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Bangladesh 269 for 9 (Jaker 53, Mominul 50, Alzarri 3-69) trail West Indies 450 for 9 dec (Greaves 115*, Louis 97, Athanaze 90, Mahmud 3-87) by 181 runsWest Indies maintained their control of the Antigua Test with Bangladesh ending the day on 269 for 9 at stumps on the third day. The hosts hold a lead of 181 runs after Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and allrounder Justin Greaves nearly did enough to enforce a follow-on on Bangladesh. A late resistance helped the visitors avoid it, but they remain well on the back foot after three days of play.Bangladesh looked to bat steadily on a slow surface, but despite starts, couldn’t find one batter to go big like West Indies achieved in their first innings. Jaker Ali and Mominul Haque got out soon after reaching their fifties, while Litton Das fell for 40. Jaker and Taijul Islam added 68 runs for the seventh wicket to get Bangladesh closer to the follow-on mark of 251, which they crossed in the day’s last hour.Bangladesh started the third morning quietly, with Mominul getting a pair of boundaries off Shamar Joseph. Shortly afterwards, Kemar Roach removed Shahadat Hossain for 18, for which he played 71 balls. It was an innings going nowhere before he edged to first slip where Kavem Hodge took a low catch.Mominul and Litton saw to the end of the first session, continuing to bat obdurately. The usually free-flowing Litton started off with an easy square-cut boundary off Alzarri, but then mostly played within himself. Only in the over before the lunch break, Litton freed his arms to get another four, this time cutting Shamar.West Indies however got the breakthrough shortly after the lunch break when Seales trapped Mominul lbw after the left-hander reached his 21st fifty.Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz then endured a test of bouncers from the West Indies attack, with Alzarri even hitting him on his shoulder. Seales chipped in with his share of bouncers and verbals.Litton also got bogged down, resulting in getting bowled by a slightly short delivery from Shamar that he dragged onto his stumps. Litton made 40 off 76 balls with three fours, but it was a disappointing exit for one of three experienced Bangladesh batters.Mehidy struck a couple of boundaries off Greaves and Shamar later in the second session, but the short ball kept bothering him. After surviving 66 balls, Mehidy finally popped an Alzarri bouncer to short-leg where Mikyle Louis took a comfortable catch.Then came the unlikely revival act by Taijul and Jaker. The pair did take advantage of a tiring West Indies attack while also being disciplined with their choice of shots. They had to scavenge for scoring opportunities but were always looking for the odd boundary. They survived a dropped chance apiece too.Taijul kept using the pace of the West Indians, guiding the ball behind square on the off-side, while Jaker tried to force the issue. Jaker got his four boundaries with the pull shot and the hoick, one of which helped him bring up his fifty. Alzarri separated the pair after they had batted along for 19 overs when he bowled Taijul. Jaker fell to a Seales catch in the deep midwicket boundary, as he tried to clip Greaves for a big one.There was a bit of by-play between Alzarri and Taskin Ahmed towards the end, particularly after the fast bowler hit the Bangladeshi tail-ender on the head. The two exchanged words, but Alzarri couldn’t knock off the tenth Bangladesh wicket against the fading light.West Indies came into the third day on the back of a fine batting performance on the first two days. They continue to have control of proceedings at North Sound going into the penultimate day and will want rain to stay away in pursuit of a result.

After a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw Manchester City finish third, a distant 13 points behind champions Liverpool, Pep Guardiola knows something must change in midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne’s exit on a free transfer has left a creative hole that no one has yet been able to fill.

City moved last summer to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £30m, but the Frenchman is yet to pull on a shirt in the Premier League.

Lucas Paquetá, so heavily linked with City last year, seemed a logical solution before allegations of betting rule breaches halted a potential move.

Although Paquetá has since been cleared and is reportedly available for £30m, City’s attention appears to have shifted.

According to reports from Spain last week, they are now considering a bid for a 22-year-old midfielder, already being dubbed by many as the new Andres Iniesta.

Why Man City could be chasing the new Iniesta

Fermin López is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy – the same finishing school that honed teammates Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pedri.

After Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Sevilla in 2023, Planet Football described López as “an Iniesta regen,” while respected talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled him a “genius.”

Those comparisons are not unfounded. López is technically sublime, boasting a silky first touch, a powerful engine, and an uncanny sense of space.

Last season, he played 46 games for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists.

