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Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said he was fortunate to have lost the toss to bowl first as the dew in Abu Dhabi in Pakistan’s innings helped them chase 249

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2012Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said he was fortunate to have lost the toss to bowl first as the dew in Abu Dhabi in Pakistan’s innings helped them chase 249. The Australian bowlers found it hard to grip the ball as the opener Nasir Jamshed led with 97 in a series-levelling victory in the three-match series.”It was a good toss to lose because both the teams were not sure what may happen. The day before the match there wasn’t much dew and also in Sharjah it wasn’t that bad, but today dew really played a major factor,” Misbah said.Australia recovered from 87 for 4 to score 248, courtesy Michael Hussey’s 61 and contributions from other middle-order batsmen, but the total proved inadequate as Pakistan reached the target with more than six overs to spare. Misbah said the batsmen were given instructions to bat through the innings, as he knew runs would be scored quickly as long as the likes of Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez stuck at the crease.”Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed are [naturally] aggressive batsmen. If they stay at the crease they will score runs quickly. [Jamshed], especially, played many shots and [had a] wonderful balance. The key for us [was that] he batted through and he made this chase easy.”[In] chasing a big total there is bound to be pressure, especially against a good [Australian] side. We got a good start and that added to the confidence and made our task easy. [Importantly] dew helped.”The target, however, may have been a lot more had Pakistan’s spinners not pegged Australia back for brief periods. The spinners, led by Saeed Ajmal, have been successful against Australia on the slow UAE tracks, with 12 out of 15 Australian wickets in the two games falling to them. Misbah said he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of playing an extra spinner in the third ODI in Sharjah, though the decision would depend on the pitch.”[Playing a fourth spinner] depends on what sort of wicket we get [in Sharjah]. One more thing we have to keep in mind is that we may have to bowl second again, so it might be a problem for the spinners [because of the dew factor]. We have to look into everything.”Misbah praised the fight the side showed in the first ODI, as the spinners made it difficult for Australia to chase 198, which gave the side the belief to beat them in the next game.”The way we fought despite having only a total of 198, we were nearing a win at one stage. It was this performance that gave us the courage to come into this game and all of us believed we could win it.”Australians are the No.1 side in the world, so we have to play really well in the next game. They will come hard at us and we have to get ready for the next game.”He said he wasn’t certain, however, whether Shahid Afridi, who missed the second ODI due to injury, would be ready for the next game on Monday.

A round-up of the latest round of matches of the MiWAY T20 Challenge 2011-12

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Feb-2012Khayelihle Zondo’s unbeaten century ended up in a losing cause as Impi fell short by 40 runs in a high-scoring contest against Cape Cobras in Paarl. Chasing 212, Hondo led a single-handed effort because the rest of the batsmen failed to give him support. Cobras were led by half-centuries by Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Vilas. The pair was involved in a stand of 67 in just 5.5 overs. The experienced Mark Boucher and Vernon Philander then added 53 for the fifth wicket in just five overs to take the score past 200. Philander finished with an 18-ball 55. Impi failed to put on substantial partnerships to threaten Cobras. Zondo ended up carrying his bat and in the process scored his first T20 century.Dolphins prevailed by eight runs in another high-scoring encounter, in Bloemfontein, against Knights. Cody Chetty’s blazing 82 off 49 balls, and David Miller’s 40, off 25, helped Dolphins reach a competitive 184. Chetty smashed four sixes in his knock and added 76 in seven overs with Miller for the fifth wicket. Knights began steadily, with the pair of Rilee Rossouw and Obus Pienaar adding 71 for the second wicket. At 104 for 3, Knights needed to rebuild but they failed to put on a substantial partnership to overhaul the target. Ryan Bailey finished with an unbeaten 50.An unbeaten 56 by Jonathan Vandiar helped Lions coast to an eight-wicket win over Warriors in Port Elizabeth. Warriors scored only 134, thanks to a combined bowling effort by Lions, led by Chris Morris, who took 2 for 19. JJ Smuts was the top scorer with 42. Lions opener Vandiar hit five fours in his knock, off 53 balls, to steer his team home. Neil McKenzie joined him in a stand of 62 for the third wicket to seal the game.

Melbourne Stars have earned a spot in the semi-finals, knocking Brisbane Heat out of fourth place with a comfortable six-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers at the MCG

The Report by Andrew Fuss19-Jan-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
David Hussey got Melbourne Stars’ chase back on track after the loss of three early wickets•Getty ImagesMelbourne Stars have earned a spot in the semi-finals, knocking Brisbane Heat out of fourth place with a comfortable six-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers at the MCG.The Stars’ pace attack did most of the damage on a tacky MCG deck with Man of the Match Clint McKay leading the way, taking 3 for 17 off his four overs, including the key wickets of opening pair Daniel Harris and Michael Klinger.The Strikers failed to live up to their moniker, struggling to strike the ball cleanly throughout the innings, managing just four boundaries and one six. Callum Ferguson’s 41 off just 29 balls was the only resistance for the visitors as they were bundled out for 125, the last six wickets falling for just 25 runs.The hosts got off to a shaky start in reply, losing Rob Quiney to a brilliant bit of fielding from Nathan Lyon off his own bowling, taking the ball cleanly and flicking the ball back at the stumps to catch Quiney short of his ground.And when New Zealand import James Franklin and former Victoria spinner Bryce McGain struck in consecutive overs, the Strikers were in with a chance – the Stars stumbling to 3 for 38 off seven overs.Out of form Stars captain Cameron White – who had made just 13 runs in his previous six innings – strode to the crease with the game on the line and finally found the middle of the bat, working his way to 28 before hauling out on the boundary with just 24 runs to get.Despite some tight bowling from Striker’s spin pair Nathan Lyon (20 runs off 3.5 overs) and Aaron O’Brien (12 runs off his four overs), David Hussey (41 off 36 balls) guided the hosts to victory with seven balls to spare.The Stars’ win means they will travel to Perth to play the Scorchers on Saturday, while the Hurricanes will host the Sixers on Sunday.

Twenty20 Finals Day was introduced to its first One-over Eliminator as a mad-cap semi-final swung one way and the other before settling in Leicestershire’s favour as Will Jefferson clubbed 15 runs of four balls in a dramatic finish

The Report by Sahil Dutta at Edgbaston27-Aug-2011 (D/L method)
One-over Eliminator
ScorecardWill Jefferson booked a spot in the final for Leicestershire by smashing three boundaries in the Super Over•Getty ImagesTwenty20 Finals Day was introduced to its first one-over Eliminator as a mad-cap semi-final swung one way and the other before settling in Leicestershire’s favour as Will Jefferson clubbed 15 runs off four balls in a dramatic finish. The victory booked Leicestershire both a place in the final and a spot in the Champions League qualifier next month, but for now their thoughts will be on the Birmingham finale.After rain had twice curtailed the game to leave Lancashire needing 80 from 11 overs, Gareth Cross clubbed a six off the final delivery to leave the scores level and set up the Eliminator. Stephen Moore had been Lancashire’s highest scorer in the tournament and was given the responsibility of setting the target with Steven Croft. Moore started with a six down the ground and added a four as the fielder at deep-square leg misjudged on the boundary. Claude Henderson, however, finished with two dot balls.Leicestershire had to chase 14 in their over and Jefferson made it look easy. Earlier he had seemed in good order during a 15-ball 23 but found better range against Gary Keedy. The first delivery was clattered through midwicket for four and the second down the ground. With four needed from the last two balls, Jefferson mowed a huge six deep into the stands over midwicket, sparking wild celebrations from both the Edgbaston crowd and the Leicestershire players.Though it ultimately made for a thrilling finish, the clouds that stalked the ground all day twice delivered downpours to interrupt the game. The first, in Leicestershire’s innings, lopped the match down to 18 overs a side but the second – after eight overs and one ball of the chase proved more decisive.Lancashire had skipped out of the blocks to take 38 from the five Powerplay overs but were bogged down by Henderson’s left-arm spin to be 53 for 1 when the rain arrived. With three games to squeeze into the day the chase was curtailed by the delay to leave Lancashire needing 27 from 17 more balls.Their response was to hack wildly. Batsmen walked in and off a procession as five wickets fell. Joshua Cobb, whose contribution had been limited to a diamond duck, was given the penultimate six balls and delivered a fearless over of offspin that gave away just six runs and brought two wickets. Wayne White’s final over had been superb until the last delivery – a low full toss – was dispatched by Cross over long-on to tie the scores. The crowd had started the day quietly but became ever more gripped by the wildly fluctuating match and were in raptures by the time the six set up an eliminator.Up until that Super Over, the first semi of Finals Day had proved a tale of two matches. Batsmen profiting against seamers and hamstrung against spin. Through the match 18 overs from the quicker men went for 157 while the spinners shared five wickets for 44 in 11. Hampshire’s trio of twirlers would have eyed each rasping turner with giddy anticipation.While the wicket may have raised eyebrows it was not unexpected. Peter Moores, the Lancashire coach, said afterwards he had no complaints. “The wicket played pretty much what we thought,” he said. “Edgbaston is pretty consistent, it sticks in the pitch a bit, mix your pace, it turns a bit. And it’ll turn a bit more probably as the day goes on. But its nothing different. Normally 150 will be a good score, and that’ll hold sway throughout the day.”That Leicestershire ended up victorious was all the more unlikely after they lost their way batting first against Keedy and Stephen Parry’s left-arm spinners. With the ball gripping violently they were reduced to 82 for 5 by the 12th over. But, after a slow start Abdul Razzaq launched three sixes and two fours – sharing a crucial 40-run stand with Paul Nixon to haul them up 132. It proved enough, just, to extend Nixon’s career that little bit more.

Unbeaten half-centuries from Akbar Badshah and Jamaluddin helped Peshawar recover from a precarious position and complete their chase of 153 in the Division Two final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2011
ScorecardUnbeaten half-centuries from Akbar Badshah and Jamaluddin helped Peshawar recover from a precarious position and complete their chase of 153 in the Division Two final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Peshawar stuttered early in their chase and slipped to 43 for 4. Mohammad Fayyaz was run out in the third over, seamer Bilawal Bhatti struck twice and inbetween seamer Imran Ali dismissed Sajjad Ahmed for 1 off 30 balls.Badshah and Jamaluddin had shared a century partnership in the first innings and repeated the feat, putting on 110 unbeaten runs to take Peshawar out of trouble and to a win. Badshah scored 54 off 105 balls, while Jamaluddin, whose century in the first innings was the only one of the match, scored 58 off 99 balls.SNGPL had started the day on 277 for 8 and managed to add another 24 runs to their total. Seamer Waqar Ahmed took the last two wickets to finish with 6 for 92 in the innings and nine wickets in the match.

Celtic are close to snatching the SPFL title away from their Old Firm rivals as the end of what has been a storming season for the Hoops draws to a close.

With 35 league games played, the Bhoys have won 27, drawn five and lost three, scoring 81 goals and conceding 20 along the way under Ange Postecoglou.

One figure that hasn’t contributed that much to the side in an attacking sense is winger James Forrest.

Deployed just 16 times in the league, the Scotsman has only started eight of those games, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.

To put that into perspective, 14 other players in the current squad have found the net on more occasions than the 30-year-old.

As the third-oldest player at the Parkhead club, it could be argued that his time as a first-choice option in the team is coming to an end.

Also, with a significant injury record and a current contract due to expire in the summer of 2023, his days at the club could be numbered as well.

With that in mind, the Hoops have recently been linked with a player that could come in and potentially be a long-term replacement for the veteran.

According to a recent report from the Daily Mail (via Daily Record), Bodo/Glimt winger Ola Solbakken is on Celtic’s radar as a potential summer transfer target if they can’t strike a deal for current on-loan winger Jota.

In 19 appearances under his belt across all competitions this season, the 23-year-old has scored goals and provided assists whilst playing on the left and right sides of the pitch.

This shows how versatile he is and how comfortable he is being an attacking threat on both the left and right wings.

This versatility could also make him a useful next version of Forrest, who has also played on the left and right this season.

Labelled as being “[Jose] Mourinho’s nightmare” by journalist Pablo Giralt after the 23-year-old scored two goals in the 6-1 demolition of the Italian club back in October, the Norwegian has 17 goals and 18 assists to his name in 72 appearances for his current side.

Moving forward, with a reported price tag of £1.6m on the Norway international, the Bhoys should definitely consider paying this and getting him in as a potential long-term replacement for Forrest.

