Sports Briefs

Pakistan whip Zimbabwe in 1st ODI

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP):

Legspinner Yasir Shah took 6-26 as Pakistan thumped Zimbabwe by 131 runs in the first one-day international yesterday.

Shah ran through Zimbabwe's top and middle order, taking five of the first seven wickets as the home team crumbled to 128 all out chasing Pakistan's 259-6 at Harare Sports Club.

Put in to bat first by Zimbabwe, Pakistan struggled at the start and was 35-3 before their middle order came to the rescue.

Mohammed Rizwan was top scorer with a career-best 75 in ODIs, hitting four fours and two sixes. Wasim made 61 and their stand ensured Pakistan went past 250.

Australia postpone Bangladesh tour

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

Australia have postponed their cricket tour to Bangladesh because of concerns over player safety.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said yesterday the tour, scheduled to start with a warm-up match tomorrow would not go ahead as planned after Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs identified a serious security risk.

"The threats were credible and real and targeted, not only against Westerners but against Australians," Sutherland said. "After six days of extensive deliberations and research, we've come to the conclusion that we have no other alternative than to postpone our tour."

Sutherland said he'd negotiate with the Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding potential future dates for the series. The Australians were scheduled to play two Tests - beginning October 9 in Chittagong and October 17 in Dhaka.

SA to bank on spinners

DHARAMSALA, India (AP):

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis gave a surprise spin warning ahead of their first ever Twenty20 in India today.

"I suppose they know we've got spinners who can win us games," du Plessis said about the Imran Tahir-led spin attack yesterday. "Imran has changed the way we play in the white-ball format. We've always relied on pace, but now our success in one-dayers and T20s is heavily on his shoulders."

The spinners have come to prominence since pace bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are being rested for the three T20s, though they will figure in the five one-day internationals and four tests to follow.

Du Plessis, who along with ODI captain AB de Villiers, Tahir, Albie Morkel and Duminy, has featured regularly in the Indian Premier League, feels the experience of playing in that will help, too.