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Steven Smith has enlarged upon the full reasons for his later than expected declaration on the final day of the Boxing Day Test against India

Daniel Brettig in Sydney05-Jan-2015It is said the best captains are at least a couple overs ahead of most others on the field, seeing potential problems or opportunities emerging before they become evident to all.Steven Smith revealed evidence of this singular skill, on a wide and significant scale, by enlarging upon the full reasons for his later than expected declaration on the final day of the Boxing Day Test against India.It was known that Smith wanted to shut the visitors out of the series, a decision he copped considerable criticism for. It was less understood that Smith’s decision was motivated by something other than the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Smith knew how difficult the SCG Test would be for a team that has battled to comprehend the loss of Phillip Hughes six weeks ago, and wanted to ensure the contest had been decided by the time they returned to the place of his final innings, for a match likely to stretch all their emotions.”I said it last week, I didn’t want to to let India back in the series at all,” Smith said. “I had this week in the back of my mind as well knowing how hard this week could be. To have the series wrapped up I think we can play a little bit more relaxed and not have that extra pressure of having to win this Test match If the same thing comes around again I’m sure I’ll be a bit more aggressive.”Such foresight will be an encouraging sign for Australia’s coaches, selectors, management and board directors, all of whom have either had an influence on Smith’s progress or verified his ascension to the role. Equally wise was Smith’s attitude to the plaque unveiled at the entrance to the home dressing room in the Members Pavilion, a spot where all players will glimpse Hughes as they walk out of or back to the inner sanctum.”Hughesy was one of us, he was one of our good mates,” Smith said. “Particularly this week, it’s going to be great to be able to walk past that and see the little fella there and give us a bit of inspiration as we’re going out on the field.”The boys have handled it pretty well so far. Davey Warner said yesterday that he might not know how he’s feeling until he actually gets out in the middle and starts playing again. We’ve just got to take care of each other this week. It’s pretty important for us to make sure everyone’s in as good as spirits as they can be.”The boys in Adelaide did a terrific job to get themselves up for that Test match so quickly after the tragic incident. I think just coming back to the place where it happened, I thought it was going to be extremely tough for the boys – particularly the ones that were out there on the day. It’s going to be a tough Test match for all those involved and everyone else as well. Hopefully we can hold our emotions together and end this series well.”Fatigue and health issues have interrupted the preparations of a few Australians this week. Shane Watson complained of a stomach ailment that shortened his main training session on Sunday, and alongside the assistant coach Craig McDermott he was the last man in the SCG nets, sending down a few preparatory overs to ensure his medium pace outswing was in decent enough fettle for the match.Rumours of Josh Hazlewood’s sore body putting his place in danger were allayed when Smith announced the inclusion of Mitchell Starc for the hamstrung Mitchell Johnson as the team’s only change, but he also had reason to ponder the fact that this will likely be the last home Test match for more than one member of the XI. Chris Rogers has made his future clear, and the likes of Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin will also harbour thoughts about where their finish line might be.”It just shows we’re picking the best players around at the moment,” Smith said when asked about the ageing members of his XI, chosen on performance rather than potential. “Those guys have had terrific careers. Chris Rogers has scored that many hundreds – I probably can’t even count them.”He’s had an exceptional career and done a terrific job for us at the top there. He really complements Davey the way he plays and gets us through that new ball more often than not. He’s done a terrific job for Australia. Ryan Harris is a workhorse. He’s a quality performer, I think he averages mid-20s with the ball. He’s been a terrific performer over a long period of time and hopefully we can play another good Test for them.”Pondering his new opposite number Virat Kohli, Smith offered a subtle barb about his desire to “get involved” in the making of umpiring decisions, while also offering a warm nod to the departed MS Dhoni, who remains in Sydney as the reserve wicketkeeper in the event of a stomach bug or other unfortunate circumstance befalling Wriddhiman Saha.”MS has been a terrific leader for India for a long period of time, there’s no doubting about that,” Smith said. “We saw Virat in that first Test match take over the reins there. He did a pretty job for them. He’s a quite emotional character and likes to get involved in a lot of the decisions. I’m looking forward to this week again with India.”Indian efforts to find a way past Smith’s increasingly broad bat had Dhoni resorting to the posting of a leg slip and having his bowlers pursue a negative line at the MCG, eventually claiming the captain’s wicket with the tactic in the second innings. Smith has well-founded confidence he will not be caught out there again, joking in the nets that one glance off the bowling of Hazlewood had flown fine, but also speaking lucidly about how to avoid the trap.”For me it’s a bit of an instinct shot, the more they bowl there it’s better for me,” he said. “I’ve scored a lot of runs through there this summer. If they’re trying to get me out caught at leg slip it’s not a bad thing for me. I’m just going to have to be wary of it and hopefully get out of the of way of a few if they’re targeting me in that area again.”

