“It’s possible that if we try to reduce his rate of scoring, the chances of him making a mistake are higher”
Andrew Fidel Fernando28-Apr-2021Try to get him lbw early. Try to get him out with offspin. And if none of that works, dry up the runs.This, according to captain Dimuth Karunaratne, is Sri Lanka’s plan to dismiss Tamim Iqbal – Bangladesh’s top scorer in the first Test. Although he didn’t score a century, Iqbal’s 90 off 101 helped set Bangladesh on track for their mammoth total, before his 74 not out off 98 in the second dig crushed any hope of a Sri Lanka victory, after the hosts had claimed two quick wickets.Related
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Tamim seeks balance between caution and aggression
Iqbal, in general, has been effective in Sri Lanka. On the last tour, his 82 off 125 balls had seen Bangladesh chase down a tricky target in Colombo, leading to their only Test win over Sri Lanka.”We might have both Dhananjaya de Silva and Ramesh Mendis in the team, so we’d have two offspinners, and in the last few series Tamim hasn’t played offspinners that well,” Karunaratne said ahead of the second Test. “The first five or ten overs, Suranga Lakmal also has a good chance of getting him out. The way Tamim plays, there are lbw opportunities. So we’ve got plans like that. If that doesn’t work, we’ll try to get him into a defensive mode.”In addition to averaging 62.85 in Sri Lanka, Iqbal also has an excellent strike rate of 62.14 on the island. Sri Lanka believe tamping down his scoring rate may mean a lower average too.”Tamim scores quickly and really tries to unsettle the bowlers and put them under pressure. It’s possible that if we try to reduce his rate of scoring, the chances of him making a mistake are higher. In the first Test we tried very hard to get him out, and what happened was that we leaked a lot of runs. In this match we’re planning to close up his big scoring areas and get him to play more defensively. When he attacks more, we do give away a lot of runs, and it’s hard for us to recover.”In the absence of Lasith Embuldeniya (who is injured) and Dilruwan Perera (who failed to meet fitness requirements), however, Sri Lanka’s spin attack does not have substantial menace on paper. Karunaratne hopes his attack is nevertheless capable of taking 20 wickets.”These are the resources that I’ve got as captain. In the past we had Rangana Herath, and also Dilruwan Perera. You can’t expect the same performance you expect from a Herath from a spinner who’s only played a few matches. I think they’ll show what their got, though. As a captain I’m trying to figure out how to get them to perform. What Herath and Dilruwan Perera did – we can’t expect that. But if they can do 70% or 80% of that, that’ll be great. It’ll take the spinners some time.”
Paul Pogba was all smiles at his wife Zulay’s birthday bash, with the World Cup winner now a free agent after seeing his Juventus contract terminated.
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World Cup winner released by Serie A giants
Free to resume career after ban in March 2025
Enjoying spending time with his family for now
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GOAL
WHAT HAPPENED?
The former Manchester United midfielder finds himself without a club after being released by the Serie A giants in Turin. That decision has been taken as Pogba continues to serve a worldwide football ban on the back of failing a doping test in September 2023.
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THE GOSSIP
Pogba was initially suspended for four years, but has seen that sanction reduced to 18 months on appeal, meaning that he will be free to resume his professional career in March 2025. It remains to be seen who the France international will be representing the next time that he takes to the field.
WHAT ZULAY SAID
For now, Pogba is enjoying spending time with his family. He has taken in relaxing breaks with his partner, while also helping her to celebrate turning 31. He was among the guests at a lavish party which saw Zulay post on Instagram: “Welcome my 31!!! Feeling so thankful and blessed for everyone and everything. Thank to my baby for making all this happen @paulpogba”
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WHAT NEXT?
Pogba is being linked with clubs across the world as he begins to mull over his next move. There has been talk of him joining the likes of Lionel Messi and Olivier Giroud in MLS, while another stint in the Premier League or potential return to his roots in France are both being speculated.
