Mohammad Hasnain and Saim Ayub put in strong performances to take Panthers into the final of the Champions Cup with a seven-wicket win over Markhors. It was also the first win for the chasing team in the tournament.Batting first after winning the toss, Markhors had a poor start as Ali Raza dismissed Haseebullah Khan in the second over of the game. The real damage, though, was done by Hasnain, who sent back Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan to leave Markhors on 25 for 4 in the seventh over.Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed staged a mini-recovery, adding 77 for the fifth wicket but once Iftikhar was run out, Markhors collapsed again, to be all out for 137 in 36 overs. Their unlikely tormentor was Ayub, who picked up 5 for 24 with his part-time legbreaks. It was the first time he took more than two wickets in any form of senior cricket.Panthers lost Azan Awais early in the chase but Ayub kept them on track with 33 off 36 balls. And even though Ayub and Umar Siddiq fell in quick succession, Usman Khan smashed 54 not out off just 26 balls to take the side home in the 24th over.Markhors will now face the winner of the first eliminator, between Stallions and Lions, on Friday.
South Africa and Afghanistan are set to play their first-ever bilateral series, with three ODIs scheduled in Sharjah between September 18 and 22. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) will host the series, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement.This series was not part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) originally and CSA chairman Lawson Naidoo said it was a “significant milestone” in the partnership between the two boards. The series will end five days before South Africa’s scheduled matches – two T20Is and three ODIs – against Ireland in Abu Dhabi start on September 27.
South Africa’s tour of the UAE
ODI series v Afghanistan: September 18, 20 and 22. T20I series vs Ireland: September 27 and 29. ODI series vs Ireland: October 2, 4, and 7.
“We are excited to embark on this historic ODI series with Afghanistan, who have become a very competitive all-round team as evidenced by their recent performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and most recently at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024,” Naidoo said. “This is a significant milestone in our cricketing relations, and we look forward to a competitive and entertaining series.”These fixtures were not initially part of our FTP. Still, based on our productive negotiations with our counterparts at Cricket South Africa, we concluded that we will host the Proteas for an ODI series in September,” ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf said. “They are an excellent team, and we are eagerly looking forward to hosting them and playing them regularly in the future.”Before heading to the UAE, though, South Africa have two Tests and three T20Is lined up in the Caribbean against West Indies, starts August 7. For Afghanistan, the South Africa games will provide another chance to impress against a Test-playing nation and will be played less than a week after their maiden Test against New Zealand in Greater Noida, India, which will be contested from September 9 to 13.
Liverpool are now leading the race to complete the signing of a “great” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update from Fabrizio Romano.
Liverpool eyeing signings on either flank
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been a legendary full-back pairing for the Reds over the past seven or eight years, but there is a changing of the guard at Anfield this summer.
Sadly, Alexander-Arnold has opted to leave Liverpool in order to almost certainly join Real Madrid, which unsurprisingly hasn’t gone down well with many supporters, while Robertson isn’t the force he once was at left-back – no surprise, considering he is now 31 and has years of relentless running behind him.
Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jeremie Frimpong is set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen, potentially coming in as a right-back, but he is also more than capable of taking up a more attacking right-sided role. It remains to be seen how Arne Slot will use him, and if Conor Bradley will be first-choice right-back moving forward.
Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez has emerged as the strongest option at left-back, following an excellent season with Bournemouth, although Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato have also been mentioned as options. Manchester City have reportedly been looking to hijack a move for Kerkez, though, being seen as “genuine rivals” for his signature.
Liverpool in pole position to sign Kerkez after talks
Taking to X on Sunday, Romano said that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Kerkez from Bournemouth this summer, with talks continuing to head in the right direction:
Kerkez really does feel like the natural fit to come in and be Liverpool’s new first-choice left-back, ticking so many boxes, in terms of what Slot will be looking for.
The 21-year-old Hungary international is strong at both ends of the pitch, bagging seven goal contributions (two goals and five assists) in the Premier League this season, as well as averaging 2.6 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game.
