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Daniel Vettori embellished his record against his favourite opponent with a fine to lift New Zealand to 356, before Pakistan’s top order put up a determined reply to leave the game evenly balanced

The Bulletin by Nitin Sundar16-Jan-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDanie Vettori’s innings took New Zealand from a dodgy position to one of comfort•Getty ImagesDaniel Vettori embellished his record against his favourite opponent with a century that was exemplary for the smoothness of its gear-shifts and guided New Zealand from their dodgy overnight position to a score of 356. New Zealand’s progress centred around the 138-run stand between Vettori and Reece Young, who made his maiden half-century, as Pakistan’s attack played into the home side’s hands with an unimaginative approach during the morning session. Their batsmen, however, showed more enterprise, with Taufeeq Umar and Azhar Ali making half-centuries to lead a strong response. Taufeeq’s late exit left Pakistan at 134 for 2, and the game evenly balanced going into the third day.New Zealand’s seamers came out with purpose after Vettori’s heroics, and plugged away on a length outside off despite not getting much help from the wicket. Bowling into the wind, Tim Southee got one to nip away from Mohammad Hafeez, who hit his pad with the bat as he shaped to drive. Umpire Rod Tucker upheld the appeal, triggering another round of debate around the inconsistency in the implementation of the UDRS.Having found his bearings in the session leading up to tea, Taufeeq checked in with two delectable shots in Southee’s first over of the final session, driving square when he was offered width, and straight when he wasn’t. When the seamers angled into his pads, he made them pay almost every time, while also leaving well throughout his innings, both on line and length.Azhar was more subdued and survived a couple of outside edges, the second of which carried low to a late-reacting Ross Taylor, standing wide at first slip. Despite the odd stutter, Azhar showed glimpses of the determination that marked him out in the tours of England and South Africa. The highlight of his effort was a back-foot square drive off Southee, so delicate that it wasn’t noticed by an unfortunate pigeon in the deep-point area that had its feathers ruffled.With the fast bowlers struggling for impact, New Zealand turned to their captain for inspiration once again, and he nearly intervened in his first over, the 26th of the innings. Young appealed without conviction after juggling a thin inside edge from Taufeeq, which no one else seemed to have noticed. Unperturbed by the reversal, Vettori settled into a searching spell, getting the ball to misbehave occasionally from the rough outside Taufeeq’s off stump. Without the aid of the bowlers’ foot marks, he set up a fascinating tussle with Azhar, testing him with flight and drift, and it was down to the batsman’s fortune that he managed to survive Vettori’s best.When Vettori threatened to tie him up with his variations, Azhar stepped out to launch him inside-out over long-off for his first six in Test cricket. The respite was temporary, and Vettori nearly accounted for him twice, beating him through the air with subtle variations in flight, inducing a couple of miscues that landed safely. Taufeeq was easily the more assured of the two, but succumbed with stumps in sight, jabbing Vettori into the slips for 70. His dismissal reignited New Zealand’s hopes, which had flagged a touch after a dominant morning.Pakistan’s early woes were exemplified by Gul, who showed little of the craft and presence of mind he had displayed on the first day. Then, he had used the wind behind him to hustle the batsmen, while getting the ball to deviate disconcertingly from a length. Today, his average length was at least a foot shorter, and he wasted the new ball with a slew of bouncers and wide deliveries. Vettori and Young were happy to stay back in the crease and pick gaps in the field when they were forced to play. With Wahab Riaz indisposed, Abdur Rehman took over duties at the Scoreboard End and got several deliveries to drift prodigiously into Vettori, but did not have enough spin to work with.Vettori mastered the conditions and the one-dimensional line of attack, to set himself up for a rich harvest. He steered one of Gul’s many harmless, short deliveries for four through the off side, and off the next ball, brought up his first half-century in nearly 10 months, shuffling across to off stump and turning round the corner. When Gul made way for Tanvir at the Vance End, Vettori welcomed him with a crisp on-drive for four more.At the other end, Young showed enough poise to promise a long stint in the national side. He survived his only error in the first hour, top-edging a pull off a Tanvir bouncer behind the wicketkeeper’s head, and brought up his fifty with a thick edge through gully for four more. His dismissal, with lunch round the corner, gave Pakistan an opening, but Vettori was not done with them yet. He seamlessly shifted from the initial brief of crease occupation and produced a raft of innovative strokes to swell New Zealand’s score.Tanvir followed up the ball that dismissed Young with a sharp bouncer that rattled Southee’s helmet, and there were a couple more bumpers from Gul after lunch. Southee did not last long, falling to a fuller one, but Vettori’s innovation earned New Zealand 34 from their last two wickets. He moved across to off stump to nudge Gul’s lifters to the leg side, trotted out of the crease to launch Rehman straight for six, and later reverse-swept him against the spin. Vettori had reached 96 when Gul snaked an incutter through Brent Arnel’s defences. Martin survived four deliveries in fortuitous fashion, working the home crowd into a frenzy of applause, and they soon repeated the routine for Vettori’s well-deserved ton. His batting put New Zealand on top in the morning, and his bowling refused to allow Pakistan to dictate terms thereafter.

