Kanpur, Nov 21: The cricket teams of India and Sri Lanka arrived here today for the second Test match, beginning Tuesday at Green Park Stadium. However, the Indian trio of Vireder Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir have not arrived with the Indian team as they have gone to Delhi and will reach here tomorrow. The teams landed in the city in the afternoon and amidst a tight security were taken to a city hotel. The hotel staff welcomed the players by presenting them roses and putting on traditional “tika” on their forheads. Indian run-machine Sachin Tendulkar was presented a memento for completing 20 glorious years in international cricket while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was welcomed with a big bouquet. (PTI)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Motera-like tracks would kill Test cricket: Harbhajan
NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Miffed with the docile pitch in the drawn Ahmedabad Test against Sri Lanka, feisty Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Saturday said such batting-friendly tracks would kill cricket’s longest format. “Such pitches will kill Test cricket. It’s a free ticket to batsmen and offer no contest,” Harbhajan said. The Motera track has drawi flak from all quarters and both captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara said they expected the pitch to offer some assistance to the bowlers on the last two days.
Friday, November 20, 2009
2010 WC will be the best ever: FIH president
NEW DELHI: It’s certainly not the best of times for Indian hockey. Reports of tension between players and the coach and the concerns over Hockey FIH India elections are enough to make the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which is seeking to revive the game in the country, worried.
However, FIH president Leandro Negre is not losing sleep over it. He’s optimistic that every problem facing Indian hockey will be sorted out in due course of time. Of course, he did reiterate on Friday that India would be barred from hosting the World Cup if they fail to have a democratically elected body in place before the tournament.
"India is key for world hockey but we maintain that as per our constitution, there should be an elected body before the World Cup. If they fail, we have to follow FIH constitution... hopefully that will not happen. I’m sure elections will be over before the World Cup," Negre said.
The FIH president was in the Capital to sign a sponsorship deal with Steel Authority of India (SAIL), which he did in the presence of union minister for steel Birbhadra Singh, minister for state A Sai Prathap, steel secretary Atul Chaturvedi, SAIL chairman SK Roongta and Hockey India president AK Mattoo. This is FIH’s second major deal after the one with title sponsor Hero Honda.
Negre spoke to TOI about the World Cup and other matters related to hockey. Excerpts:
Tell us something about this new deal.
We signed an agreement today with SAIL, which will be our Presenting Partner. It’s not possible to give out details about the deal, but this contract, alongwith the one with Hero Honda, is something the types of which FIH had never signed in its history. Now the World Cup will be referred to as the ‘Hero Honda FIH World Cup, presented by SAIL’.
Are you satisfied with the response you are getting from corporates for the World Cup?
It’s hugely satisfying. I can assure you that the event is going to the best ever organised.
Indian hockey is going through some tough times - there are so many issues, ranging from the problem in the team to Hockey India elections. Are FIH bosses worried?
I am an optimistic person. I am sure everything will be solved at the right time. Certain things are not FIH’s concern, like what’s happening with the Indian team. It’s Indian hockey’s internal matter which they have to sort out. As far as the elections are concerned, the decision to postpone them was an unanimous one. India is a huge country with so many state units. We could have had the elections on November 18, but we postponed it to ensure the participation of more states.
And the venue for the World Cup? It’s yet to be handed over with just four months to go for the mega event.
I will be visiting the stadium on Saturday. Only then can I say how much progress has been made. I believe some small things like electricity connection are to be put in place before the test events. There have been delays but I am confident everything will be ready in time.
Will you stick to the new January-end deadline for HI elections or there’s still scope for another extension?
The deadline is end of January and the elections have to be held before the World Cup. I am calling all parties to show responsibility because this is going to be a great opportunity to fix the problems for good. The next assembly of Hockey India will elect the office bearers in a democratic and fair manner.
You always talked about having in place a Plan B as regard to the World Cup in case the Indian authorities did not put things in order. Does it still stand?
There’s no Plan B. Having one would be a negative way to approach the concerns. To be very honest, I must say all of FIH’s demands and wishes have been settled by the Indian authorities.
As of now, FIH seems to be interested in Indian hockey. But will the interest remain even after the elections and the World Cup?
We are here to help the Indian hockey. I believe we are doing just that. India is important for hockey as well as FIH. We are very eager to see India back on the top and we are doing our best to achieve that.
TOI
However, FIH president Leandro Negre is not losing sleep over it. He’s optimistic that every problem facing Indian hockey will be sorted out in due course of time. Of course, he did reiterate on Friday that India would be barred from hosting the World Cup if they fail to have a democratically elected body in place before the tournament.
"India is key for world hockey but we maintain that as per our constitution, there should be an elected body before the World Cup. If they fail, we have to follow FIH constitution... hopefully that will not happen. I’m sure elections will be over before the World Cup," Negre said.
The FIH president was in the Capital to sign a sponsorship deal with Steel Authority of India (SAIL), which he did in the presence of union minister for steel Birbhadra Singh, minister for state A Sai Prathap, steel secretary Atul Chaturvedi, SAIL chairman SK Roongta and Hockey India president AK Mattoo. This is FIH’s second major deal after the one with title sponsor Hero Honda.
Negre spoke to TOI about the World Cup and other matters related to hockey. Excerpts:
Tell us something about this new deal.
We signed an agreement today with SAIL, which will be our Presenting Partner. It’s not possible to give out details about the deal, but this contract, alongwith the one with Hero Honda, is something the types of which FIH had never signed in its history. Now the World Cup will be referred to as the ‘Hero Honda FIH World Cup, presented by SAIL’.
Are you satisfied with the response you are getting from corporates for the World Cup?
It’s hugely satisfying. I can assure you that the event is going to the best ever organised.
Indian hockey is going through some tough times - there are so many issues, ranging from the problem in the team to Hockey India elections. Are FIH bosses worried?
I am an optimistic person. I am sure everything will be solved at the right time. Certain things are not FIH’s concern, like what’s happening with the Indian team. It’s Indian hockey’s internal matter which they have to sort out. As far as the elections are concerned, the decision to postpone them was an unanimous one. India is a huge country with so many state units. We could have had the elections on November 18, but we postponed it to ensure the participation of more states.
And the venue for the World Cup? It’s yet to be handed over with just four months to go for the mega event.
I will be visiting the stadium on Saturday. Only then can I say how much progress has been made. I believe some small things like electricity connection are to be put in place before the test events. There have been delays but I am confident everything will be ready in time.
Will you stick to the new January-end deadline for HI elections or there’s still scope for another extension?
The deadline is end of January and the elections have to be held before the World Cup. I am calling all parties to show responsibility because this is going to be a great opportunity to fix the problems for good. The next assembly of Hockey India will elect the office bearers in a democratic and fair manner.
You always talked about having in place a Plan B as regard to the World Cup in case the Indian authorities did not put things in order. Does it still stand?
There’s no Plan B. Having one would be a negative way to approach the concerns. To be very honest, I must say all of FIH’s demands and wishes have been settled by the Indian authorities.
As of now, FIH seems to be interested in Indian hockey. But will the interest remain even after the elections and the World Cup?
We are here to help the Indian hockey. I believe we are doing just that. India is important for hockey as well as FIH. We are very eager to see India back on the top and we are doing our best to achieve that.
TOI
Gambhir, Tendulkar script India's great escape
Sachin Opener Gautam Gambhir
AHMEDABAD: Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar hit opportune centuries as India came up with a spirited batting display to salvage a draw in the Sachin Opener Gautam Gambhir conjured up yet another marathon innings of 114 runs, result of his six-and-half hour vigil, before Sachin Tendulkar (100 not out) took the centrestage to chase down yet another milestone of 30,000 international runs en route to his 43rd Test ton.
With VVS Laxman (51 not out) also chipping in with his 40th Test half-century, India batted their way out of trouble to maintain their impressive home record against the Lankans.
Going into the final day's play needing just eight wickets to snap their 14-match winless streak on Indian soil, the exasperated Sri Lankans could only watch haplessly as the hosts showed the kind of application and determination that had been missing in their shoddy first innings display.
Resuming with 144 runs in the arrear, the Indians finished the day at 412 for four with Gambhir, Tendulkar and Laxman scoring bulk of the runs on a shirtfront of a wicket that simply had nothing for the bowlers.
Both the teams now move to Kanpur for the second Test starting on November 24.
Milestone man Tendulkar reached yet another landmark in his glittering career when he turned swing bowler Chanaka Welegedara backward of square for a single to take his tally of runs in Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals to 30,000.
Overall, it was a poor advertisement for Test cricket as nearly 1600 runs were scored while just 21 wickets fell over the five days' play leading to this stalemate.
The match also saw the highest number of centuries -- seven --- being scored on the sub-continental soil.
Tendulkar's unbeaten 211 ball knock included 11 hits to the fence.
Trailing the visitors by a massive 334 runs in the first innings, India wiped off the deficit in the last over before tea.
The two Indian batsmen out today were Amit Mishra (24), who did an excellent job in the unaccustomed nightwatchman's role, while Gambhir virtually threw his wicket after notching up his seventh Test century.
Earlier, Mishra stuck to his task for over 45 minutes after India started the day 144 runs behind the Lankans at 190 for two.
The leg-spinner was eventually dismissed by Angelo Mathews, caught brilliantly at leg gully by Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Tendulkar straightaway started stroking the ball sweetly as he cover-drove the accurate and miserly Mathews for a four and then hit danger man Muttiah Muralitharan for successive fours in one over.
Gambhir, batting solidly from the other end, also opened out and raced to his hundred by hitting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for two fours before he glanced Mathews to the rope. It was his first hundred against Sri Lanka.
India lost Gambhir in the sixth over of the second session. He was lured by a well-tossed up ball from left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and, in trying to hit it into the vacant leg side area, got the leading edge to be caught at mid-off by Dammika Prasad.
It was the Delhi left-hander's third hundred this year and in as many Tests since making his marathon match-saving 137 against New Zealand at Napier in March. The ICC Test Player of the Year faced 230 balls and struck 13 fours in his six and a half-hour stay.
Tendulkar was joined by Laxman and the duo ensured that no further wickets were given away to either pace or spin by forging an unbeaten 137-run fifth wicket partnership.
Soruce: TOI
AHMEDABAD: Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar hit opportune centuries as India came up with a spirited batting display to salvage a draw in the Sachin Opener Gautam Gambhir conjured up yet another marathon innings of 114 runs, result of his six-and-half hour vigil, before Sachin Tendulkar (100 not out) took the centrestage to chase down yet another milestone of 30,000 international runs en route to his 43rd Test ton.
With VVS Laxman (51 not out) also chipping in with his 40th Test half-century, India batted their way out of trouble to maintain their impressive home record against the Lankans.
Going into the final day's play needing just eight wickets to snap their 14-match winless streak on Indian soil, the exasperated Sri Lankans could only watch haplessly as the hosts showed the kind of application and determination that had been missing in their shoddy first innings display.
Resuming with 144 runs in the arrear, the Indians finished the day at 412 for four with Gambhir, Tendulkar and Laxman scoring bulk of the runs on a shirtfront of a wicket that simply had nothing for the bowlers.
Both the teams now move to Kanpur for the second Test starting on November 24.
Milestone man Tendulkar reached yet another landmark in his glittering career when he turned swing bowler Chanaka Welegedara backward of square for a single to take his tally of runs in Tests, ODIs and T20 internationals to 30,000.
Overall, it was a poor advertisement for Test cricket as nearly 1600 runs were scored while just 21 wickets fell over the five days' play leading to this stalemate.
The match also saw the highest number of centuries -- seven --- being scored on the sub-continental soil.
Tendulkar's unbeaten 211 ball knock included 11 hits to the fence.
Trailing the visitors by a massive 334 runs in the first innings, India wiped off the deficit in the last over before tea.
The two Indian batsmen out today were Amit Mishra (24), who did an excellent job in the unaccustomed nightwatchman's role, while Gambhir virtually threw his wicket after notching up his seventh Test century.
Earlier, Mishra stuck to his task for over 45 minutes after India started the day 144 runs behind the Lankans at 190 for two.
The leg-spinner was eventually dismissed by Angelo Mathews, caught brilliantly at leg gully by Tillakaratne Dilshan.
Tendulkar straightaway started stroking the ball sweetly as he cover-drove the accurate and miserly Mathews for a four and then hit danger man Muttiah Muralitharan for successive fours in one over.
Gambhir, batting solidly from the other end, also opened out and raced to his hundred by hitting left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for two fours before he glanced Mathews to the rope. It was his first hundred against Sri Lanka.
India lost Gambhir in the sixth over of the second session. He was lured by a well-tossed up ball from left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and, in trying to hit it into the vacant leg side area, got the leading edge to be caught at mid-off by Dammika Prasad.
It was the Delhi left-hander's third hundred this year and in as many Tests since making his marathon match-saving 137 against New Zealand at Napier in March. The ICC Test Player of the Year faced 230 balls and struck 13 fours in his six and a half-hour stay.
Tendulkar was joined by Laxman and the duo ensured that no further wickets were given away to either pace or spin by forging an unbeaten 137-run fifth wicket partnership.
Soruce: TOI
India fightback to save Test
Ahmedabad, Nov 19: India fought back gallantly in their bid to save the first cricket Test but were still not completely out of danger after Sri Lanka piled up the agony on the hosts with a record-breaking run deluge here today.
After being buried by a massive 334-run first innings lead mainly built around a world record sixth wicket partnership between Mahela Jayawardene (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out), the Indians reached 190 for two in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day, still trailing by 144 runs.
The hosts still have a daunting task to prevent the Lankans from recording their first Test triumph on Indian soil as they have to bat out the entire last day on a Motera track which was expected to deteriorate and assist the spinners.
Indian batsmen need to score heavily, says Kirsten
AHMEDABAD, Nov 19: India coach Gary Kirsten has urged his batsmen to come up with “something special” to save the first test against Sri Lanka.
The hosts are faced with an uphill task on the final day on Friday after Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out) extended their sixth wicket stand to a world record 351 on Thursday.
The tourists, aiming to win their first test on Indian soil in 27 years, declared their first innings at 760 for seven for a first innings lead of 334.
India closed day four at 190 for two, still 144 runs behind with eight wickets in hand. Opener Gautam Gambhir led India’s fightback with an unbeaten 74.
“To be honest so far it has turned to be a fantastic batting wicket,” the former South Africa opener said.
Indian compound archers win gold in Asian Archery championship
STAFF WRITER 18:32 HRS IST
Kolkata, Nov 20 (PTI) Indian compound archers made history by clinching their first ever gold medal in the Asian archery championship at Bali today.
On the penultimate day of the 16th edition of the championship, India also bagged two silver medals in the men's recurve and women's compound sections, according to the Archery Association of India (AAI).
The Indian trio of C Srither, Kh Ratan Singh and Isiah R Sanam edged past Iran 231-230 in a nerve-wrecking contest to reign supreme in the compound section.
The Indian men's recurve team, comprising Rahul Banerjee, Jayanta Talukdar and Mangal Singh Champia lost to Korea 219-222 in the summit clash to settle for a silver medal.
In the women's compound team final India once again were beaten by Korea as the trio of Jhanu Hansdah, Namita Yadav and Manjudha Soy had to be content with a silver medal. They lost 215-223.
Dammika Prasad doubtful for second Test against India
STAFF WRITER 18:57 HRS IST
Ahmedabad, Nov 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan pacer Dammika Prasad is a doubtful starter for the second cricket Test against India starting in Kanpur from November 24 due to a hamstring injury, captain Kumar Sangakkara said today.
"I don't think he (Dammika) would play as it seems right now he may not be available," Sangakkara said at the post-match press conference after the first Test ended in a draw here.
Prasad bowled just four overs today out of the wicketless 13 overs he sent down in India's second innings before a hamstring problem forced him to leave the field.
The 30-year-old right arm pacer scalped two wickets during India's first innings, giving away 106 runs from his 22 overs.
Prasad has so far represented Sri Lanka in only four Tests and five One-Day Internationals and scalped 13 and five wickets respectively.
Sandeep fit to play in 2010 World Cup: Mattoo
NEW DELHI: Hockey India President A K Mattoo on Friday cleared the air over Sandeep Singh's participation in next month's Chammpions Challenge Sandeep fit to play in 2010 World Cup tournament and 2010 World Cup, saying the ace drag-flicker has recovered from his back injury and is expected to be part of both the events.
"I am 100 per cent certain Sandeep will play in the World Cup. How can you decide about whether a player would be in the World Cup team three months before the tournament," Mattoo told reporters during the Presenting Partner agreement signing function between Steel Authority of India Limited and International Hockey Federation.
"He will be there in the team. He had a back injury but he has come out of that. Sandeep will also play in Champions Challenge," he added.
Sandeep's participation in both the events came under cloud after chief coach Jose Brasa earlier this week said that the back injury, which he sustained during last month's Canada tour, will see the drag-flicker out of both Champions Challenge to be held in Salta, Argentina, from December 6 to 13.
Sandeep was subsequently replaced by Rajpal Singh as the skipper of the national team for Champions Challenge from Dec 6-13 but Mattoo overruled the decision, saying they are yet to finalise the captain.
"Captain was never an issue, the issue was lack of communication between the coach Brasa, players and the support staff", Mattoo said.
"The captain is not yet decided. HI will take a decision on captaincy within a few days," he said.
The HI chief also claimed that the revival of Indian hockey was heading in the right path and assured FIH that the the nation would host one of the best World Cup.
"Indian hockey is moving forward in the right direction. In coming days we will see hockey back on track," Mattoo said during the function which was also attended by FIH President Leandro Negre.
"I assure Mr Negre that we will ensure the best World Cup," he added.
The FIH chief said the mega-event is vital to Indian hockey's development.
"The event is of immense importance to Indian hockey. The World Cup will be a great catalyst in reviving Indian hockey. Let us hope India may rise again in world hockey," Negre said.
Minister of Steel Virbhadra Singh, who was also present on the occassion, urged both public and private sectors to extend their helping hand in the game's revival.
"I am happy that the World Cup is being staged in India. I am happy that SAIL is associated with the event as a Presenting Partner. Once hockey was country's main game but lately it is being pushed back and is struggling to find a place," Singh said.
"I think both public and private sector should come forward and support the game as well as sportspersons." he added.
"I am 100 per cent certain Sandeep will play in the World Cup. How can you decide about whether a player would be in the World Cup team three months before the tournament," Mattoo told reporters during the Presenting Partner agreement signing function between Steel Authority of India Limited and International Hockey Federation.
"He will be there in the team. He had a back injury but he has come out of that. Sandeep will also play in Champions Challenge," he added.
