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Jamie Overton smashes last two balls for six each to make it five wins out of five

Aadam Patel24-Nov-2021It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster year for Phil Salt. After breaking his foot in a freak cycling accident before the start of the County Championship, he made the most of his brief opportunity to play for England for the first time over the summer. The powerful opening batter, however ended the 2021 domestic season without playing a red-ball game, before leaving Sussex to join Lancashire.Now with successive knocks of 63* off 28 and 56 off 23 for Team Abu Dhabi, Salt is finishing off his campaign in style, showcasing his fearlessness and class at the top of the order.After a player-of-the-match performance against the Chennai Braves on Monday, again Salt was the star for Liam Livingstone’s side as they pulled off another last-ball win.Chasing 122 against Delhi Bulls, he helped set the platform with an innings that included three fours and five sixes, before Jamie Overton, with 20 off five, smashed Dwayne Bravo for two sixes from the last two deliveries to make it five wins out of five for the Abu Dhabi outfit.In a side filled with renowned hitters like Livingstone, Chris Gayle and Paul Stirling, Salt has been the top scorer thus far for Team Abu Dhabi with 157 runs in five T10 innings, hitting 11 fours and 13 sixes, and striking at rate of 200+.Salt described the mood in the Team Abu Dhabi camp as “brilliant”.”We’ve got coaches that back us to the hilt and we’ve got a great group of lads that also back each other to the hilt, so as a player there’s not much more you can ask for,” Salt said.He and skipper Livingstone had got the equation down to 37 off 18, before both were dismissed by Dominic Drakes. Yet, such is the depth of their batting line-up, that it was left to none other than Gayle and Overton to take them home.No side had chased 18 in the final over of a T10 game, and when Gayle was run out with ten needed off two, it looked like it would be a first defeat for Team Abu Dhabi.But Overton ensured that their unbeaten run went on, by slogging Bravo over the sight screen then dispatching a slower ball over long-on for six more. He even had Gayle jumping out of his seat at the end.”If I was to get greedy, I’d say that I wanted to be out there at the end tonight, but I had to take the punt I did when I took it and Jama [Overton] played a great knock and won us the game,” said Salt.Paul Farbrace spoke earlier in the week about how far Salt’s keeping had come after working with Sarah Taylor, and Overton mentioned how well Salt has been striking the ball in the nets. “To be honest, the first net session I bowled to Phil I was like, ‘jeez, this guys in serious form’,” Overton said.The 25-year-old Salt joined Lancashire at the end of the season but his former Sussex teammate, Luke Wright, was full of praise for the man with whom he opened the batting at Hove. Unfortunately for Wright, making his first appearance since Finals Day, he was on the other end of a scintillating knock from Salt at the Zayed Cricket Ground.”I picked him out of the academy to come and open the batting with me years and years ago, so it’s great to see him develop the way he has and obviously he’s added the keeping to his game,” Wright said. “He’s hugely dangerous and he can strike sixes from ball one.”In this format of the game, if you don’t get it right, he’s going to punish you. It’s nice to see him continue developing. We were sad to see him leave Sussex obviously, but he’s a good player and hopefully one day he’ll be playing for England.”Salt’s appearances for England so far have been limited to three ODIs after a covid outbreak meant that a replacement squad had to be called up in the summer for the series against Pakistan and his brutal half-century at Lord’s, which included ten boundaries, was good enough to pass a Jason Roy impression contest.England’s white-ball depth is such that the line of top-order batters is long and filled with talent such as Roy, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow, but Salt is doing a fine job of showing he is ready to seize another opportunity, if it comes along.

Pedri expressed his happiness after visiting the Gran Canaria Stadium on Saturday, which marked his return to his former club.

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Pedri reunites with Las PalmasVisited their stadium for the first time as a Barca playerReceived a warm reception for Las Palmas faithfulFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Pedri took to social media to express his euphoria following a return to the Gran Canaria Stadium on Saturday, the home base of Las Palmas, which happens to be the attacking midfielder's former club.

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Before signing for Barcelona in 2020, Pedri was dazzling in the Segunda Division for Las Palmas. The 22-year-old joined their academy in 2018 and was promoted to the senior team in 2019. Pedri made 37 appearances for the first team in the 2019-20 season and is the youngest goal scorer in the club's history at 16 years, 9 months, and 23 days.

However, since arriving in Catalonia, Pedri had not played against Las Palmas in their stadium, until Saturday evening.

Pedri featured from the start, but was taken off by Hansi Flick late in the second half, with the Las Palmas faithful chanting his game and giving the midfielder a rousing reception as he headed to the dugout.

WHAT PEDRI SAID

"One of the most exciting and special days of my career has come to an end. I was really looking forward to playing in Gran Canaria again, and at the same time to get another win to stay on top," Pedri wrote on his social media profile.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PEDRI?

Pedri is set to be tied down to a new long-term deal with Barcelona wanting their star midfielder to be at the center of the project they are building.

Derby fixtures are the essence of the game. There is a different feel to a derby clash as opposed to a routine league fixture or cup tie, one that sparks some added passion.

The day of the game is filled with nerves. Will there be bragging rights at the end of the 90 minutes? Who will be the hero? Countless questions arise.

The UK is filled with plenty of mouthwatering rivalries that stretch from the south coast up to the north of Scotland. Several go under the radar, especially those lower down in the footballing pyramid.

Those in the Premier League or Scottish Premiership are among some of the most intense in the country. From Glasgow to London, rivalries are formed in each major city in the UK.

Here, we take a look at nine of the fiercest derby matches across England, Scotland and Wales.

Ranking the 10 biggest derbies in European football

Football FanCast takes a look at the biggest rivalries across the continent.

ByAlex Roberts Nov 4, 2023 9 Cardiff City v Swansea City South Wales derby

Cardiff and Swansea may be separated by around 40 miles, but it shouldn’t deter from the fact the teams both try to get the better of each other during games.

The first game between the sides took place in 1912, ending in a draw. Since then, the two clubs have played against each other 117 times, with Cardiff City coming out on top by 46 wins to 43 for Swansea City.

The teams made history during the 2013/14 campaign, facing off against each other in the Premier League for the first time. In terms of passion and atmosphere, the game is easily one of the most competitive derbies in the UK.

Cardiff wins

46

Draws

29

Swansea wins

43

Last meeting

Swansea 1-1 Cardiff, 25th Aug 2024

2024/25 meetings

Cardiff v Swansea, 18th Jan 2025

8 Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday Steel City derby

Sheffield is one of England’s most historic cities, which also has two of its most iconic clubs, which are separated by just under four miles.

Famous for playing a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, steel production in the 19th century grew exponentially, and Sheffield is known as the Steel City for this very reason.

A total of 131 games have been played between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, with the Blades coming out on top with 46 wins compared to the Owls’ 42 victories. The Steel City derby is back on the calendar this season, as the clubs find themselves in the same league for the first time since 2018/19. Expect the clubs to make up for lost time.

7 Hearts v Hibernian Edinburgh derby

The Edinburgh derby is one of the fiercest in Scotland, contested by two teams who were formed in the 1870s. Scotland does not have a shortage of rivalries in the professional game, but clashes between the two capital sides have that extra spice to them.

Overall, 664 games have been played between Hearts and Hibernian, although ‘only’ 339 have been in competitive games. The Jambos lead the way with 149 wins in competitive games, with one of the most famous coming during the 2012 Scottish Cup final.

Having first met in the 1896 final, Hearts won 5-1 at Hampden 12 years ago against Hibs to claim the bragging rights in what was a game still celebrated by the supporters.

6 Manchester City v Manchester United Manchester derby

The Manchester derby has not often been played while both teams are at their peak. The first match took place in 1881, being won by Manchester United, who were then called Newton Heath.

193 fixtures between the two clubs have taken place since, with the Old Trafford side winning 79 and Manchester City claiming 61 victories. United’s dominance under Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson often coincided with City struggling, especially from the late 90s to early 00s.

Recently, Pep Guardiola has been the saviour for the Etihad side, who have won six of the previous seven league titles. United, on the other hand, haven’t won the Premier League since 2013.

Ranking the 10 best Manchester derbies of all time

Football FanCast has taken a look back at the best matches between City and United.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 26, 2023 5 Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur North London derby

The north London derby is certainly one of the most intense rivalries to take place in the capital, especially when it comes to the quality of the teams.

Arsenal are the most successful club out of the two, and their superiority has been shown since games between them began in 1887.

The Gunners have won 83 times compared to 61 victories for Spurs, although Arsenal went on a run of just one win in the fixture between 2007 and 2023, as Spurs claimed nine wins during that period.

4 Everton v Liverpool Merseyside derby

Similar to the north London derby, the Merseyside rivalry is one contested by one team who is more successful than the other.

It is the longest-running top-flight derby in England, being played continuously since the 1962/63 season. Part of the allure is that Anfield and Goodison Park are located less than a mile apart. Although known for being a relatively friendly derby match compared to others in this list, the fixture is the one with the most red cards shown in the Premier League era.

Liverpool have won 99 games compared to 68 for Everton, with 77 draws, indicating that Reds have plenty of bragging rights.

The Premier League matches with the most cards

Here are the feistiest, card-happy matches in Premier League history.

1 ByLewis Thompson Sep 14, 2024 3 Aston Villa v Birmingham City Second City derby

Commonly known as the Second City Derby, the games between Aston Villa and Birmingham City are often tense affairs, with the Villa Park side coming out on top more often than not.

The clubs haven’t faced each other since March 2019, in a game that saw Jack Grealish punched by a Birmingham supporter, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two sides.

With Villa riding high and Birmingham in League One, it could be a while before they next meet.

2 Newcastle United v Sunderland Tyne-Wear derby

The Tyne-Wear derby takes place between Newcastle United and Sunderland, with the results between the teams fairly even. Indeed, Newcastle have just one more win over their rivals (54 vs 53). Although the derby hasn’t been played in the top flight since 2016, the Magpies claimed an FA Cup win over Sunderland earlier in 2024.

Could this derby return to the Premier League next season? Only time will tell.

1 Celtic v Rangers Old Firm derby

The Old Firm derby isn’t just the biggest rivalry in the UK, but it is one of the fiercest in world football, contested by two teams who simply detest each other.

This feeling spreads down to the supporters on game day. The two teams have dominated Scottish football, winning every single league title since 1986.

Combined, the pair have won 109 league titles between them, while Celtic recently overtook Rangers in the overall head-to-head record, winning 170 matches compared to 169 for the Ibrox side. No game is ever meaningless between the teams.

Call-up for the Brisbane Heat allrounder backs up selectors’ talk of specialist T20 players

AAP20-Jan-2022Grace Harris will replace injured batter Beth Mooney, called into Australia’s Ashes squad hours out from the series opener in Adelaide.Harris was confirmed as Mooney’s replacement on Thursday, added ahead of Elyse Villani and Georgia Redmayne for the T20 matches.Her call up is a further sign Australia will opt for a specialist opener alongside Alyssa Healy, after Mooney was struck in the jaw at training earlier this week.The world’s top-ranked T20 batter has since undergone surgery, with Australian officials unsure how long she will be out. Rachael Haynes had loomed as a likely option to replace Mooney, but selectors have indicated they want her to play in the middle order.Related

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If Harris does open in Thursday night’s T20, it will likely create a middle-order squeeze and result in superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry being left out.Haynes did not play in the most recent India series, but is a certainty to return against England at No.4 or No.5.Tahlia McGrath also stepped up in her absence, leaving Perry as the likely odd one out. Perry would likely still be in Australia’s best team for the Test and one-day components of the series.Meanwhile the hard-hitting Harris last played for Australia in 2016, and has since developed a cult-hero status at the Brisbane Heat. She made 50 and 15 in a warm-up match for Australia A against Australia earlier this week, convincing selectors she was the woman for the job.”Whilst the injury to Beth is unfortunate it does provide an opportunity for someone else to step in to the squad,” chief selector Shawn Flegler said. “Grace has a great skill set for the T20 format and has the ability to play multiple roles if required.”

After two years of seriously impressive performances, there was a general expectation that Arsenal would be just as good, if not better, this year.

Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta and Co, that has simply not been the case, as a concoction of injuries, foolish suspensions, and subpar displays has seen the team fall to fourth in the Premier League, nine points off leaders Liverpool.

Now, it’s not been all bad, as there have been some impressive results, and a handful of players are doing their best to turn things around, but overall, it’s been a disappointing start to the campaign for the North Londoners.

Chelsea

1-1 (D)

Newcastle (A)

1-0 (L)

Liverpool (H)

2-2 (D)

Bournemouth (A)

2-0 (L)

Southampton (H)

3-1 (W)

Moreover, it’s been particularly worrying for one of the Gunners’ best-paid attackers, who’s gone from a guaranteed starter to someone who has to be sold.

Arsenal's middling attack

Okay, so before we get to the player in question, let’s examine Arsenal’s most dangerous players this season, starting with one who can keep his head held high: Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon hasn’t necessarily been at his very best this year, but even then, he’s scored four goals and provided seven assists in 15 appearances, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 1.36 games, and, unsurprisingly, has been the club’s most effective attacker.

Just behind him is last summer’s £65m man, Kai Havertz, who has also not been at his very best this season but has nonetheless looked better than most of his teammates, as in his 17 appearances, he’s found the back of the net on seven occasions and provided one assist for good measure.

The final attacker, who it could be argued is starting to have a good season so far, is Gabriel Martinelli, who, after a slow start to the campaign, now has a semi-respectable haul of three goals and three assists to his name in 17 appearances.

Unfortunately for Arteta, the only other players in the squad to have amassed three goal involvements this season are Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Declan Rice, which, for a team aiming to win the Premier League or Champions League, is more than a little worrying.

1

Saka

15

4

7

2

Havertz

17

7

1

3

Martinelli

17

3

3

4

Nwaneri

8

3

0

=

Trossard

15

2

1

=

Rice

14

1

2

Moreover, the eagle-eyed of you will notice a certain forward is entirely absent from the Gunners’ most dangerous players this year, a forward who should finally be moved on in 2025.

The Arsenal star who must be sold

So, it’s probably quite apparent by this point that the forward in question is, of course, Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal spent £45m to secure his services from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, and at the time, it wasn’t the fans who were delighted with the deal, as Arteta told the press that he was “very excited” about the Brazilian’s arrival, and based on how he started that season it was easy to understand why.

For example, in the 16 Premier League games before the Qatar World Cup, the Sao Paulo-born dynamo scored five goals and provided five assists, meaning he was averaging a goal involvement every 1.6 games in the league.

Unfortunately, he suffered a severe knee injury at the World Cup and was out of action until mid-March, and while he still managed to score six goals and provide one assist in his final 12 league games that season, he looked notably slower and understandably less sharp.

There was a general hope among the fanbase that, with a summer to rest, he’d be back to his electric self the following season, but that wasn’t the case.

By February, he had lost his place in the team to Havertz, and due to the German’s incredible form towards the backend of the campaign, he’s not regained it this year.

Moreover, while the 27-year-old was still able to produce 16 goal involvements in his 36 appearances last season, he’s taken another massive step back this year and, as things stand, has scored just one goal and provided one assist in 15 appearances.

It’s a sad situation, and for another side, he might be given another chance to earn his place in the team again, but as Arsenal continue to fight for significant honours, they cannot afford any passengers.

This is especially true in Jesus’ case, as he’s currently the second-highest earner in the squad, on a whopping £265k-per-week, which is becoming increasingly difficult to justify with every dismal display. Therefore, while it could be construed as harsh by some, Arteta and the club must cut their losses and sell the former City star as soon as possible.

Wonderkid: Arsenal could sign their own Yamal in £96m "dribbling monster"

The sensational youngster would be an excellent addition to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 20, 2024

Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Tom Brady have been warned that a “Hollywood final” between Wrexham and Birmingham at Wembley may not happen.

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Blues are already into the EFL Trophy finalRed Dragons face semi-final clash with PoshFerguson eager to play role of party pooperFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues, who count NFL legend Brady among their investors, have already booked their place in the 2025 Football League Trophy final. They are waiting to discover who will join them at the home of English football as major silverware comes up for grabs.

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Wrexham are hoping to have another trophy tilt for their award-winning documentary to cover, having previously endured Wembley heartache in the 2022 FA Trophy final as their A-list co-owners watched on in a VIP lounge.

WHAT DARREN FERGUSON SAID

The Red Dragons must overcome Peterborough in order to book a “Hollywood” date with Birmingham, but Posh – who are led by Darren Ferguson – intend to dash those dreams. The son of legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told the : “Playing at Wembley is a big carrot for the club and getting back there would give us all a lift. You can’t hide that fact. I will just tell the players who I do pick to go out there and enjoy the occasion.

“It will be a decent crowd and the atmosphere will be good so it’s a game we will look forward to. Everyone wants a ‘Hollywood’ final so it’s up to us to try and stop it happening!”

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM & BIRMINGHAM?

Birmingham are looking to give Brady and Co multiple causes for celebration in 2024-25, as they sit six points clear at the top of the League One table. Wrexham find themselves in third, three points adrift of the automatic promotion places, with neither team allowing the EFL Trophy to become a distraction.

Nangeyalia Kharote triggered a collapse late in the chase but Australia clung on to win by two wickets

Sreshth Shah05-Feb-2022Nivethan Radhakrishnan was the hero for Australia in the third-place playoff match as his all-round show downed Afghanistan in a close contest. His three-wicket haul limited Afghanistan to 201, and his 66 from No. 3 set up the chase. Australia were in for a scare when they went from 193 for 5 to 196 for 8 late in the contest, but they hung on, winning by two wickets.Radhakrishnan, known for being an ambidextrous spinner, used his right-arm offbreaks to run through the Afghanistan middle order. Suliman Safi was adjudged lbw while trying to sweep Radhakrishnan, given out even though the impact seemed to be outside the line of the stumps. Safi had to walk back for a promising 37. Bilal Ahmad holed out down the ground and Noor Ahmad was bowled trying to slog Radhakrishnan as he finished with 3 for 31.The early bowling impact from Australia, though, came from the seamer William Salzmann, who also grabbed a three-for. It was his opening spell that rattled Afghanistan, and by his second over, he had sent Nangeyalia Kharote and Allah Noor packing. Salzmann also contributed to the third Afghan wicket when his throw from cover caught Mohammad Ishaq napping outside his crease.After Radhakrishnan got into the act with the Safi wicket, Khaiber Wali was run-out trying to pinch a single that wasn’t there before Salzmann returned to dismiss Afghanistan’s highest scorer Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai (81). With five fours and five sixes, Ijaz’s hand ensured Afghanistan had some sort of total to bowl at, and his 79-ball innings took the side past 200. He held up one end when wickets were tumbling from the other, and he eventually fell to Salzmann in the 49th over while trying to find the boundary.Cooper Connolly then knocked the tailenders over, leaving Australia needing 202 to win.Radhakrishnan walked in at No. 3 when Teague Wyllie fell early for 13. He took his time against Afghanistan’s spin attack, and put on 60 with Campbell Kellaway in 15.2 overs. Their stand took Australia past 100, before Kellaway was bowled by the left-arm wristspinner Noor soon after reaching his fifty. Noor was soon in the act again when he bowled Connolly with a googly.Radhakrishnan, though, kept the innings moving, his occasional boundaries taking Australia closer. He had begun his innings with two cover drives for four before dispatching a short Noor delivery for another boundary. He even played a dab, a sweep and a cut and reached his fifty in 72 balls. He was the fifth Australian out when he was stumped after misreading the flight of a Shahidullah Hasani delivery.At 167 for 5, Australia were expected to cruise to victory, but Kharote was not going down without a fight. With Australia in the 190s, he removed wicketkeeper Lachlan Shaw and Salzmann in quick succession. Between the two wickets Kharote sandwiched an effort from backward point that ran Corey Miller out.With five to defend and only the No. 11 still to come, the game was in the balance going into the last two overs. Joshua Garner and Jack Sinfield knocked off four singles in a nervy 49th over, before Garner found the gap through a packed infield in the first ball of the final over to give Australia the bronze medal.

Mohamed Salah's contract talks with Liverpool appear to be at a standstill, and the Egyptian star could potentially join Barcelona next season.

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Salah and Liverpool reach contract impasse Egyptian will become free agent after this season endsHas offered himself to La Liga giants BarcelonaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Mohamed Salah and Liverpool seem to have reached an impasse over the renewal of the Egyptian's contract, which expires at the end of the ongoing season. According to a report from SPORT, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has offered himself to Barcelona, but a move will only be possible if he agrees to a significant pay cut.

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Over the past few weeks, it had been reported that Barcelona sporting director Deco was keen on signing Salah's Liverpool teammate Luis Diaz, who the club's sporting department regard to be the ideal choice to complete the left side of their attack.

Now, it appears that signing Salah could be a more realistic outcome for all parties involved. However, the transfer would materialise only if the 32-year-old agrees to take a pay cut. Currently earning close to €18 million per season, Salah is among the highest-earning players in the Premier League. But he will have to settle for a reduced salary in Catalonia due to Barcelona's financial constraints and uncertainty over whether they have returned to the 1:1 rule.

DID YOU KNOW?

Salah appeared for an interview with Liverpool legend Steve McManaman last month, where he seemingly hinted that his time at Anfield was coming to an end.  "I want fans to remember that I gave it all to the fans. I gave it all to the city. I was here, I wasn't lazy, I just enjoyed my football and gave it all. I think that's what the city is about – they give you love and you have a connection with them because you give your all. I just want them to remember that I was here for eight years and I gave it all."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?

Liverpool fans will have to remain patient to hear official news regarding the future of their star man and club legend. In the meantime, the former Roma and Chelsea winger will be seen in action in the EFL Cup Final against Newcastle on Sunday, March 16, after they'll have faced PSG in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night. The Egyptian has over 50 goal contributions in a little over 40 games across all competitions in what is turning out to be arguably his best season ever, helping the Reds remain in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and the EFL Cup.

“I didn’t tell the curator to make a pitch according to me. It was the same for Australia, yet we got their 10 wickets”

Umar Farooq10-Mar-2022Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq has dismissed the debate surrounding the Rawalpindi pitch, insisting that the hosts were simply playing to their strengths, and that the pitch was the same for both teams. Imam went on to question whether Australia would ever prepare their pitches at home after consulting the opponent.The barren pitch in Rawalpindi became a talking point after only 14 wickets fell across five days in the first Test. While Pakistan managed to take all 10 Australian wickets in the first innings, Australia could pick up only four in total, as the hosts made 476 for 4 and 252 for 0 before the game ended in a tame draw.Imam, in particular, flourished, becoming only the 10th Pakistan batter – and third opener – to score a century in both innings of a Test. Imam and Abdullah Shafique also set a new record for most runs scored by an opening pair against Australia.After the game, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins suggested that the lifeless pitch was made to nullify the visitors’ pace attack, something PCB chairman Ramiz Raja also confirmed though he conceded that a draw wasn’t a good advertisement for Test cricket.”A draw is something nobody wants to see,” Imam said. “Obviously when it’s a five-day Test everyone anticipates for a result. But when we go to Australian conditions, they don’t make pitches consulting us but make it according to their will so I think we should see our strength and should live up to our strength.”But in Karachi, we are looking for a result in our favour. I think the Rawalpindi Test was played well as we managed to get all 10 wickets. Unfortunately 70 overs were not played out due to bad light and rain but had those overs been bowled the result could have been different because we intended to make them bat again.”Related

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Why did Pakistan sedate Rawalpindi, their liveliest Test pitch?

