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I will try to get triple hundred, says Sehwag
Imran criticises turf
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Pak for one-day series in India Sri Lanka fail to avert whitewash
Mumbai tighten grip on final India held by Bangladesh Mamat rallies to lift Indian Open title Ludhiana college clinch PTU sports meet trophy
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I will try to get triple hundred, says Sehwag Multan, March 28 “I will definitely try to get 300 runs. It is a good batting wicket and I have to just bat sensibly tomorrow to
achieve this landmark,” Sehwag told reporters after he helped India pile up a commanding 356 for two on the opening day of the Test. V.V.S. Laxman’s 281 against Australia is India’s best individual Test score till date. The Delhi batsman had a memorable day at the Multan Cricket Stadium as he not only bettered his previous best of 195 against Australia at Melbourne last year but also recorded the highest individual score against Pakistan, eclipsing Sanjay Manjrekar’s 218 in Lahore during the 1989-90 series. “It is a very special innings. I had missed out on a double century against Australia but I was eager to do it this time. We now have to play well on the remaining four days and hopefully we can win the match,” the dashing batsman said. Dedicating the double century to his parents and his fiancee, Sehwag said he made a conscious effort to stay till the end, keeping in mind India’s batting debacle in Melbourne when the team had collapsed after his dismissal on 195. Despite having scored five of his six centuries as an opener in Test matches, he said he would still like to bat in the middle order. “If there is a slot in the middle order, I would like to bat there.” On his opening partner Aakash Chopra, who has repeatedly got out in the 40s, Sehwag said “I feel bad for him. But the two of us gave a very good start and that is important. I am sure it is just a matter of time before Aakash gets the big score”. Sehwag said Sachin Tendulkar had a calming influence on him after he came into bat following stand-in captain Rahul Dravid’s dismissal. Asked what transpired between him and Shoaib Akhtar when he collided with him, he said “We were just joking”.
— PTI |
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Multan, March 28 “One must take advantage of the home series and should prepare pitches that suit their players but it does not look so in case of the pitch prepared here for the first Test of the series against India,” Imran told newsmen at the media centre of the Stadium. Recalling that Shoaib Akhtar has won Pakistan many games, he said, “fast bowling is our main strength and our only chance to win against the Indians is to get them out twice. But this does not seem likely as the pitch looks to support spinners more than the fast bowlers,” Imran said. The former captain believed Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble could prove dangerous in the later stages of the game for Pakistan, more so if India go on to make a big score on the batsmen-friendly track. —PTI
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Akram not averse to coaching Pak bowlers
New Delhi, March 28 The former left-arm pacer stressed on the need of a bowling coach and said,’’Not only Pakistan, but I believe every team needs a bowling coach.’’ When asked whether he would like to play the role, the former left-arm pacer said, “It’s hypothetical to say whether I would like to coach them and it depends on so many things. But if such offer comes, I’m not averse to do it .’’ In the just-concluded Samsung Cup series, the Pakistani pacers generously conceded wide and no balls that saw a number of former players clamouring for a bowling coach for the side. Former captain Imran Khan said the team was in dire need of a bowling coach and he suggested the name of former pacer Aquib Javed, coach of the under-19 team. “I think Wasim Akram is quite happy to do commentary. After talking to him, it seems that he is happy to play a passive role in cricket. So, it is Aquib who deserves to look after the Pakistan bowlers,” Imran had said. Refusing to comment on Imran’s observation about his pre-occupations , Akram said the present Pakistan bowlers were talented and had enough pace and if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has any such offer, “I’ll definitely do that.” Prior to Indian team’s departure for the historic tour, Pakistan coach Javed Miandad vented his anger claiming Akram had been spelling out the “secret” of reverse swing to Indian bowlers. Media reports about the probability of Akram being made the bowling coach of the Indian team had also created a ruckus in Pakistan. Even though the demand for a bowling coach got louder in Pakistan after they lost the Samsung Cup series 2-3 to the visitors, coach Javed Miandad and skipper Inzamam-ul Haq believe the team can do away with a bowling coach for the time being.
MiandAd even pointed out that neither Imran, nor Wasim needed a bowling coach and it’s up to the bowlers themselves to show more discipline. In the past too, Miandad resisted the re-appointment of the then bowling coach Daryl Foster after their World Cup 2003 debacle. Meanwhile, the “Sultan of Swing”, as Akram is known, heaped praise on Indian pacer Irfan Pathan and Pakistan speedster Mohammad Sami. Talking about the Indian, he said, “Irfan is a very talented bowler and is young. He was in great form and bowled well in Australia and also in the
one-dayers in Pakistan. He can improve further and is definitely a prospect.” Incidentally, it was Akram who helped the rookie Indian pacer finetune his bowling in Australia. — UNI
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Notes from Pakistan The goodwill generated by the cricket series has spread so much that even Pakistanis are getting their work done by saying the magic words: “I’m from India!” Be it hiring a rickshaw or booking hotel rooms or getting money from banks, the mere mention of “India” makes most Pakistanis go out of their way to accommodate requests from the thousands of Indians in their country because of cricket. “The other day, I had to encash my travellers’ cheques but the bank had closed business for the day,” said Khalid Zia, a travel operator. “But as soon as I said ‘I’m from India’ the clerk gave me the money. Many people these days are getting their work done with these magic words,” he added. * Despite the bonhomie, the subcontinent’s penchant for missiles was apparent in a replica of the Pakistani surface-to-surface rocket Shaheen standing proudly at an intersection in Multan. After India’s test-firing of a surface-to-surface missile on Thursday, Pakistanis are speaking about the arms race in the subcontinent. The replica is a reminder of Pakistani pride. Pakistanis are equally proud of their Hatf missiles too, and they are aware of India’s Prithvi and Agni missiles at the same time. The Multan Cricket Stadium is situated among lush green surroundings at Makhdoom Rashid, on the outskirts of the town. Farming being the main occupation of the people here, the fields are all around the stadium. Makhdoom Rashid, connected by the Grand Trunk Road, was earlier a suburb of Multan. When the latter’s municipal limits expanded, it was decided to build a new stadium outside the city. The location was ideal, away from Multan’s narrow streets and heavy traffic. The first Test played at this stadium was in 2001 when the home side met Bangladesh. * Pakistani commentator Chisty Mujahid has been conferred the president’s medal for his services to the game. A former director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mujahid has been associated with the game for over 35 years. He did his Masters in law from the Cambridge University before starting a career as a radio commentator in 1967. His first commentary on television was in 1970 and has since appeared on various channels around the world. —IANS
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Pak for one-day
series in India Multan: India will host Pakistan for three one-dayers in a six-match series later this year, with the remaining three to be played in the neighbouring country, the PCB announced here on Sunday. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Rameez Raja said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed them in writing that they had agreed to the proposal of playing a series of six one-dayers this year. The PCB chief said the dates and venues of the series would be decided soon. Raja said India, who were originally scheduled to play seven one-dayers and three Tests on this tour, agreed to only five one-dayers and three Tests due to shortage of time. “As a compensatory measure, would play the six-match series later this year,” he added.
— UNI
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Sri Lanka fail to
avert whitewash
Colombo, March 28 The hosts looked set to prevent an Australian sweep when they were placed at 156 for 2 midway through the afternoon session, with Thilan Samaraweera (53) and Mahela Jayawardene (37) batting defiantly. But Warne changed the course of the match, taking four scalps for 26 runs off 13 overs in the last session which saw the hosts lose six wickets for 62 runs. He was brilliantly supported by part-time left-arm spinner Darren Lehmann, who lived up to his reputation of breaking stubborn partnerships to finish with 3 for 42. Scoreboard Australia (1st innings): 401 Sri Lanka (1st innings): 407 Australia (2nd innings): 375 Sri Lanka (2nd innings): Atapattu b Kasprowicz 14 Jayasuriya c Katich b Lehmann 51 Samaraweera st Gilchrist
Jayawardene c Gilchrist
Sangakkara b Warne 27 Dilshan c Martyn b Warne 31 Tillakaratne lbw b Gillespie 17 Vaas lbw b Warne 9 Zoysa b Warne 1 Herath lbw b Kasprowicz 0 Muralitharan not out 0 Extras:
(b-4, lb-1, nb-2, w-1) 8 Total: (all out, 93.4 overs) 248 Fall of wickets:
1-45, 2-92, 3-156, 4-181, 5-191, 6-232, 7- 245, 8-247, 9-248. Bowling:
Gillespie 18-6-38-1, Kasprowicz 16.4-5-37-2, Warne 33-11-92-4, Williams 5-0-19-0, Lehmann 17-2-42-3, Katich 4-1-15-0.
— AFP |
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Murali reported for
suspect action Colombo, March 28 Sri Lanka team manager Ajith Jayasekera said: “I was called this morning to the match referee’s office and Chris Broad told me that he had some bad news and that he would be reporting Muralitharan for the ball that goes the other way.” “We broke the news to the team and Murali at the end of play. He was very disappointed, but Murali does not think he has a problem with this delivery.” Muralitharan possesses a lethal leg spinner, which spins in the opposite direction to his stock ball. He will now start the ICC’s new streamlined two-stage process for dealing with bowlers with suspect actions.
— Reuters |
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Styris anchors struggling Kiwis
Wellington, March 28 New Zealand, who had looked in danger of handing the game to South Africa at 111 for five, had a lead of 109 when bad light stopped play five overs early. The home team began their second innings with a 19-run deficit after South Africa collapsed in their first innings to 316. New Zealand seamer Chris Martin followed up his 11 wickets in the second Test with a five-wicket haul as the tourists, resuming at 237 for three, lost their last seven wickets for the addition of 79 runs. Scoreboard New Zealand (1st innings: 297 South Africa first innings: Smith b Cairns 47 Gibbs c sub b Martin 77 Rudolph not out 93 Kirsten c McCullum
b Martin 1 Van Jaaarsveld c Oram
Kallis c McCullum
Boucher c Papps
Pollock c Fleming b Oram 5 Boje b Cairns 25 Ntini c McCullum b Cairns 4 Nel c Oram b Cairns 0 Extras:
(nb-4, lb-1) 5 Total: (99.5 overs) 316 Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-130, 3-136, 4-252, 5-265, 6-265, 7-270, 8-304, 9-308. Bowling: Martin 20-6-55-5, Mason 16-4-73-0, Oram 11-3-21-1, Vettori 26-6-76-0, Cairns 16.5-2-60-4, Styris 10-4-30-0. New
Zealand (2nd innings): Papps lbw b Pollock 0 Richardson c Smith b Boje 37 Fleming c Boucher b Nel 9 Sinclair lbw b Pollock 21 Styris not out 41 McCullum b Boje 3 Cairns not out 7 Extras (lb-4 b-1 w-2 nb-3) 10 Total
(5 wkts) 128 FoW: 1-1, 2-42, 3-73, 4-107, 5-111. Bowling: Pollock 15-9-31-2, Ntini 11.4-3-28-0, Nel 12-4-24-1, Boje 21-6-40-2. —
Reuters |
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Mumbai tighten grip on final Chennai, March 28 TN (1st innings): 294 Mumbai (1st innings): Mane c Karthik b
Jaffer c and b Suresh 133 Thakkar Lbw
Mazumdar batting 119 Kambli c Srinivas
Joglekar C Karthik
Bahutule batting 64 Extras:
27 Total: (5 wkts) 513 Fall of wickets: 1/243, 2/257, 3/266, 4/379, 5/382 Bowling:
Ganapathy 27-2-111-1, Srinivas 22-9-61-0, Ramkumar 35-7-103-0, Suresh 22-4-67-2, Sivaramakrishnan 34-5-92-0, Sriram 11-2-17-0, Badrinath 17-2-51-2, Badani 2-0-2-0.
— PTI |
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India held by Bangladesh Rawalpindi, March 28 The Indian side, consisting of only under-19 boys, today took time to get into rhythm after surviving some anxious moments in the first half. They, however, came back and dominated the proceedings in the later part of the second half. India could have earned full points if their linkman Malswam Tulunga and skipper Gourmangi Singh could have converted chances they got in the 64th and 81st minutes respectively. Bangladesh also had a couple of chances to forge ahead which their frontliners bungled. They were also unlucky as in the 17th minute a powerful drive from near the top of the box by Mehdi Hasan, who replaced medio Abdullah Pervej in the second half, hit the cross piece in the 62nd minute.
— UNI
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Mamat rallies to lift Indian Open title New Delhi, March 28 His 7-under 65 today, after getting off the block with two consecutive birdies, set the tone, and he did not look back. Mamat, a Singaporean Muslim of Malay origin, was a caddy for several years before he became an amateur. He continued in that status for five years, before turning a professional in 1994. He has been playing excellent golf of late, as he had finished a creditable tenth in the tough Caltex Masters at the home turf in Singapore last week. Overnight leader Pablo Del Olmo of Mexico, who enjoyed a three-stroke lead over Mamat, had to settle for the runner-up berth with a card of 13-under 275 to bag $33,090. Mo Joong Kyung of Korea shared the third slot with Keith Horne of South Africa, who had topped the leaderboard on the first two days, with scores of 10-under 278. They received $ 16,537 each. Mukesh Kumar of India played a 2-under 70 today for a total of 9-under 279 to share the fifth position with Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, who was lying at the fourth position yesterday. They collected $11037 each. Mukesh was placed seventh, along with four others, at close yesterday. Mukesh, who had scores of 67,71,71 on the first three days, carded 2-Under 70 to improve his position. Another Indian, Firoz Ali, too finished among the top ten when he ended seventh with an 8-under 280. |
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Ludhiana
college clinch PTU sports meet trophy Fatehgarh Sahib, March 28 Dr D.S. Hira, Chairman of PTU sports council, said this evening the GNIMT, Ludhiana, won the athletic meet trophy for women and GNE, Ludhiana, clinched the men’s trophy. This year BBSBE College coordinated all sports competition of the university. He said the college would host day-night tournaments of basketball, and lawn tennis next month The following are results of various events: Men: 10,000 m:
Devinder Singh (BBSBEC, Fatehgarh Sahib) 1; Vikram (SBBSIET,Adampur) 2. 1500 m: 1. Navdeep Singh (RIMT, Mandi Gobindgarh) 1; Jaswinder Singh (GTBIMT, Dakha) 2; Bikramjit Singh (IET, Bhaddal) 3. 400 m: Ravinder Singh (LLIET, Moga) 1; Inder Navjot Singh ( LLIET, Moga) 2; Manpreet (GNE, Ludhiana) 3. 100 m and 200 m: Hitesh (GZS, Bathinda) 1; Alampreet Singh (LLIET, Moga) 2; Mandeep (GZS, Bathinda) 3. 400 m hurdle: Ravinder Singh (LLIET, Moga) 1; Sandeep Singh (GNE, Ludhiana) 2; Prabjot Singh (GNE, Ludhiana) 3. 110 m hurdle: Ravinder Singh (LLIET, Moga) 1; Sandeep Singh (GNE, Ludhiana) 2; Gurpreet Randhawa 3. Relay 4X 100:
LLIET, Moga 1; GNE, Ludhiana 2; GZS, Bathinda 3. Triple Jump:
Ravinder Singh (LLIET, Moga) 1; Pranav(Chitkara, Patiala) 2; Jaspreet (GNE, Ludhiana) 3. Javelin throw:
Zarawar Rana(LLIET, Moga) 1; Mavneet (IET, Bhaddal) 2; Gurwinder (DAVIET, Jalandhar ) 3. Pole
vauet: Bikramjit Singh 1; Pardeep Singh (both from GNE, Ludhiana) 2. Hammer throw: Prabjot Singh (GNE, Ludhina) 1; Gulsher Singh (GNE, Ludhiana) 2; Jarnail Singh 3. Shot put: Hammer Singh (IET, Bhaddal) 1; Amanpreet Singh (SSIET, Dera Bassi) 2; Deepinder Singh (GNE, Ludhiana) 3. Women: 1500 m: Princee (DAVIET, Jalandhar) 1; Harpreet (GNIMT, Ludhiana) 2; Amander Kaur (GNE, Ludhiana) 3. 400m: Navneet (GNMIT, Ludhiana) 1; Harpreet (GNMIET, Ludhiana) 2; Surbi (MIMIT, Malout) 3. 200 m: Rupinder (Ramgrahic Enginnering College, Phagwara 1; Simranjit (GNIMT, Ludhiana) 2; Ritu (MIMIT, Malout) 3. 100 m: Rupinder (Ramgarhic Enginnering College, Phagwara) 1; Simarjit Kaur (GNMIET, Ludhiana) 2; Gaganpreet (GGSCET, Talwandi Sabho) 3. 100 m hurdle: Navneet (GNIMT, Ludhiana) 1; Ritu, (MIMT, Malout) 2; Harpreet (GNIMT, Ludhiana) 3. Relay 4X100: GNIMT Ludhiana 1; GNE, Ludhiana 2; DAVIET, Jalandhar 3. High jump: Navneet (GIMET, Ludhiana) 1; Jasminder(RIET, Railmajra) 2; Jaspreet(IET, Bhaddal) 3. Long Jump: Simrat (GNIMT, Ludhiana) 1; Rupinder (Ramgrahia, Phagwara) 2; Gursharan Kaur (GNE, Ludhiana) 3.
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