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Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, Pakistan chased down 188 in such emphatic manner that less than halfway into their chase, there was no doubt about who would win this clash

Cricinfo staff26-Nov-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Abdul Razzaq stunned the World XI with their whirlwind partnership © ICL
“On their day, if they click and get everything right, Pakistan are very difficult to beat,” said Chris Harris, the World XI captain, on the eve of this match. Needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, the Pakistan XI chased down 188 in such emphatic manner that less than halfway into their chase, there was no doubt about who would win this clash. Imran Nazir and Imran Farhat gave the chase some oomph in the first three overs, and Abdul Razzaq and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan completely obliterated the attack to wrap up victory in the 18th over, with six wickets in hand. Their unbeaten stand of 133 came from 74 balls, with 16 fours and four sixes.Nazir, having failed against Bangladesh, clipped the first ball of Pakistan’s innings for six, and was dropped by Damien Martyn at cover next ball. Consecutive fours by Farhat rounded off a 15-run opening over, but Martyn’s lapse only cost the World XI two more fours – Nazir missed a slog to Andre Adams and was bowled for 15. Farhat fell to Jason Gillespie in the third over but had done plenty of damage to the bowler’s figures.Rana, whose batting had been key to the Lahore Badshahs’ campaign, walked in at No. 4 and slapped Nantie Hayward for three fours in a row. By now Pakistan’s run rate was 12.40. That became 13.83 after Lance Klusener’s first over went for 21. Razzaq slogged two fours and six, and Rana hit four more through square leg. Gillespie, Adams and Hayward had been expensive against Bangladesh, and the misery continued against Pakistan.It was not just the World XI’s star bowlers who suffered. Syed Mohammed, who replaced Nicky Boje, would have wondered if he was better off on the bench after Rana hit his first three balls for 14 runs. The first was swept past short fine leg, the second lofted down the ground for six, and the third smashed to long-off. Klusener, Harris and Andrew Hall also took stick. Razzaq’s fifty needed 25 balls while Rana took two less, smashing his 23rd delivery over midwicket for six. Harris’ second over cost 16 and now the required rate was 4.28.In the 16th over, Goodwin intercepted a very firm slash at backward point to get rid of Rana for a 38-ball 78 and a direct hit from Adams at mid-off beat Shahid Yousuf two balls later. But Razzaq, who had helped get the party started, was there to finish it off with an unbeaten 73 from 45 balls.Pakistan’s decision to field had backfired. From the first over, there was a crispness in Murray Goodwin’s strokes and he gave the World XI’s innings impetus. A potent bowling attack was made to look pedestrian and Goodwin’s cutting and pulling remained his strongest point, while Martyn chose to slash a six over third man to get himself going. Rana incurred Goodwin’s wrath in his opening over, which went for 14 and Goodwin welcome Arshad Khan’s offspin with a smooth six down the ground.Goodwin reached his fifty off 26 balls, at which stage Martyn was 19 off 16. Goodwin was bowled first ball by Riaz Afridi, swinging across the line, and Andre Adams went next for a breezy 19 off 15 balls. Klusener slammed his first seven deliveries for 16 runs, taking Arshad for two fours and a six, and became the third loss when Rana knocked back his leg stump. Martyn played a couple more classy boundaries and finished on 64 from 49 balls. Paul Nixon contributed 17 from 13.A total of 188 would have been enough most days, but once again, Pakistan produced a stunning chase against the odds.

A round-up of the eight day’s matches in the ACC Under-19 women’s tournament in Thailand

Cricinfo staff21-Dec-2008Natasha Cherriath’s unbeaten half-century led UAE to an emphatic 73-run win over Oman at the Prem Center. UAE raked up 133 for 2 in 25 overs, and in reply Oman were bundled out for 60 in 24.5. Cherriath’s 52 included seven fours and came off 56 balls. None of Oman’s batsmen made it to double figures, Monique D’Souza was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 10 off her five overs.It was not too different a story at the Prem Oval, where Nepal beat China by 66 runs. Nepal, put in by China, scored 128 for 2, with opener Maya Rawat top scoring with 42. China could only manage 62 in reply, with captain Yu Miao the only batsman to go past 10. Thirty of those 62 runs came by way of extras. Both China and Oman finished the league phase with no points.Nepal will play hosts Thailand in the semi-final on Monday, while Hong Kong will face Malaysia for the other spot in the final. Bhutan and Qatar face off in the fifth-sixth playoff, and Kuwait and Oman will battle for ninth place.

Signing James Ward-Prowse this summer would be “good business” for Tottenham, says former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer.

Ward-Prowse has been heavily linked with a move to Aston Villa, with Sky Sports claiming the Midlands outfit have had a £25m offer rejected for the Saints captain.

However, it looks like Tottenham could be about to join the race for Ward-Prowse. According to The Telegraph, the north London club are ready to make a play for the 26-year-old as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to continue strengthening his squad.

And Palmer believes Ward-Prowse’s addition would do just that. Discussing Spurs’ reported interest in the England international, he told TT:

“He’s a talented player. You’ve seen Aston Villa, they knew [Jack] Grealish was going and they got their business done before Grealish went, so I think Tottenham will try to do the same if they believe they can’t keep hold of Harry Kane.

“It’s good business for them. If they get 150 million, then they can bring in these two types of players, James Ward-Prowse and Lautaro Martinez.”

Regarding Southampton, you really would have to feel sorry for them if they did end up losing Ward-Prowse to Tottenham.

Even with an exciting signing like Adam Armstrong, this transfer window is turning out to be a disaster for the Saints after already being forced to sell both Danny Ings and Jannik Vestergaard to Aston Villa and Leicester City respectively.

Heavy rain forced the abandonment of the fourth ODI between New Zealand and West Indies in Auckland

The Bulletin by Peter Burdon09-Jan-2009Match abandoned
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Martin Guptill’s 122 not out was the highest score by a New Zealand batsman on debut © Getty Images
Rain forced the fourth match between New Zealand and West Indies in Auckland to be abandoned after Martin Guptill created history by becoming the first New Zealand batsman to score a century on ODI debut. Guptill’s unbeaten 122 was also the second highest score by a debutant and he led New Zealand to 275 for 4.The game was well poised when a second rain interruption ended the match. West Indies had reached 64 without loss after 10.3 overs with Chris Gayle in control. He had hit a four and a six off consecutive balls moments before the second shower, and finished with 46 off 37 balls, including three sixes.It was Guptill, however, who stole the show. He opened with Brendon McCullum and the pair did well to negotiate a new ball that was swinging a long way because of the overhead conditions. Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards were unlucky not to pick up early wickets, particularly that of Guptill, who was dropped three times before he reached 30. The first was a simple edge through to Denesh Ramdin off Powell when Guptill was on 15.Guptill lost his opening partner McCullum, caught behind off Lionel Baker, in the 15th over for 26 with the total on 68. Matthew Sinclair soon became Baker’s second victim. Baker bowled his 10 overs in one spell and helped restrict New Zealand’s run-rate to less than four at the 25 over mark. He finished with 2 for 29 and was ably supported by Brendon Nash, whose 10 overs went for 43 runs after the first five cost only 13.After Sinclair’s dismissal, Ross Taylor joined Guptill and the pair added 144 for the third wicket. Taylor was the more aggressive of the two, but Guptill looked like an experienced international after a few early jitters. By the time Taylor fell for 75 off 87 deliveries, Guptill was in total control. He played some delightful cover drives and showed his class by placing the ball into gaps.After the loss of Daniel Flynn in the 45th over, Guptill was joined by fellow debutant Neil Broom. From ball one, Broom showed his ability to score quickly, making an impressive 24 from 17 deliveries, including two sixes. Guptill also hit two sixes along with eight fours but his ability to pick up ones and twos at will was more impressive and something his team-mates could learn from.When the rain came for the first time, the match was delicately poised, and West Indies needed 235 from 40 overs after the resumption. Tim Southee may have been the most relieved player when the game was abandoned. He had bowled three balls and Gayle had already hit him to and over the boundary. Kyle Mills had the figures of 30 for 0 in five overs and Mark Gillespie went for 23 off his five.The series is now set up for a decider in Napier on Tuesday.

Sheffield United are interested in a deal to bring Matty Longstaff to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a claim made by Alan Nixon, with The Sun journalist revealing on Twitter that the Blades, along with Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and Huddersfield Town, are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Newcastle United midfielder ahead of a potential move in the summer transfer window.

Nixon continued by suggesting that Steve Bruce would be willing to sanction the temporary departure of the 21-year-old prior to the summer market’s closure at the beginning of next week, and that the Magpies are looking for the best cash offer for the loan signing of the former England under-20 international.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “Newcastle. Want best cash offer towards Matty Longstaff wages. Sheff U Blackburn Blackpool Huddersfield among those interested.”

Longstaff could solve big Blades problem

Slavisa Jokanovic has seen his Sheffield United side get off to a disastrous start to their 2021/22 Championship campaign, having lost three and drawn one of their opening four games of the season – results which have left the Blades 23rd in the table. Therefor, it is evident that the 53-year-old is in need of further additions over what remains of the summer transfer window.

