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On the day when he was voted the world’s best cricketer of the past ten years, Ricky Ponting showed his use-by date didn’t arrive with the end of the decade

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale at Bellerive Oval13-Jan-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRicky Ponting’s 39th Test century put Australia in a powerful position•Getty ImagesOn the day when he was voted the world’s best cricketer of the past ten years, Ricky Ponting showed his use-by date didn’t arrive with the end of the decade. Ponting and Michael Clarke each scored centuries in a merciless 231-run partnership that left Pakistan dejected, bereft of ideas, and rueful of yet another dropped catch that took their tally to 14 for the series.In Sydney, Ponting was caught for a duck in the first innings when he hooked straight to the man on the boundary and this time, again without scoring, he whipped a Mohammad Asif bouncer from in front of his eyebrows straight to the man at deep backward square leg. Mohammad Aamer didn’t have to move a single step but grassed the chance, slumping on the ground in dismay at his error.Teams know that if they miss a chance to get rid of Ponting, they may not get another. And after Australia were 3 for 71 in the opening session, the bright start that Pakistan’s seamers made after a third lost toss for the series was wasted. Soon, Mohammad Yousuf’s defensive fields crept back in, Pakistani shoulders slumped and by the final hour, the bowlers were interested only in stopping runs with a wide-outside-off line.But while Pakistan contributed to their own disappointment, Australia’s captain and vice-captain deserve high praise for their concentration and determination to reach 3 for 302 at stumps with Ponting on 137 and Clarke on 111. Both men entered the match hoping to turn around personally fruitless summers: Clarke needed to show that he could return to his Ashes form and Ponting required a big knock to avoid his least productive home Test summer in a decade.Ponting was scrappy early. His ears have been ringing over his favourite hook and pull shots, which he has struggled to middle in recent times, and today they were pounding in pain when he misjudged a hook off Umar Gul and was hit on the helmet. Several other horizontal-bat shots were missed or edged but he didn’t put the shot away and after reaching his half-century nailed a beautiful pull for four off Gul.Gradually, the Ponting trademarks returned: a textbook back-foot drive through point, a cover-drive on the up to the boundary, an aerial loft off the legspinner Danish Kaneria. His 39th Test century and his second at his home ground in Hobart arrived with a paddle sweep for two. Ponting’s celebrations were serious and focused: a kiss of the helmet and a bat pointed at the stands, and not much of a smile. It was his first hundred since the opening Ashes Test and it silenced any growing concerns over his form.At the other end, Clarke was watchful early but never looked scratchy. He has made several starts this summer without going on, but in concert with his captain he was keen to ensure a fine finale to the home Test season. Clarke drove and cut with aplomb, and in typical style used his feet brilliantly to Kaneria, who looked all out of sorts and rarely appeared likely to get a wicket. Clarke’s 13th Test ton came with a quick single clipped off his pads from his 188th delivery.Unlike Ponting, Clarke didn’t give a chance and their wonderful partnership was their highest stand together at Test level, beating the 210 runs they put on against India in Adelaide two seasons ago, and Australia’s highest fourth-wicket effort against Pakistan. They were a major frustration for Yousuf’s men, who had shown a real spark in the first session. The match started in overcast, swing-friendly conditions and Asif in particular was a regular threat in the first couple of hours.He ended Simon Katich’s return to the Test side early with a lovely ball that pitched in line, straightened, and had the batsman trapped lbw on review for 11. Four changes to the team helped freshen things up and the debutant wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, who replaced Kamran Akmal, pouched his first Test catch when Aamer drew an edge behind from Michael Hussey on 6. But sometimes, the more things change the more they stay the same and Pakistan’s fielding remained poor overall.On top of Aamer’s drop of Ponting, Asif saw another opportunity evade his fielders when Shane Watson top-edged an attempted pull. Khurram Manzoor, another of the new men for this Test, and Imran Farhat ran back from the cordon but managed to collide with each other and miss the ball completely. Fortunately for Pakistan, that mistake wasn’t crucial and Watson departed soon afterwards for 29 when he cut Gul straight to gully, where Farhat took the catch.But the fielding degenerated again after lunch and misfields galore contributed to Pakistan’s disheartenment. Ponting and Clarke don’t need to be given such liberties.

