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Bonner, who scored his second successive half-century, says West Indies are eyeing 350-plus in the first innings

Mohammad Isam11-Feb-2021

After scoring his second successive Test half-century, Nkrumah Bonner said he had a similar game plan in the second Test in Dhaka as he did in the first, in Chattogram. Bonner was West Indies’ backbone on the first day, seeing them through to stumps with an unbeaten 74 next to his name.After seeing two wickets fall in quick succession at the other end, No. 4 Bonner added 62 for the fifth wicket with Jermaine Blackwood and is currently involved in a 45-run unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Joshua Da Silva.Bonner said that he was focused on playing the ball as straight as possible by putting his balance on his front foot.”Every innings I play, I put pressure on myself,” Bonner said. “We get paid to make runs and to be consistent. That’s exactly what I am trying to do. I think this wicket has a little more bounce, but it is similar [to the one in Chattogram]. So basically it is the same game plan. I tried to play as many balls as possible on the front foot, and keep the ball in the ‘V’ for as long as possible.”Related

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Bonner said West Indies are targeting 350-plus in the first innings. With the visitors currently on 223 for 5, a lot depends on Bonner and Da Silva.”There were a few soft dismissals but that’s the nature of the game. Me and Josh [Da Silva] are there now and with others to come. It is important for us to bat as long as possible. We will take anything over 350. I think that’s a really good total.”Bangladesh, meanwhile, wants to keep them well below 300, which pace bowler Abu Jayed believes is possible if they continue to bowl well. “I think we should be satisfied [with the first day’s play]. Looking at the scorecard, they made 223 in 90 overs, which puts the game right in the balance. If we bowl well tomorrow, we should get them all out for 270 to 300.”The expectation that the ball will turn from early in the game hasn’t transpired. According to Jayed, the only way to take wickets would be to restrict West Indies’ scoring, just like they did in the post-lunch session.”The pitch wasn’t as expected. It is quite flat. I think it will take time to have more turn. When they lost three wickets during the second session, we were containing their scoring.”

Manchester United will be desperate to kick on after a positive end to the 2024/25 season, a campaign that was generally quite a disappointing season overall.

Despite the fact that it ended with silverware, the Red Devils’ manager, Erik ten Hag, was almost sacked from his role due to poor performance.

In the Premier League, United came in a disastrously low eighth place, finishing on just 60 points. They were level with Newcastle United, but the Magpies’ far superior goal difference of 23 compared to United’s -1 ensured that they finished in front of the 13-time Premier League champions.

However, Eddie Howe’s side did not manage to secure European football, despite initially believing they had qualified for the Europa Conference League. United’s FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, sent United into next season’s Europa League.

The Red Devils will no doubt be looking to strengthen their side this summer, and have all but confirmed the signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. However, they are also linked with another Serie A attacker who could switch to Old Trafford this summer.

Man United target Serie A attacker

The player in question here is Juventus and Italy winger Federico Chiesa. After constant injury issues, Chiesa is not thought to be in new Juve manager Thiago Motta’s plans and could be in line to leave Turin this summer.

According to a report from Italian news outlet Gazzetta, there has “certainly been talk” of a swap deal for Chiesa and Jadon Sancho between United and the Italian giants, Juve. The Englishman has given the go-ahead for a move to Turin, but the move the other way has yet to be given the nod.

United were not the only potential destination for Chiesa, with AS Roma also interested in adding him to their squad. However, the Italian club pulled out of negations for the deal because they became “tired of his hesitations” over a move to the capital.

If, instead of a swap deal between Sancho and Chiesa, United were to pay for Chiesa, he could cost around £21m.

Why Chiesa would be a good signing

If United were to bring Chiesa to Old Trafford, they would be signing a “magical” winger, as he was dubbed by football analyst Raj Chohan. He played 33 games in Serie A last season, scoring nine times and registering three assists. He scored in the final two games of the campaign to end on a high note.

Should the Red Devils sign the 26-year-old, he could form a superb partnership with the incoming Zirkzee, who has received the famous “here we go” from esteemed journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Dutchman is an excellent link-up striker, who could drop deep and create space for Chiesa to exploit when he has the ball. The Italian is a winger who very much likes to operate in the half-space, looking to drive towards the penalty box.

He is a wonderful progressive carrier, and according to Fbref, averages 4.55 progressive carries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 3% of attackers in Europe. However, where Chiesa could really excel when Zirkzee has vacated space is carrying into the penalty box.

He averages 2.38 carries into the penalty area each game. You can imagine how this would make him and the Bologna man a dangerous pair, with Zirkzee dropping deeper to receive the ball and play Chiesa in behind.

Take-ons attempted

3.89

Take-ons completed

1.43

Progressive carries

4.55

Carries into final third

2.29

Carries into penalty box

2.38

The 26-year-old is also a wonderful creative passer in the final third. He averages 2.21 key passes each game, ranking him in the top 3%, as well as 1.84 passes into the penalty box, placing him in the top 4%.

The winger is also a superb crosser, and his 0.74 balls into the penalty box each game places him in the top 1% of wingers. Again, you can picture this link-up with the Dutchman who could be on the end of some wonderful service from the Italy winger.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson once described Chiesa as a “galactico”, and it is clear to see why. His potential link-up with Zirkzee, a specialist at facilitating wingers and making late runs into the box, could be a mouth-watering prospect for the Red Devils supporters. For just £21m, it could be a no-brainer for United to do that deal this summer.

Man Utd targeting Zirkzee alternative who's "like Cristiano Ronaldo"

He could be available for £30m this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 11, 2024

In his first transfer window at the helm at Liverpool, new manager Arne Slot appears eager to bring a number of fresh faces to Anfield ahead of next season's Premier League campaign.

Reds ready moves for new defensive players

The big news out of Anfield surrounds Liverpool's ongoing search for a new central defender. With Virgil van Dijk's future at the club uncertain, the Reds have been moving quickly to assess possible replacements for the Dutchman.

Liverpool make move for £60m Diaz upgrade who plays like Saka

FSG would make a real statement of intent by sealing this signing.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 14, 2024

A longstanding target for Liverpool has been Lille teenager Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old is said to be available for £51million this summer, however, it now looks like the Reds' rivals Manchester United could beat them to the signing with the Red Devils now the preferred buyer for the young defender.

With a deal for Yoro potentially off the table, Liverpool have moved on to other targets most recent of which has been Juventus' Gleison Bremer. The Brazilian defender is valued at £59million by his current club with the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United also eyeing moves for the player.

Whilst Slot's search for a new centre-back continues for now, the Reds appear to be edging closer towards agreeing a deal for one of their top targets.

Liverpool make progress in quest to sign European defender

As Liverpool's quest to find a new central defender continues, sources have told Caught Offside that the Reds are making progress in negotiations over a potential transfer move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio. The outlet claims that the 22-year-old has a €60million (£52million) release clause in his current deal with the Portuguese champions which Liverpool would have no issue matching.

Caught Offside even goes on to state that Sporting could be willing to compromise on this fee, allowing Inacio to leave for an even lower price this summer. This update follows the news from last month that Liverpool were monitoring the player with this latest development confirming that contact has been made and negotiations are well underway.

Inacio has just returned from representing his country at Euro 2024 where he only managed to make two appearances for Portugal as they fell at the quarter-final stage of the competition. Despite this, the 22-year-old has earned no shortage of acclaim from his current national team coach Roberto Martinez who said of the player:

“Goncalo Inacio has the most sought-after profile in European football. A centre-back, who is left-footed, and plays in the middle, has quality, scores goals and is intelligent.”

Inacio's domestic season saw him play a vital part in Sporting's march to the Liga Portugal title. The central defender featured 49 times for his side in all competitions and managed to find the back of the net on four occasions, showing his ability to be a threat on the goal-scoring front. With proven pedigree on both the domestic and international stage, there is no doubt that Inacio could be the perfect player in Liverpool's defence next season.

Arsenal were so desperately close to sealing their first Premier League crown in 20 years last season.

The gap to Manchester City? Just two points. It was gut-wrenching for the Gunners but they will have to dust themselves off and go again this summer as they aim to build a team capable of going beyond the 90-point mark.

One of the primary areas of focus is in attack but who Mikel Arteta and Co welcome to the club is anyone's guess.

One thing is for certain, it's unlikely to be Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig forward had been linked relentlessly with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks but is now reportedly set to stay in Germany, penning new terms with his current employers.

The midfield is also an area the Gunners are looking to strengthen. One target is allegedly Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes.

What Ray Parlour has said about Guimaraes

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of NetBet Casino, Ray Parlour was discussing Arsenal's plans for this summer.

One player he was asked about is Toon star Guimaraes. Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a move for the Brazilian this summer but with a £100m asking price, any move is unlikely.

That's a viewpoint that Parlour holds. Telling FFC, he said: "I like him as a player, he is very strong and has been a big part in the improvement that Newcastle have made under Eddie Howe.

"If Partey moves on then Arsenal may go for a more efficient player than Guimaraes, so I’m not 100% sure Arteta will look to pursue him. Personality-wise, he will also need to fit into the dynamic of the squad as well."

Arsenal had been interested in the former Lyon man prior to his move to St James' Park but it would appear as though Edu has missed the boat with this one.

The Londoners have enjoyed plucking ready-made Premier League talent in years gone by. Last summer it was Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. The summer before that it was Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.

So in 2024, could it be Marcus Rashford? Potentially.

What Ray Parlour has said about Rashford to Arsenal

Reports emerged a few weeks ago suggesting that the Manchester United star could be a surprise option for Arteta in the transfer market.

Perhaps taking inspiration from the way he revived Havertz last term, the Spaniard could potentially do the same with a floundering talent at Old Trafford.

Rashford was in scintillating form during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 30 goals and registering ten assists in all competitions. However, 2023/24 was a torrid one, netting just eight times and subsequently missing out on a place in England's squad for Euro 2024.

That said, Parlour has backed him to be a cracking acquisition if a shock move was made in the forthcoming months.

He told FFC: "I think if Mikel Arteta feels Rashford can fit into his plans then he would be a great signing for Arsenal. It seems evident that Rashford needs a new challenge as hasn’t been firing for Manchester United of late."

Where he fits into the side would be an issue to overcome but nonetheless, the Romford Pele has suggested he could revive his form by seeking a change of scenery.

"He can fit well into the Arsenal side on the left or even through the middle. He is still young and I believe he has that hunger to succeed and the challenge of Arsenal and pushing for the title should interest him," Parlour continued.

"It does also depend on FFP as Arsenal would have to let a couple of players leave – which could be Smith Rowe and Nelson – if Rashford was to be the player Arteta chose to chase for signature. Rashford has always played well against Arsenal and a new challenge can be exactly what he needs to resurrect his career. We’ve seen it before that players need a change of environment."

So, how much would he cost? Probably an arm and a leg. This would not be a cheap move for Arsenal despite the England international's form over the last year.

CIES Football Observatory values the player at £68m but it's likely he'd fetch more than that.

Ray Parlour backs Arsenal to sign PL star who will cost as much as Rice

Ray Parlour was speaking to Football FanCast about the Gunners’ plans for the summer window.

By
Matt Dawson

May 8, 2024

Lewis Goldsworthy claims important wickets before Tom Abell and Tom Lammonby seal chase

Matt Roller18-Sep-2020Somerset 146 for 3 (Davies 45) beat Northamptonshire 140 for 9 (Cobb 49, Goldsworthy 2-21) by seven wicketsOnly 10 days ago it would have been a ludicrous suggestion that Somerset could qualify for the T20 Blast quarter-finals at Northamptonshire’s expense. But thanks to a tight bowling effort on a used surface, and an unbroken 65-run stand in only seven overs between Tom Abell and Tom Lammonby on Friday evening, the teams are level on points with one game remaining in the group stage.Lammonby and Abell came together after Steven Davies was trapped lbw for an enterprising 45 in the 11th over; while the required rate was extremely manageable, memories of their four defeats while chasing in this competition would have lingered.But nerves were hard to detect: Abell nudged singles and improvised as required, before Lammonby struck three towering sixes to see them over the line, after their spinners had set things up by restricting Northants to a below-par 140 for 9.It is a testament to Somerset’s faith in young players that they have managed to keep their season alive. In Lammonby, Lewis Goldsworthy and Will Smeed, they have fielded three players born in the 21st century in their last two wins, and while Wednesday night’s effort in Cardiff was set up by Babar Azam, this victory owed much to the youth wing.Goldsworthy, who quietly impressed in England’s disappointing Under-19 World Cup campaign at the start of the year, bowled tidy left-arm spin here, removing Northants’ two set batsmen to start the rot after they had reached 73 for 1 in nine overs.And while Smeed fell cheaply, two games after hitting a 49-ball 82 in his second professional appearance, Lammonby finished the job with a 23-ball cameo of 43 not out, showcasing his power game over the leg side. Next week’s Lord’s final still represents their best chance of a trophy this season, but victory against pace-setting Gloucestershire on Sunday should be enough to book a place in the quarter-finals.”They haven’t been traditional Taunton T20 wickets this season: they’ve held a little, and the addition of another spinner [Goldsworthy] has helped us take pace off the ball,” Lewis Gregory, Somerset’s captain, said. “But I thought the three spinners bowled beautifully, trying to get them to put pace back on the ball. If you keep taking wickets, it makes T20 cricket a lot easier.Lewis Goldsworthy claims another wicket for Somerset•Getty ImagesGregory admitted victory in Bristol – where they have not won in the Blast since 2015 – would be no cakewalk. “We’re going to have to go to Bristol and try to play a brand of cricket that will be effective on that surface. They’ve had a fantastic Blast so far – there’s no pressure on our front, and we’ll go there and try to put in a performance.”After four wins and a wash-out in the first half of the competition, Northants have lost four in a row to leave them with a must-win game against Birmingham Bears on Sunday. They had been imperious at the start of the competition, with Paul Stirling flying with the bat and their spinners strangling opponents, but ever since news of a squad member’s positive Covid-19 test, their form has nosedived.They are a county with proud T20 heritage, and will not want to blame their drop-off on that alone, but its effect on their season has been clear. Their first two defeats after the mid-tournament round of Bob Willis Trophy fixtures came without two self-isolating players, and they have been unable to arrest the slide.”We don’t want to use it as an excuse,” Josh Cobb said. “The first game back, you could clearly see it had had an impact, but since then it’s not necessarily been a problem – we’ve had time to train, and put in the performances, we’ve just been a bit short.”We saw the impact of momentum in the first half of the comp, and the same thing can happen the opposite way, and that’s what’s currently happening. There’s not too much to say ahead of Sunday: everyone knows what we’ve got to do, which is turn up and win.”Northants’ innings was a perfect reflection of their season: after reaching 82 for 2 after 10 overs, they managed only three boundaries in the second half to limp to 140 for 9. Stirling fell to Goldsworthy, playing only his second professional game, when holing out to long-off, and when Adam Rossington heaved to long-on two overs later, captain Josh Cobb – unbeaten on 49 – held the key.But he too picked out a man on the rope three balls later, with Roelof van der Merwe taking a spectacular diving catch over his head, and from 89 for 4, Northants never looked like posting a competitive total. Somerset’s spinners – Goldsworthy, van der Merwe and Max Waller – were particularly frugal, with a combined return of 3 for 72 across their 13 overs, and will have a big role to play at Bristol.

علّق فيرجيل فان دايك، مدافع فريق ليفربول، على تعادلهم المخيب للآمال في مباراة اليوم مع نظيره فولهام في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة الفريقين، في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وقال فان دايك في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “العودة في النتيجة كانت أمرًا إيجابيًا للغاية، إنه أمر مخيب للآمال أن نلعب بعشرة لاعبين لكننا أظهرنا القتال، وواصلنا محاولة خلق الفرص”.

وأضاف: “كان من الممكن أن نحقق أكثر لكننا نتقبل النقطة ونمضي قدمًا، علينا الحفاظ على هدوئنا، القول أمر سهل مقارنة بالفعل، كان من المؤكد أن الأمر سيكون صعبًا أمامهم”.

وواصل: “رأينا ذلك أمامهم العام الماضي، والأسبوع الماضي خاض آرسنال مباراة صعبة ضدهم، كان علينا أن نقلب الأمور، لقد حاولنا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | ماذا قدم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وفولهام بـ الدوري الإنجليزي؟

واسترسل: “لقد أجريت محادثات مع لاعبي فولهام وشعرنا أن الحكم كان متوترًا، شعرت أنه لم يتمكن من التواصل بشكل صحيح مع روبرتسون (طُرد في الدقيقة 17)”.

وأكد: “لا يمكننا إلقاء اللوم على الحكم، نتحدث جميعًا عن حماية الحكم لكنني لم أستطع التحدث معه، لا ينبغي أن يكون الأمر كبيرًا لأنه ليس سبب إهدارنا للنقاط”.

واختتم: “هذا هو الأمر، نأخذ النقاط ونتعافى بسرعة ونكون مستعدين للمباراة يوم الأربعاء (ضد ساوثهامبتون في كأس كاراباو)”.

Cricket mourns county stalwart who played 15 Tests and 23 ODIs between 1987 and 1990

Andrew Miller02-Sep-2020David Capel, the former England allrounder and stalwart of Northamptonshire as player, captain and later coach, has died at the age of 57 following a long illness.Capel, who played 270 first-class matches for Northants between 1981 and 1998 as well as 300 List A games, enjoyed an unbroken 32-year association with the club. In 1999, he was appointed the club’s director of excellence in the wake of his retirement, and later succeeded Kepler Wessels as head coach in 2006.In 2018, the same year in which he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, Capel was inducted into the club’s hall of fame – joining such illustrious club names as Frank Tyson, Colin Milburn, Allan Lamb and Bishan Bedi. It was due recognition for a player who, in 1987, became the first Northamptonshire-born cricketer to play for England since George Thompson in 1910.Capel played 15 Tests and 23 ODIs for England in a brief but eventful career, in which time he was saddled – as with several other players of the era – with the burden of stepping into Ian Botham’s shoes as an international allrounder.He did, however, play a part in a success that at the time had eluded even Botham, in England’s astonishing victory over West Indies in the first Test of their 1989-90 tour of the Caribbean – a result that remains one of the most remarkable upsets of all time.Selected as one of four seamers in a new-look England attack under Graham Gooch, Capel claimed 2 for 31 in West Indies’ first-innings 164. He would later be one of England’s not-out batsmen in the final moments of the third Test at Port-of-Spain, where England claim so close to securing a 2-0 series lead, only for rain and some controversial West Indies delaying tactics to deny them their final victory push.While Capel’s eventual Test averages of 15 with the bat and 50 with the ball told their own story, he did have a habit of getting the better of the great Viv Richards, whom he dismissed three times out of his total of 21 scalps.On Test debut against Pakistan at Headingley in 1987, Capel came to the crease with England reeling at 31 for 5, with Imran Khan and Wasim Akram on a roll. He responded with a gutsy half-century, and added a Test-best 98 against the same opponents in Karachi five months later. However, he never again passed 40 in Test cricket.Domestically, however, Capel remained an immense influence at Northants, for whom he scored 10,869 first-class runs and claimed 467 wickets. After joining the county staff as an apprentice in 1980, he made his debut against the touring Sri Lankans at Northampton in 1981 and claimed an illustrious first Championship victim the following summer against Yorkshire when he dismissed Geoffrey Boycott at Middlesborough.In limited-overs cricket Capel scored 6,274 runs and 237 wickets. He was named Man of the Match on five occasions including the NatWest Trophy semi-final against Leicestershire at Grace Road in 1987, in which he made 46 not out and claimed 3 for 43 in an 85-run win. He scored 97 off 110 balls against Yorkshire in the Benson and Hedges Cup final at Lord’s that same year, but finished on the losing side after Yorkshire’s Jim Love blocked the final ball of the match with the scores level, and secured the title on fewest wickets lost.

This is devastating news. A brilliant, tough cricketer but more importantly, a lovely man. Capes had a huge impact on my career and many other players who came through the system. A true Northamptonshire legend. https://t.co/1f7KP5Y80U

— Alex Wakely (@AlexWakely1) September 2, 2020

“This is hugely shocking and sad news for the English Cricket family and particularly those connected with Northants CCC,” said Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive. “David was one of the finest allrounders of his era and spent an astonishing 33 years at Wantage Road.”I had the privilege of playing with David, a hugely competitive and determined cricketer who was never beaten – an attitude he took into his battle with his illness. A complex and private man on the surface, a kind and gentle one to those who knew him well. I will miss his friendship.”Following his departure from Northants in 2012, Capel remained actively involved in cricket, taking up a role as assistant coach to England women’s team in 2013. He went on to serve as Bangladesh women’s coach from 2016 to 2018.”Very sad to hear my former team mate passed from a long suffering illness,” wrote Lamb, Capel’s team-mate for Northants and England, on Twitter. “”David Capel all round person and a true gentlemen both on and off the field we are going to miss you buddy . RIP and condolences to your family.”

Troubling news has surfaced after it emerged that two Rangers players may be ready to sensationally quit Ibrox this summer in a bid to link up with one of their former bosses.

Rangers second favourites for the title

After a shock defeat to Ross County and a draw to Dundee, Rangers are firm second-favourites for the Scottish Premiership, with Philippe Clement's side seeing the trophy slip out of their hands and into those of arch-rivals Celtic.

Rangers ace Clement wants to keep agrees deal in principle with new club

A major blow for the Gers.

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 24, 2024

They trail Celtic by three points, but with a worse goal difference and realistically need Celtic to slip up twice between now and the end of the campaign to overturn the deficit, or to find a hot scoring streak not yet seen this season.

Rangers could yet land a cup double, with the Ibrox side to meet Celtic in the final of the Scottish Cup at the end of May, but in some quarters attentions are already turning to the summer transfer window.

Gers duo on Saudi shopping list

Now, reports have claimed that Al-Ettifaq are eyeing up moves for both James Tavernier and Connor Goldson this summer.

The Saudi side are of course led by Steven Gerrard, who worked with both at Rangers during his time there, and has already shown a penchant for signing his former favourites. The ex-Rangers boss was behind Jordan Henderson's failed move to Saudi Arabia, as well as former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who has been a mainstay in his side this season.

Now, he is ready to turn to Scotland, with The Daily Record claiming that he is eyeing up moves for both Goldson and Tavernier this summer. They relay that Gerrard has made a "recommendation" to his wealthy owners to try and sign Rangers skipper Tavernier, while he is also "keen" to bring Goldson back under his management, where the pair helped him win a title in Scotland.

Amid building speculation Tavernier refused to rule anything out earlier in the campaign, though insisted he was happy at Rangers.

The pair are believed to take home a combined salary close to £70,000 per week, which would be a massive sum freed up in order to replace them. With both players now in their 30s, Rangers may decide that cashing in is the best course of action as they look to kick on again next season.

اختلف سيد عبد الحفيظ، مدير الكرة السابق بالنادي الأهلي، مع أحمد سليمان عضو مجلس إدارة الزمالك، بشأن حديث الأخير عن تعرض لاعبي الأبيض للظُلم مع منتخب مصر تحت قيادة حسام حسن، وأشار بأنه سيعرض على مجلس إدارة القلعة البيضاء الأمر من أجل اتخاذ قرار بمنع انضمام لاعبيه للمنتخب الوطني.

وخاض منتخب مصر آخر مباراة في التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس أمم إفريقيا 2025، أمس الثلاثاء، أمام نظيره بوتسوانا، وانتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لمثله.

طالع أيضًا | أحمد سليمان: لن أسمح بما يفعله حسام حسن مع لاعبي الزمالك في منتخب مصر

وقال سيد عبد الحفيظ، في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “أختلف مع الكابتن أحمد سليمان في كل حرف، وهذا أمر طبيعي، هناك فرق شاسع بين اعتذار الأفراد واعتذار المؤسسات”.

وأوضح: “لاعب مثل زيزو لو قرر الاعتزال دوليًا هو حر في قراره، ولكن المؤسسة ليس من حقها أبدًا أن تمنع لاعب من الانضمام للمنتخب إلا قبل الأجندة الدولية في ظل اللوائح والقوانين، لكن تمنعهم في فترة الأجندة الدولية هذا لم يحدث”.

تابع: “كما قلت هناك فرق بين اعتذار الأشخاص واعتذار المؤسسات، عصام الحضري عندما قرر أنه لن ينضم للمنتخب، هو مثل عبد الله السعيد الذي اعتذر عن اللعب دوليًا”.

وأضاف: “الكابتن أحمد سليمان قال إن حسام حسن ضم 2 في مركز واحد ويقصد محمد الشناوي ومصطفى شوبير في مركز حراسة المرمى، محمد عواد من الأساس لم يلعب سوى آخر 3 مباريات فقط مع فريقه (مش هنضحك على بعض)، عواد لم يكن سيلعب من الأساس منذ بداية الموسم، الذي بدأ الموسم الحارس الآخر هو محمد صبحي”.

وأشار: “محمد صبحي هو من بدأ الموسم باللعب في مباراة الشرطة الكيني ذهابًا وإيابًا بكأس الكونفدرالية، عواد شارك في السوبر الإفريقي بالصدفة، لأن صبحي تعرض للإصابة أو قيل لنا إنه تعرض للإصابة والله أعلم بما حدث، ولعب عواد”.

وشدد: “لو ستقيم محمد عواد على آخر 3 مباريات، فإن مصطفى شوبير مُرشح لجائزة أفضل حارس في إفريقيا، محمد الشناوي هو أحسن حارس في إفريقيا”.

ورد عليه أحمد سليمان: “ممكن جائزة أفضل حارس في إفريقيا بها مُجاملة، أنا لم أر مصطفى شوبير فعل شيئًا ليستحق الترشح لهذه الجائزة”، ليعود عبد الحفيظ ويرد عليه: “(حضرتك مشفتش إفريقيا ممكن حضرتك كان عندك شغل)”.

واستكمل عبد الحفيظ: “حارس مُرشح ليكون الأفضل في إفريقيا، وحارس آخر لم يبدأ الموسم من الأساس ولعب فقط 3 مباريات، أنا لا أريد أن أخسف بحق عواد، هو أدى الـ3 مباريات بشكل جيد، لكن نحن نُقيم على أساس فترة مشاركة طويلة”.

وشدد: “إمام عاشور أحسن لاعب في مركز 8 بمصر، بل قد يكون أحسن 8 في إفريقيا، ومع ذلك قلت إن المدير الفني حقه أن يستبعده، الكابتن حسن شحاتة عندما اختار عصام الحضري ليشارك معه، وكان هذا الاختيار ضد رغبة الأهلي تمامًا، لم يعترض أحد”.

واستكمل موجهًا حديثه لـ أحمد سليمان: “أنت كنت متواجدًا مع حسن شحاتة في الفترة الذهبية وكان القوام الأساسي لمنتخب مصر من الأهلي، لماذا لم تعترض وقتها بسبب استبعاد لاعبي الزمالك؟!”.

واختتم موجهًا حديثه لـ أحمد سليمان مُتعجبًا: “أنت قلت بأنك ستعرض الأمر على مجلس الإدارة.. أنت الآن تعرض الأمر في الإعلام قبل عرضه على مجلس الإدارة، نفترض إن مجلس الإدارة رفض!”، ليرد عضو إدارة الزمالك: “أنا أعرضه بالطريقة التي أراها، الموضوع لا بد أن يصل للإعلام، نفترض إن مجلس الإدارة رفض فأنا قلت رأيي”.

The Rajshahi captain credits the Pakistan allrounder for taking the pressure off him and helping the side to the BPL title

Mohammad Isam18-Jan-2020

Rajshahi Royals captain Andre Russell has credited Mohammad Nawaz for taking the pressure off him and helping the side to the BPL title on Friday. The pair plundered 71 off 34 balls, with Nawaz surprisingly dominating the partnership with an unbeaten 41 off 20 balls. The stand lifted Rajshahi to 170 for 4, which proved 21 too many for Khulna Tigers.ALSO READ: Nawaz, Russell fire Rajshahi to BPL titleRussell also praised wicketkeeper-batsman Irfan Sukkur for his fifty under pressure in the first half of Rajshahi’s innings. Sukkur became the first uncapped Bangladesh player to hit a half-century in the BPL final.”Once I was there until the end, we could definitely be more aggressive,” Russell said. “[Khulna] bowl well in the death but when two good batters [are] swinging from the hips, anything can happen. Well played to [Mohammad] Nawaz. He took a lot of pressure off me. He gave us the punch that we needed going into bowling. Irfan Sukkur is big-hearted guy. I have been telling him to believe in himself, you can hit the ball. Just be positive. When a big player speaks to these guys, they can move mountains.”Russell, who became the first overseas captain to lift the BPL title, said that he didn’t find it too difficult to deal with domestic cricketers.”It wasn’t that difficult [to be a foreign captain],” he said. “The first week, a few practice sessions and the first two games, was the time to know what each player is about – whether a bowler was better with the new ball, in the middle overs or at the death. It took me a few games but everyone really pulled through when I called on them. Rabbi bowled well tonight. Irfan has been doing well.”Russell said that he wanted to make sure that the domestic cricketers and the helpers around the team get paid, even though there was no prize money in this tournament. In the last BPL, the champions received BDT 2 crore (USD 250,000) while the runners-up side got BDT 85 lakh (USD 106,250).”In franchise cricket, every player looks forward to the prize money,” he said. “But for me, winning the tournament is everything. It might sound like I don’t like money. “I just want to make sure that these local guys who helps us with our bags and always around the team, is taken care of. They get some bonus. I am happy once they and the local players are taken care of. This is what matters the most.”Russell also said that he enjoyed his stint with Rajshahi with whom he had won his first T20 tournament as a captain. “It is actually a good feeling,” he said. “I didn’t really notice [that I was the first foreign captain to win the BPL]. They trusted my ability. I believe in myself as well, to get the job done. I contributed as much as I could. We had a very good unit. Everyone showed up tonight.”My first championship as a captain is really special to me. As a captain, you don’t want to be selfish. At the same time, you have to believe in other bowlers. Everyone answered and came to the party tonight.”