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Readers respond to Sambit Bal’s Indian View article “Can India match Pakistan’s grace and hospitability?”:I firmly believe that fair articles and journalists will reach beyond the borders to the hearts of the people. The key lies in their hands. I vividly remember the Test series of 1978, when India toured Pakistan, under Bedi. Not because Pakistan won, but because Bedi responded to an appeal for blood to a young child who was suffering from leukaemia. I was 14 then. Petty politicians won’t be petty politicians if they did not take advantage of such extremist sentiments, as they do now. It applies to both sides of the border. My belief is that no doubt India can and will reciprocate with the kind of hospitality it is capable of.Tahir KhanLast year Pakistan had realised one thing, that the tour was more than just about who wins. It was more than cricket. It was a celebration of a life, friendship, and most importantly peace. The warmth of love during and after that tour were felt all across the world, and people who never knew cricket, eg in a country like USA, were talking about it. Let us hope and pray that the celebration of love continues.Omar KhanThe article symbolises the feelings of the cricket fans of India who whole-heartedly want to reciprocate how Pakistan treated Indian cricketers. This is not impossible as fans of Chepauk in Chennai showed how gracious Indians can be in defeat by the standing ovation that Wasim Akram’s team got. It is just a question of holding back our emotions in control. It can be done, and our neighbours deserve it this time than ever before.ParthaI have absolute faith that Indian people will reciprocate the same good gesture, however I also believe that political interests and fanatics will make every effort to fail the process. The media has huge responsibility to highlight the good feelings and good traditions, whether it’s in “basant”, cricket or hockey. I am sure the time will come when mass positive response will force the evils to rethink of their agenda.Arslan HaiderPeople of Karachi, and it would be safe to say that 50% of the city’s population has an Indian background, were deprived from the India tour of Pakistan. It was very dissapointing to see Karachi left off the tour, just becasue some idiots were making noise and labelled the city as a security risk, and deprived the city of probably a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Similarly, why should all of Ahmedabad suffer because of a small group. I think the Indian government should be able to put a clamp on not just this group. The sooner everyone realises that the South Asian coutries have a lot more to gain by accepting each other the better off the subcontinent will be.Imran MallickWhile Mr Bal’s remarks regarding the hospitality accorded to the Indian team are valid, it would have also been worth pointing out the spontaneous and generous sentiment that the spectators in Chennai showed to the victorious Pakistani team in the Test in February 1999. That India lost by a mere 12 runs in an excruciatingly close match did not prevent the Chennai spectators (I was one of them) to get on their feet and accord a standing ovation to the Pakistan team, to the astonishment of all. The Pakistan team was effusive in its praise of this unprecedented sporting gesture. It’s worth reminding all that despite concerns now over the imminent tour, the past track record of India as hosts is not all that embarrassing.K ChandramouliI am a Pakistani and we were among the supporters who supported both nations fully, and cheered every four irrespective of if it was played by Inzamam or Dravid, because we didn’t wanted to miss this chance of cheering the best cricket played in this part of the world. We have been missing this for years, both nations love this game and we respect this.Aurangzaib