West Ham have reportedly lodged an €8 million offer for Botafogo star John Victor following links with Manchester United.
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
Their top seven produced their worst combined performance in 11 years, averaging just 18.95 for the series
Mohammad Isam10-Dec-2022Bangladesh’s ODI series win against India will remain an outlier. Their No. 8 batter bailed them out twice with two unbelievable knocks, while their bowlers made decent contributions. But otherwise they won 2-1 despite their top seven batters producing their worst combined performance in 11 years. They have never won an ODI series batting this poorly. Bangladesh’s previous lowest top seven batting average in a series win was 31.07, a full 12 points more than this series’ 18.95.A typical ODI side has six specialist batters but for the better part of the last 15 years, Bangladesh have stretched their line-up to include seven, and sometimes eight, specialist batters. They could do so because of the presence of allrounders such as Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah. In this series, it was their fourth allrounder, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who played two critical knocks. Among the specialist batters, only Mahmudullah’s 77 in the second game was worth a mention.Captain Litton Das got three starts but didn’t capitalise on any of them. He looked good in Chattogram too, but dinked Mohammed Siraj to mid-off when he was on 29. Shakib stuck around for 43 but never looked like settling down for the long haul. In the end, Bangladesh’s top seven faded away by the 28th over of the chase.Related
'Nothing wrong with our ability but we need to be more gritty' – Rangana Herath
Kishan 210, Kohli 113; India 409, Bangladesh 182
Mushfiqur and Taskin return for first Test against India
Apart from Litton, Bangladesh’s top three haven’t really provided a foundation or protection to the middle order. Najmul Hossain Shanto scored two fifties during the T20 World Cup in Australia but has an ODI batting average of 14 after 15 games.Anamul Haque’s tally of 33 runs is his joint-lowest for an ODI series where he played at least three games. This was his second series after he returned to the 50-over side following a gap of three years. Although he struck two fifties against Zimbabwe in August, the knives could once again be out for him.”Everyone likes to score runs,” Litton said in defence of his players. “What Miraz did, if a top-order batter had done that, we would have had an easier time. [But] I am not worried about it. Both games in Mirpur had different scenarios. We batted second today, but if it was a 300-350 game, it would have been a different ball game.”I don’t think there should be a concern. India’s batting collapsed too. The wicket was behaving in that way. It was a big chase today so there was no point trying for 300-320. We wanted to bat to win, but our attacking cricket didn’t work. Next time we face this situation, we will play the same type of attacking cricket.”
“Today, it was a good batting wicket, but we couldn’t cope with the run rate pressure. There’s a lot to learn from this type of game. We have the skill to chase down 300 runs”Litton Das
But it is hard to deny that most of the top seven failed in this series. Afif Hossain made the fewest runs among the top seven, finishing with just 14 from three innings. Still, the main focus will be on Mushfiqur Rahim.In an ODI series where he has batted in the top five at least three times, Mushfiqur’s 37 runs here is his lowest aggregate since 2011. He has failed to total 100 runs in four series in a row now, having tallied 77 against Zimbabwe and 96 against Afghanistan. In between, he had 20 runs from two innings against South Africa. These series, though, came after his best bilateral outing, when he made 237 runs at 79 against Sri Lanka last year.Mushfiqur’s retirement from T20Is after the Asia Cup could have been an indication that his powers are on the wane. He has done reasonably well in Tests this year, but a string of low-scoring ODI series is far from an ideal situation. Bangladesh have work to do and Litton knows it.”We are not the best team in the world,” he said. “So we can work on these factors: top-order batting, bowling, and fielding. My dropped catch [of Virat Kohli when he was on 1 on Saturday] was costly. I know this type of catch is expected of me. If I had held on to the catch, they would have been under a bit more pressure. [But] the improvement will only come through a lot of practice.”Batting in Tests hasn’t been easy either. Apart from the first Test this year, which they famously won against New Zealand, they have mostly struggled for consistency. After winning the ODI series in South Africa, their bowling prospered in the Test series but their batting didn’t come to the party. The same happened at home against Sri Lanka, and away in the West Indies.It was largely