Zimbabwe have picked three uncapped players – Trevor Gwandu, Tashinga Musekiwa and Tinotenda Maposa – in their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series at home against Pakistan.While Gwandu and Musekiwa have both played T20I cricket for Zimbabwe, quick bowler Maposa, 21, is uncapped in international cricket. He has played just three List A matches so far, picking up four wickets at an economy rate of 6.29. Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava will continue to lead the seam attacks in both ODIs and T20Is.”The series against Pakistan is an important platform for Zimbabwe, and we believe the ODI squad we have selected is well-rounded,” David Mutendera, Zimbabwe’s convener of selectors, said in a statement. “The presence of seasoned players like Craig [Ervine], Sikandar [Raza] and Sean [Williams] provides stability, while young players like Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers and the uncapped trio bring energy and the potential for game-changing moments.”Sean Williams, who had missed the white-ball series in Sri Lanka earlier this year because of an injury, returned to the ODI side, but was omitted from the T20I squad. ODI captain Craig Ervine was also left out of the T20I side. Williams last played an ODI in July 2023.Zimbabwe retained the same T20I squad that had won the men’s T20 World Cup 2026 sub-regional qualifier in Kenya last month. During that tournament, Zimbabwe had broken the record for the highest T20I total.”We felt it was essential to maintain the same T20I squad that excelled in Kenya,” Mutendera said. “This continuity allows the team to build on the cohesion and confidence that drove their outstanding performance.”The white-ball series against Pakistan will begin with the first ODI on November 24 and will run until December 5, with Bulawayo set to host all the games – three ODIs and three T20Is.

Zimbabwe ODI squad for series against Pakistan

Craig Ervine (capt), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Joylord Gumbie, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams

Zimbabwe T20I squad for series against Pakistan

Sikandar Raza (capt), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava

It is already accepted that Meg Lanning’s team has enviable depth and they are likely to need it over the next year

Andrew McGlashan20-Sep-2021It’s one of sports many clichés that players don’t look too far ahead and only take each match as it comes. So let’s do it on behalf of Australia.The opening ODI against India in Mackay on Tuesday marks the start of an unprecedented period of 12 (or even 18) months of international cricket. There’s an Ashes series in January, an ODI World Cup in March and a first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in July. Then, in early 2023, there will be the defence of their T20 World Cup title. Cricket’s unofficial Grand Slam is on the line.The major focus is the 50-over World Cup after their often-referenced semi-final exit at the hands of Harmanpreet Kaur and India in 2017. But they will be desperate for multi-format success – which includes two Tests in the season – and to have a gold medal around their necks in Birmingham.Their depth will be tested like never before, even including when they lost Ellyse Perry during the T20 World Cup having also seen Tayla Vlaeminck sidelined just days before it began. There is a good chance that the majority of the 18 players in the squad to face India will get a game over the next three weeks. When you add back in Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen that’s 20 names who are likely to feature extensively, but they may need to delve further into the domestic game. The WBBL, a key part in building Australia’s depth, starts shortly after this series.Related

• Mithali Raj wants runs and partnerships 'rather than thinking about fearless cricket'

• Injured Harmanpreet Kaur ruled out of first Australia vs India ODI

• Ellyse Perry: Multi-day cricket in women's domestic game a 'no brainer'

• Alyssa Healy looks to Rohit Sharma's template for cross-format opening success

• Sneaky battles, amazing performances, weird results: how the Australia-India rivalry took shape

