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It will be a pulsating series, says Ganguly Karachi dismayed over denial of Test
Dravid edges out
Paes, Akram for award Sehwag set to start a new innings
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Lanka score a thrilling win
Ranatunga hits back at Warne Manhas rescues North School games on schedule: SGFI secy-gen
National Motocross on Feb 29 Manitombi saves the
day for Bagan
Ravi beats Russian GM
Ishpal, Kamaljeet
best athletes
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It will be a pulsating series, says Ganguly
Kolkata, February 22 On psychologist Sandy Gordon’s help for the tour, the skipper said, ‘’India and Pakistan are in the best of their form and there is bound to be pressure but it is all about letting it get to you.’’ Asked whether security was a concern, he said: ‘’We are happy with whatever our government has done for us. We are concentrating on the series and looking forward to playing cricket. We don’t want to think about the rest of the things’’. He also expressed happiness with the tour itinerary, ‘’It is a good thing that we begin with the ODIs and play the Tests later as it will give our boys some more time to get fit from little niggles that may be bothering them’’. Asked whether he was worried about the fitness of Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra, Sourav said he hoped that both the players would be fit and available for selection. Sourav further expressed hope that Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar would also recover fast and with some 20 days left for the tour to begin, all four would be back in the squad. On whether he was eyeing for a replacement for Harbhajan, Sourav said: ‘’As the domestic series is on whoever plays well will be
available for selection. Sarandeep Singh from Delhi, Kulamani Parida from the Railways and Sourashis Lahiri have shown some form’’. On whether Irfan Pathan would again be given a responsibility during the Pakistan tour, Sourav said: ‘’Young Pathan has done really well against the best side in the world and it will help him bowl well in Pakistan,’’ Speaking on his own form, he said ‘’I have done well against Pakistan. But I am also aware that this is a new series and we really have to do well. The team is also aware of that’’. Justifying the reason of not holding of a conditioning camp, Sourav said most of the players were playing Duleep trophy and so are already in the midst of the practise. The selectors can also have a good look.’’
— UNI |
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Karachi dismayed over denial of Test
Karachi, February 22 The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announcing a final itinerary of the five one-day internationals and three Tests yesterday, said only one-day games would be in Karachi and Peshawar for security reasons. "The PCB had knelt down before India and by not including Karachi as the Test venue have taken dictation from the BCCI," Sirajul Islam Bukhari, secretary, Karachi City Cricket Association, told AFP. The BCCI said the decision to drop Karachi and Peshawar over security fears was taken on an Indian Government's advice following a visit by its delegation which assessed security in Pakistan last week. The southern port city of Karachi has a history of ethnic violence and bomb blasts while the northwestern city of Peshawar is termed dangerous due to its close proximity to Afghanistan. A suicide bomb blast outside New Zealand team hotel in May 2002 which killed 12 people forced the tourists to abandon their tour. Bangladesh played a Test and a one-day game in Karachi and one Test in Peshawar last year but South Africa and New Zealand refused to play at the two venues over security fears. England was the last western team to play a Test in Karachi in December 2000. "Karachi is safe for Indian blind team which is due to play two matches here," said Bukhari. Bukhari said his association officials would meet the provincial governor to lodge a protest but he ruled out a boycott of the one-day game scheduled in Karachi on March 13. "Boycott would be a drastic decision and in the best interest of the country we would not boycott the only match given to Karachi," the KCCA official said. Former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammad said he was disappointed over India's decision of rejecting Karachi. "I am disappointed, Indians should have been bold enough to play in Karachi which is the premier centre of the country," said Hanif, who featured in the first Indo-Pak series in 1952. PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja defended the decision saying that "had we pressed for Karachi and Peshawar the tour might have been called off." The Indian team arrives in Lahore on March 10 for their first tour of Pakistan for 15 years and play the first of the five-game one-day series in Karachi on March 13. — AFP
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PCB to lodge protest Lahore, February 22 Normally, it is the host board that has the prerogative to release a tour itinerary. The BCCI chief’s move to release the schedule and hog the limelight has left his Pakistani counterparts embarrassed, according to a PCB source. PCB officials were in for a rude shock as they came here yesterday to address a press conference and saw television channels beaming live Mr Dalmiya announcing the tour schedule in Kolkata. This was a violation of a tacit understanding with him that the two boards would address the conferences and release the tour itinerary simultaneously in Lahore and Kolkata. “We were supposed to do the announcement at 4.30 pm PST and Mr Dalmiya was supposed to do it at 5.00 pm IST since India is half an hour ahead of us,” the PCB source said.
— UNI |
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Dravid edges out
Paes, Akram for award
London, February 22 “This is a very deserving award and Dravid is one of the great all-timers,” Former England captain Mike Gatting said receiving the award on Dravid’s behalf. Dravid, popularly called ‘The Wall’, is considered one of the technically most gifted batsmen in the world cricket. The year 2003 has been a fantastic year for him, one of the highlights being an impressive 233 against Australia, leading India to a historic four-wicket victory in the second Test in Adelaide. Former Pakistan all-rounder Asif Iqbal received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. Nine-year-old Sahil Agarwal, a budding cricketer, was adjudged Young sports personality of the year while 11-year-old Humzah Mahmood, an upcoming tennis star was given the Junior Sports Personality of the Year Award. In the women’s category, 17-year-old Athisha Lohendran, a rowing champion, got the Junior Sports Personality of the Year Award. Other award winners were Jaspal Singh Khaira (up-and -coming sports personality of the year), 76-year-old Ajit Singh Kalirai (outstanding achievement award), HM Prison Service (team of the year), Jagtar Singh Johal (coach of the year) and Jawaid Khaliq, current welterweight world champion (sports personality of the year). A framed mini-cricket bat, signed by Indian cricketers including Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, was auctioned for £ 2,700. The fund would go for the benefit of Lord’s Taverners. Keith Vaz, MP and former Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth, was among the prominent personalities present on the occasion.
— PT |
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Sehwag set to start a new innings New Delhi, February 22 Himself a simple and reserve person off the field, the 24-year-old star cricketer was impressed with Arti’s down-to-earth nature and will tie the nuptial knot on April 22, four days after the Indian team returns from Pakistan, family sources said.
— PTI |
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SA halt India's winning streak
Dhaka, February 22 But they slided to 130 for six and then 161 for eight before some unflinching batting from Vikram Solanki (29) and Abhishek Sharma (43) brought them inches close to victory. While Virnon Philander (2-37) took the crucial wickets of Dhawan and captain Ambatti Rayudu, it was Vincenzo Pennanza (3-41) who gave South Africa the victory with his intelligent bowling in the nerve-wracking final stages. Earlier, a fine overall batting performance helped South Africa post a competitive total. Van der Merwe top scored with 54 while Philander remained unbeaten on 34 which helped him earn the Man of the Match award. — PTI
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Dambulla, February 22 Chasing 246 for victory, Australia lost opening batsman Michael Clarke for a duck on the third ball of the innings. Clarke was caught by Upul Chandana at point off a Vaas ball. Opener Matthew Hayden and captain Ricky Ponting steadied Australia, compiling 148 runs from 189 balls for the third wicket. Ponting was caught by Vaas at deep-square-leg off legspinner Upul Chandana for 69. Ponting became just the third Australian player to score 7,000 runs in one-day cricket during his innings, which included four fours and a six. Ponting trails Mark Waugh with 8,500 runs and Stephen Waugh with 7,569 runs in the list of top Australian one-day cricket run-getters. Vaas produced immediate results after his recall to the attack in the 36th over, forcing Damien Martyn to deliver a catch to Marvan Atapattu at extra-cover. Vass finished with 3 for 48 and was awarded man of the match. Sri Lanka Atapattu run out 47 Jayasuriya lbw b Symonds 55 Sangakkara c Bevan b Harvey 39 Jayawardene c Ponting
Dilshan b Clarke 11 Kaluwitharana run out 0 Chandana c Gilchrist b Clarke 4 Arnold lbw b Clarke 10 Vaas c Lee b Clarke 5 Dharmasena run out 2 Muralitharan not out 2 Extras
(b-1, lb-16, w-8, nb-7) 32 Total (all out in 49.5 overs) 245 Fall of wickets:
1-121, 2-122, 3-192, 4-216, 5-220, 6-225, 7-226, 8-236, 9-242. Bowling:
Gillespie 7-0-36-0, Lee 6-0-39-0, Harvey 9-0-38-1, Symonds 10-0-45-1, Hogg 10-1-35-0, Clarke 7.5-0-35-5.
