Indian news round-up

BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele clarified in Baroda on Thursday that India would be taking on hosts Bangladesh in their first match and not holders Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup opener at Dhaka according to the revised schedule drawn up by the Asian Cricket Council at Sharjah last month-end.

Lele pointed out that the earlier schedule which was available with the BCCI office was incorrect. He said that the tournament is to commence on May 28 and the final is slated for June 7 with June 8 scheduled as a reserve day.

The revised schedule: May 28: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, May 29: Rest day, May 30: India vs Bangladesh, May 31: Rest day, June 1: India vs sri Lanka, June 2: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, June 3: India vs Pakistan, June 4: rest day. June 5: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka. June 6: Rest day. June 7: Final. June 8: Reserve day.

The Indian High Commission office in London on Friday revoked the passport of Sanjeev Chawla, a prime accused in the match-fixing scandal.

Chawla, who has a garment shop in London, has been advised to get an emergency travel permit from the high commissioner's office and travel back to India at the earliest to help the Delhi police in the on-going investigation.

The Indian High Commission has issued a circular in this regard after the External Affairs Ministry decided to revoke Chawla's passport which was issued at London two years ago.

Indian Railways defeated a star-studded Sahara India by 72 runs on Friday to enter the final of the golden jubilee 50th All India Sheesh Mahal cricket tournament in Lucknow. Railways are to meet Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association in the final.

Electing to bat, Indian Railways were all out for 160 runs in 39 overs. The Railways started shakily, losing three wickets for only 26 runs. Sanjay Banger (4), Vishal Sharma (7) and Abhay Sharma (5) were dismissed early. Then Santosh Sahu (30) and Nikhil Patwardhan (33) steadied the innings, putting on 41 runs for the fourth wicket.

Chasing a target of 161 runs, Sahara started disastrously, losing three wickets for only 24 runs. They lost Vikram Rathour (3), Hemang Badani (6) and D Bundela (1). Nayan Mongia kept his end intact, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Mongia was the top scorer with 32 as Sahara India were bundled out for a meagre 88 runs in 31.3 overs.

Leicestershire were in deep trouble at 100 for five when stumps were drawn on the third day of their match against Derbyshire in the county championship match at Derby on Friday.

Resuming at 227 for 6, Derbyshire were all out for 359. RJ Bailey (118), MJ Di Venuto (70) and KM Krikken (51) helped the team post a good total. Anil Kumble ended with figures of three for 86 from his 42 overs.

In reply, Leicestershire started badly losing three quick wickets with only nine runs on the board. VJ Wells (0), D Maddy (4) and TR Ward (1) were out in qiuck succession. But BF Smith (38) and A Habib (33) added 69 runs for the fourth wicket. But both were out shortly before close.

In another match, Lancashire were all out for 186 against Kent at Canterbury. Only A Flintoff (77) managed to hold the Lancasshire innings together. Kent at close of play were 29 for the loss of one wicket with Rahul Dravid not out on 17 off 23 balls with three hits to the fence.