Showing posts with label Asia Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asia Cup. Show all posts

Sachin Tendulkar unavailable for Asia Cup?

Star player Sachin Tendulkar is likely to skip the Asia Cup one-day tournament while the experienced Rahul Dravid is expected to make a comeback into the team.

MiD DAY has learnt that Tendulkar will not be available for the tournament, the team for which will be picked by the national selection committee today. Dashing opener Virender Sehwag, who missed the ICC World Twenty20 Cup due to injury, has fully recovered and the selectors will take a call after receiving a fitness report today.

The selectors are under pressure after picking a virtually second string team for the tour of Zimbabwe were the rookies failed to make it to the finals of the tri-nation series after losing both their matches to Zimbabwe.

The big surprise could be the return of Dravid. There is a question mark over the selection of Yuvraj Singh who has had a poor season so far. The selectors will decide on the left-hander's selection after considering the views of skipper MS Dhoni. If Yuvraj doesn't get the nod, then Dravid may be recalled. The main reason behind this move being the inability of the youngsters to play pace bowling. Also, in tendulkar's absence, there is a need for an experienced batting hand. Coach Gary Kirsten might also support Dravid's comeback. However, Dhoni's views on Dravid could prove decisive.

In the bowling department. Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar appear certainties while the fourth pacer's slot is open.

Source http://cricket.ndtv.com/storypage.aspx?id=SPOEN20100143212&u=1119

Pakistan recalls Malik, Akhtar for Asia Cup

Pakistan name Shoaib Akhtar in Asia Cup squad

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and former captain Shoaib Malik were recalled to the Pakistan squad for the 2010 Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka from June 15-24.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source told IANS that both Akhtar and Malik passed strenuous fitness tests on Wednesday in Lahore.

National selectors and Pakistan team management met in Lahore on Thursday and voted in favour of the inclusion of Akhtar and Malik in the 15-man squad for the four-nation Asia Cup.

Akhtar has not played for Pakistan since making an unimpressive appearance in the limited-over series against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in May 2009.

Malik was banned for a year by the PCB in March this year for indiscipline during the catastrophic tour of Australia. However, the ban was lifted by a one-man appeals tribunal late last month.

Pakistani selectors have also shown faith in a few youngsters, including hard-hitting opener Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Amin and Asad Shafiq.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi will be the captain while left-handed opener Salman Butt will be his deputy. Pakistan will attend a brief training camp in Lahore before leaving for Sri Lanka on June 12.

Source http://beta.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article445659.ece