ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-2016When Jos Buttler bagged a duck on IPL debut, Mumbai had slid to 30 for 4 in five overs•BCCIM Ashwin, the other debutant, however, enjoyed a memorable match. The legspinner returned figures of 1 for 16 in four overs•BCCIAmbati Rayudu, Mumbai’s No. 5, was the first batsman to get to double figures, and made 22 off 27 balls•BCCIBut it was Harbhajan Singh who turned things around with his unbeaten 30-ball 45 that took Mumbai to 121 for 8•BCCIMitchell Marsh was Supergiants’ best bowler with 2 for 21 from four overs•BCCIAjinkya Rahane gave Supergiants a fluent start to their chase of 122•BCCIFaf du Plessis contributed with a 33-ball 34, with one four and three sixes•BCCIHarbhajan broke the 78-run opening stand when he bowled du Plessis in the 10th over•BCCIBut Kevin Pietersen responded by hitting Harbhajan for two big sixes•BCCIRahane finished with 66 not out off 42 balls as Supergiants cruised to victory with nine wickets and 32 balls to spare•BCCI

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino： O projeto ‘Todas em Campo’ está convocando o público a montar o elenco de jogadoras que estará presente no primeiro jogo das estrelas do futebol feminino brasileiro. Durante todo o mês de setembro, a votação popular que escolherá as melhores jogadoras das séries A1 e A2 do Brasileirão de futebol feminino estará no ar no site do projeto.

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da pinnacle：
Lá, os fãs poderão montar sua seleção com 124 atletas de 17 equipes diferentes. As mais votadas, respeitando o limite de três por time, serão as ‘convocadas’ para a partida festiva, que será realizada em dezembro, em data ainda a ser confirmada, na Arena Barueri, em São Paulo.

+Janela europeia fechada! Veja os 20 clubes que mais gastaram no período

Com patrocínio do Banco do Brasil e realização da Eleven Sports, maior plataforma de streaming esportivo do mundo, o projeto “Todas em campo” foi lançado no início de julho. A iniciativa tem como principal ação o inédito ‘jogo das estrelas’ de futebol feminino e espera promover uma grande festa, à altura do que a modalidade merece.

O resultado com a votação popular que elegerá os times que disputarão o inédito jogo das estrelas do futebol feminino brasileiro sairá no dia 01 de outubro. Além disso, os organizadores esperam divulgar em breve data e horário para o confronto festivo. O que já está definido é a entrada gratuita do público.

The batter feels the attack-first mantra he has now instilled in his Test-match batting puts him in a better position defensively

Andrew McGlashan25-Feb-2023Travis Head had “robust” conversations with Australia’s selectors after he was surprisingly dropped for the opening Test in India but believes he has shown he can find success in challenging conditions amid a hasty switch to opening the batting.Head was left out in Nagpur despite a prolific home summer based on his poor returns in Pakistan and Sri Lanka last year. He admitted that having worked hard to adapt his game ahead of the tour, he was shocked by the decision but swiftly returned to the side in Delhi albeit the reasoning was curiously linked as much to his bowling as batting.”The conversations were robust, I guess, and everyone has different opinions,” Head said. “But I respect the coaching staff and selectors. I have a really strong relationship with them so think that’s what made the conversations the way they went because there’s respect both ways and we are able to voice our opinions.Related

• Points to ponder – what Australia need to do to revive a flagging campaign

• Head recalled for bowling ability, Kuhnemann leapfrogs Agar

• Head-less Australia's horses-for-courses approach backfires

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• Cummins to miss third Test against India after remaining home

“It’s something I didn’t expect coming here, but sometimes that happens and thought I was able to go through that week and prepare myself for another chance… Now it’s making the most of that.”Head made 12 in the first innings in Delhi before edging Mohammed Shami to slip and then produced a sparkling 43 when he opened in place of the concussed David Warner. It was an innings that had put Australia ahead in the game, only for things to come crashing down on the third morning after Head edged R Ashwin.Head’s outstanding form at home – where he has averaged 73.50 over the last two seasons – has come with a blistering approach which has seen him strike at 91.20. He struggled to replicate that in the subcontinent last year, going at 48.40 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but was encouraged by the way he was able to counter Ashwin in Delhi where he scored at better than a run-a-ball against him during the second evening flurry.”I was pleased with the way I was going forward and back, watching length, and a few things I’ve worked on,” Head said of his innings. “It was a small sample piece but over here small sample pieces can be a little bit of gold to hopefully push forward for the next two Tests.”Felt like the way I played the other day was a step forward in that direction. Would have loved to have done it in the previous series, but that’s development, that’s understanding, that’s watching other teams go about it and other players and trying to learn on the go with not much experience in the subcontinent.”Head feels the attack-first mantra that is now instilled in his Test-match batting also puts him in a better position defensively and it was not being able to commit to that philosophy that brought his downfall on earlier tours.”[In] Sri Lanka, especially, when it was more spin-friendly than Pakistan, I found myself sitting on the crease a little bit and probably looking more to defend and waiting to attack, whereas here I’ve come with the approach that I want to attack first and defend second,” he said. “When I do that, and I’ve found it in Australia, my feet move better and I’m in better positions.”With Warner having been ruled out of the final two Tests, Head is all but certain to continue to open the batting in Indore next week. While Warner was defiant about his own future when he returned to Australia, it is far from guaranteed he will have the opportunity to resume his Test career in the World Test Championship final – should Australia qualify – and the Ashes.Whether Head is a viable long-term option remains to be seen – he appears inked in as the ODI opener heading towards the 2023 World Cup – but having been jolted by his omission in the first Test, he is more determined than ever to make himself valuable in any role.”Honestly, after missing out in the first Test, I would bat anywhere the team needed me to get a game. I’ve always said that. I didn’t come here expecting to open the batting last innings but whether it’s opening or No. 5, I’ve got to find a way in both of them if needed for the team.”Australia had a final training session in Delhi on Saturday before flying to Indore, which was hurriedly handed the third Test in place of Dharamsala. Mitchell Starc is expected to return to replace absent captain Pat Cummins who has remained in Australia with his seriously ill mother while Cameron Green will also be back from injury.

Neser became the sixth player to score 2000 runs and take 200 wickets in first-class cricket for Queensland after starring in an innings win over Victoria

AAP11-Nov-2022Queensland allrounder Michael Neser joined an exclusive club that has scored 2000 runs and taken 200 wickets for the state as he starred in an innings and 10-run win over Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.Neser took 5 for 48 in Victoria’s second innings of 132 after he claimed 4 for 22 in the first innings when the visitors made just 63 at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field. The 32-year-old also made 31 in Queensland’s first innings of 205.The match was over inside two days. The Bulls resumed on day two at 6 for 130 in reply to Victoria’s paltry total. Gurinder Sandhu and Mitchell Swepson added 69 for the last wicket to give Queensland a 142-run first-innings lead.Victoria’s bowlers had earlier given their side a glimmer of hope, with Test paceman Scott Boland and fellow quicks Cameron McClure and Will Sutherland chipping in with three wickets each.Neser, who played one Test for Australia against England last summer, then cut a swathe through the Victorian top order with only Sutherland offering any resistance.During the match, Neser became the sixth Queenslander to score 2000 runs and take 200 wickets in first-class cricket while playing for the state. He now has 2013 runs and 207 wickets at that level. He joined Ron Oxenham, Trevor Hohns, James Hopes, Ashley Noffke and his mentor and Bulls bowling coach Andy Bichel.”It’s an awesome achievement for myself. I am honoured to be a part of that group,” Neser told AAP.”Bichel has played a huge role in my career from the start as a great bowling coach and mentor in general. He is a role model I’ve looked up to as a kid.”Queensland have had some great bowling duos with Bichel and Michael Kasprowicz and Carl Rackemann and Craig McDermott among them.Neser now has 24 wickets in four Shield games this summer and his bowling partner Mark Steketee has 23. Both will play for the Prime Minister’s XI against West Indies in Canberra from November 23.”Me and Stek [Steketee] have gelled the last couple of years and bowl well in partnerships,” Neser said.”We haven’t gone for many runs the last couple of years and build pressure that way.”I’m not sure how Manuka Oval will play but it is a pink-ball game and hopefully me and Stek can swing it around.”Until the end of my career, I will always want to be playing for Australia. Hopefully, I can get another shot [in Test cricket] if the stars align.”Queensland’s win took them to the top of the Sheffield Shield ladder.

Manchester United stunned rivals Manchester City with a late comeback to give United their first win at the Etihad since 2021.

Late strikes from Bruno Fernandes from the spot and an extraordinary last-minute winner from Amad Diallo were enough to hand Ruben Amorim his first three points away from Old Trafford in the Premier League as Man United boss and provide a much-needed morale boost before the busy festive period.

A lot of the pre-match discussions were around the surprise omissions of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the Man United matchday squad.

Boss Amorim explained to Sky Sports that the pair missed the game due to ‘selection reasons rather than injury or illness’ sparking doubts over Rashford’s future at the club in particular.

Rashford struggling for form at United

Following his omission from the squad against Man City, Rashford has only started three games under new manager Amorim scoring only four times in the league all season.

It has led to speculation that Man United are searching for a new striker and, according to CaughtOffside, United are showing interest in Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

A signing like Osimhen could limit Rashford’s game time even more at the club, as the England international has struggled to replicate his scintillating form from the 22/23 season, where he scored 17 times in the Premier League and was part of England’s World Cup squad.

Since 22/23, Rashford has slowly declined in a lot of key attacking metrics at United, something that new boss Amorim has quickly picked up on.

Goals

0.53

0.28

0.37

Assists

0.16

0.08

0.09

Progressive passes

2.75

2.58

1.93

Shots

3.38

2.38

1.47

Expected goals

15.4

7.4

1.7

Pass completion

76.7%

75.3%

73.8%

Successful take-ons

54

48

9

Not only is the attacker decreasing in goals and assists output, but his creativity from open play seems to be suffering from a lack of confidence too. The England forward has declined in pass completion, successful take ons and the number of shots per 90 minutes.

With the January transfer window being notoriously difficult to get big deals like Osimhen over the line, United may struggle to replace Rashford in the current season. It may force Amorim to look to the academy for fresh impetus.

The Man Utd teen who could replace Rashford

Shea Lacey is a name hot on the lips of many inside Carrington and recently signed his first professional contract at Man United.

The young forward, who can play on either wing or behind the striker, has impressed so far in his appearances for the U18 side and has already been dubbed as the ‘new Phil Foden’ by Planet Sport, such is his huge potential. Why? Well, as talent scout Jacek Kulig alluded to, the teen has “incredible quality in tight spaces.”

Lacey has been struggling with injury at the start of this season but has already registered an assist in his four appearances so far.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

It was his form last season, however, that really caught the eye of Manchester United followers and sparked hope that he could be the next Carrington arrival bursting into the first-team squad.

U18 Premier League

7

2

3

UEFA Youth League

3

0

1

While it is early days in the career of Lacey, the above statistics prove he has an eye for goal and can create opportunities for his teammates.

If Rashford does make the move away from Old Trafford, his replacement may not have to cost a penny and yet another Carrington superstar could be about to emerge.

Forget Amad: 8/10 Man United star was "monstrous" against Man City

Manchester United secured a famous late win at the Etihad on Sunday.

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 15, 2024

Interim Southampton manager Simon Rusk would have been pleased with his team’s efforts in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night, even as Arne Slot’s Liverpool picked up a victory on the South Coast.

It wasn’t a complete stroll for the Reds when travelling to St. Mary’s, in a game they might have been expecting to cruise by in after Southampton’s recent 5-0 loss on their own patch to Tottenham Hotspur, but the table-topping side in the Premier League had to make do with a slim 2-1 win instead.

In particular, Rusk’s Saints will latch onto their second-half display for many a positive, with Cameron Archer scoring his side’s only goal of the night to boost his confidence.

Standout Saints performers vs Liverpool

Archer would gift the hosts some hope that they could get back into the EFL Cup contest, after Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott had combined for a quickfire first-half double.

That is the former Aston Villa’s man fifth strike in all competitions for his lowly side, and this is very much the pick of the bunch, as the Southampton number 19 was gifted time to take on various different Liverpool shirts before curling a fine effort home.

Away from the 23-year-old making Liverpool worry slightly, the likes of recently capped England senior international Taylor Harwood-Bellis also stood out, with the young centre-back winning 100% of his duels even when facing off against the aforementioned menace that is Nunez.

Rusk would have also been pleased by a second-half cameo from Yukinara Sugawara too, who completed three key passes from just 29 minutes of action, but another star shone bright for the Saints even with the level of opposition they were up against.

Fernandes' performance in numbers

Mateus Fernandes is one individual the new Saints manager – whenever Rusk steps down – will surely want to keep around the first team picture, after putting in another encouraging display for his new club.

Deployed down the left channel for this mid-week clash, the Portuguese midfielder was energetic and brave for his team when going in for duels and tackles in an intense second-half showing, whilst also being a threat when launching forward on occasion.

Stat

Fernandes

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

53

Accurate passes

18/29 (62%)

Key passes

2

Big chances created

1

Interceptions

2

Tackles

4

Total duels won

8/10

In keeping with his team’s lively second-half display, Fernandes would win eight duels and complete four tackles, whilst also proving himself to be a competent performer in attack when his passes weren’t wayward, with two key passes tallied up. It is no surprise that analyst Ben Mattinson previously lauded his “exceptional ability to play perfectly weighted through balls”.

The wide-eyed 20-year-old would also be involved in a major moment of controversy near the close of the EFL Cup clash, as he raced through on goal to try and equalise, only for Jarell Quansah to bring him down in what looked to be an obvious foul.

On another night, the Liverpool number 78 could have been sent off for his recklessness, but referee Simon Hooper would give nothing to the bemusement of the disgruntled home crowd and the agitated Southampton players.

As much as that would sour proceedings, Fernandes would have still been pleased with his efforts come full-time, with Daily Echo journalist George Rees-Julian gifting the former Sporting man a high 7/10 rating after the game, conceding that he was ‘robbed’ of a great chance at the end across a spirited outing.

He will hope he can stake a claim for more first-team opportunities moving forward, therefore, having already picked up 13 starts back in the Premier League under ex-boss Russell Martin.

Based off his display on Wednesday night against one of the top-flight’s most intimidating outfits, he should be given plenty more games in the division under the next regime.

Forget Corberan: Southampton want Martin upgrade who's a "fantastic coach"

Southampton could look to appoint this bold fresh face as Russell Martin’s replacement.

ByKelan Sarson Dec 17, 2024

Desperately searching for the reinforcements that could result in Premier League survival, Southampton have reportedly been handed a fresh price-tag boost in pursuit of a Bundesliga talent.

Southampton transfer news

Sat rock bottom and five points adrift of safety, things couldn’t be much more bleak for Southampton as a hectic festive period approaches to potentially compile their misery. Russell Martin’s side came ever so close to causing a major upset against league leaders Liverpool, only for Mohamed Salah to drag the Reds to victory as he so often does. The performance, however, is certainly one that the Saints should build on.

When the January transfer window does arrive, meanwhile, those at St Mary’s must hope that the situation is salvageable enough for reinforcements to make a much-needed impact, with the likes of Vasco De Gama’s Rayan and even Real Madrid’s Endrick already linked to Southampton ahead of 2025.

Endrick could be a particularly sensational arrival on loan from the La Liga giants. If anyone’s got the quality to sharpen the Saints’ attack, it is a Real Madrid gem. But he’s not the only attacking reinforcement to have been mentioned as of late.

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Southampton have now been dealt a fresh price boost in pursuit of Romano Schmid, whose agent is now pushing for a move away from Werder Bremen. The Bundesliga side will now reportedly accept an offer lower than £10m to potentially hand the Saints a bargain deal if they manage to fend off interest from both Fulham and Aston Villa.

Southampton make first enquiry to sign "powerful" £15m player in January

Southampton’s hierarchy have made a move to sign a player who has been linked with a switch to the Premier League before.

1

By
Brett Worthington

Nov 21, 2024

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Schmid can also play off the left-hand side and in a deeper central midfield role in what would offer Martin some welcomed versatility at the heart of his side.

"Talented" Schmid can form Dibling partnership

By completing a move to Southampton, Schmid could have the chance to form a partnership with one of the Premier League’s most exciting young talents in Tyler Dibling. The winger caused Liverpool all sorts of problems and with a player of Schmid’s calibre next to him, Dibling may thrive even further to potentially fire the Saints to safety.

Impressing in the previous campaign, scoring four goals and assisting another seven in all competitions, Schmid’s rise is one that Werder Bremen saw coming since securing his signature at 18 years old.

Instantly praising the midfielder, Werder Bremen sporting director Frank Baumann told the club’s website after welcoming Schmid: “Romano is a talented player, who’s received really good training, originally in Graz and then in Salzburg. We’re delighted to be able to secure his services.”

Now 24 years old, Schmid looks destined to leave the Bundesliga club with his agent reportedly pushing for an exit ahead of 2025. In what would be his biggest move yet, the Austrian could swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League and the chance to play a pivotal part in keeping Southampton afloat in England’s top flight.

Stats highlights from the SSC where 15 wickets fell on the third day of the third Test between Sri Lanka and India

Shiva Jayaraman30-Aug-20152001 Last time an India fast bowler before Ishant Sharma took a five-for in Tests in Sri Lanka. Venkatesh Prasad had returns of 5 for 72 in the second innings of the Kandy Test in 2001. Ishant’s 5 for 54 are the best bowling figures by an India pacer in Sri Lanka and only the fourth five-wicket haul by an Indian in Sri Lanka4 Five-wicket hauls by Ishant in 12 Tests since 2014; in 53 Tests before 2014, Ishant had taken only three five-fors. Since 2014, he has taken 48 wickets at an average of 30.95 and a strike rate of 53.0. He had taken 149 wickets at 38.81 before that and had a strike rate of 69.7.154 Runs conceded by India to Sri Lanka’s last five wickets after they had reduced the hosts to 47 for 5 in their first innings. Including this innings, the last five times India have had their opposition 5 wickets down for less than 100 runs, they have allowed more than 100 runs for the last-five wickets each time – 586 and 108 v New Zealand in Wellington, and 272 and 123 versus Sri Lanka in the Galle Test.15 Wickets that fell on the third day of this Test – equal the third highest in a day’s play at the SSC. In a Test between the hosts and England in 2001, 22 wickets fell on the third day, which are the most in a day at this venue. In the last Test as well at this venue, 15 wickets fell on the fourth day’s play.3 Number of India batsmen to carry their bat before Cheteshwar Pujara in India’s first innings. The first India batsmen to do it was Sunil Gavaskar against Pakistan in Faisalabad in 1983. Virender Sehwag did it against Sri Lanka, in Galle in 2008. The last one to do it was Rahul Dravid at the Oval in 2011. Click here for a list of batsmen who have carried their bat in Tests. Pujara followed up his first innings effort with a duck in the second innings thus becoming only the fourth batsmen to carry the bat in one innings and get out for a duck in the other innings of a Test. Bill Woodfull of Australia was the first, in the first Ashes Test in 1928-29. Geoff Boycott remained unbeaten on 99 in the second innings after getting a duck in the first in Perth in 1979-80. The last such instance was Saeed Anwar’s 0 and 188 in the Kolkata Test in 1999.6.36 Average runs scored by opening partnerships in this series – the second lowest in a series with ten or more innings. Sri Lanka and India’s first wickets have totally made just 70 runs from 11 innings with a highest stand of 15 between Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva in the first innings in Galle.6 Number of times Pujara has batted on to make at least 135 runs out of his seven Test centuries, including his unbeaten 145 in India’s first innings. The only time he didn’t do that was against West Indies in Mumbai in 2013 when he got out for 113.8 Number of single-digit scores by Sri Lanka’s openers out of ten innings in this series. The three openers played by Sri Lanka so far have together scored 120 runs at an average 12 and a highest of 51 by Kaushal Silva in the second innings at P Sara Oval.1970 The last time three different openers made centuries in a series for any team before Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Pujara for India in this series. John Edrich, Geoff Boycott and Brian Luckhurst had made hundreds as openers for England in the 1970-71 Ashes. Including the latest instance by India, this has happened only five times.5 Number of Sri Lanka wicketkeepers to hit a fifty-plus score on debut before Kusal Perera in this Test. Including Perera Sri Lanka’s last-three wicketkeepers have made at least a fifty on debut. Niroshan Dickwella and Dinesh Chandimal – Sri Lanka’s previous two wicketkeepers – had also made fifty-plus scores on debut.49 Runs by Rangana Herath in Sri Lanka’s first innings – the highest by a Sri Lanka No. 9 batsman at the SSC. The previous highest was Upul Chandana’s 40 against South Africa in 2004. Herath fell one run short of what would have been only the fourth fifty by a No. 9 on this ground. Amit Mishra had made 59 – the highest by a No. 9 at this venue – in India’s first innings in this Test.108 Runs by No. 9 batsmen in this Test – the second highest in Tests between Sri Lanka and India with two more innings possible in the match. Ajit Agarkar and Malinga Bandara had together scored 113 runs in the Ahmedabad Test in 2005, the highest by No. 9 batsmen in Tests between the two teams.

A Manchester United player who endured an awful night against Newcastle United has now agreed to leave the club in the January transfer window, according to a new update.

Another terrible night for Man Utd

It was another grim evening for the Red Devils on Monday, as they were soundly beaten 2-0 by the Magpies in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford. While the second half performance was better than a woeful opening 45 minutes, that was due in part to the visitors simply taking their foot off the gas.

It has been a sobering start to life as United head coach for Ruben Amorim, who will now be more aware than ever of what a huge job he has on his hands. He has a squad that gradually needs to be gutted, with too many individuals way off the pace this season.

In midfield, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen look like shadows of the players they used to be, while Joshua Zirkzee was substituted before half-time on Monday evening, such was his ineffective nature leading the line.

Fortunately for Amorim, January offers United a chance to make new signings, and while it remains to be seen how many fresh faces will come in, the squad badly needs reinforcements of some kind, not least to ensure the Red Devils don’t become embroiled in an embarrassing Premier League relegation battle.

Man Utd star "agrees to leave" in January

According to UOL [via Sport Witness], Casemiro has agreed to leave Manchester United and quit the club in the January window, with a move to Saudi Arabia in the offing. PIF are “determined” to bring him to one of the Saudi Pro League clubs that they own, with the Brazilian deciding he wants to leave.

The £350,000-a-week-earning Casemiro simply has to seal a move away from United, having drifted well past his peak at this point in his career.

Forget Zirkzee: £57m Man Utd dud has become even "worse" under Amorim

Manchester United fell to a fourth straight defeat under boss Ruben Amorim last night.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 31, 2024

The 32-year-old has had a wonderful career, especially at Real Madrid, enjoying so much Champions League success, and he was also an influential figure for the Red Devils during the early part of his time at the club.

What we are now seeing is a shadow of the player who has dominated so many midfield battles down the years, however, with his performance against Newcastle painful to watch at times. The former Madrid man was so easily bypassed by the Magpies’ midfield of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, with both he and Eriksen powerless to match them in terms of pace and physicality.

On Monday, Casemiro lost possession 15 times, according to Sofascore, also being dribbled past one and missing a big chance, and it was a performance that perfectly outlined why his United career needs to come to an end.

So yet another franchise T20 league…
Yes, the BPL returns for its ninth edition from January 6. It has seven franchise teams that will play 46 games across three cities – Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet. The final will be played on February 16 in Dhaka. Yes, it is franchise league, but one of the older ones.Really?
Indeed, the BPL’s inaugural season was in 2012, predating the SPL and the PSL. Barring the Indian players, almost every major T20 superstar has played in this tournament at one time or the other.Like who?
Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Rashid Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Alex Hales and David Warner have all played the BPL. The likes of Jofra Archer, Nicholas Pooran and Mohammad Nabi too played the BPL early in their careers.So who are the big stars coming to BPL this year?
That’s the thing. The BPL moved quite late in acquiring players for this season. It’s quite packed with the UAE’s ILT20 and South Africa’s SA20 the new tournaments on the calendar, both clashing with the BPL, and Australia’s BBL running concurrently too. Many of the biggest stars were already snapped up elsewhere by the time the BPL draft came around on November 23.So nobody’s coming?
BPL 2023 will have a smattering of Pakistan stars like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Shaheen Shah Afridi is also expected to turn up if and when he regains match fitness, while Dawid Malan and Sikandar Raza, who are both expected to be in the ILT20 too, are understood to have committed to a few games at least for their BPL teams.Need to win a BPL title? Call Mashrafe Mortaza – he’s captained three different teams to victory•Asif Hassan

If the biggest T20 stars are playing elsewhere at the same time, then why should I watch the BPL?
Bangladesh’s biggest T20 stars are all available for the BPL, including Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza and Mushfiqur Rahim, who have all retired from T20Is, will also be on show this tournament.This tournament will offer players looking to become household names in cricket a stage to strut their stuff – the likes of Curtis Campher, Max O’Dowd, Brandon King, Chamika Karunaratne and Paul van Meekeren.This tournament is also important to Bangladesh’s T20 development, right?
Bangladesh struggle more often than not in T20I cricket, so it feels contradictory that they host a big-money T20 franchise league where so many local players appear every year. But then the BPL franchises rely heavily on overseas players. Domestic cricketers hardly face up to the crunch moments, being mostly kept to bit-part roles. Still, the rare T20 talent is unearthed, like last season when Munim Shahriar showed a glimpse of his big-hitting talent. He was quickly drafted into the T20I side, but is yet to make the step up.The BPL also often has off-the-field problems?
So many of them. From the huge match-fixing scandal of 2013 to teams being unable to pay players on time, to a mix-up on the points table resulting in confusion over who’d made the semis, to teams trying to field players without the required paperwork, it has all happened at the BPL.Last season, Mehidy Hasan Miraz nearly left the competition mid-way after a row with a team official – a saga that involved him being removed as captain and allegations of interference in naming XIs. There was also a last-minute change of team ownership last season, but this especially is par for the course.In total, there have been 27 BPL team owners in nine seasons. Sylhet has had six different owners, while Dhaka has had five, and both will have new ownership this year. Comilla has been around since 2015 although they dropped out for one season in between. The Rajshahi franchise stopped existing since the 2019 season. The constant churn adds to a general feeling of chaos surrounding the tournament.Trying to recall memorable BPL moments… Can you jog my memory?
Gayle and Tamim have hit superb centuries in BPL finals, in 2019 and 2017 respectively.Mortaza won the BPL with an underdog Comilla Victorians in their debut season in 2015, one of different teams he’s led to the title, Dhaka Gladiators and Rangpur Riders being the others.