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Brandon Mavuta claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, but Zimbabwe ended day three 333 runs behind

Ashish Pant06-Feb-2023The name Chanderpaul has a rich presence in West Indies cricket history, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul carried the legacy forward by becoming just the tenth player from the region to convert his maiden Test hundred into a double-ton. The opener was a study in concentration during his unbeaten 207 off 467 balls, helping the visitors declare on 447 for 6 on day three of the first Test against Zimbabwe.Kraigg Brathwaite and Chanderpaul together racked up multiple records as Bulawayo finally saw a full day’s play with the sun shining brightly after two rain-hit days. In reply, Innocent Kaia led the way with an unbeaten fifty on debut and Zimbabwe moved to 114 for 3, still trailing West Indies by 333 runs.With 99 overs lost to rain and West Indies managing to score just 221 runs in 89 overs across the first two days, they needed to up the rate to have any chance of forcing a result, and Brathwaite took on the challenge. He was proactive from the get-go and brought out a number of shots that were at odds with his naturally defensive style of play.He struck Richard Ngarava for three successive fours in the third over of the day before slamming Victor Nyauchi for two more. Brathwaite hit six fours in his first 16 balls of the day, and soon brought up a third score in excess of 150 in Test cricket. He was rather agricultural in his shot-making, often moving in his crease and looking for gaps on the on side, a method probably inspired by Zimbabwe’s seven-two off-side heavy field.ESPNcricinfo LtdChanderpaul was more measured in his approach and collected a four only in the 21st over of the day. But he rotated the strike at every chance possible.Zimbabwe also had their moments in the extended first session. There were a couple of close run-out appeals against Chanderpaul, while debutant wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga missed a stumping chance when Brathwaite was on 159. Soon after, Brad Evans failed to hold on to a tough chance to his right in his follow-through with Brathwaite on 167.As a result, it did not take long for the pair to go past Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes’ 33-year-old record for the highest opening stand in Tests for West Indies. They also became the first opening pair to bat more than 100 overs in a Test innings since Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya against Pakistan 23 years ago.Zimbabwe finally struck through Wellington Masakadza, who trapped Brathwaite in front for 182, ending a mammoth 336-run stand – the ninth-highest Test opening partnership. Soon after, Chanderpaul reached 150, the first instance of both West Indies openers scoring in excess of 150 in the same Test innings.Kyle Mayers struck a couple of sixes before falling to Brandon Mavuta, as West Indies went into lunch on 374 for 2, having scored 153 runs in 36 overs in the first session.Brandon Mavuta claimed his maiden Test five-wicket haul•Associated PressChanderpaul got a life when he was dropped first ball after the break, with Tsiga again failing to latch on. However, Mavuta continued to keep the ball in good areas and was rewarded with the wickets of Raymon Reifer and Jermaine Blackwood in quick succession.Chanderpaul went after Masakadza, smashing him for a four and a six in an over to move swiftly through the 180s even as Mavuta continued to pick up wickets at the other end. The legspinner had Roston Chase edging for 7 before removing Jason Holder to claim his maiden five-wicket haul.It then took Chanderpaul a while to reach his double-ton, but he got there in style by lofting Masakadza over mid-off for a six. That also took him past his father Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s highest Test score of 203 not out, and West Indies soon declared. The Zimbabwe openers, Kaia and Tanunurwa Makoni, both on Test debut, then survived the ten overs before tea to give their side a steady start.With the sun baking down on the Bulawayo surface, batting on the third evening became a touch easier, and the openers made it count. Kaia was the aggressor, often bringing out expansive cuts and pulls, while Makoni was committed to the front foot. The opposition captain Brathwaite rang in the changes, but there was little on offer for the bowlers as the pair raised the 50-run stand in 22 overs.It was Alzarri Joseph who eventually struck for West Indies, inducing a thick edge off Makoni’s blade with Mayers at first slip hanging on to an excellent catch. New batter Chamu Chibhabha struck a four off his second ball, but Gudakesh Motie soon snapped him up for 9.Kaia continued playing his strokes, and brought up his maiden Test fifty with a hard sweep through midwicket off Motie. Just when Zimbabwe would have harboured hopes of going into stumps two down, Brathwaite brought himself on and cleaned up his opposite number Craig Ervine off what turned out to be the last ball of the day.

