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Paul Coughlin’s superb spell saw Durham move back to the top of the table with their fifth win from seven games in the LV= County Championship while Somerset slipped to the foot of the table.

ECB/PA09-Jun-2015
ScorecardPaul Coughlin took four wickets as Durham claimed an easy win•Getty ImagesPaul Coughlin’s career-best performance saw Durham move back to the top of the table with their fifth win from seven games in the LV= County Championship while Somerset slipped to the foot of the table.Coughlin finished with figures of 10-6-10-4, following his important second-innings half-century, and wicketkeeper Michael Richardson held five catches as Somerset succumbed for 158 to lose by 120 runs, slipping to a defeat that looked most unlikely on the second afternoon.Durham’s surge has come even though they have failed to gain a batting point for the last four matches.”I’m surprised we are top because we know there are areas we need to improve,” Paul Collingwood said, reflecting on a fourth consecutive game without a batting point. “I would like to start games a lot better but when we are in trouble it seems to bring out the fighting spirit in this team. They show incredible belief and pride in playing for Durham.””It was an amazing performance for a young guy,” Collingwood said of Coughlin. “His runs were invaluable and he set it up for John Hastings to take the game away from them when their bowlers were tired.”Hastings’ 79 from 68 balls on the second day changed the game and Somerset skipper Marcus Trescothick admitted: “It slipped away from us in that session. We have done well in the last two weeks and we were ahead of the game here.”The potential is there but we have to sustain it. You know it’s always going to be tricky here and to score 279 to win was a tough ask. We showed some good resolve and stuck in, but the damage was done yesterday.”As Somerset consider their wicketkeeping options following Craig Kieswetter’s enforced retirement and a five-ball duck for Alex Barrow, who has struggled badly all season and was relegated to No. 9 in the order, they might cast envious glances at Durham. Richardson, who recently took over the gloves from the axed Phil Mustard, held five catches, including a brilliant leg-side take to send back Johann Myburgh for a duck.That came immediately after Graham Onions had Tom Abell lbw for 2 and it would have been 10 for 3 had Collingwood held on to a chance at first slip before James Hildreth had scored. Hildreth and Trescothick gave Somerset hope with a stand of 53 before the pitch’s variable bounce accounted for both. Hildreth was bowled by Coughlin’s third ball, which kept very low, then a leg stump ball from Chris Rushworth leapt at Trescothick and lobbed off the shoulder of the bat to gully.Tom Cooper was the first to go after lunch, although he clearly didn’t agree with the caught behind decision that gave Graham Onions his third wicket. Jim Allenby and Peter Trego did not look in too much difficulty in putting on 26, but then Allenby tried to hook a John Hastings bouncer and edged to Richardson.After Trego played himself in quietly there was a shift in momentum in the 40th over as Onions’ 13th of the innings cost 17 runs, including a no-ball. Hastings had conceded only 14 in 12, but the next over produced 12 runs as Trego and Lewis Gregory began to go for their shots.But the pair were stymied by a double change, as the stand of 41 ended when Coughlin moved one sharply away from Gregory to give Richardson his fourth catch. Alex Barrow survived only five balls before shuffling into a ball from Chris Rushworth which had him lbw for nought. Trego then fell for 35 in identical fashion to Gregory and it was all over when Tim Groenewald drove Coughlin to deep mid-off.

انتقد مدافع مانشستر يونايتد الأسبق، جاري نيفيل، أداء اللاعبين الحاليين بالفريق الأول بعد الخسارة بثلاثية نظيفة أمام نيوكاسل يونايتد في كأس الرابطة الإنجليزية.

وظهر مانشستر يونايتد بمستوى باهت خلال مباراة الأمس، مما يوضح مدى سوء حالة لاعبيه هذا الموسم بعد نتائج سلبية في الدوري الإنجليزي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تين هاج يوجه رسالة إلى جماهير مانشستر يونايتد بعد توديع كأس الرابطة

وعبر نيفيل عن استياءه من الأداء الفني في تصريحات لشبكة “سكاي سبورتس”، وقال: “الليلة الماضية شاهدنا مسرح الأحلام يتحول إلى لا شيء”.

