Zimbabwe register exciting win

Zimbabwe 370 (Masakadza 104, Sibanda 78, Taylor 71) and 291 for 5 dec (Taylor 105*, Taibu 59) strike Bangladesh 287 (Nafees 50, Ashraful 73, Shakib 68, Vitori 4-66) and 244 by 130 runs Zimbabwe have registered an affecting 130-run win over Bangladesh in the only Test in Harare and completed a winning return to the longer format of the game. Returning to Test cricket after their self-imposed exile, Zimbabwe bundled out Bangladesh for 244 runs...

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No central contract for Afridi, Kamran Akmal

Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, and Kamran Akmal, the wicketkeeper, have not been award central contract by the PCB. Afridi retired "conditionally" from international cricket following his exclusion as captain post the tour of West Indies, while Kamran, who had established a Category A contract last year, was dropped from the national side for that tour and hasn't played since. Younis Khan, who had been banned for disciplinary reasons...

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England be obliged it to Flower, Strauss

ECB's managing director, Hugh Morris, believes England's presentation against India is a result of Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss' "exceptional leadership". Leading 2-0 in the series, England can topple India from the top mark if they win the Edgbaston Test, starting August 10. "One of the most significant reasons is we have excellent leadership in Flower and Strauss. They've shown a clear direction and vision to the players and organization,"...

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RP Singh: I won't let down selectors

Left-arm pacer Rudra Pratap Singh, who has replaced Zaheer Khan for the rest of the England tour, believes he will justify selectors' faith. "Ever since Zaheer bhai walked out of the Lord's Test holding his hamstring, I was hopeful about my probability of making it to the Indian team. "I know I have been away from international cricket for some time now, but I have been maintaining my fitness and bowling a lot in the nets. I can vouch, I am match...

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Wasim Akram: Sachin will score 100th ton

Wasim Akram feel the fourth Test at The Oval will provide Sachin Tendulkar with a perfect opportunity to achieve the milestone of scoring 100 international centuries. Akram is, however, not sure if the champion batsman would be able to get to the marker in the third Test at Edgbaston, where the ball swings around, and the force would be on India to come back into the series. "I think Tendulkar will reach the landmark in the fourth Test at the...

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Prior credit England's team strength

England wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who has played some crucial knocks next to India, qualified their accomplishment to new-found "resilience" and "team spirit". Prior said when England were stressed at 124 for eight in the first innings of the second Test at Trent Bridge, his mind went back to 2007 when they faced a similar circumstances against India and broken up on the losing side. "When we were 128 for eight in the first innings, and it felt...

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Zimbabwe balanced for historic win

Bangladesh 287 and 112 for 3 (Tamim 43) require another 263 runs to strike Zimbabwe 370 and 291 for 5 dec (Taylor 105*, Taibu 59) An exciting final day's play is in prospect in the one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in Harare. The hosts affirmed on 291 for five in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh needing a tough 375 runs to secure victory. By the close of play, the visitors were 112 for three - need another 263 runs for an...

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