Karachi Whites chased 282 with ease to beat Peshawar by five wickets in the first semi-final

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2018
Khurram Manzoor made 100 off 70 balls•PCB

A century from Khurram Manzoor guided Karachi Whites to a five-wicket win over Peshawar in the first semi-final on Thursday. Peshawar, who had decided to bat first after winning the toss, posted 281 before they were bundled out in the final over.Eight of the top nine batsman reached double figures, with captain Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with 72. Regular wickets in the final third of the innings derailed Peshawar in their quest for a 300-plus score. Anwar Ali and Mohammad Asghar were the pick of Karachi’s bowlers, taking three wickets each to chip away at Peshawar.Karachi Whites led an impressively strong reply, with an 80-run opening partnership between Manzoor and captain Asad Shafiq setting them on course. Akbar-ur-Rehman, at number three, linked up with Manzoor in the match-defining partnership. The pair contributed 113 runs for the second wicket as Rehman scored 82, with the game effectively done.Quick wickets made it a tense affair towards the end, but Danish Aziz ensured the good work of the top order would not go to waste. He hit two sixes and a four in an 8-ball 20 to see his side home with five balls to spare.

Hampshire look set to be one of the main beneficiaries when the ECB announce their major match allocation next week.They are expected to be awarded one of the most coveted games in the schedule – an Ashes Test in 2023. While the club hosted their first Test against Sri Lanka in 2011 and a second against India in 2014, the opportunity to host a Test against Australia would represent the culmination of many years’ work – and many millions of pounds of investment – for the club’s benefactor, Rod Bransgrove.While it is not anticipated that Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl ground will host any other Tests during the period, it is likely it will be given a couple of international T20 fixtures each year and confirmed as the base for one of the teams in the new T20 competition scheduled to start in 2020.The allocation – which will account for major matches staged in England and Wales from 2020 to 2024 – was originally scheduled to be announced on February 14, though it is possible that deadline could slide if the ECB board demand more explanation before ratification.

England fielding coach

The ECB is understood to have offered the job of fielding coach to the former Sussex batsman Carl Hopkinson. He is currently Sussex Academy coach.

There could also be good news for Lord’s in the allocation. While the reduction in England’s Test programme (they will play six Tests per summer from 2020 rather than seven as is the case at present) looked likely to harm them, confidence within the MCC remains high that they will continue to host two Tests a year. In summers where a team plays five Tests against England – a scenario that is currently only relevant to India and Australia – Lord’s would host one match in that series and a further Test against a side outside the ICC’s Test Championship. Lord’s is also likely to be confirmed as a host for a new team in the T20 competition.The other likely host venues for the new T20 competition are The Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Cardiff, Manchester and Headingley though it is possible a few games will be played at other venues including Bristol and Durham.The remainder of the Tests will be split between England’s traditional Test grounds. With Durham no longer eligible to host Test cricket as part of a raft of penalties imposed on the club following their financial problems and Cardiff understood not to have applied to host any Test cricket during the period, the competition for the remaining three Ashes games will be limited to Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, The Oval, Old Trafford and Headingley.But with the ECB having altered the process by which games are allocated, it is the grounds with the largest capacity – The Oval, Old Trafford and Edgbaston – which are best placed to win the fight to host those Ashes Tests in 2023.Whereas clubs used to bid against one another – sometimes being seduced into over-spending in their desperation to host games – they now apply for packages of matches on the understanding that ticket sales (but not catering or hospitality revenues) will be shared with the ECB. For the most popular games, such as Ashes series, that revenue share is understood to be 50% of ticket sales.

Celtic are plotting a summer swoop to sign Newcastle United forward Ryan Fraser, and a new report has revealed the club’s chances of bringing him to the Scottish Premiership.

Where was Ryan Fraser born?

Fraser was born in Aberdeen where he spent the early years of his career before moving to England to carry out spells at Bournemouth, Ipswich Town and finally Newcastle who he joined on a free transfer back in 2020, as per Transfermarkt, but despite having been at the club for three years, he could be on his way before the end of the ongoing window.

