Revealed: 57% of Manchester United fans consider signing a top class centre-back their highest priority

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The blame for Manchester United’s dreadful start to the season can be placed at both ends of the pitch. In just nine Premier League games, the Red Devils have already conceded 19 goals and have a negative goal difference. Meanwhile, big money attacking stars, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, have mustered just five league strikes between them.

At the back, boss Jose Mourinho has yet to settle on his first choice central defensive partnership, with Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and even midfielders Ander Herrera and Scott McTominay all having been deployed in the heart of the rearguard. 

With United misfiring at the front and the back the pressure is beginning to pile up on the Portuguese manager. With the club languishing in 10th place, he may already be looking toward the January transfer window as the greatest chance for saving both the season and his job at Old Trafford.

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Bringing in a top class striker or defender during the winter window will not be easy or cheap. In all likelihood, Mourinho will only be able to secure one elite level recruit in this market. In that case, he ought to prioritise a defender, as United’s defensive woes are showing no signs of being alleviated soon.

57% of United fans we polled agree that a centre-back has to be top of the shopping list in January. See the full results below.

Wolves fans aren’t too fussed about failing to sign Zinchenko

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ proposed deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko has fallen through on deadline day according to Sky Sports.

The 21-year-old joined City in 2016 and made eight Premier League appearances last season, filling in at left-back after injuries to Benjamin Mendy and Fabian Delph.

The Ukraine international was the subject of a £16million bid from Wolves which was accepted by Manchester City and a medical was lined up.

However, the versatile midfielder opted instead to stay at the Etihad this season and try and gain more experience under Pep Guardiola for the champions, according to the report.

The deal hasn’t spoiled what has been an excellent transfer window for Wolves who completed deals for established stars such as Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio.

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Wolves fans have been reacting on social media to the news that Zinchenko’s deal fell through on deadline day and here’s a selection of what they’ve had to say.

Three key questions Pochettino must answer before facing Everton

One of the stand-out fixtures in the Premier League this weekend comes as Tottenham Hotspur face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, with both sides having encountered similar starts to the new campaign.

The two clubs have won one, drawn one and lost one of their opening three top flight matches, Spurs following up a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United with a defeat against Chelsea and a draw with Burnley at their temporary Wembley home.

While they were relatively comfortable in the success at St James’ Park, Mauricio Pochettino’s men continue to struggle at their new home and a late winner from the Blues’ Marcos Alonso and a last-gasp equaliser from the Clarets’ Chris Wood ultimately cost them five points.

The north London outfit will be hoping they can once again register three points on the road against the Toffees, who have the same points tally as their opponents on Saturday – albeit with a worse goal difference.

In order for Tottenham to maintain their 100% record on the road this term against Everton, Mauricio Pochettino must answer these three key questions…

Should any of the new signings start?

Tottenham have signed three players – Juan Foyth, Serge Aurier and Fernando Llorente – since that draw against Burnley last time out, and Pochettino must decide whether any of them will start at Goodison Park.

While the former is more likely to be one for the future, Aurier has every chance of being thrown straight into the action on Merseyside despite the fact that his move was ratified while he was still on international duty with the Ivory Coast.

Spurs right-back Kieran Trippier is struggling with an ankle problem and Marcos Alonso’s winning goal for Chelsea also came from his side.

Meanwhile, it would be a surprise to see Llorente start ahead of Harry Kane against the Toffees, although Pochettino may have one eye on the Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Wednesday.

How can the team be more clinical?

While many were quick to blame Tottenham’s well-known struggles at Wembley as the reason they only picked up one point from the home fixtures against Chelsea and Burnley, one of the biggest issues was the side’s failure to convert their chances.

Spurs had 18 shots in total against Antonio Conte’s men but needed Michy Batshuayi to put into his own net to get on the score-sheet, while they also only managed to breach the Burnley goal once despite having 28 efforts.

The likes of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min have all shown that they are capable of finding the net on a regular basis, and Pochettino needs those three and striker Harry Kane to step up their finishing if they are to pick up a positive result at Goodison Park on Saturday.

How can the team help Harry Kane?

For the fourth season running, Kane failed to find the net for Tottenham in the Premier League in August.

It is strange how these things work out but the England international and Mauricio Pochettino will be relieved that September is now upon us – especially after the striker found the net on the first day of the month for his country against Malta last Friday.

While Spurs do have goal threat from all over the pitch, there is no doubt that they do heavily rely on the 24-year-old to score on a regular basis and Pochettino will have been thinking hard about how his team can help their talisman get off the mark at Goodison Park.

Kane may not be short of confidence right now, but seeing that net ripple for the first time in the league this season will give him, the club and its supporters a huge boost.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.

Three things Brighton need to ensure happen to keep promotion alive against Derby County

While losses to both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest will have no doubt had Brighton fans fearing yet another failed promotion push, their win over Rotherham kept Huddersfield at an arm’s length, while keeping the pressure up with the leading Toon.

Even the mere notion of not making the automatic promotion spots at the end of the season would be enough to send the Seagulls into frenzy, with Chris Hughton’s side having been there or thereabouts for the entirety of the campaign thus far. 

With nine games to go and the pressure truly ramping up for the south coast club, they host a Derby County side in a run of inconsistent form – they are currently ten points off the play-offs and have little to play for as the Championship season enters its business end. Should Brighton truly have it in them to deal with the pressure that comes with battling for the top two at this stage, it’s a game they really should be winning.

So, with that in mind, here are THREE things they need to ensure to earn three points off the Rams tomorrow night.

Get March and Knockaert into the game

There’s little doubt Solly March and Anthony Knockaert are among the best wide men in the league, though the losses to Newcastle and Forest saw the pair rarely get involved in too many attacking areas. March was a late substitute against the Magpies, while Knockaert couldn’t deliver the sort of quality we’ve come to expect from him.

The pair were more impressive against the Millers, though, with all due respect, should be doing that with ease. If they are going to break down a Derby defence who’ve proved somewhat stingy of late, utilising their wide attackers will be crucial.

Keep the pressure

Derby boss Steve McClaren recently lamented his side’s poor game management as a reason they drew with Preston North End in their last match, so Brighton need to ramp up the pressure all over the park to ensure that happens again. Should the game still be a close call late on, the Rams are always likely to make mistakes.

McClaren lamented the long ball tactics his side used in the closing stages against the Lilywhites and his side failed to keep the second ball, allowing Preston in to score a late leveller. Likely to be a scrappy affair, making the most of Derby’s nerves could be the best remedy for success.

Protect Forren

As a result of an injury to Shane Duffy, the Seagulls brought former Southampton defender Vegard Forren back to the south coast to help their promotion push. The Norway international has barely featured on these shores and will surely be off the pace, so the idea of Tom Ince running at him could be a scary one for Hughton.

With that in mind, the midfield needs to drop deeper and be wary of Derby’s threat on the counter, with Beram Kayal desperately needed to help cover the new man, or he could be in for a long evening.

Why not even an FA Cup triumph can fix Everton’s issues…

In a week that has already seen Roberto Martinez’s Everton suffer a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Merseyside rivals Liverpool, the Spanish manager now faces what is seen as a future defining game on Saturday evening.

Everton take on Manchester United in the first FA Cup semi-final of the weekend and the general consensus is that the only chance Roberto Martinez has of saving his job, and being at the Toffees next year, is to win the competition outright. But, even if he guides his side to lift the trophy at Wembley, it’s time for the Spaniard to go.

It’s been a torrid season for Everton, whose last win came in the 2-0 quarter final victory against Chelsea, well over a month ago. The criticism is rightly mounting on Martinez ahead of Saturday night and it seems only two more wins in the cup will do for the Toffees fans desperate to see a trophy for the first time since 1995.

Should Martinez win the trophy he famously lifted with Wigan in 2013, he still won’t deserve a reprieve for what has been a steady decline in performance since he took over months after that win with the Latics. Whilst Martinez has been rightly praised for his ability to coach attacking football his defensive tactics are nothing short of shocking.

The stats tell you all you need to know. In Martinez’s first season Everton conceded an average of 1.03 goals a game as they pushed for European qualification throughout the campaign, finishing with a strong 72 points. The Goodison Park faithful thought they’d finally found their man to bring some silverware to the club, building on David Moyes’ defensive nous and adding the attacking flair to take the side to that next level.

Things, however, were not to be. The 2014/15 season, where Martinez could really begin to show the progress made under his stewardship, smacked of anything but. Less goals per game, more conceded per game and a points total of 47 that began to plant seeds of doubt that Martinez was the right appointment.

This season, those seeds have become fully fledged plants. Martinez evidently isn’t improving the team; this season’s stats make sore reading for those on the blue side of Stanley Park. They’ve conceded more goals per game again than at any other point under him and are one of the leading sides at losing points from winning positions.

There’s something wrong with the mental strength of the Everton side under Martinez and clearly some of the players know it too. The recent debacle with Leighton Baines being forced to apologise about ‘misinterpreted’ quotes about team chemistry have shown divides beginning to form in the playing squad.

Clearly, Everton are on a crash course at the moment. Form in the league only worsened by Aston Villa, an increasingly poor defensive record and apparent squad disharmony all suggest Martinez should be gone. FA Cup or no FA Cup, Martinez should be getting better out of a squad that bolsters talent such as Leighton Baines, Romelu Lukaku, John Stones and Ross Barkley to name but a few. You have to question why he can’t.

Meanwhile, the likes of Stones, one of the brightest ball playing centre backs in the country, is suffering. He will never become a fully accomplished defender under Martinez’s tutelage.

Everton are showing all the signs of a Martinez side, playing decent enough looking football but cannot defend at the highest level and the blame has to fall at his door. Look at Wigan, season after season they escaped relegation somehow until it all caught up with them.

They played nice football but showed no defensive steel. It’s the same with Everton, their defenders haven’t suddenly lost their ability, when fully fit Everton have one of the strongest back lines in the league and also have some good young defenders coming through in Tyias Browning and Brendan Galloway but they won’t improve defensively under Martinez much. It all boils down to the fact Martinez cannot coach defensively well enough.

Everton may well win the FA Cup this year but that should only paper over the cracks. They won’t go down like Wigan did this time around but who’s to say they won’t be struggling next? They’re definitely on their way with their current league form.

There are fundamental issues with this side that should have pushed on after that first impressive season, their team is certainly better than it was then and yet it looks a shadow of its former self.

An FA Cup win would be a moment to savour for Everton Football Club no doubt, but if they want sustained progress, a developing side that makes use of the brilliant potential its players have and finally crack Europe, Roberto Martinez has to go.

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Man City getting business done early! Brazilian sensation Savio to sign with Cityzens after stellar season on loan at Girona

Manchester City are set to seal their first signing ahead of next season after finalising a deal for Brazilian winger Savio from Troyes.

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City set to wrap up deal for SavioClub reviewing contract documentsSavio has lit up La Liga with GironaWHAT HAPPENED?

Savio has been ripping it up while on loan at Girona, fuelling the Catalan minnows' most unlikely La Liga title bid. And City, who part-own Girona as well as French side Troyes, are on the verge of bringing the winger to the Etihad Stadium, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Romano claims City have "all contracts ready for Savinho to join the club in July", adding that the documents are being reviewed and are close to being signed. The 19-year-old was bought by Ligue 2 side Troyes in 2022 but has never played for them, instead being loaned out to PSV Eindhoven before linking up with Girona last summer. Savio, who is also known as Savinho, has scored five goals and set up a further seven for Girona, who have exceeded all expectations this season, topping La Liga on various occasions and currently sitting second. They have lost just two games, both against Real Madrid, who now hold a five-point lead at the top after hammering the Catalans 4-0 last Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW?

Savio set his sights on eventually playing for Pep Guardiola's side when he first signed for Troyes, who were acquired by the City Football Group in 2020. "I have the goal of playing for City. I think that when I was signed my goal was always to get to City and I'm working towards that," he told last August.

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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR SAVIO & CITY?

Savio is next in action for Girona against Athletic Bilbao next Monday, when the Catalans will look to respond to their demoralising thrashing by Madrid. City are in Champions League action against Copenhagen on Tuesday.

Man City player ratings vs Fulham: Julian Alvarez superb as Pep Guardiola's side go top of the Premier League

The Argentina striker scored a stunner and won a penalty at Craven Cottage as City held on for a battling 2-1 win in west London

On another record-equalling day for Erling Haaland, it was his understudy who stole all the headlines for Manchester City as Julian Alvarez scored the goal that sent the defending champions back to the top of the Premier League.

Alvarez was only in the City team after Kevin De Bruyne was ruled out through injury, but wasted little in time in making an impact, as he won a penalty inside 90 seconds after a foul by Tim Ream.

Haaland converted from the spot for his 34th Premier League goal of the season – the joint-most in a single campaign – but Carlos Vinicius pulled Fulham level after 15 minutes with a fine finish.

Alvarez, though, produced a moment of individual brilliance to fire a 25-yard strike past the otherwise impressive Bernd Leno for what proved to be the winner midway through the first half.

GOAL rates City's players from Craven Cottage…

  • Getty Images

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Ederson (6/10):

    Had no chance with the goal. Crucial hand denied Vincius after Dias mix-up.

    Kyle Walker (6/10):

    Pace got him out of trouble defensively. Some impressive cross-field passes to release Grealish.

    John Stones (7/10):

    Able to step into midfield from centre-back. Always assured in possession.

    Ruben Dias (5/10):

    Had some shaky moments both in and out of possession, most notably when bumping into Ederson in the second half.

    Manuel Akanji (6/10):

    Caught out by Wilson's movement for Fulham's goal but otherwise solid.

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    Midfield

    Rodri (8/10):

    Won possession back constantly in midfield and used the ball intelligently.

    Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):

    Constantly on the move in midfield. City will miss him if he leaves this summer.

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    Attack

    Riyad Mahrez (6/10):

    Gave the ball away a little too often, though did work hard to win it back.

    Julian Alvarez (8/10):

    Won the early penalty before scoring the winner with a sublime long-range strike.

    Jack Grealish (6/10):

    Should have scored twice in the first half but denied by Leno. Tete will be glad to see the back of him.

    Erling Haaland (7/10):

    Nerveless penalty and some excellent link-up play, most notably to set up chances for Grealish.

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    Subs & Manager

    Phil Foden (6/10):

    Made little impact after coming on for the final 10 minutes.

    Bernardo Silva (6/10):

    Ensured City controlled the closing stages.

    Pep Guardiola (7/10):

    Playing Alvarez just off Haaland, as he had done with De Bruyne against Arsenal, worked well.

England vs Ukraine: Where to watch the match online, live stream, TV channels & kick-off time

How to watch England vs Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualification stage from the US as well as kick-off time and team news.

England take on Ukraine in their second match of EURO 2024 qualification at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

⚽️ Where to watch England vs Ukraine

England kicked off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high as they beat reigning European champions Italy 2-1, with Harry Kane and Declan Rice finding the back of the net.

Ukraine, on the other hand, will begin their qualifying campaign against the Three Lions. Having failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, this will be the team's first international match since Nations League clash against Scotland in September 2022.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier fixture England vs Ukraine, plus team news, recent form and more.

Getty ImagesKick-off time

Date:

March 26, 2023

Kick-off time:

12pm ET

Venue:

Wembley Stadium

The game is scheduled for March 26, 2023 at Wembley Stadium. It will kick off at 12 pm ET in the US.

AdvertisementGettyHow to watch England vs Ukraine online – TV channels & live streamsTV channels & streaming options

Country TV channel Live stream

U.S.Fox SportsFubo, VIX+

In the U.S., the match can be streamed on Fuboand VIX+.

GettyTeam news & squadsUkraine team news

For Ukraine, Bournemouth centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi will be unavailable for selection alongside midfielder Oleksandr Zubkov as they are both out injured.

Former West Ham man Andriy Yarmolenko is also out with an injury.

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Andriy Lunin, Anatoly Trubin, Nikita ShevchenkoDefenders:Oleksandr Karavaev, Denys Popov, Mykola Matvienko, Vitaly Mykolenko, Eduard Sobol, Oleksandr Svatok, Eduard Sarapiy, Denis MiroshnichenkoMidfielders:Taras Stepanenko, Georgy Sudakov, Artem Bondarenko, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Vitaly Buyalskyi, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, KrakowForwards:Roman Yaremchuk, Artem DovbykEngland team news

Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Nick Pope pulled out from the England camp due to injuries and will play no part against Ukraine.

Luke Shaw was shown a red card in the game against Italy and will miss the game on Sunday while Reece James is ruled out of the clash due to an injury.

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Jordan Pickford, Aaron RamsdaleDefenders:Ben Chilwell, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle WalkerMidfielders:Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, James Maddison, Kalvin Phillips, Declan RiceForwards:Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Ivan ToneyHead-to-head record

Date Result Competition

July 4, 2021Ukraine 0-4 EnglandEuro 2020September 11, 2013Ukraine 0-0 EnglandWorld Cup QualifiersSeptember 12, 2012England 1-1 UkraineWorld Cup QualifiersJune 20, 2012England 1-0 UkraineEuro 2012October 10, 2009Ukraine 1-0 EnglandWorld Cup Qualifiers

England are unbeaten against Ukraine in their last four meetings, which includes a 4-0 win in the quarter-final of Euro 2020. The last time Ukraine beat the Three Lions was back in 2009 in a World Cup qualifying game.

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Getty ImagesUseful links

Ukraine team page

England team page

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Where to watch England's EURO 2024 qualifiers

James withdraws from England squad

Vela, Barco and the top MLS newcomers in 2018

A number of Major League Soccer teams have brought in exciting talent from abroad prior to the 2018 campaign. Goal runs down 15 of the best newcomers

Kim KlementJosue Colman, midfielder – Orlando CityThe 19-year-old was signed from Paraguayan power Cerro Porteno in the offseason for a reported $3 million, and is expected to immediately slot in for the Lions and help fill the void left by Kaka's offseason retirement. The young designated player is highly regarded and Orlando City hopes he can make a similar impact in MLS as another former Cerro Porteno star: Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron. AdvertisementBuda MendesEzequiel Barco, midfielder – Atlanta UnitedNo MLS team has paid as much for a player as Atlanta United did for Barco this offseason, so it's safe to say all that eyes will be on the Argentine teenager in 2018. Barco's $15 million signing was a major coup for the league, as the attacking midfielder had plenty of suitors all over Europe. The former Independiente man can play on the wing or in a No. 10 role, and his addition to an offense already containing the likes of Miguel Almiron and Josef Martinez could make Atlanta nearly impossible to stop. Gabriele Maltinti/Getty ImagesSaphir Taider, midfielder – Montreal ImpactThe Impact needed a replacement for Blerim Dzemaili this offseason, and they didn't have to look very far. With Dzemaili returning to Serie A side Bologna after his loan expired, Montreal again raided sister club Bologna's roster to sign Algerian international midfielder Taider as a designated player. Taider is highly experienced for a 26-year-old, with 162 career Serie A appearances and 42 caps for his country. If Taider can replicate Dzemaili's production, Montreal will be one step closer to a playoff return. ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Javier Gonzalez ToledoJesus Medina, midfielder – New York City FCNYCFC hopes to strike gold with Medina, a lightning-quick attacker capable of playing several different roles across the midfield or even as a false nine. The 20-year-old has already made his senior debut for Paraguay and, if he continues on his current trajectory, should help NYCFC fans forget about the recently sold Jack Harrison.

Bangladesh hold nerve to seal final berth

Bangladesh held their collective nerve against Pakistan, as Mahmudullah’s cameo secured a five-wicket win and a place in the Asia Cup final

The Report by Mohammad Isam02-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details5:29

Bazid Khan: Sharjeel, Hafeez never deliver when it matters

Those who watch cricket regularly will tell you that in a tight contest, the winning side will always show some signs of their impending triumph. Mahmudullah’s upright blast over extra cover at the start of the 17th over can only be described as the shot of the tournament so far. In a tight chase of 130 against Pakistan, it was only fair that Mahmudullah struck the blow that took Bangladesh to the Asia Cup final.Despite Shakib Al Hasan’s brain freeze to Mohammad Amir in the 18th over, Mashrafe Mortaza struck two heroic fours immediately after to ease Bangladesh’s nerves. Then, in a manic 19th over bowled by Mohammad Sami which included two no balls, Mahmudullah’s squeezed boundary past point all but sealed victory for the hosts. Once Mahmudullah duly knocked off the winning runs with a slog past midwicket, he and Mashrafe wheeled away in wild celebration, nearly ramming into their on-rushing team-mates.Mahmudullah’s unbeaten 15-ball 22 was perhaps the most important innings of his career, particularly because he was at the crease in the last over of the 2012 Asia Cup final, when Bangladesh fell short by two runs against Pakistan. This game went into the last over too, but mostly because Bangladesh lost wickets at crucial stages and were trying their best not to crumble to Amir. The other Pakistan bowlers were all shoddy, and they were not helped by the team’s very poor effort in the field.Still, it was Bangladesh who were pegged back early in their 130-run chase. Tamim Iqbal was the first to go as a rare leg-before victim of Mohammad Irfan, who brought the ball into the batsman and hit the striding front pad half-way up. Luckily, Soumya Sarkar found Sabbir Rahman willing to stick around to weather the initial Amir storm. After the pair had safely negotiated those two overs, they looked for runs off the other bowlers. Soumya managed to hit Amir for an elegant four through midwicket, while Sabbir’s only boundary in his 15-ball 14 also came through a roll of the wrist, through fine-leg.Sabbir fell to Shahid Afridi in the ninth over, missing a charge completely to be bowled. Soumya survived a few close calls with miscued hits dropping short on a number of occasions, but he was generally hitting them well on the leg-side. Mushfiqur Rahim was also lucky to survive a close leg-before appeal to Afridi before Amir and Malik brought Pakistan into the game in the space of eight deliveries in the 13th and 14th overs.Having been brought back for a single over as his second spell, Amir yorked Soumya by clattering into his leg-stump. Soumya had made a run-a-ball 48 that had five fours and the pumped six into the midwicket stands, but when he got out, Bangladesh needed 47 off 40 balls.There was much expected from the experienced duo of Mushfiqur and Shakib at that stage, but Mushfiqur was given out leg-before trying to reverse-sweep Malik in the over after Soumya got out.Taskin Ahmed and Al-Amin Hossain were Bangladesh’s best bowlers, stepping up in the absence of Mustafizur Rahman, who was ruled out through a right side strain. Taskin bowled his first maiden over in his T20I career in a first-spell that saw him give away just one run. His second spell produced the wicket of Umar Akmal; he finished with figures of 4-1-14-1. Al-Amin bowled two tight overs at the top, giving away just nine runs before returning in the last four overs to give away four and 12, as Bangladesh decently closed out the Pakistan innings for 129 for 7.Pakistan’s innings followed the same pattern of their previous games, losing three early wickets. Khurram Manzoor sent to open the batting, played out the first over and then got out for one off the first ball of the second, an Al-Amin delivery that jumped on him outside off-stump. It was the third time in the four Asia Cup matches that Al-Amin had taken a wicket in his first spell. Sharjeel Khan was bowled after missing a slog off Arafat Sunny in the fourth over, after he had faced just eight balls till that point, hitting a four and six.Mohammad Hafeez was unlucky when he was given out leg-before by umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge when even on the first view, it looked as if the Mashrafe Mortaza delivery was climbing. Replays confirmed that it was yet another erroneous decision by an umpire in the Asia Cup. When Taskin removed Akmal in his second spell, Pakistan ended with the lowest score – 34 for 4 – in the first ten overs against Bangladesh.Sarfraz Ahmed and Malik then joined hands for a fifth-wicket partnership. Malik struck Shakib for a six that was as straight as an arrow, and also found three fours on the off-side as well as one that was tickled past long-leg. Sarfraz got both his sixes with swings to midwicket, and tucked into fours through covers, midwicket, and mid-on.Malik was in the groove when he mistimed Sunny to the deep midwicket boundary for 41 off 30 balls. Soon, Sarfraz reached his second T20I fifty with an inside-out blast over cover in the penultimate over.But it was Mahmudullah’s inside-out blast over the covers that would be the most memorable moment of the game, as Bangladesh got themselves to the final of a tournament that they were fearing a bit more than the World T20 itself.

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