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Leeds United only have two more friendly fixtures left for this summer before the Premier League season finally kicks off.

The remaining matches on the schedule will test Daniel Farke’s Whites ahead of their journey up to the top flight, as Villarreal travel to Elland Road at the start of August, before a trip to Ireland takes place for the West Yorkshire side’s clash with AC Milan.

Anton Stach will hope he’s given his first runout in Leeds white against the visitors from Spain, having just signed on the dotted line for £17.4m.

He is unlikely to be the final signing of Leeds’ action-packed summer, however, as plenty more signings are tipped to join Farke’s camp before Everton come to town next month.

Leeds still chasing £26m attacker

Sunderland have eclipsed Leeds’ spending when considering the business conducted by the promoted clubs, with the Black Cats splashing out £30m on just one player when snapping up Habib Diarra.

The Whites could blow their spending out of the water if they’re willing to fork out a crazy £50m to land Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, with that high amount being the wild price tag above the Brazilian’s head courtesy of the Cottagers.

There also appears to be a deal now wrapped up for Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri to join the club, but the newly promoted side isn’t just looking at Muniz in isolation when it comes to some statement deals in attack.

Indeed, reports seem to suggest that Leeds are still very much chasing after long-term target Igor Paixao, with an update from Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph indicating that Farke and Co. are “closely monitoring” the unfolding situation with the Feyenoord winger.

At one stage, it looked like a formality that Marseille were going to wrap up a £26m deal for the entertaining forward. However, that deal has gone cold, meaning the Whites have returned to the dramatic race.

Leeds have been here before when splashing the cash on a thrilling addition from Europe, with Farke full of hope surely that Paixao can be his next iteration of Georginio Rutter if a move finally gets over the line.

Why Paixao can become Farke's next Rutter

Rutter would join the building for a mammoth £35.5m in January of 2023, and minus a rocky start at Leeds as they were relegated down to the Championship, the Frenchman was a firm fan’s favourite for the majority of his electric Elland Road stay.

Indeed, the 2023/24 campaign would see Rutter consistently dazzle EFL defences under Farke’s wing, culminating in him registering a mind-blowing seven goals and 16 assists across the span of the ultimately disappointing campaign, as Leeds failed to immediately break back into the Premier League.

Rutter’s whirlwind journey in West Yorkshire would then come to an abrupt end here as he moved onto the Premier League anyway with Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Whites shouldn’t hold the same concerns that Paixao will look to jump ship so soon into his stint, however, with the Brazilian looking readymade to cause a storm in the testing division after Farke and Co. clinched promotion, if his Eredivisie heroics are anything to go by.

Games played

34

Goals scored

16

Assists

10

Touches*

48.1

Accurate passes*

20.6 (78%)

Big chances missed

11

Big chances created

12

The direct, “explosive” nature of the £26m attacker – as he’s been labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – was on full display last campaign in the Netherlands, as seen in his colossal tally of 16 goals and ten assists in league action, which eclipses the total amassed by Rutter during the 2023/24 season by three goal contributions.

The agile 5-foot-6 winger should hopefully be able to slot into the Leeds set-up and be equally as devastating, having also been hailed as “incredible” by his Feyenoord manager Robin Van Persie, who definitely knows a thing or two about exciting forward players.

A handful of a player, like Rutter, Paixao is particularly adept at making his presence felt in the final third, having ranked in the top 12% of Eredivisie wingers for touches in the attacking penalty area last season, at an average of 5.48 per 90, as per FBref. Rutter, for context, averaged a similar figure of 5.49 in the Championship in 2023/24.

Both a goalscorer and creator, like the Frenchman, the Feyenoord sensation also mirrors his attacking counterpart in being able to operate in a variety of attacking roles, be it off his favoured left flank or in a central berth.

Paixao will also already be aware of the hallowed ground of Elland Road and the impact stars like him can have on the adoring masses, with the 25-year-old once sourcing Raphinha as a direct source of inspiration as his career unwinds.

He could even boldly attempt to replicate Raphinha’s success story in West Yorkshire in being another sparkling gem that enables Leeds to stay afloat in the top-flight, as the excitement levels continue to build ahead of the Premier League campaign starting.

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أوضح الإعلامي أحمد شوبير، تطورات موقف النادي الأهلي في التعاقد مع مدير فني جديد، خلفًا لـ خوسيه ريبيرو، والذي تم توجيه الشكر له، والاستعانة بالكابتن عماد النحاس كمدرب مؤقتًا للفريق، لحين التعاقد مع مدرب أجنبي جديد.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأحد: “هناك اجتماعات كثيرة جارية داخل الأهلي لاختيار خليفة ريبيرو، وسأوضح بالضبط كيف تسير الأمور”.

وتابع: “الاتجاه الغالب والمسيطر هو تعيين مدرب أجنبي، وكان من المقرر أن يبدأ هذا المدرب التدريبات مع نهاية الإجازة يوم الخميس، لكن بعض الأصوات تدخلت وقالت: لا نتعجل في اختيار المدرب، دعونا نهدأ قليلاً خطوة خطوة حتى نرى كيف ستتضح الأمور”.

وأشار: “النادي شكل جهازًا كاملًا يضم كابتن عماد النحاس، كابتن عادل مصطفى، كابتن محمد نجيب، وكابتن أمير عبد الحميد، وهم الجهاز الفني، ومعهم اثنان للأحمال: عبد الرحمن عيسى والشيحي، ومعهم بالطبع النجم الكبير وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة”.

طالع أيضًا | أول تعليق من سيد عبد الحفيظ بعد ترشيحه للعودة إلى الأهلي

واستمر: “كما استمر كابتن محمد يوسف مديرًا رياضيًا للفريق، وأسامة هلال رئيس إدارة السكوتنج وهو القائم بأعمال مدير التعاقدات، وقد نصح الجميع بالهدوء.. معنى هذا الهدوء أنهم سيصبرون على كابتن عماد النحاس قليلًا لأنه لديه تجربة ناجحة سابقة”.

وأوضح شوبير: “هل هذا يعني أن الأهلي لن يجلب مدربًا أجنبيًا؟ لا، التفاوض جاري، لكن بروية، وعند قدوم المدرب الأجنبي الجديد، سيكون هو المدير الفني الثاني عشر الذي يتولى تدريب الفريق في عهد كابتن محمود الخطيب، بعد تسلسل بدأ بحسام البدري، باترس كارتيرون، محمد يوسف مؤقتًا، مارتن لاسارتي، رينيه فايلر، موسيماني، سامي قمصان مؤقت، سواريش، مارسيل كولر، عماد النحاس مؤقت، وخوسيه ريبيرو”.

واختتم: “التفكير في المدرب الأجنبي مستمر، ولجنة الاسكوتنج والتعاقدات تعمل على ترشيح الأسماء يوميًا، ويصلك كل يوم العديد من السير الذاتية، صراحة، تعبت من كثرة السير الذاتية المرسلة لي، وأؤكد لأي شخص يرسل لي (سي في) لاعب أو مدرب أنني لا أنظر إليها ولا أرسلها لأي جهة، لأنها ليست ضمن دوري أو مسؤوليتي، وهناك بعض الأشخاص يظنون أنهم يعرفون القصة أكثر من الواقع، لكن الحقيقة غير ذلك”.

Tottenham Hotspur have now submitted an enquiry over a deal for an “explosive” star, who is expected to cost in excess of £40m this summer, according to a report.

Tottenham eye new midfielder amid doubts over Bentancur's future

While Tottenham secured Champions League qualification via their Europa League triumph, their Premier League performances in the 2024-25 campaign left a lot to be desired, and new manager Thomas Frank will be hoping to oversee a major turnaround.

During his first interview as Spurs boss, Frank singled out James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke as three players he is excited to work with, indicating the Dane is happy with the attacking midfield options at his disposal.

However, should Bentancur refuse to sign a new contract, the Uruguayan could be moved on this summer, with a move to Atletico Madrid deemed a possibility, meaning Frank may be tasked with bringing in a replacement.

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As such, according to a report from The Boot Room, Daniel Levy and Co could look to raid one of their Premier League rivals, having now submitted an enquiry over a deal for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who is expected to cost in excess of £40m this summer.

Elliott is ready to leave the Reds, given a lack of game time last season, and first-team opportunities are likely to be even more limited in the upcoming campaign, considering Florian Wirtz’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

There is widespread interest in the 22-year-old, however, which could pose a problem for Spurs, with nearly half the Premier League submitting enquiries of their own, while Jurgen Klopp is also looking to take his former player to RB Leipzig.

"Explosive" Elliott leads England U21s to glory in Slovakia

England U21s secured a second consecutive European Championships title with a 3-2 victory over Germany on Saturday, and manager Lee Carsley has the Liverpool midfielder to thank, given that he played a major role in the triumph.

The 22-year-old picked up the Player of the Tournament award, courtesy of scoring five goals en-route to glory in Slovakia, while he has also impressed Arne Slot in the past, with the Dutchman saying: “He’s so explosive with the way that he moves and with his end product. We are very lucky to have him.”

Not only that, but the former Fulham man places ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 by players in his position over the past year, and the 86th percentile for assists, showcasing the attacking threat he poses.

Elliott is now at an age where he needs to be playing regular football, and his exploits for England U21s indicate he could flourish at Tottenham, so a fee of around £40m seems very reasonable.

Liverpool are in an enviable position right now: they’ve won the Premier League, and dominantly at that, having avoided heavy transfer expenditure over the past three windows.

Now, the Reds are looking to make sweeping changes to Arne Slot’s team, fattening it up with new recruits who could play an instrumental role in retaining the title and challenging for more over the coming years.

However, some outgoings are to be expected too. Trent Alexander-Arnold has already packed up and left, while Darwin Nunez is expected to leave on a permanent deal.

GIVEMESPORT have revealed that Luis Diaz, 28, is also open to leaving Liverpool this summer, with the £72m-rated Colombian being chased by Saudi suitors and Barcelona, who have a long-standing interest but are uncertain on the figures attached.

Diaz has been an incredible servant for Liverpool over these past several years, but he’s not inexpendable, especially if that £72m price tag is met by Saudi suitors.

24/25

50

17

8

23/24

51

13

7

22/23

21

5

3

21/22

26

6

5

For sure, if Liverpool manage to get a deal for Florian Wirtz over the line, any ruefulness from the sale will be smoothly offset.

The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool

Liverpool’s pursuit of Wirtz is trudging forward, and while those in the know have reiterated that all parties expect a deal to be completed, fans’ fears will not be placated until the official announcement is made.

Where Wirtz could feature for Liverpool

The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed on Tuesday morning that Liverpool’s second offer, worth about €130m (£109m), has failed to bridge the gap at the negotiating table, with Leverkusen still holding out for a British-record €150m (£126m) fee.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, would be an incredible addition to a Liverpool side in transition, yes, but also buoyed by the incredible feat of winning the Premier League off Manchester City this year.

With Trent swapping red for white this summer, securing a new playmaker-in-chief was always going to be crucial, and falling at this stage of the one-horse race would provide the most bitter of pills.

If Slot is to take this squad and fashion something even greater from it, FSG will need to continue to back him, and in fairness, they appear to be doing exactly that, with talks being held for one of Italian football’s most talented wingers.

Liverpool line up new winger

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Liverpool have entered the race for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, and fans will be interested to note that Bayern Munich are the Reds’ main competitors.

Transfer Focus

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The report continues to claim Liverpool chiefs have this week made official contact with Milan for the transfer of the 25-year-old.

That said, they face competition not only from European giants Bayern Munich, but also from Saudi Arabia’s big three, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.

Milan endured a torrid season, finishing eighth in Serie A and thus missing out on European competition, so their bargaining power in retaining an elite winger like Leao has been diminished.

Though Leao’s employers have made feeble demands that their player will cost suitors €130m (£110m), this is clearly an exorbitant sum, and Liverpool will be confident they can negotiate something more agreeable.

Why Liverpool want Rafael Leao

Leao joined his Milano teammates in despairing over their middling Serie A finish, but he can hold his head high after notching 25 goal contributions from 50 matches in all competitions.

Actually praised as “one of the best in the world” by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Leao is typically found on the left wing, using his blistering pace to overwhelm opponents, stretch defensive lines.

He’s also a tenacious sort, averaging 1.7 dribbles per league game and winning 50% of his duels, as per Sofascore, which is impressive given he’s a forward.

Moreover, Leao hit eight goals and assists apiece across the divisional campaign and only missed eight big chances, so while his numbers could be raised up a level, given his almighty technical quality, he’s not exactly profligate.

Indeed, Leao could do more from the clinical department, but his underlying data suggests he could yet bloom into a deadly marksman for a team like Liverpool.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Italian first division this season for goal contributions, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90.

Efforts might be focused on getting Wirtz over to Anfield, but Leao’s potential is crazy, and there’s every chance the fleet-footed talent could bring the X-factor to make him just as exciting as his German counterpart, should he sign.

You can see why Liverpool are intrigued: With Diaz potentially on the way out this summer, bringing in a successor of similarly electric qualities would be a sure-fire way to maintain the fluency down Liverpool’s wide flank.

Furthermore, his consistency might be an attribute that could do with some improving, but if he’s already notching decent numbers for a team that struggled for form, Slot may fancy his chance in elevating this thrilling player to the next level.

Leao also created ten big chances in Serie A, more than any of his Rossoneri teammates.

Leao’s output might leave something to be desired, but his overarching skill set is truly something to behold. Regarded as a “superstar” by football writer Theo Mwangi, the nifty winger could be just as exciting as Wirtz in the Liverpool starting line-up next year.

Just imagine them playing side-by-side.

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Chelsea beat Djurgarden 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Conference League semi-final to book their place in the final of the competition.

The Blues won 4-1 in the first leg away from home to give themselves a comfortable buffer heading into Thursday night’s clash, and they will now face Real Betis in the final.

Enzo Maresca has the chance to win a European trophy, albeit not the Champions League or the Europa League, in his first season in the dugout at Stamford Bridge.

The former Leicester City boss also has the Blues in fifth place in the Premier League table, which means that they are on course to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite the success that Chelsea have had on the pitch, domestically and in Europe this term, the club are still set to be active in the summer transfer window to bolster the manager’s options across the pitch.

A new winger could be on the agenda for the Premier League giants as they look to find their next version of Belgian wizard Eden Hazard on the flank.

Why Eden Hazard was a superstar for Chelsea

It is fair to say that the majority of Chelsea’s supporters will think fondly of the diminutive magician when they think back on his career at the club, as he delivered so many brilliant performances for the Blues.

Signed from Lille in 2012, Hazard spent seven years in English football with the club and racked up 110 goals and 88 assists in 352 appearances in all competitions, which illustrates both the quality and the longevity of his career at Stamford Bridge.

As you can see in the clips above, the Belgian dynamo was a superstar for Chelsea because he had the talent to create something out of nothing with a moment of magic.

For all the talk of tactics and systems, which are important, Hazard was the kind of player who could go and win a game on his own by beating several players and creating or scoring a goal, which is just priceless in football.

2018/19

37

16

15

2017/18

34

12

4

2016/17

36

16

5

2015/16

31

4

3

2014/15

38

14

9

2013/14

35

14

7

2012/13

34

9

11

As you can see in the table above, the former Lille ace delivered consistent quality in six of his seven seasons in the Premier League, with at least 12 goals in five of those campaigns.

Hazard was the kind of player Chelsea could look to in their lowest moments to drag them out of a hole with an electric run or a top-quality pass or finish, and Maresca could find his own version of the Belgian if the Blues can wrap up a deal for a player they are currently pursuing.

Chelsea make contact to sign Serie A star

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea have made contact with Italian giants Milan over a deal to sign Rafael Leao in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that initial talks are already underway between the two clubs over a move for the Portugal international, and that the Blues are the team with the most advanced interest in him.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that fellow Premier League side Arsenal, who made the semi-finals of the Champions League this season, are also keen on the Serie A sensation, but they are yet to make contact with Milan.

CaughtOffside adds that a fee of £64m could be enough to tempt the Italian side into cashing in on the forward, but it remains to be seen whether or not Chelsea are willing to pay that much for him.

It is now down to the club to ensure that these talks end with a deal agreed for Leao because he is a player who has the potential to be Maresca’s own version of Hazard next season and beyond.

Why Rafael Leao could be Chelsea's next Eden Hazard

Like the Belgian wizard, the Milan superstar is a right-footed forward who typically plays on the left flank, cutting in on his right foot to deliver goals and assists.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig described Leao as a “pure difference-maker” for the Italian side, which is also what Hazard was for Chelsea with his ability to score and create goals out of nothing.

Leao produced nine goals and nine assists in the Serie A last season and, as you can see in the clips above, he showcased his ability to produce magic moments in the final third on a regular basis.

As Hazard did for Chelsea, the Portuguese star has also delivered quality on a consistent basis over several seasons, with at least 12 goals and at least ten assists in all competitions in each of the last four seasons.

24/25

48

12

15

11

23/24

47

15

22

12

22/23

48

16

20

11

21/22

42

14

8

10

As you can see in the table above, Leao has been a difference-maker for the Italian side at the top end of the pitch by providing goals and assists consistently from the left wing.

But it is not just the numbers, which are impressive, that suggest the £64m-rated star could be Chelsea’s next version of Hazard, it is also the style in which he delivers quality for Milan.

The highlights above of his performance against PSG in the Champions League in 2023, for example, are Hazard-esque in the way he was marauding down the left flank, consistently taking on players with dribble attempts to get his team up the pitch.

Leao is a dynamic, exciting, forward who likes to take people on and be a difference-maker at the top end of the pitch, and he has the goals and assists for Milan in the past four years to back up his exciting play with end product.

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Therefore, Leao has all the attributes and the play style to arrive at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s new Hazard, whilst also having plenty of time left, at the age of 25, to build a similar legacy during his time at the club, if the Blues can strike a deal for him.

The ECB hoped for better, but will the 2024 edition prove enough to entice the investors?

Matt Roller19-Aug-2024This was not a vintage year for the Hundred, just as it has not been a vintage English cricketing summer. The season’s main event – the men’s T20 World Cup – happened overseas, the touring men’s Test teams are ranked No. 7 and 8 in the world, and the Olympics and football’s European Championship have dominated the attention of general sports fans.For the ECB, the 2024 instalment of their shiny new thing has been about consolidation and proof of concept. They will hope that the prospective investors in hospitality suites across the finals weekend were engaged enough by some tense knockout games that they paid scant attention to declines in scoring rates and crowd numbers which defined the rest of the season.The sales process will officially get underway next month, with stakes of 49% or more in each franchise on offer. The stated aim is to “take the competition to the next level” – most obviously, by staving off competition from overseas leagues for the best players in the world through higher wages – with the proceeds shared across English cricket.Official figures showed a seven percent decline in ticket sales from 2023, from 580,000 to 540,000, most obviously outside of London. Between them, Lord’s and The Oval hosted 10 matchdays out of 34 but contributed around 46% of the Hundred’s total attendance this year: no wonder London Spirit and Oval Invincibles are expected to be the most sought-after franchises.Rob Hillman, the ECB’s director of major events, said the board were “immensely proud” of the Hundred’s fourth season, citing record-breaking attendances at women’s fixtures. “We look forward to seeing how it grows in the future and how we build on these foundations as we seek partners to help make the Hundred even bigger and better,” Hillman said.The women’s tournament remains some way ahead of the men’s in its status relative to the global game. “I can’t speak highly enough of how it’s put the women’s game on the map,” said Heather Knight, whose London Spirit side won their first title. “You look at the crowd and it’s so different to what you’d see at a men’s Test match… it’s brought different people to the women’s game.”The cricket itself was a mixed bag. The first week of the men’s competition suffered on account of clashes with Major League Cricket and England’s third Test against West Indies. That was compounded further by Jos Buttler’s calf injury, which deprived the Hundred of its best player and badly exposed Manchester Originals’ previous reliance on his runs.A batch of balls that swung and seamed early on, combined with indifferent pitches and heavy investment by teams into their bowling attacks prompted a sharp decline in scoring rates: around 14 runs per 100 balls in the men’s competition, and seven per 100 balls in the women’s. It brought bowlers back into the game – but probably too much so for casual followers.Nicholas Pooran arrived without luggage for his first game but found form for Northern SuperchargersThe success of Oval Invincibles – back-to-back champions, three defeats in two seasons – has benefitted the men’s tournament as a whole, with their focus on continuity in recruitment helping them to create an identity as a side. In the women’s game, the best stories were Welsh Fire’s resurgence and the unexpected struggles of Southern Brave, whose title defence culminated in a wooden spoon.The overlap with MLC caused a swathe of farcical one-match signings: Mohammad Amir bowled 15 of the first 20 balls in the men’s competition, then flew straight to Canada’s Global T20. Nicholas Pooran, the top draft pick, arrived with his luggage stuck in transit after a night on a transatlantic flight, then made 10 off 15 balls using a borrowed bat on Northern Superchargers debut.The women’s competition proved that investment can attract the world’s best players, with a 60% increase in top salaries tempting Meg Lanning and Ash Gardner to feature for the first time. Annabel Sutherland, another top-bracket £50,000 signing, was named MVP after starring with bat and ball for the Superchargers.But this season was a reminder that short-form leagues live or die on the quality of domestic players as much as their overseas stars. Lanning’s involvement was a major coup but she averaged 17 with a single half-century; Pooran batted brilliantly after his false start, but Andre Russell earned nearly £1,400 per run during an abject season for London Spirit’s men.Related

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There were only four overseas players in the men’s final, with Spencer Johnson injured and Andre Fletcher running the drinks for Southern Brave. But there were still 15 players with international caps involved in a high-quality game. “Our domestic pool of players is phenomenal,” said Sam Billings, the winning captain. “The standard is only second to the IPL.”England player availability is just as – if not more – important than that of overseas players, so Ben Stokes’ hamstring tear in his fifth-ever Superchargers game was a PR disaster. The ECB responded by resting Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests; next year, the Hundred has a clear run from early August, starting immediately after India’s tour.The public response to Stokes’ injury underlined the fact that the tournament remains hugely unpopular in some quarters. “There’s a few Lancs fans who want me burned at the stake,” Keaton Jennings said – perhaps only half-joking – having captained them at the start of the Metro Bank Cup only to sign a replacement deal with London Spirit a few days later.The imminent sale means nobody knows exactly what the 2025 season will look like. “It is a huge unknown, of course,” Billings said. “There will be big change.” Any alterations to team names or salaries may wait until 2026, as details of investments are finalised: “We are going to take our time in order to make sure that we get to the right decisions,” Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, said.The Hundred is now four years old and for all the division that it has caused, it has shown signs of delivering on two of its core objectives: accelerating the growth of the women’s game, and attracting new fans to cricket. This winter’s sale process will dictate whether it can achieve a third, and its biggest yet: underpinning the sport’s financial future in England and Wales.

