 |
|
|
Kolkata Riders dismounted
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Syringes in Shoaib’s Bag
Akhtar’s ban likely to be cut
T20 popularity worries ICC chief
Uddhav objects to Pak players in IPL
Sehwag hit by stone at Kotla
Praveen Kumar man-handles doc, apologises
Azlan Shah Hockey
Drug menace
|
|
Kolkata Riders dismounted
Mumbai, May 16 Pollock snapped up 3 for 12 in four devastating overs to virtually flatten the visiting team before the other pace bowlers in the home team's attack provided the great South African all-rounder, retired from international cricket, some splendid support to skittle out the Sourav Ganguly-led Knight Riders for a pathetic-reading 67 in 15.2 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya, who lashed Chennai Super Kings' attack while making a splendid 114 not out with eleven sixes and nine fours, continued in the same vein after being dropped off the first ball to make 48 not out (17 balls with six fours and three sixes) to help the hosts surge to a thumping win in only 5.2 overs. Sachin Tendulkar (0) failed for the second match running, but Jayasuriya, who struck three sixes in one over off danger man Shoaib Akhtar, killed off any slender hopes of the visitors. The comprehensive win brought the resurgent Mumbai Indians level on points (10 each) with the Kolkata team. The hero of the day for Mumbai Indians was their pace attack spearheaded so well by Pollock who came up with a deadly spell on a helpful Wankhede Stadium track to rip the heart out of the Kolkata team. The visitors totally lost their bearings after starting reasonably well when Pakistan left-hander Butt and Aakash Chopra put on 16 in the first two overs. Butt hit Pollock for a four and then slashed Ashish Nehra for a fine six over the cover region and things looked a bit rosy for Kolkata who had lost to the home team earlier in the tournament at the Eden Gardens that started the latter's winning streak after four straight defeats. But in the third over things took a dramatic turn as the visitors lost two wickets off successive balls. Pollock removed Butt by having the batsman caught at slip by Sachin Tendulkar, trying to drive. Then Chopra was run out due to a terrible mix-up with Ganguly to leave Kolkata at a dismal 16 for two after three overs. Pollock then dealt two blows by sending back David Hussey and Mohammed Hafeez with rising balls, which undid them. Scoreboard Kolkata Knight Riders Butt c Tendulkar b Pollock 13 A Chopra run out 1 Ganguly c Takawale b Thornely 15 Hussey c Takawale b Pollock 2 Mohd Hafeez c Uthappa b Pollock 5 Saha c Tendulkar b Bravo 1 LR Shukla b Raje 0 Agarkar c Tendulkar b Bravo 15 Akhtar c Tendulkar b Raje 2 Ishant c & b Thornely 4 Dinda not out 1 Extras (lb-2, w-6) 8 Total (all out, 15.2 overs) 67 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-16, 3-21, 4-28, 5-29, 6-35, 7-55, 8-60, 9-65, 10-67 Bowling: Pollock 4-0-12-3, Nehra 3-0-17-0, Bravo 3-1-13-2, Raje 2.2-0-16-2, Thornely 3-0-7-2 Mumbai Indians Jayasuriya not out 48 Tendulkar c Saha b Akhtar 0 Uthappa c Ganguly b Ishant 9 Thornely not out 1 Extras (lb-5, w-4, nb-1) 10 Total (2 wkts, 5.3 overs) 68 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-48 Bowling: Akhtar 2-0-29-1, Ishant 2.3-0-29-1, Agarkar 1-0-5-0. Player of the Match: Shaun Pollock (Mumbai Indians). — PTI
|
|
Daredevils face tough task
New Delhi, May 16 Daredevils have a score to settle with Kings XI for their away match defeat at Mohali, but the all-devouring Punjab team, marshalled imaginatively by captain Yuvraj Singh and coach Tom Moody, will be a different proposition, even at Delhi's home ground. Virender Sehwag's Delhi Daredevils had begun well, but as the IPL warmed up, many chinks in Daredevils's game surfaced. Mercifully, their top-order batsmen like Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan have been scoring runs by the bagful to keep the momentum going for Daredevils. It was their brilliant century plus second-wicket partnership that laid the foundation for a handsome score and then spinner Amit Mishra came up with a mesmerising bowling spell to quell the challenge of Deccan Chargers. But such tricks may not work with Kings XI Punjab as they boast of batsmen for all seasons and bowlers who can trouble and torment batsmen, and take wickets too. It will be a crucial contest for Daredevils, who have logged 10 points from as many matches with five wins and five defeats. Kings XI Punjab, whereas, are on a sound footing as they have already earned 12 points from nine matches, and tomorrow's will be their 10th tie. One on one, Kings XI Punjab have superior all-round strength compared to Daredevil. Punjab have depth in both batting and bowling. And it will be their bowling, comprising the likes of Irfan Pathan, S. Sreesanth, VRV Singh, Piyush Chawla, James Hopes and Yuvraj himself, which will decide Delhi's fate either way. Delhi have been mostly depending on Glen McGrath to fire on all cylinders though he got some stick at the hands of Deccan Chargers. The other bowlers have been good and bad, but Delhi really do not have many bowlers who can be counted upon to deliver when it comes to the crunch. Yuvraj Singh, on the other hand, has a problem of plenty as in the batting department too, they are very strong with the likes of Shaun Marsh, James Hopes and Luke Pomersbach capable of picking fast runs. And then there are the Sri Lankans - Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Daredevils cannot afford to experiment against Kings XI Punjab, who are on a roll, and would be looking for their seventh win to ensure a semi-final berth, without any hiccup. Delhi will be looking forward to not only avenge their defeat at the hands of Kings XI in Mohali on 27 April, but will also be desperate to bolster their points tally to remain in the hunt for a last four berth.
|
|
Royals out to tame Challengers
Jaipur, May 16 Home team captain Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Graeme Smith and coaching director Darren Berry were reportedly terrified by the blasts on Tuesday that killed over 60 However, after IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi assured that adequate security would be provided to the players, Warne and his boys are returning from their vacation in Goa to take on Rahul Dravid-led team. Rajasthan Royals CEO Fraser Castellino said the team was on its way to Jaipur while lesser known faces like Parag More are camping here to meet any exigency. But for the blasts, the break should have done a world of good for the hosts who had a gruelling schedule last week, with three matches in six days. The hosts are sitting pretty at the top with 14 points and one more win will ensure them a place in the semifinals. Considering Royal Challengers' track record - four points after seven defeats and two wins - the home team's task does not look very tough tomorrow, provided they switched on fast to the cricket mode leaving behind the thoughts of the blasts. Moreover, the Rajasthan Royals will also carry the confidence that they have beaten the same opponents at their own backyard when Watson's 61-run knock had steered them to a seven-wicket victory. Since then, the Royals have grown in confidence and the aura of invincibility in their own fortress has been more than impressive. The shrewd tactician in Warne, in the dual role of coach and captain, has transformed the pre-tournament underdogs into a victorious army. At home, the hosts have won five matches on the trot and they would look to continue their winning streak tomorrow. Their batting looks good with Watson, Yousuf Pathan, Swapnil Asnodkar and Graeme Smith in good nick and Pakistani middle order batsman Younis Khan is expected to join the side anytime to strengthen the team. The bowling, to be spearheaded by Warne himself, has a good variety. The skipper has said that he wants his bowlers to be the smartest and cleverest in the tournament. "We want to reach in semifinals being at the top," Warne had said, making clear his intentions. On the other hand, Royal Challengers have been a demoralised lot with a series of defeats and off the field controversy involving the team management. Though at the bottom of the table, the Challengers would want to prove a point that they were not the punching bag of the tournament. — PTI
|
|
Syringes in Shoaib’s Bag Karachi, May 16 A report in the 'Nation' said that prior to boarding the flight to Mumbai en route to Kolkata the custom officials had questioned Shoaib on an inordinately large supply of syringes in his luggage-reportedly as many as three dozen in number. The fast bowler, who is playing for Shahrukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders team in the Indian Premier League, told the custom officials that he needed the syringes because he was a diabetic, the report said. This is the first time one has heard off the fast bowler suffering from this ailment. When a senior official of the Board was asked about the incident, he said it was no big deal as the syringes were empty and contained no substances. Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer also showed ignorance over the medical history of Shoaib saying he would have to check up to find out if the fast bowler was a diabetic. But he made it clear that Shoaib had gone to India to play in the IPL and currently he was under the preview of the IPL rules and regulations. When reminded about Shoaib's past record off having tested positive for a banned substance, nandrolone in 2006 with teammate Muhammad Asif, Naghmi said the IPL was recognised by the International Cricket Council but it was not an ICC event. "I don't thing it is a big deal. The syringes were empty and first we have to confirm if the report has got all the facts right,” he said. — PTI