وتابع: “كل مشجع لنادي مانشستر يونايتد يشعر بالملل والانزعاج، مما قدمه هؤلاء اللاعبون، الجميع كان في حالة صدمة، الأداء كان سيئًا والمدرب يعاني”.

وأضاف: “لقد رأينا ذلك من قبل، نعرف كيف سينتهي وقد سئمنا”.

وانتقل نيفيل لانتقاد المهاجم، أنتوني مارسيال، بعد أداءه غير الجيد، وقال: “عندما ترى أرقامه وكم كلف خزائن النادي لقد دفعوا 50 مليون جنيه إسترليني من أجله”.

وتابع: “لقد سجل 89 هدفًا فقط في تسع سنوات، لا أعرف كيف ذلك، اخرجوه من النادي، لا أعتقد أننا كمحللين نتعامل بقسوة شديدة، لا أعتقد أننا قساة بما فيه الكفاية”.

واستمر: “قلت من قبل إن هويلوند لو كان زميله آندي كول أو دوايت يورك أو إيريك كانتونا، لأصبح الضغط بعيدًا عنه ولعب بحرية”.

وأتم: “لكنه جاء إلى مانشستر يونايتد، من أجل أن يكون المهاجم الأساسي لأننا لا نشعر بذلك مع مارسيال رغم وجوده منذ فترة طويلة”.

The Supreme Court of India has named N Srinivasan, and IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman, for “misdemeanours” committed in connection with the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2014The Supreme Court of India has named four key individuals connected with Indian cricket, including ICC chairman and sidelined BCCI president N Srinivasan, and IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman, in connection with a report into the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case, which, the court observed, had suggested several “misdemeanours”.The court issued notices to the four who, along with Srinivasan and Raman, include Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra. A special bench of the Supreme Court, comprising justice TS Thakur and FM Kalifullah, revealed the names during a hearing that lasted 20 minutes, and said that it would make the Mudgal report available to lawyers on both sides – BCCI/Srinivasan and the Cricket Association of Bihar – so that they can make their arguments when the next hearing takes place on November 24.The court said it had received the Mudgal committee investigation report, submitted in early November, and the findings recorded by committee are understood to have “indicted” some individuals whose conduct has been investigated.The report was presented in two parts – one of which featured players and the other which was made up of what Justice Thakur termed “non-playing actors in the drama.” The names of three players was inadvertently taken by the judge before the court ordered their names be withheld.The four non-playing “actors” were however named and the court had decided to also provide them with a redacted version of the report, with the player names blacked out, in order to ensure that the four could defend themselves. The four persons named were given four days to file objections against any of the findings in the report pertaining to themselves. While counsel were present for the BCCI and Srinivasan, court notices had been sent to Gurunath, Kundra and Raman, to ensure that they responded in time.When asked by the BCCI lawyer about the court allowing Srinivasan to contest the BCCI election that are scheduled for November 20, Thakur said, “we cannot give clarity on whether you can contest or not until this matter is disposed of.”The fate of the BCCI AGM and annual general elections is unknown. BCCI counsel CA Sundaram told the court that they would be postponed, again, for a month.Aditya Verma, the secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar, urged the state associations to not defer the AGM. “Even after top officials of the BCCI have been named by the Mudgal report, why is the organisation not willing to go ahead with its AGM and name new officials? I request all state associations to not stand by this,” he said in a press release.This specific case dates back to June 2013 when Verma raised charges of a conflict of interest in the BCCI’s original two-member inquiry panel for the IPL corruption issue. A Bombay High Court ruling later termed the probe panel “illegal”. The BCCI and the CAB filed petitions in the Supreme Court against this order, with the CAB contending that the Bombay High Court could have suggested a fresh mechanism to look into the corruption allegations.The Supreme Court then appointed a three-member committee, headed by former High Court judge Mukul Mudgal and comprising additional solicitor general L Nageswara Rao and Nilay Dutta to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations of corruption against Meiyappan, India Cements, and Rajasthan Royals team owner Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Ltd, as well as with the larger mandate of allegations around betting and spot-fixing in IPL matches and the involvement of players.

