England hopeful of convincing Stokes out of ODI retirement for World Cup defence

Matthew Mott, England’s white-ball coach, has said he is “still hopeful” that Ben Stokes can be convinced out of his retirement from ODIs in time for England’s World Cup defence in October-November.Stokes, England’s Test captain and the Player of the Match in the 2019 World Cup final, quit ODIs last year citing an unsustainable schedule. He has been on holiday with his family since the end of the Ashes, while most of his England team-mates have been playing in the Hundred instead.Stokes has been battling a chronic left-knee injury which has flared up this year and limited his ability to bowl. He said before the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval that he would have “some serious conversations with medics” during the six-month break before England’s next Test against India in January.Related

  • Stokes potential ODI return tops England selectors agenda

England are due to pick a preliminary squad for the World Cup this week and will also select squads for bilateral white-ball series against New Zealand and Ireland. Mott said that Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain, would be in touch with Stokes to “see if he’s keen” to reverse his retirement.”Jos will probably lead the way on that communication, but Ben’s pretty straight with all of us. We will see if he’s keen,” Mott told the newspaper in an interview.”There has not been a clear direction on what he’s going to do yet, but we are still hopeful. I’ve always said his bowling would be a bonus, but just look at what he brings with the bat, even in the field.”Watching him throughout the whole Ashes series, he had such a great presence. He’s done it for years when it comes to performing in one-day cricket and so he’s an invaluable commodity.”Mott added that there was “a high chance” that Jofra Archer will be named in England’s provisional World Cup squad, despite missing the entire home summer to date through an elbow stress fracture.”There is a high chance that we will take a risk on a proven performer that has done it on the world stage,” Mott said in the same interview. “We are planning for him to be available.”Obviously, a lot of things have to go his way and it will be a tight timeline but with players like that you are going to give them every opportunity to prove their fitness, and so we will keep an open mind.”

Key target for Potter: West Ham well-placed to sign £20k-a-week defender

West Ham United are now well-placed to sign a defender on a free transfer this summer, and he has now emerged as a key target for Graham Potter, according to a report.

West Ham's summer transfer plans

West Ham are currently short on options at striker, with Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug still sidelined due to injuries, and Potter has set out to bolster his attacking options in the summer transfer window.

West Ham forward Michail Antonio

Tammy Abraham is among the main targets under consideration, with a relatively cheap deal likely to be possible due to the Englishman falling down the pecking order at AS Roma, which led to a loan move to AC Milan.

In the same report, it is detailed that the Hammers are also keen on signing a full-back and centre-back this summer, and Genoa’s Koni de Winter has now emerged as a target in the latter position, having made contact to discuss a deal.

Potter tells West Ham board he wants 175-goal striker who Sullivan passed up

Influential figures at the club once chose not to do a deal.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 14, 2025

There have been fewer links to new full-backs in recent times, but a report from Football Insider has now revealed the Irons are looking at options from within the Premier League.

Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters is said to have emerged as a target for West Ham, and they are well-placed to get a deal done this summer, as the right-back is certain to leave the Saints, who are almost certainly set to be relegated.

Southampton'sKyleWalker-Petersapplauds their fans after the match

Walker-Peters has aspirations of getting back into England contention, which means he needs to play at the highest level possible, so dropping down to the Championship isn’t an option.

The full-back is capable of playing on both flanks, making him a versatile option for Potter, and the fact he will be available on a free transfer is particularly appealing, with the Hammers boss now identifying him as a key target.

"Beautiful footballer" Walker-Peters could be a solid signing

Although Southampton are destined to be relegated from the top flight, there are signs the defender could be a solid signing for West Ham, given that he has proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years.

The Englishman has made 142 appearances in the top flight, impressing enough to earn a Three Lions call-up in the 2021-22 campaign.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been a regular starter for the Hammers this season, but the signing of Walker-Peters could provide Potter with a different option, given his tendency to push forward.

Russell Martin has previously insisted the Southampton ace is capable of adding more goal contributions to his game, while also branding him a “beautiful footballer.”

Given that the £20k-per-week defender is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, it is a no-brainer for West Ham to make an approach, and it is promising news they are now positioning themselves to get a deal done.

موعد مباراة الهلال ومانشستر سيتي في دور الـ16 بـ كأس العالم للأندية

ضرب الهلال السعودي موعدًا ناريًا مع مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، في إطار منافسات دور الـ16 ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وفاز الهلال السعودي على باتشوكا المكسيكي بهدفين نظيفين، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة من دور مجموعات كأس العالم للأندية، لحساب المجموعة الثامنة.

