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Younis Khan (267) helps Pak amass 570
I bowled ‘doosra’, says Harbhajan
Triple century was never in mind: Younis
Pakistan on firm ground to win the match: Hanif
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Inzamam admits he had opposed Shoaib’s inclusion
Shoaib left out
Anand cruises past Ivanchuk
2010 games panel to visit Australia
Sania Mirza bows out in first round
Chandigarh, Punjab win
SAI enter semifinal
Indian eves crush Ireland
Army cycle expedition covers 550 km
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Younis Khan (267) helps Pak amass 570
Bangalore, March 25 The vice-captain's enduring knock of 267 spanning 11-and-a-half hours ensured Pakistan overcame an early bump and a minor middle order collapse to post a daunting 570 before being all out half an hour before close. Younis Khan became only the first batsman from the neighbouring country to score a double century on Indian soil and almost carried the bat for the second full day, striking 32 fours and a six in a 504-ball essay. If the Indians were able to hold their heads high and not allow their shoulders to droop, it was very much due to the heroic effort of Harbhajan Singh who ended up with his 16th five-wicket haul of six for 152. The off-spinner, under the ICC scanner after being reported for suspect action during the second Test, put the brakes on Pakistan's smooth roll by picking three wickets in the second session before scalping the prized wicket of Younis to hasten the end. At stumps on the second day, India were 55 for no loss with Virender Sehwag batting on 39 and Gautam Gambhir on 13. Pakistan lost their captain Inzamam-ul Haq before he added a run to his overnight score of 184 in the very first ball he faced this morning. They were then reduced to 446 for six after losing Yousuf Youhana (37) and Asim Kamal (4) in quick succession. But Younis Khan steered them out of the rough with three crucial partnerships. After stitching 84 runs with Youhana for the fourth wicket, the 29-year-old batsman added 58 and 61 runs with Kamran Akmal (28) and Mohammad Sami (17) for the seventh and eight wickets, respectively. Younis remained the fulcrum of Pakistan innings after the early dismissal of captain Inzamam. He crossed the 200 mark, glancing Anil Kumble for a boundary down the fine leg and followed it up with another four in the same over. A jubilant Younis acknowledged the crowd's ovation by lifting his bat and helmet and then kissed the ground. By then, he had hit 24 fours and a six facing 396 balls. He needed 20 balls to move up from 196 but once he completed the double century, he came up with a couple of exquisite boundaries. Younis' previous best was 153 against the West Indies in Sharjah in 2001-02. Younis, one of the few to retain his place in the team after Pakistan's World Cup campaign in 2003, had scored a century in the second Test at Kolkata. The right hander finally perished when he went for a big heave against Harbhajan and holed out to Irfan Pathan at mid off. The hosts had their hero in off-spinner Harbhajan. Shrugging off the 'doosra' controversy, Harbhajan picked up three wickets in quick succession before and after lunch to put the brakes on Pakistan's march towards a huge total. Harbhajan struck twice early in the post-lunch session to dismiss Asim Kamal (4) and Abdul Razzaq (5). In the fifth over before the break, he had sent back Yousuf Youhana (37). At that stage, the visitors had lost three wickets for 31 runs to be at 6 for 446 in the 130th over. Skipper Inzamam failed to score a double century as India stuck early on the second day. Inzamam, who had accomplished a rare feat by scoring a century in his 100th Test, was trapped leg before by Laxmipathy Balaji in his very first ball of the day. It was a sort of a repeat performance by the Chennai bowler who had removed Shahid Afridi in his very first ball yesterday. Inzamam, who was looking to build on his innings and take his team to a huge total, was applauded for his brilliant innings but he clearly walked back a disappointed man. Inzamam's third wicket partnership with his deputy yielded a record 324 runs which came in 368 minutes, 533 balls. Scoreboard Pakistan (1st innings): Hameed c Kaarthick b Pathan 6 Afridi c Dravid b Balaji 0 Younis c Pathan b Harbhajan 267 Inzamam lbw b Balaji 184 Youhana c Kaarthick Kamal c Ganguly b Harbhajan 4 Razzaq c and b Harbhajan 5 Akmal b Harbhajan 28 Sami run out 17 Arshad not out 1 Kaneria c Laxman b Harbhajan 0 Extras
(b-8, lb-5, nb-4, w-4) 21 Total (all out in 167.5 overs) 570 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-7, 3-331, 4-415, 5-428, 6-446, 7-504, 8-565, 9-569 Bowling:
Pathan 34-4-105-1, Balaji 29-4-114-2, Kumble 46-8-159-0, Harbhajan 51.5-9-152-6, Sachin Tendulkar 3-0-14-0, Sourav Ganguly 4-0-13-0. India (1st innings): Sehwag batting 39 Gambhir batting 13 Extras
(b-1, nb-2) 3 Total (for no loss in 10 overs) 55 Bowling: Mohammad Sami 5-1-23-0, Abdul Razzaq 3-0-23-0, Danish Kaneria 1-0-6-0, Arshad Khan 1-0-2-0.
