Hello and welcome to the live coverage of first ODI between Asia XI and Africa XI in the latest edition of the Afro-Asia Cup. Let me start off by updating you about the weather situation. Bangalore is hot and murky, there is rain in the air and for the last few days it has been pouring after sun set. There is no immediate threat of rain but there is no reason to uncross those fingers.

Numerous cuts and chops later, we have two squads in our hands. Several big names in the original squads pulled out in the lead up to the tournament and as a result the response to the tournament has been low-key so far. If you missed it, let me be the one to let you know that Justin Kemp who was not in the squad till last week is the new captain of Africa XI and Shaun Pollock is here just as a batsman. Asia XI looks a much better out-fit and they will surely start off as favorites when the coin goes up.

"I've played in the last Afro-Asia Cup and quite enjoyed it," he said. "We played good cricket in Africa. It's good to see your opponents in a different way, how they interact and apply themselves in the dressing room, and how they handle different situations. There's a lot you can learn." That was Mahela Jayawardene, captain of the Asia XI, at the press conference yesterday - Welcome to the wonderful world of Reality TV!

Teams:

Asia XI: 1 Sanath Jayasuriya, 2 Sourav Ganguly, 3 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 4 Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Virender Sehwag, 6 Yuvraj Singh, 7 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Zaheer Khan, 11 Mohammad Asif.

Africa XI: 1 Loots Bosman, 2 Boeta Dippenaar, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Steve Tikolo, 5 Justin Kemp (capt), 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Shaun Pollock, 8 Elton Chigumbura, 9 Thomas Odoyo, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Albie Morkel

0.1

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, 1 wide, wide down the leg side, pacy delivery to begin with

0.1

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, 1 run, fuller in length and outside the off stump, Jayasuriya gets forward and digs it out to third man

0.2

M Morkel to Sehwag, 5 wides, that had pace bounce but no direction! Morkel fired that one down leg, Sehwag tried to glance it down but the ball managed to beat the diving Boucher

0.2

M Morkel to Sehwag, 1 run, Morkel gets his direction right, on the stumps, Sehwag nudges it to the on side for a single

0.3

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, good length on leg stump, Jayasuriya places it with soft hands to the on side for a quick single

0.4

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, full, wide and Jayasuriya has a wild swish at it, lucky not to get an edge

0.5

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, wide again but the length is closer to off stump, Jayasuriya swings and misses

0.6

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, 5 wides, oh dear! Morkel fires it in with the same frightening pace but the ball goes so wide down the leg side that Boucher can't even reach it

0.6

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, Morkel bowls round the wicket this time, closer to off stump, Jayasuriya lets it to to the keeper

Thomas Odoyo to take over

1.1

Odoyo to Sehwag, FOUR, cracker of a straight drive by Sehwag, overpitched on off stump, he just leant onto it and pushed it past mid off

1.2

Odoyo to Sehwag, 2 runs, big stride forward, inside edge onto his pads and the ball trickles away towards fine leg

1.3

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, good length on off stump and shaping away, defended on the front foot to the off side

1.4

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, similar length, Sehwag gets another good stride forward and defends to the off side

1.5

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, good length outside off and shaping away, Sehwag shoulders arms

1.6

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, Odoyo lands that closer to the body, Sehwag shapes to play on the on side but the ball hits him high on the thigh pad, decides against a single

2.1

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, resumes from round the wicket, defended to the off side on the front foot

2.2

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, 1 leg bye, drifting towards the pads, Jayasuriya moves across and works it gently to the on side

2.3

M Morkel to Sehwag, no run, Morkel runs in.. stops short, goes back to his mark, runs in again, Sehwag just taps it towards gully

2.4

M Morkel to Sehwag, no run, good length, on the pads, Sehwag gets in position to work it across to the on side but gets struck on the thigh pad again

2.5

M Morkel to Sehwag, no run, holds the pace back a little, opportunity to cut outside off stump, Sehwag has a gentle swish but misses

2.6

M Morkel to Sehwag, no run, left alone outside off stump, good comeback by Morkel after his expensive first over

There is plenty of bounce in this re-laid pitch as was predicted. One-day cricket needs more of these wickets

3.1

Odoyo to Jayasuriya, 1 run, short of a good length on middle, Jayasuriya deftly turns his wrists and works it to fine leg

3.2

Odoyo to Sehwag, 1 run, short, wide outside off, Sehwag cuts hard and the ball goes like lightening to third man who does well to get his hands to it

3.3

Odoyo to Jayasuriya, FOUR, superb timing, just a hint of width outside off, Jayasuriya just cuts it off the meat of the bat and the ball beats point, effortless

