After the bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 115, Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani helped knock the target off easily

Mohammad Isam05-Mar-2022Afghanistan roared back with an eight-wicket win to leave Bangladesh with the T20I series leveled. After Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai kept the home side down to 115, Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani helped them home inside the 18th over of the chase.Zazai struck his third T20I fifty and ended unbeaten on 59, but both batters took advantage of Bangladesh’s poor catching. Nasum Ahmed, who took four wickets in the first game, dropped Zazai’s skier in the first over itself off his own bowling when the batter hadn’t even opened his account. Afif Hossain and Mohammad Naim then dropped Ghani twice at deep midwicket – on 39 and 41, respectively – off Mahedi Hasan, before Ghani eventually fell for 47.Earlier, Afghanistan didn’t allow Bangladesh off the hook with the ball. Farooqi and Omarzai, young fast bowlers who have impressed on this Bangladesh tour, took three wickets each. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan also took one apiece, as Afghanistan never let the home side to get close to even the seven-run-an-over mark throughout the innings.Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 30 in his 100th T20I, as Bangladesh failed to replicate how they had batted in the first game.Farooqi, Omarzai all over Bangladesh
Omarzai removed the in-form Litton Das in the fifth over of the Bangladesh innings when the batter chipped one to deep square leg, where Sharafuddin Ashraf took a pretty good catch. And after Karim Janat’s direct hit caught an unsuspecting Mohammad Naim short in the ninth over, Omarzai also removed Shakib when he top-edged a pull.Captain Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur added 43 for the fifth wicket, but they couldn’t take the hosts out of trouble. Rashid sent in a straighter delivery with the arm, trapping Mahmudullah lbw for 21. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur was Farooqi’s first wicket, as his attempted loft over cover took the bat splice, resulting in Mohammad Nabi taking an easy catch.Fazalhaq Farooqi got two wickets with a yorker•AFP/Getty Images

Two balls later, Farooqi yorked Mahedi Hasan, reducing Bangladesh to 99 for 7 in the 17th over. Omarzai then had Afif caught at short fine leg, although there was a question about the height of the full toss. Soon after, Farooqi removed Shoriful to take his third with another yorker as Bangladesh finished on a meagre 115.Gurbaz’s angry few minutes
There was steam coming out of Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s ears when the umpire adjudged him lbw in the second over. As soon as the finger was raised, Gurbaz punched his bat while aggressively signaling for the review. And while he had a few words to say under the breath, the decision was then overturned by the third umpire.But a couple of balls later, when Mahedi had him caught at cover, Gurbaz threw his bat on the ground as it rolled over before settling in the covers. And after he picked it up, he still seemed to be fuming as he took off his helmet while walking back.Zazai in his elements
It took him a little while to get going, but Zazai smacked the ball well on Saturday. He struck Shakib for consecutive sixes down the ground, to go with his straight four off Shoriful Islam, apart from the fours he hit through point and fine leg. Zazai later struck Shakib for another two sixes in the 15th over – one hit flat towards his own dugout, and the other slightly to its left, and into the grand stand.Ghani struck the ball well too, playing Zazai’s perfect foil. He struck five fours and a six through midwicket, but also ran hard to keep the scorecard ticking over.

Hollywood star Vin Diesel, Michael Douglas and Spike Lee were present to watch Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr play against Al-Ittihad.

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• Hollywood stars visit Al-Ittihad's Al-Nassr clash
• Diesel, Douglas and Lee at the major clash
• Al-Ittihad beat Ronaldo's Al-Nassr

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Al-Nassr made the trip to King Abdullah Sport City for their top-of-the-table clash against Al-Ittihad as Ronaldo's side looked to cut down the hosts' lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings. Present at the all-star clash to watch the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in action were Hollywood stars Diesel, Douglas and Lee.

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• THE GOSSIP

  The Hollywood trio made their way to Saudi Arabia earlier this week for the fourth edition of the famed Red Sea International Film Festival which boasted a mix of world premieres and acclaimed international films. The Features Competition will present 16 movies highlighting works from filmmakers across the Arab region, Asia, and Africa. Winners will be selected by a jury, led by Lee, awarding the Yusr Awards.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Similar to Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, the Red Sea International Film Festival is funded by the Public Investment Fund as it aims to play a vital role in promoting regional filmmakers and fostering global connections.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad sealed all three points as they beat Ronaldo's side 2-1, moving them 11 points clear of Al-Nassr. Ex-Real Madrid stars Benzema and Ronaldo will enjoy a winter break before the league resumes in January.

A few thoughts and observations on Pakistan’s much elongated Hour of Need

Andy Zaltzman25-Feb-2013Hello Confectionery Stallers. I have been tied up for the last few weeks attempting to entertain the masses at the Edinburgh Fringe festival (if you will excuse a numerically inappropriate use of the word “masses”), and latterly with unexpected family commitments, and to be honest I could not have chosen a better time in which to be almost fully distracted from cricket.Cricket has itself been fully distracted from cricket, buffeted about in an inevitable typhoon of outrage and sanctimony, as the latest unfolding gambling farrago batters the sport like a cheap sausage, all amidst the queasily sinking suspicion that this particular has not quite finished ramming into what may be a distressingly large iceberg.Here are the official Confectionery Stall thoughts on the most cricketingly depressing story of recent years.1. It was slightly odd to see ECB chairman Giles Clarke being so affronted by Mohammad Amir that he simply could not bring himself to look at the bowler when presenting him with the Man Of The Series Award after the Lord’s Test-match-cum-debacle. Whilst all cricket fans are, without doubt, disgusted by the alleged spot-fixing, and saddened that it should have involved the most exciting young player in the game, it should be remembered that Clarke himself has not proved immune to the allure of taking easy money from dubious sources.Just two years ago Clarke and the ECB prostituted the England cricket team to Texan billionaire and current resident of the Federal Detention Centre, Houston, USA, Allen Stanford, who pitched up at Lord’s in a fake helicopter with 20 fake million dollars in mostly fake dollars bills.Merely hearing the words “Texan tycoon” and “cricket” in the same sentence should have set alarm bells twanging. The helicopter and Perspex-coated wodge of cash should have made them go off like a hungry-monkey enclosure at a slightly delayed feeding time. But the ECB willingly bent over and pimped out the national cricket team to such an extent that they might as well have made them all go out to bat up in fishnet stockings and push-up bras, whilst a threatening-looking gangster stood by the scorebox taking 90% of their runs away and counting them for himself.Months later, after one toe-curlingly awkward and flirtatious cricket match, Stanford was accused by no less an authority than the United States Securities and Exchange Commission of one of the biggest frauds in human history, and the ECB emerged from the whole humiliating episode with egg not just on its face but stuck in its hair, caked all over its once-woolly jumper, and dribbling apologetically down its cash-stained trousers, a walking omelette of a sporting organisation.For Clarke, the man who sold his nation’s cricket team to be a tycoon’s plaything, to refuse to shake hands with someone accused of accepting cash from someone dodgy for doing something he patently should not be doing, perhaps shows the lack of self-awareness required to be a successful businessman and sports administrator.Clarke is not alone. One cursory glance at the ICC international schedule reveals that organisation’s pathological inability to say “No, thanks” to money, its steadfast refusal to protect the soul of cricket from commercial interference.None of this is intended to justify the alleged actions of the accused players, but to highlight the fact that few at the highest level in cricket have shown much ability, willingness or effort to spurn the attractions of money and place the integrity and welfare of the game ahead of financial acquisitiveness.2. Nevertheless Clarke deserves credit for calling for a proper, communal effort to aid Pakistani cricket in its seemingly endless Hour Of Need, an hour which has now stretched some way beyond the standard 60 minutes, and which, for various reasons, shows no signs of being interested in taking a breather and being at least temporarily replaced with an Hour Of Stability, or a Few Minutes Of Hope, or even a Quick Tea-And-Biscuit Break of Normality.As they have proved again this summer, Pakistan’s cricket team is generally the most fascinating, irritating, compelling and frustrating in world cricket. Their bowlers, in particular Amir and Mohammad Asif, have regularly made budget porcelain mugs of both England and Australia’s batting line-ups, whilst their batsmen have made a strong, prolonged and resolutely determined statistical case for being the most inept to have visited England in more than 50 years.Cricket needs Pakistan, and whilst it is true that Pakistan cricket has not traditionally been the most reliable friend to itself, the world of cricket must set aside its various vested interests and strive to ensure that Pakistan cricket remains alive in the international arena.3. Human history shows that, in general:

• many humans throughout history have found easy money far more attractive than hard money (for examples, see, for example, the recent history and current state of the global economy, the MPs’ expenses scandal in Britain, the existence of the Cayman Islands, the IPL);
• financial inequality leads to wrongdoing (it must be much easier to spurn the offer of a few thousand pounds if you are already earning a few hundred thousand);
• where gambling is legal, legal gambling thrives; where gambling is illegal, illegal gambling thrives; where illegal gambling thrives, people become aggressively naughty; people like gambling (witness the popularity of religion – what greater punt can there be in life than betting for or against an afterlife?);
• teenagers thrust rapidly into the public spotlight frequently balls things up; and
• when a British tabloid newspaper starts taking the moral high ground, you know things have gone very, very badly wrong.

