Indian news round-up

Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Tuesday that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has condemned the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use bone radiography (X-ray) for determining the age of junior cricketers.

AERB secretary Dr K S Parthasarathy said in Mumbai that X-ray examinations are very useful procedures only when they are clinically necessary but age determination by X-raying bone joints "is not a justified practice."

Speaking of the procedure involved, Parthasarathy said "The radiologist will determine the age on the basis of skeletal maturity by X-rays of the wrist, elbow and collar bone. These procedures involve appreciable dose to growing tissues and should not be performed for non-clinical reasons unless absolutely necessary."

Arch rivals India and Pakistan are to meet in the semifinals of the ongoing ICC/ACC Asia Cup in Dhaka on Thursday. While Pakistan defeated hosts Bangladesh by 77 runs on Tuesday to head the table in Group B, India went down to holders Sri Lanka by 61 runs in their last league match.

At the end of the league stages of the tournament, Sri Lanka and Pakistan head their respective groups with four wins from four matches while India and Bangladesh are placed second with three wins out of four.

In Thursday's semifinals, favourites Sri Lanka take on Bangladesh at Bangabandhu National Stadium while Pakistan and India are to clash at another venue in Dhaka.

Delhi defeated Chandigarh by three wickets in the final of the 46th National Under-14 School Cricket Tournament at Vijayawada on Tuesday, reported PTI.

Opting to bat, Chandigarh were bundled out for just 98 in 32.1 overs. Gurkirat (21) and Simrat Bawa (17) were the chief scorers in an otherwise dismal batting performance. Vartik Tihara and Ashutosh claimed two wickets each for Delhi. In response, Delhi overhauled the target in 31.5 overs. Prem (31) and Kartikeya (23) were the main scorers.

Raghavendra from Vidyavanastali Vidyapeeth in Madhya Pradesh was declared man of the series, Simranjeeth Batlana from Chandigarh (133 runs and nine wickets) was adjudged best allrounder. Sumit Kumar from Chandigarh and Kartikey Bhatia from Delhi were adjudged best batsman and best bowler respectively.