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Bangla Tigers aim for final roar
Don’t put pressure on Kohli: Tendulkar
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Maken launches “OPEX- London 2012” website
Bachendri Pal trains tribals for Everest expedition
Karthikeyan gets Balbir on board
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Bangla Tigers aim for final roar
Mirpur, March 21 With former champions India and Sri Lanka shockingly thrown out of the competition, it is the most surprising summit line-up for the event which is struggling for relevance in a crowded international calender. Defending champions India paid the price for a stunning loss to Bangladesh in the league stage while four-time winners Sri Lanka failed to register a single triumph this time. The debacles of the two teams, who have dominated the tournament since its inception way back in 1984, paved the way for an unlikely finalist in Bangladesh, a side which is known to upstage biggies but not for going the whole hog. The giant-killers thrashed India, chasing down a mammoth 290, but that was seen merely as one of the rare stunners that the Tigers are so well known to throw up in multi-national events. However, the determined side proved the critics wrong by beating an already demoralised Sri Lanka as well, a result that knocked India out of the final. "It's a great achievement for the country, so far the biggest. We realise it's still not over, we have another very important game. We'll enjoy, we'll party, but tomorrow we'll be back to business. I hope we will fire on the 22nd," said opener Tamim Iqbal, the hero of the win over Sri Lanka with a half century. The triumph last night triggered wild celebrations through the country and the team itself was in a delirious huddle much after the presentations were done with. "I think when we talk in the dressing room its like, 100 runs in 20 overs is no problem. This is the sort of confidence that we have now," said in-form all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. "Cricket is a mental game so this confidence is very important. If a player goes down the wicket and thinks he'll get stumped, he will. If he thinks he will hit a six, he'll be successful at most times," he said. If the hosts manage to carry this confidence and clinch the big prize tomorrow, the country is set for one big party that might last quite a few days. And both Tamim and Shakib hold the key to this, at least on the batting front. But Pakistan would look to play the party poopers. Misbah-ul-Haq's men have not won the title since 2000 edition, which was interestingly held in Bangladesh. Pakistan were given a mighty scare in the league encounter that they played against the spirited hosts but would still be overwhelming favourites to win the title for only the second time. They certainly have the arsenal to complete the job. Their batting looks solid with in form openers Mohammed Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed providing fine starts in the league stage. Younis Khan and Umar Akmal have made decent contributions in the middle order. Overall, Pakistan have the line-up to post a huge total on board. What probably might be slightly worrying is the way their bowlers have leaked runs. Pace spearhead Umar Gul has picked up wickets but it is the flow of runs that he has to check. Aijaz Cheema was ineffective, at least against India, who managed to chase down a huge target of 330 due to the pedestrian effort of Pakistani bowlers. Pakistan's fielding too needs to improve. The reflexes haven't been sharp enough and it could cost them dearly if Bangladesh manage to continue their superb run. To sum it up, Pakistan certainly start favourites when the two captains walk out for toss tomorrow but given the high Bangladesh is on right now, it could well be the night of the underdog.
— PTI |
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Don’t put pressure on Kohli: Tendulkar
Mumbai, March 21 "He is a very good player. He is a brilliant player. He has done well but all I can say is don't put pressure on him. Let him play," said Tendulkar. Kohli proved his batting credentials with two dominant performances. He led India's successful run chase in Australia, surpassing the target of 321 inside 37 overs with a blistering 86-ball 133 and again on Sunday, when India produced their highest-ever run chase to eclipse a daunting 330-run victory target against Pakistan with the middle-order batsman again at the forefront with a magnificent 183. Tendulkar, who returned here from Dhaka today after India's exit from the Asia Cup, scored his much-awaited 100th ton during the tournament and said it was not easy for him to achieve the milestone despite scoring 99 centuries. "The pressure is off. It was a difficult phase and all of us had to wait for it for a long time. But it has made everyone realise, including me, that even after scoring 99 hundreds, it is not easy to score another one," said Sachin. On India's exit from the Asia Cup, Tendulkar said: "We go out to win every match and sometimes it's not possible to win every match and sometimes the opposition plays better cricket than you and that is what happened. I would not want to take the credit away from them (Bangladesh). I think they played well." The batting great also praised his Mumbai counterpart Rohit Sharma for the crucial third-wicket partnership of 172 runs he put on with Kohli against arch-rivals Pakistan that helped the five-time continental champions chase down the huge target. "Rohit batted very well. He showed a lot of compsure. The way he built partnership with Virat was very important for us and the partnership happened at a crucial time," said Tendulkar who would be turning 39 on April 24. Tendulkar's international season has ended with the Asia Cup campaign as he's not part of the squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni which will engage South Africa in a one-off T20 International in Johannesburg on May 30. "Looking forward to next (interntional) season. This season is over," said Tendulkar who would be leading Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League T20 competition commencing on April 4 in Chennai.
