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Granit Xhaka has sensationally returned to the Premier League, signing for Sunderland in a £17 million ($23m) deal that has left Germany legend Lothar Matthaus fuming at Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag. Matthaus believes Ten Hag should have done more to keep hold of the 31-year-old, who played a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title run in 2023-2024.

• Matthaus slams Ten Hag over Xhaka exit
• Sunderland land ex-Leverkusen midfield leader
• Germany legend shocked with key exits

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It’s been a brutal few months for Leverkusen. In addition to Xhaka’s departure, their talismanic coach, Xabi Alonso, walked away to take the reins at Real Madrid. Meanwhile, star defender Jonathan Tah joined Bayern Munich, and Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both completed blockbuster moves to Liverpool. Long-serving goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky also left for Monaco.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Xhaka transfer was especially a bitter pill to swallow. The deal with Sunderland was completed shortly after Ten Hag publicly assured fans that there would be “no more departures” from the squad; a statement that immediately aged like milk once Xhaka was pictured holding up his new red and white shirt at the Stadium of Light.

• WHAT MATTHAUS SAID

  Speaking to , World Cup winner Matthaus ripped into the Leverkusen hierarchy, and Ten Hag in particular, for allowing Xhaka to walk away.

  “Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Jonathan Tah to FC Bayern. Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool. Lukas Hradecky to Monaco, and then Granit Xhaka to Sunderland! I can hardly remember seeing a more drastic upheaval at a top team," he said.

  “Most of the departures are understandable and couldn’t have been prevented. I just don’t accept that in Xhaka’s case! Erik ten Hag must accept the criticism of not fighting harder for the strategist and the heart of the team.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR XHAKA?

  Xhaka’s arrival is a massive statement of intent from Sunderland, who are looking to cement themselves as more than just Premier League survivors. The former Arsenal midfielder brings over 300 games of top-flight experience, a fiery competitive edge, and a knack for dictating games from deep midfield. Sunderland kick off their Premier League campaign at home against West Ham on Saturday, August 16, with the veteran midfielder tipped to make his full debut.

With Kings needing four off the last ball, the fast bowler conceded just one bye to take Zalmi to the top of the standings

Associated Press12-Mar-2024

Peshawar Zalmi successfully defended 147 to beat Karachi Kings by two runs in a nail-biter on Monday.On the last ball, Irfan Khan needed a four and fast bowler Aamer Jamal conceded only one bye.Zalmi moved to the top of the standings and will play the first qualifier in the playoffs on Thursday. Their opponent will be determined on Tuesday after the last round-robin game between other qualifiers Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators.Two-time champions Islamabad United are the other playoffs team and will take on the loser of Tuesday’s game in the Eliminator on Friday.Kings, who were already eliminated from the playoffs race, finished fifth overall with four wins in 10 matches, while defending champions Lahore Qalandars had a dismal campaign with only one win and eight losses.Zalmi rode captain Babar Azam’s fifth half-century of the season, 51, and Rovman Powell’s brisk 30 off 18 balls to reach 147 for 6 on a tricky pitch, which offered plenty of turn. Even so, both batters were run out.Kings came agonisingly close in reaching 145 for 5. Tim Siefert (41) and James Vince (21) gave their team a resolute start of 61 by smashing 12 boundaries between them. Then the batters were strangled by Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq( 2-22) and Saim Ayub, (1-18), in the middle overs. Irfan Khan hit 39 not out and almost won it.Left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, who picked up 1 for 11, bowled the most economical four-over spell of the league against Zalmi.

Allrounder’s stint as captain of Gujarat Titans set to come to an end after two seasons

