Category Uncategorized

Despite not wanting to give up on keeping wicket, Jonny Bairstow admits his most likely way back into the team might be at No. 3

George Dobell20-Nov-2018

Jonny Bairstow faces a battle to regain his place in the Test team•Getty Images

Whatever pain Jonny Bairstow experienced when he injured his ankle during the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka, it was, you suspect, nothing compared to the pain he has experienced since.The last few weeks must have been excruciating for Bairstow. Having improved out of all recognition as a keeper and risen, in August 2017, to No. 6 in the Test batting rankings, Bairstow has been powerless as Ben Foakes has come into the side as his injury replacement and seized his chance so well that it isn’t easy to see a quick return.Foakes, who made a high-class century on Test debut in Galle, is not only the highest run-scorer in the series but Jos Buttler said the standard of his glovework had provided “a wake-up call” to his rivals for the wicketkeeping role. So while Bairstow was considered fit for selection for the second Test in Pallekele, he couldn’t win a recall. There simply wasn’t a position for him.As a result, Bairstow has had little more than a peripheral role as the England team in which he appeared to be an integral part only a few weeks ago enjoyed one of their biggest triumphs in recent years. That’s not to say that Bairstow doesn’t wish Foakes and his England team-mates well. But he wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t hurting.”Naturally, you’re going to be disappointed,” he said. “The last two-and-a-half years I’ve been in the team. And it was only three Tests ago I was in the top 10 batters in the world. And then you’re not playing.”But you don’t want to be going around sulking and not helping the lads out. It’s about how you manage that disappointment, especially when you’re around the group. If you’re sapping the energy from the group, that’s not a good thing.”That positive reaction to the setback has impressed his colleagues. Both the captain and coach have praised his positive attitude and he is able to see that the competition for places is, in the grand scheme of things, beneficial for the team.”I just went and trained hard,” he replies when asked what he did when he learned he had been left out of the team for the second Test. “I’ve just been trying to get back in the team. We’ve competition for places and that’s good for the squad.”We had the same in the ODI side when we got to No. 1 in the world. We’re striving to be better, striving to score more runs, striving to be better keepers and take better catches.”He hasn’t accepted he has lost the gloves, either. While England coach, Trevor Bayliss, appeared to suggest Bairstow had accepted his way back into the side was as a specialist batsman, Bairstow is not so sure. Reasoning that it only took just a moment of bad luck for him to lose his place, he feels a similar event could see him regain them.”You don’t want to accept that [just being a specialist], do you?” he says. “You don’t know what’s round the corner. So, I’m working on both my primary skills, like I have done over the last three years.”You don’t know how the make up of sides work, or how injuries happen. We’ve seen over the last few weeks, how quickly that can come around. So, I’m still working on all my skills. That will continue to be the case.”He is right, too. While Foakes currently looks unassailable, it is likely that, with such strong candidates in the wings, he will never be able to endure more than two or three lean games without questions about his position arising.So while the selectors are far more consistent than they once were, that sort of scrutiny – from the media, from supporters, from the attention every time Bairstow makes runs at county level – brings pressure. And it is possible that the Ashes will examine different areas in Foakes’ game. The Australia bowlers are unlikely to die wondering how he plays the short ball, for example. Not much is permanent in sport.Ben Foakes takes the catch to dismiss Angelo Mathews•Associated Press

Bairstow knows, however, that in the meantime his most obvious route back into the side might be as a No. 3. While you don’t get the sense he relishes that possibility, he does seem prepared to develop his game and acquire the skills needed.It’s not ideal, though. Bairstow was uncertain about moving up to No. 5 a few months ago and has struggled for consistency subsequently. He has averaged just 23.16 in the seven Tests since the move and, in his five most recent Test innings, has accrued just 24 runs including three ducks. By comparison, he averages 41.96 at No. 6 and 41.03 at No. 7. And all five of his Test centuries (and 13 of his 19 half-centuries) have come at No. 6 or lower.”In all of the challenges that have been out in front of me, I’d like to think I’ve recognised them and hopefully combatted them in many ways,” he said. “People asked whether I could open the batting in one-day cricket. They asked if I could bat at No. 5. They asked if I could bat at No. 5 and keep wicket. It’s not like I’ve just batted at No. 7 all the time.”Batting at No. 3 isn’t something that I’ve done much. But when you come in against the second new ball, you’re doing the same thing. I might just have to leave a few more balls.”So, what about football? Having suffering a career-interrupting injury playing the sport in warm-up, will be go back to it? It has been noticeable he has acted as referee in recent days.”I thought I’d broken my ankle,” he says. “I thought my tour was over. But it wasn’t a tackle or anything like that. I could have done it running. People have made a big hoo-ha that it happened during football, but I actually twisted my ankle on a rope that goes round the boundary. It wasn’t like it was a two-footed knee-high tackle that went flying in.”England took a day-off on Tuesday but return to training on Wednesday. There has been, as yet, no confirmation that Sam Curran has been ruled out of the side for the third Test with a side strain, but it does seem unlikely he will be risked.1800 GMT – This story was updated throughout with embargoed content

Unlike last season, Arsenal are not sitting top of the Premier League table by late November. However, Mikel Arteta's men are still just one point behind the golden spot this term, with two-thirds of the season left to play.

Arteta looked to strengthen his midfield department during the summer to avoid last season's collapse once more, bringing Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to the club for a combined total of £170m, but arguably the weakest component of the Gunners' side is the number 'nine' position.

Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have led the line this season, but neither has been a prolific goalscorer throughout their respective careers. Nevertheless, there is still one more option that Arteta could try before the January transfer window opens to save some money.

Arsenal's centre-forward option

Having picked up a devastating knee injury at the World Cup last season, Jesus spent a number of months sidelined. It was suggested by journalist Dean Jones that Gabriel Martinelli should get the nod to play down the middle, having had a fantastic campaign off the left. The Brazilian has played up top 16 times before in his professional career and scored nine goals in all competitions.

Last season, Martinelli proved to Arteta that he is one of Arsenal's major goal threats, having scored 16 goals in 36 Premier League appearances, leading journalist Mark Mann-Bryans to label the winger as a "monster" for some of his displays in a red and white shirt. Martinelli was also handed a new deal for his excellent performances worth £180k-per-week.

Nevertheless, with Jesus still absent with an injury and Nketiah recovering from a slight knock, Arteta opted to deploy Leandro Trossard as Arsenal's striker against Burnley and Sevilla and the Belgian scored against the former. The Spanish coach also has Havertz as an option to play as a false 'nine' but the German featured at left-back on Saturday night for his national team in a 3-2 defeat at home to Turkey, scoring within five minutes, and may have found a new role for himself in the process.

Regardless, Trossard and Havertz don't possess the natural goalscoring instinct that Martinelli does, as the duo have bagged just eight goals in total since joining the club.

Gabriel Martinelli's stats this season

Jesus has scored four goals this season for Arsenal while Nketiah has registered one more than his Brazilian counterpart. The pair are being outscored by Trossard who has found the net six times and is the Gunners' joint-top scorer in the current campaign alongside Bukayo Saka. Despite being out-and-out centre-forwards, neither Jesus nor Nketiah have proven themselves to be consistent goalscorers under Arteta.

Meanwhile, Martinelli has turned into one of Europe's great wingers. Statistically, the 22-year-old stands out from the crowd when compared to all wide players from Europe's top-five leagues. Martinelli is in the top 9% for non-penalty goals per 90 and the top 11% for non-penalty expected goals per 90. Additionally, the Arsenal star ranks in the top 2% for touches in the opposition's penalty area per 90 as well as the top 5% for progressive passes received per 90.

According to FBref's player comparison model, Martinelli's data is most comparable to Vinicius Jr., Saka, Raheem Sterling, and even Mohamed Salah. Arsenal's number eleven may not reach Erling Haaland-numbers for goals but is currently outperforming Jesus and Nketiah on a host of key attacking metrics this season and should be given an opportunity by Arteta to showcase his talents up top.

