Pakistan will kick off the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Dec-2024
Pakistan and India cricket fans will cheer for their teams at the Champions Trophy, but in a third country•AFP/Getty Images
India will play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the UAE. The decision, though widely expected, was finalised after Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, met with Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak in Pakistan. Sheikh Nahyan is a senior UAE minister and also the head of the Emirates Cricket Board.”The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said.The Pakistan vs India league match will be played on February 23, a Sunday. Apart from Pakistan, the other two teams in India’s group are Bangladesh and New Zealand. India will face Bangladesh on February 20, and New Zealand on March 2. All these games are likely to be held in Dubai.Champions Trophy 2025 groups
Group A – Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and New Zealand Group B – Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa
Pakistan, the defending champions, will kick off the tournament on February 19, against New Zealand in Karachi. Pakistan’s last league match, against Bangladesh, will be played in Rawalpindi on February 27.The second group has Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa. The matches for both groups – apart from the India games – will be played across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.The two semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 (without a reserve day) and March 5 (with a reserve day). The final on March 9 also has a reserve day. The first semi-final, if India make it to that stage, will be played in the UAE. If India don’t qualify, the game will be held in Pakistan. The final is slotted for Lahore, with the provision of holding it in the UAE if India make it that far.The hybrid model was finalised after the parties involved agreed that, in return, Pakistan’s matches at ICC events hosted by India till 2027 will also be at a neutral venue. In all instances, knockout games such as the semi-final and the final will also be held at neutral venues.The agreement begins with the Champions Trophy, and will apply to the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It will also apply to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, the first tournament of the next events cycle that has now been awarded to Pakistan.
Chelsea returned home from the Club World Cup as resounding champions, having downed the might of Paris St. Germain 3-0 in an unexpected demolition job in the final.
Already, brand new faces are settling in swimmingly, as seen in Joao Pedro firing home yet another goal in the pre-season tournament against Luis Enrique’s challengers to take his total out in America to a lethal three strikes from three games.
He could soon be joined by even more exciting talents in attack, as other targets up top are chased following on from the instant success of the ex-Brighton striker’s arrival.
Chelsea enter talks with £52m star
These attacking additions are unlikely to be more strikers, however, with £30m also splashed on Liam Delap to move from Ipswich Town to Chelsea, away from Pedro costing a far heftier £60m.
Instead, the big bucks might well be reserved for a fresh number ten presence, with the Blues allegedly now preparing to bid a wild £78m for Aston Villa superstar Morgan Rogers, who they deem as a number one priority.
Morgan Rogers
After such a standout campaign in the Premier League with the Villans, which culminated in him collecting a mammoth 14 goals and 15 assists, this could well be viewed as a costly expense worth pursuing.
Yet, there are other options out there, away from boldly chasing the England international, who might be more viable, with a report from CaughtOffside revealing that the agents of RB Leipzig ace Xavi Simons are deep in discussion with Chelsea, alongside Arsenal and Tottenham, over a major £52m switch this summer.
For £26m less, Chelsea could well be about to land a talent that’s even more exciting than Rogers entering Enzo Maresca’s camp, with the Dutchman at the top of his game for some time now, away from offering up similarly electric numbers last season for his Bundesliga employers.
How Simons could be even more exciting than Rogers
The former Manchester City youngster might well have a slight upper hand over his Leipzig counterpart when solely viewing their side-by-side numbers from 2024/25, considering Simons lags behind with ten fewer goal contributions for Ole Werner’s men.
Yet, Rogers only really exploded into life last campaign at the very top after having to work his way up to the Premier League, with only four goal contributions tallied up in total for Villa during the 2023/24 season as he grew used to his challenging surroundings.
On the contrary, the Blues’ new £52m target has been a sublime performer in both the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie over many a season now, leading to outlandish shouts from one analyst that he is “one of the best number 10s in the world,”
The numbers don’t lie, either, with Simons tallying up a monumental 77 goals and assists across 124 appearances in both Germany and the Netherlands, with Rogers only on 23 goal contributions himself in the Premier League.
Staggeringly, he has also created 37 big chances off the back of the silky playmaker’s magic in these tough leagues, which will be music to the ears of the aforementioned Pedro.
Total shots
2.17
1.76
Shot-creating actions
4.71
3.05
Attempted passes
49.80
27.07
Pass completion %
78.1%
72.8%
Progressive passes
5.79
3.59
Progressive carries
3.51
3.20
Their respective FBref numbers over the last year also further validate the argument that the 22-year-old would be a far more thrilling talent to obtain than his English counterpart, as seen in Simons averaging more shots, more shot-creating actions, more progressive passes, and lots more over the last year per game.
Of course, Rogers does have the boost of knowing the Premier League’s rhythms on his side, but Simons has excelled in two taxing European environments already, meaning he shouldn’t be daunted by the step up to the English top-flight.
Xavi Simons celebrates
If anything, the “exceptional” Dutchman – as he’s been labelled in the past by Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund – should be able to take this next step in his stride, as Maresca prays another sublime capture is soon to be clinched.
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Aston Villa could make a move for a “superstar” striker to replace Ollie Watkins this summer, amid doubts over the England international’s future at Villa Park, Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri has revealed.
Watkins' Villa future up in the air
It is well-known that Watkins has been a long-term target for Arsenal, but the Gunners are not the only Premier League club that admire the striker, with Liverpool and Manchester United recently expressing an interest.
However, with Mikel Arteta closing in on Viktor Gyokeres, and the Reds looking to sign Hugo Ekitike, a move to Old Trafford may be the more likely outcome, and there is a feeling the 29-year-old would be keen on signing for the Red Devils.
The Villa star leaving would, of course, be a blow for Unai Emery, given that he has been a regular source of goals and assists ever since his arrival in the top flight, picking up 16 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.
However, it is important that Emery has a replacement lined up just in case, and Tavolieri has now revealed that a Paris Saint-Germain forward has entered the frame as a potential option.
Taking to X, the Sky Sports reporter revealed Aston Villa could make a move for Randal Kolo Muani if Watkins is sold, having recently held talks about selling the Englishman to Man United.
Amid links to Newcastle United back in June, it was revealed that PSG could look to hold out for a fee of £50m, meaning the Villans will need to spend big if they are to get a deal over the line.
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ByEmilio Galantini Jul 19, 2025 "Superstar" Kolo Muani could be solid Watkins replacement
While the 26-year-old found it difficult to cement his place in a star-studded PSG side, he impressed on loan at Juventus after joining the Italian club in the January transfer window, netting eight goals in 16 Serie A appearances.
The former Juventus loanee also caught the eye at the Club World Cup, collecting three goal contributions in as many games, and he has received high praise from German legend Lothar Matthäus in the past, who dubbed the Frenchman a “superstar”.
That said, while Kolo-Muani clearly has the talent to be a success at Villa Park, Emery’s number one priority should be to keep hold of Watkins, given that the centre-forward’s influence cannot be understated.
The former Brentford man has scored a minimum of 10 Premier League goals per season ever since arriving at Villa Park, and he featured in every single league game last season.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy and his recruitment team are attempting to navigate a competitive summer transfer market, with a few key items on the agenda for new manager Thomas Frank ahead of a vital 2025/2026 campaign.
Their qualification for next season’s Champions League comes as an almighty boost for the Lilywhites when it comes to bringing in fresh squad upgrades.
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By
Emilio Galantini
Jun 20, 2025
Spurs are set for a significant financial windfall after booking their place in Europe’s most prestigious competition, and they’ve already put some of it to good use by sealing a cut-price £30 million permanent deal for Mathys Tel.
Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025
Average match rating
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
Tel won’t be their only forward signing either, with Tottenham on the lookout for fresh wingers who could replace current club captain Son Heung-min, who may well have already played his last competitive game for them.
“Son could very well have played his last game for Tottenham, and well, if it was the Europa League final, it would be fitting,” said journalist Graeme Bailey to TBR Football recently.
“I am told he still believes he is more than capable of recapturing his best form – but Spurs are ready to make moves this summer and Son leaving could materialise.”
West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, Man City star Jack Grealish, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo have all been linked with moves to north London in the past week, as Levy and technical director Johan Lange assess which deal is best suited to the club.
One area of the squad you’d think would be far down their priority list, in terms of strengthening, is at full-back.
Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Ben Davies and Archie Gray – who can play right-back – are all available for Frank to utilise on the flanks, but Spurs are aware of their need for more locally trained players.to comply with Champions League squad rules.
They currently have just one club-trained player in goalkeeper Brandon Austin when they need to register four players who suit that criteria, otherwise their 25-man Champions League squad is in danger of becoming a 22-man one (Alasdair Gold).
Tottenham could make "clever" signing in former defender Kyle Walker-Peters
Bearing this in mind, Levy and co are contemplating a “clever” move to re-sign former defender and soon-to-be free agent, Kyle Walker-Peters, to fill one of the club-trained player spots.
Southampton'sKyleWalker-Petersapplauds their fans after the match
The Englishman would count as a club-trained player as he came through the Hotspur Way academy, and according to reliable journalist Alasdair Gold, Walker-Peters himself is pretty keen on a move back to Tottenham.
“The one I do believe they have considered for this summer is Kyle Walker-Peters,” he said on the Gold and Guest talk Tottenham podcast.
“He’s had a terrific career, over 200 appearances for Southampton, a Premier League regular for a lot of that. I think he has a couple of England caps as well.
“On one side, the full-back spots are pretty busy right now, there are a lot of full-backs there, but as the window goes on, if he’s not been snapped up yet, I can see it as a clever solution, he’s club-trained, he can play on both sides, and from my understanding I think he would love to come back to Spurs as well, they’re his boyhood club.”
The 28-year-old would be an experienced option at zero cost with his deal expiring in just nine days, but it would surely require one of the other full-backs to head out on loan or depart the club permanently.
With Spence able to play at left-back when required, perhaps the best solution would be to part company with Davies for a small fee. The Welshman has proved a reliable squad member and faithful servant over the course of his long stay at Tottenham, but with the 96-cap international’s contract expiring next summer, it could be a smart business decision.
Newcastle United are now keen on signing a Manchester United star on loan, but the Red Devils are looking for a permanent transfer instead, according to a recent report.
Newcastle hold talks for Premier League stars
The Magpies are back in the Champions League next season, and given they will want to be competitive in both that and the Premier League, it can be expected that they will have their eye on making a few signings this summer to bolster their depth.
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Signing a new centre-back could be high on the agenda, given the ages of the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn and the fact that Jamaal Lascelles looks set to be leaving St James’ Park at the end of the month.
It’s been reported this week that Newcastle are in fact in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke over a transfer to the North East this summer. Talks have begun with the player’s representatives ahead of the club making contact with the Seagulls, who are looking to get around £60 million for the defender.
As well as holding talks over signing a new defender, The Athletic have reported that Newcastle have held internal talks over signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.
The forward has a release clause worth £75 million, and it is believed the Hammers are open to selling Kudus, given he has fallen out of favour under manager Graham Potter. The pursuit of Kudus could be seen as an alternative to Bryan Mbeumo, and they are not the only forwards on their list, as the Magpies are also weighing up a move for another Premier League attacker.
Newcastle want to winger Man Utd ace on loan
According to The Sun, Newcastle are interested in signing Marcus Rashford from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal.
The Englishman looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer, and the Magpies are now ready to make their move, as they believe they can offer him the right stage to get his career back on track. Rashford isn’t seen as a player to replace Alexander Isak, who has been linked with a move away.
However, there is a stumbling block, as the Red Devils would prefer a permanent exit, following his loan spell at Aston Villa.
Rashford himself meanwhile, who has been dubbed “world-class” by his United teammate Luke Shaw in the past, is believed to see Barcelona as his preferred destination, but the Spanish side have their eyes on other targets. Villa decided against the option they had to buy, and that means he is now set to return to United pre-season training next month as things stand.
Apps
297
Goals
89
Assists
52
It’s been claimed that United would like to sell Rashford this summer if they receive a fee of £40 million, but as of yet no club has come forward. Rashford’s potential arrival at Newcastle would not only see him fight for a spot alongside Isak, but he would also have the likes of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to deal with, both players who have been key under Eddie Howe.
A 27-goal star, who Arne Slot called “unbelievable” earlier this season, has now been identified as a dream signing for Liverpool this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Reds ramping up pursuit of new striker
Darwin Nunez is looking increasingly likely to head for the exit door in the summer, and the Reds are now stepping up their pursuit of a replacement for the Uruguayan, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen emerging as a contender to lead the line next season.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres are also named as potential targets for Slot’s side, while they are also keen on signing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has flourished in the role of striker for the Bees at times this season.
Mbeumo has been one of the most prolific forwards in England, netting 18 goals, while also providing seven assists, indicating that he is a well-rounded attacker who could be a fantastic option for Slot, but another Premier League star is also in the Merseysiders’ sights.
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That is according to Romano, who recently told GiveMeSport that Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is Liverpool’s dream target for the summer transfer window, even though a move will be extremely difficult to facilitate due to his importance to the Magpies.
A move may not be possible until later in the summer, if at all, and a deal will also be dependent on the Reds’ transfer budget, with previous reports suggesting the Magpies could be set to hold out for a fee as high as £150m.
"Unbelievable" Isak could take Liverpool to next level
Heading into the EFL Cup Final against Newcastle back in March, Slot was well-aware of the Sweden international’s attacking capabilities, singling him out for high praise.
However, the Liverpool boss was unable to nullify the 25-year-old, who scored in his side’s 2-1 triumph, writing his name in folklore by playing a part in ending his side’s 70-year trophy drought, and he has regularly been on the scoresheet in the Premier League too.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Premier League
32
23
6
FA Cup
2
1
0
EFL Cup
6
3
0
Having amassed 27 goals in all competitions, the £120k-a-week forward is clearly a top-level striker, and there is every sign he could be a huge upgrade on Nunez, who has scored just five times in the Premier League this term.
Liverpool have been quiet in recent transfer windows, which means FSG are in a position to hand Slot a war chest this summer, and splashing the cash on Isak could help establish the Reds as major Champions League contenders for many years to come.
David Moyes is keen to make a series of rousing signings at Everton as he leads his squad toward a new home at Bramley-Moore.
Having succeeded in guiding Everton away from the relegation rabble and indeed settle into a 14th-placed Premier League spot with just three fixtures left before the summer, the Scottish manager has struck a tuneful chord with the Merseysiders once again, 12 years after relinquishing his seat in the dugout to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Everton manager DavidMoyesreacts
The 62-year-old reunited with his former protégé, Wayne Rooney, at the Theatre of Dreams, and while things went awry, he’d love to have such a player in his current Toffees brood.
He may not be a forward, but Everton do appear to have set their sights on a Premier League legend ahead of the market.
Everton chasing Premier League legend
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, John Stones’ future at Manchester City is “far from certain,” and Everton are keen on bringing their former prospect back onto Merseyside.
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He told the publication: “If he [Stones] does indeed hit the open market, I believe that Everton would be open to the prospect. Stones is settled in the North West so it could be an option. But we have to see the plans new City sporting director Hugo Viana puts into practice, but the defence is a major area they want to work on.”
Stones left Goodison Park to join Pep Guardiola’s fledgling project in a £47.5m move back in August 2016, and he’s since become one of the most decorated Englishmen of his generation.
Though the dynamic defender has offers from the Saudi Pro League, he may feel he has more to offer European football, and Everton’s new chapter could entice him to retrace his once-walked path.
Why Everton should sign John Stones
Like Rooney did eight years ago, Stones could return from a successful career in Manchester to make an impact at his former Merseyside outfit as he approaches the later stage of his career.
Crucially, Stones still has enough quality to help Everton climb toward the upper levels of the Premier League, maybe even knocking on the door of European competition.
Stones went on to play 95 times for Everton before City came calling. He was described by Three Lions teammate Ezri Konsa as being “world-class” last year but always carried the seeds of such ability at Everton.
An astute deal for Stones wouldn’t come without its caveats. Stones might be one of the most accomplished defenders of modern times, but he’s been reduced to a bit-part role in Pep Guardiola’s team over the past several years, with incessent injury blows limiting him to just 18 top-flight starts across the past two seasons.
24/25
11 (6)
2
0
23/24
16 (12)
1
0
22/23
23 (21)
2
2
21/22
14 (12)
1
0
20/21
22 (22)
4
0
19/20
16 (12)
0
0
18/19
24 (20)
0
0
17/18
18 (16)
0
0
16/17
27 (23)
0
0
However, the 30-year-old is one of the most gifted defenders kicking a ball today and would add a dimension to Moyes’ unit. If Everton retain Jarrad Branthwaite’s services this summer, a continued partnership of him and James Tarkowski would reduce the weight of Stones’ responsibility.
Thrusting him into the Bramley Moore project with the expectation of week-in, week-out starts would surely see him sink like a… stone, but as with Rooney, if he’s managed correctly, it would prove to be a boost that could result in the collection of several invaluable points come season’s end.
Rooney was, of course, brought onto the professional scene by Moyes. The versatile forward posted 59 goal contributions across 116 matches under the manager.
After scoring that goal against Arsenal in his breakout campaign, the teenager was clearly destined for greatness, and after achieving that at Old Trafford, Rooney returned to his boyhood club in the twilight of his career and scored ten goals during the 2017/18 term before moving over the pond.
Stones could repeat that feat. He’s still a brilliant performer when fit and Moyes has demonstrated through the right-back placement of Jake O’Brien that he’s willing to field his stars in unconventional roles, something Stones would surely relish given his multi-facetedness.
With the £80k-per-week Michael Keane among those nearing the end of their contract this summer, making a shrewd move for an experienced head in Stones, with the perfect mentality too, could prove a huge success as Moyes looks to really get his vision up and running.
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With Europa League action looming, there is still time left for Rangers to save their season, with the Old Firm side hoping to emulate – and better – their European heroics in 2022 by reaching the competition’s showpiece in May.
In essence, the upcoming tie against Athletic Bilbao represents all that is left to play for at Ibrox for the remainder of the campaign, with the Light Blues having tumbled out of title contention in the Premiership.
Frustratingly for interim boss Barry Ferguson, his side have failed to build on the recent dramatic derby triumph, with Saturday seeing the Glasgow giants slip to a fifth successive defeat on home soil Hibernian.
That 2-0 loss – which was followed by a shock 1-0 defeat for Celtic away at bottom side St Johnstone – has only served to epitomise what has been a miserable domestic campaign at Ibrox, with the gap now at 13 points between the division’s top two.
Such woes have perhaps not been helped by the uncertainty surrounding the permanent manager role and the impending 49ers takeover, with it set to represent a real summer of change for the Gers in all departments.
Indeed, Saturday’s setback showcased once again why the playing squad is also in need of major surgery…
Rangers' worst performers vs Hibs
First and foremost, it proved to be another frustrating day for the polarising Cyriel Dessers in attack, with the experienced striker looking back to his former self with a profligate display against the Edinburgh side.
Cyriel Dessers
The Nigerian striker – who notably scored in the first-leg win over Fenerbahce – had scored four across his last four league games heading into the weekend clash, although went on to squander two big chances as the hosts failed to make the breakthrough.
The £27k-per-week striker notably saw his effort denied from the angle after being teed up by skipper, James Tavernier, before then lashing over the bar following a clever, threaded pass from Hamza Igamane.
Dessers stats vs Hibernian
Stat
Record
Minutes played
88
Touches
24
Shots on target
1
Shots off target
2
Big chances missed
2
Pass accuracy
85%
Key passes
0
Ground duels won
3/6
Aerial duels won
0
Possession lost
5x
Offsides
3
Stats via Sofascore
Aside from that moment of quality, meanwhile, it proved to be a ‘completely anonymous performance’ from young Igamane – as per The Scotsman’s Mark Atkinson, with the Old Firm hero notably squandering possession on 20 occasions from just 54 touches, as per Sofascore.
Elsewhere, it was also a grim outing for the members of Ferguson’s backline, with promising full-back, Jefte, having looked off the boil down the left, having failed to complete any of his five attempted crosses, while also losing the ball 18 times in a desperate bid to create for his side.
The Brazilian – and his defensive colleagues – were almost comically undone for the game’s clincher as Martin Boyle was afforded acres of space to run into, with the Australian star duly converting through the legs of Jack Butland, epitomising what was another rough afternoon for the Gers’ number one.
