MUMBAI — India's powerful cricket board will meet at the weekend to elect a new president following the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya, its secretary said Tuesday. Anurag Thakur said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was expected to pick former supremo Shashank Manohar as its new chief at a special general meeting Sunday. “Shashank Manohar is our consensus candidate,” he told local media, in quotes carried by the Press Trust of India. Dalmiya, 75, died earlier this month after falling critically ill with a heart condition. His death came just months after he returned to the helm of the faction-ridden BCCI following the toppling of Narayanaswami Srinivasan, who is now head of the International Cricket Council. Supporters of Thakur and Srinivasan, who are bitter rivals, were thought to be gearing up for a battle to lead the BCCI but Manohar's elevation appears designed to placate both sides and makes an election contest less likely. Manohar, a lawyer, previously served as BCCI chief between 2008 and 2011. The special meeting is expected to be held in Mumbai. S. Africa flattened South Africa made a dismal start to its 10-week tour of India, losing a Twenty20 warm-up match to a second-string side by eight wickets in New Delhi Tuesday. India ‘A', comprising young talent drawn from across the country, chased down a competitive 189-3 by the tourists with two deliveries to spare at the Palam Ground. The surprise win was fashioned by uncapped openers Manan Vohra and Mayank Agarwal, who gave their team a flying start with a 119-run partnership in 12.4 overs. Vohra hit a 42-ball 56 and Agarwal smashed 87 off 49 balls that included 12 boundaries and two sixes. Upcoming batsman Sanju Samson steered the host home with an unbeaten 31 off 22 balls, leaving the Proteas with much to ponder ahead of the tougher contests ahead. Fast bowlers Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris failed to take a wicket, with Abbott proving to be the most expensive by conceding 43 runs in his four overs. South African batsmen hit early form — the lone bright spot for them in the game — with left-hander JP Duminy top-scoring with 68 off 32 balls that included six sixes and two boundaries. Skipper Faf du Plessis retired after scoring a 27-ball 42 and AB de Villiers made 37 off 27 balls, the pair adding 84 for the second wicket off just 50 deliveries after Quinton de Kock was run out in the first over. Duminy and Farhaan Behardien boosted the total by plundering 44 runs in the final three overs. The tourists are due to play three Twenty20 internationals and five one-day matches up until Oct. 25, before starting a four-Test series on Nov. 5. The first Twenty20 international will be held in Dharamsala Friday. Brief scores: South Africa 189-3 in 20 overs (JP Duminy 68 not out, Faf du Plessis 42 retired, AB de Villiers 37, Kuldeep Yadav 1-26). India ‘A' 193-2 in 19.4 overs (Manan Vohra 56, Mayank Agarwal 87, Sanju Samson 31, JP Duminy 1-22). — Agencies
