Aggressive Butt scripts seven-wicket win

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Salman Butt’s 76 set up a seven-wicket victory for Pakistan, who now lead the series 2-0 © AFP
 

A blazing 76 by Salman Butt led Pakistan to a comprehensive seven-wicket win in a rain-curtailed match at the Iqbal Stadium. Heavy rain after 48.2 overs in Bangladesh’s innings kept the players off the field for more than two hours and the target of 226 was reduced to 158 in 25 overs by the D/L method. Pakistan made easy work of the target, despite an asking-rate of more than six an over, and extended their lead to 2-0 in the five-match series.Despite the heavy defeat, Bangladesh had something to write home about, especially their lower-order revival. Mahmudullah’s unbeaten half-century pushed Bangladesh to a respectable score of 225 for 8 after a characteristic top-order wobble. Tamim Iqbal piloted the early charge with an attacking 60 but the excitement was rather shortlived, with half the side back in the pavilion by the 25th over. Mahmudullah then proceeded to add 37 with Farhad Reza, doubled that effort with Dhiman Ghosh, and those stands were significant in ensuring Bangladesh didn’t fold up before the allotted overs.Tamim set the pace with some gorgeous drives through extra cover and controlled flicks off the pads, making it fairly obvious from the start that the margin for error on this surface was minimal. The high elbows were a feature of his technique as he punched crisply through the off side and back past the bowler.Shahriar Nafees wasn’t as technically correct and like a repeat offender, perished in identical fashion to the Lahore game, swatting at a wide delivery away from the body. Aftab Ahmed’s dismissal was unfortunate as replays indicated the ball struck him above the knee roll off Gul, who picked up his 50th ODI wicket in the process.Ashraful walked in and went on the offensive with an exquisite cover drive off Tanvir to go past Habibul Bashar as the highest run-getter in ODIs for Bangladesh, before taking Gul to task with three fours in a single over. However, Bangladesh lost two quick wickets against the run of play – including Ashraful – and Tamim fell shortly after bringing up his fifty.Mahmudullah and Reza got together for damage control after Tamim’s wicket, and the pair brought some stability to the innings. With spinners bowling from either end, the pair grafted – staying back and waiting for the turn, pushing the ball into the gaps and fetching the odd boundary. The partnership was worth 37 before Reza lunged forward to Shahid Afridi and was trapped lbw just after a drinks break, in the 34th over.Luckily for Mahmudullah, he found an able partner in Ghosh and the pair strung together the most fruitful stand of the evening. In the five overs after Reza’s dismissal, Bangladesh added 34. Pakistan lost the plot, and the introduction of Younis Khan to break the stand only leaked more runs. Mahmudullah never got tied down at any stage, and shortly after the pair added 50 runs, he brought up his own half-century, giving Sohail Tanvir the charge and punching him through extra cover and then glancing one down to fine leg the following ball. Rain intervened with ten balls left, leaving Mahmudullah unbeaten on 58.The overcast conditions mattered little for Pakistan as the openers blazed away in a stand of 46 in just over seven overs. Butt took to Mashrafe Mortaza early, punching him through extra cover and followed it up with a pull over midwicket in the same over. His innings was a suitably classy affair, full of proper cricket shots, drives, cuts and the odd pull.The early pounding forced Ashraful to bring his slow bowlers on in the fifth over and the move worked as the left-armers, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, plugged the scoring for three consecutive overs. Nasir Jamshed fell after attempting one ugly heave too many, bowled by Shakib.Younis Khan walked in and carted Mahmudullah for a huge six over midwicket before a swing and a miss off Reza sent him back for 13. Yousuf joined Butt, and during his cameo knock of 32 became the second Pakistani to go past 9000 ODI runs behind Inzamam-ul-Haq. Butt brought up his fifty in the 18th over, launched Mahmudullah for a six over long-off before he was run-out off a direct hit for 76. His 72-ball knock had all but sealed the victory, with Pakistan needing just seven to win.