Mahela Jayawardene was a beautiful batsman to watch, one capable of playing every stroke in the book with real elegance. What he lacked, perhaps, was the touch of steel, that ability to put the boot in when on top of his game

Cricinfo staff18-Nov-2009
Mahela Jayawardene was imperious today as India’s attack rapidly lost any semblance of potency•AFPIt’s a bowler’s worst nightmare: A placid pitch and a master batsman seemingly incapable of playing a false stroke. It was Rahul Dravid on day one, lifting India out of a deep trench, and Mahela Jayawardene followed suit to give his team a vice-like grip on the game.From the start – and what better match to debut in than the 952-run-riot against India – Jayawardene has been a beautiful batsman to watch, one capable of playing every stroke in the book with real elegance. What he lacked, especially in comparison with someone like Dravid, was the touch of steel, that ability to put the boot in when on top of his game.Even on Sri Lanka’s last tour of India, four years ago, he played some lovely strokes, scoring three half-centuries in a losing cause. Llike most of his compatriots, though, he failed to put up a big score and play the sort of innings that can alter the course of a match or series. “I’ve only played three Test matches here,” he said, after finishing the day unbeaten on 204. “This is my fourth. I had a couple of fifties on the last tour and was very disappointed I couldn’t convert those. I was very determined to get one here.”The penny dropped a few months after that tour, at Lord’s. Marvan Atapattu’s recurring back problem resulted in a changing of the guard and Jayawardene’s captaincy baptism was quite an ordeal. Despite a defiant 61, an innings defeat appeared envitable when Sri Lanka went out to bat a second time. But with six batsmen scoring half-centuries, the underdogs defied England for 199 overs to save the game. Jayawardene’s contribution was a magnificent 119 that lasted a shade over six hours.He hasn’t looked back since. To describe what’s followed as a purple patch would be something of an understatement. In 30 Tests, he’s made 3441 runs at 73.21, with 14 centuries and seven fifties. And for someone often maligned as a lion at home and a cub abroad, six of those hundreds have come in foreign climes, each in a different country. Against India, he now averages a ridiculous 80.29 over 13 Tests.”With the captaincy came a bit more responsibility as well,” he said when asked about Lord’s and its aftermath. “But after playing for so many years, I’ve learnt what my strengths and weaknesses are and how to manage and build an innings better. Even before that, I was doing the right things but still making a few too many mistakes. Once you get to that stage, you know how to plan an innings against an attack on different surfaces.”He was imperious today as India’s attack rapidly lost any semblance of potency. Few drive the ball better than he does, and that was illustrated in a Zaheer Khan over soon after the new ball was taken. A perfect on-drive was followed by a clip through midwicket and a quite majestic cover-drive. Having forced the most dangerous bowler out of the attack, runs were much easier to come by.India tried quite a few things, including the unappealing tactic of bowling wide into the leg-stump rough. They were wasting their time. Though the scoring-rate dipped a little in the final session, Sri Lanka still made 316 runs in the day for the loss of two wickets, one of them to a generous umpiring decision.Jayawardene, like Dravid before him, paced his innings impeccably. He made 50 in the first session, 56 in the second and 62 after tea as Sri Lanka proceeded serenely towards the sort of total that will put real pressure on India’s batting line-up. When he wasn’t driving the ball through the covers, cutting behind point or dabbing it down to third man, he was in the other Jayawardene’s ear, ensuring that a potentially matchwinning partnership [216] with the wicketkeeper wasn’t broken.”I just told him a few things to plan against the different bowlers and I think he batted really well,” he said later. “Prasanna has the ability. Applying that has been the problem.”They will resume 165 in front, and hope that this granite strip of a pitch shows some signs of wear on the final two days. After play ended, Muttiah Muralitharan was out on the square, bowling at a single stump. More than a quarter-century after Bandula Warnapura’s largely unknown side nearly embarrassed the Indians at Chepauk, they have the whiff of victory in their nostrils again. And if his teammates are anything like as focussed as Jayawardene was, they won’t let the opportunity slip through the fingers.

