Tag Archives: abdur

Pakistan spinner Abdur Rehman fails drug test

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Pakistan spinner Rehman failed drug test during Somerset stint

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UPDATED:

21:29 GMT, 2 October 2012


Cannabis test: Pakistan bowler Abdur Rehman

Cannabis test: Pakistan bowler Abdur Rehman

Pakistan's Abdur Rehman faces a ban from cricket after testing positive for cannabis during his recent stint with Somerset.

Sportsmail understands that left-arm spinner Rehman has admitted the offence and any suspension will be at the lower end of the scale – between two and four months – as cannabis does not enhance performance.

The 32-year-old was expected to be at a Sialkot Stallions training camp this week to prepare for their Champions League campaign but failed to turn up.

He is not in the Pakistan squad which qualified for the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals.

Pakistan beat Australia by 32 runs to pip India on a better scoring rate and face Sri Lanka on Thursday. West Indies play Australia on Friday.

Bell admits England"s batsmen guilty of not giving bowlers a break after another collapse

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Bell admits England's batsmen guilty of not giving bowlers a break after another collapse

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UPDATED:

22:12 GMT, 27 March 2012

Ian Bell admitted England’s batsmen once again let down their bowlers as the tourists collapsed to 193 all out.

Tuesday’s debacle was the fifth time in seven innings in Asia this winter that England have failed to reach 200.

Asked whether the top order were feeling guilty, Bell replied: ‘Definitely. There’s no doubt. After getting the last two first-innings wickets in the morning, we wanted to give those bowlers a good rest, like we did in Australia.

Made to work: Ian Bell top scored England's innings with 52

Made to work: Ian Bell top-scored England's innings with 52

'If you give them a day and a half relaxing, they’re going to come out again ready to go. In a way, we have let them down by not giving them that time. But they know it’s not through lack of effort on our part.’

Yet again, England’s downfall came against spin, with Sri Lanka’s slow left-armer Rangana Herath finishing with six for 74.

Bell, who returned to form with a neat 52 following a woeful tour of the UAE, conceded: ‘The scores are not going to lie. Under 200 is not a great effort on that wicket. It’s a real shame not to be able to back up the bowlers again this winter. We’re all trying to get better at playing spin and we need to get better at playing on the Subcontinent.’

Central figure: Herath recorded figures of 74-6

Central figure: Herath recorded figures of 74-6

Herath, who removed four England batsmen lbw, including captain Andrew Strauss, said: ‘I saw them play against Pakistan in the UAE and they struggled against Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman. I knew this wicket would help spin.’

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said England’s problems were both technical and mental, adding: ‘The wicket has been tough to get runs off. We’re trying to put pressure on them and get them to play shots.’

Another collapse

England praised by Andy Flower ahead of Pakistan decider

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Flower hails England's battling qualities ahead of Twenty20 decider

England coach Andy Flower has praised his players for the way they have fought back against the Pakistan spinners in the limited-overs matches after their Test struggles.

England, the world's top-ranked side, suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the Tests after foundering against Pakistan spin – Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman sharing a massive 43 wickets between them.

However, the tourists have battled back in some style in the limited-overs games against the same opponents.

Back in the game: England celebrate their Twenty20 win over Pakistan

Back in the game: England celebrate their Twenty20 win over Pakistan

They won all four one-day internationals and then levelled up their Twenty20 series at 1-1 with a 38-run win in Dubai on Saturday, having narrowly lost by eight runs in Thursday's opener.

England and Pakistan now face a winner-takes-all clash in Monday's final Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme this morning, Flower said: 'It was an outstanding performance last night, great to level the series and give us a chance of winning it in the last game.

'And in fact the game that we lost, the first Twenty20, I though was an excellent game of cricket as well and we set that up for a win and a combination of some fine death bowling from Ajmal and Umar Gul meant that we couldn't just pip them in that first match, but last night was a superb performance.'

Star: Jonny Bairstow impressed for England as they levelled the series

Star: Jonny Bairstow impressed for England as they levelled the series

Asked about the difference between England's performances now compared to the Test series, Flower said: 'I think we've learned some lessons from that Test series, specifically on how to play the spin.