The ODI side is on a world-record 24-match unbeaten run which dates back to 2018. That will, eventually, come to an end – it may even be in Mackay this week – but the priority will be that when that arrives it does not derail a campaign as it did four years ago. At the moment it would be a brave person to bet against an Australia title in Christchurch on April 3 but India, defending champions England and South Africa have the potential to stand in their way. The ODI gap from Australia to the rest has widened since the last World Cup and for the good of the game they need to be caught.The first-choice top six can be picked blindfolded (Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning, Perry, Beth Mooney and Ash Gardner) but it will be interesting to see if Georgia Redmayne and Tahlia McGrath get opportunities, or Annabel Sutherland has another chance to bat up the order having stood in for Lanning at No. 3 against New Zealand last year. There is a reluctance from Lanning and Matthew Mott to hand out caps for the sake of it – and points-based multi-format series add to the importance of each match – but expanding the amount of international experience for others can bring benefits later.Eyes in the prize(s): there are host of trophies up for grabs in the coming months•Getty ImagesThat will happen naturally with the bowling attack which provides most intrigue given the absences and injuries (Vlaeminck won’t play until the T20Is and Nicola Carey has had an abdominal strain). It will be just the second time since 2012 that Australia have fielded an ODI XI without Schutt and Jonassen. Regardless of where she bats, Sutherland should get a run in the side while left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has the chance to reestablish herself in Jonassen’s absence. The pace bowlers will be rotated throughout to manage workload; the speed of Darcie Brown and bounce of the uncapped Stella Campbell is generating the most interest.Of the specialist pace bowlers, only Darcie Brown did not have to do 14 days hard quarantine. “There were a few nervous medical people but everyone’s pulled up really well,” Lanning said.The Test match later in the month, Australia’s first since the 2019 Ashes, has various unknown quantities: the pink-ball day-night factor, the lack of preparation, the pitch at Metricon Stadium, and how bowler workloads will be managed. Mott has said that the team has spoken about playing “one-day cricket for four days” which, given how Australia play one-day cricket, is an exciting prospect.It will be the first time since 2006 that the two teams have met in the format – in a sign of their remarkable longevity both Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami played that game in Adelaide – and Australia have not played in India since 1984 when a four-match series was drawn 0-0. It is to be hoped that changes in the not-to-distant future.Test cricket will be a focal point of this season and the context of the points-based system is a way for it to be a more regular part of the women’s game between those sides able to sustain it. Covid-19 remains a huge challenge but hopefully in years to come this busy Australian season will be seen as the norm.

Leeds United chiefs 49ers Enterprises have now been told it will cost just £10 million to sign an “unbelievable” English midfielder this summer.

Lukas Nmecha kicks off Leeds' summer business

The transfer window has now officially reopened after closing for a week, and the Whites haven’t wasted any time in getting a signing over the line. On Sunday afternoon, Leeds announced that Lukas Nmecha has agreed to join the club and become their first new face of the summer transfer window.

The next Gray: Leeds now want to sign "complete" £30m star after Nmecha

Daniel Farke could be about to purchase his next Archie Gray if Leeds United successfully win this versatile youngster.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 16, 2025

The Germany international has joined the Yorkshire side on an initial two-year deal and will arrive on the 1st of July, once his contract has expired at Wolfsburg. Nmecha is already known to English football, having developed in Manchester City’s academy as well as having spells at Preston and Middlesbrough.

Nmecha told Leeds’s media team: “It’s just a great challenge, and I’m really excited to get to know the team. I’ve spoken with the manager many times, and I’m excited to play that style of football that they played in the Championship, even in the Premier League. I saw that there was dominance last season in terms of possession and the goals. I’m an attacking player, so obviously that’s exciting for me.

“Of course, in the Premier League, there are some big boys in there where you can’t play like that all the time, but I think the idea of the manager is to play good football, possession football, and that’s what I’m used to and what I love doing.

“I wish we could get going now, but we still have a few weeks of pre-pre-season, getting the runs in and all that! But I just can’t wait to start training now.”

Leeds told it will cost £10m to sign Champions League midfielder

With Nmecha now officially through the door, the 49ers are turning their attentions to Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, and according to Football Insider, suitors have been told a bid of just £10 million will be accepted this summer.

It was reported in May that Leeds were plotting a double swoop for Callum Wilson and Longstaff, who is earning £50,000 a week at Newcastle.

Entering the final year of his contract at St James’ Park, the update claims his future “definitely” lies away from Tyneside.

Daniel Farke is keen to add Premier League experience to his midfield this summer, but he won’t have a free run at Longstaff, as David Moyes’ Everton are also keen on the midfielder.