Ashley Giles admitted he considered his future as a coach before accepting the job of Lancashire’s new cricket director and head coach on a three-year contract.

Graham Hardcastle08-Oct-20141:41

Giles won’t promise ‘quick fix’ for Lancashire

Ashley Giles decided coaching was definitely his path during his summer in India•PA PhotosAshley Giles admitted he considered his future as a coach before accepting the job of Lancashire’s new cricket director and head coach on a three-year contract. Giles, whose last assignment as England’s limited overs coach ended in late March, takes over a county who have suffered two Championship relegations in the last three years.Giles was unveiled at a press conference at Old Trafford flanked by chairman Michael Cairns, the decision maker in this period of change for the county, chief executive Daniel Gidney and Glen Chapple, who will be his right-hand man.Chapple put his own name forward to take on the coach’s role, but instead he will work under Giles and potentially continue his playing career as a seam bowler beyond his 41st birthday in January. Chapple spent the majority of the summer in charge of first-team affairs both as a coach and captain following the departure of Peter Moores to England in April. Mike Watkinson vacated his role as cricket director earlier this week.With Chapple concentrating on his coaching commitments and only playing when needed, that means one of Giles’s first tasks is to appoint a new captain. Current vice captain and opening batsman Paul Horton is the early frontrunner.”I considered not coming back into coaching, I wouldn’t be ashamed of admitting that,” Giles said, having made his Test debut at Old Trafford in 1998. “But I love working with teams. It is a really good place to be.”I’ve been lucky that the timing has been right. Being out of the game for a few months was healthy. I spent time with the family reflecting on my experiences with England. I was away in India doing some media stuff, and that experience reinforced my desire to get back into coaching. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy that experience, but I love improving players.”My conversation with Michael Cairns and Daniel Gidney happened over the last week or so, and as soon as I started talking to them, to be talking to a club with the history and size of this, it was a fantastic opportunity.”It’s clearly been a difficult six months since Pete left. Chappie has done a fantastic job to do three roles this summer. It gives us a platform to build from. In my discussions, it’s been very much not about a quick fix. I’m sure everyone wants to hear me say we’ll be straight back in Division One, and I hope we are. Most importantly, it’s about building something that is sustainable and is going to be successful over a long period, and that does take time.”Giles also admitted that “I’m over it” with regards to his two years in charge of England’s limited overs teams: “I’m not stupid enough to think we always get what we want and there’s always a fairytale ending.”There will be a lot I’ve learnt from England, about managing players in particular. Managing players at that level is different to managing players at county level. Of course the whole media attention and bubble surrounding international cricket is slightly different, and you get slightly less time to do things you might want to do. It’s also a great environment, and there are a lot of good people there. But it didn’t work out.”A decision will be taken much closer to the start of next season as to how much, if any, cricket Chapple plays. “The position I’ve been offered here, I see as a very challenging one and probably just the right thing for me at this stage.” Chapple said. His official title has yet to be confirmed. “The option of carrying on playing means I don’t just have to say ‘that’s it’. As it stands, I’m very happy.”

Craig Kieswetter continued his sparking form to keep alive Somerset’s slim hopes of a quarterfinal spot with an excellent win against high-flying Hampshire

Press Association06-Jul-2014
ScorecardIf anybody gets Somerset to the last eight, Craig Kieswetter will•Getty ImagesCraig Kieswetter continued his superb form in the NatWest t20 Blast with a half-century to help Somerset claim a vital 39-run win over second-placed Hampshire in the South Division.Kieswetter, who this week signed a new three-year contract with the county, passed 50 for the sixth time in 10 matches in this season’s competition and his 60 guided Somerset to a score of 155 for 4 batting first at the Ageas Bowl.That was less than the visitors looked like getting at one stage, but proved more than enough as tight bowling and good fielding helped them dismiss Hampshire for 116 with 22 balls to spare.It was only Somerset’s fourth win of the season but it still enabled them to complete the double over 20-over specialists Hampshire and move up to fifth in the standings.Somerset chose to bat first on a blameless wicket but lost captain Marcus Trescothick in the second over, nicking Chris Wood to wicketkeeper Michael Bates for two.Hampshire could hardly have wished for a better start, but Kieswetter then shared stands of 55 for the second wicket with Peter Trego (25) and the third with Alviro Petersen, who was 38 not out at the conclusion of the Somerset innings.Kieswetter’s 60 – which left him second only to Surrey’s Jason Roy in the NatWest t20 Blast runscoring charts – came off 44 balls and included five fours and two sixes before perishing to Matt Coles while attempting another extravagant drive.That left Somerset on 115 for 3 but Petersen and James Hildreth saw their side somewhat sedately through to the last ball of the innings at which point the latter was caught on the mid-wicket boundary to leave Hampshire needing 156for victory.The hosts would have fancied their chances of chasing that target down but suffered a nightmare start as captain James Vince went to the first ball he faced, playing around a Trego delivery to be trapped lbw.The wickets then continued to tumbled as Hampshire’s top order collapsed in an uncharacteristic panic, and midway through the eighth over they were 41 for 6.Jimmy Adams fell to a catch at mid-on, Will Smith lifted Alfonso Thomas to Petersen at midwicket and then came a double run-out catastrophe in the sixth over to swing the match irreversibly Somerset’s way.First Glenn Maxwell was left stranded going for a second and then Michael Carberry, who might have been responsible for Maxwell’s exit, went the same way, beaten by a throw from short fine-leg chasing a cheeky single.When Sean Ervine strayed from his crease when facing leg-spinner Max Waller’s third delivery and was stumped by Kieswetter, Hampshire were as good as finished, and so it proved despite a lower-order fight.Coles and Wood battled bravely in an innings-best stand of 42 for the seventh wicket before Coles holed out to Waller, also at mid-wicket and Hampshire were 88 for 8 when Wood lifted Thomas to Dirk Nannes in the deep.Abbott and Bates took Hampshire past the 100 mark but the end was not long in coming, to the dismay of a large home crowd, as Nannes wrapped things up with the wicket of Bates

A win against Bangladesh on Sunday will boost Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals, leaving them needing to win their last game against West Indies

The Preview by Umar Farooq29-Mar-20140:56

Crowe: Should be easy for Pakistan

Match factsSunday, March 30, 2014
Start time 1530 local (0930 GMT)Big PicturePakistan have already shown their unpredictability in the tournament. They were limp during the defeat to India in the opening match and fought back against Australia to keep their chances alive in the World T20. They are the only team to have reached the semi-finals of every World T20 so far, and need to win their last two matches to keep that record intact.Bangladesh, on the other hand, are having a horror season, and now have three successive defeats in the tournament. Their defeat to West Indies on Tuesday was their second-worst by margin of runs in the format and was followed by a big loss to India. Their captain Mushfiqur Rahim has urged players to come out with their natural game rather than playing for their places. The semi-finals look out of their reach, especially given their record of never having beaten a top-eight team in a Twenty20 other than West Indies. Despite the poor record, Bangladesh’s fans continue to be passionate supporters, and Mushfiqur’s side will hope to give them something to brighten up their Sunday.If Pakistan beat Bangladesh, they won’t need to worry about net run-rates (unless there is a washout). They will have two wins, on par with West Indies, who they face in their final league game – the winner of that match will join India as semi-finalists from Group 2.Form guide(last five matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LLLWW
Pakistan: WLWWWIn the spotlightShakib Al Hasan, once again, is the man Bangladesh will expect to create a difference with both ball and bat. He’s had two successive low scores with the bat, and will want to correct that, particularly against a tricky Pakistan attack.Ahmed Shehzad has had a quiet tournament so far. His dismissals against India and Australia weren’t a true reflection of the young aggressive batsman known for his powerful hitting. He has thrived in these conditions in the past, as recently as Asia Cup which ended earlier this month, and was the top run-getter in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2012 with 486 runs. He needs to find that form again, or Pakistan will be tempted to turn to their back-up opener, the left-hander Sharjeel Khan.Bangladesh’s fans have provided vocal support through the tournament•ICCTeam newsBangladesh’s combination is in disarray as they have been experimenting since the Hong Kong debacle. They have tried all their resources in the tournament and there’s a strong chance there will be more reshuffling in the batting line-up. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim are likely to bat at 3 and 4 respectively, which could open up a spot for Sabbir Rahman once more. Sohag Gazi could also make way for Abdur Razzak.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 5 Sabbir Rahman, 6 Nasir Hossain, 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Ziaur Rahman, 9 Sohag Gazi/Abdur Razzak, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza, 11 Al-Amin HossainPakistan could stick to the XI that won them the game against Australia, though they might be tempted to pick Sohail Tanvir in place of Bilawal Bhatti, who was taken for 36 runs in his two overs against Australia.Pakistan (probable): 1 Kamran Akmal (wk), 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), 4 Umar Akmal, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Sohaib Maqsood, 8 Bilawal Bhatti/Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Zulfiqar BabarStats & trivia Bangladesh have played against Pakistan more often than against any other side, but have lost each of their six T20I matches, quite convincingly. The closest margin of defeat was 21 runs (when chasing) and four wicketswith six balls to spare, when batting first. Shahid Afridi has a batting strike rate of 175 in T20Is versus Bangladesh – he has struck six sixes and six fours off 56 balls against them. With the ball, he has taken six wickets against them at an economy rate of 5.91.Quotes”We are at a crucial junction, as we need to win both matches and we will do our best.”
Mohammad Hafeez

كشفت تقارير صحفية فرنسية أن نجم باريس سان جيرمان، نيمار، لا يزال يفكر في مسألة العودة إلى برشلونة من جديد.

كان نيمار قد رحل عن برشلونة، في خطوة مفاجئة، في صيف 2017 حيث انضم إلى باريس سان جيرمان.

ورغب نيمار في العودة من جديد إلى برشلونة، هذا الصيف، ولكن تلك الخطوة لن تتم حيث بات البرازيلي قريبًا من الانتقال إلى الدوري السعودي من بوابة الهلال.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية، فإن نيمار لا يرى خطوة انتقاله إلى الدوري السعودي كنهاية لمسيرته الاحترافية.

وأشارت إلى أن نيمار يستهدف العودة إلى كرة القدم الأوروبية بعد انتهاء عقده مع الهلال، الذي سيكون ساريًا لمدة عامين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. صورة | نيمار يؤكد توتر علاقته بـ مبابي قبل الرحيل عن باريس سان جيرمان

وأفادت بأن أولوية نيمار في ذلك الوقت ستتمثل في العودة إلى برشلونة، حيث يرغب اللاعب في المشاركة في بطولة كأس العالم 2026.

وشارك نيمار في آخر ثلاث نسخ لكأس العالم مع المنتخب البرازيلي، وسيبلغ من العمر 34 عامًا في النسخة القادمة.

ويرى نيمار أن خطوة انتقاله إلى الهلال تُعد خيارًا رائعًا بالنسبة له في سبيل رحيله عن باريس سان جيرمان، بالإضافة إلى الجانب المالي الجيد.

وقع نادي بيراميدز اتفاقية شراكة وتكامل مع بنفيكا البرتغالي، أحد عمالقة كرة القدم التاريخيين في قارة أوروبا.

ويعد فريق بنفيكا البرتغالي أحد أهم أندية العالم في إخراج المواهب الكروية ويمتلك أكاديميات وقطاعات ناشئين ومواهب هي الأفضل يغزو بها أوروبا وكرة القدم العالمية.

طالع | وسط اهتمام بيراميدز.. مدرب اتحاد جدة يحسم موقفه من رحيل طارق حامد

وتضمن الاتفاق توسيع التعاون مستقبلا على مستوى قطاعات الناشئين وكذلك غيرها من تعاون يخص الفريق الأول بالنادي وكذلك فريق السيدات، وغيرها من مختلف القطاعات الكروية الأخرى، وكذلك ورش تعليمية ورياضية للاعبين والمدربين وجميع العاملين بقطاع الكرة.

وجاءت الشراكة حسبما أشار نادي بيراميدز في بيانه بعد إعجاب نادي بنفيكا ورئيسه بسرعة وصول النادي المصري إلى مستويات القمة بين أندية قارة أفريقيا في خلال سنوات بسيطة، وبات أحد أكبر الأندية المصنفة في القارة السمراء وكرة القدم العربية، وكذلك الإنجازات التي حدثت على مدار سنوات قليلة.

The PCB has announced a domestic calendar in which the two first-class tournaments willbe conducted simultaneously, with the same structure applying for the List A tournaments

Umar Farooq02-Oct-2013Pakistan’s domestic season 2013-14

Quaid-e-Azam Trophy: October 23, 2013-January 28, 2014, 14 teams, two groups, 61 matches

One-day Cup for Regions: October 28, 2013 – January 1, 2014, 14 teams, two groups, 45 matches

President’s Trophy (first-class): October 23, 2013 – February 11, 2014, 11 teams, 1 group, 56 matches

President’s Cup (one-day): October 28, 2013 – February 4, 2014, 11 teams, 1 group, 56 matches

Inter-region three-day Under-19: October 26 – December 9, 23 teams, 4 groups, 58 matches

Inter-region one-day U-19: October 30-December 13, 23 teams, 4 groups, 58 matches

National T20 tournament: November 20-November 29, 17 teams, 4 groups, 35 matches

T20 tournament for departments: February 18, 2014 – February 24, 2014, 11 teams, 2 groups, 28 matches

Patron’s Trophy Grade-II: March 1, 2014 – March 31, 2014, 24 teams, 4 groups, 63 matches

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a domestic calendar in which two first-class tournaments – the Quaid-e-Azam trophy and the President’s Trophy – will run simultaneously. The two List A events, like the first-class tournaments, will also be held concurrently. The Super Eight T20 Cup has been scrapped to make way for an 11-team departmental Twenty20 cup. The calendar has been chalked out to make the season financially cost-effective, and regional and department tournaments being played at the same time will allow more young players to feature for the regional teams. In previous years, players from various departments would feature in regional teams, making it difficult for other players to break into the side.The structure of domestic cricket in Pakistan has been inconsistent and revamps have occurred every two years over the last decade. However, this year, the tournament formats have been retained and the schedule adopted to accommodate simultaneous first-class and List A tournaments. The Quaid-e-Azam trophy, the country’s premier first-class tournament will have 14 regional teams, while the President’s Trophy will have 11 departmental teams playing a round-robin league phase. The first round of both tournaments begin on October 23 and the regional and department teams will play a round of one-day matches on October 28. Apart from the senior circuit, the PCB has scheduled inter-regional Under-19 three-day and one-day tournaments between October 26 to December 13. A 10-day National T20 Cup will be played between 17 teams from November 20 to 29, sandwiched between Pakistan’s international series against South Africa and Sri Lanka.One season of domestic cricket costs the PCB approximately Rs 300 million ($2.8m). With the board going through a financial crunch, it plans to reduce the cost by switching to locally made Grays cricket balls, instead of the imported Kookaburra. The department teams, who are expected to bear their own logistical costs and the costs of the ball refused to sustain the Kookaburra idea and the move is likely to help save nearly Rs 10 million. The decision to use Kookaburra balls was taken last year as the board tried to introduce international standards on the domestic cricket circuit.”We believe the season will bring a more prosperous result to our cricket,” Shakeel Sheikh, the head of PCB’s cricket committee, told ESPNcricinfo. “There is a desperate need to unearth the talent from regional nurseries, but for some reason the cycle of getting the quality young cricketers is not working as it should be. We want change and want to have more young legs in the field that will eventually replace players at the department level. Having all tournaments at the same time prevents departmental players from featuring in regional teams.”ESPNcricinfo understands that there are approximately 220 players recruited by the departments. Around 28 of those players will be on national duty during the domestic season; from the main pool, about 65-70 players age between 30 to 40 years while 67 players does not qualify for national selection due to poor fitness and performance.”This is the reason we want to induct a plan to blood youngsters in the pipeline and replace ageing players,” said Sheikh. “We want to encourage the player at the regional level and want to extend the pool of quality players and give them ample opportunity at the domestic level, and create a sense of security for their place.”Former skipper Rashid Latif, the sports head of the department team, Port Qasim Authority (PQA), supported the idea of hosting tournaments simultaneously. “It will be easier for the departments to assemble their teams for these tournaments and will save time and money,” Latif said. “Previously, there used to be a gap of a month or more between one-day and first-class tournaments, which made things difficult for departments. Regions have always been a nursery to produce new talent and hopefully we’ll see new good players coming up this season.”

Ireland captain William Porterfield said his side felt “disappointed” after their hopes for a maiden series win over a Test nation were quashed as Pakistan won 1-0.

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2013

Ireland captain William Porterfield said the loss to Pakistan in the second ODI was “heartbreaking” for the team after being in a strong position to register their maiden ODI series win over a Test-playing nation. Pakistan were reduced to 133 for 7 chasing 230, but a 93-run eighth-wicket stand between Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz quashed Ireland’s hopes as Pakistan took the series 1-0 with a narrow two-wicket win.”It is kind of heartbreaking in terms of being in the position we were in. That’s the biggest thing that we’ll look back on,” Porterfield said.Ireland seamers Trent Johnston and Tim Murtagh reduced Pakistan to 17 for 4 before a 52-run stand between Akmal and Shoaib Malik instigated a fight back. But it was Riaz’s counterattacking 47 off 35 balls that caught Ireland offguard. “For [number] nine to come in and hit it like that – fair play to him,” Porterfield said.With Pakistan needing 32 in four overs, Riaz demolished Murtagh’s over by hitting three sixes in five balls. Akmal, who’s 81 off 85 balls held Pakistan’s chase together, also earned praise from the Ireland captain. “He found the gaps pretty well and showed that intent from early on,” he said. “He took the momentum away from us.”Though Porterfield rued not being able to capitalise on key moments, he said the team showed that its cricket was moving in the right direction. “Even coming into the last 12 to 14 overs, if we had of picked up a wicket at that time we were right on top. It’s deflating at the minute but it shows where we are at,” he said.A prime source of his confidence was Ed Joyce, whose century was the sole bright spot in Ireland’s batting as seven batsmen fell for single-digit scores. “The way he [Joyce] played by anchoring the innings and pacing it stood out,” Porterfield said. “It shows what a class act he is and showed the rest of us what type of innings needed to be played.”Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, was impressed by the challenge put up by the Ireland team. “They played very well,” he said, “The way they are improving they can compete with any Test-playing nation.”We were really struggling. We knew that we had depth in our batting because Abdur Rehman and Wahab Riaz are capable of scoring runs at the lower order. But it was still a difficult job. The way Kamran and Wahab played was tremendous.”We have not been getting much from the lower order so the way they played gives us a lot of confidence going into the Champions Trophy.”