Sangakkara best lanka batsman ever: Mahela
New Delhi: Former Sri lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has paid a fitting tribute to the retiring Kumar Sangakkara, describing him as the “greatest batsman” to have emerged from the island nation. Sangakkara, who has 12,000 plus Test runs and 14,000 plus runs in ODIs, will retire from international cricket after playing the first two Tests against India in the three-match series starting on Wednesday. “let me put it straight. Kumar Sangakkara is the best batsman that Sri lanka has ever produced. Aravinda De Silva will always be a sentimental favourite for most of the Sri lankans including me but numbers alone make Kumar a phenomenal achiever. More than 60 international centuries (38 in Tests and 25 ODIs). look at those staggering numbers,” former captain Jayawardene said. “Kumar’s greatness was his ability to score runs against any attack in all types of conditions. He really pushed his boundaries and have set some imposing targets for the next generation of cricketers.”
‘India-Pak cricket should not be linked to politics’
Karachi: Pakistan’s Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq has stressed on the need for Pakistan and India to revive their bilateral ties this year and said it should not depend on the political relations between the two neighbouring nations. Misbah said cricket ties should not be linked to these factors. “I believe that Pakistan and India should be playing against each other in bilateral series regularly and playing cricket should not be linked to the overall political relations between the two nations,” he said. The senior batsman noted that cricket could and had played an influential role on improving ties and people of both countries also wanted to see cricket matches being played regularly. “I’m all for Pakistan and India resuming bilateral ties this year and it’s good for the sport in both countries and players,” he added.
Worker inspires Kiwis to 80-run win over Zimbabwe
Harare: Harare: George Worker hit an aggressive half -century on his New Zealand debut as Zimbabwe were severely outclassed in Sunday’s one-off Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club. The left-handed Worker smashed 62 from just 38 balls as New Zealand posted 198 for five, equalling the highest score in a T20 international in Zimbabwe, before the hosts limped to 118 for eight to lose by 80 runs. With their top three all posting quick runs after they lost the toss and were asked to bat, New Zealand were dominant from start to finish in an entirely one-sided match, giving them the perfect send-off as they head to South Africa for two Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals. Brief Scores New Zealand: 198/5 (George Worker 62; Sean Williams 3/28) beat Zimbabwe: 118/8 (Craig Ervine 42, Adam Milne 2/10) by 80 runs.
Gul: Follow India’s example, overhaul domestic cricket
Karachi: Umar Gul feels Pakistan needs to overhaul its domestic structure on the same lines as India in order to become a top ranking team in all formats and also enhance the financial condition of its players who don’t make the national team. Gul, 31, who has been struggling with a knee problem despite having undergone a knee surgery in 2013, said: “India is producing top batsmen because they have consistent pitches for domestic matches which are suited for batting and their players gain in batting confidence. In Pakistan the pitches vary a lot.”