تعرض أحمد سيد زيزو، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، لإصابة خلال مواجهة إنبي التي أقيمت الأحد الماضي، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري المصري الممتاز، وانتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.
وكشفت الفحوصات الطبية التي خضع لها زيزو وشملت آشعة سونار ورنين مغناطيسي، عن إصابته بشد من الدرجة الثانية في العضلة الضامة، ليبدأ على الفور تنفيذ برنامج علاجي وتأهيلي تحت إشراف الجهاز الطبي، مع متابعة مستمرة لحالته، تمهيدًا لعودته إلى الملاعب.
طالع أيضًا | جمال عبد الحميد عن تراجع الأهلي: “لو فردت صدرك تتغلب”.. ولن أحفّل
وخلال الساعات الماضية، ترددت شائعات حول رغبة أحمد سيد زيزو في السفر إلى الخارج لإجراء مرحلة التأهيل، الأمر الذي أثار جدلاً واسعاً عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي.
وفي هذا الإطار، نفى وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، عبر الموقع الرسمي للنادي، هذه الأنباء بشكل قاطع، مؤكداً أن “ما أثير في هذا الصدد لا يمت للحقيقة بصلة”.
ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة سيراميكا كليوباترا مساء الجمعة المُقبل، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري، فيما يحتل الفريق المركز الخامس عشر برصيد 6 نقاط بعد 5 مباريات، بواقع فوز واحد و3 تعادلات وهزيمة وحيدة.
Liverpool weathered waves of mockery last summer as they moved on from Jurgen Klopp’s shocking departure from his manager’s post by opting against any meaningful investment in the transfer market.
But scorn has since been silenced, with Arne Slot leading Liverpool to the 2024/25 Premier League title before handing the mic to sporting director Richard Hughes, whose dealings in the summer transfer window have been as impressive as they have been merciless.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotcelebrates after winning the Premier League
What is next season’s objective? The retention of the Premier League? Winning the Champions League? The quadruple? FSG’s strategems are likely not so single-minded, with the ambitious scope of Liverpool’s spending instead indicating a desire to be named among the favourites of such competitions for many years to come. Year in, year out.
Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are full-backs who will drive that vision, providing dynamic width for Slot’s side, and Giorgi Mamardashvili will challenge Alisson for the spot between the sticks.
However, Florian Wirtz is unquestionably the cream of the club’s window thus far.
What Florian Wirtz will bring to Liverpool
Liverpool have signed Bayer Leverkusen’s star man for a fixed £100m fee, which has the potential to rise to a British-record £116m.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtz
Wirtz is only 22, but he’s already achieved greatness in his German homeland, winning the 2023/24 Bundesliga title with Leverkusen, who toppled Bayern Munich after so many years and did so without falling to a single defeat.
Oh, and he picked up the division’s Player of the Year award. Wirtz is a mobile number ten with a tendency to drift out onto the left, but he’s a fearsome weapon with standout technical quality, awareness, and vision that sets him apart from the rabble.
Will his ability translate to the Premier League? This, of course, is the million-dollar question which has proved insoluble for many high-profile arrivals who at first promised so much.
But Wirtz is different, with a robust physical profile and the makings of a superstar. Furthermore, he could find himself playing with one of the world’s best strikers, who Liverpool have not given up hope of signing this summer.
Liverpool still interested in superstar striker
Liverpool are interested in signing Alexander Isak. But for all the noise, those in the Newcastle United camp are adamant that the Sweden striker is going nowhere unless an offer is made to the tune of £200m, as per The Telegraph.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
This feels unrealistic, it must be said. However, TEAMtalk have since followed the national paper’s claim by revealing Isak is keen on the move to Anfield, and that Liverpool would be tempted to lodge a £150m bid, including add-ons.
This is certainly one to keep an eye on, but it’s worth reiterating that the Magpies do not want to sell and will not roll over after sealing their spot in next year’s Champions League.
Why Liverpool should sign Alexander Isak
If the finances check out, there’s a growing sense Liverpool will pursue a deal.
Isak was named “the best striker in the world” by analyst Raj Chohan after his exploits last season, scoring 27 goals from 42 matches in all competitions as Newcastle returned to the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup, beating Slot’s side in the final and netting.
Mohamed Salah was the only man to outscore him in the Premier League, and with the Egyptian and Wirtz leading the supply line next year, now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has moved to Real Madrid, Reds fans could be in for a treat.
The 25-year-old Isak appears to have shaken from his game the injury issues that plagued him at times throughout his career. Now he is mature. Now, Isak has developed not only his technical quality but his strength and athleticism and durability too.
24/25 – Newcastle
34
23
6
23/24 – Newcastle
30
21
2
22/23 – Newcastle
22
10
2
21/22 – Sociedad
32
6
2
20/21 – Sociedad
34
17
2
Coming off the back of his personal best season, the Toon talisman is ready to take the step up in his career and realise his potential, joining a Liverpool side who have a vacant spot at number nine.
Well, not quite yet. Darwin Nunez is in the process of transferring to Serie A champions Napoli, and Isak would be a stunning upgrade on the wasteful Uruguayan, for pundit Alan Shearer has aptly named his boyhood club’s main man a “world-class assassin”.
While Isak’s quality stems from his goalscoring aptitude, he is differentiated from his positional peers through his slick movements, pacy and powerful and attuned to the processes of his opponents.
Likewise, it would be easy to categorise Wirtz as a sharp playmaker with an eye for goal, but he’s so much more. You’d hope so, in fairness, for a British-record fee.
Florian Wirtz
Former Bayern Munich technical director Marco Neppe is certainly a fan, saying: “He is so brave. His skillset is dangerous for every opponent. He can change the momentum of a game just by having an idea nobody expects, and suddenly everything is different. He is a game changer.”
His ability to shift momentum through a range of skills that ensure those against him never know what’s coming next is perfect for Isak, whose shifty, lateral movements, pulling out wide or piledriving right through even iron-clad defences, will end in space perfect for a well-placed through ball.
Florian Wirtz scores for Germany
Indeed, the German international ranked among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Bundesliga last year for through balls, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref – and that’s just one part of his skill set.
The fact is, Liverpool already have one of the finest frontlines in world football, but now they have packaged it with Wirtz, and Isak could now follow.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
The Scandinavian goalscorer is proven as one of football’s deadliest marksmen, but he’s so much more and could take that momentous leap by joining the party down Anfield Road.
Perfect Gordon alternative: Liverpool hold talks for "explosive" £43m star
Liverpool are looking to sign a new winger this summer.
Manchester United are now in a transfer race with arch-rivals Manchester City in a bid to sign a “world-class” Paris Saint-Germain player, according to a recent report.
Man Utd ready to cut losses to make room for new signings
The first week or so of the summer transfer window has seen United agree a move for Matheus Cunha and work on a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. But while Ruben Amorim wants to strengthen his team over the coming months, the Portuguese also wants to move players on, as the club looks to bring in money and cut the size of the squad, given there is no European football next season.
£84m Garnacho upgrade: Man Utd in talks for 'one of the best in the world'
Man Utd appear to be seeking a statement replacement for Alejandro Garnacho this summer
By
Robbie Walls
Jun 8, 2025
The likes of Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Andre Onana have been tipped for exits, but the two most high-profile departures from Old Trafford this summer could be Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.
That is because Inter Milan are keen on signing Hojlund, reportedly looking into signing the Dane on loan before getting him on a permanent basis for £38 million next year. The fee is considerably lower than the £72 million United paid in 2023, but his departure could fund a move for a more prolific number nine.
Meanwhile, an exit has been on the cards for Garnacho in the last six months, and now Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Argentine will be leaving Old Trafford. Since that news, Saudi team Al-Nassr are interested in a deal for Garnacho, should they be unable to agree a deal with Liverpool to sign Luis Diaz.
Man Utd trying to beat Man City to Donnarumma
An exit for both Hojlund and Garnacho would free up money for the Red Devils, and they may already know how to spend it. According to L’Equipe, Man United have expressed an interest in signing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG.
The Italian is under contract in Paris until June 2026, but the French and European champions want to extend that deal and have been trying to do so for the last few months. However, a positive outcome has yet to be reached. Donnarumma has an offer on the table from PSG, but he is said be unhappy with what the current terms.
That has now left the door open for United and City, who are both interested in a deal, and the report claims the goalkeeper has already spoken to some of his teammates about possibly making a move to England.
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s PSG stats
Apps
154
Goals conceded
152
Clean sheets
51
The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed “world-class” by Carlo Ancelotti in the past, was sensational for PSG in the Champions League. He kept six clean sheets in 15 games and played a crucial role in them getting past the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool in the knockout stages.
His potential arrival at Old Trafford would be an expensive one, as the goalkeeper earns €244,808 a week, which is roughly £206,000. It would also depend on what happens to Onana, as he’s been linked with a move away, but as of yet, no team has made a significant offer.
Back in 2018, Steven Gerrard praised a rising Liverpool talent named Trent Alexander-Arnold, saying he would keep getting “better and better” in Jurgen Klopp’s exciting system.
It would be a few months on that Trent started in the Champions League final, losing against Real Madrid. Two years later, he’d won Europe’s elite competition, and the Premier League too, and was comfortably ensconced at the elite table of creative players.
Gerrard wasn’t wrong. Last year, Klopp remarked that the right-back is unquestionably “world-class,” a superstar who will be a player “people talk about in 40 years.”
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jurgen Klopp
Alexander-Arnold has made 352 appearances for Liverpool, thriving as the Scouser in his boyhood club, his rise perfectly aligned with the sustained period of success that has gifted this city so much. He has scored 23 goals, and he has placed 92 assists.
Now, aged 26, Trent stands on the edge of his prime years, peering in at what could be his most illustrious and impressive yet. That won’t be at Liverpool, sadly, for he has announced his decision to leave when his contract expires this summer and sign for Madrid.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow; Merseyside is charged with emotion and many will be unable to accept his choice. However, it’s happening, and Liverpool need to work toward the next chapter at right-back.
Liverpool's plans at right-back
Conor Bradley’s emergence over the past 15 months or so has been an incredible thing. Last season, he burst from the youth ranks like a leaping salmon, a boldness to his performances that left fans giddy with excitement.
The 21-year-old is more complete than his positional peer, in truth, more ‘suitable’ as a conventional full-back. Though he’s racked up ten assists from 54 senior appearances as a Red, however, he’s not got Alexander-Arnold’s eye for a pass, his innate creative flair.
That’s not to Bradley’s detriment; Trent is a one-of-a-kind player. The potentially new star on the right flank does have his own skills, with a bounding athleticism that is translated into effective attacking support and firm defensive application.
He was immense last year, with Trent actually praising the Northern Irishman for his “absolutely phenomenal” start to life as a first-team regular on Merseyside.
While his performances in the 2023/24 Premier League term highlight Bradley’s potential, he’s missed 40 games due to various injuries since the start of last season, and cannot yet be trusted to play unbreakingly in Alexander-Arnold’s stead.
Conor Bradley – Premier League Stats (23/24)
Stat
Per 90
Percentile
Goals
0.12
Top 14%
Assists
0.36
Top 3%
Shot-creating actions
3.23
Top 10%
Touches
79.00
Top 15%
Passes attempted
63.35
Top 21%
Progressive passes
3.47
Top 51%
Progressive carries
4.18
Top 2%
Successful take-ons
1.55
Top 4%
Ball recoveries
5.98
Top 12%
Tackles won
2.99
Top 1%
Stats via FBref
Liverpool need to sign a new right-back, and though they won’t claim a transfer fee for their outgoing vice-captain, his £180k-per-week salary is a lot, and can now be applied elsewhere, perhaps toward bagging a successor.
Why Liverpool need to sign a new right-back
With Andy Robertson on the decline and Kostas Tsimikas never really proving himself capable of becoming Liverpool’s first-choice option, Alexander-Arnold’s departure won’t detract from the focus at left-back.
Liverpool's AndrewRobertsoncelebrates after the match
However, Liverpool could pounce on an exciting star to tussle with Bradley for the number one spot, and there might not be a better option on the market than Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.
Back in March, GIVEMESPORT revealed that while Bradley will continue to be given opportunities to impress Slot, FSG are keen on adding some competition through Livramento, who played an “outstanding” role in winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley against Slot’s side in March, according to journalist Liam Kennedy.
Livramento, 22, joined Newcastle in a deal worth £40m in August 2023, leaving Southampton after previously emerging from Chelsea’s academy.
Last season, the dynamic defender’s progress was marred by injury, but he’s gone from strength to strength under Eddie Howe all the same, responding brilliantly to tactical advice and now thriving as an option across both defensive flanks.
The one-cap England international’s multi-positionality is curious. With Liverpool in need of players on both sides of Slot’s backline, Livramento could be a wonderful addition, jockeying with Bradley while also knocking on Robertson’s door.
Tino Livramento – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Right-back
87
1
6
Right wing-back
36
3
11
Left-back
19
0
1
Left wing-back
1
1
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
Would it be frustrating to say that FSG could bag two for the price of one in Livramento? This might feel like very typical FSG, but it makes a lot of sense, especially since Robertson wants to stay put next year.
Journalist Zach Lowy has even gone as far as to say that the “special” Magpies man “isn’t just one of the best right backs in England, but one of the best left backs too.”
Trent vs Livramento
He’s creative and versatile, with a neat blend of skills that could truly see him succeed Alexander-Arnold, while playing different roles too.
His metrics certainly suggest that he has what it takes to thrive in Slot’s Liverpool set-up. As per FBref, the £50k-per-week talent ranks among the top 16% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 17% for both progressive carries and clearances and the top 2% for ball recoveries per 90.
While Liverpool simply can’t replace Alexander-Arnold with a player of a similar profile, Livramento is his own type of player and could challenge for a starting berth across both defensive flanks.
His ability on the left even means he could work in conjunction with Bradley. In any case, this is a deal Liverpool need to get done.
A bigger talent than Trent: Liverpool chasing "world-class" £50m signing
Liverpool are going to be shuffling some pieces around in the transfer market this summer.
Chelsea could look to bring back a former player in the summer transfer window, and it is believed he’s very much open to a Stamford Bridge return.
Chelsea seal huge Champions League boost after win over Liverpool
Enzo Maresca was a happy man after Chelsea sealed their arguably most important win of the Premier League season on Sunday.
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The Blues are internally discussing a move for an attacker, who has scored 72 Premier League goals.
ByDominic Lund May 5, 2025
Chelsea’s 3-1 home win over English champions Liverpool handed the club an almighty boost in their race for Champions League qualification, with goals from Enzo Fernández, Jarell Quansah (OG) and a late Cole Palmer penalty sealing a vital three points.
Newcastle (away)
May 11th
Man United (home)
May 16th
Nottingham Forest (away)
May 25th
The west Londoners are now in the top five, and as things stand, they’re on course to seal a place in next season’s Champions League draw with a minor gap now bridged between Chelsea and sixth-placed Nottingham Forest.
“I really think that Liverpool deserve to win the Premier [League],” said Maresca on Chelsea’s win over Liverpool.
“First of all because they have been consistent. Second of all because they had consistently the [whole] squad available, something that unfortunately the rest [of the teams] have not.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescalooks on before the match
“Today again they show the reason why the have won the Premier League. We did not plan, I promise you, the game to defend deep. We plan the game to high press in the way we always [do] but sometimes the opposition is so good that you have to defend deep, and you have to adapt, and the players dealt with that very good.”
This result could be looked back on as the match which helped them on their way to Europe’s most prestigious competition, with Champions League qualification also set to have a big impact on Chelsea’s summer transfer plans.
Chelsea’s pursuit of a new centre-back will be altered by their success in sealing a top five place, with many names reportedly on BlueCo’s agenda heading into the next transfer window.
One of them, according to numerous media sources, is Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts
The England international’s contract is set to expire in 2026, opening the door for his potential sale this summer, but Palace could still demand up to £60 million for Guehi regardless.
Reports have claimed that Chelsea chiefs are confident they can strike a deal for Guehi and lure him back to west London, following the Cobham academy graduate’s departure to Selhurst Park in 2021.
Marc Guehi open to making Chelsea return this summer
As per journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack, Guehi is open to making a Chelsea return this summer, but the 24-year-old is yet to make a final decision.
He’s also believed to be waiting on the results of this year’s race for Champions League qualification, adding further importance to Chelsea’s goal of sealing their spot in the competition, while Newcastle are seriously tempting Guehi as well.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehicelebrates after the match
As per Phillips, Chelsea haven’t laid as much groundwork on a move for Guehi as they have for alternative centre-back target, Dean Huijsen, either.
That being said, there is little denying the Three Lions ace, called a “sensational talent” by Palace chairman Steve Parish, would be a stellar addition to Maresca’s backline.
Ladies and gentlemen, Bukayo Saka is back. Wow, what a sight that was. Three months Arsenal fans have had to stand by to watch him kick a ball again and boy was it worth the wait.
The club’s heralded number 7 hasn’t been seen since sustaining a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace on 21st December and since then, the Gunners’ title challenge has been extinguished swiftly.
Yet, there is still hope for Arsenal’s season. Despite their 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday evening, a game Saka scored in, they are unlikely to win the Premier League title.
However, the winger’s return is timely with Real Madrid to look forward to in just under a week’s time in the Champions League.
For once, Mikel Arteta has a bunch of positives to swoon over. That hasn’t been said too often about the club’s season now has it?
Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore
The biggest positives from Arsenal's win over Fulham
Oh Saka, you little beauty. It’s been a hellish 12 week period for Arsenal since the Englishman took to the field but he is back and back with a bang.
He had only been on the field for seven minutes before he found the net. It wasn’t in classic Saka fashion but it raised the roof off the Emirates Stadium nonetheless.
Mikel Merino moved into the left channel and swung in a ball that was guided towards Saka with remarkable skill and audacity by Gabriel Martinelli.
The returning hero was just inches out from goal and couldn’t miss, heading the ball past former Gunner Bernd Leno.
Saka wasn’t the only positive either, far from it. The aforementioned Merino and Martinelli were both in top form, the former scoring the game’s opening goal and the latter unfortunate not to leave proceedings with a goal to his name as well.
Minutes played
24
Touches
13
Accurate passes
7/8 (88%)
Key passes
0
Shots on target
1
Accurate crosses
1/1
Duels won
1/3
Was fouled
x1
The Brazilian was a constant livewire, not just providing the assist for Saka’s goal, a game-winning strike, but he also found the back of the net himself, albeit it was ruled out for offside.
Nonetheless, it was phenomenal to see the winger back at top speed. He was a constant nuisance throughout, terrorising Fulham’s Timothy Castagne with a performance that was remeniscent of 2022/23 Martinelli.
He left the field having had three shots, completed two dribbles and produced five key passes.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Beyond Saka’s incredible return, the biggest positive that aside was perhaps the performance of the club’s makeshift centre-forward.
Arsenal have found their modern-day Olivier Giroud
When Gabriel Jesus went down with an injury during Arsenal’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United, there was a collective panic. But…it was alright…they were going to strengthen in the January transfer window. Famous last words and all that.
Arsenal did not strengthen. Their reward? A season-ending injury for Kai Havertz too.
Arsenal's KaiHavertzwith manager MikelArtetaafter being substituted
Since then, Arteta has preferred to field the aforementioned Merino as his out and out centre-forward and it’s had mixed success.
Truth be told, the £28m summer arrival has done an admiral job. He’s scored five goals in eight games as a striker. Had he started the campaign as the club’s number 9, he’d on for a 23-goal season. Not bad indeed.
Unlike many others during the club’s injury-hit season, he’s stepped up big time and in the words of Arsenal writer Oli Price Bates, is “not getting enough credit for his performances.”
Another game came and went against Fulham where the Spaniard made quite the impression. His goal was a scruffy finish, finding the net via a deflection but it was a crucial goal all the same.
It’s not the first time the former Real Sociedad man has come up trumps, notably scoring that brace off the bench in the 2-0 win over Leicester City.
Since then, he’s been much-maligned, rather in the same way as a certain Olivier Giroud. Now, there are clear differences between the two. Giroud was a direct centre-forward first and foremost.
However, there are specific similarities in the way the two play the game. The Frenchman scored some beautiful goals but he always had quite an awkward play style, a technique that looked rather awkward. At the same time, his left peg was certainly pretty special.
Those traits can certainly be applied to Merino too. He’s not the most technically elegant – he’s a bit scruffy and awkward like Giroud. He’s also pretty underappreciated and underrated. That’s not to mention their ability to act as target men and link play too.
Minutes played
90
Touches
28
Accurate passes
14/16 (88%)
Key passes
1
Shots
2
Shots on target
1
Accurate crosses
1/1
Duels won
3/9
Tackles
2
Interceptions
1
Against Fulham, the Spain international certainly showcased that. He scored the opening goal and went on to complete 88% of his passes and make a key pass too. The 28-year-old was subsequently handed an 8/10 player rating by GOAL.
Merino’s future is certainly not in the final third but credit where credit is due, he’s been a huge servant to Arteta in the back end of this unforgiving season for Arsenal.
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Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Kings will have two cracks at the final after Antigua and Barbuda Falcons face Trinbago Knight Riders in the Eliminator
Deivarayan Muthu16-Sep-2025
Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, David Wiese and Imad Wasim with the CPL trophy•CPL
Romario Shepherd specialises in hitting sixes, and that’s why he is in demand in franchises leagues around the world. But in CPL 2025, Shepherd has said there is actually someone else who is hitting the ball farther than him right now.That someone else is a 25-year-old rookie, Quentin Sampson, who has smashed nine sixes across his previous two games for Guyana Amazon Warriors as a pinch-hitting opener. Sampson’s back-to-back half-centuries were central to Amazon Warriors securing a top-two finish in the league phase of the tournament.”Well definitely, Sampson right now. But hopefully in the playoffs, I can give him some challenge [with six-hitting],” Shepherd said ahead of the CPL playoffs. “But as of now he’s hitting it further than me by a mile.”
The Strength of S̶a̶m̶s̶o̶n̶ ̶ Sampson!#CPL25 #CricketPlayedLouder#BiggestPartyInSport #GAWvBR #Sky365 pic.twitter.com/cczEbKnfF8
— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 14, 2025
Sampson hails from Caria Caria village, which is located on the shore of Essequibo River and isn’t too far away from Saxacalli, Keemo Paul’s village. He initially played softball cricket in his village before rising through the ranks and becoming a professional player for Guyana. Shepherd is impressed with Sampson’s ability to stay low and stable while meeting the ball.”To see him [bat] like someone who has actually been playing cricket for a while now at this level and this is only his first season… The sky’s the limit for him,” Shepherd said.”He is also batting in a position that he has never batted before but to see him actually go there and get back-to-back fifties in a position is fantastic and his softball stuff has helped. You can see how low he gets whenever he’s batting and he can hit the ball whenever he’s keeping low. So definitely it worked out well for him and I’m very happy for him.”While both Amazon Warriors and table-toppers St Lucia Kings will have two cracks for the final, there is no margin for error in the Eliminator for Trinbago Knight Riders and Antigua & Barbuda Falcons. TKR have lost three of the four games they have played against Falcons and enter the Eliminator on the back of three successive defeats, but their captain Nicholas Pooran has backed them to come good at the crunch.TKR go into the Eliminator after three successive losses•Getty Images”For us we just felt like it has been two different tournaments for us,” Pooran said. “When we batted first, it’s been quite tricky in that powerplay for us and we have been losing a lot of wickets in the powerplay and that’s something we want to get better at. But when we batted second we have won the games quite convincingly. So it’s just something for us to continue to fight, continue to win those periods because I still believe that even though we’re batting first in tricky conditions, we’re still giving ourselves our chances.”TKR have been depleted by the absence of the injured Mohammad Amir, with USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar, his like-for-like replacement, set to get another game.While Pooran said winning the title in his first season as TKR captain would be “perfect,” he didn’t want to get ahead of himself.”Obviously you’ll [have to] take out Antigua first and foremost; we’ve been in this position before where we have to take the hard road,” he said. “That’s our No.1 focus, so whatever happened last year with the lights cutting off… Still no answers on that, but our focus is that game on Tuesday night and we take it forward that certain things we can control and certain things we can’t. What we can control is our emotions and that’s what we need going into these playoff games.”TKR will have to be wary of Karima Gore, Falcons’ top run-getter this season, and Jayden Seales, their highest wicket-taker. Seales has tuned up for the Eliminator against his former franchise with his best CPL figures of 4 for 15, achieved against Amazon Warriors.”I always say to everyone that performance is not guaranteed but attitude matters,” Falcons captain Imad Wasim said. “I think the attitude of these guys (Seales and Gore) is fantastic the whole tournament. Inside the rope they just give their 100%. Obviously Jayden is playing for West Indies, and doing very good.”So, I think attitude matters. They are fantastic players and I wish them all the best in future. I hope tomorrow they stand up although like in the playoffs, whoever copes the pressure well wins the game most likely.”
A player who’s always up for a cricketing fight, as he’s proven repeatedly, Sri Lanka have never had an allrounder – or a captain – quite like him before
Madushka Balasuriya18-Feb-2024It’s October 2021, and there’s been a top-order collapse. Sri Lanka have lost three wickets inside two overs and things are looking bleak. There’s Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne all left to come, but Sri Lanka have instead opted to promote Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of them.And Hasaranga is about to pretty much single-handedly rip away a historic chance of a World Cup upset from Ireland. He takes a little time settling in, seven balls to be precise, and then he punches one through extra cover. Ah yes, extra cover, you’ll be seeing a lot of that watching Hasaranga bat.Nine boundaries and a six later, he departs for a 47-ball 71, the platform laid for a winning total and a crisis deftly averted.
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It’s August 2023, Hasaranga’s Kandy side is floundering. He’d been signed and handed the captaincy in 2022 but the season proved underwhelming both for the team and him personally. Now, a season later, they’ve started off the LPL once more with a whimper – two losses in the opening three games. Something needs to change.Related
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In a chase of 118, against reigning champions Jaffna Kings, that change manifests in the form of experimentation – promoting Hasaranga up the order. Coming in at one down just after the end of a fairly conservative 31-run powerplay, he proceeds to dismantle the bowling with a belligerent 22-ball 52 to make light work of the target on a tricky surface.In their next game, Hasaranga floats down to No. 5, this time providing the finishing flourish as his 27-ball 64 takes his side to a dominant 203. And then two matches later, his counter-attacking 21-ball 40 takes Kandy from 27 for 2 at the end of the powerplay to 70 for 3 by the end of the 10th. They would fall short in that chase, but Hasaranga had given them a fighting chance.Finally, in a must-win second Qualifier, playing on virtually one leg with a torn hamstring, he strikes a 30-ball 48 to take his side to a fighting 157, before grabbing two wickets on the way to a 34-run win.
This in a nutshell is Hasaranga, all action, all the time. Sri Lanka to be clear have had allrounders before, but none quite like him.
In all, Hasaranga ends the tournament with 279 runs and 19 wickets, topping both the runs and wickets charts. Oh, and those runs come at an astounding strike rate of 189.79. To put that in context, of the next 10 highest run scorers not one scored at a rate better than 140.That injury, though, is unfortunate. It ends up requiring surgery and rules Hasaranga out for several months, including last year’s World Cup.
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It’s February 2024, Sri Lanka have started well against Afghanistan but they’ve stumbled to 55 for 4 inside the first eight overs. Enter Hasaranga, now national captain. This time he takes just one ball to settle in before carving the next through point. The one after that, floated up outside off, is lofted over extra cover – his front foot well out of the way, facing long-on.Hasaranga sends his front leg out of the way and the ball out of the ground•ILT20Yeah, that’s a common Hasaranga trait too, frequently clearing that front leg and looking to access the offside; in fact, of his seven boundaries against Afghanistan, six were either in front of or behind square on the offside.His 32-ball 67 eventually proves to be the difference, with only three other Lankan batters getting into double digits – the next highest being 25. His four overs with ball also cost just 20 runs as Afghanistan fall narrowly short.
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This in a nutshell is Hasaranga, all action, all the time. Sri Lanka to be clear have had allrounders before, but none quite like him. Perhaps an early-years Angelo Mathews comes to mind, but he was never quite as explosive with the bat nor as game-changing with the ball. Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan are strong shouts, but their bowling exploits were more supporting cast than main character.Hasaranga though exudes main-character energy. With the ball, while many modern-day legspinners like to keep trajectories flat and fast, Hasaranga frequently tosses it up – almost looking to buy a wicket. It’s a high-risk strategy for sure, but it’s what makes him so effective. He is a competitor in every sense, he wants to make something happen. It’s Hasaranga.With the bat, that almost comical intent to target the offside is allied with equally adept wrist-work. And if his most recent LPL outing is any barometer, it’s an option that comes off more often than not. But more than that, it’s the look in the eyes when he has to prop up the order, that sense of undiluted purpose and determination. Make no mistake, Hasaranga was certain he was going to take Afghanistan apart well before he’d set foot on the field.Wanindu Hasaranga showed remarkable form•AFP/Getty ImagesIt’s also no coincidence that both his LPL performances and the recent rollicking show against Afghanistan came as captain. Leadership comes in different forms, and in Sri Lanka they’ve seen quite a few of these. From the brash, get-under-your-skin, master-of-mind-games style of Arjuna Ranatunga, to the more tactically astute methods of Mahela Jayawardene. But they’ve not quite had someone like Hasaranga. Almost Kapil Dev-lite. Someone who let’s his work on the field do most of the talking.Indeed, when you listen to Hasaranga in interviews, or ask him for post-game analysis, there’s not much by way of lengthy answers. Why’d you lose? Well, the batters needed to do better. Was there anything that could have been done differently? Yeah, we shouldn’t have given away so much at the death. What do you want improve on? We need the players to take more responsibility. Safe to say, it’s not much for the headline writers to work with.But for all his brevity off the field, on it Hasaranga is a well of emotions. His wicket-taking celebrations are never boring – in fact any wicket is cause for an animated fist pump and a shout to the heavens – and boy does he love a good celebrappeal.Hasaranga is your quintessential lead-from-the-front cricketer. He is the man for a crisis, whether it’s coming in to bowl inside the powerplay or counterpunch out of an early collapse. He’s the first pick in your schoolyard match. No, scratch that, he’s the one doing the picking. Watch him play and you can see the foundations are there, the levels are rising. Has he self-actualised? Maybe not just yet. But watching him get there might be just as fun.
Stats highlights from the Oval, where India registered one of their biggest ever wins
Sampath Bandarupalli12-Jul-2022110 – England’s total in the first game is their lowest against India in men’s ODIs. Their previous lowest against India was 125 in Jaipur during the 2006 Champions Trophy. It is also the second-lowest total for any team at The Oval in the 50-over format, behind England’s 103 against South Africa during the 1999 World Cup.6 for 19 – Jasprit Bumrah’s returns are the third-best for India in men’s ODIs. Stuart Binny’s 6 for 4 against Bangladesh in 2014 tops the list, while Anil Kumble’s 6 for 12 against West Indies comes second.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Wickets for Bumrah in the first ten overs of England’s innings. He is only the third Indian bowler to claim four wickets within the first ten overs of an ODI innings since 2001. India claimed five wickets in the first ten overs in this game, the joint-most by them in an ODI since 2001.6 – Instances of Indian pace bowlers sharing all ten wickets in a men’s ODI, which includes their effort at The Oval. The last of the previous five instances came against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2014.Most runs as an opening pair in ODIs•ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – India’s first win against England by a margin of ten wickets in men’s ODIs and their first since defeating Zimbabwe in 2016. It is also the first ten-wicket defeat for England in this format since losing to Sri Lanka in the quarter-final of the 2011 ODI World Cup.188 – Balls remaining when India reached the target, making this their third-biggest win in the format with respect to balls left in the game. India won with 231 balls to spare against Kenya in 2001 and chased a 105-run target against West Indies in 2018, with 211 balls to spare.80 – ODIs taken by Mohammed Shami to complete 150 wickets. He is the quickest Indian and the joint third-fastest overall to reach the milestone. The previous fastest Indian to 150 ODI wickets was Ajit Agarkar, who got there in 97 matches.ESPNcricinfo Ltd9 – Wickets shared by India’s new-ball bowling pair in the first ODI – Bumrah (6) and Shami (3). These are the most wickets for India’s opening bowlers in an ODI. There are two previous instances of India’s new-ball pair recording eight wickets in an ODI – against Bangladesh in 1998 and England in 2005.4 – Ducks recorded by England’s top six batters. It is only the sixth instance that four out of the top six batters in a line-up have bagged a duck in an ODI. The last such occasion was also by England, during the 2018 Adelaide ODI against Australia.26 – England’s total at the fall of the fifth wicket. These are the fewest runs India have conceded to have the opposition five down in an ODI. The previous lowest was 29 against Pakistan in1997.5108 – Partnership runs between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan for the first wicket in ODIs. They are only the fourth opening duo to have scored 5000-plus runs as a pair in this format.18 – Century stands between Rohit and Dhawan, the joint third-most by any pair in ODIs. Four of those 18 partnerships have come at The Oval, the joint-most by any pair at a venue in ODIs. Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq and Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor have stitched four century stands each at the Queens Sports Club, in Bulawayo.
After 61 matches over two months, the Sydney Sixers came out as champions. Here’s ESPNcricinfo’s team of the tournament
Andrew McGlashan10-Feb-2020Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars)The leading run-scorer in the competition, Stoinis produced one of the performances of the season with his unbeaten 147 against the Sydney Sixers at the MCG. His consistency was outstanding and his 83 off 54 balls in the Challenger helped secure a berth in the final. However, having been told to bash the door down with runs for an international recall it wasn’t enough to get back in the Australia fold as he competed with a host of top-order names. His bowling was limited by a foot injury.Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)This was a tight call alongside Perth Scorchers’ Josh Inglis, who played some hugely impactful innings, but Philippe’s knock in the final – and the way he timed his run in the backend of the tournament – swung it his way. There was an evolution to his batting during this year’s competition, highlighted by the way he turned around a run of low scores mid-season to end so strongly including his perfectly-paced fifty against the Melbourne Stars.ALSO READ: Josh Philippe leaves the nerves behind in Big Bash final heroicsAlex Hales (Sydney Thunder)After a somewhat up-and-down first half of the season, Hales hit his stride in magnificent style to help the Thunder reach as far as the Challenger when their run finally ended at the hands of the Stars. He struck some of the biggest blows in the tournament and looked like the international-class batsman he was before losing his chance of playing the World Cup. An England recall is probably about more than just runs for Hales, but he couldn’t have done much more to press the selectors.Beau Webster (Melbourne Renegades)It was a breakout season for Webster as he provided one of the few high points for the defending champions who had a miserable campaign to finish bottom. He started the tournament with a T20 average of 21.75 and finished it averaging 33.27 while his strike-rate climbed 10 runs higher. Having struck three sixes in his previous 15 matches, he collected 17 in 14 outings as his game evolved. How the Renegades use him as they look to rebuild will be interesting.Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars, captain)Takes the captaincy of this side having led the Stars as they qualified top of the regular season with ease, then managed to pull the team back together for the Challenger when they had lost four games in a row, although another final defeat stung badly. Produced some compelling finishing – especially his 83 off 45 balls – although occasionally it could be questioned whether he should have come in higher up and his season did fade with a high score of 25 in his last eight innings. Bowled very effectively as well, often taking key powerplay overs.Jon Wells places the ball•Getty ImagesJon Wells (Adelaide Strikers)Was outstanding in the middle order, drawing comparisons with Michael Bevan in the way he could finish an innings and his ability to rotate the strike. Couldn’t quite get the Strikers over the line in the Knockout, although that was as much down to poor batting elsewhere than a failure on his part, but it has now been two impressive seasons back-to-back. He was overlooked for the Australia T20I squad to South Africa but he may yet have a set of skills worth looking at.Rashid Khan (Adelaide Strikers)He rarely fails to deliver for the Strikers and it was another very consistent season for Rashid who remained a banker. His hat-trick against the Sixers came in a losing cause but was a highlight moment of the season. Was occasionally taken to but his economy rate remained just a fraction over seven. Didn’t always feel as though the most was made of his striking power with the bat.Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder)The leading wicket-taker in the tournament as he became the Thunder’s go-to bowler. Only three times did he go wicketless – one of those was the match where the Thunder were eventually eliminated by the Stars in the Challenger final – and he was the only bowler to deliver two maiden overs in the season (there were six in total). It was slim pickings with the bat when more was expected, but he more than made up for it.Daniel Sams has been compelling with his left-arm pace•Getty Images and Cricket AustraliaPeter Siddle (Adelaide Strikers)Once again, Siddle highlighted his evolution into a standout T20 performer with some nerveless displays at the death as a vital cog in an impressive Strikers’ attack. Unlike last season he was available throughout having slipped out of the Test squad before announcing his international retirement in January. Whether he remains with the Strikers is up in the air at the moment, but that shows how sought after he has become in the format.Adam Zampa (Melbourne Stars)He was outstanding either side of the ODI tour of India. He bolstered his wicket tally with eight in the last three matches and has been bowling with as much confidence as ever. He was allowed to operate in an attacking manner by Maxwell – but only went at a touch over seven an over – and along with Haris Rauf was the key weapon in the attack.Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars)One of the stories of the season as he was picked up from Tasmanian grade cricket to fill the shoes of firstly Dale Steyn and then Pat Brown when the latter was ruled out of the tournament. He bowled with great pace – the high 140kph-mark on a consistent basis – but also showed a wicked slower ball with the contrasts proving too much for a host of batsmen. He took a hat-trick on the same day as Rashid Khan and has been locked in to return next season.