— PTI |
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Missed Sachin’s 100th century, says Sehwag
New Delhi, March 21 "The rest period is over and I am set to train, and play in the IPL," Sehwag said. Sehwag's name not figuring in the Asia Cup squad had created a controversy after selection committee chief Krishnamachari Srikkanth failed to give a convincing answer. While the chief selector insisted that Sehwag had been "rested" due to a sore shoulder after announcing the squad for the Asia Cup, the opener said he
had back spasms and had opted for rest as per the physio's advice. A long-time partner of Tendulkar at the top of the order, Sehwag was not there when the latter got to his 100th international ton during the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Mirpur last Friday. "I missed being in the dressing room when Tendulkar scored that 100th century." Post the debacle in Australia, calls for senior players to retire are getting louder but Sehwag, himself 33, said nobody can force a cricketer to retire. Rahul Dravid had recently announced his retirement from international cricket. "I will continue to play as long as I am enjoying the game, contributing to the team, winning games for my country. “Nobody can force a player to retire," he said on the sidelines of promotional event during which the Delhi Daredevils website was launched. "It's not like a job, government job where you have to retire at 60. A cricketer can retire at 30 or 60, it's upto the player. (Sanath) Jayasuriya played till 42," he added. The last few months have been far from impressive for Indian cricket. "It happens with every team across the world. There is also the home advantage which every team is taking now. Time will change for us.”
— PTI |
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Oz-WI match ends in a tie
Kingstown, March 21 Sammy had hit a boundary off the previous delivery to take West Indies to 220 with one wicket remaining, but a horrible mix-up with Kemar Roach led to Sammy being run out by Brett Lee as the Australians celebrated securing a rare tie. But the Windies had reason to be happy too, having earlier appeared up against it at 78 for five, and the five-match series remains finely poised at one win apiece with the final two games to come in St Lucia on Friday and Sunday. "I think we believed we could beat them," said Sammy at the end of a match watched by a packed crowd on a national holiday in Saint Vincent. "We should have won today. Everyone played their part right down to the number 11. The discussion (with Roach ahead of the last ball) was that we were looking to run. I won't lay blame on anyone, it's just a shame we couldn't see out the win. — AFP Brief Scores: Australia 220 (M Hussey 67, Bailey 59, Narine 3-32) tied with West Indies 220 (Charles 45, Watson 3-30). |
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Coventry City calling for Punjab soccer coaches
Chandigarh, March 21 Following suit, two coaches from Youth Football Club, Rurka Kalan are all set to attend a coaching and awareness camp at England’s Championship side Coventry City Fc. This will prove to be a major boost for updating the training methods used by coaches in the region as exposure to the best techniques in the business is certainly the need of the hour. Dr. Jitender Kumar and Kulwant Singh are all set to attend football sessions at Coventry Football Club and academy for two weeks, where both coaches will also work with Coventry University Sports Science department for a week. Elaborating on the invite received from Coventry City, Gurmangal Dass, president YFC said that it was initiatives like these that would help the sport grow not only in the region but also throughout the country. “I am extremely happy that this invite came to us. We want to promote soccer in the best possible way and prepare talented and focused individuals who are dedicated to the cause of football.” Alan Malik President Coventry City Football Club, Asia was of the view that, “The coaches’ exchange between both clubs would benefit all of us, as Coventry University had sent its three scientists to India last year, where as after the visit of YFC coaches we will send three sports scientist/coaches to YFC for helping Indian football coaches. CCFC Asia, has expressed its willingness to help in the development of football in Punjab due to their large Punjabi fan base in the UK as well.” Jitender Sharma, who heads the YFC coaching department, said, “I feel that this opportunity will not only update our knowledge but also give us a close understanding of long term player development and English football, which is the most challenging setup in the world.” Kulwant Singh added, “This is a great initiative on part of Coventry City. Even though we are coaches, but our job is to keep learning everyday so that we can go ahead and make the most of our knowledge when we are dealing with youngsters.” |
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Punjab sink Marines
Jalandhar, March 21 Brilliant tactics against strong opponents helped the hosts to get a grip on the match from the very first half. Following the starting whistle, the half- backs of the team started playing long passes to Prabhjot Singh and Deepak Thakur and managed to win the first penalty corner in the 11th minute of the game. Debutant Bikramajit Singh, son of former Olympian Mukhbain Singh, without any hesitation put the team in the driver’s seat (1-0). In the second quarter, Shere-e-Punjab continued to play an attacking game but failed to double the lead when a loose pass by striker Deepak Thakur hit the goal post. On other hand, the Mumbai players failed to get a hold of the game and had to withstand as many as two more counter attacks including three penalty corners in the quarter. After the lemon break, the home team held their nerves and charged the Marine’s half with full force. In the 36th minute, Deepak Thakur scripted another penalty corner for the team but specialist Harpreet Singh failed to convert. However, he successfully won a penalty stroke after Prabodh Tirkey erroneously stopped his shot with his foot. But Harpreet missed out on the golden chance as former international goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza managed to judge the direction of the shot and made a brilliant save. Taking full advantage of the back-to-back missed chances, the Mumbai team equalised in the 40th minute when GM Hariprasad successfully dodged the goalkeeper and made it 1-1. In the last quarter, a fine display of combination and experience helped the home team to make a comeback and take the lead. Leading the attack, Prabhjot successfully snatched the ball from defender Clyde Abrahams before passing it to Deepak, who efficiently made it 2-1, in the 56th minute. On other side, penalty corner specialist Devinder Walmiki failed to deliver the goods and missed two penalty corners in the dying minutes. |
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Maken launches “OPEX- London 2012” website
New Delhi, March 21 The website has URL http://opex.nic.in. and gives the details of OPEX 2012 programme, the strategy as well as full details for all the identified 16 sports disciplines. Maken stated that the Sports Ministry had launched OPEX London 2012 for imparting focused training to Indian sportspersons for the London Olympics. He added that the website provides details of core probables, coaches, support staff, national coaching camps, international exposure, approximate expenditure, sports persons who have qualified so far and the qualifying events. He also disclosed that the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has allowed convergence of Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLADS) with Panchyat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) and the Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) of the Sports Ministry. |
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Record Messi goals secure points for Barca
Madrid, March 21 Yesterday was Barca's sixth consecutive league win and puts pressure on Madrid ahead of their trip to Villarreal today, three days after Jose Mourinho's side dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at home to Malaga. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola praised the record-breaking Argentinian. "We have to congratulate Messi, he has scored so many goals and is only 24, he does not just score ordinary goals but great goals and we hope he gets lots more for us, we can compare him perhaps to Michael Jordan in football," he said. Xavi Hernandez and Messi hit the net for Barcelona in the first half before Diego Mainz reduced arrears for the Andalusians on 55 minutes. In doing so, Messi equalled the record of 232 goals held by club legend Cesar Rodriguez.
— AFP |
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Bachendri Pal trains tribals for Everest expedition
New Delhi, March 21 She was present in the capital today to announce this initiative to empower people through adventure sports. The project falls under Tata Steel Adventure Foundation that is headed by Bachendri Pal. Tata Steel has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for the Mount Everest expedition. Bachendri Pal's trainees are Rajendra Singh Pal , Meghlal Mahato and Ms Binita Soren. They all have prior mountaineering experience and are ace mountaineers themselves. All three candidates have been given the basic and Advance Mountaineering Courses at recognized National Mountaineering Institutes. Bachendri Pal will also go to Kathmandu to oversee the arrangements for the three candidates participating in the Everest expedition and then to trek with them halfway to Everest base camp to see them off. |
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Karthikeyan gets Balbir on board
New Delhi, March 21 Singh had also helped Karthikeyan during the inaugural Indian Grand Prix last year. "It was certainly different – Balbir got the best out of me not only in terms of fitness, but I was in a much better place mentally as well.”
— PTI
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