Cricket News

India vs Sri Lanka: Asia Cup – 2nd ODI

Pitch report: Even though there was some grass present on the pitch it would hardly change the nature of the pitch. Expert opinion: Should be good for batting.

"We were looking to bowl first as well. It is not a bad thing to bat first as well. We are happy with the team that we have got. We are going through a transition phase, it is not a settled side, youngsters are still looking to seal places in the side, there is a lot of competition, which is good. It is good to have the experience of Sachin in the side," Dhoni said after losing toss.

India: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, R Vinay Kumar.
Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna.

Match fixing claims baseless and misleading: ICC

Dubai/New Delhi: Reacting sharply to a British newspaper claim that the India-Pakistan semifinal in the 2011 cricket World Cup may have been fixed, the ICC tonight dismissed the claim as "spurious". ICC also dismissed the claim that it was investigating the semi-final.
"The story carried by the newspaper, in which it has claimed that the ICC is investigating the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi-final between India and Pakistan, is baseless and misleading," ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said in a statement. "The ICC has no reason or evidence to require an investigation into this match." 

Reference:

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-sri-lanka-live-score-asia-cup-2nd-odi_739121.html

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/match-fixing-claims-baseless-and-misleading-icc_739095.html

Current Cricket Situation

 Announcing his retirement in Bangalore, Rahul Dravid said: “I have played for 16 years but it’s time to leave now for the new generation to come up and take responsibilities.”

“I have many people to thank for supporting me and teaching me. My coaches, trainers… and selectors, who are hardly thanked in India. Thanks to the captains I have played under, the media, the KCA, BCCI, all the teams that I have played with," he said at a press conference which was also attended by his former teammate Anil Kumble and BCCI president N Srinivasan. 

Adelaide: Australia were today fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its 16-run win over Sir Lanka in the third and final ODI of the best-of-three finals of the tri-series on Thursday.

Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fines after Australia were ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both scored centuries and combined for a 200-run partnership as the tourists virtually batted New Zealand out of the first Test by the close of play on the third day on Friday.

Smith (115) and Kallis (107 not out) had come together with their side on 47 for two and with just a 12-run lead after Doug Bracewell had taken two wickets in one over before lunch to give the hosts hopes of pushing for an upset victory.

The experienced duo, however, consolidated their innings before lunch then built on it afterwards to guide South Africa to 268-3 by the close of play at University Oval in Dunedin, an overall lead of 23 3.

  Sources:
http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/index.html

Current Cricket Situation

Sri Lanka claim victory in second final by 8 wickets

Adelaide: Tillakaratne Dilshan slammed his second century to propel Sri Lanka to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Australia in the second final of the tri-series on Tuesday.


Mahela Jayawardene and Dilshan produced an excellent opening stand of 179 runs laying the foundation for chasing Australian target of 272 runs Adelaide.
With this win Sri Lanka have equalized the series and the winner will be decided on Thursday in the third final at Adelaide. 

SA aim for whitewash against England to earn No. 1 Test ranking

Dubai: South Africa will be aiming to carry the winning momentum from their ODI series into the three-Test series against New Zealand starting in Dunedin tomorrow, as it will earn them the status of the No. 1 Test ranked side in the world in the ICC Test Championship table.

Sachin shouldn`t wait for too long to decide his ODI career`

Mumbai: Former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson feels Sachin Tendulkar has got the right to decide when to quit one-day cricket, but says he should not wait too long, as otherwise, the criticism will grow.
"In Tests (in Australia), I thought he played the second best after (Virat) Kohli, who probably played the best. Looked to me he (Tendulkar) was in pretty good form in the Tests," Lawson said.
"But I wonder whether he is playing the one-dayers for the right reason? Was his heart and mind in it? Is he playing for the 100th hundred or for India? That`s what he will have to ask himself," he added.

Bangladesh recall Mortaza, drop Iqbal from Asia Cup squad

Dhaka: Former captain Mashrafe bin Moratza has been recalled to the 14-man Bangladesh squad for the Asia Cup cricket tournament to be held in Dhaka from March 11 to 2.

Even as they recalled Mortaza, the Bangladesh selectors have dropped explosive opener Tamim Iqbal from the squad, which was announced late last night.

Apart from Iqbal, the selectors have also dropped three other players of the 15-man squad, which played in the home one-day series against Pakistan in December last year.

Besides Mortaza, the selectors have also brought back Nazimuddin, Jahurul Islam, Shahadat Hossain and Anamul Haque into the squad.

While Mortaza led the Dhaka Gladiators to victory in the inaugural T20 Bangladesh Premier League, Iqbal played only two games for the Chittagong Kings due to a groin injury.
Posted By Muhammad Basharat

Sources:

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/index.html

Current Cricket Situation

Australia survive Sri Lanka scare in first final

Brisbane: A remarkable fight back from the Sri Lankan lower order threatened to pull off a thrilling victory at Brisbane but Australian team clinched the first final at Brisbane on Sunday. Chasing Australian target of 322 runs, Sri Lanka fell 15 runs short of the target despite Nuwan Kulasekara’s late heroics.

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board 
confirmed the appointment of Australia`s Dav Whatmore as their new head coach of the national team for the next two years. Julian Fountain has also been hired as the team`s fielding coach.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said Whatmore had been appointed because of his strong background and coaching credentials.

Australia will seek to clinch the title on Tuesday itself

Adelaide: Just a step away from clinching the title, Australia will be hoping to seal the issue tomorrow itself when they take on a spirited Sri Lanka in the second match of the best-of-three finals of the cricket tri-series.

WI batsman Runako Morton dies in a road accident

New Delhi: Former West Indies batsman Runako Morton, aged 33, has died in a road accident on Monday. Earlier, it was learnt that the batsman met with an accident in Trinidad & Tobago after losing control over his vehicle, which hit a pole. But later former West Indies captain Chris Gayle offered his condolence on the micro-blogging site Twitter, saying: “We lost a True Warrior W.I Cricketer Runako Morton-May is soul rest in peace! Our memories together Live On!-My Condolences to his Family.

Posted By Muhammad Basharat

Sources:

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/index.html

Asia Cup 2012

Asia Cup 2012 will begin on Monday, March 12, 2012 in Bangladesh as per cricket schedule announced. 2012 Asia Cup is an international tournament to be organized by Bangladesh. Asia Cup 2012 will consist of 6 ODI and 1 Final match. to be hosted by Bangladesh in March 2012. 

The Asia Cup 2012 tournament is a part of Future Cricket Tour Programs (FTP) prepared by International Cricket Council (ICC). Bangladesh will host this tournament, beginning on March 12, 2012. In Asia Cup 2012 bilateral series, first ODI match would be between Bangladesh - Pakistan on Mar 12, 2012 at 14:30 local time to be played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

Date and Time	Match Details and Series
Mon Mar 12 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	1st ODI - Bangladesh vs Pakistan Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Tue Mar 13 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	2nd ODI - India vs Sri Lanka Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Thu Mar 15 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	3rd ODI - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Fri Mar 16 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	4th ODI - Bangladesh vs India Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Sun Mar 18 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	5th ODI - India vs Pakistan Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Tue Mar 20 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	6th ODI - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Thu Mar 22 14:30 local | 08:30 GMT	Final ODI - TBC vs TBC Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

References:


http://www.cricschedule.com/series/107-asia-cup-2012-schedule-fixtures.html

Cricket News

India and Sri Lanka in Australia Tri-Series 2012

Australia vs Sri Lanka, 1st Final

Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane, March 4, 2012

1. South Africa sweep New Zealand ODI series




Auckland: Paceman Marchant de Lange picked up four wickets on his one-day international debut as South Africa completed a 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand with a five-wicket victory in the third and final ODI in Auckland on Saturday.


Unpaid Lankan stars continue to shine at tri-series

Melbourne: Sri Lankan cricketers, who have punched much above their weight by reaching the finals of the ongoing ODI tri-series by ousting India, will not get a single penny for these matches even after the release of their outstanding payments dating back to last year`s World Cup


Indians return home after worst tour of Aus in 45 years

Brisbane: Outplayed on the field and dogged by persistent reports of a rift in the team, the demoralized and jaded Indian cricketers left for home today after the worst tour of Australia in the last 45 years.




More Matches Coming

Forthcoming Fixtures

Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd Final India and Sri Lanka in Australia Tri-Series 2012 March 06, 2012 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

South Africa v New Zealand, 1st Test March 07, 2012 at University Oval, Dunedin

Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd Final (if needed) India and Sri Lanka in Australia Tri-Series 2012 March 08, 2012 at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Bangladesh v Pakistan, 1st Match Asia Cup 2012 March 11, 2012 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

India v Sri Lanka, 2nd Match Asia Cup 2012 March 13, 2012 at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

Canada v Netherlands, 5th Match, Group A ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, 2011/12 March 13, 2012 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium , Dubai

Kenya v Scotland, 6th Match, Group B ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, 2011/12 March 13, 2012 at ICC Global Cricket Academy , Dubai References: http://zeenews.india.com/sports/graph.aspx?cbzmid=10731&cbzpage=graphs#graphs http://zeenews.india.com/

Sindh Culture Day

Sindh Culture Day is observed on December 4th, 5th, 6th. The day is celebrated by the people of Sindh, province of Pakistan to express their loyalty to the Sindhi culture and it's thousands of year old cultural symbols, the traditional Sindhi Cap and Ajrak cloth. When the day was celebrated for the first time in 2009, it was referred to as "Sindhi Topi Day" (Sindhi Hat Day),^[1] however in 2010 it was universally referred to as "Sindh Culture Day:.

Reference:

http://www.google.com.pk/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1152&bih=670&q=sindhi+saqafat&gbv=2&oq=sindhi+saqafat&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=941l11714l0l12174l24l23l2l3l3l2l785l5684l1.3.4.7.1.1.1l18l0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindh_Culture_Day