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Everton’s transfer business this summer has been characterised by a calculated blend of experience and youth, with David Moyes’ return to the dugout sparking fresh ambition at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Toffees may have stumbled on the opening day at Elland Road, but subsequent back-to-back wins against Brighton in the league and Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup have steadied the mood and underlined a sense of momentum.

Moyes’ early recruits – Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish, and Tyler Dibling – all suggest a clear desire to build a side that balances quality with potential.

The pursuit of Dibling in particular was emblematic of Everton’s new strategy. Secured from Southampton in a £42m deal, the 19-year-old England U21 winger represents a bold bet on long-term potential.

Yet the Merseyside club appear far from finished in the market.

Having already explored moves for Tomas Soucek and Hayden Hackney, Everton are actively searching for further midfield reinforcements.

One name has emerged late in the window, and while he would not be an easy capture, the upside is undeniable.

Everton eye move for Kobbie Mainoo

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Toffees are “in the mix” of clubs considering a late swoop for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.

The 20-year-old, a graduate of Carrington and one of England’s most highly regarded young midfielders, is understood to be pushing for more regular minutes in what is a World Cup year.

Having started just 15 of manager Rúben Amorim’s 44 matches in charge, Mainoo has found opportunities limited in recent times.

The youngster’s frustrations were compounded at the weekend when he remained an unused substitute for the second match in succession, this time in United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.

Sources close to the player suggest he is open to testing himself abroad, but Everton’s willingness to provide immediate Premier League opportunities could yet prove persuasive.

From United’s perspective, a permanent sale seems unlikely, albeit with a fee of around £45m having been touted.

Mainoo is seen as part of the club’s long-term project and has already enjoyed moments that underline his pedigree, including a start in the Euro 2024 final for England and a goal in the FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City the previous season.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, a carefully managed loan is not out of the question, particularly if Amorim remains committed to fielding Fernandes as his central fulcrum.

Why Mainoo fits Everton’s evolution

For Everton, the potential arrival of Mainoo would continue a trend of targeting young English prospect, having been described by Rasmus Højlund as a “generational talent”.

Dibling’s addition last week brought creativity on the right flank, while the pursuit of Hackney showed the club’s intent to provide pathways for domestic players with significant headroom for development.

Mainoo, however, arguably represents a higher ceiling than any of those previously linked.

In tactical terms, Moyes’ side would benefit enormously from the injection of someone like Mainoo’s profile.

Last season, Mainoo played 25 times in the Premier League, demonstrating his composure under pressure and ability to progress play through congested midfields.

In Europe, he added a goal and an assist in the Europa League in eight appearances, evidence of his capacity to influence games beyond simply recycling possession.

His underlying metrics reinforce that promise.

Matches Played

25

Starts

19

Shots

15

Progressive Carries

22

Progressive Passes

65

Tackles

46

He ranked in the 72nd percentile for tackles per 90 (2.44) and the 78th percentile for dribblers tackled (1.25), numbers that speak to a player unafraid to impose himself defensively while still maintaining balance in transition.

Compared to Everton’s existing options, the contrast is stark.

Where recent departure Abdoulaye Doucouré thrived on vertical runs into the box and late goals – scoring 21 times in 166 appearances for Everton – Mainoo offers a calmer, more technically polished alternative.

He is the type of midfielder who can set the tempo rather than merely follow it, giving Moyes a platform on which to build his attacking structure.

However, this does not diminish players like Dibling’s importance.

The teenager’s statistical profile already illustrates a winger who can carry the ball with intent, draw fouls and press from the front.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn, the 98th for penalties won, and the 87th for take-ons attempted, indicative of a player capable of stretching defences and providing Moyes with the sort of dynamism Everton have sorely lacked in recent times.

But for those qualities to shine, Everton require a midfield that can win possession, circulate it quickly, and release their wide forwards into space.

Mainoo’s presence could be the glue that connects the dynamic talent of Dibling with the more established threats Moyes is shaping around Grealish and Barry.

From a financial perspective, a loan deal would also represent a pragmatic approach.

While Everton have shown a willingness to invest in young players – spending £42m on Dibling – balancing that with opportunistic loans could be the smartest way to deepen the squad without overstretching resources.

For Mainoo, the benefit is equally obvious: regular Premier League football in a competitive environment that would accelerate his development and enhance his case for an England spot at the World Cup.

If Everton can pull it off, the move would symbolise the club’s transition under Moyes.

No longer merely plugging gaps, the Toffees are assembling a squad built with both present competitiveness and future growth in mind.

With Dibling already secured and Mainoo potentially next through the door, Everton could be positioning themselves not just for survival, but for a return to relevance in the top half of the Premier League.

The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star

Everton are interested in signing an England U21 star.

1 ByWill Miller Aug 29, 2025

Continuing their search for a striker, Newcastle United could now reportedly jump ahead of Bayern Munich to sign a towering forward whose technique has been compared to Lionel Messi’s.

Isak agrees terms with Liverpool

Things could be about to get worse before they get better at St James’ Park this summer. Fresh reports have now revealed that star striker Alexander Isak has already agreed personal terms with Liverpool, who are now waiting for an opening to submit their first bid.

Liverpool’s interest follows the bombshell news that Isak is looking to leave Newcastle this summer and has reportedly gone AWOL in the hope of pushing through an unexpected departure.

Not for the first time this summer, Newcastle have been put in an unenviable position in the transfer market and must push to get their business done as the Premier League campaign draws near.

On that front, however, those at St James’ Park may need to prepare themselves for even more rejection amid reports that Benjamin Sesko favours a move to Old Trafford.

The RB Leipzig forward is the subject of a Premier League battle between Manchester United and Newcastle, but the Magpies already reportedly believe that he will choose the Red Devils this summer.

Newcastle now in talks to sign £65m+ ace once called 'better than Haaland'

The Magpies once again have a fight on their hands to sign a top target…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 31, 2025

As such, Newcastle must once again take a look down their long list of striker targets and go in pursuit of what could quickly turn into a replacement for Isak. And if it’s the towering Sesko profile that they’re after, then one particular option should be their top priority.

Newcastle eyeing Woltemade hijack

As reported by The Sun, Newcastle are now eyeing a deal to sign Nick Woltemade ahead of Bayern Munich, who have hesitated to complete their move after welcoming Luis Diaz from Liverpool.

The 6’6 VfB Stuttgart striker enjoyed an incredibly impressive season in Germany – scoring 17 goals in all competitions – and quickly followed that up with six goals in six games to win the Golden Boot at the U21 Euros.

The German has unsurprisingly received high praise from all those who have seen him at his best, including from Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor, who said: “Woltemade has Messi’s technique! I think I recognise a good footballer quickly and Nick caught my eye from the first week of training.

“The most important thing for us is to involve Woltemade enough in the game but he can do that as a deep-lying striker between the lines or as a true No.9 in the opponent’s box. Because we know what we have in Nick: he’s a two-metre-tall (Jamal) Musiala or Messi!”

Barcelona opt for a cautious approach with Gavi after a knee injury flare-up, but a second operation remains a possibility if physical therapy fails.

Gavi suffers knock on ACL operated kneeClub concerned by persistent discomfortBarca initially pursuing a non-surgical path Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gavi has suffered a setback, experiencing discomfort in his right knee after a recent blow during training. According to , the injury occurred on the same knee that was surgically repaired for a torn ACL in 2023, causing significant alarm for the club and the Spanish national team. The lingering pain forced the 21-year-old to miss Barcelona's last league match and withdraw from the Spain squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers.

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While Barca are still pursuing conservative physical therapy, the possibility of a minor arthroscopic procedure to clean the knee and alleviate the pain is now being considered more seriously. The club's medical staff are reportedly trying various treatments to resolve the issue before resorting to surgery, but the option is gaining prominence as the discomfort shows little sign of subsiding on its own. The Spanish club have decided to give Gavi about three weeks for the physical therapy to take effect.

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The concern surrounding Gavi’s knee is magnified by the severity of his previous injury, a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and an associated meniscus injury that kept him sidelined for 11 months. This background explains why the club are approaching this new issue with extreme caution. While initial reports from the club’s medical services downplayed the need for a second surgical intervention, the persistent nature of the discomfort have caused a shift in their thinking.

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The hope is that the discomfort will subside, allowing Gavi to return to training and eventually to playing. However, if his condition does not improve during this period, the club will explore other scenarios, including the minor arthroscopic surgery. Should Gavi undergoes the procedure, his recovery timeline would be approximately one month, with a potential return tentatively around the Champions League match against PSG in October.

Josh Philippe made a stunning 139 off 119 on debut for NSW against his old side WA as the Blues held on in a thriller after Jhye Richardson took 5 for 63

AAP22-Sep-2024

Josh Philippe has made a perfect start to life in New South Wales colours, plundering a sparkling century against his former side to lead the Blues to a thrilling eight-run One-Day Cup victory over Western Australia.Philippe made an off-season switch from WA to NSW in a bid to reignite his Sheffield Shield career. But it’s with the white ball that Philippe has made a memorable early impression, with the 27-year-old cracking a career-high 139 off 119 deliveries to lead NSW to 287 for 9 at Cricket Central in Sydney on Sunday.Philippe’s innings overshadowed the return to form of WA’s injury-prone quick Jhye Richardson who put his injury woes behind him to finish with 5 for 63, including two wickets in three balls in the sixth over.In reply, three-time defending champions WA had a chance to pinch victory after moving to 279 for 9, needing nine runs off the final eight balls.But Will Salzmann ended WA’s hopes, taking a tough catch at deep point while running backwards and looking into the sun to dismiss AJ Tye.Salzmann had returned expensive figures of 2 for 72, but he had the last laugh with the match-winning catch.Cameron Bancroft top scored for WA with 71, while Ashton Agar (51), Ashton Turner (41) and Hilton Cartwright (41) also produced handy contributions.Philippe plundered 17 fours and three sixes in his devastating knock, with the star opener particularly brutal down the ground, both along the deck and over the top.Agar, WA’s lone spinner, suffered plenty of punishment from Philippe on the way to figures of 1 for 58 from eight overs. Richardson claimed Philippe’s wicket in the 38th over courtesy of a brilliant one-handed diving catch from Bancroft at mid-on.But the damage had already been done, with Philippe’s knock helping NSW post a formidable total despite the lack of support around him.Matthew Gilkes scored 41 off 47 batting at No.7 to be the next best scorer, while tail-ender Tanveer Singh added a handy 26 not out off 14 balls at the death.

A hurricane warning has left the T20 World Cup-winning India team stranded in Barbados.Hurricane Beryl (Category 4) is expected to pass by Barbados on Sunday night local time with the centre of the storm approximately 80 miles off the south coast. India are currently staying at the Hilton Hotel. They were initially planning a charter straight home but the airport has been closed since Sunday evening. South Africa had left earlier on Sunday.BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that board is planning a felicitation for the victorious team after they reach India.”Like you we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation,” Shah told reporters in Barbados.Related

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Shah: New India coach to take charge from SL series

Shah has said that the Indian team will have a new head coach from the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka starting later this month, but did not reveal who has been finalised to succeed the outgoing Rahul Dravid.Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner to take up the position of the head coach. The Cricket Advisory Committee [CAC] has conducted the interviews for the post and shortlisted Gambhir and former India women’s coach WV Raman.”Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly,” Shah who is in the Caribbean with the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup 2024, said. “CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but a new coach will join from the Sri Lanka series.”The Indian team is due to tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs starting July 27.2:46

What is Virat Kohli’s legacy in T20Is?

‘Seniors will be there for CT and WTC’

Shah has also said that “seniors will be there” in next year’s Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final, if India qualify for it, while a decision on whether Hardik Pandya succeeds Rohit Sharma as the next T20I captain will be taken solely by the selectors.”The transition has already happened with three greats retiring,” Shah said when asked about the team’s next phase following the T20I retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit and [Ravindra] Jadeja.”The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there.”This means that the senior players, fitness permitting, are likely to be available for the nine ODI matches that India will play before the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March 2025 in Pakistan.India’s ODI assignments before that include three games each against Sri Lanka (away), New Zealand (home) and England (home).8:43

Rohit Sharma: ‘This has to be my greatest achievement’

‘From Rohit to Virat, all excelled’

Shah also praised the efforts of Rohit and Kohli, who played a match-winning knock in the final against South Africa which India won by seven runs in Barbados. Both Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement from T20Is after the triumph and were joined by allrounder Jadeja in saying goodbye to the format a day later.”It was the same captain last year and same here in Barbados. We won all games except the final in 2023 [ODI World Cup] as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title,” Shah said. “If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference. In World Cups, you can’t experiment much also. A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit’s strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players.”India, who had lost big finals in the past decade, finally ended their title drought after losing two ICC finals – World Test Championship and ODI World Cup final – over the last 12 months and Shah hoped the winning run would continue.”I would want India to win all the titles. We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises,” he said. “The way this team is progressing, our target is to win World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there.”On Hardik’s all-round performance in the T20 World Cup and chances of him taking over the captaincy from Rohit, Shah said: “Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but the selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself.”India will next travel to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series which begins on July 6 in Harare. Shubman Gill will lead the Indian side there with plenty of seniors being rested. Shah also confirmed that an India A team will be travelling to Australia later in the year ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

It feels as if this summer is make-or-break for Ruben Amorim’s long-term future at Manchester United.

Amorim’s stint in charge to date hasn’t gone to plan whatsoever, with 17 wins and 17 defeats coming his way from 42 contests, culminating in the Red Devils having to stomach a shambolic 15th final place finish in the Premier League.

Therefore, the recruitment in and out of Old Trafford this chaotic transfer window has to be spot on, with the underperformers nearly nailing down the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha to offer up at least one ray of much-needed positivity.

Unfortunately, that excitement has been short-lived as modern-day United great Bruno Fernandes now reportedly edges closer to the exit door. But his departure could be softened immediately by one bold replacement entering the Theatre of Dreams.

Man Utd lining up Fernandes replacement

The graphic above gives you just a flavour as to why the Portuguese ace leaving would be a disaster, with the 30-year-old just fresh off a combined 19 goals and assists in Premier League action, despite United sinking to 15th spot.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

But, Amorim and Co. would surely bounce back from Fernandes’ exit swiftly if they were successful in landing Sporting star Pedro Goncalves, with a new report from Portuguese outlet A Bola – via Sport Witness – indicating that he is being lined up as a like-for-like replacement.

The suggestion is that the Red Devils are ‘considering making an offer’ for the 26-year-old, with any move likely to be ramped if Fernandes departs – although it could still take place regardless.

Losing the experience United number eight to Al-Hilal for mega millions would be able to finance the deal, with the report further stating that Amorim’s ex-employers would only cash in if his €80m (£67m) release clause is met.

How Goncalves compares to Amad

Signed the exciting “creative force” – as he’s been glowingly branded by football analyst Ben Mattinson – wouldn’t be purchased to just plug the gap of Fernandes.

The former Wolves flop is also a tricky customer down the left or right flank, thus representing a potential upgrade down the channels than another of United’s bright gems in Amad Diallo.

Goncalves will be chomping at the bit to change his negative Wolves narrative if he does return to England, having already caused ripples when scoring this blinder away at Arsenal in 2023.

Amad has also had to bounce back from his own difficulties at Old Trafford, albeit while tallying up 11 goals and ten assists last season as the United ship regularly hit icebergs.

That said, the “incredible” Goncalves – as he has been praised by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – might well have the beating of the Ivorian down either channel or through the centre as a number ten when assessing his glittering career numbers in Lisbon.

When assessing the table above, it’s clear how flexible Goncalves can be for the cause, with an amazingly high 30 goals and assists tallied up from 36 games centrally, on top of also registering a combined 105 goal contributions down either wing in the Portuguese capital.

On the flip side, Amad, who is still raw at an earlier stage in his career, has just 26 goal contributions overall when donning a Red Devils strip, meaning he might well have to forfeit some first-team action if the Bruno-like target does join the building.

The overriding anxiety will be that Goncalves has already flopped once in England, which could result in another high-profile failure coming up on his CV.

But, Fernandes entered the English game back in 2020 with a similar hype surrounding his name, having amassed an astounding 113 goals and assists from just 137 appearances for Sporting.

Consequently, it just feels written in the stars that this deal could go down as a similarly golden hit, as Goncalves aims to be a transformative figure that guides United to better days.

Not just Bruno: Man Utd star in talks to leave in another McTominay repeat

Manchester United could repeat their Scott McTominay disaster by selling this star.

By
Dan Emery

May 30, 2025

Chelsea’s transfer policy under owner Todd Boehly has seen them sign plenty of under-21 starlets over the past few years. It has been a real focus of the Blues since Boehly became the majority owner at Stamford Bridge, with one of the best examples being Cole Palmer, who Jamie Carragher said in October is “the best player in the Premier League”.

However, the England international, who has been sensational in a Chelsea shirt, is not the only under-21 to excel at Stamford Bridge. One example would be Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia, described as “one of the best midfielders” when at full fitness by manager Enzo Maresca.

Well, Chelsea could be looking to add to the list of talented players to join the club as an under-21, if one transfer rumour is to be believed.

Chelsea’s latest under-21 transfer target

As we know, the Blues have not been afraid to bring highly-rated young players. 2025 will be no exception, with deals for attacking pair Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian, plus young midfielder Dario Essugo, already agreed.

The next player to add to that list could be Dean Huijsen. The 20-year-old Bournemouth centre-back has been linked with the Blues by Fabrizio Romano. The highly-reputable journalist reports the Blues are ‘ready to trigger’ Huijsen’s £50m release clause, and are looking to do the deal in the next month or so.

However, they are not the only side that will try to sign Huijsen. The Spain international is also a target for Spanish giants Real Madrid, and the Blues’ Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool will also look to trigger his release clause.

Why Huijsen would be a good signing

There is no doubt that winning the race to sign Huijsen this summer will be tough for Chelsea, but if they manage it, they will be adding an elite talent to their squad. The Spaniard is a “sensational” player, according to football analyst Ben Mattinson.

He has been a pivotal figure at the back for the Cherries this season, who have been excellent in the top flight. He has featured in 34 games across all competitions, notching up 30 of those in the top flight, managing to score three times, too.

Chelsea will surely be encouraged by the fact that the 20-year-old machine has been part of one of the Premier League’s best defences this season. According to Sofascore, the 43 goals Bournemouth have conceded are bettered by just two sides, and they have kept eight clean sheets.

Signing Huijsen this summer could be ideal for the West Londoners if they miss out on signing Marc Guehi. According to a recent report from TEAMTalk, Newcastle United have ‘leapfrogged’ Chelsea in the race to sign their former academy star from Crystal Palace.

Just like Bournemouth’s Spanish defender, Guehi has been a key man at the heart of the Eagles’ defence, in what has been a fantastic season so far.

He has played 43 games across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and helping lead his side to an FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

Cost will surely not be a factor in the Blues’ decision this summer. There is just £4m difference between the pair, given Palace reportedly want £46m for Guehi. Thus, it seems like a decision Chelsea will surely make based on who they think is a better player.

The stats on FBref actually suggest that Huijsen might be a better signing than Guehi for the Blues. For example, in the Premier League this season, the Cherries defender averages 3.33 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, compared to 2.62 tackles and interceptions each game for Huijsen.

There is certainly plenty of evidence to support the fact that Huijsen would be a better addition to the playing staff at Stamford Bridge. His quality in and out of possession would certainly raise the ceiling in West London.

Although £50m is a sizeable amount of money to invest, there is no doubt about the quality of player Chelsea would be signing.

Big Jackson upgrade: Chelsea to enter talks to sign "world-class" £60m star

Chelsea could be about to land a star who become Enzo Maresca’s new star man in the final third.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 13, 2025

Manchester United are said to be considering making an offer for a young player with a huge amount of potential as INEOS look to rebuild for the long haul.

Amorim begins to eye summer signings at Old Trafford

The Red Devils were beaten 4-3 away to Brentford on Sunday afternoon, as a hugely disappointing Premier League campaign carries on, with Ruben Amorim’s side limping over the line in the competition this season.

United continue to be linked with much-needed new signings this summer, with a new striker at the top of the list of priorities. Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres has regularly been mentioned as the man to come in and lead the line, following a stunning season that has seen him score 38 times in the Primeira Liga.

Liam Delap is seen as another option to and strengthen the Red Devils’ attack, following an impressive year for a struggling Ipswich Town side. The former Manchester City youngster won’t want to be playing Championship football next season, so a summer exit feels like a certainty.

At the other end of the pitch, Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah has reportedly been in talks over a move to Old Trafford, with the defender leaving his current club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Man Utd considering offer for 16 y/o Jake Evans

According to a report from Spain, Manchester United are willing to make a £13m offer for Leicester City attacker Jake Evans this summer. The 16-year-old has caught the eye in the Foxes academy, standing out as one of the most exciting young players at the club, and Tottenham are also believed to be in the mix.

Evans isn’t necessarily the world-renowned attacker that so many United fans crave in the summer window, but there is room to sign both proven players and future stars in the coming months. Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has lauded the teenager’s ability, along with fellow youngster Jeremy Monga, already seeing him as a “vital” player in their first-team.

“Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga are very closely monitored by us in their performances in the Under-21s. Fifteen and 16-year-olds who are performing in PL2 on a regular basis and doing well there. They are vital parts already, even though they’re 15 and 16. It’s hard to imagine at their age they are part of team training on a regular basis and in the plans of this football club.”

Evans has scored 11 goals for Leicester’s Under-18s and Under-21s apiece, coming in just 20 and 18 appearances for them respectively, and he is also a two-cap England Under-16s international, further highlighting his pedigree.

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For that reason, he could be a fantastic long-term signing for United, maturing as a player in the youth teams at Old Trafford before hopefully becoming a key part of Amorim’s plans over time.

It’s been barely a month since the 27-year old made his international debut, but he has been around the T20 circuit for a while

Omkar Mankame24-Nov-2025Mystery spinner Usman Tariq secured Pakistan’s entry into the T20I tri-series final with a hat-trick against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. It’s been barely a month since the 27-year old made his international debut, but he has been around the T20 circuit for a while.Tariq made his T20 debut for Peshawar in the National T20 Cup in November 2023 and featured in the 2024 PSL but did not make an impact. A strong 2024-25 domestic season, where he picked up 22 wickets in 15 matches, revived his prospects.Tariq’s action is unmistakable: a normal run-up followed by an exaggerated pause at release, almost coming to a complete stop for up to two seconds before delivering side-arm, slinging offbreaks. It’s unconventional, deceptive, and central to his mystery.Related

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He has been reported for suspect action twice so far, first flagged during the 2024 PSL. He was cleared after testing at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and continued bowling but was reported again in the next PSL. He passed the assessment again.Tariq played an important role in Quetta Gladiators’ run to the 2025 PSL final, taking ten wickets in five matches, including a three-for in Qualifier 1. In the CPL, he bagged 20 wickets in 10 games for champions Trinbago Knight Riders, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker.Tariq impressed on his T20I debut in Lahore by removing Reeza Hendricks and Dewald Brevis, helping Pakistan restrict South Africa to 139 for 9 in the series-clinching win. In his second outing, he finished with 4 for 18 – including that hat-trick – against Zimbabwe to cap a sparkling start to international cricket.

England may have won eight of 10 chases, but none will have been on a trickier surface than this

Vithushan Ehantharajah03-Feb-20241:59

Manjrekar: ‘Very difficult for England to win from this position’

Many fingers and laptops have been burned writing off this England Test team.An impressive record of 14 wins out of 19 under Ben Stokes, aligned with some engaging cricket, has earned them a great deal of credit behind the bar and in the hearts of supporters. And considering they have won five out of eight matches in which they have given up a first-innings lead, they will believe they are still in this game. It was only last week they turned over a 190-run first-innings deficit to win the first Test in Hyderabad. What’s 143 in Visakhapatnam?Well, it is definitely not nothing. Especially with England batting last on a pitch starting to bounce irregularly. They may have won eight out of 10 chases, but none will have been on a tougher surface than this. “We believe we can chase anything, and we’ve showed that before,” said Zak Crawley.England had started day two well enough, needing just 19 overs to take India’s four remaining first-innings wickets, conceding just 60 in the process. James Anderson put on his usual clinic with the second new ball, taking 2 for 17 in an eight-over spell, accounting for both overnight batters, double centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal and chief rouser Ravichandran Ashwin. Five hours later, the 41-year-old seamer was back out there sporting his bowling boots and a Danny Glover esque grimace, ready to start India’s second innings. By stumps, the hosts had increased that lead to 171 for no loss.Related

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Jaiswal wants to 'double it up and keep going'

It is not ignoring England’s powers of recovery to say they should not be in this position. Or that they let slip an opportunity to really flex their muscles. Restricting India to 396 in their first innings was a success, and felt broadly like an extension of their graft from the first Test.They had chipped away 32 off India’s 396 inside just six over before lunch, then onto 50 off 51 after the break. Ashwin, who had started the day getting under Anderson’s skin, was whisked out of the attack unceremoniously by Rohit Sharma after his first eight overs went for 40. Even Jasprit Bumrah, who would go on to have the final say as he always seems to do, saw his fourth over taken for four boundaries.That England were in the ascendancy was down to Crawley. The opener looked in supreme touch, characterised by two straight drives in that 16-run Bumrah over – one off a full-pace delivery, the other off a slower off-cutter, which is usually one of the Indian quick’s more potent variations.A defensive push for an eighth boundary off Kuldeep Yadav’s googly was followed two deliveries later by a leisurely six to midwicket, moving to a 15th score of 50 or more from 52 deliveries. It seemed a targeted attack on the wrist spinner after his wicket maiden in the previous over which accounted for Ben Duckett. Nothing was out of Crawley’s control – and by proxy, this game was there to be reshaped by England after India had the best part of four sessions with it.Zak Crawley was dominant, especially against the quicks•Getty ImagesAlas, an innings of clarity and KP-esque chutzpah was finished in disappointing fashion. England were 110 for 1 at the drinks break, going along at five an over, when Axar Patel was introduced for the first time.Crawley was always going to approach this one way, waiting just one ball before stepping down the track and hacking Axar through midwicket. Attempting to assert more dominance the ball after, a skewed hack off a delivery that turned and bounced more than anticipated ended up brilliantly taken by Shreyas Iyer running back from point.It was, unfortunately, the only shot Crawley mistimed. By his own reasoning, it was in line with an approach that has served him well recently. And the numbers bear that out: averaging 51.92 with a strike rate of 91.09 since the start of last summer. Checking himself, he reckons, would have been regressing to the opener who averaged 27.60 from their first 33 caps.”If I start doubting myself in those situations and not backing my instincts, then I revert back to the player I was a couple of years ago, really not scoring many runs for my team.”I wasn’t happy to get out when I did but I’d definitely do the same thing. If that one doesn’t turn and I hit him over his head for six, then suddenly he’s under a lot of pressure, and I can milk him for two hours or whatever. there’s risk and reward there.”Amid the unwavering belief in the process, there was still regret that he could not motor on, or prevent what ended up being a match-tilting spell from Bumrah. Crawley would be the first of six wickets to fall for just 68, as Bumrah, with some help from Kuldeep, ripped out the heart of England’s batting card.”I was disappointed with myself,” said Crawley, “especially when the wickets fell after. But I’ll keep telling myself to back my aggressive game because that’s what got me here.”Shreyas Iyer took a smart running catch to send back Zak Crawley•AFP/Getty ImagesFor all Bumrah’s brilliance and England’s belief in the principles that have held them in good stead throughout Stokes’ tenure, this feels like an opportunity missed. This is likely to be the worst Indian XI they will face in this series. While there remains uncertainty over Virat Kohli’s participation, Mohammed Shami and KL Rahul are likely to play some part in the back three Tests. Both improve the hosts, as would the rested Mohammed Siraj, whose deputy Mukesh Kumar was taken for 44 in his wicket-less seven overs.Crawley’s positivity spilled over into the press conference. And already he was looking forward to the fourth innings, England’s favourite bit: when the scoreboard simply tells you what you need to win.”It’s a quick scoring ground, really small boundaries and a quick outfield,” he said. “Even the guys at the end showed if you put them under pressure you can get on top of them.”With a good couple of partnerships in the second innings we can really put them under some pressure but we’ve got to bowl well first. that’s all that’s on our minds now.”I’m not certain to be honest but I feel like it’s not breaking up like last week. I don’t think it’s going to be like last week, where it’ll turn that much. It will obviously turn more than now; that’s always the case here, but I don’t think it’ll be as tricky as it was in the fourth innings for them last week, so I feel like we can chase a decent score.”There is a long way to go until we get to that point. Keeping that number down will be tough enough. Achieving it might be their longest shot yet.