The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Umar Gul’s exit turned things around

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 28, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Umar Gul’s exit turned things around

Principal Correspondent

Karachi: Rival skippers M.S. Dhoni and Shoaib Malik concurred that Umar Gul’s exit did partly influence India’s successful chase of Pakistan’s 299 in the STAR Cricket Asia Cup Group ‘B’ match here on Thursday.

“We were optimistic of chasing the target but we needed a good start and at the same time Pakistan missed Gul and they were left with just two seam bowlers.

“Nothing could be done in these conditions without a third seamer on a placid wicket,” Dhoni said in the post-match press conference.

Malik also spoke about Gul’s absence. “Three-hundred was a good target that we set for them, but our main bowler Gul had some pain in the ribs and had to leave and that affected our plans.

“I think we gave them some easy runs as well,” Malik said.

However, he did get into a tangle over his remarks about the selectors having a larger say in team composition.

As the local media exerted pressure on him to clarify, Malik said: “I do give my inputs but the final say is with the selectors and that’s all I can say.”

Praise for Sehwag

Dhoni, meanwhile, effusively praised centurion Virender Sehwag.

“Viru did the job for us with that big hundred. He plays his natural game, takes a few risks and that’s what you expect from someone like Sehwag.

“He made it difficult for the bowlers to bowl in the right areas,” Dhoni said besides lauding Suresh Raina’s 84.

The Indian skipper said that though the six-wicket victory was comprehensive, there were still areas of concern.

“We made a few mistakes in bowling and we can do better. As for Ishant, he learns quickly and he will learn from his mistakes. We also missed some catches,” Dhoni said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport