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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Proteas come up big in key moments to seal win

South Africa's crushing nine-wicket victory over New Zealand to win the second test inside three days on Saturday was achieved by three 20-minute periods of superb pace bowling and their tail contributing a valuable 165 runs when they were in deep trouble.

Graeme Smith completed the victory when he drove part-time spinner Rob Nicol through the covers to take his side to 103 for one, two more runs than they needed, shortly before tea on the third day at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

Skipper Smith, who finished on 55 not out, and Hashim Amla (46) had needed less than 90 minutes to score the 101 runs that gave their side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The victory, however, had been set up through the exploits of their fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, when they captured five New Zealand wickets for no runs late on day one to trigger a collapse from a comfortable 133 for two to 133-7.

Philander and Steyn also provided the spark needed in New Zealand's second innings when they reduced Ross Taylor's side to 7-3 just after tea on the second day, while the former ran trhough the lower middle order either side of lunch on Saturday.

Philander finished with combined figures of 10-114, his second 10-wicket haul in just his sixth test to be named man of the match.

"I thought Philander and Steyn bowled well in both innings and they put pressure on the batsmen and pressure told at the end of the day," Taylor said in a televised interview.

"It was a pretty flat wicket but they put the ball in the right areas and put us under pressure."

VALUABLE LEAD

Despite being comprehensivbely outplayed in the match, which lost more than two hours of play due to rain on the first day, New Zealand had an opportunity to impose themselves on the South Africans' first inning after Mark Gillespie had ripped the heart out of their order.

Gillespie took 4-24 from seven overs as the Proteas collapsed to 88-6, before AB de Villiers (83) rallied the tail and the final four wickets added 165 runs that gave the visitors a valauable 68-run first innings lead.

"At 88-6, things were a bit squeaky in our changing room but it is the sign of a good test team that we were able to get ourselves out of trouble and then able to dominate the game," Smith said.

"Crucial knock," Smith added of de Villier's innings. "He marshalled the innings very well when we were under pressure and each of our tail was grafting very hard and it's a big part of the team when they contribute."

Taylor also said his side's inability to finish off the South African tail had been crucial in the first innings and they needed to make the most of such opportunites as they headed to Wellington for the third and final test next week.

"With the ball, I thought we were okay. We had them at six for 90-odd but we weren't able to put the ball in (those good) areas for long enough to put them under pressure.

"(But) we're not out of the series, we have to pick ourselves up and can still draw the series come Wellington."

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Asia Cup 2012: Pakistan cross swords with India today

DHAKA: The battle is being predicted to be bloody as well as beautiful when traditional rivals, Pakistan and India, cross swords in Asia Cup Cricket Tournament’s One Day International match in Dhaka on Sunday (today),
With a few hours remaining in the clash of titans --after almost a year’s hiatus-- the excitement is peaking across the divide.

Cricket crazy fans have set up giant screens in public and amusement parks to make every moment sheer fun for friends and families.

For many Pakistanis the Asia Cup encounter is a chance for their country to avenge the World Cup semi-final defeat in Mohali exactly a year ago.

As expected most of the television channels have also prepared special programmes for the match, with advertisers and sponsors keen to cash in on the hype.

Pakistan is in high spirits after defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets on Thursday almost booking their place in the final of the Asia Cup.

On the other hand India was under pressure as, Bangladesh beat the former by five wickets, despite Sachin Tendulkar's 100th ton making India's next match versus Pakistan crucial for the team.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, whose team were blanked 4-0 by England recently, said the match against India would be a highlight.” Against India it is something special because of the supporters of Pakistan and India,” he said.

“Everyone wants to enjoy India-Pakistan rivalry and that adds to the pressure. But we want to play good cricket and improve our own performance. It’s going to be a tough tournament.” India severed cricket links with its neighbour after the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border in Pakistan.

The Asia Cup will be the first assignment for new Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore, the former Australian international who guided Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996. The tournament provides Indian batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar with yet another opportunity to record an unprecedented 100th international century.

The world record-holder has gone a year without a three-figure knock since scoring his 99th ton in a World Cup match against South Africa in Nagpur last March. India hope to make amends after their disastrous tours of England and Australia, where they lost both the Test and one-day series.