طالع| موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي القادمة في كأس العالم للأندية بعد الفوز على يوفنتوس

وجاء الهدف الأول عن طريق سالم الدوسري، بعد تمريرة رائعة من ناصر الدوسري، حيث وصلت إلى زميله الذي سددها في شباك باتشوكا بطريقة مميزة على طريقة “لوب”، وجاء الهدف الثاني عن طريق ليوناردو في الدقيقة 95.

وتأهل الهلال السعودي إلى ثمن نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، حيث احتل المركز الثاني برصيد 5 نقاط، خلف ريال مدريد المتصدر بسبع نقاط.

وفاز ريال مدريد على سالزبورج 3-0 في نفس الجولة، ليصبح الفريق النمساوي ثالثا برصيد 4 نقاط، ويودع البطولة مع باتشوكا الأخير والذي لم يحصد أي نقطة. موعد مباراة الهلال ومانشستر سيتي في دور الستة عشر ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية

ويلعب الهلال أمام مانشستر سيتي في دور الستة عشر ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية فجر يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، في تمام الساعة 4 بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الهلال ومانشستر سيتي في دور الستة عشر ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية

ومن المقرر أن تنقل مباراة الهلال ومانشستر سيتي في دور الستة عشر ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية على شبكة قنوات إم بي سي مصر، إضافة إلى شبكة DAZN.

Endrick, Joao Palhinha & the top 20 most disappointing signings of the 2024-25 European season – ranked

As always, there have been plenty of transfers across the continent that just haven't worked out – but which were the biggest flops?

Statistically, the chances of any given transfer proving to be a success are slim at best – but in the modern era that doesn't stop Europe's big hitters splashing out when the opportunity arises, and the 2024-25 season was, of course, no different. An eye-watering £6.6 billion ($8.8bn) was shelled out by teams from the continent's top-flight leagues and the English Championship across the summer and January windows, with predictably mixed results.

Now the campaign has drawn to a close for (almost) everyone, the time has come to reflect on and dissect some of those costly decisions – both financially and in football terms – in the transfer market. The debate surrounding the biggest flops is always a fierce one, but who have been the very worst in the European arena?

Sifting through the transfer grubbiness so you don't have to, GOAL ranks the 20 most disappointing new signings across Europe in 2024-25…

Getty Images20Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United) – £43m

Lauded as a marquee defensive signing, Matthijs de Ligt was supposed to sort out Manchester United's backline; instead, he ended up being part of one of the worst Red Devils sides of all time, let alone the Premier League era. That said, you would be hard pressed to claim he necessarily did anything wrong individually – the Dutchman didn't make a single error leading to a goal and largely demonstrated his acumen at centre-back.

However, when you sign a defender with De Ligt's reputation for a fee north of £40m ($53m), you expect a broader return on your investment in terms of an overall improvement. United finished the season with the joint-ninth-worst defensive record in the Premier League having conceded 54 times, and they were run ragged at the back far too often given the quality they have at their disposal. De Ligt will need to call on his vast experience to step up next season.

AdvertisementGetty19Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) – loan

Jadon Sancho's eye-catching spell with his former club Borussia Dortmund – in exile from Manchester United – in the second half of last season convinced pretty much everyone that he was officially back, as he played a key role in an unlikely run to the Champions League final. Consequently, it was viewed as shrewd piece of business when Chelsea took the winger on a shock loan late in the summer, with a £25 million ($33m) obligation to buy worked into the deal.

There were early signs of promise as Sancho laid on four goals in three games to begin the 2024-25 campaign, but his form tailed off and it became increasingly clear why United had been willing to let him go in the first place as he reverted to type. It has even been rumoured that the Blues are even weighing up paying a £5m get-out clause to send him back to Old Trafford. He had his moments, but it would be little surprise to see the 25-year-old's time in west London cut short.

Getty Images18Emile Smith Rowe (Fulham) – £34m

It initially seemed as though Emile Smith Rowe would thrive away from Arsenal, making the Gunners regret their decision to let him go, but his fast start at Craven Cottage proved to be somewhat misleading. Fulham's record signing found it difficult to make a consistent impact in the weeks and months following his early-season flourishes, and he lost his starting place as a result. His manager Marco Silva suggested he was once again struggling with the physical issues he had during his time in north London.

"He had a very good impact in the first few months, but after the second international break he was down – December was a difficult month for him," Silva said in March. "He needs to find the right consistency in his game to perform at a very good level and this is the main thing for us. I don't doubt his talent and quality, but the Premier League demands so many things from you and you always have to be in very good shape and top level physically. This is something we have been working on with Emile."

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Getty Images Sport17Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Chelsea) – £30m

Poor old Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Chelsea plucked the midfielder from newly-promoted Leicester City for a cool £30m ($40m) shortly after nabbing the Foxes' Championship-winning head coach Enzo Maresca. There was the expectation that Dewsbury-Hall would play a significant role in the Italian's tactical system as a shuttling No.8 but, perhaps predictably, that was not what transpired, and he is widely expected to be on the move again in the summer.

The 26-year-old barely had a look in at Stamford Bridge as he battled key players Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez for a starting place, and there is clearly some element of Maresca not fully trusting a player he leaned on so heavily at the King Power Stadium last season. The step up to the upper-echelons of the Premier League was always going to be a big one, and Dewsbury-Hall hasn't made the grade – though that's through no fault of his own.

كارفاخال يتحدى منافسي ريال مدريد في كأس العالم للأندية.. ويلمح لخطوته القادمة بعد الرحيل

عبّر داني كارفاخال، الظهير الأيمن لنادي ريال مدريد، عن حماسه الشديد بشأن بطولة كأس العالم للأندية الجديدة بنظامها الموسّع، والتي ستُقام في الولايات المتحدة وتنطلق بداية من 14 يونيو الجاري.

وتحدث كارفاخال في تصريحات مطوّلة لوسائل الإعلام الرسمية التابعة للاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا”.

وقال كارفاخال في بداية حديثه: “إنها بطولة جديدة كليًا، كأس عالم سوبر كما يوحي اسمها، يشارك في هذه البطولة أفضل الفرق على الكوكب، لذلك أشعر بحماس كبير على الصعيد الشخصي، وهناك أجواء حماسية واضحة داخل النادي أيضًا”.

وعن الأجواء الجماهيرية المنتظرة في البطولة، أضاف: “أعتقد أنها ستكون أجواء مذهلة، أتخيل أنها ستكون شبيهة بكأس العالم، حيث يعيش البلد بأكمله البطولة بكل تفاصيلها، وأنا واثق من أنها ستحقق نجاحًا كبيرًا”.

وسيتواجد ريال مدريد في مجموعة تضم كلًا من الهلال السعودي، وباتشوكا المكسيكي، وسالزبورج النمساوي، وهو ما يضع الفريق الإسباني في مواجهة مدارس كروية متنوعة، وعلّق كارفاخال على ذلك.

وأفاد: “بالتأكيد، هذا التنوع في أساليب اللعب والدوريات والقارات هو ما يجعل البطولة مميزة بشكل خاص، لقد واجهنا بالفعل فريقي باتشوكا وسالزبورج هذا الموسم، لذا لدينا بعض الخبرة في مواجهتهما، والآن نتطلع لبدء مشوارنا ضد الهلال يوم 18 يونيو”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رسميًا | بايرن ميونخ يعلن موقف الصفقات الجديدة من كأس العالم للأندية

وحول طموحات الفريق في هذه البطولة، شدد المدافع الدولي الإسباني على أن هدف ريال مدريد لا يتغير أبدًا: “هدف ريال مدريد دائمًا هو الفوز، لا مجال للنقاش، سنبذل كل ما لدينا، فلدينا فرصة لتسجيل اسمنا في التاريخ، نحن نسعى لأن نكون أول فريق يتوّج بلقب كأس العالم للأندية بنظامها الجديد”.

وعن طموحه الشخصي، أردف: “هذا أمر مهم جدًا بالنسبة لي، هدفي هو مواصلة كتابة التاريخ في هذا النادي ورفع المزيد من الكؤوس، أركز كليًا على مساعدة الفريق لتحقيق ذلك”.

وتحدّث كارفاخال أيضًا عن اهتمامه بالدوري الأمريكي واحتمالية اللعب هناك مستقبلًا: “بالتأكيد، في مقابلات سابقة، قلت إنه عندما يحين وقت الرحيل عن ريال مدريد أو نقرر الانفصال، أود تجربة اللعب في دوري خارج أوروبا، والدوري الأمريكي هو أحد الخيارات”.

ورغم الإصابات التي أبعدته عن جزء كبير من الموسم، كشف كارفاخال أن تركيزه الكامل كان منصبًا على العودة في الوقت المناسب للمشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية.

وأوضح: “نعم، الإصابة أبعدتني لفترة طويلة، لكنني منذ اليوم الأول تعاملت معها كتحدٍ لأكون جاهزًا تمامًا من أجل كأس العالم للأندية، وأنا الآن في المسار الصحيح، وجود هذه البطولة في الأفق منحني الحماس للتدرب يوميًا، وأنا أعلم أنني سأكون قادرًا على مساعدة الفريق”.

وفي ختام تصريحاته، وجّه كارفاخال تحية إلى أحد أساطير ريال مدريد، معبّرًا عن أمنيته باللعب إلى جانبه: “كنت أتمنى اللعب بجوار راؤول، كان من أبرز قدواتي في النادي والمنتخب منذ أن كنت طفلًا، كتب اسمه في تاريخ النادي، وكنت سأستمتع حقًا بالفرصة للعب بجواره”.

ويستهل ريال مدريد مشواره في البطولة بمواجهة الهلال يوم 18 يونيو، حيث يسعى الفريق الملكي لتحقيق اللقب الأول للنسخة الجديدة من مونديال الأندية وتأكيد هيمنته العالمية.

لمجاورة مرموش.. لاعب ذو أصول عربية يوافق على الانتقال إلى مانشستر سيتي

كشفت تقارير صحفية، منذ قليل، موافقة أحد اللاعبين على الانتقال إلى صفوف فريق مانشستر سيتي في موسم الانتقالات لهذا العام، في ظل بحث النادي الإنجليزي عن صفقات جدد.

ويستعد مانشستر سيتي للمشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية في أمريكا، في الفترة بين 14 يونيو و13 يوليو.

وفتح فيفا نافذة انتقالات مخصصة للأندية المشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية لضم لاعبين جدد في الفترة بين 1 و10 يونيو القادم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رئيس مانشستر سيتي يرفع راية التحدي أمام الكبار: نسعى للفوز بكأس العالم للأندية

وحسبما ذكرت شبكة “فوت ميركاتو” الفرنسية، فإن اللاعب ريان شرقي وافق على خطوة انتقاله إلى صوف مانشستر سيتي هذا الصيف.

وأوضحت أنه لا توجد أي مشاكل شخصية بين الطرفين، خاصة بعدما تحدث المدرب بيب جوارديولا مع اللاعب الفرنسي ذو الأصول الجزائرية عن المشروع.

وأفادت أن المحادثات جارية بين الطرفين، لكن مانشستر سيتي هو المرشح الأوفر حظًا الآن لحسم تك الصفقة.

وأشارت إلى أن القيمة المالية لصفقة انتقال ريان شرقي من أولمبيك ليون إلى مانشستر سيتي ستصل إلى حوالي 40 مليون يورو.

ومن المفترض أن ينتهي عقد ريان شرقي مع ليون في يونيو 2026، ولكنه أعلن توصله إلى اتفاق مع النادي للسماح برحيله هذا الصيف، مقابل عرض مالي جيد.

وأكدت أن مانشستر سيتي يرغب في الإسراع في إتمام الصفقة من أجل كأس العالم للأندية، خاصة أن الجناح المذكور يُعد مطمعًا لأندية أوروبية كبرى أخرى.

ويلعب المصري الدولي عمر مرموش في صفوف مانشستر سيتي، بعدما انتقل إليه من آينتراخت فرانكفورت الألماني في نافذة يناير الماضية.

Ex-Seleção de Futebol de Areia comemora Marçal no Botafogo; lateral reposta

MatériaMais Notícias

Fernando Marçal ainda não foi confirmado oficialmente como reforço do Botafogo, mas já é tratado como atleta do Alvinegro por amigos e conhecidos. O lateral-esquerdo foi parabenizado por Neném, um dos maiores jogadores da história da Seleção Brasileira de Beach Soccer, pelo acerto com o Glorioso.

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+ Botafogo negocia com Bruma, do PSV; Fenerbahçe, de Jorge Jesus, é principal concorrente

O defensor marcou presença em um evento organizado por Rafael, lateral do Botafogo, no último sábado. O ex-jogador de futebol de areia publicou um storyao lado de Fernando Marçal e já o ‘anunciou’.

– Novo reforço #Botafogo – escreveu Neném.

O lateral-esquerdo repostou a foto no próprio perfil e completou com a felicidade de ter encontrado com o ex-jogador.

+ VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

– Que honra poder passar um tempo com você craque – publicou.

O atleta de 33 anos já assinou contrato com o Botafogo. Marçal chegou ao Rio de Janeiro durante a semana e já prepara a mudança para ficar de vez no Brasil. Ele ainda não foi anunciado de forma oficial pelo Glorioso e só poderá atuar a partir do dia 17 de julho, data de abertura da janela.

Alexis Mac Allister breaks silence on Real Madrid interest as Liverpool midfielder reveals stance on potential summer transfer

Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister has broken his silence on Real Madrid's reported interest in his services.

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Los Blancos are monitoring Mac AllisterArgentine could be paired with Bellingham in midfieldHas a contract at Anfield until 2028Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine star, who joined the Merseyside giants from Brighton in 2023, has emerged as a reported target for Real Madrid. The World Cup winner has reportedly leapfrogged Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi in Madrid’s pecking order of midfield targets. However, when asked directly about these rumours, Mac Allister provided a composed and grounded response.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MAC ALLISTER SAID

In an interview with TyC Sports journalist Gastón Edul, the Argentine international acknowledged the buzz around him but stressed that he remains focused on his commitments with Liverpool.

“I read the rumours and the news reaches me, but the important thing is the present. No matter how much the club loves me, if I play poorly this weekend, they’ll lose interest,” he said.

This is not the first time the Mac Allister camp has addressed transfer speculation. Earlier in April, the player’s father, Carlos Mac Allister, made it clear that his son is not planning an early exit from Liverpool and intends to fulfil his contract that runs until 2028.

Echoing his father, Mac Allister said: "I’m fine at Liverpool and I don’t have any need. So, I have a lot of respect for the club, and I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about other clubs."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mac Allister also shed light on his experience adjusting to life in England and the support he’s received from fans and team-mates alike. Despite being far from home, he described a strong connection with the local community and a deep appreciation for the club’s ethos.

“I’m a little far away, so some fans greet you with respect, but in the city, they are more passionate. The club is like a family. One phrase sums it all up: You’ll never walk alone,” he said.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MAC ALLISTER?

While speculation continues to swirl, Mac Allister is laser-focused on Liverpool’s title ambitions. Arne Slot’s side, sitting atop the table, have the opportunity to clinch their 20th top-flight crown – potentially equalling Manchester United’s record – this coming Sunday at Anfield, against a Tottenham Hotspur side battling poor form.

رامي ربيعة يغادر مباراة الأهلي والمصري مصابًا

تعرّض رامي ربيعة، مدافع النادي الأهلي، لإصابة مفاجئة خلال مواجهة فريقه أمام النادي المصري البورسعيدي، التي تُقام مساء اليوم الإثنين على ملعب الجيش ببرج العرب، ضمن الجولة الخامسة من المرحلة النهائية لتحديد بطل الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وجاءت الإصابة في توقيت حساس للغاية، بعدما استقبل الأهلي هدفًا مبكرًا في الدقيقة السادسة من بداية اللقاء، ما أربك حسابات الجهاز الفني بقيادة عماد النحاس، الذي اضطر لإجراء تغيير اضطراري في الدقيقة 14 بدخول المدافع الشاب مصطفى العش بدلًا من ربيعة، الذي غادر الملعب متأثرًا بالإصابة.

فيديو | صلاح محسن يسجل هدف المصري الأول أمام الأهلي

وظهر رامي ربيعة متألمًا بشكل واضح عقب سقوطه على أرضية الملعب، وسط تدخل سريع من الجهاز الطبي، لكن المحاولات لإبقائه داخل المستطيل الأخضر باءت بالفشل، ليقرر الجهاز الفني استبداله تفاديًا لتفاقم الإصابة، خاصة في ظل ضغط المباريات خلال المرحلة الأخيرة من المسابقة.

وتُمثّل إصابة ربيعة ضربة موجعة لدفاع الأهلي، الذي كان يعاني بالفعل من غيابات في الخط الخلفي، لا سيما مع إصابة محمود متولي، وابتعاد عدد من اللاعبين عن الجاهزية الكاملة، وهو ما قد يضع الجهاز الفني في ورطة قبل الجولات المقبلة، التي ستشهد صدامات قوية في صراع القمة.

ومن المنتظر أن يخضع ربيعة لفحوصات طبية دقيقة عقب نهاية المباراة لتحديد طبيعة الإصابة ومدة غيابه المحتملة.

Raza takes 4 for 8 as Zimbabwe win T20 World Cup Qualifier

Zimbabwe denied Netherlands their third straight championship at the T20 World Cup Qualifier as the hosts defended a total of 132 to secure a 37-run win in the final in Bulawayo. Netherlands – who have already claimed a spot at the T20 World Cup – collapsed from 45 for 2 to be bowled out for 95 in 18.2 overs as Sikandar Raza’s extraordinary tournament concluded in a Player-of-the-Match performance as he took 4 for 8.The result means that Zimbabwe will go to Hobart for the opening round of the T20 World Cup in Australia this October, where they will be in a group with Ireland, Scotland and West Indies. Netherlands will be sent to Geelong for their opening round fixtures against Namibia, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates. The top two teams in each opening round group will advance to the Super 12 stage.Both teams had produced dominant performances with the bat throughout the tournament before a low-scoring thriller unfolded on Sunday in which nobody made more than the 28 off 25 balls by Sean Williams at No. 3. But along with Regis Chakabva’s 27 off 16 balls, it was significant enough to put Zimbabwe in a defendable position.Logan van Beek struck in the third over for Netherlands, bowling captain Craig Ervine, who was attempting to back away from leg stump for a booming drive, for 10. Chakabva paid the price for trying one too many reverse shots to Bas de Leede’s medium pace and was given lbw in the fifth. Wessly Madhevere was next to go, sweeping a full toss from left-arm spinner Tim Pringle out to deep midwicket for 9 to make it 54 for 3.But Williams and Raza came together for the biggest partnership of the match, adding 39 for the fourth wicket to get Zimbabwe back on solid ground. The stand finally ended when Williams heaved a half-tracker from legspinner Shariz Ahmad out to deep midwicket.Van Beek returned in the 13th and was on a hat-trick a short time later during a double-wicket maiden. A one-handed swipe to the leg side by Milton Shumba produced a swirling top edge taken by wicketkeeper Scott Edwards. Raza crossed with the ball in the air and fell on the next delivery for 19 playing across the line to a back of a length delivery and was given lbw.Zimbabwe only scored two more boundaries the rest of the innings, but both were struck by Ryan Burl to start and finish a pivotal 10-run over bowled by Fred Klaassen in the 17th. Burl was run out for 15 in the first ball of the 18th over, and the tail was wiped out a short time later with three balls left unused.Madhevere trapped Netherlands opener Max O’Dowd heaving across the line for 12 in the third over of the chase before de Leede, the hero of semi-final win over USA, became Madhevere’s second lbw victim in the space of five balls. But Netherlands recovered well from 17 for 2 to speed along to 43 by the end of the powerplay thanks to Stephan Myburgh and Tom Cooper.That was until chaos erupted in the seventh when Cooper was run out by a direct hit from short fine leg to the non-striker’s end for 9. After hitting two fours and three sixes during the powerplay, Netherlands did not find the rope again until the 17th over as spinners Raza and Williams strangled the run rate.The mounting pressure finally burst in the 10th when Myburgh was pinned in front for 22 during a wicket-maiden for Raza. Another false sweep followed from Edwards in the 11th as he top-edged Williams to short fine leg for 7.Raza then bowled Logan van Beek in the 12th for a third-ball duck before ending his spell with wickets on his final two deliveries, bowling Pringle for 4 and pinning Klaassen in front for a golden duck. Netherlands slid from 17 for 6 to 62 for 8.A late burst of sixes from Paul van Meekeren and Teja Nidamanuru off Burl’s legspin in the 17th produced a 14-run over. But van Meekeren was dismissed by Jongwe two balls into the 18th for 10 before Richard Ngarava removed Nidamanuru in the next over to end the match.Papua New Guinea defended a total of 97 to beat USA by five runs in the third place playoff at Bulawayo Athletic Club. USA needed 11 runs to win off 12 balls with three wickets in hand before captain Assad Vala struck twice with his offspin in the 19th, including No. 6 batter Vatsal Vaghela for a top score of 29 chipping a skied drive to extra cover. Chad Soper then speared a yorker into middle stump on the first ball of the 20th to bowl Yasir Mohammad for 16 to clinch a dramatic consolation win.In the fifth place playoff, Uganda held on in almost identical circumstances, defending 102 to beat Hong Kong by four runs. Hong Kong needed six runs off three balls with four wickets in hand, but Cosmas Kyewuta bowled Zeeshan Ali for 26 and then removed Ehsan Khan first ball. No. 10 batter Aftab Hussain could only manage a single after entering to face the final ball. Jersey comfortably chased down a target of 141 with 26 balls to spare to beat Singapore by six wickets in the seventh place playoff.

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