Australia Clarke c Chandana b Vaas 0 Hayden c Jayawardene
Ponting c Vaas b Chandana 69 Martyn c Atapattu b Vaas 5 Symonds not out 36 Gilchrist c and b Vaas 0 Bevan not out 24 Extras
(b1, lb7, w9) 17 Total (5 wkts, 50 overs) 244 Fall of wickets:
1-0, 2-148, 3-170, 4-190, 5-192. Bowling: Vaas 10-0-48-3, Dilshan 6-0-32-0, Dharmasena 10-0-40-1, Muralitharan 10-0-49-0, Chandana 9-0-40-1, Arnold 2-0-9-0, Jayasuriya 3-0-18-0.
— AFP |
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Ranatunga hits back at Warne Colombo, February 22 “Arjuna, he's probably slotting himself around at 150 kg at the moment, is he? Swallowed a sheep or something like that." Warne was quoted as saying by The Daily Mirror. Speaking to The Associated Press from his home in Colombo, Ranatunga rebuked Warne's remarks. “If I swallow a lamb or a goat, it is none of his business,” Ranatunga said. “But I must tell him that I don't swallow those pills and blame my mother for it," Ranatunga added, referring to Warne's ban last year for taking a banned diuretic. Warne is back in Australia's Test team for the Sri Lankan cricket tour, 10 days after returning from a one-year suspension. He is scheduled to arrive in Colombo on Friday. Warne (34) tested positive for a diuretic on January 22, 2003. He said he was given the tablet by his mother Brigitte. “I am fine and fit at 95 kg (209 pounds),” Ranatunga said of Warne's comments. “It is better to swallow a sheep or a goat than swallow what he has been swallowing,” he said of the diuretic, which among other things, helps weight loss.
— AP |
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Manhas rescues North
Gurgaon, February 22 Scoreboard Central Zone (1st innings): 154 North Zone (1st innings): Chopra c Bangar b Hirwani 33, Gambhir b Yadav 4, Yuvraj st Ojha b Parida 46, Mongia c and b Hirwani 2, Manhas c Yadav b Kartik 68, Ratra not out 47, Joginder c Saxena b Hirwani 4, Gagandeep b Hirwani 7, Sarandeep b Bangar 6, Bhandari lbw b Pandey 2, Bhatia lbw b Pandey 0. Extras: (b-2, lb-1, nb-26, w-1) 30. Total: (all out in 102.5 overs) 249. Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-84, 3-90, 4-110, 5-213, 6-220, 7-233, 8-245, 9-249. Bowling: Sanjay Pandey 15.5-4-30-2, Sanjay Bangar 8-4-17-1, J P Yadav 21-8-30-1, Kulamani Parida 14-2-49-1, Narendra Hirwani 22-0-62-4, Murali Kartik 22-5-58-1. Central Zone (2nd innings): Bangar batting 16, Khoda batting 6. Total: (for no loss in 7 overs) 22. Bowling: A Bhandari 4-1-16-0, Gagandeep Singh 2-0-6-0, Joginder Sharma 1-1-0-0. — PTI
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School games on schedule: SGFI
secy-gen Chandigarh, February 22 “The National School Games as per the calendar in 19 disciplines had already been organised by the federation at various places in eight different states wherein almost all the state teams participated,” he said in a press conference here today. “Besides, the Sports Authority of India permitted the federation to organise coaching camps for the preparation of the Indian school team. The selected team participated in Asian School Volleyball Championship held in Hong Kong from December 1 to 7,” he stated. Ridiculing the school competitions been conducted by the three-member committee, Mr Chhabra alleged that in the National School Games conducted by the committee at different places in Punjab, only three or four states participated. “Similar was the fate of National School Games held by the state of Maharashtra at Pune and Thane,” he stated. The SGFI secretary-general alleged that in the competitions conducted by them a majority of the states participated. He lamented that certain persons were trying to “sabotage” the efforts of the federation, which would only harm the interests of the budding sportspersons. Denying any wrongdoing in the case concerning misappropriation of funds worth lakhs of rupees, Mr Chhabra said he had clarified his position. “I have rejoined my duty. Moreover, I was suspended and never charge-sheeted.” “Besides this, I was not the only signatory to the money that was withdrawn. The signatures of other office-bearers were also there,” he clarified. He denied possibility of participation in the elections being conducted by the rivals at Pune on February 25, adding, however, that he would abide by the court verdict. |
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National Motocross on Feb 29 Chandigarh, February 22 Hosting of this event will be a big boost for motorsports in the region as it comes on the heels of the successful holding of the Maruti Suzuki Autocross-2004 by the Chandigarh Motorsports Association earlier this month. The winner will earn 20 points while the runner-up will get 17 points. Third-placed driver can add 15 points to his kitty. There will be eight classes confirming to three groups of motorcycles. The motorcycles can be totally modified, partially modified or unmodified. The entry fee will be Rs 1000 but it has been drastically reduced for the local class. Riders from Chandigarh and surrounding areas will have to pay only Rs 250 for an entry. This is a special class to ensure local participation so that local talent can emerge. The region boasted of top drivers in the eighties with SPS Garcha winning the national title for seven consecutive years. Garcha is designing the course for the rally. The course will be approximately .8km in length. There will be a table top and around 25 jumps, including a triple jump. The entries will be restricted to 75. As many as 34 riders from Team Yamaha, 26 from Team TVS besides riders from Goa, Pune and Jaipur. The star attraction of the event will be Ravat Dhillon, who is also a professional show jumper in the USA. He will ride a CR 125cc Honda. The Chandigarh Motorsports Association will provide free boarding and lodging to the participants as the Chandigarh Administration is also pitching in to boost the sport in the city. |
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Manitombi
saves the day for Bagan Kolkata, February 22 The dependable rearguard came to the rescue of Bagan in the 83rd minute after Sporting’s Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh gave his side a 52nd minute lead in the high-pitched battle. The outcome, however, did not reflect the complexion of the game which was dominated mostly by the green and maroon brigade before a sizeable crowd at the Salt Lake stadium. Sporting, who remained busy thwarting Bagan attacks for most part, took the lead from an opportunistic strike by Edeh against the run of play. The Nigerian, the only thorn in the Sporting upfront for an otherwise comfortable rival defence, was lurking outside the box when Bagan defender Palash Karmakar and goalkeeper Prosanto Dora had a slight misunderstanding on clearing a loose ball. The Nigerian, taking advantage of the confusion, made a sudden burst of pace, grabbed the ball and neatly slotted home on the move past a baffled Dora. Down by a goal, Bagan upped their ante and carried out waves of attacks before Manitombi found the target in the 83rd minute.— PTI |
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Moscow, February 22 GM Krishnan Sasikiran also came up with an inspired performance after a rather uncharacteristic loss in the last round and put it across Grandmaster Aleksei Lugovoi of Russia. However, it was yet another day of safety-first approach by the nine overnight leaders which saw eight of them taking draws while the other GM Kaido Kuloats of Estonia went down fighting to second seed local star Alexey Dreev. With just four rounds to go, in this $ 25,000 first prize tournament, the lead positions are shared by as many as 18 Grandmasters who all have 4 points each while both Sasikiran and Lanka Ravi were among 24 players who are next in the list with 3.5 points each. — PTI
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Quila Mubarak win polo cup Patiala, February 22 Out of the three exhibition matches played on the concluding day on a round-robin league among Quila
Mubarak, Quila Bahadurgarh and Sheesh Mahal teams, the best match, which could be termed as an intense contest, was played between Quila Mubarak and Quila
Bahadurgarh. For the former, the experienced Col Bhawani Singh played the star turn. He showed glimpses of the form shown this season in the domestic circuit which has won him a lot of attention from peers and contemporaries. After Col Bhawani Singh scored from a 30 yard penalty, Major Manoj Diwan equalised with a brilliant under the neck shot, an effort which was applauded all the way by spectators. The second ‘chukker’ saw Col Bhawani Singh in top form as he fired in a 60 yards penalty. Maj Diwan was once again in the thick of action when his backhander, executed from a difficult angle rolled between the poles. With both teams level and with just a minute to go, Lt-Col S.S. Kashyap was fouled. The umpire ordered a penalty and this time Lt-Col S.S. Kashyap, who flunked a shot in the first
‘chukker’, made no mistake to make it 3-2 for Quila Mubarak. Action was also seen in the second match played between Quila Bahadurgarh and Sheesh Mahal teams and this despite the fact that the former had already played a hectic match minutes earlier. Convincing would be the correct epithet to portray Bahadurgarh’s performance because of the synthesis shown in both attack and defence. Almost everyone played their roles to near perfection with Commander
A.P.S. Samra and Major Manoj Diwan slipping into a rhythm quite early one. In the first
‘chukker’, Com Samra managed to control both the ball and the pony before he unleashed a stinging backhander to hoist the lead for
Bahadurgarh. In the dying minutes of the second chukker, Lt-Col Tarsem Singh slipped the ball to a well positioned Aroonpal Singh whose shot found the target enabling both teams to settle for a draw. The third match between Sheesh Mahal and Quila Mubarak was played at a slow pace as both teams had already engaged themselves in an outing each. For the record Lt-Col S.S Kashyap and Gurpal Singh pumped in a goal apiece to enable Quila Mubarak down Sheesh Mahal by a clear two goal margin. The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, distributed the prizes. Prominent among present on the occasion were MP Preneet Kaur, Chief Secretary
J.S. Gill, DC Tejveer Singh, ADC Shiv Dullar Singh Dhillon and other senior officials of the district administration and the Army.
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Ishpal, Kamaljeet
best athletes Fatehgarh Sahib, February 22 Ishpal Kaur in girls section and Kamaljeet Singh in the boys section were declared best athletes of the college. Results: (Girls) 800m Ishpal Kaur I, Maninder Kaur II; shotput — Ishpal Kaur I, Balwinder Kaur II; javelin throw — Balwinder Kaur I, Ishpal Kaur II; high jump — Ishpal Kaur I, Maninder Kaur II; 100m — Maninder Kaur I, Ishpal Kaur II; discus throw — Balwinder Kaur I, Harpreet Kaur II; 200m — Maninder Kaur I, Ishpal Kaur II; 400m — Maninder Kaur I, Ishpal Kaur II; broad jump — Maninder Kaur I, Ishpal Kaur II; fast cycling — Ishpal Kaur I, Jagdeep Kaur II; slow cycling — Ramanpreet Kaur I, Harpreet Kaur II; and obstacle race — Monika I, Gurwinder Kaur II. Boys 1500m — Kamaljeet Singh I, Paramjit Singh II; 5000m — Paramjeet Singh I, Gurmeet Singh II; hammer throw — Sarabjit Singh I, Lakhvir Singh II; javelin throw — Lakhvir Singh I, Balbir Singh II; walk event — Harinder Singh I, Jagjit Singh II; 400m — Kamaljit Singh I, Sukhjinder Singh II; triple jump — Lakhbir Singh I, Kamaljeet Singh II; 800m — Kamaljeet Singh I, Sukhjinder Singh II; shot put — Gurinder Singh I, Karamjit Singh II; 200m — Kamaljit Singh I, Sukhjinder Singh II; broad jump — Rajinder Singh I, Gurpreet Singh II; high jump — Rajinder Singh I, Sarabjit Singh II; fast cycling — Varun Gupta I, Hardeminder Singh II; slow cycling — Harshdeep Singh I, Harinder Singh II; and discus throw — Karamjit Singh I and Sarabjit Singh II. Navjot Sidhu gave away the prizes to the winners. Later addressing a press conference, he said he joined politics just to serve society and to contribute positively. He said he has joined the BJP without any condition as a worker as he had been impressed from the development made by the country under the leadership of Mr Vajpayee. Cricket tourney
Mr Shiv Kumar, SSP, today inaugurated the second Rajiv Walia memorial Weekly Cricket Tournament being organised by the Bassi Pathana Cricket Association in the memory of renowned cricketer of the area at ITI grounds, Bassi Pathana. In this tournament 16 prominent teams from the state and Chandigarh and Haryana are participating. The tournament would be played only on Saturdays and Sundays. In the opening match of the tournament, Rana Cricket Club, Ludhiana, beat LIC, Chandigarh, by 4 runs. Ludhiana Club won the toss and elected to bat first and in the allotted 25 overs they scored 144 runs. Mr Jagjit Kala was their main scorer who scored 40 runs. Chasing the score, LIC Chandigarh team got all out on 140 runs. Parabhjot Singh was their highest scorer with 29 runs. Mr Varinder Patwari was adjudged the main-of-the-match.
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Namdharis in q-final Lucknow, February 22 WR entered the quarter-finals beating SBI, Bhopal, 7-4 while Punjab Police team, was beaten by Namdhari-XI 3-2.
— UNI |
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