Owing to the seriousness of the charges, the incumbent bowling coach of the Sri Lanka A team has been suspended with immediate effect
Madushka Balasuriya31-Oct-2018
Nuwan Zoysa at a training session•Aamir Qureshi/AFP
Nuwan Zoysa has been charged with three counts of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Owing to the seriousness of the charges, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has sent Zoysa on “compulsory leave”, with immediate effect.Although he has never directly worked with the national team, Zoysa is the incumbent bowling coach of the Sri Lanka A team, and was part of tours of West Indies and Bangladesh this year. He has been a fast-bowling coach in the Sri Lankan set up since September 2015, and had coached the Indian domestic team Goa prior to that.Zoysa stands accused of being involved in attempting to fix or otherwise influence improperly the result or other aspects of an international match, of soliciting fellow professionals to do the same, and for failing to disclose any approach by potential fixers to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.Zoysa becomes the second former Sri Lankan cricketer in less than a month to be charged by the ICC on grounds of corruption, as part of the ICC’s ongoing probe into serious allegations of corruption in Sri Lanka.Earlier this month Zoysa’s former captain and teammate, Sanath Jayasuriya, was charged by the ACU over his failure to cooperate in their investigation. In the wake of this development, ACU general manager Alex Marshall had told ESPNcricinfo that Sri Lanka was “the country where we have conducted the most investigations in the last 12 months”.Zoysa, who retired from international cricket in 2007 having played 30 Tests and 95 ODIs for Sri Lanka, has 14 days from November 1 to respond to the charges.In the media release confirming Zoysa being sent on indefinite leave, SLC also said it has begun work on setting up a “fully-fledged anti-corruption unit” and has spoken to the ICC to seek its help in doing so.”As another forward step, The Competent Authority of the SLC Mr. Kamal Pathmasiri; SLC CEO, Mr. Ashley De Silva and Deputy Solicitor General of the AG’s Department Sumathi Dharmawardena will travel to UK; in the near future; to meet the UK’s Chief Prosecutor; to discuss the modality of setting up such a mechanism in Sri Lanka,” the SLC release stated.”In the meantime, Minister of Sports Honorable Faiszer Musthapa has assured SLC that he will work towards introducing tough anti-corruption laws in Sri Lanka.”Honorable Minister is constantly engaged with the SLC on this matter and is of the view that setting up a prudent anti-corruption mechanism in Sri Lanka is vital for the future of the game.”GMT 1640 The story was updated to include SLC’s response
USMNT star Tyler Adams put on a man-of-the-match display for Bournemouth in his first start for the Premier League club Saturday.
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Bournemouth defeat Everton 2-1
Adams runs midfield for Cherries
Midfielder's heat map goes viral
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Cherries were essentially gifted three points on Saturday after a fluke own-goal in stoppage-time by Everton defender Seamus Coleman. It handed them a 2-1 victory, and a crucial three points, but the biggest takeaway from the contest was Adams' performance.
Named Player of the Match, the USMNT captain played 90 minutes on his first start for the Premier League side, putting on a clinic in his box-to-box role. His heatmap posted by the club went viral on social media postgame, highlighting his heroic showing.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Adams put on a brilliant showing in the center of the pitch, but the numbers he put up really tell the story. The American had 69 touches, completed 39/45 passes (85%), notched one key pass, completed four long balls, won 7/8 ground duels, won two fouls and had four interceptions and tackles as well.
DID YOU KNOW?
This was only his third appearance for Bournemouth since arriving via transfer in the summer of 2023. After suffering a plethora of injuries, the USMNT captain finally returned to action in March.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ADAMS AND BOURNEMOUTH?
The Cherries take on Crystal Palace Tuesday evening in Premier League action in a quick turnaround from Saturday's showing. They'll look to continue their impressive form, with Saturday marking their fourth-straight match unbeaten.
Rangers haven't exactly had a routine season so far in the Scottish Premiership, with Michael Beale's poor run of results leaving them with no choice but to dismiss the former Queens Park Rangers manager. In his place is Philippe Clement, who previously took charge of AS Monaco. The new boss has a difficult task on his hands, with the Gers in the midst of a slight transitional period that they hope will end with silverware once again.
