Rahul Dravid has resigned as India captain with immediate effect. In a letter written to the Indian board, he has asked to be relieved of the captaincy before Australia's forthcoming tour of India, beginning later this month.
The board president, Sharad Pawar, said Dravid told him of his wish to step down, with immediate effect, when they met on Thursday. "He said, 'The selectors have placed faith in me to lead continuously for two years and I'm grateful for that'", Pawar said. "He said he would like to concentrate on his batting and the opportunity should be given to a new person to lead the side."
Since then the 34-year right-hand batsman, nicknamed The Wall because of his great defence, led India in 25 Tests and 79 ODIs and won eight Tests, including series wins in Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and England.
However, the team has not done very well in the One-Dayers under him with the World Cup debacle topping the list. After the World Cup, Dravid had expressed his desire to quit but was persuaded by the BCCI to continue.
Bangladesh Vs West Indies – Bangladesh produce another Twenty20 Stunner to Knock West Indies out of Tournament by 6 Wickets
Two consecutive matches of twenty20 world cup produce an unexpected result for most cricket fans & cricket experts. Firstly Zimbabwe beat Australia to shock the Aussies fans and then Bangladesh beat West Indies to become first team to Advance at super eight stages in Twenty20 World Cup 2007.
Bangladesh Captain Mohammad Ahraful won the toss and put West Indies into bat and his decision was proved rightly by his opening bowler Syed Rasel who had the explosive Gayle caught by Alok Kapali at point for a duck in the very first over. However West Indies batsman not bobbed out by this and played some good and handsome stroke to reach the score of 164/8 in their quota of 20 overs. From West Indies Devon Smith scored 51 runs of 52 balls.
Chasing a target of 165 runs for victory Bangladesh didn’t started well and loss both their openers quickly and they were reduced to 28/2 at the end of fourth over. However Bangladesh Captain lead their side from front and made fastest twenty20 Intl. 50. Md. Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed (62 not out of 51 balls) put 109 runs for the third wicket in just 10.2 overs and put Bangladesh to a well deserve victory.
Match Summary
West Indies – 164/8 in 20 Overs
Devon Smith– 51Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 37
Syed Rasel–4-1-10-1Abdur Razzak–4-0-25-2
Bangladesh – 165/4 in 18 Overs
Aftab Ahmed– 62*Mohammad Ashraful – 61
Ravi Rampaul –4-0-35-2Ramnaresh Sarwan –2-0-10-2
Bangladesh Vs West Indies Highlights
England Vs Zimbabwe – England beat Zimbabwe by 50 runs
England have set a target of 189 for Zimbabwe at the end of 20 overs during their match in Cape Town.
Zimbabwe carried the momentum after their sensational victory against Australia on Wednesday, onto as kept on taking English wickets at regular intervals.
But thanks to a brilliant knock by Kevin Pietersen (79) that enabled England reach a fighting total.
England's decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as they lost three early wickets.
Zimbabwe, upbeat after their victory over Australia, started off well as Chamu Chigumbura struck twice alonwith Mupariwa to dismiss Darren Maddy and Matthew Prior and Luke Wright.
But Kevin Pietersen immediately took the responsibility and played in his typical characteristic style to score 79 off 37 balls, studded with 7 boundaries and 4 sixes, before Prosper Utseya sent him back.
Paul Collingwood (37 off 28 balls) also came and got the score ticking before falling to some good fielding by Zimbabwe.
After that Chigumbura was once again brought Zimbabwe back into the game by seeing off Owais Shah and Dimitri Mascarenhas quickly.
However, at the end, England still managed to put up a commanding total of 188 for 9.
Chasing a target of 189 for victory Zimbabwe were able to manage just 138 runs in their 20 overs, only first match hero Brandon Taylor made quick 47 rest of the player didn’t capitalize on the start given by both of their openers and they able to manage 50 runs less of their target.
Kevin Pietersen was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant 79 runs of 37 balls.
India Vs Scotland – Rain washed out an important encounter for the Indians
Rain has washed out an important encounter for the Indians against Scotland and they have to share one points with Scottish team. Now it’s all down to a single match to be played on 14th September between India and Pakistan. Let’s hope for the best that rain will go away for 3 hours and we have full exciting match.