|
|
|
Karachi, May 16 Sources told PTI that Akhtar had very intelligently used his contacts in the political circles to first get the PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf withdraw his 220 million rupees defamation suit against him and was now also working to get the five-year ban reduced to much lesser one. "The fact that one of the tribunal members, Salman Taseer, has been appointed to the powerful position of Governor of Punjab is a clear indication that lady luck is now smiling on Shoaib," a source told PTI. "Taseer is known to be very close to Shoaib who is a regular at his parties and functions and obviously his elevation to a powerful position will help the fast bowler even if he remains on the tribunal or decides to step down because of his new responsibilities," the source claimed. Akhtar, who helped Kolkata Knight Riders win against Delhi Daredevils with a dream spell of four wickets in the IPL, will have to face regular hearings of the appellate tribunal when he returns home but sources say it would be a mere formality before awarding a softer penalty by the tribunal. "What is going to happen is that when the appellate tribunal resumes hearing on June 4, Shoaib will appear before it again and make another apology which would be repeated in front of the media which would then lead to the dropping of the long-term ban on him and award softer penalties," the source said. The source said that Justice (retd) Aftab Farrukh, who heads the appellate tribunal, was uncomfortable with the way the Akhtar ban issue was being politicised and direction it was heading. "Shoaib has managed to get time with leading figures in both the PPP and Muslim League Nawaz group. The fact that Rehman Malik, adviser to the prime minister and an influential figure, presided over a meeting between Shoaib and PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf and break the ice between them shows how political figures are playing a role in Shoaib's issue," the source stated. — PTI
|
|
T20 popularity worries ICC chief
Johannesburg, May 16 ''I sat in on the ICC cricket committee meeting this month and they were clear that Test cricket should remain pinnacle of the game. And I agree,'' he said yesterday. The shortest version of the game has made rapid progress in recent times since the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup in September took place. The BCCI took the lead and started the Indian Premier League with money pouring in from everywhere. Now Pakistan, England and Cricket Australia are also planning to follow the Indian board's footsteps and are looking to start their own T20 tournaments. ''It's a form of the game we can use as a wonderful opportunity to grow cricket globally, though we will have to manage the load that T20 takes on against Test and 50-over cricket. ''We might be having too much of it at first, but I hope going forward we can keep a sensible balance between Twenty20 and the other formats,'' Lorgat said. Meanwhile, New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee has also urged the game's governing body to ease growing fears over the traditional five-day format and ensure that IPL is a stand-alone tournament. ''For the benefit of the global game, it is important that there is a window of opportunity for the IPL to be played and that it does not clash with any country's international commitments,'' Hadlee said. ''For that to happen, the Future Tours Programme organised by the International Cricket Council needs to be reformatted to accommodate IPL,'' Hadlee added. — UNI
|
|
Uddhav objects to Pak players in IPL
Mumbai, May 16 Speaking to reporters at a function
organised here, Thackeray said cricketers from Pakistan should not be allowed to play in India because of the long enmity between the two countries. "They are the enemies of the entire nation and we have been opposing their playing here for many years," Uddhav said when asked about Pakistani cricketers being included in the IPL. Thackeray's remarks came just hours before a crucial match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians in Mumbai. Thackeray's outburst comes at a time when most punters have written off the struggling Mumbai Indians' team against the high voltage visitors from up east. The state government quickly reacted to
