It seems visa glitches are the order of the day for Indian cricketers as after Delhi pacer Parwinder Awana, who was picked as replacement for RP Singh on May26, got his visa clearance almost after a fortnight, Punjab batsman, whose name was doing rounds as a replacement for Robin Bist, will eventually lose the chance as there isn’t sufficient time for the visa formalities to be completed. Hence, Mandeep can’t join the team.
“It’s a lengthy process and so it would have been tough for Mandeep to reach the West Indies in time for the rest of the matches,” a top BCCI official told The Times Of India on Wednesday.
Mandeep, who got a chance to show his mettle in the IPL after Kings XI skipper Adam Gilchrist was forced out due to injury, scored 432 runs in 16 matches. “He is a promising cricketer and he will surely make the cut when the A team plays in New Zealand in September,” an insider said.
Meanwhile, India won the ‘Aman Ki Asha’ One-day series beating Pakistan by 56 runs in the second match of the physically challenged cricketers here at the Shalim ar Ground on M o n d ay. B at t i n g first, India made 229 for eight in 30 overs and in reply, Pakistan were all out for 173 in 28.1 overs. This two-match series was played under the banner of ‘Aman Ki Asha’ – an initiative of The Times of India and Jang Group in Pakistan.
Srinivasan re-elected as TNCA prez for 8th term: BCCI chief N Srinivasan was today re-elected unopposed as president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for the eight consecutive year at its 82nd AGM, held in Chennai. Srinivasan, who chaired the AGM that commenced at 10 in the morning, said that he has invited A Sankarakrishnan and S Ganesan as “special invitees” to be part of the executive Committee of TNCA for the year 2012-2013.
Bangladesh bring Zim down to earth: Zimbabwe failed to build on their stunning win over South Africa and fell by six wickets to Bangladesh Thursday in a non-cap Twenty20 tournament. Much was expected of Brendan Taylor and his team after they shocked strong favourites South Africa by 29 runs Tuesday, but a total of 149-8 off 20 overs proved insufficient at Harare Sports Club. Bangladesh, needing a win to retain a chance of making the final this Sunday, responded with 153-4 off 17.3 overs.
Akhtar to scout for talent: Controversial Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar is to travel the country, playing cricket in the streets in a bid to talent spot young players and groom them for success. Akhtar, who retired from international cricket last year, had a career troubled by injuries, a dope scandal and disciplinary problems. The 36-year-old and former captain Moin Khan will now embark on a seven-city tour of Pakistan as part of a programme launched by a soft-drink company.
Hafeez to lead Pakistan: Opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez will become the 30th player to captain Pakistan in Test cricket when the opening match against Sri Lanka starts on Friday. He replaces Misbah-ul-Haq, who is suspended because of Pakistan’s slow over rate in the fifth and final ODI. Hafeez has led Pakistan in two Twenty20 games on tour and he is hoping Pakistan's recent excellent record in test cricket will continue. Pakistan has won its past four series, including a 3-0 sweep against England.
