Dravid walked through obstacles, not around them

 It was an evening filled with emotion in Mumbai - Rahul Dravid almost cried and VVS Laxman had moist eyes, while Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni sang praises of Dravid, one of the flagbearers of Indian cricket's golden generation.

The occasion was Dravid's felicitation by the BCCI, following his recently announced retirement from international and first-class cricket. Two of the biggest men in Indian cricket, BCCI president N Srinivasan (unwell) and Sachin Tendulkar (reasons unknown) might have been absent, but the event, which took place on the plush lawns of a five-star hotel, was still very well attended. Many prominent former cricketers - including Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Wadekar, Bishan Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath and Dilip Vengsarkar - and the entire India squad that will play the one-off Twenty20 against South Africa, along with senior BCCI officials, were there.

After a recorded message from Srinivasan played out, Kumble, Ganguly, Laxman and Dhoni walked up to the podium to pass on messages of thanks to Dravid. He was 'Jam' to his contemporary, Kumble, and 'Rahul bhai' to younger team-mate and captain Dhoni, who said Dravid was Indian cricket's man Friday.

"He was someone who would walk through obstacles, not someone who would go around the obstacles," Dhoni said, summing up the character of Dravid who, all the speakers agreed, was always willing to give his all at all times. "He was someone who was ready to do anything and everything needed for the team: whether it came to opening the innings, wicketkeeping, or standing at slips or silly point, his answer was always 'yes'," Dhoni said. He also reserved special praise for Dravid's wicketkeeping skills, saying "some of the catches he took, may be a regular wicketkeeper would never have taken [them]".

Dhoni said it was not only him, but all the younger players who were paying a tribute to Dravid through him. Dravid, he said, always prepared the same meticulous way, no matter who the opponent was.

Ganguly, under whose captaincy Dravid played some of his best innings, said having Dravid as a deputy was a 'pillow of comfort'. He held Dravid and the then coach John Wright responsible for him finishing as one of the most successful India captains. "A lot of people talk about me being the captain, but behind the scenes lot of work was done by you [Dravid] and John, which made Indian cricket successful," Ganguly said. "To sum-up your career I can say only one word: outstanding, and I'm sure you must be a proud man today. The contribution you made to Indian cricket [was] not just the runs you scored, but [the fact that] you played in an era in which Indian cricket went from strength to strength."

Kumble said one of Dravid's biggest strengths was his commitment to the task. "We shared a lot of evenings out. He knew what I hated, what I'd order … he'd know what it was. When we were having discussions, we'd be lost in our own thoughts. He would probably be preparing [mentally] for the next day's batting, or analysing the day's play," Kumble said. "This is what his commitment and pride for the game was. This is something that'll be missed in the dressing room."

Laxman, Dravid's best man on so many occasions including the historic Kolkata Test against Australia in 2001, said his forte was humility in the face of big accomplishments. "Even after so many achievements, he has always been level headed and for me that is his greatness," Laxman said in an emotional speech, during which he urged everyone present to stand up and give his friend, Rahul, an ovation.

Dravid, who walked in with his family, wife, children, parents and brother included, listened intently to every speaker and did not forget to thank each of these four former team-mates when his turn to talk came around. He said it was the players' performance along with the support from the BCCI that had helped India move from being regarded as "second-class citizens" to "dictating terms" in international cricket.

Before he said his final goodbye, Dravid told Dhoni and the rest of the India squad that he was certain that Indian cricket's legacy was now in safe hands. "I may not be playing for India anymore but to the present Indian team what I would like to say is: guys, I will watch with great interest what I think is an extremely exciting and really talented group of young cricketers," he said. "I hope Indian cricket will always be a strong force, both on the field and off the field. And I have no doubt that I would take great pleasure, with a cup of tea and a biscuit in my hand, in watching you guys achieve great things." 

India fails to learn it's lesson; Football player collapses on pitch and dies after delayed medical attention

 

A black day for Indian football as a first division player from Bangalore Mars collapses on pitch and is pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital..

 

 

 

In what what turned out to be a black day for Indian Football, a young first division football player Venkatesh D (28), collapsed on the pitch at the Bangalore Football Stadium and was pronounced dead when he was taken to the hospital.
The unfortunate incident happened when Venkatesh collapsed after taking a few touches of the ball at the 87th minute of his team's (Bangalore Mars) match against South Western (SW) Railway in the BDFA A Division league.
The news comes in just days after some efficient and quick medical attention had saved the life of Bolton's Fabrice Muamba when he too suffered a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur.
Well, it just about sums up the pathetic state of Indian football and how far behind we are from a developed footballing nation.

