Sunday 22 February 2015

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

DG Khan: 3 killed in coach, trailer collision

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DERA GHAZI KHAN (Dunya News) – According to details, a speeding coach collided with a trailer coming from opposite side at Indus Highway in Kala area near Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan) in Monday morning, killing at least three people and injuring another 20.The passenger coach was on its way from Peshawar to Karachi. Rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the dead and injured to District Headquarters Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan.

Ali ton gives England heart

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - Moeen Alis century powered England to their best performance in the World Cup so far as they scored 303 for eight after being sent into bat against Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.Alis 128 in a commanding opening partnership with Ian Bell (54) set England up at the top of the innings in their effort to turn around a disastrous start to the tournament.Their 172-run stand was the best opening stand in the tournament so far and only the third century partnership for the first wicket, behind two from New Zealands Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill.But the enigma that is England quickly returned with another batting slump after the impressive Ali and Bell were removed.Alis dismissal started a run of three wickets for two runs with Gary Ballance (10) and Joe Root (one) quickly removed and England slumped from 201 for one to 203 for four before skipper Eoin Morgan resumed the run-gathering with 46.The brakes also went on the run-rate, with Ali and Bell reaching their 172 in 30 overs while the remaining 20 overs produced 131.England needed time in the middle to play themselves into form after being thrashed in their first two games by co-hosts Australia and New Zealand.They were sent in to bat when Scotland won the toss and looked to capitalise on the heavily overcast conditions ripe for swing bowling.But with Ali on the charge and Bell playing a measured support role, England benefitted from an early ragged attack and an element of luck as they made a flying start.Josh Daveys first spell only lasted two overs with the first including four wides and the second seeing him concede 14 runs, as well as having Ali dropped off a sharp chance to Freddie Coleman.Alasdair Evans, brought into the attack earlier than expected, rapped Bell on the pads with his second ball.The lbw shout was turned down and Scotland decided not to appeal, although replays showed the ball would have clipped the leg stump.Bell had another let off on 16 when Davey came back into the attack and missed a hard caught and bowled chance.Bell added another 38 runs before he drove Richie Berrington straight to Kyle Coetzer in the covers.Three overs later Ali was caught off the bowling of Majid Haq to end his confident 128 off 107, the second century in his 19 match ODI career.Ali had reached his century by belting Haq over the fence for one of the five sixes in in his innings which also included 12 fours.Ballances disappointing run continued when he was bowled by Evans and Root nicked Davey to Matt Cross behind the stumps.Davey, who removed Morgan and Chris Woakes with consecutive balls in the final over, finished with four wickets for an expensive 68 runs.

Bangladesh ferry sinking death toll rises to 65: police

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PATURIA (AFP) - The death toll in a ferry accident in central Bangladesh soared to 65 on Monday, after more bodies were recovered from the overcrowded boat which sank within minutes of colliding with a cargo vessel.A salvage vessel fitted with a crane raised the sunken ferry from the water, allowing the divers from the navy and fire department to search inside the small two-deck boat, inspector Abdul Muktadir told AFP.Rescue workers recovered 24 more bodies a day after the collision on the Padma river which is one of the largest in the delta nation.Most of the new bodies were found in the boat after it was raised and dragged to the shore. The death toll is now 65, said Muktadir.The toll would rise further as the rescue workers could only search one part of the MV Mostofa boat, he added.The sinking is the second deadly boat accident in a fortnight in the country, which has a history of ferry tragedies.The government ordered a probe into the accident but the shipping minister, Shahjahan Khan, said the collision occurred as the boat was in a race with other vessels. Officials said they did not know the exact number of people missing, but passengers said between 70 to 150 people had been on board, while local police chief Rakibuz Zaman said 50 of those swam ashore or were rescued by other vessels.An 18-year-old girl broke down in tears on Sunday as rescue workers brought the bodies of three members of her family into the terminal -- including her one-month-old baby sister.They took a meal at my home and then left for home (on the ferry), the girl who gave her name only as Akhi said of her familys visit.A few hours later they are all gone, she told AFP as she stared at the baby.Survivors said the MV Mostofa was overcrowded with passengers crammed into the upper and lower decks, leaving them scrambling to find their loved ones when the tragedy struck.I was holding my mothers hand when the cargo boat hit our ferry from behind, an 18-year-old who gave his name as Al Amin told AFP at the terminal.Within two minutes the ferry was sunk. Before I realised I was washed away to the middle of the river.I swam and a ferry rescued me. But I dont know what happened to my mum.Boat accidents are common in Bangladesh, one of Asias poorest nations, which is criss-crossed by more than 230 rivers. Boats are the main form of travel in remote rural areas, especially in the south and northeast.Experts blame poorly maintained vessels, flaws in design and overcrowding for most of the tragedies.Ferries do not normally keep passenger lists, making it difficult to establish how many are missing after an accident.This month, at least five people were killed when an overloaded ferry carrying some 200 passengers capsized in an estuary in the south of the country.And about 50 people were killed in August last year when a crowded ferry sank in rough weather.

Kerry, Zarif meet for nuclear talks as deadline looms

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GENEVA (AFP) - US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva Sunday for fresh talks with his Iranian counterpart on Tehrans nuclear programme, after warning significant gaps remain ahead of a key deadline.World powers are trying to strike a deal with Iran that would prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb in return for an easing of punishing international economic sanctions.Iran denies its nuclear programme has military objectives.Kerry finally sat down with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday evening after being delayed for several hours in London.Kerry had time for a quick stroll in the blistering cold along the shores of Lake Geneva as well as briefings with US negotiators before the talks began around 8:30 pm (1930 GMT).The two men are expected to continue their discussions Monday.Tonights meeting is another step in a long, tough process, a senior State Department official said.US and Iranian diplomats have been meeting in Geneva since Friday, and senior negotiators from the so-called P51 group of Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany also met with Iranian negotiators Sunday to help drive the talks forward.There is a heightened sense of urgency as the clock ticks down towards a March 31 deadline to agree on a political framework for the deal.Kerry warned in London Saturday that there are still significant gaps, there is still a distance to travel.But, he added: President (Barack) Obama has no inclination whatsoever to extend these talks beyond the period that has been set out.Akbar Velayati, the diplomatic adviser to Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, shot back Sunday that if American leaders dont want to negotiate, its up to them, but they were the ones who were after negotiations.Wang Qun, director general of the arms control and disarmament department of the Chinese foreign ministry, acknowledged that the talks faced difficulties.We anticipate more difficulties as we move to the final phase, he told reporters in Geneva, while adding our resolve is greater than the difficulties.In a sign of the growing push for an accord, US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is taking part in the talks for the first time, as is Ali Akbar Salehi, the director of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation.They were both taking part in the talks between Kerry and Zarif Sunday night, and observers suggested their participation was a sign that a deal could be within reach.Kerry, however, played down the changes in the Iranian camp, saying Moniz was present because of the technical nature of the discussions.While the political aspects of the deal must be nailed down by the end of next month, the deadline for signing the full agreement is June 30 -- a cut-off point that looms all the larger after two previous deadlines were missed.A key stumbling block in any final deal is thought to be the amount of uranium Iran would be allowed to enrich, and the number and type of centrifuges Tehran can retain.Under an interim deal reached in November 2013, Irans stock of fissile material has been diluted from 20 percent enriched uranium to five percent in exchange for limited sanctions relief.Experts say such measures diminished Irans ability to make an atomic weapon, which Tehran denies pursuing in the first place.Negotiations have been complicated by hardliners both in Iran and the United States, as well as by Israel lobbying against a deal.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is controversially planning to address the US Congress on the issue on March 3.The move is aimed at torpedoing a deal. He told a cabinet meeting Sunday that agreeing a deal would allow Iran to develop the nuclear capabilities that threaten our existence.Observers stressed the urgency of reaching an agreement and warned that a failure to do so would have dire consequences.Another extension is extremely unlikely, Kelsey Davenport, head of the Nonproliferation Policy Arms Control Association in Washington, told AFP.If no agreement is reached, she warned, both sides will likely head back down the path of escalation, with Washington increasing sanctions and Iran ramping up its nuclear program.

Yemen leader meets governors after fleeing capital

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ADEN (AFP) - Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi led a meeting of governors in the southern city of Aden on Sunday as he resumed some of his duties after escaping house arrest in the capital.The Western-backed leader fled to Aden on Saturday after sneaking out of his residence in Sanaa, where he was being held by a Shiite militia group that has seized control of the capital.The militiamen, known as Huthis, have installed a presidential council to replace Hadi, who after his escape declared all their measures null and illegitimate.Hadi tendered his resignation last month under pressure from the Huthis but it was never approved by parliament.On Sunday he received the governors of various southern Yemeni provinces, Aden governor Abdulaziz bin Habtoor said.The president will keep up his political efforts to lead from Aden, bin Habtoor told reporters after the meeting, which was also attended by army and security chiefs.His priority is to normalise the security situation in Aden in order to receive foreign delegates who have requested appointments to meet him, he said. Aden is jointly controlled by troops loyal to Hadi and allied local militia known as the Popular Committees. Southern Yemen is friendly territory for Hadi, himself a southerner, and local leaders have refused to recognise the authority of the council formed by the Huthis.An aide to Hadi said the president used the meeting to call for restarting a political transition process that stalled after the Huthis overran Sanaa in September.He underlined the need to implement the recommendations of the national dialogue which include turning the republic into a federation of six regions, the aide said.The Huthis, who hail from the northern Saada province where they fought the central government for a decade, have rejected the proposed division of regions in the federation plan.The president called Saturday for the national commission overseeing the drafting of a new constitution to again convene, saying it should meet in Aden or Taez province until Sanaa returns as a safe capital for all Yemenis.By escaping house arrest, Hadi has regained the political initiative and stripped the Huthis of legitimacy, said analyst Fahd Sultan of the Yemeni Political Reform organisation.Talks sponsored by UN envoy Jamal Benomar in Sanaa to end the political deadlock stalled Saturday following Hadis escape but were expected to resume late Sunday.Benomar had announced on Thursday a breakthrough in talks as parties, including Huthis, agreed on the form of the legislative authority in the interim period.But the pan-Arab Nasserist party said such discussions are no longer useful and invited Hadi to assumes his duties as a head of state. Powerful tribes in the oil-rich province of Marib, east of Sanaa, went further, urging Hadi to declare Aden a temporary capital of Yemen until Sanaa is liberated.Hadis exit has turned the table on all parties, especially those involved in talks, said political analyst Majed al-Modhaji.It also marks a change in the balance of power in favour of the state and at the expense of the Huthis, according to Ibrahim Sharqieh, from the Brookings Institution in Doha.He said that Hadi, elected by some seven million voters on February 21, 2012, continues to represent the legitimate authority at home and internationally.The Huthis last month seized the presidential palace and besieged Hadis residence, prompting him to offer his resignation.They have pushed their advance south and west into mainly Sunni areas of Yemen, where they have met with fierce resistance from tribesmen and Al-Qaeda.The crisis has raised fears of Yemen -- a key US ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda that borders Saudi Arabia -- collapsing into a failed state.

Young girl suicide bomber kills seven in Nigeria

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KANO (AFP) - A girl thought to be as young as seven killed herself and seven others in a suicide bombing in northeast Nigeria on Sunday as President Goodluck Jonathan conceded his government had initially underrated the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.The attack on a market in the city of Potiskum, the commercial capital of Yobe state, was the latest in a string of suicide strikes in which children have been used.The initial death toll given by witnesses and hospital sources was six -- the bomber and five others -- but medical sources at the state-run hospital in Potiskum said later two of those injured had also died.Previous attacks have been blamed on Boko Haram.Nineteen people injured in the blast were taken to the hospital, a local vigilante leader, Buba Lawan, told AFP.The bombing highlights the severe security challenges facing Nigeria in the run-up to presidential and parliamentary elections on March 28.During a swing through neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Sunday urged Nigeria to entirely commit itself to battling Boko Haram.It is necessary that there be full commitment from Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, Fabius told reporters in Nigers capital, Niamey.On Saturday in the Chadian capital NDjamena, Fabius visited a coordination cell set up on a French military base to liaise between Cameroon, Chad, Niger and France.Paris has promised to increase intelligence-sharing and other assistance to the armies of Nigeria and its three neighbours, which banded together to battle Boko Haram after the extremists expanded their campaign across the regions borders.President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been in office since 2011, is engaged in a tough re-election campaign against ex-military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.Voting initially scheduled for February 14 has been delayed for six weeks to give Nigerias military time to secure the country, despite its failure to beat back Boko Haram in the previous six years.Jonathan admitted in an interview published on Sunday that early on in their rise he had underestimated the Islamists, who have overrun swathes of the northeast.Probably at the beginning, we, and I mean myself and the team, we underrated the capacity of Boko Haram, Jonathan told newspaper ThisDay.He said the military had recently acquired more arms and ammunition to battle the Islamists, and vowed their defeat was imminent.Sundays bombing in Potiskum was the second suicide attack in or near the market where new and second-hand phones are sold and repaired.The first attack occurred January 11, when two suicide bombers -- one of whom appeared to be aged around 15 -- blew themselves up outside the market killing six people and injuring 37 others.Before Sundays strike, suspicious security guards and vigilantes said they tried to prevent the girl -- who witnesses said appeared around seven -- from entering the market.We sent her back four times, because given her age, she did not have anything to do in the market, Lawan said.When we were screening people, she bent and tried to pass under the ropes, some distance from our view. That was when the explosives went off.In a sign of the distrust generated by the suicide bombings, Lawan said we have barred women from entering the market to prevent further attacks.Over 13,000 have been killed while more than one million people have been left homeless since 2009 as the Boko Haram militants try to carve out an Islamic state in Nigerias northeast.Nigerias military said Sunday that the offensive against Boko Haram was making progress, claiming soldiers had recovered stocks of weapons abandoned by insurgents fleeing the recaptured town of Baga.Nigerian military claims to have re-taken Baga from Boko Haram came more than a month after it was overrun in what is feared to be the worst massacre in the six-year insurgency.There was no independent corroboration that Baga had returned to army control.

