T20 World Cup 2016

Pressure on Smith, Clarke in decider

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Captains Graeme Smith and Michael Clarke will be under greater than usual pressure when South Africa and Australia clash in the series-deciding third test from Saturday.</div>
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Apart from the normal challenge of trying to win a showdown at Newlands between two of cricket's top teams, both skippers will be seeking to end a run of poor personal form with the bat.</div>
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And both will be facing bowlers who have been a nemesis during their careers.</div>
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Smith has had scores of 10, 4, 9 and 14 in the first two tests, while Clarke has made 23, 17 not out, 19 and 1.</div>
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Smith has been out three times to left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who has now dismissed him eight times in 10 tests.</div>
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No bowler has claimed his wicket more often in tests, although Chris Martin of New Zealand also got him out eight times in 11 matches.</div>
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Clarke has fallen twice to Dale Steyn, taking his number of dismissals against South Africa's fast bowling kingpin to nine in 13 tests, equal with Englishmen James Anderson (23 tests) and Stuart Broad (17 tests).</div>
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Both captains have rejected concerns about their form.</div>
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Smith points out that he scored a double century against Pakistan five tests ago and that he has had success as well as failures against Johnson.</div>
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'I've faced Mitchell a lot of times – times where he's had the better of me and times where I have had the better of him,' he said before South Africa squared the series by winning the second test in Port Elizabeth.</div>
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After the double century against Pakistan, Smith made only 47 runs in four one-day innings against Pakistan but had scores of 68, 44, 47 and 27 not out in a two-test series against India.</div>
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Clarke's highest score in 11 test innings since he made 148 against England in the second Ashes test in Adelaide has been 24. In four one-day innings against England he had a best of 43.</div>
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Asked about his recent form after the second test, Clarke said: 'Obviously I'd like to score a hundred every time I bat.</div>
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'I've been here before. In this game you have some great times. I remember those fondly and I said at the time, 'it's swings and roundabouts, there are tough times, so make sure you remember the good times'.'</div>
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Clarke's 'great times' were exceptional.</div>
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In the 2012 calendar year he hit 1 595 test runs at an average of 106.33, with a triple century and three double centuries. Two of the double centuries were in a home series against South Africa.</div>
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The Australian captain, who before his second innings in Port Elizabeth said he felt in 'great nick', hoped he wouldn't have to answer questions about his form in future press conferences. 'I'm due,' he said.</div>
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Both captains have had success at Newlands.</div>
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The last time they came up against each other in Cape Town, in November 2011, Clarke hit 151 in an Australian first innings total of 284 before being dismissed for two when Australia were routed for 47 in the second innings.</div>
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Smith top-scored with 37 in South Africa's first innings of 96, then guided his side to an eight-wicket win with an unbeaten 101.</div>
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Graeme Smith Michael Clarke Pressure on Smith, Clarke in decider

Captains Graeme Smith and Michael Clarke will be under greater than usual pressure when South Africa and Australia clash in the series-dec...

SA dismiss ball-tampering allegations

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South Africa have dismissed ball-tampering allegations surrounding their second test victory over Australia after opposing opener David Warner said the Proteas worked on the ball at Port Elizabeth to generate reverse swing.</div>
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Chasing a 448-run victory target, Australia cruised to 126 for no loss before being undone by a devastating Dale Steyn spell to be skittled out for 216 on Sunday as South Africa levelled the three-match series at 1-1.</div>
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Warner, who followed up his first innings 70 with a belligerent 66 in the second, was not fully convinced that the hosts had found the reverse movement naturally, however.</div>
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'We were actually questioning whether or not (wicketkeeper) AB de Villiers would get the ball in his hand and, with his glove, wipe the rough side every ball,' the left-hander told Sky Sports Radio.</div>
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'That's another thing we have to try to bring up with the umpires.'</div>
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Proteas manager Mohammed Moosagee dismissed Warner's complaint as 'sour grapes' and said few took the outspoken Australian's words seriously.</div>
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'David Warner's remarks are disappointing and discouraging. It takes the gloss off a great Proteas team performance, having come back from losing the first test and then going on to win the next,' Moosagee told South African newspaper DFA.</div>
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'It smacks of sour grapes and it could just be a tactical plan to get us involved in matters that will distract our attention from this crucial test in Cape Town,' he said.</div>
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The Proteas would not seek any action against Warner and would leave it to the game's governing body to look into the remarks, Moosagee added.</div>
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Cape Town hosts the third test from Sunday.</div>
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Australia Port Elizabeth SA dismiss ball-tampering allegations

South Africa have dismissed ball-tampering allegations surrounding their second test victory over Australia after opposing opener David Wa...

