COLOMBO, 20 July 2004 — Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer is looking forward to what he described as a “needle” encounter with India when the old South Asian rivals meet in the second round of the Asia Cup tournament. Pakistan topped their group in the preliminary rounds of the six-nation tournament after wins over Bangladesh and Hong Kong, and face India on Sunday in what is billed as a revenge match after India’s one-day and Test wins in Pakistan this year. But Englishman Woolmer sought to play down the rivalry.
“I don’t think the Pakistan players are seeking any revenge against India in the match,” he said yesterday. “But yes, they remain stunned by their home series defeat recently to the Indians and it will be a needle encounter.”
Pakistan’s defeat cost coach Javed Miandad his job and the Pakistan board replaced him with the 55-year-old Woolmer.
“Obviously every time these two teams play it is a big match with a lot of emotions to it. But I think the players are looking beyond the India match in this tournament,” Woolmer added.
Bangladesh Spinner Reported
for Suspect Action
In Colombo, Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq will miss the rest of the Asia Cup after the International Cricket Council (ICC) reported him for a suspect bowling action.
The 22-year-old was reported by ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama after Bangladesh’s Asia Cup league match against Pakistan on Saturday, according to an ICC release.
Under the ICC’s two-stage process, Razzaq will be allowed to continue to play but will have his action monitored by a bowling specialist and a human movement expert from the ICC’s panel. But a team official said the bowler was unlikely to be included in Bangladesh’s three matches in the Asia Cup Super League starting tomorrow.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board will have to conduct a review of Razzaq’s action and report back to the ICC within six weeks.
Pakistan to Join Indian Cricket Board’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
In New Delhi, arch-rivals India and Pakistan will play a limited-overs international at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta on Nov. 14 to mark the 75 years of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), officials said yesterday.
Pakistan is expected to play Test matches in India in March next year.
Australia, South Africa to Play
Test Series in India This Year
India will host four Tests against Australia and two against South Africa this year, according to a program released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yesterday.
Australia, who arrive in India soon after the Champions Trophy in England in September, begin a five-week tour with a three-day match against the Indian board president’s team at Hyderabad from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
The first two back-to-back Tests will be played at Bangalore (Oct. 6-10) and Madras (Oct. 14-18) before the Australians take a week’s break.
This will be followed by the third and fourth Tests in quick succession at Nagpur (Oct. 26-30) and Bombay (Nov. 3-7).
South Africa, who will arrive in India around Nov. 10, will warm-up with a three-day game against India A at Jaipur from Nov. 14 to 16.
The two Tests will be played at Kanpur (Nov. 20-24) and Calcutta (Nov. 28-Dec. 2).