In the Premier League last season, the left-winger made just three starts and five substitute appearances across the whole of the campaign, via WhoScored, showing not only how out of favour he is but indicating that he may have to complete a move elsewhere should he want to receive more regular game time going forward.

The Scotland international still has another two years remaining on his contract in the northeast, so it mmay take some kind of fee to prise him away, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for Brendan Rodgers who has set his sights on the attacker, though it’s not the first time he’s been linked with a switch to Parkhead.

Back in 2020, The Telegraph credited the Hoops with an interest in the 29-year-old before he finalised his move to St. James’ Park, so having already missed out on their target once, chiefs appear to be taking a second bite of the cherry in the hope of a more successful outcome this time around.

Are Celtic signing Ryan Fraser?

According to The Northern Echo, Celtic are “lining up a move” for Fraser in the final weeks of the window. The Glasgow outfit are “ready to make a formal approach” for the unwanted forward who has been “identified” by Rodgers as a “viable target” with the boss looking to bolster his ranks with another winger.

Newcastle are “unlikely to demand a significant transfer fee” because they want to get him off their books and wage bill having already demoted him to training with the development squad, not to mention that his number 21 shirt has been taken by their new signing Tino Livramento, so this is definitely one to keep a close eye on.

How much does Ryan Fraser earn?

At Newcastle, Fraser currently pockets £42k-per-week which he clearly isn’t earning considering that he’s been excluded from the first team fold, but he’s still got so much potential to offer so that could all change should he decide to put pen to paper at Celtic.

The Wasserman Client has posted 86 goal contributions (52 assists and 34 goals) since the start of his career which has previously seen him dubbed a “threat” to the opposition’s defence in the final third by journalist Josh Bunting, but he is also capable of playing in several other roles over the pitch.

Sponsored by Nike, Fraser is a versatile operator having been deployed in an incredible nine different positions since first bursting onto the professional scene, including three up top, four in the midfield and even two in defence, so for a player who really could cover every blade of grass should you ask him to adapt, he could be a fantastic bargain for Rodgers.

Barcelona's Sandra Panos has announced she will leave the club at the end of the season, possibly opening the door for England star Ellie Roebuck.

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• Panos to leave Barca this summer
• Club reported to want Lioness Roebuck
• Panos has interest in England, U.S. and more

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It has been rumoured for some time that Panos would depart Barca in the summer when her contract expires and the 31-year-old confirmed as much on Friday. It follows reports in the January transfer window that the club were interested in signing Manchester City and England goalkeeper Roebuck, who is also set to become a free agent in a few months' time. The 24-year-old hasn't made a single appearance for her club this season after losing her starting spot to teenager Khiara Keating.

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• WHAT PANOS SAID

  In a message to Barca fans on social media, Panos wrote: "I want to tell you that this will be my last season at FC Barcelona. After nine years defending the goal of the best team in the world, the time has come to end this stage.

  "There have been many games and countless moments since I arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2015. Here I have fulfilled dreams, and beyond the titles, filling the Camp Nou, and being one of the captains, I feel very grateful and privileged for what we have built together during this time. For me, the legacy we can leave to future generations goes beyond sporting success, and the social transformation of which this club has been a part makes me very proud.

  "I know that when it is my turn to look back I will do so with the satisfaction and conviction of having given everything for this crest. Barca is and will always be my home, and the people who have been part of it are also my sporting family. We will have time to say goodbye as we deserve, and to thank all the wonderful people who have crossed paths and helped me in the most important stage of my life. Until then, I will continue to work to the maximum to help the team to keep winning, with the ambition and determination that we are so identified with. Let's enjoy these last few months together and fight for the titles that remain."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Clubs across the world had been put on alert by the rumours of Panos' departure in the last few months, with reporting in November that there was interest in her services from teams in Spain, England, the US and Mexico. She is unlikely to be the only player to leave Barca this summer, too. Several stars are out of contract at the club, including England star Lucy Bronze, while Asisat Oshoala left earlier this week to join Bay FC in the NWSL.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Panos has won 15 major honours in her time with Barca so far, including two European titles. After the Catalans' first triumph in 2021, she was named the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season.

A slim and slightly tense chase helped Pakistan seal a three-wicket win and a quarter-final berth, led by a combined five wickets between their quick bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Suleman Shafqat

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2018IDI/Getty ImagesA slim and slightly tense chase against Sri Lanka helped Pakistan seal a three-wicket win and a quarter-final berth, led by a combined five wickets between their quick bowlers Shaheen Afridi (2 for 41) and Suleman Shafqat (3 for 29). The duo helped bowl Sri Lanka out for 188 before the chase was steered by a half-century from left-hand middle-order batsman Ali Zaryab and later sealed by consecutive sixes from No. 9 Muhammad Musa.Put in to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to build substantial partnerships once opening bowler Arshad Iqbal struck in the third over. Only the No. 4 batsman, Jehan Daniel, held the innings together with a 53, stitching together a sixth-wicket stand of 76 with Ashen Bandara (37) that took them towards 150. Pakistan captain Hasan Khan broke the partnership and Shafqat wiped out the tail to dismiss Sri Lanka in 48.2 overs.Pakistan lost two early wickets to Thisaru Rashmika but opener Muhammad Zaid scored a quick 26-ball 28 while No. 4 Zaryab’s patient 59 rallied the chase. However, he lost two partners quickly when Mohammad Taha and Saad Khan were dismissed within the space of three balls and Pakistan were 119 for 5. Zaryab steered them past 150 but fell soon and Pakistan lost Afridi too, at the score of 165. The target of 189, however, was not too far away and Hasan and Musa confirmed their two points.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their plans to bolster their defensive options before the end of the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Villans are exploring a deal to sign left-back Nuno Tavares from fellow Premier League side Arsenal, as Unai Emery eyes a move for the defender.

The reporter has claimed that Nottingham Forest's swoop for his services has now collapsed, which has opened the door for another team to snap him up.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

Romano also added that personal terms are yet to be agreed between Villa and the Portuguese full-back as it is up to the clubs to agree on a fee first.

It was recently reported that the Gunners would demand a fee within the region of a staggering £22m to sell him on a permanent basis this summer, amid interest from West Ham and Galatasaray.

How good is Nuno Tavares?

The 23-year-old dud's performances in recent years suggest that he would not be a very good option for Emery this season and that means that the club could land Lucas Digne 2.0 by signing him.

Villa signed the France international from Everton for £25m in January of last year and he struggled badly throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

The 30-year-old flop averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.67 across 28 Premier League appearances, which placed him 16th within the squad. This shows that he was far from being one of the club's top performers despite his big-money switch from Goodison Park.

He failed to provide a threat in possession from left-back as the season ended with one goal and zero assists for the former FC Barcelona defender, whilst his 0.6 key passes per outing was the seventh-best in the team.

Emery could now sign Digne 2.0 in a move for Tavares as his poor form for Marseille is a huge cause for concern, particularly if it would cost £22m to secure his signature this summer.

The Portugal U21 international spent last season on loan in France and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.67 across 31 Ligue 1 appearances, which shows that he was as disappointing as the French dud was for the Villans.

Tavares was beaten far too easily by attackers as he was dribbled past 0.9 times per game and Alex Moreno (1.2) was the only Villa defender who was dribbled past more per match in the Premier League last term.

The ex-Benfica prospect also lost 58% of his duels and failed with 58% of his attempted dribbles, which shows that the opposition found it too easy to outmuscle him in physical contests and were able to stop him moving forward the majority of the time.

This also came after he averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.63 over 22 Premier League clashes for Arsenal during the 2021/22 campaign.

