Pakistan in form, likely to win 1st Test against NZ

ABU DHABI: Pakistan produced another ruthless performance to move to the brink of victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

A ninth wicket stand of 36 in 14.5 overs between Mark Craig (27) and Ish Sodhi (27) delayed Pakistan´s victory on the fourth day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium but New Zealand were struggling on 174-8 after being set a daunting target of 408.

Pakistan need just two wickets on the final day for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series while New Zealand still need 306 for an unlikely win on the fifth and final day.

Spinners Zulfiqar Babar (2-30) and Yasir Shah (2-49) and seamer Rahat Ali (2-38) destroyed the New Zealand batting.

Earlier Mohammad Hafeez hit an unbeaten 101 to help Pakistan declare their second innings on 175-2 before the bowlers took over and skittled the Kiwi batsmen.

It was a weak batting display by New Zealand who promised a lot before the Test but only Brendon McCullum (39), Corey Anderson (23) and Kane Williamson (23) offered little resistance.

Sodhi said it was disappointing to bat like New Zealand did.

"We are disappointed with the way things have turned out. We cannot win from this position, but we will surely try and make things difficult for them tomorrow," said Sodhi.

McCullum and Tom Latham (20) gave New Zealand a confident start of 57 runs before Babar had first innings centurion Latham top-edging a sweep to Shah.

Four runs later Shah trapped McCullum and then had Ross Taylor out in the same fashion for eight, leaving New Zealand reeling at 47-3.

Anderson and Williamson added 42 for the fourth wicket but calamity struck as three wickets fell in the space of just five balls.

Hafeez had Williamson stumped while Rahat dismissed Jimmy Neesham and BJ Watling off successive deliveries -- both without scoring.

Rahat´s pace partner Imran Khan then had Anderson leg-before as the batsman offered no stroke to a straight delivery while Babar cleaned up Tim Southee for five.

Hafeez reached his sixth Test hundred, with a couple off McCullum. In all he hit two sixes and 12 boundaries during his 130-ball knock.

It was Hafeez´s first century since his 196 against Sri Lanka in July 2012.

The first session saw Younis and Hafeez batting solidly.

Younis, who hit a brilliant 100 not out in the first innings, survived a leg-before referral, but he fell soon after lunch to Sodhi, who finished with 2-66.

Hafeez opened up after a cautious start, hitting boundaries off paceman Trent Boult and then he hit two off Sodhi to complete his fifty and follow up on his 96 in Pakistan´s first innings of 566-3 declared.

Hafeez said he was satisfied with his hundred.

"It´s pleasing to hit a century and more so because it has come after a gap, but I am sure it will help lift my confidence in this format," said Hafeez.

Pakistan, resuming at 15-0, had looked for quick runs but were checked by disciplined New Zealand bowling.

Sodhi removed Azhar Ali for 23 to give his team the early breakthrough.

The remaining two Tests will be played in Dubai (November 17-21) and Sharjah (November 26-30).

Pakistan´s Hafeez reported for illegal action: ICC

ABU DHABI: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been reported with a suspected illegal bowling action during the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.

"The match officials´ report, which was handed over to the Pakistan team manager Moin Khan, cited concerns about the legality of the 34-year-old´s bowling action," the ICC said.

Pakistan won the match by 248 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Hafeez´s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, one-day matches and T20Is.

As per the ICC rules on dealing with the suspect action, Hafeez is required to undergo testing within 21 days, and, during this period, Hafeez is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known.

Hafeez is the second Pakistani behind Saeed Ajmal, also an off-spinner, to be reported in a major crackdown on bowlers with suspect actions the ICC launched in June this year.

Besides Ajmal, Sri Lanka´s Sachitra Senanayake, New Zealand´s Kane Williamson, Bangladesh´s Sohag Gazi and Zimbabwe´s Prosper Utseya -- all off-spinners - were reported and subsquently suspended to allow remedial work on their actions.

Zimbabwe match referee Andy Pycrot was the common official in both the Ajmal and Hafez cases.

He was also the match referee when Ajmal was reported during the Galle Test against Sri Lanka in August this year.

Ajmal’s bowling report not encouraging: sources

LAHORE: Pakistani offspinner Saeed Ajmal’s bowling action report has not been encouraging, sources revealed to Geo News on Thursday.

The biometric report of Ajmal’s bowling action is expected to be released in the next two days. According to sources, the report is expected to reveal that Ajmal’s deliveries are still exceeding the level of tolerance permitted by the ICC.

Ajamal who has been suspended by the ICC over his bowling action has been working on remodeling it with Saqlain Mushtaq. The offspinner underwent unofficial testing on his new action in London three days ago.

Saeed Ajmal was reported for his bowling action after Pakistan’s first test against Sri Lanka in August and was suspended a month later.

On Thursday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief, Shahryar Khan told reporters that there was a 50-50 chance of Ajmal immediate return to cricket.

PCB to file appeal for Amir’s reinstatement in few days

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will file an appeal which would pave the way for seamer Muhammad Amir’s return to domestic cricket in the next few days. PCB Chief, Shahryar Khan informed reporters here on Thursday that appeals would not be filed for Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif.

“Salman Butt and Muhammad Asif will have to come to the PCB and apologise to people,” Khan said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday revised its anti-corruption code which means that banned players can feature in home matches a few months prior to the end of their ban, specifically benefiting Amir.

Khan further said that Saeed Ajmal who had been banned over his bowling action by the ICC had a 50-50 chance of immediately returning to cricket. “If Ajmal passes 3-D testing he will be sent to the ICC.”

The PCB chief did say that Ajmal had been included in the 30-member preliminary squad for the World Cup 2015.

Awards for the Pakistani team for their whitewash of Australia in the test series were also announced by the PCB chief. Misbah and Younis will be awarded Rs 1.5 million each, Zulfiqar Babar and Azhar Ali Rs 1 million and the rest of the team will be awarded Rs 0.5 million. Cash awards will also be given to the team’s coaching staff.

According to Khan, teams such as Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Scotland and Holland were willing to tour Pakistan. “We will try to invite more prominent teams to tour Pakistan in the future.”

The PCB chief added that Najam Sethi’s appointment to the ICC presidency would be beneficial for Pakistan.

Neymar, Messi shine as Dutch slump again

PARIS: Barcelona teammates Neymar and Lionel Messi were both on target as Brazil and Argentina claimed international friendly wins Wednesday but struggling Netherlands slumped to another defeat.

In Istanbul, Brazil defeated Turkey 4-0 as coach Dunga celebrated a fifth successive win since taking the hotseat following his country's traumatic World Cup.

The match, played out in front of a packed Sukru Saracoglu, also saw Turkey suffer a sixth match without a victory.

Neymar opened the scoring after 19 minutes when he picked up a cross from Fernandinho before dribbling the ball into the area and stabbing it past a static Suleyman Demirel in the Turkish goal.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 when defender Suat Kaya put through his own goal under pressure from Luiz Adriano who was trying to reach a cross from Danilo.

Willian steered in the third just before the interval after a Neymar cross was not cleared with the Barcelona star adding his second on the hour mark after a neat one-two with Willian.

"I think I'm in the best form of my career though I can't be satisfied. I shall keep on working hard to get even better, to keep on helping Barcelona and the Brazilian national side," Neymar told Globo TV.

Carlos Tevez ended his three-year international exile as World Cup runners-up Argentina came from behind to beat a second-string Croatia 2-1 in London.

Tevez last played for Argentina at the 2011 Copa America, having been frozen out by former coach Alejandro Sabella, but he made his comeback at the home of his old club West Ham after being recalled by new coach Gerardo Martino.

The Juventus striker came on as a substitute for Sergio Aguero, who cancelled out Anas Sharbini's early opener for Croatia with a fortuitous equaliser before Lionel Messi scored the winner with a 57th-minute penalty.

Argentina have now won three and lost one of their four friendly games since their 1-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup final.

It was a first defeat in five games for Croatia, who have won their first four Euro 2016 qualifiers, but defeat was mitigated by the fact coach Niko Kovac had left his entire first XI back in Zagreb to prepare for Sunday's encounter with Group H rivals Italy in Milan.

Messi's goal was the 45th of his international career.

"Our goals were really nice goals and they came after mounting pressure," said Martino. "We still have to improve a lot, but there were some positive things."

In Amsterdam, the Netherlands lost 3-2 to Mexico, four days out from a crucial Euro 2016 clash against Latvia which could lead to the resignation of coach Guus Hiddink should the Dutch lose again.

Wednesday's loss, which saw Carlos Vela score twice for Mexico in his first appearance in three years, was Holland's fourth in five games since the World Cup.

In other friendlies, Belgium beat Iceland 3-2 while Estonia edged Norway 1-0.

Pakistan beat New Zealand in first Test

ABU DHABI: Pakistan strolled to victory by 248 runs in its first Test against New Zealand on Thursday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Pakistan had needed two wickets after their opponents resumed at 174-8 but it took only 16.3 overs for them to reach their target as New Zealand folded at 231 in 70.3 overs.

Kiwi Mark Craig, who along with Ish Sodhi (63) had delayed Pakistan´s defeat after batting for 14.5 overs on Wednesday, couldn´t prolong his resistance as he was bowled by leg-spinner Yasir Shah for 28 off the first ball of the second over in the day.