Death toll from weekend avalanches in Alps rises to five

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GRENOBLE (AFP) - The weekend death toll in the vacation-packed Alps rose Sunday when a man was killed in an avalanche in France, after four people perished earlier in a snowslide in Switzerland, police said.A man in his fifties was killed and two of his companions were gravely injured Sunday after an avalanche swept their cross-country skiing party of four away near the Isere town of Saint-Honore, police in Grenoble said.The fatalities occurred in the Taillefer range of the French Alps at an altitude of 1,700 metres (5,577 feet) in the region crowded with holidaymakers.According to authorities monitoring avalanche activity in France, Sundays death brings total fatalities from snowslides in France since the winter began to 28.On Saturday a group of six Italian cross-country skiers were caught by an avalanche in the Great Saint-Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 2,300 metres. Three members of the group -- women and men all in their fifties -- were killed in the accident, while a fourth victim died of his injuries Sunday.At least 26 people are known to have died in avalanches this winter in Switzerland. Following the French slide, authorities in the Haute Savoie department posted a heightened avalanche alert for the region, taking into account the temporary warming accompanying midday and afternoon rains.In the coming days, off-trail activities are not advised: be responsible, think about other people you may be putting in danger by provoking an avalanche, and of rescue workers risking their lives, the statement said.

England's Ali, Bell make highest opening partnership

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - Englands Moeen Ali and Ian Bell smacked the highest opening partnership of the World Cup so far when they scored 172 in a flying start against Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.On wickets tailored to produce high scores, it was only the third century opening stand in 14 matches.New Zealand have achieved the feat twice in three matches with Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill scoring 111 against Sri Lanka and 105 against England.Ali and Bells stand was broken in the 31st over when Bell was caught at cover by Kyle Coetzer off Richie Berrington for 54.Ali was not out 108, his second ODI century with Gary Ballance the new batsman.Englands record opening partnership in all ODIs is 200 set by Marcus Trescothick and Vikram Solanki against South Africa in 2003.

Rare World Cup century opening stand for England

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - England became only the second team to produce a century opening stand in the World Cup with a flying start to their Pool A match against Scotland in Christchurch on Monday.With England under fire after being trounced in their first two games, Moeen Ali and Ian Bell took them to three figures in the 17th over with Ali on 64 and Bell 29.On wickets tailored to produce high-scores, the only other century opening stands in 14 matches have come from New Zealand where Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill have achieved the feat twice in three games.

Windies upbeat for pivotal Zimbabwe match

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CANBERRA (AFP) - The West Indies believe they have turned the corner as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in a pivotal Pool B World Cup match at Canberras Manuka Oval on Tuesday.The West Indians celebrated their first victory of the tournament with a thumping 150-run win over Pakistan in Christchurch on Saturday following their shock first-up loss to Ireland.Tuesdays match is set up nicely after Zimbabwe also posted their first points with a four-wicket triumph against the United Arab Emirates at Nelson on Thursday.West Indies will start favourites to beat the Zimbabweans after winning 34 of their previous 44 one-day international encounters against the Africans, but, as Ireland showed, upsets are possible.The Caribbean cricketers were criticised heavily after their lethargic loss to Ireland, but all-rounder Andre Russell believes his team now have momentum.Its a very good feeling winning a game after losing to Ireland, in that manner, said Russell, man-of-the-match against Pakistan with an unbeaten 42 and three for 33.It just goes to show that the West Indies can dominate and we are here to compete.On the day we have to turn up. It doesnt matter which team we play against, were going to have to play our A game.Its all good cricket from now on. Its the momentum, and once we keep doing what we can do, I think were going to go all the way.However, the form of West Indies opener Chris Gayle continues to be a concern.He was out for four against Pakistan and his average has dropped to 14.42 over 19 innings in the 20 months since his last century.Chris has been struggling, and were still scoring 300, Russell said of one of the most destructive openers in the shortened format.I just think when Gayle and Marlon Samuels peak at the right time, West Indies has the ability to score over 350.All-rounder Dwayne Bravo will likely miss the West Indies next two pool games after pulling his left hamstring in the Pakistan match.Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said his team has targeted victory over the West Indies after breathing new life into their World Cup campaign with victory over UAE.After losing their opener to South Africa, Zimbabwe allowed the UAE to carve out the Middle East nations highest ODI score of 285 before claiming victory with 12 balls to spare.We need to take this momentum into the game against the West Indies, said Chigumbura.Hopefully we can polish up our fielding and have a good game in all departments.Sean Williams, who was Zimbabwes hero with an undefeated 76 batting at five against the UAE, said his team had to play their best cricket to upset the West Indies. We have to respect the opposition. West Indies on the day, Chris Gayle comes at you and hell beat people single-handedly. So you know, its just a matter of doing things the right way, he said. Zimbabwe have performed creditably at the World Cup and had their moments against South Africa.They had their border rivals struggling at 83 for four before century-makers David Miller and JP Duminy mounted a 256-run rescue mission to lift the Proteas to 339.In reply, Zimbabwe reached 191 for two before they lost their last eight wickets for just 86 runs.

Bangladesh send Al-Amin home from World Cup

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Bangladesh on Sunday threw out pace bowler Al-Amin Hossain from the World Cup for indiscipline and promised a full inquiry after the tournament was over.A media release from the team management said Al-Amin had breached team rules, with a source telling AFP that he had stayed out late in Brisbane on the night of February 19 and, as a result, breached a team curfew.Al Amin has been found to have breached team rules and will take no further part in the World Cup, the statement read. Following consultation with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the team management has decided to send the player home immediately.The Board will conduct its own inquiry into the breach after receiving the managers report at the end of the teams World Cup campaign.At this stage the BCB or the team management will not release any further information or make any comment on this matter.It was not clear who will replace Al-Amin at the World Cup.Bangladesh were in Brisbane for the match against Australia on Saturday, which was washed out.Al-Amin, 25, has played six Tests and 11 one-day internationals since his debut in 2013.He had been reported for a suspect action last September, but was cleared to play by the International Cricket Council after undergoing an independent test in India.Bangladesh are due to take on Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday.

De Villiers slams 'unacceptable' South Africa display

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - South Africa captain AB de Villiers lashed out at his team after their massive 130-run loss to India in the World Cup on Sunday, saying it was an unacceptable performance.After defending champions India had piled up 307 for seven, with opener Shikhar Dhawan making 137, the Proteas were bundled out for 177 with almost 10 overs to spare in front of a huge crowd of 86,878 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.All round we were very average, said de Villiers. We lacked discipline in the field with dropped catches and untidy bowling and two run-outs in our innings was unacceptable.The skipper himself was run out through a smart throw from the deep by Mohit Sharma and David Miller followed in similar fashion soon afterwards.Faf du Plessis was the Proteas top-scorer with 55, the skippers 30 the only other notable contribution.You always feel the pressure of chasing 300, like playing shots you may not want to, said de Villiers. But the top six are there to win games. Two run-outs in the top five is not what we want.It was a disappointing performance with both bat and ball. No excuses, we should have come up better today.The captain said losing the toss and batting second under lights contributed to South Africas defeat.It was a good wicket to bat on in the afternoon, he said. But there was wear and tear in the evening. Without making excuses, I can say it was a bit two-paced as the match went on.It was a big knock for us to be beaten by 130 runs. We need to lick our wounds a while because confidence takes a knock.However, de Villiers was confident his team, whove now won one and lost one at this tournament after seeing off Zimbabwe, will bounce back for their Pool B game against the West Indies in Sydney on Friday.We have a mature group of players, he said. We need to regroup before Friday and I am confident we will bounce back.The overwhelming bulk of fans in a crowd of nearly 87,000 were India supporters but de Villiers insisted a raucous atmosphere had not contributed to South Africas emphatic loss.I dont think that was the case, he said. As Hashim (Amla) said to me, India batted well. And we need to win games anywhere in the world if we want to be the best cricket team in the world.

India's Dhoni excited by World Cup progress

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his team was on the right track at the World Cup after hammering South Africa by 130 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.Shikhar Dhawan hit 137 as the defending champions piled up 307 for seven and then bundled out the Proteas for 177 with almost 10 overs to spare in front of 86,878 largely Indian fans.The win followed the 76-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide last Sunday and left Dhonis men needing a win over unfancied United Arab Emirates in Perth on Saturday to advance to the quarter-finals.It is very satisfying to have back-to-back wins and especially the way we have won both games, a delighted Dhoni said.Both Pakistan and South Africa games were important for us. Against Pakistan it was a complete batting performance and this game too I felt we did really well with the batting.A total of 307 was definitely a par-plus score on this wicket and when we turned up with the ball, I think we bowled in the right areas and we made it tough for the opposition to score.Dhoni agreed with South African skipper AB de Villiers that the pitch was two-paced in the second session which made batting difficult, but praised his bowlers and the teams fielding.I felt the mix of pace was good from our bowlers, but what was really crucial was the use of the bouncer, he said .The two run outs in the middle overs (of AB de Villiers and David Miller) from the deep really changed the game for us.Dhoni heaped lavish praise on his fast bowlers, Mohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami, who claimed two wickets each to back up off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwins three wickets.It was definitely a fantastic performance by them, he said. Maybe the wicket also helped us a bit, but still it was important to hit the right areas. They quickly assessed what was the right length to bowl. They never gave any extra width to the batsmen.Dhoni said it was a pleasure playing in front of such huge crowds at the MCG.Its always good to play when you get good support and that too in Australia, he said. Definitely we need to give a lot of credit to the fans, who have come not only from India, but from across Australia and England as well.Dhoni was not surprised that his team had bounced back quickly after a disappointing bilateral tour of Australia prior to the World Cup where they lost both the Test and one-day series.You need to give a lot of credit to the support staff and the players for the good dressing room atmosphere despite the losses on the tour, he said. We had a long break, relaxed and then trained hard. That has helped.

Lack of experience costly, says Afghanistan's Shenwari

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DUNEDIN (AFP) - Afghanistan believe a lack of experience cost them the chance of a major World Cup upset Sunday when Sri Lanka escaped with a four-wicket win in their Pool A clash.A century by Mahela Jayawardene, who featured in a 126-run stand with Angelo Mathews, rescued Sri Lanka from a disastrous start when they were 51-4 chasing 233 to win.When the Sri Lankan top order collapsed Afghanistan felt they were in with a chance but they eventually lost by four wickets with 10 balls remaining.It was very disappointing because we took four early wickets and Mahela, very experienced player, and Mathews, also very experienced, took the match from us, Afghanistan batsman Samiullah Shenwari said.Shenwari featured in an 88-run partnership with Asghar Stanikzai for the third wicket in an innings he believed was 30-40 runs short and exposed Afghanistans rawness at the top international level.It was the first time in their short 47-match ODI history that the top eight batsmen posted double figures in one match but only Stanikzai (54) reached a half century with Shenwaris 38 the only other score above 30.We need some more matches with Asian teams to get more experience. We need some time from the ICC to give us more matches against Test nations so maybe we get more used to it, Shenwari said.Today was a good game but in the middle me and Asghar played an 80 partnership but we didnt make the 30-40 runs missing in this matchOur bowlers did very well. Fifty runs, four wickets, it was a good chance to beat Sri Lanka but Mahela and Mathews took the match away.It was a much improved showing by Afghanistan who lost to Bangladesh by 105 runs in the first game in Canberra four days ago.Their third match is against Scotland in Dunedin next Thursday.

Scotland win toss, put England to bat first

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CHRISTCHURCH (AFP) - Scotland won the toss and put England in to bat in their World Cup Pool A match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday. It is heavily overcast and conditions should favour swing bowlers early with fine weather forecast later in the day.It should be a good one-day wicket with swing early on, Scotland captain Preston Mommsen said as his side eye the chance of an historic first win over their neighbours.Scotland have made two changes to their line up with Freddie Coleman and Alasdair Evans replacing Hamish Gardiner and Rob Taylor.England, searching for their first win after being trounced by Australia and New Zealand, have named an unchanged side.We havent performed anywhere near our best. This is an opportunity to put a performance under our belts, captain Eoin Morgan said.Teams:England: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wkt), Steven Finn, Joe Root, James Taylor, Chris Woakes.Scotland: Preston Mommsen (capt), Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Majid Haq, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Iain Wardlaw.Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), S. Ravi (IND).TV umpire: Marius Erasmus (RSA).Match referee: David Boon (AUS).
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