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Lionel Messi scored a second-half winner against Toulouse on Saturday to lift the Ligue 1 leaders in the absence of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Lionel Messi lurked for most of Paris Saint-Germain's contest against Toulouse. He floated around, enjoyed a few touches, and served as an unnerving presence, more a warning than an attacking threat.

But then, he came to life. As he always does. With PSG locked at 1-1 with the mid-table side, Messi drifted towards the top of the box, and whipped a loose ball into the bottom corner.

Messi has scored that goal countless times. And on this occasion, it lifted PSG to a vital Ligue 1 win.

Toulouse took the lead inside 20 minutes, with Branco van den Boomen sweeping a free kick past a wrong-footed Gianluigi Donnarumma.

PSG struggled for a creative spark in the fitness-related absence of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, with Lionel Messi a peripheral figure in the early goings. Achraf Hakimi provided a moment of magic, though, firing into the bottom corner from 20 yards out to equalise.

Things changed in the second half, with Messi inevitably popping up with the goal to put his side ahead. Hakimi laid the ball off to the World Cup winner just outside the box, who curled his shot past a helpless goalkeeper.

Toulouse had one clear chance late on, but Donnarumma equaled a scrappy effort after a scramble in the box. And it was all about Messi in the end, the Argentine stepping up in the absence of Mbappe and Neymar, dragging PSG to the finish line.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Achraf Hakimi:

On a day where PSG lacked creativity from their attacking players, Hakimi stepped up. He scored PSG's equaliser, cutting onto his weaker left foot before curling his effort into the far corner. Hakimi often found himself the furthest man forward, pushing down the right wing and stretching the Toulouse back-line. It was never likely to be a tricky defensive game for the Morocco international, and he made sure to impact play at the other end.

Lionel Messi:

Inevitable, wasn't it? Everything seemed primed for one of games for Messi. Neymar and Mbappe out, the team struggling to create, a dogged defensive opponent. And so it continued, with Toulouse keeping Messi quiet for long stretches. The goal, predictably, came. It was a vintage Messi strike, curled into the far corner from just outside the box, with no space to work with. The World Cup winner had little further impact on the game, but it didn't really matter. Their Argentine magician had done it. What a player.

Warren Zaire-Emery:

Rarely is a player so young so composed. Zaire-Emery became PSG's second-youngest ever Ligue 1 scorer with a calm finish midweek, and he built on that on Saturday. Yes, PSG have midfield injury problems. But the 16-year-old Zaire Emery was brought on for the misfiring Carlos Soler with 15 minutes remaining in a tight game — a clear indication of his manager's trust. This wasn't a flawless performance from the youngster – he looked a bit lost in more advanced positions – but every minute on the pitch is crucial for a player who looks increasingly ready to fulfil his potential as one of the world's best teenagers.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Renato Sanches:

PSG manager Christophe Galtier really seems to like Sanches. The Portuguese midfielder played under him at Lille last year, and he's started to show signs of the midfielder many expected him to be when he burst onto the scene as a teenager. His PSG career, though, has been marred by time spent on the sidelines. The injury bug reared its head again on Saturday. Sanches seemed to clutch his thigh and was in tears as he walked off the pitch after just 11 minutes. At the very least, it's encouraging that Sanches could help himself off. But he could face more time off the pitch.

Carlos Soler:

In a way, Soler is tasked with a near impossible job. Although PSG change their style without Neymar, Soler is asked to do a similar thing: make runs forward and create in the final third. The issue is, Soler is not Neymar. Galtier, of course, knows this. But the expectation that the Spaniard should make something happen seems to weigh on him. Soler frequently tries to do too much, and some of his quality in the final third is lacking. He was better Saturday than sometimes in the recent past, especially when the game became more stretched. But in the early goings, Soler looked like a weak link. He has been agreeable, if unspectacular, since coming into the side due to a litany of injuries. The dropoff from any of PSG's front three to Soler is glaring, though.

Getty ImagesPSG Ratings: Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10):

Wrong footed for Toulouse's opener, but redeemed himself with an impressive save late on.

Achraf Hakimi (8/10):

A memorable showing. Scored the first and assisted the second, and was often the furthest PSG player forward.

Marquinhos (7/10):

Some nice blocks, reliable passes.

