Butt, Asif found guilty of spot-fixing

LONDON : Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif were found guilty Tuesday of involvement in a spot-fixing betting scam during a match against England last year.At Southwark Crown Court in London, Butt, 27, was found guilty of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat at gambling.Asif, 28, was found guilty on the second count but the jury have not yet reached a decision on whether he is guilty of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments.Both had pleaded not guilty to the charges.Prosecutors alleged that the pair conspired with British agent Mazher Majeed and bowler Mohammad Aamer to deliver three intentional no-balls during the Lord's Test between Pakistan and England in August 2010

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ACC announce T20 qualifier fixtures

The Asian Cricket Council has announced the fixtures for the ACC Twenty20 Cup that will take place in Nepal in December.Although Afghanistan has automatically qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2012 Qualifier, which will take place in March in the UAE, there will also be three further qualifying spots on offer for the top three teams.The top two teams from the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier will make it to the main event in Sri Lanka. 

Sat, Dec 3

Afghanistan v Hong Kong at Engineering Ground
Kuwait v Oman at Engineering Ground
Nepal v Malaysia at Tribhuvan University
Bhutan v UAE at Tribhuvan University

Sun, Dec 4
Kuwait v Maldives at Engineering Ground
Bhutan v Saudi Arabia at Engineering Ground
Afghanistan v Oman at Tribhuvan University
Nepal v UAE at Tribhuvan University
Mon, Dec 5
Malaysia v Saudi Arabia at Engineering Ground*
Hong Kong v Maldives at Tribhuvan University*
Tue, Dec 6
Hong Kong v Oman at Engineering Ground
Afghanistan v Kuwait at Engineering Ground
Nepal v Bhutan at Tribhuvan University
Malaysia v UAE at Tribhuvan University
Wed, Dec 7
Afghanistan v Maldives at Engineering Ground
Bhutan v Malaysia at Engineering Ground
Nepal v Saudi Arabia at Tribhuvan University
Hong Kong v Kuwait at Tribhuvan University
Thu, Dec 8
Maldives v Oman at Engineering Ground*
Saudi Arabia v UAE at Tribhuvan University*
Fri, Dec 9
SF1: A1 v B2 at Tribhuvan University
SF2: A2 v B1 at Tribhuvan University
5th/6th Playoff A3 v B3 at Engineering Ground
7th/8th Playoff A4 v B4 at Engineering Ground
Sat, Dec 10
9th/10th Playoff A5 v B5 at Engineering Ground
3rd/4th Playoff at Engineering Ground
Sun, Dec 11
FINAL at Tribhuvan University**
* 9.30 AM ** 1 PM

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Stafanie Taylor looks forward to World Cup Qualifier 2011

ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year, Stafanie Taylor is confident about her West Indies team's chances in the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier to be staged in Bangladesh from 14-26 November in Dhaka. Taylor believes the preparation of the side has been 'perfect' and it will be confident going into the competition.West Indies plays its first game in the tournament against Ireland on 14 November. "We've been preparing well doing both fitness and psychology training and I feel we have got a good grounding ahead of Dhaka. The girls are looking well and our fitness has definitely improved which was key goal for us ahead of this tour. We need to make sure we are fully prepared for this event because we all want to qualify for the ICC Women's World Cup. The camp we've been participating in for the last week and a half has definitely been a great confident booster," said Taylor.West Indies is in Group B alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Japan and host Bangladesh in the 10-team event. Taylor believes the side can draw from the knowledge of having played Ireland and Pakistan previously."We faced Ireland and Pakistan at the Women's Cricket Challenge and in bilateral series, but Japan and Bangladesh are both unknown entities to us and they are certainly not teams we can take for granted. I think we can expect conditions to be similar to India, where we recently toured, with the temperature, pitches and conditions to be the same. I've not spoken to the men's side who have recently toured Bangladesh about conditions, but I'm sure some of my teammates have spoken to their friends in the men's side for tips. I'm also confident that our coach, Sherwin Campbell will prepare us fully," informed Taylor.Even before the side begins its battle for a spot in the coveted ICC Women's World Cup in 2013, the West Indies, the team has suffered a major casualty. Key player Tremayne Smart has been ruled out through injury and her place has gone to Surbrina Munroe"Losing someone like Tremayne was a major blow for us as she is an important bowler for us. She gets wickets and keeps the runs to a few against any opposition top order. However, Surbrina is experienced even though she hasn't played and trained with us as much and I'm confident she will meet our expectations and perhaps beat them by going out and doing her best for the West Indies," said Taylor.The year of 2011 has been memorable so far for Taylor culminating in her being named as the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year at the annual LG ICC Awards, in association with FICA, in London.Taylor said"For me it is a major confidence booster to be playing with the knowledge that I was voted the best women's cricketer this year. It makes me want to play even better and to show my worth by making even more runs so that I can be in the running for next year's award."By scoring 600 odd runs last year, including two 80s in India which should have been centuries, showed me that the more work I do the better I become. The more fitness work I put in the better my game becomes and the greater chance I will have to win the award again."I won't forget the day I found out I had won the award, I just landed back in Jamaica after the recent series in Guyana and my uncle collected me. We had the radio on as we were driving home and it was announced on the news, I just couldn't believe it We were both so happy. It's a good job he is a safe driver!" recalled Taylor.The ICC award was a reward for Taylor and vindicates her decision to choose cricket over other passion, football. "I think if I hadn't played cricket for a living I would have played football. I started playing cricket when I was eight-years-old and played my first game for Jamaica at 10, and I just loved it. That being said, I've got five brothers and four sisters and I used to play football all the time with them, so if I hadn't discovered cricket it would be soccer for sure," concluded Taylor

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Botha, Kallis and Doherty on the charge as Vettori takes over No.1 bowling spot from Morkel

South Africa's off-spinner Johan Botha has returned to the top 20 in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers.Botha's team-mate Jacques Kallis and Xavier Doherty of Australia have also made upward movements in the latest rankings which were released on Sunday after the third and last ODI of the three-match series between South Africa and Australia.Botha had figures of 10-1-21-1 in Australia's three-wicket win in Durban on Friday that earned him 22 ratings points which, in turn, gave him a jump of eight places and put him in 17th position.The 29-year-old is now the fourth South Africa bowler to find a place in the top 20. Morne Morkel, who surged to the top of the bowling table last Wednesday, has slipped three places to fourth position, Dale Steyn has moved up one place to seventh position and Lonwabo Tsotsobe has dropped out of the top 10 and is now in 11th position after slipping four places.Kallis, who had figures of 5-0-17-2, has gained eight places and is now in 43rd position while Australia's left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty is the biggest mover in the latest rankings with a leap of 20 places after his figures of 9-0-33-2.The 29-year-old Tasmanian is now in 48th position and is the fourth Australia bowler inside the top 50 after Mitchell Johnson (third), Doug Bollinger (fifth) and Shane Watson (38th).Meanwhile, Morkel's slip has allowed Daniel Vettori to regain the number-one position on the bowlers list. The former New Zealand captain was knocked off the top spot by England's Graeme Swann after the five-ODI series against Sri Lanka in July. Last Wednesday, Swann was displaced by Morkel and three days later Vettori was back in the coveted position after Morkel conceded 15 ratings points after his performance in the Durban ODI and dropped to fourth spot.In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, Watson has joined India's Virat Kohli in fifth position after finishing as Australia's top scoring with a fine 49 in the Durban ODI. Shaun Marsh, who scored 30, has also gained two places and is now in 50th spot.The batting table is led by Hashim Amla who leads his team-mate and South Africa captain AB de Villiers by 53 ratings points.Kallis has also gained a spot in the Reliance ICC Players Rankings for ODI all-rounders and is now in third position. The list is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh with Watson in second place.In the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table, the defeat in Durban means South Africa remains in fourth position. Had South Africa won the match and the series 2-1, it would have leapfrogged Sri Lanka and India into second position.Australia continues to dominate the table and leads its closest rival Sri Lanka by 11 ratings points

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Tamim Iqbal reprimanded for ICC Code of Conduct breach

Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal has been officially reprimanded after being found guilty of breaching the ICC's Code of Conduct during the opening day's play in the second and last cricket Test against the West Indies in Mirpur.Tamim was charged with a Level 1 offence under article 2.1.4 of the code which relates to, "Using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match Tamim pleaded guilty to the charge and as such, under the provisions of the code, the matter was determined by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and so there was no requirement for a full hearing.The charge related to an incident in the 85th over when Tamim Iqbal was heard using offensive language against West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels who had walked into bat at the fall of Kemar Roach's wicket.The charge was brought by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Nigel Llong from the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires, and third umpire Nadir Shah.Explaining his decision, Mr Pycroft said: "Tamim's behaviour against Marlon Samuels was completely unacceptable and that too after I had reminded him of his responsibility in the lead up to the second Test."Penalties for offences included in Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct can range from an official reprimand up to 50 per cent of the player's match fee

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Bravo ton puts Windies in control against BD

DHAKA : Darren Bravo cracked his maiden Test century to put the West Indies in command on the third day of the series-deciding second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.The left-hander was unbeaten on 100 after Kirk Edwards hit a solid 86 as the West Indies reached 207-3 in their second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 331 runs.Bravo completed his century off the last ball of the day when he cut debutant left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo for two runs. He has so far hit two sixes and seven fours in his 165-ball knock.The tourists, leading by 124 runs on the first innings, consolidated their position as Bravo and Edwards put on 151 for the third wicket after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen cheaply.The opening Test of the two-match series ended in a draw in Chittagong.Edwards, who scored 121 in the first innings, looked set to score his second hundred of the Test when he fell in the closing overs of the day, bowled by Shuvo after hitting one six and seven fours in his 204-ball knock.Bravo, dropped on 45 by Imrul Kayes in the slips off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, made the most of the chance as he bolstered the innings with a big stand with Edwards.Both the batsmen played attractive shots, with Bravo once smashing off-spinner Nasir Hossain for two fours and a six in an over and then Edwards hoisting paceman Shahadat Hossain for a six.Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over after Naeem Islam hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw.The hosts struggled for success on an easy-paced pitch for more than two sessions, with Shakib and Shuvo being the lone wicket-takers.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir, caught at deep mid-wicket by Edwards while going for a big shot. Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34.Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat for four runs to finish with 3-62

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Bravo, Edwards consolidate West Indies’ position

DHAKA : Darren Bravo and Kirk Edwards hit half-centuries to consolidate the West Indies' position on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.Bravo and Edwards each made 59 not out as the West Indies reached 133-2 in their second innings at tea for an overall lead of 257 runs with eight wickets in hand.The pair have so far put on 100 for the unfinished third-wicket stand after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen for 33 runs.Bravo was more aggressive than his partner, once smashing off-spinner Nasir Hossain for two fours and a six in an over. He has so far hit two sixes and four boundaries in his 86-ball knock.Edwards, who scored a hundred in the first innings, drove left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan through the covers to complete his half-century. He has so far cracked one six and five fours in his 126-ball knock.Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over after Naeem Islam hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw.Shakib was the lone wicket-taker in the second session when he had Powell (12) caught by Nasir at mid-on.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had debutante Suhrawadi Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir, caught at deep mid-wicket by Kirk Edwards while going for a big shot. Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34.Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat Hossain for four runs to finish with 3-62.Fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who jolted Bangladesh with five quick wickets on Sunday, bowled just one over in the morning as the West Indies relied on their spin duo.The opening Test ended in a draw in Chittagong.

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Windies gain lead in Bangladesh Test

DHAKA : The West Indies lost an early wicket before extending their overall lead to 151 at lunch on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.The tourists, who gained a 124-run lead, were 27-1 in their second innings, with Kirk Edwards (14) and opener Kieran Powell (12) at the crease.Kraigg Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had debutant Suhrawadi Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir Hossain, caught at deep mid-wicket by Kirk Edwards while going for a big shot.Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34.Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat Hossain for four runs to finish with 3-62.Fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who jolted Bangladesh with five quick wickets on Sunday, bowled just one over in the morning as the West Indies relied on their spin duo.The opening Test ended in a draw in Chittagong

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West Indies in strong position

DHAKA : Darren Bravo and Kirk Edwards hit half-centuries to consolidate the West Indies' position on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday.Bravo and Edwards each made 59 not out as the West Indies reached 133-2 in their second innings at tea for an overall lead of 257 runs with eight wickets in hand. The pair have so far put on 100 for the unfinished third-wicket stand after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen for 33 runs.Bravo was more aggressive than his partner, once smashing off-spinner Nasir Hossain for two fours and a six in an over. He has so far hit two sixes and four boundaries in his 86-ball knock.Edwards, who scored a hundred in the first innings, drove left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan through the covers to complete his half-century. He has so far cracked one six and five fours in his 126-ball knock.Brathwaite, who made a half-century in the first innings, was run out for no score in the opening over after Naeem Islam hit the stumps at the non-striker's end with a direct throw.Shakib was the lone wicket-taker in the second session when he had Powell (12) caught by Nasir at mid-on.Bangladesh were earlier bowled out for 231 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies' 355.The hosts added 27 runs to their overnight total of 204-7 before losing their remaining three wickets in 17 overs, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo taking two wickets and off-spinner Marlon Samuels one.Bishoo was the first to strike when he had debutante Suhrawadi Shuvo (15) caught by Brathwaite at short-leg and then Samuels removed Nasir, caught at deep mid-wicket by Kirk Edwards while going for a big shot.Nasir added eight runs to his overnight score of 34. Bishoo ended the innings when he bowled Shahadat Hossain for four runs to finish with 3-62.Fast bowler Fidel Edwards, who jolted Bangladesh with five quick wickets on Sunday, bowled just one over in the morning as the West Indies relied on their spin duo.The opening Test ended in a draw in Chittagong

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Edwards duo put Windies on top against BD

