Beyond the Test World
Batsmen lead UAE to victory
UAE 165 for 5 (Haider 59, Onyango 2-32) beat Kenya 150 for 5 (Obuya 42, Raza 2-15) by 15 runs Scorecard
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
UAE 165 for 5 (Haider 59, Onyango 2-32) beat Kenya 150 for 5 (Obuya 42, Raza 2-15) by 15 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
The UAE batsmen continued a day of upsets at the World Twenty20 Qualifiers, by setting up an unlikely victory against Kenya in Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Following on from USA's victory over Scotland and Ireland's defeat to Afghanistan, the home captain Khurram Khan won the toss and chose to bat. On a flat pitch the openers made light work of the Kenyan bowlers, coasting to 35 inside four overs before Mohammad Iqbal was defeated by Lameck Onyango for 20. Wicketkeeper Abdul Rehman fell soon after to the medium-pace of youngster Nelson Odhiambo. It brought Saqib Ali to join Arfan Haider at the crease and the two calmly put on 61 in eight overs for the third wicket. Left-hander Haider flayed five fours and two sixes on his way to 59, his first Twenty20 International fifty before he was eventually dismissed by the impressive Nelson Odhiambo, caught by Hiren Varaiya.
With the total at 103 for 2 off 13 overs, his dismissal could have sparked a Kenyan revival. Instead Khan came out and clubbed four boundaries from his 19 balls, sharing a 41-run stand in 25 balls with Ali. They fell in quick succession to leave UAE 144 for 5 with 11 balls to go. Naeemuddin Aslam and Shadeep Silva scampered 21 runs to leave UAE with a competitive 165.
Full postNetherlands ease to six-wicket win
Netherlands 146 for 4 (Zuiderent 43*, Kervezee 39) beat Canada 142 for 7 (Billcliff 37, Seelaar 2-18) by six wickets Scorecard
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Netherlands 146 for 4 (Zuiderent 43*, Kervezee 39) beat Canada 142 for 7 (Billcliff 37, Seelaar 2-18) by six wickets
Scorecard
Scorecard
Netherlands began their campaign at the World Twenty20 Qualifiers with a six-wicket win over Canada at the Dubai International stadium. Netherland's batting echoed their strong allround bowling performance, as Bas Zuiderent built on a solid 57-run opening partnership to guide his side home in the 20th over with an unbeaten 43.
Canada soon had reason to rue their decision to bat first this afternoon, as John Davison drove Edgar Schiferli uppishly and into the hands of a diving Tom de Grooth at cover in the first over. Rizwan Cheema then edged Mudassar Bukhari onto his own helmet attempting a pull and was forced to retire injured.
After these early setbacks, Hiral Patel - the 18-year-old batsman whose unbeaten 88 powered Canada's win over Ireland in the Associates T20 Series prior to this tournament - combined well with Geoff Barnett, adding 60 in quick time to steady the Canadian innings. Barnett, who was particularly strong off the front foot today, opened his innings with three fours off Schiferli and dominated the partnership with some aggressive strokeplay.
Full postCarl Wright leads USA to victory
USA 121 for 4 (Wright 62, Cush 41) beat Scotland 120 for 7 (Hamilton 41, Darlington 2-19, Dhaniram 1-12) by six wickets Scorecard
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
USA 121 for 4 (Wright 62, Cush 41) beat Scotland 120 for 7 (Hamilton 41, Darlington 2-19, Dhaniram 1-12) by six wickets
Scorecard
Scorecard
A 97-run partnership between Carl Wright and Lennox Cush helped USA to an unexpected six-wicket victory over Scotland in the opening game of the World Twenty20 Qualifiers at Abu Dhabi.
Coming together after the early loss of Sushil Nadkarni, the pair compiled their runs at better than a run-a-ball to guide USA to within striking distance of victory. Wright struck eight fours on the way to a 57-ball 62, and Cush was no less enterprising, with three fours and a six in his 41.
Wright's dismissal, trapped lbw by Jan Stander with victory in sight, sparked a mini collapse as three wickets fell for no runs. Cush picked out Richie Berrington off Ryan Watson's medium pace, and Timroy Allen - the hero of USA's thrilling one-wicket win over UAE in the warm-ups - fell without scoring as USA slipped to 114 for 4. But Sudesh Dhaniram and captain Steve Massiah played a calm hand to ensure no further blips, sealing the win off the first ball of the 20th over.
Full postAllround Nabi scripts Afghanistan win
Afghanistan 139 for 8 (Nabi 43*, Johnston 2-18) beat Ireland 126 all out (Porterfield 35, Sadiq 3-17) by 13 runs Scorecard
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Afghanistan 139 for 8 (Nabi 43*, Johnston 2-18) beat Ireland 126 all out (Porterfield 35, Sadiq 3-17) by 13 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Mohammad Nabi produced a magnificent allround display to continue Afghanistan's fairytale rise in international cricket with victory over Ireland, in a gripping match at the World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai.
In a fluctuating contest, neither side were separated for long until Afghanistan surged to victory with glut of quick wickets at the end. The day began with William Porterfield winning the toss and inserting Afghanistan on a lively pitch in the International Stadium. Trent Johntson, Ireland's evergreen opening bowler, made the most of the bounce available, getting his side off to an ideal start with two quick wickets. Karim Sadiq was bowled in Jonhston's first over before Shafiqullah, lashed out after a couple of dot balls to be caught smartly by John Mooney.
It could have been worse for Afghanistan as a number of chances were spilled before Noor Ali and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad steadied things with a 47-run third-wicket stand in just under seven overs. At 57 for 2 at the half-way stage the foundations had been laid for a decent total but Shahzad was run out by Mooney for 12 before Ali fell soon after. He was dismissed by a full-length diving catch by Paul Stirling as he tried to flick Andre Botha into the leg side. It left Afghanistan reeling at 69 for 4 with just over seven overs to go.
Full postHamid Hassan blog - I can't wait for the action to begin
Hamid Hassan
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Hamid Hassan
We are very excited ahead of the World Twenty20 Qualifier after a very good tour of Sri Lanka, where, even though we didn’t win every game, we played well in some of our matches.
Nobody knows what will happen in Twenty20 cricket – we are just all determined to do our best and all contribute whether it is with the bat, the ball or in the field. We were bitterly disappointed to miss out on qualification for next year’s 50-over World Cup, even though we did really well to progress through the World Cricket League, so people at home are really willing us to do well.
They want to watch us play on television in a big international tournament against the likes of England, India and South Africa. The Under-19 team had a chance to play on television during the Under-19 World Cup and the senior team wants to have a taste of the action as well.
Full postLalit Modi plans to bring Twenty20 to USA
Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman, has confirmed plans to stage tournaments outside India, and is keen on staging events in the US.
Sahil Dutta
25-Feb-2013
Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman, has confirmed plans to stage tournaments outside India, and is keen on staging events in the US.
The second season of the IPL, in 2009, was forced to move from India to South Africa because of security concerns but the success of the tournament has persuaded League chiefs to explore other opportunities.
"There are plans in the works to hold IPL matches overseas and we hope to be able to provide fans all around the world with the live IPL cricketing carnival experience," said Modi. "We are looking at a shorter version of the league post the IPL seasons, which will help us take the game to the fans across the globe. Initially we are looking at markets which have large Indian and cricket loving populations such as USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bangkok, Middle East, Canada and others."
"We will also host a few matches in the US in the next 18 months or so. My team have started examining venues and dates which may be available for this in the summer months. The duration for all these tournaments will be short and compact.
Full postKeith Dutch to lead MCC in UAE and Oman
Keith Dutch , the former Middlesex and Somerset offspinner, will captain a young Marylebone Cricket Club team on its tour of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman starting on February 20.
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Keith Dutch, the former Middlesex and Somerset offspinner, will captain a young Marylebone Cricket Club team on its tour of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman starting on February 20.
The team also includes former England A and Gloucestershire player Kadeer Ali on the tour, which is a mixture of 50 over and Twenty20 matches against the UAE and Oman national teams and UAE club teams.
MCC squad: Keith Dutch (Capt.) (Middlesex, Somerset), Tom Allin (Cardiff MCCU), Adnan Akram (Essex), Arfan Akram (Essex), David Balcolmbe (Hampshire), Eddie Ballard (Cambridge MCCU), Gregg Brown (Bath CC), Kadeer Ali (Gloucestershire), Will Gidman (MCC Young Cricketers, Durham), Luke Jarvis (East Bierley CC), Richard King (Loughborough/Northamptonshire), Steve Snell (wk) (Gloucestershire), Jonathon Wightman (Durham MCCU, South Northumberland CC); Tim Robinson (Nottinghamshire & First Class Umpire)
Itinerary: February 20 v Emirates Palace Gentlemen (Twenty20) (Abu Dhabi); February 21 (day/night) v Abu Dhabi XI (50 overs) (Abu Dhabi); February 23 v United Arab Emirates (50 overs) (Abu Dhabi); February 25 v Sharjah XI (50 overs) (Sharjah); February 27 v Fly Emirates (50 overs) (Dubai); February 28 v Oman (Twenty20) (Muscat); March 1 v Oman (50 overs) (Muscat)
Full postBahamas take Division 2 crown despite loss
Suriname 187 for 7 (Ramjohn 40, Baker 30, Seeraj 30) beat Bahamas 186 for 9 (Tappin 63, Weakley 36, Ramjohn 3-21) by three wickets
Judhajit
25-Feb-2013
Suriname 187 for 7 (Ramjohn 40, Baker 30, Seeraj 30) beat Bahamas 186 for 9 (Tappin 63, Weakley 36, Ramjohn 3-21) by three wickets
Panama 184 for 3 (Bhakta 54, Tarajia 50, Chohan 45) beat Turks & Caicos Islands 179 (Caesar 65, Ash 52, Tarajia 5-39) by five runs
The Bahamas captured the ICC Americas Division 2 title despite losing a thriller against Suriname on Saturday. Winning the toss, Suriname elected to field in a match reduced to 35 overs due to a wet ground. Bahamas started nervously, with memories of the previous Division 2 event, and crumbled to 19 for 4 after eight overs.
However, a 71-run fifth wicket stand between Ryan Tappin and Jon Barry (33), got the hosts back on track and helped them finish on 186 for 9.
Full postBahamas close in on Division Two title
Tony Munro
Tony Munro
25-Feb-2013
Tony Munro
Bahamas 300 for 6 (Roye 74, Tappin 98, Taylor 38*; Patel 2 for 42, Tarajiya 2 for 70) beat Panama 195 (Chohan 46, Balbulta 27; Ekanyake 6 for 18, Roye 2 for 45) by 105 runs
Brazil 244 for 9 (Caisley 130, Lefevre 46; Saunders 2 for 22, Johnstone 2 for 33, Ash 2 for 41) lost to Turks & Caicos Islands 246 for 4 (Ash 97, Browne 104*; Hartmann 2 for 69 by 6 wickets
Bahamas took a giant stride towards winning the Americas Division Two title with a convincing 105-run win over Panama in the battle of the unbeaten teams in Nassau, Bahamas on Friday.
Full postOdhiambo's five set up another drubbing
Kenya 126 for 0 (Obuya 65*, Tikolo 56*) beat Scotland 123 (Stander 45, Odhiambo 5-20) by 10 wickets
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
Kenya 126 for 0 (Obuya 65*, Tikolo 56*) beat Scotland 123 (Stander 45, Odhiambo 5-20) by 10 wickets
Nehemiah Odhiambo grabbed five wickets to trounce Scotland's top order and set up a reinvigorated Kenya's second 10-wicket victory of the Twenty20 tri-series in Nairobi. Scotland were bowled out three balls short of 20 overs, with Odhiambo taking 5 for 20 before David Obuya and Steve Tikolo once again made short work of the bowling attack to seal the win with more than five overs to spare.
Kenya's spinners have been their main weapon in this tournament, but today it was the seamers that did the damage. Odhiambo picked up both openers in his first spell after Kyle Coetzer and Ryan Watson had made a bright start. His namesake Nelson Odhiambo then bowled Fraser Watts before he had scored, and with Neil McCallum run out he then found the edge of Richie Berrington's bat as a surging Kenya reduced Scotland to 38 for 5.
Then came the fightback, with Gavin Hamilton and Jan Stander adding 65 in quick time to take Scotland past 100. Stander crashed three sixes on his way to 45 before he had his stumps clattered by Nehemiah, who repeated the act with his very next ball, bowling Gordon Drummond for his fifth wicket. After Majid Haq's run-out, Dewald Nel managed to clear the boundary once before he was dismissed in similar fashion to end Scotland's innings.
Full post