That kind of production is impressive, particularly for a player who only started eight matches in the league.

He thrives as an advanced midfielder but can also operate off the left wing, where his sharp movement and awareness of space can be especially dangerous.

His influence extends beyond club football.

López was a central figure in Spain’s Olympic gold medal win last summer, starting every match and finishing with six goals and two assists in six.

Barcelona, however, are reluctant to let him go.

While his contract is valid until 2029 with a colossal €500m buy-out clause, reports suggest the Catalan club might listen to serious offers around £52m.

Given Barcelona’s well-documented financial issues, City could sense an opportunity to secure a player uniquely suited to Guardiola’s system.

Why Lopez could be Pep’s new midfield maestro

A deeper dive into López’s metrics makes a persuasive case for why City are so interested.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Statistically, according to FBref, he ranks in the 95th percentile for assists per 90 (0.42) and the 91st percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.39).

This is a player who doesn’t just move the ball well; he directly contributes to scoring opportunities and even finishes them himself.

His pass completion rate of 82.2% (88th percentile) suggests composure under pressure, while his progressive passing numbers are also strong – 4.96 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 74th percentile.

Crucially, he ranks in the 91st percentile for passes into the final third per 90 (4.12), reflecting a player capable of breaking lines and unpicking compact defences.

López is active beyond just attacking numbers.

His involvement is consistent, with 59.33 touches per 90 (84th percentile), and he offers defensive contributions with 4.65 ball recoveries per 90 (80th percentile), which is crucial to Guardiola’s counter-pressing approach.

These figures paint the picture of a complete midfielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball, matching City’s demands for work rate, positional intelligence, and technical skill.

In profile, López is similar to other multi-functional, creative players like Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala, or Michael Olise.

He can carry the ball, link short combinations, and accelerate the game when needed.

That hybrid skillset is precisely what Guardiola values most – someone who can help dominate possession but also break lines and score goals.

For City, Fermín López could represent a long-term successor to De Bruyne. The Belgian’s departure has left a gap not just in terms of output but in leadership and a sense of decisive creativity.

López, with his La Masia education and fearless big-game mentality, could inherit that responsibility.

There are still elements to refine – he will need to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physicality – but his technical base gives him a solid platform.

Of course, the question is whether Barcelona will really cash in.

The club remains under financial pressure, which means a serious bid from City could get their attention despite the €500m release clause.

And with López under contract until 2029, it may take persuasive negotiations, and a hefty offer, to bring him to the Etihad.

While the Paquetá rumours have resurfaced thanks to his clearance, City fans may be more excited by the idea of López: younger, and with a trajectory that mirrors some of Spain’s most legendary midfielders.

If Pep Guardiola does get his wish, Manchester City supporters could soon be watching a player built in the image of Iniesta, but wearing sky blue.

أكد فيرجيل فان دايك قائد ليفربول أنه يستمتع بمباريات الديربي ويعتقد أن لاعبي الفريق وجماهير الريدز قادرون على جعل مباراة السبت بين فريقه وإيفرتون واحدة من المباريات التي لا تنسى.

وقال فان دايك في تصريحات لموقع ليفربول الرسمي: “لا داعي كثيراً للحديث عن هذه المباراة وأهميتها لكل من يرتبط بالنادي”.

وأضاف: “مباريات الديربي دائماً ما تكون مميزة، كانت أول مشاركة لي مع ليفربول في هذه المباراة ونريد الترحيب بإيفرتون في أنفيلد ونرغب بتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أخرى ومواصلة بدايتنا القوية للموسم”.

وواصل: “ندخل اللقاء بعد مباراتين صعبيتين للغاية، فوزين رائعين أيضاً، انتصاران يمنحان ليفربول ثقة كبيرة للمستقبل برأيي”.

وتابع عن الفوز ضد أتلتيكو مدريد: “عشنا ليلة أوروبية رائعة أخرى، بعد الفوز ضد بيرنلي في الدوري الإنجليزي، هذا ما يظهر كل شيء عن عقلية الفريق وإيمانه الراسخ”.

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وأكمل فان دايك عن لقاء أتلتيكو مدريد:”واصلنا اللعب حتى النهاية، تجاوزنا إحباطاتنا، كنت محظوظ بتسجيل هدف الفوز، في أجواء رائعة”.

