India A beat SA A by 18 runs
Pretoria: India A were back to winning ways as they defeated hosts South Africa ‘A’ by 18 runs via Duckworth lewis Method in the second round robin encounter of the tri-series tournament between ‘A’ teams. Having lost to Australia ‘A’ in the opening game, Cheteshwar Pujara’s side got full points from the game that was curtailed to 38-overs-a-side due to rain delay. Put into bat, India scored a commendable 309 for five in 38 overs due to half-centuries by the quartet of Shikhar Dhawan (85), Rohit Sharma (65), Suresh Raina (60) and Ambati Rayudu (57). In reply, South Africa ‘A’ scored 258 for five in 34.4 overs when rain stopped play. The D/l par score at that point of time was 276 which ensured that India went home winners by 18 runs in a high-scoring game at the lC de Villiers Oval. Talented Jammu and Kashmir off-spinner Perveez Rasool (2/47 in 6 overs) made an impact as he got to play his first game of the series. Rasool first bowled Hendricks and then bowled a straighter one that caught left-handed Rossouw plumb in-front. From 78/0, South Africa were 78 for two but Dean Elgar (84, 72 balls, 7x4, 2x6) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld (69, 61 balls, 5x4, 3x6) didn’t let the tempo drop as they added 149 runs in 21 overs at an average of over seven runs per over. It was left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem’s (2/49 in 7 overs) second spell that turned the tables as he castled Jaarsveld who went for a wild slog and then removed Elgar who was caught by Jaydev Unadkat.
‘lara is a cut above sachin, Ponting’
Karachi: Joining the debate on who among Brian lara and Sachin Tendulkar is a greater batsman, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said he considers the West Indian a cut above the best of his era. “lara was the best batsman I have seen in my entire career spanning 16 years better. Personally I found him to be a class above the two other greats of this era, Tendulkar and (Ricky) Pointing,” Afridi said in an interview. “He was the most difficult batsmen I have bowled too in every format of the game. He could play and hit boundaries at will. Especially against the spinners he produced boundaries out of the hat a superb player and I enjoyed watching him bat,” Afridi said. Afridi said there were times when he felt that lara could play blindfolded. Talking about the greatest bowlers of his time, Afridi praised Australian, Glenn McGrath and compatriot Mohammad Asif who could swing the new ball both ways at will.
Aamir backs Dravid’s call
Karachi: His international career ruined due to involvement in spot-fixing, banned Pakistan pacer Muhammad Aamir has backed former Indian captain Rahul Dravid’s suggestion to make fixing a criminal offence. In a an interview, Aamir, who is serving a five-year ban, said the ICC needed to do more to control the menace of fixing in cricket. “I don’t know what powers or authority the ICC has but definitely it needs to make fixing of matches a criminal offence and there should be jail sentences for those involved in this racket,” he said.