|
|
|
| Sunday, 14 August 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Asia can beat Africa even without Dravid, Jayasuriya KARACHI, Aug 13 (AFP) - A disappointed Asian XI captain Inzamam-ul Haq feels his side can beat an African XI in next week's inaugural Afro-Asian one-day series in South Africa despite several stars pulling out. "It's disappointing to lose stars like Rahul Dravid and Sanath Jayasuriya, but Asia still has the firepower to beat Africa," Inzamam told AFP before departing for South Africa with three other Pakistan players. Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will fly from England and join the Asian squad in Johannesburg on Monday. "This may not be the best Asian XI and I think the respective Boards of the countries should have ensured the availability of the players before selection, for the cause of Asia," said Inzamam, also captain of Pakistan. The series opens with a match at Centurion, Pretoria on August 17 before moving on to Durban for two more fixtures on August 20 and 21. The series, aimed at improving continental relations, is considered by many to be a made-for-television event. The Asian XI, already without India's injured Sachin Tendulkar - the leading scorer in one-day cricket - was further depleted on Friday when Sri Lankan opener Jayasuriya and India's prolific number three Dravid pulled out. Last week Pakistan's one-day specialist bowler Rana Navedul Hasan dropped out due to his commitments with English county Sussex and was replaced by Mashrafe bin Mortaza of Bangladesh. In another major blow frontline pacers Irfan Pathan of India and Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka were both sidelined due to injuries. Indian pair Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan came in as replacements, while Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu and batsman Mahela Jayawardene, and Bangladesh's Khaled Mashud are in contention to come in for Dravid and Jayasuirya. The Asian XI will be coached by former Sri Lankan fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake. Inzamam admitted the Asian XI faced more of a challenge now that a lot of first choice players were missing. "Definitely the chances of the team are hit badly because players who have been performing well were selected, but we would still give them a tough fight," said Inzamam, who has the second most one-day runs behind Tendulkar. Africa will be captained by Shaun Pollock for the first two games while his South African captain Graeme Smith will take over for the third match after completing a ban for slow over-rates. Zimbabwe's Heath Streak and Tatenda Taibu will also miss the first two matches, which clash with the second Test against New Zealand at Bulawayo from August 15-19. Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Shaun Pollock, Boeta Dippenaar, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Monde Zondeki, Jacques Rudolph, Nicky Boje, Justin Ontong, Dale Steyn, Justin Kemp (South Africa), Steve Tikolo, Collins Obuya, Thomas Odoyo (Kenya), Heath Streak, Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe). Asia: Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan); Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble (India); Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka); Mohammad Ashraful and Mashrafe bin Mortaza (Bangladesh). |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
