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Gujarat Lions have signed allrounder Irfan Pathan as a replacement for Dwayne Bravo, who was ruled out of the 2017 IPL with a hamstring injury

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Apr-2017Gujarat Lions have signed allrounder Irfan Pathan as a replacement for Dwayne Bravo, who was ruled out of the 2017 IPL with a hamstring injury. Irfan, who was unsold at the auction in February at a base price of INR 50 lakhs, posted a photograph of himself wearing a Lions jersey on Twitter, and said he was “looking forward to be part of this wonderful unit.”Irfan, 32, has been part of five IPL franchises – Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiant – in the past. He has 80 wickets from 102 IPL games, apart from 1137 runs at a strike-rate of 120.57. However, he had a poor run with Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016, scoring 11 runs in three innings and going wicketless in the eight overs he bowled.Lions had hoped Bravo, who did not play a match this season, would be available for the second half of the tournament. He was undergoing rehabilitation in Rajkot, but couldn’t recover in time. “While recovery is going well and I have made vast improvement and have participated in team trainings with the Lions, my body is not ready to perform at its fullest potential,” Bravo had said in a statement.Lions also lost left-arm wristspinner Shivil Kaushik for the rest of the season through injury. Kaushik’s replacement was 23-year-old Ankit Soni, an allrounder from Mumbai.After making the playoffs last year, Lions are currently in seventh place, with two wins from seven games.

Juventus winger Federico Chiesa would be an "awesome" signing for Arsenal and stands out as an "exciting" player, says journalist Dean Jones.

Who will join Arsenal this summer?

Mikel Arteta and co are already making serious moves as the domestic transfer window officially opens, with the north Londoners thought to have already lodged a formal £80 million bid for West Ham star Declan Rice.

The offer was outright rejected by the Irons, who are instead hoping for a fee closer to £100m, but Rice isn't the only player Arsenal are looking at.

In central midfield alone, there have been reports that Brighton star Moises Caicedo and Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan are targets, while Arteta's side could also look to make a move for Southampton's Romeo Lavia.

For the forward areas, the most heavily linked recently has been Chelsea star Kai Havertz, with reliable journalist David Ornstein breaking news of an opening "proposal" for the German.

Chiesa, who boasts a Euro 2021 winner's medal with Italy, is apparently an attacking target too as reports in the Italian press claim Arsenal have registered an interest in the £38 million forward.

Indeed, newspaper La Repubblica reported earlier this month that the north Londoners are now in the race for his services, alongside Premier League rivals Chelsea and Newcastle United.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, in reaction to the claim, reporter Jones believes he would be an "awesome" attacking signing for Arsenal.

Jones goes on to call him a very "exciting" player, but it will be a difficult deal to do from Edu's perspective.

"I love Chiesa and I've always hoped he would one day land in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see how this summer window pans out for him.

He's obviously had some injury problems in the not too distant past. He's such an exciting player.

"You can imagine he would be awesome in that Arsenal attack too. I'm not convinced it'll be that easy to sign him though, I'm really not."

How has Federico Chiesa been playing?

The 25-year-old featured over just 21 Serie A matches last season, scoring two goals and assisting five others, though this has largely been down to fitness issues.

Chiesa missed a good chunk of matches through injury but has proved to be a more-than capable attacking asset on his best day.

La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia, praised his impact against Udinese in January after he came on as a late substitute for the remaining half an hour.

The newspaper wrote:

“A half-hour can be enough if you are in another category. Perfect cutback for Paredes’ invitation, delightful assist for Danilo. Yes, Fede is back.”

Chelsea reportedly gave Arsenal a free run at £105 million ($128m) Declan Rice as they considered that transfer fee to include “an English premium”.

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• Midfielder spent time in Blues' academy
• No effort made to bring him back
• Spent big on alternative options instead

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blues had been heavily linked with the England international midfielder for some time heading into the summer window of 2023. Having previously had Rice within their academy system, the expectation was that efforts would be made to take him back to Stamford Bridge.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That did not happen, with Arsenal instead completing a club-record deal with London neighbours West Ham. According to , Chelsea did not make an approach as they thought Rice’s asking price was being over-inflated – as is often the case with English players moving between Premier League clubs.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Chelsea also passed up opportunities to table bids for James Maddison and James Ward-Prowse, as they prepared to head for the exits at relegated Leicester and Southampton respectively. The Blues ended up spending more on Cole Palmer than Tottenham paid for Maddison and £20m ($24m) more on 19-year-old Romeo Lavia than West Ham splashed out on Ward-Prowse.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Questions continue to be asked of Chelsea’s elaborate spending – which has passed £1 billion ($1.2bn) across three windows – with their decision to pass on Rice made all the more confusing by the fact that they went on to invest £115m ($140m) in prising Moises Caicedo away from another domestic rival in the form of Brighton.

Manchester United are 'pushing' ahead in their efforts to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this summer, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news involving Mason Mount?

As per The Guardian, Manchester United have 'reached an agreement' on personal terms with Mount and he is likely to link up with Erik Ten Hag at Old Trafford this summer.

The report states that Chelsea will seek at least £60 million to allow Mount to depart SW6 in the off-season. Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have also expressed an interest in signing the midfielder.

Contractually, Mount is tied to Chelsea on a contract worth £80,000 per week and his deal in west London is set to run out in June 2024, as per Capology.

Pundit Roy Keane told Sky Sports quoted by The Daily Express that he isn't sure whether Mount would be able to have a major impact at Manchester United, stating: "I wouldn’t be hanging my hat too much on Mason Mount, in terms of improving United and closing the gap. I think he’s a good player but would he improve Manchester United? I’m not so sure. I know Mason Mount can bounce back and he’s got qualities, I was raving about him a few years ago, but he’s just gone missing this last year or two. Again, one or two injuries, the fact he can’t get in a bad Chelsea team.

Mount featured 35 times in all competitions for Chelsea in 2022/23 and registered three goals and six assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer guru Romano has detailed that Manchester United are pressing ahead to try and bring Mount to the North West this summer.

Romano said: "It should be around £50m, and so this is why at the moment it looks difficult. But, for sure, there will be some developments soon because Manchester United are pushing for Mason Mount."

Who else may Manchester United try to sign this summer?

Manchester United have been linked with several targets this summer as Ten Hag looks to bolster his squad ahead of 2023/24, where the Red Devils will compete in the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane has been extensively rumoured with a switch to Manchester United and is reportedly open to moving to Old Trafford, as per The Sun.

L'Equipe claim that Bayern Munich full-back Benjamin Pavard is also of interest to the Premier League giants and could be a high-profile addition to the ranks in the off-season.

As per The Evening Standard, Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa is also in the frame to provide competition for David De Gea between the sticks.

In a time of excitement at Manchester United, plenty of new arrivals could help Ten Hag construct a bid for the Premier League title heading into next term.

Pakistan will play their first day-night Test with a pink ball in Dubai against West Indies from October 13 to 17, the PCB announced on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Aug-20161:09

Pakistan to host day-night Test against WI

Pakistan will play their first day-night Test with a pink ball in Dubai against West Indies from October 13 to 17, the PCB announced on Thursday. The Pakistan board released the schedule for West Indies’ tour of the UAE, which starts on September 23 and comprises three T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests.Pakistan v WI in the UAE

September 20: T20 tour match v ECB XI, ICC Academy

September 23: 1st T20I, Dubai

September 24: 2nd T20I, Dubai

September 27: 3rd T20I, Abu Dhabi

September 30: 1st ODI, Sharjah

October 2: 2nd ODI, Sharjah

October 3-4: Two-day tour match v ECB XI, ICC Academy

October 5: 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi

October 7-9: Three-day tour match v PCB Patrons XI (D/N), Sharjah

October 13-17: 1st Test, Dubai (D/N)

October 21-25: 2nd Test, Abu Dhabi

October 30-November 3: 3rd Test, Sharjah

Dubai will host the first two T20I matches on September 23 and 24, with the third one being held in Abu Dhabi on September 27. The ODI series will be played between September 30 and October 5, with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi listed as venues. The day-night Test will be the first in the three-match series, and West Indies will play a day-night tour match against PCB Patrons XI between October 7 and 9 in Sharjah to prepare for the first Test. The second and third Tests will be held in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, from October 21 and October 30 respectively.In June, an initially reluctant WICB had agreed in principle to play a day-night Test in the UAE, following the PCB’s offer of a practice match and training sessions under lights. Pakistan are also scheduled to play second day-night Test in the 2016-17 season, against Australia in Brisbane from December 15.Apart from the day-night tour game, West Indies are scheduled to play two tour matches – a T20 and a two-day game – against an ECB XI. Both matches will be held at the ICC Academy in Dubai.The PCB had also mulled hosting West Indies in Sri Lanka to counter the growing expenses in the UAE, which has been host to Pakistan’s home series for a decade now. The idea, however, was dropped after assessing the drawbacks of playing in Sri Lanka during the monsoon.

Leeds United loanee Charlie Cresswell has undergone surgery on a fractured eye socket and will miss the rest of the season as a result.

What’s the latest injury news on Cresswell?

Cresswell has been out on loan with Championship side Millwall where he has made 30 appearances in all competitions. The 20-year-old has even weighed in with five goals in the second tier, with Gary Rowett’s side currently in the playoff places.

However, the Leeds defender has missed the last three games after suffering a "significant" injury against West Brom at the beginning of the month. There has now been an update on the player’s condition, one that isn’t good for either Cresswell or Millwall.

Reporter Rich Cawley relayed an update regarding Cresswell in the last 48 hours, stating on Twitter that the Leeds gem has undergone eye surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

He added that Cresswell has a five-to-six-week recovery period, but even if Millwall reach the playoff final, would more than likely miss out due to not being match fit.

What next for Cresswell at Leeds?

Cresswell has enjoyed a positive loan spell at The Den and has been the club’s second-best performer this season, leading the way for clearances and blocks made, as per WhoScored.

His average match rating is actually better than any Leeds player, and the Whites’ survival hopes could well have a say in Cresswell’s future. The youngster was heavily linked with a permanent exit from Elland Road back in January, however, he is still under contract in Yorkshire until 2025.

Leeds have been leaking goals in the Premier League in recent weeks, shipping for against Arsenal, five vs Crystal Palace and six last time out against Liverpool, so if they are relegated, Cresswell may find himself with a chance to break into the club’s first-team plans. He could even look at forcing his way into the first-team setup even if Leeds stay up following his successful loan spell, but that may depend on who is in charge heading into the 2023/24 season.

The England U21 international has done his chances no harm this season, though, being hailed as “excellent” by Rowett and his Transfermarkt valuation increasing to a career-high figure. It is unfortunate that his season is now over, but it’ll be interesting to see where he is plying his trade in the 2023/24 campaign.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that IPL 2016 matches scheduled in Maharashtra after April 30 will be moved out of the state

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Apr-20163:51

Bal: IPL just a soft target

All IPL 2016 matches scheduled in Maharashtra after April 30 must be moved out of the state, the Bombay High Court has ruled. The ruling came after a Public Interest Litigation questioned the hosting of matches in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur due to a severe drought in Maharashtra.The ruling affects 13 matches, including the final which was to be held in Mumbai on May 29. Pune will miss out on six matches, including the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, while no games will be held in Nagpur. The state was earlier scheduled to host 20 matches.Last week, the court had sought an explanation from the BCCI and the three state associations on why water should be “wasted” on hosting the games when the state faced one of its worst ever droughts. The court later allowed the opening match to be held as scheduled in Mumbai on April 9, and asked the Maharashtra state government and Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, to respond on plans to tackle the issue of water shortage. On Tuesday, the court orally asked the BCCI if matches could be shifted out of Pune.In its defence, the BCCI had stated that less water was used to prepare the ground for an IPL game when compared to an international fixture. The board also stated that it intended to use treated sewage water for ground preparation in Mumbai and Pune. Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants, the franchises based in Mumbai and Pune, had proposed to contribute INR 5 crore to the Maharashtra chief minister’s drought relief fund and supply 40 lakh litres of water to drought-hit areas at their own cost.While the BCCI is mulling its next move, IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla has admitted that moving games out of Maharashtra is a logistical problem for the board. He also pointed out that no objections of this kind were raised when Mumbai and Nagpur hosted World T20 matches last month.”Organising the IPL is a gigantic work. It’s not easy. All preparations had been done, completed,” Shukla said. “Now shifting the matches will be a problem. So far, we have not got the written order, after we get that, we will study the order and work out an alternative plan. We always respect the court. We need to talk to other franchises. We will have to work it out.”The key problem is water for farmers, which we are trying to find a solution to. We were willing to give water, contribute to the CM’s fund. Now shifting matches will be a problem. If matches are to be shifted, where will they be moved, how will they be moved, all these issues are involved. And this comes after nobody raised an issue about the 24 World T20 matches that were held recently.”Nobody raised these issues for six months. Whatever was required, we were willing to do. In fact, I would like to point out that a lot many other sports and cultural events are going on in Maharashtra, which also use water and they should also help.”Anurag Thakur, the BCCI secretary, said there was an attempt to create negativity over issues: “We are not using drinking water, we have said that we will use treated sewage water only. How many swimming pools of five-star hotels have been shut? Have people stopped watering their lawns? There is an attempt to create negativity on every issue these days. IPL was to use 0.00038% of water so that shows the requirement was not much.”Ness Wadia, co-owner of the Kings XI Punjab franchise, welcomed the order. Kings XI were scheduled to play three home matches in Nagpur between May 7 and 15, apart from games in Mumbai and Pune on May 13 and 21, respectively. “I’m very happy with this, we welcome this decision,” he said.

West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Bournemouth defender Jordan Zemura, in a deal which could see David Moyes finally get rid of veteran full-back Aaron Cresswell.

Could West Ham sign Jordan Zemura?

According to 90min, the Hammers are currently leading the race for the 23-year-old left-back, who could leave the Cherries this summer after a contract dispute which saw him dropped by Gary O'Neill for last weekend's 1-0 win over Liverpool.

The Zimbabwe international saw a one-year extension triggered in March 2022 but is yet to agree to a new deal at the Vitality Stadium, meaning he could be free to join the Hammers at the end of the season when his current contract expires.

Could Zemura replace Cresswell at West Ham?

Zemura would enjoy a breakthrough campaign last season as the Cherries earned promotion to the Premier League, contributing an impressive three goals and one assist in 33 appearances, averaging a strong 6.91 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Former manager Scott Parker was full of praise for the left-back after he grabbed a brace in a 3-0 win against Barnsley.

He said: "He’s been excellent since he’s come in and got the shirt. Today was a fine performance from him and I think we all realise that you guys watching, you can see, that he’s an attack-minded full-back, gets us up the pitch and got lovely a forward drive about him.

"Defensively, I think he’s improving and done very well again today. He was part of a back four that kept a clean sheet.

"I was very pleased with him as from the minute I first walked in he’s someone that’s shown me he wants the shirt, shown me he wants to improve, work hard and has earned the right to get his opportunity. Now he’s relishing it."

This season has been more of a struggle for the young defender, however, as he boasts a far-less-impressive 6.46 average rating across his 19 appearances in the top flight, but he has been part of a Bournemouth side who have conceded the most goals in the league.

However, in a more solid Premier League outfit, the youngster could show off his attacking talents and get back to his best, replacing the veteran Cresswell.

Indeed, this summer must surely bring an end to the left-back's nine-year stay with the Hammers.

The 33-year-old has lost his regular starting spot to Emerson and has struggled on his rare appearances in the Premier League, averaging a 6.67 rating from WhoScored, with no goals or assists in the top flight.

June 2023 marks the end of his current contract at the London Stadium and the ageing defender must not be handed a new deal by Moyes.

If Zemura can live up to his potential and replicate his performances from the Championship, then he could prove to be the ideal replacement on a free transfer for the Hammers.

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has a ‘chance’ to be available for tonight’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid, according to Jurgen Klopp.

The Lowdown: Nunez injury concern

The Uruguayan had to be substituted during the 2-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle last weekend after sustaining a shoulder injury, causing concern over the extent of the problem.

The Reds manager confirmed after the game that the 23-year-old was in ‘pain’ and would need to be further assessed, but he was spotted in training on Monday, and another positive update has since emerged.

The Latest: Nunez fitness update

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Klopp hinted that Nunez could be available to face Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Anfield.

Quoted by Liverpool’s official website, the German said: “There’s a chance. From all the possible scenarios, apart from being absolutely nothing; that’s not the case.

“We have to see how he can deal with the pain [and] when we know that, we make a decision.”

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The Verdict: Boost for Klopp

Nunez has been dubbed a ‘predator’ by journalist James Dodd, and it’ll be a huge boost for Klopp should he have the forward back at his disposal for tonight’s showdown.

The Uruguayan has posted 15 goal contributions in 28 appearances on Merseyside and is currently averaging four shots per top-flight game, highlighting his threat in the final third.

The 23-year-old also ranks in the 99th percentile among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals, shots taken, and non-penalty expected goals plus assisted goals, an indication of his unrelenting nature at the apex of the Reds’ attack.

Liverpool will need him on form if they want to pick up a positive result against the team who vanquished them in last year’s Champions League final, and Klopp’s comments offer hope that Nunez will get the chance to test himself against Ancelotti’s team tonight.

Pakistan’s decision to play an unfit Shoaib Akhtar weakened their bowling attack and the Indian batsman took full advantage

Anand Vasu in Kolkata30-Nov-2007

Shoaib Akhtar was not match fit and it showed in his body language © AFP
Two errors of judgment, one from an inexperienced opening batsman and the other from an experienced umpire, caused minor blips in an Indian batting feast that left the first day’s play devoid of any contest. Wasim Jaffer, tall at the crease and elegant in stroke execution, provided much aesthetic pleasure to those who enjoy batting as spectacle, and the Kolkata crowd was happy just cheering India’s unchecked advance. However this isn’t why Test cricket is regarded as the highest and most pure form of the game.Beyond a point, there’s little joy in watching a set batsman dominating in conditions where the bowlers, fast and slow alike, have been defanged by a pitch so dead that you’re more likely to find life on Mars. But it’s hardly India’s fault that they dominated so, in fact it was to their credit. If anything, it was Pakistan who should be held accountable for taking the life out of this Test.The decision to play Shoaib Akhtar – flying in the face of common sense and, presumably, medical advice, given that he had been in hospital receiving antibiotics via an intravenous drip since Tuesday evening – was foolhardy rather than brave. Sure, Shoaib looked the only bowler likely to get a wicket in Delhi and might have been desperately keen to play, but if teams were merely decided on who was keenest to play, there would be no need for selectors.A 20-minute fitness Test on the morning of the Test deemed Shoaib fit to play. From his first spell, though, it was clear that he was nowhere near match fitness. After Anil Kumble chose to bat, denying Pakistan’s bowlers a chance to rest a bit more, Shoaib bowled four overs for nine runs, often pushing 140 kmh, before disappearing from the attack. He returned for a limping two-over spell just after lunch where enthusiasm rather than ability kept him going. The third spell, again two overs, was an apology and the final one – a solitary over before stumps – left Shoaib with 9-1-29-0 at the end of the day. In all honesty he should pass a large chunk of his match fees to Sohail Tanvir and Danish Kaneria. Having Yasir Hameed bowl offspin was an equally desperate measure, and to see these two [part-timers] operating in tandem on the first day of a Test was unedifying With their strike bowler out, Pakistan had only one option, and that was to take a leaf out of Nasser Hussain’s book and strangulate the opposition into making a mistake. On a pitch perfect for batting, Younis Khan, the stand-in captain for Shoaib Malik, should have done all he could to control the flow of runs. This would have meant putting men out on the fence to protect the boundaries, a conservative field in the ring, and bowlers operating on one side of the stumps.Instead, Younis had some strange fields in place, often employing two men in unorthodox and largely pointless midwicket and cover positions, slip and gully, giving Jaffer space on this large ground to pick off his boundaries. As the day progressed, Jaffer went past the milestones – 50, 100, 150 – with mind-numbing certainty and was unbeaten on the verge of his second double-century.By then, a procession of bowlers had tried their hand at changing Pakistan’s luck. It’s not clear if Younis was making a point by asking Tanvir to bowl left-arm spin. Abdur Rahman, the specialist practitioner of the art, was left out of the XI in place of two iffy fast bowlers. Having Yasir Hameed bowl offspin was an equally desperate measure, and to see these two operating in tandem on the first day of a Test was unedifying. To compound matters the ground fielding, spoken of as an indicator of team morale, began erratically and ended comically ragged.The only relief for Pakistan came in the form a Kaneria googly that Sachin Tendulkar failed to pick, being bowled for an unusually brisk 82. Once again the century proved elusive but, with Jaffer on 192 and India having reached 352 for 3 in a day, with VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni still to come, even the most optimistic Pakistani supporter would do well to curb his enthusiasm.