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India on verge of crushing victory
Zaheer makes batting record
Spain lift trophy
Pak beat India, claim bronze
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Rach on his way out?
Abbas, Waseem Ahmed call it a day
Equal honours on rogues list too
Sahgal Studs triumph
Titanium record second win
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India on verge of crushing victory
Dhaka, December 12 Left-arm seamer Pathan ripped through the top order to leave Bangladesh reeling on 170 for eight in their second innings on the third day, the hosts still needing 172 runs to avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat. Pathan's effort came on the back of a record 10th wicket partnership between Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan which enabled India to post a mammoth 526 in the first innings. While Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 248, Zaheer (75) claimed a world record for scoring the maximum number of runs as the number eleven batsman. At stumps, the hosts were 170 for eight with Manjural Islam's maiden unbeaten 50 allowing them to live another day. Tapash Baisya was the other not out batsman on 17. Pathan, who had grabbed his first ever five-wicket haul on the opening day, blew away the top order with his lethal swing bowling to claim five for 31 and his first 10-wicket haul ever. Opening batsman Nafis Iqbal struck a defiant 54 that lifted Bangladesh from 36 for five but Anil Kumble (2/42) and Harbhajan Singh (1/44) sliced through the lower order. The platform for victory was set up by Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan who added 133 runs for the last wicket, which bettered the previous Indian record of 109 between Ghulam Ahmed and Hemu Adhikari against Pakistan at Delhi in 1952-53. Tendulkar, who registered a record equalling 34th Test hundred yesterday, converted it to his personal best of 248 but it was the number eleven Zaheer who stole the show with his world record knock. Zaheer's hurricane knock, that lasted 115 balls and was studded with eight fours and two sixes, was the highest for any batsman playing at that position. The previous best for a number eleven batsman was 68 not out by Richard Collinge of New Zealand at Auckland in 1972-73. Zaheer survived a close leg before decision and also earned a reprieve on seven when Mohammad Rafique at cover allowed a simple skier slip through his fingers. The 25-year old Baroda player made the most of it as he hoisted the left arm spin of Rafique twice over midwicket. His use of the long handle was also effective against the medium pacers whom he dispatched to all area of the park with disdain. Bangladesh once again failed to lift their fielding standards. After grassing three catches of Tendulkar, they gave the record-breaking batsman one more life by messing up a simple run out chance when he was on 192. Earlier, resuming at 348 for seven, the overnight pair of Tendulkar and Anil Kumble were little troubled by the Bangladesh seamers. The same set of bowlers, who had bowled with vigour at the start of Indian innings yesterday, lacked the spring in the foot steps as runs kept flowing freely. There was a comedy of errors when Tendulkar and Kumble were stranded in the middle of the pitch while attempting a second run. The former escaped as wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud failed to gather the throw from squareleg. And when he whipped the bails, not only the batsman was home but Kumble too was running towards the same end. Mashud's throw to the non-striker's end was wide and the close decision was referred to the third umpire who gave the benefit of doubt to Kumble. It was Mashrafe Mortaza, the 21-year old right arm pacer, who finally gave the team the breakthrough. Kumble, after being beaten repeatedly outside the off, dragged a full length delivery on to his stumps, his one run consuming 32 minutes and 16 balls. Tendulkar then brought up his fourth Test double ton, as also India's 400, with a swept four to midwicket off left arm spinner Mohammad Rafique. The star batsman's 248 not out contained 35 fours and came off 552 minutes and 379 balls. Pathan, who had picked 5-45 in the hosts' first innings, then blasted the Bangladesh top order. Scoreboard Bangladesh (1st Innings): 184 India (1st innings): Gambhir run out 35 Sehwag LBW b Baisya 13 Dravid b Mortaza 0 Tendulkar not out 248 Ganguly b Baisya 71 Laxman LBW b Rafique 32 Kaarthick c Mortaza b Rahman 25 Pathan c Rahman b Rafique 5 Kumble b Mortaza 1 Harbhajan c Bashar b Rahman 8 Zaheer c Mashud b Ashraful 75 Extras