Will Jefferson, the opening batsman, has been released by Nottinghamshire after losing his first-team place

Cricinfo staff28-Sep-2009Will Jefferson, the opening batsman, has been released by Nottinghamshire after losing his first-team place.Jefferson joined the county in 2007 from Essex and played role in Nottinghamshire’s Championship promotion that season, but didn’t make any first XI appearances since June this year.”I am very sad that it has not worked out for me at Nottinghamshire but it has been an honour to represent the club over the past three seasons and I will always have happy memories of my time here,” Jefferson said. “Due to a combination of injuries and a lack of consistency with the bat in the longer form of the game over an extended period of time, I feel it is time to move on and find a new lease of life somewhere else.Director of cricket, Mick Newell, added he was surprised that the moved hadn’t worked. “I always look to sign players who have performed consistently well against us and I genuinely thought that Will would kick on and do well here,” he said. “I’m amazed that it hasn’t worked out for him because he is a talented player and I have no doubt that he can continue playing first-class cricket.”In 22 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire, Jefferson made 939 runs at 26.82 with one hundred.

Nottinghamshire have agreed to release offspinner Jason Brown from his contract

Cricinfo staff21-Oct-2009Nottinghamshire have agreed to release offspinner Jason Brown from his contract. Brown still had a year to run on his two-year deal, which he signed in December 2008, but his stint with the club was hampered by a calf injury. He didn’t play in the County Championship in which Nottinghamshire emerged runners-up, and participated in just two games in the Twenty20 Cup, where he finished wicketless, conceding 9.80-an-over.Nottinghamshire, earlier this month, had signed left-arm spinner Graeme White on a two-year contract, and the club’s director Mick Newell suggested it had factored in releasing Brown. “Jason was unfortunate to suffer injury at a time when he could have played a significant part in limited-overs cricket but we feel that the time is right for him to move on given the signing of Graeme White,” Newell said. “It has been a frustrating year for him but there was no lack of effort on his part and I’m sure he’ll find another county. We wish him every success for the future.”Brown, who’s taken 414 wickets in 130 first-class games in a 13-year career, moved from Northamptonshire to Nottinghamshire at a time when spinners Samit Patel and Graeme Swann were heavily involved with the England squad. He now hopes to play regular cricket elsewhere. “I’ve enjoyed my time at Trent Bridge but at this stage of my career I need to play regular cricket,” Brown said. “I’m over my injury and I want to be in a position where I can begin the next season in contention for a place in a county first team.”

Chris Hollins has become the third first-class cricketer to win the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing

Cricinfo staff19-Dec-2009BBC presenter Chris Hollins has become the third first-class cricketer to win the channel’s Strictly Come Dancing, following Darren Gough in 2005 and Mark Ramprakash a year later. Although he did not win the judges’ vote, he got the public’s backing to beat actor and favourite Ricky Whittle.”I’m very lucky that people at home supported us and kept us in this competition,” Hollins said. “I haven’t got that much ability. But Ola [Jordan, his dance partner] really believed in me.”Hollins, 38, made eight appearances for Oxford University in 1994, scoring 131 in that year’s Varsity match. An offspinner he took four wickets on debut, but it was only when he hit 68 batting at No. 7 against Leicestershire in his fourth game that his ability with the bat became evident.He was born into a sporting family – his father, John, played football for England while his uncle, David, turned out for Wales – and he too was a good enough player to have spent brief periods with Charlton, Queens Park Rangers, and Aldershot Town.Although playing regularly in club and representative cricket, he became better known as a presenter, initially with Sky Sports before joining the BBC in 1999.

