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The heat of the UAE has mirrored the intensity of the teams, who all have one eye on Australia in October-November

Shashank Kishore26-Aug-2022″If anyone asks how you are, the coach suggested we say, ‘well done’, because the weather here is like that.”Speaking ahead of the start of the Asia Cup, Bhanuka Rajapaksa made an entire room laugh by likening the experience of Dubai’s oppressive heat to that of meat on a grill. Daytime temperatures have touched 46 degrees Celsius, leaving teams needing to find a balance between going full-tilt and conserving energy.India have trained in the late evening, Sri Lanka have preferred the afternoon heat to acclimatise better, and Bangladesh have gone on into the middle of the night, while Pakistan and Afghanistan have mixed and matched. Hong Kong have already played a week’s cricket in the qualifiers in similar conditions across the border in Oman.Related

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In the end, nothing can really prepare you for the gust of hot air hitting your face while running in against the wind, as bowlers have found out frequently at training in the open setting of the ICC Academy grounds.India have given their fast bowlers shorter and sharper stints, a luxury Sri Lanka haven’t had since none of their frontline fast bowlers have played T20Is; they have had little choice but to go all-out. Pakistan have held back, seemingly mindful of the injuries that have hit their camp, choosing to instead use local net bowlers to test their batters.The local liaison team have been at their busiest, arranging for kilograms of ice to be made available, sometimes at short notice, to help players recover post-training. The change rooms offer the cushiest seats and the best air conditioning, but it’s the ice bath that the players have tended to make a beeline for.The teams have also been able to mingle among themselves, exchanging banter and laughs – a constant feature over the past three days. Babar Azam and Virat Kohli have exchanged pleasantries, KL Rahul and Shaheen Afridi have enquired about each other’s injuries, and Rajapaksa has caught up with his Punjab Kings team-mate Arshdeep Singh.Bangladesh and Afghanistan are slotted alongside Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup’s Group of Death•AFP/Getty ImagesBut the fun and games have all been restricted to the sidelines. In the middle, the intensity has been cranked up several notches. This is the last chance for some of these teams to test their big-match temperament under pressure before the World Cup in Australia in October-November.India are missing their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from injury. This gives Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan an opportunity to vie for spots in the World Cup party. Pakistan will have to make do without Afridi, while Sri Lanka will want each of their uncapped fast bowlers to gain some exposure.Bangladesh’s challenge under a new coach and a returning Shakib Al Hasan, who takes over the captaincy, will be to return to winning ways in their least favourite format – they’ve lost 23 of their 35 T20Is since the start of 2021, and they’re coming off a series loss in Zimbabwe.While India and Pakistan may seemingly have it easy in Group A, with Hong Kong as the third team, they will be wary of taking them lightly. At the previous edition in 2018, Hong Kong came genuinely close to beating India. In Group B, one slip-up could be the difference between having potentially four more games to play and an early flight home for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.In many ways, the Asia Cup is a microcosm of the elite cricket world. The tournament changes its identity frequently, to suit the needs of the participating teams. It does much for the “smaller” nations of the Asian bloc – in terms of finances – without actually giving them adequate exposure.For example: between the previous edition in 2018 and this one, in 2022, Hong Kong have played a grand sum of zero matches against the Asian Full Members. Hong Kong, mind you, are among the ‘elite’ Associates. Oman, Kuwait, Singapore and even Nepal, who’ve had to grapple with multiple issues including an an ICC suspension, have it much worse. But this, perhaps, is a debate for another day.Will he quieten the debate around his form, or will he raise its volume?•Getty ImagesThe first four days on tour for all the teams have set the scene nicely. Sri Lanka open against Afghanistan on Saturday, and the hubbub will increase noticeably when India and Pakistan square off on Sunday. It could be the prelude to potentially two more meetings. At least the broadcasters and fans will hope so.The A-listers in Kohli and Babar have set tongues wagging without even facing a ball. They’re at opposite ends of the form spectrum, but anything they do – and don’t do – is amplified.For all the criticism over the lack of opportunities it provides the smaller teams, the Asia Cup has established itself as a tournament that gives viewers plenty. Games come thick and fast – perhaps not so ideal in searing August heat in the UAE – and high-octane content is guaranteed.Kohli could put an end to talk of bad form, or raise the volume of the debates. Shakib could make a statement on the field without worrying about who he shouldn’t be endorsing. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman could boot Sri Lanka out of their own party – technically they’re still hosts, remember.The fringe players are all potentially one big performance away from putting themselves on the radar for World Cup selection. Imagine if Mohammad Hasnain, Afridi’s replacement, dismisses Rohit Sharma. Or if Arshdeep nails five yorkers in the final over to defend 10 runs. Or Rahmanullah Gurbaz brings his T10 magic to the 20-overs format.The cricket promises to be high-quality. Heat or no heat, the interest surrounding the competition has picked up significantly. Without bio-bubbles restricting their movements, the teams have mingled freely with teeming fans who’ve gathered outside their training venues. All of it feels so familiar, yet so different. The next two weeks could just be a teaser for the blockbuster that is to come two months down the line.

Support from coach and captain helped spinner rediscover his enjoyment for the game

Matt Roller21-Oct-2024Jack Leach believes that being dropped by England during their home summer enabled him to fall back in love with cricket, aided by an unexpected phone call from Ben Stokes in the aftermath of a Test win.Leach is the leading wicket-taker in England’s series in Pakistan with 14, but had only played two Tests in the 18 months before the tour and failed to complete either due to back and knee injuries. He had returned to full fitness after knee surgery by the time England picked their first Test of the summer in June, but they selected his Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir instead.Bashir earned widespread praise after his match-winning five-wicket haul against West Indies at Trent Bridge, and was preferred throughout the rest of the summer. But when England returned to their Nottingham hotel after that win, Stokes called Leach to tell him that Bashir’s success did not mean he had been forgotten.”I felt really happy and proud,” Leach recalled on Monday, speaking at England’s hotel in Islamabad. “He just wanted to tell me how great I was, basically, in the way that he does, and just recognise how I’ve dealt with the situation. That gave me a chance to say some nice things back to him about what he’d given me, probably going back to 2019 at Headingley.Related

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“There’s just a mutual respect there, so it was a nice conversation to have for sure. It just reminded me that I was going about things in the right way, and gave me confidence I still had something to offer the team and I was a part of it, in a small way. That gave me good motivation for the remainder of the summer… a nice reminder that there was still a chance to play.”Leach admitted that he briefly feared that his England career would be over when he initially learned of his omission. “You always do,” he said. “After a long time out with injury, I maybe felt that might be it… I really understood the situation. If you’re not able to stay fit, then other people come in and do well, and Bash certainly did that.”But he was happy with the level of communication from England’s management throughout, and received a similar call from Brendon McCullum the day after speaking to Stokes in July. “I was really happy with that – and in a way, not surprised, because of what I’d experienced when I was there [in the squad],” he said. “I’m very thankful for that, and my relationship with those guys.”After a slow start to the season which saw him take nine wickets at 50.44 in his first four appearances for Somerset, Leach thrived at the end of the year with 36 at 15.86 in five matches. He said that the secret was as simple as “remembering what I’m about, and being happy with that” rather than worrying too much about making minor technical changes.

“This summer actually provided a really good opportunity to go back to play for Somerset and simplify everything; just do what I was good at, and build the confidence that that was good enough”

“I just felt like I needed to rediscover that kid-like mentality of why you play the game,” Leach said. “You have that on the journey up to playing for England, that nothing-to-lose mentality. Then it’s like, ‘I’m here now, I want to keep that’. That’s tiring, it’s stressful, it’s not enjoyable… You forget what your main strengths are.”This summer actually provided a really good opportunity to go back to play for Somerset – which is what I always wanted to do as a young boy – and to just simplify everything; just do what I was good at, and build the confidence that actually, that was good enough… I’ve discovered that again: just being myself, and actually really enjoying that.”Leach has outbowled Bashir in England’s first two Tests in Pakistan, but said that reclaiming his status as first-choice spinner is “not important” to him. “That’s not really in my thoughts,” he said. “I just want to keep building on what I’ve done in the summer and what I’m doing out here… For me, it’s all about the team. Maybe I’m at an age where that’s all that really matters to me.”The pair have worked closely together in Pakistan. “He’s just done so well,” Leach said of Bashir. “He’ll just be learning so much, so quickly. He’s quality. We have a good relationship, good fun, and try to work together. I try to help where I can. I don’t want to overload him with stuff: I feel like he’s just learning through playing, and it’s all going to come quite naturally.”The series decider starts on Thursday in Rawalpindi, with another turning pitch in prospect after Pakistan’s 152-run win last week. Two years ago, it was the scene of a famous England win: they racked up 657 in 101 overs in their first innings, and Leach applied the finishing touches when trapping Naseem Shah lbw on the final evening to seal the victory.”That’s probably my favourite wicket: just the pictures of the appeal, and then just after of everyone celebrating,” Leach said. “It was just such a good game to be part of.” England will hope for something similar this week, in their bid for a 2-1 series win.

Rangers will now have to pay £5m if they want to secure the services of an “incredible” player this summer, a new update has claimed.

Russell Martin on verge of becoming Rangers manager

An exciting era has started behind the scenes at Ibrox, with Kevin Thelwell beginning life as the Gers’ new sporting director, having arrived from Everton, and a new manager finally on the way.

Speaking upon his arrival, Thelwell addressed Rangers’ search for a new boss, promising that there will be an end to the saga sooner rather than later.

And while a deal is not yet confirmed – the likes of Davide Ancelotti, Steven Gerrard and Francesco Farioli have also been linked – it looks as though the new Gers chief is set to go for former Southampton boss Russell Martin.

The 39 year-old will want to be given plenty of funds for new signings, and an update has emerged regarding one target who could become his first capture in the Ibrox dugout in the coming weeks.

Rangers need to pay £5m to sign Metinho

According to The Daily Record, Rangers and 49ers Enterprises will have to pay £5m if they want to sign Troyes star Metinho this summer, having joined them for £4m from Brazilian side Fluminense in 2021.

The French club are “willing to cash in on the player this year before his contract expires next year”, as they look to avoid losing the 22-year-old on a free transfer at the end of next season. He was “identified” as a target before Thelwell came in, and an approach has already been made.

Metinho is a young player with so much potential, so the idea of Rangers snapping him up before next season is a mouthwatering prospect. The DR Congo-born ace spent this season on loan at Basel, assisting twice in 14 appearances, and scout Jacek Kulig has described him as “incredible”.

A central midfielder by trade, Metinho is also capable of excelling in a more attack-minded role, and he should be considered a leading option for Rangers this summer.

Premier League legend has now emerged as hugely exciting Rangers target

What a piece of business this could be.

By
Henry Jackson

Jun 2, 2025

The fact that he has only one year left on his deal at Troyes does force them into a decision, and the hope is that the Scottish Premiership side can pounce, possibly even getting him on the cheap if they end up desperate to sell.

The Cristiano Ronaldo devotee with a massive global fanbase of his own took over the league's All-Star Skills Challenge

AUSTIN, TX — In a room of cameras that weren’t his own, iShowSpeed was skittish. Perhaps he was even nervous. It was a last second media opportunity, arranged shortly before the MLS All Star Game Skills Challenge.

There were whispers for 24 hours that Speed, by some distance the biggest streamer – and in some eyes the most prominent voice – in American soccer, would be willing to step outside of his usual socially curated bubble. And there he was, swaggering into the room with a “What’s up everybody?”

But once the lights were on, he shuffled his feet slightly, looked unsteady. That curated bit, the guy who loves Cristiano Ronaldo and barks a lot, briefly cracked. Then, the questions came.

Content creator: “Would you give up streaming forever if Ronaldo would be your best friend?”

Speed: “No, because I have the ability to make Ronaldo my best friend.”

Content creator: “Call out somebody you want to race right now.”

Speed (with a frustrated groan): “Tyreek Hill it’s happening, it’s happening this year, EVERYBODY want it. So let’s go.”

Some five minutes and two other made-for-TikTok interviews later, he was escorted away. And there he was, standing next to the pitch, clad in MLS All Star gear. Children gathered round, phones out, clamoring for attention. Speed stood, stoic, awaiting his cue.

And then he took over the Skills Challenge. He leapt, bounded and pirouetted onto the field, a string of noises, shouts and gestures. Every camera was on him. Every kid wanted a high five. It was, admittedly, immensely captivating. Here was a 20-year-old from Cincinnati, who two years ago was barking on the Internet and shouting about Ronaldo, taking over an event that wasn’t his.

“He actually tries a lot. He’s a fun guy. We really enjoyed having him here,” FC Cincinnati All-Star Evander said.

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  An awkward run up

  This, of course, is the Speed thing. He is probably the most strangely compelling act in football at this point. Darren Jason Watkins Jr., as he is pretty much never known, started streaming video games in 2021. By the end of the next year, he had broken into the soccer space, marketing himself as a Cristiano Ronaldo fanboy who hates Lionel Messi.

  He has more than 47 million subscribers on YouTube, is friends with pretty much every footballer you can mention, and has a record deal. He was the only person to get a sit-down interview with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the Club World Cup. To many in United States, Speed is soccer.

  A few hours before, though, things were far calmer. As fans filtered into the Q2 arena in Austin, Texas, Speed was put on the pitch, with only his bodyguard for company. He stood near the center circle, juggling and shooting. Ball after ball sailed over the crossbar. First, he leaned back too much. Then he couldn’t quite get enough bend to put one into the top corner. Then it was just frustration, with Speed rolling the ball into an empty net.

  This was the warmup, vaguely acquainting himself with a football, but mostly preparing for the show itself.

  And therein lies the point. Speed is not a footballer. He learned how to play this sport less than two years ago. In that light, he really isn't that bad. He is not a natural, but he has a decent touch about him.

  "He impressed me, especially for somebody for someone who has never played soccer that much," Real Salt Lake All-Star Diego Luna said.

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• Getty
  

  'Maybe with a little more practice'

  For this, Speed was pushed into the spotlight by MLS’s social media team, and they made good use of every second. Here he was, demoing, admittedly well, in the shooting challenge. There he was, being thrashed by Orlando City All-Star Alex Freeman in the passing drills. Some of the younger players loved it. Luna is 21. He is among the millions that stream Speed’s content, or follow him on Instagram.

  He wasn’t star-struck, but there was a certain novelty to things.

  “It was cool, somebody you watch in your free time and stuff like that, to be in person and talk to him and get to know him a bit was cool," Luna said. "This is a cool little moment for him."

  Others were a bit more skeptical. A minute into the passing challenge, Freeman was ahead so convincingly that he decided to have some fun. He passed with his weaker foot, broke out a few rabonas. Despite that, Speed didn’t come close. Still, Freeman enjoyed the moment.

  “It’s amazing. I grew up. I watched him, and to see him in real life, he’s the same guy I see on my phone,” Freeman said. “He’s really improved.”

  Others seemed less impressed. It was put to Evander that Speed showed enough on the shooting challenge to suggest that he might be able to perform in MLS.

  “No,” the Cincinnati midfielder said.

  Nashville’s Sam Surridge, too, was a little uneasy at that suggestion.

  “Maybe with a little more practice,” he suggested.

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  'My son watches him'

  And even when he wasn’t kicking the ball, there was still plenty of time for the Speed show. He bounded onto the pitch to present Houston Dynamo 2’s Pedro Cruz, a young Brazilian, with the championship belt for winning goalie wars. In a quick interview after, Cruz thanked God, his family, and his club through a translator.

  Speed tried to wish him the best in broken Portuguese. A few minutes later, Cruz strolled off, belt on his shoulder, club photographers either side. Speed stood in the middle of the pitch, signing autographs, posing for pictures, the whole thing being played out on the stadiums giant video screen. Cruz had won a fairly significant competition, and the moment had been snatched away.

  Denis Bouanga, who stood baffled while he prepared for an event, wasn't surprised to see Speed as the star of the show.

  "It's fun for the player and the fans, too, who come to the stadium to see iShowSpeed, too. My son watches him," the LAFC forward said.

  That was, in fact, one of the more interesting divides. A good portion of the crowd was clearly in attedance to see Speed. Kids and influencers asked for signatures and selfies while their parents and friends looked baffled. The Speed act was central, everything else seemed to revolve around it. This was a Speed stream that happened to have an All-Star event next to it.

• Getty Images
  

  'Who has a strong left foot… besides Messi?'

  Back in the room before the challenge, the facade broke again.

  Speed was asked to name the player with the best left foot in the world. “Let me think. Who has a strong left foot… besides Messi?”

  He peered over at his bodyguard for help, and received a blank stare in return, and 20 seconds of silences followed.

  Then, a revelation: “Oh, Lamine Yamal!”

  And then he was back into rhythm again, striding through each question with a smile and a chuckle. He signed a shirt for an interviewer, posed for a couple more pictures. He was cut off early, leaving a few reporters miffed. He chugged a bottle of water, and walked away from the cameras.

  And with one quick “Suiii” he threw the door open, and left.

Half-centuries from Sam Robson and Leus du Plooy gave Middlesex the upper hand on the second day of their Vitality County Championship game against Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors’ School.Robson enhanced his impressive record at the Northwood venue, which includes four first-class centuries, by grinding out a vital 58 while Du Plooy hit an unbeaten 66 as the home side reached 250 for seven, a first-innings advantage of 43.However, Ben Sanderson kept Northamptonshire right in contention with figures of five for 58, regaining his status as Division Two’s leading wicket-taker after being briefly displaced by Middlesex captain Toby Roland-Jones.Northamptonshire were dismissed for 207, with Roland-Jones taking a season’s best of five for 49 – and the visitors’ hopes of restricting Middlesex to a lower total were not helped as Prithvi Shaw shelled a trio of slip catches.Sanderson and Lewis McManus, who had hauled Northamptonshire out of difficulties the previous evening, did enough to usher the visitors beyond the key landmark of 200 as they extended their partnership to 83.Sanderson unfurled a pair of classic drives to the boundary off Tom Helm and thoughts of a maiden first-class half-century must have entered the veteran seamer’s mind as he overtook McManus to reach 40.However, those thoughts were dashed when Henry Brookes bowled Sanderson around his legs and, although debutant Dom Leech cracked a cover boundary to raise the visitors’ 200, Roland-Jones quickly wrapped up the innings by capturing their last two wickets in three balls.In reply, Middlesex’s opening pair both survived close calls during the hour prior to lunch, although they made it to the interval unscathed on a surface with variable bounce and pace.With just a single to his name, Robson edged a rising delivery from Justin Broad through the slips, while Mark Stoneman offered a tricky slip chance off the same bowler and Shaw, going low to his left, was unable to hang on.Sanderson made the breakthrough soon after the resumption, getting the ball to swing and uprooting Stoneman’s off stump for 36, but Robson and Max Holden dug in for an afternoon of laborious progress.Robson cut the seamers with authority to keep the scoreboard moving and passed 50 from 118 balls with a sweet cover drive for four off leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, whose change of ends then bore immediate fruit as he trapped Holden leg before.Northamptonshire might have removed Robson as well in the next over, with Shaw – who had also put down Holden – fumbling another opportunity, but Sanderson made amends immediately after tea with two wickets in as many deliveries.With Robson lbw to one that kept low and Stephen Eskinazi succumbing in identical fashion, Middlesex were suddenly wobbling at 129 for four but a bristling partnership of 72 between Du Plooy and Fernandes was exactly what they needed.Leech eventually brought the stand to an end with his first Northamptonshire wicket, having Fernandes taken at second slip, but Du Plooy remained to nudge his side into the lead with a crisp off-driven boundary.However, Sanderson returned with the new ball and promptly claimed two more wickets in quick succession, completing his third five-for of the summer before Roland-Jones launched a late flurry of boundary-hitting.He took two fours from successive Sanderson deliveries and had just cracked Broad to the fence to earn Middlesex a batting bonus point when the deteriorating light brought play to a close.

A late flurry of goals from Switzerland ensured their European Championship dream stayed alive as they beat Iceland 2-0.

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• Switzerland win 2-0 against Iceland
• Hosts need draw against Finland to progress
• Iceland crash out and Norway top the group

• TELL ME MORE

  Switzerland beat Iceland 2-0 in their second group game to keep their qualification hopes alive in Euro 2025.

  The players kicked off to a lively atmosphere in Bern as Sveindis Jonsdottir launched the game into action with one of her trademark long throws. Cleared only as far as Ingibjorg Sigurdardottir, the defender rattled the crossbar and the Swiss crowd’s nerves with a terrific volley from the edge of the area as Iceland threatened to upset the hosts.

  Switzerland responded with chances of their own and Svenja Folmli’s powered header found its way into the back of the net via a deflection. However, a check by VAR found that as the corner was floated in, the forward had blocked off and fouled Glodís Viggosdottir and the goal was disallowed. The Swiss crowd thought they had again taken the lead when Iman Beney hit a rocket from 40 yards, but despite appearing to have flown into the top corner, the effort had only found the side-netting.

  Iceland began the second-half as they started the first – by hitting the crossbar. This time, Agla Albertsdottir’s free-kick from range skimmed the top of the upright and bounced over. Undeterred by the Icelandic threat, Switzerland continued to push for the winner. Winning the ball back in midfield, captain Lia Walti robbed the ball, held off a challenge and found Sydney Schertenleib who slipped in Geraldine Reuteler to fire low into the bottom left-corner after 76 minutes. The Swiss crowd, just shy of 30,000, erupted and their celebrations would not be halted this time.

