India And Pakistan Have A Lot In Common

One ended Australia's unbeaten 34-match run while the other stopped their 12-year run as champions. Both India and Pakistan defeated Ricky Ponting's men back to back to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash at Mohali.

Dhoni's India booked their World Cup semi-final berth defeating defending champions Australia by five wickets in the quarter-final while Pakistan had it easy against a sorry West Indies - who lost the match by 10 wickets.

So what did the two semi-finalists do for their famous victory over Australia?

Unlike previous editions, cricket pundits were sure Australia won't go far in the tournament without the likes of Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. They missed them dearly, didn't they? Afridi and Dhoni were closely monitoring Australia's unalterable decline and took full advantage of the inevitable cracks. The huge call for Ponting's head - at just about time - contributed to the eventuality. (Ponting stepped down as Australia's Test and ODI captain today but said he will be available for selection.)

Pakistan, under charismatic Shahid Afridi, targeted Australia's flimsy batting order for a historic win. Their spin trio - Abdur Rehman, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez - bowled 29 overs between themselves giving away just 94 runs as Australia were bundled out for 176 - their lowest World Cup total since 1992. Their fielding was superb too. Pakistan coasted to victory in 41 overs. "We have made some plans against them because they are very strong mentally and physically, so you will see in the game we will do something new against these guys," Afridi had said prior to the match.

Taking a cue from that match, India went a step further and bowled 32 overs of spin to restrict the defending champions for 260. Ravichandran Ashwin, who started the proceedings and back-up spinner Yuvraj Singh took four wickets between themselves to set the tone. India's batsmen then did the rest reaching the target with 14 balls to spare as Ponting was left with more headaches. A lot was said about our fielding and we witnessed a radical upgrading as Indian fielders threw themselves at everything to contain the Aussies. "I'd have been satisfied keeping Australia to 250, but we had our best fielding unit today. I think we saved around 15 runs that we didn't need to chase," said a relieved Dhoni.

Both Dhoni and Afridi rotated their bowlers regularly foxing the Australians before they could drop anchor. Moreover, the batting line-up didn't have the quality against shrewd attacks. In all, only skipper Ricky Ponting managed a century during their whole campaign. The alien conditions (spin wise) notwithstanding, Australian bowlers lacked the level of thinking and preparation their predecessors did...and their opponents just exploited that.

(Injury-prone South Australia speedster Shaun Tait, who took 11 wickets in seven matches at the World Cup, decided to retire from One-day cricket to prolong his Twenty20 career.)

Coming back to the all-important game, Pakistan seems to be at ease now with a new-found unity and skipper Afridi should take a bow here. The eccentric all-rounder listens to and supports his players, and the results are there for all to see. He has effectively shifted the mood from controversies and indiscipline - which once described the Pakistan team - to cricket where it belongs. The team, under the leadership of Afridi, is confident and importantly not scared.

After many dress rehearsals, India seems to have found their perfect final XI just before the semi-final match against arch-rivals Pakistan. The inclusion of Ashwin has given the bowling unit teeth that were missing before the Windies match. The lanky off-spinner has variety and can stem the flow of runs despite bowling in the powerplay. If Ashwin was good news, Suresh Raina's inclusion has filled the holes in India's fielding to some extent. The southpaw was focused in his first match of the World Cup against Australia whixh helped India avenged their 2003 mauling.

Hottest Cricketing Females

Cricket fervour is reaching its peak with the setting in of the World Cup quarter-finals. While the cricketing men are being glorified as mini-Gods, there are some who lurk in the shadows of their success.

They are the women cricketers who never get their due despite putting up amazing performances on the field and looking hot each time they do so. We take at look at some of the female cricketers who are the hottest of the lot.

Isa Guha

Isa Guha is a World Cup winning pace bowler who plays for England. Originally of Indian origin, Guha made her Test debut against India in the year 2002. To top it all, Guha even had a dinner date with Prince Charles last month at Windsor Castle during the annual dinner of the British Asian Trust. What could be cooler than that?

Lisa Carprini Sthalekar

Need we say anything more than state the fact that she was Australia’s International Woman Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 respectively. In case we do, then we should mention the fact that she was born in Pune after which her father decided to move to Kenya and, later, Australia where she found the success that she most definitely deserved.

Aimee Mason

Mason is a batswoman from New Zealand. She was the vice-captain of the team during the 2009 World Cup. Considered one of the leading all-rounders in ODI cricket, she idolises Adam Gilchrist and is a big hitter just like him.

Ellyse Perry

Perhaps one of the most talented sportsperson Australia has seen, Perry made her debut in cricket along with football at the tender age of 16. She is the youngest person, both male and female, to represent Australia in cricket. She is a key bowler on field for the Australian team and is equally hot off it.

Rosalie Birch

Currently a member of the English Cricket team, Birch is a lower middle order batswoman. She won the 'Player of the Match' Award in her very first ODI match and has gone ahead to build a remarkable career since her debut. We should also mention that she is a stunner in the looks department as suggested from the picture.

Cecelia Joyce

This lady belongs to the Irish team and is has been playing in the national team since they were 14. In fact, she comes from a cricketing family with her twin sister Isobel, brothers Ed, Dominick and Gus having played for the Irish team. Along with the rest of the family, she continues to steer Ireland's cricket to the power and glory they deserve.

Sara McGlashan

She is the wicketkeeper for New Zealand and is considered to be an immensely versatile player. She excels with the bat and also with the ball as the wicketkeeper. Her brother Peter McGlashan also played for New Zealand in two T20 and four ODI matches. So cricket apparently runs in their blood going by the brother-sister pair representing the nation.

Laura Marsh

This cute looking England spinner started playing cricket at the age of 11. She made her test debut against India in 2006 and played a crucial role in retaining the Ashes in 2008 and 2009 respectively. She continues to play for the team along side being a regular in county cricket.

WAGs of Indian Cricketers

With the upcoming World Cup 2011, many cricket lovers are curious to find out more and more information on cricketers and their lives on and off the field. An important part of the lives are the WAGs (Wives And Girlfriends) of these cricketers.

We present an article on the WAGs of the members of the team representing our country at the World Cup.

Anjali Tendulkar

The Little Master's not-so-little wife is a doctor by profession and is the mother of two kids. She has been the pillar of strength for the rock of Team India.
Often seen at different matches featuring her husband, she would probably be seen at the upcoming matches of World Cup 2011.

Sakshi Rawat

A hotel management student, Mrs. Dhoni has won the hearts of cricket watchers with her friendly demeanour and refreshing attitude.She is often seen cheering on the stands for the Indian captain. She has brought the much required glamour on and off the Indian cricket team.

Geeta Basra

Spectators will be eagerly anticipating to see a glimpse of Bollywood in the World Cup 2011 in the form of Harbhajan Singh's on and off girlfriend, Geeta Basra. The glamorous actress cheered for Bhajji during and IPL match and the same would be expected of her in the World Cup too.

Aanchal Kumar

Yuvraj Singh's latest flame is none other than the supermodel and ex-contestant of 'Bigg Boss' Aanchal Kumar.She definitely adds a great deal of spark to the list of WAGs of the Indian cricketers.

Aarti Sehwag

She is the wife of the current favorite in the cricket team, Virender Sehwag. She is a graduate and is a great support system for the batsmen irrespective of his form. She forms an integral part of the WAGs of the Indian cricket team.

Also read our article on the WAGs of Team England here.

India seal semis spot even as Ponting bows out with his head held high

It is the lot of the cricket reporter's life, especially when there is a big tournament on, to go through days, weeks even, celebrating the mediocre. Someone gets runs against ordinary bowling, and you overdose on the superlatives - it is the World Cup, after all.

And then - very rarely, but just often enough to wake us all up - a champion comes along and shows you what this game is really all about. And what it is not.

Irrespective of the outcome of the game, Ricky Ponting's century at the Motera is one for the ages - the kind of knock 'motivational speakers' will want to draw on.