More changes off the pitch are set to add to Rangers' woes, too, according to reports, with a key member of the club's backroom staff set to depart the club in favour of a Premier League move.
Latest Rangers transfer news
Even though Clement will be forced to wait until the January transfer window before he can make changes on the pitch and leave his mark on his new squad, Rangers can at least make some adjustments upstairs, for better or worse. The changes could take some getting used to for all involved, but if Clement has success, then the Gers will not be complaining, having already fallen seven points behind Celtic this season.
The latest Rangers transfer news suggests that Phil Cowen could be among the changes. According to Football Insider, the club's head of talent ID has handed in his notice, and has agreed to join Premier League side Arsenal as the head of their academy scouting. The news coincides with Rangers' reported attempts to land Brighton & Hove Albion recruitment chief Sam Jewell, however, perhaps making the move from Cowen more logical.
Jewell is reportedly weighing up the move, but is hesitant to leave Brighton at the highest point in the club's history, in a rise that he has played an important role in at The Amex.
Who is Phil Cowen?
The head of talent ID at Rangers since 2021, Cowen has played a part in the promotion of youth players such as Ross McCausland into the first-team at Ibrox. And as Clement looks to utilise every aspect of his squad, losing the Arsenal-bound Cowen could come as a major blow. It signals yet more disorganisation from a Rangers perspective, amid the recent managerial change.
If the Gers can land Jewell, then it may be seen as a good move all round, but there's no indication that they have the power to pull the Brighton man away from the impressive job that he's currently doing for the Seagulls. As for Cowen, he now has the opportunity to work with one of the best academies in English football, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Ashley Cole, and Tony Adams all graduating from Hale End throughout Arsenal's history.
After the international break, Rangers square off against Hibernian, where they will hope to put an end to the chaos both on and off the pitch by securing all three points in Clement's first game in charge. As the weeks go on, we'll get more of an idea just how far the new manager can take the Gers in the Scottish Premiership and Europe.
Everton purchased a number of players before the 2020/21 season got underway, the Toffees raiding the free transfer market to sign the likes of Dele Alli, Demarai Gray and more to the Merseyside club.
The loan market was also put to good use too, bolstering their squad with the loan acquisitions of Anwar El Ghazi from Aston Villa and Donny van de Beek.
It's fair to say neither of those loanees are remembered too fondly at Goodison Park – both players making a combined nine appearances for Everton before returning to their parent clubs.
It was a disappointing transfer window in truth that seeped into disappointing displays on the pitch, Gray arguably the only positive purchase looking back – the left-winger scoring 12 goals from 75 appearances in Everton blue, three of those goals coming in his first four starts.
One of the most underwhelming transfers was Salomon Rondon's arrival on Merseyside however, the ex-Newcastle striker toothless in a Toffees strip.
How much did Salomon Rondon cost Everton?
From an Everton perspective, they'll be glad that the failure of Rondon's transfer didn't break the bank.
The Venezuelan joined Rafa Benitez's men on a free transfer deal after spells in China and Russia, signed after a competent goal-scoring record in the Premier League with Benitez's former club Newcastle United.
He would manage 12 goals in 33 appearances for the Magpies, leading to Everton bringing him in as another useful striker option without having to pay a fee for an attacker elsewhere.
Fans of Everton would still be hacked off by Rondon's efforts whilst in his year at the club, regardless of no fee being paid.
He would manage a dire three goals for the club in all competitions, only netting once in the Premier League for the Toffees away from home versus Crystal Palace.
The Venezuelan would therefore depart the Toffees without ever scoring a home goal in league action, his two other strikes coming against non-league Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.
Everton podcaster Lee McClean at the time branded Rondon as "absolutely terrible" and "one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in a blue shirt." Harsh words, indeed.
Where is Salomon Rondon now?
The former Everton man, who is now reaching the twilight of his career at 34 years of age, moved to River Plate at the expiry of his contract in Merseyside.
Rondon has remarkably succeeded in South America, scoring eight times in 27 starts so far for River Plate.
His most notable goal for the Argentine giants so far came in the hotly contested Superclásico, scoring the opener in that one versus fierce rivals Boca Juniors to see them on their way to a hard-fought 2-0 win at La Bombonera.
Incredibly and rather damningly, the 34-year-old actually has more goals for River Plate so far in 2023 than any Everton striker so far this campaign. Indeed, current Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin trails five goals behind the veteran forward who has breathed life back into his career in Argentina. Last term, even Dwight McNeil – top scorer with seven – couldn't beat that tally.
Everton still won't want to be reminded of Rondon's exploits in a Toffees shirt, hoping that their new striker addition Beto from Udinese won't be as big of a disappointment – the Portuguese recruit costing Everton around £25m with one solitary goal so far.
Chelsea and Manchester United were both desperate to hire the transfer market maestro – but he's been persuaded to return to Anfield
When Michael Edwards was formally announced as Fenway Sports Group's new CEO of football on Tuesday, there was no packed press conference, no news story on Liverpool's official website, no celebratory social media post and no photograph either. But that felt fitting.
Edwards has always been one of the most media-shy figures in football, and while some Liverpool supporters might struggle to pick him out of a line-up, every single one would recognise his contribution to the club's success under Jurgen Klopp.
There was, then, no need for any fanfare. A simple statement sufficed because the significance of Edwards' return to FSG is obvious to everyone. With Klopp having already announced his intention to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, his former padel partner is unquestionably the most significant signing the club's owners will make this year.
Edwards, after all, has just been entrusted with the most difficult job in football: finding a worthy successor to a man that he himself has previously described as "a leader who will be remembered at Liverpool forever".
But when it comes to big calls, Edwards rarely errs. Indeed, his past success at Anfield is the reason why Liverpool fans are now suddenly far more optimistic about the future.
Getty Rise of 'the laptop guru'
Edwards joined Liverpool in 2011 as head of analytics and was derided in one infamous article as the "laptop guru" who had "done a number" on Brendan Rodgers after the manager's dismissal in October 2015. As it transpired, Rodgers had only himself to blame for failing to listen to Edwards' advice when it came to players such as Roberto Firmino, the multi-talented forward who was shockingly deployed at right-wing-back shortly before the Northern Irishman's exit.
By that stage, Edwards had been promoted to Liverpool's technical director, and it was he who pushed FSG to replace Rodgers with Klopp rather than Carlo Ancelotti or Eddie Howe, the other two names on the club's shortlist of potential new managers. Edwards and Klopp quickly clicked, and the former was appointed sporting director in November 2016, much to the latter's delight.
In complete contrast to Rodgers, Klopp liked the "concept of a sporting director" and said that "having worked under this model previously, I have found it to be nothing but positive and forward-thinking. Michael is absolutely the right person for this. He has the knowledge, expertise and personality to flourish in the role… This decision is hugely positive for us and it will make us better and stronger in managing the process of building and retaining playing talent at all age groups." Klopp wasn't wrong.
AdvertisementGetty'Similar opinions' on 'smart' signings
The pair formed a close working relationship – literally, with their offices adjacent to one another – and while they clashed occasionally over player recruitment, their arguments always ended amicably and, more importantly, in agreement.
It certainly helped that they shared "similar opinions" on football, as underlined by the fact that former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp believed that ex-Hoffenheim forward Firmino – whom Edwards ended up naming his dog after – was a "smart" signing for Liverpool even before he had arrived at Anfield.
Such an obvious eye for astute acquisitions certainly helped Edwards when it came to convincing Klopp of Andy Roberton's world-class potential – and that Mohamed Salah would be a better signing than Julian Brandt. The pair also combined to great effect for the transformational transfers of Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane, Fabinho and Alisson Becker.
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However, while Edwards' signings rightly drew a lot of attention, his sales also played a pivotal role in Liverpool's success. The Reds did not have anything like the same resources as Roman Abramovich's Chelsea, Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City or the commercial colossus that is Manchester United, so Liverpool always needed to balance the books – and Edwards worked wonders in that regard.
The Van Dijk and Alisson deals simply would not have been possible if Liverpool had not forced Barcelona to pay an extortionate £105 million for Philippe Coutinho, but Edwards also deserves immense credit for convincing clubs to pay over the odds for the likes of Christian Benteke, Jordon Ibe, Mamadou Sakho, Joe Allen, Kevin Stewart, Dominic Solanke, Danny Ward, Ryan Kent, Danny Ings, Rafael Camacho, Ki-Jana Hoever and Rhian Brewster.
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When one considers that Edwards was also integral to an infrastructural overhaul at Liverpool, including the establishment of the research department, it's easy to understand why many connected with the club believe Edwards to be the second-most important factor in the Reds' revival over the past nine years, after Klopp.
The question now is whether he can replicate that success without Klopp – the most complete manager in modern football, as Edwards knows only too well. The reason why he threw his weight behind Klopp in 2015 was because the ex-BVB boss ticked every box. He had enjoyed success in Europe, had proven he could beat teams with bigger budgets, and had an exemplary track record when it came to improving players.
Liverpool could not have hoped for a better manager, either. He understood the club, the city and its people from the moment he arrived at Anfield. Furthermore, as this season has underlined, Klopp is not merely a charismatic master of motivation. He's also a tactical genius capable of not just reading games, but changing them with formation switches and substitutions.
Less than a year after revamping his entire midfield, Klopp has won a Carabao Cup with kids and somehow kept a injury-ravaged squad fighting on four fronts. Even if Liverpool don't end up winning the Premier League, it will be difficult trying to convince anyone to try to follow a veritable miracle-worker!
But if anyone can, it's Edwards, a transfer market maestro that both Manchester United and Chelsea were unsurprisingly desperate to hire. Seriously, what coach wouldn't relish working under a director renowned for making one successful signing after another.
Arsenal may find themselves fifth in the Premier League, unbeaten after four games, but it has hardly been the most inspiring start from Mikel Arteta's men.
Struggling to find their rhythm and failing to blow away sides they really should have, it is a testament to their sluggish form that they would only beat Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest by slender one-goal margins and drew with Fulham, despite having won 2-0 against the Eagles away from home, 5-0 at home to the Tricky Trees and 2-1 against the Cottagers last year.
The hope will be that, following the much-needed international break, the Gunners can recapture that form of old which saw them lead the title race for so long last season and reannounce themselves as a favourite to do so again this year.
Bukayo Saka for Arsenal
However, whilst the tactics and motivation from the manager will be key, some of their top players must also step up in order to aid this process. Martin Odegaard, as captain and a key creator, will want to inspire the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Declan Rice and more to find their feet for next week's clash with Everton.
Despite that, there is one man who seemingly never needs any incentive to shine, but does so on nearly every occasion.
Who is Arsenal's best player?
Hale End has grown into one of the most famous academies in England for a reason, with a rich history of producing some fine talent such as Paul Merson, Tony Adams and more.
However, their latest star graduate could usurp them all with the quality he boasts, as Bukayo Saka continues to go from strength to strength despite his youth.
Having been handed his debut by Unai Emery of all people, the 22-year-old has swiftly grown into a mainstay within the senior squad, having actually featured in every one of their league matches across the last two full campaigns.
Growing into an England international too, it seems impossible to predict just how high the tricky wideman can go.
Podcaster and radio host Boyd Hilton helped to preface his potential though, by suggesting he is already at the elite level: "Saka must be one of the best players in the world right now. Unplayable. I almost think his all-round adorable-ness makes him under-rated."
This has fed into his fine personal start to the term, with his 7.73 average match rating in the league making him Arsenal's best performer, and the 15th-highest-rated in the entire division. Such a figure is buoyed by his offensive excellence, with his two goals and one assist feeding into his 3.5 key passes and three tackles recorded per game, via Sofascore.
2023/24 season*
4
3
2022/23 season
38
25
2021/22 season
38
18
2020/21 season
32
9
2019/20 season
26
6
All stats via Transfermarkt
His talent is undeniable, but few comment on how tireless a work rate he maintains, with his mentality likely what has forged him into one of Europe's top players.
Already Saka is a leader of this Arsenal side despite his youth, leading the way for the rest of his teammates to follow. Arteta will be hoping that the 5 foot 10 whiz can maintain such form once domestic football restarts and that his squad can seek to match the unparalleled levels that the academy graduate continues to reach.
How much was Bukayo Saka worth four years ago?
Having made his Premier League debut as a 17-year-old, Emery clearly envisioned the bright future that the forward is currently enjoying. Back in 2019, Saka was a name merely whispered around the Emirates, with murmurs of his potential still yet to be proven.
As such, his market value at the time looks nothing like his current one.
Four years ago, just after he had broken into the first team, Transfermarkt still suggested that the unproven teenager was worth an admirable €7m (£6m) when Emery was at the helm. However, that was a figure that had only just begun to rise, with it having hit €22m (£19m) by March 2020.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.
Since then it has been nothing but an upward trajectory for the 28-cap superstar, who will hope to soon be reaching the heights of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe with regard to market value.
What is Bukayo Saka's market value now?
For now, Saka can be proud of the financial weight that his name already holds.
Understandably untouchable with regard to the transfer market, the recent notion outlined by Paul Merson that Liverpool could pry him from north London was one met with widespread ridicule. A boyhood Gooner, the Emirates has played witness to his growth not only as a footballer but as a human, from a wide-eyed winger with big dreams, to an often-unstoppable ace with the world now at his feet.
His current value helps to emphasise this, with CIES Football Observatory offering the greatest praise by placing a €200m (£172m) figure beside his name. That ensures the young winger's value has soared an astronomical 2766% in the last four years.
bukayo-saka
Whilst a mouth-watering fee, few could argue that Saka has not earned such a lofty valuation. After all, he is widely regarded now as one of the best in his position in the entire world, which England teammate Conor Gallagher supported: "He is right up there [among the best] and he is only getting better. He is a special player and to get a hat-trick was amazing for him.
“I have played with Bukayo since I think the Under-19s. Even then you could see that he would become a top player and to see how he has progressed until now has been amazing and I am sure he is going to get even better.”
Why is Bukayo Saka worth that much?
Whilst the Chelsea midfielder helped to emphasise why he is worth so much with his glowing testimony, his consistently outstanding and improving performances over the last few years stand as further proof.
Just last term saw Saka record 14 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League, with Mohamed Salah the only other player to hit double figures for both goals and assists.
This built on his tally of 18 goal contributions from the year prior in the league again, marking another steady improvement.
As his performances continue to grow in stature, so too will his value. With the Gunners also now poised to enter the Champions League too, marking the right winger's first foray into such a competition, performances at that level could help elevate that aforementioned figure to standalone heights at the top of world football.
كشف وكيل مهاجم منتخب الأردن المتألق، يزن النعيمات، مفاجأة من العيار الثقيل بشأن اللاعب الذي قدم مستويات رائعة في بطولة كأس آسيا 2023.
وساهم النعيمات في وصول منتخب الأردن إلى نهائي كأس آسيا ولكنهم خسروا البطولة أمام المضيف قطر والذي كرر إنجاز عام 2019 ولكن تلك المرة على أرضه ووسط جماهيره.
ولعب النعيمات الموسم الماضي مع الأهلي في الدوري القطري بعدما جدد عقده في 2023 بعد عامين بصفوف هذا الفريق.
ولكن كثرت الأنباء عن إمكانية رحيل النعيمات في الميركاتو الصيفي الحالي مع ارتباط اسم اللاعب بالنادي الأهلي وكذلك الزمالك في الفترة السابقة.
اقرأ أيضًا | صفقة الأهلي المنتظرة.. سينت ترودين البلجيكي يكشف لـ بطولات حقيقة اهتمامه بضم بلعيد
وتواصل “btolat.com” مع وكيل يزن النعيمات وهو الإيراني، فارشيد نوري لمعرفة حقيقة اهتمام الأهلي، وعندما سُئل عن موعد انتهاء عقد الأردني، أكد: “عقد يزن سينتهي خلال أسبوعين مع فريقه القطري”.
وتابع: “ليس صحيح ما يتردد بأنه لا يزال هناك موسم متبق مع الأهلي القطري، وبالتالي، يزن النعيمات يستطيع التوقيع مع أي فريق آخر في بداية يوليو كلاعب حر”.
واستمر: “بعض الأندية من مصر، المغرب، روسيا، إيران وقبرص مهتمة بضم يزن النعيمات بعد تألقه في كأس آسيا الأخير وهناك عرضين رسميين من الدوري السعودي”.
وعن الأندية المصرية بالتحديد، اعترف: “حدثت بعض المفاوضات من جانب الأهلي والزمالك ولكن لم ترتق إلى الطابع الرسمي”.
وإمكانية تمديد النعيمات مع الأهلي القطري والاستمرار: “ربما يحدث ذلك، ولكن نسبة حدوثه ضئيلة للغاية، فهو يريد راتبًا سنويًا أعلى ربما يتخطى مليون ونصف المليون دولار”.
تمكن فريق فاركو من الفوز على نظيره الواسطى بثلاثية دون رد، خلال المواجهة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم السبت ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس مصر.
والتقى فاركو مع الواسطى على أرضية استاد حرس الحدود (المكس)، وذلك في إطار مواجهات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس مصر.
وسجل محمد بانجورا هدف فاركو الأول في الدقيقة 29، بعد تسديدة من أحمد فؤاد ارتطمت في قدم بانجورا الذي وضعها بالكعب داخل الشباك.
طالع أيضاً.. مصدر بـ الأهلي يكشف لـ”بطولات” تفاصيل المفاوضات مع ثلاثي الدوري القطري
وأحرز مصطفى حماده الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 32، بعد تمريرة جعلته منفرداً بالمرمى ثم أطلق تسديدة سكنت الشباك.
وأضاف محمد عز الدين الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 88، بعد تسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء سكنت مرمى فريق الواسطى
بهذا الفوز، يتأهل فاركو إلى دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس مصر، في انتظار الفائز من مواجهة الأهلي والألومنيوم، المقرر إقامتها يوم الأربعاء 29 مايو. أهداف مباراة فاركو والواسطى اليوم في كأس مصر
The Zimbabwe allrounder, who followed an unbeaten 81 with ten tight overs and two vital catches in a 12-run win against Sri Lanka, believes consistency in selection has boosted the team’s confidence in their ability
Mohammad Isam17-Jan-2018
Sikandar Raza celebrates his ninth ODI fifty•AFP
In the 40th over of Sri Lanka’s chase, Thisara Perera smacked Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer for 17 runs. Sri Lanka suddenly needed to score at less than six an over to win the game, and for the first time, the situation was under their control.In the next over, Sikandar Raza gave away only three runs, breaking Perera’s flow and making him wait until the 45th over to find his next big hit.After landing one deep into the midwicket stands, Perera went for another big hit but mistimed it towards midwicket. Raza came running in, dived forward, and completed a difficult catch. A crucial catch. Zimbabwe knew they had unlocked the final door. A win over a major team in a neutral venue, after 15 years, was in their grasp. They didn’t let go, and Tendai Chatara did the needful in the 49th over.”The plan was to drag the game as far as possible,” Raza said. “It is a matter of who panics first. Thisara was making it look exceptionally easy. He was also here for a BPL-winning side; he is a world-class performer. When the game gets smaller, he can take it away from you very quickly. He did that today as well.”Fortunately for us, he mistimed one and we managed to take that catch. We always knew that this game wasn’t going into the last over so once we had that wicket, we just wanted to drive the last nail in the coffin.”Raza was in the thick of things for most of the 98.1 overs of this contest. At one point, it was hard for the TV cameras to peel away from him. Apart from Perera’s catch, he took another at short midwicket to get rid of Angelo Mathews to give Blessing Muzarabani his maiden ODI wicket.Raza also removed Kusal Perera, batting on 80, when it looked like he was about to make the 291-run chase a comfortable one for Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe had set this competitive target thanks, again, to Raza, who scored an unbeaten 81, with many of his boundaries coming in the slog overs.It was yet another instance of Raza putting in important contributions for Zimbabwe when it mattered most in a contest. He said that much of his confidence was down to the selectors’ faith in him and most of his teammates.”I think consistency in selection definitely helped,” he said. “I think we have gone with the same squad for a lot of series and that is certainly showing up. When you have a guy next to you in the change room for a longer period of time, it gives you that extra confidence.”You can call what the shots the batsman is going to be playing; this is the trust we have among ourselves. This team is a band of brothers and we have been playing together for a long time. We back each other regardless of the situation. We back each other to defend 120.”Raza said the selection consistency had fed into the team’s mindset as well, and that they were now determined to go into the World Cup qualifiers, to be held in March and April in Zimbabwe, with a message for the rest of the teams in that competition.”The secret behind [Zimbabwe’s recent upturn] is the trust, character, faith among ourselves,” he said. “We are determined to go into the World Cup qualifiers with a strong message we want to send out to all the teams.”
