Leicestershire have confirmed that legspinner Mansoor Amjad will stand in as their overseas player while Dinesh Mongia is away on international duty.Mansoor, 18, is flying direct from his country’s participation in the Top End Series in Australia and officials hope he will arrive in time to play in Wednesday’s Championship match.He had been scheduled to play for Leicestershire’s 2nd XI for the remainder of the summer anyway, and spent time working with Tim Boon, Leicestershire’s coach, earlier in the season.”This is very much an investment in potential and follows the Club’sphilosophy of developing emerging talent which can grow with us in thefuture,” Boon said. “I first spotted Mansoor when I was out in Pakistan last winter when he took five wickets against England in Lahore. He also comes highly recommended by Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.”He is a wrist spinner who will hopefully give us a vital cutting edge which we have been missing in Championship matches on occasions when we have been in strong positions. He is also a more than capable middle order batsman who at 18 already has two first-class hundreds to his name.”
Neil Carter has signed a new one-year contract with Warwickshire, thus ending speculation about his future. Michael Powell is also expected to extend his contract with the county until 2006.Northamptonshire and Derbyshire had both expressed an interest in signing South-African born Carter, 29, who eventually chose to remain with the county who he has played for four years since leaving Boland.But claims in the suggest that Carter, a seamer, was only offered the new contract after Warwickshire failed in their bid to sign another seamer, Jon Lewis, who plays for Gloucestershire.However, Carter’s position would have been strengthened by the loss of his team-mate, the 21-year-old Graham Wagg, who was banned earlier this month from playing for Warwickshire until 2006 after failing a drugs test. And, to further bolster his claims for a new contract, Carter was his county’s second-highest wicket-taker after Dougie Brown in 2004, taking 27 wickets at just over 44.
Eagles 185 for 5 (Bosman 84*) beat Dolphins 181 for 5(Sugden 50, Klusener 63*) by 4 runs ScorecardAfter losing the toss and being asked to bat first in front of 8,025spectators at Kingsmead, the Eagles smashed the highest total of the Standard Bank PRO20 Series. Thanks to Loots Bosman’s undefeated 84, they racked up a total of 185 for 5, with the last 100 runs of the innings coming off 8.1 overs.Boeta Dippenaar and Nicky Boje set the tone of the innings, with both batsmen scoring at better than a run-a-ball. Bosman came to the crease at 55 for 2 after eight overs and a high total was already onthe cards. But he took the bowling by the scruff of the neck, smashingsix fours and six huge sixes, two of which ended up on the roof ofthe stadium. His 84 was scored off only 44 deliveries and he wasinvolved in a 78-run partnership, in six overs, with Benjamin Hector,who madde 29 off 17.In reply, the Dolphins needed a solid start, but disaster struck when they lost two wickets in the first two overs. Craig Sugden, back in Durban after a stint with Border, picked things up with 50 from 35 balls, before holding out to long-on. Lance Klusener thenstrode to the crease with the Dolphins’ hopes squarely on his shoulders.His 50 came up in 26 deliveries, but needing 24 off the last six balls was always going to be a big ask. Jon Kent managed two fours and a single in the first three balls, and Klusener two fours and a two thereafter, but he finished stranded on 63 from 30 balls. The Dolphins should have got him in earlier.
Ariz Kamal failed by seven runs to score a century as Karachi Greens strengthened their grip on Nawabshah in the Cornelius Trophy match at Nawabshah Stadium on Thursday.At close of play on the second day of the three-day tie, the home side were staring at innings defeat, having lost five wickets for 96 runs in the second innings after conceding a huge first innings lead of 226.Earlier, Karachi Greens amassed 368 in 79.1 overs with Ariz making 93, Rashid Ali 73 and Mir Rashid 60.Slow left-armer Farooq Ahmed captured five for 71. Meanwhile, the second day of the match between Islamabad and Lahore Greens at Rawalpindi’s KRL Stadium was completely washed out without a ball being bowled because of rain.Summarised scores:*At Nawabshah Stadium, Nawabshah:NAWABSHAH 142 (Nasir Khan 28, Shahid Hussain 21, Abid Ali 20; Ariz Kamal 3-28, Zeeshan Essa 3-28, Faraz Ahmed 2-14, Adeel Malik 2-29) and 96-5 (Kamran Qureshi 27, Farooq Ahmed 24; Adeel Malik 2-12);KARACHI GREENS 368 (Ariz Kamal 93, Rashid Ali 73, Mir Rashid 60, Adnan Kalim 41, Nasir Aziz 41, Azmat Ali 35; Farooq Ahmed 5-71, Hafeez Ahmed 2-76)).*At PCB Regional Academy Ground, Karachi:QUETTA 331-8 innings closed (Javed Iqbal 123, Naseem Khan 110, Abdul Rehman 25, Abdul Wali 20 not out; Mohtashim Ali 3-73, Shahbaz Bashir 2-49);SIBI 112 (Afzal Shah 30, Khuda Bukhsh 28; Arun Lal 7-56, Abdul Rehman 3-32) and 200-5 (Afzal Shah 59, Haroon Ishaq 29, Mian Nafees 28 not out, Mohammad Naveed 26, Maqbool Ahmed 20 not out, Shahbaz Bashir 20; Naseer Khan 4-64)*At KRL Stadium, Rawalpindi (no play on second day):LAHORE GREENS 132 (Imran Qadir 29; Stephen John 7-54; Mohammad Altaf 2-28);ISLAMABAD 246-1 (Ashar Zaidi 112 not out, Hammad-ul-Haq 96 not out).*At Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad:SUKKUR 193 (Aqeel Ahmed 119; Sharjeel Ali 5-53, Anwar Ali 3-45);HYDERABAD 305-8 (Shamim Bashir 90, Kashif Jilani 64, Javed Shaikh 47, Hanif Malik 41 not out, Taj Wali 24; Khalid Sohail 4-112).*At Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, Karachi:NASEERABAD 145 (Salman Khan 35, Talib Hussain 24; Nisar Niazi 4-48, Mohammad Amin 3-28, Kashif Habib 3-29) and 98-2 (Khurshid Malik 50 not out, Salman Khan 32);PISHIN 264 (Samiullah 117, Nisar Niazi 58, Salman Khan 28, Nasrullah 21; Wajihuddin 6-80, Jurial Jamali 2-62)
The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today confirmed that it will host athree-match one-day international series between Australia and Indiaon 21, 23 and 26 September in Melbourne and Brisbane.The Melbourne fixtures will take place at the Colonial Stadium onFriday, September 21 and Sunday, September 23, and on Wednesday.September 26 at the Gabba in Brisbane.The series follows on from last year’s history making tournamentbetween Australia and South Africa, which saw international cricketplayed indoors for the first time.ACB Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said that the series willbuild on the success of last year’s event.”The success of Super Challenge 2000 has paved the way for moreinternational cricket out of the traditional summer season. ColonialStadium is now a proven venue for cricket, while the warmer climate atthe Gabba in Queensland provides us with an alternative to take theseries to other parts of Australia.”Australia and India had a terrific battle in India earlier in theyear and Super Challenge 2001 will give Australian cricket followersthe chance to enjoy the rivalry between these two teams,” Speed said.Australian captain Steve Waugh said that he was looking forward to theseries.”It’s going to be great for the boys to play on home soil again aftertours to India and the UK and the event should prove an excellentstart to the new season.”Super Challenge 2000 was a superb and innovative event that was agreat experience to be involved in. The matches against India, both atthe Colonial Stadium and at the Gabba promise to be an equallyimpressive spectacle, especially after the high-quality and closelyfought cricket the two sides produced in India last autumn.”I know some of the players, like myself, have family commitmentsaround that time and that’s a difficult situation, but both sides, theACB and the players, understand the other’s point of view. I’m happywe’ve been able to reach an amicable solution that means Australiawill field the strongest side available,” Waugh said.In order to prepare Colonial Stadium for Super Challenge, the ACB willagain use a “drop-in” pitch to make the transition from an AFL groundto a surface suitable for international cricket. The pitch will bedeveloped off-site, using similar technology to last year’s event.The Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club, who play at the Gabbahave agreed to move any training session they have scheduled for theground, should it coincide with the Super Challenge event on September26. The Lions would only be training on this date should they winthrough to the AFL Grand Final.Speed said he was very appreciative of the Lions’ support. “I wouldlike to thank the Lions for their flexibility in allowing the ACB totake Super Challenge to the people of Queensland,” he said.The Nine Network will televise the series in Australia. Ticketingdetails, sponsorship and overseas television arrangements will beannounced in due course.
As per TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, West Ham United have set their sights on Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette as a pretty promising transfer update comes to light.
The Lowdown: Hammers in striker chase…
The Hammers have been chasing a new striker since club record signing Sebastien Haller left the club for Ajax in January 2021.
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West Ham even lodged marquee bids for some of Europe’s finest, not excluding Benfica sensation Darwin Nunez, but their alleged £40m offer wasn’t enough to sway the Liga NOS giants into a sale.
David Moyes has been linked with moves for forwards since then as the summer window lingers.
TEAMtalk journalist Bailey, sharing some news, has a pretty big development.
The Latest: Bailey shares big Lacazette update…
According to the reporter, West Ham are ‘ready to offer’ Gunners forward Lacazette a deal ahead of the summer window.
The Frenchman’s contract is set to expire in June as things stand with GSB and recruitment chief Rob Newman allegedly looking to take full advantage.
As well as this, Bailey claims the Irons are ‘looking at a multi-year offer’ for Lacazette which ‘puts them in the driving seat for his signature’.
The Verdict: Promising claim…
After a slow start to the 2021/2022 season, Arsenal’s frontman has improved since then, being directly involved in ten goals since mid-November (Transfermarkt).
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When asked how important Lacazette has been for the Gunners, teammate and defender Kieran Tierney claimed he is ‘absolutely massive’ – potentially backing why West Ham are so keen.
Scoring 54 and assisting 30 English top flight goals overall, the 30-year-old could be an astute option for Moyes on a free given he is already proven in the Premier League.
In other news: Journalist says West Ham could now green-light exit for player Moyes called ‘really important’, find out more here.
Multan‘s lower-order collapse on the final day, triggered by pacer Mohammad Saeed’s four-wicket haul, resulted in an eight-wicket rout at the hands of Lahore Shalimar, who brushed aside a 76-run target and moved to second place in Group II.Lahore Shalimar won the toss and chose to bowl, and were handed an immediate advantage when Mohammad Bilawal took seven wickets to dismiss Multan for 69.In spite of a shaky start, Lahore Shalimar grabbed a substantial first-innings lead, posting 282, built around Mohammad Saeed’s maiden first-class hundred. The No. 9 batsman scored 113 off 114 balls with 16 fours and four sixes. Offspinner Haziq Habibullah was the pick of the Multan bowlers, returning first-innings figures of 4 for 81.Faced with a 213-run deficit, and with a risk of an innings defeat at 117 for 4, Multan staged a recovery led by Ahmed Rasheed. Rasheed’s 170-ball 89 had 11 fours and contributions from Abdul Rehman Muzammil (47) and openers Usman Liaqat and Ahad Raza helped Multan clear the deficit. However, Mohammad Saeed struck with a four-wicket haul to skittle Multan out for 288 as the batting side lost its last six wickets for 38.The Lahore openers put on a 55-run stand in pursuit of the 76-run target and the side needed just 18 overs to complete an eight-wicket win. Mohammad Bilawal finished with match figures of 10 for 111, his maiden first-class ten-wicket haul, while Saeed added to his first-innings tally to finish with a seven-wicket match haul.A high-scoring match between Islamabad and Hyderabad petered out in a draw in Islamabad.Put in to bat first, Islamabad scored 303, helped by contributions from all batsmen, including a fifty from Moed Ahmed. Fast bowler Farhan Ayub picked up six wickets for 106, but regular partnerships between the Islamabad batsmen ensured they reached a solid score.In reply, Hyderabad, powered by fifties from openers Zeeshan Gul and Darya Khan eked out a slender 17-run lead. The openers added 113 for the opening stand to notch up important innings where other Hyderabad batsmen failed to convert their starts. Gul fell for 50, while Darya Khan missed his maiden first-class hundred by five runs. Hyderabad’s bowlers then gave their side a solid shot at victory, reducing Islamabad to 56 for 5 in the second innings, before a lower-order rally saw Islamabad climb to 200.Set a target of 184 runs, and running out of time, Hyderabad stuttered to 41 for 5 in 21 overs by close of play. Shehzad Azam, the Islamabad fast bowler, picked up 4 for 29 in 11 overs.
Group I
Abbottabad and Sialkot held each other to a high-scoring draw, which featured three centuries at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium.Mohammad Ali (133) enjoyed a memorable debut as he rescued the home side from 38 for 2. Ali, whose innings included 19 fours and lasted just a shade under six hours, and 18-year-old Kamran Ghulam (157) carried Abbottabad to a daunting 513 for 7, before the declaration . Ghulam, though was the more aggressive of the two centurions, as his 23 fours helped him maintain a strike rate over 80. Another debutant, Baber Khan, came in at No. 9 and struck 54 off 55 balls. Hasan Ali, 19, was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 133.In reply, opener Majid Jahangir (107) and Naved Sarwar (80) stabilised Sialkot after quick wickets. A brief collapse in the middle order hurt Sialkot’s momentum but No. 8 Nabeel Malik arrested the slide – three wickets for 36 runs – with his second first-class fifty. The rest of the tail, however, could not muster similar resolve and Sialkot lost their last four wickets for 13 runs to finish at 360.Abbottabad’s second innings lasted for nine overs in which the openers hit 64 runs before the match was drawn.It was a case of first-innings blues as Rawalpindi met Peshawar in the Quaid-e-Azam tournament at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Both teams put in strong performances in their second innings, with Isarullah scoring the only century of the match, as it ended in a draw.Seamer Azam Khan snared four of the top-five Rawalpindi batsmen, including opener Shoaib Nasir, whose 38 remained the highest score of the innings. Azam’s new-ball partner Afaq Ahmed chipped in with three wickets as Rawalpindi benefited from lower-order contributions – the last four wickets added 117 runs – to reach 180.Peshawar’s steady start was interrupted when Ashfaq Ahmed was forced to retire with the score on 42. Iftikhar Ahmed’s 92 was the saving grace after the top-order could not consolidate on their starts. Striking 15 fours in his 107-ball innings, his counterattack helped Peshawar claim a 63-run lead, which proved vital in their claiming three points off this match.Rawalpindi’s solid start was dented when their first two wickets fell within four runs. The score was 99 for 2 and by the time they had added five more runs, another wicket had fallen. Regular wickets became the order of the day until Zahid Mansoor (91) and wicketkeeper Talha Qureshi (45*) steadied the innings, taking Rawalpindi from 186 for 6 to 278 before the partnership was broken. Qureshi remained unbeaten until the end of the innings, taking his side to 384.Azizullah, the 21-year-old fast bowler, toiled away for 42.4 overs and reaped good rewards as he claimed his maiden five-for in first-class cricket.Chasing a target of 322 runs, Isarullah’s ton helped Peshawar set a good pace as they made 181 for 2 in 51 overs, but in the end the honours were shared.
China made their way into the semi-finals of the ACC women’s tournament after beating UAE by seven wickets in Johor.China’s was a schizophrenic performance throughout. At times they looked at par with Bangladesh and Hong Kong in the field yet at other times they looked the rawest of beginners. “”, said China’s manager afterwards: “A fault is one step away from the truth.”Invited to field, China’s bowlers, with the exception of the seamer Wang Meng, bowled a succession of wides and deliveries. But in between those extras they bowled decently and fielded with precision effecting three-run-outs. UAE’s top score was six and six batsmen didn’t score at all. China had UAE on the rack in the ninth over when they took three wickets in three deliveries but they undid the good work with some undisciplined bowling.With China bowling so sloppily UAE cashed in for a while by nudging runs of any delivery on the stumps. Overs passed, extras mounted and suddenly UAE felt they could not only pass 50, they could bat out the 30 overs.Crushed by Bangladesh in the opening game, ACC Development Officer Rumesh Ratnayake had been invited by the UAE manager to speak to the team before this game, and his simple advice to “take things one ball at a time” became the inspiring mantra which the UAE team adopted.Though UAE didn’t bat out the full quota of overs they did pass 50 and it meant China, having given away 37 extras, would have to work on their bowling before they face up to Hong Kong in the semi-finals. They will have an opportunity to correct their faults when they take on Bangladesh tomorrow.UAE are a better bowling side than they are batting with Natasha Michael and Jesar Shah bowling wicket to wicket, hitting the deck, and extracting bounce off the pitch. Left-armer Samiya Salim spears in yorkers off a short-run up. Three Chinese wickets fell quickly and the UAE were sensing the possibility of a major upset.But the early wickets just meant that China’s best batsman, Hu Ting Ting (19) had more time to influence proceedings. The first delivery she faced was edged high just short of third man but after that she played with calm assurance. Michael and Shah induced both inside and outside edges but Hu Ting Ting remained unperturbed.Her 31-run partnership with Duan Qiong took China to victory. Back in the shade, she stripped off her pads, rolled up her trousers and showed off some humungous strapping around her left knee. Having strained a ligament in training, she was playing against doctor’s advice. “I have played with worse injuries when I was a footballer. I wanted to help my team win this match,” she said. “I am playing for them.”
