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The fit-again fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has made a comeback into Zimbabwe’s ODI squad for the three-match series against Australia starting on August 28. Muzarabani missed Zimbabwe’s recent limited-overs series against Bangladesh and India at home with a thigh muscle tear, but was passed fit to depart for Townsville on Tuesday with the rest of the 15-member squad.Regis Chakabva will lead Zimbabwe for a third successive ODI series with regular captain Craig Ervine still recovering from hamstring injury. Tendai Chatara (collarbone fracture), left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza (shoulder tendon injury) and opening batter Milton Shumba (quadricep injury) were all unavailable for selection as well.Zimbabwe squad for Australia series•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The last time Zimbabwe played an ODI in Australia was during the 2015 World Cup, before which their previous assignment in the country was a tri-series involving the hosts and India way back in 2004.This upcoming series was initially scheduled for August 2020, but had to be postponed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.Related

• Zampa returns, Cummins rested for ODIs against Zimbabwe, NZ

• Labuschagne wants to 'continue to get better' at No. 5 after disappointing tour of Sri Lanka

The tour is part of the ODI Super League, which is being contested by 13 teams with the top eight qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in India. Zimbabwe sit 12th on the table, having won just three out of their 18 matches so far in the cycle. Australia occupy the eighth spot.Apart from the 15 players en route to Australia, Zimbabwe have also named Tanaka Chivanga and John Masara as non-travelling reserves.All three ODIs will take place in Townsville on August 28, August 31 and September 3.

Still searching for key reinforcements to truly get the Ruben Amorim era kickstarted, Manchester United are now reportedly willing to submit an opening offer to sign a former Manchester City academy star.

Man Utd transfer news

Manchester United’s wishlist is almost as long as their list of disappointing defeats throughout what has been yet another campaign to forget. Even amid glimpses of quality under Amorim, the Red Devils have largely remained uninspiring and sit closer to the Premier League relegation zone than they do to any form of European qualification.

So, whilst the new manager may receive criticism for his verdict that his side could be the worst in the club’s history, the stats hardly paint a contrasting picture.

If the former Sporting Club boss is to turn things around then reinforcements are simply a must this month, with the likes of Patrick Dorgu already threatening to steal the headlines alongside a former Manchester City man.

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now willing to submit a significant opening offer to sign Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid in what would be the second City academy graduate they’ve signed in recent years after previously welcoming Jadon Sancho.

In pursuit of the Madrid man, the Red Devils will hope that he makes a far greater impact than big-money flop Sancho ever did if they manage to secure his signature.

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Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Jan 22, 2025

What should push those at Old Trafford towards the winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder, is that Amorim reportedly personally likes the Morocco international and may, therefore, find an ideal role for him in his struggling side.

"Fantastic" Diaz suits Amorim's Man Utd system

Still just 25 years old, Diaz has already enjoyed quite the journey. Leaving Manchester City for Real Madrid in 2019, the winger left on loan to AC Milan twice in two successful spells which ended with a Serie A title to his name in the 2021/22 campaign. Now, despite finally playing a part at Real Madrid, his role often comes from the bench in what is a waste of his talents.

It’s a situation that Manchester United should be looking to take full advantage of, given how Diaz would slot straight into their new 3-4-2-1 system. The formation, which plays two number 10s, is yet to click at Old Trafford but Diaz could play a part in changing that alongside Bruno Fernandes in those two attacking midfield roles.

A move away from Madrid would certainly place the former Manchester City man in the spotlight once again, where he previously earned the praise of the legendary Allesandro Nesta at AC Milan.

The iconic defender told reporters as relayed by One Football in 2023: “Diaz has these fantastic plays in tight spaces… I’m sorry for him to have this problem, deciding between Milan and Real Madrid that is.”

The second leg of the quarterfinals will be played Tuesday at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario

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• The first leg ended in a scoreless draw
• América will advance with a win or a draw with goals
• The winner will face either Tigres or LA Galaxy in the semifinals

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  As expected, much of the Mexican media has once again labeled América as the favorite to advance past Cruz Azul and into the Champions Cup semifinals. Despite a frustrating weekend loss to Pachuca—a match manager André Jardine called "very frustrating"—Las Águilas still carry momentum and confidence. Cruz Azul, however, isn’t far behind. The team is unbeaten in nine straight matches under Vicente Sánchez, showing steady improvement and belief heading into Tuesday’s showdown.

  So, who has the upper hand?

  On Fox Sports México, the debate panel leaned heavily in favor of América. “América has more arguments to advance,” one panelist said. Former Chivas striker Rafael Márquez Lugo estimated the odds at 60-40 in favor of the defending Liga MX champs. Meanwhile, ex-Cruz Azul and Mexico international Carlos Hermosillo gave América an even wider edge—70-30—citing the away goals rule. The panel agreed that an América goal on the road would put significant pressure on Cruz Azul.

  Over on ESPN’s Fútbol Picante, former Chivas player and executive Francisco Gabriel de Anda praised Sánchez’s work since taking over. “He hasn’t lost in nine matches since taking over,” De Anda noted. “I liked what they did against Pumas this weekend – they’re ready to face América.” He also highlighted Cruz Azul’s current form: third place in the league standings, a solid run of results, and standout play from Carlos Rotondi, who, according to De Anda, "is playing really well and is emotionally stable."

  Still, not everyone is convinced. Desirée Monsivais, former striker for the Mexican women’s national team, pointed to concerns up top for Cruz Azul. “Giakoumakis seems distracted like his mind is elsewhere – perhaps already thinking about which league he’ll play in next year,” she said, referencing rumors of the Greek striker potentially returning to MLS.

  With two clubs heading in opposite directions on paper—but everything still to play for – it’s shaping up to be another classic installment of this storied rivalry.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Cruz Azul and América square off this Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals – a match that feels like a shot at redemption for . América has eliminated Cruz Azul in their last two knockout meetings: the Clausura 2024 Final and the Apertura 2024 semifinals. Confident and battle-tested, believe they can do it again. But for Cruz Azul, this one feels personal.

  All eyes will be on Estadio Olímpico Universitario, where tensions will be high and the stakes even higher. The aggregate score is locked at 0-0 after last week’s first leg at América’s home ground. That means any scoring draw favors Jardine’s squad due to the away goals rule. The winner will face either Tigres or LA Galaxy – who are also tied 0-0 – in the semifinal.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Cruz Azul hasn’t been able to beat América in recent years. Las Águilas eliminated La Máquina in the semifinals of the Apertura 2024 – a tournament in which they claimed a three-peat – and also defeated them in the Clausura 2024 Final. But that’s not all: América has only lost once in their last 10 meetings against Cruz Azul, including a 7-0 thrashing in the Apertura 2022. Can Vicente Sánchez’s team overcome all the odds stacked against them?

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CRUZ AZUL AND AMÉRICA?

  Tuesday's match will be the second of three meetings between and . With the 0-0 draw from the first leg in the books, both teams will now face off for a spot in the Champions Cup semifinals. After that, they’ll meet again on Saturday in Matchday 15 of the Clausura 2025 in Liga MX. Sánchez’s side defeated Pumas 3-2 over the weekend, while Jardine’s team lost 1-0 on the road against Pachuca – partially due to the coach rotating his lineup to rest key players and keep them fresh for tomorrow’s match.

Manchester United “would be open” to letting a £200k-p/w player leave in the January transfer window, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd at rock bottom

There have been some low points for Man United since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, but it is hard to recall as dire a situation as this, with Ruben Amorim going as far to admit it is embarrassing to be the manager of the club at the moment.

It looks like wholesale changes will be required to get United competing once again, which is why it may be a relief for Amorim that the January transfer window is now upon us. That said, the manager has insisted that January signings will not be a possibility unless there are some outgoings, which means the Red Devils are tasked with finding new clubs for a number of under-performing players.

One such player is Marcus Rashford, with speculation continuing to mount over the forward’s future since he admitted he thinks he needs to leave his boyhood club. Another forward who has been below par for quite some time is Antony, and Romano has now dropped an update which indicates United are willing to cut their losses on the Brazilian this winter.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the transfer expert said: “For Antony, his agent mentioned for the first time how Antony could leave Man United for the first time, based on what Man United want to do.

“My information is that if a good proposal arrives in January, Man United would be open to finding a solution also for Antony, so there could be movement around Manchester United. I think only a few players are safe in the sense that they are going to be untouchable. Many others could be available on the market.”

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ByTom Cunningham Dec 30, 2024 Antony must go

The Brazil international has flattered to deceive ever since arriving at Old Trafford, and he has failed to force his way into Amorim’s plans, yet to start a Premier League game this season. The £200k-p/w winger is one of the high earners at Old Trafford, which may be prohibitive when it comes to finding a new club, but Amorim needs to get him off the books and have a fresh start.

Former United boss Erik ten Hag described Antony as a “fighter”, but he picked up just two goal contributions in the Premier League last season, and he has failed to kick on this term.

As such, it is the right decision to sanction a move this winter. It is also interesting that Romano mentions very few players being safe at Old Trafford, which is to be expected given the level of performance.

Only a few players can hold their heads up high this season, such as Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes, who are ranked as the best-performing players in the squad, and major surgery is clearly needed if United are to compete at the top once again.

A switch to a fall to spring schedule for MLS is being discussed in the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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• Garber and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani talk U.S. Soccer
• Garber shares MLS schedule change is a subject of discussion
• Says he has "big expectations" for USMNT at 2026 World Cup

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A change in the scheduling format for Major League Soccer – with a move to a fall-to-spring calendar – may be coming following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. MLS commissioner Don Garber spoke on the topic ahead of the 2024 MLS Cup final in Carson, California, saying that any change would be "complicated," but that the bodies around MLS and U.S. Soccer have "ongoing work" around a potential change.

  Speaking at the Sports Business Journal's Business of Soccer conference this week, Garber – along with CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani – covered a plethora of American soccer topics, and the commissioner revisited the schedule change. Logical concerns about winter in the U.S., particularly with teams in the north such as Minnesota, Montreal, and Toronto – among others – were acknowledged, but a potential change is still on the table.

  “Let’s just be obvious – having playoffs in May is probably better than having them in December, where we’re competing against college football and NFL football and lots of other things,” Garber said. “So we’re going to do the work… Nelson Rodriguez runs our competition group meeting with owners and chief soccer officers and chief business officers going through the math. And once we get through all that, we’ll then have to take it to that process of governance and figuring out whether it makes sense for the enterprise.”

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Although any change would not arrive until after the 2026 season, buildup to the 2026 World Cup has been a priority for both CONCACAF and MLS, with the tournament being hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  “We have this opportunity with our [USMNT] – as the women have been able to achieve with so many World Cup victories – to have it be entirely about sport,” said Garber. “You have to have that. If the U.S. team doesn’t do well, it certainly is going to be a disappointment because of the high expectations.”

  Montagliani, meanwhile, said that CONCACAF as a whole has an expectation to perform in the event at a competitive level, in both the Group Stage and the knockout rounds.

  “I expect eight of our countries to be in there – six direct and two playoff for them to come out of the group,” said Montagliani. “Two of them to get to the quarterfinal and one of them to get to minimally the semifinal.”

  Amid some worries that North America may not be prepared to host the event, Garber shrugged off the notion.

  “I don’t really worry much about that,” Garber said. “I’ve been in the event business for a really, really long time. The fear and loathing of what you have to do, and then all the challenges of ensuring you’re managing your plan always happen, but it always pulls off.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  No CONCACAF nation has ever won the World Cup, and no team has ever made it past the quarterfinals. In 1970 and 1986, Mexico made it to the stage, as did the U.S. in 2002 and Costa Rica in 2014.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Matchday 5 of the 2025 MLS season kicks off Saturday, while the USMNT report back to the pitch on Sunday in the the third-place match of the CONCACAF Nations League finals.

  Mauricio Pochettino's men meanwhile take on Jesse Marsch's Canada in the contest.

And with that, Arsenal are back. The period between the last two international breaks of 2024 was a strange one for the Gunners and one that could, probably will, still haunt them once the season ends.

It all started with that dismal defeat at the Vitality Stadium. William Saliba became Arsenal’s third red card of the season and it all began to unravel from there. Mikel Arteta’s men drew with Liverpool and Chelsea but a defeat, a turgid one at that, against Newcastle was not good enough.

But rejoice, for Martin Odegaard is back and the north Londoners look like the side of 2022/23 again. That term they were short of Manchester City by five points but their football was swashbuckling, it was exciting, it was everything that this campaign hadn’t been, until Saturday afternoon at least.

Odegaard made his second start since an ankle injury during the first international break of the season back in September and he made a colossal difference. Arsenal ran away from the Emirates Stadium with a 3-0 win, dispatching Nottingham Forest who were made to look desperate in their efforts in the capital.

Arsenal's best performers against Forest

Bukayo Saka scored a rasping opener in the first half before he turned provider in the second period, laying the ball on a plate for half-time substitute Thomas Partey to rifle the ball past Mats Selz in the Forest net.

Despite not finding himself on the scoresheet, it was skipper Odegaard who made the greatest difference to Arsenal’s attack.

Without him they have been awful in the final third, that’s putting it politely too. They have missed creativity, they have missed moments of magic and they have missed his passing range.

In short, the Norwegian is one of the finest playmakers in the league and he has shown as much since returning. Against Chelsea two weeks ago it was the midfielder’s delightful pass over the defence that led to Gabriel Martinelli’s opener.

This time, it was his neat combination play on the edge of the area that led to Saka’s goal. The two of them have combined excellently in Arsenal colours so it was no surprise to see the two in such an unplayable mood this weekend.

In total, he created six chances for Arsenal players to score from and left the field with a 90% pass success rate despite his willingness to carve out opportunities for teammates.

Try as he might, Ethan Nwaneri did try and steal the show late on. Appearing as a late substitute, he combined with Raheem Sterling before bagging his first Premier League goal.

In doing so, he became the ninth-youngest scorer in the division’s history. He is already the youngest player to feature in the competition.

That being said, despite a ray of positivity engulfing the Emirates Stadium, there was one man who underperformed on Saturday.

Arsenal's poorest performer against Forest

There were some bold selection calls from Arteta on Saturday afternoon as the Spaniard left Declan Rice and Partey on the bench.

Gabriel Martinelli, despite his goal at Stamford Bridge, also found himself on the bench as Leandro Trossard started on the left. The biggest surprise, though, saw Kai Havertz among the subs.

In his place started Gabriel Jesus, a man who coincidentally hasn’t found the back of the net in a Premier League game since the Gunners last met Forest back in January.

Sadly, Jesus failed to add to his one goal tally for the campaign to date this weekend and put in a rather ineffective display that is unlikely to have Havertz too worried about his prospects of playing time in the immediate future.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

It wasn’t that the Brazilian did too much wrong but in a match where Arsenal boasted so much possession, it was the former Manchester City forward who looked out of sync with his teammates.

It said it all that despite lasting the full 90 minutes, Jesus boasted just 36 touches of the ball, three fewer than goalkeeper David Raya who didn’t see much action either.

Jesus could manage just one shot and his only dribble attempt was a failed one too. Unlike Havertz, he wasn’t much of a duel winner either, leaving the field at full-time having won just two of his nine battles. It was perhaps unsurprising that he was handed a poor 6/10 rating by GOAL’s Charles Watts.

Forest have been exceptional at the back this season and Arsenal’s number 9 won’t be the only forward to come unstuck against the likes of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic. However, he will have to do an awful lot more if he wants to be starting ahead of their big £65m signing from Chelsea.

It was perhaps better than we have seen from Jesus at times this campaign, but he should still drop to the bench for the trip to Lisbon against Sporting in the Champions League.

98% passing, 105 touches: Arsenal's non-scorer was immense vs Forest

The Arsenal star was quietly superb against Forest

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 23, 2024

Liverpool have always been regarded as a behemoth of the English game, but Anfield and its many supporters languished as a fallen giant for many interminable years and that’s a fact.

Jurgen Klopp stretched his influence onto Merseyside in 2015 and painted the football-frenzied city in brilliant red once again, but it wouldn’t be fair to say that Liverpool were bereft of joy and excitement in the overtures of the German’s appointment.

The 2014/15 campaign was drab and, perhaps more aptly, disastrous. It was Brendan Rodgers’ last full campaign and a return to disappointment for the club, but the year before, while bringing about no silverware, was an unforgettable rollercoaster.

Luis Suarez in the front seat, of course.

Luis Suarez's Liverpool brilliance

He might not have got his paws on the Premier League title, but Suarez’s name is certainly woven into the very fabric of Liverpool’s storied history.

The recently-retired Uruguay international joined Liverpool from Ajax in a £22m deal way back in 2011, having earned a reputation of great promise during his time with the Dutch giants.

His time on Merseyside was a thing of singular brilliance. Even now, over a decade beyond his departure date, Suarez is hailed among the finest players to have performed in England’s top flight, and perhaps the architect of the most awe-inspiring individual campaign since the modern Premier League was founded in 1992.

Still kicking about in the MLS with pal Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Suarez has led an unforgettable career, and though the riches ran deeper with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Spain, the 39-year-old’s 31-goal haul, with 11 assists too, across just 33 top-flight matches in 2013/14 almost single-handedly supercharged an unlikely title conquering.

It wasn’t to be. Suarez understandably wanted to leave in search of pastures new after that agonising failure. This was over a year before Klopp would even alight in Liverpool, remember, and when Barcelona offered a jaw-dropping £65m sum for his signature, it was a no-brainer.

Now, a new era. The annals record that one-time Suarez-fevered patch to be several ages in the background at Anfield, in fact. Klopp’s time has flown past and now Arne Slot is at the wheel.

This is a team studded with first-class stars, but there’s one in particular who could be Slot’s own version of the Uruguayan great, and no, it’s not Suarez’s countryman Darwin Nunez.

Luis Diaz could be Liverpool's next super-money star

As the more discerning minds might have guessed from the big blocked text right ahead, the man in question is Luis Diaz, who has gone from strength to strength under Slot’s wing this season.

Last year, Klopp utilised Diaz’s electric pace and penetrative dribbling to a positive effect, but Slot has seized such qualities and refined them into something potent and deadly.

Having scored 13 goals and supplied five assists across 51 matches in all competitions in 2023/24, Diaz was definitely effective, but under Slot’s wing, he’s notched nine goals and two assists from merely 16 appearances.

The 27-year-old carries a very singular threat, and in such a way, is a bit like Suarez in that he’s so distinctive. His loping gait is instantly recognisable and there’s a real menace to his attacking approach, crackling with energy and ideas upon every final third entry.

Matches (starts)

37 (32)

11 (8)

Goals

8

5

Assists

5

2

Touches*

43.8

41.8

Shots (on target)*

2.5 (0.9)

1.6 (0.8)

Pass completion

85%

87%

Key passes*

1.8

1.4

Ball recoveries*

3.4

2.8

Dribbles (completed)*

1.8

1.5

Tackles + interceptions*

1.0

1.4

Total Duels won*

4.6

4.0

As per FBref, Diaz ranks among the top 4% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers in 2024/25 for goals scored, the top 7% for pass completion, the top 10% for shot-creating actions and the top 15% for successful take-ons per 90, highlighting his robust style.

Of course, he’s not a centre-forward and nor is he stylistically similar to Suarez, but Diaz is one of Liverpool’s most profitable players to be sure, and recently bagged a Champions League hat-trick when placed at number nine by Slot during Liverpool’s 4-0 romping of Bayer Leverkusen.

His silky-smooth style of performance has even drawn comparisons to players such as Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who has been on fire himself this term, scoring nine goals and supplying four assists across 13 matches.

According to FBref, that is, with the stats-built site revealing that, stylistically, the respective stars align. With this in mind, Diaz could perhaps fetch a transfer fee surpassing that of Suarez’s, for Musiala has been attracting attention from Manchester City of late and is believed to be transfer-priced for a fee in excess of £100m.

He wouldn’t command the same dizzying transfer fee that Philippe Coutinho’s sale to Barcelona marked, but Diaz would certainly be sold for a handsome sum, and given that La Blaugrana have a long-standing interest in the South American, perhaps his stunning exploits could lead him to a lucrative transfer to Spain, much like Suarez.

Indeed, Diaz, who has been hailed as an “incredible” signing for Liverpool by Klopp, was pursued by outfits as mighty as Barcelona this summer, and The Athletic reported that Liverpool would only entertain proposals that far outstretched the £50m total fee that was paid to bring him in from Porto several years ago.

Perhaps, in today’s bonkers market, that £65m figure that Barca paid for Suarez might not even cut it for Liverpool. Whatever happens, the Reds have well and truly hit the jackpot with this one. Diaz is sure to play a significant part in the trophy-hunting efforts of Slot’s side, and maybe he’ll be allowed to venture off to Spain at some stage – for a most lucrative sum.

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Opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi struck 144 and No. 4 Raj Bawa smacked 162 to give India the second-biggest win in the history of Youth ODIs as the Covid-hit team trounced Uganda by 326 runs in their final Group B encounter in Tarouba. The pair’s partnership of 206, that propelled India to post the tournament’s first 400+ total, was also the highest third-wicket stand in Under-19 World Cup history.Related

• India add Vasu Vats as temporary Covid replacement

• Five reserve players to fly out to bolster Covid-hit Indian squad

The 16-year-old Raghuvanshi started attacking the Uganda bowling right from the first over when he cut one square for four, and then dominated a 40-run opening stand with Harnoor Singh by playing the short balls offered by the Uganda bowlers on both sides behind square. He displayed his wristwork by flicking shots off his toes through midwicket and playing strong drives down the ground to reach his fifty in 49 balls.Raghuvanshi, on 50, was joined by Raj Bawa after Nishant Sindhu fell for 15, and together they dominated for the next 22.4 overs where they scored 206 runs together. Bawa started his innings by putting away a low full toss through midwicket, and after a short period of quiet batting till the 21st over, the duo broke free.The 22nd over went for 20 runs as Raghuvanshi hit two fours and Bawa smacked back-to-back sixes, the 26th had Raghuvanshi playing two sweeps for four and one drive past the bowler, and in the 27th over, Bawa played a sublime punch through deep cover and followed it up with pull to the long-on boundary to push India to 172 for 2. Bawa reached his fifty in 44 balls in the 28th over in style slog-sweeping a six over the leg side and by the end of the 30th over, India had breached 200.Raghuvanshi reached his 93-ball century next over by pulling a short ball for four, and with at least one boundary coming off their bat till the 34th over, India’s run rate was hovering near seven and the chances of a 400+ score was looking like a reality for the first time in the innings.Bawa then tore into Uganda bowler Joseph Baguma by hitting consecutive sixes off full-tosses and on 90, offered the first real chance when he edged a shot past the vacant slip cordon for four. He followed it up to move to 98 with a square cut that raced through the carpet. He reached his century in only 69 balls with a single to midwicket.With both batters in triple digits, it appeared like the duo had shed all inhibitions and looked to tonk every ball out of the ground. Raghuvanshi went 6, 4, 4 in the 38th over, however, he was out on 144, top-edging a swipe to the wicketkeeper.Bawa, though, was not going to stop, and he brought up India’s 300 in the 40th over with a six over extra cover. He kept finding the boundaries with ease and buried a six down the ground to reach his 101-ball 150 by easily flicking a shot over deep midwicket.With Kaushal Tambe not lasting long, Bawa needed someone from the other end to also bring out the fireworks to help India breach 400, and wicketkeeper Dinesh Bana offered that aid by hitting a quickfire 14-ball 22. Bawa then saw off the innings in Aneeshwar Gautam’s company as their six-run 50th over took India to 405 for 5.Uganda did not get going in their chase at all, with six batters failing to score a run. Rajvardhan Hangargekar rattled the top order with his two wickets and the stand-in captain Nishant Sindhu, who had bowled tight through the tournament but without the wickets to show for it, then ran through the middle order with a four-for, including the scalp of Uganda captain Pascal Murungi (34). Vicky Ostwal and Vasu Vats, drafted into the India squad hours before the match, took a wicket apiece to complete the rout. India will next play Bangladesh in the quarter-finals.Mahfijul Islam cuts off the backfoot•ICC via Getty Images

In what was a virtual pre-quarterfinal match, defending champions Bangladesh rode on the back of a complete bowling performance in a rain-hit Group A game to secure their passage into the final eight by beating UAE by nine wickets.Right-arm seamer Ripon Mondol took 3 for 31 while Ashiqur Zaman and Tanzim Hasan Sakib took two wickets apiece to bowl UAE out for 148. UAE had three batters getting starts, with Punya Mehra top-scoring with 43, but they lost their last six wickets for 46 runs, with Mondol causing maximum damage.A rain-break changed the 149-run target to Bangladesh requiring 107 in 35 overs, and their openers set up the chase with an 86-run opening stand. Mahfijul Islam hit six fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 69-ball 64 and was assisted by Iftakher Hossain’s 70-ball 37. No. 3 Prantik Nawrose Nabil then gave Mahfijul company through to the end as Bangladesh wrapped up the nine-wicket win by the 25th over to finish second, behind England, in the group.Seam-bowling allrounder Muhammad Shehzad took a five-wicket haul while conceding only seven runs to set up Pakistan’s demolition of Papua New Guinea and help his side finish table-toppers in Group C. Their nine-wicket win now sets up a quarter-final date against Australia.Shehzad was the first-change bowler, and he had middle-order batters Aue Oru and Patrick Nou caught behind first up. He then returned to pick up the wickets of Sigo Kelly, Rasan Kevau and Karoho Kevau – all three for ducks – to bowl PNG out for 50 in 22.4 overs.Shehzad’s bowling form, however, could not convert into a good batting show for him personally. He was out for a duck as opener, but the other opener Abbas Ali scored 27 in 32 balls in the company of the captain Hasebullah Khan (18*) to leave Pakistan with a perfect Group C record of three wins in three games.In a must-win game for both sides, Afghanistan rode on the back of their captain Suliman Safi’s 111 and an all-round show from Nangeyalia Kharote to pip Zimbabwe to the second spot in Group C with a comprehensive 109-run win. Afghanistan will now participate in an all-Asian quarter-final against Group D toppers Sri Lanka.The left-hand opener Kharote hit a 45-ball 50 to build Afghanistan’s foundation, but it was Safi’s century from No. 4 that took them to 261 for 6. Safi hit 14 fours and three sixes in his 118-ball 111, dominating a 108-run fifth-wicket stand with Mohammad Ishaq where he made just 39. Although expensive, Zimbabwe seamer Alex Falao took a three-for.Zimbabwe made a promising start to the chase, putting up 49 in their opening stand, with Matthew Welch making most of the runs. However, Kharote’s left-arm spin then ran through the middle order, helping him finish with 4 for 30, which also included the wickets of Zimbabwe’s top-scorer Welch (53), the captain Emmanuel Bawa, and David and Brian Bennett. Sandwiched between his wickets was the run out that Kharote effected to send Connor Mitchell back for a duck, and leg spinner Izharulhaq Naveed made short work of the tail. The other left-arm spinner Shahidullah Hasani took two top-order wickets too, and Zimbabwe folded for 152.

“Where’s the planning? We talk about planning but I can’t see where that planning has got to”

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Dec-2021

Alastair Cook has questioned England’s planning and criticised the “simple, avoidable mistakes” they have made in the first two Ashes Tests after their 275-run defeat in Adelaide saw Australia take a 2-0 lead.Cook, England’s captain during their 5-0 defeat in Australia eight years ago and their leading run-scorer on their victorious 2010-11 tour, said that England’s decision-making “hasn’t been good enough”, and said that there was little evidence of the planning that Chris Silverwood – England’s head coach and Cook’s former Essex coach – had regularly referred to throughout his two years in charge.”Ultimately, England are ruing the fact they’ve made too many mistakes in these two games,” Cook said in BT Sport’s coverage. “Their fielding isn’t as good as Australia’s, the decision-making off the field to get to this point hasn’t been good enough, and you can’t afford – on a tour like this – to make mistakes. It’s such a tough tour anyway.”Hindsight is the easiest place to come from but we’ve gone into this tour with all the stuff from Chris Silverwood, saying ‘we’re going to be the best-prepared England team’, ‘we’ve prepared for this’, ‘we want to arrive with this, this and this.’ Yes, there have been some circumstances they can’t have avoided like the Covid situation, the weather they’ve had, the T20 World Cup rescheduled.Related

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“But they turned up to play the biggest Ashes game which is the first one, where you set the tone, where you start to get in the series, and played a bowling attack that had never played before together. Where’s the planning? We talk about planning but I can’t see where that planning has got to.”Cook was also critical of the decision to omit Stuart Broad from the first Test at the Gabba, suggesting picking him should have been “a no-brainer”.”I don’t think James [Anderson] was fit to play that game, so that’s fine,” he said. “So then you go for a guy who’s got a good record at the Gabba, Stuart Broad, who you know can handle big situations, has delivered for England in the past… and you don’t play him. I’m sitting there going ‘really? Like, really? How’s that decision been made’. To me, that’s a no-brainer.”Matt Prior, England’s wicketkeeper on the 2010-11 tour and Cook’s vice-captain during the 2013-14 whitewash, highlighted England’s “unforced errors” as well as their decision-making, describing their profligacy in the field as “a huge negative”.”Before you even look at batting vs batting and bowling vs bowling on the two sides, it’s England’s unforced errors,” he said on BT Sport. “Dropping seven catches in two Test matches, that’s a huge negative and it’s one that can be trained and practised and shouldn’t happen at this level, quite frankly.”Taking wickets with no-balls and the amount of no-balls being bowled by this England team – it’s those elements that will be as frustrating as not leaving as well as the Australians, or bowling a bit fuller, or everything else.”People talk about one-percenters, but taking catches? That’s a 20-percenter. England aren’t at a place where they’ve focusing on one percent here, one percent there – get your 20 percent right first and then you can go from there.”But I agree with Alastair that some of the decisions that have been made so far in these two Test matches… I mean, talk about putting yourself behind the eight-ball before you’ve even got on the pitch. It’s been a real tough one.”

Liverpool have the chance to head into the October international break in pole position, leading the race in the Premier League after six matches. Crystal Palace and Selhurst Park stand in the way of achieving this.

Palace shattered expectations under Oliver Glasner last season, who transformed the club after it had fallen by the wayside under Roy Hodgson to win and play some astounding football, Michael Olise and Ebere Eze starring.

A summer of upheaval has left the Eagles grounded in 2024/25, with three draws and three defeats to show so far.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have conceded the fewest league goals of any side across England’s top four divisions, but must not approach this lunchtime fixture with any degree of complacency, for Palace are desperate to earn three points and rise from the relegation zone.

Slot has been reserved in his pack-shuffling so far, but he should make two changes from the midweek win for this one, with Darwin Nunez likely to head back to the bench.

1

GK – Alisson Becker

Alisson’s 84.6% save percentage in the Premier League this season is the joint-highest (alongside Bournemouth’s Neto, who has only played twice).

He’s the best. What else is there to say?

2

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Has Trent Alexander-Arnold plateaued over the past several matches? Is his contractual cloud hanging overhead in a gloomy fashion, affecting his performances?

Perhaps. Trent has still been mesmerising this season, with a ball-playing quality that scant few players can mimic, let alone match. He could be key against Glasner’s outfit.

3

CB – Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate ended the 2024/25 campaign on the rocks. The France international had been displaced by the younger Jarell Quansah and had been sapped of confidence after some “dreadful” displays, as The Athletic’s James Pearce said.

He’s been reborn under Slot’s leadership. Konate has already scored twice this season and has arguably been even better than his indomitable defensive partner… winning a whopping 74% of his contested duels in the Premier League.

4

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk will be delighted with his side’s defensive efforts this season, and though Konate is perhaps putting in the flashier, more energetic performances, he is simply unrivalled in blending his intelligence, positioning and galvanising leadership together.

The hosts might have been goal-shy across the opening weeks, but there’s plenty of talent at Palace’s disposal. This is a team that is performing far below its expected level, and it might click at any stage.

Liverpool need to be ready, and Van Dijk will be so important in ensuring this raucous ground does not find the fuel to lift it out of the relegation zone with a statement win.

5

LB – Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson’s fitness levels have not been fragile by any stretch but he did hobble off at Molineux one week ago, albeit starting against Bologna several days later.

There’s a slight chance that Kostas Tsimikas will replace the Scotsman, but he should retain his starting berth, offering a creative outlet from the left flank.

6

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

Man of the match against Bologna, man of the moment for Slot’s Liverpool. Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation at the heart of the pitch this season, so elegant and cultured in his dynamic midfield role.

He’s played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns this term, and that’s not going to change against Crystal Palace.

7

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister opened his account for the season with a close-range strike earlier this week. His role in Slot’s team probably won’t see him score many, but the Argentina international might just be the most crucial member in the line-up, so influential and important in guiding the attacking flow, in retaining possession.

He’s so wonderfully varied in his craft, ranking among the top 10% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. What a player.

8

RW – Mohamed Salah

He simply doesn’t stop. Ceaseless. Inevitable. Mohamed Salah was the star as Liverpool triumphed on Wednesday evening. It was an indifferent collective effort from the Reds, but Salah’s goal-and-assist display maintained their 100% start to the Champions League campaign.

9

AM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai, has divided opinion somewhat this season, but there’s a first-class player in there and he is being picked to start each week for a reason.

The Hungarian, aged 23, scored seven goals and supplied four assists across 43 matches, which is something he wanted to improve on. This term, with three goal contributions from eight matches, he’s steadily working toward achieving that.

10

LW – Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo could finally receive a starting berth in the Premier League under Slot’s wing after Luis Diaz was chosen for the continental stage, and he’s fully deserving of the opportunity.

Despite his infrequent role this term, Gakpo, hailed for his “special skill set” by Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, has been excellent on the left wing, looking like a different player to the man who ebbed and flowed under Klopp, never truly hitting his stride.