Africa XI captain Justin Kemp has attributed lack of the fifth bowler in
his team for the Asian XI's recovery while rival captain Mahela Jayawardene
gave credit to his bowlers for winning the third and final ODI of the Afro
Asian Cup cricket tournament.
"Spinners Rafique and Harbhajan claiming the chunk of the wickets helped
us ultimately score a three-zero series win", Jayawardene said, adding
Harbhajan bowled well, particularly under pressure situations.
On Zaheer Khan's injury, he said it was just a slight
strain. "He is getting medical attention. In a week's time he should be
going. I do not know...I am not an expert, I do not know about the MRI scan
report',he said in reply to a question "We were short of one bowler. We
missed two of our top bvowlers and that was why I chose to bowl as the fifth
bowler," Kemp said when asked at the post-match conference about allowing
Asian XI to recover from 72/5 to score 331. Asian XI went on to win the match
by 13 runs.
On Asian XI managing to win by 13 runs and the most constructive
part of their batting, Man of the Match Dhoni said when he joined Jayawardene
they were not looking for a big target. "We were just looking to get to
250 and were more than happy to get 331." About his experience in playing
with players of various countries, he said it was really great to play with
sub-continental players. "It will help us when we play in future. We get
to know other players. I have played quite a few matches against the Sri Lankans.
But I have never got to know them as well as like now," Dhoni said.
Dhoni declined to comment when asked about appointment of Graham
Ford as India coach.
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