Rain halts India colts' charge
Dambulla: Inclement weather played spoilsport as the first 'Youth ODI' between India and Sri lanka did not yield any result after splendid batting by the visitors, here on Sunday. Put into bat, India scored an imposing 301 for five in their stipulated 50 overs while Sri lanka were 63 for one in 14.1 overs when heavens opened up. The lankans were chasing a revised target of 295 in 48 overs but the match could not be started following a heavy downpour. For India, skipper Vijay Zol (76) again did the star turn while Ankush Bains (59) and Sanju Samson (58) also struck half-centuries. Ricky Bhui and Deepak Hooda chipped in with useful contributions of 49 and 31 not out respectively. The foundation of the Indian innings was laid by Bains and Zol who added 127 runs for the second wicket after the departure of opener Akhil Herwadkar (7). Brief Scores — India: 301/5 in 50 overs (Vijay Zol 76, Ankush Bains 59, Sanju Samson 58) against Sri lanka: (target 295 from 48 overs) 63/1 in 14.1 overs (Minod Bhanuka 30, Atit Sheth 1/25). No result.
Umpire Desraj passes away
New Delhi: Former Umpire Desraj, who stood in an one-day international between Australia and Zimbabwe at Ahmedabad in 1998 during the Pepsi Tri Series, on Sunday passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest in Pune. He was 70. He is survived by his daughter, son-in-law and a grandson. Desraj, who became a BCCI Ranji Trophy Umpire from Delhi and served the Indian board for 15 years before retiring in 2001, officiated in 30 first class matches from 1986-87 to 2001-02. He served for 40 years and retired in 2003 from operating Deputy of Northern Railways. For a long period he also served Northern Railway Sports Association. He was a medium fast bowler who played for Northern Railways and Delhi Gymkhana cricket club.
‘Wins in WI came at right time’
Karachi: Pakistan's head coach, Australian Dav Whatmore has admitted that the one-day and T20 series win in the West Indies has come at the right time for him and the national team players. "I felt that after our performance in the Champions Trophy there was unnecessary criticism on me and it did affect me. That is why it was very important for us to do well in the West Indies," Whatmore told the Express newspaper on Sunday. "The victories came at the right time for us and they were hard earned wins because the West Indies have a strong one-day unit and are world T20 champions and are not easy to beat in their own backyard," he said. PNS/Agencies