It’s ridiculous to play cricket in unsafe Pak, says Symonds

Sydney: In the wake of the fresh spate of bomb blasts in Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy slated to be played in September, Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds has said that he was yet to be convinced about how safe it was to be playing in Pakistan.

Symonds, who arrived home from a West Indies tour yesterday, said he was yet to be convinced whether it was safe to play in Pakistan

“My feelings haven’t changed a great deal. I don’t mind the odd game of cricket for Australia, but it is only a game at the end of the day, and putting yourself in a position where you’re not safe, to me is ridiculous,” The News quoted Symonds as saying.

Players from Australia, New Zealand and England have expressed concern over playing in Pakistan after a deadly suicide blast in Rawalpindi, one of three venues for the tournament. Symonds had first raised objections about Australia’s scheduled Test tour of Pakistan in April, which was eventually cancelled following a wave of suicide bombings.

Meanwhile, acting Australian captain Michel Clarke refused to express an opinion, and instead preferred to leave the call up to the game’s administrators. He said he would wait to hear what Cricket Australia (CA), the Australian Cricketers’ Association and the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided on the issue.

Shane Watson said he would play for his country wherever he was asked. “Personally, I’d go anywhere, I’ll play anywhere, I just want to play for my country. That’s what I’ve worked so hard for, the injuries I’ve had, pretty up and down times over the last year, so I’d do anything to play for my country so wherever we have to go, I’ll go,” Watson told reporters.

Source: ANI

Exhausted Dhoni opts out of Lanka Test series

Indian ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has opted out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka citing exhaustion caused by non-stop cricket.

Dhoni, who had hinted of his desire to take a break after a hectic Asia Cup in Pakistan, met BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah to convey it officially.

"Dhoni met BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah and expressed his wish to take a break. He wants to opt out of the Test series," BCCI sources told PTI.

The wicketkeeper-batsman has been playing non-stop for the past one year that included an 80-day tour of the UK, the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, an ODI series against Australia and a Test and ODI series against Pakistan at home, a more-than-a-two-month long tour Down Under, a Test series against South Africa followed by the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Just days after the 44-day IPL, in which he played the most matches as his team the Chennai Super Kings were the finalists, the Indian captain was back in action in the tri-series against Bangladesh and Pakistan followed by the Asia Cup.

Faced with a hectic schedule at the Asia Cup, which saw India twice play back-to-back matches, Dhoni had sarcastically quipped that the teao react with vice-President Rajiv Shukla saying "any tired player should inform the board".

And taking a cue from the Board vice-President, Dhoni has conveyed that he needs a break to save himself from being burnt-out.

India beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets and March into the finals

So true are the tracks at the National Stadium here, that even a score of around 310 is never safe. Once again, teh team batting second made a mockery of the big score they chased. The Indian batsmen found few devils in the pitch and none at all in the bowling as they sailed to a comfortable win over Sri Lanka to book a place in the final of the Asia Cup.

Chasing Sri Lanka's 308-8, India comfortably reached 310-4 in 46.5 overs.

India now take on Sri Lanka again in the final on Sunday, while Pakistan and Bangladesh play for statistics on Friday.

There were times when India looked like getting into some sort of trouble, especially when they lost Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession. The two had put on 99 runs together before Sharma was run out going for the 100th.

However, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma ensured that there were no alarms.

Three stands, the one between Dhoni and Raina, along with the 92 runs put in earlier by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, and the unbeaten stand between Yuvraj and Sharma, ensured that India were never in no trouble.

Dhoni played like he is expected to, but seems to sometime not manage to do. His 67 was instrumental in ensuring that India's middle-order did not come under any pressure, and carried on with the good work later.

The distinction between the two sides was quite clear. India, needing to win this one, were nervous and unsure, while Sri Lanka, already in the final, were relaxed, but still had a great chance to put thing beyond India's reach.

But the fielders found their feet late in the game and managed to pull Sri lanka down to 308-8, which may not be impossible to chase.

Sri Lanka at one stage were looking good for at least 320, if not more, but from the 41st over onwards, India managed to put into some long yards, and restricted the batting.

Chamara Kapugedera was the man for Sri Lanka, scoring a fine 75, while Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva contirbuted 50 apiece. Among the Indian bowlers, no one really seemed to make much headway though RP Singh, returning to the XI, returned figures of 1-44 off 10 overs, quite decent under the circumstances. Irfan Pathan went for 80 off 10 overs.

The fielding left a lot to desire, and the ground fielding was absolutely abysmal early on in the innings, esepcially with the bowlers -- Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha and Ishant Sharma -- fluffing on the ground off each other.

In the afternoon, the coin didn't favour Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India were left to field first in the match they must win to stay alive in the Asia Cup.

India made two changes in the team, with RP Singh and left-arm spinner Ojha coming back into the team, replacing Yusuf Pathan and Piyush Chawla.

The Indians, who were rated favourites in the tournament, and looked good to carry on the ratings in the league stage, suddenly find themselves in a corner.

They lost to Pakistan by a fair distance on Wednesday, and that didn't do their run-rate any favours. However, even that also comes into play if they manage to beat Sri Lanka on Friday.

Sri Lanka naturally decided to give some of the fringe players an outing, as they have already booked their seat in the final.

It is now left to India to get their act together.

Younus Khan unbeaten ton helped Pakistan beat India by 8 wickets

Younus Khan hit a magnificent century as Pakistan achieved a much needed eight-wicket win against India in the Asia Cup Super League match at the National Stadium here on Wednesday.

Younus boosted Pakistan's quest with an unbeaten knock of 123 off 117 balls to help his side overhaul India's total of 308-7 for their fifth successful run chase in one-day internationals, the fourth against their arch-rivals.