Sean Longstaff’s 24/25 Premier League stats
Apps	25
Starts	8
Key passes per game	0.2
Interceptions per game	0.3
Tackles per game	1.1
Clearances per game	0.3

Longstaff, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by Alan Shearer in the past, has Champions League experience, helping his side qualify for Europe’s elite competition this season and making five appearances in their last European quest, scoring in a 4-1 rout of current champions PSG.

Luis Diaz says Florian Wirtz prepared him for German style of football before the ex-Liverpool star completed a "dream" move to Bayern Munich.

• Wirtz gave Diaz a sneak-peek into Bundesliga
• Winger explains coach Kompany's expectations
• Colombian anticipated to shine for German giants

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Diaz became Bayern's third-most expensive signing this week, completing a £65.5 million ($88m) transfer from Liverpool. The 28-year-old explained how he was prepared by ex-Bundesliga star Wirtz before his move to Allianz Arena and also talked about what coach Kompany has planned for his development at the club.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Diaz got the opportunity to spend a few weeks with Wirtz, who joined Liverpool this summer from Bayer Leverkusen. The Germany international was Bayern's top target heading into the summer, with the player's father admitting he found it difficult to let down the Bundesliga champions as he opted for a Premier League move instead. In turn, Bayern went after Nico Williams, only to see him sign a new contract at Athletic Club, resulting in their pursuit of Diaz. Liverpool insisted the Colombia star was not for sale, but he pushed the club to accept Bayern's bid, sealing what he called a "dream" move to Bavaria.

• WHAT DIAZ SAID

  In his press conference, Diaz, talking about Wirtz's advice and his coach's expectations, said: "He told me that the Bundesliga is played with a very high intensity, that it's very competitive, and the stadiums are always full. He said Munich is a beautiful city, and I'll enjoy it. He wished me the best of luck."

  He added: "I give everything for the team I play for. I can't say whether I'm worth the transfer fee. I'm fulfilling a dream of playing for one of the biggest clubs. I'm living this dream. I'm happy to be part of the Bayern family.

  "I can play up front or as a winger. The coach said he prefers me on the left."

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LUIS DIAZ?

  Fans will be excited for Diaz's debut and can expect him to feature in Bayern's pre-season fixture against Lyon on August 2.

It’s all happening at Arsenal at the moment.

After a traditionally slow start to the transfer window, the Gunners have really come to life in recent weeks.

In addition to welcoming Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, the board appears to be progressing in their pursuit of Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and perhaps most exciting of all, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swede could be a transformational signing for the North Londoners, and in yet more exciting news, the club are also being linked with a Premier League star who could be his dream ten.

Arsenal target dream ten for Gyokeres

For quite some time this summer, it looked like RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko was going to be the striker Arsenal signed.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, late last week, it was widely reported that the North Londoners had switched their focus to Gyokeres.

Since then, the Swede has reportedly agreed to personal terms, and the North Londoners have been in talks with Sporting CP, with reports suggesting the final fee could be around £70m.

It feels like a matter of when and not if the Gunners secure the 27-year-old’s services, and now it looks like they are looking for further reinforcements, including someone who’d likely be a dream number ten for the striker: Morgan Rogers.

Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, as relayed by Caught Offside, Arsenal are interested in the Aston Villa star.

The report does not mention the cost to the Gunners of acquiring the Englishman, but based on stories from earlier this summer, the fee required to secure his release from Villa Park could be as much as £100m.

It would be an expensive transfer to get over the line, but Rogers has more than proven his worth over the last year or so, and he’d be a dream ten for Gyokeres.

Why Gyokeres would love Rogers

While Gyokeres is an incredibly talented forward, he’s fundamentally at his best when he’s in and around the penalty area, not dropping deep to collect the ball.

We can see as much from his heatmap last season, and therefore, to get the most out of him, he needs a mobile and dangerous ten behind him.

The good news is that Rogers certainly fits that bill, and then some.

For example, FBref ranked him in the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for through balls and in the top 15% in the Champions League for successful take-ons per 90.

On top of that, his output for the Claret and Blue last season was spectacular, especially when you take into account that he is still just 22 years old.

Appearances

54

Minutes

4496′

Goals

14

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.53

Minutes per Goal Involvement

155.03′

In 54 appearances, totalling 4496 minutes, the midfield “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists.

In other words, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.86 games, or every 155.03 minutes.

So, if he was able to do that at Villa Park, just imagine what his numbers could look like playing at the Emirates behind the Sporting star, who scored 54 goals and provided 13 assists in 53 games last season.

Ultimately, Gyokeres is a lean, mean, goal-scoring machine, and he’ll likely continue to be so at Arsenal next season.

However, if Arteta wants to help ensure he’s as dangerous as possible, then he should push the club to sign Rogers as well.

Their new Alexis: Arsenal reach agreement in principle to sign £69m star

Arsenal could be closing in on signing their new Alexis Sanchez.

6 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 9, 2025

Wednesday is always an exciting day of betting action in Major League Baseball with a full serving of games, including day baseball.

However, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh Wednesday night as No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes is slated to face the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers offense. Can Skenes keep his momentum rolling with his stiffest test yet?

I'm not so sure.

Check out my betting preview for every big league game below!

Braves vs. Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Red Sox (-110)

The results are middling for Nick Pivetta, a 4.08 ERA in seven starts, but the underlying metrics are enticing, as he is striking out 30% of batters with a career low walk rate of just five percent. 

In a projected coin flip, I’ll take the home team. 

Cardinals vs. Astros Prediction and Pick

Pick: Astros (-165)

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas’ inability to strike batters out, a meager 18%, is going to be trouble against an Astros team that is the best hitting team in the big leagues at home (.802 OPS). 

Give me the home favorite. 

Reds vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Reds (-125)

Cincinnati is swinging a sweet bat right now, fifth in OPS over the last 15 days, per MLB.com, and now faces Dakota Hudson of the Rockies, who has a ton of red flags on the mound. 

Hudson ranks in the bottom 10 percentile in strikeout rate and chase percentage as well as xBA, per MLB Statcast.

Giants vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

Pick: Giants (+105)

Jordan Montgomery hasn’t been the same since helping pace the Rangers’ to a World Series title last fall. He is in the eighth percentile in terms of strikeout rate and sixth percentile in xBA. 

Against a Giants team that is 12th in OPS against lefties this season, and has its most effective pitcher in Jordan Hicks on the mound (2.70 ERA), I’ll lean towards the road underdog. 

Mets vs. Nationals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mets (-140)

Luis Severino has revived his career with the Mets, posting a 3.52 ERA, and New York’s shaky offense gets a reprieve against Patrick Corbin, who has a 5.83 ERA. 

I see little reason to take a flier on the Nationals with Corbin on the mound, the team is 4-8 when he starts. 

Brewers vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Brewers (+155)

Milwaukee has lost both games in Philadelphia by a combined three runs, and now face Aaron Nola, who has posted a 3.03 ERA on the year. 

Aaron Ashby will counter, who struggled in his first start of the year, allowing four earned runs in less than four innings. I’m willing to give the southpaw a pass for that one and will back him as a big underdog with the Brewers top five hitting offense in terms of OPS behind him. 

Rays vs. Marlins Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rays (-120)

Zach Eflin returns from the injured list to face a bottom five offense in the Marlins, a great landing spot for him after showing some upside in the first handful of weeks of the season. 

Eflin has walked fewer than two percent of batters this season through 10 starts, but needs to raise his strikeout rate back above 20% as he is sitting at the lowest mark of his career since 2019 (17.9%). 

Against the Marlins, a healthy Eflin should be in line for a quality start and for the Rays to snag a road win. 

Royals vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

Pick: Guardians (-125)

Cleveland is in good shape to build on its AL Central lead on Wednesday against Kansas City with Nick Sandlin on the mound. 

The right hander has found his control, posting a career best walk rate of sub-nine percent while striking out 28% of batters. He ranks in the 98th percentile in terms of xBA with a nasty set of offspeed pitches that includes a sinker and a slider. 

This is also partially a fade of Royals’ starter Brady Singer, who has 2.63 ERA but is due a ton of regression with an xERA of 4.35. 