علق أيمن أشرف، لاعب النادي الأهلي السابق، على الهزيمة التي نالها الفريق في مباراة أمس أمام أورلاندو، بهدفين مقابل هدف، في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
والتقى الأهلي مع أورلاندو على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في الجولة السادسة والأخيرة من مرحلة المجموعات لدوري الأبطال.
وقال أيمن أشرف في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أرى أن الأهلي لم يكن في حالته المعتادة اليوم، لكن توجد أسباب للخسارة منها الإجهاد والغيابات بسبب الإصابات، والمدير الفني يتحمل مسؤولية الهزيمة اليوم”.
وأردف: “لأنه لا يجب أن يكون المدرب وقت الفوز في الواجهة، ووقت الخسارة يرمي على شماعات ويرمي على اللاعبين ويتحدث عن عدم وجود الصفقات، هذه مشكلة كبيرة، لأن هذه الأمور داخلية واعتدنا على ذلك في الأهلي، لكن تصريحاته اليوم عقب اللقاء لم تعجبني”.
طالع أيضاً.. وليد صلاح الدين: كولر يحرج إدارة الأهلي.. وهناك عدم تواصل بخصوص الصفقات
وتابع: “ممكن مستوى الفريق يهبط بسبب الإجهاد، وهناك غياب لـ 4 محترفين، لكن المفترض إن المدير الفني يُجهز باقي اللاعبين نفسيًا ويُحفزهم قبل المباريات، لكن واضح إن المدرب لم يعمل بشكل جيد معهم قبل اللقاء”.
وأضاف: “الإدارة تعاقدت مع صفقات في بداية الموسم، ولا يُجب أن نحملهم المسؤولية كلها، لكن المدير الفني دوره أن يُجهز اللاعبين المتواجدين، ولا يكونون بعدين عن الأساسيين، لكي يؤدي بشكل جيد عندما تتاح لهم الفرصة”.
وواصل: “المدرب في مباريات كثيرة وهو متقدم بثلاثة أهداف أو أربعة، لا يدفع باللاعبين إلا بعد الدقيقة 80، لماذا لا يمنحهم فرصة في وقت مُبكر من المباراة ليدخلوا في رتم اللقاء”.
وأفاد: “كولر عندما يخسر أو يتعادل يُعلق شماعات، مع إن هناك إجهاد للاعبين بسبب تلاحم المباريات”.
وأوضح: “الأهلي في حالات أصعب من ذلك فاز بدوري الأبطال، أتذكر 2012 الأهلي حصل على اللقب بـ 13 لاعبا، الأهلي يجيد التعامل مع المواقف الصعبة، وقادر باللاعبين أصحاب الخبرات أن يفعل شيئًا هذا الموسم”.
وأشاد: “محمد عبد المنعم لاعب كبير وإمكانياته رائعة، لكن أرى إن ولا لاعب رحل عن الأهلي وأحدث تأثيرًا، وارد يحدث تأثير لفترة قصيرة ثم يختفي، وأرى أن اللاعبين الحاليين جيدين في هذا المركز”.
وأكد: “الأهلي لا يحتاج إلى صفقات كثيرة، فقط مهاجم بجانب وسام أبو علي وكهربا ولاعب من الناشئين، ولاعب مدافع، هذان أهم مركزين يحتاجهما الفريق”.
ما رأيك في العش ومحمد ربيعة وما تردد عن انضمامهما للأهلي؟ أجاب: “الثنائي جيد جدًا، لكن لا أستطيع أن أقول أنهما سيتحملان دفاع الأهلي، لا بد أن يخوضا التجربة أولًا ونرى هل سيتحملان الضغوط ومباريات الأهلي المتلاحمة”.
هل الشناوي ظُلم من الجماهير؟ أتم: “أرى أن الناس كانوا قاسيين عليه، الشناوي تحمل المسؤولية كثيرًا، وأي لاعب وارد أن يُخطئ، مصطفى شوبير حارس جيد جدًا، لكن الشناوي حارس له تاريخ يشفع له لو أخطأ”.
The Australian was part of the ICC Elite Panel since 2012
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2021Bruce Oxenford, 60, has decided to retire from all formats of the game, thereby bringing an end to a 15-year international umpiring career.The last of his 62 Tests was the recently-concluded Australia vs India match in Brisbane. He will, however, continue to officiate in domestic fixtures in Australia.Oxenford, who was inducted into the ICC’s International Panel of umpires in 2007-08, was promoted to the Elite Panel in 2012. He pioneered the use of the arm shield as protective gear for umpires in international cricket.”I had a wonderful time as a match official and will miss the camaraderie that comes with being a part of such a professional group,” he said in a statement. “I shall particularly miss seeing and interacting with the magnificent people who are part of the support structure of our game around the world.”Oxenford is one of six Australians, after Daryl Harper, Darelll Hair, Simon Taufel, Rod Tucker and Steve Davies, to stand in at least 50 Tests. Overall, only 16 umpires have officiated in 50 or more Tests. He stood in three 50-over men’s World Cups and three T20 World Cups, apart from officiating in two global women’s tournaments.”I look back with pride at my international career as an umpire,” he said. “It is still hard to believe that I officiated in close to 200 international matches. Such a long career was not really something that I had hoped for before commencing on this journey.”Most importantly, I want to thank my wife Jo, son James and daughter Kristen for all their love and support over the years. It would not have been possible for me to have such a long career without their sacrifices and for this I am eternally grateful.”During his playing days, he featured in eight first-class matches for Queensland as a lower-order batsman and legspinner.
Donovan Miller and Graeme Welch also in the running following departure of Jim Troughton
George Dobell26-Nov-2020Mark Ramprakash has emerged as a strong contender for the role of Warwickshire head coach.ESPNcricinfo understands that Ramprakash, the former England batsman, has been shortlisted for interview. Other shortlisted candidates include – but are not limited to – Donovan Miller and Graeme Welch.After a couple of years as batting coach at Middlesex, Ramprakash enjoyed several years as England’s batting coach. Having turned down an approach from Sri Lanka, he is currently coaching at Harrow School.Miller has an outstanding record as a coach in T20 franchise cricket. As a head or assistant coach, he has overseen victories in the CPL, PSL GT20 (Canada) and Mzansi Super League (South Africa), while he was also part of the England coaching team when they won the World Cup in 2019 and at Essex when they won the County Championship in 2017.Welch, a former Warwickshire player, has earned an excellent reputation as a bowling coach – a role he currently holds at the club – and has had several stints as a consultant with the England squad. He has previously had a short spell as head coach at Derbyshire, whom he also captained in his playing days.David Saker, the former England bowling coach, was an early frontrunner for the job having been sounded out over his interest by Warwickshire’s director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, several months ago. Saker has now told ESPNcricinfo that he “has a job with Sri Lanka [he is bowling coach] so is not really interested” in the Warwickshire role.Ottis Gibson, currently the bowling coach with Bangladesh, also denied to ESPNcricinfo he had been offered an interview though he is thought to remain a strong candidate.Second interviews are scheduled to take place in the week starting December 14 with an appointment expected before Christmas.Warwickshire are seeking a replacement for Jim Troughton who was sacked at the end of a disappointing season. It is understood Warwickshire were obliged to pay Troughton, who has been connected with the club as a player or coach for the best part of 30 years, a six-figure sum in compensation.
Much has been made about how many new players Glasgow Rangers need to sign during the summer transfer window in order to challenge for the Premiership title next season.
Philippe Clement has already made a solid start, luring the likes of Jefte, Connor Barron and Oscar Cortes to the Ibrox side, but it is clear more quality is needed.
The Belgian must be ready to sell some of his most sellable assets in the next few weeks in order to raise the necessary funds to help complete his summer rebuild.
There has been some interest in James Tavernier and Connor Goldson recently, while Sam Lammers has attracted attention following his loan spell at FC Utrecht.
Tavernier's situation, in particular, is an interesting one given he is the captain, and a reported move to the riches of Saudi Arabia potentially awaits.
James Tavernier for Rangers.
The next player to be linked with a move away from Rangers is centre-forward Cyriel Dessers. Could Clement cash in on a player who divided opinion during his maiden season in Scotland?
The latest on Cyriel Dessers' future at Rangers
The Nigerian striker signed for the Gers last summer, with Michael Beale splashing out €5m (£4m) up front for the player in a bid to improve his attacking department.
Cyriel Dessers
It was a questionable signing, not only because Dessers would be 29 midway through last season, but also because of the fact he had managed to score just six league goals the season prior, albeit they were in Serie A.
Fast-forward 12 months, and it is clear the striker hasn’t convinced the Ibrox faithful that he is the one to lead the line ahead of next season. Yes, 22 goals in all competitions is a decent record, but Dessers missed more chances than he converted, often having three or four shots on goal before he scored.
Now, according to Greek outlet Nova Sports (via the Daily Record), Dessers is closing in on a summer move to champions PAOK.
The report adds that talks are advancing between the player and club as it looks like the 29-year-old is keen on leaving Ibrox for the next stage in his career.
If Clement can recoup the majority of the fee that was spent on him in 2023, then it would represent a smart piece of business, allowing him to use these funds to sign his own targets.
Cyriel Dessers’ season in numbers
Dessers did score a decent number of goals during his first season at the club. His attitude was also excellent, chasing down every ball and giving everything to the cause whenever he was on the field.
The main criticisms lay in just how poor his finishing skills were. For example, across 35 Premiership matches last term, he missed 27 big chances, a staggering amount.
This meant his goal conversion rate was only at 16%, yet another poor stat. Just how well Rangers could have done had they been able to call on a striker who was far more clinical in the final third?
His all-round game was solid enough, creating eight big chances for his teammates while also averaging 1.4 key passes per game, but the Ibrox faithful expect their number nine to be hitting at least 30 goals a season.
Unfortunately, Dessers wasn’t that type of player, and it now looks like he will be moving on sooner rather than later.
Connor Goldson
£37k-per-week
James Tavernier
£30k-per-week
Ben Davies
£27k-per-week
Cyriel Dessers
£27k-per-week
Danilo
£26k-per-week
The former Feyenoord hitman is currently earning £27k-per-week and moving on this high wage will give Clement some added flexibility in the transfer market.
He was the second most expensive arrival last summer after Danilo, while Dessers is even valued at more than double that of one of the brightest talents at the club – Todd Cantwell.
How much Todd Cantwell cost Rangers
Despite the flak that Beale got for his dreadful ten-month stint in charge of the Light Blues, he made a few decent signings in the transfer market, none more so than Cantwell.
The former Norwich City talisman made a move north to Glasgow in January 2023 following a difficult six-month spell at the East Anglian club – failing to score in 20 matches – as he cost Beale just £1.5m.
Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell.
He enjoyed a wonderful start to life in Glasgow, registering 11 goal contributions in his first six months, although last season proved to be slightly trickier.
On his day, Cantwell can be a devastating force in the final third. The key thing for Clement now is to ensure the 26-year-old performs well in every match.
Todd Cantwell’s statistics last season
Throughout 2023/24, Cantwell scored eight goals and registered seven assists, which was more than the previous season.
These numbers could have been much higher if he hadn’t missed a host of games due to a series of injury problems, plus Clement often deployed him on the right wing during the embryonic stages of his reign.
Among his teammates in the top flight last term, Cantwell ranked second for overall Sofascore rating (7.38), fourth for goals and assists (12), third for big chances created (seven) and fourth for key passes per game (1.7), which shows just how effective he was in the opposition third.
The attacking midfielder has the chance to work on these figures and make them much better next season, especially considering he is entering his peak years as a footballer.
Much will depend on whether Clement is confident of the Englishman becoming his focal point in the number ten role, as he endured a few poor performances last term.
Todd Cantwell
If he hits the ground running, the £1.5m investment in signing the former Norwich gem could be seen as a wonderful bargain by the Gers.
Clement will certainly be looking to avoid the mistakes of his predecessors of spending lavish sums of money on players who don’t have much resale value.
Dessers is a perfect example. While he may be in his prime, the striker turns 30 in December, which means he is closer to the end of his career rather than the beginning. If the Belgian can receive even half of the £4m that was spent on him last year, he will be doing well.
Cantwell, on the other hand, should be staying right where he is. The former Norwich man is still key to the club's plans moving forward.
Scotland would still be at the Euros if 14-cap Rangers target started
Scotland suffered yet another case of glorious failure in a major international tournament.
O goleiro do Fortaleza, Marcelo Boeck, falou sobre a importância do elenco ter intensidade máxima nas próximas partidas da temporada. Segundo o arqueiro, a meta do grupo é fazer uma boa sequência neste ano de 2021.
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– Estamos trabalhando para que o grupo possa continuar evoluindo. É importante manter essa intensidade que estamos tendo ao longo dos jogos. Isso vai fazer a diferença lá na frente. O elenco sabe do seu potencial – disse.
Para o arqueiro, sua fase tem sido especial na temporada.
– Minha fase tem sido muito especial. Tenho que agradecer à comissão técnica, aos jogadores e ao torcedor por isso. Todos têm muita importância neste meu crescimento em campo – completou o arqueiro do Fortaleza
Among recent cricketers to have received this honour are Yasir Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Aug-2020The late Abdul Qadir has been conferred the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the third-highest civilian award in Pakistan, by president Arif Alvi on August 14, the country’s Independence Day.Qadir, who died last year, is often credited as the one who revived the art of legspin in the 1970s and 1980s. During his career, he took 236 wickets in 67 Tests and 132 in 104 ODIs. After his retirement, Qadir ran a private cricket academy just outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He was also Pakistan’s chief selector for a period of six months in 2008-09.Sitara-e-Imtiaz is awarded to those individuals who have made a meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of Pakistan, world peace, cultural or other significant public endeavours. Among recent cricketers to have received this honour are Yasir Shah (2019) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (2018).
Football FanCast brings you the latest Wrexham transfer round-up.
Wrexham have been completely transformed under the ownership of Rob McElhenney & Ryan Reynolds, with promotion to League One confirmed last week.
However, attention will soon turn to the summer transfer window, which is now just over a couple of months away, with the opportunity to strengthen ahead of what will hopefully be a push for the Championship next season.
With that being said, we have taken a look at everything transfer-related involving Wrexham.
Wrexham in League One: Latest standings, fixtures, results & key dates
FFC has all the latest Wrexham info as they seek promotion from League One, along with a look at the Red Dragons’ journey to where they are today.
ByStephan Georgiou Oct 8, 2024 Latest Wrexham transfer news and rumours
According to TEAMtalk, Wrexham are interested in signing Loughgall youngster Benji Magee in the summer transfer window.
However, Wrexham aren't the only side interested, as the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Oxford United and Scottish Premiership side Hibernian have kept an eye on the forward this season, who has bagged 21 goals across all competitions for the NIFL Premiership side.
Wrexham 2023/24 transfers
This past season has seen Wrexham bring in nine players over the course of two transfer windows, which were a mixture of big purchases, free transfers and loan deals.
It's safe to say that the recruitment has been top-tier for the Welsh club, as the vast majority of players on this list have played big parts already, and will hopefully continue to do so in the third tier next term.
Wrexham 2023/24 sales
Wrexham waved goodbye to a whole host of players over the last two transfer windows, with plenty of younger players going out on loan, as well as a high-profile departure in the form of Ben Foster.