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A versão 2022 do Corinthians vem tomando forma nesta semana em que o elenco se reapresentou para a pré-temporada. Desde a última segunda-feira em preparação para competições que virão pela frente, o grupo ainda não está completo nas mãos de Sylvinho. No entanto, com reforços chegando e jogadores voltando pós-Covid, a expectativa é de que isso aconteça em breve.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians x Ituano: veja provável escalação do Timão e onde assistir ao jogo pela CopinhaCorinthians11/01/2022CorinthiansCorinthians trabalha na academia em segundo turno de treinos do diaCorinthians11/01/2022CorinthiansCorinthians encaminha chegada do goleiro Ivan e deve negociar Matheus DonelliCorinthians11/01/2022

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Uma contratação que deve ser efetivada nos próximos dias é a de Bruno Melo, lateral-esquerdo que estava no Fortaleza e chega para suprir uma função que a comissão técnica julgou carente, de um jogador polivalente, que atue em mais de uma posição e se adapta às diferentes variações que forem trabalhadas.

Bruno já fez exames e já treinou no CT Joaquim Grava, agora aguarda os últimos detalhes burocráticos para ser anunciado e se juntar ao grupo de forma efetiva, especialmente nos treinos com bola, que já estão em curso.

Outro que deve chegar nos próximos dias é o goleiro Ivan, da Ponte Preta. As partes estão finalizando o acordo e a partir desta quarta-feira ele já fará exames no Timão. A intenção é ter um reserva imediato para Cássio, uma vez que Matheus Donelli, Carlos Miguel e Guilherme são considerados jovens para assumir essa função como “sombra” de um ídolo tão grande no clube.

Quem deve voltar nesta quarta-feira é Renato Augusto, que desde a última semana estava em isolamento por conta de um resultado positivo para Covid-19. Como “negativou” na última terça-feira, ele já está liberado para se juntar ao elenco corintiano, fazer os exames e iniciar os trabalhos de pré-temporada.

Os próximos a retornarem da quarentena por conta da Covid-19 são Jô e Willian, que tiveram diagnóstico positivo na segunda-feira. Como os novos protocolos preveem apenas cinco dias de isolamento e não mais dez, basta que eles tenham um exame negativo no quinto dia para estarem aptos para voltarem ao CT. Sendo assim, a previsão é de que isso aconteça no sábado.

Paralelamente a isso, a diretoria do Corinthians segue em busca do tão sonhado centroavante para reforçar a equipe titular. Com Cavani e Suárez praticamente fora do alcance neste momento, o foco é se aproximar de Diego Costa assim que ele rescindir com o Atlético-MG. Além de acertar as condições de salários e as luvas, que são altas e carecem de negociação para o acordo.

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Three Afghanistan players have been named in the reshuffled squad lists for the upcoming CPL season: the Jamaica Tallawahs’ Qais Ahmad and the Guyana Amazon Warriors pair of Naveen-ul-Haq and Waqar Salamkheil. Ibrahim Zadran and Shafiqullah Ghafari, who had originally been drafted by the Tallawahs and the Barbados Royals respectively in May, were not part of the final squads.Related

• Andre Russell retained by Jamaica Tallawahs

• CPL 2021 schedule tweaked to avoid IPL clash

• TKR to face Amazon Warriors in CPL opener

• Barbados Tridents set to become Barbados Royals

• Saint Lucia Zouks renamed Saint Lucia Kings

Afghanistan is in the midst of major upheaval, with the Taliban taking back the political reins following the withdrawal of US troops from the country. It remains to be seen how cricket is affected by these events, though ACB CEO Hamid Shinwari has been quoted saying he expects the sport to carry on as before.”We will resume our office from tomorrow and the national camp which was underway ahead of the Pakistan series in Sri Lanka will also resume after a two-day break with the change in regime,” Shinwari told on Monday.ESPNcricinfo understands that Naveen, who was the top wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast in England, is already serving his quarantine in St Kitts, which will host the entire CPL season starting August 26.CPL 2021 squad changes•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The top-tier Afghanistan players – Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – weren’t part of the initial list. They are expected to be playing for Afghanistan in their three-match ODI series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place at Hambantota in early September.Meanwhile, it is understood that South Africa allrounder Chris Morris, who was the Royals’ first-round pick, has opted out of the tournament for personal reasons. In his place, the Royals have signed the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Glenn Phillips, who has been in good form in the Vitality Blast as well as in The Hundred. Phillips has been a CPL regular, ever since his Auckland coach, Mark O’Donnell, drafted him as a replacement for Shakib Al Hasan at the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2017. He has been the Tallawahs’ leading scorer for three consecutive seasons.South Africans Anrich Nortje and Rassie van der Dussen, who were originally drafted by the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, will miss the tournament, as will Sri Lanka’s legspin-bowling allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga. All three will be involved in South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka, which begins on September 2 and will clash with the CPL.Saint Lucia Kings, though, have retained Faf du Plessis as their captain. du Plessis had recently been ruled out of the Hundred after failing to recover adequately from the concussion he suffered during the PSL two months ago. It remains to be seen whether he is fit again for the CPL.Seam-bowling allrounder Isuru Udana is set to turn out for the reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders, having retired from international cricket following Sri Lanka’s white-ball home series against India. He will be joined by Tim Seifert and Yasir Shah at TKR. Shah, who is currently part of the Pakistan squad in the Caribbean, will replace Sandeep Lamichhane, while Seifert, who was not initially retained at the draft by TKR, is back in for the Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe will tour Ireland for five T20Is and three ODIs from August 27.Jake Lintott has won a late deal with the Barbados Royals•Tony Marsh/Cricpix

The England trio of Ravi Bopara (Patriots), Samit Patel (Kings) and Jake Lintott (Royals) have also won late deals. ESPNcricinfo understands that they will arrive in the Caribbean after playing in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals for their respective counties.Lintott, the Somerset-born left-arm wristspinner, had not even registered for the Hundred draft nearly two years ago, but is now Southern Brave’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with ten strikes in seven games.Singapore-born Hobart Hurricanes batter Tim David will replace Matthew Wade at the Kings. David had a breakout PSL and then extended his strong form at Surrey. Netherlands’ Paul van Meekeren, who was recently in action for Durham in the Royal London one-day cup, will fill in for Nortje at the Patriots.The entire CPL will be hosted by Warner Park from August 26 to September 15. The 33-match tournament will allow fans to attend at up to 50% capacity of the 8,000-seat venue – as long as they show proof of vaccination to enter the stadium facility. Players, support staff, commentators and broadcast crew in the CPL bubble can move directly to the IPL bubble in the UAE.

Squads

Jamaica Tallawahs: Andre Russell, Chris Green, Carlos Brathwaite, Rovman Powell, Haider Ali, Chadwick Walton, Fidel Edwards, Qais Ahmad, Jason Mohammed, Migael Pretorius, Kennar Lewis, Shamarh Brooks, Veerasammy Permaul, Abijhai Mansingh, Joshua James, Kirk McKenzie, Ryan Persaud.Saint Lucia Kings: Faf du Plessis, Keemo Paul, Wahab Riaz, Tim David, Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Usman Qadir, Samit Patel, Obed McCoy, Rahkeem Cornwall, Mark Deyal, Roston Chase, Javelle Glen, Keron Cottoy, Jeavor Royal, Kadeem Alleyne, Alzarri Joseph.Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Colin Munro, Yasir Shah, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Isuru Udana, Tim Seifert, Anderson Phillip, Denesh Ramdin, Tion Webster, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Leonardo Julien, Ali Khan.St Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Ravi Bopara, Paul van Meekeren, Sherfane Rutherford, Sheldon Cottrell, Fawad Ahmed, Devon Thomas, Rayad Emrit, Asif Ali, Colin Archibald, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Dominic Drakes, Joshua Da Silva, Mykile Louis.Barbados Royals: Glenn Phillips, Jason Holder, Thisara Perera, Mohammad Amir, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Oshane Thomas, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr, Azam Khan, Raymon Reifer, Justin Greaves, Ashley Nurse, Jake Lintott, Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop, Smit Patel.Guyana Amazon Warriors: Nicholas Pooran, Shoaib Malik, Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Mohammad Hafeez, Brandon King, Naveen-ul-Haq, Romario Shepherd, Waqar Salamkheil, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd.

Sri Lanka have lost all but one of their nine completed ODIs this year

Andrew Fidel Fernando19-Jul-20214:51

Aakash Chopra: Whoever has got an opportunity has impressed

Big pictureLess than 48 hours after India put the finishing touches on their thumping of Sri Lanka in the first ODI, the teams have to go again. If you’re a Sri Lanka fan, hold on tight. This might not be pretty.In many senses, we didn’t really learn much from the first match. It was already known that Sri Lanka lack world-class batters. Although the likes of Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa struck attractive boundaries, there was no one to hold the innings together. But for No. 8 Chamika Karunaratne’s unbeaten 43 off 35 balls, Sri Lanka may have stumbled to a truly sub-par total.There was also no surprise in Shikhar Dhawan – a modern ODI behemoth – ending up the game’s top scorer. And India’s staggering batting depth was suspected too; their top order expected to flex against a Sri Lanka attack that has some talent but is woefully light on experience and direction. Still, the breathtaking confidence and striking ability of Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, and later, Suryakumar Yadav would have quickened pulses around the world. On its own, this young top order is a reason to tune in.If Sri Lanka want to push India on Tuesday, there are a giant list of things they must correct. Their inability to rotate the strike against the spinners held them back during the middle overs, as batters played laboured block-or-bash innings; their fielding was poor, with two chances going down on the boundary; and while Dushmantha Chameera was good again with the new ball, they need to find a more reliable seam-bowling partner than Isuru Udana, who was taken apart in the powerplay and bowled only two overs.Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWL
India WWLWWIn the spotlightWhile wristspinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav went looking for wickets, Krunal Pandya kept things tight through the middle overs – his left-arm spin going for only 26 runs in 10 overs. In four ODI appearances, this was by far his best bowling performance – he had actually been bashed around by England in March. In that series, Krunal had showed off his hitting ability at ODI level. If he can add stability to India’s spin attack too, he makes a strong case for consistent selection.Dushmantha Chameera didn’t get any wickets on Sunday, and yet, made several India batters uncomfortable with his pace. While Kishan was walloping everyone else, Chameera was the one bowler who seriously tested him, peppering him with short balls. Chameera had been one of Sri Lanka’s few positives from the recent tour of England, and has finally built up some rhythm after years of his career being frustrated by injuries. With the quick turnarounds this series though, Sri Lanka run the risk of him picking up niggles. As he is one of the few performing players in this side, they can’t really afford to leave him out either.Dushmantha Chameera was the only bowler who tested Ishan Kishan in the tour opener•SLCPitch and conditionsExpect another surface that offers plenty of turn, but remains pretty good for batting. Although showers can occasionally roll through at this time of year, the weather is expected to be good on Tuesday.Team newsWith Bhuvneshwar Kumar having been slightly off – particularly at the death – on Sunday, India may bring in Navdeep Saini.India (possible): 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Shikhar Dhawan (capt.), 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Suryakumar Yadav, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalSri Lanka will probably rethink Udana’s presence in the team. Lahiru Kumara or Kasun Rajitha are likeliest to replace him.Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Avishka Fernando, 2 Minod Bhanuka (wk), 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt.), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Lahiru KumaraStats and triviaDhawan became the second-fastest India batter to 6000 ODI runs, getting there in 140 innings. Only Hashim Amla (123 inns), Virat Kohli (136) and Kane Williamson (139) have been faster to the milestone.Sri Lanka have lost all but one of their nine completed ODIs this year. Kishan had also hit a half century on T20 international debut. The only other batter to achieve this double is South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen.

The transfer window has been closed for nearly two weeks now, but Manchester United are still continually being linked with new players as INEOS plan more business for the 2025 windows.

Man Utd and INEOS looking at free move to sign 28 y/o "battleship" in 2025

Manchester United already have their eye on one player they would like to sign in 2025.

ByBrett Worthington Sep 12, 2024 Manchester United plotting Unai Simon transfer

Erik ten Hag was backed by INEOS during the summer, as the club added three defenders, a midfielder, and a forward to their squad. But that doesn’t appear to be enough so far, as the Red Devils still have their eye on some big-name players.

Leny Yoro

Lille

Joshua Zirkzee

Bologna

Matthijs de Ligt

Bayern Munich

Noussair Mazraoui

Bayern Munich

Manuel Ugarte

PSG

United are well stocked in the goalkeeping department; Andre Onana currently has the number one spot, followed by Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaten providing backup, but they are also eyeing a change in that area of the pitch.

It has been reported that Man United are “very interested” in signing Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon. The goalkeeper has been really impressive for the La Liga side in recent seasons and has now established himself on the international stage with Spain, playing a key role in their Euro 2024 success.

Those performances have caught the attention of United, who are said to be willing to pay a “considerable sum” to sign the shot stopper. While United weigh up a move for Simon, they are also looking at signing another established international star.

Man Utd now keen on "obscene" £35m target

According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are admirers of AS Monaco defender Vanderson. The report states that fellow Premier League side Chelsea are showing the most interest in the player, but United and Tottenham Hotspur are in the mix.

The 23-year-old, who has been with Monaco since January 2022, has really impressed for the French side lately. Vanderson played 20 times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring three goals and chipping in with one assist. The defender is in the 99th percentile for tackles when compared with right-backs in similar leagues, and FBRef ranks his combination of ferocious defending and attacking quality as a similar profile to Tottenham's Pedro Porro.

Vanderson, who has been described as having "obscene pace and acceleration" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was linked with an exit during the summer, but Monaco selling Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan eased any pressure they were under to sell. The right-back, who has been capped twice by Brazil, is contracted until 2028, but the French side could be willing to let the player leave for around €35-40 million, which is roughly £29-35 million.

Vanderson has started this 2024/25 season strongly, starting two of Monaco’s three league games, grabbing the assist in their opening day win against Saint-Étienne.

Azam’s rise has also been accompanied by constant talk around his fitness levels and weight

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jun-2021Pakistan’s long, ongoing search for power-hitting options in their middle order has now landed on Quetta Gladiators’ Azam Khan. Pakistan have struggled for firepower in their middle order, in part because the top-order form of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Hafeez has meant those following have had little opportunity but also because the likes of Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah have had lean runs on the international stage.But Azam’s selection for Pakistan’s T20Is in the Caribbean later this summer has not come without criticism. As the son of former Pakistan wicketkeeper and captain as well as Gladiators coach Moin Khan, the usual charges of nepotism have been thrown around. But Azam’s rise over the last couple of years has also been accompanied by constant talk around his fitness levels and weight.Azam’s boundary-hitting ability is what has brought him to national attention – he hits a boundary around every four balls he faces in T20s, and has a strike rate of 157.41. With his Pakistan call-up, he will now be under further scrutiny when the PSL starts on June 9, as much for the runs he scores as the fitness he brings. But, his Gladiators’ team-mate and one of cricket’s fittest athletes, Faf du Plessis was keen to point out that six-packs do not equal guaranteed success.”When it comes to fitness, every guy has a responsibility to try and improve every day,” du Plessis said at a virtual press conference. “That looks different for every single person. For me, at an older age, I don’t stop thinking about how I can improve myself as a cricketer, how I can improve my fitness, how I can improve my body, how I can improve my mind.”The difference between guys who do it for a very short period and guys who do it for longer, it’s just improving, it’s smaller gains right throughout your career. For someone like him [Azam], no, he doesn’t have to look like me to be successful. It would just be small improvements every day. Right now, it might be something like fielding he could focus on, getting quicker to the ball, making sure [the] hands are good, taking all the catches and gradually putting in the work to become a better version of himself, or myself, or someone.”Azam Khan’s selection has been a talking point•PCB/PSLTalk around fitness in Pakistan is especially relevant given the return of Sharjeel Khan to the Pakistan line-up for the recent tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sharjeel’s return to the squad was a point of contention between the team management and chief selector Mohammad Wasim; the former unwilling to compromise on basic fitness standards for those who make it to the national squad, the latter suggesting that, in some cases, skill may allow for less stringency on fitness. Ultimately, a compromise was worked out whereby Sharjeel was assigned a personal trainer on tour and given unofficial targets to meet before selection.What will be important, du Plessis said, was that Azam gives himself the best physical base from which to perform the role he is required to perform.”It’s unfair to compare different people, we’re comparing two different players. He’s a guy who will always come and be a power hitter and hit it a long way. What he will need to work on obviously is how can I make sure I’m fit enough to run between wickets, to get twos and threes for longer periods, when it gets hot out there, or how to make sure I don’t get tired at 20-30, but stay till I get 70, 80, 90. So it looks different for every single guy.”I’m certainly not a believer that every guy has to have a six-pack to be a successful cricketer. You work with what you have. You look at the greats in the game before, there’s been guys long before me and after me and him, who will all look different but had the skillsets to perform.”The immediate task ahead of both du Plessis and Azam will be to turn around Quetta’s poor start to this disrupted season. Five games in, Quetta have a solitary win and sit at the bottom of the table. Given the interruption in the season, however, a total reset is very much possible.”We find ourselves in a position we wouldn’t like to be,” du Plessis said. “Towards the end [earlier in the season] I felt we started playing our best cricket. Also, all of the teams have changed a lot. Even a lot of the teams looking strong at the top of the table would have a lot of changes in their teams because of Covid and the availability of a lot of overseas players. It’s almost like a new tournament and that’s starting on the 9th. Unfortunately we can’t start slow. We have to start in a winning way where we hit the ground running in the first game.”In the first half of the tournament we either batted really well, or we bowled really well. Only in the last game we put it together and put in a complete performance.”

Liverpool are reportedly pushing hard to sign one of the stars of Euro 2024 this summer, leading the Premier League interest in him.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are yet to make a single signing since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager, but things are expected to ramp up in the coming weeks. Marc Guehi has been linked with a summer move to Anfield, but it looks as though Newcastle could snap him up, having tabled an offer for the Crystal Palace centre-back.

Julio Soler has also emerged as an option for Liverpool at left-back, as Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes look to bring in an eventual successor to Andy Robertson, who turned 30 earlier this year. The 19-year-old currently plays for Argentine side Lanus, but has been backed to seal a potential £13m switch to Merseyside.

While Slot may feel that he is well-stocked in midfield, that hasn't stopped Atalanta ace Teun Koopmeiners being mentioned as a target for the Reds, with one update even claiming that a first offer may soon be submitted for the Dutchman. He played a key role in his side's Europa League triumph last season, bagging two assists in the competition, not to mention scoring 12 goals in Serie A.

There could also be outgoing business at Liverpool this summer, with young midfielder Bobby Clark not without suitors. RB Salzburg and Leeds United are among the clubs who are believed to be eyeing him up, but it remains to be seen if a loan move away will be sanctioned.

Liverpool pushing to sign "fantastic" 23-year-old

According to Deportes Cope Valencia [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are in a strong position to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer.

It is claimed that the Reds are pushing the hardest out of Premier League clubs, suggesting they are in pole position, seeing him as a long-term replacement for Alisson. Newcastle were told they would have to pay €35-40m (£30-34m) when they showed interest in the Georgian, so the same will apply to Liverpool.

Mamardashvili looks like a goalkeeper of huge long-term potential, already standing out as a top-level 'keeper, catching the eye so much with his performances for Georgia at Euro 2024, ranking as the best player in the entire competition on Whoscored.

In fact, the 23-year-old made a whopping 30 saves in four matches in Germany earlier this summer, which is the second-most by a player in the tournament's history, highlighting the level of impact he made. It led to Spain defender Nacho heaping praise on him: "Mamardashvili has been proving himself to be a great goalkeeper for years. He is doing very well in La Liga and is having a fantastic Euro. He is an important player for the Georgian national team."

Imagine him & Trent: Liverpool join the race to sign big-money PL star

Could this be the first major signing of the Arne Slot era?

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 5, 2024

While Mamardashvili's quality is there for all to see, retaining Alisson's services still easily takes precedence for Liverpool, with the Brazilian arguably the best 'keeper in the world. That may not change for some time, considering he is still only 31, but if he does suddenly leave then the Valencia ace could be an ideal successor.

Stumps Afghanistan are ten wickets away from squaring the two-Test series against Zimbabwe, having enforced the follow-on in Abu Dhabi after dismissing the opponents for 287 in the first innings for a 258-run lead. On a pitch that’s taking turn but remains good for batting, Zimbabwe openers Kevin Kasuza and Prince Masvaure batted out the 13 overs before close in their second innings to shave 24 runs off the deficit.Rashid Khan and Amir Hamza shared seven wickets between them in Zimbabwe’s first innings and ensured that Zimbabwe were unable to build on a decent start. The opening pair of Kasuza and Masvaure put on 91 then, but Zimbabwe then lost four wickets for 54 runs before Tarisai Musakanda and Sikandar Raza steadied them. Musakanda and Ryan Burl were then dismissed in successive overs and Raza was again needed to do a repair job. He put on 53 with Regis Chakabva, Zimbabwe’s only other half-century stand, and after Chakabva was dismissed, Zimbabwe lost their last four wickets for 45 runs in the hour after tea and had to bat again.Khan, who got four wickets in the first innings, was given the new ball, which he shared with left-arm seamer Sayed Shirzad, who had a significant impact with the old ball in the first innings with two wickets in two balls. It was Shirzad’s double-strike in his first over after lunch that put paid to any thoughts Zimbabwe might have had of batting out the day.Which is what they must have hoped for at the start of the day, with Kasuza and Masvaure unbeaten overnight and the scoreboard showing 50 for no loss. But Kasuza reached for a wide delivery from Khan that he could have left alone to fall for 41, and Masvaure was then bowled by Hamza. Shirzad rushed Sean Williams into a pull, which he could only top-edge to midwicket, and then removed Wesley Madhevere for his second golden duck of the series. Shirzad found Madhevere’s outside edge with a delivery that angled in and left the batsman, who doesn’t have a run in Test cricket so far.Those wickets were a redemption of sorts for Afghanistan’s lone seamer in this match after a poor morning spell. His four overs cost 22 runs and Kasuza plucked boundaries off him with ease, forcing Asghar Afghan to use spin from both ends early on. Offspinner Javed Ahmadi found sharp turn but the breakthrough only came when Khan was introduced and removed Kasuza. Zimbabwe have gone without a century opening stand in almost ten years, since August 2011.Sikandar Raza top-scored for Zimbabwe in their first innings•Abu Dhabi Cricket

Musakanda was around when Masvaure got to his third Test fifty, which came with a quick single that almost led to the batsman being run-out at the non-striker’s end. Musakanda went on to a career-best 41 and was particularly severe on Khan’s short balls, but the legspinner had the last laugh when he trapped Musakanda lbw. In the next over, a Hamza delivery that turned in from the rough clipped Ryan Burl’s leg stump to dismiss him for a duck and leave Zimbabwe on 189 for 6 and staring down the barrel.Raza and Chakabva not only stabilised Zimbabwe but also took the fight to Afghanistan. They would have wanted to see Zimbabwe to the close, but Chakabva was victim to an outstanding catch from Ibrahim Zadran at short leg when he looked to work a Khan delivery to the leg side but sent the ball in the air, Zadran sticking out his left hand and taking the catch low to his right.That left Raza, who was on 43 at the time, to usher the tail and work towards avoiding the follow-on. He reached 50 off 80 balls and then saw Donald Tiripano given out four balls later to a catch at silly point although there did not appear to be any bat involved. Raza played some shots after that, whacking Khan over mid-on for four and Hamza over long-on for six, even as he tried to keep the strike away from Blessing Muzarabani.Afghanistan were on to Zimbabwe’s survival tactics and it was around then that we got a moment that may be talked about long after this Test is done and dusted. Raza hit a shot off the last ball of a Shirzad over, and the ball went towards the point boundary before stopping just short. But Hashmatullah Shahidi, in bending down to pick the ball up, had one foot over the line. The umpires awarded five runs to Zimbabwe allowed Raza to get back on strike as per Rule 19.8.None of that counted for much, though, as Muzarabani was run-out in the next over, and Raza holed out to long-off off the next ball to end Zimbabwe’s first innings.

Misbah-ul-Haq has played down talk of his days as head coach of the Pakistan team being numbered, saying that stakeholders in Pakistan cricket need to avoid “being reactive”. He added that he is hoping that the PCB cricket committee’s summons to him and Waqar Younis is only a discussion to help improve Pakistan cricket and not much more.Misbah has a three-year contract with the PCB but his position – first as chief selector and chief coach and now as only the latter – has come in for scrutiny often in the recent past as losses have piled up for the team, most recently in New Zealand. When the PCB cricket committee meets him on Tuesday, it will be the second review of Misbah’s performance in three months. ESPNcricinfo understands that the review is a routine affair that broadly covers 2020-21 domestic and international season.”There is scrutiny and then there is an analysis of any series, which is how it should be, and I don’t mind it,” Misbah told a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Monday. “But obviously there shouldn’t be any communication gap. We need confidence and continuity with no uncertainty.”Improvement takes time and you can’t be overly reactive with it. We have young players and haven’t got experience in the side and that is why it’s taking some time to get favourable results, and this needs to be understood. I hope this committee isn’t for grilling me, but to help and share what they think needs to be done to get things better for the country.”After Misbah came into the picture, the PCB took several bold decisions, such as removing Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain and dropping him from the team in all three formats. Soon after, Azhar Ali was made the Test captain while Babar Azam was chosen to lead the team in the limited-overs formats. However, after the England series last year, Ali was stripped off the captaincy and Azam made captain in all formats.But with the results not being as good as expected, Misbah’s stocks appear to have taken a hit.”There is always pressure on me being in this post, on the team, or the position in which Waqar is,” Misbah said. “We are indeed disappointed about these results [Pakistan lost the Tests 2-0 and T20Is 2-1 in New Zealand most recently] because this is not on. This is not the result we anticipated. Nobody needs to tell us, we know we need to improve as a team, we know we need to improve as a coaching team to get good results.”But, at the same time, no sportsman in the world can be locked in a room for 19 days and then with just a week of preparation expected to beat a world-class team and that too in their own conditions.”I have no doubt about the commitment of my players. They are giving their best and there are performances we can take forward, but overall it’s not reflecting on the end result and that is where everyone is focusing. There are performances in phases and there were some great fightbacks we saw on the New Zealand tour. I know we are improving and when you judge the series, it doesn’t always give you a true picture.”Prior to the tour of New Zealand, the contingent spent three days in Lahore, got on a flight to Auckland, and then spent 14 days in strict quarantine in Queenstown. The team effectively got six days of training before the first game. Before that, the Pakistani players were in a bio-bubble in England, as well as at home during the final leg of the PSL, the Zimbabwe series, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and the National T20s.”Bio-bubbles are affecting players mentally and physically and this isn’t just an excuse but a fact everyone is talking about,” Misbah said. “Moving from one bubble to another and maintaining the quality of cricket and player fitness is becoming a worry. If you look around in the cricket world, coaches like Mark Boucher, Mickey Arthur, Ravi Shastri, they are all facing the same problem.”The preparatory camps aren’t serving the way they used to, and that it affecting the fitness of players. All of this is adding up and eventually reflecting on our performance. We have to find a way out to counter this situation.”

The summer transfer window officially opened for business last month and Leeds United have made three additions to Daniel Farke's squad so far.

Joe Rodon was the first arrival ahead of the 2024/25 campaign after his permanent move from Tottenham Hotspur, having spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Elland Road.

Goalkeeper Alex Cairns then joined to provide an experienced back-up option between the sticks, shortly before Joe Rothwell was signed on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth.

The Whites do not look to be done there, though, as they are reportedly interested in signing a right-back from one of their Championship rivals.

Leeds United's interest in £7m star

According to the printed edition of The Sun (page 59, 14/07), as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, the West Yorkshire outfit are keen on a deal for Sheffield United defender Jayden Bogle.

The report claimed that Farke's side want to bring the former England U21 international to Elland Road to bolster their full-back options, which comes after Archie Gray completed a transfer to Spurs and Connor Roberts returned to Burnley at the end of his loan spell.

However, The Sun added that the Blades, who were relegated from the Premier League earlier this year, want a staggering £7m for the player, despite him being in the final 12 months of his contract.

It revealed that Leeds disagree with that valuation and are not prepared to meet their demands as it stands, which means that the two clubs will have to reach a compromise to make a move happen.

If the Whites can negotiate a better deal for the right-back, who has been described as "outstanding" by manager Chris Wilder, before the end of the window then Farke could land a dream partner for Dan James down the flank.

Why Jayden Bogle would be a dream for Dan James

The £20k-per-week star could be an excellent addition to play behind the Welsh speedster as he has the defensive qualities to be a solid operator, allowing the winger to bomb on as much as possible.

Over the last 365 days, Bogle ranks within the top 11% of full-backs in the Men's Top 5 Leagues and European competition for aerials won per 90 (1.61) and clearances per 90 (3.13). He also ranks within the top 39% or higher for tackles (2.13), interceptions (1.03), and blocks (1.36) per 90.

These statistics suggest that he is a very active defender who constantly looks to step in to cut out opposition attacks, which could lead to more counter-attacks for James to then show off his pace on the break.

Appearances

40

37

Goals

2

1

Assists

8

5

Big chances created

4

4

Dribbles completed per game

1.3

1.7

As you can see in the table above, Bogle previously caught the eye with his offensive contributions for Derby County before his move to Sheffield United.

Farke could also look to bring that back to his game, after just one assist in the last two seasons for the Blades, to make him an overlapping threat, which would attract attention from defenders and possibly free up more space for James.

The Wales international, who produced 13 goals and seven assists in 40 Championship games last season, could then thrive at the top end of the pitch with the secure, and possibly exciting, presence of Bogle behind him on the flank.

Farke could forget about Gnonto with Leeds swoop for "ridiculous" star

The Whites were linked with a potential swoop for the winger earlier this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 10, 2024

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich believes his team-mate Florian Wirtz is better than Bayern Munich sensation Jamal Musiala.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Andrich believes Wirtz is better than Musiala
• Has played with the duo for German NT
• Wirtz and Musiala among the world's best youngsters

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala might not have even turned 22 yet, but they are not just wonderkids anymore. They are among the best 'young' players in the world, have been lighting up Bundesliga and Europe, and are the beacon of hope for the upcoming generation of Germany.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The amount of talent and quality these two possess will make it extremely hard for anyone to make a verdict on who's better.

  Musiala has been among Bayern Munich's best players since breaking into the first team in 2020. Wirtz, on the other hand, has been near unstoppable at Bayer Leverkusen, propelling the Xabi Alonso-caoched side to the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles last season, not to forget a heartbreaking runners-up finish in the Europa League.

  However, German holding midfielder Robert Andrich has already given his stance on who he believes to be the better player.

• WHAT ROBERT ANDRICH SAID

  "For me, Flo is better than Jamal. For me, it's just brutal how he embodies so much of a winning mentality at his age and also makes so many meters for the team when the ball is not in play, putting his stamp on every team," Andrich opined in an interview with BILD last Sunday.

  "Everyone knows what quality Flo has, the best player I've played with. Incredibly consistent at his age, his mentality is not normal. We'll see whether he'll take the next step in the summer, but it will come at some point, that's for sure."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JAMAL MUSIALA AND FLORIAN WIRTZ?

  Musiala will be eager to help his side maintain their unbeaten domestic run when they host in-form Union Berlin on Saturday, November 2.

  Meanwhile, Wirtz will feature in Leverkusen's home outing against Stuttgart on Friday night, with Alonso and Co. keen to cut the lead at the top of the table.