Sandeep's participation in both the events came under cloud after chief coach Jose Brasa earlier this week said that the back injury, which he sustained during last month's Canada tour, will see the drag-flicker out of both Champions Challenge to be held in Salta, Argentina, from December 6 to 13.
Sandeep was subsequently replaced by Rajpal Singh as the skipper of the national team for Champions Challenge from Dec 6-13 but Mattoo overruled the decision, saying they are yet to finalise the captain.
"Captain was never an issue, the issue was lack of communication between the coach Brasa, players and the support staff", Mattoo said.
"The captain is not yet decided. HI will take a decision on captaincy within a few days," he said.
The HI chief also claimed that the revival of Indian hockey was heading in the right path and assured FIH that the the nation would host one of the best World Cup.
"Indian hockey is moving forward in the right direction. In coming days we will see hockey back on track," Mattoo said during the function which was also attended by FIH President Leandro Negre.
"I assure Mr Negre that we will ensure the best World Cup," he added.
The FIH chief said the mega-event is vital to Indian hockey's development.
"The event is of immense importance to Indian hockey. The World Cup will be a great catalyst in reviving Indian hockey. Let us hope India may rise again in world hockey," Negre said.
Minister of Steel Virbhadra Singh, who was also present on the occassion, urged both public and private sectors to extend their helping hand in the game's revival.
"I am happy that the World Cup is being staged in India. I am happy that SAIL is associated with the event as a Presenting Partner. Once hockey was country's main game but lately it is being pushed back and is struggling to find a place," Singh said.
"I think both public and private sector should come forward and support the game as well as sportspersons." he added.
Sachin Tendulkar mounts peak 30K
NEW DELHI: After completing 17,000 runs in the 50-over format of the game, Sachin Tendulkar achieved another milestone by completing 30,000 runsSachin Tendulkar mounts peak 30K in his international career during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad.
Master Blaster Sachin became the first batsman to complete 30,000 international runs when he scored his 35th run in the second innings against Sri Lanka on the fifth and final day of the first Test.
He has so far played 160 Tests, 436 ODIs and a lone Twenty20 scoring 87 international hundreds and 145 fifties in all.
Tendulkar touched the magical 17,000-run mark in One-Day International cricket earlier in this month. Sanath Jayasuriya is second on the list with 13,377 runs followed by Aussie captain Ricky Ponting who has a lot of catching up to do.
Sachin has scored 17178 runs in One-dayers thus far. The Indian batting legend has 45 One-day hundreds and 91 ODI fifties under his belt. The veteran batsman has scored 42 hundreds and 54 half centuries in the Test format of the game.
The diminutive Mumbaikar, who made his ODI debut Pakistan in 1989, is already way ahead of his contemporaries when it comes to accumulating runs.
TOI
Master Blaster Sachin became the first batsman to complete 30,000 international runs when he scored his 35th run in the second innings against Sri Lanka on the fifth and final day of the first Test.
He has so far played 160 Tests, 436 ODIs and a lone Twenty20 scoring 87 international hundreds and 145 fifties in all.
Tendulkar touched the magical 17,000-run mark in One-Day International cricket earlier in this month. Sanath Jayasuriya is second on the list with 13,377 runs followed by Aussie captain Ricky Ponting who has a lot of catching up to do.
Sachin has scored 17178 runs in One-dayers thus far. The Indian batting legend has 45 One-day hundreds and 91 ODI fifties under his belt. The veteran batsman has scored 42 hundreds and 54 half centuries in the Test format of the game.
The diminutive Mumbaikar, who made his ODI debut Pakistan in 1989, is already way ahead of his contemporaries when it comes to accumulating runs.
TOI
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hockey players up in arms against coach Brasa
New Delhi, Nov 18: A rattled Hockey India (HI) president A K Mattoo is flying down to Pune following a reported revolt by senior players spearheaded by deposed captain Sandeep Singh against coach Jose Brasa.
The seniors are apparently unhappy with the way the Spanish coach is going about his job. Sandeep, who has pulled out of the camp complaining a back problem, seems to differ with Brasa over drag-flicking.
Lanka ride on Jayawardene’s double ton to take control
Ahmedabad, Nov 18: Mahela Jayawardene gave a fine exhibition of skill and temparament to score a crafty unbeaten 204 as Sri Lanka took tight control of the first cricket Test by taking a commanding 165-run first innings lead against a defensive India here today.
Jayawardene anchored the innings brilliantly to notch up his 27th Test century and his sixth double ton, and found an able partner in Prasanna Jayawardene (84 not out) as the visitors pushed the hosts on the backfoot by reaching a mammoth 591 for five at close on the third day.
It turned out to be a hard grind for the Indians as the Lankans capitalised on a good batting strip at the Motera stadium to consolidate the position on a day which again saw more than 300 runs being scored. Resuming at the overnight score of 275 for three in reply to India’s 426, the islanders lost the wicket of Thilan Samaraweera (70) and Angelo Mathews (17) in the pre-lunch session but the two Jayawardenes put on a marathon undefeated 216-run partnership to put Sri Lanka on course for their first Test triumph on Indian soil.
India fightback to save Test after Lankan run feast
AHMEDABAD: India fought back gallantly in their bid to save the first Test but were still not completely out of danger after Sri Lanka piled up the agony on the hosts with a record-breaking run deluge on Thursday.
After being buried by a massive 334-run first innings lead mainly built around a world record sixth wicket partnership between Mahela Jayawardene (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out), the Indians reached 190 for two in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day, still trailing by 144 runs.
The hosts still have a daunting task to prevent the Lankans from recording their first Test triumph on Indian soil as they have to bat out the entire last day on a Motera track which was expected to deteriorate and assist the spinners.
But the Indians have an experienced batting line up and should fancy their chances of saving the match which has turned out to be a nightmare for the bowlers.
Gautam Gambhir (74) and night watchman Amit Mishra (12) were at the crease at stumps on a day which saw Mahela and Prasanna breaking the 72-year-old world record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership in Tests by putting on a 351-run stand.
The home team first lost Virender Sehwag (51) and then Rahul Dravid (38) was distincly unlucky to get a dubious leg before decision at the fag end of the day.
Sri Lanka's mammoth lead also left the hosts with the monumental task of batting out for a minimum of 135 overs and for more than four and a half sessions, to save the opening match in the three-Test contest.
