India, Pakistan fined for slow over-rate

LAHORE: India and Pakistan cricket teams have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their second one-day international at Mohali on Thursday.

International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Roshan Mahanama imposed the fines after both the teams were ruled to be one over short of their targets when time allowances were taken into consideration, a spokesman for the ICC said on Friday.

In accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing over-rate penalties, players are fined five percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

“As such, rival captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shoaib Malik have been fined 10 percent of their match fee while their players have each received five percent fines,” the spokesman added.

He said Mahanama spoke to both captains after the match and reminded them of their sides’ obligations to complete their overs in the time allocated in the future.

India appoint veteran Kumble as test captain

MOHALI – Veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble was appointed India’s test captain on Thursday, succeeding Rahul Dravid who quit the post in September.

The 37-year-old Kumble will lead the team in the home series against Pakistan which starts in New Delhi on Nov. 22 after the selectors preferred him to wicketkeeper and one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“Anil Kumble has been appointed for the three tests against Pakistan. There will be no vice-captain,” senior board official Mohinder Pandove told a news conference.

Kumble, who has previously served as test vice-captain, is the third highest wicket-taker with 566 test scalps, behind Australia’s Shane Warne and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.

In 1999 the wrist spinner became the second bowler after England’s Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a test innings, leading India to a series-levelling win over Pakistan in New Delhi.

India’s selectors faced a dilemma when Sachin Tendulkar declined to return as captain after two previously unsuccessful terms, mainly to avoid putting extra pressure on his batting.

Dhoni, 26, has done well since being appointed one-day skipper in September.

MOHALI, India, Nov 8 (Reuters) – Veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble was appointed India’s test captain on Thursday, succeeding Rahul Dravid who quit the post in September.

The 37-year-old Kumble will lead the team in the home series against Pakistan which starts in New Delhi on Nov. 22 after the selectors preferred him to wicketkeeper and one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“Anil Kumble has been appointed for the three tests against Pakistan. There will be no vice-captain,” senior board official Mohinder Pandove told a news conference.

Kumble, who has previously served as test vice-captain, is the third highest wicket-taker with 566 test scalps, behind Australia’s Shane Warne and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.

In 1999 the wrist spinner became the second bowler after England’s Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a test innings, leading India to a series-levelling win over Pakistan in New Delhi.

India’s selectors faced a dilemma when Sachin Tendulkar declined to return as captain after two previously unsuccessful terms, mainly to avoid putting extra pressure on his batting.

Dhoni, 26, has done well since being appointed one-day skipper in September.

A good game of cricket even as India lose to Pakistan

Chandigarh, November 8 A thrilling 4-wicket victory for Pakistan over Team India at the PCA Stadium saw Indian fans leave disappointed, while fans from Pakistan were euphoric.A disappointed Indian fan after the match said, “I had come to see India win the match. Now that India has lost, my Diwali would be colourless. My plans of bursting crackers tonight stand cancelled now.”

The floodlit PCA Stadium witnessed a good game of cricket with fans from across the border to cheer Pakistan.

A cricket fan from Pakistan, Aman Kazi, said, “I enjoyed the game very much. If India had won the game, I would have been happy even then. At least the spectators got to witness a great game of cricket, which was full of excitement.”

Earlier in the day, the Mexican wave with beer mugs held high, fluttering Indian tri-colour in hands, painted faces resonating with songs, dhol beats and whistles were the order of the day.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was cheered through every run he scored during his knock of 99 runs; but when dismissed just one run short of a century, there was pin-drop silence. Then there was the standing ovation.

The 120-odd fans who had travelled all the way from Pakistan to witness the match sem to have enjoyed every single moment. Clad in green-and-white dresses, they looked a little dismayed when the Indian team was smashing the fours and sixes around the park.

Mohsin Bhukari, a Pakistani fan from Lahore, said: “It’s my first visit to the stadium and the cricket atmosphere simply rocks here. Having seen Pakistan register a win here has made our trip successful.”

Aman Kazi, another cricket-lover from Lahore, said: “India versus Pakistan match is always full of action. Although I am a Tendulkar fan, I am glad that Pakistan won.”

There seemed no rivalry of nationality between the spectators, as one placard read: “It is not India vs Pakistan, but India with Pakistan.”

Even the presence of ace tennis sensation Sania Mirza could not lessen the crowd’s craze for cricketers. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was also among the spectators, who also looked disappointed when Sachin got out on 99.