One area of the pitch where the Serbian seem to be in rather desperate need for reinforcements is central midfield, with the Blades currently having only Sander Berge, John Fleck and Oliver Norwood as senior options in the middle of the park.

As such, despite the 21-year-old not exactly boasting a great deal of first team experience – having made just 20 professional appearances so far in his Newcastle career – a move for Longstaff would nevertheless seem advisable for Jokanovic this summer.

After bursting onto the Premier League scene back in 2019/20 by scoring the winner against Manchester United on his top-flight debut, the £4.5m-rated man went on to make another eight league appearances that season, scoring one further goal and creating one big chance for his teammates.

As a result of these impressive performances, with Martin Keown even going as far as to describe the youngster as “like a Paul Scholes,” interest was reported to be high in the midfielder the following summer, with Serie A club Udinese reported to have offered Longstaff a five-year contract.

While it is true that the midfielder’s progress slowed last term as Bruce afforded the £24k-per-week man just five Premier League appearances, his signing would nevertheless still be something of a coup for Sheffield United this summer, as well as one which should certainly help to solve Jokanovic’s problems in the middle of the park.

In other news: Blades dealt transfer blow over “unbelievable” £42k-p/w beast, Jokanovic will be gutted

Get French Football News features writer Adam White has exclusively told Transfer Tavern that he expects Jonathan Bamba to remain at Lille amid links with West Ham United on deadline day.

Reliable Irons insider ExWHUemployee said on his show, via Patreon, on Tuesday lunchtime that the east London outfit were in last-gasp talks to try and bring the attacker to the London Stadium before the 11pm deadline tonight, with discussions with the player’s agent ongoing.

The Frenchman helped Lille to a shock Ligue 1 title win last term scoring six goals and providing a further 11 assists in 38 French top-flight matches, although his best campaign in front of goal came in 2018-19 when he netted 13 times in the same number of appearances.

White doesn’t believe the 25-year-old has been in top form in 2021 to date, and believes he will stay at Lille, as he told Transfer Tavern: “As far as we understand at GFFN, Jonathan Bamba is expected to remain at Lille unless a late bid, that hasn’t materialised yet, arrives for the player.

“His career with Lille has been very up and down so far. Before Christmas last season he was perhaps the most important player for a team that eventually won the title, playing with a swagger and intensity as well as an end product that has often been lacking.

“However, since Christmas, his form has trailed off to the point where he wasn’t even a guaranteed starter at the end of the season before falling off a cliff this season. He’s been playing like a player who wants to leave.”

West Ham have been relatively busy in the transfer window to date, bringing in the likes of Alphonse Areola and Kurt Zouma, while Nikola Vlasic followed on deadline day from CSKA Moscow.

The Hammers are also being linked with a late swoop for Spartak Moscow’s Alex Kral, with a deal reportedly on the cards.

Muttiah Muralitharan, with 500 ODI victims, starts the first game against India in Dambulla needing three wickets to overtake Wasim Akram and become the highest wicket-taker

Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Dambulla27-Jan-2009
Passing the baton: Muttiah Muralitharan stands on the threshold of claiming the world record from Wasim Akram © AFP
Muttiah Muralitharan, with 500 ODI victims, starts the first game against India in Dambulla needing three wickets to overtake Wasim Akram and become the highest wicket-taker. Murali, 36, also holds the Test record with 769 wickets from 125 matches.”We will be very happy once he [Muralitharan] gets the record. It is another milestone for him and another one for Sri Lankan cricket,” Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said. He said Murali’s secret of success is “pure hard work, commitment, the willingness to win matches and to compete against the best in the world.”India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was equally appreciative. “I’ve seen his career graph and he has been very consistent. He is a champion bowler,” Dhoni said. “As far as this series is concerned we know that he will reach that mark. We will play as we played him in the last series.”Jayawardene praised Murali’s resilience in getting close to Akram’s record, set in 2003.”It is difficult for me to put it in words. Everyone knows the amount of hard work he has put in over the last 16 years. He has gone through a lot of hardship. Probably in a few games or even tomorrow he might hold both the records in Tests and one-dayers. That’s an amazing effort for someone who started out as a fast bowler and then turned into an offspinner.”

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has indicated on Twitter that Tottenham Hotspur are set to sign Barcelona defender Emerson Royal, with a deal set to be confirmed later today.

The Lowdown: Emerson profiled; a smash hit in La Liga

Providing an offensive threat down the right-hand side, the 22-year-old has proven to be a smash hit since moving to La Liga in 2019. Last season was a particular success for Royal, registering six goal contributions in 38 appearances with two goals and four assists [Transfermarkt].

