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THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 SPORT 19 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE India holds the aces in its opener against a wounded South Africa Kohli’s men, rested and refreshed, will be keen to hit the ground running; the Proteas are in a predicament after two defeats and injuries to Steyn and Ngidi

takes on South Africa at the In England, eyes are Hampshire Bowl here on equally cast on the pitch and Wednesday. the skies. Interestingly when Kohli The surface here recently addressed the media on ushered in the host’s 373 for Tuesday afternoon, a conch three and Pakistan’s 361 for being blown could be briefly seven. Yet, with clouds being heard. constant sentinels, the speed Obviously a fan had merchants can gain addition­ sounded out the battle call al venom. and the expectations are PREVIEW bound to quadruple. Mild drizzle forecast India holds the aces The absence of the injured joust. But he has to do more. The forecast hints at mild K.C. Vijaya Kumar against a rival that is coping duo of Dale Steyn and Lungi With Kohli and perhaps M.S. drizzle and both Kohli and Southampton with its present predicament Ngidi will further hurt the Dhoni, flanking him on eith­ his counterpart du Plessis It’s been a week since the ICC Proteas while Kohli’s men er side at three and five, Ra­ will gaze at the weather­ World Cup commenced with step in with added hul has to be both the glue gauge, when they pick their the game involving England confidence. and the spicy sauce. resources. and South Africa at the Oval. Ranked second in the The all­rounders’ quotient The teams (from): The last few days witnessed a India: Virat Kohli (Capt.), Rohit ODI rankings, India is in the is sure to have Hardik Pandya medley of lop­sided clashes Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, M.S. top­matrix but it has some while others like Vijay Shan­ and nerve­shredding upsets Dhoni, K.L. Rahul, Ravindra Ja­ worries. In the two practice kar and Ravindra Jadeja may but India, cricket’s commer­ deja, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Kar­ games, the opening alliance get a look­in based on the cial heart, was yet to stride of Rohit Sharma and Shik­ thik, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shan­ conditions. kar, Jasprit Bumrah, onto the turf. har Dhawan yielded a mere Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mo­ After the Indian Premier three and five. Bumrah’s role hammed Shami, Yuzvendra League concluded on May 12, A lot depends on the kind Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s Virat Kohli’s men rested a bit, of starts that Rohit and Dha­ South Africa: Faf du Plessis jetted to holiday destinations wan can bequeath and the role will be huge and India (Capt.), Hashim Amla, Quinton and a few of them lit up their two have it in them to strike would like to believe that its de Kock, J.P. Duminy, Aiden Instagram accounts. big. seamers and wrist spinners Markram, David Miller, Chris Kohli and coach Ravi are better than what South Morris, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Mixed bag of having suffered two losses. Shastri would be hoping that Africa could fling. Tahir, Andile Phehlukwayo, Once they assembled back in The result against England the warm­ups were a blip For the Proteas, veteran Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Raba­ da, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van the United Kingdom, two was on expected lines, but from an otherwise solid pair. Hashim Amla, declared fit for der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi. warm­ups were played. The the defeat to Bangladesh was the clash, and Faf du Plessis Umpires: Richard Kettlebo­ mixed bag featured a defeat a hope­snuffing one. Rahul at No. 4 have to excel while Kagiso rough and Michael Gough; against New Zealand and a South Africa has to play re­ K.L. Rahul has seemingly ce­ Rabada helms an attack that Third umpire: Richard Illing­ triumph over Bangladesh. markably well in the remain­ mented himself at the No. 4 is relatively anaemic despite worth; Match referee: Ranjan Finally, India will turn up ing fixtures to stay in conten­ spot after scoring 108 against the presence of a wily Imran Madugalle. The battle begins: India skipper Virat Kohli will go into the contest against South Africa at the World Cup when it tion for a knock­out berth. Bangladesh in the practice Tahir. Match starts at 3 p.m. IST. with added confidence. * AFP

Happy we are finally going to play, says Kohli Important to stay Steyn out of World Cup K.C. Vijaya Kumar the most balanced side.” strong: du Plessis Special Correspondent inflammatory changes. Southampton Southampton “However, upon our There was an air of calmness Jadhav is fit SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Ahead of its crucial game arrival into the United around Virat Kohli. He The skipper also revealed SOUTHAMPTON against India, South Africa Kingdom, once he started walked in confidently, took that Kedar Jadhav is back to World Cup press­conferenc­ woke up to the bad news of bowling, a different his time to settle down, wore ‘full fitness’ and when a es may seem as brutal inqui­ Dale Steyn being ruled out problem emerged, what his spectacles and patiently South African scribe probed sitions for South African of the rest of the World we call a shoulder answered the questions. about Kagiso Rabada’s dispa­ captains. Cup. impingement syndrome. Ahead of the World Cup raging remarks against him, The ICC’s event “He consulted an In the 2011 edition, clash against South Africa, Kohli was at his diplomatic technical committee orthopaedic specialist in Graeme Smith had wet eyes Kohli struck an optimistic best and said he would rath­ through a press­release London, had an injection at Dhaka. And on Tuesday, note in the pre­match press­ er talk straight with the fast stated: “Steyn has suffered in the problematic area after leading his side to two conference at the Hampshire bowler. a second shoulder injury which unfortunately did defeats in the latest cham­ Bowl here on Tuesday. And would he like to emu­ which has not responded not resolve the symptoms. pionship’s opening rounds, First­up he said: “We are late his prolific starts from to treatment and has ruled So a decision was made to and then coping with the very happy that finally we previous World Cups — Kohli Faf du Plessis. * AFP him out of bowling for the replace him.” update on Dale Steyn being are going to start playing.” had scored centuries in In­ foreseeable future. His Steyn has battled ruled out, Faf du Plessis And then when asked about Huge responsibility: India’s bowling will rest on Jasprit dia’s opening games during Steyn and Lungi Ngidi, du replacement (Beuran) various injuries over the kept grace as his second South Africa being plagued Bumrah’s shoulders. * AP the 2011 and 2015 editions? Plessis said: “We haven’t Hendricks is a left­arm fast last two years and at 35, skin while the queries by injuries, he refused to The Indian captain replied: had one game where we bowler.” another round of probed into his squad’s take the opposition lightly: to say, in terms of under­ all­round riches and de­ “When I walk out to bat, have had our strongest 11 Later, the South African rehabilitation and foibles. “South Africa is very ta­ standing how the games have clared: “We selected a side come down the stairs, peo­ playing on the field yet. team manager Mohammed recovery, can be gut­ lented, a very dangerous side gone, what the conditions that gives us all kinds of op­ ple will say we need a The South African skip­ “You still have to make Moosajee explained: wrenching. He did bowl in on their day and even with have to offer, what the over­ tions depending upon the hundred. per said he has to enhance sure your squad is strong “Dale’s case has been the nets at the Hampshire the replacements, they will cast conditions bring into conditions we are going to “My focus is, if I am in a his men’s confidence: “It’s and have back­up plans.” unique. We know that Bowl here on Monday be a very strong side.” play or when the sun is out. play in. position to be able to do that important to stay strong. The Proteas leader hoped upon his return from the evening, but with doubts “It’s a totally different ball “Somewhere you might again, but more importantly The team will feed off my for a turnaround starting IPL, due to shoulder persisting about his ability Fringe benefits game altogether (especially) see three seamers, somewh­ make the team win, that will energy and they will look up with Wednesday’s game discomfort he had to sustain intensity during The Indian captain admitted what the conditions are at ere two wrist­spinners, so­ be my goal. to the leadership group in against India: “I said (win­ numerous scans done a second spell, the team that his unit’s late start in the 10.30 in the morning com­ mewhere you might see a “And if it takes a hundred the team. But I am at the top ning) six games is the target, which didn't reveal management had no other World Cup comes with its pared to afternoon. We have wrist­spinner and a finger runs, 150, 50, 60, 70, 40, of that so it is important that so with seven games left, it anything of significance, choice but to seek a share of fringe benefits: “It is had a lot to absorb.” spinner playing together. whatever it is, I am ready to I stay positive.” would be great if we can aside from chronic, replacement. a bit of an advantage, I have Kohli lauded his squad’s “That is why we selected do that.” Ruing the absence of start that (against India).”

Buoyant Bangladesh Sri Lanka survives Afghan scare SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA VS AFGHANISTAN SRI LANKA 159 (Thisara Perera, 25.4), 7­ (18b, 1x4), Hamid Hassan b Ma­ ASSOCIATED PRESS on Tuesday featured 52 ex­ meets New Zealand CARDIFF Dimuth Karunaratne c Najibul­ 178 (Udana, 31.3), 8­180 (Kusal linga 6 ( 5b, 1x6), Mujeeb Ur tras — Sri Lanka’s 35 was the lah b Nabi 30 (45b, 3x4), Kusal Perera, 32.2), 9­199 (Malinga, Rahman (not out) 1 (1b); Extras second­highest scorer in its Agence France-Presse land on Wednesday. Sri Lanka recovered from a Perera c Shahzad b Rashid 78 35.6). (b­1, w­15, nb­1): 17; Total (in London dramatic batting collapse to innings — to strengthen the (81b, 8x4), Lahiru Thirimanne b 32.4 overs): 152. Shakib was the key man AFGHANISTAN BOWLING knock over Afghanistan for feeling this was a contest bet­ Nabi 25 (34b, 1x4), Kusal FALL OF WICKETS Bangladesh all­rounder when Bangladesh upset Dawlat 6­0­34­2, Hamid 7­0­ 152 and seal a 34­run win for ween the two teams likely Mendis c Rahmat b Nabi 2 (2b), 53­1, Mujeeb 3­0­19­0, Nabi 9­ 1­34 (Mohammad Shahzad, 4.4 Shakib Al Hasan has set his South Africa by 21 runs in its first victory on Tuesday. fighting to avoid last place in Angelo Mathews c Rahmat b 0­30­4, Naib 4­0­38­0, Rashid overs), 2­42 (Rahmat, 7.5), 3­ sights on a memorable its opening match on Sun­ the 10­team group. Nabi 0 (2b), Dhananjaya de 7.5­1­17­2. 44 (Zazai, 8.4), 4­57 (Shahidi, 200th ODI as his side chas­ day. His 75 helped steer The Sri Lankans imploded Silva c Shahzad b Hamid 0 (4b), 12.5), 5­57 (Nabi, 13.4), 6­121 The Afghans’ only win at a AFGHANISTAN es a second successive win from 144 for one to 201 all out Sri Lanka again responded Thisara Perera run out 2 (4b), (Naib, 24.5), 7­123 (Rashid, Bangladesh to its highest World Cup remains the one Mohammad Shahzad c Kar­ and took the final five wickets Isuru Udana b Dawlat 10 (21b, 26.1), 8­136 (Dawlat, 30.4), 9­ when it takes on New Zea­ ODI score (330 for six). in an innings delayed by over Scotland in 2015 but unaratne b Malinga 7 (12b, 1x4), for 31 runs, with recalled 1x6), Suranga Lakmal (not out) 145 (Najibullah, 31.6). nearly three hours because Hazratullah Zazai c Thisara Per­ seamer Nuwan Pradeep tak­ they’ll feel this match slipped 15 (13b, 2x4), Lasith Malinga b of rain at Sophia Gardens in era b Pradeep 30 ( 25b, 3x4, SRI LANKA BOWLING from their grasp, especially Dawlat 4 (14b, 1x4), Nuwan the Welsh capital. ing four for 31. 1x6), Rahmat Shah c Mathews b Malinga 6.4­0­39­3, Lakmal 6­ when Sri Lanka was reeling Pradeep b Rashid 0 (4b); Extras Udana 2 ( 11b), Hashmatullah 0­27­0, Udana 6­0­28­1, Pra­ Chasing a revised target of The 1996 World Cup win­ at 159 for three after three (lb­10, w­22, nb­3): 35; Total Shahidi c Kusal Perera b Pra­ deep 9­1­31­4, Thisara Perera 187 from a maximum 21 ov­ ner had lost its opening wickets in an over from Mo­ (in 36.5 overs): 201. deep 4 (17b), Mohammad Nabi 4­0­19­1, Dhananjaya de Silva ers, Afghanistan slumped group game to New Zealand hammad Nabi. 1­0­7­0. by 10 wickets. FALL OF WICKETS b Thisara Perera 11 ( 16b, 1x4), from 34 for no loss to 57 for Sri Lanka, which made the 1­92 (Karunaratne, 13.1 overs), Gulbadin Naib lbw b Pradeep Sri Lanka won by 34 runs five and battled back through Afghanistan has two de­ fastest 10­over start of this 2­144 (Thirimanne, 21.2), 3­146 23 (32b, 2x4), Najibullah Zad­ (DLS method). a 64­run stand between Gul­ feats from two matches, after edition by racing to 79­0, lost (Kusal Mendis, 21.4), 4­146 ran run out 43 ( 56b, 6x4), Toss: Afghanistan. badin Naib (23) and Najibul­ a loss to Australia on Satur­ its last nine wickets for 57 (Mathews, 21.6), 5­149 Rashid Khan b Pradeep 2 (4b), MoM: Nuwan Pradeep. lah Zadran (43). day. The error­strewn match runs in 15.4 overs. (Dhananjaya de Silva, 22.6), 6­ Dawlat Zadran b Malinga 6 Match reduced to 41 overs.