the remarks of Uddhav Thackeray by beefing up the security. |
|
Sehwag hit by stone at Kotla
New Delhi, May 16 His team had just tamed the Deccan Chargers by 12 runs to snap the string of defeats but instead of looking upbeat, Sehwag looked thoroughly upset in the post-match press conference late last night. "Unfortunately, an Indian player has been pelted in India. It's a matter of shame that a stone was thrown at a Delhi player in Delhi," Sehwag said. Asked to name the player, he said "Sehwag. I was fielding in the boundary line when it hit me." The incident happened in the 19th over of the Deccan innings when Sehwag was fielding in the deep. The Daredevils skipper was suddenly seen rushing to umpire Brian Jerling to convey something and the match was held up for a few minutes. Nobody outside had any clue about what was going on in the middle, which gave rise to speculation that probably the cheerleaders had been subjected to some taunts or something like that. Sehwag, however, finally cleared the air in the press conference.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that the accusing finger was pointed at the Kotla crowd. England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff claimed in his book 'Being Freddy' that he had been hit here during an ODI against India in 2002.
— PTI |
|
|
Praveen Kumar man-handles doc, apologises
Meerut, May 16 According to Sadar Bazar police, Shantanu, a physician with Civil Lines Subharti Hospital, has accused Praveen of beating him up under the influence of alcohol after his car splashed water spilled at the roadside on the cricketer. Praveen was there in connection with obtaining an arm’s
licence. The doctor said Praveen, who was accompanied by his friends, felt that it was a deliberate attempt to splash water on him and picked up fight. "I had gone to purchase glasses to a shop at P L Sharma Road yesterday, when some water splashed on Praveen and his friends, who were standing by the roadside," Shantanu said. "They were under the influence of alcohol and they also broke some glasses in the shop to irk the shopkeeper and they reported the matter to the police, who called
Praveen. Praveen then apologised for his actions. I am not taking legal action because the nation's pride is associated with Praveen as he represent the country in cricket," he added.
— PTI |
|
|
Kashmiri schoolgirls ‘Bend it like Beckham’
Srinagar, May 16 Dressed in T-shirts and trackpants and some in 'hijab' (veil worn by Muslim women), a bunch of them can be seen dribbling away with gusto at a football field here. The group of 45 schoolgirls are undergoing coaching at a camp organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports during which a team for Srinagar district will be selected. The team will play in the under-19 girls football tournament to be held at Kargil in June and the next step will be the national-level under-19 championships. The trainers say they are a bit "raw" considering women's football is new in Jammu and Kashmir, but their "eagerness to learn" compensates for the shortcomings. "My brother is a football buff who eagerly watches European league soccer on television. Gradually, I became interested in the sport and when the opportunity came my way, I grabbed it," Ruqaiya, a Class IX student of Government Girls' Higher Secondary School at Khanyar, told PTI. Asked if she knew any big names from the footballing world, Ruqaiya admitted, "I have not paid any attention to the names as I was more engrossed in the game. It is just so absorbing." Sabiya, a schoolmate of hers who has also made it to the coaching-cum-selection camp, said although Sania Mirza is a tennis player, her success had prompted her to take up sports as a career option. "Look at the fame and success achieved by Sania; she is as big a star as any cricketer in the country. I just want to do the same with football," Sabiya said. Both Sabiya and Ruqaiya believe that taking part in sports activities is important for all-round physical and mental development, irrespective of gender. "Why should there be discrimination between boys and girls? What is good for boys, should be good for us as well," they said. The girls have joined the camp for varied reasons from getting a participation certificate to motivation by the sports teacher of their school. "I am here because the sports teacher said that it would be good for my future," Nida Nazir said, while another girl, who did not wish to be named, wants to make it to the nationals. "It will help me in getting admission in a professional college through sports quota as competition in the open merit category is very tough," she said. Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, who is coaching the team along with Talib Hussain, said it was the first time the department was conducting such a sports activity for girl students. — PTI
