Report
Sri Lanka oust Pakistan in exciting semifinal
This was as exciting a semi-final as one could have hoped for
Charlie Austin
24-Jan-2000
This was as exciting a semi-final as one could have hoped for. In
front of easily the largest and most vocal crowd of the tournament,
Sri Lanka beat an experienced Pakistan side by 10 runs. Their victory,
the result of a quite brilliant display in the field and some overly
cautious batting by the experienced Pakistan captain.
Hazan Raza, when he reflects on this match on the way back to
Pakistan, will surely rue an innings of undue caution that put his
lower order under intense pressure in the final few frenetic
overs. When he was finally run out in the 40th over he had scored 44
off 108 deliveries. Whilst the Sri Lankan bowling was extremely
accurate and their fielding quite exceptional, a batsmen of his class
should have been able to score quicker.
In his defence, Pakistan?s pursuit of Sri Lanka?s 219 was dealt
a cruel blow when they lost early wickets and collapsed to 28-3.
Ganegama was the architect of this situation with a fine opening spell
of 2-13 from 8 overs. Nissanka though was the first to strike when he
induced a top edged hook from Pakistan?s other test batsmen, Imran
Nazir, in his first over. The catch was comfortably taken by his
opening partner who then trapped both Taufeeq Umar (0) and Imran
Farhat (4) leg before.
Faisal Iqbal then joined Hasan Raza at the crease. Both decided on a
policy of cautious consolidation that left them 51-3 after 20
overs. With the run rate now climbing and Raza still not in single
figures, Faisal Iqbal decided to take the initiative by lifting
Dhammika over the mid-wicket fence for six. Having engineered some
momentum he went on to score 53 in 72 balls (5x4, 1x6).
Full postSouth Africa cruise to ten wicket win
South Africa brushed aside Ireland in the last round of the Plate League today
Simon Williams
23-Jan-2000
South Africa brushed aside Ireland in the last round of the Plate
League today. Replying to the Irish total of 78 all out, the South
Africans cruised passed the target in the 14th over without losing a
wicket.
After winning the toss and electing to bat on a damp early morning
wicket, Ireland desperately needed to make a solid start. Dominic
Joyce was off the mark handsomely square cutting the fourth ball of
the day from Gewald Senekal for four. Senekal was rewarded for an
aggressive and controlled opening spell, striking in the 9th over,
O'Brien the batsman to fall, caught by Smith in the slips for a dogged
10, the total being 24.
The Irish, used to the slow, low wickets at home, have struggled to
come to terms with the pace and steep bounce the bowlers extract on
Sri Lankan pitches. It was not long before the South Africans exposed
their weaknesses here, Joyce was the second wicket to fall, his feet
in no man's land, out caught behind the stumps by Abrahams off the
bowling of Botha. From that moment on the Irish batting order
disappeared without a trace during a collapse in which they lost the
last eight wickets for 52 runs and were all out in the 30th over. It
was a typically cultured performance by South Africa in the field.
Senekal, later named man of the match, was the pick of the bowlers
returning figures of four for 28.
In reply it was batting practice for the South African batsmen, the
clean hitting openers Graeme Smith (38) and Jacques Rudolph (40)
leading the way to an emphatic ten wicket victory in just 14.3 overs.
Full postPakistan qualify for: Youth World Cup semis
Karachi, Jan 22: Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals of the Youth World Cup being played in Colombo when on Saturday they defeated the West Indies by three wickets to finish unbeaten in Super League Group 1
23-Jan-2000
Karachi, Jan 22: Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals of the Youth
World Cup being played in Colombo when on Saturday they defeated the
West Indies by three wickets to finish unbeaten in Super League Group
1.
In the semi-finals on Monday, Pakistan face Sri Lanka who were beaten
by India and ended up second in Super League Group 2. The other
semi-final will be between Australia, second qualifier from Super
League 1, and India, winner of Super League 2.
The stars in Pakistan's victory were left-arm paceman Zahid Saeed,
promising batsmen Taufiq Umer and Faisal Iqbal.
Zahid Saeed continued his excellent form with the leather to capture
four wickets for 27 runs from 9.4 over as the West Indies, put into
bat, were dismissed for 182 in 49.4 overs.
Full postBangladesh score over Zimbabwe
Bangladesh scored a comfortable 95 run victory over Zimbabwe in a group I match of the Plate championship of the Under-19 World Cup at the Nondescripts Cricket club ground in Colombo on Sunday
23-Jan-2000
Bangladesh scored a comfortable 95 run victory over Zimbabwe in
a group I match of the Plate championship of the Under-19 World
Cup at the Nondescripts Cricket club ground in Colombo on Sunday.
