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New Delhi, March 10 The tone and tenor of the Indian cricket team’s tour of Pakistan was set when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee exhorted Sourav Ganguly and his boys not only to win matches, but hearts too.
Rise above commercial interests, says govt
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Winning series primary objective, says Sourav
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India meet Holland in semis
PSEB, CESC in last four
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Not only matches, win hearts too: PM
New Delhi, March 10 “Khel hi nahi, dil be jeetiyea. Shubhkaamna”, the Prime Minister scribbled on a cricket bat, autographed by him and presented to the Indian cricket team when they came calling at his official Race Course Road residence in New Delhi today morning. Indian captain
Sourav Ganguly also presented a cricket bat autographed by all members of the team, and a tie of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), to Mr Vajpayee. When the players met the Prime Minister, the tune “hum honge kaamy (we will succeed)”, played by the Delhi Police band in the background, wafted across. Ganguly saw no contradiction in being the “goodwill ambassador” of the country during the tour, though as captain of the cricket team, he would have to play an altogether different ball game on the field, as cricket matches between India and Pakistan generate a lot of heat and passion. “We have always been ambassadors of the country whichever country we tour”,
Sourav said, before calling on the Prime Minister. He said the heightened passion among the spectators was part and parcel of cricket matches between India and Pakistan. Ganguly said if some spectators got passionate during the series, it was to be expected. “That’s the way it has always been during India-Pakistan cricket matches wherever they are played”, Ganguly observed. The Indian cricket team crammed too much activity in a two-hour span in the morning, before flying to Lahore by a special Indian Airlines flight from the Indira Gandhi International Airport mid-day, to embark on their historic 40-day cricket tour, encompassing five one-day internationals and three Test matches. The Indian cricket team are touring Pakistan after a long an interval of over 14 years. Though the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and other top guns of the Government have been invited to witness the matches by the Pakistan Government, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vikram Verma stated that there was no plan to send any official government delegation to Pakistan. Though the cricket tour has been labelled as a “Friendship Series”, the government of India is sparing no effort to ensure fool-proof security cover to the players. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home gave a thorough briefing to the players regarding the “dos and don’ts” in Pakistan. Manager of the Indian team, Prof Ratnakar Shetty, said the calls coming to the players in their hotel rooms will be screened thoroughly and restrictions will be imposed on meeting visitors. He said the government has assured complete security to the players, and three top security experts will be travelling with the team. Prof Shetty said the players have been assured “comfortable stay in Pakistan, though there will be heightened security around the team”. Ganguly, however, seemed to be not much worried about the security aspect. He said his “first and foremost concern was to play the game we are capable of, and we are focussed on that”. He said the team was not carrying the burden of the past, and were looking ahead of the tour with confidence, without any pre-determined mindset. “It doesn’t matter what happened in the past”, he said, adding. “I hope we can keep up the good performance of the past one-and-a-half years”. |
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Rise above commercial interests, says govt
New Delhi, March 10 The government reaction came in the midst of reports that the telecast of the series is caught in a blame game between Ten Sports and cable operators. Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Pawan Chopra told mediapersons here that those involved “would not be able to go very far if they failed to
satisfy the public.’’ Interacting with mediapersons after releasing a reference handbook on ‘General Elections’ here, Mr Chopra said, “This match is very important for public to view. Everybody should rise above narrow commercial interests and ensure that there is no inconvenience to the people.’’ The I&B
Secretary further said that some countries have laws under which it is mandatory to give rights to public broadcaster of sports of national significance. |
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Winning series primary objective, says Sourav
Lahore, March 10 Shortly after arrival, he told a press conference that he did not agree that the goodwill factor would dilute his team’s determination to put it across the hosts. “I do not agree that winning is not important. It is important to win the series. It is a cricket match and both teams will try to win,” he said. Ganguly was responding to remarks by Pakistan coach Javed Miandad that winning and losing was irrelevant and the only winner in this goodwill series would be the game of cricket. The suave Indian captain had a simple plan to stop ‘Rawalpindi Express’ Shoaib Akhtar: “Pull the chain!” “We do not have a special strategy to counter Shoaib. We will have to play Akhtar on the merit of the ball. We have to see what he bowls,” he said adding his side was not daunted by the prospect of playing on fast wickets. "We toured Australia and did very well on fast wickets. The boys are eager to do well here also. It is the team which plays well on the day which will win in both one-dayers and Tests," Ganguly said. But he conceded that the team needed to improve in certain areas. "We did well in Australia. Obviously we wanted to win there but I think it is a good sign that we could compete against the best side in the world." The Indian captain also denied that India's thrashing in the tri-series one-day finals against Australia would have any bearing on the side when it takes on Pakistan in a series of five one-day internationals beginning on Saturday. "We played poorly in the last two matches. But to be honest Australia lifted their game by several notches. All the other matches were keenly contested and we are eager to maintain a consistency and win all the crunch matches against Pakistan." Ganguly refused to comment on Sunil Gavaskar's observation that India were chokers when it came to finals of tournaments. "We respect Gavaskar. I don't want to make a comment but I think it is better to play the finals than lose in the earlier rounds." Asked why Kapil Dev, appointed as India's bowling consultant recently, was not accompanying the team, he said, "He was asked by the board to coach fast bowlers at the camp in Kolkata. I think he does not have the time..." Ganguly allayed all doubts over the fitness of Sachin Tendulkar saying "he is 100 per cent fit. He had a stiff back during the camp but now he is okay". On the injury-induced absence of ace spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, Ganguly said, "They are the two best spinners in the country. But I am confident (Murali) Kartik will do a very good job for us. We do expect Kumble to be fit for the Tests though." The Indian captain believed the Pakistan side was young but had a lot of talent. "They don't have Akram and Younis now but there are some good players. I think they are a good side." Asked what the Prime Minister had told him and his team-mates during a meeting earlier in the day in New Delhi, he said: "He wished us good luck and said he would follow the games on TV". Summing up his feelings on being a part of history, Ganguly said: "It feels good to be in Pakistan. We are coming here after 15 years. We hope to play good cricket." Coach John Wright said "it was a great opportunity for the team to win because the team has made a lot of progress and has matured." "We had an excellent year although we could not beat Australia in one-dayers. We have a good batting line up and the Australian tour was a step forward for us," Wright said adding the Pakistan series was a great challenge for his boys.
— PTI |
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Scramble for Sourav’s statues
Kolkata, March 10 In fact so much is the hysteria for possessing a statue of the Indian skipper that the clay artisans of the Kumartuli area in north Kolkata, who are churning out about a 100 statues by the hour, are already running out of stock. ''It is unbelievable. I have already sold out around 3,000 statues of
Sourav and the demand is much more than what we had ever imagined. In fact not only my co-artisans but my whole family has chipped in to help me,'' said an ecstatic Bholanath Dey, among the teeming artisians happy at his sudden turn of fortune. India's tour of Pakistan after a hiatus of 15
years (India last played in Pakistan in 1989) has come as a God send for these artisians, who remain idle during most part of the year.
— UNI |
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Kallis falls short of historic century
Hamilton, March 10 Kallis continued a prolific run of recent individual scoring, making 92 before falling to a catch off the second new ball shortly before stumps. His innings was the mainstay of South Africa’s total and left it in a controlling position after a day on which both teams toiled on a pitch which lacked pace or bounce. Kallis was bidding for a rare place in cricket history as he passed his 28th half century in 76 Tests and closed on his 16th hundred. The century would have been his fifth in consecutive Tests after his dominating form against the West Indies earlier this year. Only Sir Donald Bradman, who scored centuries in six straight Tests for Australia, has passed 100 in more consecutive matches. Bradman’s run was interrupted by injury. Kallis accumulated 712 runs at an average of 178 in South Africa’s four-Test home series against the West Indies in December and January. With today’s innings, compiled over 239 minutes with 11 fours and three sixes, Kallis took his aggregate in his last five Tests to 804 at an average of 160. He shared partnerships of 132 in 148 minutes for the third wicket with Jacques Rudolph, who made 72, and 60 in 86 minutes with Gary Kirsten, who was 31 not out in his 99th Test at stumps. Scoreboard South Africa (1st Innings) Smith c Oram b Vettori 25 Gibbs c Styris b Vettori 40 Rudolph c McCullum Kallis c Tuffey b Oram 92 Kirsten batting 31 Adams batting 7 Extras
(b-1, lb-3, nb-8) 12 Total (4 wkts, 90 overs) 279 Fall of wickets:
1-51, 2-79, 3-211, 4-271 Bowling: Daryl Tuffey 19-8-45-0, Jacob Oram 18-6-50-1, Chris Cairns 12-0-33-0, Daniel Vettori 23-2-83-2, Paul Wiseman 7-1-35-0, Scott Styris 10-3-24-1, Craig McMillan 1-0-5-0.
— AP |
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Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe Harare, March 10 Bangladesh, who were put into bat, totalled 238 for seven before restricting Zimbabwe to 230 for nine to seal their first victory since beating Pakistan by 62 runs at the 1999 World Cup in England. It was only their fourth success in 83 one-day internationals. Bangladesh, 1-0 up in the five-match series after two wash-outs over the weekend, were inspired to victory by a trio of half-centuries from captain Habibul Bashar, Rajin Saleh and Mohammad Ashraful. Zimbabwe seemed to be cruising to their target on the back of a second-wicket stand of 109 between Barney Rogers and Stuart Carlisle but they lost eight wickets for 109 runs to stumble to their first defeat against Bangladesh.
