Page 63 - Sports

Gayle's storm blows England away in Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 17 (ANI): Chris Gayle smashed the first hundred of the sixth World Twenty20 to underline his reputation as cricket's most destructive batsman and powered West Indies to a comfortable six-wicket win over England in their Super 10 match at the Wankhede Stadium. The left-handed opener, who often polarises opinions with his antics off the field, made mockery of a seemingly steep 183-run target in the Group One match, carrying West Indies to victory with 11 balls to spare on a hot and humid evening. Gayle's century was his second in the format and he remained unbeaten on 100 off 48 balls with his innings studded with 11 sixes and five fours. West Indies cricket team coach Phil Simmons was all praise for Gayle at the post-match press conference. It was the sparse crowd at the stadium overlooking the Arabian Sea, who were at risk once Gayle decided to open his arms and swat away everything that was in his zone over the boundary. England skipper, Eoin Morgan, said that his team wan

Pakistan thump Bangladesh with comfortable 55-run win in Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 17 (ANI): Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi led his team to a comfortable 55-run victory against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at the T20 World Cup. It took a lot of cajoling from the organisers to convince Pakistan to shed their security apprehensions and once they landed for the tournament, Afridi's comments about getting 'more love in India' than in Pakistan riled up fans back home. Hafeez said that the team had prepared well for the tournament, especially after a poor performance in the Asia Cup. After Shehzad was dismissal, Afridi took up responsibility, promoted himself in the batting order and clobbered four sixes in an entertaining knock. Bangladesh captain, Mashrafe Mortaza, said though reaching the target of 201 runs was difficult, his team could have performed better. Down the order, Shakib Al Hasan remained not out on 50 but the target proved too much for Bangladesh's limited batting resources.

T20 World Cup: Fans hopeful of team India's victory

Nagpur, Mar 15 (ANI): India's first encounter of the T20 World Cup against New Zealand will be played on Tuesday evening in Nagpur. Tumultuous fans were seen gathering outside the stadium. Considering Nagpur ground lucky for India, fans are hopeful of team's first-ever T20 victory against New Zealand. Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh are favourite among fans. Kiwis have always been a tough side to beat and fans want to see both players score some big runs.

Pak. coach defends Afridi, says remark wasn't controversial

Kolkata, Mar 15 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket team coach Waqar Younis on Tuesday came into defence of Shahid Afridi over his statement of receiving more love in India, saying that he did not find anything controversial in his statement. Yonis emphasised that they should stop discussing the matter further as it would only result in increasing the controversy and asked his players to focus on the upcoming matches.

Nothing new in Pak. inviting Hurriyat leaders: NC

Jammu, Mar 15 (ANI): Speaking on the invitation received by Hurriyat leaders to attend the function on Pakistan Day, National Conference Party (NC) leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal on Tuesday said there is nothing new on the invitation being received. He further said two years ago, foreign ministers from both the countries were slated to meet, but Pakistan High Commissioner thought it would be prudent to consult the separatist before talks and New Delhi was right to raise objection on it. Kamal added that Pakistan considers Umar Farooq's faction of the Hurriyat as representative of Jammu and Kashmir.

Shoaib Malik satisfied with safety provided by India for World T20

Kolkata, Mar 13 (ANI): Lauding the security arrangements made by the government of India, Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik today said that he has never faced any security concern in the country. Admitting that he is honoured to be here, Malik said that he visits the country very often as his wife Sania Mirza is an Indian. He further said he never feels any difference between the people of both sides.

Afridi says 'never received so much love in Pak'

Kolkata, Mar 13 (ANI): Asserting that sports and politics should be kept apart, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi on Sunday admitted that his side has not received so much love and affection from their own country as they have got in India. Talking to the media ahead of their warm-up game against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens on Monday, Afridi said that he has always enjoyed playing the game in India. The Afridi-led side arrived to a warm welcome in Kolkata yesterday after getting the security assurance from the concerned authorities in India and the ICC. The ICC has moved Pakistan's group match against India to Kolkata on March 19 due to security concerns in Dharamsala.

World T20: Pak team gears up ahead of warm-up match against Lanka

Kolkata, Mar 13 (ANI): The Pakistan cricket team, which arrived in Kolkata late on Saturday evening, was today seen practicing at the Eden Gardens for ICC world T20. The team had missed their first warm-up session with Bengal accounting to their late arrival. However, the Shahid Afridi-led side would be playing a practice game against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on Monday. Pakistan will lay their opening match against the first-round qualifier on March 16.

