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There is no challenge too daunting for Afghanistan cricket at the moment. Riding on the momentum that won the World Twenty20 Qualifier they pulled off a sensational chase of 494 to beat Canada in the Intercontinental Cup

Cricinfo staff23-Feb-2010
Scorecard
Mohammad Shahzad was Afghanistan’s hero with an unbeaten 214 as they pulled of a monumental chase•International Cricket CouncilThere is no challenge too daunting for Afghanistan at the moment. Riding the momentum that led their charge to qualification for the World Twenty20, Mohammmad Shahzad’s unbeaten 214 helped them pull off a sensational chase of 494 to beat Canada by six wickets in the Intercontinental Cup at Sharjah.It was the ninth highest fourth-innings run chase in first-class cricket, which means Afghanistan now top the Intercontinental Cup table and can credibly lay claim to being one of the strongest Associate nations. That they would even be in a position to draw this match seemed unlikely after Canada racked up 566 batting first before rolling Afghanistan over for 264. It left Afghanistan facing a 302-run first-innings deficit, which, it turned out is the highest ever in a first-class game by a side batting second who went on to win.A more likely prospect at the beginning of the day was survival, but 18-year-old Shahzad shared two century stands, first with captain Nowroz Mangal and then Mohammad Nabi, that set up and all-but sealed the victory which came with 2.2 overs to spare.Having watched the openers lay a solid foundation, Shahzad and Mangal patiently constructed a third-wicket stand of 163, taking few risks, running hard and picking off the occasional boundary to keep the target, still unlikely, at least in sight.When Mangal was eventually dismissed, caught and bowled by Ramesh David, there was still 212 needed, with approximately 37 overs left in the day. Yet such is the confidence running through the veins of Afghanistan cricket that they promoted the big-hitting allrounder Nabi up from No.8 to No.5.Following on from his lusty, unbeaten 48 in the first innings, Nabi was slightly more dexterous to begin with on this occasion. Working the ball around and running hard to start with he then crashed successive boundaries off Khurram Chohan to bring up his 50 and signal Afghanistan’s intent for the mammoth chase.Together with Shahzad the pair added 178 in a little under 30 overs, with Nabi smiting Hiral Patel for a six over long on and a four to deep square-leg to take him into the 90s before he was smartly caught on the long off boundary two balls later.His replacement, Asghar Stanikzai, only hastened the chase, clubbing his second ball out of the ground. With Shahzad continuing serenely to pass his double century from 242 balls, Stanikzai hit another six before sealing the victory by smashing Nitish Kumar through point for four. Yet again, Afghanistan have proved inspirational and the celebrations will reverberate all the way back to Kabul.

A round-up of the final day’s play of the first round of the RBS Pentangular Cup

Cricinfo staff05-Jan-2010
ScorecardSeven wickets between right-arm fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed and left-arm spinner Azam Hussain ensured Quaid-e-Azam Trophy champions Karachi Blues got off to a winning start in the competition, beating Sialkot by 60 runs at the National Stadium. Resuming on 63 for 2, with 220 more needed for a win, overnight batsman Faisal Khan stroked a patient half-century. But a four-wicket burst from Tanvir meant the middle order surrendered without a fight. Azam weaved his magic lower down the order, and accounted for Faisal as Karachi wrapped up proceedings in the 48th over of the day. The first-innings lead gained by Sialkot on the first day proved of insignificant.
ScorecardHabib Bank Limited (HBL) had to be content with first-innings points after Ali Waqas’ fourth first-class fifty helped Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) play out a stalemate at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex. HBL could add only 38 runs from 18 overs to their overnight score of 222 for 7, with Shan Masood left stranded two short of a maiden first-class century. Right-arm quick Imran Ali was SNGPL’s most successful bowler with four wickets. Set 226 to win, the SNGPL openers began positively, putting on 43. But twin blows from left-arm fast bowler Kamran Hussain pegged them back. Waqas hit 10 boundaries during his 108-ball stay and figured in two half-century partnerships, but HBL held on for the three points.Pakistan batsman Younis Khan’s chances of making a quick international comeback seemed to have dimmed, after he managed only nine runs in each innings of the match. Having scored a paltry 7 and 4 for HBL in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam last month, his string of disappointing scores will make it hard for him to press for an international comeback. Younis was caught at short cover off Imran in the first innings against SNGPL, and perished to a sharp bat-pad catch in the second, off Mohammad Hafeez.He had decided to take a break from international duties ahead of Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand to regain his form, and was not considered for the Australia tour after making himself unavailable. Though team managers sent an SOS to Younis after their 170-run defeat in the first Test at Melbourne last week, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt refused to concede to their demand. “Younis has not made enough runs to prove that he is in good form and we cannot send a player like that,” Butt told Pakistan-based Jang last week.Pakistan are due to announce the one-day squad for the tour of Australia in the next couple of days, but the immediate future looks bleak for Younis.