3.4

Odoyo to Jayasuriya, no run, pitches up outside off, Jayasuriya sees a bit of width, swings and misses

3.5

Odoyo to Jayasuriya, no run, left alone to the keeper

3.6

Odoyo to Jayasuriya, no run, good length outside off, shaping away, Jayasuriya places it towards cover

4.1

M Morkel to Sehwag, 1 run, pacy delivery on the pads, Morkel makes Sehwag hop, Sehwag plays with soft bottom hand and steers it behind square

4.2

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, 1 no ball, oversteps, Jayasuriya plays it with soft hands to the off side

4.2

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, FOUR, overpitched outside off, Jayasuriya gets forward and pushes it firmly past the diving mid-off who's fielding close

4.3

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, drifting towards the pads, nudged to the on side

4.4

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, no run, overpitched again, more width, but this time Jayasuriya doesnt move his feet and drives it straight to mid off

4.5

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, FOUR, outside edge, past where second slip would've been, the ball races away to the third man fence

4.6

M Morkel to Jayasuriya, OUT, pitched up outside the off stump, inviting the drive, Jayasuriya drives on the up and the ball goes low to de Villiers at point who makes it look so easy

ST Jayasuriya c de Villiers b M Morkel 14 (25m 18b 3x4 0x6) SR: 77.77

5.1

Odoyo to Sehwag, FOUR, plenty of width outside off and Sehwag gets a stride forward and spanks it past the covers in the air

5.2

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, holds the length back a little, closer to the body, defended

5.3

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, bit of extra bounce, Sehwag tried a wild upper cut but the ball just managed to beat the bat

5.4

Odoyo to Sehwag, FOUR, take that! just a bit of away swing, Sehwag gets forward and creams that past point

5.5

Odoyo to Sehwag, no run, drifting down the leg side, Sehwag tries to nudge it down to fine leg, ball clips the pad, stifled appeal follows

5.6

Odoyo to Sehwag, FOUR, fine leg is up, drifts on the pads and Sehwag glances it past a diving short fine leg

6.1

M Morkel to Ganguly, FOUR, down leg again, Morkel thuds it in the direction of the rib cage, Ganguly tries to swerve out the way but the ball beats Boucher again

6.2

M Morkel to Ganguly, FOUR, sweet timing, full on off stump, Ganguly leans onto it, places it perfectly between mid off and cover

6.3

M Morkel to Ganguly, FOUR, short of a length, Ganguly gets back and tries to fend it to point, the ball gets the outside edge off his glove and races past the vacant second slip region

6.4

M Morkel to Ganguly, no run

6.5

M Morkel to Ganguly, 1 wide, slipping down leg again, Morkel struggling with his line

6.5

M Morkel to Ganguly, 1 bye, slower ball good variation, Ganguly misses it outside off , Boucher fails to gather it on the first bounce and the ball goes past the slips, Boucher having a bit of nightmare so far

6.6

M Morkel to Sehwag, 2 runs, full outside off and driven past point, third man who is square runs across and cuts it down to 2 runs

First change,. Elton Chigumbura, the right arm medium pacer replaces Morkel

7.1

Chigumbura to Ganguly, 1 run, loosener outside off stumpm, steered off the front foot to third man

7.2

Chigumbura to Sehwag, no run, width offered outside off, Sehwag shapes for an expansive drive, mistimes it and the ball rolls to the off side

7.3

Chigumbura to Sehwag, 1 run, outside off and driven off the front foot, third man does the fielding

7.4

Chigumbura to Ganguly, no run, slower ball on middle, Ganguly gets forward and pushes it to the off side

7.5

Chigumbura to Ganguly, FOUR, timing and placement! short of a length outside off, Ganguly just nonchalantly sticks his bat out, the ball bisects the gap between point and cover and races away

7.6

Chigumbura to Ganguly, no run, pushed to the off side

8.1

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run, thudded in short of a length outside off, Sehwag has a feel for it but the ball beats him

8.2

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run, length closer to off stump, Sehwag gets bat on it and defends

8.3

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run, punched handsomely, but....straight to cover

8.4

JA Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, extra bounce outside off and Sehwag manages to play the upper cut over the slips, controlled stroke in the end

8.5

JA Morkel to Sehwag, FOUR, Albie Morkel overpitches and Sehwag is quick to pounce on that drive that past the covers, sweet timing too

8.6

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run

9.1

Chigumbura to Ganguly, FOUR, brilliant straight drive, good length on off stump, Ganguly gets forward and just a gentle front foot push screams past the left of mid-off

9.2

Chigumbura to Ganguly, no run, good length on middle, turned to the on side

9.3

Chigumbura to Ganguly, no run, good length on off stump, pushed to the packed off side region

