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After finishing runners-up in the World Cricket League Division 2 in Namibia, Oman now face a tough challenge in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa next week.Adjusting to foreign conditions is part of that challenge, but the Oman captain, Hemal Mehta, is confident that all the hard yards put in training over the last few months would eventually pay off. The preparations included a trip to Sri Lanka.”This tournament is going to be really challenging for Oman – in Windhoek at the Division 2 tournament we did well against good opponents and even in some regional events we have performed well, but we know it will be most challenging in South Africa,” Mehta said.”But we are still very upbeat. We started a preparatory camp in August 2008, where we did four to five days a week of training at our ground. The training is focused on fitness and fielding sessions and we’ve played in tournaments to prepare, including the ACC Trophy Challenge, which wasn’t a major tournament but we were the champions of that and it gave us the extra turf practice we needed.”Oman and Afghanistan are the two affiliate teams in the competition. UAE is the only team from the Gulf region to have qualified for the World Cup (1996). Oman are placed in Group A with Namibia, Uganda, Scotland, Canada and Ireland. Their first match is against Canada on April 1 in Pretoria.”We know it’s going to be quite challenging and hard, but the good thing is that we have faced many of the teams before with successes against Namibia and Uganda so now it’s up to us to beat the likes of Canada, Ireland and Scotland, which won’t be easy but let’s hope the wickets are cricket friendly and then we would live up to the expectations we as Oman have for the tournament.”

Group A

Khan Research Laboratories sneaked into the final on the basis of a better net run-rate after a draw between National Bank of Pakistan, who also finished on 51 points, and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited in Multan. With KRL having posted a win on Friday and possessing a better net run-rate, NBP needed a win to progress to the title clash but Mohammad Hafeez blunted their bowling, making his 15th first-class century to ensure a stalemate. Earlier in the day, NBP’s batting capitulated to spin – Adnan Rasool and Hafeez sharing eight wickets – to lose their last seven wickets for 50. The target for SNGPL was 277 in 69 overs but Hafeez’s effort meant NBP never got close to the required win. SNGPL adopted a cautious approach, scoring at 2.61 an over, to finish the day at 162 for 2, much to the delight of KRL.The contest between Habib Bank and Water and Power Development Authority petered out to a tame draw in Sheikhpura. Rehan Rafiq and captain Hasan Raza were involved in a 132-run fifth-wicket partnership, and the lower order – namely Abdur Rehman and Humayun Farhat – chipped in with useful contributions to help Habib Bank set WAPDA an impossible target of 256 with few overs to play. For WAPDA, fast bowler Azharullah and left-arm spinner Mustafa Iqbal took three wickets each. In their second innings, WAPDA reached 83 for 4 at the close with Mohammad Aslam finishing with 3 for 38.In a match reminiscent of Pakistan’s dull draw against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Karachi, the third innings barely got underway in a high-scoring stalemate between Lahore Shalimar and Sui Southern Gas Corporation at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Sheraz Butt, the medium pacer, took 5 for 65 but the others went for plenty as SSGC piled up 459, thanks to centuries from Wajid Ali and captain Saeed bin Nasir. That left Lahore about two hours to bat in their second innings, which they played out losing three wickets for 120.In yet another drawn game, Pakistan International Airlines helped themselves to some batting practice against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, scoring 269 for 3, led by a century from opener Shoaib Khan snr. ZTBL had been earlier bowled out for 345 in their first innings, and with no result in sight and two more innings to play in a day, PIA batted out the remaining 79 overs.

Group B

Offspinner Usman Malik scythed through Islamabad’s lower order to take his maiden ten-wicket match haul and give Lahore Ravi their first victory of the season at the Diamond Club ground. Islamabad were set an unlikely 438 off 85 overs, a target which became virtually ungettable after Lahore’s seamers reduced the home side to 36 for 4. There was some resistance from Zeeshan Mushtaq (43) and Kamran Hussain (61) but Usman took the last six wickets to wrap up Islamabad’s innings for 217. It capped a great game for Usman, who had only eight scalps from five previous games this season. It has been a remarkable season for Lahore: they were unbeaten through the campaign, but finish with less than half the points of table-toppers Sialkot because they drew all nine previous matches.In the game at the Gymkhana Ground Multan in Okara, Abdur Rauf completed his excellent season with a five-wicket haul that pushed Multan to a nine-wicket win over Abbottabad. Starting the final day 166 runs behind and having lost four batsmen, Abbottabad could at best hope for a draw. Adnan Raees tried to keep them in the game with a 154-ball 142, but there was little support from the rest, none of them going past 30. Abbottabad folded for 248 leaving Multan a target of 32 which was knocked off in 2.3 overs. The victory helped them finish in sixth place, after having started the match in eighth.At the Nawabshah Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad drew with Karachi Blues to lift themselves off the bottom of the table. Hyderabad declared after adding 77 runs to boost their lead to 374, a target Karachi rarely looked intent to chase down. No. 4 Sheharyar Ghani, who made a run-a-ball 40, was the only batsman who made quick runs, the rest maintaining strike-rates in the 50s. Captain Shadab Kabir top-scored with a patient 64, and Akbar-ur-Rehman helped himself to an unbeaten 40 before the match was called off with Karachi on 219 for 6.

Takashinga secured their third successive National League title with an eight-wicket win over Bulawayo Athletic Club at Kwekwe Sports Club.Takashinga, who contributed two of the eight sides in the competition, were the odds-on favourites, and they more than lived up to that billing. Their innings was built around a super 81 not out from 15-year-old opener Roger Kahiya, who smashed a hundred in the semi-finals three days earlier.BAC never appeared to have posted a big-enough score after being bowled out for 160. Only Taurai Madhiri (36) and Charles Coventry (34) made reasonable scores, while Kahiya notched an impressive all-round performance by taking 3 for 5 and Tafadzwa Kamungozi chipped in with 3 for 24.Takashinga made an flying start, Kahiya and Chamu Chibhabha (53) adding 131 for the first wicket, and Hamilton Masakadza continuing to dominate with a six off his first ball.The result confirmed Takashinga’s dominance of club cricket, something that some inside Zimbabwe argue comes as a result of what they claim is their favoured status. There is more than anecdotal evidence that the club has strong ties to the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, has been banned for one year by the IPL for testing positive for steroids during the league’s inaugural edition in 2008. The ban runs till September 21, 2009, back-dated to last September when the IPL imposed a suspension on him. Asif has already been released by his IPL team, the Delhi Daredevils, after a mutual agreement earlier this year and for now the bowler remains suspended by the Pakistan board as well.”Mohammad Asif was found guilty by the IPL Drug Tribunal in as much as a prohibited substance namely Nandrolone was found in the urine sample extracted from the player during the support period and the match played on May 30th 2008 between the Delhi Daredevils and the Rajasthan Royals at Mumbai,” said a statement from the IPL’s three-man drugs tribunal.”The year’s ineligibility for Mohammad Asif will be from September 22, 2008, as that was the date when the Indian Premier League had imposed the suspension order, post which the cricketer has not been allowed to play any match.”In reply, Asif told reporters: “I will consult my lawyer and doctor before deciding whether to file an appeal or not. I am fully fit and now concentrating on my cricket.”Asif had appealed against the findings of the drugs test, mostly on the basis that there was a difference in readings of the levels of nandrolone between two samples of his that were tested. The appeal was delayed several times, before finally he arrived in Delhi in January this year.He subsequently told the tribunal investigating his case that his nandrolone levels had been raised by the use of eye drops that contained the substance, something he was unaware of. He had been using Keratyl to treat a painful and inflamed eye. At the same time Asif was released by the Delhi Daredevils and remained hopeful that the tribunal would clear him of any wrongdoing.In a statement, the ICC confirmed it had been notified about the IPL tribunal decision though said it would only make further comment after considering “the written reasons for the decision in the matter.” It reiterated its expectation that all members observe the ban and that Asif will not be available to play until the ban has been completed.Though he has been punished, the verdict will finally bring some kind of closure to a traumatic time for an increasingly troubled Asif. Ijaz Butt, chairman PCB, told reporters after the decision that a way back for Asif was now open. “After the ban is lifted, we will definately consider Asif for the national team depending on his fitness.”Asif is, however, still embroiled in another mess after being detained at Dubai airport last year for possessing opium, a case which the PCB is still investigating. But the signs from that investigation have been promising: if at all he is punished, it is likely to be a financial fine and a retrospective ban for a few matches. The board’s internal committee will conclude its case, Butt said, at the end of the month.There will be relief for the bowler though, because for the first time in almost a year, he can begin to think about playing some cricket. His last appearance for Pakistan was in April 2008 and the period preceding that had seen him suffering from a long-standing elbow complaint.Asif’s brief international career has already been blighted by such scandals. The events of 2008 came after he first tested positive for nandrolone in 2006, during internal tests conducted by the PCB. That result forced him to pull out of the 2006 Champions Trophy, alongside Shoaib Akhtar, who also tested positive. Even then Asif had pleaded ignorance over the substances he was using and though he was initially banned for a year, that punishment was scrapped on appeal.The latest ban still means, however, that Pakistan will miss him during a host of upcoming assignments: the ODI series against Australia, the Twenty20 World Cup and a tour to Sri Lanka. He is likely, however, to be back in time for Pakistan’s year-end visit to Australia.

Liam Dawson, the Hampshire left-arm spinner, has been added to the England Lions squad for their tour of New Zealand next month.Dawson is currently captaining the England Under-19 squad in South Africa and he is continuing his fast-track progress through the ranks after an impressive 2008 in county cricket. In the final game of season, against Nottinghamshire, he became Hampshire’s youngest first-class century-maker when he made his maiden hundred.Dawson becomes the third spin option in the squad, which already includes Worcestershire’s Gareth Batty and Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel.The tour includes two Tests, two one-dayers and a Twenty20 against New Zealand A.

Dwayne Bravo is targeting a return to competitive cricket by February next year after spending six months out of the game nursing an ankle injury. Bravo said he would start by playing for his club, Queen’s Park, and then graduate to Trinidad before considering a comeback to the West Indies side.”It’s very hard for me not being able to play for the last six months,” Bravo told the Trinidad Express. “I’m close to getting back to actually playing. I have an appointment on January 9 with Dr Terry Ali and the doctor will advise me whether I can start bowling in the nets and running. As for now, it’s just strengthening my ankle, getting treatment and preparing myself for the season.” West Indies are scheduled to play four Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 against England at home between February and April 2009.Bravo underwent ankle surgery in New York in August after having carried the injury for two years. Bravo said the ankle felt good and the pain had subsided.Bravo got a chance to review his career during the time spent away from the game and he said he would try to be more consistent and avoid repeating his mistakes. “I’m already speaking to Desmond Haynes and Brian Lara [and] I also got the opportunity to speak to Sachin [Tendulkar] in Mumbai,” Bravo said. “Desmond Haynes offered his services to actually come and work with me. So as soon as I get better, that’s something in the making. He was one of my favourite players. It’s a privilege to actually get an opportunity to work with him.”He said talking to Tendulkar while playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL had also been a good experience. “Basically it’s all about how to pace yourself during an innings and what you do to carry on.”Bravo, who is following West Indies’ performance on their current tour of New Zealand, said the visitors had the edge in terms of experience. “It’s a young team that went down there. I didn’t think New Zealand was going to win the series, the teams were evenly balanced.” The two-Test series was drawn 0-0 before the two teams tied the first Twenty20 match on Friday.

At Piccolo Park Argentina pushed Canada all the way with an excellent all-round performance and came within touching distance of a famous victory. Argentina were outstanding in the field with a succession of brilliant catches, but Henry Osinde launched a huge six to rescue Canada after a lackluster display.Argentina posted a respectable 191 for 7 in their 50 overs, thanks to the efforts of their player-coach Hamish Barton, the former Auckland batsman. He remained unbeaten throughout the innings but was left stranded on 99 when the overs ran out. In reply, Canada seemed to be in control of the run-chase, but slumped to 148 for 7 and suddenly the pressure was on. The equation came down to eight needed with the final pair together and Osinde finally settled the nerves with his timely blow.”The positive attitude of the boys throughout was amazing,” Derek Culley, Argentina’s team manager, said. “We will keep looking to improve, especially in reducing the bowling extras, and trying to generate more batting support from the middle order.”Canada captain Umar Bhatti, was relieved to have escaped with the win, and said they would be looking for strong improvement in the games ahead: “Our performance today was below par in all departments and needs immediate improvement if we are to challenge for the title. Chasing low totals is always tricky, and lack of application from our batsmen made it difficult in the end, but credit to Argentina for a great game.”At Central Broward Regional Park, Bermuda proved too strong and too experienced for Cayman Islands, and registered a comfortable 73 run victory. Batting first, Bermuda posted 220 for 7 with former Glamorgan batsman David Hemp showing his class with 51 off 59 balls.Cayman Islands never got to grips with the run-chase and limped to 147 for 9. Christopher Douglas caused plenty of problems with 4 for 18. Bermuda coach Gus Logie was satisfied with his team’s opening performance. “Today I think we played as well as we could considering the slow nature of the pitch, and I was pleased with the way the players adapted to the conditions during the game.”Suriname, the tournament minnows, were given a tough early lesson as they crashed to a massive 297-run defeat against USA. The match brought the day’s most eye-catching innings as Sushil Nadkarni cracked 197 off 132 balls with 22 fours and nine sixes as Canada piled up 353 for 9. In reply Suriname fell apart for a paltry 60 with Timroy Allen claiming 5 for 7.However, despite the thumping win USA team manager Imran Khan wasn’t getting carried away. “We played very well today and executed our strategy to perfection. Sushil played an outstanding innings that set the tone for the match. Still, it is a given we have to improve with every match, and we need to continue to raise our game and come at the opposition hard as we did today.”Cyrill Bonar, Suriname’s manager, tried to sound positive about the thrashing. “We definitely remain optimistic that if we can play to the standards we know we are capable, we will be more competitive in the games to come.”

Yellow cards could be introduced to English first-class cricket for abusing umpires or excessive sledging if trials at minor county level prove a success. The subject will be discussed by ECB chairman Giles Clarke and the MCC at a meeting at Lord’s on Wednesday night.”Jack Simmons and Mike Griffith, the chairmen of the ECB and MCC cricket committees, are very concerned and, if the trials work, would want this as part of the first-class game, although much cricket at that level is self-policed,” Clarke told .Dennis Amiss, the deputy chairman of the ECB, added his weight to the suggestion. “I would not be against introducing yellow cards in first-class cricket,” he said. “I would listen to the players’ view and it would have to be a bad misdemeanour but we have to move the game forward. Red cards? I hope not, but it would all add to the drama of a match.”Player behaviour is a hot topic globally so any use of a card innovation in England would be closely watched around the world. The recent series between India and Australia again raised the issue after Gautam Gambhir was banned for one Test for elbowing Shane Watson.John Buchanan, the former Australia coach, has called for the introduction of a cards system to combat slow over-rates. During the final Test at Nagpur, Ricky Ponting was nine overs behind at one stage and forced to use part-time bowlers.

The days of 20,000 spectators coming to watch the prime rivalry in south India are gone, with both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu depleted in terms of talent, but once the teams are on the field there is still some needle. There might not be many to watch their Group B Super League match, starting tomorrow at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, but the few who come would want to see some of the same intensity.Tamil Nadu had a better first match of the two, with their openers putting up 462 runs against Maharashtra. M Vijay, the double-centurion, went on to open for India, while Abhinav Mukund, the 18-year-old left-hand batsman, scored an unbeaten 300. Tamil Nadu, though, failed to take 20 wickets after that, something that doesn’t bother them much. “It was a very flat wicket,” WV Raman, their coach, said. He was pleased with L Balaji’s comeback to first-class cricket – he had missed the last season because of a back injury, and bowled 32.2 overs for two wickets on an unhelpful Nasik pitch.Vijay is likely to be replaced by Arun Karthik, who will be making his first-class debut. The other change to their team could be the inclusion of S Badrinath, who has been dropped from India’s ODI squad, if he can make it to Bangalore in time for the match. Dinesh Karthik, however, will continue to lead the side.Badrinath was not the only uncertainty for the Tamil Nadu team, though. They reached Bangalore under the impression the match would be played at the Rajinder Singh Institute Ground, but until the morning before the match they were not sure if the game had been shifted to the Chinnaswamy.Karnataka, though, have more issues to address. In their first match, a home game against the recently-promoted Railways, they wasted a good start, going from 191 for 1 to 286 for 7, and then getting bowled out for 365. Their bowlers had Railways down at 110 for 4, but that was when the experience of Yere Goud, Sanjay Bangar and Raja Ali prevailed to get Railways a first-innings lead. Experience is what Karnataka lack, Vijay Bharadwaj, their coach, reckons. “First innings are very important in Ranji Trophy, and we need to do better in our first innings,” he said. To rub it in, Karnataka folded for 127 in the second innings, an effort that didn’t cost them an outright result but would have dented their confidence further.There were positives in that match – Robin Uthappa, the captain, scored a century on the first day, and debutant Manish Pandey scored 64 from No. 7. “But I would want others in the middle order to score runs too,” Bharadwaj said. “There is a temptation to push Pandey up the order, and also to play an extra bowler.” Karnataka had gone with seven batsmen in the first game.The pitch at the Chinnaswamy could have enough help for the bowlers to produce an outright result, something Bharadwaj is aware of. “Three points will be a satisfactory result, but this is a result-orientated pitch,” he said. “And our first target is to beat Tamil Nadu.”If both the teams come with the same attitude, given a good pitch, we have an interesting match on our hands.Teams (from)Karnataka:: Robin Uthappa (capt), KB Pawan, C Raghu, Bharat Chipli, Ganesh Satish, Thilak Naidu (wk), Manish Pandey, Sunil Joshi, R Vinay Kumar, NC Aiyappa, Sunil Raju, Sreesanth Arvind, M Gautam, Deepak Chougule, NV Prasad.Tamil Nadu:: Dinesh Karthik (capt/wk), Abhinav Mukund, Arun Karthik, R Srinivasan, R Prasanna, S Vidyut, Suresh Kumar, R Ashwin, C Suresh, L Balaji, Yo Mahesh, P Amarnath, Ganapathy, KH Gopinath, S Badrinath.

Cricinfo has learned that the Zimbabwe squad will leave Harare on Tuesday afternoon for Toronto on a British Airways flight via Johannesburg and London. They will arrive in Canada after a 30-hour journey on Wednesday afternoon, giving them less than two days to acclimatise before their first match at 9.30am on Friday.There had been reports that the side were having issues obtaining visas to enter Canada, but it appears that this was not an issue as Zimbabwe Cricket had submitted applications for all those likely to be named in the squad in good time.It will be a brief visit, however, as next Monday (October 13) the squad heads to Nairobi for the start of the one-day tri-series there on the following Friday.The booking arrangements suggest that Zimbabwe are not overly confident of making the final of the four-nation T20 Canada 2008 event. That match starts at 1.30pm on Monday and if it runs its distance will finish at around 5pm. Even if they skip the post-match ceremonies, they will have 55 minutes to get to the airport in time for their 7.55pm return flight.One certainty is that Zimbabwe Cricket chairman, Peter Chingoka, won’t be accompanying the team through London as he is banned from entering the UK as a result of sanctions imposed on those linked to Mugabe regime.