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DELHI THE HINDU 20 SPORT WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IN BRIEF ‘India, England Federer and Nadal to square­off for the 39th time Konta becomes first British woman in 36 years to make the last four, meets Vondrousova are favourites’ ROLAND GARROS <> The complete dream would be to win the Desmond Haynes says the present Agence France-Presse tournament. It will PARIS be difficult, but I Archer and Roy Windies team can be a major threat Roger Federer set up a believe it anyway. fined for dissent mouthwatering French - Roger Federer NOTTINGHAM Open semifinal clash with England pacer Jofra Archer Rafael Nadal on Tuesday Slam after runs to the last­ and batsman Jason Roy have when he defeated Stan Waw­ four at the 2016 Australian been fined 15% of their rinka in four sets to become Open and Wimbledon in match fee for showing dissent towards the umpire the oldest men’s Grand Slam 2017. and using audible obscenities semifinalist in 28 years. “To play on the new Cha­ respectively during their The 37­year­old Swiss beat trier court for the first time World Cup match against his compatriot 7­6(4), 4­6, 7­ was wonderful especially Pakistan at Trent Bridge. 6(5), 6­4 to reach his 43rd against one of the world’s Pakistan captain Sarafraz Major semifinal and eighth at best players,” said Konta af­ Ahmed has also been fined Roland Garros. ter her third win in 2019 over 20 % for a minor over rate Defending champion Na­ Stephens. offence in the same game. AFP dal, bidding for a 12th title at Konta made sure of emu­ the French Open, blitzed a lating Durie by breaking weary Kei Nishikori 6­1, 6­1, Pulling through: Roger Federer, right, came through his first serious test on his return to the former US Open champion 6­3. French Open as he subdued some fierce Stan Wawrinka resistance on Tuesday.* AFP Stephens in the fourth and sixth games of the first set. Stranglehold on Wimbledon, but he has there are lots of emotions,” as he needed treatment on The Briton fired four aces Federer trails his head­to­ been in fine form in Paris said Nadal. “My level has an upper right arm injury af­ and 12 winners past her 26­ Expertspeak: Desmond Haynes says Jason Holder’s squad head record with Nadal 23­15 and has only lost one set so been very good throughout ter the second set. year­old opponent in the 35­ has the batting wherewithal to go far. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT — despite winning their last far — as has Nadal. the tournament and I am minute opener. Root urges England five matches — and 13­2 on Nadal, who turned 33 on happy to be able to come Emulating Durie The 26th seed tightened to keep calm WC EXTRAS have. A team which can be a clay. The Spaniard has a 5­0 Monday, is three behind Fe­ back and play another day.” Earlier, 26th seed Johanna her grip with a break in the NOTTINGHAM major concern for other stranglehold over Federer at derer in the all­time list of Tuesday’s win was Nadal’s Konta became the first Brit­ opening game of the second Joe Root urged England to V.V. Subrahmanyam contenders. Roland Garros with Nadal Grand Slam singles titles 11th in 13 meetings against ish woman since Jo Durie in set and that proved more keep calm and carry on after HYDERABAD On Chris Gayle: He has winning their most recent heading into their 39th ca­ the Japanese seventh seed 1983 to reach the Roland Gar­ than enough. a surprise 14­run loss to Former West Indian opener made a big difference to the Paris clash in the 2011 final. reer clash. who had played back­to­back ros semifinals when she Such was Konta’s domina­ Pakistan on Monday. “The Desmond Haynes believes side and can be a game­ “The complete dream Nadal took his record in five­setters to reach his third swept past Sloane Stephens tion that she allowed Ste­ most important thing now for India and England are the changer. I believe the dress­ would be to win the tourna­ Paris to 91 wins and just two quarterfinal here. of the United States 6­1, 6­4. phens just one point on her us as a group is not to panic,” two favourites to win the ing room is in good spirits as ment,” said Federer. “Other defeats in a one­sided con­ The 28­year­old Konta, serve in the entire second set he told reporters. “We know World Cup. In an exclusive well. A lot more guys might players won’t agree. It will be test with Nishikori to reach Tired out who had not won a match which ended with a whim­ what works for us as a