The 32-year-old Mahela also set a slew of records during his marathon innings. He became the joint highest individual scorer against India in this country and the fourth to compile a 250-plus knock in the latter's backyard and also crossed the 9000-run milestone.
Resuming at his overnight 204, the elegant Mahela continued and Prasanna who notched his second Test century, continued to pile frustrate the Indians and thereby surged to the sixth-highest Test tally ever, the list being led by their own world record tally of 952 for six declared in Colombo 12 years ago.
The Lanka reply was also an apt rejoinder to India's record score of 676 for seven scored against them at Kanpur in 1986. The previous best total by any visiting team in India was 652 for seven declared by England in January, 1985.
All the four frontline Indian bowlers gave away over 100 runs each, with Zaheer Khan being the most economical and impressive with 2 for 109.
The spinners were far from impressive. While Harbhajan Singh gave away 189 runs for his two wickets, hardly looking menacing, leggie Mishra was even more pathetic and went wicket less after conceding 203 runs in a marathon stint of 56 overs.
In the morning, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's ploy of taking the third new ball immediately after play started today did not pay dividends as the two Jayawardenes easily saw off the new ball duo of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma.
The duo's massive and morale-destroying partnership reached the 300-mark in 510 balls before Mahela completed his 250 with a single off the totally non-penetrative Harbhajan Singh in 400 balls. Later he became the ninth batsman in the world to reach 9000 runs.
Spinners Harbhajan and Amit Mishra who hardly made any impression gave away over 370 runs for a lone wicket in combination.
TOI
After being buried by a massive 334-run first innings lead mainly built around a world record sixth wicket partnership between Mahela Jayawardene (275) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154 not out), the Indians reached 190 for two in their second innings at stumps on the penultimate day, still trailing by 144 runs.
The hosts still have a daunting task to prevent the Lankans from recording their first Test triumph on Indian soil as they have to bat out the entire last day on a Motera track which was expected to deteriorate and assist the spinners.
But the Indians have an experienced batting line up and should fancy their chances of saving the match which has turned out to be a nightmare for the bowlers.
Gautam Gambhir (74) and night watchman Amit Mishra (12) were at the crease at stumps on a day which saw Mahela and Prasanna breaking the 72-year-old world record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership in Tests by putting on a 351-run stand.
The home team first lost Virender Sehwag (51) and then Rahul Dravid (38) was distincly unlucky to get a dubious leg before decision at the fag end of the day.
Sri Lanka's mammoth lead also left the hosts with the monumental task of batting out for a minimum of 135 overs and for more than four and a half sessions, to save the opening match in the three-Test contest.
The 32-year-old Mahela also set a slew of records during his marathon innings. He became the joint highest individual scorer against India in this country and the fourth to compile a 250-plus knock in the latter's backyard and also crossed the 9000-run milestone.
Resuming at his overnight 204, the elegant Mahela continued and Prasanna who notched his second Test century, continued to pile frustrate the Indians and thereby surged to the sixth-highest Test tally ever, the list being led by their own world record tally of 952 for six declared in Colombo 12 years ago.
The Lanka reply was also an apt rejoinder to India's record score of 676 for seven scored against them at Kanpur in 1986. The previous best total by any visiting team in India was 652 for seven declared by England in January, 1985.
All the four frontline Indian bowlers gave away over 100 runs each, with Zaheer Khan being the most economical and impressive with 2 for 109.
The spinners were far from impressive. While Harbhajan Singh gave away 189 runs for his two wickets, hardly looking menacing, leggie Mishra was even more pathetic and went wicket less after conceding 203 runs in a marathon stint of 56 overs.
In the morning, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's ploy of taking the third new ball immediately after play started today did not pay dividends as the two Jayawardenes easily saw off the new ball duo of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma.
The duo's massive and morale-destroying partnership reached the 300-mark in 510 balls before Mahela completed his 250 with a single off the totally non-penetrative Harbhajan Singh in 400 balls. Later he became the ninth batsman in the world to reach 9000 runs.
Spinners Harbhajan and Amit Mishra who hardly made any impression gave away over 370 runs for a lone wicket in combination.
TOI
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Islanders restore parity on Day 2
AHMEDABAD, Nov 17: Tillakaratne Dilshan produced a scintillating century as Sri Lanka put up a spirited batting display to leave the first Test against India evenly poised at the end of the second day on Tuesday.
After polishing off the remaining four wickets in quick time to restrict India to 426 in the first innings, the in-form Dilshan (112) took centrestage with a fine exhibition of strokeplay to steer the islanders to a comfortable 275/3 at close on the second day.
Dilshan notched up his 10th Test century — and the fifth this year — to lay the foundation for a strong Lankan reply in excellent batting conditions at the Motera stadium which again saw more than 300 runs being scored.
Mahela Jayawardene (36) and Thilan Samaraweera (45) were at the crease at stumps with the visitors still trailing the hosts by 151 runs.
Earlier, resuming at the score of 385/6, India lost their last four wickets for 41 runs and were all out soon after the first drinks break to allow the visitors to claw their way back into the game.
Captain Kumar Sangakkara (31) and young opener Tharanga Paranavitana (35) got the starts but could not translate those into big knocks, falling to injudicious shots.
Pacer Zaheer Khan struck twice in quick succession by evicting Dilshan and Sangakkara in the last session with short-pitched deliveries to bring India back into the game but Jayawardene and Samaraweera ensured that there were no further setbacks.
The morning session turned out to be quite disappointing for the hosts who could not really carry on the good work and saw the remaining four wickets fall without much resistance.
Left arm swing bowler Chanaka Welegedara got the important breakthrough early in the morning by getting rid of the well-set and ominous-looking Rahul Dravid at his overnight score of 177.
Dravid, looking all set to score his sixth double hundred, fell to the 10th ball he faced without any addition to his overnight score. He dragged a ball from Welegedara on to his stumps while trying to drive on the front foot.
In all, the Bangalore stalwart batted for 19 minutes over six hours, faced 261 balls and struck 26 fours and a six.
Dravid’s departure just a quarter hour into day two dashed India’s hopes of taking the score to the 500 mark.
Harbhajan Singh (22), not out 2 on Monday evening, and Zaheer Khan (12) put on a brief stand worth 25 runs, but it was just a matter of time before they fell.
Zaheer, who was felled by a beamer from fast medium bowler Dammika Prasad after having struck two successive fours with slashes off the right-arm bowler, was trapped leg before when he played back to left arm spinner Rangana Herath.
The pace bowler’s dismissal came soon after India crossed the 400-mark in the 96th over just past the half hour.
Harbhajan, who played some good drives off the pace bowlers, was castled by Muttiah Muralitharan while trying to reverse sweep the wily off spinner who then accounted for last man Ishant Sharma in the same over to bring down curtains on the Indian innings.
Harbhajan’s stay of 83 minutes yielded him two fours in 64 balls. Amit Mishra remained unbeaten on 7.
For Lanka, left armer Welegedara grabbed the bowling honours, claiming 4/87 — the prized scalps being those of Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, all on Monday, and Dravid.
Muralitharan, snapped up 3/97, taking two wickets on Tuesday for seven runs in 23 balls, while Prasad, who was not shy of using bumpers and got a warning for the beamer bowled at Zaheer, picked up 2/106. Herath took the remaining wicket.
Lankan openers Dilshan and Paranavitana then prevented the home team from creating an early breakthrough before lunch.
The only wicket that the visitors lost in the post-lunch session was that of young left-hander Tharanga Paranavitana (35), who edged Ishant Sharma to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who caught it brilliantly one-handed by diving to the left in front of first slip Sachin Tendulkar.
Paranavitana, who looked hardly in trouble with Dilshan, was lured by a ball angled away from him and took the edge of his bat. He and his opening partner added 74 runs in quick time and Paranavitana hit six fours in his 55-ball knock.
This was the lone success for the Indian bowlers in the session between lunch and tea that yielded 118 runs in 26 overs.
Runs came at a brisk pace as the Lankans added 55 runs in 12 overs in the first post-lunch hour of play for Paranavitana’s wicket and then 63 runs without losing a wicket in 14 overs till tea.
Dilshan, who has scored four centuries and over 900 runs this year, drove powerfully to the off side and played very few false strokes.
Both the pre-lunch and post-lunch sessions belonged to the visitors as they first fought back since yesterday’s position and dismissed the last four Indian wickets for only 41 runs Tuesday morning.
Scorecard
India: first innings (overnight 385/6) Gautam Gambhir b Welegedara 1; Virender Sehwag lbw b Welegedara 16; Rahul Dravid b Welegedara 177; Sachin Tendulkar b Welegedara 4; VVS Laxman b Prasad 0; Yuvraj Singh c Dilshan b Muralitharan 68; Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Jayawardene b Prasad 110; Harbhajan Singh b Muralitharan 22; Zaheer Khan lbw Herath 12; Amit Mishra not out 7; Ishant Sharma st Prasanna b Muralitharan 0
Extras (b 2, lb 2, w 1, nb 4) 9
Total (all out in 104.5 overs) 426
Fall of wickets 1-14 (Gambhir, 2.5 overs), 2-27 (Sehwag, 6.1), 3-31 (Tendulkar, 6.4), 4-32 (Laxman, 7.4), 5-157 (Yuvraj, 36.1), 6-381 (Dhoni, 87.1), 7-389 (Dravid, 92.4), 8-414 (Khan, 101.2), 9-426 (Harbhajan, 104.1)
Bowling: Chanaka Welegedara 22-4-87-4 Dammika Prasad 22-1-106-2 Angelo Mathews 12-1-50-0 Muttiah Muralitharan 25.5-4-97-3 Rangana Herath 22-2-79-1 Tillakaratne Dilshan 1-0-3-0
Sri Lanka: first innings
Tillekaratane Dilshan c Dravid b Khan 112; Tharanga Paranavitana c Dhoni b Sharma 35; Kumar Sangakkara c Tendulkar b Khan 31; Mahela Jayawardene batting 36; Thilan Samaraweera batting 45
Extras (lb 5, w 2, nb 9) 16
Total (for three wickets in 70 overs) 275
Fall of wickets 1-74 (Paranavitana, 16.5 overs), 2-189 (Dilshan, 43.1), 3-194 (Sangakkara, 45.3)
Bowling: Zaheer Khan 15-2-45-2; Ishant Sharma 14-0-53-1; Harbhajan Singh 20-2-72-0; Amit Mishra 18-0-89-0 (3nb) Yuvraj Singh 3-0-11-0 (PTI)
Monday, November 16, 2009
2 more teams and pink balls from IPL 2011
NEW DELHI, Nov 16: Two new teams, four fielding substitutes instead of the lone 12th man, pink balls in practice matches and abolishing the Icon player status are some of the innovations which the Indian Premier League would embrace from its 2011 edition.
From next year onwards, IPL would also be played under the supervision of the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit, while players who skip the tournament despite not having any national assignment might have their contracts terminated, organisers of the event said in a statement.
The recent three-day franchisee workshop in Bangkok had threadbare discussions on player regulations, commercial aspects, logistics, hospitality, ticketing, licensing and merchandising.
“I am certain now that we are poised to bring a significantly enhanced IPL experience back home to the Indian fans in Season 2010,” IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi said.
It has been decided that teams would be allowed four fielding substitutes, rather than the lone 12th man.
Any ball bowled above waist height, regardless of the speed, will be declared a no-ball, while pink balls would be used in practice matches.
Apart from availing ACSU service, IPL will follow the BCCI Anti-Doping policy for Season 2010. Another issue that the IPL Governing Council plans to take up is non-availability of players after signing of contracts.
“Measures discussed revolved around the initiation of stringent action including termination of player contracts and barring from future participation in the IPL, of players that have signed contracts, but fail to make themselves available for playing in the IPL,” the organisers said.
“It was agreed that in the event any of the Member Boards not issuing an NOC to their players for participation in the IPL - on pretext of domestic engagements — IPL could make a representation to the Governing Council of the Champions League for taking appropriate action against the members boards participation in the League,” the organisers said. On the decision to expand the league, they said, “A discussion for the addition of two new franchises in Season 4 was held with the same being adopted with 7 of the 8 Franchises being in favour of increasing the number of Teams to 10.”
Among other things, it was finalised that trading of Players will be permitted between franchisees for the season 2010 onwards.
Meanwhile, Pakistani players’ participation will have to be confirmed by their Cricket Board through an NOC and clearance from their government.
On January 19 next year, IPL would conduct an auction, adding new players into the league and a fresh purse of USD 750,000 will available to each franchisee.
The League will also have a cap on the maximum players in a squad while all franchises agreed to do away with the Icon Player status. (PTI)
‘The Wall’ stands tall as India in command
Dravid completes 11,000 runs in Test cricket • Lankan bowlers toil hard on Day 1
Ahmedabad, Nov 16: In a rare exhibition of dazzling strokeplay, Rahul Dravid hammered an unbeaten 177 and inspired his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to hit a century and Yuvraj Singh a fifty as India recovered from a nightmarish 32 for four to end the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at 385 for six here on Monday.
Seldom has one seen Dravid in such an aggressive mode. He has never scored so many runs in a day’s play. In the process he has crossed the 11,000-run mark and was involved in two century partnerships — 125 with Yuvraj and 224 with Dhoni. It was his 78th century partnership, a world record. All added up to another record, the highest score by India in a day’s play.
After Dhoni decided to bat, within the first hour India lost their top four batsmen, three of them to fast bowler Chanaka Welegedara (3/75) in what looked like a re-run of their disastrous batting display when they were shot out for 76 by South Africa in April last year at the Sardar Patel Stadium in the Motera neighbourhood of Ahmedabad.
Dravid and Yuvraj decided to take the bull by the horns. In an unusual display of counter-attack, they smacked the bowlers all around the park, scattering the fielders breathing down their necks.
Yuvraj hit Dhamika Prasad (2/90) for two fours in the 10th over to set the tone of the partnership. He smashed Muttiah Muralithran (1/90) for a boundary in the spinner’s first over while Dravid lifted left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for a huge six straight down the ground.
Despite wickets tumbling at the other end, 100 runs came up in the 24th over and India went into lunch at 105 for four. Even after the break, Dravid was in full flow and hit Welegedara for three fours in the 29th over to step up the run rate.
Yuvraj hit 13 fours during his 93-ball stay at the crease. He was foxed by a loopy delivery by Muralitharan and gave an easy catch to Tillekaratne Dilshan.
After Yuvraj’s departure, Dhoni went on match Dravid stroke for stroke.
Dravid’s 251-ball stay was studded with 26 fours and a six while Dhoni hit 10 boundaries and a six in his 159-ball knock. The duo played some crisp shots on both sides of the wickets as 164 runs came off 36 overs in the last session.
Dhoni got to his century in style hitting a four off Dhamika Prasad but failed to carry on after edging the fast bowler to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene in the next over.
Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara might have thought that it was a good toss to lose after Welegedara and Prasad gave excellent starts.
Welegedara provided the breakthrough as Gautam Gambhir (1) played on, dragging an outswinger onto the stumps. Welegedara was on fire as he went on to pick up Virender Sehwag (16) and Tendulkar (1) in three deliveries to put India on the backfoot. Prasad chipped in crashing through the defence of V V S Laxman, and India lost four wickets in 30 deliveries.
For Dhoni it might have looked like a bad toss to win in the first seesion but at stumps India were clearly dominating.
Scorecard
India: Gautam Gambhir b Welegedara 1; Virender Sehwag lbw b Welegedara 16; Rahul Dravid batting 177; Sachin Tendulkar b Welegedara 4; VVS Laxman b Prasad 0; Yuvraj Singh c Dilshan b Muralitharan 68; Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Jayawardene b Prasad 110; Harbhajan Singh batting 2
Extras (b-2, lb-2, w-1, nb-2) 7
Total (for six wickets in 90 overs) 385
Fall of wickets 1-14 (Gambhir, 2.5 overs), 2-27 (Sehwag, 6.1), 3-31 (Tendulkar, 6.4), 4-32 (Laxman, 7.4), 5-157 (Yuvraj, 36.1), 6-381 (Dhoni, 87.1)
Bowling: Chanaka Welegedara 17-3-75-3 Dammika Prasad 18-1-90-2 Angelo Mathews 12-1-50-0 Muttiah Muralitharan 23-3-90-1 Rangana Herath 19-1-73-0 Tillakaratne Dilshan 1-0-3-0 (IANS)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Fomer captains feel lucky to lead Tendulkar
New Delhi, Nov 14: Former captains Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble felt they were the lucky few to have lead a team with Sachin Tendulkar in it.
On the eve of Tendulkar’s 20th year in international cricket, the four former captains went ga-ga over greatness of the 36-year-old batting maestro.
They feel that to last 20 years in international cricket is a fantastic achievement and for that one has to have special qualities. Tendulkar had everything that made him the best in the world.
For Ganguly, Tendulkar will always remain special. During his five-year tenure as the India captain, Tendulkar and Ganguly formed the most exciting opening pair in the One-day Internationals (ODI) and they tore apart the best of bowling attacks.
“Fortunately I have played nearly 300 ODIs with him. It is not easy to share all the great moments I had with him. I congratulate Sachin on the fantastic achievement of playing 20 years for the country,” Ganguly said.
Recalling his first interaction with Tendulkar, Ganguly said: “My first interaction with him was at the under-15 national camp in Indore. But before that I heard a lot about him because he was making news even then.”
Incidentally, Dravid, who was also in the same camp, said that Tendulkar was always a step ahead of others of his age.
“He was always special. The fact that he has lasted 20 years in international cricket is a big achievement in itself. He has fulfilled the expectations of a billion fans and has done it regularly for many years,” Dravid told IANS.
“He is very chatty in the dressing room and he is an outgoing person. He has contributed a lot to the game. Personally I feel privileged to be able to play for such a long time with him, a legend,” he said.
Kumble concurs with Dravid.
“It is amazing to see the way he has lived up to the expectations of the nation, how he has carried the burden of expectations of millions of people. He has managed to deliver almost every time he has been expected and that shows his consistency and commitment. He has also managed to maintain his image on and off the field and that is what youngsters should learn from him,” he said.
Srikkanth, Tendulkar’s first captain, recalled the turbulent times in which Tendulkar played in his debut series in Pakistan.
“The players and the cricket board were on a collision course over players’ contract. Before the Karachi Test a tense Sachin came to me to share his feelings. I assured him that he was too junior to get into any trouble and asked him to play freely. The rest is history,” he said.
What surpised Srikkanth was the ease with which Tendulkar handled leg-spinner Adbul Qadir, who then was the best in the world.