— PTI |
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I bowled ‘doosra’, says Harbhajan
Bangalore, March 25 "I was not thinking of the ICC matter. Board is there to look after the matter. I played my game. I am very happy that I got six wickets. I am feeling really happy about it," the off-spinner said. "I definitely bowled doosra and off-spin because doosra had been cleared last time and I had passed the test. I bowled openly." Stressing that he was not worried about having been reported again for a suspect bowling action, he said that such "small allegations" are bound to be levelled against players. "What's important is I am confident and believe in myself. The team and the Board has supported me, and I want to thank them. "I am not bothered about what's happening". Harbhajan said there was nothing in the wicket for spinners in the first two days but he got some bounce before the tea-break today. He said he was not expecting the strip to change a lot. "Wicket is good for batting. We have to bat well tomorrow and hopefully the day after also." On his spin partner Anil Kumble going wicketless in the first innings, Harbhajan said it was just an "off-day" for him. "Kumble is a legend, he is a great bowler. He is number one in the world," he said. Harbhajan, who had his 16th five-wicket haul in an innings today, rated Abdul Razzaq's dismissal as the best of the lot because of the "way he got out". "I tossed the ball up and he was trying to play cover drive," Harbhajan said referring to the dismissal of Razzaq who perished after offering a return catch. He praised Pakistan's batting and said they played sensibly. He termed Inzamam-ul Haq's dismissal as the crucial wicket for India on the second day. Harbhajan said he did not lose any sleep just because he had not taken a wicket on the opening day. On his conversation with Sunil Gavaskar, he said the former batting great was just complimenting him for his good bowling performance. On exchange of words with Younis Khan yesterday, Harbhajan said he was telling the batsman something in Punjabi. "If you are speaking in Punjabi, it always sounds like a quarrel."
— PTI |
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Triple century was never in mind: Younis
Bangalore, March 25 "Never. I don't go for records. I just played for the team. Our plan was to bat for seven-eight hours," Younis, who made 267 in Pakistan's first innings score of 570, said when asked scoring 300 was on his mind. Younis said he did try to step up the run rate towards the latter part of the innings, as 20-30 runs extra would have seen his team getting past the 600-run mark. He said Pakistan would try to exploit some cracks on the wicket and with a little help of luck, "we should win this game. We have a chance to win the match." Despite giving his side a platform to go for the kill to square the three-match series 1-1, Younis did not rate the knock, the highest-ever by a Pakistani player on Indian soil, as his best. "The 150-plus I scored against the West Indies is a better knock than this one," he said and added that he would like to dedicate his knock to the teammates and his country. Younis said he was not worried by criticism that by virtue of being the vice-captain, he was assured of a place in the side. "I never play with fear (of losing the place). I simply enjoy playing. It does not matter for me if I am playing for my country or not. There is no pressure on me. I just enjoy playing. I just switch off negative things." He said his game-plan on this pitch was to stay at the wicket for some time to settle in. "Once you survive this phase, you can flourish unless you make a mistake. "I don't play to improve my averages", he said to a question. "I would not have opted out of the Bangladesh tour if I wanted to improve my average", he said. Younis said he was not averse to opening the batting for his side if needed. "I am ready to play in any batting spot. I in fact want to bat in a spot where it's challenging. I am even ready to open the innings", he said. Younis said he was overwhelmed by the love and affection shown by the Indian people and it felt good. "We share a similar culture.
— PTI |
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Pakistan on firm ground to win the match: Hanif
Bangalore, March 25 "Pakistan are standing firm at the moment. They can win the match if they continue in the same fashion," the 70-year-old Hanif told reporters on the sidelines of the second day's proceedings here. Electing to bat, Pakistan posted 570 with Younis Khan making a record 267 and captain Inzamam-ul Haq scoring 184 in his 100th Test. Hanif, the first Pakistani to score a triple century in a Test match, said going by the contest so far, the visitors deserved to win the match. Complimenting Inzamam for his fine knock, he said "it was due from him". He also had a word of praise for Younis Khan, who recorded the highest score by a Pakistani batsman on Indian soil. Hanif, who played 55 Tests during his career, including 15 against India, said Pakistan were missing the services of express bowler Shoaib Akhtar who was recovering from a hamstring injury. Recalling his cricketing days in India way back 1952, when he played the Chief Ministers Cricket Cup in Bangalore and won a "banaras saree" as a prize for scoring highest runs, Hanif said "cricket has changed a lot since my playing days."
— PTI |
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Inzamam admits he had opposed Shoaib’s inclusion
Karachi, March 25 "Yes there have been occasions when I told the selectors and the Board (that) I don't want him in the team because his behaviour has a bad influence on the youngsters," the 35-year-old Pakistan captain was quoted as saying in local daily 'The News' today. This is the first time in nearly 15 months that Inzamam has admitted to his differences with Shoaib. Previously, both the parties have been vehemently denying the cold war. Inzamam was so candid in slamming the attitude of Shoaib that he alleged that the pacer performed in one match and rested on its laurel for the next two years. "Pick up his record of the last two years and see for yourself how many matches he has missed due to some 'fitness problem' immediately after taking wickets in a game. "What I feel is he wants to perform in one match and rest on its laurels for the next two. He is not there when the team needs him most. I have nothing personal against him. But he lacks cricketing discipline. He wants to play on his own terms which is unacceptable to me," Inzamam said criticising the bowler. The Pakistan captain said Shoaib was still the team's best bowler but insisted that the speedster would have to maintain a discipline whenever playing for the country since his behaviour affected the other players as well. "I don't care what he does off the field as long as he performs for the team. I again repeat there is no doubt I would like to have him in my team as he is a match winner. "But he has to learn to play with discipline and according to the team requirements. I tell you some of the players have been very uneasy with his level of commitment because they have seen his behaviour in recent times. So tell me what am I supposed to do," Inzamam added.
— PTI |
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Shoaib left out
Karachi, March 25 The selectors decided to leave out Shoaib on fitness grounds and omitted openers Yasir Hameed and Taufeeq Umar along with left-arm paceman Mohammad Khalil, currently touring India for the Test series. Off spinner Mohammad Hafeez and medium pacers Shahid Nazir and Rao Iftikhar Anjum would join the squad in their place. “Shoaib was not considered (for selection) because he is not fit. His trainer Grant Compton told me that he requires two weeks to regain fitness. Once he conveys us his availability, we will take his fitness test and then decide about his selection,” chairman of selectors Wasim Bari told PTI. Bari also refused to comment on Shoaib’s inclusion in the team for the second half of the one-day series and said their role would begin after the bowler declared himself fit and available. The squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan (vice-captain), Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Nazir, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan and Shoaib Malik.
— PTI
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Anand cruises past Ivanchuk
Monaco, March 25 The 1.5-0.5 victory over Ivanchuk helped Anand to take his points tally to a very impressive 9/10 and stretched his lead to a huge 2.5 points over former Russian champion Peter Svidler. With six rounds still to be played in this unique event that features one blindfold and one rapid game in each round, as many as three players — Peter Leko of Hungary, Alexander Morozevich of Russia and Ivanchuk — share the third spot with six points apiece. Next in line is Israeli Boris Gelfand, who has got five points alongside Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik in the 193250 euro prize money tournament. Anand kept his all-win record intact after delivering the knockout punch to Ivanchuk in the rapid game. The Indian ace has won all his mini-matches here and has dropped just one point out of a possible 10. Ivanchuk, however, successfully ended Anand’s great run in the blindfold section by holding the speed king to a draw. So far in the event, Anand has conceded one draw each in blindfold and rapid, besides four victories that have also helped him maintain sole lead in both sections.
— PTI |
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2010 games panel to visit Australia
Chandigarh, March 25 This was disclosed by Raja Randhir Singh, Vice-President of the
Commonwealth Games Federation, on the phone from Delhi. He said on April 4, the sports committee meeting would be held while on April 5, the executive committee meeting would be conducted. On April 9, the general assembly of the CGF
will meet. Raja Randhir Singh said the organising committee of the 2010 games would be headed by Mr Suresh Kalmadi, its chairman, while he himself was the vice-chairman of the committee. The other nominees who will be part of the Indian delegation include the Joint
Secretary, Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Navin Jindal, MP, Chief Secretary, Delhi, Secretary Urban Development, Treasurer, Mr OP Mattoo, Mr Vijay Malhotra, Mr Lalit Bhanot and Mr H Dora. When asked if there was any plan to add more disciplines, Raja Randhir who is also the Secretary-General of the IOA, said there were three compulsory disciplines — rugby, netball and lawn bowls, apart from major disciplines like athletics, badminton, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and hockey. On the allotment of the 2014 Asian Games, he said the IOA has submitted its plan to the Central Government, who had to forward it to the Olympic Council of Asia.
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Sania Mirza bows out in first round
New Delhi, March 25 The 18-year-old Indian went down to Spaniard Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 2-6, 5-7 yesterday in one hour and 13 minutes in the Tier 1 tournament, which belongs to the level next only to the Grand Slams
events. Playing as a wild card in what was only her second event at this level, Sania struggled with her serves — committing eight double faults as against just one ace — and had as many as 10 break points against her out of which Lorenzo converted seven. The 77th-ranked Indian failed to hold on to her serve in the first set and the two games she won were by breaking her opponent, 11 places below her in world ranking. Sania put up a better show in the second set but was still erratic with her serves as she committed five double faults and lost her serve thrice as against breaking her opponent twice. The Hyderabadi girl has had a fine run this year as she became the first Indian woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event and win a WTA tour title at the Hyderabad Open. She also made the most of the wild card given to her in the Dubai Open tournament last week where she upset reigning US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Neha Uberoi, a player of Indian origin playing for USA, went down to Galina Voskoboeva of Russia 4-6, 2-6. Neha, younger sister of India’s Fed Cup team member Shikha Uberoi, had also earned hed entry through a wild card awarded to the reigning Luxillon Cup champion.
—PTI |
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Chandigarh, Punjab win
Hyderabad, March 25 While Alfaz-ur-Rehman put Airlines in the lead and Arjun Halappa increased it in the first half, Prabhakar Singh (48th), Amit Sirvastava (58th) and Shivender Singh (61st) scored for Railways. In a Pool C match, it was goals galore for Punjab with Gagan Ajit Singh and Kulbir Singh scoring a brace each while Jugraj Singh converting a penalty corner and Kuljeet Singh opening the account against the weak Uttar Pradesh defence. In the first match, Alfaz-ur-Rehman put Airlines ahead in the ninth minute taking the Railways defence by surprise while Arjun Halappa (33rd) strengthened the wings with a penalty corner conversion to go up 2-0 at half time. Railways changed track in the second half switching to an attacking mode, and ripped through the Airlines defence and forced a penalty corner. Prabhakar Singh made no mistake and put it across in the 48th minute to reduce the margin 1-2 but Amit Srivastava made most of the defensive lapse of Airlines and slammed the equaliser from the flank beating the custodian hands down. The tempo shifted to top gear with Railways moving with pace and precision raiding the Airline citadel frequently. Shivender Singh scored the winner when his shot entered the post crashing the hopes of the defending champions. The other match was a one-sided affair with star Punjab player Gagan Ajit Singh penetrating into the UP defence scoring two spectacular goals in the first half. Comeback man Jugraj Singh lived up to his reputation by converting a penalty corner while a brace by Kulbir Singh swelled the margin to 6-0. In other matches, Services vanquished Karnataka 4-2 while Chandigarh got the better of Bengal 2-1. For Services, Sunil Ekka (11th, 46th), Suresh Kumar (36th) and Sumo Ekka (54th) scored while Amar Aiyamma netted the two goals (19th, 49th) for Karnataka. Chandigarh dominated the game from the start and Gurtej Singh put the team ahead in the third minute before adding one more to the tally in the 59th minute.For Bengal, P K Das converted a penalty corner in the 67th minute to reduce the margin.
— PTI |
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SAI enter semifinal
New Delhi, March 25 Brief scores: SAI: 233 for 4 in 30 overs (Amrish Gautam 108, Raju Tandon 85). Australian High Commission: 227 for 7 in 30 overs (Danny Ranawat 92, Shawez 49; Sandeep Joshi 2 for 54, Amrish Gautam 2 for 43). Trinidad and Tobago High Commission defeated New Zealand High Commission by 25 runs to enter the semifinal at the National Stadium. Brief scores: Trinidad and Tobago: 175 (Zaheer Khan 58, Tushar Pant 21; Deepak 3 for 19, Manjeet 4 for 29, Manish 2 for 32). New Zealand HC: 150 in 28.4 overs (Manish 24, Manjeet 24, Niku 20; Subodh 2 for 27, Zaheer Khan 2 for 29, Ajay Handa 2 for 31, Girish Soni 2 for 32). |
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Indian eves crush Ireland
Durban, March 25 Sharma (3/12) and Goswami (2/15) wrecked the opponents top order as India bowled out Ireland for just 65 runs and then achieved the modest target in just 17.2 overs. Electing to bat after winning the toss, Ireland lost their first four wickets with just seven runs on the board as Sharma and Goswami shared the spoils.
—PTI |
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Army cycle expedition covers 550 km Patiala, March 25 The rally comprised of two officers, one junior commissioned officer (CO) and 12 other ranks. It was flagged off from Pooh on March 19. The cyclists covered 550 km in seven days through treacherous and high altitude terrain. The expedition was aimed at studying flora and fauna of Kinnaur region and improve ties between the Armed forces and people. The rally was received at Patiala Cantonment by the Major General Officer Commanding of Black Elephant Division and other Military dignitaries.
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