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Inzamam insists on positive approach
Pakistan will start series on equal footing: Woolmer
Naved hopes to mature on tour
PCB’s reservation over Dalai Lama
inaugurating match
Tibetan youth excited about cricket match
It will be a historic
match: Mankotia
Smith ton sets up SA victory
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Hyderabad crush HP by an innings
Anand held to a draw
JCT face SBT today
India make clean sweep
PSB, IA win
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Inzamam insists on positive approach
Karachi, February 27 The 35-year old from Multan, who would reach the three-figure mark in the third Test at Bangalore, said his players needed to shed the negative mindset and firmly believe they could win in India. “I am thinking positive for the Indian series because you get what you think. I have not allowed anything negative to pollute my mind and that is what I have been insisting to my boys,” the Pakistan skipper said from Lahore. “I mean, why think that we cannot beat India when we can beat India,” Inzamam said of his team on the eve of their departure. “If we start the tour thinking we cannot win, we will always remain negative and will never be able to convert half chances into full chances,” he said. “The key to success on the Indian tour will be positive approach,” he said. Typical of him, Inzamam said he was not aware of the personal landmark until being told now. After a dozen years on the pitch, Inzamam might fall agonisingly short of that magic batting figure — an average of 50 in Test cricket. But an average of 48.97 for 7052 runs in 97 matches, not to forget 10,631 runs in 336 one-dayers at 39.66, combined with an impressive strike rate of 73.90, made Inzamam a truly modern great. But the Sleeping Giant, nicknamed after his lazy elegance with the bat and slow movements on the field, said any landmark would be worthwhile only if served the team’s purpose. “I have not thought about it,” he said. “But if you ask my immediate reaction, then I would like to score a century in that game and help Pakistan win the Test,” he added. “That is how I can make it a memorable Test for myself,” said Inzamam. “At Bangalore, I will dedicate my 100 Tests to my family, who have been right behind all through my career. There have been tough times when I was in headlines for the wrong reasons and days when I was not performing,” he added. “But they stood right behind me, supported me and helped me continue with the sport I love the most,” he added. The burly batsman said he had been disturbed and disappointed with the statements of some former cricketers, who had given Pakistan not a chance in the coming series. “I think they have lost a lot of respect in cricket circles and in the Pakistan dressing room,” he said. “The team needs support and confidence boosting ahead of such a big tour rather than criticism and backlashing,” he said. “The boys are determined to prove them wrong on the tour,” said Inzamam.
— PTI |
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Pakistan will start series on equal footing: Woolmer
Karachi, February 27 Woolmer, born in Uttar Pradesh city of Kanpur the same year when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, might have nothing to prove after transforming South Africa into a world beating side in the 1990s and the art of coaching with his laptop savvy ways. But the former England Test batsman and South African first-class cricketer needs some quick results on the field to silence the growing calls for his head after the team's recent disastrous showing Down Under. Woolmer, however, was stoic in his expectations of the 50-day tour when Pakistan play three Tests and six one-day internationals against their arch-rivals. "For me, the importance of this series is to keep improving and hopefully get the right results because of it. My growth as a coach will not be dependent on the results but my growth as a coach is about finding ways of means of making players do better," the 56-year-old said. Woolmer believed that despite the home advantage, Pakistan would start the series on equal footing with the Indians. "The home team always starts off as a favourite. It always happens this way. But there will be a lot of pressure on the Indians to do well. We can go there and surprise them. "I am looking forward to a good tour. Like any Test series, I think, the two teams will start equal. The best side on the five days will prevail." Woolmer, who replaced Javed Miandad in June last year, has yet to guide Pakistan to a series win which has encouraged his detractors to call for his head. He would do very well to remember that Miandad lost his two-year contract halfway through after India beat them 2-1 in Tests and 3-2 in one-dayers at home last year. When asked what South Africa did in 2000 to beat India 2-0 in Test when he was the coach, Woolmer said the touring side had the wherewithal to win on docile subcontinent pitches. "They had a very strong allround team. I think we are growing as a team. But I do think that we can compete and as I said, every team starts 50-50 on that day." Woolmer did not go into the gameplans to contain the strong Indian batting line up but defended England's Ashley Giles tactics of bowling on the leg stump to Sachin Tendulkar in 2002. "I think there are certain times in any game when one has to go on the defensive. You can't always attack in the game. "In a day's game in Test cricket when two batsmen start getting runs, then you have to slow them down and force them to make mistakes. That is a tactic that has been used in Test cricket for years now," Woolmer explained.
