WILL HE, WONT HE? SACHIN'S ARRIVAL TO BOOST SALES

Earlier this morning, IMG had dismissed as ``speculation'' report that the former Indian captain had boarded a 2 a.m. flight from India and was due to play the final game in the series on Sunday.

Some Indian publications, including Rediff, India Today and Indian Express had claimed that the Pakistani and Indian cricket boards had agreed to allow Sachin and Ajay Jadeja to join the team in Toronto as replacements for the injured Jatin Paranjpe.

In a press release this afternoon, IMG confirmed that the former Indian captain would be joining the team for the Sahara Cup.

``Indian cricket star, Sachin Tendulkar will be arriving in Toronto on Saturday, September 18, to join the Indian team for the final match of the 1998 Sahara Cup,'' IMG confirmed.

The release stated that Tendulkar would not arrive in time to play the Saturday match.

Ajay Jadeja arrived in Toronto this morning. BCCI had been unsuccessful in reaching Sachin Tendulkar who had left Bombay for Lonavla and Pune.

Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin wil be thankful for the arrival of Tendulkar and Jadeja. India is down 1-2 in the five-match series which ends on Sunday.

The news is expected to boost ticket sales.