Can Pakistan end the five-match ODI series with something positive to take into the T20s, or will a sizzling New Zealand hammer the final nail in the visitors’ coffin?

Umar Farooq18-Jan-2018Big PicturePakistan have gone from being champions to being in shambles within the space of six months. Their winning streak is history and their batting line-up is back to pre-Champions Trophy standards. The bowling is flat, the captaincy frenzied, and the selectors running out of ideas. None of that is good news, least of all when playing a New Zealand team in sensational form and trying to avoid an ODI whitewash.The hosts can’t put a foot wrong. After going with an unchanged XI in the first three games, they brought in Colin de Grandhomme for the fourth. He was returning from Zimbabwe after the death of his father, and could have been forgiven for being less than his usual big-hitting self. But it turned out that he was New Zealand’s star performer, smashing 74 off 40 balls in a Player-of-the-Match display that got them out of a tight spot. Kane Williamson’s men are shaking up their squad for the final game, resting Trent Boult and bringing in Seth Rance. They will view this as an ideal opportunity to blood newer players into international cricket.With the series long since gone, the contest doesn’t nearly have the appeal a decider would, but both teams still have a stake in the outcome of this game. New Zealand will be looking for a clean sweep to extend their winning streak across formats to 12, while Pakistan are desperate for a final shot at redemption going into the T20I series.Form guideNew Zealand WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLLWIn the spotlightSince his debut in Ireland in 2016, Hasan Ali only missed one of the 31 games Pakistan have played, and until this series, he had been in sizzling form, a fact underlined by the ICC naming him the Emerging player of 2017. However, in New Zealand, things haven’t quite worked for him. Hasan has managed just six wickets at 36.1, conceding 60 runs for no wicket in the last game. It is his first real test in a career that had played out to perfection so far. How he responds in the final ODI might reveal more about the kind of player he is.Trent Boult has grabbed the headlines throughout this series but his absence could give his fast-bowling partner Tim Southee a chance to shine. The 29-year old has taken eight wickets from the four matches this series, just one fewer than Boult, but hasn’t received the same kind of recognition. With the left-armer out of the side, this could be a chance for New Zealand’s most experienced bowler to rubber-stamp his value to the side. And, in a low-pressure game against a dispirited Pakistan, the stars may just align for him.Tim Southee appeals•Getty ImagesTeam newsNew Zealand have rested Boult from the last ODI, and look set to give fast bowler Seth Rance another go in international cricket.New Zealand (probable): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Henry Nicholls, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Todd Astle, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Seth RanceShoaib Malik will miss the final game after being struck in the head during the fourth ODI – batsman Umar Amin has been drafted into the ODI squad in his place. If Imam-ul-Haq does not recovered from the finger injury that has left him sidelined as well, seamer Aamer Yamin or left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz could come in. With the Faheem Ashraf as opener experiment failing last game, Azhar Ali could also return to the top of the order.Pakistan (probable): 1 Azhar Ali/Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Rumman RaeesPitch and conditionsThe forecast for the game is clear, though rain is expected for much of the preceding day. The Basin Reserve doesn’t host too many ODIs, but this will be the second game played at the venue in this series alone. New Zealand won the previous game, scoring 315.Stats and trivia Defeat for Pakistan in Wellington would be their eleventh in a row against New Zealand. The only time they lost more consecutive games against one opposition was when South Africa beat them 14 times in a row between 1995 and 2000 Babar Azam’s overall ODI average is 53.32 in 40 games. He scored 62 and 83 in his previous outings in New Zealand in 2016, but in four games in this series, he has managed only 21 runs at 5.25.Quotes”I think everyone wants that: the team, the support staff and people around the country want to see us beat Pakistan 5-0. The motivation is definitely there,”

Newcastle United are now eyeing up Marc Cucurella this summer, and a new report has revealed they have two targets on their shortlist in the left-back position.

Will Newcastle sign a left-back?

The Magpies couldn't have asked for a more pleasing start to the 2023/24 Premier League season, following their stunning 5-1 victory at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Once again, they look like a formidable football team who may potentially have gone up another gear from last year, although this weekend's trip to treble-winners Manchester City will be a far bigger test of how far they have come.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

While Eddie Howe has built an excellent squad since coming in – arguably their best of the Premier League era – a few more additions are needed to finish off a perfect summer.

Left-back is certainly one position that requires a little more depth, with Dan Burn an outstanding option there, but a lack of quality behind him in the pecking order and the flank still not really his perfect position.

Marc Cucurella of Chelsea has been linked with a move to St James' Park this summer and it looks as though Newcastle's interest in him hasn't gone away.

Will Newcastle sign Tierney or Cucurella?

Providing an update on Newcastle's left-back search, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards claimed that Cucurella is being looked at as a loan signing, as well as Arsenal's Kieran Tierney:

"Newcastle United are looking to sign a left back on loan before the close of the transfer window with both Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella of interest to them.

"Both deals would include either an option or an obligation to buy the player next summer and there is some confidence a breakthrough can be reached with at least one of their Premier League rivals."

It is great to hear that Newcastle are still pushing hard in their pursuit of a new left-back, with that area of the pitch a key one to strengthen in, as well as centre-back.

Burn has been so impressive there, even though he doesn't fit the bill as a natural in the role, but signing Cucurella or Tierney would provide Howe with a more typical left-back option, giving them more natural width and balance, particularly on the ball.

The former would be a strong choice, as he looks to bounce back from an underwhelming spell in a Chelsea shirt, having shone greatly for Brighton in a more settled side to the mess that he walked into at Stamford Bridge last season.

He still averaged 2.8 tackles per game in the league for the Blues, though, showing that he contributed positively at times, and his consistent tackling numbers and constant yellow cards throughout his career paint the picture of a feisty and passionate player St James' Park would adore.

The Scot would be a good option, but he has lost his place for Arsenal, so we think Cucurella, dubbed "fantastic" by a UEFA panel for his displays in Europe with Chelsea last season, deserves a chance away from the chaos that is Stamford Bridge's revolving door.

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing up a move for Lionesses star Lauren Hemp but Manchester City have made her a fresh contract offer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Hemp linked with Barcelona move
• City ready with contract offer
• Forward will be a free agent in summer

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to BBC Sport reporter Emma Sanders, the Spanish giants are 'interested' in the City forward – who is out of contract this summer. However, she adds that the 23-year-old, who moved to the Cityzens from Bristol City in 2018, has been offered a new deal by the Women's Super League outfit.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If Barcelona do offer Hemp a move there, that would be a tough transfer to turn down. The Catalan team won Liga F, the Supercopa de Espana and the Champions League last season, meaning the England international would have a great chance of playing at one of the best clubs in the world and picking up silverware. City have not been able to overhaul Chelsea as the dominant WSL side but with Emma Hayes leaving at the end of this season, perhaps that could shift from next term – and that may impact Hemp's decision.

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Since Hemp's move to City nearly six years ago, the former Norwich City academy product has scored 60 times in 138 appearances. She has also chalked up 51 caps for England, scoring 16 goals in the process, and playing a huge part in their Euro 2022 success and the Lionesses' run to the 2023 World Cup final.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT?

  With City second in the WSL, three points behind league leaders Chelsea, they are unlikely to let Hemp leave during the January transfer window but a move to Barca would be a very tempting proposal. It remains to be seen if she will accept City's contract offer, head to Spain this summer, or take a different course of action entirely.

Bangladesh’s attacking approach was the right choice, stand-in captain Mahmudullah has said after his side were shot out for 110 and 123 in a span of of 24 hours. Bangladesh lasted a total of 75.1 overs in the Test, with many of their batsmen taking a lot of risk on a pitch aiding spin.Even on the third day, when a more sensible approach to chase 349 was warranted, the batsmen preferred to attack. Mahmudullah said that defending stoutly wouldn’t have taken his team anywhere, although he felt that the batsmen were more culpable for the defeat than their spinners.”If you don’t show intent and remain positive on this type of wicket, if you let the bowlers settle down, you will be in huge trouble,” Mahmudullah said. “But you have to choose which ball to defend and which to hit. Otherwise it is tough. When the ball is spinning, going straight, keeping low and sometimes jumping up, you have to disrupt the bowlers.”We had to take a lot of risk to get boundaries off [Rangana] Herath, Dilruwan [Perera] and Akila [Dananjaya]. The fuller you bowled on this wicket, the more difficult it was for the batsmen. Our spinners bowled five good balls and one delivery that was easily hit for a boundary. It reduced the pressure on their batsmen. We needed patience. I think there’s room for improvement in this regard. Our spinners should have done a little better but our batsmen are guiltier.”Mahmudullah spoke of “intent” several times during the press conference, when asked if a defensive approach could have helped.”If you go by that theory [of being defensive], your success rate will be even lower,” he said. “You can’t play defensively on this wicket according to my knowledge and experience. The bowler will bowl six balls at you and off the seventh ball, you will be nicely caught at slip or in the sillies [silly point]. You have to play your shots. You need to have intent but at the same, you also need to know which ball not to hit. Otherwise you will get out playing the wrong shot. But if you don’t have the positivity, you are not giving yourself the chance.”We relied on the batsmen’s confidence from Chittagong, which is why we made this wicket. We have a good spin attack. If you play for a draw till the third or fourth day, you go back to the same thing. So at least you have a chance to win or lose.”Mahmudullah futher said that Roshen Silva, who won the Man-of-the-Series award, showed impressive shot selection.”Roshen had good ball selection. He batted well. He handled some of Taijul’s deliveries that were spinning away outside off stump. I think the criteria for batsmen differ. I think I bat better when I am positive and aggressive. I started in the same way today. I felt that Akila will try to get me out like he did in the first innings. He moved the leg slip to cover. I wanted to defend the ball but it went to slip. I am saying this again: if you don’t have the intent, chances go down significantly.”As a further example, he said that Sabbir Rahman, who made 0 and 1, was picked for his aggressive approach.”We picked Sabbir because he plays spin well. He can apply the sweeps and reverse-sweeps. Without an attacking approach on this wicket, there isn’t a chance of scoring runs.”

Jurgen Klopp has insisted he will have no say in who Liverpool's next manager will be after announcing his exit.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Klopp set to leave LiverpoolWill leave club after nine yearsInsists that he won't have a say in replacementGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

With the German set to depart the club after nine years at the helm, the hunt for a new manager has begun at Anfield with names like Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi and Jose Mourinho mentioned. As the hiring of a new manager can be challenging for a club, Klopp has vowed to stay away from the decision-makers as they look to replace him.

AdvertisementWHAT KLOPP SAID

When asked if he would aid the club with a suitable replacement, Klopp said [via BBC]: "So many people work here with only one idea – to find a perfect solution for Liverpool. The last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out of the door. I wish for the future this club the very, very, very best."

Getty Images THE BIGGER PICTURE

Klopp has been touted as one of the greatest managers in the Premier League and the Reds will have a difficult time replacing the stature of the German at the club. During his nine years at the club, Klopp won six major trophies including a Champions League in 2019 and the club's first Premier League since 1990.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The club will look at all suitable replacements for Klopp and thanks to the timing of his announcement, they will have a decent amount of time to make their decisions.

Everton have spent the lion's share of the past few weeks negotiating with Leeds United for the transfer of Italy international Wilfried Gnonto following the Whites' relegation from the Premier League.

According to Sky Sports, the 19-year-old has been subject to four formal transfer offers, with the latest totalling £25m, but the Elland Road side obstinately reject his potential departure, despite the forward's refusal to play as he attempts to force a move.

Well, despite the best efforts of Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell, the pursuit might wind up fruitless, and as such, Sean Dyche's side appear to be focusing on another precocious talent in PSV Eindhoven's Johan Bakayoko.

What's the latest on Johan Bakayoko to Everton?

According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Toffees are in talks for the exciting 20-year-old wide man and are believed to be preparing an official transfer bid.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Merseyside rivals Liverpool are also interested in the highly-sought Belgium international, but Dyche will hope that the promise of regular minutes can convince the player to join the fold at Goodison Park.

How good is Johan Bakayoko?

The talented winger – who has already earned four caps for his nation, scoring once – enjoyed a tremendous breakthrough campaign with the Boeren last year, posting seven goals and five assists across all competitions, leaving talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing him as an "electric player."

Also said to be "performing at super level" by Fabrizio Romano, Bakayoko boasts the pace, power and prowess to flourish on the major stage, already boasting superlative creativity and progressive presence on the pitch.

Indeed, the rising star ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Men's Next Eight divisions for assists, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

One thing is certain, if Bakayoko joins the ranks at Everton, he will open up a whole new channel up and down the flanks, providing the kind of 'electric' dynamism that Dyche will covet to eradicate the club's lack of attacking impetus, having finished the 2022/23 league edition as the second-lowest scorers.

He would also manage to bring the best out of the club's star talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is a "monster" of a striker – as he was once called by Kulig – but has been detrimentally plagued by injuries over the past few campaigns, having missed 46 matches since the summer of 2021.

Despite his woes (Calvert-Lewin scored only twice last term as a result of his injuries), the £100k-per-week gem still ranks among the top 8% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues for aerial wins per 90, highlighting an imposing dominance in the box, something that Bakayoko can channel his creativity towards, as a focal point.

If the Englishman can finally put his troubles behind him and complete a sustained period of fitness, then Bakayoko could be the perfect offensive force to supplement his game, and Thelwell would be wise to throw the kitchen sink at PSV to secure a true prodigy for the Toffees.

It has taken South Africa a while but they have finally figured out why they were in such a spin against India in the ODI series, and they’ve managed to avoid falling into the same trap in the T20s.Across the six ODIs, South Africa lost 33 wickets to Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, but with Kuldeep injured for the first two T20s, Chahal has only claimed one wicket and has conceded 103 runs.Farhaan Behardien, Chahal’s lone victim in the T20s, explained South Africa were mostly undone by the lack of pace from the Indian pair, rather than their variations. “We struggled against Kuldeep but he was in form, he took his chances, and we gave some soft wickets away. I’m not sure if we struggled to pick him. His pace has been good,” Behardien said. “He has bowled a bit slower. Not too many bowlers in our country bowl that slowly. Normally, when we play on the Highveld, where wickets are quite good, you bowl at quite a flatter pace with not a lot of revs on the ball.”Behardien’s assessment may sound contrary to JP Duminy’s, who said after the Cape Town ODI that South Africa were not picking the wrong ‘uns. Behardien admitted that Kuldeep in that game was more difficult to pick than usual. “When Kuldeep was bowling here from the Wynberg End and with the sun setting over the mountain, if you are picking it out of the hand, you can’t see the seam because of the glare,” Behardien said. “In that particular game it became a bit tough.”The deciding T20I will be played in similar conditions, with the Cape Town sun setting after 7pm, towards the end of the first innings. So if Kuldeep plays, South Africa will need be mindful of that. But in less harsh light, they are confident they know what to expect from Kuldeep. “He shows you a scrambled seam when he bowls his googly and when he bowls legspin, he bowls seam up,” Behardien said. “That’s some of the hints we have taken from video footage, from watching the games and taking to the batsmen that have played against him fairly well.”The fourth ODI at the Wanderers, which was interrupted by rain, was an example of South Africa’s ability to take on spinners. While Kuldeep still accounted for Hashim Amla and Duminy, the others, notably David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Andile Phehlukwayo, managed to attack him and his six overs cost 51 runs. Chahal was even more expensive in that match, bowling 5.3 overs for 68 runs, and his generosity has extended into the T20s. In Johannesburg, Chahal’s return was 1 for 39 in four overs; at Centurion it was 0 for 64.Klaasen was particularly impressive in taking Chahal on, so much so that he has made a case to play alongside, rather than in place of, Quinton de Kock, when South Africa’s No. 1 keeper returns. Behardien, a franchise team-mate of Klaasen’s, admitted he would not be surprised if both Klaasen and de Kock feature in the future and expects Klaasen to be a part of the national squad’s plans. “He has floated around that (Titans) middle order in and amongst some experienced players for the last three years so he has built up his character and his game,” Behardien said.”Mark Boucher (Titans’ coach) has had an influence on the way I play and the way he plays and the way we train and it’s no surprise that he has stepped up. He is a very hard character, he is a competitor, he wants to be on the stage and he wants to play for a long time. That’s the way he is. He is a competitor. He has a similar competitiveness to guys like AB and Faf, guys who want to be in the fight and who wants to pick a fight with the opposition. He is not scared of that.”That bullishness is the one quality Behardien believes sets South Africa’s younger crop apart from their seniors. The likes of Junior Dala and Reeza Hendricks have breathed new life into a squad that seemed spent after the ODIs. “We are a fairly young side but a lot of the guys are playing fearless cricket,” Behardien said. “We don’t carry that baggage from the one-day series.”South Africa have often denied being haunted by ghosts of losses past and have often been shown up as incorrect. They are a team over which these things linger. So it’s refreshing to hear their new approach to exorcising demons ahead of the major competition they are planning for – next year’s World Cup – and it involves calling things by tournament-style names. “Tomorrow is a big game,” Behardien said. “It’s a final and a chance to win a series against a really strong side.”A final.South Africa have never reached a World Cup final or even a World T20 final but maybe the sooner they start seeing finals as just another game, the sooner they get to one.

Manchester United’s season hasn’t gone to plan so far, scoring just once in their two Premier League matches while securing just three points from six.

An opening win over Wolverhampton Wanderers saw United having to wait until the 76th minute to score the winning goal, while their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend was woeful.