James Anderson is ready to put the Headingley nightmare behind him as he prepares for the match that will decide the Ashes series

Andrew McGlashan19-Aug-2009In 2005, as England entered the final Test of the Ashes needing only a draw to regain the urn, James Anderson had been summoned to the squad as cover for Simon Jones, one of the series heroes. He didn’t make the final eleven, as the safety valve of Paul Collingwood was preferred, but four years on Anderson is a player who must perform if England are to wrench the Ashes from Australia’s grasp.Anderson experienced most of the 2005 hype from the outside looking in but over the last five weeks has been at the centre of the action – from his match-saving heroics at Cardiff, to a crucial display of swing bowling at Lord’s and another incisive role at Edgbaston. Then the wheels came off at Headingley. It wasn’t just Anderson, the whole team had a shocker and the man himself admits England were “awful.”He knows that bouncing back from such a defeat would have been difficult had the final Test followed on straightaway, but believes the 10-day break from the tensions of the Ashes battle will give England a great chance to move on after the Leeds nightmare.”It was a pretty awful show from us. The Australians had the momentum so hopefully this week has just taken the sting out of it and swung it back to the balance,” he told Cricinfo. “It’s all down to one Test, so you can pretty much forget what has gone on in the past and just focus on the five days of cricket coming up and give it everything we’ve got.”As much as the players would like to forget what happened over the three days at Headingley they have had to look back at the harsh footage to learn from their mistakes. A similar post-mortem took place after the debacle at Sabina Park in February, when England were skittled out for 51, a bottoming-out that led to plenty of soul-searching.”We had to have a look at it very seriously, the areas where we went wrong and why it happened,” Anderson said during a promotional event for ASICS. “We tried to go through everything and figure out what happened so it doesn’t happen again. We thought we’d got over performances like that after Jamaica when we got bowled out for 50, but obviously not. We’ve had a great run since Jamaica and we’ve just got move on with clear minds to this week.”Anderson has tried to detach himself from the enormity of the game he is about to play. He spent a week back at home recovering the hamstring tweak that affected his bowling at Headingley and is now fully fit after a few sessions with the Lancashire physios. However, with the start drawing near the mind has begun to wander.”I’ve not really thought about it too much,” Anderson said of five days that could change his life. “I’ve had a full week trying to get my hamstring right so I’m fully fit so it’s actually taken my mind off what will happen on Thursday.”It’s very different this time because I’d not played in the lead-up to that [2005] so this time you really feel part of it all,” he added. “The team is also very different this time, there aren’t the experienced players that we had in 2005 but there is a lot of excitement about what can happen. We want this team to keep going forward and improving and one of the ways we do that is winning this week.”We’ve all started to think about it a bit more since joining up again the other day but we are just trying to prepare as we would for any other Test, keeping it as normal as possible even though there will be so much attention surrounding it.”As hard as they try, though, the players know this is anything but a normal Test. And, not only are the Ashes at stake, but there is also the Test swansong of Andrew Flintoff, Anderson’s new-ball partner for two matches in this series. “He’s just desperate to get on that field one last time in a Test,” Anderson said. “He wants to go out on a high and everyone else wants that for him. We know it’s massive for the team but it’s huge for Fred as well.”

David Morgan, the ICC president, has hinted at four-day Tests and is confident the 50-over brand will get a boost

