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Test batsman Misbah-ul-Haq played a sterling knock as Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) inched towards a semifinal berth in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Cricket Championship at National Stadium on Thursday.By close of an enthralling third day’s play in this quarterfinal, KRL led by 185 runs with six wickets still standing after National Bank of Pakistan (NBP)’s left-arm fast bowler Zahid Saeed grabbed three wickets in 26 balls at the start of KRL’s second innings.Having obtained a slender but vital 16-run lead on the first innings, KRL lost Mohammad Ramzan, who carried his bat for 110 in the first innings, Saeed Anwar Junior and Intikhab Alam before Misbah joined Saeed bin Nasir to restore parity in a fourth-wicket partnership of 89.All three of Zahid’s victims were out in almost identical fashion, taken behind by Test wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. Kamran, however, blotted his excellent work by giving KRL skipper Ali Naqvi a life in the final hour of the day. This error may cost NBP dearly on the last day.NBP are certain to be without Imran Nazir’s services on Friday. Imran badly gashed his right hand while fielding in the slips. The injury necessitated a couple of stitches.One failed to understand the logic behind Imran standing close to the bat. Normally in Tests and One-day Internationals he has had been fielding in the point region, where he is arguably the best fieldsman in the country.Misbah continued his prolific run with the willow this season by confidently helping himself to 70 not out in almost three hours. Unperturbed by several unnecessary appeals by NBP fielders, the upright right-hander displayed the kind of assurance that earned him Pakistan colours not long ago.Saeed bin Nasir also caught the eye with a fine contribution of 44 before he was harshly adjudged LBW by Test umpire Athar Zaidi. That ball from medium-pacer Mohammad Javed was heading outside the leg-stump.The 110-minute stand between Saeed and Misbah not only revived KRL’s flagging innings but also ensured a tense day’s play on Friday when NBP will be pressing for victory against heavy odds.Misbah, who has so far hit 11 boundaries, holds the key because KRL, currently 169 for four, are still not of the woods at this stage.Earlier, NBP added 61 more runs to their overnight score of 190 for seven with all-rounder Yasir Arafat taking all three wickets with his brisk medium-pacers to finish with five for 74.Naumanullah, on whose broad shoulders NBP’s hopes rested, scored seven more before he was caught in the slips for 67. Mohammad Javed struck some lusty blows until he was brilliantly held at second slip by Misbah for 34.ScoreboardKRL (1st Innings) 267 (Mohammad Ramzan 110 not out; Shabbir Ahmed 5-93);NATIONAL BANK (1st Innings, overnight 190-7):Salman Butt c Zulfiqar b Ali Naqvi 13Hanif-ur-Rehman c Misbah b Asif 6Shahid Anwar lbw b Asif 10Naumanullah c Ramzan b Yasir 67Sajid Ali c Yasir b Ali Naqvi 4Imran Nazir c Zulfiqar b Yasir 21Kamran Akmal c Intikhab b Asif 49Imran Javed c Saeed Jr b Yasir 10Mohammad Javed c Misbah b Yasir 34Zahid Saeed not out 12Shabbir Ahmed c Zulfiqar b Yasir 5EXTRAS (B-1, LB-12, W-1, NB-6) 20TOTAL (all out, 102 overs) 190FALL OF WKTS: 1-10, 2-31, 3-31, 4-46, 5-67, 6-158, 7-185, 8-208, 9-233.BOWLING: Jaffar Nazir 12-1-38-0 (1nb); Mohammad Asif 32-12-49-3 (1nb); Yasir Arafat 24-3-74-5 (4nb), 1w); Ali Naqvi 25-12-42-2; Naeem Akhtar 8-2-35-0.KRL (2nd Innings):Mohammad Ramzan c Kamran b Zahid 1Saeed Anwar Jr c Kamran b Zahid 2Intikhab Alam c Kamran b Zahid 9Saeed bin Nasir lbw b M. Javed 44Misbah-ul-Haq not out 70Ali Naqvi not out 21EXTRAS (LB-7, W-5, NB-10) 22TOTAL (for four wkts, 50 overs) 169FALL OF WKTS: 1-3, 2-9, 3-30, 4-119.BOWLING (to-date): Shabbir Ahmed 14-2-51-0 (1nb, 1w); Zahid Saeed 14-2-39-3 (4nb); Mohammad Javed 12-0-40-1 (3nb); Imran Javed 10-1-32-0 (2nb)

Sunday saw the Prince of Wales Country Club (PWCC) take on La Dehesa at Craighouse. Batting first, La Dehesa accumulated 212 from their allotted 40 overs. Opener Julian Dowling showed good application in compiling 48, before being run out by Clinton Porteous (2 wickets), who along with PWCC’s seam bowlers Mark Rosevear (3), Dean Ilott (2), Ian Scott and Dave Kitley (1) generally kept a lid on the scoring, supported by some solid fielding. Khaalid Moradd (21) was removed by a spectacular jack-in-the-box catch by Ricky Salas at midwicket just as he was looking dangerous.But La Dehesa’s wicketkeeper-batsman Clinton Larson picked up the pace, smacking a quickfire 58. Two overs of Stuart Nelson’s slow left-armers disappeared for 44 runs, and the fielding began to look ragged towards the end, as La Dehesa’s batting depth told.PWCC’s run chase faltered early, with both openers back in the pavilion with the score on 30. Ilott (14) and Salas (57) added 50 for the third wicket before Ilott failed to get over a cut shot and was caught at point. Scott (10) and Salas then took the score to 123, when Scott became Cameron McGovern’s third victim, who then compounded PWCC’s worries by removing Dave Kitley without scoring.McGovern was the unlikely hero with the ball for La Dehesa, with no less than four PWCC batsmen contriving to get themselves out to his straight-breaks. He finished with 4/43 from eight overs.When Salas was unfortunately run out for a typically hard-hitting 57, his team were still 80 short. Some intelligent lower-order resistance from Nelson (16) and Rosevear (19 not out) was appreciated, but was never enough to get them home, and the tail capitulated quickly (184 all out). Again, La Dehesa’s bowling depth was on show, with Bruce and Luke Phillips bowling out the final overs.PWCC will be looking to win against Las Condes next weekend to prove that their victory against Santiago was no fluke. Meanwhile, La Dehesa will square up with Santiago in two weeks.Points awarded La Dehesa:23,PWCC:12

New Zealand can set themselves for phase two of their World Cup bid having nothing to fear.While their entry into the Super Six was a last-minute affair, there seems to be a general consensus that their effort in beating South Africa and the West Indies was sufficient for them to warrant their place.They now face Zimbabwe this Saturday, Australia on Tuesday and India on Friday.New Zealand might have a poor overall success rate in One-Day Internationals of only 42.75%, but there seems to be something in the air in World Cup play where its winning percentage lifts to 56.25%.And its winning percentage at neutral venues is even slightly better at 56.66%.More particularly, in World Cup matches, New Zealand has a 3-0 win line over Zimbabwe, with one no result.Against Australia, in the five games they have contested at World Cup level, the scoreline favours Australia 3-2.India and New Zealand have met six times in World Cups with New Zealand holding the win advantage 4-2.One feature of captain Stephen Fleming’s New Zealand team has been its ability to knock over the record books.Reputations don’t necessarily matter to this side.They were the team who won New Zealand’s first international tournament, the ICC KnockOut in Kenya in 2000. They recorded New Zealand’s first victory at Lord’s and The Oval, in 1999. They were the first team in the world to win successive Tests in Zimbabwe. They achieved the highest fourth innings total to lose a match (outside of timeless Tests) with 451 against England at Jade Stadium last year. They became the first New Zealand team to win a Test series in the West Indies. They were the first New Zealand team to complete a 5-0 one-day series sweep, against the West Indies in 1999/00. They were the first New Zealand team to shut Australia out of their annual tri-series.They like re-writing history.Some of these features might seem insignificant when lined up against the deeds of other international sides, but the point remains, they have been firsts for New Zealand and are symptomatic of a growing confidence of this side.Individually, there are also some significant milestones to be played for in the remaining games of World Cup 2003.Fleming sits on 598 World Cup runs. Only Martin Crowe 880 and Glenn Turner 612 have scored more.Chris Cairns is sitting on 475 runs.Cairns and Chris Harris have now played 25 World Cup matches, the most by New Zealanders.Harris has taken most wickets, 31, by a New Zealand bowler. Behind him are Richard Hadlee 22, Geoff Allott 20, Willie Watson 19, Gavin Larsen 18 and Cairns 16.Of the players in South Africa, Jacob Oram and Nathan Astle taken 11 wickets, Shane Bond nine and Andre Adams eight.Chances are that if New Zealand can maintain their reasonable success rate at the World Cup, some of the individual records will be extended with obvious benefits for the overall team performance.

