Report
Poor handling of team cost Pakistan the test
England achieved an incredible victory over Pakistan in the Karachi Test
Col (Retd) Rafi Nasim
11-Dec-2000
England achieved an incredible victory over Pakistan in the Karachi Test. A test considered to be a sure draw ended in a decision in favor of England for Pakistan's own follies. The target of 176 runs was too small to defend when the pitch helped the batsmen throughout the game. Winning a test under miserably low light and other conditions may find a place in England's cricket history. With Pakistan's defeat at the National stadium Karachi vanished a record. Among the 34 tests played at the NSK Pakistan had not lost any.
An almost certain draw having turned into a fifty-fifty chance encounter on account of England's excellent performance both with bat and the ball, the first session held the key for a result. With 3 important wickets lost with only a moderate lead of 88 runs, it was more crucial for Pakistan. England was in a better position to put pressure on the opponents through an effective bowling-batting combination.
Saqlain Mushtaq who came in as the night watch man, did display some confidence by hitting Darren Gough for a blistering 4 but was trapped LBW by him a little later, providing England an early break-through. Pakistan was 78 for 4.
Yousuf Youhana a centurion of the 1st innings came in to bat. While Gough generated lot of pace, Ashley Giles kept the batsmen under pressure by placing a ring of closein fielders around them. After bowling 6 maiden overs, Giles was hit for a 4 to square leg when Saleem Elahi picked up the courage to break the cordon. An almost crisis situation having put Pakistan on the defensive, the 100 of its 2nd innings came in 42 overs, with an overall lead of 117 runs.
Full postEngland win historic victory in Karachi
England have ended their triumphant tour of Pakistan with an historic six-wicket win in the third and final Test
Andy Jalil
11-Dec-2000
England have ended their triumphant tour of Pakistan with an historic six-wicket win in the third and final Test. Their magnificent victory, late on the last day, in the Karachi dusk, was achieved with a resplendent performance that kept the sparse but tense crowd on the edge of their seat.
It was a win that will remain in the memory, not just because England emerged victorious from the series but, indeed, for the circumstances in which Nasser Hussain led his team to triumph with Graham Thorpe paving the way. This was Pakistan's first ever defeat in the 46-year history of the National Stadium in Karachi.
As England's batsmen gradually approached their target, the light began to fade rapidly but having set their minds on going for the runs rather than play for safety they bravely pushed ahead despite the fast bowler Waqar Younis being brought into the attack.
England began their second innings requiring 176 runs for victory, with 35 minutes of the second session and the whole post-tea session to come, and with a mandatory fifteen overs in the last hour to be bowled. It gave England 44 overs, which worked out to a rate of four an over.
Full postAustralia 'A' succumbs in next chapter of the life of Brian
Brilliant West Indian batsman Brian Lara came to the Bellerive Oval in Hobart today battered and bruised and he left it in similar condition
John Polack
11-Dec-2000
Brilliant West Indian batsman Brian Lara came to the Bellerive Oval in Hobart today battered and bruised and he left it in similar
condition. But surely not feeling nearly as crippled as an Australia 'A' attack that met him at close to the height of his powers on
the third day of the teams' match.
Records, previous poor form on tour and manifest discomfort were all swept aside as the masterful left hander gave a crowd of
988 a wonderful reminder of innings and seasons of old. With only two fully fit limbs no less, he conjured a sparkling double
century and featured in an astonishing, record-breaking stand for the sixth West Indian wicket. It all made recent losing
encounters with nemesis Glenn McGrath - in the short term at least - seem a distant memory.
Under the duress generated by a hamstring injury that has afflicted him persistently for five months, Lara (231) had been forced
as low as number seven in the batting order before he began his masterpiece late yesterday. At different times in an innings which
brought him the fourth-highest score in a prolific first-class career, he appeared so beset that he had barely been capable of
breaking into anything more than a trot. To make his injury woes even more acute, he then strained the infraspinatus muscle in his
left shoulder during the early part of today's post-lunch session as well. His need to flex it and to receive treatment disrupted play
on at least four occasions through the first forty-five minutes after the interval.
If it is possible for a batsman to play this well when so incapacitated, then heaven help any attack which is forced to spar with
him on a similarly placid pitch when he is fully fit. By any stretch of the imagination, this was a remarkable exhibition of attacking,
contemptuous batting. Through 342 minutes, he slammed forty boundaries, two sixes and a five and played with a wondrous
level of skill.
Full postGanguly fashions series victory
India clinched the five match India Zimbabwe one day series with a fine nine wicket win at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Monday
Natarajan Sriram
11-Dec-2000
India clinched the five match India Zimbabwe one
day series with a fine nine wicket win at the
Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Monday. it was the
allround display by their skipper Sourav Ganguly,
who played the lead role to perfection, which
ensured a thumping win for the hosts. It was
Ganguly's day. With a five wicket haul and a
unbeaten 71 off 68 balls, there was no question as
to who the man of the day was.
Ganguly always tends to set an example on the
field. And today was no exception. Bowling a full
quota of ten overs, he tormented the Zimbabwean
batsmen to no end. With the pitch having low
bounce, any bowler would prove to be a handful.
Deciding on bringing himself on, Ganguly struck a
good line and before long sent back Andy Flower
(20). Trying to force the pace the southpaw heaved
Ganguly only to be caught by Agarkar at mid
wicket.
This gave Ganguly added confidence since it has
been quite some time since he bowled his full
quota of overs. Bringing himself back for another
spell on the other side of the first drinks break,
he packed off Grant Flower (6) and Stuart Carlisle
(20). The Zimbabwean captain Heath Streak (3) also
did not last long. At 141 for 6, the Zimbabwean
innings was going nowhere. It was just a matter of
time before the innings folded up. Ganguly then
trapped Travis Friend (6) giving him his second
five wicket haul in international cricket. The
visitors' innings folded up in the 45th over when
Agarkar picked up the final wicket, that of
Olonga, who gave a return catch.
Having reduced the visitors to 164, Ganguly and
Tendulkar went about their work with clinical
precision. The way Ganguly dismissed Friend from
the attack gave a glimpse of what was in store for
the 45,000 odd crowd. The two displayed utmost
aggression while driving and pulling at will. But
the most striking aspect is that the two batsmen
forced the visitors into submission. They put up
the 100-run partnership on the board in the 15th
over. The same over witnessed Tendulkar crossing
his fifty - incidentally his 50th half century in
international career. The chase entered the last
phase with Ganguly also reaching his half century
in the 20th over. Three overs later the Indian
total crossed 150 as Ganguly launched into a
straight drive over Nkala's head.
Full postKamikaze Hyderabad lose to Goa in a thriller
In a remarkable turn around in the Ranji One-Day South Zone League, the front runners Hyderabad found themselves going back home in the third position as they lost to Goa by 2 runs at CPT- India Pistons Ground, Chennai, on Monday
Santhosh S
11-Dec-2000
In a remarkable turn around in the Ranji One-Day South Zone League, the front
runners Hyderabad found themselves going back home in the third position as they
lost to Goa by 2 runs at CPT- India Pistons Ground, Chennai, on Monday.
Hyderabad finished with six points and found themselves out of the run quotient
situation and literally presented the championship to Karnataka who beat Andhra
in the other match on Monday. Perhaps it was Tamil Nadu who applied the pressure
on Hyderabad with their convincing victory over Kerala in double quick time. The
news of an early Tamil Nadu victory made Hyderabad panic and lose wickets like
falling nine pins.
Earlier in the morning Goa won the toss and elected to bat and were 52/2 in the
15th over when N Naik was adjudged LBW to D Manohar for 25. Goa consolidated
through V Kolambkar and Tanveer Jabbar who added 92 runs in 22 overs. Kolambkar
departed in the 37th over stumped off the bowling of JS Yadav for 53 (90 balls,
4 fours). BKP Misquin was run out in the 42nd over for 11 as the Goa score read
169/4. Jabbar and A Amonkar added a qucik 44 runs in 5.2 overs but Amonkar was
dismissed for 27 in the 42nd over. Amonkar was severe on Hyderabad bowlers
hitting out a six and three fours in his 17 ball stay at the wicket. Jabbar was
in his elements, hitting a six and three fours in his innings of 77 made in 105
balls and was dismissed in the 49th over. Goa lost two more wickets going for
big hits and were 235/8 at the end of 50 overs. NP Singh was easily the best of
the bowlers and was possibly under-bowled finishing with the analysis of
8-3-24-3
Hyderabad had heard the news of Kerala bowled out for 184 by Tamil Nadu and went
on a mad run chase. Opener M Srinivas was the first to go in the fifth over
after he had made 9 in 12 balls including two fours. Captain VVS Laxman who was
considered by the national selectors for a place in the Indian team had his task
cut out clearly. Laxman and Daniel Manohar went on a rampage adding 125 runs in
14 overs. Laxman was particularly severe on the bowling as he punished them at
will. He smashed 12 boundaries and a six in his 43 ball innings before being
bowled in the 19th over by RP Rane. Laxman's efforts brought him 77 runs and
made it look like Hyderabad were cruising to the Wills Trophy. Vanka Pratap came
in and left in the 23rd over after making 13 in 15 balls. Daniel Manohar who
played second fiddle to Laxman was not to be left behind, he made a mockery of
the Goa bowling by hitting them all over the park to get to 95 in 77 balls which
included 10 smashing fours and two sixes.
When all was well set for Hyderabad, there came the twist in the tale in the
26th over bowled by Satyajit Medappa. Medappa removed PR Satwalkar (7) in the
second ball caught by AI Aware and in the last ball of the over had Manohar
stumped by Misquin and the Hyderabad score read 212/5 in 26 overs. Satyajit
Medappa had Nandakishore caught behind and then ran JS Yadav out for a duck to
reduce Hyderabad to 222/8 in 27.4 overs. Needing 14 runs to win Aware cleaned up
MF Ahmed for 9 in the 33rd over. In the following over NP Singh was caught by
Jabbar off the bowling of Digvijay Singh for 7 leaving hyderabad four runs short
of a win and a place in the Wills Trophy. Satyajit Medaapa was the toast of Goa
as he claimed three wickets and a run out as Hyderabad were dismissed for 233 in
33.3 overs.
Full postRailways qualify for Wills Trophy despite Rajasthan victory
Rajasthan scored an eight run win over Uttar Pradesh in their Central Zone Ranji OD encounter and yet could not qualify for the Wills Trophy
Anand Vasu
11-Dec-2000
Rajasthan scored an eight run win over Uttar
Pradesh in their Central Zone Ranji OD encounter
and yet could not qualify for the Wills Trophy.
Tied at the top of the points table with Railways
on six points, the Rajasthan side lost out. This
was due to the fact that Railways beat Rajasthan
in their encounter earlier. On winning the toss,
Rajasthan led by National Cricket Academy ward
Nikhil Doru managed to get off to a good start.
Doru (53) forged a useful 119 run partnership with
AS Jain for the first wicket. Jain went on to make
a solid 88 (125 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) despite the
fact that none of the other Rajasthan batsmen made
decent scores.
In response, Uttar Pradesh fell short by eight
runs even as left arm spinner Anup Dave claimed
3/29. None of the batsmen could stand up to the
Rajasthan bowling other than Mohammed Kaif. Having
played with Dave in the Under-19 World Cup, Kaif
seemed to cope better than the others. The India
hopeful made 58. Rizwan Shamshad made 38, but UP
could manage only 219 before they were all out in
49.3 overs.
Full postMP coast to 8 wicket win over Vidarbha
Madhya Pradesh scored a comprehensive eight wicket win over Vidarbha in their Central Zone Ranji One- Day clash at the Jamia Milliah Cricket Ground in New Delhi
Anand Vasu
11-Dec-2000
Madhya Pradesh scored a comprehensive eight wicket
win over Vidarbha in their Central Zone Ranji One-
Day clash at the Jamia Milliah Cricket Ground in
New Delhi. On winning the toss, Vidarbha skipper
PV Gandhe thought it fit to bat first. Things did
not go according to plan and Vidarbha slipped to
139 all out in 42.2 overs. Y Gowalkar and
Harvinder Singh Sodhi scalped 3 wickets apiece in
the process. Only AS Naidu with 49 was able to
resist the rampaging MP bowlers.
Chasing 140 in 50 overs is unlikely to pose any
major problems for most teams. After Abbas Ali
smashed 53 off just 31 balls, things became even
easier for MP. In an innings that sent the bowlers
rushing for cover, Abbas Ali struck eight
boundaries and one six. Aggressive southpaw Amay
Khurasiya made an unbeaten 40 off 38 balls and the
matter was settled. MP won by eight wickets with
over 28 overs to spare.
Full postCool India survive the grit of the Irish
This could so easily have been a game to forget; India virtually assured of a semi-final berth, Ireland consigned to the depths of the points table
Chris Rosie
11-Dec-2000
This could so easily have been a game to forget; India virtually assured of a semi-final berth, Ireland consigned to the depths of the points table. Instead it would be a candidate for best match of the CricInfo Women's World Cup.
The bare facts were that India batted first at Hagley Oval, set Ireland a target of 200 runs and won the match by 30. But bare facts hide the pleasures of a fine contest by two committed teams.
That the match turned out a classic was probably destined by events in the first six overs. Miriam Grearley won the toss for the fifth time in succession. She put India in and the luck - and the true grit - of the Irish went into overdrive.
Three wickets for four runs, the first a beautiful ball from Ireland seamer Barbara McDonald to beat the defences of the Indian captain, Anju Jain, in the opening over without any runs on the board.
Full postPathak saves Saurashtra
Birju Pathak played a defiant innings for Saurashtra in their second innings against Mumbai to help them to a draw on the final day in the West Zone Ranji Trophy match at Indian Farmers' Fertilizers Co-Operative Udyognagar Stadium, Gandhidham on
Waleed Hussain
11-Dec-2000
Birju Pathak played a defiant innings for
Saurashtra in their second innings against Mumbai
to help them to a draw on the final day in the
West Zone Ranji Trophy match at Indian Farmers'
Fertilizers Co-Operative Udyognagar Stadium,
Gandhidham on Monday.
Saurashtra ended the day on 179 for nine off 80
overs. Mumbai earned five points from their first
innings lead and Saurashtra had to be content with
three.
Mumbai declared their innings on the overnight
score of 377 for eight. Saurashtra began the
second innings on a sad note. Sudhir Tanna was
back in the pavilion when Wasim Jaffer had him run
out. Two overs later, Santosh Saxena had Rakesh
Dhruv edging to wicket keeper Abhijit Shetye
making the score read 11 for two. Prashant Joshi
(45) and Prakash Bhatt (16) stuck to the task
adding 50 runs for the third wicket off 22.4
overs. Birju Pathak anchored one end as wickets
were falling. He played a patient 156 ball innings
for his 44 with five hits to the fence.
Paras Mhambrey bagged three for 30 and Santosh
Saxena took two for 13.
Full postParab and Martin help Baroda draw
Baroda earned a draw against Maharashtra in the West Zone Ranji Trophy match at the IPCL Ground, Baroda on Monday
Waleed Hussain
11-Dec-2000
Baroda earned a draw against Maharashtra in the
West Zone Ranji Trophy match at the IPCL Ground,
Baroda on Monday. Maharashtra walked back with
five points and the hosts had to be content with
three.
Baroda scored 431 for five off 154 overs in their
second innings. Connor Williams added just one run
to his overnight score and was dismissed for a
well made 116 off 201 balls with 13 hits to the
fence. S Parab hung around and was dismissed by
Sane for 140 off 284 balls. He had 14 hits to the
fence and one six. Jacob Martin scored his
unbeaten 101 off 225 balls with eleven boundaries
and one six. Wicket keeper Nayan Mongia made his
presence felt with an unbeaten 55 of 168 balls, he
had four hits to the boundary. Sane bagged three
for 99.
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