Rain disrupts India’s practice

Karachi: India and Pakistan are keen to reschedule the charity cricket match for the Prince Charles Foundation, which was washed out earlier this week at Glasgow. “Both the Boards are keen to have the match as it is for a noble cause,” Pakistan team manager Talat Ali said. Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal said he felt sorry for the fans who came to watch the match but were left disappointed by the weather. “It was very frustrating watching the rain. We were so keen to play the match against India but it was rained off. It was hugely disappointing because so many Pakistanis and Indians showed up for the match from all over England,” Akmal said. The two teams were scheduled to take on each other on July 3 in the tie, the proceeds of which would have gone to the Prince Charles Foundation. However, the rain did not allow a single ball to be bowled.

‘Sachin, Sehwag called me a chucker’

Karachi: Shoaib Akhtar has said he would always be grateful to India’s Jagmohan Dalmiya for supporting him when his bowling action was questioned for the first time and took a dig at Virender Sehwag for calling him a ‘chucker’. “That was a terrible period and it really hurt me. I’m always going to be thankful to Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then ICC president, for his support,” he said. Shoaib, however, said he had to face a lot of taunts about his bowling action from other Indians such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. “Sachin is a good batsman and humble person. (But) at the same time, I haven’t forgotten he once called me a chucker. I had to restrain myself. Virender Sehwag said the same thing and, today, he’s been chucked out of the team,” he was quoted as saying by the Dawn.

Munaf confident of a comeback

Chennai: Pacer Munaf Patel is determined to regain his firepower in order to book a berth in the Indian team for the upcoming one-day International series in England. Patel, undergoing rehabilitation and training at the MRF Pace Foundation here, told reporters that he was progressing gradually to regain his rhythm and fitness and was close to bowling with his usual venom. “Currently I am using 85 per cent of my run-up. Hopefully I will be able to use my full run-up soon,” he said. Indian team physio John Gloster is advising Patel on his current rehabilitation schedule.

Chanderpaul ton makes series all-square

Birmingham: Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten century set up West Indies’ 61-run win against England in the second one-day international at Edgbaston. Left-hander Chanderpaul made 116 not out in a total of 278 for five after West Indies, who levelled the three-match series at 1-1, lost the toss. England set 279 to win, were bowled out for 217 with four overs to spare.

Brief scores: West Indies: 278 for 5 in 50 overs (S Chanderpaul 116 n.o, M Samuels 77; Sidebottom 2/56) beat England: 217 all out in 46 overs (M Prior 52, O Shah 45; Rampaul 4/41).

Ashraful bravado falls short

Colombo: Sri Lanka overcame a spirited Bangladesh fightback to win the second Test by an innings and 90 runs on Thursday and clinch the three-match series. Sri Lanka wrapped up the game after Muttiah Muralitharan took the last five wickets for 30 to bowl out Bangladesh for 299 and claim an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Brief scores: Bangladesh first innings 62 and 299 all out (M Ashraful 129 n.o, M Rahim 80; Vaas 4/55) lost to Sri Lanka first innings 451/6 decl.