Butt’s appointment, his first position at the PCB since being banned for spot-fixing, came in for heavy criticism

Danyal Rasool02-Dec-2023Salman Butt has withdrawn as the consultant to chief selector Wahab Riaz a day after he was appointed to the position. Pakistan chief selector Wahab called a press conference to say Butt’s name was being withdrawn from the consultancy panel with immediate effect.Wahab accused the media of looking to besmirch the PCB’s name following Butt’s nomination to the advisory panel. He said he had been accused of giving Butt, known to be a close friend of Wahab, preferential treatment, and that he wanted to shield himself against those allegations. Saying his top priority was maintaining the reputation of the PCB and his own integrity, he confirmed Butt would now not be involved with team selection “in any capacity”.On Friday, Butt was appointed as a consultant member alongside Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar Anjum “with immediate effect”, and they would be advising Wahab in selecting Pakistan’s team for the five-match series against New Zealand. The selection came in for heavy criticism for a number of reasons, including the provincial composition of the panel. All three members are from Punjab, historically the most influential and dominant region in Pakistan cricket. With Wahab also currently holding a government ministry in the Punjab government, the board instantly came in for allegations of favouritism.But it was Butt’s appointment that caused the greatest uproar. It was the first time Butt was handed a position at the PCB in any capacity since being banned for spot-fixing in 2010. He played domestic cricket and the PSL after returning from his ban, and has taken up a role as an analyst for various media outlets.Related

Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal and Rao Iftikhar to assist chief selector Wahab Riaz

But ESPNcricinfo understands Butt’s appointment was met with fierce internal resistance within the PCB too, with at least one employee said to be uncomfortable with it to the extent they threatened to resign. With criticism mounting across the board, Wahab convened a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday evening, withdrawing Butt’s name from the panel.Wahab said a replacement would be announced shortly, pointedly saying he would be from Karachi. Wahab also said Asad Shafiq is likely to be appointed to that position in due course.While Butt was the most high-profile appointment, he was not the only member of that panel to be wholly free from controversy. While Butt was banned and has served time for his role in the 2010 scandal, both Wahab and Akmal were questioned in and around that same episode. Akmal was sent a notice by the ICC after the T20 World Cup in 2010 – much before the spot-fixing incident broke out that year – though he was later cleared to be selected by Pakistan. Akmal did not play another Test after the episode at Lord’s, though he did feature in Pakistan’s white-ball sides.Wahab was also questioned by Scotland Yard in the immediate aftermath of the Lord’s Test that year, but was never charged with any offence. He was appointed the new chief selector of the senior men’s team two weeks back after Inzamam-ul-Haq had stepped down from his position in the wake of conflict-of-interest allegations.

Legspinner Abrar Ahmed is almost certain to miss Pakistan’s first Test against Australia in Perth after complaining of “discomfort in his right leg”. ESPNcricinfo understands that while the extent of the injury is unclear, a recovery period that sees him available for the first Test, starting December 14, is believed to be “highly unrealistic”. With his involvement in the remainder of the series not yet confirmed, the PCB is understood to be looking at alternatives.On day three of the warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, Abrar went off the field after bowling 27 overs, in which he conceded 80 runs and took the wicket of Marcus Harris. He will go for the MRI scan on Saturday, and even if he is cleared of serious injury, the recovery timeline is likely to rule him out of the first Test.Should that happen, Pakistan’s current squad has one other specialist spin option in left-arm spinner Noman Ali. Noman has played 15 Tests and taken 47 wickets, though he was primarily utilised on slow, low surfaces that were more conducive to his bowling style. With the Optus Stadium in Perth very much the opposite of that, he was expected to be behind Abrar in the pecking order, but unless Pakistan play an all-seam attack or call up an emergency replacement, Noman’s chances of playing have increased.Related

• Pakistan cautious over Abrar's participation in Sydney Test

• The four big battles that could define Australia vs Pakistan

• Perth curator expects 'fast, hard, bouncy wicket' for first Australia vs Pakistan Test