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With Dessers failing to fire at one end, Ferguson and co weren’t helped by the woes of the Englishman at the other end, with Butland failing to keep out Dylan Levitt’s deflected strike as the Easter Road side surged into the lead.
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In isolation, that mistake from the £25k-per-week stopper could be accepted, although the ex-Crystal Palace man has now produced a string of gaffes that have proved costly for his side in recent months.
The 32-year-old had initially looked like a real coup following his free transfer arrival back in the summer of 2023, having ended that debut season as something of a shining light for the Gers, after keeping 18 clean sheets and conceding just 32 goals in the league.
Jack Butland
Such inspired form even led to calls for Butland to be selected in England’s Euro 2024 squad, with Rangers icon Graeme Souness among those tipping the experienced ‘keeper to be on the plane to Germany:
Unfortunately for Butland, that call never came, with it now looking increasingly unlikely that international recognition will come his way any time soon, with Saturday’s mistake just the latest in a catalogue of errors in 2025.
Journalist Josh Bunting notably stated back in late December, following the 2-2 draw with Motherwell, that Butland was in a “real rut of form”, having begun to look “so shaky with each passing game”.
Indeed, the one-time Manchester United loanee proceeded to punch the ball into his own net against his former side in the 2-1 loss at Old Trafford, while more recently, he could only spill the ball straight into the path of Dundee striker, Simon Murray, in that 4-3 thriller.
Of course, Butland did enjoy the highs of his penalty shoot-out heroics against Fenerbahce, although considering his status among the club’s highest earner – and the fact that he was signed on a free – the 49ers regime may deem it wise to try and cash in on the 2023 arrival this summer in order to secure a profit.
Yes, perhaps he is merely a victim of the wider issues that are currently impacting Rangers, although at a time when no one should be safe from the axe, Butland may find himself nudged toward the exit door.
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All the while, the BCCI has simply reiterated the Indian government’s stance on the issue: bilateral cricket is off the table, but multi-nation tournaments can proceed as usual. This is despite sections of the country believing the sporting rivalry shouldn’t exist as long as geopolitical relations remain as strained as they are currently.And that anger often finds itself turning into torrents of online hate and vitriol, like it is now. And it’s perhaps knowing all this, that players have walked a tightrope while preparing for the biggest game of the tournament.They’ve had to ensure there is no room for words or gestures to be magnified, perhaps even more so, after a handshake between Suryakumar Yadav and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi at the captains’ press conference was clipped, replayed and debated. Similarly, there’s no telling how a simple moment could be scrutinised next. Like a laugh shared by the captains at the toss, for instance, could be replayed, slowed down and analysed frame by frame on social media, and perhaps even on news TV.Both Salman Agha and Suryakumar Yadav are first-time captains at the Asia Cup•Asian Cricket CouncilThis kind of scrutiny has already had an impact. Barely two months ago, a group of recently-retired Indian stars withdrew from a legends’ game in England on the very morning they were scheduled to face Shahid Afridi’s Pakistan team. It’s hard to imagine they would have been unaware of the participation of the Pakistani team when they had originally signed up for the tournament.India vs Pakistan is usually the heartbeat of a tournament. The contests are still half-jokingly being called a two-match series, maybe even three, at the Asia Cup. It’s a match-up that is supposed to bring everything else to a grind for the passion it sparks among fans. Yet it feels very different this time.As such, bilateral cricket has been frozen for 13 years, and so the rare meetings at ICC tournaments and Asia Cups should feel festive. But this time it feels empty, because when you have to work to sell an India-Pakistan Sunday showdown in Dubai – a fixture that sells itself most times – you know something has shifted.Tickets for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup fixture aren’t selling like hot cakes•Getty ImagesDespite all this, the organisers remain optimistic. They’re trying to pull out all their trump cards – bundling, unbundling of tickets, ramping up digital and social media campaigns, and pushing the premium seats that usually sell like hot cakes. There’s still a quiet confidence that Sunday will still see a respectable crowd. ‘Respectable’ being the buzz word.When Sachin Tendulkar says he couldn’t sleep the night before the famous World Cup game at Centurion in 2003, you could almost imagine him replaying Wasim Akram’s left-arm angle, Waqar Younis’ yorkers and Shoaib Akhtar’s bouncers.Similarly, on the day of the 2011 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, the team was running purely on adrenaline, with Tendulkar having to make an impassioned speech on how delayed catering resulting in no lunch should make them hungrier on the field.Whether that kind of electricity courses through Suryakumar & co is known only to them. But one thing you can be certain of: the atmosphere will be filtered through a magnifying lens – every handshake, laugh, glance, celebration, send-off having the potential to become a story.Despite all this there’s still an inkling of hope that the old magic and excitement will be back for those four hours, and cricket becomes the story when they take the field on Sunday. Only time will tell if that’s indeed the case.