Danilo Pereira (6/10):

Solid at the back, even better when moved to the no.6

Nuno Mendes (5/10):

Still working his way back to full fitness. Could've been sent off for a rash challenge when already on a yellow.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Carlos Soler (6/10):

Fine, but not Neymar. Which is tricky when you're supposed to be doing the stuff that Neymar does.

Renato Sanches (5/10):

Substituted within the first 15 minutes. Another injury blow for a player who just can't seem to stay fit.

Fabian Ruiz (5/10):

Followed a masterclass with an anonymous showing. A thoroughly strange footballer.

Vitinha (6/10):

Offered much-needed energy, got into the box quite a bit.

Paul van Meekeren took 4 for 11 as Netherlands ended their World T20 with victory over Ireland in a six-over match

The Report by David Hopps13-Mar-2016
Scorecards and ball-by-ball detailsPaul van Meekeren is ecstatic after dismissing Max Sorensen•ICC/Getty ImagesIreland’s faith in themselves as the leading nation among cricket’s cold-shouldered fraternity was dented when they lost to the Netherlands in Sylhet in the 2014 World Twenty20. Two years on, their sense of well-being has been further eroded in a six-over thrash on a cold and grouchy day in Dharamsala that fell Netherlands’ way by 12 runsThere was snow on the mountain tops in Himachal Pradesh, if the drizzle had cleared the temperatures were plunging and Ireland felt the chill as once they were again tormented by the side in orange.Sainsbury’s supermarket was once forced to ditch its orange branding when the elderly citizens of Frinton-on-Sea, England’s staidest seaside resort, complained it was too garish, and increasingly Ireland will look upon the Netherlands and know how they feel.The orange flash at deep midwicket that sparkled most brightly of all came 14 balls into Ireland’s pursuit of 60 and belonged to Pieter Seelaar as he sprinted along the midwicket boundary before clinging to a slick diving catch. There will be few better in the tournament proper. Paul van Meekeren banged the ball in back of a length, Kevin O’Brien’s pull was middled, but the shot that might have broken the run chase (had it gone for six Ireland would have been 34 for 1 after 14 balls) was instead the harbinger of Ireland’s growing despondency.As for van Meekeren, a return of 4 for 11 will awaken a little interest, one suspects, in English county cricket. By the time he began the final over, Ireland were still 20 short, and he demolished the stumps of Max Sorensen and George Dockrell to ensure there was no monkey business.Whatever occurred, both countries knew at the start of this match that they were already eliminated. There was no mountain left to climb – just the Himalayas to look at as they headed to the airport, but Netherlands headed there much the happier.Twas a game, of sorts, and there was a passion to win it. Only one Ireland player was allowed to bowl two overs and Dockrell’s left-arm spin proved to be a wise choice, registering 3 for 7, and producing catching opportunities from three of his first five balls, two of which were taken. Seven dot balls out of 12, including an over in the Powerplay, was an astounding effort that might have brought victory.The Dharamsala pitch offered up its usual plasticine consistency, but Dockrell found turn all the same as Netherlands’ batsmen floundered against him. Tom Cooper slogged his third ball to mid-on, affording the opportunity to prey upon Roelof van der Merwe who was promoted to No. 3.It did not work out for van der Merwe. Twice, he slogged Dockrell’s left-arm spin to the legside. Kevin O’Brien spilled the first – a slice to long-off and a grimace from O’Brien as he landed heavily, but van der Merwe’s next attempt was entirely bungled and he fell off the cue end at short third man.The coup de grace came in Dockrell’s second over when his turn outdid Wesley Barresi as he came down the pitch, leaving Niall O’Brien with a simple stumping.Memories of Sylhet in 2014 meant that Ireland were particularly wary of Stephan Myburgh. When Netherlands chased down 190 in 13.5 overs in the World T20 two years ago, the muscular Myburgh got 63 – his 50, in 17 balls standing as the equal third fastest in T20Is.On this occasion he was dropped on 9 by Paul Stirling at deep midwicket but was still restricted to 27 from 18 balls before he was run out against the penultimate ball. Dockrell bowled only one ball at him – the first ball of his spell – and got away with a leg bye off his waist.Stirling was quick to address Ireland’s chase. He twice walked across his stumps in Timm van der Gugten’s first over to flick him over fine leg for six. But Seelaar’s thrilling intervention changed the complexion of the game and Stirling fell to the next ball, his ramp shot collected at third man.At 28 for 3 off 2.3, Ireland had opportunity even in a six-over game for a settling period, but their plight worsened when Gary Wilson and Andrew Poynter departed against van der Merwe within three balls – Wilson falling to a reverse sweep, Poynter skying a rustic slog.With 25 needed from two, and only five wickets remaining, Netherlands were suddenly favourites. A fine penultimate over from Mudassar Bukhari meant 20 were needed off the last. They never got close.And that, for Ireland and Netherlands, was that. A dead rubber in a qualifying tournament disrupted by rain and in a state where most attention has been drawn by a grandstanding chief minister, was a cruel end for both sides to their stay in Himachal Pradesh.But they remained as driven as ever by the need to advertise their worth, propelled by an entrenched sense of anger towards a sport that limits their appearances to occasional token appearances and a lack of expansionist philosophy in the higher echelons of the ICC. Even in a match reduced to 72 balls, their passion insisted that they deserve better.