interview with The Hindu, make sure that they just give difficult, but I believe it his 31st Slam semifinal. He had spent four more here in any of her previous per when the American sent formula, and as a team, but the 63­year­old, in India as Chris Gayle a ‘going away anyway. “It’s a great satisfaction to hours on court than Nadal four visits, now finds herself a groundstroke wide of the other sides are allowed to an expert on the Power package’ and celebrate in “It was hard, really, really be in another semifinal, and the efforts took their toll in her third semifinal at a mark. play well and we’ve got to Sportz TV (Delhi), India’s West Indies style. hard. Stan played a really make sure we learn quickly I’m always going to and bounce back at Cardiff.” first digital sports news Top three contenders: good match, I’m very happy <> AFP channel, shares his England is a very good side to play him here at Roland have a shot. I don’t thoughts on the World Cup. with a strong batting line­up Garros,” said Federer. think any player can Hasan Ali hails coach Present West Indies and in familiar conditions. go on court against Arthur for turnaround team as compared to the Aussies are always going to Oldest since Connors me and feel like NOTTINGHAM teams of the golden era: be in contention. And India The 20­time Grand Slam they’ve definitely got Hasan Ali said Pakistan coach It’s difficult to compare, but is a very strong team. Both champion is the oldest man Mickey Arthur’s ongoing faith it. I definitely back I think that the 1975 team England and India are the to make the semis at one of myself. in the side was behind a and the team I was involved favourites with the dark the big four tournaments - Johanna Konta stunning reversal of fortune with in the 1979 World Cup horses being New Zealand since Jimmy Connors at the that saw it end a long losing under Clive Lloyd were the and Pakistan, who are so 1991 US Open aged 39. It will streak. “We were very best teams the world has ev­ unpredictable. be Federer’s first semifinal THE RESULTS disappointed we lost 11 games in a row but one thing er seen. Your most memorable here since a defeat by Novak Quarterfinals: Men: 3­Roger is very important, we West Indies’ chances: I World Cup... My first one Djokovic in 2012. Federer (Sui) bt 24­Stan believed in ourselves,” he would like them to win. My in 1979 because we won! Wawrinka saved 16 of 18 Wawrinka (Sui) 7­6(4), 4­6, 7­6 said. “We needed just a little doubts are about the bow­ ..and most disappoint- break points in a thrilling en­ ling. But, the best part is this ing? I think the 1983 edi­ counter, but Federer quickly (5), 6­4; 2­Rafael Nadal (Esp) bt bit of kick and then we will 7­Kei Nishikori (Jpn) 6­1, 6­1, team is not thinking in tion. When we were chasing finished off the match after a click. We got that kick. But 6­3. one thing is very important, terms of containing but tak­ 183 runs against India and rain delay to progress. Women: 26­Johanna Konta which is our coach is always ing wickets in the early part we lost. And, since then, ev­ It is the third seed’s first (GBr) bt 7­Sloane Stephens backing us. That moment of the game. And, they can ery person I know from In­ appearance at the French (USA) 6­1, 6­4; Marketa Von­ turned us as everyone was chase big totals too with the dia has never let me forget Open since 2015 after taking Relentless: Johanna Konta reeled off more than twice as many winners as Sloane Stephens in drousova bt 31­Petra Martic 7­6 confident.” AFP kind of batting line­up they that! time away from clay to focus her quarterfinal victory. * REUTERS (1), 7­5. Six lessons for India from the Pakistan-England match

