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Monday, March 19, 2012

Bermuda snatches victory from the jaws of defeat



Janeiro Tucker smashed sixes off the first three balls of the last over to guide Bermuda to a stunning five wickets victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a crucial Group A fixture of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 at the ICC GCA Oval 1 on Monday.

Needing 16 off the final six balls of the match, Tucker blasted three straight sixes off PNG captain Rarva Dikana that helped Bermuda overtake the 156-run target with three balls to spare. While the victory earned Bermuda its first victory in the tournament, the defeat ended PNG's hopes of finishing in the top three in its group.

Tucker, later declared man of the match, finished unbeaten on 52 that came off 33 balls and included one four and five towering sixes. Bermuda captain David Hemp was the other main run-getter with a 27-ball 30 with a four and a six. The two batsmen added 55 runs for the fourth wicket in just over seven overs.

Tucker later said: "My personal performance was really outstanding today. I haven't really had a good last four or five games, but today came all together."

"The team has been on the par for the last 5 games but now as the tournament goes on and we're almost at the end, we're getting a little better. So hopefully we can finish off our last three games with victories and hopefully the morale is high after this victory here and we can just continue to build."

"Hitting that last ball was amazing. That was always my intention to try to get us to victory in the last over."

"I guess our strategy for the last couple of games will be pretty much the same as of today. We got a victory so I guess we've done something right."

Earlier, Vani Vagi Morea top scored with 49 not out in PNG's 155 for six. Morea hit four fours and two sixes in a 31-ball knock. Chris Amini with 32 was the other notable run-getter.

Scores in brief

Bermuda beats PNG by five wickets at ICC GCA Oval 1
PNG 155-6, 20 overs (Vani Vagi Morea 49 not out, Chris Amini 32, Geraint Jones 23; Curt Stovell 2-21, Sam Robinson 2-27)
Bermuda 158-5, 19.3 overs (Janeiro Tucker 52 not out, Curt Stovell 31, David Hemp 30)
Man of the match Janeiro Tucker

Afghanistan and Namibia stay on course



Afghanistan and Namibia extended their unbeaten run in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2012 to five matches after they won their respective matches on Sunday.

Afghanistan defeated Canada by 41 runs in a Twenty20 International at the ICC Global Cricket Academy Oval 1, Dubai Sports City, to stay on top of Group A while Namibia defeated Kenya by seven wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah to continue to head Group B.

In other crucial matches of day six of the tournament, the Netherlands made short work of Papua New Guinea (PNG) by nine wickets to record its fourth win and Nepal beat Bermuda by 24 runs for its third win in Group A, while in Group B, Ireland had the better of its traditional rival Scotland by 17 runs in a Twenty20 International which gave William Porterfield's side a fourth win while Italy was back in contention with a 13 runs victory over Uganda, its third win.

The two sides that will top their respective groups will feature in the 1st Qualifying Final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 22 March with the winner sealing a place for the Sri Lanka tournament to be staged from 18 September to 7 October.

The sides that finish second and third in the two groups will play cross-over matches. The two winners will progress to the Preliminary Final to be played on 23 March at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The 2nd Qualifying Final - for the second spot in the ICC World Twenty20 2012 - will take place on the morning of 24 March at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium between the loser of the 1st Qualifying Final and the winner of the Preliminary Final.

The two qualifiers will then lock horns in the tournament finale on the final evening and the side that wins the match will not only lift the trophy but will also join Australia and the West Indies in Group B. The losing team will complete Group A which also includes defending champion England and 2007 winner India.

Day six produced some outstanding individual performances.

Irfan Ahmed struck 10 fours and two sixes in a 60-ball 91 and Kinchit Shah took four for 21 in Hong Kong's 35 runs victory over Denmark, Tony Ura (70) of PNG was upstaged by an all-round performance by the Netherlands' Michael Swart (two for 20 and 59 not out) and Stephan Myburgh (52), Nepal captain Paras Khadka stroked a 48-ball 65 in his side's victory over Bermuda despite Curt Stovell's impressive figures of 4-0-25-4, Ed Joyce's superb 78 not out for Ireland and equally good 62 by Kyle Coetzer for Scotland, Namibia's Louis Klazinga's spell of 3-0-9-4 which doomed Kenya, the USA's captain Sushil Nadkarni's 59 which earned his side its first win in the tournament and Italy fast bowler Gareth Berg's figures of 3.4-0-20-4 which earned the European side a 13 runs victory over Uganda.

However, Afghanistan's Samiullah Shenwari's performance stood out as the all-rounder first scored 61 off 34 balls with six fours and three sixes in his side's 174 for eight. He then returned figures of 4-0-14-4 as Canada was restricted to 133 for nine.

Shenwari, adjudged man of the match, later said: "I am grateful that I was given a chance to bat higher up the order. I am very happy to take four wickets and score 61 runs. We are all feeling very confident and I am hoping we will have six wins from six and then seven wins from seven.

"It is up to the players to keep working hard and concentrate on the cricket. We are very happy to have Kabir back coaching us and things are going well."

In the Namibia-Kenya match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Namibia's Louis Klazinga took four for nine as Kenya lost its last nine wickets for 24 runs to be bowled out for 108 in 18.4 overs. In its reply, Namibia chased down the target with 21 balls and seven wickets to spare with Raymond van Schoor returning undefeated on 49.

Klazinga, who was declared man of the match, later said: "We started off slowly by conceding a few boundaries. It was difficult to bowl seam up. But we summed up the conditions very quickly. Luckily, it worked well for us.
"I am very happy with the show. It was a good all-round performance by us. To pull it back from the position they were in at 84-1 was great for us. We batted very well and knocked off the runs pretty easily. The morale in the camp is very good. We are taking it as it comes and it has been going good for us."

In a match between the arch rivals, Ireland prevailed over Scotland by 17 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Ed Joyce clubbed the last two deliveries of Ireland's innings for maximum to lift his side to 159 for five. In turn, Scotland finished at 142 for seven, despite Kyle Coetzer's 62 off 52 balls.

Joyce, who struck six four and three sixes, later said: "We knew 160 would be a par score on a wicket which was good to bat on. So, I am really delighted that I able to hit the sixes which took us to that total which we thought we could defend.

"It was also good to hit sixes off the final two deliveries as twenty20 format is not my strength unlike the 50-over or four-day format. But I think I am playing well and hitting the ball nicely which is good as we approach a very crucial stage of the tournament."

At the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Nepal captain Paras Khadka hit an unbeaten 65 and claimed one for 31 to help his side score 24 runs victory over Bermuda.

He later said: "Bermuda didn't play that badly against us but they were always going to struggle to chase down 150 against our bowling. It was a good effort by our bowlers but maybe we could have improved a bit, but that's always the case in any game."


Scores in brief

Group A

Afghanistan beats Canada by 41 runs at ICC GCA Oval 1, Dubai Sports City

Afghanistan 174-8, 20 overs (Samiullah Shenwari 61, Karim Sadiq 36, Mohammad Shahzad 27; Zahid Hussain 3-16, Harvir Baidwan 2-49)

Canada 133-9, 20 overs (Nitish Kumar 38, Samiullah Shenwari 4-14, Dawlat Zadran 2-23)

Man of the match: Samiullah Shenwari (Afghanistan)

Hong Kong beats Denmark by 35 runs at ICC GCA Oval 1, Dubai Sports City

Hong Kong 170-5, 20 overs (Irfan Ahmed 91, James Atkinson 31, Babar Hayat 28; Bobby Chawla 3-19)

Denmark 135-9, 20 overs (Aftab Ahmed 39, Frederik Klokker 27, Kamran Mahmood 25; Kinchit Shah 4-21, Munir Dar 2-18)

Man of the match: Irfan Ahmed (Hong Kong)

Netherlands beats PNG by nine wickets at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

PNG 140-7, 20 overs (Tony Ura 70, Chris Amini 44; Peter Borren 3-24, Michael Swart 2-20)

Netherlands 141-1, 16.1 overs (Michael Swart 59 not out, Stephan Myburgh 52)

Man of the match: Michael Swart (Netherlands)

Nepal beats Bermuda by 24 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Nepal 151-6, 20 overs (Paras Khadka 65 not out, Sharad Vesawkar 44; Curt Stovell 4-25, Josclyn Pitcher2-29)

Bermuda 127-5, 20 overs (Janeiro Tucker 32, David Hemp 26; Shakti Gauchan 3-17)

Man of the match: Paras Khadka (Nepal)

Group B

Ireland beats Scotland by 17 runs at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai Sports City

Ireland 159-5, 20 over (Ed Joyce 78 not out, Gary Wilson 26, Alex Cusack 22; Majid Haq 2-18)

Scotland 142-7, 20 overs (Kyle Coetzer , Fraser Watts 33; Kevin O'Brien 3-34, Trent Johnston 2-23)

Man of the match: Ed Joyce (Ireland)

Namibia beats Kenya by seven wickets at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Kenya 108 all out, 18.4 overs (Duncan Allan 40, Collins Obuya 31; Louis Klazinga 4-9, Christoffel Viljoen 2-5)

Namibia 109-3, 16.3 overs (Raymond van Schoor 49 not out, Gerrie Snyman 22)

Man of the match: Louis Klazinga (Namibia)

USA beats Oman by 30 runs Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Sports City

USA 141-7, 20 overs (Sushil Nadkarni 59, Abhimanyu Rajp 20; Zeeshan Siddiqui 2-19)

Oman 111-7, 20 overs (Vaibhav Wategaonkar 30, Adnan Ilyas 24; Japen Patil 3-29, Abhimanyu Rajp 2-23)

Man of the match: Usman Shuja (USA)

Italy beats Uganda by 13 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadum, Sharjah

Italy 131-7, 20 overs (Damian Crowley 44, Carl Sandri 26, Andrew Northcote 23; Jonathan Sebanja 2-14, Deusdedit Muhumuza 2-19)

Uganda 118 all out, 19.4 overs (Charles Waiswa 25 not out, Deusdedit Muhumuza 24; Gareth Berg 4-20)

Man of the match: Gareth Berg (Italy)

Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR
Afghanistan 55000101.764
Netherlands5410081.008
Canada5320060.396
Nepal5320060.328
PNG 523004-0.005
Hong Kong523004-0.196
Denmark514002-2.101
Bermuda505000-1.292
GroupB
TeamsMatWonLostTiedN/RPtsNetRR
Namibia55000101.032
Ireland5410081.793
Italy5320060.405
Scotland5320060.34
Uganda523004-0.362
Kenya523004-0.897
USA514002-0.648
Oman505000-1.731



Monday's schedule

Netherlands v Nepal (1000-1300), Global Cricket Academy No.1, Dubai Sports City

Scotland v Italy (1000-1300), Global Cricket Academy No.2, Dubai Sports City

Kenya v USA (1000-1300), Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Afghanistan v Hong Kong (1000-1300), Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

PNG v Bermuda (1400-1700), Global Cricket Academy No.1, Dubai Sports City

Ireland v Uganda (1400-1700), Global Cricket Academy No.2, Dubai Sports City

Canada v Denmark (1400-1700), Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Namibia v Oman (1400-1700), Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Watson challenges Aussie batsmen to fire following rout by Windies in second ODI



Australian captain Shane Watson has challenged his side to regain form after misfiring again, as the West Indies drew level in the five-game ODI series.

"I know I need to put my hand up as well because what I'm doing is not good enough at the top of the order. I need to be able to go on and get a bigger score to make sure that we do get the total that we really need," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Watson, as saying.

His statement came after Australia struggled to just 9-154 off 40 overs as the Windies claimed a five-wicket win in second match in St Vincent on March 18, which is their first ODI victory over Australia since 2006.

Watson called on his team to improve batting, but was unsure if there would be any changes to Australia's team for the March 20 match.

Australian fast bowlers James Pattinson and Ben Hilfenhaus and spinner Nathan Lyon are yet to feature in the series but Watson dismissed that bowling was the problem.

