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[ruchir]

RD doesn't deserve to captain Asia-XI if Jayawardene is fit. Jayawardene has proved to be a much better captain. Asia-XI don't deserve RD as captain.

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http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070411/asp/sports/story_7632671.asp


For now, Dravid is frontrunner
LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI

Calcutta: Having retained the Team India captaincy, Rahul Dravid is the frontrunner to lead Asia, too, in the June 6-10 Afro-Asia Cup.

“Unless Mahela Jayawardene becomes a World Cup-winning captain, or even takes Sri Lanka to the final, it will be difficult for the selectors to ignore Dravid’s claims,” a well-placed source told The Telegraph.

Plus, the limited overs tournament is being held in India.

Inzamam-ul Haq, it may be recalled, captained Asia in the drawn inaugural edition (August 2005). Africa’s captain had been Shaun Pollock.

Haq, of course, has retired from ODIs.

Asia’s 14-strong squad is going to be picked in Dhaka on May 11.

While Chetan Chauhan is India’s nominee on the four-man selection panel, another opener, Majid Khan, will represent Pakistan.

The Sri Lankans, one understands, have nominated Lalith Kaluperuma. Bangladesh is going to be represented by A.S.M. Faruk.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief executive, Syed Ashraful Haq, will convene the selection meeting.

In the absence of a chief selector, the convenor gets to play a pretty important role.

Apparently, the likes of Barry Richards and Mike Procter are going to select the Africa squad. An announcement is awaited.

The first of three ODIs (June 6) is in Bangalore. The last two will be hosted back-to-back by Chennai, on June 9 and 10.

The Afro-Asia Cup (a partnership between continents) was conceived by Jagmohan Dalmiya, when he was calling all the shots in Asia.

[poondu]

`No directives to selectors on team selection'

Special Correspondent




NEW DELHI : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued any directive to the National selectors regarding composition of the team for its tour of Bangladesh.

According to BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, "the selectors will pick the team and we have not given any instructions to them."

Mr. Shukla also said that on the issue of contracts and endorsements, the Board is likely to meet the players and sort out the issues. "Nothing concrete has been decided on this and we will take the players into confidence before finalising the modalities of the contracts."

Mr. Shukla was speaking at a function held to announce the dates and details of the Afro-Asia Cup to be held in Bangalore and Chennai in June. The match in Bangalore will be held on June 6, while Chennai will play host on June 9 and 10.

Two Twenty20 matches will be held in Bangalore on June 5 for men and women.

The Board president Sharad Pawar said the Afro-Asia Cup was being held to raise funds for charity and also to emphasise the togetherness among the cricket nations. "Cricket for Unity is the theme," said Mr. Pawar.

The Asian team for the matches will be picked in Dhaka on May 11 by representatives from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The selectors named are Chetan Chauhan, Majid Khan, Lalit Kaluperuma and A.S.M. Faroukh.

[RicePlateReddy]

The Asian team for the matches will be picked in Dhaka on May 11 by representatives from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The selectors named are Chetan Chauhan, Majid Khan, Lalit Kaluperuma and A.S.M. Faroukh.

I think one of Rasel/Murtaza and one spinner (Rafique?) and Ashraful will make it to the squad from Bangladesh.

I am quite sure these guys will select SRT and Mahela.

Assuming Akhtar and Asif are still unavailable, my guess for the squad (14) they will select is:

Sanath Jayasuriya (unless he retires)
Sachin Tendulkar (inspite of his poor run)
Mahela Jayawardene (inspite of his wretched run)
Kumara Sangakkara (wk)
Mohammad Yousuf
Younis Khan
Rahul Dravid
Mohammad Ashraful
Chaminda Vaas
Mashrafe Murtaza
Moahmmad Rafique
Muttiah Muralitharan
Zaheer Khan
Umar Gul

5 Sri Lankans, 3 Indians/Pakistanis/Bangladeshis

[WicketView]

The Asian team for the matches will be picked in Dhaka on May 11 by representatives from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The selectors named are Chetan Chauhan, Majid Khan, Lalit Kaluperuma and A.S.M. Faroukh.

