Sports News

Put into bat, Sri Lanka were all out for 142 in 38.3 overs against India in the second cricket one-dayer at Rangiri Dambulla International stadium in Dambulla on Wednesday.

Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan took 4 quick wickets to pep up the spirits of the embattled Indian camp in the 2nd ODI in Dambulla.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to field in the second cricket one-dayer of the five-match series against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Wednesday.

Mohammad Asif found himself in deep trouble as the dope test of his 'B' sample has also tested positive for a contraband substance, leaving the Pakistan pacer facing the possibility of being banned for two years.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said it was a good toss to lose in the hindsight as he would have chosen to bat against India in the morning in the one-day opener in Dambulla on Monday.

India ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday accepted the blame for a thumping loss to Sri Lanka in the opener, saying he misread the wicket and chose to bat first which put paid to his team chances in the match.

Sri Lanka thrashed India by eight wickets in the first cricket one-dayer in Dambulla on Monday.
Earlier, India caved into the guiles of Sri Lankan bowlers led by spin duo of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan as they were bundled out for 146 in the first cricket one-dayer in Dambulla on Monday.

Ahead of International Cricket Council's final call on the venue of Champions Trophy, Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday said there was no question of shifting the competition from Pakistan or postponing it over security concerns expressed by players' associations.

India made a disastrous start in the opening one-dayer against Sri Lanka, losing 7 wickets for just 94 runs in Dambulla on Monday.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat in the first one-dayer of the five-match series against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Monday.

Indian ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni can inch closer to top spot of ICC batting chart if he continues his good form of the Asia Cup in the five-match series against Sri Lanka starting Monday.

Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was asked on Saturday by Pakistan Cricket Board to pay the fine of seven million rupees imposed on him or forget playing in next month's Champions Trophy.

Pakistan Cricket Board ran quarter page advertisements in newspapers on Saturday announcing the launch of Champions Trophy but there is a sinking feeling of a losing battle among its officials and they are "expecting the worst" in the next few days, say sources.

Riding on vice-captain Yuvraj Singh's explosive 172, India defeated Lankan XI convincingly by 92 runs in a practice match ahead of the five-match ODI series against the hosts.

A proud player to lead his country on a cricket field, India ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni recalled how he would attend the Independence Day function at his school every year and pay respect to the fluttering of tri-colour.

With the Test series already having slipped out of India's fingers, ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday feels losing Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the one-dayers against Sri Lanka could be crucial for the team.

Strengthening their pace attack, the Pakistani selectors included controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and his fellow paceman Umar Gul in the final 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy.

As India's experienced players drew flak for their lacklustre show in the just lost Test series against Sri Lanka, ODIs captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday came in their defence, saying they did not need to prove themselves.

FICA Chief executive Tim May, who is currently in Pakistan to review the security arrangements here, visited the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore and spent time with fellow Australians, Geoff Lawson and David Dwyer who are also attached with the national team.

Pakistan's massive security build-up for next month's Champions Trophy notwithstanding, the ICC has admitted that it would not be easy to convince jittery players to come to the troubled nation for the eight-nation event.