No ambulance was present at the stadium and Venkatesh’s teammates had to hire an auto rickshaw to take him to closest hospital, Hosmat Hospital, for immediate treatment. Quite astonishingly, mere sprays and ice-pack were used as treatment on the football pitch.
While in England, the authorities learned from their mistake in 2006 when following Petr Cech's head injury against Reading, it took more than half an hour to take him to the hospital, we are yet to learn our lesson. Fortunately, the goal-keeper survived that day but the FA had taken steps to fasten the treatment process since then.
However, this incident today absolutely proved that we have certainly not taken any cue from them.  In April last year, HAL SC goalkeeper Arun Kumar had collided with his team member Ankit Sharma during a training session. After the collision the goalkeeper was immediately taken to the hospital and was given medical treatment for a crack on his foot. 
He was discharged from the hospital but later Arun complained of breathing problem and was  declared dead due to cardiac arrest by the doctors.

 

Seven years ago, it was Dempo's Cristiano Junior who died after collapsing on the pitch during the Federation Cup final against Mohun Bagan.
It is quite surprising how a competitive top division football can be given a go ahead with no trained physicians, no ambulance and no proper medical team! Incidentally, the Karnataka Football Association(KFA) Chief AR Khaleel is also the vice-president of the All India Football Federation(AIFF)
India has failed to learn their lesson and this accident was something that was just waiting to happen..

Dramatic last over run-out leaves match tied Australia vs West Indies

 Dramatic last over run-out leaves match tied Australia vs West Indies

Australia 220 (M Hussey 67, Bailey 59, Narine 3-32) tied with West Indies 220 (Charles 45, Watson 3-30)


Any lingering thoughts of a Caribbean holiday were swept decisively away from Australia by a thrilling and courageous West Indies chase to force a dramatic tie at a heaving Arnos Vale Ground. Tuesday had been declared a public holiday in St Vincent and a sold-out crowd was kept on its feet throughout as the two sides finished locked on 220 apiece on a pitch almost as lively for spin bowling as for dancing at the boundary's edge.

The West Indies needed only one run from the final three deliveries to be bowled by Brett Lee, but a mix-up between the captain Darren Sammy and the last man Kemar Roach saw both stranded at the striker's end as Lee broke the stumps at his. However, the hosts' fight to level the scores having been mired as deeply as 78 for 5 will provide plenty of belief for Sammy's men, while also showing Australia's players that they cannot afford to misstep quite so badly as they have done at times in the three matches so far.

This time the fault lay with the batsmen, who squandered the best of the conditions and failed completely to cope with the crafty spin of Sunil Narine. But there was also a cautionary note for the stand-in captain Shane Watson, who spoiled an otherwise admirable bowling stint with a no-ball that reprieved Andre Russell at a critical time. Watson fumed over the episode and may need to calm himself more rapidly on future captaincy assignments, not least on this tour.

Having built a sound platform to chase the 221 required at 52 for 1, the hosts lost four wickets for 26 as Xavier Doherty and Watson cut through the batting with a combination of spin, changes of pace and alert field placement. However a series of doughty contributions from Johnson Charles, Kieron Pollard, Russell and Carlton Baugh brought the West Indies to the brink, and Sammy would have taken his side home without a moment of running impulse from Roach.

In front of a teeming Kingstown gathering that caused a long trail of morning traffic to the ground, the Australians had been briefly delighted to find a pitch offering more pace than had been found in either of the first two fixtures here. However, they lost their previous enthusiasm when the offspinner Narine used it, along with the sharp spin that had been on offer all week, to cause considerable torment.

George Bailey, promoted to No. 4, and Michael Hussey provided some measure of stability to the innings, from an uncertain 58 for 3, but neither batsman could quite attain command of the bowling. Hussey's dismissal signalled another flurry of wickets, this time the giddy loss of five for six runs. Marlon Samuels and Roach both contributed with clever spells, but it was Narine's deception of the touring batsmen that was most complete, their muddle exemplified by two run-outs in the slipstream of Narine overs.

When West Indies chased, Charles and Kieran Powell enjoyed a more fruitful stand than their one-ball effort in the second ODI, and Watson had to introduce Doherty's spin in the seventh over as he sought a wicket. Powell hammered Doherty over the wide long-on rope, but next ball the spinner took revenge by running a delivery across the opener to draw a clear stumping for Matthew Wade.

Watson used a slower ball to tunnel through Samuels' defence, and in the same over Darren Bravo was confounded by a delivery that disturbed the surface and sent his drive straight to Bailey at short cover. A similar dismissal accounted for Charles, though he could have fewer queries about how the ball had reached him off the pitch, and Doherty used another straighter variation to cramp Dwayne Bravo's attempt to cut and coax an edge into Wade's gloves.