Paul Horton almost led Lancashire to their first Twenty20 title this summer but will sit out the first two matches of their campaign next season after being suspended for dissent.

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Sep-2014Paul Horton almost led Lancashire to their first Twenty20 title this summer but will sit out the first two matches of their campaign next season after being suspended for dissent.Horton, the Lancashire captain, appeared to refuse to leave the crease after being given out caught behind in the NatWest T20 Blast Final at Edgbaston, which Lancashire lost to Warwickshire.Attempting to pull a delivery from Jeetan Patel, Horton was adjudged to have gloved the delivery through to Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.He was visibly unhappy with the decision and gestured with outstretched arms towards the umpire.Horton was charged with a Level Two offence under the ECB’s disciplinary code – showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action – earning him three penalty points.But the Cricket Discipline Commission decided further action was necessary in accordance with summary procedure regulations 5 and 6.Given the high profile of the event and the level of dissent shown – Michael Atherton described it as the worst since Chris Broad in the late 1980s – the commission handed down a two-match ban, which Horton accepted.”I apologise to the umpires for my actions,” Horton said. “I realise that these were unacceptable, particularly given the high profile nature of the match, watched by millions around the world on TV and a full house at Edgbaston. As players we must be aware of our responsibilities as role models, none more so than the captain.”

Misbah-ul-Haq has said that Pakistani batsmen struggle at times against quality spin because they are not used to facing it on turning pitches in domestic cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Oct-2014Misbah-ul-Haq has said that Pakistani batsmen struggle at times against quality spin because they are not used to facing it on turning pitches in domestic cricket. Pakistan lost their first four wickets to Australia’s spinners and scraped to 96 for 9 on a Dubai turner to lose the only T20 international.”Sometimes it happens,” Misbah said ahead of the first ODI in Sharjah. “When you are not having more spinners at the domestic level, batsmen are not facing more good spinners in domestic competitions … you are not used to facing them.”You need good spinners at domestic level and you need to have some turners there so the batsmen can get used to them. It is a big factor and if you see, some of the batsmen who have played more of their cricket in Karachi on pitches where it turns a little bit, and they have faced more spinners, they play spin well.”Spin accounted for eight of the 13 wickets that fell in Dubai and Misbah said that the surface would have troubled any batsman. “Obviously on a pitch like the one we played on, both teams were struggling against spin because it was gripping and turning. On a pitch like that any batsman can struggle.”George Bailey said that teams were “doctoring” their pitches to take advantage of the Australians’ frailties against spin, but Misbah felt that the visitors had become better players of slow bowling. “Playing in the IPL and getting exposure they have improved against spin. It is not about the Australians. It is about every batsman. If it is turning and the bowler is pitching it in the right areas, you have some trouble but you need to focus on your technique, your basics. Just like fast bowling, for spin you need to have good basics to face it. They are playing spin well at the moment but still even in the last game you see they were having trouble against Shahid Afridi and Raza Hasan, so we can exploit that but at the same time we also have to play spin well.”Misbah said that given the conditions, Pakistan could not depend only on spin going into the series. “You need to have a balance between pace and spin. You normally need five bowlers in a one-day or T20 game. Everybody has to really play his role. You cannot just rely that two spinners will do the damage. The way the Australians bowled on that pitch. Their fast bowlers bowled well, their spinners bowled well. On these pitches, everybody can play his role.”Pakistan are without their lead spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has been banned for an illegal action. Misbah said that Pakistan had no option but to move on in his absence, and felt that left-arm spinner Hasan, who claimed 2 for 17 in the T20, had the potential to step in.”It is really difficult for anybody to fill in for Saeed Ajmal because he has been the number one or two bowler since last three-four years. Raza Hasan is also a very good bowler. If Saeed is not there somebody has to just raise his hand and try to fill in. I think he (Hasan) showed that in the games before and even yesterday. He can be a bowler who can give something to Pakistan.”It is really pleasing the way he (Hasan) bowled. He was doing really well in the T20s before he got injured. Got operated. Good sign for Pakistan that he is back. In the one-day series we’ll be hoping that he continues to bowl like that.”

