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When there is no shortage of venues to choose from, why pick one where the air quality reaches dangerous levels at precisely that time of year?

Sidharth Monga03-Apr-2025When India and South Africa play their second Test there later this year, Guwahati will become the 17th venue to have hosted a Test in India in the last 10 years. It means India has 16 active Test venues that all have excellent facilities except for Green Park in Kanpur, which, last year, struggled to get cricket going even after rain stopped. It won’t happen, but even if we assume Kanpur is blacklisted, the BCCI had 15 options for the first Test of that South Africa series, starting November 14.It takes special apathy and lack of duty of care to still go ahead and schedule this Test in Delhi, where the poor air quality becomes a health emergency in November. On the Air Quality Index (AQI), a reading of over 300 is considered “very poor” and over 400 “severe”. India’s official AQI meters are not designed to measure air that gets so bad that it reaches four digits. On November 18 last year, the AQI officially reached 999. IQAir, a Swiss company that measures air quality, measured Delhi’s AQI on that day at 1600, according to the . It resulted in lockdown-like conditions. People were advised to leave home only in emergency. Schools were shut and outdoor activity barred even when they reopened.The situation in recent years has been so bad that 500 is considered a good day in November when the unholy combination of industrial pollution, vehicular fumes, construction activity, post-Diwali firecracker fumes and the burning of post-harvest stubble in neighbouring states is at play. Delhi’s landlocked geography and unfavourable wind directions make it the perfect storm.Related

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It is pertinent to avoid athletic activity in that air because the major air pollutant is PM 2.5, particulate matter that is less than 2.5mm in diameter. When we strain during athletic activity, our breathing gets deeper and more rapid, thus eliminating any chance of avoiding inhaling PM 2.5. The Central Pollution Control Board warned in 2017, when the AQI didn’t reach four figures, that running a marathon in those conditions could deposit two tablespoonfuls of toxic ash in your lungs. A Test match is no marathon but it is still elite high-performance athletic activity.To be fair, no Indian should need a refresher on this health emergency because it happens every year. The BCCI shouldn’t need reminding either. Here is a quick timeline of how cricket has been affected in Delhi in the last 10 years.In the first week of November 2016, two Ranji Trophy matches were called off as players “could not even stand outside”.In 2017, Sri Lanka players put on masks to deal with the pollution in Delhi•BCCIIn 2017, Sri Lanka took the field wearing masks in a Test match interrupted by air pollution. The players kept going off the field and vomiting. There were oxygen cylinders in the dressing room. Mohammed Shami and Suranga Lakmal vomited on the field.The ODI between India and Australia in March 2019 went off well, but later that year, on November 3, two Bangladesh players vomited on the field. The then BCCI president Sourav Ganguly tweeted to thank the two teams for playing the game “under tuff [sic] conditions”. ESPNcricinfo understands Ganguly, who had been elected BCCI president only a month earlier, privately expressed displeasure at the scheduling when he read this on November 1.The 2023 ODI World Cup featured four Delhi matches in October, which went off fine, but the one match in November nearly didn’t happen. This being an ICC event, there was at least a chance of the match being called off. Bangladesh skipped practice.And yet, here we are. Of all the gin joints in the world. Three weeks after Diwali. Another Test match that will expose not just the players but also spectators, who are otherwise warned to not leave home unless in an emergency, to life-shortening air pollution.The last time Delhi got a match in November, sources in the BCCI said off the record that matches are allotted to state associations on rotational basis, and that the BCCI can’t cross members who constitute the body in the first place. That doesn’t even begin to explain how Ahmedabad, which hosted England in February 2025, will get two more matches later in the same year.If this Test in Delhi does go ahead, India will have hosted only 14 internationals (two in Ahmedabad) between two matches in Delhi. Even if you restrict it to just Tests, there will have only been 14 India home Tests since the last one in Delhi. By comparison, Eden Gardens last got a Test in November 2019, which is 23 Tests ago. Ahmedabad will have hosted four Tests between the last Eden Gardens Test and the one it is scheduled to host in October against West Indies.These, though, are internal BCCI machinations that a private body should be free to partake in. Even the dismal treatment of fans in India can be seen as the BCCI enjoying the favourable end of the demand-supply stick. The wellbeing of players and spectators, though, is another matter. Cricket South Africa (CSA) will not protest, or cannot protest. There is no player union in India. The South African union can only make an indirect, unthreatening request. “Player well-being must always be the primary concern,” it told ESPNcricinfo. “All stakeholders need to recognise this and act accordingly.”The only entity that can act on this is the BCCI. There are still eight months to go. There is still time to do the right thing and move this Test elsewhere.

تلقى منتخب مصر هزيمة صعبة أمام الأردن بنتيجة 3-0، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العرب 2025.

ويقع منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة رفقة منتخبات الأردن والإمارات والكويت.

وكان منتخب مصر قد تعادل في الجولة الماضية مع منتخب الإمارات بهدف لكل فريق، ضمن مباريات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات ببطولة كأس العرب.

طالع | تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام الأردن في كأس العرب.. مروان حمدي يقود الهجوم

وأحرز منتخب الأردن الهدف الاول أمام مصر بالدقيقة 17، والهدف الثاني بالدقيقة 40 من الشوط الأول، وسجل علي علوان الهدف الثالث من ضربة جزاء في الدقيقة 91.

وفي المقابل استطاع منتخب الإمارات الفوز على الكويت بنتيجة 3-1، في المباراة الأخرى بالمجموعة ويتمكن من حصد بطاقة التأهل إلى ربع النهائي محتلا المركز الثاني. ترتيب مجموعة مصر في كأس العرب 2025

1- الأردن، 9 نقاط.

2- الإمارات، 4 نقاط.

3- مصر، نقطتين.

4 الكويت، نقطة واحدة.

Victor Robles has apologized for the weekend incident where he threw a bat at a minor league pitcher after he was hit by another pitch while on a rehab assignment with the Seattle Mariners' Triple A Tacoma Rainiers. Robles returned from the IL last week after missing four months because of a dislocated shoulder suffered while crashing into the fence making a catch back in April.

Robles was hit twice in his first game back and again in his second game. By the time a pitch came up and in during the sixth game of the series against the Las Vegas Aviators on Sunday, Robles had had enough.

Late last night he posted an apology on Instagram.

Robles was released by the Washington Nationals in June 2024 and signed with the Mariners and appeared in 77 games for Seattle last season. He had started the first 10 games of the season for Seattle this year before he was injured.

England booked their place in the last 16 of the Under 17 World Cup courtesy of a commanding 2-0 victory over South Korea in Qatar. Reigan Heskey, son of former Liverpool striker Emile, was on the scoresheet with a superb header and an own goal eased the Young Lions into the next round in what was ultimately a comfortable win for Liam Bradley's side.

Three Lions cruise into last-16 as South Korea fade in Qatar

There was a real scare for England inside the opening minute after Manchester City's Dante Headley was bundled off the ball by Kim Ji-sung who thrashed his shot into the roof off the net, but there was huge relief when referee Abdou Abdel Mefire awarded a foul for the push. The Young Lions enjoyed much of the possession in the early stages, but had to wait until the 21st minute to test South Korea keeper Park Do-Hun as Tottenham's Luca Williams-Barnett saw his fierce drive from the edge of the box well saved. 

The deadlock was broken in the 28th minute following a bustling run down the right from the England captain Seth Ridgeon, and the Fulham star’s pass was directed into his own net by Jung Hui-seop. And England doubled their lead six minutes later after City’s Heskey headed home from close range after a brilliant searching cross from Aston Villa youngster Bradley Burrowes. 

England had chances to extend their lead in the second-half, with Chelsea's Chizaram Ezenwata missing the target from just inside the box and Williams-Barnett saw an audacious effort, from just inside his own half, slide agonisingly wide. The Young Lions will now face either Austria or Tunisia in the next round. 

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Williams-Barnett may not have got on the scoresheet, but he was right at the heart of everything England did well. He covered acres of ground, helping in defence when required and offered some excellent touches around the opposition box, too. If anyone deserved to score from their own half it was the Tottenham youngster who's enjoying the opportunities offered to him in his breakthrough season. The Luton-born midfielder made his senior debut in September 2025, becoming the club's youngest player in the Carabao Cup and the 900th player to appear for the club. He signed his first professional contract last month, too. 

The big loser

It was a truly calamitous moment for South Korea centre-back Jung who made an absolute mess of trying to block a pass. He only succeeded in getting his feet in a tangle while attempting to clear the danger, stumbled, fell and directed the ball into the back of his own net to give England the lead. You could almost feel sorry for him, it was a shame for a mistake of that magnitude to happen to a young player on such a big stage.

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Getty ImagesMatch rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐

The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a dream start to their postseason run, jumping out to a 2–0 series lead over the New York Yankees to open the American League Division Series.

Starring for the Blue Jays is slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has six hits in nine at-bats so far in the series, and a home run in each game, including a grand slam that sent the Toronto crowd into absolute elation on Sunday.

The Blue Jays are no strangers to the postseason, having played playoff baseball in three of the past five seasons, but this is already their first trip past the wild-card round since 2016, and if they can make a run to the World Series, it will be their first appearance since taking back-to-back titles in 1992 and ‘93.

Guerrero, who has spent the entirety of his career in Toronto, was asked if he felt there was something different about this year’s team compared to others. Through a translator, he provided a succinct answer.

"Today was optional for everyone here,” Guerrero said. “And we're all here."

The Blue Jays will have the chance to put away the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS on Tuesday night. If Guerrero can keep up his astounding run at the plate, they should have a good shot at finishing the job.

امتدح الألماني هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة، لاعبه رافينها، عقب الفوز أمام أتلتيكو مدريد في الدوري الإسباني، وأكد أن أداء الفريق كان مذهلاً وأن هذه المواجهة ستكون نقطة تحول.

وتغلب برشلونة على أتلتيكو مدريد بنتيجة 3-1، على ملعب “سبوتيفاي كامب نو” في إطار مواجهات الليجا (الدوري الإسباني) لموسم 2025-2026.

وقال فليك في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “أعتقد أن أداءنا كان على مستوى آخر، لعبنا ضد فريق رائع، كافحنا معًا، وهذا ما رأيته اليوم، كان رائعًا، بل مذهلًا”.

وأضاف: “أنا راضٍ جدًا، من المهم جدًا استعادة اللاعبين، هناك بعض اللاعبين ليسوا في كامل لياقتهم، لذلك اضطررنا لإجراء تغييرات، سيطرنا على المباراة بشكل أكبر، وخلقنا مساحات أكبر، كان الأمر إيجابيًا للغاية”.

وشدد: “رافينها لاعب مهم جدًا لنا، عودته رائعة للفريق، رأيناه اليوم، ورأيناه أيضًا في المباراة الأخيرة، عندما يكون في الملعب، يزيد من ديناميكية الفريق وكثافته، وهذا واضحٌ على أرض الملعب، لقد منحنا الكثير من الإيجابيات، أنا سعيد جدًا بالنتيجة وبالثلاث نقاط”.

اقرأ أيضًا | سيميوني بعد هزيمة أتلتيكو مدريد: لا أعرف كيف لم يفز لاعب برشلونة بالكرة الذهبية

وأوضح فليك حالة لاعبيه: “بيدري بخير، إنه متعب قليلًا، أولمو يعاني من مشكلة في الكتف، سنرى حالته غدًا”.

وعن بيدري، أشار: “إنه لاعب استثنائي، أنا سعيد لأنه لم يحتج إلى وقت ليستعيد مستواه السابق، لقد رأينا ذلك أمام ألافيس واليوم، لقد أتقن الربط بين الدفاع والهجوم بشكل رائع”.

وأردف المدرب الألماني: “من الجيد دائمًا اكتساب الثقة ضد فريق مثل أتلتيكو مدريد، سنرى إن كانت هذه نقطة تحول، أعتقد أنها كانت واحدة من أفضل مبارياتنا؛ لقد أعجبني حقًا ما شاهدته طوال التسعين دقيقة، نستحق النقاط الثلاث”.

وواصل: “كانت هذه هي الخطوة التي كنت أتطلع إليها، لعبنا بشكل رائع اليوم، وتحسن أداؤنا بشكل كبير في جميع الجوانب، سيطر أتلتيكو على أول ثلاث أو أربع أو خمس دقائق، ثم سيطرنا على مجريات اللعب، كان بإمكاننا تسجيل ركلة جزاء أيضًا، لكننا لم نستسلم، أنا فخور بما شاهدته”.

وأكد فليك: “لقد تقدمنا ​​خطوة للأمام، والآن علينا أن نلعب ضد بيتيس، وهو فريق رائع، علينا أن نسعى للفوز”.

Arsenal may have dropped points away to Sunderland on the weekend, but there is a lot for fans to be happy about.

Firstly, Mikel Arteta’s side remain clear at the top of the Premier League table, and just as importantly, the team looked genuinely dangerous in the second half.

They might have been defensively suspect, but the Gunners looked excellent going forward, and Leandro Trossard continued his fine form with a sensational long-range effort.

However, while the Belgian is playing out of his skin at the moment, recent reports suggest his game time could be dramatically reduced by another international who’s been compared to the legendary Thierry Henry.

Arsenal target monster winger

While Arsenal are flying, there are still some weaker areas of the squad, and the left wing is undoubtedly one of them.

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Granted, Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have improved this season, and Eberechi Eze can fill in there.

Yet, compared to the options of Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke on the right, and then the three players who can start up top when fit, it’s clear the left-hand side could do with a genuine superstar option.

This appears to be an opinion shared by the club, as recent reports from Spain indicate that they are interested in Rafael Leão.

The report claims that Arsenal are set to make a serious move in the winter window for attacking reinforcement and are prepared to make an offer of around €80m for the AC Milan star, which is about £71m.

The North Londoners reportedly view the Portuguese international as a perfect fit, and Arteta is said to be a big fan, although with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, and several French teams also said to be interested, this won’t be an easy transfer to get over the line.

With that said, given Leão’s ability and the fact he’s been compared to Henry, this is a deal worth going all out for, even if it could spell the end of Trossard’s Arsenal career.

How Leão compares to Trossard

Given Arsenal’s need to add more goals to their frontline, the first thing to look at when comparing Leao and Trossard should be their output from last season.

Unfortunately for the Belgian, this is where he comes out second best.

For example, in 56 appearances, totalling 3455 minutes, he scored two goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.8 games, or every 172.75 minutes.

In contrast, the Milan star racked up a tally of 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 3499 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 139.96 minutes.

It’s a little closer this year, but once again, it’s the Portuguese dynamo who comes out on top.

In eight appearances, totalling 470 minutes, he’s produced six goal involvements, which is an average of one every 1.33 games, or every 78.33 minutes.

Leao vs Trossard

24/25

Leao

Trossard

Appearances

50

56

Minutes

3499′

3455′

Goals

12

10

Assists

13

10

25/26

Leao

Trossard

Appearances

8

14

Minutes

470′

832′

Goals

5

4

Assists

1

4

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In contrast, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has produced eight goal involvements in 14 appearances, totalling 832 minutes, which is an average of one every 1.75 games, or every 104 minutes.

However, while their output is ultimately what matters most, especially for a team gunning for the title, there is also the matter of how they play the game and how fun they are to watch.

Unfortunately for the 30-year-old, this is another area in which he is bested, as while his technical trickery can be a joy to behold, he’s nowhere near as powerful or dynamic as the former LOSC Lille star.

Moreover, the 26-year-old’s ability to pick up the ball in his own half, take on opposition defenders and then slide the ball into the far corner is why former Milan coach Stefano Pioli said, “Leao reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry.”

Just imagine a player capable of doing that once again donning the club’s red and white and helping them end their two-decade title drought.

Ultimately, Trossard is an excellent player and is in good form, but if Arsenal can sign Leao in the winter, they should do so.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 12, 2025

It looked like it would be the week that would end Daniel Farke’s time at Leeds United. One that would all but condemn the Yorkshire giants to a swift return to the Championship. And yet.

While last weekend’s Etihad fight-back ultimately proved in vain, that second-half showing has sparked new life into the Elland Road side, having since claimed four valuable points at home to both Chelsea and Liverpool in recent days.

Unlike in midweek, however, the Whites were far from at their best this time around, with Hugo Ekitike surging the away side into what appeared to be an unassailable two-goal lead.

This is not the Liverpool side that claimed Premier League glory last term, though, nor is it the Leeds outfit which meekly fell to relegation two years ago – they’re made of sterner stuff.

Aided by the reckless Ibrahima Konate, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s spot-kick sparked a frantic finale at Elland Road, with Anton Stach levelling things up just two minutes later.

Man of the moment Dominik Szoboszlai then looked to have popped the Leeds balloon, before Ao Tanaka came up trumps at the death – cue bedlam, delirium, and a queue of writers not quite sure what to make of it.

Tanaka the hero in stunning second-half fight-back

It was all going so wrong for Farke and co, with Joe Rodon gifting an opener to that man Ekitike, before the Frenchman netted a second almost within a minute to make it 2-0 on the 50-minute mark.

There looked to be no way back, with Leeds drifting toward defeat, before a trio of changes sparked the game into life.

Up stepped Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson and the aforementioned Tanaka to alter proceedings, with the three late arrivals making an impact in all three goals for the home side.

Indeed, it was Gnonto’s direct run which drew the foul from Konate for Leeds’ first, while Aaronson laid on the assist for Stach, as Farke’s men levelled things up just two minutes later.

The headline-grabber, however, was Tanaka, with the Japanese midfielder – who had been replaced by Ilia Gruev in the starting lineup – pouncing at the backpost to snatch a point in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

That moment aside, the 2024 summer signing also notably won 100% of his duels after entering the fray, as per Sofascore, with the decision to start Gruev in his place seemingly backfiring as far as Farke is concerned.

Tanaka will surely be reinstated into the fold next time around, while fellow substitute Gnonto should also be in the mix for a regular starting berth again.

Why Leeds sub now needs to start every game

While Tanaka may have stolen the show in stoppage time, the game truly appeared to change due to the added dynamism of Gnonto in attack, with Leeds looking rather blunt prior to that.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Noah Okafor, for instance, was hooked just after the hour mark, having made just five passes in all, while registering just 14 touches, with the Whites in need of a spark to ignite their limp forward line.

As ever, it was the diminutive Italian who proved to be just that, cleverly drawing the foul from Konate with his fleet of foot inside the area, representing one of two fouls he would win in that late cameo.

Direct and penetrating, the 22-year-old also notably recorded a stellar 100% pass accuracy even while seeking to make things happen for his side, having even recorded more touches (17) than Okafor despite his limited time on the field.

From Championship hero to peripheral Premier League figure, Gnonto has not had the game time he would’ve liked in 2025/26, with a calf injury limiting him to just seven top-flight outings thus far.

Games

43

Starts

26

Goals

9

Assists

6

Big chances missed

6

Big chances created

10

Key passes*

1.1

Pass accuracy*

81%

Successful dribbles*

1.0

On the evidence of Saturday night, however, he should well be a regular fixture moving forward, now that he is fit and firing again, with Leeds simply looking a different team with the speedy forward spearheading the attack.

As noted by Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who awarded him an 8/10 match rating, Gnonto was ‘bright, lively, tricky’, having fearlessly taken the hosts forward time and again.

With a trip to Brentford now next on the agenda next weekend, the former Zurich starlet should surely be deserving of a recall to the starting XI.

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Bangladesh clean swept Afghanistan 3-0 in the T20I series in Sharjah, as they successfully followed a chasing template in all three matches. Saif Hassan continued his good form with an unbeaten 38-ball 64 that powered Bangladesh to a six-wicket win in the third T20I.Afghanistan once again fell well short after being sent in to bat first. They had an ordinary powerplay, followed by an even worse middle overs. Only a late burst from Darwish Rasooli and No. 10 Mujeeb Ur Rahman got them to 143 for 9 in 20 overs.Tanzid Hasan got Bangladesh off to a quick start before Saif took over with his big-hitting. He struck seven sixes and two fours, including several swings, flicks and sweeps on his way to his fourth T20I fifty. Bangladesh did lose a couple of wickets in the middle, but Nurul Hasan struck the winning runs to wrap up victory with two overs to spare.

Tanzid provides early fireworks

Azmatullah Omarzai provided Afghanistan with the early wicket of Parvez Hossain, when the left-hand batter skied him in the fifth over. Parvez looked good in the early exchanges, striking a four and a six in his innings of 14. But when he tried to loft Omarzai, he was caught at mid-off.Saif started with a six later in the same over, before Tanzid crashed two fours in a row off Rashid Khan in the seventh over.Darwish Rasooli’s innings of 32 propelled Afghanistan•ACB

Tanzid then belted Mujeeb for a six over long-on, before Rasooli dropped a sitter off Tanzid’s top edge in the 11th over. But thankfully, for Abdollah Ahmadzai, who was the bowler, Tanzid top-edged his next delivery, a slower one, to mid-off. But Tanzid’s run-a-ball 33, and his 55-run second-wicket stand with Saif, had given Bangladesh a good base in their 144-run chase.

Saif slays, Jaker flails

Like earlier in the series, Bangladesh, though, fell into the pattern of getting into panic mode after a good partnership. Captain Jaker Ali survived two lbw appeals in three balls against Rashid. Both times the ball pitched outside leg stump. Saif then laid into Ahmadzai with a 92-metre six in a 22-run over that should have made life comfortable for Bangladesh.Instead, with just 35 runs to get in 38 balls, Jaker fell to Mujeeb. Jaker took a second review in his 11-ball stay, but this time it didn’t save him. Mujeeb then had Shamim Hossain bowled for a golden duck to make things a little interesting.Saif, meanwhile, cleverly played out Rashid’s last over, the 15th of the innings, with forward-defensive shots, even as it meant giving away a maiden. It didn’t put much pressure on Bangladesh, however, although he made up for it by striking debutant Bashir Ahmad for two sixes in the 16th over. Saif reached his fourth fifty with the second six in the over, a slog sweep that went for 95 meters.Nurul, at the other end, remained not out on 10, including hitting the match-winning runs, a six off Ahmadzai, who had an evening to forget in Sharjah. Nurul thus ended unbeaten in all three matches of the T20I series.Mohammad Saifuddin got three wickets•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Saifuddin leads Bangladesh’s charge

Bangladesh’s bowlers continued their dominance in the powerplay in this T20I series. Afghanistan were 39 for 3 after six overs, with Shoriful Islam once again giving Bangladesh an early breakthrough. He removed Ibrahim Zadran in the third over, before Shamim took a screamer at cover to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Nasum Ahmed in the fourth over.Wafiullah Tarakhil’s wicket in the sixth over rounded off Afghanistan’s struggle in the powerplay. Sediqullah Atal looked good during his 23-ball 28, before Mohammad Saifuddin had him caught at deep point in the 11th over. Omarzai then skied Rishad Hossain for 3, before Mohammad Nabi and Rashid fell cheaply, and in successive overs.Bangladesh dominated with the ball till the 15th over, and with Afghanistan at 106 for 8, they might have expected to take the last two wickets rather quickly.

Rasooli, Mujeeb salvage some pride

Bangladesh almost had the ninth wicket in the 17th over when umpire Ahmed Shah Pakteen adjudged Mujeeb lbw, only for a review to save Mujeeb. Rasooli struck Rishad for a four and six later in the over, before Mujeeb got two fours off Shoriful in the 18th over. Rasooli, who scored 29, fell trying to slash Saifuddin, thus giving the latter his third wicket, and ending a 34-run ninth-wicket stand.New batter Bashir then survived a caught-behind chance, with the ball having dropped an inch in front of wicketkeeper Jaker. Mujeeb struck one more four to take Afghanistan past 140, thus giving their bowlers something to aim at.

Manchester United drew 2-2 away to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime. It took a late Matthijs de Ligt goal to secure a point, after being 1-0 up at half-time. Not only did United let the three points slip out of their grasp, but striker Benjamin Sesko picked up an injury.

The Slovenian didn’t start the game in North London, coming on in the second half. He suffered a knee problem late in the clash after a tackle by Mickey van de Ven prevented him from getting a shot off.

Ruben Amorim said after the game that he is “concerned” about the striker’s issue.

It is currently unclear how long the 22-year-old will be out injured for, but Amorim has three different options to replace him.

1 The logical option

There is only one other number 9 in the United squad: Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman is a superb technical player who is brilliant at bringing his teammates into the game with holdup play and silky footwork.

He ended his debut campaign at United strongly, with ten goals and assists, including a crucial header in the Europa League away from home against Lyon. However, he’s fallen out of favour under the Portuguese manager this term.

It certainly hasn’t been easy for the Dutchman in 2025/26. He’s only made five appearances across all competitions, playing 90 minutes in total and not starting a game. He hasn’t even had a chance to prove himself this term.

However, with his ability to link play together and facilitate the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, the 24-year-old could be a game-changer for United. He’s their only other senior number striker and has shown great promise when given a chance.

2 The wildcard option

The suggested wildcard shout is, ironically, something Amorim has done more often this season than the logical option. That consists of bringing Mason Mount into the starting lineup and playing a flexible front three consisting of the Englishman, Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Although he has been struck down with injury a lot for United, the 26-year-old clearly has an abundance of quality. When fit, he has been a trusted lieutenant under Amorim, playing 29 games for the Red Devils boss, scoring four times and assisting one.

In fact, those strikes certainly highlight the quality the number seven brings to United’s side. Look at his finish against Athletic Club in the Europa League last season, taking the ball on the half turn and curling his effort home. That is classic Mount.

This solution would offer Amorim lots of energy up front, with all three players excellent pressers. United fans would also witness fluid rotations in possession, although the lack of a natural number 9 might make them less of a threat in the box.

3 The academy option

Using players from the academy has always been a huge part of the DNA at Old Trafford. Well, in light of Sesko’s injury, Amorim could turn to 17-year-old Chido Obi to help fill the void left at centre-forward.

The former Arsenal youngster has played first-team football in the red of United since his move to Manchester last summer. He’s featured eight times under Amorim, even starting away to Brentford in the Premier League.

It is at academy level that the former Gunners star has made a real impression. Obi has scored six goals for United’s U21 side and has bagged 12 times in ten games for the U18s. It is no surprise that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta previously described him as a “massive goal threat.” Gunners podcaster Will Balsam once even described the prodigy as a “homegrown Osimhen”.

Obi has played against senior sides in the EFL Trophy this season and has made a real impression, grabbing three goal involvements in as many games. Against Barnsley, he got a goal and an assist, having two shots on target, creating one chance and winning three duels.

Touches

20

Shots

3

Shots on target

2

Ground duels won

3

Key passes

1

Goals

1

Assists

1

Picking the Denmark U20 striker to replace Sesko could be seen as a risk from Amorim. Yet, the Red Devils boss clearly trusts and rates the striker, having given him regular minutes in the top flight last season.

There are a few options for the United boss, and it will be fascinating to see which route he takes if Sesko is sidelined for a long period.

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