Dodgers vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

Pick: Dodgers (+100)

Paul Skenes is getting a ton of respect by being favored over the Dodgers, but I can’t trust the Pirates to take advantage and close out a win with a bullpen ERA of 3.95 since the end of May. 

Skenes has passed every test with flying colors thus far, but the Pirates are getting too much respect in this game against a Dodgers team that is still the best lineup in baseball. 

Twins vs. Yankees Prediction and Pick

Pick: Twins (+155)

Carlos Rodon is a major concern for the Yankees pitching staff, far from his Cy Young candidate level in 2022. 

He is striking out 22% of batters, right around the big league average while allowing a ton of hard contact (23rd percentile). With his inability to get past hitters anymore with what was a nasty curveball, Rodon has seen his underlying metrics balloon despite solid surface level marks. 

Rodon has an ERA of 3.09 but an xERA of 4.32. 

Against a Twins team that is 11th in OPS against left handers, I’ll back the visitors to pull an upset. 

Orioles vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Orioles (+105)

Jose Berrios is untrustworthy against a high quality lineup like the Orioles. 

The veteran righty has been lucky all season, striking out fewer than 20% of batters while allowing hard contact on 44% of balls in play (19th percentile), but only a 2.79 ERA. Meanwhile, his xERA is up to 4.15. 

Tigers vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

Pick: Rangers (-135)

Kenta Maeda’s ERA may be a bit unlucky, but part of that is due to his diminished velocity. 

He is striking out a career low 17% of batters and has been unable to keep runners from crossing home, posting a 6.25 ERA despite a 4.84 xERA. 

I can’t trust him to find his form against a Texas team that has an edge at the plate and a resurgent Jose Urena, who has limited his walk rate to eight percent and has posted a 3.75 ERA. 

White Sox vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick

Pick: White Sox (+150)

The Cubs continue to be untrustworthy in the Windy City Showdown, losing at over -300 favorites on Tuesday. 

The team will send out Jameson Taillon on Wednesday as big favorites, but I’ll fade the Cubbies again. 

Taillon is striking out a career low 15% of batters and has an xERA of 3.56, far higher than his surface level ERA of 2.84. 

Meanwhile, the White Sox counter with its most effective pitcher this season in Erick Fedde, who has an ERA of 3.12 on an increased strikeout rate (career high near-23%). 

Over the last 13 games, the Cubs are 26th in OPS and the White Sox are 29th. The gap isn’t that much between the two teams at the moment. 

Padres vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Pick: Padres (-150)

Dylan Cease has joined the Padres and performed at an incredibly high level, posting a 3.42 ERA with a 30% strikeout rate, setting up nicely against an Angels team that lacks the pitching prowess to match. 

Jose Soriano is on a run of three straight starts pitching six innings or more, but I expect a short outing for him against a Padres team that can make hard contact against Soriano, who is in the eighth percentile in that metric. 

Mariners vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick

Pick: Athletics (+135)

A’s rookie Joey Estes has some upside, striking out 23% of batters with a sub-seven percent walk rate, but his ERA has been crushed by hard contact, resulting in a 6.10 ERA, but his xERA is at 3.46. 

I’ll take a flier on the home underdog. 

They have opened together only 28 times in ODIs, but their numbers are staggering

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Feb-20252:26

Gill: ‘The way Rohit and I play in powerplay quite different’

Shubman Gill averages 63.73 in ODIs at the top of the order. Rohit Sharma averages 55.21 when opening. Together, their numbers are approaching all-time great territory.They’ve only opened together 28 times in this format, so the sample size is small. But in those innings they’ve put on 1943 runs at an average of 71.96. Only in ten of those 28 innings have they failed to get India to 50 for no loss or better. To this dependability, they have also braided in aggression. India travel at more than seven an over on average when these two are together.Their numbers put this pair at the top of the all-time list for players that have opened together at least 25 times in terms of average and strike rate*, with daylight between themselves and the next-best pair (Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, who memorably helped deliver England the 2019 World Cup). Part of their effectiveness, Gill said on the eve of India’s match against Pakistan, was down to their varying but complementing methods.Related

• Manjrekar: Gill is 'the complete player at the moment' in ODIs

• India vs Pakistan is sci-fi vs fantasy – but will it be box office?

