عزز فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي تقدمه بهدف ثانٍ في مباراته أمام ساوثهامبتون، بمنافسات بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.
ويستضيف ملعب “آنفيلد” مباراة ليفربول وساوثهامبتون في دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس كاراباو لموسم 2024-2025.
وأحرز هوجو إيكتيكي هدف ليفربول الثاني، بعد تمريرة من كييزا، في الدقيقة 85 من عمر المباراة أمام ساوثهامبتون، التي تلعب مساء اليوم الثلاثاء.
وقام إيكتيكي بخلع قميصه احتفالاً بالهدف، ليتلقى بطاقة صفراء ثانية ويغادر ملعب المباراة بالبطاقة الحمراء.
وكان ليفربول تقدم في شوط المباراة الأول، بهدف عن طريق لاعبه ألكسندر إيزاك في الدقيقة 43، وأدرك ساوثهامبتون التعادل بهدف لتشارلز في الدقيقة 76. هدف إيكتيكي في مباراة ليفربول وساوثهامبتون وطرده
There were plenty of reasons why Arsenal’s campaign went so awry last season, from poor form to questionable refereeing decisions early on.
However, arguably the biggest problem was injuries, specifically to the frontline and, most crucially, to Bukayo Saka.
The Hale End icon is Mikel Arteta’s talisman, and even though he missed almost four months of action, he still managed to rack up a haul of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 games, so just imagine how much better the team would’ve fared had he remained fit.
So, to seriously improve the squad, Andrea Berta and Co need to sign someone who can be as impactful as Saka this summer, and the good news is that it looks like they are.
Arsenal close in on big-money transfer
While some were justifiably concerned earlier in the window due to the club’s lack of business last year, this summer’s transfer window is shaping up to be something quite special for Arsenal.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard have already been announced and are taking part in training, while Noni Madueke has passed his medical and Christian Mosquera was due to have his yesterday.
On top of that, links to Crystal Palace’s incredible Eberechi Eze refuse to go away, and now it looks like the North Londoners are closing in on a star who could emulate Saka in the top half of the pitch.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
At least that is according to a recent report from Portugal, which has claimed that Arsenal are on the verge of signing Viktor Gyokeres.
In fact, the report has revealed that after seeing several offers rebuffed by Sporting CP, the Gunners have now reached a full agreement to sign the player.
Sporting president, Frederico Varandas, had been holding up the deal in recent days, largely because he was not satisfied with the nature of the add-ons Arsenal were proposing as part of the move. Well, the report now notes there is a full agreement on those add-ons, with the Gunners set to pay €63m (£55m) in cash with a series of easy-to-meet bonuses that could increase the fee by another €10m (8.6m).
As a result, the player has been permitted to undergo a medical and will travel to London to have one on Friday, meaning he can join up with the squad ahead of the pre-season trip to Singapore at the weekend.
It’s a lot of money to spend on one player, but Gyokeres has proven his worth over the last two years, and he could end up being Arteta’s new Saka.
Why Gyokeres could emulate Saka at Arsenal
Okay, first things first: yes, Gyokeres and Saka play in totally different positions and, honestly, are quite different in their play styles.
However, when we say that the former could be Arteta’s new version of the latter, we aren’t thinking about that; instead, it is more about the overall impact they can both have on the attack.
It’s safe to say that the Hale Ender, who was able to amass 26 goal involvements for the Gunners last season, has been carrying the Arsenal attack on his back for the last few years.
He’s the star of the team and he’s the main man. However, Gyokeres was even more prolific in front of goal last season and has the potential to emulate Saka, becoming their new Saka-like star player in the process.
Indeed, in his 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, for the Lisbon side, the 27-year-old “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, scored an unreal 54 goals and provided 13 assists.
That means the Sporting superstar maintained an out-of-this-world average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.
Appearances
50
52
Minutes
4169′
4248′
Goals
43
54
Assists
15
13
Goal Involvements per Match
1.16
1.28
Minutes per Goal Involvement
71.87′
63.40′
The former Coventry City star was almost as dangerous in the 2023/24 campaign as well, scoring 43 goals and providing 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4,169 minutes, which came out to a 1.16 goal involvements per game, or one every 71.87 minutes.
Now, those numbers will come down in the Premier League, but even if he only manages to hit 50% of what he did last season next year, Arteta and Co will be laughing.
Moreover, it means Saka would no longer have to carry the majority of the attacking burden, which could in turn help him reach yet another level.
Ultimately, we aren’t saying Gyokeres is a similar player to the England ace, but due to his otherworldly level of output, he could become as important to Arsenal’s attack.
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The final day of the Premier League season saw controversy and agony for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side were on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League, but ended up falling down to sixth in the table and only reaching the Europa League after a 2-0 loss away to Manchester United.
The controversial moment came with the scoreline at 0-0. Morgan Rogers, a key player for the Villans, stole the ball from Altay Bayindir’s grasp and converted home. However, the referee blew the whistle before the England international scored, meaning VAR could not intervene.
With Villa missing out on Champions League football, you may think that will stop them competing for the big signings this summer with those who did qualify. However, before the window has even opened, that does not seem to be the case.
The latest Villa transfer news
It seems like the Villans will need to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer. Recent reports suggest that Emiliano Martinez will leave the club, with former side Arsenal lining up a move if David Raya leaves North London.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
If that is the case, reports in one Spanish newspaper, via Sport Witness, suggest the Villans have placed a bid for his replacement.
That man is Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who is also wanted by La Liga giants Barcelona, as well as the Gunners and south coast outfit Bournemouth.
Espanyol's Joan Garcia makes a save
There is also interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli, who have just won their fourth Scudetto. If Villa really have made a bid, it would need to be in the region of £21m, which is thought to be his release clause.
Why Garcia would be a good signing
There is perhaps no goalkeeper who is more highly rated in Europe this season than Garcia. The 24-year-old, who was born in Sallent de Llobregat, a small town outside of Barcelona, was named in WhoScored’s La Liga team of the season.
Indeed, that was the sort of impression he left on the rest of European football this term, hence the interest from Villa and co. Garcia kept eight clean sheets in 38 La Liga appearances for Espanyol this season.
RCDEspanyol'sJoanGarciain action with FC Barcelona's Hector Fort
According to FBref, there were just six goalkeepers in La Liga who kept more clean sheets than Garcia in 2024/25. Impressively, he made the most saves with 140, and had the fifth highest save rate of 75.5%.
Goals conceded per game
1.34
14th
Saves
140
1st
Saves per game
3.68
4th
Save percentage
75.5%
5th
Clean sheets
8
=6th
A colossus between the sticks, the 24-year-old was described as a “big game player” by football analyst Ben Mattinson. Garcia certainly stood up for the count against Real Madrid in 2024/25.
At the start of September, he made ten saves in a single game, which he repeated against Real Betis days later. In the return fixture in February, he kept a clean sheet to help his side win 1-0.
If Villa do bring Garcia to the club this summer, they will be hoping he can be as good as Pau Torres has been in that famous Claret and Blue shirt. The Spaniard made the move to Villa Park back in 2023 for £31.5m from LaLiga side Villarreal.
During his two-year stay at Villa Park so far, the defender has made 73 appearances, even managing to chip in with two goals and three assists, although both of those strikes came last season.
Once described as a “fantastic player” by former Man United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, Torres has been excellent for Villa. That is in spite of some injuries which he has been able to bounce back from.
If Villa do bring Garcia to the club this summer, they will surely be hoping he can have as much of an impact in the West Midlands as Torres has so far, following his own switch from Spain.
He certainly brings great pedigree, and will surely be hoping to have a big part to play as they look to win the Europa League next season.
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Arsenal will surely sign a new striker for big money this summer, but the question remains, who will it be?
The Gunners have scored just 64 goals in the Premier League this season, down from 91 last year and 88 the season before that, which is a major factor why they will conclude the campaign trophyless.
So, given that they’re unlikely to be unable to land Mikel Arteta’s dream target, are they about to snap-up an “electric” alternative?
Arsenal's search for a new striker
According to a report by Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Arsenal have ‘laid the groundwork’ as they continue to pursue RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Šeško.
The Gunners attempted to sign the Slovenian international early last summer before the European Championships, but the 21-year-old decided to sign a new contract with Leipzig instead of moving to North London.
Now though, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland claims that Šeško has a release clause worth €80m (around £68m), adding that a move ‘is also possible without triggering the clause’.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Philipp Hinze, also of Sky Sports Deutschland, reports that Leipzig ‘don’t want to let’ him go but, with die Roten Bullen on course to miss out on Champions League qualification, all the indications are that Šeško will be on the move this summer, so could it be to Arsenal?
Why Benjamin Šeško would be a good signing for Arsenal
Of course, Šeško is not Arteta’s dream striker signing, that is Alexander Isak, with Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport outlining how he is top of the manager’s wishlist, while acknowledging that this move is very unlikely to happen, with Phil McNulty of BBC Sport adding that he cannot see Newcastle selling their ‘best player’ to a direct Premier League rival.
Meantime, speaking on the Arsecast Extra, James McNicholas adds that it is going to be near-impossible for Arsenal to sign the Swede if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, which they’re very much on course to achieve, thereby meaning they’ll surely have to look elsewhere.
So, should Šeško be the next name on the list?
Well, analyst Ben Mattinson labels the Slovenian “electric”, praising his “two-footed ball-striking” ability, while Lee Scott of Total Football Analysis notes that he ‘possesses the ability to score a wide variety of goals’, which is certainly a useful skill to have, one that many members of Arsenal’s forward line do not.
Meantime, Luis Kircher of Total Football Analysis describes Šeško as an ‘exceptional talent’, while Alex Barker of Breaking the Lines believes the ‘hot prospect’ is destined for the top, sighting Matthias Jaissle, his former manager at RB Salzburg, who labelled him “a dream of a player”.
A 6 foot 4 monster of a centre-forward, much like Isak, the Leipzig man is very much a young version of his Newcastle counterpart. So let’s assess how the duo compare this season.
Appearances
43
40
Minutes
3,186
3,144
Goals
21
27
Assists
6
6
Goals – xG
+2.8
+2.2
Shots
121
129
Shots on target %
47.9%
43.4%
Shot-creating actions
56
89
Goals-creating actions
9
14
Big chances missed
18
20
Touches in opposition area per 90
4
7
Touches per 90
26
25
As the table outlines, in a near-identical number of minutes this season, Šeško and Isak’s statistics are often very similar, but with a few key differences.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
Šeško boasts a slightly better goals – xG figure, while a higher percentage of his shots find the target, missing two-fewer Opta-defined big chances.
Meantime, Isak comes out on top when it comes to goals, shot-creating actions and pure total shots, while the Swede takes a higher proportion of his touches inside the opposition’s penalty area.
Nevertheless, if Isak is the unascertainable dream target, Šeško’s statistics suggest he would be a more than adequate, youthful alternative, firing Arsenal to the big trophies that they so desperately crave.
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In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Gus Poyet has backed Enzo Maresca to get Chelsea challenging for a league title next season.
Blues still on track for Champions League qualification
It has been a mixed season for the Blues, with qualification for the Champions League still very much in their grasp, although their task has been made much more difficult after the disappointing 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United last weekend.
If Maresca’s side do manage to get over the line, the campaign is likely to be viewed as a success, although their heavy spending under BlueCo ownership means they should have loftier ambitions in the future.
After a trophy-laden period under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, the west Londoners are yet to win a trophy since the arrival of Todd Boehly, which is something that will need to change in the very near future.
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That is according to former Chelsea man Poyet, who gave his thoughts on Maresca’s first season in charge, in partnership with BetBrain.
The 57-year-old said: “I think for him, Chelsea winning the European competition will be the platform to build on for next season. It’s always important winning a trophy for Chelsea and you cannot lose that.
The Uruguayan also suggested that while it would be a success to win the Europa Conference League, the Blues will need to start competing for major honours next season, saying the manager will know how: “Winning the European competition would be amazing. With all respects to them, two years ago they were young.
“They’re not young anymore, they’ve already played 80 games in the Premier League, so next year there is no excuses. They have to be better and they have to be more competitive? How? Well, the coach knows better than me what he needs.”