"The bowling part of our team has actually been doing a really good job. It's going to be difficult to change the bowling side of things even though we've got a few big guns ready to go," he added.

Cricket: ICC backs Saeed Ajmal's bowling action



NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council on Monday backed Saeed Ajmal's controversial bowling action following reports that India had complained about the Pakistan off-spinner.

Indian television channel NDTV, quoting unnamed sources, said the team management had spoken to the ICC about Ajmal's action after Sunday's Asia Cup match between the arch-rivals in Dhaka.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, however, clarified that the governing body saw no problem in the off-spinner's bowling style.

"We have tested Ajmal, checked him and monitored him in match situations, and found he bowls within the allowed degrees of tolerance," Lorgat told the Times Now news channel.

"We must be careful at what the eye sees and what the reality is," Lorgat said.

Ajmal claimed the wicket of batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar as India produced their best ever one-day chase to surpass Pakistan's commanding 329-6 with five wickets and 13 balls to spare.

It was the first match between India and Pakistan since the World Cup semi-final at Mohali in March last year.

The 34-year-old Ajmal, who has played 20 Tests and 63 one-dayers since his international debut in 2008, has found himself under the spotlight several times due to his action.

He was first reported by match officials during a one-day series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates in 2009, but was later cleared to play after remedial work was done on his action.

Doubts about his action were again raised during the recent Tests against England at the same venue, but both the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board absolved Ajmal of any wrongdoing.

India complains about Ajmal's action, ICC denies



NEW DELHI: Indian team players have complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Saeed Ajmal's bowling action, Geo News reported quoting Indian media.

But the ICC has denied reiving any such complain and said only the report of on field umpire matters in these issues.

According to the reports, senior Indian cricketers have reportedly complained to the ICC about Saeed's action.

Sources said that senior players feel that Ajmal chucks while bowling.

India finds a new hero in Virat Kohli


NEW DELHI: Just when Indian cricket was pondering a future without its ageing batting superstars, Virat Kohli has emerged as the man ready to step in and take charge.

With Rahul Dravid having retired and Sachin Tendulkar and Venkatsai Laxman nearing the end of their glorious careers, India are desperate to find replacements during a tough transition period.

But the heroics of 23-year-old Kohli in Sunday's clash with Pakistan helped lift the gloom -- at least at the one-day level -- after an embarrassing period in Test cricket when India were whitewashed 4-0 in England and Australia.

Kohli is already being hailed as one of cricket's finest young batsmen after he anchored India to an astonishing one-day victory on Sunday night, their second in three weeks.

His 183 off 148 balls helped India achieve their highest chase in one-day cricket to overhaul Pakistan's formidable 330-run target with 13 balls to spare in the Asia Cup game in Dhaka.

The explosive knock followed the 86-ball unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka in Hobart on February 28 that saw India chase down 321 in an incredible 36.4 overs to secure a bonus-point clinching win in the tri-series in Australia.

Kohli has now scored 11 centuries in 85 one-dayers, including three in the last four games, his 3,590 runs coming at an impressive average of 50.56.

Kohli's eight Tests so far have produced one century and an average of 32.73 after he burst into the star-studded middle-order on the tour of the West Indies last year when Tendulkar opted to rest.

Former India captain Kapil Dev said he was amazed at Kohli's talent and hunger for runs at such a young age.

"He has a long way to go to join the list of greats, but he has to be one of the most impressive young batsmen in world cricket," said Dev, India's first World Cup-winning skipper.

"He gets going when the going gets tough, and that is the hallmark of someone who has a lot of confidence in his talent and ability.

"Virat's real test will come when he goes through a bad patch. But for now, he can do nothing wrong and he must make full use of this opportunity," Dev told AFP.

Kohli's amazing run did not go unnoticed by England's Kevin Pietersen, his former Bangalore Royal Challengers team-mate in the Indian Premier League.

"An Indian superstar is rising if not already risen in ODIs. Take a bow Kohli," Pietersen tweeted.

Kohli is almost certain to replace Dravid at the vital number three place in Test cricket when India host New Zealand later in the year, and the youngster realises the enormous task that awaits him.

"Batting at number three is a very important position for the team," Kohli told reporters after Sunday's game. "I value my wicket much more now. It is all about setting a good platform and helping the team.

Kohli's rise was welcomed by batting great Sunil Gavaskar, who sees him as the kingpin of India's future middle-order in Tests without Tendulkar and Laxman.

"When Kohli and Rohit Sharma were batting together against Pakistan, we saw the future of the Indian batting," Gavaskar said on television during the match.

"India is fortunate to have such talented batsmen in its ranks."

The victory on Sunday helped the reigning World Cup champions stay in contention for a place in the final against Pakistan, provided Sri Lanka beat hosts Bangladesh in Tuesday's last league match.

If Bangladesh win, they will go through to Thursday's title clash against Pakistan, knocking India out in the process. Sri Lanka are already out of the race after two consecutive losses.

Cricket: Windies end six-year losing streak to Australia



KINGSTOWN: West Indies clinched their first win in six years over Australia when they took the second one-dayer by five wickets on
Sunday.

In a match reduced to 40 overs a side because of rain, Australia struggled to 154 for nine with West Indies reaching their Duckworth-Lewis target of 158 with 10 balls remaining.

Kieron Pollard top-scored with 47, an innings which featured four huge
sixes.

Australia won the first game at the same Arnos Vale venue on Friday by 64 runs, their 15th win in their last 16 one-dayers against West Indies, a run stretching back to the 2006 Champions Trophy in India.

The final three games of the series take place in Saint Lucia on Tuesday, Friday and next Sunday.

Poor fielding lets Pakistan down against India



DHAKA: Pakistan were defeated by arch rivals India in a high-scoring encounter of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a huge target of 330 runs, India started on a disastrous note when they lost Gautam Gambhir for nought on the second ball of the innings by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez. But thanks to an extraordinary batting display by the latter batsmen who completed the six-wicket win with 13 balls to spare.

However, Pakistan are through to final as they are leading the points table with nine against eight by India with one match left which will be played between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on March 20.

India’s victory was owed very much to Virat Kohli who played a masterful innings of 183, his second hundred in the tournament.

During his 211-minute stay at the crease, he struck 22 fours and two sixes from 148 balls for his eleventh ODI century.

He was involved in two big partnerships: a133-run second wicket stand with Sachin Tendulakar (52) and then a 172-run third wicket with Rohit Sharma (68).

Tendulkar, who achieved a rare feat of a century of international centuries on Friday, completed his 96th ODI half-century with five fours and a six while Sharma hit five fours and a six in his 12th fifty in one-dayers.

Earlier, Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed hammered brilliant centuries to help Pakistan reach a formidable total of 329-6.

Batting first after captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss, both openers provided a solid start of 224 runs, their second century partnership for the first wicket in this tournament – just four runs short of Pakistan record set by Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat against Zimbabwe at Harare last September.

Hafeez made 105 off 113 balls with nine fours and a six. This was his fourth ODI century while Nasir scored 112 from 104 balls with ten fours and a six for his maiden hundred in One-day International cricket.

Veteran batsman Younis Khan also batted well to hit 52 runs from 34 balls with six boundaries. This was his 47th half-century in one-day international career.

Bangladesh call-up uncapped Abul for injured Shafiul



DHAKA: Bangladesh have called up uncapped left-arm pacer Abul Hossain to replace the injured Shafiul Islam in their Asia Cup squad, a team official said on Sunday.

Shafiul has been ruled out of the tournament after injuring his shoulder fielding in their match against India on Friday.

"Shafiul has damaged some soft tissues and was given 10 days of rest," said chief selector Akram Khan.

"Raju (Abul Hossain) has already joined the squad and will be available for selection in our next game against Sri Lanka," Akram added.