— Reuters |
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Hayden leads Aussie fightback
Galle, March 10 Australia, who started their second innings 161 behind after bowling out Sri Lanka for 381, reached the close on 193 for two, 32 runs ahead. Hayden hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 174-ball innings, carrying the attack to Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers on a crumbling Galle pitch. The big left-hander added 91 for the first wicket with Justin Langer (32) and 84 for the second with skipper Ricky Ponting (28), Damien Martyn was 10 not out at the close. Leg spinner Shane Warne had started the tourists fightback in the first session, completing figures of five for 116 on his return to Test cricket following a 12-month drugs ban as Sri Lanka lost their last four wickets for just 12 runs. The hosts, who started the day on 352 for six, added just 29 runs in 90 minutes. Thilan Samaraweera was stranded on 36 not out at the end of the innings. Australia (Ist innings): 220 Sri Lanka (Ist innings): 381 Australia (2nd innings): 193/2
in 67 overs
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Madrid, March 10 Now that the four semifinalists have qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics, the teams will not have to deal with any pressure, and in fact, are expected to play far more freely than they did in the preliminary league that concluded yesterday. Spain’s coach Maurits Hendrics perhaps echoed the views of his counterparts when he said: “This business of qualifying for Athens is behind us. Now, it is a question of winning the
remaining two games and with that the tournament. The intensity will be very much there in the semifinals.” On the face of it, Spain and Holland should set up a repeat meeting in the final, for both the teams ran into good form in their concluding league matches. While the Dutch put nine past a hapless Japan, Spain, with skipper Juan Escarre back in action after recovering from injury, thrashed Poland 6-0. “Our performance
against Poland showed that we are in fine rhythm and our forwards have got into the scoring act. I expect my team to maintain that level against Pakistan, though I do not expect to be an easy game,” Hendrics said. Pakistan went through a slump in form when they drew goal-less with Malaysia after winning their opening three games. However, they tightened up considerably to flatten New Zealand to close their league
campaign on a strong note. However, India exposed the weak Pakistani defence last week. Though the
Pakistanis came through 5-3, it was mainly due to Sohail Abbas whose four penalty corner conversions sank the Indians. The Spain-Pakistan encounter, thus,
should dish out some exciting hockey. Spain, of course, will enjoy the home support and thus, will be a difficult proposition for the Pakistanis who cannot Expect any favours. On the other hand, the India-Holland game should be a replay of the three-Test series in Hyderabad last month that the Dutch won 2-0. The Dutch have performed quite strongly here and considering India’s inconsistent showing so far, they should start overwhelming favourites. Under Terry Walsh, the Dutch have excelled in their
set piece play, not to mention the penalty corner expertise in the form of Bram Lomans. As such, the Indian defenders would be literally walking on egg shells in an attempt to not concede any penalty corners. India’s best hope of pulling off a surprise win rests on their forward line which is being acknowledged as among the best in world hockey today. Against Malaysia, Pakistan and Canada, the Indian forwards displayed admirable sharpness, even granting that they missed quite a few chances. Against the Dutch, the Indians need to convert on even
half chances if they hope to reach the final. The Indian team has the potential to achieve such a result, but then, in reality, the players have confounded the pundits with their up-and-down form. Speculation is rife about an India-Pakistan final, but there is much hard work ahead for both the teams to turn a dream into reality. Pak thrash Kiwis Pakistan came from behind to beat New Zealand 4-1 in a pool B match of the Olympic qualifying tournament here last night. With this win, Pakistan not only completed the semifinal line-up but also topped the pool B with 13 points, followed by India (10 points). It was Pakistan’s fourth win in five games and they will take on hosts Spain in the semifinals on Thursday. Sohail Abbas (25th, 35th), Rehan Butt (40th) and Shabbir Muhammad (43rd) scored for Pakistan after Hyden Shaw (19th) put the Kiwis in the lead. — PTI |
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PSEB, CESC in last four Patiala, March 10 Brief scores:
BSEB: 127 for 9 in 25 overs (M. Ranjan 40, Sunil Kumar Singh 58, Sandeep Kohli 2 for 22, Maninder Bhardwaj 2 for 17, Amardeep Singh 2 for 21) PSEB: 130 for 3 (Sandeep Kohli 51, Gaurav Gupta 34, Sunil Kumar Singh 2 for 24) The other teams to make the cut in the last four grade were Calcutta Electricity Supply Corporation
(CESC), who registered a 7 wicket win against Gujarat Electricity Board
(GEB), Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply (BSES), who knocked out Tamil Nadu Electricity Board
(TNEB) by 5 wickets and Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) who downed
KPTCL, Bangalore by 79 runs. PSEB will square off with BSES while CESC take MSEB for a spot in the final. |
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