• Pakistan in danger of leaving their own party early

• Babar has major spin demons to overcome, and opponents know it

“The way we play the game in the powerplay is quite different to each other,” Gill said. “Rohit likes to play more aerial shots, and tries to hit those big sixes. And I like to play along the ground, and I like to pierce those gaps. In between, if I see the bowler is under pressure, I like to go over the circle. I think that’s the hallmark of us as a pair. We score boundaries with different shots. The bowlers really have to think which areas to target for us, because the areas we play the shots are different from each other.”It’s a delight to watch [Rohit] from the non-striker’s end. He has his own style and if at all it helps me to find my own groove.”Much of this was in evidence on Thursday, when they put on 69 for the first wicket against Bangladesh, in the 9.5 overs they were together. Rohit’s rapid start had given Gill the space to play a more sedate innings, as he made 101 not out off 129 balls. The key stat for Rohit is the strike rate – he has gone at 120 in the four ODIs he’s played this year. Gill, meanwhile, has gone at less than a run-a-ball (strike rate 96.46 as opener in 2025). But he’s averaged a mammoth 136.50, scores of 112 and 60 preceding the latest hundred (to go with one score of 87 from No. 3).Gill had had a rough time in the Tests in Australia, making a top score of 31 in the five innings he played there during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But a return to his favourite format has led to a spectacular return to runs.”I don’t think there was any flaw in my batting in Australia that I couldn’t score runs,” he said. “But, definitely, sometimes there is a mental aspect and we start focusing on the batting, which leads us to think there has to be some fault in the batting that the runs aren’t coming.”But, I don’t think every time it has something to do with batting. It is possible, we are lacking in some other facet. I haven’t worked on any area in particular, but knowing I am going to play white-ball format now and then T20s, so I practised accordingly.”

The PCB’s hybrid model solution to the Asia Cup will see four out of 13 matches being played in Pakistan with the rest – including the final – to be played at a neutral venue, which could be the UAE. Najam Sethi, the board head, told BBC’s podcast that he was still hopeful of the tournament being played in Pakistan, despite two Asian Cricket Council (ACC) members raising objections to a hybrid solution and the more intractable problem of India not being given permission to travel to Pakistan.He also added that if the hybrid model worked during the Asia Cup, it could pave the way for it to be used in the one-day World Cup, to be held later this year in India. Given the fraught and tense relations between India and Pakistan, Sethi said there is a “distinct possibility” that the Pakistan government doesn’t allow Pakistan to travel to India.Sethi held a meeting with ACC officials in Dubai on Tuesday to try and find a solution to the issues, and he believes the PCB has “bent over backwards” to accommodate the various concerns. “The proposal that I submitted three days ago takes care of all this,” he said. “We play four matches in Pakistan, the teams come straight here and then everybody moves to the neutral venue wherever that may be. We play the rest of games there. I made the concession that in the event we get to the final we play the final in a neutral venue, whether against India or anyone else. We’ve bent over backwards to solve all these issues.”Keeping four matches in Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo understands, is to ensure the PCB’s long-term strategy of high-profile international cricket and the hosting of tournaments in Pakistan continues uninterrupted.”My mandate given to me by the government and by the media and by the people of Pakistan is that this has to be an honourable and reciprocal arrangement,” Sethi said. “We are happy to play in the Asia Cup but it can’t be that India refuses to come to Pakistan and then doesn’t allow us to even host few of our matches at a neutral venue. Don’t forget immediately after the Asia Cup, we have the World Cup coming and it’s going to be in India and it’s an ICC event. What happens if India doesn’t come to Pakistan or India torpedoes my hybrid model? I don’t think my government will allow me to go to India to play the World Cup.”The idea of this hybrid solution, and the possibility of the neutral leg being played in the UAE has not gone down well with the boards of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. They have raised logistic and operational objections as well as the heat in the UAE at that time of the year. Sethi insisted that as the host country, it was up to the PCB to decide where the neutral venue should be.”I am quite surprised that this idea is being floated unofficially by Sri Lanka and by Bangladesh,” he said. “In the last ACC meeting, which was about a month ago, we all agreed that it was imperative that Pakistan play the Asia Cup and without Pakistan there will be no Asia Cup. Nearly 80% of the revenues of the Asia Cup are from India-Pakistan matches of which, the way the schedule is structured, we play at least two of those and possibly three if we are both in final. The only objection Bangladesh made was that it’s going to be too hot in September in the UAE and that would be a problem. Then the other issue was logistics. The proposal that I submitted takes care of all logistic problems.”The PCB has also been keen to point out that both the 2018 and 2022 editions of the Asia Cup were played in the UAE in September.According to Sethi, time is running out to make a decision. The board, he said, required three months to prepare. “We need to reserve venues in the UAE or Sri Lanka or wherever we decide. Time has already run out, the ACC has to make a decision. We have made our position clear. I had a meeting with a high level ACC interlocutor two days ago in Dubai. He liked it, he said it is eminently workable. He said he would go back to [BCCI secretary and ACC president] Jay Shah and talk to him.”We need to resolve the first issue [of accepting the hybrid solution] and then we can sit across a table and decide where to play. We will be reasonable. The interolocuter said I have briefed Jay Shah about our meeting, he’s okay with it. He now wants to check with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. So let’s see where this goes.”As has been the case throughout the protracted negotiations of where this tournament ends up, Sethi raised the spectre of the consequences in case the worst happens with the Asia Cup. “There is a very distinct possibility [of Pakistan not playing in the World Cup] if we do not come to any solutions right now. I raised this issue in the ACC meeting we had in Bahrain and I invited the ICC chairman [Greg Barclay] to come and sit with us and hear what we are talking about.”The idea being that if the hybrid model works here, then we could well make it work in the World Cup. Meaning the Pakistan matches could be held in Bangladesh or the UAE, one hop away and we can sort it out and all other games in India. Why can’t India come to Pakistan and play? If India comes to Pakistan and plays, then we can go there and play and this matter will be resolved.”