Stats – Australia's worst bowling effort

Australia’s combined bowling average of 238.33 and strike-rate of 478 were their second-worst in 145 years of Test cricket. The visiting bowlers claimed just three scalps between them across 239 overs, with the other wicket coming through a run-out. Furthermore, none of the Australian batters managed to get into three figures.Imam, however, went about making runs on a docile pitch that barely tested him. Playing a Test at home for the very first time, Imam survived a dismissal on 94 when replays showed he had inside-edged a Nathan Lyon delivery to short leg, only for Australia to miss taking a review. But beyond that lapse, Imam dealt with Lyon without much fuss. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, of the 45 length deliveries that Lyon bowled to him, Imam took 41 runs, including two sixes. On a slow pitch, Imam kept his focus intact, even expertly blocking 49 fuller-length deliveries from Lyon.”Regardless of my settled or unsettled position in the team or even whether I am performing or not, I will always be criticised,” Imam said. “It’s been nearly five years and 60 games I have played so far for Pakistan and yet I face criticism but I am not sad because that’s very normal to me.My job is to score runs and the quality of innings should be judged on the basis of my intent. For me, my captain, my coach and the think-tank are the important ones and what they are expecting from me and how they rate my innings. It is not really important what people say from outside and what perception is made about me that doesn’t matter at all and I don’t care about it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that any judgement coming from the people in the dressing room is what is all important for me.”I didn’t tell the curator to make a pitch according to me, nor is he my relative. It was the same for Australia, yet we got their 10 wickets and none of them managed to score 100. I didn’t ask for the pitch so that I can score a hundred in each innings. The Karachi pitch will be the same as it has been in first-class cricket and I won’t be playing at it for the first time. But at the same time whatever Test I had played before this I played outside in South Africa, Ireland and England in away Tests. So whatever the pitch will be – either it’s green, yellow or brown – my job is to play cricket and I will play and keep believing in my practice.”The second Test starts from March 12 in Karachi, where in the last five years the spinners have taken 275 first-class wickets at 33.16 while fast bowlers have dominated with a better average of 31.44 and 499 wickets.

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side made it four wins on the bounce, beating Southampton 5-1 in the Premier League.

Goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho secured victory for the Blues, adding another three points to their tally.

Chelsea now sit second in the Premier League, winning eight times, drawing four times, and only losing two from their opening 14 games. The Blues sit on 28 points, seven away from Liverpool in first, which continues to beg the question of whether they are in the title race this season.

There were plenty of top performances from the Blues, but one that stood out, was Nkunku, who started ahead of Nicolas Jackson up front and didn’t disappoint with his performance.

Christopher Nkunku's performance in numbers

The Frenchman was able to add to his growing goal tally, despite playing as second fiddle so far this season to Jackson upfront, now netting 12 times in his 21 appearances, also with two assists in his 882 minutes played.

Alongside his goal and assist, the Frenchman completed one of his two dribble attempts, made two key passes, took four shots, and completed 14 of his 15 passes (93% completion).

Despite the brilliant performance from the 27-year-old forward, he wasn’t the best player on the pitch, as another one of Chelsea’s French talents shone, returning to the side after missing the last few games.

Malo Gusto's performance in numbers

Malo Gusto played once again in his inverted right-back role, joining Moises Caicedo in midfield, and forming something of a 2-2-5-1 shape on the ball for Maresca’s Blues.

His performance earned him a 7/10 match rating from The Standard, after another dynamic display from the Frenchman.

Performance in Numbers

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The 21-year-old has become a key figure in Maresca’s tactical plans, using his positional flexibility to configure different shapes against different opposition, in order to give Chelsea the advantage in games.

So far this season, Gusto has made 13 appearances, providing two assists, and totalling 880 minutes played.

Minutes

90

Touches

91

Accurate Passes

70/72

Assists

1

Key Passes

2

Long Balls

1/1

Ground Duels Won

7/7

Tackles

7

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Gusto was brilliant defensively in this game, making seven tackles and winning all seven of his ground duels (100%). His ability to recover and defend whilst retreating, defend 1v1 areas out wide, and also counter press when the ball is lost, certainly gives Chelsea an edge out of possession.

But the defender also offers security on the ball, circulating play nicely, keeping it simple to bring his teammates into play, and even providing an assist towards the end of the game.

The blend of athleticism and off-ball qualities with his technical security and ability on the ball is exactly why Maresca uses him so frequently to solve problems.

With Tottenham up next at the weekend, the decision for Maresca will be whether to return to Caicedo playing as an inverted full-back to get all three of him, Roméo Lavia and Enzo Fernández in the team together, or whether Gusto will retain his spot, meaning one midfielder has to make way instead.

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