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Former NZ batter had his life ban for corrupt activities revised in 2023

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-2024Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand international, received a special cap earlier this month to commemorate his 100th ODI, nearly 17 years since the milestone in 2007. Sir Richard Hadlee presented Vincent the cap in Auckland at a small ceremony attended by Vincent’s family and some former team-mates.”It was a lovely way to be acknowledged for my cricketing career, and to be able to use the night as an avenue to say thank you very, very much to people who’ve been by my side through the great times and the tricky times,” Vincent told The Post. “It was a really memorable, special night with some lovely words spoken.”Vincent, who finished with 2413 runs in 102 ODIs, also played 23 Tests and nine T20Is between 2001 and 2007. He then played in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) and was on the domestic circuit until 2014, when he was banned for life by the ECB for corrupt activities on the county circuit.In December 2023, the ECB revised the punishment, allowing Vincent to return to working in domestic cricket.Related

Lou Vincent to address conference in Melbourne with 'powerful message to the next generation'

Vincent banned for life by ECB

Lou Vincent's life ban revised, allowing him to return to domestic cricket

“The past is the past,” Vincent said in Auckland. “It was powerful that I had such huge support for the application for the ban to be appealed and there was no opposition from the ECB, they fully respected the work I’d done behind the scenes over the last few years and using my experiences to help educate the next generation of players.”NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the board had been sitting on Vincent’s commemorative cap “for probably 13 years.””The reality is, you can’t forget what he actually did and he would be the first to admit that, but he’s done his penance and no one has done more to fight match-fixing than he has by being so open and telling everything that he knew,” Weenink said. “When the opportunity came, it was really the least we could do to present him with his cap.”According to Vincent, Hadlee – the former chairman of selectors who had first picked him for New Zealand – was in tears while presenting the cap.”I was able to say to him ‘Richard, you are New Zealand Cricket, you are the best player we’ve ever had, you’ve achieved so much, and for you to take time out and fly to Auckland to want to present this cap to me is so, so humbling and a reflection of the great man you are,” Vincent said. “And he was in tears. Sir Richard Hadlee in tears!”Vincent’s 100th ODI appearance came in Cape Town in December 2007, where he scored 18 and also took his only ODI wicket by dismissing Jacques Kallis. Now 45, and slowly returning to cricket, Vincent recently turned out for Seddon Cricket Club and was involved in a five-day match to raise awareness on men’s mental health.”Life moves on, and my life has moved on now. I’ve been blessed with a little son, and I’ve got two daughters who are teenagers,” Vincent said. “To have the opportunity to start a family again and be settled in the far north and have the beach life – a simple life – this is all I’m focused on now.”

There was a point last season when Liverpool had established a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League yet still failed to earn the respect and, perhaps, fear, of their closest title rivals.

You might have traced it back further. Before a ball had been kicked, BBC Sport’s 30 experts had a go at naming their pick for the league champion. Each of the pundits failed to choose Liverpool, who won the Premier League at a canter, ten points ahead of Arsenal at the finish despite loosening standards across the final four fixtures.

In fact, Stephen Warnock and Fara Williams were the only BBC Sport pundits to declare Liverpool would finish in the top two. Make no mistake, the Reds were hardly expected to challenge for the title after losing Jurgen Klopp, but Klopp left an incredible, dynamic team behind, and FSG bagged Slot gold, having barely dipped into the transfer market.

Is it any wonder Liverpool have attacked the market with such vicious intent? The Merseysiders have spent around £200m this summer and more is yet to come, with striker Hugo Ekitike and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi both fixed at the top of the shopping list.

In Guehi’s case, Eagles chairman Steve Parish might prove to be too tricky a negotiator, pricing his captain at £50m despite their being just one year remaining on his contract.

But should Liverpool push ahead all the same?

Why Liverpool want Marc Guehi

Liverpool could wrap up their transfer window right now and be content. Who wouldn’t after signing Florian Wirtz for a British-record £116m fee? The German talent, plucked from his heralded position in the Bundesliga, could revolutionise the Anfield side.

But Liverpool would like to pack more quality across other positions. Sporting director Richard Hughes tried and failed to convince Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen to join from Bournemouth in May, but in Guehi, Liverpool might find the perfect alternative.

His leadership and composure, technical qualities and combativeness all see him align with Slot’s vision, especially if a breakthrough cannot be found with Ibrahima Konate, who has 12 months left on his own deal as Los Blancos look to pilfer more talent from Liverpool’s chest.

Jarell Quansah has also been sold to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m.

Liverpool want Guehi, and they want him bad. However, they are open to a variety of options and could hit the jackpot with a certain alternative hailing from the German scene.

Liverpool in race for Bundesliga star

Liverpool have registered their interest in RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba, who, according to Foot Mercato, is being chased by the Reds, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.

With a €90m (£77m) release clause, Lukeba wouldn’t come cheap – although it’s unlikely that the suitors would pay such a figure.

However, with the France international open to leaving, Leipzig would be willing to cash in for a more modest sum, for they finished sixth in the Bundesliga last term and thus have no European football to look forward to in 2025/26.

Transfer Focus

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

What Castello Lukeba would bring to Liverpool

When previously discussing Lukeba’s potential transfer to Liverpool, analyst Ben Mattinson said that Anfield would represent the “perfect move” for the defender.

Indeed, Lukeba’s “freak profile”, positively spoken in regard to his athleticism and versatility, bespeaks his suitability in Slot’s system.

And have Liverpool not hit the jackpot many times when raiding the Bundesliga for exciting young prospects?

Wirtz, indeed, is a fine example of this; he might not have kicked a ball on Merseyside yet, but the 22-year-old is destined for greatness.

Lukeba is only 22 and has already demonstrated his qualities superbly across the 2024/25 campaign, ranked among the top 13% of central defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for passes attempted, the top 20% for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as well as the top 15% for aerial duel success rate, as per FBref.

His energy and hunger to win duels and fend off opposing forwards blends with a sharp technicality that Slot would use to instil calm through Liverpool’s backline. The progressiveness that we can observe through his attacking metrics only emphasises his wide-ranging skill set further.

Matches (starts)

23 (18)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches*

65.4

Pass completion

87%

Key passes*

0.2

Dribbles*

0.9

Ball recoveries*

3.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

Clearances*

3.0

Duels (won)*

4.0 (65%)

This “leader”, as he’s been described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would follow Wirtz in being a young Bundesliga talent stepping into Slot’s squad to plug a gap and potentially rise toward the uppermost level of the game.

He has the potential, to be sure. Having already completed 72 appearances for Leipzig after transferring from French side Lyon, where he played 68 times after cutting his teeth in the club’s academy, there’s a wealth of experience which Liverpool could build upon.

Moreover, Lukeba has rebounded from injury setbacks throughout his youthful career in a similar vein to Wirtz, whose ACL injury as a teenager preceded his invincible domestic campaign of 2023/24 with Bayer Leverkusen, when he was crowned the Bundesliga Player of the Year.

Lukeba might not carry quite the same stock, but he’s an immensely talented defender targeted by one of the best clubs in the world.

Following Konate, Joel Matip, Bobby Firmino and more from making his way from Germany to Anfield, this young centre-half could define the coming era on Merseyside, along with Wirtz.

He betters Isak in key areas: Liverpool make the "next Mbappe" a key target

Liverpool are interested in signing a new striker this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 1, 2025

When the transfer window opened at the beginning of the month, there was a sense of expectation that this would finally be the window in which Arsenal sign a new striker.

It’s the clear and obvious need but so far, they’re yet to get any attacking additions over the line.

Instead, they’re on the verge of strengthening both the midfield and defensive positions, with Kepa Arrizabalaga due to arrive from Chelsea as David Raya’s back-up, while talks are reportedly ongoing to sign Valencia’s young centre-back, Cristhian Mosquera.

In midfield. Martin Zubimendi is due to arrive any day now from Real Sociedad in a deal worth just over £50m. Brentford captain Christian Norgaard is a surprise addition too, reportedly set to sign for around £10m.

Once those deals are complete, Andrea Berta and Co must hurry up the process to sign a batch of new forwards.

The latest on Arsenal's transfer plans

While deals for the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko remain in the pipeline, the Gunners are also looking to strengthen out wide.

Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is one player they’re in talks to sign but the main candidate for much of the window so far has been Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

He’s played just 88 minutes at the Club World Cup in the USA and it’s widely expected that he could leave this summer. If he does, then Arsenal will likely be at the front of the queue, but as many have revealed, it’s going to be a tough deal to conclude due to the fee involved and his wage demands.

Football Transfers report this weekend that the Gunners have actually cooled their interest in Rodrygo a tad and instead have turned their attention to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s stated that the north Londoners are now considering placing a bid for the 27-year-old, which due to Eze’s release clause, would need to meet a valuation of £68m.

The report notes that one determining factor in any deal could be the player’s close friendship with Bukayo Saka. Their sources suggest that Saka has actually privately encouraged the Eagles star to make the move to the Emirates.

How Eze compares to Rodrygo

Arsenal’s biggest priority this summer must be signing a new striker but the second biggest priority should be boosting their options on the left flank.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are not bad options but they did only score ten goals apiece last season, hardly the numbers required to sustain a Premier League and Champions League challenge.

As a result, the idea of signing Rodrygo, a player who netted as many as 19 goals in the 2022/23 campaign, is a good one on paper.

That said, the Brazilian perhaps didn’t enjoy his finest of years in 2024/25. Although he scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions, only 12 of those involvements came in 30 LaLiga outings.

The fact of the matter is, he’s rather inconsistent. Couple that with the fact that he’s not played in the Premier League before and there would rightfully be a few concerns surrounding a deal.

Eze, on the other hand, would be a safe signing but one that undoubtedly improves the quality of Mikel Arteta’s squad. The Spaniard has often shopped for new goods in the English top-flight and more often than not, those signings have been a big success.

Take Declan Rice, for example, who has only gone from strength to strength since that mega £105m move. Take David Raya too, who won the Golden Glove award in 2024/25.

Eze could be a signing out of the same playbook. He knows the division and, unlike Rodrygo, would not need much time to bed in.

He’s not a bad player, either. Not only does the England international play on the left flank, but a lot of his best work actually comes as an attacking midfielder, scoring 14 goals and posting 11 assists in 2024/25.

Coincidentally, that’s the same number as Rodrygo managed last season, albeit from just 43 games, ten fewer than the Madrid star. Beyond that, where are the key similarities and differences?

Goals

0.28

0.28

Assists

0.28

0.23

Shots

3.47

2.52

Key passes

2.01

2.29

Progressive passes

3.37

5.05

Shot-creating actions

4.69

4.95

Successful take-ons

2.33

2.29

Progressive carries

2.40

5.28

Tackles

1.35

0.98

Ball recoveries

5.07

3.32

Now, as far as producing progressive actions are concerned, Rodrygo is a better player. But, if we combine the overall threat of Eze, a high number of take-ons, shots and key passes, and combine that with his already large experience of English football, there’s a clear winner in this situation.

We should also keep in mind that Palace are not a hugely ball-dominant team. Indeed, last term, the Eagles sat 17th in the league for average possession, enjoying 42.4% of the ball. In contrast, Arsenal sat third with 57.1% of possession.

As a result, those numbers above could become even bigger if he plays in a team that enjoys more custody of the ball.

Rodrygo looks like a tricky deal to do, but Eze’s straight-up release clause should make this an easier negotiation. It’s over to you, Berta.

£100m star & the "new Haaland" sign: Arsenal's dream summer

Andrea Berta is in for a big summer at Arsenal; here’s how it could play out.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 29, 2025

Chelsea chiefs are now internally debating a potential deal for another rising star, according to a report out of Stamford Bridge this week.

Chelsea continue transfer policy of signing high-potential starlets

Since the start of 2025, despite Enzo Maresca strongly suggesting that Chelsea need to bring in more experienced players, BlueCo have shown no sign of slowing down when it comes to their transfer policy of signing world football’s brightest up-and-coming talents.

£172k-per-week striker is waiting for Chelsea to contact him about joining

Chelsea are set for a big summer after qualifying for the Champions League.

2 ByEmilio Galantini May 26, 2025

Earlier this year, the west Londoners agreed a double-deal with Sporting CP to sign their rising star duo, Geovany Quenda (18) and Dario Essugo (20), for a total fee of around £62.5 million, with the former set to fully join them in 2026 and the latter this summer.

Rank

Team

Points

GD

Man City

71

+28

Chelsea

69

+21

Newcastle

66

+21

6

Aston Villa

66

+7

7

Nottingham Forest

65

+12

It is now also being reported by reliable media sources that Chelsea are planning a pre-2026 deal for 22-year-old Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Since Romano’s initial report, French media sources have claimed that Chelsea have moved in with a six-year contract offer to Emegha, and an agreement for the Ligue 1 sensation is merely a “matter of time”.

“Chelsea have offered Emanuel Emegha a six-year contract valid until June 2031,” wrote Foot Mercato reporter Santi Aouna on X.

“The intention is for him to stay in Strasbourg for another year and then go to Chelsea. A full agreement is just a matter of time.”

As Maresca’s side carry on planning for the long-term, Brighton starlet Valentin Barco, who spent the 2024/2025 on loan at Strasbourg, has now entered their radar.

Chelsea hold internal talks over signing Valentin Barco from Brighton

The Argentine midfielder can play in a variety of roles on the left, and he was the “most signed wonderkid” on popular PC game Football Manager last year.

According to CaughtOffside, while no formal approach has been made yet, Chelsea are holding internal talks over a potential move for Barco, and Maresca is believed to be a personal admirer of the 20-year-old.

“(He’s a) left back but he’s not going to be playing there, I don’t think,” said South American football expert Tim Vickery.

“He’s a left-sided attacking midfielder. Very good running with the ball. Amazing power that he generates from his left foot. Good from set-pieces.

“He can combine well. He had a sweet little thing going with Edison Cavani at Boca Juniors.”

Barco is fresh off a productive campaign at Strasbourg, finishing 24/25 as one of their best-performing players in Ligue 1 by average match rating per 90 – starting 14 Ligue 1 matches and bagging two assists (WhoScored).

It is little surprise Chelsea have taken note of his displays, possibly while keeping tabs on Andrey Santos’ progress in France and scouting Emanuel Emegha. In any case, the Blues’ relationship with their sister club may end up paying dividends again.

Man City were once linked with a move for Barco in 2023 as well, indicating he’s a player of real promise.

What do the six PSL 2025 squads look like after the disruption, and where do their campaigns stand at this stage?

