Bangladesh's shot at first major title

Just how momentous is Bangladesh's passage to the Asia Cup final? Decide for yourself after reading these figures. In nine previous tournaments, Bangladesh had played 29 matches and won two, against Hong Kong and UAE. Out of three games this time, they have won two, against World Cup 2011 finalists India and Sri Lanka, and lost a close match to Pakistan. For Bangladesh's tireless supporters, starved of success but never lacking in passion, this is like finding an oasis in a desert. A sea of the darker shade of green will be cheering every run that Bangladesh score tomorrow and every Pakistan wicket that falls. Victory won't be demanded, though; an appearance in the final is already a windfall for the fan. How will the Bangladesh players approach this game, probably the biggest in their careers so far? Apart from blanking New Zealand some time ago at home, this is the first time they have put together consistently solid performances for three games running against world-class opposition. Will the fourth time prove to be too much? Will the pressure of a final, something they have hardly experienced, restrict the freedom with which they bat? Will their bowling and fielding be able to hold together? Let us all cheer for the team which deserves to win this tournament...!! Bangla blood at stake here! Squad of the both team for the much anticipated final followss. : Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Nazimuddin, 3 Jahurul Islam, 4 Nasir Hossain, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Nazmul Hossain, 11 Shahadat Hossain Pakistan played five bowlers against India, but Wahab Riaz, included in place of the specialist wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, went for 50 in four overs. Sarfraz is expected to return for the final, freeing Umar Akmal of the additional responsibility of keeping wicket. Pakistan (possible): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Umar Akmal, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Hammad Azam, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Aizaz Cheema

Summer success hinges on third Test - Vettori

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The third Test match against South Africa will play a defining role in New Zealand's summer, Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand allrounder, has said. After beating Australia in Hobart last year and dominating Zimbabwe in all three formats, New Zealand have had their victories put in perspective by a strong South Africa side. South Africa have already claimed the Twenty20 and ODI trophies and cannot lose the Test series after they beat New Zealand by nine wickets in Hamilton. Their dominance now threatens to overshadow the host's achievements from earlier in the season. "It's [the third Test] pretty influential on our summer," Vettori said. "If we can scrap back from this Test match, it's been overall a very successful summer. If not, then I think we will remember it for that loss. It's really important, the boys understand that. They have done it in the past and this is an opportunity to try and do it again."

Playing cricket is not like a government job, says Sehwag

Opener Virender Sehwag on Wednesday dismissed calls for his retirement, saying playing professional cricket is not a ‘government job where you have to retire at 60’. “I will continue to play as long as I am enjoying the game, contributing to the team, winning games for my country. Nobody can force a player to retire,” he said on the sidelines of promotional event during which the Delhi Daredevils website was launched. “It’s not like a job, government job where you have to retire at 60. A cricketer can retire at 30 or 60, it’s upto the player. (Sanath) Jayasuriya played till 42,” he added. Sehwag said he is fit again, after being ‘rested’ for the Asia Cup. “The rest period is over and I am set to train, and play in the IPL,” Sehwag said

Bangla Steer to the asia cup final!

India received a major setback as they failed to qualify for the Asia Cup final after Bangladesh registered a sensational 5-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their last league match of the Asia Cup. ssain (36*), Mahmudullah (32*) shared unbeaten 77 runs partnership for the sixth wicket to guide Bangladesh reach their first ever Asia Cup final. India's stunning victory over arch-rivals Pakistan went in vain as Bangladesh set up the summit clash with Pakistan which will be played on Thursday. As per the rules of the tournament, if two teams are tied on points, head-to-head record will be considered, so Bangladesh made it to the final as they had beaten India in their league match. Chasing a revised target of 212 (40 overs), Bangladesh were reduced to 40/3 in seven overs. However, birthday boy Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan scripted a terrific comeback and powered the side with their fiery shows. Both batsmen struck half-centuries each to rescue their side from a poor start. !!

Disciplined Bangla restrict SL to 232

Nazmul Hossain got 3 wickets, while Shakib and Razzak got 2 each as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 232. Kapugedera scored 62, while Thirimanne and Tharanga scored 48 each. As Sri Lanka set an easy target for banglas , There seems to be a danger heading towards india because if Bangladesh wins today's game .. Then the chances of india's chances of retaining the asia cup will be less as bangladesh may qualify for the finals! Lets hope Sri lankan bowling attack demolishes the bangladeshi batsmem and win the match!!! GO SRI LANKA GO!! HIP HIP HURRAY!!

Is virat The Best Batsman In The World??

Virat Kohli vs. Other batsman (till 85 ODIs) =>Virat Kohli has scored more runs than Brian Lara, Dean Jones, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Viv Richards =>Kohli has scored 11 centuries. Lara and Ponting both with 5 centuries are next to him. =>Kohli's Strike Rate is 86.31 next only to Dhoni who had 96.26 and Richards who had 86.99. =>Kohli has average of 50.56 next only to Michael Bevan who had average of 56.54. These Stats suggest that Virat Kohli Will go way Ahead than Many cricketers !!! Best of luck virat !!

Sachin Tendulkar- Centuries' Centurian.!

Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run scorer in the history of both Test and one-day cricket, achieved the most-coveted ton by taking a single off Shakib Al Hasan against Bangladesh in Asia Cup. Tendulkar's century came off 138 balls and was studded with 10 fours and a six. Sachin after his century said ""I can't think of anything at this stage, it has been a tough phase for me," "I started off the season well but was luckless. It does not matter how many hundreds you score, you still have to grind it out." "When I got the 99th century, no one spoke about it. I guess it was the media which started it. Everywhere I went people were talking about my 100th hundred," he said. As the long wait for The century finally ends.. Indians have a reason to celebrate.!! Cheers for our lil master!!

Is Kohli The New Poster Boy??!!

The fantastic 183 run knock against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup in Bangladesh on Sunday and the subsequent Indian victory in the match, has made Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli the latest pin-up boy of the ad world. His soaring popularity on and off the field is slowly making him one of the names to reckon with when it comes to brand endorsements. Up until now, Indian team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and senior players like Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar were the most popular names when it came to endorsing brands. But after his splendid century, the industry thinks, Kohli has finally arrived.

Some photos from the ongoing asia cup -12'