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it will oppose the ICC’s proposal to allow teams to appeal against decisions made by the on-field umpires during the annual ICC meeting in London on July 2.The ICC’s cricket committee made a recommendation last month that both teams be allowed three appeals to the third umpire if they feel there is doubt about a decision of the on-field umpires. If approved, it would be tried out on an experimental basis in the Champions Trophy in India in October.But the PCB, after conducting their own survey, fear that such an innovation could have a negative impact on the Spirit of Cricket.”We are opposed to this proposal and we will put across our point of view strongly to the ICC,” Shaharyar Khan, PCB chairman, told Reuters. “We conducted a survey of 35 of our players and umpires and 33 of them are opposed to this law. They feel it will undermine the spirit of the game and the umpire’s authority even if it is experimented with in the Champions Trophy.”Incidentally, Javed Miandad has also voiced a similar opinion on the issue, saying that it would make a mockery of the game.Meanwhile, Shaharyar also told Reuters that they intend to push for six-day Tests during the winter season for matches held in Punjab. The proposal is meant to compensate for time lost due to bad light mostly to fog during the season in that region. Play was lost on a daily basis in Faisalabad and Lahore when Pakistan hosted England and India last winter and the PCB made a request to extend play by a day, which was initially rejected.”The ICC rejected our earlier request but we have not given up and we think we might get a chance to go for bilateral arrangements,” he said. “If the ICC does not allow six-day tests nor floodlights then they must come up with a viable solution because this is a real problem for us in winter.”
Ricky Ponting arrived in Mumbai after missing the first two Tests of the series with a broken thumb. He will not be fit in time to play the third Test which starts in Nagpur on October 26, but hopes to play a part in the final Test at Mumbai. Ponting addressed his first press conference of this tour, and as usual, had plenty to say.
On Sachin Tendulkar’s absence I guess his absence has been disappointing for the spectators. And as players, we want to be judged against the best. Probably we have not played the best Indian team so far. I am notsure. Some of the Indian players will regain their confidence now that he’s back. How well he is prepared is a different story. I am not sure how much batting he has been doing behind the scenes. There is pressure on him to come back and play because of the way the series is placed at the moment.On his own preparation I don’t want to rush into things. I will be working hard, probably harder than anybody. First and foremost I have to see how my thumb reacts after a couple of batting sessions. I was actually wondering if I would be able to take part in the series at all. I had a pretty ordinary series here in 2001. I wanted to play a big part in this series as a batsman and captain as well. That’s the hardest thing to do. Even harder was to sit back and see Australia win. I know what it means to me and the rest of the team to win a Test match in India. The cricket played so far has been outstanding. We are in a good position. It’s frustrating that I will just have two innings to prove myself in India.On the fuss about Australia’s batsmen “walking” It’s blown out of proportion. I think all batsmen walk at some stage in their career. Some times it’s just a reaction thing. Sometimes you really don’t have control over it and some times it’s like what Adam Gilchrist does. He’s made up his mind to walk all the time. I have not heard that from the other Australian players. Well, I read the other day that Damien Martyn is now a walker, because he was caught at first slip!On Australia’s approach to playing in India In Sri Lanka we played tough, disciplined and patient cricket. That’s the way we have to play in this part of the world. Things can change very fast if you move away from your game plan. What has been pleasing to me so far is that the guys have been very disciplined in executing their plans. Even the field placements have been different from the past.