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Noni Madueke scored his first Arsenal goal on Wednesday and challenged the Gunners to “keep pushing boundaries” ahead of their weekend showdown against Chelsea.

Arsenal cruise past Bayern as Madueke returns with a bang

Madueke returned from two months out with a knee injury to score the winning goal in what eventually turned into a comfortable 3-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

The 23-year-old, who joined from Chelsea in the summer amid some opposition – and a petition against his signing – from Arsenal fans, replaced the injured Leandro Trossard, as the Gunners continue to struggle to keep all of their forwards fit at once.

Bayern teenager Lennart Karl had cancelled out Jurrien Timber’s opener for the hosts before Madueke tucked in a cross from Mikel Merino after half-time.

Gabriel Martinelli, also back from a spell out, capitalised on goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s error to hit the third as the Premier League leaders maintained their 100 per cent record in Europe and hit the top of the Champions League table.

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“It was a top night, a great night,” Madueke told Arsenal’s official media channels. “A Champions League night, so it was perfect to get my first goal for the club and for the win on top. It’s a perfect night.

“I had a long injury, it was difficult, but now I’ve made up for it. It’s amazing. I can’t really say much more, just amazing.

“It’s massive, it’s massive what we’re producing at the moment, not just in the Champions League but our domestic form, and we need to continue at this level and just keep it going.

“The level we’re playing at right now is incredible and we need to try and keep adapting, keep pushing it, keep pushing boundaries and that’s the only way we can stay there.”

Madueke "can't wait" to play against Chelsea

The big games keep coming for Arsenal, who face a Premier League trip to second-placed Chelsea on Sunday. Defeat at Stamford Bridge would trim their lead at the top of the table to just three points, with Enzo Maresca’s side looking win their fourth consecutive top flight match.

Madueke is looking forward to the trip to his old stomping ground, having left west London in the summer for a fee of up to £52m.

“You go eight weeks without the thing you love the most in the world,” said the winger, who is now one of Arsenal’s highest earners on £150,000-a-week.

“So you are chomping at the bit to just be on the pitch as much as possible. I can’t wait.”

Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in any competition since a 2-0 victory at the Emirates in August 2021, while each of the last two meetings at Stamford Bridge have ended in score draws.

Lancashire bookended their season with trophies as Gaby Lewis’ century secured the inaugural Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition over Hampshire.Ireland international Lewis led a brilliant chase of 289 with 141 off 143, helped by an exceptional 72 from Seren Smale – with whom she put on 144.Lancashire started the season by winning the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, and added a second piece of silverware of 2025 when Ailsa Lister sprinted through a single with nine balls to spare.For Hampshire, whose total was underpinned by Maia Bouchier and Georgia Adams’ fifties, it was a double One-Day Cup heartbreak – after they lost to Worcestershire Rapids in the men’s competition final on Saturday.Chasing 289, Alice Clarke was run out by a Freya Kemp direct hit in the fifth over, but it was a blip before Lewis and Smale seized the initiative and put their side on the winning march.Despite never pulling away from the required rate, the pair oozed control as they both serenely scored half-centuries as they added 144 together to break the back of the chase.Both survived strong run-out shouts in their 60s before Smale was brilliantly caught at short midwicket by Kemp, and then Fi Morris was undone by a Naomi Dattani direct hit from the boundary.Threlkeld copied Smale’s low-thrills approach to guide Lewis to three figures – brought up after 121 balls and celebrated with a modest fist pump the moment the ball left her bat for a single.Lewis never looked in trouble, blocking where appropriate but also finding the ropes in all areas of Utilita Bowl – striking 16 fours in total.Lancashire skipper Threlkeld got her side even closer to the winning line before flailing to midwicket – handing former England bowler Freya Davies the final wicket of her career before retiring.But Lewis and Lister ticked the final 46 runs off with relative ease to spark the celebrations.Earlier, having been stuck in, Bouchier and Rhianna Southby got Hampshire off to a flier as they found the boundary at will in a 70-run opening partnership.Southby was caught at mid-on, but Adams continued to keep the momentum with Bouchier – the pair putting on 48.Bouchier came into the season with low confidence after a nightmare Women’s Ashes campaign, but has been crucial for Hampshire at the top of the order.She passed 1,000 runs across the Vitality Blast and One-Day Cup on her way to a run-a-ball fifty – her eighth of the season – in an innings of high-quality.Bouchier chipped to mid-on, but again it didn’t impact Hampshire’s impetus, as Freya Kemp bashed a quick-fire 41, with Adams supporting in a 75-run alliance.Even when Kemp squirted to cover, Abi Norgrove found runs flowing with Adams – who followed her semi-final century with a classy 77.With 300 on the cards, Lancashire pulled Hampshire back with regular wickets at the death. Grace Potts had already dismissed Southby, and added Norgrove and Nancy Harman to take three for 47.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are parting ways with longtime third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, having reportedly agreed to trade him to the Cincinnati Reds, per a report from ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan.

Hayes, 28, is in his sixth MLB season, having played his entire career with the Pirates. He's emerged as one of the best defensive players in all of baseball and won a Gold Glove at third base in 2023. His hitting leaves plenty to be desired, however. In 2025, Hayes is logging a career-low .569 OPS with two home runs, 36 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Per Passan, heading to the Pirates as part of the trade will be shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, as well as veteran left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers. Stafura, 20, is ranked as the No. 9 prospect in Cincinnati's farm system by MLB Pipeline and is currently playing at Single A.

Rogers, who could potentially be dealt again by tomorrow afternoon, owns a 2.45 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 33 innings in relief this season.

Hong Kong clambered to a respectable 149 for 4, as Nizakat Khan drove them through the middle and back end of the innings, after Anshy Rath had held down the fort in the early overs. The two combined in the middle for a partnership worth 61 off 43 balls – Nizakat contributing 33 off 22, while Rath went at a slower pace.Nizakat was not out at the crease on 52 off 38 balls at the end. It was his 12th T20I half-century, and his first against a Full Member (ICC or ACC), plus Hong Kong’s second ever fifty at this event. He’d been reprieved twice in the 17th over, bowled by Nuwan Thushara, but with so many wicket left, he was perhaps right to try low-percentage shots. Rath had fallen two runs short of 50, and struck at 104.34. He scored almost exclusively in front of square.Sri Lanka may have hoped to blow Hong Kong away when they asked them to bat first, but they didn’t have a lot of luck in the early overs. Zeeshan Ali scored boundaries off the outside and inside edge, and Dushmantha Chameera dropped off Thushara’s bowling.Chameera would go on to put in another strong performance, however, eventually dismissing Zeeshan, and later, Rath. He took the innings’ best figures of 2 for 29, but the spinners also delivered some economical overs. Maheesh Theekshana conceded only 22 off his four overs, while Wanindu Hasaranga took 1 for 27.

Pakistan have dominated Bangladesh in T20Is, but the hosts will take confidence from their series win over Sri Lanka

Mohammad Isam19-Jul-2025

Bangladesh come into the contest on the back of a series win in Sri Lanka•Getty Images

Big picture: Pakistan could be in for a surprisePakistan hold a 19-3 head-to-head record against Bangladesh in T20Is and will look to extend their dominance in Dhaka, starting with the first T20I on Sunday.Pakistan swept the corresponding T20I series in Lahore in May, and the last match of that contest featured a beautifully timed chase by them, which left little doubt as to the gulf between the two sides.Bangladesh, though, have picked themselves up since, and won the T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier this month – their first against the opponents. They also have good memories of playing against Pakistan at the Shere Bangla National Stadium than anywhere else. Two of Bangladesh’s three wins in T20Is against Pakistan have come at this venue, with the only other one coming in Hangzhou in the Asian Games in 2023.Related

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Their batting came together in the last two games in Sri Lanka, when captain Litton Das, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan got important runs. For Litton, especially, it was a welcome return to form after a prolonged slump. Tanzid came into his own in the third T20I with a sparkling 73 not out. Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan got among the wickets, while Mustafizur Rahman stepped up as the senior fast bowler.Bangladesh, though, are still some way from finding consistency, and it won’t be easy on the slow and low pitches in Mirpur. The aggressive Parvez Hossain Emon, for instance, could be the one having to make the biggest adjustment. The fast bowlers Tanzim Hasan and Shoriful Islam also have to bring back their A games after a bit of an up-and-down time in the last few months.Pakistan, meanwhile, would want to continue with the same approach that worked for them in Lahore. Their batters wasted little time in attacking the Bangladesh bowlers, while their bowlers and fielders gave an improved showing in the three-match series.Sahibzada Farhan will be one to watch out for in Pakistan’s top order•Associated Press

Head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Agha are trying to get the team to follow the T20I trend of trying to get as many runs as possible in the first six overs, and Pakistan have batters suited for this approach. The likes of Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris and Salman himself are known for their aggressive style, while Fakhar Zaman will be expected to blaze his way through the bowling. Sahibzada Farhan and Hasan Nawaz will also be expected to go big in both ends of the innings.Shadab Khan’s absence could hurt their balance, and Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf will have to step up as the allrounders.Five of Pakistan’s squad in Bangladesh also have recent local knowledge, having played in the BPL in the last couple of seasons. Khushdil has played 12 matches in Mirpur, the most among the Pakistan players, while Mohammad Haris, Faheem, Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi have also played in the competition.Pakistan are starting this series as the favourites, but Bangladesh usually thrive when they have a few wins under their belt, so this is unlikely to be a cakewalk for the visitors.Form guideBangladesh WWLLL
Pakistan WWWLLIn the spotlight: Tanzid Hasan and Mohammad HarisTanzid Hasan is like a breath of fresh air in the Bangladesh top order. He struck six sixes in his unbeaten 73 in the last game against Sri Lanka, and that led the team’s 133-run chase. Each time Tanzid lofted the bowlers down the ground, there was little doubt that it would go for six. His loft over the covers was a standout shot, after which he switched to hitting down the ground. In that game, Tanzid also became the fastest to five T20I half-centuries for Bangladesh, in just 27 matches.Mohammad Haris hit a hundred in his last match against Bangladesh•PCB

Mohammad Haris became the first Pakistani non-opener to hit a T20I century, in the last match between these two teams on June 1. It was a breathtaking effort from the Pakistan No. 3, who had been threatening a big one in the two previous innings as well. Haris was aggressive like the rest of the Pakistan line-up but he maintained the approach with proper shots, which stood out. Haris will be confident of doing well in Dhaka, where he has intimate knowledge of the pitches through his recent BPL stints.Team news: Pakistan could pick a rookieBangladesh are likely to field the same XI that beat Sri Lanka earlier this week.Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Parvez Hossain Emon, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur RahmanPakistan could pick Hussain Talat and the uncapped Salman Mirza in place of Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, who aren’t available.Pakistan (probable XI): 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Mohammad Haris (wk), 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Salman Agha (capt), 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Hussain Talat, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Abbas Afridi, 10 Salman Mirza, 11 Abrar AhmedPitch and conditions: Will it be a T20 or a T20I pitch?The BPL pitches at the Shere Bangla National Stadium produce an average of 150 in night matches. But will the curator opt for the slow and low pitches they have usually prepared for T20Is, where around 125 is more common? Wet weather is in the forecast on Sunday.Stats and trivia: Pakistan’s changed T20 approach Only two Pakistan batters played more than 40 balls in an innings during their last T20I series against Bangladesh – Farhan and Haris. Mahedi has 30 wickets at a strike rate of 15.90 in powerplays in T20Is, the most for any spinner since January 2021. West Indies’ Akeal Hosein is second on 29 wickets. Shakib Al Hasan holds the all-time record with 44 wickets. This is only the third time T20Is are being played in Bangladesh in the month of July. The last two occasions were in 2015 and 2023.Quotes”The two uncapped players are very exciting. Both are fast bowlers, and I am very excited to see them. They are very good fast bowlers, and I’m happy for them to be here and very, very excited.”

He is their highest wicket-taker in the format but often there is no room for him in the XI due to issues around batting depth

Sidharth Monga02-Nov-2025

Arshdeep Singh came into the side and picked up 3 for 35 in Hobart•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

No Indian has taken more wickets in T20Is than Arshdeep Singh. Among the ten who have taken 50 or more wickets, only Kuldeep Yadav has a better strike-rate than him. Yet Arshdeep was not part of India’s first-choice XI in their previous T20I series, the Asia Cup. He played two matches, but only when India’s progress had been confirmed.Even in Australia, Arshdeep was brought into the XI only as an afterthought after India kept him out for the first two games. It comes down to the unfortunate scenario of having four excellent strike bowlers but never being able to play them all at once because none of them can bat. It was the issue with Virat Kohli’s ODI side as well when they just couldn’t afford to play Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal all in the same XI. Arshdeep and Varun Chakravarthy have taken the places of Shami and Chahal in this T20I squad, but the problem remains the same.Even so, if there are any conditions where India need to play both Bumrah and Arshdeep, they are the ones in early-season Australia. It was surprising that it took India till the third match to bring the left-arm quick in.Related

Arshdeep and Washington help India level the series against Australia

That they immediately had to leave Kuldeep out for Washington Sundar tells you about the balancing act India are forced to carry out. At the same time, Arshdeep immediately showed why he is such an important player in conditions that have a little bit of assistance for fast bowlers.In a match that largely followed T20 rhythms, the first four overs of Australia’s innings, in which they scored just 24 runs for the loss of Travis Head and Josh Inglis, proved to be all the difference. India scored 41 in their first four, and eventually had nine balls to spare when they overhauled the total Australia set them.1:43

Washington: There’s purpose to each of my practice sessions

In those four overs, Arshdeep took the wickets of Head and Inglis, aided in part by the threat posed by Bumrah at the other end. Arshdeep has the ingredients to use the conditions: he swings the ball both ways, and his high release aids seam movement and uneven bounce. In a game of such small margins as T20 cricket, these overs can have a huge impact. Arshdeep also returned at the end to team up with Bumrah and deny Australia a finishing kick.India again needed all of it because they did make a small selection error. Bringing in Arshdeep and Jitesh Sharma – the latter for Sanju Samson, who has not looked effective in the middle order – was spot on, but they still left themselves short on fast bowling by dropping Harshit Rana for Washington, whom they didn’t bowl at all because of a combination of the conditions and the abundance of right-hand batters in the Australia line-up.Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma had to fill in with four overs for 56, but in the end Washington also showed his importance with an unbeaten 49 off 23 when promoted to No. 6. That’s also the thing with Washington. He is wasted as a batter in the lower order when you mostly have to just walk in and swing.This match was evidence that there is no dearth of resources for Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, but in conditions where the ideal line-up consists of three fast bowlers, they are always one small piece short of being the perfect team.

Has the ship already sailed? Will it ever happen for Federico Chiesa at Liverpool?

The forgotten man last season, the Italian winger has again been rather luckless this time around, having been unable to use the Mohamed Salah situation to his benefit this week.

Indeed, even with the Egyptian having been left out for the trip to San Siro, Chiesa could not pounce on that potential opening in the right-wing berth, having been forced to miss the meeting with Inter Milan through illness.

Almost halfway through his second season at Anfield, the ex-Juventus man – signed for a bargain £13m fee – remains bound to the periphery, featuring for just 29 times across all competitions in total.

Notable moments, like his crucial ‘winner’ against Bournemouth on the opening day, have seen the 28-year-old secure cult hero status on Merseyside, although the jury is out on whether he can truly emerge from the shadows.

Latest on Federico Chiesa's future

In truth, the Reds claimed Premier League glory last term without the impact of any new signing, with Chiesa – the only senior addition that summer – having been restricted to just six league outings all season.

Games

6

10

Starts

1

0

Goals

0

2

Assists

0

1

Big chances missed

1

1

Big chances created

0

1

Key passes*

0.3

0.1

Pass accuracy*

93%

74%

Successful dribbles*

0

0.1

Possession lost*

2.2

3.7

Frequently overlooked by Slot in 2024/25, even increased influence this time around has not altered his standing in the attacking pecking order, with all of his ten top-flight appearances coming from the bench.

The man who intervened to deny Wilson Isidor from securing a potential winner for Sunderland not too long ago, there is a will for Chiesa to do well, not least with options not exactly brimming on the flanks.

That being said, Slot – such is his neglect of the one-time Fiorentina star – appears to have other ideas, such has been the winger’s limited game time, with a January exit still being mooted according to recent reports.

As reported by The Athletic, the Euro 2020 hero is said to have a ‘number of admirers’ with the winter window now looming, albeit with it said to pose a potential ‘risk’ if Liverpool do let him depart, considering their relatively small pool of attacking alternatives.

That said, Chiesa himself may wish to push for a move, should his standing not improve, with reports last month suggesting that his agent was in talks over a possible switch, amid hopes of forcing his way back into Italy’s plans ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in March.

A desire to depart would be no surprise considering his lack of use over the last 18 months, with Liverpool perhaps left to reflect on the wisdom of signing off on such a deal.

That said, Chiesa isn’t alone in that department…

Liverpool's pointless signing belongs in the Rodgers era

As harsh as it may be, the minimal impact of Chiesa would force anyone to come to the conclusion that he has been an almost pointless signing, with Slot showcasing little appetite to hand a regular role to the albeit injury-hit forward.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Rightly or wrongly, ‘pointless’ may be the word that springs to mind at present regarding this summer’s marquee signing, Alexander Isak, with the misfiring Swede again looking off the pace against Inter.

Hooked on the 68-minute mark, having made just 25 touches and registered just a solitary shot, the ex-Newcastle United man was again largely a bystander to proceedings at San Siro, with the excuse of his lack of pre-season now beginning to wear thin.

With just two goals in all competitions for his new side, following that controversial, club-record switch from St James’ Park, the 26-year-old has already entered disaster signing territory, with Slot and co in need of a drastic improvement heading into 2026.

There is also a sense that, while depth is needed, was this a move that FSG truly needed to make, considering they had already plucked Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt?

While Isak has toiled, the young Frenchman has dazzled, scoring eight times already from just 22 appearances, rubberstamping the belief that he should be the starting striker.

As for Liverpool’s actual number nine, Isak looks like following in the footsteps of the notable transfer misfires of the Brendan Rodgers era, echoing the post-Luis Suarez world that saw the likes of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke all flatter to deceive at Anfield.

The summer of 2014, in the wake of Rodgers’ near miss with regard to the title, was particularly egregious, with that centre-forward pairing of Lambert and Balotelli ultimately scoring just seven times between them during their forgettable, brief stays on Merseyside.

Perhaps a better comparison lies with Benteke though, signed a year later, with the Belgian – like Isak at Newcastle – looking prolific in the Premier League at Aston Villa, having scored 49 goals in 101 games for the Midlands side.

Just ten in 42 would follow under Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.

It might be too soon to write Isak off just yet, and throw him in with that trio of disastrous Rodgers signings, although on current evidence, he is looking like the Benteke of 2015.

Hopefully Ekitike can prove to be the Roberto Firmino…

Fewer touches than Alisson & only 10 passes: Liverpool flop must be dropped

Liverpool returned to winning ways in Italy but it wasn’t all positive for Arne Slot.

1 ByMatt Dawson 2 days ago

Harmanpreet Kaur sat down for the pre-match press conference at the DY Patil Stadium, her face seemingly devoid of any emotion. There was only a simmering fire.She had cried uncontrollably after India sealed a high-octane victory over Australia in the semi-final. That was only two nights ago. Two nights to digest the high of beating serial World Cup winners. Two nights to come to terms with the fact the job isn’t quite done.”Well, the semi-final was a very high-pressure game and very intense,” Harmanpreet said on the eve of the final against South Africa. “After that, recovery was something which we all paid more attention to because the fresher we are, mentally, for the final, the better it will be.”Because we have been working hard for so many years and we have been batting day and night, whenever our batters camped or there were team camps. So, skill-wise we know we have done a lot and now it’s only about keeping ourselves fresh for tomorrow and recovery is something which we all talk about, and everybody is really taking that thing very seriously and hopefully tomorrow we will feel even fresher for the main game.India will be playing their third ODI World Cup final. South Africa, just their first.”Keeping yourself balanced and focused is something which is the key,” Harmanpreet said. “We are having those sessions where we have been talking about how we can be more focused and more balanced and at the same time keeping ourselves relaxed because this is the biggest stage and biggest opportunity for us, playing in home conditions and that also final match.2:27

WWC final – Can India come down from their high in time?

“But I think the most important thing is that we have to enjoy this because there is nothing bigger than this in our life as a cricketer and as a captain. So our focus is to enjoy this moment and keep taking small targets which we have to achieve as a team rather than thinking bigger targets because you can achieve bigger targets if you achieve the small targets.”Harmanpreet is into her fifth World Cup now, but this is her first as captain. India have arrived at the final after a topsy-turvy league stage that saw them win only three of their seven games. She was clear “there’s no bigger motivation than a World Cup final” to up their game.Related

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“We know pretty well how it feels after losing [a World Cup final],” she said. “We’re really looking forward to the feeling of winning a final. Hopefully it’s going to be a special day for us tomorrow. We’ve worked really hard, and now it’s about getting everything together tomorrow.”India’s road to the semis looked wobbly right from the start. They began with collapses against Sri Lanka and Pakistan but turned things around to win both games. They lost all the matches they played against higher-ranked teams – South Africa, Australia and England – and it was only when they arrived in Navi Mumbai, a ground where they have had lots of success, that things picked back up.”We weren’t shaken up even once in the team because of those three big losses,” Harmanpreet said. “Even after that, everyone was together and everyone was talking about how to reach the final. We had a positive mindset which really helped us that we’re here now. When you have such a positive mindset and everyone feels from within to perform for the country…”We were definitely talking about where to improve but at the same time there was a common goal, there was the awareness that it’s a long process and there would be ups and downs, wins and losses. At the end of the day, what matters is we’re here in the final. So we used to think how to move forward after those losses, how to improve, be there for each other.”2:43

WWC final: Harmanpreet and Tryon will be key players

India have looked far more convincing over their last three matches, including a washout against Bangladesh. The XI seems more balanced, with six bowling options, bigger contributions from the bat, and all of it culminating in another historic victory against forever favourites Australia. That night ended with plenty of tears, from Jemimah Rodrigues on the field and Harmanpreet in the dugout as she hugged whoever came her way, crying into their arms.”I think I’m a very emotional person, and I cry a lot,” Harmanpreet said with a smile. “So it’s not like I cry only after losing. I have cried a lot after winning too, maybe yesterday you have seen me on television. But my team-mates have seen me in the dressing room many times – on small occasions also, whenever we have done well. I am the first person to cry.”As a player, these moments are very important. To beat a team like Australia, which is a big team and has always done well on the world stage. It’s not an easy thing to perform and be mentally strong in front of them. But I think overcoming that hurdle was something very special to all of us. I always tell my team that you don’t need to control your emotions. If you feel like crying, cry. At the same time, just keep enjoying. I think there is no bigger achievement or thing for us. Tomorrow is a special day and we will go with the same mindset.”There is a sell-out crowd expected for the final on Sunday.”The entire team is charged up, we’re there for each other and praying for each other,” Harmanpreet said. “That shows how close this team is and how ready we are for this match. Now it’s only giving your best, all the strategies and plans have been taking shape for the last two years. We had been planning for a home World Cup, what kind of conditions we’d get, so know it’s only about giving your 100%.”

India have beaten Pakistan twice already in this Asia Cup, but Sunday’s final is the only match that matters now

Shashank Kishore and Danyal Rasool27-Sep-20252:06

Aaron: Pakistan have a ‘huge point’ to prove against India

Big picture: Finally, an India-Pakistan Asia Cup finalForty one years have passed since the first Asia Cup in 1984, and India and Pakistan have finally made it to the summit clash together. They have played each other twice along the way, with India winning both contests comfortably, but the cricket has been overshadowed by a lack of handshakes, angry verbals, and provocative gestures that are rooted in the military conflict between the two nations earlier this year.It’s clear Sunday’s final isn’t just another India vs Pakistan match. There are massive political undercurrents both sets of players have had to wade through which has created plenty of controversy. India sticking by their government’s advice and refusing to shake hands with Pakistan was the start, and it has snowballed into multiple ICC hearings and financial penalties on both sides.But even two commanding wins in the run to the final will amount to nothing if Suryakumar Yadav’s men lose on Sunday. Especially after he said that he felt this wasn’t even a rivalry anymore, given the recent lopsidedness of results in India’s favour. That’s likely to bring a different kind of pressure.For Pakistan, an Asia Cup title would cover the scars of an ordinary recent history. Their record against India – 12 defeats in 15 T20Is – places them firmly as underdogs in this contest. They have had a curiously difficult time in this tournament, winning just two titles, while India and Sri Lanka have won eight and six respectively.1:37

Decoding Agha and Suryakumar’s struggles

Salman Agha’s men are, however, having one of those tournaments where they are building up steam from disappointing beginnings. Pakistan were on the ropes against Bangladesh but found the necessary burst of energy to come from behind, win, and qualify for this final. Beating India now in the match that matters would lift the pall of pessimism and gloom that has shrouded their cricket lately. But if they are beaten again, Pakistan will be aware that no series where they lose three times to India can truly count as an encouraging one.In terms of spectator interest, after two lukewarm Sundays at the Dubai International Stadium, this one promises to be different. The dream past organisers may have chased in vain for a vast majority of the Asia Cup’s existence has been realised in Dubai. Will the fans turn up in large numbers? Indications are they will, with the Asian Cricket Council expecting a sellout.For once, the rivalry needs no selling. Now for the cricket to live up to expectation.Recent formIndia WWWWW
(last five matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WWLWLIn the spotlight: Shubman Gill and Abrar AhmedShubman Gill has a highest of 47 in five completed innings at this Asia Cup. While there’s nothing to suggest an apparent lack of form, Gill’s manner of dismissals on a couple of occasions were like echoes of old habits. Against Oman, he was beaten and bowled by late inswing from left-arm seamer Shah Faisal. Against Pakistan in their second outing, Faheem Ashraf got one to duck back in to beat the inside edge. Gill’s looked sparkling in every innings, and has fed off Abhishek’s fast starts. Yet, that one defining knock in this tournament has remained elusive.2:25

Mumtaz: Fakhar, Shaheen, Abrar key for chance of victory

Abrar Ahmed has an economy rate of 5.02 this Asia Cup. No other bowler (minimum eight overs) has gone at less than six. His two games against India was a story of contrasts – he conceded just 16 on the first Sunday, but 42 – nearly 37% of his conceded runs all tournament – the second time around. With India getting off to good starts all tournament, Pakistan will turn to Abrar to reel them in, either immediately following the Powerplay, and perhaps even during it.Team News: Bumrah and Dube to returnHardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma pulled up with cramps and spent large parts of India’s defence of 202 against Sri Lanka on the sidelines. But there’s no major concern about their availability for the final. Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube, who rested on Friday, will be back. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will make way.India (likely): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Sanju Samson (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah2:02

‘India shouldn’t let complacency creep in for the final’

With Pakistan keen on power hitting through the middle overs, there has been some speculation Hasan Nawaz could make a return after missing the last three games. However with quality spin, like India’s, his Achilles heel, they are likely to stick with their combination over the Super Four stage, and go in unchanged.Pakistan (likely): 1 Sahibzada Farhan, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Saim Ayub, 4 Hussain Talat, 5 Mohammad Nawaz, 6 Salman Agha (capt), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Mohammad Haris (wk), 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar AhmedPitch and conditions: An eye on the dewIt’s like autumn in Dubai, they say. That means it’s only marginally less hot than summer. Night-time temperatures are a searing 36 degrees Celsius. End September-early October can also mark the onset of dew, which hasn’t been a major factor yet in this Asia Cup. Teams have also mostly been training away from the main ground in Dubai – on an outfield that is a mix of astroturf and grass – so it becomes that little bit harder to assess when the dew comes in and what impact it can have on the match. As for the pitch, the one at the very centre of the Dubai International Stadium, where the average first-innings score in all T20s over the last five years is 156 – and India chased down Pakistan’s 171 for 5 in 18.5 overs a week ago – will be used. Spin should play a vital role.Stats and trivia: Can Abhishek go past Kohli? On Friday, Abhishek became the fourth Indian, after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar, to score a hat-trick of half-centuries in T20Is. Can he become the first to score four consecutive fifties? In two of the last four Asia Cups (2016 in T20Is and 2018 in ODIs), India have finished the tournament unbeaten. They have now entered the final on the back of six straight wins. Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian to 100 T20I wickets earlier in the competition. On Sunday, Hardik could join him in the club – he needs two more. Against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, Abrar delivered the most economical four-over spell by a spinner in Asia Cup history, with figures of 4-0-8-1. UAE’s Ahmed Raza produced 3-0-6-1 in 2016 Haris Rauf, who wasn’t a certainty in the first XI early on in the competition, has surged to become the joint-top wicket-taker (with Wanindu Hasaraga) in Asia Cup T20s. He has 17 wickets in 10 games at an economy of 7.73.Quotes”It would be wrong to say a Pakistan-India match doesn’t carry more pressure. It’s the final. There’ll be a similar amount of pressure on both sides. The pressure of a final is different, of course.”

With Arsenal flying high in the Premier League and looking imperious in the Champions League, the narrative from rival fans has been that the North Londoners are boring to watch.

Now, it’s undoubtedly true that set-pieces have been an essential source of goals for Mikel Arteta’s side so far, but the suggestions that the Gunners are unusually dull fall apart when properly scrutinised.

For example, according to FBref, they take the second most shots in the league, play the second most passes into the penalty area, play the most through balls, and take the most touches in the opposition’s penalty area, all per 90 minutes.

Moreover, while Arteta has his fair share of physical monsters in the side, he also has an abundance of brilliant technicians, including one player who’s showing shades of Santi Cazorla in his game.

Why Arsenal fans love Santi Cazorla

Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have had plenty of brilliant midfielders play for them over the years, many who went on to win far more at the club than Cazorla did.

So, why is the Spaniard still one of the most beloved to wear red and white?

Well, there was that free-kick that started the side’s fightback in the 2014 FA Cup final.

There is also the fact that he played for the side during a rather barren spell, and so fans were desperate to see some genuine quality in the team.

However, while both of these factors certainly contribute to the high esteem in which the fans hold him, they remain secondary to the primary reason: his style of play.

The former Malaga gem was the epitome of an Arsene Wenger-type player, someone who was brilliantly effective yet also a crowd pleaser and a genuine magician on the ball.

The 40-year-old was seemingly able to do it all with a ball at his feet.

Ping a ball from one side of the pitch to the other? He could do it. Carry the ball through the middle of the park, beating four players in the process? Easy. Play the perfect defence-splitting pass to set up his striker with a one-on-one? Piece of cake.

Cazorla might not get the respect he deserves from rivals, but Arsenal fans correctly hold him up as one of the most entertaining players to grace the Emirates.

So it’s undoubtedly exciting to see one of Arteta’s signings begin to show shades of the Spaniard in his game this season.

The Arsenal star with shades of Cazorla

When considering who in the current Arsenal squad could be compared to Cazorla, most might look to Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, or perhaps even Eberechi Eze.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, while there are certainly arguments to be made for those three sharing some traits with the Spaniard, it’s Riccardo Calafiori who is showing shades of him in his game this season.

Now, the Italian obviously plays a totally different position to the former Gunners ace, but he still shares several similarities with him.

For example, and this is a negative one, the former Bologna star has had terrible luck with injuries since his move last summer.

In fact, he ended up dealing with six injuries last season, which resulted in him spending 175 days on the sideline and missing 30 games for both club and country.

Fortunately, the 23-year-old also shares a couple of extremely positive characteristics with the 40-year-old, including the freedom he is allowed on the football pitch and the incredible entertainment he brings.

While Arteta can often be quite regimented in his tactics and instructions with the rest of the team, it has become increasingly clear that he wants and allows the Italian to maraud all over and cause as much chaos for the opposition as possible.

This has become obvious from simply watching him play, but it’s even more evident when examining his heatmap from this season, which shows him popping up all over the place.

Crucially, though, the Rome-born “wild horse,” as dubbed by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, is making excellent use of this freedom, helping out attacks by stretching the opposition’s backline, popping up in the box and interchanging with his own attackers.

Amazingly, the £120k-per-week maverick has taken the second most shots in the league for the Gunners this season, and his underlying numbers only further show his attacking prowess.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of full-backs in the league for shots, the top 4% for expected goals, the top 7% for goal-creating actions, the top 12% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area and more, all per 90.

Shots Total

2.11

Top 1%

GCA (Defensive Action)

0.12

Top 1%

xG: Expected Goals

0.24

Top 4%

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.24

Top 4%

SCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.24

Top 4%

Goals + Assists

0.35

Top 7%

SCA (Shot)

0.35

Top 7%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.59

Top 7%

GCA (Shot)

0.12

Top 7%

npxG + xAG

0.29

Top 9%

SCA (Defensive Action)

0.12

Top 12%

Touches (Att Pen)

3.29

Top 12%

Assists

0.24

Top 15%

npxG/Shot

0.11

Top 15%

GCA (Live-ball Pass)

0.35

Top 15%

Touches (Mid 3rd)

29.73

Top 18%

Ultimately, this combination of freedom to express himself and the ability to make the most of it is why journalist James Benge described Calafiori as “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” and why he’s the most Cazorla-esque player in Arteta’s squad.

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