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Tanveer Sangha still wants to become a three-format bowler for Australia, as the spinner prepares to play his first Sheffield Shield match in almost two years.Sangha will turn out for New South Wales against Queensland on Monday, marking his first red-ball game for his state since March 2022.In the time since, the legspinner has played two ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia while missing large parts of Shield action while overseas or injured.Related

• The next generation: who could star in Australia's future?

• Wade to miss start of IPL in order to play Sheffield Shield final

• Hardie fit for Western Australia, Boland available in boost for Victoria

Such is Sangha’s predicament, the 22-year-old has now played more white-ball matches for his country than red-ball matches at first-class level. But despite that, Sangha maintains red-ball cricket can still be a priority as he hopes to one day add a Baggy Green to his limited-overs playing caps.”I definitely think all three formats is definitely up for play,” Sangha said. “There’s plenty of time still. Everyone says I’m young. I’m 22. You’re not going to peak until late 20s.”It’s the most difficult skill in cricket. I’m still learning, trying to pull leggies, wrong’uns, toppies, sliders and executing all these different variations. I’m just trying to think long term rather than short. It’s a long career if I do make it and I do get through all of it.”Sangha does not have to look far to see the impact of white-ball cricket on Test hopefuls. Adam Zampa has long stated his desire to earn a Baggy Green, but Sangha’s NSW and Australian white-ball team-mate has played only two Shield games in the past four seasons.Glenn Maxwell is another player virtually devoid of Shield matches in recent seasons, with only one since 2019.”That’s what I’m learning now while I was away,” Sangha said. “What can I still do while on a white-ball tour to make sure I’m maintaining my red ball-skills, shapes and bowling style?”Is there something I can just do once a week? Where in one training session I just focus on something specific to red ball, just so I can maintain it That’s the balance that now I’m trying to learn to be an all-format player.”For now, though, Sangha can also see his red-ball game benefiting his white-ball cricket as he maintains a goal of this year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.”Red ball there’s so much more repetition. There’s so much more trying to get the batter out because they have so much time,” Sangha said. “But in white-ball cricket, they want to come at you. There’s more opportunity to get them out.”In red ball there’s quite a bit of thought and time that goes into trying to plan to get a better out, rather than just trying to be consistent. That’s where the art of spin bowling is. I’ve seen it with Warnie, [Ravichandran] Ashwin and Gaz [Nathan Lyon]. Each season I’m trying to get better and better, and not just be the same bowler in a few years time.”

Maxwell signs with Washington Freedom to play alongside Steven Smith and Travis Head under coach Ricky Ponting

Alex Malcolm18-Apr-20244:18

Was Maxwell right in asking to be dropped?

Glenn Maxwell has joined Travis Head and Steve Smith in signing with Washington Freedom for the upcoming Major League Cricket season while clarifying that his form was the major reason for his self-omission from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s side in the IPL rather than needing a mental break.Maxwell has become the latest Australian player to sign in MLC and will join his Australia teammates in Head and Smith, along with his former IPL coach Ricky Ponting, at Washington Freedom.He told ESPN’s that he was excited about the opportunity to play in the United States.Related

• Aussies at the IPL: Head's hot streak, Fraser-McGurk fires again, Maxwell drops himself

• Travis Head joins Steven Smith at Washington Freedom for Major League Cricket 2024

• Steven Smith joins Washington Freedom ahead of Major League Cricket's second season

• Maxwell takes a break to refresh after asking to be rested by RCB

“It’s a tournament that I watched from afar last year and was extremely excited about hopefully playing this tournament one day and luckily enough the timings have aligned this year,” Maxwell said. “I’ve been speaking to Ricky Ponting and a few other players a fair bit over the last little period and certainly extremely excited to get stuck in.”Having Travis and Steve there and Ricky, three guys who I’m extremely familiar with, I think that sort of probably tipped me over the edge. You sort of um and ah about that time of the year about where you’re going to be and whether you take the time off, whether you play the Hundred or what you might do and I think just having those couple of Aussies there and I think the opportunity to be a part of something really big in MLC and grow something is really exciting as well.”Maxwell joins Head, Smith, Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), Tim David (MI New York), Matt Short (San Franciso Unicorns) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (San Franciso Unicorns) as confirmed Australian signings for the second season of MLC, with more expected to join for the tournament which starts immediately after the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies ends on June 29.Meanwhile, Maxwell has moved to clarify his decision to ask to be omitted from RCB’s line-up from the last IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Maxwell explained that it had nothing to do with needing to take an extended break from the tournament. He simply felt like he was not in the best XI and wanted to take any tough conversations away from captain Faf du Plessis and coach Andy Flower by asking to be dropped.”I was pretty low on confidence,” Maxwell said. “I had a good couple of net sessions and just went out to the ground and felt really tentative. I wasn’t able to really commit to my game plans and just felt like if I had kept playing and playing that role, I don’t think the results would change too much.2:51