وأكد الهولندي: “إنه مقدر لنا تحقيق فوز متأخر هذا الموسم، المهم أن نواصل إظهار رغبتنا في الاستمرار والعمل الجاد والإيمان بأن كل شيء سيكون على ما يرام، نفضل أن نمنح أنفسنا حياة أكثر راحة لكن لا نستسلم أبداً وهذا مكسب كبير لأي فريق”.

وأتم عن مباراة السبت ضد إيفرتون: “اختبار صعب جديد، كانت مباراتا إيفرتون الموسم الماضي متقاربتين، بدأوا هذا الموسم بشكل جيد وعلينا الاستعداد منذ صافرة البداية وننافس ونعمل بجد بدون الكرة ونظهر قدرتنا مع الكرة، هناك تفاهم يتحسن، إيزاك حصل على دقائقه الأولى معنا ونأمل أن تتطور العلاقة بين إيكتيكي وفيرتز وصلاح وهناك ما يدعو للحماس بشأن ذلك”.

وختم: “آمل أن أسمع أصوات الجماهير يوم السبت، وأرغب في رؤية أنفيلد ممتلئ بالحماس، قلت قبل ذلك إنني أريد أن أرى أنفيلد ملعب لا يحب أي فريق اللعب به، لذلك لنجعله ديربي لا ينسى”.

Everton are now reportedly closing in on a double deal to welcome two teenage talents to their academy.

Everton continuing summer business after Thierno Barry

Having already kicked off their summer business by welcoming Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Everton are reportedly set to continue their pursuit of incomings by signing Bournemouth’s Mark Travers. The shot-stopper looks set to arrive to provide Jordan Pickford with some much-needed backup following the departures of Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia.

The goalkeeper’s arrival will hand Everton their third signing of the summer after Moyes was left delighted by the signing of Barry last week to follow up the arrival of Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal earlier in the window.

The Everton boss told reporters: “We are delighted to have brought Thierno to the Club. We see lots of potential and we are hoping for good things from him.

“We will give him plenty of time to settle in and we are looking forward to getting started working with him as soon as possible. I’m hoping to make more additions in the coming weeks.”

It’s no surprise that the Toffees have turned towards Travers as well as the talented forward, either. Following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s decision to leave the club as a free agent, Moyes desperately needed a fresh goalscorer and Barry will provide exactly that.

It’s not just current gems that the veteran manager is thinking about, however, with reports now suggesting that Everton are closing in on signing two future stars this summer.

Everton closing in on Dodds and Gokah swoop

As reported by The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland, Everton are now closing in on deals to sign John Dodds and Reuben Gokah from Hearts and Charlton Athletic respectively. The double swoop follows Friedkin’s decision to add significant investment into improving their academy and adding former Manchester United chief Nick Cox to their ranks as a result.

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While Dodds and Gokah won’t steal the same headlines as Barry or Travers, they may prove to be just as important in years to come. Both defenders, the teenage duo will feature for Everton’s academy before potentially breaking into Moyes’ first-team when the time is right for all parties.

Given the path that Jarrad Branthwaite has taken since arriving in Merseyside as a youngster, there should be no concern over whether there will be an opportunity for Dodds and Gokah to thrive if they impress enough at youth level.

With the teenage duo and Travers, Everton will be taking their list of incomings up to five for the summer in what has so far been a productive transfer window.

An integral part of ECB’s privatisation of the Hundred involves the eight teams being run as a joint venture

Nagraj Gollapudi24-Jul-2024Is it wise or profitable to buy the minority (49%) stake being offered by ECB to own one of the eight franchises in the Hundred? That’s the question being asked by owners of almost all of the 10 IPL teams, most of whom are keen to buy teams in the Hundred but not in favour of being a “passive” investor.An integral part of ECB’s privatisation of the Hundred, which launched its fourth season on Tuesday, involves the eight teams being run as a joint venture. The ECB has finalised a model which will leave 51% stake with eight Hundred ‘hosts’ – seven counties and, in the case of London Spirit, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The remaining 49% will be sold to private investors, which will be finalised by ECB in coordination with the hosts, who have also been given the choice to divest some or all of their stakes before the formal bidding process from mid-September.But several IPL franchise owners have expressed reservations, especially on the controlling stake which, along with trust, is one of two key factors that determine the success and longevity of any joint venture. It is no different for the Hundred.Related

