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Fast bowler to visit specialist in London after limited role for Lancashire this season

Matt Roller23-Jun-2023Saqib Mahmood will visit a specialist in London next week amid concerns that a stress reaction in his back could rule him out for the rest of the English summer.Mahmood, who has played for England in all three international formats, has only played five games for Lancashire this season, two in the County Championship and three in the T20 Blast.He has not played at all in the last month due to injury and ESPNcricinfo understands there is concern that he could miss the rest of the season, including Lancashire’s Blast and Championship campaigns and the Hundred, where he is under contract with Oval Invincibles.Lancashire anticipate that his consultation at the start of next week will provide a clearer indication on the exact nature of his injury and the timeframe for a potential return. The club declined to comment when contacted.Related

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Another injury would be a cruel blow for Mahmood, who missed all but one game of the 2022 season with a lower-back stress fracture which was diagnosed weeks after he made his Test debut for England in the Caribbean.He made his competitive comeback for England Lions in Sri Lanka earlier this year, and was then part of the ODI squad on England’s tour to Bangladesh, returning figures of 0 for 41 from his nine overs in his only appearance.There is some positive injury news for Lancashire, with Richard Gleeson included in a matchday squad for the first time this season after a wrist injury ahead of Friday night’s fixture against Derbyshire. Steven Croft also returns following a calf injury.Lancashire sit fourth in the North Group of the Blast as the preliminary stages approach their climax, with a game in hand on third-placed Nottinghamshire. All three of their remaining fixtures are at Emirates Old Trafford, where they have a 100% record this season.

The Afghanistan men’s side are going to the big show, but Sri Lanka are yet to qualify.There is nuance to this. In the ODI World Cup Super League, Afghanistan’s oppositions were Ireland, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. But then, they barely played ODIs, despite having won 11 out of those 15 games. Sri Lanka played 24 matches, and won only seven, which is why they finished tenth on the Super League table.It is a testament to Afghanistan’s rise – despite major challenges – and to Sri Lanka’s ODI collapse, that they meet in Hambantota as evenly-matched outfits. For Afghanistan, this is their first serious preparation for the World Cup in October-November. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, must get their one-day game in gear ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, starting later this month.Related

• Karunaratne makes comeback as Sri Lanka build for ODI World Cup

• Rashid out of first two ODIs against Sri Lanka with lower-back injury

• Malinga on Pathirana: 'I want to make this guy better than me'

Here are some things to look out for in this three-match series.

Will Afghanistan be rusty?

Such is the lot of this team that they have not played a single ODI since November last year, when they were last in Sri Lanka for a series that was drawn 1-1. They have had some T20Is this year, most recently winning 2-1 against Pakistan in Sharjah in March. They’ve also just recently concluded the Green Afghanistan One Day Cup – their premier List A tournament – during which several of the national squad surged into form.But they will have challenges in Hambantota – chiefly, Sri Lanka’s pace attack, which, unlike the side they played last year, will feature the returning Dushmantha Chameera, and the likes of Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha.Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi will have extra responsibility in the absence of Rashid Khan•AFP via Getty Images

How will the spinners fare?

For a time, Wanindu Hasaranga could probably claim to be on Rashid Khan’s level, but lately, Hasaranga’s performances have fallen away. There was a chasm between them at the IPL. Rashid was second-equal on the wicket-takers’ list, claiming 27 dismissals, with an economy rate of 8.23. Hasaranga took nine wickets from eight matches, and went at 8.89 an over.However, both spinners are likely to miss the start of the series. Rashid is out with a back injury. Hasaranga is struggling with a foot complaint. This means extra responsibility will fall on the likes of Maheesh Theekshana – he is fresh from a decent IPL – as also Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan also have left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad in their squad, and he enters the series on the back of 16 wickets in the IPL.Spinners will, however, have to contend with the furious crosswind that tends to blow in Hambantota. Usually, this means they tempt the batters to play their big shots into the wind.Matheesha Pathirana was used as a death-over specialist in IPL. Can he deliver new-ball overs for Sri Lanka?•BCCI

Is Pathirana ready for internationals?

Though not particularly well-known in Sri Lanka in March, Chennai Super Kings and MS Dhoni made a weapon out of 20-year-old Matheesha Pathirana at the IPL, when they charged him frequently with closing out the innings. Though possessed of an action that is even lower – and arguably slingier – than Lasith Malinga’s, Pathirana did not bowl with the new ball, and appeared to have serious limitations.However, such is the hype around him at present that Sri Lanka may want to try him out. But is he ready for this format? And in matches where there is no Impact Player substitution – like it was in IPL – can he reliably deliver new-ball overs?

Can both teams finish their batting innings better?

Since 2021, Sri Lanka have scored at a run rate of only 6.97 in the last ten overs of an ODI innings. A whopping 39% of the deliveries they have faced in that portion have been dot balls. Clearly, there is a lack of firepower lower down in the middle order, with Dasun Shanaka only sporadically effective, and the likes of Chamika Karunaratne and Hasaranga possessing limited hitting ability.Perhaps the thinking with bringing Dimuth Karunaratne back is that Sri Lanka will conserve wickets through the innings better, and have the likes of Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva or even Charith Asalanka at the crease towards the close.Afghanistan, meanwhile, have been only slightly better in the last ten since 2021. They have scored at 7.18, with almost 39% of deliveries faced also being dots. Rashid has been their standout finisher in that time.

Tottenham Hotspur have made an enquiry to sign a Europa League midfielder ahead of interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Tottenham fall to first leg Europa League defeat against AZ Alkmaar

Spurs fell to a fourth defeat from their last six games in all competitions on Thursday evening, losing 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their last 16 Europa League tie.

An own-goal from Lucas Bergvall in the first half means Ange Postecoglou’s side have it all to do in the second leg, and the manager wasn’t impressed with what he saw from his Spurs side.

“It wasn’t good, not a great result… actually the result was probably the best thing out of it in that we’re still very much in the tie. We were nowhere near the level we needed to be, a disappointing night overall.

“It’s hard to say at the moment, but we just didn’t get to grips with the game, at all. We know it was a tricky surface, we knew that from (training) yesterday, but we just didn’t handle it well, really struggled with any sort of intent.

“We weren’t aggressive with the ball, weren’t aggressive without the ball and we just allowed the opposition to play the game on their terms. Every away game in Europe is tricky, we understand that, we prepared the players for that, but it’s fair to say we didn’t handle it.”

To rub salt into the wound, striker Dominic Solanke was also replaced after suffering an injury and may now be in a race to take on his former side Bournemouth this weekend.

Tottenham open talks with £29m Brazilian who Arsenal contacted this week

Postecoglou and Arteta are going head-to-head for a defender.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Mar 6, 2025

Away from the pitch, though, Tottenham appear to be working behind the scenes on potential summer signings, with Southampton forward Tyler Dibling linked with a move to north London.

Dibling reportedly wants to join Spurs after talks, whereas Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson is also on Tottenham’s radar.

Another midfielder of interest to Spurs appears to be Viktoria Pilsen midfielder Pavel Sulc, with an update recently emerging on the 24-year-old and a potential move to England.

Tottenham make enquiry over move for impressive midfielder

According to reports in the Czech Republic, relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham have made an enquiry over a move to sign Sulc from Viktoria Pilsen.

Aston Villa have also made contact over Sulc, whereas Manchester City have sent scouts to watch the Czech Republic international.

Sulc is personally waiting for a ‘big transfer’, and with his current contract set to expire in 2026, Viktoria Pilsen could sell this summer instead of potentially losing him for free a year later.

Appearances

40

Goals

12

Assists

11

Yellow cards

2

Minutes played

3,519

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Sulc has enjoyed an excellent season so far, and by the looks of things, a move to England and Spurs could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months.

Aston Villa hold a strong interest in a “smart” midfielder who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, according to a recent report.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans came from a goal down to beat Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday night, and they had January signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to thank. Rashford grabbed two assists as he set up Asensio twice to make sure all three points stayed in the Midlands.

Aston Villa handed Marcus Rashford update as Man Utd hatch transfer plan

The loanee has performed excellently since his arrival at Villa Park.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 22, 2025

Rashford is on loan from Manchester United, and it was reported over the weekend that Villa do have an option to buy the Englishman for £40 million, but the chances of him joining the club on a permanent basis are slim.

In further transfer news, Villa are interested in signing Samu Omorodion from FC Porto as a possible replacement for Jhon Duran, who left in January.

Omorodion has been an impressive force in Portugal, and the Villans are now interested in making a deal happen, with Porto looking to get around £41 million for his services. Signing a new centre-forward will be a key priority for Unai Emery in the summer, and they would be more willing to splash out such a figure on the 20 year-old due to his age and sell on potential.

Aston Villa hold strong interest in "smart" Angel Gomes

But it is not just strikers on Villa’s radar, as according to Give Me Sport, Aston Villa are monitoring Lille midfielder Angel Gomes and have a strong interest in doing a deal in the summer.

Gomes has been with the French side since August 2020, but his time at the club appears to be coming to an end, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. The 24-year-old is expected to become a free agent, and Villa are among the Premier League teams keeping an eye on his situation.

Tottenham, Bournemouth, Man United and West Ham are also interested in signing Gomes, but the report states that Villa could represent an appealing option to the player. That is because Villa may be able to offer European football in some capacity, which the others likely won’t. Furthermore, given how the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers have done under Emery at Villa, the England international may see the Midlands as somewhere he can really develop.

Apps

13

Starts

9

Goals

1

xG

1.71

Shots per game

0.7

Assists

1

xAG

1.55

Big chances created

4

Key passes

1.1

Passing accuracy per game

20.8 (82%)

Gomes, who has been described as a “smart passer” by analyst Ben Mattinson in the past, has been a key performer for Lille over a number of seasons now, and that has earned him recognition on the international stage. The midfielder may have his eye on a return to England and the Premier League to prove that he is more than capable of performing at this level, and it may improve his chances of success for England as well.

أضاف محمد السيد لاعب نادي الزمالك، هدف الفارس الأبيض الثاني أمام فاركو، في المباراة المقامة بينهما الآن، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلاقي الزمالك نظيره فاركو، في إطار مواجهات الجولة التاسعة والأخيرة من عمر المرحلة النهائية لبطولة الدوري المصري.

وأحرز محمد السيد هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام فاركو، في الدقيقة 59، بتسديدة من لمسة واحدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء بعد استلامه لكرة عرضية من الجهة اليسرى مرسلة من شيكابالا. هدف الزمالك الثاني أمام فاركو في الدوري المصري.. محمد السيد

طالع أيضاً.. اتحاد الكرة يعلن موعدًا جديدًا لمباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز في نهائي كأس مصر

وكان الزمالك تقدم بالهدف الأول عن طريق محمد شحاتة في الدقيقة 26 من عمر الشوط الأول.

Arsenal are reported to be ready to test Barcelona's resolve to hang on to right-back Jules Kounde with a £55 million ($73m) bid.

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Kounde is first-choice right-back at BarcaBut Gunners want to tempt him awayFrance international is under contract until 2027Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana’s push to win the treble this season.

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Kounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and providing eight assists. However, a substantial offer for his services could be appealing to Barca in the sense that a sale would further improve what is now a less perilous financial situation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite becoming a regular at right-back, Kounde has expressed a preference for playing in the centre of defence. Gaining that opportunity at Arsenal would be difficult with William Saliba and Gabriel likely to remain as the preferred partnership. Gabriel is sidelined with a hamstring injury but is likely to be fit for the start of next season. However, Kounde’s versatility in being able to play on the right and in the middle would give Mikel Arteta more flexibility to be able to contend with potential future injuries at the back.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KOUNDE?

Transfer speculation is likely to be the furthest thing from Kounde’s mind, with Barca set to face Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday before taking on Inter in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the other semi-final on Tuesday. There is a distinct possibility Arsenal could face Kounde in the showpiece in Munich next month. That game could play a role in determining how aggressive they are in their pursuit of his services.

Visitors plod their way to total control in relegation battle with Warwickshire

ECB Reporters Network14-Sep-2022Somerset’s greatest display of aggression came before the start of the third day at Edgbaston when they issued a media release stating that the ECB’s current cricket schedule was “unacceptable” and that the south west needed “the highest standard” of men’s and women’s cricket to be able to sustain the game in the region.”The current domestic playing programme, which resulted in only four one-day matches being played in Taunton over 43 days in the height of summer this year, with 17 Somerset players unavailable, is unacceptable to the club, its members and the South West’s cricketing public,” Somerset said as the debate continued over the future structure of the English game.Their point made, on the field they plodded their way into total control against Warwickshire on the third day of their LV=Insurance County Championship Division One relegation battle at Edgbaston. They closed the third day on 277 for 4 – 300 ahead – to virtually insure themselves against defeat heading into the last day of this crucial game.On a pitch which remained slow but lost its menace, Somerset, led by captain Tom Abell’s obdurate 87 from 173 balls, batted through the day for 264 runs in 101 overs. Supported by Tom Lammonby (40 in 170 minutes) and George Bartlett (91 not out, 209 balls), the skipper lifted his team into a position whereby they have it in their power to simply bat Warwickshire out of the game.It was another tough day for the home side, who took just two wickets in three sessions. They must now lift themselves to bat well enough on the final day to avoid a defeat which would severely damage their prospects of survival.After resuming on 13 for 2, Somerset settled straight into the slow lane, Lammonby and Abell adding 55 runs in 36 overs in the morning session. At one stage, one run arrived in seven overs while Lammonby went 11 overs without scoring.It was gritty stuff, not easy on the eye but a totally understandable approach in the match situation. Warwickshire’s hopes of an early clatter induced by India internationals Mohammed Siraj or Jayant Yadav were thwarted as the pitch blunted the pace of the former and offered only very slow turn to the latter.The second-wicket pair added 79 in 41 overs before Lammonby edged Olly Hannon-Dalby to Rob Yates at slip. Bartlett seamlessly took up the cudgels of caution and settled in alongside his captain while Warwickshire skipper Will Rhodes shuffled a bowling attack that plugged away nobly to ensure that runs at least never came quickly. The fourth-wicket stand was worth 72 in 25 overs when Abell’s 246-minute vigil ended when Danny Briggs turned a beauty onto his off stump.Again, home hopes of one wicket bringing two were in vain as Lewis Goldsworthy added his application to the collective diligence. Bartlett and Goldsworthy put up a century stand in 202 balls and were still there together to resume in the morning having so far added 121.

West Ham United have made an offer to sign a forward who they were actually chasing as far back as 2021, as co-chairman David Sullivan looks to support now-official new manager Graham Potter with potential signings.

West Ham announce Graham Potter as new manager

On Wednesday afternoon, the Hammers confirmed Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal as head coach after just six months in charge, and it didn’t take long for the club to officially announce Potter as the Spaniard’s heir.

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The tactician was out of work since April 2023, following his sacking by Chelsea, but is now back in the dugout and ready to try and turn around West Ham’s dismal fortunes under his predecessor.

Potter has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the London Stadium, and he will take charge of his first West Ham game in the FA Cup against Aston Villa on Friday.

“I am delighted to be here,” said Potter after taking the West Ham job. “It was important to me that I waited until a job came along that I felt was right for me, and equally that I was the right fit for the Club I am joining. That is the feeling I have with West Ham United.

Fulham (home)

January 14

Crystal Palace (home)

January 18

Aston Villa (away)

January 26

Chelsea (away)

February 3

Brentford (home)

February 15

“My conversations with the Chairman and the Board have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and high energy to create the solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short-term and then how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term.

“West Ham United is a huge Club, at the heart of London, with a tremendous fanbase and great support all around the world. I saw the scenes that followed their Europa Conference League victory in 2023, and it was clear that this is a Club with everything in place to become consistently successful, both on and off the pitch.”

With their managerial situation now resolved, attention turns to January, as West Ham seek to sign a new forward before deadline day on February 3.

West Ham make offer to sign Benfica star Arthur Cabral on loan

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via Sport Witness, Benfica attacker Arthur Cabral is back on their radar. Interestingly, the Brazilian was a target for David Moyes, with West Ham holding meetings over Cabral as far back as 2021 – during his time at FC Basel in Switzerland.

Now, it appears Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten have returned to the bidding for his services, and it is believed West Ham have tabled an offer to sign Cabral on loan with the option-to-buy.

Serie A side Torino have done the same thing, but Benfica rejected both of their approaches – insisting that any temporary deal must include a mandatory purchase option. The Primeira Liga heavyweights want the buy-clause to be set at around £12.5 million, which doesn’t seem like much on the face of it, but Cabral hasn’t exactly been prolific over the last two seasons.

That being said, the 26-year-old centre-forward did finish 2022/2023 as the Europa Conference League’s top scorer with seven goals – the year West Ham won the competition.

حصد فريق الأهلي، لكرة السلة “سيدات”، لقب كأس مصر، للموسم الحالي 2024-2025، بعد تحقيقه الفوز على سبورتنج، اليوم السبت.

وحقق الأهلي الفوز على سبورتنج، بنتيجة 99-64 ليتوج ببطولة كأس مصر للموسم الثالث على التوالي.

تقدم سيدات سلة الأهلي في الفترة الأولى بنتيجة 17-16، ثم استمر في التفوق بالفترة الثانية بنتيجة 49-34، وأنهى الفترة الثالثة متقدمًا بنتيجة ‏‏50-74، قبل أن ينهي الفترة الرابعة والمباراة لصالحه بنتيجة 99-64.

وبذلك يحصد سيدات سلة الأهلي، ثالث ألقاب الموسم بعد التتويج بدوري المرتبط وكأس السوبر المحلي.

طالع | اتحاد السلة يعلن مواعيد مباريات نصف نهائي كأس مصر 2024/2025 “رجال”

وحرص محمود الخطيب رئيس نادي الأهلي على تهنئة لاعبات الفريق الأول لكرة السلة وجهازهن الفني والإداري والطبي بعد الفوز ببطولة الكأس، بالإضافة إلى فوز الفريق من قبل ببطولتي دوري المرتبط وكأس السوبر، وتقديم عروض متميزة على مدار الموسم.

وأشاد بالأداء القوي للاعبات وإصرارهن على تحقيق اللقب وإسعاد جماهير الأهلي التي تساند ناديها في كل المناسبات الرياضية.

وأكد على أن التتويج بثلاث بطولات هذا الموسم يحمل الفريق مسئولية مضاعفة لاستمرار مسيرة الانتصارات وتحقيق الألقاب التي يستحقها الأهلي في وجود منظومة عمل متفاهمة تبذل أقصى ما لديها.

وأشار الخطيب إلى ثقته الكاملة بجميع العناصر في ظل الدعم والمساندة لكل الفرق الرياضية لتحقيق طموحات النادي وجماهيره محليًا وقاريًا.

Arsenal have been in touch with a potential alternative to Bukayo Saka via his camp in the last week, with Mikel Arteta’s side currently scouring the market for new wide options to replace the England star.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka out for over two months after hamstring injury

Saka has undergone surgery on a hamstring problem which will keep him out of action for over two months, as confirmed by Arteta, and it’s safe to say this news comes as a real blow to the Gunners who are also nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Related Arsenal battling to keep £200k-per-week star as Barcelona plot move for him

The Catalans have identified him as a target for 2025.

Posts 3 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 31, 2024

The £195,000-per-week winger has already racked up nine goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, highlighting just how imperative he is to the Arsenal cause, and he’ll be an extremely sore miss for Arteta going forward.

Attention now turns to how the Spaniard will attempt to cope without his superstar player, with Gabriel Martinelli playing on the right in Saka’s stead during Arsenal’s most recent 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Brentford (away)

January 1

Brighton (away)

January 4

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Aston Villa (home)

January 18

Wolves (away)

January 25

Raheem Sterling is currently recovering from a knee problem, but luckily for Arsenal, their manager has confirmed that the injury isn’t as serious as first thought, and he could make a faster comeback than originally anticipated.

Credible media sources have also reported that Arsenal could turn to January in search of attacking reinforcements, and a few interesting names have been linked in the build up to tomorrow’s open transfer window.

Barcelona forward Dani Olmo is a target for Arsenal ahead of January, as they could even snap him up for free next month. The Catalans cannot register him for the second half of 2024/2025 as things stand, due to La Liga’s strict salary cap restrictions, and this has put a host of top sides on red alert.

Meanwhile, PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani is out-of-favour under Luis Enrique and widely expected to leave the Parc des Princes next month, potentially on loan. Arsenal could be offered Kolo Muani, according to reliable reports, and this is echoed by journalist Graeme Bailey in a piece for The Boot Room.

Randal Kolo Muani holds talks to join Arsenal via representatives

TBR and Bailey write that Kolo Muani has held talks over joining Arsenal via his representatives ahead of January, as the Frenchman’s team approach Premier League clubs with the aim of securing him a move to England.

Enrique has directly informed the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt star that he’s free to leave mid-season, and PSG are hoping to secure a permanent exit, but the most likely scenario is currently a temporary move as things stand.

Despite his lack of chances at PSG, the £203,000-per-week attacker remains a mainstay for France at international level, and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has previously showered him with praise.

“He is a striker who offers different game options to our team,” said Mbappe. “He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play.”