Glasgow Rangers are now in talks with a European club over the sale of a “brilliant” key player, who has already agreed personal terms to go, according to a recent report.

Martin wants more defensive reinforcements at Rangers

The Gers are closing in on their return to pre-season action, as it is less than four weeks away until they return to competitive action in the Champions League second qualifying round. Before that, Russell Martin will hope to have as much transfer business wrapped up as possible, as he will want to make a strong start as the new Rangers boss.

The Scottish giants announced the signing of Max Aarons on a season-long loan deal from AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday. The defender is “delighted” to be joining Rangers, as he describes the Gers as a “huge club”.

Aarons told the club’s media team: “I am delighted to be here; as you can see, it’s a huge club, and you realise that when you walk through the doors. I can’t wait to get going.

“I’ve got a lot of experience now in different leagues, and I have played a lot of games. I think I can bring that experience; I can bring a new energy, and I think Rangers fans can be excited – I am really looking forward to it.”

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Aarons may not be the only defender to arrive at Ibrox this summer, as the Gers are in talks to sign Conor Coady from Leicester City. Meanwhile, Rangers are also looking into the possibility of a deal to sign Owen Beck from Liverpool, with the new boss making it clear he wants to improve his defensive ranks.

Rangers now in talks to sell Hamza Igamane

Deals for Coady and Beck may soon become more financially viable too, as according to Sacha Tavolieri, Rangers are in talks to sell Hamza Igamane to French outfit Lille.

Tavolieri states that Lille have made Igamane a top target, as they see him as the person to replace Jonathan David, who is leaving the club on a free transfer.

He adds that the Rangers forward has spoken to the club and has now agreed personal terms, and all that remains is the two clubs, who are in talks, to agree a transfer fee.

Earlier this week it was reported that Rangers were “at risk” of losing Igamane, as teams such as Marseille and Lazio were circling with interest. In fact, it was claimed that Marseille had made an approach to sign the 22-year-old, which had rocked the Scottish club.

Rangers have set a £20 million asking price on Igamane, but it remains unclear if Lille would be willing to pay that much.

Apps

46

Goals

16

Assists

3

The Morocco international was sensational for the Gers last season, as he netted 12 goals in 33 league games, as well as a further four in the Europa League. A standout moment was him netting the winner in the 3-2 win away at Celtic, an impact that Derek Ferguson lauded as “brilliant”.

“Igamane is a real breath of fresh air, the young man. The manager said he was trying to get him up to speed, but in the last few games he has been nothing short of brilliant. He is off the cuff, and he had three or four nutmegs this afternoon – and took his goal brilliantly. I don’t know if you remember Ted McMinn, but Igamane’s got that unpredictability.”

كشفت تقارير صحفية فرنسية تطورات جديدة بشأن حالة المدرب الإسباني لويس إنريكي بعد تعرضه لحادث دراجة قوي يوم الجمعة 5 سبتمبر الماضي.

وبحسب “لوباريزيان” الفرنسية، فإن لويس إنريكي سيكون قادراً على قيادة باريس سان جيرمان من على دكة البدلاء أمام لانس يوم الأحد المقبل في الدوري الفرنسي على ملعب البارك دي برانس.

وفي حالة عدم وجود استشارة طبية، سيتمكن المدرب الإسباني بالفعل من استئناف دوره المعتاد كمدرب لباريس سان جيرمان في المباراة القادمة.

وكان لويس إنريكي والذي خضع لعملية جراحية يوم الأربعاء بعد تعرضه لكسر في عظمة الترقوة قد استغل فترة التوقف الدولي للتعامل بشكل أفضل مع هذه الإصابة.

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وسقط لويس إنريكي في الخامس من شهر سبتمبر الماضي من على دراجته في إسبانيا، وقد سارعت خدمات الطوارئ الإسبانية لإسعافه.

جدير بالذكر أن لويس إنريكي قد قاد باريس سان جيرمان الموسم الماضي لموسم استثنائي حقق فيه جميع الألقاب، وافتتح الموسم الجديد بلقب السوبر الأوروبي على حساب توتنهام بركلات الجزاء الترجيحية.

Arsenal have made a real splash in the market this summer, completing an array of high-profile deals with more to follow, but they’ll also need to sell this summer.

The north Londoners, once they announce their £50 million-plus deal for Noni Madueke, will have spent around £125 million on transfers, and that isn’t including their potential moves for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

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

25/26 – summer

£75m

Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres, according to credible media sources, and the Swede is even refusing to train as he eyes a dream move to the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, positive discussions have been held with Eze’s representatives too, and the 27-year-old could join Arsenal in an entirely separate deal to Madueke – so Andrea Berta could easily take Arsenal’s spending to over £200 million if these moves come to fruition.

The signing of Madueke has brought up question marks surrounding both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s futures.

Given Arsenal need to balance the books, either one of the left-wingers could realistically depart, with The Athletic previously reporting that Arsenal are not averse to a suitable bid for Martinelli and will consider selling for the right price.

The Brazilian’s contract also expires in 2027, but Arsenal do have an option to extend it by a further year. However, the same cannot be said for Trossard, who’s now entered the final 12 months of his deal, and this window represents a final opportunity for Berta to make any cash back off the 30-year-old’s exit.

Fenerbahce "working tirelessly" to sign Leandro Trossard from Arsenal

According to Turkish news outlet Ntvspor, via Fener Ajans, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce could give Arsenal an avenue to agree Trossard’s departure before his contract expires.

What’s more, they could do it in imminent fashion, with Fenerbahce “working tirelessly” to sign Trossard for pre-season, which begins in just three days, as the Süper Lig giants fly out to Portugal and begin their camp on July 14 (Daily Sabah).

The Belgian has been a very useful impact player for Arteta since his move from Brighton, and perhaps underrated, with Trossard featuring in every single Premier League game for them last season.

Trossard also bagged 10 goals and 10 assists across 56 appearances in all competitions during 2024/2025, and he’s thought of highly by Arteta, so his departure would certainly come as bitter-sweet.

“Trossard, great player. He’s a little magician,” said Arteta about Trossard in 2024.

“He can score on any surface, and he’s a big threat; so composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It’s just a joy to have him in the team.”

Everton will approach the 2025/26 campaign with a sense of excitement that has been missing for several years. Goodison Park will no longer house the Toffees’ Men’s team, but this new chapter promises so much.

After a huge exodus last month, Everton face a steep rebuild as they shuffle over to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, although Moyes is the perfect man to lead this charge, tasked with piecing back together a team fit for purpose in the higher level of the Premier League.

But make no mistake, there’s a lot to sort out for the Scotsman.

The latest on Everton's transfer window

When Everton completed the £27m signing of Thierno Barry from Villarreal earlier in July, Moyes confirmed that he is looking to do more business before the start of the season.

He’s been true to his word. Bournemouth shot-stopper Mark Travers has completed his medical and officially signed for Everton, lined up to provide competition for Jordan Pickford. The Merseysiders also want wide defenders and physical and creative profiles in the middle of the park.

However, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom’s departures after unconvincing loan spells have left Everton devoid of options on the attacking right flank.

Transfer Focus

That’s why, as per Portuguese outlet A Bola, Everton are pushing to sign Francisco Conceicao from FC Porto after the 22-year-old’s loan stint in Italy with Juventus.

The Liga Portugal giants value their rising star at €30m (£26m), and while he is thought to be giving priority to Juventus, Everton are named as the only suitors willing to meet Porto’s demands.

Why Moyes wants Francisco Conceicao

Conceicao played a peripheral role for Juventus last season, but his high-speed performances down the right wing made a positive impression, scoring seven goals and providing six assists across 40 matches in all competitions, including a brace against Al Ain in the Club World Cup.

He’s got the makings of something special, and Everton’s vacancy on the right certainly suggests he could be a wonderful addition, with his physicality and athletic style even suggesting he could be the next version of Iliman Ndiaye.

Ndiaye, 25, signed from Marseille for £15m last summer and has established himself as the crème de la crème of Everton’s transfer business in recent years. It’s admittedly not a high bar, but he’d shine as a standout across even a rich and fruitful era for the club.

Everton’s top scorer in 2024/25 with 11 goals across 37 appearances, the Senegalese winger has a rare skill for excitement, and in Conceicao, Moyes could sign a stylistic match to compete down the right.

Matches (starts)

33 (29)

26 (12)

Goals

9

3

Assists

0

3

Shot (on target)*

1.1 (0.5)

1.5 (0.5)

Big chances missed

3

2

Pass completion

85%

85%

Big chances created

3

5

Key passes*

0.5

1.1

Dribbles*

2.1

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.2

2.1

Tackles + interceptions*

2.2

1.1

Duels won*

5.4 (50%)

3.7

Ndiaye has been hailed for his ability to produce “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson, and there’s no question that he’s more complete and robust at this stage than Conceicao, albeit a few years the Portuguese’s senior.

He could serve as a tutor for this young wideman, who should consider a move to Merseyside after a fringe role on loan with Juventus last season. At Everton, he would have the chance to become a nailed-on starting member.

Conceicao has already been declared ‘statistically the second-best dribbler in the world’ following analytics drawn from the CIES Football Observatory, so he’s got the talent to mirror Ndiaye, for sure.

Ranked among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 12% for tackles per 90, as per FBref. Clearly, he can fill the ball-carrying void that Ndiaye can’t fill on the right, for he plies his trade on the left wing.

Lauded for his “exceptional” dribbling skills and “electric pace” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Conceicao would be a stunning acquisition for an Everton side on the up, establishing a degree of exciting equipoise on the wings as Moyes creates a frontline to be feared.

Dream Doucoure replacement: Everton open first talks to sign £30m star

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ByBen Gray Jul 15, 2025

“I’ve left the door open for him to approach me… [but] that might never happen,” South Africa white-ball coach says

Firdose Moonda09-Sep-2024

Rob Walter on Quinton de Kock: “We have to just allow him to have his space, to play league cricket and to do what he needs to do”•ICC via Getty

South Africa remain unsure about the availability of Quinton de Kock, who was omitted from a second successive series post the T20 World Cup, in the format.De Kock, who is no longer nationally contracted but has not announced a complete international retirement, missed the three T20s against West Indies last month and will not play in two matches against Ireland later this month. South Africa will then play four T20Is at home against India in November as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup ramps up.Asked if there was any clarity on de Kock’s availability, white-ball coach Rob Walter indicated that there would not be any for some time. “I don’t know, to be dead honest. For the next little while, there will be no conversations between myself and Quinny as to whether he wants to play for South Africa again,” Walter said at a press conference. “I’ve left the door open for him to approach me if and when he wants to do that. That might never happen.”Related

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SA unsure on de Kock's T20I future: 'We have a glimmer of hope'

De Kock retired from Test cricket in 2021 and from ODIs after the 50-over World Cup last year. At the time, Walter had said de Kock intended to step away from all international cricket but was persuaded to stay on for the 2024 T20 World Cup and allowed to miss a bilateral series in the lead-up to play at the BBL. By making that allowance, South Africa demonstrated a fundamental shift in their usual selection policy, which requires players to be involved in at least some international cricket ahead of major tournaments – and was the reason AB de Villiers’ request to make a comeback at the 2019 ODI World Cup was denied – and illustrated the power of leagues. The decision paid off as de Kock finished as South Africa’s highest run-scorer at the T20 World Cup, and was key to their run to the final.Since then, de Kock has played in MLC and the CPL and will play at the SA20 and IPL, all of which will mean he is still eligible for South Africa, although Walter was careful to underline that his place was not guaranteed. “There might be a conversation and also that conversation does initially mean it will lead to him being selected,” he said. “We have to just allow him to have his space, to play league cricket and to do what he needs to do. What will become more and more important is performance. He’s not exactly old [de Kock is 31] so from here on in, it’s a performance-based conversation.”Walter has put no timeline on de Kock making a final decision and in his absence, South Africa continue to invest in Reeza Hendricks in the opening role and have options between Kyle Verreynne, Ryan Rickelton and Heinrich Klaasen as wicketkeepers. Of those four, only Klaasen is not part of the squads to play Afghanistan and Ireland in the UAE. He pulled out of the CPL for personal reasons and remains unavailable for the time being. “He has some family matters that he is dealing with currently,” Walter confirmed. “As soon as that position has changed, he’ll obviously fall back into playing again.”

Newcastle United supporters will be filled with relief after seeing Eddie Howe secure his first major signing of the summer transfer window.

A move for Anthony Elanga was finally confirmed on Friday, but this deal has been weeks in the making.

The Swedish winger cost the Toon around £55m, but Howe will be hoping that this fee eventually turns into a bargain.

“Elanga is an exciting talent with attributes that make him a unique attacking threat,” said Howe upon Elanga’s arrival at St James’ Park.

“His pace, energy and ability to create and score goals will strengthen us and complement the way we want to play.”

Champions League football will take centre stage next season and Howe will be aiming for his side to do better than when they were last in the competition. Newcastle finished bottom of their group during 2023/24, despite claiming a famous 4-1 win over PSG.

With Elanga now signed, it should be the catalyst for the manager to land another couple of signings in the coming weeks.

The former Nottingham Forest star has plenty of Premier League experience, but what exactly will he offer the Magpies next term and beyond?

What Anthony Elanga will offer Newcastle

Since making the move from Manchester United to Forest in the summer of 2023, Elanga has been at the forefront of their recent success.

Across these two seasons, the winger has scored 11 goals in the Premier League, while chipping in with 20 league assists in that time.

He doesn’t just offer a clear-cut threat in front of goal either. According to FBref, when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League last term, Elanga ranked in the top 3% for crosses (6.66) per 90, along with ranking in the top 10% for goal-creating actions (0.65) and in the top 27% for carries into the opposition penalty area (1.73) per 90.

While signing the 23-year-old is a boost for the team, plus giving Howe an excellent attacking option for the next few years, was signing another player in this area a priority for the club?

Jacob Murphy was excellent on the right flank last term, tearing it up for the Magpies in the top flight. Indeed, across 35 top flight games last season, the Englishman scored eight goals while recording 12 assists for the Magpies.

If comparing him to fellow wingers Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, who registered 12 and 14 goal involvements in the Premier League, Murphy was by far the best-performing wide man in the squad.

Of course, he won’t be around forever, and some competition would be ideal, but in terms of improvement, the right flank shouldn’t be Howe’s priority ahead of next season.

The defence is an area which requires strengthening, notably at centre-back and between the posts.

Howe is certainly making inroads to bolster both positions and he has been given an exciting update regarding a transfer target recently.

Newcastle’s search for a defender

Marc Guehi still looks like a target, although it remains to be seen exactly how far Howe is prepared to go in order to sign him.

Elsewhere, Malick Thiaw and Leonardo Balerdi are both defensive targets, with Howe expressing interest in both centre-backs recently.

The one player he appears to be most keen on is Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. The Italian could be set to leave the Serie A side this summer, but they have placed a £50m price tag on his head.

According to The i Paper, the Toon have ‘carried out preliminary work on a possible deal’, but there are a host of clubs keen on securing his signature, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.

Scalvini has reportedly stated he is intrigued by the prospect of playing in the Premier League, while also gushing about both the club and manager when on international duty of late.

Could this help Howe get a deal wrapped up sooner rather than later? Only time will tell.

Why Newcastle must sign Giorgio Scalvini

Newcastle must add at least one centre-back to their squad this summer. Last season, Howe mainly relied on Dan Burn and Fabian Schar. Both are excellent players, but they are both 33 and won’t be around forever.

Indeed, the only centre-back in the current squad who is under 30 is Sven Botman, but he has missed 59 games since the start of the 2023/24 season.

As such, a move for Scalvini is a must for the club. He missed the majority of last term due to injury, but throughout the 2023/24 campaign, he was superb.

Accurate passes

37.8

Tackles

1.6

Interceptions

1.8

Clearances

2

Total duels won

4.8

Balls recovered

4.9

Hailed as a “top talent” by Fabrizio Romano in 2022 – as well as a “world-class” centre-back by talent scout Jacek Kulig – Scalvini ranked highly across a range of metrics in Serie A during 2023/24.

Compared to his peers, he ranked in the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, along with ranking in the top 11% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 4% for interceptions and in the top 16% for aerials won per 90.

If he is able to replicate those types of performances at Newcastle, then Howe would have landed an excellent signing for the club.

The best thing is, Scalvini has yet to even reach his peak, indicating that the next few years could see the Italian defender only going from strength to strength.

Although Howe has just spent £55m on Elanga, there is no doubt that a deal to sign the Atalanta starlet would be viewed as a more important signing, especially with concerns about the defence.

Scalvini has showcased his talents in Europe before, impressing during the 2024 Europa League final as his side defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.

Performing in the Champions League will be a massive step-up for the youngster, but if he wishes to take his game to the next stage, this is the level he should be playing at.

The next few weeks will be interesting for the club. That much is certain.

Elanga's new Gibbs-White: Newcastle leading race for £40m "magician"

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A Liverpool player who Mohamed Salah admits he loves playing with is expected to be the subject of an offer from a huge club, and he is open to the idea of leaving Anfield.

Who will Liverpool sign after Wirtz?

The Premier League champions have made a huge statement already this summer, with Florian Wirtz arriving for a British record fee of £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, with the German speaking of his delight at joining.

“I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world, and in my opinion Liverpool was one of them. Yeah, I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything what the club offers me was really good. And in the end [it was] also easy to be excited for me to come to Liverpool.”

It’s now a case of seeing who else arrives at Liverpool this summer, with Milos Kerkez joining both Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong at the club, and various players are being linked with moves to Anfield.

Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi has been strongly mentioned in recent days, being seen as both a replacement and an upgrade on the departing Jarell Quansah, and Lyon winger Malick Fofana has been mentioned as a potentially superb attacking signings.

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There are also constant exit rumours surrounding various unwanted Liverpool players, however, and a fresh update has now emerged.

Nunez open to Liverpool exit as Napoli ready offer

According to The Athletic‘s Pearce on X, Napoli are now expected to table an offer for Nunez, with the striker “open” to a move to the Serie A champions:

“Napoli’s interest in Darwin Nunez has been registered and an offer is expected in due course. The Italian champions are the most serious contenders for the 25-year-old and he is open to moving to Naples.”

The £140,000-a-week and £7.3m-a-year Nunez needs to leave Liverpool before next season gets underway, with Arne Slot starting him just eight times in the Premier League last season.

The Uruguayan’s performances have been far too hit-and-miss for too long, even though Salah has admitted that he likes playing alongside him.

“Who do I most like to play with? It was Firmino. Now I feel like I generally like playing with Nunez. A lot of people don’t like him but I like playing with him.”

Nunez is arguably not at the level required to take this brilliant Liverpool team forward after scoring just five league goals last season, with an upgrade required this summer, but he will still leave as a popular figure, given his effort levels.

Napoli could be ideal for him, with their passionate fans likely to be drawn to him, and he could flourish playing in a weaker division than the Premier League.

Manchester City have been making waves so far during the summer transfer window as Pep Guardiola attempts to win back the Premier League title.

Indeed, no fewer than four players have moved to City, and there is scope for plenty more in the coming weeks.

Kyle Walker has left, as has Kevin De Bruyne, with Guardiola streamlining his squad.

With the Englishman departing, City have targeted a swoop for a Serie A player who could add something extra to the right side of their defence.

Man City ready to close in on Serie A star

Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki have all arrived at the Etihad ahead of the 2025/26 season. Despite City exiting the Club World Cup earlier than anticipated, the three players could be vital for the club next season.

Now, according to reports in Spain, City could be set to close in on a deal to sign Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries, with the Etihad side ready to accelerate their move for the rampaging talent.

He has a release clause worth £21.5m, as per the report, but this expires on July 15 and it looks as though Guardiola is keen to activate it before the deadline.

The right side of the defence is a position which needs to be strengthened massively and Dumfries could be an excellent signing.

He could turn out to be Guardiola’s very own Bryan Mbeumo, who has been heavily linked with a move to rivals Manchester United this summer.

Why Manchester City must sign Denzel Dumfries

United’s attack could look very different should they secure a deal for Mbeumo in the coming weeks.

Off the right flank last season, he registered 28 goal contributions in the Premier League – 20 goals and eight assists – proving he would be an excellent signing for Ruben Amorim.

Dumfries could turn out to be Guardiola’s own version of the Brentford forward. Despite not playing in quite such an advanced position, the Dutchman did record similar statistics to Mbeumo throughout last season, with FBref noting the pair to be similar players among wingers across Europe’s top five leagues.

Indeed, according to FBref, the pair performed similarly when it came to shots per 90 (1.74 vs 2.08), shot-creating actions (2.53 vs 3.8) and goal-creating actions (0.18 vs 0.53) in their respective domestic leagues.

Goals

7

Assists

2

Big chances created

6

Total duels won per game

3.9

Tackles per game

0.9

Balls recovered per game

2.2

Both players are superb at bursting forward down the right flank in order to either get a shot away or to create chances in the final third, with Dumfries notably registering 17 goals and assists in all competitions last term as an advanced wing-back.

Journalist Alan Rzepa described Dumfries as a “monster” all the way back in 2021, but fast-forward four years, nothing has changed.

In Serie A last term, he scored seven goals and grabbed two assists. Given that City’s full-backs scored just eight goals between them all season, adding someone like Dumfries would be an excellent move.

For a fee of £21.5m, Guardiola could well be signing his very own Mbeumo-esque figure on the cheap. Someone capable of shining in the Premier League with his attacking talents on the right flank.

If it all works out, Dumfries might just quietly be the signing of the summer for City.

Romano: "Agreement sealed" as Man City win race and sign 18 y/o ex-PSG gem

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Chris Woakes says tourists expect livelier surfaces with Pakistan 1-0 down in series

Matt Roller11-Oct-2024

Ollie Pope leads his team off after they completed victory•Getty Images

England are bracing to play on “result wickets” for the remaining two Tests of their tour to Pakistan after winning by an innings on a lifeless pitch. The groundstaff in Multan, which will also stage the second Test of the series, were watering a fresh strip barely an hour after England completed their win on Friday, which will be prepared over the next three days.Shan Masood has spoken repeatedly about wanting to play on pitches that bring his fast bowlers into play since his appointment as captain, but there was nothing for them to work with as England racked up 823 for 7 in Multan. Pakistan need to win both Tests to secure a first home series win since February 2021 and England believe they may gamble on a green pitch.”There was talk about green surfaces,” Chris Woakes said. “I suppose it did have a tinge of green on day one, but it just got better and better. The ball is firmly in their court. When it’s a home series and it’s only three matches, and you lose the first, you’d like to think that the next two are going to be result wickets, whether that be green or turners. We’ll see.”Related

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Stats – Rare England innings win in Asia, Pakistan losing streak continues

PCB restructures selection committee by picking Aleem Dar, Aaqib, Azhar

Tony Hemming, the PCB’s Australian head curator, is due to meet with a revamped selection panel on Saturday in Multan, along with Masood and coach Jason Gillespie. Pakistan’s squad for the second Test will be finalised after that meeting.Masood played down the role of the pitch, instead blaming his bowlers. “We take discussion of the pitch too seriously,” he said. “You play a pitch for your squad and your strategy, but you can’t control every aspect of the pitch… What England showed us is you can find a way: they took 20 wickets on this pitch, so you can’t say it’s impossible to take 20 wickets on this pitch.”England hope to welcome Ben Stokes back into their side for the second Test after he missed the first due to his hamstring injury. He stepped up his rehabilitation this week, doing fitness work on every day of the Test, starting to bowl off a full run-up during intervals, and having several long batting sessions in the nets behind the media centre.Ollie Pope, who stood in as captain for a fourth successive Test, was optimistic about Stokes’ chances of playing next week. “I know he’s been training really well this week, and he’s as keen as ever to get playing again, so fingers crossed for everyone that he’s all good… He has had a good week training, but I will be ready if not.”If Stokes does return, England could face a selection dilemma depending on his availability to bowl – and the nature of the surface. The most likely change would involve him replacing one of their three seamers, but they could feasibly leave out one of their two spinners – most likely Shoaib Bashir – and instead give Joe Root a greater role with the ball.Chris Woakes took two wickets in his first overseas Test since 2022•Getty Images

For Woakes, this was a successful return to playing away from home after two successive winters without going on a Test tour. He finished with match figures of 2 for 110 but took one important wicket in each innings: Babar Azam in the first, whom he trapped lbw with the second new ball, and Abdullah Shafique, who lost his off stump to the first ball of the second.”I probably didn’t think I was going to get another opportunity to do this,” Woakes said. “In a way, I’d probably given up on it. But when you get the backing of the dressing room, of Ben and Baz [McCullum], you feel 10 feet tall and like you can go out there and win games of cricket for England. I’m never going to average 25 in these conditions but I don’t think many would.”Thankfully in this Test match, I’ve been able to make a couple of breakthroughs with the new ball on a wicket which was offering pretty much bugger all, so I’m pretty pleased I contributed. There are going to be periods in these conditions where you do have to hold and you’re working for the guys at the other end.”

India did not enforce the follow-on after skittling Bangladesh for 149, and finished the day more than 300 ahead with seven second-innings wickets in hand

Sidharth Monga20-Sep-20242:10

Manjrekar: Bumrah is a bowler without a weakness

Bangladesh escaped the frying pan with four quick wickets to bowl India out early on the second morning, but jumped straight into the fire of the relentless Indian bowling attack, getting bowled out in just 47.1 overs. India chose to bat on despite a lead of 227, and led by 308 with seven second-innings wickets in hand by stumps on day two.Even though India bowled in considerably less helpful conditions than day one, there was no respite for the Bangladesh batters. Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj took eight between them when there was assistance for the pacers, while Ravindra Jadeja broke Bangladesh’s biggest partnership when conditions eased off.The day started on a positive note for Bangladesh. Taskin Ahmed used the second new ball much better than the first for three wickets, Hasan Mahmud completed Bangladesh’s first five-for in India, and they let India add only 37 to their overnight score. However, a quick reminder followed that their bowlers had committed too many errors on day one already. India’s fast bowlers were on the money immediately, bowling testing spell after testing spell, drawing an error once every three balls to reduce Bangladesh to 40 for 5.Shadman Islam was cleaned up by Jasprit Bumrah•BCCIBumrah began over the wicket to the left-hand openers, moving the ball away consistently, but went around for the last ball of the first over. Shadman Islam left him, probably because all the previous five balls had moved away, but this one seamed back in to hit the top of off. Zakir Hasan survived an lbw call that both the umpire and the India captain misjudged, but Deep proved to be too good for him and Mominul Haque.The first over from Deep, immediately around the wicket, wasn’t the greatest, but in his second he got the ball to seam in from a good length just outside off. Zakir was beaten completely while Mominul managed to get his pad in line only for the ball to ricochet into the wicket. He would have been lbw anyway. Mushfiqur Rahim edged the hat-trick ball towards gully but it fell short.Post lunch, India went back to their top two bowlers, who had only bowled short spells before the interval. Siraj, who had lost out on Zakir’s wicket earlier, was the most accurate of the three. Najmul Hossain tried to walk at him to counter the movement, but still managed to only edge to second slip as a wobble-seam ball seamed away from him.Akash Deep’s two-in-two rattled Bangladesh before lunch•BCCIBumrah kept testing Mushfiqur before he bowled a rare delivery that swung after pitching. You can’t mean to do that but it sometimes happens – mostly when the seam is upright – that the ball starts to swing after going past the batter. This one started to go even before it went past Mushfiqur, who had the angle covered otherwise. It took the edge, went quickly to second slip, and began to swerve away from KL Rahul at the last moment. Rahul’s upper body turned with the ball, and his soft hands meant the catch was taken.By now the movement began to settle down, and Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan put together a quick stand of 51 with some good-looking drives. Then India’s spin twins came on and gave away nothing despite little assistance for them from the pitch. In trying to dominate them, Litton ended up playing a slog-sweep much squarer than he would have liked, offering a catch to deep square leg. Shakib unfortunately reverse-swept Ravindra Jadeja straight into his boot for a lob to Rishabh Pant.Just before tea, India brought back the threat of Siraj and Bumrah. Siraj found the edge immediately but it didn’t carry, but with what proved to be the last ball before tea, Bumrah got the better of Mahmud. Bangladesh were still 65 short of avoiding the follow-on. The last two Bangladesh wickets hung around for three quarters of an hour, including a boundary off Bumrah that clearly set something off. Bumrah softened Taskin Ahmed up with short balls, hitting him on the helmet and the glove, before cleaning him up with a pinpoint yorker.After a first-innings duck, Shubman Gill got going in the second•BCCIThe tall Nahid Rana didn’t quite fancy getting behind the line of Bumrah either but managed to somehow deny him the five-for, also hitting him for two boundaries. Eventually, he played Siraj on as he slogged at one, giving him his second wicket. India had more than an hour and a half to bat before stumps on day two.So far ahead in the game were they, India came out swinging. Yashasvi Jaiswal took 10 runs off the first over, Rohit Sharma flicked the first ball he faced for four, but they soon discovered the pitch was still not flat enough to be toying around with the bowling. Their wickets made it the most – 16 – in a single day’s play at Chepauk. Shubman gill and Virat Kohli then batted to the merit of the bowling, but a rare dismissal – a right-hand batter getting out lbw to an offspinner playing forward – made it 17 wickets in the day. It was Kohli, who did not review it, and Ultra Edge then suggested an inside edge. By stumps, India were more than 300 ahead.