“Sachin stepped out twice and hit Qadir for two consecutive sixes. I was at the other end and asked him to be careful since Qadir was the best spinner then. Sachin just raised his hands and told me ‘boss just be relaxed. I am fine’.” he said. (IANS)
Sri Lanka eye win in landmark Tendulkar Test
AHMEDABAD, Nov 14: Sri Lanka will have to curb an inspired Sachin Tendulkar, on the threshold of another landmark, as they attempt to win a Test series in India for the first time.
Sri Lanka have not won any of the 14 matches they have played in India since their first Test visit in 1982, but skipper Kumar Sangakkara feels has the potential to pull off a surprise in the three-Test series.
Sri Lanka are second behind South Africa in the official Test rankings and are looking to extend their winning streak after defeating Pakistan and New Zealand at home by identical 2-0 margins in July and August.
To achieve this, however, they will have to contend with Tendulkar’s hot form and a strong home side that is rallying to give the record-breaking batsman a winning start to his 21st year in international cricket.
Tendulkar, 36, will join a list of 15 players whose international careers have spanned more than 20 years when he plays in the first Test starting at the Motera on Monday.
The Mumbai batsman holds the record for most Test runs (12,773), Test centuries (42), ODI runs (17,178) and ODI centuries (45) and hit a stirring 175 in the ODI series against Australia this month to underline his good form.
“I am enjoying my game and there is a lot of cricket left in me,” Tendulkar told reporters this week.
Tendulkar made his Test debut as a chubby, curly-haired 16-year-old against Pakistan in Karachi on November, 15 1989.
“You run out of superlatives for Sachin,” Sangakkara told a news conference on Sri Lanka’s arrival.
Sri Lanka are missing the express pace of Lasith Malinga and the tourists are banking on all-rounder Angelo Mathews to lend balance to an attack led by record-breaking spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
Spinner Ajantha Mendis proved a handful for the Indians when they were beaten 2-1 in the Test series on their tour of Sri Lanka last year.
Only Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan in a strong batting line-up have Test experience in India although Thilan Samaraweera is in excellent form.
“(The) Sri Lankans are a better-prepared side now and can give the Indians (a) tough time during the series,” India batsman Vangipurappu Laxman said this week.
Dishan suffered a sprained ankle at practice on Wednesday but is expected to play in the first Test.
Sri Lanka go into the series without sufficient match practice after their tour opener against an Indian Board President’s XI was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain. Sri Lanka lost 2-0 on their previous tour in 2005.
The hosts, who have been strengthened by the return of left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan from a lengthy injury layoff, suffered a one-day series defeat to Australia this month.
Sangakkara said the pressure was on India.
“We have a lot of work to do but we are here to do well and try and win and change all this never winning a Test match in India,” he said.
“Responsibility is on India to stop us from doing that.” (Agencies)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Dilshan sprains ankle, but will play Test
Mumbai, Nov 12: Sri Lanka’s maverick opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who sprained his ankle during a practice session here on Wednesday, will be available for the first Test against India in Ahmedabad from November 16.
Sri Lanka team manager Brendon Kurupu said on Thursday that it was a minor ankle sprain and Dilshan would be fine in a couple of days.
“Dilshan had a session today in the indoor nets and he will be okay in a couple of days. Reports are very positive about him and Dislhan has to see how it feels while practicing on the field. Hopefully, he should be fit for the first Test,” said Kurupu.
“There’s no need to panic and we will assess his injury at the ground,” he added.
Heavy rains ruling out play for the second consecutive day of three-day practice game between the Sri Lankans and Board President’s XI in Mumbai. Kuruppu said that Sri Lanka won’t play a limited-overs contest on the final day.
“We are going into a Test series. The frame of mind is different for the two forms. One-dayers are not ideal preparation before Tests. We have got something out of two days in keeping fit and get the team spirit going. But we have missed out on getting a feel of the pitch and other natural conditions,” he said. (IANS)
PCB under fire for appointing Yousuf as Test skipper
LAHORE, Nov 12: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is under fire for appointing Mohammad Yousuf as the captain of the Test team.
Former players and officials have criticized the PCB for the sudden change in the leadership and blamed the board for not standing by Younus Khan, who has been going through a rough patch in his career.
Former opening batsman Aamir Sohail said the PCB should have supported Khan following reports of some senior players volleying against him.
“The same PCB had given full support to Younus some two weeks ago following the National Assembly row and should have once again conveyed a warning to the rebel players to either support the captain or go out,” The Dawn quoted Sohail, as saying.
“I think this old culture and problem of player-power should be rooted out completely from Pakistan cricket. If any player or players think they are bigger than the team, they should be dropped at once,” he added.
Sohail raised questions over the PCB’s way of handling issues saying the board had snubbed Yousuf earlier and had appointed Shoaib Malik the captain of the squad.
“When Yousuf was not good enough then, howcome the PCB finds him suitable for leadership now?” he questioned.
Former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed came down hard on board chairman Ijaz Butt for his unprofessional way of handling things at the apex cricket authority in the country.
“The way Ijaz Butt has changed three skippers in one year’s time and sent home legendary former Test cricketers like Javed Miandad, Abdul Qadir, Aamir Sohail one after the other from the PCB offices proves his inability to hold such an important post in Pakistan cricket,” Ahmed said.
He said the board should have sent a ‘no-nonsense’ message to the players who were complaining against Younus Khan’s leadership.
Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, however, has criticised Khan for opting out of the Test series against the Kiwis.
He said it is not right for a captain to leave his team in a lurch during a much important series.
Younus concedes there were problems with teammates
Giving an insight into the turmoil in the Pakistan cricket team, captain Younus Khan on Thursday conceded that problems with some senior players was the reason why he opted out of the Test tour of New Zealand.
“I was already facing problems with some players and my poor form didn’t help as it is a fact that when the captain is not scoring runs it becomes difficult for him to turn things his way,” Younus said.
“No one ever came to me directly and told me his grievances. Otherwise I would have tried to resolve the issues,” he said.
Younus, who has been replaced as captain by Mohammad Yousuf for the three Tests against New Zealand starting November 24, has taken a break from cricket after Pakistan’s One-Day series loss to the Kiwis.
The senior batsman said though he wants to play for Pakistan, he had no idea where his career was heading.
“Only time will tell what happens and where my career goes. But I have every intention of wanting to play for Pakistan again,” he said. (PTI)
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