9.4

Chigumbura to Ganguly, no run, good length outside off stump, pushed to point

9.5

Chigumbura to Ganguly, 1 bye, slower ball, Ganguly shapes to hit it over the infield, misses, Boucher fails to gather it on the first bounce, the ball slips and and the pair steal a bye

9.6

Chigumbura to Sehwag, no run, driven straight to mid-off

2nd Powerplay taken

10.1

JA Morkel to Ganguly, 1 wide, the other Morkel - Albie - slips down leg, Ganguly just lets it go

10.1

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, what was that! Ganguly givess the charge, Morkel sees him thuds it in short, and the ball flies past Ganguly who can only watch it go

10.2

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run

10.3

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, good length on off stump, defended to mid-off

10.4

JA Morkel to Ganguly, 1 run, bit of width outside off, Ganguly cuts it away down to third man who is square

10.5

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run, drifting on the body, Sehwag tries to nudge it down to fine leg but the ball clips his body and rolls to the on side

10.6

JA Morkel to Sehwag, 1 leg bye, on the body again, the ball rolls to the on side and and easy single taken

11.1

Chigumbura to Sehwag, FOUR, pitched up outside off, Sehwag gets forward and carts that over the infield on the off side

11.2

Chigumbura to Sehwag, SIX, slam bang! overpitched outside off again, this time Sehwag scoops it up over the extra cover fence, the fielder had no chance

11.3

Chigumbura to Sehwag, no run, left alone to the keeper, good comeback by Chigumbura

11.4

Chigumbura to Sehwag, no run

11.5

Chigumbura to Sehwag, no run, bit of width outside off, inviting the cut, Sehwag drives on the frontfoot to point

11.6

Chigumbura to Sehwag, 1 run, width again, this time Sehwag waits on it and carves it down towards third man

Grease-lightening like start for Asia XI. Plenty to cheer for for this crowd

12.1

JA Morkel to Sehwag, 1 run, turned away to the on side

12.2

JA Morkel to Ganguly, 1 leg bye, Morkel drifts towards the pads, Ganguly nudges it down for an easy single

12.3

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run, much better line, coming in after pitching on a good length, cramping him for room, Sehwag defends back to the bowler

12.4

JA Morkel to Sehwag, no run, left alone to Boucher

12.5

JA Morkel to Sehwag, 1 run, short of a length on middle, Sehwag hops and turns it softly to the on side and takes off

100 up!

12.6

JA Morkel to Ganguly, FOUR, cracker! full and swinging away, Ganguly gives himself room and caresses the ball in the air past the packed off side field

13.1

Chigumbura to Sehwag, OUT, full and slightly loopy that time, Sehwag's eyes light up and he goes for the expansive drive over cover, front foot comes out but not in the direction of the ball and his balance is all over the place, thick inside edge deflects onto the stumps, Sehwag falls in the 40s. Chigumbura strikes

V Sehwag b Chigumbura 45 (64m 42b 7x4 1x6) SR: 107.14

Jayawardene comes in. Captain of the side and probably one of the best batsmen in the world at the moment

13.2

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, 2 runs, That's a super start, full and outside off, Jayawardene is all elegance as he caresses it past point. Fine save at the boundary by Albie Morkel to keep them to three

13.3

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, no run, outside off and he shoulders arms at that one

13.4

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, no run, crisp cover-drive again, right off the meat of the bat, full and outside off but straight to the cover fielder

13.5

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, FOUR, that's struck with a touch of the emphatic, short, not that pacy from Chigumbura and Jayawardene rocks back and pulls it majestically towards square for a one-bounce four

13.6

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, no run, full and outside off, driven sweetly again but straight to the fielder. This man is in such goregous touch, you can watch him all day long

14.1

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, full and on the pads, tucked away to the square leg fielder

14.2

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, short and that's 140kph from Albie Morkel, pitched outside leg and angling it at the left-hander, Ganguly ducks under it

14.3

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, short again, directed at the rib-cage, Ganguly gets back on the back foot and cautiously pats it back down the ground

14.4

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, backs away and tries to slap it through the off side but Albie reads it well, slows down the pace and deceives Ganguly, can't get bat to that one

14.5

JA Morkel to Ganguly, no run, another slower ball and short of a length, Ganguly watches it carefully and defends it down the ground

14.6

JA Morkel to Ganguly, 1 wide, short and just a tad outside leg, probably too high as well and it's called a wide, Albie not happy

14.6

JA Morkel to Ganguly, FOUR, short again, down leg and Ganguly was expecting that, moves across and helps it across past the wicketkeeper, top edge that flies away for four to fine-leg. Time for drinks

