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Cricket Buzz: Zadran blasts Afghanistan to famous win

July 23, 2014 16:56 IST
Dawlat Zadran

Dawlat Zadran hit 24 runs from seven balls to help Afghanistan to a two-wicket One-Day International victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday, only the second time the war-torn country has beaten a Test-playing nation.

The victory at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo followed a 32-run victory over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in March, and leaves the series 2-1 in Zimbabwe's favour with one match remaining.

Zadran hit four sixes as he reached his highest ODI score, helping his side chase down their target of 262 with two wickets and two balls remaining.

Opener Javed Ahmadi top-scored with 56.

Afghanistan looked as though they would fall well short of their target until they took 25 from the 46th over bowled by Zimbabwe spinner Sikandar Raza.

Zadran secured victory in the final over with a six off Shingi Masakadza.

Zimbabwe scored 261 for eight in their 50 overs, with Hamilton Masakadza hitting 84 and skipper Brendan Taylor amassing 53.

The final match will be played at the same venue on Thursday.

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Kane Williamson suspended from bowling for illegal action

July 23, 2014 16:56 IST
Kane Williamson

New Zealand off-spinner Kane Williamson has been suspended by the ICC from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after an independent analysis found his bowling action to be illegal.

The analysis, which was performed at the Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff School of Sport, on July 9, revealed that most of Williamson's deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.

Williamson, who was reported after the Test against the West Indies in Trinidad last month, can apply for re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

Williamson is the first New Zealand cricketer to be suspended from bowling in international cricket because of an illegal action.

The off-spinner joins a list of players suspended by the International Cricket Council for an illegal action, including India's Harbhajan Singh, James Kirtley of England, Jermaine Lawson and Shane Shillingford of the West Indies and Pakistan's Shoaib Malik and Shabbir Ahmed.

Sri Lanka off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake was also recently suspended.