Sri Lanka's spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who is bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, on Tuesday lavished praise on rookie Afghanistan leg spinner Rashid Khan terming him a 'special talent'.
The Australian surgeon who operated on Muttiah Muralithan's shoulder said the Sri Lankan spinner's injury is not as bad as initially feared.
The ace off-spinner claimed six wickets to help Sri Lanka ease to an innings and 153-run victory over South Africa in the first Test.
Riding on a superb all-round show, Gemini Arabians registered a massive 78-run win over Libra Legends in the opening match of the Masters Champions League Twenty20 tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Put into bat, Gemini Arabians posted a massive 234 for three in their allotted 20 overs and in response the Libra Legends could manage only 156/8. The hero of the Gemini win was the pair of Kumar Sangakkara (86 runs 43 balls, 6x4, 7x6) and opener Richard Levi (62 runs, 43 balls, 4x4, 3x6). Together, they stitched together an 84-run partnership for the second wicket after skipper Virender Sehwag (21) got the tournament off to a rollicking start with a six off the first ball.
The ace spinner said his team was keen to avenge its drubbing on Indian soil last year.
The 33-year-old, returns for the first time since August last year after recovering from two shoulder operations.
The highest Test wicket-taker was escorted by motorcade to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board headquarters.
The 34-year-old off-spinner, the second most successful bowler in Test history with 635 wickets, will fly to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, to be with his young son and is not expected to return
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said he will do everything within his power and that of the government to defend the off spinner.
India's Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag also feature in list of ten most destructive ODI batsmen.
Muralitharan stirred up controversy when he said the bowling actions of McGrath, Gillespie and Lee could be deemed as illegal.
Australian media reported that the Indian off-spinner features in the list of seven bowlers with highly suspect action drawn by ICC.
Matthew Hayden thinks Muralitharan accusing the Australian pace trio of chucking will not get him any favours in world cricket.
Muttiah Muralitharan said Kevin Pietersen's innings of 142 was one of the best he had seen
Australia captain Allan Border criticised the move and current skipper Ricky Ponting also expressed reservations.
Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has been cleared to bowl his controversial "doosra" under a recommendation from an ICC committee.
The Sri Lankan off spinner is hopeful that the ban will soon be lifted following further research into spin bowling by the ICC.
Sri Lanka also called up Nuwan Zoysa for the first time since June 2002 for the first Test against Australia.
Hamish Marshall and Nathan Astle both made centuries as New Zealand piled on 561, their sixth highest total in Test cricket.
Chris Gayle will replace Shahid Afridi in the ICC World XI line-up for the second Super series ODI
Sri Lanka were 449 for 7 against Bangladesh at close on the opening day of the second and final Test.
Sri Lanka won the second and final Test by 10 wickets on the fourth day to win the series 2-0.
The ace off-spinner ripped through Bangladesh's first innings with figures of 5-79 on the opening day of the second Test.
Mohd. Ashraful scored 136 as Bangladesh ended day 1 in the first Test against Sri Lanka on 315.
The Sri Lankan off-spinner believes that spinners would dominate world cricket over the next few years
The Sri Lankan off-spinner has chosen Madhimalar as his life partner and the marriage would be held in Chennai on March 21.
The Sri Lankan off-spinner faces up to 10 weeks on the sidelines after his surgeon recommended immediate surgery to avoid long-term tendon damage.
After spending 11 months on the sidelines following two operations, his superb performance eased fears about his future in the sport.
Sri Lanka's preparations for the second Test against the West Indies are being hampered by a flu virus that forced four players to miss team practice on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has passed himself fit to participate in the fundraising match for tsunami victims.
Murali's presence in Australia had been in doubt ever since since Australian Prime Minister John Howard branded him a "chucker".
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