Islamabad: He
seems to be picking up his line and length after a poor
show so far. "Rawalpindi Express" Shoaib Akhtar is all set
to deliver before his home crowd in the third and final
Test against India beginning Tuesday. According to the News,
Shoaib is raring to go at Pindi Cricket Stadium. "Shoaib
is now regaining his rhythm as was evident in the second
Test at Lahore and what better place for him to deliver
the goods than his hometown," the paper quoted Pakistan
Manager Haroon Rashid as saying. "We may see the best of
him here at his home town," Rashid added. Considered as
the world's fastest bowler, Shoaib Akhtar had struggled
against India in the five-match ODI series as well as Multan
Test before giving faint glimpses of a return to form at
Lahore. Some cricket pundits here say he has been a victim
of excess media hype.
Toss
key to who wins Pindi Test: John Wright (Go
To Top)
Rawalpindi:
The toss may be the deciding factor in determining which
team will win the third and final Test and the series, said
John Wright, the Indian team's coach. Talking to reporters
here ahead of Tuesday's match, Wright was quoted by Online
News as saying that the toss would virtually decide the
match, as the wicket would favor the bowlers. Commenting
on the Lahore loss, he said that India's batters had failed
to deliver, whereas Pakistan's bowlers led by Umer Gul stuck
to the time-tested formula of line, length and bowling in
the corridor to grab wickets at regular intervals. He also
confirmed that Yuvraj Singh would probably open the innings
with Sehwag, while skipper Ganguly would resume his responsibilities
in the middle order. "The pressure is on Pakistan not on
us," he said.
Security
arrangements finalized for Pindi Test (Go
To Top)
Rawalpindi:
All security-related arrangements for the third and
final Test between Pakistan and India have been completed.
Raja Tariq Kiani, the city's chief district officer, disclosed
this on Monday. Kiani was quoted by Online News as saying
that law enforcement agencies have been asked to keep a
close eye on any suspicious person as huge crowd is expected
to witness the final Test. "The Indian team would be given
a warm welcome to the stadium under tight security arrangements,"
he added. He also said that special check posts had been
established at all entry and exit points in the city. Commandos
have been deputed at Pindi Cricket Stadium as part of foolproof
security measures.
Sami
takes ill, doubtful for 3rd Test (Go
To Top)
Rawalpindi:
Pakistan pace bowler Muhammad Sami has reportedly suffered
food poisoning and is doubtful for the third and final Test
starting tomorrow. Sami has been advised to take rest and
medication after he vomited on Sunday, The News quoted the
team manager Haroon Rashid as saying. "He was not feeling
well this morning and the doctors felt it would be better
if he took bed rest," he said. Haroon also said that the
team management had decided to release two players from
the 17-member squad only after the final training session
on Monday. "Inzamam and Miandad wanted to have another close
look at new fast bowlers Rao Iftikhar, Abdul Rauf, Rana
Naveed and Fazl-e-Akber before deciding whom to release,"
he added. According to the report, the four fast bowlers
were given extensive bowling sessions in the nets on Sunday
in the extremely hot and humid conditions with new and old
balls, even as Inzamam and Youhana batted for a while against
them. "We will have to see how things are tomorrow before
deciding on whom to play from these four. Fazl and Rana
have bowled well in today's practice session and looked
in good shape," Inzamam said. "The wicket looks to favour
the seamers, and I think we have enough backup bowlers to
support speedster Shoaib Akhtar," he added.
Two
triple tons by Lara (Go
To Top)
St.
John's (Antigua): West Indies captain Brian Lara has
become the second batsman in history to score two triple
hundreds in Test cricket. Lara took advantage of an easy-paced
pitch at the Antigua Recreation Ground to reach 313 not
out at the close Sunday, the second day of the fourth and
final Test against England. He has been batting for 10 hours
off 426 balls with 34 fours and three sixes. Lara joins
Australian Don Bradman as the only other cricketer to score
two triple hundreds in test cricket. Bradman, who averaged
99.94 an innings in a career from 1930-1948 and is widely
regarded as the greatest batsman the game has known, scored
334 in 1930 and 304 in 1934. Both were against England at
Leeds. Lara accomplished the feat on the same ground where
10 years ago he amassed what was then the game's highest
score, 375, against the same opponents.