Part of a three way-deal, the 6 foot 1 ace initially signed for Barcelona in 2019 whilst also joining Andalusian outfit Real Betis on loan, where he has spent the past two seasons before eventually linking up with Ronald Koeman’s men this summer [BBC].

He now looks set for north London following Romano’s latest update.

The Latest: Romano signifies that deal should be completed today

Communicating to his large Twitter audience, well-respected Romano issued a huge update regarding his next career steps, stating:

“Emerson Royal from Barcelona to Tottenham, done deal and here-we-go confirmed. €30m add ons included from Spurs, paperworks completed during the night”.

The Italian also indicated that an official announcement of Royal’s €30m (£25.75m) move to N17 should be announced later today on a deal running to 2026, with Betis receiving a €5m (£4.2m) cut of the transfer.

The Verdict: Royal would significantly improves Spurs’ full-back options

Possessing quality in abundance, the signing of the Brazil international will significantly advance the Lilywhites’ options in the full-back positions.

His defensive solidity will suit the functionality of Nuno Espirito Santo’s system as Tottenham look to continue their domestic run of three consecutive clean sheets, illustrated by the fact that Royal won 2.7 tackles on average per La Liga game last season [WhoScored] – only one Spurs player had a better average for that metric in the 2020/21 Premier League [WhoScored].

All things considered, the Sao Paulo native appears to have the necessary attributes to succeed at the elite level for Tottenham, provided that the deal becomes final.

In other news, a Spurs legend is impressed with one summer signing. Find out more here.

South African captain Graeme Smith is all set to make a comeback from injury by turning out for the Cape Cobras against the Dolphins at Newlands in the first leg of the Pro20 semi-finals

Cricinfo staff11-Feb-2009
Graeme Smith: “I did feel a little bit rusty, I guess. It was about getting confidence and movements back today” © Getty Images
South African captain Graeme Smith is all set to make a comeback from injury by turning out for the Cape Cobras against the Dolphins at Newlands in the first leg of the Pro20 semi-finals. Smith joined his Cobras team-mates at the nets on Tuesday and remarked he was happy with his progress.Smith was hit on his left knuckle by Mitchell Johnson while batting in the third Test in Sydney and bravely batted at No. 11 in the second innings to save the game, but in vain. He subsequently missed the limited-overs leg of the tour.”The knuckle injury has healed nicely and feels pretty much 100%,” Smith told the . “Obviously taking another blow there would be rather sore. And I’ve just had a period getting over the bruising from a second (blood) injection in my elbow.”I did feel a little bit rusty, I guess. It was about getting confidence and movements back today. As the day’s gone on, I’ve felt more and more happy. This is probably the best preparation I’ve had in a long time.”Smith has also been battling a tennis elbow in his right arm, for which he will require surgery but only after the Test series against Australia at home.”From what the doctors say, you can’t really do long-term damage,” he said. “If I need the surgery, then it’s just about taking the required three months in a big enough break from cricket.”Cobras coach Shukri Conrad too was satisfied with Smith’s workout. Smith’s return was on expected lines after his South Africa coach Mickey Arthur noted last week that the fracture had mended perfectly.”In Graeme’s own words, he was slowly working on his shape again today, but I think he showed he’ll be fine come Friday,” Conrad said. “He’ll be hitting it sweetly again.”The good thing about having him around is that he immediately brings a hardness, a toughness to the practice. Apart from his playing ability, he just slots in and everybody knows what he expects, and what he is about, and it’s like he’s never been away.”

Aston Villa have announced the signing of former West Brom midfielder Finley Thorndike.

The Lowdown: Thorndike profiled

Thorndike is 19 years of age and left the Baggies back in July. Primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play as a left winger, he has been training with Villa after becoming a free agent.

The youngster is represented by ICM Stellar Sports – the same agency as Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Jed Steer.

He has been described as a ‘creative’ midfielder by academy manager Mark Harrison and has now penned terms at Bodymoor Heath.

The Latest: Villa deal

Villa announced on Friday that Thorndike has signed a contract with the club after performing well for the under-23s.

The attacking midfielder has played four times for the under-23s, both in Premier League 2 and the Papa John’s Trophy.

The Verdict: Latest West Brom recruit

Thorndike becomes the third youth player to have signed for Villa after leaving West Brom in a matter of months.

He has joined Tim Iroegbunam and Finn Azaz in swapping the Baggies for the Villans, and hopefully over time West Brom’s loss will be Villa’s gain.

The club have recently shipped out a number of their youngsters on loan to gain first team experience, so it’s good to see the likes of new signings Thorndike, Iroegbunam and Caleb Chukwuemeka coming in over the summer.

In other news: Gregg Evans claims that Johan Lange wants Dean Smith to give £48k-p/w man a chance at Villa Park.