'Playing spin in the limited-overs games is slightly different to playing it in the Test game, but I still think that the lessons that we learnt there have served us well through this limited-overs leg.

'That's part of it, we have got a group of people who are used to winning games of cricket and as disappointing as the Test series was, I don't think it dented peoples' confidence that badly that we couldn't come back and perform outstandingly well, and that's exactly what they've done in this limited-overs leg.'

England complete their matches against Pakistan on Monday they are back in Test action next month when they travel to Sri Lanka before then playing host to the West Indies in a series starting in May.

Give me cricket any day! Andy Flower and Alastair Cook watch tennis in Dubai

Give me cricket any day! Andy Flower and Alastair Cook watch tennis in Dubai

England also have a home series against South Africa to look forward to this year, and Flower admits he is keen to see what his side have taken from their trials and tribulations against Pakistan in the Test arena.

'We're looking forward to the Sri Lankan Test series and I'm really looking forward to seeing how much we have learned and see if we can beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka,' Flower said.

'We've also got the West Indies before South Africa arrive, and while some people write them off completely, they are still a proud cricketing nation. It should be a great summer of cricket this year.

'It's what makes the job pretty exciting, that there is always another challenge around the corner. And when you are playing against international opposition there's always someone out to knock you off your perch, and that's how it should be.'

England v Pakistan, day three, first Test, Dubai

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LIVE: England v Pakistan – The action on day three of the first Test as it happens in Dubai

Stay up to date with all the action on
day three of the first Test between England and Pakistan with
Sportsmail's unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the
action unfolds at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium while our brilliant team of writers
will update with their insights from the ground.

England v Pakistan: Essentials

England: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook,
Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk),
Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett.

Pakistan:
Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq
(capt), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal (wk), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed
Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (New Zealand) and Bruce Oxenford (Australia)

England won the toss and elected to bat

Click here for a full scorecard

Sportsmail's Paul Newman in Dubai writes: Morning from the desert. Huge day today, one that could decide this whole series, not just the first Test. England ended on such a high last night that they think they can pull off a great escape here but the big question is how they will play Saeed Ajmal second time. First they have to get rid of Pakistan's last three wickets quickly.

105th over: Pakistan 288-7 (Akmal 24, Umar Gul 0)

So, wrap up these three wickets nice and early and then set about the business of reducing the deficit and building a lead. Piece of cake, no James Anderson has three deliveries to finish off the over which was interrupted by the late wicket of Abdur Rehman. Nowt much going on.

5.50: Right, 10 minutes to go before play restarts, time enough to have a read of Martin Samuel's thoughts on yesterday's events. Nothing much to report… unless you love cricket.

5.45: The other essentials you need ahead of the resumption of play are: Nasser's observations (He thinks England have done well, but Saeed Ajmal remains key) and – of course – Bumble's musings on events so far.

5.38: Playing catch u-up on the action in Dubai Have a read of Paul Newman's report of the action on day two to bring you right up to speed.

5.30am: It's such things as two wickets in the final two overs on which Test matches can turn.

England's travails in the field on day two paid dividends. But they were made to wait for it.

After England posted 192 in the first-innings Pakistan looked primed to bat Andrew Strauss's side out of the game.

But some very disciplined work with the ball maintained England's competitiveness and the two late strikes mean a game which looked lost now remains firmly in the balance.

James Anderson and Graeme Swann took the key wickets late on and with Pakistan having just three wickets remaining England will hope to keep the deficit around the 100 mark.

And then it's up to the World's No 1 Test side to bat with the kind of confidence and dominance we have been accustomed to over the past 18 months or so. Simple, right

I'll bring you the action from 6am and you can direct your thoughts thusly: EMAIL or TWITTER. Many thanks.

Late gains: England struck twice in the closing stages to give them fresh hope heading into day three

Late gains: England struck twice in the closing stages to give them fresh hope heading into day three

England v Pakistan: Day one, first Test, Dubai

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LIVE: England v Pakistan – The action on day one of the first Test as it happens in Dubai

Stay up to date with all the action on
day one of the first Test between England and Pakistan with
Sportsmail's unrivalled team. We'll deliver over-by-over coverage as the
action unfolds at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium while our brilliant team of writers
will update with their insights from the ground.

England v Pakistan: Essentials

England: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook,
Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk),
Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal (wk), Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (New Zealand) and Bruce Oxenford (Australia)

England won the toss and elected to bat

Click here for a full scorecard

1st over: England 2-0 (Strauss 1, Cook 1)

Oh, Billy the Trumpet, how I've missed you! The Barmy Army's trumpeter belts out a Jerusalem ahead of the first ball, joined by a chorus of a couple of hundred England fans. Umar Gul takes the first over, there's plenty of carry in the first delivery which is encouraging, Strauss paddles one just back of square – Cook clips one onto the leg side and thusly the England openers move off the mark .

5.59: So, can England retain their spot as the world's No 1 Test side We'll know a hell of a lot more about this side in the coming weeks. Players are on their way out, a hardy bunch of the Barmy Army belt out Jerusalem… it's about time for the action.

5.53: No spectators at the moment. As in not a soul.

5.45: Whisper it quietly, but a Pakistan victory could actually be good for the game. The thoughts of Sportsmail's Lawrence Booth. Have a read here.

Sportsmail's Paul Newman in Dubai writes: Very bizarre feel to the start of this Test. No-one here. We are in the middle of the desert surrounded by uncompleted buildings and everything seems quiet. But do not under-estimate the intensity out on the pitch. This series matters.

England won the toss and will bat but it was by no means a foregone conclusion as it moves around early here in the morning dew. I think Misbah was planning to bowl anyway. Chris Tremlett, as expected, returns in a four-man attack. No Monty Panesar which is understandable at the start of a series. England will keep him up their sleeves for now.

5.38: Right, so England will bat first, but this will be a series unlike any other. The obvious reason for this is the location, which remains a mystery to the locals, as well as those who have travelled half way across the world for this series. And here are a few thoughts from Sportsmail's Paul Newman.

Future plans: Strauss (left) Flower (right) and selector James Whitaker (centre) chat during trainign while the players take a break (below)

Future plans: Strauss (left) Flower (right) and selector James Whitaker
(centre) chat during training while the players take a break (below)

Future plans: Strauss (left) Flower (right) and selector James Whitaker (centre) chat during trainign while the players take a break (below)

5.30: Andrew Strauss wins the toss and has elected to bat. No place in the side for Monty Panesar as England stick with the three plus one configuration with Chris Tremlett – who has overcome an eye infection – coming in for the injured Tim Bresnan. Misbah-ul-Haq says he would have batted, too.

5.18: So, England will line-up against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. Believe it or not, Bumble has actually played at more exotic locations than this one. Have a look.

5.10am: Right, while we the start of play, why not have a quick perusal of Stuart Broad's thoughts on how the next three Tests will pan out.

5am: Morning everyone and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of England's first Test series of the year, versus Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium.

Feels like an age since we were last watching the world's No 1 Test side in action. Mainly because it has been age. Five months to be precise since Andrew Strauss's side were playing this form of the game.

So, the challenge: beat this Pakistan side, remain top of the world standings and for goodness sake don't mention spot-fixing. There, I've done it. That's the single mention we'll give that controversy over the coming weeks as the future is, well, the future.

The 'host' side is greatly changed from the one that played at Lord's in 2010, Misbah-ul-Haq's charges are in a fine vein of form and we're anticipating a close series.

The good news is that Ian Bell and Stuart Broad have come through injury scares and are expected to play.

I'll bring you the news of the toss and all the other accoutrement you require for the day's play and you can direct your thoughts on the action via EMAIL or TWITTER.

Captain's job: Strauss will lead his team out in their first Test series of a busy 2012 later this morning

Captain's job: Strauss will lead his team out in their first Test series of a busy 2012 later this morning