Shakeel Hassan catch on last ball leads to Germany-Botswana tie

Germany's Shakeel Hassan took the most important catch of the match when he dismissed Ameer Saiyed on the last ball of the day to secure a tie between Germany and Botswana on day four of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 7 tournament in Botswana today.

Chasing a total of 212 for victory and a chance to stay in contention for the final, Botswana lost wickets regularly, but was anchored by opener Faisal Rana Rasheed. Rasheed, who was the highest run-getter of the tournament in 2011, scored 96 in an innings that included 13 fours and one six. Captain Karabo Modise (25) was the only other top-order batsman to make a significant contribution, however, and when Rasheed was caught and bowled by Wasantha De Silva in the fortieth over, Botswana needed 45 runs with only two wickets in hand. Saiyed (27) played a disciplined innings to keep the run rate ticking over, but was caught while trying to steal a single off the last ball of innings, and Botswana finished with 211 to secure a tie.

Earlier, Germany had been dismissed for 211 with only four balls remaining of its innings. Germany began its innings in earnest, scoring at over five per over. André Leslie (31), captain Asif Khan (45) and Milan Fernando (55) were the main contributors, but once their wickets fell, left-armer Modise tore through the lower order, claiming four of the last five wickets in eight overs. Sohel Mia (6) was the last wicket to fall when he was run out in the final over, and Germany was all out for 211, its highest total of the tournament.

Sohel Mia and Wasantha De Silva took three wickets apiece for Germany, while Botswana's Faisal Rana Rasheed was adjudged player of the match.

Commenting on his team's first point for the tournament, Germany captain Asif Khan said: "It was a great game played in a professional way. The players were all motivated and covered all the departments. All credit to the youngsters from both the teams who played in a mature way."

Botswana's Karabo Modise felt his side's batting let it down: "The game was so interesting. Both teams performed well. Our batters did not come to the party on chasing a low score but well done to youngster Ameer Saiyed who batted until the end."

Looking for victory to keep its chances of a top two finish alive, Ghana sent Fiji into bat, and the pacific island's slow start appeared to vindicate the decision. However, a steady partnership of 58 between skipper Joe Rika (76) and Sevunivola Baba (21) set the foundation for the Fiji innings, until Baba was dismissed lbw off the bowling of Vincent Ateak. Rika combined with Jikoi Kida (69) to take the score to 188, before 17 year-old Isaac Aboagye dismissed both batsmen in the fortieth over. This breakthrough led to a batting collapse, with Fiji losing its remaining seven wickets in five overs, only managing to add another 35 runs to its total to be all out for 223 in the forty-fifth over.

Stephen Bagabina claimed five of the wickets in only 4.5 overs, while Aboagye took three.

In reply, Ghana lost early wickets, and never seemed to get comfortable at the crease. Simon Ateak (43) and Obed Harvey (48) again scored well for the side, but the Fiji bowling attack and some accurate fielding stifled the Ghana run chase. As the tail end attempted to increase the run rate, Vincent Ateak and Godfred Bikiweyem were run out within three balls of each other, and Ghana was eventually all out for 205, 19 runs short of victory.

The Fiji bowlers shared the wickets, with five bowlers claiming scalps. Fiji's Kida was named player of the match for his run-a-ball 69.

Fiji captain Joe Rika was pleased that his side was able to pull through the tough match, saying: "It was a very tough game for Fiji ? it was anybody's game right until the last wicket."

Ghana captain Peter Ananya rued his team's missed opportunities, saying: "We didn't field well and failed to take our chances. Congratulations to Fiji though."

In the third match of the day, a 100-run fourth-wicket stand by Andrew Mansale and Nalin Nipiko sealed Vanuatu's fourth consecutive win of the tournament, posting 238 for four in 50 overs before restricting Nigeria to 164 for nine in its 50 overs.

Batting first, Vanuatu started slowly and lost the key wicket of opener Trevor Langa (23) in the 13th over. Two quick wickets and Vanuatu was reduced to 61 for three at the end of 22nd over. However, the pair of Mansale and Nipiko steadied the innings, before Peter Matautaava led the charge with an unbeaten 52 from just 33 balls, including four massive sixes and one boundary. At the end of 50 overs, Mansale remained unbeaten with a well-made 57 from 83 balls, and Vanuatu scored 78 runs in the last 8 overs to reach a total of 238.

For Nigeria, Joshua Ogunlola took two wickets and Chimezie Onwuzulike and Sesan Adedeji took one apiece.

Nigeria started cautiously, though Segun Olayinka (22) and Adedeji (24) put some runs on the board. Nigeria lost wickets regularly, and Oladotun Olatunji was not able to add a third century to his tally for the tournament, being bowled out for just three. His was one of three wickets lost on the space of four overs for four runs, before Onwuzulike steadied the innings, scoring a patient 32 from 44 balls. Nigeria made 164 for nine at the end of its 50 overs, 75 runs short of victory.

For Vanuatu, Jelany Chilia and Jaxies Samuel took two wickets each, with player of the match Patrick Matautaava, Niko Unavalu, Mansale and Nalin Nipiko taking one wicket each.

Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale was delighted with his team's continuing all-round strong performance, saying: "It was an excellent day out, and we are half way to achieving what we came here for."

Nigeria captain Adekunle Adegbola was upbeat despite his side's loss, saying: "It was a very good game from both sides, but the best team usually wins. We saw a very impressive batting innings by Vanuatu, and my congratulations to them. Better luck next time for Nigerians."

Scores in brief:
At BCA No. 1

Germany 211 all out, 49.2 overs (Fernando 55, Khan 45; Modise 4-21)
Botswana 211, 50 overs (Rasheed 96, Saiyed 27, Modise 25; de Silva 3-17, Mia 3-33)
Match tied

Player of the Match: Faisal Rana Rasheed (Botswana)

At BCA No. 2
Fiji 223 all out, 44.5 overs (Rika 76, Kida 69; Bagabena 5-25, Aboagye 3-34)
Ghana 205 all out, 46.5 overs (Harvey 48, S Ateak 43; T Tavo 2-27)
Fiji won by 18 runs

Player of the Match: Jikoi Kida (Fiji)
At Lobatse
Vanuatu 238 for 4, 50 overs (Mansale 57 not out, Nipiko 57, Matautaava 52 not out; Ogunlola 2-37)
Nigeria 169 for 9, 50 overs (C Onwuzulike 32*, Adedji 24, Olayinka 22; Chilia 2-18, Samuel 2-25)
Vanuatu won by 74 runs

Player of the Match: Patrick Matautaava (Vanuatu)
Thursday is a rest/reserve day. Friday's fixtures are the final group matches:

At BCA No. 1: Vanuatu v Ghana
At BCA No. 2: Germany v Nigeria
At Lobatse: Botswana v Fiji

All matches are scheduled to start at 0930 local time