India-Pakistan set for ODI face-off but rain could be dampener

Chennai: Honours shared in the T20 series, arch foes India and Pakistan are now set for what is likely to be an exhilarating three-match ODI series showdown but weather gods could prove to be the dampener in the opening clash here tomorrow.

If the Twenty20 matches were any indication, the ODI series is bound to leave the fans asking for more but the only concern is the rain that has lashed the city and is not expected to relent even tomorrow.

It has been raining here since last night and the met office has predicted light to heavy showers for tomorrow, which raises the possibility of the day match being called off without even a ball being bowled.

But if the weather gods do smile, the two teams could set the temperatures soaring given that their key players seem to be in good form.

For India, the biggest positive to emerge from the two Twenty20 games gone by was Yuvraj Singh`s fantastic form.

The left-hander was nothing short of inspiring with the bat smashing a 36-ball 72, which included seven sixes, in the second T20 and is set to be back in the ODI fold after the Player of the Tournament-winning show in the 2011 World Cup.

But the top-order would be a concern given that both the openers -- Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir -- have not been in the best of touch in the recent past. Both of them struggled immensely in the demoralising Test series defeat to England.

Virat Kohli, at number three, has also not been in form to an extent and these three would have to get their act together for India to be dominant in the batting department. 

In the middle-order, it could be a toss up between Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma while Yuvraj and Suresh Raina are expected to make the rest of the batting line-up.

On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made a dream T20 debut by grabbing 3/9, could be handed an ODI cap as well for his impressive show in the shortest format.

After a decent outing in the T20s, Ishant Sharma would be leading the pace attack with Ashok Dinda and Bhuvneshwar as his likely partners.

The spin department would be spearheaded by local star R Ashwin in all likelihood, even though he has been far from impressive of late.

For Pakistan, it would be a change of leaders as Misbah-ul-Haq would be captaining the ODI side.
The temperamental side, which is exceptional one day and ordinary the other, also has solid performers in the line-up and should prove quite a handful for the hosts.

The openers -- Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed -- have settled down nicely into their roles. Hafeez, in fact, has been calmness personified in a mercurial team, as was evident from his Man of the Series-winning performance in the T20s against the arch-rivals.

Old warhorse Younis Khan would lend the much-required stability, while the Akmal brother --Umar and Kamran -- will provide the spark in a strong middle-order.

Pakistan have the clear edge over India as far as bowling is concerned with Umar Gul being the most potent pacer. Saeed Ajmal`s spin has always troubled the Indians even though the hosts did take him to task in the second T20. 

With not much separating the two teams, it promises to be
an exhilarating contest but the result could well be decided by the weather gods given the continuing rain in the city.

Squads:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, 

Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R 

Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 

Shami Ahmed, Amit Mishra.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt), Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar 

Ali, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, 

Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal, Anwar Ali, Zulfiqar 

Babar.

United States and Britain were both opposed to country’s nuclear programme : Pak Defence Secretary

Pak Defence Secretary says US, UK were against country’s nuclear programme.and added that after the orders of (then) British prime minister, the British intelligence MI-6 had detained the very first Pakistani nuclear engineer.

Malik further revealed that the US used its intelligence against Pakistan, and the CIA even handed over a list of representatives working in Pakistan, the News reports.

Malik said the US and Pakistan have developed a better relation, based on mutual interests, since than, and added that the American attitude towards them has changed now, the paper reported.

Malik also clarified that there was no political cell in the ISI, and added that 95 percent of the Pakistan’s defence policies are made by country’s armed forces.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain received contempt of court notice from SC

The court issued a contempt notice to the MQM chief under Article 204 of the Constitution read with under Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003.Altaf Hussain was the third political figure after former prime minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and the incumbent Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf who was served a contempt of court notice.

The apex court also observed that on account of such assertions, the process of the court was also likely to be prejudiced, relating to implementation of the issues arising out of the directions of the court in Watan Party’s case and subsequent orders of November 01, 2012, November 26 and November 28, 2012 etc passed for the implementation of the directions issued in reported judgment.

The court directed for issuance of notices under article 204 of the constitution read with section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003 to Altaf Husain to appear in person and explain as to why he should not be proceeded against for contempt of court in accordance with the constitution and the law.

Similarly, the court also directed that notices be issued to Altaf Hussain through secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs as he had made above assertions during a telephonic address from outside the country.

The secretary was directed to ascertain his correct location and ensure service of the notice on him, through representatives of the Foreign Office outside the country.Similarly, a notice was also directed to be issued to Altaf Hussain c/o Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convener, MQM, 494/8, Azizabad, Karachi.

The court also directed the Sindh government through its chief secretary to furnish a statement as to why the killing in Karachi has again increased and what measures have been taken to ensure the safety and protection of the life and property of the citizens in the city.

The court directed that detail of citizens, who were killed from September 13, 2011 to date, be also furnished and adjourned the case till January 07, 2013.