dulged is nothing new. for the sake of argument) in the first in­ runs. Pakistan did drop Root on nine, bowler who cannot. India might play Kedar Jadhav at five As it happened, the IPL final was held nings is vastly different from chasing and had England won, that might have England’s last five batsmen added 54 which seems a bit too high in the order on May 12, but the original date of May 350, a total England couldn’t get to des­ been the focus. Games are played for­ (Pakistan’s scored 46), which is below for him. Mahendra Singh Dhoni might 19 would have caused problems. Sche­ pite two of their batsmen making ward, however, while analysts join dots par in a 300­plus chase. Teams tend to be the better fit there. dules are worked out months in ad­ centuries. in retrospect. Teams will drop catches, lose wickets in a bunch in such a situa­ Lesson 5: Balance is the key in team se­ vance, and so are possible roadblocks. No Pakistan batsmen played with misfield, even concede overthrows – but tion, and the lack of a big hitter in the lection. BETWEEN WICKETS The governing body’s role before a ma­ either the simple elegance of Joe Root or winning teams usually do fewer of lower half of the batting told. Hardik jor tournament is to keep the team free the authority of Jos Buttler. It didn’t these. Pandya apart, India do not have a con­ There are very few batsmen in the suresh menon of all distractions. matter. The scoreboard is a great levell­ Lesson No. 2: Close matches will hinge sistent six­hitter lower down, which world — Virat Kohli is one, Joe Root England’s nerves might have let them er, telling us how much rather than on fielding. might have a bearing in a chase. another, Kane Williamson a third — hether or not India flexed consid­ down against Pakistan on Monday; field­ how, and what happened rather than Pakistan’s best bowler went for 53 in Lesson No. 4: Teams who have a desig­ whose batting is so well organised that Werable muscle to ensure their in­ ing is usually the first to go, and En­ what might have been. 10 overs while claiming two wickets. nated slogger in the bottom half can so­ they do not have to be overtly aggres­ augural match would be played nearly a gland’s fielding was appalling. There are Lesson No. 1: Quantity is better than This was Hafik or Maleez, a combina­ metimes make up for weaknesses in the sive in the white ball game. They find week into the World Cup matters little lessons from that match for India as quality. tion of (Mohammed) Hafeez and middle order. gaps, they run smartly, they hit the odd now. they prepare to play their first in the According to England’s analyst, they (Shoaib) Malik, two off spinners in a for­ Both teams played at least two spin­ six, they keep pace with the run rate England, South Africa and Pakistan tournament. saved 64 runs against South Africa in mat that apparently has little time for ners. It is usually a good idea to follow without too much effort. have already played twice each, and if Most people who thought a total of the opening match, but conceded 17 ex­ the type. what a host country does simply be­ But among 150 players at the World the International Cricket Council bent 500 would be breached for the first time tra runs in the field against Pakistan More importantly, both are batsmen cause they know the conditions best. It Cup, they are the exceptions. For the over backwards to ensure that India had in an ODI had picked England as the (they lost by 14 runs). Fielding statistics who bowl, a hint for India perhaps that may not be the ideal plan, even in En­ rest, the well­practised heave­ho is a ne­ the Lodha­mandated number of 15 free team most likely to get there at this are still evolving, but misfields are being playing Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Kul­ gland, to play four medium pacers and a cessary part of the armour. The Indian days between the IPL and the World World Cup. Virat Kohli did so too, as he plotted by analysts. deep Yadav might pay greater dividends single spinner. lower order will have to practise their Cup, then that is something for the ICC indicated when the captains met before Then of course there was Jason Roy’s because of the former’s batting. India’s handicap is that no one in the six­hitting skills, something batsmen in to deal with. India are, after all, the the tournament began. But making 500 dropped catch when Mohammad Ha­ Lesson No. 3: Sometimes two half­bow­ top five bowls. Pakistan had Mo­ the IPL do routinely. ICC’s favourite child, and being in­ (if one assumes England are going to, feez was on 14; he added another 70 lers who can bat are better than one full hammed Hafeez, England Ben Stokes. Lesson 6: Six appeal can be cultivated.

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THE HINDU CROSSWORD 12644 (set by Incognito) SUDOKU FAITH 12 Dreams about one gas mine 3 Cradle snatching lady's large explosion (8) cat (6) Ramzan’s message

13 Queen was winner: Number 4 Prayer I composed for river (7) After 30 days of fasting during the holy month of Ra mzan, one at first (8) 5 After losing money, the Boston Id­ul­Fitr (festival of charity) is celebrated on the sighting of 15 Singes metamorphosed rock criminal became an unknown the Shawal crescent. Muslims congregate at mosques and id­ (6) person (8) gahs for special prayers, standing shoulder to shoulder, ex­ 17 Write stories about a book on emplifying the fact that all are one before God. Id is a day of 6 Nothing is hidden in the special abilities (7) thanksgiving. Before feasting and rejoicing, paying fit ra military airfield (6) (alms) represents generosity. Instilled with the doctrine that 19 A shrink destroyed a flower (7) 7 Little Michael's little Faith coupled with humility in prayer, charity, abstin ence 22 Decorative ball made by two microphone (4) from vanity, strict probity, Muslims seek to repel evil b y Englishmen in Australia (3­3) goodness. Every sin a Muslim commits will be counted 14 State identity before first against him on the day of judgment, so the fallible purge 24 Record FIR about theft of appointment in front of Head themselves of evil during Ramzan and redeem themselv es furniture (8) Office (5) through good deeds. Muslims celebrate the day spiritually 26 Couple permitted to get 16 Remits small tips (5) enhanced, having cultivated a desire to get nearer to Allah. ornament (8) By praying they seek forgiveness and by fasting they cleanse 18 Drunk butlers carry money in 28 Team's mid­morning snack the soul, learn self­restraint and humility. Fasting keeps ani­ drinking glasses (8) time (6) mal propensities in check. Fasting during Ramzan burns up 20 Doctor seeks coy fishes (8) greed in the fire for Allah. 30 Fencing weapon initially The Almighty provides guidance, and the signposts indi­ possessed by French or Italian 21 Sailors and reserves lead Solution to puzzle 12643 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku cating the right path are prayer, fasting and zakath dur ing legionnaire (4) ■ ACROSS Indian refrain (7) Ramzan. Just as prayer purifies one’s life, fasting b uilds in­ 31 Eels left undulating shoreline ner character. Zakath (charity) is a means of wealth purifica­ 8 Personal maintenance 23 Select the French condiment for large animal (5) implement made by company (6) tion. It is not a tax but a form of worship. Muslims are en­ doctor (4) 32 Pearl S. Buck's captive couraged to engage in acts of worship and charity, a nd the 9 Open and complete initial task nobleman (4) 25 Mineral not fully exhausted in last ten nights of Ramzan are the best, as Laylatul­Qadr (5) the US state (6) (night of power) is among them. On this night, the K oran 10 Head­waiter's personal ■ was revealed to Prophet Mohammed. Special prayers are DOWN 27 King follows Australian contribution found in the said at night, where the Koran is recited. Worshipping on animal/bird (4) soup? (4) 1 Good French duke's investment this night is equated with doing so for a thousand m onths. (4) 11 Including a dead director in 29 Money possessed by The righteous acts wipe out sins from the book of deeds. grave opening (6) 2 Bathes in cocktail drink (8) neurologists (4) – M.O. Badsha

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