All posts by h79snht.top

Liverpool have adopted the mantra that the best form of defence is attack. Certainly, this is true of their summer transfer window so far, having made sweeping changes after winning the Premier League.

Some expected Arne Slot to be relieved of his duties as helmsman before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, let alone win the title with such dispatch.

Always ahead of the rabble, the Reds will now look to defend their title and challenge for more silverware across tournament fronts, well-equipped to do so after signing Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Though Liverpool are definitely interested in bringing in a centre-back – having attempted to sign Dean Huijsen before he joined Real Madrid and now setting their sights on Marc Guehi – many fans would agree that a centre-forward is more desperately needed.

Wirtz’s world-class playmaking would raise the level of any striker, but it won’t be enough to salvage Darwin Nunez’s Anfield career.

Why Liverpool are selling Darwin Nunez

When Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica three years ago, they thought they had secured a superstar in the making. Jurgen Klopp led the bid.

However, the Uruguay international, 25, has only scored 25 goals across his three terms in the Premier League, routinely criticised for his wayward finishing.

The pace and pressure that English football applies has foiled many a talented up-and-comer, and though Nunez has had his moments – that winner at the City Ground, that match-winning brace against Brentford – personal triumphs have been few and far between.

Under Slot’s guidance, he has scored seven times in 47 matches. Presenting that data differently, Nunez failed to score across 42 fixtures in 2024/25.

The marriage is over, but it’s an amiable divorce. Serie A champions Napoli are currently pushing to sign the striker, and it’s a move that will benefit all parties involved.

Nunez will enjoy the slower pace of the Italian division. Napoli, then, have the chance to rekindle this maverick, turn him into a chaotic weapon.

And Liverpool? Well, Liverpool will sign someone better.

Liverpool set sights on Nunez upgrade

According to German reporter Christian Falk, Liverpool are still interested in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike. The sought-after star has been expected to leave Germany this summer, but his club are playing hardball.

Indeed, Liverpool have been joined by Chelsea and Manchester United in considering a deal, but Frankfurt seem set on sticking to their €100m (£85m) valuation, a figure no one will pay.

Falk believes Liverpool will not open contacts with Frankfurt until Nunez’s future has been sorted, and a resolution on that front appears to be imminent.

Why Liverpool should sign Hugo Ekitike

Time was when the ballpark of £85m would get you record-breaking players, those of the top brass. Now, such figures make for just another day for clubs looking to stay competitive at the highest level.

That’s not to discredit Ekitike’s skill set; the Frenchman has been called “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson, after all.

And he could reach some staggering standard, of course. Ekitike is tall and powerful and dynamic, endowed with pace and awareness to combine with a hunger to rattle shots off at goal.

You can only imagine the levels he could reach at Liverpool, combining with someone like Wirtz, whom Xabi Alonso had no qualms about labelling a “genius” of a playmaker for his vision and creative passing.

Florian Wirtz – Past Five Bundesliga Seasons

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

24/25

31 (25)

10

13

23/24

32 (26)

11

12

22/23

17 (11)

1

6

21/22

24 (22)

7

10

20/21

29 (25)

5

6

Data via Transfermarkt

Wirtz’s ability to score and to assist with regularity would suit a modern-tailored striker like Ekitike to a tee, for he scored 22 goals and assisted 12 more across all competitions in 2024/25, going from strength to strength after arriving in Germany as a loanee in January 2024, scoring four times across the latter half of that Bundesliga season before wrapping the deal up by the end for €35m (£30m).

A lofty figure for a relatively unproven prospect at the time, but who can argue that Frankfurt haven’t got bang for their buck now? Ekitike will be sold for a mammoth figure, even if it doesn’t quite reach the ballpark that Die Adler are hoping for.

While some might have reservations over Ekitike’s age, and indeed his rawness, you can only imagine the heights he could reach in front of Liverpool’s new record signing, and that’s without even considering the magic of Mohamed Salah being sprinkled in from the right too.

Of course, Wirtz will certainly be helped by Ekitike’s instinctiveness, the forward’s sharp movements and clever flicks apt to cause mayhem for opposing defences when collecting one of Wirtz’s surgical passes, his angled crosses, his deft layoffs.