The future of Sajid Mahmood, the former England fast bowler, has been resolved with Essex signing him on a two-year deal.

Alex Winter20-Nov-2012The future of Sajid Mahmood, the former England fast bowler, has been resolved with Essex signing him on a two-year deal.Mahmood was released by Lancashire, for whom he took 260 first-class wickets, at the end of the 2012 season after sending him out on loan to Somerset at the end of the year where he made three appearances.It is perhaps indicative of Mahmood’s fall from grace that he has extended his career by signing for a team that finished fifth in Division Two of the County Championship last season. In 2011, he was part of the Lancashire side that won the title, taking 35 wickets in the campaign, but missed the end of the season and made just three appearances at the start of 2012.Mahmood’s drift into the cricketing wilderness was quite a contrast from the fearsome fast bowler who was signed from the Bolton league in 2002. A year later he was on an England A tour and demonstrating his pace by breaking Alex Gidman’s hand and injuring Andrew Flintoff with a beamer.An ODI debut quickly followed in 2004 and two years later he played the first of his eight Tests against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, Mahmood a beneficiary of Duncan Fletcher’s policy of finding raw pace. But the concluding act of England’s 5-0 whitewash in Sydney was the final Test he played and, after the World Cup that followed in the West Indies, his ODI career was almost over too.Mahmood’s domestic returns remained modest, averaging just over 30 in first-class cricket from 2007 to 2010 and his economy rate in one-day cricket rose – last season he went at over eight-an-over. And it was a high economy rate that ended his Lancashire career – his last appearance saw him concede 42 from 2.3 overs, including 17 off his last three legitimate deliveries, in Lancashire’s opening Friends Life t20 defeat to Derbyshire.While other promising fast bowlers have moved to Division One counties – Liam Plunkett and Jack Brooks both moved to Yorkshire, Ajmal Shahzad signed for Nottinghamshire – Mahmood has been forced to find a less fashionable county to continue his career, where he will look to prove the credentials that earned him an international career.Proving a point is a factor that attracted Mahmood to Essex head coach Paul Grayson. “I’m really pleased Saj has joined the club,” Grayson said. “I like cricketers who feel that they have something to prove to people and he has lots of ability, he’s experienced and he’s a fit guy who can bowl with good pace as well so we feel Saj will be a real addition to the squad.”Mahmood added: “I am delighted to be joining Essex. Playing at Lancashire was a great experience for me and I thank them for all they did for my cricket. I see this move as a new beginning and can’t wait to get started. Paul Grayson has been brilliant throughout the recruitment process and I appreciate the faith he’s shown in me.”

As per a report by the reliable Gary Jacob of The Times, Southampton are in the mix to sign bright Hull City forward Keane Lewis-Potter alongside a few big Premier League clubs.

The Lowdown: Semmens eyeing moves?

Saints chief Martin Semmens has kept his role even after Serbian-born businessman Dragan Solak completed his £100 million takeover earlier this month (Sky Sports).

