Rawalpindi:
Lakshmipathy Balaji spearheaded the Indian attack as
the visitors bundled out Pakistan for 224 on the first day
of the third and final Test at Rawalpindi on Tuesday. Balaji
took four wickets for the first time in his career as the
Pakistani top order collapsed in the bowler-friendly pitch.
But the going wasn't easy for India either. Replying to
Pakistan's first innings total of 224, India suffered an
early setback losing opener Virender Sehwag in the very
first delivery of the innings. Sehwag, trying to play Shoaib
Akhtar, edged the ball to Yasir Hameed leaving India shocked
at a score of 0 for 1. At close of play on the first day,
India were 23 for 1 with Patel (13) and vice-captain Rahul
Dravid (10) at the crease.
Pak
defeat India in media cricket match (Go
To Top)
Islamabad:
It was a cricket match with a difference. The hype generated
over the current series between Pakistan and India on Pakistani
soil was felt in media circles here on Monday. A match played
Monday between a Pakistan's sports journalist XI and an
Indian journalist XI ended with Pakistan winning the thrilling
encounter by five wickets. The 20-overs a side match was
played at Islamabad's Shalimar Cricket ground. According
to Online News, sports journalists hailing from twin cities
of Islamabad and Rawalpindi represented the Pakistan side
while visiting Indian journalists, who are covering Pak-India
cricket Series, played for their country.
Pak
team trainer walks out after tiff with Inzi (Go
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Rawalpindi:
The physical trainer for the Pakistan fast bowlers,
Dr Tauseef Razzak has reportedly left the team in a huff
after heated arguments with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq in Lahore.
However, officially it's being said that the doctor had
withdrawn because he had hurt his knee. According to a report
in the News, Dr Razzak had a tiff with Inzi over the fitness
routines for the fast bowlers. Sources in the team maintained
that he had pulled out in protest after differences with
Inzamam over the heavy workload of the bowlers in the nets.
The report also said that Dr Razzak, who has been attached
with the team to train the fast bowlers since late 2002,
had submitted a medical certificate and a report saying
that his knee was injured and he required at least two weeks
rest for recovery.
Sources
said that Inzamam had confronted the trainer when he learnt
that he had gone to chief selector Wasim Bari and complained
to him that Inzi and coach Javed Miandad were making the
bowlers bowl a lot in the nets and they would break down.
"He told Bari that the bowlers were not being treated like
humans and he wanted to ensure their fitness according to
his own training methods," an unidentified source said.
Inzamam reportedly confronted Razzak and asked him to mind
his own business and just concentrate on keeping the boys
fit instead of trying to give preferential treatment to
the fast bowlers. He also accused Dr Razzak of trying to
spread dissension in the team by going behind his back to
Bari and reminded him that what the boys did in the nets
was his decision and the bowlers needed to train more. "Inzi
also pointed out to Dr Razzak that despite his methods of
pool and gym training the bowlers were facing injury problems
consistently," the source disclosed. The report said that
Pakistan lost four senior players Moin Khan, Abdul Razzaq,
Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul due to injuries before the third
test while fast bowler Muhammad Sami also remains doubtful
for the match with a back problem.
Indian
cricketers hail Waqar as he calls it a day (Go
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Islamabad:
The Indian team paid glowing tributes to Pakistan fast
bowler Waqar Younis, who retired from international cricket
here on Monday. Younis had been out of team after the World
Cup. Sachin Tendulkar on the occasion said: "Waqar is a
role model for young bowlers. He had pace, control and reverse
swing. His outstanding record speaks for itself." Notably,
both Waqar and Tendulkar had made their debut in international
cricket in Karachi in 1987. Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly
said: "Waqar was a lethal bowler who could rip through a
side at any stage of the game. No batsman could afford to
relax while facing him." Another most revered Indian batsman,
Rahul Dravid said: "It was a joy to watch to Waqar in full
flight. Great action, variety, stamina and skill, he had
it all. He bowled reverse swing to the extreme level. He
was undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers of his
times." Though Waqar hailed the trio of Tendulkar, Dravid
and Ganguly, he termed the Aussies the most difficult side
to bowl against. He also called the Indian team a balanced
one.
About
the humiliating defeat Pakistan suffered at the World Cup,
Waqar Younis said: "Perhaps the World Cup was not meant
for him." Reply to a question regarding match fixing allegations,
he said: "We should forget about match-fixing controversies
and should look forward and play a positive game." The fast
bowler said that he started learning reverse swing during
his college days, but mastered the skill in the company
of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Aqib Javed. To a query whether
there was any pressure on him to announce the retirement
he said, "There is no pressure. It is my own decision which
I took after consulting my family members. I have not yet
made up my mind to take over as a bowling coach. I will
take some rest and then decide what I have to do in future
but I will love to be attached with cricket in one way or
the other as it is not only a game but lifestyle for me."
