قرر الجهاز الفني لنادي بيراميدز بقيادة كرونسلاف يورنشيتش، خوض مباراة ودية، غدًا الأحد، استعدادًا لمواجهة كأس السوبر الإفريقي أمام نهضة بركان المغربي.
ومن المقرر أن يلعب بيراميدز مع نهضة بركان، يوم السبت 18 أكتوبر، للمنافسة على لقب كأس السوبر الإفريقي، على ملعب الدفاع الجوي بالقاهرة.
طالع | بيراميدز يكشف سبب غياب رمضان صبحي عن المباريات وحقيقة الإصابة المزمنة
ويخوض فريق نادي بيراميدز مباراة ودية غدًا الأحد، أمام نادي (وي) والذي يخوض مباريات دوري المحترفين، وتقام المباراة في تمام الخامسة من مساء الأحد على استاد الدفاع الجوي.
يذكر، أن بيراميدز كان قد تأهل إلي دور الـ 32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد الفوز على الجيش الرواندي بنتيجة 5-0 في مجموع مبارتي الذهاب والإياب في دور الـ 64.
Mumbai, the winners of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, haven’t made the knockouts
Shashank Kishore05-Jan-2025Mayank Agarawal slammed his fourth List A hundred in five innings as Karnataka entered the knockouts of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy along with defending champions Haryana, Punjab, Bengal and Tamil Nadu among others.Mumbai, the winners of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, haven’t made the knockouts after finishing third in Group C with five wins in seven games. Both their losses, to Karnataka and Punjab, deflated their campaign which they ended on a winning note on Sunday with teenaged opener Aayush Mhatre hitting an unbeaten 148 to seal victory over Saurashtra in a 290-run chase.Mhatre, who made his List A debut for Mumbai during the competition, finished as the side’s leading run-getter with 458 runs in seven innings, including two centuries and a half-century. The only other centurion for Mumbai was Shreyas Iyer, the captain, who also hit two centuries: an unbeaten 55-ball 114 in a losing cause against Karnataka and a match-winning 133-ball 137 not out against Puducherry.Related
The long-winding rise of Krishnan Shrijith
Karun Nair sets new List A record for most runs without being dismissed
Meanwhile, Punjab’s road to the knockouts was dotted with impressive batting performances that helped them rack up scores of 424 and 426 against Saurashtra and Hyderabad respectively. On Sunday, they scored 338 to win by 167 runs against Puducherry and finish the group stage with six wins in seven games. However, Karnataka by virtue of their one-wicket win over Punjab topped the group.That loss notwithstanding, Punjab finished as the best second-ranked team (in terms of points) from all five groups to earn a direct quarter-final berth. Their campaign has been spearheaded by wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, who has so far slammed three centuries: 150* vs Mumbai, 125 vs Saurashtra and 137 vs Hyderabad.Prabhsimran’s opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma has been particularly formidable. Against Saurashtra, they put on 298, the joint second-highest opening stand in the tournament history, equalling the record set by Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sudip Gharami in 2022. Abhishek, Punjab’s captain, hit a career-best 170, off just 96 balls, while Prabhsimran hit 125.Punjab’s scintillating run has also seen wholesome contributions from pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh, who sits atop the wicket-takers’ charts. Arshdeep’s 17 wickets in six games have come at an economy of 5.53, with a best of 5 for 38 against Mumbai.Elsewhere, Gujarat and Vidarbha were the only two teams to finish the group stage with an all-win record, while Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan Bengal are the only three teams (out of ten) to make the knockouts having lost two games.Gujarat’s campaign has been spearheaded by their fast-bowling pair of Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla, who are second and third on the wicket-taker’s charts while Vidarbha’s run comes on the back of Karun Nair’s record-breaking run of form: he has hit four hundreds in five innings.Nair holds the record for most List A runs without being dismissed. He’s currently second on the run charts with 542 runs, behind Agarawal’s tally of 613 in seven innings, which includes four hundreds and a half-century.Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts line-upPre-quarterfinals: Haryana vs Bengal, Rajasthan vs Tamil Nadu (both on January 9) Quarter-finals: Vidarbha vs Punjab, Karnataka vs Baroda (both on January 11); Gujarat vs winner of Haryana-Bengal, Maharashtra vs winner of Rajasthan-Tamil Nadu (both on January 12)Semifinals: January 15 and 16.Final: January 18
Nicolas Jackson brushed off Uli Hoeness' claim that his Bayern Munich move will never be permanent, turning his focus towards helping the team win.