Cricinfo staff30-Jun-2009Will we see the end of the ‘dull draw’ in a year’s time?•Getty ImagesDavid Morgan, the ICC president, has hinted that Test cricket may be reduced to four days to protect and enrich the game’s oldest format in the face of lucrative Twenty20 leagues like the IPL. The suggestion is one of several radical changes mooted for the new Future Tours Programme, including a two-tier format and day-night Tests to attract more crowds.”Another thought that many people have, that we are examining is whether Test match cricket can be played over four days rather than five,” Morgan told the magazine. “I would be very surprised if within a year you haven’t seen some significant changes in Test match cricket.”James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, confirmed that four-day Tests had been raised in strategy discussions during recent ICC meetings in London. Sutherland said the concept was not a “developed thought”, but indicated the willingness of cricket’s leaders to modernise the game.”That was just one of a number of initiatives and innovations that were raised in strategy discussion,” Sutherland told Cricinfo. “I have heard Mark Taylor talk about four-day Tests as a concept in the past, but I’m not sure if it is something that will be taken on.”Morgan felt it wouldn’t be too difficult for players to make a mental shift from five days to four. He added that Test cricket needed many more adjustments, and that special cricket balls would have to be made to facilitate night Tests in white clothing.”We need better over-rates, better pitches that give a good balance between bat and ball and we need to consider day-night Test cricket,” Morgan said. “There is great support for it, the issue is the colour of the ball and the quality of the ball. It would be a pity if Test match cricket – day-night – had to be played with a white ball and therefore coloured clothing.”We are looking very closely at ball manufacturing design that replicates a red ball, maybe an orange ball, a ball that could still allow us to play in white clothing and still at night.”The two-tier structure was recently put forth by Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager for cricket, to divide the stronger and weaker teams and make the format more competitive. Sutherland has leant his tentative backing to the concept, although is cogniscent of the impact it could have on smaller Test nations.”Test cricket is the ultimate test of skill, fitness and mental strength, and contests between stronger and weaker teams often lack the competitive aspect of other forms of the game,” Sutherland said. “For sport to be entertaining and something that engages with the public, there needs to be uncertainty in terms of the result. We have probably seen in recent years too many matches where that hasn’t necessarily been the case.”We see merit in the idea of similar strength teams being pitted against each other, but there is obviously a flipside to that. If India, for example, is placed in the top-tier, then nations in the second tier would be at a commercial disadvantage with their ability to host them. These are all factors that will be discussed, but the most important element from our point of view is that Test cricket retains quality content and context.”The ICC has also given the go ahead for the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) from October following trials in specific series over the last year. Umpires will have greater scope to decide on bad-light interruptions and the penalities for slow over-rates have also been increased.With so much emphasis on Twenty20 and the enrichment of Test cricket, Morgan remained confident of the survival of the 50-over game in its current form, now with batting Powerplays and free-hits added to add greater intrigue. He also defended the presence of the Champions Trophy in an already crowded calendar, despite its unpopularity with many of the players.The Champions Trophy, to be played in South Africa in September, will feature only the top eight teams and is a shorter tournament compared to previous editions.”It will be played over a shorter period and we are certain it will rejuvenate the Champions Trophy brand,” he said. “The brand needed polishing, rejuvenating, it needed remodeling and this event will be a very, very exciting and successful event I’m sure. It will be the event that will give fifty overs cricket its profile back, give it a boost without a doubt.”

A round-up from the latest Friends Provident Trophy matches

Cricinfo staff13-May-2009Mark Ramprakash is in imperious form once again•Getty ImagesMark Ramprakash scored yet another century – his second in four Friends Provident matches this season, to go with his 133 against Middlesex in his solitary first-class outing of the summer – to set Surrey up for a crushing 164-run victory over Gloucestershire at The Oval. Ramprakash, who came to the crease after the early wicket of Scott Newman, made 121 from 124 balls, with nine fours and three sixes, as Surrey racked up an imposing 306 for 6 in their 50 overs. That always looked like overwhelming Gloucestershire, who lost Kadeer Ali early for 7, then went into freefall after the run-out of Will Porterfield for 42, with their last seven wickets going down for 33.Rich Pyrah and David Wainwright came to Yorkshire’s rescue with an unbeaten ninth-wicket stand of 37, to sneak their side to a thrilling two-wicket victory with four balls remaining against Durham at Headingley. In a low-scoring contest, Pyrah also starred with the ball, taking 3 for 23 in seven overs to restrict Durham to a disappointing 166, in which no-one managed more than Gordon Muchall’s 31. In reply, Liam Plunkett trapped Jacques Rudolph lbw with the first ball of Yorkshire’s innings, but Joe Sayers anchored the innings with 51 from 109 balls to lift his side back into the ascendancy. However, a collapse of 5 for 30 put Durham back in charge before Pyrah (42 not out) and Wainwright (13 not out) came together to turn the tables once more.Faf du Plessis cracked 12 fours in a fantastic 112 from 86 balls, as Lancashire moved to the top of Group D with a comprehensive 114-run victory over Derbyshire at Derby. After two early wickets for Graham Wagg, du Plessis launched Lancashire’s innings by adding 111 for the third wicket with Tom Smith, who made 59. He was eventually seventh out with the score on 238, but Mark Chilton, who had earlier been forced to retire hurt after being struck on the elbow, returned to boost the total with 32 not out from 27 balls. In reply, Chris Rogers led from the front with 68 from 72 balls, but when he fell at 99 for 3, the innings dribbled away, with Gary Keedy claiming 4 for 31.

Group A Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Hampshire 5 3 1 0 1 7 +0.215 1012/191.3 1014/200.0 Nottinghamshire 5 3 2 0 0 6 +1.026 1055/200.3 917/216.3 Worcestershire 5 3 2 0 0 6 +0.352 1111/206.1 1025/203.3 Leicestershire 5 2 3 0 0 4 -0.621 1130/229.0 1162/209.1 Ireland 4 0 3 0 1 1 -1.781 537/114.0 727/112.0

Group B Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Somerset 4 4 0 0 0 8 +3.152 1032/142.3 769/188.0 Kent 5 3 2 0 0 6 -0.337 985/209.3 1169/232.0 Warwickshire 4 2 2 0 0 4 +0.577 838/166.2 838/187.5 Middlesex 5 2 3 0 0 4 -0.190 987/250.0 751/181.3 Scotland 4 0 4 0 0 0 -2.308 779/194.0 1094/173.0

Group C Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Gloucestershire 6 5 1 0 0 10 +0.553 1429/295.4 1284/300.0 Sussex 5 3 2 0 0 6 +0.242 1259/243.2 1215/246.2 Yorkshire 6 3 3 0 0 6 0.000 1224/282.2 1224/282.2 Surrey 5 2 3 0 0 4 +0.412 1189/233.0 1093/233.0 Durham 6 1 5 0 0 2 -1.076 1222/300.0 1507/292.4

Group D Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Lancashire 6 5 1 0 0 10 +0.755 1382/286.5 1187/292.1 Essex 5 4 1 0 0 8 +0.681 1060/208.3 1053/239.1 Derbyshire 5 2 3 0 0 4 -0.451 1099/237.0 1194/234.4 Northamptonshire 5 1 4 0 0 2 -0.160 1197/239.0 1187/229.4 Glamorgan 5 1 4 0 0 2 -1.023 954/235.1 1071/210.5

Newcastle United are now considering hiring Eddie Howe as a replacement for Steve Bruce, says Liam Kennedy.

The Lowdown: Bruce set for the axe

As per Kennedy, Bruce now looks set to be axed by the St. James’ Park faithful after the takeover by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium officially went through.

His position will be one of the first things addressed by the new owners, and although no rash decision is set to be taken, it is recognised that his position has become very precarious in recent times.

The Latest: Howe considered

Writing in his latest piece for Newcastle World, Kennedy has revealed that Howe is now being considered for the manager’s job once Bruce departs.

He has been out of work since leaving AFC Bournemouth at the back end of last season, and so talks should be easier on that front, with no negotiations with a club to worry about.

The Verdict: Could do better

There is no doubt that Howe is a good manager, in fact that is what legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson thinks of him, but his name would likely not excite the Toon Army as much as a Paulo Fonseca or Steven Gerrard, who the North East club have also reportedly been linked with recently.

Described as a ‘fantastic’ coach by one of his former players, Marvin Bartley, Howe has been a success in the lower leagues, guiding the Cherries all the way up to the Premier League from League Two, where they stayed for five straight campaigns under him (Transfermarkt).

However, with the abundance of riches that the next manager on Tyneside is going to have, the job may be too big for him, given that £25.2m is the most that he has spent on any player before.

Nonetheless, he is a good option, but the Magpies should be looking elsewhere for now.

In other news, find out who NUFC are now coveting as their next manager here!

A round-up of the matches played on March 26 in the 2008-09 Royal Bank of Scotland Cup

Cricinfo staff27-Mar-2009Group BLahore Lions took the D/L route to seal their spot in the semi-finals with a seven-wicket win against the Peshawar Panthers at the Lahore Country Club. Put in by the hosts, Peshawar were off on the wrong foot with Israullah falling off the first ball, bowled by Junaid Zia. But it was captain Sajjad Ahmed’s composed 77 which pushed Peshawar to 182 for 5 in 37. 3 overs. Sajjad stroked seven boundaries during his 100-ball innings. Raza Ali and Sohail Ahmed set the tone during the chase, as Lahore raced to 113. Both openers were severe on the bowlers as Raza brought up his fifty. However, he was dismissed soon after, for 59, having hit five fours and two sixes en route. When the game was finally called off after 14 overs, Lahore’s score of 142 for 3 was enough to hand them the win.Faisalabad Wolves’ thumping victory against Sialkot Stallions at the Iqbal Stadium was not enough to guarantee them a semis spot. A whirlwind 78 from Zeeshan Asif did help them to a nine-wicket win and helped them draw level on points with Lahore on points, but an inferior run-rate meant they had to be content being second on the points table. Faisalabad chose to field first in the match reduced to 20 overs, and Zahoor Khan provided the perfect start with two quick blows. Rizwan Sultan and Ayaz Tasawwar however steadied the Sialkot innings putting on 62 for the third wicket. Rizwan was aggressive during his 45-ball 65, hitting seven sixes, as the visitors finished on 134. The Faisalabad openers were off to a rousing start, as their strike rates soared. Imran Ali and Zeeshan looked firmly in control as they rushed to 114. Zeeshan finally fell having smashed nine boundaries and five sixes in his 30-ball innings. Imran however powered on, hitting six fours during his unbeaten 35 off 16 balls, as the hosts reached the target in the ninth over.Group CA brilliant 93 from Sohail Tanvir helped Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) beat Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) by seven wickets at Khan Research Laboratory Ground. Electing to bat, SSGC made a solid start with openers Asif Zakir and Wajid Ali putting on 44. Ahmed Zeeshan joined Zakir and added a further 77 as the visitors looked on course for a big score. Zakir ended on 53, which included three fours, while Zeeshan stroked five boundaries and a six during his breezy 50. A disciplined bowling performance however contained SSGC to 233. In reply, KRL started impressively with Azhar Ali and Tanvir putting on 62 for the opening wicket. Wicketkeeper Zulfiqar Jan joined Tanvir later to further strengthen the hosts. Tanvir’s 113-ball knock included eight fours and one six while Jan provided able support with a quick 50. However, at 179 for 3, it was left to Rizwan Ahmed (43) who took KRL home in the 43rd over.A sparkling century from Inam-ul-Haq handed Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) a seven-wicket win against Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) at the Diamond Club Ground. PIA, who had already secured a place in the last four, chose to bat and looked to be struggling at 54 for 3 before Yasir Hameed starred with a 79-ball 58, comprising six boundaries. The fourth-wicket partnership with Kamran Sajid was the highest of the innings as PIA were bowled out in the 42nd over for 196. Kashif Daud and Abdul Razzaq were ZTBL’s most successful bowlers with three wickets apiece while Junaid Nadir and Zohaib Khan picked up two each. There was a slight hiccup at the start of the chase with Anwar Ali picking up two quick wickets. But Haq seized the initiative and took the game away from PIA. He was partnered well by Adnan Raza who scored a controlled 59. But even when the 146-run stand came to an end, Haq guided ZTBL home in the 39th over. He remained unbeaten on 100, stroking ten fours and two sixes during his 117-ball innings.

Group B Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Lahore Lions 4 3 1 0 012 +1.622 832/127.5 742/151.5 Wolves 4 3 1 0 0 12+0.780 938/155.0 847/160.4 Leopards 42 2 0 0 8 -0.317893/182.4 931/178.5 S Stallions 4 12 0 1 6 -1.269 517/105.0577/93.1 P Panthers 4 0 30 1 2 -1.604 746/120.0 829/106.0

Group C Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

PIA 4 3 10 0 12 +0.929 914/153.2 847/168.2 Khan RL 4 2 1 01 10 +0.342 736/129.5 799/150.0Zarai TBL 4 2 1 0 110 +0.077 589/126.5 685/150.0 Sui Sthn Gas 4 1 2 0 1 6+0.349 713/130.0 618/120.2 Pakistan Customs 40 3 0 1 2 -2.101647/150.0 650/101.2