Akshay Kumar to buy IPL team
April 9, 2011 by Trend PK
Filed under Entertainment
Akshay Kumar to buy IPL team
Akshay Kumar, a famous Indian actor has paced all of his hopes on his new film “Thank You”. Akshay has not given any block buster film since a long time.
Yesterday, on the premiere of “Thank You”, answering the question about whether he is thinking to buy an IPL team in near future, he said that “First let ‘Thank You’ do well. If it does, I will consider buying an IPL team.”
In the past seasons of tournament Ashkay Kumar served as the ambassador of IPL Delhi.
Suniel Shetty, the co-star of Akshay Kumar in his new film “Thank You” added that “I will buy stakes in that IPL team which Akshay will buy if our film Thank You does well.”
IPL starting from tomorrow
IPL T20 is one of the biggest event tournaments of the sports world. It is played every year in the summer season of Indian Subcontinent. The first match of the tournament will be played between the teams of Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Friday 8 April.
Changes in format of IPL
Some changed have been made in the format of IPL this time. Total 74 matches are scheduled to play in the tournament; there will be with two Qualifiers, one eliminator and the champion which will be decided lastly in the final.
World Cup 2011: Tendulkar survives close calls
Afridi introduced offspinner Saeed Ajmal in the ninth over in search of break through and he almost picked Tendulkar twice in his second over. First he won an LBW decision in his favour only to get it overturned on a referral.
One ball later, Karman Akmal dislodged the bails but the batsman again proved lucky as just manage to land his foot on time.
Carrying the momentum of Sehwag’s blistering start, India cruise at 73/1 in 10 overs.
Sehwag went for the referral but the on field call stood as he was hit on the middle.
The right hander struck five boundaries to Gul in the third over of the innings. Gul kept pitching half-volleys and Sehwag taking full advantage. He hit two more boundaries, this time on the off side. Razzaq also went for 12 in his second over.
After winning the toss, Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that he was not sure if this match was the biggest match he had ever played. He said that they had made one change in the team and Ashish Nehra has been called in place of Ravichandran Ashwin.
Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi said that winning or losing the toss did not matter. He said that they had made no changes in the squad.
The semi-final match of the cricket world cup is being played at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali.
In the World Cup 2011, India and Pakistan have won four of their last five games but this will be the first time Pakistan is going to face India is semi finals. Collectively, both the teams have faced each other four times in the World Cups, with India winning all four matches.
In the cricket ground in Mohali, Pakistan has played twice against India and won both the matches. Pakistan also has a better record in the One-Day-International matches as they have won 69 out of a total of 119 games while India only managed to win 46 matches.
If Pakistan loses the match, this will be the last time Shoaib Akhtar will be a part of the Pakistani cricket team as he earlier announced his retirement from international cricket.
Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi is regarded as a danger man as he is the leading wicket taker in the tournament with 21 wickets. He is also the first bowler in World Cup history to take four wickets in a match on four different occasions in a tournament which include two five wickets and two four wickets hauls. Umar Gul is also among the top 10 wicket taking bowlers in the tournament.
On the other hand, India has a strong batting line up with Sachin Tendulkar, the leading Indian run scorer with 379 runs which includes two centuries and a half century. Tendulkar is yet to score a century against Pakistan and if he does so he will have a record 100 centuries.
Apart from that, there are three Indian batsmen in the top 10 of most runs scored in the World Cup. Umar Akmal is the only Pakistani batsmen to score beyond 200 runs and the best placed Pakistani batman is ranked at number 28 for most number of runs scored in the tournament.
Any team that wins today’s match will face Sri Lanka in the final of the World Cup on April 2. This will be the first World Cup final in which two Asian teams will be fighting for the top prize. Regardless of who wins the match, the World Cup trophy will return to Asia after 12 years.
Shoaib could get one last tilt at glory
KARACHI: Pakistan are considering playing their controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against India after his international career appeared to be over.
Shoaib, 35, who will retire after the tournament, has not played since Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand in the group stages.
Media reports said he had fallen out of favour after an argument with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who dropped Ross Taylor twice in one over. Taylor went on to score a match-winning century.
“I would like to see him play but we just want to make sure he is match fit and ready for such a big game. We will test him out in the final nets,” said captain Shahid Afridi on Monday
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has been urging Afridi and coach Waqar Younis to take a chance with Shoaib.
“I don’t know how fit he is but if he is available I would definitely play him even if he can bowl just five or six overs because he is a shock bowler and a wicket-taker and you need such a bowler in such a big match,” Imran told the media.
Hints that Shoaib might get a final fling at the World Cup emerged during news conferences with vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq and pace bowler Umar Gul this week.
Gul, who has spearheaded the Pakistan pace attack in Shoaib’s absence, said he would feel comfortable and confident if the veteran were to bowl at the other end against India.
Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam also did not rule out the possiblity of a return.
“Shoaib has been fully involved in match practice and is available for selection. He’s very much part of the squad and there is no question about his motivation or enthusiasm to play in this important game.Akhtar is ready for the semi-final,” Intikhab said on the Pakpassion.net website.
The former test captain dismissed reports that Shoaib was no longer taking an interest in training or focused on cricket after announcing his retirement.
“The rumours about Shoaib no longer focusing on cricket after announcing his retirement are false. Shoaib has been training hard with his team mates throughout the tournament and it’s been no different since he announced his retirement,” he said.
Former Pakistan captain, Zaheer Abbas also urged the management to play Shoaib if he is fit.
“It is a high pressure game and the team needs someone of Shoaib’s experience and pace. His pace will matter against the strong Indian batting and we have backup bowlers if the gamble does not work,” Zaheer told Reuters. AGENCIES
Next few days crucial for my career: Ponting
MELBOURNE: Embattled Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting today said he will take a call on his career in the next few days but asserted that he is not a spent force.
The 36-year-old, who led Australia to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, returned home today after the team was knocked out of the current edition in the quarterfinal stage following a loss to India.
The five-wicket defeat only added to the pressure on him that had been building after the Ashes loss to England.
Ponting also drew flak for unsavoury incidents during the event, one of which being accidentally damaging a dressing room TV when he threw his gear in anger after being dismissed.
His poor form for most part of the tournament didn’t help Ponting’s cause either but he managed to silence some criticism of his batting with a fighting hundred against India, albeit for a losing cause.
“The last couple of weeks there’s been a few differing opinions out in the papers and out in the news about me and my future as leading the team,” Ponting told reporters on arrival here.
“It’s been nice the last week especially to hear some endorsement from Cricket Australia and the selectors about that position.
“But that’s where the next few days are crucial to me as well. I have to really decide what I think is right for me and the team going forward.
Ponting, Australia’s captain for nine years, was also criticised for not walking despite knowing that he is out in a game against Pakistan.
His temper landed him in trouble again when he angrily threw the ball to the ground after accidentally running into teammate Steve Smith while attempting a catch.
But he maintained that he still has a lot to offer to Australian cricket.
“I still think I’ve got a lot to offer the team as a player and a leader.” agencies
Fate Not In Our Hands: Strauss
England captain Andrew Strauss said that they believe in hard world to win the match as fate is not in their hand. England has successfully made his entrance in the quarter final stage. In the world cup 2011 the most interesting matches were produced by the England team. The matches of England were thrillers.
ICC World Cup 2011- Quarter final Matches
The group matches of ICC World Cup 2011 are finished. Six teams have been ruled out from the tournament while eight teams have qualified for the quarterfinals. These eight teams will play 4 matches in this round, after that the number of teams will be reduced to four for the semi finals. Four teams will play two semi-finals. These two semi-finals will decided the two best teams for the final World Cup 2011. Which will be those two teams? Saying anything about this is so early. However here we look at the teams and schedule of quarterfinals.
The top team of Group-A will clash with the lowest team of Group-B. In Group- A, Pakistan is holding the top position, Sri Lanka is present on second position, Australia’s position is third while New Zealand is present on the fourth position. South Africa is holding the top position in Group-B, India is present on second position; England’s rank is third while West Indies is on the last.
The first quarterfinal will be played between the teams of Pakistan and West Indies on 23 March, at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur. India will face Australia in the second quarterfinal on 24 March at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad. The third quarterfinal will be played between South Africa and New Zealand on 25 March at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur while Sri Lanka will take on England on 26 March in the last quarterfinal at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
ICC blasts West Indies bus attack, Dhaka stays as host
International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat Saturday condemned the attack on the West Indies team bus by Bangladesh fans but said there were no immediate plans to move games.
Home supporters reacted angrily after seeing their side bowled out for just 58 by the West Indies in Dhaka on Friday in a World Cup match the visitors won by nine wickets.
The bus came under attack as it was heading back to the West Indies’ team hotel after the match, in what police said was a case of mistaken identity, with fans thinking it was the home team’s vehicle.
Lorgat said the ICC had no immediate plans to move matches from Bangladesh, with England and South Africa still to play group fixtures in the country against the Tigers.
Two quarter-finals are also scheduled for Dhaka.
“The reaction is one of disappointment, because that’s exactly what we’d not like to see but I think we must have perspective,” Lorgat said. “It was a minor incident.
“It was some disappointed fans, as a result of the home team being defeated so convincingly by the visitors. My understanding is that a few individuals threw pebbles at the bus.
“With that particular incident we will re-assess but I’ve said before I am very, very pleased with the maturity of the security measures we’ve got, the expertise, the experience we’ve got on board.”
Asked if games could be moved from Bangladesh, should teams object on security grounds, Lorgat replied: “We would not move the games lightly but it is not something which we would discount completely.
“I don’t believe that particular incident justifies any game being moved just yet. I am extremely confident we will see the tournament through as scheduled.”
In a separate incident, the home of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was also stoned on Friday, breaking a window, police said.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose own home was attacked after a first round exit in 2007, told fans to control themselves.
“It is unfortunate, but that is how the fans react. You should remember that players are not living at home, but their families are and families don’t have anything to do with cricket,” said Dhoni.
“You have to control your emotions. When we win a game I don’t go around beating my fans, saying that you bashed my house in 2007.”
Bangladesh has stepped up security after Friday’s incidents.
“We have enhanced security arrangements for the World Cup,” said Mesbah Uddin Serniabat, who is the security director for the tournament’s local organising committee.
“We will keep the pedestrians a little away from the team buses and motorcade and police teams will be patrolling the streets more intensively.”
Police and the elite Rapid Action Battalion arrested 38 suspects after the bus stoning.
England and South Africa face each other in Chennai on Sunday before they both play group matches in Bangladesh.
Andrew Strauss, the England captain, whose side play in Chittagong on March 11, said: “It’s hard for me to comment. I wasn’t there and don’t know what the situation was.
“Clearly security is very important and, as far as we’re concerned, we’ve had no issues.”
South Africa captain Graeme Smith added: “We were a bit shocked as to what happened. Obviously we need to try to let our security and management take care of that like we’ve always done.
“Hopefully, it won’t happen again and lessons will be learned.”
Strauss Focusing On Match Against South Africa
England is not yet come out of the stunning defeat from the Ireland team. It was the big upset in the world cup. Ireland chased the big total of 327 runs. Amazing match to watch and it was celebration all round in Ireland.
Skipper Smith praises South African spin attack
NEW DELHI: South African skipper Graeme Smith said it had been “one of those days” after his decision to field a three-pronged spin attack paid rich dividends with an opening World Cup win over the West Indies.
Off-break bowler Johan Botha opened the bowling and grabbed two wickets for 48 on Thursday but the star performer with the ball was debutant leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who took 4-41 as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket win.
South Africa have kept Pakistan-born Tahir under wraps in the lead-up to the tournament and their strategy paid off against the West Indies.
“He bowled really well. We tried to use him in short spells and obviously tried to get the timing right for when we used him. I think that was good. He responded superbly well,” Smith said.
“He picked up key wickets for us. Every time he came on he made an impact for us so that was terrific. I think the guys bowled really well around him and created good pressure for him.”
“Sometimes when you come up with things and they work out it’s a great feeling. They don’t always do that but today it was one of those days,” said Smith.
The South African skipper said the spin attack, which also featured the wicketless Robin Petersen, who bowls left-arm orthodox, had enabled paceman Dale Steyn to make an impact. Steyn ended with figures of 3-24.
“One of the advantages of having a lot of spin options also is that when we do use Dale he can come in and make a really big impact for us. His pace was really up today again.”
Smith also praised AB de Villiers, who put on 119 runs for the third wicket with the skipper and went on to score 107 not out as South Africa overhauled the West Indies score of 222 all out with 43 balls to spare.
“He hit the ball sweetly and he probably made the wicket look a lot easier than everyone else did so it was a great knock and I just tried to hang in there with him and it was great to watch from the other end.”
Smith said South Africa would reassess their bowling options going into their next game against the Netherlands on March 3, saying paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe would play a major role in the tournament.
“I think I trusted my gut feel today and it seemed to work out,” he said.
“If you can be one step ahead it’s always a bonus but sometimes you’ll do things and they won’t work out and you’ll be asking why. Today was a good day,” he added.
“We’ll move on to Holland and we’ll assess the Mohali wicket and the team we’re up against and just take eight days to think about that now, so that’s a good time.”
New dad Swann ready to fly out and join England squad
LONDON: England spinner Graeme Swann will soon fly out to join the rest of the World Cup squad after his wife Sarah gave birth to their first child on Thursday.
