The suspensions are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged attempts by an organisation to corrupt the 2017 Pakistan Super League

Umar Farooq in Dubai10-Feb-2017

Islamabad United batsmen Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif have been provisionally suspended under the PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code as part of an ongoing investigation into an organisation’s alleged attempts to corrupt the 2017 Pakistan Super League. Both batsmen have been sent home and no replacements have been named yet. The PCB’s investigation is being backed by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit.”It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics of the case, however this investigation is a clear demonstration of our determination to drive corruption out of our sport,” Najam Sethi, chairman of the PSL, said in a statement. “We will not tolerate any form of corrupt activity and as this investigation proceeds we will not hesitate to take further decisive action as appropriate.”The investigation of the PCB Anti-Corruption Unit backed by the ICC ACU has been effective in dealing with this case to date and we will continue to work in the closest collaboration as the investigation proceeds. We are all absolutely committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who would seek to damage the integrity of our sport.”Later, while speaking to reporters in Dubai on the second day of the league, Sethi added: “We were wary about anything like this and that’s why we were extra vigilant, and we had also beefed up our security and anti-corruption unit. We were using other resources to keep an eye on everything, and then we got evidence that some wrongdoing is underway and then we took action. We are guarding against corruption and we will be ready to take action any time, any day against anyone who is going to damage PSL.”PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan reminded players of their duties under the Anti-Corruption Code. “I must remind all players of their responsibilities in the fight against corruption,” Shaharyar said. “They must understand that if they even think they may have been the subject of a suspicious approach, it is their obligation under the PCB Anti-Corruption Code to report it to an appropriate anti-corruption official as a matter of urgency. Under no circumstances will the PCB condone actions of a few individuals to bring disrepute to the game of cricket or taint the image of Pakistan.”The Islamabad franchise also issued a statement saying they would begin looking for replacements. “We are understandably disappointed at this development but emphasise on our commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards any violations of the rules or stated guidelines,” the franchise said. “We will be looking to find replacements for the squad as soon as possible.”Sharjeel played the opening match of the 2017 edition for the defending champions Islamabad on Thursday, scoring 1 against Peshawar Zalmi, while Latif was not part of the XI.Both batsmen did well for Islamabad in the 2016 PSL, scoring more than 200 runs. While Sharjeel finished as the third-highest run-scorer overall, with 299 runs in 11 matches, Latif struck 206 runs. The pair then made their returns to the Pakistan side during the 2016 Asia Cup and the World T20 respectively.Sharjeel has featured regularly in limited-overs matches since his comeback and recently made his Test debut against Australia in Sydney, where he scored 4 and 40. Overall, Sharjeel has played 25 ODIs and 15 T20Is since his international debut in December 2013.Latif made a comeback in the World T20 after four years out of the side. Since his debut in 2008, Latif has played five ODIs and 13 T20Is and his most recent appearance for Pakistan came in the T20 series against West Indies in September last year.

Liverpool are believed to hold an interest in Napoli's prolific forward Victor Osimhen as they look to bounce back from a lacklustre season in the Premier League.

What's the latest on Victor Osimhen to Liverpool?

That's according to yesterday's edition of Corriere dello Sport (via Paisley Gates), who state that with a vested interest in the ace from the Reds, Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, the Serie A champions are demanding around €150m (£128m) for their talisman.

Osimhen has been one of Europe's most prolific forwards this season and has been instrumental in his outfit's triumphant campaign, but with just two years left on his current contract, Partenopi may be forced into considering a sale if negotiations are fruitless.

Liverpool's frontline is probably the area least desperate for reinforcements and given that the midfield holds a hole following contract conclusions this month, Osimhen's signature might be hard to obtain.

Despite this, Klopp will admire his superlative skill set and could look to test the waters by initiating negotiations.

How many goals has Victor Osimhen scored?