I think one of Rasel/Murtaza and one spinner (Rafique?) and Ashraful will make it to the squad from Bangladesh.

I am quite sure these guys will select SRT and Mahela.

Assuming Akhtar and Asif are still unavailable, my guess for the squad (14) they will select is:

Sanath Jayasuriya (unless he retires)
Sachin Tendulkar (inspite of his poor run)
Mahela Jayawardene (inspite of his wretched run)
Kumara Sangakkara (wk)
Mohammad Yousuf
Younis Khan
Rahul Dravid
Mohammad Ashraful
Chaminda Vaas
Mashrafe Murtaza
Moahmmad Rafique
Muttiah Muralitharan
Zaheer Khan
Umar Gul

5 Sri Lankans, 3 Indians/Pakistanis/Bangladeshis

No Yuvraj I think that is an oversight.

[RicePlateReddy]

No Yuvraj I think that is an oversight.

I listed the team they will select.

My 11 would be:

Jayasuriya
Tendulkar (<= as opener only)
Sangakkara
Md Yousuf
Yuvraj
Dhoni (<= being played on subcontinental pitch!)
Chamara Silva (<= current form)
Vaas
Md Rafique (<= current form)
Murali
Rasel (<= I prefer him bowling to Mortaza though Mortaza is a vastly better bat)

South Africa can't play spin well, and having 3 spinners (including Jayasuriya) is the way to go.
2 fast bowlers suffice against Dhaka.

[prfsr]

Rasel (<= I prefer him bowling to Mortaza though Mortaza is a vastly better bat)

I am not sure, but isn't he the guy that is slow and has a slower one that is really, really slow?
-P

[Aloo Kashmiri Ul Haq]

Rasel (<= I prefer him bowling to Mortaza though Mortaza is a vastly better bat)

I am not sure, but isn't he the guy that is slow and has a slower one that is really, really slow?
-P

yes the commentators have to now come up with a more specific phrase for his style of fooling the batsmen with his pace
his slower ones are around 100 kmph 

[keep-it-cool]

Sanath Jayasuriya
Upul Tharanga / Tamim Iqbal
Mahela Jayawardhane
Kumar Sangakkara
Mohd Yousuf
Yuvraj Singh
Saqibul Hasan (he averages 40 against non minnows (albeit in few matches) and a useful bowler)
Shoaib Malik
Shahid Afridi (can also open if required)
Chaminda Vaas
M Rafique
Murali
Lasith Maligna
Dilahara Fernando

[CLR James]

Sanath Jayasuriya
Upul Tharanga / Tamim Iqbal
Mahela Jayawardhane
Kumar Sangakkara
Mohd Yousuf
Yuvraj Singh
Saqibul Hasan (he averages 40 against non minnows (albeit in few matches) and a useful bowler)
Shoaib Malik
Shahid Afridi (can also open if required)
Chaminda Vaas
M Rafique
Murali
Lasith Maligna
Dilahara Fernando

I greatly like your team, except for the fact that SRT should come in instead of Tharanga/Iqbal for his bowling (I do not believe I just said that. Pathetic times!). But who will captain the side? I think Mahela should be the prime candidate. Your thoughts KIC?

[keep-it-cool]

Sanath Jayasuriya
Upul Tharanga / Tamim Iqbal
Mahela Jayawardhane
Kumar Sangakkara
Mohd Yousuf
Yuvraj Singh
Saqibul Hasan (he averages 40 against non minnows (albeit in few matches) and a useful bowler)
Shoaib Malik
Shahid Afridi (can also open if required)
Chaminda Vaas
M Rafique
Murali
Lasith Maligna
Dilahara Fernando

I greatly like your team, except for the fact that SRT should come in instead of Tharanga/Iqbal for his bowling (I do not believe I just said that. Pathetic times!). But who will captain the side? I think Mahela should be the prime candidate. Your thoughts KIC?

Captaincy is a tough call .... its almost as if Jayawardhane gets it by default. I agree he has some good results, but I am somehow not yet fully convinced that he is a brilliant captain as is being made out by some.