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Moody: Litton aside, Bangladesh went about their power-hitting the wrong way

Litton Das has batted in 154 T20 innings. He has scored 40 or more at a strike-rate of over 150 only three times. He is still considered Bangladesh’s best bet by many. Aesthetics have a lot to do with that. When he is on song, he doesn’t look like he is incapable of anything. The pull, the cut, the cover-drive, the deft late-cut, he plays them all, and does so languidly. Yet his T20 record: average of 22.95 and strike-rate of 125.95.T20 cricket, more than any format, strips you of any leeway style might get you. If you can’t use your aesthetics to score runs, and quick runs, you are discarded. A few Bangladesh batters – whether stylish or not – fall in that category. Play on a slow pitch, neutralise the opposition’s six-hitting, and they are a dangerous team. When you are chasing 185 against India on a cold night in Adelaide, you need some six-hitting to even dream of winning.Related

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'We didn't talk about it being fair or unfair' – Shakib on resumption of play in slippery conditions

India survive Litton Das scare in wet Adelaide

This is when Litton stuns India. He has no choice but to come out swinging. Even when he does come out swinging, Litton doesn’t look like he is playing a single shot in anger. KL Rahul says that it is the fact that Litton is hitting good balls away without an element of slogging that has fazed the India bowlers. They have been kicked off their lengths and plans.There are quite a few Bangladesh supporters in the stands, but the silence among the Indian section is so deafening you can’t hear the Bangla cheers. Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami are all taken apart. He brings up his fifty in 21 balls. It is difficult to plan for this kind of assault from a batter with those stats. A measure of how good Litton is, that while he has scored 56 off 24 in the powerplay, his partner Najmul Hossain Shanto has managed just four off 12. Another measure of how good Litton has been is that Bangladesh are 17 runs ahead of the DLS par score when it starts raining at the end of the seventh over.

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We are in the bizarro universe now. Normally sides fielding are more reluctant to resume play in post-rain conditions. Here India are desperate to play on. On the other hand, the more it rains the better it is for Bangladesh. No more play gives them the elusive win over India in a world event. If we lose 10 overs, Bangladesh have to chase 23 in three; if we lose five, they will need 76 in eight.The ground staff keep running a rope on the ground almost through the rain break. Even before it stops raining, the big cover comes off. In all likelihood, this is just the ground staff showing confidence in the radar and getting a head start when it comes to drying the surface. It stops raining at about 9.37pm, about 40 minutes after it first started coming down. That’s a loss of two overs. You would think it would take another 20 minutes or so, a total loss of seven overs, but it is announced play will resume at 9.50pm, giving Bangladesh a further target of 85 in nine overs.As the ground gets through the final touch-ups, India look relaxed, in their huddle, regrouping after that assault. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is seen having an animated discussion with the umpires while India captain Rohit Sharma mostly just stands and listens. Shakib is seen running his hand on the ground and showing them the water that comes up with it. Even after the umpires’ chat with the captains is done, Litton comes and has a chat with the umpires with some finger-pointing towards the ground.Bangladesh are not happy. This break has broken the momentum, but it is not long enough to help them mathematically even though the wet conditions will challenge India’s bowlers and fielders.Just to make things worse, Litton slips when running on the first ball. He injures his wrist too. He is running on the edge of the pitch, but when he is sliding in at the end of the run, he is almost on the grass next to the pitch, which takes him down. They decide against two. On the next ball, the second is properly on. This time, Litton is running on the grass and slips during the second. He doesn’t fall, but on this precise occasion, India, who almost comically couldn’t hit the wickets from close range against South Africa, manage a direct hit from the deep.Litton Das slipped while running between the wickets•ICC/Getty ImagesLitton is furious, looks back at the grass that nearly tripped him and walks off in disgust. If you are already feeling hard done by, this is enough to make you want to protest.

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This is the exchange in the early goings at Shakib’s post-match press conference.Reporter: Shakib, smiling:Reporter: Shakib, still smiling: Reporter: Shakib, smile getting wider: Reporter: Shakib doesn’t know what to say.Reporter: Shakib: Reporter: Shakib: Reporter:

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Shakib at this press conference is different from the Shakib we know. The Shakib who kicks down stumps, who argues with umpires, who gets into fights with spectators, who gesticulates at the camera for spending too much time trained on him, is the voice of the reason at the end of the match.However, how he is during the match in that dugout is important. Shakib is not the only emotional person in that team. That team runs on emotion. If anybody has been to Bangladesh, they will know the country runs on emotion.Emotion is Bangladesh cricket’s superpower. And during the rain break they have probably been told they have already failed to protest about a Virat Kohli fake-fielding incident. Twice in this tournament Kohli has remonstrated with the umpires even before they have had a chance to call a no-ball. It has annoyed the fans of the opposition. Not the merits of the call, but that Kohli gets to remonstrate. Now that there has been a chance to put Kohli on the spot, both the umpires and the batters have missed it. This is where emotion would have been well spent.You can imagine it is all building up. Then there is a chance to finally put one past India after the nightmares against them: the borderline no-ball to turn it around in the 2015 World Cup, the premature celebrations in the 2016 T20 World Cup, the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka. And now they have a chance not only to beat India but also to have proper semi-final aspirations.It is all at risk, and then what happens to Litton has happened.Then one after the other, Bangladesh batters keep swinging. Some shots come off spectacularly but Bangladesh don’t need these risks. Most teams in these circumstances give themselves a few balls to get themselves in knowing no target is safe when they take it deep. Bangladesh don’t have experience of doing so. More importantly, they don’t have known six-hitters on whom they can rely to finish the game if it gets tight.They are also angry, they are emotional, and they start playing the kind of shots Litton didn’t play at all.India on the other hand are doing small things right. Their long-on is wide, almost a deep midwicket, where two slogs end up. Rahul nails that direct hit. Arshdeep gets yorkers right with that wet ball. They are a lesson in being clinical.Emotion is also Bangladesh cricket’s kryptonite.

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Never mind the coincidence that Bangladesh fall short by five, the same number of runs India would have been penalised had Kohli’s fake-fielding been noticed. In the fact that they come this close despite making all kinds of mistakes is a lesson. They play their best cricket when riding a wave of emotion, but they also need to hang in when it is not going their way. A lot of it comes from depth in your team, but sometimes you have to consciously keep the emotions aside. A bit like how Shakib does at the press conference to avoid controversy and fines. On the field they have to find a way to avoid it when it begins to harm them, which can admittedly be difficult when the amount of play left is as little as nine overs.

Here’s a look at seven young Indian bowlers who could make a mark at the 2020 edition of the IPL

Varun Shetty and Sidharth Monga08-Sep-2020ALSO READ: Uncapped Indian batsmen to watch out for
Ravi BishnoiTeam: Kings XI PunjabWhy we’re excited
Bishnoi is at the batsman all time with his legspin, relentless with his intent to attack and suffocating to face. The 20-year-old was the highest wicket-taker at the 2020 Under-19 World Cup and is among the brightest wristspinning prospects in the Indian domestic circuit. He will be working with Anil Kumble, whose bowling he seems to have been inspired by.How will he fit it into the XI?
The Kings XI have invested a decent amount in signing Bishnoi, and he will likely be used in rotation with M Ashwin, the only other frontline wristspinner in the squad.Ishan PorelTeam: Kings XI PunjabWhy we’re excited
Porel has incrementally become one of India’s most promising fast bowling prospects over the last few years and is coming off a career-high domestic season, even if it ended in March. He has worked relentlessly to go from “medium-fast to fast” and looked unplayable by the end of the last Ranji Trophy season.How will he fit it into the XI?
It would be hard to explain if Porel is not his team’s automatic domestic fast-bowling choice to pair with Mohammed Shami.Shivam Mavi played nine games for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2018•BCCIShivam MaviTeam: Kolkata Knight RidersWhy we’re excited
The fast bowler had everyone’s attention after a rollicking U-19 World Cup in 2018, but it has been frustratingly stop-start since as he battled injuries. But Mavi said he is back to full rhythm and is ready to make up for lost time.How will he fit it into the XI?
A tournament in the UAE might not be the ideal place for a bowler of Mavi’s strengths – pace, swing, and bounce – to make a full-fledged comeback. But the Knight Riders could use him as a rotational option, given how important workload management can be over a 53-day long tournament.Kartik TyagiTeam: Rajasthan RoyalsWhy we’re excited
He’s fast, accurate, and swings it both ways. Tyagi also has a mean yorker and is already considered as one of the best among India’s upcoming generation of fast bowlers. He hasn’t played at the senior level since 2018 because of injuries but led India’s bowling attack with success at the last U-19 World Cup.How will he fit it into the XI?
Kartik brings variety to a four-man domestic fast bowling line-up that will compete for two or three starting XI spots. He is the junior-most in that group, but Royals are invested in their youth and could try and ease him in, perhaps alongside Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Stokes.Shahbaz Ahmed played a key role in taking Bengal to the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy final•PTI Shahbaz AhmedTeam: Royal Challengers BangaloreWhy we’re excited
In a sparkling season for Bengal, Ahmed became their go-to man with ball, and even with bat at times. That they made the knockouts, leave alone the Ranji final, was the result of the left-hander’s ability to tone down an otherwise boisterous batting approach; but if he wasn’t doing it with bat, he was doing it with ball: he took 35 wickets, their joint-highest. He not only ran through teams with his left-arm spin but also played a crucial supporting role to their fast bowlers when needed. A complete package.How will he fit it into the XI?
In the UAE, we see Ahmed rising above Pawan Negi in the pecking order for the Royal Challengers and playing in any combination that involves three spinners.R Sai KishoreTeam: Chennai Super KingsWhy we’re excited
Sai Kishore is the quintessential Super Kings spinner: he can bowl in the powerplay, he has got no gimmicks about his orthodox left-arm spin, and he is economical. He took 20 wickets at an economy of 4.63 for Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, far and away the best last season.How will he fit it into the XI?
It is fair to assume, especially in the absence of Harbhajan Singh, that Sai Kishore will have a more involved role for the Super Kings now. Particularly against teams that are likely to have a fair number of right-handers in the early overs.Kamlesh NagarkotiTeam: Kolkata Knight RidersWhy we’re excited
We have been excited about him since the 2018 U-19 World Cup but injuries have unfortunately denied him any senior T20 cricket. His captain Dinesh Karthik feels the youngster has dealt with them bravely, is still bowling “150 clicks” and is “on par with Ravindra Jadeja” in the field.How will he fit it into the XI?
He is junior-most among the Knight Riders’ young Indian fast bowlers, but the franchise rates him highly. Karthik believes he should focus on shorter formats and focus on his explosive pace. Those are enough indicators the team might be ready to unleash him this year.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras conheceu os detalhes de seu caminho na fase de grupos da Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior (Copinha). Neste sábado (13), a FPF divulgou os jogos do Grupo 27, que tem o Alviverde como cabeça de chave, além de Monte Roraima (RR), Batalhão (TO) e Remo (PA).