The powers at be clearly still show faith in Southampton’s long-serving chief executive as he continues to oversee their transfer activity behind-the-scenes – with reports suggesting they are weighing a couple of moves.

Semmens and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl have been reliably tipped with an effort to make loanee Armando Broja’s stay on the south coast a permanent one (Sky Sports), meanwhile Dean Jones of Eurosport says they are in pole position to sign Fulham attacker Fabio Carvalho (GiveMeSport).

The Latest: Southampton eyeing Lewis-Potter…

According to Jacob’s information, Southampton are one of four English top flight sides eyeing a move for Hull’s exciting forward Lewis-Potter – with the 20-year-old attracting plenty of attention.

As well as Hasenhuttl’s side, Spurs, West Ham and Leicester City are in the mix as his suitors from the Premier League continue to grow.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Racking up 13 goals and six assists in Hull’s third tier promotion campaign over 2020/2021, Lewis-Potter has maintained that dazzling form into his first full Championship season at the MKM Stadium.

Indeed, the Englishman has so far bagged five goals and four assists in the league under manager Grant McCann – leaving little wonder he has been turning heads and Southampton are interested.

He’s even been compared to superstar winger Eden Hazard, with former Tigers player Craig Fagan calling Lewis-Potter ‘similar’ to the Belgium international (The Athletic).

Meanwhile, McCann also hasn’t held back in his praise for the ‘special talent’, and we believe he could well be a brilliant signing for Southampton if they can win the race.

In other news: ‘Inspiring’, ‘Yes yes yes’ – Many Saints fans rave as their club eye ‘unreal signing’, find out more here.

Former Scottish Premiership striker Noel Whelan has made a claim involving Celtic’s Giorgos Giakoumakis following an impressive start to life in Glasgow. 

The lowdown: Big miss

Currently sidelined with a hamstring issue, the 27-year-old was sorely missed by Ange Postecoglou’s side as the Hoops fell to defeat in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

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In the Greek ace’s absence, it was left up to Daizen Maeda to spearhead the attack at Hampden Park with Kyogo Furuhashi left to watch on from the bench.

Despite the wealth of centre-forward options at Postecoglou’s disposal, none of them can match up to Giakoumakis, as Chris Sutton bemoaned the lack of a focal point up front.

The latest: Whelan rates Giakoumakis

Speaking to Football Insider, former Aberdeen man Whelan, who is now an ambassador for Premier League club Leeds United, has suggested that the ‘amazing’ Greece international is clear of the alternatives after ‘what he’s seen’ at Celtic Park.

“He’s by far the best striker Celtic have at the moment.

“He gives you the work rate, the stature, and the physicality which can really trouble teams. We saw that during the last Old Firm game. They couldn’t handle him.

“That’s what Celtic were missing on Sunday. Someone a little bit more robust, who can really work the two centre-halves into areas they don’t want to go into.

“I think with the way he’s playing, it’s hard not to miss a player like that – he gives you such a focal point and he’s not a bad goalscorer either.”

The verdict: Impressive beginnings

Since signing for the Hoops from Dutch side VVV-Venlo for a reported £2.5million (Sky Sports), Giakoumakis has scored 13 times and provided one assist in 24 outings for the club.

However, it’s not just the goal output that has made the striker stand out from the rest as the ex-AEK Athens man also boasts an impressive 72% passing accuracy and 54% aerial duel success rate (Sofascore), proving to be the focal point Sutton referred to.

As the end of the campaign looms large, Postecoglou will want his talismanic star back up and running as quickly as possible to help fire the Bhoys over the line and with it, secure UEFA Champions League football for next term.

In other news, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton worried over injury woes. Read more here.

