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Pakistan lost their last five wickets for just 17 runs during a dramatic collapse

Danyal Rasool21-Oct-2025Sometimes, when Test cricket is played well, it can be slightly dull and the pair of Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs made no apologies for prioritising good cricket over entertaining cricket for the second half of the day. South Africa were much better placed going into the third day than they have been at any time this series, 148 runs short of Pakistan’s first innings 333 with six wickets still in hand. That they were not further adrift came thanks to a heroic shift early in the morning from Keshav Maharaj, who took all five Pakistani wickets to top up his two overnight, inducing a 17-run collapse for Pakistan’s bottom half.It might have been all so different if Pakistan – usually so trigger-happy when bringing the third umpire into the game – had done so in the 26th over. Asif Afridi had pushed de Zorzi, batting on 5, onto the back foot as the ball flicked him just above the knee roll. Short leg held onto it and Pakistan, distracted by an appeal for the catch, failed to consider lbw might be a more plausible shout. Down to just one review, they passed it up only for HawkEye to show three reds.It was a rare chance either de Zorzi or Stubbs offered as they settled into the tedium of steady accumulation, aware that one wicket could bring a surge from Pakistan that might wash away their challenge entirely. The first eight overs post-tea brought just 17 runs, but time wasn’t a factor in the game at the moment. The pair waited patiently to earn their right to score runs, and had the humility to opt for survival when good deliveries shut down scoring options, eventually adding 113 runs for the third wicket.Related

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First day in Pindi = first day in Lahore

From time to time, Pakistan offered the odd poor delivery, gifts both accepted with alacrity. A waist-high full toss from Sajid was dispatched away for four, while Noman darted one in that de Zorzi slapped over long-on after dancing down the track. Both used their feet superbly to neutralise and unsettle the spinners, and it was a ploy that, for the most part, Pakistan appeared to lack clear responses to. When Stubbs misjudged and came down too far on a rare occasion, he smacked the ball straight back at Sajid, who was defeated by the pace of the ball. Soon after, de Zorzi made amends, skipping out of his crease to Sajid. He lifted the ball over his head for a six that took him to fifty. The milestones were being ticked off now. Two balls earlier, Stubbs had got there, and in the following over, the 100-run partnership – South Africa’s first this series – was brought up.It was in the final half hour that Pakistan dragged it back far enough to prevent South Africa unequivocally laying claim to the day. The 38-year-old debutant Asif Afridi didn’t exactly look Pakistan’s most threatening bowler for the most part, but hit a spot that caused the ball to dive, trapping de Zorzi halfway up the shin. This time, Pakistan made sure to review. South Africa required a vulnerable Dewald Brevis to stick it out until the end, but Asif broke through once more. This time, it was a lovely conventional orthodox left-armer’s delivery which got him the wicket. Salman Agha at first slip made no mistake pouncing on the edge.Pakistan’s penchant for collapses had continued at breakneck speed in the morning, with South Africa removing Pakistan’s last five for 17 runs to dismiss them for 333. Maharaj, who had earlier called the first session in this series the “moving session”, did most of the moving himself, taking all five of the morning’s wickets for a seven-wicket haul.Pakistan will content themselves with the fact that Agha and Saud Shakeel put on 57 brisk runs in the morning to continue their sixth-wicket stand. They were in complete control during the first hour, milking the spinners while picking up the occasional boundary. Kagiso Rabada’s opening spell was seen off without damage. Until Maharaj began his rampage, there were no visible signs of discomfort against him either. In the over before the first wicket fell, Shakeel had scored eight runs off him as Pakistan moved their score past 300.Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi added 113 runs for the third wicket•Associated PressBut things unravelled quickly – within 18 Maharaj deliveries, to be precise. An arm-ball slid onto Agha, who played for the turn and found himself trapped in front. The following Maharaj over, Shakeel softly guided one into the palms of first slip, with South Africa making no mistakes in the field. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s attempted wafts over midwicket were meat and drink for the spinner, who guided one through the gate to rattle his stumps. Maharaj would need just four more balls to dispense with Sajid and Asif.Pakistan’s early threat with the ball came all down to Shaheen. In the first Test, he found ways to be effective with the old reversing ball, but in the first half hour here, it was the new ball in his hand that proved to be a menace. Aiden Markram was worked over in his second over after lunch, surviving an lbw review and nearly nicking off. But Shaheen’s reward came against Ryan Rickelton in the over that followed, finding seam movement to kiss the outside edge and Mohammad Rizwan to take a straightforward catch.After that six-over burst, Pakistan turned to spin, and both sides settled into a steady grind. There were streaks of dot deliveries, the monotony broken occasionally by a dance down the ground to loft spin over the top. It proved a largely successful plan on a pitch that hasn’t yet opened up to spinners, but as lunch neared and Pakistan turned to Sajid, Markram tried his luck once too often.Sajid delivered the wicket ball with a bit of flight outside off, and Markram’s drag over long-on didn’t have the power he was targeting. Shan Masood had stationed Shakeel about eight yards on from the boundary, who barely had to move to gratefully pouch it.It was a rare shot of irresponsibility from a South African side that has struck an excellent balance between run-scoring and survival. In the end, thanks to Stubbs and de Zorzi, they found a way to do both today.

Robin van Persie has spoken about the decision to give son Shaqueel a senior debut in Feyenoord's 3-1 defeat to Celtic on Thursday night. The 19-year-old replaced Jordan Lotomba for the final 10 minutes of the midweek Europa League tie, a decision that was criticised by some. Head coach Van Persie has explained his reasoning to hand the teenager his maiden appearance against the Bhoys.

Celtic came from behind to beat Feyenoord on Thursday

Feyenoord went ahead early on against Celtic as Ayase Ueda tucked past Kasper Schmeichel having been picked out well by Sem Steijn. However, Celtic turned the game on its head before the break as goals from Yang Hyun-Jun and Reo Hatate saw the Scottish champions go in ahead at the interval.

The Eredivisie outfit pushed for an equaliser but it was Benjamin Nygren who scored Celtic's third in the final knockings as the Scottish side claimed a 3-1 win at De Kuip. The result means Feyenoord have now now lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, which includes defeats to PSV and VfB Stuttgart in the league and Europa League, respectively.

Van Persie faced questions about his side's form post-match but was also forced to explain the decision behind handing his son his debut as Feyenoord pushed for a goal. Shaqueel made the matchday squad for Feyenoord's recent 4-2 home defeat to NEC Nijmegen but was an unused sub in the loss.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportVan Persie adamant he 'made the call as a coach'

And Shaqueel experienced his first taste of senior and European football in the home loss to Celtic. The elder Van Persie has since explained the motives behind his decision to turn to his son to rescue the Europa League tie, insisting he did so as a coach rather than a father.

Asked why he opted to introduce the young striker when Feyenoord were 2-1 down, the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker said: "I made that call as a coach, not as a dad because we needed a goal. Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on. From a father's point of view, when your son makes his debut that is always a special moment. But I wasn't that busy with enjoying that moment, I was doing my work like Shaqueel was."

Shaqueel failed to have the desired impact as Feyenoord conceded their third just a minute after he was introduced. In addition, the young forward failed to fire off a short, though he did win three aerial duels during his short time on the pitch.

Van Persie insists he sees his son as 'one of the players'

Van Persie went on to explain that he doesn't see Shaqueel as his son but rather one of his players, and that they have a working relationship away from home rather than a personal one. "The way I see Shaqueel is as one of the players," the Feyenoord head coach went on to say.

"This is what we both agreed to a couple of years ago when we already worked together. Shaqueel was handling that really well, I am too in my opinion. Later on when we are home of course we will have a nice moment, when we are proud of each other.

"I am proud of Shaqueel because, like every player who makes his debut, there is a whole process going on before he made his debut. He worked hard, deserved it and, for him, it is a special moment."

Shaqueel came through the ranks at Manchester City, before moving on to Fenerbahce in 2015 and then on to Feyenoord in 2017. The forward signed his first professional contract with Feyenoord in 2022. While born in London, Shaqueel has represented the Netherlands at both Under-16 and Under-17 level.

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Getty Images SportFeyenoord looking to turn form around

Feyenoord will look to turn their recent form around when they travel to Telstar on Sunday. The Dutch giants have lost their last two away games at Stuttgart and Go Ahead Eagles, with their most recent win on the road a 7-0 triumph at Heracles last month.

Telstar, meanwhile, currently foot the Eredivisie and have failed to win their last six matches, though have drawn their last three as they show signs of improvement. The Dutch minnows, however, have won only one of their seven home matches this season.

Whether Shaqueel van Persie gets another opportunity to add to his first-team minutes remains to be seen.

Tottenham Hotspur have made some big additions over the last couple of years, with many of which have made a huge impact on their recent success in Europe.

The hierarchy has been boosted in recent days, after it was confirmed that former Sporting Director Fabio Paratici would return to his role after a two-and-a-half-year absence.

He’s been known to make key additions such as Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski during his previous stint in North London, but he could be about to land similar quality in the future.

With the transfer window still a couple of months away from reopening, the 53-year-old has a key period ahead of him to identify players who would improve Thomas Frank’s squad.

However, the Italian has wasted no time in finding players who could become top targets when the chance arises at the midway stage of the Premier League campaign.

Spurs’ hunt for new attacking talent under Paratici

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been hugely touted with a move to land Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo after his impressive start to the new campaign.

The 25-year-old has already scored six times and registered three assists in his seven league outings, with it being reported that he currently has a release clause in his deal at the Vitality.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Juventus star Dušan Vlahović a talent who is firmly in their sights, according to TEAMtalk’s latest report.

They claim that Paratici’s links with the Old Lady could help the Lilywhites in their pursuit of the centre-forward, with his deal set to expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

It also states that Spurs have been long-term admirers of the Serbian international, but they could face competition from Chelsea for his signature in the near future.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect for Kudus

In an attempt to build on their Europa League success, Spurs spent over £100m on new additions during the off-season to help strengthen Frank’s chances in the role.

Mohammed Kudus was just one of the additions made, with the hierarchy paying local rivals West Ham United a whopping £55m for his services and signature.

The Ghanaian has already made himself a fan-favourite in North London after making an immediate impact in the Premier League under Frank’s guidance.

The 25-year-old has scored once and registered four assists – the most of any player in the squad – whilst laying on more goals for his teammates than any star in the division.

His assists alone highlight the quality he possesses within attacking areas, but such numbers could improve further should Vlahovic make the move to England in the near future.

Whilst he’s already netted six goals in his 11 outings in 2025/26, his underlying stats further highlight why his addition would be perfect for Kudus in the years ahead.

The Serbian, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in the world” by Luca Toni, has averaged 1.2 shots on target per 90, with 43% of his efforts troubling the opposition ‘keeper.

Games played

11

Goals scored

6

Shots on target

1.2

Shot on target accuracy

43%

Aerials won

2.4

Goals scored per 90

0.81

Touches in opposition box

4.5

Fouls won

1.7

Such numbers could hugely play into the hands of Kudus, given his assists, but the big-money addition also ranks in the 97th percentile for crosses completed, which would certainly be perfect for Vlahovic.

The Juve star has also won 2.4 aerial duels per 90, with such a figure handing the Dane’s side a needed focal point to play off when they find themselves under pressure.

He’s ranked in the 92nd percentile of all players in Italy for goals scored per 90, with such numbers making him the perfect talisman to complete the Lilywhites’ attack.

It’s unclear if a deal would be completed in January or the summer, but it’s evident that a deal for the 25-year-old would be one that could add a new dimension to the frontline.

If he can strike up a partnership with Kudus, it would also take the latter to the next level and hand Frank’s side a greater chance for added success in the near future.

No Porro, £40m winger joins: The dream XI Paratici could build at Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur could be set for some changes after Fabio Paratici returned to North London.

2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 17, 2025

Liverpool have been in rude health of late and Saturday's 4-1 drubbing over Brentford is yet another step toward the Premier League title, two points above second-placed Arsenal after 25 matches.

Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the campaign, however, and no weight of silver-laden success will allay the poignancy of the lionised German's departure.

That said, the facts are what they are and Liverpool must prepare for Klopp's exit, and while the appointment of a new manager is crucial, the club has been left in a great position to continue the dynasty created back in 2015.

The senior set-up is welled over with talent but just as importantly, the Anfield academy is thriving at a level unseen for many years, with teenager Kieran Morrison just one of the myriad prospects looking to make waves.

Liverpool's next Connor Bradley

Morrison might be one of many but few can claim they boast as much natural quality, with the Northern Irishman, aged only 17, flourishing in his formative years after joining the club from Manchester United as an U14, recently ending speculation about his future by penning new terms with the Anfield side.

Morrison is a creative midfielder with an impressive level of dynamism, having enjoyed prolific success across the current campaign "across a variety of different positions", something that coach Marc-Bridge Wilkinson was quick to praise.

Across ten starting appearances in the U18 Premier League this term, Morrison has plundered seven goals and three assists, notably scoring a sublime hat-trick against Middlesbrough, leading journalist Jack Lusby to praise his "outstanding" efforts.

Given his Northern Irish roots, Morrison could well be Liverpool's next Conor Bradley, with the fast-rising right-back producing some exceptional performances across recent weeks, posting one goal and five assists since the new year.

The 20-year-old has bided his time over recent years and earned his stripes on loan with Bolton Wanderers last year before finally taking a snipe at a first-team spot, and Morrison could take a leaf from his countryman's book in this regard.

Having also made his debut in the Premier League 2, Morrison is one of the most exciting prospects around and given his attacking qualities in midfield, he could be the perfect understudy for Dominik Szoboszlai.

Shades of Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool completed the signing of Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60m back in July and he has been one of the centrepieces as the Reds enjoy a resurgence, pumping energy and spark and creativity into the engine room.

Described as a "generational talent" by journalist Marcel Moeller, Szoboszlai has scored five goals and provided four assists under Klopp's wing while completing 88% of his passes in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, also averaging 1.8 key passes and 6.3 ball recoveries per match.

With a mean shot and an impressive technical ability, Szoboszlai has been a key cog in the system and he could provide Morrison with the perfect template to succeed in the Premier League.

Morrison has showcased his ability to spread goals and assists across his play while maintaining fluency in his overall performance on the pitch.

Therefore, Liverpool might find that they already have the dream heir in their grasp, they need only guide him to the fore over the coming years.

Shane Watson’s 80 off 41 looked threatening at one point but Quetta Gladiators eventually fell short

The Report by Danyal Rasool29-Feb-2020Whatever happened at the 10-over mark in the first innings, Multan Sultans need to patent. After a sluggish start from the hosts that saw them shuffle along to 65 in 10 overs, Rilee Rossouw caught fire all of a sudden, a stunning onslaught resulting in the fastest century in PSL history and an astonishing 134 runs in the final 10 overs that set Quetta Gladiators 200 to win, a target they fell short of by 31 runs.Quetta, as you might expect, gave it as good a go as their capabilities might allow, with Shane Watson at one point looking like he might pull of a heist for his side. But Quetta’s cack-handedness with the ball and in the field left him and his team with far too much to do and much too little time. Even as the sixes flew, the asking rate continued to balloon, and once Watson was dismissed, Quetta’s fate was sealed.Rilee Rossouw celebrates his quickfire century•PCBThe mood music at the start was worlds removed from its frenetic, run-heavy conclusion. Shan Masood became the first captain to opt to bat this season, and Quetta looked like they would make him regret that decision when Zeeshan Ashraf fell early and James Vince searched unsuccessfully for the sweet timing he is so coveted for. Mohammad Nawaz stifled the batsmen at the start, while Naseem Shah begun brightly.All of that went to ruin after the halfway mark, though. The moment Rossouw biffed Anwar Ali for a six the first ball of the 11th over, Quetta lost their collective composure. You could count the number of times they hit their spots from that point onwards on one hand, and Rossouw capitalised on the chaos. Just one over between 11 and 18 went for fewer than 12 runs, and while Masood got some of his own hits in, it was all about Rossouw. He would bring up his hundred in the final over; it had taken just 43 balls, including 10 fours and half a dozen sixes.Watson tried his best to match that, and batting alongside Jason Roy, brought up the 50 partnership in the sixth over. But soon after Roy holed out to deep midwicket, it quickly became clear this would be a one-person effort. That Watson took it as far as he did was achievement enough, and it isn’t often a 41-ball 80 is on the wrong side of a PSL result. But this was clearly Rossouw’s game, and Watson was merely playing in it.The supporting actNot many will come away from the game reminiscing about Masood’s 32-ball 46, and why would they, given what else just happened in that first innings? But the value of it becomes clear when you notice it was the one thing Quetta lacked in the chase. Rossouw had, in Masood, the perfect foil on the other end, with his captain ensuring he didn’t give his wicket away or hog too much of the strike. When Masood got the strike, he got away the odd boundary and turned it over quickly to the South African, neither heaping pressure on him nor starving him of the strike. Together, they put together a partnership that totalled 139 runs in 64 balls.By contrast, Quetta managed no partnership greater than Roy and Watson’s 57 at the top, and no other Quetta batsman could even reach 15. That meant the pressure was squarely on Watson’s shoulders, further driving home the point if they were going to take it close, it was all on him. Other batsmen who had helped them win big games this season all failed, with Azam Khan falling early and Ben Cutting holing out for 12. The sort of innings Masood had played was absent from Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side, and it wasn’t a surprise to see the result pan out the way it did.Star of the dayRossouw and Watson may get the hundreds and entertain the fans most, but in a game where 200 was nearly scored and then changed, perhaps the most remarkable numbers were posted by Imran Tahir. While Watson and the rest of the Quetta top order ran riot, Tahir ensured the game wouldn’t run away from Multan. Varying his flight, pace and googly with all the experience any T20 side treasures in him, Tahir kept the Quetta batsmen guessing, and, even more importantly in such a high-scoring game, cautious.It wasn’t like he had all the luck, either. In his third over, as Watson’s charge built up a crescendo, Tahir had him into skying a drive down to long-off, where Moeen Ali stood perched for a simple catch. Moeen somehow grassed the opportunity, but undeterred, Tahir dismissed Azam Khan the next ball. He wasn’t done with Watson, either, coming back the following over and coaxing a nearly identical shot from the batsman. This time, Moeen would make no mistake. In a game where scoring ten an over was the order of the day, Tahir’s figures of 4-0-27-2 didn’t flatter him in the slightest.Multan surged at the top of the table, having swept all three games in their home city. They now have four wins in five, while Quetta sit just below them, with three wins from five matches.

The recent Harshal Patel example tells us why players need to train for these dismissals

Aditya Prakash12-Apr-2023It is not often that you see a run out at the non-striker’s end. It is even less often that you see a failed run out at the non-striker’s end. Perhaps it is yet more uncommon to be in a situation where five runs are needed off the last over and it is a challenging ask for the batting team in a match where only one other over has gone for fewer runs. We got two out of three of these unlikely possibilities in the last over of the game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.At the core of it lies a trite sentiment expressed by understandably shocked spectators: how on earth could Harshal Patel have missed that run out? That surprise might obscure a more complex, embedded, question: given that Harshal had uncannily perfect execution in that over, how could the run out be the thing he messed up?Let us start by regarding this situation from a more empathetic perspective, borrowing from the study of task-switch costs in psychology.Related

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In day-to-day life we often perform more than one activity at a time, such as watching a cricket match and tweeting about it. One can easily see how there is an impairment in the performance of either task that results from attempting to multitask. You may miss a magnificent six because you were too caught up in looking at your phone. It may take you several more minutes than usual to compose a tweet because you were distracted by a series of pressure-building dot balls in the match. In cognitive psychology, these different modes of activities are called task sets – representations of associations between information in the world and relevant responses to this information. As one swaps from one task set to another, there are initial impairments to performance – task-switch costs – while the existing task set is inhibited and the new task set is activated.Look back at the final over of the India vs Pakistan T20I World Cup game in 2022. One can think of Mohammed Nawaz’s unprecedented switch to medium pace from his previous three overs of left-arm fingerspin and his subsequent execution failures as a task-switch cost.Pressure can add to these switch-cost effects. In a losing situation – despite a rich history of a tactic or plan working successfully – a player or team might shortsightedly underestimate the effectiveness of existing plans and adopt alternative tactics that might seem relatively appealing under pressure. Moreover, research shows that time pressure itself (caused by a nervous bowler hurrying their rhythm, for instance) amplifies the effect of a switch cost. So pressure impairs performance by making alternative plans more attractive, forcing switch costs and amplifying these costs by causing bowlers to rush.A more fine-grained example of a task switch is the use of bowling variations, which often demand drastic changes in motor coordination. With disciplined practice, good bowlers can disguise variations and switch between deliveries with few flaws in their execution. Bowlers can train themselves to minimise or eliminate the effect of these switch costs between variations by bowling different types of deliveries a lot in net sessions. But in high-pressure situations, switching between different balls, which was so effortless in the nets, can suddenly prove challenging to execute. This is seen in the death overs of just about any T20 game when an intended yorker or flighted, wicket-seeking delivery becomes a full-toss.

Research shows that time pressure itself (caused by a nervous bowler hurrying their rhythm, for instance) amplifies the effect of a switch cost. Pressure impairs performance by making alternative plans look more attractive, forcing switch costs and amplifying these costs by causing bowlers to rush

Harshal has built his name on his death bowling, as was borne out by the fact that the match was not already won in the four balls preceding the failed run-out attempt. Like Dwayne Bravo, his success in this phase of the game rests on his signature dipping, slower yorker. Both these bowlers’ resounding success in the IPL (three purple caps between them) can be attributed not just to the difficulty batters have in hitting their signature deliveries but to how even the failed execution of this delivery – the dipping full toss – is difficult to hit. These players are not necessarily beasts under pressure; their success rests on even their “mistakes” having utility. In other words, just because Harshal can be effective at the death, that does not necessarily say he is invulnerable under pressure and to pressure-mediated switch costs.So, after concentrating his attention on the tasks of clinically bowling yorkers and short balls, Harshal readies himself for the final delivery of the game. Ravi Bishnoi had not been a non-striker to that point in the game, and there was no strong reason for Harshal to proactively keep an eye open for the possibility of Bishnoi leaving his crease early. Of course, Harshal will have had a non-specific awareness that this could occur, given how crucial it was that Lucknow Super Giants took the single.At this point perhaps Harshal simply plots another yorker in light of the relatively tighter field and the conditioning imposed by the previous delivery, which was short. As he gets into position for his run-up, he may well have got into “dipping yorker mode”, a rehearsed, finely tuned choreography – saunter, sprint, leap, release – that he has performed countless times in the nets and in match situations like this one with success.At some point during this sequence of actions, he catches a glimpse of intent from Bishnoi to run early, or perhaps he doesn’t see Bishnoi but quickly decides that there is no risk at this point in attempting a run out. Either way, given that he has already begun his bowling action, there is difficulty inhibiting dipping-yorker mode and therefore difficulty in efficiently adopting “non-striker-run-out mode”. As a result, an execution error occurs and the ball is declared dead.What if the run-out attempt was premeditated? The underlying switch-cost logic still holds. In this case, Harshal is aware that Bishnoi may leave his crease early in light of the game situation. In order to sufficiently fool Bishnoi into believing the ball will be bowled, Harshal launches into a general “bowling mode”, replicating most of the choreography mentioned above. In trying to realistically bait the non-striker, he devotes his attention to bowling mode. This makes the eventual inhibition of this mode difficult and subsequently leads to a failure in executing the secondary non-striker-run-out mode. The magnitude of this cost is perhaps amplified further by the implicit time pressure caused by rushing when nervous. In a sense, the razor-sharp focus on execution that preceded the run-out attempt amplified its error rate.The run-out action is not similar to anything else a bowler does routinely on the field, which is why it needs practice to effect smoothly•Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty ImagesWhat distinguishes the run-out attempt is that it is likely not something Harshal has practised to the extent he has practised actually bowling. More specifically, it is unlikely that coaches ever have had players practise disengaging from their run-up for a purpose beyond just stopping. As a result, most players likely do not have the required training required to switch without cost between the task of bowling and the task of running out the non-striker.Effecting a run out at the non-striker’s end is mechanistically among the most anomalous actions in a bowler’s repertoire. It is the least similar to any other action he routinely performs. This further amplifies the difficulty in switching from bowling mode to non-striker-run-out mode, relative to, say, switching from yorker mode to bouncer mode. Most (but not all) recent prominent examples of run outs at the non-striker’s end were effected by spinners, who have relatively modular and slower run-ups compared to fast bowlers. This provides them more time and opportunity to disengage from bowling mode and engage non-striker-run-out mode. In the heat of a game – especially for fast bowlers with quick, highly linear, stereotyped run-ups – run outs at the non-striker’s end are hard and should be practised like any other skill within the game.Unfortunately, this need is hindered by prominent coaches, captains, and other authority figures in the game not recognising non-striker run outs as a legitimate form of dismissal, to the point that it is suggested that should a player effect such a dismissal, the captain can opt to void the appeal.This confusion within the cricket community – which exists despite how clear the laws of the game are on the issue – may discourage players from training for a legitimate form of dismissal, leading to errors in execution during the moment of truth. Harshal’s own hesitation reflects the hesitation many in cricket have towards non-striker run outs generally. An event like this botched non-striker run out can indirectly serve as a reminder that teams need a full commitment to the laws of cricket, not to some nebulous “spirit of cricket”. This sentiment should not just be reflected in words and thoughts but also in training regimes and strategies, just like with any other element of cricket play.

Nottingham Forest’s most recent home game in the Premier League was a convincing 2-0 win over West Ham United, and if it wasn’t for poor finishing, they could have defeated Manchester United in the week.

But since Nuno Espírito Santo’s excellent start to life at the Tricky Trees, beating Newcastle United and the Red Devils in December, they’ve won once in the league.

However, Forest have the chance to turn their form and their season around this weekend, as they face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a player who simply must feature in the starting lineup, alongside Taiwo Awoniyi.

Why Taiwo Awoniyi must start vs Liverpool

The number nine has been fantastic for Forest since joining for £17.5m at the start of last season, scoring 16 goals and providing four assists in 42 appearances.

This season, his progress has been hindered by injuries, but when he has started up top, Forest have looked far more deadly, with Awoniyi netting six goals and three assists in 12 league starts.

The Nigerian is a striker who won’t just score goals but will also be a relentless outlet up front, which will be vital against Liverpool, a side that will dominate the possession.

Awoniyi is also a selfless striker who is willing to give 100% for his team off the ball, whether that be by leading the press or covering space to prevent progressive passes.

The former Liverpool centre-forward also knows how to score against his old team, netting in the 1-0 win over the Reds in this exact fixture last season, ensuring he would be a welcome return to the fold – alongside any of those who started on the bench in midweek…

Nottingham Forest star had one of his best game under Nuno vs Man Utd

He’s failed to reach the levels he achieved at times last season.

ByEthan Lamb Feb 29, 2024 Why Nicolas Dominguez could be key against Liverpool

Nicolas Dominguez has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the league this season, with his performances often going under the radar.

The versatility of the midfielder is what makes him so “impressive,” as labelled by analyst Statman Dave, with the Argentine having the ability to feature in multiple roles within one match.

However, it’s his defensive qualities while having the ability to affect the game in the final third that could make him key this afternoon.

The number 16’s performance against West Ham recently provides evidence of that, where he was deployed in the double pivot of a 4-2-3-1, which is where he should start today.

Tackles

6

Ground duels won

6

Assists

1

Pass accuracy

93%

Touches

57

As is shown in the table above, the former Bologna star thrives during the physical side of the beautiful game, breaking up the play and frustrating the opponent, as shown by his six tackles and six ground duels won.

However, he has also shown his ability to control the game and give his side a breather by retaining the ball once it’s been retrieved rather than wasting it, which will be vital later on. Against the Hammers, Dominguez had a pass accuracy of 93% and 57 touches while also registering an assist.

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Dominguez’s tenacity and engine in the middle of the field will be incredibly important. The Argentine and Awoniyi could just hold the keys to a huge upset this weekend.

Roberto Martinez has been accused of being 'scared' to remove Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal's XI as the debate over CR7 rages on.

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Ronaldo still yet to score at Euro 2024Broke down in tears after missing penalty vs SloveniaChris Sutton believes CR7 is 'a hindrance' to PortugalGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Martinez has chosen Ronaldo to start in all four of Portugal's games at Euro 2024, despite the 39-year-old failing to provide any attacking returns aside from a solitary assist. The Al Nassr forward is evidently desperate to break his duck at the tournament – he had eight shots in total in the last-16 against Slovenia, and displayed numerous acts of selfishness – and Sutton believes his presence is beginning to hurt the Seleccao.

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Ronaldo may not have the blistering pace he possessed in his twenties, nor the nous or desire to press from the front, but it's nearly impossible to imagine him sitting on the bench while someone else does his job. And therein lies the problem for Martinez – how does he axe a five-time Ballon d'Or winner who is coming off a 50-goal season for Al-Nassr, regardless of the effect that doing so would have on the harmony of the squad?

GettyWHAT SUTTON SAID

Sutton believes the former Belgium coach needs to stop being scared and bench Ronaldo for the sake of the team. "I'm looking at Roberto Martinez, someone with such a lack of backbone that I'm surprised he's standing up straight in the technical area," the former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers forward wrote for the Daily Mail. "He almost seems scared to axe Ronaldo, who might as well be named Portugal's manager with the amount of carte blanche he is being gifted in Germany. Eventually, a manager must realise when a player is not benefiting the team, no matter who it is. You have to be brave enough to make difficult decisions without worrying whom you might upset."

Sutton added: "Nobody is disputing that Ronaldo had the most magnificent career imaginable. But on Monday night, he looked like the kid who brings the ball down to the local park and then when he's had enough, he sticks it up his jumper and goes home so no one else can play. It was a performance shrouded in selfishness, becoming more embarrassing every time he fluffed a free-kick while Bruno Fernandes stood idly by. The tears that followed his penalty miss were proof that the pressure can get to even the greatest players."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Ronaldo has already made history by becoming the first player to appear in six European Championships. A goal would see him become the only player in history to score in six different editions of the competition.

Tottenham Hotspur did more than just end their interminable trophy drought when defeating Manchester United in the Europa League final last season; Ange Postecoglou opened up a road to the Champions League.

Given that Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League, this was quite the saving grace at the end of a campaign that left so much to be desired, and it ensured the Londoners could make a compelling case to potential signings like Xavi Simons.

While Tottenham supporters were overjoyed when signing the Dutch playmaker from RB Leipzig for £51m, after intense interest from Chelsea earlier in the summer, there’s no denying that the 21-year-old has yet to perform on English shores.

Given his big-money profile and the expectation upon his arrival, there’s a concern that Simons is echoing the likes of Tanguy Ndombele before him.

Simons' start to life at Spurs

Thomas Frank hasn’t yet established his vision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his side struggling for form in the final third. Simons has been a part of the problem, but it’s important to remember this is a young talent who has entered a team lacking offensive coherence.

In just two years in Germany, Simons scored 22 goals and supplied 24 assists across 78 matches. He was the difference-maker, and many Premier League clubs were keen.

Spurs won the race, and credit to them, but Simons has yet to prove he has what it takes to raise his game to the next level, thus prompting concerns that he might mimic Frenchman Ndombele, who became the Londoners’ club-record signing when joining from Lyon in a £54m deal in 2019.

Ndombele’s temperament and commitment were among the cruxes of his demise in English football, and Simons cannot be blamed for a lack of effort, but it’s a concern all the same, and one Frank will need to rectify quickly to get his side operating at full creative capacity.

The jury is still out for the Netherlands international, who is young and talented and settling into an outfit that lacks creative direction right now.

There’s actually another Lilywhites man with far more experience who might be deteriorating into Ndombele 2.0.

Spurs' new version of Ndombele

Frank has spoken of his players’ frustrations following their recent run of form, and this was clear to see last weekend when Fulham condemned Tottenham to yet another home defeat.

Pedro Porro was incensed, but the Portugal international might want to direct that anger inwards, given his spate of shambolic displays this year.

The 26-year-old has been in the English capital for almost three years now, and while he is among the most technically gifted players in the ranks, his awareness and accuracy in defensive phases could see him become a disappointment in a similar way to Ndombele, especially when considering he had such a furore about his signature in 2023 that Manchester City came sniffing around last year.

Porro is rudderless. Sofascore record that he has made five errors already in the Premier League this season, and he is among the most dribbled-past defenders in the division thus far.

#

Player

Stat

1.

Mats Wieffer

19

2.

Neco Williams

18

3.

Pedro Porro

17

4.

Hugo Bueno

16

5.

Matty Cash

16

In fairness, Porro sits among the top 16% of Premier League full-backs this season for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, but his defensive work has been well below the desired standard.

But his lack of focus and misuse of his own athleticism led one Tottenham podcast host to brand him “an absolute liability” last season, and that’s only been underscored since then, with Frank now facing his own Ndombele-like conundrum in working out what to do with this talented but toiling star.

Porro has enjoyed some high points across his Tottenham career, but he’s been culpable for too many poor performances over the past couple of years, and in this, it is he and not the young Simons who is shaping into the London side’s new version of Ndombele.

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ByAngus Sinclair 7 days ago

Wolverhampton Wanderers have enjoyed a successful season in the Premier League under Gary O'Neil, 13th with one match to play. Among relegation favourites at the season's beginning, the Old Gold have quietly triumphed.

With the final fixture to be contested at Anfield in what will be an emotionally charged affair on Jurgen Klopp's final match as Liverpool manager, Wolves bosses will likely have turned one eye to the summer transfer window.

“So if we go into next season with the same weaknesses as now, we have issues. If we’re able to improve them and get the levels back up to where they need to be, then we won’t.

“There’s no reason next season has to start slowly because this season has finished slowly. We’ll need to do some real big work in the summer.”

These are recent words from O'Neil, who has acknowledged that his threadbare squad have run out of steam. Wolves can take pride in their 2023/24 campaign but work, indeed, needs to be done during the off-season.

Wolves appear to be lining up an exciting addition already…

Wolves eyeing shrewd summer signing

According to reports from Spain, Wolves are interested in securing a deal for Athletic Bilbao winger Alex Berenguer, with the report stating that the player has offers on the table from a host of Premier League sides.

Berenguer is out of contract at the end of the season, and while the Copa del Rey champions are fighting to tie their star down to a new deal, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Leicester City hope to beat the Molineux side to the Spaniard's signature.

Alex Berenguer's season in numbers

Bilbao might be keen on extending Berenguer's stay in Basque Country but given that he's only started 13 La Liga matches in 2023/24, the 28-year-old might feel that the time is right to try his hand elsewhere.

Despite his sporadic inclusion in the starting line-up, Berenguer has offered an impressive return, scoring six goals and supplying two assists.

The versatile winger also bagged the solitary strike as Bilbao defeated Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie. They would go on to win at home before defeating Mallorca on penalties in the final, with Berenguer holding his nerve to score the winning strike in the shootout.

In the Spanish top flight, as per Sofascore, the 5 foot 9 ace has notably created six big chances for his team despite only receiving a starting berth on 13 occasions – this showcases his creativity and the impact he could have in Wolverhampton.

Moreover, as per FBref, he ranks among the top 21% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 26% for tackles, the top 3% for blocks and the top 13% for aerial duels won per 90, emphasising his defensive commitment and determination.

This makes him an attractive option for a team such as Wolves, who have their share of financial difficulties but could pull off a coup in bringing this talented wide forward to the fold on a free transfer this summer.

How Alex Berenguer would fit in at Wolves

Berenguer has been regarded as a "key figure" at his Spanish outfit by reporter Pablo Casado, and while he doesn't always start games, he is effective and influential and would offer much to the Wolves attack.

The Athletic's Steve Madeley has suggested that Pablo Sarabia's future at Molineux is 'less certain' as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract, but more pertinently, Berenguer is likely being targetted to fill in the hole that Pedro Neto might leave.

There's an understanding within the Wolves walls that the dynamic Portuguese winger will be allowed to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal known admirers for the player – as confirmed by none other than Fabrizio Romano – who could leave for a fee upwards of £60m.

Neto, aged 24, is a brilliant player, ranking among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 6% for progressive carries per 90 and being heralded as a "beast" of a player by his Liverpool-based compatriot Diogo Jota.

Injuries have formed the crux of his struggles under O'Neil this season but Neto has still made quite the impression, racking up nine assists from only 18 Premier League starts, averaging two key passes, 1.9 dribbles and 4.2 ball recoveries per game.

1.

Dwight McNeil

Everton

2.

Alex Iwobi

Fulham

3.

Jordan Ayew

Crystal Palace

4.

Pedro Neto

Wolverhampton Wanderers

5.

Marcus Tavernier

Bournemouth

Replacing such a potent attacking threat will certainly not be easy but Berenguer plays a similar game and has demonstrated creative expertise this season.

The £28k-per-week Spaniard could not carry the burden of being Neto's successor alone but he would definitely be able to emulate some of the Wolves sensation's finest attributes, lessening the pain of a fantastic player's departure.

Not only is he creative and sharp with his playmaking skills but he has offered an impressive goal threat. Moreover, Berenguer has been praised as a "versatile football" who "makes the squad more complete" by former manager Gaizka Garitano, something Neto too has mastered across the frontline.

Wolves keen to sign "very talented" player for O'Neil ahead of Liverpool

The Old Gold will face some stiff competition for the player.

ByJosh Barker May 12, 2024

Overall, Berenguer would not succeed in compensating for a player such as Neto – with the fleet-footed Portugal star destined for greatness if he can keep a lid on injury difficulties.

But he's a talented and experienced player in his own right and there's no question that he would prove to be an astute piece of business for a Wolves side that are fighting tooth and nail to tread water above the danger zone and continuing a wonderful marriage with Premier League football.