Pollard had seen the West Indies home on Sunday, but had a far sterner task ahead of him this time. For a while he delighted team-mates and spectators, sending one mighty swipe at Lee clean out of the ground. To rid him of this threat, Watson called on Nathan Lyon, Pollard's sometime compatriot in Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition.

As he has done before, Lyon was not afraid to sacrifice a six in search of a wicket: Pollard cleared Doherty at long-on once, but found him when attempting to repeat the stroke two balls later. Russell maintained the fight in the company of Baugh, smiting a rival to Pollard's earlier six when he crashed Clint McKay down the ground and beyond it.

The required rate crept up gradually, aided by Watson's thrift, and when Russell was bowled attempting an impatient heave the game appeared up. However replays showed that Watson had overstepped, and Russell's rearguard went on. As if to frustrate Watson further, Russell was also to be bowled by the resulting free-hit.

As he and Doherty had almost exhausted their overs, Watson called on McKay to probe for the clinching wickets. As the crowd clung to rum-fuelled visions of victory, he seemed to do just that: first teasing an edge out of Russell that Wade dived to claim, then prompting Baugh to send an attempted flick skyward for Daniel Christian to pouch.

Not willing to give up, Narine hit out boldly to reduce the requirement, and Sammy showed the sort of composure he is beginning to make a habit of. However Roach ran on the third-last ball as though it was the last, and Australia salvaged something.

Having won the toss, Watson had expected a similar surface to those previously encountered in Kingstown, but noted more evidence of dryness. In the first few overs he and David Warner timed the ball more successfully than at any stage of the first two games, and it was with the score a promising 33 for 0 that Sammy called on Narine. His first over saw the ball popping and spinning far more excitedly than the batsmen were expecting, and Watson's response in the next over was to chase a tight single that became fatal when Russell threw the stumps down.

The wicketkeeper Wade, back to No. 3 in the shuffle that had Peter Forrest dropped to make room for Lyon's spin, struggled mightily in his brief time against Narine, also narrowly avoiding a run-out. Shuffling too far across his crease, it was no great surprise when Narine spun a delivery around Wade's pads to bowl him for a fretful 2 from 11 balls. Narine's analysis told a tale of bewitchment: 5-1-5-1.

Bailey and Hussey were vigilant as they built a significant union, tallying 112 before they were separated by Samuels. His role in the dismissal was more technical than practical, a short ball pulled venomously by Bailey - he had just struck a compelling straight six - straight into the hands of Bravo behind square leg. Bailey cursed his exit, just at the moment when it seemed Australia had wrested the advantage, and they would prove to be prescient oaths.

Michael Hussey misread Samuels' length and turn to be stumped by a distance. Next over David Hussey was deceived completely by Roach's perfectly pitched slower ball and bowled, and after a first-up wide Brett Lee fell to the same variation, this time dragging a shorter offering onto his stumps. The innings had lost its way; it so very nearly cost the match.

EPL - Boltan Player Fabrice Muamba's heart stopped beating for two hours after collapse

EPL- Bolton Player Fabrice Muamba's heart stopped beating for two hours after collapse

 

Bolton player Fabrice Muamba was still fighting for his life in intensive care on Sunday night, remaining in critical condition a day after collapsing during a match because of a cardiac arrest.

 

Referee Howard Webb ended the match after 41 minutes after Muamba collapsed to the White Hart Lane pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The 23-year-old received prolonged resuscitation on the pitch and in an ambulance en route to the London Chest Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Paramedics could not get Muamba's heart beating on its own for almost two hours.

A statement from the hospital and Bolton this morning also revealed Muamba, who is a father of one, would remain "anaesthetised in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours".

Bolton Wanderers' Fabrice Muamba was in a stable but critical condition on Monday, two days after he suddenly collapsed during a match, the hospital treating him said.
Muamba slumped onto the turf towards the end of the first half of an FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham's White Hart Lane ground on Saturday.
It was later confirmed the 23-year-old had suffered a cardiac arrest.
A statement issued on behalf of Bolton and the London Chest Hospital at 9.30am local time (0930GMT) Monday said: "Fabrice Muamba's heart condition is stable, but he remains critically ill in intensive care at The London Chest Hospital.
"The family is grateful to the media for continuing to respect their privacy at this time."
Muamba's plight sparked a wave of concern from fellow Premier League players and football fans worldwide.

Asia Cup 2012: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Asia Cup 2012: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Cornered Tigers to fight the Lankan Lions 

 

Fresh from a disappointing loss at the hands of reigning World Champions India in the tournament opener, Sri Lankans are gearing up to play an unpredictable Pakistan side in their second match of the ongoing Asia Cup tournament at the Shere Bangla stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Thursday, March 15, 2012.

Whilst the Islanders will be facing a must-win situation to keep their hopes of making the tournament final alive, Pakistan will be looking forward to confirm a spot in the March 22 final by winning today's match.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s Men in Green survived a major scare in their tournament opener against Bangladesh, thanks to Umar Gul’s brilliant bowling in the death overs, and must be hoping for a polished performance against the resurgent Islanders.

Though Pakistan returned victors in Sunday’s nail-biter against Bangladesh with a 21-run margin, they have plenty to ponder upon, especially in the batting department. Their batting has been a major let down of late, specifically the middle-order, featuring likes of Younis Khan and the skipper himself.

In the match against Bangladesh, the opening duo of Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed provided the side with steady start of 135 runs but the fragile middle-order once again failed to capitalize on it as the Green Shirts were reeling at 198 for 7. Had it not been for some late hitting from the lower-order batsmen Umar Gul and wicketkeeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed, it might have been a different story.

Pakistani batsmen, specially the middle-order, will have to take the responsibility and play some sensible cricket, if they want to move an inch closer to the tournament finals.

Bowling will be once again their strength, with pacer Umar Gul and spinner Mohammad Hafeez complimenting each other very well with the new balls.

However, today's match will depend much upon Afridi and Ajmal, and how they contain the formidable Lankan batting line up with their aggressive spin bowling.

Coming to the Sri Lankan camp, they have a world-class top order, including the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara. In-form Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne compliment the experienced top order in the middle-overs.

Chandimal has been outstanding in the recently concluded Commonwealth Bank series in Australia and must be aiming to go one better when his side takes Pakistan in the second match of the quadrangular One-Day tournament.

Untimely injuries to Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera would hurt the balance in the side, but the presence of Farveez Maharoof and Nuwan Kulasekara provides the Islanders with depth in their batting.

Going by the first two games played at the Shere Bangla Stadium so far, one can anticipate a typical batting friendly sub-continent wicket on which the ball comes on to the bat nicely.

Teams(probable):

Sri Lanka: 1 Mahela Jayawardene(c), 2 T Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara(wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Upul Tharanga, 7 Chamara Kapugedera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekera, 9   Maharoof, 10 Seekkuge Prasanna, 11 Suranga Lakmal/ Lasith Malinga.

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Umar Akmal(wk), 5 Misbah-ul-haq(c), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Hammad Azam, 8 Shahid Afridi,  9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Wahab Riaz/Aizaz Cheema

 

Today - India vs Sri-Lanka, Asia Cup.

Bruised India eye redemption

 

Title holders India would be hoping for a positive start to their campaign in the Asia Cup when they take on Sri Lanka in Mirpur on Tuesday. 

 

Catch the updates on Neo Cricket from 2 p.m. IST on March 13.

 

The Asia Cup will provide India a chance to make amends for their dismal performance in the triangular series in Australia where they won just three out of eight matches.

After having flopped in two consecutive overseas tours in England and then Australia, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows the importance of a good start that will hold them in good stead in the regional tournament.

"Over the years, the format has changed in the sense that now there are four good sides. It is a very short series, and it is very important to start with a positive note because it's not very often that you play in a tournament where all the Asian countries are playing together," Dhoni said.

India are coming into the tournament with just a few changes in the squad that played in Australia with hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan and pacer Ashok Dinda drafted into the side, while Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav have been 'rested' due to injuries.

The Asia Cup is also an ideal platform for Sachin Tendulkar to record his much-awaited 100th international ton after having missed the feat in the Test series against Australia and the subsequent triangular series.

The tournament will also provide another opportunity to young players like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja to prove their worth after producing a below-par performance in tough Australian conditions.

Young Virat Kohli, on the other hand, will be oozing with confidence following his impressive showing in Australia, which earned him the post of vice-captain in Sehwag's absence.

But looking at India's inconsistent showing in Australia, Dhoni has a lot to ponder ahead of his side's tournament opener against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

"It's not that we have done really badly. Of course, we had a patch where we have not done consistently well.

"Especially when it comes to the ODI format, I think we have done quite well. So we are hoping that we will stick to it and be consistent throughout the tournament," Dhoni said.

The series will also see a keen contest between Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan for the lone all-rounder's spot in the playing XI.

