PCB to appeal against Ajmal's suspension

"The ban on Ajmal is a big blow to Pakistan cricket and we will appeal against the decision," PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said in an instant reaction to the news of the ban.
   
PCB bigwigs and the national team manager and chief selector Moin Khan went into a emergency meeting at the Gaddafi stadium to chalk out a future strategy.
   
"We don't know the exact details but Saeed has the option of also working on his action and taking fresh tests when he is ready," Khan said.
   
"What we know is that the ICC has recently changed its protocol on testing bowlers with suspect actions and other bowlers have also been reported. We could appeal in two weeks time," he noted.
   
Pakistan's former captain, Rashid Latif said he was expecting a suspension on Ajmal, all of whose deliveries were found to be illegal.
   
"The ICC has come down hard on bowlers with even minor issues in their action and it appears things have changed from the past when leniency was shown by match officials and umpires," he said.
   
Latif said Ajmal has no option but to work on modifying his action and going for a fresh test before the World Cup.
   
"The domestic cricket season is also starting soon so he has the platform to work on his action."
   
A senior board official said that the board had already made up its mind to have experts work on Ajmal's action and hope he passes the ICC tests before the World Cup.
   
Ajmal, the top spinner in world cricket for the last three years, is not the first Pakistani bowler to be reported for a suspect bowling action as before him Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik have all been reported as well.
   
But Ajmal is the first Pakistani bowler under the new ICC protocols to be banned from bowling in  international cricket. He was reported during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle last month.
   
Pakistan's former chief selector and coach, Mohsin Khan said he was disappointed by the ban on Saeed Ajmal.
   
"He is a big asset for us and the PCB should now use all its resources to get him back into international cricket. I know no player is indispensable but if he is not available for the World Cup it will badly hit our chances of doing well there," Mohsin said.

Source:Latest News from Sports News

Paes-Stepanek advance to third round of US Open

The sixth seeded pairing defeated Chinese Taipei's Yen Hsun-Lu and Czech Republic's Jiri Vesley 7-6 (3) 6-3 in a contest which lasted an hour and 23 minutes.
   
In the intensely contested opening set, both the teams exchanged a break of serve and were guilty of committing an equal number of unforced errors.
   
Lu and Vesley, however, gave away easy points by committing as many as four double faults, eventually falling short in the tie-breaker.
    
But Paes and Stepanek dominated the second set, clinching two break points and being distinctly better on their second serve.
   
The sixth seeds will next take on the winners of the match between 11th-seeded Spanish pair of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez and the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sisling.
   
In the junior competition, Ojasvinee Singh entered the second round of qualifiers after beating local favourite Alexandra Sanford 6-3 6-2.

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Van Gaal says ‘record signing’ Di Maria won't provide instant fix to Untied’s woes

The Dutchman was speaking after United's humiliating 4-0 loss at third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup second round had compounded their terrible start to the campaign.
              
"I think that he (Di Maria) can contribute and that is very important but we don't have to expect that from tomorrow our world has changed," Van Gaal told a British channel after the Argentina international signed for 59.7 million pounds (USD 98.77 million).
              
"He has to adapt to the culture of England, the culture of the Premier League and the philosophy of Manchester United,” he added.
              
"He shall contribute very much in our way of playing. He is a creative player. I can change the system with Di Maria. He can play as a winger and he can also play in midfield," he said.
              
The experienced Van Gaal has yet to fashion a win during his three competitive matches in charge of United this season.
              
Their thrashing by MK Dons followed a 2-1 defeat against Swansea City, United's first opening day loss at home since 1972, and a 1-1 draw against Sunderland in the Premier League.
              
Van Gaal praised the reaction he got from the Old Trafford faithful during the reverse to Swansea and urged them to remain patient as he looks to reshape his struggling team.
              
"(The fans) have to believe in our philosophy," he said.

"We are building up a team that you cannot make in one month or even one year. It (Tuesday's defeat) is very disappointing but I hope they shall maintain their confidence in the club, and in our philosophy because that philosophy takes time,” he added.
              
"We know exactly what we are doing. We have lost in the Capital One Cup, and so tonight (Tuesday) has cost us the chance of a trophy, and that is disappointing,” he further said.
              
United's next game is a trip to promoted Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Find Latest News from Sports News

Sharath Kamal, Amalraj shine in table tennis

Kamal and Shamini Kumaresan defeated Malaysian combo of Ying Ho and Chee Feng Leong 11-5 11-8 11-8 in the third round.
   
They had spanked Uganda's Paul Moody Mutambuze and Ludia Magandlen Natunga 11-4 11-4 11-4 in the second round.
   
Amalraj and Madhurika Patkar too made it to the next round after beating Dexter St Louis and Reann Chung of Trinidad and Tobago 11-4 11-9 9-11 11-4.

They had earlier beaten another Trinidad and Tobago pair Aaron Wilson and Catherine Spicer 11-4 11-8 11-9.
   
In men's doubles, Sharath and Amalraj thrashed Simasiku Kalaluka and Friday Ng'andu of Zambia 3-0 (11-6 11-4 11-3).
   
In women's singles, Manika Batra thrashed New Zealand's Annie Yang 11-5 11-3 11-6 11-6, while Madhurika Patkar defeated Sri Lanka's Ishara Madurangi 12-10 11-9 11-6 and Shamini Kumaresan eked out a 11-3 6-11 11-4 9-11 11-9 8-11 11-7 win over Ganiat Ogundele of Nigeria.
   
However, Soumyajit Ghosh and Poulomi Ghatak went down fighting 2-3 (11-9 10-12 11-8 1-11 8-11) against England's S Walker and K le Fevre in the third round mixed doubles match.

The duo had beaten Tabish Khurshid and Abeera Sheikh 11-8 11-5 11-4 in the second round.
   
Soumyajit, though, teamed up with Harmeet Desai to defeat Trinidad and Tobago's Yuvraaj Dookram and Aaron Wilson 3-0 (11-6 11-7 11-6) in men's doubles second round.
   
Batra and Sanil Shetty too failed to cross the third round after they were outsmarted by Tengteng Liu and Karen Li 11-6 12-10 11-8.

The Indian pair had earlier trounced Trevor Farley and Sherrice Felix of Barbados 11-2 11-5 11-3 in the second round.

Source: Latest News from Sports News Today

Chess Olympiad: Top stars missing but Indian team in 'high spirit'

Anand, having last played the event in 2004 in Spain, is giving it a miss again and the second-highest rated ever and fast climbing P Harikrishna is also not playing this time.
   
However the team has in-form Parimarjan Negi, who had a good show in the just concluded Politiken cup, and B Adhiban, who won the Biel Masters open just a few days back, in addition to M R Lalith Babu and S P Sethuraman who all, on their day, are formidable opponents. Sasikiran at 33, is the oldest member in the team.
   
Seeded 19th among a record participation of 179 countries this time, the Indian team can do better than its billing provided Sasikiran, Negi and Adhiban remain at the top of their game.
   
The Indian women team will again miss the services of top star Koneru Humpy who has not been a part of the chess Olympiad for some time now. Humpy is getting married just a few days after the Olympiad.
   
Dronavalli Harika will be the star among the Indian eves that came up with a flourish to finish fourth last time in the biennial event. Seeded fifth this time, the team comprises Tania Sachdev, Mary Ann Gomes, Eesha Karavade and Padmini Rout. There are 139 teams in women’s competition.
   
The chance of an encore for the Indian eves or bettering their performance will heavily rely on the performance by Harika and Tania Sachdev, who had won a personal bronze medal for her performance last year.

The Russian team starts as the rating favourite in the open section while in the women’s, its China that has the highest average rating. The event will be played on FIDE’s Swiss system. For every win, a team will get two match points and one in case of a tied result.
   
It will also be the first daylight Olympiad as the sun does not set in Tromso in the present period.

Less than 2000 KMs from the North Pole, Tromso has been the starting point for the Polar expeditions for more than 200 years now.
   
The focus will be chess though and the presence of most of the top stars of the world makes it a unique event.

