All posts by h716a5.icu

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia has “strongly” defended the inclusion of young Faisal Iqbal as 16th player for next week’s Sharjah Cup

05-Apr-2002The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia has “strongly” defended the inclusion of young Faisal Iqbal as 16th player for next week’s Sharjah Cup.Tauqir, in a press statement, admitted that Faisal had been included in the side on his instructions but dismissed claims that he had taken the decision under any pressure. He termed the criticizm on Faisal’s inclusion as “most unfair”.”It is a declared policy of the PCB to groom the potential players and give them the necessary exposure. “It is of paramount importance to keep those players in harness who are on the fringe and can be useful to the team in the build up for the World Cup.”Faisal Iqbal has been with the Pakistan squad for the last one and a half year and has also performed well in the domestic season. It was, therefore, felt that he should be included as the 16th player, a decision that I took purely on merit and without any pressure whatsoever,” Tauqir said.Faisal will be proceeding at non-playing member as according to tournament rules, only 15 players can take part. However, Faisal can replace any injured player which appears to be the case as Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana are on casualty list.

Despite his goal and impressive display against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Pep Guardiola must axe Sergio Aguero for Manchester City’s game against PSG at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

The Argentinian made a rare start at Selhurst Park and scored the opening goal thanks to a sumptuous touch and finish from Benjamin Mendy’s cross.

However, he has only just regained match fitness after an injury-hit season and has struggled in previous starts this season, notably against Leeds United and Leicester City, so the match against PSG might be a step too far for the legendary striker.

Guardiola’s side produced a superb second-half display at Les Parc des Princes last week to earn a 2-1 away win, in which Kevin De Bruyne featured as a striker, and it seems likely that the Spanish manager will stick with the same ‘strikerless’ tactic which proved so effective in France.

Although Aguero has two goals in the Champions League this season, it would be unwise to throw him in from the start against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as he is still likely building match fitness after featuring just once in April.

It would be something of a ruthless decision by Guardiola to leave him out after scoring a goal which could’ve sealed City the Premier League title, had Manchester United vs Liverpool gone ahead, especially as he will undoubtedly go down as one of the Citizens’ greatest ever players.

After his goal at the weekend, Guardiola sang his praises, saying:

“What a goal, what a player and what a man. I’m completely in love with him. He is an absolute top legend, an extraordinary player.

‘The people cannot believe it but we’ve missed him. We haven’t been able to use him many times, but maybe we got him back at the right time. He knows he has a special quality.”

However, the Spanish manager has to put sentiment to one side for this game and ensure that City build on their 2-1 advantage from the first leg, in order to seal their spot in the Champions League final.

In what is likely to be such an intense game, banking on Aguero from the start would be a huge gamble, one that Guardiola sould not take.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Sterling: Txiki should seal City swoop for “sensational” PL wizard this summer

The historic first full cricket tour by South Africa to the West Indies has just finished and players on both sides have memories to cherish

21-May-2001The historic first full cricket tour by South Africa to the West Indies has just finished and players on both sides have memories to cherish. In this first segment of a two-part series, players from both teams share their thoughts on particular issues.Ridley Jacobs (West Indies vice-captain/wicket-keeper): On his maiden Test century: “It was a joy to score my first Test century (in the Barbados Test). I’ve been in the 90s a few times and I thought I would never get out of the 90s but I proved myself wrong and I am very pleased.”On his One-Day vs Test performances: “The One-Day game is a quicker pace and you don’t get much time to settle in like in a Test and that was my downfall in the One-Day matches. Overall, I am pretty pleased with my results. I give my best every time I go onto the field.”On his wicketkeeping and future goals: “I put in a lot of hard work and it is paying off. I am very happy with my wicketkeeping right now. I just want to be more consistent in the One-Days and in Test cricket; doing that will benefit the team and that’s the most important thing. That’s my goal.”On what he has learnt: “We have learnt that we must be competitive throughout a whole day and not just a session or two sessions. It’s very important that we play as a team throughout – that’s the most important thing. South Africa is a very together team and that’s what every team should always aspire to be a unit. We have some young players who are playing pretty well but we need to play more as a team.”Marlon Samuels (West Indies middle-order batsman/secondary bowler): On his goals for the series: “I didn’t achieve my goals for the series. I wanted to score two centuries in the Tests and also two centuries in the One-Day Internationals. I got two half-centuries in both the Tests and One-Days. That was okay but there is room for improvement.”On concentrating while batting: “Sometimes my concentration lapsed and that cost me my wicket. I find myself realising when that is happening and I am trying to correct it so it won’t cost me my wicket in the future. When I feel I am losing concentration, I count 1-2-3 to myself and try to refocus and start batting all over again like if I just came to the wicket.”On lessons from Australia and South Africa: “I’ve learnt a lot playing against the two top teams in international cricket. The bowlers in Australia and South Africa are very smart. They try to set you up with every ball. It keeps you thinking all the time. It was a big challenge facing Allan Donald and Jacques Kallis.”On the start of his international career: “I’ve had a good start to my career and I intend to capitalise on this and move from strength to strength. I am working on my fitness and on my bowling. I feel I can become a genuine all-rounder and I believe I have a big contribution to make to this team. I am confident the future will be good for me.”Allan Donald (South African fast bowler): On his goals for series: “At the beginning of the tour, I wanted to be part of a team that beat the West Indies over here. That was a special achievement and this tour will go down as possibly the biggest triumph in my Test and One-Day careers.”On series success: “I was happy with my performances throughout the series. It was long and tough. We knew the conditions would be hard and that the West Indies are difficult to beat in their own backyard but we have done that and it’s very special to us. The way we won the Trinidad Test was great and then in Antigua. To have lost in Jamaica hurt us a lot and I think the way the guys played in the One-Days was a big comeback for us. It was nice for me to be part of history. I’ve had a fantastic time.”On a defining moment: “Personally, the defining moment of this tour was my taking those two early wickets on the fifth morning in the Trinidad Test and then when Shaun (Pollock) bowled Courtney (Walsh) to finish the match. I didn’t play in Antigua but when the last West Indies wicket fell there it was a huge relief for me that we had won the series.”On West Indies’ future: “I think the West Indies have players who can take them ahead. I am impressed with (opening batsman) Chris Gayle. I think he could apply himself better. He does have a technical flaw that we spotted since the second Test. Marlon Samuels is also a confident player. But I think the biggest factor may be a lack of discipline up front, among the first five batsmen, where people need to bat for longer periods and apply themselves better. If the West Indies keep working with this team there’s lots of hope for the future.Carl Hooper must be given a little more time. He has a side he can work with and I think the people in the Caribbean must be more patient with him. It will come. Lots of teams go through rebuilding phases. The West Indies are suffering a bit now but it will come.”Next week, read the views of West Indies cricketers Neil McGarrell and Cameron Cuffy, and South Africans Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis.

Many Rangers fans have been left to buzz as Ross Wilson has shared an update on the proposal of a Gers ‘B’ team in the Lowland League.

As per a video shared by the official Twitter page of the Glasgow club, the Sporting Director has confirmed that George Fraser, who is the chairman of the SLFL, has reached out with an invitation to them to potentially consider joining the Lowland League, initially for one season.

It would mean that the Ibrox faithful could give more senior game time to their youth prospects, not just to help develop them as they would be playing men’s football, but also for the other teams around them, as they get to play against some of the rising stars of Scottish football and it would also draw more eyes to the lower tiers of the game.

Managing Director Stewart Robertson and Head of Academy Craig Mulholland are also on board with the idea in the Gers’ video, which could help develop Scottish football as a whole, as they await approval from the SFA.

Rangers fans on Lowland League update

These Rangers supporters buzzed upon listening to the update, with one fan saying that they were ‘delighted’ while another even went as far as to claim that it would be ‘brilliant’:

“I know myself I would try make a lot of these games. I know thousands of Rangers fans would actually could picture few thousand turning out would be brilliant”

Credit: @bnziebryan

“Delighted to see/hear our club calling out the SFA/SPFL for their lack of leadership.”

Credit: @ScottSmcg10

“Excellent video. I can’t believe @ScottishFA have dragged their heels over this. I am looking forward to hearing more about this as the discussions progress.”

Credit: @onlyoneamoruso

“Its a great move for a developing side. Will improve the grassroots standards in the league”

Credit: @BillyKsOpinion

“Spot on”

Credit: @King_Kamara18

“Rangers leading the way & firing the bullets. Class”

Credit: @Ryan59226753

In other news, find out what SPFL update has left Gers fuming here!

Daniel Farke’s Norwich City side are considering a summer move for Union Berlin midfielder Robert Andrich.

What’s been said?

That’s according to a report by German outlet Bild (via Football League World), who claim that Farke is scouring the German leagues for potential summer additions to his newly-promoted squad, and that Andrich has caught the 44-year-old’s attention.

It is then claimed that, with the Union Berlin midfielder’s contract set to expire in 2022, the Bundesliga side would be willing to cash in on the 26-year-old this summer, opening the door for Stuart Webber to make a move.

Farke would love him

With on-loan midfielder Oliver Skipp looking likely to return to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, as well as Alex Tettey’s contract running out at the end of the season, central midfield is very much a position that Farke will be looking to strengthen ahead of the Canaries’ Premier League campaign.

And, with Andrich being comfortable in operating from defensive midfield, central midfield, and even in the number 10 role, the £5.4 million-rated man’s versatility is likely to be something that Farke would value extremely highly at Carrow Road.

Indeed, over his 28 Bundesliga appearances for Urs Fischer’s side this season, Andrich has demonstrated both his workmanlike grit in as well as his creative and clinical qualities, with the £7,700-per-week midfielder making an average of 1.8 interceptions, 1.8 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game, while also scoring five goals and registering two assists in the German top flight.

Overall, the former Germany U20 international has averaged a SofaScore match rating of 6.91 for Union this season, ranking him as the club’s eighth-best performer in the Bundesliga.

As such, considering his impressive returns and City’s need for reinforcements in the middle of the park, a deal for Andrich should be extremely high on Webber’s list of priorities when the summer transfer window opens. He’d be a great replacement for Tetty.

In other news: Farke must ensure damage limitation at Norwich after worrying transfer admission – opinion

Manchester United take on Granada on Thursday evening looking to book their tickets to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

The Red Devils are in an enviable position having won 2-0 in Spain last time out thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, whilst they also come into the second-leg off the back of a 3-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Could Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be tempted to make any changes to his side?

In a simple answer, yes. We are expecting the Norwegian to ring the changes with as many as seven alterations.

The first should occur in goal where Dean Henderson will once again make way for David de Gea.

The Spanish goalkeeper will also be shielded by a somewhat shuffled defence. Harry Maguire is suspended for the game and with Eric Bailly still not yet available having tested positive whilst on international duty, this could see Axel Tuanzebe afforded just his second opportunity in the Europa League this season.

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Meanwhile, Alex Telles has been preferred by Solskjaer in European ties and he’ll start with Luke Shaw also suspended. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof should be retained in the starting XI.

There should also be another couple of alterations in the centre of the park. With such a comfortable position heading into the second-leg, Fred could be rested in place Donny van de Beek. Nemanja Matic should also replace the suspended Scott McTominay.

Moving into attack, Bruno Fernandes is likely to start once again but Paul Pogba should be switched out on the left for winger Daniel James.

Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani, who turned in a great showing against Spurs, could also drop out of the starting line-up. The Uruguayan forward, who earns £210k per week at Old Trafford, might well be swapped for the in-form Mason Greenwood.

The 19-year-old has scored in three out of his last four matches in all competitions and will be partnered with fellow England forward Marcus Rashford to lead the Red Devils’ attack.

AND in more news, Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their Camavinga pursuit…

Many fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter in which Lukasz Fabianski reflected on the Hammers’ 3-2 defeat against Newcastle United last weekend.

So far this season, the Poland international has been in impressive form over his 30 Premier League appearances for David Moyes’ side, with the 36-year-old keeping nine clean sheets, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.81.

However, in the Irons’ disappointing defeat at St James’ Park on Saturday, Fabianski did not have the best of games, making one error which led directly to a Newcastle goal and earning a SofaScore match rating of just 5.4.

In reaction to his performance on the day, Fabianski later took to Twitter, apologising to the West Ham fan base in an emotional message as he stated that he was “really sorry” for his unusually erronerous display.

However, in response to the shot-stopper’s comments, many supporters appeared to hold no ill feelings towards their club’s number one, with plenty calling for the ‘keeper to keep his head up while others stated their belief that the “fantastic” Fabianski has won West Ham a lot more points than he has cost them this season.

What did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to Lukasz Fabianski’s comments?

“Keep your chin up Fab, we love you at West Ham mate and we’re all behind you.”

@DaveWalkerWHU

“Head up Fab, you have been our best ‘keeper in years.”

@ScoutSoucek

“One of those things. You’ve kept us in enough games.”

@AndyMurton1

“Like many of our players, Fab has had a fantastic season. Despite a poor one today, we go again with absolute confidence with him between the sticks. SUPER FAB.”

@FinchieRiley

“What a man you are. You’ve given us so many moments of joy. We are with you.”

@LenaWHU

“You’re an absolute hero to us Lukasz. Bad day. We move on.”

@JamieHarriison

In other news: West Ham eye summer swoop for in-demand defender; GSB could land deal for £13m – find out more here!

Naby Keita’s Liverpool career hit what could be perceived as new low on Tuesday evening.

The Guinian midfielder, signed from RB Leipzig in 2018 to great excitement, was granted a start against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League but lasted just 42 minutes before being hauled off for Thiago Alcantara.

Linked to Leicester City over the past few days by Football Insider, it now might be time for Michael Edwards and Liverpool to take a hit on the midfielder and get him sold.

Having cost the club an eye-watering £54m, the third-highest fee in the Reds’ history, Keita has not justified that considerable outlay at all.

Due to a combination of poor form, competition at Anfield and injury problems, the 26-year-old has played just 76 matches for the club in all competitions, with just 47 of those being starts.

Even when he has been on the pitch, he has barely contributed. Keita only has seven goals and four assists to his name at Anfield.

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For context, the midfielder managed the same amount of goal contributions in his final season at the Red Bull Arena.

Considering that sheer lack of involvement, Liverpool really seem to have wasted a considerable fee on Keita. However, it takes on a completely different complexion considering the wages that the midfielder has earned at Anfield so far.

Paid approximately £6.2m per year, this means that he has already scooped £18.7m in wages since his arrival at Anfield, producing a total cost of £62.7m.

Even worse, Keita’s value only continues to plummet. Since his signing, he is now rated at just £34.2m.

With just two years left on his contract, Liverpool must sell in order to avoid any more depreciation on the player.

Considering the new low he hit in Madrid, it would potentially be wise to take advantage of Leicester’s interest in the 37-cap midfielder.

AND in more news, take a closer look and Andrew Robertson’s awful performances against Real Madrid…

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for former Premier League flop Florian Thauvin this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Reports in Spain claim Spurs are ‘closely monitoring the 28-year-old’s situation at Marseille as he will be out of contract this summer.

It’s also suggested that ex-OM president Jacques Henri Eyraud offered Thauvin an ultimatum during January to either agree to fresh terms or leave the club.

Serie A clubs Napoli, AC Milan and Roma are all keen on securing his signature too, whilst Premier League rivals Leicester City have reportedly offered him a four-year £58k-per-week contract.

Absolute bargain

It would be easy to cast doubt over this move considering Thauvin’s past experience in England. At Newcastle United, the Frenchman scored just once in 16 appearances following a £12m move.

He soon returned to Marseille and has thrived ever since. Despite the Ligue 1 outfit never truly challenging for the title, he has consistently delivered in terms of goal contributions – between 2016/17 and 2018/19, Thauvin found the net at least 15 times across all three campaigns, with a high of 22 and similarly, delivered at least eight assists, as per WhoScored.

Injury hampered him last season but this term, he has rediscovered that impressive form with eight goals and seven assists in just 26 league starts.

Thauvin has been industrious on that right flank, chipping in with 1.1 tackles per game, proving he’s a hard-worker, and that’ll suit Jose Mourinho down to a tee. He is also averaging 1.6 dribbles and 1.5 key passes per match too, via WhoScored, thus showing a clear ability to get down the wing, beat his man and deliver a bit of creativity.

By comparison, it is only Harry Kane and Heung-min Son who can answer to his phenomenal record in recent seasons, whilst only one Spurs player is ahead of him for dribbles (Tanguy Ndombele) and key passes (Son).

That means all of Mourinho’s current right-sided options – Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela and Steven Bergwijn – are underperforming as opposed to Thauvin.

Several of these players are facing a dubious future in north London too. Bale could return to Real Madrid in the summer as he’s only on loan, so perhaps Thauvin is an ideal successor.

Similarly, Lamela and Moura could be sold given the interest in their services.

Toulouse coach Alain Casanova once called him “a player in the image of Franck Ribéry … someone who is able to disrupt any opponent, someone very dangerous when he picks up speed. Very dangerous indeed,” as per the Guardian.

To land a player of this calibre on a free transfer would certainly be another transfer masterclass from Daniel Levy, following on from the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg last summer.

Those £58k-per-week wages would rank him amongst Spurs’ lowest earners too – even exiled Danny Rose (£60k-per-week), Ben Davies (£60k-per-week) and Davinson Sanchez (£65k-per-week) would be on more, according to Spotrac.

No transfer fee paid and cheap wages for a player valued at £28.8m, that would quite simply be an absolute bargain for Spurs.

AND in other news, £36m-rated beast could become Mourinho’s next Marouane Fellaini at Spurs…

According to The Scottish Sun, Sky Sports are livid with Glasgow Rangers after they were snubbed during the Gers’ Premiership title celebrations.

Sky Sports angry at Rangers

The Gers were confirmed as Premiership champions on Sunday after Celtic could only manage a 0-0 draw with Dundee United.

However, while the Gers were celebrating the club’s 55th title win, Sky were left livid as they were unable to get much access to Steven Gerrard and his players. Then, the Gers sanctioned a Gerrard interview with ITV.

Silly from Rangers

Rangers have had plenty of problems with mainstream media outlets in recent times, and lots of supporters have turned towards the likes of Four Lads had a Dream and the Heart and Hand podcast in search of the latest updates regarding their clubs.

The club’s hierarchy will be aware of that, and they themselves were busy in the immediate aftermath as their own media team interviewed plenty of the season’s protagonists. However, what Rangers must not forget is, without Sky, they would struggle financially. Last summer, the broadcaster paid £125m to secure the Premiership’s TV rights for five years – money which no doubt comes in handy for the Ibrox outfit. While there may be some tension between the two, it is vital they make the partnership work.

In other news, Rangers fans slammed this Gerrard decision against Slavia Prague.