Rolls retires from all cricket

Rebecca Rolls was a hard-hitting batsman and record-breaking wicketkeeper © Getty Images

Rebecca Rolls, one of New Zealand’s longest-serving players, has retired from all forms of women’s cricket. Rolls, the team’s wicketkeeper and a hard-hitting batsman, leaves the game having played 104 ODIs – second only to Debbie Hockley on New Zealand’s all-time list.Since making her debut in 1997, Rolls has missed only one ODI series. She kept up her form until the end, hammering 104 from 87 deliveries against Australia in the opening match of last month’s quadrangular series in India. She was a key member of New Zealand’s World Cup-winning squad in 2000 and took a critical last-over catch in the final.Rolls, 31, was the first wicketkeeper to reach 100 dismissals in women’s limited-overs games and her 133 victims are a world record. She scored 2201 runs at 25.01, making her the third-highest run-scorer in New Zealand’s history. Her decision comes less than a week after women’s cricket also said goodbye to the retiring Australian champion, Cathryn Fitzpatrick.Rolls, who also represented New Zealand at soccer, said she felt the time was right to move on. “I’ve enjoyed my time immensely and I’m very excited for the future of women’s cricket and for the White Ferns, even though I won’t be part of it,” she said.

Australia satisfied with security situation

Steve Bernard, the Australia team manager, is satisfied with the extra security the BCB have promised © Getty Images

Following recent explosions in the country, the Bangladesh Cricket Board have promised Australia the tightest possible security when they arrive for their tour later this week.Australia will fly to Dhaka on Thursday after wrapping up a 3-0 series victory in South Africa, including a thrilling two-wicket win at Johannesburg on Tuesday. Their tour of Bangladesh will comprise two Tests and three one-dayers, with the first Test getting underway on April 9.”Unlike other tours, we will have extra security for the Australians,” Mahmudur Rahman, head of the BCB, said. “No-one will be allowed to have undue access to them.”Steve Bernard, the Australia team manager, is satisfied with the extra security the BCB have promised the team and, last month, undertook a pre-tour visit to the country to assess the situation.”Clearly we never comment in detail on security issues,” Bernard said. “But we are very comfortable with the security measures that are being put in place for the arrival of the Australians.”

Dolphins on the verge of victory

ScorecardThe Dophins were on the verge of a comprehensive win after the third day of their four-day game against the Warriors at Durban. Chasing 101 for victory, they ended on 80 for 3, needing only 21 more. Resuming at 261 for 5 in their first innings, the Dolphins powered their way to 362 for 7 declared, a first-innings lead of 151. The Warriors were then bundled out for 251 in their second innings, with only Abongile Sodumo getting a half-century. The Warriors lost three wickets in their quest for a small target, but they ended the third day with victory a mere formality.
ScorecardA superb performance by the Eagles in the field put them in charge after three days at Potchefstroom. Replying to the Eagles’ total of 418 for 9 declared, the Lions were bundled out for 190 in their first innings. Following on, they fared slightly better, reaching 222 for 7, but still requiring six runs to make the Eagles bat again. Justin Ontong, Martin van Jaarsveld and Neil McKenzie all scored half-centuries for the Lions in their second innings, but no-one managed more than 58. Thandi Tshabalala, who took three wickets in the Lions’ first innings, took three more in the second, while Ryan McLaren has a match tally of five wickets so far.
ScorecardDespite an excellent 138 from Darryl Cullinan, the Titans were struggling to keep pace with Western Province Boland at Paarl. At close of play on the third day, the Titans, following on after being dismissed for 280 in their first innings, had reached 130 for 3, still trailing by 21 runs. Cullinan’s 138 shone through in their first innings, when no other batsman made more than 33. The Titans were in more trouble early in their second innings, losing three wickets for only 26, before Albie Morkel and Justin Kemp put together an undefeated 104 for the fourth wicket.

SPCL1 Week12 – Academy pull off a stunner

The Hampshire Academy pulled off arguably their best win since they joined the Premier set when they beat Havant, the defending champions, by 70 runs on a strip that favoured the spin bowlers the longer the match went on.Indeed, the slow bowlers captured 14 of the 18 wickets that fell during the day’s play – Charlie van der Gucht (4-41) and Mitchell Stokes (3-36) producing telling performances after leggie Ian Hilsum had removed two of Havant’s top guns.The result was a massive setback to Havant’s already slim chances of retaining the title, but a real feather in the cap of the Young Hawks who thoroughly deserved their win.Havant were, though, without broken-fingers victim Richard Hindley, the wounded hero of Hampshire’s County Championship victory over Glamorgan.Hindley spent a bizarre day signing autographs and doing radio interviews – though he would have much preferred to be in the thick of the action !Put into bat on a softish surface, the Academy began positively with a 52-run partnership between Peter Hammond (31) and Alex Richardson who, along with Hawks skipper Alex Morris, both departed inside three overs.Hampshire team manager Paul Terry watched boundary-side as Tom Burrows (45) and Kevin Latouf (27) batted sensibly to see the Academy through to lunch at 108-3.But, as early as the 37th over interval, Havant were beginning to concern themselves at the help their own slow men were getting.Latouf was well taken down the leg-side by Steve Snell, while Burrows became the first of three victims for Phil Loat within five runs of a deserved half-century.Stokes (18) struck several meaty blows but, when the Academy dipped to 183-8, Havant fancied their chances of wrapping up the tail.Talented Shanklin teenager David Griffiths had other ideas, striking a series of terrific shots, including two huge sixes over mid-wicket, in an undefeated 35 that wrested the initiative away from Havant and put the youngsters in the driving seat.But Griffiths did not bowl as well, suffering at the hands of fellow Islander Snell as Havant, despite losing two early wickets, quickly posted 53-2.Academy coaches Tony Middleton and Giles White looked on with anguish as Havant feasted on several overs of indifferent and mediocre bowling.But, having reached 87-2, Havant lost their way – and their wickets – with the off-spin of Stokes proving hugely effective.Van der Gucht appeared to be struggling to land the ball in the right area – but the left-arm spinner, who has fought back so courageously from the serious injuries he sustained in a road traffic accident almost two years ago, was later to strike a series of crucial blows.Struggling against the turning ball, Havant plunged from 87-2 to 114-6 before losing their last four wickets – three of them to Van der Gucht – for just eight runs. They were 154 all out.

Border elected to Queensland Cricket Board

Australian and Queensland cricket legend Allan Border was last nightelevated to the Board of Queensland Cricket, filling the void left bythe sudden death last month of Peter Burge.The former Test captain was elected as the replacement for Burge at lastnight’s ordinary meeting of the members at Queensland CricketHeadquarters at Albion.Speaking last night, Border, 46, said he was delighted to be able toextend his contribution to cricket to a new level.”Cricket has been very good to me and I am looking forward to continuingto be a part of the game here in Queensland,” he said.Queensland Cricket President John McKnoulty and Board Chairman DamienMullins warmly welcomed Border’s election to the Board.Mr Mullins said that as was the case with Burge, Border brought a wealthof cricket experience to the Board.Border’s achievements in the sport include the following:

  • He played 156 Tests for Australia, the world record for the most Tests.
  • He scored 11,174 Test runs, also a world record, and has a Test average of 50.56.
  • Captained Australia in 93 Test matches, winning 32 of them, and 178 one day internationals, winning 107 of those.
  • Played 385 first class matches, scoring 27,131 runs at an average of 51.38, between 1976-77 and 1995-96.
  • Was a member of the first Queensland team to win the Sheffield Shield in 1994-95.
  • Captained Queensland on 41 occasions.
  • Has been a National selector for the past three seasons.
  • He coached Australia to India and Sharjah in 1997-98 and has coached Australia ‘A’ and the Australian Youth team.
  • He is Australia’s representative on the influential ICC Cricket Committee – Playing, and has been an ICC Ambassador to developing regions, including visits to Papua New Guinea, South Korea and the Pacific Islands.
  • He is club patron of Brisbane XXXX Grade club Valley.
Border will be in Perth this week for the Third Orange Test betweenAustralia and New Zealand as part of his duties with the Australianselection panel.

Heazlett hits debut ton but Tasmania ahead

ScorecardFile photo – James Faulkner took three wickets before stepping up with the bat•PA Photos

Twenty-year old Sam Heazlett struck a century on first-class debut after which Queensland declared their first innings despite a deficit of 104.Batting at No. 3, Heazlett made 129 came off 248 balls, with 17 fours, and was assisted by Jason Floros in a 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Although they could not push ahead despite batting 122 overs, the momentum from their lower-order resistance seeped into their bowling. Tasmania, in their second innings, slumped to 4 for 38 before unbeaten 30s from Jake Doran and James Faulkner redressed the damage and stretched their overall lead to 204 by stumps on the third day in Hobart.Earlier in the day, resuming from an overnight score of 2 for 117, Queensland lost Marnus Labuschagne for 8, by Xavier Doherty. Nathan Reardon was also undone by the left-arm spinner before Heazlett and Floros mounted resistance. Contributions from wicketkeeper Chris Hartley (46) and No. 8 Jack Wildermuth (19) took Queensland past 300. Doherty and Faulkner collected three wickets each while Andrew Fekete claimed a couple.

Liverpool now fighting to sign Leeds magician Raphinha

The warning signs that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is preparing for a crisis unlike any other he has had to face so far as manager of the club are building.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all have their contracts up at the end of next season, and as of today, there has been no progress in negotiations.

Striker Divock Origi’s departure will be a little more imminent too – with his own contract expiring at the end of this campaign, while there could be interest in back-up winger Takumi Minamino who has impressed in the limited cameos he has been given.

With Liverpool potentially heading into next season and beyond a little light in the attacking department compared to now, the club have been linked with a number of names ahead of the transfer window – with the latest being Leeds winger Raphinha.

What’s the news?

Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Reds’ interest via Twitter yesterday, also claiming that other clubs are also interested, saying: “Barcelona are interested in Raphinha alongside Premier League clubs, including Liverpool – Chelsea wanted him, now in stand-by. Barça already discussed about Raphinha with Deco. 

“No talks yet with Leeds – as price depends on their PL future and potential buy out clauses.”

He can become a potential superstar

At just 25-years-old, Leeds have seemingly pinned a lot of their Premier League survival hopes on the Brazilian – which while puts huge pressure and responsibility on his shoulders, it is also a big compliment to him and his ability.

Despite sitting 16th in the table right now, Raphinha has once again impressed greatly, scoring nine goals in 27 league appearances, as well as creating three more – but having missed five key chances and created nine big chances, his totals for the season should be more.

A technically gifted “magician” according to teammate Dan James, the former Rennes star guarantees excitement.

That’s evident by the fact he ranks in the top 5% among players in his position across Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for dribbles attempted per 90 (5.35), top 3% for nutmegs per 90 (0.48) and top 11% for progressive passes per 90 (5.16).

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

While it’s difficult to replace any of Salah, Mane or Firmino, Raphinha would definitely be able to get the Kop on their feet regularly and being valued at just £36m by Transfermarkt, he could potentially represent good value for money.

Keeping in mind his dazzling qualities on the ball, he could forge quite the partnership alongside the likes of January signing Diaz and 17-goal Diogo Jota – as Klopp prepares Liverpool for the future.

In other news: Fewer touches than Alisson: LFC lightweight who completed 0 dribbles let Klopp down

Fleming's microcosmic fifty

Matthew Bell’s awful misjudgement gave Ryan Sidebottom his first wicket © Getty Images
 

Trendsetter of the day
Tim Southee’s first delivery of the day, to England’s overnight stalwart, Stuart Broad. Broad’s 42 had helped rescue England from their mid-innings nadir of 147 for 6, but in a portent of collapses to come, he was unable to push on when play resumed. Southee found the perfect line and length, and a hint of away movement, and Brendon McCullum did the rest. Twenty-four balls later, England’s innings was all over, and the teenaged Southee led his side from the field with figures of 5 for 55, the best by a New Zealand debutant for more than 50 years. As he did so, he was thrown the match ball for safekeeping, which he rammed deep into his pockets. As well he might after that sort of effort.Misjudgement of the day
There is a bet doing the rounds among the Kiwi journalists that Matthew Bell will not pass 30 at any stage in the series. Today he batted as if he was in for a cut of the winnings, with the most ludicrously awful misjudgement since the England media manager losthis middle stump to Matthew Hoggard on the eve of the Test. The ball did swing appreciably, but quite why Bell thought it wise to shoulder arms to a straight one is anyone’s guess. In the event, he was cracked on the kneeroll plumb in front of middle, and sent on his way for a second-ball duck.Flighty fifty of the day
Stephen Fleming’s fifty-to-hundred conversion rate has been a source of wonder, frustration and bemusement all throughout his 14-year Test career. He’s somehow managed to pass 7000 Test runs (and rack up three big double-centuries) without taking his centuries tally into double figures. Today’s innings, however, showed just how this could be possible. For the best part of a session, Fleming was invincible. He cut and drove the new ball with disdain, and threatened single-handedly to carry New Zealand to an impregnable total. But then, just as thoughts began to drift to a fairytale finish, Fleming wrenched the situation back to reality. A half-cocked waft outside off stump, and off he ambled for a microcosmic 59.Bowling spell of the day
Amid the mayhem, one man stood tall like a beacon of rectitude. Ryan Sidebottom has been the stand-out seamer on either side in this series. Defiant in defeat in Hamilton, quietly competent while the young guns starred in Wellington, and now the indisputable leader of the line in Napier. He bowled without a break all the way from lunch to the close of the innings, taking 6 for 37 in 14.4 overs, and 7 for 47 all told. They were the best figures by an England bowler since a certain Steve Harmison took 7 for 12 in Jamaica four years ago, and they carried his series tally to a remarkable 23 wickets at 14.21, more than double the next most prolific bowler, Chris Martin (10).Catch of the day
It was an unremarkable lob to mid-off from an unremarkable tailender, Jeetan Patel, but the man beneath the catch was relieved nonetheless. Monty Panesar has had nothing less than a shocker in the field this series, and the roar that greeted his achievement was not merely English excitement at another wicket falling. Even in his moment of triumph, however, Monty managed to mess it up a touch. As his long fingers closed around the ball, he somehow managed to cut the tip of his left index finger – which could prove troublesome when his turn comes to bowl. Off he sprinted to the dressing-room to see the medics, almost before the batsman had managed to leave the crease.Swipe of the day
England’s positive intent was their downfall in the first innings, but Michael Vaughan wasn’t about to let any such bad vibes cloud his judgment. This pitch was a belter when he assessed it on the first morning, and despite a five-session scoreline of 421 for 20, a belter it remained. So when Chris Martin banged in a good-length delivery just outside off stump, Vaughan had a monstrous mow at it, and almost swung himself off his feet as he aimed towards the midwicket floodlights. Unfortunately for him, the ball zipped a little quicker off the track than he’d expected, and brushed the shoulder of the bat to complete an underwhelming Test for England’s captain.

Fleming ton crushes Bangladesh

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Scott Styris filled Michael Mason’s boots effectively and took 4 for 43 © Getty Images

For the second time in five days, New Zealand’s well-oiled bowling attack turned in a clinical bowling display, beating Bangladesh by nine wickets, and giving their team a foothold in the semi-finals of the World Cup. A target of 175 was never going to pose too many problems, not with Stephen Fleming sealing the nine-wicket win with an assertive century, his second in World Cups and eighth overall.Carrying on from where they had left off against West Indies, New Zealand’s varied pace attack refused to let up. Shane Bond’s incisiveness was complemented by Jacob Oram’s awkward lift and Scott Styris’s dibbly-dobblies as they snaffled ten wickets between them. Bangladesh’s batsmen came unstuck for the second match in a row – a frenzied collapse against Australia was followed by a lacklustre capitulation today – despite enjoying their best opening stand of the tournament. None of the top four converted their starts, giving it away when set, and left the underbelly exposed to the incisive New Zealand attack.Javed Omar, making his World Cup debut 11 years after his first ODI, and Tamim Iqbal, the youngster, provided Bangladesh the unhurried start they required, adding 55 in 16.4 overs. But Oram’s double-strike instigated a steep slide. Oram stuck to a back of a length, extracted uncomfortable bounce and hardly gave the batsmen room to maneuver. Tamim was once struck on the chest, being followed by a short one after trying to charge down the track, and, barring one aggressive crack across the line, couldn’t break free that often. He fell trying an overambitious scoop-paddle, dragging his back foot out of the crease and watching Brendon McCullum, standing up, whip off the bails in quick time. Omar edged a short one a couple of overs later and all their good work began to come apart.Bond opened up the floodgates with a couple of wickets on returning for his second spell before Styris, who bowled Mason’s quota of overs after he was injured, mopped up the tail with his nagging seamers. Aftab Ahmed’s dismissal typified Bangladesh’s day: mistiming a loft off Styris when well set, and holing out to long-off. Habibul Bashar joined in operation surrender, attempting a non-existent second run and being beaten by a direct hit from Oram, a sharp flat hit from deep third man.Saqibul and Mushfiqur had no answer to Bond detonators, losing their stumps by playing around full deliveries, before Mohammad Ashraful and Mashrafe Mortaza fell to Styris. It took a 34-run tenth wicket stand between Mohammad Rafique and Syed Rasel to lend the total some respectability.A target of 175 was always going to be within New Zealand’s range and they went about hunting it down with the ease associated with a stroll in the park. Fleming went about his business in a composed manner, putting away the wayward deliveries, clipping effortlessly off his pads and handling the left-arm spinners with ease. He shimmied down the track towards the latter part of his innings, lofting three sixes with minimum fuss.Giving him support was Hamish Marshall, in the side for the injured Lou Vincent. He took some time to get into his stride, especially against the fastish left-arm spin of Abdur Razzak, but finished with a flurry of fours. He grew in confidence as his innings went on and completed the match with a big six off part-time legspinner Ashraful .Their 134-run partnership had taken just 20 overs and was similar to the hammering Bangladesh received at the hands of Australia just a few days ago.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus