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A strong batting line-up, comprising Mayank Agarwal and Tilak Varma, came undone at the hands of Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla

Shashank Kishore12-Jul-2023

West Zone took the honours on a rain-affected opening day of the Duleep Trophy final in Bengaluru. After electing to bowl, they had South Zone in trouble at 182 for 7 when bad light ended play after much of the final session was lost to the weather.Barring Hanuma Vihari, who made 63 off 130, a knock of aggression and defiance in equal measure, none of the other batters looked convincing.Even though the pitch wasn’t a green top, the overcast conditions made sure the ball had ample opportunity to nip around. The Gujarat duo of Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla wheeled away with immaculate discipline to account for the first three wickets.Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, the second-highest wicket-taker of the previous Ranji season, then profited from the pacers’ discipline as the batters, looking for a slight release in the afternoon session, switched off and paid the price.Sachin Baby was done in by flight as he chipped a catch to Suryakumar Yadav at short midwicket. Shortly afterwards, with the tea interval looming, Vihari chopped on attempting a cut to an arm-ball that skid back in to crash into the stumps.Washington Sundar and R Sai Kishore, the Tamil Nadu pair, were at the crease looking to lend respectability to South’s score when the players went off because of a drizzle that soon turned into a downpour. And when play resumed, after two rain breaks, Sai Kishore got roughed up by the short ball from Nagaswalla and was out caught in the gully.Earlier in the morning, if moral victories were worth any points, Nagwaswalla would’ve gained them all, with an engaging opening spell where he had the prolific pair of Mayank Agarwal and R Samarth in all sorts of trouble against the swinging ball.Nagwaswalla almost beat Agarwal on the inside edge, had him squaring up to deliveries that held their line and had him driving uppishly too. But to his credit, Agarwal weathered that early burst by making some adjustments, like batting well outside the crease and then taking another step out to negate the late movement.Samarth was the first to go when he wafted at Gaja outside off to nick one through to Harvik Desai, the wicketkeeper. Agarwal and Tilak Varma were then put through a stern examination against the swinging ball. Watching two stroke-makers rein their natural instincts to occupy the crease made for compelling viewing in the first hour.After setting shop, Agarwal blew it with a loose drive on 28 against Atit Sheth as Sarfaraz Khan pouched an excellent catch at third slip. Only two balls earlier, Agarwal had crashed a boundary through the covers off a similar delivery, but the one that got him was slightly wider and moving further away from him.Vihari and Tilak, the Hyderabad boys, then dug in. Tilak was prone to flashes of impatience and nearly lost his wicket when he attempted to loft Dharmendrasinh Jadeja’s left-arm spin but was lucky that the mis-hit just eluded mid-on. The lunch break then came to his rescue.Where Tilak was diffident and fidgety before lunch, he was free-flowing after it. He began with a lovely punch through the covers off Nagwaswalla, but the party didn’t last long. Like Samarth, he was out slashing to a fullish delivery as Desai completed a fine catch diving to his left.The wicketkeeper’s best work, though, was reserved for later when he threw himself full-stretch to his left, after taking a couple of steps, to catch Ricky Bhui down the leg side, off Gaja. With his team-mates falling around him, Vihari began opening up and scoring a lot more freely, until a moment’s indiscretion before tea had him play on. That would be among the pivotal moments of the day.

Leeds United are set to be handed a welcome double injury boost which involves captain Ethan Ampadu.

Farke facing big Leeds calls ahead of Championship run-in

The Whites and Daniel Farke are now preparing for a dash to the line in the Championship, looking to beat Sheffield United and Burnley to promotion and the second-tier title.

Leeds have taken just five points from their last four games which has allowed the Blades and the Clarets to close in, with eight fixtures remaining starting against Swansea City on Saturday.

Leeds (80 pts)

Sheffield United (80 pts)

Burnley (78 pts)

Swansea City

Coventry City (h)

Bristol City (h)

Luton Town (a)

Oxford United (a)

Coventry City (a)

Middlesbrough (a)

Millwall (h)

Derby County (a)

Preston North End (h)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Norwich City (h)

Oxford United (a)

Cardiff City (h)

Watford (a)

Stoke City (h)

Burnley (a)

Sheffield United (h)

Bristol City (h)

Stoke City (a)

QPR (a)

Plymouth Argyle (a)

Blackburn Rovers (h)

Millwall (h)

One of the big talking points after the 2-2 draw with QPR last time out was Wilfried Gnonto’s impact in the No. 10 position, an area of the pitch Farke could look to address over the coming weeks. Gnonto replaced Brenden Aaronson at half-time and received praise from Farke after helping Leeds take a point away from London.

“I was convinced he would make an impact. If I had opted for Ilia Gruev [to start the match] I would also have opted for Willy Gnonto. Perhaps we would have had a better start if we had made those changes. The feeling is he’s playing more and more to create good situations in the centre and that’s what he did in the second half.”

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Unfortunately, after an injury scare away with Italy U21s in the international break, Gnonto may not be immediately available to Farke as Leeds wait to see the extent of the ankle issue. However, the Whites have two players who look set to be close to a return.

Leeds to welcome back Ampadu and Bamford for run-in

As per Joe Donnohue of The Yorkshire Evening Post, Ampadu has been stepping up his knee injury recovery during the international break and is on course to return to team training.

The versatile midfielder has missed Leeds’ last five games and the club weren’t sure if his knee problem would require surgery, but it looks as if he could play a part in the run-in.

Alongside Ampadu, Patrick Bamford is finally closing in on a return from a hamstring injury. Donnohue adds that the forward ‘has been working on match fitness at Thorp Arch over the recent weeks and during the international break brought himself closer to an on-field return’.

Bamford has only played once in 2025 due to a hamstring issue but like Ampadu, could feature in the final eight games. Two experienced players in the Leeds squad, the pair returning would be a much-needed boost for Farke, who will be hoping to have every senior player available between now and May.

Pooran, who suffered an accident in 2015 that prevented him from even walking for six months, knows what Pant is going through at the moment

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Apr-2023Nicholas Pooran has been where Rishabh Pant is at the moment. An accident similar to the one Pant was in late last year had put Pooran in hospital eight-and-some years ago; he required two surgeries, and it was a good six months before he could walk again. Pooran understands that the position Pant is in might leave him “depressed and frustrated”, but is confident he will bounce back.Pooran, playing for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2023, said he has been in touch with Pant, who will be out of action at least for the rest of the year. Pant was present at his team Delhi Capitals’ home game against Gujarat Titans a few days back, but needed help to get out of the car and get to his seat at the Feroz Shah Kotla.”It’s very challenging. It’s one where no one understands. Sometimes, I can remember… I have been chatting with Rishabh obviously. Both of us have a really good relationship. But there’s times when you go into a place where you’re very depressed, and frustrated, because you want the healing process to happen so fast. But it’s difficult,” Pooran said ahead of Super Giants’ next game, on Saturday at home against Punjab Kings.Related

Rishabh Pant expected to return for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant expected to be out of action for most of 2023

How Nicholas Pooran came back from the brink

On December 30 last year, Pant was driving to see his mother in Roorkee in Uttarakhand when his car hit a road divider at around 5.30am. He escaped without life-threatening injuries even as his car went up in flames. He has since undergone knee-ligament surgery at a Mumbai hospital.It was in January 2015, when he was just past his 19th birthday, when Pooran, while driving back from a training session at home in Trinidad & Tobago, swerved to avoid an oncoming car, drove into a sand heap and back on to the road, where another car rammed into him. He was knocked out and regained consciousness only after reaching a hospital. He required surgeries to repair the left patellar tendon, which had ruptured, and on his right leg to repair an ankle fracture.Speaking from his experience dealing with the low phase, Pooran said, “Sometimes you don’t see progress. In life, you want to see progress, you want it to happen so fast, but it doesn’t happen the whole time. It’s very challenging, but [you] need to believe in yourself.

“You just need to believe in yourself; he needs to spend time with himself and understand who are the people for him and who is against him. This is where you know who are your family and who are your friends”Nicholas Pooran

“Need to believe that whatever happened, happened for a reason. Can’t question it, because you won’t get an answer. You need to believe in your God as well. Have faith in yourself, have faith in your hard work.”And then, if all goes well, things change for the better. For Pooran, it was seven months before he could start jogging again, and another month before he took part in his first net session.”As soon as you see… that first step you take, once you can see that improvement, I think that’s when you become motivated,” he said. “Rishabh will come out of this. He’s a strong guy. He will come out of this. And he will be better. You just need to believe in yourself; he needs to spend time with himself and understand who are the people for him and who is against him. This is where you know who are your family and who are your friends.”It’s a difficult period in anyone’s life. Everyone has different challenges. Challenges come in different forms and ways. But it’s a blessing in disguise [in a way], and you’ll figure it out. Everyone goes through challenges. He’ll get back up.”

Mario Balotelli has opened up on why he fell short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s success and confirmed his next move will likely take him near Lionel Messi.

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Balotelli admits Ronaldo’s dedication set them apartConfirms plans to move to MLS and retireStriker failed to score in six appearances for GenoaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Italian admitted that Ronaldo's relentless work ethic is something he never matched, with 40-year-old still going strong with Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team while Balotelli is leaving Genoa after a dismal spell with the Serie A side.

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Balotelli, whose career has seen dramatic highs and steep declines, broke through as one of Europe's most promising strikers at Inter, but has failed to live up to the hype in a tumultuous career. He did, however, win the Champions League with Inter, a dramatic Premier League title with Manchester City and has three Serie A crowns to his name. Since joining Genoa in October last year, though, he has played only 56 minutes spread across six appearances. Balotelli said he will not be staying in his homeland and instead plans to end his career in the United States.

WHAT BALOTELLI SAID

Balotelli was asked on why he is not as successful as five-time Ballon d'Or winner and ex-Real Madrid star Ronaldo, saying: "He kills himself with training, I don't… He has more money!"

The 34-year-old admitted he made a mistake joining Genoa and revealed he will retire in a few years. He added: "I could have done more, but I'm happy. I thank the fans who love me, but I made the wrong choice for the type of club. It's unlikely that I will play again in Italy or Europe."

Asked if he has an idea of where he will go, he replied: "Yes, America. I will play two or three years before I stop."

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Balotelli will become a free agent when his contract expires this summer, clearing him up to make a free move to an MLS club.

Will Sutherland triggered a Victoria fightback to leave their Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales nicely poised after Moises Henriques threatened to take the game away from the home team.NSW were dismissed for 260, a first innings lead of 51, but they would have hoped for a bigger advantage after being 2 for 155 just before lunch.Henriques scored 97, striking ten fours and a six in his fluent 179-ball innings, but the Blues bid to build a big first-innings lead was scuppered by two collapses.They lost two clumps of three wickets cheaply and were just four ahead when they went eight down, before the tail added 47 handy runs.Paceman Sutherland was prominent in the hosts’ resurgence. He dismissed Jason Sangha (44) just before lunch leaving NSW 3 for 156 at the break, ending a 107-run third-wicket stand with Henriques.Early in the second session Sutherland’s athletic dive and fine throw from mid on resulted in Matthew Gilkes being run out, and he then had Sean Abbott caught behind as NSW lost 3 for 7.Henriques and wicketkeeper Baxter Holt grabbed back the initiative with a seventh-wicket stand of 48.Victoria hit back late in the session taking 3-3, just after the visitors moved ahead on first innings. Holt was caught behind off Sam Elliott, Henriques was trapped lbw by spinner Todd Murphy, who also had Chris Green caught and finished with 3 for 44 off 16 overs.The tail wagged with Chris Tremain scoring a brisk 24 not out, with both he and Adam Zampa hitting a six.Victoria had Sam Harper and Jon Holland subbed out after testing positive for Covid-19. Captain Peter Handscomb performed admirably behind the stumps in place of Harper, taking four catches.Henriques was the only NSW wicket-taker, trapping Travis Dean lbw after a brisk 46 which included five fours off two wayward overs from Mickey Edwards.

قال وائل القباني، مدير الكرة بنادي الزمالك، إن التونسي أحمد الجفالي يعاني منذ فترة من تمزق في العضلة الأمامية، وهي إصابة جديدة تختلف عن تلك التي تعرض لها سابقاً في العضلة الخلفية.

وأوضح القباني في تصريحات للمركز الإعلامي أن الجفالي أجرى مؤخرًا فحوصات طبية وآشعة، وأكد رئيس الجهاز الطبي، الدكتور محمد أسامة، أن اللاعب لن يكون جاهزًا للمشاركة حتى لفترة قصيرة في مباراة بيراميدز بنهائي كأس مصر المقرر إقامتها في 5 يونيو المقبل.

يرفض الرحيل وعائق أمام استبداله.. لاعب الزمالك يثير أزمة بسبب محاولات التخلص منه

وأضاف أن الجفالي شعر بالحزن بسبب غيابه عن المباريات حتى نهاية الموسم، لكنه تقبل الأمر وأبدى ثقته التامة في تشخيص الجهاز الطبي، معبرًا عن شكره لرئيس الجهاز الطبي.

واختتم القباني تصريحاته بالتأكيد على أن النادي يقدّر إمكانيات الجفالي ويأمل في الاستفادة منه عند تعافيه، لكنه يضع مصلحة اللاعب أولاً، ومن هنا تقرر عدم مشاركته مع الفريق حتى نهاية الموسم، حرصًا على سلامته ومنع تفاقم إصابته.

After a poor start to the 2024/25 season, Manchester United used the January transfer window to bring in a number of new faces.

The Red Devils purchased Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in the hope that he could solve their long-standing issues at left-back. Teenager Ayden Heaven was also brought in from Arsenal to reinforce Ruben Amorim’s perpetually injured defence.

There were some departures too. Antony joined Real Betis on loan, while Marcus Rashford, who had been at the centre of a public spat with Amorim, joined Premier League rivals Aston Villa until the end of the season, though the option is there for the Villans to sign him permanently for £40m in the summer.

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How those new signings or loanees will fare for the rest of the season remains to be seen. But even if Dorgu and Heaven light up Old Trafford, and Antony and Rashford enjoy solid loan spells and return as new players, there is no doubt that United will still need to strengthen at the end of the campaign.

A new goalkeeper is a must, while bringing in a new striker, or perhaps even two, is also essential, with Rasmus Hojlund sadly just not possessing what it takes to fire the club back to its former glory.

Here are six players we think United should target in the summer.

1 Victor Osimhen Galatasaray/Napoli

If Manchester United are to challenge for the Premier League title again, they need a striker capable of scoring 20-plus goals a season – a Ruud van Nistelrooy, a Robin van Persie, a Dimitar Berbatov. Victor Osimhen has the potential to be that player.

During his four seasons at Napoli, the Nigerian forward was a revelation, leading them to their first Serie A title since 1990 with his blistering pace, strength and aerial dominance. In 133 games for the Partenopei, he scored 76 goals, including 31 in 39 appearances during the 2022/23 season as the club lifted the Scudetto.

Now on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, he has once again proven why he’s one of the deadliest strikers in world football, netting 17 goals in just 22 games. However, he isn’t expected to stay in Istanbul beyond the end of the season, opening the door for United to make their move.

2 Jonathan Tah Bayer Leverkusen

United signed two new centre-backs last summer in Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, but the jury is still out on both.

And despite their best efforts, Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire remain inconsistent, while Jonny Evans – though a cult hero at the club – is approaching the twilight of his career.

A new centre-back is a must, and few are better than Jonathan Tah. Recently described as “maybe the best defender in Germany” by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the Bayer Leverkusen star is out of contract at the end of the season and has already said he will leave the BayArena in the summer.

United are reported to have already enquired about the 28-year-old.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jan 15, 2025 3 Geovany Quenda Sporting CP

Given the success he had at Sporting CP, United fans will no doubt be hoping that Ruben Amorim can lure some of his former players to Old Trafford in the near future.

While striker Viktor Gyokeres is the name that comes to mind for most, the Swede may be out of reach given United’s on-pitch woes. And if United were to sign Victor Osimhen, they wouldn’t need two world-class strikers – especially since Amorim typically plays with just one up top.

Instead of Gyokeres, Amorim should look to bring in youngster Geovany Quenda, who has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in European football with the help of Portuguese boss.

Since being handed his professional debut by Amorim last year, the 17-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Portuguese side, scoring two goals and providing six assists.

Capable of playing as either a right-winger or right wing-back, not only could he slot seamlessly into Amorim’s system at United, but he could be a long-term replacement for Alejandro Garnacho amid exit links involving the Argentinian.

4 Brice Samba Rennes

Though he occasionally pulls off a great save, Andre Onana is simply too error-prone to be United’s No 1. Since moving to Old Trafford in 2023, the Cameroon international has made four errors leading to goals in the Premier League and conceded 10 penalties.

His distribution – once considered his biggest strength – has also declined at United, with the goalkeeper completing barely 30% of his long balls this season.

Being able to distribute effectively and launch quick counters is key to Ruben Amorim’s style of play, and statistically speaking, Rennes keeper Brice Samba has been the best in Europe in this department in recent times, boasting one of the highest pass completion rates in any of the continent’s top five leagues this season, as per FBref.

The former Nottingham Forest star also holds the best save percentage across those divisions and has a record of making few errors.

5 Jarrad Branthwaite Everton

If United are to fix their leaky defence, they will need not one, but two quality central defenders.

In addition to Jonathan Tah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite would be a signing that would truly send a statement that the club means business.

Despite playing in a poor, though now improving, Everton side, the Englishman has been one of the Premier League’s most outstanding centre-backs over the past couple of years, and has become a United transfer target of late.

The 22-year-old has already earned the approval of United legend and former caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who worked with him during his time at PSV Eindhoven.

“It was a joy to work with Jarrad. He came as a young lad on loan,” Van Nistelrooy, who is now in charge of Leicester City, recently said of the youngster. “He learned a lot at PSV and we won trophies there together. The way he improved was fantastic, through hard work and training every day.

“He got himself to a great level and to the national team,” he added. “There’s a great future ahead for him.”

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Posts ByHenry Jackson Jan 14, 2025 6 Angel Gomes Lille

They say you should never reunite with your ex, but what if your ex has suddenly sorted out all their problems and become really, really good-looking?

Shallow, we know, but in football terms, that’s exactly what’s happened with Angel Gomes. Since leaving Old Trafford for Lille in 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has gone from strength to strength – proving himself to be exactly the type of transitioning and technically gifted central midfielder that United have craved over the past few years.

Now an England international, the Red Devils should do everything in their power to bring him back to Old Trafford in the summer.

Hasnain redeemed as Dawson fightback falls inches short for England

Danyal Rasool25-Sep-2022Pakistan 166 for 4 (Rizwan 88) beat England 163 (Rauf 3-32, Nawaz 3-35) by three runsPakistan snuck home past England by three runs in a wild, mad game at the National Stadium in Karachi to level the series 2-2. In a game that ebbed and flowed so often that a three-hour contest took on the feel of an epic, England played themselves into a seemingly unassailable position at the very end, before all of a sudden playing themselves back out of it. In pursuit of 167, the visitors were one shot away from victory with three wickets in hand, before Haris Rauf tore through the lower order to leave a heartbroken England stranded against all odds.Put in to bat first, Pakistan got off to an impressive start with an 97-run opening stand, but found themselves squeezed through the middle and death, losing much of the momentum they had built up. Liam Dawson’s removal of Babar Azam looked even better in hindsight, given it brought a struggling Shan Masood to the crease, and Moeen Ali’s side wrestled the momentum back. At the end of their 20 overs, it appeared as if Pakistan were well short, having burdened their bowling attack with defending a mediocre total against the world’s most explosive batting line-up.But the hosts refused to give in, with three early wickets ensuring this wouldn’t be the cakewalk it had previously seemed. But England soon illustrated the difference in the approach both sides take to the construction of a T20 innings, with Harry Brook and Ben Duckett continuing to go after the bowlers, determined not to fall too far behind the asking rate. Moeen continued in quite the same vein for a 20-ball 29, and for a while, it looked like the jitters were over, and England were back on course.But the regular fall of wickets kept Pakistan in the hunt, until a devastating display of clutch hitting by Dawson in the 18th over seemed to swing the pendulum England’s way once and for all. But having cracked five fours and a six in the space of eight legal deliveries to leave just five required off nine, a loose shot by Dawson found midwicket’s hands, and Rauf sent debutant Olly Stone packing by knocking back his off stump first-ball. With one wicket to go, England lost their composure, setting off for a suicidal single in desperation to give Adil Rashid the strike. Shan Masood hit timber, and Pakistan had struck gold.The self-imposed squeeze Having laid the platform Babar and Mohammad Rizwan can reliably be trusted to set so regularly, Pakistan had worked themselves into a decent position after eight overs. However, as has happened much too frequently, the struggle through the middle overs manifested itself for Pakistan once more, as they sleepwalked towards a below-par total. England’s use of their bowling resources, as well as their execution, was canny enough, but the drop in intensity from the hosts was unmistakable. Masood couldn’t come close to the fluency with which he had graced the third T20I, limping to a 19-ball 21 as the bigger hitters waited their turn in the dig-out.Rizwan’s tempo dropped by a couple of notches following the Powerplay; having raced along to a 26-ball 38 after six overs, he would take 40 balls to add the next fifty. From the start of the ninth over until his dismissal in the 20th, Pakistan struck just three fours and a six. Quite what Asif Ali would have made of that was anyone’s guess, particularly since two of the three balls he did face went for enormous sixes over cow corner. Pakistan, once more, appeared to have made the fundamental T20 error of overvaluing wickets and undervaluing runs.Usman Qadir took a blinding catch to remove Alex Hales•Getty ImagesEngland stick to their guns After being reduced to 14 for three against Pakistan’s bowling attack, few sides would have had the self-belief to go after the game, but seven years of white-ball success means confidence isn’t in short supply for this England side. They would chase this total down, or go down in a blaze of glory trying. It wouldn’t be like it had been for Pakistan the previous game, batting out 20 overs and limping to a heavy defeat.The first ball after the third wicket fell, Duckett carved Mohammad Wasim through point for four, and at the end of the fifth, he took apart the same bowler, smashing him for three successive boundaries. By the end of the Powerplay, England had brought up 50, just two the total that Pakistan managed despite England failing to pick up a single Pakistan wicket in that time. It was emblematic of how England play, and, despite the agonising defeat, perhaps illustrative of why this side has been so successful.The promise and pain of Mohammad Hasnain An overseas player getting plaudits for being the sort of sexy quick bowler Pakistan like to believe they have a hegemonic hold over? That was too much for Mohammad Hasnain to bear. Hasnain’s arguably the fastest bowler Pakistan currently possess but, in a weird way, also the least loved. Shaheen Afridi, of course, is in a league of own, while Naseem Shah has the precocious talent to enthrall and the personal story to endear, while Rauf’s evolution has seen him prove many wrong and win even more over.It leaves Hasnain out in the cold slightly, particularly so since his action troubles and a tendency to be expensive. Today, however, needing to defend a low target, Hasnain bowled his first two overs with the careless abandon that makes him such absorbing viewing. He followed Alex Hales and beat him for pace. He toyed with Duckett. He came back in the 16th over, and more or less pulled off six successive yorkers. 3-0-16-2. Surely his day?He was brought back for the 18th over to close the game off, with Pakistan well into England’s tail at 134 for 7, and Dawson struggling on a run-a-ball 7. But where the margins had gone Hasnain’s way in the third over, they left Hasnain high and dry here when it counted. Yorkers became full tosses and half-volleys, and where he had once stayed just within the popping crease, this time he overstepped. 22 came off his first four legal balls, and all of a sudden, England needed just 10 from 14. Hasnain might have played a huge part in getting Pakistan to the brink, but suddenly, here he was, unravelling it all himself. Fortunately for him, and for Pakistan, and for a vociferous Karachi crowd that had just begun to give up the ghost, Rauf was not prepared to do likewise.

Sunderland have reportedly made contact to sign an “incredible” winger alongside their move for Leicester forward Tom Cannon.

Tom Cannon to Sunderland latest

The Black Cats have already made their first signing of 2025, bringing in midfielder Enzo Le Fee on loan from AS Roma until the end of the season. A move will become permanent in the summer should Sunderland win promotion to the Premier League from the Championship.

Regis Le Bris doesn’t want to stop there, though. Talking recently, the manager admitted that Sunderland are targeting a versatile forward to provide competition to the likes of Patrick Roberts, Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda.

“Probably, we’ll have a target for the 11, 9, 7 position. A versatile player will be useful for us because we have two injuries on the left side at the moment, for the example.

“We know for example that Wilson has been really good, Eli really good, Pat really good – but we have only had three main players in these positions. Others have been involved, but not as much. So another forward could be important for us, yes.”

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That man appears to be Leicester City’s Tom Cannon. Reports have revealed that Sunderland have made a bid to sign the attacker on loan with an obligation to buy for £13m should they go up.

Cannon has been on loan at Stoke City, however, the Foxes have now recalled the forward ahead of a potential move to the Stadium of Light or Bramall Lane, with promotion rivals Sheffield United also interested.

However, alongside Cannon, Sunderland appear to have made their first move for another addition in the final third.

Sunderland also make enquiry for "incredible" winger with Cannon

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Sunderland have made an enquiry to sign Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo. Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday have done the same, however, an unnamed European club have agreed a deal to sign Matondo on loan.

It looks as if Sunderland haven’t had the answer they wanted in their pursuit of the “incredible” attacker, with Matondo capable of playing on the left wing, right wing or as a second striker.

He’s been at Ibrox since 2022 after joining from FC Schalke and has made 67 appearances for the Scottish giants, scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists.

The 24-year-old ticks the box when it comes to a versatile attacker wanted by Le Bris, but it looks as if he’ll be heading elsewhere this month, leaving the Black Cats to look at alternative targets.

Paul Mullin has opened up on the challenges of parenting an autistic child, with the Wrexham striker using his profile to help others.

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Striker faces challenges on & off the pitchDoting dad will do anything for his familyHoping to help others with their concernsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 30-year-old frontman operates in the public eye. He has registered more than 100 goals for Wrexham, helping them to back-to-back promotions and himself to three Player of the Year awards in North Wales.

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He has experienced a testing 2024-25 campaign in his professional life, with injuries and fierce competition for places leading to limited game time. Mullin is, however, accustomed to overcoming adversity and has never been one to hide when the going gets tough.

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That mindset is adopted on and off the field, with Mullin becoming a patron for the Your Space autism charity. He is able to bring his own experiences to that role as a doting dad to son Albi.

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WHAT PAUL MULLIN SAID

Mullin shared a video on social media of quality time being enjoyed with Albi as they soaked up some spring sunshine, with the bike-riding youngster helping to keep his dad “fit”. Mullin went on to say in another post: “I always post positive things Albi does or is doing to help people like me who think their child might not do certain things. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – shortly after the video Albi had a big meltdown as I wouldn’t leave him there alone or ride his bike for him (I would but am too big). We still have our moments.”

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