Rest of India completed a comfortable 404-run win against Rajasthan on the fifth day of the Irani Cup in Jaipur

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsShikhar Dhawan with his Player-of-the-Match awards•ESPNcricinfo LtdRest of India completed a 404-run win against Rajasthan on the fifth day of the Irani Cup in Jaipur. Rajasthan began the day with all their wickets intact but Rest of India, who had already won the trophy on the first-innings lead, got rid of the hosts’ top order in the morning session to set up the outright win.Rajasthan’s openers had a nervy start. In the second over of the day, Aakash Chopra edged Vinay Kumar but the ball fell short of slip. Vineet Saxena edged Varun Aaron for four soon after. The close calls sent the pair into defensive mode and they played out five maidens. Just when Rajasthan seemed to have safely negotiated the early burst from Rest of India – Saxena guided Umesh Yadav past point, while Chopra drove Aaron through covers – Pragyan Ojha struck. He got Chopra to drive at a flighted delivery and took the edge.Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the Rajasthan captain, did not last long, edging a bouncy Yadav delivery that was angled into him to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel. Rest of India struck twice in quick succession again before lunch, with Vinay bowling Saxena and Ojha trapping Robin Bist lbw, to take control of the game.For a while, Rashmi Parida and Ashok Menaria looked like they would hold off Rest of India like they did in the first-innings. But the resistance was cut short when Menaria lost his composure and went after a short, wide ball from Yadav, only to offer Parthiv another catch. Rest of India continued to knock off the wickets in pairs, as Rahul Sharma – who did not have the best day, spraying the ball around a bit – had Rohit Jalani lbw for a duck. Sharma picked up a couple of wickets after that, though, as Parida holed out and Deepak Chahar had his off stump uprooted.Madhur Khatri produced the only innings of note for Rajasthan, a boundary-studded 53. Khatri cut and pulled, and managed a few drives down the ground and through the covers, before edging to Abhinav Mukund at third slip. Ojha wrapped up the match two overs later, as Sunil Mathur charged down the track, missed and was stumped. It was Ohja’s fourth wicket, to go with his first-innings five-for. Rest of India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who struck two blistering centuries in the match, was named Player of the Match.

Bangladesh have postponed their Test series against New Zealand scheduled for October, opting instead to play three additional ODIs to concentrate on their preparation for the 2011 World Cup

Cricinfo staff02-Aug-2010Bangladesh have postponed their Test series against New Zealand scheduled for October, opting instead to play three additional ODIs to concentrate on their preparation for the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent.”It’s a decision of the board and this morning we have conveyed our decision to the New Zealand cricket authorities,” Enayet Hossain Siraj, head of cricket operations at the Bangladesh Cricket Board, told . “We want to focus more on the World Cup and will play as many one-day matches as possible in the next months.”New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, Justin Vaughan, said they were comfortable with the change. “We have tours to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India all in advance of the World Cup so we are really keen to take the most advantage of that to prepare ourselves do really well in the World Cup,” he told . “Playing a full ODI series in Bangladesh works out pretty well.”Bangladesh and New Zealand will play five ODIs, all at Mirpur’s Sher-E-Bangla Stadium, and the two-Test series will be rescheduled for a date after the World Cup.

Paul Condon, the outgoing chief of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), has said there is uncertainty over whether or not there was any match-fixing involved in the first and second editions of the IPL

Cricinfo staff20-May-2010Paul Condon, the outgoing chief of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), has said it worried about the first two IPL seasons not because it suspected match-fixing but because of the lack of infrastructure to prevent it. He said the third edition held this year was a clean event largely due to the heavy involvement of the ACSU.”IPL 1 and 2 we were worried about, not because we think there were huge fixes, but because there was no infrastructure to prevent it,” Condon said at Lord’s on Thursday. “That doesn’t mean to say that matches were fixed in IPL 1 and 2, but nor can I, hand on heart, give it a clean bill of health. I just don’t know .”Our advice was, and remains, that if you are going to have world-class players, international players, who are playing in IPLs and Twenty20s, and if they do anything daft there, sadly they will take that back into the international game. You can’t be a part-time fixer, once the bad guys get into them, and a lot of them are organised criminals, then you are on the hook.”While Condon acknowledged he had heard rumours of spot-fixing in the third IPL season, he said there was no concrete evidence to suggest that was the case. “In IPL 3, the ACSU was heavily involved, there was an education programme, and we’ve got no current intelligence, or information, or ongoing enquiries, which suggest anything other than IPL3 was a clean event in terms of spot-fixing.”IPL 3 from a clean cricket point of view seems to have been a very good event, but you are never more than a phonecall away from someone saying otherwise. There were rumours and vague allegations about IPL3, but no one has come forward either from the Indian board, or IPL, or franchises, or journalists, or players, or team managers, or anyone with specific allegations about match-fixing in IPL. All it’s been is very generic rumour, and we’re still waiting.”Condon said it was essential to prevent any possibility of match-fixing in leagues like the IPL to ensure the problem didn’t spread to the international arena. “To keep the game clean, we’ve got to make sure that events like the IPL and other events like it, don’t contaminate international cricket. So the same regime works for IPL: education, security managers in place.”

Manchester United have seemingly leapfrogged Aston Villa in the race to sign Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.

That’s according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, and, as to be expected, a number of United fans have been reacting to the update on social media.

Kamara appears to be a player in demand, with the holding midfielder’s contract set to expire at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old is on Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa wishlist, with United, Villa and Leeds all talking to the player’s agent ahead of a possible £10m transfer.

And now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, United have overtaken all competitors when it comes to Kamara and are leading the race to secure his services.

United fans react

@utdreport relayed the update regarding Kamara on Twitter via GIFN (Get Italian Football News). This is what these United supporters had to say in reply, with many hoping to see a move materialise in the final days of the January window.

“We’re alive”

Credit: @BigTeezo

“Never heard of GIFN but let’s go”

Credit: @utd_victor_

“PLEASEEEE”

Credit: @hhhhmmmm_

“I hope this is true”

Credit: @I_am_lakes

“Definitely a better option defensively when compared to Zakaria.”

Credit: @TheUnitedLink

“SIGN HIM PLS IMMEDIATELY PLS”

Credit: @kurtbuckerfield

In other news: ‘Finished’ – Many MUFC fans react as Spurs make move for ‘amazing’ ace. 

Everton have not made any signings since they sacked Rafa Benitez earlier this month but had already made three additions under Benitez’s guidance.

However, now Duncan Ferguson could be set to make his first signing for the club whilst he manages the side until a new boss is appointed.

What’s the word?

According to Sport1, Everton are amongst a number of clubs interested in signing Schalke defender, Malick Thiaw, during the January transfer window.

The report suggests that Everton have competition from AC Milan, Napoli and West Ham United with a €6m (£5m) bid from Milan already rejected, and the young Bundesliga star is reportedly looking for his next challenge.

Better than Keane

Everton are currently having a season of nightmares, with the side only winning five of their Premier League games so far, conceding 11 more goals than they have scored, with several poor defensive performances put on display both home and away.

One particular performance that triggered the end of Benitez’s career as the Toffees manager was against Norwich City at Carrow Road, when Michael Keane scored an own goal that opened up the game early for the Canaries, putting them in a position to win 2-1 resulting in the tenth defeat of the season for Everton.

According to Squawka, when you compare Keane’s season to Thiaw’s campaign in the league so far, the 20-year-old has completed over 300 more passes in his own half, won more ground and aerial duels and has twice as many clean sheets than his 29-year-old counterpart.

With age on his side, Thiaw could become a hot prospect worth developing and integrating into the Everton defence if they signed him. With that in mind, it’s clear to see why the youngster has been dubbed a “big talent” by talent scout Jacek Kulig on Twitter.

The £4.5m-rated star who was also hailed “talented” by former Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider, was previously linked with the Toffees fierce rivals, Liverpool last year, but nothing materialised.

Yet, with Schalke already rejecting an offer from another club, Ferguson and the Everton board will need to make the youngster an offer he can’t refuse if they wanted to sign him during the remaining days of the winter transfer window.

In other news: Alan Myers drops two-word update on Everton manager search

A round-up of the last five rounds and the final of the Bangladesh National Cricket League’s one-day competition

Rabeed Imam15-Nov-2010What was originally a hastily taken decision proved to be a lifeline for a number of cricketers as this season’s NCL one-day version brought out the best in the World Cup hopefuls. The competition only got going after the weather had conspired to put the first class tournament off track after just one completed round of matches. The BCB then decided that in the interest of preparation for the World Cup, the four-dayers would be put on hold and the limited overs matches finished within a three-week period. Eventually, it was the overall class of Dhaka that triumphed in the final against a spirited Barisal. When curtains fell it was the lasting memories of an exhilarating climax with four teams neck and neck going into the final round, and the continuous domination of national team players that stood out.Phase 1 – Round 4With the 20 top players unavailable for this round because of a preparation camp for Zimbabwe’s tour next month, the runs suddenly dried up. Dhaka collapsed against the steady Barisal attack at Mirpur, and were all out for 170 with Mehrab Hossain Jr. making 59. With such a paltry target unbeaten Barisal must have fancied a fourth straight win, but veteran Mohammad Sharif took a wicket in each of his first three overs, finishing with five for 20, while legspinner Nur Hossain nipped out the middle-order, taking three for 22, as Barisal were shot out for 136.Plagued by injuries to key players and short on spirit, Sylhet were already out of contention for a second phase spot. In a game reduced to 45 overs due to rain at Bogra, they were scuttled for 94 by a ruthless Rajshahi, who won by ten wickets, with makeshift opener Farhad Reza hitting an unbeaten 77.In another rain-shortened match, Chittagong could manage only 121 for eight in 23 overs against Khulna at Rajshahi. At 106 for 8 in the 21st over, Khulna appeared to have made a hash of the chase, before Ziaur Rahman (24 not out) carried them home. With four teams moving into the second phase, Chittagong’s chances evaporated with this loss.Phase 1 – Round 5With qualification more or less ensured for both, the Barisal v Rajshahi clash at Mirpur was more about regional pride. Rajshahi’s innings never took off as they laboured to 221 for nine. Anisur Rahman top scored with 61. Once again Barisal’s bowlers all chipped in. When they batted, openers Hannan Sarker (58) and find-of-the-season Fazl-e-Rabbi (50) promised a hammering for Rajshahi, but once they got out the bowlers tightened the noose, and it took a boundary off the last ball by Arafat Salauddin to ensure victory by three wickets.Paceman Mahbubul Alam blew Khulna away with four wickets in his two opening overs, and despite half centuries from Tushar Imran (53) and Sahagir Hossain (54), the total of 170 was never really going to challenge Dhaka, who crossed the target in the 36.5 overs with six wickets in hand. The big-hitting Anamul Hoque was unbeaten on 64.In the contest of no-hopers, Chittagong finally gave a batting performance where all key men contributed. Nafis Iqbal hit 69, Faisal Hossain 58 and Aftab Ahmed struck 52 in their total of 251 for seven at Rajshahi. After his effort with the bat, Faisal proved even more destructive with the ball as his left-arm spin claimed five for 28. Sylhet went down by 121 runs.Phase 2 – Round 1As the stars returned after a two-round break, so did quality. Mohammad Ashraful’s chanceless 111 not out off 103 balls and Uttam Sarker’s 66 took Dhaka to a seemingly comfortable 271 for six against Khulna at Mirpur. Imrul Kayes (108) and Mohammad Mithun (59), however, kept Khulna in the game with a 140-run stand for the second wicket. When the last power play was on, Ziaur Rahman did what he does best and his unconquered 41-ball 42 saw Khulna home with four balls and four wickets in hand.Mohammad Ashraful was Dhaka’s batting linchpin and earned the player-of-the-tournament award•BCB MediaWith Dhaka losing, Barisal had the chance to go atop the points chart at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium. With leading batsman Roqibul Hassan out with a groin injury, Fazl-e-Rabbi gave them the single-innings inspiration they needed as he batted the entire 50 overs in a run-a-ball knock of 148 that had 16 fours and two sixes. Nasiruddin Faruque gave good support with 68. For Rajshahi wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim had put his side on course by sharing 45 for the eighth wicket with Mohammad Sohrawordi. But when Sohrawordi perished for a quick 32 off 25, and Rahim followed an over later for 114, Rajshahi wound up eight runs shortPhase 2 – Round 2The world’s number one allrounder Shakib Al Hasan hasn’t been as awe-inspiring in domestic cricket. But against Barisal he was his usual self. Having taken three for 34 to restrict them to 213 for eight, Shakib was also influential in the chase, making 35, but it was Nazmus Sadat’s 71 that eased the nerves as Khulna secured a three-wicket victory. The win allowed Khulna to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive.Rajshahi powered to 276 for 8 on the back of Shabbir Rahman’s 74 and Zunaed Siddique’s 60 against Dhaka who floundered against the slow bowlers and were bundled out for 197.The results in this round meant that three teams – Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna were on eight points going into the last round. Barisal were on 10 points, but all four sides were still fighting for a place in the final.Phase 2 – Round 3Khulna were the first team to be omitted from the race to reach the final when they were thrashed by Rajshahi at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium. Mohammad Mithun’s 54 was their only innings of substance, as Khulna crashed to 118. Rajshahi were convincing winners by six wickets, with Siddique making 47.With 10 points and level with Barisal, Rajshahi’s eyes were now on the happenings at Mirpur where Dhaka made a fighting 242. Shamsur Rahman and Shuvagata Hom both scored 54. A loss for Dhaka would have given Rajshahi a berth in the final, but Barisal’s usual tenacity with the bat went missing in this match as they lost the plot and went down by 79 runs. As three sides had 10 points, it was then left to the tournament laws to ascertain that by virtue of head-to-head results Dhaka and Barisal were the finalists.The FinalDrama preceded the final with Barisal’s prolific opener Nasiruddin Faruque getting suspended for the match for showing dissent and abusing the umpires in the game before. Then it was learned that Tamim Iqbal, who had recovered from hand surgery but has not featured in a competitive match for months, had sought a no-objection certificate from his home division Chittagong to play in the final for Dhaka. In the end though, Chittagong decided against giving the NOC as that would have robbed them of their prized batsman for the four-day games later on.Barisal opted to bat, but failed to get a decent run-rate going even though they had wickets in hand. With the openers departing inside 15 overs, Asif Ahmed (48) and Shahin Hossain (40) dug deep but it was left to a 19-ball 35 from Ariful Haque to get them past 200. Fast bowler Shahadat Hossain, another Bangladesh player desperate to impress the selectors with the World Cup clock ticking, returned figures of four for 39 to follow up his three for 23 in the previous game. Set 222 to win Dhaka had five of their top six back in the dressing room with the score on 79 at the half-way point. However, Mahmudullah and Elias Sunny kept their cool and dealt mainly in singles and twos, with the occasional boundary thrown in. Mahmudullah fell for 53 but Sunny, who is more renowned as a left-arm spinner, continued batting like a man possessed. With the lights fading, Sunny found the extra cover boundary off three consecutive balls to seal a third one-day version title for Dhaka.PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT – Mohammad Ashraful (Dhaka)With a hundred, two fifties and a couple of decent cameos, Ashraful was Dhaka’s batting mainstay and for a change thrived in that role consistently. He also backed himself with the ball and made breakthroughs when his team needed them. More than anything it was his calmness at the crease that warmed the heart of his admirers. When he is in that frame of mind it is very difficult to dislodge him and majority of his innings were chanceless.FIND OF THE TOURNAMENT – Fazl-e-Rabbi (Barisal)Only batsman in the competition to score two hundreds and the only man apart from national team players to make a century. With a stand-and-deliver style that brought out a comparison with Chris Gayle from former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud, the left-hander impressed everyone with his aggression and hand-eye coordination. He only took the game seriously in 2005 and had never batted for 50 overs before his epic 148 against Rajshahi. The fact that he is local product of Barisal, where the infrastructure is still in its infancy, and had never received any specialized coaching, speaks a lot about the perseverance and talent of this lad.