— PTI |
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Karachi, February 27
I am confident that this tour will help me mature as a cricketer and I will be able to permanently cement my place as a genuine fast bowler in the Test team,” the 27-year-old said from Lahore as Pakistan prepared to leave for India on their first tour in six years. Naved burst into the international scene with his one-day debut against Sri Lanka at Sharjah immediately after the World Cup, when Pakistan dropped eight players after the first-round exit. He also played two Tests, but more importantly, had been given a lead role in the absence of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, down with a hamstring injury. “India will be a great learning place because I will be playing against the best, from whom I have an excellent opportunity to learn. The wickets will make me think and push me to keep trying something different,” Naved, who had taken 33 wickets in 22 one-day internationals, said. “I can say the wickets will have low bounce and they will be slow. It will be a different experience because I will be coming after bowling in bouncy and quicker Australian tracks,” he said. “In Australia, I wished I would get Brian Lara and my dream came true. Now I am praying to get a few top Indian batsmen’s wickets, including Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar,” Naved said. “Rahul is my favourite batsmen while Sachin is a great batsman. It will be a personal satisfaction if I manage to get their wickets,” he said. The Sheikhupura-born Naved, respected in Pakistan cricket circles because of his commitment and dedication, said he was delighted to be bestowed with the responsibility of sharing the new ball in India. Naved said he had heard that fast bowlers hunted in pairs, but added that he was too early in his career to form a pair. “May be, this tour will give me my partner. I have not set high goals for myself on the Indian tour. My ambition is to get early Indian wickets and have a lion’s share in Pakistan’s performance on the tour. A wicket that helps Pakistan win the Test will be better than a bagful of wickets in a lost Test,” he said. Besides performance in the field, Naved said he would like to utilise free time in sight-seeing and visiting historical places.
— PTI |
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PCB’s reservation over Dalai Lama inaugurating match
Karachi, February 27 The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, the host for the three-day tour opener, had announced a couple of days ago that Dalai Lama would inaugurate the match. “BCCI conveyed to Shaharyar that it was not its decision to invite Dalai Lama to inaugurate the match and that this was done by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association,” the source said. Shaharyar also asked the BCCI to be very selective while confirming future engagements of the Pakistan team on the tour, the paper said.
— PTI |
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Tibetan youth excited about cricket match
Dharamsala, February 27 In and around McLeodganj, Tibetans have cricket teams, like Tibetan Community Village (TCV) schools’ team, Bir settlement team, medical institute team and library team. Cricket matches are organised to celebrate Dalai Lama’s birthday. Last year eight teams participated in a tournament held in upper TCV. “Teachers of all TCVs have their teams and enjoy playing cricket. I was a spinner for the TCV in Bir during my stint in school. The Tibetan community loves to watch the game even if they do not play it,” says Mr Tenzin Damdul, a Central Tibetan Administration official. The fact that Dalai Lama will inaugurate the match will ensure that a large number of Tibetans come to watch it. Mr Tenam, who has recently retired from the Department of Information, says he has won several matches for his library team as a fast bowler. “We have grown up watching players like Kapil Dev. I was in school when he steered India to the World Cup win in 1983. I remember skipping my dinner to listen to radio commentary when he made 175 against Zimbabwe,” he says. “One of our team members even broke his TV set some years back when India lost a big match to Pakistan,” he adds. Mr Tenzin Tsultrum, a local youth, says since the match will be telecast live, he will bring banners to highlight the Tibetan cause. “The presence of Dalai Lama will make the point. I wanted to come on all three days, but the match is not on a week-end,” he says. “I wanted to see Shoaib Akhtar and Irfan Pathan bowl, but unfortunately, both of them are not coming. But the Pakistani captain will be worth watching. We hope that the home team will win the match,” says Jigme, who runs a restaurant. The absence of a big ground in McLeodganj, he adds, is a major hurdle in organising big matches. “That is why TCVs are actually the hub of cricket in McLeodganj. All my friends have bought tickets for the match and plan to watch it on all three days. Some of them will watch a big international match for the first time,” he says. |
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It will be a historic
match: Mankotia
Dharamsala, February 27 Talking to mediapersons here today, he said that he had ensured that the teams get a taste of the state’s warm hospitality. "The programme would feature traditional music and folk dances amidst a large number of cricket fans to give the teams a glimpse of Himachal’s rich tradition," he said. Appreciating the efforts of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), he said that the Dharamsala stadium was one of the most beautiful stadia in the world and the association would not have to try hard to get one-day internationals (ODIs) hosted here once the BCCI officials get to see the stadium. "It would be a historic match considering that this would be the first international match to be played in Himachal and also because the Dalai Lama would be inaugurating it. It is a matter of pride for the state," he said. Asked if the fact that the HPCA president, Mr Anurag Thakur, was the son of BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal, was making it difficult for the Congress to completely associate itself with the event, he said that due credit should be given to those who got the match. "Politics should not be mixed with sports," he said. |
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Durban, February 27 Smith top scored, hitting five fours and a six. South Africa needed the captain's steadying influence after they slipped to 67 for three in the 15th over. South Africa won the first game in the three-match series by 165 runs in Johannesburg on Friday. Smith and Herschelle Gibbs (75) shared a fourth wicket stand of 134 off 137 balls as South Africa recovered from a shaky start. They were 67 for three when the pair came together in the 15th over. Smith made his runs off 129 balls with five fours and four sixes, while Gibbs faced 73 balls and hit eight fours and a six. Scoreboard South Africa Smith c Masakadza b Rogers 117 Bacher c sub b Mpofu 18 Morkel c Taibu b Mpofu 2 Rudolph c Utseya b Masakadza 7 Gibbs c and b Rogers 75 Prince c Williams b Mpofu 30 Kemp not out 53 Boucher not out 3 Extras:
(lb-8, w-16) 24 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 329 Fall of wickets:
1-49, 2-57, 3-67, 4-201, 5-256, 6-288. Bowling: Panyangara 3.4-0-12-0, Mpofu 9-0-59-3, Masakadza 7.2-0-45-1, Ewing 10-0-44-0, Matsikenyeri 6-0-39-0, Utseya 6-0-60-0, Rogers 8-0-62-2. Zimbabwe: Matsikenyeri c Kemp Rogers c Boje b Morkel 47 Masakadza c Bacher b Boje 20 Maregwede b Bacher 13 Taylor c Morkel Boje 23 Taibu c Hall b Bacher 16 Williams not out 33 Ewing c Boje b Hall 12 Utseya not out 4 Extras
(lb-1 w-10 nb-3) 14 Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 198 Fall of wickets:
1-71 2-80 3-103 4-117 5-133 6-164 Bowling: Hall 9-2-27-1 (w-6), Langeveldt 8-0-41-0 (nb-2 w-4), Morkel 7-0-27-2, Kemp 6-1-20-0 (nb-1), Boje 10-0-46-2, Bacher 10-0-36-2.
— Reuters |
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Hyderabad crush HP by an innings
Mumbai, February 27 After Hyderabad declared their first innings at the overnight score of 387 for eight off 121 overs, the Himachal
batsmen, barring Paras Dogra who remained not out on 107, failed to show any resistance against some very accurate bowling. The highest partnership in the Himachal second innings was a 51-run association for the ninth wicket between Dogra and Moinder Sharma (13). The next highest partnership was of 38 runs for the last wicket between Dogra and Varun Mishra (10) before the former ran out of partners. Himachal had made 174 in their first innings. For Hyderabad, seamers Kaushik Reddy (two for 37) and Alfred Absolom (two for 38) and spinners Pragyan Ojha (two for 72) and P S Niranjan (two for 51) were among wickets while Satwinder Dhariwal and Mishra were run out. Brief scores: Himachal Pradesh 174 and 205 all out (P. Dogra 107 not out, K Reddy two for 37, A Absolom two for 38, P. Ojha two for 72, P.S. Niranjan two for 51); Hyderabad 387 for eight declared (A T Rayudu 104, I Khaleel 87, A. Kumar 51, P.S. Niranjan 47, P.S. Bharath Kumar 35).
— PTI |
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Anand held to a draw
Linares, February 27 In other matches, world championship finalist Michael Adams of England defeated local hope Francisco Pons Vallejo for his first victory and Bulgarian Veselin Topalov split points with Corus champion Peter Leko in a keenly contested game. After four rounds, Anand and Russian Garry Kasparov were at the top of the table on 2.5 points from four games. They were followed by Kasimdzhanov, Topalov, Leko and Adams with 2 points each from as many games. Francisco Pons Vallejo had so far managed just half-a-point from three games.
— PTI |
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JCT face SBT today
Ludhiana, February 27 The home side which has faired well in its home matches is enjoying an upperhand. During the Federation Cup at Bangalore in December, JCT Mills had prevailed over the SBT, Trivandrum 2-1. The home team routed the Churchill Bros 3-0 and in their last outing against Tollygunge Agragami of Kolkata here on February 23, JCT Mills players, after trailing most of the time, rallied to hold them to a on-one draw. Whereas, the SBT, Trivandrum, in their last match agaisnt Mahindra United, Mumbai, had gone down 1-3. Talking to The Tribune, Jiju Jacob, manager of the SBT said that they would take on the home side without star player, Sylvester Ignasias who had to return home as his father was not well. “However, we would try to give tough fight to the our rivals at their home ground,” Jiju said. He added that Abdul Hakim, MP Pradeep and Shabir Ali would be their main players on whom all their hopes rest to earn atleast one point. It was difficult to beat JCT Mills on their home ground, he admitted. Meanwhile, giving details of the strategy against the visitors, Sukhwinder Singh, coach of the JCT Mills said that the SBT outfit was a good side with some fine players in their ranks. “We would try to give our best tomorrow to match the visitors,” Singh added. |
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India make clean sweep
New Delhi, February 27 Verma and Malik shot a level-par 72 and one-over 73, respectively, for a two-day team total of two-over 290, seven strokes ahead of the second-placed India A team of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Simarjeet Singh. At two strokes behind on 299 were India’s
A.S. Lehal and Vikrant Chopra, with the latter hitting an impressive score of three-under 69, which was the best score, to enable the team finish third. Bangladesh finished fourth, thanks mainly to a vastly improved performance by Md Hosen Mea, who returned a card of four-over 76 today. |
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PSB, IA win
New Delhi, February 27 For Punjab and Sind Bank, Navpreet Singh, who opened the account, scored two goals while Baljit Singh Chandi slotted home the third goal. Len Aiyappa scored a consolation goal off a penalty corner after the winners had taken a comfortable 3-0 lead. Navpreet Singh was adjudged the man of the match. |
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Karachi, February 27