Danyal Rasool16-May-2025Quetta GladiatorsGladiators are arguably best placed. Having already secured a top-two berth for the playoffs, they know precisely the path they will need to tread if they are to replicate their heroics from 2019, when they won the title. The one game they have left in the league phase comes against the already-eliminated Multan Sultans, giving them an opportunity to test out a fresh team composition.And on that note, too, they have perhaps done better than most.Rilee Rossouw, their greatest ever overseas player and an architect of their 2019 triumph, has opted to return for what remains of the league. As has Finn Allen, maintaining to a large extent their top order composition. While significant overseas names like Kusal Mendis, Sean Abbott and Mark Chapman do not make the trip back, Gladiators have bolstered their ranks with Dinesh Chandimal, Gulbadin Naib and Avishka Fernando.Karachi Kings’ superstar captain David Warner will continue to lead the side•PCBKarachi KingsAmid all the uncertainty over the league’s postponement, the one thing everyone seemed to be sure of was that Kings’ superstar captain had no qualms about returning. David Warner will continue to lead a side that has seen a transformation from the last three seasons, when they missed the playoffs, to sitting on the cusp of finishing inside the top two. They have two games left, coming against sides that would be desperate for the points: Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, who are both fighting to finish inside the top four.Aside from Warner, Kings have Mohammad Nabi. Tim Seifert and James Vince returning too. The quartet formed the core of Kings’ playing overseas roster for much of the earlier part of the season. Kane Williamson will not return, but Kings have been strengthened by bringing in Scotland top-order batter George Munsey, described eye-catchingly on his ESPNcricinfo profile as “the reverse-sweeping demon of the Associate world”.Ben Dwarshuis is one of the key players who have returned to Islamabad United’s ranks•PCBIslamabad UnitedWhat’s happened to the best side in PSL history? Having stormed to the title last year, they began 2025 in the same vein, winning the first five matches to register a ten-game winning streak across seasons, the best in the league’s history. They rested five players for the next game, and suddenly, they couldn’t buy a point. The last four games have been relatively comprehensive defeats, leaving them on a precarious ten points with the third-worst net run-rate and just one game to go – against Kings.However, United have built a reputation as a side that is well managed, and, just as importantly, one that drafts exceptionally well. They have perhaps been the best of all six sides at bringing in the players they require. Ben Dwarshuis returns, while Rassie van der Dussen, unavailable for the first part of the season, will now be a part of their squad. Alex Hales returns, while allrounder James Neesham and fast bowler Tymal Mills also come into the roster.Lahore Qalandars need to win their game against Peshawar Zalmi•PCBLahore QalandarsQalandars, much like United, found themselves relatively comfortable until two-thirds of the way into the season, but two rain-affected games, one of which ended in a no-result even as they lost the other, now leave them in a virtual must-win knockout before the playoffs. Nine points from nine games mean they need to win their game against Zalmi on Sunday, or they will not be a part of the playoffs – which take place in Lahore – for an unprecedented seventh time in ten seasons.They pulled out all the stops to ensure Sikandar Raza came back to join them for that one game on Sunday. He has a Test match to play against England at Trent Bridge that starts just four days later, so he will not be a part of the playoffs, even if Qalandars make it. With David Wiese and Sam Billings also not returning, Qalandars have turned to Shakib al Hasan – who has not played competitively since November last year – and Bhanuka Rajapaksa – who has not played competitive cricket since January.Mitchell Owen will not return to the PSL and instead play in the PSL•Getty ImagesPeshawar ZalmiZalmi’s record of making every single playoff in the league’s history is under threat. For the first half of the league, they looked like they would have fallen out of contention by this stage, but three wins in the last four have helped them cling on. Sitting fifth, one point behind Qalandars, they have the advantage of a game in hand. Victory against Qalandars will guarantee them passage to the playoffs, but they also have a game against Kings, which offers them a slightly more circuitous route, with net run-rate potentially entering the mix.They have not managed to hold on to Mitchell Owen amid interest from the IPL, but do bring back Tom Kohler-Cadmore, one of Zalmi’s mainstays over the years. Luke Wood, the second-most economical fast bowler this year, will also be part of what remains of their campaign, as will big-hitting Australian Max Bryant. While Alzarri Joseph and Nahid Rana will be absent, Afghanistan top-order batter Najibullah Zadran returns.Dilshan Madushanka is one of the new recruits for Multan Sultans•ICC/Getty ImagesMultan SultansWhat Sultans really care about is the end of this season. Already eliminated with one of the worst campaigns in the history of the PSL, they sit rock bottom, having lost eight of their nine games. At one stage, it appeared they would bring in no overseas player at all and, indeed, none of their overseas players from their original roster will come back.However, with the league requiring a minimum of three overseas players per game, they brought in Australian batter Josh Brown and spinner Peter Hatzoglou. In keeping with the season they have had, Brown has pulled up injured, and will be replaced by Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka. ESPNcricinfo understands Sultans will also bring in a batter, though they are yet to confirm the name.

A year after a pulsating finish at the Asia Cup, the same protagonists delivered another blockbuster climax

Danyal Rasool25-Aug-2023It’s often said that all current mainstream cinema is the same superhero storyline with a superficially rehashed script. If cricket classifies as theatre, the second Afghanistan-Pakistan ODI stretched that concept to an almost parodic degree.Hostility between the sides had nearly spilled over into physical aggression during their dramatic T20 fixture at last year’s Asia Cup, before Naseem Shah pulled off a victory a scriptwriter would have dismissed as too corny. With one wicket remaining and 11 still needed, Pakistan’s golden boy swung hard twice against Fazalhaq Farooqi, and struck gold both times. Throwing down his gloves and helmet, he set off on an in-your-face victory lap as exhilarating as it was provocative.Related

• Broken heart, broken body: Naseem Shah's trysts with loss and injury

• Gurbaz 151 in vain as Pakistan hold nerve in last-over thriller

In the time since, Naseem has made little effort and shown little desire to get himself out of the way of Afghanistan’s firing line. Earlier this month at the Lankan Premier League, he directed an especially boisterous send-off the way of Rahmanullah Gurbaz; any half-decent Pashtun lipreader would have told you what he said wasn’t family-friendly.On Tuesday, after Afghanistan were bowled out for 59 – the lowest total anyone has scored against Pakistan in an ODI – Naseem was interviewed by the PCB’s in-house media unit. His team-mate Mohammad Haris was the interviewer, with Naseem flanked by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. It was supposed to be gentle, wholesome content. Until that game, Naseem had scored just three ODI runs; on the day, he’d managed an unbeaten 18. When asked what he put his improved batting down to, Naseem went for a mischievous jab. “The Afghan bowlers,” he couldn’t resist saying, before breaking into peals of laughter.In the year since the Asia Cup drama, Afghanistan had landed a blow of their own, beating Pakistan 2-1 in a T20I series in March. Gulbadin Naib at the time remarked that his side had specifically targeted Naseem. But Naseem is a unique phenomenon, a boy who still possesses the charmed optimism of youth as well as a man with the grit and raw ability to bring those dreams to fruition.Last year’s Asia Cup was the setting for the first iteration of Naseem vs Farooqi•AFP/Getty ImagesAnd as this year’s sequel plays out, Naseem is the first to realise he’s seen this movie before.Afghanistan have worked themselves into a position of dominance, but if you know your Afghanistan-Pakistan history, that really doesn’t mean much until the final ball is bowled. Shadab Khan may bleed Islamabad United red but he knows when to shelve blanket all-out attack in favour of taking the game deep. The conditions are slow, and Afghanistan take pace off the ball. So instead of galloping, Shadab inches.”When you’re a senior player, you go through these stages again and again,” he says. “Sometimes you fail, sometimes you succeed. I try to be as calm as possible. Their team has world-class spinners so I wanted to see their overs off and accelerate against their fast bowlers. The boundaries are long so there are easy twos, so when Shaheen and Naseem came our plans were to go for twos.”Shadab wants to run at every possible opportunity, and he doesn’t care who knows. And with fate conspiring to have Farooqi bowling the final over of a humdinger to Naseem once again, Afghanistan know. There’s a team huddle before the start of an over Shadab desperately wants to be on strike for, and he sneaks out furtively with Farooqi enters his delivery stride, which begins well behind the wicket.Farooqi has his eyes on Shadab, and has no qualms about whipping off the bails. There’s little love lost between the two sides; Afghanistan don’t need to think twice about effecting that dismissal, and Shadab doesn’t even look back to know there will be no reprieve. When Naseem’s penultimate partner Asif Ali was dismissed in the Asia Cup, the contretemps that followed nearly overshadowed the game. There’s no such drama here.Naseem followed his career-best 18* in the first ODI with a provocative line about Afghanistan’s bowling•AFP/Getty ImagesThis should, really, be a no-contest between a young man who has trained to bowl fast all his life against an even younger man whose approach to batting constitutes little more than casual fun. The numbers would write off last year as an aberration, and the odds would favour a reversion to the mean.But there’s a certain state of mind a few sportspersons are able to call up, when the mere desire to win allows them to see a way against bookmakers’ odds or conventional wisdom. Ben Stokes famously possesses it, but at least he knows how to bat. Naseem? He just doesn’t want to lose, especially not against Afghanistan, and especially not against Fazalhaq Farooqi.A remarkable inside out-drive brings him four first ball after Shadab’s exit. As Afghan nerves fray, confusion on the boundary allows Pakistan a third run that brings him back on strike for the denouement, with three needed off two balls. Naseem has a slog that reminds everyone he’s really not a batter, but no legendary sporting tale develops without fortune. There’s an outside edge, a desperate look back. The man at short third has no chance, and from there, it’s clear green grass all the way to the rope.Naseem reprises the frenzied tossing of the helmet and gloves, but this time he doesn’t get far before his team-mates are all over him. It’s almost like they expect him, the youngest man in the side, to lead them out of trouble each time. The context of the win from last year, the acrimony that followed, and the spice that tinges each encounter between these sides only makes this win sweeter.The targeting of Naseem will invariably become even more laser-focused. And Naseem will simply spread his chest out and walk towards it every time. Perhaps there is a reason, after all, that superhero films continue to be box-office.

The WTC mace may have gone to the deserving victors, but only one man was really competing for the other crown

Andrew Fidel Fernando01-Jul-2021True love
Through the course of its life so far, the World Test Championship has been kicked at, spit on, and abused. Back in November, the ICC’s chairman claimed he wasn’t sure if the Test Championship had “achieved what it intended to do”. As recently as March, Virat Kohli said it didn’t really motivate his team any more than usual. More recently, Stuart Broad asked why the Ashes couldn’t be worth more points than a two-match Test series (the old “our series should count double” argument). All this while the competition survived a global pandemic, which threatened seriously to end it.In the end, though, Test cricket’s biggest prize found its way to a team that truly adored it – New Zealand, who have invested heavily in red-ball cricket, frequently treated the format with the dignity it deserves, and never spoken ill about the league. After everything the World Test Championship has been through, the mace is currently where it deserves to be, cradled in the ultra-soft hands of BJ Watling, like Jenny at the end of .Bad-behaviour bros
Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka have been sent home from the tour of England after having gone out towards the city centre in Durham, despite being told explicitly that such an excursion would violate the team’s biosecure bubble. They were discovered after videos were posted on social media of them out in public.The whole thing didn’t even seem to be worth it – they were merely snapped looking around the city’s market square, with Mendis fiddling with what appeared to be cigarettes (though this has not been confirmed). If you’re going to be sent home from a tour, you should at least have been at a raging party, right?The most embarrassing thing, though, was that despite clearly being on the lookout, these players didn’t spot the person who was recording from just metres away – practically from short leg – which, uh, should probably be handed over to the team analyst as footage that might explain some batting averages.Bad-behaviour king
But in the grand scheme of bad behaviour, Sri Lankan bubble poppers are probably small fry. They thought they could get away with it until someone recorded them. Shakib Al Hasan, meanwhile, knew for sure cameras were rolling and media were in attendance when he let his temper explode at a Dhaka Premier League game, first kicking the stumps when he had an appeal turned down, then uprooting them and throwing them into the pitch when the umpire dared to take the teams off the field for rain.It’s hasn’t even been two years since Shakib was banned for failing to report a corrupt approach, on top of which he has angrily threatened walkouts, cussed out umpires, allegedly beaten up a fan, and more, in a rap sheet that is truly something to behold. If there was a World Bad Behaviour Championship, this is the winner. Just race out of the room as soon as you award him the trophy, because of course he will throw it.The long wait
The Hundred is finally set to begin in July. It’s been so long since the tournament was announced, everybody seems to have by now run out of comic material to throw at it. Kudos marketing geniuses who foresaw this.Next month on The Briefing:
– As punishment for the bubble-popping trio, SLC invites Shakib to gruffly pluck each of them up and fling them to the ground.- The Hundred matches attract tens of thousands people in their 40s, with the kids the tournament had set out to attract at its inception having by now become middle-aged slobs with beer guts.

The U.S. men's national team has learned their World Cup group as Mauricio Pochettino's side was paired with Paraguay, Australia and a yet-to-be-determined European foe to start next summer's tournament. The USMNT's fourth opponent will be either Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo, who will face off in March's playoff.

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  Group stage opponents: Austrailia, Paraguay and TBD

  The U.S. were handed a fortunate draw with their Pot 2 team as they were matched up with a familiar opponent: Australia, who are ranked 26th in the world. That matchup comes on the heels of an October friendly that saw the U.S. defeat Australia, 2-1, at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

  From Pot 3, the U.S. were given another familiar opponent: Paraguay, the 39th-ranked team. Like Australia, the U.S. played Paraguay in the fall, defeating the South American side, 2-1, in Philadelphia.

  And then finally, from Pot 4, after navigating some conditions, the USMNT were finally paired with one of the winners of the European Playoff C: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo. 

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  Must-watch TV: Australia

  The USMNT's battle with Australia will be a fun one, largely because will no doubt show up. With the game being played in Seattle, Australia's fans should have a presence, as the West Coast is easier to travel to. 

  There's also some added juice from the fall, when the U.S. saw star Christian Pulisic injured after a series of hard fouls from Australia in their friendly match in Colorado. 

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  Dangerous matchup: Paraguay

  The game against Paraguay will be dangerous – and, if last month’s clash is any indication, perhaps quite literally. The two teams squared up just before the final whistle after a tense match, and you wouldn’t expect anything less once the World Cup starts.