Appearances
37
Starts
37
Minutes played
3,251
Goals
2
Assists
5
Clearances per game
2.6
Tackles per game
1.4
Interceptions per game
1.2
Key passes per game
0.9
In fact, Kerkez’s performances haven’t been lost on Slot, who has said he has enjoyed a “great season”, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig called him “amazing” after Bournemouth beat Manchester City earlier in the season.
At this point, it could be a surprise if the Cherries star didn’t join Liverpool, in a summer transfer window that is already threatening to be legendary.
Liverpool are brewing their own version of Wirtz in "fearless" academy star
Liverpool could do with an academy sensation breaking into Arne Slot’s senior squad.
ByAngus Sinclair May 24, 2025
If the Reds manage to sign Kerkez, Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and a top-quality striker, it will be significant business that may only make them far stronger heading into next season.
Incoming Rangers owners, the 49ers, are now plotting the statement summer signing of a “very talented” Brazilian, according to a report.
Gers stepping up summer transfer plans
There is still a lot of uncertainty at Ibrox, with the 49ers still yet to identify a permanent replacement for interim boss Barry Ferguson, although there have been some recent developments in the pursuit of a new manager, with an offer being submitted for Davide Ancelotti.
Davide Ancelotti
Should Ancelotti be appointed, the Real Madrid assistant is likely to have a big say in the Gers’ summer transfer business, but potential targets are already being identified, with recruitment chiefs looking to bring in players capable of bridging the gap to Celtic next season.
Scouts have been sent to watch Evagoras Charalambous in action for Anorthosis Famagusta, with the Light Blues keen on a new striker, while they are also expected to make a bid for Estoril defender Kevin Boma at the opposite end of the pitch.
He earns more than Diomande: Rangers must sell £2.2m flop this summer
Rangers will be keen on selling a few players this summer
ByRoss Kilvington May 12, 2025
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Rangers are also keen to bolster their options in the engine room this summer, with the 49ers now plotting the statement signing of Troyes midfielder Metinho to mark the start of a new era at Ibrox.
The central midfielder has spent part of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at FC Basel, where he has caught the eye, and there is a feeling a summer deal could be possible for the relatively low fee of £4m, or potentially even less, as his contract is due to expire next summer.
The 49ers are looking to bring in young players with high potential, who can kick on at Ibrox and be sold for a profit at some point down the line, and they believe the 22-year-old fits the bill.
"Very talented" Metinho likened to Pogba
Such is the Brazilian’s potential, he was once likened to ex-Manchester United man Paul Pogba by former Fluminense academy director Marcelo Veiga, who said: “People joke and sometimes call him Pogba due to his style, his appearance and because he plays with his head up.”
The Congo-born maestro has also impressed football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who once described him as “very talented”, and he has particularly caught the eye with his dribbling ability over the past year, while also ranking highly on some defensive metrics.
Statistic
Average per 90
Progressive carries
3.49 (99th percentile)
Successful take-ons
1.83 (98th percentile)
Interceptions
1.33 (76th percentile)
Clearances
3.16 (97th percentile)
As such, the South American is clearly a well-rounded player, who just needs to add more goals to his game to be a complete midfielder, having failed to find the back of the net this season.
Regardless, Metinho is clearly a promising midfielder, who could make an instant impact at Ibrox, so it is exciting news that Rangers could look to snap him up for a relatively low fee in the summer transfer window.
Nottingham Forest could now look to hijack a rival Premier League club’s move for an “unbelievable” player, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey.
Forest's summer transfer plans taking shape
Forest still have plenty to play for this season, with Champions League qualification still very much on the cards despite the 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa last weekend, while they will also have dreams of winning the FA Cup.
However, with the summer transfer window edging ever closer, it is important Nuno begins to lay the groundwork ahead of next season, and the manager appears to be particularly keen on signing a new striker.
Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, AFC Bournemouth’s Evanilson, and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha are some of the biggest names on the shortlist, with Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin also emerging as an option in recent days.
Nottingham Forest very keen on signing £26m USA international this summer
The Tricky Trees have set their sights on a midfielder, who is now likely to leave his club this summer.
ByDominic Lund Apr 8, 2025
Bolstering his attacking options appears to be a priority for Nuno, but there have also been suggestions the manager could look to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, with replacements being eyed for Matz Sels, despite his impressive form.
Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is one of the names on the shortlist, with the 26-year-old set to be available for £25m, now the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League has been confirmed.
Speaking to Nottingham Forest News, transfer expert Bailey has now confirmed Burnley’s James Trafford is also of interest to the Trickly Trees, saying: “They have been delighted with how Sels has performed, he has been superb but I know they are looking at the market.
James Trafford for Burnley.
“There are some very good goalkeepers going to be available – Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford and Caoimhin Kelleher amongst them, and Forest like those three – and that isn’t including the plethora of foreign options. It is not definite but they are looking at it.”
Trafford could be "unbelievable" signing
Sels has been reliable for Forest between the sticks this season, starting all 31 of their Premier League matches, but there are clear indications Trafford could be an upgrade on the Belgian.
Burnley have shipped just 12 goals in the Championship this season, which is by far the best defensive record in the league, and he has received high praise from minority owner JJ Watt, who lauded the goalkeeper as “unbelievable”.
That description is fully justified, given that the 6’6″ colossus ranks extremely highly on a number of key metrics for goalkeepers over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90
Goals against
0.30 (99th percentile)
Save percentage
86.0% (99th percentile)
Save % (Penalty kicks)
100% (95th percentile)
Clean sheet percentage
70% (99th percentile)
Trafford has long been expected to sign for Newcastle United this summer, and it may be difficult to hijack the move for the goalkeeper, but if Champions League football is on offer at the City Ground next season, moving to Forest could be an attractive proposition.
Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Matt Roller to debrief on the Hundred and preview England’s upcoming white-ball series with South Africa
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2025After a month of the Hundred, it’s time to get back on the international treadmill as England take on South Africa in ODI and T20I series. On the latest Switch Hit, Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Matt Roller to help get you back up to speed. Topics for discussion include Sonny Baker’s impending debut, Jamie Overton ruling himself out of Ashes contention, and “the end of the beginning” of the Hundred.
Haider Ali scored a second innings half century and Hasan Ali also featured
Danyal Rasool10-Apr-2023Mohammad Abbas
Mohammad Abbas looks like he was born to play the County Championship, and after a sparkling 2022 with Hampshire, he went on to demonstrate why his retention was such a no-brainer. He began this season even more spectacularly than the last, taking nine wickets across the match, including 6-49 in the first innings to skittle Nottinghamshire out for 185. Defending a narrow lead in a low-scoring match, he teamed up with Kyle Abbott to run through Notts a second time, this time chiefly responsible for running through the middle and lower order. No batter was truly comfortable against the seam bowler; he dismissed eight different Notts batters across both innings. It ensured his side needed just 132 for victory, a feat they managed with eight wickets to spare.Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali didn’t have quite as sizzling a start to his Championship stint with Warwickshire in a rain-affected game. After the first day was washed out, Warwickshire, bowling first, took nearly 93 overs to bowl out Somerset, with Hasan claiming 2-62 in 19 overs. After Warwickshire claimed a big lead, and with little time left in the contest, Somerset had to bat out 50 overs on the final day. They accomplished this with ease, and Hasan was the most expensive of the Warwickshire bowlers, leaking 52 runs for one wicket in his ten.Haider Ali and Azhar Ali
Down in Division Two, two Pakistanis found themselves on opposing sides in Derby, when Haider Ali’s Derbyshire took on Azhar Ali’s Worcestershire. Neither made a real impact, and both stayed true to reputation, in the first innings. Haider was dismissed for a breezy 22, while Azhar fell for a gritty 23. But with Derbyshire staring down the barrel of a huge deficit, Haider shone in the second innings, striking up a 134-run opening stand with Billy Godleman, scoring 65 and ensuring Worcestershire had an awkward 192-run chase in the final innings.This, however, they managed with ease thanks to a 139-run second-wicket partnership between Azhar and Jake Libby. If that sounds familiar, it should: the two shared a century stand in the reverse fixture last season to save the game for Worcestershire, with Azhar scoring 60 and Libby registering an unbeaten 105. This time around, their partnership eased Worcestershire to an eight-wicket win in remarkably similar fashion, as Libby managed an unbeaten 104 while Azhar scored 62.
With a depleted squad, on a spinning pitch, they chased 395 with two debutants the heroes
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They were without six first-choice players Ten West Indies cricketers opted not to travel to Bangladesh amid Covid-19 concerns, including their Test captain Jason Holder, and vice-captain Roston Chase. Shai Hope, Darren Bravo and Shamarh Brooks, all likely to have made the XI, also opted out of the tour, as did first-choice keeper Shane Dowrich, for personal reasons. Shimron Hetmyer, who could have made the Test team for the first time since 2019 as a replacement batsman, also missed out.They fielded three debutants All the absentees meant West Indies had to field three debutants in the first Test in Bangladesh: Shayne Moseley, Nkrumah Bonner, and Kyle Mayers, who batted from No.3 to No.5. Their wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva was playing just his second Test. Kraigg Brathwaite took over from Holder as captain.West Indies had lost 0-2 on their previous tour to Bangladesh Even with a full-strength side, West Indies would have been underdogs in Bangladesh, having lost both Tests there on their 2018 tour. They had a near full-strength squad for that series, but their batsmen struggled on the turning tracks, only once getting a total of more than 250.They had been swept in the ODI series of this tour Those vulnerabilities against spin were apparent on this tour as well, as West Indies’ ODI batting line-up crumbled for scores of 122, 148 and 177 in the three-match series. They could not get to 300 in either innings of the tour match before the Tests, and when they were bowled out for 259 in the first innings of the first Test, it looked like it would be another long series for their batsmen.The heroes of the win were two debutants Left 395 to chase on a fourth and fifth-day pitch, West Indies would have had most of their hopes pinned on their captain Brathwaite, and more experienced batsmen, John Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood. Instead, the two heroes were debutants – Mayers, who scored an incredible 210 not out, and Bonner, who got 86; the pair put together 216 for the fourth wicket. Mayers is 28 and Bonner 32 – both have been on the first-class scene for a while, and when finally given the opportunity, produced memorable knocks.
علق دومينيك سوبوسلاي، نجم نادي ليفربول، على احتمالية رحيل محمد صلاح عن صفوف الريدز خلال الفترة المقبلة، موضحًا أنه يحب الدولي المصري كثيرًا لكن القرار ليس قراره.
واستطاع نادي ليفربول تحقيقق انتصارًا ثمينًا يوم أمس الثلاثاء على إنتر ميلان 1-0، لحساب بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مرحلة الدوري، بينما سجل سوبوسلاي هدف الريدز الوحيد من ركلة جزاء.
وشهدت هذه المباراة غياب محمد صلاح عن صفوف ليفربول، وبقرار فني من المدرب آرني سلوت، حيث لعب سوبوسلاي بدلًا من الدولي المصري، وكصانع ألعاب بدلًا من مركزه كجناح أيمن.
وقدم سوبوسلاي مباراة جيدة وساعد ليفربول في تحقيق الفوز، حيث يظهر الدولي المجري بشكل مميز منذ بداية هذا الموسم.
ودخل محمد صلاح في خلاف مع سلوت وإدارة ليفربول، بسبب جلوسه المستمر كبديل في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ما أثار الجدل حول إمكانية رحيل اللاعب عن النادي الإنجليزي خلال الفترة المقبلة.
وقال سوبوسلاي في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة ”ESPN” عن مستقبل محمد صلاح: “ليس هذا قرارنا كلاعبين، أنا أحب محمد صلاح كإنسان وكصديق. كلاعب قدم الكثير لهذا النادي، سيكون القرار قرار النادي وقراره هو”.
وأضاف سوبوسلاي في حديثه عن محمد صلاح: “أنا قريب منه جدًا، إنه قراره الشخصي فيما يتعلق بحياته ومسيرته المهنية، لا علاقة للاعبين بالأمر لذا لا أملك ما أقوله بشأنه”.
اقرأ أيضًا .. سكاي سبورتس توضح موقف محمد صلاح من الانتقال للدوري السعودي
وعن الفوز على إنتر ميلان أوضح الدولي المجري: ”شعور رائع، خاصةً في مثل هذه اللحظات، قاتلنا كفريق واحد حتى النهاية ولا نستسلم أبدًا، في النهاية، أثمر العمل الجاد وهذا ما فعلناه، سنعود بالنقاط الثلاث إلى ديارنا”.
وأردف عن قرار مراجعة تقنية الفيديو قبل تأكيد ركلة الجزاء التي جاء منها الهدف أردف سوبوسلاي: ”بصراحة، انتظرنا القرار، لم أكن مشاركًا فعليًا في اللعبة، ركزت فقط على نفسي لأنني كنت أعرف أنني سأسدد ركلة الجزاء إن كانت ستحتسب، هذا ما كان يدور في ذهني”.
وحول تغيير طريقة العب ومشاركته كصانع ألعاب واللعب بدون أجنحة تابع سوبوسلاي: ”يختلف عن أسلوب لعبنا المعتاد، لكن أمام ليدز كان جيدًا، للأسف استقبلنا هدفًا من ركلة ثابتة في النهاية لكنني لا أعتقد أن الأمر يتعلق بالتشكيلة أو أي شيء آخر، المدرب يضعنا في هذه التشكيلة وعلينا أن نؤدي بها، إذا غير شيئًا، فعلينا أن نغيره، تحدثنا عن الأمر والآن نجح”.
وعن ما إذا كانت خطة لعب ليفربول الجديدة تمنح الفريق المزيد من السيطرة أجاب سوبوسلاي: ”في الحقيقة، لا يهم كيف نلعب في خط الوسط، إذا سيطرنا على مجريات المباراة فسنتمكن من السيطرة في أي مركز وفي أي موقف لأننا نمتلك الجودة واللاعبين المناسبين لذلك، سنجري التغييرات اللازمة الآن ولنرى ما سنفعله يوم السبت”.
وعن الحفاظ على شباك ليفربول نظيفة أردف الدولي المجري: ”كان ذلك في غاية الأهمية، هذا ما تحدثنا عنه، نحتاج إلى الجميع وليس المدافعين فقط، يبدأ الأمر من المهاجم، ثم لاعبي خط الوسط، ثم المدافعين ولا يزال لدينا أليسون بيكر”.
وتابع: ”إذا بذل كل لاعب قصارى جهده فسيكون من الصعب جدًا التسجيل في مرمانا، لقد أظهرنا ذلك مرات عديدة، ولكن ليس في الأسابيع أو الأشهر القليلة الماضية”.
وعن رغبة ليفربول في إنهاء مرحلة الدوري في دوري أبطال أوروبا ضمن المراكز الثمانية الأولى اختتم سوبوسلاي في حديثه: ”بالتأكيد، هذا هو عملنا وخطتنا، نركز الآن على الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لفترة أطول ثم ستليها بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا في العام المقبل”.
Ceará e Coritiba se enfrentam nesta sexta-feira (31), pela 8ª rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro. A bola vai rolar a partir das 19h (de Brasília), na Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE), com transmissão do Sportv e Premiere (clique aqui para assinar o Premiere por 30 dias grátis!)
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Confira todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre Ceará e Coritiba (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).
✅ FICHA TÉCNICA CEARÁ X CORITIBA 8ª RODADA – SÉRIE B DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO 🗓️ Data e horário: sexta-feira, 31 de maio de 2024, às 31h (de Brasília); 📍 Local: Arena Castelão, Fortaleza (CE); 📺 Onde assistir: Sportv e Premiere; 🟨 Árbitro: Alex Gomes Stefano (RJ); 🚩 Assistentes: Thiago Henrique Neto Correa Farinha (RJ) e Carlos Henrique Alves de Lima Filho (RJ); 🖥️ VAR: Carlos Eduardo Nunes Braga (RJ).
⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES:
CEARÁ (Técnico: Vagner Mancini) Richard; Raí Ramos, Jonathan, Jean Írmer, David Ricardo e Paulo Victor; De Lucca, Lourenço e Aylon (Recalde); Erick Pulga e Facundo Barceló.
continua após a publicidade
CORITIBA (Técnico: James Freitas) Pedro Morisco; Natanael, Maurício Antônio, Bruno Melo e Rodrigo Gelado; Morelli, Geovane Meurer (Vini Pauista), Matheus Frizzo; Figueiredo, Lucas Ronier e Damião.