Rubel claims hat-trick as Bangladesh crush New Zealand

AFP

Rubel Hossain

Rubel Hossain claimed six wickets including a hat-trick as Bangladesh crushed New Zealand by 43 runs Tuesday in the first one-day international, leading 1-0 in the three-match series.

Rubel finished with 6-26, helping the hosts to dismiss New Zealand for 162 runs after the visitors were set a revised target of 206 runs in 33 overs in the rain-hit match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

New Zealand were 82-3 in 20 overs, replying to Bangladesh's 265 all out, when rain halted the game for nearly two hours.

Needing 124 off 78 balls on resumption, Corey Anderson hit some lusty blows before Rubel turned the table with his hat-trick.

Rubel bowled Anderson, who scored 46 off 31 balls including three fours and fours sixes, before taking the wicket of Brendan McCullum and James Neesham to complete the hat-trick in his third over.

New Zealand skipper McCullum was caught by substitute fielder Shamsur Rahman while Neesham flicked a catch to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim on the leg side as Rubel became the third Bangladeshi to claim a hat-trick in a one-day international (ODI).

Rubel took the wicket of Ross Taylor before rain later added Nathan McCullum and Grant Elliot (71) to his tally, equalling the record of Mashrafe Mortaza for the best ever ODI bowling for Bangladesh.

Mashrafe, who claimed 6-26 against Kenya at Nairobi in 2006, took the catch of Elliot, the last man out for New Zealand.

The visitors conceded a defeat as Kane Williamson was unable to bat for a thumb injury.

Earlier, Mushfiqur and Naeem Islam hit half-centuries to set up Bangladesh's total after New Zealand captain McCullum won the toss and elected to field.

The pair added 154 for the fourth wicket to rescue the home side from a perilous 25-3.

Skipper Mushfiqur hit a solid 90 off 98 balls with eight fours and two sixes before he fell to Neesham.

Naeem struggled initially, taking 17 balls to get off the mark, but soon grew in confidence to hit a career-best 84 off 113 balls.

Naeem, who was picked in the starting line-up after Bangladesh were forced to leave out ailing all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, smashed 12 fours in his fourth one-day half-century.

Tim Southee ended Naeem's innings when he forced an edge to the wicket-keeper.

Neesham and Southee were the pick of New Zealand bowlers, sharing seven wickets between them as Bangladesh lost their last five wickets for 33 runs.

Neesham claimed a career-best 4-42, while Southee returned with 3-34.

Smith demands respect for S. Africa's kings of the road

South Africa last lost an away series to Sri Lanka in 2006.

AFP

Captain Graeme Smith is very proud of South Africa's impressive away record.

Dubai: South Africa captain Graeme Smith, whose team have not lost an away series for seven years, believes the Proteas deserve more respect for their achievements on the road.

Their emphatic innings and 92-run win in the second Test over Pakistan in Dubai on Saturday, which leveled the series at 1

-1, also allowed them to enhance their Test number one status.

Since their 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in 2006, South Africa have traveled to India (twice), United Arab Emirates to play

Pakistan (twice), England (twice), Australia (twice) and once to New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the West Indies, not

losing a series.

"I think we have got a lot to do to be compared with great teams, but for us to have that record away from home is an

extremely proud one to have," said Smith, now in his 10th year as captain.

"I don't think many teams in current world cricket can travel as well as we do and be able to perform in all the conditions,

the pressures, the environments that you face on the road."

"I certainly don't think the team gets enough credit for that, it's an immense record and one we are proud of."

Smith said that beating Pakistan in their new fortress of the United Arab Emirates was creditable.

"This is the first match they have lost in these conditions. They had England come here as world number one Test team and we

traveled here in 2010," said Smith of Pakistan's 3-0 whitewash of England last year.

South Africa drew a two-match series 0-0 in 2010.

Pakistan's defeat against South Africa was their first in the UAE in 10 Tests.

"I think their batters are far more comfortable in these conditions with less pace and bounce. They always play spin really

well, they seem to be comfortable even though Imran bowled well," said Smith of leg-spinner Imran Tahir who took eight

wickets in Dubai, including a career best 5-32 in the first innings.

"It's his first trip here and it was great to see him bowl," said Smith of Tahir who was born and brought up in Pakistan

before moving to South Africa.

Smith also praised Tahir's comeback after the slow bowler was mauled in his last Test in Australia in 2011.

"I think he showed an immense amount of character to bounce back from his performance in Adelaide and it epitomizes the type

of group we have, we have a group of players who can respond," said Smith.

Termination notice for Pune Warriors - IPL News

Non-payment of franchise fee root cause of expulsion.

Cricket Yahoo

CHENNAI: The Pune Warriors franchise has been served a notice of termination by the BCCI for non-payment of their franchise fee, a move that cuts down the number of teams in the IPL to eight.

At a special meeting of the BCCI working committee here on Saturday, the members decided to take this drastic step after several official reminders to the Sahara Group (owners of Pune Warriors) yielded no response.

"The BCCI Working Committee discussed the situation regarding the default by Sahara Adventure Sports (Sahara) in not submitting the bank guarantee of the Pune franchise of IPL for the 2014 season," BCCI said in a statement.

"As per the terms of its franchise agreement, this bank guarantee was due for delivery in March 2013, more than six months ago. Given Sahara's continued position that it would not deliver the bank guarantee, the Working Committee unanimously determined to terminate the Sahara franchise agreement, while taking whatever action was necessary to protect the BCCI position."

The fate of Pune Warriors was always in doubt after the Board had earlier encashed its bank guarantee due to non-payment of the franchise fee. This led to the Sahara Group pulling out of IPL, with their reinstatement hinging on payment of a bank guarantee of over Rs. 170 crore.