Maresca must start competing for major honours
Few would have predicted Maresca winning the Premier League in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and should his side manage to seal a top-five finish, it will be fantastic to return to the Champions League after a two-year absence from the competition.
However, Blues fans have become accustomed to success over the years, having won two Champions Leagues in the Abramovich era, and merely qualifying for Europe’s elite competition shouldn’t become the norm.
Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates with the trophy and teammates
Although there may be some concerns about the form in the second half of the season, there has been some cause for optimism of late, with Chelsea securing crucial victories over the likes of Liverpool and Fulham.
Not only that, but BlueCo have already started work on potential summer signings, having identified some exciting targets in a range of different positions, so there is a clear ambition to kick on next season and challenge for the league.
Zak Foulkes made a huge impact in New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep of England and Peter Fulton expects him to be an all-format allrounder soon
Deivarayan Muthu04-Nov-2025The OG swing kings Trent Boult and Tim Southee are done with their New Zealand playing careers. Matt Henry is currently on the sidelines with an injury, and is approaching the wrong side of 30. But there’s a new swing bowler in New Zealand cricket. Meet 23-year-old Zak Foulkes, who is “almost Trent Boult-ish,” according to New Zealand bowling coach Jacob Oram.In his first ODI bowling innings in Mount Maunganui against England last month, Foulkes made the world sit up and take notice of his swing, more specifically his late swing, when he stormed through the defences of Joe Root with a hooping inswinger in his first over. It was full, but not a drive ball, and veered back in late to make a world-class batter look like an amateur. The wind was blowing from left to right and Foulkes harnessed it to his advantage like Southee and Boult used to do back in the day. Then, in the third ODI in Wellington, Foulkes bested Root with another booming inswinger, this one rapping his pads.Foulkes made a huge impact in New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep of England, coming away with seven wickets in three innings at an average of 14.42 and economy rate of 5.05. Only Blair Tickner took more wickets than Foulkes.Related
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Foulkes’ stock ball to the right-hand batter is the inswinger and to the left-hand batter, it’s the outswinger. After his 4 for 41 in the first ODI, Oram was so impressed with Foulkes that he likened his skills to Boult’s.”It’s his talent and composure,” Oram said. “We know he can swing it at a decent enough pace – mid-130s – and he’s got a bit of a funky release point, which is a bit different for batters to get used to. The fact that he swings it and swings it late is so handy and you saw that ball to Root that went late through the gate and also to left-handers. It’s tough to play, almost Trent Boult-ish with the swing away from the lefties to play and when he gets it right, it’s hard for batters to overcome.”Late swing is Foulkes’ forte, according to former New Zealand batter and current Canterbury head coach Peter Fulton, who has had a front-row seat to Foulkes’ rise from domestic cricket to the New Zealand team.
“His action is just a little bit unusual – he doesn’t quite bowl off the wrong foot, but I think just the nature of his action means he rushes on to guys a bit quicker than probably what the speed gun shows”Peter Fulton on Zak Foulkes
“Look, he swings the ball late, which is a really good attribute to have,” Fulton tells ESPNcricinfo. “Probably, there’s not too many players in international cricket that swing it into the right-hander the way or as much as what he does. So I guess that gives him a little bit of an advantage because it’s not that common.”Foulkes usually operates in the lower 130-kph range, but has the tendency to get the ball to skid off the pitch and hit the bat hard.”Probably the other advantage he has is his action is just a little bit unusual – he doesn’t quite bowl off the wrong foot, but I think just the nature of his action means he rushes on to guys a bit quicker than probably what the speed gun shows,” Fulton says. “So yeah, he’s certainly a little bit quicker than probably what he appears to be.”There was a bit of a running gag that Foulkes could only dismiss left-hand batters – “[Mitchell] Santner was leading that charge,” Foulkes had joked at a press conference – but the twin dismissals of Root provided ample proof of his ability against right-hand batters.Zak Foulkes can bat too, but hasn’t got too many chances to prove that internationally yet•AFP/Getty Images”There’s strengths and weaknesses for every bowler,” Fulton says. “He’s been very, very dangerous to left-handers [in domestic cricket], especially with the ball swinging from around the wicket. But there’s no reason why he can’t be equally as threatening to right-handers. He’s got Joe Root twice now, who is obviously one of the top batsmen in the world. So, Zak is certainly not a one-trick pony.”In his first full Super Smash season, Foulkes was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the difficult overs and he responded by emerging as Canterbury’s joint-highest wicket-taker, with 12 strikes at an economy rate of 7.36 in their run to the final. Two years on, he took a match haul of nine wickets on Test debut in Zimbabwe and made a striking impression against England in his first ODI innings.Club and T20 stints in England have contributed to his development as a bowler. Besides playing for Warwickshire and Durham in the T20 Blast, Foulkes has turned out for Lytham, a club that Fulton had also played for in the past, as an overseas professional.
“I have no doubt in the next two or three years, if he gets those opportunities with the bat, then hopefully he can be the guy that maybe bats at seven in all three forms for New Zealand”Peter Fulton on Zak Foulkes’ batting
“It [playing in England] definitely helped,” Foulkes said at his press conference after the first ODI against England. “Just being around the type of guys like… played a few games with Jacob Bethell a couple of years ago and played with Matt Potts at Durham. Familiar with a few players, which is cool, and you just learn as much as possible from those guys and hopefully holds me in good stead to go forward.”Foulkes hails from a cricketing family – his father Glen and his brothers Liam and Robbie have all represented Canterbury country. Robbie also played for New Zealand in the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.Fulton reckons that Foulkes’ time away from his family in New Zealand and taking on the responsibility as an overseas professional in England have also shaped Foulkes as a person.”It was probably just a good life experience for him to be away from friends and family,” Fulton says. “I suppose, you have to sort of stand on your own two feet. I was happy to obviously send him to a club where I knew people and knew he was going to have a good experience. Then he picked up some county opportunities with Warwickshire and with the [Birmingham] Bears. So, those sorts of experiences have probably also helped him as a cricketer. I’m sure it’s definitely helped him as he’s made that transition to international cricket.”Foulkes is also a capable batter. He had slotted in at No. 3 for St Andrew’s College in the Gillette Cup, a one-day competition for secondary schools boys, before bowling became his primary skill. In the third ODI against England in Wellington, he showed his batting chops with an unbeaten 14 off 24 from No. 9, which helped seal New Zealand’s 3-0 series win. Fulton believes that Foulkes’ ceiling is so high that he can bat at No. 7 and become an all-format player for New Zealand in the future.Ben Foulkes’ emergence will give New Zealand’s selectors a happy headache when the likes of Will O’Rourke, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears and Adam Milne are back•Getty Images”I think all through age-group cricket and high school cricket, Zak was probably more of a batsman,” Fulton says. “He probably bowled medium pace. He finished school and maybe just got a little bit fitter and stronger and decided to run in a little bit harder and try to bowl a bit quicker. Yeah, the part about his game that really excites me is his batting; there’s a lot of potential there.”He’s shown glimpses of that at first-class level for Canterbury, but he just hasn’t had the opportunities in international cricket yet. I have no doubt in the next two or three years, if he gets those opportunities with the bat, then hopefully he can be the guy that maybe bats at seven in all three forms for New Zealand.”Foulkes’ immediate challenge is a five-match T20I series against West Indies, who are coming off a 3-0 sweep of Bangladesh in Bangladesh.”They [West Indies] are obviously a great team and they have been in Bangladesh recently,” Foulkes said on the eve of the first T20I in Auckland. “We know they’re going to come pretty hard with the bat, especially in this T20 stuff. Things I’m expecting as well, which is quite cool.”Foulkes’ emergence will give New Zealand’s selectors a happy headache when the likes of Will O’Rourke, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears and Adam Milne are fit. It’s also a reflection of New Zealand’s depth despite a limited talent pool.
Alan Gardner is joined by Andrew Miller and Matt Roller to assess England’s stuttering World Cup defence after their shock defeat to Afghanistan
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2023England travelled to India as the reigning champions but their World Cup has got off to a difficult start, following two defeats in their opening three games. In the wake of a shock loss to Afghanistan in Delhi, Alan Gardner was joined on the podcast by Andrew Miller and Matt Roller to assess the state of play. Is Ben Stokes going to be England’s saviour again? What has happened to Chris Woakes’ form? And can they turn things around in time to keep their World Cup defence attack on the road?
Ajaz was persistent in his 10-for much like his immigrant family has been, but he would have probably liked more from his team-mates
Sidharth Monga04-Dec-20214:11
Daniel Vettori: ‘Rare’ Ajaz Patel 10-wicket haul is greatest individual feat in NZ Test cricket
Ajaz Patel arrived in New Zealand in an oversized double-breasted blazer, matching loose suit pants and a hat. He was eight years old, and his parents from Mumbai were looking for a better life. Like Indian parents who put a lot of stock in education because of the high level of competition for a livelihood in India, the first thing they did was put young Ajaz in a school. And he went in and wondered why the New Zealand kids his age couldn’t do multiplications.
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Back in Mumbai for a Test match 25 years later, while Ajaz might be slightly thankful for it, New Zealand must be wondering why the other kids can’t hold their length. It is a bittersweet feat. Only the third man to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings in 144 years of Test cricket, Ajaz wheeled away for 47.5 overs in the first innings of the match, but he is likely to be the only one of the three to be on the losing side.While Ajaz took 10 wickets for 119 runs at his end, the other end leaked 188 runs for no wicket in 62 overs. You look at the overall chances created by New Zealand, and you would think this Test was being played on a flat track. At 88.1%, India batted with much better control than any of the innings in the Kanpur draw. However, against Ajaz, their control percentage dropped to 81.46. While Ajaz drew a mistake once every 5.39 balls, the others troubled India once every 13.8 balls.Related
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Taking 10 wickets in an innings is a freak effort, which takes either big amount of luck to deny others or this kind of difference in the quality of bowling between one bowler and the rest. And Ajaz’s quality was superlative, his endurance remarkable.After the New Zealand seamers kept them alive in the first Test, Kane Williamson was asked if it was better to pick their best bowlers and not two specialist spinners just because the match was in India. Williamson’s defence for his spinners was that they had hardly bowled in the lead-up to the Tests because they had been locked up in their houses in Auckland.Come Mumbai, and the difference showed. Now Ajaz didn’t miss his length as often as he did in Kanpur. He got the ball to drift in and dip too. The revs were on, the pitch helped him. Some balls turned from even the good part of the pitch, some went straight on.ESPNcricinfo LtdUnlike his multiplications, spin bowling is not something Ajaz took with him from India. He started out as a left-arm swing bowler, and even finished an Under-19s season in Auckland as the joint-highest wicket-taker along with Tim Southee. At 5’8″, though, Ajaz lost pace when he looked to hit the deck, and soon realised he was never going to get selected for any high level of cricket if he kept bowling pace.In a touching piece Ajaz wrote for , he details how much persistence and hard work it took. Former New Zealand Test cricketer, Dipak Patel, guided him through the transition. At the start of every coaching session, Dipak would ask Ajaz, “What do you know?” Every time Ajaz realised he didn’t know enough. Hour after hour of getting every little aspect of spin bowling right, and not moving to the next step until he did so, Ajaz knows what Test bowling is all about.Put high revs, vary angles and lines, vary how you hold the ball in your hand, vary the release, get varying degrees of turn from the pitch, but never miss your length. Keep doing it ball after ball for long enough periods. In a spot interview, Star Sports asked him to pick one of the wickets as the most special. Like a true spinner, Ajaz said it is not about the wicket balls, it is about the good balls. And he bowled enough of them.Ajaz did all that in a city that his extended family wouldn’t give them a fair break. The Patels are quite a religious family who believe in destiny. Twenty-five years after they left Mumbai to build a dream, the city of dreams asks them, “What do you know?”Not enough, it turns out. Not enough.
A T20 freelancer talks about why he embraced the opportunity to travel to Pakistan for one match
Peter Hatzoglou21-May-2025It was a Wednesday afternoon in London, and I was in the fruit section at Marks & Spencer, on the hunt for their mango fingers – which, by the way, are a seriously underrated snack. That’s when I got a voice note from my manager. The Pakistan Super League was restarting. A replacement draft was happening. And somehow, Multan Sultans were interested in me.To be honest, I barely knew the PSL was resuming, let alone that I’d be in contention. My first thought? Keep hopes low. Too many “maybes” in this career can break your heart if you let them. So I grabbed my mango fingers, walked back to the car – and then came the text.”You’re in.”I laughed. Not because it was funny but because of how unexpected it all was. Just days earlier, I’d been wrestling with doubts about where I stood in my career. Now, I was heading to one of the world’s top T20 leagues, amid one of the more tense geopolitical moments in recent memory.In the days leading up to the draft, cross-border tensions boiled over into real military escalation that halted both the IPL and PSL. Players were flown home. Airspace was closed. Some international players understandably chose not to return.Related
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So when the opportunity came, it wasn’t just about cricket. I had to weigh the reward against the risk.I did what most of us do – I reached out to people I trust. I checked in with family and spoke to leaders among the playing group, like Tom Kohler-Cadmore, a PSL veteran, and David Warner, whose standing in world cricket speaks for itself. I then checked in with Brendan Drew from the Australian Cricketers’ Association, which, along with the World Cricketers’ Association, had commissioned a third-party risk assessment for players considering a return to Pakistan.The advice? The situation was being monitored, but the league was safe to resume. It was ultimately our call, but the ACA would support it either way.Still, my decision wasn’t just about personal safety. It was also about my upbringing.I grew up at Sunshine Heights Cricket Club in Melbourne’s west – a place that welcomes migrants, celebrates diversity, and believes in cricket as a tool for inclusion.My grandparents arrived in Australia through the mid-1960s, with no cricketing background. My dad was embraced by the club and he would go on to volunteer for more than 40 years in just about every capacity, including over a decade as president. Following in his footsteps, I served as treasurer, secretary, and junior coordinator across a six-year stretch – roles that gave me a front-row seat to how sport can help people find their footing.That ethos – that cricket is more than runs and wickets – is still part of how I navigate opportunities like this. Yes, I was aware of the political climate. But cricket isn’t responsible for borders.
Playing sport in politically charged times is never just about the sport. But cricket offers something that few other experiences can: shared rituals, mutual respect, and the chance to coexist in ways that politics doesn’t always allow
At 2am on game day, I landed in Islamabad airport alongside Tymal Mills and George Munsey, where PSL officials were ready to fast-track us through immigration and security. By mid-morning, I was being fitted for a kit and introduced to the Multan Sultans set-up: owner Ali Tareen, coach Abdul Rehman, and a room of players and staff.Immediately, I was met with the hospitality foreign cricketers have become accustomed to in Pakistan. Pakistanis take real pride in their country and want guests to have the best possible experience. I genuinely felt I could ask for anything – no matter how unusual – and someone would make it happen.Then came the journey to Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Like all PSL match days, roads were cleared. The team bus, reinforced and flanked by military vehicles, made its way through the city under armed escort. The heat? Thirty-seven degrees. The outcome? A final-ball thriller against table-topping Quetta Gladiators.Although the match was technically a dead rubber – Gladiators had already qualified, and we were out of contention – it still carried plenty of meaning. In some ways, these matches feel even more competitive. Why? Because the bench guys, who have been quietly grinding and waiting their turn all season, finally get their shot. And they know how small the window is. They are not just playing for points. They are playing for careers. Just like I was.We lost, but I was proud of both the team and my performance. And more than that, I was glad to reconnect with so many familiar faces. That’s the hidden joy of franchise cricket. On paper, you’re switching teams every month. But in reality, it’s a roving community. A group of freelancers – players, coaches, analysts, media staff – who keep bumping into each other in new colours and new cities.It’s a network. It’s a cultural education. It’s a circus. It’s home.The PSL resumed on May 17 after an eight-day pause•Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty ImagesThe past year has been a mixed bag for me. I was a late inclusion in the Hobart Hurricanes BBL playing XI after management signed an overseas spinner. When I did get a go, I started well – my economy was good – but I struggled to make big personal inroads, despite an exceptional team performance culminating in the title.While winning is always great, it meant I arrived late to the UAE’s ILT20, where Sharjah Warriors had pivoted to Adam Zampa. Fair enough – he’s world class. But it meant another bench stretch for me. If anything, the biggest takeaway from my time at the ILT20 was a reflective conversation with Matthew Wade on my BBL performances. He and his experience helped me rethink my lengths and field placements, which really helped.Still, I keep moving. I played in the Weston Shield, a really exciting T10 tournament hosted by European Cricket. I joined Tom Scollay’s Cricket Mentoring tour in India, played Topklasse cricket in the Netherlands, a couple of matches for the MCC in Cardiff, and had a solid outing with Radlett in the Hertfordshire Premier League. I’ve been working hard with spin coach Carl Crowe, and lately I feel like I’m getting that “pace” back off the wicket – more bowleds, more lbws.In short: I feel close. And I’m looking for that moment – the catalyst for the next phase of my cricket journey.Playing sport in politically charged times is never just about the sport. But cricket offers something that few other experiences can: shared rituals, mutual respect, and the chance to coexist in ways that politics doesn’t always allow.It’s now Tuesday, May 20. I’m sitting in a London café, writing this before I head to Manchester to see my brother, Max, who’s playing for Glossop in the Greater Manchester Cricket League. On Thursday, I play for the MCC against Loughborough University. Then I’m back at Radlett for another weekend of club cricket.Cricket moves fast. One day you’re a replacement pick in one of the world’s biggest competitions. The next, you’re back in whites on a recreation reserve, chasing rhythm.But through it all, the game stays bigger than the headlines. It offers connection. It offers hope. And right now, I’m grateful to be part of it.
Atlético-MG e Cruzeiro estão classificados para a final do Campeonato Mineiro 2024. Os rivais farão a grande decisão do estadual após superarem América e Tombense, respectivamente, nas semifinais da competição. No entanto, os confrontos de Galo e Raposa tiveram enredos bem diferentes para conseguirem suas vagas.
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As partidas de volta do Mineiro foram disputadas nete fim de semana. O Atlético-MG enfrentou o Coelho neste domingo (17), na Arena Independência, e saiu derrotado por 2 a 1. Contudo, como havia vencido por 2 a 0 na ida, o Galo garantiu seu lugar na final. Do outro lado, o Cruzeiro encarou o Tombense no Mineirão, no sábado (16), e venceu por 3 a 1. Com o empate em 0 a 0 no primeiro jogo, a Raposa volta à decisão do estadual. Confira abaixo como foram as partidas.
AMÉRICA 2 x 1 ATLÉTICO-MG (2 x 3 no agregado)
O América entrou em campo precisando reverter de 2 a 0 conquistado pelo Atlético-MG na ida, e foi para cima logo de cara. Assim, o Coelho abriu o placar com Brenner, aos seis minutos de partida. O Galo chegou ao empate pouco depois do intervalo, com Paulinho aproveitando sobra dentro da área. Os donos da casa ainda marcaram com Vitor Jacaré para vencer o jogo, mas não foi suficiente para tirar a vaga do adversário.
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CRUZEIRO 3 x 1 TOMBENSE (3 x 1 no agregado)
Cruzeiro e Tombense voltaram a se enfrentar após o zero a zero da partida de ida, na última semana. Arthur gomes marcou o primeiro da Raposa logo no primeiro tempo, após linda assistência de Matheus Pereira. Já na segunda etapa, a defesa do Gavião Carcará se atrapalhou e Zé Victor jogou contra o próprio gol e ampliou para os mandantes. Dez minutos depois, o zagueiro compensou a lambança e balançou as redes, dessa vez a favor. Já nos acréscimos, Matheus Pereira deixou o dele para consagrar ótima atuação e dar números finais ao duelo.
Agora, Atlético-MG e Cruzeiro se enfrentam em duas partidas na grande decisão do Campeonato Mineiro, disputadas em 30 de abril e 6 de março. O jogo de ida será na Arena MRV, e a volta será no Mineirão, com mando da Raposa, que terminou a primeira fase com a melhor campanha da competição.