Leaving in a daze

COLOMBO, July 27: The Indian team members staying back for the post Asia Cup tour of Sri Lanka bid a sad adieu to Saba Karim and Noel David...

COLOMBO, July 27: The Indian team members staying back for the post Asia Cup tour of Sri Lanka bid a sad adieu to Saba Karim and Noel David after giving them a sympathetic boost.

Both Karim and David looked dazed and disappointed that they had to leave for home when 12 of their colleagues were staying back in the island.

David, an extrovert, was trying to cheer himself up with his spontaneous humour. However, he did not do a good job in masking his inner feelings which surfaced on his face from time to 8220;The good thing about going back home is that I will be able to enjoy the warmth of my mother8217;s love and savour the food cooked by her,8221; he said while sharing the dinner table with this writer last night.

8220;I think I did reasonably well in the one chance that I got 8-0-36-0, but8230;8221; he trailed off.

8220;Are they going to call us back for the One-day Internationals that follow the Tests?8221; he asked, not really expecting an answer.

8220;I think what has to happen has happened. Life is full of ups and downs,8221; he consoled himself philosophically. Karim was spotted in the hotel lobby, looking forlorn with Debashish Mohanty coming to see him off. Karim had received the unpleasant news from his wife back home, after she heard it on Doordarshan.

8220;I really do not know if I expected this. I made my first tour with the Indian team about eight years back. So it was natural that I was looking to play my first Test. Anyway, its nice to go back to be with my wife and kid,8221; he said, with a forced smile on his visage.

Sri Lanka8217;s truimphs in Odi tournaments

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Sri Lanka achieved their seventh tournament victory by winning the Asia Cup at the Premadas stadium ton Saturday Incidentally it was their sixth tournament triumph in less than 24 hours.

Season Tournament Final venue Other participating teams1985-86 John-Player Asia Cup 8212; Sri Lanka 8212; Pak, Bangladesh

1995-96 Champions Trophy 8212; Sharjah 8212; WI, Pak

1995-96 Wills World Cup 8212; Pakistan 8212; Aus, Eng, Ind, Kenya, Zim, SA, Pak

1996-97 Singer Cup 8212; Sri Lanka 8212; Aus, Ind, Zim

1996-97 Singer-Akai Cup 8212; Sharjah 8212; Pak, Zim

1996-97 Indepedence Cup 8212; India 8212; Pak, Ind, NZ

1997-98 Pepsi- Asia Cup 8212; Sri Lanka 8212; Ind, Pak, Bangladesh