Pakistan put India on mat to wrap up ODI series 4-2
New Delhi, April 17
Pakistan inflicted a crushing 159-run defeat on India in the sixth and final One-Day International match at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here today to wrap up the series4-2.

New ideas needed, says Dravid
New Delhi, April 17
After India went down against Pakistan in the one-day series following an insipid show here, captain Rahul Dravid today said his side must innovate ways to stem its poor run in limited-over matches.

We have only ourselves to blame
The disappointment of losing four successive games and subsequently the series is huge, but we have only ourselves to blame.

Outgoing coach disappointed
New Delhi, April 17
Describing the Ahmedabad match as the turning point of the one-day series, India’s outgoing coach John Wright admitted that it was disappointing to finish his stint with the team on a losing note.

High security makes entry of fans difficult
New Delhi, April 17
Cricket lovers jostled with each other to get entry into the Ferozeshah Kotla ground even though a tight security blanket thrown for the sixth one-dayer between India and Pakistan made things difficult for them to make it to their seats in time, one hour before the schedule start of the match.

Pressure on India to save the series
New Delhi, April 16
Jolted by three consecutive defeats, India will need a huge spark of inspiration to stop Pakistan from clinching a remarkable one-day series win in the high-profile sixth and final cricket tie to be witnessed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf here tomorrow.

We have potential to tie the series: Dravid
New Delhi, April 16
India’s stand-in captain Rahul Dravid today put up a bold face ahead of the crucial One-Day International against Pakistan, saying there would be no undue pressure on his players, who had the potential to tie the six-match series.

We are determined, confident: Inzamam
New Delhi, April 16
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq today sent out an ominous warning to the beleaguered Indians, saying his young team was determined to carry the momentum into the last One-Day International and complete a remarkable come-from-behind series win.

Pitch dilemma for captains
New Delhi, April 16
To bat or not to bat first? This is a question that is bound to trouble both Indian and Pakistani captains on the eve of the sixth and final One-Day International as the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium braces up to host its first One-Day International in over three years.

High security at stadium, hotel
New Delhi, April 16
Ferozeshah Kotla ground, venue of tomorrow’s sixth and last Indo-Pak One-Day International to be watched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, has been turned into a virtual fortress with thousands of policemen taking positions.

Afridi gives Pakistan thumping win
Swashbuckling opener lays foundation with 45-ball century
Kanpur, April 15
In the city of tanneries, a buccaneering Shahid Afridi (102) slaughtered the Indian pacers and skinned the spinners as Pakistan crushed the hosts by five wickets to win the penultimate tie of the six-match one-day series at the Green Park Stadium here today.

Afridi made the difference: Dravid
Kanpur, April 15
Shahid Afridi's blazing knock was the difference between winning and losing on a track which was difficult to bat on was the unanimous verdict of both the Indian and Pakistani skippers after the visitors won the fifth and final one-day international by five wickets here.

Dravid to lead in 6th ODI
Kanpur, April 15
Amid speculation that Sourav Ganguly will return to the side for the sixth one-dayer against Pakistan on April 17 in Delhi, stand-in captain Rahul Dravid said he would skipper the side in the final of the six-match series at Ferozeshah Kotla.

Beloff to hear Ganguly’s appeal
London, April 15
Chairman of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Code of Conduct Commission, Michael Beloff, will hear the appeal by Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly against his six ODI match ban, the ICC announced today.

India set to take on resurgent Pakistan
Kanpur, April 14
A rudderless India will be looking to shrug off two successive defeats as well as the loss of skipper Sourav Ganguly when they take on a pumped-up Pakistan in the crucial fifth cricket one-day international at the Green Park stadium here tomorrow.

Sourav eligible, but not to play today
Kolkata, April 14
Sourav Ganguly is eligible to play in the remaining two one-day matches against Pakistan pending resolution of his appeal against the six-match suspension by the ICC, but the out-of-form Indian cricket captain will not feature in the fifth match in Kanpur tomorrow.

Chance for India to redeem themselves
Kanpur, April 13
After the disappointment at the Ahmedabad tie against Pakistan, India would get the last chance to turn the ball in its court at the Green Park stadium here on April 15 during the fifth and the second-last one-dayer of the ongoing cricket series.

Ganguly to appeal against ban
Kolkata, April 13
Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has decided to appeal to the ICC against the six-match ODI ban slapped on him for the team's slow over rate in the Ahmedabad one dayer against Pakistan yesterday.

Ganguly did not heed the warning, says Chris Broad
Editorial: Captain knocked out

Shiv Sena forms ‘suicide squads’ to disrupt ODI
New Delhi, April 13
Five ‘suicide squads’ are being readied by the Shiv Sena to dig up the Ferozeshah Kotla pitch to disrupt the sixth and final one-day international between India and Pakistan on April 17.

Pakistan level series with last-ball win
Ahmedabad, April 12
Pakistan completed the fourth highest run chase ever with a nail-biting last ball victory over arch rivals India in the fourth cricket one-day international to throw the six-match series wide open here today.

Inzamam attributes win to team effort
Ahmedabad, April 12
Sachin Tendulkar bowled another mesmerising over at the death to raise India's hopes of snatching a tie before Inzamam-ul Haq's cool headed batting saw Pakistan clinch a last-ball win in the fourth one-dayer here today. But did one of the brainiest cricketers err in his calculations during the tense final over?

April 12, 2005

Ganguly banking on past for inspiration
Ahmedabad, April 11
Under-fire captain Sourav Ganguly will be looking for inspiration from the past to lift his personal form as India go into the crucial fourth one-day cricket international against Pakistan here tomorrow seeking to regain the lost momentum.

Pak team to miss fan support
AHMEDABAD: More than the unbearable heat, it will be the lack of adequate fan support from home that is likely to dampen the spirit of the Pakistan cricket team, eyeing a victory in the fourth ODI against India to level the six-match series here on Tuesday.

Match passes: PIB fishes in troubled waters
New Delhi, April 11
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), which has never handled press passes for sports events, barring Arjuna Awards functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan, has offered to handle media passes for the one-day international between India and Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground here on April 17.

SC declines to stall Kotla match
New Delhi, April 11
The Supreme Court today rejected a plea by an association of structural engineers for stalling the final cricket match of the current India-Pakistan series at the unfinished Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here to be watched by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after the Centre and other concerned agencies gave assurances of taking adequate measures for the security and safety of the audience.

Shoaib misses tie due to illness
Karachi, April 10
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s chances of joining the Pakistan cricket team on the India tour were smoked out after he missed a domestic limited overs cricket match with illness.

Pakistan bounce back with emphatic win
Jamshedpur, April 9
Stung by two successive defeats, Pakistan roared back with an inspired all-round display to register a convincing 106-run victory in the third one-day international against India to keep themselves afloat in the one-day series here today.

We were outplayed, concedes Ganguly
Jamshedpur, April 9
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly today admitted that they were thoroughly outplayed by Pakistan in the third one-day international here and predicted a very close contest in the last three matches of the series.

Pakistan face do-or-die battle
Jamshedpur, April 8
Pushed into a corner after two defeats in a row, Pakistan face a do-or-die battle when they take on arch-rivals India in the third one-day international here tomorrow, hoping to contain the rampaging hosts with a new bowling combination.

Underestimating Pakistan can be disastrous
Jamshedpur has not been a lucky ground for us, but we hope to change that on Saturday. It’s not as hot here as it was in Kochi and Visakhapatnam, and we hope it stays that way till the game is over.

We hope to win next 3 matches: Younis Khan
Jamshedpur, April 8
Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan today said his return to the side would bolster the visitors' fightback in the limited overs cricket series and push the six-match series against India all the way to a climax in the final one-dayer at Delhi.

SC to hear Kotla stadium issue on Monday
New Delhi, April 8
The Supreme Court today said it would take up an application on Firoz Shah Kotla cricket ground safety certificate issue on Monday next.

Pak capable of bouncing back, says Inzamam
Jamshedpur, April 7
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq today conceded that the two defeats in the six-match one-day series had shifted the balance in India’s favour, but said his players had the capability to bounce back despite being under pressure.

Pak to include Younis, Kaneria
Jamshedpur, April 7
Pakistan will drop pace spearhead Mohammad Sami while leggie Danish Kaneria and vice-captain Younis Khan, the latter recovering from fever, will make a comeback to the side for the third of the six-match one day series at the Keenan Stadium here on Saturday.

ICC reprimands Inzamam
Jamshedpur, April 7
The International Cricket Council today reprimanded Inzamam-ul-Haq for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second one-dayer against India, an incident for which the Pakistan captain said he was ashamed of his behaviour.

DDCA sets April 10 as deadline
Last ODI against Pakistan
New Delhi, April 6
The Delhi and District Cricket Association has put April 10 as the deadline to complete all the ongoing work at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground, and make the stadium match-fit for the sixth and final One-Day International tie between India and Pakistan to be played on April 17.

• Grant of permission to Kotla challenged

India has unearthed serious talent in Dhoni
It is an ominous sign that India is scaling 350 on the board and yet quite a few of their key batsmen are out of form: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif have all not been amongst runs. To the largely two-faced Indian batting of Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid have now been added the third dimension of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

PCB to watch Shoaib, Shabbir
LAHORE: Injured pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed’s return to the Pakistan side for the last two one-dayers against India will depend on their match fitness and the PCB will keep an eye on their performance in departmental games, according to chief selector Wasim Bari.

Dhoni’s blistering 148 powers Indian win
Visakhapatnam, April 5
Rookie wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni slammed a belligerent century to author India's comprehensive 58-run victory over Pakistan in the high-scoring second cricket one-day international here today.

Promoting Dhoni was a team decision: Ganguly
Visakhapatnam, April 5
Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly today admitted that his poor batting form had prompted the team management to promote young wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the number three position, a gamble which paid dividends for the team in the second one-dayer against Pakistan.

Agarkar inducted as cover to Balaji
Visakhapatnam, April 5
Medium pacer Ajit Agarkar was today inducted as the 15th member in the Indian squad for the third and fourth one-day internationals against Pakistan.

PCB to be given 2,000 tickets for Delhi one-dayer
New Delhi, April 5
Citing that the under-construction Ferozeshah Kotla stadium can accommodate only half its capacity in the sixth India-Pakistan one-dayer on April 17, the DDCA has agreed to give 2,000 tickets to the Pakistan Cricket Board, which had demanded at least 5,000.

India keen to maintain momentum
Visakhapatnam, April 4
With the fluent win at Kochi providing a rocketing start to their one-day campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan, India seem to have quickly laid to rest the morale-shattering loss in the Bangalore Test and would be keyed up to consolidate the advantage with another good show in the second match here tomorrow.

Dravid comes to Ganguly’s defence
Visakhapatnam, April 4
Beleaguered Indian captain Sourav Ganguly today got a much-needed confidence booster from his deputy Rahul Dravid who said the stylish left-hander would come out of his lean patch soon. “It is true that he has not been getting runs of late. But I’m sure that he will come back into runs sooner than later,” Dravid said.

Younis hints at changes in top order
Visakhapatnam, April 4
Notwithstanding the defeat in the opening one-dayer at Kochi, Pakistan vice-captain Younis Khan today asserted that his side had not run down in confidence but indicated changes at the top of the batting order for tomorrow’s tie against India.

Ahmedabad ODI: Pak team insured
Ahmedabad, April 4
Besides providing tight security to the Pakistan cricket team, the visitors have also been insured for Rs 2 crore for their fourth one-day match against India to be played here next week. “All arrangements are in place at the stadium to ensure that the match goes off well.