In the battle for the inaugural Pakistan Super League title, Quetta Gladiators, the first team to make it to the final, will face an in-form Islamabad United on Tuesday evening in Dubai

The Preview by Nagraj Gollapudi22-Feb-2016Match factsFebruary 23, 2016

Start time 2000 local (1600 GMT)Islamabad United have relied a lot on their top order•Chris WhiteoakBig PictureIslamabad United v Quetta Gladiators. Buddha-esque Misbah-ul-Haq v restless Sarfraz Ahmed. Eccentric Dean Jones v street-smart Moin Khan. Strategic Wasim Akram against emotional Viv Richards. Powerful Andre Russell against an equally powerful Kevin Pietersen. Ever-confident Ahmed Shehzad v only PSL centurion Sharjeel Khan.The above mini-duels within the main battle have all the portents to make the final a contest to look forward to. Both teams have taken a different route to the summit: Quetta did not break too much sweat during the league phase losing just two matches and became the first team to make the final. Islamabad took the more arduous route as they lost four matches in the group phase, but then bounced back with four consecutive wins.If Quetta hold the edge on paper, it is only because they won both times the teams met earlier. On both occasions, Quetta successfully chased down the targets: they won the tournament opener with a whopping four overs to spare and a week later they won with 23 balls still in the bag.However, both teams are back on the starting blocks for the final. Quetta were lucky to scamper into the final after their one-run win over initial and fans’ favourites Peshawar Zalmi in the 1st Qualifying final. It once again exposed Quetta’s reliance on their foreign imports Pietersen and Kumar Sangakkara. Of the two times they batted first, they collapsed the first time and then put up a sub-par total in the second attempt. Shehzad and Sarfraz will need to play responsibly if Quetta need to negate the in-form Islamabad bowling line-up.For Islamabad, too, the runs have come mainly from the top order comprising Sharjeel, Dwayne Smith, Brad Haddin and, before he was forced out due to injury, Shane Watson. Although they have started well in the first 10 overs, Islamabad have shown the habit of not accelerating as much towards the end. Islamabad’s run rate in the first 10 overs is 7.09 which is second only to Quetta. That rate climbs to just 7.83 in the final 10. The team has also had to deal with veterans Misbah, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Sami along with Andre Russell and Mohammad Irfan sitting out due to injuries.The PSL had started with a maiden. The build-up might have been quiet but there have been quite a few last-over and last-ball thrillers. And Tuesday evening’s finale, despite being a weekday, is sold out.Form guideQuetta WWLWW