Academy product follows Tongue and Pennington to Trent Bridge on three-year deal

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-2023Worcestershire have confirmed that Jack Haynes will leave at the end of the season to join Nottinghamshire.Haynes, 22, who came through Worcestershire’s academy and had been capped by England Lions, was out of contract and has agreed a three-year deal at Trent Bridge.A highly rated top-order batter, Haynes has impressed across formats since his first-team debut in 2019. He averages 34.91 in first-class cricket, with four hundreds, 42.63 in 11 List A appearances and has a T20 strike rate of 143.31.”Jack is already a good player though it his hunger to move his game forward that really excites me,” Nottinghamshire head coach, Peter Moores, said. “He has already gained valuable experience in red and white ball cricket, which gives him a great platform to build on going forward,””As a top-order batter in all formats he will strengthen our batting unit as well as adding healthy competition. We pride ourselves in helping players fulfil their potential and we have already seen many of our players move their games forwards at Trent Bridge.”We pride ourselves as a coaching team in creating opportunities for all our players to keep improving, knowing that as they improve, so do Notts. Helping players develop is one of the most exciting parts of coaching in my opinion.”Haynes made his England Lions debut in Sri Lanka over the winter and has also played for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred.”I’m really excited to move to Nottinghamshire,” Haynes said. “Trent Bridge is always a place I’ve loved coming to as a player; the club has a great feel about it, and the facilities and pitch are conducive to helping me develop as a cricketer.”When I sat down with Pete Moores and Ant Botha, they were both passionate about the direction of this squad, and how I can fit into it. I’m under no illusion that it’ll take hard work to nail down a place in the side and continue to grow in all formats, but Notts have a track record of taking on players and improving them to help them reach their potential.”Worcestershire have already seen two other homegrown players depart for Nottinghamshire this month, with Josh Tongue and Dillon Pennington making the move northeast, while another fast bowler, Pat Brown, has agreed to join Derbyshire.Worcestershire’s chief executive officer Ashley Giles said: “It is always disappointing to see a player nurtured by our own pathway and academy leave the club. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Jack every success in the future.”

