SPORTS EDGE

Cricket
Star Cricket Asia Cup
Gul ruled out
Afp, Karachi


Pakistan's Asia Cup campaign suffered a crucial blow after frontline paceman Umar Gul was ruled out of the rest of the tournament, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Friday.

"Gul has been advised two weeks' rest after he damaged cartilage in the rib and we would officially request for a replacement," Salahuddin told AFP.

The 24-year-old limped off the field during Pakistan's six-wicket defeat against India here on Thursday.

Pakistan will have to officially request to the organisers of the Asia Cup for a replacement from outside the 15-member squad announced for the event.

Paceman Abdur Rauf, who was included in the 20-man initial squad but was not picked in the final 15-man team, is the likely replacement.

Meanwhile, defending champions Sri Lanka and India enter the Asia Cup Super League matches starting here on Saturday in fine form after coming through the initial group stage unscathed.

Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates in Group A, while India downed archrivals Pakistan and Hong Kong for maximum points from Group B.

India, three times champions, take on Bangladesh here on Saturday to kick off the Super League stage, where all teams play each other once to decide the July 6 finalists.

The fourth team involved are hosts Pakistan.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni paid tribute to batsman Virender Sehwag, who has been in swashbuckling form.

"He plays in his own style and although there is a fair amount of risk involved, we always want him to play in his own style. Hopefully he keeps his form in the Super League matches as well," said Dhoni.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was happy with his team's form.

"We had good work-outs but there is still hard work ahead. The expectations are high as defending champions but we are capable of doing well and realise how important it will be to win all the matches," said Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka play Pakistan in their first Super League match on Sunday.

Pakistan and India qualified for the Super League stages of the event along with titleholders Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

India take on Bangladesh in the first match of the Super League on Saturday.

The top two teams qualify for the July 6 final, to be played in Karachi.