ISLAMABAD – Pakistan new pace sensation Sohail Tanvir termed Indian Premier League (ICL) one of the best organised domestic cricket event of the world.
While talking to reporters at Islamabad International Airport, he said that the cricketing world appreciated India for organising such a great cricket event.
“Pakistan will also organise such an event this years in the great interest of the players,” he said.
The left-arm pacer disclosed that he was offered contract by three counties and a few other foreign teams. “Before joining the IPL, I had various offers at very good pay package but I could not make any decision on this offers,” he maintained. Tanvir, who topped the list of most wicket takers in IPL (21 wickets in 9 matches) said that he learned a great deal by playing under the captaincy legend Shan Warn.
“It was a good experience for me and I am very happy with my performance,” he said. He said that he had developed friendly relations with international players including Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne, Farveez Mahroof, Shaun Pollock, Shane Watson and Irfan Pathan.
“I also learned from top bowlers during the IPL,” he added. Sohail said that he earlier refused these offers due to commitments with Pakistan team and the IPL but now he was considering because he had a free month of July. Tanvir, who was welcomed with rose petals in a historical reception at the airport by his club mates, friends, family members and office bearers of Rawalpindi District Cricket Association (RDCA), thanked his fans particularly the Indian spectators and organisers who praised him over his outstanding performance with the ball.
Replying a question regarding the Muhammad Asif saga, he said that he was unaware about the incident and did not want to make any comments on this issue. “I am fit and satisfied with my performance and I would love to serve my country,” he concluded.
Source: nation.com.pk

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings captain, M.S. Dhoni, talked about performing as a team all over again, after his team crushed Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets to confirm a final place in the DLF-IPL on Saturday.

“I have always maintained that you can’t go by what you have done. Every match requires a fresh start. You have to start from scratch. We have to do it again in the next game,” he said.
Asked about the serene expression on his face despite the pressure of competing in a semifinal, he said: If I were to tell you that I don’t feel the pressure, I will be lying. When you want something done from the bowler, it won’t help if he sees a tense captain. Pressure is there, it is important at times to hide it.”

Makhaya Ntini, named man of the match, also referred to the need to conceal tense feelings from opponents. “I am always smiling, that is how I play my game. The pressure is there, I don’t show anything to any batsmen. I let the ball do the talking.”

The South African sent back openers Shaun Marsh and James Hopes to rattle Kings XI early on.
Kings XI captain Yuvraj Singh, opting to bat after winning the toss, stuck to his reading about the Wankhede track. “It was a good wicket to bat on. We did not do well under pressure,” he said, complimenting the Chennai bowlers for a commendable job.

Dhoni felt his bowlers were up to the mark, followed by efforts from Parthiv Patel and Suresh Raina to make light of the chase. “The intensity was good, whether bowling or fielding. Though we lost an early wicket, Parthiv and Raina gave us the kind of start that was needed.”
Source: hindu.com

Top 10 Batsmen

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Top 10 bowlers

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Maximum fours

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Maximum Sixes

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Maximum Catches

As on: 1 June, 2008 02:01:09

Man of the series – Shane Watson
Purple cap winner (best bowler) – Sohail Tanveer
Orange cap winner (best batsman)- Shaun Marsh

This info was submitted to us by Monika Sood

In the final of DLF – Indian Premier League, one can not ask for a better match. It was a real thriller in which both the teams fought till the very last bowl. Rajasthan Royals needed 8 runs in last over and Chennai Super Kings needed to defend it or take 3 wickets. But it was Rajasthan Royals who holded the nerves and won the match and thus won the inaugural  DLF – IPL cup.

Chasing a target of  164 Rajasthan Royals kept loosing wickets at regular interval and it looked like Super Kings had a chance but Yousaf Pathan again came to the rescue of Rajasthan Royals and scored 56 before being run out. After that all the batsmen played some useful innings and in the end it was on the shoulders of Shane Warne to take his team toward the victory.The last over was bowled by Balaji and they got 2 on very first bowl and then the next one was a dot ball. Rajasthan Royals needed 6 runs of 3 balls and then a blunder was done by both Patel and Balaji. He bowled a wide which was missed by Patel and Rajasthan Royals got 2 runs and the equation changed to 4 runs from 3 balls. The drama was not ending and it was  1 run from 1 ball. Tanveer scored a boundary and it was all over for Chennai Super Kings.

Rajasthan Royals were treated as underdogs at the start but they have shown that they were the best team in the tournament and thus deserved the Inaugral Cup of DLF- IPL

Today was a final match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the DLF – IPL 2008. This was played at Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, on June 1, 2008. Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to bowl first. Parthiv Patel and Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan opened the batting for Chennai Super Kings and took the score to 39 before Chennai Super Kings was out. The score of the team was 117 for the loss of 3 wickets in 15 overs. Suresh Raina was the top scorer for Chennai Super Kings, he scored 43 runs. In the end the team scored 163/5 runs in 20 overs.

Scorecard-Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings-Final Mathc-IPL 2008