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  Key opposition player: Arda Guler or Miguel Almiron

  This will surely depend on who gets in as that Pot 4 team. Should Turkey qualify, the U.S. would face off with their world-class young stars: Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz. Should Turkey not advance, the main man to stop would be Paraguay's Miguel Almiron, a familiar face for fans of Major League Soccer as he stars for Atlanta United. 

Former England batter looking for “fresh challenge” after six seasons with White Rose

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2025Former England batter Dawid Malan says he is looking for a “fresh challenge” after being released by Yorkshire following six seasons with the club.Malan, 38, came through at Middlesex before joining Yorkshire in 2020. He captained the club in the Blast last season, but despite leading the way with 365 runs at a strike rate of 156.65, could not prevent them from finishing second-bottom in the North Group.During his time at Headingley, Malan was Yorkshire’s second-leading run-scorer in T20, with 1642. He also scored 2014 runs at 54.43 in first-class cricket.”I have enjoyed six happy and successful seasons with Yorkshire, but feel now is the right time for the club to make a fresh start,” Malan said. “I am grateful to the general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton and head coach Anthony McGrath for allowing me to seek a new challenge elsewhere.”Malan, who last played for England at the 2023 ODI World Cup, has extensive experience of the global T20 circuit, featuring in the PSL, BPL, SA20 and, most recently, the Nepal Premier League.He has also started to explore a media career, commentating on BBC radio during the summer.Hamilton said: “Dawid has been a consistent run-scorer across all formats, and will always be welcome at Headingley. We thank him for his very significant contribution in recent seasons, and we wish him well for the future.”

Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has been forced to defend himself from ridicule following the release of a video online that shows him holidaying in Mexico. The clip in question sees the ex-England international walking down the street with a woman, with many – including far-right activist Tommy Robinson – jumping to the wrong conclusion.

What Robinson said on social media

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was among the first to share the video of Lineker on social media. It had been taken by a fellow holidaymaker in Mexico and shows the 65-year-old former Three Lions striker out and about with a female companion who was unidentified at that point.

Robinson, who has been quick to question some of Lineker’s behaviour in the past – especially his views on political matters – reposted the video in question on his accounts and asked: “What are you up to here @GaryLineker?” He was insinuating that Lineker was enjoying the company of somebody who he should not have been.

AdvertisementHow Lineker responded

The passer-by who filmed the original clip posed a similar question to the ex-BBC Sport host before advising him to “enjoy his holiday”. Lineker has been left bemused by the entire saga, which he has been forced to explain.

Responding to Robinson, who he has once again accused of stirring up unnecessary “hatred”, Lineker said: “If you must know, I was going to a chemist with my daughter-in-law, to get some medicine for her unwell husband….my son. Hatred is a dreadful weakness.”

Lineker went on to share a post suggesting that Robinson had “thrown his followers under the bus by inciting them to recirculate libellous claims”.

Lineker has clashed with Robinson supporters

The son that Lineker is referring to is 31-year-old Harry. He got married to partner Bella at a luxurious ceremony in the summer of 2025 that took place on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. He has seemingly been feeling under the weather while taking in another trip to the sunshine.

His brother, George, also felt the need to respond to Robinson and efforts to spread idle gossip. He said in a social media post of his own, which included a laughing emoji: “It’s his daughter-in-law you f*cking idiot.”

This is not the first time that Lineker has clashed with outspoken Robinson and his supporters. He has previously admitted to being “elbowed in the back” by a “little old lady” who was on her way to one of Yaxley-Lennon’s rallies.

He has also been told, in a face-to-face confrontation, that he “hated Britain” after speaking out on matters that he believes in. Lineker has said of those that he clashes with: “It’s the same lot every time. It’s the same people.”

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Getty Images SportLineker left BBC role in May 2025

Lineker confirmed back in May that he would be leaving his role with the BBC – which included 25 years in the Match of the Day hotseat. He had faced criticism for sharing a social media post that included a rat illustration, which has been used to represent Jewish people in antisemitic propaganda.

Lineker said in a statement: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”

Lineker walked away from his presenting post on Match of the Day when the 2024-25 Premier League campaign came to a close. The man who earned 80 caps for England in his playing days, scoring 48 goals, is still a host of ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast alongside fellow former Three Lions stars Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.