because of their No. 8 batter Mehidy Hasan Miraz that Bangladesh won the series•Associated PressIt could be a similar story for the upcoming Tests against India. Mominul Haque and Mahmudul Hasan Joy struggled for runs during the domestic season, while Shanto has scored just one fifty in eight Tests this year. A lot will rest on Shakib, Mushfiqur and Litton, out of whom Mushfiqur will be under considerable pressure once again.Many believe that Bangladesh’s biggest disadvantage is that they play most of their home games at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, where the pitches are either raging turners in Tests or slow decks with a bit of uneven bounce in white-ball cricket. Chattogram offers them the best bet of playing in conditions similar to those on offer at next year’s ODI World Cup in India. Litton said that they will learn more about setting up 300-plus totals or chasing them down in the coming months, but didn’t say anything about playing more matches in Chattogram.”We didn’t play entirely bad cricket in Mirpur. It is true that the pitch wasn’t playing even. Today, it was a good batting wicket, but we couldn’t cope with the run rate pressure.”There’s a lot to learn from this type of game. We have the skill to chase down 300 runs. India’s wickets and outfields are good, which was the case today. I think if we play more regularly, we will get into this groove.”Litton, however, said that it was a proud moment to win his first series as captain. “I am quite happy at the way everyone helped me. I never felt pressure in the field. As a first-time captain, there’s nothing better than winning a series. It would have been better had we won today as well, but it wasn’t bad.”When I did the first press conference, I had the belief in my team. Someone asked if I wanted the trophy, and I said, ‘Yes, definitely.’ As a captain and a player, it is quite natural to want to win such a big series. There’s nothing bigger than a series win.”There’s merit in allowing batters to play on pitches like Chattogram, so that they can get their mojo back, which many believe has been lost since 2016 when the team management first decided to go for raging turners in almost all formats. But the current team management also has to weigh their options – whether to give batters a bit of security, or get wins under their belt. The good thing perhaps is that the series win will give them confidence, and allow them to think proactively about the floundering batters.
The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC about the questions regarding India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February.The PCB wrote to the ICC a week ago, asking the governing body for details and clarity on the BCCI’s decision, which was conveyed to the ICC. The PCB has asked for a written response from the BCCI as well as the date when it informed the ICC about its stance.Despite the lack of a response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he retained “positive expectations” about the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.Related
The resolution of the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy standoff was a win? Not by a long shot
Champions Trophy saga: Blame lies with ICC leadership
CT25: Thrilling and unpredictable (and that's just the negotiations)
“We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had,” Naqvi said at a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy.”Naqvi also said that the PCB intended to stick to its stance – of not using a hybrid model for the tournament – and will not shift from it. But he did say he was willing to talk to the BCCI about the situation in a bid to break the deadlock.”At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come,” he said. “Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit.”When asked whether the PCB would consider the option of boycotting the event should hosting rights be taken away from it, Naqvi said: “Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance.”Naqvi was asked about the event’s trophy tour, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with an altered route after the BCCI had raised objections with the ICC.The PCB had announced the original route last week, which would have taken in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. That destination was taken off after the BCCI’s complaint but has not yet been cancelled. The trophy tour returns to Pakistan in January, after visiting the other seven participants in the Champions Trophy.”My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world’s bodies,” Naqvi said. “And that route has been rescheduled, we haven’t been told about any cancellation.”Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would announce the tournament schedule soon so that the PCB can continue its preparations for the event.
Also: was Sikandar Raza the first Zimbabwe bowler to take seven wickets in a Test innings?
Steven Lynch04-Feb-2020India and New Zealand tied two matches in a row last week. Has this ever happened before in international cricket? asked Michael Farrant from England, among others
The consecutive T20I ties last week – both of them won by India after a Super Over – were the 55th and 56th in international cricket. No bilateral series had previously featured more than one, although there were two – both again involving New Zealand – in the World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012-13. The result in Wellington meant New Zealand had tied three of their last five T20 internationals – and lost the Super Over in each one.England beat South Africa 3-1 after losing the first Test. Was this unique for a four-Test series? asked Amarnath Krishnasamy from India
England’s come-from-behind feat to win 3-1 in South Africa in 2019-20 had been achieved twice before. Both were famous four-match series: West Indies, powered by the Three Ws and the spinners Sonny Ramadhin and Alf Valentine, lost the first Test of 1950, at Old Trafford, but claimed the other three, to win a series in England for the first time. Then in 2017-18, in the series overshadowed by the sandpaper controversy in Cape Town, Australia won the first Test in Durban, but South Africa took the remaining three. It’s probably worth pointing out that there haven’t been that many four-Test series – only 61 in all, nine of which finished with a 3-1 scoreline.There were over 1100 runs scored in the fourth Test between South Africa and England, but no individual centuries. Was this a record? asked Rahul from India
In all, 1105 runs were made in the fourth Test, in Johannesburg, with the highest individual score being 98, by Rassie van der Dussen. Rather surprisingly, perhaps, this comes in at only No. 21 on the list of the highest match aggregates without a century. On top is another match between South Africa and England, in Durban in 1927-28, when 1272 runs were scored in all, with 90 by Wally Hammond being the highest individual contribution. There were 1262 runs (but no hundreds) in the 1997 Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, and 1227 in Melbourne in 1960-61, in the final match of the famous series between Australia and West Indies, which started with a tie in Brisbane.Sikandar Raza took Zimbabwe’s first Test seven-for, but the best figures still remain Paul Strang’s 8 for 109 against New Zealand in 2000•AFPWas Sikandar Raza the first Zimbabwe bowler to take seven wickets in a Test innings at Harare? asked Ibrahim Kamara from Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza’s flattish offbreaks brought him figures of 7 for 113, one of the highlights of Zimbabwe’s plucky performance in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Harare last week. Strictly speaking, it was indeed Zimbabwe’s first Test seven-for – although that ignores their best Test figures, Paul Strang’s 8 for 109 against New Zealand in Bulawayo in September 2000. In third place is Douglas Hondo’s 6 for 59 against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2004-05.Both Sri Lankan openers scored 44 in the first innings of the second Test against Zimbabwe. What’s the highest identical score by openers? asked Geetha Krishnan from India
Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando both made 44 in Sri Lanka’s first innings against Zimbabwe in Harare last week. It’s the highest such double for Sri Lanka, but there have been seven higher ones for other countries. Best of all was twin 88s, by Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes for Australia against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011-12.The ODI record is 73, by Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in Mirpur in 2015-16. And in T20 internationals it’s 80, by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan for India against New Zealand in Delhi in 2017-18.Use our
feedback form or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions
تطرق أندريس إنييستا، النجم السابق لنادي برشلونة، للحديث عن مباراة الكلاسيكو المرتقبة يوم الأحد المقبل، ضد خصمه ريال مدريد في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.
ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال مدريد في قمة منافسات الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.
وقال إنييستا في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “مباراة الكلاسيكو دائمًا ما تكون مميزة، تتجوز توقعات كل لاعب”، موضحًا ثقته من كون انتصارات برشلونة الأخيرة عززت ثقتهم قبل مباراتهم ضد ريال مدريد.
وعندما سُئل عن انتقاد لامين يامال لـ ريال مدريد قبل ساعات قليلة من المباراة، لم يتردد إنييستا في الإشارة إلى أنه “تعليق لإضفاء بعض الإثارة على الكلاسيكو”، لكنه أوضح أن المهم هو ما يحدث على أرض الملعب، وليس التصريحات قبل المباراة.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ريال مدريد يتخذ قرارًا بعد تصريحات لامين يامال “الغبية” قبل الكلاسيكو
وأوضح: “أتفهم ذلك، بغض النظر عن صحة التعليقات أم لا، ستكون مباراة رائعة، سنرى ما سيحدث، دائمًا ما تُعطى أهمية كبيرة لما يُقال، خاصة قبل مباراة كهذه”.
وواصل: “أنا أيضًا لست مطلعًا على آخر المستجدات، سيقول البعض إنها مجرد إثارة للمباراة، بينما لن يعجب البعض الآخر، لكن ما يهم حقًا هو ما يحدث خلال تلك الدقائق التسعين”.
وشدد: “الكلاسيكو يتجاوز أي تعليق من أي لاعب أو رئيس أو مدرب، بالنسبة لي الكلاسيكو هو أهم مباراة على الإطلاق، نصيحتي لـ لامين يامال؟ حسنًا، إذا رأى النادي أنه لا يقدم أداءً جيدًا، فأعتقد أن تلك الأمور ستناقش داخليًا”.
وأثنى إنيسستا على لاعب برشلونة بيدري، حيث قال: “بيدري هو بيدري، في عصرنا دائمًا ما تُعقد المقارنات، إنه يشق طريقه بموهبته وتأثيره في برشلونة والمنتخب الوطني، بالنسبة لي هو اللاعب الأكثر تميزًا، من وجهة نظري كلاعب كرة قدم، وما يمثله لاعب كرة القدم”.
واسترسل: “آمل فقط أن يواصل على هذا النحو ويمضي قدمًا في تألقه، الذي سيكون بلا شك مفيدًا جدًا لبرشلونة”، واختتم قائلًا: “لم أخفِ أبدًا رغبتي في العودة إلى برشلونة في مرحلة ما من حياتي”.
It is no secret that Arsenal are actively in the market for a new attacking player or two for Mikel Arteta this summer, with the Gunners now urged to make a move for one highly-rated forward who’s reportedly on Andrea Berta’s list.
Arsenal targeting new winger with "numerous talks" held
Bukayo Saka’s lengthy injury absence midway through 2024/2025, combined with uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Leandro Trossard, has seemingly pushed Arsenal into considering the signing of a winger.
Arsenal talks could advance in "next few days" as Berta eyes £59m signing
The Gunners have been in contact this week.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 5, 2025
The Belgian is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract in north London, and there are even some suggestions that Arsenal would also entertain suitable bids for Gabriel Martinelli, who is valued at around £50 million, so Arteta’s wide options could look slightly different by the time we reach 2025/2026.
In terms of potential incomings, talks have been held over a deal for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who is considered the “dream signing” by Arsenal in that position, but negotiations are proving complicated due to wage demands (Florian Plettenberg).
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
That being said, Rodrygo is by no means their only option, with Berta holding “numerous talks” over many targets, including Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.
The Nigerian is reportedly valued at around £42 million, which could prove to be a bargain considering his exploits in Serie A over the last two seasons.
Lookman’s devastating performance in the 2024 Europa League final ended Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten run, and he’s fresh off scoring 20 goals in all competitions for Atalanta over the season just gone.
Multiple reports have claimed that Arsenal have held talks over a move for Lookman, with club legend Ian Wright now urging Berta to seal a deal.
Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign Ademola Lookman after alleged talks
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast this week, the N5 icon expressed his admiration for Lookman’s journey to the top, branding him a “top” player.
Wright also urged Arsenal to sign Lookman before the start of next season, explaining exactly why he believes the African would do an excellent job under Arteta.
“I’m going to go with Ademola Lookman winning the African Player of the Year in respects of that man’s journey,” said Wright.
“I remember him from Charlton, it didn’t work out, £10 million to Everton, then moving all over the place, the journey from loan to this, then I think that’s one of the most devastating performances I’ve seen in any final with that hat-trick he scored.
“I hope we can buy him, Arsenal. I would love someone like him to come back to the Premier League and say, ‘listen, I have unfinished business here, so I am going to help Arsenal win the league’.
“But I just admire his journey, and now he’s recognised rightly as a top player, unbelievable.”
Warwickshire strike early but captain’s innings keeps rivals at bay
ECB Reporters Network09-Sep-2024Club captain Brett D’Oliveira struck his fourth successive half-century since returning from injury to inspire another Worcestershire recovery on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship derby with Warwickshire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.D’Oliveira had come to the wicket just over a week ago with Worcestershire 10 for 4 on the opening morning versus Essex at Chelmsford and his 68 helped his side rally to 266 all out on their way to a 43-run success. That followed his 97 during the home win over Kent and for good measure he hit another 51 in the second innings against Essex.Here, his side were struggling at 67 for 4 in testing conditions when he walked out to the middle and was again the cornerstone of a fightback with the top score of 76.D’Oliveira received excellent support from Adam Hose, fit again Matthew Waite and Logan van Beek in partnerships of 49, 76 and 43.He had missed the entire Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign whilst having extensive rehab to a shoulder problem which has troubled him for the past year. But the treatment seems to have paid handsome dividends for the 32-year-old who has been in prime form since the Championship programme recommenced.Waite also made his mark with a fluent half-century on his return to action after nearly two months on the sidelines with a side strain.Oliver Hannon-Dalby, the leading wicket-taker in Division One, added three more scalps to take his tally for the season to 46 and again bowled impressively.Worcestershire gave a Championship debut to young Academy pace bowler Jack Home who last week signed a three-year contract after taking 16 wickets in five games in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Warwickshire made one change from the side which