Since signing from Lille for £81m in 2020, Osimhen has scored 59 goals and supplied 14 assists from 101 appearances, bursting into prominence this term and plundering 31 strikes from 39 outings, now heralded as "world-class" by Matteo Bonetti.

The £90k-per-week phenom ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 1% for total shots and the top 3% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as per FBref.

Dubbed a "goal-scoring machine" by journalist Josh Bunting, Osimhen would bring a potency only a select few in world football could rival, providing Jurgen Klopp with the dream rival to Manchester City's devastating striker Erling Haaland.

Liverpool hoped to have found their own new talisman last summer after completing a club-record transfer for Darwin Nunez, potentially reaching £85m, but a somewhat underwhelming maiden year on Merseyside has left the Uruguayan requiring an upswing in his cutting edge to truly cement a starting berth and wreak havoc as anticipated, with club legend Robbie Fowler saying he is "too wasteful".

Coincidentally, Nunez is listed as a comparable player on FBref to the 25-cap Nigerian, albeit far less convincing in his frontal prowess at present, ranking among the top 1% of peers for total shots and the top 12% for rate of non-penalty goals per 90, which is by no means unimpressive but highlights the missed opportunities that have contributed to the Reds' malaise this year.

Still only 23-years-old, Nunez has ample time to grow into his skin but Klopp will be tantalised by the prospect of signing such a first-class attacker in Osimhen and despite his exorbitant valuation, could lodge a formal offer as he looks to rebuild Liverpool's once-imperious squad.

He is the “heart and soul” – as stated by journalist Mina Rzouki – of Napoli's thriving outfit and he could emulate such an aura at Anfield and spearhead a coveted renaissance, albeit at the expense of Nunez who could well be banished from the starting XI as a result.

Kusal Mendis said a desire to raise his average and be considered among the best players in the world was behind his unbeaten 166 on the first day in Galle

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Galle07-Mar-2017Kusal Mendis said the prospect of raising his average from the low 30s, and the goal of being among the world’s best batsmen, provided motivation to hit a big score on the first day in Galle.Like many in the Sri Lanka top order, Mendis endured an awful tour of South Africa in which he struck only one Test fifty and averaged 23.00 across six innings. That series was preceded by a lean run in Zimbabwe, where he averaged 19.75.His first Test knock at home in six months brought more luck. He edged his first ball to the wicketkeeper but was reprieved when the bowler was shown to have overstepped on review. From there, he played a largely chanceless innings and, thanks to being 166 not out at the close, his average has risen to 37.70. It will not drop below 35 even if he gets out first ball on day two.”When I played Australia at home, I had an average of about 42, but then it deteriorated little by little,” Mendis said. “People told me it’s hard to push it back above 30 if it goes below that. After I failed in South Africa, I wanted to get it back above 35, and you need a big innings to do that. People told me that when you get set, make sure you hit a big innings. I want to be among the best ten batsmen in the world, and to get my average to 40 or 45 eventually.”The return to form was not down to a specific technical change, Mendis said, though perhaps the early reprieve did help. In previous innings, Mendis has been out driving loosely, but following that first shot, he was largely watchful through the first session. Only later in the day did he adopt the positive approach that is more familiar to his game.”I practised hard after Zimbabwe and South Africa,” he said. “The coaches, senior players and captains all told me that I can handle this level – they didn’t put much pressure on me despite my failures. I corrected my backlift a bit after watching previous videos, but there weren’t any major changes. Those little things I tried to change.”I must have played a bad shot to get out first ball, but I was keen to stay there for the team after that.”Mendis’ 196-run partnership with Asela Gunaratne was instrumental to Sri Lanka’s strong position in the match. The two had come together with the score on 92 for 3, and batted with freedom over 43 overs to transform the game’s outlook.”Asela’s in really good form after doing well in the Australia series. I had a feeling he’d get a good score, given the way he was playing. When he was at the other end, it became easier for me as well. At one time, he batted well at the other end and took the pressure off me when I was feeling a bit tired. Unfortunately he got out towards the end of the day. It was easy to bat with him.”While Galle can often be a spin-bowling paradise, so far this surface has been as lifeless as any seen at the venue over the past three years. The previous Test here, against Australia, ended in two-and-a-half days, though Mendis was also impressive in that game, top-scoring with 86.”Last year when we played Australia here, the ball really turned,” Mendis said. “This time it’s easier for the batsmen, and it won’t be a big difference tomorrow – maybe late in the day the ball will spin a bit more. The wicket does seem hard though, so it’s hard to predict what will happen.”