Carl Hooper’s international career has been prolonged, and there are three newcomers in a West Indies 14-man squad for the first Cable & Wireless Test against Australia, starting Thursday in Guyana.Hooper, the 36-year-old Guyanese who was sacked as captain last Monday, has retained his place in the side amidst speculation over his immediate future.The controversial non-selection of Chris Gayle and the unavailability of injured vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan have paved the way for the inclusion of the uncapped trio of Devon Smith, Dave Bernard Jr and Carlton Baugh.Smith, the 21-year-old Grenadian opening batsman, is included after two prolific regional seasons, while the Jamaican pair of all-rounder Bernard and wicketkeeper Baugh have been called up after outstanding performances in the 2003 Carib Beer Series.The presence of Baugh in the 14 alongside experienced wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs is perhaps a sign that Jacobs’ place in the side could be challenged in the near future.In the absence of Gayle, the selectors have named three openers in Smith, Wavell Hinds and Daren Ganga.It comes somewhat as a surprise that there is no room for a specialist spin bowler in the squad for a match that will be played on a slow, low Bourda pitch.It means that Hooper will be the first-choice slow bowler with Marlon Samuels providing back-up with his off-spin.The fast bowling department is predictable, comprising Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Vasbert Drakes and Jermaine Lawson.With Sarwan not having yet recovered from a cracked finger injury, the selectors will name a vice-captain later.The team: Brian Lara (captain), Carlton Baugh, Dave Bernard Jr, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Pedro Collins, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Daren Ganga, Wavell Hinds, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs, Jermaine Lawson, Marlon Samuels, Devon Smith.

The Australian juggernaut rumbled on with a convincing 67-run victory over West Indies in the first of ther weekend’s double-header in Trinidad. It was Australia’s 21st consecutive win, meant that they took the best-of-seven series 4-0 with three to play, and was never in doubt once they posted a formidable total.More to follow.

The Australian cricket team has called for a thorough police investigation after being robbed of their cricketing gear at Trinidad airport. Forty-two items were stolen as the team checked in on Monday for their flight to Grenada. It was the second time on the current tour that the Australian team had been robbed at the Trinidad airport – their gear had been burgled after last month’s second Test as well.”There’s been an issue at Trinidad airport for a number of seasons, where past touring sides have suffered from pilfering of cricket gear from team bags,” Steve Bernard, the Australian team manager, said. “We feel that because it’s a repeat – of a repeat of a repeat of a repeat – it’s vital the police are involved and it’s a thorough investigation. That would be my hope, but I’m not a decision-maker here.”Among the items stolen were bats, shirts, shoes, sunglasses, pads and gloves. Matthew Hayden, Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel all lost their bats, with Bichel losing the willow which brought him spectacular success at the World Cup.Australia are not the first team to suffer this fate in the West Indies – Indian and South African teams have also been robbed on earlier tours to the Caribbean. With the West Indies scheduled to host the 2007 World Cup, the authorities have plenty of work to do to ensure a trouble-free tournament.

Virender Sehwag got many starts for Leicestershire, but it took him six innings in the Frizzell County Championship to score his first hundred – which came within a single session. His next, against Middlesex, was also at over a run-a-ball pace, as he injected a one-day urgency into the longer version of the game. While many of his starts went unconverted, he turned in some useful performances in the Twenty20 Cup, where he demonstrated his usefulness with the ball, and helped Leicestershire win all of their first five matches.