Islamabad WWWWLIn the spotlightAndre Russell said he is dying to raise his bat, raise his level of performance in the PSL where he has not exactly delivered. He is the joint second-highest wicket-taker, but has found it hard to bowl on the slow and sluggish pitches of Dubai. He has not clocked enough batting time as the Islamabad top and middle order have finished the job easily. Russell was the IPL’s most valuable player last season, he won the Big Bash League with the Sydney Thunder, but was underwhelming in the final. Now, Russell has another opportunity and he is itching to prove why he is regarded as one of the biggest T20 assets across the world.Mohammad Nawaz won the first Man-of-the-Match award of the PSL with his all-round performance against Islamabad. He is the joint second-highest wicket-taker along with Russell and will fancy signing out with another impactful performance.Team newsIslamabad have two injury concerns: fast bowler Rumman Raees has a hamstring issue while Saeed Ajmal, who has sat out the previous two matches, is recovering from a minor foot injury. Ajmal was hit on the right foot while he was bowling on the eve of the play-off encounter during Islamabad’s training and since then has been nursing a mild stiffness. But it is understood that he can play if the team management prefers him over Mohammad Irfan.Luke Wright, who was forced to sit out in the previous two matches for Quetta due to some stiffness, is back in contention and likely to return as an opener. Fast bowler Aizaz Cheema, after his last-over heroics in the play-off, is likely to keep senior fast bowler Umar Gul out.Stats and trivia Out of the nine matches they have played, Quetta have chased on seven occasions and lost only once. Sharjeel Khan needs 49 runs to become the highest run-scorer of the tournament. He already has the most sixes (18). The highest wicket-taker in PSL is Peshawar’s Wahab Riaz (15). But next two in queue are from Islamabad and Quetta – left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz and allrounder Andre Russell with 13 wickets each. Quetta Gladiators have the highest innings total in the tournament – 203 – which they chased against Lahore Qalandars.Quotes”It is a very big opportunity for Quetta and the population of Quetta and for its cricket if we are to win. Whether we bat first or bowl doest not really matter. The key to us performing is our team bonding which has been very good throughout the tournament.”

After whitewashing Zimbabwe and Pakistan in their last two home ODI series, Bangladesh will complete a hat-trick if they beat India in the third ODI in Mirpur

The Preview by Alagappan Muthu in Mirpur23-Jun-2015Match factsWednesday, June 24, 2015
Start time 1500 local (0900 GMT)3:02

Isam: Bangladesh are playing attacking cricket

Big pictureFrom the outside looking in, Bangladesh trouncing Zimbabwe 5-0 barely caused a blip. There was perhaps a double-take when Pakistan were served 3-0. If they whitewash India on Wednesday, the world will sit up and notice.The 14 men and the support staff on tour here already have. MS Dhoni has admitted his team was outplayed. He has wrestled questions on his captaincy, even bristled momentarily when the critique moved onto selection. R Ashwin, another player of the ‘keep calm’ variety, seemed to feel he was behind enemy lines at the pre-match press conference. He felt compelled to remind everyone that India had won 75% of their matches this season. Whether that was because of the scoreline of the series or the brutal spotlight that is on the team is debatable, but it was clear to see it does have issues to sort out. Besides the headache of why the batsmen who are touted to front up for the 2019 World Cup are misfiring all at once.A lot of the credit should go to Bangladesh. They have won key moments and ensured the momentum never dissipated. There is a pack mentality readily visible among the quicks. So much that India’s batsmen haven’t had any room to breathe. They have been bowled out twice, and the best partnership they have put on – one among only four that have crossed fifty – has been 95.”They’ve owned the Mirpur stadium,” was Ashwin’s assessment. New faces like Mustafizur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar and Litton Das have fit neatly into the one-day structure, while the old faithful Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza have continued contributing. An 11th win on the trot at home would be the perfect way for them to sign-off in front of the loud, colourful and unabashedly partisan Mirpur crowd.Form guideBangladesh: WWWWW (last five matches, most recent first)

