Mumbai: The BCCI on Tuesday shifted the venue of two matches of the forthcoming Champions League T20 tournament that were scheduled to be held in Kolkata to Bengaluru.

The two matches, which were earlier supposed to be held at the Eden Gardens on October 1, have been shifted to Bangalore, keeping in view the commencement the biggest festival of the city — Durga Pooja — from the following day, the BCCI statement said.

“There is a change in the match schedule of the NOKIA CL T20 2011. The Kolkata Police requested this change, in view of the Durga Pooja celebrations in the city, which commence on 2 October 2011,” BCCI said in a statement.

“The two matches that were scheduled to be played in Kolkata on 1 October 2011, have been shifted to Bengaluru,” the release added.

The tournament is scheduled to be played across four cities in India, starting with the first qualifying match between Trinidad and Tobago (West Indies) and a team from Sri Lanka, which is yet to be decided, on September 19 in Hyderabad.

2011 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Twenty20 – PLAYING SCHEDULE

QUALIFYING STAGE

Each team will play two (2)Qualifying matches, and the top team in each Qualifying Pool, along with the next highest ranked team (decided on Points, then Net Run Rate), will go through to the Group stage.

The Qualifying matches will be

The top team in Pool A will be designated Q1 in the Group Stage.

The top team in Pool B will be designated Q2 in the Group Stage.

The next highest ranked team will be designated Q3 in the Group Stage.

Should Kolkata Knight Riders qualify through being the next highest ranked team, they will assume the Q1 position in the Group Stage, and the top team in Pool A will assume the Q3 position in the Group Stage.

GROUP STAGE

There will betwoGroups, each comprising five teams.

The Group Table is:

Each team will play 4 Group matches, and the top two teams in each Group will go through to the Semi Final stage.

The Group matches will be;

SEMI FINALS

The top two teams from each Group will qualify for the Semi Finals.

If Chennai Super Kings qualifies for the Semi Finals, they will play their Semi Final in Chennai, regardless of finishing position.

If Royal Challengers Bangalore qualifies for the Semi Finals, they will play their Semi Final in Bengaluru, regardless of finishing position, unless they are drawn to play Chennai Super Kings, in which case they will play in Semi Final 2 in Chennai (due to CSK being the defending CLT20 Champions).

FINAL

The winner of each Semi Final will qualify for the Final.

India: The PCB and the BCCI are facing a logistical headache scheduling their bilateral Test series next year in March-April as the Asia Cup tournament is clashing with the much-anticipated series.

One of the senior official from Pakistan cricket board said that the problem was arising because while Pakistan were due to tour India from first week of March, the Asia Cup was also scheduled to start in Bangladesh around the same time.

The official said the statements emanating from the Board of Control for Cricket in India about finding a suitable time slot for the revival of bilateral series between the two countries pertained to this problem.

“The Asian cricket Council (ACC) and the Indians are trying to find a solution because under International cricket Council regulations, bilateral tours take precedence over everything else,” the official said.

Interestingly, when the ACC finalised the Asia Cup schedule and awarded the event to Bangladesh, bilateral ties between Pakistan and India were suspended by the Indian board on apparent instructions of its Government.

But after the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali and the visit of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani for the match on the invitation of his Indian counterpart, the diplomatic and political scenario between the two nations has improved a bit.

“The problem is that both Pakistan and India have a packed international calendar for the next eight months and there are also instances where when Pakistan is free India is busy or when India is free Pakistan team is scheduled to play matches,” the official said.

He added that any suggestion on part of the PCB to the BCCI to split or share earnings of the series in India could only be discussed once the schedule was finalised.

“That is why any meaningful talks will only begin on such issues next month and after the Indian board sorts out the time slot and dates issues,” he said.

The PCB official conceded that Pakistan was keen for the bilateral series to resume and wanted to tour India and was also willing to play the Indians at any neutral venue.

India have not played any bilateral cricket match with Pakistan since late 2007 and cancelled a full tour to Pakistan in early 2009 in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

London: It was the final day of the npower Test series. England win or India draw? That was the question which revolved around our minds till the time the game went on.

Before we start the proceedings a bad news for the supporters of India. A media release from BCCI says: Virender Sehwag and Ishant Sharma have been ruled out of the forthcoming ODI series against England. Sehwag suffered from labyrinthithis of the left ear. Although his condition has improved, he continues to experience headaches. Ishant Sharma sustained a ligament injury in his left ankle during the Birmingham Test of the ongoing series.The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Ajinkya Rahane and Varun Aaron as the replacements of the two players.