Arsenal remain interested in a number of key men, with a fresh update having been dropped on Tuesday…

What's the latest on Moises Caicedo to Arsenal?

Writing in The Telegraph, journalist Sam Dean sought to outline the summer transfer plans of Mikel Arteta and Edu in what could be a groundbreaking window to shorten the gap between them and the treble-winning Manchester City.

Whilst the main information in the report is regarding Nicolas Pepe's supposed exit, as well as the nearing completion of the Declan Rice deal, it does also suggest that once the West Ham United star is welcomed to north London, they will turn their attention towards prying Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion, with an offer being prepared.

Their interest remains from those two failed bids in January, and despite the Ecuador international having signed a new deal since, the Seagulls will reportedly demand at least £70m.

To sign both of these Premier League midfield monsters would be a huge statement of intent from the Gunners.

How good would Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice be together?

With the notion that these two will join as a midfield partnership together, it is easy to see why Arteta sees them as complementary assets who would bring out the best in one another.

As Rice has grown in stature over the years, shining as captain of the Hammers and an instrumental cog in the England setup, his creative qualities have been emphasised this term too.

It is this offensive impetus that would offer a fine balance alongside Caicedo, who would offer a platform for such exploits.

The 24-year-old scored five goals and assisted four more in all competitions as the Irons comfortably avoided the drop and won the Europa Conference League. It seems like the fairytale ending for the England international, who can now depart the London Stadium having truly given his all to the club that first gave him a football career.

However, if he is to shine as the centrepiece of this new-look engine room, bursting forward towards the penalty area with aplomb, the 21-year-old alternative cannot be ignored for the work he will get through behind Rice.

A tireless yet classy presence in the heart of midfield, Caicedo's 7.08 average rating this term gives way to 2.7 tackles, 1.2 key passes, and 1.5 interceptions per game, via Sofascore, with such defensive aptitude potentially allowing Rice to go about his business in the final third.

Such relentless energy even led South American football expert Tim Vickery to brand him a "terrific athlete".

To place these two in midfield would be yet another Arteta masterstroke, pairing hard work and quality with both defensive and attacking boosts.

This is even without mentioning their youth, and the fact they could hold down their spots for the next decade of what could be a dominant period should they topple Pep Guardiola's history makers.

Gary Neville has boldly predicted that Manchester United will finish outside of the Premier League’s top five at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

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• Red Devils still searching for consistency
• Questions being asked of Dutch coach
• Club legend sees little cause for optimism

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils did secure a top-four finish last season, returning them to the Champions League, while a six-year wait for major silverware was brought to a close in the Carabao Cup. Big money was spent over the summer in an effort to build on those foundations, with the likes of Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund snapped up.

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  United have stumbled out of the blocks, though, picking up 12 points from eight games to sit 10th in the table as things stand. Neville does not expect things to get much better, with the Red Devils legend telling his podcast for : “I don’t think Manchester United will finish in the top five this season. I think they are way off it. And I’m surprised because seven or eight weeks ago, I had them third, But honestly from what I see at the moment, I don’t think the goalkeeper is settled in, I think he should have saved the one yesterday so that is a problem. If you’re goalkeeper is not settled in and there is a bit of instability around that, it does create a big problem. I’ve had that at United. So United, not for me.”

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  Chelsea are another heavyweight outfit to have struggled for consistency, despite spending £1 billion ($1.2bn) across the last three transfer windows, but Neville believes the future is brighter at Stamford Bridge than it is at Old Trafford. He added: “Chelsea, I think are probably nearer to it if they can go on a run because they have got some really good young talented players. Their age is a lot better than United’s squad.”

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  United did take maximum points from their last Premier League fixture, but needed a stoppage-time brace from Scott McTominay in order to edge out Brentford, and pressure is already building on Erik ten Hag during his second season at the helm – failure to qualify for the Champions League could lead to another change being made in the dugout.

Everton are in need of new options in multiple positions this summer, none more so than out wide after failing to replace Anthony Gordon following his exit to Newcastle United midway through last season.

Most of those Sean Dyche does have to call upon in attack have shown they are not good enough for a team with ambitions of battling for a place in the top half of the Premier League, Demarai Gray among them.

The 26-year-old, on a reported £25,000k-a-week at Goodison Park, could be on his way out in the coming weeks, further heightening the need for an upgrade in that wide position.

According to one report, Everton are locked in talks to bring in Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds United – a player who, like Gray, is capable of playing in multiple positions across the front-line

Should Everton sign Leeds United attacker Wilfried Gnonto?

Gnonto is expected to be offered a direct route back to the Premier League following Leeds' relegation to the Championship, with Arsenal another team supposedly interested in the 19-year-old.

While Gnonto hardly ripped up the top flight last season with his two goals and four assists, it was generally considered that he deserved far more of a chance to show his worth, having started just 14 of United's 28 league games.

When the young "firework" – as described by pundit Noel Whelan – was given a run of starts around the turn of the year, the 11-cap Italy international scored four goals in the space of seven games, including an early strike in February's 2-2 draw at Manchester United.

Even when he was not on target, the £20k-per-week starlet earned praise for his performances, such as in the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa. Gary Neville, covering the game for Sky Sports, said at the time: "To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position.

"Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of team-mates, really good honestly."

When breaking down Gnonto's bare figures, the Italian scored and assisted at a rate of 0.31 goals per 90 minutes last season, as per FBref, with that also taking in his handful of appearances for FC Zurich. Gray, by comparison, recorded a figure of 0.18.

The pair found the net from a similar number of shots – 0.06 for Gnonto and 0.04 for Gray – but the Leeds ace did come out on top for passes completed per 90 minutes (24.7 v 20.8) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.47 v 0.18), with the latter taking factors such as passes and take-ons leading to goals into consideration.

Gnonto surprisingly won more aerial duels, too, 30.8% to Gray's 22.4%, despite measuring just 5 foot 7. That is not to mention his pace, recorded at 18.21mph by Speedsdb, which makes him a "very direct" option, as former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford put it.

Leeds will not let the youngster go on the cheap as they attempt to recoup some funds following their relegation, but he has all the hallmarks of a player who can be a fan favourite at Goodison Park for a number of years to come, as well as representing a possible upgrade on Gray.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:42