• Freak Canberra storm ends Pakistan Test build-up early

• Masood keen to cast net wide in forming first Test attack

Abrar, 25, has played only six Tests since making his debut against England last December. But 11 wickets in his first Test, and 38 so far, clubbed with the paucity of Pakistan’s spin-bowling stocks have made him an important player. While much of his early cricketing days were blighted by lengthy, persistent injuries, there were signs he was putting that behind him, though his current injury scare could set back some of the gains he has made.With Pakistan going through a lean period regarding the spin department, the options they could consider calling up are legspinners Usama Mir and Shadab Khan. Mir is already in Australia, having been granted an NOC to play for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League until December 28. He featured in the first game of the tournament on Thursday, conceding 20 runs in two wicketless overs against Brisbane Heat. He is yet to play a Test. Shadab, meanwhile, last played a Test in 2020, and is unlikely to be a serious candidate for a call-up.The choices for a call-up based on the performances in the latest Quaid-e-Azam trophy are similarly uninspiring. The most prolific spinner in the tournament was uncapped, 35-year-old Kashif Bhatti with 23 wickets at 25.52. Noman was the next with 22 at 23.04, followed by another 35-year-old, Zahid Mahmood (22 at 41.50), who played two Tests last year.

MatériaMais Notícias

O fim de temporada promete ser agitado para Jeffinho. O atacante do Botafogo briga para ganhar o prêmio de revelação do Brasileirão e vai jogar fora do Brasil pela primeira vez na carreira, no amistoso do Glorioso contra o Crystal Palace, no dia 3 de dezembro, na Inglaterra.

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+Botafogo traça planos para a pré-temporada e reunião com a Ferj pode definir time para o Carioca

Há muita expectativa em cima do camisa 47 não apenas dentro de campo, com o atacante sendo titular praticamente absoluto do time de Luís Castro, mas também fora de campo: a diretoria do Botafogo está prevendo uma alta no valor de mercado do jogador. Há, inclusive, a expectativa de que ele possa ser a maior venda história do clube.

Este posto atualmente é ocupado por Luís Henrique, que retornou recentemente ao Alvinegro. Em 2020, o Glorioso negociou o atacante ao Olympique de Marselha por 8 milhões de euros – o clube carioca embolsou 3,9 milhões (R$ 25 milhões, na cotação daquele ano) da quantia à época.

A visão do Botafogo é que estas cifras serão facilmente ultrapassadas. Vale ressaltar que o Glorioso não recebeu nenhuma proposta oficial pelo atacante de 22 anos até agora. O Glorioso, inclusive, nem pretende vendê-lo, mas sabe que é difícil segurar caso algo surja – e, ao mesmo tempo, quer passar “uma mensagem” ao mercado.

Se for o caso de vender Jeffinho, a diretoria do Alvinegro quer mostrar que os tempos de “mau vendedor” – como o clube ficou conhecido em um passado recente – ficaram para trás. Não à toa, a expectativa é pela maior negociação da história da instituição.

+Volante do Boca Juniors é oferecido ao Botafogo, e clube analisa contratação

Olheiros de clubes europeus foram recentemente a jogos do Botafogo no Estádio Nilton Santos para observar Jeffinho de perto – mais uma vez, vale ressaltar, que não houve proposta oficial. O Alvinegro espera que ele tenha ainda mais holofotes com o amistoso contra o Crystal Palace, no Selhurst Park.

Mesmo sendo uma partida amigável, as atenções estarão voltadas para um clube de Premier League enfrentando outro do Brasil.

Jeffinho foi contratado inicialmente para o time sub-23 após se destacar no Campeonato Carioca. Com as seguidas lesões no setor ofensivo, recebeu uma chance na equipe principal, aproveitou e não saiu mais. O Alvinegro o adquiriu em definitivo por cerca de R$ 1,5 milhão em agosto com um contrato válido por três anos e meio.

Besiktas have emerged as the favourites to sign Memphis Depay amid the Dutch international's fallout with Corinthians.

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• Depay's relationship with Corinthians is ruptured
• Dutch forward likely to unite with former Man United boss
• Besiktas keep the 31-year-old as a priority

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas are prioritising a move for Corinthians forward Depay, as they aim to bolster their attacking third for the upcoming season. The Dutch international has recently witnessed a rupture in his relationship with the Brazilian outfit and reports Besiktas are aiming to capitalise on this situation, having already been given the go ahead by Corinthians, with whom he has a year remaining in his contract. They are currently negotiating with the player on his wages.

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  Besiktas, under the mentorship of Solskjaer, finished fourth in the Super Lig last season. To strengthen their attacking third, they set their sights on Depay, but were unwilling to pay a hefty transfer fee. However, the matter is now resolved with an agreement falling in place with the Serie A side. The personal terms and wages are yet to be finalised with Depay, but are expected to be sorted soon, considering their ambitions of a fruitful season ahead and their need for a prolific goal-scorer alongside Tammy Abraham.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Depay enjoyed a short stint at Manchester United, but left a year before Solskjaer took over as the manager. His situation at Corinthians has grown tense after he skipped training over an unpaid debt. Corinthians currently owe him £625,000 but will owe him at least another £1.25 million in bonuses in September, according to .

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DEPAY?

  A move to Besiktas is the most probable outcome for Depay. If the deal doesn't go through, he would continue at Corinthians for yet another season unless any other suitable offer aims to woo him.

MatériaMais Notícias

OBotafogojá tem em mente quem deve levar a campo para o confronto com o Athletico-PR, na última rodada do Brasileirão. Marçal e Patrick de Paula tendem a ser as novidades para o confronto que, para o Alvinegro, pode ratificar sua presença na Copa Libertadores de 2023.

Prontos para a decisão 💪🏼🔥
Fogão faz último treino antes de viajar para Curitiba, onde enfrenta o Athletico. VAMOS 🚀 #VamosBOTAFOGO pic.twitter.com/H2h3ipQasC

— Botafogo F.R. (@Botafogo) November 12, 2022

O lateral-esquerdo entra no lugar de Hugo, que atuou diante do Santos. Marçal retorna após ter cumprido suspensão automática na rodada anterior.

>> Veja a tabela do Brasileirão!

Já Patrick de Paula tende a fazer a proteção ao meio de campo com Tchê Tchê. O jovem substitui Gabriel Pires, que recebeu terceiro cartão amarelo na rodada anterior.

Autor de dois gols na partida contra o Peixe, Lucas Fernandes deve seguir como titular.

O técnico Luís Castro deve levar a campo uma equipe formada por:Lucas Perri; Daniel Borges, Adryelson, Cuesta e Marçal; Tchê Tchê, Patrick de Paula e Lucas Fernandes; Júnior Santos, Tiquinho Soares e Jeffinho.

O Alvinegro relacionou 25 atletas para a partida.

Atletas relacionados para o o último jogo do Brasileirão. 📄☑️
PRA CIMA 🚀🔥#VamosBOTAFOGO pic.twitter.com/dtX6szn861

— Botafogo F.R. (@Botafogo) November 12, 2022

O Botafogo encara o Athletico-PR às 16h, na Arena da Baixada.

A dominant India maintained their perfect start to the Under-19 World Cup, as a fluent century from Musheer Khan, followed by a four-wicket burst from fast bowler Naman Tiwari helped the team to a comprehensive victory against Ireland in Bloemfontein.After being asked to bat first, India posted 301 for 7. Their innings was largely built around a third-wicket partnership between Musheer and the captain Uday Saharan which yielded 156 runs. Musheer, who took his time to settle in, hit the accelerator as the innings wore on, and eventually bashed 118 off 106 balls, with nine fours and four sixes. He had stable company in Saharan, who kept the runs flowing mostly with ones and twos, as the India captain compiled 75 – his second straight half-century.While both batters would fall towards the end, India were boosted by late cameos from their keeper Aravelly Avanish (22 off 13) and Sachin Dhas (21* off 9), which propelled the total beyond 300. Oliver Riley was the pick of Ireland’s bowlers, finishing with 3 for 55.Ireland had little going for them in their chase, as Tiwari quickly proceeded to wreck their top and middle order, before left-arm spinner Saumy Pandey caused more damage to the team’s chances. Ireland’s top eight batters managed just three boundaries between them, and six of them fell for single-digit scores, as the team was soon tottering at 45 for 8, essentially killing off the contest. Daniel Forkin, at No.10, was the team’s top scorer with 27 not out, but his late blows only delayed the inevitable, as Ireland fell short by 201 runs at the end. Tiwari grabbed figures of 4 for 53, while Pandey ended with 3 for 21.Harry Dixon played some punchy shots•ICC/Getty Images

Australia sealed their second successive victory at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup after thumping Zimbabwe by 225 runs in Kimberley. Harry Dixon, who had a BBL deal even before playing this World Cup, and Harkirat Bajwa played starring roles for Australia with bat and ball respectively. In pursuit of 297, Zimbabwe folded for 71.Ronak Patel was the only Zimbabwe batter to pass 15 in the chase. Mahli Beardman and Aidan O’Connor shared four wickets between them to back up Bawja, who claimed 4 for 15.After opting to bat, Australia enjoyed a strong start with Dixon adding 91 for the first wicket with Sam Konstas. Captain Hugh Weibgen was also among the runs, hitting 68 off 69 balls, including five fours and a six. Dixon top-scored for them with 89 off 108 balls. Tom Campbell then applied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 47 off 28 balls.Zimbabwe then never got going in their chase and eventually slid to their second successive defeat.

Bayern Munich have been warned they should not pay a large transfer fee to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool this summer.

Hamann advises Bayern against €80m Luis Diaz moveUrges club to consider Donnarumma as Neuer successorQuestions €70m valuation for striker Nick WoltemadeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Bayern and Germany international Dietmar Hamann has publicly questioned the club's pursuit of Liverpool winger. The Bundesliga champions are reportedly considering an €80 million (£68m/$87m) bid for the 28-year-old, but Hamann warns that such a move makes little financial sense given Diaz’s age, international travel demands, and limited resale value. He also dismissed reports linking Bayern with Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, calling the reported price tag excessive.

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Hamann criticised Bayern’s transfer strategy, stating the Bundesliga champions are straying from their developmental philosophy by targeting older, high-cost players. The former midfielder suggested Bayern should utilise their academy talents instead of committing large sums to players with limited long-term returns.

WHAT HAMANN SAID

Hamann spoke on Diaz's situation: "To now bring in Luis Diaz, a 28-year-old South American who played 50 games per season for four or five years and has those long flights home, which are also a problem. To pay 70 or 80 million for that, while the sale value is zero because he would be 32 at the end of his contract. I wonder what they even have the campus for?"

Hamann also thinks that the amounts being spoken about for Woltemade are too high: "One could have come up with the idea of approaching the player and the club before the European Championship, then he might have cost less. This is a player for whom, with a lot of imagination, one could pay 40 million. But Bayern are in a situation where they will have to at some point, and I don't think it's out of the question that they might pay 70 million. I think it's absurd to pay €70 million for a player who was free two years ago. And they shouldn't go along with that. I'll let Wisdom Mike or Lennart Karl play instead. That's why I feel Woltemade isn't coming to Munich."

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NEUER'S REPLACEMENT?

In contrast, Hamann proposed Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma, aged 26, as a solution to replace 39-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer long-term.

Speaking on the position, he said: "I have my doubts whether Jonas Urbig will be the one to take over in goal next year. Donnarumma will be free next year, he's only 26, so you'd have five or six years of peace."

Australia allrounder will be available for first eight games of group stage

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2024

Essex have re-signed Daniel Sams, the Australia allrounder, for this year’s Vitality T20 Blast. He is expected to be available for the first block of eight games between May and June.Sams, 31, will be returning to Chelmsford for the third summer in a row, having won the Blast MVP award while helping Essex to finish as runners-up last season.”We’re obviously delighted to have re-signed Daniel for the Blast this year,” Essex’s head coach, Anthony McGrath, said. “He showed us in no uncertain terms what he’s capable of last summer, and he was an instrumental part of our team, so we’re looking forward to seeing him again for the first block of T20 games.”Sams topped the lists for runs and wickets with Essex in 2023 and came close to getting his side over the line in the final, last man out for 45 off 26 in a 14-run defeat to Somerset.Although he has won 10 T20I caps for Australia, his most recent appearance came in 2022 and he is not expected to be involved in the World Cup, which takes place in the Caribbean and USA in June. He is, however, only available for the first half of the Blast group stage, due to a clash with Major League Cricket, which kicks off on July 4.”I’m really excited to be heading back to Essex, especially after the year we had in 2023,” Sams said. “Chelmsford is a great ground, filled with really passionate fans, and you feel that energy from the stands when they’re packed out under the floodlights.”I loved being able to contribute to the success we had last season, and the team, in my opinion, is good enough to have a strong chance of going one better and lifting some silverware.”

يفتتح فريق ليفربول موسمه في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، 2025/26، مساء يوم الجمعة بمباراته ضد نظيره فريق بورنموث على ملعب أنفيلد.

ويعتقد آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول أنه سيجد منافسة قوية من تشيلسي على تحقيق لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز هذا الموسم.

وكان تشيلسي والذي حقق دوري المؤتمر الأوروبي وكأس العالم للأندية قد أنفق ما يقارب من 250 مليون جنيه إسترليني خلال الصيف الحالي.

أقرأ أيضاً.. سلوت يكشف موقف عائلة جوتا من حضور مباراة بورنموث.. واستعدادات خاصة

وقال سلوت في تصريحات ل” talkSport” :”كنت أتوقع فوز تشيلسي الموسم الماضي بالدوري الإنجليزي”.

وأضاف: “بفضل جودة أدائهم، كانوا حاضرين بقوة بالفعل في بداية الموسم، كانوا في سباق اللقب بعد عشر مباريات وبقوا كذلك في ديسمبر”.

وواصل: “يتميز تشيلسي بتشكيلة غنية وجودة عالية، لديهم مدرب ممتاز وقد أثبتوا ذلك بفوزهم بالألقاب التي فازوا بها، لقد واجهوا فترة صعبة في الموسم الماضي، ولهذا السبب لم يتمكنوا من المنافسة حتى النهاية على لقب الدوري”.

وتابع: “تشيلسي الآن يعزز فريقه مجدداً، لذا فهو في رأيي من الفرق التي ستنافس على لقب الدوري”.

وسئل سلوت حول إذا كان يشعر بضغط أكبر هذا الموسم مقارنة ببدايته مع ليفربول بعد تتويجه بالدوري الموسم الماضي: “شعرت بالضغط على نفسي الموسم الماضي أيضاً لأن الجميع ربما لم يتوقع الكثير، كان الجميع بعد يورجن يقول إنه مستحيل”.

وأكمل :”أحياناً بعض الأمور تحتاج لوقت بسبب تغيير المدرب، أسلوبي يختلف عن كلوب، الآن يحتاج اللاعبين للتكيف مع بعضهم البعض وقد قمنا بضم لاعبين مختلفين”.

The UP fast bowler helped his side fight back after they were bowled out for 60 by Bengal

PTI and ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2024Bhuvneshwar Kumar blew away the Bengal top order in a dream Ranji Trophy comeback as his 13th first-class five-for helped Uttar Pradesh bounce back after being shot out for just 60.Asked to bat on a green top after a delayed start at home in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh’s first innings lasted just 20.5 overs. Mohammed Shami’s younger brother Mohammed Kaif was the star for Bengal, claiming 4 for 14 in his 5.5 overs.But what unfolded thereafter was a Bhuvneshwar masterclass as he marked his first-class return by claiming 5 for 25 from 13 overs, three of which were maidens. Bhuvneshwar, 33, who last played a Test in January 2018 against South Africa, dismissed Sourav Paul (13) and Sudip Gharami (0) in the space of three balls. He then returned to take the wickets of Anustup Majumdar (12), captain Manoj Tiwary (3) and Abhishek Porel (12) in the same spell.

.@BhuviOfficial on fire

A five-wicket haul and he's taken all Bengal wickets to fall so far. What a splendid spell @IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | #UPvBEN

Follow the match https://t.co/yRqgNJxmLY pic.twitter.com/Dqu0OgJMk0

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 12, 2024