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The World Cricket League Division 2 gets underway in the UAE on Friday, with six teams hoping to play in the ICC Intercontinental Cup to be held later this year

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Apr-2011The World Cricket League Division Two, a 50-over competition, gets underway on Friday in the UAE with six teams, including the hosts, taking part. The top four teams will receive increased funding from the ICC’s High Performance Programme while two teams – chosen by the ICC’s Development Committee – out of the top four will play in the Intercontinental Cup later in the year.”We are very well prepared for this event,” UAE captain Khurram Khan said. “We’ve been playing matches constantly over the last four weeks against two teams, so we feel ready to go. It was heartbreaking to lose on home ground to Namibia in the I-Shield, so we’re looking forward to playing to even out the record.”There are a lot of new players in the UAE team: Shaiman Anwaar and a new wicketkeeper, Swapnil Patil, who are all playing incredibly well. Hong Kong have a very good new side, and we’ve been following the team. Bermuda as well – they practice a lot – they’ve played more than we have on our home ground at the ICC Global Cricket Academy, so yes it is going to be a very good competition and so we’ll just take it one game at a time.”PNG were promoted from Division 3 last year, but their captain Rarva Dikana wants to move further up the divisions. “The boys are really good; since we’ve moved up from Division 3 we’ve increased our preparation. In addition we’ve also been to Australia, so I think we are in good shape for this tournament,” he said. “It would mean a lot to our players, our country and to the development of the game should we win or finish in the top four of this event. Funding will help us, at a junior level and at senior level, to continue our growth. So it will mean so much to us if we do well.”For Bermuda, this the second trip to the UAE, something their captain David Hemp said has helped them acclimatise to the conditions. “As a squad we’ve been in the UAE since March 27, and have been using this extra time to get used to the conditions. We also came out in January for a 10-day tour to experience conditions, and get a feel for the tournament,” Hemp said. “All sides are going to be competitive; the two from Division 3 will be confident following their achievements and those already in Division 2 will be confident as well. Every game’s a challenge, we’re just going to concentrate on what we’re doing and play the best cricket we can.”Hong Kong were the winners of the Division 3 tournament last year. “We know the value of winning this tournament and this tournament is vital for the future of Hong Kong’s cricket,” their captain Najeeb Amar said. “The people of Hong Kong and the government are all very expectant and if we won the revelation would be remarkable. And of course if we win it means more funding for Hong Kong cricket.”Two African nations, Uganda and Namibia, complete the mix. “It’s very important for us to do well because we’ve lost a lot of good guys recently,” Uganda captain Mirza Baig said. “So it’s even more important for us to carry on the game, do something for them, leave something behind so others can take the game forward. We are looking for that extra funding, and expecting more to develop the game. We’re not worried; we shall give our best and apply ourselves, and funding ultimately will come.”Baig added that Namibia were his team’s biggest threat. “Namibia, for sure. They are a very good side, very experienced and have lots of good players. They are playing better than good and are probably the best side.”Namibia’s captain Craig Williams said his side was well prepared. “We came early, and played two warm-up games against Hong Kong and Bermuda, while back home we played in the South African Amateur League – with very strong competition – so we feel well prepared. I think all the teams are very well-balanced, and I can’t really single out anyone. However, in the UAE team, Khurram Khan and Saquib Ali are very good.”The facilities here in the UAE have been fantastic and we just hope we can use them to the best of our abilities and push our way back up into contention to be in Division 1; it’s really important for us to be there.”The week-long tournament ends on April 15.Squads:
Bermuda: David Hemp (captain), Curt Stovell, Fiqre Crockwell, Christopher Foggo, Jason Anderson, Irving Romaine, Lionel Cann, Rodney Trott, Deylone Borden, Malachi Jones, Stefan Kelly, Damali Bell, James West, Kyle HodsallHong Kong: Najeeb Amar (captain), Nadeem Ahmed, Irfan Ahmed, Waqas Barkat, Adil Mehmood, Khalid Butt, Asif Khan, Courtney Kruger, Roy Lansam, Mark Chapman, Nizakat Mohammed, Moner Muhammed, Mohammed Khan, Maxwell TuckerNamibia: Craig Williams (captain), Raymond van Schoor, Ewald Steenkamp, Sarel Burger, Gerrie Snyman, Andries Burger, Bjorn Kotze, Tobias Verwey, Kola Burger, Louis Klazinga, Bernhard Scholtz, Louis van der Westhuizen, Christoffel Viljoen, Helao La FrancePapua New Guinea: Rarva Dikana (captain), Chris Amini, Assodallah Vala, Kila Pala, Andrew McIntosh, Willie Gavera, Mahuru Dai, Raymond Haoda, Chris Kent, Jack Vare-Kevere, Tony Ura, Vani Morea, Hitolo Areni, Jason KilaUAE: Khurram Khan (captain), Mohammed Touqir, Naeem Aslam, Saqib Ali, Arshad Ali, Amjad Ali, Shadeep Silva, Amjad Javed, Nasir Aziz, Aqib Malik, Ahmed Raza, Swanpil Patil, Irfan Ahmed Sajjad, Shaiman AnwarUganda: Mirza Baig (captain), Benjamin Musoke, Roger Mukasa, Laurence Sematimba, Frank Nsubuga, Hamza Almuzahim, Arthur Kyobe, Charles Waiswa, Davis Arinaitwe, Ronald Ssemanda, Deusdedit Muhumuza, Raymond Otim, Henry Senyondo, Daniel Ruyange

ESPNcricinfo previews the IPL match between Pune Warriors and Chennai Super Kings in Navi Mumbai

The Preview by Nitin Sundar26-Apr-2011Match factsWednesday, April 27, Delhi
Start time 1600 (1030 GMT)Big pictureLess than 48 hours after walking out for the toss in Chepauk, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh will lead their sides out for the return game at the DY Patil Stadium. Even the IPL’s biggest supporters will be hard-pressed to defend this weird scheduling decision that is almost completely devoid of logic. It flies in the face of the IPL’s most captivating aspect: the ability of a ten-team field to provide variety on a daily basis. There is no logistical sense behind the decision either, unless the powers that be have managed to get a bulk discount on flight and hotel reservations for the teams. After all, this is the season for frugality.While the match-up will have an unavoidable sense of déjà vu to it, the complete contrast in conditions from the first encounter could make the second an interesting tussle. After surging to easy wins in their first two ‘home’ outings, Pune have run into a rut with three successive losses, the last two away from the DY Patil Stadium. They will be happy to return to the true track in Navi Mumbai, with bounce and movement to suit their pace-heavy attack. Jerome Taylor got steep carry off the sluggish strip in Chennai and could be a handful here, along with the impressive Alfonso Thomas.Chennai have won all their homes games, and are winless away. Dhoni has led them into the semi-finals in each edition of the IPL so far, and knows that his side will have to start travelling better if he is to extend the run. Can his spin-heavy attack shine on a surface where carrom balls are unlikely to bowl right-hand batsmen around the legs?Form guide (most recent first)Chennai: WLLWL (fifth in points table)
Pune: LLLWW (eighth in points table)Team talkShadab Jakati produced the best moment of the game in Chennai, when he flew and latched on to a lofted extra-cover drive from Yuvraj Singh. That, and two tight overs of left-arm spin, might have done enough to convince Dhoni to retain him. Will Chennai bench Suraj Randiv, who was economical but wicketless in the previous game? If they do, Tim Southee might come back in to join Doug Bollinger and Albie Morkel in a three-pronged foreign pace attack for the visitors.Pune are also likely to drop one spinner, which means either Nathan McCullum or Murali Kartik could sit out. Depending on the nationality of the spinner axed, Wayne Parnell or Shrikant Wagh will come in.Predict the playing XIs for this match. Play ESPNcricinfo Team selector.In the spotlightThis has been Suresh Raina’s poorest start to an IPL season. He has managed only 119 runs in six outings, and wasn’t fluent even during his half-century against Kochi. No-one has scored more runs than Raina in IPLs, and he is too good a player to continue struggling. A swap in the batting line-up with the in-form S Badrinath could spark Raina’s revival.Manish Pandey’s much-anticipated IPL return began with a superb catch on the boundary edge to dismiss Michael Hussey. Pandey went on to unfurl two boundaries on the trot before playing the next ball onto his stumps. The first Indian centurion of the IPL will want to make a more lasting impression in his second outing.Prime numbers Murali Kartik had 16 wickets in 26 IPL games prior to this season. He is yet to get a wicket this year
With 48 wickets, Albie Morkel is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. Only three seamers – RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Lasith Malinga – have more IPL scalps to their name The chatter”MS is not big on too much planning. He gets his information from how the pitch plays and how the opposition is approaching it. There’s a lot of gut feel about his captaincy. If you compare my captaincy with his, I was deadpan boring whereas he is adventurous.”

“Fielding is a massive part of the game – no doubt about it. Steve Rixon has played a big role in this.”

Zimbabwe are re-adjusting the focus of their bowling attack from spin to seam in preparation for their return to Test cricket against Bangladesh in August

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2011Zimbabwe are re-adjusting the focus of their bowling attack from spin to seam in preparation for their return to Test cricket against Bangladesh in August. Spinners have increasingly become Zimbabwe’s mainstay in limited-overs cricket, but national coach Alan Butcher believes that in order to be successful in Tests good fast bowlers are a necessity.”We are working with about 14 fast and medium-fast bowlers hoping that they will be fine-tuned to get them ready for the Test matches,” Butcher told in Zimbabwe. “In the limited-over games we would get away with playing three or four spinners and one fast bowler but for the Tests we will need more of the fast bowlers.”We have a number of young bowlers that we have brought in and we will have to fast-track some of them so that they are ready for our first Test against Bangladesh. It is a big challenge and Test matches are more challenging but we are confident we can get them ready well in time.”Before the series against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe will face Australia A in two four-day matches and a one-day tri-series also involving South Africa. Butcher pointed to the first-class games, in particular, as being vital to Zimbabwe’s preparations for home Tests against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan.”If we win those matches then it means we will be well ready for the Bangladesh Challenge. They [Australia] selected a very strong squad, never mind the ‘A’ tag, and if we can win against such a team I am sure we will be able to beat Bangladesh. We will also play a triangular 50-over series that will include South Africa and it will be important that we compete because these are two very strong teams that we will be facing.”Chris Mpofu, Shingi Masakadza and Ed Rainsford are Zimbabwe’s senior fast bowlers, but they were away on national duty for much of last season and in their absence a younger crop of largely untested seamers has come to the fore, some of whom could well feature in Zimbabwe’s Test plans.Tendai Chatara, a 20-year-old seamer with both pace and movement at his disposal, topped the Logan Cup wicket tables with 55 scalps at 17.69. Chatara has already played for Zimbabwe – in a Twenty20 against India last year – but it is his commendable first-class record that will grab the selectors’ attention.Also in the running for a Test debut is Matabeleland Tuskers allrounder Keegan Meth, who does not have Chatara’s pace but whose control and ability to move the ball brought him 54 wickets at the eye-catching average of 13.31 in nine first-class games last season, culminating in the extraordinary match figures of 13 for 109 in the Logan Cup final, won by Tuskers.Ian Nicolson, probably one of the fastest bowlers in the country, appeared out of his depth against South Africa in October but had a strong domestic first-class season. Tuskers’ Njabulo Ncube has developed into a skiddy, attacking fast bowler and, though he did not play any first-class cricket last season, Kyle Jarvis could yet force his way back into national reckoning. Jarvis, 22, bowled with impressive pace before picking up a stress fracture in his back before Zimbabwe’s trip to the Caribbean early last year. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Jarvis secured a club contract with Burwell in the East Anglian Premier League and was then picked up by Essex to play in their Second XI, starting impressively against MCC’s Young Cricketers.

A game that produced 1,000 runs inside eight sessions appears destined to finish as a tame, high-scoring draw after the captains of Surrey and Essex failed to reach any form of run-chase deal in Croydon

