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It took just 15 deliveries into the fifth day for the visitors to take the last two wickets

Himanshu Agrawal06-Jan-2025

It had to be Rashid Khan. After starring in each of Afghanistan’s previous three Test wins – in Dehradun, Chattogram and Abu Dhabi – he wrapped Zimbabwe up with a match haul of 11 for 160 in Bulawayo. That included career-best figures of 7 for 66 in the second innings, with expectations of a thrilling finish being quashed only 15 deliveries into the final morning. Zimbabwe were 73 runs away from victory, with all hopes from their captain Craig Ervine. Afghanistan needed two good balls to finish the game off.But even the short span of play on the fifth day was enough for plenty of drama. The day started with exactly what Afghanistan wanted: Rashid bowling to Zimbabwe’s No. 10 Richard Ngarava. Four balls into play, Afghanistan got exactly what they wanted – almost. Ngarava skied an attempted slice off Rashid, and the ball popped up behind the man at silly point. Hashmatullah Shahidi, placed at cover, moved to his right. Fareed Ahmad, at point, stepped to his left.With his attention divided between the dipping ball and the approaching Fareed, Shahidi dropped Ngarava. Rashid couldn’t hold back an angry expression towards his captain, who had stretched both his hands out, only for the ball to never stick. Ngarava survived, but for hardly any longer.Ngarava did play out the remaining two deliveries of the over to ensure Ervine had the strike for the next. Starting on his overnight score of 53, and being the last recognised batter, he had a spread-out field to play with. After turning down two singles, Ervine decided he should go for the third. He drove Yamin Ahmadzai towards deep extra cover, where the man was placed only about three-fourths of the way to the boundary.Shahidullah collected the ball while chasing it forward, and fired a flat throw at the wicketkeeper. Perhaps not expecting Ervine to go for the run that early in the over, Ngarava was late to take off. But Ervine was well down the pitch by that time, and wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai whipped the bails off with Ngarava miles short.Last man Blessing Muzarabani defended the next two deliveries and left the third one alone. Ervine again took strike for the next over, with Zimbabwe having yet to add to their overnight score. Rashid went short for the first two balls, but pitched it much fuller the third time. The ball landed just outside off, turned in, and struck Ervine in front as he missed an attempted sweep.Rashid and his mates went up right away, even as umpire Ahsan Raza’s finger took its time to show up. But it eventually did, although the first impression was of the ball missing leg stump. However, there was no DRS to turn to, leaving the Afghanistan players jumping and celebrating.It was a come-from-behind win fashioned by centuries from Rahmat Shah and debutant Ismat Alam in the second innings, which Afghanistan had started 86 runs in the arrears. Not to be left behind with the bat, Rashid even contributed what turned out to be crucial innings of 25 and 23.As a result, Afghanistan took the two-match series 1-0 after a high-scoring draw in the first Test, and left Zimbabwe with a series win across each of the three formats.

Newcastle United are preparing for a significant shake-up in their forward line.

As uncertainty continues to surround Alexander Isak’s future, the club’s recruitment team have been working behind the scenes to line up a replacement.

The player they’ve identified won’t command the same fee as Isak, nor is he yet a household name in English football.

But what he does offer is an athletic profile and goal-scoring instinct that aligns with Eddie Howe’s system and, crucially, with Newcastle’s newest attacking addition: Anthony Elanga.

Big-money striker on the horizon for Newcastle

According to reports from Italy, Benjamin Šeško has agreed to personal terms with Newcastle on a contract that would keep him at the club until 2030.

The report reads that ‘Sesko has an agreement in principle’ at St James’ Park, but the club are now focused on reaching an agreement with RB Leipzig, where Šeško is under contract until 2029.

Newcastle have admired Šeško for some time, and it’s easy to see why their interest has reignited, even if he is valued at around £60m.

The 22-year-old striker enjoyed a successful season at Leipzig, scoring 21 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions, including 13 in the Bundesliga.

This return is all the more impressive when you consider Leipzig’s underwhelming campaign: a seventh-place finish domestically and an early Champions League exit.

Why Elanga and Sesko makes sense

Elanga’s arrival from Nottingham Forest has already added a new dimension to Newcastle’s attacking patterns, scoring in their clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

Well, at Forest, Elanga found chemistry with Chris Wood.

While the Kiwi striker offered a traditional physical presence, it was his understanding of Elanga’s timing and delivery that allowed the pair to combine effectively.

“He’s so good at taking out his opposite number and then finding me,” Wood said. “We’ve developed a great partnership; he anticipates my movements and I his.”

Newcastle now appear to be betting on a similar dynamic – only this time, with a more mobile and higher-ceiling version of Wood.

At 194cm tall, Šeško offers a commanding physical presence, but his game is more than just height and strength.

He possesses impressive acceleration and mobility for his size, a rare combination that has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland.

Compared to Isak, Šeško trails in some attacking metrics. He recorded 18 goal involvements to Isak’s 29, with non-penalty expected goals of 8.4 to Isak’s 17.2.

According to data from FBref, his shot on target percentage (43.9%) actually slightly edges out Isak’s (43.2%), while his per-90 metrics for touches (36.2 vs. Isak’s 35.7) and shots on target (1.10 vs. 1.34) show he is consistently involved in forward play.

Šeško’s style complements Elanga’s perfectly. With his aerial dominance and ability to make sharp near-post runs, he becomes a natural target for Elanga’s whipped deliveries.

Last season, the Sweden international quietly posted some of the most creative numbers in the Premier League: 11 assists, with per-90 metrics placing him in the 94th percentile for both assists (0.40) and crosses (6.66), and the 93rd percentile for corners (3.09).

Šeško’s physicality means he can pin defenders and create space for Elanga to operate in wide areas, much like Wood did at Forest, but with more pace and finesse.

That pairing has the potential to be devastating. Elanga thrives when he has a clear reference point to aim for, a striker who knows how to time his movement and get across defenders.

Šeško, for all his physical gifts, has also shown sharp spatial awareness in the box.

His knack for finding space between centre-backs was a constant theme in his Bundesliga goals, and if he can build rapport with Elanga, Newcastle could unlock a new attacking avenue.

Under Howe, whose team press high and look to create quick attacking moments, Šeško’s physical tools and directness could be better leveraged.

What’s also enticing for Newcastle is the long-term potential. Still just 22, the Slovenian is younger than Isak.

His statistical profile is promising, but not yet polished, meaning Newcastle have the chance to mould him into a true Premier League forward.

With the striker reportedly ready to take the next step in his career, a Premier League move feels timely.

For now, the negotiations continue. But should Newcastle seal the deal, they won’t just be replacing Isak. In Šeško and Elanga, they could be assembling a modern-day duo with real chemistry – one that could trouble even the Premier League’s strongest defences.

Better signing than Wissa: Newcastle open talks to sign "the new Haaland"

With Alexander Isak potentially set to leave, and a move for Yoane Wissa now off the table, Newcastle have enquired about signing a “powerful” striker

By
Ben Gray

Jul 28, 2025

Tottenham are in glaring need of a new number 10 and an alternative to James Maddison after the Englishman’s fresh injury nightmare, and Thomas Frank will be ruing their missed opportunities to bring one in this summer.

Spurs’ emotional Seoul farewell to club legend Son Heung‑min soured last Sunday when Maddison was forced off on a stretcher late into their 1-1 pre-season draw with Newcastle.

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

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The former Leicester City star – having just recovered from a knee injury which sidelined him at the end of 2024/2025 – came on in the 75th minute and lasted barely ten minutes before collapsing in agony, clutching that same knee. Frank didn’t sugarcoat it.

The Dane confirmed it was “bad” and the same knee that sidelined Maddison in May, ruling him out of Europa League final glory, with the 28-year-old now expected to face yet another lengthy lay-off in a major headache for Frank.

Maddison was poised to be the creative heartbeat of Frank’s new-look Spurs side this season – especially with Son waving goodbye to the club after 10 years and fellow chief creator, Dejan Kulusevski, also out injured.

Daniel Levy has already splashed £117 million on the signings of Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kota Takai, Kevin Danso and a loan deal for Joao Palhinha, but losing Maddison leaves the attack dangerously thin.

Tottenham were on the verge of signing Morgan Gibbs-White this time last month, which would’ve solved this problem.

They even scheduled a medical for the 25-year-old ahead of a £60 million move (BBC), but Nottingham Forest blocked the transfer, wrote a letter to Spurs threatening legal action and, to rub salt in the wound, tied Gibbs-White down with a club-record new deal.

Spurs are still in hot pursuit of a new playmaker, listing it as one of their chief priorities before deadline day on September 1 (Alasdair Gold), and there are a few Gibbs-White alternatives to keep aware of.

Despite RB Leipzig’s approach for Liverpool star Harvey Elliott, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook suggests that the England Under-21 sensation could emerge as a target for Spurs, while Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has also been linked with a move to N17.

Tottenham favourites to sign Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid

Another outside-the-box option could be former Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher.

While more traditionally used as a defensive anchor, the Englishman can play further forward in a traditional centre-midfield role and, more importantly, as a CAM.

According to Football Espana, Tottenham are seen as the most likely destination for Gallagher this summer, following reports that Atlético Madrid will let him go for a fee of up to £44 million.

FE report that Levy is considering a bid for the 25-year-old, so this could be one to watch as Spurs ponder offering Gallagher a route back to London after just over 12 months in the Spanish capital.

“Conor Gallagher is a hardworking player, with quality, a good presence, recovers balls, and always gives his maximum in every situation,” said Atlético boss Diego Simeone.

“He came with a lot of enthusiasm, and we need that kind of player in the midfield because he makes us better.”

During his final season at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher averaged their second-highest average of key passes per 90 in the top flight behind Cole Palmer (WhoScored) – bagging nine assists in all competitions to boot.

Mauricio Pochettino used him in an attacking midfield role regularly during that time too, and Gallagher would also help to fill Spurs’ ‘locally trained’ Champions League quota.

تحدث سيد عبد الحفيظ، نجم الأهلي السابق، عن اجتماعه مع محمود الخطيب، رئيس القلعة الحمراء، خلال الساعات القليلة الماضية.

وقال سيد عبد الحفيظ، عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “كنت متواجدًا لمدة ساعة في النادي الأهلي مع الكابتن (الخطيب)، ولا يوجد شيء رسمي أستطيع أن أتحدث عنه”.

طالع.. وليد صلاح الدين: اتخذنا قرارين في الأهلي.. تريزيجيه ظُلم وهذا موعد عودة زيزو

وتابع: “لدي بعض الأمور والمعتقدات التي قد تريحنا قليلًا، فهناك أشياء داخل النادي وأنت مسؤول لا يصح أن تقولها، وكذلك وأنا خارج النادي لا يصح أن أقولها، وأنا راضٍ جدًا وكل شيء قسمة ونصيب”.

وأكمل: “الشيء الذي يمنحك الحب والقوة هو أن تكون ابن الأهلي، وأتمنى أن أخدمه في الفترة المقبلة حتى لو من خلال موقع المسؤولية”.

وأتم بخصوص موقفه من خوض انتخابات الأهلي: “متى يكون القرار؟ ربما في نهاية الأسبوع المقبل”.

The need for a new striker at Manchester United is there for all to see, with their lack of ability within the final third hugely evident throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

Ruben Amorim’s side only managed to find the back of the net on 44 occasions in their 38 Premier League outings, an average of just 1.15 goals per match.

Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes ended the season as the joint-top scorers, both registering eight goals, with no player in the squad registering double figures, highlighting the need for added reinforcements.

Two centre-forward options, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, only managed seven league goals between them, with the former hugely touted with a move to Inter Milan this summer.

Given such form, it’s a surprise to no one to see the hierarchy prioritising a move for a player in such a department, with countless players already on their radar.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Over the last couple of weeks, numerous names have been mentioned to fill the striker void at Old Trafford, but no deals have yet been agreed to bolster Amorim’s side.

The likes of Hugo Ekitiké, Moise Kean and Aleksandar Mitrovic have all been mentioned as potential summer signings for the Red Devils, but it appears that attention has been turned elsewhere.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is the latest on their radar this summer, with the Napoli talisman expected to leave the Serie A outfit, according to United In Focus.

Their report claims that talks have already been held for the 26-year-old star over a move to Old Trafford, undoubtedly providing a superb option for the club after scoring 37 times on loan at Galatasaray in 2024/25.

It also states that after rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia, his priority is a switch to the Premier League, potentially seeing the Red Devils move to the front of the queue for his signature.

Why United’s latest target would be a better signing than Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres has been a player firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of months, unsurprisingly so given his previous stint under Amorim.

The Swede netted 54 goals in his 52 appearances across all competitions this campaign, undoubtedly being one of the hottest prospects in Europe, with Arsenal also in the race for his services.

It was reported earlier this week that the hierarchy have made contact with the 27-year-old’s representatives over a switch to the Premier League, with a £55m transfer fee mooted.

There’s no doubt that such a goalscoring record would improve the situation at the manager’s disposal, but he’s never showcased his talents in Europe’s top five leagues, posing a potential risk given his price tag.

Osimhen has managed to thrive in such a department, scoring 65 league goals in his five seasons as a first-team regular with Napoli – helping them claim the Scudetto back in 2022/23. He’s truly one of the great forwards, with European football expert Zach Lowy notably suggesting he is already “one of the best strikers of this century.”

When comparing their stats from the ongoing campaign, the Nigerian has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, further backing up why he’d be a better addition.

He may have registered fewer goals to date, but has notched a higher goal per shot on target rate, highlighting his clinical edge within the final third.

Games played

30

33

Goals & assists

31

46

Shots on target

2.2

2

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Aerials won

4.3

0.6

Aerial success rate

64%

30%

Take-on success

60%

27%

He’s also won more aerials and completed more take-ons, handing Amorim an all-round option that could take United to the next level throughout 2025/26.

Whilst either of the pair would hand the club the talisman they’ve been craving in recent months, it’s pivotal that, with such big money being spent, the right man arrives in the coming months.

From the stats produced and their previous experience in Europe, it’s evident that the Nigerian would be the better choice, pushing them in the right direction to try and return to their former glory.

Amorim's answer to Cherki: Man Utd to make huge bid for "phenomenal" star

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could be their Rayan Cherki.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 10, 2025

Liverpool are now stepping up their pursuit of a £84m striker, with FSG considering the addition of a marquee signing this summer.

Reds eyeing striker with Nunez heading for exit

It appears as though Darwin Nunez’s time at Anfield could be coming to an end this summer, having fallen down the pecking order, often being utilised as a substitute rather than being a regular starter in the Premier League.

Nunez is now attracting widespread interest from across the continent, with bids in the region of £50m being made by Serie A side Napoli and Bundesliga team RB Leipzig, which means the Reds could recoup a large portion of the £85m they paid for the Uruguayan.

While the 25-year-old has played a sporadic role for Arne Slot’s side this season, the manager will need to bring in a replacement this summer, should he decide to cash-in, and FSG are now weighing up the addition of a marquee signing.

Better signing than Frimpong: Liverpool ready bid for "world-class" talent

Liverpool are looking to make sweeping changes to Arne Slot’s squad this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 14, 2025

That is according to a report from GiveMeSport which states Liverpool are stepping up their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, with scouts set to watch the striker in action for the German side this weekend.

A summer deal for Eiktike will not be cheap, with Frankfurt setting an asking price of £84m, which FSG have reservations about paying, so a delegation of scouts will watch the Frenchman against SC Freiburg to assess whether he is worthy of such a hefty price tag.

Should the Reds be impressed by what they see, they could enter negotiations over a deal for the forward over the coming weeks, with the player himself willing to consider a move to the right club.

"Phenomenal" Ekitike could be Nunez upgrade

The move to Paris Saint-Germain early in the 22-year-old’s career may not have worked out, but he has certainly managed to prove his worth to Frankfurt in the Bundesliga this season, picking up 22 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

Football scout Ben Mattinson has been particularly impressed by the Frankfurt star’s performances, taking to X to lavish him with praise earlier this season.

There are also clear signs the Reims-born forward could be an upgrade on Nunez, having outperformed the Uruguay international across a number of key attacking metrics over the past year.

Statistic per 90

Hugo Ekitike

Darwin Nunez

Non-penalty goals

0.51

0.35

Assists

0.27

0.17

Successful take-ons

1.95

0.69

That said, Liverpool are right to have concerns about forking out £84m, given that Ekitike is yet to prove himself over a sustained period of time, and they should look to get a deal done for a lower price if possible.

Chelsea have now joined the race for a “top” goalkeeper, who has been recommended by club legend Didier Drogba, according to a report.

Maresca's goalkeeper problem at Chelsea

Goalkeeper has been a problem position for Enzo Maresca this season, with the manager rotating between Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen, who have both made errors leading to goals in the Premier League.

Sanchez has made four costly mistakes, which have made the Spaniard the subject of some heavy criticism, and it now appears as though Maresca could look to bring in a replacement in the summer transfer window.

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is one of the most recent players to join the shortlist, with the Frenchman potentially set to be available for just £34m, given that his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

Related Chelsea now want £30m Milan star with "incredible speed" ahead of Man City

The Blues have set their sights on a defender, but there could be fierce competition for his signature…

Posts ByDominic Lund Apr 13, 2025

The Blues have made contact over a deal for Maignan, indicating the AC Milan shot-stopper is a serious target for Maresca, but an alternative option has now entered the frame, according to a report from Football Insider.

The player in question is Angers goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, with Chelsea now joining the race for the Ivory Coast international, who has established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe with his performances in Ligue 1.

Fofana has no shortage of suitors, with Newcastle United, Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers also interested in a deal, having sent scouts to watch him in action, so there could be stiff competition for his signature.

Maresca’s side are set to conduct a scouting mission of their own this weekend, having been recommended to sign the 24-year-old by club legend Drogba, who has been impressed by his form for Angers and the Ivory Coast.

Fofana impressing in Ligue 1

Previous reports have revealed the Angers shot-stopper could be available for a fee of just £15m, which could be a bargain, given the level of his displays in Ligue 1.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has lauded the Ivorian as a “top” goalkeeper, while also detailing that he claims crosses well and has a good range of passing, with the latter quality perhaps particularly important if he were to play in a Maresca system.

Maresca has made it clear he wants his goalkeeper to take risks with his passing, which has led to mistakes from Sanchez this season, so the fact that Fofana is a solid passer of the ball is of key significance.

Chelsea may not choose to pursue a new goalkeeper this summer, given that Djordje Petrovic has been impressing on loan at Strasbourg, but if Maresca decides a new option is needed between the sticks, the Angers goalkeeper could be a quality signing.

The middle-order batter has levelled up after having expanded his range of shots

Deivarayan Muthu01-Feb-2024Ricky Bhui played two Under-19 World Cups for India in 2014 and 2016, but his career didn’t quite take off from there. Eight years later, he is rising once again by scoring big runs for Andhra across formats in domestic cricket. He has also taken over as Andhra’s captain from Hanuma Vihari this season and will later be in action for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024.Overall, Bhui averages 45.36 after 67 first-class games since 2013. The number shoots up to 55.89 if you consider the period from January 2021.So, what has changed for Bhui? “It’s the mindset,” Bhui tells ESPNcricinfo ahead of Andhra’s fifth-round Ranji Trophy fixture against Bihar in Patna. “Because as a domestic batter, you should keep getting runs. You should not be satisfied with just one hundred or a big score.Related

• Ranji round-up: Dube rescues Mumbai; Karnataka stumble on 16-wicket day; Sai Kishore drives TN

• Vihari steps down as Andhra captain for rest of Ranji season

• Ranji round four: Himmat the hero for Delhi

“There are a lot of people scoring runs around the country every now and then. So, to be noticed you need to keep scoring. So, I told myself not to be satisfied with how much ever I score and keep scoring across formats. Every day is a new day and every innings is a fresh innings. I had to change my mindset and get into that mindset and that helped me in every match.”Bhui is currently the third-highest run-getter in the Elite group in the ongoing Ranji season, with 492 runs in six innings at an average of 82, including three centuries. His entry points during those three innings read: 119 for 3 against Bengal, 168 for 2 against Assam, 41 for 3 against Chhattisgarh. He believes that he has the game and temperament to tackle any situation in the middle order.”As a middle-order batter you will have to face different situations,” Bhui says. “Sometimes it will be 20 for 2 or 200 or 2, and sometimes you will have to play along with the bowlers to score big runs. So, you will have to be ready for those challenges as a middle-order batter. An opener has a different set of challenges – playing on damp wickets and facing the hard, new ball and facing fresh spells.”Being a middle-order batter, you will have to take the team through [to the finish line] as well. So, that’s the biggest challenge of facing different situations. And I’ve played in the middle order since my childhood, so I’m used to it.”Bhui particularly relishes the 175 against Bengal because it came after he had suffered a blow to his head while keeping wickets. After recovering from it, he returned to help Andhra pass Bengal’s 409 for the first-innings advantage.”The hundred against Bengal gave me a lot of confidence because they were the runners-up last year and they had a really good bowling attack – Akash Deep, Ishan Porel,” Bhui says. “They scored 409 runs in the first innings and on the first day, I got a hit on the head while wicketkeeping and I had dizziness the whole day, so I took a break and then came back to play a long innings, which gave me a lot of confidence going into the season.”

