Lanka prepare for Asia Cup final with win
DHAKA: Sri Lanka warmed up for Saturday’s Asia Cup cricket final against Pakistan with a three-wicket win over hosts Bangladesh in the last league match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Thursday. Chasing a small target of 205, Sri Lanka faltered badly and were reduced to 75/5, but skipper Angelo Matthews struck a fine unbeaten 74 to take the team home safely to 208 for seven with six balls to spare and maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament. Bangladesh fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain got two for 42. With three wickets down for just eight runs on board, Lahiru Thirimane (33) and Ashan Priyaranjan (24) tried to resurrect the Sri Lankan innings. But after they departed, Matthews took control of the proceedings with a patient 103-ball 71 that had seven fours and a six. Matthews stitched a crucial 82-run stand for the sixth wicket with Chaturanga De Silva (44) and it helped them recover from a precarious 75 for five to 157 for six. It was a clinical show by the Sri Lankan bowlers earlier, restricting Bangladesh to 204 for nine in 50 overs after the hosts opted to bat first. While spin duo Ajantha Mendis (2/55) and Priyaranjan (2/11) did the damage to the top order, pacers Suranga Lakmal (2/32) and Thisara Pereira (2/29) troubled the lower order. Opening batsmen Anamul Haque (49) and Shamshur Rehman (39) gave a good start to Bangladesh with their 74-run start. But after the duo departed, Bangladesh lost the way – their batsmen had to blame themselves for gifting away their wickets. (IANS)
I compete with myself and not Ashwin, says Harbhajan
New Delhi: Ravichandran Ashwin’s shoddy overseas performance in recent times might have enhanced Harbhajan Singh’s chances of a return to the national side but the experienced off-spinner says he is “not competing” with the Tamil Nadu tweaker for a place in the Indian team. “In all these years, I have only had one competitor. That’s me myself. I have never liked competing with anyone (read Ashwin) and it has remained like that over the years. International sport is a lonely journey. You compete with one’s self and try to grow as a cricketer,” Harbhajan told PTI in an exclusive interview on Thursday. “No point in competing with two, three or four people. Try your best and leave it for others to judge. Also I don’t want to say a single word about a current India player,” Harbhajan said. Ashwin was ineffective during India’s disastrous tours of South Africa and New Zealand and received flak from former spinners Maninder Singh and Narendra Hirwani. Infact, former captain Sourav Ganguly called for Harbhajan’s return to the national team. Harbhajan has been out of the India team for one year but the 33-year-old spinner as always is relishing the challenge to fight his way back into national side. Ask if he had set any time-frame for himself, he replied, “The operative word here I believe is not age but motivation. Age is just a number. If someone can perform at 45, who will stop that fellow from playing top-level cricket. “For me, it’s the motivation and passion to play the game at the highest level. I still want to play for India and it’s important to realise how badly you want that. I will continue playing as long as I can enjoy playing for India,” Harbhajan said. (PTI)
Gangjee top Indian in Thailand
Chonburi (Thailand): It was a tough day for Indian hopefuls at the Open Qualifying Series-Thailand as Rahil Gangjee emerged as the best with one-under 71, here on Thursday. Gangjee, who was placed tied 15th, is three behind the leader Hiroshi Iwata (68) of Japan at the end of the first round of the 36-hole qualifier. Chiragh Kumar (73) was the second best at tied 28th, while the better-known names Anirban Lahiri, SSP Chowrasia and Himmat Rai had a disappointing outing. Lahiri pulled out after the first round of 74, while Chowrasia carded 78 and Himmat shot 79. Gangjee started in style with back-to-back birdies but gave away a shot on fourth. A birdie on seventh followed by a bogey on eighth meant he turned in one-under. On the back nine, he bogeyed the 16th and birdied the 17th. (PTI)