But Sodhi, who added 39 for the ninth wicket, further defied the bowling with a career-best knock, adding 54 runs for the last wicket with number 11 Trent Boult, who made 19 not out.

Sodhi hit seven boundaries and a six during his two-hour resistance before he was finally trapped leg-before by paceman Imran Khan, who finished with 2-37.

Shah finished with 3-74, while Zulfiqar Babar and Rahat Ali took two wickets for 48 runs each.

This was Pakistan´s third Test win in a row after they white-washed Australia 2-0 last week, their first series win over the Aussies for 20 years.

The win also made Misbah-ul Haq Pakistan´s most successful Test captain with 15 wins in 33 Tests, bettering the 14-win record of the illustrious Imran Khan (48 Tests) and Javed Miandad (34 Tests).

It was again a case of Trans-Tasman neighbours Australia and New Zealand failing to cope against Asian spinners.

But New Zealand still has a better record in the continent than their Aussie cousins, losing six of their 13 Tests, winning two and drawing five.

Australia have lost 10 of their 15 Tests in Asia, with only one win and four draws.

Babar had taken 14 wickets and Shah 12 in Pakistan´s win over Australia and the same two bowlers also came good against New Zealand as well.

Babar finished with five and Shah four in the match.

For Pakistan, Ahmed Shehzad hit a career best 176 and Younis Khan and Misbah smashing hundreds in the team´s first innings total of 566-3 declared.

Tom Latham scored his maiden hundred for New Zealand in a paltry 262-run total in the first knock.

Mohammad Hafeez scored his first hundred since July 2012 in Pakistan´s second innings.

The second Test starts in Dubai on November 17 while the third and final in Sharjah from November 26.

The two teams will also play two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals, also in United Arab Emirates.

 

Misbah becomes most successful Pakistan test captain

ABU DHABI: Pakistan won the first test match against New Zealand by 248 runs on the final day. The win also made Misbah-ul Haq Pakistan´s most successful Test captain with 15 wins in 33 Tests, bettering the 14-win record of Imran Khan (48 Tests) and Javed Miandad (34 Tests).

Speaking to reporters following Pakistan’s win, Misbah said it was a proud moment for him as his name was mentioned alongside Imran Khan and Javed Miandad.

Misbah praised the performance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) despite the changes in management. Misbah thanked the PCB for providing him with the opportunity to lead the national side for the last four year.

BBC exposes 'Fake Sheikh' undercover reporter Mazhar Mahmood

LONDON: A BBC documentary has exposed ‘Fake Sheikh’ undercover Pakistani origin British reporter Mazhar Mahmood, who trapped Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Muhammad Amer and Muhamamd Asif in spot fixing.

He has exposed numerous alleged crimes and wrongdoings, often by posing as a ‘Sheikh’, targeting royals, sports stars, politicians and celebrities.

Mahmood also tried to destroy Pakistani cricket by encouraging criminality.

Mazhar Mahmood was exposed in a BBC documentary, despite an 11th hour attempt to block the broadcaster from showing his image but the BBC won the legal battle.

In the programme it was disclosed that Mazhar Mahmood tricked people into committing crimes for his stories, including Pakistani cricket stars.

The BBC programme, featuring up-to-date images of the 'Fake Sheikh', heard from former celebrity stings and associates of Mazhar Mahmood, who claimed that he set them up and targeted them unfairly.

BBC in its documentary says that it exposed ‘Fake Sheikh’ by showing his images to make it more difficult for him to entrap people in the future.

Tamim, Imrul hit tons in record Bangladesh stand

CHITTAGONG: Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes smashed centuries in a record opening stand for Bangladesh to put the hosts on top at the start of the third and final Test against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Tamim scored 109 and Imrul made a patient 130 as Bangladesh, hoping to sweep the series 3-0, cruised to 303-2 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day in the port city of Chittagong.

The duo put Bangladesh´s highest opening partnership at 224, surpassing their own record of 185 against England at Lord´s in 2010.

It was only the fifth century stand by a Bangladeshi opening pair, with Tamim and Imrul both featuring in three of them.

They prospered in the first two sessions before Zimbabwe broke through after tea when Tamim holed out to Hamilton Masakadza at mid-off off the bowling of part-timer Sikandar Raza.

Masakadza himself removed Imrul later as the batsman slashed a catch to substitute fielder Vusi Sibanda at gully.

At stumps, Mominul Haque was unbeaten on 46 and Mohammad Mahmudullah was on five with Bangladesh set to build a huge first innings total.

Bangladesh had posted a tense three-wicket win in the first Test in Dhaka, before routing the tourists by 162 runs in the second match in Khulna last week.

Left-handed Tamim hit 14 boundaries and a six in his second consecutive century after making 109 in the second Test. He drew level with former captain Mohammad Ashraful´s record tally of six centuries for Bangladesh.

Imrul, who replaced Shamsur Rahman for this match, began with a boundary off the first ball he faced and finished with 12 fours and two sixes in his second Test century. But he was lucky to get past 19 as Brian Chari dropped a catch him at square-leg off leg-spinner Natsai M´shangwe.

The Test series between the two lowest-ranked teams will be followed by five one-day internationals. (AFP)

New Zealand reeling at 69-3 after 480 set by Pakistan

ABU DHABI: New Zealand, set a daunting 480-run target, lost three key wickets and were 69-3 at tea on the fourth day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Following a promising opening partnership of 57, left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar removed first innings centurion Tom Latham for 20 before Yasir Shah bowled Brendon McCullum for 39.

Ross Taylor fell in the last over before tea, trapped in front of the wicket by Shah for eight, to leave New Zealand facing what looked like a certain defeat.

Earlier Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez hit an unbeaten 101 to help Pakistan declare their second innings at 175-2 for an ideal position to force a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

McCullum and Latham gave New Zealand a solid start of 57 but once spinners came on the innings wilted.

Latham swept Babar straight into the hands of Shah at square-leg.

Shah, who so far has figures of 2-15, then accounted for McCullum and Taylor in successive overs to push Pakistan closer to their third win in a row after routing Australia 2-0 last week.

Hafeez reached his sixth Test hundred, with a couple off McCullum. In all he hit two sixes and 12 boundaries during his 130-ball knock.

The first session saw Younis and Hafeez batting solidly.

Younis, who hit a brilliant 100 not out in the first innings, survived a leg-before decision on the last ball before lunch, bowled by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

But Sri Lankan umpire Ranmore Martinesz´s decision was reversed as a referral showed Younis edged the ball onto his pads. But Younis fell soon after lunch to Sodhi, who finished with 2-66.

Hafeez opened up after a cautious start, hitting boundaries off paceman Trent Boult and then hit two off Sodhi to complete his fifty and follow up his 96 in Pakistan´s first innings of 566-3 declared.

Pakistan, resuming at 15-0, had looked for quick runs but were checked by disciplined New Zealand bowling.

Sodhi removed Azhar Ali for 23 to give his team the early breakthrough.

Seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee finished wicket-less in the match. (AFP)

Bangladesh 303-2 in final Zimbabwe Test

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh: Bangladesh were 303-2 at stumps on the opening day of the third and final Test against Zimbabwe in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Tamim Iqbal scored 109 and Imrul Kayes made 130 after the hosts, who are hoping to sweep the series 3-0, won the toss and elected to bat.

Tamim and Imrul set a new record opening partnership for Bangladesh when the left-handed duo added 224 for the first wicket.

Part-time off-spinner Sikandar Raza finally broke the partnership shortly after the tea interval when Tamim danced down the track but misdirected his shot and was caught by Hamilton Masakadza.

Bangladesh´s previous highest stand for the first wicket was 185, set by the same pair against England at Lord´s in 2010.

The 224-run stand was Bangladesh´s third best for all wickets in a Test match.

At stumps, Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah were batting on 46 and five, respectivley.

Bangladesh won the first Test in Dhaka by three wickets and the second in Khulna by 162 runs. (AFP)

Pakistan set New Zealand 480-run target for New Zealand

ABU DHABI: Pakistan set a 480-run target for New Zealand after declaring their second innings at 175-2 on the fourth day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Mohammad Hafeez completed his hundred and was not out on 101 for his sixth Test century while Sarfraz Ahmed was 13 not out.

Resuming at 15-0, Pakistan lost Azhar Ali for 23 and Younis Khan for 28.

Pakistan, playing their home series in the United Arab Emirates because of concerns over extremist attacks, are in an ideal position to force a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. (AFP)

Tamim, Imrul set Bangladesh record for opening stand

ABU DHABI: Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes set a new record opening partnership for Bangladesh when the left-handed duo added 224 for the first wicket in the third Test against Zimbabwe at Chittagong on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the impressive stand put the hosts firmly on course to complete a 3-0 series sweep against Zimbabwe.

Part-time off-spinner Sikandar Raza finally broke the partnership shortly after the tea interval when Tamim (109) danced down the track but misdirected his shot and was caught by Hamilton Masakadza.

Bangladesh´s previous highest stand for the first wicket was 185, set by the same pair against England at Lord´s in 2010.

The 224-run stand was Bangladesh´s third best for all wickets in a Test match.

The hosts won the first Test in Dhaka by three wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a 162-run win in second Test at Khulna.