And, furthermore, the rangy talent boasts an underlying skill set to behold, bearing all the dynamism and roundedness that Liverpool typically like from their frontmen.

As per FBref, he finished the Bundesliga campaign ranked among the top 8% of strikers for pass completion, the top 16% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.

No doubt, he’d be a dream for Liverpool’s new German superstar, actually praised for his “incredible” style of play by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Of course, Liverpool would get a more refined and established nine in Alexander Isak, who has demonstrable experience in the Premier League and Champions League, also scoring as Newcastle United beat Slot to the Carabao Cup in March.

However, Ekitike is more affordable and has the potential to grow into a bona fide sensation. Partnered with Wirtz over the coming years, whose elegant and intelligent performances would serve chances to the France talent on gleaming platters, Slot might just hit the jackpot.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Jun 27, 2025

Paceman working on variations as he regrets the no-ball wicket that got away against Scotland

Melinda Farrell05-Jun-2024

Mark Wood fires one down at Barbados•Getty Images

Only 60 balls were bowled in England and Scotland’s washed-out match in Barbados but there was more to glean about the defending champions than there was about their opponents, other than that Scotland have aggressive openers who fear neither express pace nor spin, whether it be the off or leg variety.That an experienced and skilful bowling attack created just one chance in half an innings was notable, alongside an appreciation of Michael Jones’ drives and pulls and George Munsey’s bag of sweeps.Scotland were 31 for 0 in the fifth over when Munsey skied a miscue off Mark Wood that eventually landed in Jos Buttler’s gloves, but a no-ball call from the third umpire halted celebrations. It was just the second front-foot no-ball of Wood’s T20I career, prompting an unfamiliar sensation of dismay.”I was panicking,” Wood admitted, speaking the morning after the match. “You just don’t want it on your mind… I bowled 13 balls yesterday, and one of them is a wicket and it’s the one I’ve no-balled. If any of the others was the no-ball, I’m probably sitting here thinking, I’ve got one-for whatever, it’s not a problem, but because I’m getting the wicket off that ball, it hurts the team.”That’s what disappoints me. If [Munsey] goes on … he reverse sweeps Rash and every time that’s happening I’m thinking, ‘oh no, that’s my fault again’. That’s the feeling I don’t like, letting down my team-mates. I’m come in feeling, ‘oh no, I’ve overstepped, I can’t believe I’ve done that’. I very rarely overstep. In practice I’m diligent with it. [Neil Killeen, England’s bowling coach] is going, ‘It’s fine man, move on. You haven’t a problem’. To have 0 for 11 off two overs in T20, you’d think that’s not bad. But if I was a touch more on it, one for 10 looks a lot better. We were just fractions off yesterday.”Wood was selected ahead of Reece Topley and was handed the ball for the first over of the match, with both decisions raising a few eyebrows. It was a rare occurrence; the only previous time he had bowled the opening over for England in a T20I was a week earlier against Pakistan at The Oval.”I was disappointed with the new ball and felt it could hurt the team,” he said. “I will address it in training before the next game. It will be a squad effort, this. Whether we mix and match next game, I will be ready whenever the captain or team needs me.”Related

