Ponting considers playing future after ODI axing

SYDNEY: World Cup winner Ricky Ponting's one-day international career appeared over Monday after he was dropped from Australia's team after a dismal run of form, and was considering his future in the game.

Chief selector John Inverarity announced the axing of Ponting, the second all-time leading runscorer in ODIs, after he scored just 18 runs in five tri-series knocks against India and Sri Lanka.

"Ricky Ponting has been dropped from the (ODI) squad due to his lack of form in the five tri-series matches to date," Inverarity said.

Briefing reporters in Perth, Inverarity also said there were no guarantees Ponting would continue playing Test cricket, and that the former captain was
pondering his next steps.

"Ricky is going to consider his future over the next couple of days and he'll talk it over with his family and with his manager, and my guess is he'll be giving a press conference in the next two or three days," he said.

Ponting, 37, said earlier that he wanted to battle through his current slump. He has averaged just 3.60 in his five tri-series innings.

But Inverarity, while praising Ponting's contribution over a glittering 17-year ODI career, seemed to shut the door on any future for the veteran in Australia's one-day side.

"The team will not seem the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport," he said.

"He made a double century in his last Test match and we are hoping that he remains available for Test match cricket, but there can be no guarantees in elite sport and in the Australian cricket team."

Inverarity added: "If he drops out of the ODI team then there's a possible lack of momentum there.

"There are three Test matches in the West Indies (in April), then as I understand it there are no more Test matches until October or November."

The selectors dumped Ponting as they announced a 13-man squad with all-rounder Shane Watson returning for Australia's next two tri-series ODIs, against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Friday and India in Sydney next Sunday.

Ponting's sacking came a day after he led Australia to a crushing 110-run win over India in Brisbane as stand-in for injured skipper Michael Clarke. But while the other batsmen made merry, he scored just seven runs from 26 balls.

Ponting said after Sunday's victory that he had no intention of seeking a rest to freshen up.

"It's fair to say I've struggled in the first five games," he told reporters.

"I'm not going to put my hand up and say I want a break, because when you are going through a lean trot like I've had the last couple of games, you want to turn that around."

Ponting ranks second only to India's Sachin Tendulkar with most ODI runs (13,704) from 375 matches, while he has scored 13,200 runs in 162 Tests.

"Ricky's record speaks for itself," Inverarity said.

"He is one of the truly great performers in the history of Australian ODI cricket, with his reputation enhanced further by him captaining Australia to two World Cup victories."

Inverarity said that Ponting's contribution to the Australia ODI team went far beyond his batting statistics and brilliant fielding.

"The example he sets in every respect and his extraordinarily positive influence in the dressing-room is acknowledged by all," he said, while hailing Ponting's "selfless" willingness to stand in for Clarke recently.

Ponting's sacking comes less than a month after his dominant role in Australia's 4-0 clean sweep of the home Test series against India.

He was second for most series runs only to Clarke, scoring 544 at 108.80 with two centuries and three 50s.

Factfile on Ricky Ponting's career:

Name: Ricky Thomas Ponting
Right-hand batsman, right-arm medium
Date of birth: December 19, 1974 (Age 37)
Major teams: Australia, Tasmania, Somerset
Test debut: v Sri Lanka, Perth, December 8, 1995
ODI debut : v South Africa, Wellington, February 15, 1995
T20 debut : v New Zealand, Auckland, February 17, 2005

Career
Tests:
Matches 162, Runs 13,200, Highest 257, Average 53.44, Centuries 41 (including six double hundreds).

One-dayers:
Matches 375, Runs 13,704, Highest 164, Average 42.03, Strike-rate 80.39, Centuries 30

Twenty20 internationals:
Matches 23, Runs 477, Highest 98 not out, Average 23.85, Strike-rate 121.06.

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Cricket: Barisal crush Sylhet by nine wickets

CHITTAGONG: Barisal Burners achieved a big victory of nine wickets against Sylhet Royals in the 18th Twenty20 match of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing an easy target of 121, openers Ahmed Shahzad and Brad Hodge provided an opening stand of 116 to make Barisal’s job much easier as it completed the victory in just 13.2 overs.

Shahzad made 60 off 40 balls with five sixes and three fours while his partner captain Hodge remained unbeaten on 54, made from 34 balls with five sixes and two boundaries.

Earlier, Sylhet Royals won the toss and opted for batting first but could make only 120 runs losing seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Its main scorers were Sohail Tanvir (33) and Naeem Islam (22) while Suhrawadi Shuvo captured three wickets for 20 and Farhad Hossain took two for 16.

Geo Super showed the match live from Chittagong.

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Cricket: Chanderpaul guides Khulna to 7-wkt win over Dhaka

CHITTAGONG: West Indies’s star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul smashed an unbeaten 87 off 49 balls to steer Khulna Royal Bengals to a seven-wicket victory over Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing 141, Khulna completed their fourth win in the tournament in 16.4 overs.
Man-of-the-match Chanderpaul struck eleven fours and a six and added 94 runs for the third wicket partnership with captain Shakib Al Hasan, who made 39 with two fours and as many sixes.

Earlier, Dhaka Gladiators made 140 for eight in the allotted 20 overs after winning the toss and deciding to bat first.

Bangladesh experienced batsman Mohammad Ashraful top scored with 53. He hit four boundaries and a six.

Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood also contributed a valuable 33 with four fours and a six.

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Dhoni suspended for one ODI after India is fined for second minor over-rate offence

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been suspended for one match after his side was fined for a second minor over-rate offence within a year during the seventh match of the three-nation series against Australia in Brisbane on Sunday.

The India side was ruled to be two overs short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration.

As such, Andy Pycroft of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed a 40 per cent fine on Dhoni while each of his players received 20-per-cent fines.

As this was India's second minor over-rate offence after it was fined for a slow over-rate in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on 2 April, Dhoni has also been suspended from India's next game on Tuesday against Sri Lanka in Brisbane.

The offence is contrary to Article 2.5.1 of the Code which relates to over-rate offences and reads: “where the actual over rate in any Test Match or any other International Match of at least four days in duration is up to (and including) five overs short of the Minimum Over Rate, or, in any One Day International Match, Twenty20 International Match or any other International Match of fifty (50) or twenty (20) overs per side up to (and including) two overs short of the Minimum Over Rate, such an offence shall be considered a "Minor Over Rate Offence'."

At its meeting in June 2011 in Hong Kong, the ICC Executive Board had discussed the issue of slow over-rates and accepted the recommendation of the ICC Cricket Committee that a captain of an international side should be suspended for one match if his side is guilty of two minor over-rate offences in the same format over a 12-month period.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Steve Davis and Billy Bowden, both from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, as well as third umpire Bruce Oxenford and fourth umpire Paul Reiffel.

Dhoni pleaded guilty to the charge and the subsequent penalties were accepted both by Dhoni and India. As such there was no need for a formal hearing. Dhoni also acknowledged that he had been kept informed of the position regarding over-rates on a regular basis throughout the match and therefore accepted the decision.

To read the code, please click here.

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Malaysia and Singapore make it two out of two

Malaysia and Singapore secured its second victories of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL Div. 5) tournament in Singapore today after the teams beat Cayman Islands and Guernsey respectively.

Bahrain picked up its first victory of the tournament after it defeated Argentina by 65 runs at the Kallang Ground on a cooler day in Singapore.

Esteban MacDermott's side won the toss in overcast conditions in Singapore and elected to field first against Yaser Sadeq's veteran Bahrain team who had faced a heavy defeat yesterday to Guernsey.

Adnan Butt and Adil Hanif kept things going for the Gulf nation but the side struggled to make runs and at one point, had it not been for Tahir Dar's 46 not out looked to be struggling to make a defendable total.

Lucas and Matias Paterlini along with Alejo Tissera showed their wicket-taking capabilities in conditions that were far cooler than their native Argentina. Despite not taking a wicket, MacDermott proved to be the most economical of the bowlers by the time his side had dismissed the Bahrainis in 48 overs.

Post-lunch, wicketkeeper Shahzad Ahmed had a busy time behind the stumps - with the Argentine top three all caught behind by the diminutive stump man. With Grant Dugmore, Lucas Paterlini and Pablo Ferguson all out - it was then up to Gary Savage and Martin Siri to bed in for the South Americans.

Despite its best efforts, Argentina couldn't get the runs flowing despite Siri's fine turn with the bat; it was to be Bahrain's day with Tahir not only contributing with the bat but also the ball. The 36-year-old snaffled up six wickets as the Argentina batsmen attempted an aggressive run-scoring charge with the willow, an attempt that failed for the side with the last five wickets falling in less than five overs.

Argentina captain MacDermott admitted the side needed to have performed better in the field: "We should have been more clinical out in the field today, we let things slip when we had them on the back-foot and ultimately I think we let Bahrain score 30 to 40 more runs than we should have.

"We let things get sloppy and allowed the run-rate to creep up when we batted and when it got too much we tried to accelerate our run-making but it didn't work to our advantage.

"I think Martin Siri performed particularly well today, he had a good knock and kept us in the chase till about the 40th over while the Paterlini brothers proved their worth again in the field - so there are some positive aspects to today's loss.

"I think we improved today in comparison to yesterday's performance and we have the potential to do better. We need to remain focused and continue to improve on the basics. If we perform well with the basics then win or lose we know we've given it our best and have improved as a side."

Malaysia secured its second victory of the WCL Div. 5, the victory should have been wrapped up earlier in the day after the side had Cayman Islands on 8-36 in the 20th over but Conroy Wright had other plans and helped by the lower order ground out a more respectable total for the Caribbean islands to defend of 126.

Early in the innings, the Asian side's bowlers tempted the men from the Caribbean into playing cheap shots and being caught by Malaysia's agile fielders.

Hassan Ghulam and Hiran Ralalage proved the pick of the bowlers along with captain Suresh Navaratnam as the team had Abali Hoilett's team on the back foot from the word go, opener Ainsley Hall was the first to receive his marching orders after scoring just one run. The 39-year-old hit the ball into the hands of Suhan Alagaratnam after the wicketkeeper-batsman had been tempted into a hit from fast bowler Hassan Ghulam.

The fast bowling duo ripped through the Caymanian top order leaving Hoilett's side reeling by the 13th over with just 26 runs on the board and six wickets down. The downward spiral continued for the team when Navaratnam took to the bowling attack, the 36-year-old off-spinner enticing the lower order into giving up their place at the crease.

Despite another spirited turn by Conroy Wright who was out on 56 runs batting at number nine, the team managed to make just 126 in less than 50 overs, a feat that didn't seem likely in the first half of the day after the Caymanians managed to edge nearly every ball to be caught behind by the nifty Malaysian slip cordon.

In reply, Malaysia took its time to reach the target, bedding in for some 30 overs and losing just one wicket in the process. Shafiq Sharif continued to show fine form in the tournament, the 21-year-old hitting 74 not out - the young wicketkeeper was assisted in his run-making first by Ahmed Faiz, who retired hurt on 31 and then by Suhan Alagaratnam.

The only wicket to fall was that of Rakesh Madhavan who departed for a duck after the inform Wright tempted him to strike the ball into the hands of Steve Gordon.

Malaysia head coach, Roy Dias said: "There was plenty of movement in the wicket in the first 30 or so overs but after that the wicket settled down which allowed Conroy Wright to bed in and make his runs.

"We bowled well at the start and the seamers did a fantastic job but ultimately our spinners came into it to finish the Cayman Islands up on 126. I was happy with our response, even though we took some 30 overs to get there. I feel Shafiq is settling well into his role and making good runs, I'm pleased to see he's got two Man of the Match awards in two days of games."

In the final game of the day at the Indian Association, tournament favourites Singapore took on Guernsey at one of the smaller grounds for the event.

Having won the toss, Singapore elected to bat and despite losing Chaminda Ruwan for a duck early on, Chetan Suryanwashi and Buddhika Mendis added a commendable 92 runs before the wicketkeeper-batsman departed after being caught by the ever agile Jeremy Frith.

Jamie Nussbaumer once again proved key for Guernsey snapping up three wickets as did Stuart Bisson who also claimed three, young bowler David Hooper also showed his worth once again, this time taking two wickets including that of key top-order batsman Anish Param.

However, despite some good bowling, Mendis managed to add 77 runs before being caught by GH Smit and Param 43 and at the conclusion of the host's 50 overs it had made the sizeable target of 224 for the Channel Island team.

In response, Guernsey's batsmen, apart from Frith, failed to fire for the team. Frith once again appeared to cornerstone the side's innings with his impressive shot selection which included him emulating the shot made famous by Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka, scooping the ball over his and opposition wicketkeeper's head to add four runs to the total.

Frith's batting though could not save the visitors against Singapore's fast bowlers and the team struggled to put runs on the board and keep up with the required run-rate. The middle-order didn't help Frith, captain Stuart Le Prevost and Tim Ravenscroft making eight runs between them.

Things were looking positive for Guernsey when Ben Ferbrache joined Frith in the middle but the 23-year-old departed after attempting to hit to the on-side, failing and was caught by the ever athletic Param leaving Guernsey five down with 118 on the board, much to delight of the home supporters.

In the end, Saad Khan's men proved too strong and Guernsey never got into the flow of things and the side fell some 78 runs short of the target.

Guernsey coach Andy Cornford was obviously disappointed with the loss but had some praise for the likes of Hooper and Frith.

"It was a tough game; we always knew playing the hosts was going to be tough. I was really pleased with the way we bowled and fielded and I thought at one stage they were going to be set for a bigger score than they achieved.

"Young David Hooper made a particularly good show with the ball today, but our batting let us down today - we didn't perform well as a unit. Frith played well again but as a unit we didn't perform well today."

When asked if the side relied on Frith's batting, Cornford admitted that this was the case to an extent: "With someone as consistent as Jeremy we do tend to bat around him as we know he will score runs. However that being said, our batters need to perform better and they have got to deliver in this tournament.

"We love being in Asia and enjoy playing here so the conditions are not troubling us at all," concluded Cornford.

Man of the match Mendis said: "It's pleasing to get another win under our belt, I felt we could have scored more runs today but over 220 was a good score on this ground all the same.

"I'm happy with my knock but wish I could have stayed round longer - I have to say Guernsey did challenge us today, it's like they are always there in the field. They do rely on the likes of Jeremy Frith but he's a good player - at the same time the side is well-rounded and has very good basic skills which helped them against us today despite their loss.

"We just need to keep to our winning ways, two out of two is great but we need to continue this form and win our third match on Tuesday to ensure our promotion hopes stay alive."

Tomorrow is a rest day with play resuming on Tuesday.

Live scores for all the fixtures can be followed at www.icc-cricket.com

The results table can be viewed here

The full schedule for WCL Div. 5 can be found here

Scores in brief (Day Two)

Kallang

Bahrain 213 all out, 48 overs (Adnan 49, Adil 39, Dar 46 not out; M Paterlini 2-21, Tissera 2-31, L Paterlini 2-43)

Argentina 148 all out, 45.1 overs (Siri 46; Tahir Dar 6-18)

Bahrain won by 65 runs

Man of the Match: Tahir Dar (Bahrain)

Singapore Cricket Club

Cayman Islands 126 all out, 47.5 overs (Wright 56; Navaratnam 4-15, Ralalage 3-14)

Malaysia 130-1, 30.3 overs (Shafiq 74 not out, Ahmed Faiz 33 retired hurt)

Malaysia won by nine wickets

Man of the Match: Shafiq Sharif (Malaysia)

Indian Association

Singapore 223 all out, 50 overs (Suryawanshi 44, Mendis 77, Param 43; Nussbaumer 3-42, Bisson 3-42)

Guernsey 145 all out, 43.4 overs (Frith 76; Saad 3-23, Shoaib 3-31)

Singapore won by 78 runs

Man of the Match: Buddhika Mendis (Singapore)

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Whatmore to take charge of Pakistan: PCB source

KARACHI: Australian Dav Whatmore will replace the Pakistan team's interim coach Mohsin Khan after their one-day series against England ends this month, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source told Reuters on Sunday.

The source said Whatmore would take charge as head coach for the Asia Cup tournament in Bangladesh next month.

"It has been decided to release Mohsin from his coaching assignment after the England series and Whatmore has been chosen as the man to guide our team over the next two years," the source said.

Whatmore, 57, coached the Sri Lanka side who won the 1996 World Cup.

He coached Bangladesh from 2003 to 2007, leading them to their first test victory in early 2005 against Zimbabwe and also guided them into the super eight stage of the 2007 World Cup where they defeated India and South Africa.

"He will be our coach from the Asia Cup. The Board has also decided to hire English professional coach, Julien Fountain as the fielding coach of the national team," the source added.

Mohsin coached Pakistan in their 3-0 clean sweep of the test series against the world's top-ranked side England in the United Arab Emirates this year.

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Cricket: Misbah credits England after Pakistan’s defeat

 DUABI: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq heaped praise on England for their superb comeback to clinch the one-day series after being routed in the preceding Tests, saying they showed character and discipline.

England thumped Pakistan by nine wickets in the third match here on Saturday to take an unassailable 3-0 lead, leaving the fourth and final match here on Tuesday as inconsequential.

Misbah, who lost his first one-day series as captain after four wins, said England were the better side.

"It's not a nice feeling to lose," Misbah said after the match. "We need to give credit to England for the way they have come back after defeat in Tests. I feel they have played much better cricket than us and were very disciplined."

Steven Finn with 3-24 and Stuart Broad 3-42 helped England restrict Pakistan to 222 depite aggressive half-centuries from Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal.

England then chased down the target in 37.2 overs with Kevin Pietersen ending his 36 innings century drought with an unbeaten 111 and Alastair Cook scoring 80 -- narrowly missing a third consecutive hundred in successive matches.

Misbah said England attained world number one ranking in Tests through consistent performance.

"We expected they will come back any time and they showed they learnt from their mistakes in Tests," said Misbah, who noted that playing away from home could be a factor in team's lackluster performance.

"I feel the fact that we are playing away from home can be a factor. Sometime you feel home sickness. It is not that I'm giving an excuse on this matter but it happens when you are not playing at home," said Misbah.

Pakistan have been forced to play its home series on neutral venues as teams refuse to tour them over secuirty fears.

They have not hosted international cricket since terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore three years ago

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Cricket: Pakistan lose 3rd ODI by 9 wkts and series to England

DUBAI: Pakistan lost three matches in a row after making clean sweep in three-Test series against England, who won the third One-day International by nine wickets remaining here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The victory gave England an unassailable 3-0 win in the series, with the fourth and final One-day International to be played on the same ground on Tuesday.

Kevin Pietersen hit his eighth ODI hundred while Alastair Cook missed a third consecutive century.

The 31-year-old Pietersen notched an unbeaten 98-ball 111 while opening partner Cook hit 80 to help their team overhaul a modest 223-run target set by Pakistan with 12.4 overs to spare.

Pietersen, whose last hundred came against India at Cuttack in November 2008, hit his 10th boundary to bring up the win.

Pietersen, who also hit two sixes, crossed the 4,000 one-day run mark when he reached 57, becoming the seventh England batsmen to reach the milestone.

He pushed paceman Aizaz Cheema towards square-leg for two to reach his hundred off 93 balls, his first in 36 innings.

Cook, who hit a career-best 137 and then 102 in the first two matches, was shaping well for his third century but fell when he was caught behind off spinner Saeed Ajmal after a fluent 98-ball knock, hitting six boundaries and a six.

It was a one-sided win as the Pakistan bowlers looked helpless against some impressive batting by Cook and Pietersen who improved on the previous best opening stand of 147 against Pakistan, set by Michael Atherton and Robin Smith in Karachi in the 1996 World Cup.

Cook fell with 53 still needed before Eoin Morgan (24 not out) helped Pietersen see off the target.

Earlier, Shahid Afridi hit a 55-ball 51 while Umar Akmal scored a 92-ball 50 during their 79-run sixth wicket stand which lifted Pakistan from a precarious 97-5 after Misbah-ul Haq won the toss and chose to bat.

Pakistan lost Azhar Ali (five), Mohammad Hafeez (29) and Misbah (one) in the space of just two runs.

Two of these wickets went to paceman Stuart Broad, who finished with 3-42, while the impressive Steven Finn added Hafeez to his early breakthrough of Imran Farhat (nine) in this pace-dominated period.

Finn, who took four wickets in both of the first two matches after sitting out the Test series, finished with 3-24 off 10 overs.

Afridi and Umar repaired the innings, with Afridi hitting three boundaries and a six.

Broad returned for his second spell to dismiss Umar, caught by Samit Patel after hitting just one boundary.

Afridi followed four runs later when he failed to connect properly with a big drive off paceman James Anderson who finished with 2-52.

Pakistan, who made two changes from the second one-dayer, were forced to leave out experienced batsman Younis Khan who was suffering from a fever.

Asad Shafiq (18) added 46 for the fifth wicket with Umar before he was run out. Umar Gul made 27 not out to give some late momentum to the innings.

Both teams will also play three Twenty20 internationals in Dubai (February 23 and 25) and Abu Dhabi (February 27).

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Cricket: Levi powers Proteas to win over Kiwis

HAMILTON: South Africa's Richard Levi rewrote the record books with a magnificent unbeaten 117 as the Proteas crushed New Zealand by eight wickets in the second Twenty20 international on Sunday.

Levi's 45-ball century was the fastest ever in T20 internationals and included the most sixes, with 13, in a performance which had spectators at the sold out Seddon Park ground in Hamilton ducking for cover.

His 117 run total also equalled the highest ever score by a batsman in a T20 international, matching the mark set by Chris Gayle of the West Indies against South Africa in 2007.

South African skipper AB de Villiers (39) provided able support as his team reached the 174 target set by New Zealand with ease, but it was Levi who demolished the Black Caps in only his second international appearance.

"It was good fun, every shot I played came off, which was quite nice and I just kept myself nice and calm and collected and kept going," the hulking 24-year-old said.

The win levels the three match series 1-1 heading into the final game in Auckland on Wednesday.

Levi came out firing, plundering 23 off 10 balls in the first two overs, and never relented even after Hashim Amla (2) and Wayne Parnell (4) departed early.

He punished all of New Zealand's bowlers but it was a particularly painful night for Doug Bracewell, who conceded 37 runs off his two overs.

New Zealand had made four for 173, never managing to dominate as South Africa's bowlers produced a far better display than in their six-wicket loss in the opening match in Wellington on Friday.

Martin Guptill top scored with 47, just missing out on his seventh successive international half century, as the New Zealanders set a target that, while solid, proved impossible to defend against Levi's onslaught.

Opener Rob Nicol dominated the strike early on with a quick-fire 23 from 17 balls but a moment's hesitation taking off for a single proved his downfall, as AB de Villiers seized the ball and fired it into the non-striker's stumps.

New Zealand still looked comfortable and were 79 for one at the half-way mark before de Lange coaxed a top edge from dangerman Guptill in the 12th over which looped through to Albie Morkel in the outfield.

The dismissal lifted the South Africans and they had New Zealand struggling for boundaries until Brendon McCullum lifted the pace with a six off Morne Morkel.

He was out in the next over trying to give Johan Botha the same treatment but Franklin maintained the aggression when he came to the crease, hitting four sixes in five balls in his 28 off 10 before also being out to Morne Morkel.

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Cricket: Australia cruise to 110 run win over India

BRISBANE: Australia cruised to a 110 run win over India in their one-day international tri-series match in Brisbane on Sunday.

After blasting 288 for five in their innings, the Australians ripped through the Indian top order to leave the visitors in disarray at 36 for four.

India struggled on but were never in the hunt, finishing 178 all out with skipper M.S. Dhoni playing a lone hand with the bat, scoring 56 off 84 deliveries.

Man of the match Ben Hilfenhaus was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 5-33, while veteran paceman Brett Lee continued his resurgence taking 3-49 off 10 overs.

Veteran Mike Hussey led the batting for Australia with 59, but he was well supported by newcomer Peter Forrest who made 52.

Irfan Pathan took 3-61 on a day when all the Indian bowlers lacked penetration. India return to the Gabba on Tuesday for the next match in the series against Sri Lanka.

Match scores: Australia 288-5 (50 overs), India 178 (43.3 overs)

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Cricket: Rajshahi record exciting win over Chittagong

CHITTAGONG: Duronto Rajshahi recorded a thrilling nine-run victory over Chittagong Kings in a low-scoring match in the 16th Twenty20 fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League here on Saturday.

Playing on home ground, Chittagong could not achieve an easy target of 127 and were collapsed for 117 runs in the 20 overs.

Their main scorers were Shamsur Rahman (24) and Nasir Jamshed (20) while for Rajshahi, left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib captured three wickets for 22 runs and fast bowler Mohammad Sami bagged two for 16.

Earlier, Rajshahi opted for batting first after winning the toss but they were restricted to 126-6 in the allotted 20 overs.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim top scored with 24 not out followed by 20 made by Pakistan’s in-form opener Nasir Jamshed.

For Chittagong, Arafat Sunny claimed three for 13 and Kevon Cooper took two for 17 runs.

cricket funzz group showed this exciting match live from the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

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Cricket: PCB seeks evidence as Kaneria leads Sindh

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket bosses will ask British authorities for the full judgment and evidence in a spot-fixing case that implicated leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, officials said Saturday.

Kaneria's Essex teammate in England, Mervyn Westfield, was sentenced to four months in prison on Friday after he pleaded guilty to taking money to bowl badly in a 2009 match between Essex and Durham.

At the Old Bailey Westfield admitted receiving #6,000 ($9,200) to bowl so that 12 runs would be scored in the first over of the contest, although in the event only 10 were conceded.

Prosecutors said the player had been lured into the fix after an approach by Kaneria, who was arrested in connection with the case in 2010 but later released without charge.

On Saturday Kaneria was captaining Sindh province against Punjab in the Pakistani domestic Pentangular Cup final in Lahore.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said the organisation had to seek evidence or material before it could act against the leg-spinner.

"Since Kaneria is a Pakistan player we are obviously looking into the matter with a lot of concern," Rizvi told AFP.

"Since the match was an England domestic match, it's in the England board's jurisdiction and we will seek evidence from the concerned authorities.

"Once it comes we can only then summon him before the Integrity Committee of the PCB where his case is still pending."

Kaneria was selected for Pakistan's series against South Africa in October 2010 but was withdrawn at the last moment when the Integrity Committee did not clear him.

He challenged the decision in court but his case was dismissed in November last year.

"The stance of the PCB is one of zero tolerance towards any player with questionable integrity. The judgment of Westfield raised a lot of questions but in law everybody is innocent until proven guilty," said Rizvi.

The case implicating Kaneria is the latest blow to Pakistani cricket after a spot-fixing scandal on the team's tour of England in 2010 ended in lengthy bans and jail terms for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

That prompted International Cricket Council to force Pakistan to form an Integrity Committee to check players' assets and suspicions against them.

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Cricket: Umar, Afridi hit fifties to lift Pakistan in 3rd ODI

DUBAI: Half-centuries from Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal helped Pakistan to a challenging 222 runs in the allotted 20 overs against England in the third One-day International here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

After captain Misbah-ul-Haq won his first toss in the four-match series and chose to bat, Pakistan were looking in trouble as they were reeling at 97 for five.

However, Umar Akmal and Afridi came to rescue and took Pakistan to 176 adding 79 runs for the sixth wicket partnership.

Umar made a patient 50 from 88 balls, hitting just one boundary while Afridi smashed 51 off 55 balls with three fours and a six.

But Pakistan, trailing 2-0 after losing the first two matches in Abu Dhabi, initially failed to improve their fortunes as they lost Azhar Ali (five), Mohammad Hafeez (29) and Misbah (one) in the space of just two runs.

Two of these wickets went to paceman Stuart Broad, who finished with 3-42, while the impressive Steven Finn added one to his early breakthrough of Imran Farhat (nine) in this pacemen domination period.

Finn - who took four wickets apiece in the first two matches after sitting out the Test series - finished with 3-24 off ten overs.

Shafiq (18) also added 46 for the fifth wicket with Umar before he was run out. Umar Gul made 27 not out to give some late momentum to the innings.

Broad returned for his second spell to dismiss Umar, caught by Samit Patel after hitting just one boundary.

Afridi followed four runs later when he failed to connect properly with a big drive off paceman James Anderson who finished with 2-52.

Pakistan were forced to leave out experienced batsman Younis Khan who was suffering from a fever. Left-arm spinner Andul Rehman was also left out from Wednesday's line-up and Asad Shafiq and Adnan Akmal were brought in.

England remained unchanged from the second match.

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Cricket: Khulna beat Sylhet by 2 runs in nail-biting finish

CHITTAGONG: Khulna Royal Bengals snatched a thrilling two-run victory against Sylhet Royals in the 15th Twent20 match of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 172, Sylhet needed 11 runs in the final over to win for the first time in the tournament but it could make only eight runs losing two more wickets to finish at 169-6.

Opener Kamran Akmal was the top scorer with 84 runs. He smashed four sixes and eleven boundaries in his 41-ball innings.

Later, Scott Styris made an unbeaten 48 off 37 balls with four sixes and a four.

Earlier, put into bat by Sylhet, Khulna made 171 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Dwayne Smith top scored with 55 from 31 balls. He hit four sixes and three fours but it was late-order batsman Andre Russell who played a breezy innings of 35 not out with two towering sixes and three fours in only 14 balls.

For Khulna, captain Shakib Al Hasan, Abdur Razzak and Russell claimed two wickets each.

Russell was named man-of-the-match for his impressive allround performance.

The match was telecast live by cricket funzzgroup .

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English cricketer jailed over spot-fixing scam

LONDON: An English cricketer who claimed to have been lured into a spot-fixing scandal by Pakistan international Danish Kaneria was on Friday jailed for four months.

Former Essex player Mervyn Westfield had admitted receiving #6,000 ($9,200) to bowl badly so that 12 runs would be scored in the first over of a 40-over match between Durham and Essex in September 2009.

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Bangladesh Premier League

ate	Day	PST	Matches
February 09, 2012	Thursday	5:00 PM	Opening Ceremony
February 10, 2012	Friday	1:00 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Sylhet Royals
		5:30 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Duronto Rajshahi
February 11, 2012	Saturday	1:00 PM	Dhaka Gladiators	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
		5:30 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Duronto Rajshahi
February 12, 2012	Sunday	1:00 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
		5:30 PM	Dhaka Gladiators	vs	Sylhet Royals
February 13, 2012	Monday	1:00 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
		5:30 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Dhaka Gladiators
February 14, 2012	Tuesday	1:00 PM	Duronto Rajshahi	vs	Sylhet Royals
		5:30 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Dhaka Gladiators
February 15, 2012	Wednesday	1:00 PM	Chittagong Kings		Sylhet Royals
		5:30 PM	Duronto Rajshahi	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
February 16, 2012	Thursday	1:00 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Chittagong Kings
		5:30 PM	Dhaka Gladiators	vs	Duronto Rajshahi
February 18, 2012	Friday	1:00 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
		5:30 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Sylhet Royals
February 19, 2012	Saturday	1:00 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Duronto Rajshahi
		5:30 PM	Dhaka Gladiators	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
February 20, 2012	Sunday	1:00 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Duronto Rajshahi
		5:30 PM	Khulna Royal Bengals	vs	Sylhet Royals
February 22, 2012	Monday	1:00 PM	Dhaka Gladiators	vs	Sylhet Royals
		5:30 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
February 24, 2012	Tuesday	1:00 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Dhaka Gladiators
		5:30 PM	Duronto Rajshahi	vs	Sylhet Royals
February 25, 2012	Wednesday	1:00 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Dhaka Gladiators
		5:30 PM	Chittagong Kings	vs	Sylhet Royals
February 26, 2012	Thursday	1:00 PM	Duronto Rajshahi	vs	Khulna Royal Bengals
		5:30 PM	Barisal Burners	vs	Chittagong Kings
February 27, 2012	Friday	1:00 PM	Dhaka Gladiators	vs	Duronto Rajshahi
		5:30 PM	Khulna Royal Bengals	vs	Sylhet Royals

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Younus, Afridi star in Pakistan win

Shahid Afridi's eighth five-wicket haul in one-day international cricket coupled with fifties from Younus Khan and Imran Farhat helped Pakistan register a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the one-off One-Day International at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Playing its first-ever ODI against a full member, Afghanistan was restricted to 195 thanks to Afridi's spell.

Pakistan chased down the target with ease despite losing the top-order. Pakistan overhauled the target in 37.1 overs with seven wickets to spare to end at 198-3.

Opener Imran Farhat (52: 67b, 9x4) steadied the Pakistan chase after Mohammad Hafeez fell cheaply. Shafiq added 57 runs for the third wicket with senior pro Younus Khan.

Later it was down to the experienced pair of Younus (70 n.o.: 65b, 10x4) and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (40 n.o.) to ensure that Pakistan romped home with ease.

The Younus-Misbah unbeaten fourth wicket stand was worth 99 runs.

Earlier, Afridi, took four wickets in his first spell to derail Afghanistan - who won the toss and batted - from 54-1 to 101-5 before finishing with 5-36 in his 10 overs.

Afridi also became the second spinner with the highest one-day wickets (338) behind Muttiah Muralitharan (534), surpassing India's Anil Kumble who had 333 wickets.

But despite Afridi's brilliance, the Afghan batsmen put up an excellent show and had they not lacked experience - playing their first one-day international against a top nation - they would have scored more.

There was plenty of fireworks on and off the field as Afghan batsmen hit six sixes during their innings which delighted the bumper 15,000-strong weekend crowd - mostly Pakistan and Afghan expats.

Paceman Umar Gul provided Pakistan with the early breakthrough when he caught Noor Ali (nine) off his own bowling before Afridi dismissed Mohammad Shahzad (20), Nawroz Mangal (11), Gulbadin Naib (seven) and Karim Sadiq (40) in his first spell.

Sadiq hit two boundaries and two sixes during his aggressive 47-ball knock.

Mohammad Nabi, who scored 37 with two sixes, added 46 for the sixth wicket with Samiullah Shinwari who finished with 32 studded with four boundaries.

Gul and Wahab Riaz took two wickets each.

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Australia rest Mike Hussey for third ODI

Australia on Saturday said Mike Hussey would be rested for their third game in the tri-nation one-day international series, with allrounder Mitchell Marsh brought into the squad.

Australia go into Sunday's match against India in Adelaide unbeaten, after victory over Sri Lanka in Perth on Friday and an earlier win over India.

"Mike Hussey is to be rested and will not travel with the squad to Adelaide while Ben Hilfenhaus has returned to Hobart and will not join the squad for tomorrow's match," Cricket Australia said.

Western Australia's Marsh will join the squad in Adelaide, it added.

Australia have yet to name their squad for the remaining games in the series, which continues until March 8.

Australia: Michael Clarke (c), Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, David Hussey, Mitchell Marsh, Clint McKay, Ricky Ponting, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

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Barisal record second successive win in BPL

DHAKA: Barisal Burners defeated Duronto Rajshahi by 22 runs in an interesting match on second day of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a modest total of 181 runs, Rajshahi could score 158 for nine in the allotted 20 overs.

Opener Nizamur Rahman top scored with 65 from 52 balls with seven fours and two sixes as only two other batsmen – Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq (27) and local player Sabbir Rehman 15 not out) along with ‘Mr Extras’ (10) – entered into the double figures.

For the Burners, Pakistan paceman Yasir Arafat, Shane Harwood and Nazmul Islam took two wickets each.

Earlier, Pakistan opener Ahmed Shahzad made second consecutive half-century to help Barisal Burners post 180-2 in 20 overs.

After captain Shahriar Nafees won the toss and decided to bat first in their second match of the tournament, the Burners openers Chris Gayle and Ahmed Shahzad again provided their team a solid start and made 82 in 8.1 overs.

Shahzad made an aggressive 67 from 40 balls with the help of six sixes and four fours while Gayle hit a brisk 39 off 23 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Later, Shahriar Nafees (38) and Brad Hodge (28) added 56 for an unbroken third wicket partnership to give the opponent team a rather difficult target of 181.

Geo Super is showing all matches of the tournament live from the venue.

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Misbah praises Afghans' fighting spirit

SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq Saturday praised the Afghan team's fighting spirit despite their loss in a one-day international to his side, saying they could give other teams a tough time.

Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first-ever one-day international between the two countries here on Friday.

Despite losing, Afghanistan put up a spirited show before a 15,000-strong crowd, hitting six sixes in their 195 and taking two early wickets when Pakistan batted.

Misbah said he was impressed by Afghanistan's performance.

"It was a good game. The way the Afghanistan team played I am really happy. They have some really good, exciting cricketers," he said, adding it was "a good beginning" for the Afghan side.

Afghanistan earned one-day status in 2009 and have since achieved several milestones, qualifying for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and finishing silver medallists in the Asian Games in China, both in 2010.

They also won the Inter-Continental Cup, meant for associate teams, in 2010.

"I think Afghanistan can give tough time to Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and even to better teams. It is all about experience and if they play more cricket against good teams in the world, they are going to improve."

Misbah said Afghanistan were a dangerous limited over side.

"T20 or for one-day, this is a dangerous side. They can still improve and they have excellent fighting spirit. They put in a lot of effort in fielding."

Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took 5-36 which kept Afghanistan to 195, still a good total in Misbah's opinion.

Paceman Dawlat Zadran then dismissed opener Mohammad Hafeez (eight) and Asad Shafiq (20) before Younis Khan (70 not out) and Imran Farhat (52) saw Pakistan through in the 38th over.

"Their fast bowlers bowled really well and their batting start was very good. I think on this wicket batting was not easy and the score of 195 was really good because even Sri Lanka had struggled on this wicket last year," said Misbah.

"They have many positives to take from this game."

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal said he was satisfied with his team's performance.

"Our start was very good. Unfortunately the middle order collapsed and that prevented us from making a big score but we got two early wickets and overall I am satisfied with my team's performance against a top side," said Mangal.

Mangal, 27, said there were several lessons for his team.

"We learned a lot from this game. The most significant thing which we learned from this game... is the maturity how to play a one-day game, especially against a tougher side."

Afghanistan will play in the World Twenty20 qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates next month.

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Shahzad’s 2nd fifty in a row steers Burners to 180-2

DHAKA: Pakistan opener Ahmed Shahzad made second consecutive half-century to help Barisal Burners post 180-2 in 20 overs against Duronto Rajshahi in the second match of the second day in the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Saturday.

After captain Shahriar Nafees won the toss and decided to bat first in their second match of the tournament, the Burners openers Chris Gayle and Ahmed Shahzad again provided their team a solid start and made 82 in 8.1 overs.

Shahzad made an aggressive 67 from 40 balls with the help of six sixes and four fours while Gayle hit a brisk 39 off 23 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Later, Shahriar Nafees (38) and Brad Hodge (28) added 56 for an unbroken third wicket partnership to give the opponent team a rather difficult target of 181.

Geo Super is showing this match live form Mirpur, Dhaka.

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Guptill steers New Zealand to 7-wkt win over Zimbabwe

AUCKLAND: Martin Guptill's continued domination of the Zimbabwe bowling steered New Zealand to a seven-wicket win with 19 balls to spare in the opening Twenty20 match at Eden Park Saturday.

Guptill's imperious 91 not out off 54 deliveries was the backbone of New Zealand's 160 for three, and along with Kane Williamson (48), they overtook Zimbabwe's 159 for eight in the 17th over.

The New Zealand opener has seldom been troubled by the Zimbabwe attack and his 91 was his fifth successive half-century against the tourists following 51, 70, 77 and 85 in the Test and three one-day internationals.

His partnership with Williamson put on 137 for the third wicket after New Zealand made a shaky start to their run chase.

In an eventful second over, the first two deliveries from Kyle Jarvis were dispatched to the boundary by Rob Nicol before the bowler dismissed both Nicol and Brendon McCullum in two legitimate balls separated by a wide.

New Zealand were then in trouble at two for 15 but Zimbabwe were unable to cash in on the pressure and it was to be another 15 others before they were able to take a third wicket.

After 10 overs, New Zealand were 101 for two and the outcome was already assured. There was no sign of any respite for Zimbabwe in a nightmare tour where they have been thrashed in the one-off Test and three ODIs.

Guptill raced ahead hitting five fours and six sixes while a more circumspect Williamson reached 48 before he was run out taking an unnecessary single when New Zealand were then only eight runs short of their target.

Two balls later and the game was over with Guptill belting a six and a two leaving debutant batsman Colin de Grandhomme to have a brief time in the middle and not face a ball.

Jarvis was the only successful Zimbabwe bowler taking two for 32 after his side had won the toss and posted what should have been a competitive 159 for eight.

Hamilton Masakadza blasted 53 off 36 balls at the top of the innings and Elton Chigumbura finished off at the tail with 48 off 24 deliveries to contribute the bulk of the Zimbabwe runs.

Zimbabwe also had a rocky start to their innings with Brendan Taylor bowled by New Zealand debutant Michael Bates for three in the second over and Forster Mutizwa followed in the next over without scoring to be two for 16.

Bates, who also claimed Chigumbura in the final over, finished his first international bowling spell with an impressive three for 31 while Kyle Mills took two for 32.

The second Twenty20 match, and the final match of the Zimbabwe tour, will be played in Hamilton on Tuesday.

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Russell shines in Khulna victory against Dhaka

DHAKA: Allrounder Andre Russell displayed fine performance to help Khulna Royal Bengal defeat Dhaka Gladiators by 19 runs in the first Twenty20 match of second day in the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Winning the toss, Khulna batted first and made 175 runs for five wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan top scored with 42, followed by Andre Russell (37 not out) and Dwayne Smith (37).

Allrounder Azhar Mahmood claimed two wickets for 20 for Dhaka Gladiators.

In reply, Dhaka Gladiators batsmen could not resist against paceman Russell and managed 156 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Russell captured four wickets for 35 runs.

Geo Super showed this interesting match live from Mirpur, Dhaka

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Pakistan to launch more spin at England

ABU DHABI: Pakistan will once more depend on spin to maintain their dominance over England when the teams meet in a four-match one-day series starting here from Monday.

Misbah-ul Haq's men blanked England 3-0 in the Tests series with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal finishing with 24 wickets, left-armer Abdul Rehman taking 19 and allrounder Mohammad Hafeez five in a spin-dominated series.

Pakistan's spin repertoire will further be boosted by allrounder Shahid Afridi whose 5-36 helped Pakistan beat Afghanistan in a first-ever one-day between the two countries in Sharjah on Friday.

Even spinning allrounder Shoaib Malik, controversially included in the squad despite failures in the last six one-day matches, will pose problems for England who were routed 5-0 in India last year.

Pakistan captain Misbah acknowledged Afridi's heroics as leg-spinner.

Misbah, however, seeks improvement in his batting, especially in the top order

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Zimbabwe win toss, bat against New Zealand

AUCKLAND: Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Twenty20 international against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

Zimbabwe have been outclassed in every game so far on their New Zealand tour, losing the one-off Test by an innings and 301 runs, then falling short in the three one-day internationals by 90, 141 and 202 runs.

New Zealand have two international debutants, Michael Bates - whose brother Steven represented New Zealand with the All Blacks - and Harare-born Colin de Grandhomme, who played for Zimbabwe under-19 before emigrating in 2006

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Afridi, Younis help Pakistan devestate Afghans

SHARJAH, UAE: All-rounder Shahid Afridi took five wickets while Younis Khan and Imran Farhat both hit half-centuries as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the day-night international here on Friday.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi took five wickets while Younis Khan and Imran Farhat both hit half-centuries as Pakistan beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the day-night international here on Friday.

Afridi claimed 5-36 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 195 in 48.3 overs before Younis hit an unbeaten 70 and Farhat made 52 to help Pakistan reach their modest target in 37.1 overs in the first-ever one-dayer between the two countries.

Despite the loss, Afghanistan still put up an inspired display at Sharjah Stadium, justifying their rise in international cricket which saw them win the right to play one-dayers in 2009.

Younis, who hit 10 boundaries off 65 balls, added 57 for the third wicket with Farhat after paceman Dawlat Zardan dismissed opener Mohammad Hafeez (eight) and Asad Shafiq (20) in his first five overs to leave Pakistan at 42-2.

Even after Farhat's dismissal to spinner Samiullah Shinwari, Yonuis continued to excel, adding an unbeaten 99 with skipper Misbah-ul Haq, who scored 40 not out with three fours and two sixes, for the fourth wicket.

Misbah said Afghanistan surprised him with their spirit.

"I am really happy with the spirit of the Afghanistan players," said Misbah. "There were times in the match when they put us on the back foot and that was expected, so we did well to win in the end."

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal said his team put up a satisfactory show.

"This was our first-ever one-dayer against a top team and I am happy with the performance of the team," said Mangal.

"We couldn't put up a big total which was needed against a side like Pakistan."

Earlier Afridi derailed Afghanistan's progress who were set on track for a fighting total by opener Karim Sadiq (40) after they won the toss and decided to bat.

Afridi also became the second spinner with the highest number of one-day wickets (338) behind Muttiah Muralitharan (534), but surpassing India's Anil Kumble who had 333 wickets.

Despite Afridi's brilliance, the Afghan batsmen put up an excellent show and had they not lacked experience – playing their first one-day international against a top nation – they would have scored more.

There was plenty of fireworks on and off the field as the Afghan batsmen hit six sixes during their innings which delighted the bumper 15 000-strong weekend crowd – mostly Pakistan and Afghan expats.

Paceman Umar Gul provided Pakistan with the early breakthrough when he caught Noor Ali (nine) off his own bowling before Afridi dismissed Mohammad Shahzad (20), Mangal (11), Gulbadin Naib (seven) and Sadiq in his first spell.

Sadiq hit two boundaries and two sixes during his aggressive 47-ball knock.

Mohammad Nabi, who scored 37 with two sixes, added 46 for the sixth wicket with Shinwari who finished on 32, an innings studded with four boundaries.

Gul and Wahab Riaz took two wickets each.

Pakistan now play England in the first of four one-day internationals in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

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BPL match-2: Chittagong beat Rajshahi by 53 runs

DHAKA: Chittagong Kings defeated Duronto Rajshahi by 53 runs with a ball to spare in the second match on the opening day of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Friday.

Rajshahi could not reach the target and were all out for 153 runs in 19.5 overs.

Their main scorers were Junaid Siddique (42) and Shabbir Rehman (41 not out) while Dwayne Bravo and Enamul Haque Junior claimed three wickets each for 17 and 27 runs, respectively for Chittagong.

Earlier, Chittagong Kings plundered a mammoth total of 206 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs after they won the toss and decided to bat first.

Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed top scored with 56, followed by Mahmudullah (43 not out), Jason Roy (43) and Dwayne Bravo (38 not out).

In the inaugural match of the tournament played the same day, Chris Gayle’s thunderous century and Ahmed Shahzad’s fluent half-century made Barisal Burners thrash Sylhet Royals by ten wickets in the inaugural match of the tournament.

Both matches were telecast live from the venue on

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People throng Sharjah stadium for Pak-Afghan ODI

SHARJAH: Expats from both Pakistan and Afghanistan thronged the Sharjah Stadium for the first-ever one-day international here on Friday, with the fans uncertain who to support for a win.

Afghanistan, who rose to gain one-day status in 2009, have played 18 one-day games against fellow Associate teams, but Friday's match was their first against a top Test playing nation.

And for Pukhtoons, one of the major cast living in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan in the province of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, it was a dilemma who to support among a capacity holiday crowd of 15,000.

Pakistan's Umar Gul, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi also speak the Pushtoon language.

"It's no doubt an historic occasion," said Gulbadeen Salami. "I have lived half my life in Pakistan after fleeing there in 1979 so both are my countries.

Most of the Afghanistan players learnt the game while living in refugee camps in Pakistan after they had to flee their country following the Russian invasion in 1979.

Pakistan also helped Afghanistan in setting up their cricket infrastructure and allowed their teams to play in their domestic competitions.

Hundreds of fans started their journey towards the stadium early, taking buses to the stadium from the adjoining states of the United Arab Emirates home to millions of labourers from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Habibullah Khan, who works in a shop in Sharjah, said he will support Afghanistan.

"I love cricket and will support Afghanistan," said Khan, holding a tri-colour Afghanistan flag. "My favourite player is Mohammad Shazad, who hits sixes and is from my town -- Paktika (one of 34 provinces in Afghanistan)."

But overall, Afridi remains the top favourite player from either side.

"We are supporting both the teams," said Haji Malik from Kabul. "I wish Afghanistan win this match but my favourite is Afridi, who lives in the hearts of all the Pukhtoons."

Organisers hoped the sell-out crowd will induce more and more people to join the game in future.

"Sharjah has been home to cricket for many years now and this Pakistan-Afghanistan match will add to the charm, not only for the locals but also for the expats," said Mazhar Khan, secretary of Sharjah Cricket Council.

The Council started Cricket Benefit Fund Series in 1980s which also supported former cricketers with cash benefits and has staged 201 one-dayers before this match -- a world record in international cricket

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Afridi's 5-36 restrict Afghanistan to 195

SHARJAH: Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took his eighth five-wicket haul in one-day cricket but Afghanistan still managed 195 in their first-ever day-night international at Sharjah Stadium here on Friday.

The 31-year-old leg-spinner took four wickets in his first spell to derail Afghanistan -- who won the toss and batted -- from 54-1 to 101-5 before finishing with 5-36 in his 10 overs.

Afridi also became the second spinner with the highest one-day wickets (338) behind Muttiah Muralitharan (534), surpassing India's Anil Kumble who had 333 wickets.

But despite Afridi's brilliance, the Afghan batsmen put up an excellent show and had they not lacked experience -- playing their first one-day international against a top nation -- they would have scored more.

There was plenty of fireworks on and off the field as Afghan batsmen hit six sixes during their innings which delighted the bumper 15,000-strong weekend crowd -- mostly Pakistan and Afghan expats.

Paceman Umar Gul provided Pakistan with the early breakthrough when he caught Noor Ali (nine) off his own bowling before Afridi dismissed Mohammad Shahzad (20), Nawroz Mangal (11), Gulbadin Naib (seven) and Karim Sadiq (40) in his first spell.

Sadiq hit two boundaries and two sixes during his aggressive 47-ball knock.

Mohammad Nabi, who scored 37 with two sixes, added 46 for the sixth wicket with Samiullah Shinwari who finished with 32 studded with four boundaries.

Gul and Wahab Riaz took two wickets each

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Gayle ton helps Barisal thrash Sylhet by ten wickets

DHAKA: Chris Gayle’s thunderous century and Ahmed Shahzad’s fluent half-century made Barisal Burners thrash Sylhet Royals by ten wickets in the inaugural Twenty20 match of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur on Friday.

Chasing a modest target of 166 runs, both openers showered a rain of fours and sixes to complete the victory in just 13.1 overs.

Gayle, the West Indian batsman made an unbeaten 101 from only 44 balls with ten sixers and seven fours while Shahzad was 56 not out from 35 balls with nine boundaries and a six.

Earlier, Sylhet Royals scored 165 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs after being put into bat by Barisal Burners.

Captain Peter Trego (62) and Bangladesh international batsman Alok Kapali (56) were the main scorers for the Roylas while Pakistan’s paceman Yasir Arafat was the most successful bowler for the Burners with 2-33.

Geo Super showed the match live from Mirpur.

The second match of the tournament will begin from 5-30 between Chittagong Kings and Duronto Rajshahi at the same ground.

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BPL match-2: Chittagong amass 206-4 against Rajshahi

DHAKA: Chittagong Kings set a huge winning target for Duronto Rajshahi in the second Twenty20 match on the opening day of the Bangladesh Premier League here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Winning the toss, Chittagong batted first to pile up a big total of 206 runs for four wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed top scored with 56, followed by Mahmudullah (43 not out), Jason Roy (43) and Dwayne Bravo (38 not out).

Earlier, Chris Gayle’s thunderous century and Ahmed Shahzad’s fluent half-century made Barisal Burners thrash Sylhet Royals by ten wickets in the inaugural match of the tournament.

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Aaqib Javed resigns as bowling coach

KARACHI: Aaqib Javed has resigned as the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Sources add that Javed is expected to join the UAE cricket team as coach.

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