Goals

0.13

0.25

0.59

Shots

2.13

2.5

2.94

Goals per shot

0.06

0.1

0.2

Shots on target

1

0.74

0.82

xG

0.14

0.44

0.36

Touches in opposition's box

7.88

6

6

Key passes

2.13

1

0.71

Progressive passes received

15.1

6.75

5.29

Assists

0.25

0

0

Stats via FBref

Martinelli is scoring at a lesser rate than Jesus and Nketiah because it's difficult to have quality chances when cutting in from the left due to the angle of the shot. However, the Brazilian is creating more opportunities and isn't lagging too far behind on goalscoring metrics.

With that in mind, Arteta should give Martinelli a shot up top to showcase what he can do in the absence of Jesus.

India’s coach has pulled up his batsmen for not being strong enough mentally to capitalise on a strong position in Southampton

Nagraj Gollapudi at The Oval05-Sep-2018The series is lost but Ravi Shastri is not “throwing the towel in” yet, and neither are the Indian team. Shastri has singled out his batsmen for not being as mentally strong as they could have been, giving away the advantage to England in situations they should have capitalised on, but despite England holding a series-winning 3-1 lead with only the fifth Test to play, India’s coach believes his team will compete hard in the match at the Oval that starts on Friday, and rectify mistakes made in the first four Tests.The five-Test series got off to an exhilarating start after England held their nerve on the fifth morning at Edgbaston to win by 31 runs. England then obliterated India at Lord’s in a matter of a few sessions. India bounced back collectively to hurt England at Trent Bridge and keep the series alive.In Southampton India had England reeling at 86 for 6 on day one. Still, stunningly, it was India who were left bruised in the end as Sam Curran played another belligerent knock to wrest back control, just as he had done at Edgbaston in the second innings when England were stuttering at 87 for 7. India’s five-man bowling attack failed to stop Curran both times, and paid the price.On the third day, England were in trouble once again and lost quick wickets either side of the lunch break to slip to 92 for 4, but their lower order resisted admirably and hit back to raise a big lead on a worn pitch. India had no answer to Moeen Ali, who kept pitching the ball in the footmarks and getting it to turn and bounce sharply. It was something India’s lead spinner R Ashwin failed to do, which Shastri said was the difference between the sides.But Shastri was still not giving up. “The fact of the matter is that you had a chance,” Shastri said after India’s training on Wednesday. “The scoreline says 3-1 which means India have lost the series. What the scoreline doesn’t say is India could have been 3-1 or 2-2. And my team knows it. They would have hurt, and rightly so, after the last game. But this is a team that will not throw in the towel. It will compete. It will come out there to compete and not look to be on the first flight home, rest assured.”After losing the series in Southampton, India captain Virat Kohli was blunt in his appraisal, saying his team could not be satisfied just with competing, and had to learn how to cross the line. Shastri reiterated that sentiment. “We have run teams close overseas, we have competed. But now it is not about just competing. We have got to complete games from here. And the endeavour is to learn, understand where you made the mistakes, take it head on and try and correct.”Virat Kohli chats with Ravi Shastri•Getty ImagesShastri said India were on top and looking to take a sizeable lead when Cheteshwar Pujara played a ” (a Mumbai cricket term loosely equivalent to bloody-minded)” innings to notch his first century of this tour. But the rest of the batting did not show the same resolve. “It is being aware of being in a good position and then capitalising and not doing something silly to open the door for the opposition. I thought at 180 for 4 there was a definite chance of a 75-80 run lead, and that would have been crucial. So that hurts.”Shastri felt the Southampton defeat would hurt more than the one at Edgbaston because India were in charge of the fourth Test at different points. “At Edgbaston, it could have gone either way. We had our share of luck as well because at one time England were in the driver’s seat. We managed to come back. We were chasing the game there all the time. But here, this would hurt more because you were ahead of them. And there was a stage you could have been really ahead of game after the job the bowlers did on day one.”At the start of this series, Shastri had told ESPNcricinfo that Kohli’s team had the “potential” to be one of the best travelling sides. He said he was making that statement based on India’s spirited performance in the 2-1 series defeat this January in South Africa, where India won the final Test in Johannesburg and were in contention in the first two Tests too, in Cape Town and Centurion.Not everyone is convinced India are improving as a travelling unit overseas though. Speaking to , former India opener Virender Sehwag said India had learned the art of winning overseas under Sourav Ganguly. Back then, India were a stronger batting unit with bowlers who couldn’t consistently take 20 wickets, and Sehwag felt it was the other way round now, with India having a strong bowling unit but a weaker batting group. “Best travelling teams are made by performances on the ground and not by sitting in the dressing rooms and talking about it. One can talk whatever they want to talk about but unless the bat does the talking, they can never become the best travelling team,” Sehwag said.Shastri still maintained India could win overseas. He pointed out that India had won three series and nine Tests overseas since 2015. Incidentally, Anil Kumble was India’s coach for one of those series, against West Indies in 2016, which India won 2-0. Shastri was in his first stint with the team during the 2-1 win on the 2015 tour of Sri Lanka. In Shastri’s second stint, India have won one series overseas, in Sri Lanka (2017), and five Tests.”If you look at the last three years, we won nine matches overseas and three series. I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years who had that kind of run in such a short period and you have some great players in those teams.” Shastri said. “So the promise is there. It is just [about] getting tougher mentally. You have got to hurt when you lose such matches, but that is when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers to combat such situations again and get past the finishing line. One day you will, as long as you believe.”