"Over the last six months, the BCCI's advisors have written to Sahara on five separate occasions (in April, May, June, August and October) requesting that the bank guarantee be put in place, with the final letter being sent on 8 October 2013. In response, Sahara again refused to put in place the guarantee as per the franchise agreement," the statement added.

"In order to proceed with the preparations for the 2014 season, it is important that BCCI now has certainty as to whether the Pune franchise will comply with the terms of its franchise agreement."

Sahara’s contention was that the franchise fee in their case should have been lowered since the BCCI did not deliver the promised number of IPL matches for Pune. But arbitration on the same has been in a stall due to irreconcilable differences between the BCCI and Sahara.

Sahara had bought the Pune Warriors franchise for USD 370 million (approx. Rs 1700 crore) in 2010, making it the most expensive IPL franchise. Saturday’s meeting was also the first after N Srinivasan's return as president.

South Africa do not cheat: De Villiers

Vice-captain AB de Villiers vehemently denied allegations of ball-tampering.

AFP

South Africa vice-captain AB de Villiers vehemently denied allegations of ball-tampering which led to his team being docked five penalty runs during the second Test against Pakistan on Friday.

The on-field umpires -- Rod Tucker of Australia and Ian Gould of England along with TV umpire Paul Reiffel of Australia -- intervened when South African fielder Faf du Plessis was allegedly seen rubbing the ball on his trousers, close to a zip, during the third day's play.

Pakistan were 62-5 in the 31st over when the umpires warned South African captain Graeme Smith, changed the ball and handed out a five-run penalty.

As per the ICC (International Cricket Council) rules if the umpires lay charges against the fielder the match referee, David Boon of Australia, can impose a fine of 50 to 100 percent of his match fee or even ban the player.

But De Villiers stressed South Africans don't cheat.

"Honestly, we're not the team that scratches the ball," said De Villiers.

"We play in a fair manner. Obviously we want to swing the ball as much as you can and try to get it to reverse. We don't cheat, it's as simple as that," said De Villiers, who backed Du Plessis.

"I know 'Faffy' very well, he's the last man to try anything like that, it is part of his responsibility to shine the ball and I thought he did it very well."

De Villiers was surprised how events unfolded on a day when his team had taken a firm grip on the match and were heading for a series-levelling win.

"Honestly, I don't know what happened there, I don't even know from where the message came. Obviously very surprised, there was no talk about it, no warnings, nothing. It was just out of nowhere."

The ball-tampering controversy aside, South Africa have dominated the match and will look to force a thumping victory on Saturday.

Pakistan, who won the first Test, finished the third day on 132-4, still 286 runs behind and facing an innings defeat.

South Africa were bowled out for 517 with Smith hitting a memorable 234 and De Villiers 164 to pile-up a huge 418-run first innings lead.

"We definitely are in a strong position to win this Test, another 300 runs with four down and the new ball is just around the corner," he said.

"To get four down on a wicket that is still playing well, it's set up nicely, we just need to be patient tomorrow, work really hard to get wicket number five and get the wicketkeeper in and then the tail," said De Villiers.

De Villiers added he was proud of his partnership with Smith.

"That was very enjoyable, we have batted together quite a few times, being opening partners a while ago.

"It's very nice to bat with him. He has got a great presence at the crease and there is a nice atmosphere, not too serious, and it was good," said De Villiers of the 338-run partnership, an all-time South African record for the fifth wicket.

Bangladesh vs New Zealand: Rain forces draw in Dhaka

The result ensured the two teams shared the honour in the series after the first Test in Chittagong also ended in a draw.

AFP

DHAKA: The second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand ended in a draw on Friday after rain washed out the fifth and final day's play at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The result ensured the two teams shared the spoils in the series after the first Test in Chittagong also ended in a draw.

Match officials called off play at 2:08 pm local time (0808 GMT) after overnight showers and continuous drizzle made the ground unplayable.

Bangladesh were 269-3 overnight in the second innings, leading New Zealand by 114 runs.

Left-handed middle-order batsman Mominul Haque remained unbeaten on 126 alongside former captain Shakib Al Hasan on 32 not out.

Several hundred fans left the stadium dejected as they had been hoping to see Mominul complete a double century.

Bangladesh were under pressure on the fourth day, trailing New Zealand by 155 runs in the first innings before Mominul and Tamim Iqbal wiped out the deficit and put Bangladesh in front, adding 157 runs for the third wicket.

Mominul, who also made 181 runs in the first innings of the first Test and aggregated 376 runs in the series, was named both man of the match and of the series.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim praised the consistency of his side.

"If you talk about the whole series, it was our target to consistently play well throughout," Mushfiqur said after the match.

"It was not easy for us. We played a Test match after nearly five-six months. We didn't get that many chances to play longer-version matches. It was a challenge for us. It is a good sign that some players played well under pressure. We tend to play one Test well followed by a bad performance in the next one. It was nice to see that we have backed our performance in the first Test with a good showing in the second one."

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was frustrated at failing to win the series but hailed his side's batting.

"I think obviously we came here and we wanted to win this Test series and we were expected to do so as well," said McCullum.

"But if we strip it right back I think that the cricket we've played through the series has been very good. I think our batting's been outstanding; our bowling has stood up in tough conditions. And whilst we didn't get the results, I think the cricket we played has been really good and I think a drawn series is a fair reflection because I also think that Bangladesh played some excellent cricket in this series as well."

The two teams will now play three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

The first ODI will be held the Sher-e-Bangla on October 29.