Ireland fought hard with Kevin O’Brien’s rapid half-century but once he fell in the 16th over, their challenge was done

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2019Rashid Khan wheels away in celebration•AFPHow much action can you pack into a single game of T20 cricket? Afghanistan and Ireland have practically dedicated an entire series to answering that question and here’s what happened on Sunday night.Mohammad Nabi made 81 off 36 balls. He came in to bat with nearly half the innings done. Kevin O’Brien replied with 74 off 47. He was single-handedly keeping Ireland in the game. Then with only five overs of the contest left, Rashid Khan ambled up and picked up four wickets in four balls, a feat so rare it hasn’t been seen in international cricket since Lasith Malinga sent South African pulses racing in the 2007 World Cup.In all, there were 388 runs scored – 210 by Afghanistan and 178 by Ireland – off 40 overs. And yet, it felt like the people of Dehradun – and indeed anyone that’s been following this series – left wanting oh so much more.Afghanistan have a way of making their fans feel that way in practically every game, and Rashid plays a big part in that. He is a masterful bowler, and aside from all the variations that he has, including even that legbreak that he seems to deliver out the back of the hand, his time-tested ability to deliver in the death makes for spectacular viewing. He dismissed O’Brien off the final ball of the 16th over with a ball that he tossed up wide, knowing the big-hitting allrounder had to go for runs and that his instinct would make him slog into the leg side. The resulting bottom edge was ever so smartly taken by the wicketkeeper Shafiqullah.With Ireland needing 53 off 18 balls, Rashid had George Dockrell caught at long-on (thanks to some incredible acrobatics on the boundary from Nabi) and his googly practically made Shane Getkate and Simi Singh self-destruct. The Afghanistan legspinner finished with 5 for 27. His overall average and strike-rate in T20Is are 12. !Asghar Afghan has repeatedly said his team can defend any total in a limited-overs game. And there’s no real secret to it. They try to keep things tight at the start to push the asking rate up. Then, when the batsmen are feeling vulnerable and left with little option but to attack, Rashid comes on and complicates everything. His control – rarely does he give up the short and wide delivery to cut and pull – sparks their undoing. And by constantly asking the opposition to try and hit good balls to the boundary, he gets truckloads of wickets.Those four balls, those four moments, stole the spotlight from an amazing innings. Well, two actually. Nabi and O’Brien are among the longest-serving allrounders in world cricket. And they only keep getting stronger. Nabi, at 34, is desperately sought after on the T20 circuit and O’Brien, having waited virtually his entire career to play a Test match, became Ireland’s first centurion just last year.Each is a hero in his own right but here only of them could emerge, silhouetted against the dust as it settled down on an epic game. And that was Nabi. He came in to bat in the eighth over, made 22 off the first 20 balls he faced, and then promptly lashed 59 off the next 16. If ever an innings had a split personality…And if you’re imagining a slew of front-leg cleared hoicks over cow corner, just stop it. Nabi crashed all but one of his seven sixes down the ground. He then came on to bowl, conceded only 28 off his four overs, and then yielded the stage to the man whose name is Khan.

Sachin Tendulkar believes India are “the favourites” to win the 2019 World Cup. Tendulkar’s comments came two days after his former India team-mate Rahul Dravid, too, backed Virat Kohli’s men to win a third World Cup for India.”As far as our chances are concerned, I will not hesitate in saying that we are the favourites,” Tendulkar told PTI on Sunday. “I have gone on record saying that we have a perfect balance in the team where we will be competitive in any part of the world or on any surface.”Tendulkar believes hosts England will provide India with their toughest challenge, while New Zealand too are a team to watch despite them having just lost 4-1 to India at home.”I know New Zealand have struggled in this series but it’s a good unit, one needs to be on their toes [when playing them],” Tendulkar said. “It’s all about getting the early momentum. My judgement on the toughest contenders would be England, while New Zealand would be the dark horse.”India have had a successful 12 months in ODI cricket. After beating South Africa 5-1, they lost the ODI series in England 2-1 but regained momentum to win the Asia Cup as well as series in Australia (2-1) and now New Zealand. Tendulkar said that Australia would be a different side when the banned duo of Steven Smith and David Warner return.”I think Australia at full strength will be a formidable side,” Tendulkar said. “With Smith and David Warner back in the team and their other bowlers coming back into the ODI squad, it will be a competitive side.”The 2019 World Cup kickstarts on May 30, with India’s first game scheduled against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane were on song as Al-Nassr thrashed Al-Wehda 6-0 in the Saudi Pro League.

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• Ronaldo netted 66th career hat-trick
• Mane scored and provided an assist
• Al-Nassr kept title hopes alive

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  TELL ME MORE

  Ronaldo and Mane were on fire as Al-Nassr registered an important win to keep their Saudi Pro League title hopes alive on Saturday. It took the Portuguese just five minutes to break the deadlock as he intercepted a poor clearance by Wehda goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi and found the back of the net. Seven minutes later he doubled his tally after converting a simple header from Marcelo Brozovic's header.

  Otavio then scored a third goal after receiving a brilliant pass from Mane. The Portuguese took a touch inside the box as he found himself one-on-one with Munir before lobbing the ball over the custodian to find the back of the net.

  At the stroke of half-time, the former Liverpool star got his name into the scoresheet. The winger received the ball from Ronaldo and exchanged a quick one-two with Otavio before pushing the ball into the net.

  Al-Nassr were in no mood to stop after thoroughly dominating the first as they further increased their tally in the 50th minute as their striker completed his hat-trick. The Portugal captain made a brilliant run after getting a through ball from Mane and then netted his 31st league goal of the current campaign and 41st overall.

  Mohamed Al-Fatil then scored the sixth goal of the night after Meshari Al-Nemer's initial attempt was blocked by Mohamedi.

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  THE MVP

  Ronaldo was once again the star performer for his side and was as clinical as ever in front of the goal. The 39-year-old was too hot to handle for the Al-Wehda players who completed the 66th hat-trick of his illustrious career.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  it was a night to forget for Morocco international Munir Mohamedi who conceded six times in 90 minutes and was at fault for the opening goal as his horrible clearance allowed Ronaldo to break the deadlock.

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Luis Castro's side will be next seen in action on Thursday as they take on Al-Akhdoud in a vital Saudi Pro League clash.

تمكن فريق الأهلي من الفوز على منافسه العروبة بثنائية نظيفة في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي.

وأقيمت مباراة الأهلي والعروبة على أرضية استاد مدينة الملك عبد الله الرياضية، في الجولة الأولى من بطولة دوري روشن.

طالع..مدرب برينتفورد يعلق على مصير إيفان توني بعد ارتباطه بـ الأهلي

وسجل عبد الكريم دارسي الهدف الأول لصالح الأهلي في الدقيقة 32، بعد متابعته لتسديدة كيسيه الذي تصدى لها حارس المرمى، وحولها نحو المرمى.

وجاء الهدف الثاني عن طريق البرازيلي فيرمينو بعد متابعته لعرضية كيسيه ليضعها داخل الشباك بنجاح.

وحصد الأهلي، أول ثلاث نقاط له في مسابقة الدوري السعودي، بينما تجمد رصيد العروبة بدون نقاط. هدف الأهلي الأول أمام العروبة في الدوري السعودي

هدف الأهلي الثاني أمام العروبة في الدوري السعودي

Tottenham could sign an "untouchable" international centre-back for very affordable money as a report shares "open discussions".

Spurs prioritising new defender in January

Head coach Ange Postecoglou has been forced to deal with a wave of injury and suspension problems lately, especially at the heart of his defence. Micky van de Ven, who was starring for Spurs after his arrival from Wolfsburg in the summer, won't be available to play again until 2024 as a serious hamstring injury keeps him sidelined.

Juventus plot "special" £22m player sale to Spurs, it's not Iling-Junior

Spurs are eyeing yet another player from the Old Lady.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 14, 2023

Postecoglou's lack of faith in Eric Dier has also resulted in the Australian turning to makeshift option Ben Davies, who is now partnering Cristian Romero at the heart of Tottenham's defence. The latter recently returned from a three-game suspension, but as evidenced by his needless lunge during Tottenham's 4-1 win over Newcastle last weekend, Romero can often be walking on a tightrope.

Lack of cover behind van de Ven and Romero is a big problem which chairman Daniel Levy and sporting director Johan Lange quite simply need to address. Tottenham are prioritising a new centre-back signing as a result, according to reliable media sources, and there have been many names linked.

Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite is being chased by Spurs as an option, but he isn't the only one, with his teammate Ben Godfrey, Genoa star Radu Dragusin, Benfica starlet Morato and Sporting Lisbon international Goncalo Inacio among the other centre-backs linked with moves to Spurs

Another very viable name to be mentioned in recent months is Club America defender Sebastian Caceres. The Uruguay international has really impressed under former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa at international level, which has apparently prompted major interest from clubs in Europe.

Tottenham hold "open" agent talks for Caceres

One of those sides is Tottenham, as per widespread reports previously, and an update has now come to light courtesy of Tuttsport (via Sport Witness).

When relaying Serie A side Torino's interest in the 24-year-old, the outlet claims Spurs have "open discussions" with the agent of Caceres over joining Postecoglou's side.

Little else is mentioned beyond that, but if Spurs are serious about making a move, they may have to act fairly quickly. The report claims Napoli and Sevilla are also chasing Caceres, who is available for a bargain fee of around £6 million including bonuses.

That valuation is unquestionably great value for money, as highlighted by his growing reputation. Caceres has become a star for Uruguay in the last few months, with journalist Rodrigo Romano calling the South American an "untouchable" under Bielsa – as translated from Spanish.

The five-match ODI home series will be followed by visits to Netherlands and Ireland in June and July

Liam Brickhill19-Mar-2019Zimbabwe’s extended international hiatus will come to an end when they host United Arab Emirates in April, after which they will visit Netherlands and Ireland in June and July.Zimbabwe Cricket has struggled to fill the gaps in its calendar since failing to qualify for the World Cup, with a rare trip to India – originally scheduled for March in the Future Tours Programme – falling through and Afghanistan pulling out of a tour scheduled for late April because the games would not be televised. The national side has had no engagements since November last year, when they visited Bangladesh, with players spending the season taking part in Zimbabwean domestic cricket or seeking opportunities in franchise T20 cricket overseas.The gap between international assignments will have stretched to five months before Zimbabwe host UAE for five ODIs, with the matches scheduled for April 10, 12, 14 and 16, all at Harare Sports Club. Before the ODI series gets underway, UAE will first face Zimbabwe A in a 50-over warm-up match at Old Hararians Sports Club on April 8, two days after their arrival in the country.Next up for Zimbabwe on the international arena will be an away tour to the Netherlands for two ODIs pencilled in for June 19 and 21, and two Twenty20 international matches set for June 23 and 25.From there, Zimbabwe will proceed to Ireland where they will play three ODI matches and three T20Is. The ODIs against Ireland are scheduled for July 1, 4 and 7, while the T20I matches are slated for July 10, 12 and 14.While the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, the current ICC FTP suggests that Zimbabwe could host Afghanistan for a Test, five ODIs and three T20Is in August, and then West Indies for five ODIs and one Test in October.

West Ham have sent a clear message to Chelsea over signing one of their "very underrated" players in January as his exit becomes inevitable.

Steidten tipped for busy transfer window

As we fast approach the winter window's opening, Hammers technical director Tim Steidten and the board have been tipped for a busy January.

According to reliable media sources, like renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, West Ham are "working" on their transfer plans for next month as manager David Moyes also reportedly eyes a new striker.

West Ham signing said to be all but done, but Moyes unlikely to benefit

He apparently looks set to join them.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 16, 2023

The east Londoners have been linked with moves for RB Leipzig ace Timo Werner, Stuttgart star Serhou Guirassy and PSG starlet Hugo Ekitike as some of the strikers West Ham could sign mid-season.

Meanwhile, it's also been reported that Moyes is eager to bring in a new full-back and provide competition for the likes of Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri. Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters is reportedly attracting West Ham interest with his contract set to expire next summer, while another player to be mentioned more sporadically is Ian Maatsen.

Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart)

TEAMtalk

Hugo Ekitike (PSG)

Football Insider

Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth)

Football Insider

Adam Hlozek (Bayer Leverkusen)

TEAMtalk

Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)

Fussball Transfers

The Dutchman could well depart Chelsea in 2024, with his contract expiring in 2025 and Chelsea having limited windows to cash in. They recently activated a one-year extension clause to keep him tied to Stamford Bridge a little while longer, coming as Maatsen and Chelsea seemingly fail to agree on a brand new deal.

West Ham tell Chelsea they want Maatsen

According to 90min, interest in the defender from Steidten and co is still very much there. Indeed, it is believed West Ham have told Chelsea they want Maatsen in January by expressing their interest in signing the 21-year-old.

While little else regarding Moyes' side is written beyond that, 90min reporter Graeme Bailey added on X that Maatsen is "set to leave" Chelsea next month.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are apparently prepared to do business in January, and another reporter Dean Jones thinks Maatsen would be the ideal signing for West Ham if they want a new full-back option.

"Maatsen is a really good player," said Jones to GiveMeSport recently.

"I can see this being a really good fit for West Ham. I'm not surprised they're interested. I think he's very underrated and a player that Chelsea have only considered selling because they see it as a good way to bring some money in basically. I think he's very highly-rated inside the club and I think he would do a really good job for West Ham if he was to go there.

"He's certainly good enough to be starting every week in the Premier League. I think some people are quite surprised that Chelsea would even consider letting him go. But if West Ham can do this one, I think it would be a good deal."

Glasgow Rangers return to Premiership action this afternoon as they look to make amends following their recent Old Firm defeat.

Kilmarnock are the visitors to Ibrox in what is the final league clash for three weeks as the winter break gives teams the chance to rest and regroup ahead of the second half of the season.

Philippe Clement suffered his first loss as boss of the Light Blues against Celtic and the performance was below what was expected, especially given how impressive the club have looked in recent weeks.

The clash against Killie gives the Belgian coach an opportunity to rotate some of his squad and this should mean Cyriel Dessers gets dropped to the bench after his dismal showing last weekend.

Cyriel Dessers’ performance against Celtic in numbers

The striker had registered four goal contributions in the three games prior to the derby clash, and he could have given his confidence another lift by scoring against Celtic.

Unfortunately, his performance lacked any real substance, and he didn’t recover after missing a glorious one-on-one chance in the first half.

The 29-year-old was given the freedom of Glasgow as he had a perfect chance to open the scoring, yet he took one touch too many and failed to even get a shot away.

The striker took just 26 touches throughout the match while winning only three of his 14 total duels and this lack of physical presence along with a failure to provide any meaningful attacking input led analyst John Walker to claim his performance was “atrocious” and he wasn’t wrong.

Rangers' 4/10 dud was a bigger villain than Leon Balogun in Old Firm defeat

Rangers suffered yet another Old Firm defeat this afternoon

ByRoss Kilvington Dec 30, 2023

A win against Kilmarnock is imperative in order to get the derby defeat out of their minds as the club look to head into the winter break in a positive mindset.

The man to replace Cyriel Dessers

The Ibrox side managed to secure the signature of 21-year-old Fabio Silva on a loan deal until the end of the season from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he could be in line to make his debut against Killie.

The striker has featured just ten times for the Old Gold during the 2023/24 campaign, scoring once, and there is no doubt he will be fresh heading into the second half of the season.

The former Porto starlet has struggled during his spell at Wolves, yet proved just how talented he is during two temporary spells with PSV Eindhoven and Anderlecht in 2022/23.

The youngster netted 11 goals and grabbed four assists in 32 games for the Belgian side, before registering seven goal contributions in 19 games for the Eredivisie outfit and Clement will be hoping this is the Silva that the Gers have signed.

Dessers simply doesn’t deserve to start the clash against the Rugby Park side and with Danilo out until April with a knee injury, the 49-year-old tactician may not have a choice but to unleash Silva in the starting XI.

The Portuguese gem could announce himself by scoring a goal or two if he manages to make an appearance this afternoon and if the youngster lives up to expectations, his loan spell could be very lucrative indeed.

South Africa no longer have the pressure of winning the series upon them, and are free to experiment ahead of the World Cup

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Mar-2019

Dhananjaya de Silva congratulates Kusal Mendis on getting to his half-century•Associated Press

Big PictureWhen Sri Lanka last won an ODI, farming had not been invented, and woolly mammoths were roaming the planet. Don’t look it up on Statsguru, but that is what it feels like. Every recent series plays out the same way. The captain – generally there is a new one every couple of series – arrives confident that Sri Lanka’s long-standing one-day problems have been sorted. They are sure that the last clot of losses has been learned from, and that the injection of new personnel will bring fresh energy.Then they get out on to the field and players who had been in form are no longer in form, players who had been out of form are doubling down on their bad form, and players who are constantly threatening to get into decent form keep threatening without actually quite getting there. They have lost each of the six ODIs they have played this year. Of their last 10 completed matches, they have won only one.This terrible run of ODI results over the past three years has cost various Sri Lanka captains their jobs. Upul Tharanga, Thisara Perera, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews have all been jettisoned as captain in the last two years. With no wins from seven attempts under his leadership, it is not a stretch to say that Lasith Malinga’s job is also now on the line. If Sri Lanka don’t snap the losing streak, there’s a chance they go to the World Cup with a new captain.South Africa, meanwhile, no longer have the pressure of winning the series upon them, and are free to experiment with their XI. There are World Cup spots still up for grabs, and the middle order batting – while pretty good in Durban – still has a little room for improvement. Questions that require answers include: Is Dale Steyn up to another World Cup? Can they dream of life beyond Hashim Amla (who will miss this match due to personal reasons)? Is Anrich Nortje worth investing in?With two ODIs to go before the selectors have to name the World Cup squad, there is more riding on these dead rubbers than usual.Form guideSouth Africa WWWWL (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri LankaLLLLLIn the spotlightAiden Markram has been decidedly modest in ODIs so far, having made only one fifty from 16 innings. But in domestic List A cricket this season, the man has been in such scorching form, that it would be almost unthinkable for the selectors to leave him out of the XI on Wednesday. In his last three matches for the Titans, Markram has hit 169, 139 and 85 – the second of those scores coming in a world-record sixth-wicket List A stand with Farhaan Behardien. If Markram can carry that form through into international one-day cricket, South Africa will feel they have options in their top order.Though often ineffective in ODIs last year, Kusal Mendis finally seems to be regaining his footing in the format, hitting 60 in the first one-dayer, then 41 in the third. With Sri Lanka’s batting order now substantially weakened (Kusal Perera has joined Angelo Mathews on the hamstring injury list), there is a little extra responsibility on Kusal Mendis – something he generally relishes.Dale Steyn bowls•Getty Images

Team newsSouth Africa will be tempted to rest Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir for the dead rubber, while bringing Steyn into the fold for the first time in the series. JP Duminy may enter the XI as well.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt.), 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Dale Steyn, 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiWith Kusal Perera now out of the frame, Angelo Perera may have a chance to play his first ODI in almost three years.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Angelo Perera, 4 Oshada Fernando, 5 Kusal Mendis, 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Isuru Udana, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Lasith Malinga (capt.), 11 Kasun RajithaPitch and conditionsThe weather in Port Elizabeth is forecast to be cloudy at times, but no rain is expected. The pitch generally has something in it for the spinners.Stats and trivia South Africa have now won their last five bilateral ODI series, defeating Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka twice. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, last won a bilateral ODI series in mid-2016, against Ireland. There have been two wins in tri-nations tournaments since, however. Both of those tournaments have featured low-ranked teams. In three previous ODIs against Sri Lanka, Markram averages 7.66, with a high score of 20. Those games had been in Sri Lanka, however.

ابتسم الحظ للفرنسي كيليان مبابي، ليتمكن من تسجيل أول أهدافه في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2024-2025، بعدما فشل في ذلك على مدار الجولات الثلاثة الماضية.

وتقدم ريال مدريد بهدف أول أمام ريال بيتيس، في المباراة بين الفريقين ببطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

لمطالعة أحداث مباراة ريال مدريد وريال بيتيس لحظة بلحظة بالفيديو من هنا.

الهدف جاء بعد تمريرة من رودريجو حيث وصلت الكرة إلى فالفيردي، الذي مررها بالكعب بطريقة رائعة تجاه مبابي، الذي استغلها وسجلها في الشباك بالدقيقة 67.

ويلتقي ريال مدريد مع ريال بيتيس، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في إطار مباريات الجولة الرابعة.

وشارك مبابي مع ريال مدريد في مباريات الفريق بالجولات الثلاثة السابقة أمام ريال مايوركا وبلد الوليد ولاس بالماس، لكنه لم يتمكن من التسجيل في أي من المواجهات الثلاثة المذكورة.