ICC World Twenty20 2009 Trophy Images

India not to be blamed: ICC

ICC on Thursday dismissed Pakistan’s claims that India was behind the shifting of their 2011 World Cup matches and said the decision could have been avoided if the security apprehensions in the strife-torn country were responsibly addressed during the ICC Executive Board meeting.

“India had nothing to do with the decision. The decision was taken after consulting all the member nations.

There are all together 16 member nation’s in ICC and India is just one of them,” ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat said.

“Had Pakistan done half as they are doing right now before the ICC meeting, the decision could have been avoided. We know many countries won’t tour Pakistan,” he said.

On the possibility of shifting Pakistan’s share of World Cup matches to neutral venues like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Lorgat said the ICC had not received any such proposal from the PCB.

“We have received no such proposal on neutral venue,” he said.

The ICC CEO, who was here to unveil ‘LG Lead XI campaign’ which will witness 15 children leading the Indian team on to the ground to participate in the national anthem ceremony, also expressed confidence of hosting a peaceful and successful 2011 cricketing extravaganza.

But Lorgat said in the coming days more security checks would be carried out in the venues of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“It’s a normal part of our process. We will still review the security in the other three host countries,” he said.

Taking fame in his stride

Manish Pandey is clearly enjoying his newfound star status. Life for a hitherto unheralded cricketer has undergone a heady change after becoming the first Indian to score a hundred in the Indian Premier League.

That stunning 73-ball 114 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Deccan Chargers in the league game last week has elevated Pandey to hero status. By Wednesday, the 19-year-old was inundated with phone calls and he jokingly says he has received more than thousand calls since his arrival from Johannesburg on Tuesday evening.

And what’s more, he can’t believe that it took him more than one hour to get out of the airport, besieged as he was.

“It was a mad rush at airport. Photographs autographs and interviews, it was very tir ing. But who does n’t want fame?” Pandey says with a chuckle.

But he then turns seri ous. “The best piece of advice that I received was from our bowling coach Eric Simmons. He told me to be humble. And I want to be like that and achieve more in cricket.” This is not the first time Pandey has received accolades.

He was part of the U19 Indian team that won the World Cup in Malaysia last year but he did not have a great Ranji Trophy season.

But the IPL seems to have changed all that.

At first, Pandey did not get an opportunity as he played two matches at number 7.However, with Robin Uthappa failing as opener and Sreevats Goswami and Wasim Jaffer not utilising their chances, Manish got his chance.

bhai asked me to be prepared to open the batting. So there was a little bit of pressure to do well. Having got an opportunity to open the batting it was a golden chance. But at the same time, I was batting well in the nets so was confident of doing well.” “After the meeting, Anil arrived, Pandey did not let his captain down. He started on a shaky note, trying too hard to get off the blocks and had problem in timing the ball. “I was not middling the ball properly in the beginning. But I was seeing the ball well so that made me go for big shots and it helped that I was not very nervous,” he recalled.

“But once I reached 25And when the big day odd, I knew I had to convert the start. And then even before I realised I was in the 80s. It all happened so fast.” With a hundred in sight, Manish did not lose the plot.

The impressive part of the innings was the way he paced the innings.

“The plan was to get into the 90s with couple of boundaries and take singles till I reach hundred. I didn’t want to lose such an opportunity and thankfully, everything fell into place,” he added.

It was then that Pandey realised he really belonged at the international level and he attributes his success to the advice of his seniors.

“After I scored a century I knew that I belonged to this level. But all along, Anil and Rahul bhai had been very supportive on the tour and kept saying “be positive, you will get your chance to prove yourself.” “I was focussed to do well this time in the IPL. You don’t get to play along international stars every time. It was a very good experience,” he said.

Having taken the first step towards success, Pandey is focusing on the bigger challenges.

And, fame is just one of them.

Kumble tips India to retain T20 title

Former India captain Anil Kumble believes that Test cricket is alive and well, despite the rise in popularity of the game’s shortest format.

“As far as I am concerned Test cricket is the ultimate. I have always looked up to Test players mostly for their skill. I’ve always wanted to play Tests ever since I was a child. Twenty20 cricket is hugely popular now, but I think Test cricket, and in fact all three formats, will survive,” the former India captain said at an even here.

Having steered the Royal Challengers Bangalore into the final of this year’s IPL, Kumble gave credit to the youngsters for their performance.

“When I took charge of the team (from Kevin Pietersen), I told my players ‘let’s go out there and just enjoy the game’. That message helped because we won the next two games,” he said.

ever, felt that they could have performed better against eventual winners the Deccan Chargers in the final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. “I wouldn’t mind swapping the man of the match trophy with the IPL one. We were a just hit away from winning the title, we were so close.” He also said strategy breaks, introduced after The RCB skipper, how every 10 overs, helped the bowling side more than the batting side. “I brought on my regular bowlers and not non regulars immediately after the breaks for getting wickets.” Kumble also tipped India to retain their title at the World T20 Championships, starting in England on June 5, saying they had the most balanced side and the potential to emerge winners again.

“International cricket is such that you are responsible for your own fitness levels. And it’s the same with every team. But then the wickets and pitches are going to be almost similar to South Africa so it won’t be a problem for them to perform.”