Bangladesh, who beat India by five wickets, face Sri Lanka on Tuesday when a win against the islanders could take them to the final of the tournament for the first time.
(Reuters)

West Indies win toss, field against Australia



KINGSTOWN: West Indies won the toss and chose to field in their second one-day international against Australia on Sunday when they will be looking for a first win over the tourists in six years.

Australia won the first game of the five-match series at the same Arnos Vale venue on Friday by 64 runs after the West Indies suffered an embarrassing middle-order batting collapse when they lost six wickets for just seven runs.

West Indies have now lost 15 of their last 16 one-dayers against Australia.

Both sides were unchanged from Friday's match.

Teams
West Indies: Johnson Charles, Kieran Powell, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Carlton Baugh (wkt), Darren Sammy (captain), Sunil Narine, Kemar Roach.

Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson (captain), Peter Forrest, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, George Bailey, Matthew Wade (wkt), Daniel Christian, Brett Lee, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

Umpires: Gregory Brathwaite (WI) and Shavir Tarapore (IND), TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (SL), Reserve umpire: Peter Nero (WI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

India beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup



DHAKA: India have defeated Pakistan in their Asia Cup match by six wickets.

Over 01: India 03/1

Over 02: India 10/1

Over 03: India 22/1

Over 04: India 30/1

Over 05: India 38/1

Over 06: India 42/1

Over 07: India 45/1

Over 08: India 49/1

Over 09: India 56/1

Over 10: India 58/1

Over 11: India 63/1

Over 12: India 67/1

Over 13: India 79/1

Over 14: India 87/1

Over 15: India 98/1

Over 16: India 104/1
-Virat Kohli scores half century

Over 17: India 113/1
-Sachin Tendulkar scores half century

Over 18: India 114/1

Over 19: India 131/1

Over 20: India 133/2
-Ajmal claims Tendulkar's wicket

Over 21: India 136/2

Over 22: India 146/2

Over 23: India 153/2

Over 24: India 157/2

Over 25: India 161/2

Over 26: India 164/2

Over 27: India 170/2

Over 28: India 174/2

Over 29: India 180/2

Over 30: India 187/2

Over 31: India 194/2

Over 32: India 198/2

Over 33: India 202/2

Over 34: India 207/2

Over 35: India 215/2

Over 36: India 225/2

Over 37: India 233/2

Over 38: India 237/2

Over 39: India 241/2

Over 40: India 247/2

Over 41: India 263/2

Over 42: India 276/2
- Virat Kohli scores 150

Over 43: India 283/2

Over 44: India 292/2

Over 45: India 300/2

Over 46: India 307/2

Over 47: India 318/3

Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed dominated the Indian attack hammering brilliant centuries to help Pakistan reach a formidable total of 329-6 in the fifth match of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Batting first after captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss, both openers provided a solid start playing all Indian bowlers with ease to help Pakistan reach 329-6 in 50 overs.

They made 224 runs, their second century partnership for the first wicket in this tournament - just four runs short of Pakistan record set by Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat against Zimbabwe at Harare last September.

Hafeez made 105 off 113 balls with nine fours and a six. This was his fourth ODI century while Nasir scored 112 from 104 balls with ten fours and a six for his maiden hundred in One-day International cricket.

Veteran batsman Younis Khan also batted well to hit 52 runs from 34 balls with six boundaries. This was his 47th half-century in one-day international career.

Among other batsmen, Umar Akmal made 28 off 24 balls.

Allrounder Shahid Afridi could make only nine runs but he crossed a milestone of 7000 runs in his 341st one-dayer.

For India, pacemen Praveen Kumar and Ashok Dinda claimed two wickets each.

Pakistan were already on top of the points table with nine from two matches and by winning their last league match they will qualify for the final.

Asia cup: Pakistan innings against India



Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first against arch rivals India in the fifth match of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams have made one change each: Pakistan brought in left-arm paceer Wahab Riaz in place of wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed as Umar Akmal will act as keeper in the match. India on the other hand included allrounder Yousuf Pathan dropping Ravindra Jadeja.

After:
Over 05: Pakistan 27/0

Over 10: Pakistan 51/0

Over 15: Pakistan 81/0

Hafeez and Jamshed complete their half centuries.

Over 20: Pakistan 121/0

Over 25: Pakistan 150/0

Tendulkar drops Jamshed on 69 on fourth delivery of 26th over

Over 30: Pakistan 184/0

Hafeez completes 4th ODI century, first against India

Jamshed scores maiden century

Over 35: Pakistan 218/0

Over 40: Pakistan 256/2

Over 45: Pakistan 287/3

Over 46: Pakistan 295/3

Over 47: Pakistan 307/3

Over 48: Pakistan 316/4

Over 49: Pakistan 324/5

Over 50: Pakistan 329/6

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Hammad Azam, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Ashok Dinda.

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG)
TV umpire: Sharfuddoula Shahid (BAN)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

The match is the first between the two teams since the high-profile World Cup semi-final at Mohali a year ago on March 30, which India won on their way to clinching the showpiece title.

Pakistan recorded two victories in the tournament, while India and Bangladesh registered one win each after two matches. Sri Lanka lost both of their games.

New Zealand boost batters for final Test



WELLINGTON: New Zealand have bolstered their batting roster and axed misfiring opener Rob Nicol and unsuccessful fast bowler Brent Arnel for their must-win third and final Test against South Africa.

South Africa go into the Wellington Test, which starts on Friday, leading the series 1-0 after crushing New Zealand in the second Test by nine wickets in less than three days.

In the 14-man squad named Sunday, Daniel Flynn has been recalled to open the innings after last playing for New Zealand three years ago and middle-order batsman Dean Brownlie returns from injury.

Brownlie, New Zealand's best performer against the Australian quicks last year, is to play in a provincial match this week to prove his fitness.

"We are mindful that Dean Brownlie is only just making a return to competitive cricket following injury and will keep a close eye on his progress, national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said.

"Although he has been included in the squad, his selection for the Test will largely depend on how he pulls through the match for Canterbury."

Flynn, who has had a successful domestic season "is likely to join Martin Guptill at the top of the order," Littlejohn said.

New Zealand's limited batting stocks were exposed by South African quick bowlers Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn in the second Test.

In the first innings they lost five wickets for no runs in a disastrous slump from 133-2 to 133-7 before being all out for 185. In the second innings they were all out for 168 with the last five wickets falling in the space of 21 runs.

New Zealand are likely to take six batsmen and four bowlers into the final Test, with captain Ross Taylor saying it was important they play aggressively.

"We're one-nil down in the series and we have to try and draw the series. We're eighth in the world and we want to get up those rankings and you don't get up by drawing Test matches or losing."

New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Flynn, Mark Gillespie, Martin Guptill, Chris
Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tarun Nethula, Kruger van Wyk, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.

Yuvraj discharged after cancer treatment



NEW DELHI: India's World Cup cricket hero Yuvraj Singh announced Sunday that he has been discharged from hospital after undergoing chemotherapy for a cancerous tumour.

"3rd chemo cycles over, back from hospital n I am free.... Can't wait to be back home," the 30-year-old all-rounder said via Twitter from the United States, where he has been receiving treatment.

Left-handed Yuvraj, named man of the tournament after India's World Cup triumph at home last April, was diagnosed with a rare condition, mediastinal seminoma -- a malignant tumour between his lungs -- soon after the event.

Thousands of well-wishers, including US cycling great Lance Armstrong, have sent messages to the player, who is known for his aggressive batting and disciplined spin bowling.

Thanking fans for their support, Yuvraj also doffed his hat to Indian cricketing superstar Sachin Tendulkar for achieving the "unachievable" after becoming the only player to score 100 international centuries on Friday.

"Overwhelmed and full of emotions Tendulkar take a bow What he has achieved is immeasurable and what he has done is unachievable," he said.

Yuvraj, who scored 362 runs and bagged 15 wickets in nine World Cup matches, has not played competitive cricket since taking part in two of the three home Tests against the West Indies in November.

He has scored 8,051 runs in 274 one-dayers and 1,775 in 37 Tests since making his international debut in 2000