A significant update has emerged regarding Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag's future at the club, with the Dutchman continuing to be on extremely thin ice.

Erik ten Hag latest

The Red Devils went into the new season with a certain amount of renewed confidence, with some key signings made and even a Premier League title challenge not completely out of the question.

The likes of Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund were all seen as players who could help take United up another level, with plenty of other top-quality players already at the club.

Instead, it has been an awful beginning to the campaign, with Ten Hag's side well off the pace after losing five of their first 10 league matches. Meanwhile, they are in real danger of not making it through their Champions League group, having suffered two defeats out of three so far this season.

It means that there is undeniable pressure on the manager to keep his job, with some of his decisions leaving a lot to be desired, and a big update has now emerged regarding his future at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag replacement reportedly lined up

According to Football Insider, Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to sack Ten Hag and replace him with Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, amid his prospective instalment as a minority shareholder at United.

The report goes on to add that the "decision has been provisionally made to dismiss Ten Hag, regardless of forthcoming results", with De Zerbi their choice to replace him after impressing hugely at Brighton.

It really does feel as though Ten Hag's time is running out, even if he goes on a positive run of results now, with the players arguably no longer performing for him on a consistent basis.

It would be sad to see the Dutchman relieved of his duties considering he won the EFL Cup last season and finished third in the Premier League, but they have been so poor in 2023/24 thus far, and they cannot afford to lose much more ground in the top-four battle.

Erik ten Hag

2022-present

Ralf Rangnick (interim)

2021-2022

Michael Carrick (interim)

2021

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

2018-2021

Jose Mourinho

2016-2018

Louis van Gaal

2014-2016

Ryan Giggs (interim)

2014

David Moyes

2013-2014

Sir Alex Ferguson

1986-2013

Ron Atkinson

1981-1986

In De Zerbi, United could be bringing in a fantastic manager – one whose football with Brighton has been a joy to watch at times, with Pep Guardiola saying that his "his impact will be massive in the future".

If Ten Hag is sacked in the near future, Ratcliffe must do all he can to entice the Seagulls boss to Old Trafford, with his style of play and modern ideas something that could breathe new life into an ailing team.