World Champion Magnus Carlsen will be the biggest star representing the local team. Also present will be Vladimir Kramnik and Sergey Karjakin for Russia, Levon Aronian for Armenia and Veselin Topalov for Bulgaria.
   
Among the women, Judit Polgar of Hungary will be cynosure of all eyes playing in the open section.

Yifan Hou, the women's world champion will don the first board for China while new import Kateryna Lahno will play under the Russian flag for the first time.

Source: Sports News Today

'Returning' Serena on song in WTA return at Stanford

The American world number one, playing for the first time since her third-round singles exit at Wimbledon, showed no sign of illness or rust as she rolled to victory over the 45th-ranked Czech in 64 minutes.
   
After enjoying a first-round bye, the top seed punched her ticket to the quarter-finals of the WTA hardcourt tournament where she'll face the winner of Thursday's second-round match between former world number one Ana Ivanovic and Canadian qualifier Carol Zhao.
   
Williams has captured titles at Brisbane, Miami and Rome in 2014, but she has failed to add to her tally of 17 Grand Slam singles titles and the US Open offers her last chance this year to do so.
   
After falling in the third round of singles play at Wimbledon, Williams looked wobbly in a second-round doubles match from which she and her sister Venus eventually retired.
   
Since then Serena had withdrawn from a tournament in Bastad but she said this week her time off had helped her recover from a virus and she showed no ill-effects on Wednesday.
   
"She had a really good serve," Williams said of Pliskova, who kept the first set close but finally surrendered the frame when Williams broke her in the final game.   

Williams broke again in the second game en route to a 3-0 lead in the second and broke Pliskova to love to close out the match when the Czech belted a forehand long.
   
Williams saved all three break points she faced in the match and fired nine aces.
   
"I think I played really well," Williams said.

"I'm on the right path. I'm excited and I'm looking forward to my next match,” she added.

Source: Sports News Today Headlines

England game was dream come true, says Suarez

"I have been thinking about this, it was something I dreamed about happening quite a lot," he told reporters.

             

"I'm enjoying this moment, because of all I suffered, the criticism I received. So there you go," he said.

             

Suarez scored with a clever first-half header and struck the winner five minutes from time with a trademark powerful shot to almost certainly eliminate England from the tournament.

             

"Before the game too many people in England laughed about my attitude over the last few years," he said. "This is a very good time for me. I want to see what they think now,” he added.

             

"It was one of the best games I've played. It's an amazing moment for me. Maybe a few days ago I thought this wouldn't be possible," he said.

             

The controversial Liverpool striker had knee surgery last month and missed the opening game against Costa Rica, so he was also keen to pay tribute to his doctor Walter Ferreira.

             

"If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here," Suarez said.

             

Recalling his winning goal, Suarez, who has served lengthy bans in England for racially abusing and biting opponents, said he wanted to dedicate it to those people who had stuck with him.

             

"When I saw the ball I closed my eyes and kicked it for all the things I went through, for the people that supported me," he said, his voice cracking. "And it went in.

             

"Nobody could have imagined a match like this," the 27-year-old said.

             

Uruguay joined Italy and Costa Rica, who play on Friday, on three points at the top of the group.

Source: Sports News

Spain v Holland: Arjen Robben admits he will always be haunted by World Cup final miss

Arjen Robben has admitted he will always be haunted by the World Cup final miss against Spain which denied Holland the chance to end their misery on football’s biggest stage.

With Robben due to face Spain for the first time tonight since South Africa as the Dutch begin their Group B campaign in Salvador, memories of the second-half miss in Johannesburg have flooded back for the Bayern Munich winger.

At 0-0, Robben was denied by Spain captain Iker Casillas after finding himself one-on-one with the Real Madrid goalkeeper in the 61st minute.

With neither team able to break the deadlock during 90 minutes, Andres Iniesta’s extra-time strike ultimately won the World Cup for the Spaniards.

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From telegraph News

Andy Murray v Rafael Nadal, French Open 2014 semi-final: live

The King of Clay, Rafa Nadal, proves just too strong for Britain's Andy Murray - 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Nadal looks poised to win a fifth straight French Open, and ninth overall. In truth, it was a mauling. Statistically, Murray's worst result in a Slam. Nadal had a swagger, and his precision, power and spin on his treasured red surface was just too much.

Murray has had his best tournament since his back surgery, however. Nothing today - however grisly - suggests he cannot win at Wimbledon, to retain the crown he worked so hard to capture. Different surface, contrasting vibe. But Nadal - he is special, isn't he? Actually the first semi-final was more entertaining. Unfancied Latvian Ernests Gulbis lost the first two sets to Novak Djokovic but then found some inspiration.

Djokovic wilted in the heat. Both players seemed to have niggles. Gulbis won the first set. But the Serb held on. You wouldn't bet on him in the final, however... not against Nadal....

Source: Sports News in Hindi

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From telegraph.co.uk News

Andy Murray must prove he has what it takes to win Grand Slam against Rafa Nadal

John McEnroe says Andy Murray’s semi-final clash with Rafa Nadal on Friday will prove if the Wimbledon ­champion is back as a genuine Grand Slam contender.

The British No.1 has reached the last four at a Major for the first time since his Wimbledon triumph last year by coming through five-set thrillers against Philipp Kohlschreiber and Gael Monfils.

But the world No.8 has yet to beat a top 10 player since ending ­Britain’s 77-year wait for the title last July – and has lost his three matches against other members of the Big Four.

He has also had to contend with back surgery and splitting with coach Ivan Lendl since his second Grand Slam title.

Murray faces the massive mission of ending the Spanish King of Clay’s long reign at Roland Garros.

The world No.1 has won eight French Open titles while only ever losing one match here and is on a 33-match unbeaten run at the clay-court Major...

Source: Sports News in Hindi 

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From mirror.co.uk News

ICC investigations into corruption critical, says Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar, who bid adieu to the game last year after playing 200 Test matches, said the ICC's probe into corruption into cricket are "critical for the game".
   
"I think the concerned people are taking really important steps because it is critical for the game to make sure that the spectators watch a fair competition," Tendulkar told reporters here.
   
Tendulkar was referring to the ongoing investigations by the ICC, the contents of which, including some testimonies of players, were leaked to the media leading to a furore.
   
The 41-year-old, who is here on a promotional tour, was also all excited about picking up his bat for the first time after retirement for an exhibition match in which he wouldb play with West Indian legend Brian Lara.
   
Tendulkar and Lara would turn up for the Marylebone Cricket Club XI to mark the MCC's 200th anniversary.  The Tendulkar-led team will take on a World XI captained by former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne in an ODI match on July 5.
   
"We (himself and Lara) played for the same team and we had a wonderful partnership. So I'm hoping for another one this time," he said.
   
"It's always been a joy to play against him. I loved watching Brian scoring runs against other nations, not India," Tendulkar said.
   
The Indian said Singapore can be a force to reckon with in international cricket.
   
"I don't see any reason why not... whenever we played here in Singapore, the response was really good," said Tendulkar.
   
"As a cricketer I feel proud that various nations are taking initiatives in constructing state-of-the-art stadiums and making sure that every measure is taken to globalise the game," he said.

Source: Latest News from Sports News 

We partied all night after IPL triumph, says KKR's Shakib Al Hasan

"We partied the whole night. I reached to my room at 3.30 am, but they (teammates) called me to rejoin the celebrations, so I went came back to my room at 5 am," KKR all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan told mid-day.

"I needed to pack my bags as I had to catch a flight to Mumbai to attend the Ceat Awards, so I ended up lying on my bed for just half-an-hour," the Bangladeshi added.

Manish Pandey's 50-ball 94 ensured KKR emerged champions for the second time. Batting first, Kings XI Punjab scored a massive 199-4 — thanks to Wriddhiman Saha's brilliant 115. In reply, KKR chased the target with three balls to spare.

'A prefect chase'

"The 2012 triumph will be the most memorable because we won the title for the first time. This time we won nine matches at a stretch including the final. We can't believe it," said the 27-year-old.