England prepare for life without Kevin Pietersen

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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">England will play their first major match since the controversial decision to call time on Kevin Pietersen's international career when they face West Indies in the first of three one-day internationals in Antigua on Friday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">English cricket is still coming to terms with the decision to dispense with the services of the national side's all-time leading run scorer across all formats.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbvSqxDzN0NhmFjSomwwsNGJuhxJwhBjWkuW_GmHE3VnUZR2mZzh5tIj1uuYZEmk66iJdW_kPrZD5Ef2k4hKQzALjc_6zKtnRMHxki8Gxvb7QFV8-DQzTq-6_FOYTHEgxUEFbL57ps2n3/s1600/England+prepare+for+life+without+Kevin+Pietersen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbvSqxDzN0NhmFjSomwwsNGJuhxJwhBjWkuW_GmHE3VnUZR2mZzh5tIj1uuYZEmk66iJdW_kPrZD5Ef2k4hKQzALjc_6zKtnRMHxki8Gxvb7QFV8-DQzTq-6_FOYTHEgxUEFbL57ps2n3/s1600/England+prepare+for+life+without+Kevin+Pietersen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There is a sense that former England wicket-keeper Paul Downton, now the England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director and Test captain Alastair Cook, rested from the Caribbean series, know they will be judged on the team's results and so would not be as perverse to 'cut off their nose to spite their face' by prematurely ditching a world-class player.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It is significant that England have not cited form or fitness as a reason for axing Pietersen but rather a harder to pin down need to "rebuild the team ethic" following a 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">England will also play three Twenty20 internationals against the West Indies, the reigning global champions in cricket's shortest international format, in Barbados on this trip ahead of next month's World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It was in the Caribbean four years ago that England won their lone global limited overs title when, with Pietersen man of the tournament, they took the World Twenty20 title.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Their captain back then was Paul Collingwood, still the skipper of county champions Durham and also a temporary member of England's coaching staff this trip.</span></div>

England Kevin Pietersen Twenty20 internationals England prepare for life without Kevin Pietersen

England will play their first major match since the controversial decision to call time on Kevin Pietersen's international career when ...

Indian Premier League betting scandal: Raj Kundra ready for probe, says Rajasthan Royals CEO

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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Rajasthan Royals chief executive Raghu Iyer said the franchisee will cooperate with the investigating agencies if they probe its co-owner Raj Kundra's alleged role in betting in the Indian Premier League (IPL).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Iyer also stated that the IPL revenues will take a hit if the Twenty20 league is shifted out of India.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Iyer told IANS that even Kundra has agreed to cooperate in the investigation if asked.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ1BcgEwx4O3FFjbCkjtznAIwexu0ue7jC2v9mEJi-d0-A8R0ZHorXVjHDWNJeEqfM_kwGtnDO3EHEHNu5r7urpIDoGSlBW2cMewcGejea4NBENrUdyDjhzOXp1qCcLaQE_D8Q_nMN3pG/s1600/Raj+Kundra+ready+for+probe,+says+Rajasthan+Royals+CEO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ1BcgEwx4O3FFjbCkjtznAIwexu0ue7jC2v9mEJi-d0-A8R0ZHorXVjHDWNJeEqfM_kwGtnDO3EHEHNu5r7urpIDoGSlBW2cMewcGejea4NBENrUdyDjhzOXp1qCcLaQE_D8Q_nMN3pG/s1600/Raj+Kundra+ready+for+probe,+says+Rajasthan+Royals+CEO.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">As for this year's IPL, he said if it is shifted to South Africa as once in the past, the revenues will take a substantial hit and hoped for a clear picture to emerge after a working committee meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) slated for Friday.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Reacting to Justice Mukul Mudgal's report on spot-fixing and betting, Iyer told IANS that "the report has not indicted Raj, it has merely said his role in the alleged scandal should be further probed."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"In fact, Raj has also agreed to cooperate with the investigating agencies. As a franchise, our stand is very clear, we will cooperate with the investigation agencies."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The Supreme Court panel headed by Justice (retd) Mukul Mudgal has come down heavily on Kundra and his celebrity actor-wife Shilpa Shetty for their role in betting in the IPL.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Mudgal in his report to the apex court said the couple should be suspended from participating in any activity of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including IPL matches, pending outcome of the probe.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"We will abide by whatever the Supreme Court says in the matter next month and the BCCI decision," Iyer said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Asked whether the BCCI had its checks and balances in place when the IPL was launched, Iyer said: "They were, but maybe certain things go diluted. When the league was launched, only a billion- dollar company could bid for a team. These were BBCI's decisions and we can't complain about it hindsight if they didn't work."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Iyer said whatever happened with Rajasthan Royals, whose three cricketers - including former India pacer Sreesanth - were arrested by Delhi Police for their role in alleged spot-fixing in the IPL, was unfortunate.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"What more can we do to check the bona fides or the morality of a player? Rahul Dravid and I have always been asked whether match-fixing will end forever. The answer is: there will always be some individuals who will indulge in malpractices, these will be isolated cases."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"There are strict laws for murder and rape, but they still happen, cricket is no exception. Black sheep will always be there and only stricter implementation of laws can check the menace," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">On the IPL being moved out, Iyer said: "I am afraid it may not be a good move, considering the running costs of the tournament will go up and consequently the franchise stand to lose out on substantial revenues. But then there is no way out, we have to live with such things."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Is it good for the IPL if it has to go out of the country every fifth year because it clashes with the general elections?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"I feel the league can be more popular, like it was in 2009 when played in South Africa. So every fifth year we get a chance to take it overseas and give it a different flavour. This year hopefully we will see the IPL being played in India for at least a month after the elections are over," he said.</span></div>

Indian Premier League Rajasthan Royals Indian Premier League betting scandal: Raj Kundra ready for probe, says Rajasthan Royals CEO

Rajasthan Royals chief executive Raghu Iyer said the franchisee will cooperate with the investigating agencies if they probe its co-owner R...

Asia Cup stats: Pakistan fail to chase down 250 or more in 12 successive ODIs

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Pakistan failed to chase down a score of 250 or more for the 12 successive occasion as they lost to Sri Lanka by 12 runs in the first match of the 2014 Asia Cup. Here are some of the other highlights from the match:<br /><br /># Sri Lanka have emulated their narrowest victory margin in terms of runs in the Asia Cup - by 12 runs vs India at Dambulla on July 18, 2004 and by 12 runs vs Pakistan at Fatullah on February 25, 2014.<br /><br /># Overall, Sri Lanka's aforesaid wins are the joint-third narrowest in terms of runs in the Asia Cup overall - the narrowest being Pakistan's two-run win over Bangladesh at Dhaka on March 22, 2012 and India's four-run victory over Sri Lanka at Colombo, RPS on July 27, 2004.</div>
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<br /><br /># Sri Lanka became the third team to register 30 wins in the Asia Cup out of 44 played (Lost 14) - winning % 68.18.   # Sri Lanka (296/6) have recorded their second highest total vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup - the highest being 302 for seven at Karachi on June 29, 2008.<br /><br /># Pakistan's 284 is their third highest total in a losing cause in the Asia Cup - their highest being 329 for six against India at Dhaka on March 18, 2012.<br /><br /># Pakistan have failed to chase 250 or more in twelve successive ODIs. The last occasion when they (264/8) chased the target was against South Africa (262/7) at Napier on February 1, 2011.<br /><br /># Lahiru Thirimanne (102 off 110 balls) emulated his career-best score in ODIs. He had registered 102 not out vs Australia at Adelaide on January 13, 2013.  These two innings are his only hundreds in ODIs.<br /><br /># Thirimanne's previous highest in the Asia Cup was 48 vs Bangladesh at Dhaka on March 20, 2012.<br /><br /># Thirimanne is the third Sri Lankan player to post a hundred vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup - the first two were Marvan Atapattu (100 at Dhaka on June 7, 2000) and Kumar Sangakkara (112 at Karachi on June 29, 2008).   Sangakkara and Thirimanne have recorded the feats as openers vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup.<br /><br /># Thirimanne's aforesaid innings is his first century as an opener in three innings in ODIs.  His first hundred in ODIs was while batting at number three.<br /><br /># Kumar Sangakkara (67 off 65 balls) recorded his tenth fifty vs Pakistan - his 84th in ODIs.<br /><br /># Sangakkara has registered three hundreds and seven fifties in the Asia Cup - his tally being 894 in 19 innings at an average of 49.66 in 20 games.<br /><br /># Sangakkara's tally of ten innings of fifty-plus is a record by a batsman in the Asia Cup, obliterating the nine each by Sanath Jayasuriya (six hundreds and three fifties) and Sachin Tendulkar (two hundreds and seven fifties).<br /><br /># Sangakkara completed his 12,000 runs for Sri Lanka in ODIs. He is the second Sri Lankan to accomplish the said feat - the first being Sanath Jayasuriya - 13364. Sangakkara's overall tally in ODIs is 12,319 - 12060 for Sri Lanka, 121 for Asia XI and 138 for ICC World XI.<br /><br /># Sangakkara and Thirimanne have shared a stand of 161 - Sri Lanka's highest for the second wicket in the Asia cup.  The said partnership is Sri Lanka's highest for any wicket in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.<br /><br /># The aforesaid partnership is Sri Lanka's highest for the second wicket against Pakistan in ODIs.<br /><br /># Angelo Matthews (55 not out off 50 balls) registered his 18th fifty in ODIs - his fourth vs Pakistan.<br /><br /># Matthews emulated his highest score in the Asia cup - his first fifty was an unbeaten 55 vs Pakistan at Dambulla on June 15, 2010.<br /><br /># Matthews is averaging 152.00 in the Asia Cup - his aggregate being 152 runs in four innings (three times not out).<br /><br /># Junaid Khan went wicketless against Sri Lanka for the first time in seven ODIs.<br /><br /># Umar Akmal (74 off 72 balls) has recorded his third fifty in the Asia Cup - his second against Sri Lanka.<br /><br /># Overall, Akmal registered 18 fifties in ODIs, including six against Sri Lanka.  His only hundred in ODIs is an unbeaten 102 vs Sri Lanka at Colombo (RPS) on August 7, 2009.<br /><br /># Misbah-ul-Haq's 36th fifty in ODIs is his ninth vs Sri Lanka.<br /><br /># Misbah's 73 off 84 balls is his second highest score in the Asia Cup - the highest being 76 off 70 balls vs Sri Lanka at Karachi on June 29, 2008.<br /><br /># Misbah enjoys an outstanding record in the Asia Cup - his aggregate being 349 in nine innings (four times not out), including four fifties, at an average of 69.80.<br /><br /># Lasith Malinga (5/52) has produced his second five-wicket haul in the Asia Cup - his best being five for 34 vs Pakistan at Dambulla on June 15, 2010.<br /><br /># Malinga became the first bowler to register two instances of five wickets in an innings vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup.  The only other bowler to take five wickets in an innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup is Arshad Ayub (India) - 5 for 21 at Dhaka on October 31, 1988.<br /><br /># Overall, Malinga recorded six instances of five wickets in an innings in ODIs - two vs Pakistan.<br /><br /># Malinga completed his 250 wickets (ave.26.96) in 163 matches - a Sri Lankan record for the quickest to 250 wickets in ODIs, eclipsing Muttiah Muralitharan's feat of reaching the milestone in 174 matches.<br /><br /># The bowlers taking least number of ODIs to reach 250 wickets are Saqlain Mushtaq (138), Brett Lee (139), Waqar Younis (148), Allan Donald (148), Shane Warne (161), Glenn McGrath (161), Makhaya Ntini (162), Ajit Agarkar (163) and Malinga (163).<br /><br /># Malinga is the fourth bowler to take 250 wickets or more for Sri Lanka in ODIs, joining Muralitharan (523), Chaminda Vaas (399), Sanath Jayasuriya (320).  Overall, Muralitharan claimed 534 wickets, Chaminda Vaas 400 and Sanath Jayasuriya (323).<br /><br /># Malinga's second Man of the Match award against Pakistan is his sixth in ODIs.<br /><br /># Malinga's five-wicket haul at Fatullah is his first since claiming five for 54 against South Africa at Paarl on January 11, 2012.</div>
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(Stats courtesy Rajesh Kumar)</div>
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Asia Cup stats: Pakistan fail to chase down 250 or more in 12 successive ODIs

Asia Cup Asia Cup 2014 Bangladesh Misbah-ul-Haq Pakistan Cricket Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Asia Cup stats: Pakistan fail to chase down 250 or more in 12 successive ODIs

Pakistan failed to chase down a score of 250 or more for the 12 successive occasion as they lost to Sri Lanka by 12 runs in the first matc...

