Cricket: Shahid blow for Pakistan

PAKISTAN MANAGED just 10 overs at the crease against Durham at Chester-le-Street before the game was washed out but this was long enough for opener Shahid Afridi to receive an injury to his elbow.

Shahid was taken to hospital but X-rays showed there was no break and he is expected to be fit for Pakistan's opening match against West Indies in Bristol on Sunday.

"It's badly bruised but he should be OK in three or four days," said the Pakistan coach, Mushtaq Mohammad. "He's a vital man for us because we also use him as a leg spinner."

Mushtaq said his squad was desperate for some match practice. "It's the second game we have had washed out - let's hope Manchester has something better to offer."

Pakistan had amassed 50 without loss before the weather intervened.

New Zealand, inspired by a belligerent Craig McMillan, amassed 328 for 6 against Surrey at The Oval yesterday as World Cup sides grabbed what batting practice they could amid the showers.

With all their batsmen scoring runs - except opener Matthew Horne, who went for a second-ball duck - the Kiwis enjoyed a rarity in the warm- up matches for the tournament that starts on Friday - 50 overs of batting. McMillan top-scored with 86 from 54 balls including 10 fours and four sixes. Nathan Astle took advantage to compile 58 as he put on 133 for the second wicket with McMillan, and Adam Parore hammered an unbeaten 66 from 65 deliveries.

An under-strength Surrey then fell to the medium pace of Roger Twose, who cut through the lower order to take 4 for 30 off 5.5 overs as New Zealand won by 108 runs.

Bangladesh reached 203 for 2 off 43.4 overs against Middlesex thanks to a spirited 80 not out by Akram Khan and 52 from Shariar Hossain.

They won by 12 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method after Middlesex made 223 for 6 off 43 overs, Mark Ramprakash hitting 53 not out. Off-spinner Minhajul Abedin took 2 for 40 in seven overs.