Knight top-scored with 76 and shared in stands of 66 and 102 for the second and third wickets with Smriti Mandhana and Stafanie Taylor respectively

ECB Reporters Network09-Aug-2018
ScorecardWestern Storm captain Heather Knight led by example as the defending Kia Super League champions defeated Lancashire Thunder by 76 runs at Taunton to qualify for finals day.Knight top-scored with 76 and shared in stands of 66 and 102 for the second and third wickets with Smriti Mandhana and Stafanie Taylor respectively as the hosts posted an imposing 185 for 4 after being put in.Unable to recover from the loss of early wickets, Thunder subsided to 109 all out in 18.2 overs as Storm secured a fifth successive victory to move clear of Loughborough Lightning at the top of the table. Wales international Claire Nicholas proved the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 11 from three overs.Coming into this game as the competition’s leading run scorer with 338 at an average of 85, Mandhana carried on where she left off against Yorkshire Diamonds earlier in the week.Far from being fazed by the early departure of opening partner Rachel Priest, pinned lbw by Sophie Ecclestone in the first over, Mandhana seized the initiative by trading almost exclusively in boundaries during a Powerplay that yielded 51 runs.Off the mark with a cut four behind square, she plundered 14 runs from one Kate Cross over as she moved through the gears.Thunder deployed four spinners in an attempt to limit the scoring while the fielding restrictions were in place, but Mandhana was quite prepared to go the aerial route, harvesting seven fours and two sixes and dominating a stand of 66 in seven overs for the second wicket with Knight.Having hoisted Natalie Brown over long-on for the first six of the match, she repeated the feat at the expense of Alex Hartley in the eighth over, her 21st six of the tournament taking her to within one run of a half century.No doubt intent upon realising three figures against Thunder for the second time in the space of seven days, Mandhana surprisingly surrendered her wicket cheaply next ball, persuaded by Hartley to hole out to Amy Satterthwaite at deep midwicket.Charged with the task of building upon solid foundations, Knight and Taylor deployed deft placement and quick running between the wickets to advance the score to 86 for 2 at halfway.Knight smashed a short-pitched delivery from Cross to the midwicket boundary for six to raise the 50 partnership in the 15th over and went to a 36-ball half century with her fifth four shortly afterwards.Knight eventually slogged Cross to wide long-on in the penultimate over, but only after staging a hundred partnership with Taylor.Prepared to play second fiddle while her captain was at large, Taylor hit out at the death to raise 50 in the grand manner with a huge six over midwicket at the expense of Ecclestone, the West Indian international finishing unbeaten on 51 from 37 balls.Offspinner Nicholas clean bowled Evelyn Jones in the second over and then had the dangerous Satterthwaite smartly stumped by Priest off a wide delivery as Storm restricted their opponents to 37 for 2 in the Powerplay.Freya Davies adhered admirably to the tenets of line and length to build scoreboard pressure from the River End, and Knight took full advantage by removing Nicole Bolton lbw as Thunder lurched to 38 for 3 in the seventh over.When Indian batsman Hermanpreet Kaur was stumped by Priest off the bowling of Taylor for eight, the visitors were 43 for 4 in the eighth over and the game was effectively up.Taylor then accounted for Emma Lamb in returning impressive figures of 2 for 18 from three overs, while Nicholas returned to remove Eleanor Threlkeld, who at least summoned a degree of resistance in posting 33 at a run-a-ball.

Tottenham Hotspur boast an academy rich with talent, with their most famous product having recently departed as a legend of the football club.

Harry Kane, who worked his way into the first team after numerous loan spells and fine youth-level performances, grew from a nobody into one of the finest finishers in Premier League history.

In fact, he departed north London having scored 278 goals in 430 games for the Lilywhites, with his tally in the English top flight only bettered by the record-holder Alan Shearer.

Pundit Jamie O'Hara would rush to praise the legacy left by the England captain back whilst speaking to talkSPORT, who joined Bayern Munich for a mouth-watering £100m sum in the summer: "I’ll put it out there; I think he is the greatest striker English football has ever produced. He’ll get 70 goals for England. He will break the Premier League record. How can we have any negativity whatsoever towards a man who’s got everything?"

