PCB, BCCI set to face off over Emerging Nations Cup
KARACHI: Pakistan are likely to adopt a strong stance at the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur this week and will insist on hosting the Asian Emerging Nations Cup tournament this year. According to a senior official of the PCB, Pakistan will make it clear at the meeting that if India can’t come to Pakistan to play in the Emerging Nations Cup then Pakistan will also not be able to send its team for the Asia Cup in September in India. “The PCB will try to convince the member boards to move the Asia Cup out of India to a third country like Malaysia or even Sri Lanka so that Pakistan can participate in it,” the official said. Another source said that Sethi had decided to adopt a strong stance with India which will be represented at the meeting on Monday and Tuesday. “PCB is not happy over India’s attempts to move Asian Emerging Nations Cup out of Pakistan. It will adopt a tit for tat policy by insisting it can’t send its team to India for the Asia Cup in the current scenario,” the source confirmed. The ACC meeting will finalise dates for the two tournaments. MOHALI: KL Rahul managed to cook up a perfect Gayle-like storm blowing Delhi Daredevils away to help Kings XI Punjab register a six-wicket win and start their IPL season with a win on Sunday.
With maestro Chris Gayle watching from the sidelines, Rahul shifted gears fluently to ensure his side didn’t miss the services of West Indian in chase of target of 167. His innings and an assured 32-ball 50 from Karun Nair were enough to help Punjab cruise to the winning total. Marcus Stoinis (22) and David Miller (24) completed the formalities with Punjab winning with seven balls to spare.
Rahul’s 14-ball half-century, the fastest in IPL, left Delhi Daredevils bowlers gasping for breath. Facing Trent Boult, Rahul managed a double off the first three balls. He then opened up hammering a six and two consecutive fours.
Rahul then carted Mohammed Shami for a six and a four before digging into Amit Mishra, introduced by skipper Gautam Gambhir to try and take pace off the ball. Rahul just went with the flow, hitting three fours and two sixes to take 24 runs of the over.
Earlier, had it not been for Gautam Gambhir’s half-century, DD could have easily crumbled under pressure against Punjab’s spin-trio of R Ashwin, Axar Patel and Mujeeb ur Rahman. In the end, DD managed a competitive score of 166. With Ashwin opening the bowling, Delhi started cautiously. Openers Colin Munro and skipper Gambhir were happy to take singles.
At 17 years and 11 days, the youngest player in IPL, Zadran provided the breakthrough and showed why he is considered the next big thing. Munro was adjudged leg before while attempting a switch-hit. Later in the innings, Rahul Tewatia also attempted a similar shot against Ashwin’s fuller delivery only to be caught plumb in front.
It was left to DD’S Indian core to attempt and play around Gambhir, who had kept the other end ticking. Balls Score Batsman G Gambhir (DD/KKR) M 149 Runs AVG 4,187 31.71 50
D Warner (DD/SH) V Kohli (RCB) R Sharma (DC/MI) S Raina (CSK/GL) 114 149 160 4,014 4,418 4,222 4,544 Y Pathan (KKR) S Narine (KKR) S Raina (CSK) 40.54 37.44