"Unfortunately, he's (Virender Sehwag) not there. We will miss him, he is one of the most dangerous openers. But this means we have one space in the playing eleven right now. It may go to somebody like Yusuf Pathan so that we can balance the flair and the firepower and the stability that's needed.

"I think it's an opportunity for someone like a Yusuf or a Ravindra Jadeja to do well and grab that number six position," Dhoni said.

On the bowling front, India boasts of a relatively young pace attack in R Vinay Kumar, Dinda, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan, while the spin department will be led by Ravichandran Ashwin and will have leg-spinner Rahul Sharma for company.

On paper, there is nothing much to differentiate between the two sides, but going by present form, Sri Lanka undoubtedly hold an edge over the Indians.

Sri Lanka have been a resurgent side this year. They narrowly lost the five-match series in South Africa 2-3 early this year and reached the finals of the just-concluded triangular series in Australia, only to lose it but not before giving a tought fight to the home team.

But the Sri Lankans have come here as a tired side after the long tri-series in Australia, where they played five matches in the last 10 days.

"The intensity was really high because we were performing at a very high level. Even though we lost the finals, I thought the commitment of the players and the energy level was very good," Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said.

"International cricket is such now that you need to adapt very quickly mentally and physically to the schedules that we have," he said.

If the islanders wish to win their fifth Asia Cup title, they will have to rejuvenate themselves in no time as one bad day in office can hurt their cause.

Interesting Stats:

India vs Sri Lanka in ODIs/Asia Cup

- The two countries have played 133 ODIs against each other.  The tally includes 17 in the Asia Cup.

- Sachin Tendulkar (112 not out) is the only Indian centurion against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup -  Sharjah on 9.4.1995.

- Sachin Tendulkar (93) at Dhaka on June 1, 2000 and Mohammad Azharuddin (90 not out) at Sharjah on April 14, 1995 got out in the nervous nineties.

- Four centuries, including three by Sanath Jayasuriya, have been recorded for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup against India.

131* Arjuna Ranatunga    Colombo,RPS   18.7.1997
130  Sanath Jayasuriya   Colombo,RPS   27.7.2004
125  Sanath Jayasuriya   Karachi              6.7.2008
105  Sanath Jayasuriya   Dhaka                1.6.2000

- Sachin Tendulkar is all set to become the first Indian batsman to complete 500 runs against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup - 480 runs (ave.53.33) in 10 games, including a hundred and four fifties.

- Sanath Jayasuriya (562 runs (ave.51.09) in 11 games, including three centuries and a fifty) is the top run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.

- Kapil Dev, with 10 wickets at an average of 14.80 in 4 games, including a four-wicket haul, is the top wicket-taker for India against SL in the Asia Cup. Irfan Pathan, with 8 wickets (ave.32.87) in 5 games, is second in the list.

- Kapil Dev (4/31, including a hat-trick) at Kolkata on January 4, 1991 holds an Indian record for the best bowling figures against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
Ashish Nehra (4/40 at Dambulla on 24.6.2010) is the only other Indian bowler to take four wickets in an innings.

The top two bowling figures in an innings for SL against India in the Asia Cup are:

- Ajantha Mendis' figures of 6/13 at Karachi on 6.7.2008 are the best for SL against India in the Asia Cup. Farveez Maharoof's figures of 5 for 42 at Dambulla on 22.6.2010 are the second best.

- Chaminda Vaas, with 11 wickets at 30.90 runs in  8 matches, is the top wicket-taker for SL against India in the Asia Cup.

Squads

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Rahul Sharma, R Vinay Kumar.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne.

 

Reports claim India-Pak World Cup semi-final, IPL games fixed

Reports claim India-Pak World Cup semi-final, IPL games fixed

The ugly face of match fixing has once again surfaced and once again Indians and Pakistanis, the favourite whipping boys for all the ills in world cricket, seem to be at the centre of the fresh controversy. It is alleged that the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan in March was "fixed".

To add spice to the unending fixing saga, it is alleged that a Bollywood actress has been used to lure players on the English county scene into underperforming, completing a heady cocktail of quick money, women, and moles in the game that probably assist bookies who seem to be concentrated in India, Pakistan and Dubai.

England's Sunday Times newspaper claimed, through a sting operation, that a "web of match-fixers are increasingly focusing their attention on the English county game and players" because, as it said, "nobody monitors them", in addition to the Indian and Bangladesh T20 leagues and international matches. The publication also alleged that an unnamed Bollywood actress is being used as a honey trap by bookies to make players underperform, and that illegal betting rings are prepared to offer up to £750,000 to players who comply.