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“This is going to be new for anyone who’s coming in, because in all the other franchise investments, we are 100% owners,” said the head of one IPL-winning franchise. “The dynamics of that are very different. Here, it’s going to be a joint venture. There’s valuation subject, then there’s ownership subject, then there’s operational matters – all these issues come to the fore immediately.”The official, who declined to be named, said the very fact that there’s another partner, whether they have a minority or majority stake, raised a “stumbling block” and “a huge difference” to how their franchises operated elsewhere. “If it is 49 %, who’s in charge? Would you want to come in as a pure investor? Probably not. I don’t know the answer to that yet.”But we have been told that control and all those things could be baked in for the investor who’s coming in. I don’t know that there’ll be a great deal of appetite and interest to say, ‘OK, here’s a cheque. I would like to be a passive investor. Let it run as it is and we’ll contribute to the extent we can.’ No.”

“The key question is how much that 49% constitutes of the overall value. If that number is too huge and I am not sure and I see enough returns, then I would rather take a small share to begin with”An IPL CEO said they are open to a smaller stake in the Hundred

Vikram Banerjee, head of business operations at ECB, was made aware of investors’ concerns on his trip to India during IPL 2024, where he met with owners and management at various franchises.”For a number of them, it’s around things like brand,” Banerjee said on the subject of control. “For a lot of them it is cricket, and being in control of the cricket side of things and others, pure and simple majority stakes from an equity perspective. So we understand that and we understand where they are at. We have then built that into the process.”If you look across our eight teams, there will be a variety there that will be on market, and that clarity will be provided when we go to market in September. And that clarity will provide a range that I believe, at this point, will have different offerings that will suit all different kinds. And then as the conversations build, the details will build through October, November, December. We’ll get to a really good place by the time the process runs its course.”Among the eight franchises, the MCC and Surrey said they currently have no plans to divest any of their 51% stake in their teams.Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, didn’t rule out the possibility of the investors holding a 100% stake subject to their fulfilling various criteria. “There’s certainly the opportunity for people to have, potentially, 100% ownership. It depends on the capabilities that they can bring both in terms of finance and operational delivery. Those opportunities do exist.”The ECB had been clear at the outset that the highest bid will not necessarily be the winning one. Banerjee said while there was no denying money was important, the board also wanted partners who were keen to support the growth of the game at all levels.Venky Mysore, the CEO of defending IPL champions KKR, believes any joint venture “boils down to the chemistry recipe”•BCCIVenky Mysore, CEO at Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending IPL champions, said the success of a joint venture is determined by the “chemistry” between the investor and the county in the case of the Hundred. Mysore has been at the helm of the Knight Riders group since 2011, and has overseen their buying and establishing teams in the Carribean Premier League, International League T20 and Major League Cricket.”Like in any joint venture there are legacy issues which will be there in the Hundred, too,” Mysore told ESPNcricinfo earlier this month. “The existing shareholder group has existed for 100-plus years, and suddenly, you have a new investor coming in and you are joining hands.”Ultimately in any joint venture, with my experience, it boils down to the chemistry recipe. It’s not the number: it’s not about a closed bid and ‘here’s a cheque’ and the highest bid wins. From our perspective and from the partner’s perspective who have already spoken with us, it’s about that chemistry. Can you work together? Because this is for the long run.”Speaking for ourselves… we think about it for the long haul. So something like [the Hundred], again, you think about it for the long haul and then say, ‘OK, it’s a joint venture’. If it has to work, then the people, the chemistry has to be a big determining factor. And those are the risks of joint ventures in general.”Not everyone is chasing a majority stake, though. A CEO at a third IPL team told ESPNcricinfo that since they are just dipping their feet in the Hundred, and doesn’t fully understand the business model, they would prefer to buy a smaller stake in a franchise and build on it gradually.”49% is good enough to begin with,” the CEO said. “The key question is how much that 49% constitutes of the overall value. If that number is too huge and I am not sure and I see enough returns, then I would rather take a small share to begin with, with a rider that I would be allowed to take more of a stake with every passing year, or every five years.”

Fulham are now looking at signing an ex-Tottenham player, and one who could end up being a serious bargain this summer.

Fulham make transfer plans as Marco Silva chases Europe

It could be a fairytale end to the season for Marco Silva, who is attempting to seal European qualification at Craven Cottage amid a hotly-contested race.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 16, 2025

Fulham have endured a mixed run of form in recent weeks, beating the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham whilst also suffering damaging defeats to Bournemouth and Arsenal, but Silva’s side are still very much in with an outside shout of European football next season.

