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How they were outUmar Akmal’s maiden ODI century floored Sri Lanka•AFP

Umar Akmal’s maiden international hundred, a rousing unbeaten 102 from 72 balls, and Younis Khan’s first half-century as captain took Pakistan to a large total and set up their first win on tour. Batting first has been distinctly advantageous at the Premadasa and so it proved as Pakistan put up a mammoth score and then pressured the Sri Lankan batsmen into self-destruction. Iftikhar Anjum played a major hand, claiming career-best figures as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 175, losing their last seven wickets for 45 runs in 12.3 overs.The pace was set early by Umar’s elder brother Kamran, who ensured the tempo did not flag despite Imran Nazir’s early dismissal, but Sri Lanka’s spinners struck thrice in less than six overs. Young Umar walked to the crease when Pakistan were 130 for 4, with a struggling captain searching for a partner and only Shahid Afridi to follow. He took the opportunity to prove that not all is as made to believe about Pakistan’s domestic set-up. His effervescence complimented Younis’ solidity and their 176-run stand paved the way.Where Nazir, Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq struggled against a combination of tidy bowling and a slow track, Umar appeared comfortable from the get-go. He showed he wasn’t going to get bogged down, swinging his seventh delivery – from Ajantha Mendis, no less – over long-on for a six and flicked almost effortlessly. His was a sensible approach, poaching the odd boundary and turning ones into twos while also dominating the perceived weaker bowlers. Finding the narrowest of gaps in the field and always sprinting hard between the wickets, he began rebuilding.Credit is due to the man at the other end. Younis’ innings contained crisp drives and wristy flicks and stolen runs but most importantly it was an effort that allowed Umar to flourish. Around his captain, Umar could play his own game and Pakistan didn’t feel the pinch. Pakistan had been hurt in the series by Younis’ indifferent form. Today they realised just what a difference runs from him can mean.Importantly, he quickly assessed conditions and played with a welcome smoothness. Younis’ innings was controlled, he ran hard between the wickets, and Pakistan’s run-rate lifted to nearly five-and-a-half an over. With Umar rattling along Younis too changed his game. Soon defence turned to single hunting, gliding and efficiently flicking in the gaps.Umar’s half-century came up from 46 balls, after which he upped his strike-rate. Always keen to get back and across and then mow the ball over the on-side, he took consecutive fours off Mendis and then clubbed Lasith Malinga for 13 in the 46th over. Another effortless six off Malinga followed in the 48th over, the back leg lifted to gain power. Younis departed for 89 in the 49th over trying to get six but Umar reached three figures with two balls to spare. You can argue the pressure of winning the series wasn’t there, but maiden ODI centuries don’t come cleaner than this.To chase 322 under lights in Sri Lanka a team needs something near a batting miracle. Upul Tharanga (80) played a cool hand to try and keep the required run-rate in check but there was little support. Pakistan’s bowlers began by bowling too short – in particular Naved-ul-Hasan – and Tharanga and Sangakkara added 65 in good time. Sangakkara sped away to 39 from 33 balls before he was early into a drive against a slower ball from Anjum and scooped a catch to point.From here the attack tidied up, Anjum sticking to a decent length and the spinners taking as much pace off the ball as possible. Thilina Kandamby went next, slashing Saeed Ajmal to slip, and a one-handed effort from Naved in the deep took out Chamara Kapugedera. Anjum bowled a lot of deliveries on an awkward length, too short to drive but too full to pull, and was rewarded with 5 for 30. Ajmal tossed the ball up into the rough with good control to take two wickets.Tharanga played an extension of his half-century in the previous game, accumulating most of his runs by soft-handed steers through the arc between cover and gully. Third man proved a productive area for Tharanga, who didn’t take the aerial route much. With his dismissal, feathering Anjum to Kamran, went Sri Lanka’s chances. From here on it was a steady procession of wickets and Sri Lanka fell way short of the target.

When Celtic secured the £4.5m signing of Vasilis Barkas back in the summer of 2020, fans of the club may well have believed the 27-year-old would go on to make the number one jersey at Parkhead his own for many a season to come.

However, it became evident all too quickly that the Greece international was not up to the standard required at Celtic, with the £2.52m-rated shot-stopper making just 15 Scottish Premiership appearances last season, over which he conceded 0.7 goals per game and averaged an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of 6.79 – ranking him as the Bhoys’ joint-ninth worst performer in the league.

Aside from his poor level of overall performance, the goalkeeper was also found wanting in a number of Celtic’s biggest tests of the season, with one such example coming in a 2-0 defeat to the Bhoys’ Old Firm rivals.

Regarding this performance, Kris Commons said of the 27-year-old’s display: “As for Vasilis Barkas in goal, can he make one save in a big game? He doesn’t save enough shots, has no presence and doesn’t shout.”

Tam McManus also criticised this particular showing, with the former Hibernian man stating: “Barkas, I mean [his] first real test was Saturday against Rangers. I think he’s horrendous at the first goal. He’s got to save that. [Celtic] spent £5m on Barkas, I think it is a waste of money.”

Indeed, since this fixture back in October 2020, the £9k-per-week ‘keeper has gone on to make just six league appearances for the Hoops, while the club made the decision to sign Joe Hart this summer – a player who has gone on to become Celtic’s undisputed number one this season.

As such, it is no wonder the Daily Record recently claimed that Barkas looks to be one of Celtic’s worst transfers in modern times, nor why the publication suggested that Ange Postecoglou may well look to ship the goalkeeper out this January – as the latter of these points would appear to be an absolute must for the 56-year-old manager in the upcoming transfer window.

In other news: Ange drops big transfer hint on “unbelievable” 12 G/A gem, Celtic fans surely buzzing

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to make it three on the trot in the Premier League this afternoon but standing in their way is an in-form West Ham United, who have home comforts at the London Stadium.

Nuno Santo’s men were beaten embarrassingly in the Netherlands by Vitesse on Thursday night, so the Portuguese will be wanting a reaction in this crunch match.

Spurs have defeated Aston Villa and Newcastle United in their last two domestic outings but the Irons represent a tougher test as they could leapfrog them with a win today.

Both teams are vying for a spot in the top-six, with the Lilywhites narrowly holding the edge at this stage.

It means Nuno has to get his team selection absolutely spot on if they are to extend their fine form in the English top-flight.

And with that in mind, he ought to stick with what has been working, particularly in the final third as they have scored five goals in their last two matches, more than they managed in the six previous games.

That means it should be Tanguy Ndombele sitting in the no.10 role over the likes of Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso, who both were underwhelming in the midweek defeat.

Once described as “unplayable” by ex-goalkeeper Joe Hart, the 24-year-old has the capability to be a “world-beater” on his day. Indeed, he offers the Lilywhites something they do not possess in any other player, that being a dumbfounded technical ability.

Ndombele is able to drive the ball forward with his gifted dribbling skills and passing – as per WhoScored, he’s averaged 2.5 dribbles per game, whilst only three other players see more of the ball than him, having also averaged 40.3 passes per league outing too.

This sort of presence was seen first-hand last weekend when the £26m-rated French dynamo not only landed himself on the scoresheet but was also Spurs’ star man, earning a match-high 8.21 rating.

He won them three free-kicks, managed four successful dribbles and enjoyed an impressive 92.4% passing accuracy, via WhoScored.

Ndombele lost some of his closest friends during the Lilywhites’ summer exodus, with both Serge Aurier and fellow countryman Moussa Sissoko moving onto pastures new. This led to speculation over his future in north London but he’s still here and very much starting to deliver as club-record signing should.

Nuno has been praised for his trust in the midfield maverick, too.

“I thought he was brilliant against Newcastle,” claimed ex-Premier League striker Noel Whelan to Football Insider. “Even when he went in at the start of the season asking to leave the club, the manager kept the faith in him. He’s fought back and shut a few people up with his performances.”

He then added: “It was a quality 90 minutes and a really well-taken goal. He could be a real key player for them this season.”

After being absent in midweek, it should be time to bring Ndombele back into the starting XI. He has the capability of really hurting an Irons side that have appeared to be very resolute in the past week, keeping back-to-back clean sheets.

Nuno must start the French beast at the London Stadium today.

AND in other news, Paratici could seal Spurs’ biggest signing since Son with “complete” £27m-rated beast…

Manchester United are still thinking whether or not to part ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Antonio Conte keen on the Old Trafford position, should it become available.

That’s according to reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano and, as to be expected, a number of United supporters have been reacting to the update on social media.

Solskjaer’s position as manager has been under major threat following the 5-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday, which made it four defeats from seven in all competitions.

Romano has been providing the latest on the Norwegian’s future since the loss to Jurgen Klopp’s side and revealed that Conte now wants the Red Devils job.

The United hierarchy are still yet to make a decision on Solskjaer, though, who signed a new contract through to 2024 earlier this year.

United fans react

Romano’s late-night Twitter post on Monday had plenty of United fans talking. This is what some had to say in reply, with many hoping to see the back of Solskjaer and the arribval of Conte.

“Wow.. big news!”

Credit: @DesireMUFC

“Let me hear that sweet sweet phrase… Here we go”

Credit: @_chulat

“SIUUU GET OLE GAWNNN”

Credit: @LiamsUTD

“why is this so difficult for them just sack him already”

Credit: @itssofiiaaa

“Please get it over the line.”

Credit: @mufcfanzone4

“Wonderful NEWS, we’ll be waiting to hear from you Fab once they have made that decision”

Credit: @lincz45

With Lee Johnson’s Sunderland side having highly impressed so far this season, picking up 16 points over their opening seven fixtures of the 2021/22 League One campaign heading into Saturday’s fixture against Bolton Wanderers, the 40-year-old Mackems manager would more than likely have been expecting another dominant display against the Trotters.

And, while Ian Evatt’s side put up an extremely resolute fight in the fixture, besting Sunderland in possession of the ball, shots at goal and passes completed, Carl Winchester’s 17th-minute strike proved to be the difference in the match, with the Black Cats extending their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, seeing off Bolton 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.

In terms of individual performances, despite the fact that the overall display was not Sunderland’s best of the season by any stretch of the imagination, there were nevertheless a number of players who impressed, none more so than the match-winner himself.

Six interceptions

Having returned to the side after being rested for the 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Wigan Athletic in midweek, Winchester dominated from right-back, demonstrating exactly why he is currently keeping the Leeds United loanee, Niall Huggins, out of the team.

Indeed, over his 90 minutes on the pitch, the £180k-rated man highly impressed in defence, making three clearances, six interceptions, four tackles, blocking two shots and winning five duels.

The 28-year-old also looked good going forwards, scoring one goal, making one key pass, completing one cross and drawing one foul for his side.

These returns saw the man the Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley dubbed a “winner” receive a SofaScore match rating of 8.0, with no player from either side achieving a higher score than the £2.4k-per-week defender.

As such, while Huggins did impress while filling in for Winchester in the Carabao Cup win on Tuesday, it is clear to see why the Northern Ireland international is still Johnson’s first choice in the position, as the right-back ran the show against Bolton.

In other news: Johnson drops update on talks with £4.3k-p/w “nightmare”, SAFC fans will be buzzing

Middlesex’s youngsters proved too strong for Surrey who were beaten by two wickets with three balls to spare in Sunday’s Pro Arch Trophy clash in Sharjah

Mark Pennell22-Mar-2009
ScorecardMiddlesex’s youngsters proved too strong for Surrey who were beaten by two wickets with three balls to spare in Sunday’s Pro Arch Trophy clash in Sharjah.After two wins from as many starts, Middlesex rested their captain andfront-line spinner, Shaun Udal, along with allrounder Tyron Henderson and batsman Dawid Malan for their third Group S game, but their superiortactics, team spirit and execution of their skills saw them reachWednesday’s Abu Dhabi final with an unblemished record despite a latebatting collapse.Responding to Surrey’s below-par total of 184 for 9, Middlesex got off to a solidstart under lights as young openers Billy Godleman and the well-organised Sam Robson both dug in responsibly. Robson, a wiry 19-year-old Australian-born right-hander, was spotted while playing for Perth-based club side Eastern Suburbs. With an English mother and a UK passport to his name, he looks to be a decent find.Godleman unfurled the occasional classy shot, including a clipped four off Stewart Walters over midwicket and a six into the seats over long on , but both batsmen were prepared to rotate the strike and sprint for their singles like whippets. The pair posted 101 for the first wicket before Robson, playing back to a shooting Schofield top-spinner, was bowled for a dogged 37 from 92 balls. Godleman sailed on sublimely to a 77-ball half century and looked untroubled in reaching 68 from 101 balls until a rush of blood, and a cross-batted slog against Murtaza Hussein, sent him packing.A further five Middlesex wickets fell to spin, as Usman Afzaal picked up 3 for 21, but his Middlesex counterpart Murtagh came in to hit the winning run.Surrey’s innings proved something of a stop-start affair a little likethe sandstorm that swept the ground for the first hour of thematch, only to end as suddenly as it started. It made conditions out in the middle uncomfortable for all involved. “I can still taste the sand in my mouth,” said Chris Silverwood. “It feels like I’ve been licking a camel’s foot!”Despite the sweeping sand, the Middlesex attack maintained theirfocus on the job in hand and produced the best combined bowling displayof this tournament to date. Silverwood, Alan Richardson, Steve Finn and acting captain Murtagh were all prepared to run in hard and hit the pitch just short of a goodlength. As a result, all four were hard to get away and, every time aSurrey batsman’s patience evaporated, Middlesex struck.In their opening spells Murtagh and Finn set the tone, bowling a tightline and length to tie down Surrey’s expansive right-hander JamesBenning whose patience ran thin when he clipped a return-catch to Murtagh.That was pretty much the trend for Surrey; only Scott Newman, with 56 from 83 balls and with five fours, showed the patience necessary to score on this firm pitch of unusually lowbounce.Even Usman Afzaal, captain for the day, was unable to hold his attackingintent in check and paid the price for an ill advised lofted drive whenhe holed out to mid-on off the excellent Richardson.”We’ve a nice bowling attack, of that there’s no doubt, there’s nothing flash to it; they run in and hit the wicket hard. That’s what they do,” said Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s director of cricket. “I spoke to Graham Gooch after the first game in Sharjah last Tuesday and he advised it was no good floating the ball up here, the seamershad to hit the pitch at the back of a length and attack it and me andthe backroom staff are delighted how they did that.”It’s a very pleasant start for March 22 and we’re a month away fromour first Championship match, but I’d rather be playing the cricket wehave here than scratching around not knowing where our nextwicket is coming from.”After Newman’s departure only Stewart Walters showed much desire tobattle it out for Surrey, the 25-year-old Australian-born right-handernurdled his way to 33 from 58 balls before the red mist got to him andhe lost his leg stump to Gareth Berg as a result. It was a day Surreywill quickly want to forget.

Less than five months after taking up the role as the Netherlands board’s chief executive, André van Troost has quit

Cricinfo staff22-Feb-2009Less than five months after taking up the role as the Netherlands board’s chief executive, André van Troost has quit. He will be replaced by Jan Zwart, at present the treasurer.The circumstances are not entirely clear but it appears that van Troost wanted to return to the business world where the challenges are greater.van Troost made clear that he had only accepted the job on a trial basis and that there had been no rift with the remainder of the board.”André sees his future elsewhere and although it would have been great if he had chosen to stay, we must accept the decision he has made,” board chairman Marc Asselbergs told Cricket Europe. “The board is delighted that he wishes to remain involved in a voluntary capacity, and we shall certainly find a way of making use of his talents and experience.”Zwart only joined the board in November and will take over on an interim basis.

Andrew Symonds has been fined A$4000 for calling Brendon McCullum a “lump of s…” during a radio interview following a hearing in Melbourne on Thursday. Symonds pleaded guilty to a charge of “detrimental public comment” after being reported by Cricket Australia on Tuesday.Gordon Lewis, the code of conduct senior commissioner, issued the fine – which is less than a match fee for a one-day international – following the hearing at Cricket Australia’s offices. Symonds had previously apologised to McCullum for the incident, which occurred last Friday during an interview with the comedians Roy and HG.”Whilst the comments were intended to be light-hearted, I acknowledge that they were careless and as such I accept the fine that I have received today,” Symonds told AAP. “I am pleased that the commissioner determined the penalty based on the full 14-minute interview, and not just the one comment that received extensive coverage.”I want to again apologise to Brendon McCullum for my comments and thank him for his understanding. I want to reinforce that I remain committed to Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket, and I look forward to putting this matter behind me so that I can focus on my cricket.”Symonds was talking about McCullum’s signing to play for New South Wales in the domestic Twenty20 final when he said: “They’re trying to use him [McCullum] as the out because he’s a Kiwi. Yep, we love to hate them, but he’s the lump of s…, sorry, lump of cow dirt, that people are thinking of.” Symonds had been drinking before the interview but made his grade comeback the following day.The decision leaves Symonds free to continue his recovery from knee surgery and he will play for Queensland in Friday’s Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia at the Gabba. There were some calls for Symonds to have his national contract cancelled, but he remains available for the tour to South Africa, with the squad being named next week.The hearing came after Symonds was involved in an altercation with a man at a Brisbane pub on his return to the Test team in November, which followed his suspension for going fishing in Darwin instead of attending a team meeting. Symonds has been undergoing counselling since the incident in the Northern Territory and his psychologist has supported his international comeback.

MatériaMais Notícias

Criticado pela torcida e pela diretoria por ter dito que deixará o São Paulo depois das falhas contra o Atlético-MG, o zagueiro Lucão encontrou apoio no vestiário tricolor. O atacante Marcinho defendeu o companheiro e disse que ele estava de cabeça quente na hora da declaração, e que não deve ser “crucificado” por eventuais erros que cometer.

– Foi uma coisa de momento, de cabeça quente depois do jogo. É uma coisa que não posso falar porque quem vai discutir isso é a torcida, que às vezes pode pegar no pé, ou a diretoria falar com ele. Mas, por mim, ele fica (no São Paulo) e a gente continua trabalhando, mesmo porque ele sempre nos ajudou. Não é por erro ou outro que temos que crucificar – disse o jogador na coletiva desta segunda-feira, no CT da Barra Funda.

A diretoria pensa diferente. Incomodados com a fala de Lucão e com a repercussão negativa, os dirigentes decidiram barrar o zagueiro do jogo contra o Atlético-PR, marcado para quarta, na Arena da Baixada. Lucão não vai viajar com o elenco para Curitiba, e a diretoria vai pensar se o jogador ainda tem condições de vestir a camisa tricolor.

– É uma situação que poderia acontecer com qualquer um, sair do jogo de cabeça quente, às vezes fala algumas coisas de momento. Acho que a gente vai conversar e já passou essas coisas. Não é assunto que tem que ficar falando sobre – completou Marcinho.

Em busca da primeira vitória da história contra o Furacão na Arena, o São Paulo volta a treinar na tarde de terça, e em seguida viaja para o Paraná. Até agora, o Tricolor só somou um ponto como visitante no Brasileirão.

Veja as principais respostas de Marcinho:
​
O clima ruim atrapalha o dia a dia do São Paulo?
“Quando perde um jogo e dois dias depois já tem outro, não dá pra pensar em críticas ou deixar o clima ficar ruim. Tem que descansar porque já tem jogo na quarta, tem que pensar em ganhar. Deixar um pouco de lado e sempre buscar a vitória no próximo jogo. Ruim quando tem semana cheia de trabalho vindo de derrota, o que não é o caso, tem jogos na sequência.”

O que desequilibra o São Paulo?
“A gente tem que caprichar um pouquinho na frente e atrás. Antes do jogo com o Corinthians, a gente só tinha tomado dois gols e feito bastante. Encontrar equilíbrio entre ataque e defesa. Com elenco que a gente tem, qualidade de todo mundo, a gente pode, sim, brigar lá em cima.”

Tricolor espera quebrar o tabu na Arena da Baixada?
“Por peso a mais, falar que nunca ganhou, não vem ao caso. A gente tem que jogar como a gente vem jogando, jogar jogos para ganhar. Claro que sempre evoluir, então espero que a gente possa fazer bom jogo lá e trazer vitória.”

Janela de transferências pode prejudicar o elenco?
“Quando algum dos times do Brasileiro perder um ou dois jogadores importantes é difícil. Pode acontecer aqui também, a gente e todos os times têm que estar preparados pra isso e ter sempre uma peça de reposição. Às vezes pode mudar, ou também não, porque saem e chegam jogadores. Isso a gente vai ver com o tempo durante o ano.”

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Nottingham Forest have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of their upcoming Carabao Cup clash.

What’s the latest?

In recent comments cited by Nottinghamshire Live, Chris Hughton revealed that summer signing Jordi Osei-Tutu will miss Tuesday evening’s EFL Cup fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a hamstring injury, which the right-back picked up in the 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers last week.

Speaking about the current state of his Forest side, the 62-year-old manager said: “All of those who were not available are still not available – the two Joes, Worrall and Lolley, Loic Mbe Soh, Nuno Da Costa and Jordi Osei-Tutu.”

Hughton then touched upon the Arsenal loanee’s injury, revealing: “Jordi will be out for several weeks, that we do know. It’s a big blow for us. But our thoughts at the moment are about doing everything we can for him, getting him back in the best shape that we can.”

Big blow

While the continued absences of Worrall, Lolley, Mbe Soh and Da Costa will undoubtedly come as a blow to Hughton, the fact that Osei-Tutu now looks set for a long spell on the sidelines is sure to be the most gutting news for Hughton.

Indeed, with the £1.08m-rated defender having only joined Forest at the beginning of the month, with his signing made in order to provide Hughton with greater depth at full-back, the 22-year-old’s injury once again leaves the Reds manager extremely short of options in the position.

As such, it would seem likely that both Gaetan Bong – who was informed he was free to leave the club earlier this summer – and Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel – who has been heavily linked with a move away from the City Ground – will start against Wolves on Tuesday – with Hughton undoubtedly hoping his side can at least put in an impressive performance against the Premier League, side in a bid to kickstart the Garibaldi’s so far disastrous Championship campaign.

In other news: Forest dealt major transfer blow over “brilliant” £20k-p/w ace, Hughton will be gutted