Fourth wicket stand frustrates England

A stubborn fourth wicket partnership of 102 frustrated England's attempt to force a win over the Governor's XI on the third day of their four-day match in Peshawar on Friday.

The home side were 115 for four in their second innings, only 24 runs ahead, when play was called off early because of bad light.

Darren Gough and Andy Caddick reduced the Governor's XI to 13 for three before Akhtar Sarfraz (53 not out) and Naumanullah (50) staged their rescue operation.

Naumanullah hit left-arm spinner Ashley Giles for a straight six, reaching his 50 from 99 balls with three fours and a six before he was caught on the leg-side by Graham Thorpe without adding to his score.

The day was marred by a tantrum from Caddick after an appeal for caught behind off Sarfraz was rejected.

Caddick appeared to say something to the batsman and continued to glare at Sarfraz during his follow through. Umpire Sajjad Asghar spoke to England captain Nasser Hussain and reported the matter to match referee Farrukh Zaman.

"Caddick abused me, my country. I warned him that you can say whatever you like to me but not to my country but he abused my country again and then I talked to the England captain about it and he told me to clear off," Asghar said.

Asghar said later that Caddick had apologised to him while Zaman said he could not take any action until he received a complaint in writing.

England, who resumed at 241 for five, added 74 runs to their overnight score.

Thorpe, 27 overnight, was the first to go for 48 with the total on 282, mishooking medium-pacer Sajid Shah to substitute Taimoor Khan in the gully.

He had hit three fours in 176 minutes at the wicket and had added 41 in 47 minutes with Craig White for the sixth wicket.

Seven runs later White (22) hooked left-arm medium-pacer and test discard Kabir Khan to Sajid Shah at long leg. He was followed by Ian Salisbury who stepped back to Kashif Raza and was lbw for four.

Mail Cricket Editor