يستعد فريق المصري البورسعيدي، لخوض مواجهة هامة اليوم الأحد، أمام نظيره بلاك بولز الموزمبيقي، ضمن منافسات كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.
ويلتقي المصري مع بلاك بولز، على أرضية استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السادسة والأخيرة من بطولة الكونفدرالية.
ويتواجد المصري في المجموعة الرابعة من مجموعات كأس الكونفدرالية، رفقة الزمالك وإنيمبا النيجيري وبلاك بولز الموزمبيقي.
طالع أيضاً.. الزمالك يلاقي إنيمبا في مباراة تحصيل حاصل بـ الكونفدرالية
ويحتل المصري المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب المجموعة برصيد 6 نقاط، بينما يتواجد فريق بلاك بولز بالمركز الرابع والأخير ولديه 4 نقاط.
ويسعى فريق المصري للفوز بالمباراة، لحسم تأهله وهو بالمركز الثاني، إلى الدور المقبل رفقة الزمالك المتصدر برصيد 11 نقطة. موعد مباراة المصري وبلاك بولز في الكونفدرالية
تنطلق المباراة اليوم الأحد، في تمام الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، السابعة بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة المصري وبلاك بولز في الكونفدرالية
تنقل المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 7. معلق مباراة المصري وبلاك بولز اليوم
يتولى أحمد عبده مهمة التعليق على المباراة.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.
CEO Thabang Moroe says the board is financially secure and does not have to depend on a T20 league for sustainability
Firdose Moonda24-Aug-2018Cricket South Africa will decide by the middle of September if it will host a T20 league, and has strongly indicated that a second postponement is possible if the financial viability of the event is not secure. In its first public statement on the league since CEO Thabang Moroe confirmed a six-team tournament on July 31, CSA explained it will not pursue a T20 league “at all costs” and prefers an approach of “cautious optimism”.Earlier this week, CSA’s league suffered a major blow when pay-television broadcaster SuperSport announced it was withdrawing from its equity share of the new tournament, effectively leaving CSA to fund the event itself. SuperSport was due to hold a 49% share in the new league after CSA opted to move away from private ownership. Four of the eight owners of the original T20 Global League (GLT20) are considering legal action against CSA, further complicating the organisation’s plans to launch a new T20 league.CSA has been pushed so far back that it has been unable to announce domestic fixtures for a season that should start in a month, unable to address the parliament’s sports and recreation committee earlier this week, and has asked for a postponement while preparing for next month’s AGM while being unable to provide any detailed information to the provincial affiliates, players or fans. It aimed to put the last of those right with a lengthy statement on Friday afternoon, the crux of which is that CSA believes it is in a healthy enough financial position to minimise the need for a T20 league.”It is important to highlight that CSA is a profitable sporting federation and that much as we believe in the product, we do not have to host a T20 league to assure financial sustainability,” Moroe said. “The game of cricket in SA is in a healthy state as demonstrated by the growth in cricket development at grassroots levels, a healthy pipeline of young future talent, as well as women’s cricket that has progressed with leaps and bounds.”Despite losses of over R200 million (USD 14.1 million) following the failure of the inaugural GLT20, CSA said its annual financial statements would still show “substantial reserves”. Given that CSA’s research has shown that a T20 tournament can take anywhere between four and seven years to break even, it is no longer looking at a league as a way to obtain financial independence away from ICC grants, in the same way former CEO Haroon Lorgat was.Lorgat, who conceptualised the GLT20, believed CSA could lessen its reliance on “Big Three” tours (hosting India, England and Australia are the only profitable series for South Africa) by launching its own IPL-style league. That was one of the key reasons Lorgat sought private investment. Now that CSA does not regard a T20 league as a major cash-cow, its approach to the concept is completely different from Lorgat’s.The release mentioned a “toned-down” event from the original GLT20, which could accommodate for private ownership at some point in the future. It also noted that an equity investment was “not a prerequisite” for a tournament of this nature, indicating it could be completely in-house. Though CSA remains committed to pursuing “every possible opportunity” to launch the league this year, time pressures and the absence of any exact deal – be it equity, broadcast or sponsorship – means South Africa could go a second summer with a massive gap in the calendar.”CSA believes that this can become a global sport event on the national calendar. However, the desire to host such an event cannot be considered at all cost,” CSA’s release read. “In this regard the CSA approach to cautious optimism might not be a popular approach. As a responsible governing body, CSA must ensure that an aspirational event is not to the detriment of the bulk of many cricketing activities that currently serve players and supporters.”The T20 league is pencilled in for November-December, when there are no other international fixtures in the South African calendar. After hosting Zimbabwe until mid-October and a short white-ball trip to Australia in early November, South Africa do not play any cricket until Boxing Day, when Pakistan arrive.
ESPNcricinfo presents Plays of the Day for the fourth day of the third Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Wellington
Firdose Moonda in Wellington26-Mar-2012The substitute It’s not unusual to see South Africans who have become New Zealanders – the numbers reflect that almost 50,000 have emigrated here. One of them is Kruger van Wyk, who played in all three Test matches. Another is Barry Rhodes, a first-class cricketer with Wellington. Today, it was South Africa Rhodes turned out for, however. With the visitors carrying two injured players, in Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, and needing to send Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Robin Peterson home, they needed an extra fielder and Rhodes was it. A middle-order batsman, Rhodes was born in Port Elizabeth but now lives in Wellington, and has played four first-class games for them.Non-wicket of the day South Africa searched for wickets in the morning session but did not find the one that was staring at them. Brendon McCullum was on 22 when he inside edged off Marchant de Lange and was caught by Mark Boucher. De Lange’s appeal was stifled and no-one joined in. Replays showed there was definitely contact between bat and ball, and that Boucher completed the catch cleanly. Had South Africa reviewed it, they would have had McCullum even earlier.Duminy drops JP Duminy took a blow to the head while fielding at short leg on Sunday afternoon but the knock was not serious enough to cause any concussion. He did seem to be functioning at less than optimum though, when he put down three catches in the morning session. The first two were tough chances, off Martin Guptill’s outside edge. Both went to the left of Duminy at gully, which he could not reach despite diving full length. The third was far easier, off McCullum, when the ball was slashed straight to Duminy at catchable height above his knees, although it was dying on him. Now, he could not get his hands around it in time.Injury of the day The Test match has been headlined by injury so far and day four resulted in the first on the New Zealand side. Ross Taylor was the wounded party after he was smacked on the wrist by a Morne Morkel short ball and evidence of damage was immediate. Taylor’s left arm had grown a massive swelling in the minutes after the blow and he spent a substantial amount of time being treated by the physio and having magic spray applied. Although it did not look as though Taylor should continue, he chose to stay on but only lasted one ball before realising that he could not go on. He was taken to the hospital for scans and was diagnosed with a fractured forearm.Last laugh of the day Dale Steyn had to put up with jeers from the crowd after he let a ball sneak through his legs for four when he as fielding at mid-off – Kane Williamson drove a Marchant de Lange full toss solidly in Steyn’s direction, which quick should have picked up without much fuss. Instead, his little lapse of concentration gave the New Zealand crowd something to snigger about. It didn’t take long for Steyn to have the last laugh though. In the next over, Dean Brownlie top-edged a pull to fine leg and Steyn had to make good ground and judge it well to take the catch to his left. He crashlanded while completing it but was soon on his feet with a thumbs up for the crowd behind him, who had very little to say.
Manchester United deployed chiefs to watch one of their transfer targets live in action on Sunday, according to a fresh report that has emerged.
Erik ten Hag targeting new strikers
The Red Devils have Rasmus Hojlund and Anthony Martial as their two natural strikers as it stands, but it’s clear to see that the club need to add another centre-forward to their ranks considering the little impact the pair have been able to make this season.
The Old Trafford summer signing is yet to record a single goal or assist in the Premier League (Transfermarkt – Hojlund statistics), while The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that the hierarchy are expected to let Martial leave on a free transfer upon the expiration of his deal at the end of the season (Man United contracts).
With Erik ten Hag therefore on the hunt for reinforcements, Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy has been identified as a potential target, with the 27-year-old having firmly established himself as Sebastian Hoeness’ overall best-performing player this term with a match rating of 7.85 (WhoScored – Stuttgart statistics).
Earlier this month, Guinea’s international was the subject of an approach from the top-flight giants who have added him to their list of targets despite not making any kind of offer, and if the following update is to be believed, it sounds like they have now taken their admiration yet another step further ahead of January.
Man United scout Guirassy
According to 90min, Man United had representatives watching Guirassy over the weekend, but they weren’t alone in their trip to see the Stuttgart talisman.
“Manchester United were among the teams who had scouts present at the Allianz Arena on Sunday to watch striker Serhou Guirassy, whose Stuttgart side were beaten 3-0 by Bayern Munich, sources have confirmed to 90min.
"90min understands representatives from United were in Bavaria to keep an eye on Guirassy, while Fulham, West Ham and Milan also had officials in attendance for similar reasons.”
The report then adds that contact has previously been made over a possible move, although the Red Devils aren't the only club who could sign the forward.
"Guirassy's representatives were confident of sealing a move to a Premier League side during the January transfer window. United – as well as Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle, Tottenham and Wolves – have been contacted about a possible deal, while Bournemouth, Brentford and Crystal Palace have also scouted him this season."
Stuttgart strikerSerhou Guirassy.
Guirassy is an "outrageous" striker
In the Bundesliga this season, Guirassy has been absolutely on fire having posted 17 contributions, 16 goals and one assist, in just 13 appearances, showing how prolific he can be in the final third, and he’s able to pose a constant threat to the opposition’s defence (Transfermarkt – Guirassy statistics).
Standing at 6 foot 1, Arles’ native has recorded 42 shots over the course of the campaign which is more than any other of his fellow teammates, highlighting what a standout performer he is in the attacking areas compared to his peers (FBRef – Stuttgart statistics).
As dubbed by Seb Stafford-Bloor, Guirassy is in “outrageous” form this season, and with his versatility to operate out wide on the left wing available if needs be, this could be seen as a no-brainer of a deal to pursue in 2024.
Arsenal have been given a boost after learning that one of their sidelined players is set to return from injury on international duty, according to a reliable journalist.
Arsenal injury news
The Gunners currently have Ben White, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Jurrien Timber out on the sidelines with their own respective problems as it stands, but the club have recently received an encouraging update on the fitness of Martin Odegaard. The Emirates Stadium captain is expected to be available for selection again upon the return of domestic action, and if the following update is to be believed, he might not be the only one who is ready to stage his comeback in the Premier League.
During October’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the Champions League, Gabriel Jesus sustained a serious hamstring problem and he’s been out ever since, but the striker was still surprisingly called up to represent his country, Brazil, over the international break.
Mikel Arteta’s centre-forward reported for duty despite knowingly missing the first fixture of the fortnight, though ahead of his nation’s second game vs Argentina on Wednesday, the 26-year-old has returned to the grass and is set to be at the disposal of his manager.
Gabriel Jesus expected to stage comeback
Taking to X, Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Jesus has returned to training and is expected to be in the matchday squad for Brazil's midweek encounter, which of course will be music to the ears of Arteta and Arsenal.
On Sunday, he wrote: "Gabriel Jesus in full training today for Brazil and ready to be part of Diniz's squad for the upcoming game. Positive news for #AFC as he’s set to be back with Arteta’s squad soon."
Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal have a "sensational" striker in Jesus
During his time at Arsenal, Jesus has racked up 24 involvements, 15 goals and nine assists, in 44 appearances since putting pen to paper (Transfermarkt – Jesus statistics), so the fact that he will soon be back in the starting line-up will be a huge boost for Arteta.
Sponsored by Adidas, Sao Paulo’s native ranks in the 96th percentile for most attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area (FBRef – Jesus statistics), highlighting his desire to create as many chances as possible for himself and his peers in the final third.
Passing
Key passes
Dribbling
Finishing
Headed attempts
Defensive contribution (Data via WhoScored)
Furthermore, Edu’s talisman is even capable of operating out wide on both the left and right flanks alongside his usual role when leading the line through the middle, with his versatility making it easier for the manager to alter his team selection or formation should he want to have several of his best stars on the pitch at the same time.
As per journalist Josh Bunting, Jesus is a “sensational” player and the positive impact he's had on the side since joining last summer is clear to see, so his imminent return to top-flight action will be massively welcomed by everyone at the Emirates Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur return to action in the Premier League on Monday night, facing off against London rivals Chelsea on home turf, with the Blues headed by former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.
There will not be too much upset surrounding the Argentinian manager's choice of stomping ground given Ange Postecoglou's resounding success in reviving the north London club since the summer, but there will be added emphasis on securing another victory nonetheless.
Despite enduring a torrid season last year, Tottenham have completely transformed their fortunes after Postecoglou's appointment, and despite the sale of club record scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in August, the worries that the downward trajectory was set to initiate the dog days have been expunged.
With eight victories and two draws in the Premier League thus far, Tottenham's endeavours are in stark contrast to the stuttering travails of Chelsea, who finished in the bottom half last year and remain away from the division's forefront despite lucrative expenditure.
A win would extend Spurs' brilliant start to the 2022/23 season and preserve the table-topping position in the Premier League, though there is a possible defensive quandary to contend with.
Tottenham team news vs Chelsea
Both Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies are fitness concerns, and while both might be in contention to play, it looks like a late call will need to be made.
The dilemma is exacerbated by the long-term absence of Ivan Perisic, with the 34-year-old out of contract at the end of the season and possibly never to play in London again.
Manor Solomon and Ryan Sessegnon are still stuck on the sidelines, but the Lilywhites will be able to maintain the core of their successful team this season, so far unafflicted by any long-term setbacks of significance.
Brennan Johnson returned from injury last week to set up Heung-min Son's ultimately decisive strike against Crystal Palace, leaving Postecoglou with a decision to make regarding Richarlison's role against Chelsea tomorrow night.
The numbers behind why Brennan Johnson should start vs Chelsea
Having signed from divisional rivals Nottingham Forest in August for a reported fee of £47.5m, Johnson's fledgling phase in white was blighted by a knee issue sustained against Arsenal on his first start, having yet to receive a second starting berth.
The £70k-per-week attacker, capable of competing across the frontline, would bring energy and directness to the Tottenham frontline and is a custom-made alternative to Richarlison, who has improved after foundering during the 2022/23 campaign but still remains below the level he reached at his zenith with Everton.
Indeed, the Brazilian has been described as "very frustrating" to watch by talkSPORT pundit Ally McCoist and seemingly isn't maximising his potential after joining from Everton for £60m last summer, though he has registered two goals and three assists this season after only scoring one Premier League goal last year.
As per FBref, Johnson ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and tackles per 90, illustrating his electric presence and robustness.
Postecoglou clearly doesn't shake things up with any regularity, instead opting for stability and cohesion in his preferred starting XI, but Johnson has done enough to warrant an opportunity from the get-go and could make the difference against Chelsea.
In the centre of the park, Spurs are now bolstered by the galvanising return of Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been out injured since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee back in February, making his return off the bench against the Eagles last time out.
The numbers behind why Rodrigo Bentancur should start vs Chelsea
Tottenham signed Bentancur from Juventus for around £21.5m in January 2022, with Dejan Kulusevski also arriving on a loan deal, having now made that move permanent.
The £75k-per-week Bentancur impressed in the early stages of his Spurs career and started 16 Premier League matches – creating four assists – in the latter half of the 2021/22 year as Antonio Conte's side secured Champions League football with a top-four finish, with the 54-cap Uruguay international having made 45 total appearances for his current club, posting six goals and assists apiece.
Of course, it would take a Herculean effort to displace one of Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr at the moment, with Postecoglou's dynamic duo turbo-charging the engine room and playing a central role in the seasonal ascendancy.
#
Player
Club
1
Gavi
Barcelona
2
Adrien Rabiot
Juventus
3
Manuel Locatelli
Juventus
4
Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa
5
Konrad Laimer
Bayern Munich
*Sourced by Football Transfers
But Bentancur, aged 26, is a proven Premier League player and impressed in instances last season despite his outfit's general malaise, having previously been hailed as "technically immense" by broadcaster Adam Smith.
Indeed, as per Sofascore, the former Old Lady star only started 17 matches in the Premier League last season but banged in five goals, supplied two assists, completed 85% of his passes, made 2.5 tackles per game and succeeded with 66% of his dribble attempts.
As per FBref, the 6 foot midfielder ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 17% for tackles per 90, emphasising a rounded, dynamic threat that could be valuable in disrupting the Blues.
Of course, Bentancur's availability will be reliant on positive fitness tests throughout the week, with it set to be a bold call if he is handed his first start of the season against the Blues following his lengthy injury layoff.
While such cases are never seamless, the Uruguayan does appear to be in the best condition that could be expected, and Postecoglou will assess whether an opportunity from the outset could be feasible, with perhaps an introduction after the break a possibility, inflicting damage on a Chelsea side battered by a possible earlier onslaught.
If he does find his name on the starting teamsheet, then his natural faculty for finding the back of the net and past success across the various elements of the midfield game could set him in good stead to make his mark against a Chelsea side that will strive to take control of the midfield, negating the host's threat.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a difficult start to the Premier League season as they have only won two of their opening eight matches.
Gary O'Neil was brought in to replace Julen Lopetegui over the summer and the former Bournemouth head coach has lost four of his eight league games in charge of the club so far.
These results have left the Old Gold 14th in the table and four points above the bottom three with 30 outings left to go before the end of the campaign.
Goalscoring has been a problem area for a number of years at Wolves and not much has changed in that regard as they have found the back of the net nine times in eight games.
Daniel Podence
Six
Ruben Neves
Six
Hee-chan Hwang
Three
Adama Traore
Two
Matheus Cunha
Two
Wolves' top-five scorers last season (via WhoScored)
The January transfer window opens in just over two months and that will provide O'Neil with the opportunity to dip into the market to add another attacking option, if their lack of production in front of goal continues between now and then.
One player whom the English boss should look to reignite his interest in is Leicester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho, who could be a big upgrade on Matheus Cunha.
Were Wolves interested in Iheanacho?
Football Insider reported in August that Wolves were keen on a deal to snap up the Nigeria international before the deadline during the summer transfer window.
Iheanacho, who was signed by the Foxes from Manchester City for a reported fee of £25m in 2017, was said to be content at the King Power and that the club needed to persuade him to ditch his current team.
Ultimately, the former Cityzens marksman remained with the Championship side and has been a star within the EFL so far this season.
Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
However, his current contract with Leicester is due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 campaign and this could open the door to a possible move in January.
Unless he puts pen to paper on a new deal before the start of next year, the Foxes will risk losing him for nothing in the summer if they opt against cashing in on the talented ace during the next transfer window.
Therefore, Wolves could swoop in with an offer to ensure that Leicester are compensated for his departure and offer the player a return to the Premier League, eight months faster than he would via promotion with the second-tier outfit.
How many goals has Iheanacho scored this season?
The Nigerian dynamo has scored five goals in all competitions for his club this season and recently scored in a friendly against Saudi Arabia for his country.
Iheanacho has racked up four goals and one assist in six Championship starts for Enzo Maresca's side, and has outperformed his xG by 0.11. He also has a reason to be frustrated with his teammates as they have only scored once from the three 'big chances' that the left-footed whiz has created.
Sofascore rating
7.7
Goals
One
Chances created
Two
Big chances created
One
Dribble success rate
100%
Iheanacho's most recent Leicester performance (via Sofascore)
The ex-Manchester City prospect showcased his talent as a scorer and a creator throughout the 2023/24 campaign so far but that has been expected of him, due to his form at Premier League level in recent seasons.
How many Premier League goals has Iheanacho scored?
He has racked up 42 goals and 28 assists in 196 Premier League matches over the course of his career with City and Leicester combined.
Between the 2020/21 and 2022/23 campaigns, Iheanacho plundered an eye-catching 21 goals and 18 'big chances' created in 40 league starts for the Foxes.
Last term, the 27-year-old whiz scored five goals and provided five assists in 11 top-flight starts, whilst he also produced seven 'big chances' for his teammates at the top end of the pitch.
In fact, Iheanacho ranked within the top 4% of his positional peers at Premier League level for assists (0.40), xAG (0.32), and shot-creating actions (3.59) per 90 last season.
These statistics suggest that the Nigeria international is an exceptional creative threat from a number nine position, who is also able to chip in with goals of his own.
Meanwhile, no Wolves player managed more than two league assists and no one with at least 20 starts scored more than three goals for the club, as per WhoScored.
How many goals has Cunha scored for Wolves?
Cunha, on the other hand, has scored three goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances for the Old Gold in all competitions since the start of the year.
The Brazil international, who joined from Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal during the summer, spent the first five months of 2023 on loan and contributed with two goals and one 'big chance' created in 11 Premier League starts.
Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
He has followed that up with a less-than-impressive start to the current campaign with one goal and two 'big chances' created in eight league starts for the club.
Cunha does not rank within the top 25% of his positional peers in any of the aforementioned creative statistics that the Leicester star excelled in last season, which suggests that his creativity does not make up for his lack of goal threat.
Should Wolves sign Iheanacho?
Taking their respective statistics into account, O'Neil must reignite his interest in Iheanacho in January as he could provide far more quality as both a scorer and a creator at the top end of the pitch.
The Old Gold should swoop to sign the £90k-per-week gem, who was once dubbed "incredible" by ex-boss Brendan Rodgers, and take advantage of his contract situation in order to bolster their squad for the second half of the campaign.
It remains to be seen how much it would take to snap him up from the Championship side, as he has been a star in the EFL this term, but his form within the top two tiers of English football in recent years suggests that the gem would be a fantastic signing.
O'Neil could improve his Wolves team and add more goals to his attack by bringing Iheanacho in to replace Cunha at the top end of the pitch.
The hosts are looking to avoid a repeat of the chastening defeat in the third ODI, in which they were bowled out for 67
The Preview by Danyal Rasool19-Jul-2018
Fakhar Zaman en route to a matchwinning 91•AFP
Big Picture You might as well bring out all the clichés. If this was a boxing match, the referee would indeed have stopped it by now. If it was a tennis match, the chair umpire would have called “game, set, match” and pronounced it a straight-sets victory for Pakistan. But this is cricket, after all, and both sides must play through to the bitter end in the upcoming two games where the only potential outcome is further embarrassment and farce.After looking at Zimbabwe’s squad following the second ODI, it was hard to see what changes they could make to try and make this series more competitive. Nothing jumped out. After the third ODI, it wasn’t hard to see why. Zimbabwe rung the changes, perhaps for no other reason than something had to be done. The outcome was devastating. Zimbabwe plunged new depths, getting bowled out for 67, with Pakistan chasing it down in under 10 overs. The average T20 game lasts longer.It isn’t clear by now what Pakistan can learn in the last two games. They could, of course, try out new players, but would how they perform really be an indication of their talent or the inadequacy of the hosts? Will the young, inexperienced Zimbabwe side thrown into the deep end at this hour of crisis suffer scarring due to the crushing nature of the defeats?One good thing to come out of this, however, may be that it hastens both parties in Zimbabwe to the negotiating table. Zimbabwe Cricket would have seen the lack of depth to their international side, and realised they can ill-afford yet another player exodus, particularly when so much was invested to secure the return of cricketers like Brendan Taylor. The players, on the other hand, may not like becoming scapegoats for the shambolic performance of the national side this series, and could be more partial to agreeing a settlement.Pakistan, on the other hand, just need to keep the intensity up; this is a test of professionalism as much as anything else. Playing against a side so vastly inferior to their own, ensuring standards remain high and concentration doesn’t dip can present a real challenge. In the face of scarce resistance from the opposition, a mindset of complacency might be the only hazard they’d need to guard against.Form guideZimbabwe LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first) Pakistan WWWLLIn the spotlightPeter Moor has been given the license to take the gloves off – quite literally. Having been relieved of his wicketkeeping duties, he’s effectively been asked to earn his place on batting performances alone. With the possibility of sevral players coming back into the side for the next series, depending on how negotiations go, a lot of players from this squad will make way. Moor’s ability with the bat promises much, but an average of 18.44 in 34 ODIs suggests he hasn’t nearly made the most of it. A half-century in the second ODI was sandwiched between scores of 1 and 2, and consistent performances have been hard to come by for the 27-year-old. He will be fully aware his long-term place in the side could hinge on his scores in the following two games, and he has the ability to make them impressive ones.Peter Moor has his stumps shattered•AFP
For Pakistan once more, it is likely the bowling attack will determine how competitive the fourth ODI will be. Regardless of who plays in the final XI, every single bowler on tour has the ability to blow the hosts away. You might as well draw lots. Faheem Ashraf and Junaid Khan were the chief destroyers on Wednesday, Usman Khan the game before, and Shadab Khan in the opener. Pakistan’s bowlers are sharing the wickets around, and there’s no reason to think that should change in what remains of this tour.Team newsHaving made several changes in the third game and seen them backfire spectacularly, Zimbabwe could revert to the relative safety of their XIs from the first two games, where at least some respectability was preserved.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Brian Chari/Prince Masvaure, 2 Chamu Chibhabha, 3 Hamilton Masakadza (capt), 4 Tarisai Musakanda, 5 Ryan Murray (wk), 6 Peter Moor, 7 Donald Tiripano, 8 Liam Roche/Tendai Chisoro, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Blessing MuzarbaniHaving put on a flawless display on Wednesday, Pakistan may be tempted to give the same eleven another run out, especially since they weren’t particularly stretched during a game that ended half an hour before the lunch break.Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Asif Ali, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Yasir Shah, 10 Junaid Khan, 11 Usman KhanPitch and conditionsThe weather is once more expected to be cold, and the pitch flat.Stats and trivia Sarfraz Ahmed hasn’t been called upon to bat much over the past year. Since the semi-finals of last year’s Champions Trophy, he hasn’t batted in seven of Pakistan’s 15 ODIs. In the eight innings he has walked out to the crease, he has scored 98 runs at 16.33. No player in the current Zimbabwe squad has a five-wicket haul in ODIs. Wellington Masakadza has the best figures, with 4 for 21 in a game against Afghanistan in 2015.
Covid-19, and the surfeit of cricket, has led to India fielding a record number of players. We have the details here
ESPNcricinfo stats team, Mathew Varghese, Illustration by Kshiraja K10-Aug-2022Forty-eight players turned out for the India men’s team in 2021. In 2022, so far, the number is 39. India have made the most of their strength in depth in the Covid-19 era, with 54 players finding a place in their first XIs across 74 international matches since the start of 2021. And there have been a fair few captains too. Who has played the most, and which format has seen the most players used? This cool graphic tells you.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Imran Khan and Javed Miandad started out as polar opposites but then settled into a marriage of convenience where each understood the other, perhaps better than others around them
Saad Shafqat17-Aug-2010They were matched, yet mismatched; cozy allies, yet bitter rivals; bound by a common vision and purpose, yet also pushed apart by their backgrounds and polarised temperaments. At some point during their contemporaneous careers for Pakistan, Imran Khan and Javed Miandad grasped the prisoner’s dilemma that circumstances had thrust upon them. Somehow they saw through the fog of bitterness and understood that they were better off collaborating than fighting. In the process, enough magic was unleashed to launch a golden age.They say momentous eras are appreciated only in retrospect, but in this case, even at the time, most people were on to the fact. A landmark ODI victory in Sharjah, inaugural Test series wins in India and England, a contest for the ages on West Indian soil, and – the cherry on the cake – the World Cup in 1992. Pakistan had never come upon such riches before and haven’t since.Imran was born in 1952, Miandad in 1957. Their international debuts were four years apart, yet their rise to international fame was separated only by months. In 1976-77, Pakistan’s great watershed season, Miandad made 504 runs from three Tests against New Zealand at 126, and Imran took 12 wickets in Sydney in Pakistan’s first Test win in Australia. Team photographs from that period show these two standing at the edges with bemused, innocent expressions. They appear to have no awareness of the historic accomplishments that are to be their fate.From these spectacular starts, they prospered and went from strength to strength, evolving a relationship that, to paraphrase Imran’s biographer Christopher Sandford, was to be the making of modern Pakistani cricket. Despite this vital collaboration, it is no secret that these two did not quite see eye to eye. Even today it is difficult to extract praise from one for the other without a touch of grudge.Much has been made of the Lahore-Karachi rivalry as the basis for the tensions between Imran and Miandad, but it probably had more to do with the taboo subject of social class. Both were burdened by it in their own way – one by having less, the other by having more. Approaching each other warily, they communicated the natural reactions of their ilk, and the resentments built up. Class may be a sensitive and uncomfortable topic, but it is one to which cricket – a sport that once distinguished between gentlemen and players – is hardly alien.The slights Miandad perceived are specific, while Imran’s are vague. In 1982, Imran declared on a featherbed pitch when Miandad was 280 not out and looked good for 400; this still gets Miandad seething. Imran was also the lynchpin in the rebellion against Miandad’s initial spell of captaincy in 1981; this also continues to rankle. On the other hand, Imran’s gripes are more about Miandad’s scheming, penchant for confrontation, and capacity for political intrigue.There wasn’t a eureka moment, but sometime in the mid-1980s a penetrating hunger for team success forced them both to put their visceral feelings aside. Strip Imran of his cricket and he would still be accepted into Pakistan’s most rarefied postcolonial enclaves; strip Miandad of his cricket and questions would be asked. The mutual genius of the two was to invert the premise of this hypothetical: instead of eliminating cricket attributes from their assessment of each other, they eliminated class attributes. Miandad still remains Pakistan’s best batsman, and Imran Pakistan’s best cricketer. This was the stark realisation.Arguably, Miandad conceded more. Forced to make way for Imran, he was stripped of the captaincy and left friendless. He could have squandered his promise and burned out with anger and paranoia, yet he pulled himself together to faithfully serve as Imran’s primary tactical advisor and Pakistan’s batting mainstay. His family and friends helped, but the single biggest factor behind this turnaround was that Imran succeeded in earning his respect. The general view of Miandad conjuring up tactics and Imran barking the commands and motivating the troops is largely correct. There have been matches – the Bangalore Test from 1987 is perhaps the best example – when they were practically co-captains. By the late 1980s these two were essentially a team within the team.
Arguably, Miandad conceded more. Forced to make way for Imran, he was stripped of the captaincy and left friendless. He could have squandered his promise and burned out, yet he pulled himself together to faithfully serve as Imran’s primary tactical advisor and Pakistan’s batting mainstay
Anecdotes are aplenty on this subject. A perennial favourite dates to Pakistan’s round-robin match against South Africa in the World Cup of 1992. After a heartbreaking defeat in which Pakistan found themselves on the wrong side of the rain-interruption rule, Imran thundered into the pavilion and flung his bat across the dressing room. The rest of the team made itself scarce.Photojournalist Iqbal Munir decided this was the moment to take a picture and stepped forward, but Wasim Akram stopped him. “Where do you think you’re going?” said Akram. “The only person who can approach Imran right now is Javed.” Sure enough, within minutes Miandad was at Imran’s side, pacifying, counselling, cajoling.The one blemish in Pakistan’s otherwise idyllic era had been a heartbreaking loss in the 1987 World Cup semi-final in Lahore, where Imran and Miandad were separated during a crucial partnership. But it turned out to be a necessary setback that would prepare them for the ultimate finale. Five years later they found themselves in a World Cup final in Melbourne, and Miandad was walking out to join Imran at 24 for 2. Imran by this time was in the twilight of his career and Miandad nearly so. Pakistan being Pakistan, another wicket meant certain collapse. Miandad notes in his autobiography that they barely uttered a word to each other during what became a 139-run title-winning partnership. After all those years and all those ups and downs, there was no longer any need for it.Today, Imran may be a marginalised politician and Miandad a marginalised cricket administrator, but in statistical archives, in history books, and indeed in the hearts and minds of the cricket-following public, they sit at the two ends of Pakistan cricket’s table of grandmasters. Every now and then they can still be seen delivering some opinionated critique on television. It isn’t quite the same as watching them play, but it’s not a bad substitute. The style, vigour, wit and – most charmingly – deadpan disdain, are all there.Recently, during an ODI in Dubai, television cameras captured the two watching the action, seated next to each other on plush sofas, absorbed in conversation. Imran, sporting dark glasses, appeared regal, declarative and forthright; Miandad appeared dismissive, cutting and often incredulous. Perhaps in deference to the die-hard, they seemed to be enacting the same old roles that had made them legends.