In other news: Transfer accelerating: Exciting Lennoxtown update will leave Celtic supporters buzzing

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on a petition challenging BCCI secretary N Srinivasan’s right to hold a position in the board while also holding a stake in an IPL franchise

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2011A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on a petition challenging BCCI secretary N Srinivasan’s right to hold a position in the board while also holding a stake in an IPL franchise. The petition, filed by former board president AC Muthiah, questioned the motives behind the board amending their regulations in order to allow Srinivasan to have a dual role of board member and part-owner of Chennai Super Kings.Justice JM Panchal dismissed the petition, while Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra allowed it, holding that a BCCI officer bearer cannot have a stake in an IPL franchise. The split verdict means the petition has been referred to the chief justice for allocating it to a larger bench.The BCCI had amended clause 6.2.4 of the regulations for players, team officials, umpires and administrators in September 2008, shortly after the first season of the IPL. Before the amendment the clause read: “No administrator shall have, directly or indirectly, any commercial interest in the matches and events conducted by the board.” After the change, it read: “No administrator shall have directly or indirectly any commercial interest in any of the events of the BCCI, excluding IPL, Champions League and Twenty20.”Muthiah’s argument was that the exclusion of IPL and Twenty20 events was made specifically to benefit Srinivasan. In September 2010, Mishra had suggested Srinivasan resign from his position in the board .”You introduce an amendment where the IPL will be an exception. You are a prominent industrialist holding a key position in the board and have a stake in the bidding,” Mishra had told Srinivasan. “In order to avoid suspicion and be above board, you should have got your membership suspended.”Our nagging question is: can you continue in a dual capacity? That is the core issue.”Following those statements, Mishra allowed Muthiah’s petition on April 28, 2011, but Panchal’s decision to dismiss it means the amendment to the BCCI regulations will stand for the time being.

The Rajasthan Cricket Association and Rajasthan Royals will meet in Mumbai on Tuesday in a move prompted by the BCCI to find a solution to their public conflict

Tariq Engineer16-May-2011The Rajasthan Cricket Association and Rajasthan Royals will meet in Mumbai on Tuesday in a move prompted by the BCCI to find a solution to their public conflict that erupted after the Sawai Mansingh Stadium pitch was switched for the game against Chennai Super Kings last week. The meeting follows RCA’s rejection of an apology offered by the Rajasthan franchise, with the state board also threatening further action if the matter was not resolved to its satisfaction.Since the pitch was changed for the May 9 game, Shane Warne, captain of Rajasthan, and Sanjay Dixit, the honorary secretary of the RCA, have engaged in a war of words that has been fought, in public, private and through the media. The dispute has grown to involve Lalit Modi, who was Dixit’s predecessor and opponent at RCA, and who has maintained good relations with Warne on Twitter.In his latest salvo on the micro-blogging site, Warne posted on Sunday to ask his fans to “wait till the end of IPL and I will say everything he promised and went back on his word about to the Royals. Unfortunately it is all about Dixit ego! RR has been fantastic for RCA – it’s about RR not Dixit.” To which Dixit replied: “I want to hear them too. Be sure to back it up with evidence, though.”Meanwhile Modi was re-posting a number of comments from other Twitter users critical of Dixit, such as one that read: “a quick way up the ladder in BCCI, is to publicly defame @LalitKModi and everyone he knows, don’t believe me ask @sanjay_dixit.” The RCA secretary was quick to respond to Modi directly, writing, “Bloody fugitive. Come back to India and I will give you your just desserts.”The Twitter exchange came after the RCA complained to the BCCI and IPL that Warne reportedly abused Dixit after his team’s loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in Jaipur on Wednesday. The reported that RCA venue director Narendra Joshi had written to IPL’s chief operating officer Sundar Raman, alleging that Warne had publicly abused Dixit by calling him “a liar and egoistic” and demanded action against Warne.Rajasthan subsequently sent an email apology on May 14 to Dixit, in which the team said it would take disciplinary action against Warne, who had also apologised for “any distress caused”. However, according to Dixit, the franchise has refused to say what that disciplinary action would be, something he considers unacceptable. “We asked them what action they were going to take, but they never divulged it,” Dixit told ESPNcricinfo. “They are playing diversionary tactics.” Rajasthan Royals did not respond to phone calls or text messages seeking comment.Dixit said there has been no communication with the franchise since Sunday and in the wake of Rajasthan’s silence, he has threatened to take further action “because we want to put an end to these kinds of incidents. We cannot have players coming and abusing senior officials just because they don’t get what they want.”Warne’s alleged tirade has its genesis in Dixit’s refusal to have the match against Bangalore played on a different pitch to the one on which Rajasthan had lost to Chennai. The pitch for both the Chennai and Bangalore games was flat, unlike the slow and low tracks for Rajasthan’s first five home games, and had a short boundary, a switch that Warne had criticised after the Chennai match, saying he had never before been told which pitch to use in the four years of the IPLAt the time, Dixit contradicted Warne, saying the BCCI has always had the final say on which pitch is to be used. “The BCCI has already clarified that the pitch comes under the purview of the pitch committee and curator. So, how could I have acceded to his demand?” Dixit told the . “His behaviour was totally unjustified and I have asked for action against him.”The BCCI ratified that in a statement after the Chennai game. “Neither of the playing teams has a choice of the wicket, on which to play the game,” the statement said. “It is the curator, in consultation with the committee chairman, who prepares the wickets.”The Jaipur pitch first became a topic of discussion after Mumbai Indians were restricted to 94 for 8 on it, and Sachin Tendulkar called the track two-paced. At the time both Warne and Dixit had criticised Mumbai for their comments on the pitch. The BCCI’s pitches committee head Venkat Sundaram attended Rajasthan’s next home game, and took the decision to switch the pitch for the Chennai game. The same pitch was then used for Rajasthan’s last home game, which was also Warne’s last match in Jaipur, and Rajasthan were once again comprehensively beaten.

