Keen contest on cards in Afro-Asia ODI series

Bangalore, Jun 5 (UNI) The first ODI clash between Africa and Asia for the Afro-Asian Cup to be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium here tomorrow promises a keen contest despite missing names of big guns who have shied away for ICC-recognised event and a dissapointing public response.

Asia holds the edge as the African team was wearing thin due to the absence of South African Captain Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Nitini.

Asia will be powered by the hardhitting foursome -- Sanath Jayasurya, Saurav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virender Sehwag.

The newly laid wicket at the M Chinnaswamy stadium promises bounce and pace but looking at the calibre of African bowlers barring Shaun Pollock and Andrew hall, it looks like the Asians would be savouring on a run feast in the day-night contest.

In the best-of-three series, the two other matches would be played in Channai on June nine and ten.

The event, the brainchild of former BCCI Chief Jagmohan Dalmia, was launched two years ago aims to raise funds for the minor cricket playing nations in the two continents.

Big hitting Johan Botha, Mark Boucher and Ab De Villiers lead the batting challenge from the Africans. They however would have to contend with Zaheer Khan who is in good nick evident from his Series winning perfromance against Bangladesh and Mohammed Asif, Dilara Fernando of Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively.

The match will be played on the relaid pitch prepared by Blair Christiansen and Bede O'Connell from New Zealand.

UNI