England’s cricketers needed just 18 overs on the final morning at Durban to wrap up a thumping innings-and-98-run victory in the second Test

The Bulletin by Andrew Miller30-Dec-2009England 574 for 9 dec (Bell 140, Cook 118) beat South Africa 343 (Kallis 75, Smith 75) and 133 (Swann 5-54) by an innings and 98 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGraeme Swann – nine wickets in the match•Getty ImagesEngland’s cricketers needed just 18 overs on the final morning at Durban to wrap up a thumping innings-and-98-run victory in the second Test, as South Africa’s tail crumbled under the sheer weight of scoreboard pressure bearing down on them following the team’s desperate performance on the fourth evening. Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad were once again the stand-out performers, as they shared nine of the ten wickets in the innings, with Swann claiming the spoils with 5 for 54 in 21 overs.South Africa resumed their fight on 76 for 6, with Mark Boucher and Morne Morkel entrenched in a 26-run stand for the seventh wicket, and though Morkel pulled Broad with some confidence through midwicket for the first boundary of the day, he was unable to deal with the wiles of Swann, who continued once again his extraordinary penchant for striking early in a spell.In total, Morkel faced three deliveries from Swann, and might have been dismissed by the lot. The first was tossed up from round the wicket and spun sharply past his edge. The second was snicked to slip, where Andrew Strauss – deputising in that position for the injured Paul Collingwood – couldn’t get a hand on the chance. The third, however, was the perfect follow-up. Fuller, flatter, and faster, and Morkel barely moved his pad before he’d been pinned lbw for 15.Paul Harris was the next man in, and he received a rough reception from Broad in particular, who sensed a vulnerability to the short ball, and tested it to the max with a barrage of lifters that struck him variously on the chest, ribs and armpit. But he did his best to endure as he anchored himself on the back foot, and each of his first three fours came from steers through point off Broad, only one of which was genuinely involuntary.The real body blow for South Africa’s faint hopes occurred at the other end, however. Boucher is one of the best scrappers in world cricket, but the magnitude of this particular task proved to be beyond him. On 29, Broad fizzed a lifter down the leg-side, and there was an audible snick as the ball flew through to Matt Prior behind the stumps. Umpire Aleem Dar initially turned down the appeal, but Strauss and his team-mates were convinced, and the referred decision showed a clear deflection off the glove.Harris did his best to hang in there, edging Swann through third man before cracking him more emphatically down the ground for another boundary, at which point Strauss decided it was time for a change. James Anderson entered the attack from the Umgeni End, and he needed only four balls to make the breakthrough, as Harris was deceived by late swing from a full length, and Broad – though denied a shot at a five-wicket haul – nevertheless made good ground at mid-off to scoop a low catch.Instead the honour of the five-for went to Swann, the man who had set the collapse in motion before tea on the fourth day. Dale Steyn propped forward in front of off and was instantly sent on his way lbw for 3, and England’s fielders hurtled from the field to begin their celebrations. The final Test of the decade had finished as a remarkable innings victory for England, their first in South Africa since 1964, as they set off to Cape Town with their spirits soaring and the series seemingly theirs to lose.

Tottenham Hotspur aren’t afraid to pay the asking price for mooted January target Weston McKennie, according to reports in Italy…

What’s the word?

Calciomercato.it claim the American midfielder is ‘on the list of potential exits’ from Juventus this winter and Spurs are amongst the teams monitoring his situation ahead of a possible swoop.

The Old Lady value him in the region of €30m (£25m) to €35m (£30m), with both sporting director Fabio Paratici and manager Antonio Conte keen on his signature.

