NCL round-up: Sylhet remain unbeaten, Chattogram pick up their first win

Amite Hasan sets a new record; Ebadot Hossain makes comeback after 16 months out; Farhad Hossain finishes up after 161 matches

Mohammad Isam12-Nov-2024Amite Hasan’s maiden double-hundred kept Sylhet Division unbeaten in the NCL after they drew against Khulna Division at the academy ground in Cox’s Bazar. According to ESPNcricinfo’s records, Amite’s ten hours and 38 minutes at the crease is the third-longest individual innings in first-class cricket in Bangladesh.Amite struck 18 fours and a six in his 455-ball stay, as he continued on an impressive conversion rate in first-class cricket. He shared a 251-run fourth wicket stand with Asadulla Al Galib, who also scored his maiden century. The end of the partnership, however, became viral content.Late on the second evening, the ball slipped out of offspinner Mahedi Hasan’s grip. Galib advanced towards it as it parachuted down from well above the eyeline, but then he lost balance and mistimed the hit right down long-on’s throat, much to the amusement of the Khulna fielders. It was one of Mahedi’s four wickets. Zia ur Rahman took three.Khulna replied with 273 in their first innings, with captain Anamul Haque and Afif Hossain hitting fifties. After being asked to follow on, the veteran Mohammad Mithun struck his 16th century. Anamul, Imrul Kayes and Nurul Hasan also scored fifties to get Khulna to safety, as they finished the game on 296 for 3. This was also the match in which Ebadot Hossain returned to competitive cricket after July 2023, as he rehabilitated from a long-term injury.Rangpur Division beat Rajshahi Division by 101 runs to take themselves to second position on the points table.Farhad Hossain finishes his 161-match first-class career•BCB

Batting first, Rangpur were bowled out for 189 runs with Ariful Haque’s unbeaten 103 the top score. It was the allrounder’s ninth first-class century. Rajshahi’s Sabbir Hossain took a six-wicket haul. But Rangpur fought back by bowling out Rajshahi for the same score.Rangpur then posted 262 runs in their second innings with captain Akbar Ali making 77. Rajshahi, however, were bowled out for 161, with Ariful this time starring with the ball, taking three wickets.This was also Farhad Hossain’s final first-class match as he announced his retirement. The 161-match veteran made 26 and 9 in his final outing.Chattogram Division picked up their first win of this season when they beat Barishal Division by eight wickets at the main stadium in Cox’s Bazar. Nineteen-year old Ashraful Hasan Rohan took ten wickets in the match, becoming the youngest from the team to get a ten-for.Batting first, Barishal made 318 runs with fifties from Moin Khan and Tasamul Haque. Left-arm spinner Ashraful took four wickets while Enamul Hoque picked up three.In reply, Shahadat Hossain’s century got Chattogram within five runs of Barishal’s total, finishing on 313 all out. It was his third century, as he struck ten fours in his 249-ball stay. Chattogram could have had two centurions in the innings but Yasir Ali got out on 99. The pair added 176 runs for the fourth wicket.Ashraful Hasan took a ten-for against Barishal Division•BCB

Ashraful then took six wickets to complete his ten-for, as Barishal were bowled out for just 77 in their second innings. Chattogram took just 11.3 overs to complete the 83-run chase.Defending champions Dhaka Division salvaged a draw against Dhaka Metropolis in Sylhet. Dhaka Metro came within two wickets from a victory, but Ripon Mondol and Nazmul Islam survived at the end of the fourth day.Batting first, Dhaka Metro made 304 all out with fifties from Shamsur Rahman and wicketkeeper Tahjibul Islam. Anamul Haque and Shuvagata Hom took four wickets each.Dhaka took an 11-run lead as they reached 315. Hom and Rony Talukdar made fifties, while Abu Hider took three wickets.Dhaka Metro then were bowled out for 267 runs with Aminul Islam scoring 82. Anamul completed his ten-wicket haul with 6-81. Dhaka then just about survived after 43 overs. Left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan took four wickets while Abu Hider took three.

Wolvaardt, Jansen win big at CSA annual awards

Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s women’s captain, was the big winner at the CSA annual awards, where she picked up five prizes including Women’s Player of the Year following a stellar 2023-24 season. Not only did Wolvaardt accept the leadership role permanently in the past season, she was also South Africa’s leading run-scorer in ODIs and T20Is in the period under consideration.Fittingly, she was named the Women’s ODI Player of the Year and Women’s T20I Player of the Year. Her popularity among her team-mates and supporters was clear as she also took home the Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year awards.She was joined by Marco Jansen, who was named as the Men’s Player of the Year in recognition of his all-round contributions which included 17 wickets at the ODI World Cup and impressive performances with bat and ball in the Boxing Day Test against India.Related

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The awards recognise achievements from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024, so performances at June’s Men’s T20 World Cup and in Test and T20I series in West Indies will be considered only at next year’s events. The reason for the awards being held in September rather than immediately after the season in May is because CSA’s sponsors require all nationally contracted players to appear at the ceremony and that would not be possible in May because of the IPL.South Africa only played four Tests in the period under consideration – two against India and two with a second-string side in New Zealand – which made choosing a Test player of the Year tough. David Bedingham, who scored 56 on debut against India and 87 and 110 in his two second innings in New Zealand, was recognised for his efforts. Bedingham was also named the International Newcomer of the Year.In white-ball formats, Quinton de Kock, who has now retired from 50-over cricket, was named the ODI Player of the Year after his four centuries at the 2023 World Cup. Reeza Hendricks, meanwhile, won the T20I Player of the Year award. Hendricks was the only South African batter to score a half-century in the period under consideration which excludes the T20 World Cup. Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner who defied medical odds to make his comeback three months early from an Achilles rupture and play at the ODI World Cup, was voted by his peers as the Players’ Player of the Year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Two other marquee awards were won by female internationals: the Best Delivery Fuelled by KFC and Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award. Marizanne Kapp’s inswinger that bowled Beth Mooney in South Africa’s first ODI win over Australia was judged the best ball in the season while Masabata Klaas was acknowledged for overcoming the odds to carve a career in cricket. The Makhaya Ntini award, which is in its third year, seeks to recognise players who, like Ntini, have risen above tough circumstances and this is the first time the award has been won by a female cricketer.Klaas had her daughter Rethabile in 2013, just before South Africa’s women’s cricket professionalised, and she has been a single mother though her career. She took three years out of the game but with the support of her own mother, Paulinah, was able to return to cricket and played a key role in South Africa’s automatic qualification to the 2021 50-over World Cup. She became the 10th women’s bowler to take a hat-trick, doing it against Pakistan in 2019. She is seventh on South Africa’s all-time ODI wicket-takers’ list and sixth in T20Is. Earlier this year, she spoke to ESPNcricnfo’s Powerplay podcast about her journey in the game and how she has taken on a mentoring role in the women’s side. Klaas and other cricketing mothers were also on the most recent episode of Powerplay.On the domestic front, legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter who bowled the Lions to victory in the CSA T20 Cup and made his international debut in June was named the men’s Domestic Newcomer of the Season and T20 Challenge Player of the Season. Lions’ allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who was the third-highest run-scorer and took 16 wickets in division one of the four-day division one first-class competition was named four-day domestic Player of the Season. Western Province allrounder Mihlali Mpongwana, the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the one-day cup, won the one-day Domestic Player of the Season award. In the women’s domestic competition, left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was named women’s one-day Player of the Season, while Tazmin Brits won the women’s T20 Player of the Season award after finishing as the leading run-scorer in the domestic tournament, with three centuries.

Japan tsunami alert: Status of Liverpool's pre-season friendly vs Yokohama F Marinos after 8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Russia's east coast

Liverpool's friendly against Yokohama F Marinos is expected to go ahead despite a tsunami warning in Japan following an earthquake in Russia.

Liverpool in pre-season action in JapanSet to play Yokohama F Marinos Game set to go ahead as plannedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds are in Yokohama for a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, with the game still scheduled to go ahead despite a tsunami alert in the country, according to the . Millions of people in Hawaii, the United States and Japan have been ordered to evacuate after an earthquake with an 8.8 magnitude hit Russia's east coast, causing tsunami waves.

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The earthquake has led to 1.9 million people being ordered to evacuate in Japan. According to the country's weather agency, a tsunami wave of 4.3ft (1.3m) has reached the northern Iwate prefecture. The situation had led to doubts about whether Liverpool's friendly would go ahead but it is expected to to be played as planned, with public transport still running normally in Yokohama.

TELL ME MORE…

Liverpool will be without Luis Diaz for the match after he left the tour and completed a move to Bayern Munich. However, new signing Hugo Ekitike is in line for his first appearance for the Reds since completing his blockbuster move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The game against Yokohama F Marinos is Liverpool's final match of their tour. Arne Slot's side are then due to jet home for a friendly against Athletic Club before a Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace.

Pablo Maia tem alguma lesão? Saiba se o volante do São Paulo vai jogar contra a LDU

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet vitoria: Pablo Maia não viajou com o restante da delegação do São Paulo para Quito, no Equador. Assim, a Cria de Cotia não estará presente contra a LDU, pelas quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana, nesta quinta-feira (24).

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da bet esporte: O volante deixou o confronto contra o Botafogo ainda nos minutos iniciais da partida. Mas o jogador não sofreu nenhuma lesão física. Na verdade, o que tem acometido o atleta é um quadro de indisposição estomacal e enjoos.

Assistido pelo departamento médico, será poupado para o confronto desta semana. Inclusive, Pablo Maia não participou dos treinamentos desta segunda-feira (21) e desta terça-feira (22).

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+ Assista aos jogos do seu clube do coração com aquela gelada! Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00

Sem Pablo Maia, Luan surge como uma opção. Inclusive, foi Luan quem entrou no lugar do volante neste sábado (19). Entretanto, a Cria de Cotia é o único novo desfalque. Embora ele não tenha viajado com o restante da equipe, Dorival Júnior poderá contar com duas grandes novidades na competição: Lucas Moura e James Rodríguez, que foram inscritos nesta semana.

Celtic can forget about Kvistgaarden with move to sign "gifted" £0 striker

Celtic supporters are starting to get very excited about next season.

On Tuesday afternoon, in one of the worst-kept secrets in the history of Scottish football, Kieran Tierney’s return to the club was confirmed, six years after he was sold to Arsenal for £25m, still to this day a joint-club record.

So, with a true club icon and fans’ favourite on his way back to Paradise, Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment staff can turn their attention to other targets, but are the Premiership champions set to miss out on their dream centre-forward?

Latest on Celtic's pursuit of Mathias Kvistgaarden

According to a report by Michael Gannon of the Daily Record, Celtic’s interest in Mathias Kvistgaarden has cooled, with the 22-year-old, who is valued at £12m, set to join either West Ham United, Eintracht Frankfurt or Lazio instead.

The striker scored 23 goals this season for Brøndby, who finished third in the Danish Superligaen, and his performances have earned widespread praise.

Farzam Abolhosseini of Tipsbladet labels him “magical”, scout António Mango believes that he is “absolutely sensational” and Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout forecasts that Kvistgaarden will only continue to improve.

However, his £12m price-tag was always likely to prove prohibitive, considering Celtic’s record signing remains the £11m paid to sign Arne Engels last August.

Most expensive SPFL signings (timeless) Rangers Celtic

So, with the Hoops now focusing on other targets, one in particular stands out.

Celtic's search for a new number nine

As has been previously reported, Celtic are one of many clubs interested in securing the services of Youssef El Kachati.

The 25-year-old is available as a free transfer, having left Telstar following the expiration of his contract.

Despite that, he departs Sportpark Schoonenberg a bona fide club legend, having scored 25 goals this season, firing the White Lions back into the Eredivisie for the first time in 47 years, netting five times in six play-off matches, on target home and away as Telstar defeated Willem II in the final.

So now, Martin McMillan of the Glasgow Times claims that El Kachati has turned down the chance to join German second-tier outfit Hannover, with Anthony Evans of the Daily Record reporting that Celtic are ‘supremely confident’ of making this deal happen.

The Dutch-born, Moroccan youth international’s performances in the Eerste Divisie have yielded plenty of praise, including from writer Martin Bjerke, who notes that El Kachati “combines physical presence with dynamic movement”, adding that he is “technically gifted”.

So, let’s assess how he compares to Kvistgaarden.

Appearances

45

38

Minutes

3,517

2,542

Goals

25

23

Assists

6

7

Shots on target %

40.5%

48.8%

Shots per 90

3.86

3.58

Shots on target per 90

1.56

1.75

Goals per shot

0.14

0.21

First and foremost, worth stating up front that, according to Global Football Rankings, the Superligaen is the 13th strongest league in the world, with the Dutch second division down in 70th, which is obviously worth considering.

That caveat aside, the pair do have similar statistics this season, with El Kachati scoring two more goals, albeit in around 1000 more minutes, while registering slightly more shots per 90.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Thus, it goes without saying that Kvistgaarden is a massive talent, and it is a blow that Celtic are seemingly set to miss out on him, but El Kachati certainly offers a low-cost, low-risk and potentially high-reward alternative.

Sinclair 2.0: £4.6m star who "wins games on his own" is Celtic's top target

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ByDan Emery Jun 10, 2025

Man Utd could hijack Leeds talks for £21m star who wowed Luis Enrique

da stake casino: Manchester United could now hijack Leeds United’s transfer and sign a “sensational” £21 million ace to replace Andre Onana in goal, according to a recent report.

Man Utd set to let Onana leave as they identify replacements

da lvbet: The Red Devils have plenty of decisions to make this summer as the transfer window begins to get into full swing, and it now appears as though a decision on the future of goalkeeper Onana has been made.

Andre Onana in action for Manchester United.

The Cameroon international really had an up-and-down campaign last season, costing important points and results with unforgivable errors while also producing some stunning moments. Ruben Amorim is of course assessing his squad and the areas he wants to strengthen, and now, according to The Sun, United are ready to loan Onana out for the 2025/26 season so they can bring in a new goalkeeper.

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Onana has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabia Pro League before now, but talk of any potential transfer involving a team from that league has gone quiet. AS Monaco are believed to be interested in a deal, but that talk has also gone stale.

Therefore, United may now have to settle for loaning him out, and the same report states they could move for Botafogo’s John Victor as his replacement. The shot-stopper would cost United as little as £6 million, but he is not their only option when it comes to replacing Onana.

Man Utd could hijack Leeds move for Bulka

According to Caught Offside, Man United are keeping a close eye on OGC Nice goalkeeper Macin Bulka ahead of a potential move.

Marcin Bulka.

The report states that the French side want between €20-25 million for their goalkeeper, which is roughly £17-21 million. But United are not the only team from the Premier League chasing Bulka, as Chelsea are also considering making a move.

Should United make a move for Bulka, who has been capped five times by Poland, they would also have to get past both Sunderland and rivals Leeds United, who have opened talks with Nice, in view of agreeing a deal to sign the 25-year-old. Bulka is also attracting interest from teams such as Monaco, AC Milan and Galatasaray, but United will hope their worldwide pull can give them an advantage.

Marcin Bulka’s 24/25 Ligue 1 stats

Apps

34

Goals conceded

41

Goals conceded per game

1.2

Saves

121

Saves per game

3.6 (75%)

Penalties saved

1/3

Clean sheets

8

Errors leading to goal

3

Bulka, who has been described as “sensational” by Jacek Kulig in the past, joined Nice on a permanent basis back in 2022 after spending a few seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, and has since wowed current PSG boss Luis Enrique after stifling the Champions League winners back in April.

Quantos títulos Tite venceu na carreira?

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet7k: Após deixar a Seleção Brasileira depois da Copa do Mundo de 2022, Tite está próximo de voltar a treinar um clube no Brasil. Com a saída de Jorge Sampaoli do Flamengo, Tite aceitou a proposta do Rubro-Negro e deve assumir o time carioca na reta final da temporada 2023.

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Ao longo de sua carreira, Tite conquistou 15 títulos. O primeiro deles foi a Série A2 do Campeonato Gaúcho, sob o comando do Veranópolis. As maiores conquistas do treinador aconteceram em 2012, quando ele levou o Corinthians ao título da Libertadores e Mundial de Clubes.

O Timão abriu conversas com Tite após demitir Vanderlei Luxemburgo, mas as negociações não evoluíram e o treinador recusou o Corinthians pela quarta vez. O último título conquistado por Tite foi a Copa América de 2019, com a Seleção Brasileira.

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VEJA TODOS OS TÍTULOS CONQUISTADOS POR TITE

➤ Campeonato Gaúcho A2: 1993 (Veranópolis)
➤ Campeonato Gaúcho: 2000 (Caxias), 2001 (Grêmio) e 2009 (Inter)
➤ Copa do Brasil: 2001 (Grêmio)
➤ Copa Sul-Americana: 2008 (Inter)
➤ Campeonato Emiradense: 2010 (Al-Wahda)
➤ Supercopa dos Emirados Árabes: 2011 (Al-Wahda)
➤ Libertadores: 2012 (Corinthians)
➤ Mundial de Clubes: 2012 (Corinthians)
➤ Campeonato Paulista: 2013 (Corinthians)
➤ Recopa Sul-Americana: 2013 (Corinthians)
➤ Campeonato Brasileiro: 2011 e 2015 (Corinthians)
➤ Copa América: 2019 (Brasil)

Tottenham and Arsenal combine? Ex-Spurs star reveals role in Granit Xhaka's Sunderland transfer

Former Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe has revealed Granit Xhaka asked for his input before moving to the "sleeping giants" of Sunderland.

Xhaka signs for SunderlandEx-Tottenham man talks up moveSays Black Cats are "sleeping giant"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Swiss international secured a surprise move from Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen to newly-promoted Premier League outfit Sunderland last month. Now, former England forward Defoe has spoken about the midfielder asking for advice about places to live in the north east, the fanbase, the club, and more.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT DEFOE SAID

He told Sky Sports: "He [Xhaka] reached out to me because he was on my A license (coaching) when we did it last year. Just if people think, 'Arsenal and Tottenham, that's a bit strange!' but he's a nice guy and a family man. He reached out to me and said 'It looks like I am going to sign for Sunderland, is there anywhere I can live?'. It was important to his wife and kids and for school. I pointed him in the right direction and he obviously spoke to me about the club, I said 'It's a sleeping giant' and a Premier League club at the end of the day. When it's going well there, it's one of the better places to play football. The atmosphere and the fanbase is huge, I am sure he will enjoy it."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Former Arsenal star Xhaka has enjoyed a distinguished career, playing in World Cups, European Championships, the Champions League, and winning trophies. So for many, it was a surprise to see him move to a side that is one of the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League. But it seems he still wants another crack at English football.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

The 32-year-old, who joined Regis Le Bris' team on a three-year deal, could make his full Sunderland debut as the north east outfit host West Ham in their Premier League opener on Saturday, August 16. 

Rodon repeat: Leeds plotting move for "tremendous" star who's a "cut above"

Leeds United are going to be busy in the summer transfer window on their way to, hopefully, building a squad that can avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Whites have already been linked with plenty of players to potentially arrive at Elland Road in the coming months, as Daniel Farke looks to improve his team.

Leeds United manager DanielFarkebefore the match

Feyenoord forward Igor Paixao, Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder Yves Bissouma, and Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Evan Ferguson are just a few of the stars who have been linked with the club.

The West Yorkshire outfit are also reportedly eyeing a loan deal to sign Emiliano Buendia from Aston Villa, which would see him reunite with Farke, whom he thrived under at Norwich City.

Whilst there could be some high-profile, exciting, additions to the squad, there are also players in the current squad who are proof that players can turn their careers around.

For example, Leeds hit the jackpot when they decided to swoop for central defender Joe Rodon in the summer of 2023, despite his failure to make the grade at Tottenham Hotspur.

Why Leeds have hit the jackpot with Joe Rodon

The Whites initially signed the Wales international on loan from Spurs for the 2023/24 campaign, after he made just 24 appearances in all competitions in four years with the Premier League side.

Rodon went on to play 43 of the club’s 46 regular season matches and all three of their play-off games that term, forming partnerships with both Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu.

His form at the heart of the defence for the West Yorkshire outfit that season convinced the club to splash a reported fee of £10m out to sign him on a permanent basis from Spurs in the summer of 2024.

They were willing to take a gamble on a player who had not played much football after a difficult spell with Tottenham, and it is one that has paid off for the Whites.

24/25 Championship

Joe Rodon

Appearances

46

Starts

46

Pass accuracy

92%

Clean sheets

25

Dribbled past per game

0.1x

Ground duel success rate

68%

Aerial duel success rate

60%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Rodon was incredibly important to Farke in the 2024/25 campaign, as he started every single league game in the Championship – the only player in the squad to do so.

The highlights in the post above from his performance against Oxford United in April showcase the kind of quality that he provided in and out of possession for the Whites.

Leeds hit the jackpot because they unearthed a centre-back with the defensive strength to keep out opposition attacks, whilst also having the ability on the ball to start attacks, and they could repeat the masterclass they played with Rodon by signing another former Spurs defender.

Leeds eyeing deal for Championship star

According to GIVEMESPORT, Leeds United are one of the teams eyeing up a potential move to sign Millwall star Japhet Tanganga in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites, Burnley and Sunderland are all plotting swoops to sign the English central defender ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as they look to bolster their defensive options following promotion to the Premier League.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

This means that there could be plenty of competition for his services this summer, with a number of teams keen on snapping him up from the Lions, and that suggests that Leeds will have to move quickly if they want to bring him to Elland Road in the coming weeks.

GIVEMESPORT adds that he has a release clause in his Millwall contract that would allow all three of the interested teams to sign him for just under £2m, in what could be a bargain deal.

Millwall's JaphetTangangain action with Portsmouth's Thomas Waddingham

The report also claims that Leeds have been keeping tabs on Tanganga for a long time and that they view him as a player who could bolster their efforts to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season.

It is now down to the club to beat Sunderland and Burnley in the race for his signature this summer because he could be a Rodon repeat for the Whites.

Why Tanganga could be a Rodon repeat for Leeds

Like Rodon, the former England U21 international played for Spurs in the past but failed to make the grade as a regular starter for the Premier League outfit, playing 50 times in all competitions across four years in the first-team.

Tanganga joined Millwall on loan for the 2023/24 season before joining the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, and he has been a terrific performer in the Championship for the Lions.

Millwall'sJaphetTangangain action with Portsmouth's Isaac Hayden

The 26-year-old titan was provided with an opportunity to revive his career in the second tier with Millwall, as Rodon was with Leeds, and he has taken it with both hands with his displays in the last 18 months or so.

Pundit Carlton Palmer claimed that the defender is “capable of playing in the Premier League” because of his “tremendous recovery pace” and that he “is a cut above” the Championship, which is reflected in the statistics below.

Japhet Tanganga (Championship)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

18

40

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

2.3

Clearances per game

3.3

5.4

Ground duel success rate

53%

61%

Aerial duel success rate

55%

63%

Dribbled past per game

0.2

0.3x

Clean sheets

5

14

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Tanganga is strong in duels with opposition attackers and rarely gets dribbled past, which speaks to his ‘tremendous recovery pace’.

This suggests that, as Palmer claimed, he has the physical attributes to be a success in the Premier League for Leeds if they decide to snap him up for a bargain fee of less than £2m this summer.

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By
Dan Emery

Jun 4, 2025

Tanganga may not have made the grade at Spurs, just like Rodon, but that does not mean that he is not a quality operator, as shown by his form for Millwall, and that is why the Whites could repeat their Rodon blinder by signing the English star this summer.

Jamal, Shaheen, Naseem return to Pakistan's XI for first Test against England

Allrounder Aamer Jamal returns to a Pakistan Test line-up for the first time since his breakout tour of Australia. His all-round ability has allowed Pakistan to go with one fewer specialist bowler, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed making up the rest of the bowling attack.All four bowlers were unavailable to varying degrees during Pakistan’s recent series against Bangladesh, making this the first time in over a year that their full first-choice contingent is available. The batting remains unchanged; Abdullah Shafique keeps his place despite his recent struggles with the bat, after Shan Masood’s public backing on Thursday.”Multan is new territory for us,” Shan said at the captain’s press conference. “When we played Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, we had played a lot of cricket there so we knew how the pitch would play if you left grass on it. It was a bit tricky against Bangladesh for batsmen. Here we are leaving it to the groundsman. We would like one final look tomorrow, hence why we have tried to cover bases and have three seamers and two spinners like England. We have a bit of depth in batting as well.”Pakistan’s batting is a point of concern with several batters struggling, and the match-up between a home batting line-up short of runs and an away bowling unit short of experience in these conditions provides a point of intrigue. Though England’s decision to go with a bowling combination of Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir may appear risky, that has become an integral part of this England side’s brand.Related

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“It [Bazball] has had an effect on the world,” Masood said. “Sometimes we get too caught up in set ways of doing things. So the best thing England has done is realise there are other perspectives and things that might suit you. The key is to find new ways of doing things. That is how the world has always progressed and cricket is no different. It is like life. You try and evolve and create new ways and England have been pioneers in that.”In the build-up to this Test, Pakistan have been careful to emphasise they will not get sucked into England’s style of playing, with head coach Jason Gillespie and vice-captain Saud Shakeel each making the point. Masood echoed that, saying there would be times Pakistan would need to “absorb pressure” instead of just “reacting to situations, and spoke of the drive to make amends after a difficult year.”There is a lot of hurt within the players. 2024 has not been a good year for Pakistan cricket all over and we like to see our fans happy. After religion cricket comes next, everyone is clued up on how the cricket team is doing so we are hurt. The answer is to be positive. We let the past go. We have tried to maintain consistency in selection. We haven’t had any chopping and changing because we have lost a few games. We believe in this set of players and with Jason Gillespie we wanted to create a squad mentality. The players are being backed to turn things around.”Pakistan squad for 1st Test: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.

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