At the final day of 4^th test match India finally managed a session in the series that went wicket-less. Terrific effort by Mishra and Tendulkar to apply themselves and score some decent runs too.

There was some fight back from the visitors in this game, but the result is nothing different. India suffer a 4-0 series whitewash, which is happening for the first time since 1999. The visitors also slip to number 3 in the ICC Test Rankings.

It was yet another dramatic collapse with India losing 7 wickets for just 21 runs that effectively took away any hopes of a draw and ending the game.Mishra and Tendulkar put up a fight with that big partnership but once they were out, nobody put their hand up and gutted it out. As a result, England finish the match with a 4-0 win over India. Ian Bell was the top performer for England. Without a shadow of a doubt, Dravid was the top performer for the visitors.

Stuart Broad is England’s Man of the Series for his 182 runs and 25 wickets. Of course, Rahul Dravid is India’s Man of the Series for 461 runs throughout the four matches.

Match Summary

First Innings: ENG 591/6 (153) DEC. (I Bell 235 & S Sreesanth 3-123)

First Innings: IND 300/10 (94) (R Dravid 146 & T Bresnan 3-54)

Second Innings: IND 283/10 (91) (S Tendulkar 91 & G Swann 6-106)

Man of the match: Ian Bell

London: Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen piled up twin hundreds in a record triple-century stand as England showed India no mercy on day two of the fourth npower Test at The Oval. England’s third-wicket pair dominated India’s weak attack in a partnership of 350 and sunny skies made life increasingly comfortable for the hosts, and desperate for their opponents.

Ishant was careful and bowled with purpose. He got the wicket of Cook early in the day and then made the other batsmen struggle as well. India wanted  to continue with their good work after lunch also.

Momentum shifted again and it was back with the hosts. India had been poor in second  session and England took hold on this match.

A long and tiring day for India. The host dominated the proceedings completely and the 350-run stand between KP and Bell was the biggest highlight of the day. India managed to send back Pietersen in the end but there was nothing inspiring otherwise.

England end the day in a position of strength having reached a whopping 457/3. Pietersen and Bell were the stars with the latter still unbeaten on 181.

Match Summary:First Innings:ENG 457/3(123) (I Bell 181 & I Sharma 81-1)

London: With the series already in their kitty and the No.1 Test crown on their head, England have established their supremacy over a helpless Indian side. What is now left is a mere formality for the Englishmen if they manage a complete 4-0 whitewash, with a win in the final Test. The Indians failed miserably in their last encounter, add to it Sehwag’s first-ball dismissals and an ineffective bowling attack that could not stop the rage of English batsmen.

It is the first time since November 2004 that India is going to play for pride in a Test series.

England won the toss and elected to bat first. The Poms are unchanged from their last game and that means James Anderson is fit to play. India had a forced changed with RP Singh coming in to replace injured Praveen Kumar, who happened to be India’s leading wicket-taker. Big blow that.

It was a perfect start for England. The toss went their way, good decision to bat and no wickets lost in the opening session. Can’t ask for more. The overcast conditions were the only help for the Indian bowlers, but the spice in the attack was missing again. The tracks looked very good and it promised to be a long day in the field for the  visitors.

Bad news as we get underway for the afternoon session. It started drizzling and the major part of the ground was covered.

The rain continued to fall in south London and there were no signs of play.

Persistent rain forced the Umpires to call it a day. Play was officially abandoned. England did well and they will be happy with their effort.

Match Summary

First Innings:  ENG 75/0 (26) (A Strauss 38 & I Sharma 0-17)

Birmingham: England’s dominance continued in 3^rd test as they posted 157-0 in the first session. Strauss and Cook dominated the bowling as they milked runs of almost all the bowlers. India felt  hard done when couple of edges fell short of slips. Apart from that, the bowling was much better than yesterday but still not good enough to prize out a wicket.

India would like to forget another day in Edgbaston, Birmingham. At the end of Day 2, England lead by 232 runs with 7 wickets in hand and that says the story itself.

Everyone chipped in with the bat but Cook’s knock has been brilliant. The visitors lacked spark in the attack, had a long day in the field and a few chances went down as well. They will need something inspiring tomorrow or else England will race away with a massive first innings lead, 3-0 series win and the number one Test spot.