Sweet victory under trying conditions
We could not have asked for a better way to start the Pepsi Cup one-day series. As we were leaving Kochi on Sunday afternoon, dark clouds were gathering and heavy rain followed. Perhaps that was the reason why the weather was so humid on Saturday. The conditions really sapped the energy of the players, but we left God’s Own Country a tired but happy lot.

India crush Pakistan by 87 runs
Kochi, April 2
India bounced back from the numbing Bangalore Test loss to thrash Pakistan by 87 runs in the first one-day international here today, recording their first ODI win against their arch-rivals at home since their famous World Cup quarterfinal victory in 1996.

Ganguly feels relieved
Kochi, April 2
India’s comprehensive 87-run win over Pakistan in the first one-dayer has come as a big relief for captain Sourav Ganguly, who confessed that his team’s victory had relieved him of some pressure.

Captains shake hands with HIV-positive kids
Kochi, April 2
Thousands of cricket fans watched as little Bency and Benson, two HIV-positive siblings, walked on to the field and shook hands with Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq here today.

Delhi gets go-ahead to host match
New Delhi, April 1
The uncertainty over the sixth one-dayer between India and Pakistan ended today with the announcement that Delhi would indeed host the tie to be witnessed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Committee set up to assist DDCA
Chandigarh, April 1
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has set up an advisory committee to help the Delhi and District Cricket Association to hold the sixth one-day international at the Ferozeshah Kotla on April 17.

India have a point to prove
Kochi, April 1
India will be looking to buck a mini-losing streak against arch-rivals Pakistan when they attempt to bounce back from the Bangalore Test debacle in the first of six cricket one-day cricket internationals to be held here tomorrow.

Confusion reigns over Delhi one-dayer
Match may be shifted to Mohali
Chandigarh, March 31
Till late in the evening today, confusion reigned over the holding of the sixth and last one-day match between India and Pakistan, originally scheduled to be played at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi on April 17.

Win helps Inzamam reunite with Rashid Latif
Karachi, March 31
A great victory not only unites the team further, but even repairs the severely dented and crippled relations between the best of friends. 

Malik shines in Pakistan victory
Hyderabad, March 30
Shoaib Malik stole the limelight, hitting an unbeaten 81, as Pakistan raced to an eight-wicket victory over India ‘A’ in a one-day match at the HCA stadium near here today.

Pak pins hopes on Ganguly instance
Lahore, March 30
Citing the case of Sourav Ganguly, PCB said they would appeal against Match Referee Chris Broad’s one-Test ban on Inzamam-ul Haq, hoping the ICC would revoke the ban even if that means slapping another fine on the Pakistan skipper.

Kotla gets green signal for one-dayer
New Delhi, March 29
The spoilsports who tried to scuttle the sixth One-Day International match between India and Pakistan on 17th April at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground was put on the back foot today when Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan gave his approval to the venue after a surprise visit to the stadium.

Mongia relieved
Mohali, March 29
Having been selected for the 14-member Indian squad for first two one-day matches at Kochi and Visakhapatnam in the six-match series scheduled to get under way on April 2, Punjab skipper Dinesh Mongia looked a relieved man. “I will give my best if selected to play for the country,” was the candid reply of the Chandigarh left-handed batsman.

A tale of two captains
If there were any moral winners in the three-match India-Pakistan Test series which concluded at Bangalore on Monday, then undoubtedly it would be Pakistan.

Hard to believe that we lost 
Even 24 hours later, I can’t believe that we lost the Bangalore Test in such a disappointing manner. It was a case of everything going wrong for us – from the luck factor to our own gameplan, while everything went right for the Pakistanis.

Inept batting display costs India series
Quartet of Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman could
muster 39 runs
Bangalore, March 28
A determined Pakistan restored their pride with a thrilling 168-run win over arch rivals India in the third and final cricket Test, exploiting an inept batting display by the hosts to level the series 1-1 here today.

We were a bit too defensive, says Ganguly
Bangalore, March 28
Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly today admitted that the team had adopted a "defensive" approach after lunch on the final day but gave full credit to Pakistan for bowling his side out on a "good wicket" to win the match and level the series 1-1.

Tendulkar surpasses Gavaskar
Bangalore, March 28
Sachin Tendulkar today became the highest run-getter of India when he surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s aggregate of 10,122 runs in the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan here.

Inzamam slapped one-Test ban
Laxman dropped

Pak push for series-levelling win
Bangalore, March 27
A commanding performance by their top order helped Pakistan set India a steep fourth innings target and push for a series-levelling victory in the third and final cricket Test at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

India to go for victory: Laxman
Bangalore, March 27
Despite leading the series 1-0 and needing just a draw to clinch the series, India would try its best to win the third and final cricket Test against Pakistan, batsman VVS Laxman said here today.

Kotla VIP box to be ready for Pervez
Bangalore, March 27
The spectators’ stands at Delhi’s Ferozeshah Kotla, where India and Pakistan play the sixth and final one-dayer on April 17, might be incomplete but the VIP box will be in place for visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. This nugget of information surprisingly came not from the Delhi and District Cricket Association, which controls Kotla, but from Pakistan Cricket Board chief (PCB) Shaharyar Khan. 

Younis Khan (267) helps Pak amass 570
Harbhajan excels with 6-wicket haul 
Bangalore, March 25
An epic double century by Younis Khan set up a massive Pakistan total and gave the visitors a chance to have a go at India in the third and final cricket Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

Triple century was never in mind: Younis
Bangalore, March 25
After helping Pakistan set-up a mammoth first innings score in the third and final Test against India here, Younis Khan today said notching up a triple century was never in his mind and the visitors would press to level the series by winning the match.

Pakistan on firm ground to win the match: Hanif
Bangalore, March 25
Impressed with the visitors' batting performance in the third and final Test against India, former Pakistan captain Hanif Mohammed today said the team was in a position to force a result and square the three-match series.

Inzamam admits he had opposed Shoaib’s inclusion
Karachi, March 25
The cold war between Inzamam-ul Haq and paceman Shoaib Akhtar has come out in the open with the Pakistan cricket captain admitting that he had opposed the inclusion of the bowler on a few occasions due to his "non-cricketing attitude".

Shoaib left out
Karachi, March 25
Pakistan selectors left out Shoaib Akhtar and made three changes to the squad currently in India but had to give in to the team management's demand to sacrifice an opener for a spinner when they announced the 16-member squad for the six-match one-day series against India beginning on April 2.

Record-breaking tons by Haq, Younis
Bangalore, March 24
Triggering a run riot at the Chinnaswamy stadium, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq celebrated his 100th Test with an unbeaten 184 and along with deputy Younis Khan pulverised the Indian bowling to take Pakistan to a commanding 323 for two in the first innings at close of play on the opening day of the third and final Test here today.

Inzamam joins elite group
Bangalore, March 24
Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq today joined a select band of batsmen when he scored a century in his 100th Test, in the third and final cricket Test against India here.

Pakistan will not repeat the Kolkata blunder: Inzamam
Bangalore, March 24
Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who today celebrated his 100th Test with a masterly 184 not out, said his team would not repeat the mistake of Kolkata Test when they let India off the hook after dominating the match for the first two days.

Inzamam lauds Younis efforts
Bangalore, March 24
Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, elated over the three-figure mark in his 100th Test today, said the team was looking at a score of over 500 and looking for a victory to square the series against India.

India need win to improve Test ranking
New Delhi, March 24
India can replace England on the number two position in the LG ICC Test Championship ranking if they record a victory against Pakistan in the ongoing third Test at Bangalore.

Shoaib unlikely for ODIs
Lahore, March 24
Pakistan’s worries with its pace battery could continue right into the six-match ODI series starting April 2, with Shoaib Ahktar a good two weeks away from regaining fitness and Shabbir Ahmed not impressing chief selector Wasim Bari with the five to six overs he sent down for National Bank at Karachi’s National Stadium today.

March 24, 2005

India look to wrap up series
Bangalore, March 23
Brimming with confidence after a convincing 195-run win at Kolkata, a resurgent India go into the third cricket Test here tomorrow, seeking to post their first series triumph against arch-rivals Pakistan on home turf in 25 years.

We will not play for draw: Ganguly
Bangalore, March 23
Already one-up in the series, India would not play a negative game to draw the third and final cricket Test commencing here tomorrow, skipper Sourav Ganguly said today. “Obviously, we will try and win this game.

• Do-or-die affair for Pak, says Haq

MCD threatens to refuse permission
New Delhi, March 23
The sixth and final one-dayer between India and Pakistan has hit a road block with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi threatening to refuse permission for it till Feroze Shah Kotla ground is "fully ready".

Wright foresees tough challenge from Pak
Bangalore, March 22
India will go all out to win the series against Pakistan and put up yet another good performance, Indian coach John Wright said today. Talking to newspersons here, he said “It is a good situation to be in. We have won one Test, we will go in for another one and win the series. With good batting conditions here, I expect another good performance from the team.’’

Pakistan will bounce back: Woolmer
Bangalore, March 22
Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer today said the team would bounce back and aim for a positive result in the third and final test against India, beginning at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on March 24.

Woolmer an overrated coach: Intikhab
Mohali, March 22
Former skipper and coach of the Pakistan team Intikhab Alam said today that Bob Woolmer was an overrated coach and had never managed to deliver for the Pakistan team since he had been appointed coach of the Pakistan team almost an year ago.

Pak ex-selector praises Dravid
Lahore, March 22
Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid has received lavish praise for his superb batting in the Kolkata Test, but Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer has been severely criticised by former chairman of the national selection committee Salahuddin Ahmed.

India, Pak players take a day off
Bangalore, March 21
After two nerve-wracking Tests, Indian and Pakistani cricketers took a well-deserved break here today, ahead of the final Test starting on Thursday.

Harbhajan reported for suspect action
London, March 21
Harbhajan Singh has been reported for a suspect bowling action for the second time in four months, but the Indian off-spinner will be eligible to play in this week’s third Test against Pakistan as per the rules.

Rahul made a huge difference
A victory against Pakistan at Eden Gardens was long overdue, and when it came, it concluded a very
well-fought Test match.

“Concerns” over Delhi hosting one-dayer
New Delhi, March 21
The suspense over Delhi hosting the sixth and final one-dayer against Pakistan continued with the cricket board’s Grounds and Pitches Committee chief Venkat Sundaram saying that there were still some concerns which needed to be addressed.

Kumble gives India a thumping victory
Kolkata, March 20
Anil Kumble once again proved to be Pakistan’s nemesis as he ripped through their batting line-up to help India record a thumping 195-run victory in the second Test at the Eden Gardens here today. Kumble claimed seven for 63 for his 29th five-wicket haul as Pakistan, chasing a daunting target of 422, were shot out for 226 soon after tea on the fifth and final day.

Dravid, Kaarthick put us in winning position: Ganguly
Kolkata, March 20
Terming the first-ever victory against Pakistan here as one of the "better wins" of the Indian team, skipper Sourav Ganguly today praised his deputy Rahul Dravid for playing a crucial role in giving the side 1-0 lead in the three match series. Ganguly also described the first ball dismissal of Younis Khan on the fifth and final day as the turning point of the riveting second Test at the eden Gardens.

Inzamam blames spinners
Kolkata, March 20
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq today blamed an “irresponsible” approach by the batsmen and lack of application by the spinners for the 195-run defeat against India in the second cricket Test here.

Test poised for exciting finish
Kolkata, March 19
The second cricket Test between arch-rivals India and Pakistan was poised on a razor’s edge as Shahid Afridi cracked a blistering half century to provide a blazing start for the visiting team’s chase of a mammoth 422 to win. Chasing an improbable target after India had declared their second innings at 407 for nine, Pakistan swung the momentum a bit in their favour.

Mr Dependable at his best
Kolkata, March 19
Rahul Dravid has once again proved to be Mr Dependable. It was he who along with Dinesh Kaarthick steadied the team after the dismissal of captain Sourav Ganguly.

Bucknor regrets Sachin’s dismissal
Kolkata, March 19
Umpire Steve Bucknor has expressed regret for handing out a wrong decision to Sachin Tendulkar when the latter looked set for his record-breaking 35th century on the third day of the second Test between India and Pakistan.

India hit back with a vengeance
Kolkata, March 18
India roared their way back into the match as they broke through the Pakistani line-up quickly and followed it up with a solid batting display to put themselves in the driver’s seat in the second cricket Test here today.

Tendulkar misses another opportunity
Kolkata, March 18
It was yet another frustrating day for Sachin Tendulkar as he again missed an opportunity of completing his 35th Test century. Two days ago, on the first day of the Test at the Eden Gardens, he had completed 10,000 runs. Sachin will get yet another chance in the third Test at Bangalore to achieve the landmark.

March 18, 2005

Younis, Youhana lead strong Pak reply
Kolkata, March 16
Vice-captain Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana cracked centuries to lead Pakistan's resurgence on the second day and restore balance of the second cricket Test against India here today.

Scoring 400 runs is first target: Youhana
Kolkata, March 17
Pakistan vice captain Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana, who led a Pakistani resurgence against India scoring a hundred each, are looking at a first innings total of around 450-500 to put pressure on the hosts in the second Test at the Eden Gardens here.

Kumble, Harbhajan bring excitement
Kolkata, March 17
An hour-long Anil Kumble-Harbhajan Singh batting partnership today brought some excitement and cheer to the otherwise dull and monotonous Indian innings, which ended 15 minutes before the lunch break.

Pervez to watch last one-dayer at Delhi

Dravid’s ton helps India recover
Kolkata, March 16
Rahul Dravid cracked a scintillating century but India lost three batting stalwarts in a span of 19 balls to allow arch rivals Pakistan claw back into the second cricket Test here today.

Plenty of cricket left in me’
Kolkata, March 16
Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar was definitely a happy man to join the 10,000-run club in Test cricket, but was not disappointed for missing out on scoring the record-making 35th Test hundred on the opening day of the Indo-Pak match here today.

• A monkey off Tendulkar’s back 

• Tendulkar’s fans overwhelmed

BCCI felicitates centurion Bucknor
Kolkata, March 16
Steve Bucknor was felicitated by the BCCI for becoming the world’s first umpire to stand in 100 Tests today.

India looking for that extra push
Kolkata, March 15
After failing to translate a definite advantage into victory in the series opener, India go into the second cricket Test beginning here tomorrow looking for that elusive extra push to put it across arch-rivals Pakistan, who appear more confident after coming back from the brink at Mohali.

Indians keyed up to win Test, says Ganguly
Kolkata, March 15
Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly today threw the gauntlet at arch rivals Pakistan, saying that his side was all keyed up to win the second cricket Test beginning here from tomorrow.

Harbhajan likely to be in final XI
Kolkata, March 15
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly is confident that the victory which the Indian team missed in the Mohali Test will materialise at the Eden Gardens.

• Afridi likely to get the nod

Bucknor to be felicitated
London, March 15
Steve Bucknor will receive the Golden Bails Award for completing the unique ‘ton’ of officiating in 100 Tests from the International Cricket Council President Ehsan Mani.

India need killer instinct, says John Wright
Kolkata, March 14
The Indian cricketers were more hungry for a win at the Eden Gardens after failing to give the final push for victory in the Mohali Test despite having Pakistan on the mat, team coach John Wright said today.

  Each Test is 50:50, says Woolmer

Pervez likely for Kochi one-dayer
New Delhi, March 14
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s cricket diplomacy is on, but he is most likely to see the first India-Pakistan one-dayer in Kochi on April 2, official sources said today.

Mohali result has made us more focused
Getting so close to victory and not being able to pull it off has left the entire team very disappointed, but it has also made us more focused for the next Test.

Dalmiya expects crowd of over 100,000
Kolkata, March 14
The president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya, has expressed confidence that the second India-Pakistan Test, beginning at the Eden Gardens on March 16, would have an audience of over 1 lakh.

  ODI team during Bangalore Test

Pak report flays Koertzen, Hair
Lahore, March 14
Though the Pakistan think-tank did not openly voice their displeasure over the standard of umpiring in the Mohali Test, they have rated umpires Rudi Koertzen and Darrell Hair poorly in the match reports, according to a daily.

• Kaneria visits Kalighat temple

India favourites for 2nd Test: Inzamam
Karachi, March 13
Despite his team’s herculean effort to hold the Indians in the first Test at Mohali, Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq feels that the hosts would still be the favourites for the second Test at Kolkata beginning on Wednesday.

Sourav inspects pitch at Eden Gardens

Harbhajan’s exclusion baffling, says Qadir 
Kolkata, March 13
Leg spin legend Abdul Qadir has criticised the omission of offie Harbhajan Singh from the Indian team in the Mohali Test and said the absence of a second spinner snatched victory from the home side.

Qadir XI beat Kapil XI

Balaji fined for excessive appealing
New Delhi, March 13
Medium pacer Laxmipathy Balaji has been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during India’s first Test match against Pakistan in Mohali.

India lacked hunger on the field 
If India could not quite finish the job of winning the Mohali Test, it was because the team did not show the hunger on the field. They didn't have the body language of a winner.

Cricket teams leave the city
Chandigarh, March 13
Pakistan cricket team captain Inzamam ul Haq had a tough massage done on him. His teammates, along with some Indians, dipped themselves in a hotel pool, and Sachin Tendulkar, after days of abstinence, finally ordered a big meal on the last day of the stay here.

• Cricketmania ends as teams, guests leave

Slum kids strike a chord with ‘Bhajji’
Chandigarh, March 13
The smile on their faces narrated a story. It conveyed a lot of happiness, and awe. It was Theatre Age’s slum children’s day out and dream date with cricketing star Harbhajan Singh. And of course, it came packed with a lot of cricketing action.

• Plight of bat-maker stirs Harbhajan

Akmal steals India’s thunder
Chandigarh, March 12
Even before the first ball had been bowled at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today, everybody was speaking of an Indian victory. It was not a matter of if, but when.

Punjabi hospitality bowls over Chacha Jalil
Chandigarh, March 12
Though the Indian team failed to bowl out the Pakistani side today, Punjabis here have certainly bowled over their Pakistani guests with their hospitality.

Ganguly defends decision to play 3 seamers
Mohali, March 12
Expressing disappointment over India’s failure to force a victory in the first Test at Mohali, skipper Sourav Ganguly said the team would try to achieve a favourable result in the next Test in Kolkata.

Turning Point
Akmal turned the match on its head
If someone was to compare epic knocks played by batsmen, the 109 by little Kamran Akmal of Pakistan will rank very high.

Former Pak captains shower praise on team
Karachi, March 12
Pakistan’s former captains were unanimous in hailing the achievement of Inzamam-ul-Haq’s men who returned from the dead to hold India to a draw in the first cricket Test at Mohali.

Team Pak ruins India’s party
‘Big game’ escapes hosts through third slip, yet carnival spirit lingers on
Chandigarh, March 12
In the end, the jam-packed house went back with the consolation prize: that they had witnessed the best-ever fightback by Pakistan in recent memory. But they had come this morning charged with the scent of victory.

PCA’s apathy shatters potter’s labour of love
Mohali, March 12
Only a few days ago, Vishnu Prajapati, the obscure potter from a small colony in Chandigarh had hit national headlines for the ingeniousness of his self-assigned task — the creation of a massive ceramics bat for the winning team of the Mohali Test match.

Cricketers visit fans’ homes