Third Powerplay has been taken. Peter Parker signals that eagerly. Morne Morkel back into the attack

15.1

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, good return to the attack, short of a length and outside off, Jayawardene pokes tentatively and is beaten

15.2

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, slightly wider outside off, Jayawardene has nothing to do with it

15.3

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, good length ball, moving in from off to middle, he gets onto the front foot and tucks it to the leg side, straight to the square fielder, though

15.4

M Morkel to Jayawardene, FOUR, slap, that's typical Jayawardene, too full and too straight and he gets to the pitch of the ball and silks it through the covers for another gorgeous four

15.5

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, that's a good reply from Morne, short of a length and bouncing, troubling Jayawardene outside off

15.6

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, defended off the back foot watchfully, good line then

16.1

JA Morkel to Ganguly, 1 run, tipped to the off side for a quick single

16.2

JA Morkel to Jayawardene, 2 runs, short at 137kph, Jayawardene goes for the pull but can't get hold of it, top-edge balloons over square leg and they complete a couple

16.3

JA Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, straight and short of a length, Jayawardene defends it back to the bowler

16.4

JA Morkel to Jayawardene, 3 runs, short again, Jayawardene pulls again, he's decided to go for these today, again not that well timed, gets the toe of the bat and picks up another couple

16.5

JA Morkel to Ganguly, 1 run, slower this time, fullish length, Ganguly shuffles across and pats it to mid-on for a quick single

16.6

JA Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, full and straight, good variation in pace here, this was slightly quicker, patted back down the ground to mid-on

17.1

M Morkel to Ganguly, OUT, bowled 'em, cramped for room and tries something cute, ends up looking silly, short of a length on and outside off, tries to glide it to third man, thick inside edge deviates onto middle stump, Morkel strikes and Asia being pegged back a bit

SC Ganguly b M Morkel 32 (61m 29b 7x4 0x6) SR: 110.34

Mohammad Yousuf is the new man in

17.2

M Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, good ball to get first up, short of a length and bouncing disconcertingly, Yousuf prods but is beaten for pace

17.3

M Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, full and outside off, driven off the middle of the bat, straight to cover

17.4

M Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, sliding down leg that time, clipped away to square leg, Tikolo fumbles but they decide against the single

17.5

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, outside off, Jayawardene has been leaving those alone

17.6

M Morkel to Jayawardene, FOUR, that's a cracker, full and outside off, allows Mahela a chance to free his arms and he creams it effortlessly through cover for a four

Thomas Odoyo returns to the attack. In the first spell he was pasted for 24 in three overs

18.1

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, full and straight, Yousuf moves across and drives but it's straight to mid-on

18.2

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, tapped to the leg side, straight to the fielder again

18.3

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, 3 runs, full and on the pads, you can't do that at Odoyo's pace, Yousuf clips it in the gap but can't get the timing right, has to settle for three

18.4

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, blocked off the front foot, Jayawardene keeping the good ones out but going after the loose deliveries

18.5

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, full and outside off, laced through the covers but Tikolo pulls off a fine save in the off-side cordon, that was racing away to the boundary

18.6

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, gives him the charge but the ball moves away after pitching and beats him, Jayawardene getting a bit anxious now

19.1

M Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, glided to short third man for a single, gully needs to come around to stop that

19.2

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, driven to mid-on, crisp stroke, not much placement

19.3

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, good length outside off, defended to the off side watchfully

19.4

M Morkel to Jayawardene, FOUR, drifting down leg, that's a mistake, Jayawardene picks it off like picking apples off a tree, races away to fine leg for a four

19.5

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, short of a length and straight, that's a better line, Jayawardene keeps it out to the leg side

19.6

M Morkel to Jayawardene, no run, driven to point, had the room but didn't go ahead with the shot, straight to the fielder

20.1

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, good length outside off, Yousuf pats it to the off side, getting into his stride it seems

20.2

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, good probing delivery that, pitching on off and jagging into the right hander, Yousuf needs to watch it till the last moment to keep it out

20.3

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, straight again, maintaining it around the 122kph mark, defended to the off side

20.4

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, slightly short of a length and outside off, driven to point but no run again

20.5

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, turned away to the leg side for an easy single

20.6

Odoyo to Jayawardene, 1 run, angles his bat and runs it down to third man, easy single

Steve Tikolo is into the attack. Time for some offspin

21.1

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, full toss to start with and Jayawardene latches on, driving it through mid-on for a single

21.2

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, defended down the ground

21.3

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, nudged to short fine leg, no run possible

21.4

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, straighter one and Yousf plays for the turn, tries to drive through mid-on but gets a thick leading edge to point

21.5

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, FOUR, too short that time, Yousuf just needs to rock back and clatter it past point for a four

21.6

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, slightlys short again, patted down the ground back to the bowler

22.1

Odoyo to Jayawardene, 1 run, down the ground to long-off for a single

22.2

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, straight and full, clipped to the leg side but no run

22.3

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, beaten that time, well bowled from Odoyo, short of a length and extracting some bounce, Yousuf tries to cut but is beaten by the bounce

22.4

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, back-cut behind square for an easy single, easily done

22.5

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, straighter and that's a better length too, back of a length and cramping Jayawardene for room, driven off the back foot to mid-off

22.6

Odoyo to Jayawardene, 1 run, short and slightly wide again, Jayawardene glides it to third man, gets a thick edge and manages a single

23.1

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run

23.2

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, tossed up, outside off, not that much spin, Yousuf taps it to the off side for a quick single

23.3

Tikolo to Jayawardene, FOUR, cutely done, classic Jayawardene, outside off and he moves away and late-cuts it with a touch of panache, races away to third man for a four

23.4

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, driven down the ground for a single, sensible cricket here

23.5

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, pushed to long-on, these are easy pickings

23.6

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, pitching outside off, turning in, Mahela moves across and whips it to the leg side for a single

24.1

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, good length ball, defended back to the bowler

24.2

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, defended confidently to the off side, full ball

24.3

Odoyo to Jayawardene, FOUR, short and a bit wide, that's cleverly played, ramps it to third man for another four, just angles his bat and gets the result

24.4

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, defended to cover, straight to the fielder

24.5

Odoyo to Jayawardene, no run, defended off the back foot

24.6

Odoyo to Jayawardene, FOUR, clipped between midwicket and mid-on gorgeously for a crackling four, super timing, fine placement, not that good an idea to bowl on the pads to a player of Mahela's class

25.1

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, tossed up on middle and leg, driven to short midwicket

25.2

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, easy pickings for Yousuf, pushed to long-on for a single

25.3

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run

25.4

Tikolo to Jayawardene, no run, pitching on middle and spinning to leg, Jaywardene tries to flick it fine but misses and that was close to leg stump, Boucher fumbles too

25.5

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, chipped over short midwicket for a single, scooped almost

25.6

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, pushed down the ground for a single

Kemp into the attack

26.1

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 2 runs, swivel pull to square leg and Morne Morkel lets that through his legs there, that was quite sloppy, they manage two

26.2

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, tapped to the off side

26.3

Kemp to Jayawardene, 1 run, driven wonderfully down the ground but stopped well, that was heading straight to the fence

26.4

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, angled away behind square on the off side for a single

26.5

Kemp to Jayawardene, 1 run, outside off, glided away to third man for a single

26.6

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, outside and short of a good length, Yousuf lunges and glides it to third man for a single

Fifty partnership up in 59 balls. They've managed it silently almost

27.1

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, driven down the ground to mid-on for another single

27.2

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, full and tossed up, clipped away to the leg side

27.3

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, reverse-paddle comes out, it's full and he places it in the vacant third man region

27.4

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, conventional sweep this time, behind square for another single

27.5

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, quickly on the front foot and jabs it to short midwicket, straight to the fielder

27.6

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, gets the gap this time, down the ground to mid-on for a single

28.1

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, angled down to third man for a single

28.2

Kemp to Jayawardene, 1 run, full and straight, driven to extra-cover for a single

28.3

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run

28.4

Kemp to Jayawardene, 1 run, short and wide outside off, turned away to third man for a single, he's playing that confidently

28.5

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, full and outside off, driven to mid-off

28.6

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, cut away to the sweeper on the square fence for a single

29.1

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, worked away towards midwicket, no room for a single

29.2

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, again worked away just wide of the fielder at midwicket, this time they go for the single, had to rush a bit but it was a well judged single

29.3

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, clipped away off the pads to fine leg, easy single and that's his fifty

29.4

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, tucked away off the back-foot to the third man region, yet another easy single added to the total

29.5

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, flat delivery outside the off stump, Jayawardene comes well forward and works it away through square leg

29.6

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, punched straight back down the track to long-on

30.1

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, full and drifting down the leg side, Yousuf fails to make contact and the ball rolls away off the pad, appeal for lbw turned down - a blind man could have picked that it was going to miss leg

30.2

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 wide, wayward delivery outside the off stump

30.2

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, worked away well wide of the fielder at mid-on

30.3

Kemp to Jayawardene, 1 run, again eased away on the leg side

30.4

Kemp to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, tucked away through square leg for an easy single

30.5

Kemp to Jayawardene, SIX, take that! fuller in length and close to the off stump line, Jayawardene gets well forward to the pitch of the delivery and lofts it straight down the ground and the ball sails over the long-on fence. For a second it looked like the shot was not timed well enough but Jayawardene got enough bat on it

30.6

Kemp to Jayawardene, 1 run, driven away on the off side

31.1

Tikolo to Jayawardene, no run, turned away in the air to the midwicket region, diving effort ends in vain

31.2

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, lofted down to wide long-on, another close chance

31.3

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, FOUR, six more! on the middle and off stump line, Yousuf dances down the track, gets well inside the line and lofts it over Morkel at deep midwicket.

31.4

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, defended watchfully

31.5

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run

31.6

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, FOUR, reverse sweep and that's 8000 ODI runs fro Yousuf - what a player

32.1

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, 1 run, worked away with the angle to the midwicket region

32.2

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, cut away late to the third man region

32.3

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, 1 run, width offered outside the off stump and Jayawardene cuts late

32.4

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, turned away off the back-foot to the square leg region

32.5

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, no run, wicket to wicket delivery, Jayawardene goes right back and tucks it away towards square leg, no room for a single there

32.6

Chigumbura to Jayawardene, 1 run, chops it down to third man

"Matthews" the new kid (well almost) on the block is not all food, he has come up with an interesting stat - Jayawardene's fifty is the first by a captain when it comes to Afro-Asia cups and he becomes the first batsman to register two fifties.

33.1

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, turned away with the spin to midwicket

33.2

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, slightly short, Yousuf stands tall on the back foot and punches it down to long-on for an easy single

33.3

Tikolo to Jayawardene, 1 run, half sweep and there is that single

33.4

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, driven down to long-on

33.5

Tikolo to Jayawardene, OUT, tossed up and turning in, Jayawardene comes down the track and swings hard, not a well timed shot and the ball just balloons up towards silly mid-off. Pollock calls for it and settles under it, for a second it looked like he was not in control but in the end it was a decent take. Boucher tried his best to distract Pollock so did Tikolo but...

DPMD Jayawardene c Pollock b Tikolo 65 (83m 62b 7x4 1x6) SR: 104.83

33.6

Tikolo to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, dirven off the bak-foot

34.1

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, no run, defended watchfully

34.2

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short of a good length delivery, again watchfully played

34.3

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, cut away off the back-foot for a single

34.4

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, bit of width offered and Yousuf runs it down to third man

34.5

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 2 runs, good lenght delivery, angled accross the left-hander. Yuvraj gets a good stride in and punches it straight down the track to the mid-off region and a diving stop there cuts off a certain boundary

34.6

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, turned away off the back-foot, easy single to end the over

35.1

Tikolo to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, full and on the pads, driven down to long-on for a single

35.2

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, FOUR, short and wide outside the off stump, Yousuf goes back and across, waits for the ball to turn and then cuts it through point, diving effort in the deep ends in vain

35.3

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, defended on the back-foot

35.4

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, flat and bit outside the off stump, Yousuf stretches well forward, goes low down and tucks it away behind square leg for an easy single

35.5

Tikolo to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, forced away for a single

35.6

Tikolo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, turned away off the pads to the square leg region, easy single take Yousuf to his fifty.

36.1

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, good length delivery, close to the off stump line - Yousuf gets well forward and drives it past the diving fielder at point, opened the face of the bat at the point of impact to get the placement right

36.2

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, in the channel outside the off stump and Yuvraj punches it down to long-off for a single

36.3

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, steered away off the back-foot to the third man region

36.4

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, no run, driven hard and straight, bit too straight one should say - ball crashes into the stumps at the other end

36.5

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, Yuvraj defends it down on the off side and they take off for a quick single, Chigumbura moves across quickly in an effort to cut it off but only manages to run into Yousuf - no damage done

36.6

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, defended on the back-foot

37.1

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, good length delivery on the middle and leg stump line, defended down on the leg side

37.2

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, short and drifting down the leg side, Yuvraj stays back and pulls it down to fine leg

37.3

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, off-cutter, bowled from wide of the crease. Yousuf stays back and taps it away towards point

37.4

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, line and length delivery, defended on the back-foot

37.5

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, on the pads and Yuvraj flicks it down to fine leg for yet another easy single

37.6

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, short of a good length and drifting down the leg side, Yousuf stays back and pulls it down to fine leg

12 overs to go

38.1

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, coming in with the angle - Yousuf stays back and taps it down on the off side, played with soft hands and they scamper through for an easy single

