Ganguly adjudged best Asian cricketer and batsman

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was adjudged 'Asian Cricketer' and 'Asian Batsman of the Year' at the Castrol Asian Cricket Awards in Karachi on Friday.

Sachin Tendulkar was named 'Best ODI Batsman' while Gautam Gambhir grabbed the honour in Twenty20.

Sri Lanka's wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara took away the 'Best Test Batsman of the Year' award while compatriot Farveez Maharoof was adjudged 'Best ODI Bowler'.

Pakistan's Umar Gul was named the 'Best Twenty20 Bowler'.

Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan, not surprisingly, was named 'Best Test Bowler'.

The surprise element was Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who has been dropped from the Asia Cup squad because of poor form, being named 'Best Fielder'.

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

Though Ganguly was not present at the ceremony, his wife Dona received 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 being stripped of captaincy and 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 an introvert sort of 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, in a video-taped message, also expressed happiness on being conferred the awards.

Akram said 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, hosted by Akram and Rameez Raja, with all the Asia Cup 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.