Bayern chief rules out permanent transfer
Striker focused only on winning matches
Loan clause requires 40 starting appearances
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Senegal international Jackson has responded after Bayern’s honorary president Hoeness claimed his loan from Chelsea would never become permanent. Jackson joined Bayern on deadline day in a dramatic deal, paying a €16.5 million (£14m/$19m) for a loan fee with a €65m (£54m/$71m) conditional obligation to buy. The clause requires Jackson to start 40 games during the 2025-26 campaign, something Hoeness described as “impossible.”
Earlier in this week Hoeness said: “There will definitely not be a permanent contract. That only happens if he plays 40 games from the start, it will never happen.”
Jackson, who almost missed out on the move when Chelsea considered recalling him following Liam Delap’s injury, is now focused on proving himself in Bavaria after a whirlwind deadline-day switch.
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WHAT JACKSON SAID
The 24-year-old forward was asked directly about Hoeness’ comments and the 40-game clause, choosing to downplay the speculation. He told reporters: “Obviously I know he is a big legend for this club. I have a lot of respect for him. I know him since before. My job is just to play and help the team win games. The number of games isn't my focus. I want to achieve big things with the club.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While, Bayern’s move for Jackson highlighted both the urgency of their transfer strategy and the risks involved. The €16.5m loan fee was one of the highest in European football this summer, and the complex clause tied to 40 starting appearances has drawn scrutiny. Bayern believe it provides security, but Hoeness’ dismissal of any permanent deal casts early doubt on Jackson’s long-term future in Munich.
For Jackson, this represents a fresh chance to reboot his career after inconsistent spells at Chelsea. His ability to partner or rotate with Harry Kane, as well as offer cover on the flanks alongside Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, could prove invaluable for Vincent Kompany’s ambitious side. Bayern’s frontline already looks prolific with Kane, Olise and Díaz firing, but Jackson’s athleticism and versatility add another dimension.
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WHAT NEXT?
Jackson could make his Bayern debut this weekend when the Bavarians welcome Hamburg to the Allianz Arena in one of German football’s oldest and most storied fixtures. Whether he starts or comes off the bench remains uncertain, as Kompany may choose to ease him in gradually following his international duty with Senegal.
Tottenham are in the market for a new number 10, which has been made all the more imperative by James Maddison’s nightmare injury, and Thomas Frank is also in need of a replacement for club legend Son Heung-min.
It was a night of both beauty and heartbreak in Seoul last Sunday as Son bid adieu in what was his final ever appearance.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
The Seoul World Cup Stadium brimmed with 64,773 fans as he received a guard of honour from both Spurs and Newcastle players, before being subbed off in the 65th minute. Tears streamed down his face as he walked off, overwhelmed by chants, tributes and heartfelt ovations in his homeland.
The now-former Lilywhites captain, who helped to end Tottenham’s trophy drought whilst etching his name into folklore with 173 goals in 454 games, has arrived in Los Angeles after sealing a near-£20 million move to LAFC as per PA Media – drawing the curtain on an incredible last decade in north London.
In what was a major blow for Frank, the occasion was unfortunately somewhat marred by James Maddison’s horrific-looking knee injury. Maddison, having finally returned from a knee issue that kept him out of the Europa League final, entered the fray late only to collapse off the ball clutching that same knee.
He was stretchered off around seven minutes from full-time, later seen leaving the stadium on crutches, with Maddison now joining fellow chief creative outlet Dejan Kulusevski on the sidelines.
FFC Spurs – James Maddison
Kulusevski and Madders were Tottenham’s standout attacking outlets when fit and available last term, and Frank now faces the overwhelming headache of being without them both for the start of 2025/2026 – alongside the departed Son.
It makes signing a new attacker absolutely non-negotiable, and chairman Daniel Levy would ideally have at least one before they face off against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13.
Technical director Johan Lange has displayed a tendency to operate in silence, as we’ve seen previously with his out-of-nowhere moves for Wilson Odobert last summer and Morgan Gibbs-White this window, so the Dane may have something brewing.
Their deal for the latter unceremoniously failed in almost ‘Spursy’-like fashion, with Gibbs-White joining the likes of Paulo Dybala and Jack Grealish on Levy’s list of transfer near-misses.
Lange is still in the market for a new playmaker as a top priority for Tottenham, as per reliable media sources like Alasdair Gold, and GiveMeSport claim that they have registered an interest in Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
Tottenham given response as Levy eyes Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers
Rogers lit it up at Villa last season with his dynamic runs, direct dribbling and eye for goal – earning both their Young Player of the Season award and a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination.
The England international can operate on both the left-hand and right-hand sides, as well as in the 10 position, meaning he could step into both Maddison and Son’s shoes.
The 22-year-old’s 14 goals and 16 assists in all competitions were absolutely vital for Unai Emery, so much so that Villa are demanding around £100 million to let Rogers leave the Midlands before deadline day.
As per GMS, Tottenham are eyeing a move for Rogers, but Villa have responded to this with a ‘not for sale’ stance with London rivals Chelsea also thought to be admirers.
It would take Levy to completely smash the club’s transfer record to even get Villa talking, but time is running out for Spurs to sign a new playmaker and replacement for Son, so they’ll need to make a decision very soon.
The 49ers Enterprises and Leeds United are now weighing up a move to sign an “electric” £20 million Ligue 1 striker, according to a new report.
Leeds linked with multiple transfer targets
The Whites have already been very busy in the early stages of this summer transfer window, and they don’t look like they are going to stop anytime soon, as the club has eyes on multiple transfer targets ahead of the new Premier League season getting underway.
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El Hadji Malick Diouf is one player that Leeds are showing strong interest in signing this summer. The left-back is wanted by several Premier League teams, but could be on the way to West Ham, as Slavia Prague look to get around £21.6 million for his services.
Daniel Farke also wants to add more options to his midfield as well as his forward line, and according to a recent report, Leeds have submitted an enquiry to sign Joe Willock from Newcastle United to strengthen their midfield in discussions for Sean Longstaff. The Magpies are said to be open to the idea of selling the 25-year-old, despite him being a key player for the club in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, the Yorkshire side reportedly remain interested in a deal to sign Lecce centre-forward Nikola Krstovic and could be ready to make a new offer for the striker. However, Leeds face a hurdle, as Krstovic either wants to stay in Italy or play for a team in a European competition.
Leeds weighing up move to sign "electric" £20m+ Ligue 1 striker
Therefore, the Whites may have to look at alternative forward options, and according to TBR Football, Leeds are weighing up a move to sign Evann Guessand from French side OGC Nice.
Nice winger Evann Guessand
As well as Leeds, Sunderland and Brentford are also considering making an offer to sign the forward, who scored 12 goals in Ligue 1 last season. Fenerbahçe have also been linked with a move for the striker, but his intermediates have made contact with many clubs, as he is set to leave Nice this summer.
TBR Football also states that Leeds made contact with Guessand last month and that interest remains, as Guessand would be interested in a move to England as he looks for a new challenge. A previous report from Football Insider has stated that Nice are looking to get between £20 and £25 million for Guessand, who is under contract until 2028.
Apps
109
Goals
21
Assists
15
Guessand, who has been described as having “electric” pace by journalist Antonio Mango, produced his best tally of his career last season, as the 12 goals in Ligue 1 were far greater than the six he scored in the previous campaign. Guessand’s versatility in the forward line would make him a very useful addition for the Whites, as he can play on either the left or right-hand sides, as well as operate as a number 10 behind the striker.
Big Picture – Australia pose tough challenge for Namibia
A number of the so-called ‘big’ teams have found this tournament a struggle so far – the hopes of England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka hang by flimsy threads while New Zealand started poorly. But myAustralia, barring their small stumble early on against Oman, are tracking nicely after their resounding performance against England in Barbados.A win against Namibia will confirm their progression to the Super Eight ahead of their final group fixture with Scotland – a game that could yet be dripping with narrative – although they won’t want to leave anything to chance. A change of venue from Bridgetown to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua will bring with it the need to recalibrate to the conditions, but there appear very few holes in Mitchell Marsh’s team, with depth on the bench as well.Related
Australia punch and counterpunch to blow England away
Australia could rest players vs Scotland in potential Group B decider
The batting performance against England was a perfect team effort with a top score of 39 in a total of 201 with Glenn Maxwell’s strike-rate of 112 the lowest. Perhaps, if nitpicking, one of those scores being converted would have capped things off, but it also showed how a deep batting order can just keep on going once the platform has been laid as it was by David Warner and Travis Head.The only previous occasion these two teams have met in a full international (they played a warm-up game a couple of weeks ago) was at the 2003 ODI World Cup in South Africa. On that day, Glenn McGrath helped himself to figures of 7 for 15 which remain the best figures in that tournament.Namibia’s group stage is backended by the clashes against Australia and the under-pressure England. Their captain Gerhard Erasmus was left frustrated by the performance against Scotland where he thought his team had enough runs but were below their best in the field.
Form guide
(last five matches, most recent first) AustraliaWWWWW Namibia LW(Super Over)WWLAustralia have ticked plenty of boxes so far•ICC via Getty Images
In the spotlight: Adam Zampa and Bernard Scholtz
Adam Zampa is settling into the tournament very nicely after coming off a lengthy break following the Australian season. He has a brace of wickets from both outings and was one of the key differences against England when he claimed the dangerous Phil Salt with his first ball. He has developed into a white-ball great for Australia and is now just four wickets away from being their first men’s player to reach 100 T20I wickets.Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz has been incredibly tidy in Namibia’s first two outings and, along with the captain, was key to piling on the pressure against Scotland. He has 1 for 20 from both the matches, showing skilful variation of flight and pace, conceding just one four and one six across his eight overs. The prospect of taking on Australia’s heavy hitters will be a daunting one but they would be wise not to take him lightly.
Team news: Australia have an eye on their quicks
Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia would not be looking too far ahead and would pick their best XI rather than rotate players for this game, although that could come against Scotland should qualification be assured. However, he did leave the door ajar for some management of the quicks given the tight schedule ahead.Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh HazlewoodThe one change Namibia have made so far is JP Kotze for Michael van Lingen – both have made first-over ducks. The balance of their side has been knocked out of kilter somewhat by Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit being unable to bowl.Namibia (possible) 1 JP Kotze, 2 Nikolaas Davin, 3 Jan Frylinck, 4 Gerhard Erasmus (capt), 5 Malan Kruger, 6 Zane Green (wk), 7 David Wiese, 8 Ruben Trumpelmann, 9 JJ Smit, 10 Bernard Scholtz, 11 Tangeni Lungameni
Pitch and conditions
The early signs from Antigua’s first match was that it could be a quick-scoring venue as Scotland raced to their target against Oman. The breeze can play a significant factor at this ground. The forecast is for cloudy conditions but no major threat of rain.
Stats that matter
Although Australia have not played a full international against Namibia since 2003, Tim David faced them once during his Singapore days.
David Wiese faced Australia four times in T20Is during his South Africa career
The Scotland-Oman game was the first T20I at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium since 2021 – overall it has the second-lowest T20I batting strike-rate of all grounds in the Caribbean
Quotes
“Some time in the middle, it was a difficult surface outside the power play, [and a] challenge with spin. I think it ended up being 28 off 25 balls. But it was a significant innings in allowing the rest of the batting line-up to get where we wanted them to get to. So, albeit it wasn’t the dynamic innings that we’re used to with Glenn Maxwell, it was a different type of innings.””I think everyone’s been waiting a long time for these last two games against Australia and England. Two previous winners and that’s definitely the two teams you want to play and you want to sort of make a mark for yourself in those games.”
Manchester United have opened talks over the signing of a “fantastic” player, who is now a prime target, and they are making significant moves to get a deal done, according to a report.
Man Utd's summer rebuild now underway
The Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur once again underlined the need for Ruben Amorim to have a mass clear-out this summer, and the manager’s rebuild has now commenced, with Matheus Cunha becoming the first player to sign on the dotted line.
However, in order to re-shape his squad more significantly, Amorim may have to sanction some departures, and the manager was seen visibly laughing when questioned about Alejandro Garnacho’s future, amid widespread links to other clubs.
Andre Onana is another player who could be in the firing line, having failed to adapt to life in the Premier League, with Lyon’s Nemanja Matic famously dubbing him “one of the worst keepers in Manchester United history” back in April.
As such, United have been looking at replacements for Onana, and they are now stepping up their pursuit of AS Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, opening talks over a deal for the 25-year-old in the past week.
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That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states the Red Devils are now making significant moves to sign Svilar, who could be a low-cost replacement for Onana, with Roma likely to hold out for a fee of around £21m – £25m.
AS Roma'sMileSvilar
The Serbian would be keen on a move to Old Trafford, but there could be fierce competition for his signature, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and AS Monaco all monitoring the goalkeeper’s situation in Italy.
"Fantastic" Svilar now prime target for Man Utd
The Belgium-born shot-stopper is said to have been identified as a prime target for Man United this summer, and it is clear to see why, having averaged a very impressive save percentage and clean sheet percentage over the past year, when compared to other goalkeepers.
Mile Svilar Statistics
Average per 90
Save percentage
77.9% (94th percentile)
Goals against
0.96 (92nd percentile)
Clean sheet percentage
38% (86th percentile)
Not only that, but former manager Claudio Ranieri lauded the Serbia international for his performances during the 2024-25 campaign, saying: “Mile is having a fantastic season.
“When a goalkeeper is not very busy and is suddenly called into action, showing readiness at all times like Mile does, then it means that he is truly a great goalkeeper.”
It is clear that Onana will need to be replaced this summer, having performed very poorly over the past year, and Svilar could be a savvy signing at just £21m, freeing up funds to strengthen other areas of the squad.
Glasgow Rangers’ 2024/25 season is finally over. Truth be told, it was over once the Ibrox side were knocked out of the Europa League in April.
For Barry Ferguson, his interim spell at Rangers may have produced a few moments of magic, but he said his goodbyes following the 2-2 draw against Hibs at the weekend.
Now, the 49ers will be looking to bring in a new permanent manager ahead of pre-season. If they get the decision right, the Gers could challenge Celtic for domestic success next season.
Yet another wrong managerial appointment, however, and the club may have to get accustomed to finishing second in the Premiership.
Rangers interim managerBarryFergusonbefore the match
One thing the Light Blues haven’t done well over the years is selling their prized assets when the iron is hot.
This has seen plenty of big-name players leave the club for nothing, or for pennies, since Steven Gerrard departed in November 2021.
Rangers' financial mistakes in the transfer market
Giovanni van Bronckhorst may have sold Nathan Patterson, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey for big fees all within six months of each other but sadly, they have been rareities.
Indeed, these are the only significant sales the Ibrox side have made since returning to the top flight in 2016. Compare this to Celtic’s record in the market, and it is night and day.
Player
Year released
Borna Barisic
2024
Ryan Jack
2024
John Lundstram
2024
Kemar Roofe
2024
Jon McLaughlin
2024
Alfredo Morelos
2023
Ryan Kent
2023
Scott Arfield
2023
Alan McGregor
2023
Filip Helander
2023
Andy Firth
2022
Jack Simpson
2022
Leon Balogun
2022
Jake Hastie
2022
Via Transfermarkt
Two of the club’s biggest commodities – Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos – were somehow allowed to run down their contracts towards the end of the 2022/23 season.
At the time, Morelos was valued at €6m (£5m) and Kent €9m (£7.5m), meaning that if Rangers wished to cash in, they would have got a decent figure for either player.
This proved to be a costly financial decision. As did buying players such as Sam Lammers for £3m and Danilo for a reported fee of £6m. At the time of writing, the duo have only managed to score 14 goals between them.
Alfredo Morelos
Hopefully, new ownership means better decisions will be made in the transfer market. With new signings, money should be invested in younger talents who have the potential to generate massive profits in the next few years.
Regarding outgoings, players should be sold when they are at the peak of their powers, thus funding the arrival of more talent, meaning the cycle can continue.
While supporters don’t want to see the club’s best players leave Ibrox, sometimes it is necessary for further improvement.
With this in mind, the new manager could do worse than aim to receive a massive fee for striker Hamza Igamane, especially as he has caught the eye of clubs down south.
The latest on Hamza Igamane's Rangers future
The Moroccan centre-forward was certainly an unknown quantity when he arrived in Glasgow last summer.
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Nearly a year later, he has proved many people wrong, finishing the season with a tally of 16 goals and three assists. The youngster even gained his first senior cap for Morocco in the process.
The Europa League proved to be a happy hunting ground for the attacker, scoring four goas and grabbing an assist across ten games in the competition.
His effort against Tottenham Hotspur looked like it was enough for the Gers to seal all three points, but his performance did generate interest from the Premier League.
Indeed, it was reported after the game that Everton had sent scouts to monitor him against Spurs and were suitably impressed with his display.
Recently, French side Strasbourg have been linked with a move for the striker ahead of the summer transfer window.
Hamza Igamane
If Rangers do decide to sell, they must aim to get as big a fee as possible. Igamane won’t be the only player attracting attention in the summer, as Nicolas Raskin will be in high demand when the window opens.
Why it's the right time to sell Raskin
The Belgian midfielder returned from an injury that derailed his opening weeks of the campaign to emerge as one of the club’s best players.
Raskin was superb throughout the league campaign, managing to create nine big chances for his teammates, while averaging 1.3 key passes and succeeding with 68% of his dribbles per game.
Defensively, the midfielder was imperious, winning 6.6 total duels per game – a success rate of 66% – while also making 2.8 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and recovering 5.6 balls per match.
Operating from the heart of the midfield, Raskin’s abilities at both ends of the pitch have been on display for the Gers and this has attracted plenty of attention in securing his services this summer.
At the start of May, both Aston Villa and Leeds United were reportedly showing plenty of interest in bringing the former Standard Liege midfielder south of the border.
Not looking to repeat previous mistakes in the transfer market, the Light Blues have reportedly valued Raskin at around £20m, meaning they could generate a big profit on their initial £1.2m investment. If a club comes in with an offer of this magnitude, or perhaps even higher, then they must be ready to cash in.
Of course, he could get better, but right now, the iron is hot, and this money could be used to reinvest in the playing squad.
Raskin began to shine during Ferguson’s interim spell between February and the end of the season, leading journalist Scott Bradley to heap praise on the Belgian who said that Raskin “has been a different animal since Barry Ferguson has come in.”
A has a big future indeed, especially considering Premier League sides are keeping a close watch on him ahead of the transfer window opening.
Rangers simply have to sell players when they are just at the peak of their talents. It might not always be possible, but letting quality players run down their contracts isn’t going to work from now on.
Igamane and Raskin are two prized jewels in this current Rangers squad. If the new manager is able to get £40m or more both, it would certainly be considered excellent business.
Not just Butland: Rangers flop may have played his last game at Ibrox
Several Rangers players wont be at the club next season after the 2-2 draw with Hibs.
Spread across 40-plus acres and with a capacity of 33,000, the ground is expected to host five of Kings’ seven games
Nagraj Gollapudi22-Mar-2024March 23 will be a significant day for Rishabh Pant. On Saturday, he is set to play his first competitive match after surviving a horrific car crash in December 2022 and will lead Delhi Capitals in their IPL opener in an away match against Punjab Kings. Pant’s return will happen at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, which is located in the village of Mullanpur (pronounced with ‘n’ silent), on the outskirts of Chandigarh, and is the new home base of Punjab franchise.Yadavindra Singh, who played a solitary Test for India in 1934, was the son of Maharaja of Patiala – Bhupendrasingh Rajendrasingh, who donated the Ranji Trophy, in honour of KS Ranjitsinhji, in 1933. However, the venue is popularly known as just Mullanpur or New PCA stadium.The Mullanpur venue, which in the last year received clearances from BCCI and ICC to host international matches, is expected to host five of Punjab’s seven home matches. Owned by the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the approximately 33,000-seat ground is about 45-minute drive north of Mohali in northern Indian state of Punjab.Related
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Planned around 2010 by IS Bindra, former PCA and BCCI president, the Mullanpur venue has been in the making for several years after building works commenced in 2017. It was meant to be opened by 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic was among several other reasons behind the delay. While it has already hosted several domestic matches since 2021, including Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (23 matches in last two seasons) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (five in 2021-22 season) as well as one Ranji Trophy match this January, the venue will be officially inaugurated on Saturday.Incidentally, Bindra’s other brainchild, the eponymous IS Bindra stadium in Mohali, was the original all-stop cricket destination in Punjab. That venue, which is still functional, was a pioneer of modern cricket grounds in India when it opened in 1992. Low-level open-air seating, complemented with pace-friendly pitches prepared by former BCCI chief curator Daljit Singh had made cricket at Mohali an enjoyable experience.However, that ground, which housed 25,000 spectators and hosted several memorable matches, both bilateral and World Cup including the India-Pakistan semi-final in the 2011 World Cup, and individual records like Sachin Tendulkar overtaking Brian Lara as Test cricket’s leading run-maker in 2009, faced a few significant challenges on match days.Based in a residential area, crowd management and traffic control were a huge hurdle. Crowds were asked to walk for a couple kilometres at times to get an entry while their vehicles were parked roadside, thus creating a traffic snarl. The other big issue was that the old ground is located close to the airport. Consequently, the floodlights in IS Bindra stadium were positioned low to ensure they didn’t obstruct flights which frequently droned overhead during live cricket.Significantly, the low floodlights – which were 18 in total (due to low luminosity) – led to fielders being blinded while attempting high catches. The Mullanpur venue doesn’t have any such deterrents. With an expansive parking space that can accommodate over 1500 vehicles, the ground is located adjacent to the Baddi highway which PCA officials say is an easy drive from Chandigarh airport and some of the neighbouring cities – including Delhi, which is a three-plus-hour drive on clear-traffic days – as well as some of the towns in the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh.A cloud of dust trails you as you ride along the unpaved path leading to the ground. Unfinished road and construction work remains an eyesore both outside and inside the venue, but you can expect a finished product come the 2025 season.The size difference between Mohali and Mullanpur grounds is easily evident: while the former is spread across about 14 acres, this new venue is built on a 40-plus acres of what was originally a farm land. Acres of wheat gleams in the afternoon sun, ripe for harvest during Baisakhi, which is a festival celebrated in Punjab in mid-April.As you enter the ground, you immediately get the vibes of being inside a football stadium in England. It is an open-air ground right now which, according to PCA secretary Dilsher Khanna, will have canopies ready by 2025 IPL season. It begs the question: what happens to fans during peak summer in afternoon matches?Currently in the first set of the schedule released by the IPL, Mullanpur is hosting a solitary afternoon match – on Saturday. The spectator stands climb to three tiers with the walking terrace around the rim of the ground. The lower tier is designed close to ground level allowing the fan an intimate view of the field. Khanna boasts about the venue having 49 corporate boxes, probably the highest at Indian cricket grounds, which he says will allow “premium vision”.The ground is expected to host five of Kings’ seven matches•Nagraj Gollapudi/ESPNcricinfo LtdPlayers have to walk about 44 steps and down a fibreglass-covered ramp to get to the ground. The standout bit about the dressing room, which is housed in the Harbhajan Singh Pavilion, is the wide open terrace outside the change rooms which have a side-on view of the pitch. The artificial turf mat covering the floor of the terrace, which runs across both dressing rooms, is wide enough for players to engage in a throwdown.On Wednesday, when Capitals came for their first practice session, which was optional, the ground sparkled under the six towering floodlights. Ricky Ponting, Capitals’ head coach, twinkle-toed to test the two middle pitches of the overall seven. There are seven more on the B ground along with 11 practice pitches. However, the square where they are housed is not completely ready yet so both teams have been training on the four pitches in the main square.Just like the IS Bindra stadium, which was among the leading fast-scoring grounds in previous editions of IPL, Mullanpur pitches have also been batter friendly. In the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (India’s domestic T20 competition), Mullanpur ranked fourth on the list of venues with highest overall run rates at 8.51 with a cut-off of five matches. IS Bindra was second at 8.87.Punjab Kings will hope that their fortunes change at their new home base following a poor home record at the IS Bindra, where they won just one out of the five home games in 2023 IPL.On Wednesday, the franchise conducted the traditional pooja [prayer] for a prosperous season on the field. PCA’s chief curator Rakesh Kumar is hopeful about the new venue’s prospects, “I wish the opening ceremony happens next IPL in Mullanpur. For that Punjab need to win the IPL.”Saturday is indeed a big day, not just for Pant but also for cricket in Mullanpur as a whole.
With big players sitting out the South Africa series, here’s a chance for others to answer key questions and stake a claim for a ticket to Australia
Hemant Brar06-Jun-2022India turn their focus on preparations for the T20 World Cup, to be held in Australia in October-November, with the five-match T20I series against South Africa starting on Thursday. With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah being rested, it’s a chance for some of the back-ups to stake their claims.One big conundrum India face is fitting Dinesh Karthik in the XI, but that is a discussion on its own. Here are a few other questions that need answering.Related
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Who fits into the open middle-order slot?
Only one spot is up for grabs in India’s middle order. But it’s like a government job opening in the country – there are way more candidates than positions to be filled.First, there is Shreyas Iyer who destroyed Sri Lanka with 57* off 28, 74* off 44 and 73* off 45 before the IPL. All those runs came from No. 3, a slot Iyer feels is best for him. But in all likelihood Kohli, his current form notwithstanding, will bat there at the World Cup. Iyer has done equally well at No. 4 too in the past, so it’s not like he cannot bat lower down the order. The only thing is he prefers to take his time to settle in, something he would need to work on.The next candidate is Deepak Hooda, fresh from his best IPL ever with 451 runs at a strike rate of 136.66. More importantly, he batted everywhere from No. 3 to No. 6 with equal ease. Another thing that goes in his favour is he can also chip in with the ball if need be.Then there is Suryakumar Yadav, currently out of the side with a forearm injury but a 360-degree batter who can attack from the get-go. With Rahul Tripathi and Sanju Samson also knocking on the door, this series is a golden opportunity for Iyer and Hooda to make their case.ESPNcricinfo LtdWho is the second spinner?
With 27 wickets in IPL 2022, Yuzvendra Chahal confirmed his status as India’s No. 1 T20I spinner, but the second spinner’s slot is not yet sealed. A year ago, Ravindra Jadeja would have walked into that role, but a below-par IPL followed by an injury has opened the door for others.In Axar Patel, India have a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja. Axar can bowl four overs regularly, score quick runs in lower middle order and is an excellent fielder. But like Jadeja, he is not a wicket-taking bowler and spins the ball in the same direction as Chahal. The latter could be a problem against a side with multiple left-hand batters.That’s where Kuldeep Yadav comes in. An attacking wristspinner, Kuldeep appears to have found his rhythm again after a few tweaks to his action. He also spins the ball away from left-hand batters, complementing Chahal.Ravi Bishnoi is another contender, bringing along quick googlies, sliders and legbreaks. He made a good first impression during the West Indies series in February 2022 but remains a work in progress.Which version of Ishan Kishan will turn up?•BCCIWill India find their back-up opener?
India’s search for a back-up opener for Rohit and KL Rahul is still on. For the 2021 T20 World Cup, the selectors had picked Ishan Kishan for that role, saying he could also bat in the middle order if required. That he bats left-handed was seen as an “important” quality, and his wicketkeeping was a bonus.However, his current form flatters to deceive. In IPL 2022, he did score 418 runs but at a strike rate of just 120.11. And if Karthik makes it to the World Cup squad, India will not need a third keeper with Rahul also available to keep.As an opener, Kishan faces stiff competition from Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Kishan is seen as an aggressor, Gaikwad is more of an anchor. Gaikwad didn’t have a great IPL, but he showed glimpses of occasional brilliance. The South Africa series will give both batters another chance to impress.Who will win the race among the fast men?
With Bumrah not in the squad, there are likely to be plenty of opportunities for those next in line.At his best, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is among the top seamers in the world. He had a decent IPL, but India would want him to display consistency and potency. In the absence of Mohammed Shami and Deepak Chahar, he can make great strides towards being India’s preferred new-ball bowler. Not to forget, he can be as good as anyone in the death overs as well.From the new crop, there’s Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh. Both had head-turning IPL seasons. Malik set the stage alight with his pace and emerged as the middle-overs enforcer for Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking 22 wickets in 14 games.Arshdeep relied on his consistency to keep batters quiet at the death. He had only ten wickets from 14 games but his death-overs economy of 7.58 was second only to Bumrah’s 7.38 (min. ten overs). For both Umran and him, it will be about replicating their IPL success at the international level if the opportunity presents itself.Between new and old is Avesh Khan. He has been around the team for a while now but made his T20I debut only earlier this year. Unlike Umran and Arshdeep, he can bowl in all phases of the innings. Essentially, India are spoilt for choice in the fast-bowling department.