The win helped Pakistan stay in the tournament and leaves them hoping that India lose to Sri Lanka on Thursday. The hosts would then seek to beat Bangladesh on Friday.

India, on four points from two matches with one win and two carry over points from the first round, need a win Thursday to reach the July 6 final.

Titleholders Sri Lanka have already qualified for the final with wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Younus, declared man-of-the-match, shared a crucial unbroken 144-run stand for the third wicket with stand-in captain Misbah-ul-Haq who hit seven boundaries and a six in his unbeaten 62-ball 70.

Misbah hit paceman Praveen Kumar for a boundary to bring victory with 4.3 overs to spare.

The 30-year-old Younus hit Kumar for his ninth boundary to reach his fifth one-day hundred off 99 balls.

Younus, who also completed 5,000 one-day runs when on 36, hit eleven fours and a six to outshine Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 76 which lifted India to an imposing total.

Pakistan raced to a solid start of 65 before Salman Butt (36) was run out in the eighth over. Opener Nasir Jamshed, who came in after captain Shoaib Malik was ruled out due to dehydration, hit an aggressive 53 with nine boundaries.

When Jamshed retired hurt after suffering cramps, Younus and Mohammad Yousuf (21) took Pakistan to 165 when Yousuf was bowled by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

That did not deter Younus who in company of Misbah brought up the win.

Misbah said containing India was crucial.

"We bowled well and staged an important comeback after India had a fiery start and once we restricted them to 308 we were sure that it was a chaseable target and Younus ensured it with a brilliant knock," said Misbah.

Dhoni admitted losing quick wickets had put pressure on the batting.

"We lost four wickets which put us under pressure," said Dhoni. "Then the only way to stop Pakistan was to get wickets which we couldn't."

Earlier India almost spoiled a robust start of 88 provided by Virender Sehwag (49) and Gautum Gambhir (35) but Dhoni added 112 runs for the fifth wicket with Rohit Sharma (58) to steady the innings.

Sehwag smashed six boundaries and two sixes during his 33-ball knock, while Gambhir hit four boundaries before Pakistan hit back taking three wickets off just nine balls in the space of three runs.

Paceman Rao Ifktihar, who finished with 3-51, had Gambhir before Abdur Rauf, one of three changes in the Pakistan team, removed Sehwag and Suresh Raina (one).

Yuvraj hit four boundaries and a six in his 32-ball 37 but his fall left India struggling at 129-4

Sharma and Dhoni steadied the innings through their 139-ball partnership. Sharma hit four boundaries during his 71-ball knock.

Dhoni miscued a heave off Sohail Tanveer in the penultimate over and was caught by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed. He added 41 for the seventh wicket with Irfan Pathan who finished 38 not out.

Sri Lanka in the Finals of Asia Cup

Sparkling centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara powered defending champions Sri Lanka to a crushing 158-run win over Bangladesh Monday to reach the final of the Asia Cup.

Jayasuriya celebrated his 39th birthday with an 88-ball 130 while Sangakkara scored 121 to help Sri Lanka pile up a mammoth 332-8 before Muttiah Muralitharan took 5-31 to bowl Bangladesh out for 174 in 38.3 overs.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 64 runs in the opening match of the Super League on Sunday. They have six points after winning two matches and carrying over two points on account of their win over Bangladesh in the first round.

India, who beat Bangladesh on Saturday, also have four points. They come face to face with Pakistan in a crucial match on Wednesday. If they win, India will meet Sri Lanka for a repeat of the 2004 final, here on July 6.

The match was a one-sided affair after Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and opted to bat, with the innings built around a massive 201-run partnership for the opening wicket between Jayasuriya and Sangakkara in 169 balls.

Jayawardene was full of praise for the two centurions.

"Both Sanath and Sangakkara played well and ensured we made a solid total. It was disappointing to lose wickets in the middle order but then Muralitharan bowled very well to help us qualify for the final," said Jayawardene.

Bangladesh failed to match the strokeplay of the two left-handed Sri Lankans. Only Raqibul Hasan (52) and opener Nazimuddin (47) offered resistance in an otherwise listless batting display.

Nazimuddin was run out after hitting seven boundaries and a six during his 59-ball innings, while Hasan smashed seven boundaries during his 63-ball knock before Muralitharan had him caught by Jayawardene.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons admitted the Sri Lankans were too good for his young team.

"They were too good for us on the day. It was a big target and Muralitharan was too hot to handle," said Siddons of the Sri Lankan wizard.

It was Muralitharan's ninth five-wicket haul in limited overs cricket.

Earlier, Jayasuriya and Sangakkara punished the hapless Bangladesh attack.

Jayasuriya was ruthless from the outset, hitting shots with power and precision. He took just 31 balls to reach his half-century.

He continued in the same vein to reach his 26th one-day hundred off 55 balls -- the sixth-fastest hundred in one-day internationals -- with 14 boundaries and five sixes.

Jayasuriya becomes the second oldest batsman to score a one-day hundred behind England's Geoff Boycott, who scored a century against Australia at Sydney in 1979 when he was 39 years and 51 days old.

Jayasuriya miscued a drive off leg-spinner Alok Kapali and was caught in the 28th over. In all he hit 16 boundaries and six sixes during his devastating knock.

Sangakkara was steadier as he batted around Jayasuriya and took runs whenever he had the opportunity. He reached his hundred off 117 balls before he was bowled by left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak in the 44th over.

The 30-year-old left-hander hit 16 boundaries and a six off 128 balls.

Sri Lanka lost their last eight wickets for just 99 runs. Alok Kapali and Reza took two wickets apiece.