Match 2 of Tri-Series: India Crush Pakistan! Huge Defeat!

India stopped the winning streak of Pakistan! India famous for stopping these kinds of records, once again proved that they are on top.

Deciding to bat first, India posted a mamooth total of 330. It looked like they were continuing their form from the IPL's T20.

Gambhir and Sehwag added 155 for the first wicket, though Sehwag survived a close caught behind, which the TV replay showed Kamran Akmal picked the ball from the ground.

Sehwag scored 89 off 76 balls with 13 fours and a six. He won both the man of the match and the award for fastest fifty scoring in 42 balls.

Gambhir scored run-a-ball of 62 runs with 6 fours. Yuvaraj Singh who bagged the award for scoring maximum sixes, scored 55 off 54 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes.

Yousuf Pathan and Rohit were not able to score much on the slow wicket. Dhoni scored a quick 24 with 5 fours and Raina fired two good sixes. Wahab Riaz was the costly bowler conceding 86 in his 10 overs picking 2 wickets. The bowling attack was not that decent as Pakistan gave away 38 runs in extras including 20 wides and 9 no balls.

Click here to read the 1st match details: Pakistan v. Bangladesh

Chasing 331, from the beginning, Pakistan was on the back foot. Praveen Kumar rattled the top order and picked all the first 4 wickets. He picked his first two wickets in the successive balls to send Salman Butt, caught brilliantly at short cover by Rohit. He dived to his left to take an one-handed stunning catch! Next ball, Younis Khan trying to steer it to third man, took outside edge and was caught behind.

Yousuf was judged leg before off Praveen and Kamran Akmal was caught at mid on by Yousuf Pathan.

Shoaib Malik, the skipper was in the field alone fighting the Indian bowling attack. He scored 53 off 67 balls with 3 fours and a six. Shahid Afridi, who did not see much success in IPL, should have played a sensible innings. He threw his wicket by stepping out of Piyush Chawla, who bowled well to get him stumped. He then took a godo return catch to send Tanvir back to pavilion.

Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla picked 4 wickets each while Ishanth Sharma and Yuvaraj Singh picked 1 each.

Match Details:

Trophy: Kitply Cup - Tri-Series in Bangladesh
Match #: 2
Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
Date: June 10, 2008
Teams: India and Pakistan
Captains: Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shoaib Malik
Toss: India won the toss and decided to bat
Result: India won by 140 runs
Man of the Match: Virendra Sehwag of India
Score:

India 330 for 8 in 50 overs (G Gambhir 62, V Sehwag 89, Yuvaraj Singh 57, YK Pathan 3, RG Sharma 9, MS Dhoni 24, SK Raina 26, IK Pathan 18, P Kumar 6 not out, PP Chawla 0 not out, Extras--38 (b 5, lb 4, w 20, nb 9), Umar Gul 10-0-61-3, Sohail Tanvir 9.4-0-57-1, Wahab Riaz 9.2-0-86-2, Iftikhar Anjum 10-0-63-0, Shahid Afridi 10-0-52-2, Younis Khan 1-0-2-0) beat Pakistan 190 all out in 35.4 overs (Salman Butt 9, Kamran Akmal 38, Younis Khan 0, Mohammad Yousuf 11, Misbah-ul-Haq 24, Shoaib Malik 53, Shahid Afridi 23, Sohail Tanvir 6, Umar Gul 7, Iftikhar Anjum 16 not out, Wahab Riaz 0, Extras--3 (lb 3), P Kumar 9-1-53-4, I Sharma 6-0-28-1, IK Pathan 6-0-38-0, PP Chawla 8.4-0-40-4, Yuvaraj Singh 4-0-17-1, YK Pathan 2-0-11-0)

Click here to read the 1st match details: Pakistan v. Bangladesh

Kumble and Harbhajan thank Curator!

The Kanpur curator Kumar said regular Test skipper Anil Kumble, who missed the decider due to a groin injury, also came down to meet and thank him for preparing the "spinner-friendly" pitch after the match.

Off spinner Harbhajan Singh, who won the man of the series award for scalping 19 wickets, also met Kumar to praise and thank him.
However, Kumar maintained that the Green Park wicket was a sporting one and it was unfair to say that it only aided the slower bowlers.

"The South African batsmen just couldn't get used to it (the pitch) and were unsure of how the ball would behave," he said.

Earlier, the stand-in captain Dhoni sent him a personal thank you card and a cash award of Rs.10,000/-. Kumar said it was a pleasant surprise to receive appreciation from the leading cricketers!

Final 2: India Wins the CBS Cup! Aussies Stunned!

India wins the Commonwealth Bank Series for the first time! Australia has lost it for the 2nd consecutive time and they will not get a chance again because this is the last triangular series in Australia!

Chasing 259 runs at 5.18 runs per over, Australia had the equal chance of winning this game and moving to Adelaide. The Brisbane wicket was good and it the score was not that tough to reach especially for the world champions!

The chase did not start well. Gilchrist was caught behind in the 3rd ball of the first over. Once again Praveen Kumar provided the good start for the Indians. The poor shot selection of Ricky Ponting continued here as well. He tried to play his best short--the pull, but he didn't pick it at the right time and gave an easy catch to Yuvaraj at mid-on. He was out for 1 with the score board reading 8.

Clarke and Hayden were timing the ball well and picking ones' and twos'. The poor shot selection of Aussies continued when Clarke tried to pull Praveen Kumar, which didn't rise as he expected, but knocked the top of the off stump. He was out for 17 and the score was 32.

Once again Hayden and Symonds Company were under pressure to score runs without losing the wicket. Hayden, the in-form batsman was timing the ball well and hit lofted shots, stepped out of the crease and hit over mid-wicket for few fours. Symonds hit a huge six of Piyush Chawla and a four of Harbhajan. They were maintaining the score just under 5 runs per over picking singles and converting them to two's at times. Hayden scored another half-century and proved that he is a danger batsman who can turn the match towards Australia anytime.

When everyone was thinking that the match was going away from India, poor calling from Symonds, good fielding by Yuvaraj, nice collection of ball by Harbhajan ran out Hayden. Symonds defended the ball by playing forward and started for a single. When he realized Yuvaraj was approaching the ball faster than anticipated, Hayden was already half way through the pitch and couldn't back on time to save his wicket. Yuvaraj proved that he is one of the best fielder's in the world, picked the ball, saw that Hayden was half-way, threw the ball one bounce at the bowler's end where Harbhajan collected it neatly and completed the rest of the job. The big break-through came in the form of Hayden's run out. He was out for 55 off 68 balls with 7 fours. In the same over, Symonds was trapped leg before and Harbhajan dismissed him one more time and proved that he is on top.

The two blows put India back into the game. From 121 for 3, Aussies slipped to 123 for 5. But, Hussey and Hope built the innings for Australia with a crucial 76 run partnership for the 6th wicket. Hussey's running between the wickets was very good and Hopes also matched him well. They were hitting the ball well and when Hussey edged Sreesanth, the decision was referred to third umpire to ensure that the catch was cleanly taken by Dhoni. The decision was in favor of India and the score was 199 for 6 in 42 overs. Hopes was timing the ball and taking the match away from Indians. He swept Piyush Chawla and pulled Pathan.

The last 30 balls required 36 runs with 4 wickets in hand. The 46th over added 9 runs to Australia's total and the last 24 balls required 31. The next 24 balls requiring 31, Praveen Kumar started the over. The fourth ball of the over got a wicket in the form of Lee. He missed to read the slower ball when he tried to hit the ball across the line and was bowled for 7. Johnson joined Hopes and tried to take Australia to Adelaide. Johnson's nick of Harbhajan to a four of third man reduced some tension. With 21 runs requiring 12 balls, Sreesanth had Johnson nick the ball to Dhoni. With 8 balls and 20 runs, Hopes hit a flat six which added more tension to the Indian camp. With one more ball in Sreesanth's over, it was tension all over the ground and viewers. Sreesanth's full toss fetched one run to Hopes.

Dhoni had only two choices--Pathan or Piyush and he picked Pathan to bowl the last over. Australia needed 13 runs and India either requires 2 wickets or bowl the six balls by giving less than 12 runs. Pathan was picked to bowl the over and the first ball went for a single to third man which brought Bracken to strike. The 2nd ball got a wicket when Bracken tried to hit over long on, but the slower ball had him hit to mid on where Piyush Chawla held his nerve and took a shaky running catch. Australia lost the 9th wicket, but was sort of okay because it brought Hopes on strike. With 4 balls, 12 runs, Hopes sent the ball to long-off and the quick running brought 2 runs and also Hopes back on strike. Last 3 balls needed 10 runs, but this time, the full toss, Hopes hit the ball straight to the fielder in mid-on at the edge of the circle and the celebrations started! India won the cup for the first time! Pathan bowled the last over very well and took his 2 wickets.

Earlier, the Indian innings started once again with a good partnership of 94 runs for the first wicket. Sachin's innings was remarkable as he was driving and hitting Lee over point for four. Uthappa timed the ball well and was cautious of running as well. Sachin's groin injury was playing in the minds of the batsman. The drive in the air of Stuart Clark and then straight pull in the same over showed his control over the game. He reached his 50 in 70 balls. Soon, India lost Uthappa when he tried to hit the ball over long on but the edge went in the air to mid-off. He was out for 30 of 49 balls leaving India at 94 in the 21st over.

Gambhir was looking good and was maintaining the run rate along with Tendulkar. His over ambitious shot of hitting Michael Clarke for a six over mid on went straight to the fielder. He was out for 15 off 16 balls leaving India at 121 for 2 in 25.2 overs.

Yuvaraj started with a huge six of Michael Clarke played few good shots. His run a ball innings had 2 fours and 2 sixes. His six over the longest boundary in mid-wicket off Symonds was his best shot. But, in the same over, the short ball provoked him to hit similar shot which went straight to the fielder near the boundary line. He was out for 38 when India was going well at 175 in 35 overs. Tendulkar once again showed his disappointment over Yuvaraj's irresponsible shot.

Tendulkar when tried to place the ball to long-on and take a single, scooped the slower ball in the air, but beautiful diving catch by skipper Ponting sent him to the pavilion, 9 short of his 43rd ODI century. His wonderful 91 came from 121 balls with 7 fours. India playing well at 205 for 4 in 39.2 overs, it was a good chance for India to go beyond 280 runs on the board. But quick wickets of Sachin and Rohit Sharma put the brake in the Indian innings. Rohit was caught by Symonds--a straight forward catch at extra cover off Michael Clarke--his 3rd wicket.

It was left to Dhoni and Pathan to score some runs. Pathan scored 12 in 20 balls, with runs are not easily adding, Dhoni also got out when he tried to hit over long-on but only found the fielder. Harbhajan was LBW to Lee for 3. India was struggling at 240 for 7 in 48 overs--35 in 52 balls, Praveen Kumar was facing Lee. You could say that 3 fours of Lee's over turned the match and helped India to go past 250. Lee's short ball hit Praveen's arm guard and went for 4 in third-man, then he hit him over point, giving himself room for another 4. The single brought Harbhajan to strike, but he was trapped in front of the wicket. Piyush edged the next ball to third man boundary. The 49th over added 13 to the total and the last over was bowled by Bracken. He bowled well with a wicket and gave only 5 runs. India finished their innings with 258 for 9. Michael Clark and Bracken were the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets each and Symonds was costly, ending with 1 for 27 in 3 overs.

Man of the Match was rightly given to Praveen Kumar for providing early break-throughs', taking key wickets. Thanks to Sachin for his important 91, Yuvaraj for his brilliant fielding that ran out Hayden.

Final Score:
India 258 for 9 in 50 overs (Uthappa 30, Sachin 91, Yuvaraj 38, Dhoni 36, Bracken 3 for 31, Michael Clarke 3 for 52) beat Australia 249 in 49.4 overs (Hayden 55, Symonds 42, Hussey 44, Hopes 63, Praveen Kumar 4 for 46, Sreesanth 2 for 43, Pathan 2 for 54)

Man of the Match: Praveen Kumar (India)
Man of the Series: Bracken (Australia)

Match 11: India enters Final with easy win over Sri Lanka!

Everything went right for India including the crucial toss and rightly asking Sri Lanka to bat first. In this crucial tie between India and Sri Lanka, the win for India would take them to Finals and if Sri Lanka wins, they have to win the other match to move to Finals.

Perera, lacking experience, was bowled by Sharma for 8. Then Jayasuriya and Sangakkara created a new partnership and posed a threat to Indians. Praveen Kumar broke the partnership and struck 3 times in each of his first three overs.

Sangakkara was the first victim of Praveen Kumar caught by Dhoni. Jayawardane was caught at point and then Silva was caught by Dhoni again.

Jayasuriya was dismissed for 34 by Pathan and Ishanth dismissed Dilshan for 8 and Vaas for zero. Ishanth two blows left Sri Lanka struggling at 93 for 7 in the 26th over. The 46-run partnership between Kapugedera and Malinga helped Sri Lanka to set the score beyond 150. Kapugedera was the last batsman to be dismissed for 57 off 86 balls with 4 fours.

Uthappa along with Sachin added 18 for the first wicket before Uthappa was caught by Amerasinghe of Malinga. Tendulkar and Gambhir played sensibly and added 102 for the 2nd wicket. Tendulkar was back to his form and was showing the way to the rest of the youngsters in the team. While trying to play over extra covers of Muralitharan, Tendular's lofted shot ended in long off fielder's hand leaving India another 60 runs in 30 overs. Yuvaraj scored a quick 36 off 35 balls with 4 fours and a six. He was out of Perera when the score was 171. With 9 to get in 20.2 overs, it was easy for Gambhir and Rohit Sharma to finish the task. Gambhir was not out on 63 off 89 balls with 5 fours.

With this win, India's point tally raised to 17 including bonus point and Sri Lanka is out of the tournament. India qualify for the final!

Final Score:

Sri Lanka 179 in 47.1 overs (Jayasuriya 34, Sangakkara 33, Kapugedera 57, Ishanth Sharma 4 for 41, Praveen Kumar 4 for 31) lost to India 180 for 3 in 32.2 overs (Tendulkar 63, Gambhir 63 not out, Yuvaraj 36)
Man of the Match: Praveen Kumar (India)