A man who wasn’t even supposed to be at the ground ended up delivering one of the all-time-great Test-match spells
Andrew McGlashan28-Jan-20242:13
McGlashan: The game now has a new superstar
“I’m not putting down this ball until the last wicket falls,” Shamar Joseph tells his captain Kraigg Brathwaite on the fourth day at the Gabba.
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On Saturday evening, a yorker crashes into the toe of Shamar, who ends up writhing in agony on the floor. He is forced to retire hurt and is helped off the ground. His Test match looks over. A scan clears him of a fracture, but he’s in such pain during the evening that he can barely sleep, before eventually drifting off at around 4am.Shamar is not expecting to take the field and doesn’t even initially bother heading to the ground on Sunday morning before deciding to go and support his team-mates in their victory push.Related
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The team doctor gives him some pills and Brathwaite tells him he’s going to take the field. But he’s only come to the ground in his training kit and hasn’t even brought his whites. A member of the support staff is hastily dispatched to the hotel. He says at one point he was stood in the dressing wearing his shoes, cap and a pair of boxers. In the meantime, he borrows Zachary McCaskie’s top and has to tape over the name and number to be allowed to field in it. A short while later he quickly changes his top on the boundary. Now, in every way, Shamar Joseph is ready to go.
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A year ago Shamar hadn’t played any first-class cricket. His rapid rise to the national side, from his origins in the small village of Baracara in Guyana, which is 225km by boat from the nearest town and only got internet in 2018, had already been one of the stories of the summer.His Test captain, Brathwaite, hadn’t even met him before this tour. “From speaking to him, I knew he was special,” he says.
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Ten overs into the fourth day at the Gabba, Steven Smith and Cameron Green have taken Australia to 93 for 2 and the target of 216 starts to loom into view. A patched-up and painkiller-laden Shamar comes on from the Vulture Street End. Green slashes at his fourth ball and it flies just over the slips, and then a pristine drive rockets to the fence to bring up Australia’s 100 in ominous fashion.Few could have foreseen what would unfold when this happened to Shamar on Saturday•Getty ImagesIn Shamar’s next over, Green late-cuts him through backward point. It’s 113 for 2 – 103 runs needed for victory. The next delivery climbs at Green who is in a decent position to defend it, but the ball deflects down off his elbow into the stumps.Next comes a pinpoint yorker that gets through Travis Head to inflict just Australia’s third king pair in Test cricket after Ryan Harris and Adam Gilchrist. It means that the last four deliveries Head has faced in Tests at the Gabba have dismissed him.Mitchell Marsh is looking to be aggressive, the manner that has defined his return to the Test side, but a ball after he dispatches Shamar behind point he edges a rising delivery into the slips. The chance is parried by Alick Athanaze but Justin Greaves is there to take the rebound. West Indies have caught very well in this series.Then it’s Alex Carey, who had brought Australia back into the game on the second day, as he’s bowled by a full delivery. Each time, whatever pain Shamar is feeling from his toe, which is still bleeding as it pounds through the crease, disappears as he sprints off into the Gabba outfield.Mitchell Starc lives dangerous and quickly whittles the runs required down to under fifty alongside Smith, but his luck runs out when he carves high into the off side to give Shamar his fifth wicket.Alex Carey has his off stump knocked back by Shamar Joseph•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesPat Cummins helped Australia to a thrilling victory at Edgbaston last year and just a couple of days ago made his career-best score to save his side from a huge deficit. He’s asked to play his part in another rescue act. Despite his injury, Shamar is able to generate significant pace and it doesn’t drop throughout his spell. His quickest ball is against Smith – 149.6kph – and the next delivery he has Cummins edging behind.The umpires offer Brathwaite an extension to the session, which he accepts, meaning Smith has to make an abrupt about-turn when almost off the ground. He and Nathan Lyon survive four overs through to the dinner break, with Australia needing 29.
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Shamar leads the team off with figures of 10-0-60-6 as though it’s some wild one-dayer. He’s clearly limping. He politely declines a request for a snap TV interview as he leaves the field. In his place Kavem Hodge does the duties. When asked what is keeping Shamar going, he says “special juice”, and hopes there’s some more left.
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Alzarri Joseph bowls the first over of the middle session. Lyon glances a boundary and is then given a life from a tough return catch. Shamar is living every moment down on the deep third boundary. Then Lyon bottom-edges a pull. West Indies need one wicket. Shamar takes the ball.Smith hammers a pull through midwicket then fends a vicious rising delivery off the glove which causes him pain. By now he is farming the strike, allowing Josh Hazlewood two balls at most in an over.’I can’t remember anything [after the winning wicket], just that I ran all the way to the boundary’•Getty ImagesHe brings out an extraordinary scoop for six off Alzarri, then leaves Hazlewood two balls (which becomes three due to a no-ball). Twelve runs are needed. Will Smith do it in sixes? He takes three runs off the first four balls of Shamar’s next over. Two left for Hazlewood.Shamar only needs one. From around the wicket, Hazlewood’s off stump is flattened. In the blink of an eye Shamar has almost reached the boundary in celebration and his team-mates have just about caught up with him. Smith and Hazlewood are briefly motionless.”Two deliveries to Hazlewood, I knew either would have got him,” Shamar says a short while later. “I can’t remember anything [after that ball], just that I ran all the way to the boundary. Just know that I’m really happy and proud.”
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Brian Lara is almost crying. There are clear tears from Carl Hooper in a video posted by ABC Radio. The emotion is obvious from Ian Bishop as well.”A real dream come true for ‘Joseph the Deliverer’, for the West Indies,” Bishop says on Channel 7. “There will be felicitations from Kingston to Georgetown to Guyana. This is just the beginning of a storied career but it’s hard to find any in the history of the game, perhaps, to top this.””Twenty-seven years to beat Australia,” Lara says on Fox Cricket. “Young, inexperienced, written off – this West Indies team can stand tall today. West Indies cricket can stand tall. Today is a big day in West Indies cricket. Congratulations to every member of that cricket team. What a wonderful occasion.”A few minutes later, as the players start to gather for the presentation, Shamar is arm-in-arm with Cummins. “He’s had a hell of a start,” Cummins says. “He bowled the house down.”
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Brathwaite and Shamar sit together at the press conference. Stood towards the back is Lara, beaming with pride and filming it on his phone. “It was amazing to do it in front of Ian Bishop, Carl Hooper and Brian Lara,” Shamar says. “It’s amazing. I can’t explain it. Having people who believe in you, that gives me a lot of confidence.”Questions turn to Joseph’s future and the lure of T20 cricket. He already has a deal in the ILT20. The phone will now be ringing hot.Shamar Joseph takes a bow after being names the Player of the Match•Getty Images”I will always be here to play Test cricket for the West Indies,” Shamar says. “I am not afraid to say this live. There will be times when T20 might come around and Test cricket will be there … but I will always be available to play for the West Indies no matter how much money comes towards me.”Lara applauds him.It is mentioned to Brathwaite that he is not one to show much emotion, although he had been pointed in his criticism of comments made by former Australia quick Rodney Hogg. “When you have a guy disrespecting West Indies, and us players that are playing, it is hurtful,” he says.”It means everything to do it in front of the legends like Brian Lara and to win in Australia, a place we haven’t won in [in] a number of years. And to do it with this young group with seven uncapped players is nothing but amazingly special.”Everyone loves the West Indies and for us to come and do it against the number one team in the world here in Australia…it is great. We have won one Test match and this is a new beginning for us but we still have work to do. Once this group has the belief and plays with heart we can do anything.”Lara waits for the press conference to finish, then walks with Brathwaite and Shamar back to West Indies’ dressing room with two bottles of champagne in hand. It’s been a 27-year wait, drink it in.