ChawlaTo expect the BCCI, a group of dollar-fixated, turnstile-obsessed politicos, to understand the subtler cultural elements of Pakistan-India ties is to expect too much. Those charlatans need to be kept far away from the permanent celebration that is Pakistan-India. This official Indian establishment is far too complacent, far too arrogant, far too obtuse, for the good of the game at home. Cricket is far too important to be left to the BCCI.Rahul GoswamiMy views are we can. But like India’s tour to Pak, it has to have the right political atmosphere. The tour last time was set in motion with the words “Match bhi jeeto aur dil bhi jeeto”. This should happen with this tour too. Welcome Pakistan, we Indians welcome you in right earnest …SrinathSambit’s words were profoundly heartwarming, and if the same spirit can be reciprocated in India during the Pakistan tour, it will go a long way in cementing the ties of two sister nations, that had gone astray in the sea of bitterness for more than 55 years. We can become a beacon of hope for a world that is presently in total disarray, and human values have been set aside, in favor of parochial bickering and differences.Yusuf MohamedI have never before felt as strong an urge to write to Cricinfo as today. The write-up about Pakistan’s forthcoming India tour was both enlightening and disturbing at the same time. It forced me step back and take a broader view of things, beyond just cricket or politics. Indeed, it’s articles like these that keep us readers coming back for more!AbhishekI believe that one day our two countries will once again be whole, not in geographical terms but in spirit. This however can only be achieved through mutual understanding and this great game of cricket. I am a pro golfer, and I travel all over the world and when an Indian and Pakistani meet abroad they are like brothers – all the animosity comes not from the general public but from greedy politicians who feed the common man nothing but hatred.Daniel ChopraThe phrase has lost its meaning by now, but let’s not mix politics and sports. Adnan Sami is as popular in India as he is in Pakistan, so was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Pakistani players are playing for the newly launched PHL. Then why should cricket, the second religion to our nation, take a setback? Let’s hope we can reciprocate the hospitality shown by Pakistan last year and roll out the red carpet for our guests. After all, aren’t we the nation which believes “Guests are Gods”?Raj PutatundaBeing a Pakistani, I really feel proud and happy from these sort of words from an Indian. Thanks a lot and I also hope that India does the same as well when Pakistan goes there.Sohail IqbalIndia has to look beyond just cricket. They have to embrace the Pakistani fans like they would do to “long-lost brothers”. They must accept defeat if Team India is beaten … just like the Pakistanis did. Remember, there were no media reports of houses been stoned or effigies burnt after Pakistan lost the last ODI. Also, the Pakistani fans showed new found maturity after their team lost the first Test. This was because the Pakistan cricketers gave their all in defeat. Now, if Team India can perform with dignity and fight to the last ball, maybe the fans will also mature and not give in to negative emotional outbursts. The voices of Shiv Sena and other parties against Indo-Pakistan ties must be drowned out by Indian fans chanting Inzi, Inzi or Rana, etc. Indian fans must applaud good cricket by any player, not only their own ones.Mahendra NaidooI was very disappointed when I came to know that India were not playing a Test match in Karachi during its tour to Pakistan last year. Therefore the PCB and the Indian board must replan the schedule and give a Test to Ahmedabad, because it is now their turn. We Karachi-ites can understand the feelings of Ahmedabadis.Tariq