Match Summary

First innings: IND 224/10 (62.2) (MS Dhoni 77 & S Broad 53-4)

First Innings: ENG 456/3 (115) (A Cook 182 & P Kumar 75-2)

Birmingham: A high on confidence England took on an under-pressure Indian team in what is going to be a deciding match in this four-match series. England have dominated the proceedings so far, and a win in this Test will earn them the No.1 Test ranking. On the other hand, India would look to bounce back, especially with the return of one of the most feared opening pairs in the world – Sehwag and Gambhir. Zaheer’s absence is definitely going to hurt the visitors and the hosts would want to grab this opportunity with open arms. From India’s point of view, it will be extremely important to win this Test and stay alive in the competition.

England won the toss and decided to field. MS Dhoni also wanted to utilize the conditions and bowl first.

India have three changes, as expected, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag return while Amit Mishra gets a place in the XI. Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out of the series while Abhinav Mukund misses out. England have just the one change with Ravi Bopara replacing injured Jonathan Trott.

India was down to 75/4 at the end of the first session on Day 1. Dravid was standing firm for his side but his departure means big trouble now.

Despite having lost 4 wickets, team India was a touch pleased with their effort in that session. 130 runs were scored, mainly by Dhoni and Kumar who brought back some life in the innings.

India would be somewhat pleased with their effort, more so after they were tottering on 111/7 at one stage. MS Dhoni led a fine recovery and played a crucial hand of 77. The English bowlers were at their best again. Broad and Bresnan picking up 4 wickets apiece under useful conditions. If the Poms manages to take a big lead in the first innings, the number 1 ranking is coming their way.

England well in command of the third Test as well. They stand at 84/0 at the end of the day. Earlier in the day, England managed to bowl out India for a paltry 224 but it could have been worse if not for Dhoni’s valiant innings.

Match Summary

First Innings: IND 224/10 (62.2) (MS Dhoni 77 & S Broad 53-4)

First Innings: ENG 84/0 (25) (A Strauss 52 & I Sharma 16-0)

London: Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott says India played like Bangladesh in parts at Trent Bridge and predicts another England win in the third Test.

Boycott, in his column for Daily Telegraph, wrote India are unlikely to improve in the next Test.

“I don’t see how India can recover and beat England. It doesn’t matter who they bring in. The Indian batsmen don’t like the short ball and the Indian seamers do not have the pace and intensity of England’s bowlers so come to Edgbaston all you England supporters and see Strauss’s team win again,” he wrote.

“There were times at Trent Bridge when India looked like Bangladesh in disguise. Their ground fielding was horrible, their bowling was wayward and lacking thought.

“The field placings were non-existent and their batting, apart from Dravid, in the first innings and Tendulkar in the second, was hopeless,” he said.

“Overall, it was a fantastic cricket match. It was a great advert for the game and a superb victory by England.

“Cricket should be played on more pitches like this. They give the bowlers an opportunity to get into the game rather than flat surfaces where batsmen plunder mountains of runs.

Boycott said England won because they played with the right attitude.

“But the difference between these two teams is England want it more. They are determined to be number one in the world and nothing is going to stop them.

Islamabad: Shahid Afridi could be in big trouble with the PCB after stating that Pakistan President, Asif Zardari, should step in to prevent the game from becoming a “joke”.

Speaking on ‘Geo Super channel’ in a talk show, the flamboyant all-rounder claimed that if he has been declared an incompetent captain by the Pakistan Cricket Board then chairman Ijaz Butt should also step down from his position.

“It was Ijaz Butt who appointed me as captain for nearly a year and a half and if now it is said that I am not good enough and not capable of leading the team then the chairman is equally responsible for this mistake and should also step down,” Afridi said.

He appealed to the chief patron of the PCB, President Zardari, to intervene.

“I would appeal to President Zardari to take note of what is happening in cricket and stop the joke being done with it,” Afridi said.

Afridi had some strong words to say about his reported dispute with head coach Waqar Younis.

“If they are saying I was responsible for the defeats in the last two one-dayers in the West Indies then that is not true. Because I didn’t select the teams, they were selected by Waqar and manager Intikhab Alam,” the former captain said.

“I thought I was a hero after our World Cup performance but they quickly turned me to a zero,” he said.