Lucknow Muslims celebrate Milad-un Nabi with enthusiasm

Lucknow: Several functions were held on the eve of Eid Milad-un-Nabi here on Saturday. Preparations are also in full swing for the Madh-e Sahaba procession by Sunni Muslims on Sunday at Lucknow. The occasion is celebrated as birthday of Prophet Mohammad as per Islamic calender on 12th Rabi-ul-awwal.

State governor BL Joshi also extended his hearty greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of birthday of Prophet Mohammad celebrated as Eid-Milad-un-Nabi and wished everyone a happy and prosperous life. The governor in his greeting message has said that teachings of Prophet Mohammad are still relevant for humanity as a whole. His teachings mould the true values of the society, which should also be instrumental in bringing about social changes in a harmonious manner. Former Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav also greeted the people on the occasion of Prophet's birthday.


Tile Wali Masjid on the bank of Gomti River decked up for Milad-un Nabi celebration




A function to celebrate the Prophet's birthday was held at Islamia College ground by Muslim Youth Convention on Saturday. Addressing the gathering, member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Zafaryab Jilani stated that such functions highlight the religious diversity in the country. "These functions also help us in inculcating the teachings of Prophet Mohammad in our life. These functions also are a symbol of communal harmony as people from all walks of life attend them," said Jilani. Imam, Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli also highlighted the teachings of Prophet Mohammad.

On the occasion, the historical Tile Wali Mosque was specially decked up with lighting. Several shops and other stalls were set up as the occasion is celebrated in a grand manner at the mosque. Imam Tile Wali Masjid, Maulana Fazlur Rehman Waizi stated that special Milad will be held to celebrate Prophet's birthday.

Meanwhile preparations were being done on war footing for the procession of Madh-e Sahaba on Sunday. The procession which is attended by hundreds of anjumans originates from Jhandewala Park at 9 am and will pass through Maulviganj, Raqabganj, Nadan Mahal Road, Nakhas Crossing, Billauchpura, Haiderganj and will culminate at Aishbagh Eidgah. The procession is part of the tripartite agreement between Shia, Sunni and District Administration made on April 25, 1999. Special security arrangements are enforced for the peaceful passage of the procession. Anjumans with their flags participate in the procession.






Another procession, Juloos-e-Mohammadi will be taken out from Shahmina Dargah and will culminate at Jyotiba Phule Park in Chowk locality on Sunday. Though the procession has not received prior permission, it is taken out by Qazi-e-Shaher Maulana Abul Irfan Farangi Mahli every year defying all restrictions.

Most of the mosques in Muslim areas were decked up with illumination and green flags atop them.

England's batting is so ineffably weak -Pakistan v England Test Series - 3rd Test Day 1

Pakistan 99

England 104/6 (43.0 ov)

England lead by 5 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Stumps - Day 1

• Pakistan v England Test Series - 3rd Test
• Test no. 2034 | 2011/12 season
• Played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium(neutral venue)
• 3,4,5,6,7 February 2012 (5-day match)

Misbah-ul-Haq chose to bat on a flat pitch, which seemed a sound decision at the time

England's batting has been so ineffably weak in this Test series that even the sight of a Pakistan side bundled out for 99 was not about to fill them with resolve. Where once they were steadfast now they are overwrought. All logic suggested they should have ended the opening day of the third Test in a position of authority but logic left this series long ago.

It is the first time that Test cricket has been played in winter in the UAE and the pitches have been enlivened from their usual moribund state as a result but not remotely to the extent that the scores suggest. Every day brings something more bizarre. This should not by any stretch of the imagination have been a 16-wicket day.

Pakistan avoided their lowest Test score against England thanks only to 45 from Asad Shafiq, the one batsman to pass muster as England's new-ball pair, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, made full use of encouraging conditions. Pakistan began the final Test imagining they could whitewash England in a Test series for the first time. It is quite something to be dismissed for fewer than 100 on a decent-enough surface and still be in the match.

An England innings has become something fantastical. The DRS has sapped their resolve. It was introduced to reduce umpiring mistakes, and it has achieved its purpose, but in this series at least, it has shifted the balance of the game fundamentally. Umpires in this series are giving most marginal calls to the bowler, too many marginal calls. Batsmen are confused about their technique and spinners are bowling straight and imagining themselves as superheroes. It will right itself in time; the authorities are not fond of three-day Tests.

This series has already produced more lbws than in any three-Test series in history - 35 and counting. There were eight umpiring reviews and the Australian Simon Taufel, who has mused about retirement more than once, had an uncomfortable day as he had several decisions overturned.

Almost unnoticed, Andrew Strauss reached the close of a bewildering day unbeaten on 41, an England captain labouring to add a major batting contribution to his undoubted leadership qualities. Overlook a flirt with a sweep or two and he stood alongside Shafiq and Kevin Pietersen as the most secure batsmen on an insecure day.

Memories of England's batting debacles in the first two Tests must have preyed on Alastair Cook's mind as he fell to the sort of hesitant jab against Umar Gul that Australia, in England's victorious Ashes series barely a year ago, must have dreamed of. Gul also had Trott lbw: a dodgy decision by the umpire, Steve Davis, which England failed to review.

Then came the curiosities. Kevin Pietersen looked in good trim but fell to left-arm spin once more, a marginal decision that might have been designed to taunt his pre-match assertion that his record against this type of bowler was "not a train crash". Ian Bell was out to Saeed Ajmal for the fourth series, straying out of his crease and stumped fortuitously by Adnan Akmal off a blur of pads and gloves - that is how his brother Kamran used to do it. Eoin Morgan, his reputation as a good player of spin now in tatters, was trapped on the back foot by a quicker, flatter one. And finally Matt Prior, desperate not to be struck on the pads, was bowled by one that turned.

Pakistan were no better. By drinks on the first morning, England had five Pakistan wickets; shortly after drinks came round again in the afternoon they had them all. This was far from a fast bowlers' feast but Broad, England's outstanding player of the series, and Anderson made full use of a little swing and some unexpected bounce.

Broad's new-ball return of 3 for 12 in six overs included two overturned decisions for Taufel as England successfully resorted to DRS. The dismissal of Mohammad Hafeez was the most controversial of the day.

England were searching for a lbw decision but there seemed to be little conclusive evidence to overturn Taufel's decision. Indeed those blessed with the eyes of a hawk and high-definition TVs insisted there was a slight mark on hot spot that should have reprieved Hafeez. Shavir Tarapore, the third umpire from India in his fourth Test, gave him out, causing Hafeez to slap his bat in unconcealed disgust.

Broad's new-ball return of 3 for 12 in six overs included two overturned decisions for Taufel as England 

In the seconds a fielding side has to decide on a review, the captain, Andrew Strauss, mentally dons a business suit, calls a meeting, studies a report, draws conclusions and lays out a systematic process. The sense is of clipboards, posh pens and PowerPoint presentations. Misbah tries to do the same for Pakistan but he is a bit short of reliable middle management.

In England in 2010, Pakistan collapsed for 72, 76 and 80, three batting disasters at Edgbaston, Lord's and Trent Bridge that count among their eight lowest Test scores in history. They no longer had to contend with a surly English summer but they did face the debilitating effect of a series already secured.

Their collapse began in the first over, Taufeeq Umar defeated by Anderson's inswinger. There were few demons in the ball from Broad that dismissed Azhar and Younis Khan's jab at a wide, rising ball, even allowing for the unexpected steepness of the bounce: another poor shot in a career nearing its end.

Misbah and Adnan, who should also have been run out by Morgan, both turned to DRS without success to try to stem the flow of wickets. Rehman's slog at Graeme Swann, in his solitary over, was the worst batting moment on a day replete with them. Shafiq was ninth out, trying to cut Panesar and getting struck on the pad in front of middle.

For Pakistan the morning had brought back bad memories of their first Test in the UAE. Against Australia in Sharjah ten years ago they were dismissed for 53 and 59 - their two lowest Test scores. Misbah, Taufeeq and Younis were all in the top six then. In some ways little has changed in Pakistan cricket. In other, more significant ways, everything has changed.

Pakistan 99

England 104/6 (43.0 ov)

England lead by 5 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

Stumps - Day 1

• Pakistan v England Test Series - 3rd Test
• Test no. 2034 | 2011/12 season
• Played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium(neutral venue)
• 3,4,5,6,7 February 2012 (5-day match)

	Pakistan 1st innings		R	M	B	4s	6s	SR
	Mohammad Hafeez	lbw b Broad	13	50	30	1	0	43.33
	Taufeeq Umar	lbw b Anderson	0	4	5	0	0	0.00
	Azhar Ali	c †Prior b Broad	1	20	14	0	0	7.14
	Younis Khan	c †Prior b Broad	4	10	8	1	0	50.00
	Misbah-ul-Haq*	lbw b Anderson	1	17	8	0	0	12.50
	Asad Shafiq	lbw b Panesar	45	120	78	3	0	57.69
	Adnan Akmal†	lbw b Broad	6	36	30	0	0	20.00
	Abdur Rehman	c Pietersen b Swann	1	9	5	0	0	20.00
	Saeed Ajmal	lbw b Panesar	12	52	53	1	0	22.64
	Umar Gul	b Anderson	13	34	27	1	1	48.14
	Aizaz Cheema	not out	0	18	7	0	0	0.00
	Extras	(lb 3)	3
	Total	(all out; 44.1 overs; 191 mins)	99	(2.24 runs per over)

Fall of wickets 1-1 (Taufeeq Umar, 0.6 ov), 2-8 (Azhar Ali, 5.3 ov), 3-18 (Younis Khan, 7.5 ov),4-21 (Mohammad Hafeez, 9.6 ov), 5-21 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 10.5 ov), 6-39 (Adnan Akmal, 18.6 ov),7-44 (Abdur Rehman, 21.2 ov), 8-78 (Saeed Ajmal, 35.3 ov), 9-85 (Asad Shafiq, 39.6 ov), 10-99 (Umar Gul, 44.1 ov)

	Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
	JM Anderson	14.1	3	35	3	2.47
	SCJ Broad	16	5	36	4	2.25
	MS Panesar	13	4	25	2	1.92
	GP Swann	1	1	0	1	0.00

	England 1st innings		R	B	4s	6s	SR
	AJ Strauss*	not out	41	120	4	0	34.16
	AN Cook	c †Adnan Akmal b Umar Gul	1	5	0	0	20.00
	IJL Trott	lbw b Umar Gul	2	10	0	0	20.00
	KP Pietersen	lbw b Abdur Rehman	32	44	4	0	72.72
	IR Bell	st †Adnan Akmal b Saeed Ajmal	5	28	0	0	17.85
	EJG Morgan	lbw b Abdur Rehman	10	14	0	1	71.42
	MJ Prior†	b Abdur Rehman	6	19	0	0	31.57
	JM Anderson	not out	3	18	0	0	16.66
	Extras	(b 1, lb 3)	4
	Total	(6 wickets; 43 overs)	104	(2.41 runs per over)

To bat SCJ Broad, GP Swann, MS Panesar

Fall of wickets 1-5 (Cook, 2.2 ov), 2-7 (Trott, 4.2 ov), 3-64 (Pietersen, 19.2 ov), 4-75 (Bell, 28.5 ov),5-88 (Morgan, 33.1 ov), 6-98 (Prior, 37.6 ov)

	Bowling	O	M	R	W	Econ
	Umar Gul	7	1	28	2	4.00
	Aizaz Cheema	4	0	9	0	2.25
	Saeed Ajmal	17	5	40	1	2.35
	Abdur Rehman	15	4	23	3	1.53

Match details

Toss Pakistan, who chose to bat

Player of the match tba

Umpires SJ Davis (Australia) and SJA Taufel (Australia) TV umpire SK Tarapore (India) Match referee JJ Crowe (New Zealand) Reserve umpire Shozab Raza (Pakistan)

Close of play - day 1 - England 1st innings 104/6 (AJ Strauss 41*, JM Anderson 3*, 43 ov)