India lose ODI but Win Series 3-1

Jesse Ryder continued his smooth drive in the series and took the Indians for a ride, a bumpy one undoubtedly. Three wickets to wreck the famed Indian batting line-up followed by 63 blazing runs set it up for New Zealand perfectly.

Very appropriately, the burly NZ opener was awarded the man of the match prize for his 63 and 3/29. India created history when they had wrapped up the series in Hamilton, their first series victory in New Zealand. India won the National Bank Series 3-1.

Carrying on after Ryder’s swinging willow was stopped by Ishant Sharma, Martin Guptill finished the New Zealand innings in style with a whack to the boundary off Sharma. The penultimate delivery was hit for a maximum. The Black Caps emerged winners by 8 wickets after the Indians were given a taste of the taste of their own medicine, that of power hitting.

Team India seemed to have left everything on the explosive Virender Sehwag who had continued in the ‘Hamilton fashion’ before he was dismissed for 40 off 27 deliveries. It was complete Kiwi invasion there after with the other warrior for India being Rohit Sharma who remained unbeaten on 43. For the visitors, the only other batsman to have touched the double figures was Yuvraj Singh (11). It was only a matter of time before India were wrapped up for a meagre 149 in 36.3 overs.

The ODI series was affected by rain for the fourth time in the series but thankfully only 7 overs-a-side was lost when the play was delayed due to heavy showers.

It was only a matter of time for New Zealand to emerge victorious after Jesse Ryder went all berserk thumping the Indian attack out of the Eden Park in Auckland. After Brendon McCullum’s early departure, Ryder and Martin Guptill joined hands to put up an 84 run partnership before Ishant Sharma induced an inside edge off Ryder’s bat only for the bails to be taken off. Guptill (57) and Ross Taylor (28) too freed their arms in the end to prepare for the Test series in grand fashion.

This sure was a consolation victory but undoubtedly an important one for the Kiwis. They will be pretty confident finishing the otherwise disappointing ODI series on a high. The Black Caps would now have restored faith in their capabilities after being spanked to all corners in the first three (completed) matches of the National Bank ODI series. Coming to terms with reality, the 50-50 format has come to an end and India have created history winning their first ODI series on New Zealand soil. It will be a new day on the first morning of the Test series and the team that plays well will create ripples.

India are sure to get the boost with the return of Test format mavericks Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

The Test series begins March 18 at Seddon Park, Hamilton. India have not won a Test series in New Zealand for 41 years now. We all hope history is recreated and India emerges victorious in the Test series too. For that, however, we will have to wait and watch…

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Cricket World shocked by attack on SL team

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday expressed its sorrow and anguish over the dastardly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, where six players were injured.

"We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured cricketers, and sympathise with their families and compatriots," BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan said in a statement issued in New Delhi.

"The BCCI stands alongside Sri Lanka Cricket in this hour of crisis," he said.

At least six Sri Lankan cricketers were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at them killing five police personnel escorting the team to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test.

The injured cricketers include Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis and Thilan Samaraweera.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said his Board was shocked to learn that Sri Lankan team was attacked in Pakistan and hoped for the safety of players following the incident.

"Australian cricket has many friends in Sri Lanka and in Pakistan and we sincerely hope they are all safe after this awful incident," he said in a statement issued in Melbourne.

"Early reports are unclear but we are deeply saddened to hear reports that security officials in Pakistan have been killed in this attack. We will be seeking to talk to Sri Lankan and Pakistan cricket officials as soon as possible to pass on our condolences," he said.

He, however, did not comment on the fate of five One-Day International matches and a Twenty20 fixture in late April/May in the Middle East to be played between Australia and Pakistan.

Australia last year refused to tour Pakistan owing to safety concerns which Champions Trophy was also pulled out of that country following opposition from various cricketing nations due to security reasons.

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Slumdog star's home to be razed

Slumdog Millionaire star Azharuddin Ismail's home is set to be razed within a week.

The child actor lives in an illegal structure made of tarpaulin sheets with his mother and TB-suffering, reports dailymail.co.uk.

Officers from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Council said the media attention on Ismail's family brought attention to the illegal home and it will be razed within a week.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Umashankar Mistry said: "The plot has been earmarked as a playground and we will demolish all illegal settlements. We will fix the schedule soon, but it will be in a week."

Azharuddin said: "I want some proper place to live with my parents."

His father said: "We cannot live like this under the threat of demolition. If my home is broken down by the BMC again, we will have nowhere to go. We have been told that we may be getting a free flat sometime, but we need it now."

The mayor of the city might change matters. Mayor Shubha Raul said: "We can counsel the family with the help of NGOs, which can work closely with the family to develop good values. The present is very important. If the producer and director have set money aside in a trust for the children's future, we can work for their present."

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'Thank God we didn't tour Pak': Dhoni

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni expressed shock at the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers and said the Indian government had taken the right decision of cancelling a scheduled tour to Pakistan in January-February.

"I am glad I am in New Zealand. I don't have to worry about these incidents. Now on, cricketers will be on alert. However, there is not much a cricketer could have done in a situation like this, espescially when the whole convoy is attacked," said Dhoni, who heard about the attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers when he was batting in the first one-day international against New Zealand.

"I was right in the middle and was quite shocked to hear about it. I just heard the Sri Lankan cricketers are fine. It is sad that sportspersons are being attacked. Hope they are all fine."

Dhoni said that there are a few places were you have to be guarded.

"Of course, they are a few places where you have to be aware of where you are and what is happening around you. We are quite happy not to be in this kind of situation. People say sport is not targetted.

"But you are not immune to it. Once a guy decides we have to attack the cricketers, we are not tough targets. Cricketers roam about freely while on tours. So you have to be aware," Dhoni said.

On being asked what if India had toured Pakistan as per schedule, Dhoni said: "That's a thing of the past. We were supposed to tour New Zealand. I am happy that we didn't tour Pakistan. I am happy that the government didn't allow us to tour Pakistan. It may have happened to us or it may not have happened to us. But overall I am happy to be here," said Dhoni.

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Sri Lankan team air-lifted from Gaddafi Stadium

Sri Lanka on Tuesday called off their cricket tour of Pakistan with immediate effect following an attack on the team bus in which six players were injured.

The Sri Lankan players will be airlifted to Lahore airport for Dubai. Pakistan Television (PTV) showed live the Sri Lanka players being airlifted from Gadaffi Stadium by a Pakistan Air Force helicopter.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board officials, a helicopter is being sent to Gadaffi Stadium to airlift Sri Lankan players who are still at the ground to transport them to the airport from where they will be taken to Dubai.

Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona confirmed that the tour is over.

"The tour has come to an end. We are in touch with Pakistan authorities and their Cricket Board. The players will be coming home as soon as possible," Kohona was quoted as saying by PTI.

At least six Sri Lankan cricketers were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at them killing five police personnel escorting the team to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test.

The injured cricketers include Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, Mahela Jayawardene, Tharanga Paranavitana and Chaminda Vaas.

"They are doing everything possible to make the players comfortable and the injured are being taken care of. (Pakistan) Government has assured us all the security," he said.

Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association Secretary Graeme Labrooy said he spoke to captain Mahela Jayawardene and found out that everyone was safe barring injuries to some players.

"I just spoke to Jayawardene. All are safe, barring injuries to a few players," he said.

"Six players are injured, including (Thilan) Samaraveera who is shot in leg. He undergoing treatment in hospital while others are in Gaddafi Stadium," he said

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Injured Sangakkara reveals terrifying Ordeal

Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, one of the players injured during the terror attack in Lahore, said that he does not regret coming to Pakistan despite the attack.

Sangakkara said that some players received minor injures and no one was seriously injured.

"Everyone is safe. There are a few injuries but all the players are out of danger. There is shock. Thilan (Samaraweera) has a bullet shot in his leg but he is fine. Paranavitana (Tharanga Paranavitana) was in the hospital and he had a shrapnel in his chest but thank god it didn't penetrate deep in the body. It was just on the surface. Everyone is OK. I had shrapnel inside my shoulder but they have all been taken out. I am OK. Ajantha (Ajantha Mendis) had a few in his back and scalp but he is fine. Everyone else is perfectly alright," said Sangakkara.

However, despite being in the firing line of the terrorists Sangakkara said that he did not regret coming to Pakistan.

"Very unfortunate that this has happened. I don't regret coming to play cricket and that is what all of us have been doing. That is what we have done all our lives. That is our profession. I don't regret coming to play cricket. I regret what has happened and the situation that we have gone through. All we want is to go back home to our families and get back home and be safe. that is all I am think now," he said.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya said that he spoke to some of the players and confirmed that none of them suffered any major injury.

"Luckily everybody is OK. There are just a few injuries. I just spoke to Kumar Sangakkara and there are little injures but everyone is ok and it is under control," said Jayasuriya.

"Kumar (Sangakkara) is on the list, Mahela (Jayawardene) was injured, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana are the players injured. I don't know about the management side and who all are injured. But the player are injured but safe at the moment," Jayasuriya said.

The veteran cricketer said that the players were shocked and want to return home.

"This is an unfortunate incident. You can't control these things but I think the players are shocked at the moment. They have never gone through like this before as a cricket team. So I feel for them. I know what they are going through at the moment. it is a terrible time. They are all safe and that is the good news. When I spoke to Kumar I don't think they will stay back and play. They will come back to Sri Lanka as soon as possible. It depends on the injuries. Priority is to look after the cricketers and get back then to Sri Lanka." he said.

Jayasuriya also said that he spoke to Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Sangakkara's wife.

"I don't think any one got a bullet directly but I spoke Chaminda Vaas the first thing in the morning and he said everybody was OK. Then I spoke to Kumar. Everybody is OK. I spoke to Kumar's wife and told her not to worry and everyone is OK. She was upset and it is but natural. She is expecting that is why she should not worry too much," he added.

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SHOCKER! - Pak Terrorists Attack SL Cricketers

Six members of Sri Lanka's national cricket team have been wounded after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in Lahore, Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board security official Nadeem Iqbal says the team members were injured near the Gaddafi stadium where they were due to arrive to play in the second test against Pakistan.

Sri Lankan team manager, Brendon Kruppu, confirmed the incident and said the team's players, Kumar Sangakkara and Ajantha Mendis, are among the injured.

"We are assessing the situation," Pakistan cricket board chief Ejaz Butt said.

In Sri Lanka, sports minister Gamini Lokuge said two other players, Tharanga Paranavitana and Thilan Samaraweera, had been taken to hospital in Lahore, AFP reports.

Unidentified gunmen attacked the bus taking the Sri Lankan cricket squad and its police escort to a cricket stadium in Lahore, according to witnesses and cricket officials.

Six policemen and two civilians have been killed, a police official said. The attack was likely the work of "well-trained terrorists," Lahore police chief, Habib-ur Rehman, said, according to AFP.

The police chief said 12 gunmen attacked the convoy near Lahore's Gaddafi stadium with rockets, hand grenades and automatic weapons and were involved in a 25-minute shoot-out with the security forces.

The Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan stands cancelled. Security concerns have plagued Pakistan for years and some foreign sports teams have refused to play here

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These 5 Hotties will select SRK's Cheerleaders

King Khan has got Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Minissha Lamba and Malaika Arora-Khan on his reality series to select cheerleaders for the forthcoming Twenty20 tournament.

The tall and perky Anushka Sharma, SRK’s debutant co-star in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, set the ball rolling on Saturday and even joined the aspiring cheerleaders in doing jhatkas and matkas on the TV show.

Points are awarded for energy, style, chutzpah, poise, personality, attitude, grace, rhythm and fire. Naturally, the Bollywood Badshah’s jury members score high on these counts themselves.

Designer Mandira Wirk worked on maintaining a high glam quotient on the screen and has dressed up Lara in a wine hued short dress, Malaika in a short olive green dress with crystals studded on it, Deepika — who walked as a model for Mandira at a fashion show in Delhi, in something really spectacular.

And, there’s Shiamak Davar leading everybody through her steps. So there’s dance, glamour and Bollywood, a heady combo indeed, now let’s wait for the cricket matches.

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India wins First ODI!

Team India very convincingly triumphed at McLean Park, Napier today as Dhoni's super confident men stuck to their basics and delivered a fine performance.

As per the revised playing conditions, it turned out to be a 28 side affair for New Zealand and they needed 98 runs to win from just 6 overs. In the end they fell short by a good 53 runs.

At any point in the match India were well ahead of New Zealand in terms of Duckworth-Lewis calcualtions.

Earlier, India had done remarkably well to make 273. Sehwag again played a scintillating inings to set the platform, while Dhoni played the sheet anchor role to perfection.

Raina played a blinder as the Kiwis bowled on both sides of the wicket.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had once again won the toss and judging from the cloudy skies, elected to bat first.

Team India has regained its pride after being walloped by New Zealand in both the T20 matches.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the Man of the Match for his captain's innings of 84. He also donated 500 dollars to a cricket club in NZ. Moreover he has promised to donate some bats once the tour ends.

Dhoni: "In the T20 games sometimes we go out with all guns blazing, Praveen kumar can swing the ball both ways, he is a streetsmart cricketer and most importantly he knows his limitations well. Overall happy with the result."

Vettori: " Pretty Disappointing result really and some serious lack of execution cost us. We bowled pretty poorly and Raina's innings, in particular, took the game away from us".

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