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The BCB has lifted the temporary suspension of fast bowler Shahadat Hossain, imposed last year, on humanitarian grounds

ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2016The BCB has lifted the temporary suspension on fast bowler Shahadat Hossain on “humanitarian grounds”. Shahadat will be eligible to play domestic cricket but not international cricket until his legal problems are resolved; he is likely to play in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League.”The BCB’s disciplinary committee has taken the decision to withdraw the playing ban on Shahadat from humanitarian considerations following an appeal by the player,” BCB chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said. “The ruling, effective from today, is applicable for participation in domestic cricket only. He will not be considered for national team selection until his legal issues are settled.”Shahadat expressed his gratitude to the board and said that he was “fully fit”, although he hasn’t played competitive cricket for over a year.”I felt really bad missing out on so much cricket, but I am thankful to the BCB for letting me play, and always helping me in my bad times,” Shahadat said. “I tried to work on my fitness even when I was in jail. Now I am fully fit and I can bowl at my full strength. It is still not confirmed for which club I will play. I have been training for a long time with Mohammedan Sporting Club, so I could play for them. Or it could be any other club too.”Shahadat had been suspended in September 2015 after a case was registered against him and his wife under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act on charges of assaulting their housemaid. They were arrested on October 5 and were granted bail in December.Shahadat had appealed to the BCB in April this year for permission to play in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, but the board’s disciplinary committee turned him down. AJM Nasir Uddin, the disciplinary committee chairman, had also said Shahadat would remain suspended unless the court dismissed the case. His name had been listed in the B+ category of the tournament roster subject to withdrawal of the suspension.Shahadat’s last appearance for Bangladesh was in May 2015, in the second Test against Pakistan in Mirpur. He bowled only two balls in the first innings before suffering a knee injury that ruled him out for six months, during which time he was charged for assault and suspended.

Who has coach Shui Qingxia selected in China Women's World Cup squad? GOAL takes a look…

The China national women's team will be playing in their eighth FIFA World Cup finals in July, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Shui Qingxia's troops are the reigning Asian champions and qualified directly for the tournament.

In 1999, they finished as runners-up, which is their best performance to date and in this edition, they would like to create history by lifting the World Cup.

In the 2023 Women's World Cup, they have been drawn in Group D with Denmark, England and Haiti.

Who has made Qingxia's final 23-player World Cup squad? GOAL takes a look…

(C)Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS

Xu Huan is the undisputed number one for China between the sticks. The 24-year-old keeper of Jiangsu LFC is the most-trusted lieutenant of Qingxia under the bar and should have the gloves in the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yu should be the second-choice keeper. She was given an opportunity to impress against Sweden and claim the No. 1 spot but conceded four goals in that match which saw Xu brought back against Ireland.

Meanwhile, the fight for the third spot should go to experienced keeper Zhao Lina of Shanghai Shengli.

Name Club

Xu HuanWuhan Jianghan UniversityZhu YuJiangsuZhao LinaShanghai ShengliAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS

Qinxia sets her team up with a four-woman backline. They generally play deep to keep things tight at the back.

Their efforts paid dividends in the 2022 Asian Cup as they conceded just five goals in the entire tournament. It would not be surprising if they defend with two banks of four to frustrate the likes of England and Denmark.

Paris Saint-Germain's Li Mengwen, on-loan from Jiangsu, should be the first choice at right-back. And if Mengwen is unfit, Gao Chen can slot in her place.

The likes of Duo Jiaxing, Yao Wei and Wang Linlin are among the first-choice centre-backs.

Chen Qiaozhu should be fielded in the left-back position.

Name Club

Wu HaiyanWuhan Jianghan UniversityYao WeiWuhan Jianghan UniversityWang LinlinShanghai ShengliGao ChenChangchun Dazhong ZhouyueChen QiaozhuMeizhou HakkaLi MengwenParis Saint-Germain (on-loan)Dou JiaxingJiangsuLou JiahuiHenan Jianye(C)Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

It is primarily a four-woman midfield with Yao Lingwei entrusted with the responsibility to break down attacks and act as a defensive screener. She is supported by Zhang Rui, who has the license to go forward and join the attack.

Yang Lina is another option who can sit back and absorb the pressure. She will be useful against offensive teams when China will most likely sit deep and maintain their shape, with Zhang Linyan usually deployed on the left.

The likes of Wu Chengshu and Shen Mengyu add further depth in midfield.

Name Club

Zhang RuiShandong Sports LotteryYao LingweiWuhan Jianghan UniversityGu YashaWuhan Jianghan UniversityZhang XinShanghai ShengliYang LinaLevante Las Planas (on-loan)Wu ChengshuCanberra UnitedZhang LinyanGrasshoppersShen MengyuCelticENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty ImagesFORWARDS

China's veteran forward Wang Shanshan is the key player of the squad. The forward has close to 150 caps and scored over 50 goals.

She is one of those rare players who can play at both ends of the pitch with aplomb. In the 2022 AFC Asian Cup she was fielded as a centre-back in the semi-final and final, and yet she came out with flying colours.

Shanshan was named as the Chinese Women's Footballer of the Year in 2022, and her presence will be key in what will be her third World Cup.

Wang Shuang has over 120 international caps and has scored 43 goals for China. Her scathing pace along with her dribbling abilities make her a potent threat in the wide areas.

Tang Jiali can be the X-factor in the Chinese team as she boasts of having spent the previous 18 months in Europe with both Tottenham and Madrid CFF, becoming the first female Chinese player to play in England.

She has the vision to split open defences and is strong on both feet, making her an exceptional talent in attacking.

Name Club

Wang ShuangRacing LousvilleWang ShanshanTianjin ShengdeTang JialiShanghai ShengliXiao YuyiShanghai Shengli

The Premier League is set to have a match take place on Christmas Eve for the first time in 28 years this year, according to reports.

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Molineux match moved to Christmas EveOriginally scheduled for December 24Supporters groups angered by decisionWHAT HAPPENED?

The clash between Wolves and Chelsea at Molineux Stadium was originally scheduled to be played on December 23, but reports that it has been moved back by 24 hours as part of the Christmas programme.

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states that the decision has been made to fulfill the Premier League's broadcasting requirements.

The match will be the first since 1995 to take place on December 24, when Leeds beat Manchester United 3-1 thanks to goals from Brian Deane, Tony Yeboah and Gary McAllister.

WHAT THEY SAID

The Football Supporters’ Association has hit out at the move, saying: "It would be a huge kick in the teeth for supporters who have consistently made clear their opposition to games the day before Christmas – as it’s not the first time this has been proposed.

"Back in October 2017 there were reports that Sky Sports wanted to broadcast games on Christmas Eve which we said represented: 'a new low point in putting the interests of football broadcasters over those of matchgoing fans'.

"It would put many supporters in an impossible choice between going to the match or spending festive time with their families – and that’s before you factor in the added challenges of travelling on a Sunday (which Christmas Eve falls on this year)."

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Premier League is yet to confirm the rescheduling of the fixture. In the meantime, Chelsea will take on Arsenal in the league on Saturday, while Wolves will visit Bournemouth.

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.

A round-up of the Pro50 Championship matches played on March 17, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2015Mid West Rhinos survived a middle-order stumble to beat Mountaineers by three wickets, denying the latter a spot in the final of the Pro50 Championship. Mountaineers, who were two points adrift of Mashonaland Eagles, needed a win over Rhinos and a Matabeleland Tuskers’ victory over Eagles to climb into second and a place in the final, but a loss ended their run. Tuskers and Eagles will now clash in the Pro50 final despite the latter’s 74-run loss on Tuesday.Rhinos had Mountaineers under pressure right from the start of the game as their pacers Michael Chinouya and Tendai Chisoro reduced Mountaineers to 83 for 7. From 102 for 8, Mountaineers managed to post 211 only through the 109-run partnership between Innocent Kaia and No. 10 batsman Tapiwa Mufudza. Kaia took on the scoring responsibilities, and brought up his maiden List A hundred, finishing with 101 off 144 deliveries with 12 fours and a six.The foundation for Rhinos’ 212-run chase was set up by the top order, with knocks from Bradley Wadlan (50) and Prince Masvaure leading the way. Three quick strikes by legspinner Natsai M’shangwe saw them stumble from 147 for 2 to 189 for 6 but Masvaure’s unbeaten 68 held the innings together and they achieved the target in the 36th over.Brian Chari’s 125-ball 115 and three wickets each from Brian Vitori and John Nyumbu were the stand-out performances in Tuskers’ 74-run win against Eagles.Chari’s 115, his maiden List A hundred, helped Tuskers post an imposing 279 for 5. Chari’s 137-run second-wicket stand with Nkosana Mpofu (50) set the base for Tuskers’ innings and they were given a boost by Luke Jongwe’s unbeaten 20-ball 37. In reply, Eagles kept losing wickets at regular intervals and had lost half their side by the 32nd over for 132 runs. Nyumbu and Vitori then ran through the rest of the line-up as Eagles’ innings folded for 205 in 43 overs.

Sir Elton John believes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be having “more fun” at Wrexham than any movie or television show they have ever made.

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Hollywood stars completed takeover in 2021Guided Welsh outfit back into the Football LeaguePop superstar a former chairman at WatfordWHAT HAPPENED?

The Hollywood superstars completed a stunning takeover at SToK Racecourse back in the spring of 2021. They have experienced an emotional roller coaster since then, with the pain of Wembley and play-off defeats being countered by the joy of a record-breaking promotion back into the Football League.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SIR ELTON JOHN SAID

Sir Elton knows all about the stresses of club ownership from his time as chairman of Watford, but believes Reynolds and McElhenney will be loving the ride. The music industry icon has told : “It’s great and I phoned Ryan when they won and they got promoted and I just think it’s fantastic. They’re on the ride that I was on. It’s slightly different because times have changed but it’s no more un-exciting… it’s so exciting for them. I bet they have more fun doing that than any movie they’ve ever made.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Watford climbed into the top tier of English football during Sir Elton’s time at the helm, finishing as runners-up behind Liverpool in 1983, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984 – losing 2-0 to Everton at Wembley Stadium.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Reynolds and McElhenney have never shied away from the fact that they want to see Wrexham become a Premier League side at some point, with considerable faith and funds being invested in a project that currently has the Welsh outfit sat fourth in the League Two table.

Pep Guardiola takes his side back to his former club for a charity fund-raiser in aid of former team-mate Juan Carlos Unzue

Any friendlies once the season has started are extremely rare, particularly for leading clubs like Manchester City who plan for a long campaign by attacking every cup competition.

Last season City played 58 competitive matches, 61 the season before and 59 the previous year, and Pep Guardiola will be hoping and expecting for a similar amount this time.

But he’s also mindful about taking care of players who have such a heavy workload and with the added requirement of international football – even greater this year because of the mid-season World Cup in Qatar, so it might seem strange to add an extra unnecessary fixture.

However, the City boss was delighted to take his squad to Spain ahead of a charity fund-raiser at Camp Nou in support of former Barcelona goalkeeper and coach Juan Carlos Unzue, who was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) two years ago.

Guardiola has spoken about the benefits of the trip and GOAL looks at who will gain from another match and how it could help their challenge for silverware this season…

Getty ImagesLuzon Foundation

First and foremost, the most important benefactor from the game is the foundation which carries out research into the incurable degenerative neurological condition.

All proceeds from the game will go towards ALS research, on behalf of Unzue, who is a former Barcelona team-mate of Guardiola, and 51,000 tickets have already been sold for the game.

“We go because Barcelona open doors to play a game for an important person in our lives,” Guardiola said. “They invite us to raise money for the battle that he has, and it is an incredible argument for us to be there.”

AdvertisementGetty ImagesPep Guardiola

Even in late August, no one can reasonably predict the current pleasant temperatures in Manchester, so a trip to Catalonia was a guarantee of some warm weather training.

City will base themselves at sister club Girona and will have a few days of team bonding, which began with a flight straight from the 3-3 draw at Newcastle and will see them return ahead of Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace.

After an extended summer break for the squad compared to some of their rivals, City had a short preseason and the trip will also give the coach an opportunity to work on tactics ahead of the fixture schedule building up.

Kalvin Phillips

The £42million summer signing has so far played only four minutes following his move from Leeds and is likely to have an opportunity for more game time.

With only one game a week at the moment, it’s understandable that Guardiola has chosen Rodri as his go-to holding midfielder, partly because he’s attuned to the system, but also because he’s been in brilliant form for the past two seasons.

As the schedule starts to fire up over the upcoming weeks, Phillips will get his starts in a key position and Guardiola has said this game will give rhythm to players that have so far been on the periphery.

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Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesJulian Alvarez

Exactly the same can be said for the Argentinian striker, who will not have expected to have started the opening matches ahead of the standout summer signing Erling Haaland.

Acclimatising to the Premier League will be slightly easier for Haaland who was born in Leeds and speaks English, but Guardiola says that he needs Alvarez to be a strong alternative.

“Now he has one game a week, I tell you now when we have games every three days that Erling will not play, I will play Julian,” Guardiola said after the draw with Newcastle.

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.”

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.”

Everton have been hit with a 10-point penalty for breaches of Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

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Toffees considered to have broken rulesDrop to joint-bottom of the tableMerseyside outfit to appeal decisionGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Toffees have been plunged into the English top-flight relegation zone as a result of the ruling, with Sean Dyche’s side now sitting on four points alongside rock-bottom Burnley. Time is still on their side when it comes to staging a recovery, while an appeal is being planned at Goodison Park.

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Action has been taken against Everton after they posted financial losses of almost £372 million ($462m) over a three-year period, with those figures sitting more than £250m ($311m) above the threshold laid out in Premier League guidelines.

GettyWHAT THE PREMIER LEAGUE SAID

A statement from the Premier League read: “An independent Commission has imposed an immediate deduction of 10 points on Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs). The Premier League issued a complaint against the Club and referred the case to an independent Commission earlier this year. During the proceedings, the Club admitted it was in breach of the PSRs for the period ending Season 2021/22 but the extent of the breach remained in dispute. Following a five-day hearing last month, the Commission determined that Everton FC’s PSR Calculation for the relevant period resulted in a loss of £124.5million, as contended by the Premier League, which exceeded the threshold of £105million permitted under the PSRs. The Commission concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.”

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HOW EVERTON RESPONDED

The Toffees’ response read: “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s Commission. The Club believes that the Commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction. The Club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League. The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard by an Appeal Board appointed pursuant to the Premier League’s rules in due course. Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and that it has always respected the integrity of the process.

"The Club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings. Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence submitted. The Club will also monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. Everton cannot comment on this matter any further until the appeal process has concluded.”