|
|
|
Azlan Shah Hockey
Ipoh (Malaysia), May 16 A victory against Malaysia is essential for India as that will take them to the title clash against Argentina. But if the match ends in a draw, it will help Pakistan reach the final on the basis of a better goal difference. India must be brimming with confidence after having defeated three Beijing-bound teams in a row, but they have to focus hard on containing the fast-moving Malaysians if they want to win the crucial game. "The Malaysians are faster on their feet and quicker in movements. They rely on speed. Our prospects therefore would depend on who would control the tempo of the game," Indian coach AK Bansal told
PTI. "We have defeated three Beijing-bound teams (Canada, Belgium and Pakistan). Theirs (Malaysia) is a senior team playing at home. But my boys have tasted success, they won't let go the opportunity easily," he
said. Bansal feels the Malaysians were good at penalty corner conversion and India must tighten their short corner defence to ward off that danger. Malaysia have been tough opponents for India over the years. Last year in the same tournament, India had lost to them in the semifinal 0-1 to miss the title clash. But this time, the hosts are languishing at the bottom of the table after badly losing their last three matches. "This is an important match for us. I feel the Malaysians at home are very dangerous. In the existing situation, I feel we face the toughest challenge and we cannot afford to commit any mistake," Bansal said. The Indian coach expressed
his happiness that all the 18 players in the team were
fit. — PTI |
|
|
Blistering Jeev grabs joint lead
Adare Manor (Ireland), May 16 Another Indian golfer in the fray, S S P Chowrasia was close on his heels as he ended day one at three under 69 in tied seventh position yesterday. Chowrasia, who is playing his first event after gaining full membership following his win in February, birdied the sixth, seventh and 11th in his round of bogey-free 69. Shiv Kapur's even par 72 helped him finish round one in tied 30th place. Kapur birdied the seventh, ninth and 13th and bogeyed the second, 12th and 17th. Jyoti Randhawa fired four over 76 in the first round to be tied 95th. Randhawa made five bogeys and a lone birdie on the fifth. Atwal at 2nd spot
Greenville (US): Indian golfer Arjun Atwal carded a fine three-under 69 to be placed at the second spot after the first round of the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Nationwide Tour here. Atwal was five behind leader Rick Price who fired an eight-under 64 at the Carolina Country Club here yesterday. After striking two early birdies on the back nine, the Chandigarh pro had birdies on the 11th and 12th but bogeyed the 16th.
He hit another birdie on the 17th to make the turn at two-under.
— UNI
|
|
Drug menace
New Delhi, May 16 Sources told PTI that this is the first step by the minister in his effort to deal with the drug menace in Indian weightlifting. "The Sports Minister has asked the IWF president to meet him on Monday with a detailed report on the Kavita case and what the Federation plans to do to curb doping," an IWF source told PTI today. Gill has taken exception to the culture of drug use by weightlifters and has decided to call a review meeting to discuss the issue in the wake of 75 kg woman lifter Kavita Devi being tested positive for banned steroid methadienone in an out-of-competition test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency in March at NIS Patiala. Kavita has been handed a two-year ban by International Weightlifting Federation along with a fine of $ 5,000. Kavita, a boarder at Centre of Excellence in Lucknow, accompanied the Indian team in Asian Championship in Japan but had to return home after the IWF got the intimation from the international body on April 24. Meanwhile, to make matters worse for Harbhajan, another youth lifter has been tested positive for using a banned substance in an internal test conducted by the Sports Authority of India. Karnataka's 94 kg lifter Paritosh Upadhyay's 'A' sample, collected early this year, has been found to contain traces of a banned substance in the tests conducted at SAI laboratory.
— PTI |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Led by the redoubtable Shaun Pollock, the Mumbai Indians routed Kolkata Knight Riders for the lowest-ever total in the Indian Premier League before racing to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory, their fifth in a row, at the Wankhede Stadium here tonight.
In video (