DHAKA : Fidel Edwards grabbed five quick wickets and Kirk Edwards cracked an impressive 121 to help the West Indies gain the upper hand in the series-deciding second Test against Bangladesh on Sunday.Fast bowler Edwards finished with 5-58 for his 11th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings as the West Indies reduced Bangladesh to 204-7 in their first innings at stumps after posting 355 on the second day.Shakib Al Hasan, who also bagged five wickets with his left-arm spin, defied the West Indies' attack with a 74-ball 73 with the help of nine fours before being bowled by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.Bangladesh were reeling at 59-5 following Fidel Edwards' five-wicket burst off 29 balls on a slow pitch before being steadied by Shakib, who put on 84 for the sixth wicket with Naeem Islam (45).The hosts now trail by 151 runs with just three wickets in hand. Nasir Hossain was unbeaten on 34 and debutant Suhrawadi Shuvo on two not out.Kirk Edwards, 71 overnight, completed his second century in three Tests in the opening session as the tourists added 102 runs to their overnight total of 253-5 before being bowled out in the second.The opening Test of the two-match series ended in a draw in Chittagong.Bangladesh went for shots early in their innings as they raced to 60 off just 10 overs, but lost five wickets in the process to find themselves in deep trouble.Fidel Edwards had opener Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees caught by Darren Bravo at short-leg in his opening three overs before removing Raqibul Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim off successive deliveries in his fourth over.His fifth victim was opener Imrul Kayes, who hit one six and five fours in his 26-ball 29 before being caught by Kraigg Brathwaite at square-leg.Tamim was the other top-order batsman to reach double figures, hitting three fours in paceman Kemar Roach's opening over before falling for a 10-ball 14.The West Indies earlier lost their last five wickets for 36 runs, with Shakib finishing with 5-63 for his eighth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.Kirk Edwards, who scored a hundred on Test debut against India at home in July, hit two sixes and 14 fours in his 273-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Shakib.He was dropped on 90 by wicket-keeper Rahim off off-spinner Nasir Hossain and then smashed two fours in the same over before completing his century with a boundary off left-arm spinner Shuvo.

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Misbah's captaincy guiding Pakistan, says manager

DUBAI : Pakistan manager Naushad Ali on Sunday praised captain Misbah-ul Haq, saying his leadership qualities are key to the team's progress after a turbulent last year marred by a spot-fixing scandal in England.Misbah led Pakistan to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second Test here on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The first Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.Since taking over as Test captain in the post spot-fixing scandal Misbah has not lost any series with Pakistan winning four of nine Tests, losing one and drawing the other four.Misbah, 37 will also lead Pakistan in one-day and Twenty20 versions of the game after Shahid Afridi was sacked in May this year.The third Test in the series starts in Sharjah from November 3

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Bangladesh reeling at 86-5 against Windies’ 355

DHAKA : Fidel Edwards grabbed five wickets off 29 balls in a superb display of fast bowling as the West Indies sent Bangladesh reeling at 86-5 at tea after posting 355 in the second and final Test on Sunday.Fidel Edwards wrecked Bangladesh's top order to take 5-40 in his lively opening spell for his 11th haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten on 30 and Naeem Islam on six not out at the break on the second day of the match in Dhaka.Bangladesh went for shots early in their innings as they raced to 60 runs off just 10 overs, but lost five wickets in the process to find themselves in deep trouble.Fidel Edwards had opener Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees caught by Darren Bravo at short-leg in his opening three overs before removing Raqibul Hasan and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim off successive deliveries in his fourth over.His fifth victim was opener Imrul Kayes, who hit one six and five fours in his 26-ball 29 before being caught by Kraigg Brathwaite at square-leg.Tamim was the other top-order batsman to reach double figures, hitting three fours in paceman Kemar Roach's opening over before falling for a 10-ball 14.Kirk Edwards, 71 overnight, earlier cracked an impressive 121 for his second century in three Tests as the tourists added 102 runs to their overnight total of 253-5 before being bowled out in the second session.The West Indies lost their last five wickets for 36 runs, with left-arm spinner Shakib finishing with 5-63 for his eighth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.Kirk Edwards, who scored a hundred on Test debut against India at home in July, hit two sixes and 14 fours in his 273-ball knock before being trapped leg-before by Shakib after lunch.He was dropped on 90 by wicket-keeper Rahim off off-spinner Nasir Hossain and then smashed two fours in the same over before completing his century with a boundary off debutant left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo.Nasir was the first to strike when he held a return catch to dismiss well-set Marlon Samuels (48), who added 87 for the sixth wicket with Edwards. Samuels added 32 to his overnight score of 16.Shakib then removed Carlton Baugh (six), who was caught in the slips by Kayes while attempting to cut, and then skipper Darren Sammy who stepped on to the stumps after making just one run

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