SL minister denies asking team to use witchcraft

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s sports minister denied ordering the national team to use witchcraft to score a surprising two-match Test series win against Pakistan earlier this month. Dayasiri Jayasekara threatened to sue a local sorcerer for claiming that she cast a spell over Pakistan to ensure Sri Lanka’s victory at his request. “I told her that if she didn’t take down that post, I will complain to the police and also take legal action against her,” the minister told reporters.

Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik struck half-centuries after an all-round display from bowlers to guide India to a six-wicket win over New Zealand on Wednesday. The win at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium helped level the three-match series 1-1.

The day started with drama as cricket authorities sacked Pune pitch curator, Pandurang Salgaonkar, following his claims in a TV sting where reporters allegedly posed as bookies.

New Zealand, flying high after their impressive victory in the first match in Mumbai, elected to bat but were restricted to 230/9 and the Indian batsmen guided the hosts to 232/4 with four overs to spare.

Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli (29) steered the ship despite losing Rohit Sharma (7) early. They provided the perfect launchpad by putting up 57 runs for the second wicket with boundaries and sixes flowing. However, the Indian skipper’s stay was cut short as he was caught behind while trying to cut a wide ball.

It not only silenced the jampacked crowd, but also slowed the run rate. Dhawan reached his half-century and followed it up with a six, but moments later miscued Adam Milne to find Ross Taylor at short cover.

KARTHIK’S KNOCK

Karthik at the other end took his sweet time to settle down, reaching a patient half-century while all-rounder Hardik Pandya took charge to keep the chase in sight. It was an understandable ploy in a must-win game — keep rotating the strike — but it bored the 25,000-odd crowd that was subdued as Karthik raised the bat.

They hadn’t run out of energy though as four balls later,