4. The ICC has, evidently, not adequately decapitated the particularly snakey Medusa of cricket corruption. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, has, however, stated unequivocally: “We will not tolerate corruption in this great game.”It is reassuring to know that there is at least one thing in the universe that the ICC will not tolerate. Amongst the things it will tolerate are:

• the potentially terminal decline of cricket in some once-great Test playing nations;
• the premature elevation to Test status of nations due to political and commercial vested interests;
• large amounts of money from TV companies in return for artificially and soullessly elongating one-day tournaments;
• shamelessly pricing local cricket fans out of attending said tournaments, leading to embarrassingly sparse attendance at showpiece events;
• international schedules, pitches and regulations designed to break bowlers;
• infantilically draconian restrictions on what paying spectators are allowed to wear or consume inside cricket grounds;
• being held to ransom by various other organisations with three- or four-letter acronyms;
• needlessly snoozy over-rates;
• umpires leading players off for bad light whenever they get a bit peckish;
• idiotic implementation of an untested and patently-unready TV umpiring system;
• Daryl Harper being allowed control of said system;
• sundry other bloopers.

Still, it is nice to know that the ICC will draw the line somewhere. And that line is at corruption (of the on-the-field variety, at least).5. Amir, if found guilty, deserves another chance. Who knows what pressures he was under and from whom? If he was being urged by some or all of his captain, team-mates, his agent, gambling gangsters, the Pope, and/or the FBI to bowl no-balls and he caved in to those demands, with minimal impact on the game, whilst simultaneously obliterating England’s batting in one of the finest displays of bowling seen at Lord’s in years, is that surprising? His brilliance with the ball and determination with the bat were not indicative of a man unconcerned by the performance of his team.If and when the full story emerges, it may be that Amir is seen to be a naive pawn in a game beyond his control. It may emerge that he was a fully willing participant. Either way he deserves both an appropriate period of punishment and a second opportunity. And it will help, if and when he is afforded that second chance, if the PCB does more to prevent the tentacles of temptation winding their way into the dressing room. Its tactic of sticking its fingers in its ears and singing 1980s rock ballads at the top of its voice does not seem to have worked.6. Spot-fixing is a curious beast. The fraud of the kind and scale that seems to have taken place at Lord’s has far less influence on the game than, for example, the widening gulf in finance and facilities between different Test-playing nations, batsmen not walking, incompetent umpiring, or poor pitches. As Amir’s performances have shown, it is possible to be fully committed to helping your team win and to break cardinal rules of sporting fairness and honesty at the same time.If spot-fixing ever migrates into stand-up comedy, I and my fellow comedians will be permanently under the spotlight. Was that joke about the International Monetary Fund simply not funny or did I deliberately flunk the punchline? It would be almost impossible to tell. I have had gigs during my career in which audiences seemed to think I had purposefully tanked every single joke in my set.7. Until scientists stop piddling around trying to find out why dogs bark at cats, and what happens if you feed nothing but pastrami and gherkin bagels to a laboratory orangutan, and instead focus on developing a cure for people with an unquenchable urge to bet on when no-balls are bowled in cricket matches, these controversies will continue to occur.Meanwhile, in the cricket, England are playing well in a series of training matches.

Chelsea are starting to take shape under Enzo Maresca's tactical guidance, with the ongoing saga surrounding Conor Gallagher's future at Stamford Bridge an indication of where the club is headed.

Of course, Maresca's ball-playing identity was known from the start, with Harry Winks praising the Italian's "incredible" philosophy last season at Leicester City, saying "it’s all about building through the lines and controlling the game.”

Effectively, Gallagher is being pushed toward signing for Atletico Madrid after being told that he won't be a regular starter given stylistic differences.

The Blues are going to aim to sign several more players before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month, and they are going to be tailored to the exciting new set-up.

Chelsea transfer news

According to Calcio Mercato over in Italy, Juventus are continuing to push versatile forward Federico Chiesa to the exit, with the Italian entering the final year of his contract and not expected to renew terms.

It's understood that Chiesa's agent has been drumming up interest in England in recent days, with Chelsea joined by Tottenham Hotspur in being among the frontrunners to complete a deal.

The Old Lady are hoping to field €30m (£25m) offers, which is an affordable fee for one of Serie A's most talented forwards, and given that he would slot right into Maresca's Stamford Bridge system.

Why Federico Chiesa would be perfect for Chelsea

Former Italy international Alessandro Pierini has described Chiesa as "world-class" in the past, with the talent playing an instrumental role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph and enjoying distinctive success in his homeland.

The 25-year-old has, however, been stifled by some rotten luck on the injury front, starting only 17 times across the 2021/22 and 2022/23 league campaigns due to an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

He'd risen to the fore beforehand but has only recently started to show the kind of style that left fans in awe way back when, with the £153k-per-week sensation completing a full campaign for the first time in several years with Juventus and scoring ten goals across 37 appearances in all competitions before starring for Italy at Euro 2024, proving to be one of the standout performers in a disappointing tournament.

With such impressive technical quality enhancing the cohesion and flow of his team, Chiesa would be a wonderful addition to Chelsea's first team, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 17% for passes attempted, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 3% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Should he sign, it would be interesting to see how Maresca opts to deploy the silky-smooth star, but his powers on the pitch would likely be perfect for another top target in Victor Osimhen, who may yet move to west London this month.

Imagine Chiesa & Victor Osimhen

Osimhen has been one of the best centre-forwards in Europe over recent seasons, with last year being marred by fitness troubles and Napoli's staggering decline but his exploits previously have emphasised his brilliance in the final third.

Victor Osimhen: Last 5 Seasons
Season	Club	Apps (starts)	Goals	Assists
2023/24	Napoli	32 (27)	17	4
2022/23	Napoli	39 (35)	31	5
2021/22	Napoli	32 (26)	18	6
2020/21	Napoli	30 (19)	10	3
2019/20	LOSC Lille	38 (28)	18	6
Stats via Transfermarkt

Osimhen strikes home. He's invariably effective in front of goal and has even been dubbed "one of the best strikers in the world" by Joao Cancelo.

While he endured a tough season last year, the Nigeria international still managed to bag 17 goals from only 27 starts across all competitions, but his efforts the previous year en route to the Scudetto have earned him the mark of one of Europe's elite.

As the clip above highlights, the 25-year-old is endowed with slick, fleet-footed skills with the ball at his feet, capable of utilising his sinew-corded frame to resounding effect, holding off defenders and deftly placing the ball into his teammates' path to strike on goal.

After all, during the 2022/23 Serie A season, he might have posted 26 goals from 30 starts but he also averaged 1.1 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, notching four assists besides.

He'd simply be a monster alongside Chiesa, with the Juventus star's ability as a "wizard" with the ball – as noted by football media personality Roger Bennett – setting him up to be a dreamy signing for the Blues, who need to build on the togetherness that had hatched toward the end of last year and ensure that the coherent, ball-focused brand is instilled effectively.

Chiesa's ceaseless creativity, stemming from his driven surges up the flanks. and his sharp decision-making when placed in think-fast situations could lead to an air of structure and understanding at Stamford Bridge that has been missing for several years now.

The Italian whiz's faculty for playmaking is top-notch, providing strikers such as Osimhen with the kind of service to unlock and sustain their goalscoring prowess.

Osimhen is a deadly marksman but he also offers an impressive technique himself, capable of contributing effectively to the build-up play and team advances on the opponent's goal.

It might just be a match made in heaven, and Chelsea must now act swiftly to get the deals done.

Chelsea have already struck gold on star who's worth way more than Chiesa

He could make the club a hefty profit in the coming weeks…

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 3, 2024

USMNT star Weston McKennie has revealed the demands that he had to meet in order to earn an extended stay at Serie A giants Juventus.

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Questions asked of American's futureHad to prove his worth all over againEarned contract extension in ItalyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international has faced questions of his future in Turin since taking in a forgettable loan spell at Leeds in the Premier League during the second-half of the 2022-23 campaign. He returned to Italy that summer expecting to be moved on by the Bianconeri.

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McKennie earned favour again under Massimiliano Allegri, making 38 appearances in all competitions last season. Another managerial change has seen Thiago Motta take charge at the Allianz Stadium, with McKennie having to prove himself all over again.

WHAT MCKENNIE SAID

He has done just that, landing a contract extension in the process, with the 26-year-old prepared to take on any challenge that is asked of him. McKennie has told of silencing more future questions: “At the start of the season he [Motta] told me I have to work hard, play anywhere I am needed, which is fine with me. He wants that attitude and it’s only right.”

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

McKennie’s versatility is being put to good use, with a goal being scored from left-back against Monza as he helped to cover defensive absences. The hard-working midfielder added on his role: “The victory was the most important thing, as it was tough to have that many draws. The three points are good for us, for the fans, our family to help us all have a nicer Christmas. Scoring a goal or providing an assist is not the most important thing, it’s about the team getting the win.”

Chelsea are ready to sell a £35 million member of their squad, so they can help to back head coach Enzo Maresca with the potential signing of a Premier League star.

Chelsea plotting late defensive reshuffle this summer

Reports have begun to accelerate over a potential new centre-back signing before the transfer window cut-off on August 31, despite Maresca already having a wealth of senior central defenders at his disposal.

Chelsea face Barcelona battle to sign £13m forward with agent talks ongoing

The Catalans have opened talks with his representative.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 21, 2024

The Blues also signed Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham earlier this summer, but versatile defender Trevoh Chalobah is expected to leave Chelsea in the coming week after being frozen out of both pre-season and the squad.

Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, a reliable media source, backs reports that Chelsea could look to bring in another defender very soon, with Maresca holding little faith in both Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi.

"While Chelsea’s squad contains six senior centre-backs, Chalobah is up for sale and Disasi is not in Maresca’s long-term plans," wrote Steinberg.

Cole Palmer

7.48

Conor Gallagher

7.13

Nicolas Jackson

7.07

Moises Caicedo

6.85

Noni Madueke

6.84

"Disasi, who missed much of pre-season after having surgery on a hernia, has not convinced since joining from Monaco for £38.5m last year and has interest from Newcastle. The France international, who made 44 appearances last season, has not looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. There are also doubts over how much Benoît Badiashile will play this season.

"Maresca is happy with Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana as his first-choice centre-backs, with Tosin Adarabioyo as the first back-up. But Fofana needs to be managed carefully after returning from a serious knee injury and there is a chance that a new centre-back who can provide more competition and thrive in Maresca’s possession-based system will arrive."

In the last few days, it has been claimed by other members of the media, like respected Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips, that Liverpool defender Joe Gomez is a very realistic transfer target.

Chelsea ready to sell Badiashile and could sign Joe Gomez

This is backed by TEAMtalk in another update, who write that Chelsea have put Badiashile on the transfer list and are ready to sell him. The 23-year-old, who only joined the club for £35 million in January last year, hasn't lived up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.

Those within Chelsea apparently hold this view of the Frenchman too, and it is believed they're considering the signing of Gomez as a replacement for Badiahshile. Maresca is also said to have requested the signing of a new centre-back to Chelsea chiefs, so this could be one to watch.

Arne Slot's centre-back has been regularly linked with an Anfield exit, commanding a price tag of around £34 million. Gomez made 32 Premier League appearances during Jurgen Klopp's final season in charge, starting 17 of them, and has been praised for his quality in recent years.

"He is a sensational footballer, which is good," said Klopp on Gomez in 2020.

“He has outstanding speed, which helps us a lot to keep our last line high; he is a really good challenger; good in one-on-one situations; football-wise, I said already, good."

Plays of the Day from the 1st Twenty20 between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Chittagong

Mohammad Isam in Chittagong12-Feb-2014The sunglasses
Kumar Sangakkara timed a short Shakib Al Hasan delivery towards midwicket, perhaps hoping to pick up a couple if not a boundary. But as Nasir Hossain hared towards the long-on and midwicket curve, the speed of the pick-up shot was evident. By the time Nasir had taken the catch, the ball was slightly past him. But the most telling piece was when Nasir’s sunglasses first bumped up on his forehead, and then fell right into place on the impact of his fall.The gymnast
Kusal Perara was starting to settle down after crossing fifty, but Anamul Haque’s gymnastic landing brought an end to his innings. He stood at deep midwicket and just as the ball was going to sail over his head, he caught the ball, turned and twisted, and made sure he balanced himself awkwardly at first, and then like a balance beam gymnast, on one leg.The smack
Shamsur Rahman had just smacked Ajantha Mendis to the left of mid-off but the batsman suddenly crumpled to the ground. In his follow through, the bat had swung back and struck him in the back of his head. The physio came out, and there was no joy of playing such a class shot.The sight
Tamim Iqbal was on fire when his innings was cut short by an excellent running catch, perhaps the best technical catch of the day compared to Nasir and Anamul’s pyrotechnics. As Tamim miscued the ball, Angelo Mathews ran back from midwicket, dived full length and completed the catch perfectly. The best part of the catch was his eye level, which never wavered despite the difficulty in turning back and finding the ball in the right trajectory.The full toss
Thisara Perera had almost lost the match for Sri Lanka when Anamul Haque went after him with 11 needed off the last three balls. He bowled a full toss, when Bangladesh needed three off the last ball, which should have been deposited in the stands, but it was top-edged, and went up to be taken easily. Sri Lanka got another scare when the umpires checked for no ball, which it was not going to be since Perera bowled it from inside the crease, and it was not too high either as it was the perfect length to hammer out of the ground.

India’s premier first-class competition returns – in two phases, split by the IPL – after a year’s gap, and features Pujara and Rahane on the first day itself

Himanshu Agrawal15-Feb-2022

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will be in action against each other on the first day itself•AFP

When does the tournament begin? And why is it in two phases?
The 2021-22 Ranji Trophy will be held in two phases, with the IPL in between. The first phase, which consists of league matches and one pre-quarter-final, starts on February 17 and ends on March 15. The IPL is expected to start on March 27. Before the Ranji pre-quarter-final, there will be three rounds of matches held: the first from February 17 to 20, then February 24 to 27, and finally, from March 3 to 6. The second phase, of the knockouts, is likely to begin on May 30 – after the IPL has concluded – and run up to June 26.Related

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Rahane, Pujara picked in Ranji Trophy squads

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'If I get picked for India, can I make a difference?'

Who are the big-ticket players in the mix? And who are missing?
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will turn out for Saurashtra and Mumbai, respectively. In fact, they will be up against each other on the very first day of the tournament, in Ahmedabad.Also available for their respective sides will be Hanuma Vihari (Hyderabad), Navdeep Saini and Nitish Rana (Delhi), Mayank Agarwal and Prasidh Krishna (Karnataka), Sreesanth (Kerala), Prithvi Shaw (Mumbai), Jaydev Unadkat (Saurashtra), Krunal Pandya (Baroda), Umesh Yadav (Vidarbha) and Vijay Shankar (Tamil Nadu).Among players who are expected to be free and available in that window, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha have all opted out. Hardik will be continuing his rehabilitation for a long-standing back injury and focus on his comeback in white-ball cricket, Saha and Ishant have made themselves unavailable.Kerala’s Robin Uthappa and Sanju Samson will also be absent. Uthappa is recovering from a hamstring injury, while Samson is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.Are any of India’s Under-19 World Cup winners in the Ranji squads?
Yes. Batter Yash Dhull, who led India to their fifth Under-19 world title, is a part of Delhi’s squad. Quick bowler Ravi Kumar has been named in the Bengal side. Batter Harnoor Singh and allrounder Raj Angad Bawa are in the Chandigarh squad. Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Bana and allrounder Nishant Sindhu have been picked by Haryana. And offspinners Vicky Ostwal and Kaushal Tambe will play for Maharashtra.What happened in the last Ranji Trophy?
The last time the tournament was conducted was during the 2019-20 season, when Saurashtra won the final against Bengal. But the Ranji Trophy had to be shelved during the following season because of pandemic. It was the first time the tournament, India’s premier first-class competition, had not featured in the calendar since its inception in the 1934-35 season.Saurashtra are the defending Ranji Trophy champions•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

How many teams are participating? And what’s the format for the league phase?
A total of 38 teams will be participating this season, and they have been divided into nine groups: eight Elite and one Plate. While the Elite groups have four teams each, the Plate Group has six sides in it.A total of 57 matches will be played in the league phase, as each team plays three matches. While the Elite teams face all other sides in their group once, the Plate teams will play only against three sides in their group. That will be followed by the pre-quarter-final and the knockouts: the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the final. That’s a total of 65 matches.What is the points structure?
The ranking order of the teams will be decided by points. Should teams be level on points, then the number of outright wins becomes the deciding factor. If it’s still not conclusive, the quotient rule comes into play. This will be determined by dividing the team’s batting average by their bowling average.How will the pre-quarter-final and quarter-finals play out?
Of the eight Elite-Group toppers, the seven with the best numbers qualify directly for the quarter-finals. For the final quarter-finalist, the Elite-group topper with the fewest points gets into a pre-quarter-final with the Plate-group topper. The pre-quarter-final will be played just after the league phase, and will end before the start of the IPL.Where will the Ranji matches be played?
The Elite matches will all be held across eight states, all neutral to the teams in action. Rajkot, Cuttack, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Thumba, Delhi, Rohtak, Gurugram, Sultanpur and Guwahati will be the cities where matches will be played. All the Plate matches will be conducted in Kolkata. The venue for the pre-quarter-final and the knockouts will be decided later.What happens if a player tests positive for Covid-19?
In case a player tests positive for Covid-19 or shows symptoms which prevents his participation in a match as per public health guidance norms, the match referee can allow his team to field a Covid-19 replacement after getting the necessary confirmations. However, the player coming in should only be a like-for-like replacement so as to prevent the side from getting any undue advantage.

West Indies go down after a 100-run stand for the first wicket to lose their first game of the World Cup so far

Annesha Ghosh12-Mar-2022India weathered a blistering opening stand between Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews to script a vital 155-run win over West Indies that propelled them to the top of the World Cup table. In the early stages of India’s defence of 317, their highest World Cup total, the result seemed far from obvious, and the centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur somewhat inadequate. Sneh Rana and Meghna Singh, however, decisively turned the tide India’s way at Seddon Park as Dottin’s wicket triggered West Indies’ slump from 100 for no loss to 162 all out.West Indies gave them a good chance of extending their winning streak after galloping to 50 in five overs, 81 in the wicketless powerplay, and 100 in just 12. The dominant hand in their blazing start, and West Indies’ maiden century stand, was Dottin’s, despite her back and legs requiring regular repairwork during her 62-run knock. Dottin carted 11 boundaries in her breathtaking 46-ball innings.India sought respite from the Dottin-Matthews onslaught but received little despite using two quicks and spinners each in the powerplay. It was third-change Rana’s frugal, game-changing opening spell that led to West Indies’ collapse.Dottin top-edged an attempted sweep to Rana’s second ball to Meghna at short fine-leg, and it was Meghna who then took over and dealt West Indies the second blow, Kycia Knight’s pull going to Mandhana at deep square-leg. Meghna followed it up with Stafanie Taylor’s wicket before Rana removed Matthews for 48. In both dismissals, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh pouched the edges with ease.Sneh Rana dismissed both the West Indies openers after a strong start•ICC via Getty

Earlier, India’s batters, led by Mandhana and Harmanpreet, pulled no punches in a game they needed to win to stay safe in the race to the knockouts following the loss to New Zealand at the same venue. They put on their highest total in ODI World Cups – and the overall highest in this edition – after choosing to bat first.Mandhana hit 123 in 119, and Harmanpreet 109 in 107, and they put on 184 for the fourth wicket, India’s best in ODI World Cups, to lift them from 78 for 3.On a used surface, India almost instantly shook off the hesitancy that stifled them in the powerplay against Pakistan and New Zealand, Yastika Bhatia’s fearless stroke play underpinning their approach early on. Bhatia got off the mark with a four off a mistimed cut that flew over the slips, and next over, she cracked three fours off pulls as Chinelle Henry gave away 15 runs to begin her day.India’s rapid start led West Indies to introduce spin in the sixth over. But it was the change at the other end, in the form of medium-pacer Shakera Selman, that brought the breakthrough when, on 31, Bhatia lobbed a dolly back to Selman off a slower delivery. Another soft dismissal followed, this time Mithali Raj, who became the captain with most appearances on the day, falling to Matthews.Mandhana, meanwhile, steadied the ship at one end, though the two early wickets made her cautious. India got to 62 for 2 in the powerplay, the best in that phase before West Indies bettered it in the chase, and No. 4 Deepti Sharma’s back-to-back fours off Selman promised a lot. That, however, was not to be. Coming on in the 13th over, Anisa Mohammed drew an edge off Deepti’s slog-sweep, which Matthews intercepted with a stunning one-handed grab behind the keeper.Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin gave West Indies a brilliant start with a quick 100-run stand•ICC via Getty Images

With India 100 for 3, 20 overs in, it was down to Mandhana and Harmanpreet to lift them to the 250-run mark, which they hadn’t reached in this World Cup before this game. On 34 off 51 balls, Mandhana struck her first four – a languid flick through the midwicket area – and upped the tempo thereafter. She got to her second fifty in the tournament with another flick, on the 60th ball of her innings, and her next 50 runs came off just 43 balls.With 200 up in the 36th over, Mandhana cracked a 78-metre six off Aaliyah Alleyne as fielding errors came thick and fast. After reaching the 90s with a four, Mandhana got a big slice of luck when, on 94, Alleyne dropped her at deep midwicket. Shamilia Connell tested her with a short ball and even pinged her pad, but Mandhana survived, and a four, courtesy a short-arm pull off Matthews, took her to her second ODI World Cup century, and second against West Indies. Three of her 13 fours on the day came off back-to-back deliveries as Matthews found herself at the receiving end in the 42nd over. India had crossed 250 by then and as Harmanpreet looked to up the ante at her end, Mandhana pulled one straight to deep midwicket to be dismissed.Harmanpreet, too, paced her innings well. A drop by Anisa at short third handed her a reprieve when on 20. She remained boundary-less in her first 20 balls but struck 12, two of them sixes, off her next 87. It was her strike rotation, though, that accounted for the bulk – 57 – of her 109 runs. Harmanpreet, unsurprisingly, relied heavily on the sweep but it was a full-blooded lofted shot that brought up her second straight fifty.She batted close to three hours and faced issues with her wrist as she neared the three-digit milestone. But neither pain nor West Indies could keep her from bringing up her first century in the format since her epochal 171 not out in the semi-final of the 2017 World Cup. A single down the bowler’s right steered her to the mark, and a 15-run over from Anisa soon after lifted India past 300.India’s 317 for 8 eventually proved too much for West Indies as they were rolled over inside 41 overs. On a day of record-breaking feats, Jhulan Goswami added the finishing touch with the wicket of Anisa, and she rose to the top of the wicket-takers’ tally in women’s ODI World Cups. Fittingly, it was Rana who closed out the game, catching Connell off her own bowling.

Aston Villa sporting director Monchi has claimed one Villa Park youngster has all the attributes to become world class in the years to come in news that will be music to the ears of their fans.

Villa building for the future

It was a tough transfer window for Unai Emery's Aston Villa as they battled to comply with the Premier League's financial fair play rules, an issue that forced them to sell Douglas Luiz and also saw them part ways with Moussa Diaby, with the pair fetching close to £100m combined.

However, eight new faces also arrived, with Amadou Onana setting the club back £50m from Everton, a club record signing, while Ian Maatsen also arrived for £37m.

Aston Villa's new signings (summer 2024)

Player

Age when signed

Fee

Amadou Onana

23

£50m

Ian Maatsen

22

£37m

Cameron Archer

22

£14m

Jaden Philogene

22

£13.5m

Lewis Dobbin

21

£8m

Samuel Iling-Junior

20

£11.8m + add-ons

Enzo Barrenechea

23

£6.7m + add-ons

Ross Barkley

30

£5m

One of the key ideas was to reduce the squad age while also adding depth to Emery's ranks. Speaking after the transfer window, Villa's hierarchy hinted as much when discussing the deal to bring Juventus pair Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea to the club from Turin.

“Samuel and Enzo are young players we trust. Maybe we knew they wouldn’t be ready to play for us immediately, but both are young, talented, sustainable salaries and in the next year they’re going to be good assets", Villa's Damian Vidagany told The Athletic.

And The Athletic added that "among Villa’s chief intentions was to lower the group’s average age" over the summer, something that was undoubtedly achieved, with the average age of new additions just 23.7 years old, well below the squad average of over 26. But now, Monchi has hinted that the best young player in Villa's ranks may well have been there the whole time.

Aston Villa chief backs "special" striker to be world class

That comes as the Aston Villa Sporting Director has backed Jhon Duran to become World Class at Villa Park. The Colombia international was used mostly off the bench by Emery last season, but was dubbed "special" by the Villa boss after helping them to a draw with Liverpool with two late goals.

"Jhon Duran is a special player. We have to try and help him. He is a good guy, and he needs a team behind him. He is getting our demands better. He was very clinical and today was important for him", Emery explained.

Linked with moves away from Villa Park over the summer, he held talks with West Ham and Chelsea only to ultimately stay in the Midlands. And Monchi has revealed that the club in fact turned down a mammoth forty offers for the 20 year old, who he and Emery believe could become a world class talent.

"There are no fewer than 40 clubs who want Durán”, he explained. “But Emery is very confident with Jhon. He thinks Durán he can become one of the best strikers in the world”.

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"He wanted to leave, yes. Just because he wants to play, normal. But now it’s all good, he’s happy”, he added. “If there is a club that really thinks Duran can become one of the top strikers in the world… then that one club is Aston Villa, and that one manager is Unai Emery.”

Villa fans will be hoping that Duran can make the step up this season, and hand Ollie Watkins some well needed rest across the course of what promises to be a long and gruelling campaign.