Lasith Malinga is our "go to man" under pressure: Angelo Mathews

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXa0uBa9cvAVPKqLpRdD3drhvHtrpOEXEitSoc6MedUscDJaQScmFd7oHccm8o_6nMziloBPcd4-NfZG70swQWwNhpK0gyfvTU7Gg8ibu8HJh6VCAgLamLCqYQAPR9Slsj_b7bqhXhtI6/s1600/Lasith+Malinga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXa0uBa9cvAVPKqLpRdD3drhvHtrpOEXEitSoc6MedUscDJaQScmFd7oHccm8o_6nMziloBPcd4-NfZG70swQWwNhpK0gyfvTU7Gg8ibu8HJh6VCAgLamLCqYQAPR9Slsj_b7bqhXhtI6/s1600/Lasith+Malinga.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sri Lankan</b> captain<b> Angelo Mathews</b> on Tuesday heaped praise on <b>Lasith Malinga</b>, who played a crucial role in his side's 12-run win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup opener, and said the right-arm fast bowler has been his "go to man" under pressure situations.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Malinga took a brilliant five-wicket haul under pressure after opener Lahiru Thirimanne hit his second ODI century to help Sri Lanka script a thrilling win over Pakistan in their opening match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium..</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Malinga is the best bowler for us and has been in the past few years. Whenever we are under pressure he is our go to man and he did it again," Mathews said at the post-match presentation ceremony.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Asked whether Malinga was underbowled today, Mathews replied: "Well, maybe I'll try to bowl him more."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Malinga produced a sensational spell of death bowling, picking up key wickets at crucial junctures, to ensure the win for his side with seven balls to spare.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Chasing an imposing 297 for victory, Pakistan were on course for a remarkable victory before Malinga came up with a fiery spell to bowl out the 'Men in Green' for 284 in 48.5 overs..</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Malinga first sent back dangerman <b>Shahid Afridi</b> (4) and well-settled skipper <b>Misbah-ul-Haq</b> (73) in a span of three deliveries in his eighth over before returning back to dismiss Saeed Ajmal (10) and Bilawal Bhatti (18) in his final over to finish with figures of 5 for 52.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Mathews felt Sri Lanka were little short of their target considering the start they got today.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"I still think we were 20 runs short considering the start (Lahiru) Thirimanne and (Kumar) Sangakkara gave us," he said. .</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"But in the past we've won these close games and it was good to come out on top again."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Even though Malinga, who was adjudged man-of-the-match, conceded that he was not at his best today, he said he did enough to secure the win for Sri Lanka.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"At the moment, I not bowling at good rhythm but I am really happy to take the five wickets. In the last two games and the first half of today's game, I didn't bowl too well," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"But I used my variations and at the end we won the game. There was not much dew today and I concentrated on my variations, slower balls, bouncers and at the end of the day, I am very happy we won the game."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq felt with himself and<b> Umar Akmal</b> going strong at 242 for four in the 43rd over, they should have won the match.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"I think Umar (Akmal) batted really well, that was a crucial partnership. At that time we had six wickets in hand and we should have won this game," Misbah said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"He (Akmal) played a really sensible knock today but played a rash shot and could not finish it," he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"After the start they (Sri Lanka) got, it was a really good effort to restrict them to 296. The way the pitch was playing, no turn nothing for the fast bowler. This should have been chased."</span></div>

Angelo Mathews Lasith Malinga Misbah-ul-Haq Shahid Afridi Sri Lankan Umar Akmal Lasith Malinga is our "go to man" under pressure: Angelo Mathews

Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews on Tuesday heaped praise on Lasith Malinga , who played a crucial role in his side's 12-run win ...

Dinesh Karthik says India not taking Bangladesh lightly even without Shakib Al Hasan