Premier League rivals West Ham United are also linked with interest by the report.

Bye-bye Alli

The 23-year-old has gone from outcast to a regular under Massimiliano Allegri, starting three of their last four Serie A outings and in return, he current rates out as his seventh-best performer, as per WhoScored ratings.

McKennie has been dubbed a “leader” and an “outstanding talent” by ex-Schalke boss David Wagner, one that is capable of playing any central midfield role required, making him a very intriguing fit for Conte’s system, which relies more on the middlemen than wingers.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-news-updates-transfers-antonio-conte-thfc” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer updates and much, much more!”]

“In the No.6 or No.8 position he has the mentality, a real working mentality that you need. And he’s brave on the ball as well. He can be one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga,” he added.

His versatility is reflected by his numbers across several key statistics, with WhoScored describing his strengths as primarily being his defensive contribution.

In the Serie A this campaign, he’s attempted 2.2 tackles, 1.2 interceptions (third-best), 1.3 dribbles and 1.6 shots per 90 minutes, showing he’s all over the pitch contributing in abundance.

This makes the £22.5m-rated star a much better fit for the Italian boss than someone like Dele Alli, who has been much-maligned in recent times.

Last month, The Athletic revealed that for the very first time, Spurs would be open to offloading the struggling 25-year-old midfielder and after failing to start either of Conte’s first two matches in charge, it’s hard to imagine things have changed much.

McKennie could be his replacement in the engine room, one that would be of much more use to the 52-year-old.

AND in other news, £25m-rated flop has handed Antonio Conte a fresh dilemma at Spurs…

Sri Lanka’s captain believes the absence of his Indian counterpart for the third ODI in Cuttack is likely to hurt the home side

Cricinfo staff20-Dec-2009Sri Lanka’s captain Kumar Sangakkara believes the absence of his Indian counterpart MS Dhoni for the third ODI in Cuttack is likely to hurt the home side, as both teams look to take the upper hand in the five-match series.Dhoni was banned for two ODIs following India’s slow over-rate during the second match against Sri Lanka in Nagpur, which they lost by three wickets. Virender Sehwag will be leading the side for the games in Cuttack and Kolkata, and Dhoni will return only for the final ODI in Delhi.”I hope it [Dhoni’s absence] is a factor. He has been one of the players who has been in form, so obviously it’s a blow to lose him,” Sangakkara said.Dhoni been in great touch in the series scoring 72 and 107 in the first two matches – he is also the highest run-getter in ODIs this year – and the dual pressure on Sehwag as opener and captain is something Sri Lanka is hoping cash on. “The only edge we can take is if we get him [Sehwag] out early,” Sangakkara said. “We will go all out and make sure that he is out cheaply.”Not that Sri Lanka have fewer worries. Sangakkara rued the loss of his in-form allrounder Angelo Mathews, who returned home on Sunday morning after straining his right quadricep muscle during the Nagpur game. “We too have received a setback. We lost out on Angelo Mathews. He has gone back home,” Sangakkara said.Sangakkara was also clear, that in the present scheme of things, it would be very difficult to slot Sanath Jayasuriya in the playing XI. Jayasuriya was pushed down the order to No. 4 in the opening match in Rajkot and sat out the following ODI. “Jayasuriya is a legend but the combination we played in Nagpur, it was hard to fit him in,” Sangakkara said. “Sometimes, the combinations do not allow certain players, even some great players, to get in the side. They all take it very well. We look for direct and honest communication. It’s no different to anyone.”As a player, you’ve got to accept decisions that are sometimes fair or sometimes unfairly done. But at the end of the day all decisions are made for the interest of the side. Be it any kind of player, senior or new to the side, it does not matter. If you have something to tell them, you have got to tell them. It has to be direct and sometimes it has to be subtle, depending on individual character.”At the end of the day whether you take it in the right spirit or take it badly, it will show your real character. But all our guys accept the fact that you got to perform to stay in the side.”

Struggling Cricket Canada has been dealt a major blow with the news that Scotiabank, its main sponsor, has terminated its three-year contract early

Cricinfo staff02-Nov-2009Struggling Cricket Canada has been dealt a major blow with the news that Scotiabank, its main sponsor, has terminated its three-year contract early because of what it claims is “unsatisfactory performance” by the board.The deal is coming to the end of its first year and while on the field Canada’s performances have been improving, the conduct of the board continues to cause concern. A letter from Scotiabank to recently-appointed CEO Chandra Gocool did not deal in specifics, merely stating that the decision had been made “after careful review and analysis of the cost/benefit, the various program deliverables” and also a review of the board’s “internal/public challenges, and its future direction”.Although Scotiabank will honour the first year of the contract in full, the second and third years were worth around US$500,000. Given the withdrawal of such a high-profile sponsor and the well-documented problems within Canadian cricket’s administration, it will prove hard to find a replacement, certainly in the short term.One source was quoted in the media as warning the loss of Scotiabank would seriously impact on all levels of cricket, from the national team right through to the grass-roots game.

Aston Villa are once again targeting Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara after the appointment of Steven Gerrard, according to The Daily Record.

The lowdown

The 26-year-old was nearly the subject of a £6m bid from the Villans during the most recent transfer window and the Birmingham outfit have now successfully lured Gerrard south of the border after sacking Dean Smith last weekend.

The Finland international is a key player at Ibrox, having started 11 of Rangers’ 13 league games this season, as well as three of their four Europa League matches (via WhoScored).

Rangers are at least in a strong position contract-wise given that Kamara’s £21,000-per-week deal runs until 2025 after an extension in September.

The latest

According to The Daily Record, Villa’s sporting director Johan Lange apparently remains ‘a big fan’ of Kamara, and Gerrard’s arrival could set a pursuit in motion.

The report claimed that ‘the groundwork has already been put in’ for a potential move from Glasgow to the Midlands for the 26-year-old. Rangers need to sell players due to the financial model under which they operate, and Gerrard could take advantage by swooping for Kamara as well as Ryan Kent.

The verdict

It’s no surprise that Gerrard is keen on a reunion with Kamara, a player he described as ‘excellent’ and with a ‘fantastic attitude’, but this is the scenario that Rangers fans may have feared when it became clear that the 41-year-old was bound for Villa Park.

Replacing him with a figure of similar stature could be crucial to persuading some of the Gers’ biggest players to stay put. Having signed the Finnish midfielder for a paltry £50,000 in 2019, the Scottish champions may need to have a similarly shrewd eye for a bargain if Kamara goes and they want to adequately replace him while not compromising their financial model.

In other news, this controversial figure is keen on the Rangers managerial job

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have now erupted over a transfer claim involving Sparta Prague striker Adam Hlozek.

The Czech Republic international, who has been linked with a move to east London in recent months, is seemingly still on the club’s radar as they continue their search for a back-up striker.

Currently, star man Michail Antonio is their only natural senior option and one injury could spell trouble for manager David Moyes as he aims to maintain his side’s fine start to the campaign.

The likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Andrea Belotti have been talked about in the press but Hlozek has now re-emerged as a target for West Ham as reliable club insider ExWHUemployee shares news.

Indeed, speaking on the West Ham Way Podcast, the Hammers source believes that Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who is currently in talks to buy a 27 per cent stake in the club, views Sparta as a feeder club and Hlozek could now be looked at again in January (Patreon).

Flocking to this claim, it’s safe to say many Irons supporters are excited, and it isn’t difficult to see why going by the striker’s prolific return of 15 goals and eight assists in just 19 Fortuna Liga appearances last campaign (Transfermarkt).

At just 19-years-old, he would also come with a major sell-on value going by his potential.

As a result, many West Ham fans have erupted over this claim on the striker starlet – find all of their best Twitter verdicts down below.

West Ham fans flock to Hlozek claim…

“It’s normally us who are the feeder club, so this is a huge change in fortune…”

Credit: @fdkin1

“He’s a baller”

Credit: @EthanP48445025

“nah don’t gas me like this oh my god”

Credit: @morgzwhu

“Oh yes”

Credit: @_ghzst

“Give us the Europa already”

Credit: @BowensOnFire

“Announce league title”

Credit: @Mattwoodruff_

“it’s all coming together…”

Credit: @whumako

“Called this a while ago! Exciting times”

Credit: @thatboied

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Finally’, ‘So massive it’s terrifying’…West Ham fans erupt over official development, find out more here.

