Pakistan-Bangladesh face-off in two-match ODI series on Saturday

“Our aim is to win both the one-dayers and make the most of the momentum we have got from the T20I series win,” says Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof. Photo: PCBAfter securing a three-nil T20I series win, Pakistan women will aim for another clean-sweep when they will host Bangladesh women in the opening ODI of the two-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.Ahead of their next month’s final round ICC Women’s Championship fixture against world champions England in Malaysia, this series provides a crucial opportunity to the Bismah Maroof-led side to get their permutations and combinations right.Pakistan are currently ranked fifth in the eight-team series and a win against England will see them secure automatic qualification for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2021 in New Zealand by breaking into the top four.Read more: Pakistan women complete T20 clean sweep against BangladeshBangladesh will take inspiration from the most recent ODI outing between the two sides in October 2018. The only ODI during Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh ended in the host’s comfortable six-wicket win.The two teams have overall played eight ODIs with Pakistan having an upper hand with five wins. The remaining three were won by Bangladesh.Saturday will also mark the first instance when Pakistan will play an ODI at the country’s home of cricket, the Gaddafi Stadium.“We have two one-dayers against Bangladesh and our aim is to win both of them. The T20I series was our season-opener and we needed that win to get the momentum. Now, we have gotten it, we will look to make the most of it in the ODI series," said Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof.“Our one-day team has been doing well of late and the girls are ready to confront all the challenges that come their way. It was evident in the T20I series when everyone stood up and delivered in pressure moments,” she said.Read more: Sana Mir dedicates Game Changers Award to players, PCB, ground staff“There’s a little worry in the camp after the T20I series defeat but we are looking at the positives. The ODI series present us chances to pounce back and we have a firm believe that we will do better in the upcoming two matches," said Bangladesh captain Rumana Ahmed.“We have good performers in both departments but my observation is that our main strength will be out bowling attack,” she added. SquadsPakistan: Bismah Maroof (captain), Aliya Riaz, Aroob Shah, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Khan, Kainat Imtiaz, Nashra Sandhu, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper)Bangladesh: Rumana Ahmed (captain), Fahima Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Jahanara Alam, Khadija-tul-Kubra, Shanjida Akther, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Nigar Sultana (wicketkeeper), Panna Ghosh, Salma Khatun, Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana (wicketkeeper), Sharmin Sultana and Sharmin Sultana SuptaSchedule2 November – 1st ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore4 November – 2nd ODI (9.30am-4.35pm), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

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Inter Milan given another chance to overhaul Juventus ahead of Turin Derby

Flying high: Cristiano Ronaldo restored Juventus to the top of Serie A with a last-minute penalty. Photo: APFIt is early days in Inter Milan´s pursuit of perennial Serie A pacesetters Juventus, but already the chasers are worrying about flagging.Inter travel to Bologna on Saturday in the 11th round and can briefly overhaul Juventus ahead of the Turin derby later in the day.Third-place Atalanta face in-form Cagliari on Sunday. Roma, in fourth, open the weekend against Napoli.The top two flip-flopped in midweek. Inter won 2-1 at Brescia on Tuesday. Juventus, playing with 10 men, regained a one-point lead when Cristiano Ronaldo converted a 90th-minute penalty at home to Genoa on Wednesday.After the victory at Brescia, Inter manager Antonio Conte, always a glass-half-empty type, complained that his squad is being asked to do too much."It becomes difficult to talk about the game because we´ve now played our fourth match in nine days with the same players," he said."We now have to recover because we´re only halfway there, I haven´t seen any other side having to play seven matches in 20 days. Next up it´s Bologna on Saturday and then we´ve got a Tuesday fixture away to Dortmund."Read more:  Inter let Juventus off the hook as tired Ronaldo stays homeConte reportedly had meetings with Inter management this week to discuss adding one or two midfielders in the winter transfer period."We are pushing the engine to the max," he said.Most of his players had got the message."We´re playing every three days and it isn´t easy. There is slight fatigue," said Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez, who scored Inter´s opening goal in Tuesday, his fifth of the season.There was one dissenting voice."It´s nice to play every few days," said Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. "We footballers live to play games. It´s tiring but we´re happy."Bologna are anchored in mid-table after losing 3-2 away to Cagliari on Wednesday but defender Stefano Denswil promised Inter a tough match."We want to play a great game against Inter in front of our fans," the Dutchman said.One to watch In the hot seat: Walter Mazzarri's Torino were humiliated at Lazio and now face their dominant neighbours Juventus. Photo: AFPMeanwhile Juventus´s weekend opponents are in some disarray. Walter Mazzarri, the Torino manager, received the dreaded vote of confidence ahead of the Turin derby.Torino lost 4-0 at Lazio on Wednesday, although all the goals came after defender Nicolas Nkoulou received a second yellow card after 21 minutes.Torino president Urbano Cairo was not happy."We have a derby ahead of us but above all a long championship ahead of us: I think it´s right today to examine everyone´s conscience."He added that he had confidence in Mazzarri."I confirm my faith in Mazzarri," said Cairo. "He´s not under examination."The last thing the former Napoli, Inter and Watford manager needs is Torino´s habitual defeat in the Derby della Mole.Torino have only beaten Juventus once in 28 league meetings since 1995. In that time, Juve, despite being briefly relegated, have won 12 Scudetti and a European title. Torino have won a second division title.

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United's Rashford to have fitness test despite being in form

Rashford's goals have helped United to an unbeaten run of four matches, a win and a draw in the Premier League plus wins in the Europa League and League Cup. Photo: Reuters Manchester United´s hopes of a fourth successive away win may hinge on in-form forward Marcus Rashford passing a fitness test after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed he had hurt his knee.Rashford, who injured his knee celebrating his stunning second goal in Wednesday´s 2-1 League Cup win over Chelsea, is one of three key players who face late fitness tests on the eve of the match with Bournemouth on Saturday.Rashford, who turned 22 on Thursday, is a doubt along with defenders Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, who picked up knocks late on in the Chelsea clash."It´s still early," said Solskjaer at his eve of match press conference."Hopefully we can get them back on the pitch tomorrow (Saturday)."They had some treatment yesterday (Thursday) and they need a little more treatment today and a light session."Read more:  Manchester United's confidence on the rise, says Rashford Rashford has been a pivotal figure in United´s upturn in fortunes.He has scored five goals in his last five games, with four for United and one for England in the 6-0 win over Bulgaria in the Euro 2020 qualifier last month.His goals have helped United to an unbeaten run of four matches, a win and a draw in the Premier League plus wins in the Europa League and League Cup.Rashford has been a different figure to the player who had managed one goal in his previous 12 games for club and country.Solskjaer has credited the return from injury of Anthony Martial who has served as an important support to Rashford in attack."Since Anthony has come back, Marcus has flourished as well," said Solskjaer."He is happier, facing goal, driving at people, taking players on instead of being that target man with his back to goal.Read more:  Zidane settles on core selection but Madrid need regular results"But Marcus wants to master all the skills in the end. But he has only just turned 22 so I am sure we will see him up front as a number nine."It may be as a two with Anthony or as part of a three like we did at Norwich or out wide as we did at Chelsea."There are different ways of playing with Marcus."After successive away wins at Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League, Norwich in the Premier League and then Chelsea, United hope to round off a run of four successive games on the road with another victory.The uptick in form has changed the mood around Old Trafford, and Solskjaer believes the 1-1 draw with rivals Liverpool two weeks ago — United are the only team to take points off the leaders thusfar this term — marked a line in the sand."The international break came at a great time for us," said the Norwegian."We prepared for the Liverpool game and when you get a decent performance and result against the league leaders, it gives you a bit more energy."From then on, the boys were happy with the work we did."

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Ahmad Shahzad fined 50 percent match fee, Azhar, Sohail found in violation of PCB code of conduct

Shahzad was found guilty of committing a Level 1 offence under Article 2.14, which relates to changing the condition of the ball under non-identification process during a match. Central Punjab captain Ahmad Shahzad has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee, while his team-mate Azhar Ali and Sindh fast-bowler Sohail Khan have received official reprimands for violating Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Code of Conduct during their Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match, which ended in an exciting draw in Faisalabad on Thursday — PCB announced in a press release. Shahzad was found guilty of committing a Level 1 offence under Article 2.14, which relates to changing the condition of the ball under non-identification process during a match.The incident occurred during the 17th over of Sindh’s first innings on Tuesday when, during a normal inspection of the ball, on-field umpires Mohammad Asif and Zameer Ahmed found that the ball had been unfairly changed by a member of the fielding side.Read more: Ahmed Shehzad charged with ball tamperingThe matter was reported to match referee Nadeem Arshad who, on the basis of a preliminary review, determined that Shahzad, as captain, had a case to answer for the contravention as the incident related to non-identification of the player and a Notice of Charge was issued to him under the PCB Code of Conduct.Shahzad pleaded not guilty to the charge, and, as such, a hearing took place after the match on Thursday, in which Shahzad was found guilty.“We can agree to disagree in this incident as I maintain that the condition of the ball changed naturally due to the rough playing square and not artificially. I tried to convince the match officials, but they insisted and I accept and respect their decision," Shahzad stated later. “I would never indulge in such an act, nor allow any of my teammates to disrespect the game. My priority is to play hard, competitive and result-oriented cricket, and at the same time inspire the younger generation, which watches us play the game,” he added.Read more:   ICC declares Williamson's bowling action to be legalIn an unrelated incident, Azhar Ali and Sohail Khan have been handed official reprimands as the two players got into an argument after Central Punjab pushed for victory against Sindh.Azhar Ali was found guilty of engaging in a Level 1 offence described in Article 2.9, which deals with throwing a ball at or near a player, support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during a match. Sohail was found guilty of committing a Level 1 offense under Article 2.10, which pertains to time wasting by any player or team during a match.Both the players were charged by on-field umpires Mohammad Asif and Zameer Ahmed. Since the players accepted the proposed sanctions by match referee Nadeem Arshad, there was no further need for formal hearings. 

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Lippi accused of 'not doing enough' for Chinese national team

Marcello Lippi accused of neglect and delivering "a slap in the face". — Photo: AFP/FileSHANGHAI: Marcello Lippi was accused Friday of neglect and delivering "a slap in the face" amid grumblings that China's coach is not doing enough to justify one of the highest salaries in football management.Former Everton midfielder Li Tie will temporarily take charge of China's national team at an East Asian championships next month in South Korea instead of the 71-year-old Italian World Cup winner.Thursday's announcement by the Chinese Football Association was greeted with anger by sections of local media, which said that it had nevertheless been long known that Lippi had opted to remain home in Italy for the tournament."But this doesn't mean that this is not a problem," said a scathing commentary in the influential Oriental Sports Daily."However, shouldn't training the team be his job? Since he holds the salary of the position of the national football coach, he should do the work that the national football coach should do."The former Juventus and Italy boss Lippi, who quit as China's coach in January only to return in May, reportedly earns 180 million yuan ($25 million) a year.But suggesting that Lippi has little interest in the long-term development of Chinese football, Oriental Sports Daily added: "Lippi neglected his duties halfway."No matter whose face this slap lands on, one should follow up with a question -- who gave Lippi the qualification and power to do this?"Lippi is attempting to take China, ranked 69th in the FIFA world rankings, to only their second World Cup.He has won 16 of his 36 matches in charge over two spells but his reign will be judged on whether he can get the world's most populous country to the Qatar 2022 World Cup.Read more: Barcelona players ready to alter own contracts to buy star player NeymarOne report said that Lippi felt the South Korea trip was bad timing, coming at the end of the Chinese season, but Tencent Sports was unimpressed.After a World Cup qualifier against Syria in mid-November, Lippi will return to Italy and spend Christmas there, Tencent said."The holiday may last for four months.""Therefore it is no exaggeration for fans to say that Lippi's annual salary of 180 million yuan is too easy."Coaching the national football team carries huge pressure for any head coach, but it is almost impossible to see this in Lippi."China are second behind Syria in their qualifying group following a 0-0 draw at the Philippines in their previous game

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Warner leads Australia to T20I clean-sweep over Sri Lanka

Australia's David Warner celebrates scoring 50 runs against Sri Lanka with teammate Ashton Turner (L), as Australia swept the Twenty20 series 3-0 (AFP Photo/WILLIAM WEST)MELBOURNE: Australia cruised past Sri Lanka to clean-sweep their three-match Twenty20 series Friday, with an in-form David Warner grinding out a third successive half-century in the seven wicket win.The home team have been dominant throughout, winning by 134 runs in Adelaide and by nine wickets with seven overs to spare in Brisbane ahead of the clash in Melbourne.Sri Lanka´s batting had been insipid until now, but they finally posted a competitive score of 142 for six, with Kusal Perera hitting 57.However their bowlers, led by Lasith Malinga, have been no match for a quality Australian batting line-up, spearheaded by Warner who has now scored 217 in three innings without losing his wicket."It was pretty clinical once we got into a routine," said Australia captain Aaron Finch. "The way the bowlers set it up for us over the last two games, it was outstanding. "Every game is a different challenge and a different surface, so it´s important to bring in your best, in terms of preparation and mental side of the game too."Openers Finch and Warner were both dropped early in the run chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and they made the visitors pay, putting on 69 for the first wicket.Finch hit three big sixes before falling for 37, caught by Shehan Jayasuriya off Lahiru Kumara.That brought Steve Smith to the crease, but he only lasted nine balls, caught in the deep for 13.Warner, who scored an unbeaten 100 and 60 not out in the opening two games, was heard on the pitch microphone saying he was struggling with his rhythm. But he still produced the goods, bringing up his 50 off 44 balls to end the match unbeaten on 57, aided by Ashton Turner who chipped in with 22 as Australia reached 145 for three with 14 balls to spare.Australia have set a target of being the number one T20 side by the time the World Cup is played on home soil in a year´s time, and their whitewash of Sri Lanka is set to propel them above South Africa and into third place.An even bigger test starts on Sunday, when they face top-ranked Pakistan in the first of three T20s."We haven´t been up to our standards. We haven´t performed at our best and if we don´t, we will end up like this," said Sri Lanka opener Niroshan Dickwella. "We learnt a lot in this series, but we couldn´t even compete properly."Finch won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat and it didn´t start well for the visitors.Dickwella, elevated to opener after Danushka Gunathilaka was dropped, was out first ball.Kusal Mendis and Perera showed some aggression, slapping a handful of boundaries, before Kane Richardson tempted Mendis into another big shot and he was caught at deep square for 13.Perera and Avishka Fernando pushed the score to 65 for two at the halfway mark, building a 43-run partnership, the team´s highest of the series, before Fernando was caught near the boundary off Pat Cummins for 20.Oshada Fernando followed soon after for six, but the aggressive Perera kept plugging away, bringing up his sixth T20 half-century off 38 balls.He fell for 57, top-edging a Cummins ball to Ashton Turner at mid-off.

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ICC declares Williamson's bowling action to be legal

The ICC gives the Kiwi captain the all clear. Photo: AFPThe International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed that New Zealand captain Kane Williamson's bowling action has been found to be legal and he can continue bowling in international cricket, as per the ICC press release.Williamson, who bowls off-spin, had been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during the first Test against Sri Lanka played in Galle from 14 to 18 August.He subsequently underwent a bowling assessment in Loughborough on 11 October, where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension for all his deliveries was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.Details of the ICC regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions can be found here.Williamson had earlier been suspended from bowling in international cricket in July 2014. He was allowed to resume bowling in December 2014 following remedial work and reassessment.

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