Watch – Highlights of Karachi tripping up Islamabad

In a nutshell
For a team that won the title last year by playing their best cricket when it really mattered, this was the meekest of surrenders in the biggest of games. Islamabad United whimpered out of the tournament, failing in a chase of 127 and handing the record for the lowest total successfully defended at the PSL to Karachi Kings.Misbah-ul-Haq’s men put in a lion-hearted bowling performance, but were rather timid with the bat. On a slow and low pitch where strokeplay wasn’t entirely easy, they lost two early wickets and slipped into their shell. The attempts to consolidate in the middle overs was unconvincing, the response to unerringly accurate bowling from spinners Imad Wasim and Usama Mir was ugly, and the chastening defeat to end the defending champions’ campaign was inevitable.To think they had begun the match with back-to-back maidens. Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Irfan bowled to their strengths early on, keeping the length short and beating the batsmen for pace and bounce. No Karachi player could muster any sort of meaningful contribution. Left-arm quick Rumman Raees took three wickets in a sensational 19th over as Karachi collapsed from 122 for 5 to 126 all out.Where the game was won
Although he walked out to bat in the third over of the chase, Misbah, arguably, was in his comfort zone. He has restored calm in far more frenzied situations before. After all, the target in front of him wasn’t huge and the required-rate was barely even threatening. But, just as Islamabad began looking comfortable, Imad bowled Misbah with a special little slider and there was no looking back. Eight out of 10 Islamabad batsmen fell for single digits as the Karachi spinners Imad and Mir – with combined figures of 6 for 42 in eight overs – defied the dew in SharjahThe men that won it
When he was dismissed for 14 in the first innings, Imad had a run-in with Raees, unhappy at what he thought was unnecessary provocation from the bowler. Clearly, he needed to vent and did so against the Islamabad batting line-up, his trademark wicket-to-wicket sliders besting the defences of Misbah, Shane Watson and Nicholas Pooran and fetching him the Man-of-the-Match award.Sweet revengeKarachi’s 126 was the lowest total defended in two seasons of the PSL. They will find that particularly gratifying considering the part they had played in setting up the previous record – failing to chase 133 against Islamabad in 2016.The margin of victory – 44 – was also the largest – in terms of runs – at his year’s tournament. Meanwhile, Islamabad’s unravelling put the seal on only the second time a team has been bowled out under 100 in the PSL. The other instance took place last month when Lahore Qalandars were bundled out for 59 by Peshawar Zalmi.Moment of the matchKumar Sangakkara already has a shot at being remembered for taking the catch of the PSL when he leapt high to his right to dismiss Cameron Delport in Karachi’s match against Lahore last week. On Wednesday, he may well have bettered that effort.With Mohammad Amir bowling over the wicket, and Smith getting a thick outside edge, the only chance of a wicket seemed to rested with Chris Gayle at first slip. But he was backing away from the ball. He was forced to because Sangakkara had launched himself to his right, showing off reflexes not seen often among 39-year olds – and pulled off a one-handed screamer.It was a catch that stuck – at the very end of his webbing too – but Sangakkara deserved extra credit for having the presence of mind to bring his left hand over to steady the ball that was in his right before he hit the ground. The fact that it didn’t pop out was testament to the Karachi captain’s quick thinking under high pressure. Smith, Islamabad’s most prolific batsman in 2017, was gone for 8. Not long after, his team, too, succumbed.Where they stand
Islamabad find themselves out of the PSL. Karachi go through to the second eliminator, to face Peshawar for the right to compete in the final against Quetta Gladiators in Lahore on March 5.

The Pakistan captain has had some time to reassess his career and he is looking forward to leading the team during the three Tests in the Caribbean in April

Umar Farooq18-Feb-20171:11

‘Enjoying the game again’ – Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakistan tour of WI 2017

1st T20I, March 31, Port of Spain
2nd T20I, April 2, Port of Spain
1st ODI, April 7, Providence
2nd ODI, April 9, Providence
3rd ODI, April 11, Providence
Tour game, April 15-17, Trelawny
1st Test, April 22-26, Kingston
2nd Test, April 30-May 4, Bridgetown
3rd Test, May 10-14, Roseau

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan Test captain, has said he is “most likely” to be on the tour to West Indies in March with the PCB open to his playing another series before taking a call on his retirement.Misbah has been under immense scrutiny having led the team to six successive defeats in Test cricket, although it was under him that Pakistan were ranked No. 1 in the format last year. A dip in his batting form and his being 42 years old added to the drama that reached its peak after the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year when Misbah admitted to being unsure about his future as a cricketer. He has since had time to reassess and is in a better frame of mind.”It was tough on me recently with my form but now overall everything is going well so far,” Misbah told ESPNcricinfo. “I am spending time in middle, hitting the ball pretty well. Played practice matches before the PSL started and had sessions of range hitting so getting confidence with every passing game.”I am also enjoying the game so it’s most likely that I am going to the West Indies. I always believed if had to go [and play cricket] then I have to go with form and confidence otherwise there was no point of going.”ESPNcricinfo understands that the PCB and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq are putting plans in place for a smooth transition by which Pakistan can move on from the senior players like Misbah and Younis Khan. Recent meetings between the board and the selection panel have indicated their preference for having one captain for all formats but Shaharyar Khan, who has the constitutional right as PCB chief to appoint the captain, is happy to leave the call with Misbah himself. “We will respect Misbah’s decision, whatever it is. But if he is willing to play then he is my captain.”Misbah has led Pakistan in more Tests than any other player, and the 24 wins in his tenure is a national record as well. However, in comparison with some of his peers – Imran Khan or Javed Miandad – he has also lost a lot more matches. Misbah’s contribution as batsman has been significant. Since he took charge of Pakistan in 2010, he averages 50.55 which is on par with the best in history.Head coach Mickey Arthur has been in talks with Misbah as well regarding his future. Both of them are currently in the UAE for the Pakistan Super League. “I am scheduled to have another chat with Misbah next week and we will see how that all transpires. The one thing that for certain is Misbah has been fantastic for Pakistan cricket. He has been a great leader and he has been a great servant and he deserves all the accolades that he will get eventually whether that is now or whenever he does go. So I can’t shed any more lights on that because I don’t know and I am not even sure that Misbah knows it himself.”

Ethan Mbappe, at just 16 years of age, is being lined up for a potential competitive debut at Paris Saint-Germain alongside his brother Kylian.

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Teenager held in high regardPreviously figured in friendliesBrother still at Parc des PrincesWHAT HAPPENED?

The talented teenager made his senior bow for the Ligue 1 title holders in December 2022 when still 15. He figured in a friendly date with Paris FC back then and was also included in PSG’s pre-season plans ahead of the 2023-24 campaign – featuring in a 3-0 win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during the club’s tour of Asia.

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Mbappe junior has now been included in a Ligue 1 matchday squad, with PSG set to play host to Nice at Parc des Princes on Friday. He will be hoping that a comfortable evening for Luis Enrique’s side allows him to take to the field at some stage.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ethan Mbappe moved to PSG alongside his World Cup-winning brother in 2017. He arrived in Paris from AS Bondy and signed a three-year contract in the summer of 2021. Later that year, he made his bow for the France U21 side.

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Kylian Mbappe looked to be heading for the exits at PSG during the summer transfer window, as he refused to sign a contract extension and was heavily linked with Real Madrid. He is, however, still in France and Ethan has previously said of working with his sibling: “A huge pride to be able to play with you big brother.”

A fire accident at the Jharkhand team hotel forced their Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Bengal to be postponed to Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2017

A fire accident at Jharkhand’s team hotel in New Delhi’s Dwarka area on Friday morning has resulted in postponement of the second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The match between Jharkhand and Bengal will now be played on Saturday at Feroz Shah Kotla.”We were to assemble in the lobby at 7.30am as we usually do before a game, but at 7, I was asked to stay back in the room by Pratyush Singh as there was lot of fire and smoke at the ground floor lobby,” Ishank Jaggi, the Jharkhand batsman, told ESPNcricinfo. “It spread quite quickly and when we finally got out of our seventh floor rooms, all we could see around us was smoke. It was so thick that we couldn’t even see the far end of the lobby.”What added to our concern was the fire alarm didn’t go off, so we assumed it to be a small fire accident. But when there was a strong burning smell, we were asked to vacate immediately. The seriousness of it struck us only when we got out. The smoke spread to our rooms as well. That is when we were asked to run down the stairs.”After getting out of the hotel, MS Dhoni, the captain, along with the rest of the players and support staff were driven to the Palam grounds, where they are currently housed.The final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Feroz Shah Kotla was subsequently postponed to Monday.