Teddy Griffith, president of the West Indies cricket board (WICB), has reacted to suggestions in the press that Australia might be asked to step in and host the 2007 World Cup because of concerns about the Caribbean’s ability to stagethe event.An interview published in the with a representative of the New South Wales board revealed that Bob Merriman, chairman of Cricket Australia, had voiced his concern about West Indies’ ability to host the World Cup, due to “their financial worries and the general instability in the area.”However, in a statement, Griffith replied by saying he had heard Merriman’s comments, but had “not yet had an opportunity to meet with him,” and claimed he was “in no position to say whether the comments attributed to him are accurate.”He added: “Indeed, the 2007 World Cup is an agenda item for discussion atthe ICC meetings over the next two days and it would be disappointing if anyfellow director were to seek to prejudice sentiment outside of the meetings.”To the best of my knowledge, neither the ICC board nor IDI Ltd (ICC Development International) board has met since the June meetings in London and Monaco respectively, to discuss the matter. WICB is fully aware of the significant challenges that it faces in hosting the 2007 World Cup.”And he insisted they would be up to the task: “We are confident that as a nation we have the capacity to deliver on our obligations. We expect the fullest support and cooperation from all our fellow members of the ICC as we undertake our tasks.”

New Zealand Under-19 targeted the highly-rated Zimbabwean top order with devastating effect in their match at Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University today.The New Zealanders were concerned after the abandonment of their game with Sri Lanka on Saturday that they could be troubled by the well-performed Zimbabwe top order.But they needn’t have worried too much as their plan, once the opening bowlers found their lines, worked to perfection and the top-order was cleaned out in a swathe by big Aucklander Michael Bates who took four wickets in seven balls to leave the Africans reeeling at 21/4.That effectively shut the Zimbabweans out of the game and once the New Zealand medium pace and spin attack tied the middle and lower order down even more, the only question was how long it would all take.As it turned out, the game was all over before the scheduled lunch break as New Zealand wiped out the 72 runs required in 10.3 overs to win by six wickets.An embarrassing glitch in the New Zealand batting did leave the side with something to think about from the game, especially after the loss in concentration which meant New Zealand lost by three wickets more than it really should have.Bates’ performance earned him the Man of the Match award. The Suburbs New Lynn left-armer normally finds with his inswing bowling to right-handers that his main method of dismissals are leg before wicket but he switched to bowling more out-swingers to the right handers and had the unusual experience of getting edges, which were well taken behind the wicket.”Getting three in one over was a great way to start. The wicket did a little bit but it was nothing amazing.”We were disappointed that our first game was abandoned because we felt we were just starting to get back on top of Sri Lanka when the game ended. We had fought back well and we knew that because of that if we didn’t do well we would be back in Auckland [in the Plate Championship] for the second round of the tournament,” he said.Bates finished with four for 26 from his eight overs while Richard Sherlock was sitting on a hat-trick when taking two for 12 from his eight overs.The efficiency and containment of Peter Borren, a medium-pacer, and Rob Nicol who bowled off-spin, was obvious from their figures. They took one for 12 and one for 18 respectively from their 10 overs.The last wicket went to Iain Robertson who took one for one from the two balls he bowled.New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said a lot of planning went into the game.”We were very nervous because the raining out of the Sri Lankan game made this a must-win for us. We knew that in their top order one has been a Test player and one has been scoring freely so we wanted Sherlock and Bates bowling to a plan.”They started steadily but were not implementing the plan but then it clicked in.”We wanted them bowling in partnerships and for a plan to work it has to be implemented at both ends.”Then the others came on and squeezed it up,” he said.New Zealand then attacked from the outset with the bat in chasing their target of 72 but came undone and while that was unfortunate it had left the side with something to think about after the loss, he added.New Zealand lost Simon Allen in the sixth over for 16 with the score 37 but Jesse Ryder kept hitting out and the 50 came up off 38 balls.Then leg-spinner Hamilton Masakadza got into the act by having Nicol caught for six when the score was 67. The score went through to 70 when a misunderstanding between the umpires and the scorers had the umpires pulling up stumps and the players congratulating one another thinking it was the end of the game.The umpires seemed to be looking to the scoreboard for clarification that an over was completed, and the scoreboard staff replied that it was over, as in six balls completed, but the umpires thought they meant it was over, as in game completed.Once it was all sorted out, Ryder attempted a run off the first ball afterwards and was just short of his ground. Then skipper Ross Taylor tried to ensure it was all over with an attempted pull shot which lobbed down to mid off for New Zealand to end up four wickets down before the winning runs were scored.”It was a good lesson because it showed that if you lose a bit of concentration for even a short period of time you can suffer for it,” Greatbatch said.He was especially pleased with Ryder’s batting approach and commented that he had done some work with Ryder in Napier, where they both live.Ryder had a high skill level and in recent times he has been working on the mental side of his game. He has started playing senior cricket in Hawke’s Bay and completed his first club century just before Christmas.Greatbatch said Ryder was starting to make some good decisions with his batting and he was very careful that Ryder maintained the naturalness that is so much a part of his game.New Zealand will be hoping so too, for the harder games that lie ahead in the not too distant future for the side.New Zealand play Namibia on Wednesday while Zimbabwe now have to beat Sri Lanka on Thursday to take a qualifying place. Both games will be at Hagley Oval.