“We [Andhra] are well-prepared this time and want to go till the end and win. Last time also we went to the quarter-final; we haven’t been on the big stage that often but in the last two-three years, we are reaching there.”Ricky Bhui

Bhui occasionally keeps wickets when the first-choice KS Bharat isn’t available and the second skill, he says, has benefitted him in white-ball cricket as well. He could potentially be an Indian back-up to both Rishabh Pant and Kumar Kushagra at Capitals in IPL 2024.”I’ve been keeping on and off for the last four-five years. When KS is available, he is the keeper,” Bhui says. “When he isn’t available, I keep because it allows us to play an extra batsman or an extra bowler, depending on the situation. I thought adding a second skill will help me in white-ball cricket as well. Nowadays, you see KL Rahul also keeping and many guys who have adapted to it. In white-ball cricket, you need to have two skills to help the team and I’m ready to keep.”Bhui has also added more shots to his repertoire, which were on display during the 20-overs Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he rattled off 234 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of nearly 185. He then attended a number of IPL trials, including one at Capitals, who eventually snapped him up for his base price of INR 20 lakh at the auction last month.Ricky Bhui has worked on manoeuvring the ball•The India Today Group via Getty Images”I feel coming back into the IPL has given me the extra opportunity to showcase my skills to come back into the limelight,” Bhui says. “I’ve improved my white-ball game and added a few innovative strokes. I’ve been batting down the order, which has helped my strike rate too. As a player, I needed this boost, and I attended six-seven trials. The trial at Delhi went very well, and I was fortunate to be picked by them. I also played an Under-19 World Cup with Rishabh and am looking forward to performing for Delhi Capitals.”Bhui is a fine player of spin, having had stints at the Nelson club in the Chennai league, where you often get pitches that turn sharply from the first session. “In Chennai, the wicket is either a rank turner or a good one for batting,” he says. “I bettered my game against spin there and built the patience that is needed to grind and play long innings in red-ball cricket. They also don’t give easy runs in Chennai; so I picked up these things from the Chennai league and added it to my game.”Bhui took over as Andhra’s full-time captain after that Bengal game and has marshalled the team to two wins in three matches since. Often a mid-season change at the top can disrupt the team, but the transition at Andhra has been smooth.”Basically, Vihari wanted to focus more on his batting,” Bhui says. “More or less it’s the same team – it’s the same group of boys who are playing together in the last four-five seasons. So, it didn’t affect us much within the team and Vihari got into batting form, which was more required, and it has helped the team. I don’t see captaincy as a stressful job because I know these boys have played together a lot, so there isn’t much to tell. It’s about having a good team atmosphere and I know they will do their job.”Andhra are currently second, below Mumbai, on the Group B points table and an outright win against Bihar will further strengthen their chances of qualifying for the knockouts. Andhra had also made the knockouts last season, where they gained the first-innings advantage against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-final in Indore but collapsed for 93 in the second to eventually lose the game. Bhui hopes Andhra can go ever deeper into the knockouts this season.”We have a goal to win because Andhra is a state where we don’t have a trophy yet,” Bhui says. “We are well-prepared this time and want to go till the end and win. Last time also we went to the quarter-final; we haven’t been on the big stage that often but in the last two-three years, we are reaching there. Now, we want to take one step or a couple of steps further.”

Players from Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, predictably, dominate our XI

Umar Farooq and Danyal Rasool28-Feb-2022Fakhar Zaman (588 runs, AVG 45.23, SR 152.72, seven fifties, one hundred)
A remarkable, impactful season. In the early stages, the length of time Fakhar spent at the crease was directly proportional to the Lahore Qalandars’ result. There was a sense of over-reliance on him but he just kept producing. He made eight 50-plus scores, and his 60 off 37 balls against the Multan Sultans and his 106 against the Karachi Kings set the tone for the Qalandars to go big. His purple patch began a discussion about whether he can break up Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s opening partnership for Pakistan.Is there a more consistent T20 batter than Mohammad Rizwan?•PSLMohammad Rizwan (546 runs, AVG 68.25, SR 126.68, seven fifties)
Mr Consistent. There is hardly a day that goes by now without Rizwan scoring runs. He is busy with the bat, impeccable behind the stumps and has enhanced his credentials as captain, with the Sultans winning 10 out of 12 games this season. This was the second successive season in which he passed the 500-run mark, and as captain has led the side to back to back finals. His 82 off 43 against Peshawar Zalmi and 76 off 56 against the Kings might have won him the Player of the Match award, but equally valuable was how he held his nerve in a lower-scoring game against Islamabad United to score an unbeaten 51 off 42 and save the day after the Sultans were 18 for 3. He earned the PCB’s awards for player of the season and top wicketkeeper, and won the Spirit of Cricket Award for the Sultans.Shadab Khan made an outstanding impact for Islamabad United with bat and ball•PSLShadab Khan (268 runs, AVG 33.50, SR 162.42; 19 wickets, AVG 10.89, ER 6.46, one fifer)
The complete package as a cricketer this season. The United allrounder had had a couple of inconsistent years with a recurring groin injury, but this was a blockbuster season. Though it came in a losing cause, his 91 off 42 balls against the Sultans, while chasing 218, showed grit and intent. His sparkling 52 off 32 and four-wicket haul against the Qalandars also went in vain but his contribution left an echo of his brilliance. He recaptured the bowling fizz of his earlier years, and was the season’s second-highest wicket-taker despite missing games with a groin injury.Rilee Rossouw and Tim David formed a formidable middle-order pairing for Sultans•Pakistan Super LeagueRilee Rossouw (275 runs, AVG 39.28, SR 167.68, three fifties)
No. 4 is a difficult position in T20s, but Rossouw is adept at it. He was elevated to No. 3 against the Quetta Gladiators when the Sultans openers had added 119, and it allowed him to blast a 26-ball 71 to help the side to post the highest total of the tournament. He scored three fifties in all, and each of them provided serious impetus.ESPNcricinfo’s PSL team of the tournament•ESPNcricinfo LtdTim David (278 runs, AVG 29.71, SR 194.40, two fifties)
David was surprisingly lifted from the Diamond category to the Platinum category this season and he made the most of it. He was unknown in franchise cricket until last year when he was identified by the Qalandars in a replacement draft for the second leg of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. He was pivotal in Sultans head coach Andy Flower’s planning for the middle order and paid back all the faith placed in him by scoring valuable runs at a blistering rate. He usually occupied the No. 5 slot, which gives batters little time to get their eye in; how well he did can be summed up by the fact that he scored at a 140-plus strike rate seven times in the eight innings in which he faced at least 10 balls. Both his fifties – 71 against United and an unbeaten 51 against Zalmi – came at strike rates of well over 200.Khushdil Shah celebrates a wicket•Pakistan Super LeagueKhushdil Shah (153 runs, AVG 25.50, SR 182.14, 16 wickets, AVG 13.93, ER 6.89)
Scored important runs, bagged crucial wickets, and reinvented himself. He batted at No. 5 or lower in eight of his 10 innings and only got to face 74 balls in those opportunities, but he made full use of them, scoring 141 runs at a strike rate of 190.54. His season strengthened his Pakistan prospects, having had a largely stop-start international career until now. He will be hard to ignore now, having shown his worth as a three-dimensional player. With the bat he often provided vital late momentum, particularly during his 21 off 9 in a tense chase against Kings and his 21 off 7 against Zalmi.Rashid Khan ended up with the lowest economy rate of all bowlers in the PSL this season•PSLRashid Khan (13 wickets, AVG 17.30, ER 6.25)
After lighting up the league last year, Rashid Khan was no less effective this time around for the Qalandars, and continued to get better as the tournament went on. With the lowest economy rate of all bowlers in the PSL, Rashid served both as a container and a lethal wicket-taker through the middle and late overs. His 4 for 17 against the Kings might have been the standout performance, but in truth, there was gold sprinkled throughout his season; in five of his nine games, Rashid conceded a run a ball or less. Such was his contribution to the Qalandars that they sensationally offered to fly him in just for the final after he had left for international duty. It didn’t happen, but Rashid was a big reason why they were in the final in the first place.Fans saw Imran Tahir’s trademark celebration 16 times this season•PCBImran Tahir (16 wickets, AVG 18.62, ER 6.47)
Almost 20 years Rashid’s senior, Tahir’s dazzling season bags him the second specialist legspinner’s slot on the XI. Another bowler who combined economy with potency, Tahir set the tone in the tournament’s opening game, taking 3 for 16 in a Player-of-the-Match performance. It was one of three games where he took three wickets. He was also the architect of a rout of United in a late playoff game, taking 2 for 8 in four overs. He would only concede more than 30 runs twice in 12 innings, and it was perhaps no surprise the Qalandars decided caution was the way to go against him; in both the qualifier and the final, he went wicketless, but conceded just 22 and 29 respectively.Shaheen Shah Afridi: lethal with the new ball, lethal at the death•PSLShaheen Shah Afridi (20 wickets, AVG 19.70, ER 7.57)
The prince of Pakistan cricket and captain of the Qalandars, Afridi’s star continues to soar. After finishing third in the wickets charts last season, he stands atop on his own this time, the only man with 20 to his name in the PSL this season. He finished with an impressive economy rate too, for someone who traditionally bowls through the most difficult overs, and was the spearhead for his side’s success, with captaincy appearing to strengthen rather than burden him. He would save his best for last with 3 for 30 in the final, and while it remains very much a footnote, there was also a delightful knock with the bat, an unbeaten 20-ball 39 that dragged his side into the tournament’s only Super Over.Naseem Shah bagged his maiden T20 five-for against the Karachi Kings•PSLNaseem Shah (14 wickets, AVG 21.85, ER 8.01)
The only fast bowler with a five-for the season – a fearsome 5 for 20 against the Kings. Having lost his place in the Pakistan side and picked up a few injuries, the happenings at the Gladiators gave Naseem a chance to properly lead the line for his side. With Mohammad Hasnain ruled out, the 19-year-old Naseem stepped into his shoes admirably, with the fierce bouncer always keeping batters on their heels. It might not have gone the Gladiators’ way this time, but in Naseem, they have one of the characters who should be central to their rebuilding.Zaman Khan (18 wickets, AVG 21.50, ER 8.26)
Just four maidens were bowled in this PSL, and Zaman was responsible for two of them. The 20-year-old was a part of all 13 games for the Qalandars, roaring back after a rough first two games to take 3 for 32 and win the Player-of-the-Match award against Zalmi. He would produce such performances throughout the season, including a 4 for 16 against the Kings and two crucial middle-order wickets in the final against the Sultans, where his strike to remove Rossouw turned the game the Qalandars’ way. He ended with 18 wickets, behind only Shaheen and Shadab.12th man – Shan Masood (478 runs, AVG 39.83, SR 138.15)

Before the Boston Red Sox stunningly traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, there were at least three other teams that inquired with the Red Sox about Devers, including the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays, per Sean McAdam of MassLive.

The Red Sox were not actively shopping Devers before trading him, and though the slugger previously considered requesting a trade, he did not end up doing so. Still, there was clear tension between Devers and Boston after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman in February to take his starting spot at third base.

This only escalated when the team asked Devers to fill in for Triston Casas at first base in May, which he refused. With all that unfolding since spring training and the Red Sox feeling Devers wasn't living up to the responsibilities that come with his massive deal, the door was open for teams to reach out and inquire about the star hitter.

Outside of the Giants, the Braves, Padres, and Blue Jays were among the teams that reached out with interest in Devers. Though they inquired, none of the three were as motivated as the Giants were to get the deal done, which is why Devers was sent to San Francisco, per McAdam.

The trade is instead just the latest statement from new Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey, who is working to bring San Francisco back to the prominence he saw during his own likely Hall of Fame career in the Bay Area. With the acquisition of Devers, the Giants are taking another step toward contending in the NL West.