World T20: Netherlands says Bangladesh tough side to beat

Dharamsala/Mumbai, Mar 09 (ANI): Netherlands cricket team captain, Peter Borren, said that it would be tough to beat Bangladesh on the eve of their opening match in the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, who will face off Netherlands on Wednesday, are regarded the favourite to make it to the Super 10 stage. Borren said his team is geared up for their match against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi captain, Mashrafe Mortaza, said his team was confident of playing good cricket after making it to the Asia Cup final. A total of 58 tournament matches, including 35 men's matches and 23 women's matches, will be played in the 27-day tournament in eight Indian cities. Meanwhile, New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, said that it would be tough playing their first match against India. India will play a warm-up match against the 2012 World T20 champions West Indies on Thursday.

Responsibility in T20 World cup same as in Asia Cup: Dhoni

Kolkata, Mar 08 (ANI): India's limited overs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said his role in the upcoming T20 World cup will remain the same of what he had in the Asia cup. Dhoni added that he is ready to face only 12-15 balls in every match, adding that his responsibility will be to convert the game in India's favour and increase the score. Dhoni said that it's better to focus on every game than thinking about the final in Kolkata.

Ravi Shastri says team India only aims at playing cricket

Dhaka, Mar 05 (ANI): Replying to media over the controversial morphed picture of Bangladeshi pacer Taskin Ahmed holding chopped head of Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Director of Indian Cricket team, Ravi Shastri, said team India's only aim is to play the game.

Team India has transformed into aggressive fighting unit: Ravi Shastri

Dhaka, Mar 05 (ANI): Indian Cricket team director Ravi Shastri has expressed that he hopes to see India continue their fearless brand of cricket in the Asia Cup final against the host on Sunday. The former all-rounder also described India's transformation into an aggressive fighting unit as 'gradual but enjoyable one'.

Dravid to mentor Delhi Daredevils

New Delhi, Mar 01 (ANI): Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has been named as mentor of Delhi Daredevils for the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Speaking about his new role, Dravid said it's a privilege and an opportunity for him to coach young players. Dravid added that the team has developed a young, dynamic and exciting squad for the season ahead.

Sports should be free from political prejudice: BCCI secretary

New Delhi, Mar 01 (ANI): Speaking on the Himachal Government's demand for a change in venue of the match between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said sports should be free from every political prejudice. Thakur said the venues of the T20 World Cup matches were decided one year in advance, adding that there is no point of raising an objection now. He emphasised that showing the disability to organise the match between the two nations will definitely tarnish the image of India.

Team ready to take on Pak. in Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma

Dhaka, Feb 27 (ANI): Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma said his team was prepared to take on arch-rival Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup match. India and Pakistan will lock horns in a group league match on Saturday. Sharma said Pakistan could not be taken lightly as their players played a lot of T20 cricket in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League. When asked if the team was zeroing in on any particular bowler of Pakistan, Sharma said their focus was on their entire bowling unit. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Captain Shahid Afridi expressed hope that his bowlers would come out on top against the strong Indian batting line up. Any match between the two nations attracts millions of viewers and the count can go up to one billion, according to TV ratings.

T20 World Cup trophies reach Kolkata

Kolkata, Feb 25 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup trophies reached Kolkata as part of its host city tour. During the event, cheerleaders and performers were seen dancing to hit Bollywood numbers in Kolkata. The 2016 Men's tournament will be held from March 8-April 3, while the women's tournament will begin on March 15. This is the first time India will host the event.

Dhoni confident of winning T20 World Cup

Kolkata, Feb 21 (ANI): India's limited-over skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday expressed confidence on winning the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in the country, saying that the team has all the required ingredients and qualities needed to clinch the title. Dhoni added that in the upcoming Asia Cup matches, he will try to give as many games as to all the individuals who have not played so far. Talking about bowler Mohammed Shami, whose availability for the World T20 cup is unlikely, Dhoni said of course he will have to prove his fitness. He added if he doesn't, they have replacement.

FIFA lauds AIFF's preparation for 2017 U-17 World Cup

New Delhi, Feb 21 (ANI): An inspection team of the world football governing body, FIFA, said that it is satisfied with India's preparations for Under-17 World Cup which will be held in India in 2017. FIFA teams, along with the head of events, Jamie Yarza, has been in India since February 14 and has inspected stadiums in southern Kochi, Goa, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati and New Delhi. Yarza lauded the work done by All India Football Federation (AIFF) in this regard. Yarza stressed on the need to get the stadiums across the country ready for the big event well in time. He was accompanied by tournament director Javier Ceppi among others.

T-20 series: India, Sri Lanka teams arrive in Vizag

Vizag, Feb 13 (ANI): The Indian cricket team arrived in Vizag for the third and final T-20 match against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Exhilarated with their victory in the last game a resilient India would look to continue their momentum and seal off their second successive T-20 series.

India-Sri Lanka T20 venue shifted to Ranchi

Mumbai, Jan 29 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Anurag Thakur on Friday said the venue of second T20 between India and Sri Lanka has been shifted from Delhi to Ranchi. He said that BCCI had given a deadline to DDCA but it was unavailable to follow. If DDCA does not come up with an NOC by January 31, the matches will be divided.