Leicestershire averagesJuly 19 Twenty20 Cup Semi-final
Leicestershire lost to Warwickshire by 7 wicketsVirender Sehwag’s last Twenty20 innings of the season lasted just three balls as Waqar Younis dismissed him for 5 in the semi-final. Leicestershire managed to put up a competitive score of 162, but Warwickshire overhauled it quite comfortably, with four balls and seven wickets to spare.
Scorecard ReportJuly 13 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Worcestershire by 76 runsA comfortable victory for Leicestershire. Trevor Ward, with 68, and Virender Sehwag – who slammed three sixes in a blistering 59-ball 76 – gave Leicestershire the perfect start, while Darren Maddy provided the late innings-momentum with 58. Stephen Peters anchored the reply with 82, but Worcestershire were never on the ball as Jeremy Snape and David Brignull both finished with three wickets.
Scorecard ReportJuly 9-12 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire lost to Middlesex by eight wicketsMiddlesex piled up 620 in their first innings, and Leicestershire began their reply in style. Sehwag smashed 130 off 111 balls, hitting 20 fours and four sixes in the process. All to no avail, as Leicestershire, despite making 447, still had to follow on. Sehwag made just 13 in the second innings, but a draw still seemed possible as Leicestershire set Middlesex a target of 163 from 27 overs. But Andrew Strauss smashed a 67-ball 73 to give Middlesex an eight-wicket win.
Scorecard ReportJuly 2-5 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with WarwickshireSehwag, much as he does for India sometimes in Test cricket, played the longer version of the game as if it was a one-day biff-about. He smashed 30 off 21 in the first innings and a run-a-ball 40 in the second, but did not play the big innings that could have won the game for his side. A combative second-innings century from Sehwag’s fellow overseas professional, Brad Hodge, gave Leicestershire a sniff at victory, but eventually the game drifted to a draw.
Scorecard ReportJune 27-30 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with NottinghamshireSehwag’s first century of the season was a blistering 137, off just 151 balls and included an incredible 25 fours, but Leicestershire were finally saved by rain, which washed out the entire last day’s play. Sehwag scored 56% of his team’s total of 243, but Leicestershire conceded a first-innings lead of 83, and needed 402 to win in the fourth innings, when rain intervened.
Scorecard ReportJune 24 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Derbyshire by 1 runSehwag made 15 off 12 as Leicestershire batted first and hit up 171 in their 20 overs. Sehwag’s Indian team-mate, Mohammad Kaif, was at the forefront of a thrilling run-chase, but Derbyshire eventually fell short by 1 run. Five wins in five games for Leicestershire.
Scorecard ReportJune 22 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 18 runsAnother good outing for Sehwag, who hit 65 off 80 balls, adding 126 for the second wicket with fellow overseas pro, Australia’s Brad Hodge, who made 104. Leicestershire ended with 251, and despite Yuvraj Singh’s aggressive 50 off 46 balls, Yorkshire ended up on the losing side.
Scorecard ReportJune 21 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire by 1 wicketFirst, Sehwag took 2 for 19 in four overs as Nottinghamshire were restricted to a gettable 158; then, for the second match in a row, he made 26 off 17 to get Leicestershire off the blocks quickly. It was a sterling performance, and the fourth win in four Twenty20 matches for Leicestershire.
Scorecard ReportJune 20 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Lancashire by 22 runsSehwag got Leicestershire off to a quick start with 26 off 17, as they piled up 178 in their 20 overs. Sehwag wasn’t required to bowl, as Lancashire were never really in the chase.
Scorecard ReportJune 18 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Durham by 46 runsSehwag finally turned in a matchwinning performance for Leicestershire – with ball, not with bat. He made 14 off 11 as Leicestershire made 168 for 9 in their 20 overs, but then bowled magnificently to take 3 for 14 in three overs at the end. Brad Hodge with 64 off 44 and 1 for 19 pipped him to the man-of-the-match award.
Scorecard ReportJune 16 Twenty20 Cup
Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 16 runsSehwag made a first-ball duck in his debut in the Twenty20 Cup, but Leicestershire won handily, aided by a fine allround performance by Brad Hodge (97 off 61 and 3 for 6 in two overs). This was Sehwag’s second duck in a row, and once more his side had won.