Electing to bat, Bangladesh were given an excellent start with
openers Nahidul Haq and Md Selim putting on 122 runs. G Ewing
dismissed them in successive overs but not before the batsmen
got 54 apiece. While Haq faced 66 balls and hit five fours,
Selim faced 77 balls and hit four of them to the ropes.
Zimbabwe then did well cutting through the middle order
as Bangladesh slid to 190 for six. But there was a revival
with Mahfuz Kabir (41 not out) and Tariqul Hasan (35) adding
71 runs for the seventh wicket off 10.4 overs to help Bangladesh
post a challenging total of 270 for seven in 50 overs.
Zimbabwe lost wickets at regular intervals and were never
really in the hunt though M Munson, at No 3, top scored with
45. Only a belated fight by the ninth wicket pair of G Ewing
(24) and H Henderson (26 not out) who added 49 runs off 13.2
overs saw Zimbabwe reach 195 for nine in 50 overs.
Full postKenya finally wins a game
They have had a tough time on this tour but Kenya has finally won a game
Charlie Austin
23-Jan-2000
They have had a tough time on this tour but Kenya has finally won a
game. In an all- African clash they defeated Namibia by 54 runs at the
BOI ground in Negombo. It wasn't all plain sailing though for the
Kenyans, who had let the Namibians back into the game after reducing
them to 74-6.
Kenya who batted first after their captain, Muhamad Sheikh, won the
toss for only the second time in this tournament, were all out for 220
and then bowled out the Namibian's for 166.
Despite scoring their highest score of the tournament, the Kenyans
will have still been disappointed with the score. A good batting
pitch, a fast outfield and some pretty ordinary bowling by the
Namibians should have resulted n a final total in excess of
250. However, as they have throughout the tournament, some of the main
batsmen were guilty of throwing their wickets away cheaply.
Anitkumar Bhudia (30) started the innings well for the Kenyans and in
partnership with Shiekh (26) had taken the score to 64-1. When Sheikh
then threw his prized wicket away with a lazy drive at a wide ball
from Ludick Kenya began a now familiar collapse.
Full postAustralia pip Pakistan in thriller
Australia won a match they seemed to have lost
23-Jan-2000
Australia won a match they seemed to have lost. And Pakistan lost a
game which they should have won. That just about sums up the Carlton
and United Series game between the two countries which ended in a
15-run victory for Australia at Melbourne on Sunday.
With Ijaz Ahmed and Moin Khan in full control, Pakistan seemed headed
for victory when there was a rain stoppage. On resumption, Pakistan
lost their cool and composure even as the Australians kept theirs.
At 201 for four after 40 overs, Pakistan needed only 60 runs from ten
overs. But Ijaz Ahmed was out in the 41st over and Moin Khan followed
in the next over. Still with the big hitting in form Abdul Razzaq at
the crease, Pakistan were not without hope. But his run out through a
brilliant direct throw by Ricky Ponting saw Australia back in the
driver's seat and ultimately they bowled out Pakistan for 245 in 48.5
overs.
In pursuit of a challenging target of 261, Pakistan lost Saeed Anwar
early but a second wicket stand of 61 runs off 10.4 overs between
Shahid Afridi and Ijaz Ahmed steadied the innings. But when Inzamam
and Youhana failed to make substantial contributions, Pakistan at 140
for four in the 30th over were in some trouble. However Ijaz and Moin
added 61 runs off 11 overs to put Pakistan in the favourities'
circle. But the fall of Ijaz was a vital blow from which Pakistan
never really recovered. The experienced right hander was bowled by
Shane Lee for 85 off 104 balls. He hit six fours and a six. Moin Khan
made a typical 33 off 36 balls with a six and a four. But in the end
result, credit must be given to the Australian bowlers who did just
what was required in the crunch overs. Shane Lee was outstanding as
his figures of four for 37 off 8.5 overs will testify.
Full postAmericas go down fighting to Netherlands
The Netherlands beat back a spirited challenge from Americas to win their Group 2 Plate championship match at the Radella grounds by seven runs on Sunday
23-Jan-2000
The Netherlands beat back a spirited challenge from Americas to win
their Group 2 Plate championship match at the Radella grounds by seven
runs on Sunday.
Put in to bat, Netherlands scored 226 for seven in 50 overs. Opener K
Shafiq led the way with a patient 49 off 112 balls, inclusive of five
hits to the ropes. But a sharp middle order collapse saw them slump to
124 for seven. However a breezy unbroken eighth wicket stand of 102
runs off 13.1 overs between E Nawaz (58) and F Nijman (30) helped
Netherlands post a good total. Nawaz faced only 53 balls and hit five
fours and two sixes. The total was inflated by as many as 43 extras.
When Americas batted, opener C Foggo and skipper A Bagai (36) added 55
runs for the second wicket off 14.3 overs. Then after four wickets had
fallen for 104 runs, Foggo and O Pitcher (35) added 86 runs for the
fifth wicket off 17.2 overs to keep Americas in the fight. The fall of
Foggo for 91 at this stage was a major blow. Foggo faced 152 balls and
hit 12 fours. SH Elani tried his best to sustain Americas' hopes with
a bright 17 off eight balls with a six and a four but ultimately the
Americas fell tantalisingly short of their target, ending at 219 for
eight.
Full postAustralia comes back from the brink
There is presently one immutable rule that you must bear in mind when watching cricket - never dismiss the Australians, no matter how precarious their position
Charlie Austin
22-Jan-2000
There is presently one immutable rule that you must bear in mind when
watching cricket - never dismiss the Australians, no matter how
precarious their position. In a match that brought back some memories
of Steve Waugh's team in the 1999 World Cup, Australia beat New
Zealand by 69 runs at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa.
In a low scoring but exciting match, Australia were dismissed for 122
after winning the toss and electing to bat on a wicket that got
dramatically slower and lower as the day progressed. In reply the
Kiwis were skittled out for just 53 in 27 overs.
When CRICINFO asked Rod Marsh, the Australian captain whether he had
felt his side could win after being bowled out for 122 he replied, 'I
always thought we had a big chance of winning it but never expected it
to be that easy. It wasn't a good pitch for one-day cricket - far too
low and far too slow, it was impossible for the boys to play their
shots. We just concentrated on bowling stump to stump and if they
miss, you hit.'
Marsh however was disappointed with the batting again. 'I can use
bowling other sides out but just hope that someone can get some
runs. Luckily if we go through, we don?t have to play at Premadasa
again.'
Full postIndia outplay Lanka for third straight win
Ravneet Ricky and Manish Sharma got off to an aggressive start against Sri Lanka in what was their first difficult match of the tournament
Anand Vasu
22-Jan-2000
Ravneet Ricky and Manish Sharma got off to an aggressive start against
Sri Lanka in what was their first difficult match of the
tournament. Both teams were keen to score a win in the match as this
would make their future path in the tournament easier. In the end,
India were keener than Sri Lanka and ended up being deserved winners -
their third successive victory in the Super League.
India began positively with Ricky (32) rattling up the bowlers with
some aggressive batting. After Ricky departed, the captain Mohammad
Kaif played some good strokes before he was dismissed by spinner
Dhammika for 12. Yuvraj Singh, the pick of the Indian batsmen in the
tournament so far played in characteristic fashion as he made 36
before he was run out. From this point on, the vice captain Reetinder
Singh Sodhi, who has had a low key tournament thus far made a timely
74 and helped India along to a challenging total. Some sensible
batting towards the end by Niraj Patel, who made 43 without scoring a
single boundary and YV Rao (15) saw India to 242 off 50 overs.
The Sri Lankan openers began positively, hitting the ball hard and
finding the boundary with regularity. The Indian bowlers did not lose
their composure and were well backed up by some very tight
fielding. The Lankans lost wickets at regular intervals and the fact
that the highest partnership of the innings was 57 for the seventh
wicket tells its own tale. Only stumper RT Peiris (66) showed the
temperament required to play at the highest level. Unfortunately for
him, his gutsy innings was in vain as the hosts slumped to 201 all
out.
Full postHaddin hits the sign but Warriors hit the target
Mike Hussey produced another Man-of-the-Match performance as Western Australia cruised to yet another one-day win, under lights at the WACA against New South Wales last night
Mic Cullen
22-Jan-2000
Mike Hussey produced another Man-of-the-Match performance as Western
Australia cruised to yet another one-day win, under lights at the WACA
against New South Wales last night. WA are now almost certain to host a
semi-final of the Mercantile Mutual Cup next month.
Earlier in the day, NSW keeper and opening batsman Brad Haddin collected AU$150,000 for the team fund when he straight drove the ball into a sponsor's
sign for six - only the third time this has been since the promotion began
in the early nineties. Tournament promoters claim that the ball hit the same
dent that Steve Waugh put in the same sign when he collected $140,000 in
1995.
WA captain Justin Langer put the Blues in, and for a while NSW looked on
target for a 280-300 score, but a steady stream of wickets saw NSW dismissed
in the 48th over for 249, a total which they would have found disappointing.
Haddin again did well with 70 off 77 and Higgs constructed 40 off 42, but
were the only ones to go on with their innings.
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