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Dhoni’s hairstyle gets Presidential approval
Harbhajan, Sehwag to return home
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Shoaib out because of injury: Haq
England cricket team arrives in Mumbai
Murali will bounce back: Moody
Popat to play in Uber Cup
Bhutia to lead
Bikram completes golden double
Samresh bags third gold
Gujarat win
Nakamura crashes out
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Dhoni’s blitz sinks Pak
Lahore, February 13 Chasing a stiff target of 289, Sachin Tendulkar laid the platform with a classy 95 before Dhoni took centrestage with his audacious strokeplay to take India home with 14 balls to spare in a thrilling encounter under lights at the Gaddafi Stadium. Dhoni's 46-ball knock and his 102-run association for the sixth wicket with Yuvraj Singh (79 not out) turned the tide for India who were in a spot of bother at 190 for five at one stage and needed more than seven runs an over. The Indian dressing room erupted in joy as Dhoni hooked Abdul Razzaq to the boundary to give India the winning runs, proving that they had the batting depth to chase huge totals. The visitors finished on 292 for five in 47.4 overs to overhaul Pakistan's total which was built on a sparkling 120-ball 108 by Shoaib Malik. Dhoni, declared man of the match, slammed 13 fours in his blitzkrieg that took the wind out of Pakistan's sails and brought much cheer to the thousands of Indian supporters who had crossed the border to catch the action. The successful run-chase by the visitors before a vociferous crowd, which included Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, stunned the home supporters to silence after the hosts had reduced India to 12 for 2 to raise visions of a win. The Gaddafi Stadium again proved lucky for India as they had clinched the one-day series in their last tour of Pakistan in 2004 at this very venue. It was India's fourth triumph in the last nine ODIs against Pakistan. The Indians were helped by some shoddy display in the field and some wayward bowling in the death overs. Dhoni's cracker of an innings, his fourth ODI fifty in 33 ties, settled the issue well ahead of time when Pakistan were sniffing a victory after Tendulkar's departure with India needing 100 runs in the last 16 overs. The wicketkeeper, who burst into limelight after his blistering knock of 148 in the Vishakapatnam one-day last year against Pakistan, simply took the match away from Pakistan's grasp in the last ten overs after coming in at the fall of Mohammed Kaif's wicket, India 190 for five in the 35th over. Before his advent to the crease, Tendulkar and Yuvraj were involved in a stand of 105 runs in 94 balls before Tendulkar and Kaif fell in the space of only five balls to throw the match wide open. The unbroken stand between Dhoni and Yuvraj, who faced 87 balls and hit 10 fours, was worth 102 runs and came off just 72 balls to simply leave the home team fans dazed. Earlier put in to bat, Pakistan recovered from 158 for six riding on Shoaib Malik’s 108 in 120 balls with 11 fours and a six, and Abdul Razzaq’s unbeaten 64 (seven fours and two sixes in 56 balls). Malik benefited from a dropped slip catch by Gautam Gambhir when on 12 in the 10th over, one of three slip catches that were grassed early in the Pakistan innings, to play the sheet-anchor role in superb style. The youngster, in splendid form in the series having scored 90 and 95 in the first two games, rallied the home team in the company of Razzaq with a rollicking 86-run seventh wicket stand. Razzaq slammed seven fours and two sixes, both off Irfan Pathan in the 49th over, as Pakistan finally set the visitors a stiff asking rate. The batsman’s 50 came off only 51 balls with six fours and two sixes as Pakistan finished the innings on a rousing note, with 89 coming off the last 10 overs. India started their run-chase on the wrong note by losing their first two wickets, that of opener Gautam Gambhir (2) and Irfan Pathan (0) in the space of three balls with only 12 on the board, both falling to India's bowling scourge of the tour, Mohammed Asif. Gambhir, opening the innings after being included in the eleven in place of the injured Virender Sehwag, was bowled off his pad as he opened his leg stump to turn Asif. Pathan was surprised by a perfect bouncer which he tried to fend off his face and gloved the ball to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to leave the tourists on a shaky 12 for 2. This brought skipper Rahul Dravid together with Tendulkar and the duo weathered a fine six-over opening spell from Asif, during which the pacer made the ball lift and move off the seam, and Umar Gul. This was a crucial phase of the innings as another wicket at this stage would have put the visitors under added pressure. Both Dravid and Tendulkar, who scored 100 and 42 in the first two ODIs of the series, played each ball on merit and saw off the difficult period. Their patience paid off as the first and second change bowlers went for easy runs with Naved ul Hasan Rana and Yasir Arafat being punished by Tendulkar, who played the pull and cut shots very well. The third wicket partnership was broken after the duo added 72 runs in 99 balls, Tendulkar crossing fifty in 60 balls with eight fours and a slashed six over third man off Rana, through a run-out that sent back Dravid. It was Tendulkar's 72nd half century in his 361st ODI. The Indian skipper played Rana to mid-on and set off for a sharp run, and fielder Gul hit the non-striker's end stumps with a direct throw with Dravid short of the crease. He faced 42 balls in making 22 with four fours. Yuvraj looked in very good touch from the beginning and started punching the ball straight and to the covers with perfect timing to ease the pressure off Tendulkar. When the two were together during their 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket off 94 balls, with Yuvraj reaching his half century in only 49 balls with 8 fours in the process, things looked very rosy for India. Pakistan captain Inzamam brought back Asif to try and end this partnership and it was Abdul Razzaq, his old nemesis, who effected the breakthrough just when Tendulkar was looking all set to notch his 40th ODI century. The maestro struck Razzaq, who claimed his wicket at Rawalpindi too, for two fours -- a pull and a majestic straight drive -- before cutting the all rounder straight to backward point fielder, substitute Imran Farhat, and depart to the roar of the packed gathering. Scoreboard Pakistan Butt c Gambhir b Pathan 0 Afridi c Kaif b Pathan 19 Akmal c Pathan b R.P. Singh 34 Malik c Dravid b Pathan 108 Yousuf c Dhoni b R.P. Singh 1 Haq c Dhoni b Tendulkar 16 Younis c Dhoni b R.P. Singh 16 Razzaq not out 64 Naved-ul-Hasan run out 7 Arafat not out 1 Extras
(lb-5, w-11, nb-6) 22 Total (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 288 Fall of wickets:
1-0, 2-39, 3-75, 4-82, 5-128, 6-158, 7-244, 8-277. Bowling: Pathan 10-2-49-3, Sreesanth 10-0-74-0, R.P. Singh 10-0-51-3, Agarkar 6-1-21-0, Tendulkar 10-0-52-1, Zaheer Khan 4-0-36-0. India Gambhir b Asif 2 Tendulkar c sub (Farhat) Pathan c Akmal b Asif 0 Dravid run out 22 Yuvraj not out 79 Kaif lbw Gul 0 Dhoni not out 72 Extras
(lb-11, nb-5, w-6) 22 Total (for 5 wkts, 47.4 overs) 292 Fall of wickets:
1-12, 2-12, 3-84, 4-189, 5-190 Bowling: Asif 10-0-47-2, Gul 10-1-42-1, Naved 8-0-72-0, Arafat 9-0-53-0, Afridi 3-0-24-0, Razzaq 7.4-0-43-1.
— PTI |
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Dhoni’s hairstyle gets Presidential approval
Lahore, February 13 “A lot of placards in the crowd have suggested that you should get a haircut, but if you take my advice, you look good in this hairstyle,” Musharraf told the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman during the presentation ceremony. Describing the Jharkhand player as the “architect of the Indian victory”, the President said “it was a pleasure watching the game.” While congratulating India for their match-winning effort, Musharraf advised the home team not to lose heart. — PTI |
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Harbhajan, Sehwag to return home
Lahore, February 13 Sehwag, who injured his shoulder in second ODI and Harbhajan who has an injured finger, are ruled out for the matches at Multan and Karachi, Chairman of the Selection Committee Kiran More said here today. “Sehwag and Harbhajan are scheduled to go back and there won’t be any replacements as there’s hardly any time left and there are already 14 players in the squad now,” More, who is here to watch the last three matches of the series, told reporters before the start of the third ODI today. The decision to send back the two players was taken by the team management in consultation with More in view of the volume of cricket in the near future. More said the duo needed to be given complete rest to be fit for the upcoming series against England at home. “Both players are expected to be fully fit for the upcoming Test series against England after sufficient rest and recovery.” Harbhajan, who has a fluid accumulation causing swelling in his right index finger was expected to be fit for bowling again in the next 7-10 days while Sehwag’s shoulder Muscle injury would take two weeks time to heal. “Sehwag has a left posterior shoulder muscle injury which was aggravated while batting and fielding in the Rawalpindi one-dayer. “The advice has been taken from a specialist and it has been suggested that the injury requires rest for two weeks to allow time for sufficient recovery,” he said. “Harbhajan has suffered an injury to the index finger of his right hand with associated fluid/swelling around the joint. “Advice has been taken from an orthopaedic specialist and he has suggested allowing the injury to heal naturally and rest from bowling till (he becomes) pain-free,” More said. “Harbhajan has recovered positively to this point and we are encouraged by his progress. But he is still not ready to bowl in a pain-free state. “However, at this stage we anticipate a return to full bowling fitness over the next 10 days. With this type of injury it is important to allow the maximum amount of recovery time to minimise the risk of re-occurrence,” he said. — PTI |
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Shoaib out because of injury: Haq
Lahore, February 13 Akhtar was yesterday ruled out of the entire series after aggravating his ankle strain during practice and Inzamam told a press conference that he had been advised rest for six weeks. “I should make it clear that Shoaib Akhtar is injured and he is being given the opportunity to have as much rest as possible. Some sinister news items regarding his action are doing the rounds these days. But that’s quite common. As soon as the Pakistan team gains an important victory, such scandals do crop in from time to time,” he said in his column in The News today. The Pakistan skipper was referring to the suggestions in a section of media that Akhtar was feigning injury to avoid being called by umpires for a suspect action. Inzamam wondered why the action of the fast bowler, popularly called as ‘Rawalpindi Express’, was being questioned after having played cricket the world over following the clearance of his bowling action by ICC. “Shoaib has been playing cricket around the world after having his bowling action cleared. I find it surprising that the same action is now being negatively talked about. “I fail to understand as to why this scandal has emerged its ugly head with people being made to believe that it’s the only reason why he isn’t playing in the
one-dayers. The only reason he’s not been playing is due to the problem with his ankle,” Inzamam said. Sami back in Pak squad
Fast bowler Mohammad Sami has been called up to join the Pakistan cricket team after pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar was ruled of the five-match one-day series against India with an ankle injury. A Pakistan team spokesman said Akhtar had been released while Sami would join the squad Monday evening. “Sami will be available for selection for the last two one-day internationals,” the spokesman said. Sami was dropped after a poor run of form and was advised to play domestic cricket. However, Sami has not played in any matches of the ongoing Patron’s Cup one-day cricket tournament because of toothache. Sami is required because the bowling attack needs some pace and firepower in the absence of Akhtar, the spokesman added. “Akhtar has been handed a training chart and advised to follow the schedule religiously and keep the Pakistan team management updated on his progress,” the official said adding Akhtar had been advised the rest by team physiotherapist Darren
Lifson. However, Akhtar’s withdrawal from the one-day series yesterday without consulting coach Bob Woolmer and the team physio has added fuel to media speculation that the maverick fast bowler has again fallen out with the coach over the run-up issue.
— PTI |
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England cricket team arrives in Mumbai
Mumbai, February 13 The first Test will be played at Nagpur from March 1 followed by matches in Mohali (March 9-13) and Mumbai (March 18-22). The visitors will also play warm-up matches at Cricket Club of India here from Saturday followed by the one at Baroda. The team includes first Sikh playing for the side in left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. LONDON: Meanwhile, England captain Michael Vaughan has said beating India at home will be a tough proposition but his team has the wherewithal to record its first series win on Indian soil in 21 years. Vaughan said his team will badly miss the services of spinner Ashley Giles as his experience could have come handy in Indian conditions. “First and foremost, we have to make sure we play well in India and win,” Vaughan told reporters here yesterday before leaving for a two-month-long tour of India. “You look at their record in India and it will be a hard tour and it does not get much tougher than facing their spinners on a dusty track in Mumbai. “Spin’s going to play quite a big part. Ash (Giles) will be dearly missed. He’s our most experienced spin bowler and we are going to play in conditions, which obviously suit the spinners,” Vaughan said. Vaughan hoped their spin attack comprising Shaun Udal, Monty Panesar and Ian Blackwell would make their mark on this tour. “It creates an opportunity for Blackwell, Panesar or Udal to really step up and make selection difficult for when Ashley comes back and that’s exactly what you need. “The last couple of years players have missed out and good players have come in straight away like Andrew Strauss, (Kevin) Pietersen and who says someone like Ian, Monty or Shaun can’t do the same,” he said. England, who last won a Test series in India in 1984-85, will be playing three Tests and seven one-dayers in the series with the opening Test in Nagpur beginning on March 1.
— PTI |
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Murali will bounce back: Moody
Brisbane, February 13 The champion spinner endured one of his most miserable days ever, returning 0-99 as Australia powered to its highest one-day international score of 368 for five and a 167-run win in the second tri-final in Sydney yesterday. Muralitharan also had to contend with a majority of the Australian crowd taunting him over his much-scrutinised bowling action, with calls of “chucker” and “no ball” every time he approached the bowling crease.
— AFP |
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Popat to play in Uber Cup
Jaipur, February 13 Gupta said Popat, who is also world junior runners-up, has informed the BAI that she was now fully fit to play in this prestigious tournament commencing from February 15 at the newly constructed indoor hall of the SMS Stadium here. He said Popat had withdrawn her entry from participating in the championship on account of wrist injury, but the BAI had not withdrawn her entry from the competition. As such, there was no problem in fielding her here. Popat was reportedly annoyed by Indian coach Vimal Kumar’s remarks on January 28 that he had no information about the whereabouts of Popat as she had not turned up to join the coaching camp of the Indian team which was concluded on February 8. The coach had also said that she was not likely to play in Uber Cup and her absence was not going to affect the
Indian team as players like Saina Nehwal were available. Popat had first sought seven days’ absence from the camp on medical ground citing her wrist injury and then extended it to further ten days. In the meantime, she got upset over the statement of the coach and intimated the BAI for her withdrawal. It has been learnt that Popat has spoken to the BAI bosses and apprised them about her annoyance of the coach's statement. She had told them that she was fully fit and ready to even face the trial. It was also learnt that Popat had done all her medical tests including MRI of the injured wrist and there was nothing wrong with her. Gupta told reporters that Popat will arrive in the town tomorrow and will figure for India without any trial. India will play their opening tie in the Uber Cup against Thailand in Group Z on the inaugural day. Meanwhile, Hosts India will play Singapore in Group C in their opening tie in Thomas Cup Badminton Championship on February 16 as per the schedule announced by chief referee Surasak Songvarakulpan here today. In the Uber cup, unfancied India will meet Thailand in group Z in their opener on the inaugural day of the championship on February 15. India men, who are looking ahead to qualify for the final round, will then play Hong Kong in their second match on February 17. Their female counterparts will take on Hong Kong in their second match on February 16 and face Pakistan in the same evening. Their last league match against Singapore is scheduled on February 17. In all, 13 teams in four groups will figure in Thomas Cup while ten teams in two groups are participating in five day Asian Zone qualifying tournament. One team from each group will qualify for the final round in Thomas Cup while two teams from each group will qualify for the Inter zonal rounds to take place in Japan in April-May.