Scorecard ReportJune 15 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Worcestershire by 2 wicketsSehwag made a fourth-ball duck, but Leicestershire were chasing only 194, and they won comfortably.
Scorecard ReportJune 14 Tour match
Leicestershire lost to Pakistan by 5 wicketsSehwag made 19 off 28, as Leicestershire reached 231 for 7 in their 50 overs. He then bowled five overs and took 0 for 35 as Pakistan won with 19 balls to spare.
Scorecard ReportJune 10 C&G Trophy
Leicestershire lost to Worcestershire by 75 runsA horrid match for Sehwag. Chasing 217, Leicestershire could only make 141 – Sehwag’s contribution in that was 2 off 17 balls. Worcestershire progressed to the semi-final of the C&G Trophy.
Scorecard ReportJune 4-7 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire lost to Lancashire by 10 wicketsLancashire sailed to a comfortable victory here, in a match that was a nondescript outing for Sehwag. After Lancashire had amassed 503, Leicestershire made 314, of which Sehwag’s contribution was 30 off 44. Leicestershire followed on, and Sehwag made just 5 in the second innings, after slipping down the order to No. 4.
Scorecard ReportJune 1 National Cricket League
Leicestershire lost to Gloucestershire by 3 wicketsLeicestershire batted first, Sehwag made 14, and the team ended up on 234 off their 45 overs. Gloucestershire overhauled the total with 8 balls to spare.
Scorecard ReportMay 28 C&G Trophy
Leicestershire beat Nottinghamshire by 99 runsSehwag gave Leicestershire, who were put in to bat, a crackling start with a lusty 56 off 51 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Leicestershire made 258, and won easily by 99 runs, as Phil DeFreitas took a superb 3 for 20 in his 10 overs, snatching the man-of-the-match award from Sehwag.
Scorecard ReportMay 21-24 Frizzell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with MiddlesexAn uneventful outing for Sehwag, who made just 10 in the only innings in which he batted. Rain spoilt all chances of a result, or even Sehwag batting twice.
Scorecard ReportMay 18 National Cricket League
Leicestershire beat Yorkshire by 66 runsSehwag was in fine touch, smashing 54 off 70 balls to give Leicestershire just the start they needed. They racked up 247 in their 45 overs, and won comfortably by 66 runs.
Scorecard ReportMay 14-17 Frizell County Championship
Leicestershire drew with SurreySehwag failed in the first innings of this game, making just 2 as Leicestershire collapsed to 200. In reply, Surrey made 560. Up against the wall, Sehwag then smashed a fiesty 81 off 84 balls, and though the wickets continued tumbling after he was out, rain allowed his side to escape with a draw.
Scorecard ReportMay 7 C&G Trophy
Leicestershire beat Northumberland by 90 runsSehwag missed a golden opportunity to pile up some easy runs against minnows Northumberland. Leicestershire batted first and Sehwag, opening the batting, was out for a quick 16. The rest of the game was surprisingly low-scoring, as Leicestershire made 182 and still managed to win by 90 runs.
Scorecard ReportMay 5 National Cricket League
Leicestershire lost to Gloucestershire by 57 runsOne day after his debut for Leicestershire, Sehwag played his second game and, once again, failed. Gloucestershire batted first and amassed 311, and a good start from Sehwag was essential if Leicestershire were to be in the chase. Alas, he made just 1.
Scorecard ReportMay 4 National Cricket League
Leicestershire lost to Glamorgan by 44 runsVirender Sehwag arrived in England at seven a.m. on the day of this game and was promptly picked to make his debut for Leicestershire. Glamorgan batted first, put up 249 in their 45 overs, and then Sehwag went out to open the innings. He made a typically carefree 23, with four thunderous boundaries, before getting out trying to force the pace further.
Scorecard Report

England have released Robert Key from their NatWest Series squad so that he can play for Kent in their Frizzell County Championship match against Nottinghamshire at Maidstone starting on Wednesday. Key, who was also freed to turn out in yesterday’s National League game against Glamorgan, will remain on stand-by for the NatWest Series squad in case of injury.”Following England’s qualification for the NatWest Series final, the selectors have reviewed the composition of the one-day squad," David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, explained. “As was the case with Steve Harmison, who played for Durham last week, we have decided that it would be in England’s best interests if Robert Key were to have some match-practice in the longer form of the game ahead of the forthcoming Test series.”The other 14 players will remain with the squad and continue preparations for the game against South Africa at Edgbaston tomorrow and the NatWest Series final at Lord’s on Saturday. “

Gloucestershire leap-frogged Glamorgan and Surrey to go top of Division Oneof the National League as they defeated the Welsh county by 7 wickets with 7 ballsto spare in an enthralling contest at Cheltenham College.Overnight rain delayed the start and meant that it was a 38 overs a side contest.With the wicket likely to turn, Robert Croft won an important toss and elected to bat,but James Averis dismissed both openers, Croft and Maher, as Glamorgan slumped to 24-2after 6 overs.Michael Powell, with the support of Jonathan Hughes, in only his second game in thecompetition, then added 50 for the third wicket, before further innings of 39 from bothMatthew Maynard, in his 250th League appearance, and later Adrian Dale. Mark Hardingesstifled Glamorgan`s progress with 3 wickets, and then Mike Smith returned to claim 2in his final two overs as Glamorgan were dismissed for 197 with four balls remaining.Needing to score at a shade over 5 an over, Gloucestershire suffered an early blow even beforetheir innings began, as Jonty Rhodes sustained a hamstring injury whilst fielding. But theiropeners, Philip Weston and Craig Spearman, raised morale in the home camp with a positiveopening stand, as the Glamorgan seamers proved to be less effective than theircounterparts and the score was already on 46 in only the 9th over when Michael Kasprowiczdismissed Craig Spearman.Alex Gidman maintained the assertive approach adding 56 for the second wicket, butGloucestershire`s rapid progress was halted by some steady spin bowling from Robert Croftand Dean Cosker. Croft dismissed Weston for 35, but Matthew Windows then came in to joinGidman, and they had added a further 41 before Alex Wharf bowled Gidman for an impressive49.Gloucestershire still needed 60 from the final 10 overs, but Matthew Windows, with thesupport of Shoaib Malik, calmly saw Gloucestershire home, with Windows reaching a match-winninghalf-century from 65 balls.

Wisden Asia Cricket“I was shocked when Sourav said, `Salvi, you’re starting’.”

“So far everything in my cricketing life has happened suddenly. I only opted to pursue cricket instead of engineering at the very late age of 18. I played two games for the Mumbai Under-19s and was still not sure of my decision when I attended the Frank Tyson camp at the Wankhede in 2000. His guidance and belief in me removed all remaining doubts.”The following year I was picked for the Mumbai Ranji team and my first match was against Maharashtra. Hoping to take five wickets I ended up with one. But I did take a five-for on my one-day debut against the same opponents. A lesson was learnt: set goals, but don’t get depressed if they are not met instantly.”Midway into my second season, I was selected for the India A tour of the West Indies, where I finished as the highest wicket-taker with 29 at 18.55. To do well on those placid tracks felt good.”So I wasn’t surprised when I heard that I was picked for the TVS Cup, and felt proud seeing my name in the media. I thought of how a boy from Thane who had no cricketing dreams had progressed to make his debut for the country.”On the eve of my first game I was calm and wanted to just go out there and perform. Next morning I was shocked when Sourav [Ganguly] tossed the new ball to me, saying, “Salvi, you are starting.” I was sure I would bowl first change after Zaheer [Khan] and Ajit [Agarkar]. I measured my mark to 20 paces, closed my eyes, thought of my parents, Tyson Sir, and all the wickets I had taken. All this took four seconds.Then I bowled my first ball and was immediately confident that I would take wickets, and I did take one with my fourth ball.”I had mailed Tyson Sir after my selection and he acknowledged it by writing, `You have done it a thousand times earlier, you can do it hundred times more’. Words enough to inspire me anytime.”