|
|
|
|
|
India, Pakistan fighting for survival
Afghanistan pull off victory
vs Bangladesh
|
|
|
Pujara, Varun Aaron slog ahead of marquee clash
Third Test: Warner’s ton puts Australia on top
Yuvi fashions Punjab victory with majestic 96
|
|
India, Pakistan fighting for survival
Mirpur, March 1 With back-to-back victories over Pakistan and India, Sri Lanka have virtually assured themselves of a berth in the final of the Asia Cup, and now it's a two-way battle between the traditional rivals to be the other finalists in the five-nation tournament.
India registered a facile victory over hosts Bangladesh in their tournament opener but went down to Sri Lanka by two wickets Friday night. Pakistan were also beaten by a narrow 12-run margin by the same opponents in their opening match of the Asia Cup. For India, it was Virat Kohli's sparkling century that did the job against Bangladesh, while for Pakistan Umar Akmal's timely ton saved them from what could have been an embarrassing loss to Afghanistan. But the sheer importance of the contest will mean that the past records will have little relevance as the two teams look to renew their rivalry and take some brownie points. A new-look middle order's lack of execution would be a concern for the Indian team and the team management might think of including Cheteshwar Pujara to bring in some solidity. With time running out fast for India in this tournament, it will be a riddle if Pujara continues to warm the bench. Test specialist Pujara may not be in the hard-hitting mould but he would be capable of providing the much needed stability, which was lacking in the Indian batting against Sri Lanka. It remains to be seen how India turn it around against their traditional foes tomorrow. Pakistan, on their part, will not give an inch when the two clash for the first time after their meeting in the ICC Champions Trophy, which Dhoni's men had won in a rain-affected match. Pakistan, too, face similar batting woes and the onus would be on skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to start fresh after his farcical run out without even facing a ball against Afghanistan. No 3. Mohammad Hafeez's form will also prove to be crucial in a tense match like this, as also that of allrounder Shahid Afridi, who continues to play mindless cricket. Spearheaded, Umar Gul and left-arm pacer, Junaid Khan who would be relied upon heavily. But their spin department also has enough resources with the trio of Saeed Ajmal, Hafeez and Afridi to challenge the Indian batsmen. After five matches in Fatullah, the action now shifts to country's premier venue — Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium — and both the teams will be watchful about the nature of the pitch. Given the fact that dew plays a role towards the evening, both the teams will be looking to bowl first after winning the toss. With the ongoing tournament experiencing a cold response, the contest between the arch-rivals is expected to raise the spirits. Ravindra Jadeja, if he plays, will make his 100th ODI appearance. The last meeting between India and Pakistan in Mirpur, in March 2012, was Sachin Tendulkar's last ODI appearance. — Agencies
|
|
Afghanistan pull off victory vs Bangladesh
Fatullah, March 1 Mohammad Nabi took three wickets as Afghanistan bowled out the hosts for 222 runs in the 48th over. Samiullah Shenwari contributed with the ball as well, taking one wicket, after his fiery innings — 81 off just 69 balls, including 10 fours and a six — helped Afghanistan to a commendable total. Shenwari was adjudged the man of the match. Earlier, Afghanistan had made a dramatic recovery from a top-order collapse with a late blitzkrieg from Asghar Stanikzai (90 not out) and Shenwari (81) to post 254. Stanikzai and Shenwari shared 164 runs for the sixth wicket to propel Afghanistan to a challenging total after they were reduced to a precarious 90 for five in the 27th over after being put into bat at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium. The duo, which started cautiously, finished with a flourish as they punished Bangladesh bowlers in the final 10 overs by collecting 107 runs. — Agencies Scoreboard Afghanistan Bangladesh
|
|
Pujara, Varun Aaron slog ahead of marquee clash
Mirpur, March 1 Bowling coach Joe Dawes was there to assist the duo as the former paceman first helped out Aaron, who bowled at a dummy batsman, before giving catching practice to both the Indian cricketers. Pujara had only three bowlers, provided by the BCB, for his practice session. But the hard-working Indian did not mind as he slogged under the sun for about an hour. Pujara also showed a fine gesture gifting the net bowlers with some of his team India gear before obliging them with autographs. Pujara played classical drives in full flow and also tried to use his feet more often, showing positive intent. With the Indian middle order not showing the right temperament, Pujara is seen as the most likely change to the line-up to bring stability in their must-win match. If he’s drafted into the side, it will be a testing time for Pujara as he would have to reinvent himself to fit into the one-day scheme of things. Boasting a T20I strike rate of 104.66 from 34 matches, the Saurashtra batsman has played only two ODIs. — PTI Squads INDIA: Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Stuart Binny, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron, Ishwar Pandey PAKISTAN: Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal(wk), Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Talha, Abdur Rehman, Fawad Alam. LIVE ON STAR SPORTS 2 PM
|
|
Dubai, March 1 Batting first, Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 131 in 44.3 overs with right arm medium pacer Corbin Bosch grabbing four for 15 in 7.3 overs. In reply, South Africa chased down the target in 42.1 overs with Aiden Markram (66) and Greg Oldfield (40) being the chief contributors. Brief Scores: Pakistan 131 in 44.3 overs (Butt 37*; Bosch 4/15, Valli 2-19); South Africa 134/4 in 42.1 overs (Markram 66*, Oldfield 40) — Agencies
|
|
Third Test: Warner’s ton puts Australia on top
CAPE TOwN, MARCH 1 The wicket was flat and the tourists took full advantage after winning the toss and electing to bat. Warner's 135 punished a wilting South Africa attack that lost Dale Steyn after lunch when the world's top Test bowler limped off complaining of pain in his right hamstring. He will be assessed on Sunday to see if he can continue bowling in the innings. Captain Michael Clarke (92 not out) and Steve Smith (50 not out) put on 114 for the fourth wicket and will resume on the second morning as they seek to bat the home team out of the match. Warner, who raised the ire of South Africans after the second Test in Port Elizabeth by suggesting they had tampered with the ball, smashed 12 fours and a six in his 152-ball stay at the crease. He recorded his seventh ton before falling to a catch behind by wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off spinner JP Duminy. Paceman Steyn had picked up the first wicket, having opener Chris Rogers (25) caught at second slip by skipper Graeme Smith. Alex Doolan then made a patient 20 off 66 deliveries before losing his cool as he tried to pull Vernon Philander, spooning a catch to Steyn at mid-on. Only Morne Morkel with his steep bounce troubled the Australian batsmen, especially Clarke. Morkel hit him on the elbow, gloves and the back of the helmet during a spell of ferocious fast bowling. Brief scores: Australia 331-3 (Warner 135, Clarke 92*, Smith 50*). — Reuters
|
|
Yuvi fashions Punjab victory with majestic 96
New delhi, March 1 Chasing a target of 229, Yuvraj shouldered bulk of the responsibility on a track where batting became difficult due to overcast conditions. Punjab chased down the target in exactly 47 overs as Yuvraj scored 96 off 95 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. The conditions required the mentality of a grafter which Sehwag lacked and as usual looked miserable in another failure while Yuvraj was ready to be patient initially before launching a swift counter attack. A cover drive off Nehra, a flick and square cut off Rajat Bhatia were signature Yuvraj shots. The standout shot certainly was a pull off Nehra where he got on top of the ball and every blade of grass must have felt the punch in the stroke. He also lofted Varun Sood over mid-wicket for a six. Credit should also be given to Gurkeerat Singh (52) as he played the second fiddle to perfection during their partnership of 143 runs after joining hands at 89 for four. Fittingly Yuvraj finished with a huge second six off Sood over cow corner to end the match. Earlier, Mithun Manhas (98) again turned out to be Delhi's saviour. Services edged home by two runs in a shortened match against J&K. The Haryana- HP tie was abandoned without a ball being bowled. — PTI vijay hazare Brief Scores: Delhi: 228 in 49.1 covers (Mithun 98, S Kaul 4/37, Harbhajan 2/54); Punjab: 232 for 4 in 47 overs. (Yuvraj 96 no, Gurkeerat 52 no). Punjab won by 6 wkts. Points: Punjab 4; Del 0
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Both teams go into the match on an even keel, a win and one loss each, but the defending champions Pakistan have a slight edge as they have a bonus point in their kitty from their win against associate nation Afghanistan.