An innings of immense power by Justin Langer gave Middlesex the upper hand on the opening day of their Championship match at Trent Bridge. Surplus to requirements by Australia, the Middlesex captain rushed to his third hundred of the season against Notts, off just 117 deliveries.His dismissal, soon after lunch, followed that of Mark Ramprakash and Notts hoped for a swift passage to the visitors’ tail. That didn’t materialise as Ed Joyce and David Nash took Middlesex to tea on 277-4 with an impressive stand.The pair continued after the resumption and took their partnership for the fifth wicket past 100. Wicket-keeper Nash was then desperately unlucky not to reach his half-century. On 48 he straight drove Paul Franks powerfully into the stumps at the other end. Two balls later, with a delivery that nipped back off the seam, the England one-day player had picked up his second wicket of the innings, getting his man lbw.Joyce though, did get his reward – in only his third championship game he reached his maiden half century, coming off 112 balls, with 8x4s. His inexperience showed immediately afterwards however, as he went after Franks and dolleyed up the first catch of Matt Whiley’s senior career at mid-off.Simon Cook found himself robbed of a couple of runs when he drove down the ground. The ball would have certainly have reached the boundary but children playing on the perimeter hit a tennis ball onto the ground which collided with the match ball and stopped it dead just short of the rope. John Morris, the relieved, pursuing fielder just grinned as he returned both balls from whence they’d came. Fortune switched next ball as Gallian dropped Cook at slip.Ben Hutton, playing in front of his father Richard, the former Yorkshire and England player, was the next man out, courtesy of a fine juggling catch by Morris. Hutton’s attempted pull off Lucas ballooned over mid-wicket but running towards the ropes Morris took the ball as it came over his shoulder – admittedly with several nervy grasps before clutching it fully under control.Another damaging partnership developed taking Middlesex to a fourth batting point before Jason Gallian became the first bowler of the day to hit the stumps, mopping up Richard Johnson for 23.Simon Cook and Angus Fraser saw it through to stumps with Middlesex, having enjoyed the better of the opening day, in a commanding position on 377-8.

ScorecardRory Burns made his highest List A score [file picture]•PA Photos

Rory Burns hit a career-best List A score of 95 to guide Surrey to a 12-run victory over Gloucestershire at Bristol and ensure top place in the Royal London Cup Group A.Both teams could look forward to home quarter-finals from the moment Yorkshire’s game with Northants was declared a no-result because of rain in mid-afternoon.Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson admitted: “We got lucky with the rain-off in Yorkshire, which got us out of jail and means we shave a home quarter-final, despite losing. In the end we have made a close game of it in spite of not being at our best.”A big crowd at Bristol means a great atmosphere for the lads to play in and I think they have played in enough big games now to handle the pressure of a quarter-final.”But it is Surrey who will enter the last eight on the back of a win after running up 291 for 8, with Burns making his runs off 96 balls, with 5 fours and 2 sixes, while teenager Sam Curran hit 42 and Gary Wilson 37.James Fuller was the pick of the Gloucestershire attack with three for 26 from eight overs. The home side, who had won the toss, made 279 in reply, Benny Howell top-scoring with 60. Jade Dernbach returned 3 for 45 and Tom Curran 4 for 65.Coming in after Jason Roy and Vikram Solanki had fallen cheaply to Fuller, Burns soon assessed the pace of the pitch and played with increasing confidence.The inexperienced Aneesh Kapil, who had replaced Steven Davies in Surrey’s team because of a family illness, helped take to score to 70 before being caught at mid-wicket for a well-made 33.Ben Foakes (30) then put together a stand if 72 in 12.5 overs with Burns before being brilliantly caught and bowled by James Fuller, one handed to his left, with the total on 142 in the 27th over.Burns reached a 59-ball half-century, featuring 3 fours and a six, with Sam Curran offering intelligent support in a partnership of 93 in 15 overs. It was 222 for four with ten overs remaining and Surrey looked set for 300.But Curran fell lbw attempting to reverse sweep a full toss from off-spinner Jack Taylor and Burns departed five short of a deserved century caught on the boundary attempting a straight six off Benny Howell.Wilson supplied some late acceleration with two sixes in an over off Taylor and Surrey’s total looked very competitive on a slow wicket.Gloucestershire reached 41 in reply before Will Tavare was caught behind driving at a wide ball from Tom Curran, who also had Gareth Roderick taken by keeper Wilson, having scored 19.Geraint Jones fell lbw aiming to reverse sweep Gareth Batty and when Chris Dent, having made a bright 49 off 51 balls, cut James Burke straight to Burns at backward point it was 97 for four in the 18th over.Kieran Noema-Barnett drove Batty to mid-off and when Jack Taylor was caught behind off Dernbach it was 137 for 6.Howell and Fuller made a game of it with a stand of 90 in 15.4 overs, but when the latter fell 65 were still needed and Howell soon followed, having struck 6 fours in his 77-ball innings. Tom Smith’s 37 not out at the end was too little too late.

Chelsea have now made contact with the agents of a “special” attacker, who’s also being targeted by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Blues looking to sign new attacker despite Pedro's fine form

Joao Pedro has proven to be a solid signing for the Blues, with the Brazilian grabbing his fifth Premier League goal of the season in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

The former Brighton man was given the nod at centre-forward at St. James’ Park, as Liam Delap remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury, but he has also regularly featured in the number 10 role, showcasing his versatility.

With Cole Palmer recently returning from injury, and scoring in the 2-0 victory against Everton earlier this month, Enzo Maresca appears to be well-stocked in attacking midfield, but the west Londoners are now stepping up their move for an up-and-coming talent.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Chelsea are now becoming increasingly keen on Genk star Konstantinos Karetsas, with the youngster likely to leave the Belgian club at some point in 2026.

PSG and Bayern Munich are also in the race for Karetsas, so there could be fierce competition for his signature, but the Blues are now stepping up their approach, having told the 18-year-old’s camp they want to bring him to west London.

The teenager is regarded as one of the world’s best young talents, and he is capable of playing anywhere in the final third, although he has predominantly featured as an attacking midfielder throughout his career to date.

Related Chelsea now in advanced talks with 'rising star' Marseille forward after key meeting

The Blues have had a sit down with his representatives.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini "Special" Karetsas could be exciting long-term addition for Chelsea

Lauded as “special” by scout Ben Mattinson, the Greek attacker is enjoying a very impressive campaign, which has earned very high praise from fellow scout Jacek Kulig.

The Genk-born maestro has shown a keen eye for setting up chances, amassing a very respectable 12 goals and assists in all competitions.

Competition

Appearances

Goal contributions

Jupiler Pro League

17

6

Europa League

6

3

Croky Cup

2

3

With the nine-time Greece international yet to prove himself in a major European league, an initial loan move to Strasbourg could make sense, should Chelsea manage to get a deal over the line.

Subscribe for newsletter insights on Chelsea transfers Join the newsletter for in-depth analysis of Chelsea’s pursuit of Konstantinos Karetsas and other emerging transfer targets. Gain clear context on fit, development plans and squad impact — focused coverage valuable to fans following transfer stories. Subscribe Subscribe for newsletter insights on Chelsea transfers Join the newsletter for in-depth analysis of Chelsea’s pursuit of Konstantinos Karetsas and other emerging transfer targets. Gain clear context on fit, development plans and squad impact — focused coverage valuable to fans following transfer stories.

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That is because Maresca may find it difficult to involve Karetsas a lot to begin with, given that he already has Palmer and Pedro to choose from, but on a long-term basis, Karetsas could be a fantastic addition to the squad.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

	Brad Hogg picked up two wickets in Australia’s 337-run win © Getty Images

India needed a record score to win but instead Australia edged closer to a milestone of their own, posting their 15th consecutive Test victory as they wrapped up the Boxing Day Test within four days. Australia will now head into the Sydney Test that starts on Wednesday aiming to equal their own record of 16 straight Test wins and they will no doubt fancy their chances after India folded for 161 and crashed to a 337-run defeat at the MCG.An extra day’s rest will also be much appreciated by Australia’s fast bowlers, who toiled hard in searing heat against a stonewalling India. Not only did India forget how to fight, they were outplayed in subcontinent-like conditions as Melbourne’s temperature nudged 40 degrees. Ricky Ponting rotated his attack and they showed few signs of exhaustion with Mitchell Johnson picking up 3 for 21 and Brett Lee and Brad Hogg each grabbing two.India, on the other hand, struggled in the conditions. Sourav Ganguly, who was the second-last man out when he departed for 40, had been at the crease for just over an hour when he slumped on the ground after running a two. He needed attention from the team physio and batted on in the sweltering conditions, but his team-mates kept falling around him.The end came quickly for India, who had five wickets in hand at tea but survived barely an hour after the break. MS Dhoni attempted a lavish cover-drive against Johnson and edged behind to Adam Gilchrist, who finished with eight dismissals for the match and not only passed Ian Healy’s Australian Test wicketkeeping record of 395 victims but also earned $144,000 for Glenn McGrath’s cancer charity – he wore pink gloves and his sponsors offered $18,000 per dismissal.Once the established batsmen were gone and Australia could sniff a day off it all became rather a procession. Anil Kumble edged a Johnson leg-cutter behind to Gilchrist, Harbhajan Singh was run out without facing a ball and Ganguly prodded Hogg to silly mid-off. By that stage the result was no longer in doubt and perhaps India were not upset to also enjoy a free Sunday, as Johnson finished the carnage by bowling RP Singh for 2.The finale was flatter than last season’s new-year champagne after India promised so much fizz with their bowling efforts on the first day. Back then it looked like Australia might be seriously challenged for the first time in a home Test since India last visited, in 2003-04. But that spark was gradually extinguished over the next three days and India’s batsmen must find some way to reverse their fortunes before the Sydney Test.Theirs is a batting line-up full of stars but none of them shone as they chased a whopping 499 for victory. Ganguly was at least willing to attack, as was Sachin Tendulkar, but no batsman reached a half-century in their second innings. Yuvraj Singh’s place might not be certain after India rejigged their batting order to retain him at No. 6. He departed for 5 shortly before tea, missing a straighter ball from Hogg that would have crashed into his stumps. Yuvraj was cleared of showing dissent at an umpire’s decision in the first innings and again he waited a few moments before trudging off after Mark Benson’s lbw decision.He did not score in the first innings and should India ditch him for Sydney it might allow Virender Sehwag to open and Rahul Dravid to drop down from the unfamiliar opening position. Dravid was painfully slow in the first innings and in the second he had 16 from 114 balls when he fell lbw just before lunch, playing back to Andrew Symonds, who had just reverted from medium pace to offspin.That defensive mindset was also present in his partner Wasim Jaffer, who was on 15 when he edged behind off Lee to give Gilchrist his record-breaking 396th dismissal. The breakthrough was a relief for Lee, who three balls earlier had experienced the same sinking feeling that Johnson and Zaheer Khan had suffered earlier in the match when he thought he had a wicket only to see Billy Bowden’s no-ball signal. Lee dug in a short one that Jaffer appeared to glove through to Gilchrist but Bowden’s decision, which again was correct, stifled the appeal.After Jaffer and Dravid departed India were ticking along nicely as VVS Laxman, Tendulkar and Ganguly played some impressive strokes but none could build a match-saving partnership. Tendulkar looked terrific when he went down on one knee to square-drive Lee through point for four but he was then out-thought by Lee, who followed a quick bouncer with a good ball outside off stump that was too full to cut, luring Tendulkar into the shot which he edged behind.Laxman had calmly worked his way to 42 when he succumbed to the frustration of Stuart Clark’s tight bowling. Clark was following the team plan of suffocating India’s scoring and had 0 for 15 in his 12th over when Laxman drove on the up straight to Michael Clarke at cover and Laxman was clearly annoyed by his lapse in concentration. He had been watchful in his 112-ball innings but was quickly onto any bad balls from Hogg, who dropped short more often than he would like. Laxman pulled a pair of Hogg deliveries through midwicket for boundaries and was also impressive with his straight drives.While there were moments of satisfaction for India their overall experience, after the first day, was disheartening. When Steve Waugh’s Australians set their record 16-match winning streak it was India who ended the successful run. They have three days before the Sydney Test to work out how they can prevent Ponting’s men from equalling that record.