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Scrappy contest sealed in final over as Pakistan rue lack of urgency with bat

Firdose Moonda19-Feb-2023There’s always that point at a World Cup when the trophy becomes secondary to the smaller goals teams have set for themselves, and for West Indies and Pakistan this encounter was it. They both targeted their match against the other as the one that would prove they are moving in the right direction.For West Indies, beating Pakistan would add an 11th victory to their tally over them, from 17 meetings, and underline a dominance they don’t have over any other side. For Pakistan, a win would continue a World Cup record in which they have beaten West Indies in the last two major tournaments – the 2020 T20 World Cup and last year’s 50-over World Cup.Only one of them got what they wanted, in a scrappy, low-scoring affair that should never have become the thriller it did after West Indies managed only 116 for 6. Hayley Matthews assessed the total as being “at least 20 runs” too short. There were times when Pakistan made it look that much too many.They made much harder work of the chase than they should have, even given the slowness of the surface and the quality of the West Indies spinners. Pakistan went from needing less than a run a ball at the start of the chase, to eight an over after 11 overs, to 10 runs an over for the last three and 18 runs off the last over.Asked if it left her with too much to do, Aliya Riaz, who came in with 57 runs needed off 41 balls, conceded that it was probably a stretch for her when her captain Bismah Maroof was dismissed. “We were a little bit slow early on, and the wickets also fell fast. The way (Nida) Dar was playing and was set, she could have taken it well, but unfortunately, she got out there. But my whole effort was to take the match with Bismah and then Bismah got out. If we had played a little bit faster, then maybe we would have won.”In hindsight, Pakistan may look at their best partnership – of 44 runs between Maroof and Dar which took 8.5 overs at a scoring rate of 4.98 – as the passage of play where the chase went wrong. Bismah’s strike rate of 78.78 in this match will be scrutinised, especially as she also hit two fours, which means that she scored 18 runs off the remaining 31 balls she faced, and Pakistan’s overall ability to rotate strike should be in their post-tournament analysis.While West Indies faced 48 dot balls and hit nine fours, Pakistan saw off 51 scoreless deliveries and hit eight fours. Given the margin of defeat, you may point to the boundary count as the difference but a closer look at the match will tell you that Pakistan had many chances to pick off the four runs they needed for victory. Their running between the wickets was too hesitant too often and there were several occasions where they had the opportunity to turn a single into two, but refused.Aliya recognised there is work to be done in that department. “There was a bit of miscommunication. The calling between the batters could have been better,” she said. “And the strike rate can be improved. The target was not so high and it could definitely have been chased.”Matthews agreed and said West Indies knew “Defending 116 was never, ever going to be easy,” but reminded her team of the importance of this match. “We really wanted to win this game against Pakistan, not taking away from any of the other games. We knew walking into this tournament, this was one of the games where we knew if we really put our head down, we had a serious chance,” she said. “After being disappointed in that first innings with the total we put up, everyone knew that the 70% we might have given with the bat, we had to take that extra 30% and give it in the field. That’s what really motivated us.”Related

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West Indies achieved that and have completed their allotment of group matches, and while progression to the knock-outs is not impossible (they need England to beat Pakistan and Ireland to beat India by approximately 59 runs or with 47 balls to spare), it’s unlikely. So while they spend the next two days “sitting back and waiting and seeing what the other results go like in this tournament,” they will soon have to turn their attention to the future and how to catch up to teams like Australia and England.For Matthews, the key may lie in franchise leagues like the WPL, where she is the only West Indian player in the mix, the Hundred and the WBBL. “A lot of people look at these leagues as negatives taken away from international cricket, but for a team like West Indies that may not have the best domestic system, these leagues can be very fruitful and very helpful for us,” Matthews said. “I know they certainly helped me from a young international player growing up and I can only hope that for the rest of the team, the girls get the opportunity to do the same things. And you know, I experienced playing cricket all over the world and learning from it as well.”Pakistan’s players are entirely excluded from the WPL and have to wait until September for a WPSL to kick off, but they still have something to play for in this tournament. They take on England in their last match on Tuesday and like West Indies, it seems the tournament could end for them there. Unless they beat England and Ireland beat India, Pakistan will exit at the group stage, but that is not as much of a concern for them as making one last statement after failing to do so against West Indies.”We will try to finish the tournament on a good note,” Aliya said. “The way we played the first two matches – attacking cricket, with the same strike rate, fast and quick, we will play that match in the same way.”

“Don’t see any reason as of now why Shakib should not play in Bangladesh in the home series [against South Africa],” Shahriar Nafees says

Mohammad Isam24-Sep-2024The BCB is confident that Shakib Al Hasan won’t have any problems returning to Bangladesh – for the first time since the fall of the Awami League government, of which he was a part – for the Test series against South Africa next month.Shakib, Bangladesh’s most celebrated cricketer, was among 147 people named in a murder case in Dhaka last month. He had become a member of parliament in January this year. When Sheikh Hasina resigned as the prime minister on August 5 following massive anti-government protests in Bangladesh and fled the country, Shakib was playing in the Global T20 League in Canada. After that, he has travelled to Pakistan for a Test series, then played a county match for Surrey, and is now in India for another Test series. He was not in Bangladesh at any point during the protests or since. The case in question relates to the death of Mohammed Rubel, who was wounded in the firing during the protests on August 5 and died two days later.Shahriar Nafees, in charge of the BCB’s cricket operations, said on Monday that the country’s caretaker government had clarified that Shakib would not be “harassed”.Related

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“I think the honourable chief adviser, law adviser and sports adviser have spoken very clearly regarding Shakib Al Hasan,” Nafees said. “There is a clear message from the Bangladesh government that no one will be harassed unfairly in the cases that have been filed. We believe the interim government has made its position very clear on Shakib. Unless there is an injury problem or a selection-related issue, I personally don’t see any reason as of now why Shakib Al Hasan should not play in Bangladesh in the home series.”Last month, Bangladesh’s law adviser, Asif Nazrul, had also said that he hoped Shakib would not be arrested in connection with the case. “There’s only a case filed against Shakib. I hope he will not be arrested. I have come to know that the police forces have been asked to show as much restraint as possible in case something incredible happens.”Soon after the news about him being named in the case surfaced, Shakib had received support from his Bangladesh team-mates, who had posted messages on their respective social-media accounts. But his silence during the student-led mass protests in July and August has also led to criticism. Many of his national team-mates have, at various points, spoken about the protests and the loss of lives, especially of students, but Shakib hasn’t.Bangladesh, who are currently in India to play Tests and T20Is, are scheduled to play two home Tests against South Africa in October. CSA’s security team completed its evaluation of Dhaka and Chattogram, where the Tests will be played, on Monday and is expected to inform the BCB about its decision later this week.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has reportedly been left disgruntled after failing to make manager Ruben Amorim’s newly formed six-man leadership group. The squad hierarchy, headed by club captain Bruno Fernandes, also includes Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot, and veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Shaw upset over leadership snubAmorim believes disappointment may motivate himYoro & Heaton preferred over the veteran left-backFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Shaw's reaction to the snub has been one of deep frustration, with Amorim aware of the player’s unhappiness. The Portuguese coach is hopeful that the defender will channel his disappointment into improved displays ahead of the new campaign. However, early signs during pre-season training have reportedly raised concerns, as Shaw has not been performing at maximum intensity. A visible drop in his commitment levels has been noted, raising questions about his readiness for the challenges ahead.

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Adding to the tension, 19-year-old French centre-back Leny Yoro was believed to be on the verge of joining the leadership group. However, he narrowly missed out on a spot in the final selection as Amorim ultimately decided to leave him out for now, but insiders claim the manager views him as a central figure for the club’s future. The teenager is already being spoken of as a potential pillar of the United backline for years to come, with comparisons being drawn to past defensive greats.

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Shaw’s omission is all the more surprising given his long-standing association with the club. Arriving at Old Trafford in 2014, he has been a mainstay throughout the turbulent years following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. As the longest-serving member of the current squad, his experience and understanding of the club’s culture are widely recognised. Despite this, his place in the team has come under scrutiny due to recent defensive lapses and positional errors that have undermined his reliability on the pitch.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SHAW?

Shaw has two years left on his lucrative £180,000-a-week deal. But questions about his defensive discipline have led to suggestions that younger, more dynamic options like Patrick Dorgu might soon challenge him for a starting berth. 

Sunderland are looking to potentially hijack a move for an attacking star in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer claim.

Le Bris excited about Sunderland signing Sadiki

The Black Cats have completed the signing of Noah Sadiki, with the midfielder arriving at the Stadium of Light on a five-year deal from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Regis Le Bris is clearly in positive spirits about an exciting piece of business for Sunderland ahead of their imminent return to the Premier League next month, assessing the capture of the 20-year-old.

It’s now a case of Sunderland building on the signing of Sadiki and bringing in more signings before the current window slams shut at the end of August, and a promising new update has now emerged regarding their transfer situation.

Sunderland pushing to hijack £17.2m signing

According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland are in the mix to sign Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui this summer, with the 24-year-old valued at more than €20m (£17.2m) by the French club.

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The Black Cats are joined by a host of top clubs in the tussle to snap him up, as they look to steal him from under the noses of the likes of Roma, Juventus and AC Milan.

El Aynaoui could immediately improve Sunderland as a team if they managed to get a deal over the line, adding quality in the middle of the park, as highlighted by the calibre of clubs interested in him.

The midfielder is a one-cap Morocco Under-23 international, while journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter has described him as a “highly-talented” footballer, so he would be a signing of real intent.

It is clearly going to be tricky for Sunderland to sign El Aynaoui, given the level of interest in him from some of the biggest clubs in Italy, but they are now back in the Premier League, which is a major attraction for so many players around the world.

Hopefully, Le Bris can sell him the idea of moving to the Stadium of Light, being a key starter instead of a potential cog in the machine elsewhere, as he looks to give his side the best possible chance of survival next season.

The home team have admirably prioritised run-scoring and wicket-taking, making Pat Cummins go defensive

Ian Chappell30-Jul-2023Pat Cummins and Ben Stokes have different captaincy styles but they both possess the same admirable trait of seeking victory from the opening delivery.One of the big differences between the two is Stokes’ desire for his batters to attack, which has forced Cummins to employ some defensive strategies. It’s not desirable to give good players an easy single at the start of an innings, and you are trusting luck by trying to dismiss a sensible batter with a bouncer barrage. These were tactics Cummins employed at different times during the series, and while they were dubious ploys, the question applies: “Why did senior players allow him to continue using such repetitive tactics that weren’t working?”One aim of a good cricket team is to make the opposition change their tactics, whether that be a team strategy or an individual one. England achieved that aim, but because they made some poor selection choices, they still trail in the series.Related

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There were critics of Stokes’ decision to declare at Edgbaston and bat on at Old Trafford. These are smokescreens; his tactics were right and were both aligned with Stokes’ stated desire to always push for victory. Any captain who calculates a declaration according to a weather forecast – as was suggested of Stokes at Old Trafford – is asking for trouble.What has to be queried is England’s poor record at the selection table. This series they have mistakenly plumped for Jonny Bairstow, a recognised batter, ahead of the far superior wicketkeeper Ben Foakes. They opted to court Moeen Ali, an offspinner who bats but even at his peak didn’t relish the challenge of playing Australia. England also preferred a seam attack that lacked variety before belatedly unleashing a genuine speedster against Australia in the third Test. England then failed to give Mark Wood the advantage of using a hard new ball.These are all errors that are difficult to overcome, even when accompanied by an admirable desire to prioritise run-scoring and wicket-taking. This is especially the case when England’s captain and coach have a considerable say in selection.

If a batter hits a boundary, he is still facing the next ball, but a single frees him from the strike and lets him enjoy the safety of the non-striker’s end

Defensive fielders highlight a desire among modern captains to protect boundaries, thereby allowing easy singles. There are times when this is a questionable policy despite the dramatic improvement in modern bats. If a batter hits a boundary, he is still facing the next ball, but a single frees him from the strike and lets him enjoy the safety of the non-striker’s end. A captain who disperses the field with no close catching men and the bulk of the fielders on the boundary is greatly reducing the effectiveness of an attacking bowler. If a captain places nine men on the boundary, any self-respecting bowler is entitled to say: “You want that field then you bowl to it.”Captaincy is subjective; there is never universal agreement on tactics, especially when a game is lost. A captain must hold his nerve and expect good, positive suggestions from his senior fielders. I liken captaincy to a computer – others can provide an input, but it’s the captain who has to make the final decision.Both Cummins and Stokes have been the right choice as respective leaders. In Cummins’ case he’s a good captain and deserves to retain the position. However, he may be listening to too much advice, not all of it from people qualified for the job.Critics would do well to recall that under Cummins’ captaincy Australia hold both the World Test Championship title and the Ashes urn.Cummins displayed his worth in The Oval Test by learning from past mistakes. After sending England in on a pitch that had some life for the bowlers, Australia dismissed their opponents for a reasonable total despite some sloppy fielding.The Test is now poised to end in a one-innings shootout with the series finishing – as it began – in a sprint for victory. Whatever the respective merits of the two captains, the teams have provided ample entertainment and a series to be remembered.

Manchester United are reportedly set to officially unveil Benjamin Sesko at Old Trafford this weekend ahead of their pre-season friendly against Fiorentina. The Slovenian striker is undergoing the second part of his medical and joins from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to £74 million. He becomes The Red Devils’ fourth summer signing as Ruben Amorim rebuilds the squad.

Sesko joins United after completing medicalStriker to be unveiled before Fiorentina friendlyFourth summer signing for United under AmorimFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fabrizio Romano has reported Sesko is set to complete his medical and will be presented to fans before Saturday’s friendly against Fiorentina at Old Trafford. United agreed a £66.3m deal with RB Leipzig, with potential add-ons bringing the fee close to £74m. Newcastle also bid for Sesko but failed to convince him.

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Sesko is Amorim’s fourth signing of the window after Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon. The 22-year-old brings a proven scoring pedigree, with more goals than any under-23 player in Europe’s top five leagues over the past two seasons. United see him as a long-term solution up front.

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The Slovenian star arrives with high expectations at United after the Red Devils' horror campaign under Amorim last season. Sesko's arrival likely also spells the end of Rasmus Hojlund's stint as the primary No. 9 at Old Trafford.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SESKO?

Sesko will begin training with the squad next week as he settles into life in Manchester. Amorim will assess how quickly he can integrate the striker into his system. With the new season approaching, United fans hope Sesko can hit the ground running.

Real Madrid’s superiority was challenged in the early 2000s as Valencia disrupted La Liga’s natural order, and Galácticos legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed he requested the signing of an England legend to put Madrid back on their perch.

Zidane and Real’s path to the 2001/02 Champions League final was one of the great knockout runs in club football history, beating Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and arch-rivals Barcelona in the last four, before besting an elite Bayer Leverkusen team led by Michael Ballack in the final.

The French football legend scored perhaps his most famous goal in that final, volleying home Roberto Carlos’ looped cross from the edge of the box to win the match 2-1.

However, that triumph was the start of somewhat of a trophy drought by Madrid’s own lofty standards. They won the La Liga title the following year, but did not win another top flight title until 2007 and had to wait until 2011 before their next cup win, which was the Copa del Rey.

Barcelona accompanied English and Italian sides in dominating Europe’s elite competition, as Real president Florentino Perez adopted a policy of superstar signings to regain their status as Kings of the continent.

Luis Figo

2000

€60m

Barcelona

Zinedine Zidane

2001

€73.5m

Juventus

Ronaldo Nazario

2002

€45m

Inter

David Beckham

2003

€37.5m

Man Utd

Michael Owen

2004

€9m

Liverpool

Robinho

2005

€24m

Santos

Sergio Ramos

2005

€27m

Sevilla

Fabio Cannavaro

2006

€10m

Juventus

Ruud van Nistelrooy

2006

€14m

Man Utd

Kaka

2009

€67m

Milan

Karim Benzema

2009

€30m

Lyon

Cristiano Ronaldo

2009

€94m

Man Utd

Xabi Alonso

2009

€35.5m

Liverpool

Perez made a habit of luring the Premier League’s top talents to the Spanish capital, with Xabi Alonso revealing how Real tempted him: “I was really happy with the team (Liverpool) and my team-mates and felt that we could do great things.

“I was happy on that side but within a club you have to see the big picture and another season would have been too much for me. It was very difficult to take that decision (to leave) but it was probably for the best for me because if I had stayed another season it would have been uncomfortable for me.”

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However, not everyone caved to the temptation, with Zidane revealing he specifically asked Perez to sign Steven Gerrard, only for the Liverpool captain to refuse the move.

Zidane named Gerrard the 'best player in the world'

Indeed, Real Madrid tried to sign Gerrard once in 2005 and again in 2009, potentially making him one of their biggest signings of the Galácticos era, and Zidane claims it was him who pushed Perez to make the move, as he believed the Reds star was the number one player in world football.

Gerrard is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history despite never winning a league title with Liverpool, while his best finish on the Ballon d’Or podium was third in 2005, placing behind Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard.

There’s no doubt the Liverpool superstar was let down by his teammates in the quest to add team trophies to his individual accolades, and one has to wonder how his status in the game would be viewed if he had joined Madrid at Zidane’s request.