38.2

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 2 runs, fuller length delivery on the middle and off stump line, Yuvraj steps forward in an attempt to lofts it away through midwicket but the shot is not timed well enough and the ball rolls away off the inner half of the bat to the deep backward square leg region

38.3

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, this time he gets it right. steps forward, lines it up nicely and drills the ball through the gap between mid-on and midwicket

38.4

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, four more, better line and length, opens up Yuvraj and the edge is produced but the ball races away to the third man fence

38.5

Chigumbura to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, punched down to long-on

38.6

Chigumbura to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, turned away well in front of square leg

39.1

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 2 runs, pitched up outside the off stump and Yousuf drills it through point, there is protection in the deep

39.2

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, good length delivery, cutting in from wide outside the off stump. Yousuf stays back and glides it down to third man for a single

39.3

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, surprise bouncer and Yuvraj had no option but to duck under it. Well bowled

39.4

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, lucky is the name of the shot. short of a good length delivery outside the off stump - Yuvraj goes for the pull, ball clips the outside edge and flies over the keeper

39.5

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, 1 no ball, forced away off the back-foot to the point region

39.5

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, low fulltoss and Yuvraj lofts it down to long-on, falls just short of the fielder moving in from the deep

39.6

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, pitched up outside the off stump and Yousuf drives it through the gap between mid-off and cover

40.1

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, driven straight to the fielder at backward point

40.2

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, no run, in the channel outside the off stump, Yousuf drives off the front-foot, ball clips the innner half of the bat and goes straight back to the bowler

40.3

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, Yousuf waits for the ball and cuts it down to third man

40.4

Odoyo to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, clipped away off the pads to the wide long-on region, agian just a single

40.5

Odoyo to Mohammad Yousuf, 1 run, slower delivery, Yousuf picks it up early and drives it away through midwicket

40.6

Odoyo to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, yorker length delivery outside the off stump, Yuvraj pushes forward and forces it away towards cover point

41.1

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, short and wide outside the off stump, Yuvraj back away and cuts it through cover point

41.2

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, FOUR, pitched up outside the off stump and Yousuf drills it through backward point. Opened the face of the bat at the last possible moment to get it past the fielder there

41.3

JA Morkel to Mohammad Yousuf, OUT, anti-climax! slower delivery on the pads and Yousuf clips it straight to de Villiers at midwicket - soft dismissal

Mohammad Yousuf c de Villiers b JA Morkel 66 (94m 74b 5x4 0x6) SR: 89.18

41.4

JA Morkel to Dhoni, 1 run, short of a good length delivery on the middle and leg stump line, flick of the wrists and Dhoni gets it past the fielder at midwicket

41.5

JA Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, 1 run, pitched up outside the off stump, Yuvraj steps forward and drives it through cover

41.6

JA Morkel to Dhoni, no run, short rising delivery on the stumps, bit of a surprise delivery and Dhoni defends it down awkwardly

42.1

M Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, bowled from round the stumps and coming in with the angle, Yuvraj stays back and defends it straight back to the bowler

42.2

M Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, no run, another tight delivery and Yuvraj is made to defend - good start to the over

42.3

M Morkel to Yuvraj Singh, OUT, and gone! good length delivery outside the off stump, Yuvraj stands tall and drives it straight to the fielder at cover - another soft dismissal, Asia XI six down

Yuvraj Singh c Kemp b M Morkel 31 (38m 30b 3x4 0x6) SR: 103.33

the ball was there to be hit and Yuvraj got into a good position to play the drive but miserably failed to keep it down

42.4

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, no run, short of a good length delivery outside the off stump and Harbhajan is beaten all ends up - excellent delivery first up

42.5

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, worked away off the back-foot to the fine leg region

42.6

M Morkel to Dhoni, no run, 143 kmph - in the channel outside the off stum - short and rising, Dhoni watcfully leaves it through to the keeper. End of a fantastic over

43.1

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, no run, good length delivery on the middle and off stump line, defended

43.2

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, clipped away off the pads to the midwicket region

43.3

Odoyo to Dhoni, 1 run, good length delivery outside the off stump, punched off the front-foot to the cover region

43.4

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, OUT, short of a good length delivery and Harbhajan defends it down on the leg side, quick single called for but Harbhajan was not interested and Dhoni had to rush back. Fairly wide throw comes in, Odoyo dives across full length but fails to collect the ball cleanly but the ball ricochets on to the stumps and that's the end of Dhoni

MS Dhoni run out 2 (13m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00

43.5

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, no run, defended on the back

43.6

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, no run, worked away on the leg side

44.1

M Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, forced away off the back-foot to the mid-off region

44.2

M Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, good length delivery outside the off stump and Mortaza finds the fielder at cover

44.3

M Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, 1 run, turned away off the back-foot to the midwicket region

44.4

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, no run, short and drifting down the leg side, Harbhajan has a waft at it and the ball goes through to the keeper, hard to say if there was some glove involved anyway the umpire is not interested and the appeal is turned down

44.5

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, no run, defended

44.6

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, turned away well in front of square leg

45.1

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, 1 wide, wayward delivery down the leg side

45.1

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, no run, forced away off the bacck-foot to the cover region, Harbhajan is all at sea here

45.2

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, no run, frustration! comes down the track and has a go at a short of a good length delivery but fails to connect, ball rolls away off the thigh pad

45.3

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, slogged away towards deep midwicket and Bosman somehow manages to drop a sitter. What a mess

45.4

Odoyo to Mashrafe Mortaza, 2 runs, defended down on the off side and they scamper through for a single, Odoyo moves across quickly but fails to his the stumps at the bowler's end. Direct hit and Mortaza would have been history

45.5

Odoyo to Mashrafe Mortaza, 1 run, punched down the ground, just a single

45.6

Odoyo to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, short of a good length delivery, Singh stands tall on the back-foot and taps it down to third man

46.1

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, no run, short of a good length delivery outside the off stump, Harbhajan has a poke at it and the ball sails through to the keeper, beaten for pace there

46.2

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, SIX, bang! another short of a good length delivery and this time Harbhajan just dismisses it over the midwicket fence. Middled it to perfection and the ball just kept sailing

46.3

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, worked away for an easy single

46.4

M Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, 1 run, driven straight back and the ball rolls away off the stumps at the other end

46.5

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, FOUR, attempted yorker, lands right in the slot and Harbhajan hammers it straight back past the bowler and his diving brother at mid-off

46.6

M Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, makes room and gets it past the fielder at cover, 300 comes up - with just three more overs to go - how many can they add?

Harbhajan seems to have injured himself going for the single, physio is out there and play is held up.

47.1

JA Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, 2 runs, short delivery outside the off stump, Harbhajan comes down the track and chops it away to the deep cover region

47.2

JA Morkel to Harbhajan Singh, 1 run, good length delivery outside the off stump, driven straight to the fielder at mid-off

47.3

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, 2 runs, Mortaza too has a wild swing at a short of a good length delivery, ball clips the outside edge and flies away towards deep point

47.4

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, short rising delivery, coming in with the angle - Mortaza makes room as swats at it but fails to make contact

47.5

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, yorker outside the off stump and once again Moratza is beaten - well bowled

47.6

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, 2 runs, short of a good length delivery outside the off stump, Mortaza makes room and slices it away to deep third man

48.1

Chigumbura to Harbhajan Singh, OUT, fulltoss and Harbhajan hits it straight down the throat of Pollock at long-on. Afro-Asian friendship at its best

Harbhajan Singh c Pollock b Chigumbura 20 (32m 22b 1x4 1x6) SR: 90.90

48.2

Chigumbura to Khan, no run, short rising delivery on the stumps and Zaheer was clueless

48.3

Chigumbura to Khan, 1 run, slower delivery outside the off stump, Khan drives away from his body and the ball flies off the outside edge to the third man region

48.4

Chigumbura to Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, well disguised slower delivery and Mortaza is beaten outside the off stump

48.5

Chigumbura to Mashrafe Mortaza, 1 run, edged away behind square on the leg side

48.6

Chigumbura to Khan, no run, tight delivery to end the over and Khan fails to get it past the bowler

49.1

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, no run, yorker, slight off target and the ball zips past the off stump

49.2

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, 2 runs, pitched up on the middle and leg stump line, Mortaza makes room and drives inside out to deep extra cover

49.3

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, 1 run, slower delivery, Mortaza swings across the line, ball clips the inside edge and rolls away behind square on the leg side

49.4

JA Morkel to Khan, FOUR, short and wide outside the off stump, Khan goes right back and chops it away to the backward point fence, clean hit

49.5

JA Morkel to Khan, 1 run, fulltoss on the stumps and Khan finds de Villiers at midwicket

49.6

JA Morkel to Mashrafe Mortaza, OUT, slower delivery, Mortaza swings across and the ball spoons up off the top edge, de Villiers calls for it and comfortably settles under it at midwicket

Mashrafe Mortaza c de Villiers b JA Morkel 13 (31m 16b 0x4 0x6) SR: 81.25

So Asia XI end up with 317 on the board, 20-30 runs short of the expected total at around the 30 over mark. It is a good track to bat on and we surely have a game on our hands. It's going to be a short break before the run chase resumes - see you then.