(b 2, lb 11) 13 Total (all out, 136.4 overs) 526 Fall Of Wickets:
1-19, 2-24, 3-68, 4-232, 5-291, 6-339, 7-348, 8-368, 9-393. Bowling:
Tapash Baisya 29-4-114-2, Mashrafe Mortaza 31-8-125-2, Mushfiqur Rahman 24-4-104-2, Mohammad Rafique 40-9-113-2, Manjural Islam Rana 12-1-55-0, Mohammad Ashraful 0.4-0-2-1. Bangladesh (2nd innings): Omar lbw b Pathan 4 Iqbal lbw b Kumble 54 Bashar c Zaheer b Pathan 12 Saleh lbw b Pathan 0 Ashraful lbw b Pathan 0 Mashud c Kaarthick b Pathan 5 Islam batting 50 Rahman c Dravid b Harbhajan 6 Rafique c Sehwag b Kumble 11 Baisya batting 17 Extras
(lb-5, w-2, nb-4) 11 Total (for 8 wkts in 48 overs) 170 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-24, 3-24, 4-24, 5-36, 6-100, 7-117, 8-133. Bowling:
Irfan Pathan 12-5-31-5, Zaheer Khan 11-2-48-0, Anil Kumble 13-4-42-2, Harbhajan Singh 12-3-44-1.
—PTI |
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Zaheer makes batting record
DHAKA: Zaheer Khan’s 75 runs against Bangladesh in the first Test at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today is a new world record for the highest individual score for a number 10 batsman in an innings in Test cricket.
He surpassed the New Zealander Richard Collinge’s record of 68 runs made against Pakistan at Auckland in 1972-73. Khan was out for 75 runs when he was stumped by Khaled Mashud off the bowling of Mohammad Ashraful. Khan and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar also partnered for 133 runs to best India’s highest 10th wicket partnership of 109 made by Gulam Ahmed and H.R. Adhikari against Pakistan in New Delhi in 1952-53.
— UNI
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Spain lift trophy
Lahore, December 12 Contrary to expectation, the Holland team went off steam while Spain came up with rare aggression and attacking game that simply left the 20,000-odd spectators spellbound. This was a skillful display of attack and creative hockey by Spain without giving much of chance to the Holland team. Spain drew first blood in the 18th minute of the match through Rodrigo Garzas penalty corner and managed to hold on to the lead till the end of the first half. At half time, Spain led 1-0. The second half saw Holland putting up some early fight as Taeka Taekama drew parity for his team through a penalty corner conversion, scoring his sixth goal of the tournament in the 42nd minute of the match 1-1. Spain gained lead once again when Santiago
Freixa, who was voted the FIH young player of the year, converted another penalty corner 2-1. Victor Solo increased Spain’s lead through a nice field goal in the 57th minute of the match 3-1 while Hollands Karel Klaver scored his seventh goal to become the highest scorer of the tournament to reduce the margin (3-2) three minutes later. The match went down to the wire but with a clear edge to Spain, who completely dominated the mid-field and launched attack at Holland’s defence at regular intervals. But Spain sealed the fate of the match 4-2 when Santiago scored his second goal of the match in the 61st minute.
— UNI Germany beat New Zealand
New Zealand were relegated from the elite six after suffering a 1-2 defeat against Germany in the classification match for the last two places in the Champions Trophy here on Sunday. Germany, who came up with the biggest upset of the competition with a win over defending champions Holland in their last league match on Friday, ended their campaign on a positive note after Florian Keller’s double strike ensured the victory for the side.