What Australia's batting has lacked through this tournament is the towering tentpole that can hold its edifice up. Once Shane Watson and Brad Haddin are done doing their thing, the rest of the innings has been about the odd cameo, the occasional bravura performance - it wouldn't be unfair to say the porous Australian middle order has begun at number three.

Today, with Watson gone aiming a wild slog sweep at Ashwin to try and break his bonds, Australia needed its best, most experienced batsman to stand up and be counted. And just to up the ante, some joker leaked the news that CricketAustralia had already decided to sack Ponting from the captaincy.

What resulted was a display of grit; an innings as diametrically opposed to, but as valuable, as the century Ponting hit in the 2003 WC final against India. That one was scintillating, arrogant; this was hard manual labor by a batsman fighting, simultaneously, the demons in his mind, the surprises of a wicket baked dusty, a bowling that for once was in no mood to give much away, and a fielding side that, for once, showed some awareness of the value of saving the single.

Through this innings, Ponting was a rock - and the Indian bowlers and other Australian batsmen flowed and eddied around him. He was never entirely comfortable - but equally, barring a brief period at the start of his innings, there was never a time when he was vulnerable. That was when he squared up to Harbhajan Singh, who has had the wood on the Australian skipper since the time they first squared up.

The wicket had turn and just the hint of uncertain bounce; there were fielders close in, and it was set up to be a contest - till Harbhajan backed off. Ponting's problems against off spinners has largely had to do with how he leads with his bat, early in his innings; once Bhajjiwent around the wicket, the risks were reduced, and Ponting found he could close the bat face down, and just working the spinner away with minimal risk.

भारत के हाथों सीरीज फिसली

भारत के हाथों सीरीज फिसली

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सेंचुरियन। दक्षिण अफ्रीकी गेंदबाजों के आगे सलामी बल्लेबाज यूसुफ पठान [105] का तूफानी शतक भी भारत को जीत दिलाने में नाकामयाब रहा। इसी के साथ भारत के हाथों से पांच वनडे मैचों की सीरीज 2-3 बारिश से बाधित मैच में फिसल गई। मेजबान टीम की ओर से मोर्ने मोर्कल ने चार विकेट ले अपनी टीम को विजयी बनाने में खास भूमिका अदा की।

चौदहवें ओवर में बल्लेबाजी करने उतरे पठान के शतक से भारतीय खेमे में ऐतिहासिक सीरीज जीतने की उम्मीदें बढ़ गई थी लेकिन अंत में ऐसा नहीं हो सका। पठान जब बल्लेबाजी करने उतरे तो भारतीय टीम ने 74 रन के स्कोर पर छह विकेट गंवा दिए थे, उनकी आठ छक्के और इतने की चौके की पारी से भारत इतिहास रचने की ओर बढ़ रहा था लेकिन उनके पवेलियन लौटते ही सारी आशाएं खत्म हो गई। बारिश की बाधा से डकवर्थ लुईस पद्धति के कारण मैच 46 ओवर का हो गया और भारत को सुपरस्पोर्ट पार्क में जीत के लिए 268 रन का लक्ष्य मिला लेकिन टीम 40.2 ओवर में 234 रन पर सिमट गई। इस हार से भारत का दक्षिण अफ्रीकी सरजमीं पर पहली बार वनडे सीरीज जीतने का सपना भी चकनाचूर हो गया। इसी के साथ डेढ़ महीने के दौरे का अंत निराशाजनक रहा। इससे पहले तीन टेस्ट मैचों की सीरीज भी 1-1 से ड्रा रही थी। भारत ने बारिश के ब्रेक के बाद दक्षिण अफ्रीका के 24 रन के अंदर छह विकेट चटका दिए थे लेकिन मेजबान टीम ने हाशिम अमला के नाबाद 116 रन की बदौलत नौ विकेट गंवाकर 250 रन बनाए।

भारतीय शीर्ष क्रम इस बार भी ताश के पत्तों की तरह ढह गया जिसमें ज्यादातर बल्लेबाज दक्षिण अफ्रीका की अनुशासित गेंदबाजी के सामने खराब शॉट खेलने के कारण आउट हुए। बारहवें ओवर में आधी भारतीय टीम 60 रन पर पवेलियन लौट चुकी थी और लग रहा था कि टीम 100 रन के अंदर ही सिमट जाएगी। पठान ने फिर से आक्रामक रुख अख्तियार करते हुए 68 गेंद में अपना दूसरा वनडे शतक जमाया। वे आउट होने वाले नौवें बल्लेबाज रहे। एक समय ऐसा लग रहा था कि पठान वही कारनामा दोहराकर भारत को मैच में जीत दिलाने में सफल रहेंगे जैसा उन्होंने पिछले महीने बेंगलूर में न्यूजीलैंड के खिलाफ नाबाद 123 रन बनाकर किया था।

जहीर खान ने भी पठान का पूरा सहयोग दिया और 12.4 ओवर में दोनों ने नौंवें विकेट के लिए 100 रन की भागीदारी निभाई तथा वह 58 गेंद में 24 रन बनाकर आउट होने वाले अंतिम खिलाड़ी रहे। भारत की ओर से सलामी बल्लेबाज पार्थिव पटेल ने 34 गेंद में छह चौके लगाकर 38 रन का योगदान दिया। दक्षिण अफ्रीका की तरफ से प्लेयर आफ द सीरीज मोर्ने मोर्कल ने चार जबकि डेल स्टेन और लोनवाबो सोतसोबे ने दो-दो विकेट अपने नाम किए। मेजबान टीम ने बल्लेबाजी का न्यौता मिलने के बाद बेहतरीन गति से रन बनाए लेकिन उनकी यह लय बारिश के कारण 42वें ओवर में हुए ब्रेक के बाद टूट सी गई थी। पांचवें मुकाबले में मैन आफ द मैच बने अमला एक बार फिर भारतीय टीम के लिए परेशानी का सबब बने, जिन्होंने एक और शतक जड़कर दक्षिण अफ्रीका को सम्मानजनक स्कोर बनाने में मदद की।

इससे पहले भारतीय कप्तान महेंद्र सिंह धौनी ने ऐसी पिच पर टॉस जीतकर गेंदबाजी का फैसला किया जिससे तेज गेंदबाजों को कोई मदद नहीं मिली। पीयूष चावला को आशीष नेहरा की जगह अंतिम एकादश में शामिल किया गया। भारतीयों ने अनुभवी तेज गेंदबाज जहीर की मदद से अच्छी शुरुआत की जिन्होंने ग्रीम स्मिथ [7] को शिकार बनाया जो आफ स्टंप से बाहर जाती गेंद पर बल्ला छुआने के कारण दूसरी स्लिप में खड़े यूसुफ पठान को कैच दे बैठे। तीसरे नंबर के बल्लेबाज वान विक ने अमला को अच्छा सहयोग दिया जिन्होंने खराब गेंद पर शॉट जमाए और साथ ही विकेट के बीच एक दो रन भी बनाए। पिच को भांपते हुए धौनी ने छह स्पिनरों का इस्तेमाल किया लेकिन विश्व कप टीम में शामिल किए गए चावला प्रभावित नहीं कर सके। वहीं, युवराज सिंह [45 रन देकर दो विकेट] के अलावा कोई भी स्पिन गेंदबाज प्रभावशाली प्रदर्शन नहीं कर सका। युवराज ने वान विक और एबी डिविलियर्स [11] को पवेलियन भेजा।

स्कोर बोर्ड

दक्षिण अफ्रीका 46 ओवर में नौ विकेट पर 250 रन

स्मिथ का पठान बो जहीर 7

अमला नाबाद 116

विक का एंड बो युवराज 56

डीविलियर्स स्टं धोनी बो युवराज 11

डुमनी का एंड बो पटेल 35

प्लेसिस बो पटेल 8

बोथा का धौनी बो पटेल 2

पीटरसन बो जहीर 4

स्टेन रन आउट 0

मोर्कल रन आउट 0

सोतसोबे नाबाद 0

अतिरिक्त: 11

विकेट पतन: 1-16, 2-113, 3-129, 4-231, 5-242, 6-244, 7-250, 8-250, 9-250

गेंदबाजी:

जहीर 9-1-47-2

पटेल 8-0-50-3

चावला 7-0-32-0

हरभजन 8-0-33-0

पठान 2-0-10-0

युवराज 8-0-45-2

रोहित 2-0-14-0

रैना 2-0-13-0

भारत 40.2 ओवर में 234 रनों पर आल आउट

पार्थिव का प्लेसिस बो मोर्कल 38

रोहित बो सोतसोबे 5

कोहली का डीविलियर्स बो मोर्कल 2

धौनी का स्मिथ बो मोर्कल 5

युवराज का डुमनी बो स्टेन 8

रैना का मोर्कल बो स्टेन 11

पठान का प्लेसिस बो मोर्कल 105

हरभजन का डुमनी बो बोथा 13

चावला बो पीटरसन 8

जहीर का मोर्कल बो सोतसोबे 24

मुनफ पटेल नाबाद 4

अतिरिक्त: 11

विकेट पतन: 1-21, 2-31, 3-45, 4-60, 5-60, 6-74, 7-98, 8-119, 9-219

गेंदबाजी:

स्टेन 9-1-32-2

सोतसोबे 7.2-0-57-2

मोर्कल 8-0-52-4

बोथा 8-0-33-1

पीटरसन 7-0-45-1

प्लेसिस 1-0-13-0

Pakistan vs. South Africa 1st Test Match Highlights

By S Mishra
Dubai- Pakistan vs. South Africa 1st Test Match Highlights- The first test match between Pakistan and South Africa has become draw. Younis Khan has been named the Man of the Match for his match saving century today.

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first and managed to score 380 runs in the first innings of the game. Replying to that, the Pakistan team could score only 248 runs.

In the second innings of the game, the South Africans 318 runs for the loss of 2 wickets before declaring the game. Later, on the fifth and concluding day of the game, the South Africans scored 343 for the loss of 3 wickets in 117 overs.

After the match, South African captain Smith said, “We knew it would be hard work as the wicket was flat. I give full credit to the Pakistani players for playing well, I am disappointed with the missed chances, but lot of positives to take from this match.”

He said further, “I am happy with our batting line up and I would like to thank the people of Dubai for their hospitality and wish the whole Pakistani team a happy EID.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team’s Misbah said, “We bowled well on the second day and that what got us back into the game. I am really happy with the way Younis Khan played, he was really superb.”

Bipasha to act in Roland Jofee’s 33 million dollar upcoming multi starrer

By Aeyana Khan
Mumbai: An impossible love set across two time periods and continents centered around four characters a British officer in colonial India, the Indian woman he falls in love with, an American marine biologist and his lover, who is a researcher trapped in a wrecked British merchant ship.

Only the power of a ring can transcend time and save a life. Well, that is the plot for Roland Joffe’s next venture titled ‘Singularity’ after a host of big films to add to his credit like ‘City of Joy’, ‘The Killing Fields’ and ‘Captivity’.

Fascinating, but to sprinkle some surprises to this news, the female lead to be casted in the movie is our own dusky bombshell, Bipasha Basu! Bipasha will be playing an Indian She-warrior named Taluja. The male lead starring in the movie is Pearl Harbor acclaimed Josh Hartnett.

The multi-starer will also see another Indian, Abhay Deol and a host of international stars including Star Trek actor Chris Pine, Bond girl Olga Kurylenko and Christopher Egan among others.

The movie will go on floors this November and will be ready for its viewers by next year. Bips will soon fly to Brisbane to rehears her role with Harnett. Some of the portions of the movie will also find an Indian backdrop since the story revolves around Marathas in 1780s.

The production, International sales, distribution rights will be looked after by Paul Breuls’ Belgian production, Corsan World Sales, Anchor Bay respectively.

To add some more fuel, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan lost the role to the Bong beauty!