  With time ticking away and the crowd growing more and more confident of victory, Alayah Pilgrim gave them yet more reason to celebrate – dispatching from distance in injury time to ensure the host’s took qualification to the knockout stages into their own hands.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Defeat for Iceland means they are out of the European Championships. The result also means that Iceland remain without a win in this tournament since 2013 and face a tough test against already qualified Norway to put an end to that rut.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE MVP

  It is tough to look past the match winner Geraldine Reuteler, but it takes a special performance to stand-out from right backand Iman Beney was a constant threat for the hosts. Her first-half effort would have been the goal of the tournament had it not flown past the wrong side of the post. The 18-year-old has just signed for Manchester City and her new fans will no doubt be excited to see their new star shining on the biggest stage.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  Iceland remain goalless and pointless in these European Championships, crashing out with a game still to play in the group stage. While it remains grim reading for Icelandic fans, they have shown heart in their two defeats against Finland and Switzerland. They may feel they created more than enough chances on Sunday to take a point from Switzerland, but it just was not meant to be.

Bangladesh captain expects Shakib, whose political future is up in the air, to be fully professional during the series

Mohammad Isam20-Aug-2024

Bangladesh have just been through some political turmoil, which has saw their prime minister resign, and a caretaker government take charge of the country. The unrest has even cast a doubt on them hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in October.Bangladesh’s national side will be in action for the first time since those turbulences, as the men’s team is on a tour of Pakistan, their first fixture in two months. The two Tests form part of the World Test Championship, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto couldn’t afford to dwell too much on the incidents back home, even as one of the consequences of the government getting toppled was his team-mate Shakib Al Hasan’s stint as member of parliament coming to an end.But Shakib hasn’t spoken publicly about it yet, instead focusing more on his cricket. Shanto, too, expects Shakib to remain himself – as professional as possible.Related

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Shakib and Mushfiqur: the yin and yang of Bangladesh cricket

“Shakib is in a good shape – in practice and preparation. He has the desire to do well,” Shanto said on the eve of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. “He has showed his commitment in every practice session. He is a professional cricketer. We all treat him as a cricketer. He [has] played this game for so long that he knows his role; he knows how to prepare himself. I am not thinking about his political career. I hope that he will do something special in this series.”Given his all-round role, Shakib remains key for Bangladesh, although the visitors also have with them Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who is a respectable batter in the lower order. Mehidy is likely to be included in the XI too to prevent Bangladesh from having a long tail. Batting him at No. 8 might allow Bangladesh to play three fast bowlers and two spinners, including both Shakib and Mehidy. Shanto hinted that one of those quicks could be Nahid Rana, considered Bangladesh’s fastest bowler with speeds up to 150kph.”There’s a chance of him playing. He is in good shape,” Shanto said. “We will have our normal combination, it seems. Pacers will have an extra advantage on this wicket, so we will look at that when thinking about our XI. [Shadman Islam] is batting very well. He is preparing well. He made runs [recently against Pakistan A] in Australia.””It is true that we haven’t been batting well in the last few months”, Shanto on himself and Litton Das’ form•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh are in dire need of a batting revival. The understanding that Rawalpindi could be a favourable pitch for batters is giving them encouragement. Shanto said that they have done enough preparation to get better, which also includes his own form, as both Shanto and Litton Das have been in the headlines after playing poorly in the T20 World Cup a few months back.”We are not looking to do anything extra, but it is true that we haven’t been batting well in the last few months,” he said. “We didn’t go well in our last Test series [against Sri Lanka, in March-April]. Having said that, I think we are well prepared for this Test series. The players have used the opportunities to prepare properly. They believe that we can do better with the bat.”I have always looked to develop my skills as a batter. Every practice session has been about improving in those areas where I lack. I am hopeful that it will help me in the matches [against Pakistan].”Shanto, meanwhile, remained positive that Bangladesh have enough reason to be confident for the series opener in Rawalpindi, especially with their fast-bowling unit.”Records can change. It won’t be easy [for Pakistan],” he said. “We have a balanced side. We believe we can do special things this time. We are excited to play here. We have developed a good pace-bowling unit, we have four quality spinners, [and] we covered all the bases that will help us make the team tomorrow. The seamers get a bit of benefit here, so they are excited to do well in this condition.”

In an attempt to weaken their top-five rivals, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly readying a big transfer play to sign a Manchester City star who’s not short on potential suitors.

Leicester clash now a must-win for Nottingham Forest

After one win in their last five Premier League games, Nottingham Forest are in danger of derailing their season at the worst moment possible, with just three games remaining to claim Champions League qualification.

A 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out at least ensured that they avoided three consecutive defeats in all competitions, but Nuno Espirito Santo will be well aware how important victory against Leicester City is this weekend.

The Nottingham Forest manager told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “We are always aware of the quality of our opposition, and this is the responsibility of the players no matter what situation the team is in.

“Both sets of players are going to give their all, and as long as we are the better team, we should be proud. We expect a tough match and it’s an East Midlands derby and it means a lot for all of us at the club.

Nottingham Forest believe they can sign "exceptional" £50m star this summer

The Tricky Trees are keen to sanction reinforcements.

BySean Markus Clifford May 10, 2025

“Looking back at our last game, we insist we have to be more clinical, improve on set pieces, create more and defend properly. Everything we have done during the week we have to bring to the game. This is what we have to evaluate if we’re going to the fundamentals that we want to.”

What Champions League qualification would do for Nottingham Forest in the transfer window this summer cannot be overstated, especially as they reportedly go in pursuit of signing one particular Manchester City midfielder.

Nottingham Forest readying McAtee move

According to The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest are now readying a big transfer play to sign James McAtee from Manchester City this summer. The midfielder is reportedly keen to leave the Etihad in pursuit of a starting place elsewhere, opening the door for those at the City Ground to make their move.

That said, Forest aren’t alone in the race for his signature. Reports have also revealed that the likes of Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in the City graduate and see him as an ideal player to replace Florian Wirtz.

Of course, the advantage that the Bundesliga club have is that Manchester City are one of the reported clubs chasing a deal to sign Wirtz this summer.

Described as “talented” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, McAtee is likely to have a decision to make when the summer transfer window arrives. However, whether that ends with a move to Nottingham Forest remains to be seen.

Ademola Lookman has emerged as an option for Napoli as they prepare to add attacking options amid Victor Osimhen’s possible move to Galatasaray.

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Napoli view Lookman as a priority targetArsenal also exploring a move for Atalanta winger27-year-old valued at around €50mFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

With a significant cash injection expected from Osimhen heading out the door this summer, the Serie A giants are planning to strengthen both their attacking and wide options, and reports one of the names on their radar is Lookman. The Atalanta winger, who dazzled in the 2024 Europa League final with a hat-trick, is reportedly being lined up as a crucial signing alongside a striker.

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Lookman's stock has been on high since his legendary hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final. The 27-year-old winger is under contract with Atalanta until 2027 and is currently valued at around €50 million (£43m/$49m).

Napoli are interested in bringing the Nigerian international to fill the void left by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but they aren't alone in the chase. Arsenal have long admired Lookman and are exploring the option to bring him back to the Premier League, while West Ham and Atletico Madrid are also said to be monitoring his situation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite the interest from English clubs, it has been reported that Lookman is not currently interested in a Premier League return, which could give the Serie A giants an edge.

Still, Napoli are keeping other options on the table. If a move for Lookman doesn’t work out, they are reportedly ready to shift their focus to Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez and Bologna’s Dan Ndoye as backup targets.

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR LOOKMAN AND NAPOLI?

Napoli may make an official move once Osimhen’s transfer is finalised, but competition for Lookman’s signature is expected to heat up in the coming days. Atletico have reportedly begun early talks with his camp and are willing to meet Atalanta’s asking price. With Arsenal, West Ham, and Napoli all in the race, Lookman’s next move could lead to a bidding war, which is what Atalanta would be hoping for.

أكد تشابي ألونسو، مدرب نادي ريال مدريد، على قوة ليفانتي، قبل مواجهة الفريقين يوم غدًا الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

ريال مدريد يسعى إلى تحقيق الفوز على ليفانتي، من أجل مواصلة تصدره لبطولة الدوري الإسباني والاستمرار في الانتصارات.

ويتصدر ريال مدريد الدوري الإٍسباني برصيد 15 نقطة وبالعلامة الكاملة من 5 انتصارات.

اقرأ أيضًا .. فالدانو يحذر فينيسيوس: عليك إقناع ألونسو.. وما تفعله عدم احترام

وبدأ ألونسو مؤتمره الصحفي في لقاء اليوم والذي نقلته صحيفة “آس” بالحديث عن لقاء ليفانتي، حيث قال: ”أي مباراة خارج ملعبنا ليست سهلة وليفانتي خصم شرس ولديهم مدرب مميز، غدًا علينا القيام بالكثير من الأمور بشكل جيد وأن نلعب بجودة عالية وإيقاع متسارع وتركيز عال”.

وعن الكرة الذهبية وما إذا سيكون هناك مفاجأة بعدم فوز نجم باريس سان جيرمان، عثمان ديمبلي، بالكرة الذهبية، أجاب ألونسو: ”الأمر ليس من شأني، لست جزءًا من لجنة التحكيم الخاصة بالجائزة ولم أفكر كثيرًا في هذا الأمر، أفكر فقط في ليفانتي”.

وأضاف: ”نحن أفضل ونتحسن لكننا ما زلنا في مرحلة البناء، في المباراة الماضية لعبنا بشكل جاد وفعال وهذا يخبرنا بالأشياء الجيدة التي نقوم بها، لم نكن هناك في هذا المستوى إلا لفترة قصيرة، ويجب أن يكون لدينا طموح للمزيد، نحن متعطشون ونريد الحصول على الكثير من النقاط ولهذا يجب أن نفوز بالعديد من المباريات”.

وأوضح عن اعتراض بعض اللاعبين على تغييرهم في المباريات: ”كنت لاعبًا وعندما كان يتم استبدالي لم أكن سعيدًا، لقد تعاملت مع الأمر بشكل طبيعي ولا أبالغ في هذا”.

وعن تألق ألفارو كاريراس مع ريال مدريد، أردف ألونسو: ”كان متفائلاً، لكن شخصيته وروحه التنافسية فاجأتني بشكل سار، يرتكب أخطاء قليلة جدًا ويتمتع بعقلية رائعة، من المذهل مدى تأثيره الفوري ولدينا أيضًا فران جارسيا وديفيد ألابا وفيرلاند ميندي في هذا المركز، لكن أداء كاريراس ممتاز”.

وعن فينيسيوس جونيور وغضب الأخير من استبداله ضد إسبانيول تابع تشابي: ”في اليوم الذي خلف مباراة إسبانيول، كان جميع اللاعبين سعداء بالفوز وهذا ما نحتاجه، أن نكون فريقًا جماعيًأ، الجميع يفهم الدور الذي نريده للفريق والذي علينا أن نضيفه”.

واستمر ألونسو في الحديث عن فينيسيوس، حيث واصل: ”أنا سعيد بما يقدمه فينيسيوس وما زلنا في البداية، لا يزال هناك الكثير مما يجب تقديمه ويجب أن أشعر بأهميته”.

وفتح ألونسو الباب أمام مشاركة جود بيلينجهام وإدواردو كامافينجا بشكل أساسي، غدًا، حيث قال: ”نعم، يمكنهما المشاركة غدًا وتدربا بشكل أكبر مع الفريق”.

وأضاف: ”النتائج تعزز الثقة بالنفس عندما نفوز خارج أرضنا، لكن لا توجد أسرار، أن يكون الفريق متحدًا ويجب أن يلعب الجميع بروح جماعية ليستفيد الفريق”.

وأوضح عن ثلاثي خط الهجوم المفضل له في ريال مدريد: ”هذا سؤال معقد سيوقعني في مشكلة، أنا سعيد ونحن بحاجة للجميع، يجب أن نتطور في بعض الجوانب، هذا واضح لكن هناك قاعدة تبنى وأسلوب يوضع وسيكون الفريق قويًا لبقية الموسم، كان بإمكان البعض تسجيل المزيد من الأهداف والبعض الآخر ينتظر الهدف الأول. لكن الجميع يتطلع إلى ذلك”.

وعن صعوبة خلق الفرص ضد إسبانيول على الرغم من الاستحواذ أجاب ألونسو: ”في المباراة السابقة، واجهنا صعوبة في إيجاد المزيد من الحلول في الثلث الأخير، لكننا تحدثنا محاولين تصحيح ما يمكننا فعله، يجب الاستعداد لجميع مراحل المباراة، البيانات تبقى بيانات لكن تفسيرها قد يختلف”.

وعن ما يتوقعه ألونسو من كامافينجا أردف: ”أنا متفائل بعض الشيء بشأنه لأنه لم ينضم للفريق إلا منذ فترة قصيرة، أعرفه من خلال رؤيته ومن طريقة قراءته للمباريات، لديه إمكانات هائلة وموهبة كبيرة وهناك مكان له في مشروعي، لديه الرغبة”.

وعن عدم استبعاد كاريراس وأوريلين تشواميني من تشكيلة ريال مدريد الأساسية ومشاركتهم في جميع المباريات اختتم ألونسو: ”إنهم مهمون ولم نلعب سوى ست مباريات، لكل شيء وقته وسيدخلون في قائمة المداورة، لا تسألني متى لكنهم سيرتاحون، حتى الآن كانت فترة قصيرة منذ بداية الموسم، وسنرى مع مرور الوقت”.