Tavares, who was described as "catastrophic" by Casa Sports director of development Cherif Sadio during his time at Marseille, also failed to register a single assist in Ligue 1, although he did rack up six goals from left-back.

Therefore, Emery must now avoid a deal to sign the Arsenal dud as his performances over the last two years suggest that it would be another expensive flop at left-back for the club.

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag is looking at one 'key midfield target' in particular to help strengthen his engine room at Old Trafford, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

What's the latest news at Manchester United?

The Red Devils have made four additions so far in the form of Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Jonny Evans on a short-term deal; however, it remains to be seen if he will see the campaign out at Old Trafford, as per Transfermarkt.

Of course, Manchester United kicked off their Premier League season on Monday night at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and won 1-0 courtesy of a header from Raphael Varane, though they struggled to fashion chances against the Old Gold, who created the vast majority of opportunities present in the fixture, as per BBC Sport.

Ten Hag praised his side's ability to dig in and grind out three points on the opening day, stating in his post-match press conference: "They were more aggressive, as we were, but then still, we have to find a way to win the game. That is what we did and then you see the spirit of the team and the willingness to win. And we're happy. I was really pleased with the win, of course, and it was a fight."

In terms of recruitment, Manchester United are hot on the tail of Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard, who could cost a minimum of £26 million, as per The Daily Mail.

One other name that Manchester United have been heavily linked with over recent times is Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given an idea of when Ten Hag could move for the Morocco international, stating on the Debrief podcast: “After they clarify the situation of Van de Beek, they will enter into concrete talks for Sofyan Amrabat. "

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sky Sports journalist Sheth thinks that Amrabat, who has been hailed as "phenomenal", is definitely a 'key midfield target' for Ten Hag between now and the close of the window.

Sheth said: "It looks like Amrabat is ten Hag's key midfield target. United are really interested in him. They like him a lot. Erik ten Hag really likes him, more importantly.

"There's definitely interest there and Fiorentina are aware of the interest. I think United are in that position where they are ready to make a move for Amrabat, but they just want to streamline their squad and maybe recoup some money first of all."

Who else are Manchester United keen on and who could leave?

According to The Guardian, Manchester United are said to have approached Everton regarding midfield talent Amadou Onana, though the Toffees are reluctant to sell one of their prize assets.

Manchester United would need to pay a fee of at least £50 million to land the Belgium international, which has been benchmarked against the fees that other high-profile midfielders have moved for this window.

Anthony Martial could be set to walk through the exit door and West Ham United are keen to offer the Frenchman a new challenge at the London Stadium, as per talkSPORT.

The Hammers are also keen on bringing in Harry Maguire this summer; nevertheless, have started to turn their focus toward alternatives as doubts have creeped in regarding the proposed deal despite a £30 million fee being agreed between both clubs, as per Telegraph Sport.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni used Inter Miami star Lionel Messi as an example to prove his claim that modern football tactics are damaging the game.

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Scaloni slams modern tacticsUses Messi as an exampleTells young players to enjoy the gameWHAT HAPPENED?

Scaloni, 45, has claimed we are losing the "essence of football" as tactics and analysis begin to play a larger role throughout the modern game. Using the example of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, Scaloni explained tactics can become robotic in their ways, when in some cases it is best to let players thrive on their own.

Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream nowAdvertisementGettyWHAT SCALONI SAID

Speaking to , he slammed the overuse of modern day football tactics. "Of course, there are no dribblers. There are no dribblers because as soon as they receive the ball you say 'Pass it!'. Imagine if Messi when he was eight years old had been told all the time 'Pass it!' by his coaches, we wouldn't have him today. It's impressive. Because football has become such a big thing, everyone reads, studies, and thinks that with that they can manage. You tell a child of 7 or 8 years old to make the diagonal, to cover…. He's seven years old! Let him play ball, let him make mistakes, and when he's 14 or 15 we'll start correcting him. It's a message for the future. This is a sport and the beauty of football should not be lost."

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Scaloni went on to explain that for younger players, having fun and enjoying the game is more important than tactics such as tracking runners. He added: "The clear example is with the kids. When they are 12 or 13 years old they have to play ball and have fun, and not be so much on top of them correcting them, because you take away their essence and so we will see less and less players with that carefree attitude that we used to see before."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SCALONI?

Argentina have not been in action since their 1-0 win against Brazil back in November. Their next game will arrive in the upcoming Copa America tournament this summer, as they face Chile in the first game of Group A. Messi and his international team-mates will be eager to defend their title, after securing the trophy back in 2021.

Seamer Akash Parkar’s triple strike set up Mumbai’s seven-wicket win over Maharashtra in Rajkot

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jan-2018Dinesh Karthik struck his third successive half-century as Tamil Nadu brushed aside Goa by 25 runs in Vishakapatnam. Karthik followed up his 57 and 71 against Andhra and Kerala respectively with a 43-ball 56 to hoist Tamil Nadu’s total to 155 for 5. The spinners then took over as offspinner Washington Sundar (2 for 20) and legspinner M Ashwin (2 for 22) put the skids on Goa’s chase. Only captain Sagun Kamat made a substantial contribution with 41 off 42 balls as Goa managed only 130 for 7. With three wins from three games, Tamil Nadu are now on top of the South Zone standings with 12 points.Seamer Akash Parkar’s triple strike set up Mumbai‘s seven-wicket win over Maharashtra in Rajkot. Parkar’s 3 for 22 in four overs helped his side skittle Maharashtra for 89 in 15 overs. He was supported by legspinner Parikshit Valsangkar (2 for 22) and seamer Shivam Dubey (2 for 7). Captain Aditya Tare then struck an unbeaten 26-ball 42, ensuring Mumbai chased down the target with more than 10 overs to spare. This was Mumbai’s second win in four matches.

The opener made an unbeaten 54 while the offspinner took 2 for 23 to consign South Africa to a seven-wicket loss

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Feb-2018Getty Images

Mithali Raj made an unbeaten 54 – her third successive fifty in T20Is – to marshal India’s chase of 165 and put them 1-0 up in the five-match series. This after T20 specialist offspinner Anuja Patil claimed 2 for 23 in her four overs to pin down South Africa’s batting line-up.After South Africa were sent in, Lizelle Lee launched the innings with three boundaries in five balls across the the second and third overs. Shikha Pandey, however, recovered from an 11-run first over to have Lee caught at mid-off in the fifth over. Dane van Niekerk then gave her side direction with 38 off 31 balls. She found support from Sune Luus (18) and Mignon du Preez (31) to haul the hosts close to 100. Chloe Tryon then provided a blazing finish with 32 off seven balls, by smacking three sixes and a four off Pandey in the last over that went for 23 runs. Eighteen-year-old medium-pacer Pooja Vastrakar – one of India’s four debutants – returned 1 for 34.India’s chase also started with a flurry of boundaries when Raj and Smriti Mandhana collected three fours and a six off Marizanne Kapp in the opening over. On 47 in the fifth over, India faced a bit of a stutter when Mandhana fell for a quick 15-ball 28 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur was run out on her first ball. However, 17-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues, also on debut, came out all guns blazing by clobbering three fours and a six in her first seven balls of international cricket. She and Raj scored 69 runs together in under nine overs, including Rodrigues’ 37 off 27 balls, studded with four fours and a six.The platform had been set by Raj’s fifty that included six fours and a six. She was particularly severe on Shabnim Ismail, hitting 22 off 11 balls. She stayed unbeaten along with Veda Krishnamurthy (37*) to steer India home with seven wickets and seven balls to spare. Krishnamurthy continued from her two successive fifties in the ODI series and sealed the chase with a six in the 19th over. Five of South Africa’s seven bowlers conceded more than eight runs an over, and three of them more than 11 an over.