Massive win for Pakistan Under-19

Pak U-19 v Bang U-19, 1st Youth ODI, Hyderabad, Pakistan

Pakistan U-19 257 for 8 (Shehzad 56, Asad 56, Talukder 3-32) beat Bangladesh U-19 113 (Nadir 4-29, Wasim 3-13) by 144 runs

Medium-pacer Junaid Nadir took four wickets as Pakistan Under-19 completed a 144-run victory over Bangladesh U-19 in the first ODI at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

Sent in, Pakistan scored 257, thanks to half-centuries from opener Ahmed Shehzad and wicketkeeper Ali Asad, and a late cameo from captain Imad Wasim. Shehzad, who impressed during Australia Under-19's tour of Pakistan recently, led a solid start for the hosts with a 94-run opening stand with Shan Masood.

Rony Talukder then took three wickets as Pakistan stumbled to 121 for 4 before Usman Salahuddin and Asad put on 77 runs to repair the damage. Wasim's 22-ball 34 ensured Pakistan reached a competitive total.

Tamim Iqbal, a regular in the senior team, got the Bangladesh chase a rolling with a 24-ball 23 before falling to Mohammad Rameez. His opening partner Talukder, who scored a hundred and a fifty in the the Test preceding the ODI series, couldn't continue in the same vein and became Nadir's first victim for 17.

Pakistan gained the upper hand when Bangladesh lost four quick wickets to collapse to 83 for 6. With none of their batsmen going past the 25-run mark, the visitors could not mount a serious challenge and were shot out for 113.

The two teams will face each other once again in Hyderabad on Wednesday for the second of the five-match series.

© Cricinfo

Shoaib Akhtar in hospital with fever

Shoaib Akhtar has been taken to hospital complaining of fatigue caused by a fever after Pakistan arrived in Kolkata ahead of the second Test against India which starts on Friday.

"He was suffering from fever and got very tired after arriving here from New Delhi," a team official told Reuters. "So he has been taken to hospital, probably to be put on a drip." However, he isn't expected to stay more than a couple of days and the management are confident he will recover in time for the Test.

Shoaib impressed during the first Test with six wickets, including four in the second innings, but couldn't prevent India taking the opening contest. He isn't the only fitness concern for Pakistan as they aim to bounce back with Shoaib Malik, the captain, trying to shake off an ankle injury he picked during a game of football after the match.

There is better news about Umar Gul who has overcome the back problem which kept him out of the New Delhi Test. "Gul will be available for selection," said the official. "His scan report was seen by the Pakistan medical board and it has cleared him." Gul will put pressure on Mohammad Sami who was expensive and wicketless last week.

© Cricinfo

Malik Picks up Ankle Injury

Malik Picks Up Ankle Injury

Malik - picked up a knock.

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik twisted his ankle while playing football following their loss in the opening Test against India in Delhi.

"The boys were playing football after the match when Malik twisted his ankle. He was taken to a hospital for precautionary X-rays," Pakistan team media co-ordinator Javed Akhtar said.

Akhtar says it is too early to say whether Malik would be doubtful for the second Test, starting on Friday.

Pakistan are already without Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul for the second game in Kolkata.

Original Link : http://www.cricket365.com/story/0,18305,6659_2922344,00.html

India v Pakistan, 1st Test, Delhi, 5th Day : Result

Tendulkar Guides India Home

Tendulkar - 56 not out.

India drew first blood against Pakistan after completing a six-wicket win over their fierce rivals to take the first Test in Delhi.

Needing just 32 runs to win at the start of play, the home side wasted little time in completing victory in the morning session of the fifth day, although they did lose Sourav Ganguly along the way.

India had reaching 171 for three at the end of day four - which was curtailed due to bad light - with star duo Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 48 and 32 respectively.

And Tendulkar was immediately into his stride when play resumed on Monday morning, pulling Shoaib Akhtar for four off the fast bowler's first delivery of the day before dishing out similar punishment to Mohammad Sami.

But Ganguly fell two short of his half century as he too tried to pull Akhtar only to top edge the ball straight down Sohail Tanvir's throat at long leg as the veteran failed to add to his overnight score.

That did not deter Tendulkar, however, as the Indian maestro carried on to his 46th Test half century with an excellent cut shot off Danish Kaneria, striking eight fours in his 106-ball effort.

And he sealed a six-wicket victory for Anil Kumble's men by repeating the trick off Akhtar, who ended the innings with figures of four for 58 from 18.1 overs.

Kumble was named man-of-the-match after picking up seven wickets and was obviously delighted with the victory.

"I think the boys responded really well, getting Pakistan out under 250 in both innings was really very creditable," he said.

"Also the partnerships between (VVS) Laxman and (MS) Dhoni, (Rahul) Dravid and (Wasim) Jaffer and Sachin and Ganguly were all very crucial.

"It was excellent to get into the groove right away. Three months is a long break at my age and I'm very happy with mine and the team performance."

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik felt his side were made to pay for only making 231 in their first innings.

"On the first day we didn't bat well," he said. "Our bowlers put in the effort but we were about 100 runs short in the first innings I think.

"Shoaib (Akhtar) bowled really well and if India had to get more than 300 runs, it could have been different.

"If you want to win a Test you have to score 400 plus in the first inning and so we'll be looking to do that in the next Test."

The teams now move on to Kolkatta for the second of the three-Test series on Friday which Pakistan need to win to have any chance of claiming a famous triumph.

Original Link : http://www.cricket365.com/story/0,18305,6659_2921916,00.html

India v Pakistan, 1st Test, Delhi, 4th Day

India moved to within sight of victory in the first Test in New Delhi as a half-century from Wasim Jaffer helped them reach tea on 89 for two - 114 short of victory.

Pakistan could only add 35 to their overnight total as they were bowled out for 247 before lunch.

And, despite losing Dinesh Karthik in the first over, India made steady progress thanks to Jaffer's 53 from 81 balls.

Resuming their second innings on 212 for five, Pakistan lost wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal in the first over of the day and never recovered as Zaheer Khan and Sourav Ganguly took two wickets apiece to restrict the tourists to 247 all out - a lead of 202.

India could not negotiate a tricky period before lunch as Shoaib Akhtar found the edge of Karthik's bat to dismiss the opener for one and leave India on three for one.

After bringing up his up his ninth Test half-century, Jaffer fell to an excellent low catch from Salman Butt at square leg from the very next ball to give Shoaib his second wicket and Pakistan hope.

Sachin Tendulkar (one not out) joined Rahul Dravid (34no) at the crease and the pair guided India through to tea without further incident.After The Tea Even Rahul Dravid Got Bowled by Akhtar. After that Ganguly took the Charge. The Day Ended with India needing 32 Runs more to lead the Test Series.