Personally, I dont think Sangakarra or Vaas would be bad choices either .. but, it would be odd if an international captain has to play under a player of his own nation

I thought about SRT's bowling ... but decided against it because you already have Jayasuriya, Afridi, Malik, Yuvraj, Saqibul Hasan who can bowl. Surely, two out of the last four will play apart from four bowlers. So, decided to look at batting form alone - based on which Tharanga appears a better bet as of now.

PS - I added Iqbal's name there only because there would be some Bangladesh representation given their successful run at the WC

[atticus]

This is a Asia-X1 vs Africa-X1 game that has no real history or prestige attached to it. Nobody cares about who wins it. IMO, the recent big performers must be given preferences to be selected in the team. So I'm all for guys like Tamim or Tharanga to be in the team. It's their time to shine (like the All star game) and make some money out of it. Alas, SRT will be selected because he attracts the sponsors and the crowds (just like Vince Carter keeps getting selected for the All-star even if he is playing like crap). So CLR, your wish will be granted. Don't worry 

[prfsr]

This is a Asia-X1 vs Africa-X1 game that has no real history or prestige attached to it. Nobody cares about who wins it. IMO, the recent big performers must be given preferences to be selected in the team. So I'm all for guys like Tamim or Tharanga to be in the team. It's their time to shine (like the All star game) and make some money out of it. Alas, SRT will be selected because he attracts the sponsors and the crowds (just like Vince Carter keeps getting selected for the All-star even if he is playing like crap). So CLR, your wish will be granted. Don't worry 

No bagging Vince da bomb please :-) Look at the raptors after decided to leave!!

-P

[atticus]

This is a Asia-X1 vs Africa-X1 game that has no real history or prestige attached to it. Nobody cares about who wins it. IMO, the recent big performers must be given preferences to be selected in the team. So I'm all for guys like Tamim or Tharanga to be in the team. It's their time to shine (like the All star game) and make some money out of it. Alas, SRT will be selected because he attracts the sponsors and the crowds (just like Vince Carter keeps getting selected for the All-star even if he is playing like crap). So CLR, your wish will be granted. Don't worry 

No bagging Vince da bomb please :-) Look at the raptors after decided to leave!!

-P

They are better than Nets, aren't they? 

[RicePlateReddy]

Mahela Jayawardene - does he deserve to be in the "Asia" team based on his erratic form? IMO, he has had a run no better than Sachin Tendulkar's. Ganguly's has been far better too.

But his captaincy and fielding have been great.


Last 25 ODIs:

100
12*
34
0
DNB
35
4
34*
31
48
36
34*
4
1
0
0
4
30
7
85 (Bermuda  )
46
7
12
82
56
11

[feverpitch]

Mahela Jayawardene - does he deserve to be in the "Asia" team based on his erratic form? IMO, he has had a run no better than Sachin Tendulkar's. Ganguly's has been far better too.

But his captaincy and fielding have been great.

Hmmm... that's very uncommon...

[gouravk]

Hmmm .. whatever ... who cares about Asia X1's ?

[keep-it-cool]

KoP, I agree Jayawardhane has had a rough run with the bat as well ... but he appears to have got his bearings now with the innings against WI and England. Plus, as you mentioned, he is a very good fielder. Captaincy, he seems to be getting better with each match .. but, I'd still watch a bit longer.

[prfsr]

This is a Asia-X1 vs Africa-X1 game that has no real history or prestige attached to it. Nobody cares about who wins it. IMO, the recent big performers must be given preferences to be selected in the team. So I'm all for guys like Tamim or Tharanga to be in the team. It's their time to shine (like the All star game) and make some money out of it. Alas, SRT will be selected because he attracts the sponsors and the crowds (just like Vince Carter keeps getting selected for the All-star even if he is playing like crap). So CLR, your wish will be granted. Don't worry 

No bagging Vince da bomb please :-) Look at the raptors after decided to leave!!

-P

They are better than Nets, aren't they? 

Yes, in fact they are really playing well.

Vince's dunks were eye-candy though 

-P