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Wood doesn’t expect to play every game of England’s campaign, as conditions and match-ups influence selections. He has been working on a slightly-slower-ball variation which he pulled out in his second over against Scotland. Munsey punched the first of these through the covers, the second time the ball hit the splice of his bat off a good length.”That seemed to go okay,” he said. “I thought yesterday’s wicket was going to be different, when you stood on it it was hard but when you bowled the ball stuck in the wicket a bit, quite slow. So it made the cutters more effective, not the slower-ball ones but the fast cutters. Munsey played one off the back foot for two and patted one back to me that gripped a little … so it’s adapting my game a little bit so it’s not just out-and-out quick as I can – I obviously like doing that – but having a bit more skill around it as well.”Wood has yet to unveil the other variation he’s been developing (“You will see it when I bring it in!”) but agrees that cross-seam bowling of the type mastered by Liam Plunkett in the 2019 World Cup could be key on Caribbean pitches.”‘Pudsy’ did that well in most conditions. But not necessarily a slow slower ball, maybe a drop in pace of 6-7 mph where you’re still driving it in [to the pitch] but it spits or holds a little. That’s what I tried yesterday and felt good with it, so maybe do it again and land it in a decent area.”I’ve bowled them before but not to the extent where I am as accurate with it, so I’m working on being more pinpoint, so not just bowling it and expecting something to happen – the best players pick up everything – but you have to land it in a good place as well.”Wood’s only previous experience playing in the Caribbean was England’s tour ahead of the 2019 World Cup, during which he took his first Test five-wicket haul and was player of the match for the third Test in Saint Lucia. Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer have provided him with local knowledge, as has Kieron Pollard, who – along with Andrew Flintoff – has joined England’s coaching staff as a specialist consultant for this tournament.”I think he’s still feeling his way into the group,” Wood said of Pollard. “But the little bits he has spoken about, everyone’s listened. He carries an aura and is very respected in the group because he’s done so much and I think knowing the conditions is going to be vital going forward. He had mentioned about the pitch yesterday about bowling cutters and the fact that, if you just sort of dib it there, it doesn’t react. You need to drive it in. It’s just little things. It might seem so obvious but those little things people say – the one-percenters – can make a big difference.””[Flintoff] comes up to people individually, pulls them aside and keeps things very simple. He mentioned to me that he didn’t have a slower ball. And I was thinking I very rarely bowl slower balls. He told me had three balls – a bouncer, a fast yorker and a hard length. He’s great to have around the group, easy to talk to and carries that natural aura. He’s a big guy, it’s a clash of the titans with him and Pollard together!”Speaking of big clashes, the shared points with Scotland could have huge implications for Group B and Saturday’s match against Australia.”It puts a different spin. If we win that game compared to losing, it has a different look and feel. Lose, and I’m sure for you guys in the media there will be questions asked like the last World Cup in India, so it’ll be an important game for us and one we’ll be desperately trying to win.”

Fast bowler marks return from injury in style to set up four-wicket win

ECB Reporters Network10-Jul-2024

Beth Langston produced a stunning display to uproot Sunrisers•Getty Images

Northern Diamonds 111 for 6 (Burns 35*, Coppack 3-35) beat Sunrisers 109 (Langston 6-24) by four wicketsSix-time England fast bowler Beth Langston made a dream return from her injury nightmare with a stunning six for 24 as Northern Diamonds continued their march towards the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy semi-finals with an enthralling four-wicket win over Sunrisers at York.Langston had – prior to this fixture – only played once for the Diamonds since the end of July 2022 and hadn’t take a 50-over wicket since the previous September following a ruptured ACL (knee) and resulting complications.However, she returned at Clifton Park to put the skids under the Sunrisers, who were bowled out for 109 inside 31 overs to pave the way for a home victory which saw Diamonds slip to 32 for four chasing. Australian overseas Erin Burns sealed the win with an unbeaten 35.Diamonds leap-frogged their fellow contenders into second place in the table with a seventh win in nine to all but seal a semi-final place with five games still to play.Sunrisers lost their third game in nine but remain handily placed inside the top four.Langston, 31, was part of England’s triumphant World Cup-winning squad on home soil in 2017 without actually playing in that campaign.She ruptured her right ACL during the 2022 Hundred (Northern Superchargers) and has struggled for fitness since.She played only one T20 match last season. But this was a seamless return, with her wickets spread across spells of six overs and four overs from the Pavilion End.After Hollie Armitage elected to bowl on a muggy, wicket-ladened Minster City day, Langston made the most of helpful conditions – sideways movement was obvious – to set her team up for their fifth straight 50-over win.After fellow pacer Lizzie Scott bowled visiting captain Grace Scrivens in the second over, Langston came into the attack to bowl the fifth.She was quickly into her stride and had opener Jo Gardner caught behind in the ninth for 21 and Jodi Grewcock lbw in the 11th, leaving Sunrisers at 43 for three.Mady Villiers was run out following a mix-up with Lissy MacLeod as they thought about three out to deep cover before MacLeod was caught behind off Phoebe Turner’s seam.And then Langston really turned the screw en-route to the best figures by any bowler in regional cricket this summer.Late away swing did for Flo Miller caught behind before Amara Carr was bowled next ball offering no shot – 54 for seven in the 15th over, the last of Langston’s first six-over spell, which yielded four for nine.But she wasn’t out of the attack – or the wickets – for long.Armitage brought her back to bowl the 23rd, by which time Sunrisers were 85 for seven.She bowled Eva Gray, offering no stroke, and then Amu Surenkumar, leaving the Sunrisers at 90 for nine in the 25th.Sunrisers limped beyond 100, with only opener Gardner passing 20. Along with seamers Scott and Turner, off-spinning all-rounder Burns also struck once as the Diamonds sparkled.But spirited Sunrisers weren’t done. Like Langston, their seamer Kate Coppack impressed.She claimed three of four wickets as Diamonds fell to 32 for four inside nine overs of their chase, removing openers Lauren Winfield-Hill and Emma Marlow, added to Rebecca Duckworth’s scalp.Armitage and Burns settled the ship by sharing 43, the former making 33 before clubbing Sophie Munro’s seam to mid-on – 75 for five.Langston also fell for eight, but the presence of experienced Burns was telling. She completed victory with 25.2 overs remaining.

Bryan Mbeumo is a player who has dominated the news around Manchester United over the last couple of weeks, with the attacker firmly on the lips of all supporters.

The Brentford star has become one of the Premier League’s leading talismen, after registering 20 goals under Thomas Frank in the capital throughout last season.

As a result of his goalscoring form, the Red Devils have been firmly in the race to land the 25-year-old, even making two separate bids for his signature this window.

The latest offer of around £62.5m, including add-ons, was rejected, with Keith Andrews’ side holding out for £70m to part ways with the Cameroonian during the off-season.

He’s also stated his desire to move to Old Trafford this summer, potentially linking up with a new striker should he make the move to join Ruben Amorim’s side ahead of 2025/26.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Victor Osimhen has once again reemerged on United’s shortlist this summer, with the Nigerian a player who’s been subject to interest after scoring 37 goals on loan at Galatasaray last season.

He’s not the only striker who’s been in their sights, with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres still a player they want to sign, despite the Swede stating his desire to join Arsenal.

However, another name has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with Ivan Toney a player on their radar, according to Football Insider’s latest update.

They claim that the English forward appears to be keen on a return to the Premier League, moving back to his homeland after joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli less than 12 months ago.

The report also states that the Red Devils hierarchy have been watching the 29-year-old in recent weeks and that Toney ‘wants’ to join the club after scoring 30 goals in his 44 appearances in the Saudi League.

Why United’s latest target would be the perfect ST for Mbeumo

As previously mentioned, Mbeumo has been a player who has caught the eye of many supporters across the country, with his talents leading to United’s keen interest in his signature.

However, he’s often starred in a right-wing role, a position that he will have to switch from if he moves to Old Trafford, likely operating in a number ten role behind the striker.

It’s a position that he could thrive in under Amorim, especially if the Red Devils can secure a deal for the Cameroonian international along with former teammate Toney.

The 25-year-old previously starred alongside the English striker in London, with the pair operating alongside each other for four seasons, helping the Bees win promotion from the Championship and subsequently securing their top-flight status.

In the 2020/21 campaign, the pair registered 59 combined goals and assists between them, with Toney scoring 31 times and Mbeumo providing 10 assists – with both tallies being the highest at the club.

Bryan Mbeumo & Ivan Toney’s stats together at Brentford (2020-2024)

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24

42

13

10

2022/23

71

29

12

2021/22

68

16

12

2020/21

95

38

20

Total:

276

96

54

Stats via FotMob

The pair topped both of the respective categories in three of the four years they spent together at Brentford, with the only exception coming in 2023/24 after the striker was banned for betting offences.

Despite not starring together anymore in the present day, Toney, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist Simon Stone, has still managed to score 30 times in 2024/25, ten more than Mbeumo’s tally.

However, the pair’s respective goalscoring tallies combined from last season are higher than the Red Devils managed as a whole squad, showcasing the added threat the pair would bring to Old Trafford.

With the former Bees striker seemingly wanting to join Amorim’s side this summer, it is a deal worth exploring, with the Englishman having the experience of finding the back of the net in England’s top flight.

If Mbeumo also makes the move, the pair could replicate the form they produced in the capital, potentially playing a massive role together again and helping United push for a place in Europe next season.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jul 3, 2025

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is reported to be a real admirer of another England international, who’s made his way on to the Dane’s summer transfer shortlist amid all the drama surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential move to north London.

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Posts 3 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 15, 2025

Spurs are ready to back Frank with more new signings before deadline day on September 1, after already sealing deals for Mohammed Kudus, Kota Takai and Mathys Tel for a combined fee of around £90 million.

By all accounts, their total expenditure should be around £150 million right now, and it would be if not for the bizarre situation with Gibbs-White.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

After a round of quick-fire talks late last week, Tottenham were ready to trigger the 25-year-old’s £60 million release clause, and his transfer to N17 was so advanced that Spurs booked medical tests for Gibbs-White on Friday.

However, in a stunning twist, Forest then unexpectedly blocked his move, amid a complaint to the Premier League, with Evangelos Marinakis and co believing Tottenham tapped up Gibbs-White and obtained knowledge of his release clause illegally (Ben Jacobs).

Now, Forest are adamant that Gibbs-White isn’t going anywhere (Sky Sports), but Spurs still remain hopeful of eventually getting a deal done.

As Frank waits for further clarification on whether the Lilywhites can indeed get Gibbs-White over the line, with Forest digging their heels in, reports suggest that Tottenham also want to add a new traditional central midfielder to their ranks.

Thomas Frank wants to sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton

According to GiveMeSport, a ‘leading target’ for Frank in that position is Crystal Palace sensation Adam Wharton.

The England international’s 2024 performances earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the Euros, and even though his latest campaign was hampered somewhat by injury, Wharton is still regarded as one of the country’s best rising stars.

GMS reports that Frank has personally identified Wharton as a potential Tottenham signing, and what’s more, they might not be deterred by the 21-year-old’s seismic £100 million price tag.

Palace are using Declan Rice’s £105 million move to Arsenal in 2023 as a yardstick for Wharton’s valuation, as they hold the player in similar regard, but this hasn’t completely turned Spurs away. They could yet still open talks for the ex-Blackburn Rovers starlet in an “ambitious” move, even if Daniel Levy would have to completely shatter Tottenham’s transfer record.

In their published set of financial accounts, Levy stated that Spurs ‘cannot spend what they do not have’, but the club’s summer spree thus far has sparked claims of both a cash injection from ENIC and a potential stadium naming rights deal on the horizon (The Telegraph).

Glamorgan closing in on big win after claiming three second-innings wickets

ECB Reporters Network31-Aug-2024

Peter Handscomb was unbeaten at the close as Leicestershire battled for the draw•Getty Images

Leicestershire’s international pair Ajinkya Rahane and Peter Handscomb battled hard to give their side a chance of saving the game, after Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram had continued his batting masterclass.Rahane was 47 not out and Handscomb unbeaten on 33, Leicestershire 144 for 3, trailing by 155, when bad light stopped play with 21.2 scheduled overs remaining.Both the Indian and Australian were dropped by Glamorgan legspinner Mason Crane, two of his three dropped catches coming off his own bowling, in moments which may come back to haunt the home side as they chase victory on the final day.That was after Glamorgan had declared on 550 for 9, with a lead of 299, Ingram unbeaten on a personal best 257, Crane getting his day off to a better start with 49 runs to his name.Glamorgan started the day in a strong position and soon set about building on those solid foundations, with Colin Ingram carrying on as he had done over the previous two days.Having already notched his first ever double century, the fastest Glamorgan player to 1,000 runs in a season, he notched his first ever 250, confidently progressing in serene fashion.He had good support from Crane who was one short of a well deserved half century when he was dismissed in one of the most unfortunate ways possible.Ingram hit the ball firmly back down the ground, bowler Rehan Ahmed got a fingertip to the ball which went on to hit the stumps at the bowler’s end before Crane could regain his ground.New Zealander Fraser Sheat hit a breezy 34 while Ingram mainly watched on, Ned Leonard had one nice boundary before the declaration came just before lunch with Glamorgan nine down, 299 runs ahead on the first innings scores.Ingram was 257 not out, having been on the field for all but one ball of the match, batting just three minutes short of ten hours, as Glamorgan added 119 runs to their total during the morning.Leicestershire had a mountain to climb when they came out to bat, with their opening bowler, Ian Holland, also opening the batting.Both sides needed patience and Rishi Patel and Holland withstood an impressive opening salvo from Timm van der Gugten and Fraser Sheat.It was Dan Douthwaite who made the breakthrough, nipping one back to trap Patel LBW. Ned Leonard got the ball to nip back even more sharply to bowl Leicestershire captain Lewis Hill.Van der Gugten got in on the act with one which lifted outside off stump and Holland tamely lobbed it to point where Billy Root to the catch.That brought Indian Ajinkya Rahane and Australian Peter Handscomb together, who were always likely to form the nub of the resistance.Glamorgan had their chances as Rahane gave two caught and bowled opportunities to Mason Crane when on 32, but the leg spinner put them both down, the first low to his left and the second sharp to his right.Handscomb was on 26 when he pulled Sheat firmly in the air to midwicket where once again it was the unfortunate Crane who spilled the chance.There was confusion over bad light at the end of the day, but the early finish was inevitable after the umpires tried to come back on for 10 balls only to be forced to call events off in the growing gloom.

حسم فريق ريال مدريد فوزًا صعبًا على خصمه ريال سوسيداد، في مباراتهما عصر يوم السبت، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم 2025/26.

وحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على ريال سوسيداد في ملعب “ريالي آرينا” في الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإسباني، بعد انتهاء فترة التوقف الدولي.

وتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق فوز عسير على ريال سوسيداد، بهدفين لهدف، ليعزز صدارته لجدول الليجا برصيد 12 نقطة (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وحسبما أُعلن، حصل نجم ريال مدريد كيليان مبابي على جائزة رجل مباراة اليوم ضد ريال سوسيداد، بعد تألقه في مباراة اليوم.

ونجح كيليان مبابي في تسجيل هدف أول لصالح ريال مدريد، قبل أن يصنع الهدف الثاني الذي سجله زميله أردا جولر، وسط نقص عددي حيث طُرد دين هويسن.

He said the move will help him “look after my family in the best way possible”

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2024

Tabraiz Shamsi last played for South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in June•ICC/Getty Images

South Africa left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi has opted out of his national contract with CSA, effective immediately. By becoming a free agent, he will now be able to participate more freely in T20 leagues across the world, without being beholden to South African obligations. Shamsi remains available for South Africa, and is expected to be part of their white-ball squads at major tournaments.”I have decided to opt out of my central contract in order to be more flexible during the domestic season, allowing me to explore all opportunities available and look after my family in the best way possible,” he said in a CSA statement. “This will not impact my ability or motivation to play for the Proteas in any way and I will always be available to play for my country whenever I am needed. It has always been my dream to bring the World Cup home to South Africa, and no franchise league will ever be more important than playing for my country.”Shamsi last played for South Africa in the T20 World Cup final against India in June, and has not been part of their ongoing tour of the UAE, which includes series against Afghanistan and Ireland. South Africa rested several senior players for the trip, and have used the matches to deepen the player pool.One of the reasons why Shamsi has opted out of his national contract might have to do with the CSA pulling him out of the PSL in Pakistan earlier this year in order to play for Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge, South Africa’s domestic T20 competition, at home. As a result, Shamsi could play in only the first four out of Karachi Kings’ ten league games, and he lost out on his match fee for the remaining six matches.Another potential ground for Shamsi letting go of his CSA deal could centre around him being made to fly back home during the CPL this year. As per Shamsi’s contract, he had to attend the CSA awards night, although he wasn’t a winner of any of the honours. However, CSA have always historically expected that contracted players attend the awards, even if it meant leaving overseas assignments midway.