Ganguly named best Asian cricketer at Castrol Asian Awards

[jackson]

Karachi: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been adjudged the Asian Cricketer and Asian Batsman of the year for his fighting comeback into the Indian team at the Castrol Asian Cricket Awards here on Friday. Sachin Tendulkar was named the Best ODI batsman while Gautam Gambhir grabbed the honour in Twenty20. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara took away the best Test Batsman of the year award while compatriot Farveez Maharoof was chosen as the Best ODI Bowler. Pakistan's Umar Gul was named the Best Twenty20 Bowler. Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, not surprisingly, took away the Best Bowler award. The surprise element was Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who has been dropped from the Asia Cup squad because of his poor form, as he was conferred with the Best Fielder award. But former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram, who along with Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and former India skipper Rahul Dravid picked the winners, said that Akmal was selected for his overall performances throughout the last two years. Though Ganguly was not present at the ceremony, his wife Dona took the awards on his behalf. "I am proud and happy to be his wife. I don't think he needed to work so hard to prove himself. But he had a point to prove and when he wants to achieve something he does it. So these awards make me really proud of him as my husband," Dona told reporters after receiving the awards. She, however, refused to term the awards as redemption for her husband after his removal as captain and being dropped from the team in 2006. "I don't see it that way. I just knew that he would achieve what he wanted. He is a introvert sort of a person but my job was to be there to encourage and support him. As a family we were there for him always," she said. The Bengal left-hander also expressed his happiness on receiving the awards in a video taped message. Akram said that Asian cricket had produced some great performers from Hanif Mohammad to Tendulkar and it was good to see them being recognised for their achievements in a systematic manner. Pakistan greats like Hanif Mohammad, Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal and Wasim Bari graced the ceremony that was hosted by Akram and Rameez Raja with all the teams, including associate member Hong Kong, in attendance. Hanif got a lifetime achievement award and said it was time for other companies and people to also come forward and recognise and reward the players. http://www.cricketnext.com/news/ganguly-named-best-asian-cricketer/32419-13.html

[Sachinism]

Its a shame BCCI can't recognise what Ganguly has achieved

[flamy]

All hail Dada! Just stay in the Test team and no one will diss you :icflove:

[satishg]

he is a true fighter..a champion cricketer to the core..except that his mouth does a lot of talking now and then abt coming back to the ODI squad..Sourav v need u in tests and pls concentrate on ur test career..u really rock and v all shd be proud of him..Dada definitely is gr8 :yay::two_thumbs_up::icflove:

[Cricketics]

Well deserving for this Champ. HATZ OFF..

[coffee_rules]

The operative sentenence is:

But former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram, who along with Sri Lankan batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and former India skipper Rahul Dravid picked the winners, said that Akmal was selected for his overall performances throughout the last two years.

may be Dravid is mending fences. :-D

[jf1gp_1]

He did have a great year. I didnt want him to return to test team but he has done a fantastic job since his return. Saurav deserves this award. Kamran Akmal best fielder is a joke. If they were so desperate to give a Paki player some award then they could have easily created a new catagory called best entertainer and given it to Akhtar and Asif.

[Dirty_South]

Katmal - Best fielder ?? my ***** :mad:

[DomainK]

I am quite happy with the way our test and ODI teams are shaping up. We dont have place for anymore senior players than Sachin and Viru.

[DomainK]

Yes, Akmal best fielder is a joke. What bloody face is this?

[Dravid]

wooohooooooooooooooooo congrats to dada :D

[The Outsider]

Katmal - Best fielder ?? my ***** :mad:

They didn't include his wicketkeeping while making the decision.

[gs]

Best Captain - Shoaib Malik Best Chimpanzee - Shahid Afridi Best non-playing phaasht bowler - Aktor Best phaasht bowler in jail - Arsif

[Chaos]

Best Captain - Shoaib Malik Best Chimpanzee - Shahid Afridi Best non-playing phaasht bowler - Aktor Best phaasht bowler in jail - Arsif

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: