CRICKET: Bazid Khan stroked an unbeaten 90 runs to lead Pakistan A to a one-wicket win over England in the final over of a one-day match at the Bagh-e-Jinnah yesterday.
Pakistan A ended on 239 for nine in reply to England's 236 for seven in 45 overs, in which Paul Collingwood top-scored with 75 not out and Matthew Prior made 72.
James Anderson took three wickets for three runs in the 43rd over to leave the home side on 207 for eight, requiring 19 runs from 12 balls.
Anderson finished with four for 46 having triggered a mini-collapse with Pakistan A well placed on 215 for five. He bowled Yasir Arafat (six), Zulqarnain Haider (two) and Rao Iftikhar (0).
Bazid hit Anderson for two successive fours in the final over to complete the victory on the penultimate ball of the innings.
The match was England's only warm-up game for the five-match one-day series against Pakistan, which starts on Saturday.
Bazid, who has played two one-day internationals and a Test, hit five fours and two sixes in his 88-ball knock. He put on 58 from 60 balls with Faisal Iqbal (31) for the fifth wicket, while opener Rafatullah Mohmand also scored 55.
Prior, England's reserve wicketkeeper, enhanced his chances of playing in the first one-day international by displaying good placement and power in his innings.
New Zealand just fail to beat Australia
CRICKET: New Zealand fell two runs short of a famous win over Australia in a thrilling one-day international in Wellington.
A blockbusting innings of power hitting by Andrew Symonds set Australia on their way as they reached 322 for five in their 50 overs, a record score at the Westpac Stadium.
But with the match going down to the wire a fine performance by debutant Mick Lewis and two run-outs in the final over of the match ensured Australia held on for a win despite what could have been a costly mix-up in the field in the 49th over.
Brett Lee's final over saw the fast bowler go for five off a beamer then no-balled for a bouncer before Australia were penalised again for having only three players in the circle, much to captain Ricky Ponting's consternation, leaving New Zealand needing six runs from the 50th and last over.
But after scoring an unbeaten 82 Michael Clarke capped off a fine day with a superb run-out of Brendon McCullum then Lewis ran out Kyle Mills to give Australia a two-run win and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Symonds stole the show though with a brilliant batting display, including taking three successive sixes off Chris Cairns after the tourists had been reduced to 50 for three with the dismissals of Adam Gilchrist (8), Ponting (28) and Brad Hodge (0).
Williams agree deal
FORMULA ONE: Williams have committed to Formula One beyond 2007 after signing an extension of the Concorde Agreement yesterday. Williams had been part of a manufacturers' group threatening a breakaway championship.
But yesterday they joined Ferrari, Red Bull and Midland in signing up to an extension of the current arrangement with Bernie Ecclestone. The news gives Formula One a 50-50 split between Ecclestone's series and the manufacturers' group, who are demanding more money and a greater say in the way the sport is run. A Williams spokesman revealed an improved offer from Ecclestone persuaded Frank Williams to agree.