had defeated Kent with spinner Danny Briggs replacing Jacob Bethell.Warwickshire skipper Alex Davies put the home side into bat on a wicket where the bounce was variable, particularly when bowling from the New Road End, and Hannon-Dalby made the first breakthrough when Jake Libby pushed forward to a delivery which nipped away and was caught behind.Kashif Ali, who had scored two centuries in the corresponding game at Edgbaston, provided keeper Michael Burgess with another catch off former Worcestershire allrounder Ed BarnardGareth Roderick had his middle stump knocked back by Michael Rae and then Ethan Brookes, promoted to No. 4, was lbw to Hannon-Dalby on his return to the attack with a delivery which swung back in. Hose and D’Oliveira battled through to lunch at 77 for 4 from 30 overs.D’Oliveira pulled Rushworth for four to bring up the 100 in 39.3 overs. The fifth wicket pair extended their partnership to 49 but Hose, having battled for nearly two hours for 33, drove at Barnard and was pouched at second slipWaite was full of positive intent from the start and collected four boundaries at Barnard’s expense in two overs.He was the dominate figure in a half-century partnership with D’Oliveira and completed his own fifty from 71 balls with nine fours.The afternoon session produced 111 runs from 34 overs for the loss of one wicket. But Waite added only one more run before he was lbw to Rae after he switched ends to end a stand of 76.D’Oliveira reached another excellent half century from 115 balls when he late cut Briggs for his seventh boundary. He found another staunch ally in van Beek in adding 43 for the seventh wicket but on 76 was finally caught low down at first slip by Yates off Will Rhodes.The second new ball accounted for van Beek with a third scalp for Hannon-Dalby thanks to Yates again showing a safe pair of hands, this time at second slip.But Home, who hit Barnard for the first six of the game backward of square, and Tom Taylor earned Worcestershire a precious batting point before the close during an unbroken stand of 52.
Romelu Lukaku has revealed he "didn't want" to join Manchester United in 2017, amid interest from Chelsea.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
Kostas Tsimikas has paid tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota, in a social media post alongside a gut-wrenching image of the forward's no. 20 shirt.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 |
The NYCFC star shined brightly in penalties against Costa Rica, but has looked shaky at times throughout the Gold Cup
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Consensus that Freese had a "nervy" Gold CupDonovan says Freese might not start in fall friendliesFreese expected to be starter in tournament finalGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
Just three days after being labelled a star after his heroics against Costa Rica in the USMNT's penalty shootout win in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, goalkeeper Matt Freese is back under the microscope.
Though Mauricio Pochettino's side beat Guatemala 2-1 to advance to the tournament final, Freese had dicey moments Wednesday night. Freese's positioning was slightly off when Olger Escobar scored to cut the deficit in half in the 80th minute.
"Outside of when he was making penalty saves, I don't think we've seen Matt Freese look comfortable in this tournament – comfortable or confident in himself, and the way in which we view him.," Lalas said on FOX Sports. "For a national team goalkeeper, that's not great. Had a beautiful moment in the penalties the other day, but its nervy."
Freese had four saves in the contest, conceding the one goal.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Freese's inconsistency raises the question: who will be the USMNT starting goalkeeper? Freese started all five matches in this Gold Cup, ahead of incumbent Matt Turner, the World Cup starter in 2022. Sidelined MLS goalkeepers Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte are expected to remain in contention.
Another U.S. legend Landon Donovan wondered if Freese will start in the upcoming September friendlies, based on current form.
"When I walked out of the tunnel [as a player] and saw Tim Howard, I was like 'He's got it.' " Donovan said. "In the last game, after the penalties, you felt his presence for the first time. You could really feel it. And [now] you're like 'Eh.' Look, he's still growing, and I'm not saying he can't be there – he's earned the right to be at least considered a third goalkeeper for the next year.
"The big question mark is going to be who starts in the September friendlies… is Matt Freese starting, if Zack Steffen is back and Matt Turner is playing? We'll find out."
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
At least eight goalkeepers have started for the U.S. since Tim Howard's retirement from the national team: Brad Guzan, Bill Hamid, Steffen, Ethan Horvath, Turner, Gabriel Slonina, Freese and Schulte.
WHAT NEXT FOR USMNT?
The USMNT have now reached their 13th Gold Cup final, and will be looking to add to their previous seven wins – the most recent coming in 2021. They will play Mexico in Sunday's final.