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Their record in the Champions Trophy is abject, and their record in ODIs overall in recent years is equally poor. They would want to set that right

Mohammad Isam15-Feb-2025

How do they look?

Bangladesh have an opportunity to recover their ODI pride in the Champions Trophy. They are a team on the descent over the last five years, and in 2024, they won just a third of their nine matches. They are also a team in transition, especially with the exit of top cricketers like Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan.The team is now centred on Najmul Hossain Shanto, the stylish left-hand batter, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taskin Ahmed, who make up the senior lot in the team. But Shanto is out of form, and getting back among the runs is a priority for him if he hopes to inspire the rest of the batting line-up, especially the likes of top-order batters Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar.The middle order has the veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, with Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali complementing them.Related

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• Champions Trophy 2025 FAQs: Who are playing, what are the venues, where to watch and more

The encouraging part of the line-up is the fast-bowling attack. Led by Taskin, they have the experienced Mustafizur Rahman in there too, but it is the bustling Tanzim Hasan and the raw pace of Nahid Rana that are more exciting.Bangladesh’s spin bowling, however, isn’t what it used to be, while their fielding tends to blow hot and blow cold, more often the latter.

Who are their first-round opponents?

Feb 20: Bangladesh v India, Dubai
Feb 24: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Rawalpindi
Feb 27: Bangladesh v Pakistan, RawalpindiBangladesh are in Group A, where they will take on Asian rivals India and Pakistan, apart from New Zealand. They should have pretty good recent memories about India – they won their last bilateral series in December 2022 at home, after all. Bangladesh also beat India in the 2023 Asia Cup but lost in their World Cup contest.New Zealand are one of the top teams that Bangladesh play regularly, which could play to their advantage in subcontinental conditions, and they did pull one back after losing the three-match series in New Zealand in late 2023, the last time they played a bilateral ODI series.Bangladesh also played two Tests in Rawalpindi last year, a venue where they play two of their three group matches. Bangladesh beat Pakistan in both Tests then, but Pakistan have the upper hand in ODIs, having last lost to Bangladesh in 2018.Nahid Rana is one of the most exciting new quicks in the international game•Associated Press

Best XI

1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Nahid Rana, 11 Mustafizur RahmanRest of the squad: Parvez Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Jaker Ali

Players(s) to watch

TV commentators like Ian Bishop have raved about Nahid Rana and Tanzim Hasan. Batters like Tanzid Hasan and Jaker Ali also have the potential, but have to bring consistency into their game – perhaps true of Bangladesh as a whole.

Key stats

Bangladesh won two-thirds of their ODIs (ten out of 15) in 2022, but that rate came down to one-third (three out of nine) in 2024. Something that is a concern.

Recent ODI form

Bangladesh lost in West Indies (3-0) and in Sharjah against Afghanistan (2-1) in their last two bilateral ODI series.

Champions Trophy history

Bangladesh have won just two out of their 12 matches in the competition over the years. The first was against Zimbabwe in Jaipur in 2006 and the second was in the last edition, in 2017, in Cardiff against New Zealand.

The Pakistan captain made up for not scoring a ton against Australia in March, and gave his fans what they came for

Danyal Rasool03-Dec-2022It’s a curious thing, a third-wicket partnership for Pakistan, and it was no different on an otherwise sleepy Saturday morning in Pindi. The stadium hums with activity, the seats begin to fill up. Gazes move from smartphones to the action on the field, even if the thrum of excitement has little to do with any of the characters in the middle. The amplified interest isn’t down to Azhar Ali, brilliant as his career has been, or Imam-ul-Haq, despite his third consecutive hundred at this ground. It certainly can’t be explained by England’s bowling attack, which had comprised Jack Leach, Will Jacks and Joe Root for the entirety of the morning.Instead, the crowd is transfixed by the prospect of a man who hasn’t even left the pavilion. The cheers when Imam gets out might seem harsh on a player who’s scored 121, but despite his famous love-hate relationship with Pakistan’s fanbase, it isn’t personal this time.Related

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Pitch imperfect from Pakistan as duff selection deepens their woes

Late wickets give England an opening after Babar leads big Pakistan show with the bat

Joe Root, Abdullah Shafique promise to 'fight it out' as slow-burn Test reaches end-game

As Pakistan’s No. 4 steps out of the shadows and into gentle early December sunshine, the chants of “Babar!” reveal what the people have come here for. The Test itself is positively meandering towards meaninglessness, but Babar Azam’s purposeful strides to the middle have whipped the crowd into a frenzy.With seven Test hundreds in four different countries, few crowds could reasonably claim Babar wasn’t worth the price of admission alone, but those who showed up here against Australia in March may feel Babar owed them one. On a wicket as turgid as this one, he was the only member of Pakistan’s top four to miss out on a big score in the match, run out going after an unnecessary single the only time he batted. He might have had two prior centuries here, but for now, Babar has scores to settle, and scores to make.All of a sudden, there’s a spring in England’s step, perhaps as much down to the infectious enthusiasm of the crowd as the sudden fall of two wickets. Ollie Robinson is warming up, ready to bowl his first spell of the day. Root is shining the ball on Leach’s glistening scalp. Babar has just clipped him past mid-on for a boundary, and the crowd is baying for more. Azhar has just played out a maiden over against Jacks at the other end; some things don’t change, after all.When the Barmy Army basked in the entertainment of the first four sessions of this game, and England revelled into the brave new era Brendon McCullum was leading this Test side into, concerns about the pitch were pushed to the back of the mind. Not because they didn’t know this was a “terrible wicket”, as the characteristically forthright Nasser Hussain put it on commentary, but because if you don’t enjoy 657 runs in 101 overs, why are you even here? In the same vein, every Pakistan fan clustered around this intimate little cricket ground is well aware they’re watching a contest severely devalued by the strip laid out. But in the moment, watching Babar bat, they refuse to let their experience be sullied.Babar Azam celebrates his eighth Test hundred•AFP/Getty ImagesBabar survives the early salvos and makes inroads of his own. He’s sped along to 28 off 36 by the time lunch is called, looking as supremely untroubled as you’d expect from a batter of his character on a pitch that lacks any.England call upon James Anderson. The Pakistan captain was eight years old when Anderson made his Test debut, 11 when he last played in Pakistan. Yet somehow, this grandfather clock of English cricket finds himself in a position where Babar could be his first Test wicket in the country. It is the marquee match-up this series, so try stopping Rawalpindi from enjoying it, duff pitch or not.It’s an absorbing cat-and-mouse battle – Anderson might be getting no assistance from the conditions, but Babar knows better than to get carried away. Sixteen of Anderson’s 18 balls to him probe off or middle stump, and produce just three runs for the Pakistan captain. Off the two deliveries the old grandmaster strays down leg, Babar milks him for six runs, including a boundary through midwicket. England’s relatively more benign spin bowling – at least in the middle session – is dispatched with more fluency, their collective 93 balls to Babar conceding 92 runs. It included a majestic drive down the ground to bring up his half-century, but he still has promises to keep.It’s a procession, a cakewalk, an inevitability, and yet when the strike turns over to Babar, Pindi is entranced once more. Babar is suddenly on 96, having just slapped one off Ben Stokes in front of square. Pakistan are closing in on 400, still dangerously far away from England’s 657, but when Babar bats those hard numbers don’t quite seem to matter as much.It’s short and wide, and Babar swings his arms, all nonchalance and elegance. The contact is true, and the ball pings of the bat, racing through a vacant cover region. Babar lets his arms swing by his side, allowing himself a moment of personal reflection before raising them to acknowledge the rapturous applause thundering around the stadium. As he prostrates, Rawalpindi’s on its feet. The debt he accrued in March has been repaid.He ensures Pakistan avoid the follow-on he finally succumbs, a loose shot off Jacks’ first ball of the evening flying straight to point. Suddenly, Pindi falls silent, and as the next two wickets fall in quick succession, it becomes apparent how vulnerable Pakistan’s position actually is and the extent to which Babar’s presence seemed to inoculate his side from the hazards. He may have appeased the fans for one more day, but he still has miles to go before he sleeps.

With a handful of days left for the ODI World Cup Super League, here’s all you need to know about it

Sreshth Shah27-Jul-2020Thirteen teams, 156 matches, one champion.The Men’s ODI World Cup Super League has been a long time coming – workshops, meetings and delays enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic included – but with the ICC announcing that the inaugural edition of the tournament gets underway when England take on Ireland for three ODIs starting July 30, the pathway to the 2023 50-over World Cup has been defined.Devised to impart relevance and context to men’s ODI cricket, the Super League warrants that a series featuring lower-ranked sides has just as much importance as those involving the heavyweights, given every game, to some degree, will affect all 13 teams in the league. With new details announced, ESPNcricinfo looks at what the competition offers.Road to the 2023 ODI World CupAside from attempting to make the 50-over format more meaningful to fans, irrespective of their allegiance with the eventual champion, the Super League will also determine which teams get to the next World Cup, to be held in India in October-Novemeber 2023.At the end of the league, India and the top seven teams qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup. For the bottom five, though, their World Cup dreams won’t be over. They, along with five Associate sides, will participate in the ODI World Cup Qualifiers, which will then decide the final two entrants to the ten-team World Cup.Each team will earn ten points for a win, five points for a tie or no result or abandonment, and zero points for a loss. The sides will be ranked according to total points earned across the eight series.Each team will be playing eight other sides in the Super League•ESPNcricinfoLike the World Test Championship, teams won’t be facing every opponentEach team plays only eight of the 12 other competing countries in three-match bouts for a total of 24 league games, meaning four series at home and four away. As per the current Future Tours Programme (FTP) match-ups, that means Rashid Khan will not be bowling to Aiden Markram or Jos Buttler. Nor will there be a Virat Kohli v Mohammad Amir face-off alongside several other match-ups that the ODI league might not witness.There’s another conundrum: a situation wherein a team that wins the league might not even have faced the teams that finish second, third and even possibly fourth on the points table. In that case, are the league winners champions? The discrepancy in match-ups could also affect the World Cup qualification. The match-ups – the ICC had said in 2018 – would be devised according to the ODI rankings to ensure parity.Graphic: Netherlands are guaranteed to play more bilateral ODIs between May 2020 and March 2022 than in their entire history•Datawrapper/ESPNcricinfo LtdWhy is Netherlands the 13th team, and not Scotland or Namibia?The 13th and final spot in the ODI league was reserved for the winner of the World Cricket League Championship, which was won by Netherlands after beating Namibia in their final game. While that has assigned the Dutch regular top-flight cricket – including more bilateral ODIs than they’ve ever played to date – for the duration of the ODI league, they won’t be playing India, Australia, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Conversely, it also means that these four teams will not have the opportunity to face, arguably, one of the league’s weaker teams.The end of context-less cricket? Not quiteDespite the league’s relatively short window, there will still be some ODI cricket during that period whose results will not count towards it.Sri Lanka are scheduled to play five ODIs against Australia in June 2022, but only the first three games will be part of the league. Similarly, India are supposed to play Australia and New Zealand twice each during the league’s window – but only one of those series will count towards it. Likewise, Afghanistan are slotted to play ODIs against nine teams during that period, but we know only eight of those will be played under the league’s purview.

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O Fluminense venceu o Colo-Colo, do Chile, por 2 a 1, na primeira partida no Maracanã após o título inédito da Libertadores. Os gols tricolores da noite desta terça-feira (9) foram marcados por Marquinhos e Germán Cano, enquanto Paiva descontou para os chilenos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFluminenseTricolores reagem ao golaço de Marquinhos pelo Fluminense na Libertadores: ‘Titular absoluto’Fluminense09/04/2024FinançasLucro ou prejuízo? Veja saldo dos clubes da Série A com operação de jogos nos EstaduaisFinanças09/04/2024FluminenseImproviso na zaga do Fluminense pode ser nova surpresa de Diniz; relembre outrasFluminense09/04/2024

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⚽ COMO FOI A PARTIDA?
O Fluminense começou a partida de maneira avassaladora. Logo nos primeiros minutos, Marquinhos recebeu do lado direito e emendou um chutaço de fora da área para abrir o placar.

Em seguida, o Colo-Colo começou a gostar do jogo. Em cobrança de escanteio feita por Leo Gil, Paiva subiu sozinho e cabeceou para estufar a rede do Fluminense.

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Na segunda etapa, o Fluminense voltou a ficar na frente do placar com Germán Cano. Marquinhos cruzou na medida e o atacante argentino “fez o L” pela primeira vez nesta edição da Libertadores. O Colo-Colo chegou a ensaiar o empate novamente. No entanto, o gol de Zavala foi anulado pela arbitragem depois do VAR chamar o árbitro para analisar o lance.

📆 O QUE VEM POR AÍ?
O Fluminense volta a entrar em campo neste (13). É a estreia do Tricolor no Campeonato Brasileiro. A equipe das Laranjeiras enfrenta o Bragantino, às 21h, no Maracanã.

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After an incredible few months, Arsenal suffered their first defeat since August 31st at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side went behind in the first half, and while they did pull one back in the second, they were the victims of a 95th-minute Emiliano Buendía winner.

It wasn’t a terrible performance from the Gunners, but it was also some way off their best, and one of the players who has received plenty of criticism from the fans has been Martin Odegaard.

The captain was certainly not to blame for the result, but he did look a little off the pace at times, and after his underwhelming season last year, he is under the microscope more than most.

While his place in the team is safe for now, there are three players who could replace him in the coming years, and none of them is Eberechi Eze.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

3

Ethan Nwaneri

Starting with the player who is perhaps the closest to eventually challenging Odegaard for a place in the starting lineup: Ethan Nwaneri.

The Hale End star is already a regular in the match-day squads, and while there has been some concern from fans over his lack of game time this season, it’s important to remember he is still just 18 years old.

Moreover, due to injuries, he ended up playing a far more significant role in the team last season than anyone would have predicted, and to say he impressed would be an understatement.

For example, the “phenomenal” prospect, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, scored nine goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes.

That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which helps to justify Joe Cole’s claim that “he’s the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe.”

Now, a lot of his game time did come out wide, in place of Bukayo Saka, but the Enfield-born gem is first and foremost an attacking midfielder, as it’s where he spent most of his time in the academy and where his combination of shooting, passing and dribbling abilities are best placed.

There is little chance of Nwaneri replacing the Norwegian this season, but in a couple of years, if he fulfils his potential, there could be a real battle for that ten position.

2

Max Dowman

After Nwaneri, the Arsenal gem who feels like they could seriously rival Odegaard in a few years, is, of course, Max Dowman.

The 15-year-old might just be the most talked-about prospect in the country this season, and based on his form in the academy and for the senior side, it’s not hard to see why.

For example, when it comes to the former, the Chelmsford-born phenom has racked up a comical tally of six goals and one assist in just four appearances across the U19S and U21S.

Then, when it comes to the first team, he has already, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, started “humiliating Premier League players.”

For example, he ran rings around Leeds United on his league debut, then became the youngest player in the club’s history to start a game in the Gunners’ League Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

Finally, if all that wasn’t enough for someone who hasn’t even finished his GCSEs yet, he also became the youngest player in Champions League history when he came off the bench against Slavia Prague.

Now, like with Nwaneri, Dowman is not going to be a serious rival for Odegaard this season, but at the rate he is progressing, that time could come far sooner than most are expecting.

1

Holger Quintero

Last but by no means least, the final Arsenal player who could one day be the star to displace the captain from the team is Holger Quintero.

Now, just a week or so ago, most fans would have absolutely no idea who the 16-year-old was, but now, after the Gunners signed him and his twin brother Edwin Quintero, he has become one of the most exciting youngsters on the club’s books, and for good reason.

According to Mattinson, the Ecuadorian wonderkid is a “skilful attacking midfielder with 1v1 prowess to take on players”, which sounds quite a bit like Dowman, which can’t be a bad thing.

He appears to be more than just another promising youngster, though, as respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has stuck his neck out, labelling him “one of the most exciting U17s in South America.”

He is also someone who could potentially play the probing through balls that Odegaard has started to bring into his game, with Mattinson claiming he has an “excellent weight of pass” and is a “decisive creator with a killer final ball.”

However, due to rules around foreign-born youngsters, the midfielder won’t be able to join up with his new teammates until January 2027, so he is probably the last in line to compete with Odegaard.

Ultimately, the captain’s place in the team is currently safe, as it should be, but with three of the most exciting players in the game coming up behind him, Odegaard might have to step up his game over the next few years.

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The incredible international game-changer would be unreal for Arsenal, but could spell trouble for Martin Odegaard.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 8, 2025

In search of a consistent goalscorer, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly preparing a £40m+ offer to sign Georges Mikautadze from Villarreal in 2026.

The great weakness in Thomas Frank’s side this season has been their goalscoring struggles. With Dominic Solanke yet to return to full fitness, the likes of Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have struggled to truly take hold of the starting role – handing the Lilywhites a frustrating problem.

Kolo Muani has particularly struggled since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain and is still searching for his first Tottenham goal. With the North London derby against Arsenal up next, however, the forward has been passed fit and has the perfect opportunity to find the back of the net for the first time in the Premier League.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Arsenal game, Frank revealed early team news which included an update on Kolo Muani’s unexpected return to action after suffering a jaw injury before the break.

If the PSG loanee continues his run without a goal, then many around North London will be asking big questions. Tottenham chiefs are already reportedly searching for a striker and the Frenchman’s struggles could accelerate their plan to welcome La Liga star Mikautadze in 2026.

Tottenham readying Mikautadze offer

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now preparing a €50m (£44m) offer to sign Mikautadze from Villarreal in 2026. A player who’s been compared to the great Diego Forlan by Spanish media, the 25-year-old has shown glimpses of his best form so far this season – scoring five goals in 14 games – and has entered Spurs’ radar as a result.

Tottenham's eye-watering 'initial offer' for Rodrygo after contacting Florentino Perez

Spurs reportedly mean business.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 21, 2025

After becoming a transfer flop at Ajax, the Georgian striker reinvented himself at FC Metz, before starring at Lyon to earn a summer switch to Villarreal. Now, he could be about to make the biggest move of his career courtesy of Tottenham.

Dubbed “superb” by scout Jacek Kulig, Mikautadze has only kicked on since then to attract the interest of the Premier League. As Tottenham’s forwards continue to struggle, the 25-year-old should be seen as a serious option to consider next year.

Tottenham eyeing 'dream' move for striker likened to Diego Costa after Frank request

West Ham United are now planning to sign an “insane” Premier League striker in the January transfer window, as a replacement for Niclas Fullkrug.

Fullkrug set to leave West Ham in January

Sky Sports Florian Plettenberg revealed last month that Fullkrug wants to leave West Ham in the upcoming window, with the striker looking to make it into Germany’s World Cup squad next summer.

In truth, Nuno probably shouldn’t be too concerned if the German does depart, given that he has made a torrid start to the Premier League season, having failed to score in his opening eight matches.

Callum Wilson has now emerged as the first-choice option at centre-forward, and the Englishman has caught the eye at times, scoring two goals in his last three matches.

However, Wilson was unable to find the back of the net against Liverpool on Sunday, with the Hammers succumbing to a 2-0 defeat, and they are now looking to sign a new striker in the January transfer window.

That is according to a report from La Lazio Siamo Noi, which states West Ham have now identified Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee as a top target to replace Fullkrug next month.

The Irons are looking to cash-in on their £27m signing this winter, and they have already started offering him out to offer clubs, primarily to teams in the Bundesliga.

The 32-year-old would prefer to return to his home country, and if the Hammers do manage to get a sale over the line, there will be space to bring in a new forward, with Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa also of interest.

"Insane" Zirkzee returns to form against Crystal Palace

Zirkzee scored his first Premier League goal for nearly a year on Sunday afternoon, beating Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with a tidy finish to ignite Man United’s comeback, which earned him high praise from Bruno Fernandes.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also praised the Dutchman in the past, describing him as “insane”, however, his goalscoring record should be a major concern for West Ham.

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The Hammers have made a bid for a new centre-forward, with their manager personally an admirer.

ByDominic Lund Dec 1, 2025

Much like Fullkrug, the 24-year-old has struggled in front of goal ever since arriving in the Premier League for £36.5m, netting just four goals in 38 top-flight games, and the Hammers should be able to find a much more prolific striker to replace the Germany international.

West Ham are making serious plans to reinforce their squad in the January transfer window, as now confirmed by reliable media sources.

West Ham target defender, midfielder and forward in January

According to Sky Sports this week, the Hammers have promised Nuno Espírito Santo that funds will be available to reinforce his squad at the turn of the year, coming as some much-needed good news.

It is also believed that the east Londoners could make as many as three major signings across the squad.

One of the main priorities for West Ham is strengthening their defence. The team has shown major vulnerability at the back, conceding more goals than any other side in the Premier League so far this season, so bringing in a reliable defender could be essential.

Midfield is another area West Ham are keen to upgrade. Their current options have struggled to get a foot-hold in games or provide that creative spark needed through the middle, with Nuno raising many eyebrows after his bizarre team selection to play Brentford.

Tomas Soucek and Andy Irving were overrun by a dominant Bees side who had 17 shots in total, and if West Ham are to avoid the drop, they need to plug those gaps in the engine room.

West Ham are also after a forward, which is arguably their most glaring need of all.

Niclas Füllkrug’s injury woes have carried on into this campaign, while youngster Callum Marshall is inexperienced and Callum Wilson boasts a torrid fitness record of his own.

The Irons are already being linked with a host of intriguing striker names, with Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney, Man United’s Josh Zirkzee and Real Madrid starlet Endrick all mentioned as potential targets.

West Ham are rumoured to have done some work on a loan deal for Toney in January, but if that fails to pay dividends, Endrick is emerging as a more and more likely option.

The Brazilian has struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso, partly due to injury, and it was a similar story during Carlo Ancelotti’s final year in charge.

Endrick did play a key role in Real’s run to the Copa del Rey final last term, scoring five goals in the competition, but could do nothing as El Clásico rivals Barcelona eventually beat them to the trophy in April.

Fabrizio Romano and other media sources are adamant that the 19-year-old could leave the Bernabeu on loan this winter — opening the door for a potential West Ham deal amid their long-standing interest.

Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has shared a very interesting update, and Endrick isn’t the only Real player on West Ham’s radar.

West Ham in talks with Real Madrid over signing Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia

Bailey, in a piece for TBR Football, claims that West Ham are “already in talks” over a “double deal” involving Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia.

The former would come in on loan, while Nuno’s side have also asked about Garcia as their manager “pleads with his bosses” for more attacking reinforcements.

Endrick rejected a move to West Ham last January, so it is unclear what his stance would be on a move this time around with many clubs likely to be interested, but Garcia is apparently keen on a move to England.

The 21-year-old Spaniard, who won the Golden Boot award at last summer’s Club World Cup, has been limited to brief substitute appearances under Alonso this season but bagged an assist against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League last month.

Despite his limited chances in 2025/2026, Alonso holds Garcia in very high esteem, even comparing the young striker to Los Blancos legend Raul over the summer.

With West Ham speaking to Real about signing both Endrick and Garcia, there is reason to believe the young, hungry striking duo could inject some much-needed energy and attacking flair into Nuno’s ranks.

Bangladesh are searching for a 3-0 series clean sweep; Pakistan are looking for fixes

Danyal Rasool23-Jul-2025Big picture: Can Bangladesh make it 3-0?Bangladesh set aside Pakistan’s pseudo-paternalistic concerns about their home pitches not helping them away on Tuesday. After all, this series is taking place in Bangladesh, and in the corresponding one six weeks ago, Pakistan prepared surfaces designed to suit their own game; it hasn’t exactly helped them away in Bangladesh, either.A dominant bowling performance helped Bangladesh wrap up the three-match T20I series at the earliest opportunity, with the visitors grateful for a counterattacking knock from Faheem Ashraf that staved off sharper embarrassment, though not defeat.Coming a day after the tragic events of a plane crash into a school that took many lives, an emotional crowd in Dhaka were given something to cheer by a home performance which oscillated between steel and swagger. The former was required when Pakistan’s bowlers punctured Bangladesh’s top order repeatedly in the powerplay and beyond; Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan stanching the bleeding and keeping alive their hopes in the contest. The fast bowlers then lit the stadium up in a scarcely believable powerplay where they took five wickets.Related

Hesson slams 'unacceptable' Mirpur pitch

Bangladesh seal first T20I series win against Pakistan

Jaker: 'I only count match-winning runs, the rest doesn't register'

Even more satisfying, perhaps, for Bangladesh is the well-roundedness of their displays this series. They showed, in the first game, an ability to hunt down a low-scoring total with ease despite early pressure, before defending one in the second, holding their nerve in a tight finish. They even rested two of their best performers in the second contest – Tanzid Hasan and Taskin Ahmed – without leaving them too exposed in these conditions. At just about every stage in each game, they have found themselves ahead of Pakistan, and fittingly, that’s where they are guaranteed to stay.When Pakistan trounced this opposition at home a few weeks earlier, captain Salman Agha had said he would judge his team by intent more than results. However, that intent – particularly on Tuesday after Pakistan lost a heap of early wickets – was lacking for large periods. The asking rate ballooned to a point where, even in a low-scoring game, Pakistan scored 78 off the last 45 balls and still end up short. Salman himself scratched around for 23 balls, managing just nine.However, one thing going for Pakistan is that they have a large number of T20Is over the rest of the year. If they find themselves unable to implement the fixes they have so publicly promised they are seeking, it won’t be for lack of match practice. The final game against Bangladesh may offer a window into how quickly those fixes can begin to be implemented.Form guideBangladesh: WWWWL
Pakistan: LLWWWMustafizur Rahman returned outstanding figures of 4-0-6-2 in the first T20I•BCBIn the spotlight: Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan NawazMustafizur Rahman has tormented Pakistan this series, using his famous offcutters on a surface designed to make them impossibly difficult to play. The pace-on variation makes that weapon even more deadly, and Bangladesh have wrapped up the series before Pakistan have figured out how to handle him. Across two games, he boasts an economy rate under five and has taken three wickets, including the one that finished Pakistan off on Tuesday. Should Bangladesh play him with the series already done, there’s little to suggest Pakistan won’t struggle similarly against him.Hasan Nawaz intersperses big scores and impactful innings with a string of low ones, and he’s in the latter cycle right now. He’s faced ten deliveries this series, but he’s yet to score, dismissed for a duck each innings. It’s been a story that’s repeated itself throughout his brief career so far; the T20I series against New Zealand in March saw him score one century but add just a solitary run in the other four innings. It is that explosiveness that Pakistan use to justify his selection, and what they will bank on as they try and avoid a series whitewash.Team news: Farhan, Muqeem to get a chance?Bangladesh may rest the odd player or two with the series done, but there are no new injury concerns.Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali (wk), 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 10 Mustafizur Rahman/Shoriful Isman, 11 Taskin AhmedWill Sufiyan Muqeem come into the side for the third T20I?•AFP/Getty ImagesSahibzada Farhan is yet to get a game this series, as is Sufiyan Muqeem. The inclusion of either won’t be a surprise, though Pakistan’s weakened bowling attack means they will continue to be forced to turn to part-timers to run through an innings.Pakistan: (probable XI): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Saim Ayub/Sahibzada Farhan, 3 Mohammad Haris (wk), 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Salman Agha (capt), 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Abbas Afridi, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Ahmed Daniyal, 10 Salman Mirza, 11 Abrar Ahmed/Sufiyan MuqeemPitch and conditionsMirpur has stayed dry even amidst heavy monsoon rain in Dhaka of late. There’s an afternoon shower forecast, while the pitch – a subject of such focus this week – is unlikely to be significantly different.Stats and triviaRishad Hossain is two wickets away from becoming the sixth Bangladeshi man to reach 50 T20I wicketsBangladesh have won two T20I series 3-0 against Full Members – once at home against England in 2023, and one in the West Indies last year

Manchester City are rebuilding, and while Pep Guardiola’s current iteration of talent isn’t quite as complete and devastating as years past, there’s a sense this team might be capable of challenging for a slice of silverware or two this term.

It’s been a stop-start few months in the Premier League, but City have claimed ten points from 12 and their 15-goal haul after seven matches eclipses every other side in the division.

Erling Haaland’s brilliance cannot be put into words, and Gianluigi Donnarumma has been immense between the sticks so far. Pep’s team is populated with talented individuals, and there’s enough there to make this a special year.

However, Rodri remains a way below full fitness after his long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of last season, having been forced off at the weekend, a number of setbacks inflcited on him already.

Rodri's Man City future

Rodri is 29 and has been at Man City since arriving from Atletico Madrid for a club-record £63m fee in 2019. He has bloomed over the years and become one of the greatest midfielders of his generation and a pillar of Pep’s legacy. In 2024, he was the Men’s Ballon d’Or winner.

He hasn’t been at his best so far this season, and that marks the key point of difference for the Sky Blues as they fight to reclaim their Premier League title.

Efforts have been made to package the midfield with more quality, differing skills and a presence which aligns with Rodri’s own.

Nico Gonzalez joined City from Porto for £50m in February as Guardiola fought to rewrite his team amid an abject decline. However, the Spaniard, 23, remains an enigma, clearly talented but not quite bringing it all together in the Premier League.

Many aspiring midfielders have risen through the youth ranks in recent years, most finding their way elsewhere. Romeo Lavia would be a case in point, but injuries have ruined his two-year star at Chelsea.

Lavia had initially left for Southampton, and there he thrived. Saints have had their issues over the past year, but they have struck gold through the £15m signing of Shea Charles in 2023.

The former Citizen prospect looks to be one who got away.

Man City may regret selling Shea Charles

Charles is still only 21, but he’s showing all the skills of a high-level midfielder in the making. Southampton may actually regret their decision to loan him out to Sheffield Wednesday last term; his robust midfield style might have been useful in the Premier League.

But he developed his skillset across the 2024/25 campaign, and he received praise from Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill for his progress last year, with the coach saying he “blows players away” with his quality on the ball and his skill in progression.

We are young into the campaign, but the Green and White Army talent is showing faculties that are perfect for Pep’s Man City side. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 17% of midfielders in the Championship this term for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for pass completion, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.

And the table below emphasises the rising star’s defensive qualities and his combative side. This level of completeness and athleticism underlines his potential, for sure, with EFL expert Ali Maxwell tipping him to become a “£60m player” in the future, should he keep going from strength to strength.

Shea Charles – Championship Stats 25/26

Stats (* per game)

#

Matches (starts)

9 (9)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches*

67.7

Accurate passes*

42.9 (86%)

Chances created*

0.9

Dribbles*

1.1

Tackles + interceptions*

3.4

Duels (won)

7.7 (59%)

Data via Sofascore

Rodri is irreplaceable, but here is a midfielder who shares the Spain superstar’s tactical outlook, and under Guardiola’s wing, he might become an elite player indeed, certainly capable of thriving in the Premier League.

Hailed by one Southampton content creator for being a “Rolls-Royce” of a player, City chiefs may well be casting their gaze back to the buyback rights inserted when he was sold a few years ago.

For him to return to the Etihad in the near future wouldn’t be the greatest surprise in the world.

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Posts ByWill Miller Oct 7, 2025