Cricket News In Brief – February 4, 2012 – Part 2 - Cricket News Update
Pakistan began to dominate the Day 2 proceedings, courtesy of Younis Khan and Azhar Ali, after England took a slender 42-run lead.
The Poms were finally bowled out on 141 with Andrew Strauss top scoring with 56. The tormentor remained their opponents spin duo of Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal, who shared 8 wickets between them.
The Men In Green started poorly after they lost both openers before the lunch interval. However, resumption saw Younis and Azhar rebuilding the innings with some authority.
Indian middle-order batsman, Suresh Raina feels that the T20 win will give his team confidence for the upcoming tri-nations series against Australia and Sri Lanka.
The tourists managed to win their first game of their hopeless tour of Down Under after they defeated Australia in the second T20 game by 8 wickets – consequently levelling the series.
"It was important for us," he said. "The morale is very good. The atmosphere is very positive at the moment.”
IPL chairman, Rajiv Shukla, said that they will look into the matter, regarding the surprising decision of Sahara to end their association with BCCI and Pune Warriors, only when they get an official confirmation.
Sahara earlier, in a media statement, pulled out from their sponsorship dealings for the Indian national cricket team, while also took no part in the ongoing final auction.
Shukla said that their decision was unfortunate but nothing could be gauged from their stance for the time being at least.
"It is unfortunate," Shukla said at the end of the bidding for the marquee players. "[But] unless we get something in writing then only we will be reacting. If they want it [their contract] terminated, they want to withdraw [from the IPL], then we will decide
[once we get official confirmation]," Shukla said.
Mahela Jayawardene, Ravindra Jadeja and Vinay Kumar remained the biggest winners in the first round of the final auction of players for the upcoming fifth edition of the IPL.
In a frantic dealing, the trio was scooped in millions with Mahela moving to Delhi Daredevils, Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings via a tie-breaker) and Kumar (Royal Challengers Bangalore).
English players went unsold while Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Johnson, Brendon McCullum, Sunil Narine and Robin Peterson all were among the overseas players being bought.