Mark Pennell at Whitgift School20-May-2011ScorecardRory Hamilton-Brown was one of several batsmen to cash in on the 3rd day as the game meandered towards a high-scoring draw•PA PhotosA game that produced 1,000 runs inside eight sessions appears destined to finish as a tame, high-scoring draw after the captains of Surrey and Essex failed to reach any form of run-chase deal in Croydon.The Whitgift School pitch, having offered a modicum of assistance to the seamers on the opening two days, flattened sufficiently to allow Surrey – with only one previous 350-plus score to their credit this season – to reach 506 in response to the Essex first innings total of 548.After Surrey had had their fill, England opener Alastair Cook cashed in with his second half-century of the match for Essex and goes into the final day unbeaten on 62 with power to add. All of which will be music to the ears of the selectors ahead of Thursday’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Cardiff.Needing a mammoth 399 simply to avoid the follow-on, Surrey coasted past their target to post maximum batting bonus points courtesy of a season’s best 159 from home skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown. The captain’s ton, coupled with half-centuries from Kevin Pietersen, Zander de Bruyn and a Surrey-best 79 from Gareth Batty, ensured Surrey comfortably avoided the spectre of an innings defeat as they moved with 42 of the Essex total.There was an air of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’ to Friday’s proceedings which, though entertaining, paled in comparison to Graham Napier’s explosive world record-equalling knock with 16 sixes here on day two.Hamilton-Brown, who clipped 28 boundaries in his stay, caught the eye from time-to-time with some crisply timed strokes until he became Surrey’s first casualty of the day nine overs after the resumption. Another 122 runs were required to make Essex bat again when Hamilton- Brown, hurried into an attempted pull shot by Chris Wright’s skiddy bouncer, ballooned the ball off the splice of the bat and gently into the gloves of Essex captain and keeper, James Foster.Foster was soon in action again, gathering a regulation outside edge from the bat of Surrey counterpart Steven Davies as he pushed hesitantly at one from Graham Napier to make it 311 for 6. De Bruyn then joined forces with Batty to frustrate Foster’s side for more than 18 overs in a seventh-wicket stand worth 106. Batty hit out lustily to club 10 boundaries in his 56-ball 50, only to lose his partner in the very next over.To that point De Bruyn had been the embodiment of clinical efficiency. The former Somerset right-hander remained unruffled and compact at the crease in batting two hours 20 minutes for 61 runs and though few of his runs or the 10 boundaries he hit lingered long in the memory, theSouth African at least staved off the ignominy of following on as Surrey reached 400 by lunch.De Bruyn’s dismissal soon after the resumption seemingly followed his first moment of indecision when, in checking an attempted drive against Wright, he picked out Mark Pettini at cover.Batty continued to go for his shots and was 21 shy of a hundred when he chased a wide one from Maurice Chambers to toe-end a third catch to a tumbling Foster. Chris Tremlett clubbed three fours before being caught overhead by Napier marshalling the ropes at long-leg, then Tim Linley went leg before to the very next ball to leave Masters on a hat-trick going intothe second innings.Batting again with only a modest lead, Essex added a fortunate 85 for the first wicket through Cook and Jaik Mickleburgh, both of who might have gone early. Mickleburgh top-edged to long leg to be caught off a Tremlett no ball on one then Stuart Meaker, at deep midwicket, downed a running chance off the bowling of Batty after Mickleburgh had reached eight. Then Cookalmost chipped to mid-off.The luck ended soon after when Mickleburgh pushed at a Pietersen arm-ball to be caught at slip then, in the next over, Pettini fenced one from Tremlett to second slip. Matt Walker and Cook reached stumps without further alarm and will hope to bat a while longer before the side’s shake hands on a probable stalemate draw soon after 5pm on Saturday afternoon.

The Pakistan Board has issued showcause notices to Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal for giving unauthorised interviews to the media

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2011The Pakistan Board has issued showcause notices to Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal for giving unauthorised interviews to the media.”They have been asked to explain their positions on the breach of the central contract clause for media interactions,” a PCB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo. “They have been asked to reply within seven days.”Allrounder Hafeez and middle-order batsman Akmal are among the 19 players who were offered central contracts by the PCB in March this year. As per the code of conduct governing the contracts, the players cannot give interviews to the media without the prior permission of the board. It is as much the nature of comments – Hafeez spoke on captaincy and Akmal about batting order – as it is about speaking to media without prior permission.The two notices are the latest in a spate of showcause notices the board has sent players recently, as it tightens down further in its control over the players: Shahid Afridi, selector Mohammad Ilyas, women’s captain Sana Mir – also warned for giving an unauthorised interview – have all come under the scanner.

Greg Chappell has said Nathan Lyon and Trent Copeland were among those who showed during the A-side’s tour of Zimbabwe that they could perform at a higher level

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2011Greg Chappell, Australia’s selector and national talent manager, has said Nathan Lyon and Trent Copeland were among those that showed they could perform at a higher level during the A side’s tour of Zimbabwe. Fast bowler Copeland and offspinner Lyon – who was the leading wicket-taker in the tri-series in Zimbabwe that also included South Africa A – have since been picked in Australia’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka series that begins on August 31.”They are very exciting cricketers,” Chappell told Australia’s . “The Australia A tour to Zimbabwe was a huge success. Those guys were two of a number who showed that what has worked for them in Australia can work at a higher level. They bring with them some form and confidence and freshness.”The fast bowlers who missed out on Sri Lanka, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus, need to work on their fitness, Chappell said. “The message to both of them is quite clear. Doug’s fitness levels were not where they are needed to be. He knows what he has to do. The same with Ben. He struggled technically last summer [during the Ashes].”A big talking point about the Test squad was the omission of legspinner Steven Smith, but according to Chappell, this is all part of his maturing process. “He is in the same position that most players are in early in their careers when they get an opportunity. They get to have a look at it. Very few players are ready to go.”Most of us have been dropped. Even Bradman was dropped. You go away and rethink it. That’s where Steve’s at. I think he has the ability to be a very fine player for Australia, but this is only part of his development.”Australia are yet to find a long-term replacement for Shane Warne, and if spinners are to do well, Chappell said, the environment in which they are nurtured has to change. “The environment in which young spinners are growing up is very different from before. I just don’t see them getting the encouragement from captains and coaches, who see them as bowlers who leak runs rather than one who have the opportunities to take wickets.””They are a last resort option in junior cricket, club and first-class cricket at times. If we are going to produce champions [in the spin department], we have to encourage environments where spinners get the opportunities.”

Harbhajan Singh has recovered from the abdominal strain that kept him out of the second half of the England series and will play in the Champions League T20 later this month

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2011Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, has recovered from the abdominal strain that kept him out of the second half of the England tour and will play for Mumbai Indians in the Champions League T20 later this month. Harbhajan flew home in early August and underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.”I am 100% fit and raring to go for all the cricket ahead,” he told the Indian newspaper . “I have worked really hard at the NCA. I am looking forward to the Champions League T20, and also the coming home series (against England and West Indies).”In the absence of the injured Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan was the senior bowler in the Indian attack on the recent tours of West Indies and England. He wasn’t effective, though, managing only 13 wickets at 43.53 in five Tests before he was injured. “Obviously, the injury came at the wrong time. But, I don’t think about the timing – it’s always bad – whether it was in a home series or away series. An injury is an injury. There was lot of sadness to come back home soon.”Despite facing criticism over his form, Harbhajan remained upbeat, and predicted a return to his best. “I have never felt this good about my bowling. This is going to be a rebirth of sorts for me. I am going to get my rhythm back. “Harbhajan has already been on the international circuit for more than 13 years, but said his career wasn’t close to coming to an end. “I am honest to myself and know that I have a lot more to contribute for the country. This is a new beginning. I still have four or five years of cricket left in me.”Harbhajan’s recovery will come as a relief to Mumbai, who are already contemplating a Champions League campaign without their biggest star, Sachin Tendulkar, who is nursing a toe injury.

Cricket Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland, believes cricket will hold itself up to ridicule unless technology used in the decision review system is consistent across all series

Brydon Coverdale07-Sep-2011Cricket Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland, believes cricket will hold itself up to ridicule unless technology used in the decision review system is consistent across all series. However, Sutherland said he still supported the inclusion of Hawk-Eye in the DRS, despite an error with the ball-tracking during the first Test in Galle, when Phil Hughes was judged lbw in the first innings.Replays indicated the ball that Hughes tried to sweep had turned before striking his leg, but Hawk-Eye instead showed the ball going straight on with the arm and hitting the stumps. Part of the problem was that the ball had travelled less than 40 centimetres between pitching and striking Hughes, which meant Hawk-Eye’s prediction was not at its most accurate.But there was no graphic that alerted TV viewers to that fact, whereas such a graphic had been used in previous cases, including at the World Cup. While the technology was not responsible for Hughes’ dismissal – he was given out by the on-field umpire, Richard Kettleborough, and the third official, Tony Hill, did not find enough evidence to overturn the call – Sutherland said consistency was still required.”We continue to see little quirks in the system,” Sutherland said in Melbourne on Wednesday. “Part of that is that there isn’t a consistency of application across all international cricket matches. That’s something that I would like to see, consistency in the type of applications that are used, as in the breadth, but also in the specific types of technology.”All those things are important. Until we actually get that consistency, I think we’re going to find ourselves open to ridicule for not quite getting it right. It is partly a financial issue. There are other issues about access to equipment at the moment and some other concerns that member countries have.”Sutherland is preparing to head to London next week for ICC meetings, where he said the DRS was likely to be on the agenda. He said that despite the Hughes incident, ball-tracking was helping to improve the accuracy of umpiring decisions, and the most important thing was to ensure the batsman retained the benefit of the doubt.”I’m very comfortable with the tracking,” he said. “I think that we need to continue to have mechanisms by which umpires can make judgments about where the technology is not working, or falling down. One of my concerns is that under the laws of the game the batsman should always have the benefit of the doubt and he should never lose that benefit of the doubt. Sometimes perhaps, it would appear to me at least, that technology is confusing that.”

