T20 World Cup 2016

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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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jew3X8l8WBLwCcMHrjiT5KwmUVAVZo2BoXvW0QEyg2qldJ9nWMU4l-t8lJ3cbRvtLRhZQc2U0IoYOZfSTYtwHQY2_tSGu42EpT5tBDT8hgy_Ibz5k-Q-MUZvxEekIi16TUsb8u1j81u6/s1600/Asia+Cup+stats+Pakistan+fail+to+chase+down+250+or+more+in+12+successive+ODIs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jew3X8l8WBLwCcMHrjiT5KwmUVAVZo2BoXvW0QEyg2qldJ9nWMU4l-t8lJ3cbRvtLRhZQc2U0IoYOZfSTYtwHQY2_tSGu42EpT5tBDT8hgy_Ibz5k-Q-MUZvxEekIi16TUsb8u1j81u6/s1600/Asia+Cup+stats+Pakistan+fail+to+chase+down+250+or+more+in+12+successive+ODIs.jpg" width="219" /></a></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

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

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-...

Shane Warne linked to Ultimo lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone

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Melbourne, February 24 (ANI): Shane Warne has been linked to Ultimo lingerie millionaire Michelle Mone, after he reportedly spent four hours romancing her in her hotel suite.</div>
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According to the Sun, the 44-year-old former Australian cricketer showered Mone with champagne and red roses in her suite at The Dorchester Hotel, just hours after spending Valentine's Day with Elizabeth Hurley, News.com.au reported.</div>
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Sources have revealed that the 42-year-old business tycoon sees the relationship as "the beginning of something special for both of them''.</div>
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Warne had flown to UK to spend time with Hurley and was pictured at The Dorchester where Mone was staying the next day. (ANI)</div>
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Cricket News Shane Warne linked to Ultimo lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone

Melbourne, February 24 (ANI): Shane Warne has been linked to Ultimo lingerie millionaire Michelle Mone, after he reportedly spent four hou...

Rajasthan Royals player claims MS Dhoni involved in IPL fixing – Reports

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A Rajasthan Royals player has claimed MS Dhoni was involved in match-fixing in IPL</div>
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In a recent revelation, an unnamed Rajasthan Royals player has claimed that MS Dhoni was involved in match-fixing during IPL in a conversation with The Sunday Guardian.</div>
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The match under question here is the 61st fixture of IPL season 6, which took place between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 12th May, 2013.</div>
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IPS officer G Sampath Kumar, who made a deposition in front of the Justice Mudgal committee, had revealed that bookie Utham Jain, aka Kitty, <span 02="" 11="" 2014="" bookie-ms-dhoni-suresh-raina-match-fixing-ipl-cid-report-justice-mudgal="" http:="" target="_blank" www.sportskeeda.com="">had talked about the same match being fixed, and about Dhoni’s involvement in it</span>.</div>
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The <span dhoni-involved-in-spot-fixing-in-the-ipl="" http:="" rel="nofollow" sports="" target="_blank" www.sunday-guardian.com="">RR player told Sunday Guardian</span> that the way the CSK team went about the match, cast doubts over their intentions, one example being Dhoni’s unusually tense demeanour.</div>
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“There were many factors which made me feel that CSK were not keen to win the match. Right from the time they came to bat first, there were many things that happened on that day which were also quite questionable. Also captain Dhoni seemed to be unusually tense during that match. I believe he had a hand in the manner in which CSK played that day,” he said.</div>
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The player goes on to say that though CSK are known for upping the pace during the later stages, “on that day, they did not seem to be any sort of hurry to score.”</div>
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Having reached 83/1 at the end of 12 overs, CSK ended their innings at a below par 141/4, with MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina mysteriously falling cheaply in the same over.</div>
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The latest <span 1="" 344682.html="" http:="" indiatoday.intoday.in="" ipl-spot-fixing-gurunath-vindoo-transcripts-expose-more-muck="" rel="nofollow" story="" target="_blank">transcripts of conversation between Gurunath Meiyappan and Vindu Dara Singh</span> reveal that Meiyappan told the latter that Chennai will end up scoring ‘around 140′. They ended up scoring 141.</div>
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Meiyappan also said that Rajasthan will win the match and placed Rs. 1.4 crore bets against CSK. In the conversation, he urges Vindu to place Rs. 30 lakh more on Rajasthan. “RR is winning <em>pakka</em>,” Meiyappan said according to the transcript.</div>
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Another queer aspect of this match, according to the RR player, was the lack of any sixes in the CSK innings.</div>
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“In any T20 tie, one can see around 12 to 15 sixes being hit. CSK did not hit a single six in their entire innings. This is something unheard of in a T20 tie. In my career in T20 so far, I have never come across a competitive T20 match in which a team fails to manage a single six. We knew that there was something wrong with the way CSK were approaching their innings,” he said.</div>
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The player goes on to question the way MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina gave away their wickets against Kevon Cooper in the same over.</div>
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“What is even more surprising was the fact that Captain MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina two of the hardest hitters in T20 format played very slowly. Not only that they seemed to be in no sort of any urgency to score.</div>
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“Nothing wrong in that. But when you consider the fact that both got out in the same over bowled by West Indian rookie bowler Kevin Cooper then things are not normal,” he said.</div>
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The player also put MS Dhoni’s conduct during the match under spotlight.</div>
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“Normally one would expect the Indian captain to be cool and composed. But he seemed to very tense. Now we all knew that even if CSK had lost this match, they had already qualified for the next stage. So why he tense for no reason?” he asked.</div>
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The Mudgal Committee’s report comes up for hearing in Supreme Court on March 7, one day before the final of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, which both MS Dhoni (side strain) and Suresh Raina (dropped) are missing.</div>
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<i style="color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;">Author : NAR133</i></div>
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Cricket News Rajasthan Royals player claims MS Dhoni involved in IPL fixing – Reports

A Rajasthan Royals player has claimed MS Dhoni was involved in match-fixing in IPL In a recent revelation, an unnamed Rajasthan Roya...

Deepak Hooda – A young all rounder with a lot of potential

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Deepak Hooda (R)</div>
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Sometimes, luck plays a very vital role in the career of an upcoming cricketer. The player under reference here is Deepak Hooda, an all rounder for India under 19s, who gave a substantial contribution in all the four matches of the World Cup. He excelled both with bat and ball. Let us have a look at the background of this promising youngster.</div>
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His full name is Deepak Jagbir Hooda. A native of Rohtak, Haryana, Hooda was born on 19-04- 1995 and he is 18 years of age. He is a right hand batsman and a right arm off break bowler, who has represented Baroda. He made his T20 debut in March 2013, while playing for Baroda against Gujarat at Ahmedabad.</div>
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His record in the U19 World Cup was very good. In the crucial quarter final match against England played in Dubai on 22 February, he was the highest scorer for India under 19s. He also took a wicket with his off breaks. Also, while playing against PNG, he had taken 2 wickets for just 5 runs. Earlier, in the match against Scotland, he had given a contribution of vital 24 runs and remained not out. He did not bowl in that match.</div>
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But his most valuable contribution in the tournament was seen on 15th February, when in the important match against arch rivals Pakistan, he not only scored a quick fire 22, but excelled with the ball as well. That victory over the Pakistan was purely based on the stunning bowling performance of Deepak Hooda, as he took 5 wickets for just 41 runs.</div>
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He is a very hard working and committed cricketer. He takes his time before playing his strokes and has shown the ability to improvise instantly. He plays in a very bold and fearless manner. He times his shots well and his running between the wickets is really good.</div>
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He has got a cool and contented temperament, as a result of which Deepak is a decent finisher. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that in the 4 matches he had played in this tournament, he remained not out on 2 occasions. Thus, his batting average for the World Cup comes to a little more than 58 – which is considered excellent.</div>
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It is too early to say anything, but it surely appears that we have got a talented and consistent player who needs to be nourished under professional training. Hopefully, he will be able to contribute effectively for team India in the near future.</div>
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<i style="color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;">Author : Kuku</i></div>
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Cricket News Deepak Hooda – A young all rounder with a lot of potential

Deepak Hooda (R) Sometimes, luck plays a very vital role in the career of an upcoming cricketer. The player under reference here is ...