Glenn Maxwell to join Washington Freedom in MLC

“So I just went to Faf and said, look, I think we need to try someone else in my position and had the same conversation with Andy Flower, the coach, and to me it was a bit of a no-brainer. I think it sort of saves the tough conversation they might have to have about dropping me.”I felt really at peace with it. Obviously, I’m frustrated that I wasn’t able to get the results I would have liked but comfortable in the fact that I know I feel like I’ve made the right decision for the team and it’s certainly not like I’m taking an extended break away from the game.”I just think it’s a better opportunity for someone else to have a crack at my position. I know I’m an important part of this side but at the moment I’m not playing well enough to I suppose warrant a spot.”Maxwell revealed he is unlikely to come back in for the next game, against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, given he is battling a minor hip injury. He said he understands he has to bide his time to get another opportunity.”I’ve actually got a little bit of a hip strain so I’ve got a few more days off and during recovery,” Maxwell said. “So I’ve got a little period here where I’m still training, still trying to get myself right. If there is a spot that becomes available, I’ll obviously put my hand up and take it”It’s not one of those things where I’ve set a date that I’ll be out for three games then I’ll come back whenever I’m ready. That’s that’s not how it works. I haven’t been at a level that’s good enough to warrant a spot on the side this year.”

Former Barcelona academy player Joan Gonzalez, who was playing for Serie A outfit Lecce, has been forced to retire at 23 due to deteriorating health.

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Gonzalez retires at age 23 due to heart conditionPlayed 66 games for LecceSpent two years in the Barcelona academyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gonzalez has been forced to retire at a young age of 23 after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition last summer. The midfielder has been a part of Serie A side Lecce's first team since 2022, but has been forbidden to continue his playing career after the latest medicals conducted recently.

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Gonzalez, born in Barcelona, began his footballing journey by joining the Cornella academy in 2014. After staying at Cornella for five years, he was snapped up by the Catalans in 2019 and played in the youth academy for two years. In 2021, he joined Lecce's academy and was promoted to the first team the following year. He spent two seasons with Lecce in Serie A, making 66 appearances in all competitions. However, he was diagnosed with a heart condition ahead of pre-season last year and missed the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign before being recalled by the club to re-assess his condition.

WHAT LECCE PRESIDENT SAID

Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani confirmed the heartbreaking news regarding the Spaniard, stating: "We called him back after a year for a new check-up, which took place a few days ago, and the situation remains the same. So, with great regret, I must tell you that he will not receive a definitive medical clearance and will no longer be able to play football at a professional level.I want to make two observations. First, a round of applause for our medical team, Dr. Tondo, because they detected a congenital condition that is very difficult to diagnose. He is a case in point. Thanks to that, the boy's life was saved. I'm in constant contact with Joan Gonzalez. He's faced this challenge with great maturity and intelligence. If he had continued playing with that mindset, he would have been a great footballer. But he'll be a great manager."

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JOAN GONZALEZ?

Although Gonzalez's playing career has been cut short due to a heart ailment, he could still contribute to the sport in a coaching capacity in the future.

Afghanistan counterattacked in the chase but eventually fell to a 42-run loss

Madushka Balasuriya09-Feb-2024Pathum Nissanka’s historic double ton ensured Sri Lanka withstood a spirited Afghanistan counterattack to record a 42-run victory in the first ODI at Pallekele and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.That Afghanistan even got that close was down to a record 242-run stand between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, the second-highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI history. Omarazai ended on a 115-ball 149, while Nabi scored 136 off 130, as Afghanistan fell short but with their heads held high.It would leave them wondering perhaps what might have been had there been more substantial contributions from their top order, but in a chase of the mammoth 382-run target set by Sri Lanka, many fell wanting in searching for a fast start.Related

• Pathum Nissanka hits Sri Lanka's first double-century in ODIs

• Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka's first double-centurion? Who'd have thought?

Pramod Madushan did the most damage sending three of Afghanistan’s top four packing inside the first powerplay. The right-handed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the left-handed Hashmatullah Shahidi were both done in by in-duckers, Madushan adept at moving the ball both ways – either through the air or off the surface.In between the two he had Ibrahim Zadran caught at slip, and returned later in the game to break the stand between Nabi and Omarzai. He finished with figures of 4 for 75.With Dushmantha Chameera accounting for the scalps of Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib at the other end, Afghanistan found themselves staring down the barrel of an ignominious defeat, having stumbled to 55 for 5 midway through the ninth over.But that was when the fightback began, as the pair of Omarzai and Nabi resolved early on to take the game as deep as possible.With not much batting to follow, it was clear the pair could not take undue risks, nevertheless they found boundaries to ensure the run rate never got too out of hand. That said, it wasn’t until the 36th over that their scoring rate went beyond six an over, by which point the required rate was touching 12 an over.By the 40th over the requirement was 137 needed off 60 deliveries, a tall ask but put into context by the fact that Sri Lanka had struck 120 in the same period.In the end the asking rate proved too much, especially with Sri Lanka having multiple overs available from each of their frontline bowlers.Mohammad Nabi is the oldest player to score an ODI hundred•AFP/Getty Images

It also put into perspective the batting effort put in by the Lankans, particularly the outstanding Nissanka, whose 210 had come off just 139 deliveries.Avishka Fernando, with a run-a-ball 88, was the next highest scorer, as he and Nissanka put on a 182-run opening stand – Sri Lanka’s first century opening stand in nine innings, and just the third to hit double digits in that period. But that was just the start of Afghanistan’s misery.The visitors, who had opted to go with a four-strong seam attack, were left to rue their decision to bowl first having won the toss, with conditions proving ideal for batting. After a subdued start in the opening five in which just 22 runs were scored, Nissanka began to let loose.There was a subdued period through the middle overs when Nabi was rifling through his overs, but at the start and the death the Afghan bowlers were at Nissanka’s mercy.Omarzai was the first to feel the heat, taken for back-to-back boundaries through midwicket and then cover. Two overs later Fareed Ahmad was taken for 19, inclusive of two fours and a six – the latter off a free hit. Ahmad went for a further 17 in his next over, Avishka doing the brunt of the damage on that occasion, as Sri Lanka raced to 90 by the end of the 10th over.The scoring tapered from there on, the occasional flurry of boundaries serving to keep the scoring rate hovering around the seven an over mark. It took a scorching grab from Hashmatullah Shahidi at backward point to bring an end to the opening stand, as Avishka flayed a wide one hard to his right.Kusal Mendis’ entry saw more of the same, as he scrounged around for a 31-ball 16 before skying a miscued shot after coming down the track. The entry of Sadeera Samarawickrama, midway through the 36th over, though was the catalyst for Sri Lanka to shift gears, as his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries dovetailed perfectly with Nissanka, who was beginning to see the ball bigger with every stroke.Their stand of 121 came off just 71 deliveries and scaled up in the final 10 overs. Of the 120 runs ransacked in this period Nissanka alone accounted for 76 of them.Having earlier brought up his century with a single eased to deep cover, he brought up his 150 with a double past backward point. But those milestones were surrounded by belligerence.Noor Ahmad was slog-swept twice in an over, with the wind, over deep midwicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi was clobbered down the ground, flicked over square leg, heaved over deep midwicket and paddled behind square. And when all else failed Afghanistan turned back to Fareed, but Nissanka would not err.Having failed to get away a string of wide Fareed yorkers two overs prior, Nissanka squeezed the first such attempt in the final over past backward point to bring up his double ton. Two balls later he swung one high over square leg and then he crashed a drive to deep extra cover to finish the innings.It was a knock worthy of winning any game, and so it proved in the end.

Spurs have revealed the asking price for Cristian Romero, per a new report, with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid keen on signing the World Cup winner.

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Atletico interested in signing RomeroSpurs won't make his summer exit easyArgentine defender adamant on a switch to La LigaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Atletico Madrid are going to do everything they can to sign Spurs star Romero this summer, but the Premier League outfit will not make it easy for them to sign one of their most important players. That comes from a report from (h/t Sport Witness), who reveal that Tottenham are 'not making his exit easy', despite Romero dropping hints that he might be seeking greener pastures.

The club’s Champions League qualification, manager Ange Postecoglou’s insistence on keeping him, and chairman Daniel Levy’s tough negotiating stance all strengthen their position. Tottenham are said to demand €70 million (£59m/$79m), a fee Atletico are reluctant to meet. CEO Miguel Angel Gil is expected to contact Spurs directly, but with no urgency to sell, Romero’s potential move is shaping into a drawn-out summer saga.

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Spurs had a miserable season, finishing 17th in the Premier League. And yet, they have qualified for next season's Champions League. A large part of the credit goes to Romero, who was solid throughout Spurs' glorious Europa League campaign and was duly rewarded both the Player of the Match award in the final as well as the Player of the Tournament. Reports over the last few weeks have stated that the 2022 World Cup-winning centre-back has already been in contact with Los Colchoneros, with head coach Diego Simeone taking the onus on himself to convince Romero into joining them. However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, known to be a shrewd and tough negotiator, will not let go of the Argentine defender easily, despite his willingness to join the La Liga giants.

WHAT JULIAN ALVAREZ SAID ABOUT THE TRANSFER

Romero's national team-mate and Atletico forward Julian Alvarez might be playing the role of a pseudo-agent in an attempt to persuade the defender into arriving at the Metropolitano. Earlier this month, while speaking to Alvarez didn't hide his feelings and openly acknowledged that he would love to pair with his Argentina buddy at club level: "I hope [he joins]! I hope it happens. He's a great player. One of the best centre-backs in the world, in my opinion. A teammate on the national team and a great person. Such a great addition to the team would be a great help.

"[Atleti] feels more like Argentina compared to the Premier League. Maybe also because of the language, or, as we were saying, there are many Argentinian team-mates, the coach too, and so I felt a bit more like Argentina. It's like a family, very close. The passion, courage, and heart that Atleti identifies with is felt a bit more from within."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIAN ROMERO?

While it remains to be seen whether Romero stays put in London or joins Los Rojiblancos this summer, he will continue to represent his nation during next month's World Cup qualifiers. Argentina will take on Chile on June 6, followed by a game against Colombia on June 11. The Albiceleste are currently at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table, eight clear of second-placed Paraguay with just four games left.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is under threat of losing his job at N17 after an underwhelming Premier League campaign, blighted by injuries to key players in his Spurs squad, with a trophy-winning boss now said to be enticed by the prospect of replacing him.

Tottenham identify managerial targets to succeed Ange Postecoglou

The Lilywhites quite simply need to overturn their 1-0 first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League this evening, with a successful campaign in Europe coming as Postecoglou’s only chance to win any silverware this term.

Tottenham make contact with "very versatile" manager to replace Postecoglou

Spurs are preparing for a hypothetical life without their current boss.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 13, 2025

The north Londoners languish 13th in the Premier League table and are out of both domestic cups, but now key players have returned to the fold, supporters and critics alike are expecting Postecoglou to swiftly turn the club’s fortunes around.

Spurs’ form has taken a slight upward trajectory in the past few weeks. However, this will need to continue, or Tottenham’s under-fire head coach will continue to expect calls for his departure before the end of 2024/2025.

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Chelsea (away)

April 2nd

Southampton (home)

April 5th

Wolves (away)

April 12th

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Chairman Daniel Levy, according to various reports, has already identified a few key managerial targets if he does decide to hand Postecoglou his P45.

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi is attracting interest from Spurs, according to rumours from Italy, while it is also believed that Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola’s representatives have received contact (GiveMeSport).

Both tacticians come as very interesting potential options, but one who is free and available for hire right now is ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic.

The 42-year-old, who guided Dortmund to the Champions League final last season against Real Madrid, has also won multiple major trophies in Germany with his former club – but he’s currently a free agent awaiting his next move.

Terzic was a target for West Ham to replace Julen Lopetegui, before the Hammers eventually landed on Graham Potter, but Spurs are also registering an interest in the German.

Edin Terzic open to joining Tottenham with talks

According to a report by TEAMtalk today, the coach is enticed by the prospect of managing in the Premier League.

It is also believed that Terzic is also open to a conversation with Tottenham over joining them, but he is one of many candidates being considered by the club. Their manager hunt has already begun, as per TT, even if no final decision has been made on Postecoglou’s long-term future just yet.

Terzic deploys a 4-3-3 attacking formation, and has averaged an impressive 1.95 points per league game over his managerial career across 128 matches – including 75 victories.

“It’s incredible what Edin has achieved,” said Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke in 2024.

“Last year we were a whisker away from the Bundesliga title. Now we’re going to Wembley, in the Champions League final. What more do you want in two and a half years?

“Edin is someone who works meticulously and extremely hard for the club. As a coach, it’s a bit more difficult to get to the final with BVB than with Paris. That’s absolutely clear. But he did it. It’s a great achievement.”

MatériaMais Notícias

da lvbet： A equipe do Corinthians de Free Fire,BDL (Bando de Loucos), conquistou um título inédito na Copa Libertadores da modalidade.Na final disputavam 12 equipes, com nove adversários brasileiros, além do BDL, um time argentino e uma equipe peruana.

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da betobet： Jessy Faria, manager do BDL, destacou a importância da conquista e ressaltou que a tendência é que conquistem cada vez mais espaço neste cenário.

Onde jogam? Saiba o clube atual de cada jogador da seleção de Marrocos

Veja tabela da Copa do Mundo e simule os próximos jogos

-Esse título destaca que estamos conseguindo nos desenvolver bem como equipe. Nos traz a afirmação de que nos próximos meses a tendência é que conquistemos cada vez mais espaço no cenário – disse Jessy Farias.

Na grande final, o time impressionou, tendo realizado 75 kills durante a decisão, e somando 142 pontos. A equipe ainda conquistou 3 booyahs na finalíssima, dessa forma, ficando com o título de Campeão da América.

-Era um sonho que tínhamos, a equipe do Bando de Loucos almejava conquistar um título ainda em 2022. A gente sabe como foi difícil trazer esse título para o BDL, eram equipes competitivas, mas demos o nosso melhor, e conquistamos está para nossa torcida -comemorou Vitinxpff, granadeiro da equipe BDL.

Na fase de grupos, o time corintiano já havia se destacado, sendo o melhor contra seus concorrentes. Membro da chave D, o time realizou na 122 kills somando 208 pontos, sendo assim, a equipe com o melhor desempenho dentre todas as equipes presentes na primeira fase da Libertadores FF. Na semifinal, a equipe também passou com tranquilidade, tendo três players entre o top-10 dos MVPS.

Está foi apenas a segunda edição da Copa Libertadores Free Fire, entretanto, a primeira da categoria Mobile. Contudo, o título do BDL faz com que o torneio siga sendo dominado por brasileiros. Isto porque, na primeira temporada o título na categoria emulador ficou com a K9 eSports.

-Sabemos que na América do Sul, os brasileiros têm se destacado ano após ano, conquistando títulos internacionais. A final contou com maioria brasileira, e pelo visto esse título da Libertadores não sairá do nosso país tão cedo. Quem sabe ele não segue com o BDL no ano que vem – destacou o capitão da equipe,Marreta98.

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He had scored his last international century in August 2023, and when he ended that drought on Friday night, Babar Azam stood almost expressionless before sinking to his knees

Danyal Rasool15-Nov-2025It was a grateful Babar Azam that appeared at the press conference as Friday night yielded to Saturday morning. Much of that gratitude was reserved for his supporters – and there is a legion in Pakistan. A large chunk had braved the bitter cold of the Rawalpindi night waiting to watch him tick off the final few runs to get to his 20th ODI hundred, one that they have waited over 800 days and 83 innings for, and one that ties him with Saeed Anwar at the top of the ODI hundreds list for Pakistan.”The amount of support I got from my fans, not just in Islamabad but everywhere, was great,” Babar said after Pakistan beat Sri Lanka to clinch the series. “I got support everywhere in Pakistan and it gave me a huge boost. The fans, they never deserted me in my hard times. It’s in those hard times that you work out who your true allies are.”It helped that Babar came to the crease with Pakistan in a position of relative comfort after the openers got them off to a strong start. But that cushion has existed recently, too, and though Babar’s scores have begun to tick upwards – he scored a couple of half-centuries against South Africa and got other starts – he had got himself into a habit of squandering them.Related

• Stats – Babar ends 83-innings wait, equals Saeed Anwar's mark

• Babar breaks century drought to help Pakistan win series

“I got starts in the previous series but I couldn’t convert them into big runs,” he said. “When our innings began, we wanted to build a partnership. When Fakhar [Zaman] and I were playing, I was giving Fakhar the strike as much as possible, because he’s a player who can change a game. The longer he’s out there, the other team’s in pressure.”Then Rizi [Mohammad Rizwan] and I were planning on playing according to the situation and doing what was required. We played according to that and built our partnership. I was backing my strengths and had confidence in myself.”As Babar began to inch closer to the milestone, the tautness in the stadium was palpable. He appeared, for a fleeting while, to be competing not just against his own demons, but also the target. The runs Pakistan required were diminishing rapidly, thanks largely to a confident innings from his long-time accomplice Rizwan. However, with five to go, he steered a short delivery towards the on side to send his fans into raptures.Babar himself was more subdued, appearing to let the moment wash over him. He stood almost expressionless for a while, before sinking to his knees and lowering his head.”It was a tough time,” he said. “But I backed myself, worked on what I needed to improve, as well as my fitness. In the end, it’s about belief. These things will go on in your life and you can get stuck in a negative thought process, asking why it’s all happening to me. But you need to stick to your plan and believe that you’ll get your reward.”Pakistan will hope this innings signals resurgence rather than one final cathartic raging against the dying light. Babar, still only 31, can reasonably expect to have a large chunk of his useful career ahead of him. And that’s what his focus has immediately turned to with a newer, fresher optimism.Babar Azam, still only 31, can reasonably expect to have a large chunk of his useful career ahead of him•AFP/Getty Images

“Whenever you score runs, your confidence goes to a different level. It’s been a long period, but I backed myself and never compromised on my hard work. I believed in myself, and that’s the most important thing,” he said. “Lots of thoughts come into your mind about what’s happening to you. Lots of coaches talk to you and give you various kinds of advice. Then you have to assess what is working for you.”While he made a particular point of thanking two of his coaches in Shahid Aslam and Mansoor Rana, he also acknowledged the limitations of what others can do when a player finds himself in a rut: “These are people who have been with me since I was a child, and they know everything about what I require. The time hasn’t been easy, and so I’m grateful to them. But ultimately you have to back yourself. People, coaches, and everyone else can just tell you. You have to do it yourself so self-belief is paramount.”It is exactly the advice he had for any younger players who find themselves in a similar situation, insofar as anyone’s situation in Pakistan can truly be similar to Babar’s. “The advice I’d give to any youngster who’s stuck in bad form is belief,” he said. “You can motivate yourself for a few days but hard work and dedication needs to be there every day.”Though Babar claimed that his faith in his process had never wavered, he admitted the value of seeing it play out in a competitive match that actually mattered. “When you win matches, that’s a different kind of confidence.”

Australia opener hails “the toughest bowler I have ever faced”

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jan-20251:18

Manjrekar: ‘Bumrah, a bowler without a weakness’

Usman Khawaja came into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy not too worried about facing Jasprit Bumrah. In fact, Bumrah hadn’t been able to dismiss him across the seven Test innings they had faced each other previously, and the Australia opener reckoned the fast bowler gets easier to navigate as you play him more.But after six dismissals to the India fast bowler across eight innings where he faced him, Khawaja admitted he “was just getting Bumrah’ed”.Related

The Ashes gave Khawaja a 'fairy tale' but can he write another chapter?

Australia regain Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set up WTC final date with SA

Bumrah frustrated after missing out 'on the spiciest wicket of the series'

What did victory over India tell us about Australia's present and future?

“To be honest, I was just getting Bumrah-ed,” Khawaja told ABC Sport after Australia regained the BGT in Sydney. “It was friggin’ tough work. It was tough work. People were asking me ‘what’s going on?’ I’m being honest, I’m just getting Bumrah-ed.”Bumrah finished the series as the highest wicket-taker, with 32 scalps at an average of 13.06 and was duly named Player of the Series.He could bowl only nine innings though, and he couldn’t take the field during Australia’s chase at the SCG after experiencing back spasms during their first innings.In Bumrah’s absence, Australia sealed the win with six wickets to spare, and Khawaja admitted that Australia felt more confident on a spicy pitch when they saw that Bumrah wasn’t on the field.”You never want to see anyone injured and it’s a shame he was, but thank God for us. Because today would have been an absolute nightmare facing him on that wicket,” Khawaja said.”And you can see what a big part of their team he was. And everyone felt it. As soon as we didn’t see Bumrah out there, we had this sense of feeling that we’ve actually got a chance here.”Khawaja said Bumrah is “the toughest bowler I’ve ever faced” and hailed the fast bowler’s improvement from his first tour of Australia in 2018-19.”He was always good, he was a very good bowler [in 2018]. But he’s been something different this year,” Khawaja said. “It looked like he’s just got his tail up.”The wickets have definitely helped him, but he’s six years more mature, he’s a better bowler, he understands his skills. He understands who he’s bowling to and he has different plans for everyone.”I always feel like no matter how good a bowler is, they’ll always give me something to score off. I just never felt like I could score off him. It just felt so hard. I’ve never found someone so hard to score off and get off strike as Bumrah and you always feel like he’s got a wicket ball up his sleeve.”

Shuffled into middle order, Luke Wells finishes day on 78 not out as Lancashire take control

ECB Reporters Network18-Sep-2024Lancashire’s batters made title-chasing Somerset work for every wicket on the second day of the Vitality County Championship match at Old Trafford and had built a formidable 292-run lead at close of play.Josh Bohannon’s 60 and Luke Wells’ unbeaten 78 enabled the home side to finish on 298 for 7 in their second innings of a match both sides desperately need to win, Lancashire to preserve their hopes of avoiding relegation, Surrey to stay in touch with Surrey at the top of the table.The difference between the first day’s play and the second was immediately apparent during a morning session in which Lancashire scored 90 runs in 27 overs for the loss of only two wickets.On a pitch that had dried out and lost much of the greenness, bowlers had to work harder for their successes and the only batsman dismissed in the first hour was the nightwatchman, Will Williams, who was leg-before wicket to Craig Overton for 7 in the third over of the morning.Harry Singh then added 85 for the third wicket with Bohannon, who batted beautifully to make 60 off 76 balls. However, it was indicative of the problems Bohannon has encountered this season that his half-century was only his fourth innings over fifty in 22 Championship innings.None of which diminished Somerset’s joy in the penultimate over before lunch when Bohannon tried to pull a ball from Kasey Aldridge but only succeeded in diverting it via the toe of the bat to Tom Abell in the gully.On the resumption, Singh and Rocky Flintoff defied Lewis Gregory’s bowlers for 50 minutes until Singh thin-edged a catch to James Rew off Brett Randell to give the New Zealander his first wicket for Somerset.Singh had faced 142 balls during his 260-minute innings of 30 but his patient resistance was not copied by Matty Hurst, who hit three breezy fours in 19 runs before attempting to drive Randell and nicking a catch to Overton at second slip.In the next over, Flintoff was bowled by Jack Leach’s arm-ball for 27 but Well and George Bell saw their side through to 214 for 6 at tea, when Lancashire’s lead was 208. And on the resumption, Wells and Bell extended their seventh-wicket stand to 83 before Bell was bowled for 23 when trying to pull a ball from Gregory that kept low.Wells shifted down into the middle order for this match, having struggled in his usual opening role in recent weeks. Batting as low as No. 7 on account of Williams’ deployment as a nightwatchman, he went on to emulate Bohannon’s feat in passing fifty for only the fourth time this season but his strokeplay was impressive, most noticeably when he hit three off-side boundaries in one over from Gregory.And the day ended with Lancashire in the ascendant. Wells was unbeaten on 78 and Somerset’s fielders appeared aggrieved that George Balderson had not been adjudged run out on 5 when apparently run out by Overton’s throw from slip. The visitors had earlier been penalised five runs for fake fielding.