Manchester United’s academy has done a superb job of providing the first-team squad with a heap of talent and helping them achieve various levels of success.

The current injury situation has allowed the likes of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi to showcase their ability and stake their claim for a regular role under Ruben Amorim.

Both of the youngsters featured in the squad during the draw against their former side after moving to Old Trafford in the summer, potentially having a huge part to play in the future.

They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and David Beckham, who were part of the Class of 92, enabling the club to endure their success in the Premier League.

One other player in the current first-team endured a rise through the Carrington academy system, making himself a crucial member of the starting eleven in recent years.

Alejandro Garnacho’s stats for Man Utd

Winger Alejandro Garnacho moved to United for £500k back in October 2020 from Atlético Madrid, originally linking up with the academy side – helping them win the FA Youth Cup in 2021/22.

The Argentine has since made the jump to the first-team, registering 129 appearances over the last four years, becoming a key member of the side under Erik ten Hag and new manager Amorim.

The 20-year-old has racked up 23 goals and 16 assists since his debut, but having to adapt his playstyle to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, forcing him to play in a more central role than his preferred wide one.

He’s yet to find the back of the net in 2025 but has also been the subject of interest from fellow English side Chelsea in January, with the Red Devils demanding a fee in the region of £55m for his services.

Despite the huge fee and huge rise he’s endured, one other academy star was ahead of him in the pecking order at Old Trafford, but former boss Ten Hag decided to offload him during his time at the club.

The former United star who was ahead of Garnacho but left for £1.5m

There’s no denying that Garnacho has been a star over the last few years, often being the player to procure the goods in what has been a dismal period for United on and off the pitch.

However, his place in the first team could’ve been handed to Tahith Chong had the Dutchman continued on the trajectory he was on as a youngster at Old Trafford.

The winger joined at the age of 16 from Feyenoord, moving into the academy side, utilising the same route as Garnacho in biding his time at youth level before making the jump up to the senior ranks.

He featured 67 times at various youth levels, scoring 28 times – a record that would catapult him into the first-team in 2018, making 16 appearances during an 18-month period.

22. Sergio Romero

20. Diogo Dalot

36. Matteo Darmian

4. Phil Jones

18. Ashley Young (C)

39. Scott McTominay

15. Andreas Pereira

17. Fred

8. Juan Mata

9. Romelu Lukaku

7. Alexis Sanchez

Chong was part of the side that produced a miraculous comeback against PSG in the Champions League back in 2018/19 – undoubtedly one of the highlights of his time in Manchester.

The attacker, who was dubbed a “superstar” talent by journalist Rich Fay, would endure three separate loan spells at Werder Bremen, Club Brugge and Birmingham City before joining the latter for £1.5m in 2022.

His career has failed to take off since, moving to Luton Town in the summer of 2023, linking up with the Hatters for their maiden Premier League campaign – scoring four times in his 33 matches.

However, he’s been tormented with injuries this campaign, featuring just twice in 2025, with the 25-year-old way below the levels anticipated from him after his emergence at Old Trafford.

It’s a shame that he’s been unable to kick on after his permanent departure a couple of years ago, with the Dutchman another player who has been plagued with setbacks.

He certainly could’ve been a player still featuring in the first-team ahead of Garnacho had everything panned out the way he would’ve liked, but ultimately, Chong still has time on his hands to revive his once-promising career.

INEOS have struck gold on Man Utd star who's now worth as much as Bruno

Man Utd are reaping the rewards of one signing from the INEOS regime thus far

ByRobbie Walls Mar 13, 2025

Hosts have the edge after a “fast food” red-ball feast at Lord’s

Vithushan Ehantharajah28-Apr-2023Sometimes, you can measure the importance of a fixture by the quality of play. It’s not always a direct correlation.There’s a lot on this one here at Lord’s between Middlesex and Kent, not least because these relegation candidates only play each other once this season. Taking points off each other, perhaps even landing a couple of psychological blows, is all the more important. As 16 wickets fell on day two, it was clear these historic counties have simply resorted to clawing clumps out of each other.This has not been pretty or particularly high-grade cricket. Both sets of batters deserve a lot better than this pitch – the closest you can be to the Tavern Stand for a first-class match – though their decision-making has left a lot to be desired. It speaks volumes that the main run-getters on either side have been a barnacle-like Ben Compton, with 52, and a brawler in Ryan Higgins, who made 71. A lot of the usual principles have been lacking.And because of that, it has been a lot of fun. Red-ball fast food for the soul, packed full of the bad stuff that’s actually good as you’re taking it all in. Regarding the bare facts: Middlesex are in the better spot for now, though not by much. They will go into the weekend with a lead of just three but with two of Kent’s second-innings wickets.Only in the last two hours of day two did the hosts take hold of this match. Higgins, a fourth half-century of the season in the bag from 93 deliveries, peppered the short boundary to the Tavern Stand, two sixes helping him fashion an extra 21 from 14 deliveries before he was caught well by Michael Hogan down at long-on. By then, the allrounder had added 126 alongside Luke Hollman, Tom Helm and Tim Murtagh, which took Middlesex ahead of Kent and onto a lead of 43. The real killer came when Zak Crawley was dismissed for a golden duck and then followed by Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw, as Murtagh took two in two at the start of the second innings.Those final flourishes with the bat were vital for Middlesex. And to be fair, “flourishes” probably undersells it. They were 90 for 6 when Hogan got one to pitch leg and seam to off from over the wicket to catch John Simpson’s edge through to Sam Billings. That brought an end to what at the time was the longest and most productive stand – 10.3 overs, 28 runs – which came in response to yet another top-order collapse from Middlesex. This one was 25 for 4, coming after a fifth-gear start from Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson, who raced to 22 after the first two overs.The manner of Stoneman’s demise – technically caught Jordan Cox at first slip, but parried his way by Crawley at second – spoke of how hard he was going. What seemed like an approach carried over from the remarkable run-chase of last week against Nottinghamshire on the other side of the square came to an end then and there. Wes Agar would end up with both openers on his way to a tidy four, with Grant Stewart nabbing Pieter Malan with a tame half-volley outside leg stump that was helped around the corner, before Max Holden presented the bat face to one well outside off stump. Stand-in captain Stephen Eskinazi was the last of those five to fall for just 62 runs when he feathered an edge off Matthew Quinn’s first ball of the match.It was broadly reminiscent of the fightback from Kent, 92 for 6 themselves before they re-emerged on Friday morning on 113 for 6. They managed 73 more, albeit from a source other than Compton, who arrived locked in on 38 not out.Having been the lone survivor from the top order, one expected much of the same perseverance. But when he was bounced out by Bamber, one of the friendliest bowlers on the circuit (for disposition; his manipulation of the Dukes borders on cruel), Stewart decided to take a short-cut to a respectable score on this surface via the smaller boundary.Unlike Higgins, Stewart didn’t quite have the support at the other end but he bettered him for power by hitting the top of the Allen Stand rather than just clearing the rope, as Higgins did when just evading Crawley at deep square leg. A 10th first-class fifty for Stewart looked certain, even when he skied Higgins over the wicketkeeper. Tom Helm, however, charged in and took a spectacular tumbling catch – the kind that makes you wince and check he’s okay before applauding – to clip his and Kent’s wings.That Crawley was dismissed as quickly as he was felt an inevitability, not only given the scrappiness of this match but the fact it means he has followed up last week’s 170 with 11 and 0. Streaky is as streaky does, but the delivery from Murtagh – lifting much higher than usual after urging the bat to come forward – was worthy of a dismissal regardless of batter.What bodes well for Kent is how seamlessly Jack Leaning ticked over on 19. His approach to the hat-trick ball was brave, advancing down the track to ensure he was not caught on the crease, offering a full face and keeping out Murtagh. He applied that clear head throughout. Compton, of course, quickly reacquainted with the grind and, together, they worked through to the bad light call that came after 17 overs with a degree of comfort, bar the odd vociferous appeal.This match could well be done with a day to spare, and the best you can say of what we’ve seen so far is it’s hard to say who will end up on top.

Matchday 17 marks the halfway point of the MLS season, while Vancouver reports for the Champions Cup final

We're halfway there, and some teams? Well, they're living on a prayer. Others? No need – they're excelling at a brilliant rate. Matchday 17 marks the official halfway point of the 2025 MLS campaign, and some big storylines are set to unfold.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are looking to become the second MLS team to lift the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but a massive Liga MX foe stands in their way – Cruz Azul. The Canadian outfit travels for a clash at the Estadio Olimpico in Mexico City, as Brian White and Co. look to bring MLS to the top of the continent.

In MLS action, two major conference matchups arrive that could be previews of the postseason.

The Seattle Sounders host Minnesota United Sunday night in the Western Conference, pitting two historic conference rivals in a match that brings two of the league's brightest managers to the touchline.

In the East, it's a showcase of heavyweights, as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami host the Columbus Crew – a rematch of the top-two finishers in the conference during the 2024 postseason.

GOAL dives into all that and more in The Kickoff, a weekly preview of each MLS Matchday.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportVancouver shoots for history

The lone MLS franchise to lift the Champions Cup were the Seattle Sounders in 2022. LAFC in 2023 and the Crew in 2024 both made it to the final, but lost. Vancouver are looking to end the streak.

Led by U.S. men's national team striker Brian White, the Canadian outfit is looking to lift the trophy for the first time in their first appearance in the competition's championship game. The 29-year-old has 10 goals in 12 appearances for the Whitecaps across MLS action this season, while in the Champions Cup, he has bagged six for the club en route to the final.

Cruz Azul, meanwhile, are seeking their seventh title in the tournament, dating back to 1969. last found victory in the tournament in 2013-14, but made a blistering run to this year's final, spearheaded by former LAFC star Mateusz Bogusz.

Notably, it's not the only major match between an MLS and Liga MX side this weekend, either, as LAFC and Club America clash Saturday night in a FIFA Club World Cup playoff game.

AdvertisementGettyMiami's last confidence boost

In their final tune-up ahead of the Club World Cup, Inter Miami clash with the Crew this weekend in a match between two of the East's finest. The sit sixth in the conference, and trail the fourth-placed Crew by just two points with a game in-hand.

Lionel Messi and Co. have had it rough of late, finding just two wins across their last eight in all competitions, but a major midweek performance from the Argentine and Luis Suarez will have them in high spirits. Messi and his Uruguayan compatriot each scored twice as the South Beach club defeated CF Montreal 4-2, snapping a four-game winless streak for the club.

The Crew, meanwhile, are in a bit of a rut. They're winless in five, but have four draws during that span, three of which came against teams that currently occupy spaces above them in the East standings.

By no means have they been poor, but they've struggled to close out matches. With a 1-0 loss to the earlier this campaign, this is Columbus's chance to exact revenge.

Getty Images SportThe West heats up

It's vs. Sounders in the West on Sunday, as two franchises who often find themselves in a tango dance at Lumen Field. Just one point separates them in the conference standings as Minnesota sits third and Seattle fourth.

Seattle has yet to lose at home this season, boasting a record of 5-0-2, while MNUFC has found results in six of their eight road matches, only trailing the Whitecaps in road form across the conference 16 weeks into the campaign.

The are coming off a midweek 0-0 draw with the Whitecaps, while Seattle arrives following an impressive home victory over San Diego FC in which Jesus Ferreira scored his first MLS goal for the club following his blockbuster transfer from FC Dallas in the offseason.

The two clubs have met 17 times since Minnesota joined the league in 2017, and the have only won once. Seattle boasts 14 wins against them.

The Sounders have outscored Minnesota 7-2 in their last three meetings across all competitions, but with the form that Eric Ramsay's men are in, could another road result for Minnesota be brewing? Or will Brian Schmetzer once again have their number?

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Getty Images SportWhat's trending?

+ Reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy are still winless through 15 games this season, but they'll look to change that on Saturday when they host Real Salt Lake. RSL has already recorded a 2-0 victory over Greg Vanney's men this season.

+ St. Louis CITY SC will play their first match – Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes – under interim manager David Critchley, following the firing of Olof Mellberg on Tuesday. The club will be looking to snap an 11-match winless streak.

Liverpool have been in contact to sign a new defender who has been compared to both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Van Dijk and Konate linked with Liverpool exits

Despite being on course to win the Premier League in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, many have predicted a busy summer of transfer activity at Anfield, including former defender Jamie Carragher. Speaking recently, Carragher believes Liverpool need to sign “at least five” players ahead of the 2025/26 season.

“I’m excited to see where Arne Slot will take Liverpool because it looks like they’re going to win the league, but there are still so many areas to improve. He needs a centre-back as back-up to the two that we have, he’ll need a right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to leave.

“I think he needs a centre midfielder to replace Endo, someone younger and that he trusts, a centre-forward to play and a left-winger. There are at least five or six players he needs to get in – three to go straight in the team and three to be strong back-ups.”

Better than Isak: The "best CF in the world" wants to sign for Liverpool

Liverpool are planning to make changes to Slot’s frontline this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 24, 2025

Alongside incomings, there could be a number of outgoings, with Van Dijk yet to commit his future to the Reds and on course to be out of contract in the summer.

The Dutch defender’s partner Konate has also been linked with Real Madrid in a potential £50m transfer, meaning centre-back reinforcements could be desperately needed.

A number of centre-backs have been named as Liverpool targets, including Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. A bid worth more than £40m was reportedly being readied by the Reds, who view him as a potential replacement for Van Dijk.

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is also believed to be of interest to Liverpool, with a £50m offer already being made, according to claims last month. However, not every defensive target at Anfield will cost mega money, and one could arrive for free over the coming months.

Liverpool make contact for Bayer Leverkusen Jonathan Tah

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool have initiated contact over a move to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah this summer.

The Reds are looking to take advantage of the fact that Tah has decided to leave Leverkusen after 10 years on a free transfer at the end of the season when his contract ends.

However, top-flight rivals Tottenham have also made an approach for the 29-year-old and Bayern Munich are lurking too. Barcelona meanwhile had even looked set to sign Tah, but the economic uncertainty at the Nou Camp means the Germany international could be on the way to England instead.

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

Jules Kounde

Barcelona

Josko Gvardiol

Man City

Antonio Rudiger

Real Madrid

Ibrahima Konate

Liverpool

Tah, as per Football Transfers’ comparison tool, has been likened to a number of top defenders, including Van Dijk and Konate, and after opening talks, it looks as if a move to Liverpool will be one to watch.

Headed by Aqib Javed, the Qalandars management will take the cricketing decisions for Nationals in the upcoming season

Umar Farooq16-Jun-2023Toronto Nationals have entered into a deal with the two-time PSL champions Lahore Qalandars to outsource their coaching staff headed by director of cricket and head coach Aqib Javed to lead the franchise in the upcoming Global T20 [GT20]. While Aqib’s appointment has been formalised, the rest of the support staff’s appointment awaits a final ratification from Cricket Canada. The team had also picked four Pakistani players – Shahid Afridi, Zaman Khan, Saim Ayub, and Abdullah Shafique – in the recent draft.”We are excited about our association with Lahore Qalandars,” Nationals CEO Manzoor Chaudhry said. “Cricket being a global sport is proliferating and connecting cricketing communities together. They won the PSL title twice and contributed a lot in Pakistan with their player development program and with such credibility, their assistance will be invaluable. So it’s an incredible opportunity for us to rope them into Canada to manage our team. We are looking forward to forging a long-term deal in the future.”The deal will see the Qalandars’ team management taking all cricketing decisions for Nationals. Apart from Aqib, full-time bowling coach Waqas Ahmed, fielding coach Shahzad Butt, and performance analyst Nabeel Edgar Pace will also be involved according to the terms of the contract between Qalandars and Nationals.Related

Clash between SL Tests and GT20 Canada set to affect Pakistan players availability

Russell, Gayle and Shakib among marquee names drafted at GT20

Former Australia fast bowler, Geoff Lawson was Nationals’ head coach the last time GT20 was held in 2019. They made it to the playoffs only to crash out in the Eliminator. In 2018, they finished bottom with Phil Simmons as head coach.”We are thrilled to be a part of the GT20 here in Canada and assisting Toronto Nationals with setting up the roster and providing them our full coaching staff in the upcoming season,” Lahore Qalandars owner, Sameen Rana said. “In our responsibility, we will help the franchise to achieve their winning ambitions in the league. The deal is a first of a kind and it is initially for a season and we will see how it goes.”For us, it could also serve as a talent scouting on some unseen players from associates countries. Who knows we could find another Tim David out of another associate country who outshines and become a part of a bigger cricket ecosystem.”The GT20 returns after a four-year gap. The first two seasons took place in 2018 and 2019, but following payment disputes and the Covid pandemic, the league has not been held.The tournament has since undergone a revamp, with the title holders Winnipeg Hawks and Edmonton Royals not part of the competition anymore. Their places have been taken by Surrey Jaguars and Mississauga Panthers. Each team has included two marquee players and three Canadian players from the national side, as well as three emerging Canadian players, and four players from Associate countries in their roster of 16 at a cost of US $579,500.The GT20 will resume on July 20, with the final scheduled for August 6.

Three Serie A sides have reportedly passed up the chance to sign Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko despite his bargain price tag.

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Zinchenko a fringe player at ArsenalLinked with Emirates transfer exitRejected by three Serie A sidesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

TuttoJuve claim that Arsenal have offered Zinchenko to Lazio, Juventus, and AC Milan and all three have reportedly turned their nose up at signing the Ukraine international. This is despite the Gunners wanting just €10-15 million (£8.5m-£12.7m) for the 28-year-old's services.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Zinchenko swapped Manchester City for Arsenal in 2022 in a deal worth up to £32 million ($43m) but he is very much a fringe player at the club these days. Other reports suggest Milan are interested in the defender, who is unlikely to have much of a future at the Emirates as Myles Lewis-Skelly has made the left-back spot his own.

DID YOU KNOW?

Zinchenko, whose contract at Arsenal runs until 2026, made just 15 appearances for Mikel Arteta's men in the Premier League this season. And of those, just five were starts. He notched 23 appearances in total in all competitions.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Aside from speculation about Zinchenko's future at Arsenal, his Ukraine side take on New Zealand in a friendly fixture on Tuesday night. After that encounter, the versatile player will head off on his summer break.

The ACC finally made an official announcement but the detailed schedule of games is still awaited

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jun-2023The dates and venues for the 2023 Asia Cup have finally been officially confirmed, with the tournament set to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka between August 31 and September 17. A detailed schedule, however, has not yet been released.The tournament was originally meant to be held entirely in Pakistan but a hybrid model became necessary after the BCCI said India would not travel to Pakistan. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, in the hybrid model approved by the Asian Cricket Council, four of the 13 matches will be played in Pakistan and the remaining nine in Sri Lanka.This will be the first time since 2008 that matches of a multi-nation tournament will be staged in Pakistan. “I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has been accepted,” Najam Sethi, chair of the PCB management committee, said. “This means the PCB will remain as the event host and stage matches in Pakistan with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue, which was required due to the Indian cricket team’s inability to travel to Pakistan.”Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI’s position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders.”I now look forward to continuing our discussions and deliberations with the ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket to iron out a few minor operational and logistical details so that we can launch our event planning and preparations.”The 2023 edition will have India, Pakistan and Nepal in one group, and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in another group, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two from the Super Four stage will then face off in the final. Matches will be played in the 50-over format as preparation for the ODI World Cup in India in October-November.The hybrid model was proposed as a solution due to India refusing to tour Pakistan owing to strained political relations between the two countries. The PCB, as appointed hosts, were keen to ensure that at least part of the tournament was played in Pakistan. The UAE was in the running as a neutral venue but Bangladesh raised concerns over the extreme weather there in September.Sri Lanka are the defending champions, though the 2022 event was played in the 20-over format. The last 50-over Asia Cup was played in 2018 in the UAE, where India beat Bangladesh in a thrilling final.

How will Liverpool look on the opening day of the 2025/26 campaign?

Will Arne Slot be watching on as Conor Bradley completed the first day of his new first-choice duties at right-back, or will a fresh face take on the job, replacing Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold?

So much could change over the coming months. For one thing, a new team will be etched onto the Premier League title, Liverpool set to replace Manchester City as the division’s kingpin, 12 points clear of second-place Arsenal with nine games to play.

But more concerning eventualities must be addressed in due course too. Indeed, Alexander-Arnold isn’t the only high-profile Reds star potentially leaving Anfield this summer.

The players leaving Liverpool this summer

The Times’ Paul Joyce – typically an unerring source of news – revealed in the wake of the latest batch of Trent-related developments that optimism remains that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will be Liverpool players next season, though there has been a breakthrough in neither contractual case yet.

However, there are a host of players who FSG are more eager to part ways with. Sporting director Richard Hughes has got his work cut out, with a flagging frontline facing quite the reshuffle.

According to Sky Germany earlier this month, each of Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez could be sold this summer in a sweeping clearout.

Mohamed Salah

17 (17)

12

5

Cody Gakpo

13 (9)

5

1

Luis Diaz

18 (15)

1

2

Diogo Jota

14 (9)

2

1

Darwin Nunez

16 (4)

3

4

Federico Chiesa

5 (2)

2

1

While Jota and Diaz have suffered rebuke for their profligate performances of late, Nunez’s conundrum is of a deeper nature. It doesn’t feel like there’s a way back for the Uruguayan, whose departure must be prioritised this summer.

Why Liverpool must axe Darwin Nunez

Oh, Nunez. Time is running out for the likeable striker to turn his Liverpool career around. In fact, the nine remaining fixtures of the 2024/25 campaign most likely won’t be enough for him to salvage his career in Red.

Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica in a deal worth £85m (a club record) after the end of the 2021/22 season, a prudent move given Roberto Firmino was entering the final year of his deal.

It had so much promise, so much anticipation. Almost two years into his time in the Premier League, Klopp remarked that the maverick has “quality coming out of his ears” after bagging twice in the Europa League against Sparta Prague, but such moments have sadly been few and far between for a player who has failed to hit the heights.

Indeed, Nunez has scored only 25 goals from 88 Premier League matches. Erling Haaland, who signed for Manchester City in the same window, has posted 84 from 94 – just a bit of context.

There’s always been something frenetic and exciting about the way the number nine plays, however. At least, that was the case under Klopp’s wing. Slot, for all his brilliance, has failed to spark development from this South American star, who has only scored seven goals across all competitions this season.

Shots total

4.46

4.70

2.78

Shot-creating actions

2.87

3.47

2.13

Touches

33.61

34.16

28.67

Touches (att pen)

8.18

8.44

5.57

Progressive carries

3.24

2.55

1.86

Ball recoveries

2.34

2.46

3.25

Tackles + interceptions

0.74

1.10

1.95

The 25-year-old’s growth in front of goal has, sadly, been negligible. While Nunez is statistically far less wasteful this season, his actual influence in the final third has been unacceptable, lacking the authority and nous to get into space and fire on goal with the regularity and precision required.

Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr made their move in January but failed to convince Liverpool to part with their struggling striker. Chiefly, this is because FSG were reluctant to sell a first-team regular at the midpoint of a title-chasing campaign. This has borne fruit insofar as Nunez has remained a presence and will likely leave as a Premier League champion.

And let’s not forget: Nunez did score a stunning off-the-bench brace against Brentford in January, pricelessly advancing Slot’s cause after successive draws against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. Arsenal dropped off at the same point, but it gave Liverpool the boost to peel away and establish a formidable gulf.

Nunez’s less-than-extensive goal catalogue at Anfield has been frustrating to watch. Here is a striker bearing all the parts to become a superstar. Klopp might have made the wrong move in signing him for a rising club-record fee, but it wasn’t a ridiculous move.

At Benfica, Nunez fired home 34 goals from 41 appearances across the 2021/22 campaign, five of which came in the Champions League against opponents such as Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

It’s crucial he’s sold this summer. Nunez is one of the club’s highest earners at £140k per week, with those earnings meaning he has already pocketed over £20m since joining the Merseysiders nearly three years ago. The Athletic’s JJ Bull has described Nunez as being “frustrating to watch”, largely because there is clearly so much untapped potential.

Combine that with the £85m figure, and Nunez may well have bled Liverpool about £105m by the time he’s sold this summer. And if Liverpool do cash in, you can bet your bottom dollar they won’t be recouping their outlay in its totality.

With the likes of Alexander Isak and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane being linked with a summer move to Anfield, it really is imperative Nunez is sold, lest Slot enter his second campaign with bitter longing for parts that were not provided – not even after winning the Premier League title.

Slot must axe "struggling" Liverpool star who's becoming the new Henderson

Liverpool are set for a big summer of transfer activity.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 24, 2025

Tijjani Reijnders thinks that he will learn the most from Ilkay Gundogan after completing his blockbuster move to Manchester City from AC Milan.

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City spent £46.5m to sign ReijndersExcited to learn from GundoganWants to score as many goals as possibleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After completing a £46.5 million transfer from AC Milan, the Dutch international is already making waves as he joins Pep Guardiola’s squad for the Club World Cup in the United States. He is soaking up every opportunity to learn from his new team-mates, especially Gundogan.

AdvertisementGOALWHAT REIJNDERS SAID

Reijnders is often compared to City legend Kevin De Bruyne, but he is not bothered by the noise and is instead trying to better himself by learning from the best.

“I’ve watched the clips of Kevin a lot, but Gundogan is someone I can learn a lot from,” Reijnders said. “It’s nice to see him nearby and the way he does it.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite AC Milan’s disappointing eighth-place finish, Reijnders was named the league’s best midfielder last season, a recognition earned through his 15 goals and five assists across all competitions. That marked a dramatic improvement on his first season in Italy, when he managed only four goals after arriving from AZ Alkmaar for £17m. He is now eager to replicate his goal-scoring form with City at the Etihad.

“Last season with Milan, I was on the scoresheet more,” he said. “It’s very important to score goals as a midfielder and it’s what I’m looking [to do at City] — that and assists. The first season at Milan, I wasn’t calm in my head when I had opportunities to score, and it was something I was thinking about in the summer after. I watched clips of myself when I got into those situations and tried to adapt to those kinds of things in the second season, to be calmer in front of goal.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REIJNDERS?

Reijnders’ first competitive appearance in a City shirt could come when they face Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on Wednesday in their opening fixture at the Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola is expected to rotate his midfield throughout the tournament, providing the Dutchman with an early opportunity to showcase his talents on the global stage.