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Arsenal are a club with a proud history of developing and promoting young talent into the first team.

Mikel Arteta has carried that tradition on during his time, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and now Max Dowman all getting chances under him.

However, when it comes to the most successful Hale End product under the Spaniard’s stewardship, it’s hard to ignore Bukayo Saka, who has become a world-class superstar in recent years.

So, fans should be very excited about another young prospect making his way through the academy, who has been likened to a young version of the England international.

Saka's academy journey

Saka joined Hale End as a seven-year-old, with him later revealing that it was his father who pushed for him to join the club over others.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The Ealing-born gem made his debut for the club’s U18 against Fulham in August 2017, a game the Gunners would lose 4-1.

The youngster would end that season with a respectable haul of eight goals and four assists in 22 games.

The following year, he made just six appearances for the U18S and 24 for the U23S, scoring six goals and providing nine assists for the latter.

However, that was also the season in which he made his first-team debut, away to Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League group stage, under Unai Emery.

At this point, the exciting prospect was still very much seen as a left-sided attacker and had made just a single appearance on the right across both campaigns.

The 19/20 season brought the end of Saka’s time in the academy setup, as he made just one appearance for the U23s in a Premier League 2 game against Everton, which they drew.

Appearances

28

25

Goals

16

6

Assists

6

9

In all, the now 24-year-old made 28 appearances for Arsenal’s U18s, in which he produced 22 goal involvements and 25 appearances for the U23s, in which he produced 15.

Everyone now knows how the rest of the story goes, and so fans should be excited that there is another Hale End talent currently being compared to Saka.

Arsenal's next Saka

With the likes of Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and now Dowman, it feels like Hale End can’t stop producing incredible talents, and the next one off the line might just be Brando Bailey-Joseph.

The 17-year-old has been so impressive in recent months that, despite only signing scholarship terms with the club a few months ago, he has already put pen to paper on a professional deal.

Moreover, according to one analyst, he is currently looking “very reminiscent of a young Saka.”

The argument he puts forward is that, like the Gunners’ talisman, there has been a lot more talk around other youngsters in the academy over him, and he is just quietly plugging away in the background.

Appearances

16

Minutes

1098′

Goals

4

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.5

Minutes per Goal Involvement

137.25′

For example, in 16 appearances this term, totalling 1098 minutes, he has scored four goals and provided four assists.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 137.25 minutes, which would be pretty good for a striker, let alone a winger who has been moved between both sides over and over again.

In addition to the output, the analyst also points out that, like Arteta’s mercurial number seven, he has shown an “incredible technical” ability in the academy.

This is an opinion shared by Hale End expert Will Balsam, who claims that the youngster’s “fire feet, chopping into the grass constantly, make it impossible for defenders to know what’s coming.”

Ultimately, while it’s so early in his journey, Bailey-Joseph looks like he could be the next Hale End star to make it in the first team and follow in Saka’s footsteps on the wing.

Rice was fuming with him: Arsenal's "future captain" has regressed big time

It has been a season to forget for the Arsenal star so far this year.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 1, 2025

Hesson has been given the licence to change the image of the T20I side, but it was the same picture with different characters

Danyal Rasool22-Sep-20251:39

Chopra: Clear difference in Pakistan’s intent with the bat

There is something of a discrepancy between the things Pakistan say and the things Pakistan do. Since Mike Hesson took over as their white-ball coach in May, he has ostensibly been given the licence to remake their T20I squad in the image of his philosophy. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been cast out into the cold until they can, in Hesson’s words, “improve in some areas” – primarily to do with strike rate.He made clear that batting depth would be prioritised over fast-bowling expertise, and called Mohammad Nawaz “the best spin bowler in the world” earlier this month. Pakistan, meanwhile, made clear that batters who demonstrate intent from the outset will not live in fear of their place or be penalised for low scores as long as they stick to the game plan required of them.Those, anyway, are the things Pakistan say, and would presumably have said again if they didn’t keep cancelling press conferences in the Asia Cup. And then, against India in their first Super Four game of the tournament came the things they did.Related

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• Abhishek smashes 74 off 39 as India ease past Pakistan

Pakistan could not have found themselves in a position more conducive to the cricket they insist they want to play. India put down three relatively straightforward chances in the first ten overs. Sahibzada Farhan, a beneficiary of that largesse in the first over, had just smashed Axar Patel for a six that took him to a fifty off 34 balls.Far from the post-powerplay quicksand that India had enveloped them in the group fixture last Sunday, Pakistan had only accelerated since the fielders spread out. Thirty-six runs came in overs seven to ten, with that six off Axar the fourth off an India spinner in the last three overs. In the first six overs, Jasprit Bumrah had been taken for 34 off three, his most expensive T20I powerplay figures. It took Pakistan to 91 at the halfway mark in their innings, comfortably their highest ever ten-over total against India.It established the perfect base to launch the sort of gung-ho attack that is the logical conclusion of this new-look Pakistan’s stated ambition. The drinks break brought a wicket when Saim Ayub top-edged Shivam Dube for Abishek Sharma to take an excellent catch, but it shouldn’t have mattered. Lost wickets are a consequence of high-risk batting, and this was just the second that fell. There were more power-hitters to follow.But, like a child breaking free from their minder, unable to believe how far away they’ve managed to cut loose and suddenly catching a fright, Pakistan spent the seven overs post drinks reverting to the mediocre, comfortable environment that has now become their home. Having seen such limited recent success against India, it was almost as if their position of advantage was in itself a trap India had sprung, a threat they couldn’t see but somehow must still guard against.Sahibzada Farhan gave Pakistan a brisk start but slowed down after ten overs•AFP/Getty ImagesHussain Talat, with a career T20I strike rate of 117 heading into the game, came into the side in place of Hasan Nawaz, who has a career strike rate of 158. Dube overstepped and gave Talat a free hit off the second ball of his innings, but those don’t mean much if you lack the ability to hit freely. Talat hacked at air, and the discrepancy between what Pakistan said and what they were doing began to reveal itself.The momentum Pakistan had built began to slip away, and along with it, the bravado which presented the only realistic route to victory against a better side. India’s bowlers found their lengths, and Pakistan allowed them to set up camp there. Talat scored 10 off 11 balls, while Farhan, who had also dried up at the other end, miscued an offcutter from Dube high into the Dubai sky.This time, it was captain Salman Agha who walked out to bat, another Pakistani inconsistency in human form making its way to the middle. For all the dim view Hesson appeared to take with a former Pakistan captain’s scoring rate, Agha’s strike rate of 111 is lower than all Pakistan batters with a minimum of 500 T20I runs, bar Salman Butt and Misbah-ul-Haq. Yet, he has been anointed the face of this progressive T20I side that Pakistan are adamant they have laid the foundations for.And so, Pakistan began to revert to type, and into their comfort zone. The seven overs immediately following drinks produced 38 runs, the lowest for any side all tournament. It included a 39-ball spell without any boundaries; in the final ten overs, Pakistan hit just two fours and four sixes. Nawaz saw off Varun Chakravarthy’s final over, the 16th of the innings, with four consecutive dot balls, at the end of which he was on 7 off 13. He wasn’t in the side for his “best spinner in the world” bowling abilities either, given he did not send down a ball during India’s routine chase. Meanwhile, Nawaz, along with Agha and Talat, Pakistan’s Nos. 4-6, scored a combined 48 runs in 43 deliveries.Faheem Ashraf came out in the penultimate over and muscled his first ball for a six•AFP/Getty ImagesAgha tried to defend that approach after the game, saying the pitch made it difficult for a new batter to settle. But then, again, those are the things Pakistan say. When the more naturally belligerent Faheem Ashraf emerged in the penultimate over, he had no such problems. The first ball was muscled over square leg for six, and the eight in total he faced produced 20 runs. That was three more than Agha, who came to the crease in the 15th over, faced 13 balls and could muster just one six; and just one fewer than Nawaz, who used up an additional 11 balls. Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris, used as a basher up top or a bludgeoner lower down, never got to bat, nor did Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been Pakistan’s best slogger this tournament.Four years ago, at this very ground, Pakistan lost to Australia in a T20I World Cup semi-final after scoring 176. In the first 11 overs, Babar and Rizwan were exceptionally defensive, and produced just 75 runs, thus leaving their team-mates an almighty task to be competitive at the backend. It ignited a debate that has brought Pakistan cricket to a point where both men are out of the side because timidity up top is no longer acceptable.Against India on Sunday, with 91 runs off the first ten overs, Pakistan solved that problem. In the second half, though, they were able to scratch together just 80, which, ironically, feels very much like a ten-over score Babar and Rizwan might have put up. The upheaval will be of little use if all Pakistan ultimately do is transfer their diffidence to the other half of the innings.What will worry Pakistan supporters is not a defeat to India; those are commonplace and have, of late, become exercises in damage limitation. Nor does an India game offer any indicator of how far Pakistan are in their journey of improvement – such is the gulf between the two sides in quality. This, however, was a litmus test in how committed Pakistan are to the idea that high risk and high strike rates are the only way to be competitive at the top table of T20I cricket.For ten overs in Dubai, Pakistan threw themselves into the notion with the zeal of a convert. As the rest of the evening unfolded, it began increasingly to look like one of those things Pakistan just say.

West Ham United have a proud history of developing and promoting some brilliant youngsters from their academy system.

The most recent one to really make his mark on the team and then be sold on for a massive fee was Declan Rice.

Freddie Potts looks like he could be the Hammers’ next homegrown superstar after his sensational Premier League displays before the international break.

However, while the club try their best to keep hold of their most promising talents, they aren’t always able to, and one youngster they may rue losing more than any other looks like he could be a bigger prospect than Potts and a future England star.

West Ham's next academy star

While Potts is the current academy product getting the attention and adulation from fans and pundits alike – justifiably so – he could soon be joined in the first team by another of Rush Green’s best: George Earthy.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

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Now, the 21-year-old has made four appearances for the first team and even scored a brilliant goal against Luton Town in the Premier League a couple of years ago, but due to loan moves and injury, those four appearances have amounted to only 36 minutes.

In other words, most fans aren’t really thinking about the youngster, and those that occasionally do aren’t sure what sort of player they’ll be getting when he returns from his hamstring injury.

Well, firstly, even though his primary position is attacking midfield, the Havering-born gem has and can play in several positions across the pitch.

Second, he’s as comfortable scoring goals as he is providing assists, and has a seriously impressive record from his time in the academy.

For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Earthy’s Junior Record

Team

U18s

U21s

Appearances

60

55

Minutes

4804′

3618′

Goals

25

18

Assists

18

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.71

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

111.72′

113.06′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Then, during his time with the u21s, he scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in 55 appearances, totalling 3618 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 113.06 minutes.

Finally, while he’s not played much for the Hammers, he has gained a decent amount of first-team experience from his time on loan with Bristol City last season, where he was named Young Player of the Season.

In all, so long as he can remain fit, West Ham have another superb homegrown talent on their hands in Earthy, which should help make up for them losing another, arguably more promising talent last year.

The Academy gem West Ham will rue losing

One of the most exciting talents to come through West Ham’s academy in the last five years or so was undoubtedly Divin Mubama.

During his time in West London, the Englishman was utterly unstoppable for the junior sides, racking up a staggering tally of 40 goals and five assists for the u18s and then 18 goals and two assists for the u21s.

This brilliant output saw him get a chance with the first team, and over the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons, he made 18 senior appearances, totalling 431 minutes.

Mubama’s record

Team

Games

Goals

Assists

West Ham

18

1

1

WH U21s

34

18

2

WH U18s

57

40

5

Man City

2

1

0

Man City U21s

9

8

4

Stoke City

15

5

1

All statistics via Transfermarkt

However, in August 2024, then Premier League champions Manchester City came knocking, and despite their best efforts to keep him, Julen Lopetegui and Co had to make do with a measly £1.2m as he joined the Citizens.

To nobody’s surprise, the goalscoring machine continued his fine form in the North West, and ended the 24/25 campaign with 16 goals and four assists in 14 appearances for City’s u21s.

Moreover, Pep Guardiola gave him two run-outsrun-outs in the first team, and on his debut in an FA Cup game against Salford, he scored his first senior goal for the club.

Coming into this season, it was crystal clear that the 21-year-old is too good to play in the youth sides, and so he was sent out on loan to Stoke City in the Championship, where he has done a reasonable enough job.

For example, even though it’s his first season of regular first-team football, the “powerful” strike, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored five goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances.

In addition to making his way in the club game, the Newham-born monster has also been in incredible form for England’s u21s.

In five caps, the game-changing marksman has already scored five goals and provided one assist.

Ultimately, it’s not West Ham’s fault, but if Mubama continues to develop in the way he has over the last year or so, they could really come to rue losing him.

Related West Ham given January greenlight to sign forward who Nuno called "unique"

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Nov 20, 2025

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are set to compete to secure a transfer for £26 million-rated ($34m) Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz. PSG were dealt a major blow in their recent Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich as star full-back Achraf Hakimi suffered a horror injury after a challenge from Luis Diaz, and he has now been ruled out of action for at least a couple of months.

• Hakimi's injury leaves PSG worried

  Hakimi was forced off the pitch at the stroke of half-time after Bayern forward Diaz lunged in on the Moroccan defender. The ex-Liverpool star was originally shown a yellow card by the on-field referee but the decision was upgraded to a red after a VAR check. As for Hakimi, he was visibly in pain on the ground and had to be helped off the pitch. The defender also appeared to be in tears and the fear was that he had sustained a serious injury that would keep him out of action for some time.

  Hakimi underwent medical examinations, which later revealed that he suffered a severe sprain in his left ankle, involving partial damage to the femoral syndesmosis and deltoid ligaments. The reigning European champions, however, later confirmed that the player won't need surgery but will be sidelined for six to eight weeks. Their statement read: "Achraf Hakimi has severely sprained his left ankle, which will leave him unavailable for several weeks."

  Hakimi's freak injury has also left the Morocco national team worried as the Atlas Lions are not sure whether their star player will be able to take the field in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on December 21 in Morocco. Speaking about Hakimi's importance in the team, Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has said: "Achraf Hakimi is an irreplaceable player. He was a contender for the Ballon d'Or. For us Moroccans, he is the best player in the world."

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  PSG eyeing move for Palace's Munoz

  With Hakimi set to miss a lot of action, PSG are naturally thinking of signing a replacement for their star full-back with the January transfer window now approaching. According to , officials in Paris are eyeing a move for Crystal Palace right wing-back Munoz as they see the Colombian defender as a perfect cover for Hakimi.

• Barca to compete with PSG

  reports that Spanish giants Barcelona are also keeping tabs on Munoz and the Catalan giants believe that they can sign the Palace full-back for a fee in the region of €30m (£26m/$34m). Munoz is an integral part of Oliver Glasner's squad and played a key role in the club winning the FA Cup last season. With his contract running until 2028, the Premier League side are expected to demand a fee they feel will be appropriate for an important first-team player.

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  Palace stars in demand

  After a successful 2024-25 campaign, players from the Eagles squad are attracting interest from across Europe. While Munoz is being eyed by two of the biggest clubs in the world, their midfield sensation Adam Wharton is also linked with a move away from Selhurst Park, with clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid keen on signing the English midfielder.

  According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Palace are preparing to offer Wharton a new deal soon as they don't want to lose their star player, at least for a low transfer fee. Speaking to , Romano said: "They want to extend this contract. So Palace are on it. They've spoken already to his representative several times about this intention they have to give him a new contract. At the same time, let's see what's going to happen there, because the boy has been super professional already last summer, when he already had some kind of opportunity if he wanted to go. But for Palace, he was untouchable. Also, in recent months, we had many rumours, and the boy, again, is behaving in a fantastic way. So Palace are super happy with Adam, and Adam is quite happy with Palace. He understands that he's probably at the best club to develop at this moment for him. But then in the summer, you never know, in case there is a big opportunity, a big financial proposal, we have to see what happens. So at the moment, there is this intention from Palace to give him a new contract, but we are not yet at the stage where we say, okay, it's guaranteed, because it's still early stages of the conversation."

He remains under observation in a Sydney hospital after suffering the injury during the third ODI against Australia

Shashank Kishore27-Oct-2025 • Updated on 28-Oct-2025

Shreyas Iyer is helped off the ground after taking a pain-causing catch to dismiss Alex Carey•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

India batter Shreyas Iyer remains under observation in a Sydney hospital after being treated for a lacerated spleen. While there is no clear timeline yet for his discharge, Shreyas is in a stable condition.”Shreyas Iyer sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding on 25th October during the third ODI against Australia,” a statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Tuesday.”The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested. His condition is now stable, and he continues to be under observation. A repeat scan done on Tuesday, 28th October, has shown significant improvement, and Shreyas is on the road to recovery. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, will continue to monitor his progress.”The BCCI’s previous statement, on Monday, had said Shreyas was “under treatment, medically stable, and recovering well”.Shreyas suffered the injury upon impact after he took a catch running backwards from point to dismiss Alex Carey during India’s third ODI against Australia in Sydney. He immediately clutched his rib cage and signalled for medical attention.Related

• Battle for T20 World Cup favouritism begins

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Shreyas was taken off the field and did not return for the remainder of Australia’s innings. At the time, the BCCI issued a brief statement that said their medical team had taken him to the hospital for “further evaluation and assessment”. As things stand, it’s unclear as to when Shreyas can return to play.A member of BCCI’s medical team remains in Sydney with Shreyas, even as the other ODI specialists left Australia on Sunday. Those part of the T20I squad have departed for Canberra, where India had their first training session on Monday.”Just by looking from the outside, when he held the catch, we felt that it was normal,” Suryakumar said about Shreyas ahead of the first T20I. “Those who were there told us that after going inside [the dressing room], it felt that he needed careful attention. Then he was rushed to the specialist, and then they told that he’s suffered this injury.”Only when he started talking normally then it felt like he is getting a little better now. The doctors and physios said that it was unfortunate and very rare. This almost never happens. But Shreyas is also a rare talent. But it’s okay, God has supported him, he is recovering really well, doctors are supporting him. He will recover soon, and then we will take him home with us.”India won the third ODI by nine wickets, but lost the three-match series 2-1 after going down in the first two games in Perth and Adelaide.The five-match T20I series gets underway on October 29 in Canberra, followed by matches in Melbourne and Hobart. Shreyas isn’t part of the T20I squad. India next play an ODI series against South Africa, which begins on November 30 in Ranchi.smallOctober 28, GMT 1345 The story was updated after the BCCI sent out its second update on Shreyas’ condition.

تحدث الدولي البلجيكي تيبو كورتوا، حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، عن فوز فريقه أمام أتلتيك بلباو ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فوزًا مهمًا على حساب أتلتيك بلباو، بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وواجه ريال مدريد نظيره أتلتيك بلباو، مساء اليوم، الأربعاء، في إطار منافسات الجولة 19 المقدمة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

واستضاف ملعب “سان ماميس” مباراة ريال مدريد بقيادة تشابي ألونسو وأتلتيك بلباو، في الجولة الاستثنائية من “لا ليجا”.

بتلك النتيجة، رفع ريال مدريد رصيده إلى النقطة 36 في المركز الثاني بجدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، بفارق نقطة وحيدة عن برشلونة المتصدر.

اقرأ أيضًا | موندو تكشف موقف ثنائي ريال مدريد بعد الإصابة أمام أتلتيك بلباو في الدوري الإسباني

وقال كورتوا، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “ماركا”: “كانت مباراة مهمة للغاية لنا وكانت على ملعب صعب أيضًا”.

وأكمل: “كان من المهم الفوز بعد سلسلة عدم الفوز الأخيرة وقد حققنا ذلك بالعمل الجماعي والضغط الجيد والحدة منذ البداية وهذا ما قادنا إلى الفوز”.

وأضاف: “كان اليوم أشبه بنهائي، إنه ملعب صعب، بعد فوز برشلونة والتعادل أمام إلتشي وجيرونا، من البديهي أن نفوز اليوم، لعبنا مباراة رائعة، وهذه هي الطريقة التي يجب أن نواصل بها مسيرتنا “.

وأوضح: “قلنا إنه يجب علينا التوقف عن الكلام والبدء بالعمل الآن وهذا ما فعلناه، الجميع يريد المساهمة في نجاح الفريق”.

كما احتفل بأداء مبابي الرائع قائلًا: “اللعب معه أفضل من اللعب ضده، أحيانًا أفكر كم أنا محظوظ لوجوده في فريقي”.

وأتم حديثه قائلًا: “نحن دائمًا على علاقة جيدة مع المدرب، هناك الكثير من الحديث في الخارج لكن الأمر ليس كذلك في الداخل”.

It’s wall-to-wall Cummins watch in the lead-up to the you know what. But there’s some other stuff here as well

Alan Gardner15-Oct-2025Worries abound down under that talismanic Australia captain Pat Cummins might not be fit for the Ashes. Such is the frenzy of speculation that Cricket Australia’s medical department is working around the clock to provide updates…CA spokesman: “It’s not ideal, but we know Patty’s such a trooper. It might be that he’s a bit underdone compared to how we like it, but that’s better than being overcooked. Probably medium-rare, should be fine with a little sriracha. Still pretty hopeful we’ll get him on the barbie in good time.”CA spokesman: “That’s to be expected. We know the timeline is tight. There are known knowns and known unknowns. The problem comes with unknown unknowns. The next step is to get some more variables into his training – some dog-walking, beach frisbee, maybe a little egg-and-spoon. We’ll give him all the time he needs.”CA spokesman: “This is certainly not the outcome we hoped from getting Patty back out on grass. In all likelihood, he’s unlikely to be in the likely XI, but we’ll have to wait and see. We’re confident he’ll still play a big part in the series. Just having him around the group is going to be a big plus for the boys.”CA spokesman: “Look, it’s in the hands of the medicos. Getting his workloads up is going to be the difficult thing, now that he’s been reduced to a greasy smear on the pavement. But Patty Cummins is a champion. Even if he’s only able to operate in the spirit realm, he’s going to be a real handful for Poms.”

****

It is not so long since Cummins and his Australia team were being criticised by the local media for being too woke, and the Light Roller was reminded of this after David Warner popped up with his Ashes prediction – copyright all news organisations – the other day. “I think 4-0. There’s going to be a washout somewhere, generally Sydney… If the captain doesn’t play, they might win one game.” All typically bullish from the Bull, you might think, but hold on. What red-blooded former Aussie player worth his Pommie-baiting inner mongrel predicts anything other than a 5-0 whitewash? And as for England winning a Test if Cummins isn’t available… Eesh. Truly they have gone soft.

****

Your move, BCCI. It’s not often that the richest, most powerful board in world cricket is stumped, but Mohsin Naqvi’s vigilante methods at the Asia Cup final have put them in a quandary. Neither India or Pakistan covered themselves in glory through the course of the tournament – but Naqvi raised (or lowered) the bar on pettiness by denying India their actual moment of glory. Or forcing India to deny themselves, as the case may be.Either way, India still haven’t got their hands on the cup, which is presumably minding its own business in a cupboard somewhere at the ACC headquarters in Dubai. Naqvi’s last communication on the subject came via X a few days after the final: “If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.” Straight from the schoolyard playbook, but you can’t knock it for effectiveness. At this point, there isn’t much the BCCI can do beyond putting pictures of the Asia Cup on milk cartons and sitting out the next couple of years until Naqvi is no longer president.

****

To the Women’s World Cup, where we must discuss the depraved depths to which the ladies have descended. Of course, with the arrival of professionalism and greater scrutiny on the women’s game, we shouldn’t be surprised to see some unsavoury behaviours creeping in. The men are always effing and jeffing, arging and barging, and so we may to have to accept similar from our sisters – but transgressions can’t go unpunished. Which is why we were pleased to see the ICC cracking down after Nonkululeko Mlaba’s egregious send-off for Harleen Deol. Okay, yes, most people might not have even noticed Mlaba’s smile-and-wave-like-you-spotted-a-friend-in-the-queue-at-the-bakery if it hadn’t resulted in a disciplinary charge. But sometimes you have to make an example. Do we want our girls growing up knowing the genteel standards that cricket holds sacred, or not?

Left-arm quick’s T20 World Cup hopes all but dashed after being ruled out of the entire BBL with an ongoing back injury

Alex Malcolm03-Dec-2025Spencer Johnson’s hopes of playing for Australia in the T20 World Cup early next year have been dealt a hammer blow after he was ruled out of the upcoming BBL season because of a back injury.Johnson has not played since the IPL, where he suffered back pain that he initially thought was a recurrence of a disc issue he had dealt with previously. The 29-year-old left-arm quick then suffered more pain while training ahead of the July T20I tour of the West Indies and scans showed a stress fracture.He underwent months of rehab which included pilates and swimming while waiting for the bone to heal. He had another scan in October and was hopeful he would be cleared to play in the BBL in the new year.Related

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But Brisbane Heat confirmed on Wednesday that their title-winning quick would be unavailable for the entire season.”Spencer continues to recover from a back injury and pleasingly, this is improving. However, the latest time-frame for his return to play does not enable him to participate in the BBL this season,” Heat CEO Terry Svenson said. “We’re all disappointed for Spencer but will provide him with ongoing support as he continues to recover.”Australia’s first game of the T20 World Cup is on February 11, which means it is almost certain he will not be fit in time to push his case for selection in the final 15-man squad. Johnson was seen as a potential long-term replacement for Mitchell Starc, who has retired from T20I cricket. But while Johnson has been injured, Australia have won three of their four T20I series with a pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis and Xavier Bartlett gelling nicely. Pat Cummins could also return for the World Cup if fit.Johnson will continue to do his rehab in Adelaide where he lives and is domestically contracted with South Australia. Johnson has nominated for the IPL auction at the second-highest base price of 150 lakh (AUD$252957) and is hopeful of being fit and available for the tournament if bought after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders at the end of last season.”I’ve had plenty of expert support from everyone involved in the process and I am very confident that I will be back and doing what I love as soon as possible,” Johnson said.Meanwhile, England left-arm quick Reece Topley has signed with Sydney Thunder as an overseas replacement for Lockie Ferguson. Topley will play with Thunder for the first half of the season while Ferguson is at the ILT20. Topley will head to the SA20 when Ferguson returns to the BBL for the second half of the season.

This is a season of attrition for Liverpool, who must knuckle down and prove that they have absorbed the worst punches after a testing start to Arne Slot’s second term in charge.

Liverpool are in a rut, alright, and need to start stringing together consistent results in the Premier League if they are to steer away from a true crisis, missing out on Champions League qualification after a record-breaking summer of spending.

It’s clear that the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £66.5m has contributed toward knocking the Anfield side out of kilter. The Colombian’s speed and combativeness have been sorely missed.

Stars such as Florian Wirtz have been added to the Liverpool ranks this summer, but sporting director Richard Hughes is already lining up another addition.

Liverpool searching for new attacking midfielders

Wirtz is only 22 years old, and though he joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, there is an acceptance from the Reds hierarchy that the German’s integration will take a bit of time.

There’s a superstar in there, but he’s not been brought to the fore just yet. With this in mind, Liverpool might consider adding more talent to their ranks, someone who can jockey with Wirtz for a place out on the left wing.

Well, Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz could be the player for the job, with transfer insider Simon Phillips revealing that Liverpool have joined Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid in the race for the silky attacking midfielder.

It’s previously been understood that United have expressed a willingness to pay €90m (about £79m) for the 20-year-old, and Liverpool have now been name-checked as being among those to make calls for the player as he marks one side of a contractual stand-off in Turin.

However, Hughes will need to act speedily if he is to win Yildiz over, with Juventus pushing to renew their starboy’s terms.

What Kenan Yildiz would bring to Liverpool

Yildiz might be young, but he’s made quite the name for himself over the past few years in Italy, breaking into Juventus’ first team a few years ago after previously spending a decade of his youth in Bayern Munich’s academy system.

With flair and magical skills on the ball, this is a player who is destined for the top, and in Serie A this season, he is creating an average of 2.4 key passes per game, having posted two goals and three assists from only nine starts.

Yildiz might have “all the tools to be one of the best wingers in the world”, as has been said by one analyst, but he shares with Wirtz a focal kind of creativity and snappiness that lend themselves to a central berth.

In this, Yildiz could find himself becoming Liverpool’s next version of Wirtz, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Hughes should waive the idea of signing him.

There’s no question that the Turkish talent needs to work on his physicality. As per Sofascore, he has won only 44% of his ground duels in Serie A this season, and he ranks among the bottom 3% of positional peers in that division this season for tackles won per 90 (FBref).

But this is a kid, and one with so much potential. He’s tenacious. Talent scout Jacek Kulig has lauded his “bravery”, using his athleticism to “make spectacular solo runs”.

Indeed, the dynamic midfielder ranks among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe for both shot-creating actions and successful take-ons per 90, corroborating that claim.

Having split his time across attacking midfield and left wing roles, performing the latter consistently this season, Yildiz shares even more tactical similarities with Wirtz, though there is a case to be made that he’s more electric when running, and thus could be a more natural fit out wide.

Second striker

59

18 (13)

Left wing

50

10 (9)

Attacking midfield

18

9 (6)

Right wing

17

3 (1)

Centre-forward

4

0 (0)

Wirtz’s start to life in England would serve as a cautionary tale for those elite talents looking to make a name for themselves on English shores. It is no easy feat to marry all the facets together in the Premier League.

Still, there is a sense he will come good, and with Yildiz added into the mix to battle with him for a berth, there’s every chance that the Turkish prospect would prove a jackpot signing for Liverpool, perhaps even working in concert with Wirtz to dynamise and widen the scope of Slot’s attacking dimensions.

The playmaker wouldn’t come cheap, but it has become clear over the past several months that Liverpool miss a snappy wide profile, and Yildiz could find himself growing into a household name in the Premier League down Liverpool’s left.

Shaping into a silky and physical attacking midfielder with stunning creative skills, Yildiz could be a real superstar down the line, albeit one who would be tussling for a starting berth with Wirtz at Liverpool.

But as the Reds’ double signing of Isak and Ekitike has shown us this summer, FSG are not against packaging this side with the best of the best, enough to win silverware across every front and year on year.

Bigger mistake than Quansah: Liverpool sold their next Gravenberch for £15m

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ByKelan Sarson Nov 20, 2025

The teams will play each other twice in the first round, with the top two teams going through to the final

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Aug-2025

Afghanistan and Pakistan have qualified directly for the next T20 World Cup•Associated Press

Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE will get more matches to prepare for the men’s T20 Asia Cup when they compete in a T20 tri-series hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board in Sharjah in August-September.The Asia Cup runs from September 9 to 28, also in the UAE.As such, based on the ICC’s future tours programme, Pakistan were expected to host Afghanistan for three T20Is in the window that has now been allotted to the tri-series.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Each team will play the other twice in the round-robin stage of the tournament, with the top two contesting the final. All the games will be played from 7pm local time. Pakistan are the highest-ranked side among the three on the ICC rankings at No. 8, with Afghanistan at No. 9, and UAE at No. 14.Pakistan are currently engaged in a bilateral white-ball series, where they have won the first game, against West Indies, and play their first match of the Asia Cup, against Oman on September 12. Afghanistan have not played a T20I since their bilateral series in Zimbabwe at the end of last year, and play their opening match of the Asia Cup, against Hong Kong on September 9.Both the teams qualified directly for the T20 World Cup in 2026, to be played in India and Sri Lanka – Afghanistan as one of the top-seven teams (excluding the hosts) in the previous T20 World Cup and Pakistan based on their ranking on the ICC table at the cut-off date of June 30, 2024. UAE, meanwhile, have not yet confirmed their spot at the World Cup. They have to go through the Asia-East Asia and Pacific qualifiers, to be played in Oman from October 8 to 17, to get there if they can.