Cricket news round-up – 23 May: Shakib tops all-rounder chart, Hales bags CPL deal

Shakib Al Hasan is the new ODI No. 1 all-rounder as per ICC ratings; Alex Hales bags an expensive deal in CPL draft; South Africa beat Pakistan Women to level the T20I series 2-2; and Somerset, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, and Lancashire won their respective matches in the County Championship.

Shakib tops all-rounder list

Shakib Al Hasan moved up the top of the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings for all-rounders. His fine form during the tri-nation series in Ireland that helped Bangladesh to clinch their first multi-nation title has been rewarded.

Shakib scored 140 runs, including two unbeaten half-centuries, and scalped two wickets. Former No. 1 Rashid Khan is now at second spot, while Rashid’s Afghan Mohammad Nabi is at third spot.

South Africa Women level T20I series – again

South Africa Women won the 4th T20I against Pakistan to level the series 2-2. Pakistan set a target of 172/5 with Nida Dar scoring 75 off 37 balls while Shabnim Ismail had 4-0-22-2. For South Africa, Lizelle Lee anchored the chase with 60 off 31 balls. Fatima Sana’s 3-wicket haul wasn’t enough to prevent the hosts. South Africa won by 4 wickets. The decider will be played on May 23

CPL Has Good News for Hales

Alex Hales, who missed out on a spot in England’s World Cup squad, bagged an expensive deal in the Caribbean Premier League. He was signed by Barbados Tridents.

Among others, Lasith Malinga went to St Lucia Stars, while Isuru Udana, to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo were retained by their old teams, Jamaica Tallawahs and Trinbago Knight Riders respectively. Tallawahs also signed Chris Gayle.

Kieron Pollard is now a part of Knight Riders, who have also retained Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Denesh Ramdin, amd Darren Bravo. Tridents have retained Wahab Riaz and signed up Sandeep Lamichhane.

And Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have retained Sherfane Rutherford and Keemon Paul, have signed up Shadab Khan and Nicholas Pooran.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Final

10th Match: Captain Ademola Onikoyi (49), supported by Ovais Yousof  (33) and Vincent Adeoye (23), saved Nigeria recover to 135/8 against Ghana. Adeoye then had 4-1-18-4 to win the match by 28 runs.

Match 11: Only one Botswana batsman – Nabil Master (21 off 16) – reached double-figures as they folded for 46 from 12.1 overs. Christi Viljoen took 4-0-9-5. Namibia won by 10 wickets with 97 balls remaining.

Match 12: This was a close match that saw Kenya win by just 1 run. Rakep Patel (51 off 22), supported by some middle-order contributions, helped Kenya put 145/6 on board. Charles Waiswa scalped 4 wickets and and Dinesh Nakrani 2. Having to defend 20 off the last over, Elijah Otieno conceded 18. He and Nelson Odhiambo picked 3 wickets each.

County Championship updates

Somerset, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, and Lancashire completed their victories in the County Championship.

Glamorgan completed their win against Derbyshire late in the day with only 2 wickets to spare. Tom Cullen guided the chase and won the match with his second fifty of the match.

Lancashire also sealed their third victory in as many matches in the season post some hiccups during the chase.

Ajinkya Rahane was the star on Hampshire debut as he and Sam Northeast scored centuries in their second innings and put a strong target. With both openers back in the hut, Nottinghamshire are chasing 397 on the final day.

Kent need 380 on the last day with 9 wickets in hand. Sam Curran scored an aggressive 80 for Surrey.

In the other match, Philip Salt’s 122  helped Sussex to take the lead of 346 runs against Northamptonshire.