Mohammad Rizwan gives Pakistan fighting total, debutant Aamer Jamal holds nerve at death

Danyal Rasool28-Sep-2022

Pakistan 145 (Rizwan 63, Wood 3-20) beat England 139 for 7 (Moeen 51*) by six runsFor the second successive game, Pakistan were put in to bat first, scraped to what appeared a below-par total, and saw their bowlers bail them out. After being bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs, the hosts took the attack to England with the ball, knocking over three wickets in the powerplay and then squeezing with the spin of Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed. In the end, a majestic lone hand from Moeen Ali, who scored an unbeaten 51 off 36, threatened to snatch it away in an incredible smash and grab, but debutant Aamer Jamal just about held his nerve, giving Pakistan a six-run win, and a 3-2 series lead.There has been plenty of criticism of Mohammad Rizwan and his strike rate, but his innings encapsulated why Pakistan value his consistency so much. On an off-day with the bat and a splendid bowling performance from England, spearheaded by Mark Wood and David Willey, Rizwan hung around until the 18th over, and was the ninth wicket to fall. He had racked up 63 off 46; the next highest score from a Pakistan batter was 15. It allowed Pakistan to get to something resembling respectability, particular as humid, heavy conditions threatened to slow down both the pitch and the outfield. Even so, the odds were heavily against them, with Pakistan never having defended a total this low in their home country.England could have put the game to bed early on, but instead let Pakistan in with a spate of bizarre, reckless shots that went straight to fielders. Phil Salt picked out the only man out in the deep on the leg side in the fourth over, but it had taken Alex Hales just five balls to find backward point trying to slice a delivery that had turned and gripped. Ben Duckett, who has exploited the field so masterfully at times this series, fell into the most basic trap Pakistan had set, edging one straight down deep third’s throat with the man stationed specifically for that shot.After the Powerplay was done, Babar Azam turned immediately to Shadab, and having assessed that spin would be hard to get away paired him up with Iftikhar. England could neither stick nor twist against the two, continuing to lose wickets without scoring very many runs. It wasn’t until Moeen, who had scrapped through the early phase of his innings, began to cut loose that England realised a remarkable heist was on. A slew of fours and sixes off the middle of his bat took the game deep, before Jamal held steady and closed out the game with the final delivery.Wood on fire
There’s something about giving Wood a rest which sees him return all guns blazing. After an injury lay-off, he traumatised Pakistan in the third T20I with the sort of extreme pace the hosts have considered their birthright for generations, even clocking 97mph/156kph on the speed gun. Rested for the fourth game, he picked up where he left off in Lahore, breathing the sort of fire that proved much too hot to handle for Pakistan once more. He was hitting the low-to-mid 90s mph right from the outset, rushing Rizwan into a pull shot before firing a length ball at Babar at 95mph/152kph to follow. Two balls later, Babar pulled one that whizzed at him at 93mph/150kph, straight to the hands of square leg.Pace, as Pakistan know too well, troubles everyone, no matter the batter, or their individual strengths and weaknesses. Haider Ali found himself frozen at the crease trying to pull a 92mph/148kph length ball, and only succeeded in top-edging straight up into the air.In the middle overs, Wood showed there was as much guile to his game as speed. When he saw Asif Ali backing away outside leg stump – and who wouldn’t against a bowler in such fearsome form? – Wood ditched the shorter length, cleaning him up with a leg stump yorker. Mohammad Nawaz had a brain-fade the same over, meandering down the pitch aimlessly to gift England another wicket. The Englishman had registered figures of 3-0-9-3 at that point, and they didn’t flatter him in the slightest.Pakistan go slow
With the wicket steadily getting skiddier and conditions wetter, Pakistan opted for the complete inverse, throwing in Iftikhar and the returning Shadab right after the powerplay. The duo bowled out their allotted quotes in one fever dream of an eight-over burst, or so it must have felt like for England. Iftikhar slid them through flat almost every ball, taking care to steer clear of the batters’ hitting arcs, while Shadab got the ball to skid and stick in the pitch. It turned what looked like a straightforward chase into a horrible, scrappy affair. England managed just two boundaries off those 48 deliveries, and just 42 runs, losing both Dawid Malan and Harry Brook in the process. That passage of play had begin with the required rate at 7.42, but when the pair were done, it had soared to 10.50.Moeen’s mastery
Moeen seemed to have spent much of that innings in hibernation, happy to rotate the strike and even play second fiddle to Dawid Malan and later Sam Curran. He had managed just 14 off his first 19 balls, and looked to be finding conditions just as turgid as his team-mates were. But in the final five overs, there were signs he was stirring from that slumber. He was as spectacular against the pace bowlers as he was stodgy against spin. When Wasim was carved through point in the 16th over, there was evidence the game wasn’t quite done yet. If Pakistan hadn’t picked up that warning sign, they certainly did when Haris Rauf was insouciantly timed over square leg for six.A further six and a four off Wasim off the following two overs brought the game to a head with 15 required in the final six. Babar trusted Jamal over Nawaz to bowl it, and the signs looked ominous when a slot ball was butched over long-on to bring the equation down to eight off three. By this time, Moeen was in his zone, barely acknowledging the half-century that shot had taken him to. But with Moeen turning down singles, Jamal found the wide line that had kept him quiet and England found Pakistan’s modest total was just out of their reach.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was told to "do the right thing" by Liverpool owner John Henry after their title triumph, per a professional lipreader.

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Right-back linked with Real MadridContract expiring this summerHenry implores him to stayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Liverpool won the league with their 5-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday and, in the celebrating throng, Alexander-Arnold was spotted speaking to owner John W Henry. Reds fans will surely have been desperate to hear what he had to say and a lipreader has now attempted to confirm what was being said.

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Alexander-Arnold's contract expires this summer and the right-back has long been linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid. However, both Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have been convinced to extend their deals despite links away, and Henry appears to have implored the defender to do the same.

WHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD AND HENRY SAID

Per Nicola Hickling, an investigative and forensic lipreader, who was speaking to OLBG, the pair's conversation went as follows:

JH: “You’ve been quiet. How did you get on?”

TAA: *nods* and says: “Being sensible.”

JH: Raises his hand slightly and says: “I want you to do the right thing”

TAA: “Yeah, yeah.”

JH: “Best way and don't panic.”

TAA: “Should I decide?”

JH: He nods very slowly and says: “Absolutely.” and then turns to say: “Let them know.”

TAA: Nods in agreement.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Liverpool fans must wait to see where Alexander-Arnold will play his football next season. In the meantime, the Reds round out the season with games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Crystal Palace.

Everton need a new centre-forward. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is injured once again and has hardly been a pillar of strength this season, and Armando Broja’s loan spell is in danger of being severed after the Albanian sustained an ankle injury.

Beto, at least, has found his shooting boots, blasting two shots into the goal as David Moyes recorded his third straight victory in a 4-0 drubbing over Leicester City.

But Beto alone cannot uphold the focal striking role at Goodison Park. Everton are looking to bring someone in before tonight’s transfer deadline, but will The Friedkin Group manage to get the task done?

Everton's search for a striker

Last week, reports surfaced that Nottingham Forest number nine Taiwo Awoniyi is an option for Everton heading into the final stretch of the January transfer window.

We’re now hours away from the window’s closure and the Toffees have still not signed a striker, but time is indeed ticking and Awoniyi could be the man for the job, especially since he’s playing second fiddle in Nuno Espirito Santo’s system.

The 27-year-old has a wealth of Premier League experience and boasts the athletic qualities that Moyes typically covets at centre-forward. A loan deal would surely be put forth but Forest would ideally look to recoup £18m for their forward.

Why Everton want Taiwo Awoniyi

The 33-year-old Chris Wood decided to turn into prime Alan Shearer this season and thus Awoniyi’s playing time at the City Ground has been limited.

Still. He’s an excellent marksman and would bring the physicality and clinical edge that Moyes’ system requires. Having proven his prolific ability in the Premier League, the Nigerian “monster of an athlete” – as he has been described by journalist David Hundeyin – would be the perfect player to jockey with the likes of Beto.

As per FBref, he even ranks among the top 10% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles (1.22) per 90, emphasising a deep-seated tenacity and drive to aid his team across the different phases of a match.

Moyes, to be sure, will relish such a complete and ranged skill set, with such qualities apt to see him take the mantle as Everton’s star striker, surpassing Calvert-Lewin and Beto.

See below Awoniyi’s Premier League metrics since joining Forest from German side Union Berlin for £17.5m in the summer of 2022, enjoying comparative success in front of goal.

24/25

19 (2)

1

0

23/24

20 (12)

6

3

22/23

27 (17)

10

1

Beto, conversely, has struggled, with his recent two-goal haul against the Foxes raising the previous tally of four from 44 Premier League appearances.

It’s worth noting that Awoniyi has also missed just 16 big chances for the Tricky Trees across his three campaigns, scoring 17 total goals. This is the marker of a high-class goalscorer, converting more than often than squandering his chances.

Transfer Focus

Last season, Beto only managed to bag three Premier League goals despite missing eight big chances. The Guinea-Bissau international has taken the first steps toward enjoying a purple patch but his Everton history suggests he’s not consistent enough to lead the line over the business months, and Awoniyi could neatly solve the problem.

Ndiaye will love him: Everton make late attempt to sign Premier League gem

Everton fans would love for this late signing to happen.

ByKelan Sarson Feb 2, 2025

Shifting their focus towards the summer transfer window, Liverpool are now reportedly plotting a big-money move to sign a Bundesliga talent who’s been tipped for a swift exit from his current club.

Liverpool transfer news

Top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League an through to the Carabao Cup final in sensational fashion – and all in a matter of six months for Arne Slot. Liverpool are certainly in dreamland. But that fantasy is yet to extend to the transfer window. The Reds have remained stubborn on that front, insisting on waiting for the right opportunuties to come their way, and failing to welcome a January boost as a result.

After a quiet transfer window, however, Slot was quick to reiterate that his side could yet enjoy a busy summer – telling reporters: “Liverpool should always be competing for a league title, we should always be competing for the Champions League. I’m hoping I will be able to keep the club at that level.

“I know people sometimes question this because they haven’t seen us doing a lot in the transfer market in the summer and now in the winter as well. There’s a reason for that – because we’re happy with the squad. But I do know we’re definitely working on strengthening in the summer.”

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On that front, the Dutchman may yet have been right about his verdict. According to Christian Falk via Caught Offside, Liverpool are now plotting a summer swoop to sign Xavi Simons in what would come just months after he made his loan move to RB Leipzig permament.

Arriving for a reported €50m (£42m) in January, Leipzig could now make instant profit on the Dutchman and believe that they could get up to €80m (£67m) for their star man.

"Fantastic" Simons would thrive under Slot

If ever a player seemed ready-made for the big stage, it is Simons. Overcoming early struggles after grabbing the headlines as he broke through at Barcelona, the attacking midfielder is now a rising star to watch and one who would thrive under Slot.

Falk even tipped the Leipzig man to make a summer switch after signing a two-year contract at the Bundesliga club recently, telling Caught Offside: “So, you see, his stock is rising!

“Leipzig are thinking they have signed a player for €50m (£42m) who has the potential to be an €80m (£67m) player, so they could earn a lot of money on a potential sale. I’m sure there’s a gentleman’s agreement or a release clause, which would see Simons sold in the summer.”

So, when the summer arrives, Liverpool would certainly be wise to make their move for the Dutchman and hand Slot the perfect candidate to play in the advanced midfielder role in his 4-2-3-1 system. Dubbed “fantastic” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, Simons remains one to watch even after his Leipzig move in January.

Chelsea’s attackers have arguably been a little bit underwhelming so far in the Premier League this season. The exception to that is Cole Palmer, who has once again stood out with 14 goals and six assists in the top flight.

He has been well-supported by a few of the Blues’ attackers. Nicolas Jackson has played well, with nine goals and five assists, and Noni Madueke has ten goal involvements, with both players the only other Chelsea attackers to score more than five goals.

However, a couple of players have underperformed, including Joao Felix and Pedro Neto, who have only managed one goal each in the Premier League. Thus, it might not be a surprise that the Blues are targeting a late move for Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.

Why Chelsea want Ferguson

A report on Friday confirmed that the Blues have joined the race to sign Ferguson before Monday’s deadline. At this stage, it is not clear whether or not they want to do a loan deal or make a permanent move for the Irishman. However, he is valued at £40m by the Seagulls.

It has been a really tough season in 2024/25 for the 20-year-old. He has played 15 times across all competitions but has only found the back of the net once. That strike came at home in a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, he has shown great promise at first-team level for the South Coast outfit. The striker has scored 17 times and grabbed five assists in 80 games for the club, although has only played 3542 minutes in that time.

So, with that in mind, the Blues would certainly be adding someone who has a natural eye for goal. Although he has struggled this season, it is important to remember Ferguson is just 20 years of age and has years to go in his development as a professional.

It remains to be seen if the Blues will sign Ferguson, but for £40m they could certainly do worse. In fact, one of their current players is worth far more than the striker, who cannot get into the side this season under Enzo Maresca.

The player worth more than Ferguson

The Chelsea star worth more than the Brighton forward is Christopher Nkunku. Things have not really worked out for the French forward at Stamford Bridge since his £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023.

His record, on the face of things, is not too bad. The former PSG star has played 43 times in that famous Blue shirt, scoring 16 times and registering four assists.

However, seven of those goals have come in the Conference League, including two goals and an assist in the 8-0 win over FC Noah this season.

Nkunku has been disappointing in the Premier League in 2024/25, with five goals and one assist in 30 appearances. With that being said, he is competing against Palmer and Jackson for a spot in the side, which is far from easy given their form.

Stat

2023/24

2024/25

Total

Games

19

11

30

Minutes

419

439

858

Goals

2

3

5

Assists

1

0

1

The Frenchman, once described as “ridiculous” by Statman Dave during his time at Leipzig, was linked with a move back to Germany earlier in the transfer window. He had agreed on personal terms with Bayern Munich, as reported by Florian Plettenberg on the 18th of January.

ESPN reported that the Blues would want at least £50m for Nkunku if he were to leave, and there are certainly positives for his departure. Not only does it work better for him, given he can play regular football elsewhere, but it means Chelsea can also reinvest the money into a deal for Ferguson, which is better suited to their squad.

For all parties, it seems worth Nkunku leaving Stamford Bridge. He is worth £10m more than Brighton’s asking price for the Ireland striker, and that certainly benefits the Blues given they can add a more suitable profile to their squad.

Caicedo 2.0: Chelsea lining up move for 'one of the best PL midfielders'

Chelsea lining up move for a standout Premier League sensation

ByConnor Holden Jan 31, 2025

Ajax are ready to sell 19-year-old wonderkid Jorrel Hato in the summer amid interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

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Top English side show interest in HatoChelsea leading the race to sign the defenderAjax ready to cash in on the wonderkidFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to journalist , the three Premier League giants have shown strong interest in the defender, who could exit the Eredivisie this summer if the right offer comes in Ajax's way. He further claimed that the Blues have reportedly held initial talks with the Dutch giants and are leading the race to sign Hato.

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Hato broke into Ajax's first team in 2023 as a 16-year-old and made his senior debut under then-head coach John Heitinga. At 19, the defender is being considered as one of the brightest prospects in the world and a future star. His consistency for the Eredivisie side has caught the eyes of the top English clubs.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, Verweij said: "So, Ajax has spoken to Chelsea about Hato. But he has also been linked to Liverpool and Arsenal. That is what you want as a Dutch club. That also happened with Lisandro Martínez, and then the price can go to a level that makes you really happy. They will be rubbing their hands with glee. I don’t think Ajax will care much whether he goes to Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool. Because then he will become a player for the main prize again."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR AJAX?

Ajax, who are currently leading the Eredivisie title race by seven points, will be back in action in the league on May 11 as they take on NEC at home.

Trio will interview the candidates in line for a place in the new selection panel for men’s cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-2022The BCCI has set up a Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising former India players Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik to interview the candidates in line for a place in the new selection panel for men’s cricket.The old one remains in place but only as a temporary measure. All of its members were effectively sacked by the BCCI in the aftermath of India’s T20 World Cup exit. However, it is learnt that the chief Chetan Sharma has once again put his name up for consideration.Related

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The CAC was last in action to appoint Rahul Dravid as the India head coach a year ago. Madan Lal (chief), Naik and RP Singh had been appointed in that CAC in January 2020 for an initial one year term. Their work began with the appointment of a selection committee as well. But Lal turned 70 last year and had to leave his position because as per the BCCI constitution those over 70 cannot be part of any committee. RP Singh then left the committee because he joined the Mumbai Indians set-up as a talent scout.Malhotra, who will turn 66 in January, was the president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association until October 2022 and was succeeded by Aunshuman Gaekwad. Malhotra, a former middle-order batter, played seven Tests and 20 ODIs from 1982 to 1986 and had coached the Bengal team in domestic cricket from 2013 to 2015.Paranjape, 50, played four ODIs for India in 1998 and was himself in the selection panel which he now has to pick, until early 2017.Naik, 44, was a wicketkeeper-batter who played two Tests, 46 ODIs, and 31 T20Is from 2002 to 2013.The first CAC was appointed in 2015 and had three high-profile names in Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. They were to be consulted on all major decisions in Indian cricket, such as appointing the head coach and team director. In 2019, they were all served notices for alleged conflict of interest for for serving as IPL franchises’ support staff members as well as being on the CAC.Once they quit, Kapil Dev became the next high-profile name to take over the CAC, along with Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy. But those three also stepped down after being served notices for alleged conflict of interest by the BCCI ethics officer.