Rashid looks good for Yorkshire T20 shot (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Adil Rashid looks good for Yorkshire T20 shot

2:35pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in Sport

Adil Rashid made the most of Yorkshire’s comprehensive Champions League t20 warm-up win over Sialkot Stallions from Pakistan at the Wanderers in Johannesburg by scoring an entertaining 22 and taking three wickets.

The leg-spinning all-rounder staked his claim for a place in Tuesday’s opening qualifier against Uva Next at the same ground as Yorkshire posted 146-7 and then defended it to prevail by 23 runs.

Rashid took the wickets of Haris Sohail and Ali Khan with successive deliveries in his last over – the 14th of the innings – to leave the Stallions at 82-5, having earlier removed Faisal Naveed.

Steve Patterson also struck twice and Moin Ashraf once, while rookie wicketkeeper Dan Hodgson impressed with the gloves with two stumpings off Rashid.

Sialkot, who are in Hampshire’s qualifying pool, finished with 123-6.

“I thought we played exceptionally well as a team,” said Rashid, the only player in Yorkshire’s squad with previous CLt20 experience.

“This was the first time we have played a match while we’ve been in South Africa. For us to post nearly 150 was a good effort.

“We’re just getting used to the conditions. I thought 146 was a par score. We would have liked a few more but we’ll learn from that going into the next game.

“Winning gives us a lot more confidence as a team and we actually won it quite convincingly. If we carry on like that, we’ll be a hard team to beat.”

After winning the toss, Andrew Gale anchored the Yorkshire innings with 62 off 56 balls, including six fours and a six. Adam Lyth added a pulsating 28 off 13 balls batting at number four.

Rashid hit former Yorkshire overseas player Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for a huge six over mid-wicket during his 16-ball stay at the crease as he looks to secure the number six spot in the team.

With their middle order weakened by the absence of Jonny Bairstow for this competition, 24-year-old Rashid’s runs could be crucial.

Meanwhile, Woodlands overseas fast bowler Sarfraz Ahmed finished with figures of 1-20 from three overs, including the wicket of Joe Root.

Patterson then took two more wickets in a practice Super Over Eliminator as Yorkshire chased nine runs to win that too.