According to Telefoot, Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
What’s the story?
It is generally accepted that De Gea has developed into the finest goalkeeper in world football over the last couple of seasons.
The 27-year-old arrived at United from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011, and has been absolutely outstanding for the Red Devils in recent years.
Real Madrid continue to be linked with a move for the Spain international, but according to Telefoot, PSG are also in the race.
The report claims that the French giants – who have again fallen short in the Champions League this season – want an upgrade on current number one Alphonse Areola.
[ad_pod ]
There is no question that PSG have the finances to compete for De Gea’s signature, but it would be a huge surprise if United held off interest from Real Madrid just to sell to the French giants.
Should United fans be worried?
De Gea’s contract with United will expire in the summer of 2019, and the club are currently working on a fresh deal for the Spain international.
The goalkeeper, who is valued at £45m by transfermarkt.co.uk, came extremely close to joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2015, only for a faulty fax machine to prevent the deal from taking place.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
De Gea has continually insisted that he is happy at United, and the club’s progression since Jose Mourinho took charge places the Red Devils in a strong position.
The PSG project might well be of interest to De Gea, but the French side disappointed in the Champions League once again, and it is difficult to imagine the goalkeeper leaving United for any team other than Real Madrid.
Things are certainly looking up at United following a difficult few years, which makes any deal at the end of this season extremely hard to believe.
Jamie Redknapp labelled Manchester United’s ad-hoc defence in the second half of the Manchester derby as the worst Red Devils backline of all time, consisting of Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Patrick McNair and Luke Shaw, but Arsenal have fielded some pretty ropey back fours too this season.
In the Capital One Cup for example, we saw Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Isaac Hayden and Francis Coquellin – a defence with an average age of 20 and an average career appearances of just 37 – lose 2-1 to Southampton, providing further evidence of Arsene Wenger’s apathy towards a tournament he’s yet to win in eighteen years.
And for the best part of the last two months, full-back Nacho Monreal has deputised at centre-half for the injured Laurent Koscielny. Despite the 28 year-old’s performances ranging from average to oblivious, he’ll probably continue to do so until the Frenchman returns to fitness.
It’s hard to think of a defender in world football less equipped to be a Premier League centre-back than the Spain international; he measures in at just 5 foot 10, isn’t particularly quick or strong and throughout spells with Osasuna, Malaga and now the Gunners, has only ever impressed for his contributions going forward. Defensive awareness, on the other hand, is commonly viewed as Monreal’s predominant weakness, one that’s been exposed on countless occasions in the Premier League before – even in his preferred left-back role.
But Arsene Wenger made Arsenal’s bed in the summer and now they’ll have to lie in it. With Koscielny and right-back Mathieu Debuchy both likely sidelined for the next two months, the Gunners have already hit the bare bones of their defensive depth – in fact, it was reached by the end of August – so until the January window, when the Emirates gaffer will almost certainly remind us that a returning crocked star is the equivalent of a new signing, the north Londoners will simply have to make do.
This was an easily avoidable situation however, had Wenger not committed the unforgivable sin of completely ignoring his backline’s fragility throughout the summer.
Arsenal have dropped nine points from winning positions this season, the most of any Premier League side, not to mention their capitulation against Anderlecht in the Champions League, throwing awat a three-goal lead. Rather tellingly, Monreal featured at centre-back against the Belgians, in addition to the lead-squandering draw against Hull City and the loss to Swansea City on Sunday afternoon.
Resultantly, instead of being within a victory’s-distance of Premier League pace setters Chelsea, Arsenal are already twelve points behind, and the planned title charge – inspired by the momentum gained from winning last season’s FA Cup in combination with the summer addition of world class forward Alexis Sanchez – is already over. Bizarrely, Wenger appears to have no shame in admitting his side are out of the title race as early as November, after just eleven games.
One can only ponder how Wenger thought this season would pan out during the summer, or whether he gave it any genuine thought at all. Despite the resolve of Arsenal’s defensive depth being tested enough times last season, the north Londoners parted with three defenders this summer – Carl Jenkinson, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna – but replaced them with just two, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy.
This isn’t the first Arsenal campaign plagued by injury issues and it won’t be the last, so the logic of reducing the Gunners’ defensive numbers by one is quite frankly, completely lost on me – especially amid the most lucrative transfer window in the club’s history.
It’s not as if cheap centre-backs were somehow barred from participating in the last transfer window. Southampton for example, signed Atletico Madrid’s Toby Alderweireld, a versatile defender that’s already put in a number of decent Premier League performances, on a season-long loan, as did West Ham with former Gunner Alex Song – a player that would have not only improved Wenger’s options in defence, but also added variety to the midfield.
Then there’s Ron Vlaar, Winston Reid and Fabian Schar, three contract rebels that were available for the £5million-£10million mark, Tottenham’s £8million-release-clause acquisition Federico Fazio and then-Feyenoord’s-now-Lazio’s-via-£7million Stefan de Vrij.
Considering the detrimental impact the absence of a recognised fourth centre-back has already had on Arsenal’s season, even the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Joleon Lescott and Rio Ferdinand could have proved inspired on a one-year deal. Take how effectively Jose Mourinho has utilised 36 year-old striker Didier Drogba this season, for example.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Wenger’s made plenty of mistakes over the last ten years but I find this one of the most troubling. This isn’t a debate of philosophies or transfer policy, two issues the Arsenal boss appears immovable on; this is simply a case of negligent naivety. In another industry, it would probably be labelled as malpractice.
It’s certainly not the only reason Arsenal are currently in sixth place after winning less than half of their games this season. Clearly there are questions over leadership, mentality and balance throughout the starting XI.
But whereas another proven centre-back could have at least improved the Gunners’ defensive performances in certain fixtures, the absence of one has already affirmed Arsenal’s fate this season – another campaign where Champions League qualification for the umpteenth year in a row is the only reward.
Gareth Bale could return from injury in time for Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Stoke on Saturday.
The Welsh winger has been sidelined since the start of the month, after suffering a hamstring injury in the Londoners’ 3-0 win over Fulham.
It was suspected that Bale would be unable to return until the New Year, but Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas revealed that his star man is close to making a full recovery:
“It’s good news,” AVB responded when asked about the wideman’s progress by SkySports.
“First for the player because he wants to be back in the group and he’s made a tremendous recovery. He’s worked extremely hard.”
Centre-back Michael Dawson suffered a similar injury in the same game, and AVB confirmed that he is also in contention to make his comeback:
“Michael was injured in the same game as Gareth and they’ve both returned to training. It’s great to have them back.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Portuguese coach went on to state that left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Scott Parker are also nearing full fitness:
“Benoit Assou-Ekotto is also recovering his fitness, along with Scott Parker. Scott is a little ahead of Benoit, but he’s getting back into shape and back into contention.”
Thierry Henry has praised Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the midfielder disputed the Frenchman’s earlier criticism.
Henry was heavily critical of Oxlade-Chamberlain when he made the move from North London to Liverpool this summer, but says the Englishman deserves plaudits for his form at Liverpool.
“I still don’t know what he’s good at,” Henry said when the 24-year-old left Arsenal, comments that were recently branded “stupid” by the midfielder.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had a tricky start to his career at Anfield, making appearances from the bench in thrashings at Manchester City and Spurs.
Since then however, the speedy ex-Gunner has found his feet in Jürgen Klopp’s system, and even started adding end product to his performances, something he always lacked at Arsenal.
He has three goals and five assists in the league for Liverpool this season, after only managing nine goals and 14 assists in 132 league games for the Gunners.
[ad_pod ]
Henry said in his Sky Sports column:
“At Arsenal, there has always been a lot of debate as to what Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best position is.
“One day he was a wing back, one day he was a left winger, one day a right winger and on another a number 10. That was the problem, we just didn’t know.”
“For Liverpool, we are now seeing a midfielder that puts the pressure on the opposition at every opportunity, he wins the ball back, he scores goals and also gives assists. Now we can see clearly what type of player he is.”
As Henry says, Oxlade-Chamberlain was a utility man at Arsenal, moving positions every week and never really finding his best form. Klopp has deployed him mostly as an advanced central midfielder with two more defensive minded players supporting him, and he has flourished.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The 24-year-old has been in fantastic form recently, providing assists to Mohamed Salah in both of Liverpool’s last two fixtures. He will be hoping to keep his starting place for the trip to Old Trafford next weekend.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain can keep his form until the summer, he should be at the top of Gareth Southgate’s list for central midfielders, especially if the likes of Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson are placed behind him to do the dirty work.
Liverpool fans, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher believes that there is no pressure for the Reds and that they can get a result against an in-form Real Madrid on Tuesday, Express reports.
Liverpool haven’t had the best start to the season and are on a poor run of form, and after their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle this past weekend, face the reigning European Champions at the Santiago Bernabeu in their next Champions League fixture.
WANT MORE? >> Liverpool Transfer News | Latest Transfer News
The previous tie at Anfield only two weeks ago ended in a 3-0 thrashing by Madrid, but ex Reds defender Carragher claims Brendan Rodgers’ side can perform better than expected.
“People don’t expect Liverpool to get anything so the pressure is off a bit but you don’t want to go there and get embarrassed,” he said.
“You don’t want to be 3-0 down at half-time in the Bernabeu because they won’t be holding back in front of their own fans.
“Of course Real Madrid are big favourites but it’s not impossible for Liverpool to get something out of the game
“The big thing is defending better than they did at Anfield.
“They will be under pressure for long periods of the game and they have to stay neat and compact. They have to keep it tight and then try to hit them on the counter-attack.”
Carrager also added that if Liverpool are to get at least a point, then they must do all they can to stop Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He’s the best in the world and he’s in the form of his life,” he said on Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It’s not easy to stop him but you have to try to deny him the kind of space he revels in with his pace and power on the counter-attack.
“He was very quiet for the opening 20 minutes at Anfield but then came to life and transformed the game with a stunning finish. No-one else in the world would have scored that goal.
“It’s going to be tough over there as Real are a top team. They proved that at Anfield.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Liverpool haven’t started the season well but they’re still not away from the top four and they’re still right in contention to get out of their group in the Champions League.”
The last few weeks have been fantastic for Leeds. We’ve seen new owners come onboard who instantly provided funds to recruit players that have made a real difference to the team, we’ve seen performances on the pitch improve in an impressive fashion, and we’ve seen the atmosphere finally return to Elland Road.
Unfortunately one thing we haven’t seen return, is the attendance.
Before the takeover was completed fans were understandably boycotting games to ensure that their money didn’t end up in Bates’ pocket, it made sense, even if it wasn’t agreed by everyone as the correct way to do things.
What doesn’t make sense is why, after the clubs ownership changed hands, the majority of fans that opted to boycott have failed to return. Throughout the entire takeover saga GFH were repeatedly told not to worry about falling attendances, as they would definitely pick up again once they became owners. How disappointed they must’ve been to look over a half empty stadium on their first game as owners against Crystal Palace.
I’ve heard a few excuses over the last few weeks – ‘I’m not coming back while Bates is still there’ being the main one.
I have to question this.
Bates is still Chairman for the time being, but he has sold his entire share of the club to GFH. He has zero power, zero say in anything and importantly, zero control. He is simply there to give GFH his advice on how to run things. That doesn’t even mean GFH have to take his advice, in fact I’d be surprised if him staying on ‘til the end of the season was anything other than a demand he made to ensure the takeover went through.
GFH own the club, any money you spend on tickets, programmes or merchandise goes to GFH and towards the rebuilding of the club.
If Bates being around on an advisory basis is enough to keep you from Elland Road then I’m sorry, but he’s beaten you.
Another excuse for staying away is ticket prices.
A quick check on the online ticketing system suggests that the Chelsea game is almost sold out. Tickets for this game are £24 each.
Not only that, but it’s for a cup game. It’s all good and well filling the stadium for Chelsea, but where are the other 20,000 fans on Saturdays while our team are scrapping for promotion?
The atmosphere at Elland Road lately has been amazing, those of us that have been there have given everything to the players and look how they’ve responded? Can you imagine the difference a 30,000 crowd would have on a game with all four stands bouncing?
The club is finally going places again, so forget Bates, It’s time to start supporting the team. Your team. They’ve shown more fight and desire over the last few games than any Leeds team in recent memory, not only that, but they’ve looked good.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
This season looks like it could still have a very happy ending, promotion back to the Premier League is a serious possibility and I personally couldn’t imagine missing it for the world.
The two teams haven’t made their own luck at the tournament, looking out of ideas at most times, and go into their last fixture knowing the result doesn’t really matter
Mohammad Isam26-Feb-20251:54
Urooj: Pakistan have let themselves down again
Big picture: Pakistan and Bangladesh hope rain stays away
It has not been a tournament to remember for either Pakistan or Bangladesh, and the team talks ahead of their last game, against each other in Rawalpindi, are likely to be similar: play for pride, etc. With some chatter about the poor weather – if it continues, as the forecast says, the long faces in the two dressing rooms will get longer.Pakistan’s numbers in the Champions Trophy matches against New Zealand and India don’t make for pretty reading. Their top-order batters haven’t pulled their collective weight. With Fakhar Zaman out injured, Imam-ul-Haq came in and didn’t do much. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam have both hit a half-century each, but not been able to have any major impact. Mohammad Rizwan hasn’t looked in any sort of form despite scoring a century in the tri-series at home before the Champions Trophy. Pakistan could bring in Kamran Ghulam just to freshen things up, but who do they drop?After the top four, it’s no better. Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir seem to be playing similar roles, which has led to stagnation in the middle. Faheem Ashraf, potentially, could have balanced the side a bit, but hasn’t been given a go. And the quick bowlers have struggled to control the flow. India took apart Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Naseem Shah has been better, but has looked below his best. Abrar Ahmed has bowled one great delivery that was overshadowed by his celebration.Related
Pakistan won't take Bangladesh pacers lightly, Aaqib Javed says
Aaqib Javed's post mortem: Lack of experience in the ranks hurt Pakistan
Shanto fears Bangladesh are 'taking it lightly' after exit
Pakistan slide feels like a terminal, slow decline
Bangladesh haven’t been too different, bar their quick bowling. Their batting has been one-dimensional, and not been able to go through the gears, with the lower order having to bail them out. Their top order caved in against India, while Michael Bracewell’s offspin got rid of their middle order in the other game. Najmul Hossain Shanto showed form against New Zealand, while Jaker Ali has been consistent – they might have to do even more against Pakistan. As is the case with Towhid Hridoy, who scored an impressive century against India.1:58
‘Disappointing to see Bangladesh’s big players go missing in a must-win game’
But they will want veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah to sign off from what could be their last ICC game with a bang and not a whimper. Their lack of fire has been disappointing to see, though, in Mahmudullah’s case, it’s just been one match and one failure.Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana have to do the heavy lifting again on Thursday, with Mustafizur Rahman continuing to be steady without being spectacular. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain, the lead spinners, have a lot to do, too, especially in Rawalpindi where they should have a more central role.But the two teams will also be looking beyond this game. They have to set their priorities right in the domestic circuit and then look for improvement in their international teams. They will both have to go back to the drawing board ahead of the next ICC tournament, and figure out how they can make a better fist of it, especially with a transition of sorts possibly around the corner.
Form guide
Pakistan LLLWL Bangladesh LLLLL
In the spotlight: Abrar Ahmed and Jaker Ali
His send-off after the wonder ball to Shubman Gill has attracted all the attention, but Abrar Ahmed has been one of the few success stories for Pakistan in the last couple of weeks. He’s posed a wicket-taking threat. He’s been economical as well. But Bangladesh handled him well last year in the Rawalpindi Test so it will be interesting to see what happens on Thursday.Jaker Ali has been a revelation for Bangladesh in the lower-middle order in the last few months. It has been just seven ODIs, but he averages 50-plus with two fifties. He is a strong hitter in the death overs, often finding the boundaries, but wouldn’t mind having another specialist batter at the other end for at least a part of the time. Jaker can also offer his wicketkeeping if Bangladesh look to tinker with their XI and leave out Mushfiqur.For Mushfiqur Rahim, as well as Mahmudullah, this could be a final appearance in an ICC tournament•ICC via Getty Images
Team news: Will the teams ring in the changes?
Could Pakistan leave out one of their star quick bowlers to give Mohammad Hasnain or Faheem Ashraf a chance? They also have batting options in Usman Khan and Kamran Ghulam.Pakistan (possible): 1 Imam-ul-Haq/Usman Khan, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt, wk), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi/Mohammad Hasnain, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar AhmedBangladesh are likely to field the same line-up that played against New Zealand.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 3 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 4 Tohwid Hridoy, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nahid Rana
Pitch and conditions: An eye on the weather
Pakistan will hope that their farewell from their own Champions Trophy is not rained out. There is rain in the forecast. The previous match at the venue, between South Africa and Australia, was abandoned because of rain too. The pitch would have been under cover for a lot of the last three days by the time the game starts, and there’s always the chance of extra moisture around the square.
Stats and trivia: Bangladesh’s pacers slightly better
This is the first Pakistan vs Bangladesh contest in Champions Trophy history
Pakistan beat Bangladesh in their only previous ODI in Rawalpindi in 2003
Pakistan have a 12-0 overall home record against Bangladesh in ODIs
The fast bowlers across the two teams have taken 11 wickets, but Bangladesh’s group has a bowling average of 44.83 and have conceded runs at 5.12 per over, while Pakistan’s have an average of 63.50 and an economy rate of 7.18.
Bangladesh started promisingly but then subsided as the hosts overcame a significant injury scare while Ben Stokes nears a return for England
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-20231:43
Pujara: Jadeja is more accurate than a bowling machine
—Fixtures | Squads | Points table | Tournament Index
Top Story: Jadeja, Kohli lead India to fourth win in a row
The sameness to a Virat Kohli innings in a middling chase is no criticism of his batting. The beauty of it lies in the repetitive nature of it, a mark of his hunger to make every start count. On Thursday, it helped deliver ODI century No. 48, which takes him that much closer to the man who he hoisted on his shoulders on that famous April night in 2011, before delivering an epic line that made a country of more than a billion shed happy tears.Kohli’s knock, which turned into a race between his hundred and a victory towards the end, was preceded by a run-torrent from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The pair’s 88-run opening stand in a chase of 257, which seemed well short of a par score, was an exhibition of batting aesthetics dreams are made of. Rohit, with his lazy elegance, ferocious cuts and monstrous pulls did the early running, and Gill took over the mantle to slowly get into top gear.Click here for the full report
Match analysis: Jadeja, the gladiator who goes to bank
Ravindra Jadeja again showed his value to India•Getty Images
The skills of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav are irreplaceable, but Hardik Pandya performs a role for India nobody else can do: a seam-bowling allrounder good enough to hold down his place for batting alone in many other sides. Pandya was down and getting treatment.Pandya tried to run in to bowl again, but eventually went off the field and off for scans, the results of which the whole nation will await. The anxiety around the injury is understandable. There are back-ups for the best of the batters, there are bowling back-ups, and the other allrounder has a like-for-like replacement. However, does anyone have the body of work the other allrounder has?There might be others answering to the job description of Ravindra Jadeja, but there aren’t many that are doing the job as well as him. Looking at his flamboyance, Jadeja will be the last person you’d think of as a banker, but that is what he is for India.Read the full piece from Sidharth Monga
Must Watch: Kohli’s manufactured hundred
2:13
Did Kohli chase his milestone? Pujara okay if it doesn’t hurt the team
News headlines
India were given a significant injury scare against Bangladesh when Hardik Pandya left the field with an ankle problem, but Rohit Sharma was hopeful it wasn’t serious.
Ben Stokes feared his World Cup was over after picking up a hip injury shortly before the tournament began, but is now ready to return just as England need his inspiration to keep their campaign alive.
Allrounder Angelo Mathews and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera will join Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad as travelling reserves.
Match preview
Australia vs South Africa, Bengaluru (2pm IST; 8.30am GMT; 7.30pm AEST)5:06
Should Australia change their batting order to be more effective?
It’s that strange time in the long group stage of the World Cup where the nebulous concept of momentum appears to matter more than a side’s actual position on the points table. Pakistan are ahead of Australia every way you slice it – on points, on net run rate.But given Pakistan’s penchant for panic the moment anything goes wrong, and Australia’s ability to strike when they most need it, this is a contest between a team primed to make a charge, and one that can feel their opponent’s breath on their necks. As any Pakistan supporter will tell you, the one team they don’t want to play when they really need a win is the one in yellow.After hidings against India and South Africa, Australia demonstrated they weren’t about to give up on their campaign with a whimper. A complete performance with bat, ball and in the field sank Sri Lanka, earning them their first points and improving their negative net run rate.Full previewTeam newsAustralia (probable) 1 David Warner 2 Mitchell Marsh 3 Steven Smith 4 Marnus Labuschagne 5 Josh Inglis (wk) 6 Glenn Maxwell 7 Marcus Stoinis 8 Mitchell Starc 9 Pat Cummins (capt) 10 Adam Zampa 11 Josh HazlewoodPakistan (probable) 1 Abdullah Shafique 2 Imam-ul-Haq 3 Babar Azam (capt) 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 5 Saud Shakeel 6 Mohammad Nawaz/Shadab Khan 7 Iftikhar Ahmed 8 Usama Mir 9 Hasan Ali 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi 11 Haris Rauf
Feature: Rockstar Afridi needs a new hit
To begin with, this is a slightly imperfect analogy. Shaheen Shah Afridi is, and has always been, more than that one-trick pony. His overall numbers this year do not speak of a dip: nearly two wickets a game, and average, strike rate and economy mirroring to a freakish degree his excellent career numbers.It’s just that the one trick has been so potent and spectacular, and so established, that it has become somewhat of a monster. Time and again since Afridi’s return from the serious knee injury he suffered last year, he has fed it.But especially during the Asia Cup and this World Cup so far, it hasn’t quite landed right.Read the full story from Osman Samiuddin
He had not played a 50-over game since November 2020, but took 3 for 31 on his comeback
Shashank Kishore13-Jul-20222:38
Giles: This defeat will leave scars
Mohammed Shami’s first ODI since November 2020 was a memorable one. Against England at The Oval on Tuesday, he became the fastest to 150 ODI wickets for India – in his 80th match – breaking Ajit Agarkar’s record of 97 games.While Jasprit Bumrah’s career-best performance of 6 for 19 in the first ODI vaulted him to the top of the rankings for bowlers, Shami also bowled a crucial spell in the series opener. His 3 for 31 in seven overs included the wickets of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler as the hosts were shot out for 110, paving the way for India’s first ten-wicket victory in an ODI against England.”The ball was stopping a bit, seaming a bit, so it was important to bowl in the right areas and keep our line in check,” Shami told India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey during an interview for BCCI.tv.Related
England search for answers at Lord's against high-flying India
Report: Bumrah takes career-best 6 for 19 as India skittle England
Stats: India pacers shatter records at The Oval
India move to third in ODI rankings
Jasprit Bumrah becomes No. 1 ODI bowler
“If your [bowling] areas are good on a surface where it seams and swings, it’s difficult to get away. We kept it simple and got rewarded with wickets. The more you run behind wickets, the more it doesn’t happen. I kept it simple, and the results are there to see.”Shami set the tone in the first over after Rohit Sharma chose to bowl. He hit Jonny Bairstow on the thigh with his second delivery, beat him with extra bounce two balls later, and ended the over with one that squared up the England opener.When Bumrah struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Jason Roy and Joe Root, it was the resumption of a bowling partnership that India had not seen in an ODI for more than 18 months.”It was a long break. But once you get comfortable, you know your responsibilities” – Shami•Getty Images
“We’ve been playing together for so long that in two overs you understand what’s happening and what you have to do,” Shami said of his partnership with Bumrah. “When I bowled the first over, you could see the ball was seaming around; there was swing on offer. Bumrah also then tried to incorporate the same length and got wickets also.”I was away for three years [18 months] – it was a long break – but once you get comfortable in this environment, you know your responsibilities. It’s important to have a clear mind. What to do, what lengths to bowl, how to use your variations everyone knows, but you need to be clear about it from within.”After the defeat in the Edgbaston Test, Shami was not part of the T20I squad that won the series 2-1, and he now has the chance to help India seal the ODI series at Lord’s on Thursday.”Personally, my plan is to just keep it simple. That is my mantra,” he said. “You only have to think if the wickets are different. Otherwise, if you repeat the same things over and over again, chances of success is that much more. Only if the wickets are slow and dry, there’s scope for you to change plans, else just carry on doing the same things.”
Lahore Qalandars won by six wickets after being three down early in chase
Sreshth Shah28-Feb-2021Lahore Qalandars 189 for 4 (Zaman 83, Dunk 57*, Wiese 31*) beat Karachi Kings 186 for 9 (Sharjeel 64, Nabi 57, Shaheen Afridi 3-27)In a game that had all the ingredients fit for a contest between franchises representing the two biggest cities in Pakistan, Lahore Qalandars came out on top, defeating Karachi Kings by six wickets – in the final over – to move into the top two of the PSL points table. Qalandars’ win made it 11 in a row for chasing teams this season, with the side batting first still searching for victory in PSL 2021. It was a fascinating match that had plenty of chirping, a whole lot of sixes, and an overdose of entertainment, fit for a ground that now allows up to 50% attendance for fans.The second innings began with the Kings roaring on the back of three wickets in the Powerplay, but a 119-run fourth-wicket stand between Fakhar Zaman (83) and Ben Dunk (57) brought the Qalandars back into the match. When Zaman fell, Kings had a sniff once again, but David’s Wiese’s nine-ball cameo of 31 extinguished those hopes, securing a Qalandars win with four balls to spare.Kings’ first-innings performance, where they reached 186 for 9, was quite similar to the chase. Like the Qalandars, they lost three wickets in the Powerplay before half-centuries from Sharjeel Khan (64) and Mohammad Nabi (57) lifted their innings. However, they could add only 24 runs in their last four overs while setting a total, and in the end, that was the difference between the two sides. A big reason why Kings scored at only six per over in the death overs was because of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s accurate bowling. He finished with 3 for 27.Shaheen cranks it up After conceding two boundaries in his first three deliveries with the new ball, Shaheen eked out the early chance for a breakthrough when Sharjeel mistimed a shot to mid-on, only for Qalandars captain Sohail Akhtar to drop the catch. Shaheen’s second over was consistently quick. He nearly got a run-out in the second ball of the third over when he tried to kick the ball onto the stumps at the strikers’ end. Two balls later, a second chance was dropped off Shaheen, when Babar Azam flayed an edge to wide first slip. Then Shaheen conceded five wides when he missed the yorker only for it to slide down the leg side. But he had the last laugh in his opening spell, when he knocked Azam’s middle stump back with a length ball that moved in and went past the inside of the batsman’s blade. Shaheen enjoyed the wicket a lot, perhaps a bit too much, such that once he recovered from the high of the dismissal, he hugged Azam.After bowling two of the first three overs, Shaheen was taken out of the attack. He returned at the end of the 17th with Kings at 168 for 6 and then proceeded to trouble the Kings’ lower-order batsman. Shaheen nearly dismissed Waqas Maqsood with back-to-back yorkers in the 18th finally removed him in the 20th with the same ball. He then proceeded to york Mohammad Amir as well – with a massive celebration once again. He ended the innings with a 151kph delivery to restrict Kings to 186 for 9.Sharjeel, Nabi dominate between Shaheen’s spells After Azam fell in Shaheen’s third over, Kings slid further when they lost Joe Clarke and Colin Ingram off back to back deliveries in the fifth. Clarke was run-out for 4 trying to complete a single while Ingram was out to an Ahmed Daniyal yorker for a first-ball duck.That brought Sharjeel and Nabi together and they responded by smoking 16 runs off the sixth over, delivered by Mohammad Hafeez. Sharjeel was the aggressor, hitting sixes off Haris Rauf and Wiese in the following overs, the latter bringing up his half-century in the tenth over off 34 balls. Nabi then hammered Samit Patel for two sixes and a four in an 11th over that leaked 21 runs before Sharjeel fell at the start of the 13th trying to look for another big hit. Sharjeel’s 39-ball 64 had 56 runs that came off either fours or sixes.Nabi then took over from where Sharjeel left, hitting Wiese and Rauf for plenty in the late middle overs, helped by some wayward deliveries that included a useful mix of full tosses and short balls. However, he fell in the 16th over for his 35-ball 57 when he sliced a Rauf slower ball to extra cover. Christian brought out his long handle to clobber a 14-ball 27 but his dismissal, coupled with Imad Wasim’s deflated Kings’ charge into the death overs. They went at just six per over from overs 16 to 20 to set a total far lesser than the 200-plus they were aiming for at one stage.Amir’s mixed day Shaheen’s over-the-top celebration at dismissing Amir, who batted at No. 10, probably fired the senior bowler up because when he took the new ball in the chase, he was raring to go. With Zaman not finding a run off the first three balls, Amir went up to the batsman to say a few words, and off the fourth ball eked out a wicket. Zaman, trying to get Qalandars off the mark, tried to take a single, only to cause a run-out that saw Sohail out for a duck without facing a ball. Amir then bowled a full ball to No. 3 Joe Denly to bowl him for a first-ball duck as the first over was a double-wicket maiden. His second over – the chase’s third – was equally entertaining but yielded seven runs. However, the opening spell was menacing.Like Shaheen, Amir was taken off the attack after two overs and only returned at the death. On that occasion, though, his fortunes changed. Although he conceded just seven in the 17th over, the 19th went for plenty. Dunk set the tone for the 19th with a four off a wide delivery after which Wiese hit him for two fours and a six. When Amir came to bowl his final over, Qalandars needed 30 off 12. When he was done, they needed 10 off six.Zaman, Dunk set up the win When Zaman and Dunk came together at 33 for 3, it seemed that for the first time the chasing side would lose a PSL 2021 match. The in-form Hafeez and Clarke were already gone, and Dunk was not in form. However, Zaman was hitting it clean. He struck two sixes and three fours off Mohammad Ilyas, and two sixes of Arshad Iqbal in the first eight overs to keep the asking rate in check. He then tore into Nabi, Christian and Maqsood to sprint to a 36-ball fifty while Dunk was still struggling at a run-a-ball 26.After the 12th over, though, with Qalandars needing 93 off 48, both batsmen stepped up a gear. Dunk matched Zaman stroke for stroke against Nabi and Maqsood such that by the 17th over came, the Australian had reached his fifty in 39 deliveries and Qalandars needed 36 off the last three overs.Zaman then fell to Christian courtesy a slower ball, but the momentum had already shifted Qalandars’ way courtesy the century stand for the fourth wicket. Wiese came in to bat firing all cylinders and Dunk then turned into spectator. Wiese’s annihilation of Amir’s final spell left only 10 to get off the final over, and he needed just two balls in the 20th – delivered by Christian – to take Qalandars over the line. Dunk finished unbeaten on 57.