On a night of mediocre cricket, Mumbai Indians kept their surprise run going to win the biggest prize, in financial terms, in non-international cricket

The Report by Sidharth Monga09-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outHarbhajan Singh took 3 for 20, including the wickets of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli•Associated PressOn a night of mediocre cricket, the Mumbai Indians kept their surprise run going to win the biggest prize, in financial terms, in non-international cricket. James Franklin was the only man to keep his head in a suicidal Mumbai innings, which helped them reach 139, but the Royal Challengers Bangalore once again choked in a final to lose despite a start of 38 for 0 in four overs. For the vanquished this was a painful repeat of their IPL final in Johannesburg where they froze while chasing 144. The victors, though, can claim they once again won the big moments: through Franklin’s sober innings, through Lasith Malinga’s two sixes amid a collapse, through an extra over given to Malinga that produced a wicket and through their spinners’ seven overs for 29 runs and five wicketsBe that as it may, for a majority of the match the teams seemed to be in a contest for ordinary cricket. There were three run-outs, there were unsavoury slogs resulting in exposed stumps, the winning side bowled 10 out of a total of 13 wides, and MI’s’ keeper kept letting through byes. If Franklin’s smart 41 off 29 suggested he was the only sober man in a Paris Hilton party, the Royal Challengers clearly outdid their opponents for rashness. Yes the pitch was slow and it took turn, but not enough to justify the bizarre and spectacular collapse, which featured minimal attempts to take singles with the asking-rate around seven.MI didn’t even know there was turn in the pitch for them. As Dilshan hit the ground running in the chase, they made a necessary departure from their usual ways of bowling Malinga for only two overs at the top. Dilshan’s 27 until then had come off shots either through the line or through the covers, and he would have known how desperately MI would have wanted a wicket off what then seemed like a last roll of the dice. As it turned out, he swung across the line of a full first delivery, losing his off stump.Kumar Dharmasena then made a potentially match-turning call. He had already got two lbw calls wrong in MI’s innings, first reprieving Harbhajan Singh when he was plumb, then ruling him out when he wasn’t. But his most consequential mistake was during the chase and again involved Harbhajan, who fired in quick offbreaks in his first over. The last ball of the over, in which he had conceded just a wide, was tossed up, and Chris Gayle got a big stride in. The offbreak didn’t turn as much as expected, hit him in front of off, and he was ruled out. The ball had a massive distance to travel, and the ball-tracking predicted it would have hit the outside of off stump. Conventional wisdom would have ruled it in the batsman’s favour, and even Gayle lost his cool when he saw the finger come up.With an unreliable batting order, pampered by the true Bangalore surface and short boundaries, to follow, it was down to the only survivor of the Royal Challengers’ 2009 choke, Virat Kohli, to shepherd the rest through. However, he found himself batting with a trigger-happy Mayank Agarwal, who despite all his attempts at power hitting managed 14 off 19 before holing out to long-off. Even when the desperate Agarwal got out, the Royal Challengers needed a manageable 73 off 57.Kohli felt the pinch too. Perhaps it was the presence of Malinga in the end, perhaps it was just the shock of having to work hard for runs after the flat Bangalore pitch, but even he didn’t show the willingness to take the game to the deep end. In the next over he holed out to deep midwicket. Everybody knew it was game over there and then.The rest were just a blurry procession of catching and stumping practice, a complete contrast to how Franklin managed a strike-rate of close to 150 without a shot hit in anger. There was no dearth of madness around him either. Sarul Kanwar first ran Aiden Bliazzard out before slogging around a full delivery. Ambati Rayudu struggled to find singles in the middle, and a positive 40-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav ended with a run-out.Franklin ensured the trend continued, hesitating during a second run to complete the third run-out. Kieron Pollard’s massive leading edge travelled as far as long-off, and MI were in a tailspin after looking good for a repeat of their 160 from the semi-final. Although it didn’t look enough at the moment, Malinga’s two sixes in the end turned out to be surplus.Both teams were fined for slow over-rates. Harbhajan, the MI captain, was fined US$3,000 and each MI player $1,500 for being two overs behind the required over-rate. The Royal Challengers players were fined $750 and their captain Vettori $1,500 for being one over behind the required rate.

A round-up of the action from the second day of the fifth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Division One

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Oct-2011Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) were well placed to push for victory against Islamabad at the end of the second day at the Diamond Club Ground. Islamabad had been reduced to 98 for 4 in their second innings, still trailing ZTBL by 148 runs. Their openers had put on 58 for the first wicket, before four batsmen fell for 26 runs. Junaid Nadir took 2 for 42 for ZTBL, while Rehan Riaz and Junaid Zia claimed a scalp each. The bowlers consolidated the advantage ZTBL’s batsmen had secured in the first innings. Though Imran Nazir got out early, having added only three runs to his overnight 105, Faisal Akhtar scored 69 and Haris Sohail 71 to lead ZTBL to 369, taking a lead of 246. Zohaib Ahmed took 4 for 86 for Islamabad.An unbeaten century from Shoaib Khan and 97 from Fahad Iqbal helped Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) take a commanding lead against Abbottabad on the second day at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. PIA began the morning session on 106 for 3, trailing Abbottabad’s first-innings total by 69. Kamran Sajid added 18 to his overnight score of 51 before he was the first batsman to ball, with PIA on 140 for 4. Fahad then added 177 runs with Shoaib for the fifth wicket, building a substantial lead. Fahad missed his century, falling to Ikramullah Khan, but Shoaib went on to end the day on 130 off 192 balls. PIA were 408 for 8 at stumps, ahead by 233.An eventful second day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ended with Rawalpindi battling to stretch their second innings and set Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) a testing target. Play began with WAPDA on 68 for 4 in their first innings, in response to Rawalpindi’s 159. The hosts struck two early blows but a brace of thirties from Naved-ul-Hasan and Sarfraz Ahmed ensured WAPDA edged to 173, a slender lead of 14. Mohammad Ayaz took 5 for 64 for Rawalpindi, while Sadaf Hussain took 4 for 52. Naved-ul-Hasan then began to cut through Rawalpindi’s top order, on his way to figures of 5 for 84. Wickets fell at regular intervals at one end, but at the other, Usman Saeed was steady, scoring at a brisk clip to remain unbeaten on 110 off 160 balls at stumps. He steered Rawalpindi to 223 for 8, leading by 209 overall, and will hope to score as much as he can on the third morning.Centuries from Qaiser Abbas and Kamran Akmal helped National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) amass 481 in the first innings against Sialkot on the second day at the Jinnah Stadium. NBP were 345 for 5 at the start of play and lost Akmal early. He was 131 overnight and was out for 146 off 186 balls. Abbas, who was not out on 162, added 74 with Wasim Khan for the eighth wicket but the rest of the lower-order batsmen fell cheaply. Prince Abbas and Mohammad Abbas, Sialkot’s new-ball attack, took four wickets each. Sialkot ended the day on 125 for 2, with Mohammad Yasin on 61 and Naved Sarwar on 34, trailing by 356.State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) new-ball bowlers wrested the advantage from Faisalabad on the second day in Sargodha. Saad Altaf, a left-arm fast bowler, took 3 for 50, while left-arm spinner Mohammad Ali picked up 2 for 28 to leave Faisalabad on 90 for 5 at stumps. They had been 20 for 4 at one stage before Naved Latif scored an unbeaten 40. The day had begun with SBP well placed on 223 for 3 in their first innings but three wickets fell for 31 runs and they were 260 for 6. Rizwan Haider scored 62 off 82 balls at No. 8 to lead his team to 356. Medium-pacer Naseer Akram took 5 for 70 for Faisalabad.Habib Bank Limited (HBL) began the second day against Karachi Blues on 329 for 4 but were soon dismissed for only 376 at the National Stadium. Khaqan Asral, who resumed his innings on 48, made 56 before he was out. The rest of the middle and lower-order batsmen crumbled against Tanvir Ahmed and Atif Maqbool, who took 5 for 82 and 5 for 174. Karachi Blues’ chase got off to a shaky start with both openers gone with only 46 on the board. Asif Zakir held up one end with a half-century but no one converted their starts at the other and wickets fell at regular intervals. Karachi Blues ended the day on 220 for 5, trailing by 156 runs. Legspinner Danish Kaneria took 3 for 85 for HBL.