Bowling coach Courtney Walsh has said Bangladesh seamers’ lack of physical ability later in the day is down to their inexperience and is an ‘area of concern’

Mohammad Isam in Colombo14-Mar-2017Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has said they have to play to their potential, after they weren’t even at “half their ability” in Galle, in order to get a result in the Colombo Test.The visitors were crushed by 259 runs, with their bowlers lacking enough penetration while their batsmen were unable to bat out crucial periods in the game. Fielding too remained ordinary, dropping three chances on the fourth day alone. Mushfiqur was the standout performer, playing with conviction and batting long periods.Mahmudullah to remain in Sri Lanka

Mushfiqur Rahim said that Mahmudullah will remain with the team during the Colombo Test, adding his presence won’t affect the team much.
“He is possibly not playing in the second Test but since he is in the ODI squad, he will stay with the team. It can happen to any cricketer that he might fall into a bad patch. It won’t have much of an impact in the team but he is a senior cricketer so you feel bad. But we are 1-0 down, so whoever plays, has to focus on making it 1-1,” he said.

“We couldn’t even play to half of our ability in Galle which was very disappointing,” he said. “We have to try to get the result in our favour in Colombo. We have to take every chance that comes our way. We weren’t sticking to the basics, so we must improve on those things.Throughout their Tests this year in Wellington, Christchurch, Hyderabad and Galle, seamers Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Rubel Hossain have been slack in the third session. Mustafizur Rahman has relied on cutting down his pace in latter spells.Courtney Walsh, Bangladesh’s bowling coach, said one of the areas they are looking at is the pace bowlers’ physical ability to bowl later in the day.”They are not fully experienced on how to come back in the third spell,” Walsh said. “You get it by playing a lot. It is something that we have been working on, how to bowl that last spell. Our seamers have been little bit jaded in the last session of most of the Tests we’ve played. It is obviously an area of concern and it is something that we are looking to fix.”Walsh said that despite their lack of experience, the Bangladesh fast bowlers are wicket-takers.”It is not unjustified [to expect them to take 20 wickets] because they are going to learn at some point in time. When you play Test cricket, you have to take 20 wickets. It is going to be hard work because of the inexperience. They will get better the more they play, but the other factor is that they are playing in different tracks.”By the time they realised what happened in New Zealand and India, we had left those places. And now we are here. It is about adapting quickly. So far I think we are getting reasonable batting tracks. With more experience, you will only get better. I am hoping on the special occasion of the 100th Test, pride alone will kick in and the boys will do everything that they can to try to win this Test match,” Walsh said.Mushfiqur also believed they are capable of winning the milestone Test. “There are expectations about every Test,” he said. “But Bangladesh cricket is in such a stage that they are expected to win a Test, ODI or T20. This itself is a big achievement, which inspires the players to give their best in the field. We didn’t fulfill our expectations in the last game but we will give our best in the next game. Our main target will be to play consistently.

Pundit Alan Hutton has been reacting to Celtic transfer update involving Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun.

Is Yang Hyun-jun joining Celtic?

The Hoops have made a start on their summer business, with midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and winger Marco Tilio both signing five-year deals at Parkhead from Valerenga and Melbourne City respectively.

There have also been some outgoings, with midfielder Aaron Mooy announcing his retirement and winger Jota signing for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m.

New manager Brendan Rodgers is set to be handed a £30m transfer kitty by Celtic chiefs ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and it looks as if some of those funds could go on bringing Gangwon FC forward Yang to Glasgow.

The 21-year-old has been on Celtic’s radar in recent weeks, with an offer submitted last month. A fee in the region of £2.1m fee was agreed between the two clubs, however, it looked as if Gangwon were open to keeping the player until the New Year when their season came to an end.

There appears to have been a breakthrough over a transfer, though. Gangwon are now ready to allow the forward to leave immediately, adding that Yang's transfer "remained a matter of time". Yang himself is keen on a move and has previously said that he would give his salary in order to seal a move:

"Celtic is a good offer, so I want to go. I have to do my best as a member of Gangwon. But I think the desire to go will still be there.

"I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary."

What has Alan Hutton said about a potential move?

Taking to Football Insider, Hutton, who contributes to Sky Sports, was talking about Celtic and Yang and the fact the player is so keen to join the Hoops that he would give up his salary.

The former Scotland defender said he wouldn’t do that, adding that Yang must be “desperate” for the transfer, describing it as “amazing to read”.

“I wouldn’t. He must be desperate to make the move.

“We are hearing about people going to Saudi for millions a year and this player is willing to give up his salary to make a move which is the polar opposite.”

Should Yang get his wish and move to Scotland, he would provide Rodgers with a versatile option as he is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle.

He could be just what is required, especially following Jota’s departure, and by the look of things, Yang is willing to go far in order to sign for the Hoops in what could be another shrewd coup be the club when it comes to the Asian market.

Leeds United "will be at the table" to sign Coventry City talisman Gustavo Hamer this summer, according to Sky Sports pundit and former professional Paul Robinson.

Who is Gustavo Hamer?

Hamer is naturally a defensive midfielder who currently plies his trade at the Building Society Arena having moved there from PEC Zwolle back in 2020. He’s gone on to become a regular feature of Mark Robins’ side having started 42 out of the 46 Championship games last season.

However, the 26-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the next campaign meaning that the ongoing transfer window is the Sky Blues’ final big opportunity to cash in should they not want to risk losing him for free, and should that be the case, he won’t be short of potential suitors having had long-term admirers at Elland Road.

Back in May 2022, Sussex Live reported that the Whites were monitoring the progress of the Netherlands international, and despite a deal failing to materialise at the time, Football League World have recently claimed that they are plotting a second, more ambitious raid in the coming weeks.

Are Leeds signing Hamer?

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson claimed that Leeds will want Hamer again but admitted that they are likely to face stiff competition from several other teams in the hunt to secure his signature. He said:

“He’s a realistic target but I think Leeds will be at the table with a lot of other clubs. With a year left on his contract – after an excellent season – Coventry will be reluctant to sell to a competitor. They got themselves in the playoffs and they won’t be wanting to sell to a direct rival. It will be a difficult market.”

What could Hamer bring to Elland Road?

Leeds will know that Hamer’s usual role is to protect the backline which is proven by him winning 68 tackles last season – more than any other member of his squad as per FBRef – but it was the offensive aspect of play that he really excelled in.

Coventry’s £6.5k-per-week earner posted 19 goal contributions (ten assists and nine goals) in 41 Championship outings, which saw him receive nine man-of-the-match awards. He also recorded 174 crosses, again higher than his peers, so he’s always looking to create chances for his fellow teammates.

Finally, Hamer, who has been lauded a “creative” individual by journalist Josh Bunting, shares the same agent, CAA Stellar, as Luke Ayling, Daniel James and Patrick Bamford, so this existing connection that their representative has to the club could potentially hand them a small advantage should they try to get a deal over the line.

نجح فريق الأهلي، في تسجيل الهدف الأول أمام سيمبا التنزاني، بالمباراة الجارية بينهما حاليًا ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتقام مباراة الأهلي وسيمبا على أرضية ملعب بنيامين مكايا الوطني، بذهاب دور الـ8 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وجاء هدف الأهلي الأول في الدقيقة 5 من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد مرواغة رائعة من محمد هاني للاعب محمد حسين ثم أرسل تمريرة حاول الحارس أيوب لكرد تشتيتها لكن تابعها كوكا بتسديدة قوية سكنت الشباك. 

طالع أيضاً.. فيوتشر يشكر الخطيب بعد زيارته لـ أحمد رفعت في المستشفى

وكان الأهلي قد حسم تأهله إلى دور الـ8 متصدرًا لمجموعته برصيد 12 نقطة من 6 مواجهات، والتي ضمت معه، يانج أفريكانز وشباب بلوزداد الجزائري وميدياما الغاني. هدف الأهلي الأول أمام سيمبا في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

Finding suitable purches on a slow pitch in Colombo was only possible while the shine remained on the ball, said Sri Lanka’s left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo17-Mar-2017

The new ball remained key to the spinners’ menace on this P Sara deck, said Lakshan Sandakan, after he took 4 for 140 in the Colombo Test.Sri Lanka were not particularly effective with either the first or second new ball, taking most of their wickets after the shine had worn off. But they did raise some close lbw shouts, and drew several mistakes from the batsmen, both early in Bangladesh’s innings and soon after taking the second new ball. Rangana Herath emerged with the innings’ best figures, wiping out the tail to finish with 4 for 82 while seam bowler Suranga Lakmal took 2 for 90, and though Dilruwan Perera did not make a breakthrough, he bowled his 33 overs with good control.”The wicket became a bit slow, and when the newness of the ball goes, there’s nothing much from the pitch,” Sandakan said. “You have to toil a bit here and work hard. Rangana and Dilruwan [Perera] bowled in good spots and put good pressure on them, and that’s why we were able to get them out. Suranga [Lakmal] also bowled really well, because it’s not a pitch that favours quicks and he did his job really well. If you keep the ball as new as possible, I think the spinners have a good chance here.”It was Sandakan who dismissed Bangladesh’s top-scorer Shakib Al Hasan in the afternoon session, but he could have had him out for 11 had a catch at deep square leg been held. A couple of chances had gone down off Sandakan’s bowling in the first Test in Galle as well, but he was philosophical about the misses. “Having a catch dropped [is] not a new thing for a bowler. Whether you play club cricket or school cricket, catches can be missed. Maybe the catch goes up because it’s a very good ball so I try to look at it as a positive and keep trying to bowl good balls.”In addition to the dropped catch off Sandakan, Sri Lanka also spilled a chance off Lakmal, missed a straightforward run-out, and were uncharacteristically sloppy on the field.Adding to Sandakan’s problems was a difficulty bowling to a right-left batting combination. He conceded 4.24 per over as Shakib, the left-hander, forged partnerships of 92 and 131 with right-handers Mushfiqur Rahim and Mosaddek Hossain.”Changing according to whether the batsman is a left-hander or right-hander is a bit difficult for me, with the way my action is. But we need to be focused on where to bowl to batsmen. I think if you can bowl straight, you’ll be able to do something. Whether I bowl the googly or the chinaman or whatever, if I pitch it in the right place, I think I have a good chance – it doesn’t really matter whether he’s right or left handed.”

Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga has said a consistent place in the national team over the past eight months has empowered his batting, after being picked inconsistently over the past few years. Tharanga’s third Test century in Galle comes in the wake of an impressive ODI ton in South Africa last month, and a good tour of Zimbabwe last year.In Angelo Mathews’ absence, Tharanga had also been named ODI captain for the South Africa series, and T20 captain for the series in Australia, when only a year ago, he had struggled to find a place in any of Sri Lanka’s sides.”In the last two or three years, I was in and out of the side – I’d play one series and then miss another one,” Tharanga said. “When that happens as a player, it’s hard to keep that confidence. In the last eight months I played continuously, and that’s been key to my mental state. The captaincy in the limited-overs matches has also helped. That showed me that the selectors had some sort of trust in me. In the Zimbabwe tour and the South Africa tour especially, where there were very good bowlers. With the runs I was able to score there, my confidence rose.”Tharanga said he had especially been disheartened by the seemingly arbitrary nature of his omissions from the Test side – recounting the occasion he had been dropped from the squad after top-scoring in the previous Test, in 2014. Though his overall average is 34.02, he has scored his runs at 40.90 since the start of 2014.”I think I’ve only been unsuccessful in one Test since 2014 – a match against India. In matches against South Africa and Pakistan I did score runs. But then, for instance, after I’d hit a 92 and a 45 against Pakistan in one match, I wasn’t even in the 15-man squad for the next series [in New Zealand]. I can’t do anything about that. I guess people are entitled to make those decisions. I do accept that there were some failures – and you can’t guarantee your spot – but it’s up to me to be consistent. If you can do that you can expect to stay in the team.”And that is the key – to be consistent. As an opener, if you get set, there’s no point scoring forties and fifties – that’s not really worth it for the player or the team. What you’re expected to do as a top-order player is get to a big score. “Though Tharanga has played in five of Sri Lanka’s six most-recent Tests, he has been moved around the order. He batted at no. 5 in Zimbabwe, then at no. 7 in South Africa. With Kaushal Silva now omitted from the Test squad, Tharanga has been asked to open the batting and that is a role he relishes, he said.”It’s not that easy being moved around, because there are big differences in the way you approach those two roles – opening the batting, and playing in the middle order. As a cricketer, though, I prefer to bat in the position that I’m used to, which is as an opener. I can play with freedom there. Either way, you’ve got to do what’s best for the team, and I’m happy to do that.”Sri Lanka has been harsh to openers in recent years however, with pitches generally favouring bowlers, and tracks in Colombo and Pallekele proving especially helpful to seam bowlers. As a result, the average opening partnership in the country since the start of 2014 is 22.45. This is, by a distance, the lowest in the world – seven runs clear of the next-toughest nation for opening batsmen (West Indies). Tharanga knows he has his work cut out for him, with six further Tests scheduled at home over the next six months.”Usually we think Sri Lankan pitches are slow, but the new ball isn’t so easy to face the new ball here anymore. If the ball starts to swing, it becomes like England, and since it’s Sri Lanka, often you don’t even expect that kind of movement. In the first five or 10 overs, it’s very hard to make runs. In the second innings, of course, the spinners can sometimes open the bowling and they come into the game. You can’t really go for your shots early.”

Pundit Alan Hutton has been reacting to Celtic’s reported interest in Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Are Celtic interested in Scott McTominay?

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers have made a start on their summer business following the Northern Irishman’s return as manager.

A new midfielder has been signed in Odin Thiago Holm, with the Norwegian capable of playing as a holding, central or attacking midfielder. Following a move for Holm, Celtic have also brought in winger Marco Tilio, who has arrived from Melbourne City. He could fill the void left by star winger Jota, after he secured a £25m move to Saudi Arabia.

Another forward addition appears to be on the cards in Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun, with a £2.1m fee already agreed between the two clubs. The K League 1 side are reportedly now open to the idea of allowing the player to get his wish and move to Scotland this summer instead of January.

Meanwhile, it looks as if there is still more to be done, though, with Celtic and Rodgers appearing to be after a new goalkeeper. In defence, former left-back Kieran Tierney has been linked with a return to Celtic Park on a potential loan, and in midfield, McTominay has also been rumoured as a target.

Reports have suggested that the Scotland midfielder could be up for sale at Old Trafford, with the Hoops and Rodgers named with having an interest.

Hutton, who contributes to Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider about McTominay and Celtic. The pundit said “you see some crazy things” in the transfer window and valued the midfielder at £40m who should have plenty of interest elsewhere.

“As soon as the window opens you see some crazy things.

“If he was to leave I think he will have a lot options.”

Is Scott McTominay good?

McTominay has progressed through the famous United academy and has made 209 senior appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.

Now 26 years of age, the midfielder reportedly has a £40m price tag, a fee which would obliterate Celtic’s current transfer record for Odsonne Edouard.

He has starred recently for Scotland, scoring five goals for his country in four games during 2023, and as per FBref, McTominay ranks in the top 1% for clearances and top 2% for aerial duels won, showing how he could be a complete midfielder at Parkhead.

McTominay also ranks in the top 1% of midfielders for touches in the defensive penalty area, which proves that he is comfortable when receiving the ball in potentially dangerous areas, but with a huge asking price and his £60,000-a-week wage, a move could be too costly for Celtic, despite the club’s £30m transfer kitty this summer.

Manchester City are ready to pay to complete the signing of Achraf Hakimi, with Pep Guardiola said to be a big fan of the Paris Saint-Germain star, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Man City transfer news?

Man City are planning to spend big on West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, having submitted a £90m offer for the England international, although that proposal was swiftly rejected by the Hammers.

Central midfield is not the only position that needs strengthening, however, with Kyle Walker's future in doubt. A new right-back may be required, with the likes of Nahuel Molina and Hakimi being linked with moves to the Etihad Stadium.

It is detailed that Guardiola wants to build a side capable of competing on all fronts next season, with the PSG defender being identified as a player who could help them do that, and there has now been an update on City's pursuit.

According to a report from Football Insider, the Sky Blues are now "ready to pay" to complete the signing of the 24-year-old, as they hold a strong interest in his services.

Guardiola is said to be a big fan of the Moroccan, who features highly on Man City's shortlist of potential defender signings, but he would command a big fee. The Citizens' interest in the right-back comes amid doubts over the futures of Walker and Joao Cancelo, with the latter of the two set to leave this summer.

How much does Achraf Hakimi earn?

The PSG full-back is currently tied down to a £240k-per-week deal with the French champions, which is not due to expire until 2026, meaning his current employers will be in a very strong negotiating position this summer.

However, Man City are seemingly willing to spend big on the Morocco international, and there is every indication he could be worth it, given the threat he poses on the front foot.

In the past year, the former Inter Milan star has averaged 0.17 non-penalty goals per 90, placing him in the 93rd percentile compared to his positional peers, with a pass-completion rate of 89% placing him in the 98th percentile.

Any player operating in a Guardiola system needs to be an assured passer of the ball, and the right-back fits the bill in that regard, while he has also been hailed as "sensational" by journalist David Amoyal.

Hakimi could be a perfect long-term replacement for Walker, and Man City should now look to test the waters with an opening offer – showing that Guardiola is not messing around in the market with midfielder Mateo Kovacic set to become the first signing of the summer.

Everton striker Neal Maupay could reportedly leave the club this summer, following a hugely disappointing spell at Goodison Park.

How bad has Maupay been for Everton?

The £50,000-a-week attacker joined the Blues from Brighton last summer, in a move that would hopefully see more firepower added at Goodison Park.

Instead, Maupay has proven to be a massive disappointment in his Everton career to date, registering just one solitary goal and assist apiece in 29 appearances. For a striker, those are clearly poor numbers, and he has consistently struggled to make any kind of positive impact in a Blues shirt.

The Frenchman signed a three-year deal when he arrived last summer, therefore keeping him at Everton until 2025, but it looks increasingly likely that he won't be at the club when the 2023/24 Premier League season gets underway.

Is Maupay on the move this summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, journalist Paul Brown admitted that the idea of Maupay leaving Goodison this summer is far from out of the question:

"From the way he's been talking in recent weeks, it sounds like he would be interested in leaving. It certainly hasn't really worked out for him at Everton. I don't think they play in a way that suits him at all.

"I'm not really sure why they bought Neal Maupay and decided to play the way they did. He doesn't work in either of the systems that they tried under the different managers last season."

Frankly, this update is likely to be met positively by many Everton supporters, who are unlikely to have been impressed by what they've seen from Maupay during his short time at the club.

Rather than keep the 26-year-old on and slowly allow his contract to run down, they should look to recoup as much of the funds they paid for him as possible, offloading him sooner rather than later.

Another recent report has suggested that Sean Dyche wants to sign two new strikers in the summer window, which further suggests that Maupay's future lies away from Everton. It is essential that some attackers come in who can provide steady levels of end product at the worst, but hopefully relentless numbers that will ensure yet another Premier League relegation battle doesn't come their way.

If Maupay stays, it wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world – Frank Lampard called him "proven" and "clinical" last season – but he has shown in the past year that he isn't good enough to be trusted as a good squad player.

Arsenal are in "positive" talks to sign Ajax defender Jurrien Timber and he "wants to make that move", according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth.

Who will Arsenal sign this summer?

The Gunners currently have many plates spinning behind-the-scenes as sporting director Edu looks to reinforce their midfield, sign a versatile attacker and bring in more defensive options.

Having missed out on their first league title in nearly 20 years to treble-winners Man City, Arsenal now find themselves in a fierce transfer battle with the blues to sign top target Declan Rice from West Ham.

Both sides have had bids rejected for the England international recently and it will be very interesting to see where he ends up – in Manchester or across London.

Meanwhile, in some better news, Arsenal have sealed the signing of Chelsea forward Kai Havertz in a £65 million deal, with Southampton's Romeo Lavia and Timber from Ajax at the centre of negotiations too.

The latter player has been described as a versatile, inverted full-back option, similar to Oleksandr Zinchenko, and is currently renowed for his composure/passing range (The Telegraph).

Mikel Arteta's side have been attempting to sign Timber over the last fortnight, again seeing bids rejected for the defender in a similar vain to Rice.

However, speaking on Sky Sports, reliable journalist Sheth has dropped a positive update on their pursuit of the 22-year-old.

Sheth believes talks are "positive" between Ajax and Arsenal with Timber firmly setting his sights on a move to the Emirates.

"There is another player that they're interested in as well, and that is the Ajax defender Jurrien Timber," said the Sky reporter during broadcast.

"We are told that talks are ongoing between both clubs, we're told talks are positive as well, personal terms not expected to be a problem.

"And in this case, rather like Declan Rice as well, the understanding is that Timber wants to make that move to Arsenal.

"He's got two years left on his contract, I think, so it's the optimum time for Ajax to maximise that transfer fee."

What's been said about Jurrien Timber?

The Netherlands international was an undroppable for Ajax last season, featuring over more Eredivisie minutes than any other player in their squad over 2022/2023 (WhoScored).

Former Spurs star Rafael van der Vaart has also heaped praise on Timber's athleticism, explaining how he is "so quick" and "sharp" when called upon.

"Timber is so quick, light feet, always sharp, never panicking on the ball. Almost like a great midfielder in defence,” Van der Vaart said (via the MEN).

All the indications are that he could be an exceptional signing for Arteta.