The newspaper's undercover reporters claim to have video recorded a Delhi bookmaker, identified as Vicky Seth, "boasting" about his targets. "English county cricket is a good new market," he allegedly says in the poor quality video. "They are low-profile matches and nobody monitors them. That's why good money can be made there without any hassle if we can get the players to play for us."

Another bookie - identified as Monubhai - alleges that he had worked with players from top cricketing nations. "I was invited to strike a deal with some New Zealanders but I didn't go. The IPL starts on April 4, then everyone will be doing it," he is alleged to have said.

 The paper claimed that "tens of thousands of pounds are on offer to fix matches, typically £44,000 ($70,000) to batsmen for slow scoring; £50,000 ($80,000) for bowlers who concede runs; and as much as £750,000 ($1.2 million) to players or officials who can guarantee the outcome of a match".

The International Cricket Council (ICC) declined to comment. Colin Gibson, ICC's head of media and communications, told the paper: "We do not comment of Anti Corruption and Security Unit matters." But, probably, more than the English county games, it is the mention of the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final in Mohali that should be a reason for concern for cricket fans and the cricket boards of India and Pakistan.

Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, who is in Dhaka as a television commentator for the ongoing Asia Cup, admitted that the game has been beset with problems and that a solution has to be found soon.

Reacting to the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final, the suave Raja, who was part of the commentary team at the match in Mohali on March 30 last year, said it was a "good game".

"They [allegations of Sunday Times] have not targeted Pakistan. I don't know how to react to this. There have been problems at the international level with regard to spot-fixing and match-fixing, and that's a chequered history of our game, unfortunately," Raja told MAIL TODAY during a Bangladesh-Pakistan match at the Sher-e-Bangla International Cricket Stadium.

"But, having said that, I think you cannot just carry on getting the game highlighted for the wrong reasons. I think it's very important that we take care of the sport and play it as honourably as possible."

Raja, 49, however, said he would prefer to wait for some time before committing. "I guess we have just got to wait and see what evidence they have provided to the ICC. I have no other comment to make because this is very early to do it. It was a good game, actually; a close game," he said. On Sunday, after the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh, Pakistan player Mohammad Hafeez said he had no idea of the allegations.

The fresh claims of spot-fixing and match-fixing come at the heels of a series of related episodes, mostly from England.

A few days ago, a Pakistani citizen, Sajid Khan, was arrested during the T20 Bangladesh Premier League, his passport was confiscated by the Dhaka Police. According to reports, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) security staff stopped him as he was said to be doing some suspicious activities near the players' dressing room during a Chittagong Kings-Barisal Burners game at the Sher-e-Bangla International Cricket Stadium. The mobile confiscated from Khan reportedly contained a bank account number of Pakistan's Nasir Jamshed and e-mail ID of Rana Naved Hasan.

A few weeks ago, former Essex bowler Mervyn Westfield became the first English cricketer to be jailed for corruption after he admitted to accepting money to fix a match against Durham in a competition in England in September 2009. Last year, three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - were jailed in Britain for their involvement in spot-fixing in 2010.

Arsenal 3-0 AC Milan (Agg 3-4)

Arsenal 3-0 AC Milan (Agg 3-4): Gunners crash out of Champions League despite astounding second leg victory

 

Goals from Laurent Koscielny, Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie had the Emirates Stadium dreaming of an unprecedented comeback, but the Serie A side held out to progress.

 

Arsenal 3 vs 0 Milan 

Played
March 7, 2012 1:15 AM IST
Emirates Stadium — London
Referee:‬ D. Skomina‎
Attendance:‬ 59973‎ 

 

 

Arsenal came within a goal of producing an unprecedented Champions League comeback but just came up short as they beat AC Milan 3-0.First half goals from Laurent Koscielny, Tomas Rosicky and Robin van Persie set the Gunners on their way to an astonishing recovery but Milan were able to regroup at the interval and held out to secure progression to the quarter-final by an aggregate score of 4-3.

Milan's performance during the first 45 minutes was woeful, their frequent defensive errors allowing Arsenal back into the tie, but Massimiliano Allegri successfully reorganised his troops at the break and the Italians clung on. 

Arsenal lined up in a more attacking style than usual due not only to the four-goal deficit they faced but also as a result of the absence of midfielders Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gervinho joined Theo Walcott in support of van Persie.

Milan made midfield changes of their own, with Kevin-Prince Boateng and Clarence Seedorf injured. Urby Emanuelson and Stephan El Shaarawy started alongside Antonio Nocerino and Mark van Bommel.

There are few more adept midfield anchormen in European football than Van Bommel, but the Dutchman's poor start to this game handed the Gunners hope. After receiving an early booking for a foul on Rosicky, Van Bommel failed to stick to Koscielny as Oxlade-Chamberlain whipped in a corner from the Arsenal left, allowing the Frenchman to head home at the near post after seven minutes.

Milan seemed to be slowing the tempo of the game down but Arsenal continued to expose the Serie A side's defence and revived the tie with two goals before half-time. First, Walcott raced down the right wing and fired a low pass across goal that was poorly cleared by an off-balance Thiago Silva straight into the feet of Rosicky, who calmly guided the ball beyond Abbiati.

Djamel Mesbah, in the absence of Luca Antonini, was enduring a torrid time at left-back and Arsenal were to take advantage of the Algerian in the build-up to their third goal. Oxlade-Chamberlain broke into the box past Nocerino only to find his path blocked by Mesbah, resulting in a penalty kick dispatched with aplomb by Van Persie.

All the focus was on Arsenal's search for a fourth goal but they might have had their hopes of progression put to bed if not for goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. First, the Poland international raced off his line to sufficiently narrow the angle and force El Shaarawy to shoot wide, as the Emirates Stadium held its collective breath, and he was alert enough to repeat the trick on Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the break, this time saving at the feet of the Swede.

Szczesny's efforts were topped by Abbiati as the game approached the hour mark. Rosicky led a break into the Milan half and picked out Gervinho to his left. Abbiati did very well to stop the Ivorian's shot after it had taken a deflection and then proceeded to deny Van Persie, who had pounced on the rebound, from point blank range.

Szczesny was to make an equally important save 15 minutes later, but knew less about it. Substitute Alberto Aquilani slid a pass across the Arsenal box towards the back post and with half the goal to aim at, Nocerino poked his effort tamely back into the legs of the 21-year-old goalkeeper.

Arsenal's second half display was less dynamic than their first, and Milan's perhaps less error-strewn. Rosicky used the ball well but struggled to exert a consistent influence over the game, as did Gervinho, while Walcott displayed his more frustrating side after a positive first 45 minutes. 

A dreadful Alex Song pass as Arsenal attacked for the final time summed up a disappointing second half that left Wenger's players dejected at the final whistle despite such a credible performance and victory.

Man United victory over Spurs gives Arsenal fans another boost

Man United victory over Spurs gives Arsenal fans another boost

Tottenham 1 Manchester United 3. Two goals from Ashley Young and a Wayne Rooney header enabled Manchester United to see off Spurs and keep within striking distance of Manchester City at the top of the table. Just two points now separate the neighbours and it looks increasingly as if the Manchester Derby on April 30 will decide the title.

The result was further good news for Arsenal on a weekend when they won away at Liverpool and fifth place Chelsea lost their manager and their match against West Bromwich Albion.

It means the Gunners have now narrowed the gap between themselves in fourth and Tottenham in third to just four points with Chelsea three points off the pace in fifth position.

A fortnight ago ten points was the difference between the north London rivals but Spurs' 5-2 thrashing by the Gunners last week and United's win at White Hart Lane has left manager Harry Redknapp anxiously eyeing up the clubs beneath them.

Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2. "I want to finish third, I want to finish above Arsenal and Chelsea," said Redknapp later. "That's what we're capable of doing and that's where I want us to be… I couldn't have asked more from the players. Sometimes you need the luck and we didn't get any today."

On a day when Alex Ferguson took charge of his 986th league match (surpassing the great Matt Busby’s United record), Tottenham dominated the first period despite the absence of the suspended Scott Parker and the poorly Gareth Bale. They had the ball in the net on 37 minutes when Emmanuel Adebayor turned in a shot from Louis Saha but referee Martin Atkinson ruled that there was a handball involved and waved away Spurs' protestations that it was accidental. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Wayne Rooney rose above the Tottenham defence to head home Ashley Young’s corner.

It was Young who did the damage to Spurs in the second half, first volleying home from close range on the hour mark and then curling the ball into Brad Friedel's top corner nine minutes later. Jermain Defoe pulled a goal back for the hosts three minutes from time but it was scant consolation for Redknapp, who later described the defeat as "soul-destroying".

While Tottenham now have a fight on their hands to hang on to third in the face of an Arsenal side unbeaten in their last five league encounters, United have City in their sights: "We know exactly what we have to do [to win the title]," explained Alex Ferguson. "You can drop surprise points and I think both sides will, but the important thing is to drop less points than our opponents."

Ferguson praised his side's defence for their performance and called the win "a massive result". Asked if he believed his team would go on and win the title, the United manager replied: "A battling performance today tells you that we are up for it."

