Aussies thankful to Sharjah authorities for ice jackets

By Bipin Dani

SHARJAH (TheSportsNext) August 29, 2012: Paul Marsh, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) did have reservation over his team playing in the summer heat of UAE (and that too at odd hours), but the letter written by the team manager, Gavin Dovey is certain to please the organisers at the Sharjah International Stadium.

 

"Just a short note to say a big thank you for the manner in which you and SCC (Sharjah Cricket Council) accommodated us yesterday for our training session", the team manager has said in a personal letter written to Mazhar Khan (the chief administrator at the Sharjah Stadium) and copy also marked to Usman Wahla, the PCB official.

"We had a good session and it was in part thanks to you and your teams fine efforts", the letter further says.

“I look forward to seeing you again".

The players are being adjusted to the summer heat here. The umpires have been kind enough to allow them to have drinks at regular intervals.

Cricket Australia (CA) consulted their Ambassador to United Arab Emirates, Mr. Pablo Kang before coming over. "|Ýes, we did have several discussions with their officials prior to this tour", he said exclusively. The humidity is not as high as it was a week ago. It is cooling climate in the evening and the players are doing everything possible to adjust themselves", he further added.

The team has more support staff to look after the players. The physio, trainer and their assistants are monitoring the players' fitness round the clock.

Interestingly, Sharjah is not only the home ground for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) but it is also the home ground for Salman Khan, according to Mazhar Khan.

"Salman brings Bollywood to Sharjah cricket. His brother, Sohail Khan has picked Sharjah as Mumbai Heroes home ground", he said.

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Starc, Bailey lead Australia to 4wkt win over Pakistan in 1st ODI

By Osama Tariq

SHARJAH (TheSportsNext) August 29, 2012: Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson dealt the early blow while George Bailey and skipper Michael Clarke delivered the final punch as Australia defeated Pakistan by four wickets in the first One Day International at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

 

Mitchell Starc took five wickets, his best figures in One Day career, while Michael Clarke and George Bailey hit gutsy half centuries against Pakistani spin trio on a slow and low pitch in Sharjah as the match lived up to the expectations of a quality international cricket match.

This is the first time Australia have beaten Pakistan in a One Day International at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Pakistani skipper Misbah ul Haq won the toss and decided to bat first but Aussie fast bowler James Pattinson delivered two early blows which hampered Pakistan’s progress early on.

Mitchell Starc soon joined his new ball partner and Pakistan clearly looked down the battle at three down for 40 runs on the board before skipper Misbah ul Haq (26) and Asad Shafiq (56) joined forces to added 59 valuable runs for the fourth wicket.

Misbah ul Haq played a reckless shot and lost his wicket to Dan Christian but incoming Umar Akmal (52) accepted the responsibility and together with Asad Shafiq added another 61 runs for the fifth wicket before poor shot selection during the Batting Powerplay overs made Pakistan dig their own grave.

Pakistan lost last six wickets for just 38 runs and couldn’t even last for full 50 overs as they were bowled out for 198 runs from 45.1 overs.

Mitchell Starc produced his best figures of ODI career as he captured five wickets for 42 runs while James Pattinson also played his part by taking three wickets for 19 runs. Mitchell Johnson received some stick from Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal but still managed to grab a wicket for 43 runs.

Chasing a moderate target of 199 runs, Australia started in a cautious manner but Mohammad Hafeez once again proved his worth with an early wicket of dangerous David Warner (5) while Shahid Afridi got rid of Mathew Wade (10).

Saeed Ajmal soon got into the act and got rid of Hussey brothers. He sent Mike Hussey (5) back into the pavilion for his 100^thwicket in One Day International career before deceiving David Hussey (3) with a doosra to leave Australia in a spot of bother at four for 67 runs.

However, Australian skipper Michael Clarke (66) joined hands with Australian Twenty20 skipper George Bailey (57 not out) for 54 runs partnership for fifth wicket before Mohammad Hafeez returned in the Batting Powerplay to trap Clarke right in front of the wicket.