Bangladesh’s spinners did their job, setting up a modest chase, but no batter apart from Nigar Sultana came good

Srinidhi Ramanujam11-Jul-2023

Deepti Sharma turned in an inspired bowling show, returning 3 for 12•BCCI

Bangladesh lost their last five wickets in the space of eight deliveries to fall eight short of India’s 95, giving India an unbeatable 2-0 series lead in the T20I series being played in Dhaka.Deepti Sharma and Minnu Mani spun a web around Bangladesh, with the two offspinners combining for five wickets, before Shafali Verma bowled an excellent last over with the game still in the balance.India escaped the blushes after posting only 95 for 8, their lowest total in T20Is against Bangladesh.In the chase, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana threatened to take the game away from India, with a responsible 55-ball 38, but was dismissed in the penultimate over with the team needing ten off eight balls.Shafali then picked up three wickets in the final over – which also featured a run-out – to finish the game.Overall, there were 35 overs of spin bowled in the match – the joint-second-highest in a women’s T20I, and 16 wickets fell to spinners.Fahima Khatun was outstanding on the day, returning 2 for 16 from her four overs•Raton Gomes/BCB

India made to toil for runsWhen Harmanpreet Kaur decided to bat first, she conceded that the team was looking to post 150 and defend it with spin, with the game being played on the same track as the first T20I. However, from having an opening stand of 33 in just 4.1 overs, India suffered a batting collapse and then huffed and puffed to 95 for 8.Varma started aggressively, hitting three fours in a row off pacer Marufa Akther – the only seamer used by Banglades. Then just when Smriti Mandhana seemed to get going, with a four each in the fourth and fifth overs, she fell to Nahida Akther’s slow left-arm spin, missing the length looking for a slog sweep. One down became three down in the final over of the powerplay when offspinner Sultana Khatun dismissed Shafali and Harmanpreet in two successive balls. She then picked up the wicket of Harleen Deol to end with 3 for 21. Fahima Khatun, meanwhile, returned 2 for 16.India toiled for runs throughout the game – there was not a single boundary from overs six to 13 – with Bangladesh spinners utilising their familiarity of conditions to tie the visitors down. Jemimah Rodrigues and Deol consumed 21 balls each to increase the tempo but couldn’t reach double digits. Amanjot Kaur, at No.8, notched up two boundaries in her 17-ball 14 to somewhat lift India.Bangladesh, on the other hand, were also excellent in the field, evident when Shorna Akther took a low running catch to remove Yastika Bhatia and then when Sobana Mostary back-pedaled to take a stunning catch to send Amanjot back.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Nigar’s resistance and India’s spin showOn a ‘spin to win’ surface, Harmanpreet used five spinners, including part-timers Rodrigues and Shafali to exert pressure. Overall, India bowled 19 overs of spin, with Pooja Vastrakar bowling just the solitary over. Minnu, playing her second international game, bowled four overs on the trot, including a maiden to finish with outstanding figures of 2 for 9. She removed opener Shamima Sultana in the second over of the chase, with a full delivery outside off stump, inducing a top edge to short fine leg. Ritu Moni became her second victim when she trapped her lbw, in the eighth.With the experienced Deepti operating too, India kept a lid on Bangladesh with regular wickets. Deepti scalped two and conceded just eight runs from her first three overs before taking the big wicket of Nigar in her final over.Barring Nigar, Bangladesh struggled to find runs easily. Nigar was calculative in her innings, to just rotate the strike and keep the scorecard ticking. Having lost four early wickets, she stitched a crucial 34-run partnership with Shorna and then put on 22 runs with Nahida for the fifth and sixth wicket, respectively. With 14 needed off 12 and five wickets in hand, Bangladesh were still in the game.But then came Deepti. After getting two lives – a catch was dropped, and a stumping chance was missed – Nigar was stumped by Yastika when she charged down the track and missed. When the equation came down to ten from six, Bangladesh fell like a pack of cards, losing four wickets in the 20th to hand India the series.