Now they face the prospect of an injury crisis in defence before August is out. Luke Shaw has been ruled out for a number of weeks, which only adds to Erik ten Hag’s woes.

Tyrell Malacia is also injured while Brandon Williams has recently joined Ipswich Town, and it leaves Alvaro Fernandez as his only fit left-back in the squad.

This may tempt the Dutchman back into the transfer market in order to secure some cover for the problematic position. Could a move for a Champions League winner come to fruition?

Will Manchester United sign a left-back?

According to The Express, the Old Trafford side have placed former Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand on their shortlist as they look to secure a short-term fix for their injury problems.

The report claims that ‘contact’ has been made and that ‘talks are still at an early stage’ with regard to a potential swoop.

The defender is currently a free agent having been released by Leicester City upon the expiration of his contract at the end of last season meaning he wouldn’t cost United a penny.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

It would be a surprise move to say the least, yet he could bring a wealth of experience to the role while deputising for Shaw.

Who has Ryan Bertrand played for?

The Englishman has previously enjoyed spells at Chelsea, Southampton, and Leicester in the top flight, making 500 senior appearances during his career before becoming a free agent this summer at the age of 34.

He made his European debut for the Blues in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012, securing a winners' medal in stunning circumstances, and he ended up making 57 appearances for the club before joining the Saints in 2014.

The 5 foot 10 gem was hailed “quietly excellent” by journalist Sam Tighe upon signing a new contract on the south coast, and he eventually left the club to join Leicester in 2021.

The previous two seasons have been a struggle for the defender, making just 11 appearances for the Foxes due to injury issues – you have to go back to 2020/21 for his last decent campaign.

That season, he averaged 64.3 touches per game, suggesting he was comfortable on the ball while keeping eight clean sheets across 29 matches along with averaging 2.1 tackles, one interception and 1.3 clearances per game.

These statistics were good enough to rank him in the top ten across all three metrics in the squad, and although this is hardly world-beating, they are solid numbers.

Signing Bertrand would certainly be a major gamble for Ten Hag, yet it is one that he needs to take considering he doesn’t have many options in that particular position.

Bertrand has shown he can perform on the big occasions and has a wealth of experience, but will joining United be a step too far?

Only time will tell.

Barcelona coach Xavi was on the verge of tears when he explained to his players why he will step down as head coach at the end of the season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Xavi announced he will leave BarcaPlayers found out from media reportsCoach explained decision to squadWHAT HAPPENED?

Xavi announced that he will leave his post as Barca coach at the end of the season, informing reporters of his decision after the 5-3 defeat against Villarreal on Saturday. According to the coach had not yet told his players, who found out through news reports as they returned home.

AdvertisementGetty Images WHAT XAVI SAID TO HIS PLAYERS

Despite having slept barely two hours overnight, Xavi brought his players together on Sunday morning before training and apologised for the way they found out about his decision, the report says. He said that he feels his decision is "the best for everyone" because he is "freed from a burden" and the players can now "play without so much pressure". Xavi was on the verge of tears on several occasions in the meeting and his players gave him a round of applause after his speech.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Saturday evening's loss leaves Barca 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, giving them only the slimmest of hope of retaining their crown this season. Xavi will see out the rest of the campaign with the Catalan club but they will start the search for his successor as they look to rebuild for the 2024-25 campaign.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Xavi will attempt to keep his team in good spirits despite their recent Supercopa de Espana defeat, exit from the Copa del Rey and slip up in La Liga. He will hope to have his team back to winning ways on Wednesday when they meet Osasuna in the league.

Nigeria star Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for his team's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against South Africa.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Osimhen missed flight for semi-final
• Striker complained of abdominal pain
• Nigeria star back in training and fit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After missing his team's flight to Bouake on Monday due to discomfort, there were fears that the striker would miss the last-four tie against South Africa. However, Nigeria have confirmed that he is back among his team-mates.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT NIGERIA SAID ABOUT OSIMHEN

  An update from the national team read: "Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday. He has joined the team in Bouake and has trained with the squad today."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The news comes as a huge boost for the Super Eagles as Osimhen is the star figure for the African nation. He has scored one goal and registered two assists so far in the continental competition, helping steer them through the group stage and past Cameroon and Angola to reach the last four.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The Napoli star will likely be in the starting XI when his team take on South Africa on Wednesday. Nigeria are looking to reach the final for the first time since 2013, when they went all the way to win the competition in South Africa.