David Collier is leaving the ECB after a decade as chief executive. Appointed in October 2004, he is expected to remain in place until the end of the season though an interim appointment is expected to be made shortly.

George Dobell12-Jul-2014David Collier is leaving the ECB after a decade as chief executive.Collier, 59, was appointed in October 2004 and will remain in place until the end of the season though an interim appointment is expected to be made shortly.The ECB confirmed the announcement on Sunday although no mention of the plans for Collier’s successor were made.*Richard Gould, the Surrey chief executive, and Brian Havill, the ECB’s finance director since 2000, are the likely candidates to succeed the post.While Collier, a quiet man happiest working behind the scenes, never developed a significant public profile, he has been involved in some highly significant developments in English cricket.He was part of the management group that brought vast amounts of new money into the game, though the decision to sell live television rights to a subscription broadcaster remains controversial.Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, said: “When we reflect on the past 10 years we will all recognise the huge debt of gratitude which is owed by cricket in England and Wales to David Collier and the management teams he has built and revitalised during that period.”Benefiting from the increased funds, England achieved several key ambitions. They won their first Ashes series for almost 20 years in 2005 and their first global limited-overs trophy in 2010. They also rose to No. 1 in the Test rankings. Collier was also involved in the development of the women’s game and disability cricket in the UK.The decision to sign a deal with Allen Stanford will certainly be remembered less favourably, with the Texan later sentenced to a 110-year prison sentence for fraud. Not all the counties will mourn his departure, either. They are unhappy that, while they fight for their financial survival, the ECB have amassed reserves of around £40 million.Collier’s departure will leave the ECB with an inexperienced look. They have already lost Hugh Morris as managing director, Andy Flower as head coach and Andrew Strauss as Test captain in recent months, while commercial director John Perera has also announced his decision to retire.It is understood Collier had been keen to leave some time ago, but was persuaded to stay on to provide some level of continuity. In May 2012, he was interviewed for the position of ICC CEO but missed out to Dave Richardson and he has also been linked to several other high-profile positions in recent months.Collier said: “After 10 years at ECB I believe it is the right time to step aside and retire from the position of chief executive as I shall turn 60 in the spring and I do believe the time is right for a new CEO to open the batting.”I am immensely proud of the achievements and the enormous strides forward which cricket in England and Wales has made during the past decade.”He was previously chief executive at Gloucestershire (1983-86), Leicestershire (1996-99) and Nottinghamshire (1999-2004) after a spell as assistant secretary at Essex (1980-83).Collier has also worked in the travel and leisure industries. He was senior vice-president of American Airlines and president of AMR Services from 1988-95 and managing director of Servisair PLC from 1995-96.A Loughborough University graduate and former captain of British Universities cricket and hockey teams; he is an independent director of Great Britain Hockey and a former international class one hockey umpire.*1.30pm, July 13: This story was updated when the ECB made the news official

Najam Sethi, the PCB chairman, has said the Pakistan board is inviting Sri Lanka over for a series, asserting that Pakistan is “ready” to host international cricket in the country once again

