Indian news round-up

Pakistan Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider on Sunday said that he envisaged no security problem during the proposed Indian tour to Pakistan during the forthcoming winter and said that full security would be made available in case the Indian Government were to permit the team's visit.

Quoting Haider, United News of India said that although ignorent of the current state of affairs regarding the tour, the minister inquired as to why bilateral sporting relations could not continue even as the Pakistan Government is intent on having a dialogue with India. Haider added that it was up to the Sports Ministry to pursue the issue but as far as the Ministry of Internal Affairs was concerned there would be no problems.

Pakistan has extended an invitation for a reciprocal India tour to the country during December but the visit received a setback after the Indian Sports Minister SS Dhindsa reacted strongly against the continuation of sporting ties with Pakistan due to deteriorating political relations.

India's premier fast bowler Javagal Srinath, whose name does not figure in the list of 23 probables for the forthcoming ICC Knock-out tournament, on Sunday said that he had informed the chairman of the selection committee Chandu Borde of his desire to miss the tourney.

Speaking to the Deccan Herald in Bangalore, Srinath said that with so much cricket being played these days, it is impossible to motivate oneself physically, mentally and psychologically. Srinath felt the workload on fast bowlers especially should be shared for the benefit of the team.

Srinath felt that instead of relying on a couple of good fast bowlers it would be beneficial for Indian cricket if a couple of more seamers could be unearthed. Srinath added that he did not mind sitting out of the team if it would give a chance for a youngster to assess his ability at the highest level.

In an effort to popularise the game at the college and school level besides raising the standard of women's cricket in the state, the Karnataka Ladies Cricket Association has revived the KLCA intercollegiate tournament and the state league last season.

This year's edition of the state league is presently in progress and the play off finals of the league is to played on September 6 at the St.John Medical College grounds. The Challenger Trophy is also scheduled to be held from the third week of September.

Meanwhile, the inter-collegiate tournament, which is being sponsored by Britannia Industries Ltd. is set to start from September 13. All the matches will be played at the St.John Medical College grounds. Five teams - Mount Carmel college, Jyothi Nivas College, MLA College for Women, NMKRV First grade College for Women and Maharani's Science College will be competing for the Britannia Cup.

8th September: Rest for MCC; JNC Vs. MSCW 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM; MLA Vs. NMKRV 12:30 PM to 4:45 PM; 9th September: Rest for MSCW; MLA Vs. JNC 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM; MCC Vs. NMKRV 12:30 PM to 4:45 PM; 10th September: Rest for JNC; NMKRV Vs. MSCW 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM; MLA Vs. MCC 12:30 PM to 4:45 PM; 11th September: Rest for MLA; JNC Vs. NMKRV 12:30 PM to 4:45 PM; MCC Vs. MSCW 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM; 12th September: Rest for NMKRV; MLA Vs. MSCW 8:00 AM to 12:15 PM; JNC Vs. MCC 12:30 PM to 4:45 PM; 13th September: Final.

Rahul Dravid top scored with a solid 68 of 112 balls but Kent lost by five runs to Northamptonshire in the Norwich Union National Cricket league division one match at the County Ground at Northampton on Sunday.

Set to score 196 for a win, Kent made a shaky start losing opener Matthew Walker (0) and Hockley (4). But Dravid held the Kent innings together and guided Kent to near victory when he fell to a catch to Brown off Coussins. Dravid was the ninth batsman to be dismissed with the score at 190. The Kent innings folded up at the same score.

In another match of the same competition, Sourav Ganguly scored only 11 as Lancashire overhauled Worcestershire's 188 with two wickets to spare. Meanwhile Anil Kumble could not make any further breakthroughs as Somerset declared their first innings at 411 for 7. At close of play on the third day at Taunton, Leicestershire were 233 for 4.