According to a report from Sky Sports Germany (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are still ‘in talks’ to sign Red Bull Salzburg sensation Karim Adeyemi. 

The lowdown: Dortmund bound?

The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for the 20-year-old in the past but it had appeared a move to Borussia Dortmund was on the horizon for the upcoming summer window.

Already a regular for club and country, Adeyemi has amassed an incredible 45 domestic goals and 32 assists in his senior career to date, racking up 123 first-team appearances after a sensational career at youth level.

He has scored once in three caps for Germany, and Liverpool could be about to spoil Dortmund’s party if reports on the continent are to be believed…

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-28/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The latest: Reds in talks, Klopp loves him

As per Sky Sports Germany, translated by SW, the Anfield club are believed to be ‘still in talks’ with representatives of the exciting youngster.

The report claims that despite Salzburg and Dortmund reaching an ‘agreement in principle’, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in scuppering the deal, and Jurgen Klopp is personally a ‘big fan’ of the player.

Dortmund were expected to pay €35million (£29million) for the man who was described as an ‘ice cold’ finisher by national team boss Hansi Flick.

The verdict: Make it happen

We feel Adeyemi would be worth the additional hard work that has so often been avoided by a clean transfer strategy amongst the Reds recruitment team.

As Julian Ward prepares to cut his teeth in place of acclaimed sporting director Michael Edwards, pulling off this kind of coup would be the ideal way to endear yourself to the Anfield faithful – Ward already played a big role in the capture of immediate fan favourite Luis Diaz.

So far this seasonm the versatile Adeyemi has scored 20 times and provided five assists in 38 appearances across all competitions – including five direct goal contributions in the UEFA Champions League.

Those numbers alone are proof of a player ready to take the next step in a promising career, but it’s the youngster’s ability to play across the frontline that would truly make Adeyemi a superb addition to Klopp’s already blessed squad, potentially starring in the next generation of Liverpool forward’s after the current famous trio eventually move on.

In other news: Portuguese newspaper makes Liverpool transfer claim

Derbyshire are hoping to continue strengthening their squad with the signing of Billy Godleman

George Dobell27-Sep-2012Derbyshire are hoping to continue strengthening their squad with the signing of Billy Godleman, the 23-year-old opening batsman who was released by Essex towards the end of the 2012 season. Godleman made his first-class debut for Middlesex as a 16-year-old – the second youngest man to make his first-class debut for the club – and represented England at every level from Under-15s to Under-19s.Having joined Essex for the 2010 season, he averaged in the mid-20s in 2010 and 2011 and despite scoring a century in Essex’ opening Division Two game in 2012 he lost his first-team place in the latter half of the summer and was told his contract would not be renewed.Derbyshire, who won promotion to Division One for the 2013 season, also announced the signing of wicketkeeper Richard Johnson from Warwickshire earlier this week. Their aim is for Godleman to open the batting and hope he can mirror the success of other players – such as Chris Wright, Stephen Peters, Varun Chopra and Derbyshire seamer Tony Palladino – whose fortunes improved significantly once they left Essex.