Still needing 78 runs for victory, Glenn Maxwell (38) gave Bailey good bit of sport for a 63-run sixth wicket partnership before George Bailey decided to use the long handle and struck Aizaz Cheema for a hug six over Long Off to make life easier for the visiting team.

In the end Australia completed the target with 10 balls to spare for the loss of six wickets to register their first-ever victory over Pakistan in Sharjah.

Mitchell Starc was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant spell of 5/42.

The second One Day International between Pakistan and Australia will be played on August 31, 2012 at Abu Dhabi.

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5-star Mitchell Starc restricts Pakistan to 198 in 1st ODI

By Osama Tariq

SHARJAH (TheSportsNext) August 28, 2012: Australian young fast bowler Mitchell Starc recorded his best figures in One Day International career on Tuesday as the so-called inexperience Australian side folded a somewhat experienced Pakistan team to mere 198 runs total in the first match being played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan looked good to score in excess of 260 runs at one stage when Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal were blossoming with each ball but as soon as Mitchell Starc shattered stumps behind Asad Shafiq, Pakistan collapsed.

Pakistan’s last six wickets fell for only 38 runs as Aussie pacemen James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc caused havoc to Pakistan’s middle and lower middle order.

Mitchell Starc grabbed five wickets for 42 runs which is the 21^st best bowling figures at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The best bowling figure by any bowler at this stadium is by Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka who captured seven wickets for 30 runs against India on October 27, 2000. The best bowling figure by a Pakistani fast bowler here is by Aaqib Javed who took seven wickets for 37 runs against India on October 25, 1991. The best bowling figures by a Pakistani spin bowler at this ground is by Shahid Khan Afridi who grabbed five wickets for 35 runs from 9.2 overs against Sri Lanka on November 20, 2011.

Pakistan innings could never got going as right from the start James Pattinson put Pakistan under pressure. Pakistan Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez was the first man to go who after surviving a Leg-Before-Wicket appeal due to Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) couldn’t prolong his innings and was trapped by the combination of Pattinson and David Hussey for only four runs from 12 deliveries.

Azhar Ali once again failed to prove his worth in the One-day team as he chipped one straight to the throat of Mid-On (Mitchell Johnson) for only five runs from six balls.

Pakistan’s other opener, left-hand batsman Nasir Jamshed (23 from 30 – 3 fours) was looking good at the crease and started to move his feet well before Mitchell Starc bowled a beauty to get his knick straight to wicket keeper Mathew Wade who made no mistake in accepting the simple catch.

Pakistan were looking in a spot of bother and needed a special innings from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (26 from 48 – 1 four) but he failed to provide the goods as he could only manage to add another 59 runs to the total in company of Asad Shafiq (56 from 77 – 2 fours, 2 sixes) who was looking settled and resilient.

Umar Akmal (52 from 55 – 2 fours, 2 sixes) then joined Asad Shafiq and the two young batsmen took the score to 160 runs in the 36^thover before a huge batting collapse saw Pakistan folding to only 198 runs from 45.1 overs.

Once again it was Batting Powerplay which hurt Pakistan badly as Asad Shafiq trying to clear the infield was clean-bowled by Mitchell Starc for 56 runs.

Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shahid Afridi came and went in the space of only one delivery to score his 28^th One Day International duck, which was also a record 12^th Golden Duck for the fearful smasher.

Kamran Akmal, who never looked settled down the order, was bobbed down by some tight Aussie bowling before succumbing to pressure and edged one straight into the hands of Aussie skipper Michael Clarke for only four runs from 14 balls.

Umar Akmal (52) was the next man to go as he tried to lob the ball above point and cover fielder but found George Bailey who safely pouched the catch.

The rest was quite a formality as Pakistani tail-enders did their best to prolong the innings but Australian fast bowlers used reverse swing to great effect and skittled Pakistan to a paltry total of 198 runs.

James Pattinson took three wickets for 19 runs but star of the show was Mitchell Starc who captured five wickets for 42 runs which is his best figures in One-day career.

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