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He signed off the Dhaka Premier League campaign with an unprecedented fifth century, but could not stop another loss for his side who went down by six wickets to Brothers Union in the relegation playoff

Mohammad Isam01-Apr-2018Mohammad Ashraful signed off his Dhaka Premier League campaign with an unprecedented fifth century. However, he could not stop another loss for Kalabagan Krira Chakra, who went down by six wickets to Brothers Union in the relegation playoff fixture. Mizanur Rahman struck a 104-ball 115 that took Brothers Union to their 253-run target in 44.3 overs.Mizanur struck 11 fours and six sixes in his knock. He added 69 runs for the first wicket with Junaid Siddique, 49 for the second with Myshukur Rahaman and 58 for the third wicket with Alok Kapali. Mizanur fell in the 31st over, before Yasir Ali and Nazmus Sadat completed the win with an unbroken 75-run fifth-wicket stand.Earlier, Kalabagan posted 252 for 3 in 50 overs. Ashraful added 116 runs for the second wicket with Waliul Karim who made 79 with five sixes and six fours. Ashraful added 78 runs for the third wicket with Munim Shahriar before putting together an unbroken 53 for the fourth wicket with Faruque Hossain. Ashraful’s unbeaten 102 included 10 fours.Ashraful’s ton was his third in a row, having made 127 and 103 not out in his previous two innings. He finishes the tournament with 665 runs from 13 matches at a batting average of 66.50. But of his five centuries this season, only one came in a Kalabagan win.Ashraful becomes eligible for BPL and international selection from August this year.

Unmukt Chand and Hanuma Vihari, meanwhile, made match-winning hundreds for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi and Abahani respectively

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Mar-2018Farhad Reza’s unbeaten 37-ball 68 took Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club to a come-from-behind three-wicket win over Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity in the Super League stage of the Dhaka Premier League.Farhad struck seven sixes and two fours in his innings, which came when Doleshwar had slipped to 172 for 7 in the 40th over, chasing 259 to win in Fatullah. He added an unbroken 87 for the eighth wicket with Shahanur Rahman, who contributed 19 not out off 23 balls. Farhad struck a six in every over from the 41st to the 46th, and sealed the game with his seventh six in the 49th over.Earlier, Khelaghar reached 258 for 8 in 50 overs with fifties from Robiul Islam Robi, Amit Majumder and Ashok Menaria. Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took 5 for 45 in his ten overs.Unmukt Chand struck his first DPL century in Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club’s seven-wicket win over Legends of Rupganj at the BKSP-3 ground. Chand made 127 off 133 balls with 20 fours as Dhanmondi Club reached the 261-run target in 48 overs.Chand, who had scored only two fifties in two DPL seasons previously, added 150 for the second wicket with Rakin Ahmed who made a steady 52 off 83 balls, and 60 for the third wicket with Tanbir Hayder who blasted an unbeaten 66 off 52 balls, with four fours and three sixes. Chand’s 20 fours is the most hit in a List A innings in Bangladesh that didn’t include a six.Rupganj had earlier reached 260 for 9 with Naeem Islam top-scoring with 51 off 66 balls. Tushar Imran, Parvez Rasool and Mohammad Naim made forties while Mushfiqur Rahim made 39. Pace bowler Robiul Haque took his maiden List A five-wicket haul.Hanuma Vihari’s century helped Abahani Limited to a convincing 73-run win over Gazi Group Cricketers at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.Sent in to bat, Abahani posted 278 for 6 in their 50 overs with Vihari hitting 10 fours and a six in his 109 off 124 balls and adding 136 with Mohammad Mithun (72 off 61, 6×4, 1×6) for the fifth wicket. Mosaddek Hossain sparkled towards the end, hammering three sixes and a four in the last over, in which Nayeem Hasan conceded 25 runs.Only Anustup Majumdar’s 64 (80b, 4×4) stood out as Gazi Group were bowled out for 205 in 43 overs. Sunzamul Islam took four wickets while Mashrafe Mortaza, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed took two each.

Newcastle United have a number of key players currently, but it could be that they struggle to keep hold of one individual, according to a new update that has emerged.

Who are Newcastle's key players?

The Magpies have enjoyed a huge turnaround in fortunes in recent years, overcoming a spell out of the Premier League to become one of the leading teams in the division once again.

Under Eddie Howe, and with the help of improved transfer funds under new owners, Newcastle have got back into the Champions League, and while this season hasn't been great so far, Saturday's 1-0 at home to Brentford steadied the ship.

There are numerous influential figures at St James' Park dotted all over the pitch at the moment, whether it be Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman in defence, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in the middle of the park, or Alexander Isak leading the line.

For Newcastle to continue heading in a positive direction, it is essential that they keep hold of these individuals, as well as keep bringing in top-quality signings at the same time. A fresh rumour surrounding one Magpies star will be concerning to supporters, however, with a move away potentially on the cards.

Will Alexander Isak leave Newcastle?

According to a report from Spain [via TEAMtalk], Barcelona are eyeing a move for Isak in the near future, seeing him as a candidate to come in as Robert Lewandowski's long-term replacement at the club.

The Swede is contracted to Newcastle until the summer of 2028, so they would surely only entertain an enormous bid for him, but it remains to be seen if his head would be turned by a move to the Camp Nou.

Losing Isak would be a huge blow for the Magpies at any point in the near future, considering what an impact he has already made since arriving from Real Sociedad last year. He has scored 12 goals in 31 appearances, and had it not been injury problems, that tally would surely be significantly higher.

At just 23 years of age, the Newcastle striker has so many years ahead of him to hone his skills and become an even more formidable player, so for Newcastle to lose him before that even happens doesn't even bear thinking about.

He should be seen as someone who the Magpies' team is built around, as well as the spine of Botman, Bruno and Tonali, having been hailed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, who has said of him in the past:

"Isak is such a fantastic player and a world star. He can score goals, he’s great on the ball. This guy can do everything. He’s a sensational player. You can tell from his interview, he’s so unassuming. I don’t think he realises what a fantastic footballer he is."

The lure of playing for Barcelona is obvious, though, considering their standing as one of the greatest clubs in world football, so Newcastle could have to work hard to retain his services, showing him that staying put is most beneficial for his career, as Newcastle get better and better as the years pass.

Still looking to replace John Eustace, who controversially chose to take the Derby County job, Blackburn Rovers are reportedly set to hold talks with a former Premier League manager this week.

Blackburn seeking Eustace replacement

Whilst Eustace was suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Queens Park Rangers on his Derby debut, Blackburn were rubbing salt in his wounds by simply picking up where they left off – securing a 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle.

The credit for that result deserves to go the way of David Lowe, who has stepped up to take interim charge and continued Blackburn’s push to finish inside the Championship’s top six.

Whilst it’s certainly not a case of no Eustace no party for Blackburn, they’re still in need of a replacement and that search has already seen various names mentioned, including Lowe’s.

The interim boss has undeniably made a solid first impression and may well be considered a candidate should those at Ewood Park fail to land a former Premier League manager.

Blackburn learn compensation fee to appoint 44 y/o as Eustace's replacement

Blackburn could be close to finding a replacement for John Eustace.

ByBrett Worthington Feb 16, 2025

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are now set to hold talks with Gary O’Neil this week. The manager was sacked by Wolverhampton Wanderers back in December and has been out of work ever since, perhaps leaving the door ajar for a Championship move.

Going from Eustace to O’Neil would certainly be quite the move. The former Wolves and Bournemouth boss is a manager of Premier League quality and guided those in the Midlands into the top half at his best. Now, by stepping down to the Championship, he could take a historic club back to the top flight at long last.

In a crucial week for their managerial search, Blackburn should go all out to secure O’Neil’s signature.

"Great" O'Neil would be impressive coup

By appointing O’Neil, not only would Blackburn be taking a key step towards promotion but they’d also be preparing for life in the Premier League. The former Portsmouth player kept Bournemouth up when not many, if any expected him to do so then took Wolves back into the top half before ultimately struggling in the current campaign amid a lack of reinforcements and a frustrating list of injury concerns.

Previously praised by Jamie Carragher for the “great” job he did at Bournemouth, O’Neil could arrive at a Blackburn side ready to earn a place in the play-offs. Sat as high as fifth and inside the top six by four points, those in Lancashire have 13 games to keep hold of their place and grab their chance to eventually set a date at Wembley come May.

It won’t be a routine job and following Eustace will take some doing, but a former Premier League manager should be more than capable of creating history. Blackburn belong in the Premier League and many will say the same for O’Neil to create a match made in heaven as talks commence this week.

The batsman had taken a break from cricket after the Women’s World Cup in July last year and had missed all international cricket since

ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-2018Thirty-two-year-old batsman Nain Abidi has returned to the Pakistan side for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, after an eight-month break from cricket. She was named in the 15-member squad, along with four reserves, for the six-nation tournament to be played in Malaysia starting June 3.Abidi last played international cricket during the World Cup last year in England and subsequently moved to the USA after her marriage earlier in 2017. She returned to domestic cricket for the Zarai Tarakiati Bank women’s team earlier this month and had a productive tournament with two fifties, including an unbeaten 85 off 65 in the final on Thursday that helped them clinch the Departmental T20trophy. Abidi missed Pakistan’s last two outings, the ICC Women’s Championship matches against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.”Staying away from cricket is always difficult. I have played professional cricket for 11 years, so going and staying away from cricket was the most difficult part after marriage,” Abidi told the recently.Bismah Maroof continues to lead the team, following a 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka in March.The Women’s Asia Cup will consist of Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.Pakistan women squad: Bismah Maroof (capt), Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Javeria Rauf, Nain Abidi, Umaima Sohail, Javeria Khan, Sidra Nawaz, Nida Dar, Kainat Imtiaz, Sana Mir, Nashra Sandhu, Anam Amin, Natalia Pervaiz, Diana Baig. Reserves: Fareeha Mehmood, Rameen Shamim, Fazila Ikhlaq, Aliya Riaz.

Sam and Tom Curran are closing in on a special feat after both were named in England’s T20 squad for the series against Australia and India

George Dobell19-Jun-2018Sam and Tom Curran are set to become the first brothers to play together for England this century having been named in the Englandsquad for the Vitality T20I series against Australia and India.The Surrey pair, who have both played international cricket but never in the same side, are set to become the first brothers to representEngland at the same time since Ben and Adam Hollioake – also of Surrey – played an ODI against Sri Lanka in Sydney in 1999.With both Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes missing the series due to injury – Stokes will be with the squad throughout the series as he continues his rehabilitation from his torn left hamstring – both Currans have every chance of appearing in an England side that has won only one of their last five and three of their last 10 IT20 matches.There is no place in the squad for Sam Billings, Dawid Malan, Liam Dawson or James Vince – all of whom were in the squad for thetri-series tournament also involving Australia and New Zealand earlier this year – while Mark Wood, who has struggled to maintain his toppace in the ODI series against Australia, is rested.Mooen Ali, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, who were rested from the previous IT20 tri-series, return while Jake Ball is recalled.Stokes could be added to the squad if he is deemed to have returned to full fitness.England IT20 squad
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), captain, Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Tom Curran (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire)Fixtures:
June 27: England v Australia, Edgbaston (6.30pm BST); July 3: England v India, Emirates Old Trafford (5.30pm BST); July 6: England v India, Cardiff (5.30pm BST); July 8: England v India, Sunday July 8, Bristol (2pm BST)

Everton's attack has been rebuilt in recent months, but it could be given another dimension with the signing of a rapid new transfer target, following a fresh update.

Latest Everton transfer news

The Blues knew how important it was that they added attacking reinforcements to their squad before the 2023/24 season started, having once again struggled in front of goal last time around.

Thankfully, some productive work was done in the transfer market, with Beto arguably the most high-profile addition, coming in as a big-money signing from Udinese. There was also the addition of Chermiti from Sporting CP, while Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison came in on loan from Villarreal and Leeds United respectively.

That's not to say that further signings aren't required in approaching transfer windows – they have only scored six goals in seven Premier League matches so far this season – and it looks as though they are in the mix to sign one talented ace.

Everton want to sign new attacker

Speaking to Caught Offside, journalist Christian Falk said that Everton have genuine interest in Hoffenheim winger Maximilian Beier, who has emerged as an exciting fast player in Germany:

"It’s also really good for Germany; he’s the second-fastest German player behind Leroy Sane. His contract at Hoffenheim runs until 2025 and I heard he has a release clause; he’ll be a little bit more expensive for English clubs but for German clubs he’ll only cost €20m. So you see, Liverpool are looking around at the Bundesliga again.

"He’s a player you can educate, fast, can play as a striker as well as on the wings, which would be beneficial for Liverpool’s rotations in the forward line. I think he’s interesting.

"He could be the next German national player, perhaps not in the coming matches, but he’ll be in the national team. He’s not very expensive, which would fit into Liverpool’s business model. Keep in mind, though, that Brentford and Everton’s interest in the player is concrete."

It is paramount that Everton continue to build towards the future when it comes to signings, ahead of a move to a new stadium and what the club will hope are more successful times to come, and Beier could be seen as a brilliant choice to come in at Goodison Park.

Possesses great pace

Still lacks consistency

Strong dribbler

Crossing can improve

Likes to cut inside

Holds onto the ball for too long

The 20-year-old is already making waves at Hoffenheim, despite still being so young, scoring six goals and registering two assists in 18 appearances for the Bundesliga side, having once netted 18 times in just 26 outings for their Under-17s.

Given his age, there is so much more to come from Beier, and considering he is backed by Falk to be a future Germany international at senior level – he has one goal in two caps for the Under-21s to date – the idea of him being in an Everton shirt is something that is surely mouthwatering to supporters. Whether the Blues manage to snap him up remains to be seen, given the rumoured interest from Liverpool and Brentford, but he should be seen as a great option to make a move for.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent out a warning to Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League quarter-final opponents Al Ain as he prepares to return from suspension.

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Al-Nassr will face UAE giantsRonaldo set to return to starting XIMissed last Saudi Pro League game through suspensionGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo was hit with one match ban and a fine of 30,000 Saudi Riyals (£6,300) as punishment for aiming an obscene gesture at Al-Shabab fans on February 25. Al-Nassr won the game 3-2, but the result was overshadowed by Ronaldo's controversial response to Lionel Messi chants from the crowd, and he was suspended for their subsequent clash with Al-Hazm on Thursday.

AdvertisementWHAT RONALDO SAID

Ronaldo sent an ominous message to Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League opponents on Instagram which suggests he is raring to get back on the pitch and add to his haul of 34 goals across all competitions in 2023-24. "Ready for tomorrow 💪" the former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker wrote.

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Al-Nassr could only manage a 4-4 draw against Al-Hazm in Ronaldo's absence, which leaves them nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League title race. Ronaldo was, however, pictured in the stands at Al-Awwal Park, and looked visibly emotional when the home crowd sang his name during the match, having made a new home for himself in Riyadh since his surprise free transfer to Al-Nassr in January 2023.

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WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will hope to establish a first leg advantage when they take on UAE giants Al Ain on Monday, with the return fixture scheduled to take place on March 11. Luis Castro's side have a league clash with Al-Raed to attend to in between those continental games as they bid to close the gap on Al-Hilal.

Former England striker Darren Bent claimed Arsenal's Kai Havertz was "lucky" to escape punishment for pushing Porto manager Sergio Conceicao.

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Bent slammed Havertz for 'naughty' pushShoved Porto boss ConceicaoHaverz wasn't shown a card for incidentWHAT HAPPENED?

The Arsenal forward shoved Porto boss Sergio Conceicao on the sidelines after he failed to keep the ball in play during their second-leg Champions League Round of 16 clash at the Emirates. Despite his actions, the German international did not go into the referee's book and was just issued with a verbal warning after the incident.

AdvertisementWHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Speaking on , pundit and ex-Tottenham and Sunderland star Bent claimed that Havertz was fortunate to escape a booking as he said: "Little bit naughty from Havertz, he's a little bit lucky there."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Porto manager also got involved in a controversial altercation with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta after the match. He later alleged that the Spanish coach had insulted one of his family members who is no longer alive. He even claimed he got a similar treatment from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

With Arteta's side already out of the FA Cup, the Premier League leaders will next be seen in action after the international break when they take on reigning champions Manchester City in an important league clash away from home.

An afternoon start because of the World Cup meant a sparse crowd at Bristol but they watched Gloucestershire sneak a thrilling encounter

David Hopps11-Jul-2018
ScorecardIf Kent were under any illusions about the difficulty of their run chase at Bristol, they were shattered within nine balls. Joe Denly, regularly acclaimed with five hundreds bagged across all formats this season, pushed forward to the left-arm spinner Graeme van Buuren, the ball gripped and turned to hit off stump. Their target of 185 seemed a speck on the horizon.To trim that target to six to win from the last ball was a redoubtable effort in an excellent game, but it was to no avail. Kent’s No. 10 Mitch Claydon swung wildly enough for the bat to escape his grasp, but the ball passed by harmlessly and Gloucestershire claimed a five-run win. Kent are fancied in the South Group, Gloucestershire are not, but both counties now have two wins in three.You have to hand it to Gloucestershire. Benny Howell, their great innovator, has a hamstring injury, and Andrew Tye, who was the leading wicket-taker in the IPL, has been held back a while by Cricket Australia for workload reasons, and was limited to talking on the boundary edge about how a secret new delivery was in production.Such talk was once limited to Shane Warne, the great legspinner, who was so full of bluff about his repertoire that he might easily have claimed a new variation that detoured twice through the burger fan while playing the tune of Advance Australia Fair. Now, in T20, quick bowlers claim the same.Talking T20 Podcast

This week Dan Norcross is joined by David Hopps to debate world records feats in the Vitality Blast from Ed Pollock, Joe Denly and (nearly) Dan Christian and still finds time to discuss carrots with Isabelle Westbury.
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The slow, grippy wicket was succour for Gloucestershire’s unsung medium-pacers against a highly-rated batting line-up. Heino Kuhn held the innings together for 44 from 33 balls until he chipped back Noema-Barnett’s knuckle ball – the first delivery he had bowled, at a man well set. Ryan Higgins cut his pace to 60mph and was obligingly slapped to deep cover; Higgins struck again when Alex Blake chipped weakly to short extra.Carlos Brathwaite, the man who once struck Ben Stokes for three successive sixes in the last over to win a World Twenty20 title, managed two in five balls, bowled as he pushed forward to Matt Taylor with great sobriety.The angriest exit, though, came from Sam Billings, as he seeks to make the transition from dressing room attendant to exhilarating cricketer. He looked attuned to the task, his first 10 balls bringing 24, including three imperious sixes, then Tom Smith, another left-arm spinner, held one back, Billings swung and missed and stalked from the field, swinging his fist in self-admonishment. Kent lacked the decisive innings.Gloucestershire’s victory was just about secured when Higgins – with 30 needed from 14 balls – stopped Sean Dickson’s return drive, swivelled and throw the stumps down at the non-striker’s end. Nineteen were needed off the last over, but Higgins began with a wide then conceded two leg-side boundaries to Adam Milne. Dickson was run out by Jack Taylor’s throw from long on from the penultimate ball, meaning that Claydon – not Dickson, was charged with attempting the last-ball six.Tension for the last ball? Not when half the country had been ridiculously nervous all day over the approaching World Cup semi-final in Moscow. More the sort of day for someone to tell Higgins: “Look, it’s not penalties, mate. Get it won.” And so he did.On an old, ugly surface, Gloucestershire had batted ugly to good effect. Kieran Noema-Barnett (31 from 15 balls) and Jack Taylor (42 not out from 23) are hardly the most stylish batsman in the land, but Noema-Barnett slugged it down the ground, Taylor hauled through midwicket and an innings that might have faltered from 82 for 4 at midway instead came to rest with a challenging total on the board.Denly’s leg spin has also found unparalleled success this season – two more victims as Michael Klinger confidently deposited him to long-on and Ian Cockbain was bowled pulling – but surprisingly Imran Qayyum’s slow left arm was seen for only one over. Kent got a bonus wicket when Gareth Roderick was lbw to Calum Haggett, trying to switch hit a yorker, not the greatest shot selection admittedly, but the ball struck him well outside the line.It was a strange afternoon, the Blast at its least atmospheric (watch out for its detractors using this one as anti-marketing video). It had been brought forward to a 3pm start because of England’s presence in the World Cup semi-final at 7pm and the crowd was sparse at the Brightside Ground – appropriately named for the Gloucestershire treasurer because looking on the bright side was necessary on a day like this.Joe Root, England’s Test captain, had said that he was more nervous about the football than playing cricket, knowing that an entire nation would nod wisely rather than berate him for not concentrating on the task in hand. Gloucestershire’s win was all done and dusted in slightly less than three hours, leaving time not just for the match but the build-up. These days it can take IPL nearer to four. Perhaps the best thing India can do to remember how to quicken their T20 overrate is to improve their football?