Meister der Farbe » he team surely is not strengthening its relation

Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Shafiq Stanikzai has presented an argument in favor of the proposal for two-tier Test cricket, saying the side deserves the opportunity to play Tests through their solid performances in the ICCs Intercontinental Cup first-class multi-day competition for Associates.We think that we are ready to play Test cricket and we have proven that, Stanikzai told ESPNcricinfo in a recent interview. Since we entered into the Intercontinental Cup arena, we were beaten only once. That was in the [2013] Intercontinental Cup final where we got beaten by Ireland but thats the only loss we have in a four-day game or multi-day game.Afghanistan are currently in second place behind Ireland on the 2015-17 Intercontinental Cup table after four rounds, with three wins and a rain-marred draw against Scotland. Afghanistans overall record in the first-class competition is outstanding with 14 wins, one loss and four draws. Right from their debut in the competition - a high-scoring draw in which they claimed first-innings points against a Zimbabwe XI in 2009 - they have made an effort to demonstrate their versatility rather than be pigeonholed as a limited-overs specialist outfit.Nowhere was that more evident than in their victory against a then elite Canada outfit in 2010, who at the time were preparing to play their third successive ICC World Cup. Set a target of 494 to win in the fourth innings, Afghanistan recorded the ninth-best successful chase in first-class cricket history spearheaded by Mohammad Shahzads unbeaten 214. That win propelled them to a maiden Intercontinental Cup title later that year with a win over Scotland in the final. That victory also broke Irelands streak of three successive titles.Overall, Afghanistan have scored 400 or more in an innings six times and batted for more than 100 overs in an innings on 11 occasions in the Intercontinental Cup, showing their versatility. They have also shown adaptability to foreign conditions, notching victories in Scotland, Kenya, Canada, Namibia and twice in the Netherlands.Three of Afghanistans last six Intercontinental Cup wins have come by an innings margin, while the other three were by margins of ten wickets, eight wickets and 201 runs. Stanikzai says there is not much more for them to prove against Associate-level competition in multi-day cricket and they are eager for a chance to show their skills in a Test scenario.We have a real good package for every single format of the game, he said. If you have a look at the Afghanistan cricket team, we have almost a different squad for every single format. We have T20 specialists, we have ODI specialists, we have multi-day players, specialists not just in batting but in bowling as well. So we are carrying a different bunch of players in every single format we are playing.Stanikzais point is backed up by the fact that core players from their limited-overs squad - bowlers Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran and Rashid Khan, and batsmen Noor Ali Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Najibullah Zadran and Gulbadin Naib - were all absent from Afghanistans starting XI in their most recent Intercontinental Cup win over Netherlands. Afghanistan also has a domestic four-day competition since 2014, which features teams from five regions, although this has not yet been assigned first-class status.It means the talent is huge in Afghanistan and things have shaped up quite nicely and we have improved quite rapidly in the cricketing world, Stanikzai said. Afghanistan is a team that is ready to play Test cricket. We are just looking forward for this [two-tier] proposal to get passed by the ICC board. My stance and Afghanistan Cricket Boards stance is quite clear that we need more opportunities. Toronto Blue Jays Gear . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Toronto Blue Jays Pro Shop .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Custom Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Fake Blue Jays Jerseys . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. SAN DIEGO -- A day after the Chargers took their contract dispute with rookie defensive end Joey Bosa public, San Diego coach Mike McCoy had nice things to say about the former Ohio State star.I think everybody understands the business side to this, McCoy said Thursday. But we all understand the type of player Joey is. He loves the game, he plays with passion. So Im sure he is going crazy being back home and not with his teammates. We all want him here.Once he walks in the door, he is one of us, McCoy added. That is how we are going to approach it.Bosa, the only first-rounder who has not signed with his team, has missed all of training camp as his agents and the team wrangled over how much of his $17 million signing bonus hell get up front, as well as offset language in case he gets cut.The Chargers said Wednesday that they pulled their contract offer and said they would restructure a new deal that would reflect him playing less than a full season. The team said it gave Bosas agents its best offer Tuesday night, and it was rejected the next day. San Diego said it offered an initial signing bonus payment larger than any draftee received in the past two drafts, and more money in 2016 than any drafteee except Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.ddddddddddddOne of Bosas agents, Brian Ayrault, said in a statement that it was unfortunate the San Diego Chargers have decided to manipulate facts and negotiate in the media. The team surely is not strengthening its relationship with Joey Bosa by taking this stance and making their position public.The Chargers, who have missed the playoffs in five of the past six seasons and were 4-12 last year, can really use Bosa, whom they took third overall in the draft.The team lost Sean Lissemore to a season-ending shoulder injury in training camp. Damion Square was suspended Wednesday for the first four games of the season after violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy. The ranks along the defensive line are alarmingly thin.There is not too much we can do about it, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said, discussing Bosas situation. All we can do is just play. I dont even know the full details. I dont think anyone knows except the people that are doing it. Its a tough situation.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '