In 2015, Zaheer Khan had announced that he would retire from all forms of cricket after the ninth IPL season. Two years on, he’s set to lead Delhi Daredevils again in their quest for their maiden title, in the tenth edition. Zaheer hasn’t played a competitive game for a year, but believes a shift in roles – from being the leader of the bowling group to one who will play the supporting act – will help him ease into the demands of the shortest format.”It’s very difficult to not play any match and then to turn up here and play the whole season. I look at it as a challenge. I stick to my routines along with discussion I have had with my trainers and physios,” he said. “The process remains the same. I picked up the ball around December, got into it slowly and here I am now, ready to take on another IPL season.”Every time I get on the field, the excitement comes back. It’s the right dose of cricket for me at this stage of my career. I have supreme fast bowlers who will take the pressure off me. I’m not playing the lead role, but just the support role. I’m playing the role I enjoy the most. This is my way of giving back to the game.”Among the “supreme fast bowlers” he referred to are Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada, two of their latest acquisitions, and Mohammed Shami, who Zaheer confirmed was “fully available.”Cummins, earlier part of Kolkata Knight Riders, will start the tournament on the back of two intense Tests against India, while Rabada, in his first IPL stint, is coming off a full series with South Africa in New Zealand. “It’s good to have a bowling captain for starters,” Cummins said. “It’s easier to adjust to the T20 format from Tests than the other way round.”Zaheer was also hopeful that a young batting unit that was empowered to deliver under crunch moments in the past steps up in the absence of two high-profile players in Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy due to injuries.”We’ve always believed in youngsters and the potential they have. If you look at last season’s squad, you’ve got someone like Karun Nair, who has a triple century at the Test level,” Zaheer said. “Shreyas Iyer has made his mark, he’s part of the Test team. These youngsters are no longer youngsters, they’re seasoned campaigners now. That is the strength of DD this year.”You’ve got an Indian batting line-up [also having in their ranks Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant] which is more experienced and know more about of their roles. The squad is settled. We’re sitting pretty despite JP and Quinton’s unavailability. If you look at all the squads, you will find players who are missing out because of international duties and injuries. We’re prepared for the uncertainties.”Highly regarded in Indian cricket circles as a bowling mentor, Zaheer also explained the need to have fast bowlers playing as much cricket as possible, when asked if an entire IPL season could bring about injuries and fatigue to India’s fast bowlers, Umesh Yadav in particular, after undergoing heavy workloads during the course of India’s 13 home Tests.”When I was playing, I preferred to play more and more. When you’re in rhythm, you can maintain that,” Zaheer said. “You can maintain workloads at practice. Someone like Umesh, who has played all season, he isn’t going to realise when 20 overs are done. That’s the beauty of bowling fitness. With all the bowlers who’ve been playing Tests and some level of cricket, it will be easier in terms of bowling fitness. The more you bowl, the better you will get. I’ve always endorsed match practice is the best practice.”

حقق منتخب العراق فوزًا ساحقًا على نظيره الفلبيني بخماسية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الثلاثاء، على ملعب “ريزال”، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من تصفيات آسيا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

وسيطر المنتخب العراقي على مجريات المباراة منذ البداية، ونجح في تسجيل 5 أهداف دون رد، ليُعزز صدارته للمجموعة السادسة من التصفيات.

في الدقيقة 14، حصل المنتخب العراقي على ركلة جزاء بعد عرقلة أحد لاعبيه داخل منطقة الجزاء. تقدم أيمن حسين بثقة وسدد الكرة بيمناه على يسار حارس الفلبين، الذي حاول التصدي لها دون جدوى ومنح الهدف التقدم للعراق مبكرًا في المباراة، ورفع معنويات لاعبيه.

وفي الدقيقة 31، استغل أمير العماري تمريرة رائعة من زميله داخل منطقة الجزاء. سدد العماري الكرة بقدمه اليسرى بقوة وبدقة على يمين حارس الفلبين، الذي لم يتمكن من التصدي لها ليعزز الهدف تقدم العراق وجعله في مأمن من التعادل.

وفي الدقيقة 37، ارتكب مدافع الفلبين خطأ فادحًا، استغله أيمن حسين بذكاء، فراوغ حسين مدافع الفلبين بمهارة، وانفرد بالمرمى وسدد الكرة بسهولة في شباك المرمى الخالي.

طالع أيضًا | فيديو | منتخب فلسطين يفوز على بنجلادش بهدف قاتل في تصفيات آسيا لكأس العالم

وفي الدقيقة 62، تلقى زيدان إقبال تمريرة عرضية من زميله داخل منطقة الجزاء، ليسدد الكرة بقدمه اليمنى بِقوة وبدقة على يسار حارس الفلبين، الذي لم يتمكن من التصدي لها.

وفي الدقيقة 77، نفذّ العراق ركلة ركنية من الجانب الأيمن، ارتقى لها زيد تحسين ببراعة. سدد تحسين الكرة برأسه بقوة وبدقة على يمين حارس الفلبين، الذي لم يتمكن من التصدي لها.

ويتواجد منتخب العراق في المجموعة السادسة من تصفيات كأس العالم بجانب منتخبات الفلبين وإندونيسيا وفيتنام.

بهذه النتيجة، يصل العراق للنقطة 12 متصدرًا مجموعته، بينما يظل الفلبين متذيلًا المجموعة بنقطة واحدة. أهداف مباراة العراق والفلبين في تصفيات آسيا لكأس العالم

It looks as if Leeds United are set to endure something of a player exodus over the coming weeks, with the Yorkshire set to see a number of first-team assets move on elsewhere ahead of a return to life in the Championship.

Speculation is rife that Wilfried Gnonto could be on his way – amid notable interest from Aston Villa – while Robin Koch is in line for a loan move to Bundesliga side, Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 6 foot 4 centre-back may not be the only Leeds figure to seal a temporary switch to Germany this summer, however, with The Athletic reporting that Brenden Aaronson is set to join Union Berlin for the 2023/24 campaign.

That relatively swift, impending departure follows what was a rather disappointing debut season at Elland Road for the promising playmaker, with the 22-year-old scoring just once and providing only three assists in 36 Premier League games, having joined on a £27.4m deal from Red Bull Salzburg last summer.

As writer Zach Lowy stated, both Aaronson and ex-Salzburg teammate Rasmus Kristensen "failed to make the step up from the Austrian Bundesliga to the Premier League", with his average match rating of 6.51, as per Sofascore, having reportedly been the lowest in the entire division.

With a quick exit now on the cards, new boss Daniel Farke could look to acquire a much-needed upgrade on the American with the signing of Bayern Munich starlet, Malik Tillman, with Leeds Live suggesting that the 46-year-old could use his friendship with Thomas Tuchel in order to seal a move for the exciting 21-year-old.

As per the piece, it would be no surprise if Farke was to be 'keeping close tabs' on the German-born, United States international, with the young midfielder having blossomed on loan at Rangers last season, ensuring he could represent a dream replacement for Aaronson in that number ten berth.

How much will Malik Tillman cost?

The four-cap dynamo has been valued at around £10m by the Bundesliga giants following his breakout season in Glasgow, having proven himself to be a "phenomenal" talent, according to ex-Gers teammate, John Lundstram.

Unlike Aaronson's attacking woes, Tillman enjoyed a far more fruitful campaign in front of goal after contributing 12 goals and five assists in 43 games in all competitions, including registering 14 goals and assists in just 28 Scottish Premiership games.

Lauded as a "great player" with an "infectious" attitude by pundit Alex McLeish, the 6 foot 2 maestro certainly made his presence felt at Ibrox, having been named the SPFA Young Player of the Year last term.

The fleet-footed gem emerged as a real creative force in Michael Beale's side despite only contributing four assists in the league, having impressively created 12 big chances – seven more than Aaronson racked up in the Premier League.

A further benefit of Tillman's acquisition would also be his impressive work off the ball as the Nuremberg native also averaged two tackles per game in 2022/23, with the current Leeds man, by contrast, averaging just 1.3 per game in that regard.

Such a stark difference in fortunes between the two international colleagues would suggest that Farke can happily allow Aaronson to depart this summer, in the knowledge that he could potentially be able to snap up a suitable and exciting upgrade in that playmaking berth.

Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun is "set to end his 13-year association with the Gunners this summer", according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Who is leaving Arsenal?

Manager Mikel Arteta, from reliable media sources, is said to be closing in on a deal to sign West Ham United star Declan Rice this summer as Arsenal finally agree a fee after multiple rejected bids.

Alongside the 24-year-old, Emirates transfer chief Edu also reached an agreement over the signing of Kai Havertz, who has joined Arsenal in a £65 million deal from Chelsea.

Talks apparently continue over more targets as well, with Southampton's Romeo Lavia and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber remaining firmly on their radar.

It's certainly one of the busiest summers in recent memory at Arsenal, but to make room for these potential arrivals, certain squad members will inevitably have to make way.

The standout names who could make way come in the form of defender Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe, Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga, Balogun and faithful servant Granit Xhaka (Goal).

Jorginho, after reports of a potential exit, has confirmed plans to remain in north London but his midfield partner, Thomas Partey, is being "pushed" towards the door.

Going back to Balogun, there has been an update on his prospective sale, as journalist O'Rourke details in a piece for Football Insider.

The reporter writes that he is "set to end his 13-year association with the Gunners this summer", and Crystal Palace has emerged as a credible landing spot.

The Eagles have apparently set their sights on Arsenal's exciting young striker, who seriously impressed on loan at Reims in Ligue 1 last campaign.

Arteta's side are likely to hold out for a £35 million fee as the Eagles become interested in striking a deal, but they aren't the only side, with European giants AC Milan monitoring the situation.

Balogun has already ruled out another loan move publicly, so any possible transfer will be a permanent one.

What's been said about Folarin Balogun?

The 21-year-old bagged an impressive 21 goals and two assists in 37 French top flight appearances over 22/23, with Kevin Betsy calling him "phenomenal" for his pace and acceleration.

Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is another to have heaped praise on Balogun, with the World Cup winner drawing attention to his "refreshing" mindset.

“He’s a very English-style player who likes to run down the channels but he was missing something, which was his finishing," said Henry to Amazon Prime (via The Evening Standard).

“He’s now starting to score goals regularly and I’m happy for that – happy he has gone abroad.

“When I heard he was coming to France, it made me think he has a refreshing mindset.”

Delhi Daredevils coach Rahul Dravid has said missing a batsman of Quinton de Kock’s calibre as well as the experience of JP Duminy will affect the balance and composition of the team going into tenth edition of the IPL

PTI30-Mar-20170:54

Quick Facts – JP Duminy

Delhi Daredevils coach Rahul Dravid has said missing a batsman of Quinton de Kock’s calibre as well as the experience of JP Duminy will affect the balance and composition of the team going into tenth edition of the IPL.Duminy has cited personal reasons for pulling out while de Kock has a finger injury, sustained during the Test series against New Zealand.”It is obviously a big blow when you lose big players like JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock,” Dravid told PTI during an interaction at Delhi Daredevils’ academy ground. “If these things happen before the auction, then it is easier because you can plan better. But then this is how it goes and you cannot help it.”Dravid is banking on experienced international allrounders like New Zealand’s Corey Anderson and Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews to fill Duminy’s void but admitted that de Kock is a bigger loss, considering he was a player who could give the team momentum at the top of the order. He was also Daredevils’ top scorer during the last IPL.”We do have talented players like Sam Billings and hopefully they can go up and perform,” he said. “We have allrounders like Corey Anderson and Angelo Mathews, so we hope that these boys can stand up and perform and in some way replace JP. But yes, Quinton is a big loss because he played so many games for us and was one of our main batsmen. We had built him up for this season, but this is how life is and you cannot do much about it.”Quinton de Kock was Delhi Daredevils’ top scorer in IPL 2016 with 445 runs•BCCIDravid is hopeful that the core group of Indian batsmen, including Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, will have a good season. Asked how he expects Pant’s second season to be after an impressive opening season, Dravid said: “I hope it is better than last season from our perspective. I won’t say Rishabh is our only X-factor. We have guys like Karun, Sanju, Shreyas and [Aditya] Tare.”We will also look to strategise better and give the [younger] players a good opportunity. In a format like the IPL, it is also important to rest the players and keep them fresh and we will also look at that and give it our best.”Dardevils were in contention last season for a top-four berth till the last match, in which Royal Challengers Bangalore outplayed them. Dravid is hopeful things doing better this time around.”We needed to win that one game and qualify for the knockout stages but unfortunately we did not qualify. But this time, we will look to start from where we left last season and try and improve further.”Dravid also feels that Zaheer Khan’s decision to play from IPL to IPL will not hurt the team as the former India fast bowler is an inspiration. “We have a lot of youngsters in the team and that is where we needed Zaheer, as he brings in that knowledge and sense of calm in the dressing room. You need that when you are playing a tournament like the IPL. Also a lot of the youngsters look up to Zaheer as he is an inspiration.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the deciding ODI between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan at Eden Park03-Mar-2017Match FactsMarch 4, 2017
Start time 1400 local (0100GMT)1:38

McGlashan: de Villiers could decide fate of series

The Big PictureNeither side has wanted to grasp hold of this series. There has been some impressive cricket from both, headlined by Martin Guptill in Hamilton and AB de Villiers throughout, but also vulnerabilities exposed – perhaps more than expected in the case of South Africa who arrived as the No. 1 side. It has made for compelling viewing.New Zealand have made it their thing this season to dethrone the top one-day side. Firstly they did it to Australia and now they have done it to South Africa (at least briefly). Whatever the outcome at Eden Park it is unlikely to change each sides’ thinking too much in terms of the Champions Trophy, but South Africa have a few unwanted concerns over the middle order while New Zealand remain in a muddle over the wicketkeeping position which has a knock-on impact to the middle order.Talk of momentum heading into the decider would appear pointless given how New Zealand responded to being bowled out for 112 in Wellington. South Africa need to find a similar reply after being Guptill-ed. If they don’t, de Villiers will leave Eden Park with that sinking feeling again.Form guide(completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand WLWLW
South Africa LWLWWIn the spotlightTim Southee has had an interesting series. He has bowled some superb deliveries, and his four-over spell of cutters in Hamilton helped throttle the South Africa middle order, but overall he has gone for 6.59. Although it needs to be qualified that he bowled to de Villiers at the death and, crucially, got his yorkers in to seal the Christchurch victory. He returns to the ground where he (just about) held his nerve against Marcus Stoinis’ onslaught earlier this season.AB de Villiers has barely put a foot wrong with the bat – although some help from his middle order would not go amiss – but he now needs to steel himself and his team for a crunch encounter. Was it fate that there would be a deciding match at Eden Park? Before the T20I, he had noticed now much semi-final was replayed on TV. This is another excuse for the sports channels in New Zealand to re-run the match again.Team newsNew Zealand have added Matt Henry to the squad on duty in Hamilton. It is unlikely they will play two frontline spinners at this ground although Jeetan Patel’s offspin added a new dimension to the attack. Henry bowled well in the recent Plunket Shield match, even if it wasn’t enough to keep him in the Test squad, while Lockie Ferguson was expensive in the Wellington ODI.New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, Dean Brownlie, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 James Neesham, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk), 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson/Matt Henry, 11 Trent BoultAndile Phehlukwayo sat out the previous match with a tight groin – his changes of pace were missed – but is fit and could rotate with one of the other allrounders. South Africa would have liked a chance to rest Kagiso Rabada, but with the series on the line may find it difficult. After backing from de Villiers, it appears unlikely JP Duminy or David Miller will be replaced by Farhaan Behardien.South Africa (probable) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Andile Phehlukwayo, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran TahirPitch and conditionsThis could be the truest wicket of a series where the pitches have provided unexpected assistance, especially for the spinners. De Villiers said that Imran Tahir, who took 5 for 24 in the T20I here, would enjoy the extra pace in the wicket. There is the chance of late showers. Rain in an Eden Park match between these two. Where have we seen that before?Stats and trivia New Zealand have won just two of their nine one-day series against South Africa: 2004 at home and 2013 away. In 73 ODIs at Eden Park, New Zealand’s record is level-pegging: 34 wins and 34 losses (with two ties and three no results) AB de Villiers averages 203 against New Zealand on their home soil. He has only been dismissed three times in 11 innings. The most runs by a visiting batsman to New Zealand in a series of up to five matches is Rahul Dravid’s 309 in 1998-99 – De Villiers is on 239.Quotes”Really looking forward to it, it’s a nice challenge for us as team. Don’t think this series has seen the best cricket we capable of, so tomorrow is a little opportunity to play in big pressure game.”
“I don’t think either side has played the perfect game. There have been patches of brilliance but not a complete performance.”

The India captain was full of praise for KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane after India’s 75-run come-from-behind win in Bengaluru

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Bengaluru07-Mar-20171:34

‘Pujara, Rahane showed why they’re India’s best in Tests’ – Kohli

Virat Kohli has called India’s series-levelling victory in Bengaluru the “sweetest” of his 16 Test wins as captain. Having lost the first Test in Pune and been bowled out for 189 on the first day at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, India came back to complete a 75-run win on the fourth day.”For sure. Till now, this is the best one definitely,” Kohli said of the win in his post-match press conference. “I don’t want to say too much, because the game panned out the way it did, and there’s not much left to say. It was a quite emotional game for us, quite draining as well. Everyone got along together, we showed team spirit.”Kohli also said Australia had been too focussed on taking his wicket – referencing Nathan Lyon’s comment after day one comparing it to cutting off the “head of a snake” and “then hopefully the body will fall away” – to the detriment of planning against India’s other players.”A lot of people were talking about the head of the snake, but I think the snake did pretty well by itself, so it’s not just about one individual. I’m pretty happy if they keep focussing on the head of the snake, and the snake can sting from a lot of directions. I think some people need to keep that in mind, but I thought [this was] the sweetest victory for us.”India’s comeback began on the second day, when they took six wickets and only conceded 197 runs to stifle the momentum Australia had built on the first day. Kohli was full of praise for his bowlers for their efforts.”I think the first session on day two where we gave away only 45-odd runs [47 runs] and picked up two wickets when they could have taken the game away from us, I think that was probably the momentum change that we needed, and throughout the day we didn’t give more than 200 runs as we picked up six wickets.”I think that for us was quite important, and something that you look for as a team. Someone has to step up and do the job for you. I think [Ravindra] Jadeja was outstanding in the first innings along with our fast bowlers. Their spell again was very, very good, relentless pressure from one end by Umesh [Yadav] and Ishant [Sharma] and then Jadeja picking up those wickets later on. Those are the kind of things you need as a team to change the tide that’s going against you.”One thing is that we never stopped trying. We didn’t give in, we didn’t let the opposition totally roll over us, we knew if they didn’t get a big first-innings total, day three – end of day two and day three – is the best time to bat here and day four is going to be very difficult. We saw the first-class stats, and no team had chased 120 in the fourth innings, so we knew, once we get 150-plus, we have a fair chance to go at them, and eventually we surprised ourselves by winning by 75, honestly. I thought it was going to be closer than that.”Kohli on KL Rahul: ‘The last three innings have been his best three innings so far’•AFP

KL Rahul won the Player-of-the-Match award for half-centuries in both innings. These followed a first-innings 64 in Pune, and Kohli said these three innings were the best of the opener’s career, even better than his four Test hundreds.”I think the last three innings have been his best three innings so far,” Kohli said. “And I told him this, ‘you’ll cherish the ones that you don’t get hundreds in, but they’re so valuable for the team and you’ll understand their importance later’. And that happens to every batsman.”I think he’s in a very good zone. He wants to convert his own starts into big hundreds, which he has done in the past, but because it has been a bit difficult in the past with momentum not going our way, I think he’s stuck in really well. He’s shown a lot of character and I’m sure in the coming games he’d like to push that score forward and put the team into a more consolidating position. Hats off to the way he’s played. Young guy, big series, team up against the wall and he shows character, you know, three times out of four innings, so outstanding.”Rahul’s wicket in the second innings was quickly followed by those of Kohli himself and Ravindra Jadeja. When that happened, India were four down and leading by only 33 runs. India wrested back the momentum and set Australia a target of 188 thanks largely to a 118-run fifth-wicket stand between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane – the only century partnership in the entire match.”You need two-three people to step up and take responsibility, and I feel that the partnership between Ajinkya and Pujara, in a situation where the momentum was against us in the series, was outstanding,” Kohli said. “In the last two years, it’s one of the top two partnerships, or maybe No. 1, because retrieving the lost momentum and giving the team the lead was a question of character, and they both showed why they are India’s best Test batsmen.”After the first-Test defeat, India rejigged their combination in Bengaluru, going with an extra batsman and leaving out their fifth bowler. Kohli said India had been “shaken” after Pune and wanted the security of an extra batsman in their line-up, and that recent history at the Chinnaswamy Stadium suggested four bowlers would be enough.”I don’t think [on India being a bowler short], because we knew the Bangalore wicket, since it has been relaid there have been only one or two bowlers doing the job. One or two bowlers have been getting a lot of wickets [in each innings].”If you see this Test match as well, Lyon got eight in the first innings, then Jadeja got six, then [Josh] Hazlewood six and [R] Ashwin six. So I think one bowler has stood out, even in the first-class season we saw that.”From that feedback, we knew that we had to play an extra batter just to strengthen up our batting a bit, because we were shaken up in Pune a little. And you need guys to have that bit of cushion. So when you put runs on the board in either innings, then obviously it helps the bowlers to come and put pressure on the batsmen. I think it was more to do with how the games have panned out here and that’s why we decided to go with that combination.””I think this was the kind of game we needed to sort of forget that hiccup in Pune and move forward again as a pack. Yeah the spinners have been outstanding and they will definitely look to back their strengths and dominate the home season as they’ve done so far.”Talking about the third Test in Ranchi, Kohli expected the pitch there to be “slow and low”.”We can’t do much about the Ranchi pitch, you know how it has always been,” he said. “It has always been slow and low, they know exactly what to expect there and we know what to expect as well. It’s how you mentally prepare, mentally what kind of zone you’re in as a team.

Arsenal transfer target and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has given the green light to joining them this summer, according to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Who will join Arsenal this summer?

Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping to challenge for another Premier League title next season after falling just short of eventual treble-winners Man City.

Despite being in pole position for a large portion of 2022/23, Arsenal were overtaken by a relentless City side who, at times, seemed unstoppable – particularly towards the back end of the campaign.

It’s back to the drawing board for Arsenal and transfer chief Edu as they seek to reinforce key positions in the squad, with central midfield being a major focus of their attention.

West Ham star Declan Rice has been subject to rejected bids from Arsenal and there are some rumours a third has now gone in – with the north Londoners apparently offering £86 million this time round – as per FC Inter News.

It is believed they could make multiple additions in that midfield area, as talks progress over a deal for Southampton star Romeo Lavia with an agreement on personal terms close (Football Insider).

Kai Havertz is also set for a medical this weekend as he nears a £65 million move from Chelsea to Arsenal, and with all of this going on behind the scenes, they’re also attempting to sign Timber from Ajax.

Sharing an update on their pursuit, Romano has news for Arsenal supporters, with the 22-year-old giving his “green-light” to join them this summer.

This comes after Arteta approves his signing as a priority target, and according to Romano, the club are attempting a second bid to sign Timber after their last one was rebuffed.

Who is Jurrien Timber?

The Netherlands international has been a mainstay for Ajax these last 12 months, featuring over more Eredivisie minutes last season than any other player in their squad (WhoScored).

Timber can play as an inverted full-back, similar to Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, and is versatile enough to move into a central defensive position (The Telegraph).

He is renowned for his superb passing range and composure on the ball – making the defender a sure-fire fit for Arteta’s fluid system.

Match facts

March 28-31, 2017
Start time 1000 local (0430 GMT)Ed Joyce (in pic) needs 84 runs to reach 1000 runs in the Intercontinental Cup.•ICC/Saleem Sanghati

Big picture

When the Intercontinental Cup was initiated by the ICC as part of their global development programme, the concept of an Associate using the competition as a vehicle to vie for Test status was a pipe dream. Thirteen years on, it’s a prospect both Afghanistan and Ireland are faced with; the winner of the current Intercontinental Cup edition will take another step closer to cricket’s ultimate dream.Much discussion recently have pegged a double bump up for both sides, but that will depend on ICC’s reforms being approved, a long-drawn process if history is any indication. For now, only the champion of the Intercontinental Cup will advance to the 2018 Test Challenge, a four-match series against the bottom-ranked Test side, currently Zimbabwe.As such, the stakes remain high in the four-day showdown in Greater Noida, particularly since the format has undergone a slight tweak. Unlike previously where the top two sides met in a final at a neutral venue, the group topper after seven rounds will be declared the winner this time around. Therefore, it’s fair to say this clash will have plenty riding on it, perhaps more than any of the six previous finals have.If Afghanistan claim the full 20 points – six for a first-innings lead and 14 more for an outright win – they will sneak past Ireland by a point into the tournament lead. Their final two games are against Hong Kong and UAE, currently placed last. An Ireland loss would mean they’d be in an uphill battle to surge past Afghanistan since they arguably have the toughest remaining slate of any team in the competition – against Netherlands and Scotland.A full 20-point for Ireland win though would put them in a virtually unassailable position, up 39 points with only 40 left on offer for Afghanistan in the final two rounds. Ireland may also be content to play for a draw away from home, a result that would give them a minimum of three points to maintain their lead on the overall table.Though currently second and 19 points behind Ireland, momentum is on Afghanistan’s side. A thumping 10-wicket demolition of Ireland in the final of the Desert T20 Challenge has been followed by a 3-0 T20I sweep and a 3-2 ODI series win this month over the same opponent. In between the Desert T20 and hosting Ireland, they had another 3-2 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe.Ireland, who have won four of the last five Intercontinental Cups, have been consistent in the tournament at least. This time around, they have stormed not only to four wins in four matches, but have also claimed full points including a pair of wins by innings margins. All set then for a cracker.

Form guide

Afghanistan LDWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Ireland WWWWW

In the spotlight

Rashid Khan has never taken the field for Afghanistan in the I-Cup. However, he took 12 for 122 on his first-class debut against England Lions in December to dispel any doubts over his capabilities in long-form cricket. Rashid was the leading wicket-taker in both the T20I and ODI series ahead of this with nine and 16 respectively across eight matches.Ireland’s Ed Joyce is the leading scorer in the competition with 592 runs in six innings. The bulk of that output came in a pair of double-century knocks against UAE and Namibia in June and October 2015. He kept up that form in limited-overs cricket against Afghanistan in the summer of 2016, finishing as the leading scorer in the home four-ODI series with 339 runs. However, he’s had a much leaner run since arriving in Greater Noida, making just 137 runs in five ODIs.

Team news

Zahir Khan, the left-arm wristspinner who is tied with George Dockrell for most wickets in the tournament, is one of several expected changes from the limited-overs leg as Afghanistan may produce a three-pronged spin attack: Zahir, Rashid and Mohammad Nabi.Afghanistan (probable XI): 1 Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 2 Javed Ahmadi, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Nasir Jamal, 5 Asghar Stanikzai (capt.), 6 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Dawlat Zadran, 10 Yamin Ahmadzai, 11 Zahir KhanIreland’s lack of depth will be further tested by the absence of Kevin O’Brien, who flew home after suffering a hamstring injury in the fourth ODI. Boyd Rankin missed the T20I and ODI series with a back problem he has battled since the Desert T20 in January. If Rankin can’t go, Ireland may opt for offspinning allrounder Andy McBrine rather than specialist legspinner Jacob Mulder or medium pacer Peter Chase. That would leave Tim Murtagh and Craig Young as the two seam options.Ireland (probable XI): 1 William Porterfield (capt.), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Ed Joyce, 4 John Anderson, 5 Niall O’Brien (wk), 6 Andy Balbirnie, 7 Gary Wilson, 8 Andy McBrine/Jacob Mulder, 9 George Dockrell, 10 Tim Murtagh, 11 Craig Young/Boyd Rankin

Pitch and conditions

Afghanistan’s spinners took 16 of the 20 wickets in an innings and 36 run win over Namibia in the only I-Cup game at this venue. Spinners dominated throughout the just completed ODI series, highlighted by Rashid and Paul Stirling taking 6-fors in the same match. Slow bowlers are expected to continue prospering. Fitness levels will be tested with temperatures expected to hover around 40 degrees.

Stats and trivia

• Ireland captain William Porterfield needs 47 runs to pass Andrew White as his country’s all-time leading scorer in the I-Cup. Porterfield has 1506 runs in 21 matches, which puts him seventh overall behind Kenya’s Steve Tikolo (1918 runs).
• Ed Joyce needs 84 runs to reach 1000 runs in the Intercontinental Cup. He’d be the second-fastest to the mark if he gets there. Ryan ten Doeschate took just seven matches to cross 1000 I-Cup runs for the Netherlands.
• Mohammad Nabi needs three more wickets to surpass Hamid Hassan for the most by an Afghanistan bowler in the I-Cup. Nabi has 53 in 17 games. Three wickets will also take him into 10th position for most wickets by a bowler in the tournament’s history. Former Ireland captain Trent Johnston is number one with 91 wickets in 25 matches.

Quotes

“I feel this will be the best and most important game in the entire Intercontinental Cup league as both teams can top the league. Our strength is spin bowling and most of our batsmen are in good form. It’s a matter of performing well on the day.”
“It will be a big test for us – the conditions, the turning surface against a side that has a lot of spinners. We’ve been here for three or four weeks, played a lot of cricket on the same ground, so we could not have asked for better preparation.”

حقق فريق أستون فيلا، مساء يوم السبت، فوزًا ضد خصمه ولفرهامبتون، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان على ملعب “فيلا بارك” في إطار منافسات الجولة الثلاثين من البطولة، حيث فاز أستون فيلا بهدفين دون رد. أهداف مباراة أستون فيلا وولفرهامبتون

كان موسى ديابي قد سجل الهدف الأول لصالح أستون فيلا، في الدقيقة 36 من عمر الشوط الأول.

وتعرض لاعب أستون فيلا أولي واتكينز للإصابة والتي أجبرته على الخروج بين الشوطين، حيث لم يتمكن من استكمال اللقاء.

ونجح أستون فيلا في مضاعفة النتيجة بعدما سجل الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 65 عن طريق إزري كونسا.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد أستون فيلا إلى 59 نقطة في المركز الرابع، بينما تجمد رصيد ولفرهامبتون عند 41 نقطة في المركز العاشر.