India seek to level T20 series against Pakistan in must-win tie

Ahmedabad: India will have to quickly plug their batting shortcomings and pick the right team composition when they go into the second and last Twenty20 International against archrivals Pakistan on Friday, hoping to level the two match series 1-1.

India suffered a five-wicket drubbing in the series opener in Bangalore after a middle-order collapse, which saw the hosts struggle to 130 for nine after being 90 for two at one stage.

The hosts desperately need to win the second game to level the series and the pressure will be on captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men to deliver the goods when it matters the most.

Apart from Gautam Gambhir (43) and Ajinkya Rahane (42), all the other batsmen failed to apply themselves when confronted against a strong bowling attack spearheaded by the experienced Umar Gul.

In fact, all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina were the only ones other than the openers to have reached the double figures.

India would need the likes of Virat Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj and Rohit Sharma to regroup and fire in unison against the traditional rivals who are also equally determined to clinch the T20 series.The bowling also remains a persistent headache for the Indians. Except for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with impressive figures of three for nine in his debut game, none of the other bowlers could trouble the Pakistani batsmen.

Ashok Dinda, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja all struggled to get wickets or even check the flow of runs.

The decision to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin in the last match was seen as a move that worked in Pakistan's favour and Dhoni might be tempted to play him in the must-win tie.

The Indians had opted to go in with three specialist seamers in the last match and it will be interesting to see whether they go in with the same strategy or include a spinner.

Dhoni's decision to go in with Jadeja ahead of Ashwin also drew criticism.

"Ashwin was not there in this team. So our plan was that if we play out the new ball, then their spinners are not world-class; I know Yuvraj is in great form, but when you don't have a world-class spinner then we can dominate," Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez had said.

Besides, innumerable chances given to Sharma has also been the talking point and the Indian think-tank may have a lot of work to do before they settle for the playing XI for the match.

It will be interesting to see if a chance is given to Ambati Rayudu, considering his past performances in this format of the game.

Pakistan, on the other hand, lived up to their reputation of a strong bowling unit with three specialist pacers -- Gul, Sohail Tanvir and debutant Mohammad Irfan -- wrecking havoc on a pace-friendly Chinnaswamy track.

They would look to carry on the momentum on Friday also though the Sardar Patel track may not give them much assistance.

The visitors' batting, however, has been a cause of concern for them with openers Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad struggling to provide a platform during their run chase at Bangalore.

Even the reliable Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi failed to get big scores.

Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were the saving grace and Pakistan would hope that they continue with their exploits along with the others striking form.

Captain Dhoni had blamed the failure of the middle-order batsmen to capitalise on the good start as the reason for his team's defeat in the first match.

"The batsmen got out trying to play big shots. We could have easily scored 200 if we had applied ourselves," Dhoni had said.

It remains to be seen whether the batsmen put up a better display now and not go for reckless shots in a bid to accelerate the pace of scoring.

Dhoni himself will be under intense pressure with his captaincy coming under the scanner in the aftermath of the recent Test debacle against England.

He has always been regarded as a better captain in the shorter formats of the game, but the recent defeats in T20 matches has certainly dented his reputation.

The defeats have come at home, where the team is playing in familiar conditions, and Dhoni has a tough task in lifting the morale of the team.

Teams (from):

India: MS Dhoni (Capt.), Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Ashoke Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Parvinder Awana.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez (Capt.), Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Asad Ali, Zulfiqar Baber, Ahmad Shahzad.

Manchester United win seven-goal thriller while Man City lose

London: Manchester United trailed three times before a last-gasp goal from Javier Hernandez sealed a rip-roaring 4-3 victory over Newcastle United that opened a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday.


Manchester City were undone by former winger Adam Johnson as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for Sunderland which left the champions second in the table, four points ahead of Chelsea who beat Norwich City 1-0 thanks to a 20-metre strike from Juan Mata.


Tottenham Hotspur moved up to fourth after Gareth Bale grabbed his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4-0 rout at Aston Villa who were also thrashed 8-0 at Chelsea on Sunday.

As they have done so many times this season Manchester United fell behind early on but even without the injured Wayne Rooney they offered another dazzling display of firepower.


James Perch delighted the Newcastle fans with a fourth-minute opener at Old Trafford.

Jonny Evans levelled in the 25th minute before the Manchester United defender put through his own net four minutes later as the visitors went back in front in controversial fashion.
Patrice Evra equalised for the home team but Papiss Cisse then gave Newcastle a 3-2 lead. Robin van Persie hit back for Manchester United before Mexico striker Hernandez, in for the injured Rooney, popped up with the last-minute winner.

Manchester United's 19 league matches this season have yielded a total of 76 goals and their mantra appears to be 'however many you score, we will score more'.

Had they not steamed back to win a thrilling Boxing Day fixture, arguments over Evans's own goal would have raged.

Referee Mike Dean initially disallowed it, ruling that Newcastle striker Cisse was offside, but he changed his mind after a lengthy delay during which he consulted his assistant.

"I thought it was a bad decision for the own goal," said Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson who vented his fury at Dean at halftime.

"Cisse was offside and he also grabbed Evans on the arm. If that's not interference, what is interference?", Ferguson told the BBC.

"December is always a big month. We dropped two points at Swansea (on Sunday) but made up for it today. It was a real championship performance."

Manchester United had to do without Rooney after he was hurt in training.

"Rooney has injured a ligament at the back of his knee and will be out for two or three weeks," Ferguson said. "We are running out of ammunition."


Before his part in the controversy Evans had equalised for Manchester United but the defensive frailties that have plagued Ferguson's team this season meant they needed to play catch-up twice more.

The third goal by Cisse, the 28th conceded by United in the league, raised hopes of Newcastle's first league win at Old Trafford since 1972.

Van Persie equalised for the home team with his 13th league goal of the season before Hernandez produced his grandstand finish to give United their eighth victory this season in a game where they previously trailed.

Manchester City's defeat at Sunderland was their second in a row at the Stadium of Light.

"It's the same story for us at Sunderland every year, we are not going to come here next season," said manager Roberto Mancini with his tongue firmly in his cheek.

"It's important that our strikers start scoring more goals, sometimes we take one touch too many."

With the season at the halfway point Manchester United, who have already racked up 48 goals to compensate for some unusually leaky defending, have 46 points with Manchester City on 39.

Third-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand, are on 35.

In the race for fourth position, Everton briefly nudged ahead on 33 points with a 2-1 win over struggling Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park where home defender Phil Neville made his 500th league appearance.

Tottenham replied in a later kickoff, piling on the Christmas gloom for Villa.

Sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion joined Everton and Tottenham on 33 points with a 2-1 victory at Queens Park Rangers in a match delayed after the bus carrying the visiting team arrived late.

Jonathan Walters scored twice as Stoke City moved up to eighth with a 3-1 home victory over Liverpool in the late match despite Steven Gerrard scoring for the visitors from the penalty spot after one minute.

Harry Redknapp's Queens Park Rangers dropped back to the bottom of the table with only 10 points, Reading jumping above them on goal difference with a 0-0 draw at home to Swansea City.

Fulham drew 1-1 with Southampton who remain just above the bottom three.

Chelsea followed up their destruction of Villa with a gritty victory at Norwich.

"(Norwich) have won against Manchester United and Arsenal this season. It was tough but I was really pleased with the performance of the players," said Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez.

"The team are showing character. I am really pleased with the workrate and the style of play."

Another batch of holiday fixtures takes place this weekend. On Saturday, Manchester United host West Brom and Manchester City travel to Norwich while European champions Chelsea visit Everton on Sunday.

Lionel Messsi's 91 Goal of the Year 2012

Lionel Messi has finished the year with his 91st and final goal for the year, dribbling the ball between a defender's legs before scoring in Barcelona's 3-2 defeat of Vallaolid

First T20, Bangalore, Live Blog: Malik, Hafeez get maiden T20 victory against India, Pakistan win by five wickets

All the drama, action, emotions that were expected from the Mother Of All Battles were present, there was no lack of tempers around but in the end, it was an exciting game of cricket worth all the hype and the money riding on it.

Gone was the diffident, hesitent, defensive captain. Hafeez took charge today, led from the front and his partnership with Shoaib Malik laid the foundation for Pakistan's first Twenty20 International victory over India. There were two batting collapses, but Pakistan managed to hang on. India went from 77 for 1 to 124 for 9, Pakistan from 12 for 3 to victory. Malik's unbeaten 57 was crucial, and his first 50 since getting married could not have come at a better time.

That's India's second T20 loss in the last over in as many games. And this one came with a six too. If captain Eoin Morgan led from the front for England, Mohammad Hafeez was the star today with his 61.

PAKISTAN WIN BY FIVE WICKETS 

Over 19.4: Pakistan 134/5; Malik 57, Afridi 3So Pakistan need 10 runs from the last over. This one has gone all the way to the wire, but India lost their last T20 match a few days back in the last over, off the last ball. Can they avoid a repeat here? Ravindra Jadeja gets the ball, the regular bowlers have been exhausted. Malik gets off strike with a single leg bye. Afridi to face his first ball. Gets a double with some quick running. Then a single. And Malik ends all speculation and calculations with a huge six, picking up the length delivery outside off and placed firmly besides the sightscreen.

Wicket: Kamran Akmal c Ishant b Dinda 1

Over 19: Pakistan 124/5; Malik 51, Afridi 0
Dinda is back. Pakistan have two overs to get 14 runs. Starts with a single from Malik. He gets a hard-earned 50. Pakistan need to get a boundary here, very important to ease the pressure in the final over. But they lose Kamran Akmal, that altercation with Ishant seems to have affected the wicketkeeper and he is gone for one. Caught at third man by Ishant. Oh, well. Boom Boom is walking out for the final over.

Wicket: Hafeez c Kumar b Ishant 61

Over 18: Pakistan 120/4; Kamran Akmal 0, Malik 48
And Ishant gets a wicket. Finally, there is a second name in the wicket-taker's column for India. But Bhuvneshwar is still in the picture, for he is the fielder at third man to take the catch that will see captain Hafeez walk back to the pavilion but he has done his bit. Short, wide of off stump, cut straight to the fielder. Will this be the turning point of the match? Kamran Akmal walks out. But Ishant gets another wicket before the over is out, Jadeja has taken the catch. No, not yet. The upmires discuss, and signal a no-ball. Malik is saved and Pakistan also get a single. Things get hot in the middle after the next ball to Kamran that beat his bat but umpires intervene. 

These two have brought Pakistan to within 16 runs of an exciting victory but there is still hope. India have three overs to stop them. Can they do get Pakistan's first win in T20 Internationals over India? Ishant continues.

Over 17: Pakistan 118/3; Hafeez 61, Malik 47
Dinda back in the attack. Malik gets four runs, running two runs off the second and third balls each, then gets another four. Short, swung high, gets a top edge and races to fine leg boundary.

Over 16: Pakistan 110/3; Hafeez 61, Malik 39
Four overs to go, 34 runs to get, Ishant Sharma is back in attack. A single to Malik gives Hafeez another chance to flex his arms, and he does it. Gets a four, high over midwicket six, bounces just in front of the ropes. Two more singles and another four from Hafeez to end the over, over mid off. 

Over 15: Pakistan 99/3; Hafeez 52, Malik 37
Jadeja gets the ball again and Malik gets a six. Again. Three runs to Hafeez to bring Malik to the crease and he goes for a maximum, straight down the ground, aimed at the sightscreen. A single brings Hafeez and he ends the over with another six from that over, this one over long off. This has been a good over for Pakistan, 16 runs from that over and a well-made 50 to the captain.

Over 14: Pakistan 83/3; Hafeez 43, Malik 30
Yuvraj Singh continues with spin. Five singles and a six to Hafeez to get 11 runs from that over. Short stuff and sent flying over wide long on. Pakistan have not lost a wicket for a while but they are not getting any runs here either, and that will be a concern. The required run rate is not going down.

Over 13: Pakistan 72/3; Hafeez 34, Malik 28
Ravindra Jadeja has been brought on for Kohli. Four runs.

Over 12: Pakistan 68/3; Hafeez 33, Malik 26
Yuvraj from the other end. Three saingles and a huge six from Shoaib Malik, the first in the Pakistan innings. Flat and short, Malik send it into the crowd beyond deep midwicket. Ten runs from that over.

Over 11: Pakistan 58/3; Hafeez 30, Malik 18
Kohli is continuing with the ball. Starts with a four from Hafeez, slogged to deep midwicket boundary. Follows with a single each for Hafeez and Malik, then two runs to Hafeez and another four. The captain is opening up, down on one knee and sent it over square leg rope. Ends with a single. A good over for Pakistan but they need to get more than that in every over now.

Over 10: Pakistan 45/3; Hafeez 18, Malik 17
Yuvraj Singh to bowl. The trivia-meter says this is Malik's first game against India since getting married. The asking rate is going up steadily and the runs aren't coming. Pressure increasing on Pakistan batsmen. These two have stabilised the innings a bit but they don't have much time to get the runs, half the innings is already over. Four runs from that over.

Over 9: Pakistan 41/3; Hafeez 16, Malik 15
Virat Kohli has been given the ball now. Starts with two runs to Hafeez, good length, worked to square leg. A single, then Malik cuts out past point for four and ends with a single. A decent over for Pakistan after a long time. But they need a lot more of those boundaries and quite a few maximums. 

Over 8: Pakistan 33/3; Hafeez 13, Malik 10
Ishant to continue from the other end. Four runs off the over, then a welcome boundary for Malik, taking the inside edge and going to long leg. 

Over 7: Pakistan 25/3; Hafeez 12, Malik 3
Kumar's continuing from the other end, which is surprising, since this means Dhoni will use up his quota of four overs rightaway. From Pakistan's point of view, though, the end of his bowling will be welcome news. The asking rate has climbed up past eight and it is not going to get any easier. A wide and two singles to finish his bowling in his first international match. What a debut here for young Bhuvneshwar, 19 dot balls, in a T20 match. Amazing. 

Over 6: Pakistan 22/3; Hafeez 11, Malik 2
Ishant Sharma comes into the attack now and bowls to Malik. These two batsmen, experienced enough to get the runs, need to get some big scores here for Pakistan to have any chance in this match. Just two off that over from Ishant. 

The way Kumar swung the ball both in and out, Pakistan must be happy he won't be bowling any more, at least til the end of the innings -- if they survive till then. 

Over 5: Pakistan 20/3; Hafeez 10, Malik 1
Bhuvneshwar continues, his third over. His line and length is so impeccable, he doesn't seem to be bowling in his first match in India colours. A single from Malik to get off the mark. Two dot balls and then two quick runs. Ends with three runs off the over, his figures now read an astonishing 3/3.

Over 4: Pakistan 17/3; Hafeez 8, Malik 0
Dinda continues from the other end, a good over with just a single is spoiled by a four off the backfoot from Hafeez, gone through midwicket.

The experienced Shoaib Malik is the new man in, Dinda continues with the ball.

Wicket: Umar Akmal b Kumar 0

Wicket: Shehzad c Dhoni b Kumar 5

Over 3: Pakistan 12/3; Hafeez 4
Kumar continues and he is on fire here. Gets his third wicket in two overs, and this time Shehzad is gone, so Pakistan are already without their two openers. A huge appeal for caught behind, outswinger luring him into the drive and Dhoni snaps it up. Umar Akmal is out now and Pakistan would be under pressure. Their batting has never been the plus point and they need to get some runs here. They don't. They lose another wicket off the last ball of that over instead, Umar Akmal going for a duck. What an over from the youngster on debut, two wickets and just a wide. An absolute ripper the second wicket, swung in from wide of the crease and found the middle stump uprooted.