However, they simply must beat west London rivals Chelsea this weekend, in a derby that could be seen as their most crucial clash of the season to date.

A host of tough encounters await Fulham, amid reports that popular head coach Silva is emerging as a favourite for the Tottenham job, so there is everything still to play for as we enter the business end of 2024/2025.

If Silva is still at Fulham beyond this campaign, the Khan family will be eager to show him that they’re a club capable of competing at the top level, and one way of displaying their ambition is an attack on the summer transfer market.

Silva reportedly wants to strengthen Fulham’s wide options as a key aim, leading to recent links with Deportivo La Coruna sensation Yeremay Hernandez (TEAMtalk), especially as Andreas Pereira is tipped to leave for Brazil this summer.

Defensively, Fulham have been targeting Elfsborg defender Terry Yegbe, who would cost around £6 million, while a new full-back isn’t off the agenda either.

Fulham looking at signing Kyle Walker-Peters on free transfer

According to CaughtOffside, former Spurs right-back and Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters is emerging as a Fulham target.

The Englishman, despite being part of a dismal Saints side, has enjoyed a solid campaign personally – standing out as one of their most-used and key players.

Five years after he completed a £12 million move to St Mary’s, the 28-year-old is also set to be available for free past June 30th, with his Southampton contract expiring.

This has alerted a host of clubs, including Silva’s side, with Fulham now looking at signing Walker-Peters this summer alongside West Ham, Crystal Palace, Chelsea and his ex-club Tottenham.

He could be one of the bargains of the window, but Fulham face stiff competition in pursuit of his signature.

“I wonder how important he’s become,” said ex-Southampton boss Russell Martin last season, who also called him a “beautiful footballer”.

“You look at what happened in the summer [rumoured transfer interest] and you just wonder by the end of the season how important keeping him will have been.

“He’s such an integral part of what they’re doing. It’s almost like the team is built around him to get the most out of him.”

Harvey Barnes played an important role in Newcastle United’s most recent outing against Brentford, in which the Magpies won 2-1. Goals from Alexander Isak and a sublime effort from Sandro Tonali were enough to claim all three points for Eddie Howe’s side.

For that strike from the Italian, it was Barnes who provided the assist. The winger, who started on the left wing, put in a strong performance. As per Sofascore, he created three chances, completed two dribbles, and, of course, grabbed his assist.

After a performance like that, you might expect he’d keep his place in the Newcastle starting lineup for their next game against Leicester City. But, with some players returning from injury, that is not a guarantee.

Newcastle’s team news vs. Leicester

There could be some big players returning from injury for the Magpies’ clash with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester side. One of those is experienced defender Kieran Trippier, who was withdrawn from the game against Brentford.

Likewise, Newcastle’s talismanic striker, Isak, was substituted in the 66th minute. Given his injury issues at times in a Magpies shirt, they certainly do not want to risk him getting sidelined for an extensive period of time.

In his pre-match press conference, Howe gave an update on both of their availability ahead of the Monday night trip to Leicester. The Englishman explained that his squad have managed to avoid “any big injuries from Wednesday night”.

With that being said, he did imply that there was a chance they might be sidelined at the King Power Stadium. Howe explained that his side “certainly have a few niggles”, and it remains to be seen if Trippier and Isak will be available.

There is another player who could be set to return from injury in time to feature in the East Midlands. Newcastle fans would surely love to have him available.

The Newcastle player who could feature vs. Leciester

If Newcastle have Anthony Gordon back for the game against the Foxes, it would be a huge boost. As well as his three-match suspension, the winger picked up an injury on England duty during the March international break.

Chalkboard

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

Howe was quizzed about him in the press conference before the Leicester game and gave an update on his progress. It certainly seemed positive, explaining that he is being “monitored” by the medical staff, before saying they “will have to wait and see” if he can play.

It has been another excellent season for Gordon in 2024/25. He has featured 34 times for the Magpies, scoring nine goals and grabbing seven assists. Between the start of November and the end of January, the winger went on an unstoppable run, scoring or assisting ten goals in a run of 14 games. As football talent scout Jacek Kulig said, he is “having a superb season”.

He is a player who steps up in the biggest moments, scoring goals in both legs against Arsenal, in the Carabao Cup semi-final. His goal in the second leg at St James’ Park was the fourth Newcastle scored in the tie and sealed their place at Wembley.

