This win’s for everybody back home, declares jubilant Hafeez after big victory

CARDIFF are now looking over their shoulder in Division One of the South Wales Premier Cricket League following their five-wicket defeat to reigning champions Newport.

Leaders Cardiff started the day 18 points ahead of Newport but ended it just six clear at the top.

The day started well as the capital-based side won the toss and chose to bat, building up a big score courtesy of Yvan Grant (66), Alex Milton (60) and Connor Brown (51). They lost just five wickets in their 50 overs and finished on 225.

But Callum Taylor proved to be Cardiff ’s downfall as the Newport talisman top scored for the fourth week in a row with a stunning unbeaten century (105). Imran Hassan added 48 as they showed their title credentials to secure victory on 226-5.

Newport will be hoping to keep their recent form going as they entertain bottom club Ynysygerwn this weekend while Cardiff are in action against Penarth.

Port Talbot Town are up to third after beating struggling Ynysygerwn by five wickets.

Ynysygerwn were put in to bat at The New Mansel with Darren Thomas leading the way on 41. Chris Curtis was right behind on 39 while Alex McCormack (33) and Gareth Grant (32) also breached the 30-mark as Ynysygerwn finished on 226-8, with Lewis Jones claiming 3-31.

But Barney Huxtable (77) and Daniel Rowe (76no) teamed up to inspire Port Talbot to victory (227-5).

Elsewhere, Scot Matthews hit 115 but couldn’t prevent Penarth (221-8) losing to Neath (223-4) by six wickets while Pontarddulais (141-4) beat Bridgend Town (140) by the same score. Ammanford (204-7) moved off the foot of the table after claiming a winning draw against Mumbles (231-6).

There was a huge shock in Division Two as Newport Fugitives were knocked off the top after losing to bottom club Swansea.

The Fugitives travelled to St Helens in good form and, after batting first, built up a strong lead through James Didcote (47) and Robert Williams (29) before being bowled out on 206.

Swansea knew the size of the task in hand but defied the form book to secure an unlikely victory. MOHAMMAD Hafeez dedicated a stunning ICC Champions Trophy success to the public of Pakistan after thrashing India at The Oval.

Fakhar Zaman hit a maiden one-day international century to set up a thrilling victory against India, who had been strong favourites to lift a second successive title.

However after being set 339 to win, India slumped to 158 all out as Hasan Ali claimed three for 19 to spark wild celebrations and an unlikely win following a poor start to the competition.

Hafeez, who made an unbeaten 57 off 37 balls, said the win was for the Pakistan public.

The former captain told Sky Sports 2: “It’s a great, great team effort from where we came from because we knew after losing the first game, we were nowhere.

“And then we just showed great, great character and I am really happy because it’s all for the nation of Pakistan because they’ve been waiting for such a long time.”

He added: “We wanted to inspire the whole nation because we have been missing this for the last nine years with no cricket at home.

“I think this is something we wanted to do because the millions of people at home were waiting for this.”

Pakistan have been starved of international cricket in their own country since an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009, forcing them to play their ‘home’ series at neutral venues.

Coach Micky Arthur praised the spirit of his side after they bounced back from a humiliating defeat to India at the start of the tournament to beat Sri Lanka, South Africa and England before the final.

He said: “It’s been an up and down ride for us but I’m just so proud of the boys. We dusted ourselves off after the defeat to India at Edgbaston and came back superbly.

“The whole group kept believing. We knew we’d prepared well, we knew that game was an aberration, we knew we were better than that. So to dust ourselves off and come back from that has been a remarkable achievement.

“We want to be a little more consistent as a team but we’ve got a group of players here who are fantastic.

India captain Virat Kohli, who was one of three batsmen dismissed in a devastating opening spell from Mohammad Amir, accepted his side had been a distant second best.

“I want to congratulate Pakistan and their supporters,” he said. “They had an amazing tournament. The way they turned things round speaks volumes for the talent they have.

“It’s disappointing for us but I have a smile on my face because I’m very proud of how we’ve played in this tournament. They outplayed us, they were more intense and passionate on the day.”

Pakistan have been starved of international cricket in their own country since an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009, forcing them to play their ‘home’ series at neutral venues.

Coach Micky Arthur praised the spirit of his side after they bounced back from a humiliating defeat to India at the start of the tournament to beat Sri Lanka, South Africa and England before the final.

He said: “It’s been an up and down ride for us but I’m just so proud of the boys. We dusted ourselves off after the defeat to India at Edgbaston and came back superbly.

“The whole group kept believing. We knew we’d prepared well, we knew that game was an aberration, we knew we were better than that. So to dust ourselves off and come back from that has been a remarkable achievement.

“We want to be a little more consistent as a team but we’ve got a group of players here who are fantastic.

India captain Virat Kohli, who was one of three batsmen dismissed in a devastating opening spell from Mohammad Amir, accepted his side had been a distant second best.

“I want to congratulate Pakistan and their supporters,” he said. “They had an amazing tournament. The way they turned things round speaks volumes for the talent they have.

“It’s disappointing for us but I have a smile on my face because I’m very proud of how we’ve played in this tournament. They outplayed us, they were more intense and passionate on the day.”