— UNI |
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Bhutia to lead
New Delhi, February 13 The All India Football Federation (AIFF) today picked the 24-member team, including four standby players, which will also travel to Hong Kong for a friendly match with the hosts. The squad was picked from a pool of 28 players who sweated it out in a camp under chief coach Syed Naeemuddin. The Japan-bound team comprises three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and four strikers, besides the four standby players. Straddled with injury, the team was sans Climax Lawrence, Samir Naik and former captain S Venkatesh, who is battling with a knee problem. Baichung was also on the injured list and joined the camp later. Goalkeepers: Sandeep Nandy (Mahindra United), Kalyan Chaube (JCT), Israt Kamal (Maharashtra). Defenders: Surkumar Singh (Mahindra United), Mahesh Gawli (Mahindra United), N S Manju (Mahindra United), Sanjiv Maria (Mohun Bagan), K Ajayan (Mahindra United), Mehrajuddin Waddo (Mohun Bagan), NP Pradeep (SBT) Midfielders: Mehtab Hussain (Mohun Bagan), James Singh (Mahindra United), Manjit Singh (Mohun Bagan), Xavier Kumar (HAL), Dharamjit Singh (Mohun Bagan), Kuttiamani (HAL) Strikers: Baichung Bhutia (East Bengal), S Rahim Nabi (East Bengal), Abdul Hakim (SBT), Abhishek Yadav (Mahindra United). Standby: Subrata Pal (Goalkeeper- Mohun Bagan), Steven Dias (Midfielder-Mahindra), Praveen Kumar (Striker-JCT), Saji D'Silva (Srevices). — UNI |
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Bikram completes golden double
Kurukshetra, February 13 This was O.Bikram’s second gold in individual events and the young Railways cyclist, who turned out for India in the Asian championships held in Ludhiana recently, is now on track to be crowned the individual champion of the meet. Earlier, O.Bikram had won the endurance testing 40 individual time trial event. In today’s race, O.Bikram was off to a steady start and, riding with tactical acumen, maintained his lead for a major part of the race. However, with just 500 metres to go for the finish, in a tremendous burst of speed, Harpreet Singh and Amandeep Singh, both from Punjab, caught up with him. It was at this stage that the O.Bikram kept his nerves and finally packed enough energy in one last burst to cross the finish line just ahead of the Punjab cyclists. Harpreet Singh came second while his Punjabi University colleague Amandeep Singh was third. Meanwhile, after days of inaction, the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) finally woke up from its slumber to conduct the mandatory dope tests on the participants. The samples were collected under the supervision of Mr Manohar Lal Sharma, who apart from being a SAI qualified dope inspector is also the treasurer of the Punjab Cycling Association. Till today evening, the CFI officials had collected 18 samples which will be transported to the SAI laboratory in New Delhi for testing. According to CFI officials, the samples will be taken to New Delhi by Mr Kirpal Singh, a CFI technical official, once the meet is over tomorrow evening. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that even the results of the dope samples collected during the National Track Championship held at Patiala last month are still “being awaited by the Federation.” Results: 90 km mass start (senior men) — O.Bikram Singh (Railways)-1, Harpreet Singh (Punjab)-2, Amandeep Singh (Punjab)-3; 30 km mass start (women) — A.Drusilla (Anadaman and Nicobar)-1, Rajshree Kadam (Maharashtra)-2, Kulwinder Kaur (Punjab)-3; 15 km mass start (girls, u-19) — Maninder Kaur (Punjab)-1, B.Neeta (Andaman and Nicobar)-2, Amandeep Kaur (Haryana)-3. |
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Samresh bags third gold
New Delhi, February 13 Samresh fired 664.4 (565+99.4) in men’s free pistol event to win his third gold medal in the championship and set up a new national mark in the process, a National Rifle Association of India press release said here. Gagan won his second gold with a score of 597+103.2 in men’s air rifle event. Abhinav Bindra shot 593/600 and finished out of medal bracket. In the women’s section, Tejaswini Sawant edged past Olympian Anjali Bhagwat to win the gold after the two Maharashtra girls shot identical scores of 499.3 in the air rifle event.
— PTI |
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Gujarat win
Ludhiana, February 13 Karnataka went into an early lead and managed to hang onto it till mid way of the first half. However, Gujarat players bounced back into the game and not only wiped out the lead but also surged ahead at half time 18-17.
— OSR |
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Nakamura
crashes out
Bangalore, February 13 After a whirlwind first set, 22-year-old Nakamura (world number 66) lost steam in the next two as her opponent raised her game on her way to an upset victory on the opening day of the WTA Tier-III event at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association courts. In another first round match, 21-year old Alona Bondarenko (Ukraine) beat her younger sister Keteryna (120) 6-4, 7-5.
— PTI
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