India, who won the last Asia Cup title in Sri Lanka in 2010, have rested hard-hitting opener Virender Sehwag and key paceman Zaheer Khan, but will feel at home on the low, slow pitches in Dhaka.

Sri Lanka, who finished runners-up to India in the World Cup, have produced encouraging results after reappointing Mahela Jayawardene as captain and South African Graham Ford as coach.

They not only knocked India out of the recent tri-series in Australia, but also gave the hosts a close run before losing the best-of-three final 2-1. Bangladesh are boosted by the return of opener Tamim Iqbal, who was initially dropped by the country’s cricket chief before being added as a 15th member of the squad on Thursday.

Each side will play the other once in the round-robin league, with the top two advancing to the final on March 22.

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Thanks a ton - India in awe of Tendulkar

NEW DELHI: World and Indian greats on Saturday bowed to Sachin Tendulkar - "the best" - for scoring 100 international centuries, but speculation about his future threatened to overshadow the achievement.

Fevered Indian media seemed unconcerned that their side had lost the Asia Cup match to Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday despite Tendulkar's hundred, as newspapers devoted several pages to celebrate the unprecedented feat.

"Thanks a ton", screamed identical headlines in the Times of India and Hindustan Times newspapers, while the front page in the Indian Express gave scores of the 38-year-old's centuries above the headline, "Mathemagic".

West Indies legend Viv Richards, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all-time alongside Don Bradman and Tendulkar, said he was a great admirer of the record-breaking Indian.

"I have seen Sachin bat and I think I have seen the best," Richards wrote in a front-page tribute in the Times of India. "The 100th century was a testimony to his self-belief and his unwavering focus."

Amid calls for Tendulkar to retire from one-day cricket to prolong his Test career, Richards urged everyone to let the batsman decide his own future.

Tendulkar himself played down talk of retirement, saying he had not made up his mind.

"If I decide to retire, it won't be done secretively," he told a media conference in Dhaka late on Friday night. "I will let you guys know. As of now, I am enjoying the game."

Tendulkar was disappointed that India lost the game to Bangladesh despite making 289-5 following his 147-ball 114.

Tendulkar said the year-long wait to reach his 100th century after scoring his 99th on March 12 last year had frustrated him at times.

"I am not God. I am Sachin Tendulkar," he said.

Asked what could be his next milestone, Tendulkar replied: "I've never played cricket for milestones. I play cricket just because I enjoy the game."

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said the 100th ton was unlikely to be the last for Tendulkar, who turns 39 next month.

"Amazing, incredible, unbelievable," Ganguly wrote in the Hindustan Times about his long-time team-mate, who is the world's leading scorer in both Test and one-day cricket.

"I can surely tell you, hundred hundreds is not the ultimate figure for Sachin and many more are still due from the 'Special One'

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South Africa beat New Zealand by nine wickets

HAMILTON: South Africa beat New Zealand by nine wickets on the third day of the second Test in Hamilton on Saturday.

New Zealand were all out for 168 in their second innings leaving South Africa a 101-run target, which they easily reached in 20 overs and with more than two days to spare.

Kane Williamson top scored in New Zealand's second innings with 77 while Vernon Philander was the most successful of the South African bowlers with 6-44.

After South Africa lost Alviro Petersen in the second over for one, Graeme Smith (55 not out) and Hashim Amla (46 not out) carried the tourists through to the finish at Seddon Park.

They now lead the three-Test series 1-0, after the rain-disrupted first Test ended in a draw.

The final Test starts in Wellington next Friday.

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Tendulkar becomes first to score 100 centuries

India's Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries during the Asia Cup one-dayer against Bangladesh on Friday.The 38-year-old Indian stroked a single off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan to reach the landmark. He has scored 51 centuries in tests and 49 in one-day internationals.Here are six facts about one of the all-time greatest batsmen and the face of Indian cricket for over two decades.


A teenage prodigy, Tendulkar was born on April 24, 1973 in Mumbai and made his test debut against Pakistan as a curly-haired 16-year-old, becoming the youngest Indian test player. A year later, he hit his maiden test hundred in England.
Tendulkar holds a number of batting records, including the aggregate one-day runs (18,360 at the time of reaching his 100th ton) and centuries (49). He also holds the record for most test hundreds (51).
He had two unsuccessful terms as India captain, the first aged 23 in 1996 before being axed 17 months later after his batting suffered. He was reappointed in 1999 but stood down after a 3-0 test series rout in Australia the following year. * Tendulkar was named player of the 2003 World Cup, scoring a record 673 runs to help India reach the final, where they lost to Australia. The next year, he equalled compatriot Sunil Gavaskar's world record of 34 test hundreds while compiling 248 not out, his highest score, in Australia.
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997
Surpassed West Indies' Brian Lara as the highest test run-scorer in 2008. Lara had scored 11,953 runs before he retired from international cricket in 2007. Tendulkar has scored 15,470 test runs .
Became the first batsman to score 200 runs in one-day internationals against South Africa in Gwalior, India in Feb 2010. He finished 200 not out off 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes.
Became the first batsman to score 100 international centuries after stroking a single off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan in an Asia Cup one-dayer against Bangladesh.

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Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to reach Asia Cup final

DHAKA: Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets on Thursday to virtually book their place in the final of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 189, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing three early wickets for 33 but captain Misbah-ul-Haq and young Umar Akmal came to rescue and steered their team to a comfortable victory in 39.5 overs.

This was Pakistan’s second successive win after a 21-run victory over Bangladesh on March 13. Now, Pakistan will face India in their last league match on March 18.

Both hit half-centuries, 19th for Misbah and 14th for Umar in one-day international cricket.

They were involved in an impressive fourth wicket partnership of 152 runs which was Pakistan’s second century stand for any wicket in this tournament.

Misbah remained not out on 72, scored off 93 balls with a six and nine fours while Umar hammered 77 from 72 balls with two sixes and seven boundaries.

For Sri Lanka, paceman Suranga Lakmal claimed two wickets for 37.

Earlier, the defending champions were bowled out for 188 runs in 45.4 overs after captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and decided to bat first.

Kumar Sangakkara (71) and Upul Tharanga (57) hit half-centuries while only openers Jayawardene (12) and Tillekaratne Dilshan (20) were the only other batsmen to get into double figures.

Paceman Aizaz Cheema was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 43 runs and later won the man-of-the-match award while off-break bowler Saeed Ajmal captured three for 27 and pacer Umar Gul two for 20.

Umar Gul also completed his 150 ODI wickets – the tenth Pakistani bowler to reach this milestone.

Sri Lanka were well-placed at 161-4 following a 96-run fifth wicket stand between former skipper Sangakkara before losing their last six wickets for 27 runs.

Saeed Ajmal started the slide when he bowled Tharanga and then removed Farveez Maharoof and last-man Suranga Lakmal.

Cheema, who conceded 21 runs in his first two overs, came back strongly to dismiss openers Mahela Jayawardene (12) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (20) in quick succession before removing Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga.

The Pakistani bowlers were backed by their fielders, with Younis Khan taking a superb catch to his left in the slips to account for Dinesh Chandimal off Gul.

Sri Lanka raced to 33 in the opening five overs before they were reduced to 65-4, with Cheema taking two wickets and Gul and Hammad Azam one apiece.

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Asia Cup: India record 50-run win over Sri Lanka

DHAKA: India defeated Sri Lanka by 50 runs in the second day-night match of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Chasing a huge target of 305 runs, Sri Lanka took the challenge in a brave manner as their two main batsmen Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara posed threat for India.

Jayawardene hit a brilliant 78 from 59 balls with ten fours and two sixes while Sangakkara played a patient innings of 65 from 87 balls with only two fours and a six.

At one stage, Sri Lanka needed 109 runs in 15 overs with eight wickets remaining but then the collapse began as Indian bowlers dominated the scene.

Irfan Pathan was the most successful bowler with four for 32 while Vinay Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed three wickets each.

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No British visa for Salman Butt’s baby boy

ISLAMABAD: The British High Commission has denied the visa application for the baby boy of former Pakistani captain Salman Butt.

