Kambli hits out at Shoaib Akhtar over Sachin claim

Mumbai: Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli on Friday lashed out at retired Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar for claiming that iconic Indian batsman and his long time buddy Sachin Tendulkar was afraid of his bowling.

"Sachin was never scared of Shoaib or anyone. The way he plays his cricket and has scored the highest runs (in Tests and ODIs)...No one is close to him and no one can speak about him like that," Kambli told reporters here after announcing his retirement from first-class cricket.

In a lighter vein, the left-hander, who shared a world-record 664-run partnership with Tendulkar in school- level cricket in 1980s, said, "He feared only my bowling."

Akhtar has claimed in his recently released biography, `Controversially Yours`, that Tendulkar was afraid of facing him.

Kambli also refuted allegations that he had accused Tendulkar of not helping him in times of need, while taking part in TV reality show `Sach ka Saamna` two years back.

"We have a very good friendship since 25 years."

The 39-year-old, who represented India in 17 Tests scoring 1,084 runs at an average of 54.20 besides 2,477 runs in 104 ODIs, said though he wanted to play alongside Tendulkar for one last time and also in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but that could not happen.

"Till the last year, I was raring to go. My fans wanted me to play even in the IPL. If Sachin is fit at this age, why can`t I be?

"I served Mumbai (cricket) for long, but the selectors ignored me. I`m disappointed," he said, getting emotional.

"I performed well in Test cricket but unfortunately I didn't have a long career. I was the fastest to score 1,000 runs (in Tests for India). I thank the BCCI, Mumbai cricket for whatever they have given me," Kambli maintained.

Kambli said his tears during India's loss in the 1996 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata were real and he had cried for the nation.

"The emotions that came out during the 1996 World Cup were true. I cried for the nation. I thought seriously that we had the talent to win that World Cup. We were in a strong position and then we faltered."

Kambli, who has also played first-class cricket for South African team Boland, said he had informed about his decision to retire to Tendulkar, along with his coaches and family member, and he has wished him well.

He said he wished to take up coaching and produce good cricketers.

Kambli has scored 9,964 runs, including 35 centuries, from 129 first-class matches with an average of 59.67.

PTI

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Japan beat India to claim bronze in Asian Women`s CT

Ordos (China): India blew away a 2-0 lead as Japan scored a controversial golden goal in extra time off a penalty stroke and snatched the bronze medal in the Asian Women`s Champions Trophy on Saturday.

India scored twice by the 28th minute but the Japanese capitalised on Indian errors in the second half to not only equalise but score a golden goal through Ai Murakami to destroy India`s dreams of going back home with at least a bronze medal.

India scored through Vandana Katariya (7th) and Rani Rampal (28th), while Japan`s scorers were Rika Komazawa (52nd), Kaori Fujio (63rd) and Ai Murakami (76th).

Japan had earned a penalty corner in the 76th minute, which was saved by an Indian defender`s stick. However, the umpire pointed for a stroke claiming that the ball had hit the defender. And even though the Indians protested, the stroke stayed.

Unlike, the matches earlier in the group stage, India looked more in control as they moved the ball with confidence.

Asunta Lakra once again kept the forwards fed with passes on both the flanks and through the middle.

India took advantage of Japan`s errors in the first half as they made inroads through the middle and used both the flanks effectively.

In the 7th minute, Vandana Katariyan`s field attempt sped past the Japanese goalkeeper, who was caught off the line for India to take the lead.

India wasted the first penalty corner as the push wasn`t effective enough. But they managed to increase the lead in the 28th minute off the second penalty corner when Rani scored.

Japan, meanwhile, were wilting in the midfield as India pushed forward. At the break, India led 2-0.

Throwing more players upfront, Japan started looking to cut the scores. India still had more of the ball but they were reluctant to release the ball fast enough and gave away counter-attacks in the midfield.

Japan earned their third penalty corner off a counter-attack and Rika Komazawa pushed for goal. With the scores at 1-2, Japan increased the pressure.

India, instead of playing the ball around the flanks, got bogged down in the middle and Japan took more of possession.

When only seven minutes were left, a hard hit from outside the circle was deflected into the Indian goal by Kaori Fujio.

At 2-2, the Indians looked deflated.

In the extra time of seven and a half minutes each, Japan had their fourth penalty corner in the 76th minute and the shot hit an Indian defender`s stick but the umpire Liu Xiaoying pointed for a stroke claiming that the ball had hit the defender.

Interestingly, the Japanese players were running to the corner for a long corner when the umpire blew for a stroke against India.

The Indian players protested and even after both the umpires consulted, the stroke stayed.

Yogita Bali, the Indian goalkeeper went the right way but Ai Murakami`s push had enough power to beat the keeper.

Indian coach CR Kumar was disappointed but said that the umpiring was poor in the match.

"I cannot put everything on umpiring. We need to improve upon our fitness and play more high-intensity matches to be able to compete at the top level," he said.

PTI

First Published: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 15:52

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