek remark'.

What keeps him going? "I love cricket. It's my passion," said the leg-spinner. On playing in the IPL, Warne said, "I enjoy captaining the Jaipur team."

On his colourful life outside the playground, Warne said, "I may not have been the best husband but I have been the best father."

Govt mulling Bharat Ratna for Sachin Tendulkar: Sources

After 21 years of cricket, 99 international centuries and now the World Cup, the country's highest civilian honour might be the next feather in Sachin Tendulkar's cap.

The Home Ministry is seriously considering the rising chorus for the batting maestro to be bestowed with the Bharat Ratna, sources said.

The demand to honour the batting maestro with the Bharat Ratna had gained momentum after he scored a double ton in the ODI series against South Africa last year.

Headlines Today was the first channel to initiate a campaign for a Bharat Ratna for Sachin.

Now Tendulkar's name for the honour has been recommended by a number of politicians as well.

In fact, the Maharashtra assembly has passed a resolution requesting the central government to confer the Bharat Ratna on Tendulkar. The BJP too has demanded highest honour for the players.

If Sachin is conferred with the honour, it would be another first. No other sportsperson has ever been given the Bharat Ratna.

Meanwhile, former Indian Skipper Rahul Dravid has said that Sachin is already a Bharat Ratna for the country.

Indian captain M.S. Dhoni too has backed the batting genius for the nation's highest civilian honour. "Sachin deserves the Bharat Ratna. He has done great things for the country," Dhoni said.

World Cup: Afridi slams Gambhir for 26/11 remark

Days after winning millions of hearts with his remark on ending the hatred towards India, Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi disappointed his Indian fans saying that the Indians were not as large-hearted as Pakistanis.

Speaking during a talk show on a Pakistani news channel, Afridi was asked about the relations between India and Pakistan when he responded that the Indians would "never have hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis". He even termed the talks between the two countries futile.

"They (Indians) will never have hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis. It is a very difficult thing for us to live with them (Indians) or to have long-term relationship with them. Nothing will come out of talks. See how many times in the past 60 years we have had friendship and then how many times things have gone bad," Afridi said on Sunday.

In fact, his comment on batsman Gautam Gambhir, who dedicated the ICC World Cup to the victims of 26/11 Mumbai attack, was even more shocking.

Reacting to Gambhir's gesture Afridi said: "I think they were very stupid comments by Gautam Gambhir. I was not expecting this from Gautam. This is all politics, what do you know about who carried out the Mumbai attacks?"

He also criticised Interior Minister Rehman Malik for warning the Pakistani team not to get involved in match-fixing ahead of the Mohali semi-final, which they ultimately lost to India.

Afridi blamed media for the souring relations between the two neighbours. Asked about the Indian media's coverage of the Pakistani team during the semi-final against India, the skipper said that Indian media has a very negative approach.

"Indian media is very negative. They blow up every small issue. Media is mainly responsible for Indo-Pak souring relations," Afridi said.

Without naming a third country, Afridi also seemed to blame the US for the history of poor relations between the two south Asian neighbours.

"We don't want to fight with each other but a third country everyone knows which one it is trying to spoil our relations. (This country) is taking advantage of Pakistan and wants to take advantage of India. I don't want to go into details but these people will not let us come together," he added.

India is lucky to have a stable captain in Dhoni: Afridi

India is lucky to have a "stable" captain like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, according to Pakistan's ODI skipper Shahid Afridi who is still trying to play down his negative remarks against Indians that caused an uproar.

"I thought Dhoni led the Indians very shrewdly and performed brilliantly in the final. India is lucky to have a stable captain like him," Afridi told PTI in an interview.

"He had a big role to play in the Indian victory and I am sure this victory means a lot for Indian cricket and their people. But I also hope the World Cup coming back to Asia will also boost the sport in this region again and normalise bilateral Indo-Pak cricket relations," he said.

Afridi acknowledged that India were the better side on that day and deserved to win the World Cup.

"They were the better side and deserved to win the world cup. Any side that can beat us should win the World Cup," he said.

Afridi heaped praise on Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, saying that his hunger for runs is amazing and he still has plenty to offer to Indian cricket.

"His hunger for runs is amazing and only he can best decide what he wants to do in the future. But I can tell you this age is no bar to his success in either Tests or one-day internationals," he said.

Afridi said he did not have any words to describe the Indian maestro and disclosed that he has a framed jersey autographed by Tendulkar in his drawing room.

The Pakistan captain once again played down his negative remarks about Indian people that he made on a Pakistani television channel talk show that has caused an uproar in the neighboring country.

"I have nothing against the Indian people and I have always enjoyed going to India as the people there appreciate and support good cricket and players," Afridi said.

"The remarks I made on the show have been misunderstood and taken out of context. My main emphasis was that sports should not be mixed with politics and there were some elements who didn't want the people of the two countries to get closer," Afridi clarified.

"It is unfortunate whenever someone tries to bring politics into sport. This is unacceptable and will only lead to misunderstandings," he said.

Afridi's remarks about the Indian media being negative about Indo-Pak relations and the Pakistani media being 100 times better have also caused a furore.

"I don't want to sound condescending but I have always wanted good relations between the two countries and I have in my own way tried to play a positive role," he said.

"Even when we returned from India after playing the world cup semifinal in Mohali I said that Pakistanis should not treat cricket matches with India as war as in other things we tend to have common interests," Afridi noted.

Afridi pointed out that there were some elements in the Indian media who created misunderstandings or demeaned Pakistanis.

"Even when I said that Sachin Tendulkar would have to wait for his 100th century after the semifinal against us, my remarks were misinterpreted and played up negatively by some in the Indian media.

"I admire Sachin Tendulkar for being one of the best role models for young cricketers and no one in Pakistan even doubts his greatness as his record speak for himself.

"All I had meant was that being the captain of the opposing team, we would not allow Tendulkar to score runs or get a century against us which any opposing captain would say about an opposing batsman," Afridi explained.

The Pakistan captain said the national team had gone to India with the message of peace.

"I think our conduct in the semifinal and during our stay in India is proof enough of our intentions. Pakistan has always been keen to have normal cricket relations with India," he said.

"I still say Pakistan and India should have normal bilateral relations in cricket and there should be regular exchanges between the two countries," he added.

Afridi explained that his remarks on the talk show were in response to a question about how the Indians were looking at the semifinal match result and about some people introducing politics into cricket with Pakistan.

"There are positive people even in the Indian media but recently in India we as a team were sad over the way some sections of the Indian media did stories about us and how they portrayed us," Afridi said.

He said because of these negative elements, Pakistani players remained out of the Indian Premier League.

"When you play a cricket match with India, the intensity level is high but that is only on the field and it is unfortunate when a wrong colour is given to a match or relations between players."

Afridi said cricket can bring the two countries closer and it was a very positive gesture on part of the Indian Prime Minister to invite his Pakistani counterpart to Mohali for the match.

"I know for a fact that Pakistanis who were in Mohali for the match enjoyed themselves thoroughly and were looked after well even though the disappointment of losing the semifinal was great," he noted.

Warne denies India coach talk

Australian spin legend Shane Warne on Wednesday denied media reports that he was interested in coaching World Cup champions India.

"Just got told on bus - apparently I put my hand up to coach India. Wow - first I have heard of it - Sorry to disappoint but never said that!!!" Warne tweeted.

Leg-spinner Warne, 41, is in the country to take part in the Indian Premier League where he leads the Rajasthan Royals franchise in the lucrative Twenty20 competition, starting on Friday.

Local media reports earlier Wednesday said Warne had shown interest in the job.

"It is a very difficult job to be India coach, it is never easy," Warne was quoted as saying in the Mail Today newspaper.

"But with India doing so well, it is a lot easier to take over right now than it has been in the past. I'll enjoy working with the Indian cricket team for sure."

India are without a coach after former South African batsman Gary Kirsten stepped down following the World Cup victory in Mumbai last week.

Warne said Kirsten had set high standards during a successful three-year stint with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team.

"Kirsten is a quality person and it would be hard to find a replacement for him. Under him, the Indian team has reached the number one spot in Tests and won the World Cup," said Warne. "He is a fantastic coach."

Warne, who quit international cricket in 2007 with 708 wickets in Tests and 293 in one-dayers, excelled in a duel role as captain and coach guiding the Rajasthan Royals to a surprise title in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008.

© AFP

Pakistan axe struggling Kamran Akmal

The Pakistan selectors on Wednesday dropped faltering wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal from the one-day and Twenty20 squad for this month's tour of the West Indies and rested senior players.

The 29-year-old was criticised for dropping crucial catches during the World Cup, where Pakistan lost in the semi-finals to arch rival India.

"We have given Kamran Akmal a break because his wicketkeeping was not up to the mark during the World Cup," chief selector Mohsin Khan told AFP. "We think Kamran needs a rest."

Local media said the wicket-keeper will also lose his Test place to younger brother Adnan Akmal, part of the Test team to New Zealand earlier this year.

Mohammad Salman, 29, will keep wickets in the Twenty20 and one-day matches.

Pakistan will play a Twenty20 international, five one-day games and two Tests on the month-long tour, starting from April 18.

Khan said the tour gives Pakistan an opportunity to test new players.

"We have chosen the team with a plan to try some youngsters who can serve Pakistan in the future," said Khan. "Younis Khan and Umar Gul have been rested while Abdul Razzaq could not fit into the team."

One-day skipper Shahid Afridi had hinted that senior players would be rested to give younger team members a chance, prompting Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul -- all part of the World Cup squad -- to be left out.

Afridi will not be part of the Test team after retiring from the longer version of the game last year.

Misbah-ul-Haq will lead Pakistan in the Tests, for which a squad will be announced later.

Among the newcomers is Usman Salahuddin, a 20-year-old right hander who scored 927 runs in the country's premier first class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, last season.

Aizaz Cheema is a right arm pacer, while Hammad Azam is an all-rounder who made Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean last year, but did not play a match.

Squad (T20 and one-day): Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Taufiq Umar, Usman Salahuddin, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam, Aizaz Cheema, Mohammad Salman.

Tour programme:

April 18 - one-day warm-up match - St Lucia

April 21 - Twenty20 international - St Lucia

April 23 - First one-day international - St Lucia

April 25 - Second one-day international - St Lucia

April 28 - Third one-day international - Barbados

May 1 - Fourth one-day international - Barbados

May 5 - Fifth one-day international - Guyana

May 8-9 - Two-day match - Guyana

May 12-16 - First Test - Guyana

May 20-24 - Second Test - St Kitts

© AFP