Glamorgan were unable to make their mid-innings dominance of Middlesex count, as hundreds from Sam Northeast and Kiran Carlson were offset by the loss of seven wickets on a balanced day one at Sophia Gardens.The captain and vice-captain’s 228-run partnership lifted the hosts to 280 for 3 after three early wickets fell for 52, but they finished on 334 for 7 at the close with Toby Roland-Jones dependable as ever for Middlesex with 4 for 73.Northeast and Carlson both fell within 10 overs for 122 and 109 respectively to give Middlesex a chance to fight back with the new ball towards the end of the day, with Ryan Higgins also taking 3 for 44.Middlesex won the toss and elected to bowl on a green surface at Sophia Gardens with uncertainty of how the lush ground would play following heavy rainfall in south Wales for the first time this season.The visitors got off to a strong start with restrictions on runs initially before the series of plays and misses turned to wickets thanks to the experience and skillset of Middlesex veteran Roland-Jones.Marnus Labuschagne’s woes were improved on last week’s four runs across two innings but he still didn’t look comfortable. The Australian added 23, including a gifted four from a bizarre Luke Hollman overthrow on a certain dot ball.Glamorgan’s new pair combined their red- and white-ball captains, but the bowlers were still on top going into the second session with Northeast scoring cagily at first against a prominent attack which includes three Test internationals.As has been the case for this pair this season, Carlson eventually got his strokes to come together to increase the scoring rate, with typical Carlson backfoot punches and cuts, including against the novice Naavya Sharma in his second match. Meanwhile, Northeast churned out his runs, ambitious to beat his previous season best of 67 in 11 innings. Between them, they produced Glamorgan’s first unbroken session partnership of the season.The pair went at four an over for the afternoon, with a six from the captain moving him to 99 and Carlson surviving an edge evading slip’s head off Hollman on 96 before they both passed three figures.The new ball brought the change in fortune for the visitors in the final 16 overs of the day as the momentum shifted. Carlson was in disbelief to be given out in the 81st over and Tom Bevan following shortly afterwards in his first game of the season, in place for the absent student, Ben Kellaway.Higgins was soon in on the action, bowling Northeast for 122 as four wickets fell for 39 runs. Andy Gorvin was required to survive the night alongside Chris Cooke, who never looked fazed for his unbeaten 32.

تحدث جون ألدريدج، النجم السابق لفريق ليفربول، عن السقوط الرابع المتتالي في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكتيبة آرني سلوت، بعد الهزيمة على برينتفورد يوم السبت الماضي.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على برينتفورد في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، 2025/26، حيث خسر حامل اللقب بثلاثة أهداف لهدفين، وهي الهزيمة الرابعة المتتالية في البطولة بعد كريستال بالاس، تشيلسي ومانشستر يونايتد.

وكتب جون ألدريدج، عبر شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “كانت هزيمة الأسبوع الماضي أمام مانشستر يونايتد كافية لي لأصدق أن ليفربول لن يحتفظ بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي، لكن آخر نكسة يوم السبت الماضي بعد السقوط أمام برينتفورد، جعلت الأمور تتجه من سيء إلى أسوأ”.

وأضاف:”يبدو أن ليفربول يحتاج الآن إلى ثلاثة أهداف في المباراة الواحدة لتحقيق نتيجة، لقد أصبح الوضع بأكمله كارثيًا، لا يملك البطل أي فرصة للاحتفاظ بلقبه بهذا المستوى من اللعب، وأربع هزائم متتالية تثير قلق آرني سلوت بشدة، لا يبدو الوضع جيدًا للمدرب حاليًا، لكن ما يجب قوله هو أن اللاعبين يبذلون جهدًا كبيرًا، فهم جميعًا ما زالوا يلعبون تحت قيادته بوضوح في الوقت الحالي، حيث أن معدل العمل والرغبة موجودان، باستثناء موقف أو اثنين”.

وواصل: “لكن ما يُضعف كل شيء الآن هو أنهم لا يعرفون كيف يدافعون، وكان أسلوب برينتفورد متوقعًا للغاية السبت، لقد أرشدتهم فرق أخرى إلى طريق الفوز في الأسابيع الأخيرة، لكن الأمور كانت سيئة للغاية، على سبيل المثال، تُعد رمية مايكل كايود الطويلة صاروخًا حقيقيًا لـ برينتفورد”.

واعترف: “لذلك لم أصدق عينيّ عندما رأيت حارس ليفربول، مامارداشفيلي، يمرر تمريرتين سيئتين إلى الطرف لكونور برادلي، مما سمح لـ برينتفورد بتلقي رميات تماس في مناطق خطرة خلال الدقائق الأولى، سجل دانغو واتارا الهدف المبكر، ثم تُرك ليفربول مرة أخرى ليواجه كل شيء، كان ينبغي على مامارداشفيلي أن يدرك مشاكل رميات التماس التي قد يسببها برينتفورد، ولن يكون هناك أي مشكلة في إرساله الكرة طويلًا بدلًا من التمريرات الصعبة إلى الطرف للحفاظ على الاستحواذ، لقد كان هذا تصرفًا ساذجًا للغاية، وقد أصابني بالحيرة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. إكسبريس: بعد مؤشرات مُقلقة.. سلوت يحتاج لاتخاذ قرار جرئ بشأن محمد صلاح

واسترسل: “شعرت بغليان دمي وأنا أشاهد ما يحدث، لقد صرّح كل من فيرجيل فان دايك وسلوت بعد المباراة أنهما تدربا طوال الأسبوع على الدفاع ضد الرميات الطويلة، من الواضح أنهما لم يبذلا جهدًا كافيًا في هذا الجانب”.

وشدد: “لا يوجد تماسك في ليفربول، يتمتع سلوت بلاعبين هجوميين، وهو أمر يثير حسد الدوري الإنجليزي، لكن خط الوسط والدفاع ليسا مترابطين، وسلسلة انتصارات من 10 مباريات أو أكثر هي الشيء الوحيد الذي قد يعيد ليفربول إلى المنافسة على اللقب، يجد ليفربول نفسه بالفعل في سباق اللحاق بالركب في أكتوبر، ونهاية منافسة اللقب في هذه المرحلة المبكرة من الموسم أمر لم نشهده منذ سنوات في أنفيلد”.

واستأنف: “لكن قبل كل هذا الحديث، علينا أن نذكر أن ليفربول سيواجه كريستال بالاس في كأس كاراباو يوم الأربعاء المقبل، وليفربول يحتاج بشدة إلى نتيجة إيجابية، الخروج من الكأس بعد هذه السلسلة سيكون أمرًا صعبًا، يحتاج سلوت إلى وضع خطة سريعة لإعادة فريقه إلى المسار الصحيح، لقد بدا وكأن خطوة كبيرة قد اتُخذت أمام آينتراخت فرانكفورت الأسبوع الماضي، لكن أداء يوم السبت كان أسوأ من أي وقت مضى طوال الموسم”.

وأوضح: “يقول المدربون أحيانًا إنه لا توجد خطة بديلة، لكن هذا هراء، يجب أن يكون لديهم واحدة، وعلى مدرب ليفربول أن يفكر مليًا لإيجاد مخرج من المأزق، إنه لأمر مُقلق أنه اعترف بأنه لم يكتشف بعد كيفية مواجهة حقيقة أن الفرق الآن تعرف كيف تلحق الخسارة بالفريق”.

وتسائل: “هل حان الوقت لخطة مختلفة؟ سيكون وجود لاعبي وسط مدافعين قادرين على دعم ومساعدة الدفاع عونًا كبيرًا في الوقت الحالي، وبعد ذلك يمكنك الاعتماد على تقديم خدمة جيدة لنوع المهاجمين الذين سيسجلون الأهداف دائمًا”.

واختتم ألدريدج: “يجب تغيير شيء ما، لأن ليفربول – بطل الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز – في الوقت الحالي بعيد كل البعد عن ذلك”.

Dhoni is pleased with the emergence of youngsters as CSK rebuild for IPL 2026

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-20251:23

Moody: Urvil’s stability at the crease stood out

MS Dhoni, who will turn 44 this July, knows that he doesn’t have too much time left in him, but hasn’t decided if IPL 2025 will be his last year playing cricket.”I only play two months in a year and now after this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another six to eight months just to see if my body will be able to take this kind of pressure and everything,” Dhoni said after helping Chennai Super Kings (CSK) win a thriller against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). “So nothing for me to decide as of now, but I feel the love and affection wherever I’ve been.”Dhoni has been functioning at reduced capacity, with CSK head coach Stephen Fleming also saying that his knees don’t allow him to bat for long. On Wednesday, Dhoni walked out in the 13th over after Dewald Brevis was dismissed in their pursuit of 180. He played second fiddle to Shivam Dube before helping CSK across the line with a crucial six off Andre Russell in the final over.The chase was set up by Brevis and their latest recruit Urvil Patel, who had made his IPL debut on Wednesday. Urvil, who had replaced Shaik Rasheed at the top, launched the second ball he faced for six and went onto hit three more sixes during his 31 off 11 balls at a strike rate of 281.81. Brevis then took charge, smashing a 22-ball half-century, including a sequence of 6,4,4,6,6,4 against seamer Vaibhav Arora. Dhoni suggested that real-time match scenarios are the ideal ground to test the skills and temperament of youngsters. Having been knocked out of contention of the playoffs, CSK are using their last few games this season to build for IPL 2026.”The thing is these are the players who are part of us right now… so we have got an opportunity to test them,” Dhoni said. “You may see them in the nets, you may see them in the practice game, but nothing like a real match, you know, so we are out of the tournament.”We had three games [remaining], so you give them a chance and see how they react. It’s not the technical aspect…What we want to see is the approach and the mental toughness because that’s what really counts. It’s not the most technically sound batsman who scores a lot of runs, but somebody who’s more game aware. You know who understands what the bowler is looking to do, if he sets up a field, okay according to this field you know what he will bowl. What is a bluff ball? You know nowadays it’s big.”

Newcastle star Joelinton has pledged to supply the chances to make new signing Nick Woltemade a goal-scoring success for the Magpies. Toon boss Eddie Howe has endured an erratic season so far, but can move onto the top half of the table with victory over Brighton and his Brazil star is confident Woltemade will help fire them up the table.

• Life after Isak proving tricky for Toon

  There has been great upheaval at St James’ Park over the past few months, with star striker Alexander Isak heading to Premier League rivals Liverpool following a protracted transfer saga, and a raft of new faces have arrived. But while the results have been mixed, the players are behind each other, with Joelinton throwing his full support behind Woltemade, who arrived on deadline day in a £69 million ($92.7m) from Stuttgart. 

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Joelinton send message to Woltemade

  Speaking ahead of the clash with Brighton, Joelinton told ChronicleLive: "There can be a pressure. I had pressure when I played as No 9 to bring good performances and help the team. I don't have the No 9 any more but I still have pressure to try to help my team-mates and create. Everybody has the pressure, you just have to try to do well and create as many chances as you can. We will be looking to do that for Nick Woltemade and give him the best opportunity to score goals. That responsibility lies with everyone and we are close to this and hopefully Nick will score more and more."

• Massive tests looming for Magpies

  Newcastle’s season has been marked by a turbulent summer and a challenging start across all competitions. The club faced a difficult period with the controversial departure of star striker Isak for £125m ($167.4m), a move which sparked considerable fan unrest. Despite securing several new signings, including Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Woltemade, some key transfer targets were reportedly missed, causing frustration among supporters. Newcastle began the defence of their League Cup title with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Bradford City in the third round and they are set to face Tottenham at home in the fourth round of the FA Cup in January. And the Magpies have experienced mixed results in the Champions League so far, including a dominant 4-0 away victory against Union SG and a 2-1 home defeat by Barcelona, while in the Premier League they have endured a difficult start, they sit in 11th, with just nine points from seven matches. 

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  Joelinton targets knockout blow this season

  The season is still in its infancy, with Newcastle still fighting for silverware on all four fronts. And Joelinton is clear in what the club’s target should be, he told ChronicleLive: "We always try to learn, and we have in the last two years. Even if we suffer a defeat, we learn and take something from that. With wins, it is the same. This team has grown from two years ago, and we are a much better team now. The starting team has always been good, but we know we have the quality in the squad, and the experience. The club is going the right way, but we have a long way to go still. We are working on that and trying our best every game, every season to make this team grow. It is very important that we get through to the knockout stages of the Champions League this season. We want to make the club bigger, and we know we can achieve that and win more titles."

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shared a Manchester United update from Old Trafford “sources” on a reported managerial target.

Amorim under Man Utd pressure after poor start

After being backed by INEOS in the transfer market, Ruben Amorim hasn’t had the start he would’ve wanted in his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

As a result, the Red Devils boss is coming under increasing pressure, with speculation mounting over a potential departure. Following the 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League last time out, Romano has since claimed that Amorim’s future is “one to watch”, with his Man Utd future not guaranteed.

“The situation of Ruben Amorim is one to watch, for sure. I’m not saying that Ruben Amorim is safe. Amorim’s job is NOT absolutely safe because they have to perform in a different way, because Man United need to see results.

“The next games will be important for Ruben Amorim.”

A number of managers have been linked as targets to replace Amorim, including former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate.

Still out of work after leaving the Three Lions following the Euro 2024 final, there have been claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been in direct contact with Southgate over a move to Man Utd.

Romano shares Man Utd update on INEOS and Southgate

Talking on his YouTube channel, relayed by The Peoples Person, Romano has shared what he knows regarding Man Utd and Southgate, admitting there is already a “very good” relationship between the 55-year-old and INEOS.

Southgate last managed in the Premier League back in 2009 with Middlesbrough. He was in charge at the Riverside for three years, where the club were actually relegated to the Championship.

Games

114

Wins

29

Draws

33

Losses

52

Points per match

1.05

Favouring an attacking 4-3-3 formation, as per Transfermarkt, Southgate did impress with England, leading them to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his tenure, leading Joe Cole to say Southgate would be “perfect” for United.

Their own Pep: "Incredible" manager favourite to replace Amorim at Man Utd

Manchester United look set to turn to one other manager in their hunt to replace Ruben Amorim.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 1, 2025

Now, it looks as if the rumours of a move to Man Utd won’t be going away anytime soon.

Danny Dyer and daughter Dani have been chatting about Jarrod Bowen amid a tough time at West Ham. The Hammers sacked manager Graham Potter after just nine months in charge and have since appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as his replacement. Bowen clashed with angry fans at the start of the season after the team's Carabao Cup exit but swiftly apologised and has gone on to score three times in seven appearances in the Premier League for the Hammers.

Tough times at West Ham

Dyer's love for West Ham is well known and he's admitted it's been a difficult time for Hammers fans after a dismal start to the season that has seen a change in management. Potter was sacked after managing just six wins from 25 matches in charge after succeeding Julen Lopetegui and West Ham will be hoping Espirito Santo can revive the club's fortunes. The new boss started his tenure with a 1-1 draw away at Everton, with Bowen scoring the equaliser to grab a vital point for the Hammers.

AdvertisementGetty Images/GOALDyer shows his love for Bowen

Dyer has been happy to show his love for Bowen and hailed the West Ham captain for his efforts this season. Chatting with daughter Dani, Bowen's wife, on their Live and Let Dyers podcast he was told Bowen was taking a nap. The former EastEnders star replied: "Jarrod. He is asleep. He only got back from scoring a goal against Everton. It's been a bad, bad time and obviously you know it's been difficult for everyone involved. But your man, my son in law, has come to the front again. I almost want to go upstairs and turn him over. Tuck him in a little bit more, if his feet are out, maybe cover his feet, if they're a bit cold, just to let him rest for another couple of hours. He really has earnt it."

Bowen confident West Ham are on the right track

Bowen spoke about the club's fortunes after the draw with Everton and is confident the club are moving in the right direction under their new boss. He told BBC Sport: "It's a big point for us. We had chances to win the game. They had chances as well so, on reflection, it's probably a fair result. It speaks to the character of the team after going down 1-0. We've got a really good group here that really want to work hard and change our fortunes, and I think you saw that. We've had Nuno for two days and I thought we put in a really good performance. It's about time, putting the work in and listening to the new gaffer. We're heading in the right direction and tonight's a good start."

The new West Ham boss also spoke about his aims: "We have to build on that. Now it is about keeping it simple and trying to give the boys a good identity. We will get there in terms of identity and character, but now it's keeping it simple. The clear message was how we have to approach the game. It is a tough place to come and Everton are a good team in a good moment."

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West Ham star shines for England

Bowen was also in action for England over the international break and put in a fine cameo in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Latvia that confirmed the Three Lions' qualification for World Cup 2026. The West Ham star grabbed an assist for England's fifth goal and also created more chances than any other players on the pitch despite only featuring for the last 30 minutes of the match in Riga. Former defender Micah Richards was impressed with his performance. He told the Rest is Football podcast: “I think watching the game, it’s more the way they press, the high [press]. But it is [also] about how they’re winning the ball back so quickly. So, once it goes past the first line and then the second line, not even in the mid-block, [they win the ball back] between high and mid-block. Everyone’s out [pressing]. And even a perfect example of that was Bowen.”

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank and CEO Vinai Venkatesham are in agreement over Spurs’ latest new deal, with another player penning a new contract with the club.

Tottenham sealing contract extensions for key players and prospects

This week, highly-rated young attacking midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett became the latest player to commit his future to Spurs, signing his first professional contract with the club soon after making his senior debut against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

The teenager has been a standout in Spurs’ youth set up over the last 12 months, specifically for their Under-18s, and even won the Under-18 Premier League Goal of the Season award for an outstanding strike against Leicester City.

Williams-Barnett joins Tynan Thompson, Dante Cassanova, George Abbott, Yusuf Akhamrich and Callum Olusesi on the list of exciting Lilywhites prospects to pen extensions this year, while senior players are also being rewarded.

Indeed, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence and Cristian Romero agreed fresh terms to remain at Spurs in the last few months, with the latter’s deal proving to be a major boost for Frank after he was repeatedly linked to Atletico Madrid in the summer.

Reports suggest that Tottenham are prepared to double Micky van de Ven’s wages in a bid to agree an extension for Romero’s centre-back partner too, amid rumoured interest from Real Madrid and even Chelsea.

Micky van de Ven’s best games for Tottenham in the Premier League so far this season

Match Rating

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

8.08/10

Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

7.44/10

Man City 0-2 Tottenham

6.76/10

Tottenham 1-1 Wolves

6.72/10

Tottenham 0-1 Bournemouth

6.58/10

via WhoScored

The Dutchman’s deal expires in 2029 as things stand, so there is no great rush there with Spurs still in a very strong position, but the same couldn’t be said for mainstay midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

The former Juventus star has impressed alongside summer signing Joao Palhinha in the middle of the park, and those within the club believe they’ve formed a stellar partnership since Frank’s arrival at N17 (Ben Jacobs).

Bentancur has started four out of Tottenham’s first six Premier League games this season, not to mention every cup game.

As such, Tottenham have been in talks with Bentancur over extending his stay.

Tottenham agree new Rodrigo Bentancur deal

Barcelona were believed to be keen on Bentancur earlier this year, going as far as to hold talks with the South American’s camp (The Boy Hotspur), but Hansi Flick’s side, alongside other suitors, have been dealt a blow.

Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, reported that Bentancur was close to signing a Tottenham contract extension after Frank and CEO Venkatesham reached an agreement with eachother that he should remain in North London.

Now, Spurs have announced the deal is complete, with the Uruguayan signing a “long term” contract and Frank “extremely happy” after his previous deal was due to expire in 2026.

Last season, he played a key role as Tottenham reached the Europa League final and ended their 17-year wait for a major trophy, and Bentancur has been equally useful to Frank this term.

The Dane, speaking to media in September, made his feelings about the former Serie A star crystal clear.

Bentancur also averaged more interceptions per 90 than any other Tottenham player in the Premier League last season (WhoScored), with his tenacity and robustness in the middle set to be pivotal for Frank over the coming years.

Liverpool are always on the lookout for offensive talent and may have found a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah at Anfield who they could now target.

Liverpool face anxious wait on Ibrahima Konate future

Undoubtedly, the only minor concern at Anfield right now comes in the form of Ibrahima Konate’s uncertain Liverpool contract situation, which has drawn interest from Real Madrid, who are thought to be in advanced talks over a potential move to the Bernabeu.

With his deal set to expire next summer, the La Liga giants could enact a repeat of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s acrimonious exit, which looked set to occur on a free transfer before Los Blancos shelled out £8.4 million to land the England international, ensuring he was on board in time for the Club World Cup.

Addressing Konate’s situation, Redmen TV’s Ste Plunkett has admitted that he could envisage Konate leaving to join Real Madrid, admitting the pull of playing for the world heavyweights may prove difficult for the Liverpool man to turn down.

He told BBC Sport: “If we get a notification from Konate that his intention is to go to Real Madrid in the summer, then we are forced to do whatever it is we need to do to fill that gap, and then we have to find one more.

“I fully expect him to leave. He’s won trophies with the club; there is a big coming together of French talent at Real Madrid, you’ve got five or six of them, and that will continue. All the best French players will end up gravitating over there, and he wants to go and be a part of that.”

Not Frimpong: Liverpool man who's "not at the races" is this season's Trent

Liverpool could have the next Trent Alexander-Arnold on their hands…

1 ByJoe Nuttall Sep 10, 2025

Nevertheless, Liverpool’s pursuit of a new central defender after their late attempts to sign Marc Guehi isn’t the only matter on the agenda for Arne Slot, who is now said to be lining up a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool eye Malick Fofana as Mohamed Salah successor

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool see Lyon star Malick Fofana as a long-term successor to Salah and remains on their radar despite opting to stay in France during the summer window.

Rivals Everton were actually in talks to sign Fofana over the summer, but the £43m-rated star stayed put at Lyon.

The Reds had shown interest in taking him to Anfield and his versatility is said to be a key reason why, alongside his speed and high level of end product in the final third.

Lauded by Man City star Rayan Cherki for his explosiveness, Fofana registered 11 goals and six assists in 41 appearances across all competitions last term, and he has continued that form in 2025/26, notching two goal contributions in three games.

With Salah at a point where consultation will begin in the next couple of years over his eventual replacement, Fofana appears to be of a similar mould and supporters will be keeping a keen eye on his situation as Liverpool continue to probe for his signature.

Peshawar Zalmi fall short by 23 runs despite Babar Azam’s 94 in a match where 451 runs were scored

Danyal Rasool17-May-2025

There were fireworks during the innings break to celebrate the resumption of PSL 2025, but the pyrotechnics in each innings pushed that somewhat into the background. A high-scoring thriller of a contest saw Karachi Kings seal qualification to the playoffs, edging out Peshawar Zalmi in a game where 237 played 214. While batting seemed almost insouciantly straightforward – as it often is in Rawalpindi in T20 cricket – David Warner’s 50-ball 86 had just enough support from his team-mates to outshine Babar Azam’s 49-ball 94.The first ball of the contest was a false dawn, when Luke Wood produced a ripping inswinger to clean up Ben McDermott. Warner and James Vince picked up where they had left off in the earlier part of this tournament as they flayed the Zalmi bowling. Wood, who bowled three powerplay overs to register 1 for 14, found none of his team-mates able to maintain the pressure from the other end; the other three overs in the first six went for 43.An eight-run seventh over suggested Zalmi would come back into the game, but once more, it was misdirection. Ali Raza and Ahmed Daniyal copped further punishment before Saim Ayub and Hussain Talat bore the brunt of Warner’s onslaught. While Wood returned to produce another brilliant over, breaking the partnership by dismissing Vince, his 2 for 19 stood in sharp contrast to the carnage around him.It was about to get decisively worse as Zalmi lost their discipline completely in the final two overs. Raza, who endured a horror day, bowled a no-ball in the penultimate over, one that was littered with inaccurate bowling and decorated by six after six. Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nabi smashed four of them before two fours and as many sixes in Daniyal’s final over saw 52 runs come off the final two. Khushdil smashed an unbeaten 43 off 15, Raza and Daniyal combined to concede 126 in eight overs.Babar Azam scored 94 off 49 balls•PCB

Zalmi were expected to come back hard, and they did. The early dismissal of Mohammad Haris was followed up by a second-wicket onslaught from Babar and Ayub, Zalmi getting 59 in the powerplay. They were ahead of Kings at that stage, and would remain so right up until the start of the penultimate over, but the suffocating pressure of an ever-increasing asking rate never quite let up. Ayub’s return to form was welcome, Babar’s sensational knock at a strike rate his talent should allow him to replicate more frequently was a delight. However, the death overs’ runs in the first innings always coloured the chase with a sense of heroic failure rather than unlikely glory.The first sign of the wheels coming off was in the form of a breakthrough Abbas Afridi produced, his slower delivery undoing Ayub three runs short of a half-century. It brought Tom Kohler-Cadmore to the crease, whose second-ball six belied the stuttering innings he would eventually produce. The partnership with his captain yielded 62, but Kohler-Cadmore only managed 20 in 15 deliveries, even as Babar was turning on the style from the other end, having raced past Warner’s score, sitting imperiously on 87 off 45.But three wickets fell in the next 11 balls. Mir Hamza snared Kohler-Cadmore before Afridi returned to get rid of Max Bryant. Three balls later, defeat was all but confirmed when Babar desperately scrambled back in a bid to get on strike, and ended up short of his crease, and six runs short of a deserved hundred.Zalmi soldiered on bravely, producing 28 in the final two overs, but Kings had secured victory, and a ticket to the playoffs in Lahore. Zalmi, meanwhile, go into a virtual knockout against Lahore Qalandars on Sunday night.

Aston Villa are now racing Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United for the signature of an “electric” Premier League star, who has made a very impressive start to the campaign.

Villa join race for new forward amid lack of goals

It would be fair to say Unai Emery’s side fell below their usual lofty standards at the beginning of the Premier League season, with the 3-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace likely to be particularly concerning, but they have since managed to get back on track.

Indeed, the Villans have won their last two matches in all competitions, most recently picking up their first league victory of the campaign courtesy of a fantastic second-half display against Fulham, which culminated in a 3-1 win.

Emery will be relieved his side are finally starting to look better in front of goal, but after failing to score in their opening four league matches of the season, the manager may still be worried about his side’s lack of firepower.

As such, according to a report from The Boot Room, Aston Villa have now joined the race for AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, but there could be fierce competition for the Ghanaian’s signature, and it may take a huge fee to get a deal done.

Tottenham, Man United and Manchester City are also named as potential suitors for Semenyo, who was valued at £70m back in the summer transfer window, amid links with Spurs.

Aston Villa now want to sign £35m Sunderland star after performance against them

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Transfer expert Graeme Bailey also makes it clear that a winter exit is very unlikely to be on the cards, saying: “As it stands, Bournemouth are intent on making progress this summer and that means no sales.

“They have lost the likes of Huijsen, Kerkez and Zabarnyi in recent months and they are insistent Semenyo won’t be following them through the exit doors in January.”

"Electric" Semenyo has made flying start to the season

It is no surprise that Bournemouth are reluctant to sanction a January departure, given just how well the 25-year-old has performed in the early stages of the new season, being dubbed “electric” by broadcaster Kris Temple.

The Cherries are currently sixth in the Premier League table, and the Ghana international has been paramount to their success, receiving Bournemouth’s Player of the Month and Goal of the Month award for August.

That follows on from a very impressive 2024-25 campaign, during which the winger picked up 11 goals and six assists in the Premier League, helping his side surpass expectations and finish ninth.

There is every indication that Semenyo could be a success at Villa Park, but Aston Villa are well-known to be struggling PSR-wise, which means forking out the potential £70m asking price could be an issue.