Over 2: Pakistan 11/1; Shehzad 5, Hafeez 4
The captain has to walk out now, he didn't open but has walked out in the second over itself. Ashok Dinda wil bowl from the otehr end. Indian batting failed, the onus is now on their bowlers to stop Pakistan. Shehzad gets a four to open his scoring, pitched up, moving delivery and sent through covers. Good fielding from India inside the circle to stop runs but Hafeez, in the first ball he faced, still manages to find space and time the ball past midoff for a boundary. 

Wicket: Jamshed b Kumar 2

Over 1: Pakistab 2/1; Shehzad 0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will open the bowling for India, a big honour and big responsibility for the youngster on debut. And he strike, getting his first wicket in international cricket in the very first over. Captain Hafeez did not open for Pakistan, Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shahzad walked out and Jamshed has already walked back. The moving ball from Kumar came in and Jamshed had no answer to it. The man who handed Sachin Tendulkar his first duck in first calss cricket has struck in international cricket.

So, India set a target of 134 for Pakistan to win the first encounter between these two teams in a bilateral series in five years. India were the favourites to start with, they were the favourites till the first 10 overs, but then the batting collapse meant Pakistan are now just a little ahead. Hafeez would be happy with his bowlers, as would coach Dav Whatmore.

Over 20: India 133/9; Bhuvneshwar 6, Dinda 3
Sohail Tanvir will bowl the last over on the innings. Seven runs off that over, and the only consolation for India? They didn't get all out. Ahem.

The crowds, racuous to start  with, have been forced into silence here. They can't believe the spectacular collapse of Indian batting here. A victory for Pakistan here will be courtesy their bowlers, who can't be faulted.

Pakistan have come back from nowhere here into the game. India were 77 for no loss, and accelerating nicely, Rahane and Gambhir taking the score along but they have now lost nine wickets for less than 50.  A score of 150-plus was there for the asking but Pakistan has proved why they are always dangerous with the ball. Spin and pace have shared the honours here while the Indian batsmen have fallen trying to up the ante.

Wicket: Ishant Sharma b Gul 0

Wicket: Jadeja c Kamran Akmal b Gul 2

Over 19: India 124/9; Bhuvneshwar 0, Dinda 0
Umar Gul is back and on fire. Ravindra Jadeja is gone, India are in deep deep trouble here. Sharp bounce outside off and Jadeja gets an edge to the keeper. Next ball, Ishant Sharma walks out and walks back, bowled on the first ball he faced. Umar Gul on fire, on a hat-trick, Ashok Dinda is the last man in. Misses the hat-trick, but Gul won't mind. Two runs off that over.

Wicket: Rohit Sharma run out 2

Wicket: Raina b Ajmal 10

Over 18: India 124/7; Jadeja 2, Bhuvneshwar 0
Ajmal is bowling again, and he has a wicket. Again. A single to Rohit Sharma brings Raina on strike, and he is bowled. India are in trouble here, more than half the side is gone here, losing six wickets for 45 runs. Raina heaves at a short of length ball, misses as the ball stays low and hits the leg stump. Ravindra Jadeja walks out, but Ajmal is not done here yet. Rohit Sharma is gone too, this time run out. Jadeja was on strike and nidged to midwicket, Rohit ran hard for a second run that just wasn't there and was short by several feet. India escaped another run out off the last ball, just about.

Wicket: Yuvraj c Umar Akmal b Gul 10

Over 17: India 121/5; Raina 10, Sharma 1
Umar Gul is back and India needs some real big hits here to get a decent total. But they lose a wicket instead, this time Yuvraj Singh, and Pakistan would be specially happy with this dismissal. They know how dangerous he can be. Beats outside off stump off the first ball, the second, shorter and slower, went to Umar Akmal at deep midwicket. Rohit Sharma is the new man in.

This is a different captain Hafeez from the one we saw at the Twenty20 World Cup. That one was diffident, hesitant, unsure. This one seems to know all about bolwing changes, field placements and how to work his fielders up.

Wicket: Dhoni b Ajmal 1

Over 16: India 115/4; Yuvraj 10, Raina 5
Saeed Ajmal comes back into the attack. And he proves why he is the best bowler in the world today. That ball to Dhoni pitched on off, was there a turn or not? No matter, it just kissed the off stump, there was no bat, pad, glove near it as Dhoni tried to hit it through covers and a single bail toppled to send Dhoni back. A soft dismissal, as soft as they come. Suresh Raina now comes out, and ends the over with a four.

Wicket: Kohli c Kamran Akmal b Afridi 9

Over 15: India 108/3; Yuvraj 9, Dhoni 1
Irfan is back in the attack and he gets his first international wicket. Two dot balls trying to slog wildly, then Kohli goes, caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran. Another wild swing of the bat, there was a noise there, perhaps from the inside edge, and the umpire's finger goes up. The captain walks out, MS Dhoni is the new man in and gets off the mark straightaway with a single. But the over seems never-ending, two wides before Yuvraj gets two runs off the last ball to finish the over. 

Over 14: India 103/2; Kohli 9, Yuvraj 7
Hafeez continues with his spin to Kohli. Two singles, then Kohli gets a four, his first boundary. Lunges forward and slog-sweeps past deep midwicket. Another single to end the over. Hundred up for India. But fourteen overs are gone too.

These two -- Kohli and Yuvraj -- love playing agianst Pakistan, and this partnership now may well make all the difference. 

Wicket: Gambhir run out Kamran Akmal 43

Over 13: India 96/2; Kohli 3, Yuvraj 6
Shahid Afridi is back, can he strike again? And he does, this time with a run out. Started with a four, swept past long on by Gambhir. Then two singles, one each to Kohli and Gambhir, before disaster for Indian batting. Gambhir slogged it in front of sqaure leg, got a single and comes back for a second but Tanvir's throw was accurate and Kamran Akmal does the rest, the third umpire confirming the dismissal. Yuvraj Singh walks out and makes his intentions clear with a huge, huge six off the first ball, down on one kneww, over midwicket. 

Over 12: India 83/1; Gambhir 37, Kohli 2
Captain Hafeez takes the ball himself now and five singles off that over. That wicket would have got India to just slightly pull back, temporarily. 

Wicket: Rahane c Umar Akmal b Afridi 42

Over 11: India 78/1; Gambhir 34, Kohli 0
Afridi has struck, and Rahane has fallen for his predictability. Targgetted the extra cover region again but this time there is a fielder in the deep. Virat Kohli walks in, that was a good over for Pakistan, a set batsman gone and only three runs. 

Over 10: India 75/0; Gambhir 32, Rahane 41
Ajmal is back on and Rahane starts with another four, making room and lifted over extra cover for boundary. Pakistan's  fielding -- or rather, misfields inside the circle -- have given India quite a few runs in this match so far, and they get two more here. Their fielding on the boundary is fine, it's the inner cordon that is a concern. 

Over 9: India 68/0; Gambhir 31, Rahane 35
Shahid Afridi to bowl, Hafeez seems to be in a hurry to bring on all his bowlers now, even as the Indian batsmen begin to settle down nicely. Two singles, then Gambhir goes down on one kneww for a ball that came on the off stump and slog-swept down the gap between mid wicket and long on, that went like a bullet. Four runs more, two each off the last two deliveries, and Gambhir finally seems to have decided to try and break the shackles.  Ten from that over.

Over 8: India 58/0; Gambhir 22, Rahane 34
Spin is introduced for the first time in this innings, Saeed Ajmal comes on. The world's top-rated bowler and leading wicket-taker in T20s starts with only two singles, but then Rahane messes his figures with a huge six, making room on the off side and sending the ball soaring high into the sky past the long on boundary. Rahane has no time for reputation.

Over 7: India 50/0; Gambhir 21, Rahane 27
Umar Gul comes on now to replace Irfan and Rahane welcomes him with another boundary. Pitched up, not completely to the pace of the ball but the timing is enough to send the ball between extra cover and mid off for four. Three singles, then Gambhir lifts a length ball over deep midwicket for a huge six. Fifty comes up for India, and that hit would give Gambhir a lot of confidence.

Over 6: India 37/0; Gambhir 14, Rahane 21
Tanvir continues, both the opening bowlers have already bowled three overs each of their quota of four. Three singles to complete that over. 

Gambhir is still looking as uncomfortable as he has been throughout the series against England, and Rahane, in fact, seems far more comfortable against the Pakistani pacers. The young man appears to have decided to take the attack to the bowlers, and that shows his confidence levels in this high-pressure match.

Over 5: India 34/0; Gambhir 13, Rahane 19
Ball going down the legside from Irfan, then a single. Rahane then gets another four, lifted a full delivery over extra cover. Follws it with a single, the ball dropping close to the crease but the batsmen are already on their way for a run. Gambhir then gets two, bouncer at his throat and hit over short fine leg, good fielding by Ahmed Shahzad on the boundary. 

Over 4: India 26/0; Gambhir 10, Rahane 14
A leg bye to Gambhir from Sohail Tanvir, then Rahane gets room, sends a short, wide ball past point for four. Then takes a single, outside edge going to third man. Gambhir's in air, beaten by a slower ball but the ball falls safely behind backward point and short of third man. Two runs, then a single, Rahane runs to make his ground as the direct hit misses.

Over 3: India 17/0; Gambhir 7, Rahane 9
Irfan continues, the ball on off beats Gambhir's bat and a glare. Then a single, into the body and worked on the leg side for one. Rahane gets a single. Gambhir drives uppishly at one past the man at point, then Rahane ends with a four, the first boundary of the innings. Slammed it through covers.  

Over 2: India 10/0; Gambhir 5, Rahane 4
Sohail Tanvir shares the new ball from the other end. Starts with dot, then Rahane works the ball through point for two quick runs, then a single through backward point, full on middle stump. Gambhir ends with a single to keep the strike.

Over 1: India 6/0; Gambhir 4, Rahane 1
Mohammad Irfan, the seven-feet plus fast bowler opens the bowling on his debut. Starts with a dot ball, then Gambhir turns wide of mid on for a single. Rahane gets a single too. Sharp stuff, lot of bounce, real fast, Gambhir gets an edge over point, gets three.

Gambhir walks out amidst deafening noise, with Ajinkya Rahane, and the stadium is packed. But obviously. Gambhir has played in these conditions before, against this opposition. Rahane's baptism by fire is up.

The pressure is already showing, Hafeez has forgotten the players not playing in this match. Dhoni has won this contest, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will get his India cap, coming in for Awana. R Ashwin is also out, and that is a big call for India. Pakistan will be hoping this is the only slip-up, fast bowler Mohammad Irfan will debut for Pakistan.

Ravi Shastri leaves nothing  to imagination when he calls this battle 'the mother of all battles' at the toss. Dhoni tosses the coin, Hafeez calls heads, and heads it is, Pakistan will bowl first. "There's something I think in the pitch for the seamers," Hafeez says, and Dhoni concurs.

MS Dhoni might say it is just another series but it isn't. India-Pakistan will always be a complex amalgam of love and hatred, drawing stars into strange reluctance, thrusting nobodies into the spotlight and turning cricket-baiters into flag-waving fanatics. And all this will re-start  this evening, after a break of five years.

Which Pakistan turns up today at the field will decide what kind of cricket one gets to witness. For India, Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh will be the key, two players who have earned their spurs against the neighbours, thrive under pressure and can change the course of a match single-handedly.

The last time these two teams met, in the World Twenty20  in Colombo, India walked all over Pakistan, largely because of unexplainable defensive attitude of Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez right from the first ball itself. The team had been their usual sprightly self till then in the competition, and were back to playing aggressively in the next match, so it had to be pressure of an India-Pakistan game.

The series is happening. And India and Pakistan are ready to play each other, in a bilateral series, on Indian soil. And all this is true, real, fact -- and for those who still can't believe it, the clanging and clamour in Bangalore, the eyes fixated on television screens elsewhere and the opiated hysteria of all should do the trick.

Sachin Tendulkar retires from ODIs

NEW DELHI: One of the game's all-time greats,Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday announced his retirement from one-day cricket, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the format during which he rewrote numerous batting records.



"I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," the 39-year-old said in a statement released by the BCCI today.

"I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years," he added.

Tendulkar, considered the most complete batsman in modern cricket and one who was considered next only to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, retires from the ODI format at the top of the run-getters' list.

Tendulkar goes out after amassing 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers at an average of 44.83. The diminutive right-hander has an astonishing 49 hundreds in the format, including a double hundred -- the first in this form of the game.

Tendulkar made his ODI debut against Pakistan way back in 1989 and interestingly he is quitting the scene just ahead of another series against the arch-rivals.

The Mumbaikar, who made himself unavailable for Twenty20 after playing just one game in 2006, will now remain active in only the Test arena.

The brightest moment of his ODI career came last year when he finally became part of a World Cup winning Indian team after five previous appearances.

Rafael Nadal nervous about return to competitive tennis after injury

Madrid: After a seven-month hiatus nursing a hurt knee, Rafael Nadal is nervous about his upcoming return to the tennis court and believes it may be some time before he is back in top form.

"I have my doubts. It's normal, we are talking about a knee, so of course I am afraid to see how it is going respond," Nadal told Canal Plus television on Friday. "But I can only trust my doctors and believe in myself and that everything will be all right."

The 26-year-old Spaniard is set to play an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 27, his first action since being sidelined with tendinitis in his left knee following a second-round loss to then 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June.

The injury prevented Nadal from defending his Olympic singles gold at the London Games, where he was supposed to be Spain's flag bearer in the opening ceremony. He also had to pull out of the U.S. Open and Spain's Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic, which his teammates lost without him.

The 11-time Grand Slam winner and former No. 1 said his knee has improved over the last two months after making frustratingly little progress during the summer.

Even so, he acknowledged that he may have to skip some more events in order to get back to full speed.

"I'm prepared to accept that at the start my knee might not respond well and I may have to take it easy, mixing periods of play and rest for the first three months," he said.

Nadal said that he wanted to play at Indian Wells and Miami with the goal of being completely fit by April to play at Monte Carlo, a clay-court tournament he has dominated for eight consecutive years.

The Abu Dhabi tournament features a six-man field that includes top-ranked Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Andy Murray of Britain.

Sania Mirza to spearhead Indian challenge in Fed Cup

New Delhi: Sania Mirza will lead the four-member Indian side in the upcoming Asia/Oceania Group I tie of the Fed Cup tennis tournament.

According to the team announced by the AITA on Friday, the other members are Kyra Shroff, Rutuja Bhosale and Rishika Sunkara.

Ankita Raina and Prerna Bhambri have named as reserve players for the women's team event.

India are back in the Group I after spending a year in Group II. India had beaten Hong Kong 2-1 in the promotional play-off in February 2012 to re-enter the Group I.

This year's ties will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan from February 6-9.

FOOTBALL :Ranking Table

FIFA World Ranking
Ranking	Team	Points
1	Spain	1564
2	Germany	1421
3	Argentina	1349
4	Portugal	1178
5	Italy	1169
6	England	1167
7	Netherlands	1128
8	Colombia	1110
9	Russia	1084
10	Croatia	1078

EPL Points Table
Team	Played	Points
Manchester United	16	39
Manchester City	16	33
Chelsea	16	29
Everton	16	26
Tottenham Hotspur	16	26
West Bromwich Albion	16	26
Arsenal	16	24
Swansea City	16	23
Stoke City	16	23
Liverpool	16	22

Ronaldo returns to Man United in Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo will return with nine-times winners Real Madrid to Manchester United, where he developed into one of the world's greatest forwards, and Lionel Messi's Barcelona take on AC Milan in the Champions League last 16.

Bayern Munich, last season's beaten finalists, play Arsenal and Juventus take on surprise qualifiers Celtic. Big-spending Paris St Germain face Valencia.

But the fate of the two Spanish giants in Thursday's draw at UEFA headquarters attracted most interest and both were pitted against clubs with decades of European experience.

Real, the Spanish champions, have been disappointing in La Liga this season and they finished second in their Champions League group behind Borussia Dortmund.

But Ronaldo, a United player from 2003 to 2009, will be desperate for Real to rise to the occasion against the club at which he won the European Cup in 2008.

Real manager Jose Mourinho, once of Chelsea, will also come up against his old rival Alex Ferguson.

"I'm sure it's going to be a special game for him (Ronaldo)," said Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid's director of institutional relations. "I think the fans will be very, very happy with this very attractive, thrilling tie.

"It will be a great experience for everybody. I would have liked to have played against United later in the competition but they won't be pleased either."

United, three-times European champions, have played Real eight times and won only twice. Real, who will host United in the first leg on February 13, last won the European Cup in 2002.

Barcelona are now 2-1 favourites to win the Champions League although they could hardly have picked a club with more experience of success in Europe in seven-times winners AC Milan when the competition resumes in mid-February.

World player of the year Messi has scored 90 goals in 2012 and has fired Barcelona to a nine-point lead in La Liga while Milan are 14 points adrift of Juventus in Serie A and finished second behind Malaga in their group.

Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu told Spanish broadcaster Canal Plus: "Milan are one of Europe's greats and a club that commands a huge amount of respect.

"They are not going well in their league right now but they have some excellent players. They are not currently at their best but football changes from one day to the next."

Juventus, who last won the European Cup in 1996, finished top of their group and will not be disappointed to have drawn Celtic who pulled off a major shock by beating Barcelona this season.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Scottish lightning could strike twice.

"Over two games anything is possible," he said. "It's a beauty against one of the traditional European teams.

"In terms of quality it's going to be very, very tough."

BAYERN CONFIDENT

Bayern Munich, beaten by Chelsea in last season's final, have a nine-point lead in the Bundesliga and were content to have drawn Arsenal who have struggled this season for any consistency.

"We can be satisfied with the draw, but we mustn't under-estimate them," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

"It's important we try to come away from London with a good result, score a goal there and lay down a marker. We can win it, and we start as favourites."

Chelsea failed to qualify for the last 16 from the group won by Juventus.

Paris Saint-Germain have invested heavily in players over the past 12 months and now lead Ligue 1 on goal difference. Valencia are mid-table in Spain and in some disarray after losing to Rayo Vallecano at home at the weekend.

PSG sports director Leonardo said current form would have little importance in February.

"In the Champions League, it always depends on the moment you play the game, the run of form," he said.

"We are going to have a difficult encounter with Valencia who are an experienced side," he said.

Valencia director Fernando Giner told Canal Plus: "If we have got this far it's because we are among the 16 best teams in Europe but PSG are a tough opponent.

"We have to be satisfied to be here and it's a way of coming together at a difficult moment to achieve the result we all want. During these difficult times the Champions League is tremendously exciting for us."

In the other ties, Galatasaray will play Schalke 04, Shakhtar Donetsk take on Dortmund and Porto face Malaga.

Dortmund, Bundesliga champions and winners of a tough group including Real, Ajax and Manchester City, were wary of their Ukrainian opponents.

"They are not necessarily the team we would have wanted," said Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke. "It's a very difficult tie but we showed in the group stage that we can beat strong opponents."

Schalke were happy to draw Turkey's Galatasaray.

"There are no easy opponents at this stage of the competition but to be frank I think we have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals if we play to our potential," said team captain Benedikt Hoewedes.

Evans fit again for Man United, signs new contract

Jonny Evans is fit to return to Manchester United's defence this weekend, manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday as the club confirmed the Northern Ireland international had signed a new contract at Old Trafford.

Evans, who has agreed a contract until to 2016, suffered a groin injury in the 3-2 win at Manchester City on December 9 and will return for the trip to Swansea City on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders will be without Rafael who has yet to recover from a hamstring strain, while Nemanja Vidic, who returned after a long lay-off with a knee injury as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat of Sunderland last week, is unlikely to start.

"Jonny has had one or two injuries but hopefully they're behind him now," Ferguson told reporters.

"He has risen through the ranks to become an integral part of the first-team squad. He has developed into a top player for us and has scored a couple of important goals this season too. I am delighted he has signed a new contract."

Ferguson, whose side begin a four-match spell in 10 days with a six-point lead over Manchester City, said Serbian Vidic was being eased back in slowly.

"Vida is doing great in training, it's just a matter of picking the time to bring him back," he said.

Swansea have lost their last two Premier League games but have played some impressive football this season and are comfortable in 10th place, eight points above the drop zone.

Ferguson said the trip to south Wales would be tricky.

"You've seen the results they have had and the progress they have made as a football club over the last years," he said.

"The important thing for me is that they try to play and have the courage to play their football.

"At this time of year, all the games are challenges and they come thick and fast now. Utilising the squad is important, as is picking the right team, but hopefully we can get through it and be in the same position as we are now."

After Swansea, United have home games against Newcastle United on Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion on Saturday before a New Year's Day trip to Wigan Athletic.

Morgan helps England square series with last ball win

Mumbai: Skipper Eoin Morgan led England`s stunning comeback with an unbeaten 26-ball 49 as the visitors snatched a nerve-wracking last-ball victory to win the second Twenty20 International against India and level the two-match series 1-1, here on Saturday.

Needing three off the last ball, Morgan hit Ashok Dinda for a straight six to seal the match in England`s favour by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.

England required nine off the last over, thanks to the 26-year-old Morgan`s relentless onslaught that saw him smash five fours and two sixes.

Chasing a challenging target of 178, England were provided a blistering start by openers Michael Lumb and Alex Hales, who put on 80 runs for the first wicket in just over eight overs.

Lumb smashed 50 off a mere 34 balls while Hales made 42 off 33. But after their efforts, the show belonged to Morgan.

England needed 23 off the last two overs and managed 14 of them against Parvinder Awana.

Image: England batsmen Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler celebrate the victroy in the second India England T20 match in Mumbai on Saturday.

The visitors, who opted to chase after winning the toss, were helped by a wayward Indian bowling attack and a shoddy fielding display that enabled the openers to score quick runs.

Apart from Lumb who hit six fours and two sixes - and Hales, who had made a quick-fire 56 off 35 balls in the first match, skipper Morgan and Jos Butler (15 off seven balls) contributed significantly to England`s successful run-chase on a good batting track.

For India, Yuvraj Singh was the lone bowler to succeed with another excellent spell of three for 17, following his match-winning effort of three for 19 in the first match at Pune where England lost by five wickets.

Yuvraj got the wickets of the two openers and Luke Wright (5), but did not get the desired support from the other bowlers. The worst performers were Awana and Piyush Chawla.

England would now depart for home before returning for the five-match ODI series, commencing at Rajkot on January 11.

Image: Indian bowler Yuvraj Singh celebrates the wicket of Alex Hales in the second India England T20 match in Mumbai on Saturday.

Earlier, India recovered from a mid innings stutter to post a challenging total of 177 for eight.

A rousing start was provided by Virat Kohli, who made a brisk 38 in 20 balls, while adding 57 runs with opener Gautam Gambhir (17) for the second wicket.

India lost their way a bit with the fall of four wickets between the seventh and 15th overs before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38 off 18 balls) and Suresh Raina (35 not out in 24 balls) provided the late spark with a sixth-wicket partnership of 60 in just 27 balls.

Among the other top-order batsmen, Rohit Sharma made a 19-ball 24, but Ajinkya Rahane and Yuvraj failed to deliver with the bat.

Opting to field, England bowlers started on a disciplined note before falling apart in the face Dhoni and Raina's late assault. They, though, fielded brilliantly right through.

Tim Bresnan was easily the best bowler with figures of one for 27 while Stuart Meaker leaked 42 runs.

Kohli hit seven fours and once he fell after making use of the power play overs, England took control with some brilliant out-fielding, before Dhoni and Raina wrested back the advantage.

Dhoni struck three fours and two sixes, both in one over of Jade Dernbach, while Raina hit three fours and a six.

When their turn to bat came, England commenced soundly though Hales was lucky to be dropped in the deep square leg region by Awana in the third over. He was on eight then.

Lumb started with a four and a six off Awana's first over and then smashed Ashwin straight down the ground for the first of his two sixes.

The opening duo helped England finish this period just ahead of India at 62 for no loss.

Image: Indian captain M.S.Dhoni plays a shot in the second India England T20 match in Mumbai on Saturday. 

It was again left to Yuvraj to come to India's rescue with the ball.

Yuvraj broke the opening stand by having the 32-year-old South Africa-born Lumb stumped with a smart piece of bowling.

He struck again, with the last ball of his next over, trapping Wright leg before with a straighter one, that kept the Indian hopes alive.

He then packed off Hales in his fourth over, having the batsman slog-sweep to deep square leg fielder Dinda.

But none of the other bowlers rose to the occasion, with Awana and Piyush Chawla bowling several loose balls, much to England's liking.

Morgan, who could have been run out in the last over had not Dhoni missed the stumps with his underarm throw, was involved in valuable stands of 29 and 26 with Hales and Samit Patel, before completing the task with an unbroken association of 32 runs in 13 balls.
Awana, who also misfielded on a few occasions, gave away 42 runs while Chawla finished wicket-less after conceding 31. Ashwin, too, was expensive and was hit for 38 runs while Dinda gave away for the wicket of Patel. 

Image: England bowler Jade Dernbach celebrates the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the second India England T20 match in Mumbai on Saturday.