Cricket: I am so not done with it, after all – A Team India fan

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As an Indian cricket fan, I have to admit, I am guilty of a few quirks. Every time my team wins, it doesn’t take any time for me to jump around like a maniac – like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone – screeching myself hoarse in the process. Age and maturity don’t enter into the equation and to be fair, they never have in all these years that I have been a fan of the Indian cricket team.</div>
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Over the years that I have been a cricket fan, while relishing and reliving the ecstasy and spark of India’s victory, I have also had innumerable opportunities to experience the bitterness of losses as well. Glaring losses these have been too, humiliating the very construct of my – a fan’s – existence.</div>
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Like the one suffered against New Zealand, not so long ago which piled too many insults on top of a very long list of injuries.</div>
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Was it demoralising? Incredibly so. Was it demeaning? Absolutely. Was it the straw that broke the camel’s back; making me turn once and for all from Indian cricket and all that it entailed? No, definitely not!</div>
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Call me a masochist for emphatically deciding to continue to follow the game that has only brought forth agony and frustration in the past few months. But no matter what tags may float around me, it isn’t going to bother me or detract me from being a foul weather fan for my team and by extension, the sport that most of my countrymen revere. For, supporting the Indian cricket team has always meant going through an indescribable roller-coaster ride where losses invariably tag along the wins in close succession, much to a fan’s chagrin.</div>
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But, despite the inexplicable vagaries in Indian cricketing fortunes, I still believe the team can and will be able to overturn these humiliations into something positive and concrete. It’s not blind faith that makes me say so. But testimonies from various events in the past where the Indian cricket team has gone on to turn tables on all the teams that abased them in the first place.</div>
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My surety however isn’t lackadaisical in nature and nor do I wish to defend the outrageous insipidity of the Indian cricket team while at New Zealand. If I were to say it bluntly, they were beyond pathetic in the way they lost the second Test despite having a commanding lead to start with.</div>
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The whole defensiveness in their game reeked of casualness and nonchalant over-confidence as if they had nothing to lose. But no matter with whose assistances Brendon McCullum heaped on the runs, the situation is going to get salvaged by doing the blame game routine.</div>
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Yes, changes are needed – more forceful than ever before – and I totally accede to this, but honestly, this scenario isn’t at all unlike old wine in a new bottle. One horrifying series; crucify the captain and his tactics. One miserable run overseas; discuss the potentiality of getting a new guy onboard who will perhaps do better in the next couple of tourneys and then fall short in some other country.</div>
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The piece-by-piece, meticulous dissection of team members – names who otherwise were the reigning favourites – does give some sort of satisfaction by allowing pent-up emotions to be vented out.</div>
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But I realised one thing that I could never be frustrated with the sport or with the sportsmen for long. Because, at the end of the day, no matter how savage the satisfaction gained by nailing the cricketers’ mistakes, cricket shall the first sport that got me hooked to the genre – if I could call it that – in the first place.</div>
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The enigmatic attraction of all those years ago that kept me glued to the TV set even when I was so young that I could barely distinguish offside from onside or a leg spinner from an off spinner or clearly define the various fielding positions.</div>
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The one thing that never failed to make me pause everything else in my life to watch a bunch of people create an unsurpassable clarity on the field, in the midst of incessant chaos prevailing all around it; like now, with all these chaos hovering around.</div>
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However, there seems to be no clarity anymore giving me all the more reason to put all other stuff on hold and follow the sport in anticipation that better things and better days will soon follow for Indian cricket, repeating the queer cycle that seems to hound Indian cricket, time-after-time and generation-after-generation.</div>
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Cricket News Indian Cricket Cricket: I am so not done with it, after all – A Team India fan

As an Indian cricket fan, I have to admit, I am guilty of a few quirks. Every time my team wins, it doesn’t take any time for me to jump a...