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Calcutta, Feb 16

Dalmiya on cloud nine

ICC chairman Jagmohan Dalmiya appears to be the happiest man here as the first match of the First Asian Test Championship between enduring foes India and Pakistan got off to an absorbing start this morning at the Eden Gardens.

``You see this is a dream that has come true at last in my own city. With this Test cricket has stepped into a new era,'' said the world cricket boss.

He further said that it will also act as the guideline for ICC to hold the world Test championship.

Dhaka hosts Big Three in Y2K

The 8th Asia Cup will be held in Dhaka within April 24 to May 20 in the year 2000. This was disclosed by Thilanga Sumathipala, the President of the ACC today.

``We have blocked this time as India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka don't have any commitment during that period,'' he said.

Talking to this correspondent, the Sri Lankan executive said that Pepsi will remain the sponsor of the four-nation meet, which also involves the hosts and ACC champions Bangladesh.

The Asia Cup was supposed to be held in Dhaka next month. But because of India's reluctance it was cancelled during the Wills International Cup in Dhaka last October.

Bonus Time

It was a historic day for Test cricket as, for the first time, bonus points have been awarded to both teams and hosts India gained the most on the opening day. India earned full four bonus points as they booked Pakistan for 185 within 100 overs.

On the other hand, Pakistan earned only one bonus point for scoring more than 150 runs in 76.2 overs.

India owe their four points mostly to Srinath who took five wickets for 46 runs from 18 overs, which included six maidens. It was Srinath's best bowling figures against Pakistan and the fourth five-wicket haul in his career.

Shukla sorrow

The Calcutta crowd was totally annoyed as local hope Laxmiratan Shukla could not make his debut today. Sukla, who many expected would feature in the first eleven as the third seamer, was finally made the 12th man.

``You see every country gives preference to local boys but it did not happen here,'' said Kushal, a local cricket fan, who came to Eden Gardens to see Shukla make his debut.

``It's totally unfair because the wicket demanded a genuine third pacer but the team management has not thought in that line. It might cost us the match as Pakistan have three quickies. They (Pak) have taken the correct decision but India failed to do that,'' Kushal added with sheer frustration.

Shoaib phobia

The Calcutta crowd was quite nervous because of Shoaib Akhtar, the quickest bowler at present in the Pakistan team. And the 23-year old Shoaib proved that by taking the only wicket of India to fall today. He bowled opener Laxman out for five in the second ball of the last over of the day.

The crowd hoped for night-watchman Anil Kumble to survive only four balls and Kumble did it, but by being beaten in each ball delivered by Shoaib.

While returning home after the match, most of the local spectators were only talking about Shoaib and his speed.

Some were heard saying that Shoaib would be the main factor tomorrow when India resumes their innings from 26 for one.

Rahman 97 not out

Abdur Rahman was the busiest man in the press-box. The 50-year old scorer, who is scoring his 97th Test here since he started the job in 1969, has a big voice. He had been shouting the statistics throughout the game whenever a wicket fell and after a bowler had completed his spell.

Rahman, an employee of the Indian Railways, has also acted as an official scorer in 96 ODIs.

Seeing his prompt action whenever it was required, a Bangladeshi reporter said that this fellow should be taken at least once to Dhaka to train our scorers, who work in the Dhaka press-box to help the reporters.

Operation Rescue

Moin Khan once again proved that he was always a cool customer during a crisis. The wicketkeeper-cum-middle-order, who came to bat at number eight with Pakistan tottering at 26 for 6, played a man-like innings of 70 to help Pakistan score a respectable total.

Moin shared an 84-run partnership with Salim Malik for the sixth wicket and then went on to add another 63 runs with his skipper.

It was Moin's 11th Test fifty and what an occasion he chose to make it.

Dilip's delight

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarker praised the CAB for producing a very good wicket after the failure of Chennai and Delhi.

``This is a real sporting wicket, which both teams have equal chances to exploit. During my time as captain, I always insisted on this point,'' he said.

Dilip's comment only reveals that Indian players also like to play in a properly prepared pitch.

Wasim on the dock

It was a good toss to lose for Indian captain Azharuddin as his bowlers, after being sent to field by Pakistan captain Wasim, were fully successful in bundling out the visitors cheaply.

``I would have otherwise taken fielding had I won the toss,'' said the happy Indian skipper after the end of the first day's play.

On the other hand, most of the Pakistani journalists criticised Wasim for his decision to bat first after winning the toss.

``How can you afford to do that when you have three fast bowlers and there are a lot of grass on the pitch?'' queried a Pakistani reporter, who opted to remain anonymous.