India win first women's Kabaddi World Cup

India win first women's Kabaddi World Cup

India clinched the first women's Kabaddi World Cup championship title, defeating Iran 25-19 in the final played at Patlipura sports complex at Kankerbagh in Patna on Sunday.

In a thrilling encounter, the Indian eves held upper hand throughout the match and led their Iranian counterparts 19-11 at the half time.

Cheered lustily by the fans at the jam-packed stadium, the Indian women held out a strong challenge by the Iranian in the second half, on course to a resounding win.

Earlier in the day, India outclassed Japan 60-21 while Iran defeated Thailand 46-26 in the two semifinals to set up a summit clash.

Before the semifinals got underway, a clash broke out between a section of spectators and police outside the stadium after some people carrying invitation cards were denied entry into the stadium.

The protesters pelted stones at the policemen who then resorted to batoncharge.

After the final, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi gave away the trophy to India captain Mamata Pujari and medals to all members of the winning team.

Cinestar-turned-politician, Shatrughan Sinha, MP from Patalipura, handed over the runners-up trophy and silver medals to Iran, while state education minister PK Shahi and the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) president Janardan Singh Gehlot gave away bronze medals to Thailand and Japan.

Liverpool vs Arsenal

Liverpool - Arsenal Preview: Champions League contenders eager to capitalise on morale-boosting wins last weekend

 

The Gunners came back from two goals down to beat Tottenham 5-2 at home last Sunday and they travel to the newly-crowned League Cup victors, who conquered Cardiff City on penalties.

 

 

PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIVERPOOL ReinaKelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique Gerrard, SpearingHenderson, Suarez, DowningCarroll

ARSENAL SzczesnySagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs Arteta, Song Walcott, Rosicky, BenayounVan Persie

Liverpool's Glen Johnson (hamstring) and Steven Gerrard (hamstring) are doubts having picked up knocks in training and England’s 3-2 loss to Netherlands respectively. If Johnson is not fit enough to play then Martin Kelly is an obvious replacement and Red boss Kenny Dalglish will be eager for his talismanic captain to feature on Saturday although Charlie Adam could deputise.
Daniel Agger, who injured his rib in Liverpool’s enthralling penalty shoot-out triumph over Cardiff City in the League Cup final, will definitely not play against Arsenal. Dalglish confirmed the Danish defender will be absent for a few weeks so Jamie Carragher will likely be ushered into the starting line-up. Brazil international Lucas remains the only long-term absentee at Anfield.
Considering the manner in which Arsenal came back from two goals down to beat Tottenham 5-2 last weekend, manager Arsene Wenger is unlikely to tinker too much with the starting line-up. Thomas Vermaelen (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (back) were reported to have picked up problems in the north London derby victory, but should have shaken them off in the international break.
The Gunners have a plethora of other injured players: Brazilian full-back Andre Santos (ankle), Aaron Ramsey (ankle), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Per Mertesacker (ankle) and Sebastien Squillaci are all ruled out of the Anfield clash. Andrey Arshavin will play no further part at the Emirates Stadium this season after being loaned out to former club Zenit St Petersburg.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Liverpool beat Arsenal in the second Premier League match of the season – a 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium courtesy an Aaron Ramsey own goal and Luis Suarez’s late finish. The north London club were in freefall at that point, however, and have salvaged their season since a woeful start to their campaign.

• The Gunners have won more games away from home this season (five) than the Reds have won at Anfield (four). With only 20 points won at Anfield, the Reds actually have their joint worst points total at home at this stage of the season since the Premier League began.

• Robin van Persie (pictured right) is still flying high as the Premier League's top goalscorer on 23 goals. His nearest challenger is Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney who has scored 17 so far this season.

• 8.6% - that is the percentage of chances the Reds have converted in the league this campaign, the worst in the division.

• Seven points lie between the two clubs, with Arsenal sat in fourth on 46 and Liverpool in seventh on 39. Kenny Dalglish's men do have a game in hand though, although that is a Merseyside derby match against Everton - far from an easy three points.

• In the last nine top flight matches between these clubs, six matches have ended in a draw.

• Should the Gunners avoid defeat against Liverpool on Saturday it will be the first time ever that the club have gone unbeaten at Anfield in five consecutive league clashes.

• Although Arsenal have a home Champions League tie coming up in midweek it is unlikely that players will be rested for the AC Milan match. Arsene Wenger's side lost 4-0 in the away leg to make qualification for the quarter-finals an unlikely scenario. Sunday's opponents, of course, have experience of overturning a large deficit against the Italian club - the Reds came back from 3-0 down at half-time in the 2005 final of the elite European competition to win on penalties.