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Half-centuries from wicketkeeper Gulraiz Sadaf and Rameez Alam helped Baluchistan Bears reach a competitive total that they managed to defend, thanks to a combined bowling effort led by Zulfiqar Babar’s three-for

Cricinfo staff24-Apr-2010
Scorecard
Half-centuries from wicketkeeper Gulraiz Sadaf and Rameez Alam helped Baluchistan Bears reach a competitive total that they managed to defend, thanks to a combined bowling effort led by Zulfiqar Babar’s three-for. Federal Areas Leopards had started off well, with openers Raheel Majeed and Umair Khan adding 63 in under 11 overs. A target of 243 remained within reach but the middle order, despite starts, failed to consolidate on the bright start to the innings. Babar’s 3 for 47 was supported by Mohammad Irfan and Rizwan Haider, who bagged two wickets each, and the Leopards folded for 218, 24 runs short.During the Bears innings, Sadaf and Rameez rescued their team from a precarious situation at 31 for 3. They added 88 for the fourth wicket and Jalat Khan contributed 40 to lift the Bears to a fighting score. Mohammad Rameez picked up four wickets for the Leopards. The Bears have now won two of their three games, while the Leopards slipped to their first defeat.

Leeds United appear to be closing in on bringing former midfielder Ronaldo Vieira back to Elland Road, according to Italian outlet Club Doria 46.

The Lowdown: Vieira’s injury issues

Marcelo Bielsa has a number of his Leeds United players out through injury at this moment in time, including two of his four midfielders in Kalvin Phillips and Jamie Shackleton.

However, Vieira, once labelled as ‘different class’ by Ian Holloway, has also had his injury issues. The 23-year-old made just four Serie A appearances last season due to hamstring and thigh problems and is yet to turn out for Sampdoria during the 2021/22 season.

Despite this, it seems as if he could be about to move back to the Whites, more than three years after he was sold.

The Latest: Vieira ready to return home

Club Doria 46 provided an update regarding Vieira ahead of the January transfer window, which was relayed by Sports Witness on Wednesday.

They claimed that Vieira is ‘ready to return home’, with a move back to Leeds, owned by Andrea Radrizzani, ‘approaching’.

The report adds that Vieira ‘packs his bags’ ahead of a Sampdoria exit, where Leeds ‘awaits him’.

The Verdict: First January signing?

It seems as if Vieira could well become the club’s first signing of 2022 following this update, but it could well be a risky move due to his injury issues over the last 18 months.

Bielsa needs a midfielder who can come in and hit the ground running in the second half of the season, especially with the Whites short on numbers and flirting with relegation.

Leeds will know all about Vieira’s attributes, however, he’s hardly featured over the last two seasons. Adam Forshaw has proven that you can return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and become a regular in the Premier League, so should Vieira move back to Yorkshire, the Whites will have everything crossed he can stay fit.

In other news: ‘Unbelievable’ Leeds man may now need an operation after injury and could miss 12 games – expert. 

West Ham United appear to have suffered a blow in their bid to bring James Tarkowski to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent claim made by Claret & Hugh, with the West Ham insider revealing that, despite the Burnley centre-back being one of David Moyes’ priority transfer targets in the winter market, the 29-year-old defender could end up being too expensive for the Hammers next month.

The report goes on to state that, despite the fact the England international’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, Sean Dyche’s side are demanding £20m in order to part with Tarkowski in January – a fee the West Ham board may be reluctant to cough up.

Moyes will be fuming

With Moyes’ first-choice centre-back pairing Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna both being sidelined for a considerable amount of time due to serious injuries, the heart of his defence is undoubtedly an area of the pitch in which the 58-year-old West Ham manager must strengthen this January if he is to have any hope of securing a top-four finish in the league this season.

And, considering just how impressive Tarkowski has been in a struggling Burnley side this season, it is easy to see why Moyes is so keen on a deal to bring the 29-year-old centre-back to the London Stadium next month.

Indeed, over his 14 Premier League appearances this term, the £19.8m-rated defender has helped his side keep two clean sheets, scored one goal and has provided his teammates with two assists, as well as making an average of 1.6 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 5.1 clearances and winning a whopping 7.4 duels per game.

These returns have seen the £50k-per-week man average a rather extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.23, ranking him not only as Burnley’s second-best performer in the top flight, but also as the joint 23rd-best player in the entirety of the division.

As such, it is clear for all to see that Tarkowski would be well worth the £20m Dyche’s side are demanding for the centre-back this winter, and why Moyes will undoubtedly be fuming that his club look as if they will not cough up for the defender next month.

In other news: GSB could land Moyes the next Ibrahimovic with WHU swoop for “incredible” £82k-p/w gem

Kent seamers Simon Cook and Matt Coles claimed four wickets apiece as Warwickshire were dismissed for only 250 in their County Championship Division One clash on a bright, yet breezy opening day in Canterbury

04-May-2010
ScorecardKent seamers Simon Cook and Matt Coles claimed four wickets apiece as Warwickshire were dismissed for only 250 in their County Championship Division One clash on a bright, yet breezy opening day in Canterbury.The chill wind that forced umpires Barry Dudleston and Neil Mallender to don black gloves all day, also helped Coles and Cook to swing the ball late and cause Warwickshire’s batsmen headaches throughout a first innings that lasted barely five and a half hours.By the close Kent had reached 43 for the loss of their captain Rob Key and will go into the second day facing a deficit of 207 with nine wickets intact. After luckless opening stints by Amjad Khan and South African Test legend Makhaya Ntini, on his home debut, Khan switched to the Pavilion End to hurry left-handed Ian Westwood into a cramped pull that spooned up to be caught at mid-wicket and make it 51 for one.Just when Kent’s decision to field first was coming into question, so former Middlesex right-armer Cook made further in-roads on his way to figures of 4 for 66. He had England’s Ian Bell well held at long leg off a top-edged hook for 10, then, to the last ball before lunch, he enticed Darren Maddy (39) to follow an away-swinger and edge to keeper Geraint Jones.Four more wickets fell in the mid-session, three of them leg before. Khan trapped Jim Troughton (one) three overs after the interval then Coles came on at 2.15pm and as fifth change to post career-best figures of 4 for 55 from his 14 overs.A muscular, right-armer from Maidstone, 19-year-old Coles is affiliated to his home town Kent League club, The Mote, and this was easily his most impressive stint to date for the county first team. He bowled an impressive line and nagging length and nipped the ball around off the seam to trap Rikki Clarke (eight) with an off-cutter and then catch Tim Ambrose (14) on the crease and also flush in front.Cook returned to the party just before tea to have Chris Woakes (11) caught behind and Coles took his tally to four soon after the resumption by feathering Jonathan Trott’s off stump with one that nipped back through the gate of an expansive drive and then having Naqaash Tahir (eight) caught low down at third slip.Trott, with 67 in a shade over two hours, was comfortably Warwickshire’s top-scorer. Neil Carter’s belligerent 43 included the only six of the day off Cook and helped the visitors to their second batting bonus point, but the bowler soon had his revenge by having the left-hander caught behind.In the 13 remaining overs Kent lost Key for 18, caught behind by Ambrose off Woakes though the former England man appeared disappointed by the decision as he trooped off with his side’s score on 36.

Aston Villa fan feed Villa Report has shared an image of new signing Philippe Coutinho seemingly on his way to Birmingham. 

The screenshot, taken from the Instagram story of the 29-year-old’s wife Ainee, shows the player on the flight to England.

Villa announced on Friday that they had agreed a deal with Barcelona to take the Brazil international on loan until the end of the season. In the summer, they will then have an option, rather than an obligation, to buy him for a fee of £33m.

The excitement around Coutinho

This will be Coutinho’s second spell in English football after his earlier stint at Liverpool. The Brazilian scored 54 goals and provided 45 assists in 201 appearances across five years at Anfield.

His last loan move, which took him to Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich in 2019/20, saw him win the Champions League.

Furthermore, Coutinho has previously been named in the PFA Team of the Year, the World Cup Fan Dream Team and the Europa League Squad of the Season, while Barcelona spent a cool £142m to bring him to La Liga four years ago, so that illustrates the stature of player that Villa are getting.

Here’s how some fans reacted to the image of the 29-year-old making his way back to England.

These Villa fans erupt as Coutinho jets in

“Yes boy!!”

Credit: @jim_cushe

“Omg he’s nearly here”

Credit: @mikedrover

“BIG CLUB / INCOMING”

Credit: @thevillan57

“I’m at the airport mate”

Credit: @myles_morris

“cannot comprehend this is really happening”

Credit: @abihttps

“#UTV Such an exciting player, can’t wait to see him wear claret and blue”

Credit: @vitalvilla

In other news, Villa are in advanced talks over this potential deal

Robin Peterson revived a game that appeared to be drifting towards a draw when he demolished the Sussex batting to put Derbyshire in with a chance of victory at the County Ground

07-Jun-2010
Scorecard
Robin Peterson revived a game that appeared to be drifting towards a draw when he demolished the Sussex batting to put Derbyshire in with a chance of victory at the County Ground.The South African left-arm spinner found turn and bounce to take 4 for 10 in 11 overs as the visitors lost five wickets in 10 overs to collapse to 71 for 7 in their second innings.That put them only 163 ahead going into the final day and Derbyshire, who had trailed by 92 runs after Luke Wright claimed a career-best 5 for 65, will fancy their chances if the rain which is forecast stays away.The prospect of Derbyshire taking control of the match seemed unlikely at the start of the third day when they were still 36 runs short of saving the follow-on, and they had a couple of scares before they reached the 280 target.Tom Poynton was dropped by wicketkeeper Ben Brown off Wright with the score on 258 and Steffan Jones was missed on nought with the home side seven short. Wright bowled Poynton for 14 off his pads but Jones and Peterson had taken Derbyshire to within one run of a third batting point when James Anyon had Peterson caught at second slip for 31.Jones again showed he is a handy batsman and swept Monty Panesar for six before rain held up the game for more than two hours after lunch. When play resumed, Jones and Tom Lungley cut Sussex’s lead to under 100 before Wright had Lungley lbw and Mark Footitt caught behind in the space of four balls, with Derbyshire all out for 337.Footitt had been wayward in the first innings but he bowled a testing opening spell in the absence of Lungley who was off the field with a back problem. Michael Yardy drove and clipped Jones for two fours in the first over but was then lbw to a full-length ball from Footitt and Chris Nash was fortunate when he edged the fast bowler between the wicketkeeper and first slip.Peterson gave a glimpse of the problems that lay ahead for Sussex when one delivery to Ed Joyce took off and the Irishman became his first victim when he top-edged a sweep and was well caught for 20 by substitute Jon Clare running from slip.Murray Goodwin was caught behind for six when Greg Smith found some movement with his medium pace which began a startling decline with Peterson snaring three wickets for one run in 15 balls.It was lift that accounted for both Nash and Wright who edged to slip before a quicker ball pinned Michael Thornely lbw as he played back. Smith switched to off spin from the Pavilion End and struck in the final over of a dramatic last session when Anyon was lbw padding up to leave the match fascinatingly poised.

If Pakistan are a confidence team, their Twenty20 efforts over the past two days augur well for next week’s first Test. A day after Pakistan ended their 12-match losing stretch against Australia across all formats, Mohammad Aamer helped them begin their o

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale at Edgbaston06-Jul-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKamran Akmal gave Pakistan a good start, and they kicked on from there•PA PhotosIf Pakistan are a confidence team, their Twenty20 efforts over the past two days augur well for next week’s first Test. A day after they ended their 12-match losing stretch against Australia across all formats, Mohammad Aamer helped them begin their own winning streak with an 11-run victory that brought 2-0 series triumph. Tests are a very different story, but their Twenty20 form has given the group a spark.There was a distinct sense of déjà vu after Monday’s game; again there was a big crowd of Pakistan fans, again Pakistan scored around the 160 mark and again Australia’s batsmen were tied down and couldn’t lift their tempo for a successful chase. The last pair was left needing 19 from the final over and despite a six from Dirk Nannes, they came up short.Aamer made important late runs and then removed Australia’s openers, but Pakistan had useful contributions from all their key men. Shahid Afridi made a quick 18 and grabbed two wickets, Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt and Umar Akmal all chipped in at the top of the order, and Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Ajmal were hard to get away.The Rawalpindi Express was out of steam on Monday but had gained momentum 24 hours later. Akhtar has been driving around Birmingham in a red Ferrari over the past few days and perhaps the speedy number inspired him, for he was comfortably the quickest bowler in the match and hovered around 95mph.A couple of sizzling bouncers whizzed past the faces of Australian batsmen but the only man to fall to Akhtar was Tim Paine, who skewed an ugly swipe to mid-off. Akhtar had begun by conceding a pair of fours in his opening over as Michael Clarke showed the sort of Twenty20 form he has not displayed in recent times.Australia had rested Shane Watson, so Clarke took it upon himself to open the innings, finding the gaps and clearing the infield several times with well-judged chips and drives. Clarke had motored to 30 from 17 deliveries when he played on to Aamer, and the bowler was so pumped at his success that in his follow through he leapt in celebration and crashed into the departing Clarke.Aamer immediately apologised and the men exchanged a friendly pat on the arm, but Clarke was frustrated with himself for failing to push on. It was Aamer’s second wicket – he had already trapped David Warner lbw for 1 – and he went on to finish with 3 for 27. James Hopes (30) and David Hussey (33) worked the ball around through the middle overs but boundaries were few and far between, and too much work was left too late.Australia had set themselves a task by allowing Pakistan to reach almost the same score as won them the game on Monday. A late 20 not out from Aamer was especially valuable and included a pair of sixes off the debutant spinner Steve O’Keefe and David Hussey. The spinners bowled well, and O’Keefe finished with 3 for 29, which was an impressive return for a man who hadn’t played a Twenty20 for his state for nearly 18 months.Afridi and Umar Akmal provided a key partnership for Pakistan; their 30-run stand included one monstrous six from Afridi, who slapped Shaun Tait straight back over the bowler’s head. The ball cleared the construction area, put a cameraman at risk, and exited the stadium to the roars of the Pakistan fans.Nannes (3 for 30) collected them both in consecutive balls in the 17th over, Umar (25) caught and bowled when his top edge flew so high that almost any member of the infield could have run in and claimed it, and Afridi caught behind for 18. Already, Butt and Kamran Akmal had given them a strong start with a 61-run combination.The left-arm spinner O’Keefe struck in his first over when Butt top-edged a sweep and was caught at short fine leg for 31. Kamran followed soon afterwards for 33 when he skied a pull off Mitchell Johnson and was caught by Clarke running back at midwicket. O’Keefe had helped give Australia a way into the middle order, but they couldn’t make it count.If Pakistan were surprised by the selection of O’Keefe, they must have been even more taken aback at Clarke’s choice of opening bowler. David Hussey sent down the first over – the first time Australia had opened with a spinner in a Twenty20 international – and it was a success, a wicket-maiden that included Shahzaib Hasan lbw trying to slog-sweep.The day began in triumph for Australia; it ended in jubilation for Pakistan. It has also set the scene for a fascinating Test series.

Wolves are interested in signing young Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile in the January transfer window, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Badiashile an exciting prospect

The 20-year-old has emerged as an exciting player in Ligue 1, making nine starts in the league and enjoying a pass completion rate of 88.5%. He has also averaged 4.3 aerial duel wins per game in the Europa League this season, which is more than any Wolves player has managed in the Premier League.

Badiashile appears to be a man in demand, and Molineux could potentially be his next destination.

The Latest: Wolves linked with move

According to Sky Sports News [via Talking Wolves on Twitter], Wolves are interested in making a move for the Frenchman, as Bruno Lage looks for centre-back reinforcements.

The £25.2m-rated defender’s current Monaco deal expires in the summer of 2024.

The Verdict: Ideal centre-back alternative

Central defence does look like one area where an addition would be welcome at Wolves this month, with too much reliance on the availability of Max Kilman, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss. Indeed, the latter is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Willy Boly would invariably be a strong backup for the trio but he continues to be plagued by medical issues, highlighting the need for a new signing at centre-back.

At 20, Badiashile would be considered a long-term acquisition who could fill in when required this season before hopefully growing into a key figure at Molineux over the next few years.

In other news, Wolves have been handed a potential transfer blow. Read more here.

Cricket South Africa have announced a new-look Under-19 for the Zimbabwe tour, retaining only two players from the side that played the youth World Cup in Zew Zealand earlier this year

Cricinfo staff25-Jun-2010Cricket South Africa have announced a new-look Under-19 squad for the Zimbabwe tour, retaining only two players from the side that played the youth World Cup in Zew Zealand earlier this year. Keaton Jennings has been named as the captain of the side which will be coached by his father, former South Africa coach Ray Jennings.”This is a younger squad with many new faces who have been part of the database of players that we have been monitoring over the past months. We are starting with the build-up to the 2012 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, where the majority of the players will be eligible to play so this will be a wonderful opportunity to harness the talent we have,” said Niels Momberg, CSA’s Youth Cricket Manager.”We had a terrific crop of under-19 players that took part at the World Cup this year and we have seen players like Dominic Hendricks, Cody Chetty, Graham Hume and Colin Ackermann making names for themselves and moving onto the next level of their cricket careers. I’m sure this next squad will be headed in the same direction,” he said.The tour will feature five limited-overs matches and two Pro20 fixtures in Harare.Squad: Keaton Jennings (capt), Gihaan Cloete, David Bunn, James Price, Simon Khomari, Johan du Preez (wk), Dwaine Calder, Calvin Savage, Keagan Rafferty, Chad Fortune, Rabian Engelbrecht, Quinton de Kock, Riyaad Henry, Lionel Vaaltyn, Diego Rosier

An exciting claim has been made regarding Rangers and the chances of Giovanni van Bronckhorst landing one of the Ibrox club’s top targets…

What’s the talk?

Get French Football News journalist Adam White has claimed that PSG youngster Xavi Simons could be interested in a move to Ibrox, having been linked with a switch to the Scottish giants in recent months.

The reporter told GIVEMESPORT when asked about a potential deal:

“Would he go to Rangers? In theory, I think that I could see that happening and I could see him wanting to go.

“But I think it’s one of those things that’s perhaps still in the very early stages if it is happening at all.”

Buzzing

Van Bronckhorst will surely be buzzing with this news for several reasons. Firstly, it suggests that there is the potential for this deal to be done from the player’s perspective, which indicates that he would be interested in working for the Dutchman at Ibrox.

He will also be excited by this claim as Simons could be an excellent addition to the Rangers squad if they are able to snap him up this month. The 18-year-old has broken through into the first-team set-up at PSG with four senior outings this term – two coming in the league.

The boss of the Ligue 1 giants, Mauricio Pochettino, hailed the youngster’s versatility earlier this month, saying:

“Xavi Simons? There is a big difference between the reserve and the first team. Xavi can play in different positions; as a torchbearer, he can also play on the side. Maturity comes with time; you have to take into account the leadership of the team and complementarities.”

If he is deemed good enough to compete in the forward areas with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Angel Di Maria, then he could have what it takes to be a key player for the Gers. The aforementioned PSG stars are all regulars in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, with Messi recently being named in the FIFPro World XI.

This shows the level of quality he is playing alongside and why he could be an immediate asset to Rangers as he is already mixing it with them at the age of 18. His record of five goals and six assists in 12 games for PSG’s U19 team also highlights the talent he has and suggests that he could add an extra attacking edge to van Bronckhorst’s side.

The ex-Feyenoord boss could also be buzzing with this prospective deal as Simons is someone he’d be able to coach over a number of years. He could oversee the player’s development and help him to fulfil his potential, which would be thoroughly enjoyable for the head coach if he is successful.

AND in other news, Forget Kent: Rangers dud who lost 11 duels let GVB down badly, he’s “not happy”…