Shakib felt KKR always had control of the game. "Although we lost wickets, we never got bogged down with the pressure of chasing 200. I would say it was a prefect chase — 10 runs an over. We never fell short till the 19th over," he said.

Shakib heaped praise on man-of-the-match Pandey: "When I look back at the initial part of the tournament, we lost four of the first six games. But once we started winning, we began dominating. As far as the final goes our major batsmen scored runs, but we could chase such a big score because of one man - Manish Pandey. He should have got a 100," he said.

Source: Latest News from Cricket News

Pele's son sentenced to 33 years in prison for money laundering

Edinho, who played as a goalkeeper for his father's former club Santos, served a jail sentence for drug trafficking between 2005 and 2006. At the time, he admitted to being a drug addict but denied trafficking charges.
             
He was found guilty of money-laundering on Friday by a judge in the beachside city of Praia Grande. Four other men accused of being part of the same gang received similar sentences.
             
Edinho, whose real name is Edson Cholbi do Nascimento, is expected to appeal against the judge's decision but must hand over his passport to the authorities. He may be preventively arrested while a higher court considers his appeal.
             
Edinho, 43, currently works as a goalkeeping coach for Santos. His lawyer was not immediately available for comment.
             
Pele, widely regarded as the best footballer of all time, helped Brazil win the World Cup three times. Brazil is hosting this year's World Cup from June 12-July 13.

Read more Latest News from Sports News

Groin Injury Rules Out Wayne Rooney Against Hull City

Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's final home game of the season against Hull City on Tuesday after being ruled out with a groin injury. Rooney was sidelined for Saturday's 1-0 loss to Sunderland due to a combination of the groin problem and a stomach bug.

It was initially believed the England forward would be fit for United's Old Trafford finale, but interim manager Ryan Giggs revealed on Monday that the 28-year-old has still not recovered. "Wayne is probably struggling for the game. He's not quite recovered. We'll continue to monitor him," Giggs told MUTV.

Reports last week claimed Rooney was confident his fitness problems would not affect his chances of being ready to shine at the World Cup. England manager Roy Hodgson is due to announce his squad next week for the tournament in Brazil.

Rooney's absence for the Hull game means Dutch striker Robin van Persie could make his first start in seven weeks as he has now fully recovered from a knee injury...

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From ndtv News

IPL 2014: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab – Live Score

As expected, Kings XI Punjab are fielding an unchanged XI, while Mumbai Indians have left out left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for talented seamer Jasprit Bumrah.

Mumbai XI:

Ben Dunk, Rohit Sharma (capt.), Corey Anderson, Ambati Rayudu, Keiron Pollard, Aditya Tare, Harbhajan Singh, Chidhambaram Gautam (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga

Punjab XI:

Cheteshwar Pujara, V Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, George Bailey (capt.), Rishi Dhawan, Mitchell Johnson, Akshar Patel, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Sandeep Sharma

Toss:

Punjab skipper, George Bailey won the toss and have opted to bat first. Rohit Sharma also said, they would have also like to bat first as the pitch is dry.

===================================================

Mumbai: On paper, they are all tigers and lions. It`s altogether another story that only a few live up to their colours, rather stripes. The match-up between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab will pit two such teams with names and claims galore, albeit with some historical difference.

What has happened so far this season has once again underlined the fact that, past is not present. Mumbai Indians won the tournament last time around. But in 2014, they have found themselves wanting in almost every field. Whereas, Kings XI Punjab – historically one of the under-performing teams in the Indian Premier League, have won all there five matches so far and have truly blossomed as a perfect team.

But, what happened during the UAE-leg can no longer be considered the basis to out-rightly dismiss the Rohit Sharma-led squad from the reckoning. Now onwards, the tournament will be played in India, at home, with fans, noise and new zeal. In fact, the Mumbai franchise have won all their eight matches at Wankhede Stadium in 2013. And today, they welcome the pace-setters in their lair. And what spurred them to such a perfect record was the combination of these factors. So, the question is: Will Wankhede help Mumbai regain their lost touch?....

Source: Cricket News in Hindi

From Znews

Sania-Cara pair reach Portugal Open final

 Sania Mirza alongwith her doubles partner Cara Black stormed into the finals of the Portugal Open with a straight-set victory over third seeded American pair of Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond in Oeiras.

Continuing their fabulous run, the top seeded combo of Sania and Cara took an hour and 14 minutes to get the better of their American rivals, 6-4 6-3 at the $250,000 clay court event.

First set saw the Indo-Zimbabwean pair struggle a bit, as they could convert only three of the eight breakpoints they got but they managed to held their nerves to finally win it.

In the second set, two decisive breaks of serve enabled Sania and Cara to wrap up the match comfortably in their favour...

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From TH News

World Twenty20: Former Pakistan coach predicts India-Pakistan final

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has tipped arch rivals India and Pakistan to play the final of the 2014 World Twenty20. Lawson, who was in charge of the Pakistan team between 2007-2008, said conditions in Bangladesh were ideally suited to both sides as was evident from their performances in the recently concluded Asia Cup.

The two rivals meet on March 21 in what is being termed as the 'real' curtain- raiser for this year's World T20.

"India and Pakistan will be playing on slow paced and low-bounce pitches and as such they may start as the two most likely to play in the final once again. Pakistan have the spin king in Saeed Ajmal and the the all-round talents of Mohammed Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and the inimitable Shahid Afridi. That's plenty of slow bowling on their preferred surface," Lawson wrote in his column for Al Jazeera.

For the talented Pakistan team, the challenge essentially will be to curb their tendency to implode if they are to repeat their 2009 World Twenty triumph. Mohammad Hafeez's men take on Australia, defending champs West Indies and a qualifier after their clash against India in what is perhaps the tougher of the two groups at the World T20.

Source: Cricket News & Sports News

From ibnlive News

FIH changes match format from two halves to four quarters

International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday, announced changes to the structure of the game, moving from two 35-minute halves to four 15-minute quarters, a model that has been tried and implemented by both the Euro Hockey League and Hockey India League. The purpose of the change will improve the flow and intensity of the game and increase the fan experience and opportunity for game presentation and analysis.

Other changes include the implementation of 40-second time-outs following both penalty corner awards and the scoring of a goal. Both stoppages ensure that the 60-minute game time is maximized for actual play and not consumed with penalty corner set up or other dead time when the ball is not in play. The new regulations will be applied to the upcoming Champions Trophy, World League Round 2, World League Semi-Final and Final, all continental Olympic qualifying events as of 1 September 2014 as well as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Leandro Negre, president of FIH, said: "The decision today demonstrates our commitment to fan engagement. With the additional breaks, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy more replays and be more engaged with the event, whether in the stadium or watching from a far, while hockey commentators will be allowed more time to provide sport analysis between plays. In addition, coaches and players will see improvement in their performance with the additional opportunities to re-hydrate and re-strategize."

The new format will result in a higher intensity, faster paced and more exciting game of hockey. It will enable event organisers and broadcasters to develop more engaging fan experiences, both at the venue, on TV and online. With an increase in opportunity to review highlights, explain the game and add colour to the play, people from all over the world can have a better lens on the exciting sport of hockey.

Following the already-existing formats of several other sports such as basketball, American football and netball, the FIH Executive Board decided to move hockey into a four-quarter format. Overall game time will move from 70 minutes (previously two 35-minute halves) to a 60-minute game with four 15 minute quarters where there is a time-out for penalty corner setup and goals. After the first and third quarters, each team will have a two-minute break, while the existing 10-minute half time will remain unchanged.

Supplementing the new 60-minute regulation, FIH also announced the implementation of a 40-second time-out when a penalty corner is awarded. Additionally, a 40 second time out will also be added when a goal has been scored. Both time-outs allow for on-field team celebration time, video replays and analysis for televised matches, as well as additional opportunities to engage fans.

The time-outs ensure that the new 60-minute format is primarily actual playing time and eliminates the dead time associated with penalty corner set up while allowing for teams to enjoy their goal..

Source: Sports News 

From ndtv News

ICC World Twenty20: India vs Pakistan - Preview

Battered and bruised in the first quarter of 2014, India will aim to take fresh guard when they open their World Twenty20 campaign against traditional foes Pakistan here on Friday in what promises to be a cracker of a contest.

While form favours Pakistan even though they were battered by South Africa in a warm-up game last evening, history would be on India`s side as they have never lost to their arch-rivals on all three meetings of the previous editions of World T20.

The Pakistan national team has played more T20 Internationals than its Indian counterparts, who last played an official T20 International against Australia in October last year.

There will be some great inner battle within the main contest. Shahid Afridi`s pyrotechnics against Ravichandran Ashwin`s variations, Umar Gul`s pace against Virat Kohli`s bravado, Saeed Ajmal`s guile against Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s flair.

But then, cricket is a fickle game and India have not had a great run this year so far. Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s side has won only two official international matches this year having beaten Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup last month.

They have lost to all major teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Even they lost to Sri Lanka in the first warm-up game before beating England convincingly by 20 runs in the final warm-up tie to somewhat redeem themselves.

While a victory acts as a morale booster after having inculcated the habit of losing, it would be a completely different ball-game when the `Men In Blue` take the field against Mohammed Hafeez`s men.

It is impossible to think that Afridi`s last-over exploits wouldn`t play on the Indian cricketers` minds ahead of the game although the format is completely different.

There would be immense pressure on both sides and one can expect a full house at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium as people are going crazy for the tickets of the match.

For Dhoni, there are a number of issues that he needs to fret upon although yesterday`s England game was an indication as to what kind of line-up he is planning to field tomorrow.

There are still some concerns with both batting and bowling. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan`s performance in shorter versions hasn`t been good enough but the skipper is not known to tinker too much with his side.

Also the fact that Ajinkya Rahane, who can be an option as an opener having done the job for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, is also not inspiring confidence of the highest order.

While critics have panned Dhoni for not being flexible with his team selection, he did try something `Out of the Box` during the last edition in Sri Lanka where Irfan Pathan came in as an opener.

His run-a-ball 31 was one of the primary reasons that India lost to Australia and were subsequently knocked out of the tournament. Dhoni has never really experimented big time after that.

A good start is always crucial as it helps to seize the initiative early on in the match. Both Rohit and Dhawan would be aware that a couple of defeats could mean end of the road for India in this edition...

Source: Cricket News

From Zee News

Hockey India Senior Men Championship: TN beat FCI by 4-3

After suffering a loss in their first game against Uttar Pradesh 5 -2, Hockey Odisha today registered their first win by defeating Karnataka by an impressive 3- 1 on board. Tamil Nadu saw a similar fate as they too register their first win in the 4th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2014 (Division A) played at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Lucknow today, as they defeated Food Corporation of India 4-3.

Hockey Odisha clearly learned from their previous mistakes and played an inspiring game against Karnataka. Committing one error Hockey Odisha lost a chance to win by a clean 3-0 as Karnataka?s Biddappa B.S successfully cashed on to the opportunity of converting the penalty corner in the 24th minute of the game. On the other hand, Hockey Odisha?s Amon Mirash Tirkey, Deepak Kullu and Dispan Tirkey penetrated a goal each in the 12th, 56th and 60th minute of the match and led the team to a fantastic 3-1 win over Karnataka.

The last match of the day of Division A, motivated with yesterday?s success, Food Corporation of India displayed a confident attitude and showed brilliant skills in the first half of the game as they dominated the match with 2-1 on board with successful strokes by Ganendrajit Ningomban in the 15th minute and Munish Rana in the 23rd minute, till the half time.

The second half of the game saw Munish Rana converting a penalty corner in the 45th minute and banking another goal to his credit, but the team ultimately failed to leverage on the opportunities. Alternatively, S. Monoj of Tamil Nadu tried leveling the scores with Food Corporation of India in the 21st minute in the first half itself, but it was V. Vinod Rayer?s and V. Raja?s field goals in 43rd and 63rd minute respectively and B Laxman Karan?s penalty corner conversion in the 61st minute which turned the tables of the match and led the team to a charming 4-3 win.

Source: Sports News

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