Indian Premier League and Cricket News by IPL Cricket Forum

Pak player Asif, arrested in UAE recently for possession of Drugs has been replaced by Sohail Khan in the Pak ODI team as release of Yusuf might take more time.

UAE has very strict laws against Drug Trafficking and the penalty can be long term jail for any offenders irrespective of nationality. Earlier the Pakistan Cricket Control Board denied the charges saying that Asif was merely carrying some performance boosting herbal medicine recently purchased by him.

Asif plated for the Delhi Daredevils in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) and was selected for the Pak ODI Team for the Bangladesh tri-series which kicks off on the 8th of June with India as the third participant.

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Tags: , asif, Drug, Khan, ODI, pak, PCB, Sohail

Editorial: Mohit Goyal

Indian Premier League Match Preview

Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils at Kolkata

Delhi who got off to a rollicking start in the league have now lost four of their eight matches. Kolkata are too on same points and there’s not much difference in net run rates too.

Men at the Helm

Both the captains have led from the front to win games for their teams. Other thing both have in common is that, both have persuaded on field umpires to refer decisions to the third umpire. Issues apart, both have been doing fairly good jobs and have been aggressive and intensive.

We have the bat

If Delhi have had Sehwag and Gambhir performing, Kolkata have had Ganguly and Hussey performing. Other batsmen haven’t yet come to the party. De Villiers and Karthik for Delhi and Butt and Hafeez for Kolkata have pressure on them to perform well now.

We have the ball

Both the teams are pretty well matched in the bowling department too. If Delhi have Mc Grath and Asif, Kolkata have Ishant and Gul. While Kolkata have Murali Kartik, Delhi may just miss a quality spinner like Vettori.

Patrolling Party

Kolkata have fielded brilliantly in the last two matches. Delhi as its is, is the best fielding unit in the league. Watch out for some boundaries saved, couple of sharp catches and half chances for run out being converted.

High on betting meter

Why Delhi fans are disappointed? Because this team has much more potential. And that is why they are convincingly high on most betting meters. Kolkata give a return of well over hundred percent while Delhi a shade under eighty percent.

Who gets the tick?

Delhi are pretty good team to be at the fifth position in the table, but Kolkata have shown that they have the class. Watch out for Mc Grath v Ganguly, Asif v Butt, Ishant v Sehwag and Gul v Gambhir.
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Tags: asif, butt, Delhi Daredevils, gambhir, Ganguly, gul, Hussey, indian premier league, ishant, Kolkata Knight Riders, match preview, shoiab Akhtar, umar, Virender Sehwag

Editorial: Mohit Goyal

Indian Premier League Match Preview

Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils at Jaipur

Delhi absolutely thrashed Rajasthan earlier, in what was the first match of both the teams in the league. This time around, tables seem to be turning and Rajasthan are gelling better. This should be an intriguing battle.

Men at the Helm

Sehwag has proved to be a good captain but he still has distance to traverse before he can slug it out with Warne.

We have the bat

Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhawan are dangerous up the order but Delhi’s middle order looks vulnerable and a few quick breakthroughs fom Rajasthan quickies could open the floodgates. On the other hand Rajasthan have had all the batsmen contributing but they still seem to rely on Pathan and Smith to play bigger innings.

We have the ball

Delhi have class up front with Mc Grath and Asif. Asif has taken wickets but hasn’t been as economiocal as others. Others bowlers could be exploited by Rajasthan. Rajasthan bowlers have come into their own as tournament has progressed. Still there are bowlers who could be taken for runs through some thoughtful play.

 

Patrolling Party

Both teams have fielded pretty well in the tournament. The valiant efforts of Jadeja on the rope for Rajasthan and by Dhawan for Delhi in the last match against Chennai are testimony to that. Delhi have a slight upper hand as far as over all fielding goes.

High on betting meter

This looks like a real contest on cards. Atleast this is what the book makers say. Almost all betting meters are giving the two teams even chances. Delhi are slightly higher on others.

Who gets the tick?

Last time these two teams met Rajasthan looked minnows but now they are not only giant killers but giants themselves and would be eager to set records straight.

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Tags: asif, Delhi Daredevils, dhawan, Gautam Gambhir, indian premier league, match preview, Rajasthan Royals, sehwag, Shane Warne, Shane watson, virender