Gordon has the potential to hurt Leicester on Monday. His pace is deadly, and the directness with which he attacks is frightening for defenders. As per Sofascore, he has completed 1.5 dribbles and plays 2.1 key passes per game this term.

Dropping Barnes for the “exceptional” Gordon, as football scout Antonio Mango called him, might be deemed harsh after his performance against Brentford. However, having the former Everton star available for the Champions League run-in will be crucial.

As he showed against Arsenal, he is a big game player, and with the skillset he possesses, he can be deadly against a fragile Foxes side. If Gordon is fit enough, he surely starts on Monday evening.

Best since Isak: Howe struck gold signing “big game player” for Newcastle

Eddie Howe hit the jackpot signing this “big game player” who’s Newcastle’s best signing since Isak.

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Connor Holden

Apr 6, 2025

Peshawar Zalmi, meanwhile, have an impressive-looking top order, but are short of fast-bowling pedigree

Danyal Rasool09-Apr-2025Karachi KingsKarachi Kings are in the kind of rut Lahore Qalandars found themselves in during the PSL’s early years. Three successive finishes outside the playoffs have seen their squad go through a bit of an overhaul. Shan Masood has been replaced as captain by David Warner, arguably the marquee signing of the league this year. Kane Williamson, Aamer Jamal and Adam Milne also come in, during a season in which home advantage will be limited; just five games take place at the National Stadium in Karachi across the league.Best result: Champions [2020]2024 finish: FifthStrengths: There’s greater variety in Kings’ fast-bowling attack than there was last season, with the extra pace of Milne and the acquisition of the regularly prolific Abbas Afridi. The batting line-up boasts experienced international star names, with Tim Seifert’s recent form against Pakistan’s bowling attack a potential point of difference.Related

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Islamabad United vs Lahore Qalandars to kick off PSL 2025 on April 11; final on May 18

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Weaknesses: Kings have a number of players with a large variance between their ceiling and floor. Warner, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Ali, James Vince and Jamal are more explosive than they are consistent, meaning short-term form could decide the Kings’ fate. The spin department looks light, with 40-year-old Mohammad Nabi and 36-year-old Zahid Mahmood the only established options.Peshawar ZalmiPeshawar Zalmi were among the standout teams in the early years of the competition, winning the title in 2017. Under Daren Sammy’s leadership, this was the side that came to be associated most with the light-hearted joy of the PSL in its honeymoon years, and was instrumental in the return of the league to Pakistan itself. They continue to boast Pakistan’s biggest stars; Babar Azam is the captain, but their explosiveness has been replaced by a middling consistency. Every team has won the PSL since Zalmi last won one, but they remain the only side never to miss out on the playoffs.Babar Azam and Saim Ayub are part of Peshawar Zalmi’s enviable top order•Pakistan Super LeagueBest result: Champions (2017)2024 finish: Second (Lost Eliminator 2)Strengths: The top-order batting combination is among the most desirable, featuring in Babar a reliable anchor alongside high-quality power hitters. Zalmi boast two local players who come into the tournament in hot form: Saim Ayub, returning from injury, and Sufiyaan Muqeem.Weaknesses: Corbin Bosch’s withdrawal leaves Zalmi short of allrounder options, with Hussain Talat and Maaz Sadaaqat the only available options. Aside from Mohammad Ali, Zalmi’s fast-bowling options have little to no PSL pedigree.Lahore QalandarsNo franchise embraces Pakistan’s all-or-nothing philosophy quite like Lahore Qalandars. Qalandars have the largest fanbase and the most enigmatic journey of all sides. They were the laughing stock in the first four years, finishing bottom each time despite stuffing their side with superstars ranging from Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum. But the pendulum swung violently the other way; they remain the only side to have defended a PSL title, going back to back under Shaheen Afridi before finishing outside the playoff positions once more in 2024. The core of the squad remains unchanged but that doesn’t make anticipating what they do any easier.Can Shaheen Afridi lead Lahore Qalandars back to glory?•AFP/Getty ImagesBest result: Champions (2022, 2023)2024 finish: SixthStrengths: A fast-bowling trio of Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan is about as impressive as any PSL side can muster without using up an overseas slot. Qalandars were often top heavy in the past, but the presence of Daryl Mitchell, Sikandar Raza, Sam Billings and David Wiese gives them plenty of post-powerplay firepower.Weaknesses: Form and fitness remain concerns for Qalandars’ star players. Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen are in a bit of a rut, while Fakhar Zaman and Zaman Khan have been plagued by recent fitness issues. Qalandars haven’t come close to properly replacing Rashid Khan, with Sikandar Raza as close as it comes to a recognised specialist spinner in their squad.

Gifted batter, exceptional fielder and an all-round talent, he represented the very best of Australia’s golden cricketing era

Ian Chappell23-Apr-2023With little fanfare Ken Archer’s recent death saw Robert Neil Harvey become Australia’s oldest living male Test cricketer.It’s a distinction that Harvey, a talented sportsman born on October 8, 1928, probably didn’t want. However Harvey, as the last living Invincible – Don Bradman’s brilliant unbeaten 1948 touring side – was always likely to attain the title as he was easily the youngest team member. He has retained his alert brain and apart from general ageing ailments has remained in reasonable health.Harvey, who also played for New South Wales, was the most successful of six sporting brothers, four of whom represented Victoria at cricket. He followed his older brother Merv into Test cricket and in only his second match, became the youngest Australian male to score a Test century.Related

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As a youngster in Bradman’s side, he once asked his pal Sam Loxton – later a fellow selector – to seek advice from the legendary batter. The answer came back: “Tell Harvey, if he doesn’t hit the ball in the air, he’ll reduce caught as a method of dismissal.”Harvey took note of Bradman’s astute advice and became arguably one of Australia’s three best batters following the master run-getter’s retirement – in chronological order, I have Harvey, Greg Chappell and Ricky Ponting.I can vouch for Harvey’s greatness as a batter. Playing in his final Sheffield Shield match at the SCG in 1963, I fielded as he made a masterful 231 not out.Years later I said that Viv Richards, Mark Waugh, Mohammad Azharuddin and Greg Chappell were the best all-round fielders I’d seen. Former Australia captain Richie Benaud quickly interjected: “You’d better add Neil Harvey to that list.”I mostly remember Harvey’s brilliant fielding in the slips, but I had heard about his prowess in the covers in his younger days. In fact, I become aware of Harvey at a very young age: my father, Martin, returned from the 1947 Claxton Shield baseball carnival raving about Victoria’s “young Harvey”, who was brilliant in the field and an equally good hitter.I didn’t play Test cricket with Harvey but he was an Australia selector while I was captain. After retirement I was drinking with Neil at the Pennant Hills Golf Club once. There were only the two of us left in the club when I asked Harvey how I became captain, as I was pretty sure I didn’t have Bradman’s vote.

Neil Harvey became arguably one of Australia’s three best batters following Don Bradman’s retirement. In chronological order, I have Harvey, Greg Chappell and Ricky Ponting

In his most colourful language, Harvey told me, “It was ****** me [that] got you the captaincy.” He had persuaded his mate Loxton, a renowned Bradman supporter, to vote for me as captain.I always felt a bit uncomfortable talking cricket with Harvey, who despite his expert knowledge only ever captained his country in one Test. It was a mark of his typical determination that Australia won that Test, at Lord’s, in a tough encounter.He was a popular and successful skipper because he always played for a win. As captain of Sydney’s Northern Districts club in 1966-67, he scored a blistering century in helping to win the final.Having worked with Benaud for many years, I know he was extremely grateful for Harvey’s valuable input as a long-time vice-captain.In later years Harvey gained a reputation for being outspoken about modern cricketers. He was a man who said what was on his mind. Some players should be thankful he wasn’t still a selector when their careers began to wane.Much of Harvey’s reputation as one of Australia’s greatest batters was gained because of his fleet-footed play against the best spinners. As a player who was never stumped in Test cricket, this is understandable, but he was also a very good player of fast bowling and retained the crucial No. 3 slot for much of his career.Many people only know Harvey as the oldest living Australian male Test cricketer. However, for those who didn’t see him play, he was a great batter and an exceptional all-round fielder, with a vibrant cricket brain.