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+ Palmeiras mira exemplos de janelas recentes em meio a investidas por Allan

Todos os confrontos do grupo serão disputados na Arena Barueri, que também será a casa do elenco profissional do Palmeiras durante a reforma do gramado do Allianz Parque. As Crias da Academia estreiam no dia 5 de janeiro, contra o Monte Roraima (RR), a partir das 19h30 (de Brasília).

Três dias depois, a equipe encara o Batalhão (TO) e encerra sua participação diante do Remo, no dia 11 de janeiro, às 11h.

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Jogos do grupo 275 de janeiro, 17h15: Remo x Batalhão-TO5 de janeiro, 19h30: Palmeiras x Monte Roraima-RR8 de janeiro, 17h15: Monte Roraima-RR x Remo8 de janeiro, 19h30: Palmeiras x Batalhão-TO11 de janeiro, 8h45: Batalhão-TO x Monte Roraima-RR11 de janeiro, 11h: Palmeiras x RemoPalmeiras na Copinha

O Palmeiras vai em busca do terceiro título da Copinha. A primeira conquista veio em 2022, com goleada por 4 a 0 sobre o Santos na final, disputada no Allianz Parque. No ano seguinte, a equipe alviverde superou o América-MG por 2 a 1, no Canindé, e ficou com a taça.

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Em 2025, a equipe sub-20 do Verdão conquistou o Campeonato Brasileiro pelo segundo ano consecutivo ao vencer o Red Bull Bragantino na final, nos pênaltis, após dois empates. Na temporada anterior, as Crias da Academia foram campeãs diante do Cruzeiro, com vitória por 5 a 2 no placar agregado. Antes disso, o Palmeiras já havia faturado o Brasileiro Sub-20 em 2018 e 2022, ao derrotar Vitória e Corinthians nas decisões, respectivamente.

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ESPNcricinfo has learned that USA, Namibia and Netherlands are the other teams in the India-Pakistan group

Nagraj Gollapudi24-Nov-2025

India and Pakistan had three heated contests during the 2025 Asia Cup•AFP/Getty Images

India and Pakistan will play each other in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup on February 15 in Colombo as per the tournament schedule that will be unveiled by the ICC in Mumbai on Tuesday.The marquee contest – the first time the two teams are meeting since three heated contests at the 2025 Asia Cup – will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium and is India’s third group match. ESPNcricinfo has learned India and Pakistan have been grouped along with USA, Netherlands and Namibia.India play their first group match against USA in Mumbai on February 7, the opening day of the T20 World Cup. They then take on Namibia in Delhi on February 12, followed by Pakistan, and their final group game is against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18. There will be three matches a day during the group stage of the tournament.The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup from February 7 to March 8 is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan playing all their games in Colombo or Kandy. The format is the same as the previous tournament in 2024 in the USA and West Indies, where the 20 teams were divided into five groups of four. The top two teams from each of the four groups progress to a Super Eight phase, where they will be further divided into two groups of four each. The top two teams in each of the two Super Eights groups will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be followed by the final.Related

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If India progress from the group stage, their three Super Eight matches will be in Ahmedabad, Chennai and Kolkata. If they make the final four, their semi-final will be in Mumbai. It is understood the ICC has shortlisted Colombo or Kolkata as the other semi-final venue depending on whether Sri Lanka and Pakistan qualify. The final will be played in Ahmedabad, unless Pakistan qualify in which case it is likely to be in Colombo.Apart from hosts India and Sri Lanka, the other 18 teams participating in the T20 World Cup are Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, United States of America, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and UAEIndia are the defending champions, having beaten South Africa in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados.