Ishan Kishan was dismissed in curious circumstances during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) home game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Wednesday, even as technology suggested he may not have been out.Kishan tried to glance a length ball from Deepak Chahar that was swinging down the leg side, failed to make proper contact, and then began to walk off even though none of the MI players had appealed for a caught behind after wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton “caught” the ball.Umpire Vinod Seshan first began to raise his arms sideways to signal a wide, but then dropped one arm and raised the other hesitantly to signal out as he spotted Kishan walking off. MI captain Hardik Pandya ran up to Kishan and patted him on the helmet for his decision to walk without waiting for the umpire’s decision.However, when the Ultra Edge replays were shown on the broadcast a few deliveries later, there was no spike to indicate an edge as the ball passed the bat.It was the second time Kishan had fallen caught by the wicketkeeper down the leg side this season. On this occasion, he was dismissed for 1 off 4 balls, leaving SRH 9 for 2 in 2.1 overs after being asked to bat. They subsequently slipped further to 35 for 5 by the ninth over of the innings before posting 143 for 8, which was far from enough for MI.SRH are currently ninth in the points table in IPL 2025, having won only two of their first eight games, above only Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Their next three fixtures are against Chennai Super Kings (April 25), Gujarat Titans (May 2) and Delhi Capitals (May 5).MI are third with five wins from eight games. They play Lucknow Super Giants next (April 27), followed by Rajasthan Royals (May 1) and Gujarat Titans (May 6).
Following Inter Miami's 4-0 win over NYCFC Wednesday at Citi Field, manager Javier Mascherano highlighted that the team had accomplished their first objective of the season – securing a place in the MLS playoffs. He added that while some players will get rest, the Herons will also aim to finish as high as possible in the Eastern Conference standings.
Getty Images SportA big boost of confidence
Miami proved dominant in their win in New York. Lionel Messi scored twice, Baltasar Rodríguez added a goal, and Luis Suárez converted a penalty as the Herons secured another win, moving up to third in the Eastern Conference with 55 points. Mascherano’s side also notched a rare clean sheet, a feat they’ve struggled with this season.
“We achieved our first goal, it was very important for us. We have to keep pushing forward. We still have two games left, so we’ll try to rotate the squad a bit, but we also want to win and secure the best possible playoff position,” Mascherano said. “We want to fight for the Supporters’ Shield, but first we need to focus on Toronto, recover our players, and keep our mindset that the next match is always the most important.”
AdvertisementMessi’s team-first spirit
Mascherano also praised Lionel Messi’s unselfishness after the Argentine star once again gave penalty opportunities to his teammates.
“We need goals more than he does, and that’s exactly how he wants it. He likes to share, to involve everyone. Suárez needed to score, and that’s really good for the group,” he explained.
Getty Images SportValuable clean sheet on the road
Another positive takeaway for Miami was keeping a clean sheet, something the team has only done five times this season.
“The next games we’ll work hard to avoid conceding. That will help us a lot in the playoffs,” Mascherano said.
He also acknowledged the club’s next target, which is climbing as high as possible to secure home-field advantage.
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Getty Images SportTraveling to Canada
The Herons look to keep their strong run going in MLS as they visit Toronto FC this Saturday.
“It’s an easy thing to have as a throwaway line that guys don’t train enough when results aren’t right”
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Feb-20252:28
Buttler: ‘We’ve done plenty of training throughout the tour’
Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, has rejected suggestions that his players did not take their preparation seriously on the tour of India, saying it was “factually incorrect” that the team had not done enough training during the T20I and ODI series, both of which ended in one-sided defeats.During a discussion on TV commentary for the third ODI between Ravi Shastri and Kevin Pietersen, it was claimed that, with the exception of Joe Root, England had not netted during the ODI series. England had trained before the first ODI in Nagpur, but opted not to do so ahead of the second and third games in Cuttack and Ahmedabad.With the Champions Trophy looming, a 142-run defeat in the final game saw England go down 3-0 in the ODIs, having previously been beaten 4-1 during the T20I leg.The tourists have also had to deal with injuries, with Jacob Bethell ruled out by a hamstring strain and Jamie Smith nursing a sore calf – meaning that assistant coaches Marcus Trescothick and Paul Collingwood were named as substitute fielders in Cuttack.Related
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Missing in action: Players injured and unavailable for the Champions Trophy
“Firstly, it’s factually incorrect, the whole statement that we don’t train,” McCullum told talkSPORT after the third ODI. “We’ve trained plenty right throughout, guys have come from a lot of cricket as well. I think it’s an easy thing to have as a throwaway line that guys don’t train enough when the results aren’t right.”But we’ve got a style and a method that we believe in. We’ve got guys who are battling injuries and trying to make sure that we’ve got enough bodies out on the field, knowing that we’ve got a huge assignment coming up in a week or two. Ultimately it’s factually incorrect what’s been said and we’ll stay true to what we believe in.”Jos Buttler, England’s captain, also denied that the poor results in India had been down to “lack of effort” when speaking to reporters after the Ahmedabad game.”We’ve had a reasonably long tour, a few long travel days,” Buttler said. “There have been a couple of times we have not trained but we have done plenty of training throughout the tour. We try to create a really good environment but don’t mistake that for a lazy environment or lack of effort. The guys are desperate to perform and do well and improve.”McCullum only took on the role of white-ball head coach in January, having previously had sole responsibility for the Test side, and said that the tour had provided valuable lessons ahead of the Champions Trophy, which gets underway in Pakistan next week.England will spend the next few days in the UAE before beginning their campaign against Australia in Lahore on February 22. They have confirmed Tom Banton in their 15-man Champions Trophy squad as a replacement for Bethell.”I’ve learned a lot,” McCullum said. “There’s guys in our team who are incredibly talented, if we can add a little bit of craft and give ourselves a bit of confidence within the dressing room, which is ultimately the task of us as coaches, then we’ll see some of that talent will flourish. It’s been a good tour, so much good will come from it, albeit the results are very disappointing. But that’s the nature sometimes when you come up against a very good side in their own conditions.”Ultimately you’re judged on results,” he added. “From our point of view, we’ve got to strip away the fear of failure that results can bring. Guys are fiercely determined and competitive… how do you allow an environment to provide the freedom and clarity of thought to go out there and allow your talent to come out?”That’s what we’re trying to do in the group we’re building and that’s what we’ll try and do over the next week as well, give the guys a freshen-up in Abu Dhabi, make sure all the bodies are fit and ready to go, we’ve got a full squad to pick from come that first game against Australia. We do that, hopefully we walk a little taller and play a little better and end up getting better results as well.”
Arsenal are now set to bid for a £52m player, who is being targeted as a direct replacement for a wantaway star, according to a reporter.
Gunners keen on another defender before deadline
The Gunners have already made major improvements to their squad this summer, with Mikel Arteta mainly setting out to bolster his attacking options, although Cristhian Mosquera was also brought in as a back-up to William Saliba and Gabriel at centre-back.
However, having now gotten the deal for Eberechi Eze over the line, with Andrea Berta orchestrating a stunning hijack of Tottenham Hotspur’s deal, the north Londoners now appear to have turned their attentions towards strengthening their defence.
A late move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has been discussed, although Liverpool looks like a more likely destination, given that the Englishman has reservations about playing second fiddle to Gabriel and Saliba.
As such, Arteta’s side have now moved on to alternative targets, and another sensational hijack could be on the cards, with journalist Ben Jacobs revealing Arsenal are now “set to bid” for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
On Monday morning, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Tottenham have made a “new proposal” for Hincapie, with discussions over personal terms underway, but the Gunners have also entered the race, and Jacobs believes the Ecuadorian “favours” a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal reach agreement to sign "explosive" attacking gem after Eze deal
The Gunners are set to sign another attacker…
ByDominic Lund Aug 24, 2025
Berta is targeting the 23-year-old as a replacement for Jakub Kiwior, who wants to leave this summer, with a move to FC Porto on the cards, but the Gunners may have to spend big once again, as there is a €60m (£52m) release clause in the Leverkusen star’s contract.
Hincapie could be "perfect" signing for Arsenal
Scout Ben Mattinson has previously suggested the Leverkusen defender could be the “perfect” addition to Arteta’s squad, given that he is capable of playing at both left-back and left centre-back, which makes him a similar type of player to Kiwior.
The Poland international has also featured at left-back regularly throughout his career, and he clearly impressed Arteta last season, with the Arsenal boss dubbing the 25-year-old as “exceptional.”
However, with the defender eager to leave, there is no point standing in his way, particularly considering Hincapie could be an ideal replacement, having already racked up a considerable amount of experience at Leverkusen, making 166 appearances for the German club.
While obviously not their primary objective, it would also be fantastic for Arsenal to get another one over on their north London rivals, having already hijacked the move for Eze, who enjoyed a very impressive campaign with Palace last season.
Although West Ham United haven’t done lots of transfer business this summer, there have been a couple of significant moves in and out of the club. In terms of the major outgoing, Mohammed Kudus departed the club, joining London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers sold him for £55m, and made a healthy profit.
As for the incoming, that has come in the form of highly rated Senegalese left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf. The 20-year-old joined the club from Czech outfit Slavia Prague, in a deal worth a reported £19m. It is an important addition for the Hammers, with stalwart Aaron Cresswell recently departing the club.
The Hammers will not stop at the signing of Diouf, it seems. They are strongly linked with someone at the other end of the pitch.
West Ham’s next transfer move
Graham Potter’s side have certainly had a busy start to the 2025 summer transfer window, and the money is now there to spend from the Kudus sale. After successfully bringing Diouf to the club, the next target is now firmly in their sights.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to a recent report from The Standard, West Ham ‘are interested in signing’ Sassuolo centre-forward Andrea Pinamonti. They are one of the sides said to have ‘enquired’ about his availability, although ‘talks are at an early stage’ at this point.
However, the Hammers may not be the only London club making a move for the 26-year-old. Brentford, who have gone through a transitional summer after losing Thomas Frank, are also considering a deal for the striker.
Andrea Pinamonti in action for Sassuolo.
No fee has yet been reported, but Football Transfers value him at around £13m, which could be a bargain.
Why Pinamonti would be a good signing
Once a highly rated youngster and something of a journeyman in Italian football, Pinamonti has played for Serie A giants Inter. After spending the last couple of seasons at Sassuolo, he spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Genoa, where he impressed.
Andrea Pinamonti celebrates scoring for Sassuolo.
The 26-year-old, who was once a Scudetto winner with Inter, made 37 appearances during his most recent season as a Genoa player. In that time, he bagged 11 goals and grabbed one assist, with all but one of those contributions coming in the Italian top flight.
Going back to the previously used word journeyman, Pinamonti certainly comes under that category. He has played for five different Italian top-flight clubs, and has exactly 50 goals to his name in 212 appearances. That included this stunning effort for Genoa this season.
Perhaps this deal has shades of the one West Ham made a couple of years ago to sign Gianluca Scamacca, given he is an Italian striker joining from a Serie A side.
The 26-year-old was only a Hammers player for one season, scoring eight times in 27 games.
West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca.
Things didn’t really work out for the Italian international at the London Stadium, although it seemed like a case of right player, wrong time.
West Ham striker Michail Antonio confirmed this theory on the Filthy Fellas podcast, explaining that he is a “quality player” but he could “not play the way the manager wants to play”, referring to David Moyes.
It has not been an easy time for the striker after leaving East London, either. He flourished in his first season with Atalanta, scoring 19 goals and grabbing eight assists in 44 games. However, he missed the entirety of 2024/25 with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Perhaps Pinamonti could be the second coming of Scamacca. The stats from this season compared to the former Hammers star in his final campaign before joining the club are fairly similar.
According to Squawka, the 2024/25 Genoa loanee scored 0.4 goals and won 2.8 aerial duels per 90 minutes. In comparison, Scamacca bagged 0.7 goals and won 2.2 aerial duels each game in the season before he moved to London.
Pinamonti and Scamacca key stats compared
Stat (per 90)
Pinamonti (2024/25)
Scamacca (2021/22)
Goals
0.4
0.7
Conversion rate
16.95%
24.62%
Lay-offs completed
2
1.5
Aerial duels won
2.8
2.2
Fouls won
1.4
0.9
Stats from Squawka
The 26-year-old Sassuolo star is a “complete forward”, according to football talent scout Jacek Kulig. He has been around the block and knows where the back of the net is. If he brings as much talent as Scamacca did and gels with the squad, this could be a genius move.
As Antonio said, Scamacca was not a bad player, far from it. Should the move for Pinamonti go through, he could be the second coming of the former Hammers striker, but he will hope to surpass his goal tally.
Dream Kudus replacement: West Ham open talks to sign "special" £30m star
West Ham United can soften the blow of Mohammed Kudus leaving by signing this £30m star.
The allrounder received a guard of honour in what seemed to be his final CPL game
Deivarayan Muthu19-Sep-2024
Dwayne Bravo is given a guard of honour by his TKR team-mates•CPL T20 via Getty Images
Andre Russell summed up the overwhelming feeling at the Queen’s Park Oval as the Trinidad crowd turned up in droves on Wednesday to celebrate one of its greatest T20 heroes in what was possibly his last CPL game.Before the start of CPL 2024, Dwayne Bravo had announced he would retire from the league after the end of the ongoing season. But he has played just two games so far this season, and the one against defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain might have been his last, Russell suggested after winning the Player-of-the-Match award and dedicating it to his good friend.”I’m just happy to be part of this game tonight and that’s the reason why so much emotion was kind of behind that celebration,” Russell said after Trinbago Knight Riders beat Amazon Warriors by five wickets. “He [Bravo] deserves a win tonight. You have helped me a lot with my cricket – how to outthink the batter and then to be a smarter bowler. You’re not going to get it right all the time but once you have the right mindset to get the execution, I think you’re on the right way.”We’re going to miss him but I hope he is still going to be around for the rest of the tournament. But he’s definitely one we all listen to and we all look up to and you know he might shed a bit of tears tonight inside the changing room, but I appreciate him.”Related
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Russell, who has played 130 matches alongside Bravo, including 74 for West Indies, spoke glowing of the impact Bravo has had on his own career.”I think me being who I am today, Bravo has a lot to do with it,” Russell said. “I used to wicketkeep, then I started bowling and batting at No.10, No.11 and 9. Watching him play in Test cricket for West Indies – bowling good pace, fielding and diving and all those things and then when he comes to bat, he gets the job done.”
The rest of the TKR players and support staff also seemed to suggest this might have been Bravo’s final CPL match as they honoured him by wearing his No. 47 shirt and giving him a guard of honour before he stepped onto the field.Bravo bowled Keemo Paul for 3 and snagged a sharp catch at slip to dismiss Tim Robinson for 34. Then, during the innings break, he was driven around the Queen’s Park Oval on a cart as he signed balls and sent them into the crowd.Bravo is the most decorated player in the CPL, having won five titles in all, including three with TKR. He led TKR to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 before captaining St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their first title in 2021.He was instrumental in building the Trinidad franchise from scratch before Kieron Pollard joined TKR and took over the captaincy from Bravo. Before the start of the Trinidad leg of the tournament, Pollard also toasted Bravo’s role in TKR’s success.
“The impact has been fantastic and tremendous in terms of the individuals he has brought to the franchise from all over the world,” Pollard said of Bravo in a chat with . “At one point an Australian coach in Simon Helmot, he won a championship with him, to the local support staff who have been here since the inception. Persons who are well recognised in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean. We have Ruel Rigsby, the physio, and Kelly Sankar [massage therapist], who has been here since the inception and Sheldon [Sewnarine] who is one of the logistics guys.”So these are the people who he would’ve put and trusted in supporting roles for him and bringing excellent cricketers of generations – Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum and Johan Bothas of the world – and our own icons in Darren Bravos and Denesh Ramdins and understanding what’s needed to build a cricket team. I think he has done a fantastic job and there’s no better place to finish his cricketing career in the Caribbean than TKR, a team he has built.”From team-mates to opponents, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell have lit up T20 leagues around the world•BCCI
Russell is back with a bangHaving been troubled by an ankle injury during the first half of the CPL, Russell marked his return from a two-week break with five boundaries, including four sixes, in his 36 off 15 balls, to help TKR chase down 149 after a middle-order wobble. Prior to the start of this CPL, Russell had also been rested for West Indies’ home T20I series against South Africa, but his return, along with Bravo’s, lent so much domestic depth to TKR’s XI that they could afford to play with just two overseas players in Tim David and Waqar Salamkheil.”It feels good to be back in the middle,” Russell said. “I’ve been struggling with an ankle injury over the past couple of weeks and you know these guys [support staff] have been doing some amazing job, getting me back on the park. I was going to say ‘thanks to me’ because with the dedication and hard work to make sure that I do whatever the physio wants me to do: wake up early morning, head to the gym, in the pool, and do whatever. So, when you work hard you get good results and I’m happy.”
While the jury might still be out for some when it comes to the competition itself, there is no doubt that Chelsea were worthy winners of the Club World Cup.
Enzo Maresca’s men impressed in almost every game they played, and saved their best performance for the final, in which they made Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain look totally out of their depth.
Aside from the out-of-this-world Cole Palmer, one of the Blues’ best players in the last few games was Joao Pedro, who scored three goals in three games.
Chelsea forward Joao Pedro
So, fans should be delighted by the news that the club are looking to sign another international who could help the Brazilian reach another level entirely.
Chelsea's transfer business so far
On top of blowing away the competition on the pitch this summer, Chelsea have been just as impressive off it, in the transfer market.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
They’ve managed to ship off the likes of Noni Madueke to Arsenal for £52m and Đorđe Petrović to Bournemouth for £25m, while spending £60m on Pedro, £30m on Liam Delap and £48m on Jamie Gittens.
However, the Conference League champions aren’t done there, not even close, as they now appear keen on landing an international superstar who could help the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace get even better.
At least that’s according to a recent report from Spain, which claims that Chelsea are now interested in Rodrygo.
In fact, the report goes a step further than that, revealing that the Blues have already made an offer for the Brazilian – a straight swap for Nicolas Jackson.
The proposal has yet to be shot down, but the report states that Real would rather receive a fee for the player they value at €100m, which is approximately £86m.
Even if Chelsea have to splash the cash to get their man this summer, they should, as Rodrygo’s a proven winner and someone who could help Pedro get even better.
Why Rodrygo would make Pedro better
Now, there are quite a few reasons why Rodrygo could help Pedro reach another level at Chelsea next season, and one of the most significant is his output.
Since the start of the 23/24 season, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.
That means the former Santos gem has been averaging a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes across the last two years, which is undoubtedly impressive.
Appearances
51
54
Minutes
3707′
3452′
Goals
17
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.46
Minutes per Goal Involvement
142.57′
138.08′
What makes those numbers even more impressive is that he has rarely played in his favoured position off the left across the last two seasons, so just imagine how much more effective he could be regularly starting there.
This regular supply of goals and chances to his left would undoubtedly see the former Brighton star’s own goal and assist tally soar next season, especially as he proved himself to be particularly clinical last year, scoring ten league goals from an expected goals figure of just 8.86.
Brighton & Hove Albion'sJoaoPedroapplauds fans after the match
Furthermore, the former Santos gem has also won all there is to win in the club game, securing two La Liga and two Champions League titles in the Spanish capital.
In other words, he has what it takes to win and should hopefully impart the right mindset to those around him, like his compatriot, and help them win major silverware at some point in the coming years.
Finally, the fact that they’re both Brazilian is also a significant bonus, as establishing a place for himself in the national team will give Pedro and the Real star even more opportunities to develop a deep understanding of one another’s game.
Ultimately, it might cost them a substantial sum of money, but Chelsea should do everything possible to sign Rodrygo this summer.
Bad news for Pedro & Delap: Chelsea in the race to sign "the next Mbappe"
The sensational attacker would make Chelsea far more dangerous next season.
To qualify for Super Eight, Netherlands need to beat Sri Lanka by a big margin and hope Nepal beat Bangladesh
Madushka Balasuriya16-Jun-20241:21
Maharoof: Sri Lanka need to unleash Chameera
Match detailsNetherlands vs Sri Lanka Gros Islet, 8.30pm localBig pictureWell, where do you go from here? For Sri Lanka, safe to say, this is nowhere near where they would have wanted to be, as yet another major ICC tournament goes by with them toiling with little more than pride to play for.This turn of events might rankle even more considering that coming into this tournament there had been a quiet confidence in the Sri Lankan camp, particularly of positive results against one or both of South Africa and Bangladesh – certainly the latter whom they recently beat in T20Is – as well a deep run in the tournament. But things didn’t quite work out that way, and following a washout against Nepal, they are now faced with the very real prospect/ignominy of ending at the bottom of their group with not even a win to their name.It’s also their final ICC tournament until their home T20 World Cup in 2026 – there’s a Champions Trophy next year but they missed out on qualification – so regardless of the result, there will no doubt be an inquisition back home into the state of white-ball cricket.Related
Mathews on Sri Lanka's exit: 'We've let the entire nation down'
Bangladesh favourites to make Super Eight, but Nepal could ask difficult questions
As for the Netherlands, there is still a chance to qualify for Super Eight, but it requires a dominant win against Sri Lanka, as well as Nepal beating Bangladesh.If this scenario had been posited a couple of years ago, it’s safe to say Bangladesh would have been pretty relaxed, but such has been the upward trajectory of the Associate members, especially at this tournament, such upsets are not nearly as surprising as they once might have been.Nepal’s agonising defeat to South Africa allied with Sri Lanka’s dismal showing so far in this tournament has lent itself further to these unlikely scenarios, but there’s more to it. While Sri Lanka have Test tours of England and South Africa scheduled for the year following this campaign, the failure to qualify for the Dutch means their cricket for the foreseeable future is done, so they’re certainly not in want of added motivation. With them playing after Bangladesh and Nepal, they will go in knowing exactly what’s needed of them.In terms of head-to-head records, Sri Lanka have never lost to Netherlands, but the more recent encounters haven’t been as one-sided as the scorecards might suggest.Form guideNetherlands LLWLL (Last five completed T20Is, most recent first) Sri Lanka LLWLWIn the spotlight – Aryan Dutt and Angelo MathewsAryan Dutt had impressed with a three-wicket haul in the last encounter between these two sides – at last year’s ODI World Cup. While he was overlooked in the more seamer-friendly conditions of Dallas and New York, he found his way back into the side against Bangladesh in Kingstown. With spin set to play a key role in Gros Islet, Dutt’s control and variation could prove pivotal in the powerplay to expose Sri Lanka’s soft middle order.Angelo Mathews’ last T20I at Gros Islet was all the way back in 2010•ICC/Getty Images
When Angelo Mathews last played at Gros Islet, his career was in its infancy. Then too it was during a T20 World Cup, but Sri Lanka Cricket – at least on the field – was in a better place. Now 14 years later, he is back as an ageing stalwart with his team having been eliminated at the first hurdle. He has also struggled to keep up with the more aggressive approach T20 cricket demands – his career strike rate stalling at 119.48, well below the standard bearers of the format. With Sri Lanka’s power-hitters currently restricted to their top three and an out-of-form Dasun Shanaka, they need Mathews to show he’s capable of adapting to the times.Team news – spin to win?Spin-bowling allrounder Saqib Zulfiqar could come into the XI should the Netherlands opt for an extra spinner.Netherlands (probable XI): 1 Michael Levitt, 2 Max O’Dowd, 3 Vikramjit Singh, 4 Sybrand Engelbrecht, 5 Scott Edwards (capt, wk), 6 Bas de Leede, 7 Logan van Beek, 8 Tim Pringle/Saqib Zulfiqar, 9 Aryan Dutt, 10 Paul van Meekeren, 11 Vivian KingmaIf Sri Lanka want an extra spinner, they could hand allrounder Dunith Wellalage a T20I debut.Sri Lanka (probable XI): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamindu Mendis, 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga (capt), 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Matheesha Pathirana, 11 Nuwan ThusharaPitch and conditionsThere were runs aplenty in the Australia-Scotland game, which will be encouraging for both sets of batters but Australia’s deployment of three spinners might provide some indication as to the most effective tactic on this Gros Islet pitch. As for the weather, there is a possibility of rain later in the night.Stats that matter Sri Lanka have a 9-0 win-loss record against the Netherlands in limited-overs cricket. Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka are the only Sri Lankan batters to average above 25 and have a strike rate of above 130 in T20Is since January 2023. The average first-innings score at Gros Islet is 161.Quotes”They gave us great support, no matter where we play. Whether it was in Sri Lanka or even here, there were a lot supporting us. And I feel very sorry as we couldn’t do anything for them. I want to apologise for that.” “For our guys, it’s an awesome opportunity to play cricket in different parts of the world. It’s something we thrive off. We love playing in different conditions in different parts of the world. Obviously, it’s short breaks between games but that’s just part of how these World Cups go and our guys love that.”
Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker is set to be the main talking point of their expectedly busy transfer window, and if you ask any fan, the addition of a prolific centre-forward would be their top priority.
Arsenal working on Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres deals
At the time of writing, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres stand out as Arsenal’s top two targets for the role.
Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign "top" £42m forward after alleged talks
The Gunners hero hopes they can do a deal.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 5, 2025
Sesko finished 2024/2025 with a modest goal return of 21 in all competitions, which is just six more than Kai Havertz who spent half of last season out injured. However, the 22-year-old is a long-term target for Mikel Arteta.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Arsenal had a proposal to sign Sesko last summer rejected, with the Slovenia international choosing to sign a contract extension and shaking hands on a gentlemen’s agreement with Leipzig that he can leave this year or next year instead.
Arsenal also tried to sign Sesko in January, but the player and his club wanted him to see out the Bundesliga season (Ben Jacobs).
Gyokeres, meanwhile, has just fired Sporting to their first domestic double in two decades with a sensational 54 goals in all competitions – so the Swede’s appeal to Gunners director Andrea Berta is glaringly obvious.
According to the BBC this week, Arsenal were simultaneously working on deals for both Sesko and Gyokeres, before making a final decision on which centre-forward to formally pursue.
Now, it appears they’re favouring Sesko, with talks advancing on that front, according to Fabrizio Romano and other reliable media sources.
Before Sesko, it was reliably reported that Newcastle United star Alexander Isak was actually Arsenal’s “dream” signing.
Arsenal back off in race for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak
However, the striker’s reported £150 million-plus price tag and Newcastle’s qualification for the Champions League make this deal incredibly difficult.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
There is also the matter of Liverpool, with journalist Graeme Bailey telling The Boot Room that Arsenal are backing off in the race for Isak, partly because the north Londoners theorise that Arne Slot’s title-winners are in “pole position” if he does leave St. James’ Park.
“Isak is the dream, and I think because Liverpool’s confidence, that’s where Arsenal’s interest is waning slightly,” said Bailey.
“I’ve been told Liverpool are in pole position. If Isak leaves, Liverpool are in pole position, and I think Arsenal learned that and that’s why they backed off slightly as well. Not just because they can’t afford him, because Arsenal probably could if they wanted to.”
Isak’s 27 goals in all competitions tell just half the story, with Eddie Howe’s Swede proving an absolute nightmare for defences to deal with across 24/25.
It would surely take something very special to convince Newcastle to sell the 25-year-old, and even a record-shattering bid might not be enough.
Manchester United are plotting a route to silverware under Ruben Amorim this term and could also be about to strike on the market to bring in a talented defender, according to reports.
Manchester United's summer transfer plans hang in the balance
Thursday night’s emotional Manchester United victory over Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final provoked scenes unseen for many a year at Old Trafford, while it also kept the Red Devils in the hunt for a backdoor route to Champions League qualification.
Ruben Amorim will be aware that Athletic Club are no slouch as he prepares to face the La Liga outfit in the last four, who have the advantage of hosting the final at their own stadium.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimarrives before the match
Financially, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS have made no secret of their forceful strategy to cut down on lawless spending at Manchester United, which is why winning the Europa League is imperative to ensure resources are available to plough into transfers.
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo has been identified as a Red Devils target to offer a new reference point in attack, and his arrival could be offset by Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho making way.
Intriguingly, Manchester United could hijack Barcelona’s attempts to sign Jonathan David on a free transfer, illustrating one of the more prudent avenues to go down if necesarry for club chiefs.
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By
Ethan Lamb
Apr 19, 2025
Currently, Amorim’s potential spending power hangs in the balance, though he will be hopeful his side prevail on the continent to provide a must-needed boost for the coffers.
Now, United are set to put forward an exciting proposal for one of Europe’s most renowned young defenders that would make headlines across the globe.
Manchester United set to put forward proposal for Yann Bisseck
Per reports in Spain, Manchester United are set to put forward a proposal of £51.4 million for Inter Milan’s Yann Bisseck and the Serie A giants could consider selling the Germany international due to their financial situation.
The 24-year-old is viewed as an ideal candidate to steady a shaky Red Devils’ backline and they are won over by his profile and room for improvement at Old Trafford.
Yann Bisseck’s key Serie A statistics – 2024/25
Tackles won
10
Aerial duels won
41
Duels won
64
Pass accuracy
92.1%
Recoveries
50
Interceptions
14
Labelled a “sensation” by Jacek Kulig, Bisseck has made 35 appearances across all competitions for Inter Milan, registering two goals and three assists in total.
Victor Lindelof has been linked with a Manchester United exit and Jonny Evans is set to call it quits at Old Trafford after a distinguished couple of spells, so there is definitely room for Amorim to mix it up in defence.
Bisseck would be a statement of intent as INEOS look to get the ball rolling on the transfer front, but any deal may likely depend on the outcome of their exploits in the Europa League.