Big picture – Can Pakistan find some batting firepower?

South Africa have already booked a semi-final spot. Despite not having won a match so far in the tournament, Pakistan still have a slim chance of sneaking into the knockouts, provided they win their last two matches by huge margins and other results also go their way. With no teams ruled out of contention just yet (at least until Monday’s Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match finishes), there is plenty on the line in every game. This tournament has now arrived at its pointy end.Pakistan’s bowlers will perhaps still be buoyed by their most recent performance. Fatima Sana and Co. struck early and then repeatedly against England, restricting one of the better batting units in the tournament to a low score that Pakistan looked likely to chase down, before a second spell of rains washed the rest of that match out. As had been the case in that game, the rains that have held sway in Colombo will likely envenom seamers, who may get the ball to move appreciably off a slightly moist deck. Often, teams prefer to bat first at the Khettarama – a venue that is notoriously tricky for chasing sides, especially under lights. But at this time of year, bowling first is an advantage too.Related

• Road to the semis: Five teams in contention for one spot

• Bangladesh, Pakistan and SL fall behind in the power game

In fact, Pakistan’s batters were on the receiving end of some good seam bowling in Saturday’s match against New Zealand, when they had been 92 for 5 in an already rain-reduced innings, before more rains ended that match. South Africa have experienced seamers like Masabata Klaas and Marizanne Kapp in their XI. Although they haven’t quite lit this World Cup up so far, both bowlers are very capable of bowling themselves into better rhythm on a helpful deck.The tougher the surface is to bat on, however, the more Pakistan will feel they can compete. As batting is by a distance the weaker of their two main discipline, a low-scoring match would suit them best. In fact, it had been a low-scoring game in which Pakistan last took South Africa down, roughly a month ago in Lahore.South Africa’s batting, which, as Sri Lanka found out on Friday, is led off by one of the best opening combinations going, is looking in increasingly good shape. They appear to have left the embarrassment of being blown away for 69 in their tournament opener well and truly behind them.1:15

Sekhukhune: ‘We want to keep ticking all the boxes’

Form guide

Pakistan: LLLLW
South Africa WWWWL

In the spotlight – Fatima Sana and Nonkululeko Mlaba

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been putting together an excellent World Cup, with nine wickets at an average of 16 so far. Almost 15% of her overs have also been maidens (she has bowled more maidens than any other bowler in this tournament). Against England, her last outing with the ball, Sana bowled some vicious inseaming deliveries, presenting a beautiful wobble-seam, and extracting substantial movement to send balls shooting between right-hand batters’ bats and pads. Both South Africa’s opening batters are right-hand batters. Expect Sana to repeat that same mode of attack against them.Although in T20Is Nonkululeko Mlaba has been a force for some time, this World Cup may be remembered as the tournament in which she stepped up her ODI bowling. She is by a huge distance South Africa’s most penetrative bowler of the tournament, having claimed 11 wickets at an average of 15.18, with an economy rate of 4.63. Pakistan’s batters will know that even if they survive the seamers, they have one of the world’s smartest spinners to counter later in the innings.

Pitch and conditions: Can the rain please stop?

I think we can call it now – the northeast monsoon appears to have properly arrived in Colombo, which makes a match uninterrupted by rain even less likely. There will likely be juice in the pitch for the seamers, but it is a rare match at the Khettarama where the ball does not take significant turn as well.0:58

Nawaz: ‘We are not being able to build momentum with the bat’

Team news: Pakistan might strengthen their batting

Pakistan will search for ways to add muscle to their fragile batting order. Could Eyman Fatima or Sadaf Shamas make it back into the XI as they search for better combinations?Pakistan (possible): 1 Omaima Sohail, 2 Muneeba Ali, 3 Sidra Amin, 4 Aliya Riaz, 5 Natalia Pervaiz, 6 Eyman Fatima/Rameen Shamim, 7 Fatima Sana (capt), 8 Sidra Nawaz (wk), 9 Diana Baig, 10 Nashra Sandhu, 10 Sadia IqbalSouth Africa will likely keep their XI as it is.South Africa (possible): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Sune Luus, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Annerie Dercksen, 6 Chloe Tryon, 7 Nadine de Klerk, 8 Karabo Meso (wk), 9 Nondumiso Shangase, 10 Masabata Klaas, 11 Nonkululeko Mlaba

Stats and trivia

• Sana has played more ODIs (ten) against South Africa than any other team. But she has a poor record against this opposition, having claimed only six wickets at an average of 62.83.
• Before this tournament, Mlaba had bowled in 12 matches in Asia, and claimed 18 wickets at an average of 31.44. Her bowling average in Asia is now 25.27, and her strike rate is down to 29.3. This is more than twice as good as her numbers at home (average 51.18, SR 71.4).
• Since 2020, these teams have played each other ten times. Pakistan have won two of those games, both at home. South Africa have won the other eight.

Celtic appear to be closing in on a “very risky” permanent managerial appointment, as Dermot Desmond looks to bring in the right individual at Parkhead.

The Hoops’ search for their next boss remains ongoing, with Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor potentially being revealed before the Scottish Premiership gets back underway this weekend.

Wilfried Nancy has emerged as the favourite to be Celtic’s new manager, with the 48-year-old currently in charge of Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew.

Nancy isn’t seen as the only option for the Scottish champions, though, with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna an exciting young coach who has been linked with coming in for interim manager Martin O’Neill, who spoke recently about his future.

“The gentlemen involved can very easily make up their own minds about people without me interfering in any aspect. I said that I would do it until they found that replacement. And is that possible for next week? I genuinely do not know. My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute that someone is appointed, I will step aside.”

Celtic closing in on Nancy as new manager

Speaking to Football Insider, reporter Pete O’Rourke shared what he’s heard about a Parkhead move for Nancy. He revealed that Celtic are edging closer to appointing Nancy as their next manager but said it would be a “very risky” move by the club, due to his lack of experience in Europe.

“I think it’s fair to say that he’s probably the current strong favourite for the Celtic manager’s job, Wilfried Nancy. It would be something of a left-field appointment as there’s not much known about Wilfried Nancy on these shores especially.

“He’s never managed outside of America and has no experience of European football, but he has done a good job with Columbus Crew, winning the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup there. Any managerial appointment is always a gamble but bringing in Nancy, I think would be deemed a very risky move by Celtic.

“His availability is appealing to Celtic as well, because some of their other targets aren’t attainable. “Ipswich are hoping to keep hold of Kieran McKenna, and Kjetil Knutsen is set to stay at Bodo/Glimt at least until the end of their Champions League campaign as well. “Right now, Nancy is the clear front-runner.”

There is definite truth in O’Rourke’s comments, with Nancy only proving his worth in the MLS to date, winning the cup with Columbus and also the Canadian Cup with CF Montreal in that time.

But if Desmond and Hoops chiefs see him as the ideal choice, they need to be trusted, at a point when a deficit needs to be made up on Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race.

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Nancy is an interesting choice, given his past, and while Celtic fans will be split over who they want to come in, he could be ready to take the big next step in his career.

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The South Africa quick last played competitive cricket during the IPL in May

Firdose Moonda28-Oct-2025

South African quick Anrich Nortje, who has not played any cricket since the IPL in May, will return to action in the CSA T20 Challenge this weekend. Nortje, who is no longer on a national contract, has been signed by the Durban-based team, the Dolphins, for this season’s T20 competition and is expected to play in their opener against the Tuskers at Kingsmead on Saturday.Nortje has now fully recovered from his latest injury setback, a stress reaction which made him unavailable for South Africa’s winter fixtures. Nortje was not named in the squad to play a T20 series in Zimbabwe or on white-ball tours to Australia and England. He last played for South Africa at the T20 World Cup final in June 2024.Since then, Nortje has come into consideration, and was even on the verge of a Test comeback last summer, but a fractured toe and then a back injury put paid to those thoughts. He missed out on the SA20, came back briefly at the IPL, where he played two matches for Kolkata Knight Riders, but did not play the MLC or any international cricket as he embarked on an extensive rehabilitation program.”From a personal perspective and a group perspective it’s going to be great to get back out on the park,” Nortje said in a statement issued by the Dolphins on Tuesday. “I’m always positive, always motivated, and excited but when you get towards the end of rehab, you want to get going because you know what is around the corner. So the last week or two have probably been more frustrating than the other months”The T20 Challenge runs from October 29 to November 30 and sees all eight Division 1 teams play each other once before an IPL-style Eliminator and two Qualifiers ahead of the final. That means Nortje could have a maximum of 10 matches over the next month albeit not for his home union, Eastern Province. Although Nortje has not indicated he is aiming for a national comeback, he could push for one if he stays fit and also has a good SA20, where he will play for Sunrisers Eastern Cape.”It’s always been about trying to see the positives and working towards a new goal of being better than I was before so I’m really happy where I am now and it’s all about getting out there and getting some games under my belt,” he said.The Dolphins reached the final of last year’s CSA T20 Challenge, where they lost to the Johannesburg-based Lions.

MatériaMais Notícias

Dono da SAF do Botafogo, John Textor foi oficialmente denunciado pela procuradoria-geral do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) nesta segunda-feira (25), por não ter apresentado as provas de corrupção no futebol brasileiro que alegou ter. A informação é do jornal “O Globo”.

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O empresário norte-americano afirmou ter “juízes gravados reclamando de não terem propinas pagas”, após vitória do Botafogo sobre o Bragantino, em 6 de março. Dois dias depois, o STJD abriu inquérito e deu prazo de três dias úteis para que Textor entregasse as provas que dizia ter, porém, a ordem foi ignorada pelo bilionário.

Desta forma, o dono da SAF alvinegra foi denunciado no artigo 223 do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva (CBJD), por “deixar de cumprir ou retardar o cumprimento de decisão”. A pena prevista em caso de condenação é de 90 a 360 dias de suspensão, além de pagamento de multa.

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➡️ É O BRASA! Coloque R$200 no Brasil contra a Espanha e fature mais de R$640 no Lance! Betting

No dia 14 de março, o pleno do tribunal chegou a votar a possibilidade de suspensão automática de John Textor, mas foi formada maioria contra. Além disso, foi definido também que o STJD tem competência para julgar o caso, ao contrário do que alega a defesa do empresário.

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Adrien Rabiot has revealed he is left “amazed” by Luka Modric’s childlike passion for football, praising the 40-year-old midfielder’s impact since joining AC Milan. The Croatian veteran has instantly become the heartbeat of the Rossoneri midfield, and Rabiot says Modric’s energy and love for the game continues to inspire everyone around him.

• Modric’s Milan influence already ‘extraordinary’

  Modric’s move from Real Madrid to AC Milan was one of the summer’s most dramatic transfers, but the Croatian legend has wasted no time proving he still belongs at the top level. At 40 years old, Modric has slotted straight into the Rossoneri's midfield, dictating games with the same intelligence, composure and work rate that defined his decade in Spain.

  His arrival has transformed Massimiliano Allegri's side into a more controlled and technically secure outfit. Modric has been central to Milan’s early-season push for the top of Serie A, and his leadership has filled a void the Rossoneri had struggled to address since losing Sandro Tonali.

  Rabiot, who joined Milan after Modric, has seen his adaptation from close range. The French midfielder says the Croatian has taken command of the dressing room and the pitch, instantly raising standards around the club. That set the stage for him to share his admiration in detail.

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  Rabiot amazed by Modric’s passion and reflects on derby win

  Rabiot began by revealing just how special it has been to play alongside Modric, highlighting the Croatian’s attitude above everything else. Speaking to , he said: "He's a simple person and loves football like a child. I've felt very comfortable with him in midfield since day one because he has quality and vision, but he also makes a huge contribution when it comes to winning the ball back, running and coming in decisively when needed. He's an extraordinary player who amazes me with the desire he shows on the pitch every day, even at 40. I admire him greatly: when I'm his age, I hope I still have that passion."

  The Frenchman was then asked about Milan’s 1-0 derby victory over Inter, a match in which he played the full 90 minutes after returning from injury. "Happiness because it's a special match for Milan and the Milan fans. It was great to win the first derby at San Siro and I'm proud of how we played. These three points give us further confidence."

• Rabiot’s growing influence & hunger to score

  Rabiot’s start at Milan was disrupted by a calf injury, but when he has played, the numbers speak for themselves: five wins and one draw in six appearances, with only one goal conceded. His importance to the Rossoneri's structure has grown rapidly, especially alongside a veteran like Modric who complements his energy and ball-winning.

  When asked about ending his goal drought for the team, he explained: "I hope so. I'd like to score as soon as possible, both at San Siro and away. I like scoring goals or providing assists, but that's not my main role: I have to help the team with running, tackling, advice, and experience. If we keep winning and I don't score, that's fine too."

  The 30-year-old then reflected on why Milan look more secure with him on the pitch, pointing to his communication and calming presence. "Maybe my teammates have more confidence and I give them a sense of mental security. I try to talk a lot, especially during the most difficult moments of the match, to keep everyone focused. I always give my all and the others feel it."

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  Lazio next and reunion with Sarri

  Milan sit second in Serie A and now prepare for a crucial clash against Lazio at San Siro, where a win could temporarily send them top of the table. For Rabiot, the fixture also brings a personal subplot: a reunion with his former Juventus coach, Maurizio Sarri.

  Looking ahead to Saturday, he spoke warmly about meeting him again: "It'll be great to see him again. We had a strange year at Juventus: I didn't play much at first, but after Covid I was always a starter and we won the Scudetto. Sarri is a great coach."

  Milan will hope Modric’s brilliance and Rabiot’s return to peak rhythm can guide them through another major test, as the Rossoneri continue their push for top spot.

لم يقدم العديد من لاعبي ليفربول مستويات جيدة هذا الموسم، ويأتي من بين اللاعبين إبراهيما كوناتي بسبب عدم تجديد عقده، كما تراجع أداء فيرجيل فان دايك، وكذلك محمد صلاح.

وتحدث إيميل هيسكي مهاجم ليفربول السابق في تصريحات نشرتها “Rousing the kop” عن أداء النجم المصري هذا الموسم.

وقال هيسكي عن صلاح :”صلاح لاعب مثير للاهتمام، سجل العديد من الأهداف، لذا فهو يخفي الكثير من المشاكل التي تسببها الأهداف عادة”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. سلوت: نشبه مانشستر سيتي.. ولعبنا مباراة كل يومين لن يساعدنا على تغيير أسلوبنا

وأضاف :”يغيب أحياناً عن المباريات ولكن لأنه يسجل هدفين أو ثلاثة في النهاية، يتذكر الجميع ذلك، لكنه يفعل ذلك منذ فترة وأنت بحاجة لثنائيات كهذه، تحتاجها في فريقك أحياناً، لأنك تبقى في الملعب فقط لتلك اللحظة الصغيرة التي تسجل فيها هدفاً”.

وواصل: “لكن الشيء الوحيد هو أنه إذا لم يسجلوا هذا الهدف أو يمنحوا أي فرصة للركض ولم تحصل على أي فرصة للتتبع، ولم تحصل على كل هذه المساحة في الجانب الآخر من الملعب فمن الصعب للغاية الدفاع ضدهم”.

Chelsea are actively trying to convince one Arsenal star to join them next year following discussions with his representatives, according to a report this week.

Chelsea enjoy triumphant 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League

While the January window is fast approaching, Enzo Maresca’s side are currently riding high off a statement 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Chelsea dominated proceedings from the opening whistle, pressing Barcelona aggressively and preventing the Spanish champions from establishing any rhythm in possession.

The Blues’ high-octane approach paid dividends when Jules Kounde’s unfortunate own goal broke the deadlock after 27 minutes, deflecting Pedro Neto’s effort beyond his own goalkeeper.

Barcelona’s evening unraveled further when captain Ronald Araujo received his marching orders just before halftime, collecting a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Marc Cucurella. The dismissal effectively ended any realistic hopes of a Catalan comeback and allowed Chelsea to dictate throughout thcond period.

Related Chelsea open talks with star who's "very keen" to join amid Barcelona triumph

Enzo Maresca’s side are in dreamland right now.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Nov 26, 2025

The standout moment arrived ten minutes after the restart when teenage sensation Estevao produced a moment of individual magic. The 18-year-old Brazilian embarked on a mazy dribble from out wide, leaving Pau Cubarsi trailing before cutting inside and firing a thunderous strike into the top corner.

The goal showcased his immense potential on the biggest stage and marked his third consecutive Champions League scoring performance, with Estevao making all the headlines for outshining Barca’s own sensation Lamine Yamal.

Substitute Liam Delap wrapped up the victory with 17 minutes remaining, capitalizing on Enzo Fernández’s clever pass to slot home calmly. The goal initially appeared offside, but VAR intervened to overturn the decision.

Cucurella earned widespread praise for his defensive masterclass against Yamal, with the left-back’s discipline and tactical awareness proving instrumental in keeping the visitors’ attack quiet.

Marc Cucurella’s game v Barça

Minutes

93′

Expected Assists

0.59

Tackles (Won)

5 (4)

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Blocked Shots

1

Recoveries

4

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Key Passes

1

Passes

55/63

Touches

97

All Stats via Sofascore

Chelsea’s stupendous display comes as the perfect warm-up for their pivotal Premier League clash this weekend against league leaders Arsenal, a match which will define their credentials as genuine title contenders.

Off the field, BlueCo are apparently eyeing one of Mikel Arteta’s young stars.

Chelsea actively tempting Myles Lewis-Skelly into joining them

That is according to journalist Simon Phillips, who reports that Chelsea have held talks with the representatives of Hale End academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The England rising star was recently told by Thomas Tuchel that he’d have to play more to stand any chance of getting into the Three Lions squad for next year’s World Cup, with Riccardo Calafiori’s form severely limiting his minutes this season.

That being said, neither the teenager nor Arsenal want to part ways any time soon.

However, this hasn’t stopped Maresca’s side from testing the water, and it is believed that Chelsea are making a ‘bold’ attempt to convince Lewis-Skelly that Stamford Bridge is the place for him.

This comes as Chelsea make future contingency plans for when Cucurella leaves, even if that doesn’t appear to be in the immediate future.

The Spain international eventually wants to return to play in La Liga before he reaches his twilight years, with Lewis-Skelly viewed as an ideal long-term successor.

The New York Yankees are weighing what adjustments will need to be made when Giancarlo Stanton returns to the lineup in the near future. Stanton missed the first two months of the season while dealing with tendinitis in both elbows, but he's started a rehab assignment as he approaches his return.

When the 35-year-old is activated from the injured list, he figures to take over his spot as the Yankees designated hitter. That means Ben Rice, who has been in the DH role 39 times this season, will likely have to return to the field. Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that it's possible Rice spends some time at catcher, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network.

Rice hasn't started a single game at catcher this season, but he played the position for the majority of his time in the minor leagues, making a total of 121 catching appearances. He's served there sparingly this season, logging a total of 6 2/3 innings behind the plate, but he could potentially be utilized at catcher when Austin Wells needs a day off.

New York hasn't hesitated from shifting the defense around this season, having already moved Jazz Chisholm Jr. from second base to third. Now, with Stanton's return looming, the Yankees could slot in Rice at catcher to regularly keep his bat in the lineup.

This season, Rice, 26, is slashing .240/.326/.495 with 12 home runs and 25 RBIs.

Baseball is a game of feel.

While the analytics movement has injected the element of numbers into the game, at the end of the day, players and managers still need to trust what their eyes are telling them.

And there was a perfect example of player and manager doing just that during the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto had tossed six no-hit innings and, sitting at 90 pitches, came out to pitch the seventh inning. The Dodgers hurler immediately surrendered a leadoff single to the Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte, then after a wild pitch and two outs via ground balls, walked Gabriel Moreno to put runners on first and third with one out.

Given the stakes of the moment and the fact that the Dodgers had lost four straight entering the game, it wouldn't have been surprising to see manager Dave Roberts turn to the bullpen to get out of the jam.

But Roberts, trusting his instincts, locked eyes with Yamamoto from the dugout. The righthander gave him a nod, which Roberts returned.

Here's the cool moment, courtesy of Jacob Brownson on X.

Seeing the exchange, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, on the top step of the dugout ready to emerge for a mound visit, thought better of it.

The gut call from both Yamamoto and Roberts paid off. Yamamoto struck out the next batter, Diamondbacks designated hitter Pavin Smith, on six pitches to end the inning and preserve the Dodgers' lead.

While Los Angeles's bullpen went on to surrender the lead in the top of the ninth and 10th innings, the Dodgers mounted a rally in the bottom half of the 10th to earn the win.

Yamamoto ended up not factoring into the decision, but it was his ability to get out of the seventh inning jam that proved crucial in the game's outcome.

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks this week to sign a key reinforcement who Arne Slot loves ahead of Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2026.

Slot urges Liverpool to "remain humble"

Sunday’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United simply cannot be a false dawn for Liverpool or record signing Alexander Isak. After a disastrous run of form, the Reds must make it back-to-back victories by defeating Sunderland this evening.

Anything but three points would only spark further concerns about Slot’s tenure, as reports continue to suggest potential managerial candidates such as Ange Postecoglou.

Ahead of Liverpool’s clash against the Black Cats, Slot told reporters: “The challenge now will be to build on this win. We do not get to believe that a corner has been turned or that a recovery is under way.

“We have to remain humble, work hard and continue to fight. If we do this then maybe we can continue taking the small steps forward that are very much required.

“I would like to welcome Regis Le Bris, his players and staff as well as the supporters and directors of Sunderland to Anfield for tonight’s game. What they have done in the Premier League already this season reflects incredibly well on all at the club having earned promotion back in May.”

Related FSG could see £75m bid accepted to sign Liverpool their best LW since Mane

Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided winger this winter.

Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 3, 2025

It’s been the type of run that sparks serious questions about the January transfer window and the need for reinforcements – particularly on the defensive front. As things stand, Liverpool have just two senior centre-backs available, but have been linked with moves for the likes of Castello Lukeba and, of course, Marc Guehi.

Liverpool open talks to sign Marc Guehi

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool have now opened talks to sign Guehi this week in an attempt to get their deal back on track and land their No.1 defensive target ahead of Real Madrid.

The Reds came within hours of signing the Crystal Palace star in the summer, only for the Eagles to pull the plug on the deal at the death. Now, they’re attempting to jump ahead of the chasing pack by making their move as early as the January transfer window.

Those at Anfield are reportedly willing to offer a deal worth around £30m next month, whilst others wait in line to secure Guehi’s signature as a free agent in the summer.

Not even Slot could hide Liverpool’s admiration for Guehi when they missed out on his signature in the summer, telling reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him.

“That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.”

Whether Crystal Palace willingly part with their defender, who was described as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, remains to be seen, however.

Liverpool star is now very quickly becoming "the next Diaz" at Anfield