Summer signing Jurrien Timber sustained a serious injury on his home Arsenal debut and is set to spend a significant spell out on the sidelines and now the Gunners must work out how to replace him – we've got some ideas.
Is Jurrien Timber injured?
Indeed, the Dutch right-back, who arrived from Ajax, was signed in a deal reported to be in the region of £38m but lasted just 50 minutes into his first Premier League appearance – a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest – before coming off with a knee issue.
Sadly, the North London club have since confirmed the severity of the injury, releasing a statement saying: "Further to detailed assessments with consultant specialists since Saturday, we can confirm that Jurrien Timber has sustained an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
"Jurrien will undergo surgery in the coming days and will be out of action for a period of time."
With that in mind, Football Fancast has decided to figure out who will be best suited to take his spot in the team.
Of course, though, it won't just be as simple as trying to find depth at left-back, as Timber was able to cover centre-back and right-back as well; meaning William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Ben White will hope to stay fit or else Rob Holding could soon be straight back into the starting team.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko is obviously the first name that comes to mind as he played left-back for the Gunners 27 times in the league last season.
Still, he had some fitness struggles too and has carried that into the new season, having not been fit enough to be involved against Forest or Manchester City in the Community Shield before that.
The good news, however, is that Zinchenko has been spotted in training this week on Arsenal.com, so he could be nearing a return to full fitness shortly.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu-Arsenal
With Zinchenko recently out, Tomiyasu was the player asked to come on off the bench for Timber against Nottingham Forest last Saturday and may well start there this Monday away at Crystal Palace.
Still, the Japan international has also had some fitness issues in recent times. Having missed 107 days of action last term, he too can't be fully trusted to remain healthy for a full campaign.
What's more, Tomiyasu isn't a natural left-back either, having only played there nine times in his career (via Transfermarkt), as he tends to play right-back or centre-back more frequently.
Of course, the same can be said about Timber – who wasn't signed to be a left-back, having spent very little time (eight games before joining) in that position before – so the Japanese defender may need to cover multiple areas of the pitch, leaving a gap on the left side of the defence.
Jakub Kiwior
Arsenal central defender Jakub Kiwior.
The Polish defender arrived last January and while his first three starts in the Premier League saw him play at centre-back, Arteta moved him to left-back for the final two games of the season.
Such versatility may come in handy now, especially as Kiwior is left-footed and so may be a more natural fit than the right-footed Tomiyasu.
It's interesting to note that Kiwior was trusted to finish the season at left-back last term, despite Kieran Tierney being available – who we'll come onto now.
Kieran Tierney
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney.
The Scottish left-back would be a first name on the team sheet for many teams across Europe but he just doesn't seem to fit into Mikel Arteta's plans.
After all, having started 22 league games in the 2021/22 season, Tierney started just six last term as he well and truly lost his spot in the team to Zinchenko.
As a result, it seems quite likely that he will be sold this summer. And what's more, as per a report in the Daily Mail, the expectation, despite Timber's injury, is for Tierney to be sold – provided the Gunners receive a suitable fee.
However, if Arsenal don't receive an acceptable offer, perhaps it will make more sense to hang on to the Scot for the time being.
In that same report, Manchester City's Joao Cancelo is named as a known target – although reports in Spain have strongly linked Barcelona with the fullback as well.
In less glamorous news, according to the Daily Express, Arsenal could turn to Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters or Leicester City's Timothy Castagne before the summer transfer window shuts.
Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…
While Tom Canton of football.london has mooted Mohamed Simakan and Benjamin Henrichs, who both play in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and have been linked with the English club in the past.
There is certainly plenty to consider for Arteta and with the transfer window closing in just a matter of weeks, he may have to make a big decision soon.