India: LLLWWIn the spotlightWith the squad bursting with performers, Mushfiqur Rahim hasn’t had much to do. He did seal the series with a sparkly cameo that indicated he was finding his best touch again. But perhaps he might like to put in a more substantial performance, considering the scrutiny over his wicketkeeping lately.Shikhar Dhawan has had a decent tour so far. He has restated his case for Test selection, and has taken home a half-century from the second ODI. What he and the rest of the India batting line-up haven’t been able to do is set up a big total. India have spoken about playing freely, a mandate Dhawan quite likes.Team newsBangladesh have added the legspinner Jubair Hossain to their squad for the third ODI. “”He was taken to increase the bowling options,” Faruque Ahmed, the chief selector, told ESPNcricinfo. “We will have a look at the wicket tomorrow and take a call on him.”Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Litton Das/ Mominul Haque/ Rony Talukdar, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 9 Rubel Hossain/Jubair Hossain, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin AhmedAjinkya Rahane opted to train yesterday after being dropped for the last ODI. The rest of the team went through “a couple of quiet days,” Ashwin said. The morale isn’t as high as it normally is within the Indian camp.India (probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ambati Rayudu/ Ajinkya Rahane/ Stuart Binny, 5 Suresh Raina 6 MS Dhoni (capt &wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Axar Patel, 11 Dhawal KulkarniPitch and conditionsEvery day of play on tour has contained the threat of rain, and the trend doesn’t look to be changing. The players trained under cloudy skies on the eve of the match as well. As far as the pitch is concerned, there might not be much change. It is expected to be a touch slow.Stats and trivia Bangladesh will have 11 consecutive wins at home if they win the third ODI. That will leave them one short of the record held jointly by Pakistan (2000-03), West Indies (1986-89) and Australia (2003-04). This is the fifth time Bangladesh have won five or more consecutive ODIs, the longest being a nine-match streak in 2006. Bangladesh have currently won five back-to-back ODIs – three against Pakistan and two against India. Before this series, India had only lost one match to Bangladesh in a bilateral ODI series (Dhaka, 2004). They have already lost two ODIs in this series.Quotes”If there is no counter, then what can we do? Can we kidnap him?”
“We spoke in the dressing-room just before going out to training [on Tuesday]. We have told to be as serious as we would be if we had lost the first two games. We will not give an inch.”

USMNT leged Clint Dempsey believes that the 2024 Copa America could either be the peak or end of boss Gregg Berhalter's tenure.

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Dempsey gives exclusive Berhalter interviewBelieves Copa America is make-or-break for USMNT bossSays 'questions' will come about if bad performances arriveWHAT HAPPENED?

On the set of with CBS Sports Soccer, Dempsey spoke to the Daily Mail about Berhalter's current form with the USMNT. The ex-striker believes, now, that the next year will define the American's time with the USA – NOT – the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The result of that tournament is in the past, and this is a new era for his squad, meaning they can only look forward.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Berhalter's performances of late have put him under the scrutiny of many after falling to Germany in an international friendly in October, and then suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Concacaf Nations League in November. Now, with the biggest tournament of 2024 upon him, Dempsey believes that Copa America could define his tenure with the USMNT.

WHAT DEMPSEY SAID

"I think Copa America is truly how you're going to be graded for the team,' Dempsey told Mail Sport, 'And, you know, for the coaches, are we doing the right thing? Because you're not gonna get another bigger opportunity to do well in the World Cup on home soil in 2026. So if you do well in [the Copa America] and you're building towards something, then that's great. But if you're not, I think there's still time to change things if you need to.
"You don't do well, then you're always on the chopping block,' Dempsey added. "That's what comes with every job, right? If you're not performing, the question starts to be asked. So I think there's still time to show what you can do. But I think Copa America is going to be a huge test for this team and for this coach in terms of where we're going."

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WHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

The USSF have scheduled an international friendly against Slovenia for January 20, with the first test of the year for Berhalter and co. being against the EURO 2024 side. For now, though, Berhalter will be having his eyes on his player's club performances, especially that of Ricardo Pepi, who notched a stoppage-time winner for PSV in the Champions League Wednesday.

KL Rahul, the Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman, has called for smarter cricket from him and the rest of the middle order

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Apr-2015Sunrisers Hyderabad are yet to work out a solution to their misfiring middle order which cost them victory over Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium on Saturday. Set a middling 157 to win, they were muzzled to 137 for 8 and KL Rahul, who has been part of the problem, has called for smarter cricket from himself and his team-mates.Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner have accounted for more than half the runs made by the team’s batsmen – 459 out of 893 – and average above 40 each. But Ravi Bopara, with 111 runs at 27.75, KL Rahul, with 100 runs at 25 and Naman Ojha, with 79 runs at 15.8, have been unable to keep up.”The middle order has to wake up and get runs for the team,” Rahul told . “If the middle order keeps batting like this then there is going to be too much pressure on Warner and Dhawan at the top of the order,” he said. “There is firepower in the middle order with Ravi Bopara and Naman Ojha who can hit the ball, but we just have not been able to click well as a batting unit. It is something that we need to work on”Rahul batted at No. 3 and made a painstaking 25 off 27, with only one boundary. His partnership with Bopara – 36 in 6.1 overs at less than run-a-ball – nullified the momentum gained after Dhawan and Warner had helped crack 52 runs in the Powerplay.”I walked in today and it is very disappointing that I couldn’t close the game for the team,” Rahul said. “I think I need to play smartly. I have been playing some stupid shots. I have been getting off to starts, which is a positive sign. My feet are moving well and I am looking confident but I have to be a smarter in the middle and soak up that pressure.”I have to keep going through and play twenty overs. Once I play 20-25 balls the team is expecting you to deliver and get a big score. I have been lacking on that front.”

England star Mary Earps is driving her Manchester United team-mate Phallon Tullis-Joyce to get even better, Red Devils boss Marc Skinner believes.

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Earps and Tullis-Joyce both praised by SkinnerEngland's No.1 firmly first-choice at Man UtdBut is also driving her team-mate to new levelsWHAT HAPPENED?

Tullis-Joyce joined the club in September after shining in the NWSL with the Seattle Reign but has found it difficult to usurp the Lionesses' No.1 for opportunities. The American did start all four of United's Continental Cup games but Earps was preferred for the clash with second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup last week, a game many thought she would be rested for.

AdvertisementWHAT SKINNER SAID

Asked about the competition between the two goalkeepers on Thursday, Skinner praised both – Earps for the standards she sets and Tullis-Joyce for her desire to meet them. "I recently had a meeting with with Phallon, just to catch up really and just to reiterate the quality she has. She's a fantastic goalkeeper – but she's also behind the world's number one goalkeeper. That's the level," Skinner said.

"The beauty of Phallon is that she wants to raise her game to try and get to Mary's standard. Mary's difference is in the mind, the way she thinks, the way she moves, the way she prepares. She almost sees the danger before it comes. I'm in that fortunate but unfortunate position of having to not play one of them but Mary is at the highest of levels and Phallon wants to get there. I think she understands the journey, I think she understands what she has to do."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Tullis-Joyce could well inherit the first-choice role at United later this year as Earps is out of contract at the club and is attracting interest from several parties. There is still a chance that the England star could stay and sign a new deal, though.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Only Manchester City teenager Khiara Keating (6) has kept more clean sheets in the Women's Super League this season than Earps (5).

The newly-crowned league champions are the main force in the best XI this season, with Tottenham Hotspur well represented as well

Few people will be surprised to see Manchester City dominate the PFA Premier League Team of the Year by having five players named.

Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi and Kyle Walker are the five newly-crowned English champions included in the XI due to their impressive performances for a side sitting 16 points clear at the top of the table with four games to go.

Despite Pep Guardiola's team's dominance of the league, there are more star-studded names throughout the squad.

Tottenham Hotspur are the next best represented side as star striker Harry Kane takes the centre-forward role, with Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen also included. 

Although still sitting second and third in the league, Manchester United and Liverpool only have one star each in the squad, with David de Gea taking his place between the posts and 30-goal hero and PFA Player of the Year Mohamed Salah adding to a mouth-watering attack.

Amid their poor title defence, Chelsea also saw one player named in the side, with Marcos Alonso earning praise for his impressive work on the left side.

David de Gea | Manchester UnitedThe Spanish goalkeeper has been pivotal in keeping the Red Devils in the fight for second place, with some of his individual displays being enough to justify his inclusion in the squad alone.AdvertisementGettyKyle Walker | Manchester CityThe right-back has looked worth the £50 million investment City parted with to lure the England international from Tottenham Hotspur. He has been a big presence for Pep Guardiola's side and is expected to be even more important for his country at the World Cup.GettyJan Vertonghen | Tottenham HotspurThe Belgian centre-back remains a fan favourite at Spurs and a huge asset for Mauricio Pochettino's men. Christian Eriksen is the only other Tottenham player to have started as many Premier League games this term.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty ImagesNicolas Otamendi | Manchester CityThe Argentine's development under Pep Guardiola has earned him a great deal of praise recently and his progress has been recognised with a place alongside Vertonghen.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has admitted that his team will need to get rid of AB de Villiers early if they are to triumph against South Africa in Auckland

Firdose Moonda06-Mar-2015Distill cricket into its simplest part and it is a game about runs. Not Powerplays or fielding restrictions or the size of the field, but runs. Plain and simple.So what do you do if you can’t get the runs you need?”If we have deficiencies in the batting line-up, we can cover it up with some really good fielding and support our bowling line-up that has been doing really well for us,” Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s captain said.Pakistan are not the only team who have chased unsuccessfully in the competition so far. Neither are they the only outfit without a centurion, but something about their line-up just isn’t clicking. The opening pair lacks gravitas, the middle-order is almost entirely dependent on Misbah, and the finishers don’t often have anything to finish off.Although they have managed three totals over 300 in their last 10 ODIs, the rest makes for grim reading. In the other seven innings, they have only got over 250 once. But Pakistan are coming off the back of their highest score in eight innings and have “gained some confidence,” and by implication “determination,” which Dale Steyn has taken note of.”They’ll come out guns blazing, I don’t mean guns blazing like swinging the bat, but they’ll come out looking to pull off a win,” Steyn said.If Pakistan have any hope of overcoming South Africa, getting past the 250 mark is their first challenge. If they can achieve it, Misbah believes they have the arsenal to finish the match off. “We know that we’ve got a bowling attack where if we cross 250, no team in the world could relax chasing that 250,” he said.What about a team that has managed two successive totals of 400? The consensus among most sides is that the only way to stop South Africa is to stop their leader, AB de Villiers. Misbah shares that sentiment.”AB, no doubt, at the moment you could he’s say the best batsman in the world in limited-over cricket. Obviously we’ve got some plans, and we have good bowlers who can really just put him under pressure but the only way of stopping AB is just try to get him out. If he’s there, it’s not easy to stop him. I think the only way is to get him out.”Steyn, though, has warned that will not be easy. “I’d trip him on his way out of the hotel tomorrow morning and hope that he breaks his ankle. I don’t know how you stop him,” Steyn joked. “He’s a serious player and seeing the ball like no other player is seeing a cricket ball before, and he’s playing shots that I don’t think most people have seen before. The only way you can get him is if he gets himself out.”Or if you’re able to produce something spectacular, which is what Pakistan have been working on, although the results have yet to show. They’ve put down catches including Virat Kohl in Adelaide, who was 76 at the time and went on to make 107, Marlon Samuels twice and Lendl Simmons in Christchurch although neither were too costly, and Craig Ervine and Elton Chigumbura in Brisbane.The fluffed chances have cancelled out the incisive bowling but if they take their chances, Misbah is hopeful they can make up for even a batting collapse.”We’ve got some weaknesses in the field. When it comes to Pakistan, we don’t have that sort of athleticism which South Africa, New Zealand or Australia do, but the guys are working hard and trying their best,” Misbah said.As the captain himself has implied, against top teams, only the best will do.

Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris, who is still recovering from a knee surgery, has signed up as a bowling mentor with Queensland Cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Sep-2014Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris, who is still recovering from a knee surgery, has signed up as a bowling mentor with Queensland Cricket. In his new role, Harris will work with Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, Queensland Bulls, Queensland Fire women’s teams and the state’s youth squads.Stuart Law, the coach of Brisbane Heat and Bulls, said Harris could play a few games depending on the demands of Australia’s international schedule. According to Law, with the revised player eligibility rules in the Big Bash League, Harris could take up a spot on the Heat’s supplementary player list and could step in as a local replacement player.”If a Shane Watson or Mitchell Johnson is unavailable due to national commitments and Ryan was available, then he could come into the team as a player during BBL 04,” Law said. “Of course that would be a bonus if it happened – all things being equal, we would expect him to be involved with the Australian side for much of the summer.”After the UAE tour, Australia are scheduled to host South Africa for a limited-overs series in November, followed by four Tests against India and a triangular series alongside India and England before the 2015 World Cup.Harris underwent knee surgery in March after bowling Australia to a series win against South Africa in the Cape Town Test and his rehabilitation also ruled him out of the series against Pakistan. In the interim, he was the assistant coach of the Australia A squad during the home series against India A, South Africa A and the Cricket Australia National Performance Squad in July and August.