— PTI |
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Pak beat India, claim bronze
Lahore, December 12 The loss also dashed India’s hopes matching their best-ever finish in the elite six-nation event which had come in 1982 at Amstelveen, Holland. Sandeep Singh’s two goals did not prove enough for the eight-time Olympic champions as the hosts cruised through, riding on strikes by Sohail Abbas (4th minute), Rehan Butt (28th) and Mudassar Ali Khan (65th). The engrossing battle saw the home side finding the net twice to bounce back into the match after the Indians stunned the local supporters with a second minute goal. Pakistan enjoyed ball possession in the first minute but a defensive lapse gave an unexpected penalty corner to the Indians which was converted by Sandeep Singh with a drag flick. But India’s joy was shortlived as Pakistan bounced back just two minutes later with Sohail Abbas adding to his world record tally. Adrian D’Souza, who was fielded by coach Gerhard Rach after the goalkeeper recovered completely from the hamstring injury he had suffered two days back, had no clue to Abbas’ rasping shot that drew parity. D’Souza, who has had been quite effective in countering Abbas’ deadly drag flicks, did not do his usual stuff — charging out early — to stop the penalty corner specialist’s attempt at the post and that proved costly. India tried hard for the lead and almost scored a minute after conceding the goal but Tushar Khandekar hit over the bar after getting a pass inside the circle from Arjun Halappa. Both the teams made frantic efforts to take control of the proceedings. But neither side was able to find the back of the net despite coming close to scoring on a number of occasions. Between 18th to 20th minute of match, India made three attempts at the Pakistan post through Ignace Tirkey, Sandeep Michael and Arjun Halappa, but each time they were denied by goalkeeper Salman Akbar. Then it was the turn of Pakistan to intensify pressure on their rivals and in the process, they earned three more penalty corners. D’Souza, however, charged out early every time Abbas took the shot, thus denying the Pakistanis the chance to take the lead. The Pakistanis, however, did not have to wait for long to put another goal against their name as Rehan Butt ended his scoring drought by putting Pakistan in lead with a stunning field goal. Shakeel Abbasi, off a counter attack, took the ball inside the Indian circle before unleashing a powerful reverse shot which was deflected in by Butt. Pakistan appeared a much improved side in the second half with some purposeful play even though India battled hard to level the scores. The hosts swelled the lead further when they scored from a variation from their seventh penalty corner. After Abbas came up with a carpet shot, Mudassar Ali deflected in with a deft touch to send the big crowd in a frenzy. The two goal deficit frustrated the Indians who tried very hard to reduce the margin and were successful in their endeavour when Sandeep Singh converted the side’s fourth penalty corner. However, their efforts to get the equaliser were thwarted by a determined opposition.
— PTI |
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Rach on his way out?
Lahore, December 12 Rach also confirmed that he had got a message from the federation in this regard. “Yes, I have got a message from (K) Jothikumaran saying that the government is not happy with my work and the performance of the team and it does not want to spend money on me,” Rach told reporters here after his side’s 2-3 loss against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy bronze medal play-off. “We are leaving for India tomorrow and I will be meeting the IHF chief
(K.P.S. Gill) on Tuesday,” he said. Rach took over from Rajinder Singh just before the Olympics and was asked to be with the team till the end of the Champions Trophy even though he did not sign any contract with the
IHF. — PTI |
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Abbas, Waseem Ahmed call it a day
Lahore, December 12 “I have played enough for my country and it is now time for youngsters to take over,” said the 28-year-old who scored 274 goals during his seven-year career. “I am getting married in two week’s time and that will start a new chapter of my life,” said Sohail. Pakistan skipper Waseem Ahmed also announced his retirement from international
hockey. Waseem, who was recently appointed captain before the Test series against India, said he was vacating his slot for young players but that he would continue playing in the European league. “I have been playing for 13 years now. I think the time has come to say good bye to the game. I need some mental and physical rest,” the diminutive mid-fielder told reporters here. Wasim, who besides Sohail, was the only Pakistani to be included in the World XI which played against Holland in 1999 as part of the FIH’s 75th anniversary celebrations, said he would not mind coming back to the fold for the 2006 World Cup if the team needed him.
— PTI |
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Equal honours on rogues list too
Patiala, December 12 However, while the Indian contingent has accepted the result with grace with Chef-de-Mission Kartar Singh saying he had taken over possession of the medal of the wrestler who had tested positive for dope, the Pakistan contingent had refused to accept the verdict of the SAI lab. Purshottam Lal of Indian Punjab who defeated Umar Qaqub to wrest the bronze medal in the 76 kg category and a cyclist from Pakistan Punjab who won a gold medal but whose name is still not clear, have both tested positive for dope. Indian wrestler Purshottan did not display the best of sportsmanspirit after his medal winning round. He went missing for one-and-a-half hours before he was finally located by the committee responsible for taking his sample. Indian Chef-de-Mission Kartar Singh has, however, acted with alacrity by taking over possession of the medal of the wrestler. Purshottam still has a chance to get his “B” sample checked within a period of three months. While appearing before the dope testing committee Purshottam maintained his innocence and claimed that he had not taken any banned substance. Meanwhile both the Pakistan Punjab Olympic Association Secretary General Khwaja Idris and its Chef-de-Mission N. Ahmed Bhatti have refused the accept the report of the SAI laboratory. They have maintained that since the SAI laboratory is not recognised by the International Olympic Association, any test conducted by it cannot be acceptable to them. The Pak Chef-de-Mission has also made it clear that no ban would be imposed on the cyclist who has tested positive. Even as two more sportsmen have tested positive for dope, no action has been taken against cyclists Gurpreet and Kulwinder Kaur of the Indian contingent. Both the cyclists, who won six gold medals and one bronze medal between them, are still to return their medals despite a clear decision in this regard by the Punjab Olympic Association. The technical committee of the Indo-Pak Games had ruled two days back that the medals of the two girls should be taken back as they had tested positive for steriods during a national meet in Anandpur Sahib one month back. |
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Randhawa wins Volvo Masters
New Delhi, December 12 Randhawa slammed a 15-foot birdie putt in the second hole of a sudden-death shootout at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club to end the Asian Tour season on a glorious note. The Indian’s victory, worth $ 99,000, was his first success this year and prevented Pilkadaris from a third title in four months. The Aussie hauled himself into contention with an impressive seven-under-par 65 in the final round but Randhawa forced a play-off by holing an eight-foot birdie at the par five 18th in regulation en route to a 67, according to information received here. Overnight co-leaders Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand and Wang Ter-chang of Chinese Taipei shared third place after an identical 72 while Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, last year’s Volvo Masters of Asia winner, finished fifth which was enough for him to lift the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown. In the play-off, Randhawa and Pilkadaris birdied the first extra hole, played on the 18th. Pilkadaris looked to have wrapped it up by setting up a seven-foot birdie chance while Randhawa sent his chip well past the flag. But in a stunning turnaround, the Indian star rolled home his putt and with the pressure on, Pilkadaris agonisingly missed his attempt, bringing an end to the gripping contest. Pilkadaris, whose wife Monique was on caddying duties here, was in hot form as he surged into contention with a seven birdie round. Thai star Thongchai sealed the Order of Merit title comfortably in his title defence of the Volvo Masters of Asia. In total, he won $ 381,929 from nine tournaments, which is a new record for money won in a single season. Randhawa finished second with $ 351,709 while Simon Yates of Scotland was third on the ranking with $ 310,988. Among the other Indians in the fray, Rahil Ganjee and Jeev Milkha Singh finished ninth with a total of 282. Harmeet Kahlon came 30th while Amandeep Johl and Gaurav Ghei finished 39th and 41st, respectively.
— PTI |
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Sahgal Studs triumph
Patiala, December 12 The match, which was witnessed by the Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and the elite of the city, turned out to be a keenly contested one with the first three chukkers producing intense polo. Level 6-6 till the end of the third chukker the verdict was finally reached in at the end of the fourth and last chukker when Sahgal Studs finally managed to win the tie 8-6. |
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Titanium record second win
New Delhi, December 12 In another match, Bengal and Mumbai Football Club (Mumbai) drew goalless against Jammu and Kashmir Bank. |
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