Pakistan wrapped up the Mobilink Cup with a comfortable 37-run victory over Zimbabwe in what was, ultimately a dour, lifeless encounter in Multan. The only spark was provided, inevitably, by Shahid Afridi, who lit up the affair with a 52-ball 85, in the process rescuing Pakistan from a perilous 78 for 5. Zimbabwe battled away in their chase of 273, in particular Sean Williams and Brendan Taylor, but as has been the case at various points on this tour, they let healthy advantages slip.In Hyderabad, they frittered away a promising position going in to the final ten overs and then dropped catches to make matters worse. Here, they had Pakistan reeling halfway through their innings, but somehow managed to concede nearly 200 runs in the second half to, essentially, the lower-order.Until then, they had been disciplined, which was the doing mostly of Tawanda Mupariwa and fine opening spells from Elton Chigumbura and Gary Brent. The tone was set from the very first over of the innings, Chigumbura probing outside Salman Butt’s off stump. It was a maiden and many more followed as Brent, at Mark Ealham’s pace, found some lovely away-going curve against a left-handed opening pair.Brent finally found reward for an outstanding spell when Butt cut to point in the 15th over. Thereafter, as Chigumbura finished his quota, Mupariwa took charge with a career-best spell. His first ball, a delicious, tempting in-dipper trapped Younis Khan in front. In his very next over, Nasir Jamshed pulled straight to short midwicket.Zimbabwe were ecstatic when Shoaib Malik was run out, and they went beyond as Mupariwa reeled in the big one, Mohammad Yousuf. In truth, they didn’t so much lose grip as have it snatched away from them by Afridi. He came in to this series the subject of debate: selectors wanted him to play, the team management were not keen. And yet, he has been indispensable thus far, taking wickets in Karachi, taking Pakistan over the line in Hyderabad and saving some blushes here.Afridi’s methods were no surprise; he equalled Sanath Jayasuriya as the leading ODI six-hitter, blasting six of them here and he was busy through the innings, running hard, but forever with an eye on the big heave. Ray Price was lofted for the first six and by the time Chamu Chibhabha was struck for two more a little later, a 34-ball 50 had been brought up.
Misbah-ul-Haq provided typically Misbhah-esque support, running hard, improvising and finding the occasional boundary, but this was Afridi’s show. Keith Dabengwa was lofted and bludgeoned as a century stand came up, but just when a first hundred in nearly three years loomed, he miscued Mupariwa to point. A few overs later Misbah fell in typically Misbah-esque fashion, reverse-sweeping, but Pakistan pushed on to a daunting total.Zimbabwe still had a chance, as Pakistan’s bowling hadn’t made an impression through the series and the wicket was flat. Sohail Tanvir, the one bowler who has made a mark, stymied early, fanciful notions sending back both openers. When Tatenda Taibu was run out in the 15th with just 50 on the board, it seemed over.But Williams and Taylor then revived the innings with a partnership which put Zimbabwe in control of another portion of the game. They went about it intelligently, picking up the few boundaries they could, but hustling every run on offer. Williams hit three boundaries in his 50 and Taylor only two, yet the two put on 105 at just under five an over.But just when it seemed Zimbabwe would launch a final surge, they again let slip the initiative. Taylor was stumped in the 36th over, with 118 still needed, and as so often happens, the partner went soon after. With Williams went the match. Pakistan will be concerned at an inability to bowl out Zimbabwe a third game running, but the visitors will rue yet another game where they were in it at various stages, only to lose it at critical moments.
How does one even begin to process what just happened at Sabina Park today?Ireland, a team of part-timers and county cricketers, knocking the fourth-ranked ODI team in the world out of the World Cup. Even saying it out loud doesn’t help – it’s almost too much to take in.For the fans in the ground today this will go down as a day to compare with famous Irish underdog victories in other codes such as Munster beating the All Blacks in 1978 (which every Munster fan ever born claims to have been present for – a tall tale that will be replicating itself among the cricket fraternity after today) or Ireland beating Italy at USA 94. But instead of Ray Houghton, Paul McGrath and Packie Bonner it was the lesser-known names of Niall O’Brien, Jeremy Bray, Boyd Rankin, Kyle McCallan and Trent Johnston that will rightly be lauded.The fans are a big part of this World Cup week and the “Blarney Army” has made its mark on the tournament for its exuberant support of the team – one of the memories of the day for me will be the singing of “Are you England in disguise?” following the dismissal of Mohammed Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Who would have thought Irish fans would have had the chance to have the temerity?There is something else to rejoice in for followers and journalists alike in this incredible story – the refreshing openness and honesty of the Irish set-up. Here is a self-aware group of players with just the right amount of self-belief to take advantage of situations like today and make something happen. Throughout they have remained close to their fans and nearly always have something interesting to say.What will this mean for Irish Cricket? Increased awareness among the public and more money – both private in the form of sponsorship and public in the form of the Irish Sports Council. These are the two things the game needs the most. We in Ireland are no different to any other country – the corporate dollar goes to the sports that make noise and provide success stories and today’s result will entitle cricket in Ireland to a piece of that pie – a small piece maybe, but enough to make a difference to a sport trying to make itself noticed among the behemoths of gaelic games, soccer and rugby.After the Zimbabwe tie on Thursday the Irish Times ran with a picture of Andrew White celebrating taking a wicket on its front page on Saturday – that was something that’s never happened before for Irish cricket, and it was a move guaranteed to get a lot of attention from the non-cricketing sporting public. Imagine what they’ll make of today’s incredible tale. What is more, it was a win that will almost certainly ensure they are a part of this Caribbean World Cup for another four weeks at least.Irish rugby had a horror day of last-minute drama and close calls that didn’t go their way – but perhaps their bad luck in northern Europe was balanced out by the luck the Irish cricket team made for itself at Sabina Park. Ireland are fast becoming the story of this World Cup and that’s something these players – these fitness instructors, postmen and teachers – deserve.
Even though the England opener Marcus Trescothick has ended weeks of speculation, by telling Sky Sports News that he returned home from the tour of India because he had been laid low by a viral infection, there is still plenty of interest surrounding the issue.During Somerset’s media day at Taunton he did not speak to the press, as he was shadowed by Colin Gibson, the head of the ECB’s communication department. Even in his TV interview he did not give any more specifics about the illness, but said that personal factors and spending time away from his family had also been partially responsible for his decision.”The main reason was that I picked up a bug when I was out there,” Trescothick told the news channel. “The second part of Bombay really hit me hard; I wasn’t sleeping and couldn’t shake it off. We moved to Baroda, and it didn’t get any better; I wasn’t eating or drinking, and it really took its toll.”At the time all that the England camp would say was that he had left the tour for personal reasons and it asked the media to respect his privacy, which it has done.Trescothick admitted that the endless toll of touring and playing had taken its toll. “We play so much; we spend 300 nights a year out of our own house either travelling the world or at hotels preparing for games in England. Touring Pakistan and India are probably the hardest you can do, because it is not easy to take your family away to that part of the world. You spend a long time away from home.”The Somerset chief executive, Richard Gould, told the : “I’m sure the press have found it frustrating, but the most important thing is that we get Marcus in the best frame of mind for the new season.”The fact he was forced to return home was a combination of things – stress, the virus and being away from his family for long periods of time. I was taken by surprise by the degree of scepticism that has been shown about his explanation.”Richard Bevan, the chief executive of The Professional Cricketers Association, has also offered sympathy for players like Trescothick who are so stretched physically and mentally by a punishing international schedule. Trescothick admitted six years of continuous cricket with England had been taking its toll.”We have to find a balance and a bit more common sense,” said Bevan. “You don’t want the game brought into disrepute. The ICC are certainly sympathetic. The chief executive stated in his annual report … that the demands on international cricketers are enormous.”What the ICC have to do is develop clearer and longer-term plans. They have to improve communications with the stakeholders. We want them to get younger players on the board. They will have different ideas on international cricket and player burn-out. They need to forge stronger links with the international players’ association (FICA).”Last week it was revealed that Trescothick was back training with Somerset, although he admitted that he was still suffering from the virus until about three weeks ago.To read Trescothick’s interview with Sky Sports News click here.
Scotland have cancelled their pre-season tour of Namibia. Their coach Andy Moles believes that playing against county sides would be more beneficial to their preparations for the ICC Trophy.”Our whole focus this year is to finish in the top five in the ICC Trophy in Ireland in order to qualify for the World Cup in 2007,” Moles told the Sporting Life website. “Namibia in no way resembles the playing conditions we will encounter in Ireland, so we are better off warming up in England.”Moles recently quit as Kenya coach, and Scotland are expecting him to take up the role of their coach by mid-February but the Kenya Cricket Association insist that he is under contract with them until the end of the month.Sharad Ghai, the beleaguered KCA chairman, said: “He finishes his contract with KCA on February 28. He will spend this time handing over and then proceed to take up his new post in March.”
ClosePakistan 348 and 8 for 0 (Taufeeq 6*, Farhat 1*) need 294 runs ro beat South Africa 278 and 371 for 8 dec (Kirsten 118, Smith 65, Razzaq 3-70) Scorecard
Gary Kirsten: one more monumental innings for South Africa (c) Getty
Pakistan survived a tense 20 minutes at the end of the day after South Africa declared 301 ahead, leaving 100 overs in the game. Gary Kirsten was the star of the day, making a pugnacious 118 – his 19th Test century – to play his team into a position of strength. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled all day to make any breakthroughs, and most of their wickets came in the second half of the day, when South Africa tried to up the momentum.The South African innings revolved around two partnerships that Kirsten put together – of 85 with Neil McKenzie and 90 with Jacques Kallis. The theme of the day was patience. Long spells by the slower bowlers came to nought as the batsmen played with great application, determined to claw one back in this series.McKenzie batted with impressive restraint in the morning, watching the ball carefully, playing late, and letting everything outside off pass by uninterrupted. The only moments of aggression he showed were when he swept Danish Kaneria. He had scored a patient six off 65 when he slog-swept Kaneria twice, to pick up a four and a six.
Neil McKenzie: one slog-sweep too many (c) AFP
He then went back into his shell, where he should have remained. After a slog-sweep off Shoaib Malik for a four to midwicket, he went down on his knee to Kaneria to repeat the shot, but the premeditation failed. The ball turned away from him – as it had been doing for much of the morning – and hit the toe of the bat, looping up behind the wicket. Taufeeq Umar at slip, who had taken four catches in the first innings, took his first of the second (213 for 4). McKenzie had 35 off 120 balls. Was this where things would unravel?Not if Kirsten could help it. Batting with his customary ungainly efficiency, Kirsten frustrated Kaneria and Malik, who did the bulk of the bowling in the session, by refusing to be drawn into the slightest indiscretion. Most of the time he was shuffling slightly across or playing back, eyes on the ball till it was past him, or onto his bat. He nurdled more than he drove, and most of his runs came square of the wicket and behind. His resolve was impressive, and Kallis took a cue from him, blocking everything that came his way – except the ones he let sail harmlessly by.Kirsten stepped out a couple of times against the slower bowlers, but was otherwise content to play the role of an anchor – until he reached his century. With the South African lead past 200, and five-and-a-half sessions left in the match, there was a need to accelerate, and Kirsten celebrated his 19th Test century by stepping out and tonking Mushtaq Ahmed over long-on for six. But he was out shortly after, trying to cut Abdul Razzaq and edging to Taufeeq at slip. Taufeeq fumbled with the ball once before holding on to his sixth catch of the Test – a Pakistan record (303 for 5).Razzaq had bowled Mark Boucher in the first innings, and déjà vu struck. Boucher played across the line on the first ball he faced, missed and had his leg stump uprooted. Shaun Pollock kept out the hat-trick ball, and added 22 with Kallis, before Razzaq struck again. A low inswinger trapped Kallis plumb in front, and South Africa were 325 for 7. Kallis had made 43 invaluable runs, off 113 balls.Pollock then kept one end up, and Robin Peterson and Paul Adams, with some lusty hits, brought up the lead of 300. Graeme Smith declared, leaving Pakistan a sporting target – they would need to bat for a day and a bit at three an over. They played out the bit – but the day still remained, and it promised to be quite a contest.
Molyneux Park in Alexandra will host a second State Championship match this summer.Already scheduled to host the round eight match between the Otago Volts and Canterbury Wizards in mid-March, Molyneux Park will also now be the venue for the fifth round game between the Volts and Central Stags in mid-February.The match has been moved from Carisbrook because of a heavy workload at headquarters.With three State Championship games played at Carisbrook before New Year and Group D of the ICC Under-19 World Cup this week, groundsman Mark Perham will now be able to concentrate on preparing a pitch for the One-Day International between New Zealand and England on February 26.Perham’s mastery was to the fore again yesterday with Australia posting a world Under-19 record in amassing 480/6 against a hapless Kenyan side. Australia’s tally beat its own record of 398/6 registered against Papua New Guinea at the 1998 tournament.
Punjab’s 27-year-old medium pacer Bharath Bhushan ripped through theServices batting on the opening day of the North Zone Ranji Trophyleague match at the Air Force Station ground in New Delhi on Friday.An unchanged spell of 12 overs got him figures of eight for 51 asServices were shot out for just 87 runs in 25.1 overs. By close,Punjab had rubbed salt into Services’ wounds by scoring 217 for fouroff 50.5 overs.Opting to bat, Services ran into trouble early and never recovered.Only three players P Maitrey (14), SD Nadkarni (17) and JP Pandey (20)reached double digits as Bhushan proved to be quite unplayable.When Punjab batted, medium pacer Syed Javed removed Ravneet Ricky (1)and Manish Sharma (18) with only 23 runs on the board. But skipperVikram Rathour and veteran Pankaj Dharmani added 173 runs for thethird wicket off 37.5 overs to place their side in command. Rathourwas out for 83. He faced 123 balls and hit 12 of them to the ropes.Dharmani came in unbeaten with 92 at stumps. He has so far faced 153balls and hit 13 fours and a six.
West Ham United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who will have a release clause briefly come into play this summer.
What’s the latest?
According to Football League World, the 24-year-old had a £10m release clause in his contract with the Cottagers last summer after their relegation from the Premier League which has since expired, with the defender still plying his trade at Craven Cottage.
However, it has now been revealed that a new release clause will come into play for a very brief period at the start of the summer transfer window.
The west London outfit look set for an instant return to the top flight as Championship winners after a stellar 2021/22 season, with Adarabioyo a major contributor to that feat.
However, despite looking likely to re-establish his credentials as a Premier League player with Fulham, the defender has been subject to plenty of interest from current top-flight clubs, with the Hammers among those who have taken a shine to the centre-back.
With the possibility of being able to sign the former Manchester City player for a cut-price fee, West Ham must stay alert, with the 24-year-old certainly a bright prospect.
West Ham must sign Adarabioyo
Amid injuries, suspensions and prosecution from the RSPCA, this season has seen David Moyes forced to tinker with the Irons’ defence, particularly whilst juggling the demands of four different competitions.
Kurt Zouma has established himself as the Scotsman’s first-choice centre-back, despite the 28-year-old being prosecuted by the RSPCA after a video of him kicking his cat emerged online.
However, the identity of Zouma’s partner has been a talking point throughout the campaign, with Craig Dawson the current favourite ahead of Issa Diop while Angelo Ogbonna recovers from an ACL injury. However, at 31 years of age and with just over a year left on his current contract, the Englishman isn’t a long-term solution.
With the Hammers currently sixth in the league, there is still a strong chance of them securing European football for a second consecutive season, with the east London club also in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they will take on Ligue 1 side Lyon.
If they are to achieve that feat once again, GSB will need to invest in adding depth to Moyes’ squad, particularly at centre-back, with Adarabioyo a strong candidate.
The 24-year-old has helped Fulham to keep 10 clean sheets in his 33 appearances this term, averaging 3.7 clearances, 1.3 interceptions and 0.9 tackles per game whilst also enjoying an 87% passing accuracy. Moreover, at 6 foot 5, the Englishman is a towering presence at the back, winning 72% of his aerial duels.
Having come through the ranks at Manchester City, the £17k-per-week defender is of good pedigree and will surely be keen to prove himself once again in the top flight, having been relegated with Fulham last season.
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Furthermore, at 24, the centre-back is blessed with bags of potential whilst also possibly being available for a cut-price fee due to the aforementioned release clause.
Whilst at Blackburn Rovers, Adarabioyo’s then-teammate Darragh Lenihan was full of praise for the defender, saying: “He’s brilliant. His distribution is excellent, he’s quick, he’s big, he has all the attributes. I’ve said to him that he has all the attributes to play for Manchester City in my opinion.”
After such a strong campaign in the Championship, it’s hardly surprising that Premier League clubs are sniffing around for the Fulham defender, who would certainly seem a shrewd signing for the Hammers.
In other news: West Ham must swoop for “spectacular” £16k-p/w “pure talent” with shades of Payet
Yuvraj Singh has been charged with dissent for standing his ground after his dismissal on the second day of the Melbourne Test. Match referee Mike Proctor has set the hearing for this evening, half an hour after stumps, and will decide the extent of punishment.Yuvraj, still to get off the mark, drove at a ball from Stuart Clark and was given out caught behind. He stood his ground for a few moments, suggesting that he wasn’t happy with Billy Bowden’s decision. Replays didn’t reveal much but the snickometer showed that there was indeed a fine edge.Yuvraj, coming off a sensational hundred against Pakistan in Bangalore, was brought in at No.6 for this Test. It meant Rahul Dravid, who normally bats at No.3, was moved up the order with India playing only one specialist opener alongside him. The tactic was a talking point before the game and will continue to prompt more debate, now that both Yuvraj and Dravid struggled in the first innings.
It is being reported that several members of the England squad have been fined for what was described as a “breach of discipline” following Friday’s defeat by New Zealand.It emerged that some players went to a nightclub in St Lucia immediately after the six-wicket loss. Those involved were fined after a team meeting at the squad’s hotel on Saturday.Andrew Walpole, the England media manager, declined to name those who had been fined or the exact nature of the offence. “The England team management today announced that a number of England players had been fined by the head coach, Duncan Fletcher, after admitting to a breach of team discipline last night,” Walpole said in a statement.”The decision followed a team meeting at noon today which was attended by all the players and management.”