According to family sources, Butt’s wife along with their two children wanted to visit her husband in Britain. The elder son already has a British visa, but the baby’s application was denied.

The visa application was rejected twice.

Salman Butt is imprisoned in a British prison for his role in the spot-fixing scandal and is yet to see his younger son who was born after his sentence was announced.

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Cricket: Baugh replaces Ramdin for Aussies clash

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Carlton Baugh was called up by the West Indies on Sunday to replace the injured Denesh Ramdin for the first three matches of their one-day series against Australia.

Ramdin suffered a fractured right thumb while batting on Saturday in the second West Indies warm-up match at the 3Ws Oval and will now return to Trinidad to start rehabilitation.

augh made 140 while playing for Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago in the regional four-day tournament.

The five-match one-day series gets underway in St Vincent on Friday.

West Indies squad:
Darren Sammy (captain), Carlton Baugh, Tino Best, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels

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Afghanistan eye World Twenty20 after Asia Cup snub

DUBAI: Afghanistan are determined to use their resentment over being snubbed for the Asia Cup to fire them to a second appearance at the World Twenty20.

The Afghans are among the favourites to land one of the two places up for grabs at the 2012 finals in Sri Lanka in September and October when the 16-nation qualifying tournament starts on Tuesday.

But such has been the team's remarkable progress in recent years - from a ramshackle unit developing a love of the sport in refugee camps on Pakistan's wild frontier to attaining one-day status - that they believe they deserve more respect.

The team are angry that they were overlooked for the Asia Cup in Dhaka this week, where they could have faced regional powers India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

"We are not featuring in the Asia Cup, that is really disappointing," said hard-hitting batsman and off-spinner Mohammad Nabi, who was the leading wicket-taker when Afghanistan qualified for the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

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Asia Cup: India amass 304-3 after Tendulkar’s cheap dismissal

DHAKA: Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli smashed centuries as India set a huge target of 305 runs for Sri Lanka in the second match of the Asia Cup one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

After Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and put India into bat in the day-night match, India lost their star batsman Sachin Tendulkar when they were 19 runs.

Tendulkar, chasing an elusive 100th international century, could make only six runs before pushing a Suranga Lakmal full-toss straight to Jayawardene in the covers.

Then Kohli joined Gambhir and both batted steadily to take India to a formidable position as India piled up a huge 304 for three in 50 overs.

Kohli scored a solid 120-ball 108 and left-handed opener Gambhir a 118-ball 100, each hitting seven boundaries.

Interestingly, each of them completed his tenth hundred in one-day international cricket.

It was Kohli's second successive hundred against Sri Lanka, having made an unbeaten 133 at Hobart in a recent triangular one-day series in Australia.

The pair added 205 runs which was a new Asia Cup record for the second wicket partnership. The previous record was 198, set by Virender Sehwag and Suraish Raina, also from India, against Pakistan at Karachi in 2008.

Both reached their centuries in the 42nd over before both falling in the next over off seamer Farveez Maharoof as they bid to step up the run-rate.

Gambhir, dropped on 36 by Dinesh Chandimal at long-on off, made the most of the chance and hit seven fours, while Kohli also struck the same number of boundaries.

Later, captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni and Suraish Raina plundered 78 runs off the last 7.1 overs, with Dhoni smashing a 26-ball 46 not out and Suresh Raina an unbeaten 30 off just 17 balls.

Pacemen Maharoof and Suranga Lakmal were the only wicket-takers for Bangladesh, with two for 57 and one for 67.

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Cricket: Gambhir, Kohli set new Asia Cup record

DHAKA: India batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli set a new partnership record for the second wicket in the Asia Cup while playing against Sri Lanka in the second match of the tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Both hit centuries during their 37-over second wicket stand of 205 runs eclipsing the previous record of 198, set by Virender Sehwag and Suraish Raina, also from India, against Pakistan at Karachi in 2008.

Gambhir made 100 from 118 balls while Kohli hit 108 off 120 balls. Both struck seven fours each.

Interestingly, each of them completed his tenth hundred in one-day international cricket.

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Asia Cup: Sri Lanka win toss, put India into bat

DHAKA: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and put India into bat in their first match in the Asia Cup 2012 one-day tournament here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

India's Sachin Tendulkar needs just one more hundred to complete an unprecedented 100 international centuries.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 21 runs in the opening match of the tournament on Sunday.

Each side will play the other once in the round-robin league, with the top two advancing to the final on March 22.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Seekkuge Prasanna.

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG), TV umpire: Shozab Raza (PAK)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)

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Spot-fixing: 'Indian Police had information about bookie'

NEW DELHI: Indian Police said they have had information about bookie Vicky Seth's involvement in match fixing for quite some time now.

According to a report published in India's 'The Times of India' quoting police sources: "Seth is a well-known bookie attached to a very big betting syndicate. He started operating out of Delhi and was on the police's radar for his alleged involvement in match-fixing but he has never been arrested".

"Seth's syndicate is operated very professionally. They are always one step ahead of the administration and they are equipped with latest gadgets and software too," the report added.

"If Seth and his group would have been targeting to fix that particular World Cup match, they would have struck the deal when the Indian team was in South Africa or the Pakistan team was touring New Zealand before the World Cup," the paper said.

"You will be surprised to know that these bookies mainly operate from countries where there is very little cricket or no cricket at all. Seth is known for his luxurious life style."

Britain's Sunday Times had reported that Indian bookmakers fixed the World Cup semifinal between Indian and Pakistan in Mohali on March 30 last year.

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Cricket: Nupur Mehta denies any role in match fixing

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Nupur Mehta on Monday rubbished allegations that she was involved in match-fixing in last year's World Cup Cricket semi-final between India and Pakistan at Mohali and threatened to sue a London daily.

The Sunday Times carried out a sting operation on a Delhi-based bookie who claimed that the 2011 semi-final was rigged. The paper said that a Bollywood starlet was used to lure Pakistani players to under perform, but did not name her.

An image with a blurred face was published in the newspaper with a report claiming that match-fixing is rampant in international cricket and UK's domestic county as well. The image seems to be of Nupur.

Nupur, who has worked in Sunny Deol starrer Jo Bole So Nihal (2005), told PTI, "I have been accused of something that I have not done. All I would say is I am not guilty of any such thing."

"The picture that they have used was taken during my film, 'Jo Bole So Nihal'," she said.

She has threatened to take legal action against the British daily. "I intend to take action against them."

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England's Patel eyes Test spot in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Samit Patel said Monday he was hopeful his all-round talents would help him win a Test cap for England during the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

The 27-year-old Nottinghamshire player will vie with Ravi Bopara for the batting spot left vacant after the exclusion of Eoin Morgan for the two-Test series starting on March 26.

Patel, a left-arm spinner and right-hand batsman who has played 25 one-dayers and eight Twenty20 internationals for England, hoped to prove his Test credentials in the two warm-up matches in Colombo.

"I am looking forward to getting a spot on the Test team," Patel told reporters in Colombo. "Its a massive opportunity and I will push my case in the warm-up games.

"One of my goals is to play Test cricket. I've always wanted to do that. I want to play all formats for England.

"It's easy to get here, the toughest bit is staying in the squad and staying in the team.

"I'm ready to come in and bat where I'm asked to bat, and do the job with the ball. I'm comfortable with the role I've been set."

Patel conceded beating Sri Lanka in their own backyard was a challenge for England, the number one Test side in the world, who were stunned 3-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates recently.

"Beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is a massive challenge," he said. "Having said that, staying on top of the Test ranking and hanging onto it for another year is also challenging."

Patel, who had been dropped earlier from the England one-day squad for being overweight, said he had worked hard on his fitness regime.

"Fitness is a key factor and everyone has to work hard on their fitness -- some more than others," he said. "It's probably an issue that will stay with me, but I'm not frustrated.

"The more work you do, the better you feel. Hopefully I am doing the right things now."

England will take on the President's XI in a three-day match at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo from Thursday.

The tourists will play another three-day fixture at the Sinhalese sports club in Colombo from March 20, before the two back-to-back Tests in Galle and Colombo.

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