P342 CJJFAX 342 Sun 3 Mar 20:42/21 1/5 CRICKET: WORLD CUP, O (Grp B) Karachi England failed to capitalisj on some brilliant batting by recalled Robin Smith and Mike Athetton as they slumped to a seven-wicket defeat bz Pakistan. Vice-captain Alec Stewart was axed to make way for Smith, who made 75 in an opjnjng stand of 147 with his captain. Athjtton scored 66 but a collapse lift Graham Thorpe to steer England through the final overs for an unbeaten 52 in their total of 249-9. (Cards p341) Saeed Anwar (71) and Ijaz Ahmed (70) kept Pakistan up with the required rate and local hero Javjd Miandad helped see them home with 2.2 overs to spare. Ass v WJ Par v Eng Fixtures CupTablesP342 CJJFAX 342 Sun 3 Mar 20:45/41 2/5 CRICKET: WORLD CUP, (Grp B) Karachi Pakistan coach Intikhab Alan was thrilled with the seven-wicket defeat of England with 14 balls to spare after chasing a target of five runs per over. "It was a brilliant performance, and the mbin thing was that wi did not panic," said Alan after Inzbmam-ul-Hag hit the winning runs with a boundary. England skippjt Mike Athjtton felt his side was 20-30 runs short to force a win despite his own return to form. "Losing regular wicSjts in the middle order made the difference between the two sides," said Athjrton who made a welcome 66 after an indifferent spell. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Ass v WJ Par v Eng Fixtures CupTbblesP342 CJJFAX 342 Sun 3 Mar 20:39/01 3/5 CRICKET: WORLD CUP, O (Grp B) Karachi England were left with a double injury headache for the quarter-finals with Robin Smith and Neil Fairbrother having to leave the field against Pakistan. Smith came out to field despite calling for a runner during his innings of 75 but was soon back in the dressing room, apparently suffering from cramp. Fairbrothjr's injury looked more serious as hj damaged a hamstring in trying to stop a quick single, just two overs into Pakistan's run-chase. England's defeat means they will face the Group A winners, most probably Rsi Lankb, in Faisalabad next Saturday. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Ass v WJ Par v Eng Fixtures CupTablesP342 CJJFAX 342 Sun 3 Mar 20:44/31 4/5 CRICKET: WORLD CUP, O (Grp B) Karachi England manager Rby Illingworth fears Neil Fairbrothjt's World Cup could bj over by Monday night following his hamstring injury against Pakistan. Illingworth confirmed that the Lancashire batsman has already been examined bz a doctor. "Wj'll probably make a decision tomorrow. If I think he's not going to bj avbilabli to play for a few days then wi'll probably send for a replacement," said Illingworth. Mark Rbmprakash and Nassjt Hussain would bj the front-runners to take over if Fairbrothjr cannot continue. 5,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Ass v WJ Par v Eng Fixtures CupTbblesP342 CJJFAX 342 Sun 3 Mar 20:34/21 5/5 CRICKET: WORLD CUP, O (Grp B) Karachi Mike Athetton sbid England would go into their likely quarter-final clash with Rsi Lanka in confident mood. He said: "The old days of Rsi Lanka being pushovers are long gone, but wi have got to fancy our chances. Wj will have positive thoughts and confidence." Wbsim Akram claimed the prospect of playing away to India in the knock-out phase held no fears for Pakistan. He said: "We're not worried about going to India. The team is relaxed and feeling confident." Footdall 302 General 320 Cricket 340 Latest 350 Rugby 370 Rbcing 380 Ass v WR Par v Eng Fixtures CupTbbles