South Africa’s “deeply disappointing” first-round exit from the Champions Trophy last left its board chief executive Gerald Majola seeking answers from the team’s captain and coach

Cricinfo staff29-Sep-2009South Africa’s “deeply disappointing” first-round exit from the Champions Trophy has left its board chief executive Gerald Majola seeking answers from the team’s captain and coach. Majola confirmed that neither Graeme Smith’s nor Mickey Arthur’s jobs were in danger but has called for a meeting to find out the reason for another woeful performance in a multi-team tournament.”There are some hard questions to be answered,” Majola said. “At no stage did the team look anything like a team who are the World No.1 in both Tests and one-day internationals. They certainly were way off where they should be at this stage and I will be speaking to Mickey and the team management to find out what went wrong.”Arthur and Smith are not in line to be fired from their roles but Majola questioned the team’s performance. “That [sacking them] is not going to happen but we definitely want answers,” he said. “The team’s performance in this tournament was just not good enough. I don’t want to pick out individuals but there were problems with the bowling and the batting and the team’s body language was not that of the world’s best team.”Mike Procter, South Africa’s chairman of selectors, has suggested that South Africa’s composition was wrong. “The side looks so balanced on paper but in actual play maybe it’s over-balanced,” he said. “The guys had worked hard during the off-season and I was 100 percent happy with their preparation. But it was extremely disappointing to go out the way we did.”With Majola set to inquire into the team’s performance, Procter, Arthur and Smith have plenty to do with an eye on the 2011 World Cup. Procter has pinpointed the No. 6 position in the line-up as a focal point, mulling both Mark Boucher’s and Albie Morkel’s roles. He felt Boucher would be better used at No. 7 and that Morkel’s credibility as a genuine allrounder was in doubt.”Maybe we could look at another batter at No.6,” he said. “That may mean dropping one of the spinners, and putting Boucher at No.7, but both Roelof van der Merwe and Johan Botha have done a terrific job for us. It’s a really difficult one. It can backfire on us, perhaps we are too overbalanced.”Morkel’s 13 overs in the tournament cost 97 runs and he failed to pick up a wicket. “I think that Graeme still has confidence in Albie as a bowler but perhaps the question we need to ask is whether he is the all-rounder we need as the sixth bowler,” said Procter. “There is JP Duminy who can also bowl. There is a sort of imbalance in the team at the moment.”Procter and the national selection panel will look at the options on the domestic circuit with England due to tour South Africa later this year. “Over the next few weeks all the selectors will be going to domestic matches,” said Procter. “We’ll chat to the coaches and see what is coming through. But we must keep in mind that the side performed well in the past 18 months, so it’s a tough cookie.”We’ve got to look at winning one of these ICC tournaments. We play well in between and get the No.1 ranking, but we’ve got to justify that ranking by getting our hands on an ICC trophy.”

Ray Torrens, Ireland’s manager, has been appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to cricket

Cricinfo staff13-Jun-2009Ray Torrens, Ireland’s manager, has been appointed an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to cricket. It is due recognition for Torrens’ work with Irish cricket, first as an opening bowler in an era when the sport had yet to flourish in Ireland and then as cricket administrator, selector and manager, trying to inspire a new generation of youngsters to take up the sport.”It’s a great thrill and honour for not only me personally, but also Irish cricket,” said Torrens, 61. “I’d like to thank them for putting up with me all these years. I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. It’s been a quite remarkable journey.”After retiring from the game Torrens served as a national selector, president of the Irish Cricket Union and manager of the Ireland team that upset Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup and progressed to the Super Eights. More trophies followed, including three Intercontinental Cups, and earlier this year, the ICC World Cup Qualifying Trophy.Torrens has been congratulated on his Cricket Ireland’s president, Arthur Vincent, who said: “I’m delighted that his hard work for Irish cricket has been recognised with this prestigious honour. It’s fully deserved, and I’m thrilled not only for Roy, but his wife Joan and their family, who have been wonderful supporters of Irish cricket over the years.”A former fast bowler, Torrens represented Ireland in 30 matches between 1966-1984, taking 77 wickets at an average of 25.66. Domestically, Torrens played in a very successful Brigade side which won many NW trophies, before finishing his career with Coleraine. A good footballer, he won three amateur caps for Northern Ireland.