Umar Farooq22-May-2014Najam Sethi, the PCB chairman, has said the Pakistan board is inviting Sri Lanka over for a series, asserting that Pakistan is “ready” to host international cricket in the country once again.The PCB’s invite follows Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement on Tuesday, when, on the sidelines of a summit in China, he said that his cricket team “must go to Pakistan and play there”. The PCB decided to write Sri Lanka Cricket, offering its team a series in Pakistan.Pakistan has been a no-go zone for major international cricket since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus on its way to Gaddafi Stadium on the third morning of a Test. Several cricketers were injured in the attack, including Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paravitarana. Six security men and two civilians were killed.”We must go and play there also,” President Rajapaksa said during a meeting with Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain. “We can’t allow the terrorists to have control.”Responding swiftly to the statement, Sethi said: “We are very much concerned about being isolated, without major international cricket in Pakistan. We have heard the positive statement by the president of Sri Lanka and we are writing them and offering them a home series in Pakistan.”We are writing them that there is no security problem and you are welcome and we will provide you the maximum security with the help of the Punjab Government.”We are ready to host them and will chalk out a suitable window for them. Our top priority is to host an international team and we are making efforts to do that.”This is not the first time the Sri Lanka government has hinted at having intentions to help Pakistan in breaking their isolation, but the discussions never bred anything concrete previously. The PCB also tried hard to negotiate home series’ with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, but the series never happened, with Bangladesh twice withdrawing after seemingly having committed.The PCB had tried to win back the confidence of players by organising a lucrative Twenty20 league, offering top players from around the world a chance to earn over $100,000, tax-free, in 10 days. But the plan was hit by logistical problems, and the board had to postpone it indefinitely.Pakistan is set to tour Sri Lanka in August to play two Tests and three one-day internationals. They will then host Australia and New Zealand in the UAE, from October 3 to December 19.

Chris Jordan hopes to play for England in his native Barbados in the first of three T20Is on Sunday but it could have all turned out so differently

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2014If Bill Athey, the former England batsman, had not gone on a reconnaissance trip to Barbados to seek out a potential cricketer for a scholarship at Dulwich College, Chris Jordan might conceivably have been lining up for West Indies against England in Barbados on Sunday.Kensington Oval, after all, was where Jordan watched from the stands, played on the outfield in front of the old media box and even took part in the first match after the ground had been refurbished in time for the 2007 World Cup.But Athey liked what he saw and Jordan found himself living among the unaccustomed splendour of Dulwich College, an independent school in South East London which is approaching its 400th anniversary, where England and Sri Lanka trained during the Champions Trophy last summer, and where there are comfortably more artificial outdoor cricket pitches than any county ground in the land.At 25, and with the best year of his career behind him, Jordan is strong enough to cope with the inevitable consequence of his change of allegiance, knowing that, if he wins a place in the final XI in the first of three Twenty20 internationals on Sunday, for every well-wisher there could be a partisan West Indies who will be happy to see him fall flat on his face.But his task in the three Twenty20 internationals at Kensington Oval is to get his preparations for World Twenty20 in Bangladesh right on track and contribute to the lifting of morale in an England side that has gained some release with a 2-1 ODI series win in Antigua, but which few people regard as serious challengers in World Twenty20.Jordan waved aside the crowd reaction he might face as “pretty irrelevant really,” adding “As long as my friends and my family are backing me, that’s honestly all that matters. It doesn’t matter who I play for at the end of the day, my family and friends will back me 100 per cent and that’s all that matters.”Jordan still returns regularly to Barbados to look up old friends and old haunts. After he practiced at Kensington Oval, he recalled: “I used to sit down in the old press box – and as these kids are doing now, I used to go on the field at lunchtimes and have little games. I really do remember it.”The ground had quite a makeover for the World Cup, turning from a homely ground with a stirring tradition to a sports stadium. As the renovations took place, Jordan himself was among those who first experienced the changing atmosphere from the middle. “It has changed so much,” he said.For all the stirred memories, he says he remains proud of his return with England to his native land. “I’m very proud actually,” he said. “Obviously I grew up here … but I went to England and learned most of my trade there. I’m more than happy with the decision I’ve made.”Injury problems disrupted his development in England, and only when he moved from Surrey to Sussex for the 2013 season did he really make a breakthrough. In that phase of his career, he had better fortune for Barbados – but by then he was classified as an overseas player. There would be no thoughts of going back.

More than a week has passed since the BCCI discussed convening a special general meeting to replace N Srinivasan on the board’s disciplinary committee, but now it appears as though the meeting may not happen in the near future

Amol Karhadkar28-Apr-2014More than a week has passed since the BCCI discussed convening a special general meeting to replace N Srinivasan on the board’s disciplinary committee, but now it appears as though the meeting may not happen in the near future.An SGM requires a 21-day notice period but as of today no notice had been served by the BCCI secretary to any of the board’s member units. According to BCCI regulations, for an SGM to be convened, the secretary must issue the notice within ten days of “a resolution of the working committee”. However, because there was no resolution passed at the working committee meeting on April 20, neither the secretary Sanjay Patel nor acting president Shivlal Yadav, who has powers to call a meeting in special circumstances, are in a hurry to convene the meeting.Representatives of at least one member from all five zones who attended the working committee meeting confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that despite a vocal suggestion to convene an SGM, no resolution was passed. Patel, who is set to lose his post at the Baroda Cricket Association, didn’t respond to questions, but a BCCI source revealed the SGM may not be convened at all.One of the cases waiting to be heard by the disciplinary committee, which comprises BCCI president Srinivasan and vice-presidents Yadav and Rajeev Shukla, is that of Ajit Chandila, one of three Rajasthan Royals cricketers arrested on corruption charges during the 2013 IPL. He filed a reply to the disciplinary committee in April but the case has not proceeded because the Supreme Court sidelined Srinivasan from the BCCI’s affairs as a fall out of corruption allegations in the IPL.While the ruling faction in the BCCI believes the remaining two members of the disciplinary committee can meet and decide on Chandila, a bereavement in Yadav’s family has resulted in the acting president taking a break from his responsibilities.

Mystery surrounded the fitness of Boyd Rankin following the first day’s play in Sydney after the fast bowler was twice forced from the pitch on his first day as a Test cricketer

George Dobell at the SCG03-Jan-2014Mystery surrounded the fitness of Boyd Rankin following the first day’s play in Sydney after the fast bowler was twice forced from the pitch on his first day as a Test cricketer.Rankin, who retired from Irish cricket at the end of the 2012 to concentrate on playing Test cricket for England, appeared to have suffered a hamstring strain after bowling the first delivery of his ninth over but, after leaving the field for treatment, was able to resume about 90 minutes later. He then managed just one more delivery before a recurrence of the problem forced him off again in obvious pain and clutching his left hamstring.But after a scan showed no injury, the England camp claimed Rankin had simply been suffering from cramp and should be fit to resume bowling duties in the second innings.Such a scenario would raise questions about Rankin’s physical condition going into the game. While the weather in Sydney was warm – it reached 27 degrees at one stage in the afternoon – it was some way below the extremes experienced in Perth or in Alice Springs.It is possible that nerves could have played a part. The 29-year-old Rankin has endured a long journey to the Test environment and knows, coming into a struggling team at the end of a series, that he may not enjoy many opportunities to prove his worth at this level. A somewhat shy, quietly spoken man from a rural background, it is also possible that tension played a part, or that the pain has some psychosomatic origin. He has been known to experience similar problems with his left foot after suffering from a stress fracture in it several years ago.The schedule may also be relevant. While Rankin has bowled almost every day in the nets, he has not played a match since the end of November, when he delivered 14.5 overs during the game in Alice Springs. It may be that he came into this game simply lacking match fitness.While Rankin was monitored by the England medical team ahead of play after reporting general stiffness, there was no specific concern about his hamstring and he was subsequently cleared to play.Rankin was one of three tall fast bowlers included in the England squad for this series. But despite great expectations when the tour started, none of Steven Finn, Chris Tremlett or Rankin will look back on the trip with much joy. While Tremlett played in Brisbane, Finn has failed to break into the team and Rankin’s debut has so far not gone as he would have envisaged. It would take him two years, from the moment of his last England appearance, to re-qualify for Ireland if he ever chose to do so.Rankin has gained a reputation as one of the most hostile bowlers in county cricket over recent years. While a succession of injury problems have at times delayed his development, he has benefited from greater fitness and strength over recent years and was praised by Marcus Trescothick as being as good a fast bowler as he faced in the 2011 season.

Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan were the big names missing in India’s list of 30 probables for the World Twenty20 to be played in March and April of this year

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2014Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan were the big names missing in India’s list of 30 probables for the World Twenty20 to be played in March and April of this year. Virender Sehwag didn’t make it either, but with his abysmal form in the domestic season it was more or less expected. Cheteshwar Pujara and M Vijay missed out too, which is a clear sign the selectors look at them as Test specialists. Yuvraj Singh, who has been dropped from the ODI side, continued to be part of India’s Twenty20 plans.Gambhir last played for India in the ODI against England on January 27, 2013. After being dropped, Gambhir was a part of the India A squad in the series against West Indies A, during which he scored a century. He also scored a Ranji century just before India’s squad for South Africa was picked, but that wasn’t deemed enough to earn the team’s favour back. MS Dhoni even remarked before India left for South Africa that Gambhir continues to be the third-best Test opener in India but this selection shows he faces a long road back into the side.The Pathan brothers have been out since 2012, but are always considered important because of the dearth of allrounders in India. Irfan, though, had just come back from injury as the Ranji season ended, and got to play three matches, that too as a batsman alone. Yusuf put in one of his better Ranji seasons, averaging nearly 34 with the bat and 15 with the ball. Like his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, who chose to not retain him, India have also decided against him.Harbhajan Singh, who has been retained by Mumbai Indians, will be encouraged he is part of the 30. Other significant non-regulars given hope were Sanju Samson, Rajat Bhatia, Kedar Jadhav, Unmukt Chand, Mandeep Singh, Parthiv Patel, Shahbaz Nadeem and Karn Sharma.India probables (men) Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Stuart Binny, Mohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Yuvraj Singh, Amit Mishra, Rajat Bhatia, Sanju Samson, Ishwar Pandey, Umesh Yadav, Unmukt Chand, Mandeep Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Varun Aaron, Shahbaz Nadeem, Parthiv Patel, Karn SharmaIndia probable (women) Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Karuna Jain, Smriti Mandhana, Amita Sharma, Poonam Raut, Jhulan Goswami, Nagarajan Niranjana, Shubhlakshmi Sharma, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Veda Krishnamurthy, Ekta Bist, Sonia Dabir, VR Vanita, Anagha Deshpande, Gouhar Sultana, Archana Das, Sneh Rana, Snehal Pradhan, Shwetha Jadhav, Sushma Verma, Shika Pandey, Madhuri Mehta, Thirush Kamini, Saika Ishaque, Neetu Jaiswal, Meghna Singh, Anita Lodhi, Ritu Dhrub, Asha Joy

The UAE spinners delivered an extraordinary thumping to Namibia in their penultimate ICC World Cricket League Championship match in Sharjah and kept their chances alive for the qualification for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2013
ScorecardAhmed Raza finished with 3 for 13•ICC/Saleem SanghatiThe UAE spinners delivered an extraordinary thumping to Namibia in their penultimate ICC World Cricket League Championship match in Sharjah and kept their chances alive for the qualification for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Namibia were bowled out for just 39 – a new record for the lowest total in the tournament – handing UAE a big boost to their net run-rate and with one more match remaining between the teams, UAE have a chance to overtake Netherlands in the table and rise to No. 2. Afghanistan, however, have two matches remaining and they are just a point behind UAE.Namibia’s rout was triggered by the Shadeep Silva, the left-arm spinner, who opened the bowling and picked up the wicket of opener Michau du Preez in his first over before adding another wicket in his second over. Namibia were left in misery at 20 for 4 by the time Silva struck for the third time, in the 11th over. The UAE captain, Khurram Khan, realising Namibia’s problems against left-arm spin, introduced Ahmed Raza and himself soon after and the Namibia batting succumbed to the trio and were bowled out in 24.4 overs. Khurram, who cleaned up the tail, had figures of 4.4-2-2-3.”We really wanted to win this match as it was so important for us as we try to qualify for the World Cup,” Silva said. “Now [Sunday’s] game against Namibia is just the same and we need to do well.”UAE, after being put into bat, were themselves in early trouble, losing their first three wickets with only 39 runs on the board, but Shaiman Anwar held one end and constructed useful partnerships to pull UAE out of trouble, but his dismissal just before UAE had reached the 100-mark put Namibia in control. A strong stand of 79 between Mohammad Shafiq and Rohan Mustafa lifted UAE out of the trouble and helped them towards 200, which in the end, turned out to be more than enough.”It was a wonderful partnership (the sixth-wicket stand) and it set up the match for us,” Khurram said. “I was thinking anything above 170 was going to be a good total and at one point it looked like it was going to be around 120, but they batted so well. In the end it was enough.”