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The calendar has moved forward a week from the Lahore Test, but you’d be forgiven for thinking the clock has stopped. In an almost exact replica of day one at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan established a position of control in Pindi, moving to 259 for 5, after choosing to bat on a surface that is already tough, and will get tougher.The major difficulty, at this stage, is the lifelessness of the track, which is not offering significant spin (yet) but there have been signs of deliveries keeping low. South Africa also benefited from reverse swing with the older ball. Pakistan’s top and middle order navigated the challenges well, albeit not quickly. Their scoring rate remained under three an over as they batted conservatively and will be happy to have only lost five wickets on a day where many more could have gone down.South Africa put down four clear chances: Abdullah Shafique on 0, 15 and 41, on his way to a sixth Test half-century, and Shan Masood on 71 but also created several others. They found the edge several times with balls falling short of the slips or short leg on at least seven other occasions and will know they could have Pakistan in a much tighter spot.Their innings was built largely on the 111-run second-wicket stand between Shafique and Masood, and Masood went on to top score on 87. Saud Shakeel added a handy 42 and remained unbeaten overnight.Keshav Maharaj was South Africa’s most effective bowler•AFP/Getty Images

South Africa should have had a wicket in the first over when Kagiso Rabada found Shafique’s outside edge, but Tristan Stubbs at third slip dropped the chance. Shafique immediately got his revenge as he pushed the ball past point for the innings’ first boundary. Rabada then also found Imam-ul-Haq’s edge twice, but both fell short of the cordon.Left-armer Marco Jansen shared the new ball and beat Shafique’s inside edge as the ball touched the stumps but did not dislodge the bails. Another early opportunity went down when Shafique got a leading edge back to Keshav Maharaj, but he could not hold on to the return catch. In his next over, Maharaj spun the ball away from Shafique and found the edge, but the chance did not carry.Just as South Africa may have wondered if anything was going to go their way, Simon Harmer’s third delivery turned past Imam’s outside edge and bowled him. Harmer then almost had Masood caught at short-leg but the ball didn’t carry to Tony de Zorzi.With all that was happening, Pakistan’s progress was sedate for the first 16 overs, in which they only managed a scoring rate a shave about 2.5 runs an over. By the start of the 17th, Masood had enough – he charged down the track to hit Harmer for six at the start of his next two overs, and then meted out similar treatment to Senuran Muthusamy.Abdullah Shafique scored a half-century as well•AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan went to lunch on 95 for 1 and progressed slowly but steadily in the afternoon. Shafique continued to provide chances when he came forward to defend against Maharaj, and got an edge which deflected off Kyle Verreynne’s gloves to Aiden Markram at slip. Markram went left instead of right. By the time he readjusted, he was not able to hold on. Riding his luck, Shafique got to a patient fifty off 120 balls, but would only add seven more runs before he followed Harmer down leg and got a fine edge through to Verreynne.Babar Azam announced himself when he smashed Harmer through the covers but almost lost Masood the over later. The Pakistan captain was on 71 when he swept Maharaj to Muthusamy at short fine. He had to make some ground to his right and was in an awkward position trying to take a two-handed catch and put it down. With Babar spanking another two poor balls for fours, South Africa’s desperation grew and they decided to review a Maharaj lbw shout against him. Babar had come forward to defend and the ball seemed close to the bat, which was confirmed on UltraEdge.After four drops and four more that didn’t carry, South Africa’s moment of magic came. Babar lunged forward to defend the last ball of Maharaj’s over and the ball lobbed up in the air. De Zorzi, at silly mid-off, dived one-handed to his right and took the catch inches off the turf. Pakistan were 177 for 3 at tea.Markam bowled himself for an over before the break and three after, raising questions over why Muthusamy was being so sparingly used before Maharaj took over. The first ten overs after tea brought 31, largely untroubled runs, before Jansen was given a 72-over old ball and a license to see what it could do. He found reverse swing and beat Saud Shakeel several times and there was growing anxiousness among the batters. Masood, in search of his century, tried to sweep Maharaj over square leg but top-edged to Jansen.Jansen could have had Mohammad Rizwan three overs before the second new ball was due, but the edge fell short of Harmer at wide slip. Muthusamy finally returned in the 80th over and South Africa did not take the second new ball until the 85th, when it worked for them. Rabada, with his fifth ball, jagged one back in and hit Rizwan on the knee roll. Shakeel and Salman Agha took Pakistan to the close on a day when 91 overs were bowled in the scheduled time.

Chelsea star Raheem Sterling has been urged to push for a sensational transfer to Wrexham and end his struggles at Stamford Bridge. The winger is part of the club's infamous 'bomb squad' and is training away from the first team in west London. Former Wales and Liverpool striker Dean Saunders says a transfer to Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's side would be a great bit of business.

Sterling out in the cold at Chelsea

Sterling has been deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea which has led to speculation over his future, and talk of a sensational transfer to Wrexham. The winger's last competitive appearance came back in May, at the end of his loan spell with Arsenal, and it remains to be seen when he will return to action. With the January transfer window now just weeks away, Sterling's future is likely to come under the spotlight once again. Saunders has been left baffled by Sterling's situation at Chelsea and feels a shock move to Wrexham is not out of the question.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWrexham told Sterling 'not over the hill'

Saunders told BOYLE Sports who offer the latest football betting: "Raheem Sterling to Wrexham? Why not? You might see some big players that have watched the documentary and they think, ‘I'll have a bit of that. I'd love to play for them, Wrexham.’ You might get somebody like Raheem Sterling saying that. I can't get my head around his situation. What's going on? He’s not over the hill. He's a very good player. Having said that, the Championship's not easy to play in. I've managed in the Championship and sometimes Premier League players come down and play in it and they can't believe what's going on. We're playing all the time and every game's a battle. Millwall away on a Tuesday night. When the ball's up in the air all night, some of them find it difficult."

'Everybody wants to play for Wrexham'

Saunders also feels that Wrexham is an attractive club to join following their rapid rise up the leagues under Reynolds and Mac, and the Hollywood duo's subsequent heavy investment in the first team.

"I always thought that if we could get Wrexham back in the league, I thought our team would be better than most of the League Two teams. If you get in League Two, you can go up again to League One.  Now, when you get to League One, the budgets can be five million, then you get teams like Sunderland who are in there with twenty million," he added.

"You get a few big clubs trying to go up. To get into the Championship, once you get into the Championship, I thought we could get to the Championship, but then you're competing with three Premier League teams who've just got relegated. A couple who tried to go back up but never made it, with massive playing budgets and Premier League players in it. And I thought that might be the difficult bit because you have got to put your hand in your pocket then to try and compete in the Championship. And to be fair, they have.

"I mean, I'm hearing what some of the players are earning now. You know, they've signed Josh Windass, they've signed Nathan Broadhead, Kieffer Moore. They can play at that level every day of the week and all day long and have an impact most weeks. Fair play to the manager because they've turned the players over ruthlessly so they've kept momentum.

"If Wrexham get to the Premier League I'll be delighted because it's a great club. They've got great, great supporters. And there is a massive catchment area around Wrexham, in between Wrexham and Cardiff, there's a catchment area which they're getting players through now into the academy. 

"Obviously not far the other way is Man City, Man United, Liverpool, Everton. So they normally nick the best young kids. Then you've got Stoke not far away. So they have had all the best players nicked off them, but now everybody wants to play for Wrexham, don't they? Famous all around the world. It's an incredible story."

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Getty Images SportSterling to move on in January?

Wrexham have been tipped to spend again in January as they bid to secure promotion to the Premier League. Phil Parkinson's side currently sit 10th in the table but are only three points off the final play-off place. It's not clear yet if Sterling could be tempted to head to Wales, but it certainly would be no surprise to see the 30-year-old move on in a bid to try and resurrect his career after losing his place at Chelsea.

“When we dropped Shaheen and Nawaz, that’s where the game changed,” the Bangladesh coach said

Mohammad Isam25-Sep-20253:15

Why do Bangladesh struggle in pressure situations?

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons felt three dropped catches followed by “bad decisions” from the batters in a 136-run chase against Pakistan upended his team’s chance of reaching the Asia Cup 2025 final. Bangladesh lost by 11 runs in their Super Fours fixture after Pakistan’s lower order bailed them out of a dire situation.Pakistan were 51 for 5 when Nurul Hasan and Mahedi Hasan dropped Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 12th over. Afridi went on to hit two sixes in a 13-ball 19 and hand Pakistan a bit of momentum. After he fell, Parvez Hossain Emon dropped Mohammad Nawaz on zero; Nawaz went on to make 25 off 15 balls with two sixes and a four.Fielders often have a difficult time picking the ball up against Dubai’s unusual “ring of fire” floodlights, but Simmons didn’t think this had been an issue with any of the chances.Related

Old habits die hard for new-era Bangladesh

Plan C (Chaos) does the trick for Pakistan, not for the first time

Afridi, Rauf and Ayub set up a Pakistan vs India Asia Cup final

“When we dropped Shaheen and Nawaz, that’s where the game changed,” he said. “Before that, we were in control. Some of the catches maybe [had something to do with the lights] but I don’t think the ones we dropped had anything to do with the lights.”Simmons felt Bangladesh’s batters had taken better decisions against Sri Lanka compared to this chase against Pakistan. Bangladesh hit more sixes than Pakistan, but they also lost a number of wickets while trying to play big shots. Simmons also suggested that the team had missed captain Litton Das, who sat out his second straight game with a side strain.Mohammad Nawaz had Mahedi Hasan caught at cover•AFP/Getty Images”We didn’t have to chase it in any [particular number of] overs. We just had to win the game,” Simmons said. “It was just bad decisions. All of the teams have that at some point. It was us today. We didn’t make the best shot selections.”We just chased 160 [169 vs Sri Lanka] two games ago. We are not a team that can lose Tanzid [Hasan] and captain [Litton] in one game and just fill [the void] like that. We are getting to that stage, we are not there yet. Losing the captain in such good form is a big thing for us.”We chased 160 [169] on the same wicket, where we made better batting decisions. Batting order doesn’t say we batted well or badly. We made bad decisions today.”

“You look at it as someone batting at No 4. I look at it as someone taking on the pacers in the powerplay.”Phil Simmons on promoting Mahedi Hasan

Bangladesh have historically struggled to match the most successful T20I sides when it comes to strike rates. Simmons felt they were starting to address this issue, but what cost them in this game was their inability to build partnerships.”The [strike-rate] gap will reduce the more we play at the international level, the guys will know what to do at this level,” he said. “I agree that our strike-rate isn’t up there, but we are up there in six-hitting. I don’t think it is about our ability to score quickly. We have to bat for longer and put on partnerships.”Bangladesh shuffled their batting order in this chase, with Mahedi Hasan promoted to No. 4. Simmons felt this was the right move given Mahedi’s ability to counter pace, even if he only managed 11 off 10 in this game.”You look at it as someone batting at No 4. I look at it as someone taking on the pacers in the powerplay,” Simmons said. “He could have taken on the pacers more than if he went in the lower order against the spinners. I had Jaker [Ali] and Shamim [Hossain] down there, who could take on the spinners.”The defeat against Pakistan ended Bangladesh’s Asia Cup campaign. They beat Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in succession before going down in back-to-back matches against India and Pakistan.All was not lost, though, and Simmons pointed out a couple of positives from the competition..”[Saif Hassan] is definitely the biggest positive from this [campaign],” he said. “The other one is how our bowlers did in the whole tournament. They were spot-on, every game.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now made contact with Xavi as a replacement for Vitor Pereira, with the 57-year-old being dismissed after the 3-0 defeat against Fulham on Saturday.

Pereira was given plenty of time to turn things around, but the loss against the Cottagers was the final straw for Fosun, with the Old Gold now eight points adrift of safety in the Premier League, having made a very poor start to the season.

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was particularly critical of the performance after the match, describing it as “embarrassing.”

Wolves are still searching for their first top-flight victory, having collected just two points from their opening ten games, while they were also dumped out of the EFL Cup by Chelsea last Wednesday, with the Blues emerging as 4-3 winners at Molineux.

It is going to be a tall order for whoever replaces Pereira to dig the Wanderers out of trouble, but Fosun are now eyeing what has to be considered an ambitious move for Xavi…

Wolves make contact with Xavi to replace Pereira

That is according to a report from Spain, which states that is indeed not Gary O’Neil at the top of the wishlist. Wolves have now made contact with the former Barcelona manager, who they have identified as the main candidate to replace Pereira, given his experience of managing at an elite level.

Fosun see appointing the legendary midfielder as a golden opportunity, as they are admirers of his possession-based style of play, and believe the 45-year-old could restore confidence to the squad.

The Spaniard is the top target, but he is not the only manager on the shortlist for the Old Gold, who are working quickly to appoint a new manager, with Bologna boss Thiago Motta emerging as a potential alternative option, given the Italian side’s impressive start to the campaign.

It would no doubt be a major coup if Wolves were somehow able to tempt the former Al-Sadd manager into a move to Molineux, given that he is held in very high regard by Barca president Joan Laporta.

The Terrassa-born manager, who prefers to implement a 4-3-3 system, has won eight trophies as a coach, across spells in Qatar and La Liga, most impressively lifting the Spanish title in the 2022-23 season.

Xavi has been out of work since being dismissed by Barcelona over 18 months ago, but in truth it is difficult to picture him moving to Molineux, given the mess Wolves currently find themselves in, sitting bottom of the Premier League, having shipped 22 goals, the highest number of any side.

Wolves also targeting Brendan Rodgers as replacement for Pereira Related Wolves targeting Brendan Rodgers amid doubts about Vitor Pereira

The Old Gold have made a very poor start to the season.

Posts 2 ByDominic Lund Oct 29, 2025

Liverpool supporters are likely to be buoyed by some fresh remarks regarding the club’s January transfer business, as FSG line up a move for one of Europe’s brightest defensive talents.

Liverpool's centre-back issues under the spotlight

The Reds have looked flawed this season, with record signings Florian Wirtrz and Alexander Isak still bedding in and Mohamed Salah among those out of form, and they also look light on centre-back options.

Granted, Virgil van Dijk largely looks as good as ever, barring a recent dip, but he is 34 years of age and will need replacing eventually, while Ibrahima Konate has flattered to deceive and is injury-prone.

Joe Gomez is another player who is known for his fitness woes in his career, while highly-rated new signing Giovanni Leoni will cruelly miss the rest of the season after suffering ACL damage in the EFL Cup clash with Southampton.

Not only that, but Marc Guehi is now being linked with a move to Bayern Munich, and Liverpool’s failure to sign the Crystal Palace captain on deadline day is increasingly looking like a bitter blow.

The January window will give the Reds a chance to bolster their defensive options, with Bayern Munich’s Dayo Upamecano linked with a move recently, and now another Bundesliga player has been backed to come in.

Liverpool could sign another "phenomenal" England international with Guehi

He is having an outstanding period in his career.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 25, 2025 Liverpool "serious" about strengthening in January

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, who is well connected on Merseyside and now reports for Football Insider, claims Liverpool could look to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck in January, with “serious movement” expected in the market.

“He’s proven to be the best defender so far this season in the Bundesliga. He looks to be a real talent and he’s the right age at 25. Look, there is no doubt Liverpool are working overtime right now trying to fix this defence. They’ve got to push the boat out in January.

“It doesn’t look as though it’s going to be Schlotterbeck now, but he could still be one of the targets, certainly. I do expect to see some serious movement in January from Liverpool, and they’re going to be spending where they probably hadn’t planned to because there’s some some cracks appearing. They’re going to have to get that defence shored up.”

A new centre-back does feel like a pressing matter for Liverpool, given the aforementioned options there, both in terms of form and fitness.

It often feels like a matter of time before Konate misses a chunk of action, and should Van Dijk pick up an injury, it would have the potential to completely derail the Reds’ season.

Appearances

4

8

Starts

4

8

Minutes played

360

720

Clearances per game

5.5

4.9

Tackles per game

1.8

2.0

Aerial duel wins per game

1.8

2.9

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

1

Schlotterbeck stands out as an impressive option alongside Guehi, but it remains to be seen if Dortmund let him go, and the likes of Arne Slot and Richard Hughes have a big decision to make when it comes to whether to wail until the end of the season for the ideal signing or not.

انتهت مباراة الزمالك أمام طلائع الجيش، التي جمعتهما على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، منذ قليل، في إطار منافسات الدوري المصري.

حقق الزمالك فوزًا غاليًا على طلائع الجيش بثلاثية مقابل هدف، ضمن منافسات الأسبوع الثالث عشر من مسابقة الدوري المصري موسم 2025-2026.

طالع.. ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري بعد ثنائية ناصر ماهر وهدف الدباغ أمام طلائع الجيش

ثلاثية الزمالك جاءت عن طريق ناصر ماهر، هدفين في الدقيقة السابعة والدقيقة 52، وعدي الدباغ في الدقيقة 61، بينما هدف طلائع الجيش جاء في الدقيقة 81 عن طريق محمد عاطف.

ورفع الزمالك رصيده إلى 22 نقطة في المركز الثاني بشكل مؤقت، بينما تجمد رصيد طلائع الجيش عند 10 نقاط في المركز الثامن عشر.

وقاد الزمالك، في مباراة اليوم أحمد عبد الرؤوف بعد توليه المسئولية الفنية عقب رحيل البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا بسبب تراجع النتائج. رجل مباراة الزمالك وطلائع الجيش

 وحصل ناصر ماهر، لاعب الزمالك على جائزة رجل المباراة كأفضل لاعب في اللقاء بعد تسجيله هدفين.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Olaria comunicou através das suas redes sociais a demissão do técnico Palinha Olivério. O treinador estava no clube desde 2020, quando evitou o rebaixamento da equipe na Série B1 do Cariocão. Em 2021, ele conquistou o título da competição e garantiu vaga na Série A2. Já em 2022, gaúcho de 57 anos conquistou um turno da A2 e foi eleito o melhor técnico da competição. Palinha se despediu do Olaria com uma postagem no instagram.

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– Hoje estou me desligando do Olaria AC depois de 3 anos de trabalho de excelência, onde junto com o grupo e comissão técnica, levei o clube para 3 finais (duas vezes pelo estadual A2 e uma B1). Nesse tempo ganhamos a B1 e por duas vezes consecutivas ficamos com o vice na A2. Nesse tempo carrego com o orgulo a conquista de turno da Série A2, onde também fui eleito o melhor técnico da competição em 2022. Por falar nisso, também fui eleito o melhor técnico em 2019 na B2 e em 2021 na B1.

– Saio com a certeza que entreguei o meu melhor, deixando o clube classificado para a segunda fase da Copa Rio. Agradeço ao presidente Lenivaldo e ao departamento de futebol pela confiança destes anos, a torcida fanática que sempre me recebeu com respeito carinho, a Rádio web Olaria. A comissão técnica e atletas que nunca deixaram de dar seu máximo, a história comprova isso. Agora é seguir em frente, preparado para novos desafios com as bençãos de Deus – encerrou o treinador.

Além do Olaria, Palinha acumula passagens por Duque de Caxias e Rio São Paulo no futebol carioca. Além disso, ele também dirigiu o Itumbiara em Goiás. Na carreira, Palinha soma as conquistas do título de campeão gaúcho e Brasileiro sub-20 com o Internacional de Porto Alegre.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo visitou o Cuiabá na Arena Pantanal no último domingo (6) e foi derrotado por 3×0. Deyverson, atacante que ja está nos pesadelos dos torcedores por conta do gol na final da Libertadores, marcou mais um contra o Rubro-Negro e vai se consolidando como um dos maiores carrascos do clube.

RelacionadasFora de CampoJornalista compara Jhon Arias com James Rodríguez e opina: ‘Melhor jogador atuando no Brasil’Fora de Campo07/08/2023BotafogoTiquinho Soares se manifesta após ter lesão confirmada pelo Botafogo: ‘Já, já estou de volta!’Botafogo07/08/2023FlamengoSaiba quanto o Flamengo vai lucrar com a venda de Vinícius Souza ao Sheffield United-INGFlamengo07/08/2023

Listamos 5 jogadores que são ou ja foram pedra no sapato do Flamengo. Eliminações, provocações, gols… Certamente o torcedor rubro-negro não gosta de lembrar desses.

– Cabañas

Na despedida do técnico Joel Santana, o Flamengo perdeu por 3 a 0 para o América-MEX. O time foi eliminado da Taça Libertadores. Cabañas fez dois gols no Maracanã e reverteu o placar de 4×2 no México.

– Fred

Segundo o site goal.com, Fred já marcou 10 vezes contra o Flamengo. Mas, não é só isso que marca o atacante. Identificado com o Fluminense, Fred virou um dos símbolos da rivalidade dos dois clubes.

– Deyverson

Torcedor declarado do Vasco, Deyverson fez o sinal de uma torcida organizada do Cruz-Maltino após fazer o gol do título do Palmeiras na final Libertadores. No último domingo (6), Deyverson marcou o terceiro gol o Cuiabá na goleada pelo Brasileirão.

– Cano

Assim como Fred, Cano também virou símbolo da rivalidade FLA-FLU. Mas, antes disso, o argentino já causava problemas quando ainda estava no Vasco. Flamengo está entre as vítimas preferidas do atacante. São 7 gols em 8 jogos somente em FLA-FLUs

– Montillo

O golaço de Montillo com certeza ainda está na memória da maioria do torcedores do Flamengo. A eliminicação da Libertadores em 2010 após o título do Brasileirão foi um verdadeiro balde de água fria.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico do Santos, Odair Hellmann, teve seu número de telefone pessoal vazado. Torcedores do Peixe passaram a mandar mensagens e ameaças ao profissional durante a noite da última quarta-feira (21) e madrugada desta quinta (22).

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E não foi só Odair a vítima do caso. Os filhos e a esposa do treinador também receberam ameaças.

Em razão do clima de caos após a derrota do Alvinegro Praiano para o Corinthians na última quarta-feira (21), o clube cancelou o treino desta quinta. A tendência, inclusive, é que a saída de Odair seja oficializada em breve.

+ Até 70% OFF em produtos do Peixe para os torcedores fanáticos!

GUERRA NA VILA

No decorrer do clássico, a torcida santista começou a protestar de maneira firme na reta final do segundo tempo. As manifestações viraram cenas de violência, pois foram atirados sinalizadores e bombas ao gramado.

+ Suaréz vai parar? Veja 10 feras estrangeiras que se aposentaram no futebol brasileiro

+ Olho no Brasileirão! Assine o Prime Video e acompanhe todos os jogos do seu time do coração!

Elenco e comissão técnica do Peixe ficaram ‘presos’ no gramado esperando os ânimos acalmarem para tentarem ir ao vestiário. O que não aconteceu, pois eles tiveram que correr para desviar dos objetos e bombas arremessados no campo.

Nos arredores do estádio, o que se viu foram confrontos entre torcedores e polícia, gás de pimenta, confusão para a torcida deixar o local é um ‘esquema de guerra’ para proteger a região. A Vila Belmiro pode ser interditada após o ocorrido.

Having last played the format in July 2024, they will be up against Zimbabwe who welcome Williams back from injury but are without Raza

Ekanth05-Feb-2025

Blessing Muzarabani could pose a serious threat to Ireland with his pace and bounce•Abu Dhabi Cricket

Big picture: Can Ireland shake off the rust?It’s still winter in Ireland but Test cricket is set to come out of the cold after a six-month gap. Their multi-format tour to Zimbabwe, their previous Test opponents, begins with a one-off Test in Bulawayo from Thursday. The game isn’t part of the World Test Championship, but it gives the visitors the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of wins in the span of a year after taking more than five years to win their first Test.Ireland are coming into the game after a training camp as part of their preparation. Harry Tector said the camp was about facing bowlers off their full run-ups again and getting back to the rhythm of Test batting. The players will hope it helps them work around the lack of game time.For Zimbabwe, who last won a Test in March 2021, this is a chance to end their drought. While most of those losses have been heavy, the one against Ireland last July anything but. In fact, they were well placed at the start of the final day before they let the game slip. So, they will want to make amends.Related

What does Test cricket mean to the Test teams outside the World Test Championship?

Zimbabwe are without Sikandar Raza, who is in the UAE for the ILT20, but they will be buoyed by the presence of Sean Williams, who is fit after struggling with a back injury during the recent Test series against Afghanistan. Williams was the joint-highest run-getter (254) for Zimbabwe in that series along with captain Craig Ervine. The pair will form the core of Zimbabwe’s batting line-up once again.Form guideZimbabwe LDLLD (last five Tests, most recent first)
Ireland WWLLLCan Harry Tector rediscover his form for Ireland?•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Blessing Muzarabani and Harry TectorBlessing Muzarabani’s pace and bounce, along with a high-release point – he is 6’6″ tall – will pose a tough challenge to all batters. Fresh off a six-wicket haul against Afghanistan, he could run through line-ups along with Richard Ngarava, like they did in Belfast where they reduced Ireland to 21 for 5 in helpful conditions in 2024.Harry Tector is arguably Ireland’s most gifted batter. But he had a middling 2024 across formats, scoring 477 runs in 21 games, at an average of 22.71. A return to form will boost his confidence as well as the progression of his team.Team news: Raza to stay at ILT20With Raza not available and Zimbabwe leaving out Dion Myers and Tadiwanashe Marumani, one of Vincent Masekesa (legspinner) and Nicholas Welch (top-order batter) – who are the new additions to the squad – might get a game. With Brian Bennett offering all-round options, Zimbabwe have the option of handing Johnathan Campbell, the son of former Alistair Campbell, a spot in the top order.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Joylord Gumbie (wk), 2 Ben Curran, 3 Johnathan Campbell, 4 Craig Ervine (capt), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 7 Brian Bennett, 8 Newman Nyamhuri, 9 Vincent Masekesa, 10 Richard Ngarava, 11 Blessing MuzarabaniIreland might go unchanged from their last Test match. They also have the option of bringing in legspinner Gavin Hoey in place of left-arm fingerspinner Matthew Humphreys, if the pitch is less conducive to spin.Ireland (probable): 1 Peter Moor, 2 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 3 Curtis Campher, 4 Harry Tector, 5 Paul Stirling, 6 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 7 Andy McBrine, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Barry McCarthy, 10 Craig Young/Gavin Hoey, 11 Matthew HumphreysPitch and conditionsThe two Tests between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan produced contrasting contests, with the first one seeing 1427 runs for just 24 wickets, and the second producing 968 for 40. While there isn’t much known about the nature of the surface, the weather – as Tector put it – is “definitely going to be hot”. So spinners could play a big role as the game goes on.Stats and Trivia Zimbabwe’s last Test win at home came in 2013 vs Pakistan. They have played 16 Tests since without having won any. They are the only team without a Test win at home since the start of 2014. Zimbabwe’s last and only Test win at Bulawayo came in 2001 against Bangladesh. They have played 19 Tests at the venue since losing 14. All the 13 Test wins of Zimbabwe so far have come against Asian teams. Their lone Test against Ireland also resulted in a defeat. The Bulawayo Test will be Ireland’s tenth match in the format, of which they won two. Only Australia (six) and Afghanistan (three) have had more wins in their first ten Tests.Quotes”I’ve found that my scoring shot decisions have become way more selective and the percentages have become a lot higher towards me than towards the bowler. I just became a little bit calmer as a batsman.”
“With the amount of white-ball cricket we play, you do feel you have to move the game along. But in Test cricket sometimes you can absorb pressure and then there are periods where you can add pressure. So that’s probably the thing I’m trying to learn and adapt to quickly.”
Ireland’s Harry Tector on finding the rhythm of batting in Tests