Friday, April 2, 2010

KP’s maiden half ton takes RCB to 6-wkt win

KP’s maiden half ton takes RCB to 6-wkt win
Mohali, April 2: Kevin Pietersen (66 not out) got three lives before notching up his maiden Indian Premier League half century and helping Royal Challengers Bangalore score a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab tonight.

Pietersen, who was dropped thrice while on 36, 47 and 50, played sheet anchor with two crucial partnerships -- 71 off 51 balls for the third wicket with Virat Kohli and 40 from just 15 balls for fourth wicket with Robin Uthappa as RCB romped home with five balls to spare in chase of 182.
Uthappa played a stunning cameo of 22 from just eight balls with two sixes and a four to take the score near finishing line at the PCA Stadium.

Pietersen, who hit seven fours and one six in his 44-ball knock in his second match for RCB, smashed the winning runs, a four off Irfan Pathan, to take his side to 184 for four.
Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara top-scored with a 27-ball 45 as Kings XI Punjab posted a challenging 181 for five after electing to bat.
With the win today, their fifth in eight matches, Royal Challengers are on second spot with 10 points and brightened their chances to qualify for the semifinals.

Sania’s heart beats for Pakistani: Thackeray

Sania’s heart beats for Pakistani: Thackeray

MUMBAI, April 2: Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, on Friday, flayed tennis star Sania Mirza for her decision to marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, saying “had Sania’s heart been Indian, it wouldn’t have beaten for a Pakistani.”

“Henceforth, Sania will not remain an Indian. Had her heart been Indian, it wouldn’t have beaten for a Pakistani. If she wished to play for India, she should have chosen an Indian life partner,” 84-year-old Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna.

“More than victories on tennis court, Sania became famous for her tight clothes, fashion and love affairs,” Thackeray alleged.

“More than her play, people’s attention was on her mannerisms,” he claimed.
The Shiv Sena supremo alleged that “for Shoaib, India is an enemy, not only in sports arena but also in the battlefield.

“We have heard that Shoaib has many affairs in India and has promised many girls he will marry them,” he said.

Thackeray also expressed surprise over the alacrity with which Sania’s family members were granted Pakistani visas.
“Getting a Pakistani visa is tough even for a singer like Lata Mangeshkar,” he said.