Promoted to open, Malan nails his match-up with Hasaranga to propel England to 3-0 win

Matt Roller at the Ageas Bowl26-Jun-2021The long-standing debates over England’s best batting line-up in T20 international cricket will roll on and on until October’s World Cup but this 3-0 thrashing of an abject Sri Lanka side has been a reminder of the oddity of the tournament itself.The draw for the World Cup – initially scheduled for Australia last year, but since shifted to India and now the UAE and Oman – took place 18 months ago, and in the intervening period it has become apparent that England have done well out of it: they have avoided West Indies and New Zealand, both of whom will be significantly stronger than their ICC ranking implies, and will see themselves as favourites against both South Africa and Afghanistan.The result is that even if they are beaten heavily by India in the group stage, they need only beat those two teams, plus the two qualifiers from the preliminary phase, and they will reach the semi-finals, and be two wins away from their long-standing ambition of becoming the first men’s team to hold both World Cups simultaneously.This series proved that, while there are decisions to be made about the side’s best combination and structure, the most important thing for England is that they have a deep, versatile batting line-up which is filled with players that can single-handedly win a game on their day. For Saturday’s thrashing at the Ageas Bowl, they were without three of their first-choice top six – Jos Buttler (calf), Jason Roy (hamstring), Ben Stokes (returning from a hand injury) – while their first-choice No. 3 and No. 4 opened the batting and their back-up finisher came in straight after, yet their win was still a procession.England’s collapse from 143 for 1 after 15 overs to an eventual total of 180 for 6 looked for a fleeting moment like it might cost them after Danushka Gunathilaka punched the first ball of the chase through cover; as it turned out, it would have taken a declaration with five overs left to turn this into a competitive game, as Sri Lanka’s batters collapsed in a heap. This was the sort of clinical performance that should help them annihilate the weakest teams in their World Cup group; unless they come unstuck in two of the other three games, they will cruise through to the semis.Only then will their answers to the important questions come under real scrutiny. Where should Jonny Bairstow bat? How can they get more out of Stokes? Should Mark Wood bowl mainly in the Powerplay, at the death, or a bit of both? And the randomness of certain events – in particular the importance of the toss in floodlit games in the UAE, bearing dew in mind – could render such discussions useless anyway.Related

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And so to Dawid Malan. Countless column inches have been filled, including on this website, by debates over Malan’s value to England’s side: nobody has ever started their T20I career with such compelling numbers and he has ensconced himself at No. 1 in the ICC’s player rankings, but with such a strong set of batting options available to them, his slow-starting method and his occasional struggles on slower pitches, such as the ones expected in the UAE in October, has come under intense – and perhaps unfair – scrutiny.This series has encapsulated the debate: his two low scores on two-paced Cardiff pitches were wholly unconvincing, but his dominant innings of 76 off 48 balls on a better pitch at the Ageas Bowl was one of high class: the other 72 balls in the innings brought only 92 runs off the bat. Even if his form “only has one way to go”, as Eoin Morgan put it at the toss, his rate of success in T20I cricket has been phenomenal.On Saturday, Malan managed what no other England batter has in this series by getting after Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s blond-haired, bright-booted rockstar of a legspinner. Realising that ball spinning into his arc towards the shorter boundary represented a favourable match-up for him, Malan treated Hasaranga with disdain, thumping him for two fours and three sixes and scoring 34 off the 10 balls he faced from him; Roy was the only other man to hit him for four across the whole series.The slog-swept sixes were brutal, but there was a touch of class, too: on 18 off 15, he reverse-swept him into the gap between short third and backward point, and in the same over nailed him over deep backward square leg and lofted him inside-out through the gap in the covers that his reverse-sweep had created.”When you do your match-ups and look at the dimensions of the ground, with a right-hander in [at the other end], my match-up is to take down the legspinner towards that shorter boundary,” Malan explained afterwards. “Even though it was into the wind, that was my role: to take the positive option against him.”If that was an offspinner on that side, Jonny would probably have been over-aggressive against him because that was his match-up. I faced him the other night at Cardiff and didn’t see him that well, and my movements weren’t very good, so it was nice to face him a couple of days later in different conditions and get on top of him.”During his difficult series in India, it seemed as though the drawbacks of Malan’s method outweighed the benefits, but in this innings, the opposite was true. He may not mind the debate rolling on: “I quite like proving a point so when I do get criticism I do like going out there to show those people that seem to have their opinions,” he said.There are similar questions to weigh up in the bowling attack: are Chris Woakes and David Willey viable options as new-ball specialists? Is Chris Jordan still a banker at the death? The absence of much new information from this series means they will not be answered definitively until the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup – and even then, there is another one to follow only 12 months later.