Manohar re-elected ICC chair
Pakistan 310 for 9 dec (Ashraf 83, Shafiq 62, Shadab 54, Murtagh 4-45) and 160 for 5 (Imam 74*, Babar 59) beat Ireland 130 (K O’Brien 40, Abbas 4-44, Shadab 3-31) and 339 (K O’Brien 118, Thompson 55,
Abbas 5-66) by five wickets A MATURE 74 not out from Pakistan debutant Imam-ul-Haq steered his team to a five-wicket victory on the fifth afternoon of Ireland’s inaugural test in Malahide yesterday.
Pakistan reached the 160 runs required with five wickets down, but it was down to the level head of the youngster that kept the chase together.
Earlier, Pakistan collapsed to 14 for three in pursuit of a seemingly modest victory target of 160 on the fifth and final day in a match where they had made Ireland follow on.
But at lunch Pakistan were 52 for three, still needing a further 108 runs to win, with left-handed opener Imam — the nephew of selection chief and former Pakistan batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq — 33 not out and Babar Azam nine not out.
Just four balls into their chase, Pakistan saw experienced opener Azhar Ali edge Tim Murtagh to Paul Stirling at first slip.
Haris Sohail (seven) fell next, well taken in the gully by Ed Joyce off towering fast bowler Boyd Rankin as Ireland’s two former England internationals combined.
The umpires checked for a no-ball but Rankin had bowled a legal delivery, albeit only just. NEW DELHI — India’s Shashank Manohar has been re-elected chairperson of the International Cricket Council for another two years, the sport’s world governing body said yesterday.
Manohar, who became the ICC’s first independent chairperson in 2016, was elected unopposed for a second term after a tenure marked by broad reforms. He was the sole nominee for the position. As chairman he spearheaded efforts to restructure the ICC to curb the dominance of cricket’s three wealthiest nations, Australia, India and England.
The 60-year-old former head of the Indian board successfully revised the ICC’s governance and pushed for the appointment of its first independent female director.
“Over the next two years we can look forward to launching a global strategy for the sport in partnership with our members so we can grow the game and ensure more of the world can enjoy cricket,” Manohar said in an ICC statement.
“The sport is in good health but we are the guardians of the game and we must continue to work hard to maintain that.”
Manohar resigned from the post last year but was persuaded by the ICC board to retake the helm. — AFP
And 13 for two became 14 for three in 4.3 overs when Middlesex paceman Murtagh produced a superb delivery to bowl Asad Shafiq between bat and pad for one.
But the 22-year-old Imam, who bats in spectacles, showed a maturity beyond many of his more experienced top-order colleagues.
He struck two fine fours off Stuart Thompson, a square cut followed by a square drive.
Murtagh took two for 27 in an unchanged nine-over spell.
Earlier, Ireland were dismissed for 339 in their second innings.
Kevin O’Brien, who on Monday became the first Ireland batsman to score a Test hundred, fell to his first ball yesterday as Mohammad Abbas had him caught by Haris at slip for 118.
Ireland had been in danger of an innings defeat at 95 for four but a seventh-wicket partnership of 114 between O’Brien and Thompson (53) turned the tide.
The Irish, resuming on 319 for seven, lost their last three wickets for 20 runs yesterday.
Abbas did all the damage in a burst of three wickets for 12 runs in 22 balls, the paceman finishing with innings figures of five for 66 in 28.3 overs.
Only three sides in the 141-year history of test cricket have won after being made to follow on and only one men’s team — Australia in the inaugural Test against England at Melbourne in 1877 — have enjoyed a victory in their debut match at this level.
Ireland were facing an innings defeat when O’Brien came in at 95 for four but, ably assisted by Thompson, who made 53, he turned the tide during a seventh-wicket partnership of 114.
Mohammad Amir, who had been struggling with a longstanding knee injury while taking his 100th Test wicket on Monday, opened the bowling yesterday.
But after Tyrone Kane had seen out the opening over, O’Brien fell to his first ball of the day when, going down on on to attempt a slashing drive off a wide half-volley from Abbas, he was held by Haris.
A crestfallen O’Brien bowed his head in frustration and dropped his bat as he trudged off the field.
But the 34-year-old had every reason to be proud of an innings that spanned five hours, 44 minutes and saw him face 217 balls with 12 fours.
Abbas had Rankin, trying to leave, playing on before bowling Kane to end the innings.