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Big picture: Bangladesh’s first ODI in five months

In the last four ODI meetings between Bangladesh and Pakistan, both sides have won two matches each. To underscore just how evenly matched they seem to be, one of those Bangladesh wins went into a Super Over. These teams also trod similar paths to this World Cup, having played in the World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan, earlier this year. When they met in Lahore, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin and Aliya Riyaz had all contributed in a successful chase of 179.And it is those three batters that shape as a significant strength for Pakistan, as they enter the World Cup proper. All three are in decent touch, having also contributed good scores in the series against South Africa – Amin hit two hundreds – over the past two weeks. Amin, in fact, is the fifth-highest scorer in ODIs this year, averaging 86.33 in this format, though at a relatively sedate strike rate of 70.95. Muneeba, meanwhile, averages 43 across eight innings this year, and Riaz 50 across seven. Many of those runs came against lower-ranked opposition in the Qualifier, however. Thus, they must now dust off similar performances at the pinnacle event.Bangladesh, meanwhile, enter the World Cup perhaps wondering if they are a little underdone. They have had no ODI cricket since that final in Lahore, more than five months ago, in April. Although they beat Ireland 3-0 at home at the end of last year, and comfortably saw off Scotland, Thailand and Ireland at the Qualifier, they lost two matches out of three against West Indies before that.Related

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Bangladesh’s traditional strength has been their bowling, but they also feel they have some batting depth this year. In addition to Nigar Sultana, who has been consistent for some time, they have also been getting contributions from top-order batter Sharmin Akhter, who averages 50.85 across eight innings this year.Sultana’s team does have an additional trial this World Cup, however. Their coach Sarwar Imran suffered a minor stroke in Colombo on Monday. Sultana said he was on the path to recovery, and that she had spoken to him on Tuesday. But his focus will be on recovery for the foreseeable future.

Form guide

Pakistan: WLLWW
Bangladesh: LLWWW2:30

Sultana: Batting has been our main concern

In the spotlight: Nigar Sultana and Fatima Sana

Her team has crept in under the radar into this World Cup, but Nigar Sultana is having a rich year with the bat so far. In eight innings in 2025, she has four fifty-plus scores, including a 101 off 80 balls against Thailand in the World Cup Qualifier. Sultana didn’t quite get going in the warm-up matches in Colombo, but Bangladesh will likely need runs from their captain if they are to make headway in this tournament.All things considered, Fatima Sana has a tough job over the next week in particular. But she has got one major thing going for her – bowling form. She has 12 wickets at an average of 23.75 in 2025, with an economy rate of 4.92. Sana had been modest in the series at home against South Africa, but bounced back strongly in the warm-ups in Colombo (where Pakistan play all their matches), returning figures of 1 for 30 and 1 for 21, in addition to hitting 64 against South Africa.

Pitch and conditions: Expect moisture in the pitch

The match surfaces at Khettarama haven’t been tried yet. But given the amount of rain around in the week before this match – the monsoon might be starting – expect a little moisture in the surface early. Showers could interrupt, but the general trend in the last few weeks is that the rain passes quickly, which should allow for a match, however shortened, to take place.Against Bangladesh, Pakistan could promote Sidra Amin up the order•Associated Press

Team news

Bangladesh tried various combinations in the warm-ups. If they decide they want a second frontline seamer, Fariha Trisna might be the option they go for.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Farqana Hoque, 2 Rubya Haider, 3 Sharmin Akhter, 4 Sobhana Mostary, 5 Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), 6 Shorna Akter, 7 Sumaiya Akter, 8 Fahima Khatun, 9 Jannatul Ferdus, 10 Rabeya Khan, 11 Marufa AkterPakistan won their most recent ODI, against South Africa last week. They might go with the same XI, although there could be a promotion up the order for Sidra Amin.Pakistan (possible): 1 Muneeba Ali, 2 Omaima Sohail, 3 Sidra Amin, 4 Fatima Sana (capt), 5 Natalia Pervaiz, 6 Eyman Fatima, 7 Sidra Khan (wk), 8 Syeda Aroob Shah, 9 Diana Baig, 10 Rameen Shamim, 11 Nashra Sandhu

Stats and trivia

• Nigar Sultana has played more ODIs against Pakistan (11) than against any other opposition aside from South Africa. She has two half-centuries in ten innings against Pakistan.
• Bangladesh and Pakistan have won exactly eight ODIs against each other.
• Sana has played 49 ODIs, but this will be her first in Sri Lanka.
  

  Quotes

  “Recently, our coach Junaid has worked on reverse swing with me and Diana Baig. We will try to stick to what worked at the Qualifiers for us. We were successful in the Qualifiers because we had picked up wickets in the middle overs.”
  “For a long time, our batting has been the main concern. The bowlers have been spot on every game, and the fielders was also doing well. We talked about it. We have the potential – why aren’t we able to capitalise and go for big innings? We’ve been working hard as a batting unit. We’ve been focusing on the strike rates.”

After sacking Liam Manning, Norwich City have reportedly conducted an interview with former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil and set a managerial deadline.

The Canaries made the decision to sack Manning after 15 Championship games in charge. The former Bristol City manager arrived off the back of an excellent campaign with the Robins, in which they secured a playoff place, but was unable to replicate that form in charge of Norwich.

Instead of the top six, the Canaries have found themselves in the bottom two courtesy of Manning and only above Sheffield Wednesday, who were hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration.

After two wins in 15 league games, Manning’s tenure suddenly makes former manager Johannes Hoff Thorup’s time at the club look rather promising, on reflection. Whether there’s some regret that those at Carrow Road didn’t give the latter more time is up for debate, however.

Sporting director Ben Knapper released a statement after sacking Manning, telling fans that they “tried absolutely everything possible” to turn things around under the former Bristol City boss.

Meanwhile, the search for a new manager is very much underway with reports going as far as to claim that the Canaries have already interviewed two candidates for the job.

Norwich interview Gary O'Neil

As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Norwich have now interviewed O’Neil for their vacant managerial role and are keen to make an official appointment in the next 10 days.

The ex-Premeir League manager was recently linked with a second stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but turned his former club down. Now, he could be on his way to Carrow Road.

Former Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has also reportedly been interviewed, but O’Neil’s Premier League experience should make him Norwich’s number one choice.

Dubbed “fantastic” by former Wolves winger Jordan Graham during his time in the Midlands, O’Neil has all the credentials needed to finally turn things around at Norwich, who sit four points adrift of safety in the Championship.

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Ahead of the Oval Test, Gill reflected on his tactical choices, the team’s resilience, and the learning curve of leading in tough conditions

Nagraj Gollapudi30-Jul-20252:40

Gill: Levelling series with a young squad will be a big achievement

A captain who had led in just five first-class matches before taking charge of the Test team. His overseas form a subject of scrutiny. His best bowler available for only three out of five matches. A batting line-up thin on experience after the retirements of two stalwarts. India arrived in England in early June with several questions to answer.Two months on, Shubman Gill’s India enter the final Test of this highly compelling Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series with the chance to finish 2-2.”Very significant,” Gill said about what it would mean to his team to draw the series after losing the first Test in Leeds, then bouncing back to win in Birmingham without Jasprit Bumrah, nearly pulling off a pulling off a miracle at Lord’s, followed by a hard-fought draw in Manchester.Related

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Every Test going deep into the final day is rare in a five-match series. The hot weather and slow pitches have pushed the players’ limits and caused injuries – most significantly ruling Ben Stokes out of the fifth Test at The Oval.”If you look at the kind of cricket we have played, sometimes the scorecard of the series, as in where we are in the series, doesn’t determine that. Every match that we have played, it was very difficult to decide which team is going to win after four days of cricket,” Gill said. “If we are able to do that for every match for four matches coming outside of India with a relatively young team, it is going to be a big achievement for us if we are able to level the series.”This century, India had won the three-Test series in England 1-0 in 2007 and had drawn the series 2-2 in 2021-22. Both those teams went to England with plenty of senior players and leadership experience. That is not true for this side and, and yet, between June and July, Gill has shown he can compartmentalise captaincy and batting, and not let one impact the other.As batter, he is over 200 runs ahead of the next-most prolific scorer this series, and as captain, he has made debatable decisions on the field but has admitted his mistakes and come out wiser. “The series has been a great learning curve for me,” Gill said. “There are some things that you can only learn from experience, and I’ve learned so much from these four matches that we have played and hopefully we’re going to finish on a high.”One of those decisions was on the third morning at Old Trafford, when Gill delayed giving the ball to offspinner Washington Sundar, who had found sumptuous drift at Lord’s and taken a four-wicket haul in England’s first innings. The dry pitch was favourable for Washington but Gill brought him on only after lunch and the offspinner dismissed Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession.”It’s very difficult when you are playing six bowlers [because] then one or two bowlers are definitely going to be under-bowled,” he said, explaining that passage of play. “In the last match also, people felt that Washington could have come in earlier, which is a valid point, but sometimes when you are out in the middle you see with this ball [Dukes] when there are two spinners bowling early in the innings, it’s very hard to maintain the ball and the fast bowler goes out of the game for about eight-ten overs because then you need to maintain the ball.3:37

What attack should India pick at The Oval?

“So, in hindsight, there would always be opinions and there would always be thoughts, and you could have done this, would have done that. But what matters is when you are out there in the middle, you want to be able to make a decision that you think would suit the best for that moment. And when you are playing with six bowling options, there would definitely be some opinions where one bowler is going to go under-bowled, but it’s good to have more bowling options rather than not having bowling options for sure.”India will stick to the six-bowler strategy at The Oval too, with Akash Deep set to replace Bumrah and Shardul Thakur retained as bowling allrounder. Washington, Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel, who replaces the injured Rishabh Pant, comprise the lower-middle order.While he had not seen the pitch before the media briefing, Gill, perhaps based on the inputs he got from the team management, said it was “good”. By that, he meant it was green and the forecast – overcast conditions – for all five days might bring the fast bowlers into play.Gill, however, did not reveal whether Arshdeep Singh, the solitary left-arm quick in the squad, would make his Test debut, or whether Prasidh Krishna, dropped after the victory at Edgbaston, would make a comeback at The Oval as the third fast bowler in the XI.

His three wickets in four balls extends tally in this year’s competition to 17

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Jun-2025Ben Sanderson sealed an historic, unprecedented sixth straight Vitality Blast victory for Northamptonshire Steelbacks with three wickets in the penultimate over against Birmingham Bears at Wantage Road. Sanderson finished with figures of 3 for 31 as the hosts wrapped up a dramatic 10-run victory.With Moeen Ali well set on 31, the Bears needed 24 off the last two overs before Sanderson broke through, collecting three wickets in four balls, including the dangerous Moeen, to extend his tally in this year’s competition to 17.Justin Broad had smashed 60 off 35 balls to help propel Northamptonshire Steelbacks to 184 for 6. Matthew Breetzke also struck 53 off 36 balls, his first half-century of the season, during a partnership of 59 in six overs with skipper David Willey (34).Birmingham’s Pakistan international Hassan Ali finished with figures of 3 for 42 including two wickets off consecutive deliveries in the Steelbacks’ final over.Dan Mousley led the charge for the Bears with a brilliant 68 off 42 balls, with Tom Latham contributing 34. George Scrimshaw backed up career-best figures at Derby with 2 for 25, while Willey also claimed two.The Steelbacks reached 52 for 1 in the powerplay, losing Ricardo Vasconcelos early, bowled by Hassan before Breetzke went on the charge against George Garton, hitting consecutive boundaries and pulling square for a huge six.Breetzke reached his half-century by swinging Moeen for four and six off consecutive balls but skied another attempted pull off Moeen’s next delivery, Kai Smith running in from deep midwicket to take the catch.At first Willey and Broad found it difficult to force the ball away before Broad broke the shackles, sweeping Moeen for four before Willey swung high over deep midwicket for six. Broad then took three consecutive boundaries off Danny Briggs on both sides of the wicket.Garton finally accounted for Willey who was brilliantly caught by a tumbling Jake Lintott at fine- leg, but Broad continued to play shots before ramping Hassan to bring up his half-century.Saif Zaib (15) smashed a slower ball from Hassan down the ground for six but was caught and bowled by Mousley soon afterwards.Broad pummelled Hassan over deep midwicket but was bowled attempting another big shot. Lewis McManus top-edged Hassan’s next delivery, keeper Alex Davies taking the catch before Luke Procter sent the final ball to the boundary.Chasing, Birmingham lost Davies in the third over off a top-edge against Willey, Scrimshaw holding a diving catch at fine leg.Mousley used his feet well, coming down the wicket to hit boundaries off the seamers and continued to accumulate against the slower bowlers, reverse sweeping Lloyd Pope for six.Latham fell to a well-judged boundary catch by Zaib when he clipped a Scrimshaw delivery off his legs, before Sam Hain gloved the fast man through to the keeper as he backed away.Moeen hooked Scrimshaw high over fine leg for six, but the pacer responded brilliantly, conceding just three runs off his next over.Mousley garnered two boundaries off Procter and with the Bears needing just 53 off the last five, the momentum looked firmly in their favour. But Northamptonshire skipper Willey made the vital breakthrough when he had Mousley caught behind off an attempted hook.Broad was pulled over fine leg for six by Moeen, but he removed Barnard through a dazzling boundary catch from Willey running backwards at long-off.The ever-dependable Sanderson then bowled Garton, trapped Moeen lbw and had Hassan caught at long-on to all but seal victory.

Celtic dropped down to second in the Scottish Premiership table on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a drab 0-0 draw by Hibernian at Parkhead.

The Hoops have dropped points in two of their six matches in the top-flight so far this season, and they now sit two points behind Hearts in the table.

Brendan Rodgers made a few changes to the starting line-up to freshen things up after the 1-1 draw with Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday night, but the players coming in did not push their case forward to keep a starting berth. Arne Engels was one of those players who did not take their chance.

Why Arne Engels should be dropped by Celtic

The Belgium international was brought into the central midfield mix to replace Benjamin Nygren, who dropped to the bench, but produced an underwhelming performance in the middle of the park.

Engels, who was signed for £11m from Augsburg last summer, was substituted in the 68th minute of the match after failing to register a shot on target or a ‘big chance’ created, per Sofascore.

The 22-year-old flop lost possession of the ball 18 times and only created two chances, neither of which were ‘big chances’, before Rodgers decided to haul him off for the last 20 minutes.

Chalkboard

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

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Engels should, therefore, be dropped from the starting line-up after he failed to take his chance to impress. However, the Belgian was not the only underperformer for the Hoops, as Kelechi Iheanacho was even worse than him.

Why Celtic should drop Kelechi Iheanacho

The Nigeria international was brought into the starting line-up to replace Daizen Maeda in the number nine position after he came off the bench to score in the draw with Red Star Belgrade.

As you can see in the clip above, the former Sevilla striker did brilliantly to take the ball under control and find the top corner between two defenders to put the Hoops ahead in that match.

Unfortunately, the left-footed attacker was unable to follow that up with an impressive performance from the start against Hibernian, as he wasted several chances to find the back of the net.

Vs Hibernian

Kelechi Iheanacho

Minutes

67

Shots

4

Shots on target

1

Big chances missed

2

Passes completed

9/10

Key passes

1

Big chances created

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Iheanacho spurned the two big chances that he had, one of which was a tap in that he struck the crossbar with from close range.

The worst part of his performance was that the one chance that he did take, finding the back of the net with a nice finish, was offside because he mistimed his run across the front post.

Along with his poor play in front of goal, Iheanacho also lost 100% of his duels (1/1), per Sofascore, which shows that he did not compete with and make it hard for the Hibs defenders.

This is why he was even worse than Engels, who won more duels (two), created more chances (two), and missed fewer ‘big chances’ (one) than the striker, per Sofascore.

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Both of Iheanacho’s goals for Celtic so far have come as a substitute. This, perhaps, suggests that coming off the bench to make an impact should be his role for now, which is why he must be ditched from the starting XI against Braga.

Cameron Green held his nerve to steer Gloucestershire to a hard-earned three-wicket victory over Kent on the final day of a thrilling Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Set a modest 162 to win in a minimum 57 overs, the home side made heavy weather of the chase as they were reduced to 57 for 4 and 138 for 7, Nathan Gilchrist claiming 4 for 43 to threaten an unlikely Kent comeback. But Australia international Green performed admirably under pressure to post a crucial match-winning innings of 67 not out from 90 balls, including a six and six fours, as the hosts dug in to reach their target with 13.5 overs to spare.Ben Charlesworth had earlier produced a startling cameo with the ball to set up Gloucestershire’s first home win in nearly three years. Regarded as an occasional bowler after being restricted by injury in recent times, the right arm seamer took three wickets in a devastating 14-ball burst as Kent were dismissed for 253 inside 89 overs in their second innings.Chris Benjamin and Grant Stewart appeared to be making a decent fist of saving the game when staging a half century partnership for the fifth wicket, only for the latter to fall to Charlesworth shortly before lunch and spark a collapse in which the visitors lost their last five wickets for 20 runs in 10.5 overs.This was Gloucestershire’s first home win in 16 attempts since beating Warwickshire at Bristol in September 2022 and this first victory of the season was greeted with glee by long-suffering supporters. The home side banked 24 points to climb the table, while Kent took six after suffering a second defeat in as many outings.Resuming on 135 for 4, a slender lead of 43, Kent batters Benjamin and Jack Leaning extended their defiant partnership to 82 in the face of a probing examination from Gloucestershire’s seamers, who bowled well as a unit to build pressure.Imaginative in his field settings, Gloucestershire skipper Cameron Bancroft deployed a short midwicket and invited a mistake. Leaning fell into the trap, attempting to force a ball from Josh Shaw into the on side and looping a catch up to Ollie Price to afford Gloucestershire the breakthrough they craved. He had contributed a patient 34 from 86 balls and frustrated the home bowlers for best part of an hour on the final morning.Ahead by 88, Kent were now pinning their hopes on Stewart and Benjamin mustering a repeat of the huge partnership that formed the basis of their first-innings total on day one. Benjamin upheld his end of the bargain, going to a watchful half-century from 129 deliveries. Rather more robust in his approach, Stewart played his natural game, taking on the seamers and scoring 41 at better than a run a ball to dominate a progressive stand of 53.That was the cue for Bancroft to throw the ball to Charlesworth, who effected a crucial double breakthrough shortly before lunch. Stewart’s high-risk strategy backfired, the Italy international dragging the ball on to his stumps, and when Charlesworth bowled Jaydn Denly for 5 soon afterwards, Kent were 241 for 7, and in trouble. The lead was 149, but the new ball was two overs away and Gloucestershire sensed an opportunity.Before even the new ball could be taken, Charlesworth made a further intervention, inducing Jake Ball to send a leading edge to point where a full-length Miles Hammond took a startling catch on the run to reduce the visitors to 243 for 8. Having previously sent down a mere 33 overs and taken three wickets at an average of 47.3 this season, the 24-year-old allrounder had doubled his tally in the space of six overs from the Ashley Down Road end to utterly transform his team’s prospects.The rout continued after Gloucestershire took the new ball, Ajeet Singh Dale dismissing Kashif Ali lbw for three on his way to career-best match figures of 9 for 179, eclipsing the 7 for 41 he took against Worcestershire at New Road in April 2023. Benjamin was last man out, edging Tom Price to second slip after chiseling 58 from 149 balls.If Gloucestershire believed the route to victory would be straightforward, they were made to think again, losing both openers inside three overs. Pushing half forward to a length ball from Gilchrist, Charlesworth was brilliantly caught by Leaning at second slip, while Ball produced an excellent delivery to have Bancroft caught behind as the hosts slipped to 12 for 2. Gilchrist then held a return catch off his own bowling after squaring up Ollie Price to further reduce Gloucestershire to 37 for 3.It was 57 for 4 soon afterwards, Hammond inexplicably playing at a wide delivery from Stewart and nicking off to Tawanda Muyeye at first slip for 18. Their nerves jangling, Gloucestershire then received a crucial let-off when the diving Leaning put down a sharp chance at second slip off the bowling of Kashif, affording Green a life on 3. Gloucestershire managed to reach the tea interval without further loss on 65 for 4, requiring 97 more to win in 38 overs.A period of stability was called for and Green and James Bracey calmed any nerves, raising a 50 partnership from 58 deliveries, and then accelerating as the ball softened and Kent’s bowlers wavered. Making good his earlier escape, Green hoisted Kashif over midwicket for an imposing six and mustered five fours on his way to a 71-ball half century.But Kent still fancied their chances when Gilchrist returned to take two wickets in as many balls, Bracey holing out to deep midwicket for 19 and Graeme van Buuren offering a catch behind to bag a pair as Gloucestershire slipped to 121 for 6 with 41 still needed. Tom Price pursued a ball down the leg side and was caught behind off the bowling of Stewart to set-up a tense finale, but the indomitable Green and Zaman Akhter carried the home side over the line.

Bayern Munich legend Manuel Neuer has been hailed as one of the world's top three goalkeepers by his national team successor, Oliver Baumann. The Hoffenheim star, who is currently Germany's No.1, dismissed talk of a national team return for Neuer but praised the 39-year-old's enduring 'world-class' standard and down-to-earth personality.

• Neuer still going strong for Bayern Munich

  Baumann has hailed Neuer as one of the top three goalkeepers in world football, asserting that the Bayern legend continues to set the standard for the position. Speaking in an interview with , Baumann, who has stepped in as Germany's current number one, praised the Bayern captain's enduring quality and character. Despite his retirement from international duty, Neuer’s club career shows no signs of slowing down. 

  According to Bild, the veteran goalkeeper is now strongly considering extending his Bayern Munich contract beyond its current expiry date in June 2026. The decision reportedly rests entirely with the club captain, who remains a vital player under Vincent Kompany, having already kept three clean sheets in eight matches this season. While Neuer continuing would buy Bayern valuable time in their search for a long-term successor, it underscores his remarkable longevity and enduring importance to the Bavarian giants.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  What Baumann said about Neuer's 'world-class' status

  When asked if the Bayern captain is the best goalkeeper in the world again, Baumann offered high praise for his compatriot. "He might clash with one or two others, like Thibaut Courtois. But he definitely sets the standard; Manuel is one of the top three goalkeepers in the world," Baumann stated. He also complimented Neuer's personality, adding: "We have a very good relationship. I really appreciate how he's remained so human and down-to-earth as a world-class goalkeeper. Manu is above it all, both personally and athletically."

• Baumann dismisses talk of Neuer's national team return

  With Germany's established number one, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, currently sidelined with injury, some speculation had emerged about a potential return for Neuer ahead of the World Cup. Baumann, who has earned six caps for his country, quickly shut down the suggestions. 

  "Are there so many calls? I didn't perceive them as that loud. And he himself denied it – so the matter is settled," the Hoffenheim keeper said. "For me, there's only one relevant question in this regard: What do the coaches think?"

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• Germany's goalkeeping situation and Baumann's ambition

  Baumann's recent performances have seen him rewarded with the starting spot for Germany, an opportunity the 35-year-old is relishing after a long wait for his international debut. While he has enjoyed the experience and would "like to win more international caps," he affirmed his commitment to the team's success and promised to support Ter Stegen upon his return to fitness. He stressed his team-first mentality would prevent any public rivalries, stating that a vocal campaign like the one Jens Lehmann waged against Oliver Kahn in 2006 "would certainly not be Baumann-like."

كشف ميكيل أرتيتا مدرب آرسنال عن تحديث إيجابي قبل مباراة فولهام مساء غد السبت بعد العودة من فترة التوقف الدولي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وسيكون مارتن زوبيميندي متاحاً لمباراة الغد، رغم غيابه عن تدريبات آرسنال أمس الخميس، وكان لاعب خط الوسط الإسباني قد شارك في مباراتي إسبانيا في تصفيات كأس العالم ضد جورجيا وبلغاريا.

وقال أرتيتا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة” مترو” البريطانية: “جميع اللاعبين يأتون من دول مختلفة ويختلف عدد مبارياتهم ودقائق لعبهم، نعتقد أنه كان القرار الصائب، كان الضغط الذي تعرض له زوبيميندي كبير جداً لكنه سيكون متاحاً”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ماريسكا: كنت مخطئا بشأن كول بالمر.. وطردي أمام ليفربول لحظة فارقة

وسيخسر أرتيتا خدمات مارتن أوديجارد في المباريات المقبلة بعد غيابه لإصابة في الركبة، وقد أجبر اللاعب على مغادرة الملعب ضد وست هام.

وقال أرتيتا الذي لم يعلن موعد زمني محدد لعودة النرويجي: “ستستغرق عودة أوديجارد بعض أسابيع قبل أن يكون متاحاً مرة أخرى، وربما ليس قبل التوقف القادم”.

واختتم المدرب الإسباني: “أوديجارد سيغيب لعدة أسابيع ولا يوجد موعد محدد لعودته، هو يتحسن بشكل جيد ومن المؤسف جداً ما يحدث له وإصاباته هذا الموسم، علينا أن نتابع حالته وكيف تشعر ركبته وكيف سيتعامل مع المرحلة الثانية من إعادة تأهيله ومن السابق لآوانه الحديث عن إجابة”.

Southampton have now opened talks to sign an “unbelievable” winger, who could be brought in as a replacement for Tyler Dibling, according to a report.

Saints looking to sign replacement for Dibling amid Everton links

Following the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League, Dibling has been expected to leave the club, and Everton have emerged as one of the most interested parties, with David Moyes’ side having multiple approaches knocked back.

It has been widely reported the 19-year-old is training away from the rest of the squad, amid interest from the Toffees, and reporter Sami Mokbel has recently suggested the youngster could be heading for the exit door this summer.

Mokbel said: “The information varies depending on who you speak to. If you speak to people closer to Everton, they will tell you that the deal has reached an impasse and Southampton are asking for far too much.

“If you speak to those closer to the South Coast, there is a realisation there that maybe Tyler Dibling’s time is coming to an end.”

Amid the major doubts surrounding the starlet’s future at St. Mary’s, Will Still’s side have now set their sights on a replacement, and a report from Football Insider has revealed they have opened talks over a deal for West Bromwich Albion star Tom Fellows.

Fellows has been lined up as a direct replacement for Dibling, who has been the subject of a £40m offer from Everton, and a deal may be relatively inexpensive, with reports from elsewhere revealing the Baggies could look to hold out for just £10m.

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The Saints have joined the race for a “dominant” centre-back.

ByDominic Lund Jul 15, 2025 "Unbelievable" Fellows could be perfect replacement for Dibling

Losing one of their prized assets will, of course, be a bitter pill to swallow for the Saints, should Dibling complete a move elsewhere, but there are plenty of signs the West Brom winger could be the perfect replacement.

Most notably, the Solihull-born winger chalked up some very impressive attacking numbers in the 2024-25 campaign, picking up four goals and 14 assists in the Championship alone, leading to some very high praise from teammate Karlan Grant.

Grant said: “He’s an unbelievable young player. As soon as he does that step-over, I know the ball’s going to be arriving at the back stick and there’s going to be chances.

At just 22-years-old, Fellows could still have plenty of room to develop even further, but he is already a top winger at Championship level, and West Brom’s potential asking price of just £10m means the forward could be an absolute bargain.

Five players who were in the hotel at the time of the incident were safely evacuated

PTI18-Nov-2024The PCB had to curtail the National Women’s Championship in Karachi on Monday after five players had a close shave following a fire incident in the team hotel.”Fortunately, no players were injured, as the PCB promptly evacuated the five players in the hotel at the time of the incident and relocated them safely to the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre,” the PCB said in a statement.The PCB tried to find an alternate accommodation for the teams but because of the Ideas Defence Exhibition being held in Karachi, they could not find a hotel. The board said the decision to truncate the tournament was taken keeping in mind the health and safety of the players.”Additionally, the unavailability of alternative accommodations to meet the approximately 100 rooms of the required standards contributed to this outcome,” said the PCB statement. “To determine the tournament winner, the PCB has decided that the Invincibles and the Stars – the top-two teams after four matches each – will face off in the final. The date and venue for the final will be announced in due course.”