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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">India stumper <b>Dinesh Karthik </b>feels that it will be foolish on their part if they take Bangladesh for granted considering their two permier performers <b>Shakib-al Hasan</b> and <b>Tamim Iqbal</b> are out due to various reasons.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Tamim has been rested for the tournament due to neck strain while Shakib has been suspended for three games for making an obscene gesture on camera.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg3MmZkVI1beGmLvqYgRYx08zw7Yb5_PER0RH9AH8ZR-0Qz3rKAluI-DpPUpXXZJpNNLh7exmKj3ZMZ5JDo9-sJ1nmAURPGFl4ZiDFwFeJl3nN8WO-4jCVb20gPRpIBNMjNQeK8U_blxs/s1600/Dinesh+Karthik+says+India+not+taking+Bangladesh+lightly+even+without+Shakib+Al+Hasan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg3MmZkVI1beGmLvqYgRYx08zw7Yb5_PER0RH9AH8ZR-0Qz3rKAluI-DpPUpXXZJpNNLh7exmKj3ZMZ5JDo9-sJ1nmAURPGFl4ZiDFwFeJl3nN8WO-4jCVb20gPRpIBNMjNQeK8U_blxs/s1600/Dinesh+Karthik+says+India+not+taking+Bangladesh+lightly+even+without+Shakib+Al+Hasan.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Bangladesh are a fantastic one-day team. They had a couple of close games against Sri Lanka. Everybody knows that they are a very good one-day unit," Karthik told reporters on the sidelines of the Indian team's practice at the <b>Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket</b> Stadium. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Incidentally, it was in the last year's Asia Cup both the teams clashed for the last time, with Bangladesh chasing down 290 with disdain, a result that had cost India a berth in the final.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Definitely we all know they are a good one-day side and we will give them a lot of respect," Karthik said of Bangladesh who won 3-0 in a series against New Zealand before going down to Sri Lanka by an identical margin. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">On the absence of Tamim Iqbal who has been ruled out because of a neck strain and the suspension of Shakib, the 28-year-old said: "Tamim and Shakib are major players for Bangladesh. They are going to be replaced by two peoples who we may not know much."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Both teams will lock horns at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, a town in Narayangonj in the northern Dhaka.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">It's a venue where Bangladesh have happy memories of chasing down New Zealand's 308 with four wickets in hand but Karthik said they're geared up to the challenge.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"Except Bangladesh I don't think many teams would have played there... That's part of International cricket that you don't get to play in all the venues. It's one of those occasions for us it's going into a new venue and we're starting fresh. Having said that, we will go all guns blazing and do our best," Karthik signed off.</span></div>

Dinesh Karthik says India not taking Bangladesh lightly even without Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh Dinesh Karthik National Cricket Shakib-al Hasan Tamim Iqbal Dinesh Karthik says India not taking Bangladesh lightly even without Shakib Al Hasan

India stumper Dinesh Karthik feels that it will be foolish on their part if they take Bangladesh for granted considering their two permier ...

Kumar Sangakkara completes 12,000 ODI runs for Sri Lanka: Asia Cup 2014

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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Kumar Sangakkara completed 12,000 runs for Sri Lanka in ODIs during his knock of 67 in the Asia Cup opener against Pakistan in Fatullah. Here is the list of the statistical highlights from the game.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sri Lanka have emulated their narrowest victory margin in terms of runs in the Asia Cup - by 12 runs vs India at Dambulla on July 18, 2004 and by 12 runs vs Pakistan at Fatullah on February 25, 2014..</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Overall, Sri Lanka's aforesaid wins are the joint-third narrowest in terms of runs in the Asia Cup overall - the narrowest being Pakistan's two-run win over Bangladesh at Dhaka on March 22, 2012 and India's four-run victory over Sri Lanka at Colombo, RPS on July 27, 2004. </span><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sri Lanka bcame the third team to register 30 wins in the Asia Cup out of 44 played (Lost 14) - winning % 68.18.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sri Lanka (296/6) have recorded their second highest total vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup - the highest being 302 for seven at Karachi on June 29, 2008.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Pakistan's 284 is their third highest total in a losing cause in the Asia Cup - their highest being 329 for six against India at Dhaka on March 18, 2012.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Lahiru Thirimanne (102 off 110 balls) has emulated his career-best score in ODIs. He had registered 102 not out vs Australia at Adelaide on January 13, 2013. These two innings are his only hundreds in ODIs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Thirimanne's previous highest in the Asia Cup was 48 vs Bangladesh at Dhaka on March 20, 2012.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Thirimanne is the third Sri Lankan player to post a hundred vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup - the first two were Marvan Atapattu (100 at Dhaka on June 7, 2000) and Kumar Sangakkara (112 at Karachi on June 29, 2008). Sangakkara and Thirimanne have recorded the feats as openers vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Thirimanne's aforesaid innings is his first century as an opener in three innings in ODIs. His first hundred in ODIs was while batting at number three.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Kumar Sangakkara (67 off 65 balls) has recorded his tenth fifty vs Pakistan - his 84th in ODIs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sangakkara has registered three hundreds and seven fifties in the Asia Cup - his tally being 894 in 19 innings at an average of 49.66 in 20 games.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sangakkara's tally of ten innings of fifty-plus is a record by a batsman in the Asia Cup, obliterating the nine each by Sanath Jayasuriya (six hundreds and three fifties) and Sachin Tendulkar (two hundreds and seven fifties).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sangakkara has completed his 12,000 runs for Sri Lanka in ODIs. He is the second Sri Lankan to accomplish the said feat - the first being Sanath Jayasuriya - 13364. Sangakkara's overall tally in ODIs is 12,319 - 12060 for Sri Lanka, 121 for Asia XI and 138 for ICC World XI.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Sangakkara and Thirimanne have shared a stand of 161 - Sri Lanka's highest for the second wicket in the Asia cup. The said partnership is Sri Lanka's highest for any wicket in the</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Asia Cup in Bangladesh.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Angelo Matthews (55 not out off 50 balls) has registered his 18th fifty in ODIs - his fourth vs Pakistan.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Matthews has emulated his highest score in the Asia cup - his first fifty was an unbeaten 55 vs Pakistan at Dambulla on June 15, 2010.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Matthews is averaging 152.00 in the Asia Cup - his aggregate being 152 runs in four innings (three times not out).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Junaid Khan went wicketless against Sri Lanka for the first time in seven ODIs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Umar Akmal (74 off 72 balls) has recorded his third fifty in the Asia Cup - his second against Sri Lanka.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Overall, Akmal has registered 18 fifties in ODIs, including six against Sri Lanka. His only hundred in ODIs is an unbeaten 102 vs Sri Lanka at Colombo (RPS) on August 7, 2009.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Misbah-ul-Haq's 36th fifty in ODIs is his ninth vs Sri Lanka.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Misbah's 73 off 84 balls is his second highest score in the Asia Cup - the highest being 76 off 70 balls vs Sri Lanka at Karachi on June 29, 2008.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Misbah enjoys an outstanding record in the Asia Cup - his aggregate being 349 in nine innings (four times not out), including four fifties, at an average of 69.80.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Lasith Malinga (5/52) has produced his second five-wicket haul in the Asia Cup - his best being five for 34 vs Pakistan at Dambulla on June 15, 2010.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Malinga became the first bowler to register two instances of five wickets in an innings vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The only other bowler to take five wickets in an innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup is Arshad Ayub (India) - 5 for 21 at Dhaka on October 31, 1988.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Overall, Malinga has recorded six instances of five wickets in an innings in ODIs - two vs Pakistan.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Malinga has completed his 250 wickets (ave.26.96) in 163 matches - a Sri Lankan record for the quickest to 250 wickets in ODIs, eclipsing Muttiah Muralitharan's feat of reaching the milestone in 174 matches.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># The bowlers taking least number of ODIs to reach 250 wickets are Saqlain Mushtaq (138), Brett Lee (139), Waqar Younis (148), Allan Donald (148), Shane Warne (161), Glenn McGrath (161), Makhaya Ntini (162), Ajit Agarkar (163) and Malinga (163).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Malinga's second Man of the Match award against Pakistan is his sixth in ODIs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"># Malinga's five-wicket haul at Fatullah is his first since claiming five for 54 against South Africa at Paarl on January 11, 2012.</span></div>

Asia Cup Asia Cup 2014 Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka Kumar Sangakkara completes 12,000 ODI runs for Sri Lanka: Asia Cup 2014

Kumar Sangakkara completed 12,000 runs for Sri Lanka in ODIs during his knock of 67 in the Asia Cup opener against Pakistan in Fatullah. He...

Ishant Sharma to skip Delhi's first two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches

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Out-of-favour India pacer Ishant Sharma has excused himself from Delhi's first two Vijay Hazare Trophy (North Zone one dayers) matches citing fatigue after having bowled a lot of overs during the recently concluded Test series in New Zealand. Delhi will open their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground on Thursday and will play the formidable Punjab side in their second game on March 1. Ishant will be missing both the matches.

"Ishant has just come back from New Zealand. </div>
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He has bowled a lot of overs and had asked us for rest. That's why the team management has decided to give him rest for the first couple of games. That's why, he is not even training currently," Delhi's chief coach Sanjeev Sharma told PTI on Tuesday.</div>
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 Ishant has bowled 96 overs in two Test matches in New Zealand where he took 15 wickets including two six-wicket hauls. He was good in patches but overal very inconsistent. He bowled 62 overs in the second Test including 45 overs of wicketless bowling in the second innings when Brendon McCullum and Bradley-John Watling took the game away from India.

Asked whether Ishant will be available for Delhi's third match against Himachal Pradesh, coach Sharma sounded positive. "We expect him to play in the match against Himachal Pradesh," Sharma said about the bowler who has taken 164 wickets from 55 Test matches. </div>
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 The other senior players like skipper Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Ashish Nehra however went through the paces as it will be the start of some serious match practice before Indian Premier League kicks off in another 6-7 weeks' time.</div>
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Indian Cricket Vijay Hazare Ishant Sharma to skip Delhi's first two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches

Out-of-favour India pacer Ishant Sharma has excused himself from Delhi's first two Vijay Hazare Trophy (North Zone one dayers) matches...

Asia Cup: India aims to retain No.2 position in ICC ODI table

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Dhaka, Feb.24 (ANI): India starts its campaign in the Asia Cup, which commences on February 25 in Dhaka, with an aim to retain its number-two position on the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings at the 1 April cut-off date.</div>
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At number two, India will be the highest ranked side in the five-team tournament, with 115 ratings points, and will contest the tournament that also features fourth-ranked Sri Lanka, sixth-placed Pakistan, ninth-placed Bangladesh and unranked Afghanistan.</div>
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The side that finishes on top of the ODI rankings table at the 1 April cut-off date receives a shield and a cheque of US$175,000, while the side that finishes second receives US$75,000.</div>
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India held the number-one rank from January 2013, but ceded the top position to Australia after losing its recent ODI series against New Zealand 0-4.</div>
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Australia is now assured of the number-one ranking on the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings on the 1 April cut-off date, with 117 ratings points, and will receive the ODI Shield as well as a cheque of USD 175,000 for finishing atop.</div>
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Even if India were to win all its matches in the Asia Cup, including the final, it will gain two ratings points to move to 117, on par with Australia. But when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, Michael Clarke's side will be ranked higher.</div>
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Therefore, India can at best hope to retain its number-two position at the end of the Asia Cup, but its position will be challenged by fourth-ranked Sri Lanka.</div>
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Sri Lanka rounded off a three-match series against host Bangladesh with a six wickets win on Saturday to win the series 3-0. The clean sweep helped Sri Lanka gain one ratings point to move to 109, on par with England, but when ratings were calculated beyond the decimal point, Angelo Mathews' men were able to move ahead into fourth place.</div>
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Sri Lanka can now hope to move ahead of India on the rankings table if it wins all its matches in the Asia Cup, including the final. In such a scenario, Sri Lanka will gain three ratings points to finish on 112, one ratings point ahead of India and therefore move up two places to second.</div>
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But if India wins even one of its matches during the tournament, it will hold onto the number-two position, in spite of losing up to three ratings points to finish on 112.</div>
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Meanwhile, fifth-placed England and sixth-ranked Pakistan will also be involved in a keen tussle on the table. While Pakistan will be seen in action during the Asia Cup, England will take on West Indies in a three-match series in Antigua from February 28.</div>
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England will hold onto fifth position if it wins at least one of the matches in the series against eighth-ranked West Indies. Should England fail to win a match, however, Pakistan can hope to move ahead of England if it wins all the matches in the Asia Cup, including the final.</div>
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Meanwhile, Afghanistan has an opportunity to get onto the main ODI rankings table during the Asia Cup.</div>
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To gain this promotion, Afghanistan must either win two ODIs against Full Members, or achieve one win in an ODI against a Full Member and also have won more than 60% of qualifying matches versus other Associates (as shown on the Associate / Affiliate ODI Ranking Table).</div>
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To find out exactly how the forthcoming series will affect the Rankings Table, please click here. The ODI and T20I Rankings tables, unlike the Test Rankings Table, are updated after every match.</div>
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India captain Virat Kohli starts the Asia Cup with an opportunity to reclaim the number-one position on the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen.</div>
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Kohli is currently ranked second with 870 ratings points, just two behind number-one ranked AB de Villiers. With South Africa having no scheduled ODI series, Kohli has an excellent opportunity to reclaim the number-one position he last held in January 2014.</div>
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Kohli is also the highest-ranked batsman in the Asia Cup, and the lone player from his team in the top 10 in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.</div>
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The other batsmen inside the top 20 likely to be seen in action over the coming weeks are Kumar Sangakkara (fifth), Misbah-ul-Haq (eighth), Shikhar Dhawan (11th), Eoin Morgan (13th) and Mohammad Hafeez (16th).</div>
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Meanwhile, Saeed Ajmal will start the Asia Cup as the number-one ranked bowler on the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI Bowlers.</div>
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West Indies' Sunil Narine in third will be the highest ranked in the series against England.</div>
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The others in the top 20 likely to be seen in action over the next fortnight are Ravindra Jadeja (ninth), Junaid Khan (11th), Abdur Razzak (13th), Hafeez (15th), Angelo Mathews (17th) and Shakib Al Hasan (20th). (ANI)</div>
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Asia Cup ICC ODI Asia Cup: India aims to retain No.2 position in ICC ODI table

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