Although that latter record now seems likely to remain intact, the former Spurs midfielder would continue: "What he’s done lasts forever. He is immortal in the game of football. You are always going to remember Harry Kane for what he achieved for Tottenham, for England and in the Premier League."

The 30-year-old is not the only man to have earned success after graduating from their academy though, with lesser names such as Kyle Walker-Peters, Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp and Peter Crouch showcasing enough talent to shine around the pinnacle of English football.

However, when it comes to players Spurs have produced, only Ledley King really comes close to Kane with regard to quality and the lasting memory his presence at the club left behind.

How good was Ledley King?

Emerging into the senior squad in 1999, the domineering centre-back quickly established himself as a mainstay in the starting side, although he was initially deployed in midfield.

It was perhaps this stint in the engine room that gave him such prowess in possession, which when blended with his freakishly powerful physique, made him unstoppable at times throughout his career.

A true one-club man, the 42-year-old would enjoy his entire career in north London, amassing 322 appearances and winning a sole major honour. However, many will look back on King's career with sympathy, given the injury woes he suffered.

In fact, during one stint the defender was forced to undergo separate training sessions to manage a longstanding knee ailment, with manager Harry Redknapp labelling him "an absolute freak" for his ability to perform at such a high level despite a lack of midweek activity.

This was one of the numerous glowing testimonies that have come the way of King, the likes of which journalist Darren Lewis sought to supplement: "It is no exaggeration to say that on his day he would have walked into any Premier League team in the country. Yes, he was that good," he wrote.

Then, former teammate Dimitar Berbatov would weigh in, comparing the former England international with some of the Premier League's greatest within his role: "For me he was up there with [Nemanja] Vidic and Rio [Ferdinand]. He was so intelligent and read the game so well. He was always intercepting balls purely because he knew where the striker would be."

King was a true mountain of a centre-half, and clearly a devastating opponent to face when fit. As such, it should come as no surprise to see The Times include him within the top 25 on their list of Spurs' players of all-time, comprised in 2009.

He will forever remain a cult hero at the club, and yet Mauricio Pochettino arguably had an opportunity to secure his clone in 2015. A Rolls-Royce in possession, but boasting a hulking physique and a blistering turn of pace, had they signed Virgil van Dijk when they could have all those years ago, perhaps King's legacy might not be as strong as it is today.

Did Spurs nearly sign Virgil van Dijk?

Since moving to Liverpool, the classy Dutchman has earned some of the highest praise seen in recent history for someone in his position.

With Rio Ferdinand suggesting he was the best centre-back on the planet as of May 2022, former Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen would then claim: "Well, I go further, I think he's the best centre-half of all time."

So, to think that the Lilywhites had him on their list of potential signings around the time they swooped for Toby Alderweireld is incredible to think about, as they were so close to achieving greatness.

In an article by The Athletic, they would write about that interest: "Interestingly, in the summer of 2015, when Spurs signed Alderweireld, Southampton replaced him with Van Dijk. Had Levy failed to get Alderweireld then Van Dijk, then at Celtic, is understood to have been the next name on the list of centre-back targets."

However, their indecision cost them, still unconvinced by his performances for the Scottish champions: "Van Dijk’s performances in Scotland were excellent but there is always a question mark over whether players can make the step up from the Scottish Premiership to the Premier League."

The 32-year-old has since gone on to play 227 times for the Reds following his £75m switch, with his acquisition the catalyst that ushered in unparalleled success for Jurgen Klopp.

With the 58-cap international at the back, they have since won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, with Van Dijk instrumental in all of them. The former competition was even won at Spurs' expense, as the defender earned a clean sheet in the final against Pochettino's men.

His German manager would add to the rich list of praise afforded him, building on the "monster" label that Gary Neville handed him: "He’s so important for us, not only as a player but as a person as well. I couldn’t say a bad word about him even if I wanted to."

Whilst King remains a huge favourite for Spurs, had they signed Van Dijk, perhaps under Pochettino they could have instead been the side to earn such success by claiming the elusive silverware they continue to strive for.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has given a one-month ultimatum to Mohammad Shahzad to shift to Afghanistan from Pakistan or risk having his national contract terminated

Umar Farooq14-Apr-2018

Mohammad Shahzad slams one down the ground•ICC/Getty Images

Two weeks after his Man-of-the-Match performance in the final of the World Cup Qualifier, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad has been asked by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to reside permanently in Afghanistan or risk having his contract terminated. Shahzad currently resides in Peshawar, Pakistan. He has also been fined AFN 300,000 (USD 4000 approx) for participating in a local tournament in Peshawar without permission.The ACB this week chalked out a strict policy and gave a one-month ultimatum to players who live abroad to return to Afghanistan. Peshawar, a northern city in Pakistan, is close to the Afghanistan border.”They [contracted players] are not allowed to travel to any country without permission,” ACB chairman, Atif Mashal, told . “Those players who are living on foreign land are given a month to move back to Afghanistan with their families, otherwise the cricket board will terminate their contracts. Afghanistan Cricket Board has made a strict rule about player discipline and given them a one-month notice to adhere firmly with the policy. All players and employees should be based in Afghanistan and they are not allowed to play in any foreign country without ACB’s approval.”Shahzad, 30, had spent his early years in a refugee camp in Peshawar, but his parents are originally from Nangrahar, Afghanistan. He, along with various team-mates, grew up near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and he was married in Peshawar and spends most of his time in Pakistan. There is a significant number of Afghans, once refugees, who now reside in Pakistan, mainly in Peshawar, registered in the country as temporary residents.Shahzad was found to be breach of the ACB’s code of conduct by playing in the local Peshawar tournament. “He played in a club-level tournament without NOC which is against the ACB code of conduct,” Mashal said.Shahzad had missed out on national duty through much of 2017 due to an ICC suspension over a positive drug test. He became eligible to play again on January 17 this year, returning for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.

كشف مصدر في المنتخب الأولمبي، عن قرار المدير الفني روجيرو ميكالي بضم 3 لاعبين فوق السن لقائمة الفريق في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية “أولمبياد باريس 2024”.

وأشار المصدر في تصريحات خاصة لـ “بطولات” إلى وجود نقاش داخل الجهاز الفني حول عدد اللاعبين فوق السن، حيث كانت هناك اقتراحات من الجهاز المعاون، بأن يتم ضم لاعب أو إثنين على أقصى تقدير؛ من أجل إعطاء الفرصة للاعبين الذين تأهلوا مع الفراعنة للأولمبياد.

وأوضح أنه في النهاية، حسم ميكالي الأمر باختيار 3 لاعبين للاستفادة من هذه الميزة التي تسمح بها قواعد اللعبة الأولمبية.

طالع أيضًا | وكيل ميكالي: المدرب غير راض عن استعدادات المنتخب الأولمبي.. ونمتلك عروضًا من الدوري المصري وتضم قائمة اللاعبين المرشحين للانضمام إلى المنتخب الأولمبي:

محمد صلاح، نجم ليفربول الإنجليزي.

مصطفى محمد، مهاجم نانت الفرنسي.

محمد عبدالمنعم، مدافع الأهلي.

إمام عاشور، لاعب الوسط الأهلي.

أحمد مصطفى زيزو، لاعب وسط الزمالك.

محمد الشناوي، حارس مرمى الأهلي. موقف محمد صلاح

صلاح مرهون بموافقة ليفربول، وأوضح المصدر أن تواجد اللاعب يتطلب موافقة من ناديه الإنجليزي.

وفي حال فشل المنتخب في ضم صلاح ستكون المفاضلة بين الخمسة لاعبين لاختيار ثلاثة منهم.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Federação Paulista de Futebol divulgou uma nota de apoio ao Palmeiras depois da tentativa do Flamengo em adiar a partida disputada no Allianz Parque, neste domingo (27). As equipes empataram por 1 a 1.

RelacionadasBrasileirãoEm jogo quase não realizado, Fla busca empate contra o PalmeirasBrasileirão27/09/2020PalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Patrick de Paula é o melhor do Palmeiras em empate contra o FlamengoPalmeiras27/09/2020PalmeirasPatrick de Paula, após empate: ‘Agora é pensar na Libertadores’Palmeiras27/09/2020

A entidade máxima que cuida do futebol paulista tratou como uma “articulação arrogante” o fato dos cariocas tentarem o adiamento do confronto. Confira na íntegra a nota da Federação Paulista de Futebol:

“A Federação Paulista de Futebol vem a público manifestar repúdio à tentativa de suspensão da partida de hoje, entre Palmeiras e Flamengo, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. A competição possui um protocolo de saúde, aprovado pelas autoridades públicas e por todos os clubes participantes, que deve ser respeitado. Causa repulsa a antiga e retrógrada prática do uso de um sindicato para defender interesses individuais e casuísticos. É obrigação de todos respeitar a vontade da grande maioria dos clubes. Assim, a FPF endossa e apoia a postura da Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, de todos os demais clubes e da CBF diante desta articulação arrogante, que apenas prejudica o futebol.”

Manchester United have already made a couple of high-profile additions this summer but it would appear there is still more business to be done. Transfer insider Dean Jones has spoken to GIVEMESPORT about the possibility of a new defender arriving at Old Trafford before the transfer window slams shut.

Is this the man to replace Harry Maguire?

A large amount of the chatter surrounding Manchester United is regarding the future of Harry Maguire.

He no longer wears the captain’s armband for United and the chances of his future lying away from Old Trafford has been building and building.

Complications have arisen with his reported move to West Ham United and Fabrizio Romano has since said that “West Ham want Kostas Mavropanos as new centre back after Harry Maguire deal collapsed.”

Even though Maguire may well be staying put now, Erik ten Hag is on the hunt for another body at the back. As per the MailOnline, Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich is the man in question and he himself is actually pushing for a move to Manchester.

Social media had their say on Pavard’s recent Instagram comment, pointing out that it may well be the Frenchman showing his intent. He commented on Raphael Varane’s post following the former Real Madrid man’s winning goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Romano has since tweeted that “Pavard [is] pushing with Bayern to make the deal happen” as a result.

Pavard, who has been called an "underrated" player, started at right-back in the German giant’s defeat to RB Leipzig in the DFL Supercup so it’s not as if he is struggling for game time in the Bavarian region. Headlines were made by two players in that game as Harry Kane made his Bayern debut whilst Spaniard Dani Olmo netted a hat-trick to win it for Leipzig.

Bayern will begin their title defence against Werder Bremen on Friday night and so it will be fascinating to see if Pavard features in Thomas Tuchel’s matchday plans.

What is Dean Jones' update?

Transfer insider Dean Jones reveals the plans for Manchester United to GIVEMESPORT regarding the potential signing of a defender.

"They still want Maguire to come to a conclusion and move on. I think we've reached the stage where a centre-back – or at least a defender – is a high priority.

"They want to get someone in that squad that replaces Maguire in there. I think that Pavard seems to be the one that makes most sense to them at this stage, and they are pursuing it."

What else is going on at Manchester United?

As well as the potential addition of a defender, Ten Hag is keen to bring on board another midfielder as reported by The Guardian.

Their new goalkeeper who signed from Inter Milan may not be the only Onana at the club if the Dutch manager gets his wish with United targeting Everton’s Amadou Onana.

The Belgian is into the last year of his contract at Goodison Park and he is of a quality that shouldn’t be embroiled in yet another relegation fight.

Onana is still just 21 and so would be a signing for the present as well as the future, adding to the purchase of Mason Mount who of course arrived from Chelsea earlier in this window.