Nagraj Gollapudi24-Nov-2023

Barring any last-minute changes, Hardik Pandya is set to leave Gujarat Titans and return to Mumbai Indians, where he started his IPL career in 2015.ESPNcricinfo has learned the trade is an all-cash deal comprising Mumbai paying INR 15 crore ($1.8 million approx.) as Hardik’s salary and an undisclosed transfer fee to Titans. Hardik stands to earn upto 50% of the transfer fee.In case the trade goes through, it will possibly be the biggest player trade in IPL history. Neither franchise has yet made any public comment on the trade though. The biggest challenge for Mumbai is to have an adequate purse for the trade. After the last auction, Mumbai had just INR 0.05 crore ($6000 approx.) left. Franchises will get an additional INR 5 crore ($600,000 approx.) in their purse for the forthcoming auction. This only means Mumbai need to release player(s) to finish the Hardik trade. The retention deadline expires on November 26 at 4pm IST.Hardik led Titans to the title in 2022, their debut season in the IPL, and was the Player of the Match in the final against Rajasthan Royals. In 2023, the Titans made the IPL final for the second time in two seasons, where they came runners up to Chennai Super Kings. In both seasons, under Hardik’s leadership, Titans had finished top of the points table in the league stage.In his two-season stint at Titans, Hardik scored 833 runs in 30 innings, with an average of 41.65 and strike rate of 133.49. He took 11 wickets for them with an economy of 8.1. Hardik is currently injured, having suffered an ankle injury during India’s ODI World Cup campaign.If the trade happens, Hardik will become the third captain to be traded after R Ashwin moved from Punjab Kings to Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals traded Ajinkya Rahane also to Capitals, in 2020.When the Titans franchise, owned by global fund manager CVC Capital Partners, came into existence in 2021, they were allowed to pick three players from the pool released by other franchises before the mega auction. Titans signed Hardik and Afghanistan allrounder Rashid Khan for INR 15 crore each, with Shubman Gill their third pick at INR 7 crore.It was at Mumbai, where Hardik began his IPL career and developed into one of the best allrounders in the game. Bought for INR 10 lakhs as an uncapped player in 2015, Hardik was a part of Mumbai’s title-winning seasons in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.Having been retained by Mumbai ahead of every auction until 2021, Hardik was finally released ahead of the 2022 mega auction, a decision that came as a surprise. Mumbai were allowed to retain only four players that year and they chose to keep Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard, paving the way for Titans to sign Hardik as their captain.

Harry Kane has teamed up with Britain's major golf championship after featuring in a new film for Reflo's clothing capsule with The Open.

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• Kane is one of Reflo's major investors
• Bayern star promotes new Open collection
• Limited-edition capsule released to fans

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England striker, who is an investor in the company, took time out from his busy schedule to launch , a limited-edition collection inspired by the legend of Irish giant Finn McCool ahead of the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush next month. Kane makes an appearance in a new film taking in the stunning Northern Irish coastline which helped inspire the must-have new capsule.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane was announced as the lead investor in Reflo's seed funding round in February, 2024, with around £1 million raised to help the brand in its mission to become the most sustainable performancewear company in the world. The former Spurs star, who is a scratch golfer, wore the company's clothing during a number of events before his investment was announced, and is now a Reflo ambassador too.

• Reflo
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Reflo's new collection includes Open-branded performance polos, hoodies, midlayers and caps, all of which have all been made from their signature recycled fabrics and designed to honour both the myths of the land and the giants of the game. Only 500 of each item has been released, with golf fans able to get their hands on them via The Open shop and reflo.com.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

  Kane is currently preparing for a Club World Cup quarter-final against PSG on Saturday as Bayern look to become the first winners of the new-look competition. With the final taking place in New Jersey on July 13, he will be free to watch – or perhaps even attend – The Open, which will see golf’s biggest names descend on Royal Portrush four days later for the final major of the year.

Afghanistan’s batting comes up short in the final, rain-affected, T20I in Sylhet

Mohammad Isam16-Jul-2023
(DLS method)
Some stylish T20I cricket from Bangladesh helped them to their first bilateral T20I series win against Afghanistan, with a six-wicket win in the rain-hit second game in Sylhet. A combination of fine new-ball bowling from Taskin Ahmed and a quickfire batting powerplay display by Litton Das and Afif Hossain did the trick, Bangladesh eventually knocking off a revised target of 119 from 17 overs with five balls to spare.Against Afghanistan, Bangladesh had previously lost a T20I series in 2018 in Dehradun and tied a two-match series at home last year. Along with setting this record straight, they have also maintained their perfect 2023 in T20Is: they have won all three bilateral series they’ve played in the shortest format this year, having beaten England 3-0 and Ireland 2-1 in March.Today, it was Taskin who got them off to a fiery start.Taskin Ahmed struck two early blows•WaltonTaskin’s red-hot startIn the first over, Rahmanullah Gurbaz top edged a short one from Taskin Ahmed for six, but Taskin hurried him once again with a short ball the very next delivery, and this time took the skier on offer himself. The wicket was Taskin’s 50th in T20Is, making him the third to reach this mark from Bangladesh after Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman. Gurbaz’s opening partner Hazratullah Zazai followed him in the third over after Taskin had him caught behind for four, an attempted steer through deep third not coming off.Trott, Omarzai fined

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott and allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai were fined 15 per cent of their match fees for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.

Trott was found guilty of breaching Article 2.8, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.” Trott had shown displeasure at the umpires’ decision to further delay play instead of resuming during one of the wet-outfield inspections.

Omarzai was penalised for his send-off to Towhid Hridoy.

Afghanistan slip after the rainSoon after, rain forced a long break of 98 minutes and the game was reduced to 17 overs a side. It gave Afghanistan, who had already batted 7.2 overs, less than ten overs to post a decent total. Mohammad Nabi, who made a fifty in the first T20I, however looked anxious at the crease and couldn’t get going. He was lucky too, when Shakib at cover and wicketkeeper Litton dropped him off consecutive balls in the ninth over, when he was on 15. Nasum Ahmed was the unlucky bowler.Mustafizur removed Nabi in the next over for 16, before Shakib had Ibrahim Zadran caught at long-on for 22 and Najibullah Zadran bowled for five in the same over. Allrounders Azmatullah Omarzai and Karim Janat got away three fours and two sixes during their sixth-wicket stand of 42 and looked like their might provide Afghanistan with the surge they very much needed, but the Bangladesh bowlers fought back beautifully. They conceded just one boundary (a six) in the last three overs, while accounting for both the allrounders – Omarzai fell to Mustafizur and Janat to Taskin.Litton Das and Afif Hossain put on a 67-run opening stand•WaltonQuick start powers BangladeshLitton welcomed Fazalhaq Farooqi with a straight drive and a swivel pull in the first over of their 119-run chase. It was a rare burst against Farooqi, who has mostly bossed powerplays in the white-ball formats.Litton then laid into debutant Wafadar Momand, hitting him for three consecutive fours in the next over: he started off with a splendid square cut, followed by an outside edge over the slips, and then a stunning backfoot punch through the covers. Momand went for 19 runs in his first over in T20I cricket.Litton dished out harsh treatment to Mujeeb Ur Rahman as well, clipping him first ball for four through fine-leg, before Afif lofted him for six over mid-off in his next over. They became the first Bangladeshi opening pair to add 50 runs in T20Is against Afghanistan, as Bangladesh rocketed along, getting to 61 for no loss in seven overs.Afghanistan hit back with three wicketsA tight over from Rashid Khan and a one-run effort from Omarzai followed. Litton played out five dots in that eighth over and took a single last ball, only to fall to Mujeeb first ball of the ninth, caught brilliantly in the covers by Rashid. Afif followed Litton just two balls later, holing out at deep midwicket.Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in one over•WaltonOmarzai then yorked Najmul Hossain Shanto in the next over. At that point Bangladesh needed only a further 43 runs from 36 balls but they had lost three wickets for nine runs in two overs. Towhid Hridoy and Shakib were the new batters, and as they took a bit of time to get their eye in, suddenly Bangladesh needed eight per over in the last five overs.Shakib ensures comfortable winThe in-form Hridoy hit Mujeeb for a four over cover next over. It was Bangladesh’s first boundary since the seventh over, a gap of 30 balls. Shakib edged Mujeeb for a four, and 12 runs came off the over. Shakib launched Rashid for a six in the next over and it was down to a run a ball needed.When Hridoy slammed Omarzai for a first six, over deep square, Bangladesh needed 12 off 16. But he threw it away next ball, toe-ending a catch to mid-off for 19. Shakib and Shamim Hossain ensured no more damage, Shamim pulling Wafadar for four to tick off the winning runs first ball of the final over.

Liverpool are facing a potentially huge summer transfer window with three of their biggest stars set to become free agents at the end of June.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah are all out of contract at the end of this season, which means that they will be free to discuss moves elsewhere unless the club can agree fresh terms with them.

As it stands, there have not been any reports that suggest that any of them are set to sign extensions at Anfield, but none of them have been signed by another team, which means that there is plenty of time left.

As you can see in the table above, losing Salah – in particular – would be a significant blow for Arne Slot and his side because the winger has been in sensational form this season in the Premier League.

The Reds will need other players to step up and carry the load at the top end of the pitch if the Egypt international does move on from Anfield ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Of the stars currently at the club, former PSV forward Cody Gakpo is, perhaps, best placed to step up and establish himself as the main man for Slot.

Cody Gakpo's incredible form this season

The Netherlands international has racked up 16 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for the Reds so far this term, matching his tally from 53 outings in the 2023/24 campaign.

This shows that he has improved his output in the final third, with as many goals in 13 fewer matches, since Slot arrived on Merseyside with his 4-3-3 set-up, predominantly utilising Gakpo on the left flank – cutting in on his right foot.

Make no mistake, Salah has been the main man for Liverpool this season but the Dutch winger has also played a significant role in the team’s success on the pitch.

Gakpo scored five goals and provided four assists in five appearances in the League Cup in the run-up to the final, only to miss out on a place in the starting line-up at Wembley as he recently returned from injury. Slot may wonder if the result would have been different if they had his attacking qualities on the pitch from the start.

As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old winger has also offered a big threat at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League, outperforming his xG and being unlucky to only have three assists to his name.

Liverpool may hope that he can add even more goals to his game and become an established star for the Reds if Salah moves on this summer, as a result of more responsibility being placed on his shoulders – despite him not being one of the most highly-paid players at the club.

According to Capology, Gakpo is currently on a wage of £120k-per-week and that does not even earn him a place in the top ten earners at Anfield this season.

That speaks to the value-for-money that the Reds have got out of the Dutch sensation this term, because he has been a terrific performer despite not being one of the highest earners, but it also suggests that the club may not be getting value for their money from other forwards.

As you can see in the table above, there are ten players in the current Liverpool squad who earn more than Gakpo does at this moment in time, including Diogo Jota.

The Portugal international started the League Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday and put in the type of performance that explains why Liverpool chief Michael Edwards should ruthlessly cash in on someone who’s been described as a “pointless footballer” by one Liverpool content creator.

Why Liverpool should cash in on Diogo Jota

Jota failed to get his only shot attempt on target and completed just 40% of his attempted passes, whilst losing three of his four ground duels, at Wembley.

Quite simply, the Liverpool number 20 did not do anywhere near enough to cause problems for Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, who had a relatively easy time keeping him quiet.

It was a laboured performance from the 28-year-old forward and one that has become all-too-familiar to Slot and the supporters in the 2024/25 campaign, as the striker has failed to offer consistent quality at the top end of the pitch.

Jota, who earns £20k more per week than Gakpo, has only scored eight goals in 29 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, half as many as his Dutch teammate has scored.

The Portuguese attacker’s form in both the Premier League and the Champions League this term has been a cause for concern, as he has struggled quite badly.

As you can see in the table above, Jota has underperformed against his xG in both competitions, scoring just five goals in 22 matches, and has created very little for his teammates at the same time.

This shows that the former Atletico Madrid man has not made enough of the opportunities that his teammates have created for him, as he has missed 12 ‘big chances’ to go along with those five goals, which means that Slot cannot rely on him to perform week-in-week-out.

TEAMtalk recently reported that Wolverhampton Wanderers are keeping tabs on his situation at Anfield ahead of a possible swoop for his services in the upcoming summer transfer window.

With this in mind, Edwards must brutally cash in on the Portuguese dud who has not offered enough on the pitch this season to justify his £140k-per-week wages, particularly in comparison to Gakpo’s contributions as part of the front three.

Therefore, Liverpool must take advantage of the interest from Wolves to move on from the 28-year-old forward, who has been unreliable in front of goal this season, in order to make room for Slot to bring his own signings in to bolster the playing squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

A "monster" Trent upgrade: Liverpool gearing up to sign £34m Madrid target

FSG are gearing up for a summer of change at Liverpool.

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 18, 2025

Ranji champions to receive INR 5 crore; eightfold increase in prize money for senior women’s T20 trophy winners

PTI16-Apr-2023The BCCI has announced an increase in prize money for the domestic tournaments, with the Ranji Trophy winners set to receive a whopping cash reward of INR 5 crore this year.According to the new pay structure, the Ranji Trophy winners, who currently get INR Rs 2 crore, will receive INR 5 crore, while the runners-up and losing semi-finalists will get INR 3 crore and INR 1 crore respectively.”I’m pleased to announce an increase in prize money for all @BCCI Domestic Tournaments,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a tweet.

I’m pleased to announce an increase in prize money for all @BCCI Domestic Tournaments. We will continue our efforts to invest in Domestic Cricket – which is the backbone of Indian Cricket. Ranji winners to get ₹5 crores (from 2 cr), Sr Women winners ₹50 lacs (from 6 lacs) pic.twitter.com/Cgpw47z98q

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) April 16, 2023